Gl op, hope u accomplish ur goal

good luck, OP. I'm late to the party but looking forward to your the rest of the journey .

Always interesting to see where people fall on the "how much can you make at 1/2NL" question. For your sake, I'm glad that the games play so deep. As your bankroll and confidence increase, try to buy in for the max whenever possible. Then, when you're sitting with 1K+ vs. weak villains and playing straddled pots, I don't see why you can't achieve a 2/5ish winrate.

What tourney series is next month?

How soft are the games here? Im assuming its pretty reg heavy? Would u say its worth an hour drive to play here vs an $8 rake card room where the play is super soft?

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Hello. I am subscribing to your thread to track your progress.

I am going through a similar process in Connecticut.

I'm going to PM you questions about acquiring properties as well!

Thanks and good luck!

@Yster- I did hear something about a tourney in June, but as of now no intention of playing the tournament. I’m just not rolled for it right now.
@Harby33 I believe the tournament is called the Horseshoe Southern Ind Classic June 22-30
@Fluke22, @PokerJuice1, @Bob_124,and @parallelflex thanks for checking in on the thread, and thanks for the encouragement. I truly feel I am playing better this year because of this thread. The encouraging words all of the 2+2ers is keeping me motivated. So thanks everyone for helping me in this journey. @Fluke22 u mentioned Brian and Jerry, who love to get the games out of the mud w some huge straddles, and big raises.... I enjoy playing with them, and I do understand my $800 buyn can be easily at risk in just one hand against these types of players. I just try to get it in good, and hope it holds. @Bob_124 u mentioned to buyn for the max as much as possible. Just wanted to make it clear that I always come to the table w the max buyn (at least $300 up to half big stack) once I first sit down. Sometimes I will add on to that (if chip down or to get half of big stack), but I will never exceed $800 total buyn in one day. My max total daily buyn per $40k challenge is $800. If I buyn for the max of $800, I will not reload if go bust or chip down. If I lose $800 in one hand the first minute, I leave. That’s the MAX investment for 1day. Thanks you guys and good luck to all in life and poker.
@Number1Hater Your 3 questions….
How soft the games? Some days are better than others. Just depends on the line up. Next question-Reg Heavy? Yes a lot of regulars, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are all solid. Some are really spewy, some nitty, but most of them are abc =Pretty easy to read. On the other hand, there are a select few that are very solid, and mix it up = keep me on my toes. I usually know 6 out of the 9 players at the table = lots of regs. To answer your last question-worth the 1hr drive? Nights are good as tables start building. Fridays and Sats get a lot of 1/2 tables going (8-10 tables). I would say, maybe try it out on a Friday and Saturday, and see what u think. Gl buddy
Update: I been extremely busy the past 10 days w my rentals, but I’m trying to squeeze in poker when I can. Only played twice in the last week…. +63 on 5hrs of play & +$131 on 7hop. During one session, this guy in the large blind would ALWAYS make it $5 dollars no matter what after every one limped in for $2. This guy must hv gotten peer pressured a lot as a kid, because every time the dealer asked if he wanted his option he obliged to the tune of a $3 raise…. No matter his holdings... It would be $5 for 93off and $5 for KK it didn’t matter to him, nor did he care. One hand, I rivered bottom straight against this player, and it gave him nuts (top straight). I bet and he doesn’t raise me w the nuts! That guy was ultra classic! If u want to tilt the table just min raise ur LB every time people limp. I didn’t realize how pissy people get when that happens. Ultra Classic Guy tilted the whole table, and it made for a gd game. Sad thing is Ultra Classic Guy had no clue.
Everybody loves poker

I think its worth it to consider modifying this rule. Everyone has different styles and different theories about optimizing EV. For me, I see 2 things about this post that I personally don't abide to. Buying in $800 deep in a 1/2 game is pretty unusual. Unless you are super confident playing super super deep, I usually shy away from it. How big is your edge super deep against equally solid players, I admit that I usually get lost somewhere in the hand against good players really deep. Against weak players, its slightly different story, but insta-buy in for max as you sit doesn't seem optimal if you have the option of topping off to the max at any point in the game (presumable after you assess whether it will be good to top off).

Secondly, I think I have a higher tolerance to being stuck. If I'm down $700-$800, I usually can prevent myself from tilting and keep on playing if the table is good and there is still a lot of $ in play. If I'm stuck and the table sucks, I'll insta-quit but if the fishes are just getting lucky, I will keep sitting, I think you lose a lot of EV if you are stuck your $800 stop loss and quit even if game is good.


In the northeast, I don't find this to be the case. Most people will happily put in the extra few bucks and think of it as a "pot builder". The fastest way I've seen getting regulars to tilt their butt off is to constantly raise like a maniac. Basically standard lag play but amp it up a notch or 2 and the nitregs will loosen up, trying to call $15 pre so they can hit a flop and trap you. This works very well against the nittish regs, not very good against people who have a clue and will 3B you light.

+1. If your concern is with winrate, then a huge consideration is your ability/willingness to play deep. Other than the skill of the player pool (and maybe rake?), I can't think of a more important factor in maximizing winrate.

Given this, focus on playing deep with fish whenever possible. I agree that you shouldn't always buy in to cover the biggest stack; but if your honest self-assessment is that you're a strong player, then you usually should. I would also recommend reading some of the threads that discuss deep-stacked play.

Getting fish to make 400BB+ errors with non-nut hands is where you're going to profit. In order to capitalize on these situations, you need to play deeper. Granted, the variance will suck, but you'll eventually have more money in your pocket.

This is my home casino and I strongly agree. As unbelievable as this sounds....it isn't uncommon to see someone straddle for $100 out of a $1K stack and defend with a marginal hand against a shove from a big stack.

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I agree with Fluke and the others about your $800 stop loss. Pretty huge mistake imo. If youre tilting leave. If youre stuck and the game is bad, switch tables or leave. If neither are true, but you have reached some arbitrary #, then get your money back. It really is that simple. Say you are stuck $600 and All State Brian has $1500 you are making a huge mistake not topping off.

GL

thanks man.

i guess i should be more specific with my question. how often are the regs going after each other? is there a bunch of 3b/4b wars going on? i only ask because the games i play in are super soft, and really have no dynamic going on. happens a lot online, but wondering how often it happens at the live tables.

Where are you......Belterra?

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I totally get where everyone is coming from w this $800 max buyn thing. I respect everyone opinion on the matter. For me personally, the “800 total daily max/stop loss” is just a matter of choice. So if I’m stuck $800 in a 1/2 game, I just don’t like playing any further. It’s that simple. It doesn’t matter the line up or what fish are there. Me personally, I’m just not in the mood to play after losing $800. It’s not tilt, it’s just my mood. I rather regroup and sleep on it. There will always be a game there the next day, and perhaps more fish w big stacks. I totally understand I cd b giving up some +eV spots walking away from a gd table, but I’m cool w that. It’s just money…no biggie. I’m all about living in zenful harmony. I don’t like to do things that don’t make me happy. Playing stuck $800 isn’t fun for me. I rather leave….Namaste.
As always appreciate everyone's opinion. The insight always give me something to think about. Maybe I can tweak some things here and there... Always a student/Always learning...

IM TRYING TO STICK TO THE CHALLENGE GUIDLELINES SETFORTH ON FIRST POST.

There are many kinds of tilt. Like I'm feeling blue cause I lost more money today than I wanted to tilt. No shame in it. I think the best poker is played when you aren't feeling too attached to the weapons you have in front of you. I should think most players have a number where they start feeling a little off. I've never had the pleasure of playing with All State Brian, but I've heard stories, and it sounds like playing with him while extremely lucrative is probably not for the faint of heart. If your mood slips a little when you are $800 in the hole, putting another large chunk on the table to play with a guy who will put you to the test for it might not be the best spot mentally...even thought it's a great spot.

Bought in for $400, and first couple hours +/- $70. Then I ran into 3 crucial hands over the next few hours.
In one hand I made a great bluff that i believe at least 80% of time wd work. But it didnt go well w this 70yr old rec player called. He only played one orbit, and not much of a read rather than observing he was 7 star when he gave his card to the dealer....Shd of taken that into more consideration. --it's harder to bluff a true gambler. Long story short he called a $100 raise w QQ on Ace board....Good call sir, I lose $160 on the hand.
Another hand - I ($420) flopped flush&gutter draw...2 players call $25, and I raise to $200 on flop. Villain ($440) flops bottom set and easily calls the raise. shocked: villain checks dark on turn....Brick turn, I check. River is bingo (flush), he checks and I go all in $220. After tanking, he calls.... #pokergodscamethrough
Last crucial hand of the sesh was losing $200 on flush over flush.
In closing, I'm really getting annoyed w the bone headed 1/2 players not knowing the what bet amount is, or whose turn it is, or asking the dealer who raised (one of my favs), or not knowing who else is in the hand, and everything else that is plain moronic. How can u not know whose turn it is, or the bet amount, or who raised, or whose in the hand, etc.! I understand occasionally, but do u hv to ask the dealer these stupid questions every time its ur turn to act?! Do you know how to follow the bets counterclockwise?. Do you not see who has cards in front of them? Do u not see the bet to right of u?, Even more, are they not paying attention? ....Sorry I had to get that off my chest.
Today was a boss! ("boss" a word that is ONLY cool amongst elementary/middle school students-I learned this from my daughter. Sorry to use it in the forum )
+$308

Grinding

Nice update. Ty for that. Maybe a vid next time.
? Gl

This thread definitely needs a video!

I just cant seem to pull the string... Kind of like giving up on river.

STOP THE PRESS!!...THIS JUST IN!!! ...RAYZ WON A TOURNAMENT!!
It all happened when I got the call today...
"Ray, whad up? U down w a $50 Buyn here at the man cave?"....I reply, "let me check and c whats up w the fam, and perhaps I may show up." .... (Between us 2+2ers "Perhaps" usually means NO!) SIDENOTE: I HATE HOME GAMES!! But since I haven't play in dreaded home game for a few years, I thought I'd show up....So after Sat evening church, I grab a 6er of some Sierra Nevada and head to my buddy's man cave (garage) for a "social poker game". My memories from Poker in the "man cave" warns me it's going to be anything but normal poker. Poker in the "man cave/garage" consists of A LOT of metal chairs, 4 kmart special poker tables (one has cup holders #bonus), a weight bench in the corner, a slight odor of gas/oil mix, a thick haze of cig/herb/cigar smoke, a few belingerent women, a beer spill every 7 hands, tons of breaks, a pissed off guy wanting to fight, a dog that slobbers on ya, someone stopping the game for 20 mins to move a car, deck of cards w the holes in the middle, and a big screen tv w glitches.
Needless to say, I shipped the it for $700 (minus buy n = +$650 and a slight headache). I never thought I wd b playing home games, so Im not sure whether to count this on my challenge or not....Screw it! IM COUNTING IT!!

Well i been switching it up lately w poker rooms. One gd thing about where I live (Southern Indiana) is that Im close to a few different Casinos. I wd say there are 4 choices to play poker all within a couple hours. Majority is played at HSI, but every now and then I like to mix it up. #breakmonotony. The next few days Im gonna be playing HSI, then head back to Hollywood to play some 1/3 during their Spring Open Tournament (early May). Even though I won a small home game tournament tonight, I still am holding off on major Tournaments for now...Working on the roll
Trust Him,
Ray

Off to the shoe. Going to try to run up this mini gd run. Will try to update the session on here every couple hours. Shd b there around 1pm. Sesh update soon. To b cont...

Maybe will play to today. If cant make, I will be checking in today on the updates. Hangover from the Pale Ales?

After a 30min wait and reading the latest Bluff magazine, they just called my name for 1/2. Buying in for $300. It looks like 4 players have $400-500, so it cd b a gd game. We'll c. To b continued...(2hrs)

Congrats on the bink!

@pure_aggression thanks
Well the cash game is currently not going my way. I added on $350, so into the game for $650 and already stuck $400. I had a couple of big pots that obv didn't go my way. One was a big draw that I missed, and another hand I get counterfeited on river. I needed this time to post and regroup. Lets c if I can turn it around.
To b cont' shortly...

Much 0f the same, and all the big stacks left. Gonna b hard to get it back. Grind time.
To b continued...