Q&a With Steve7stud

[El Guapo 8]

its tough for me to imagine an environment where you wouldn't want somebody like that there.

Its a friendly game, and this guy comes in treating it like a cut-throat high stakes underground cash game. I guess you would have to have been there to fully understand how it affected the game. I guess point being, if I wanted to get involved in game like that I would go to a casino, not a friendly home game. His actions made people not come back to the game for a while, life I said nobody else was there putting there mortgages on the line, he was.

[steve7stud 0]

Usually $$60 - $100 ..... we had to limit the buy in because the word got out on the game and some crazy gamlbing mexicans (a couple of the players new them) came and brought thousand to sit down in this game. Although it is a pretty big game for a home game, we still want it to be fun, not cut-throat. Nobody was gambling with their mortgage payments until that guy showed up, it was also the reason we switched from a NL HE game to PL dealers choice, but PLO is the game played 80% of the time, some PLO8 and some PL HE., with and occasional a-5 or 2-7 thrown in. If someone ever chooses razz or Stud we switch to either a 2-4 or 4-8 limit for that round. When we were just playing NL he would be $300 into a 30 pot, it got ridiculous. I know that if you are at casino you want an idiot like that there, but not in this environment.Yes the max opener is $7, so we have a lot of post flop play unless there is a re-raise preflop.

Sorry it took me awhile to respond to this. It's been forever since a new topic came up, and I just haven't checked this thread lately.I'm glad that you didn't ask for advice regarding plo in general, it's my worst game. As far as how much money to set aside, I always tell people that they should have 20-50 buy-ins for no limit/pot limit games.One of the keys to playing and winning is to be comfortable. So when you don't have to worry about the money as much, it makes things a lot easier. At least for most people.Roy West who writes for Card Player said something like, When the losses are starting to hurt, it's time to quit. I think this is very true. Poker is meant to be fun. Everyone wants to win of course. But, even if you book a loss, if the money is not terribly signifigant to you.......it makes things much more tolerable.Hope that helps.

[El Guapo 8]

Sorry it took me awhile to respond to this. It's been forever since a new topic came up, and I just haven't checked this thread lately.I'm glad that you didn't ask for advice regarding plo in general, it's my worst game. As far as how much money to set aside, I always tell people that they should have 20-50 buy-ins for no limit/pot limit games.One of the keys to playing and winning is to be comfortable. So when you don't have to worry about the money as much, it makes things a lot easier. At least for most people.Roy West who writes for Card Player said something like, When the losses are starting to hurt, it's time to quit. I think this is very true. Poker is meant to be fun. Everyone wants to win of course. But, even if you book a loss, if the money is not terribly signifigant to you.......it makes things much more tolerable.Hope that helps.

Yeah it does, I was playing when I had just poker money of about $1,000 - $1,500 in this game and it was sufficient, the problem always has been an expense with came up, car, dentisit, etc. so I would dip, then a loss affected the BR. But I guess having 2-4K would really allow me to open up and put my money in when I am a favorite and not worry as much about the swings. PLO is such and up and down game.

[xzanos 0]

Steve, can you explain cross booking? Thanks.

[steve7stud 0]

Steve, can you explain cross booking? Thanks.

Ugh. Jamie has asked me this question quite a few times. I would actually rather not talk about it. I personally don't think it's a good habit to get into. It is essentially a way for two people to say that each one is going to win more than the other in any given session. The loser has to pay for his losses and the other players winnings. There is a very simple explanation that I can give you, but I fear that people will start doing it. And again, I want to try and focus on being a healthy gambler, not a degenerate one. Lets skip cross booking as a topic.

[bdc30 0]

I just googled it, if anyone's that interested it's easy enough to find. Seems like a pretty stupid thing to do, imho

[FARGOpokerND 22]

I'm not sure if this has been asked in some form yet, as I am wayyyyy too tired at this instant to trudge through 13 pages of questions. But...when going through severe swings after a few months of average increase in profit, what should someone look for to tell if the swing is caused by variance one way or the other, or just due to incorrect play in some form or another....a technical flaw of sorts. Obviously PokerTracker is a good source to figure out the exact numbers, I have it for both omaha and nlh. But assuming you dont have it, what are keys to look for when trying to determine whether the variance is a direct result from a new style of play you have subconciencesly (sp?) incorperated.

[eyeboule 0]

This is a thread where you can ask me any poker related questions.I will always give you my honest opinion.Please keep in mind that I might not be correct, hopefully I am. But I will do my best to help.

Hello Steve, I'm not a newbie...but then again sort of..been playing for about a bit more than a year. I only play the low or micro NLHE games because I am just a casual player ... if that is the term. I have a few questions, if I may.I notice that players play more like donkeys at the 5 buck table NLHE than the lower tables..such as the 3 buck tables. I try to apply the small ball strategy..but with so many donkeys..it is kind of hard. Is it just my perception, or is this the normal?Second, seeing as how I will never become a pro, are there any poker books or dvd's you can recommend to me to improve my game at the level I am and will be?Thanks for reading this and responding if possible!Take care and have a great day :Deyeboule

[drcossack 0]

Hello Steve, I'm not a newbie...but then again sort of..been playing for about a bit more than a year. I only play the low or micro NLHE games because I am just a casual player ... if that is the term. I have a few questions, if I may.I notice that players play more like donkeys at the 5 buck table NLHE than the lower tables..such as the 3 buck tables. I try to apply the small ball strategy..but with so many donkeys..it is kind of hard. Is it just my perception, or is this the normal?Second, seeing as how I will never become a pro, are there any poker books or dvd's you can recommend to me to improve my game at the level I am and will be?Thanks for reading this and responding if possible!Take care and have a great day :Deyeboule

Not Steve, but:Being a LAG player who has his hands in a lot of pots won't work at this limit.Play really tight, you get paid off on your hands anyway.Second: Dunno about DVD's, but for books:Super System/SS II of courseDepending on what games you want to play:NLHE - Harrington AINEC (Volume 2 is the best of the 3, IMO) - I also saw a thread on I think 2+2 that Volume 4 (his book on cash games) will be out next year (February I think)Stud - 7 Card Stud for Advanced PlayersLHE - Small Stakes Hold'emThere's really nothing on Razz to my knowledge (Sklansky on Poker has a section on it, but I've never read it), and I haven't seen much on hi/lo split games outside of Super System(s).I forget where he said it, but Steve isn't a big fan of books - I'm not either. I've read the three I mentioned originally, but I mostly learned through playing and exposing myself to different situations, playing different styles (LAG, TAG, etc), etc.One thing I can tell you is that they teach an ABC style that works at lower stakes, but it won't be as effective as you progress.

[eyeboule 0]

Not Steve, but:Being a LAG player who has his hands in a lot of pots won't work at this limit.Play really tight, you get paid off on your hands anyway.Second: Dunno about DVD's, but for books:Super System/SS II of courseDepending on what games you want to play:NLHE - Harrington AINEC (Volume 2 is the best of the 3, IMO) - I also saw a thread on I think 2+2 that Volume 4 (his book on cash games) will be out next year (February I think)Stud - 7 Card Stud for Advanced PlayersLHE - Small Stakes Hold'emThere's really nothing on Razz to my knowledge (Sklansky on Poker has a section on it, but I've never read it), and I haven't seen much on hi/lo split games outside of Super System(s).I forget where he said it, but Steve isn't a big fan of books - I'm not either. I've read the three I mentioned originally, but I mostly learned through playing and exposing myself to different situations, playing different styles (LAG, TAG, etc), etc.One thing I can tell you is that they teach an ABC style that works at lower stakes, but it won't be as effective as you progress.

Thanks so much for your input :DI am strictly on NLHE at the present time..but Omaha seems interesting...maybe...again...thanks for the tips and info!Have a great day :-)

[fatman 1]

What are some things we should be doing to get prepared and in the right mindset to play a session?

[gfdsa146 0]

What are some things we should be doing to get prepared and in the right mindset to play a session?

I'd be interested in hearing steve's response to this. I usually hop onto PS whenever I feel like it and realize that my head is in the right/wrong place about 10 minutes into the session. I always wondered if there was something you're supposed to do before sitting down for a session like: taking a jog or taking a shower first or something that refreshes you. Maybe meditation? Eat right? (well this is pretty obvious i think, time moves pretty slow for me when i'm hungry - which makes me impatient resulting in a K-8 s000ted push all-in preflop).

[steve7stud 0]

I'm not sure if this has been asked in some form yet, as I am wayyyyy too tired at this instant to trudge through 13 pages of questions. But...when going through severe swings after a few months of average increase in profit, what should someone look for to tell if the swing is caused by variance one way or the other, or just due to incorrect play in some form or another....a technical flaw of sorts. Obviously PokerTracker is a good source to figure out the exact numbers, I have it for both omaha and nlh. But assuming you dont have it, what are keys to look for when trying to determine whether the variance is a direct result from a new style of play you have subconciencesly (sp?) incorperated.

I've talked about variance a bit. But I will share again. David Oppenheim gave me great advice about variance. He said that he really doesn't believe in long term variance. If someone is losing on a routine basis, they are doing something wrong. You're not getting unlucky..........you're outclassed. Just learn to be honest with yourself. Most people know what the right answer is, and look to variance as an excuse.

[steve7stud 0]

What are some things we should be doing to get prepared and in the right mindset to play a session?

Don't play when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. That's a good first step.Next, make sure that you not only want to play, but are well rested and prepared to win. Think happy thoughts.

[CobaltBlue 662]

Don't play when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

If you need to remember it, fatman, "someone" taught me a nice little acronym: HALT.

[drcossack 0]

If you need to remember it, fatman, "someone" taught me a nice little acronym: HALT.

Wonder who that could've been...

[TheWanderer 0]

Great thread. I've always enjoy reading your posts, especially during the DN vs Dreamclown era.

[HoosierAlum 0]

You gonna be around for the LAPC?

[CobaltBlue 662]

You gonna be around for the LAPC?

I'm going to guess that's quite likely. When you coming in? I'll be there 29th-2nd. Might make a second visit depending on how the first goes (read: if I win a seat to the ME).

[Ouch-8s 4]

I've talked about variance a bit. But I will share again. David Oppenheim gave me great advice about variance. He said that he really doesn't believe in long term variance. If someone is losing on a routine basis, they are doing something wrong. You're not getting unlucky..........you're outclassed. Just learn to be honest with yourself. Most people know what the right answer is, and look to variance as an excuse.

seems to be reasonable that goes both ways then - if you're winning on a routine basis, you're doing something right. what is considered long-term enough to qualify here?

[antistuff 0]

seems to be reasonable that goes both ways then - if you're winning on a routine basis, you're doing something right. what is considered long-term enough to qualify here?

after playing for a while i think if you are really honest with yourself you know if you are beating a game or not. its one of those skills you just get over time.

[gfdsa146 0]

I've talked about variance a bit. But I will share again. David Oppenheim gave me great advice about variance. He said that he really doesn't believe in long term variance. If someone is losing on a routine basis, they are doing something wrong. You're not getting unlucky..........you're outclassed. Just learn to be honest with yourself. Most people know what the right answer is, and look to variance as an excuse.

I've been playing .01/.02 6max NLHE for a while. I've have been and plan on grinding up, winning little by little, until i reach the magic $200 BR so i can move up. Every now and then, i see a really good .02/.05 game and i take a shot, buying in for the max. However, every single time i sit in "the big game", i lose most or all of my buy-in, frustratingly erasing a week's worth of grinding. Now this doesnt happen little by little, I usually get tangled in some huge gigantic pot that i lose. All times except for once (where i had to flip preflop for stacks my AK vs his QQ), i was ahead by a good margin. Things like my top set vs a flush draw, my top pair better kicker vs an inferior top pair. I havent once won them. I'm not complaining about my bad luck, beats generally don't bother me; i'm complaining because i can't find something to blame aside from bad luck.When i started to develop a losing trend in "the big game", I immediately referred to your philosophy about "running bad". I started, and still am, looking for SOMETHING i'm doing wrong. However, looking at the way i'm losing (in increments of big pots where i'm ahead), I can't find anything wrong. Although I'm trying to be honest, brutally honest with myself with respect to my play in "the big game", I get more and more angry when I can't find something to blame my bad play on aside from negative variance. For what it's worth, I do feel scared when I play in "the big game", but the way the big pots were played, it was so incredibly standard that it wouldn't matter whether or not I was playing scared.Of course, this is a hard question to answer without knowing how i played those sessions in detail, but after everything i've said, can I attribute those losing sessions to variance? Or is there something else you can attach to my losing results, and that i'm just still under the spell of "running bad"

[drcossack 0]

I've been playing .01/.02 6max NLHE for a while. I've have been and plan on grinding up, winning little by little, until i reach the magic $200 BR so i can move up. Every now and then, i see a really good .02/.05 game and i take a shot, buying in for the max. However, every single time i sit in "the big game", i lose most or all of my buy-in, frustratingly erasing a week's worth of grinding. Now this doesnt happen little by little, I usually get tangled in some huge gigantic pot that i lose. All times except for once (where i had to flip preflop for stacks my AK vs his QQ), i was ahead by a good margin. Things like my top set vs a flush draw, my top pair better kicker vs an inferior top pair. I havent once won them. I'm not complaining about my bad luck, beats generally don't bother me; i'm complaining because i can't find something to blame aside from bad luck.When i started to develop a losing trend in "the big game", I immediately referred to your philosophy about "running bad". I started, and still am, looking for SOMETHING i'm doing wrong. However, looking at the way i'm losing (in increments of big pots where i'm ahead), I can't find anything wrong. Although I'm trying to be honest, brutally honest with myself with respect to my play in "the big game", I get more and more angry when I can't find something to blame my bad play on aside from negative variance. For what it's worth, I do feel scared when I play in "the big game", but the way the big pots were played, it was so incredibly standard that it wouldn't matter whether or not I was playing scared.Of course, this is a hard question to answer without knowing how i played those sessions in detail, but after everything i've said, can I attribute those losing sessions to variance? Or is there something else you can attach to my losing results, and that i'm just still under the spell of "running bad"

Sounds like a confidence issue. Um, take a break maybe? If nothing else, pick up a different game (Low limit Razz and Stud 8 games are goldmines)During the summer of last year, I was in a similar boat - I wasn't winning flips, I was playing bad, etc. I take a month off, my first hands of poker were played live at a school tourney, I ended up taking 3rd.Since then, I've improved my reading abilities (mostly hands, I need to work on reading people), I can focus better, and I'm more confident in my plays.

[gfdsa146 0]

Sounds like a confidence issue. Um, take a break maybe? If nothing else, pick up a different game (Low limit Razz and Stud 8 games are goldmines)During the summer of last year, I was in a similar boat - I wasn't winning flips, I was playing bad, etc. I take a month off, my first hands of poker were played live at a school tourney, I ended up taking 3rd.Since then, I've improved my reading abilities (mostly hands, I need to work on reading people), I can focus better, and I'm more confident in my plays.

my problem is this, i can't find the spots that i play bad. Again, my losses are not strung out over a series of small-to-medium pots where i make marginal mistakes and get slowly grinded down. The situations in which I lose are very few but very large, and in each of them I can't spot any mistakes because the way they played out was so standard. Like the top set vs flush draw. I get pkt 7's in the BB, and i check in the face of an army of limpers. I flop top set, 3/4 pot it. Villian shoves /w the J-high flush draw and then gets there. Please, please do not interpret this as me being angry that he got there. I celebrate when someone does a donk-shove like this. But you see how standard this hand is? Imagine running into this over, and over and over again. I want to know why it's happening. My first instinct says its variance, but I'm trying to take the advice of a better player and attach it to something that is non-random.

[steve7stud 0]

I've been playing .01/.02 6max NLHE for a while. I've have been and plan on grinding up, winning little by little, until i reach the magic $200 BR so i can move up. Every now and then, i see a really good .02/.05 game and i take a shot, buying in for the max. However, every single time i sit in "the big game", i lose most or all of my buy-in, frustratingly erasing a week's worth of grinding. Now this doesnt happen little by little, I usually get tangled in some huge gigantic pot that i lose. All times except for once (where i had to flip preflop for stacks my AK vs his QQ), i was ahead by a good margin. Things like my top set vs a flush draw, my top pair better kicker vs an inferior top pair. I havent once won them. I'm not complaining about my bad luck, beats generally don't bother me; i'm complaining because i can't find something to blame aside from bad luck.When i started to develop a losing trend in "the big game", I immediately referred to your philosophy about "running bad". I started, and still am, looking for SOMETHING i'm doing wrong. However, looking at the way i'm losing (in increments of big pots where i'm ahead), I can't find anything wrong. Although I'm trying to be honest, brutally honest with myself with respect to my play in "the big game", I get more and more angry when I can't find something to blame my bad play on aside from negative variance. For what it's worth, I do feel scared when I play in "the big game", but the way the big pots were played, it was so incredibly standard that it wouldn't matter whether or not I was playing scared.Of course, this is a hard question to answer without knowing how i played those sessions in detail, but after everything i've said, can I attribute those losing sessions to variance? Or is there something else you can attach to my losing results, and that i'm just still under the spell of "running bad"

Obviously it could be short term variance. I have no idea what kind of sample size we are talking about.Your confidence is already low when you step into "larger" games because of your past results. I would reccomend waiting until you have the proper br to play those limits. At that time you should have a better grasp of how your hands are really holding up over a longer period of time.