interesting replies ♦
Originally posted by SiKWiThIt
It makes a lot of sense to pick a game where you know you are a proven winner. The worst thing that someone can do is allow themselves to allow self doubt to enter their game. That is when negative deviations will inadvertently start occurring without Hero even realising sometimes.
this
Originally posted by MyFloXyBabY
Well I'm kinda confused by your reasoning here. Basically playing only where you really crush means staying at a low level stake and giving up on progressing.
Trying to avoid downswings by avoiding tough spots means evading real poker in the end. On one hand if you fear downswings that much you have a mental problem you aren't taking care of, and on the other hand by avoiding tough games it takes that much more time for your game to step up.
How do you know beforehand what skill level corresponding to what stake crushing you are at the moment by the way ? Maybe you could crush a higher stake but don't know because you aren't even trying...
indeed, i am not the "ambitious player" that dreams of playing high stakes and wakes up to motivational tapes and repeats some "let's crush" mantra before every session 
not saying that there's anything wrong with that, but big dreams have to be backed up by big actions and a big mindset. we've been around for a long time, so surely you must know that most people's apparent "motivation" is very superficial and they crumble at the first runbads, despite they saying otherwise. i just keep it real to myself.
however, there are some wrong conclusions.
taking it slow doesn't mean giving up on progress or stagnation (that comes from not working on your game), nor is it an irrational fear of downswings, nor am i avoiding "real poker" (whatever that means). it just means that, well, i'm taking it slow.
maybe i should be playing nl50 (i do have a $1300+ roll and this nl25 is going "fine"), maybe not.
if you don't have a soul, you could use some kind of 15 BI brm and move up and down repeatedly. that might be "optimal".
that said, it is a truly beautiful thing to always enter the table with confidence even on days when you are not feeling your best, standing on a foundation of long-term proven results.
how much does playing in "tough games" help your game anyway? do you regularly review the hands of those who you perceive to be the top regs? population analysis? what else? just being put in more tough spots doesn't mean that you get better at playing them.
most improvement happens by 1) off-table work 2) putting it into practice (volume). you don't need the population to play tough against you in order to play good poker.
Originally posted by zetozinho
Originally posted by SiKWiThIt
I am currently going through this stage after attempting to Jump from NL5 to NL50 zoom. I plan to drop down and prove to myself that I am capable of beating the previous limits before stepping back onto NL50.Firstly, no one should jump from NL5 to NL50. You should gradually move up in stakes, not abruptly.
Some people say that is the bankroll that dictates where you should play, but I disagree with that.
Your skill and knowledge should be the primary reason to choose the stake you're going to play.
Secondly, taking some shots at tougher games is part of the evolution process. The only way you'll develop your game is by playing against better players. Those are the ones you have something to teach to you.
I think nobody wants to stay at NL2 forever
his case is special, you can see his blog for details.
it is definitely very unorthodox to skip limits (specially that many at once), but i've seen what he's doing and i believe he can make it if he keeps the work ethic.on that topic, @SiKWiThIt i have a few questions out of curiosity ♦ if you're ok with me asking, reply here and i'll add you here on pokerstrategy.
