***December UB STEP Tracking***

The other thread got kind of confusing with some of the changes to my overall strategy and what not.

SO...

Here is my December 2009 UB STEP Tracking thread.

OVERALL GOAL: Create a strategy that allows rapid progress toward STEP 10, while leaving opportunities to repeat success.

OVERALL STRATEGY: To have no less than 3 tickets to each of the 10 STEP's at all times. Can not advance to next STEP until 4 tickets for that STEP have been earned, and must drop down a STEP once I am down to 3 tickets to that STEP.

NOTES FROM NOVEMBER: Before I started tracking my play, I actually had made progress to STEP 5. I frivolously lost that ticket and had to start back over again. Which gave me the idea that I need to have some reserves in the tank, and a plan in place, instead of trying to strike lightning once.

TOTAL'S FROM NOVEMBER
STEP's Played: 37
STEP 1 Tickets Earned: 9
STEP 2 Tickets Earned: 13
Placed In: 22/37
Placing %: 59%

Today, I played in 2 STEP's before my son got sick. 1 STEP 1 to get warmed up, and 1 STEP 2 once I was warmed up. I lost the STEP 1, but won the STEP 2. 50% on the day, with 1 STEP 3 ticket earned.

TOTAL'S FOR DECEMBER
STEP 1: 0/1 (bankrolled for another 385 if necessary)
STEP 2: 1/1 (STEP 3 Ticket earned), 12 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 0/0, 1 Ticket remaining

Feel free to leave any comments, suggestions, well wishes, jeers. WHATEVER.

After my son went to bed, I got to play in a couple more before my wife got home from work. I played in 2 more STEP 2's, placing in both, earning 1 STEP 2 Ticket and 1 STEP 3 Ticket.

TOTAL'S FOR DECEMBER
STEP 1: 0/1 (bankrolled for another 385 if necessary)
STEP 2: 3/3 (1 STEP 2 Ticket earned, 2 STEP 3 Tickets earned), 11 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 0/0, 2 Ticket remaining
Placed In: 3/4
Placing %: 75%

Steps are a good way to play for cheap, but they have terrible ROI. Essentially having to play and win 10 tournaments in order to get anything out of it(unless you get like 5th place at the 5th level for like $0.33). I was playing these last spring when they were doing them for the wsop and I got up to the 7th step twice and got killed, moving me down two steps each time. It would be one thing if you could cash the tickets in, but you can't.

A lot of people think that as long as they can get past those first couple steps, they will just be playing those same, lower limit people on up through the steps, but the fact is that a lot of the better players directly buy-in at like Step 7 or 8, so you have a good chance of playing some really good players. One of the two Step 7's I played in PokerH0 was at my table...

I'm not telling you not to go for them, just letting you know that you don't really get anything out of playing them but the fun of playing poker, unless you are the small percentage who can go from Step1 all the way up. Good luck.

I agree that these steps games are not money makers. I do play in them and have made it to step 3 2 times. I am not sure if I will continue to play them or not but I like the OP way of thinking on management of them. GL. Will be awesome to hear that you made it to step 10 and came in either 1st or 2nd. Either would be an awesome dream come true for me.

I have been fielding a lot of questions from a lot of people as to why I would commit a portion of my overall bankroll specifically to this type of play.

1) I have never determined that STT, MTT, or Ring Games are my game of choice. In the couple of years that I have played, I have dabbled in all of them, but have yet to fully commit to any of them. In looking through my history, I have had most of my success in STT, and because of that I am using STEPs as a means to fully commit myself to learning all of the intricacies of STT's, different playing styles at various buy in levels, the patience required to make certain moves in the appropriate spots, and to evaluate my game honestly long term so that I can adapt and make adjustments to fix leaks and/or weaknesses.

2) Everyone keeps saying that there is a negative ROI. And initially, that is true. For every .11 that I pay to enter a STEP 1, I am playing to go bust or earn a ticket with no monetary value (unless the STEP's are DC'd, at which time they can be redeemed for cash value). But, with a well developed plan, patience, and perserverance, there is the potential for an ROI unlike any game that I could possibly play at the micro limits. Let's estimate it takes me playing in 1000 STEP's before I earn 3 tickets to each STEP so that I can set myself up for success at the top. Are you telling me that I could possibly have a $3500 or $17500 ROI after 1000 STT's at the micro levels? Me neither, unless I played outside of my BR. So, to me, this is well worth any short term profit that I could make if it is helping me develop a sound game at all playing levels and offers me the opportunity to add onto my bankroll long term in ways that I would never have thought possible. WILL I GET KNOCKED DOWN? I'm sure of it. But that's how we all learn. And I won't have to pay out of the ass to take my knocks. It's really a low risk/high reward training opportunity for me. And for .11, it's worth it. Especially when you consider that it is an excellent training ground for BR management as well. Thinking long term instead of short term.

^^^^^ Nice! Agree with you 100%

AceZWylD said:

I have been fielding a lot of questions from a lot of people as to why I would commit a portion of my overall bankroll specifically to this type of play.

1) I have never determined that STT, MTT, or Ring Games are my game of choice. In the couple of years that I have played, I have dabbled in all of them, but have yet to fully commit to any of them. In looking through my history, I have had most of my success in STT, and because of that I am using STEPs as a means to fully commit myself to learning all of the intricacies of STT's, different playing styles at various buy in levels, the patience required to make certain moves in the appropriate spots, and to evaluate my game honestly long term so that I can adapt and make adjustments to fix leaks and/or weaknesses.

2) Everyone keeps saying that there is a negative ROI. And initially, that is true. For every .11 that I pay to enter a STEP 1, I am playing to go bust or earn a ticket with no monetary value (unless the STEP's are DC'd, at which time they can be redeemed for cash value). But, with a well developed plan, patience, and perserverance, there is the potential for an ROI unlike any game that I could possibly play at the micro limits. Let's estimate it takes me playing in 1000 STEP's before I earn 3 tickets to each STEP so that I can set myself up for success at the top. Are you telling me that I could possibly have a $3500 or $17500 ROI after 1000 STT's at the micro levels? Me neither, unless I played outside of my BR. So, to me, this is well worth any short term profit that I could make if it is helping me develop a sound game at all playing levels and offers me the opportunity to add onto my bankroll long term in ways that I would never have thought possible. WILL I GET KNOCKED DOWN? I'm sure of it. But that's how we all learn. And I won't have to pay out of the ass to take my knocks. It's really a low risk/high reward training opportunity for me. And for .11, it's worth it. Especially when you consider that it is an excellent training ground for BR management as well. Thinking long term instead of short term.

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I'm not sure I get why you want to have so many tickets at each step but GL making it to the end.

I'm at step 8 myself with a step 7 as backup.

Lo-Dog said:

I'm not sure I get why you want to have so many tickets at each step but GL making it to the end.

I'm at step 8 myself with a step 7 as backup.

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Congrats on your progress. I hope that it continues and that you make it through all of the STEP's

And in all honesty, I have a couple of reasons for accumulating and mainataining 3 Tickets to each STEP at all times.

1) They still have equity. If STEP's were DC'd tomorrow, I would still be ahead of the game as far as ROI because I have earned more in cash value of the tickets than I have had to invest out of pocket. Maintaining 3 at each STEP ensures that no matter what I come out of this experiment with some equity.

2) I mentioned that I am using this as a training experience. And part of that training is conditioning myself to stay disciplined and maintain proper bankroll management. This, as far as I can tell (aside from not dedicating myself to a specific game type), had been the biggest leak in my game. If I can condition myself to stay disciplined and follow the plan that I have set for myself when I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, then I will be conditioned to stay disciplined when I can see my progress or regression on a day to day basis when it is observable.

3) Reserves. It is never a bad thing to have reserves in the tank.

Done for the day. Today was a SERIOUS grind. I couldn't connect on ANYTHING today. That said, I think that this is my best overall day performance wise. I managed to keep myself in position to place and advance, and even when the cards went silent for me, I found ways to win pots. I'm very pleased with todays performance, since this was probably the most that I have had to rely on pure skill. Placed in 6/8 on the day, earning 2 STEP 3 tickets, 3 STEP 2 tickets, and 1 STEP 1 ticket.

TOTAL'S FOR DECEMBER
STEP 1: 0/1 (bankrolled for another 385 if necessary)
STEP 2: 9/11 (1STEP 1 Ticket Earned, 4 STEP 2 Tickets earned, 4 STEP 3 Tickets earned), 6 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 0/0, 4 Tickets remaining
Placed In: 9/12
Placing %: 75%

Plan for tomorrow. Play down to 3 STEP 2 tickets, then advance to STEP 3.

hmmm i'd like to learn more about these steps... maybe im not reading something right, i guess im gonna re-read it and see if i understand more.. if anyone can help shead some light on the subject , please let me know...--thanks--

valientone said:

hmmm i'd like to learn more about these steps... maybe im not reading something right, i guess im gonna re-read it and see if i understand more.. if anyone can help shead some light on the subject , please let me know...--thanks--

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Google is your friend: http://www.ultimatebet.com/poker-tournaments/steps

Decided to play 1 more before the wife gets home from work. Placed first, and earned another STEP 3 Ticket. Looks like I will be playing some STEP 3's tomorrow.

TOTAL'S FOR DECEMBER
STEP 1: 0/1 (bankrolled for another 385 if necessary)
STEP 2: 10/12 (1STEP 1 Ticket Earned, 4 STEP 2 Tickets earned, 5 STEP 3 Tickets earned), 5 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 0/0, 5 Tickets remaining
December Placed In: 10/13
December Placing %: 77%
Overall Placed In: 32/50
Overall Placing %: 64%
December Stake: $0
Total Stake: $3.19
Total Equity: $7.31

absoluthamm said:

Steps are a good way to play for cheap, but they have terrible ROI. Essentially having to play and win 10 tournaments in order to get anything out of it(unless you get like 5th place at the 5th level for like $0.33). I was playing these last spring when they were doing them for the WSOP and I got up to the 7th step twice and got killed, moving me down two steps each time. It would be one thing if you could cash the tickets in, but you can't.

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I played in the same WSOP steps on Absolute Poker. I received rakeback for every ticket played, and I earned more RB than the tickets cost me.

STEP 1: 3/5 (bankrolled for another 383 if necessary)
STEP 2: 12/15 (1 STEP 1 Ticket Earned, 4 STEP 2 Tickets earned, 5 STEP 3 Tickets earned, $.05 earned), 5 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 3/4, 4 Tickets remaining
December Placed In: 18/24
December Placing %: 75%
Overall Placed In: 40/61
Overall Placing %: 66%
December Stake: $.22
Total Stake: $3.41
Total Equity: $6.10 + $.05 = $6.15

WOW. That's really all that I can say to today's action. I will be honest, I wasn't on my "A" game today. My strategy headed into each entry is to play to place, and once i've placed then I play to win. I did an excellent job of playing to place, but once I placed I routinely neglected to open my game up enough to put myself in a position to win. I missed quite a few steal opportunities, I got bluffed off of some good but not unbeatable hands. I just didn't have it in the end stages today. Everyone has days like this, and at least I can admit it when i'm having one. I'm pleased with the placing percentage, because it kept me going and I didn't lose TOO much ground overall as a result of my sub par play today. But I am disappointed at my lackluster late game play throughout the day. I will say that I saw 2 completely different sides of STEP 3 today. The first entry, about 10 hands in I got AA on the button with action folded to me. I 4 bet, and was insta shoved all in. Easy call. What did he have? 5 2 suited. Guess who rivered a flush? It wasn't me. I was furious. Oh well, I went in with the best of it, kept my cool, and placed in the next 4 I played. So I did a good job with tilt management. The 2nd STEP 3 I played was the tightest table I have EVER played on. Still had a full table with the blinds at 100/200, and stacks hadn't changed much. I loved the experience I got from this game, because this is the type of game that I expect to see at higher limits. So my 3rd place finish in such a tight game was very pleasing.

BTW. I know that I am currently at my "BR" to continue playing STEP 3 at the moment. That said, I will be using tomorrow and Saturday to reload through STEP 1 and STEP 2 so that hopefully I can devote a full day to playing STEP 3's when I return from my wifes family reunion on Wednesday.

Not gonna lie. Yesterday I started getting burnt out on playing the STEPs 6 hours a day 5 days a week. So today, I played 2 and then played in a MTT just to give myself a little break from the monotony. But, since I played, i've gotta track my progress, so here it is. 2 STEP 1's played, 2 STEP 2 tickets earned.

STEP 1: 5/7 (bankrolled for another 381 if necessary)
STEP 2: 12/15 (1 STEP 1 Ticket Earned, 4 STEP 2 Tickets earned, 5 STEP 3 Tickets earned, $.05 earned), 7 Tickets remaining
STEP 3: 3/4, 4 Tickets remaining
December Placed In: 20/26
December Placing %: 77%
Overall Placed In: 42/63
Overall Placing %: 67%
December Stake: $.44
Total Stake: $3.63
Total Equity: $6.78 + $.05 = $6.83

They started doing STEP 10 for the full UBOC package. Don't know what that is, but i'm gonna find out. LOL. They did add some more cash to the STEPs though, so the pot got sweetened a lil bit.

UPDATE...

I have done some research on this month's STEP"s. Because of the UBOC, and how you can opt into various different levels of the UBOC in this months STEPs, there has also been a significant ammount of cash added that can be earned during various different STEP's this month. As a result, i've had to re-evaluate my overall strategy for this month in an attempt to take advantage of the opportunity for large buy in tournaments as well as the cash prizes available this month. The changes in my strategy are going to be...

1) I feel that I have had too much of my overall BR allotted to use for STEPs, which has limited other forms of play that have been available to me. As such, i've made some significant progress on less that $4 worth of STEP 1 buy in's. So, I have adjusted my STEP BR from 381 remaining STEP 1 buy in's to 150 STEP 1 buy in's. This adjustment will be re-evaluated if necessary as the month progresses.

2) Rather than playing to keep a reserve of 3 tickets to each STEP, I have adjusted to keep 1 reserve at each STEP, and only advancing to the next STEP when I have 3 tickets at my current STEP.

Seriously, for thoise of you who claim these have no money in them, this is the month to go get you some.

I hope you are able to go all the way and win tons with the Step tourneys, but as far as your comment "Seriously, for thoise of you who claim these have no money in them, this is the month to go get you some." I just have to say, I'll believe it when I see it.

absoluthamm said:

I hope you are able to go all the way and win tons with the Step tourneys, but as far as your comment "Seriously, for thoise of you who claim these have no money in them, this is the month to go get you some." I just have to say, I'll believe it when I see it.

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That's fine, I don't expect everyone to buy into the idea that it is possible. However, I don't believe that it is impossible with a plan to keep yourself ahead and in the game at all times. I could see getting some hate here if I were claiming that I plan to go from STEP 1-STEP 10 on 1 ticket. But that is not what I am saying, nor is that what I am doing. What I am doing is tracking my games played, my placing percentages at each STEP, and adjusting my game at each STEP to keep myself in the game without having to re-invest beyond my original BR, and keep myself one step ahead by keeping at least 1 reserve from the previous STEPs at all times. Not only do I believe that I can do it, I believe that EVERYONE could do it with enough time invested into following through with a plan. With so many opt out STEP's this month, there is enough cash involved and large MTT buy in's involved, there is enough incentive out there to make this a worthwhile venture.

Just wondering if you're still doing this or not. Haven't had an update in 9 days and you changed your profile sig. so it doesn't show the update anymore...

Thanks for the question.

I am taking a cautious approach to these at this point. I began having issues with the site timing me out after installing an update. I then began watching the upper Steps closely and noticed that there is little, if any, play beyond Step 7. So, I am maintaining my BR and keeping my STEP tickets while I monitor whether it will be worthwhile to continue playing. But, at this point I am acting under the belief that it is not worth playing for if I cannot get a game once I get there. If fortunes change and play at the upper Steps opens up, then I will continue. Until then, I have been playing 45 mans on pokerstars.

AceZWylD said:

Thanks for the question.

I am taking a cautious approach to these at this point. I began having issues with the site timing me out after installing an update. I then began watching the upper Steps closely and noticed that there is little, if any, play beyond Step 7. So, I am maintaining my BR and keeping my STEP tickets while I monitor whether it will be worthwhile to continue playing. But, at this point I am acting under the belief that it is not worth playing for if I cannot get a game once I get there. If fortunes change and play at the upper Steps opens up, then I will continue. Until then, I have been playing 45 mans on Pokerstars.

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I play on Ultimate Bet alot but I usually just either play cash or single table SNG's. I keep on seeing these tourneys that pay out with step 1 step 2 3 etc. tickets....how does this all work?? Just wondering if there is a link that could explain the whole "step" system.

Kasanova King said:

I play on Ultimate Bet alot but I usually just either play cash or single table SNG's. I keep on seeing these tourneys that pay out with step 1 step 2 3 etc. tickets....how does this all work?? Just wondering if there is a link that could explain the whole "step" system.

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If you read through the entire thread and not just the last post, you would have seen this:

absoluthamm said:

Google is your friend: http://www.ultimatebet.com/poker-tournaments/steps

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That should help.

I've spent $0.10 so far so what ever comes of it shouldn't be considered a bad ROI. I'm up to a step 5 ticket and the competition is definately getting tougher. If I can get a step 6 then I can play in a UBOC... whatever the heck that is. I think u might be able to win real money in a UBOC but I'm not sure.

But, my poiont is that for a ten cent investment I've certainly enjoyed some good play and haven't "lost" my ten cents.... yet.

Congrats on the progress Joe, the highest I ever got was a Step 5, but that was way before UBOC's. The play gets a lot better the higher you go, but at the very low levels, people are idiots, so you just have to adjust to the players.