Could I kindly ask for some guidance and advice please.??
Hi everyone,
I’ve been playing online poker for a few years now, mostly at micro stakes. I really enjoy the game, but I’ve noticed that I’m not really improving. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not choosing the right game or format, or if it’s something else. I’d really appreciate some advice on the best path to take for my needs.
I love playing MTT tournaments, but it’s hard to find the time to play them regularly. I usually play 25nl zoom on PokerStars and the same stakes on GG Rush. Am I better focusing on normal 6 max NL and SNGs on the days I can’t play the MTT?
I’m based in Ireland, so I’m limited in the number of live tournaments I can play. But the Irish Poker Open is happening in Dublin this April, and I’m hoping to play a few days of it.
I’d love to hear from you and hopefully get some advice and guidance with a more structured plan going forward. Thanks!
Best,
Tradegreen..
3 Replies
What are you doing to improve besides playing?
I'm reading a lot of books and using gto wizard along with several courses I've purchased.
I'm a cash game player. I would work on getting a solid preflop game. Memorize spots for RFI and also 3-bet, 4-bet, and 5-bet ranges. Also have calling ranges for each spot. After that I would work on BB calling ranges for 2x open, 2.5x open, and 3x open from all positions. The 3-betting range for BB can be the same for each open size when starting out as the EV gained or lost is not that much. As a start, you can continuation bet 1/3 on every flop as the preflop aggressor and you'll probably do decent. If someone calls you in position you can consider always checking range rather than betting 1/3. Play around with different sizings in different spots and see what works.
When players limp, treat it as if it is an extra ante. Raise them with good hands and cbet the flop and they'll usually be overfolding. Remember, players need to fold just 25% of the time to break even with a 1/3 bet and that's assuming you have no equity when called. When calling other players down, be more willing to over fold than over call. Over calling is a more costly mistake than folding too much. Although both can be bad, you'll usually make your money from getting strong hands and players spazzing.
Keep your lines simple. When players start betting big like pot sized, be more reluctant to bluff and more willing to fold, also be willing to trap more in position against donk bettors. When I raise from CO and BB calls, I usually bet 1/3 flop. Turn usually goes check/check. Then on the river I get to bluff catch their bet depending on their sizing and how strong my hand is. If they check river, I go for a 1/2 bet with all kinds of bluffs and value hands.
Finally, a lot of players are too paranoid of getting out drawn and raising to protect their hand in a lot of spots when calling is just fine. Protecting your hand by raising is good to do on occasion, but sometimes it is okay to call and give free cards and not raise your strong hands because sometimes those free cards will be helping you too and people will be more likely to bluff off their stack. This is very important to be doing IP versus players that donk a lot. Players that donk will often barrel with a merged range, so all you have to do is just call down and when the river comes and you have a monster hand just raise their last bet all-in and watch them call with medium strength hand that bloated up the pot.
tl;dr
1) Master Preflop RFI, 3bet, 4bet, 5bet, and calling
2) Master Preflop BB defense
3) Cbet too much and print money
4) Keep the game simple and work on spots that come up often