Bankroll and Variance

Mr Sandbag

Mr Sandbag

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I am familiar with variance and its relation to bankroll management and was wondering how one could go about altering play strategy/style to lower variance. The local poker room's lowest limit is $1/$2 NL, and the recommended bankroll is about $5k-$8k. Unfortunately, I only have about $1.5k-$2k. Does anyone have any tips on how to alter play strategy to lower variance until I can work up to a sufficient bankroll?
So far, I have taken a few measures myself that have seemed to work a little bit, including buying in to a game for less than the max buy-in and playing ultra-tight against all-ins when I do not have a really strong hand. This style usually lowers my potential profit, but it has also minimized huge downswings that could bust my bankroll.
Any tips?
 
Beanfacekilla

Beanfacekilla

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I am familiar with variance and its relation to bankroll management and was wondering how one could go about altering play strategy/style to lower variance. The local poker room's lowest limit is $1/$2 NL, and the recommended bankroll is about $5k-$8k. Unfortunately, I only have about $1.5k-$2k. Does anyone have any tips on how to alter play strategy to lower variance until I can work up to a sufficient bankroll?
So far, I have taken a few measures myself that have seemed to work a little bit, including buying in to a game for less than the max buy-in and playing ultra-tight against all-ins when I do not have a really strong hand. This style usually lowers my potential profit, but it has also minimized huge downswings that could bust my bankroll.
Any tips?


Here goes. Just my opinion as always. I am a $1/2 player (live).

Play small-ball. Don't do things like huge bets with top-two on wet boards. Try not to bloat the pot, and get too committed.

I would buy in for the max, however. You are limiting the amount you can win by buying in short. The $1/$2 games live are full of fish and calling stations that you can value bet like crazy.

And lastly, if you play ultra tight, it becomes obvious. It is very easy to put you on a hand, and bigger stacks will felt you with suited connectors and small pairs when you blow your wad with A-A.

Buy in full. Open up your range a little. Set mine with small pairs, play suited connectors in LP, and raise when you enter the pot (for the most part).

These are just tips, and dynamics play a huge role in strategy in real time. Take it with a grain of salt.

Just my $0.02. What works for me.

Edit: I forgot to mention, if you play too tight, you don't get much action when you get a monster. I feel it is important to balance your range, and mix it up a bit to be more unpredictable.
 
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Mr Sandbag

Mr Sandbag

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Here goes. Just my opinion as always. I am a $1/2 player (live).

Play small-ball. Don't do things like huge bets with top-two on wet boards. Try not to bloat the pot, and get too committed.

I would buy in for the max, however. You are limiting the amount you can win by buying in short. The $1/$2 games live are full of fish and calling stations that you can value bet like crazy.

And lastly, if you play ultra tight, it becomes obvious. It is very easy to put you on a hand, and bigger stacks will felt you with suited connectors and small pairs when you blow your wad with A-A.

Buy in full. Open up your range a little. Set mine with small pairs, play suited connectors in LP, and raise when you enter the pot (for the most part).

These are just tips, and dynamics play a huge role in strategy in real time. Take it with a grain of salt.

Just my $0.02. What works for me.

Edit: I forgot to mention, if you play too tight, you don't get much action when you get a monster. I feel it is important to balance your range, and mix it up a bit to be more unpredictable.

Thanks for the tips! I will have to start considering full buy-ins.

And also, when I said I play ultra-tight, I meant I do it in big pots or against all-ins. I do have a wide range and try to see the flop with any reasonable hand for as cheap as possible. If I can limp in or only call a small bet, I will usually do it with almost any two cards from good position.

I think the $1/$2 tables are great for bankroll building. At least a couple calling stations at every table and even the decent players are relatively easy to dissect.
 
Beanfacekilla

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If I can limp in or only call a small bet, I will usually do it with almost any two cards from good position.

This can lead to losing money, chasing draws, and getting into tough situations. I would avoid limping with junk at live tables. If we enter the pot, we should be opening, not limping (for the most part). Limping is for setmining, and very few situations.

Just my opinion. But the majority of these players at $1/$2 give their money away by seeing too many flops (limping), and continuing too far after the flop (chasing).

My $0.02
 
Mr Sandbag

Mr Sandbag

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This can lead to losing money, chasing draws, and getting into tough situations. I would avoid limping with junk at live tables. If we enter the pot, we should be opening, not limping (for the most part). Limping is for setmining, and very few situations.

Just my opinion. But the majority of these players at $1/$2 give their money away by seeing too many flops (limping), and continuing too far after the flop (chasing).

My $0.02

I know what you mean. I don't chase unless I've got the correct odds to do so, and I fold or check on most flops (even with top pair weak kicker if there are several players in the hand). What I'm doing is usually looking to steal if the opportunity presents itself or hit a monster with a well-concealed hand. Otherwise, I'm not doing anything too fancy and it helps to keep my table image a little looser.
 
Paragon

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Play the top 10%-15% of hands, and always raise. Don't play junk and you will start making money.
 
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RaisingYa

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You can alter the buyin amount that you play with. If you enter every game with $80 you would have about 25 buy ins. That is generally a protected amount if your play is solid.
 
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deusgamble

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1)How many hands as possible to play to zero due to the variance?

If you play for a long time and do not get any advantage - it is a great burden on the psyche and negatively affect the game.



2) What BRM now is the most optimal for ?

NL10-25 - ?
NL50-100 - ?
NL200 - ?

* 6-max
 
Bankroll Building - Bankroll Management
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