this thread is definitely tl;dr if you're not interested in putting in some time reading over the many HHs i will post in here. in advance, i appreciate all help with my game, and if any of you who put in the effort to aid me want good advice when it comes to muscle hypertrophy and strength primarily and fatloss secondarily, i will be very happy to help. i have been very successful with putting on muscle mass via weight training, have done a substantial amount of research on the subject, and think this is pretty much the only way i could service anybody around here since im too poor for real coaching.

so...

lifetime, i've played somewhere around 300k hands and have broken even. i've taken a lot of unsuccessful shots, and have had many horrible decks. i had a 750bb downswing at super juicy pre-legislation Pacific 2/4. such a tremendous cooler. JJ capped pre, called on T95 flop, called on 2 turn, and losing to A5 on A river was very standard. playing OESDs and flush draws very aggressively and hitting 5-10% of them was also very standard. i gave up limit because of that.

then post-legislation, i played at Bodog. three tabling everything from 10NL to 1000NL, FR and 6max. i tried many styles. i played at least 100k hands at Bodog NL doing my best TAG, setmining, shortstacking, LAG; but nothing worked. i would run good for a while then run bad for a while, and in the end zero profit was made. i did this a few times.

the final time was at 100 6max. i ran good over 3,000 hands and was up 10 buyins. i was determined to not lose it all when i hit the seemingly inevitable downswing. well, over the next 12,000 hands i lost it all. wasn't saving the HH, but from memory, i got my entire stack in approximately 24 times. 18 of those times i was at least a 2 to 1 favorite, yet was mad sucked out on. 3 of those times i was simply straight coolered by flopping a second best monster, and 3 of those times i was also coolered, but knew i should have gotten away from them but didn't due to tilt (the decisions were really thin, though). for example: i have QJ in SB in a seven limped pot, BB minraised, we all call. flop is AKTr, i donk bet pot, BB calls. turn is K, i bet 3/4 pot, BB raises, im thinking it really looks like he's a moron with AK, but i push anyways, and lo and behold, he had AK.


anyways, my point is that i've played a lot, have tried to play well a lot, yet have gotten absofuckinglutley nothing to show for it. im sure all of you think i should quit, as is often expressed on 2p2 when somebody posts long lifetime graphs of bad results. but im not giving up. only when the sites or funding institutions ban the US (i'll move the UK perhaps, then) or when i am completely satisfied that i am too much of a dumbfuck to figure out how to play winning poker, will i quit. i want very much to make money, good money, playing this game.

im not using HUD, and have just recently started using PT. i have decided to my Stars my home. i put in a lot of hours playing, and the FPP system looks really nice. i have never had rakeback before. always because the juicier sites dont allow it. Bodog has tightened up an assload since lots of good players and wannabees have moved there. the 2000NL game used to be mad juicy looking, but the last few times i checked, DJ Sensei and a few other regs were occupying most of the seats.

the last few weeks i've 6-12 tabled Stars .01/.02 NL, 10NL, and 25NL. been running bad at 10NL and 25NL, but still moved up to 50NL. i have the roll (currently not all on site since epass takes forever to load), but i decided earlier today that i really need to change my approach. so i decided to drop to 4 tables, and do absolutely no browsing while i play. just try my best to focus. i dont think there was a lack of focus before, since a lot of my play i know is good, but my results are still fucked so im doing something wrong. and i decided to start this log, in hopes that some of you will feel inclined to assist me.

so i just finished my first 500 hands at 50NL Stars. -$112.85, -22.17 ptbb. i think i played well, but got pretty coolered. felted an 85% to win and an 87% to win and lost both. sample size is nothing, but this is how im starting this thing.

when i have enough hands i'll post PT stats. let me know how many i need to get a roughly accurate estimate. i am now about to, and am planning to post a shitload of HHs in this thread. most of them will be nothing special; just me looking to figure standard play according to you guys. as time goes by i wont be posting nearly as many since i'll already have posted hands along the same lines. it will be much, much easier if i keep them here than in the HH forum. please look the HHs over; most are just sseking simple standards, and i'd like to be able to get those out of the way.

i'll post my comments after each HH since some of them will include the results. twenty-two total. here we go...

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1.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($52.90)
Button ($42.35)

SB ($41.60)
BB ($60.55)
UTG ($52.95)
UTG+1 ($52.30)
MP1 ($13.25)
MP2 ($50.35)
MP3 ($21.15)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q, A.
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP3 calls $0.50, Hero raises to $3.5, 2 folds, BB calls $3, UTG folds, MP1 folds, MP3 folds.

Flop: ($8.75) 9, 4, J (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $7, BB calls $7.

Turn: ($22.75) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks.


River: ($22.75) 8 (2 players)

(converter not working here, BB bets 11.50, i fold)

Final Pot: $22.75

pf, im thinking limping is bad since it'll be many handed to the flop and one pair probably wont take it down. river looks like an easy fold to me. flop c-bet and turn check standard?

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2.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP3 ($33.35)
CO ($10.75)
Button ($19.30)
SB ($49.50)
BB ($8.50)
Hero ($49.25)
UTG+1 ($12)
MP1 ($10.85)
MP2 ($50.85)


Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, A.
Hero raises to $2, 4 folds, CO calls $2, 3 folds.

Flop: ($4.75) 5, T, 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks.

Turn: ($4.75) K (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks.

River: ($4.75) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks.

Final Pot: $4.75

i figure villian is too short to bet air here.

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3.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($44.50)
MP3 ($40.70)
CO ($9.10)
Button ($63.85)
SB ($57.30)
BB ($50)
UTG ($48.40)
UTG+1 ($50)
MP1 ($26.65)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with A, Q.
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2.5, 4 folds, BB calls $2, MP1 calls $2.

Flop: ($7.75) K, J, 6 (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($7.75) 8 (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero checks.

River: ($7.75) T (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets $42 (All-In), BB folds, MP1 folds.

Final Pot: $49.75

push good, or do you try for small value? also, do you try to take the pot on flop or turn?

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4.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($49.25)
MP2 ($34.50)
MP3 ($48.35)
CO ($65)
Button ($48.70)
SB ($52.55)
BB ($18)
UTG ($48.65)
UTG+1 ($26.65)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with T, T.
2 folds, Hero raises to $2, MP2 calls $2, 5 folds.

Flop: ($4.75) J, Q, 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $5, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $9.75

folding to his bet seems fine since it's big, but is flop check too weak? should i c-bet oop into one opponent when two overs flop?

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5.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($51)
UTG+1 ($39.50)
MP1 ($58.85)
MP2 ($56)
CO ($47.25)
Button ($24.25)
SB ($27.20)
BB ($25.80)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with T, T.
Hero raises to $2, 6 folds, BB calls $1.50.

Flop: ($4.25) 4, 4, J (2 players)
BB bets $1.5, Hero raises to $5, BB folds.

Final Pot: $10.75

he trying to take the pot from me or betting his low PP or what? if he calls, what do i do?

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6.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($49.25)
UTG+1 ($45.50)
MP1 ($51.40)
MP2 ($49.50)
MP3 ($32.60)
CO ($65.80)
Button ($29.50)
SB ($49)
BB ($38.05)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, J.
Hero calls $0.50, 2 folds, MP2 raises to $2, 5 folds, Hero calls $1.50.

Flop: ($4.75) 7, 2, 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks.

Turn: ($4.75) K (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks.

River: ($4.75) J (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks.

Final Pot: $4.75

limp in early with SCs good? what kind of odds do you typically want when calling a raise with SCs? it's not normal for me to play them since i hate them so much since drawing in NL can shorten stacks quickly and when i hit my flush im often against a higher one. i simply stopped playing SCs like 50k hands ago.

do you try to take this pot at any point, or get value on the river?

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7.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG ($8.65)
UTG+1 ($9.50)
MP1 ($31)
MP2 ($46.55)
MP3 ($12.50)
Hero ($49.25)
Button ($86)
SB ($66.65)
BB ($31.95)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q, J.
3 folds, MP2 raises to $1.5, 1 fold, Hero raises to $4.5, 3 folds, MP2 folds.

Final Pot: $6.75

this a good 3bet?

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8.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

BB ($17.15)
UTG ($57.75)
MP ($24)
Hero ($49.25)
Button ($25.50)
SB ($53.15)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A, 6.
1 fold, MP calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2) 8, 9, J (4 players)

SB bets $1, BB calls $1, MP calls $1, Hero calls $1.

Turn: ($6) 7 (4 players)
SB bets $4, BB calls $4, MP calls $4, Hero calls $4.

River: ($22) 3 (4 players)
SB bets $5, BB calls $5, MP calls $5, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $37

this standard calling/drawing, or should i raise the flop? im thinking not on this one since it's multiway, but i dunno. when, typically, is raising draws good?

also, how's limping behind with suited aces? for that matter, what about open limping in early with suited aces?

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9.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($57.80)
UTG+1 ($51.10)
MP1 ($11.35)
MP2 ($60.15)
MP3 ($63.75)
CO ($47.25)
Button ($49.70)
SB ($59.95)
BB ($11.45)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, K.
6 folds, Button raises to $2, 1 fold, BB calls $1.50.

Flop: ($4.25) 4, 2, 3 (2 players)
BB bets $2, Button folds.

Final Pot: $6.25

open fold KQ UTG, or is that too weak? if not, then limp or raise?

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10.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG+1 ($33.35)
MP1 ($28.80)
MP2 ($24.10)
MP3 ($49.25)
CO ($7.75)
Hero ($46.50)
SB ($12.25)
BB ($10.85)
UTG ($50.85)

Preflop: Hero is Button with K, Q.
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP3 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($3) 5, 5, 2 (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets $1, MP1 folds, MP3 calls $1, CO folds, SB calls $1, BB folds.

Turn: ($6) 2 (3 players)
SB bets $1.5, UTG folds, MP3 folds.

Final Pot: $7.50

fold, limp behind, or raise pf, and why?

--------------

11.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($49.65)
UTG ($20.45)
UTG+1 ($35.75)
MP1 ($71.40)
MP2 ($27.45)
MP3 ($49.75)
CO ($13.25)
Button ($89.15)
SB ($19.30)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, Q.
7 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1) 6, 8, 7 (2 players)
SB bets $0.5, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $1.50

standard, or do i wanna try to take the pot from him? you know, since everybody says that cards dont matter since most pots dont see showdown. im leaning towards fold due to likelyhood of him hitting flop.

how bout pf? raise open completing SBs?

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12.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($43.10)
UTG ($42.60)
UTG+1 ($69.95)
MP1 ($60.70)
MP2 ($50.80)
CO ($12)
Button ($48.25)
SB ($18.25)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 3, 2.
5 folds, Button calls $0.50, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1.50) 7, 9, 5 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, Button bets $1.5, SB folds, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $3

OOP with super low flush draw. am i good if i hit and can i extract enough to draw? if so, do i aggro it?

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13.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

SB ($12.20)
BB ($10.25)
UTG ($28.50)
UTG+1 ($51.55)
MP1 ($13.75)
Hero ($49)
MP3 ($66.05)
CO ($67.15)
Button ($31.95)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with K, K.
3 folds, Hero raises to $2, MP3 calls $2, 4 folds.

Flop: ($4.75) T, 3, T (2 players)
Hero bets $3.5, MP3 raises to $7, Hero calls $3.50.

Turn: ($18.75) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $5, Hero calls $5.

River: ($28.75) A (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 checks.

Final Pot: $28.75

how's the line overall? is he trying to bluff me? on flop i figured he has it enough so i just call. turn he bet small so i figure it's more likely that he's bluffing and bad at it. he had T9.

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14.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($53.65)
MP1 ($37.70)
MP2 ($30)
CO ($51.75)
Button ($62.30)
SB ($36.35)
BB ($28.30)
UTG ($30)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with K, K.
1 fold, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, MP2 calls $2, CO calls $2, 3 folds.

Flop: ($6.75) J, 2, 5 (3 players)
Hero bets $5.5, MP2 folds, CO folds.

Final Pot: $12.25

bet sizing fine? how do i look if they call or play back? should i still look for value or be scared if non-heart, non-A, J, 6, 4, 3 comes off?

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15.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($58.10)
SB ($37.20)
BB ($52.60)
UTG ($49.75)
UTG+1 ($62.30)
MP1 ($36.10)
MP2 ($25.50)
MP3 ($26.95)
CO ($53)

Preflop: Hero is Button with J, 5.
6 folds, Hero raises to $2, 2 folds.

Final Pot: $2.75

i saw it folded to me on BTN enough. standard blind steal, or do i need a better hand? is there a typical plan on flop if called?

------------------------

16.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($48.25)
UTG+1 ($20.45)
MP1 ($35.75)
MP2 ($71.40)
MP3 ($27.45)
CO ($50.25)
Button ($13.25)
SB ($89.65)
BB ($19.80)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 6, 6.
Hero calls $0.50, 4 folds, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2) 6, Q, A (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $2, CO folds, SB folds, BB folds.

Final Pot: $4

open limp with small pairs, or should i raise these?

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17.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($50)
UTG ($19.10)
UTG+1 ($37.35)
MP1 ($70.70)
MP2 ($30)
MP3 ($51.25)
CO ($11.25)
Button ($90.15)
SB ($17.20)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 6, 6. MP2 posts a blind of $0.50.
3 folds, MP2 (poster) checks, 3 folds, SB raises to $1.5, Hero calls $1, MP2 folds.

Flop: ($3.50) J, 3, 9 (2 players)
SB bets $2.5, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $6

standard, or too weak? does it change if villian raise from different position? im kinda lost when it comes to calling raises with pairs. reraises is a different story since odds tighten.

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18.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP2 ($30.35)
MP3 ($23.15)
CO ($32.45)
Button ($49.80)
SB ($6.75)
Hero ($47.75)
UTG ($18.20)
UTG+1 ($10.10)
MP1 ($40.60)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, J.
UTG calls $0.50, 6 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1.50) T, J, Q (3 players)
SB bets $1, Hero folds, UTG calls $1.

Turn: ($3.50) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $2, UTG calls $2.

River: ($7.50) J (2 players)
SB bets $3.25 (All-In), UTG calls $3.25.

Final Pot: $14

there is nothing about this hand that i like. both villians had queens.

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19.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($48.15)
SB ($60.45)
BB ($13.45)
UTG ($62.10)
UTG+1 ($55.55)
MP1 ($46.25)
MP2 ($52.90)
MP3 ($50)
CO ($12.80)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 7, 7.
3 folds, MP2 calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2.5, 2 folds, MP2 calls $2.

Flop: ($5.75) 2, 7, 6 (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $5, MP2 folds.

Final Pot: $10.75

raising standard with small pairs in late against a limper or two?

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20.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($50.65)
UTG ($59.70)
UTG+1 ($14.10)
MP1 ($59.35)
MP2 ($54.80)
MP3 ($49.50)
CO ($45.90)
Button ($55.10)
SB ($11.80)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 6, 3.
7 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1) 8, 9, A (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.5, SB folds.

Final Pot: $1.50

SB limp, flop checking standard weakness and i should try to steal?

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21.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($49.65)
CO ($10.70)
Button ($84.35)
SB ($21.60)
BB ($48.75)
UTG ($49.90)
UTG+1 ($12.85)
MP1 ($70.20)
MP2 ($56.20)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with A, K.
4 folds, Hero raises to $2, CO calls $2, 3 folds.

Flop: ($4.75) Q, 4, T (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $7.75

standard against shortie?

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22.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($52.10)
UTG+1 ($53.05)

MP1 ($19.65)
MP2 ($32.30)
CO ($64.90)
Button ($52.75)
SB ($49.50)
BB ($18.65)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, K.
Hero calls $0.50, 2 folds, MP2 raises to $1.5, 4 folds, Hero calls $1.

Flop: ($3.75) 5, 8, 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $1, Hero raises to $4, MP2 folds.

Final Pot: $8.75

this is not a typical line for me, but i made it because he looked weak. what you think? how about if it's KQo and i misclick called preflop?


looks like i only posted about half of the HHs i planned. answered some of my own questions due to repeats.

i greatly appreciate any indulgences you guys provide, and i'll take anything. specifics from specific HHs and questions therein or generalizations based on your read on my questioning and general play/leaks. alls good.

and maybe some day i wont suck at poker.