Need help plugging the leaks (w/ stats.)

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The_ Hackdaddy

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I know I haven't really played enough hands in order to see any great increase in skill, but I was hoping you guys could give me some insight into what I need to plug in order to improve my game and stop leaking so much cash. I've played about 3,000 hands since installing Pokertracker, but even with the insight this software provides, I'm struggling to keep my bank role. Thankfully, I only play cash games at $2nl, at the moment.

(I recognize that there is going to be a steep learning curve, so I'm not asking for shortcuts, just some insights into what direction I need to head in order to improve. I'm trying to balance my poker time 50/50 between playing and studying. I'm almost finished with Sklansky's Theory of Poker, and spend a lot of time between here and Drag The Bar. (Also, I don't know if people recommend it, but I've found that the InstaPoker App-- from Jonathan Little-- was helpful in learning basic strategy. Not sure what everyone's opinion is on that, though.))

Out of 2,863 hands played (about 50/50 between full ring and shorthanded tables.)
VPIP: 38.25
PFR: 19.31
PFR/VPIP:50.42
Total AFq: 48.71
WTSD%: 26.94
WSD: 47.69
BB/100: -38.33 (ouch.)

Some observations I've already made:
- I recognize that my VPIP is high, and I have been working on playing more tight and within an appropriate range for the position I'm in. (Over the last week or so, my VPIP has decreased, so I'm making slight improvement in that area.)
- I lack consistency, but not exactly sure in what area. I feel like I have a decent understanding of the basics (hand ranges, pot odds, hand odds, Implied odds, position, etc.) but then end up making a mistake and losing big pots that keep me in the red.

I've provided the stats that I thought would be useful, but if you need anything else, just let me know and I'll be happy to provide.

EDIT: I feel a little stupid, as reading about average VPIP percentages suggests that I am way too loose. Also, my sample size of 3k hands is pretty sad... but I have to start somewhere.
I think the problem is that I get bored when playing one table and waiting for hands within my range. I get concerned with my table image, not wanting people to think I'm playing too tight by waiting for premium cards only.

And for your viewing pleasure (or not.)... :eek: :(
 

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CallmeFloppy

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I suggest starting with what you already identified and start tightening up your play. Keep yourself engaged in the time your not playing by studying your opponents to see what there tendencies are. Tight/Loose, Easy to push off a hand or call station, likes to bluff on unopened pots, etc. I would challenge yourself to make the other players think you are super tight and after that point see if you can identify steal opportunities.
First lesson should be mastering self discipline and position. (usually the hardest. I need refreshers every so often)
 
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CallmeFloppy

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Skalansky's book is great by the way. Just don't read it cover to cover. I usually start by doing that to get a general feel of the book. then I go through it again section by section and mix one lesson into my play at a time. It's like making a new recipe. You may try to toss in 8 different new things at once and when it comes out like crap, you won't know if you did one or more things wrong or any of them right.
 
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The_ Hackdaddy

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@CallMeFloppy
Thanks for the feedback. I think your right, discipline and position are the first lessons to learn. I tend to start my session by playing position correctly, but end up getting loose and playing marginal hands out of position when I get bored.
 
XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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2836 hand sample is not enough.
need to see detailed hand history.
 
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The_ Hackdaddy

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2836 hand sample is not enough.
need to see detailed hand history.

What is required for a detailed history? Which stats, how many hands, etc?
 
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The_ Hackdaddy

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A VPIP/PFR/3-bet breakdown per position would be nice, for starters.

You'll have to forgive me, guys. I'm still pretty new to the poker stats software. Hope this is what you're talking about, TimovieMan!
 

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TimovieMan

TimovieMan

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Yikes.

Position is VERY important. You want to be *really* tight in EP, tight in MP and only loosen up in CO and especially BTN.


You're playing WAY too many hands in EP. Lose the open-limping range if you're a 6-max player, and either lose the open-limping range if you're a full ring player in aggressive games, or tighten the open-limping range up to small pocket pairs and bigger suited connectors in passive full ring games.

You'd do better if you were playing closer to HALF the hands you're currently PFR'ing in EP. A VPIP/PFR of 10/10 would be better. 66+/AJs+/KQs/AQo+ and that's it. Playing out-of-position is tough enough as it is, but if you're going to do it with marginal hands then you're just going to bleed money.

The same goes for MP, cut that VPIP and PFR down. You don't want to play a whole lot looser than what I suggested for EP. 55+/ATs+/KJs+/JTs+/AJo+/KQo. Nit up!

Also try to shorten the gap between your VPIP and your PFR. If there's limpers in the hand, and you don't have something speculative (22-66 looking to flop a set, or a small suited connector looking to flop a big hand or good draw) but rather something like AJo, then raise it up. Make the limpers pay.

CO can be looser, and your PFR is not that bad, but your VPIP needs to go down. Don't overlimp with hands like K9o just because it's only 1bb, and definitely don't coldcall unless you have a decent shot at spiking something big on the flop.
Why not limit yourself to 22+/A8s+/KTs+/QTs+/98s+/ATo+/KTo+/QTo+/JTo?

The idea is to play nitty until you get a good handle on your postflop play and start turning a profit. When you do, you can start adding some hands here and there, especially depending on the table dynamics and player tendencies on it.

BTN can see you playing a range like 22+/Axs/K9s+/Q9s+/T8s+/76s+/A8o+/A5o-A2o/KTo+/QTo+/98o+.
Again: in limped pots, you want to raise most of the hands you play, so you can play them HU or 3-way postflop instead of against a field. Your PFR/VPIP should be closer to 75-80% rather than 50%.


Stop defending your blinds so often.
Position is one of the most important aspects in NL, and in the blinds, you're always out-of-position. Like in all other positions: nit up!
You can open something like the CO range I mentioned when it's folded to you in the SB, but don't be too eager to get into a hand when you're going to be OOP on every street. Even if completing only costs 1/2 bb, don't play stuff like Q5s or 54o.
The same goes for the BB. If you're facing a raise, even if it only costs you 1bb, then you still don't want to play weak holdings like 85s or K2o.

If you would only play 15% of your hands from the SB if someone has already entered the pot, you'd be fine. 25% from the BB.


Once you improve, you'll recognize more situations where you can raise a little lighter, or overlimp a little lighter, or even 3-bet bluff, but for now, the best thing you can do is playing *very* tight.
If you can get your VPIP/PFR down to 13/10 for full ring or 17/13 for 6-max, you're probably going to be doing a lot better. In time you can get those stats back up to 19/15 for full ring and 24/19 for 6-max, but that'll require better postflop skills as well.

Your AFq and WtSD are actually looking quite ok, so if you make your opening range a lot stronger, you'll probably do fine.

General tip: post hands in the analysis subforum, reply to hands in the analysis subforum (and preferably reply to the first post of a thread without reading the other entries first as to not cloud your judgement).




tl;dr version: seriously nit up, and pay WAY more attention to position.
 
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The_ Hackdaddy

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Wow. Thank you for such an in-depth reply! I really appreciate it. It's nice to get suggestions from an experienced player who can easily see what's wrong. I'll continue working on my game and apply what you've suggested and nit-up. Hopefully, in a month or two, I'll be able to report back with some improvement. Thanks again!
 
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Something I think I see but may be way off base. Maybe you are going faster than you can take it in and remember. You haven't said anything about how long you have been playing online poker, and what are your goals you want to reach, and how long you intend to take to get there. For me making this stuff up in my mine gave me purpose. I had a reason for playing, instead of going along blind and not really knowing where I was headed or how to get there. You are going to have to really understand that it's not easy, and that it's going to take more time than you may think. What I did at 2nl was just to have some fun while gaining the experience I would need even more down the road while you are reaching those goals I set my first goal to reach 5nl when I doubled my $50 deposit. That is some hard shit when you are doing it winning pennies along the way. But I made it after I spent 6 months just putting behind me my bad TILT problem. Then I set my sights on 10nl. It was some what easier since sometimes I could actually pick up $5 in a day. Each level you get to is another world, and for a little while you may not know what to do. I sure didn't and at 10nl I was so scared I would not even raise with monster hands. I had to get over that real quick, because when you let players in cheap, they will call with anything and beat monster hands with crap.
 
MediaBLITZ

MediaBLITZ

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I
Out of 2,863 hands played (about 50/50 between full ring and shorthanded tables.)
VPIP: 38.25

Some observations I've already made:
- I recognize that my VPIP is high, and I have been working on playing more tight and within an appropriate range for the position I'm in. (Over the last week or so, my VPIP has decreased, so I'm making slight improvement in that area.)(

High?!? High?!?! High?!? You need to cut this in HALF - slight improvement just aint gonna get it. Get your VPIP in around (or just under) 20 for like the next year and watch what happens. And once you've done that - bring it down again.
 
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