POKER EDUCATION - HOW GOOD IS DEUCES CRACKED??

First things first, I’ve booked up for me and the boys (all from the UK) to go back to Vegas this summer. Never gambled there, and I dont intend to… I’m going for the parties, beer and long summer nights!

Having watched the first few episodes of “Babysteps” and “From the ground up”, I thought I’d put forward my opinions thus far. Please note that although I had played 30K hands at 10NL, I was not a profit player. Therefore, going back to basics… way back, was deemed (by me) the most appropriate step to take.

I have found the video series “From the ground up” a little tedious. This isn’t a knock on the quality of the videos, more so on my personal concentration spans. I found that switching off TV / Music etc and spliting the videos into 2 30min sessions was the most benificial to me. I am also writing rough notes in a note book with the Episode number and the video time (3mins 34 secs for example) so I can relate back for future reference.

I find that the starting hand recommendations featured in “From the ground up” has really helped me understand what I actually trying to achieve. Also in episode 3, the section on Basic flop play, board texture and C-bets was pretty much the best explanation I’ve come across from online sources. Having said that, its pretty early days in terms of my poker education.

So, how did applying the lessons learnt go with my online play. Well, in simple terms it went okay. I have started to use the HUD more deeply than I previously did, looking for c-bet folds and 3 bet stats. I have by no means mastered this, but you have to start somewhere dont you.

I got paid off by a couiple of fish early doors and experienced a bad beat or two. It was after my bad beat that I realised a major flaw in my game…. and its all about my HM graph.

I was so concerned about my HM graph and stats that whenever I experienced a bad beat, I would be conciously looking for opportunities to double up my stack… just so that all my hard work wasnt for nothing. It had taken me an hour to make $11, and it all went in one bad beat (I went all in pre flop with KK and a fish went all in with 88, hitting an 8 on the river). I was so angry that I was back to where I started that I went looking for an all in shove. So, thats exactly what I did. I went all in with QQ Vs a big Nit and was beat by AKs.

So what have I learnt? That mistakes cost money. That Poker is about consistant smart play. That Variance evens itself out in the long run. That poker is about long term success.

I concluded this experience by thinking out the scenarios again in my head. Calling a shove with KK was definately the right decision Vs a Loose fish. Him hitting the 8 to make a set on the river was all down to variance. If we played that hand 100 times, I’d be the long term winner. So, in my next session, I’m going to forget graphs / earnings / bankroll and just concentrate on my hands and my opponents.

Having finished downloading the “From the ground up” and “Babysteps” series’, I have decided to split my poker time into revision of the lectures/videos and live online play. I will, of course, try an implement the lessons learned into my game and see how I go. I am using Pokerstars at 10NL and I am going to play 2-4 tables at once. Most probably 2, but maybe 4 if I get bored. I am also going to try and use my HUD a little more. At the moment I only really use the VPIP and PFR features. However, I am going to try and get to grips with opponents’ 3-betting stats.

I have watched the first 3 videos of “From the ground up” (FTGU) and a the first episode of “Babysteps”. Unfortunatley I couldnt find much video on 10NL, but as Tubasteve and NOwhereman mentioned in FTGU, the 25NL can be put into practice at lower stakes.

I’d like to reitterate that all feedback, help, advice and pointers are all welcomed and encouraged. although I’m pretty sure noone is reading my posts, it would be good if readers could send me their thoughts.

Something I found online:

I was quickly overwhelmed with the amouunt of information in the forum section and the number of video’s available to download. I thought I would make my first post to the forums:

“HELLO, NEW TO DC. JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE CAN GIVE ADVICE ON WHERE TO START. I PLAY 10NL AND HAVE JOINED DC TO IMPROVE MY GAME. CURRENTLY A BREAK EVEN PLAYER. ANY POINTERS AS TO WHICH VIDEO SERIES’ TO WATCH FIRST, OR A SCHEDULE OF RECOMMENDED VIDEOS SERIES THAT I CAN WORK THROUGH WOULD BE MASSIVELY APPRECIATED”

Thumbs up to the forums – I got a response within an hour from DC member Chazb0t (thanks for speedy response) with the following link:

DC Video Guide

So, if you’re in the same boat as me, then make sure you download the recommended video series’. As you probably know, its quite difficult finding a starting point with regards to the videos. Hopefully this info will help someone as much as it will me.

So…. to recap, currently downloading Babyteps, From the ground up and Turning the corner.

I AM A FAILING 10NL CASH POKER PLAYER WHO HAS RECENTLY JOINED DEUCES CRACKED TO IMPROVE MY GAME. I HAVE DECIDED TO RECORD MY FAILINGS / SUCCESSES SO THAT OTHERS CAN HAVE AN INSIGHT TO THE REALITY OF CASH POKER.

EXPERIENCE SO FAR: 30K HANDS ON POKERSTARS 10NL

I STARTED BY DEPOSITING $200 A FEW WEEKS BACK. AFTER 30K HANDS, AND A FEW CRAZY SWINGS, I AM NOW AT $140. HOWEVER, THE BONUSES I HAVE EARNED ALONG THE WAY HAVE RECOVERED MY BANKROLL TO $200.

MY AIM IS TO BECOME AS COMPETANT AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. AND PLAY EVERY HAND AS WELL AS I POSSIBLY CAN. MY LONG TERM AIM IS TO MOVE FROM 10NL UPTO 100NL. IF I EVER REACHED 100NL, THEN I’D SIMPLY HAVE TO REASSESS MY AMBITIONS.