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ericklam92

ericklam92

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Hi there,

Though I've been playing poker for multiple years, it was always a recreational "spend 100-200 bucks and either win or lose". Now I moved to a new location that has regular live poker games and I started playing every weekend (1 or 2 times per week).

For the past 8 months, the only game available was $1/2 where I usually had small winnings until coming 3 or 4 times drunk after a party with friends and losing it all.

Now the casino in town changed and they keep playing for only $2/5 stakes often with 3-4 regs at the table. I've tried 6 sessions and had 5 in green (around $3k total) and the last one personal biggest loss of $1.8k (flopped full over full, top two pairs vs set, AA vs offsuit connectors that tried to bluff me off and got lucky on the river).

My biggest question to myself is: 1) how much bankroll should I have to play at these levels (assume coolers aren't that rare), or 2) should I stop for a while and keep studying?

Important notes:
- I don't have any online accounts, don't play online, just for the past 6 months spent around 8-10 hours a week studying (upswing courses helped a lot though they seem to be against "thinking opponents").
- There are literally no more formal $1/2 games in town anymore, just some $0.5/1 or even lower (I'm in a cheap country in Europe) but all private and not really enjoyable.
- I have some savings and a decent for the region salary (net $120k/yr) while spending around 4-5k months, however, it's at a startup that can go bust until the year's end and I will have no regular salary for 3-4 months.

Thank you guys in advance!
 
Herkstwin

Herkstwin

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For sure, you have to keep studying. It never ends. If you are not happy with the materials you are studying, switch. There are lots of resources available. Even were I play, the games are getting pricier. Inflation and greed.
The $0.5/$1 games are a good place to practice your skills. You can try new things without losing your shirt.
Only you know your bankroll limits. Figure it out so that poker does not have a negative impact on your other financial obligations.
Showing up drunk to play poker - BIG MISTAKE. You recognize that now. I expect you will not make the same mistake again.
 
mtl mile end

mtl mile end

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Live cash stakes usually start at $1/2 and you may be able to find $1/3, but often, apparently, the minimum stakes are $2/5. This is a huge amount of money to an online microstakes player. I believe that "BlackRain" s teachings include live $2/5 as microstakes.

CardsChat has a Bankroll Management page that recommends a bankroll of $10K - 25K for $2/5.
 
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