The $2 Challenge: Building a Cash Game BR

buddyanton · Nov 27, 2007

Hey Philthy,

I have started the same plan, started a week ago with a tena on PS. Playing the smallest stack. Up to $150. moving up to the 0.02/0.05 tables when i reach $200. Keep you updated

Buddy

ph_il · Nov 27, 2007

nice.
keep up the good work.

KingNothing4 · Nov 28, 2007

well this sounds fun, i really needa get back into it after donking away all my money on a drunken night, that was just a terrible night haha

Fat Stu · Nov 28, 2007

Ok I committed the cardinal sin in poker, was getting raped at the $0.01&$0.02 level game and was down to a miserable $4(from $14) left and seeked a higher level and the only free table I could find was the $0.10&$0.20 level. I deposited my $4 and proceed to play, by the end of my session I had roughly $8 and was about to leave when I was dealt Ad,10d, I raised from the BB and was called by 2 players, 2 diamonds on the flop, mini raised and called by one, last diamond on the turn and and I check, to my suprise he raised all-in with a pair of Jacks no flush draw.

Balance now $19.69. Back to the lower limits next time though. I'm well chuffed with the result.

N.D. · Nov 28, 2007

Uh-oh, UB? I get frustrated at the 1c/2c tables too. And I might have been the all-in with JJ out of frustration, but I don't think it was me, because I do believe I would have made a smaller bet to try and get a feel.

ph_il · Nov 28, 2007

still havent had any big runs at the cash game tables yet. Im still just doubling up and getting out of there cuz play has been very loose (at the tables I've been sitting at.) So, its still a slow climb.

My full BR is showing a nice increase from $0. Hopefully I can cross the $100 mark in the next few days or so.

Fat Stu · Nov 28, 2007

N.D. said:
Uh-oh, Ultimatebet? I get frustrated at the 1c/2c tables too. And I might have been the all-in with JJ out of frustration, but I don't think it was me, because I do believe I would have made a smaller bet to try and get a feel.

No Ladbrokes, was once again up to about $23 on the $0.02/$0.04 table but my Kings got busted by trip 10's it was tilt from then onwards and back down to $17, the swings are unbelievable.

Fat Stu · Nov 30, 2007

from a low point of $4 yesterday i stuck at it and my current bankroll is $23.40, won another 15c on the freeroll.

buddyanton · Dec 1, 2007

hey boys, made my first withdrawal to buy the mrs something nice so she can see poker isnt too bad. she was more impressed with the fact that i slowed the BR for her. so down to 100 and starting the charge again.

gl boys

N.D. · Dec 2, 2007

Some of us are girls!

Okay so I'm kinda in. Since $2 is 1/2 the recommended buy-in at the bottom level of Full Tilt(oh wait, it's less than 1/2, but I'm better with 1/2s); I'm using 1/2 the recommended buy-in for the bottom level at Ultimatebet. So 50c.

Let's see, only played 2 tables last night, because working on a little system so...

50c made 25c then left because was worried about a friend and wanted to see if he was okay(so I wouldn't be distracted). Then I rooted for a friend in the private tournament cuz I just do and it was her B-Day as well. Then sat and made $1(50c buy in left with $1.50 of course). But only counting the second win because it's part of a system I'm working on...

Now, I only need to win 19 more times in a row(win = double up or better w/o rebuy). Then I can move to the next step. GL me

.

Fat Stu · Dec 5, 2007

bringing this back up to brag.

After 2 great sessions today the BR is $43.22. here is my progress graph.

ph_il · Dec 5, 2007

dude, that is amazing. great job.

Fat Stu · Dec 5, 2007

philthy said:
dude, that is amazing. great job.

The greater thing for me is it's actually from zero $(ferguson watch out i'm going to catch you), missus is on my back to withdraw it as xmas is goming up though

. I must confess to wininng $10 of that in a 2 hour long $2.20 sng(high stacks) and I know this is supposed to be cash games but I couldn't resist.

My tip:
I used to hate ladbrokes and believed it was rigged, because after every withdrawal I went on a losing streak. This is the first time i've played there in months, because they have so many freerolls.

I got the rigged thing out of my mind and do not tilt any more after a bad beat and generally end up having good sessions or if i have a bad session the next is generally better. Also I must thank all the all-in merchants, wait for a big hand and raise em and watch the chips come your way.

chink44 · Dec 5, 2007

I started with nothing on PS, then got a dollar from play chips, and so far I have turned that into $27

N.D. · Dec 6, 2007

I don't think I can use ladbrokes.

Lemme run a quick idea past u:

Take 50 cents. Turn it into $10, that's a few nights of playing not too seriously or a night or two of playing seriously + a bit of luck. That's at the 1c/2c tables.

Then take 1/2 of that up to the 5c/10c table(the recommended buy in is $5). Lose or win, head back to the 1c/2c table and grind out another 2 recommended buy-ins. Then head back up with the $5.

What I'm thinking is, and just for this challenge of course. I'm only risking 1/2 of my 1c/2c winnings to take a stab at winning way more than $5. Plus I won't get so mind-numbingly bored. That's what happens at the 1c/2c table, I either get taken for all my chips by someone who just hangs on to bottom pair for dear life(or worse, won't even make the tiniest little raise, and what the?), or I wind up bored out of my gourd.

It makes me play less. All that boredom and irritation. It's like a deterrent.

So do you reckon this would be an okay thing to do? At least for the challenge?

Cheetah · Dec 6, 2007

Fat Stu said:
my bankroll has hit $6.02(still not had a losing session), with regards to BRM when should I be looking to move to the $0.02/$0.04 nl ring games.

As a general rule, your BR should be at least 20 full buy-ins for the level you play. This corresponds to 5% or less of your BR being at risk at any one time.

If a full buy-in is 100BB, then you need $80 to play the 2/4c tables.

Cheetah · Dec 6, 2007

N.D. said:
I don't think I can use ladbrokes.

Lemme run a quick idea past u:

Take 50 cents. Turn it into $10, that's a few nights of playing not too seriously or a night or two of playing seriously + a bit of luck. That's at the 1c/2c tables.

Then take 1/2 of that up to the 5c/10c table(the recommended buy in is $5). Lose or win, head back to the 1c/2c table and grind out another 2 recommended buy-ins. Then head back up with the $5.

What I'm thinking is, and just for this challenge of course. I'm only risking 1/2 of my 1c/2c winnings to take a stab at winning way more than $5. Plus I won't get so mind-numbingly bored. That's what happens at the 1c/2c table, I either get taken for all my chips by someone who just hangs on to bottom pair for dear life(or worse, won't even make the tiniest little raise, and what the?), or I wind up bored out of my gourd.

It makes me play less. All that boredom and irritation. It's like a deterrent.

So do you reckon this would be an okay thing to do? At least for the challenge?

That is not a good idea, challenge or not.

You can ignore BR management in the following circumstances:

You have so little that even the lowest stakes are big for your BR.
You have independent income or assets and you are willing to deposit if you lose. Philty said he is doing that. Another way to view this is that you consider your assets outside your poker accounts as part of your BR.
You are a losing player in which case BR management should be replaced with budgeting.

When you ignore BR management, in most cases it will take longer to build up a bankroll and in the long run it can lead to total ruin.

Of course, ignoring BR management and playing too high CAN lead to a rapid rise of your bankroll IF you get lucky. Fat Stu did that when he played 20/40c with $4 BR and got lucky. However, repeatedly challenging "faith" will prove unsuccessful.:banghead:

N.D. · Dec 6, 2007

Oh Cheetah, so worried, so right, and well intentioned, but...

I wanna have a bit of fun.

It's exhausting starting at the bottom and working your way up. I'm not brave like Fat Stu. So I'll never get lucky like Fat Stu(btw Fat Stu, I'm happy for you, and hope u hit the $200). I can't bring myself to risk all my money, even just money set aside(except the initial 50c) at one table or in one tournament.

What I can bring myself to do, is risk 1/2 of 10 won dollars on a 5c/10c table. I figure, it's like this:

The goal is to move up a level. A lot of folks move up blind and get smacked down hard. I don't wanna move up blind. But if I get to move up more frequently than usual(not a rare and special treat, just every $10), I get to scope out the play.

Another option's to just watch the 5c/10c tables from the 1c/2c tables, but then I'm not playing, and well, if I can win money while learning(cuz the chance is there), that's much better.

There's a fair amount of probability that every time I venture up, I'll get smacked hard. But hey, I'm still ahead by $5. I'm still up 10x. So what if it takes me 2x as long to reach the $50(if it's to be fair) goal? I'll get to have fun and learn. I do believe those are at least two of the main points of a challenge like this. To learn and have fun.

Is that so wrong?

Cheetah · Dec 6, 2007

N.D. said:
Oh Cheetah, so worried, so right, and well intentioned, but...

I wanna have a bit of fun.

It's exhausting starting at the bottom and working your way up. I'm not brave like Fat Stu. So I'll never get lucky like Fat Stu(btw Fat Stu, I'm happy for you, and hope u hit the $200). I can't bring myself to risk all my money, even just money set aside(except the initial 50c) at one table or in one tournament.

What I can bring myself to do, is risk 1/2 of 10 won dollars on a 5c/10c table. I figure, it's like this:

The goal is to move up a level. A lot of folks move up blind and get smacked down hard. I don't wanna move up blind. But if I get to move up more frequently than usual(not a rare and special treat, just every $10), I get to scope out the play.

Another option's to just watch the 5c/10c tables from the 1c/2c tables, but then I'm not playing, and well, if I can win money while learning(cuz the chance is there), that's much better.

There's a fair amount of probability that every time I venture up, I'll get smacked hard. But hey, I'm still ahead by $5. I'm still up 10x. So what if it takes me 2x as long to reach the $50(if it's to be fair) goal? I'll get to have fun and learn. I do believe those are at least two of the main points of a challenge like this. To learn and have fun.

Is that so wrong?

N.D., it is not wrong as long as you understand that you are taking risks that are too big for your BR. If this is fun for you, then by all means do it.

Millions of players are losing at poker but play anyway for the entertainment value. I see nothing wrong with that (and hope they continue to have a lot of fun

).

Let me just suggest a strategy that might mitigate your potential losses. Play extremely tight and try to limp as much as possible. When the table stops paying you off because of your rock image, leave and go to another table. I have used this strategy successfully several times while building BR from small freeroll winnings. It sacrifices potential profit but minimizes the downswings.

I wish you luck and a lot of fun. :elefant::dancing: :dancing2: :canabis:

N.D. · Dec 7, 2007

Okay cool,

Cuz I have another more complicated system I wanna try out(but only risking 50c cuz then it's fun, more than that and the fun will vanish)...

It has more going down a level than going up a level(which sounds weird, but I just wanna see if it would work short term, just to see, ya know?).

soonerdel · Dec 7, 2007

id go along with you but im currently trying the ferguson challenge on fulltilt.. talk about tough...

Fat Stu · Dec 9, 2007

Ok still going well, but I do not use proper BR management. The fish in low limits do eventually pay you but lucking out rattles my cage. i've posted the graph again but do need to explain that session no 40ish I spent $5 on blackjack when bored.

Also the big upswing towards the end was a result in donking $8 in $0.02/$0.04 no limit tables, as a result I moved up to the $0.25/$0.50 table and won over $23, chasing losses is proving to be successful........for now.

Fat Stu · Dec 10, 2007

BR $61.82, have been playing the $0.05/$0.10 tables as it's difficult to get a seat on the lower limits(waiting lists of up to 7 people for a 6 seater game).

N.D. · Dec 11, 2007

I was getting botted to death at 1c/2c

. Botted to death. Fuggedabout the side BR I was getting beaten with my regular one too...

So a couple of nights ago I was at a table, and the usual stuff was going on(suckage etc...). And realized that a human buddy and myself were the only non-bots playing. The others were all botting. I was just silly about them b4 but now I'm taking them seriously.

The patterns are so mechanical and well...

Figured out a bunch of their "tricks", which aren't really tricks at all, and btw I can't figure how the users don't go broke. Someone told me they're at all stakes, so I dunno, maybe the ones at much lower stakes are less complex?

But I figured my way around them, by going ahead and paying them off. I figured it was money well spent if I could get info and still have at least 1/2 of my money all together.

Anyway, after falling to around $32 this time I went ahead and tested the info, stumbling along the way. Now I'm back up and actually over. @ $68 total and hoping to keep it going.

I'm way more observant of patterns now and am better able to play around them. Stats are great if you can remember them all, but I'm loving patterns at the moment.

The $2 Challenge: Building a Cash Game BR

buddyanton

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ph_il

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KingNothing4

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Fat Stu

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N.D.

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ph_il

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Fat Stu

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Fat Stu

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buddyanton

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N.D.

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Fat Stu

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ph_il

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Fat Stu

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chink44

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N.D.

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Cheetah

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Cheetah

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N.D.

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Cheetah

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N.D.

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soonerdel

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Fat Stu

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Fat Stu

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N.D.

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