[razor]

I've been playing HE FL $0.5/$1.0 at partypoker for about a month and a half. I started out with a BR of $100 and decided to try to play pretty tight and conservatively. For about two weeks I increased the BR to about 150, but since that I've been losing consistently, (some sessions show a small profit, while others show a substantial loss), and now I have $35 left.

I've been using pokertracker to try to analyse my game, and cannot find any serious mistakes (I think...).

As I said, I play quite tightly (see approx 16% of flops outside the blinds, and 30% including the blinds).

I pay to see the turn when I have:
a) TP (+ good/decent kicker)
b) 4-card flushdraw (A or K high)
c) openended straight draw
d) set

After that I try to bet when I feel I'm ahead, call down cheaply if I'm somewhat unsure, and fold if I'm quite sure that I'm beat.

Of course this is a general strategy, but I really try to stay out of second best hands.

Anyway, my question is:
Do I just suck at poker or is it just possible that I'm having a bad streak?
How much losses (in terms of Big Bets) is acceptable, and even unavoidable? while still playing sound poker?

I could provide some hand histories If that would help, but I feel that just looking at one or two specific hands wouldn't help much would it?

[norshvind]

First off.... your being too harsh on yourself. You need to be more confident in your poker skills, with consideration that you are a decent player and know the game. If you are a total fish, then hell, nothing we can help you with.

You havent given any information on the way you play, so I cant really tell you how you can improve and what mistakes/bad habits you are making. Please provide some hand histories so we can critique your play.

Also, with a starting bankroll of $100, you have to expect some losses. I mean, come on... no one started playing poker and not expect to lose. I loss a lot when i first started before making any profit. So its gonna take time and patience to start seeing results.

Next, there is something called "SWINGS". We all go through it, no one is invisible to having a bad streak of cards and bad luck. Perhaps, you are having a bad run of cards, thats all! Take a break from poker, and come back fresh!

Maybe you are playing TOO TIGHT??? Did you ever think of that? Playing tight all the time can backfire too. Other people on the table can pretty much bully you around and steal pots if they suspect of you being a tight player. You need to mix it up sometimes, and change gears.

Another thing, have you tried playing LIMIT HOLD EM??? This is a good way of getting a nice bankroll started without risking your entire bankroll in one hand. I like Limit because u can take risks and not lose everything. Plus, u get to play a lot more hands and the pots can get HUGE!

I have more ideas but tell me what u think so far.......

[chris]

[razor]

Well, I always try to calculate pot-odds, when deciding to call. Maybe I'm a bit off sometimes, but it is quite easy for the nutflush draw and openenders....