Polished Poker Vol. I Study Group

[John A]

So a blocker bet of $3.00 on the river? Should I have done anything different on the turn? Bet smaller?

I think you played the turn fine. Good sizing versus a fish.

I don't typically advocate river blocking bets, but there are some specific scenarios where it makes sense. Usually just against fish or really weak players where you have extremely low chance of being moved off a hand, and they can still call with worse. You just ask yourself, what's the most I'd be willing to call if I check called, and then bet that amount instead of check / calling. Fish will pay off with worse more than you'd imagine, and then you don't lose value from them checking behind.

 

[rhombus]

Whoever is good at poker math... PM me please. I need to double check something. Thanks!!

Im OK with poker maths although depends how complex. If stuck I know
hoodookoo is very good

https://www.cardschat.com/members/hoodookoo/

 

[rhombus]

I think you played the turn fine. Good sizing versus a fish.

I don't typically advocate river blocking bets, but there are some specific scenarios where it makes sense. Usually just against fish or really weak players where you have extremely low chance of being moved off a hand, and they can still call with worse. You just ask yourself, what's the most I'd be willing to call if I check called, and then bet that amount instead of check / calling. Fish will pay off with worse more than you'd imagine, and then you don't lose value from them checking behind.

1) So against a fish/passive whats a good blocker bet on the river is it just a percentage of the Pot i.e. 1/3

2) Also what would you do against an aggro if you lead out 3 and they raised, or would it be better to check and call a small bet from villain?

 

[John A]

1) So against a fish/passive whats a good blocker bet on the river is it just a percentage of the Pot i.e. 1/3

2) Also what would you do against an aggro if you lead out 3 and they raised, or would it be better to check and call a small bet from villain?

Ok, PM sent with math...

1) I'd generally say about 1/4th to 1/3rd. But it depends on what you have and the board of course.

2) I wouldn't lead for 3 against an aggressive opponent. I'd check and possibly call a reasonable bet or fold.

 

[John A]

Good new is we're launching Polished Poker Vol. II tomorrow. Just going back over any last minute edits before release. Intro the the workbook:


About Polished Poker


I don't want any misconceptions about Polished Poker and what it's about. This workbook and the first volume are intended for players who primarily play 100NL and below. This is a system and a style I've used and taught, with much success, for over 10 years now. It's an evolved approach that takes into account the evolution of no-limit poker. It's not a be all, end all approach to poker, and it's not even the most ideal approach in some areas. But it's that way for a good reason.

I take a systematic, walk before you run approach to poker. I want your foundation to be rock solid, and from there, we slowly add more advanced tactical approaches and styles. What I learned from coaching, and working with countless students of the game over the years, is far too many people try to go from point A to Z, without even looking at the letters in between.

It's easy to understand why that is of course. A lot of people signup for online poker training, or watch top online players on TV and think, "Hey, that's what I should be doing." Generally speaking though, that's not even close to the approach you should be taking. You need to understand all of the subtitles of the game, and what kind of information top players are considering and processing before you even think about attempting to pull off some big bluff for example. If you do any of this before understanding all the particulars of what makes a good bluff, you might as well just be clicking buttons. You're not going to win long term, or become a really great player.

That's my goal with the Polished Poker series. To get you to understand why you're doing any given play in any situation, and build upon your understanding. That's the path to greatness, and that's where I hope you'll strive to be. The content in here is a building block process, and if you master the content here, you should be doing well enough to beat 100NL+ online. This is a mutual growing process for both you and I. I highly encourage you to participate in our online study group located here:

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/polished-poker-vol-i-study-group-227214//

I see poker as this fun, entertaining challenge to outwit any of your opponents unlucky enough to have sat at your table. It's also a great reflection of who you are as a person. Do you have the mental fortitude to absorb the bad beats you're going to take? Good, that's going to be a great life skill! Can you have the patience to wait for your optimal time, and then execute a plan to perfection? Are you going to sob and pout, and indulge your ego when things don't go your way? Poker provides a great testing ground for your psyche and allows you to build invaluable life skills that you can build upon on a daily basis. Take advantage of it, and enjoy the game!

 

[fishinthesea]

Good new is we're launching Polished Poker Vol. II tomorrow. Just going back over any last minute edits before release. Intro the the workbook:


About Polished Poker


I don't want any misconceptions about Polished Poker and what it's about. This workbook and the first volume are intended for players who primarily play 100NL and below. This is a system and a style I've used and taught, with much success, for over 10 years now. It's an evolved approach that takes into account the evolution of no-limit poker. It's not a be all, end all approach to poker, and it's not even the most ideal approach in some areas. But it's that way for a good reason.

I take a systematic, walk before you run approach to poker. I want your foundation to be rock solid, and from there, we slowly add more advanced tactical approaches and styles. What I learned from coaching, and working with countless students of the game over the years, is far too many people try to go from point A to Z, without even looking at the letters in between.

It's easy to understand why that is of course. A lot of people signup for online poker training, or watch top online players on TV and think, "Hey, that's what I should be doing." Generally speaking though, that's not even close to the approach you should be taking. You need to understand all of the subtitles of the game, and what kind of information top players are considering and processing before you even think about attempting to pull off some big bluff for example. If you do any of this before understanding all the particulars of what makes a good bluff, you might as well just be clicking buttons. You're not going to win long term, or become a really great player.

That's my goal with the Polished Poker series. To get you to understand why you're doing any given play in any situation, and build upon your understanding. That's the path to greatness, and that's where I hope you'll strive to be. The content in here is a building block process, and if you master the content here, you should be doing well enough to beat 100NL+ online. This is a mutual growing process for both you and I. I highly encourage you to participate in our online study group located here:

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/polished-poker-vol-i-study-group-227214//

I see poker as this fun, entertaining challenge to outwit any of your opponents unlucky enough to have sat at your table. It's also a great reflection of who you are as a person. Do you have the mental fortitude to absorb the bad beats you're going to take? Good, that's going to be a great life skill! Can you have the patience to wait for your optimal time, and then execute a plan to perfection? Are you going to sob and pout, and indulge your ego when things don't go your way? Poker provides a great testing ground for your psyche and allows you to build invaluable life skills that you can build upon on a daily basis. Take advantage of it, and enjoy the game!

Great post, all very true. I can't wait for the second book.

 

[John A]

You can tell I've been editing for hours, because I'm even making grammar errors in my announcement post. lol

 

[Figaroo2]

Loving the final paragraph, I unashamably cut and pasted and made some minor adjustments and stuck it into my facebook for the benefit of my friends and family who still don't/can't understand why I play poker and why its become such as passion for me.
Especially like the bit about handling the beats its definitely a phase you have to get through along with proper understanding of variance. A year ago I was guilty of this whining about every bad beat that happened to me. I think im past that now with a quick cuss and move on, a bit like hitting a bad shot at golf. Its done and gone you can't change it so let it go and move on.

 

[John A]

Loving the final paragraph, I unashamably cut and pasted and made some minor adjustments and stuck it into my facebook for the benefit of my friends and family who still don't/can't understand why I play poker and why its become such as passion for me.
Especially like the bit about handling the beats its definitely a phase you have to get through along with proper understanding of variance. A year ago I was guilty of this whining about every bad beat that happened to me. I think im past that now with a quick cuss and move on, a bit like hitting a bad shot at golf. Its done and gone you can't change it so let it go and move on.

Go to it... I don't mind. It's hard for people to understand pretty much anything, looking from the outside in. But successful long term poker takes a lot of life skills. I don't even need to name them here, you guys should know. Poker provides an opportunity to improve and test yourself in a lot of areas very quickly IF you take advantage of it.

I always chuckle a bit by how people define a great poker player. I think that definition is pretty congruent with how society views a lot of things though. It's generally with a lot of instant flash and glam, with no real long term vision. That's why you'll see so many young poker players have a big score, go on great heaters for a year or so, but then end up broke.

I have a different definition of a great poker player. It's someone who has diligently put work into the game. Can beat most games, but knows how to walk away from bad games, and has the mental fortitude to always preserve his bankroll and never goes broke.

Because no matter how great you play on any one given hand, poker isn't won in one hand. It's an endless grind where you need to be in charge of your ego, and not have your ego be in charge of you.

Just my 2 cents on poker greatness...

 

[John A]

Sigh... I'm just waiting on the developers to finish their end so I launch the workbook. It was supposed to be complete yesterday, but.... . Hopefully later today or tomorrow at latest.

 

[John A]

Polished Poker Workbook:

http://acepokersolutions.com/Polished_Poker_Workbook.php

I'm sending out a 50% off to members who have Polished Poker Vol. I tomorrow.

 

[fishinthesea]

Polished Poker Workbook:

http://acepokersolutions.com/Polished_Poker_Workbook.php

I'm sending out a 50% off to members who have Polished Poker Vol. I tomorrow.

I received the email, but can't figure out how to get 50% off.

 

[fishinthesea]

Nevermind. Got it to work

 

[John A]

Nevermind. Got it to work

Np... yeah, just click the big red buy now. That has the 50% off pricing in there. I'm going to start a new thread for the workbook so we can separate out all of the past conversation. I'll field some general questions, I know there's going to be lots, and then go over the workbook each section at a time like we did with Vol. I. It should be lots of fun. I know you guys are going to like the format. I had several people and past students read through it, and all of them loved it.

 

[rhombus]

I dont have paypal and try to avoid using debit card on the internt.

Can I send someone money onstars or Tilt to someone then they can buy 2 copies

 

[Fisi]

Np... yeah, just click the big red buy now. That has the 50% off pricing in there. I'm going to start a new thread for the workbook so we can separate out all of the past conversation. I'll field some general questions, I know there's going to be lots, and then go over the workbook each section at a time like we did with Vol. I. It should be lots of fun. I know you guys are going to like the format. I had several people and past students read through it, and all of them loved it.

Got the book, looks awesome Yeah, a new thread would be a good idea. And it would perhaps be best, if we keep the new one strictly for book discussion and this one for hands and misc. problems.

I actually have one general and one poker goal for 2015.
My general goal is to be better at managing my time, so that I will have more of it left for poker and music, since my MSc course in college takes quite bit of it.
My poker goal is to overcome the lack of motivation, once I'm stuck on a limit and being break even for a long time.

 

[John A]

I dont have Paypal and try to avoid using debit card on the internt.

Can I send someone money onstars or Tilt to someone then they can buy 2 copies

Pm me your e-mail and I'll send you a copy. You did double check that math problem after all.

 

[John A]

Got the book, looks awesome Yeah, a new thread would be a good idea. And it would perhaps be best, if we keep the new one strictly for book discussion and this one for hands and misc. problems.

I actually have one general and one poker goal for 2015.
My general goal is to be better at managing my time, so that I will have more of it left for poker and music, since my MSc course in college takes quite bit of it.
My poker goal is to overcome the lack of motivation, once I'm stuck on a limit and being break even for a long time.

Great, I'm glad you like it so far. Yes, I just started a new thread here:
https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/

As far as your goals... we'll work a bit on making them a little more specific if you'd like. It's important to get them as specific as you can so that you'll be able to reflect more precisely on any blocks you have in achieving them. It's a good start, and we'll work together to get you where you want to be with them.

 

[mottotom27]

I also got your workbook, and i found the bit at the start about the obstacles when reaching your goals to be v helpful. My main obstacle is that i am often fearful of moving up to higher stakes and the risks associated with it - you can potentially lose more money in a shorter period of time. I spent far too long at 2nl last year because i was afraid of what might happen at 5nl where the stakes are 2.5x bigger (even though my bankroll was easily sufficient). I think if i can overcome this risk-averse obstacle then I could maybe reach my goal of becoming a winning 25nl player by the end of the year.

 

[rhombus]

I also got your workbook, and i found the bit at the start about the obstacles when reaching your goals to be v helpful. My main obstacle is that i am often fearful of moving up to higher stakes and the risks associated with it - you can potentially lose more money in a shorter period of time. I spent far too long at 2nl last year because i was afraid of what might happen at 5nl where the stakes are 2.5x bigger (even though my bankroll was easily sufficient). I think if i can overcome this risk-averse obstacle then I could maybe reach my goal of becoming a winning 25nl player by the end of the year.

dont think of it in terms of $$$, your bankroll should be in terms of buyins of BBs
at the level you want. Different people mention minimum buyins the minimum should be 20 but in general you should have 30-40 although it depends on your skil level

If you have 30 buyins $150 try to play $5NL and if you lose $5 buyins then move back down to $2nl, that way theres no need to worry as you will still have a good bankroll at the level you are playing

 

[mottotom27]

dont think of it in terms of $$$, your bankroll should be in terms of buyins of BBs
at the level you want. Different people mention minimum buyins the minimum should be 20 but in general you should have 30-40 although it depends on your skil level

If you have 30 buyins $150 try to play $5NL and if you lose $5 buyins then move back down to $2nl, that way theres no need to worry as you will still have a good bankroll at the level you are playing

Actually i have moved up to 5nl now, I've cashed out most of my 2nl earnings and left about $150-200. since then i have grinded up to $310 through 5nl. when do you reckon i should start playing 10nl? i think if/when i take a shot i want to set myself a 2BI stop loss, and if i lose this then return to 5nl until I'm back to the same spot and try again until it works. That way it will be easy to regrind the money lost taking the shot as opposed to say if i took a 5BI shot which would mean regrinding 10BI at 5nl. Do you think this approach is ok?

 

[Fisi]

Great, I'm glad you like it so far. Yes, I just started a new thread here:
https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/

As far as your goals... we'll work a bit on making them a little more specific if you'd like. It's important to get them as specific as you can so that you'll be able to reflect more precisely on any blocks you have in achieving them. It's a good start, and we'll work together to get you where you want to be with them.

Subscribed, looking forward

Being more specific, I think it is reasonable to set myself these goals:
- spend 30 min daily to learn about strategy and go over hand histories
- play 1500 hands daily on speed poker

 

[John A]

Subscribed, looking forward

Being more specific, I think it is reasonable to set myself these goals:
- spend 30 min daily to learn about strategy and go over hand histories
- play 1500 hands daily on speed poker

Yes, those seem like reasonable short term goals. What about long term poker goals? Maybe we should move it to the other thread?

 

[rhombus]

Actually i have moved up to 5nl now, I've cashed out most of my 2nl earnings and left about $150-200. since then i have grinded up to $310 through 5nl. when do you reckon i should start playing 10nl? i think if/when i take a shot i want to set myself a 2BI stop loss, and if i lose this then return to 5nl until I'm back to the same spot and try again until it works. That way it will be easy to regrind the money lost taking the shot as opposed to say if i took a 5BI shot which would mean regrinding 10BI at 5nl. Do you think this approach is ok?

Nice one!!

In general 30-40 buyins so technicall you are ok to try 10nl



theres a little bit about bankroll here : https://www.cardschat.com/poker-strategy.phpbankroll

a good thread with a caluclator http://www.thepokerbank.com/articles/questions/time-move-stakes/

or here with handy tables at the bottom http://www.pokerology.com/lessons/bankroll-management/

 

[rhombus]

Cash