What Do I Do? You Decide.lol

Any2Suited

Hi Shaun, having read all the above posts i would consider most of them helpful but especially elsadogs and Pokertrevs. MTT's have great varience and if you are not running well you sometimes go into a tourney expecting your aa/kk/qq to be beat and so don't bet them properly for value or to build pots allowing worse hands to hit.I've been playing on this site for over 3 years now and in that time i have played.....3 main events! thats because i will only satellite into them for bankroll issues and often miss the satellite entry route because of work(time);but of those 3 times i definitely appreciated the thrill of the higher value tourney and it focused my mind and play, and enabled me to min cash twice and go out the other with aces v kings and turn was a king, C'est la vie ! A win is a win even at the £5/£10 level in mtts and can mean your bankroll doesn't suffer as badly. Cheers Dave the Arsenal fan in Rutland.

unknown_username

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Shaun, you understand that mtt's are a high variance game. Extended periods of poor results are part and parcel of being an mtt player and have to be accepted if that is your chosen game. Profitability can often depend on the turn of one card or the outcome of one hand, and that is the life of a tournament player. It's all highs and lows and invariably there are more lows than highs. I've played online mtt's for approx. 9 years and had some wonderful runs and some extended downswings. It's all part of being exclusively a main event mtt player. I'm currently on a 200 game downswing and although I've had one main event win and a few cashes in there, it's been mostly losses. I'm not particularly worried that I'm in the midst of a downswing as I've encountered these many times over the years.   One way to even out the downswings is to up the volume with lower buy-in mtt's rather than going for the big one every night. When your game is ''off'' or you're in the midst of a bad run you will get very disillusioned paying out large buy-ins for little or no return and that in itself will affect your game. My personal way is to drop the volume, play when I'm in the right frame of mind, and see how it goes.  The advice about cash and stt's is good - personally it doesn't ''float my boat'' and playing just one or two mtt's a day suits me fine. Changing sites can work to give your confidence a boost, or, confirm just how bad you're running - so that's not really a remedy. The staying within your B/R is good advice if it applies. I get the impression it's more confidence thing with you rather than B/R management. Taking a complete break can and often does work wonders for some players. So there are lots of ''remedies'' none of which are guaranteed to work for you. When you have considered your finances and made an honest assessment of how you are playing at the moment, try to work out for yourself what is best for you. We can all attempt to help you by giving advice relating to what works for us but the real solution is to find out what works for you. The way you react to your current downswing and the way you (hopefully) bounce back afterwards will stand you in good stead for when it happens in the future. The only thing I can guarantee is that it will happen again in the future - it's an ugly but integral part of the game.
Posted by elsadog

Thanks Elsadog. It is really nice to get such an inspirational message from you. It is a confidence thing, your right there. It is definitely affecting my game negatively too. I, like you, am happy to just play 1 or 2 Mtt's a night, but will consider the idea of playing a few smaller buy-in MTT's each night rather than the Main Event. Maybe I'm like a horse and need a run out in a few sellers to gain confidence.lol. Thanks again for your reply and I think your last point was the most pertinent, I need to try to work it out for myself and there is only so much that advice can do for me. I'm glad I started the post as it has given me a valuable insight into the strategies I can try to utilise to get out of a slump, I've also found that if I'm in need of advice in the future I can ask on here without worrying about getting barracked and laughed at. Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham

jakally

Shaun, my small input on variance.

I'm not an MTT player, and haven't got a great game, but like to play the 8pm tourneys, when I can.

Last year, I made a nice profit through this (like I say, variance....!!).

During the year, I had runs of 14, and 15 tourneys, without cashing, and another period of 30 MTT's with just one min cash (which cost me over 700 pounds).

I also had two periods where I made 3 FT's within 2 weeks (obvious brag).

I was the same (unskilled) player, through all this time, but it's just how MTT's go.

(i.e. don't get too down on yourself during a bad run, they are going to happen to everyone at some point).

To support continuing playing at any level, you need to have the bankroll to withstand the 30 Buyin downswings, or accept the fact that you will go busto periodically, and have to take a break, until you can replenish your roll.

It's not for me to tell you what to do. It's your money.

But whatever you decide, factor in the worst case scenarios to your calculations, and you won't go far wrong.

rancid

Your scope says your doing fine )

I would suggest playing with 1% of your BR in MTT’s if your not already.

 

Winning at cash to pay for your MTT entries is what I do and would advise anyone else to do the same.

 

But yeah as everyone has said you can go long periods not winning nothing then boooooooom, good example is the recent winner of the jackpot.

Variance was hurting him then booooooooooooooooom, thank you very much.

 

Chin up, just accept your going to win nothing the majority of time you play MTT’s.

bigal36903

shaun, as u know i am the offical team moaner,  i know alot of these things are variance, but sometimes you have to clear your mind and vent(like ur KK getting done 14 times in one day by rag A)..

i play different games, my main is dyms, i love the mtt alot more now, it has improved my game and i even try cash when i am feeling lucky..

i find by playing the different types of game i can level my br still play my mains when i want and sometimes earn a nice profit..  i would suggest the new timed tournys.  you can make profit in them for your br..

i have watched you play and by noway are you a bad player, this is just a slight down swing..

allan Man city through and through 35years and countin

bigal36903

as for dropping down levels in the bh. i wud only suggest going as low as the 5-75 games, because if you go lower than that you come across the ne 2 cards players, they will get lucky against you sometimes and make you think worse.

cleansweep

Shaun a thresd like this is only good if you are prepared to take the time to read carefully, extract the positive and ditch the negative from your game.

In my opinion and it is only that.
Your eyes are only on the prize and not fully on the game!

The guys on here that hit the headlines in most instances have spent many hours doing the groundwork playing thousands of hands.
It's unrealistic to think you can jump from obscurity and take down main events unless you are a better than the average player and have incredible talent.

The one common denominator for all the top players is discipline. In my opinion you haven't yet acquired that skill.
I believe you need to work on concentration. I've heard your name read out more times on 865 than "Hose me Down" at the same time I've seen you playing and losing in the competitions.

My point is if you want to improve try out the advice offered on this thread in freerolls and micro MTT's until your confidence is restored and you understand better the complexities of the game.
Try to eliminate distractions so you can concentrate and give 100% to your game. This isn't a dig! look at the way Orford has improved his cash game since he worked out a clear plan for his game! He's right up there with the best of them making money! Why because he went back to basics and worked hard on his game!
You have potential but need to stop talking a good game and start playing one!
Taking down a £50 Gtd is far better than finishing 245th in a main event!
Good Luck Mate I wish you well!!

penguin7

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Shaun a thresd like this is only good if you are prepared to take the time to read carefully, extract the positive and ditch the negative from your game. In my opinion and it is only that. Your eyes are only on the prize and not fully on the game! The guys on here that hit the headlines in most instances have spent many hours doing the groundwork playing thousands of hands. It's unrealistic to think you can jump from obscurity and take down main events unless you are a better than the average player and have incredible talent. The one common denominator for all the top players is discipline. In my opinion you haven't yet acquired that skill. I believe you need to work on concentration. I've heard your name read out more times on 865 than "Hose me Down" at the same time I've seen you playing and losing in the competitions. My point is if you want to improve try out the advice offered on this thread in freerolls and micro MTT's until your confidence is restored and you understand better the complexities of the game. Try to eliminate distractions so you can concentrate and give 100% to your game. This isn't a dig! look at the way Orford has improved his cash game since he worked out a clear plan for his game! He's right up there with the best of them making money! Why because he went back to basics and worked hard on his game! You have potential but need to stop talking a good game and start playing one! Taking down a £50 Gtd is far better than finishing 245th in a main event! Good Luck Mate I wish you well!!
Posted by cleansweep

+1

Palace fan from deepest Suffolk. (Had to get that in today !)

unknown_username

Hi Shaun.
Just read this thread again.
There has been some good advice from many respected players on this site, so hopefully once you have had time to read over it all again, you can pick out the parts that work best for you.

Just a quick note to say, your not on your own m8y, I myself am on a downswing in MTT's at the moment, the only difference is, I have implemented most of the advice that has been given in this thread now and on more than one occasion in the past and it has certainly helped to limit the losses, whilst allowing me to continue to play the game I enjoy.

Good Luck - I hope you're swinging upwards again very soon.

Pokertrev (WBA Supporter from the Midlands)

   

drumahai05

Well Shaun you brume bum.(being a brume i can say that) im not going to try and advice you as all the above posts do just that. all i will say is remember the word patience. ive played dym in a big way when i first joined sky. and cash now and then. i thought i did quite well but was making deposits on a regular basis. for the last 9 months i only play mtt,s the main and the mini every night oh and the dtd. i can honestly say that 95% of my bust out hands ive had my chips in good. so haven't won a main or mini yet, that's mtt for you mate. i still consider myself lucky tho because i haven't made a deposit in the 9 months, and i have a healthier bankroll. ive had months of fun seating there with my mug of whisky chatting with a lot of nice people( even you mate villa fan an all) i just think one word when i suck out now that's patience lad it will come. at the end of the day we will all get our 5 minutes of glory. chin up mate see you in the next main

rosjim1

hi shaun

in my opinion the "new site option" will benifit u only if you are a patient player as most sites are 10 seated and you can wait for your big hands. i personaly play a lot of 5 -11 pounds b hunters you can get a lot of good results in those games and a lot of play for your money .its just a case of how much you want to spend on your passtime at the end of the day
good luck fella

Poker_Fail

Out of interest , how much of a roll would someon e need to ONLY play MEs every might?

Football sucks from Bideford.

DazR

Although I dont play the main events like you I know how you are feeling mate !
    I play mainly very small stake tourneys as mtts are my preferred game.I get  bored playing too many dyms and dont have the patience to play micro cash and grind.
    You are obviously a good player and enjoy poker so dont quit, just take a break.Maybe have a week or two off to relax and when you feel ready deposit if needs be and concentrate on enjoying the game.Hopefully your confidence and the results will return soon.
                   
gl, Daz Spurs fan London

MP33

I,d play sateltes if you have the time and if you don,t make it into the ME then just play the mini ME

It might be a bit of a comedown playing for £3.30 instead of £33 but you should treat every game the same and your roll will last a lot longer. I you get some good results start playing a bit higher again

GL

MP  

unknown_username

Thanks guys. No luck again tonight. Out the Main after 9 mins. I raised from the cut off to 60 with AA and the guy on the button re-raised to 220. The blinds fold so I 4 bet to 880. He just flats the 660, which isweird as he only has 1120 left behind.(I'd won 500 on the first hand so was ahead in chips). Flop comes KKQ. I raise all in and he snap calls with A,J suited spades. Turn and river both spades to give him the nut flush. I went out next hand. Guess I'll have to keep riding this bad run till my luck changes. I just wish that I could make donk moves like that and get paid like that.lol. Then I wouldn't have to read all the books and think about my plays and just hit the lot when its needed.lol.
Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham

drumahai05

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Thanks guys. No luck again tonight. Out the Main after 9 mins. I raised from the cut off to 60 with AA and the guy on the button re-raised to 220. The blinds fold so I 4 bet to 880. He just flats the 660, which isweird as he only has 1120 left behind.(I'd won 500 on the first hand so was ahead in chips). Flop comes KKQ. I raise all in and he snap calls with A,J suited spades. Turn and river both spades to give him the nut flush. I went out next hand. Guess I'll have to keep riding this bad run till my luck changes. I just wish that I could make donk moves like that and get paid like that.lol. Then I wouldn't have to read all the books and think about my plays and just hit the lot when its needed.lol. Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham
Posted by shaun84

ul shaun, dont worry i went out of the main near the cash bubble got my chips in good 77 into 55 big chip guy yes he turned the 5 but what oh just have patience mate. 

unknown_username

Thanks matey. Tried the late Bounty Hunter. Got myself into a great position in the top 8 with 25 left and have A,K against K,Q all in on a King high flop for 16,000 chip pot and he rivers a 3 outer. It is so sick its getting ridiculous. 7% to win and they are happening multiple times daily.lol. Guess I'll soldier on and keep giving bad players the rewards so I can get it back in the future.lol. Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham.

djblacke04

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Thanks matey. Tried the late Bounty Hunter. Got myself into a great position in the top 8 with 25 left and have A,K against K,Q all in on a King high flop for 16,000 chip pot and he rivers a 3 outer. It is so sick its getting ridiculous. 7% to win and they are happening multiple times daily.lol. Guess I'll soldier on and keep giving bad players the rewards so I can get it back in the future.lol. Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham.
Posted by shaun84

could i just say,if Villa were doing rubbish would you change supporting them to another team?

 chin up and good luck,7% is still almost 1 in 10 and you can never criticize your own play if you went in ahead...

good luck..

toby

freechips1

Although people have told you in this thread that mtt is high variance, nobody has told you how long you could go without a big score or a half decent cash, and what effect this can/will have financially. 
I have no idea about your ability to play the game.  So lets assume you are a very good winning player.
It is very possible for you to play every main event on sky for the next 10 weeks and not have a deep run (final table).
So £200 a week for 10 weeks is £2000.  If you are serious about playing the main every night you need to ask yourself, "can i afford to lose £2000 over the next ten weeks?"
Don't think that its not possible to play it every night for ten weeks and not have a deep run, it has happened to players who are far better than me or you.
This is the reason why people have told you to play lower stakes and smaller fields.
However if you are in the fortunate position where you can afford to spend £200 a week on poker then by all means carry on.

unknown_username

Got there in the end. Was it just a random spike of luck? Or did I take onboard some of the great advice given to me by the great Sky Poker Community. Final table of the Main Event DoubleStack is good and I only played because of the comment that said I play too many Bounty Hunters and should try to concentrate on Straight No Limit Hold Em. I'll keep analysing my play and trying to improve as 'One swallow does not a summer make'.lol
Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham

GaryQQQ

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Got there in the end. Was it just a random spike of luck? Or did I take onboard some of the great advice given to me by the great Sky Poker Community. Final table of the Main Event DoubleStack is good and I only played because of the comment that said I play too many Bounty Hunters and should try to concentrate on Straight No Limit Hold Em. I'll keep analysing my play and trying to improve as 'One swallow does not a summer make'.lol Best wishes. Shaun the Villa fan in Bham
Posted by shaun84

Great news, well played.

penguin7

Nice one. But it only means you are freerolling for less than 2 weeks. Hit it again and harder !

unknown_username

Thanks Penguin. I will. Thanks Gary.

Oopnorth

Taking down a £50 Gtd is far better than finishing 245th in a main event!
Good Luck Mate I wish you well!!

Think this is the best advice in my opinion.....

And thats coming from a Carlisle United fan for the last 37 YEARS ! Starting as a kid just after we had topped Div 1 (Premiership in modern money).....

And 37 years of relegation struggles later albeit with the odd sometimes successful trip to Wembley in the Mickey Mouse Leyland Paints Johnstone Auto Windscreens Leyland DAF Trophy Shield in there too.

Our fickle fans would rather see us beat a rubbish team 4-0 than pit our wits with a 'better' team and end in glorious failure,, just as your man said earlier. Winning something small is infinitely better than continually losing and finish 245th in glorious ignonimity.

unknown_username

In Response to Re: What Do I Do? You Decide.lol:

Taking down a £50 Gtd is far better than finishing 245th in a main event! Good Luck Mate I wish you well!! Think this is the best advice in my opinion..... And thats coming from a Carlisle United fan for the last 37 YEARS ! Starting as a kid just after we had topped Div 1 (Premiership in modern money)..... And 37 years of relegation struggles later albeit with the odd sometimes successful trip to Wembley in the Mickey Mouse Leyland Paints Johnstone Auto Windscreens Leyland DAF Trophy Shield in there too. Our fickle fans would rather see us beat a rubbish team 4-0 than pit our wits with a 'better' team and end in glorious failure,, just as your man said earlier. Winning something small is infinitely better than continually losing and finish 245th in glorious ignonimity.
Posted by Oopnorth

LOL. Love it!