Setting lots of restrictions to be a profitable player

[jonnybegoode]

Hey guys, my name is Jon, I used to play online poker professionally before black Friday as a winning player for a number of years on pokerstars mainly. However, since black Friday, I have been a straight up loser. I have always had a tendency to gamble compulsively at times and it seems to have gotten worse over time, often resulting in chasing losses and draining my account, time and time again. The only way I seem to be able to be a profitable player is if I set specific restrictions, example, no cash games or sit and goes, no sports betting or casino and basically only allow poker tournaments and satellites for poker tournaments. Does anyone else have similar problems? Do tell if so, and what worked for you. I am hoping that regulated websites coming back to PA might help allow for quick cashouts and the proper restrictions to be in place to set up a profitable poker environment. Let me know what you guys think. Sorry for the rant!

 

[martinf1971]

Hey guys, my name is Jon, I used to play online poker professionally before black Friday as a winning player for a number of years on Pokerstars mainly. However, since black Friday, I have been a straight up loser. I have always had a tendency to gamble compulsively at times and it seems to have gotten worse over time, often resulting in chasing losses and draining my account, time and time again. The only way I seem to be able to be a profitable player is if I set specific restrictions, example, no cash games or sit and goes, no sports betting or casino and basically only allow poker tournaments and satellites for poker tournaments. Does anyone else have similar problems? Do tell if so, and what worked for you. I am hoping that regulated websites coming back to PA might help allow for quick cashouts and the proper restrictions to be in place to set up a profitable poker environment. Let me know what you guys think. Sorry for the rant!

I get you completely. I hate cash games you blow a load then reload blow it reload blow it the cycle continues. As many people say the best way to play is SNGs and MTTs if you have a $300 bankroll play 100 $3 9 player SNG games set a target to always finish in the top 3 which means your going to play Tight AQ+ to start and widen your range as people get knocked out. They will take anywhere upto an hour and half to play. Start 1 20 mins later start another you will end up playing 3 an hour so about 24 a day. At the end of day 1 you should have a good idea if this works for you.

 

[goaldriversv]

always put a stop limit to your daily, weekly, monthly play. i've focused on the types of games that ive found comfortable and profitable. for me personally, online cash games are the most uncomfortable for me even though it's been profitable. i don't make as much profit playing sng or mtts, but it's what i feel most comfortable playing so that's strictly what i play. i also challenge myself from time to time if i can get away from the multitasking and try higher buy ins.

 

[pentazepam]

If you can't control yourself when playing cash (or you don't like it), you should mostly play different kinds of poker. If you don't have fun or are losing often it is hard to stay motivated and concentrated.

BUT: being able to win in cash games is often the trademark of a good poker player. It is easier to go from cash to tournaments than vice versa. You get a lot more post flop training in cash and that is more complicated than PF.

So I suggest you a lest play some cash on the lower limits if you want to develop your play.

Pure tournament-specialists that can't win in cash are very rare.

 

[Darth_Moola]

Maybe see a behavioral health coach. They can help with you organizing the types of behaviors that will be effective for limiting compulsive gambling.

 

[jonnybegoode]

I get you completely. I hate cash games you blow a load then reload blow it reload blow it the cycle continues. As many people say the best way to play is SNGs and MTTs if you have a $300 bankroll play 100 $3 9 player SNG games set a target to always finish in the top 3 which means your going to play Tight AQ+ to start and widen your range as people get knocked out. They will take anywhere upto an hour and half to play. Start 1 20 mins later start another you will end up playing 3 an hour so about 24 a day. At the end of day 1 you should have a good idea if this works for you.

Its definitely something to consider. Thanks for the feedback. I have had success in the past playing double or nothing sit and goes as I feel they play somewhat similarly to tournament satellites. You just need to to focus on being in the top 10 or 20% or top half and not try to win the tournament. I see so many people not change gears when they build a stack and end up blowing a guaranteed tournament ticket or a win in a double or nothing song. My biggest problem right now is I dont have good websites to play on to set restrictions. I have little self control and wind up playing games that I am not good at. Example, Americas cardroom has great tournament guarantees but no restrictions for cash games. I might win a few hundred bucks in a tournament then blow it on cash games. I really need regulated poker!

 

[jonnybegoode]

Maybe see a behavioral health coach. They can help with you organizing the types of behaviors that will be effective for limiting compulsive gambling.

I wonder if that would help. It might. I am capable of playing at a high level at times but am so prone to tilting at cash games. I've been that way for awhile but it certainly has gotten worse over the years, not better. Years of losing definitely has taken a mental toll . I was able to win 6 figures back in 2010 playing a few thousand tournaments over the course of a year despite having poor bankroll management at times and restricting myself to mostly just tournaments. I don't know if I have a 4 digit tournament cash in the last 5 years despite playing maybe 500 tournaments, or more. It seems the games are a lot less lucrative and more players are playing a game theory optimal approach, resulting in tougher competition than years past.

 

[neptun1914]

Your problems are related to your mental game. Discipline is one of the most important things in poker as it allows you to think and act wisely instead of be driven by your emotions. Have you read Jared Tendler's book "Mental game of poker"? If not i recommend it as it is intended to fix just such problems.