The Boredom & Pain Of Ring Games

I just don't think I can take it anymore. I've tried playing more no-limit ring games, but those are even more boring than limit ring games. I still love to play the limit SNG's on Poker Room, so I'll keep doing that. But I'm 960 points away from collecting $100 on Holdem Poker that I have to collect by February 14th, and I just don't think I'm up to it. I never thought I would forsake a bonus that big, but I just can't make money in ring games, limit or no-limit. It's a zero-sum proposition for me. Some of the stories you guys tell of multiplying your bankroll by factors of five or more astound me. I just don't see how it's possible. It's a whole different ballgame than in playing MTT's and SNG's.

Had to get that off my chest. I thought I'd do it here.

E

Do you play full table ring games? Then I can see what you mean by boring. But there are ways to increse the action factor thou. You could multitable, always action when you play 4 tables. Set up a 4 player max NL table, that will keep your eyes on the screen!

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Well if you play with a friend its a bit better, I started to hate ring games after awhile, now I'm all into chips.. so that means SnG's and MTT's..

Right now though I'm looking for someone to trian/play with because I can't seem to win progressively..

I can be profitable and play with confidence on any sng, mtt, or hu match. When it comes to ring games, I'm terrible. Maybe it's something to do with playing with my own money instead of with chips. I mean you always play with your own money, but in a ring game it's still a different feeling and approach. I see the potential of making large amounts of cash, but I just don't have what it takes to be that person. How do you guys switch your game from sng's and the like to a ring game?

I used to play exclusively in MTT and SAG’s but now focus more on ring games after playing the cash games in the casinos. I find the time invested to play and max my payout is better achieved in a cash game vs. a MTT tourney. The first thing is you have to pick a limit you are comfortable at and have a bankroll big enough. When I say big enough I would not play at a limit unless I had 500-600 times the BB. I will sit at a 1 / 2 NL game with 200 but have the rest in reserve. You want to buy into a table at the max allowed because when you catch the nuts you want to be able to take advantage of the situation. Playing ring games requires patience and concentration. Personally I do not recommend multi-tabling. I play position and pay attention to how the other players play from their positions. If you are bored you probably shouldn’t be playing then. (Try a turbo SAG for action and a wild ride.) I find there is not much bluffing going on in the ring games. By paying attention you will know when somebody is trying to buy a pot, but for the most part if you are re-raised or check raised someone has the nuts and has trapped you. Better to lay down and lose the pot than lose your whole stack. Fight the battle over the long haul your cards will come. Finally DO NOT slow play. Everyone has tried to go for a suck out only to have the turn or river crush their hand. Better to get your chips in up front and be aggressive when you have a hand. A small pot is better than none at all. Keep in mind the swings in cash can be big. That is why I recommend the 5-600x BB. It is not uncommon to cash out 5x your buy in after a few hours of play, but I have also lost my buy in after 15 mins after a bad beat gets laid you. Play smart and you will come out on top in the end.

Hope this helps.

After thinking about my original post I wanted to add that unlike a Tourney your play is not dictated by an ever increasing blind structure. This where I can see how some players might get bored. The play is not structured towards a time / blind limit. You just have to sit tight until you catch your hand. Don't force the action.

Can anyone recommend a good book on ring game no-limit play? It is just way too different from SNG's for me to transfer my knowledge from there.

I've picked a level where I have 2,000 times the blinds. I want to learn first before I get in over my head from a skill standpoint.

Thanks,

E

im not sure about no limit
although it covers the very basic elements of poker, i found lee jones low limit poker to be very helpful for playing limit ring games

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