Micro stakes grinding

I sometimes hop tables, but only if I get up over a full BI. I dont like having that big of a stack on the table in relation to my BR. When my BR gets bigger maybe I won't mind so much, but for now better safe than sorry. O and wut is ur BR at? U were already underolled for 2nl so i HIGHLY doubt ur rolled for 5nl which is kind of risky. If you keep making a profit thats good, but like before, rather safe than sorry.

Good luck

Swiggidy, thanks for you input on bet sizing. Others have been getting on me about that. Will try to udjust.

Dranger, hell no I'm not properly rolled for $5nl! You've got a bigger stack than I do. My roll is at $22. 90. I'm just done with the penny tables. It is waaaayy too crazy there. I didn't enjoy playing. $5nl is a better playing experience. Less maniacal play to deal with. It's actually easier to fold hands here. When u see those $2nl crazees push all in with nothing constantly, you're inclined to make bad calls. At least it was like that for me. That was a subject of much debate on another thread and I don't wanna kick start it here. My goal remains the same, to turn my $5 into a real roll, but if I go busto I'll reload with a proper roll for the $5nl game (call me cocky but I doubt I'll need to). Like I said in earlier post, I have the patience of Job. I can play super tight if I need to. Here's a tid bit I like to keep in mind. You can't control whether you win or lose, but how much you lose is completely up to you. If you notice, there aren't any massive downswings in my roll (percentage wise).

I'm in the middle of my second session for the day and I have some questions about a few hands.

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 52 hands and saw flop:
- 5 out of 6 times while in big blind (83%)
- 2 out of 6 times while in small blind (33%)
- 4 out of 40 times in other positions (10%)
- a total of 11 out of 52 (21%)
Pots won at showdown - 2 of 3 (66%)
Pots won without showdown - 3

I'm proud of myself for controlling my emotions on this hand. Initially I got mad, but remembered it is part of the game, and villian actually had a good hand so it wasn't really a suckout (still hurt b/c I was counting my chickens):

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($10.28)
Hero (BB) ($3.26)
UTG ($11.31)
UTG+1 ($10.26)
MP1 ($9.49)
MP2 ($3.34)
MP3 ($3.91)
CO ($1.28)
Button ($5.65)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7

, 6

4 folds, MP3 calls $0.05, CO calls $0.05, Button calls $0.05, 1 fold, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.22) 3

, 5

, 4

(4 players)
Hero bets $0.15, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.30, Button calls $0.30, Hero raises to $0.80, CO raises to $1.23 (All-In), Button calls $0.93, Hero calls $0.43

Turn: ($3.91) K

(3 players, 1 all-in)
Hero bets $1.98 (All-In), 1 fold

River: ($3.91) 5

(2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $3.91 | Rake: $0.15

My question on this next hand is was I too aggressive? Pre-flop and flop bets too large? If it was an overbet it's b/c I would have been just fine if everyone folded and I took the pot down right then and there. BTW, the lone caller is the same player that beat my str8.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (8 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($5.80)
Hero (SB) ($2.13)
BB ($11.24)
UTG ($10.14)
UTG+1 ($9.42)
MP1 ($6)
MP2 ($5.84)
CO ($1.85)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 10

, 10

2 folds, MP1 (poster) checks, MP2 calls $0.05, CO calls $0.05, Button calls $0.05, Hero raises to $0.40, 3 folds, CO calls $0.35, 1 fold

Flop: ($1) 3

, 4

, Q

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.10, 1 fold

Total pot: $1 | Rake: $0.05

This last hand is my biggest question. What would have been the best value bet? I hoped he had the ace when I bet the turn, but figured he might be on flush draw as well. If the river didn't scare me I would have gone all in as villian did have ace as I suspected. But as the hand played out, what would have been best value river bet?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($6.60)
Hero (BB) ($2.48)
UTG ($1.95)
UTG+1 ($11.57)
MP1 ($8.50)
MP2 ($5.41)
MP3 ($4.89)
CO ($1.70)
Button ($3.85)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 4

, 6

1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.05, 5 folds, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5

, 2

, 3

(3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG+1 checks

Turn: ($0.15) 4

(3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.10, UTG+1 calls $0.10, 1 fold

River: ($0.35) 8

(2 players)
Hero bets $0.15, UTG+1 calls $0.15

Total pot: $0.65 | Rake: $0

I'd really appreciate an answer to the last one. I really had no clue.

On the last hand i say dont check flop for one. You have to bet with your good hands. Anyways river value bet. You probly coulda made it closer to .25-.30 and still got a call if you really think he has the Ace.

The flopped str8 in the first hand history had draws, so I bet the flop. But the last one, the flop was pretty safe. I figure the check is standard to let someone catch and hopefully felt them. Doubt anyone calles BB bet on that board unless they slowplayed overpair. I am so mad the river diamond hit. I woulda doubled fer sure.

Actually, since I suspected he had ace, coulda pushed turn. OK.

Roll is down to $16.44. People have been catching sets on me all day. I'm pissed. Don't feel like posting today. But I must post the bad days with the good. I'm done until my 50 cent MTT, probably the 25 cent one to as in my rut i'll probably get eliminated from the 50 cent MTT. ARGGGHH!!

This is why i said it was a bad idea to move up... variance DOES catch up eventually and you want to have a BR that can sustain that hit. I hope things turn around for you though!! Good Luck tonight!!!

just read your comment about your last hand here are my thoughts on that nibbles.

I think you should have bet the flop about 2/3, I think you should have bet the turn then about 80% of pot again, and then you would have got a lot more value from your river bet as the pot would have been bigger so you could bet more.

Good luck hope things turn around for you enjoying your blog!

I am so pissed at my lack of patience in my 25 cent MTT. Played great for 3 hours. Had a healthy stack and a decent run of cards. Gave awzy 50,000 chips on air, big slick. The most common last hand in a tourney. I really have soooooo much to learn about this game. I really feel disgusted, and a different kind, because I can't blame a luckbox, or a bad run of cards or anything. I really could have run deep in this tourney instead of finishing in 120 something place (out of 3000+ still ain't bad). As I type this I'm still shaking my head. Great calls, great lay downs, then this. Bluffing away my chips is something that I don't normally do. Could have let the hand go on the turn and would have still had an effective stack. I think I still would have been about average, but I felt my opponent was on a draw. Oh man!!! The pay structure for these things suck. They need to spread the wealth a little more. I only made a buck. And noone makes more than 2 bucks until 19th place.

Anyway, I had to return to the penny tables, had a nothing day. Bankroll is at$17.02. Till tomorrow. I'm an idiot. I know.

Just finished in 12th place in a $1 MTT (2300 entrants). Again I am disgusted with myself. I had 300,000 chips sitting in 3 place and didn't keep my composure. I let pretty cards get me involved in pots out of position and cost me final table, where the real payday happens. So I won $14.15 instead of the $106 i could have won finishing in 4th. I've never gone this deep in a tourney (6 hours) so maybe it's just lack of experience. There is absolutely no reason for me not to have made final table, absolutely none. Playing from 6p.m. est took its toll I guess. This hurt more than yesterday's loss. I could have sat my way out to final table. And being honest, who knows when I'll get another chance like this. I am kicking myself.

Anyway, I took some losses at the ring game tables so my roll is at $28.73. Man this hurts.

I just looked back in on the tourney. A player actually did "sit out" and made final table!!! He/she has 20,000 chips and is probably asleep. Now that really hurts. I am such a donkey!

try grinderschool
it is working for slevin

Ooooh Lawdy, my troubles so hard. Don't nobody know my troubles but Gawd. Some people pray for health, some pray for strength, some for world peace. I pray to hit a flop every now and then. Today is one of those days where I can't hit a flop to save my life. If I have high cards flop is low, and vice versa. All pockets pairs flop with overcards.

I'll pass on the grinding school. I can't see myself paying someone to teach me poker. I'm not looking at this as a source of income, so the free school of hard knocks will do just fine. I'll pay someone to teach me golf first. That's too big to call a divot.

I play everyday, sometimes just for an hour or so. Maybe I shouldn't do that. But this game is just so much fun. Even when playing for change.

get done belly aching in here, sit at a table and double up with a set of 8's, then double again going all in pre-flop with JJ. Sometimes griping helps. Sweet!

Still on the grind. Just finished in 65th place in my $1 MTT (2300+ entrants). I am actually satisfied with my performance in this one. I played well, stayed focused, and most importantly didn't overplay my pretty cards. My MTT experience on Nov 20th is going to be a positive for me. I use it as a reminder to not squander opportunities and always stay focused at the tables. This week I'm gonna play in a satellite for the "hundred grand" tourney on Sunday. It should be really easy to win a seat into that thing.

My bankroll sits at $38.76. I did ok on the cash tables this weekend, but I can't really say I played a "session". I'd log in and out between activities, 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there. That's why online poker is so much better than the live game, whether in a casino or a basement. You play when u feel like it. Having a bad run, you just walk away, no problem. One could walk away from the casino after an hour, but one wont.

I've been playing at the 2nl tables and I've focused more on table selection. Even though there are way too many maniacs at these stakes, you can find stable tables if you look for them. I'm itching to play 5nl but I will wait until i have $65, then I'll move up buying in for $3.50. I will drop back down if my roll hits $35.

I'm pretty satisfied with my progress. I'm turning a profit in both ring games and MTTs. Not bad for a $5 initial bankroll. Till tomorrow.

Finally at forty. Roll is at $40.19. An up and down session, decided to end on the up. Played 2 MTTs, bubbled on 1st (not literally but close enough), barely cashed in the other.
Ring stats:

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 127 hands and saw flop:
- 10 out of 18 times while in big blind (55%)
- 9 out of 18 times while in small blind (50%)
- 23 out of 91 times in other positions (25%)
- a total of 42 out of 127 (33%)
Pots won at showdown - 5 of 14 (35%)
Pots won without showdown - 9

I'm starting to open my game up in late position. Resulted in a lower percentage of pots won at showdown, but that will improve with time. I had to play super tight until now. Gotta get used to playing with a decent roll again. Till tomorrow.

Resumed my play after a fattening holiday weekend, and nothing but frustration. My roll is back down to $33.10 and it's more of the same. I decided to re-read the advice from the bc and started buyin in for max ($5) but my fears come true. I CAN'T WIN BIG POTS!!! I have built my roll by playing small pot poker. Turning my $1.50 buy-in into $2.50 or $3, then leaving. Just like in tournanments I can't win races and my big hands keep going down!!! Whatever my opponent needs they catch. Whatever my opponent needs, they catch. Gutshots, runner-runners, whatever. I literally have to grind out small pots. If it's a heavily contested pot, I will be the loser. This hand I am posting, when opponent pushed all in I absolutely knew I was going to lose the pot. When other players when scream "YES", I got a knot in my stomach. That's how bad it is, I actually EXPECT to lose in these situations.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP3 ($4.77)
CO ($4.71)
Button ($6.23)
SB ($3.50)
BB ($8.86)
UTG ($2.85)
UTG+1 ($3.56)
Hero (MP1) ($5.03)
MP2 ($8.87)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with 6

, 5

UTG raises to $0.04, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.04, 2 folds, CO calls $0.04, 1 fold, SB calls $0.03, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.18) 7

, 8

, Q

(4 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.08, Hero calls $0.08, 2 folds

Turn: ($0.34) 4

(2 players)
UTG bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.36, UTG raises to $2.73 (All-In), Hero calls $2.37

River: ($5.80) 8

(2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $5.80 | Rake: $0.25

Opponent had Q8

The bigger my buy in the more I stand to lose not win. I read the stats about how "you" will hit the flop 1/4 of the time, and "you" will flop a set 1/8 of the time, make "your" flush draw 1/3 ot the time, and blah, blah, blah. But that's not the truth. It has absolutely nothing to do with "you". These stats don't apply on a personal level. These stats are for every hand dealt in every game in the world for eternity. "You" might flop your set 1/12 of the time, and catch "your" flush draw 1/10 times (like me). And Lord knows my hands don't hold up nearly as much as they are supposed to. But that's why they call it gambling, because it doesn't even out. Some people are lucky and some ain't. LAGGs are loose because they hit alot of flops, not because they like giving away chips (some do). I'm not because I don't hit flops frequently. I'm almost certain everyone has tried the LAGG style more than once, but missing flop after flop tends to tighten you up. I have a friend who hits the flop damn near half the time. I don't mean tptk or even big hands, but he pairs a hole card almost every other hand. That's just his luck.

Thing is, it doesn't really matter. I still enjoy playing and will continue to play. I still am a winning player long term, and short term I've grinded $5 into $30+. I realize now that I should tailor my game to my luck factor. I guess that's what is meant by "finding your style". I don't know. Maybe I'm just a donkey. Maybe you guys are just trying to keep the sea of poker filled with fish. Smile

Just venting I guess. Bad beats are getting to me. I know I'd feel better if I handed a bad beat out every now and then. I do, but never for a big pot. That is my real gripe. I can't take down the big pots. Destined to grind. Oh well. Till tomorrow.

Glutton for punishment.

Hey man just keep sticking it out. 100bb stacks take a lil time getting used to TRUST ME. But its SOOO Much more profitable in the long run. Just keeping fighting the good fight man. We'll be outta the micros b4 u know it.

Nibbles, you are 100% wrong in your last post. I would correct you, but I'm almost certain it wouldn't do any good. So good luck, and by that I mean I hope you actually learn something about poker in the near future.

dranger7070, if he is playing at 2nl then buying in for $5 is 250bb, and is probably a situation he knows absolutely nothing about.

I realize that full stacked at 2nl is $5, but I never buy in for that amount. I always buy in for $2 hence the 100bb stack i was talking about. Naturally I ASSUMED he was buying in for $2 as well, I just didn't look at his stack size Razz

. Ah well, I completely agree with you though stacks. He shouldnt be complaining about bad beats (even though we all do from time to time.) but nibbles is gonna learn that in the long run things WILL even out. Play enough hands and the closer to the "standard percentages" you'll get. Thanks for correcting me though. Very Happy

Sick day, using poker as medicine. Thanks for the encouragement Dranger. Noone wants to go too far on tilt. But for you and XxStacksxX, I'm not "complaining". This is a "blog", where one expresses their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Last night I was venting after taking a bad beat for a (relatively) large amount when I was a 70/30 fav. If I can't vent on my blog, where the hell can I? Nobody in the real world wants to hear me gripe about losing 3 dollars. In the midst of a recession, I wouldn't dare! I read somewhere in the BC that keeping a poker journal was good. Not just a financial record, or just stats, but your thoughts as well. See how you progress mentally in your approach to the game. Someday, looking back and laughing at how I USED to see the game. Or maybe some newbie who shares my "wrong" view can progress quicker. It's all Kool 'n the Gang.

Started a new session today and recovered a good deal of my losses from yesterday. Still buying in for $5. I've noticed I get re-raised less often pre-flop. As it has only been 2 sessions I might be reading into something that isn't there, but it does fall in line with the theory that opponents tread lighter with someone that can felt them. Sad thing is my fears combined with my deep stack have affected my play. I don't value bet the river with my overpair. When I'm shortstacked I'm usually all in on the turn, so this is new turf for me. I am posting 2 examples from today. In both cases opponents had under pairs, so by not betting I "lost" money.

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 233 hands and saw flop:
- 15 out of 32 times while in big blind (46%)
- 9 out of 30 times while in small blind (30%)
- 40 out of 171 times in other positions (23%)
- a total of 64 out of 233 (27%)
Pots won at showdown - 9 of 15 (60%)
Pots won without showdown - 23

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($2.38)
Hero (SB) ($5.79)
BB ($7.11)
UTG ($5.33)
MP ($1)
CO ($2.92)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A

, A

1 fold, MP calls $0.02, CO calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.16, 2 folds, CO calls $0.14, Button calls $0.14

Flop: ($0.52) 2

, 7

, 10

(3 players)
Hero bets $0.30, 1 fold, Button calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.12) 3

(2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, Button calls $0.30

River: ($1.72) 8

(2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks

Total pot: $1.72 | Rake: $0.05

Upon review I see I underbet the turn, will correct in future. On the river I planned to check/call.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP3 ($1.79)
CO ($1.73)
Hero (Button) ($6.51)
SB ($7.06)
BB ($1.53)
UTG ($5.30)
UTG+1 ($3.97)
MP1 ($0.63)
MP2 ($2.41)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q

, Q

1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.02, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.02, MP3 calls $0.02, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.14, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.12, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.35) 6

, 2

(2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $0.20, UTG+1 calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.75) 7

(2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50

River: ($1.75) J

(2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks

Total pot: $1.75 | Rake: $0.05

Really upset I didn't bet the river here. On the other hand I was out of position and there was a possible flush on the board, but in this case none of that applied. Irrational thought got the best of me. What if he has JJ? What if he pushes all in? I became satisfied with the size of the pot, and it ended up costing me money as in both cases opponent had smaller pocket pairs. Yesterdays bad beats affected my play.

Anyway, roll is up to $36.15 and taking a break. Do some more reading in the BC. Will start another session tonight, maybe play in a MTT. Have to work on not being so results oriented. Put the beats out of my mind. Happens to everyone. That's what makes the game profitable. Can't let it affect my play.

Hey nibbles i was berating u or anything man. But like stacks is saying (somehow i ALWAYS manage to post after stacks lol) u cant think that other people are luckier than u man. Go read my latest update on my blog. I raped MYSELF quickly lol. Luckily i managed to scrape my BR back to something workable. You're doing good man KEEP IT UP. You WILL be a winning player if you keep working at it just like me. I have a serious problem with tilt issues which is part of the reason why I'm doing my operation. This way whatever I tilt away won't be a significant loss to me see? But i understand about venting shit I do it, I don't know many players who don't talk about a hand that messed with their head. We just gotta learn to brush it off.

P.S. I was gonna say on that AA hand u underbet but u caught that urself Razz

good work man. See ur already doing better. Remember though ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS throw out value bet if you think you have the best of it. Ur trying to get money from worse hands at ALL times in a hand. Don't let past hands affect your play (easier said than done I know.)

Anyways good luck!

love your attitude nibbles. hope everything goes well for you at the tables.

Thanks Ryokan. I see you're new to the site. I'm fairly new myself. Welcome.

Yawn. Just got eliminated in 25 cent MTT. Finished in 29th place out of 3000+ players. Still can't final table, Oh well. Played a few hands of ring game but didn't amounnt to much. End of day bankroll id $37.21. I am sooooo tired. Tomorrow will bve rough day.

1st one ever. Had to post. And u wouldn't believe the weak hand opponent stacked off with. Gotta luv the penny tables. This hand got my roll back up to forty, btw.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (8 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($0.84)
SB ($0.80)
BB ($1.43)
UTG ($3.18)
UTG+1 ($5.84)
MP1 ($1.40)
Hero (MP2) ($6.89)
CO ($1.93)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with J

, K

2 folds, MP1 calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.02, 2 folds, SB calls $0.01, BB checks

Flop: ($0.08) A

, Q

, J

(4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 bets $0.02, Hero calls $0.02, 2 folds

Turn: ($0.12) 9

(2 players)
MP1 bets $0.02, Hero calls $0.02

River: ($0.16) 10

(2 players)
MP1 bets $0.06, Hero raises to $0.22, MP1 raises to $0.38, Hero raises to $1.20, MP1 raises to $1.34 (All-In), Hero calls $0.14

Total pot: $2.84 | Rake: $0.10

Sweeeeet!

Actually, I have a question about this. Is it better to play many tables at once? Or is it better to keep grinding away at one table? I mean you have more hands to play at many tables but then again, playing at one table will save your bankroll from taking a lot of hits? Any ideas on this?

Well Nibbles, your bankroll building scheme sounds much more reasonable than the last guys. He made it sound like he was doing it just to do it, but you on the other hand are doing it because you know you can take a loan from a friend and turn it into cold hard cash. Just watch your ass so that way variance doesn't find you and hit you in the back of the head again. I have tried what you are doing numerous times and once i get the roll up to like 50-100 bucks i get stupid and play bigger games instead of proper BR management. So don't make the same mistake as me, remember that the swings in no limit are hard and heavy and if variance begins to whoop on you, just go play limit for the day. It helps, trust me. I am now back in the online poker groove and have been steadily cashing in freerolls trying to build a 100 dollar bankroll and then i can start playing for real. I hope yours goes much quicker and i will keep an eye on your blog. Good luck

LOL WOW thanks chadherczeg. "Im just doing it just to do it' huh? Man glad you know me SOO well that you can just make assumptions about me. Thats good. For your information I might be doing if just for a hobby for now, but if things go good it can turn into a side/primary income. I don't think there is anything wrong with having poker as a hobby and grinding a small amount into something bigger.

O and good work nibbles. Keep grinding man. It's good to see your BR is up to $40 now. I found that the hardest milestone to hit is $50. And maintaining it. Good Luck though.

Big nothing of a session. Small pot pokered my way up to a little over $42 but some luckbox chased his gutshot to snatch my meager but hard earned profits. End of day roll is $39.24. Was pretty much card dead this session. Hey, can't win everyday.

Well i JUST did my first session of multi tabling on Wednesday/Thursday morning (four tables), and at first it IS weird. I think i prefer it just for the simple fact that say you are card dead on ONE table (like you were today nibbles) well on another table you could be running HOT and be raking. And on another you could be running a lil below and another a lil above.

I mean for me its just to keep myself from becoming bored while playing and putting myself in bad spots. Like say ive been card dead for about an half hour so on a table. All of a sudden K10s comes to me UTG or UTG+1. If i had been card dead im REALLY likely to raise this just because i want to get involved. While multi tabling, i see that hand and what position im in and just chuck into the muck. Not worth it when you got JJ and AQs on two other tables in LP.

In reality its just about what you think you can handle. Monday i was one tabling. Wednesday night i tried two tabling. By 2am Thursday morning I was up to 4 and running smoothly. This is the number im going to stick with i think for a while. I turned a decent profit, but thats probably because i was getting some good cards, but also because I wasnt losing my money in MARGINAL positions.

Hope this helps. LATER!

Played a quick session and ground out a buck and some change. Then I decided ro read my thread top to bottom, and I noticed I planned on playing SnG's when my roll got up to $30, but I forgot. So I played my 1st SnG since my return and I took 1st place in a 9 handed $1.20. It was soooooo sweet because some luckbox playing push and catch poker jumped out to a 5000+ chip stack early. He couldn't miss and was talking (typing) a ton of smack. He constantly attacked my blinds and pretty much bullied the table. I just played my game, no stress. Long story short, he and I are heads-up and he has a 2-1 chip advantage. He won more pots but I won the big ones. We were heads-up for about 15 minutes before I was finally able to drop the hammer on him for the win. I had forgotten how much fun sit 'n goes are (when you are running good). I will take the same buy in approach that I do with MTTs. I grind out my buy ins on the ring games, then I play.

I've read on so many threads how players drop large portions of their bankrolls on MTTs or SnGs and I find that silly. The variance is too high in those things. The luck factor goes up significantly. Just grind out your buy ins in the ring, your roll will last longer, provided you know how to grind out ring games. If you play ring like you play SnG, disregard this message.

Roll is up to $44.79. I can smell $50.

I should have finished reading my thread before I jumped into SnG. This was actually my 2nd SnG since my return to online play (not that it matters). I broke my rule of playing SnG while bankroll was below $30 and I lost (deservingly so). Oh well, that was then.

Man it felt good beating that luckbox.

Came back home, still feeling good about my little SnG victory and decided to play another one. Finished 4th. No big deal. Got in a 2nl ring game and just wasn't feeling it. My pocket queens went down to opponents pocket kings. I only lost $1.50 on that hand (I buy in for $5) so that's a positive. I take this as a sign not to play anymore tonight. I had a few beers, far from drunk, but there's always tomorrow. Bankroll is at $41.52. The $50 odor isn't as strong as it once was.

Welcome back Slevin. U caught me at a bad time. I've got a bad case of second best. My roll is back down to $35.08. Almost 10 bucks in two days, that's the worst downswing for me so far, and I'm gonna play again tonight. I've been doing a good job of recognizing the good players, but like I've said before, the maniacs get the best of me. Look at these two hands.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

BB ($5.38)
UTG ($5.66)
UTG+1 ($2.70)
MP1 ($2.85)
MP2 ($4.59)
MP3 ($3.35)
CO ($6)
Hero (Button) ($5.88)
SB ($3.76)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q

, A

2 folds, MP1 calls $0.02, MP2 raises to $0.10, 3 folds, SB calls $0.09, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.32) A

, 5

, A

(3 players)
SB checks, MP1 checks, MP2 checks

Turn: ($0.32) 7

(3 players)
SB checks, MP1 bets $0.02, MP2 raises to $0.24, SB raises to $0.96, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $4.49 (All-In), SB calls $2.70 (All-In)

River: ($7.66) K

(2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $7.66 | Rake: $0.35

In that hand, I recognized MP2 player as solid TAG. I had been on the table for about 80 hands and his play was very solid. So I made the good pre-flop fold and it saved me money as MP2 did have AK. I'd been dodging beats like this all day when, a mere 5 hands later...

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (8 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP1 ($5.34)
MP2 ($5.94)
CO ($2.67)
Button ($2.27)
SB ($8.14)
BB ($3.33)
UTG ($6.25)
Hero (UTG+1) ($5.88)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with Q

, A

1 fold, Hero raises to $0.06, MP1 calls $0.06, 2 folds, Button calls $0.06, 1 fold, BB calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.25) K

, Q

, 6

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.10, MP1 calls $0.10, 2 folds

Turn: ($0.45) A

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $0.06, Hero calls $0.06

River: ($0.57) A

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $5.12 (All-In), Hero calls $5.12

Total pot: $10.81 | Rake: $0.50

MP1 had been doing things like this (severely overbetting nothing pots, which btw is so common at the penny tables) so I couldn't give him credit for nutz. MP1 had AK. The maniacal play is so hard to deal with. I dodged so many bullets today, it almost feels like I've been set up. Destined to lose some money this weekend. Poker is a nasty game. I hope I have better results tonight.

Slevin, how's it going with the Grinder school? It is worthwhile? Any noticable improvement in your game, or approach to the game?

As I sit here stewing about my loss (can't call it a bad beat because I was behind the entire hand, but for some reason it feels like a bad beat), it is finally starting to sink in what makes a good poker player good. I mean, everyone is a good poker player when they are getting good cards, but how do you play when you aren't getting the cards. Right now I feel like breaking all my rules and playing SnG's or move up to 5nl to recover my loses quickly. But that would be the move of a bad player. I feel like playing right now, but that would be a bad move as I am still upset. Can't let emotions rule my game. Results aside, was that a bad call? The pot only had 57 cents, I was far from pot comitted with less than the nutz. Alot to learn.

Another bit of insight, when I win I like to savor the victory. I like walking away up for the session / day. But when I lose I wanna get right back in there and try to win my money back. That has definitely got to be the sign of a loser. Wanting to play when losing but not when winning. Hmm.

Nibbles i had the same problem for idk how long dude. Trust me. To this day I STILL want to leave whenever i rake in a good sized pot, but I've started to get over that. At first I just had to MAKE myself stay at the table. And in the end I would usually end up with A LOT more money then what i would have had had i left the table early.

The losing and staying was A LOT easier to get over than the winning for some reason. Actually, i just remember why lol. It was because of that time i took the majority of my BR and took it to 25nl and lost it lol. Maybe you shouldnt listen to my advice just yet lol.

But anyways now i dont have ANY problem leaving when i get down. But i wouldnt suggest using my method of getting over tilting lol. Even though it did work. Honestly i cant believe losing almost my entire roll has helped but it has. It takes an insanely bad beat (like a 1 outer) to throw me off kilter now, or a LOONG string of bad luck but thats a good thing.

Anywho good luck. Dont worry about the $10 downswing itll pass and youll be making money again in no time. And i wouldnt worry too much about the AK>AQ hand. Thats just a SICK cooler imo. Woulda been hard for anyone to get away from that.

Harley, Slevin, Dranger, Thanks for your posts. I think it helps with my progress when I see others have had the same struggles and are handling them. I've given more thought as to why I'm quicker to leave when ahead than behind. Losing sucks. But losing when you WERE ahead really bites the big one. Like in a casino, everybody is a winner, they just don't leave that way. Walking out shaking their heads wondering why they didn't quit while ahead. But poker isn't a casino game where they house has a huge edge. I've got to adjust my mindset to really profit from this fact. The days where I am hitting flops and my hands are holding up, I limit my play to protect my profits, but the days "luckboxes" are sucking out on me I extend my play trying to recover my losses. I see now that this is bass ackwards. I saw an interview with Phil Ivey on YouTube where he spoke about how long he played when winning versus losing. Seemingly apparent, but for me it wasn't.

My MTT play contributes to this. On day I'm playing well I like to play in a $1 MTT, which for me takes between 3 - 6 hours. Since I haven't made a final table(where the real payoff is) I usually only win 1 or 2 bucks which obviously isn't much (once I finished 12th and won like $15). I think I'll limit my MTT play to weekends and holidays. That should allow me to have longer sessions at the tables. I'm not even clearing 1000 hands a week in ring games. If I'm running bad I could play my $1 MTT as it would be a cheaper "loss" compared to a ring game buyin.

Anyway, I played in a $1 MTT last night and finished in 300+ place out of 2300+ field and profited a buck. I missed 500lbGorilla's MTT stake give-away last night, as with my roll I would have gladly accepted. I'll keep my eye out in the future. I'm about to return to the ring but I'm dropping my buyin to $3. My bankroll can't handle $5. Lack experience too. Hope all goes well.

Yesterday's seesion was a big nothing. Dropped my roll down to $33.07. But today is a new day!!! Grinded out a 200+ hand session (I don't multi-table so that's alot) and ran fairly well. Not only did I hit a few sets, but I got paid off as well. My roll sits at $43.05. It feels great to recover. I'm only taking a short break and then I am starting a new ring session at a new table. I wasn't really ready to leave the table but two guys who have taken my money before got in seats behind me for full buy in. So I ran like a little b*tch, I wasn't about to give up my hard earned profits. At a new table they have to take it 3 bucks at a time.

I am not going to do anything tonight but play poker. No MTT either. I will shoot for 700 hands today. Slave to the run.

Dude u should just TRY 2 tables at once and do u use auto top off? i JUST started using both of these things and my profits increased by leaps and bounds. I think maybe try 2 tables for half hour to an hour. Evaluate after you're done and see if you want to continue doing it you know?

Poker is all about trying new things so maybe u should give it a shot imo. Good luck! My roll just hit the $40 mark again yesterday too!! Lets see if we can smoke it up $50+ after today Very Happy

I've tried 2 tabling before but it was a wash at best. Win some on one table, lose some on the other. And that was best case scenario. I don't mind playing one table at a time. I watch TV while I play (any action I miss, I just replay the hand), so multi-tabling would be too much. Maybe in the future.

No I don't use auto top off. If I drop below 100 BB I reload manually or (usually) change tables. Congrats on the $40 milestone. Where we started, it's quite an accomplishment. Still have a long way to go though. See ya at $50.

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