The 2013 Diary of a Semi-LAG Tilt Monkey

Originally Posted by The Bean Counter

(2) Example

99 maybe not the best hand to do this with without blockers, but one to think through:

Hero (BB) ($50.75)
UTG ($42.53)
MP ($50.75)
CO ($50)
Button ($54.81)
SB ($50)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 9, 9
3 folds, Button bets $1.50, SB raises to $5, Hero raises to $11, 2 folds

Total pot: $11.50 | Rake: $0

I do like doing this, especially if BTN is stealing a lot and SB is starting to open up. However 99 has got to be a bad hand to do it with, only things like QJ and JT could be worse really as not only are we not blocking his range he will continue with, but we are blocking his folding range.

I'd be much more inclined to do this with stuff like weak Axs.

And for hand 1 I don't like looking at it as 60bb you'll have previously left on the table, it's either a +EV bluff or -EV. Don't forget some % of the time we get called and lose in this spot, especially the more we do it. Not that I'm saying it's not +EV, no idea if it would be or not tbh.

Originally Posted by TNreg

Hey Bean, thought I'd drop in to say I've enjoyed reading the blog thus far. Isn't it amazing how a simple thing like discipline can be a huge leak? Not surprising though as most guys have problem with self control.

I think your opinion on 2p2 a few posts above is spot on though. It's a very resourceful site but engaging in any worthwhile conversation over there generally turns to shit, not to mention all the 2p2 regs with 100k hand break-even graphs, who like you said, advocate that level 2 nittiness.

GL and get some #rungood at 50NL.

Thanks dude. I've come to realise that mental discipline and drive counts for so much in nearly everything competitive including exams and your career, but especially poker. I always liked to think I had strong discipline, but poker has highlighted that I have a long way to go.

There's a few good guys on 2p2 that post some really sound advice in amongst all the pricks and it's definitely a useful resource for working out how the regs are playing at the micros and small stakes. As long as you then use that to your advantage (i.e. you don't make money doing the same as the majority of your competitors), it's worthwhile sifting through the trash.

Originally Posted by ImSavy

And for hand 1 I don't like looking at it as 60bb you'll have previously left on the table, it's either a +EV bluff or -EV.

Agreed. I suppose I just wanted to make the point that we can miss spots sometimes that can make a huge difference to our win rate (even if we get called sometimes). Just one spot like this per 1000 hands can easily turn a break-even players into a perceived big winner. The key is working out where those spots are, which is where hh review and taking advice from good players is key. That's not to say small, consistent mistakes aren't even more important though: sizing one value bet 5bb too small per 100 hands can also make a huge difference.