Losing Patience in Full Ring

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NatesGotNuts

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I've only been playing about a month and I've been playing full ring NL holdem to improve my skills. To know when to play a hand I'm using one of the charts here on CardsChat (plan on memorizing soon). Full ring was recommended to me because it's the easiest game to play and has the most fish.

I find it difficult to learn quickly though as I find myself folding around the table so often that sometimes I'll play less desirable hands just because I'm bored. A lot of the time when I do finally play, I never hit even a pair. Just today I probably played 100 hands (mostly folds) and hit high pair just one time. Never hit a set. Didn't have many draws either, mostly only had 5 outs or less.

Are these kinds of situations really just luck of the draw? As long as I minimize losses will I start finally getting some hands I can work with? Or should I at least bluff some times to keep my opponents honest? Because if I were to ever call or bet today, it sure as hell would have been a bluff.

I guess my main question is...when I'm hardly ever connecting after the flop, should consider bluffing more? It's pretty boring sitting for 2 hours and only being in on the action a couple times. Don't think I learn much this way either.
 
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Evan Dwyer

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I've only been playing about a month and I've been playing full ring NL holdem to improve my skills. To know when to play a hand I'm using one of the charts here on CardsChat (plan on memorizing soon). Full ring was recommended to me because it's the easiest game to play and has the most fish.

I find it difficult to learn quickly though as I find myself folding around the table so often that sometimes I'll play less desirable hands just because I'm bored. A lot of the time when I do finally play, I never hit even a pair. Just today I probably played 100 hands (mostly folds) and hit high pair just one time. Never hit a set. Didn't have many draws either, mostly only had 5 outs or less.

Are these kinds of situations really just luck of the draw? As long as I minimize losses will I start finally getting some hands I can work with? Or should I at least bluff some times to keep my opponents honest? Because if I were to ever call or bet today, it sure as hell would have been a bluff.

I guess my main question is...when I'm hardly ever connecting after the flop, should consider bluffing more? It's pretty boring sitting for 2 hours and only being in on the action a couple times. Don't think I learn much this way either.

Assuming you are playing correctly, you should be playing about 15% of your hands from everything I've learned. Meaning out of a hundred hands you'd play roughly 15 of them... if you find it boring try adding another table. At least that way you won't be tempted to play poorly as you're likely to get a playable hand on one of the tables sooner rather than later.
 
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jmbluffnstuff

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Never let runs of bad cards influence your decision to play a hand. A hand either has equity to play, or it doesn't.

These aren't the "key situations" you're looking for. Throwing chips in with easily dominated hands. While that 10-J spades may look great from the button, if you have a raise and a call in front of you, tons of hands are way ahead 10-10, J-J, Q-Q, K-K, A-A, 10-Q, 10-K, 10-A, J-Q, J-K, J-A. Lots of others besides these that are 60/40 favorites against you.

Putting chips in dominated is very bad, situations where you have only a 30% chance of winning or less.

Set ranges for opening a pot. From early position play only strong hands, 99-AA including AK AQ.

As your position gets stronger, from middle and late position, you can open your range more.

Again these are pots that you are the first one to make a bet. Don't limp in if you are first to act. Raise or fold.

Don't vary your opening bet based on your hand strength or position, come in the same with every hand you play, 3 or 4 bbs, whatever is the norm at the game. Makes it very difficult for opponents to figure out what you have this way.

When your not playing in a hand, try to figure out what hand the continuing players may hold, or a range.

Make notes on players as you learn what they do. Many players will bet big with AA or KK pre, but bet smaller with weaker hands. Some will do the opposite.

The best position you can bluff from is the button, when everyone else folds to you, just come in the same way 3x the bb. The type of player that is in the sb and bb will also influence your decision to continue if called. Is this a call with any cards guy? Or a tighter player?

More times then not, unless your opponent holds a big hand, or a good draw, after the flop is checked to you, a continuation bet will take it down. How well this works depends on your style of play.

If your calling every hand and playing loose because your bored, attentive players will pick up on this, and will be able to get you in bad situations. If your playing a solid game, they will be less likely to call you down.

To avoid getting bored, watch the other players tendencies, are they loose cannons, passive tight, calling stations, solid TAG players, NIT's? What range are they opening with?

Make notes.
 
PapaC

PapaC

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I've only been playing about a month and I've been playing full ring NL holdem to improve my skills. To know when to play a hand I'm using one of the charts here on CardsChat (plan on memorizing soon). Full ring was recommended to me because it's the easiest game to play and has the most fish.

I find it difficult to learn quickly though as I find myself folding around the table so often that sometimes I'll play less desirable hands just because I'm bored. A lot of the time when I do finally play, I never hit even a pair. Just today I probably played 100 hands (mostly folds) and hit high pair just one time. Never hit a set. Didn't have many draws either, mostly only had 5 outs or less.

Are these kinds of situations really just luck of the draw? As long as I minimize losses will I start finally getting some hands I can work with? Or should I at least bluff some times to keep my opponents honest? Because if I were to ever call or bet today, it sure as hell would have been a bluff.

I guess my main question is...when I'm hardly ever connecting after the flop, should consider bluffing more? It's pretty boring sitting for 2 hours and only being in on the action a couple times. Don't think I learn much this way either.

Hay Nate. No matter what you have to get involved with the game, or just give it all a week's rest and then try again. You are not alone with the 90% folding. The other day I folded for 2 hours, and only getting enough hands to keep me stack about what it was when I started. And I kept thinking "watch a hands coming where I will double up" and it always comes. So I get at my share of my FTs Also to keep you into the game, do try some bluffing. But don't get deep out there and have cards that could hit and win on the turn or river. There is another thing I do to get a laugh. Say you are in the BB and the LB trys to steal your blind, fire back at him and see what happens. Remember a 2 or 3 bet there is as good as and all in and it cost less if you get raised back. Man there is a lot to learn here. I'm sure you have other questions. Post them and let us help
 
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NatesGotNuts

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Thanks so much for the answers guys! They are so helpful and help give me the confidence to stick with it. I would guess that over many hands things will deviate to the norm. Since it will even out I should be able to expect more AA and AK where I can really take advantage and help out my bankroll.

I do have another question actually...last night for New Years I was playing a little heads up with my brother before other people got the the house, and was having a lot of trouble counting chips in the pot as it grew, and making calculations (also have no idea how to play heads up, looser I would guess, and with high cards more important than sets). Tomorrow, I'm going out to play live with some friends for the first time. Is it going to be obvious how many chips are out in the pot so I can make wise decisions? Is there some moderator who I can ask a chip count from. and then take my time to make a move? I'm a bit nervous honestly.
 
MasterTur

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Sometimes I Has problems to play just one table too, because is so anoying fold evertime, but when this happnes it's when i get more alert for dont do anthing wrong and lost money
 
PapaC

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Nate why are you nervous? Nate what you are saying is you are going out with the boys and have a friendly game. Just play your cards, drink plenty of beer if you drink, and have some damn fun. Man you don't have to know shit to play those games. Act like you don't know how to play poker very good and win all the money. Just have funn Nate. I would.
 
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NatesGotNuts

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Haha I was just a little nervous because of the new experience. It ended up being fine. I sat on the left of my friend and he gave me pointers throughout the game. I ended up losing my $40, but not due to bad play. A bad beat really...

I held AJhs and villain held XXcs heads up. Flop is out with Xc Xc Js. No straight draws. I put in a raise, don't remember the number...should've done 2/3 pot I think. Villain pushes all in as he had before with a flush draw. I call all in, and he hits his flush. About 65/35 in my favor right? A good call? My buddy said I made the right move. 2/3s of the time I'm going to win that hand.

My question is, why do players push all in on the flush draw? Several were doing it. My friend said something about fold equity but didn't go into the details. odds are only 4.22:1 he hits that card. In heads-up...doesn't make sense to me.
 
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NatesGotNuts

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I'm up about $1.00 on NL5 online btw in a few hours...not saying I'm good or anything haha, but I'm happy my first few hours with real money have been a net positive. I make a few mistakes but not too many. Focusing on playing the starting hands correctly right now and playing tight. Controlling the urges to call raises when I don't have the odds. I think I'm doing a pretty solid job. Sure I can do better, but it's a start.

I have noticed a lot of players at this level are playing weak hands, calling preflop rather than raising. Also nearly everyone is folding to CBets when I'm in position. I mean...I can see how this game is beatable. People screw up a lot. There are definitely good players there, too. I think I fit in well here though. We'll see after about a month hahahah
 
Raven119

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I find that in full ring opposed to 6 player people tend to shove all in and play a lot more loose to steal the pot. 6 Player hold'em is easier to bluff if you played your cards right. Full ring people are likely to call just for the gamble if you are bluffing.
 
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Julio Andre

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I think full ring games is a lie, i lost all my money there in a day, with the best hand all the time in full tilt. Breakaway bonus gave only 10 coin, and the promo said prize in $ not in coin.
 
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NatesGotNuts

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Damn, now my roll is up $7 in 5NL. Hope this hot start doesn't go to my head :p
 
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bizbakol

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It can be addictive, when you lost you want to win it back and it's the devil's circle. You will be much more anxious from time to time if you can't win it back. People can lose their fortunes.
 
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