Ask Me Anything (Dusty Schmidt aka Leatherass in the well)

[PattyR]

#119

Love the office!

1. It depends. I probably have music going like 1/4 of the time. I virtually never have music going if I am running poorly.

2. When guys check raise the turn at micro stakes, it seems they have the nuts every time from my experience.

Thanks so much for takin the time to answer my questions

just had my biggest online MTT cash ever today btw..just thought id share

 

[Leatherass]

Welcome to the forum. I haven't purchased the book yet, but I definitely am interested. I am just having a hard time deciding to part with the 45 dollars sight unseen. If you send me one I promise to send you the first 45 I attribute to your advice

1) Any chance you have plans to distribute to brick and mortar stores?

2) Do you have any advice for someone wanting to write a book that you've gained in your experience, either on the writing process end, or the shopping the book around and getting it published end? (I'm guessing you didn't have to do much in that regard with your connections.)

3) Do you recommend the use of shortcut programs like the one you mentioned for features beyond hitting the time button? Specifically I'm wondering if the auto betsizing features might get a person into bad habits about not adjusting their bets to their situations.

4) How do you set up tables for multitabling? Cascade, stacked, spread so you can see them all, and why? I feel that I lose a significant amount of the ability to make reads based on individuals acting funny in short term ways, tilt type stuff or similar. Do you just take a hit on these items to get the number of tables up? or do you have a way of coping? Also, Laptop or desktop? and what for monitor(s)?

#124

1. If you want to try and learn more about the book there are excerpts at http://www.dustyschmidt.net I'm not really sure what I can do for you other than to trust me that you won't be dissapointed. I will be the first to admit I was worried when I put the book out that people wouldn't like it, but after the literally hundreds of emails I have gotten as well as the many postive book reviews I have gotten from poker media, I have become highly confident that I did indeed write a book I can be proud of and can be confident people will profit from.

2. To just stick with it. It is a long process writing a book and it can be disheartening at times, but if you persevere, it will be rewarding in the end. There is a company called Fast Pencil that does a good job walking people through the process. I thought about using them, but then hired a co writer who has many books to his credit to ensure it looked exactly the way I wanted it to.

3. I use table ninja, but only for the time bank feature. I hate auto bet sizing and I think it is a terrible idea that can only lead to more medicore ABC style poker.

4. dual high res 30" monitors where I tile the tables. It works great for me.

 

[Leatherass]

Thanks so much for takin the time to answer my questions

just had my biggest online MTT cash ever today btw..just thought id share

Nice!!! Care to share how much?

 

[PattyR]

Nice!!! Care to share how much?

it was a $1.10 6max tourney with 1,200 entrants.

i took it down for a $200 cash..tripled my bankroll

 

[DawgBones]

If I ever grow up I want to be like you Wonderful person imho. Thanks for all the great advice and for taking the time to answer everyones questions. Going to order your book. Around the green what do you prefer, punch and run or chip?

 

[Mortis]

Haha, nice answers! Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions!

 

[Munchrs]

Dusty - just hired a 1v1 poker coach, done 1 session which has IMO already paid for the entire block of sessions in terms of increase to my winrate.

Have you ever considered mentoring players? Sorry if its already been asked :/

Also I know you have done alot of 1v1 with Jarod Tendler, I find his videos on stoxpoker to be a little confusing. And his 1 on 1 prices to be similar to my entire BR(playing 25/50nl), my question is have you discovered any other ways to improve your mental game that helped half as much as Jarod's teaching did?

 

[WurlyQ]

Just wanted to drop in and say that the motivation that I got to grind from your book is nothing short of amazing. So far this year, I've grinded about 4 months worth of playing from last year. Thanks!

 

[TPC]

Just got finished reading your book and I must say it's really changed my approach on poker immensely. Only grinding cash games for a few months I never really understood how long a downswing could last. I'm going to look at the big picture more and actually set time to play poker. I'm going to take the hands approach and set a number of hands to play each day. Which will force me to grind through the bad times and also play more when I'm on a heater.

I've put a hole in a wall once and felt really silly about doing that over a run of bad beats handed out by a fish on a heater. After reading about all the computer equipment that you broke, I don't feel as bad . Which brings me back to, you need to look at the big picture while playing and don't let the downswings get to you, no matter how bad they are.

Dusty's book is a must read imo. It gives you a different look at the game that no other book offers. It's not going to teach you how to play the game, although there is a strategy section. But what's most important is how you "Treat Your Poker Like A Business." I've learned a great many things reading this book and look forward to the positive impact it will have on my bankroll.

 

[Sean Pilgrim]

This is the best thing I have read in my life:

From Dusty's Book

"I’m no Suzie B. Housewife, but the only thing I
ask Dusty while he’s on tables is what he wants for lunch. Any
pressure outside of that is negative EV for both of you. You’re
welcome to bitch about the toilet seat later."

I'm enjoying it. Apparently there was some database crash with your publishers and they are finally sending your book to me today and to compensate for that sent me the PDF version. Already on page 103 (where this quote is from) I'm enjoying it.

But I DO HAVE A QUESTION!!!

I saw you suggest 100 buy-ins for the games you play but, my only question is: How is that safe if you are playing 12 - 20 tables?


For example:
20 tables @ $10NL for example = $200

and if you have 100 Buy Ins for $10NL = $1000 - you are staking $200 at a time multi-tabling which is 20% of your bankroll with 100 buy ins. Just curious if there are other BR management things to consider when multi-tabling.

 

[dmorris68]

But I DO HAVE A QUESTION!!!

I saw you suggest 100 buy-ins for the games you play but, my only question is: How is that safe if you are playing 12 - 20 tables?


For example:
20 tables @ $10NL for example = $200

and if you have 100 Buy Ins for $10NL = $1000 - you are staking $200 at a time multi-tabling which is 20% of your bankroll with 100 buy ins. Just curious if there are other BR management things to consider when multi-tabling.

It's been discussed elsewhere here just recently and I'm too lazy to point you to it, but the gist is the number of tables you play has no real bearing on your bankroll, at least not once you get beyond the beginner stages of multi-tabling where you might want to have a little extra cushion until you figure things out.

 

[Leatherass]

it was a $1.10 6max tourney with 1,200 entrants.

i took it down for a $200 cash..tripled my bankroll

Nice!!

 

[Leatherass]

Sorry, forgot, in with brick and mortar stores, any plans for the book to appear in the Player Points stores of either Full Tilt or Pokerstars?

#125

I would obviously love it if my book made it's way into those stores, but am not counting on it. I will give it a shot and see what they say.

 

[Leatherass]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Out of interest, what do you think of when someone says ABC?

#126

Mostly people who play fit or fold poker.

 

[Leatherass]

Can't believe no one brought this up. This has got to be your finest work. Watched it so many times, practically know it by heart.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5412861/

Looking at your profile ( http://www.xtranormal.com/profile/100661/ ), it's the only one you did. But I seem to recall another one (maybe even 2?) about joining Stox including the line "pull your head out of your ass for you". :laugh: Was there another, if so, any link? And any plans for more???? (Puleeeeeeeeease :icon_boun )

A huge welcome to CC!! Hope to see you at one of our tourneys sometime.

#127

I think I did 3 of them, but I can't find them either lol.

 

[Leatherass]

Without going too much into UIGA, say poker "dries up" or becomes unable to play online in like ~5 years, what are your plans for the future ?

Will you switch to live play ? Or do you have enough put aside to just retire and live off investments, or do you have other business plans that you may want to pursue ? (a golf coaching website that you started comes to mind, something along these lines maybe ?)

#129

I am in pretty good shape, and in 5 years I would be really surprised if I didn't have all the money I ever needed to live a great life. Poker has been really, really good to me.

If I did have to work, I would probably just start my own business. I really can't imagine ever working for someone else unless it was some sort of gig where I did a bunch of sales on the golf course or something for a big company leveraging my contacts.

 

[roundcat]

http://www.dustyschmidt.net

Just FYI, your "About" page needs updating -- says you're still with Stox.

 

[Leatherass]

hello leatherass and merry Christmas! Thanks for your contribution to this site, it's really inspiring to have someone like you to learn from. Thank you for this opportunity.

1. Do you base every play you make on estimated hand ranges that have you dominated and estimated hand ranges that you have dominated and wheather or not it's a +ev or -ev play? Is ev what makes a winning player?
2. because the field of micro players are so big and often don't play against the same players, how many hands do you think you should have on someone to make an accurate read at the micro level?
3. why didn't you or don't you read poker books and poker forums to learn poker better?
4. Does a min-bet, or min-raise look weak to you the majority of the time?why? or why not?
5. What is the pro way to analyze your hand at a micro level? (disregard if answered in question #1)
6. How much would you recomend to bluff in micro if at all? and does bluffing (in the long run) work at this level?
7. you said learning poker is like going to school. If you had <b>tons</b> of learning material on poker,and wanted to learn it how would you teach yourself?
8. are you doomed if you don't get rakeback?
9. when your a slightly loosing player to break-even player, what would be the things you would start to looks at first in hand review(hem) to find your leaks?
10. How do you put someone on pocket aces or a set?(at a micro level)

bonus*(lol) : What is the single most important concept to grasp in order to move up from the lowest level? (would you recomend starting a little higher than the absolute minimum (like 5/10c instead of 1/2c)

I am terribly sorry for so many questions, and please, please take as long as you like to answer them, there is no rush. (although I will be checking twice a day, hehe j/k)

Thank you for your time and insight, as you are an inspiration to many!

luckytokenz

#137

1. I just keep betting until they fold mostly.
2. Probably need to play several thousand hands to have a really good idea.
3. I know this is going to sound really arrogant, but I am usually the one devising plays other people follow rather than the other way around. I am just not sure there is anything for me to learn in a book, video or forum at this point.
4. It can look either way really. I usually just raise people who bet min until they fold their hand.
5. Estimating people's ranges properly which takes a lot of practice.
6. I am not sure. I don't play those games. I suspect bluffing is a good thing in just about any game.
7. I would mostly just start at the micro limits and take a ton of notes from whatever coaches books/videos I get the most out of.
8. Pretty much.
9. Look for more spots to bluff.
10. I rarely put anyone on a particular hand. I assign them a range of hands and proceed accordingly.
11. To just keep betting until they fold.

Thanks for all the kind words. I appreciate it!!!

 

[Leatherass]

What do you get someone like "leatherass" for Christmas?

What's a list of the cool stuff you received this year?

#142

I like things that money can't buy. I have any material thing I want. Christmas presents that I can easily buy give me zero satisfaction. But when my wife or family gives me something special, then that is what matters to me. I would rather my daughter laugh at me than for someone to buy me a car for sure.

 

[Leatherass]

First I am very pleased to make some questions to you, you are a great human being and a role model to me and every person.

Now down to business, I don't agree that SNG are low in profit and that is not possible to make a living. I know some people who make decent money by grinding SNG's, what are your thoughts about SNG in generall? Probably to newcomers could be the way to start but I think it is also a good business activity to increase your ROI and make decent profit.

I am saying this because I am specializing on the single table SNG and I know at certain blinds levels it is a push/fold game and it is all about stack sizes and position and also volume.

I am going to buy your book next year, for what I have read it also apllies to SNG game, right? After all, business is business whatever you play cash games, SNG, DoNs or MTT's, right?

Thanks and you are impacting in a very positive way my life. Life is a challenge, work hard and make things happen.

#143

Thank you so much for all that you said. Really appreciate it.

The main reason I don't advocate playing sit and gos is because there is more money in NL cash. My thought is that if you can choose between the two, why not play the one that has the most money in it.

Now that being said, if you are currently a sit and go player, then it is not as easy as I just made it sound. I think it is worthwhile to dedicate some time to NL cash and take some shots at figuring it out. But while you are playing the sit and gos, it is important to run your sit and go business as efficiently and profitably as possible.

I think for sit and go players my book can absolutely have as big an impact on your poker business as if you were an NL cash game player. My book does not intend to discriminate depending on which game you play. I do prefer cash games for the aforementioned reasons, but for any player in any game, my book can be a big help I believe.

 

[Leatherass]

Just ordered the ebook.

The last poker book I read (that wasn't Harrington's hand by hand stuff) was The Poker Mindset. Not really strategy stuff, more understanding the basic nature of the game.

Looking forward to your book.

Question:

I play virtually all lower stake SNG's. How much can I expect your book to help me if I don't play ring games? ( I do, occasionally, but my daily grind is the SNG's).

#144

Look at the above post.

 

[Leatherass]

[/color]

I have not purchased your book, yet. I have a "wish list" of poker books I would like to obtain, because of your answers highlighted in red, I have bumped your book to the top of the list and will purchase it this week.

I feel EXACTLY the same way about wanting to help/change the world and greed. I am around many wealthy people, have in-laws that are quite wealthy and can not stand to be around them. Money is all that matters in their life and they put that above all else. This both saddens and angers me. I myself am not well off financially and would never be. If I won the lottery or something I would not have the money for long as I would use it to help those who really need it.

I am very passionate about poker, it runs in my family. My grandfather was a pro and played often with Doyle. I hope to achieve his success one day and wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

*I don't have a question for you right now but wanted you to know why I have moved your book to the top of my list (not that it matters, you don't know me) and will purchase it this week: your answers above are impressive to me.

#145

The only part that you are wrong is the last part where you say "not that it matters." It absolutely matters. In fact I have still yet to meet the 3 people I helped place into homes from my Portland homeless project I did last month. Even if I never meet them, I still care.

The point is that I want as many people as possible to begin to see money in a different way. Mostly I want rich people to see what I am saying. It is funny because I thought the same way I do now backwhen I was poor and rich people would constantly tell me that when I get a lot of money some day I will see what they are talking about when they try and hold on to as much of it as they can and give very little of it away. I always told them I would never change my mind and they would just chuckle and say, "you'll see kid."

Funny thing is that when I became rich, I actually felt 10x more passionately about wanting to help others. Once I became wealthy my beliefs were solidified that money just isn't that big of a deal once you have it. Of course you want to make sure that you have yourself taken care of, but really, when I make $10,000 on any decent poker day, how can I drive by a homeless person who $100 would mean the world to them and not feel like I should be doing something more? I just don't get rich people. They have been very frustrating to me. When someone has 50M dollars, why on earth do they feel like it is important to hold on to it for dear life when they could take even 1% of it and do an incredible amount of good to a ton of people? It truly baffles me.

My biz partner always jokes that I have to be the only guy he's met who gets more liberal the richer he gets. I never thought of it that way, but he's probably right. I don't know one either lol.

 

[BelgoSuisse]

Have you played any rush poker since FTP released it? You thoughts on that? Would you welcome it at 1knl+ ?

 

[lmagalhaes]

More 4 questions.

Hi Dusty Schmidt, your life story is fantastic, I am glad there are rich humble people like you who have a big heart, you are a fantastic person, I wish I could meet you someday, I am from portugal.

1. Have you ever been in Portugal?

2. I will buy your book this year, I am a SNG player but I will apply your ideias to my poker business, I have a blog so I will continue to post the results there. Is it the "Raise" book a biography from you?

3. Do you think is good for childrens to learn poker?

4. How can a winning player build his bankroll to 7 digits in a secure way?

I do not have right now more questions, wich to you and your family the best!

Thanks for your time.

 

[bazerk]

...

The point is that I want as many people as possible to begin to see money in a different way...

Funny thing is that when I became rich, I actually felt 10x more passionately about wanting to help others. Once I became wealthy my beliefs were solidified that money just isn't that big of a deal once you have it. Of course you want to make sure that you have yourself taken care of, but really, when I make $10,000 on any decent poker day, how can I drive by a homeless person who $100 would mean the world to them and not feel like I should be doing something more? I just don't get rich people. They have been very frustrating to me. When someone has 50M dollars, why on earth do they feel like it is important to hold on to it for dear life when they could take even 1% of it and do an incredible amount of good to a ton of people? It truly baffles me.

...

^^This is the one of the reasons I think you absolutely rock! :rock:
Even though I majored in Accounting, I minored in Social Work (while working my way through college @ the Dept of Social Services)...my classmates would tease me about having a career doing someones's taxes & then providing mental health counseling after the peep(s) wrote the check to the IRS ...I'm more interested in having a positive impact in others' lives (after seeing a segment of society that I had not been exposed to before).

Disclaimer: I did not go the tax accounting route (Corp Acctg instead) so CCers I am not familiar with the current tax laws & any advice will most likely get you in trouble with Uncle Sam. Additionally I did not go the mental health counseling route as I often ??? my own.