Micro stakes grinding

I am resuming my serious online poker play (serious in attitude, not stakes). I got caught up in the poker craze just like so many other people and started online play. I bought into Paradise Poker for 50 bucks and would grind out micro stake hold em games (both limit and nl) and cash out 50 dollars every time I reached $100. Then that bucker Fush banned online gaming, so I had to cash out and switch to Jokerstars.

At Jokerstars I got my only tournament win ever. I won the $2 heads-up winner takes all tourney and won $256. As the norm I cashed out leaving a roll of $50 and continued my grind. Oh yeah, my games are NLHE 0.01/0.02 (0.02/0.05 when running good) and PL omaha 0.01/0.02, with the occasional $1 MTT. After a few more cashouts, I ran into this little nasty bitch named variance. No need for details as I'm sure everyone is familiar. Lost my roll, felt frustrated, and didn't rebuy.

I recently got the itch again and had a friend transfer $5 to my account and said I'm gonna start an Operation of my own. I've been playing again for 8 days and my roll is $19. 68 (was $21.88 last night), and I haven't repaid the loan yet. My goal is to develop a bank roll and see where it takes me. I will not cash out, but will move up in stakes as roll permits.

I am a true grinder. I don't play ring games the way most do. I am a nut camper (I have the patience of Job). Then once I show down a high % of winners I make the bluff here and there. The reason I love the microstakes is that people pay you off big time. They can't fold AA b/c they don't realize it is just a pair. But the suckouts are numerous.

Anyway, I will post updates regularly. I usually just read your site, but I figured I should post my game and contribute. Remember these two things. U can't lose what you don't put in the middle. All u need is a chip and a chair.

BTW, I love that Pokerstars added $0.10 MTTs. It wasn't there when I used to play.

Good luck, sir.

Thanks Illfavor. I just knocked out a quick 90 minute session before I eat last night's leftovers. Even though we should focus on thousands of hands, I think this session is a great example of my play. Below are my stats for the session and the two big pots I won that significantly increased my bank roll, precentage-wise. Sorry, I don't use any of the poker software.

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 78 hands and saw flop:
- 3 out of 8 times while in big blind (37%)
- 2 out of 10 times while in small blind (20%)
- 5 out of 60 times in other positions (8%)
- a total of 10 out of 78 (12%)
Pots won at showdown - 2 of 2 (100%)
Pots won without showdown - 8

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

Button ($1.30)
Hero (SB) ($1.48)
BB ($1.28)
MP2 ($0.99)
UTG+1 ($2)
MP1 ($0.92)
MP2 ($0.99)
MP2 ($0.99)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 7, 7
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.02, MP1 calls $0.02, 2 folds, Button calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.01, BB checks

Flop: ($0.10) 7, 5, 2 (5 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, Button checks

Turn: ($0.10) 6 (5 players)
Hero bets $0.10, 1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.10, 1 fold, Button calls $0.10

River: ($0.40) J (3 players)
Hero bets $0.14, UTG+1 calls $0.14, Button raises to $0.56, Hero calls $0.42, 1 fold

Total pot: $1.66 | Rake: $0.05

Opponent #1 (button) showed [Jc 8c] and lost with a pair of Jacks
HERO (small blind) showed [7h 7s] and won ($1.61) with three of a kind, Sevens

The very next hand (Tilt move)

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP ($0.62)
Hero (Button) ($2.41)
SB ($1.26)
UTG ($0.90)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A, A
(unknown) calls $0.02 (All-In), UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, (unknown) calls $0.02 (All-In), MP raises to $0.62 (All-In), Hero calls $0.62, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.60, 1 fold

Flop: ($1.91) 5, 2, K (4 players, 4 all-in)
UTG bets $0.28 (All-In), Hero calls $0.28

Turn: ($2.47) 2 (4 players, 5 all-in)

River: ($2.47) 3 (4 players, 5 all-in)

Total pot: $2.47 | Rake: $0.10



Opponent #2: shows [Th 8h] (a pair of Deuces)
HERO: shows [Ah As] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
HERO collected $0.51 from side pot
Opponent #1: mucks hand
HERO collected $1.88 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $2.49 Main pot $1.88. Side pot $0.51. | Rake $0.10
Board [5c 2s Kc 2h 3s]

Anyone can post some winning hands, but I'm doing this as an example of how easy it is to turn big profits (relative to the blinds) without any effort at these stakes.

I edited this post so hands are easier to read.

I guess I should explain my "get rich" scheme. I don't expect to get rich grinding the micro stakes. I play the ring games to finance my MTTs. So I take a portion of my ring game gains and use it for MTTs. Problem is I've only been lucky enough to win 1, and that was just heads-up. I cash in about half of the MTTs I play, but no final tables. But I am getting better. I recently finished 19th out of a field of 4000+ players (only $0.10 buy-in though). I play the standard tight-aggressive style in tourneys, not like my ring game style of play.

Just finished my second session of the day. End of day bank roll is $23.73. My ring game stats at 0.01/0.02 NLHE is:
During current Hold'em session you were dealt 132 hands and saw flop:
- 6 out of 16 times while in big blind (37%)
- 4 out of 17 times while in small blind (23%)
- 14 out of 99 times in other positions (14%)
- a total of 24 out of 132 (18%)
Pots won at showdown - 4 of 5 (80%)
Pots won without showdown - 4

Believe it or not, but the key to winning poker when under rolled is a tight-passive style of play. I read a thread in the "beginner's circle" where some guy turned 5 bucks into 100 (I think he's a TAG), and that's great. But IMO, it's also lucky. Proper bankroll is key for TAG style of play in ring games.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking the TAG style, but when under rolled you HAVE to play tight passive. Minimizing your losses are way more important than maximizing your gains at this point. Lose a few coinflip races and you're on the rail. When I play the MTTs I go into my TAG style (failed to cash in the 2 MTTs I played today, one $0.50 and a $0.25), but only a tiny portion of your roll is at stake.


Who'da thunk it?

GL on turning that $5 in more. And quite cashing out at $100 for gods sakes! It takes time to get to your first $1k but after that it starts coming in quickly, and while you think you are earning money by cashing out the $50 you are costing yourself even more money by doing so.

I start with $7 last december from a freeroll win and it took till Feburary or so to make $400. I was so happy I cashed it out and deposited $50 on Pokerstars and started re-grinding. It till till May to get back up to $340 or so. But since then I hit $1k in June. And just hit the $8k BR mark yesterday. If I would have kept the $400 in and kept griding, there is a good chance I would be well over $10k BR right now.

It's an investment. Treat it that way.

Thanks for the encouragement XxStacksxX. Right now it seems like poker is a safer investment than the stock market.

I'm trying out the hand converter, but how do I get the results?

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

UTG+1 ($2)
Hero (MP1) ($1.15)
MP2 ($6.87)
MP3 ($1.91)
CO ($3.01)
Button ($1.97)
SB ($5.62)
BB ($4.66)
UTG ($3.38)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , Qd Ad
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.12, 6 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.27) ,6c As Qc , (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.20, UTG+1 calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.67) [6c As Qc] [6s] (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.44, UTG+1 calls $0.34

River: ($1.55) [6c As Qc 6s] [Td] (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.39 (All-In), UTG+1 calls $0.29

Total pot: $2.33 | Rake: $0.10

Anyway, I won this hand. UTG+1 had AJ. This is a really good site!

Oh, I can't post any URLs until I have ten posts. Hand converter is full of them. Oh well. will try later. I had AQ suited vs opponent's AJ off/

Another session sorta complete. Gonna play a $0.25 MTT in an hour, so ending ring play. Stats for today:
During current Hold'em session you were dealt 229 hands and saw flop:
- 14 out of 30 times while in big blind (46%)
- 12 out of 33 times while in small blind (36%)
- 29 out of 166 times in other positions (17%)
- a total of 55 out of 229 (24%)
Pots won at showdown - 4 of 6 (66%)
Pots won without showdown - 17

Start of session bankroll was $23.73 and my roll currently sits at $23.90. One of the two pots I lost at showdown ate my profits. I was about to leave the table for a break before my MTT and said "I'll just play until the blinds come". Got dealt AQ suited, flopped top 2pr and lost to a set. You hafta luv this game.

Anywho, made a big mug of chamomile tea and getting into the right mindset for my tourney. I really want to get ITM so I can register a profit on the day. I've failed to cash in my last 5 or 6 of these. That's a shame because it's fairly easy to do at these stakes.

I am dead serious about grinding my way to big money. U guys just wait and see. If XxStacksxX can do it, so can I, and so can U. I never understood the players that dump all of their money on these sites. If you run low on funds, grind the penny tables. If you can't beat microstakes and the players just donating their chips, you can't run with the big boys.

No good in MTT. Finished 1135 out of 4000+ field. ITM was 701st place. Not running well lately. Can't catch a break. Oh well. I told myself I would not gripe about beats on my thread, but it does piss me off. It just feels like these 50/50 coinflips are really 25/75 in my opponents favor.

Anyway, going to bed. End of day roll is $23.65. Hopefully tomorrow is better.

Quick question about optimum play of a hand. Didn't have a read on players as I was fairly new to the table (20 or so hands dealt). Oh yeah, I should have mentioned before that I always buy in for $1.50.

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

MP1 ($2.84)
MP2 ($3.64)
MP3 ($2)
CO ($2.41)
Button ($2.17)
Hero (SB) ($1.45)
BB ($3.03)
UTG ($2.06)
UTG+1 ($1.47)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, K
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.02, 1 fold, MP3 (poster) checks, CO calls $0.02, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.12, BB calls $0.10, 3 folds

Flop: ($0.30) 3, 9, 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.18, BB calls $0.18

Turn: ($0.66) A (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, 1 fold

Total pot: $0.66 | Rake: $0

After I won the pot, I immediately felt I should have checked the turn giving him a chance to bluff the A or catch his weaker flush draw. But with no read there is no assurance he would bluff. Was this a less than perfect play?

New day. Decided to do a quick ring session before I play the 4 p.m.(EST) $0.10 MTT on stars. Had a nice little run. :

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 38 hands and saw flop:
- 7 out of 8 times while in big blind (87%)
- 3 out of 7 times while in small blind (42%)
- 5 out of 23 times in other positions (21%)
- a total of 15 out of 38 (39%)
Pots won at showdown - 5 of 7 (71%)
Pots won without showdown - 1

I will post some of my hands from this session, one of which I am very ashamed of (gotta share the good and the bad). My passivity got the best of me and I folded a hand that even the newest of newbies wouldn't have folded. I did it for three reasons. I knew I didn't have the best hand, I could sense the table was about to break up (which it did), and b/c of what happened to me last night. Wrong is still wrong, but like I stated in 1st post, u can't lose what u don't put in the middle.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (7 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

UTG ($2.98)
MP1 ($1.33)
MP2 ($1.79)
CO ($1.97)
Button ($3.08)
SB ($0.54)
Hero (BB) ($1.50)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5, A
UTG calls $0.02, MP1 calls $0.02, 1 fold, CO calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, SB calls $0.01, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.12) 6, 2, A (6 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG bets $0.02, MP1 calls $0.02, CO calls $0.02, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.02

Turn: ($0.20) 10 (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP1 checks, CO checks

River: ($0.20) 4 (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP1 checks, CO checks

Total pot: $0.20 | Rake: $0
My ace was good.

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

SB ($2.88)
BB ($1.23)
UTG ($1.75)
MP ($2.12)
CO ($0.50)
Hero (Button) ($1.65)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q, A
UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, CO calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.04, 1 fold, BB calls $0.02, UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, CO calls $0.02

Flop: ($0.21) 10, K, 10 (5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, MP bets $0.04, CO calls $0.04, Hero calls $0.04, 2 folds

Turn: ($0.33) 5 (3 players)
MP bets $0.04, CO raises to $0.08, Hero calls $0.08, MP calls $0.04

River: ($0.57) J (3 players)
MP checks, CO bets $0.08, Hero raises to $0.16, MP calls $0.16, CO calls $0.08

Total pot: $1.05 | Rake: $0.05
My ace high flush was good.

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

BB ($2.87)
UTG ($1.21)
MP ($1.69)
CO ($1.90)
Button ($0.14)
Hero (SB) ($2.27)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q, Q
UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, CO calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.12, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.10, CO raises to $0.22, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.10, UTG calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.70) Q, 9, A (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, CO bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.40, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.60, Hero raises to $2.05 (All-In), CO calls $1.08 (All-In)

Turn: ($4.06) 6 (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($4.06) Q (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $4.06 | Rake: $0.20
My opponent had ace rag.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($2.67)
BB ($0.79)
UTG ($0.89)
MP ($0.67)
Hero (Button) ($4.19)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A, J
UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.04, 1 fold, BB calls $0.02, UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02

Flop: ($0.17) K, 9, Q (4 players)
BB bets $0.18, UTG raises to $0.50, 1 fold, Hero folds, BB raises to $0.75 (All-In), UTG calls $0.25

Turn: ($1.67) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($1.67) 6 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $1.67 | Rake: $0.05
The winner flopped a straight.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (3 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button ($1.72)
SB ($0.63)
Hero (BB) ($4.15)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 9, A
1 fold, SB calls $0.01, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.04) 9, 3, 10 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.02, SB calls $0.02

Turn: ($0.08) 6 (2 players)
SB bets $0.04, Hero calls $0.04

River: ($0.16) J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Total pot: $0.16 | Rake: $0
My nines were good.

I thought one of those two guys flopped a straight, but I had a draws to both nuts. That was the wrong move on my part, right?

I highly suggest you make your way to other forums rather than just post in this blog, as judging by those hands you have alot to learn still. You missed alot of value in some of those hands, and most were messed up preflop so it's hard to even give advice on later streets, as the situation you created is drastically different than what you want.

A few things that if you implement will help your game right away. Learn proper betsizing. Your standard right now should be 4xbb + 1bb per limper preflop, with EVERY hand you intend to raise. That is if there are 2 limpers and you decide to raise, raise to 6xbb ($0.12). This helps get value out of hands, as well as cut the field, and get better SPRs.

Postflop start thinking of your bets in terms of the size of the pot. Start betting somewhere between 1/2 - full pot for now. You need to get value (pretty much the opposite of what you did in the AQ hand).

As stated, go read in other forums as your game needs work. Head to the beginner's forum and read the Beginner's Digest.

I hear you Stacks, but I am intentionally playing a tight passive style of play. I am under rolled and cannot survive the normal swings of TAGG play with my current roll. As I stated earlier, for me at this point it is much more important to minimize my losses than it is to maximize my gains. Donks will felt themselves just for the heck of it and I try to be the one they felt it to as cheaply as possible.

There really isn't much difference between the play money tables and the $0.01/$0.02 tables. Pre-flop hand values go right out of the window down here. 3 betting and bet sizing don't mean that much down here. If these donks want to see a flop, they will see that flop regardless of your pfr.
I am well aware that my current style of ring game play wont be effective at higher stakes, but I plan on going to my TAGG style when my roll can support it. Remember, I'm playing off of a starting roll of 5 bucks. There is no other way to effectively play that other than tight-passive.

I do appreciate your input, and understand how you can't advise me on my current unique style of play. I also acknowledge that you guys have probably forgotten more about this game than I know. When (not if) I get my roll up I will seek the assistance of you experienced regulars on how to get maximum value out of my hands and maximize my gains. For now I will just post my progress and you guys will see. I'll be the guy bragging about how I turned 5 bucks into blah blah blah. At this level, passive plays.

Thanks

Just cashed in a $0.50 MTT. Finished 450 or so out of filed close to 3000. Was pretty much card dead the whole time. A few timely blinds steals to keep pace, but couldn't turn the corner. Oh well. Felt good to cash as it has been a while.

I don't feel like playing anymore so I will call it a night. I plan on adding single table SNGs to my routine on the weekends. For some reason I remember doing better in those things on weekends. Will play the $1 ones. I would like my roll to be at $30 by then.

Start of day bank roll was $23.65, end of day $27.06.

I agree with Stacks. Tight-passive is one thing, but folding double-nut draws and simply cold-calling when you have extremely powerful MADE hands makes no sense.

move up quickly, rake sucks.

Originally Posted by Illfavor

I agree with Stacks. Tight-passive is one thing, but folding double-nut draws and simply cold-calling when you have extremely powerful MADE hands makes no sense.

I acknowledged that the double-nut draw fold was weak, but I explained my reasoning. In my current style of play I never draw against a made hand regardless of odds. The betting that took place before the action got to me made me believe one of those two guys flopped the str8 with JT (one of the tens that I needed to complete MY str8 draw btw) and I was right. And keep in mind, I had only put two big blinds ($0.04) into the pot. Far from committed. It's been a while since I've seen the movie Rounders so I don't remember which poker great first said it, so I'll just quote Matt Damon, "You can't lose what you don't put in the middle". Not arguing here, just expaining my reason.

As for only calling the re-raise with QQ, that play is normal for me right now. I'm not looking to race for stacks with my current bank roll. My opponent's play felt like big slick (was actually ace-rag) so I wanted to see a flop. Ace or King hits and I get away from the hand relatively cheaply. Here I was fortunate to flop a set while opponent hit ace. And he put his stack in on top pr weak kicker, which is the norm for $0.01/$0.02 tables. So many hands beat him but things like that don't cross their minds. All they wanna do is push. To tell you the truth, even properly rolled I don't play for stacks pre-flop in a ring game with less than KK. MTT/SNG is a different story.

Long nothing session. Alot of pretty cards had me involved in more hands than usual. A whole bunch of win a little, lose a little. Played a little longer than I felt like and tried to force progress by making a bad bluff that didn't work. Oh well. Gonna take a break and wait for $0.50 MTT.
During current Hold'em session you were dealt 181 hands and saw flop:
- 21 out of 28 times while in big blind (75%)
- 14 out of 27 times while in small blind (51%)
- 27 out of 126 times in other positions (21%)
- a total of 62 out of 181 (34%)
Pots won at showdown - 7 of 16 (43%)
Pots won without showdown - 12

Session starting roll $27.06, ending $25.88.

Hey nibbles i'm enjoying your blog, just a couple of things I thought I'd mention.

You speak about being committed here:

keep in mind, I had only put two big blinds ($0.04) into the pot. Far from committed.

I think you're confusing mtts with cash games, you're never pot committed in a cash game because you can reload, so you either raise, fold or call depending on your outs odds reads etc. I see where you're coming from with your tight passive play, and I also hear you about being underolled, but it's a really bad mindset to be in, you should always be making the most +ev play at the table, your thoughts should be just on the hand you're playing not the effect it might have on your bankroll - that's called being results orientated, and it's bad for your poker. It's not just a mental trick to assist your play when people say you shouldn't care about the results of any one particular hand it's really fundamental to your growth.

The reason why so many people are advocating TAG - is because you are giving your villians too many chances to outdraw you by not betting your hands, and when you have the best hand you are not maximising your value from that hand, that's what winning poker is about, maximising your value. One of the reasons why 2nl is profitable for those trying to advance up the poker ladder like us that actually know about outs/odds etc... is because you can force mistakes from your opponents, you can bet and give them impropper odds to call and they will and in the long run you profit that way.

Forgive me if I'm teaching you how to suck eggs I know you've been playing for a while but they are just my thoughts for what they're worth - I look forward to catching up with your next updates nibble - it's taken me a long time to get the basics under my belt, I'm sure you'll get them alot quicker than me - but I can't stress how important it is to get the right long term mindset in place etc... You couldn't be in a better community to learn, don't take any comments personally - and really think on what people here are telling you and your game will rocket, most of the guys that comment on your hands / blogs (myself obviously excluded!) have been playing for years and they know what they're talking about. Good luck!

I hear you Slevin. You're right in that I am extremely results oriented. Totally focused on winning money and not on better poker play (which in the long run will win money). I guess it's just tough getting away from what works. I am a winning player. I've cashed out way more than I've put in (initial $50 deposit is only deposit). I've accumulated enough Pokerstars FPPs to order two poker books. But I will work on it. We all come to this site to learn and improve. No point in being hard headed. Like going to the doctor and not taking the medicine.

A bad limp caused my untimely exit from my 50 cent MTT tonight (failed to cash again). Not sure a raise would have gotten the BB to fold as he was chip leader and very loose, but I definitely didn't go out "the right way". That term still makes me chuckle. Anyway, tomorrow's a new day.

End of day roll is $24.54. Doesn't look like I'll make $30 by weekend. No SNGs for me.

Cool runnin's Slevin.

BC plz

Lawd have mercy! Geez us christ! Why you keep callin' me Jesus? I look Puerto Rican to you?

I'm going aggressive. Said it yesterday. Under rolled and all. If I go busto I'll head to Western Union and send some dough to Pedro or whomever is accepting deposits this week in San Wherever. Alright? I'm reviewing BC digest. I even watched Spenda's video.

Been playing for about 30 minutes today and just about recovered my losses from yesterday. So I left the table and came here. Will resume when done with my post. Short samples don't mean much, but here it is anyway. My buy-in is still $1.50. Input appreciated. TIA

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (7 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($5.77)
BB ($2.03)
UTG ($3.11)
MP1 ($2.58)
Hero (MP2) ($1.47)
CO ($2.68)
Button ($3.57)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with 10, 10
UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.08, CO raises to $0.40, 5 folds

Total pot: $0.21 | Rake: $0
Normally I would have limped there.

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

BB ($5.32)
UTG ($3.24)
MP ($2.97)
Hero (CO) ($1.35)
Button ($2.78)
SB ($3.49)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 10, K
UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, 1 fold, BB checks

Flop: ($0.09) 10, J, 10 (4 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $0.08, 2 folds, UTG raises to $0.20, Hero raises to $0.60, UTG raises to $3.22 (All-In), Hero calls $0.73 (All-In)

Turn: ($2.75) 3 (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($2.75) K (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $2.75 | Rake: $0.10
Opponent had 8 T.

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

SB ($5.30)
BB ($1.89)
UTG ($2.97)
Hero (MP) ($2.65)
CO ($2.76)
Button ($3.48)

Preflop: Hero is MP with K, A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.06, 3 folds, BB calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.13) J, 6, 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.13) 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($0.13) 6 (2 players)
BB bets $0.06, Hero calls $0.06

Total pot: $0.25 | Rake: $0
Opponent had Q high. Didn't c-bet b/c I had seen him c/r a few times.

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

MP1 ($1.18)
MP2 ($5.18)
MP3 ($5)
CO ($1.89)
Button ($3.63)
SB ($3.05)
Hero (BB) ($2.83)
UTG ($2.02)
UTG+1 ($2.64)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7, A
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.02, 1 fold, MP3 (poster) checks, CO calls $0.02, 2 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.09) 7, A, 6 (4 players)
Hero bets $0.08, MP1 raises to $0.16, 1 fold, CO calls $0.16, Hero raises to $0.40, MP1 calls $0.24, 1 fold

Turn: ($1.05) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.88, MP1 calls $0.76 (All-In)

River: ($2.57) 6 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $2.57 | Rake: $0.10
Following you guys' advice with the aggression won this pot for me as I suspect the player in CO had a flush draw. MP1 had big slick with Ks. Had he raised pre-flop I wouldn't have called.

Roll sits at $27.07. I know partial sessions don't mean anything and I might drop it back with some more when I go back to the table, but it still feels good to recover. This shit's supposed to be a little bit fun, right?

Actually, my re-raise was supposed to be bigger. If CO was on flush draw he still had 3-1 calling odds on his draw. My mistake.

Hey nibbles way to be grindin that $5 up to almost $30. I'm pretty much doin the exact same thing except I started at $10 two days ago. Right now I'm sitting on $20 even. Trust me, ur tight-passive play had the right intent, but TAGG works SOO much better. Just look at me, I've doubled my BR in TWO DAYS by playing that way. Wuts ur screenname on Pokerstars? Mine is dranger7070 hope to see u at the tables!!! Good luck to us both.

p.s. keep the posts coming theyre lot of fun to read.

Thanks Dranger! Your progress is impressive. I really hope we keep it up. Good luck to you too! We all need it.

Alright. Just finished today's ring game session. Taking a break before my nightly 50 cent MTT. Today was a good day. Starting bankroll was $24.54 and now it sits at $27.51 ($21.01 if I fail to cash again), so 2 buy-ins progress. Not bad at all. Here are my session stats and one additional significant hand.

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 121 hands and saw flop:
- 8 out of 18 times while in big blind (44%)
- 3 out of 17 times while in small blind (17%)
- 16 out of 86 times in other positions (18%)
- a total of 27 out of 121 (22%)
Pots won at showdown - 6 of 6 (100%)
Pots won without showdown - 4

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

UTG ($1.50)
UTG+1 ($2.52)
MP1 ($1.11)
MP2 ($0.59)
CO ($2.51)
Button ($3.52)
SB ($2.66)
Hero (BB) ($1.55)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, 7
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.02, 1 fold, CO calls $0.02, 1 fold, SB calls $0.01, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.08) A, 6, K (4 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, MP1 checks, CO checks

Turn: ($0.08) 7 (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.08, MP1 raises to $0.16, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.34, MP1 calls $0.18

River: ($0.76) 10 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.36, MP1 calls $0.36

Total pot: $1.48 | Rake: $0.05

I remember hoping this guy didn't limp big slick and thinking odds are he didn't. He had 67. Was my river bet bad? Should I have put him all in? Oh well. Time to shift mindset to MTT.

I am sooooo pissed. I cashed, finishing in 230 something place out of field of 3000, but what got me mad is some friggin' luckbox in a hot seat killed me. I swear I can never get as lucky as those luckboxes. They play that push and catch poker and it works for them. Can't miss a flop. That's why they do that crap. People do what works. This one really hurt my heart, with envy. Damned luckboxes of the world!!! It really is better to be lucky than good. It really is. I don't play tight because I like folding winners. I don't hit the boards like these hot seat turds. I'm gonna go hit a bar and have some refreshing beverages. Screw it.

Roll is now $28.32.

Hey don't get down on urself. Would you rather have not cashed at all? Put it in these terms: Did you get your money in good PF? If yes, then don't sweat it; those are the guys that give you ur money on a regular basis. Fish gotta get lucky too, thats what keeps them coming back for more. And also ur up another 1/2 buy in .

In reality, I'm more upset with myself than anything else. I didn't get my money in good. It was more of a "What that hell are you doing here with THAT hand" type thing. He had one of those hands that shouldn't be played from UTG at that stage of the tourney. But, he probably recognized he was in a hot seat hitting flops and played accordingly. I'm just jealous my timing is never that good.

But you are right Dranger in that I should focus on the positive. I cashed and I am getting deeper in these tourneys. Now I just need the luck, b/c even the pros admit that you have to get lucky to WIN a MTT. Do you play any MTTs Dranger?

Just pissed away 1 and 1/3 buy-ins. I guess I'm still upset from yesterday. Only got 36 hands but I am not in the right mindset. The only times I'm hitting flops now is when I'm beat. The second to last hand I called pre-flop raise by accident b/c the cursor was over the call button. Then I hit top pair weak kicker and talked myself into believing pf raiser had AK instead of the AJ he actually had. So my roll is back down to $26.34.

I'm gonna go read one of the books I got from pokerstars. I have "The Book of Bluffs" by Matt Lessinger, and "The Complete Book of Hold 'Em Poker" by Gary Carson. I was a little dissappointed in Carson's book as it's all about limit hold em, so the "Complete" part is a little misleading. Those books cost me 2000 FPPs to order. Pretty impressive considering the highest stakes I play online are $0.05 BB and only had a $50 bankroll.

Yea ill occasionally poker my head into a .10 (50 added) tourney or one of the .25 centers nothing bigger tho (roll cant support it lol. I usually cash but never any big scores . O well yea if u keep playing those ull definitely start to see better results hopefully u can FT soon!!! Thatd be a real boost to the BR. But for an update on my BR status im at 26.50. Went on a MAJOR heater last night had QQ and KK back to back and hit a set BOTH TIMES!!! How sick is that? Plus got AA twice and a bunch of other PP that paid off, but im gonna try not to get too far ahead of myself. Thatll cause an even fast DROP in my BR.

Keep grindin' away,

Dustin

Another up and down day. I decided to play a SNG $1, came in 4th (top 3 cash). As usual I can't win races. That's why I usually stick to ring games and nut camp. Roll is back down to $25.62. I could have played the SNG tighter, but damnit you can't allow yourself to be pushed around all day. Eventually you'll have to race with some luckbox. If I have two overs to vllians pair, they hold up. If I have the pair against 2 overs (hell one over sometimes) I go down. Anyway, I'll do another ring session later. Not leaving the house tonight. I think I got the whiskey - beer order backwards last night.

Stop complaining about bad beats/coolers. You lose just as often as you are supposed to. There isn't a lucky seat, and those "luckboxes" (if that's even the case), aren't going to be winning players. If you continue to attribute all your losing sessions to bad luck, and all your winning sessions to playing well you have a rough future ahead of you.

Can't drink and drive, can't beat your kids, can't complain about losing money. What's the world coming to?

Didn't play anymore texas hold 'em last night. Decided to mess around on the fixed limit omaha $0.02/$0.04 game. Ended with a doulble up then watched SNL on tv. Bankroll is at $26.40.

Gotta work on staying focused and remember that losing is part of the game (ur right Stacks). I've got to learn to appreciate the luckbox. If it weren't for them, the game wouldn't be profitable. I read somewhere on the site a comparison between chess and poker. In chess when player A is better than player B, player B eventually gets tired of always losing and stops playing. Beauty of poker is the luck factor is so large. It allows player B to maintain interest in playing in spite of the fact he is a long term loser. Whoevere wrote that, it was a good analogy. It is written. Love thy table's luckbox.

Back to the tables. Hopefully today is a good day.

Quick question on best play for this situation. Hand from today's session. Only 15 hands in at this table.

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

MP1 ($3.30)
MP2 ($2.43)
MP3 ($4.16)
Hero (CO) ($1.44)
Button ($2.83)
SB ($5.24)
BB ($1.43)
UTG ($0.98)
UTG+1 ($5.79)

Preflop: Hero is CO with K, K
UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.02, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, 2 folds, BB calls $0.08, UTG calls $0.08, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.33) 5, J, 5 (3 players)
BB bets $0.06, UTG calls $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, BB raises to $0.62, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.34 (All-In), BB calls $0.71 (All-In)

Turn: ($3.05) 9 (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($3.05) 6 (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $3.05 | Rake: $0.15


As there was no real draw (runner runner is always possible) should I have called BB down to the river? I might not have had to put my whole stack in. If my flop raise was correct, could I KNOW that BB's re-raise meant trips and not tptk (happens alot at $2nl), and fold? What's the best long term play for this situation?

The big pocket pairs are a big problem for me. I get away from them easily when overcards hits, or even if the board had 2 jacks or queens I could get away. But when its those unlikely played cards, I have trouble. That's the frustrating thing about $2nl. Could I have gotten away from it?

sexy from start to finish.

honestly if he calls ur PF raise with a 5x hand then e deserves to be at 2nl lol. but no i think you played the hand fine. if he has the 5 he has the 5, nothing you can do about it. the majority of the time hes gonna have Jx and think hes golden lol.

he could have JJ!

Cool Dranger. That's what I thought. These are the types of plays that I lose money on. I call these types luckboxes. I don't chase my chips away, or bluff them away. So many of my opponents luckbox a big pot off me and then donk them away to other players. But anyway...

Big Ape, You said "sexy from start to finish" which I assumed meant I played it properly. Good to know. Thanks.

Hopefully my luck will change for the better today. Roll is sitting at $24.27. Damn Dranger, you passed me in roll. I'm jealous. I saw u play those 6 max tables. I perform terribly there. Not aggressive enough I guess.

Umph!!! Helluva day today. I've been beaten down. Roll is at $21.02. Absolutely nothing has gone right. I'm just gonna play the $0.25 MTT and call it a night. Hoping for a better tomorrow.

I swear pokerstars is luckbox friendly. I cashed in 300+ place outta 3000 pkayers. Playing my standard TAGG style for MTTs and this is how I go out. Gotta luv the luckbox.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25+$0.00 Tournament, 400/800 Blinds 75 Ante (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

MP2 (t6240)
MP3 (t9982)
CO (t33803)
Button (t5564)
SB (t17011)
BB (t6305)
UTG (t12287)
UTG+1 (t4140)
Hero (MP1) (t14745)

Hero's M: 7.86

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with Q, Q
UTG calls t800, 1 fold, Hero raises to t3200, 4 folds, SB calls t2800, 2 folds

Flop: (t8675) 3, 5, 5 (2 players)
SB bets t3200, Hero raises to t6400, SB calls t3200

Turn: (t21475) 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets t5070 (All-In), SB calls t5070

River: (t31615) 10 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: t31615


What did this luckbox have? A2 of hearts. What a great pre-flop call. What a way to chase the gutshot and runner runner flush draw. But these are the types of things that happen when the stakes are low. I will just keep grinding, keep pressing on. Keep turning my lowly 5 bucks into something nice. Sticking to my op. Till tomorrow. Roll at $21.44. It really is better to be lucky. No stress.

Yea i had passed u BR but i hit a BIG downswing the other night. I lost with AA to K10, KK to AA, QQ to KK and JJ to QQ lol all in ONE NIGHT at ONE TABLE in 2 hours. What a day lol. My roll dipped down to $14!!!! Talk about a downer lol. But its ok now i brought it back last night. Im sitting on $21.84 again. So i ALMOST made up for my misfortune. Sometimes runs like that happen tho. I was obviously pretty pissed about it, but now its in the past. Just gotta learn to let those bad beats go you know? You know ur playing solid poker, thats all that matters. Just keep fighting the good fight and ull be moving up the pay ladder soon enough =)

BTW im starting my own blog come read it if you wanna know how its going for me and ill still be checking in to see how ur doing of course.

Good luck out there on the tables!

It's good you're starting your own blog Dranger. Nobody in your real life gives a rat's nostril about your penny poker woes (at least not in mine). It is good to express yourself with feedback. Getting cheered or jeered. It helps. I'll definitely check it out.

Luck, the good kind.

$2nl was driving me crazy. I had to make the step up to $5nl. The gameplay is sooooo much better. Fewer multiway pots, and players respect bets. Of course I had to increase my buy-in, it is now $3.50. Has a decent session. Played alot of small pot poker and made a little over 2 bucks. Gonna take a break and do another session later tonight. Here are my stats and key hands.

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 174 hands and saw flop:
- 11 out of 21 times while in big blind (52%)
- 2 out of 21 times while in small blind (9%)
- 14 out of 132 times in other positions (10%)
- a total of 27 out of 174 (15%)
Pots won at showdown - 3 of 6 (50%)
Pots won without showdown - 16

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

MP2 ($2.84)
CO ($3.46)
Button ($4.60)
SB ($5.81)
Hero (BB) ($2.11)
UTG ($4.04)
MP1 ($6.48)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7, 7
2 folds, MP2 calls $0.05, CO (poster) raises to $0.15, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.37) 3, 4, 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.20, CO calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.77) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.40, 1 fold

Total pot: $0.77 | Rake: $0


This next hand I limped b/c either the cutoff or button always raised. It appears they didn't have anything this time.

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

CO ($2.26)
Button ($4.85)
SB ($2.90)
BB ($4.81)
Hero (UTG) ($2.66)
MP1 ($9.83)
MP2 ($6.43)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q, Q
Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.05, 2 folds, SB calls $0.03, BB checks

Flop: ($0.20) 3, 6, 2 (4 players)
SB bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20, Hero raises to $0.50, 3 folds

Total pot: $0.80 | Rake: $0


I am actually enjoying the play here more, and not just b/c I turned a small profit. I turned a huge profit percentage-wise at $2nl, but it just didn't feel like poker. Even thoug I'm grinding, I should enjoy the game as well.

I also do alot of table hoping. It's not like I hit and run, where one wins a pot and takes off. If the table dynamic changes, I take off, like too many LAGGs take seats. Of course if I'm doing well I don't go anywhere. I changed tables 4 or 5 times this session. Does anyone else do that? Or do you just fight thru? I guess dealing with different playing styles is part of poker growth. I'll work on that when my bankroll gets bigger.

Pleased to see your bankroll is still on the up nibbles

77 you're turning your hand into a bluff on the flop. Turn is a good card to double barrel on at micro stakes, but just shut down if he calls you twice. Your bet sizing is too small.

QQ just raise pre. Your flop raise is too small. You would have gotten more value if you raised to 0.4, they both called and then c/f the flop. Plus the flop would be bigger so it's easier to play for stacks and you don't have to worry about 23/36/62/45 or set BB specials.

You sound the same as Slevin's problem (from skimming). You're not learning how to "play" poker right now, and at micro stakes. You should be worried about developing solid fundamentals.

Originally Posted by nibbles

I also do alot of table hoping. It's not like I hit and run, where one wins a pot and takes off. If the table dynamic changes, I take off, like too many LAGGs take seats. Of course if I'm doing well I don't go anywhere. I changed tables 4 or 5 times this session. Does anyone else do that? Or do you just fight thru? I guess dealing with different playing styles is part of poker growth. I'll work on that when my bankroll gets bigger.

This is 100% correct. It's good you notice the dynamic change and identify what's good and bad for you.

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. 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 :P. 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.

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 (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.

Originally Posted by nibbles

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.

While venting doesn't help you grow as a player, I'm not gonna say not to do it because I understand a good majority of players will never be able to take a huge beat and just say no worries. I vent at times to, but it's generally over how I'm playing poorly and I can't accept that.

However, coming in here saying that you don't hit the flop the right number of times, that you rarely catch your flush, while others are "luckier" than you and they are hitting and all that jazz, that is definately detrimental not only to your game, but to any complete beginner that reads this and thinks that your correct. You hit the flop the exact percentage you are supposed to. Your hand holds up the exact percentage that is it supposed to, and it's the same for everyone. It just so happens this occurs over the long run, and things can seriously fluctuate in the short run.

Saying retarded jazz like this:

"But that's why they call it gambling, because it doesn't even out. Some people are lucky and some ain't."

isn't good for you or others. If you want to gamble go player the slots. It does even out, an it's a game based upon odds, skill, math, etc. Yes luck is a factor, but it pales in comparison to skill. If you believe otherwise, you will be nothing but another donator.

Btw, how much studying are you doing by any chance? Books you are reading, etc? By your "vent" it seems you don't understand how poker really works (ie. ev, variance, etc.) and that could be a problem.

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 :P 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!

Originally Posted by XxStacksxX

Btw, how much studying are you doing by any chance? Books you are reading, etc? By your "vent" it seems you don't understand how poker really works (ie. ev, variance, etc.) and that could be a problem.

I have "The Book of Bluffs" by Matt Lessinger, and "The Complete Book of Hold 'Em Poker" by Gary Carson. I was a little dissappointed in Carson's book as it's all about limit hold em, so the "Complete" part is a little misleading. I got them from Pokerstars. Those books cost me 2000 FPPs (and a whole bunch of microstakes time) to order. The rest of my reading is on the internet. Various poker sites. All of my poker purchases stem from poker earnings.

I'm the 1st to admit I have alot to learn. I'm one of those guys whose inspiration is Chris Moneymaker and Matt Damon. I admitted that in my very 1st post. I may not be a "good" poker player, but I am a winning poker player, which in my eyes makes me "good". At least good enough. Essentially I've made 1 $50 deposit in online poker, have cashed out hundreds, and never re-deposited (cashed out of Paradise and deposited in Pokerstars doesn't count). In my readings I've learned about players who have all the skill in the world and are long term losers. Don't want to be that guy. I want to turn a little money into alot. I'm taking baby steps here, and few people see it. I couldn't play the way you guys recommended because I was / still am underrolled. Silly to buy in for $5 when that's your entire roll. I grinded up bit by bit, using little nuggets gathered here and there (this site) and I'm proud to say I'm making headway. Now that I have enough to buyin for max at 2nl (pretending I had $50 initial bank roll and lost 3 buy ins) I can actually use alot of the info and recommendations on this site.

It may not seem like it from my posts, but my poker IQ has gone up alot since finding this site. Sure, I could regurgitate accepted info and theories that make me seem poker smart, but what would be the point of that? How would I benefit? So, I may not absord info as fast as others. I'm a little hesitant to put new things into practice. Hey, that's me. I may be a donk, but I'm a donk who hasn't donked off his money. Like countless others.

Just wait and see. I'll get better. I will be the guy that turned 5 bucks into thousands. I'm in no rush.

Originally Posted by dranger7070

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 :P 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!

No stress Dranger. I ponder the positive / constructive and ignore the negative. I don't take offense. Way I see it, we are all here to learn. It's not as if poker is a subject taught in school that I failed to learn. I'm sure 98% of the posters on this site have played way more poker than I have. Still not a problem. I have the patience problem handled, and that's more than most can say.