The 10000$ poker challenge

[KrazyHorse]

It doesn't scale well, Pekka. The skill level goes up dramatically to around the 30$ level. I can even beat the 100$ tables, but I really need to be on my game for that.

[KrazyHorse]

Two things about cash games:

a) Limit sucks. I hate playing limit. I only do it when there's no alternative.

b) Your variance is a lot bigger for similar level stakes on a no-limit cash game. 5/10 no limit provides a similar rate of return to a 100$ SNG with a variance about 10 times as big

[KrazyHorse]

I would only want to play 5/10 NL with a bankroll measured in the tens of thousands.

[Pekka]

KH, no ****, if you'd steam in 100 tables, that would mean 10.. 20k a week . That's why I said imagine if you were steaming in those tables like you did earlier.

[KrazyHorse]

Okay. Just pointing out that I'm not tempted

[Pekka]

Blah! So, you prefer 10 people SNGs?

[KrazyHorse]

Generally, yes.

[Pekka]

have you read any books? I've read few, would you recommend any for online playing?

[KrazyHorse]

I read Super System. Agree with some, disagree with some. Didn't really show me very much new

[Pekka]

I read that too. Most of it is really trivial if you've played some. But it's the most common book I reckon, that's why I figured maybe you could recommend me some other book... oh well.

[KrazyHorse]

Up another 100$ or so in three hours at 10$ SNGs

Might get another couple of hours in tonight. We'll see.

Starting balance: 20$
Current balance: 296$

Time: 13 hours over 4 days
Time remaining: 86 days

I was playing pretty straight up to today. Not making many moves on the pot (except, obviously, when shorthanded). Today I started opening up my play. Lots of betting on the come, more stealing the pot and even the occasional setup to bluff (call with nothing and no draw when a good draw is possible with some hole cards other than my own, then bet when the card being drawn to comes on the turn or river, even though I don't hold anything) against the players I feel are more solid (still very rare at 10$ level). Working out pretty well so far. My game still seems to be there. Lots of the old tricks are coming back to me.

[Jon Miller]

you will get bored

JM
(I like poker with friends..but I think it is because it is a game with freinds.. I don't think I would play online/bymyself)

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
you will get bored

Nope. I'm starting to get into it again.

[Jon Miller]

is it mostly the competition?

or is the bluffing that intricate?

JM

[KrazyHorse]

Not just bluffing. The whole betting structure is very, very intricate. Not at the level I'm playing at (it's more straightforward) but at the 30$ SNG level (at least at the site I play at) the play gets very complex. I play different strategies against all of the other players at my table, based on their demonstrated tendencies. I switch up my style/aggression of play quickly and often. You have to constantly put yourself in your opponent's place. First you try to figure out what he has based on his betting pattern and tendencies as a player. Next you ask yourself: "What have I shown him so far? What does he think I'm holding based on that? What action should I take to maximize my expected gain on this hand?". When you're doing this right you're virtually unstoppable. I've gone through long stretches where I pretty much knew my opponent's hand every single time. I knew when I was stronger than him and how to mask my strength to get him to put money in the pot. I knew when I was weaker than him, but could get him to lay down his hand. I knew when he was very strong and wouldn't lay down his hand, so I lay down mine instead. In its own way poker is the most complex game on the planet, when it's being played well.