Hi ive played around 6500 hands so far mainly on 0.02/0.04c using Carbon Poker.i seemed to start off ok by going into credit but recently the winnings graph has been going down gradually. I realise that 6500 hands is relatively small in poker terms but I was hoping that after reading many articles/books and albeit limited experience I would be slowly starting to seeing an improvement on my results.
I am finding that whilst trying to stick to a TAG approach, I do reasonably ok generally but then lose often on the bigger hands suggesting I am making the wrong calls somewhere.
I use Holdem Manager and also PT3. Could anyone try and analyse where I could improve if I post some stats please? (Im not sure which ones Iwould need to post to obtain any help so if you could advise it would be appreciated)
many thanks
I play 5NL on Full Tilt and can tell you that the ranges are roughly:
TAG Regulars: VPIP 11-12, PFR pretty close to that. This is the range I run.
Nits almost always run 7 VPIP. They almost never steal, fold to re-raises often.
Short Stack Shovers: 4-5 VPIP. Plan to get it all in or just fold against these guys.
LAGs: VIP 18. They will make your life miserable. They will re-raise you constantly. They're bullies though and usually fold to 3-bets. Just make sure you have a strong hand because they do get cards and often when you decide to push back they're holding the nuts.
LAG-Manacs: 24/18
Maniacs 25-35 with high PFR (they never last)
Calling stations: VPIP's run 55+
Just remember this key concept when playing Micros:
The mathematical expecation of folding (in a Cash Game) is 0. If you can't decide whether to play a hand generally the correct answer is to fold. Also of the 169 hands only 3 have EV's of 1 BB or greater: AA, KK & QQ. ALL the rest have EV's of less than 1 BB which means don' t overplay them. Avoid overplaying Broadway junk like KJo, QTo, etc. low pps, suited connectors, etc. Just follow these simple rules:
- play tight,very tight, loosening up as you approach the button. Be prepared to fold 88, AJo, etc. when UTG.
- NEVER, EVER, EVER Cold Call a bet when entering a pot. You have zero equity in the pot so you shouldn't enter it unless you are a favorite. This means no set mining, no trap plays. Either Raise or fold.
- If someone 3 bets you 4 bet with the hands you feel ready to play stacks for and fold the rest. That means JJ is in the muck usually to a 3-bet unless your opp folds to 4 bets after 3betting easily.
- C-bet almost always when OOP. Exception would be if the pot is multiway. If someone raises and it gets back to you it is check/ raise or fold.
- When IP do not call raises unless you have a powerful draw with AT LEAST 10 outs or have a set or straight on a rainbow board, or a a flush on a non-paired board. If you have 2 overcards, an overpair, TPTK or 2 pair you need to find out on the flop what you are up against. Better to fold here than pour money into a pot and face a huge river bet without knowing the strength of your hand.
- Be brave to re-raise flops when you miss if you are IP. This is especially key when there is one overcard on the board, especially an Ace. Say you have TT and 3 -bet your opponent who then flat called OOP. If they lead with a bet on the flop test them by re-raising or to mix it up smooth call an Ace flop and if they check the turn make a pot sized bet. More often than not they will fold. just don't over do it or they wil pick up on this and start check/ raising on you.
- Unless you have a very good read on your opponent do not call a River bet with just one pair.
- Stick to playing 1 table at a time until you are profitable. If you are a money loser no sense losing twice or 3 times as fast. Slow the game down. Pay attention, review your opponents HUD numbers and think about poker whenver you can.
Unfortunately there is no short cut to experience. I am at 23k hands and I feel like the 1st 20k were spring training. Even know I make notes of things I try and fail (like running squeeze plays with SC's from the blinds= bad idea.). Just play and prepare to lose and lose and lose until you stop losing,