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online poker getting much tougher to beat

  • 27-04-2009 12:46pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,437 ✭✭✭


    Those of us who have been playimg online for a good few years will notice how much tougher it's getting. Even the difference between now and say 6 months ago. Over the weekend I decided I wanted to play a bit more relaxed after a lot of recent swings that were doing my head in. I dropped right down and grinded some .5/1 plo over the weekend - it was beatable but not quite as soft as I thought it would be, then today I started up another few tables of .5/1 plo - after about 30 to 40 hands I noticed it was nearly all regs and between these 3 tables there was only one player I would have categorized as below-average. I mean this is friggin .5/1 plo - wtf :eek:. A couple of years ago any good player would be able to crush that game anytime - whereas now I ended up quitting the tables coz they were simply no good. I'm left scratching my head tbh - I mean I'm basically playing plo coz I reckon it's the softest game on the net. NL had already gotten full of regs, most of whom are at least semi-good. Sngs I've noticed have toughened up a helluva lot also in the last year. I think just about every winning players ROI% in the $200+ games has dropped.

    I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to go 100% pro now. Especially as the only juicy games are on in the evenings and weekends (even then not as juicy as they used to be.)

    Anyway.... thoughts?


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,124 ✭✭✭NickyOD


    Training sites are to blame imo.

    Any player that has been online for 3-4 years should still be crushing 1-2 at least though. If not they should give up. I think the problem at the moment is there is so much info on how to play well available on the net that players who started maybe only a year ago catch up to the more expereinced regs a lot quicker.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭El Stuntman


    any thoughts on the rise of bots as another factor helping to kill off online games?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,258 ✭✭✭digiman


    Or those shortstacking rodents, they are destroying the games I think. I posted up a screenshot in BBV a while back were there were 5 shortstacks at my table. The other thing about them too is that they are taking up spaces on the Waiting Lists all the time as well which is really annoying. Big problem on ipoker atm, PokerStars isn't so bad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,437 ✭✭✭luckylucky


    NickyOD wrote: »
    Training sites are to blame imo.

    Any player that has been online for 3-4 years should still be crushing 1-2 at least though. If not they should give up. I think the problem at the moment is there is so much info on how to play well available on the net that players who started maybe only a year ago catch up to the more expereinced regs a lot quicker.

    Training sites have had a big impact alright no doubt, maybe I need to use one myself ;)

    I'd say very few(if any) are crushing games at any medium level or higher tbh. I don't play NL these days, the last times I played it - it was mostly around the 2/4 level - it was full of tough regs then and I thought fk it - they are easier options than this. I can't imagine that 1/2 NL is going to be hugely softer than 2/4. Perhaps still quite beatable but crushable is another matter.
    any thoughts on the rise of bots as another factor helping to kill off online games?

    I don't know enough about this but I'd imagine it could well be a factor.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,754 ✭✭✭ianmc38


    While the games have obviously gotten alot tougher, they are still extremely soft at lower stakes. I'm just after returning from a 5 month break from poker and I started off playing some smaller stake games (.50/1 and 1/2) to get back into the groove. I genuinely think that if a player cannot crush small stakes after a few years playing that long term they have almost no chance of ever beating mid stakes games.

    Sure the games are getting tougher, but a good player can adapt. The regulars in those games have loads of massive leaks. It's all about exploiting them. Ask yourself what mistakes they are making and what you can do to take advantage of it. Game select better. Spread your action across multiple sites. Try a new game. Even better, hire a coach. This is imo the only way for you to actually improve. Pay the money to have someone really good analyse your game and find out your own leaks. I think this will be a real wake up call and imo a sound investment. I think training sites are overrated. They're good for the fundamentals, but watching videos by someone like CTS or SBrugby or OMGClayAiken or whoever isn't going to suddenly give you their poker abilities.

    Ultimately, there are still lots of people in the poker world making lots of money. I was a little worried when I came back from my break that the games would be really really tough. I've found almost the opposite. Games are still great and I'm super positive about playing at the moment.

    Gl with whatever route you take!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,720 ✭✭✭El Stuntman


    any thoughts on the rise of bots as another factor helping to kill off online games?
    digiman wrote: »
    Or those shortstacking rodents, they are destroying the games I think.

    are they not the same thing?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,258 ✭✭✭digiman


    are they not the same thing?

    Could well be.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 103 ✭✭pkaces


    digiman wrote: »
    Or those shortstacking rodents, they are destroying the games I think. I posted up a screenshot in BBV a while back were there were 5 shortstacks at my table. The other thing about them too is that they are taking up spaces on the Waiting Lists all the time as well which is really annoying. Big problem on ipoker atm, PokerStars isn't so bad.

    I agree, I don 't know about the mid stakes but at the micro stakes this is a real pain in the ass. They just ship it , double up and leave


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,513 ✭✭✭RoadSweeper


    TBH, I find spreading my roll across 3-4 sites a massive bonus. I only have 3-6 tables open at a time. I play from .5/1 to 5/10 depending where the games are. I've sat with fish on 8max and 10 max tables. I'm not grinding anymore, but just constantly isoloating the weaker players at the table.

    My table selection had increased my win rate so much. If i'm not happy with a table, I wont play till I find another table, I actively look across the sites for another table. The new HM table scanner lets be scan stars and ipoker at the same time, and I also play on 2 other european sites. I find I can play at any time during the day/night as a result

    I dont play yamaha, but i'd imaging the games are still v soft. I've sat in for a laugh a few times and judging by stacks, there wernet regs, but by no means ss.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,124 ✭✭✭NickyOD


    digiman wrote: »
    Or those shortstacking rodents, they are destroying the games I think. I posted up a screenshot in BBV a while back were there were 5 shortstacks at my table. The other thing about them too is that they are taking up spaces on the Waiting Lists all the time as well which is really annoying. Big problem on ipoker atm, PokerStars isn't so bad.

    Surely all short stackers at low to medium stakes are losers anyway. That's not bad for the game at all.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Dave147


    I find PLO has gotten an awful lot tougher in the last year, I used be able to beat 2/4 on ladbrokes consistently and crush the lower stakes.. Even playing .10/.25 on Pokerstars has gotten harder whereas I could win 5 buy-ins in an hour before. I still find $10 MTT's and SnG's very soft but the beats are horrendous.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,124 ✭✭✭NickyOD


    ianmc38 wrote: »
    I think training sites are overrated. They're good for the fundamentals, but watching videos by someone like CTS or SBrugby or OMGClayAiken or whoever isn't going to suddenly give you their poker abilities.

    I would agree that a training site is not going to get you to higher stakes without already having plenty of ability and talent, but the whole concept of training players has woken relative newcomers up to the fact that they need HM and coaching to improve, thus bringing them to a level where they're playing 21/18 or whatever and are much harder to exract money from. Without the training sites there would be soooooo much more dead money at all stakes up 3/6.

    I met some guys at a party a couple of weeks ago who I had played against once or twice in the local cardroom. They are probably above average live players for that kind of club. Would have a reasonable grasp of the game for an intelligent player playing a year live.

    Then I learned then that they had all been playing on line for as long as I have (6 or 7 years) but didn't use HM or Pokertracker, didn't read the forums, had no clue about getting rakeback deals and I'm sure had no notion whatsoever about the possibility of getting coaching.

    I then overheard them discussing a hand where one guy 4-bet folded Jacks and they all agreed they would have done the same thing!!!

    Players like this are ****ing great for online poker. Leave them to it. Don't ****ing teach them!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 305 ✭✭copperhead


    i agree online cash games are dying
    seems every table at lower levels are full
    of grinders, its very rare more than 2 people see flop
    and min and standard raises getting through at .5/.10 come on


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭KashMachine


    How are you going to make the 250K playing .50/1??
    ianmc38 wrote: »
    While the games have obviously gotten alot tougher, they are still extremely soft at lower stakes. I'm just after returning from a 5 month break from poker and I started off playing some smaller stake games (.50/1 and 1/2) to get back into the groove. I genuinely think that if a player cannot crush small stakes after a few years playing that long term they have almost no chance of ever beating mid stakes games.

    Sure the games are getting tougher, but a good player can adapt. The regulars in those games have loads of massive leaks. It's all about exploiting them. Ask yourself what mistakes they are making and what you can do to take advantage of it. Game select better. Spread your action across multiple sites. Try a new game. Even better, hire a coach. This is imo the only way for you to actually improve. Pay the money to have someone really good analyse your game and find out your own leaks. I think this will be a real wake up call and imo a sound investment. I think training sites are overrated. They're good for the fundamentals, but watching videos by someone like CTS or SBrugby or OMGClayAiken or whoever isn't going to suddenly give you their poker abilities.

    Ultimately, there are still lots of people in the poker world making lots of money. I was a little worried when I came back from my break that the games would be really really tough. I've found almost the opposite. Games are still great and I'm super positive about playing at the moment.

    Gl with whatever route you take!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,258 ✭✭✭digiman


    NickyOD wrote: »
    Surely all short stackers at low to medium stakes are losers anyway. That's not bad for the game at all.

    What makes you say this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,513 ✭✭✭RoadSweeper


    Shortstacker sare usually marginal winneres or losers, but get a **** load of bonus or rake.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,646 ✭✭✭cooker3


    I pretty much agree with Ian. While sure the games are tougher I think it's somewhat pointless thinking how easy they once were. Over that time I have moved up so I just take the increase in standard as part of the course.

    People way over-rate regs. Simply put, just because people are regs doesn't mean they are particularly good. Sure they are not as easy to beat as some 40/4 drooler but they are exploitable, it just requires some work.

    I think there is a certain arrogance to just assume you should be able to beat certain levels. You really think winning money like this should comes easy?
    What have you done to improve your game, have you been talking to good players? Have you been reviewing hands? Have you been posting hands on forums. Ask yourself do you really deserve to win?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,646 ✭✭✭cooker3


    Btw if anyone wants to learn more optimal strategy against short stackers download stox ev and start playing around with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,754 ✭✭✭ianmc38


    look at imsachoochoo on 2+2. He's had 50k months shortstacking IIRC.

    KashMachine I just started back after 5 months without playing/looking at a hand of online poker. Obviously sitting into a 5/10 or 10/20 game would be a bad idea. A few k hands of .50/1 and 1/2 helped to get reacquainted. Now I'm back playing MSNL as before. Calendar year will have to be March 09-March 2010 though ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,437 ✭✭✭luckylucky


    cooker3 wrote: »
    I pretty much agree with Ian. While sure the games are tougher I think it's somewhat pointless thinking how easy they once were. Over that time I have moved up so I just take the increase in standard as part of the course.

    People way over-rate regs. Simply put, just because people are regs doesn't mean they are particularly good. Sure they are not as easy to beat as some 40/4 drooler but they are exploitable, it just requires some work.

    I think there is a certain arrogance to just assume you should be able to beat certain levels. You really think winning money like this should comes easy?
    What have you done to improve your game, have you been talking to good players? Have you been reviewing hands? Have you been posting hands on forums. Ask yourself do you really deserve to win?


    A lot of regs are good though, that's why they are regs. Some are better than others and occasionally some are awful. Well I dunno who the arrogant line is aimed at if anyone... All I can say for myself is that I'm certainly not being arrogant- if anything I'm thinking I can no longer assume I can just hop into a game at low stakes and expect to have it easy - a couple of years ago I could have done.

    I do agree with you that one should not be complacent and just coz you have been playing for long time online there's always stuff to improve. I seriously might go for some coaching at some point.

    I think Roadsweeper's point about playing across several sites and playing levels from .5/1 right through to 5/10 having the criteria that the table is soft as the main one is a real good idea.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭KashMachine


    i hope u can pull it off mate! btw, any chance of some coaching. i'm serious?
    :cool:
    ianmc38 wrote: »
    look at imsachoochoo on 2+2. He's had 50k months shortstacking IIRC.

    KashMachine I just started back after 5 months without playing/looking at a hand of online poker. Obviously sitting into a 5/10 or 10/20 game would be a bad idea. A few k hands of .50/1 and 1/2 helped to get reacquainted. Now I'm back playing MSNL as before. Calendar year will have to be March 09-March 2010 though ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,646 ✭✭✭cooker3


    luckylucky wrote: »
    A lot of regs are good though, that's why they are regs. Some are better than others and occasionally some are awful. Well I dunno who the arrogant line is aimed at if anyone... All I can say for myself is that I'm certainly not being arrogant- if anything I'm thinking I can no longer assume I can just hop into a game at low stakes and expect to have it easy - a couple of years ago I could have done.

    I do agree with you that one should not be complacent and just coz you have been playing for long time online there's always stuff to improve. I seriously might go for some coaching at some point.

    I think Roadsweeper's point about playing across several sites and playing levels from .5/1 right through to 5/10 having the criteria that the table is soft as the main one is a real good idea.

    The arrogance comment wasn't aimed at you in particular. It was just a general comment.

    As for regs. I agree there is a spectrum of quality in play. My point being a lot of the time people just automatically think regs = good and complain that a table maybe full of regs well in fact it could still be a profitable table.
    It's similar when people complain about playing on a table full of nits. Nits are great to play against. If you can't beat a table full of nits then you have serious problems yet how often do you hear people complain about a table with them on it? Now if you can find a bunch of tables with absolute droolers on them then yeah you want to play those tables first but if they are not there then still money to be made.

    I just think in general for a lot of people. They learn poker and all about position and what hands to open and such like. They figure out how to beat your average live passive donk etc but that's it. They don't progress and never think about how they would go about beating themselves and a table full of their clones and don't know how to overcome that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,080 ✭✭✭HiCloy


    So if games are much harder now, what sort of win rates do ye think are achieveable? Not for the best guy, say for the 80th percentile of all winners, at different levels?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 955 ✭✭✭sickpuppy


    WEll the widespread use of datamning poker tracking and buddy lists etc is detrimental to the overall game.
    A REAL FISH SITS IN AND 20 guys awacs turns red and they fly in to relieve him of his money straight away he is a fish and has no chance.

    Rake races are another killer guys can 16 table at slight profit or loss and still make money as cooker said they might be profitable as surely they have leaks but there no real value.

    Most recreational players play for fun when they get cleaned out quickly its no fun so they will stop playing tehrefore alot of the easy money will be gone.

    Also this recession which may not be as bad as in other countries is affecting peoples spending power been in the fitz last week and 2 of 3 night no omaha its gone very quiet games are slowing down big time.

    Stuff like datamining should be banned your killing the golden goose that lays teh eggs instead of collecting them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,258 ✭✭✭digiman


    HiCloy wrote: »
    So if games are much harder now, what sort of win rates do ye think are achieveable? Not for the best guy, say for the 80th percentile of all winners, at different levels?

    I would say 1-2BB/100 would be pretty ok from 1/2 and above.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,127 ✭✭✭DeadMoney


    luckylucky wrote: »
    Those of us who have been playimg online for a good few years will notice how much tougher it's getting. Even the difference between now and say 6 months ago. Over the weekend I decided I wanted to play a bit more relaxed after a lot of recent swings that were doing my head in. I dropped right down and grinded some .5/1 plo over the weekend - it was beatable but not quite as soft as I thought it would be, then today I started up another few tables of .5/1 plo - after about 30 to 40 hands I noticed it was nearly all regs and between these 3 tables there was only one player I would have categorized as below-average. I mean this is friggin .5/1 plo - wtf :eek:. A couple of years ago any good player would be able to crush that game anytime - whereas now I ended up quitting the tables coz they were simply no good. I'm left scratching my head tbh - I mean I'm basically playing plo coz I reckon it's the softest game on the net. NL had already gotten full of regs, most of whom are at least semi-good. Sngs I've noticed have toughened up a helluva lot also in the last year. I think just about every winning players ROI% in the $200+ games has dropped.

    I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to go 100% pro now. Especially as the only juicy games are on in the evenings and weekends (even then not as juicy as they used to be.)

    Anyway.... thoughts?

    I hate reading these posts about how much harder the games have gotten. Everybody knows that the games are getting tougher, and they are certainly way tougher than they were a few years ago. I have only been playing cash games about 9 months and I have been getting coaching over the last 5 months. I never played the games back the in the "good old days" so I can't really relate when people talk about the differences. In a way this was good for me as I have been developing my play according to the current nature of the games instead of having to adjust my old playing style. What I am trying to say is that with the help of a coach and cardrunners, I am learning what is required to beat the "current" state of low-mid stakes games. A lot of players that used to be winning regs at mid stakes and now complain about how tough 100nl is should concentrate on updating their strategies rather than complain about how unbeatable online poker now is.

    I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything and I am not claiming to be god's gift to poker but I just hate the pessimistic view that some people have towards the current state of online games. So many people now playing mid stakes are being coached and most of them will be cardrunners, stoxpoker members etc. If you are struggling with the nuances of the limits that you are playing, then hire a coach to help you. It sucks and all that it is way tougher now than it once was but certain games are still very exploitable and it is up to you to learn to beat them. If I can beat 200nl and have only been playing cash games a few months then the games are certainly well beatable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,646 ✭✭✭cooker3


    sickpuppy wrote: »
    Rake races are another killer guys can 16 table at slight profit or loss and still make money as cooker said they might be profitable as surely they have leaks but there no real value.

    But here in lies the point. If they do have leaks then yes there is value. It's up to you to figure out what to do about it. Now the leaks they have maybe harder to spot then say someone who calls 60% pf the hands but it's really no different just a bit harder.

    Also guys who 16 table are there for the taken as they will never adjust and you can just own them so much.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,437 ✭✭✭luckylucky


    DeadMoney wrote: »
    I hate reading these posts about how much harder the games have gotten. Everybody knows that the games are getting tougher, and they are certainly way tougher than they were a few years ago. I have only been playing cash games about 9 months and I have been getting coaching over the last 5 months. I never played the games back the in the "good old days" so I can't really relate when people talk about the differences. In a way this was good for me as I have been developing my play according to the current nature of the games instead of having to adjust my old playing style. What I am trying to say is that with the help of a coach and cardrunners, I am learning what is required to beat the "current" state of low-mid stakes games. A lot of players that used to be winning regs at mid stakes and now complain about how tough 100nl is should concentrate on updating their strategies rather than complain about how unbeatable online poker now is.

    I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything and I am not claiming to be god's gift to poker but I just hate the pessimistic view that some people have towards the current state of online games. So many people now playing mid stakes are being coached and most of them will be cardrunners, stoxpoker members etc. If you are struggling with the nuances of the limits that you are playing, then hire a coach to help you. It sucks and all that it is way tougher now than it once was but certain games are still very exploitable and it is up to you to learn to beat them. If I can beat 200nl and have only been playing cash games a few months then the games are certainly well beatable.


    Fair enough points. But alas I am 'old school' online player as are others here. Guess some of us have been getting too complacent, well me anyway. I have to start looking into some coaching and some cardrunners type stuff.

    Also my post wasn't meant to be a moan. It came about from another post where a guy who used to play a few years ago was thinking about getting back into poker seriously so I was just thinking about the differences between now and then. It doesn't affect you obviously as you weren't around then, but it doesn't mean the post isn't relevant to some of us here. Also was interested in other peoples points of views and see how they are adjusting, got some good advice here. So yeah it's boring and irrelevant for you, but not for me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,127 ✭✭✭DeadMoney


    luckylucky wrote: »
    Fair enough points. But alas I am 'old school' online player as are others here. Guess some of us have been getting too complacent, well me anyway. I have to start looking into some coaching and some cardrunners type stuff.

    Also my post wasn't meant to be a moan. It came about from another post where a guy who used to play a few years ago was thinking about getting back into poker seriously so I was just thinking about the differences between now and then. It doesn't affect you obviously as you weren't around then, but it doesn't mean the post isn't relevant to some of us here. Also was interested in other peoples points of views and see how they are adjusting, got some good advice here. So yeah it's boring and irrelevant for you, but not for me.

    Point taken. GL with the games! :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,513 ✭✭✭RoadSweeper


    luckylucky wrote: »
    Fair enough points. But alas I am 'old school' online player as are others here. Guess some of us have been getting too complacent, well me anyway. I have to start looking into some coaching and some cardrunners type stuff.

    Cardrunners sux these days :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭Treehouse72


    People can watch training videos all they like, but technical ability will only get you half your winrate. The other half is tilt control, discipline, bordom control, good rb/bonus whoring, good table selection, keeping fit/eating/sleeping well, BR management and so forth. Happily, no video can teach this stuff, so for those of us who are not naturally gifted at poker we need to really hammer this stuff. The good regs can lose a fortune through leaks in this latter area allowing the medicore regs like me to close the gap between our winrates.

    I also think that too many regs want so much to be that aggro hardass TAG playing, say, 25/23, 10% 3b, owning in 3b pots etc., that they end up owning themselves all day long. I think for most of these normal grinders at 200NL and below 18/15 would bring in more bacon if grinding and monies are your aim. I remember a video instructor (I think it was Krantz) saying that some of the best winners are the quiet little TAGs you hardly notice and think you can run over but who are tight enough that their ranges are solid, thinking enough not to allow themselves be run-over by the other regs, have decent enough fundamentals that they can beat the rake and the fish, 3b/4b just enough that you are never sure etc...this basic approach is appealing to me more and more in the chaotic and ever changing games today.*

    * York Notes: I am a rakeback whoring nit trying to justify my existence


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    Agree with you Treehouse. At the moment there are an absolute shedload of ssnl regs playing with PFR above 20% and the simple fact is they aren't nearly good enough postflop to play such a wide range profitably. Just flatting in position and taking their abc postflop lines apart is a solid earner. By the same token they assume if you play like 19/15 you must have it, and you can 2/3 barrel and c/r the crap out of them and they just give up, fist pumping that they didn't pay off the nit.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37 HibsAreIt


    Everyone keeps saying *Regs* whats that?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Grafter


    HibsAreIt wrote: »
    Everyone keeps saying *Regs* whats that?

    regulars


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭newbie2


    Robot-poker-001.jpg


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Grafter


    They're cheating!

    They have more cards than him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,201 ✭✭✭Macspower


    I'm fed up of playing shortstack toasters


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 938 ✭✭✭Grafter


    Macspower wrote: »
    I'm fed up of playing shortstack toasters

    Sláinte Mhath


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,127 ✭✭✭DeadMoney


    People can watch training videos all they like, but technical ability will only get you half your winrate. The other half is tilt control, discipline, bordom control, good rb/bonus whoring, good table selection, keeping fit/eating/sleeping well, BR management and so forth. Happily, no video can teach this stuff, so for those of us who are not naturally gifted at poker we need to really hammer this stuff. The good regs can lose a fortune through leaks in this latter area allowing the medicore regs like me to close the gap between our winrates.

    I also think that too many regs want so much to be that aggro hardass TAG playing, say, 25/23, 10% 3b, owning in 3b pots etc., that they end up owning themselves all day long. I think for most of these normal grinders at 200NL and below 18/15 would bring in more bacon if grinding and monies are your aim. I remember a video instructor (I think it was Krantz) saying that some of the best winners are the quiet little TAGs you hardly notice and think you can run over but who are tight enough that their ranges are solid, thinking enough not to allow themselves be run-over by the other regs, have decent enough fundamentals that they can beat the rake and the fish, 3b/4b just enough that you are never sure etc...this basic approach is appealing to me more and more in the chaotic and ever changing games today.*

    * York Notes: I am a rakeback whoring nit trying to justify my existence

    These are some really good points. The 200nl and 400nl on stars games have become pre flop raising wars with nobody wanting to play post flop. I think there is certainly a lot to be said for the straight forward TAG style. I recall seeing a Brian Townsend vid where he was sweating a guy at 400nl and noticed a player from back when he used to play these limits. He commented that the guy was one of the biggest winners at this limit and played a very TAG style and went very unnoticeable.
    A lot of players feel that they have to push the action in these games and end up owning themselves and having very high variance. While there is certainly plenty of players who have found a lot of success in playing a high % of hands etc, many of the LAG regs at lower mid stakes are not strong enough post flop to play all of these hands. I guess it depends of whatever works for you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 684 ✭✭✭CL7


    Ok, genuine question but didn't want to start another thread. If 90-95% of poker players lose over time and the majority of players are still completely ignorant of poker math concepts, theory etc. How can the online games be considered tough to beat?

    Edit: I meant for players who actually study the game.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,604 ✭✭✭✭ArmaniJeanss


    Fionn^ wrote: »
    If the majority of players are still completely ignorant of poker math concepts, theory etc.

    The above is not true, nearly all players have an idea now about preflop handranges and basic maths.

    Gone are the days when it seemed possible to believe that your opponent wasn't sure if an Ace played low as well as high, that a paired board meant their straight or flush wasn't the nuts, even whether a K was better than a Q.

    There are still exploitable players, but very few clueless players.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 684 ✭✭✭CL7


    The above is not true, nearly all players have an idea now about preflop handranges and basic maths.

    Gone are the days when it seemed possible to believe that your opponent wasn't sure if an Ace played low as well as high, that a paired board meant their straight or flush wasn't the nuts, even whether a K was better than a Q.

    There are still exploitable players, but very few clueless players.

    I think I phrased it wrong. It should have read "ignorance of poker math and theory beyond the basics" I was not refering the very basic rules of the game.

    I disagree that nearly all players have an idea about preflop ranges and basic maths. Not at the tables I sit at anyway. I would consider alarge majority of these players clueless. Admitedly I play 10 and 25nl. You are probably playing a good few levels above me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,003 ✭✭✭Treehouse72


    One other thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread:

    The US of A.

    When the Yanks return, it will be a day to make the angels weep.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭pok3rplaya


    One other thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread:

    The US of A.

    When the Yanks return, it will be a day to make the angels weep.

    I'm pretty convinced that when the yanks return we're in for a few long hard months of crap games when the euro sites are flooded with good Americans. Tons of the recreational American players have probably gone off poker after not being able to play for so long and they're not just gonna jump back online the very first day it comes back.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 302 ✭✭HIVeindhoven


    The US of A.

    When the Yanks return, it will be a day to make the angels weep.

    Pretty sure you'll be dissapointed here. As mentioned above , good players will flood the euro sites. Meanwhile the financial landscape for Fishy McSpunk has detiorated big time since he was last able to deposit online. That is if there even is a load of players waiting patiently in the shadows for the law to change so they can spunk their non-existent savings all over the web. Dream on.

    Still you can always comfort yourself with the delusion that China will pick up the slack , like the guys on 2+2 do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭lenomark


    play on the less known sites better players also better chance


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,081 ✭✭✭Fromvert


    I honestly dont get how people can complain, do you's honestly think people will continuously plough their money into something their **** at. Stop complaining and keep improving. I must be one of the few that enjoy playing good players. I cant believe I think it will make me a better player, im such an idiot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,679 ✭✭✭Daithio


    Fromvert wrote: »
    I honestly dont get how people can complain, do you's honestly think people will continuously plough their money into something their **** at. Stop complaining and keep improving. I must be one of the few that enjoy playing good players. I cant believe I think it will make me a better player, im such an idiot.

    You're not wrong.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭Rb


    pok3rplaya wrote: »
    I'm pretty convinced that when the yanks return we're in for a few long hard months of crap games when the euro sites are flooded with good Americans. Tons of the recreational American players have probably gone off poker after not being able to play for so long and they're not just gonna jump back online the very first day it comes back.
    Absolutely.

    Sure 99% of the Americans on 2+2 are convinced that the Euro-only sites are like Party pre-UIGEA and they'll be on said sites as soon as they can move their money there.
    It may make sites like FTP and Stars a bit softer though, as the actual fish will probably stick around there while said regs hit the euro sites.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,679 ✭✭✭Daithio


    pok3rplaya wrote: »
    I'm pretty convinced that when the yanks return we're in for a few long hard months of crap games when the euro sites are flooded with good Americans. Tons of the recreational American players have probably gone off poker after not being able to play for so long and they're not just gonna jump back online the very first day it comes back.

    It will definitely be slow, but with good enough marketing I reckon within a year it will be picking up again.


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