My Dilemma - Bankroll Related.

[Aequitas58]

I always have a handle on myself in the "poker world" when it comes to discipline, bankroll, etc. I very rarely tilt. And I try, on a daily basis, to improve my play. I have no intentions of going professional, but I do have aspirations of playing mid / high limits and higher buy-in tournaments on a regular basis.

Here's my dilemma.

In roughly 3 weeks I begin working for a law firm. Salary, benefits, percentage agreement, etc. When I'm a working attorney, my poker time should be cut dramatically. If I now play 4-5 hours a day, I might play 1-1.5 hours IF THAT, when I'm working. (I HOPE!)

Anyway, when I do get to play, I won't want to play $1/2 short! I'll be making good money, for the first time in my life, so my bankroll gets an auto-boost. Right now, I'm at ~$550 from a $65 deposit.

Here are my questions for YOU to answer!

(1) If you were me, would you take what I have now and play a little higher? Maybe bump it up to $2/4 instead of $1/2? If you bust out, you can reload when you start working.

(2) Do you think it's necessarily bad to just START OFF at a limit? In other words... If, in 2 months, I deposit $2000 online and start playing $3/6 short. How much of a disadvantage am I at that I didn't build the roll from $1/2?

I kinda have an idea in my head about how I want to proceed with things, but I thought this could entail some good discussion.

[Zybomb]

1) Technically I play above the limits I should be playing at -- and while I do take swings (sometimes big ones) I feel I am a better than average player at the tables I usually sit down at. If you have the money to max buy in and reload if necessary, think you can come up ahead, and are not afraid to put as much in as possible when u have not the nuts but a very strong hand which you believe is best, I say play higher limits -- if you beat them great, if not you can move down

2) You have to start somewhere -- but I may toy with the 2/4's for a bit before moving to 3/6 -- not too long but just enough to get a feel for the game.....wasnt 1/2 a step down for you in stakes because of your lack of roll when you deposited though?

[Aequitas58]

$1/2 is a step down for me. I am comfortable at higher limits, money-wise, I just don't have the roll "right now."

[Quint]

(1) If you were me, would you take what I have now and play a little higher? Maybe bump it up to $2/4 instead of $1/2? If you bust out, you can reload when you start working.

What's more important to you - being able to spend as much time at the tables until you start work but at a lower limit than you feel you are comfortable, or playing at a higher limit where you are comfortable but risking losing your roll and not being able to play until you start working?

Personally, I would probably play at the higher limit unless I fell below a set amount. Then I would drop down just so that I could continue playing.


(2) Do you think it's necessarily bad to just START OFF at a limit? In other words... If, in 2 months, I deposit $2000 online and start playing $3/6 short. How much of a disadvantage am I at that I didn't build the roll from $1/2?

You're a proven player at the limits you want to play right? I don't think jumping in at a higher limit, if it's within your bankroll, is a disadvantage over building your bankroll up at lower limits. For an inexperienced player, yes, but not for someone who's 'been there - done that' and has a shiny new bankroll.

[BlibbityBlabbity]

For #2 I would say as long as you are self-aware enough to move back down to $2/$4 if you are not making it at $3/$6 or $4/$8 then I would not see a problem with jumping a level.....Wait your goiing to be loaded, right? Jump up to $5/$10 and be done with it....

BTW, are you headed to limit $2/$4 or NL? You used to play NL exclusively and recently you have talked about limit, so I was just curious.

[Talking Poker]

1. Yes, I would play higher. Just realize you may bust out and need to reload.

2. No, I do not think there is any problem with that. Again, just be aware that you might be a losing player for a while.

[lightfungus]

Shoot. Why do you even need to play poker anymore, youve got money hanging out your ears...or will soon relatively. Just kidding, I was just thinking about playing when you are comfortable. I have been playing and Im in college so anything I make I use, do you think it will affect your play knowing that you have the ability to reload if you lose your roll?

[Aequitas58]

Comments to Quint above ... in bold.

[Aequitas58]

I'm not going to have money hanging out of my ears, I guess you forgot about Mrs. Aeq? LOL... she'll make sure that doesn't happen...

Anyway, having the ability to "reload" (if necessary) is going to be great for my game. That doesn't mean I want to play recklessly, but I'll feel comfortable. The "swings" won't sting so much.

[Aequitas58]

Personally, I do think there is a problem with skipping levels... BUT, in this case, considering what levels I'm skipping ($1/2, $2/4, etc.) I think I'll be ok.

What about this scenario:
If someone comes into a lot of money and decides to play $30/60 for a living, don't you think it's hurting them that they didn't see hands at $15/30?

[Aequitas58]

Headed for limit. As I said in another post, I want to be playing limit 6max. I would like to sprinkle the occasional $1/2 NL or $2/4 NL (when I get a NL craving), and I also want to be playing more MTTs.

[Talking Poker]

No, I do not. This person's success will depend on their poker abilities at the level they are palying, not at some other level.

You can't really be suggesting that some rich guy who decides his bankroll is $1 million should sit down at the .25/.50 table and work his way up, should you? That's ridiculous. He can play wherever he wants... as can you.

[Aequitas58]

You're missing the obvious. You can be bankrolled for $100/200 and be a winner... but I'm suggesting that it's bad for your game if you haven't seen hands at the $50/100 level. Aren't there so many instances and situations that you miss? Reading players, "experience," etc.

I'm taking into consideration that after a certain level, say $5/10 or $10/20 (?) the skill and experience of your opponents rises drastically. So, by actually building at THESE levels (not 25c/50c) you will be better off?

C'mon ... it HAS to be better for your game.

[BrianSwa]

I see exactly what you are saying BUT if you are bankrolled for say 100/200 it might be kinda boring playing at 50/100 and you might play worse then you would play when the money means something to you. Well let me change that when the money means more to you.

let me edit this a little bit to explain what I mean so I dont sound to dumb this time. So a doctor makes 110k a year and has never played poker before in his life. He is bankrolled for a big game but has to learn some basics 1st, I would much rather him sit in say a 100/200 game then a 1/2 game. In that 1/2 game all he is gonna do is pick up bad habits and when he goes up to his 100/200 game is gonnna get rocked. If he would start at the game think he would of picked it up much easier.

now in your case you got a head start since you are a solid poker player already, You should start where you feel comfortable if thats 2/4 or 3/6 then fine you have the bankroll for it so go to town brother. As for risking your whole bankroll before you make those big deposits guess that depends on you and what you have planned. If you can handle sitting out for a couple of months if you bust out I say go for it.

[2Tone]

Disclaimer: The below is based on full ring games. I seem to be one of the few who prefer a full table to 6 handed. That said …

At these lower limit, there’s no problem with jumping in as high as you can for your roll. Honestly, with anything above $500, I’d be playing 3/6, though I know that’s not the text book answer. But I’m confident in your ability to beat these games, so you might has well make as much money doing so as possible, especially with financial security right around the corner.

I don’t notice much difference between 1/2, 2/4 and 3/6. Solid play is rewarded, creativity punished. Play premium hands, don’t bluff, don’t get frustrated at suck outs, chase when it makes sense, and enjoy a slow but steady win rate.

I don’t know where the skill level starts to take off. Based on a few quick hit and runs (which were stupid risks that I shouldn’t have done) 5/10 is a bit of a different ball game, with more check raising, blind stealing, etc. But based on TP’s post the other day, there are plenty of lousy players at 10/20.

[Aequitas58]

Thanks for your reply. I'm certainly not looking for a textbook answer - but in this case, I don't know if there is one! I want to finish clearing my bonus at Party. I also have a pending bonus at Stars and Ultimate Bet, as well as an Ultimate Bet rakeback payment coming within the month.

It would be good if I played some $3/6 tonight, won a few bucks, and parlayed that money into a rebuy MTT or something.

[BlibbityBlabbity]

WHAT??

So a complete stanger to the game should just sit with a table full of seasoned pros "because they have the money to cover the losses" they WILL have?

IF you are a solid player THEN you just take into account your bankroll to determine what limit you play (along with other factors such as being able to judge yourself back down if you are getting hammered before you go broke).
If you don't know how to play you HAVE to learn at a reasonable level before moving up too high.

Now, TP has a point that your wayward Dr. should not start at .25/.50 limit. Key being reasonable level for what you are comfortable with. I suppose there are millionaires out there who could give a shit less if they take a $10,000 beatingevery night but that is not the same as someone who wants to build a bankroll (regardless of the limit) and learn the game.

[Aequitas58]

Mission failed.

[BrianSwa]

your really think that guy is gonna learn good poker at 1/2? He has the bankroll to handle the losses and then rebuy in with little worry. 110k a year dont think losing a little bit is gonna bother him too much when he is getting much better then he would at 1/2.

[SirFWALGMan]

Having played up to 5/10, I would say any level under that is the same. I.E. The skill jump is not soooooo great that I would be scared to play. The 5/10 adds ALOT of aggression and you really have to play alot better. People pay more attention. You can not just wait for aewsome hands and bet out. It gets tougher. Anything 3/6 and down though I would play except .50/1 which drives me crazy.

[Aequitas58]

Ok... and you really think he's gonna learn something immediately playing professionals at $100/200?

GONG. You know where the dunce hat is... and we KNOW you know where the corner is.

[Aequitas58]

Fuck that. LOL. I tried a session of $3/6 short tonight after clearing the Party bonus...

-the play was FAST - unusually fast.
-at least one person raised preflop. everyhand.
-lots and lots of three-betting and raising (in general).

^^ This isn't to say that I'm not comfortable w/ that, but it IS different than your run-of-the-mill $1/2 game.

The session went well... nabbed 7BB's in about 15 minutes, cashed out. On the first hand, I lost $25, so it was good to quit ahead. I cashed out quickly... there's no reason to play 6max on Party if I can play it on UB and get rakeback.

[BrianSwa]

fine terrible example, Where is my hat im heading to my corner.

[Reel Deal]

Brian, I don't know what line of work you're in, but it's clear to me that your true calling is in the area of money management or investment banking!

[BrianSwa]

thats why my wife handles the check book


money management tip of the day kids, put it all on red!