Stdev will converge to an accurate number much faster than winrate. But stdev by itself without an accurate winrate really does not mean squat... any useful analysis (downswing potential, etc,) requires an accurate winrate.

Is 100 bb/100 a fairly average std dev?

I don't have a wide range of samples, but I honestly think that 100bb/100 is low for most games & players (live).

I always thought a compilation of many players / games / stakes would be an interesting analysis to see how variance changes with:

- player style
- buy in structure / depth
- BTN straddle
- level of game (stakes, etc)


... however, at the end of the day, I think most people are close enough just using the 20+ buy-in rule without even understanding the underlying factors.

Plus any real statistician will puke at the notion that we consider poker results to be normally distributed.

.. although when left with no other way to analyze expectation / variance, I assert those traditional stats methods are *good enough* vs claiming poker is impossible to trend

Hey bip, assume a 20 dollar straddle every hand in a omaha high only game. Lets say the average stack is 3-5k and their are zero sharks, all droolers. What would you estimate is a healthy roll to withstand the volatility of a 20 dollar bring in with 3-5k stacks?

150kish?

What's the minimum you would say?

If playing that game for a living - I would want at least a $150k roll... but no science behind that - just really a "feel" figure.

The RoR scenarios really leave out the fact that when you burn 50% of your roll... you usually aren't going to play well with the remainder - or - if we are smart, we can move down and have X buyins for however many levels down..

To me the bigger factor in roll size is emotional stability and comfort - not risk of ruin... in the game you described you will have $20k intrasession swings - nevermind what can happen in a bad week or month.

The "all droolers" thing - if true - would allow you to play a thinner BR... but that is just a hypothetical table - you won't be the only shark for long if such a game existed.

* To be clear - I am not a full time player and I violate bankroll "guidelines" all the time...

Yeah that's why I basically stopped keeping track of stats beyond gubbmint purposes

Hello all. I'm sure this question has been asked a dozen times, but I'm not sure how to properly search for it to find the answers I'm seeking.

Just curious if anyone out there is consistently making a profit playing live 1-2 NL? There is a casino I pass on my way home from work (Majestic Star-- Gary, IN) that seems to have a pretty loose 1-2 game judging by other posts on this forum and just from what I saw sitting down at a table last weekend.

I've played online micro-stakes for years and have been fairly successful, but I'd like to jump into the live game at this casino as it seems to have profit potential. I'm aware that I'll have to adjust my game to cater to the dynamic of playing the 1-2 game live.

Wondering if anyone plays this limit live and if they're making any side cash doing so and also-- if I prove to be a good player in this game-- what my expected win rate could be?

This post maybe belongs in the official winrate thread, but i can answer here anyway and share my thoughts.

I have played 1/2 for an extra source of income over the last two years now. It took a long time before i was sure i was really a winning player, but after steady profit over 2 years and many hours played i dont feel like i have to prove anything more to myself.

How much you can expect making playing 1/2 at casinogames i probably cant tell you. But you could make good money here as a sidejob, thats no doubt. It all depends on how good of a player you are/will become, and your ability to beat the games.


I much prefer juicy homegames, and from my experience homegames are much softer than many casinogames. Also well organized raked homegames is the nutz when it comes to comfort, with better chairs, free drinks and the host making homemade food.

By the way i had an online background just as you have, and it took me some time for sure to adapt to live play and dynamics, its a completely different game than online poker.

Last year i ended up around 9 k, playing approximetely 3 eight hour sessions a month.

I appreciate the info. I'm not aware of any home games in my area otherwise I'd probably jump in. The game at this casino I've heard is nice and soft, but its kind of in a bad area which inhibits alot of players from going to it. I've been a gambler at this casino for years and there's always 2 tables of 1-2 going on. I am fairly confidant that over time I can be profitable in this game.

Not looking to go pro or anything, just want to make a little extra side cash. I'd rather make that money playing poker instead of getting an actual part time job with a set schedule and bosses and all that other nonsense

Yeah, i understand that- much prefer to make some money from poker

All i can advocate is to play to get some experience, and be active in this forum and be open minded to learn from players that are better than you.

Sometimes i have gotten flamed in my hand histories threads, wich can feel harsh for sure. But thats what really got some important learning processes going for me.

Since Jan 20th my run bad I am up $3k and down $9k in EV since I started recording. 22.5 Buy ins over 164 hours. This is my 2nd year playing full time and I never thought this would be possible. Not only that I have hit 4 sets this year and lost every time. When I am ahead on the flop.

I haven't won a single all in over $1k this year.

I don't think I will ever run good enough to make up for this run bad even over the next few years.

Some people Ive now realised are just born unlucky. On top of this I am down another $20k in EV from live PLO during Oct/Nov/Dec last year. Ive now dropped this game completely as there is way to much luck involved.

How exactly does one calculate EV in live games? Are you really keeping track of every hand and figuring it all out afterward? Seems like a big waste of time.

lol...Live EV? Doubt you are calculating it right.

Sorry for the runbad though

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I don't doubt the variance in this game, but also people (not saying you) really also overestimate how big 1 bad play can multitude on later streets, too many times I have seen a tilting players go broke on a limped pot where they should have never been in the situation in the first place. An article by (I think Ed Miller) talks about these compounding mistakes and the true damage they do. If I am sensing some tilt come on and the blinds are coming to me I get up and go for a walk, hitting awkward pots in the blinds with a tad of entitlement tilt is a disaster waiting to happen.

Am I ready for $2/5?

~$13/hour over 1300 hours of live $1/2 full ring.

$10,000 in the bank. My poker BR is the same as my living expenses BR.

Stable job that pays $25/hour with future anticipated pay jump to $33/hour.

20k in debt for student loans, but the months payment is tiny. Total monthly expenses = ~$1300.

10k living and 10k poker BR?

Should be good, take a 5-6 BI shot and if you drop to 7k grind back up and take another shot IMO.

You should be able to win more than $13/hr at 1/2. I would try improving your w/r there first but that's just me.

LMFAO you are up 3k in 164 hours this year!?!?! and are whining about runbad. Get back to me after you play another 5k hours or so and then tell me about some serious runbad

most live poker players have zero clue about how bad run bad can get. This is the reason why people tell you to have 6 mos living set aside blah blah blah. Not trying to be a tool here - just giving you a heads up on how sick it can get

i'd focus on being a better player

This is so very very true. Most people have no clue how sick and soul crushing a downswing can get. There's nothing that can really prepare you for it until you go through it. But you just have to remind yourself of the massive short term variance in this game.

How have you improved over the +1k hours? Were you a break even player then gradually improved or do you think that you are a 6.5bb/hr player? If the latter is the case I'm sure you can find leaks in your game that need to be plugged before moving up stakes.

I do suggest that you separate your BR from your life roll in either case.