Basically, I need help. I can't find where my leak is and why I cannot consistently win. I play on Bovada (US player - all the other sites I've tried are terrible). I have switched to playing Micro Stakes & Micro SNGs because my bankroll lasts longer. I am just incredibly inconsistent.

I have played a little on the WSOP circuit and have come within a few spots of cashing in the ring events, but haven't been able to bust that bubble. On the WSOP circuit stops, the WSOP always runs 7pm nightly non-ring event tourneys. Usually around 120 people. I made 4 final tables out of 5 including a 2nd, 4th, 5th, & 7th place finish. That gave me a lot of confidence and I began playing more. However, in the cash games I was just getting killed so I decided to go back to basics and practice online.

I picked up some poker books & started learning the game more. I feel like I have a pretty solid grasp of the game (with still a ton to learn), but I cannot win consistently. I found that a huge leak in my game is just playing too many hands. I've started only playing the hands from this page: http://www.pokerlistings.com/strateg...ay-fewer-hands , along with A-10 suited, 8-8, and a few others from the button (suited connectors, bluffing hands). The strategy at first seemed to be working, but I have hit another downturn.

I am just very frustrated because I am a very intelligent person and I should be able to grasp the nuances of the game that make a person a consistent winner, and yet I struggle to do so. I have a really good friend who travels with me and also plays on Bovada. He is in the exact same boat that I am. We talk to people in casinos who say they have been successful online and have played professionally, but then they turn around and ask us to stake them in a tourney or if they can crash in our room because they don't have money for a room lol. Are there consistent money makers out there? Like long term, grinding. Not winning one huge tournament.

If so, please offer me some advice. I am going to finish all 4 of the poker books I've got on my bookshelf (Brunson, Caro, Harrington, Sklansky) before I put more on my bankroll. But after that I would love to jump back in.

Has anyone been in my shoes and turned it around?

Signed,

Very Frustrated But Not Ready To Give Up

It does sound like you still have a lot to learn, but it does look like you are heading in the right direction. You just need to study, and invest time practicing. I think you are making a good choice to tighten up for now.

I assume you recognize this already, but there is obviously quite a drastic change going from online to live, and obv, from tourn vs cash. These games play very differently, and you need to make adjustments accordingly.

I think the best tournament books I've read so far are Kill Everyone and Raiser's Edge.

I think it's difficult to find good books on playing cash games, but I think Professional No-limit hold 'em volume 1 is my favorite so far.

Good luck.
-Joovie

Also, the one move that plug's most leaks for low limits plays, is learning to Bet-fold.

Bet-fold, means lead out but fold if you get raised. Doing this can help you maximize your value in places I'm sure you are currently missing, and stop paying off better hands. Of course, Bet-folding isn't perfect for every spot, but if you get in a spot you don't want to do, the I recommend Bet-fold.

Usually, Bet-fold>check-folding>>>>>>>>>>>>check-calling. Check calling is usually the worst possible play to make.

Run good, play better,
Joovie

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!

Have only using the hands posted in your op helped your results at all?

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this made me laugh

are you looking for cash or MTT resources?

Poker shouldnt be the only material read into. Reading material that delves into psychology, leadership, and philosophy have helped my game tremendously.

Taking one day a week at a barnes and noble or BAM and read through one book, then apply what you learn.

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Ive experienced the same frustrations you describe.
For solving this you need to realize there must be some changes you need to make in your life and/or the way you deal with poker.
What helped for me was to change my goals and expectations regarding poker.
I decided to take a year to have great bankrollmanagement and only played stuff (mostly tournaments) for which i have at least 100 times the buyin for.
I quit looking at poker through pink sunglasses as we say in Holland. What i mean with it i tried to let go of the thoughts like ''poker is gonna get me rich'' or 'poker needs to make me riçh''.
I kept grinding and playing a lot less hours a day.
I started focussing on my favourite game, the game i wanted to learn better and wasnt playing any games anymore (in my case cash games) where i knew i wasnt good at. I quit playing for the rewards such as fpp and rakeback.
I only played when i was really feeling like it and was well rested.
I kept learning about the game and bought pokersoftware and a membership of a pokertrainingsite.
I got better.
As is said i did this for only a year, if you think about it a year is not that long. After the year i had a big bankroll (because i never did a cashout during this year) which i used to really invest in my pokercarreer. I started to play more cashgames and was winning more overall because i got a lot better over the year.
I started to earn more from rakeback and bonusses.

I will let you know on the first of january 2015 how my plan worked out for me