Making a living with STT SNGs

Originally posted by 177272
Hi Mate,

I railed you quite a lot yesterday up until about midnight UK time. Interested to see if you raise any comment about your volume.

If I recall you wanted 150 games a day and to Rake $200, unless I am not reading that right you did not get that. Was that because of time, lack of energy/focus, just not feeling it? My reason for asking is that it is obvious from just one day railing how hard the grind is. When you don't meet a target do you try to catch up?

I think I noticed a random $30 was that because no 15 available or you felt like a little go?

I think I am right in that you said that you do not table select? Whist railing I did a lot of SS to identify and mark regs although only a small sample, how many none regs do you generally get at a table?

I have loads more questions hope you don't mind me posting.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for writing will try to tackle everything here one thing at the time.

Last night I played 124 instead of 150+ games because once I started my 3rd set I got a booty call from a girl that came back from seaside and wanted to hook up. I basically stopped turning on tables , finished the ones left and meet up with her had a good time drove her home - by the time that was over it was already 4 am (3am uk) so i just felt tired and needed to sleep
Overall volume problem is in my case other life related things. Since I moved to stars on 10th of June I went to Belgrade 4 times (2 days without poker each of those times) plus there were about 5 birthdays, 1 anniversary, my friend coming from London for a week (where I didn't play poker 4 out of 6 days or something) and this is all late July and during August. Add to all this gym 3 times a week, sessions with students (approximately 1 hour a day) , working on my own game (warm up cool down leak finder) + grinding, you get between 200-250 hours minimum of things happening.
Since I missed tons of days in August, I still have chance to hit my 23k VPP goal monthly and all it takes is raking 1k VPPs every day until the end of the month. Reality however is different because tonight I am going to art exhibit (my goodfather with his dad are holding it together) and after that I am meeting up with girl from Belgrade for drinks. This is just stuff that came up today, by the end of the month I have to go and visit one girl that moved to new apartment so all that + other unpredictable stuff will influence volume for sure.
The solution to my volume troubles is cutting down on girls and in September most importantly play every day without a day brake to go for like 28k vpps at least and have that extra space for when I want to go crazy. Remember this, 1k extra of VPP = 1 extra free day to do whatever I want outside of poker and this life balance is very important for me as I am 30 years old and don't want to be grinding all day and have no life
Regarding 30s, I started adding them lightly because with 12 tables I feel I have an edge on 15s and slowly checking out whats up on 30s. Opponents are better (especially HU) their ICM is stronger and in general they don't open wide. I did not table select but even with 2-3 regs I was able to overcome them while 12 tabling. I will keep playing 30s but not large volume yet simply to rake more and to prepare myself mentally for that shift.

Your question about number of games and rake , it really depends on monthly volume. I have reached 45k VPPs last night which means I have 105k left by the end of the year. August has 12 more days + rest of the year (122 days) - 16 days of rest (4 days a month brake) = 118 days total. So I am still on a good road to get to 150k just have to in those 118 days keep playing 150 games of just 15s since that gets me approximately 1k VPPs. During this process work on increasing my roi (since I switched to 12 tabling past 8 days it is around 6.5% EV ROI) so by the end of year reaching 150k with some roi of 2-3% + will be very good for me considering that I lost 60 days searching for my game , grinding setup (number of tables, tiled or stacked, hotkey misclicks ets).

Keep posting I don't mind responding to longer posts

Originally posted by 177272
Hi,

Can you please tell me generally how you best use the Bonus and FPP on the stars programme. I have asked others before and even emailed stars on it but have never gotten a clear answer.

WHEN you get Supernova at 100,000 VPP's you will have (Guess) approx. 150K min FFP. I know you can spend them to unlock Stella and milestone bonus but don't see how you can convert those left over FFP's to cash. I know you can use them for Tourney entries, but they do not pay the gas bill Surely calculation do not take into account entering a Tourney and trying to min cash?

I suppose you can buy a particular bonus using FFP's as many times as you like ?

I think you have indicated a potential earning of $27k ( was $44k in one part of the thread) any chance that you could break down how you would spend FFP's to achieve 27K, I hope that this makes sense.

Regards

Steve

I calculated that once you hit SN 100k for the remainder of 50k you earn you will earn just enough money to buy 4 bonuses (400k FPPs) 1600$ each and on top of that earn money from stealar rewards. So I don't plan to play any satelites turneys or stuff like that. Perhaps some weekly monthly for Platinum star which doesnt cost more than 100 fpps etc

27k$ potential earning is with 150k supernova and having 5% roi I am now brake evening after 7k games mostly due to my own fault of course (as I mentioned too many tables chasing volume misclicking mental game issues expectations need of money etc). By the time I reach 150k I hope to have 3% total roi and from next year go for the number you mentioned mixing 15-30s going for 300k SN etc

Hope that clears up things

Originally posted by 177272
Hi again,

Please do not rush to answer these questions ( if at all), you priority is to earn but if you can find time:

1. I know that your coach was/is a 6 max guy and hence your reason to play them, but why no mention of other formats 18 man 45 man? With your skill set and willingness to study would these not be easier to play and with the potential to cash or larger amounts and therefore a bigger ROI per game?

There are obviously a lower percentages of regs and therefore more fish in these per game than in a 6 max? I am also guessing that you could play more tables.

As a lot of you guys do play these 6 max and as you all clearly know what you are doing ( I mean users of this site for example) I am clearly missing something obvious.

2. Do you TRY to achieve BOP prizes, do you get many? Or is this just a nice bonus if and when it happens.

3. As you earn a living at this are you achieving all out of it that you would wish for, I know that you want to go it a lone but do you feel that you are far away for achieving this?

4. Do you ever do team view? The reason I ask is I have a problem multi tabling, which is something I have to address if I have any hope of doing any good at this sort of thing.

When I have asked about Multi tabling before you generally get the sound advice of just build up slowly adding another when comfortable ect but I really need more detail, like how long do you have to make decision when 12/15 tabling, is it easier if you are slower in your decision making to stack, tile and the like, what resolution is your screen on, how important is HUD, colour coding and the like? For example I try not to rush but when a table is bleep, bleep, bleeping I just do So what advice would you give to any one having this problem

Hello again Steve

I am not rushing,your posts are legit and don't take long to answer

1. Very valid and good point. I never played those formats but my friend from Belgrade is reg at those formats and he is making very decent money on 7$ buy in playing 18 27 mans on stars. You can sharkscope him , magictrick28 I believe... From all the time that I dedicate to tons of things , it will be difficult for me mentally to play another format now. I am more fan of sticking to this one format and making it work for you. At later date, when I start playing on my own (next year) and go for less than 100 games a day approximately I will have extra 2-3 hours left each day to do those kind of things. Your point is very valid and is worth considering because there is some guys that do this and make a great hourly from it (Ghaleon being one of them).

2. I don't try to get BOP but I just happened to get it once since 10th of June. The reason again is too many tables, lack of focus in bubble and HU, not exploiting opponents because of it. In future I expect to be more in BOP perhaps get some nice heater like Kanabal17 got and get those 700 $ ♦

3. I am very happy with what I do and just thinking that a year ago my goal was 700 euros a month (since I live in Serbia and that is enough money to stay here) I am very happy with how far I have come. This of course doesn't mean that I am planing to stop improving, working on my game or stopping at some limit. No, thats not the way I do things. By the end of the year I want to master 15s, next year do 15-30 with adding some 60s etc. Money wise I am good to go because I earn my 50% from my deal + money from coaching/staking 12-13 players. So its no problem money wise I just have to work hard and stay calm when I play (mental game the most important when grinding this many games day after day).

4. 12 tabling for me is perfect now because I dropped from 15-17 tables to it and it seems like forever for decision making! So my advice is start pushing yourself and eventually drop down to something that may seem normal , result will be more time and more +EV decisions definitely. Just last night, student of ours watched me play on stars 1st session via team viewer and we were talking about every single situation while 12 tabling. It just shows you how much time there is while 12 tabling - I can imagine people that 6-8 table, they can go make a lunch or sleep while waiting for action ♦ My hud is 4 lines x 5 stats in each line approximately. I consider my HUD very important as it helps me identify leaks right off (without empirical evidence and notes on players). Besides hud, color coding is very important and most 15$ regs I have marked with light blue because they make bad ICM plays before , at bubble, try to bluff me at wrong times etc. Luckily for me, stars has tons of volume for 15s, if you wanted you can table select and get even better roi but it won't happen for me this year thats for sure The best advice I can give you is to study a lot make your decisions automatic and try to find edge vs every player that you play , it will bring you most money in the long run!

Originally posted by 177272
I should have introduced my self before all of the above, sorry.

My name is Steve, I am a college Lecturer and play as 177272 on stars.

I am basically trying to find a direction to focus on.

Cash, no chance

Tourneys, love them but they don't meet my needs

SNG's, looks like my immediate future, hence my interest in your thread.

Regards

Steve

Thanks for the introduction Steve, nice to have college Lecturer going for poker career

I think Cash has its own advantages and you can learn a lot from BSS guys that play NL100+. The problem with applying that knowledge for SNGs is the fact that you start with 75bb and they decrease so your ranges should vary a lot while in cash you can always be big stacked and do tons of more things.
Turneys are fun to play and have easier field (recreational players love them because of big cash) but I prefer SNGs much more because I get to play more hands more action adjust and readjust to opponents.

I think there is money in all formats, I would suggest SNGs as something where you can make money faster at 1.5 3.5$ and even 7$. From 15s+ on Stars you start to get opponents who have more solid knowledge of ranges, ICM, bubble dynamics, hu , exploiting players. At 15s less of the good ones and still a lot of space to make money. Just think about playing a lot of games at 15s and making after RB with 3% 3k+ $ a month. That kind of cash is possible mixing Nl50 and Nl100 cash. The next level on Stars playing 30s with 3% roi will bring you even more but it keeps getting harder as those players are also working on their game and fixing their leaks obviously.

If you need any help for SNGs I can give some advice but in general you have to find the game that suits you best. 9 mans are also an option, they are much nittier than 6 max and there is less post flop action so you make your pick and go crush that format/limits

Hi,

A fantastic blog ! I do have one question though (if that's ok) what is your HUD setup? Could you share that with us? And what categories do you colour code opponents?

Thanks,

Originally posted by TimoDee
Hi,

A fantastic blog ! I do have one question though (if that's ok) what is your HUD setup? Could you share that with us? And what categories do you colour code opponents?

Thanks,

Hi!
Thank you glad you like it

I prefer not to share my HUD stats as it is very helpful for me to exploit other regs. Since most of them are following this blog if they see it , they might copy it and start exploiting me more
For color coding I can give answer
Green - Fish (fish that tries to bluffs, turns hands into bluff, is a calling station etc)
Light blue - Regs with ICM leaks primarily and aggressive (getting out of line vs me or stacking of too light etc)
Dark blue - Regs with solid ICM with aggression and a bit wider than TAG stats
Dark purple - REGS that are leaning towards maniacs, raise calling CO vs BB A4o for 20bb and such, post flop trying to be ultra creative , 3 betting wider than nash etc
Brown - Regs that are nits, play ABC tight style of play and don't get out of line until it gets hot (4 players left) when they start making mistakes
Red - Regs that always seem to show the best hand pre and post flop, playing excellent poker adjusting to opponents and exploiting them with excellent ICM and post flop skills

That's it, hope it helps

P.S. Usually I have in the game 1-2 green's, 2-3 light blue's, and 1 either dark blue, dark purple , brown or red.... Majority of regs are light blue
Red - Best regs

Thanks for taking the time and effort to give concise answers.

Regards

Steve

Originally posted by 177272
Thanks for taking the time and effort to give concise answers.

Regards

Steve

You welcome , anytime Steve

Played 2 shorter sessions today as my plans changed (didn't go to art exhibit and will hook up with Belgrade chick on friday) so I played 82 games instead.
Some sick things going on I swear its like those regs are really reading what I post in the blog.
There have been some very silly and stupid plays on their part BVB in bubble and before hand, also 4-6 players calling too wide 3 bet shoves CO,BTN vs blinds some insane stuff. Overall they were shopping a lot so I expect to have better run of cards soon perhaps I will post some ridiculous hands later on.
P.S. Played 5 30s ended in profit lol

I think if I am reading it right that last session put you in Positive ROI for the Day, month and year. Is shows how one good or bad session can swing this.

>>>> upwards to 5 % sir

Originally posted by 177272
I think if I am reading it right that last session put you in Positive ROI for the Day, month and year. Is shows how one good or bad session can swing this.

>>>> upwards to 5 % sir

Hehe thanks Steve but I am still far from 5%+ roi and volume wise. My minus yesterday came from 30s , played 14 of them , I was positive on 15s.
Will post some bubble hands later, DasisJB going crazy vs me in bubble !!!

You on for a bit of Skype over the WE? I have never played a 100 sng's in a day and goner have a go then.

Originally posted by 177272
You on for a bit of Skype over the WE? I have never played a 100 sng's in a day and goner have a go then.

Well I will try to play 4 sessions today go for 200 games, starting in less than 10 minutes. What is WE?:)

Sorry mate, Weekend

Tonight's session probably the worst one I played in last 2 months or so

Railed on and off and kept an eye on SS. So you started with a nasty 20 bi downswing then ground it back to some profit, then a nasty downswing to finish. 2 downs and 1 up in a session is hard to over come.

How much was bad play, how much was just run bad, will you analysis that session to look for leaks? Have you marked specific spots in game to look at and if so what method do you use?

Steve

Hi mate,

I posted this on another Blog, but would ask you the same question. Maybe I should open a thread about it.

What time you grinding today? I have spent HOURSSSSSSSSSS on SS searching winner players ect, and unless I am missing something is seems to be sooooooooooo hard to make money on sng's. Only the very best do well and as we know there are many 100's of 0000 players playing them.

I would welcome a chat on the subject, unless I am missing something it looks
like a grind of the highest order to make a modest profit from them from it, I know some players who repute to make a living from them and I can't see how from their stats. What do you think ?

Steve

Originally posted by 177272
Hi mate,

I posted this on another Blog, but would ask you the same question. Maybe I should open a thread about it.

What time you grinding today? I have spent HOURSSSSSSSSSS on SS searching winner players ect, and unless I am missing something is seems to be sooooooooooo hard to make money on sng's. Only the very best do well and as we know there are many 100's of 0000 players playing them.

I would welcome a chat on the subject, unless I am missing something it looks
like a grind of the highest order to make a modest profit from them from it, I know some players who repute to make a living from them and I can't see how from their stats. What do you think ?

Steve

Sorry to chime in here, I don't know what the exact current state is on stars, because I'm not playing there yet, but it is still possible to make a decent/good living in them, you just have to put in the work! And why look at other players? Your goal should be to beat other players, and proof people wrong that say the games are dead, so stop wasting your time trying to find these things out Use this time to work on your game.

Originally posted by 177272
Railed on and off and kept an eye on SS. So you started with a nasty 20 bi downswing then ground it back to some profit, then a nasty downswing to finish. 2 downs and 1 up in a session is hard to over come.

How much was bad play, how much was just run bad, will you analysis that session to look for leaks? Have you marked specific spots in game to look at and if so what method do you use?

Steve

Hey Steve,

Its not swings that bother me, its the fact that I didn't play anywhere near my a game last night. I was planing to play 200 games then the strong wind started blowing in my town and my wireless internet started disconnecting me from stars as I was playing. Whole day this was driving me crazy, was nervous about it and then decided to play that last session without enough focus. Without doing review I already know what I was missing because lack of focus translates into less aggression, less exploiting opponents, less -ev shoves etc
There was setups and run bads but I don't care too much about it, I just want to grind and play my best. I have marked hands I will look them over later tonight.
I tend to watch marked hands day after , look for specific filters (4-6 players all in before the flop, bubble also, 3 bet shoving , raise calling etc) applying this with ICMizer does the job for me.

Originally posted by 177272
Hi mate,

I posted this on another Blog, but would ask you the same question. Maybe I should open a thread about it.

What time you grinding today? I have spent HOURSSSSSSSSSS on SS searching winner players ect, and unless I am missing something is seems to be sooooooooooo hard to make money on sng's. Only the very best do well and as we know there are many 100's of 0000 players playing them.

I would welcome a chat on the subject, unless I am missing something it looks
like a grind of the highest order to make a modest profit from them from it, I know some players who repute to make a living from them and I can't see how from their stats. What do you think ?

Steve

Demonic already gave answer , perhaps I can just add thing or two.

Who did you search for? The problem with 15s is there are tons of regulars and most of them are making life hell (decreasing your ROI) by making fishy reg mistakes. What do I mean by this? Well 4-6 players, raise calling wider than nash , not adjusting to position and your general tendencies. Bubble terrible ICM calls from SB, leaks from BB as well, bvb play r/calling shit like Ax in bubble etc
All this stuff is decreasing possibility for you to profitably play aggressive game and its a war between me and them - me wanting to keep 3 betting nash, them r/calling -ev moves , and we both loose money they just loose more because what else can I say when one of the top regs called me in bubble BVB my 4 bet shove with Q6s!!!

Sharkscope following players and see how they do

Elio Oneiro
Ponchua
Kanabal17
FishOnPatrol
DasisJb
Kymatoz (some numbers here)

All these players play were different styles of poker and yet all are profitable on these limits.
Like Demonic was saying, there is way to make a living here and it obviously takes more time effort and hard work then it did 2-3 years ago but once you choose poker as career there shouldn't be excuses of any sort (in my opinion). Quit while its early or work your ass off to crush them

I will start playing right now otherwise I would type you more players (there is about 15-20 of them that I keep clashing on daily basis) but I have to play as tonight at 8:30pm Partizan is playing Thun at home and I will watch this game. Hoping to grind at least 100 games until then.

By the way, its also very important number of games and tables those guys play. I noticed that Elio Oneiro and Ponchua are very solid winners and they at least 12+ table in my opinion. They have my respect for that. Guys that have positive roi with 6-8 tables is fine but I think thats ez game compared to what those guys do!