Q&a With Steve7stud

[Moneyball16 0]

Steve thanks for doing this. Can we get your poker history? Where you started? How you moved up? etc.

[steve7stud 0]

Steve thanks for doing this. Can we get your poker history? Where you started? How you moved up? etc.

Sure. I started about 10 years ago. I was living in San Francisco and saw a sign for a casino by my apartment. One day I decided to venture inside. I knew how to play stud hi. They had a 3-6 game at Artichoke Joe's and that is what I started playing. I was up and down in the game a lot. I also noticed that they had limit hold em. I began to play that as well. For about a year, I was grinding it out playing 3-6 stud and lhe occassionally playing 6-12 if I was running well. I played at Artichoke Joe's and Lucky Chances.Eventually I moved back down to LA where I am from originally. I played 4-8 stud quite often. I went broke plenty of times. I managed to hit every limit on my way to where I'm at today. I was fortunate in the last several years to have had great mentors. About 8 years ago I met Daniel at the LA Poker Classic. He was kind enough to exchange e-mails with me regarding questions that I had. When he opened the FCP forum I was an active member and eventually became a mod. These days I'm pretty busy playing, but I am trying to take time out to help others in the best way that I can.

[steve7stud 0]

Some people have voiced concerns regarding the format of this thread. It is my intention to give the best possible advice that I can. I'm not sure how else to set this up aside from how it is now. But if everyone sort of follows the basic guidelines, I will be happy to answer all questions.I also wanted to thank JC, who I asked to answer one of the questions that was better suited for a tournament player.If other people choose to answer questions as well, that seems fine. If I have anything to add I will, if not I will simply leave it alone. I hope that works for everyone.

[JoeyFinngars 0]

Steve,I am planning to become more active in the casinos around my area (Niagara Falls, Casino Rama, etc...) as I have much more success live than I do online. For the past couple of years I would go once every couple of months to a local game being run or the Casino but lately I have way more spare time to devote to my live play and plan on heading out every weekend. I plan on taking notes during my play but would like to know A) if you take notes while playing and B ) what sort of things you write down about yourself, the table, specifics about players, etc...I will be tracking my results in a spreadsheet but want to become more aware of the table and my own image and figure notes would be the best bet. Any input would be greatly appreaciated.P.S. I play 1/2 - 2/4 NL and 3 /6LHE if there is no NL game running...Thanks.

[steve7stud 0]

Steve,I am planning to become more active in the casinos around my area (Niagara Falls, Casino Rama, etc...) as I have much more success live than I do online. For the past couple of years I would go once every couple of months to a local game being run or the Casino but lately I have way more spare time to devote to my live play and plan on heading out every weekend. I plan on taking notes during my play but would like to know A) if you take notes while playing and B ) what sort of things you write down about yourself, the table, specifics about players, etc...I will be tracking my results in a spreadsheet but want to become more aware of the table and my own image and figure notes would be the best bet. Any input would be greatly appreaciated.P.S. I play 1/2 - 2/4 NL and 3 /6LHE if there is no NL game running...Thanks.

I don't think it's a good idea to ever take notes at the table. You want to keep the atmosphere as light and happy as possible. Once people see you taking notes, they might tighten up, get more serious, etc. Always try and keep things friendly. Taking notes = less gamble.At the end of your session, feel free to write down mistakes that you made, notes on players, and things of interest.But I think taking notes at the table is bad for the game.

[CobaltBlue 662]

Steve, lately I've had trouble balancing playing poker and hanging out with friends. As a poker player, the best time to play seems to be the evenings (more good tournaments and cash games available). However, most of my friends work normal jobs, so once they get done during the day, they're ready to go hang out and party. I'm usually waking up around that time. I feel like I'm letting down my friends when I choose the game over them (poker's always going to be around, but eventually I'll be moving away from them). I especially get frustrated when I forgo hanging out with them and have a losing session. I'm usually pretty good about taking the long view, but I feel as though I've wasted my evening with unhappiness when I could've been having fun. This problem has really cut into my playing hours lately. I guess my question is...do you have any tips on good ways to balance social commitments with table hours?

[Zach6668 513]

You guys have non e-friends?

[steve7stud 0]

Steve, lately I've had trouble balancing playing poker and hanging out with friends. As a poker player, the best time to play seems to be the evenings (more good tournaments and cash games available). However, most of my friends work normal jobs, so once they get done during the day, they're ready to go hang out and party. I'm usually waking up around that time. I feel like I'm letting down my friends when I choose the game over them (poker's always going to be around, but eventually I'll be moving away from them). I especially get frustrated when I forgo hanging out with them and have a losing session. I'm usually pretty good about taking the long view, but I feel as though I've wasted my evening with unhappiness when I could've been having fun. This problem has really cut into my playing hours lately. I guess my question is...do you have any tips on good ways to balance social commitments with table hours?

Marchant I honestly struggle with that same problem all the time. Furthermore, my poker playing has ruined more than one relationship. For example I will have plans with a girlfriend, and be in a game that is simply too good to leave. Or conversely, when I was younger, too stuck to leave.Booking a loss when you could have been hanging out with friends and having a good time is especially frustrating. One of the things I tried to work with you and the rest of the guys in the program on, is making a decision and sticking to it. This goes beyond the table. If you have made the decision to play, regardless of the outcome, you should accept that and not regret your decision.Poker can be a cruel game. We could spend half of our lives second guessing decisions that we have made at the table. I prefer to learn from my mistakes but not regret them. In regard to your question specifically. When Daniel first started playing he decided he would play from 12pm-8pm in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He often said that he missed out on some juicy games after 8pm, but for his own sanity, he was happy with the choice that he made.I personally play best between the hours of 9pm and 4am. So my schedule revolves around that. However, I am flexible. I will not play at a different time unless I am playing a tourney. But I will skip a session to hang out with friends, family, or girlfriend if need be.The key is to do what makes you truly happy. You know when you are playing best, and when the games are best. You have to balance your life in a way so that you feel fulfilled away from the table as well as at the table. You can cut down on the amount of tourneys you play in order to hang out with friends. A lot of this will come down to priorities in your life. This is a question only you can answer.Sometimes skipping a session to do something like, oh I don't know bowling..........and kicking some butt is always fun as well.I trust that you will do what is right for you. I have the utmost faith in your ability and your decision making process.

[Zach6668 513]

Sometimes skipping a session to do something like, oh I don't know bowling..........and kicking some butt is always fun as well.

wqid'hvgqwdklpbjvsldq;'kvjsdvGODDAMN MIKEYSONG.I'm going to spend the entire month of May bowling, so I will have no issues destroying you guys at the WSOP next year.Forget poker.

[Abbaddabba 0]

How many hours do you guys play that it would ever conflict with your lifestyles? 30 hours a week is a ton for online multitabling. I really dont know anyone who routinely plays more than 10k hands a week.The biggest time cost is browsing message boards by a long shot. Cut that out and you'll have lots of time for friends.Live is a LOT more time consuming, but i think cutting down on message boards would still leave a lot more time in the day to do other things if you're anything like i was in the past.

[CobaltBlue 662]

How many hours do you guys play that it would ever conflict with your lifestyles? 30 hours a week is a ton for online multitabling. I really dont know anyone who routinely plays more than 10k hands a week.

Usually only playing ~25 hours per week of online multitabling. And really, it's not the case of poker interfering with friends as much as friends interfering with poker. The past week or two, I've been waking up at 5pm, grabbing "dinner" with friends, watching a little tv or a movie, and then heading to a bar or the pool with them. Afterwards, we get some more food, and I get back home around 1am-2am...and in no good state to play (nor are the games very good). So then I end up reading/watching tv until 5-6am and falling asleep. Rinse and repeat.(Basically, I'm a lazy bum lately.)

[Abbaddabba 0]

That's pretty much how it's been for me, except i occasionally wake up at the early hour of 3pm to get in some hands before going out for dinner with friends.I think that once everyone get back to classes in september (or full time jobs), ill be able to focus more.I really, really want to start putting in FULL weeks (12k hands optimistically).

[Cappy37 0]

How many hours do you guys play that it would ever conflict with your lifestyles? 30 hours a week is a ton for online multitabling. I really dont know anyone who routinely plays more than 10k hands a week.The biggest time cost is browsing message boards by a long shot. Cut that out and you'll have lots of time for friends.Live is a LOT more time consuming, but i think cutting down on message boards would still leave a lot more time in the day to do other things if you're anything like i was in the past.

Get a job with an internet connection. Browsing message boards at work is huuuge +EV.Play poker when you get home.

[donk4life 34]

You guys have non e-friends?

Lol I found this especially funny coming from Zach..

[Balloon guy 158]

How do you control playing 'at' a person. I let my ego get involved way too much and when somebody makes a really bad play, and sucks out, I usually can remember that that is long term +EV, but sometimes they 'need a wupping' and I try to become the table sheriff to teach them a lesson. Usaully I end up losing my money to everyone at the table playing cards I shouldn't play, and making calls I shouldn't make.So it's not really tilt, it's more focused on one player.Oh and do you believe in hot cards?

[Abbaddabba 0]

Get a job with an internet connection. Browsing message boards at work is huuuge +EV.

Having a job is -EV.

[Mattnxtc 0]

Having a job is -EV.

45k guaranteed each year isnt exactly -ev for me right now

[Abbaddabba 0]

It is if that 40 hours a week otherwise represents about 200k in tax free earnings.

[Mattnxtc 0]

It is if that 40 hours a week otherwise represents about 200k in tax free earnings.

haha very true...though I do think you need to adjust the 200k to the actual value since its no guarantee youll hit it...but since I dont make near that its not a stress for me haha.

[ROGUE06 0]

Steve, one thing I always wondered about was how "bigger" pros go about on deciding on how much to take out of your bankroll and use for expenses(such as splurging on say a new tv, car, or vacation). I got a good idea about how most pros handle it having living expenses(6mo-1yr) set aside automatically. Also let me clarify when I say "bigger" pros, I mean the ones that are in that top percentile making 100k+ a year playing poker. When you are making that kind of money, how frequently do you decide to take some of your winnings out of the bankroll for buying things you want. Also, not to get too personal. but how do the bigger pros go about doing their taxes and handling medical insurance? Again, I am not trying to get your personal information, just your knowledge on that gray area about poker pros that I am curious to know more about in general.

[steve7stud 0]

How do you control playing 'at' a person. I let my ego get involved way too much and when somebody makes a really bad play, and sucks out, I usually can remember that that is long term +EV, but sometimes they 'need a wupping' and I try to become the table sheriff to teach them a lesson. Usaully I end up losing my money to everyone at the table playing cards I shouldn't play, and making calls I shouldn't make.So it's not really tilt, it's more focused on one player.Oh and do you believe in hot cards?

You will run into plenty of people that you don't like to play with in the poker world. Sometimes you will win money from them, but usually it will be from other people. The math alone dictates that you win money from the table in general as opposed to one person. To focus your energy on one player in particular for any personal reason is silly. Not to say that it isn't valid, but clearly it doesn't make sense. The only time you go after a player at the table is if they are weak, and you can take advantage of that. Poker is about making money, not teaching lessons to a player who got lucky, or getting even with others. The best way to get even with someone is to win.........period. If you take the game seriously, and want to play your best, you have to make the correct decision at all times. You can only do this by being as objective as possible.Define hot cards?

[steve7stud 0]

Steve, one thing I always wondered about was how "bigger" pros go about on deciding on how much to take out of your bankroll and use for expenses(such as splurging on say a new tv, car, or vacation). I got a good idea about how most pros handle it having living expenses(6mo-1yr) set aside automatically. Also let me clarify when I say "bigger" pros, I mean the ones that are in that top percentile making 100k+ a year playing poker. When you are making that kind of money, how frequently do you decide to take some of your winnings out of the bankroll for buying things you want. Also, not to get too personal. but how do the bigger pros go about doing their taxes and handling medical insurance? Again, I am not trying to get your personal information, just your knowledge on that gray area about poker pros that I am curious to know more about in general.

Most pros will keep x amount of dollars in their bank roll. They usually will have other money set aside for living expenses. Everyone treats their money differently. When someone is doing well they tend to buy things. That is human nature. I can't speak for all players. I know guys who spend money like it's going out of style. I also know some who are quite frugal. It really depends on the individual.If a poker player has to get health insuarance on his own, he simply applies for an indivdual policy. As far as taxes go, most people keep records. They also factor in tournaments. A good accountant will go over all of the necessary filings for a poker player and they should be fine.

[No_Neck 0]

Define hot cards?

KQ is hitting today... I think he is taking about that sort of thing. Balloon guy is an expert at picking the hot cards.

[BudBundy 0]

Steve , i remember Barry Greenstein saying " More than %50 of our winnings and losses in poker comes from either ours or other people's tilt" . Do you agree with this?

[Abbaddabba 0]

It's hard to tell what counts as tilt and what counts as poor play...A lot of the time you're put in difficult situations just because of how things happen to occur. When you're in a big pot with a strong hand and you suspect someone is bluffing and you pay them off, a lot of people would say that they did so because they were tilted by the fact that they drew out. But really the reason they paid off is because they thought there's a chance their hand was best. Shitty players use tilt as an excuse for their failure. Other than "bad luck" it's the easiest way to attribute the lack of success to external factors.