Need advice please

Hi,

So long story short, I am down $2500 from online poker. I think my game is pretty good, I play TAG but I just can't figure it out. I am better than the average player, but I am still losing. I love poker though and want to keep trying. However, I am 18 years old and $2500 is a lot to be down, for me anyway.

Basically I'll deposit $100, then play about 4 tournaments at once, get first place in 1-2/4 of them. Then after awhile I just start to lose. Sometimes if I go on tilt I'll even load blackjack to try and get even then I just lose everything. I've pretty much learned to control myself though with that though.

So some advice would be great. What should I do? I love the game and I think I have the skills.

You need BR management very badly

What do you recommend? Should I save up a few paychecks then make a large deposit and go from there? I agree I have poor BR management, maybe that is the problem. Thanks for your help.

Try only playing 1 or maybe 2 tourneys at a time.
If you lose take a break.
Lower the stakes you play at as well.
Keep learning/working on your skill.

Just a few suggestions

Good advice, thank you I appreciate it. I'd like to keep learning/working on my skills, but that means I have to keep depositing money. Since everytime I've deposited money I haven't profited, I don't feel like it's gonna change. I think I have great potential to make it change, but something is wrong. Could I get any more advice on bankroll management please? I know all the pros have been in holes way deeper than this and now they are millionaires, if I really want to do it I can. Thanks

Instead of depositing more money, buy a book or two on poker.

For more on BR check here
http://www.cardschat.com/poker/guide/

Thanks for all your advice, it is very helpful. I'll bookmark that page, gotta wake up in 2 hours so I'll read it when I get more time. Also, I've read 1 poker book, and I have done tons of research online and downloaded several videos of pros playing ring games. Will more studying really turn my game around?

It will if you incorporate it correctly and effectively there is no reason it shouldn't help your game.
I feel I'm a better player after reading a few books and I used to think I was a pretty solid player before.
Check back in a little while too when more people are on. I'm sure you'll get a lot more advice as well.

*bump*

Any more advice? Even if you're not an expert I'd still like to hear your opinions. It means a lot to me, thanks.

i agree BR management! smaller deposits, lower limits, less tournaments at once! by a book or 2, if you lose take a break, and if you try to hard to win, well your probly gonna lose! its a roller coaster ride all the time! go with the flow or you'll end up broke! good luck hope it helps!

Def follow the BR management advice, anyone can (and will) go on a downswing and you have to make sure your BR can handle it.

Read more poker books. Theory of Poker, all three volumes of Harrington on Holdem (excellent, excellent books every poker player should read, read again, and for good measure read one more time).

Post some hand histories in the hand analysis forum. We have some excellent players that will tell what you can do better in certain situations. Also look at other peoples posts and see the advice they are getting, you can probably relate.

I'd cut down on the number of tourneys you play at one time, at least for a while. Many people will space them out so one is starting and one is in the latter stages so they can give most of their attention to the game that is near the end since you ususally do not play too many hands at the beginning of a tourney. Less games will allow you to really concentrate on what you are doing and to think out the correct play.

Thats all I got for now.

All of what youve read above, and seriously play a single torunament at a time until you gain some more experience.

Dont play on tilt, which chasing money always is, dont play online blackjack, post some of the hands you found tricky here and well have a look.

I'm not sure what "Better than average" means to you.

I think I am a better than average player too. For example, in any given game I play I am still playing when more than half the field is gone. But, being better than average is not good enough in poker.

You need to be good. Good gets you to those final spots consistently. You only get good at something through practice, study, and change.

Practice allows you to understand the basics through repetition.
Study (reading books, poker tutoring, hand analysis) gives practical knowledge in all situation, even the unusual ones.
Change is necessary, because, if you continue doing what you are doing, you will keep the same result. Change, I believe, is the most difficult. It takes discipline to reign in instinct.

I have a simular problem compunded by the fact that I can afford it. LOL

I have deposited 500.00 since Jan 1st and have cashed over 2000.00.

I'll deposit 50 and concentrate on small tourneys, build the bankroll and move up to bigger tourneys and continue to build.

Somewhere along the line I donk off my winnings, either in cash ring games or attempting high dollar re-buys when my A-game isn't 100% or my game is in a negative swing.

Watching the bankroll grow rocks! Watching it get smaller is depressing. But that is the nature of poker, your bankroll will go up and it will go down. Trying not to let the depression influance your game is difficult, going on tilt, trying to catch-up usually adds to the negative rather than the positive.

It's going to be differant for everyone, the key is staying within reasonable limits of what you can afford. Pay the rent, the bills, make sure baby does not go without new shoes, remember you are participating in a gambling sport, it's a hobby one that can be addictive and seduce you into gambling too much. Never invest based upon what you could win but rather on what you can afford to lose.

If you feel your losing too much, lower your limits, invest less, read more books, study more pros, increase your math skills, develop good bankroll management. Patience is a key element in poker, not only in one session at one table, but also throughout your life, your whole poker carrer.

There will be winning streaks, and losing streaks, some short, some long, some losing streaks will be so long you'll wonder why the heck you play this game. You might even quit for a while or for ever, you might come back or weather the storm. Like bad beats you remember the bad luck more often than you do the good luck. It is what it is.

You can't expect to pick up the game of poker and become an instant Daniel Negranu or Doyle Brunson. There are millions of us playing and only a 100 or so get to the top, you have to have reasonable expectations and give yourself reasonable limitations and work from there.

Uh oh I just realized I must sound like I'm preaching. I don't write this just for you or others as much as I do for myself as well. A reminder that I am human and have my faults, I must like anyone recognize them and adjust for them. I WANT SUCCSESS NOW! But realisticly I have to prepare for the long haul.

Good Luck!

Play the play money tables till you can beat them regular. Yes, its true, they are barely recognizable as good poker (at the lowest levels), but they still can provide the thrill of the game, and the wide variety of the folks who play the game. Quality of play increases with buyin amounts.

Personally I play the higher buyin play money tournaments and find good solid poker. I had to learn the low level buyin Play money tourneys to get enuf to buy into the bigger buy ins. When I get through all the Play Money layers, I'll feel real good about my ability to compete.

Best thing about this is I aint lost a dime.........

Thanks for the replies. Personally I think play money games are useless. Mainly because it's just boring and everyone is going all in or limping in with 2 7 off suit, then catching whatever on the river. I just don't see play money as a realistic way of practicing.

I think what I'll do is just take a break for awhile from online poker. Maybe buy a book and learn more about BR management. Until I'm more prepared I'll just stick to house games and the casino.

Thank you