A deucescracked review

Real Life Micro NL-Grinder: Unlimited Texas Hold Them

As mostly an "Other Games" player, I spent little time playing NLHE in recent years, especially ring games, and really felt I had fallen way behind. At the end of spring 2008, my interest in re-learning NLHE had peaked. I had some familiarity with training sites from when Cardrunners premiered and was aware of Stoxpoker and another site called Deucescracked. I looked into CR initially, but it really seemed very expensive and I regularly heard conflicting reports about it, so the training sites went on the shelf. On 2+2, DC had a sub-forum for some time and one day I happened upon a free sample video. It was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. I went to the site, saw that the cost was extremely reasonable, and immediately signed up for a 6 month membership. It was one of the best decisions I've made.

I knew I had many core problems with my NLHE play and wanted to approach my studies from the perspective of a beginner. So I started with the basics. Watched some great TubaSteve vids, Mathematics on Holdem by WiltonTilt and others. That's when I came across the incredible series, Real Life Micro NL-Grinder: Unlimited Texas Hold Them. Looking back, I'd say this series helped my fundamentals more than anything else of seen on DC(although there are several other's that are close behind) and this is my brief review of it:

Real Life Micro NL-Grinder: Unlimited Texas Hold Them
Featuring DC Executive Producer and Coach WiltonTilt along with Deucescracked member and Wilt's student, WhiteHeatSYD

It's described as "How do you mold a beginner into an expert? WiltOnTilt and DeucesCracked member WhiteHeatSYD delve into the heart of that question in Real Life: MicroNL Grinder. Bankroll management theory, starting hand selection and general strategy development coupled with live sweat and hand history review. And keep your eyes peeled for special guest coaches!", but really is so much more.

This series details virtually everything a beginning to experienced player needs to know to beat SSNL in a primarily live-play format. Most "lessons" are conveyed in such a way that they can quickly be incorporated successfully into your own game. And, as with all DC videos, anything that you may have a question about will be cordially responded to by the video makers in each videos follow up discussion thread.

Content wise, starting hands, villains ranges, board texture and how all relate to one another are covered. As is bet sizing, 3betting, 4 betting and the math behind it. A lot of time is focused on position, how to manipulate it, how hand strengths change depending on position, basically all the critical elements related to it. Also covered are the commonly used software tools and how to utilize them to analyze your own play, evaluate villain types, how to play vs. general villain types and determine ideal table selection. Most importantly, they really get into the "WHYS?!". The explanation of why to take any specific action is broken down so it's easier to implement into your own play.

Another nice aspect of the series are the personalities involved and their ability to interact and express ideas to one another. WiltonTilt is comfortable communicating his thoughts, with an obvious familiarity with the subject matter. He's also sympathetic to the trials facing WhiteHeat, an enthusiastic Australian small stakes player whose learning process is easily related to. Whether it be the jubilation felt after a great session or the misery of variance following a session filled with coolers and cold decks, you experience it right along Wilt and WhiteHeat. The concept of seeing others getting nailed by a bad beat and they brush it off makes your own TILT management that much easier.

I'd say that this is the most complete and concise series relating to 6 max SSNL available on Deucescracked and is not to be missed.