- I'm a 20 year old guy and what our previous generations like to call 'computer-wizkid' (nerd).
- I made a small income from internet marketing and modeling since I was 13.
- My whole life I've enjoyed gaming (videogames, sports, e-sports, cards, etc.)
- I've recently discovered poker (particularly No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em) so I took some part-time jobs in order to earn some extra cash on the side which I could use to start up my bankroll with.
- Play a lot of micro tournaments and freerolls online with which I made about 50 EUR.
- I live nearby a casino that has 2/2 No Limit Hold 'Em cash games and daily tournaments (ranging from 40 EUR. rebuy tourneys to 1.500 EUR. freezeout)
- I read a few books on playing poker (calculating odds, strategies, tells etc.)
- First time I went to the casino I played with 50 EUR. Doubled up and eventually lost everything due to lacking the discipline to leave.
- Second time I played with 200 EUR. Again I doubled up and eventually lost everything due to a lack of discipline.
- I started playing in 40 EUR tournaments weekly, but didn't win.
- 2 weeks (and 80 EUR) later I wanted to buy-in for another tournament but forgot to make a reservation and the seats were sold out, so I sat down at a 2/2 Cash table shortstacked with the 50 EUR I brought with me. I turned that 50 EUR into 340 EUR and broke even from my previous loss.
- A few days later I played for 50 again and lost with AA to a drunk guy with 52o (he got trips). I bought in again for 50 EUR and shortly after got KK which I lost with to 34s to a straight (large stacks tend to easily call shortstacks).
- I went back the next day and turned 50 into 420 EUR with a lucky AK vs KK, QQ and AQ (the remaining 2 aces hit the flop), and a AA v KK.
- Finally I got a bankroll to get started with (the wise 'play with your profits' advice). 220 EUR.
- 2 days later (on a Thursday night, which is a typical student night) I went back to play shortstacked. Bought in with 50, eventually got KK and won an all-in against QQ, then lost with AA to A5 to a straight. Rebought with 50, won with KK again in the first 15 minutes (120 eur). Switched tables, got KTs, called a donk's raise of 12 EUR (he raises nearly every hand and tries to bluff everyone out with his overly large stack). T72 rainbow on the flop, I check, donk tries to put me all-in. I call his obvious bluff, he has A2o and hits the A on the river (odds were 75/25 for me), left the casino with a loss of 100.
- Created this blog to help analyze my play and discuss my playstyle.
So there's a rough summary of how I started playing poker and where I'm at now. Playing shortstacked, tight aggressive with the occasional bluff and trapping.
Bankroll: 120 EUR.
I'm going back this Sunday as there's a lot of donks looking for a night out at the tables and see if I can increase my stack.
What's your opinion on playing short-stacked? Would you do it differently?
Your answers and discussions will influence my play!
