Bryans steps program – Page 2

_Anonymous_ · 2010-05-03T12:08:24Z

Hi All I was delighted to see that Full Tilt have started doing a steps program to the world series. I am a fan of the excellent steps program on Pokerstars, but the lowest priced step is normally $7.50 or thereabouts, which was just too high from my low BR most of the time. They have steps to a number of events, and I hope that Full Tilt go down the same route too. Full Tilt have $3.30 as their lowest buy-in, which is more realistic for my current BR. They have a $1 buy-in, but I will dismiss that in my comments below. For anyone not familiar with the steps program, what I like about it, is that it gives you a shot at really big money, from a small BR such as mine, without having to enter a tourney with half a million entrants, which requires you to have a week off work to complete it, only to just miss out on a seat, and get a consolation prize of about $2 for finishing in the last 1000. OK I may have exagerated slightly above for comedic effect, but the steps program is all about single table sng play. At no stage do you ever face more than 8 opponents at a time. I could go on, but the post is getting too long already, so look up the rules yourself and have fun, as I am not on commision for plugging them. OK, last night, Played $1 which was just starting. Discovered I started with 300 chips, with blinds at 10/30, and had 99 opponents, so it was basically a crapshoot. Don't get involved in this nonesense unless you just want a bit of fun, or are really short in the BR dept. Next I entered a step 1 tourney, the proper start point, for $3 +30, and you only get eliminated if you don't finish in the top 5 of 9. The lower placings only give you another shot at level 1, but still, it's a big cushion. This was more like it. Top 2 places advance to step 2, and I acheived this at the first attempt. TODAY Got too tired last night, and the beauty of the steps program, is that you win a ticket, to use whenever it suits you. So I played it when I was fresh this morning. I was doing well enough, biding my time entering very few pots, when my golden opportunity came with pocket tens. My raise got two callers, and I flopped a set. I was raised, so I re-raised all-in, no messing, he folded, but the third guy (clearly an imbecile) called me with AJ, and against all odds, had hit a straight by the river, and I was eliminated from the program. I intend to play these on a fairly regular basis, from profits whenever possible, so my BR is not too adversely affected. Pokerstars have steps programs to various events and not just the wsop, and I hope that Full Tilt go down the same route, as despite my misgivings about the late stages of sng's being a bit bingoish, this has to be the best way of trying to spin a few dollars up to a wsop main event seat. Score so far: Attempts: 1 Highest level acheived: 2 Watch this space All the best Bryan

_Anonymous_

13.05.2010, 10:13 0

Hi Bryan,

Just to confirm that Steps do count towards rakeback. Any tournament where you pay a tournament fee is counted.
Each step you win, your prize includes the buyin & fee for the next step. Your effectively paying rake on every step and so rakeback applies.

I too have noticed a significant difference in my own steps challenge. Its natural to expect play to be different from a regular sng, but it's also totally different from my previous steps on other platforms. I'm not finding it easy to adapt my game accrordingly at the moment. Maybe we should brainstorm some thoughts on skype sometime.

I used to play Matrix tournaments regularly too, so if you think I could help in throwing some ideas/thoughts your way, just shout (offered as member to member discussion, because moderators are also members, first and foremost I'm not a coach).

Best regards,

Bart

p.s. I'm hoping to come up to DTD in August, so might get chance to meet up for a beer or 2

_Anonymous_

13.05.2010, 13:34 0

Hi there,

Thanks for the post Eaglestar88, I will give that some thought when I have the time. By all means let me know when you are planning to visit DTD.

I usually go an a Weds for the £15 tourney, but can be flexible. I did crap last week, but didn't go yesterday, as they have the UKIPT or whatever its called going on there this week, and that's a bit out of my price range at the moment. One year though, hopefully. The local rag actually gave it a bit of a write-up this week, using local player Julian Thew as the angle, who was also interviewed on Radio Nottingham the other day too.

Julian has won over $2m in tourneys over the years, and once famously declared his aim was to pay off his mortgage by the time he was 40, which he did with about a week to spare, following a big win at poker.

I, meanwhile, just got knocked out of a step 1 so have to re-buy into another one yet again, next session. Have to shoot off now to work, as I am going to the theatre tonight, with a mate, to see a play about Tommy Cooper.

Maybe some magic might rub off onto my poker game, and I can start living up to my name again.

All the best
Bryan

_Anonymous_

15.05.2010, 14:46 0

Hi All

Just to say that the Tommy Cooper play (see last post) was really good. It's called "just like that" and if its on near you (UK players) I can recommend it.

Have decided, for the time being, I will be playing less online poker. I don't seem to be getting anywhere very fast, and its getting too time consuming. I have a full time and a part-time business, and other hobbies and interests demanding of my time, that are getting neglected.

I will still play the steps program, and update here when I do, but it will be more occasionally than as a daily thing, like now. I think I just need a bit of a break from online poker, to focus on things likely to produce more immediate results on my bank balance.

Including a bit of rake I must have got yesterday,

BR = $138.33

All the best
Bryan

_Anonymous_

18.05.2010, 11:40 0

Hi All

Played a session the other night using a ticket, and got knocked out.

Just now, with no tickets left, bought into a step 1, and won another shot at step 1, when my all-in with AJ was outdrawn by KJ.

So am now still on step 1 but with a reduced BR yet again.

BR = $135.03

State of my finanaces generally in this recession, am tempted to do what I did with my Pokerstars account, and just draw it out. Am beginning to wonder if I will ever get another shot at the matrix at level 3, before I run out of money.

I seem to be doing better at sports betting on Betfair than I am at poker, or at least I was during the football season.

All the best
Bryan

[Closed] Bryans steps program