I was talking with a friend yesterday – one that doesn’t play poker – and I found myself having to defend my losing some 50 tournaments since my last big win. I had to explain my 156% ROI, and lecture on how the long term is what’s important. You see – I won $25,000 playing online poker last year, by playing mostly $10-$30 tournaments, but I made $2,000 NET the year before, playing $30-$60 tournaments.
Even with the 2006 recession in full effect, $2,000 is a lot of money earned. pokerjazz77 Especially when you consider I spent roughly $1,000 of it playing online poker.
My friend asked me to sum up my game, and as I did, I started detailing my thought process during the hand. Maybe this will help him in the future, and if it doesn’t – well, I at least got something out of it. You can do this too, especially now, before you start to build that big bankroll – and it keeps your account from getting too wide.
Example:
After having been on the button (proclaimed dealer) for a hand or two, and having seen a few of the other players do well, I find myself pushing all-in. The small blind folds, the big blind calls, and after the flop we’re all heads up.
The flop comes 6x Kc. The player in the big blind checks.
I bet $15. The big blind moves all-in. Since I really can’t be beating that kind of number, I call.
The big blind shows 9h-3s.
Since I have been playing tight, and the blind has been tight (obviously), I have picked up a little of the blinds who’s folded, and maybe a little of his money as well. It’s not a lot, maybe $10 or $20 – still not a lot in comparison to what I will make later on, but I am starting to see some hands I shouldn’t play, and I’m starting to fold when I should.
The all-in players turns over the Jh-8h.
Bingo! I’ve been doing this all day! First hand I ever won at a live cash table was on a scratchcard. Never again will I dissapoint my family and turn my poker hobby into a job.
It’s too late for me to learn.
Now, I wait for another card.
Two cards come.
The first player moves all-in.
Low cards! It must be a high card. It must be!
I call.
The second player moves all-in.
Bingo! I win another card and now I have $50 in front of me.
I raise.
The player moves all-in.
Bingo! I win another card and now I have $100 in front of me.
I bet $50.
He calls.
I can’t believe it.
I am running out of time and the all-in player wins! I can’t win a tournament with all these bugs!
That was a quick ending. Loose play was good for awhile. Tight play will be good for awhile. And I am off to a good start. Next…