Operation: Move back up to 25NL

Thats the only thing u can do man. Just ride it out.

I believe this OP is over. I'm sick of this shit.

If you hear from me again, it will be when I'm at 25NL. Otherwise you may see some hand histories in the BC. This OP is a constant reminder of how much I suck and how I have made no progress at all in the last 2.75 months. I have over 100k hands at 10NL and I am really at a loss of what to do. I read FTR forums daily, watch vids, and do whatever I can to get better.

Maybe I'm just getting burned out. I've stopped expecting +2 or +3 BIs per day. It's got to the point where I'm happy breaking even for the day. Maybe I should just stop playing for a while.

Eventually I may have to start another OP trying to get back to 10NL. I may have to quit before I get to that point.

BR<$500 which is less than when I started this stupid, damn, piece of shit OP.

Hands of late...

AQ<AK against 36/12

QQ<JJ against 88/20/2.5

JJ<K5o against 43/14/1

AKs<QQ against 18/2/1

QJ(2pair)<88 quads against 36/10/1.4

KQ(2pair)<55 set against 81/0/0.6

JJ<AKo fucking river A against 43/4/1.3

If I can't beat the maniacs and calling stations at 10NL I may as well quit

Down almost 12 BIs for May.

This shit now reminds me of when I played golf.

If I wanted to get pissed off, I would go play golf.

I haven't played golf in 10 years.

Seems I can add poker to that now.

For the first time since I actualy started really learning how to play poker, this is the first time I have had a significant downward trend in my overall winnings.

Here's the lovely May graph

Maybe instead of focusing on losses, post some hand histories where you won money and let's see if you're extracting enough value. Not getting enough money when you win is an equally important problem as minimizing the amount of money you lose.

Advice:

(have you been playing only 6max cash?)

If so, give full ring a shot, maybe try some MTT's, or SNG's etc to give yourself a break from 10nl 6max. You've sound like you're sick of it so in order to get things back on track I would change the game you're playing for awhile, even if it's only temporary.

I only recommend this because it helped me break out of a really bad stretch. It worked for me but may not be for you, though it probably wouldn't hurt to try. It should keep your mind off your 6max results for awhile. Then once you switch religously post hands and review sessions to find out where you're messing up. Once you gain your confidence back, return to 6max and you'll do fine.

Would dropping stakes be a bad idea? I think that crushing 5NLers for their milk money might boost your confidence, or at the very least allow you to ride out this negative variance at a lower cost.

I will no longer play this fucking game for money.

BR is at $420 and that's with a $50 bonus and a $16 bonus.

Stats:
February: 19.73bb/100 hands-14k hands
March: 4.10bb/100 hands-19k hands
April: 5.58bb/100 hands-40k hands
May: -6.42bb/100 hands-26k hands

I'm down almost 17BI for May

I cannot think of any reason to continue this shit.

I'm playing nitty as hell and still losing. I can't hit a flop for anything. I don't remember the last time I hit a set unless it was with AA or KK. Flush? No fucking way. Every time I hit a str8, I split. 2 pair gets setted.

I will cash out all but $150 and play for fun at 5NL. I've put 8 months into this and I am at the same point I was in December if not less.

Here is the session stats for May. Stats look like shit. My 3bet stats are too low because you can't 3bet shit.

Last 2 sessions should have been +EV according to PokerStove
AJ<A2
QQ<33
99<AJo with river J
AA<89s
Many 13+ outers that will not hit
I fucking hate AK now. It never hits.

This is all 6-max

Sorry to hear you are quitting man. It sucks, but I completely understand dude. If its what you gotta do, its what you gotta do. I hope you come by the forms every now and then and say whats up, check in on me when I get back from boot, all that jazz.

I like m2m's suggestion though. Maybe take a few weeks/month break, come back, play some FR. I, too hated 6max, and once I switched to FR, I've seen a massive increase in my BR/understanding of the game.

Good luck in life at the very least. I hope you find a hobby you can enjoy.

So I tilted and cashed out all but $150 of the BR on Friday. I've been playing 5NL for the last few days. I'm up a couple of BIs but that's not the point of this post.

I justified cashing out by saying I've been playing for 8 months and have never cashed out a significant amount. This was sort of a payday for playing.

Now I wish I hadn't cashed out. I was still over rolled for 10NL at 43 BIs. Now I'm only at ~30 BIs for 5NL. Pretty much a tard move on my part. Strange thing is that when I lose a BI at 5NL it doesn't really bother me but at 10NL it tilted the shit outta me.

So I'm trying to decide if I should re deposit to get the BR where it was or just stay where I am.

To be honest I think I was tilting because I thought I was entitled to win as I had put in many hands and was not moving up. I read through some of bjaust's OP and seemed to be going through the same kind of crap for awhile. And M2M and dranger were unknowingly putting alot of pressure on me.

I've been having more fun since I moved down to 5NL but I believe that's because I'm not pressuring myself to win X BIs per day and just playing poker. I should have been doing this all along.

So, you think I should re deposit or just stay at 5NL for a while?


"Fold the shit and bet THE SHIT"

So I played about 900 hands at 10NL tonight. I'm down another 3.5 BIs making May down 20.5 BIs.

This just ain't right. Is it? Is it in any way normal to lose 20+ BIs in one month?

Is anyone willing to help me? I'll do a sweat if anyone is willing. I'm pretty much begging for help now.

You play too tight, focus too much on big pots and probably are too sticky with the hands you're playing.

post shots of your general and position reports in the beginners circle. Take the advice you get on board.

chances are that you need to fold more and bet more.

Sorry you've been frustrated lately, but I suspect you have several playing leaks and probably some major tilt problems. For starters, when I look at your session graph, I see back to back daily losses of $50. You need a bankroll of $1000 to justify losing that much in one day. Go back to page 1 of this thread and look for my post where I mentioned the same advice before, yet you're still doing it. Following good bankroll management, it's NOT normal to lose 20 buy-ins in one month, but when you pick up bad habits, all bets are off.

My advice is to first work on your psychological game. Stick to bankroll management. Drop all feelings of entitlement. Drop all feelings of shame. Drop all feelings of pity. Just learn to enjoy playing poker and enjoy learning about poker. Definitely stay @ $5NL to do all this. I would recommend playing full ring on just 2 to 4 tables. I feel like most players need to graduate to 6 max just like you graduate to higher stakes - the games are tougher by design because you have to play more hands, win more pots, and make more marginal decisions. Just try to get back to basics and once you get going, you can expand to more tables, harder games and stakes.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Jason

For starters, when I look at your session graph, I see back to back daily losses of $50. You need a bankroll of $1000 to justify losing that much in one day.

It's basic bankroll management. You should NOT lose more than 5% of your bankroll in one day no matter what stakes you're playing. He has reported a bankroll lately in the $500 range, which means he should lose no more than $25 or 2.5 buy-ins per day. Bankrolls should both be built up and lost slowly.

Explain to me why it is wrong to lose more than 5% of your BR in one day. I dont mean say, "BUT I READ IT ON THE INTERWEBS", I mean actually go through why it is bad bankroll management + the implications it has.

If we have a large enough BR for the stakes we are at (say 20-40BIs for example) what is wrong with losing 5% of our roll if we are willing to drop down stakes when we fall below that necessary number of BIs?

If someone is playing 25NL with an $800 BR (35 BIs) and loses 2 BI, ie $50, in one day, how have they done anything even resembling poor bankroll management?

The reasons for a daily stop loss are largely related to tilt management and discipline, which from reading this thread are qualities that would suit his operation and most other players well. Sure, technically, if you lose and move down, it's not a problem IF you are playing optimally, but let's face it, MOST players are not playing their best when they lose 5% of their roll. Many times they probably weren't playing their best on their way to losing 5% in one day and then when tilt sets in, it can be a dangerous spiral. Learning to walk away is a valuable skill and you build it into bankroll management so you don't have to think about it.

It's just my opinion, but he's tried NOT using a daily stop loss several times. Let's try USING one and see what happens. If you or anyone hits their stop loss, poker will still be here the next day.

So I've been on the upper end of the "5%-10%" per day stop loss. I'll start using the lower end.

I've been playing 6 max from the beginning. What would I gain from switching to FR?

"Too sticky with the hands you're playing"

Not sure what this means. Slowplaying?

I am playing tight but the tables I'm selecting usually have this format:
45/2/1
38/20/3
10/4/1
75/1/1
20/14/2

Open up more anyway?

Yes, move to the low end. I've heard it's fine to put 10% in play, but not lose an entire 10%. If you had $600 @ $10NL, and lost 10% - that's 6 buy-ins. You should NOT be going through buy-ins that quickly. A full buy-in is a precious commodity in NL and if you don't have a DEEP bankroll (like 60 or more), you can't afford to lose too many and definitely not in one day.

If you've always played 6 max, then maybe you should stay there. My logic for suggesting full ring is that it's a bit easier by design. You and villains should play a more narrow range of hands and thus hands become more well defined and there's not a lot of pressure to pick up pots since the blinds don't come around often. You'll win less pots, but bigger pots. Decisions should be easier. At 6 max, you're constantly making decisions and having to push small edges and marginal spots. I wouldn't say to AVOID this, but just know if you're struggling, starting out, trying to move up in stakes, or whatever, full ring can help you get your bearings better than 6 max. If you've always been @ 6 max and want to stay there, you should probably stay put, but @ $5NL. And just keep in mind that fewer players usually means higher swings and more challenging play. Make sure you're mentally prepared for it.

It's probably hard for anyone to give more specific advice since you've just posted your session results, results graphs, and BB/100. Instead of numeric results, you should post some interesting hands to discuss - both ones you lose and win.

I think withdrawing the money was probably a blessing in disguise. Don't deposit more. Start anew @ $5NL with a fresh perspective and work your way up both fundamentally AND psychologically.

Good luck.

Thanks Jason. I'll stay at 5NL for a while. As far as posting hands, I've been doing that all along. I've posted winning and losing hands. Here are some more. Maybe It's my betting. Who knows.

I haven't been posting many hands lately because Pokerstove says I'm good in 90% of my losing hands.

Am I ahead in these hands in general? Am I took quick on the push?

Hand 1

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (UTG) ($14.30)
MP ($12.25)
Button ($19.30)
SB ($14.85)
BB ($9.95)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 8, 8
Hero bets $0.40, 1 fold, Button calls $0.40, 1 fold, BB calls $0.30

Flop: ($1.25) 6, 5, 7 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1, Button calls $1, BB raises to $3.10, Hero calls $2.10, Button calls $2.10

Turn: ($10.55) 4 (3 players)
BB bets $6.45 (All-In), Hero raises to $10.80 (All-In), Button calls $10.80

River: ($38.60) Q (3 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $38.60 | Rake: $1.90


Hand 2

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($28.80)
CO ($14.10)
Button ($2.55)
SB ($4.35)
Hero (BB) ($13.35)
UTG ($21.40)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, A
UTG bets $0.40, MP raises to $1.20, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.10, UTG calls $0.80

Flop: ($3.65) 3, K, Q (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP bets $2.50, Hero calls $2.50, 1 fold

Turn: ($8.65) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $6, MP raises to $21.10, Hero calls $3.65 (All-In)

River: ($27.95) 4 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $27.95 | Rake: $1.35


Hand 3

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($9.95)
Button ($14.95)
SB ($14.60)
Hero (BB) ($13)
UTG ($9.70)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 2, J
2 folds, Button calls $0.10, SB calls $0.05, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.30) 2, 4, J (3 players)
SB bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, Button calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.60) 5 (3 players)
SB bets $0.30, Hero raises to $0.80, Button raises to $1.30, SB calls $1, Hero raises to $12.80 (All-In), Button calls $11.50, 1 fold

River: ($27.50) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $27.50 | Rake: $1.35


Hand 4

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (SB) ($15.35)
BB ($12.80)
UTG ($30.20)
MP ($9.30)
CO ($12.70)
Button ($9.75)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K, A
UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold, CO calls $0.10, Button bets $0.30, Hero raises to $0.90, BB calls $0.80, 2 folds, Button calls $0.60

Flop: ($2.90) 9, 10, J (3 players)
Hero bets $1.80, BB raises to $3.60, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.80

Turn: ($10.10) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $5, BB raises to $8.30 (All-In), Hero calls $3.30

River: ($26.70) 8 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $26.70 | Rake: $1.30

Hand 5

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($9.85)
Hero (MP) ($12.55)
Button ($15.70)
SB ($21.10)
BB ($16.15)

Preflop: Hero is MP with K, A
1 fold, Hero bets $0.40, Button raises to $0.70, SB calls $0.65, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.30

Flop: ($2.20) A, J, K (3 players)
SB bets $1.10, Hero raises to $11.85 (All-In), 1 fold, SB calls $10.75

Turn: ($25.90) A (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($25.90) J (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $25.90 | Rake: $1.25

Hand 6

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($8.75)
SB ($10.95)
BB ($10.50)
Hero (UTG) ($16.25)
MP ($12.35)
CO ($32.90)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 10, A
Hero bets $0.40, MP calls $0.40, 4 folds

Flop: ($0.95) Q, 10, 10 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.60, MP raises to $1.90, Hero calls $1.30

Turn: ($4.75) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $3, MP raises to $10.05 (All-In), Hero calls $7.05

River: ($24.85) 8 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $24.85 | Rake: $1.20

Hand 7

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (4 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($6.60)
Hero (BB) ($10.50)
UTG ($44.95)
Button ($9.40)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7, 5
UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold, SB calls $0.05, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.30) 9, 7, 5 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG checks

Turn: ($0.30) J (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.20, UTG raises to $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.50, UTG raises to $5.90, Hero raises to $10.40 (All-In), UTG calls $4.50

River: ($21.10) A (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $21.10 | Rake: $1.05

Hand 8

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

CO ($10.45)
Button ($9.20)
SB ($11.80)
Hero (BB) ($10.70)
UTG ($10.30)
MP ($9.40)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, J
UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold, CO calls $0.10, 2 folds, Hero bets $0.50, 1 fold, CO calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.15) 10, J, 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.80, CO calls $0.80

Turn: ($2.75) A (2 players)
Hero bets $2, CO calls $2

River: ($6.75) K (2 players)
Hero bets $7.40 (All-In), CO calls $7.15 (All-In)

Total pot: $21.05 | Rake: $1

Hand 1 - This hand would be fine heads up, but it's a little dicey in a 3 way pot. I probably do the same thing since it's highly unlikely that villain has an 8, let alone an 98. One of the donks probably hit his flush I bet. Tough beat

Hand 2 - This one is interesting. I generally don't like to bloat up a pot with AK because usually when you hit, it's top pair top kicker and I just don't want to go broke with those hands without a good read to get it all-in. However, you bloated it up pre-flop creating a pretty good stack to pot ratio and a favorable situation for yourself if you hit. It feels like you're beat on the turn. If this is a solid, good player, I'd consider this a bad beat if you lost OR a nice win if you somehow survived. On the other hand, I've discovered that against players I am better than, I throw SPR out the window and look to consistently pull out value. I still pay attention to commitment thresholds, but trying to get the perfect SPR will often get bad players to fold worse hands. So, for this hand, I would have tried to keep the pot small and read the situation to get good value when I'm ahead without risking my stack and also minimizing losses when I'm behind without risking my stack. For better or worse, you're playing for stacks with TPTK and this is a volatile style without some solid reads.

Hand 3 - I like a raise on the flop. You're basically giving away a free card to two players on a drawy board by calling a min bet. Then you get it all-in on the turn? Why would you want to play for stacks with over a buy-in? A straight has you beat, sets have you beat, and better two pairs have you beat. Without good reads and stats on villain, these are NOT situations you want to be in.

Hand 4 - The pot before the flop was $2.90. Why would you put in $3.60 on a draw and then the rest of your effective stack which was close to a buy-in on a bricked turn? Also, I'm not crazy about 3 betting AK even @ 6 max unless you know that villain is going to stick around with AQ and AJ type hands.

Hand 5 - Even though you got called, I don't like the flop shove. You're losing a ton of value against most villains and getting called by QT and not boating up the rest of the time.

Hand 6 - I probably check the turn to maximize value against most villains. You're leading in and showing a lot of strength like a guy with trip 10's . Hands you beat probably fold instead of taking a stab and hands that may have you beat re-raise all-in. Maybe you were ahead and maybe you even won, but that river stinks.

Hand 7 - Unless the rules are drastically different @ 6 max, two pair is generally not a hand you want to rush to get it all-in with - especially bottom two pair on a drawy board. Why did you check the flop? Don't give away free cards on coordinated boards. On that board, any turn 3 through Jack except a 5 or 7 makes your hand go down in value.

Hand 8 - Pre-flop: fine. Flop: GOOD! Turn: Good! River: Danger, WIll Robinson, Danger! This is another case where every hand that you have beat folds and every hand that beats you calls. I'd put villain on QJo. Next time, check the river and be glad to get to showdown cheaply if you can.

I don't know if this is normal play or just a select sample or snapshot, but you don't want to be getting it all-in unless you have monster hands or good hands and great reads. When you get it all-in, by and large, you want to have you villain crushed or at least you pushed and now you're flipping. It's hard for me to imagine you're good in most of these situations against most villains long-term no matter what these specific results may be.

Good luck. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the detailed analysis Jason.

BTW, I lost all of these hands but not in the way you would imagine. I'll post villians hands if it matters.

I think I definitely need to calm down on the AIs.

As of late, my 2 pair hands are getting crushed. Mostly by higher 2pair hands. I've also lost a bunch when my suited connector 2 pairs have consistantly been getting beat by straights.

Again thanks.

Do you pay attention to your opponents?

Hand 1: Standard
Hand 2: Seriously think about folding pre-flop
Hand 3: Raise flop to get value against draws, as played the Button is showing crazy strength and continuing on with the hand is setting money on fire.
Hand 4: Bigger raise pre-flop, check/fold the flop.
Hand 5: What are you putting them on given the pre-flop action? That said, I think the hand is fine.
Hand 6: I might just 3-bet the flop because I don't give a shit about balance. Turn lead is kinda silly.
Hand 7: Bet the flop, I don't get your desire to put in a lot of money with 2 pair in nothing pots.
Hand 8: Uhhh river. Shoving is pretty bad.


You play too tight and take your hands too far.

I decided tonight not to play like such a nit. Even with high VPIP players. At one table the lowest VPIP was 56. I kinda went overboard some which cost me a BI or 2. Then I settled down a bit

Up over 2 BIs at 5NL. I never really got any good cards. It was alot of work but very good experience. I bluffed quite a bit. I opened/3bet from CO and BTN alot more than normal. This made a big of difference.

I did not push w/o nuts and sometimes value bet instead of pushing.

I looked at my hands from March where I was up 24BIs and I was running at 22/19/2.5. I guess I got nittier and nittier the more I lost in May.

Played 1088 hands
23/19/5
3Bet% 5.2
WTSD% 26.5
W$SD% 49.3
Agg 2.42
Flop Cbet% 56.8
Steal Pct 39

Originally Posted by Fnord

Do you pay attention to your opponents?

Hand 1: Standard
Hand 2: Seriously think about folding pre-flop
Hand 3: Raise flop to get value against draws, as played the Button is showing crazy strength and continuing on with the hand is setting money on fire.
Hand 4: Bigger raise pre-flop, check/fold the flop.
Hand 5: What are you putting them on given the pre-flop action? That said, I think the hand is fine.
Hand 6: I might just 3-bet the flop because I don't give a shit about balance. Turn lead is kinda silly.
Hand 7: Bet the flop, I don't get your desire to put in a lot of money with 2 pair in nothing pots.
Hand 8: Uhhh river. Shoving is pretty bad.


You play too tight and take your hands too far.

I'll look at your comments tomorow but I did notice you wanted me to fold AKs pf in Hand 2. I gotta think about that one.

Well you dont mention any reads or even stats in the hands. But with ref. to Hand 2 - the AK hand, realise that the preflop 3bettor is 3betting an UTG open so both their ranges are likely to be pretty tight if they're competent. If the 3bettor is nitty then Fnord has got a point. A good one at that.

Played in a home cash game tonight with $5 BI. Up 3 BIs at one time then dropped to +1 BI before I left. KQ 2 pair< JJ set, JJ set< KK set, etc. Sounds like my online games.

Online games tonight

Which ones were losses and which ones were wins?

Hand 1

Villian 38/8/1.7 over 64 hands

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (3 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (SB) ($8.44)
BB ($9.15)
Button ($17.52)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K, A
Button bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.30, 1 fold, Button calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.65) 3, Q, 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.40, Button raises to $0.95, Hero calls $0.55

Turn: ($2.55) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, Button raises to $3, Hero calls $1.50

River: ($8.55) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, Button raises to $4, Hero calls $2

Total pot: $16.55 | Rake: $0.80


Hand 2
32/4/2.2 over 40 hands

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (MP) ($6.81)
CO ($14.22)
Button ($2.42)
SB ($6.02)
BB ($6.61)
UTG ($11.94)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A, A
1 fold, Hero bets $0.20, 3 folds, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.42) 5, K, 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.35, BB raises to $1.25, Hero calls $0.90

Turn: ($2.92) 8 (2 players)
BB bets $1.65, Hero raises to $3.75, BB raises to $5.16 (All-In), Hero calls $1.41

River: ($13.24) 9 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $13.24 | Rake: $0.65


Hand 3
Villian is 32/11/2.3 over 24

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($14.54)
Button ($6.08)
SB ($5.60)
Hero (BB) ($5.07)
UTG ($2.45)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5, 5
1 fold, MP bets $0.15, Button raises to $0.25, SB calls $0.23, Hero calls $0.20, MP calls $0.10

Flop: ($1) 5, 7, Q (4 players)
SB bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1, 2 folds, SB calls $0.50

Turn: ($3) 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.50, SB calls $1.50

River: ($6) 10 (2 players)
SB bets $2.40, Hero calls $2.32 (All-In)

Total pot: $10.64 | Rake: $0.50



Hand 4

Villain is 37/4/0.8 over 38
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (Button) ($5.95)
SB ($6.85)
BB ($3.55)
UTG ($3.25)
MP ($4.28)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 6, 6
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.25, SB calls $0.23, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.60) 6, A, 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.45, SB calls $0.45

Turn: ($1.50) A (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.30, SB calls $1.30

River: ($4.10) 7 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2, SB calls $2

Total pot: $8.10 | Rake: $0.35

Hand 5

Villians 4th hand

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($6.23)
SB ($5.57)
Hero (BB) ($5.13)
UTG ($5.89)
MP ($3.28)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, 5
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, Button calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.20) 5, A, Q (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.15, 1 fold, Button raises to $0.35, SB calls $0.35, Hero raises to $1, Button calls $0.65, 1 fold

Turn: ($2.55) 10 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, Button calls $2

River: ($6.55) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $2.08 (All-In)


Hand 6

Villian is 18/0/1 over 17

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (UTG) ($5.93)
MP ($3.21)
Button ($1.78)
SB ($3.02)
BB ($2.85)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with K, A
Hero bets $0.20, MP calls $0.20, 3 folds

Flop: ($0.47) 7, 5, K (2 players)
Hero bets $0.35, MP raises to $1, Hero calls $0.65

Turn: ($2.47) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.80, MP raises to $2.01 (All-In), Hero calls $0.21

River: ($6.49) 7 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $6.49 | Rake: $0.30

Hand 7

Villian is 54/8/0.3 over 24

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($19.24)
SB ($5.88)
BB ($5.03)
Hero (UTG) ($4.93)
MP ($1.97)
CO ($5.84)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A, K
Hero bets $0.20, MP calls $0.20, 1 fold, Button calls $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.82) K, 6, 9 (4 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.60, MP calls $0.60, 2 folds

Turn: ($2.02) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, MP calls $1.17 (All-In)

River: ($4.36) 2 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $4.36 | Rake: $0.20

You're re-raising too small on wet boards and playing too many rivers on wet boards when you get it in on the turn.

Hand 1: Re-raise flop to $2.5, ship turn
Hand 2: Just ship the turn
Hand 3: Fold pre, $1.5 on the flop, ship turn.
Hand 4: Ship river
Hand 5: Re-raise flop to $1.5, ship turn
Hand 6: Consider a flop fold. Check turn.
Hand 7: So standard it hurts.

Hand 1
I understand in the heat of battle when there is a flow and reads @ work, that optimal play may be completely different without knowledge of the flow or reads. However, it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense just looking at it for face value. If you have a REALLY good read that AKo is good here, hats off to you, but wow, you'd have to know villain has no 3, Q, 8, 2, pocket pair, or two spades. The pre-flop and first flop cbet are all fine, but as soon as you get raised, you have to re-evaluate how far you want to go with this hand. You should probably read the section on commitment threshold in Professional No Limit Volume I. Basically, you don't want to put in more than 1/3 of your stack unless you are committed to a hand. You also have to be careful about putting in 10% of your stack because it's a warning that you are near the commitment threshold.

In this hand, in my mind, you are NEVER committed. You have just ace high by the river. After you call the flop re-raise, you have put in $1.25, which is 14% of your stack, which is over 10% and means any reasonable bet close to pot will put you over the commitment threshold, which basically means you should be prepared to go all-in and feel like it's the right play. So, what do you do on the turn? YOU, not your opponent, voluntarily put yourself into the commitment zone with a bet that puts you at almost exactly 1/3 of your starting stack ($0.30 + $0.95 + $1.50 = $2.75) -> $2.75/$8.44 = 32.6%. Your villain raises and you still call. Maybe you rationalized pot odds or implied odds to make a call thinking the flush or even an over pair would win you the pot, but that logic only might stand if you aren't helping inflate the pot. Calling the flop raise is debatable, but you should have checked the turn and definitely not called the raise. The bet and call on the river looks really spewy.

Hand 2
Flop bet looks good and you may consider a re-raise on a board that wet. Just ship it all-in on the turn. River sucks. By the way, you seem to get raised in a lot of these hands on boards that don't seem to warrant it. You should evaluate your image and play and determine if you're happy with it. I suspect you are betting and raising too light and your opponents are catching on and putting you in tough spots. Maybe fold more and don't cbet so often.

Hand 3
Pre-flop, Flop, and Turn are textbook. Through planning or luck, you had your bets sized perfectly to get it all-in by the river. The only problem is the river is a deal breaker. It completes the obvious flush your villain might have been staying in the hand for. You have a blocker and maybe your hand is good, but you have to ask yourself, what was villain sticking around with? There are bad villains that will pay you off with AQ, KQ, and maybe even QT, but the flush plus QQ, 77, 99, TT all have you beat. Without a good read, this is a fold. Hands change. You were prepared to get it all-in before the flush, but now you have to reevaluate. Are you good here 30% of the time? It seems doubtful to me.

Hand 4
Seems pretty standard. I'd expect you to win that hand most of the time. It's hard to imagine a hand that has you beat never raising at least once during the action. Most would probably have a weak flush or ace.

Hand 5
Again, two pair hands can be hard to play and are largely player dependent - against good, tight, deep opponents, I think it's best not to go broke with them if you can avoid it. You pretty much decided after the flop that you were playing for stacks - if the villain was pretty loose and aggressive, maybe that's a good play, but keep in mind that you had plenty of opportunities to keep the pot smaller if that was best play.

Hand 6
Also seems standard against 60BB stack. I may have advocated a flop or turn check if you were deeper. I'd expect to be good here more times than not.

Hand 7
The stack to pot ratio pre-flop pretty much committed you to this hand, which should be a long term good play if you feel like you won't chase out too many worse hands pre-flop and get enough value post flop. I'd also expect to be good here more times than not.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm not sure what to think about my play for May.

Do these few hands indicate a player that sux so bad to lose 21 BIs in a month? Or was my 10% stop loss much to high? Or both?

I knew I sucked but I didn't think I sucked that bad. I've played well over 100k hands at 10NL. If I did anything else 100k times I would probably be pretty good at it by now.

For the last few days I've been playing as 20/17/2.8 over 2800 hands but I'm still having the same results.
Up a big pot, up a big pot, lose via suckout or cooler, cold cards forever, up a BI, lose from spew, repeat daily.

I'll be at the beach starting Saturday for a week. No poker.

I'll be spending most nights sitting on the beach fishing, drinking a cold one and reflecting on work and poker. I think I need a vacation from May poker as much as I need one from work. That just ain't right is it?

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

Do these few hands indicate a player that sux so bad to lose 21 BIs in a month?

http://tuffish.ytmnd.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEk9ZT49_b0

I'd say try to stop thinking in terms of results or if you're a good or bad player and just think about how to get better. Before you posted these hands, your posts seemed to suggest that you are just unlucky, but we've clearly illustrated many spots where you're losing value, giving away value, or just plain spewing. Focus on your next 10k hands to drastically change that. I also think there are some tilt issues @ work plus twice I've pointed out you weren't sticking to what I consider solid bankroll management. When you play, think about how your score would be with those things, and not the actual value of your bankroll.

Breaks can be very good actually. I take breaks all the time and don't focus on volume as much as I do quality play.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Jason

I take breaks all the time and don't focus on volume as much as I do quality play.

Good luck.

^^^this

just started watching your op - glglglgl

Over the last 1500 hands or so at 5NL I've been playing
19/17/2.6
3bet- 4.7
Flop Cbet-57%
Steal-27%

These are the hands that I had to quit after losing them due to BR Management.

Hand 1

My second hand at the table

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($1.89)
MP ($7.90)
Button ($5.43)
SB ($6.15)
Hero (BB) ($5)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, A
UTG calls $0.05, MP calls $0.05, Button bets $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, 2 folds, Button calls $0.50

Flop: ($1.62) 9, 2, 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $1, Button raises to $2, Hero calls $1

Turn: ($5.62) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks

River: ($5.62) J (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, Button raises to $2.68 (All-In), Hero calls $0.75 (All-In)

Total pot: $10.12 | Rake: $0.45


Hand 2

Villian was 52/3/1 over 34

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($3.83)
SB ($13.99)
BB ($3.05)
Hero (UTG) ($5.72)
MP ($4.22)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with K, K
Hero bets $0.20, 3 folds, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.42) 10, 9, 6 (2 players)
BB bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.30, BB raises to $2.85 (All-In), Hero calls $2.55

Turn: ($6.12) 9 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($6.12) 3 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $6.12 | Rake: $0.30


Hand 3

Villian was 44/2/1 over 119

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

BB ($7.79)
UTG ($3.55)
MP ($10.52)
CO ($2.81)
Hero (Button) ($5.92)
SB ($2.80)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A, K
2 folds, CO bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.30, 2 folds, CO calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.67) Q, 2, J (2 players)
CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.67) K (2 players)
CO bets $0.25, Hero raises to $0.50, CO raises to $1.15, Hero calls $0.65

River: ($2.97) 5 (2 players)
CO bets $1.05, Hero calls $1.05

Total pot: $5.07 | Rake: $0.20


Hand 4

Villian was 49/2/0.8 over 117

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

CO ($6.53)
Hero (Button) ($9.74)
SB ($5.20)
BB ($15.01)
UTG ($10.02)
MP ($3.42)

Preflop: Hero is Button with K, K
2 folds, CO calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.15, CO calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.62) J, 4, 2 (3 players)
BB checks, CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.62) Q (3 players)
BB bets $0.35, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.70, BB calls $0.35

River: ($2.02) 8 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.80, BB raises to $1.60, Hero calls $0.80

Total pot: $5.22 | Rake: $0.25


Hand 5

This is the exception
Best flop and turn ever but how do you play it?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($10)
CO ($3.63)
Button ($13.27)
SB ($6.56)
Hero (BB) ($5)
UTG ($4.45)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 3, 7
3 folds, Button calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 7, 7, 7 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, Button checks

Turn: ($0.15) 3 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.10, 2 folds

Total pot: $0.15 | Rake: $0

May Stats for 10NL



Hopefully I can look back at this someday and laugh.

Any and all comments welcome. Even more Tuff Fish vids.

I'm not that bad although I did throw my pen after Hand 1 above

As I said earlier, I started playing nittier and nittier as the month went on.

You're playing too many hands from early position.

This is what I've been doing

From bjaust's OP

"...everyone plays a couple stinkers every session. When I'm winning those stinkers just mean I dont win quite so much so I dont care much. When I'm losing though, I really curse those plays and let them get into my head. "

Even when I'm playing my 24/20 Laggy-TAGG 6max style, I open < 10% of my hands UTG and only 13 - 14% MP (all for raises).

Try ditching 22 - 66 and KQo/AJo and worse from your UTG range. I do open AJs and KQs. It's just so much easier to play EP hands if you're playing good ones.

Originally Posted by Robb

Even when I'm playing my 24/20 Laggy-TAGG 6max style, I open < 10% of my hands UTG and only 13 - 14% MP (all for raises).

Try ditching 22 - 66 and KQo/AJo and worse from your UTG range. I do open AJs and KQs. It's just so much easier to play EP hands if you're playing good ones.

Will do.

I was also opening with A2s+. Saw Spenda doing this in a video so I've been doing it since. Cbet usually takes down the pot when an A hits. When I get played back at I would fall in love with TP shitty kicker and lose.

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

Originally Posted by Robb

Even when I'm playing my 24/20 Laggy-TAGG 6max style, I open < 10% of my hands UTG and only 13 - 14% MP (all for raises).

Try ditching 22 - 66 and KQo/AJo and worse from your UTG range. I do open AJs and KQs. It's just so much easier to play EP hands if you're playing good ones.

Will do.

I was also opening with A2s+. Saw Spenda doing this in a video so I've been doing it since. Cbet usually takes down the pot when an A hits. When I get played back at I would fall in love with TP shitty kicker and lose.

OK, UTG opening range ~ 10% for me is:

88+ (48 combos)
AK, AQ, AJs, KQs (40 combos)
25% of 22 - 77 (~= 9 combos)
98s - 65s (16 combos)
A2s - A5s (24 combos)

137 combos when ~133 would be 10%.

I don't suggest the Ace-rag suited until you have the rest of the range playable. I suggest starting with only 1 or 2 sc's and get used to playing them oop. They play better than small pp's UTG 'cuz they hit 2 pair+ almost as often as pp's hit sets, and they build nice draws and combos enough to cbet and often fire a 2nd barrel where a small pp is pretty much dead after air + cbet.

When you're competent with 3 or 4 sc's, then add like A4s/A5s to get used to playing them oop. When I'm playing A5s, I actually want to hit the 5 or a FD, or both, and play my draw. I think of A5s on a K85 board as a 5-out draw. Sure, the pair of fives is good sometimes, but you can't really barrel on it. Hitting the Ace is VERY dicey.

Still, even with some sc's and Ace-rag, I think at 10nl you should be opening < 10% UTG.

I don't open A2s+ even in MP - I wait for the CO before I play them all.

I think you need to get more experience playing certain kinds of hands from UTG before you add all of them in. Just my $.02.

I made a video of my play tonight for about 35 minutes.
No audio
Production time was a bitch.

http://files.filefront.com/5NL+06030.../fileinfo.html

A few Hands from the video.

To se if I won or lost you have to watch the vid

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($10.99)
SB ($9.95)
Hero (BB) ($5.52)
UTG ($10.94)
MP ($1.75)
CO ($4.45)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5, 8
2 folds, CO calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.12) 9, 6, 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.25, Hero calls $0.25

Turn: ($0.62) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.15, Hero raises to $0.30, CO raises to $4.15 (All-In), Hero calls $3.85

River: ($8.92) 5 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $8.92 | Rake: $0.40



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (4 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($5.18)
Hero (Button) ($11.10)
SB ($1.40)
BB ($5.99)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A, J
1 fold, Hero bets $0.15, 1 fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.32) 2, J, 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.72) A (2 players)
BB bets $0.65, Hero calls $0.65

River: ($2.02) K (2 players)
BB bets $1.55, Hero calls $1.55

Total pot: $5.12 | Rake: $0.25


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($6.92)
Hero (SB) ($6.58)
BB ($1.80)
UTG ($3.88)
MP ($6.78)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 9, 9
UTG calls $0.05, 1 fold, Button calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.50) Q, 3, 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, BB calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.10) A (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

River: ($1.10) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50

Total pot: $2.10 | Rake: $0.10


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

CO ($5.40)
Button ($8.96)
Hero (SB) ($4.62)
BB ($3.63)
UTG ($4.70)
MP ($3.69)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, A
UTG calls $0.05, MP calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.15, UTG calls $0.15, MP calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.80) 9, 2, 6 (4 players)
Hero bets $0.65, BB calls $0.65, UTG calls $0.65, 1 fold

Turn: ($2.75) 3 (3 players)
Hero bets $1.30, BB calls $1.30, UTG raises to $3.85 (All-In), Hero calls $2.47 (All-In), 1 fold

River: ($11.59) 4 (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $11.59 | Rake: $0.55


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($7.97)
Hero (MP) ($5.18)
Button ($1.80)
SB ($4.31)
BB ($6.85)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A, K
1 fold, Hero bets $0.20, 1 fold, SB calls $0.18, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.45) 9, 5, 5 (2 players)
SB bets $0.15, Hero calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.75) 7 (2 players)
SB bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

River: ($1.15) A (2 players)
SB bets $0.25, Hero raises to $0.50, SB calls $0.25

Total pot: $2.15 | Rake: $0.10

Went on vacation for a week to the "Redneck Rivera" (i.e., Panama City Beach, Fl)

Didn't think about poker much.

Remember I took all but $150 out and played at 10NL until it was down to $120 then dropped to 5NL. By the time I left for vacation my BR was at $62. I was totally disgusted with poker at that point.

When I got back, I decided that once I got below $60 I would drop to 2NL but I would not play a single game until I did some studying.

Here's what the plan was:
1.) Review lots of HHs and lots of videos-Done
2.) Open IRC whenever playing-Done
3.) Open 2 or 3 tables only and try to take more notes.-Done
4.) Not be such a nit-Done

Last few nights have been good (up about 7BIs) and I even posted a couple of HHs in IRC for review and got some good feedback.

We'll see how things go from here. And I haven't had to drop to 2NL.

Nice work. Slow and steady wins the race.

Glad to hear it's turning around. The extra study time and hand history reviewing should pay off big time.

Plus a week's vacation always helps the mindset.

I'm still doing well. I'm up 3 more BIs from last night. I like to think it's because I'm playing better but I am (finally) getting some cards. This game is easy when you know you have the best hand but I guess the question is how do you know when you have the best hand.

I've watched bjaust's video several times and it has helped alot. It was a big "Duh Moment" when I realized that when passive players bet, I'm usually beat. I also stopped folding so much on the river with a fairly good hand.

I was also questioning my hand when an over card was on the board. If I had QQ and the board was A49r I would always assume villian had the A and fold to any bet.

I realized that I should stop doing this while on vacation. In between rummy games (which I hate), I would deal 6 hands face up just to see what cards came up and see which was best pf, then turn flop cards, turn , then river.

Here are some hands from 2 days ago

Hand 1

Villian was 84/1/1 over 58 hands. Called anything and everything. Won most of his stack with a pairs. Other villians at table were 35+ vpip. I figured my 8s were good on the turn. Should I have shoved the river?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($19.17)
MP ($5.70)
CO ($10.80)
Button ($9.10)
Hero (SB) ($9.32)
BB ($1.93)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 8, 8
UTG bets $0.10, MP calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.08, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.45) 7, 10, 9 (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.25, 1 fold, CO calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25

Turn: ($1.20) 3 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.70, 1 fold, CO calls $0.70

River: ($2.60) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.80, CO calls $1.80

Total pot: $6.20 | Rake: $0.30

Results in white below:
Hero had 8, 8 (straight, ten high).
CO mucked 10, J (one pair, tens).
Outcome: Hero won $5.90

Hand 2

Villian was 52/10/4
Flop bet kinda concerned me but I didn't really think he had anything due to previous line. He liked to bet river regardless of cards. Previous hand he had the same line and had air.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($6.88)
Hero (BB) ($9.43)
UTG ($10)
MP ($3.27)
CO ($6.16)
Button ($1.66)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q, K
1 fold, MP bets $0.10, CO raises to $0.15, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10, MP calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.47) 5, 3, Q (3 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.05, CO raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.30, MP calls $0.25

Turn: ($1.37) 3 (3 players)
Hero checks, MP checks, CO checks

River: ($1.37) 8 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.70, 1 fold, CO raises to $1.40, Hero calls $0.70

Total pot: $4.17 | Rake: $0.20

Results in white below:
Hero had Q, K (two pair, Queens and threes).
CO had A, 8 (two pair, eights and threes).
Outcome: Hero won $3.97

Hand 3

No reads as villian had only played a few hands. I normally 3bet AKs but I didn't here cause I had lost the previous hand with AKo and didn't feel like it. I actually thought this would be a split.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($12.22)
CO ($5.13)
Button ($11.22)
SB ($9.71)
Hero (BB) ($4.80)
UTG ($7.55)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, K
UTG calls $0.05, MP calls $0.05, CO bets $0.25, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.20, 1 fold, MP calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.82) K, 3, 2 (3 players)
Hero checks, MP checks, CO bets $0.60, Hero calls $0.60, 1 fold

Turn: ($2.02) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.40, CO raises to $3, Hero raises to $3.95 (All-In), CO calls $0.95

River: ($9.92) A (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $9.92 | Rake: $0.45

Results in white below:
Hero had A, K (two pair, Aces and Kings).
CO mucked Q, K (one pair, Kings).
Outcome: Hero won $9.47


Hand 4

This was kinda nitty on my part but I had notes that he was very passive and only bet with good cards. When I folded he showed AKo. Made more notes.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($7.90)
Hero (BB) ($10.65)
UTG ($10)
MP ($3.80)
CO ($3)
Button ($1.93)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q, J
1 fold, MP bets $0.10, CO raises to $0.15, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10, MP calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.47) Q, 6, 8 (3 players)
Hero checks, MP checks, CO bets $0.35, Hero calls $0.35, 1 fold

Turn: ($1.17) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.70, CO raises to $2.50 (All-In), Hero folds

Total pot: $2.57 | Rake: $0.10

Results in white below:
CO didn't show
Outcome: CO won $2.47


Hand 5

Too nitty? I'm still not sure what to do in these situations. Donk bet said Q to me. I shoulda folded flop. IDK. Prob shoulda stayed with min turn bet. IDK

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($9.68)
SB ($14.92)
BB ($2.46)
Hero (UTG) ($12.53)
MP ($2)
CO ($1.88)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 10, 10
Hero bets $0.20, 4 folds, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.42) 6, 7, Q (2 players)
BB bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.82) 5 (2 players)
BB bets $0.20, Hero folds

Total pot: $0.82 | Rake: $0

Results in white below:
BB didn't show
Outcome: BB won $0.82


Hand 6

I figured villian had Ax. I'm not sure about bet sizing on river. I knew I was ahead but wanted some value.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (4 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($8.55)
Hero (BB) ($9.52)
UTG ($10)
Button ($2.84)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 6, 7
1 fold, Button calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5, 4, A (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.10, Button calls $0.10, SB calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.45) 7 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, Button bets $0.10, SB calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10

River: ($0.75) 7 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.40, Button calls $0.40, 1 fold

Total pot: $1.55 | Rake: $0.05

Results in white below:
Button mucked A, J (two pair, Aces and sevens).
Hero had 6, 7 (three of a kind, sevens).
Outcome: Hero won $1.50


Hand 7

After this hand I wasn't sure about my river bet. I'm only going to get called by a split or get beat by a flush. How do I handle the river in this situation?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($8.98)
Hero (MP) ($7.71)
Button ($10)
SB ($3.49)
BB ($5.47)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A, 7
UTG calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.20, 1 fold, SB calls $0.18, BB calls $0.15, UTG calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.80) Q, K, 10 (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.80) 4 (4 players)
SB bets $0.25, BB raises to $0.60, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.60, SB calls $0.35

River: ($2.60) J (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $1.50, 2 folds

Total pot: $2.60 | Rake: $0.10

Results in white below:
Hero didn't show A, 7 (nothing).
Outcome: Hero won $2.50

Still running good. Up 6 BIs last night. Must be doing something right.

Up 18 BIs since Sunday. BR is ~$150

Woah nice!

Now that's how it's done. You don't just win 18 buyins without doing something right, good job.

Thanks m2m.

Still running good. Went out of town on business Sunday-Tuesday then came back and I'm up 3 more BIs.

BR is $175

In the last 8 days (not including my trip) I have almost tripled my BR at 5NL

I'm trying to decide when I should move back up to 10NL. I've got over 100k hands at 10NL anyway so I was thinking maybe at $200 and 2-table and drop back down to 5NL if I hit $120. I could wait til I hit $250 or $300 but I'm playing pretty solid.

From "Moving Up and You" by Spenda

1. Am I winning money at my current stakes?

Most definitely

2. Why I am a winning player?

I am playing TAGG poker, exploiting villians, betting big with big hands and betting small with small hands. I tightened my range up UTG and opens up quite a bit from CO and BTN. I'm thinking more about value bets and definitely thinking more about ranges. I'm also folding when I probably beat and not folding when a player's tendencies indicate I may be ahead.

3. Am I properly bankrolled for a full shot at the next level?

No but I've played 10NL for many hands. If I 2-table 10NL I'm risking $5 more than 3 tabling 5NL. Plus I think I'm playing solid poker now. I have not tilted at all since returning from vacation and I have definite had reason to. This was affecting me the most I believe previously.

4. Am I prepared to move down if I lose?

Absolutely. I'm a move down king by now.
Moved down from 10NL to 5NL twice
Moved down from 25NL to 10NL once

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

I'm trying to decide when I should move back up to 10NL. I've got over 100k hands at 10NL anyway so I was thinking maybe at $200 and 2-table and drop back down to 5NL if I hit $120. I could wait til I hit $250 or $300 but I'm playing pretty solid.

3. Am I properly bankrolled for a full shot at the next level?

No

I think you initially, correctly answered the question. If you played at a level and dropped down, if anything you should add more buy-ins before you move up, definitely not less. The eagerness to move up before you have the bankroll is a form of tilt - being too eager. This will have two drawbacks. You won't give yourself a full shot and you'll be MORE disappointed if things don't go to plan and more results oriented in general. Think about it. If you aren't too eager or too results oriented, the thought of moving up too soon wouldn't even come up. Remember, bankroll management is NOT about how well you are playing - it's to help you have staying power when the results are not indicative of your good play. You've started to get momentum back, which is great. I say stick to the plan and stay @ $5NL until you have $300 and if not $300, then $350 Good luck, though either way.

Originally Posted by Jason

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

I'm trying to decide when I should move back up to 10NL. I've got over 100k hands at 10NL anyway so I was thinking maybe at $200 and 2-table and drop back down to 5NL if I hit $120. I could wait til I hit $250 or $300 but I'm playing pretty solid.

3. Am I properly bankrolled for a full shot at the next level?

No

I think you initially, correctly answered the question. If you played at a level and dropped down, if anything you should add more buy-ins before you move up, definitely not less. The eagerness to move up before you have the bankroll is a form of tilt - being too eager. This will have two drawbacks. You won't give yourself a full shot and you'll be MORE disappointed if things don't go to plan and more results oriented in general. Think about it. If you aren't too eager or too results oriented, the thought of moving up too soon wouldn't even come up. Remember, bankroll management is NOT about how well you are playing - it's to help you have staying power when the results are not indicative of your good play. You've started to get momentum back, which is great. I say stick to the plan and stay @ $5NL until you have $300 and if not $300, then $350 Good luck, though either way.

Thanks Jason. I knew this would be your answer.

I think the circumstances are different here as I wasn't forced to move down in stakes. I was still over rolled for 10NL at the time of withdrawal (I had $435 in the BR when I withdrew all but $150).

Even when my BR was at $61, I would have had $346 as a BR without the withdrawal.

Is it against BR Management to re deposit money you withdrew earlier when you tilted?

I think I'll finish out June at 5NL though then take it from there.

It's not against BRM to redoposit money...that can actually be seen as PART of your bankroll. Your bankroll is any money you're WILLING to lose in poker. Just because you don't have it on PokerStars (or Full Tilt or whatever) doesn't mean it isn't part of your bankroll.

Fwiw, I moved up to 10NL at $200. I understanding wanted to get the hell out of 5NL and into 10NL. I even felt that way at 10NL (and I finally am feeling comfortable at 25NL). With a bankroll this small, you have less to protect. I don't mind seeing being more aggressive with this bankroll. Understand that as your bankroll grows, you have more to protect. Therefore, bankroll management criteria becomes higher. I will not even THINK about playing 50NL at $1000 (even though it is 20 buy-ins). Why not? It took me a good amount of time to make that $1000...I have more to protect. Thirty buy-ins sounds about good for 50NL.

Moral of the story: smaller bankroll - more aggressive. Bigger bankroll - more conservative.

If you have solidly beat $5NL and deposit enough to give you 30 buy-ins, then I guess no one could fault you, but don't forget the sequence of events that led you here. You were playing $10NL, not getting the results you wanted, withdrew that money out of frustration, and moved down stakes. I think moving down was a good decision of which you are now seeing the fruits of your labor. I think it would be a mistake to try to circumvent the process by moving up too soon or just depositing more money. Part of the fun and proving you can beat a level is actually getting all the money to move up from beating the level. In my operation, I specifically mentioned I would only move up with money made from the stakes I was playing, using the example if I ever cashed in a large MTT or was part of a milestone hand and won a lot of money, that that money would NOT count towards my bankroll to move up.

Obviously, you have to do whatever you think is best for you, but from what I've seen, you have had some history with bankroll in not heeding a 5% bankroll one day stop loss and also history @ $10NL not getting the results you wanted. There's no time like the present to stick with the program

Good luck either way!

Thanks for the comments.

Here's how it went:

5NL won $300
moved up to 10NL at $220
Dropped back down to 5NL after BR hit $150
Moved back to 10NL at $300
Moved up to 25NL at $650
Moved back to 10NL at $470
Tried 25NL again at $650
Moved back down to 10NL at $500
BR hovered around $600 until May when I really started losing at 10NL

NOTE: I was really putting alot of pressure on myself to move up at this point as I was seeing lots of FTR'ers move up quick (i.e., dranger and m2m) and I was getting really frustrated. I think I played 35k hands in May which is waaay too many for me with family, work, etc. so I was always tired and playing too many tables.

At $435 I tilted and withdrew $285 and started playing 5NL

After looking at this I seemed to get money scared ar 25NL quickly. I wasn't waiting until the BR hit $300 before moving back down but then again I was moving up before the BR hit $750 too.

I also don't play as much as before. I 3-table for 2 hours and quit. I played for 2.5 hours last night and I was too tired for the last half hour and I paid for it.

Still thinking about this so I'll play 5Nl until I decide.

There's an interesting observation I noticed in your summary. You "moved up" 4 times and only 1 of those was successful:

Moved to $10Nl @ $220 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $5NL
Moved to $10Nl @ $300 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Success! Moved up to $25NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL

Notice anything?

Originally Posted by Jason

There's an interesting observation I noticed in your summary. You "moved up" 4 times and only 1 of those was successful:

Moved to $10Nl @ $220 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $5NL
Moved to $10Nl @ $300 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Success! Moved up to $25NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL

Notice anything?

You're no fun

FYI, Spenda advised me to move up the first time to 10NL at $220
here's proof:
http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...nl-t80217.html

The 25NL shots were exactly shots and I got money scared and probably dropped down too soon for it to be a real shot.

Villian was 39/28/4 over 120 hands. Major table coach.

I must be controlling the emotions better because this didn't tilt me even though it took me 120 hands to win this BI. I actually LOL'd. Then villian said that's the 3rd time I've stacked you lifetime and I replied "So?"

Up 26 BIs for June. Maybe that's why I didn't tilt.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (Button) ($10.38)
SB ($8.43)
BB ($3)
UTG ($10.45)
MP ($13.67)
CO ($10.17)

Preflop: Hero is Button with K, Q
2 folds, CO bets $0.15, Hero raises to $0.45, 2 folds, CO calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.97) 6, K, 9 (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $0.50, CO raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4, CO raises to $9.72 (All-In), Hero calls $5.72

Turn: ($20.41) 6 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($20.41) K (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $20.41 | Rake: $1

Results in white below:
Hero mucked K, Q (full house, Kings over sixes).
CO had 6, 6 (four of a kind, sixes).
Outcome: CO won $19.41

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

Originally Posted by Jason

There's an interesting observation I noticed in your summary. You "moved up" 4 times and only 1 of those was successful:

Moved to $10Nl @ $220 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $5NL
Moved to $10Nl @ $300 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Success! Moved up to $25NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL

Notice anything?

You're no fun

FYI, Spenda advised me to move up the first time to 10NL at $220
here's proof:
http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...nl-t80217.html

The 25NL shots were exactly shots and I got money scared and probably dropped down too soon for it to be a real shot.

Having enough to handle the bigger swings that occur as a player moves up is important. Staying at 5nl a little longer (and then 10nl a little longer) will help in your next shot at 10nl (and then 25nl). Especially given the rate you are killing 5nl for right now. It won't take long to get rolled for a proper move back to 10nl.

Originally Posted by okiman

Originally Posted by Sasquach991

Originally Posted by Jason

There's an interesting observation I noticed in your summary. You "moved up" 4 times and only 1 of those was successful:

Moved to $10Nl @ $220 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $5NL
Moved to $10Nl @ $300 -> Supposed to have $300 -> Result: Success! Moved up to $25NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL
Moved to $25Nl @ $650 -> Supposed to have $750 -> Result: Failed and dropped to $10NL

Notice anything?

You're no fun

FYI, Spenda advised me to move up the first time to 10NL at $220
here's proof:
http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...nl-t80217.html

The 25NL shots were exactly shots and I got money scared and probably dropped down too soon for it to be a real shot.

Having enough to handle the bigger swings that occur as a player moves up is important. Staying at 5nl a little longer (and then 10nl a little longer) will help in your next shot at 10nl (and then 25nl). Especially given the rate you are killing 5nl for right now. It won't take long to get rolled for a proper move back to 10nl.

Take your shots, play within reasonable bankroll limits, and have the discipline to move down when necessary. Then poker will promote you when you've earned it.

GLGLGL

June
Ended up 21 BIs overall. BR at $180

Up 26 BIs for June since returning from vacation

July

I started off July with a heater. This is so much fun when you have a night like this.
Started off the session down a BI. KK<66 set. Then things changes drastically. My cards were either crap or the nuts. Flopped sets numerous times and stacked off two villians in one hand. Flopped nut straight 3 times with two in a row. For once, the slowplaying villians got nailed on the river when checking TP down to the river then betting big when my small pp hit river sets.

Up 8 BIs over 670 hands in one day. I think that's a record for me especially over a small number of hands.


BR sits at $220

Very sick and very cool - negative variance kicks us in the nuts enough that I really enjoy my heaters. I know I'm winning just because the deck of cards is assaulting me, but it helps take the sting out of coolers.

Enjoy it, man - hope it lasts forever.

Thanks Robb.

I've also decided to not re-deposit and wait until I get to $300 before moving up to 10NL. Even though I've beat 5NL before, grinding it out with my current BR will only make me a better player.

Good plan. Congrats and keep the ball rolling

Well done. At this rate, you'll be moving up soon. Keep crushing the tables.

Last week I added a few more stats to my HEM. Don't know why I didn't add these before.
Steal/3Bet

HEM stats are now:
vpip/pfr/hands
Fold to steal/steal/3bet/fold to cbet

I was sick all weekend so I didn't play until Monday night. I should not have played as I couldn't focus well. After losing 2 BIs I quit.

I'll give myself another day or so to get completely well before continuing the grind.

Since the heater I went on a slow but steady cooler where I was break even for July.

By the end of last week, I was up about 5BIs for the month and then took a few days off to go to my folk's 50th anniversary party.


Got back yesterday and played about 800 hands and went on a major heater. Up 9 BIs for the session.

BR at $240.

Gettin closer to 10NL but not rushing it

A few hands from tonight

Hand 1

villian is 77/20/1.1 over 73

I was value betting every street. Even with the min 3bet, this guy would play ATC.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($4.23)
MP ($9.50)
Hero (CO) ($5.77)
Button ($2.55)
SB ($5.04)
BB ($2.41)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q, Q
2 folds, Hero bets $0.20, 1 fold, SB calls $0.18, BB raises to $0.35, Hero calls $0.15, SB calls $0.15

Flop: ($1.05) 10, 4, 5 (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.70, 1 fold, BB calls $0.70

Turn: ($2.45) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.80, BB calls $1.36 (All-In)

River: ($5.17) A (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $5.17 | Rake: $0.25

Results in white below:
BB had K, K (one pair, Kings).
Hero mucked Q, Q (one pair, Queens).
Outcome: BB won $4.92


Hand 2

villian is 14/12/1.7 over 200

This was probably spewey on my part. I figured villian had QQ+, AK. I planned on folding the turn til the A hit. Then I just couldn't get away from it. Prob the best I hoped for is a split because I didn't figure QQ after this. He value betted the piss outta me.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($3.60)
SB ($5.14)
Hero (BB) ($5.56)
UTG ($5.76)
MP ($5)
CO ($5.25)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, K
UTG calls $0.05, MP (poster) checks, 1 fold, Button calls $0.05, SB bets $0.30, Hero calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP (poster) calls $0.25, 1 fold

Flop: ($1) K, 8, 6 (3 players)
SB bets $0.60, Hero calls $0.60, 1 fold

Turn: ($2.20) A (2 players)
SB bets $1.20, Hero calls $1.20

River: ($4.60) 6 (2 players)
SB bets $3.04 (All-In), Hero calls $3.04

Total pot: $10.68 | Rake: $0.50

Results in white below:
SB had A, A (full house, Aces over sixes).
Hero mucked A, K (two pair, Aces and Kings).
Outcome: SB won $10.18

Hand 3

villian is 26/21/1.7 over 300

pf I figured pp, sc, broadways. I did not put him on QQ+ and he was capable of 3betting those and had done so previously. Flop raise screamed str8 for either/both villians or set. The turn Q gave me some outs. Hard to fold top set even on such a wet board.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (4 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($5.28)
BB ($5)
Hero (UTG) ($4.83)
Button ($0.44)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with K, Q
Hero bets $0.20, Button calls $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.62) Q, 9, J (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.50, Button calls $0.24 (All-In), BB raises to $1.80, Hero calls $1.30

Turn: ($4.46) Q (3 players, 1 all-in)
BB bets $3 (All-In), Hero calls $2.83 (All-In)

River: ($10.12) 10 (3 players, 3 all-in)

Total pot: $10.12 | Rake: $0.45

Results in white below:
Button mucked 10, K (straight, King high).
BB had 9, 9 (full house, nines over Queens).
Hero mucked K, Q (straight, King high).
Outcome: BB won $9.67


Hand 4

villian is 60/9/3.3 over 60

Only 2 cards I lose to and villian was caught bluffing several times with complete air. He lost half his stack 2 hands before bluffing river with air. I figured I got my money in good here against this villian.

No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Hold'em Manager Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

BB ($3.07)
UTG ($6.24)
MP ($8.25)
Hero (Button) ($5.48)
SB ($3.38)

Preflop: Hero is Button with K, J
UTG calls $0.05, MP calls $0.05, Hero bets $0.20, SB calls $0.18, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.15, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.70) 3, 2, 8 (3 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.70) K (3 players)
SB bets $0.10, UTG raises $1.20, Hero calls $1.20, SB raises $2.20, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.10

River: ($6.50) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $0.88 (All-In), Hero calls $0.88

Total pot: $8.26

Just a thought, but you seem to post exclusively hands you lose, while you should probably be posting about 50% hands you win and 50% hands you lose. Try not to get fixated on not losing or just minimizing losses. Maximizing gains is equally if not can be more important.

Originally Posted by Jason

Just a thought, but you seem to post exclusively hands you lose, while you should probably be posting about 50% hands you win and 50% hands you lose. Try not to get fixated on not losing or just minimizing losses. Maximizing gains is equally if not can be more important.

Good point. I'll post some winners tonight.

What was your thought process on hands 2, 3, and 4? What range did you put your opponents on? And what were both villians' stats on hand 4? Did you have any reads on any of these opponents?

Originally Posted by okiman

What was your thought process on hands 2, 3, and 4? What range did you put your opponents on? And what were both villians' stats on hand 4? Did you have any reads on any of these opponents?

More info added in original post. With the exception of hand 2, I thought I got my money in good for these villians.

A few winners and losers

Hand 1


43/4/2 over 45

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($5.74)
MP ($6.37)
Hero (Button) ($4.79)
SB ($6.95)
BB ($3.92)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 8, 8
2 folds, Hero bets $0.15, 1 fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.32) 6, Q, 8 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB raises to $0.40, Hero raises to $1.20, BB calls $0.80

Turn: ($2.72) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.44 (All-In), BB calls $2.57 (All-In)

River: ($7.86) 3 (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $7.86 | Rake: $0.35

Results in white below:
Hero had 8, 8 (three of a kind, eights).
BB had K, K (one pair, Kings).
Outcome: Hero won $7.51

Hand 2

40/11/0.9 over 66

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($5)
Hero (CO) ($5.03)
Button ($6.30)
SB ($1.20)
BB ($7.37)
UTG ($4.05)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 8, 8
2 folds, Hero bets $0.20, Button calls $0.20, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.47) 8, K, 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, Button calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.07) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.70, Button calls $0.70

River: ($2.47) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $1, Button raises to $2, Hero calls $1

Total pot: $6.47 | Rake: $0.30

Results in white below:
Button had J, 10 (high card, King).
Hero had 8, 8 (three of a kind, eights).
Outcome: Hero won $6.17


Hand 3

Villian was 80/10/3 over 10 hands.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($12.31)
BB ($1.50)
UTG ($5.60)
MP ($6.20)
Hero (CO) ($5.50)
Button ($5)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A, A
UTG calls $0.05, 1 fold, Hero bets $0.20, 2 folds, BB calls $0.15, UTG calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.62) 10, 7, Q (3 players)
BB bets $0.20, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.70, BB raises to $1.30 (All-In), Hero calls $0.60

Turn: ($3.22) Q (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($3.22) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $3.22 | Rake: $0.15

Results in white below:
BB had 8, 9 (two pair, Queens and tens).
Hero had A, A (two pair, Aces and Queens).
Outcome: Hero won $3.07

Hand 4

villian was 51/15/0.8 over 55

value betting 2 pair

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (Button) ($9.38)
SB ($3.33)
BB ($2.83)
UTG ($4.76)
MP ($4.10)
CO ($6.13)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, 9
3 folds, Hero bets $0.15, SB calls $0.13, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.35) 9, 3, Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.25, SB calls $0.25

Turn: ($0.85) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.60, SB calls $0.60

River: ($2.05) 7 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.40, SB raises to $2.33 (All-In), Hero calls $0.93

Total pot: $6.71 | Rake: $0.30

Results in white below:
Hero mucked Q, 9 (two pair, Queens and nines).
SB had 7, 7 (three of a kind, sevens).
Outcome: SB won $6.41


Hand 5


all villians 48+/<7/<1.5

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

BB ($9.83)
Hero (UTG) ($6.50)
MP ($1)
CO ($6.64)
Button ($9.21)
SB ($10.99)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with K, A
Hero bets $0.20, 1 fold, CO calls $0.20, Button calls $0.20, SB calls $0.18, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.85) J, 10, 5 (4 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, CO checks, Button checks

Turn: ($0.85) 3 (4 players)
SB bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.30, CO calls $0.30, Button calls $0.30, 1 fold

River: ($1.85) Q (3 players)
Hero bets $1, 1 fold, Button raises to $2, Hero raises to $6 (All-In), Button calls $4

Total pot: $13.85 | Rake: $0.65

Results in white below:
Button mucked J, Q (two pair, Queens and Jacks).
Hero had K, A (straight, Ace high).
Outcome: Hero won $13.20

Hand 6

villian only had 17 hands but he was 84/24/2.1

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($3.06)
Button ($4.03)
SB ($5.49)
Hero (BB) ($5.60)
UTG ($4.68)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q, Q
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, Button calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero bets $0.25, 1 fold, Button calls $0.20, SB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.80) 8, 2, 10 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.70, 1 fold, SB raises to $1.40, Hero calls $0.70

Turn: ($3.60) 3 (2 players)
SB bets $1.45, Hero calls $1.45

River: ($6.50) 3 (2 players)
SB bets $2.39 (All-In), Hero calls $2.39

Total pot: $11.28 | Rake: $0.50

Results in white below:
SB had 8, A (two pair, eights and threes).
Hero had Q, Q (two pair, Queens and threes).
Outcome: Hero won $10.78