Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?

Sky_Dave

There was an interesting post on here about how to earn extra Cash for Points and it made me wonder how we go about playing our cash games on Sky.

Obviously I'm not allowed to play on Sky (boo, right?!) but I do like to put in the occassional cash session when I play online. I used to play MTTs pretty much exclusively but they're pretty hard to grind through when working the next day, etc so I prefer cash for the shorter session lengths.

What I thought would be interesting would be to have you pop your thoughts/habits/set up when playing cash, as well as perhaps adding one piece of advice for others who are tempted to play it a bit more....

Here's mine - feel free to cut and paste the format and put in your answers.

How often: About 3-4 times a week and I always try to get a longer weekend session in too.

Stakes: Depends on the mood I'm in and if I am playing more for enjoyment or to grind. Can be as low as 5/10c, as high as 25/50c. I don't play higher because...

Tables: When playing a 'proper session' I'll play 6-8 tables of either NL25 or NL50. I don't really enjoy playing higher on more tables as it then affects my decision making too much.

How long: Between 1-3 hours normally. Weekends perhaps 3-4 hours.

Set-up: Desktop PC, two monitors. Not that you need 2 monitors for 8 tables, but I like playing with bigger layouts - never been a fan of tiling tbh.

My advice: If you're comfortable at the level you play and win,  increase the number of tables you play to see if you win at the same rate. Even if your game is slightly affected, winning say 4 x £5 at NL10 is better than 2 x £7 at NL10!

DOHHHHHHH

I'm not sure I agree some stuff people have said on the other thread...

I find the C4P levels really hard to get through, obv that's partly coz I'm lazy etc, but you do have to play ALOT at low stakes to get anywhere close to 10k+ which is where the big rakeback comes into play.

For example I've played almost Xclusively on sky for 20 months & only got to 5k C4P twice (well twice after by midnight tonight )

-------------

Still, shud b an interesting thread, here goes....

How often: Prob 2 days in every 5 days on average, depending on severity of hangover. 

Stakes: nl30 mainly, nl20 & nl40 occasionally.

Tables: 6 tables ideally, three rows of two. Sometimes more to start, and reduce gradually as vision becomes increasingly blurred.

How long: Depends how long it takes to get going. This month I completed my first ever "timed" 6 hour grind. Probably done it before when I used to play alot more, building a roll etc, but normally around 3 hours, have a break for some mtts/HU sngs, then another 3 hours.

Set-up: 6 tables in 2 columns in mini view on 25 inch monitor! Loads of empty space.......need to try playing more, but I play far too many hands to be able to play them well on more than 6 tables at once and I end up timing out far too much mid-hand!

My advice: If you play nl 4/8/10/20, try and get used to mini view asap. Even if you are 1 tabling on a massive monitor, play on mini view, without the distraction of chat or avatars. Will help you loads when you start increasing volume and playing more seriously (if that's what you plan to do eventually)

EvilPingu

How often: Most days

Stakes: NL4

Tables: 1 cash, and usually a DYM as well. Can only fit 2 tables on my laptop unless I use mini view Will occasionally play up to 4 tables if I'm on the desktop PC, but only 1 cash table, mainly because of my bankroll.

How long: Until I get bored, or until I'm drunk enough to 5 bet all in with my suited aces, only to realise that one of them aces is actually a 4.

Set-up: Laptop, sofa... :P

My advice: Enjoy the game. If you're not, find another table or stop playing for the day.

simuk

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

Good idea!

How often: At least 6 days a week, less at the weekends as I try to have a life at some point!

Stakes: NL200£ - NL(However big it runs!)

Tables: Prob the average is like 6 tables, but will happy go to 10-12 if there are enough bigger

games running!

How long: Prob 6 hours a day, most days, 3 during the day, 3 at night.

Set-up: 2x 30" Dell monitors and 37" LED TV for entertainment. Here is pic: http://simmahon.smugmug.com/Family/Xmas-2010/i-4Fzvdk9/0/XL/smugshot5227018-XL.jpg

My advice: Dont play too many tables at once before you are ready. Increase the numbers slowly. Bankroll management is everything. Don't fold anything to LOL_Raise.

68Trebor

How often: Normally play every evening and sometimes have a session in the morning.

Stakes: NL30 is my preferred choice but sometimes end up at nl40 or nl50, depending on traffic.

Tables: Usually play 2 or 3 tables, as tend to find I become a robot when I play more.
 

How long: Will play from anything from an hour to 5 hours depending on how I feel and how I am playing.
 

Set-up: Play on my laptop with tiled tables, either with talksport or channel 865 on in tne background.

My advice: Remember why you started playing the game, it was for enjoyment.

Lambert180

How often: At the moment I'm playing Monday-Friday (annoying that I miss all the weekend fish but my weekends are taken up at the moment)

Stakes: 4NL/8NL/10NL depending on BR and table availability.

Tables: On my laptop at home I play 6 tables (2 rows of 3 in MV) but I've been staying with my mum for a bit and having to use her laptop which can only fit 4 tables (without overlapping)

How long: Usually play fro abuot 7pm-11pm, Mon-Fri.

Set-up: Feet up on the couch (got one of them corner sofas), laptop on, channel 865 on in the background and WAY to many other websites open to be +EV lol

My advice: Advice for 4NL/8NL/10NL - NEVER slowplay big hands!

Lambert180

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups? : Good idea! How often:   At least 6 days a week, less at the weekends as I try to have a life at some point! Stakes:   NL200£ - NL(However big it runs!) Tables:   Prob the average is like 6 tables, but will happy go to 10-12 if there are enough bigger games running! How long:   Prob 6 hours a day, most days, 3 during the day, 3 at night. Set-up:   2x 30" Dell monitors and 37" LED TV for entertainment. Here is pic:  http://simmahon.smugmug.com/Family/Xmas-2010/i-4Fzvdk9/0/XL/smugshot5227018-XL.jpg My advice: Dont play too many tables at once before you are ready. Increase the numbers slowly. Bankroll management is everything. Don't fold anything to LOL_Raise.
Posted by simuk

Very nice set up Sim, and I'm really glad to see one of the bigger players commenting here.

MP33

How long : Will be aiming to play 4-5  hours a day in 2 sesssions , 5 days a week during december

Stakes :  NL4 to NL10 - Sometimes 2 table DYM,s at around £5 and the rare MTT and satelite

How many tables  -  2-4 tables

Setup -  Decent size monitor but cant seem to gert more than 4 on w/o bits hidden and not ready for more anyway. I chill out in my  grandads leather chair with foot stool with monitor on table and m8,s distarcting me in the background with battlefield 3 on my Tele

Advice - BRM BRM BRM

The_Don90

how long: When i can be bothered, try for 1 2 hour session per day

Stakes: NL4

How many tables: 4-8 depending on mood,

setup: 2 banks of 3

advice: Big hand Bet big

68Trebor

 Just a quickie to all those who use mini view. How long did it take to get used to it as it is driving me crazy.

Lambert180

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

 Just a quickie to all those who use mini view. How long did it take to get used to it as it is driving me crazy.
Posted by 68Trebor

It used to drive me crazy too what Dohhhh says is very true, you should start playing it all the time as soon as possible even if you're only playing 1 table.

I got used to it at first cos I had to if I wanted to play the Forum DTD. It shouldnt take you very long to get used to it if you play a fair amount of volume.

LOL_RAISE

How often: almost daily

Stakes: nl200+ mostly

Tables: 6-9

How long: ~2hrs a session  2/3 sessions a day

Set-up: PC 1x 26" monitor  miniview

My advice: play multiple short sessions rather than one long mammoth session, especially if multitabling. online poker is so much more work intensive than a regular job that even after 1-2hours you can start to become tired and lose focus which costs you money longterm

ACEGOONER

How often: Pretty much every day unless its a poker sickie or a football match day !

Stakes: nl30/40/50 sometimes stray into nl100 on the rare occasion I am rolled for it.

Tables: 3/4 tables at nl40/50 sometimes will play HU cash only on one table at nl30 or nl50. I use full view with overlaping tables as mini view does my head in.

How long: Can play 3/4 hours a session, quite often do two sessions a day.

Set-up: all in one pc, 19in monitor which wasnt bought for poker. Next time I buy a pc I will definately look at things like resolution but what would be better is for sky to sort out resizing of tables pleeeease! 

My advice: Always keep notes on other players and their style of play, know who the regs are as quite often trying moves on them can be costly. Also keep comprehensive notes on the donks unless you are one yourself!

Sky_Dave

Nice brag, Sim

Some pretty interesting answers so far - I'm surprised that barely any of you play just one table at a time. How about this one then:

Do any of you ever short-stack, especially when playing at a level higher than you usually do? ('taking a shot' as some might call it).

pryce6

How often: Weekdays/nights. Occasionally I will load up if I'm in on a Fri/Sat night.

Stakes: It's been 50nl for a while, but happy to mix in 100nl.

Tables: Anywhere from 8-12, 15 is the max I think.

How long: All depends on how it's going and what else I'm doing. If I've got plans I'll play around them. If i'm running/playing bad I'll just quit, if I'm on a tear I'll just play on. I'd say avg 2 hour sessions though.

Set-up: Dell Studio 17" Laptop connected to 24" Monitor. Laptop is powerful and does the job but I'm in the middle of ordering a 27" iMac right now so I'll be switching to that soon.

My advice: Be a bankroll nit. It's worked for me and I don't tilt even if I do chunks. Working your way up slowly is important, I think if I moved up at the same rate as my BR losing BIs would hurt whereas this way it hasn't affected my game at all.

pod1

How often; probably 4 evenings a week and most weekends.

Stakes: depends on the amount of tables. 6 xnl20/ 4 x30/ 2x50/ 1x100

How long; 2/3hrs of an evening. 3/4 hrs on a weekend.

Set-up:packard bell intel core 2 cpu, 1gb with 2x 19" screens

My advice: learn at the cheap end!! come to terms with variance as quick as possible. good play still loses and bad players still win.

Lambert180

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

Nice brag, Sim Some pretty interesting answers so far - I'm surprised that barely any of you play just one table at a time. How about this one then: Do any of you ever short-stack, especially when playing at a level higher than you usually do? ('taking a shot' as some might call it).
Posted by Sky_Dave

Personally I never short stack and I tend to top up if I fall below about 90 BBs... on that topic, it would be nice for Sky to add an auto top-up option like many other sites as when you're multi-tabling it can become troublesome.

YOUNG_GUN

How often: Usually every other day, but lately not soo much

Stakes: cash nl10-30 , tourneys £5.50-£11 occasionally higher and lower lol

Tables: 3-6 comfortable playing either but if nl20 or above i will only play 2-3 tables 

How long: Really depends sometimes i can play 4-5 hours if in a few tourneys with no break, usually have small 15-30mins before go over to cash. cash tends to be 1-2 hour sessions tend to start losing after 1.5 hours lol 

Set-up: Laptop XL Screen think 18-20", Normal unless 3+ sometimes occasionally put on big if good banter. Mini if not. obv Twitter, FB(sometimes) and sometimes messenger up in background depending how im feeling :P 

My advice: When you add tables do it 1 at a time and get used to it and dont add another unless u find urself checking other websites/forum etc 

simuk

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

got a nice set up there sim i couldnt play 10 tables tho on 3 monitors have to be 6 lol
Posted by IDONKCALLU

Hi, 

The TV isnt plugged up into the comp tbf. Just Sky and the Ps3!

The res on the monitors is pretty sick. Can play 6 standard view tables on each with no overlap. 

Made the investment years ago and very happy I did so .

sikas

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups?:

In Response to Re: Cash Games: Discussion/Advice/Set ups? : Hi,  The TV isnt plugged up into the comp tbf. Just Sky and the Ps3! The res on the monitors is pretty sick. Can play 6 standard view tables on each with no overlap.  Made the investment years ago and very happy I did so .
Posted by simuk

what resolution they sporting?

FlashFlush

How Often: Every night that I'm home, usually 5 times a week.

Stakes: 40nl / Main Event

Tables: 6

How long: Normally about 2 hours, longer if I go deep in the main event.

Set-Up: A modest 1 monitor 24" widescreen, but the system is 8GB ram

Advice: You don't need to play a lot of hands to make a lot of money. Your better off waiting for decent hands in decent spots and playing them correctly than trying to play lots of hands and leaking chips.