Full Ring No Limit Poker Forums

Just a quick outline.
Started playing 50 NL FR last August and decided I would only move to the next level if I could beat the current level over a significant sample size.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o475/wamblam/pokergraph1.jpg

It works out to 3.77 bb/100 over 311K hands. (1.88 PTBB)

I have never had any coaching and basically learned everything from watching videos here and at stox. Plus reading various online forums.

I understand this is not a fantastic winrate but it was all achieved playing 16-24 tables.

I attribute my style to watching the videos of (Sean) Nolan who vastly improved my game with his video teachings.

I am also a huge fan of the videos of threads13

I play a 15/12 style overall but it varies depending on the table dynamic, mainly the two players to my left and 2 to the right.

As someone who is leaning all the time I would like to pass on my own experience of watching videos and knowing who to follow.
This is kind of relevent because of the recent Jason Ho scandal at stox.

My own experience is that when I am watching a new coach I will search out their PTR to see if they can actually win over a significant sample.
Some may disagree with this for various reasons but I have found it to be very solid advice on picking a video coach.
If you look at Nolan's PTR you will find that he has an incredible winrate over a huge sample.
The guy can flat out play.
Threads13 is also a solid winner at the levels he plays at.

This gives me confidence that the person making the video knows how to play and beat the games in question.

Anyway I kind of got off track.

I am kind of nervous but I am thinking of taking a shot at 100NL at both Stars and FTP.

Does anyone have any recent experience of moving up?

Do the games play that much tougher?

Is it worth trying to hire a full ring coach to spot any leaks I may have in my game?

Moving up is always exiting, and nerve-racking. You're WR isn't bad at all, but there's definitely more value to be had at NL50. My advice would be to move up and play slightly less tables than you do now. I think every jump in stakes is a pretty big change from your comfort zone. More regs, better regs, and less fish. The best piece of advice i can give you.... DON'T OVER ADJUST. Play the same game thats worked for you at NL50, and make adjustments after you've aquired some reads and have gotten settled in. I think a coach is a good idea, but at the very least you should be posting hands in the forums. GL and keep us updated.

I think that playing sessions with less tables is a HUGE part of improving. I'm talking 3-4 tables of full ring. It may sound boring but you would be surprised some of the things (and pots) you can pick up.

I would try not only at your current level to improve your game but definitely your first couple of sessions when you move up so you don't get overwhelmed since you say that you're a little nervous about it.

Moving up is always exiting, and nerve-racking. You're WR isn't bad at all, but there's definitely more value to be had at NL50. My advice would be to move up and play slightly less tables than you do now. I think every jump in stakes is a pretty big change from your comfort zone. More regs, better regs, and less fish. The best piece of advice i can give you.... DON'T OVER ADJUST. Play the same game thats worked for you at NL50, and make adjustments after you've aquired some reads and have gotten settled in. I think a coach is a good idea, but at the very least you should be posting hands in the forums. GL and keep us updated.

Thanks for the advice, I did think about adjusting by tightening up in certain marginal spots.
I have a very unusual strategy in Sb vs BB based on stats that I could probably ease back on.
I might also cut back on a few marginal hands from the CO and BTN against better opponents.

I think that playing sessions with less tables is a HUGE part of improving. I'm talking 3-4 tables of full ring. It may sound boring but you would be surprised some of the things (and pots) you can pick up.

I would try not only at your current level to improve your game but definitely your first couple of sessions when you move up so you don't get overwhelmed since you say that you're a little nervous about it.

Thanks. This sounds like very solid advice. I think I will start playing just a few tables at first plus I will be able to table select better.
I will probably play 50NL this afternoon and then try 100NL this evening when the games might be slightly better.

I think you should attempt to get a backer. Then you don't have to worry about moving up and down all of the time.

I think you should attempt to get a backer. Then you don't have to worry about moving up and down all of the time.

I can undestand you reasoning in this but if you are good enough to play the game and have the bankroll than why would you want someone to take a share of your profits?

The only reason i can think to get someone to stake you is if you havent got the bankroll for the limit you are good enough to play. If not why give away your profit?

I do use part of my winnings to pay my bills which has kept me from moving up at a faster rate.

I am actually pretty determined to make it on my own.
The only advantage to such a deal is if the person was a very experienced player who would coach me as well.

If it's just money then I can win on my own and move up when I have the right BR.

If I can start to win at the 100NL level it will be much easier to grow my bankroll. I am a very conservative disciplined player.

I want to have a large BR for each level that will protect me from the worst possible downswings.

I never want to playing with scared money.

I think you should attempt to get a backer. Then you don't have to worry about moving up and down all of the time.

get outta here with this garbage. go play MTT's with that mentality.

get outta here with this garbage. go play MTT's with that mentality.

HU for rolls? Jk, but seriously whats the problem with this? I think I get where your coming from. You need to take the bumps and bruises to be a great cash game player for sure. Not so much MTT backing. You could probably take any clown with a Boston Celtics Avatar and make him into an MTT pro...Right?

But I mean if you get coach backed I really don't see the issue in selling your equity in exchange for not having to worry about your losses. I mean OP could cash out his roll, use that money for whatever, and get rolled at 200NL+ if he has the potential. If the OP is good enough to maybe beat 200NL why not exchange moving up immediately, getting coached and splitting the winnings up to a certain point? You could also get a part time job and then have someone coach back/back you straight up!

What are the negatives?

I don't think that's a bad deal, especially someone who's been there. It's invaluable guidance that may take years for some people to learn and or master. What'd you think Nolan?

I am actually pretty determined to make it on my own.
The only advantage to such a deal is if the person was a very experienced player who would coach me as well.

Thats certainly a winners mentality. I know this has worked in the past for people i think Mbolt1 was coached and staked by Leatherass at the start of his poker journey. But im with you unless ive no roll what so ever id rather try and make it on my own.

That's an excellent WR. Beats my current lose rate at 100NL, LOL. You'll do fine. Friday and Saturday nights are best at FT and Stars for FR 100NL -- but I imagine the same is true of 50NL.

Definitely play fewer tables at first. Get to know the regs to avoid and the fish to exploit. Do you play deep or regular stack 50NL? I found deep 100NL a lot tougher, mostly regs. 2-4 short stack per table are annoying in FR, but it's worth it to me to find more fishy players.

WRT to PTR, keep in mind it's not a complete picture. It doesn't catch all the hands that get played.

I'm just learning too and barely have a tiny fraction of your hands played, so what do I know?

You guys crack me up lol Hu for rolls classic well any way to our player I have nothing near to the sample you have and was debating on trying 100nl. if you end up losing some you could grind it out again at 50nl. Just think of it as in game coaching.

Also I have to give credit to some players on here "onthelash" and some others for giving me the courage to try more tables. thanks guys

Thats certainly a winners mentality. I know this has worked in the past for people i think Mbolt1 was coached and staked by Leatherass at the start of his poker journey. But im with you unless ive no roll what so ever id rather try and make it on my own.

Those are huge shoes, I have tremendous respect for both Dusty and Matt Bolt. I am a big fan of their videos, shame they have left stox.

They both have excellent work ethics.

They obviously work very hard and deserve all the success they have.

If I could achieve a fraction of their success I would be pretty happy.

One of my better traits is that I am always willing to learn something new.

I will continue to post my opinions on hands here, some will certainly be wrong. I think its cool to be wrong and learn something new.

Over the past 6 months I have actually spent more time watching videos, reading articles, studying hand histories, than I have actually playing.

I think I am now at a point where I am going to try and play more hands per month but I will still spend a good % of my time on education as I understand that I am barely 10% the player someone like Nolan is.

You guys crack me up lol Hu for rolls classic well any way to our player I have nothing near to the sample you have and was debating on trying 100nl. if you end up losing some you could grind it out again at 50nl. Just think of it as in game coaching.

Also I have to give credit to some players on here "onthelash" and some others for giving me the courage to try more tables. thanks guys

Those are huge shoes, I have tremendous respect for both Dusty and Matt Bolt. I am a big fan of their videos, shame they have left stox.

They both have excellent work ethics.

They obviously work very hard and deserve all the success they have.

If I could achieve a fraction of their success I would be pretty happy.

One of my better traits is that I am always willing to learn something new.

I will continue to post my opinions on hands here, some will certainly be wrong. I think its cool to be wrong and learn something new.

Over the past 6 months I have actually spent more time watching videos, reading articles, studying hand histories, than I have actually playing.

I think I am now at a point where I am going to try and play more hands per month but I will still spend a good % of my time on education as I understand that I am barely 10% the player someone like Nolan is.

That is why this is just a tremendous place to post we have a core of people who all want to learn about the game and help each other. Sure we dont agree all the time but im sure we all get somerhing out of every discussion that goes on here. I know i do from both your posts as well as all the other regular posters. We all want each other to succeed (unless i find anyone here at my table then i want your chips!!!!!!! lol)

Your right dwater the work ethic of Matt and Dusty is second to none the thing that is so impressive is that they both moved up from the micro limits in a quick time. The amopunt of hands Leatherass played was the stuff of legends to acheive that and win at the rate hid did is special. Yes none of us are in their's or Nolans league but its certainly something to aim for.