CARDRUNNERS

What's Your Edge

Zimba's Blog

January 01, 2009

I didn't even mention poker in my previous entry. While playing low stakes poker doesn't really rank as a major newsworthy item in comparison to the major life areas I discussed, it is worth a little review nonetheless.

1. Switching from NL to PLO - Last May, I finally chose to learn PLO. I was always told by friends that I wouldn't take well to it because I'm a TAG style player by nature who doesn't like to gamble or have big swings. I was intrigued and watched a number of videos on DeucesCracked and CardRunners. That was enough to get me up to speed and off I went.

2. Two tabling - I became comfortable two tabling. It's been a running joke with friends, but I have a very one on one mind. For various reasons, I don't think I'll move to 4 tabling any time soon. I don't use additional software so I like to pay attention and take notes on players. I'm often working or messaging on the side. When the tables are reduced in size I have trouble seeing some details, for instance the difference between hearts and diamonds. Also in PLO you are having to make decisions for your whole stack regularly so I like to have time to consider the hands properly.

3. Swings - The largest swings I had playing NLHE over the last several years was 13 BI's on several occasions. As evidence of the swingy nature of PLO, I've already had and recovered from a 25 BI swing. Gambling players putting in their stacks as 30-40% dogs is extremely common, which when they hit often finds you down several BI's on a session.

4. FTP vs. UB - I have historically only played on UB. While it gets a bad rap, I have consistently been profitable and problem free there. This year I finally got rakeback on FTP and started playing PLO there. Unfortunately, I run really badly on FTP versus UB. While it's nice to be paid rakeback weekly, I have this very strange phenomena of losing it back within 24 hours of receiving it, and being profitable on most other days. I don't quite understand what's going on there. I don't know if I play differently because it seems like free money, but I've taken to not playing that first 24 hours after a payment. It's great to have many more tables to choose from at FTP but consistently running below expectation in big pots is killing my enthusiasm for the site. Unfortunately, the CEREUS changes have worsened my experience at UB. There are no more tables available at PLO, the additional action is at NL, and the software is slower to load and play than before.

5. Withdrawals and Payments - This is probably the most satisfying area. After not having made any withdrawals over the last couple years, my online bankroll has funded most of my employee payments as I've developed Poker Curious. I also made my first significant withdrawal to help pay for Christmas and hospital payments.

6. Stakes - While I feel I have the skill to play higher, with my bankroll significantly reduced from the above withdrawals, I continue to play limited hours of $25 and $50 PLO. Once Poker Curious finally launches, I won't play as much, but I hope as the site revenue increases that it won't be such a drain on my bankroll.

I've always played poker as a low stakes low stress hobby. I don't think I'll ever burn out or lose the love for the game at the pace and level that I play. I don't know when I'll return to NL, but I've enjoyed learning PLO. Who doesn't like having the nuts.

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