Am I 2nlz fish or 50nlz crusher? Mate...
12-11-2020
, 09:14 AM
Hey,
I'm Ceres. A 38 yr old manchild from sunny Wales in the UK.
Five years ago I got sick and lost my job and had to move back in with the folks. After about a year I had the bright idea of learning poker as an insurance policy for my illness - not slightly underestimating how bloody hard it is.
Anyway, cut to now and I'm an okayish player (I think). Somewhat impossible to know exactly what level I'm at given I've zipped around the micros zoom and cash playing mostly 2-10nl (earnt ~£2.5k overall). Because I'm basically penniless with no income I've spent the whole roll on a mix of poker things (tracker, pio, training), food and - most importantly - marijuana. I currently play 25nl on a soft site I'm grinding for food money and seem to be crushing, but I'd like to do it on stars too as a backup bankroll AND as a test of skill. Plus the convenience of zoom is pretty amazing.
My main issues are with bankroll management (I spend it) and getting in the hours. Both of these are fixable with a little discipline and dedication.
I would estimate my skill level to be somewhere between 10-50nlz. Which brings me to the point of this challenge.
....
tHe CHallenge
[ ] 200k hands
[ ] From 2-50nlz
If I *think* I'm a 50nl player then I should be able to grind myself up from 2nl to 50nlz right? If I can hit 5bb at every stake and use an aggro bankroll strat (20 BI) then I calculate this should take me somewhere around 200k hands. And that's not so bad as a challenge for the start of 2021.
202,100 hands perhaps?
So... my plan is first of all to train for the next two weeks to see out 2020 and finally cobble together all I've learnt up til now about good micro strategy. I will maybe talk about some of that here.
I've no choice but to continue grinding my 25nl cushy site for ~ 3 hours a day, which is separate from this challenge, but I will aim to add a couple of zoom tables in for at least an hour a day and maybe more on weekends. By my most optimistic estimate this would allow me to complete the challenge in around 12-16 weeks. Or somewhere around the end of April 2021.
- as if.
Of course mother variance is queen and could destroy/prolong the whole exercise indefinitely or, and this is the more likely outcome, I might not be as good as I think I am and land flat on my arse at 5nlz. I don't know. It's an adventure. What will we find out there on the streets?
****************
Me as we stand with a lowly 20BI bankroll for 2nlz:
****************
You can follow here for updates or try and snipe me on Stars. I'm toying with the idea of adding a twitch mainly just so I can have an accessible repository of hands as played. Is that wise or am I just inviting needless hassle/stress? Idk
Anyway, thanks for reading. I'll try and make things as entertaining as can be for a 38 year old stoner in pyjamas flapping at luck buttons in a pathetic attempt to win $$$ against other lonely men.
Pray for variance,
Ceres
I'm Ceres. A 38 yr old manchild from sunny Wales in the UK.
Five years ago I got sick and lost my job and had to move back in with the folks. After about a year I had the bright idea of learning poker as an insurance policy for my illness - not slightly underestimating how bloody hard it is.
Anyway, cut to now and I'm an okayish player (I think). Somewhat impossible to know exactly what level I'm at given I've zipped around the micros zoom and cash playing mostly 2-10nl (earnt ~£2.5k overall). Because I'm basically penniless with no income I've spent the whole roll on a mix of poker things (tracker, pio, training), food and - most importantly - marijuana. I currently play 25nl on a soft site I'm grinding for food money and seem to be crushing, but I'd like to do it on stars too as a backup bankroll AND as a test of skill. Plus the convenience of zoom is pretty amazing.
My main issues are with bankroll management (I spend it) and getting in the hours. Both of these are fixable with a little discipline and dedication.
I would estimate my skill level to be somewhere between 10-50nlz. Which brings me to the point of this challenge.
....
tHe CHallenge
[ ] 200k hands
[ ] From 2-50nlz
If I *think* I'm a 50nl player then I should be able to grind myself up from 2nl to 50nlz right? If I can hit 5bb at every stake and use an aggro bankroll strat (20 BI) then I calculate this should take me somewhere around 200k hands. And that's not so bad as a challenge for the start of 2021.
202,100 hands perhaps?
So... my plan is first of all to train for the next two weeks to see out 2020 and finally cobble together all I've learnt up til now about good micro strategy. I will maybe talk about some of that here.
I've no choice but to continue grinding my 25nl cushy site for ~ 3 hours a day, which is separate from this challenge, but I will aim to add a couple of zoom tables in for at least an hour a day and maybe more on weekends. By my most optimistic estimate this would allow me to complete the challenge in around 12-16 weeks. Or somewhere around the end of April 2021.
- as if.Of course mother variance is queen and could destroy/prolong the whole exercise indefinitely or, and this is the more likely outcome, I might not be as good as I think I am and land flat on my arse at 5nlz. I don't know. It's an adventure. What will we find out there on the streets?
****************
Me as we stand with a lowly 20BI bankroll for 2nlz:
****************
You can follow here for updates or try and snipe me on Stars. I'm toying with the idea of adding a twitch mainly just so I can have an accessible repository of hands as played. Is that wise or am I just inviting needless hassle/stress? Idk
Anyway, thanks for reading. I'll try and make things as entertaining as can be for a 38 year old stoner in pyjamas flapping at luck buttons in a pathetic attempt to win $$$ against other lonely men.
Pray for variance,
Ceres
12-11-2020
, 11:11 AM
My setup, in case there are others out there who might find it useful. I basically have arthritis in both wrists so i've had to improvise.
********************
First I experimented with mice (trackball and vertical), then a gamepad, then foot pedals and then finally I realised it could technically all be done with your voice and hotkeys.
So I bought a cheap mic off amazon and this incredible program Voice Attack, which is like a user-interface for autohotkeys. It was originally designed for gamers which is perfect for poker, and it's able to do complex stuff like open programs, input bet sizes, and even say funny stuff back to you. This has freed up not only my wrists but my back too because I'm now able to easily stand and play and just bark at the monitor for anything I need to play.
Some days you can go a bit crazy saying fold 6000 times, and those days I switch to the gamepad or pedals; you could feasibly switch between all three every session and sometimes I do just to keep my joints moving and keep limber during a sesh.
Ask away if you need help setting any of that up. I've been able to get voice attack to do other cool time-saving things on my PC too so there's possibilites beyond simple playing if you get creative.
My dream is to create a set-up that could be played using only your cheek, or, even better: thought itself. But this works for now!
********************
First I experimented with mice (trackball and vertical), then a gamepad, then foot pedals and then finally I realised it could technically all be done with your voice and hotkeys.
So I bought a cheap mic off amazon and this incredible program Voice Attack, which is like a user-interface for autohotkeys. It was originally designed for gamers which is perfect for poker, and it's able to do complex stuff like open programs, input bet sizes, and even say funny stuff back to you. This has freed up not only my wrists but my back too because I'm now able to easily stand and play and just bark at the monitor for anything I need to play.
Some days you can go a bit crazy saying fold 6000 times, and those days I switch to the gamepad or pedals; you could feasibly switch between all three every session and sometimes I do just to keep my joints moving and keep limber during a sesh.
Ask away if you need help setting any of that up. I've been able to get voice attack to do other cool time-saving things on my PC too so there's possibilites beyond simple playing if you get creative.
My dream is to create a set-up that could be played using only your cheek, or, even better: thought itself. But this works for now!
12-13-2020
, 02:24 PM
12-18-2020
, 01:36 PM
Training update: Week 1
******************
Quick report on my first week...I've been collecting all my digital training material up to now and trying to filter out everything that is still relevant since I got a solver. Very useful.
One of the things that is fascinating me lately is the possibility of being able to construct and write out a very basic, primitive strategy - using various 'example' solves - and then committing this central skeleton to memory, like a gto safety blanket. From Michael Acevedo's Modern Theory of Poker, he recommends categorising flops as follows:
A = Ace
H = High (K,Q,J,T)
M = Mid (9,8,7,6)
L = Low (5,4,3,2)
So, for example, a flop of A72 would translate to AML. Or a flop of KT9 would be HHM.
Clearly we're going to play a board like KT9 differently than we would say JT6, even though they are both HHM. But by grouping them all together and training ourselves to recognise the flop texture quickly we will at least be able to narrow in on our general strategy for these *types* of spots and adjust accordingly.
So, taking these 'whole game' boards as our basis, I've started solving my ranges down for every positional spot. Pio does apparently produce reports like this in the fully paid version but I just have basic which is fine for me. Plus, by processing manually I get to customise my reports into this easier-to-remember (imo) format of ascending flop categories.
Here is an example of how I go about it, the spot is BU 3bets CO, CO checks flop:
*KEY -> starting on the left here we have a list of all the flop categories descending A-high, then the EV of each position, the difference between those EVs, and then lastly the coloured bar is Pios visual approximation of its strategy across its whole range. In this example: red = bet 66%pot, cream = bet 33%pot, and green = check. On the left the solved boards are all two-tone boards (the majority of flops) and on the right are the same nominal textures but rainbow boards. Below these two categories I've included some paired boards and monotone boards, just to get a general idea.
Obviously solving one board for one spot - e.g. HMM for CO v BB - and then declaring that as the best way to play every board in that category, would be a disaster. No. We're looking for BASELINE gto. We start off by distilling the game to it's essence so that we can grow in complexity later. We're also looking for patterns.
I can never hope to memorise everything so I'm focusing on balancing that which is most retrievable with that which is most important and common.
So far I've solved about 4 spots using this method and it's been really helpful as a starting block in trying to conceptualise my whole strategy. But now beginning to wonder if it's a little too clumsy and I'm over-simplifying by, say, including only one board for one spot, when that particular texture might occur far more often and therefore require much greater examination to play well.
Not all flop categories are created equal. As Acevedo breaks down in MPT, the most likely flop is HML, which is actually 18.5% of flops. So I could be wasting my time learning boards like AMM when they only occur 2% of the time. But I also think it's easier to memorize spot patterns when you can see their strategy laid out in a linear fashion.
So - I'm stuck on that bit at the moment. I think the system needs modifying...
******************
Quick report on my first week...I've been collecting all my digital training material up to now and trying to filter out everything that is still relevant since I got a solver. Very useful.
One of the things that is fascinating me lately is the possibility of being able to construct and write out a very basic, primitive strategy - using various 'example' solves - and then committing this central skeleton to memory, like a gto safety blanket. From Michael Acevedo's Modern Theory of Poker, he recommends categorising flops as follows:
A = Ace
H = High (K,Q,J,T)
M = Mid (9,8,7,6)
L = Low (5,4,3,2)
So, for example, a flop of A72 would translate to AML. Or a flop of KT9 would be HHM.
Clearly we're going to play a board like KT9 differently than we would say JT6, even though they are both HHM. But by grouping them all together and training ourselves to recognise the flop texture quickly we will at least be able to narrow in on our general strategy for these *types* of spots and adjust accordingly.
So, taking these 'whole game' boards as our basis, I've started solving my ranges down for every positional spot. Pio does apparently produce reports like this in the fully paid version but I just have basic which is fine for me. Plus, by processing manually I get to customise my reports into this easier-to-remember (imo) format of ascending flop categories.
Here is an example of how I go about it, the spot is BU 3bets CO, CO checks flop:
*KEY -> starting on the left here we have a list of all the flop categories descending A-high, then the EV of each position, the difference between those EVs, and then lastly the coloured bar is Pios visual approximation of its strategy across its whole range. In this example: red = bet 66%pot, cream = bet 33%pot, and green = check. On the left the solved boards are all two-tone boards (the majority of flops) and on the right are the same nominal textures but rainbow boards. Below these two categories I've included some paired boards and monotone boards, just to get a general idea.
Obviously solving one board for one spot - e.g. HMM for CO v BB - and then declaring that as the best way to play every board in that category, would be a disaster. No. We're looking for BASELINE gto. We start off by distilling the game to it's essence so that we can grow in complexity later. We're also looking for patterns.
I can never hope to memorise everything so I'm focusing on balancing that which is most retrievable with that which is most important and common.
So far I've solved about 4 spots using this method and it's been really helpful as a starting block in trying to conceptualise my whole strategy. But now beginning to wonder if it's a little too clumsy and I'm over-simplifying by, say, including only one board for one spot, when that particular texture might occur far more often and therefore require much greater examination to play well.
Not all flop categories are created equal. As Acevedo breaks down in MPT, the most likely flop is HML, which is actually 18.5% of flops. So I could be wasting my time learning boards like AMM when they only occur 2% of the time. But I also think it's easier to memorize spot patterns when you can see their strategy laid out in a linear fashion.
So - I'm stuck on that bit at the moment. I think the system needs modifying...
12-18-2020
, 02:53 PM
12-18-2020
, 03:11 PM
You see that thing that says The Deal with a jackpot amount?
Basically, you play it, 7 starscoin (7 cents, but with the rakeback currency) and you get deal 7 cards. Remove 2 and they reveal. You make a hand and win starscoin based on it. You can win some at this point but this isn't important part. But, if you are dealt a Royal, you go to the jackpot round and spin to win the jackpot. If you win it, you get 50% of the jackpot, and the rest of the players split it.
But, by having done this and played it, even if you won nothing, you have played the deal, so you are included in it for the next 12 hours. If someone hits the jackpot, they keep 50% and the other 50% is split between everyone who played in the past 12 hours. When it hits and you've played, you usually win $3-$10, depending on how many people played.
Basically, if you can play every 12 hours and stay in it, you'll get a couple 2z buyins when it hits. Just play it when it is over 200k, so the payout is bigger. Plus sometimes you hit hands in the playing part and cover a bunch of the 7c each time you play it.
I think last time I played it for 10 days before it hit (7c*2=14c*10 = $1.40 in starscoin). When it hit I got like $5.50. Plus I hit trips twice when playing it for 25c each, and a few pair and A high, so I probably spent ~$.70c in starscoin to win $4.80.
You just gotta be able to make the time at the same time AM/PM each day. I do 10am and 10pm with a phone reminder.
https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/the-deal/
12-19-2020
, 07:34 AM
12-19-2020
, 08:14 AM
Quote:
You see that thing that says The Deal with a jackpot amount?
Basically, you play it, 7 starscoin (7 cents, but with the rakeback currency) and you get deal 7 cards. Remove 2 and they reveal. You make a hand and win starscoin based on it. You can win some at this point but this isn't important part. But, if you are dealt a Royal, you go to the jackpot round and spin to win the jackpot. If you win it, you get 50% of the jackpot, and the rest of the players split it.
But, by having done this and played it, even if you won nothing, you have played the deal, so you are included in it for the next 12 hours. If someone hits the jackpot, they keep 50% and the other 50% is split between everyone who played in the past 12 hours. When it hits and you've played, you usually win $3-$10, depending on how many people played.
Basically, if you can play every 12 hours and stay in it, you'll get a couple 2z buyins when it hits. Just play it when it is over 200k, so the payout is bigger. Plus sometimes you hit hands in the playing part and cover a bunch of the 7c each time you play it.
I think last time I played it for 10 days before it hit (7c*2=14c*10 = $1.40 in starscoin). When it hit I got like $5.50. Plus I hit trips twice when playing it for 25c each, and a few pair and A high, so I probably spent ~$.70c in starscoin to win $4.80.
You just gotta be able to make the time at the same time AM/PM each day. I do 10am and 10pm with a phone reminder.
https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/the-deal/
You see that thing that says The Deal with a jackpot amount?
Basically, you play it, 7 starscoin (7 cents, but with the rakeback currency) and you get deal 7 cards. Remove 2 and they reveal. You make a hand and win starscoin based on it. You can win some at this point but this isn't important part. But, if you are dealt a Royal, you go to the jackpot round and spin to win the jackpot. If you win it, you get 50% of the jackpot, and the rest of the players split it.
But, by having done this and played it, even if you won nothing, you have played the deal, so you are included in it for the next 12 hours. If someone hits the jackpot, they keep 50% and the other 50% is split between everyone who played in the past 12 hours. When it hits and you've played, you usually win $3-$10, depending on how many people played.
Basically, if you can play every 12 hours and stay in it, you'll get a couple 2z buyins when it hits. Just play it when it is over 200k, so the payout is bigger. Plus sometimes you hit hands in the playing part and cover a bunch of the 7c each time you play it.
I think last time I played it for 10 days before it hit (7c*2=14c*10 = $1.40 in starscoin). When it hit I got like $5.50. Plus I hit trips twice when playing it for 25c each, and a few pair and A high, so I probably spent ~$.70c in starscoin to win $4.80.
You just gotta be able to make the time at the same time AM/PM each day. I do 10am and 10pm with a phone reminder.
https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/the-deal/
12-19-2020
, 07:32 PM
Apologies to MACROpenis.
12-27-2020
, 03:53 PM
In a word mate, ouch
Is there a word for instantly turning into a fish at new stakes?
That.
I haven't played that bad in a year I don't think. I was taking it slowly too, but way overthinking far too often. Suddenly can't fold.
Sake. I had to stop playing which is rare. I suppose that's progress.
Anyway, lots of fish here innit? Glad I jumped in!
[~4BIs of pure spam, + no way concerned at this ridiculously early stage. It's pure unnecessary fancy play at new stake syndrome in action. Hopefully I'll look back on this before future leaps.]
Is there a word for instantly turning into a fish at new stakes?
That.
I haven't played that bad in a year I don't think. I was taking it slowly too, but way overthinking far too often. Suddenly can't fold.
Sake. I had to stop playing which is rare. I suppose that's progress.
Anyway, lots of fish here innit? Glad I jumped in!
[~4BIs of pure spam, + no way concerned at this ridiculously early stage. It's pure unnecessary fancy play at new stake syndrome in action. Hopefully I'll look back on this before future leaps.]