Operation STOP SUCKING AT POKER ! ! ! !

I finally broke out of my horrid run (at least i hope :p), and made a profit the last couple sessions. Which put me over $250 for the first time.
I am starting to realize just how important mental toughness is.

Now i have to decide if im going to move up now, or wait until $275-$300. Honestly i think im playing decent, but im running pretty bad. So im not sure what to do.
Also i need to know, if i move up, how many buy ins do i allow myself to lose before moving back down??

Hands: 19 644
Profit: $129.41
Ptbb/100: 6.59
VPIP: 10.55
PFR: 7.52
AF: 4.68

Ptbb/100 is way down from where it was after 11 000 hands,
but i think it could be way worse considering how bad i ran for the last 9000 hands or so.
Im actually pretty happy with my self controll during this time.
I got as low as $183 a few days ago. It was like every time i had a hand it was crushed. Luckily i was able to keep my composer and battle through it by concentrating on playing good poker and not the results.

Thanks to Chopper, XTR, and Spoon (among others). I am actually starting (emphasize starting :p) to understand what i am supposed to be doing and thinking in most situations.
I am really enjoying the learning process. Going over hands and getting their point of view is a great help, and something that i appreciate very much.

Some hands from today.
1.
I dont know what to make of this hand.
No reads as it was just after i sat down, and i had never seen this guy before.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($6.93)
UTG ($2.80)
MP ($5.48)
CO ($18.44)
Hero ($5)
SB ($6.88)

Preflop: Hero is Button with

,

.
UTG raises to $0.1, 1 fold, CO calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, 2 folds.

Flop: ($0.37)

,

(3 players)
UTG checks, CO bets $0.35, Hero raises to $1.35, UTG folds, CO raises to $2.35, Hero raises to $4.9, CO folds.

Final Pot: $5.07

Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $5.07.

2.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

Button ($6.25)
SB ($9.20)
BB ($2.30)
UTG ($5.95)
MP1 ($17.06)
Hero ($7.30)
CO ($7.21)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with

,

.
1 fold, MP1 calls $0.05, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold, Button raises to $0.2, 2 folds, MP1 calls $0.15, Hero calls $0.15.

Flop: ($0.67)

,

(3 players)
MP1 checks, Hero bets $0.55, Button raises to $1.4, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $7.1, Button calls $4.65 (All-In).

Turn: ($12.77)

(2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($12.77)

(2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $12.77

Results in white below: [color=#GGGGGG]
Hero has 3s 3h (three of a kind, threes).
Button doesn't show.
Outcome: Hero wins $13.82. [/color]

3.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($5.93)
MP1 ($5.78)
MP2 ($6.07)
CO ($5.35)
Button ($4.93)
SB ($4.69)
BB ($5)
UTG ($5.92)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with

,

.
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.25, 3 folds, Button calls $0.25, 2 folds.

Flop: ($0.57)

,

(2 players)
Hero bets $0.45, Button calls $0.45.

Turn: ($1.47)

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.4, Button calls $1.40.

River: ($4.27)

(2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $2.83 (All-In), Hero folds.

Final Pot: $1.44

Results in white below:
Button doesn't show.
Outcome: Button wins $7.10.

i will tell you that you move up with 30 BIs and move back with 40 BIs at your previous level. that would be $300 to move up, and $200 to move down. however, if you want to take a shot at 10NL, i wont stop you, but you still need to watch the $200 mark, imo.

1...i play it the same way, and think the guy is strange for folding. but, maybe he was bluffing with air.

2...this is why you get it in early, if possible, with sets. that turn/river combo is nasty if you are getting tricky and trying to slow play this. nh.

3...yeah, i find the fold button there, too. i dont know if its correct, but i dont like the turn. i like your bet size, if you bet at it, but the card itself is not the best for you. but, being oop, thats a tough spot for me. dont like the river at all...the only thing i see you beating is A-crap. AT+ all have you smoked.

Move up now. You´re doing well. You have 25BI. Every minute u spend at 5NL you´re costing yourself money. Move back down when u hit 20BI or $200. Until you reach 50NL there´s nothing wrong with aggressive BRM.

#1 is totally fine. villian obvioulsy sucks when he b/3b´s flop and then folds.

#2 also fine. on such dry flops we may consider playing the flop not too fast to encourage weaker hands to stick around. Calling his raise and crai on turn would be sexy

#3 Ugly board, but u played it well. No point in putting anymore money in on the river.

I moved up to 10NL
So now im a 10 dolla balla.
Session 1
Played allright except for one hand.
The AA, hand 3 below.
I finished 900 or so hands up $17.
Not great but ill take it.

Reads are non existent due to the fact that i havent really played any of these people before.
1.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($11.20)
MP2 ($7.40)
Hero ($11.30)
Button ($1.85)
SB ($10.15)
BB ($5)
UTG ($9.75)

Preflop: Hero is CO with

,

.
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, 1 fold, SB calls $0.35, 1 fold.

Flop: ($0.90)

,

(2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.9, SB calls $0.90.

Turn: ($2.70)

(2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2.5, SB calls $2.50.

River: ($7.70)

(2 players)
SB bets $6.35 (All-In), Hero folds.

Final Pot: $1.35

Results in white below:
SB doesn't show.
Outcome: SB wins $14.05.

2.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP3 ($13.60)
CO ($8.65)
Hero ($9.95)
SB ($6.15)
BB ($2)
UTG ($12.85)
UTG+1 ($2.40)
MP1 ($4.20)
MP2 ($7.55)

Preflop: Hero is Button with

,

.
UTG raises to $0.4, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.40, 3 folds, Hero raises to $1.5, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.10, MP1 folds.

Flop: ($3.55)

,

(2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $3.3, UTG raises to $11.35, Hero calls $5.15 (All-In).

Turn: ($20.45)

(2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($20.45)

(2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $20.45

3.
SPEWWWWWWWWWWWWW ....lol
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($4.90)
MP2 ($11.30)
CO ($14.55)
Button ($1.85)
SB ($11.55)
BB ($11.50)
Hero ($10.75)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with

,

.
Hero raises to $0.4, 2 folds, CO calls $0.40, 3 folds.

Flop: ($0.95)

,

(2 players)
Hero bets $0.9, CO raises to $1.8, Hero raises to $10.35, CO calls $8.55.

Turn: ($21.65)

(2 players)

River: ($21.65)

(2 players)

Final Pot: $21.65

Results in white below:
Hero has As Ac (two pair, aces and jacks).
CO has 7d 7s (full house, sevens full of jacks).
Outcome: CO wins $21.65.

you didnt screw up hand three. it happens.

hand two was a MUCH scarier board to stack off with. and, you did it there.

at 2, 5, and 10NL, overpairs are very often the best hand on the flop...and stack worthy.

good fold, in hand one, too.

i think you played all three fine. good luck at 10NL. i dont think you'll see much difference in the play.

Broke $300 tonight.
So i figured id make a graph. :p
24, 933 hands.
From 2-10NL $117 - $303.
Click then click again.

1.
Opponent is 38/12/1.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($17.55)
Hero ($15.35)
MP1 ($3.25)
MP2 ($11.45)
CO ($10.90)
Button ($7.70)
SB ($9.65)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with

,

.
Hero raises to $0.4, MP1 calls $0.40, 1 fold, CO calls $0.40, 2 folds, BB calls $0.30.

Flop: ($1.65)

,

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.5, MP1 folds, CO calls $1.50, BB calls $1.50.

Turn: ($6.15)

(3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, CO checks.

River: ($6.15)

(3 players)
BB bets $2, Hero calls $2, CO folds.

Final Pot: $10.15

2.
WOOO fell ass backwards into this one.
Im not real happy about how i played it.
BUT, i played patient all day.
Even when it wasnt going well.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($9.80)
MP2 ($6.15)
CO ($23.15)
Button ($8.90)
Hero ($11.35)
BB ($2)
UTG ($18.05)
UTG+1 ($1.70)

Preflop: Hero is SB with

,

.
UTG raises to $0.4, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.40, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.35, 1 fold.

Flop: ($1.30)

,

(3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP2 checks.

Turn: ($1.30)

(3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.3, MP2 calls $0.30, Hero raises to $1, UTG raises to $3.8, MP2 raises to $5.75, Hero raises to $10.95, UTG calls $7.15.

River: ($28.95)

(3 players)

Final Pot: $28.95

Results in white below: [color=#GGGGGG]
Hero has 4c 4h (full house, fours full of aces).
UTG doesn't show.
MP2 doesn't show.
Outcome: Hero wins $28.95. [/color]

UTG mucked [Kh As]
MP2 mucked [Ad 3d]

This is by far one of the most impressive operation threads I've seen. We're not talking about supernova or making a hundred k's, but we're talking about someone getting serious about poker and learning the game and doing it right. Bankroll Management. Taking shots. Moving back down. Taking better shots. Making bank. Very nice hands, wes.

I checked the position stats from a couple weeks back in depth. I like them. You have a 3 to 1 ration of VP$P from button to UTG, which is VERY positional. I give advice to newbies all the time to just get to 2 to 1. Also, you're not getting loose out of either SB or BB (which is a mistake I tend to make). These two table positions should play more like UTG than Button, imo.

General stats look very solid. I like the 5+ AF, w/ AF ~ 8 on the flop. This is the way I play, and I think it works well at the micros. Wait for decent hands + position, and then kick some ass.

I give this advice to noobies in the beginner's forum all the time: tighten up preflop, play positionally, and get hyperagro postflop. I'm gonna start sending them here for tips on how to do this thing right.

The things I've learned playing roughly this style is that poker is very simple. At micros, showing aggression with good hands is fine. They don't pay enough attention to get out of the way. And instead of calling a street or two when you're beat, you're just folding. Very good. Very disciplined. Very positive EV.

I will checking this op thread often. See ya at NL50 in a few months!!!

Thanks Robb, thats very nice of you to say.

Today on the other hand was not nice at all.
I never made a draw all day. I lost with sets to runner, runner straights etc. Not to mention tieing like 4 pots when opponent and i had the same hand. Basically nothing went right and i finished down 4 buy ins.
I feel like i played okay for the most part (although i did spew a few hands), and concentrated on playing good and not tilting. I just couldnt win a pot.
I guess days like this will happen and theres not much i can do about it except maybe quit a little earlier.
I really need to work on some things, including not overplaying TPTK.

1.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($3.45)
MP2 ($42.65)
MP3 ($7.40)
CO ($0.85)
Button ($11.05)
SB ($20.20)
Hero ($12.35)
UTG ($28.75)
UTG+1 ($6.45)

Preflop: Hero is BB with

,

.
4 folds, MP3 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.4, Hero calls $0.30, MP3 calls $0.30, CO folds.

Flop: ($1.30)

,

(3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1, MP3 calls $1, SB folds.

Turn: ($3.30)

(2 players)
Hero bets $3, MP3 raises to $6, Hero calls $3.

River: ($15.30)

(2 players)

Final Pot: $15.30

Results in white below:
Hero has Ac Qh (one pair, queens).
MP3 has 4d Ad (straight, five high).
Outcome: MP3 wins $15.30.

2.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
9 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($9.90)
UTG+1 ($3.40)
MP1 ($6.35)
MP2 ($13.45)
MP3 ($2.00)
CO ($6.70)
BTN ($2.55)
SB ($4.90)
Hero ($11.95)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 9 players) Hero is BB King of Clubs

2 folds, MP1 raises to $0.4, 5 folds, Hero raises to $1.4, MP1 calls $1

Flop: Queen of Clubs

($2.85, 2 players)
Hero bets $2.5, MP1 calls $2.5

Turn: King of Diamonds

($7.85, 2 players)
Hero bets $5.2, MP1 goes all-in $2.45

River: Eight of Clubs

($12.75, 2 players)

Final Pot: $12.75
Hero shows: King of Clubs

MP1 shows: Eight of Diamonds

Hero wins $2.75 ( lost -$6.35 )
MP1 wins $12.15 ( won +$5.8 )

.

1. gross
2. gross. but why did you bet so big on flop?

hey, wes. took a bit of a vacation...sorry i havent been watching. but, DAMNED NICE GRAPH!!

you need to bust me while we are playing so i can post it here for you...lol. youre gonna have to crack AA, tho. i'm not getting involved with you, if you are on my left. Wink

TPTK and big overpairs play about the same at micros. Here's an NL25 example. I thought a long time about the river call. I had no reads on villain, and I hate making this call "blind." But I just didn't believe I was beat 75% of the time against an unknown.

$0.1/$0.25 No Limit Holdem
5 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
Hero ($29.65)
CO ($10.00)
BTN ($56.01)
SB ($23.45)
BB ($17.55)
[CO posted $0.25]

Pre-flop: ($0.6, 5 players) Hero is UTG King of Spades

Hero raises to $1, 3 folds, BB calls $0.75

Flop: Jack of Spades

($2.6, 2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.5, BB calls $1.5

Turn: Five of Diamonds

($5.6, 2 players)
BB bets $3, Hero calls $3

River: Nine of Diamonds

($11.6, 2 players)
BB bets $5, Hero calls $5

Final Pot: $21.35
BB shows: Two of Spades

Hero shows: King of Spades

Hero wins $20.3 ( won $9.8 )
BB lost -$10.50

*Last edited by wesrman on Sun, 09 Mar 2008, 10:13pm; edited 1 time in total*

OMFG.
I think Robb JINXED me...lol
Im down another 3 1/2 buy ins today.
So i was at $330, and after 3 sessions im down to $254.91.

March 9th Session 1.
1.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
7 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($10.10)
UTG+1 ($7.90)
MP ($10.55)
Hero ($10.00)
BTN ($9.25)
SB ($3.75)
BB ($3.20)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 7 players) Hero is CO Five of Diamonds

1 fold, BTN says "yt", 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, BTN calls $0.4, 2 folds

Flop: Ten of Clubs

($0.95, 2 players)
Hero bets $0.7, BTN calls $0.7

Turn: King of Diamonds

($2.35, 2 players)
Hero bets $2, BTN calls $2

River: Queen of Diamonds

($6.35, 2 players)
Hero checks, BTN goes all-in $6.15, Hero ????

2.
Villain is 50/11/1 over 60 or so hands.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
8 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($9.85)
UTG+1 ($5.00)
MP1 ($10.70)
Hero ($11.05)
CO ($11.30)
BTN ($9.35)
SB ($16.50)
BB ($9.70)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 8 players) Hero is MP2 Ace of Hearts

3 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, 2 folds, SB calls $0.35, BB calls $0.3

Flop: Jack of Spades

($1.2, 3 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.4, Hero raises to $1.5, SB calls $1.5, BB folds

Turn: Two of Spades

($4.6, 2 players)
SB bets $5.8, Hero folds

Final Pot: $4.60

SB wins $10.2 ( won +$2.5 )
Hero lost -$1.90
BB lost -$0.80

3.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
8 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($2.85)
UTG+1 ($6.40)
MP1 ($4.95)
MP2 ($10.00)
CO ($10.95)
Hero ($15.20)
SB ($9.80)
BB ($2.60)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 8 players) Hero is BTN Ace of Clubs

UTG calls $0.1, UTG+1 calls $0.1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $0.6, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.5, UTG+1 folds

Flop: Seven of Clubs

($1.45, 2 players)
UTG bets $0.8, Hero raises to $2.2, UTG goes all-in $2.25, Hero calls $0.05

Turn: Jack of Spades

($5.95, 2 players)

River: King of Diamonds

($5.95, 2 players)

Final Pot: $5.95
UTG shows: Seven of Hearts

Hero shows: Ace of Clubs

UTG wins $5.7 ( won +$2.85 )
UTG+1 lost -$0.10
Hero lost -$2.85

*Last edited by Robb on Sun, 09 Mar 2008, 4:03pm; edited 1 time in total*

1. Bet out on the river. What can he have? Most of the suited broadway crap is out the window after the river. This is dicey, but I don't you're behind here enough to check the river. I'm going broke here, if he's got the better flush. Lots of sets, 2 pair are in his range, most of which won't have the 5th flush card.
2. Good fold.
3. Can't fault this play against a shorty. Impossible to get away from on this dry a board.

Don't blame me for the jinx - i jinx my own damn self too often to take much credit for anyone else's!!

hand one....FOLD. 4th card blows chunks for your, now, 6 high flush.

hand two...he seems passive postflop, but pay as much attention to his WtSD% in your reads. it will give you a better idea as to whether he just calls, or whether he calls EVERYTHING!
but, i fold here, too. its a flush. look at how he weakly donks the turn (giving HIMSELF odds), and blasts river. he hit it.

hand three...be grateful this dillhole called your preflop raise. 6X w/ Q7? he plays any two suited cards, and likely chases ANY flush draw. note him as such, and dont pay off flushes when you charged the hell out of him along the way, and he does to you what villain in hand two did.

how is a "big river bet" needed? villain shoved. its nuts or air (and by air i mean sets, etc, too...basically turning their hands into bluffs). do you burn the rest of your stack on that? river turned my hand into complete shit. its most likely something with the Jd in it. JJ, KJ, QJ, AJ, 9J all may come along in the hand, and whether they have the diamond or not, they may push here. this is why i like short-stacking right now. i am already in, and dont have this decision.

i'll give credit for the Jd and go on my way...money likely saved. and, i will move on to a different spot. calling does nothing for any possible image and i will most likely get another situation in the next 20 minutes or so. and, it may be against this guy, too.

caveat: if you feel this is 50/50, YOU MUST CALL. you are getting 2:1.

sorry robb. i didnt see the check first...dunno why.

but, you are suggesting we induced a big bluff. and, you may very well be correct. but, how can we call the shove?

wes, if you had a read on villain being aggro, then, yes...you must call this.

i think its better than 50/50 that no other diamond makes sense. dont we think he'd valuebet it, unless he thinks we are on the flush, too.

why not a blocking bet? i know almost any blocking bet prices us in to call here, but why not give it a shot?

either way, i am looking for the escape hatch w/ the timer on. it may be a different answer if i can stop and think this one through a little. hell, it required thought/discussion to get me this far...lol.

Thanks guys for the discussion on the hands.
I appreciate you taking the time to read them and post.
Its very helpfull to get your thoughts.

March 9th Session 2.
Another brutal session tonight.
Down to $240.91.
Just kind of lost right now as to what the problem is.
Sorry if these hands arent really post worthy.
I just dont really know whats going on,
and im hoping looking at them tomorrow or getting a different point of view will help me.
Or at least i can make sure that im not tilting off money.
I dont mind losing a couple buy ins, but this is ridiculous.
Every hand seems to blow up in my face.
Oh well, it will turn around soon and i will upswing hard.

1.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
9 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($1.60)
UTG+1 ($10.25)
MP1 ($9.40)
MP2 ($5.45)
MP3 ($12.55)
CO ($8.35)
BTN ($10.95)
Hero ($13.75)
BB ($15.40)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 9 players) Hero is SB King of Clubs

4 folds, MP3 raises to $0.4, 2 folds, Hero raises to $1.4, 1 fold, MP3 calls $1

Flop: Eight of Spades

($2.9, 2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP3 calls $2

Turn: Nine of Clubs

($6.9, 2 players)
Hero bets $5.4, MP3 calls $5.4

River: Seven of Clubs

($17.7, 2 players)
Hero goes all-in $4.95, MP3 goes all-in $3.75

Final Pot: $25.20
MP3 shows: Ten of Spades

Hero shows: King of Clubs

MP3 wins $24 ( won +$11.45 )
Hero wins $1.2 ( lost -$12.55 )

2.
$0.05/$0.1 No Limit Holdem
7 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($7.90)
UTG+1 ($29.70)
MP ($2.50)
CO ($14.85)
Hero ($10.00)
SB ($6.70)
BB ($9.60)

Pre-flop: ($0.15, 7 players) Hero is BTN Ace of Spades

1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.4, MP calls $0.4, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1, UTG+1 says "are u sure", 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.6, MP calls $0.6

Flop: Eight of Hearts

($3.15, 3 players)
UTG+1 checks, MP checks, Hero bets $2, MP says "are u??", UTG+1 raises to $6, MP folds, Hero ????

Hand 1.
Standard, nothing you can do with that shit. However I have one suggestion, think about your bet sizes/effective stack sizes. I hate leaving pissy little river bets like you did here. It's hard for me to elaborate eloquently on the reason we need to align our stack better, but we do.

If we bet pot of the flop, this means that we have just over a PSB shove on the turn, which I think is better than leaving such a small river betin comparison to the pot size.

Hand 2
This is a fold IMO

agreed.

one....variance.

two... fold where your question marks are. rest looks fine.

March 10thSession 1
I played 1450 hands andim down another 1/2 BI.
BR $236
So im thinking that moving up was a mistake.
I may be tilting a bit because i have been running sooo bad,
but i think what happened was:
I was doing ok at $5NL (not great), then i went on a bit of a heater and made some quick cash. Which put me up to $250 and made me want to move up. I really should have stayed at 5 until i was really owning it and felt 100% sure that i would do well at 10.
I started off good at 10, but now i think a lot of it was just me running good.
Haveto work on not getting too high when things are going good, and not getting too low when things are going bad.

Now i have to decide how much of this is varience and how much of it is just me sucking. Also whether or not i should move down now or wait until i hit $200 which was the original plan.

Any thoughts would be helpfull.
Thanks...

In his KK hand, can we not c/r that turn instead of bet? It seems very thin to try to bet and get value when only something like AQ should be calling. But then again I know nothing about villain.

Wes, I don't know what decision is best about moving back down. Moving up definitely wasn't a mistake. You have the game for NL10. It's just not working out right now. You certainly need to move back down if you drop below $200, but that's almost 4 BI away. It will take a lot less time to grind it back up to $300 at NL10 if you start running good.

The key is confidence. If NL10 is getting to you, you need to move back down for a couple thousand hands to get your head right. If you're confident you're playing well and just getting some bad beats and negative variance kickin' in, then keep playing NL10.

I took two shots at NL25 before this one started March 1st. I moved back down both times. I had some kinks in my game that needed more thought, but I was probably at least break-even at NL25 (with Rakeback being my only winnings, basically). The problem was confidence - I was playing weak-tight and second-guessing myself on every big decision whereas at NL10 I was just playing poker and letting the game happen.

This time, when I moved up, I faced a 6 BI downswing (of which 2 were definitely my fault), fought back even, then a 3 BI downswing, then some solid results. The thing is, I felt confident about my play after about 1.5k hands. I knew I was playing reasonably well, at least relative to my competition. I knew I could beat the game at NL25, so I stayed even though I was down to $630 in bankroll at one point, very close to my stop-loss.

Only you can assess your confidence. I would move back down to NL10 in a heartbeat if I lost my confidence at NL25. Why beat your head against a brick wall when easy money is only one level down? All that said, I'm not touching any NL10 tables for a long while - I need to focus on NL25 and make this work. It's a problem I can and will solve. I'm confident right now at NL25, excited every time I sit down at the table about doing well.

Only you can assess your confidence level right now, and that's more crucial (imo) than your bankroll. Just know this: you have the game for NL10, and it will all come good for you sooner than you think!!

Ok, so heres my PokerEV graph for $10NL.
Maybe if someone can make sense of it for me.
I can have a better idea of whether or not i am running bad,
or its just me playing bad.
Im sure its a bit of both.
I won 8 buy ins, then dropped 10.

Sklansky bucks (red line) are EV calculations based only hands where showdowns occur. My understanding of these graphs is in this thread:

http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/forum/sklansky-bucks-pokerev-t68176.html

Basically, you're experiencing negative variance to the tune of 7 BI, imo. The red line shows an upward slope indicating general +EV decisions wherever it's possible to calculate them precisely, street by street. A downward sloping SB line indicates bad decisions. I'm unsure of the exact calculations (and I've searched), but either way it's calculated tilts the SB results toward postflop play. In English, that means your postflop play appears to be solid. And I've seen your PT stats - preflop, you're doing fine.

I would be thrilled if all my NL25 career I had an SB line like the one in this graph. Warning, though, this is a small sample, since SB's are only calculated when a showdown occurs, a percentage of time you can find in PT stats. Basically, the trend looks positive, like you're making sound decisions and just having lots of miracles hit the river after you've committed a ton of chips. You're getting your money in good.

Keep pwn'ing NL10, man. You're there with your game. The results will come.

Isn't the blue line above the red line mean he's actually running well because you should be running at your red line? Also, some say you need to look at "All-in Luck" to see really how you are running. Bah, I am really no expert at this.

oh, regarding your pokerev graph (!!ask someone who really understands this graphs, before u listen to a graph-donk like me;) !!)

The gap between red/blue and green that starts openening at 9k shows basically "lost without SD", which means u either started making a ton of huge laydowns or suddenly became a river chicken Wink

as long as red and blue run somewhat parallel there´s no indication that u ran bad at showdowns.
Look for the recent 10 laydowns in 60BB+ pots u made and post them

Ok im sure this should tell me what my main issues are,
and destroy any thoughts that i play decent. :p
Please help and feel free to berate.
I dont care, i just want to get better.

General Stats

More detail (i did 2 screen shots because i suck at computers as much
as i suck at poker)

Position Stats

couple of quick things that I noticed. First, your position stats seems really flat until the CO/BTN. Don't know if you want to try raising over limpers more, or something like that.

Second, under the more detail, take a good look at your steal success, and what that is telling you. 1)you take down the blinds 60% of the time. 2)of the 40% that see a flop you are winning without showdown 75% of the time. 3)when you do get to showdown, you are winning 60% of the time.

what does all of this tell you about stealing blinds/the play of your opponents post flop and what can you do to take advantage of this? I am not suggesting you undertake a massive change in style here, but even a minor tweaking could show some good results.

very much agree with pgil here. I'd steal blinds a lot more, like mid-low 30%. I also wonder if you abuse limpers or not, mainly in later position.

all look pretty good. You got the money in pretty far ahead in 2 of the 4. The AK vs 77 hand your opp was too short for it to matter. AA vs KK sucks but happens. The only think I would look at in a hand like that is if you are getting value out of AK/QQ/JJ with your line. If you are vs. your opponents then nh. If not, then you may want to see a flop with the button and get it AI on the flop. End result is the same in this hand, but you will get more from hands that you are beating in future situations.

yep, hands look good.

I definitely applaud you for thinking of the right boards to cbet. This will help tremendously if you get a good idea. Try to figure out their ranges and what all hands can you get to fold with certain boards. Also think of what types of hands YOU have and if maybe checking behind is better etc. If you really have calling stations when you are trying to isolate, try to come up with a good range vs. theirs and don't bluff, just value town them to death.

I´d go broke in all 4 hands u posted.

You are cbetting like 60-65% which is quite low. I suppose the problem lays more in your preflop play, where u´re not often enough IP, given the low gradient from UTG to MP3. Loosen more up in the HJ and MP3 and be more cautious in UTG and UTG+1.

When u say you´re spewing money with cbets, what does your opposition to make u feel this? Do they call too much or give u trouble right on the flop?

In case they call too much, go to Massimo´s blog/OP and look for his thoughts on 2barrels.
http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/forum/massimo-s-blog-small-stakes-teaching-and-improving-my-game-t54259.html

Hi there, keep seeing you at the tables, thought I would say good luck man!

FlopAF and %cbet are two different pair of shoes. FlopAF reflects a ratio, while %cbet is an Absolute rate. U could cbet 10% and still have a monster AF.

7 is pretty high tho, but I remember we talked about this topic earlier here, didnt we?

Given your opposition calls too much u clearly should cbet less, there´s no point in cbetting air if they call anyway and no need to balance big hands with junk if they call anyway. Just valuebet them hard lower your valuebet requirements. I´ll be in mIRC/msn tonight, would be glad to talk some poker.

1.
Opponent is 23/11/4.
$0.02/$0.05 No Limit Holdem
9 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($10.97)
UTG+1 ($7.48)
MP1 ($5.77)
MP2 ($2.88)
Hero ($8.98)
CO ($15.00)
BTN ($1.72)
SB ($4.68)
BB ($5.76)

Pre-flop: ($0.07, 9 players) Hero is MP3 Jack of Clubs

1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.2, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.65, 4 folds, UTG+1 raises to $1.2, Hero calls $0.55

Flop: Five of Hearts

($2.47, 2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2, UTG+1 goes all-in $6.28, Hero folds

Final Pot: $6.47

Hero wins $2.2204460492503E-16 ( lost -$3.2 )
UTG+1 wins $10.45 ( won +$2.97 )

What's your reasoning for betting on that flop?

Played some 6 max to change things up a bit.
Thought i might enjoy it.
Lol, same old shit.
I started at 5NL 6 max, that went bad.
Played some 2NL 6 max that went meh.
So now im dropping down to 2NL FR,
and if i cant at least break even there im gonna take some time off.
Please critique, if there is anything i could do better i need to know.

Heres 2 hands from my 6 max mini session.
1.
$0.02/$0.05 No Limit Holdem
4 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
CO ($1.38)
BTN ($7.47)
SB ($12.57)
Hero ($4.80)

Pre-flop: ($0.07, 4 players) Hero is BB Ace of Hearts

CO goes all-in $1.38, 2 folds, Hero calls $1.33

Flop: Two of Clubs

($2.78, 2 players)

Turn: Two of Hearts

($2.78, 2 players)

River: Nine of Diamonds

($2.78, 2 players)

Final Pot: $2.78
Hero shows: Ace of Hearts

CO shows:

Hero wins $2.2204460492503E-16 ( lost -$1.38 )
CO wins $2.68 ( won +$1.3 )

2.
Am i playing my aces too strong???
$0.02/$0.05 No Limit Holdem
5 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($3.95)
CO ($4.88)
BTN ($9.83)
Hero ($4.93)
BB ($2.23)

Pre-flop: ($0.07, 5 players) Hero is SB Ace of Hearts

2 folds, BTN raises to $0.15, Hero raises to $0.45, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.3

Flop: Ten of Clubs

($0.95, 2 players)
Hero bets $0.8, BTN goes all-in $9.38, Hero goes all-in $3.68

Turn: Six of Diamonds

($9.91, 2 players)

River: Seven of Clubs

($9.91, 2 players)

Final Pot: $9.91
BTN shows: Ace of Clubs

Hero shows: Ace of Hearts

BTN wins $14.36 ( won +$4.53 )
Hero wins $5.5511151231258E-17 ( lost -$4.93 )

Some hands from FR.
3.
$0.01/$0.02 No Limit Holdem
7 players
Converted at weaktight.com

Stacks:
UTG ($0.49)
UTG+1 ($0.99)
MP ($2.76)
CO ($5.50)
BTN ($2.62)
SB ($0.89)
Hero ($1.95)

Pre-flop: ($0.03, 7 players) Hero is BB Queen of Diamonds

1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.02, MP raises to $0.2, 3 folds, Hero raises to $0.64, UTG+1 folds, MP raises to $2.22, Hero goes all-in $1.31

Flop: Jack of Diamonds

($3.93, 2 players)

Turn: Ace of Spades

($3.93, 2 players)

River: Seven of Diamonds

($3.93, 2 players)

Final Pot: $3.93
Hero shows: Queen of Diamonds

MP shows:

MP wins $4.05 ( won +$1.83 )
Hero lost -$1.95
UTG+1 lost -$0.02

OK, im done being such a little bitch about this.
I have been way too caught up in whether im moving up fast or not.
I need to be more concerned about improving my game.
How fast im moving up didnt become a priority unti i started doing well and got used to it coming easy. Then when it got tough, i started getting disapointed.
From now on im gonna play both FR and 6 max, and really try to LEARN and HAVE FUN.
The money will come, and i WILL get better.
I think the 6 max will help a lot with my post flop game, and teach me how to deal with aggros.
Right now im thinking of maybe alternating days of FR/6 max.
Any advice (especially from Robb because he plays both) about how to mix in the two, would be appreciated.

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