How much should I lose?

Trons · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 12:24 AM

Ok, I bought SSH and have started to read it, and I know that I do not understand probably half the concepts yet. I decided to play a little tonight (haven't played since my big winning streak last thursday). I also decided that I wasn't going to to try to use any of the concepts until I understood them a little better.

I found that while I was playing, these half understood ideas kept creeping into my head and affecting the way I play. When I got down about $3, I was able to drop back to the way I normally play these tables and am currently up about $2 (from original amount).

This got me thinking...Once I've completed the book and am ready to attempt these new concepts, there is going to be a learning curve. How much should I expect to lose during this learning curve, while I gain the experience I need?

I feel I should mention that I am playing with-in my bank-roll and my play style should be concidered Weak/Tight. While I am winning (usually) with this game play, I feel that A) I am leaving money at the table for not playing smarter, and B) this style won't carry me when I move up levels.

Jack King off · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 01:09 AM

your mentality sounds good.

just think longterm. losing $10 is nothing and if it helps you understand the game better and move up faster, then do it. the faster you understand the game, the faster you move up, the more money you make.

when you are playing .5/1 the $10 you lost learning the game wont matter. its much better than idling at 02/04 for a couple of months.

xxdemexx · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 01:12 AM

limit or no limit?

Trons · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 01:23 AM

I only play limit right now...Occasionally I'll play a NL tourney, but for increasing my BR, I play limit. The tourneys are more of a reward for doing well grinding

.

I should explain why I'm asking. If I should reasonably expect to lose $5 at .05/.10 limit while learning the concepts, then I can handle that with aplomb. However, if I'm looking at losing more then that, I am thinking of dropping levels and going back to single tabling while I learn to adjust my game.

Beavis68 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 08:07 AM

I dropped down to 5c/10c games when I tried incorporating the ideas from SSH.

I think I lost about 10 bucks too. Finally it all clicked though.

Remember that SSH already assumes that you fold too often, and that your oppenents are very aggressive.

Joem04 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 08:38 AM

anyone else not know what SSH is?

Yvraine · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 09:34 AM

That'd be Small Stakes Hold'em. I forget who wrote it. Someone will tell us, I'm sure.

Jack King off · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 09:42 AM

sklanksy obv

Phytopath · #9 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 09:43 AM

30 BB swings aren't that bad, it could just be varience. You also don't have to use all the concepts in the book, but understanding them will help you.

Trons · #10 (**permalink**) 08-30-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavis68

Remember that SSH already assumes that you fold too often, and that your oppenents are very aggressive.

It's funny you should say that. I'm almost done with the book and ready to try some of the concepts. The entire time I've been reading it, I've noticed a few things...

A) Hand Selection PF is a lot looser then I'd expect.

B) Play suggested is a lot more aggressive then not have I been playing, but that I would expect somebody to play at this level.

C) Sklansky assumes that the players I'm playing against will often be as aggressive (with worse hands) as I will be playing, however I've noticed at the .05/.10 level, players are very passive (Usually jst calling to a single bet with TPTK and not starting to raise until Flush or better).

D) Most players seem to know when they have a good hand and start betting then...yet Sklansky suggests raising them with marginal hands and hoping to get weak draws. While I understand this causes people to fold (giving you a better chance to win), I've always believed the better play is to fold...ie: He suggests playing (and betting) with 2 overcards and gutshot str8 and flush draws.

E) Basically, I've felt throughout the book (and I'm sure I didn't understand half the concepts presented) that Sklansky now wants me to play much like I want the fish to play. More aggressive with weaker hands to build the pot for when I win.

I guess what I'm saying is I could use some reassurance that these concepts work at these micro limits...and work well. I'm still no where near a shark at these tables and I understand that I play weak/tight and need to improve that to increase levels, but this was a little too much of a varience from the way I've been playing and winning for the last several weeks. It also seems that my varience will increase because I'm playing more hands...and seeing more showdowns. The pots I'll win will be bigger, but I'll lose more of them.

Right now I like to see <=30% flops and win >= 75% of showdowns. When I'm around these numbers I feel my hand selection is good. The numbers start deviating and I start tightening up...apparently this isn't the way I should be playing???