Yesterday I made a deposit to Empire Poker to take advantage for the 15% reload bonus up to $100 (bonus code GET15). I played in between games and after they were over, clearing the required 500 raked hands in the process. After I was done, I withdrew my money right away and I just deposited over at Party Poker for the March reload bonus of 20% up to $200 (bonus code BONUSMAR). I have to play 1400 raked hands to clear it, so it’ll take a little longer. In addition, I have bonus funds waiting to be earned at Ultimate Bet, Full Tilt, and Poker Stars as well. I’m starting to sound like Mr. Bonus Whore himself. 😉

It took me a total of 861 hands to clear the Empire bonus and in the process I lost 8 BB. Not bad considering I didn’t play my best. My mistake of the night was falling in love with my hands. After taking a few beats with monsters I started to call down with clear losing hands and a few big bets here and there add up pretty quickly. It didn’t take me long to realize what I was doing though, so that’s a good sign. I took myself off tilt and just relaxed. It would all come back.

I was 4-tabling the whole time at $0.50/1, which is a perfect number of tables. It keeps me focused and the action moves at just the right pace that I don’t have 3 or 4 tables flashing at a time, waiting for my move. GameTime+ helps me to keep an eye on the players, but for the most part all you have to do is play your hand at this low level. Go on auto-pilot and play ABC poker. I throw in a fancy move here and there against players I’m confident will fold, but it’s not necessary. You’ll get the money sooner or later if you stick to basics here. Trust me.

Back to my mistake of the night…calling down with what is clearly the losing hand. I don’t know how many times I’ve read this in books and magazines, but at the low limits when someone raises (or even worse check-raises) on the turn, you better have one of the top two hands to call them down. Everything else loses you money. There is the occasional exception with the worst players, but the majority of low limit players are not capable of pulling off a bluff raise. Shit…they’re not even smart enough to check to me on the turn so that they can raise it when I bet.

My new bankroll of $300 is not up over $411 thanks to a bonus and some solid play. When it gets up to $1000, I’ll move up a limit to the $1/2 tables. For now I’m just going to grind it out…