Looking for a September to remember!

Shooting for a September to remember!

Hoping for a turn around this month. I'm tired of fucking around and getting no where fast. Only way to do this is to actually put in some work and time doing the right things which aren't just playing shit tons of hands. Last month I played just shy of 40k hands with a winrate of 2.36bb/100 and that just seems like such a waste of time when I'm only playing 5nl.

A few of my goals for September which will help me accomplish making it a worthwhile month are:

1. Complete 5nl and move up to 10nl. Hope to accomplish this within approximately ten days.
2. Sustain a reasonable winrate of somewhere between 5-6bb/100.
3. Plug leaks on a continual bases by studying, reading, posting hands and discussing poker in general with those I respect. I invested in LeakBuster so I will be running reports on a regular bases then working on the most obvious leaks one at a time.

Here is a review of last month which wasn't at all what I was hoping for. I didn't put in as much time as I should on the studying part although I did do some work.

Overall month which includes 5nl full ring and 6max as well as a shot at 10nl:

Looks a lot like a teeter totter!

Following the 5+bi down swing at 10nl I pulled my head out of my ass and moved back down to 5nl. I continued to play full ring 10-14 tables until I just got so damn frustrated and again pulled my head out of my ass. I decided I wasn't getting anywhere playing massive volume but I also knew I couldn't play full ring with only 4-6 tables because I am a super nit at full ring and get bored out of my mind. So I started playing 3-4 tables of 6max.

This is the 5nl overall chart for the month:


So I ran a report on LeakBuster of the month for 6max and this is what I got back:

Each of the dollar signs which are suppose to look like leaks coming out of a faucet are leaks. If I click on them a box appears in the open gray area describing the leak and making a suggestion as to how to repair the leak.

If you are a HEM user and are not familiar with LeakBuster I recommend it. It takes all of your stats then gives you recommendations and also material to read/review etc designed for the specific leak.

I'm also hoping to recruit as much help as I can from those of you who are willing to help. Hoops was kind enough last week to allow me to sweat him which was really good. He basically sat down ran like god and made moneys on his sets and AA's. But as well as running good he showed me how important it is to analyze each decision you make. This is a big problem I have in that often I think "Oh fuck this is a no brainer" and I don't put much thought into the decision until my money goes sliding across the felt to the other stack! So Hoops thanks a lot for allowing me to sit in and I hope to do it again. Plus I will be hitting others up as well. If you are willing to let me sit in on one of your sessions please let me know please!

Well time to start the month off. Wish me luck!

Leakbuster seems pretty cool. The guy who created it coached me awhile back using a very similar method and he seems to know his stuff though I remember he had an unorthodoxy poker game. Are you positive 6.6% 3betting at that level is profitable? Especially in FR? It may be for sure, just curious.

Anyways, you had a winning month playing more hands than a lot of people so don't get down on yourself too much!

Originally Posted by kmind

Are you positive 6.6% 3betting at that level is profitable? Especially in FR? It may be for sure, just curious.

Honestly I'm not really sure but would sure like some feedback on it. Are you thinking it's to low/high? One thing I am not to sure of about LeakBuster is if it is adjusted for the stakes one is playing or not? I am sure there are some differences that need to take place as one moves up. Do you know Kmind if these things are taken into account or not?


Played a short session this morning after I started this. Not much to really report on. I will say last month I read a thread spoon did on stealing and defending. Now prior to reading that my average steal % was right about 25%. Since reading that I have bumped that up to right about 30% over the last 15,000 hands. I can't believe how much money is/was being left on the table. It's just there for the taking. Now you do have to be careful as some ppl catch right on and start defending more against the steal but still I am amazed at how this has helped.

I was thinking your number was a tad too high because you obviously bluff a good amount. This is great is people are folding a ton. I just predicted people at your stakes were tighter and folded less. Not sure about LeakBuster adjusting for stakes but I doubt it.

GL dude, anytime you want to do another sweat just let me know as I'm interested to see how you play.

Quick update on the month so far:

Seems like each session has been highlighted with a couple bi's lost and the rest of the time spent trying to winback with limited success. Today's went pretty good although no volume to it. IRL has had me pretty busy so far so the volume needs to pick up.

Needing to do more study time as well. I'm going to try and finish up "Professional No-Limit Hold'em" real quick and then maybe even read it again. I've taken way to long to get it read.

Yesterday was the bomb tbh. Didn't get a huge amount of hands in but what I did worked out real well. Played 944 hands @+59.45bb/100 which equaled 5.61bi's.

So far today 746 hands @+11.49bb/100 so just under 1bi ahead. Planned to get another 500ish hands in today. Stopped for awhile for food and refresh as I didn't feel I was playing more than about a C game over the last 200 hands or so.

I'm working on getting away from shoves when I only have a pair other than AA and I've actually managed to fold AA on a nasty board which is good for me. Now with that said I have still lost a few with high pp's but I am working on it. So many of my sessions are full of good play then one or two stacks lost in these types of situations.

I've also really been reminding myself to think of villains ranges. Still struggling with this but I know it will take work. I find myself looking at the board and wondering "Hmm does this hit his range?"

Well off for food then back at it!

Current bankroll $193.88

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Update for the day. Life is GOOOOD!

I think I see a leak as I look at these stats. My 3Bet calling% seems really high to me? Would be interested in feedback???

Damn 1720 hands today and down 1bi. Could be worse but I was really hoping to keep it rolling. Watch an hour long video on 3Beting but I think I'll need to watch it again. Also did some reading of Phil Gordon's Little Green Book. Trying to balance playing and studying a little better.

Current bankroll: $203.54 (50% to $50 steller reward)

the vs 3-bet call stat is interesting there, but sample size makes it hard to say. If you're really calling 3bets 77%, then you should obviously do so less. Why don't you post each hand where you called a 3-bet in that session - even if it's seemingly standard. Post all streets, without results - you'll get good feedback on your play at the same time

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Damn 1720 hands today and down 1bi.

Yep, I had 1700 hands over 4 sessions. I was hoping for some good holiday fishing, but I lost 3/4 BI. It was -2.5 BI but I gamboooled on a Nut flush draw. I got AI on the flop vs two villians that had both flopped sets. I hit the flush on the Turn, ftw. yea me. I'll sleep better tonight, lol.

Got a quick session in before work this morning. Played 709 hands @35.63bb/100 for a whopping $12.63 or 2.5ish bi's. So far for the month running 9.73bb/100 so pretty happy with that. I'm fighting the temptation to move up to 10nl. I told myself my next shot wouldn't be until I reached $300 in the bankroll. I know that is nitty but I really didn't like moving back down last month but the -5bi's just chapped my ass because I wasn't comfortable with only 17bi's in the roll. So I figure if I start with 30bi's that will give me plenty of comfort while I adjust.

Well off to work. I'll probably get another 1k hands in this afternoon at work. damn I am lucky I can play at work!

Current bankroll $216.15 (53.3% complete for steller reward!)

Wait til you get $300.

I kept wanting to move up too at ~$200 to 10NL (for the 2nd or third time) but Jason convinced me not to and I'm glad I waited.

Another good day today. Got 1407 hands in @31.14bb/100= 4+bi's. Not bad since my first session of the day I was down 2bi's so a good recovery. Over all for the month I'm up 10+bi's and getting closer to my goal of moving up to 10nl.

I'll be posting hands soon but I'm having problems with my mouse not right clicking so it makes it a pain in the ass. I need to get some up though.

Current bankroll: $230.21 (stellar reward 64.1% complete)

Keep padding that roll man, you'll be glad you did at some point. As long as you don't religiously play with a 100+ buyin rule like that rakeback star Outlaw, you're good to go. Best time to move up is on an upswing tho imo, maybe take a shot at a table or two when you're feelin confident...

glgl

The only reason I can think of why you're not crushing lowstakes by now is that you still do some stupid shit that you know is stupid.
Like when you go... FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF NNNNNNNNNNNN CMON... CMON MAN! PLS GOD, NO! CMON
*clicks call*

^^ that is ususally not a good call.
Just remember that folding is never a huge mistake.

Don't put too much weight in the leakbuster stuff. It's alright. It has pointed me towards a couple of leaks in my game. But for every actual leak there are two false positives, so take it with a grain of salt.

Originally Posted by oskar

glgl

The only reason I can think of why you're not crushing lowstakes by now is that you still do some stupid shit that you know is stupid.
Like when you go... FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF NNNNNNNNNNNN CMON... CMON MAN! PLS GOD, NO! CMON
*clicks call*

^^ that is ususally not a good call.
Just remember that folding is never a huge mistake.

Don't put too much weight in the leakbuster stuff. It's alright. It has pointed me towards a couple of leaks in my game. But for every actual leak there are two false positives, so take it with a grain of salt.

Oskar that is so true. I'm getting a lot better at getting away from those stupid spots. Not that I have it mastered but so much better.
As for Leak Buster goes I'm just using it as a tool in the tool box. My tool box is HUGE but there are LOTS of empty drawers if you know what I mean.

Short session in this morning. 1031 hands @8.21bb/100 so just shy of +1bi. Hope to get more hands in later but have a lot to do irl. Have to repair a leaky room and since it's started raining again I best get it done.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Oskar that is so true. I'm getting a lot better at getting away from those stupid spots. Not that I have it mastered but so much better..

Post it notes on you monitor work wonders for this. Bjaust told me to do this a while back and it made a shit load of difference.

Some of mine:
Don't call a shove with TPTK w/o a read
If you know you're beat then fold
Don't bluff a CS
No FPS
Value Bet

One I added recently is
Be Aggressive (I had been playing weak tight for a long time)

i have a similar list only i put in Ranges, Focus, Patience, and then some of the ones you have like No FPS, Value bet and You cannot make someone fold.

Yea a series of notes around the computer of what not to do's etc. I also keep my range available so I can refer to it.

Well today was pretty much busto for the most part. Didn't get to play much and when I did shit just didn't work out well. 1364 hands @-12.86bb/100. Very discouraging but I guess it's bound to happen.


Just gotta vent over this one. Now funny thing is I didn't have a lot of history on this guy only like 34 hands and really nothing stuck out. Don't know exactly why I never believed him either. Curious as to what you all think about the preflop call? I liked having position and thought just maybe I'd hit big. I do give him a decent range since he raises me oop.


$0.02/$0.05 No Limit Holdem
6 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG BusterBenny ($15.04)
UTG+1 hamer777 ($6.33)
CO bandimayes ($21.87)
BTN Hero ($5.56)
SB TessioPs ($3.26)
BB skyup ($12.50)

Pre-Flop: ($0.07, 6 players) Hero is BTN
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, 1 fold, skyup raises to $0.60, Hero calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.22, 2 players)

I like the flop and the texture. I figure I am ahead of most although he surely could have AA,KK,QQ,AQ,66,88 plus any number of lesser hands.

skyup bets $0.70, Hero calls $0.70

He bets out real fast and I just instantly feel like I am ahead. Feels like a bluff to me if that makes any sense which I'm sure it doesn't but I'm being honest here.

Turn: ($2.62, 2 players)

Well this doesn't help anybody!

skyup checks, Hero bets $1.50, skyup raises to $5.55, Hero goes all-in $2.76

When he checks I'm figuring I've got him pretty good. So I bet and get an instant raise. Again I don't know what to tell you but there is no doubt in my mind this fucker is bluffing so I call.

He flips over and I'm like holy shit this motherfucker is a god damn retard...I love him!

Then bam!

River: ($12.43, 2 players, 1 all-in)

Don't know what else I can say here. Put me on tilt so bad I shut down after just a few more hands. Now I didn't say a word at the table I try to just clear my head and move on.


Ok I'm done whining for now!

Cliff note: Hoopy thank you for sweating me this evening. Sorry I had to cut it short. I have an idea I'd like to talk to you about!

Current bankroll: $216.68 (fuck I hate going the wrong direction!)

Quick update. So I said yesterday was busto but shortly after than spoon sent me a message about the Poker Stars special so I cashed in 3000fpps and got myself an extra $50 added to the bankroll. I played a awhile longer and ended the day down just shy of 2 bi's. Well this morning I couldn't sleep so I rolled out of bed at about 5:45 and started grinding. Things went well and after the first session of 722 hands I am up just shy of 5bi's so pretty pleased overall. Made some pretty good lay downs that I am sure were -ev but I would have played them not to long ago.
So far this month I've put in just shy of 14k hands and running 8.05bb/100 at 5nl 6max. I'm just short of my goal of $300 bucks which is where I am going to move up to 10nl. I am counting the bonus money since my total winrate at 5nl 6max is 4.63bb/100.

5NL ACCOMPLISHED

It's all good and we're moving on up. Today I got to it and added another 5.5bi's to the bankroll which put it at $308.50 so it's time to move up. I've been debating if I should start out @10nl playing FR but I think since I've been doing well at 6max I ought to stick with it.

I have to say I am very please with my last 25k hands or so. I think I have had a few of those Ah Ha moments and that's a good thing. Now if I could just manage to have about a million more I'll have this game under control.

GOALS FOR 10NL

1. Average 5bb/100 @ 10nl
2. Build bankroll to $750
3. Study study study
4. Post more hands

IRL GOALS

These are the things I need to work on in order to make balance in life and keep wife happy!

1. Eat correctly
2. Exercise daily
3. Sleep regularly
4. Do shit around the property

I had a big talk with my wife a week or so ago. I explain to her the concept of working my way through the stakes and what it would accomplish. I can't tell you how helpful this was. My wife has been fairly good about poker, or should I say tolerant. Well after I did the basic "Look honey right now I'm playing 5nl. This morning I won 4 bi's which is $20. Now just imagine if I was playing 50nl that would be $200 and so on." Then I talk to her about how I can accomplish this and why I wouldn't be taking money out of my poker account until I reach the level I want to be at.

I kept this conversation very real and didn't highball her with retarded numbers. I did how ever show her some graphs here on FTR so she knew it was happening. I can't tell you how much this has helped. A big part of her concern was she sees me working on poker but not on taking care of myself. So I agreed to work equally as hard on these things since it's obviously +EV.


Current bankroll $308.50 (36 vpps to go for the $50 steller reward!!!)

Nice job mr. davidson

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

5NL ACCOMPLISHED

vnh sir!

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

These are the things I need to work on in order to make balance in life and keep wife happy!

1. Eat correctly
2. Exercise daily
3. Sleep regularly
4. Do shit around the property

1. all of these things will do good things for your poker mindset too.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

I had a big talk with my wife a week or so ago. I explain to her the concept of working my way through the stakes and what it would accomplish.

add to it (in case you didn't) that you are never going to deposit more money into poker. People seem to approve of that, i sure know i do

vnh

GL at 10NL.

It does help alot when the wife supports you. My wife gave me shit earlier until I explained to her that I never deposit money into my poker account and explained a bit about levels and moving up. The best thing I ever did was withdraw $200 and give it to her to go on a road trip and withdraw $300 to take to the beach.

The exercise does help. In the past year, I've started lifting weights again and playing more golf. Helps me sleep better too.

Quick update. So I moved up to 10nl after passing the $300 mark. About 15 minutes after moving up I hit my stellar reward bonus for $50 so all was good. I was debating if I wanted to play 6max or full ring. Well I decided since I had been doing well at 5nl 6max I would just stick with 6max. Well don't know what the hell the different is but damn I just instantly went on a cooler. I would swear I was playing my same game but sure wasn't getting the same results. Dropped 4 bi's right off the get go. So all said I am down 7.5bi's so I am changing plans until I get my poker legs under me.

Having problems downloading HH's do to a mouse problem but as soon as I figure it out I am going to post a bunch. It is amazing how many coolers I have had. I'm sure you will all see what I didn't but damn I'm telling you set over set, boat sank by bigger boat, nut flush killed by boat.

Well I'm not going to sit around whining about it. I am however going to be playing full ring and then switch over after I build back what I have lost and feel my confidence return.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

About 15 minutes after moving up I hit my stellar reward bonus for $50 ........It is amazing how many coolers I have had. I'm sure you will all see what I didn't but damn I'm telling you set over set, boat sank by bigger boat, nut flush killed by boat.

Join the club. As soon as I traded fpp's for $50, I went on a 5-6 BI loss due to a string of coolers that was hard to believe. Meh. GL.

So got the mouse figured out and now am able to post hh's. I'm just going to throw out some of the most recent losers knowing you'll let me know where I fucked up. I'll tell you right now I won't have as much info as far as reads cuz well I don't have a fucking steal trap for a memory like you fellas but I will provide what I can.

1) Villain is 22/20 over 162 hands.

$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
6 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG MajinGohan28 ($10.60)
UTG+1 Zmeelof ($7.90)
CO Hero ($25.29)
BTN wildliba ($10)
SB sil693 ($10.47)
BB qertus ($7.96)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 6 players) Hero is CO
MajinGohan28 raises to $0.40, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.40, 3 folds

Villain only raises from MP 14% so I give him a pretty tight range say: {AA,KK,AJ+,22+} this may be a bit tight? So being that I've got position on him I just call. This is pretty std for me as I play 22-88 pretty much for sets.

Flop: ($0.95, 2 players)
MajinGohan28 bets $0.60, Hero calls $0.60

I'm pretty tickled hitting my set and when he leads out I think a call is good cuz he probably got a piece of the Ace or a smaller set he'll be betting on. In hind sight I see this as a fuck up but I'm trying to be honest with ya. So I give him something like: {QQ+,33,A2s+,ATo+K8d+} So I figure I'm ahead. When I play with this on Pokerstove I come up with about 51% (but I don't know how to account for the suited shit that will make his flush)

Turn: ($2.15, 2 players)
MajinGohan28 bets $2, Hero raises to $5.65, MajinGohan28 goes all-in $9.60, $3.95 to Hero ($18.64)?

I'm now thinking Hmm did I fuck myself here? Maybe I should have raised him up on the flop but......




2) Not a lot to be said here more of an example of some of the coolers I've been up against. I would be interested in hearing you opinions on all in pre with AK though? I've got some mixed feelings tbh.

Only have 14 hands with villain.

$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
5 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG Callum229 ($10)
CO Baccara141 ($13.13)
BTN Hero ($9.90)
SB djstunt101 ($11.11)
BB Iwillcall555 ($7.37)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 5 players) Hero is BTN
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, 1 fold, Iwillcall555 raises to $6.60, Hero goes all-in $9.90, Iwillcall555 goes all-in $0.77

I did hesitate a bit and think ok damn it maybe you should just right off the 4bb's and wait for a better spot..FUCK THAT SHIT!

Flop: ($17.32, 2 players, 2 all-in)

GAWD DAMN IT I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE WAITED!

Turn: ($17.32, 2 players, 2 all-in)

FUCK ME FUCK ME FUCK ME WHY DON'T I FUCKING LISTEN TO MYSELF???

River: ($17.32, 2 players, 2 all-in)

OH YEA WHO'S THE BITCH NOW YOU FUCKTARD I FUCKING GOT YA FUCKER NOW GO BACK TO FUCKVILLE!!

Final Pot: $17.32
Hero shows two pair, Aces and Deuces

Iwillcall555 shows two pair, Aces and Jacks


I GOUGED MY EYE OUT!

Iwillcall555 wins $14.06 (net +$6.69)

Hero collects $2.53 (net -$7.37)



3) And what the hell some shit did go my way just not enough!

$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
5 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG Hero ($12.77)
CO sil693 ($10.80)
BTN qertus ($8.32)
SB almogaveres ($12.10)
BB BorisHsArivd ($10.61)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 5 players) Hero is UTG
Hero raises to $0.40, 3 folds, BorisHsArivd calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.85, 2 players)
BorisHsArivd checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.85, 2 players)
BorisHsArivd bets $0.60, Hero raises to $1.80, BorisHsArivd raises to $3.60, Hero calls $1.80

River: ($8.05, 2 players)
BorisHsArivd goes all-in $6.61, Hero calls $6.61

Final Pot: $21.27
BorisHsArivd shows a flush, Ace high

Hero shows four of a kind, Fives


Hero wins $20.23 (net +$9.62)

BorisHsArivd lost $10.61


Don't have much time but will post some more useful hands later!

77 - preflop fine. Flop and calling or raising are both ok - i think raising is better cos otherwise you'll struggle for value against AJ+ if the turn is a heart. Depends on levels etc, raise 75%/call 25% is good here. Turn is all good, obviously call his 3b.

AK - meh, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Fold pre is ok without reads, shove is obviously fine as well vs a 75bb weirdo-stack

55 - pretty loose utg, but definitely ok. Do you prefer opening KQs or 44 from utg? QTs? nh.

Got a short session in this morning. 800 hands @32.61bb/100 for +2.6bi's. This was full ring. I'm really more comfortable at fr for now. I actually had to do the same thing at 5nl where I played the first 25k'ish hands at fr before moving to 6m. Also had a good session yesterday afternoon which was almost identical to today's. 815 hands for +2.7bi's. I'm still down 2.3 bi's but on track to get back in the black.
Don't know if I'll be able to play any more today or not. Wife took the day off and wants to bust out the big black beauty and ride. May just head to the beach for the day. Not about to bitch since she's been so damn good about my play time. Hell I have 26k hands in already this month and that is a shit ton for me!

So here is a hand that I thought for sure I had fucked up on. And to be honest as soon as I made the call I was pissed at myself. I knew I had totally misplayed this hand at the turn and then was telling myself to cut my losses. But then the villain was a dumbass and I just had to call. Now this usually bits me in the ass as pointed out above! But thank god we aren't always the dumbest tards at the table!

$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
9 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG junq_v90 ($22.03)
UTG+1 raudtee(EST) ($10)
MP1 madramor ($10)
MP2 sidecar18 ($10.81)
MP3 Hero ($19.90)
CO KucherSer ($9.31)
BTN BCNSniper ($3.04)
SB Smithi1 ($9.30)
BB B1GF1SH89 ($10)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 9 players) Hero is MP3
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, KucherSer raises to $1, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.60

Flop: ($2.15, 2 players)
Hero bets $1.55, KucherSer calls $1.55

Turn: ($5.25, 2 players)
Hero checks, KucherSer bets $3.57, Hero calls $3.57

River: ($12.39, 2 players)
Hero checks, KucherSer goes all-in $3.19, Hero calls $3.19

Final Pot: $18.77
Hero shows a pair of Kings

KucherSer shows a pair of Nines


Hero wins $17.87 (net +$8.56)

KucherSer lost $9.31


Current bankroll: $334.25

So took off with the wife to spend the day on the motorcycle and go to the beach. Well between home and the beach there is a casino. So we stop at a gas station at the casino and the wife decides it looks like it is going to rain and maybe we ought to hold up in the casino and see what the weather is going to do. Only had a hundred bucks on me and the smallest game they had going was a $1/$3. Long story short sat down and wasn't really comfortable being so short stacked and there were only 6 players. I just about got up because I knew I shouldn't be playing with only 30BB's but then I caught a hand for a decent pot. Waited a few caught another and decided I'd give it a go. Got moved to a full table of 9 and mainly sat back and observed while I mucked hand after hand. I was pretty amazed at what was winning pots. Hell I watched Q high take down a three way pot for about $100.
Eventually playing nitty I caught a few good pots here and there. Got it all in a boat and doubled up etc. Walked away with an extra $360 buck I didn't have when I got there. Now I think the coolest part of the story was the conversation I had with the wife. When I cashed out she was standing at the window with me. I take the money had her $100 and she says "Hey I don't think so!" I simply reply we'll talk about later. So we get home and she says hey what is your plan for the money you won? She says "I want to hear your plan then I'll tell you mine." I tell her Ok what are you thinking? I figure she's going to tell me some lame ass shit about how I should let her buy some bullshit thing I have no interest in at all. So she tells me "I think you should put it online so you can move up in stakes!" WOW my jaw dropped to the ground!!! I was so impressed that she got it! Now I told her how cool that was but that I don't think that is the best thing to do actually but I so appreciated it.

Oh shitty part of the trip was it rained like a mother fucker and of course our $500 rain gear was comfortably store at home!

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

Walked away with an extra $360 buck I didn't have when I got there. Now I think the coolest part of the story was the conversation I had with the wife. When I cashed out she was standing at the window with me.
..........
she tells me "I think you should put it online so you can move up in stakes!"

nice, and nice.
spend it on good food, eating out, etc with her. You'll both enjoy eating on your gambling winnings. Probably be worth making sure that she realises that you got lucky as well as playing well - otherwise there may be trouble the next time when you get it all in with top set on the turn and lose to a 4 outer or something.

Having someone so close to you and supporting you is priceless. Congrats man.

And now you have a September to remember. NH

Wow I guess I just need to post these to get them off my chest. These came within 10 minutes of starting the session. After the first three I thought I was ok then along came #4 and I knew I needed to walk away for a few cuz tilt was creeping in hard and fast!

I literally didn't have any reads on anybody cuz like I said the session had just began!

1)
$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
9 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG Garrutxo ($13.87)
UTG+1 MasaKrisT21 ($10.60)
MP1 landsoflore7 ($4.25)
MP2 tomlewis88 ($10.19)
MP3 AA Mac ($10.06)
CO abrar08 ($22.46)
BTN DAMCARR ($2.42)
SB pukerpeys ($5.90)
BB Hero ($11.76)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 9 players) Hero is BB
Garrutxo calls $0.10, 3 folds, AA Mac calls $0.10, 1 fold, DAMCARR calls $0.10, pukerpeys calls $0.05, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.50, 5 players)
pukerpeys checks, Hero bets $0.35, 1 fold, AA Mac calls $0.35, 1 fold, pukerpeys folds

Turn: ($1.20, 2 players)
Hero bets $0.90, AA Mac calls $0.90

River: ($3.00, 2 players)
Hero bets $1.80, AA Mac goes all-in $8.71, Hero calls $6.91

Final Pot: $20.42
AA Mac shows a full house, Sixes full of Fours

Hero shows a straight, Deuce to Six


AA Mac wins $19.41 (net +$9.35)

DAMCARR lost $0.10
pukerpeys lost $0.10
Hero lost $10.06
Garrutxo lost $0.10



2)
$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
8 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG Hero ($20.39)
UTG+1 stonehell ($3.92)
MP1 Now Open ($10.82)
MP2 Espresso 24 ($9.85)
CO kartuchicona ($1.72)
BTN cladarth ($6.81)
SB Yankees!232 ($9.27)
BB jailbreak89 ($10)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 8 players) Hero is UTG
Hero raises to $0.40, 3 folds, kartuchicona calls $0.40, 2 folds, jailbreak89 calls $0.30

Flop: ($1.25, 3 players)
jailbreak89 bets $0.80, Hero calls $0.80, kartuchicona folds

Turn: ($2.85, 2 players)
jailbreak89 bets $2, Hero calls $2

River: ($6.85, 2 players)
jailbreak89 goes all-in $6.80, Hero calls $6.80

Final Pot: $20.45
Hero shows three of a kind, Queens

jailbreak89 shows a full house, Threes full of Queens


jailbreak89 wins $19.45 (net +$9.45)

Hero lost $10
kartuchicona lost $0.40



3)
$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
8 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG lagking218 ($14.88)
UTG+1 Hero ($10)
MP1 stonehell ($4.22)
MP2 ugromenyet ($10.94)
CO Now Open ($10.97)
BTN ldddg ($8.62)
SB kartuchicona ($3.18)
BB cladarth ($7.96)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 8 players) Hero is UTG+1
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.40, 1 fold, ugromenyet calls $0.40, 1 fold, ldddg raises to $1.40, 2 folds, Hero calls $1, ugromenyet folds

Flop: ($3.35, 2 players)
Hero bets $2.40, ldddg goes all-in $7.22, Hero calls $4.82

Turn: ($17.79, 2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($17.79, 2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $17.79
Hero shows three of a kind, Sevens

ldddg shows three of a kind, Kings


ldddg wins $16.91 (net +$8.29)

Hero lost $8.62
ugromenyet lost $0.40


4)
$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
8 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG DEUTZ45 ($7.74)
UTG+1 Fiction6666 ($10)
MP1 Tazpot ($7.46)
MP2 WolandPL ($12.73)
CO rileybro ($12.47)
BTN IIdunkenII ($7.31)
SB Hero ($10.64)
BB conradopcb ($10)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 8 players) Hero is SB
5 folds, IIdunkenII raises to $0.50, Hero calls $0.45, 1 fold

Flop: ($1.10, 2 players)
Hero checks, IIdunkenII bets $0.50, Hero raises to $2.05, IIdunkenII goes all-in $6.81, Hero calls $4.76

Turn: ($14.72, 2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($14.72, 2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $14.72
Hero shows two pair, Queens and Fours

IIdunkenII shows two pair, Aces and Fours


IIdunkenII wins $13.99 (net +$6.68)

Hero lost $7.31



Sorry for the whining but damn it was brutal!

Sick hands Harley. Maybe you should stop running in to the top of everyone's ranges!

Also, never think you don't have any reads. Stack size/how much they bought in for and avatar pics are a start. For example, if you're in to it with a random that has a basset hound as an avatar, GTFO! But if he's got a pitbull avatar, call him down. I'm... I mean he is always bluffing!

53s river is a nit-bet-fold in nit fr land. He beats AJ, AA/KK/QQ are discounted cos of pre-flop, etc.

AQ i hate calling down in this hand, like, most common leak = call too much etc. I just raise the flop for value, then shut down vs heat. How often do you think he has QJ/KJ/KK/AA here? note there are only one combo each of QJ and QKs...

77, gross dude. Nice hand, sucks.

QQ - ja, think i go broke here too vs a weird-stack.

What about folding river in hand 2 and folding preflop to the 3bet in hand 3? Def. fold the 3bet in hand 3 but I think hand 2 is closer but I put someone's donking range at sets/flush draws and Qx to a much lesser extent.

Originally Posted by kmind

What about folding river in hand 2 and folding preflop to the 3bet in hand 3? Def. fold the 3bet in hand 3 but I think hand 2 is closer but I put someone's donking range at sets/flush draws and Qx to a much lesser extent.

So obvious now I didn't have the implied odds to call in the first place. Hand two I just don't see it myself! But hey I guess that is why I handed the chips over. Good points thank you!

Hand 2 is close for sure. I just think he can be doing with spades which got there making me cringe when he shoves.

H1 fold riv
H2 if he's a nit regular (gives us reads!) you can DEF fold the river. Turn is probably close but I can't fold there.
H3 def fold to the squeeze pre, being oop sucks even more for implied odds and regardless you aren't deep enough to call
H4 I think just c/c'ing down is better than c/r because it allows him to barrel off with AK and all that jazz so you get more value from his bluffs and keep your c/c range a bit more balanced (not necessarily necessary here but good to keep in mind when needed)

Haven't updated for awhile so here's a quicky. It's been tough is really the best way to put it. Up and down like a fucking teeter totter. At the start of yesterday I was down a total of 8 bi's @10nl. Then I had a great session and made back 5.5bi's. But then this mornings first session was a total disaster. I swear I hit the top of eveybodys range. So I've dropped 6bi's this morning. Cut it short to get my head clear then I'll be working the game again.
Volume for the month is pretty huge for me since I've already gotten 36k hands in. Going to be sticking with fr for now. The variance just kills me at 6m so until I really feel like I've got it under control fr is where you'll find me.


Current bankroll: $268

Ok so as I stated earlier in my op I had a big talk with the wife and she is way cool with my playing. But when we had this talk I gave her this great little speach about how I was going to balance playing with other irl things mainly getting in shape. Well this morning I got up at 7am cuz I wanted to grind b4 work. She gets up after me and is doing shit around the house and I notice she's acting a little bitchy so I think WTF? Little later she comes in while I'm getting ready for work and tells me goodbye she's got shit to do. Well I again note a bit of attitude so I question it "So wtf is your problems?" Ok didn't say it quit like that but you know what I mean. She tells me "I'm guess I'm really disappointed. The plan you told me hasn't worked out ONCE! You know "Gee honey I'm going to exercise for an hour then play each day!" She then just turns and walks away.

Wow do I feel like an ass. I've put in a lot of volume this month, excess of 40k hands and not once have I done shit as far as exercising etc. I was so proud of how she reponded to what is now obviosly my bullshit speach. I am changing this as of NOW.

I will not play poker without doing some form of excercising prior to grinding! If I don't have enough discipline to do this then how the hell do I figure I'll ever have enough discipline to learn this game!

I'm right there with ya Harley! I quit my job about 3 months ago to work full time on my own business and now I'm working more than I was before. This would be great if I was doing something active but instead I sit in a cushy office chair for 12+ hours day. This past week I've been walking, running and trying to do a few more things around the house and I can say it's helped my overall feeling for life in general. I'm actually less tired and more motivated. A little exercise can go along way...

hah thats funny cuz i've been doing this also. out of my own free will tho, just trying to get in shape for snowboarding this winter. but i think getting the physical out of the way is best before you go sittin on your ass for 4 hours or whatever. there are a bunch of other benifits to this as well but not gonna get into that. but i like gettin it done before a grind, feels better i dunno. good habit to be in either way tho.

Yeah man definitely change ASAP and it won't only help her feel better but you too. It's a win/win. She'll be so much more willing again to let you play.

You are all correct gentlemen!

This morning I woke up and headed right out for a vigorous walk with one of the dogs. Walked 2 miles at a reasonable pace while listening to Barry Greenstein's "Ace on the river" on the ipod. My plan is to do this for a week then start following the couch to 5k program. I'm also going to mix in some basics such as push ups sit ups etc. I weighed in at 218.5 so I can afford to loose about 25 pounds. After the walk I ate a reasonable breakfast and headed out to work. Didn't play any poker because I knew I had things that needed done at the office first and I knew this would be +ev.
Caught up here at the office now so I'm going to do some reading and studying poker.

I am determined to improve myself and the rest will follow!

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

You are all correct gentlemen!

This morning I woke up and headed right out for a vigorous walk with one of the dogs. Walked 2 miles at a reasonable pace while listening to Barry Greenstein's "Ace on the river" on the ipod. My plan is to do this for a week then start following the couch to 5k program. I'm also going to mix in some basics such as push ups sit ups etc. I weighed in at 218.5 so I can afford to loose about 25 pounds. After the walk I ate a reasonable breakfast and headed out to work. Didn't play any poker because I knew I had things that needed done at the office first and I knew this would be +ev.
Caught up here at the office now so I'm going to do some reading and studying poker.

I am determined to improve myself and the rest will follow!

awesome post man, i need to do the same and this may be the motivation i need to push me over the edge...good luck...hopefully just cause september ends doesnt mean the harley blog life will come to a stop as well.

Thanks Philly appreciate you stopping in.

Follow up to this mornings post:
Got my shit done at work like I said then popped open the lap top posted then read a little etc. Then I opened up a few fr 10nl tables. Got really bored with just 4 tables but I don't want to do massive tables since I've really been not running so well. So I thought ok I'll play some 6m to keep me from getting bored.

I opened one table at a time and would wait until I made a few orbits and checked everybody out at the table. Waited for hud to show me if I had any history and also checked to see how many tables each player was playing. Then I'd open up the next. Did this until I had 4 tables going and just went to work. I have to say I really felt as if I was on my A game for sure. I made some really good lay downs where I knew I was behind with my AQ type hands. I folded AKo pre-flop once facing a three bet by a nit (9/6). I changed my 3-bet sizing, thanks to a great conversation in IRC the other day. Made sure to value bet when I was ahead. And I put those fuckers on a range! This is huge for me and I'm not very good at it but instead of using this as an excuse not to try I just fucking did it. I found myself several times working through the spot and making the correct decision, both some folds and calls! I am really proud of this although it didn't happen enough it happened more than it EVER has for me. I made more notes than I think I probably ever have. I made adjustments when the table felt like they were on to me. Once I felt I had really established myself as a NIT then I'd loosen up and steal some blinds etc. Then when I would get 3bet on an attempt or two I'd tighten right back up. When a table just dried up I said fuck it and went to work finding another more suitable table.

So here are the stats for the day:

Current bankroll:$300.29

Sounds like a damn good day all around. Keep it up!

Up first thing this morning at 6:30am. 45 minute brisk walk, by myself cuz the damn dog was limping around all day yesterday. Good healthy breakfast, some reading on poker and now gonna grind for a few!

awesome, thats what A games all about. keep it up.

HOLLY SHIT BATMAN WE MIGHT BE ONTO SOMETHING HERE!

Today has been totally amazing to say the least. Like I already said I got right up and got my walk in then healthy breakfast and a little poker before work. Came to work got my shit done around here then opened up the lap top read a little did some chatting in IRC about bullshit and poker then went to grinding. Well today's results are:



I can't believe how things have been going since I started working the entire plan. I know it's just a run good spurt but I'll take it. I need another 189 vpps for Goldstar and I'm going to try like hell to hit it but not at the risk of fucking up my streak. So I will be kicking the tables up a few as I did today. The last hour I played 9 tables and I must say it went pretty flawlessly. I may have given up some value as I wasn't much into big risk unless I was pretty damn sure I had it. Still doing a much better job of putting ppl on ranges etc. Didn't get stacked once today although I took a few stacks!

Going to ride this gravy train as long as possible and try like hell to assure that I'm doing all I can. Like I said I know some of it is the poker gods helping but I also believe I have contributed as well thanks for the help I receive from the ftr gang!

Current bankroll: $348.30

Awesome. Stats look great. I need a day like yours!

Routine is just working out so very well. Up first thing this morning and out for the walk. I picked the pace up pretty good. I'll be starting the "Couch to 5k" program next week. If you are not familiar with it it is a six week (I think) program designed to get to be able to run a 5k in six weeks without over doing it. For an old fart such as me it's great because if I just jump out there and started running my old fragile body would probably fall apart.

So after the walk I got some minor shit done the wife wanted then I opened up a few tables and started the grind. Again I really think I have my A game going well. This was a short session of only 487 hands but I ran 19.63bb/100 and ended up just under one bi.

So the other day I was reading through kminds blog and he mentioned NoteCaddy. Now one of my biggest problems has been not taking notes on villains. I have a pretty big data base but unfortionately very few notes. Well I checked out this NoteCaddy program by watching a couple videos they have and was totally intrigued to say the least. I downloaded the program to take advantage of the 10 free trial and finally got it working last night. WOW is all I can say. I now have a big database with about 20k notes on villains. If you to have troubles with notes you need to check this program out for sure. Hell even if you do take notes you ought to look it over as it is totally customizable. Here is a screen shot I got this morning just as I was closing down my tables I thought Shit I want to share this with my fellow FTRers. Sorry there aren't a ton of notes on this particular villain but it will give you an idea of what I am talking about:



Like I say you can adjust to notes in a million different ways and it does all the work while all you do is grind away and focus on your A game. Here is a link to their main page
NoteCaddy - Programmable automatic notes and color coding for Holdem Manager and Poker Tracker 3
or if you'd just like to check out a video or two here they are as well
YouTube - AssaultWare's Channel

Current bankroll $357.86 / 149.62 vpps needed for Goldstar / Current weight 217.8

wait so notecaddy takes the notes for you and displays them like that while your playing?

Philly that is exactly what it does and to go one step farther it goes through your entire database and creats notes for the entire thing! It's was fucking cool to say the least. I'm buying it for sure since it's only $50 and I think they even let you make monthly payments of $10 if you need to!

i tried it too, pretty impressive. clear notes, easy to read and understand. dunno if ill buy it yet but so far im diggin it.

I'm definitely going to check this out.
Thx Harley

Take it easy on the exercise front. Us old guys gotta take it alot slower than these young guys do. I played ice hockey with my son Sunday and I can hardly move (He's 18, I'm almost 50)

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

I'm definitely going to check this out.
Thx Harley

Take it easy on the exercise front. Us old guys gotta take it alot slower than these young guys do. I played ice hockey with my son Sunday and I can hardly move (He's 18, I'm almost 50)

How true it is my friend! The big 50 is my next one...OMFG good thing I am so inmature!

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

How true it is my friend! The big 50 is my next one...OMFG good thing I am so inmature!

50 is my next one too. Most of these guys are closer to my son's age than mine. I was doing a sweat with M2M once and he asked me in chat how old I was. I told him and he said "you are really old" . Gee thanks alot you little punk

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

50 is my next one too. Most of these guys are closer to my son's age than mine. I was doing a sweat with M2M once and he asked me in chat how old I was. I told him and he said "you are really old" . Gee thanks alot you little punk

lol........yeah my boys are 21 & 25 so I know what you mean!

Very inspiring blog. Keep up the great work and appreciate the advice given to me.

Glad you like NoteCaddy! This is embarrassing but I never noticed that it takes notes in real time. Do you have to set it up like that? I always have it so after the session I open it and it creates notes. I'd love to have it in session! Thanks!

just fire it up while your are playing, it does the work.

yep like weaselt said you just open it up as when you start your session and hit start. It does all the work from there.

Kmind hope it helped!

How did I not even realize this?? Thanks guys!

Sure did Harley still working on it.

Ok well yesterday was a mix day. As I stated the morning session went well but then the evening session not so much. Ended the day down 1.8bi's but meh. I think a large part of the problem was I knew I was close to making Goldstar and wasn't sure how much time I was going to have to finish out since I have a lot to do around the house during my two days off. So it was slow at work and I decided to see if I could just grind it out and earn the remaining 250ish vpps needed. I ended up opening 10 tables and grinding away. I got the volume in and made Goldstar but the winrate suffered. Reviewed hh's today and really I don't think I would have suffered the stack losses had I been on my original plan of only playing 4 tables as I would have had more time to analyze the situations and hopefully react appropriately. But got the Gold so that's cool I guess. Don't doubt I will be able to maintain it but we'll see.

Ran into this hand and it got me thinking I struggle with playing draws.

Have a reasonable history on villain like 500ish hands. He runs 21/17 plays his draws aggressively.

$0.05/$0.10 No Limit Holdem
6 Players
Hand Conversion Powered by weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG Borisov_DV ($10.70)
UTG+1 EnzZz0 ($15.17)
CO flvv ($10.54)
BTN Hero ($9.70)
SB guru224 ($14.34)
BB 2_nitty ($14.44)

Pre-Flop: ($0.15, 6 players) Hero is BTN
1 fold, EnzZz0 raises to $0.40, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.40, 2 folds

When he bets I'd put his range something like {A8+,A2s+,KT+,J9s+,87s+,22+} maybe a little wider. So that puts me somewhere around 56-57%

Flop: ($0.95, 2 players)
EnzZz0 bets $0.70, Hero calls $0.70

Obviously I like the flop and when he bets out again I'm thinking {77,33,TT+,A7,A3,AT+} I'm still 52ish% so I figure the call is good. Wait I didn't figure in the board..... I'm really down to 42% with the board figured in. Of course this is done after the fact. But I did figure I was about 50ish while playing the hand.

Turn: ($2.35, 2 players)
EnzZz0 bets $1.70, $1.7 to Hero ($8.6)?

Now I'm just kinda lost as far as narrowing his range down as I don't see this effecting him much. At the time I didn't have a clue as to have the turn card effected my odds either. But sitting here with the benefit of pokerstove I see I drop way down to 24% if I don't change his range...Ughh


Anyway as I started writing this and as I played it I was pretty lost. BUT I have to say working through it has really helped me ALOT! I really just had an Ahh Haa moment tbh. Working through these spots really can open your eyes can't it!

I am really excited about this I must say!

So like I said earlier I have a ton of shit to get done today so who knows how much grinding I'll do today but wtf I've already benefited today!

Thanks to those of you who are willing to listen to my babbling bullshit. This blog has been beneficial to me and it sure helps motivate me when I know a few of you are reading it on occasion.

Thanks again!

As for that hand what are his positional stats? If he's very positional aware then...I...fold...preflop. Sounds nitty I know. Your range you gave him will be off too if this is the case. He'll be very tight in UTG+1.

Hey dude, how's it going. Just noticed you talking about notecaddy, I'll probably check that out soon enough.

Just notice your previous hand. I don't disagree with your preflop range: {A8+,A2s+,KT+,J9s+,87s+,22+} , but why do you think his flop betting range is so much different: {77,33,TT+,A7,A3,AT+}.

So you think he's checking KJ, KQ stuff on this board and just giving up? He's checking and giving up with AK/AQ instead of cbetting? His flop betting range is probably still very wide. I'm not sure how these games play, but I'd imagine people are still c-betting a fair bit. But you'd know better than me.

Harley, funny how you say that you are nit not raising KQo, but calling AJ vs UTG+1? I think this is a very standard fold, because you can get into tons of trouble with an A or J high flop. And only flush type boards will play well. Just my thoughts.

Originally Posted by !Luck

Harley, funny how you say that you are nit not raising KQo, but calling AJ vs UTG+1? I think this is a very standard fold, because you can get into tons of trouble with an A or J high flop. And only flush type boards will play well. Just my thoughts.

if he is opening as wide as he says he is with shit like A8o+ and A2s+ then we are going to crush him on on a ton of A high boards, also we have position so a fat % of the time we will be able to take the pot down UI

My mistake I thought this was FR

Hey Harley, just noticed this lol. Sorry I missed it!

As for your AJ hand, he's cbetting so much shit on this flop. Flatting is fine, raising is probably a lot better. He's going to fold his Ax that didn't pair, all his KJ, KQ, QJ, 22, 44-66, etc. So you have a ton of fold equity on the flop.

Plus, you have a ton of equity in the pot anyways. Worst case scenario is he has a set and we're stuck to 8 outs (~28% i think?). Vs KT or QT we have 15 outs. Use your fold equity + pot equity + position + the fact you know villain is aggressive and raise that shit and take it down a ton of the time right there and suckle out on his ass when he's ahead and put him on tilt. Oh yea, don't forget about the times he has a worse draw and we have him absolutely crushed.

Originally Posted by !Luck

Harley, funny how you say that you are nit not raising KQo, but calling AJ vs UTG+1? I think this is a very standard fold, because you can get into tons of trouble with an A or J high flop. And only flush type boards will play well. Just my thoughts.

Originally Posted by !Luck

My mistake I thought this was FR

!Luck your point is valid though. I wish I was 100% practice what I preach but believe me I'm far from it. I did take into consideration this particular villain but tbh I'll usually play A2s+ from the button when limped or against single a raise from the right villain hoping to hit the flush. The more I do the more I'm beginning to think this is a leak that needs a finger put in it.