What a grind!

When I was in Las Vegas for Fan Appreciation Weekend 2008, I was anxious to play some no-limit Texas Hold’em, and maybe learn a thing or two from some of the local professionals.  Around my home town near Seattle, about all I have that is easily and consistently available to me is $3-$6 limit Texas Hold’em, which I’ve become pretty good at – enough to win consistently and make more than a minimum wage job would provide.

I wasn’t sure what to expect in Las Vegas; I had played a little bit of poker there in previous years, but it is now officially a passion, and this was the first year I felt I might actually have a chance at competing with others.

The first thing I noticed when I sat down to the table at Binion’s was that I counted what appeared to be $6,000 to $8,000 at the table, and this was only $1-$2 no-limit.  That’s a pretty significant amount of money available to be won!

The next thing I noticed was that the players were significantly better than the players I normally come across around Seattle.  I managed to keep from losing my entire bankroll, but on one of the first nights I did manage to get stuck about $400.  I tried my best to learn from my mistakes, and come back to the table smarter and wiser.  I managed to make up for my losses that night, and I learned an awful lot about no-limit cash games.  Or so I thought.  :)

I now understand how people can make a living by playing poker.  When there’s anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 on the table on any given night, if you’re only a little better than the average player you stand to make some good money.

Contrast this with poker near my home, where you’re lucky to see $1,000 on the table at a $3-$6 limit table.  According to some of the “Two Plus Two Publishing” books I’ve read, you’re doing pretty well if you’re making on average 1-2 big blinds per hour playing limit poker.  This means $6-$12 per hour is pretty good.  I’m averaging about $15 per hour, so I know I’m much better than the average players I play with – but that’s just not enough to make a living.  I’m not quitting my day job anytime soon.  :)

After returning from Las Vegas, I got right back into my poker routine.  I usually go to the casino after work, from maybe 7:00pm to 10:00pm each night.  On my first night back I was up $60.  I went away feeling like I had just come back from a job.  For 3 hours of “work” $60 meant about $20 per hour – which is way better than expected.  But what a GRIND!  The next night I left almost $200 up, and then last night I lost $200.  So it does even out.  I’m anxious to get back to Vegas where I can play some poker that has some real potential – both to win and lose.  :)

In the meantime I’m reading everything I can about no-limit cash games.