Micro-limit goal setting. Where do I start

BluDogg

BluDogg

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I have some general goals in mind already but was wondering how to best set numerical goals for the rest of the month. I've been learning and reading a ton and want to take the next step which I think is to set goals and objectives. I don't want to really get into the goals as they are just normal improvements anyone should be trying to achieve regularly. What I'd like to get some insight in is setting realistic quantitative objectives for micro limits for the rest of this month.

I'm currently just focusing on ABC poker and have a small sample so far of 1k hands over about 10 hours. During this time I've been earning a little over 80BB/100 hands. I typically play 2 or 3 tables and use a HUD. If my general goal is to work up through the stakes, should I be adding tables? Should I shoot for a certain win rate and really grind up my BR to 100 bucks. I started at $30 and am up to $40 so my overall earning potential is something like a dollar an hour. Although getting up to $100 seems daunting I think it will really help me with discipline and by the time I get there hopefully the transition will be easier than if I just start taking shots.

Anyway what are some success stories from some of the guys who really did grind from the bottom up?
 
8475483829

8475483829

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I'm still very early in the learning process, so feel free to ignore this if it doesn't feel like what you were searching for...I took the time to type it up because it seems like you're committed, but that there isn't much solid strategic advice for the lowest of the microstakes.

Background: I have a history of playing card games competitively, but only began seriously learning poker roughly 3 months ago. I spent most of this time grinding freerolls; it took 2 months to get a BR of about $15 together. Around this time, I got involved with the CC freerolls (which have been amazing)... Over the past month, those have added about $95 to the BR, while I started dabbling in SnGs and NL2..

Current: The BR sits at about $145ish now, and I have to say it has been a tremendous lesson in patience grinding it up via the microstakes. I think it's a mistake to set goals such as "I want to increase my BR by $X by the end of the month," rather you need to say "I want to work on playing my best and commit to playing for X hours this month".
 
TimovieMan

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Instead of monetary goals, you could set yourself some monthly volume goals, and commit yourself to working on areas you know are lacking.

For instance, your March goals could be something like:
- play 15K hands of NL2
- try to get comfortable playing 4 tables at once
- spend at least 2 hours each week on session reviews
- read and study BlackRain's "Crushing the Microstakes", Ed Miller's "Small Stakes NLHE" and John Anhalt's "Polished Poker Vol. I"


When you're at the micros, and NL2 especially, improving your play should be your primary concern.
If you focus on playing your absolute best poker, the money will come in anyway.

Take it slow, apply good BRM, and you'll be moving up in stakes soon enough.
 
BluDogg

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Thanks guys. I won't address everything here, but I appreciate all the advice, getting a sense of the possibilities for the future is helpful even though it isn't direct information. Thanks Tim for the ideas, I heard people go on about not setting goals you can't guarantee you'll achieve and was having trouble coming up with anything that wasn't totally arbitrary like "gain confidence at X limit" or "fold better" and I think I'll just steal those bullet points if you don't mind.

I made my first poker related purchase and got the small stakes poker tracker for both NLHE and PLO so I'm intent on grinding up and learning all I can about the HUD and plugging leaks. I might post progress updates here to increase accountability. Thanks!
 
BluDogg

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Just thought of another addition to my list, don't obsessively check my BR, it'll just drive me crazy seeing penny changes at a time.
 
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start with NL2.. try 3-4 tables at once.. dont play zoom ou snap or whatever is it on your site.. :p
 
BluDogg

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I'm currently running about 20 BB on 3 tables at 2nl. so not losing, but not pro. Overall my bb is 50-60 but that's due to some huge tilted wins. I don't do zoom or anything, just strictly 2nl cash games. I tried a couple playpen games on ACR and got up to 15 and 18 bucks and stupidly lost everything so I just avoid that for now when my BR can't handle it.
 
BluDogg

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Feeling pretty good today, I had a paid vacation day today and loaded up a few tables, not realizing it was Friday, when most people who I can beat would be at work, and I went on a steady downward loss streak to -150 BBs which is pretty abnormal for me at 2NL. I was a little bummed and thought maybe the problem was the table and my seat, so I started trying to select better seats on tables with smaller stacks to see if that helped. Ended up not only recovering the loss, but also having my best gain so far for a day and went up 319 BBs after a total of 924 hands, which is also the most hands I've played in a day. Add to that I cleared a dollar from my first deposit bonus. Cool story right?
 
PapaC

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I started where you are at. However, I did deposit $50 to fall back on, and to be able to play small buyin MTTs along with the freerolls. This was at Full Flush and they had $60 and $75 GTDs for $.60 and $.75 buy ins. I played them every day and started moving up. I've withdrew 2 times, and still have a good BR but it has took a long time to get where I am. There is no need to get in a hurry, because it's not going to happen fast. GL to you
 
c9h13no3

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I started from zero, and the big key is bankroll management. Move up stakes slowly, only play good tables full of fish, and always have 50+ buy ins in your bankroll.
 
BluDogg

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5K hands, and as many words

As a "milestone" I decided to post the results of my first 5k hands. So...

4 Line Graph 5K Hands

There we go. A few things of note, my peak was about 1250 BBs ($25) and I'm currently at (hopefully a temporary trough) about 750 BBs ($15). Out of 5 Wednesdays and 5 Thursdays, I have lost a decent amount 4 Wednesdays and 4 Thursdays, Including today and yesterday. I don't tilt much, so I can only assume these are days I might want to be seeking more of a thrill to shake up the week. Anyone else find their day-by-day play changing based on the day of the week? It also seems these days players in general are much looser. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Friday are my better days, not only in number of winning sessions, but overall profits. Saturdays seem to be pretty hit or miss.

Looking over some of my big hands, haven't posted a hand history in a while, Sometimes I look back and think wow, had I just listened to them, they were telling me they have the nuts, so I really think I need to give any moves after the turn more credit. Probably going to save much more than the rare times someone is bluffing, because I have looked through my top 25 wins, and no one was bluffing except 2 hands in a .60 capped pot game where people just play crazy sometimes.

I've got a lot to work on, especially my overconfidence. My biggest leak seems to be playing as though I'm jumping back into a 2NL game with a 200BB stack and everyone's respect and that just isn't the case. Probably go back to starting tight, then winning, as opposed to the reverse, which isn't any good.

Thanks for reading if you did, any input is most welcome!
 
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