Prepping for Vegas - Bankroll Challenge (3 Viewers)

[Rhodeman77]

$1/$3 $300 cap is exactly what I play. It just seems to be getting weird recently. People are usually loose passive and very straightforward, which makes it easier to play fairly aggressively and fold when played back at.

I seem to be running into really strange slow played hands a lot that make zero sense. It’s like players have changed and are playing weirdly overall, but I can’t figure out how to respond to it, other than playing super tight (which I am, but it’s just corresponding with a bad run of cards too).

Like you say, I’ll drag myself out of it in the end, it’s just bad timing with the trip coming up.

Do the majority of the players buy in for the full $300 or is there a lot of people playing $100 stacks? Around here the casino $1/3 game is full of sub $100 stacks that take any post flop play other than shoving or folding out of the game.

Obviously the deeper the stacks the more room for creative play and wider hand selection. If they play short, bet bigger preflop with a smaller range and force them to play for stacks if they want to continue.

 

[Perthmike]

Do the majority of the players buy in for the full $300 or is there a lot of people playing $100 stacks? Around here the casino $1/3 game is full of sub $100 stacks that take any post flop play other than shoving or folding out of the game.

Obviously the deeper the stacks the more room for creative play and wider hand selection. If they play short, bet bigger preflop with a smaller range and force them to play for stacks if they want to continue.

The majority tend to buy in for the max. The issue is the rake. 10% capped at $15.

There isn’t room for creative play really. For a while I was definitely opening a bit too wide and trying to be fancy, which I was getting away with because I was able to figure people out a bit easier post flop. I seem to have lost that ability, and I have really reigned it in recently. I just need to keep doing it and good things will come.

I’m actually looking forward to seeing how different it is in Vegas, with a lower rake and deeper structure.

 

[Saoliver]

The majority tend to buy in for the max. The issue is the rake. 10% capped at $15.

There isn’t room for creative play really. For a while I was definitely opening a bit too wide and trying to be fancy, which I was getting away with because I was able to figure people out a bit easier post flop. I seem to have lost that ability, and I have really reigned it in recently. I just need to keep doing it and good things will come.

I’m actually looking forward to seeing how different it is in Vegas, with a lower rake and deeper structure.

Is that a normal rake? Wow. I thought my local card room was brutal with a $3 rake and $4 player bonus rake per hand. $15 is outrageous. It’s not like the dealer is working much harder for a bigger pot.

 

[kmccormick100]

Is that a normal rake? Wow. I thought my local card room was brutal with a $3 rake and $4 player bonus rake per hand. $15 is outrageous. It’s not like the dealer is working much harder for a bigger pot.

Cali $1/3 $300 cap games are almost unbeatable with $6 flat pulled from every pot that sees a flop. 10% is nice when it’s capped at $5-6, I’d wonder whether 10% capped at $15 is beatable long term, especially with variance thrown in.

 

[sergiophil]

$1/$3 $300 cap is exactly what I play. It just seems to be getting weird recently. People are usually loose passive and very straightforward, which makes it easier to play fairly aggressively and fold when played back at.

I seem to be running into really strange slow played hands a lot that make zero sense. It’s like players have changed and are playing weirdly overall, but I can’t figure out how to respond to it, other than playing super tight (which I am, but it’s just corresponding with a bad run of cards too).

Like you say, I’ll drag myself out of it in the end, it’s just bad timing with the trip coming up.

Are these the same group of regs at the casino when you play or are they different all the time? Maybe they have changed there game up a little to try and win against you? Just throwing out some ideas. The casino I play at, guys play really loose and chase a lot of times when I’ve played aggressive towards them.

Don’t beat yourself up, run good will continue, just tough before your trip. Stay positive and keep to your strategy and good things will come!

 

[Perthmike]

Thanks all for the thoughts and moral support. It has helped and I feel a bit better about everything.

I’ve had a think about it and I’ve decided to take a week off again and return on Friday after work and try to put a long session in.

Some of the mid-week afternoons can be a bit tougher, so I might see how it goes on a Friday night. If it goes badly, or I’m getting annoyed and playing badly, then I think I definitely will shut it down until Vegas.

On top of the runbad, I’ve not been dieting at all and I’ve been slack in the gym, so I’m basically in my worst physical shape for the last 3 years right now lol. I just can’t stop eating cake, chocolate and pizza.

I’m now initiating operation lifestyle change for Vegas.

My aims are:
• Get back to enjoying poker/win some cash back (no $ goal, ill be happy with even a few hundred profit between now and Vegas
• Start eating properly and meal prepping again
• Do at least 3 weight sessions a week
• Drop from 176 lbs to 169.5lbs by 21st May when I fly out of Australia for the holiday.
• Be focussed and motivated at work everyday to perform to my best level. I’m on a temporary promotion right now which ends in late August, with the possibility of extension. I’d like to make sure I do everything in my power to get that date extended.

I’ve also thought of a backup plan if the bankroll doesn’t pick up. Half my remaining bankroll is tied up in these. They may have to go.

I’ve been threatening to start the diet for 5 weeks to no avail. To keep me on track Ill post updates every Saturday morning. Feel free to abuse me if I haven’t lost sufficient weight each week.

 

[Saoliver]

Thanks all for the thoughts and moral support. It has helped and I feel a bit better about everything.

I’ve had a think about it and I’ve decided to take a week off again and return on Friday after work and try to put a long session in.

Some of the mid-week afternoons can be a bit tougher, so I might see how it goes on a Friday night. If it goes badly, or I’m getting annoyed and playing badly, then I think I definitely will shut it down until Vegas.

On top of the runbad, I’ve not been dieting at all and I’ve been slack in the gym, so I’m basically in my worst physical shape for the last 3 years right now lol. I just can’t stop eating cake, chocolate and pizza.

I’m now initiating operation lifestyle change for Vegas.

My aims are:
• Get back to enjoying poker/win some cash back (no $ goal, ill be happy with even a few hundred profit between now and Vegas
• Start eating properly and meal prepping again
• Do at least 3 weight sessions a week
• Drop from 176 lbs to 169.5lbs by 21st May when I fly out of Australia for the holiday.
• Be focussed and motivated at work everyday to perform to my best level. I’m on a temporary promotion right now which ends in late August, with the possibility of extension. I’d like to make sure I do everything in my power to get that date extended.

I’ve also thought of a backup plan if the bankroll doesn’t pick up. Half my remaining bankroll is tied up in these. They may have to go.
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I’ve been threatening to start the diet for 5 weeks to no avail. To keep me on track Ill post updates every Saturday morning. Feel free to abuse me if I haven’t lost sufficient weight each week.

Sounds like a good plan. For me, frame of mind has always determined how I do at the table. I don’t get to play live much any more. I may plan a week or more in advance. Then, when the evening comes...if I don’t feel good about it, I stay home. Saves me money every time.

Usually, when I play well, I had a really good feeling about the session before going in. Maybe it is just superstition. Maybe I am just more focused and in tune with MY game. But without fail, if I feel good about playing, I win.

 

[DrStrange]

Food for thought -or- something to chew on:

There might be some mental linkage between not staying on a diet, not keeping your exercise routine and the sudden change of fortunes at the table.

Essentially, there is no chance that random back luck can explain the changes in Hero's win rate. Sure, there likely is some "run bad" contributing but that isn't the only factor or even the most important. A bad run of luck can devastate a limit player. A +2bb/100 win rate shrivels facing bad variation on a +/- 13bb/100 standard deviation in limit poker. A +15bb/100 win rate in a big bet game is highly resilient vs. a +/- 17bb/100 standard deviation in no limit hold'em. { numbers for win rate and standard deviation based on my own on-line results, your numbers will be different } A solidly winning big bet poker player should not have a run of cards so unlucky that they lose a big chunk of a bankroll. There are other explanations.

Yes, take a week off. Get your non poker life back in order. Reread a good poker book or two. Reset the stage and only then start playing again. Do after action reviews of each session. I do my review while exercising { walking or water exercises for me }.

Good luck! -=- DrStrange

PS 1bb in limit poker is 2x the big blind. 1bb in no limit poker is the big blind. So, $2/$5 no limit is roughly the same as a $5/$10 limit poker game.

PPS an extra dollar rake can wipe out the win rate in a small stakes limit game. The same increase in a big bet game might knock 3bb off a win rate in a $2/$5 game.

 

[JustinInMN]

Seriously, there are illegal games in the states not taking 15/pot.

Vegas will probably be worth 10/hr, at least to your win rate.

I would rather play in smaller home games than give that much to the drop.

 

[RainmanTrail]

Quick update. I suck at poker and the downswing has continued. I went down to $8800, got back to $10,100 and have since gone on a diabolically bad run and absolutely torched the bankroll, which now stands at only $7700 (of which about $3800, I’ve tied up in chips).

I’m contemplating stopping any further play and only starting again when I get to Vegas. If I lose anymore it puts my trip in a bit of jeopardy.

Besides, I’m hating playing at the moment anyway. I’ve lost the last 4-5 times I’ve had AA and KK, and I think I’m legitimately at about 11-14 missed flops in a row with AJ, AQ and AK.

I just go hours on end raising pre-flop then folding flop or calling one bet and then folding. Eventually I get annoyed and overplay something later in the session and get called and lose. I did finally get a boat yesterday, but it was a chopped pot.

You need to take a break from poker. Get out, start exercising, enjoy the world outside and clear your head. Your bankroll will thank you. The best players I know have all been there before. Don't try to overthink your game and what you're doing wrong either. It can all fuck with your head and really affect your game in ways you aren't even aware of. Just take some time off, you have plenty for a Vegas bankroll and it's all still in the black, remember that. When you get to Vegas, you'll be dying to play again. Just sit down, enjoy the game and play in the moment. Don't show up with some hand chart in your pocket while you study your 3-bet and 4-bet range charts. Just put it all aside and play by feel. Watch your opponents, plan your attacks, pick your spots, and execute like you know how. The money will come again, I promise.

 

[Perthmike]

You need to take a break from poker. Get out, start exercising, enjoy the world outside and clear your head. Your bankroll will thank you. The best players I know have all been there before. Don't try to overthink your game and what you're doing wrong either. It can all fuck with your head and really affect your game in ways you aren't even aware of. Just take some time off, you have plenty for a Vegas bankroll and it's all still in the black, remember that. When you get to Vegas, you'll be dying to play again. Just sit down, enjoy the game and play in the moment. Don't show up with some hand chart in your pocket while you study your 3-bet and 4-bet range charts. Just put it all aside and play by feel. Watch your opponents, plan your attacks, pick your spots, and execute like you know how. The money will come again, I promise.

That was very motivational, thanks.

I’ve been back in the gym the last two days, which has motivated me to eat clean and i feel better already to be fair.

 

[Perthmike]

Operation lifestyle change week 1 update

So the first part of the challenge has gone very well, I’ve been hitting the gym regularly and have stuck to my diet perfectly for the whole week. My body has responded extremely well and I’ve dropped from 176 lbs to 173.2lbs in a week.

I’ve had some potential work run-good as well. The position at work that I’m covering on the temporary promotion is about to become permanently vacant, because my friend that permanently occupies the position just resigned for a job in another department. It’s not certain that I’ll get it, but I had zero chance of being made permanent before. Now that he’s resigned, I’ve got a fairly good chance of getting it permanently. We are just starting to try for a baby, so i’m definitely crossing my fingers.

No poker updates, but I haven’t wanted to play and i really think it might be best for me to stop anyway. As others said, by the time I get on holiday I will be itching to play. I think my energies will be better spent focusing on work and gym.

 

[Perthmike]

Update for week 4. I haven't really lost anymore weight, maybe half a pound. Though I've been getting in the gym pretty regularly and for the most part eating better.

The mirror is showing that I've made some nice improvements though, and sometimes that's what matters rather than the scales.

The wife has an all day wine tour and funnily enough I had the urge to go play poker again, for the first time in a month.

Sat down about 15 minutes ago and won a nice pot for about $115 with top pair that I thought I played nicely.

In for $300 so far and I'm allowed to be here all night if necessary lol. Wish me luck

 

[Perthmike]

And it's going well

Turned the nut straight, checked, original raiser jammed, old guy calls and I rejam. Brick river thankfully as one of them showed a flopped set of queens

 

[Perthmike]

Played for another hour, lost a few small pots and cashed out $375 profit.

Decided i needed the mental victory of leaving with a profit. And the extra $375 can be more bankroll for the trip.

 

[kmccormick100]

Glad to hear you’re playing and playing well again, that first winning session is always key to get you back in a good mental state. I’m getting so excited for Vegas! I fly out in less than 4 weeks now!!

 

[detroitdad]

Played for another hour, lost a few small pots and cashed out $375 profit.

Decided i needed the mental victory of leaving with a profit. And the extra $375 can be more bankroll for the trip.

Good for you bud. I'm really looking forward to following your Vegas trip

 

[Quicksilver-75]

Sooooo, what is the travel time for a trip from Australia to Vegas?

 

[Perthmike]

Sooooo, what is the travel time for a trip from Australia to Vegas?

If I were going straight there it would be 4.5 hours to Sydney, then about 14 hours to LA. And however long it takes to get to Vegas from there.

I'll be going to Hong Kong first for 3 nights, then London for 2, before flying out to LA. That's a shit tonne of flying in 5 days. Thankfully I'll have 15 days in the US to recover.

My round the world ticket cost me the equivalent of $700usd, and was on a crazy sale, so we had to jump on it very quickly and couldn't risk playing with the dates too much or they'd have sold out.

I'm so excited now that I'm going to channel @Anthony Martino and start chanting USA USA USA.

 

[Perthmike]

Glad to hear you’re playing and playing well again, that first winning session is always key to get you back in a good mental state. I’m getting so excited for Vegas! I fly out in less than 4 weeks now!!

 

[APatHand]

About 19 days, but who's counting?

 

[Rhodeman77]

Played for another hour, lost a few small pots and cashed out $375 profit.

Decided i needed the mental victory of leaving with a profit. And the extra $375 can be more bankroll for the trip.

Poker is more of mental game than anything else. Having a positive mindset is more important than anything else IMO. Over the last 2 months I have been about break even. I’d have 3-4 $500 or so winning sessions in a row then have a $1500 losing night.

I knew eventually I’d have a night where the big flips I kept getting into would go more my way than not and last game I won the majority of those big hands for a huge night. Hopefully the averages continue to come in as they are supposed to for me! I can’t ask for anything more. But when they don’t, it can make you question everything you are doing at the poker table.

 

[Perthmike]

Poker is more of mental game than anything else. Having a positive mindset is more important than anything else IMO. Over the last 2 months I have been about break even. I’d have 3-4 $500 or so winning sessions in a row then have a $1500 losing night.

I knew eventually I’d have a night where the big flips I kept getting into would go more my way than not and last game I won the majority of those big hands for a huge night. Hopefully the averages continue to come in as they are supposed to for me! I can’t ask for anything more. But when they don’t, it can make you question everything you are doing at the poker table.

That's very true and I have been questioning myself a lot.

I feel positive again though, but I still think I might not play again until I leave for holiday. I've got next Friday earmarked for a session if I want to, but I'm going to wait and see how I feel on the day.

A friend of mine plays for a living in Perth at mostly $1/$3 and has averaged $23 and hour for the last 18 months. He just ended April on -$4000 and is the best player I know. That put things into perspective for me.

I'm still $8200 up from poker in the last 18 months so I can't be that bad. I've set aside $6000 now and I'm going to call it a new bankroll and start fresh from Vegas.

Afterall poker is only a bit of fun for me.

Today is a 7km hike through the hills in prep for the Yosemite and Hong Kong hikes we have planned.

 

[bsdunbar1]

That's very true and I have been questioning myself a lot.

I feel positive again though, but I still think I might not play again until I leave for holiday. I've got next Friday earmarked for a session if I want to, but I'm going to wait and see how I feel on the day.

A friend of mine plays for a living in Perth at mostly $1/$3 and has averaged $23 and hour for the last 18 months. He just ended April on -$4000 and is the best player I know. That put things into perspective for me.

I'm still $8200 up from poker in the last 18 months so I can't be that bad. I've set aside $6000 now and I'm going to call it a new bankroll and start fresh from Vegas.

Afterall poker is only a bit of fun for me.

Today is a 7km hike through the hills in prep for the Yosemite and Hong Kong hikes we have planned.
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A hike like that in Australia must have about 87 different animals/creatures that will kill you

 

[APatHand]

A hike like that in Australia must have about 87 different animals/creatures that will kill you

Sounds like a walk on the strip

 

[Perthmike]

A hike like that in Australia must have about 87 different animals/creatures that will kill you

We get some deadly snakes for sure in WA, but that's about it.

I had a motocross race once where the marshall made us cut the engines on the starting line, just to tell us there was an brown snake on the inside of turn 9 and to make sure we don't crash there.

She turned around and walked back and signalled for the race to start. No big deal, just the deadliest snake in Australia on the track. Funny stuff

 

[Perthmike]

Just figuring out my trip budget and for the solo Vegas part, I'm staying for 7 nights, have a car for the whole trip and have 3 comp buffets I can use through myvegas.

I'm planning to eat super cheap all week (which is easy for me since I'm a plain and boring eater). As per suggestions from @Lemonzest @Trihonda and @GIANTDustySquid I'm planning to eat at places like Ellis island, ocean one and Earl of sandwich.

Im also going to get a bunch of protein bars, bananas, nuts etc for snacks so that the diet doesn't go totally out the window. If my room is has a microwave I'll probably even just stick to my standard breakfast of oats, water and protein powder lol. I also believe that some rooms comp you meals for playing for a certain number of hours. Does this apply to 1/2 and 1/3 games?

The wife's given me a preliminary budget of about $90usd a day to spend whilst I'm there.

Since Im not much of a drinker, and my trip will consist of gym, poker, pool and harvesting I reckon I can keep my daily spend down to about $30usd for the most part.

Vegas regulars, is this realistic? My thoughts are that if I keep it down to $30, the other $60 can be used to supplement the gambling bankroll and harvest tonnes more chips lol.

 

[Highli99]

Just figuring out my trip budget and for the solo Vegas part, I'm staying for 7 nights, have a car for the whole trip and have 3 comp buffets I can use through myvegas.

I'm planning to eat super cheap all week (which is easy for me since I'm a plain and boring eater). As per suggestions from @Lemonzest @Trihonda and @GIANTDustySquid I'm planning to eat at places like Ellis island, ocean one and Earl of sandwich.

Im also going to get a bunch of protein bars, bananas, nuts etc for snacks so that the diet doesn't go totally out the window. If my room is has a microwave I'll probably even just stick to my standard breakfast of oats, water and protein powder lol. I also believe that some rooms comp you meals for playing for a certain number of hours. Does this apply to 1/2 and 1/3 games?

The wife's given me a preliminary budget of about $90usd a day to spend whilst I'm there.

Since Im not much of a drinker, and my trip will consist of gym, poker, pool and harvesting I reckon I can keep my daily spend down to about $30usd for the most part.

Vegas regulars, is this realistic? My thoughts are that if I keep it down to $30, the other $60 can be used to supplement the gambling bankroll and harvest tonnes more chips lol.

You will have no problem with this. Check out comps in advance!

 

[moose]

MGM casinos the poker comps suck. They are only good in the casino you earn them at and you have to get the poker room to print you the comp. Caesar Rewards are earned everytime you show your card, hotel, restaurant, spa, gaming wherever you spend money show your card - also often your card will get you a discount as well. The comps earned can be spent in any of their casinos. If you are staying at a Caesars property, use up your comps when you check out and then you won't waste a single dollar. If your wife plays anything she can earn comps too and you can use both cards when you checkout. Also you may get a coupon book when you sign up

 

[Huck]

I definitely see your point, but I have that personality type where I do need a very specific target to aim towards. Also, I’m a numbers guy and I like to plan everything out lol.

Other than cashing out early sometimes when I’m a decent way ahead, I don’t really think about it at the table. I try to play as optimally as I am capable and am happy to lose, as long as I feel like I played well.

Where the bankroll challenge does come into play is session planning. It’s just an easier indicator of how many extra hours I’m likely going to need to put in as the time for the trip gets closer.

I agree about being happy when I play well even when I lose. Two weeks ago I was up 600$ in less than two hours at a 1/2 table. I cashed out and went home. Usually I would be elated in such a senario and could not figure out why I had not really enjoyed the session. Then I started thinking about the donkey plays I had made and how my win was based on dumb luck as my play was actually well below where I am usually at.