Monday, March 19, 2007
1st Step to Recovery
They say that the first step to recovery is to admit that you have a problem.
So, here it goes.
I have a problem. This is a little embarrassing, but ….I like to play Low Limit Home Poker Games.
That’s right – low stakes limit poker. I love it! There’s nothing better than 10 buddies sitting around a poker table watching the game on TV or some other late night programming, playing $1/$2 or $2/$4 limit mixed games, giving each other the business for bad plays and suckouts, etc…
There is extra satisfaction when you play low stakes poker with good players and can win a little money. It’s much better than playing low stakes at the casino with a bunch of Donkeys that can’t read their own hand.
There’s also something very liberating about playing at stakes that are well within one’s bankroll. I’ve went to the casino with $400 before and sat down at the $100 max buy in NLHE game and went broke twice. It sucks when you are making your 3rd reload and you know you only have enough ammunition for one more reload. It affects your play. It affects your confidence, your attitude. It’s a disadvantage.
On the other hand, when you take $400 to the $2/$4 limit home game, if you loose $100 you’ve either had a real nasty run or you’re playing like a mule. It’s real hard to loose $400. It’s also real hard to win $400. The swings are usually in the range of +$75 to -$75. That low variation compared to your bankroll has, at least for me, a very liberating affect. I have no problem making a raise when a raise is necessary. I have no problem making a tough call. I’m not thinking about the value of the chips at that point. I’m just thinking about the value of the correct play.
I’m almost certain that is one of the advantages that professionals have over Rec players. Pros have ‘working capital’ and bankroll. Rec players have ATM withdrawls.
So, why is playing Low Limit Home Poker Games a problem?
Like most parents and full-time employees, I have a limited amount of time to play poker. I need to budget my poker time efficiently. More and more lately I find myself choosing to spend my scarce poker playing time at the Low Limit Home Game vs. the somewhat higher stakes casino games - where the hourly rate is better. So, in essence, I’m choosing an activity that has negative consequences (lower hourly rate)…that’s a problem, right?
I guess I'll follow the advice of the famous 21st century philosopher, Rod Stewart, "If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right".
So, here it goes.
I have a problem. This is a little embarrassing, but ….I like to play Low Limit Home Poker Games.
That’s right – low stakes limit poker. I love it! There’s nothing better than 10 buddies sitting around a poker table watching the game on TV or some other late night programming, playing $1/$2 or $2/$4 limit mixed games, giving each other the business for bad plays and suckouts, etc…
There is extra satisfaction when you play low stakes poker with good players and can win a little money. It’s much better than playing low stakes at the casino with a bunch of Donkeys that can’t read their own hand.
There’s also something very liberating about playing at stakes that are well within one’s bankroll. I’ve went to the casino with $400 before and sat down at the $100 max buy in NLHE game and went broke twice. It sucks when you are making your 3rd reload and you know you only have enough ammunition for one more reload. It affects your play. It affects your confidence, your attitude. It’s a disadvantage.
On the other hand, when you take $400 to the $2/$4 limit home game, if you loose $100 you’ve either had a real nasty run or you’re playing like a mule. It’s real hard to loose $400. It’s also real hard to win $400. The swings are usually in the range of +$75 to -$75. That low variation compared to your bankroll has, at least for me, a very liberating affect. I have no problem making a raise when a raise is necessary. I have no problem making a tough call. I’m not thinking about the value of the chips at that point. I’m just thinking about the value of the correct play.
I’m almost certain that is one of the advantages that professionals have over Rec players. Pros have ‘working capital’ and bankroll. Rec players have ATM withdrawls.
So, why is playing Low Limit Home Poker Games a problem?
Like most parents and full-time employees, I have a limited amount of time to play poker. I need to budget my poker time efficiently. More and more lately I find myself choosing to spend my scarce poker playing time at the Low Limit Home Game vs. the somewhat higher stakes casino games - where the hourly rate is better. So, in essence, I’m choosing an activity that has negative consequences (lower hourly rate)…that’s a problem, right?
I guess I'll follow the advice of the famous 21st century philosopher, Rod Stewart, "If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right".
Comments:
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I share your addiction, Jon. Somehow my swings in the LL home games are much less vicious than the ones playing LL online. Same game, very different results. I think the difference is that I play better against players (and donkeys) that I know, rather than the faceless donkey horde online.
I seem to find it much easier to tilt off my money trying to beat horrible players online who continually suck out on me playing Ace-high or low pair to the river.
Besides, it's so much nicer to put some extra twenties in your pocket than to see your balance go up a few digits in your online account.
-Brent
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I seem to find it much easier to tilt off my money trying to beat horrible players online who continually suck out on me playing Ace-high or low pair to the river.
Besides, it's so much nicer to put some extra twenties in your pocket than to see your balance go up a few digits in your online account.
-Brent
# posted by 
: 7:42 AM
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