Washed with no roll... what now? (advice needed)
I have a couple questions having more to do with bankroll management and studying than strictly with theory, sorry if this isn't quite on topic.
Currently I am 21 year old college student, pushing the ripe age of 22. Back in high school I was a live cash game grinder; I started playing micros with my friends during school, turning a $100 bankroll into ~$5k which I (irresponsibly) started shot taking at 1/2 with. After breaking $10-15k in winnings I started shot taking and eventually moved up to 2/5 , where I was indeed profitable and peaked at around $22k in winnings.
It's important to note this took place in South Florida, a notoriously soft pool. I ended up attending college in DC, where the home games can vary from insanely juicy to shockingly tough - but always with a high rake (~9% 3bb).
The problem is two fold:
1. I never actually set my bankroll aside from my other money and thus blew it on non poker things, and only have a few grand now. The good news is I have a remote job currently and a summer internship lined up, both good for a whopping $20/hr.
2. I never studied GTO much. I was always a very exploitive player with a penchant for making reads, good enough to be profitable at soft 2/5 pools, but not a crusher and certainly not to ever move up to 5/10 or beyond.
I want to get back into poker seriously and do it right this time - set a proper bankroll aside, practice sound br management, study rigorously, and invest way more hours studying and playing.
My hope is to make poker my main income throughout school and then a secondary endeavor to my career once I graduate.
What I am ultimately wondering is what I should do now. I only have experience with live play, and was profitable over a rather large sample, but today I feel washed and like I may not even have an edge at 2/5 tables in Europe or tougher parts of the States.
What should I study? Should I go back to almost square 1 and become a more theoretically balanced player, or should I go all in on live population exploits a la Hungry Horse? Is a course/coaching worth it?
What should I play? Is it worthwhile to start with online micros and work my up like a true grinder, or should I save aggressively to build a live 1/2 or 2/5 roll instead?
I understand what I'm asking is vague and this post was not an enthralling read, pretty much any advice is very welcome. I thank you all sincerely for reading and hopefully advising.
4 Replies
I think the obvious answer is to play online. I assume as a college kid you have limited time and you have a small roll. Multi tables, lower limits, software to study your play and 24 hour games will give you the best opportunity to become a better math player given your limitations.
The obvious answer is to finish college
I think the obvious answer is to play online. I assume as a college kid you have limited time and you have a small roll. Multi tables, lower limits, software to study your play and 24 hour games will give you the best opportunity to become a better math player given your limitations.
Thanks for your reply! Where would you start in terms of website to play on, study plan/software, HUD, etc?
Do you think one could actually make a worthwhile hourly (say $20+) grinding micros? Perhaps zoom or 6max offer higher hourlies because more hands/hr? I would ultimately like to transition back into live cash once the bankroll allows, but I fear the skills may not transfer cleanly because of different conditions in live (e.g lots of multiway pots). Would you agree? Thanks for your help.
Whatever is legal in your state. Personally I would never grind the micros as any employer at min wage pays better and I assume they trash your game. It six fours point is better- stay in school and finishing is a better use of your brain and time.
