Hello,

I am a 1 year player and I have experienced my first "going broke" busted bankroll on Party and Stars. I generally play the lower level No-Limit cash games (.10/.25 - .50/1)and some tournies. It seems I play a little better at the 1/2 game, but when you lose at the lower level it is hard to justify staying at the higher level.

Now that I achieved what I hope is a normal going pain, and what a pain it is, it leads to me to a new thought. I hope I get and honest response, but I bet I will. Someone give me some advace on mentoring or online training, i.e. CardRunner or PokerXFactor, etc. Worth the time and money?

How do you start over again. My confidence is lacking and I really don't know how it happened.

ConvictKeeper

I agree with everything BKAZ said.
-Take full advantage of what you can learn for free on sites like this one before signing up for online training or personal lessons.
-Buy PokerTracker as soon as you can afford it.
-Be very disciplined about your bankroll. Pick a number, like 20 buy-ins, and don't move up until you have at least that amount in your roll.

As for gaining back your confidence, just focus on improving your game and that should take care of it. Read a lot of books, read alot of posts here, use PokerTracker to analyse your play, and it'll all come together.

Cardrunners does kick ass, but the style of play they advocate isn't optimal at the lowest limits.

Hello to the BTP Forum,

I appreciate the advice on my bankroll and the need for Poker Tracker. I do have Poker Tracker and I am currently trying to learn how to read it. BKAZ suggested that I post mt stats for review and feedback. How I would love the the opened minded and honest review from those better than I, but how do you post it?

ConvictKeeper

Just tell us the numbers

1, sample size is too small - we use 10k as a minimum starting number for significance...the higher the better, of course.

2, until you're really comfortable with how to play postflop, I suggest bringing your VPIP <17, with a pfr around 4. 7 is simply too high if you're not a great post flop player...as is your vpip too high.

3, WTSD is too high...it means you're not folding on the turn or river when you're beat...you're calling down with hands that either you already know you should be folding...or need to learn hand reading skills to allow you to fold them. This causes your W$SD to be <50.

4, Don't steal, yet...drop that <14% until you're better at reading hands and post flop play.

5, Your VPIP from the SB is WAY too high. Get that below 30. Limp with suited aces, suited connectors (but don't call raises), broadway cards, and pairs...nothing else (at least for now).

6, drop down to the $25 games and redeposit at least 250 AND have a good deposit bonus going to boost your BR. You really need $500 to play at 25NL, and double that for 50NL...if you're only playing one table, then it's not AS important to have 20 buy ins - 10 is minimally sufficient.

Good luck.

So you went broke by loosing 2-5 buy ins? That is a huge problem.

If you set a rule for yourself that you will not play any stakes if you do not have at least 20 buy in's you will not go broke.