Poker has become a nitfest

Hi Timmaywin
As usual you make some good points.
Poker is most definitely more difficult -- especially NLHE.

You can offset that to some degree by embracing the "Mixed Games" where a large part of the player pool is rather stuck in Hold'em thinking.
I don't include PLO in this category, because PLO is also full of highly skilled players -- and solvers exist for that game as well.

I partly disagree about it being too nitty though -- I find that the opposite is true -- players are playing far too many hands, and playing them aggressively.
I really like having tight players to my left, and the lags on my right.
It makes a lot of the decision-making easier.

All the best,
VS

why would i try to change your mind lol

I hereby change your mind

Originally posted by Tomaloc
why would i try to change your mind lol

It is my way of attempting to challenge you to engage in the discussion

Originally posted by VorpalF2F
Poker is most definitely more difficult -- especially NLHE.

Yes, I'm referring to NLHE, forgot to mention that

Originally posted by VorpalF2F
You can offset that to some degree by embracing the "Mixed Games" where a large part of the player pool is rather stuck in Hold'em thinking.

I know you are a mixed game player, so I trust you to be a good reference on that
Exploiting players who play too much NLH style in these games sounds good
But besides PLO, the traffic for mixed games is very small, and apart from Pokerstars, most rooms mostly offer NLH, PLO and PLO8.
(which makes it hard to grind and make money of of those games, compared to NLH where you can put in much more volume.

Originally posted by VorpalF2F
I partly disagree about it being too nitty though -- I find that the opposite is true -- players are playing far too many hands, and playing them aggressively.

I'm using the term nit, which is just one type of player which plays vary tight and passive, to open the discussion.
What I generally experience is what you mentioned in the beginning of your reply: that games are a lot harder these days.
One of the consequences is running in to players' top range hands a lot more often.

Originally posted by VorpalF2F
I really like having tight players to my left, and the lags on my right.

YES!

Ok. Well for starters I disagree that this forum is dead. Yes it used to be more interactive back in the golden era but I contribute to the HJ forum on daily basis and every hand is responded to very soon. Also many people are actively leading their blogs. There are regular coachings. But some local branches might actually be dead such as the Czech one where I come from.

As for the rest, you are describing the current state of online poker with which I mostly agree. Games are tougher, regulars are better, there are fewer recreational players, there is supportive software etc. But I can speak from my experience at NL2-NL10 only and it is no nitfest there whatsoever. Even compared to how it was a decade ago. The games are crazy on Pokerstars these days. And some players from NL25-NL50 say the same. There are still many casual players against which you dont need GTO. You just need a solid exploitative approach and you will make profit sooner or later. Can you make a living through poker? That is a totally different question. But I know at least 3 players who make a decent living by playing at NL100-NL200 so it must be possible.

Anyway if one plays poker solely for making money then one is in for a big disappointment very likely. Not just poker but basically every human activity if done purely for profit, it does not work. Except for being employed of course where you make money just for coming to the workplace. But try to start any business without any relationship to the respective field, just with the outlook of making money, and you will probably fail. Poker is no different in this regard. It has to come naturally to you if you want to make some serious cash. Some people will never find this and will forever be employed (like me haha). Some people will succeed but most will not (as in any other business).

That is why I play poker because I like the competition and online gaming. The potential profit is just a bonus for me to which I am not fixated like at all. I have just come to a conclusion that I will rather play poker with some chance to make some profit rather than classic online games where I am certain to make no profit

And last but not least. I dont mind the spreading trend of coaching offers and poker celebrities. It is only natural that people try to find new ways. And you should be glad for poker celebrities. They attract casual player which are then the main source of profit.