Adam,

I noticed in a recent post that you said No Limit, or "one shot" holdem should not necessarily be the game folks start out trying to beat, even thought that is what is always on the tube.

I agree, and have been wondering if I should focus on another game first. I win at very low limit holdem, but am getting frustrated at how slow my bankroll is growing, among other things. I do well in freeroll or very low buy in No Limit Hold Em multi table tourneys, but don't have the bankroll to play higher buy in ones yet. I also do well in sit n gos, but don't really want to focus on those.

i guess the best game would be one that is relatively quick to learn, is easy to find a good game at lower limits, and one where a skilled player has a larger than average advantage, and so a decent expected win rate. what game is that? does it exist?

i have thought Omaha H/L8 or Omaha High might be good prospects, although I seem to naturally do better at the HiLo game than Omaha HIgh the times I have tried it out.

Ok, so Randy, the Adam Backer, has become fixated with 1-2 DRAW, on Paridise!!

He's only played a little over 20 hours, but so far he's making 5 big bets per hour

Michael Wisenburg, is making a similar amount. THEY PLAY SO BAD!!

Yeah, 20 hours, is not enough time, to get an accurate reading. But, even 3 or 4 bbs per hour, would be a reasonable win rate. you can always play 2 at a time.

Draw, is easy to learn (in the format played, no opener requirements, and no joker)

And good for beginners, because your mistakes are NOT so costly.

And, they are playing very, very badly.


Noooooo, I'm not ignoring you, just don't feel like talking to anyone right now.


(Ed note: this advice is not for everyone, this particular man has stated that he needs to work off a bonus on Paridise.)

The disadvantage to learning draw is that, well IT DON'T EXIST (outside of paridise poker) But, figure out about 1 hour, to learn the game

Also, since the universe of players is limited, you should be able to make good player notes, in a short time.


Adam

Thanks Adam,
I am going to try Draw while working off that bonus on Paradise, and after that I think I am going to try to learn Omaha HL8

Omaha hi/lo 25 pot limit at Party is insanely bad, though you should read extensively about the game before you sit down (by extensively i mean at least one decent book, Cappelletti, Ciaffone and ray Zee's split books are all recommended, plus perhaps some articles on the side. Cloutiers omaha book is OK but from what I recall it's not so suitable for these games and not as accessible for a new player). A better place to start might be limit, at the 0.50/1 and 1/2 games on party and even elsewhere the standard is so poor that a good player can make 4-5BB's/hr. The very best O8 players can make 3BB/hr even up to the middle and high limits, which is almost unheard of in holdem.

If anyone finds any soft, loose, poor, passive O8 limit games at 3/6 and above please let me know where! I have played the party/empire ones but something about that site just puts me off their omaha games (plus I find the players sometimes are a little difficult to read as there's a few too many maniacs, compared to UB's tighter but more passive game). Also put off by the fact that 5/10 is only 6-handed tables (WHY, Party???) and I have much more success and practice at full size games. Any ideas Adam?

Monk
xxxxx

thanks Monkman, I had know idea what books were best for Omaha H/L.

Hi Monk,

Which Ciaffone book were you recommending? I looked on Amazon, found the others, but was not sure about this one.

Thanks

I wouldn't worry too much, the Ray Zee book is a great one to start out on and Cappelletti trains in some good methods of thinking and smart ideas, rather than rudimentary hard-and-fast rules. The Ciaffone omaha book is more of a supplement (though it's also a great intro to omaha high only) and has some nice quizzes and hand situations etc, the name is "OMAHA HOLDEM POKER: THE ACTION GAME" last published (I believe) in 1999. It is (in its orgininal form) a pretty old book (15-20 years now I think) but has been revised and improved several times since.

I have not personally read the Zee book but most commentators reckon that's the best book for an O8 beginner, I would personally recommend Cappellettis "HOW TO WIN AT OMAHA HIGH LOW POKER" very highly as a second book to read, especially if you have any desire to play the limit games as well.

Monk
xxxxx

Thanks again Monk.