Bankroll Management.

[Spidey44]

You say you have a gambling problem... Then you should probably stop playing poker as well. Some may argue, but this is probably the smartest course of action.

BUT...I assume you're not going to quit so here is my advice.

You lost a lot of money playing blackjack.

Step one: Withdraw all money from bodog
Step two: Remove Bodog software
Step three: deposit on a site where there are no other casino games

Good luck

[melioris]

QFT

[Windbreaker]

Gambling can be a problem even for winning players. It can be time consuming and require you to keep moving up in stakes in order to get the same adrenline rush you once had before. I think most winning players don't treat poker like gambling at all, at least not in the long run.

Frankly, it doesn't matter how good you are at poker if you don't manage your bankroll properly. No one can win every hand they play in poker, and even if you put the money in good everytime, you still can lose.

As far as your situation. First if you're going to play larger events, satellite your way into them instead of directly buying in. It's time consuming, but I don't think very many ppl can put in a third of their bankroll in a larger buy in tourney and honestly expect to profit big before they go bust. Second if you play cash games, buy into the games where even if you bust out, it doesn't affect your bankroll that much. Third, there should be no reason to ever play a negative EV game unless you're ok to lose the entire amount you put on the table. Black jack and other casino table games are good for entertainment purposes. Just like a night out, so the amount you can lose should not affect you at all. The only reason you should ever play BJ online is if you're casino whoring or such...and that well has started going dry for a while now.

[Talking Poker]

Bold.

Admitting you have a problem is a great first step. I also think you should probably quit, but also think you probably won't. But it is IMPERITIVE, especially for people with "problems," that you stick to strict bankroll management guidelines. Playing above your bankroll IS gambling, and you're not allowed to do that any more. Ever. By grinding it out within your limits, you're not really gambling, and assuming you are a winning player and continue to play well, you won't ever bust again. And that's a nice thought, isn't it?

P.S. +Rep for OP.

[hackers238]

I'm learning to be a better poker player too, and trying to improve from a break even / steadily declining (when I'm drunk) player. I have three things to say:

1. Pick a game type a stick with it. SNG's are not Cash Games, and neither of them are MTTs. All three are played very differently as you go up in levels, and I think it's important to pick ONE and know how to play it (Assuming you want to play No Limit Holdem, of course)

2. Have an adequete bankroll. You say you're depositing $150. If you're going to go cash game, I would recommend grinding out at the NL .05/.10 level. You don't have quite enough for the .10/.25 game (you would only have 6 buy-ins there). If you're going SNG route, don't play anything higher than the $5 buy-ins. MTT tournaments you might want to go even less than $5, but I don't have any experience here

3. Set a goal and follow it through. This goal cannot be monetary, because then you might never get there. For example I'm currently playing 10,000 hands of .10/.25, and then evaluating all of my play with pokertracker. Regardless of how much money I win in those 10,000 (Or lose), I'm going to complete those 10,000 without changing blinds, or playing other types of games. When I originally formulated a plan to improve at poker, I wanted to play SNGs, and I planned on doing 100 $1 SNGs at stars, and then evaluating my play, so I think this is a good idea for SNG players. I think this is important because it will keep you focused on a goal which you are always nearing, rather than keep you focused on obtaining a certain amount of money to "move up in blinds", which you may fall away from and get frustrated.

Finally, If you do bust out, take a minimum of 1 month break from PLAYING poker, but not from studying it. That way when you go back you should know what to do in the situations you are running into.

PS: Post in the hand history section of this forum, and take anything the great players here say as gold. Even if they think you're stupid or a poor player (note: I'm a ), "wisdom is wisdom, even from the devil's mouth"

Good luck!

[drewjax]

This is very good advice.

+rep