Well now...I have made a few bucks lately but nothing too exciting...The SNG's are hurting me, but I really feel like I have played well overall...

OK, now on to the REAL DEAL....I was goofing around with PokerTracker in the last day or two...I had read excession's article on the "junk hands" leak factor...All I can say is, it's a damn miracle I am anywhere near 2 BB/100 (limit)...I used the hands that Piers used for the core and marginal hands (We all know he is WAY tighter than me-like 11 or 12% vs 22ish%) and the numbers are startling...The "junk" has cost me a bunch, and the number is so high I will not print it here as is too embarrassing... All these comments are based on 5000 hands, so it's not the end of the world, but it sure as hell is enlightening...I guess the positive thing to take from this is although I am obviously way too loose, and play too much junk, I must be "OK" post flop to even show a profit!!

Another interesting note is in these 5000 hands I am a BIG loser with smaller pairs (66 and lower); AQs is kickin my ass; but the KJ and KJs are really hurtin' me, so even some of the core hands have not been good to me. I will have to examine more closely and see if I am overplaying these, or maybe just making silly mistakes (It is only 5000 hands, so luck or the lack thereof is still a factor)

My W$SD number looks OK---58%
My W$SF--------------------32% (not sure where that should be)
My aggression numbers are still low, but moving up steadily since I identified that problem...

The bottom line is I probably will never be as tight as Piers or Bri (and others), but if I can get this VP$P down to around 16% I should be in good shape. The next 5000 hands are really going to be interesting, and I can't wait to get started.

These are the core and marginal hands I was using (Geez, is Piers ever tight!!)

Core hands ----- all pairs, AKs, AK, AQs, AQ, AJs, A10s, KQs, KJs
Marginal hands--- AJo, A10o, A9s, KQ, QJs, J10s

Thanks again to all the posters who have helped me along the way...LOL I am even starting to understand some of excession's PT articles...

Bobby

Let it be known that I have kicked up the VIP% from a solid 11.51% overall to now a reckless 11.81% at the 5-10 game

On a note about playing extremely tight. This strategy will just not show much of a profit and very well may show a negative if you only play marginally good postflop. From my 5-10 data of all the rocks with any significant hands played 12 of 18 are losing and some pretty badly and the others are not showing much in the way of blungeoning the game. I can get away with this and make a nice profit because I am very good at maximizing the pots I am involved in (unfortunately sometimes they get sent the other direction but they are generally bigger than normal).

I have started to open up my game a little more now that I have a good feel for the core 510 players as my VIP% has been close to 12.5% in the last week (about half of the 7K hands or so at that level). Still knocking out a solid 2.78BB/100 hands.

As far as your core and marginal hands go they look fine. The only thing I would mention is that you should be folding your small pairs unless you are in middle to late position with 2 or 3 limpers already in the pot. Depending on the table I sometimes open raise with all pairs 77 and higher even UTG but the other ones get mucked up front. Also never call a raise with any of those marginal hands or the last 4 of your core hands unless you have a very good reason to do so. Against a very tough opponent I believe AQo should hit the muck too if it is raised.

I agree with piers on the pairs as limit is so much different than NL with implied odds that you can't just play pairs anywhere or for a raise. The situation really has to be right to play the small pairs and playing mid pairs (for an open raise, calling a raise or 3 betting to isolate) will require some of your best postflop play as they are diffcult.

KJ is a junk hand and I only play it for a limp in lp with 1 limper or maybe a raise if folded to me in lp. KJ, KT, QT, QJ and JT can get you in so much trouble if you play them for pairs (or some at all).

My VIP% is 12.0% at 1/2, 2/4 and 3/6 combined and I thought I was playing a rock and can't believe piers has lower numbers (shouldn't be too surprised). You see all the big wins won with suited connectors and such but all I ever play is pairs, AK, AQ, AJ and maybe AT and KQ. It can get pretty boring but its the safest way to put up consistent numbers at online low limit.

I don't remember if the LW bonus showed up as pending or not but it was credited either way as soon as I hit the 250 hands. I have not heard that it was removed.

Well gang, I have been stuck in the mud...Spinnin' my wheels...Going nowhere fast...Does that sum it up??

First of all, I was really pissed off last night, as I was ready to do battle with the obviously weak opposition at the BTP HORSE tourney...For some reason, I was unable to get Full Tilt loaded on my computer, so I loaded it on another computer...Fine, but it wouldnt let me deposit...GEEZ!!! So I gave up and let Piers and TW fight it out.

I started the month off pretty well, but I have been unable to get anything going in the last two weeks. The SNG's are barely in the black...My limit results while not dreadful, I sure am happy with the bonuses...My NL forays have been rare, but profitabe to a small degree...

I will have the month end numbers tomorrow, but my BR did make it to 2K this month...

Just a nail in the road, Bobby. Go read a little more, play on a different site..repair that tire as best you can and keep moving.

Next thing you know you'll have 10k.

friend: "hey Bobby, how is that poker thing going?"

Bobby: "overall OK---but I broke a mouse last night....."

Hi Bobby,
Im just starting out, trying poker on for size. It sounds like you have a plan and your sticking to it. I hope to use this form for motavation and ideas. What are your favorit site's to make the most out a what I can learn to be a better player and earn the most $$.
Thanks for you time........

NO fun at all lately---beat after beat........I am sure I am not on my "A" game, but jesus, no way in hell does any of this make sense...Does not seem to matter-limit, NL, O8..pretty frustrating....I have made a couple glaring mistakes...plus I went on a little BR tilt, but DAMN, I am not THAT bad......Then my dog had to go to the Vet for another 200...Bottom line is, if I get ALL my bonuses this month with out having my ass handed to me too badly, I may break even...I gotta lot of work to do to make that happen...Lot of work ahead....
GL all....

Seems like a lot of people have hit bad runs lately. Better luck to you. Take more breaks then usual...make sure you're playing your A game. That's the best advice I can give you.