Time to make the donuts

I'm having a bad April so far and I realized that I need to refocus on what my true goals are and how I'm going to get there. So this is my first attempt at any kind of blog or operation or anything of the sort. I'm hoping that by having a specific place where I plan to post hands and thoughts that I will do it more often.

So here's my quick story... I used to play a lot pre-act and did ok in my mind (like most people did) and then basically quit when the act passed. Well in November I quit my job as a financial advisor to go work for another firm when woops...the offer fell through and I found myself unemployed for the first time in my life. Well after several other interviews and a bunch of resumes nothing has come through (not a great time to be starting as a financial advisor). Well during this time I had quite a bit of time on my hands and started playing poker again. Deposited $100 on Stars to get the $50 reload bonus and for the first couple months played SnG's and 6-max and basically broke even. Then I think in January my friend said "didn't you used to play full ring, why don't you try that." So I did, and since then I've gone from $5 NL to $100 NL. And here I am. Still looking for a job, but now realizing that I can make decent money playing poker, with a chance at making really good money in the future. So for the time being, I'm playing poker to pay the bills (my wife has a good job and state benefits) and to see if I can make a real run at this. But before people say "don't just jump into thinking you can be a pro just because you've made some money", I say, I don't think that. But I do think of it as a job (I like to think of it as my business)...if only temporarily.

Ok, goals...
Short term
-Make enough to be able to pay da bills (and taxes) and grow my bankroll. Right now specifically I'd like to be able to withdraw about $2k/month. The next two months maybe less because of our tax return and rebate.
-Start moving up levels (mix in a couple tables) when I have 30 buy ins for that level.
-Move back down when I have 25 buy ins.
Long term (assuming I maintain my short term goals)
-By the end of June I'd like to be playing $200NL regularly. (edit: Fail) Did I say by the end of June? Lets go for end of September and reevaluate then.
-By next year I'd like be playing $400NL

Alright, well there's my first ever post in my first ever op/blog. More to come, I'll try to post some recent hands today to get started.

Where are the donuts? I came in here expecting donuts dammit.

GL! Congrats on getting up to $100NL a LOT faster than I'm going to be able to do.

Hand#1
V is 22/13.5 over just a couple hundred hands. This hand I think I played correctly, but would like to get some thoughts. I'm trying to rep a big hand here obviously figuring only thing calling is a set or AA or KK maybe QQ. Pretty sure this is pretty standard but curious. Also I probably could have folded pre but I'm trying to open up my game a little and play more aggressive and isolate some limpers etc...

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

SB ($108.90)
BB ($49.55)
UTG ($112.30)
Hero ($110.40)
MP1 ($129.70)
MP2 ($142.85)
MP3 ($121.70)
CO ($122)
Button ($148.45)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with A, J.
UTG calls $1, Hero raises to $5, MP1 calls $5, 5 folds, BB calls $4, UTG calls $4.

Flop: ($20.50) T, 4, 7 (4 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $12, MP1 raises to $29, BB folds, UTG folds, Hero raises to $105.4...

Hand #2
V here is 35/8 over about 200 hands. Question here mainly is on the turn when the flush completes. Do we raise to rep the flush or slow down in case he turned a flush? In the end the flush didn't matter, but that's the main question.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

CO ($51.50)
Hero ($101)
SB ($108.70)
BB ($100)
UTG ($100.50)
MP1 ($162.40)
MP2 ($18.50)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
1 fold, MP1 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $5, 2 folds, MP1 calls $4.

Flop: ($11.50) , , (2 players)
MP1 bets $1, Hero raises to $9, MP1 calls $8.

Turn: ($29.50) (2 players)
MP1 bets $10, Hero calls $10.

River: ($49.50) (2 players)
MP1 bets $25, Hero raises to $77, MP1 calls $52.

Final Pot: $203.50

Hand #3
Thinking maybe I screwed up this hand and shoulda folded the river ai from V (14/4 over 800 hands). Especially w/the flush and boat possible...

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

BB ($102.45)
UTG ($98.35)
UTG+1 ($102.25)
MP1 ($100)
MP2 ($100)
MP3 ($201)
CO ($98.50)
Hero ($102.50)
SB ($98.90)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $4, MP1 calls $4, 3 folds, Hero calls $4, 2 folds.

Flop: ($13.50) , , (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $8, MP1 calls $8, Hero calls $8.

Turn: ($37.50) (3 players)
UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets $25, UTG+1 folds, MP1 calls $25.

River: ($87.50) (2 players)
MP1 bets $63 (All-In), Hero calls??

Hand #4
Same V as last hand...
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

BB ($5.45)
UTG ($96)
MP1 ($88.25)
MP2 ($19.50)
CO ($99.90)
Hero ($112.15)
SB ($99.95)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, Q.
UTG calls $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $5, 2 folds, UTG calls $4.

Flop: ($11.50) 4, 6, T (2 players)
UTG bets $5, Hero raises to $16, UTG calls $11.

Turn: ($43.50) 3 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $32, UTG raises to $64, Hero??

Hand #5
V is 25.5/14 over 400 hands and seemed to be playing very aggressive post flop. When he c/raises the flop kinda weak I'm thinking he's got a medium pp like 99 or TT or maybe a weak J. Thoughts?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

UTG ($60.70)
MP1 ($103.20)
Hero ($100.55)
CO ($42)
Button ($63.65)
SB ($61.20)
BB ($282.40)

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

Flop: ($8.50) , , (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $7, BB raises to $17, Hero calls $10.

Turn: ($42.50) (2 players)
BB bets $21, Hero calls $21.

River: ($84.50) (2 players)
BB bets $52, Hero?

Originally Posted by ChrisBCritter

Where are the donuts? I came in here expecting donuts dammit.

GL! Congrats on getting up to $100NL a LOT faster than I'm going to be able to do.

Its the old bait and switch and thanks!

Well since I'm already in here, I may as well give my opinions. Take it for what it's worth!

1. Looks Good. I play that similarly.
2. Raise Flop Harder, you really need to chase that draw out. Turn is fine, really don't like the river raise though, I just don't see the value there against this villain...
3. Against this villian, river is a SNAP FOLD. He is never pushing there with a hand worse than your 1-card straight.
4. Trickier. Flop is good, Turn Check-raise smells bad. With as relatively passive as this guy is, I probably give him the benefit of the doubt here and fold. It's really hard to imagine a passive player taking this line with a flush draw or a 1-pair hand...
5. Tough, villians range looks pretty wide here. I think Raising the turn is the only way in this hand, but no raise wouldn't commit you, so the turn looks to be push/fold. A set would likely be betting harder with the flush draw out there, so we can probably discount that. My guess is that villian has only a few hands here, Any other reasonable J (except for KJ, AJ) has you beat on the river. The only thing you are beating on the river is a bluff, so fold.

Didn't play at all this weekend. Monday was another poor day at $100NL. Running really really bad and also I'm sure that has me playing less than great poker. So Today I decided I would play mostly at $50NL, so that's what I did. It went pretty well, winning 7 buy ins. I forgot that there really is a difference between the play at the two levels, but not so much that I should win at one level and lose at the next. Played 2 tables at $100 and the other 7 at $50.
Here's a few hands from yesterday and today...

Hand #1
I have a lot of trouble against villains like this when I have a marginal hand. He was 48/13. This limp/call seems very weak to me being that he's raising 13% which is more than big A and pp's. What could he have? I don't put him on a strong A, don't think he would play a weak A so aggressive after the flop and don't even really think he's limp/calling pp's preflop.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

CO ($118.25)
Hero ($154.25)
SB ($38.75)
BB ($31.20)
UTG ($94)
UTG+1 ($218.90)
MP1 ($107.15)
MP2 ($98.85)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 9, 9.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $5, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $4.

Flop: ($11.50) 2, A, 8 (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $7, UTG+1 raises to $14, Hero raises to $40, UTG+1 raises to $66, Hero?


Hand #2
V here is 12/6. Calling the river bet w/two Q's and a flush out there?
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Button ($109)
SB ($88.70)
BB ($101.50)
UTG ($110.65)
UTG+1 ($111.60)
MP1 ($107.75)
MP2 ($21.20)
Hero ($100)
CO ($76.40)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
UTG calls $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $5, 3 folds, BB calls $4, UTG raises to $16, Hero calls $11, BB calls $11.

Flop: ($48.50) , , (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $25, BB calls $25, UTG folds.

Turn: ($98.50) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks.

River: ($98.50) (2 players)
BB bets $35, Hero?

Hand #3
V here is 14.5/12 over more than 1k hands... Looks like a set to me, but when things aren't going well I think everyone has a set.
Poker Stars, $0.50/$1 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 8 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

SB: $109.15
BB: $112.80
UTG: $67.50
UTG+1: $130.80
MP1: $111.40
Hero (MP2): $202.30
CO: $186.15
BTN: $48.50

Pre-Flop: K A dealt to Hero (MP2)
BB folds, UTG calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $4, 2 folds, SB calls $3, UTG calls $3

Flop: ($12) T 5 K (3 Players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $9, SB raises to $18, UTG folds, Hero calls $9

Turn: ($48) 8 (2 Players)
SB bets $28, Hero calls $28

River: ($104) 4 (2 Players)
SB bets $59.15 and is All-In, Hero?

Alright, well the converter isn't working right now so that's enough for today. Look forward to the comments!

I hope my comments are being helpful? Until I hear something to the contrary...

1.) I like the aggression, but you gotta fold to the flop 4-bet, even though they are min-raises. On a flop like this, I like a closer to pot-size C-Bet to really represent a strong Ace that is trying to push out the flush draw. When He plays back at you like this, it's quite unlikely that he has the flush draw. Get out of the way, He has AX(stupid), a set or 2pr here much more often than the flush draw...

2.) Oh why, OH WHY no 4-bet PF? The guy Limp-re-raised you, that SCREAMS strength and I want action!! He's not likely folding to another raise! Get the money in while you have the nuts, don't slow play! As played your flop bet is WAY too weak. If you are that scared, then you might as well of checked behind there. BB's line is kinda odd to be sure. He might have a Q (doubtful as played), might have the flush. Might've even had JJ that got there on the river. The way this played out, folding wouldn't be terrible on this river. Villians bet looks like so much value that it's really hard to believe that he has something that we could beat. KK? no way. TT? Not a chance. AK (no flush?) very unlikely. I hate it, but folding the river is probably the best move as played...

3.) Flop is not dangerous at all, so the check raise is very suspicious. I would re-pop him on the flop to about $35, and then fold to more aggression. Villian sized his turn bet very well setting up the river Push. Fold. TPTK cannot stand up to this much heat from a 14.5/12

Was this "Catch bluffs with One-pair Hands" day? If so, I hope it only lasts a day, othewise prepare to ride the variance rollercoaster!

Originally Posted by ChrisBCritter

I hope my comments are being helpful? Until I hear something to the contrary...

Any and all comments and/or suggestions are very much appreciated!

1.) I like the aggression, but you gotta fold to the flop 4-bet, even though they are min-raises. On a flop like this, I like a closer to pot-size C-Bet to really represent a strong Ace that is trying to push out the flush draw. When He plays back at you like this, it's quite unlikely that he has the flush draw. Get out of the way, He has AX(stupid), a set or 2pr here much more often than the flush draw...

Ya, looking back , my Cbet is pretty weak. I think I planned on bet/folding, but the check it back just looked so weak, and trying to figure out what he had just baffled me so I went the aggro route....then folded to his 4bet.

2.) Oh why, OH WHY no 4-bet PF? The guy Limp-re-raised you, that SCREAMS strength and I want action!! He's not likely folding to another raise! Get the money in while you have the nuts, don't slow play! As played your flop bet is WAY too weak. If you are that scared, then you might as well of checked behind there. BB's line is kinda odd to be sure. He might have a Q (doubtful as played), might have the flush. Might've even had JJ that got there on the river. The way this played out, folding wouldn't be terrible on this river. Villians bet looks like so much value that it's really hard to believe that he has something that we could beat. KK? no way. TT? Not a chance. AK (no flush?) very unlikely. I hate it, but folding the river is probably the best move as played...

I'm on the fence between 4betting and not on this. (fwiw the original limp/raiser UTG folded on the flop). It would seem that he doesn't really have proper odds to set-mine given the three bet. I don't know, maybe I need to 4-bet more, but its just so obvious its either AA or KK. He had AQo btw.

3.) Flop is not dangerous at all, so the check raise is very suspicious. I would re-pop him on the flop to about $35, and then fold to more aggression. Villian sized his turn bet very well setting up the river Push. Fold. TPTK cannot stand up to this much heat from a 14.5/12

I folded to this river bet so I don't know what he had, but I can't see what I can really bet that he would play this way other than a bluff.

Was this "Catch bluffs with One-pair Hands" day? If so, I hope it only lasts a day, othewise prepare to ride the variance rollercoaster!

Lol, guess so... Really most hands other than 1 pair hands are somewhat easier to play, but I really do need to set some time to dig into Holdem Manager and see what filters I can use to see my one pair hands and how well (or poorly) I'm playing them.

Didn't play much today, more later...

Kinda slowed down in my playing lately. Don't know if I'll make it to 50k hands as was my goal for the month, but I'm really trying to focus on playing better and hopefully I can get close to breaking even for the month. We'll see if that can happen.



I am going to Harrah's in Atlantic City for the next few days so wont be playing online. I haven't really played live much (a couple times at Foxwoods) so should be interesting. If I can manage to break even I'd be pretty happy although of course I'd like to come out on top.

Couple hands from the past few days.

Hand #1
This hand...idk. I think I f'ed it up with my bet sizes, but I'm thinking his range is AK, AQ, AJ, Axs, JJ, QQ, KK after the flop. That obviously makes the river pretty tough.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Button ($10.50)
SB ($49.50)
BB ($50)
UTG ($38)
UTG+1 ($50.75)
MP1 ($54.15)
MP2 ($81.25)
Hero ($51.25)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 9, 9.
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $2, 2 folds, Hero calls $2, 3 folds.

Flop: ($4.75) J, 9, A (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $3, Hero raises to $6, UTG+1 calls $3.

Turn: ($16.75) A (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $11, UTG+1 raises to $22, Hero calls $11.

River: ($60.75) K (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $20.75 (All-In), Hero?


Hand #2
The A on the turn makes it unlikely that he has an A, but is there any point in raising? How bout the river bet...flat? He was 75/0 but only over like 25 hands so no real read but obviously seeing a trend...
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Button ($21.35)
Hero ($49.50)
BB ($62.85)
UTG ($106.35)
MP1 ($39.40)
MP2 ($48.75)
CO ($29.25)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
UTG calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero raises to $2.5, BB calls $2, UTG calls $2.

Flop: ($7.50) , , (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG checks.

Turn: ($7.50) (3 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $1, UTG calls $1, Hero calls $1.

River: ($10.50) (3 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $5, UTG folds, Hero?

Hand #3
Very small pot here, but this was played very very poorly by V (49/2 over 80 hands) knowing what he had. But anyway, didn't know if raising the river was going to be profitable. Now looking at it I think I have to raise the river...
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

Button ($47.55)
SB ($146.35)
Hero ($49.25)
UTG ($20.10)
UTG+1 ($11.45)
MP1 ($52.80)
MP2 ($123.05)
MP3 ($54.55)
CO ($48.55)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
UTG calls $0.50, 7 folds, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1.25) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks.

Turn: ($1.25) (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks.

River: ($1.25) (2 players)
Hero bets $1, UTG raises to $2, Hero?

I haven't updated my "operation" in a long time so I figured I would try to start it back up. As much so I can see where I've been and where I'm going as for any other reason. Here's my graph since April 22...the last time I posted one. (doesn't include about $3k in bonus)


I definitely have had some swings. I'm not sure why...everyone says full ring has the least varience, but I seem to get quite a bit. Oh well, back headed the right direction now so hopefully it will keep up.

I had been back playing $50nl recently as I take money out of my bankroll each month, but for now I'm up again at $100nl (which has been the thorn in my side up till now), and I'm doing a little better this time. One thing I'm working on is trying to defend my blinds better. Before I was folding my blinds about 92%+ of the time. Lately I've gotten it down to about 85%. It does put me in some tricky spots post flop though, especially if they just flat from lp.
Here's an example of me 3betting and not knowing what to do on the flop...
His attempt to steal was about 30% and this looked like a perfect isolation/steal opportunity for him so I 3bet and he flats...
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG ($67)
UTG+1 ($45.15)
MP1 ($102)
MP2 ($86.50)
MP3 ($100)
CO ($100)
Button ($141.35)
SB ($20.60)
Hero ($117.20)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q, A.
UTG calls $1, UTG+1 calls $1, 3 folds, CO calls $1, Button raises to $5, 1 fold, Hero raises to $16, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, CO folds, Button calls $11.

Flop: ($35.50) 5, 4, 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $26, Button raises to $60, Hero folds

Not sure what I can do but fold, and I'm not sure if I should even have bet the flop in the first place. I know its not a good spot for a normal c-bet, but I don't know if I can just give up on the flop. His flat to me is either a very strong hand or very marginal one. His raise on the flop could be to protect a hand like 88, TT...Idk, but these are the spots giving me the most trouble right now. Anyway, I'm going to try to keep this op going by posting some of my thoughts on my game and some hands, but I have noticed that hands get critiqued more in the regular forums so I'll probably post more trouble hands there.

Couple hands from the past couple days that I find at least somewhat interesting. These are based solely on reads and the flow of the table, some worked out, some didn't. But I've been trying to work on reads lately and sticking with my reads so....

Hand#1
Guy is pretty much the reason for being at this table. 80/0 (given over only about 50 hands but read is pretty much dead on). Also is an aggro monkey post flop.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP3 ($69.90)
CO ($97.50)
Button ($110.65)
Hero ($111.75)
BB ($42.30)
UTG ($100)
UTG+1 ($95.50)
MP1 ($100)
MP2 ($138.05)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K, A.
4 folds, MP3 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $5, 1 fold, MP3 calls $4.

Flop: ($11.50) Q, 4, 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $6, MP3 raises to $12, Hero raises to $27, MP3 raises to $64.9, Hero calls $37.90.

Turn: ($141.30) T (2 players)

River: ($141.30) 3 (2 players)

Final Pot: $141.30

Hand #2
This one is a tough one for me. V is a very good reg (probably one of the best at 100NL). His stats are 16/13/4.1 3betting 5%. This looks like a perfect squeeze opportunity for him and I know he's very aggressive. I had actually played back at him quite a bit today for some reason and it had worked out pretty well for me until this...
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP2 ($104.15)
Hero ($175.35)
CO ($100)
Button ($101)
SB ($105.50)
BB ($59)
UTG ($95.90)
UTG+1 ($24)
MP1 ($46.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with 9, 9.
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $3, 1 fold, MP2 calls $3, Hero calls $3, 1 fold, Button raises to $16, 2 folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 folds, Hero calls $13.

Flop: ($39.50) 2, Q, J (2 players)
Hero bets $28, Button calls $28.

Turn: ($95.50) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $57 (All-In), Hero folds.

Final Pot: $95.50

Hand #3
Good read gone bad I guess. V is 16/12/2.7 over 1k hands, folding his blind 87% of the time.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP3 ($110.95)
Hero ($90)
Button ($98.95)
SB ($122.90)
BB ($158.80)
UTG ($100)
UTG+1 ($33.65)
MP1 ($70.15)
MP2 ($98.50)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 9, 9.
2 folds, MP1 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $5, 2 folds, BB raises to $15, MP1 folds, Hero calls $10.

Flop: ($31.50) 3, 5, 6 (2 players)
BB bets $24, Hero calls $24.

Turn: ($79.50) 6 (2 players)
BB bets $119.8 (All-In), Hero calls $51 (All-In).

River: ($250.30) A (2 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $181.50

Another thing I wanted to mention that I've been doing a lot lately and I think its really going to help my winrate a lot over the long term is starting tables and joining tables that are just getting going. Its like 6 out of 9 people on the table are the fish and others join the tables as the fish are knocked out. I mean theres nothing like having just you and two poor players sitting at a table and they don't know how to play short handed or HU. I could post soooo many bad plays they make. Anyway try it if you have a solid SH and HU game.

I still don't see any donuts...

1) Even over 50 hands, somebody with 80/0 stats is your best friend. Based on that, and that he's short, very easy play.
2) Looks fairly standard, except that your hand is VERY transparent. I wouldn't open that flop there when it looks like you have EXACTLY 55-TT there. And since villian is a reg, this is probably too easy for him to read you on that...
3) (Reload!!) Flop is either push or fold there, but leaning towards fold. Having called it, you have to call the push on the turn. BB seems to be an aware player, and this is not the kind of hand I like to have in a 3-bet pot facing aggression from a solid OOP player. He's repping something big, and your hand doesn't hold enough water.

I like the table selection idea! It's also fun to sit at a totally empty table and watch the fish jump in the pool!

Dude, Gillian Anderson is hot.

Haven't played a ton lately, took a week to go on vaca, but since coming back things have been going fairly well. Have been taking a couple shots at $200nl lately w/bankroll over $7k for 1st time. But I'll have to take some out soon, so probably stick mostly to $100nl. One thing I've noticed right away at 200 though is that there doesn't seem to be nearly as many fishy players. Seems like tons of regs (not as much fun), so I'll have to see what I can do against them.

A couple hands
#1 Vs. a reg playing 13/9 over 1.2k hands. The main reason I played back at him w/this hand is because he seems to really like to squeeze (I had him at 8 on HEM, not sure if thats times or %, but its one of the highest I have on anyone). Also he'd been playing back at me a lot today, had him on several tables. So I went with it.

Poker Stars $0.50/$1.00 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $99.00
BB: $92.00
UTG: $111.15
UTG+1: $94.50
UTG+2: $100.45
MP1: $116.00
MP2: $109.50
Hero (CO): $100.00
BTN: $143.80

Pre Flop: Hero is CO with T T
5 folds, Hero raises to $4, BTN calls $4, 1 fold, BB raises to $18, Hero raises to $36, 1 fold, BB raises to $92 all in, Hero calls $56

Flop: ($188.50) 2 K T (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($188.50) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($188.50) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Hand #2
These two were against the same opponent, HU, he was sitting at a FR table and I sat in with him. He was an aggro monkey, only played 14 hands and he was 71/71/inf. They're pretty standard, but this is what can happen when you sit at an empty or shorthanded table.

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 2 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN/SB: $50.00
Hero (BB): $50.00

Pre Flop: Hero is BB with 9 9
BTN/SB raises to $3, Hero raises to $10, BTN/SB raises to $50 all in, Hero calls $40 all in

Flop: ($100.00) J 2 3 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($100.00) 3 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($100.00) 6 (2 players - 2 are all in)



Hand #3
Same opp as last hand, just a few hands later...
Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 2 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $51.90
Hero (BTN/SB): $85.50

Pre Flop: Hero is BTN/SB with K A
Hero calls $0.25, BB raises to $51.90 all in, Hero calls $51.40

Flop: ($103.80) Q 5 J (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($103.80) J (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($103.80) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Hand #4
This guy was 47/17/3.6 over about 100 hands. Kinda feel like I'm beat on the river but can I fold?

Poker Stars $0.50/$1.00 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $99.00
BB: $91.40
UTG: $137.70
UTG+1: $98.50
UTG+2: $103.90
Hero (MP1): $133.30
MP2: $95.55
CO: $104.50
BTN: $142.65

Pre Flop: Hero is MP1 with A Q
3 folds, Hero raises to $4, 2 folds, BTN calls $4, 2 folds

Flop: ($9.50) T 6 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $7, BTN calls $7

Turn: ($23.50) A (2 players)
Hero bets $18, BTN calls $18

River: ($59.50) J (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $21, Hero calls $21

Hand #5
This hand was pretty much spew all around. Posting it so I wont do it again. I don't mind my call pf w/the money in the pot but pretty sure I should have just folded the flop. Then the turn card made it harder for me to fold and the river....well like I said spew.

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP: $200.00
CO: $297.00
BTN: $92.00
SB: $98.00
Hero (BB): $200.00
UTG: $110.00
UTG+1: $42.00

Pre Flop: Hero is BB with 9 8
UTG raises to $6, UTG+1 calls $6, MP calls $4, 3 folds, Hero calls $4

Flop: ($25.00) 2 6 T (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $12, UTG+1 folds, MP calls $12, Hero calls $12

Turn: ($61.00) 3 (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP bets $16, Hero calls $16, UTG calls $16

River: ($109.00) 9 (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $32, MP folds, Hero calls $32

Guess thats enough for now. We'll see how much more I play at $200nl but maybe I'll try to post some better hands at that level and hopefully get some help.

Welcome back!

Hand 1: I don't like that he 5-bet pushed here, but you have to call. Nice flop! (Unless he had KK...)
Hand 2,3: Standard against opponent.
Hand 4: Villians range include lots of flush draws also, so Check/calling the river is optimal IMO. NH.
Hand 5: Yea, flop is a fold. Turn is a "UGH, why didn't he bet more", but I still probably fold with UTG still to act (Check/Raise coming!!!). River is not as bad as the other streets though...

Ok, well running like dog shit and taking money out of the roll has back to playing $100nl and $50nl. So the last hands...
hand 1 He had 67o
hand 2 and 3 yeah more please
hand 4 Ya he had AT
hand 5 I think you're right Chris, maybe the river wasn't as bad as the other streets. oh well

Back to the grind...