Gaining Confidence

Finally got my Neteller account working by Wednesday. Deposited $150 quickly into PokerStars to feed my poker habit. My confidence gained by the Vegas trip success while in the MGM poker room quickly dissapeared as I built donked away all but $7 of my bankroll through $10 SNGs and .25/.50 NL ring games, with most of the damage coming in the ring games.

Decision Time

So I am sitting there on Friday night, staring at my measley bankroll, pondering the absurdity of life, and trying to decide. Do I donk off the last $7 and reload my account? Or, do I get back to the basics, play some micro-NL ring games, and try to rebuild my roll the old-fashioned way.

I thought of the first time I became profitable playing poker. In the Spring of 2004, I received a $10 free first signup bonus from Royal Vegas and managed to turn it into $1500 in a little over a month. I remembered how simple the game was then. Simple strategy, basic knowledge, and fear (more on that topic later). I suddenly knew, I must try to build it up, I must try to get back confidence the right way, not by risking more hard earned money while playing badly.

Results

By now, Sunday night, I have built my bankroll to over $40 by playing micro-limit poker. Yes, it is annoying play for such small amounts when you are used to more, but at times its necessary to play against weaker opposition and regain your form. Winning a little and being slightly annoyed at the stakes is a better option than throwing away more money.

Saw 27 percent of all flops, won 75 percent of hands that went to showdown, won 10 percent of the hands I saw overall. The last number shows me that even though I am winning the statistical normal amount of hands, I am still building my roll... thats good poker. Now I just need to continue and get up to meaningful limits!