Progression advice

Hi, I'm new to this site and I thought it would be a good idea to ask for some advice on how I can progress through the stakes. I am a student and I have been playing poker for a few years, starting with play money when I was too young to play for real. I play on Aced (any other aced players here?) and am yet to deposit. I have built up a bankroll of a little over $200; obviously I had to start with freerolls and also the free university poker tournament that aced was running at the time. The rest I have accumulated by playing $1-$3 DON and $2 bounty SNGs with the odd low stakes MTT. My question is: how will I know when it is the right time to play higher stakes? Is there anyone here who has taken a similar route into poker? I had a read of a post similar to this one which has given me some ideas but thought it was worth starting my own.

First off, welcome to Cardschat.

MOST of us started with freerolls, many of us learned the online game that way and a lot of us make the conscious decision to not deposit till we were comfortable with our game.

Much of that comfort was provided via what we learned here.

As to when to move up. Tricky question as there is a differenece in the way the game plays at different levels. Since you are seemingly a tourney guy, might I suggest you treat yourself to a bigger game after a win in the games you feel comfortable with. Not on a regular basis, but as a reward for your good play. You might find any number of things, running the gamut from 'I don't belong here' to 'OMG this is so ****ing easy'. You will benefit from reviewing the game afterwards, but get your toes wet, you might find the waters inviting.

If you have achieved enough patience to make $200 from nothing, then you will understand you aren't gonna get there in a day.

i am on aced

cnacwolfie there

I'd suggest going for the occasional seat via satellite. That can be a relatively inexpensive way to try out the higher buy in tourneys.

The trouble with moving up in stakes is that you don't really know whether the move affects your play until you are actually playing. If you keep thinking about how much the buy-in was, you may be playing scared. I say this because when I play a tourney over a certain level, I am not comfortable enough to make the plays I normally would because I am so concerned about going busto. That extra fear tends to inhibit my play, making it actually less likely that I will make the money, let alone get far. Tight is good but too tight is lethal.

One thing that trying to move up has taught me is a heightened awareness of my own comfort zone. And how violating my comfort zone affects my play. An exploration into self-awareness. Do keep monitoring your own reactions.

The differences in play at various levels among the other players is, to me, of less importance than my own reactions. I'm finding that I have a ceiling of my own making, and the question is whether I can change myself enough to move up much.

I like this idea, if i feel comfortable when moving up do you think i should remain at this level?

I'll look out for ya, my username is the name i use here.

I have never really played in satellite tournaments. I think because i am put off by the thought of having to win several times before the actual tournament starts.. do they have satellites that only require one win to gain entry to a higher sng?

Me thinks you are not new to forums. MultiQuotes and editing of those quotes suggests a long time forum visitor.

As a tourney guy, after we get out of the micro's we find ourselves playing in a range of games. Above micros but still in the low range the tourneys or SnG's might vary a few bucks. As we get higher we often have to play a variety of buy-ins for any number of reasons.

If you feel comfortable at a couple of levels, you should probably play at a couple of levels. The important thing is to keep an eye on your bankroll, and with BRM in mind make sane, undemanding decisions on what to play and when. I used to scoff at the BRM dictum that said 100 buy-in was good for a tourney guy playing above the micro's. Then I hit the skids at FullTilt and realized that there will be times when even 100 buy-ins won't cover my ass.

3 months ago I had a very happy BR there, and now I don't. Since I both can't and won't deposit anywhere ever again, I am now forced back to the roots that got me were I was.

If however, you move up, and find a level you feel comfortable with but are not profitable at, do not linger there springing eternal hope. Keep close tabs on where you make money, and keep making money.

Ok so im currently approaching $250.. do you feel it may be too soon for me to consistently play $5 DON/STT? I think what I will do is continue to play the 1/2 dollar games and then throw in the odd $5 like you suggested. Thanks for the help dj!

In response to your opening comment, i'm merely a quick learner

I'm not much of a fan of the Double or Nothing games, but if you know you are profitable in them, don't give them up. With a $250 br I normally don't mind even the occasional $10 game, but still prefered to be around the $3-5 games.