Your hand histories and thoughts are very impressive

In hand 20 I think a flop raise is very strong and I'd just flat. Hes going to commit on all turns besides diamonds. Don't need to worry about charging sets. I guess at the low stakes you can just auto get the money in otf before any action killing turns come in but yea those are my thoughts.

Carl I enjoyed reading over your thread. You have been in Vegas for awhile now. What's your take on how you feel about Vegas after having been there awhile? How have the games/ player pool changed over the time you have been there? Also curious as to what your bankroll is at and if you are playing primarily 1/2nl nowadays?

I have a vision of moving to Vegas and playing poker and so forth but in the meantime I have to live vicariously through others.

Keep up the vlogs good you are making good improvement on them!

2017 WSOP Day 24



2017 Hand 20 Results:



2017 Hand 21:

1/3 NL (6 BTN Straddle)
V1 (400)- nit
Hero's Image (300)- tag

Preflop (10):
Hero is BB dealt QQ
V1 limps UTG, Hero raises to 30, only V1 calls.

Flop (62):
994
V1 checks out of turn, Hero bets 30, V1 raises to 100, Hero folds.

We pick up queens in the BB and iso an UTG limper. Flop is paired and 2 toned. V1 checks out of turn, we cbet and now we get raised. Not very often we get checkraised by a villain IP, but I think usually this is pretty strong. I don't really want to commit 240 more vs a nit. His raising range is something like 9x, 44, strong FDs. Tricky spot, calling the raise might be better.

I groaned as soon as I read this... Because I despise angle shooters. I don't know if this happens much on the West Coast, but I see this angle maybe once every 300 hours or so on the East Coast. The out of turn check, especially in a heads up pot, is always an angle if they aren't drunk/total newcomers to poker. They are trying to trick the opponent into betting when they have a monster. When they raise afterward, it becomes even more obvious, so good fold... But next time, unless it's a totally fishy rec player who seems confused about other basics, just point out that they checked out of turn, check, and get the free card. If the Q rolls off, you get to stack an angle shooter .

I was "fooled," by this move once, about a year and a half ago... Although, like you, I had a hand I was always value betting anyway, so their action just saved me from stacking off to the raise.

I actually think there should be a rule that if you take passive action out of turn, you are not allowed to take aggressive action even if the action to you changes.

Interview with Bikeking19



Bikeking19's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHS...Dc__nBAU8Y9MkA

Bikeking19's 2+2 thread: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/10...vegas-1644008/

2017 WSOP Day 25



2017 Hand 21 Results:



2017 Hand 22:

1/3 NL
V1 (250)- tag
Hero's Image (300)- tag

Preflop (4):
Hero is SB dealt 99
V1 raises to 10 in LP, Hero calls, BB calls.

Flop (27):
KJ9
Checks to V1 who bets 20, Hero c/r to 60, BB folds, V1 folds.

99 can be a 3b or flat, we opt to flat. Checks to PFR who cbets, we put in the c/r, don't really wanna waste any time messing around on this draw heavy board.

2017 WSOP Day 26



2017 Hand 23:

1/3 NL
V1 (400)- loose
V2 (300)- loose
Hero's Image (230)- nit

Preflop (4):
Hero is UTG dealt QQ
Hero raises to 15, V1 calls in MP, V2 calls in LP.

Flop (45):
K92
Hero bets 30, V1 calls, V2 folds.

Turn (104):
T
Hero bets 60, V1 calls.

River (224):
J
Hero bets 125 AI, V1 folds.

We raise PF for value. Flop is 2 toned with 1 over card, I think our hand is still best a lot of the time and we can get value from FD. Turn brings BDFD and we pick up a gutter so we decide to continue betting. River we make a str8, kind of an interesting spot, a check to induce missed draws to ship could be good. But I figure if he does have a real hand like 2p+ we should just bet because he might check behind and showdown.

Thanks, trying to express my thought process the best I can so people can spot some leaks and incorrect reasoning.

You are right, the flop raise probably looks nutted and if I flat he could put be on FD.

Thanks for following along!

I like living in LV but the games are pretty saturated with a lot of serious players so I would bet the avg game quality is better in LA or FL.

I answered the bankroll/ stakes question in my last vid.

Yeah, I can't be sure if it was an intentional angle or not, I was seat 9, v was seat 1 and dealer prompted him first on the flop. I've logged enough hrs to have an ok idea of when people are getting tricky and how to interpret their intentions.

After watching your newest vlog I have a follow up question or two for you.

With your time being in Vegas and playing poker. What do you feel like is the minimum you would like to have in terms of bankroll to grind 1/2 & 1/3 and starting life roll? I understand this number can vary drastically from one person to another based on their living circumstances/preferences. I have been entertaining the idea for many years and might be in a position to take a chance next fall. Just interested in hearing someone's thoughts on numbers who has had their feet on the ground for a stretch of time in Vegas.

I will be out there for a quick trip in the middle of July for 1 or 2 days and would buy you lunch if you're interested.

Thanks

6 months living expenses and 4000 big blinds at NL is a good benchmark. So assuming 2k/mo living expenses 12k+4k=16k for 1/2 12k+6k=18k for 1/3 12k+10k=22k for 2/5. Adjust up and down based on your desired standard of living, how many hours you plan on playing and winrate.

That being said I've had to grind up from zero multiple times and I'm currently grinding up from less than zero.

The paradox is that if you already have 20k saved up from working you are probably earning more than you would grinding 1/2 or 1/3 and might be better off keeping that gig.

The more financial cushion you have the less the swings will stress you out.

Sure feel free to hmu when your out here, always down to meet 2+2ers.

Your numbers here are actually 2,000 BB. Not sure if you meant 2K BB and made a mistake there, or meant 4K BB and made a mistake on the numbers.

I think 2K BB is a little light for most stakes, although I would bet on myself to never bust $4,000 at 1/2 if no expenses were coming out of it. I think 10K downswings are very possible at 2/5. Also the buyin, stack depth, and frequency of straddles are very important. A 2/5 $500 max game plays very different from a 2/5 $1K max plays very different from a 2/5/T $1K max with average stacks of $800 plays very different from a 2/5/T $1K max with average stacks of $2K.

Also, and I think you may have addressed this in a video, but it could have been another poker player on YouTube... But especially at the smaller stakes your expenses relative to your roll present a huge challenge. So, for example, let's say you used the 2K BB numbers above and had a one month break-even at each stake... You'd have:

12K + 2K (1,000 BB) for 1/2
12K + 4K (1,333 BB) for 1/3
12K + 8K (1,600 BB) for 2/5

Considering the distinct possibility of a few months in a row breakeven, or a couple losing months in a row, I strongly advocate for a bigger roll for a full-time pro.

Last but not least, I think I'd add one factor to the adjust up and down list: willingness to go broke. If you're 22, playing for a living for a few years cause it's cool, and going broke and moving back in with Mom and Dad for a few months til you get a job is not the end of the world, then you don't need as much as you do if you're 40 with a family and no other source of income.

"How much do you need to play X for a living?" is one of the most common questions pros get, and a lot of times people think "It depends," is a dodge. But it's the biggest "it depends," question in a game full of those sorts of questions.

Yeah thanks for the correction Ryan, I meant 2000 bb. Good additional points. Bottom line: more is better.

Good luck! I haven't read the entire thread yet, but definitely interested. I have a desire to do a similar thing. I stopped playing poker for quite a few years, but started playing about a year ago again, and more seriously over the past couple of months. I have grown my original $25 deposit into an $1150 bankroll so far, and am slowly but steadily trying to move up in stakes. It hasn't been the easiest, mainly just because I don't have as much time to play as I'd like. I feel I definitely have an edge and am "Good" enough to play for a living eventually. I may consider it if I can get to the 5k mark.

I own a couple businesses as well, that could potentially operate without me, or at least without me being present, and I could just do all my work in Vegas on the computer. That would allow me to have my living expenses pretty much covered, so I could really just focus on playing. Even if I got to that point, and failed in Vegas, I think it would be a great experience that I would enjoy very much. Even if I could just go for a few months would be awesome! Every time I go to Vegas for a little mini vacation, I don't want to leave. I would just love to have the opportunity to go and experience the change in lifestyle and think I would have a good shot at succeeding.

Anyways, best of luck in achieving your goal! Who knows, maybe I'll see you at the tables in Vegas. I still have quite a bit of learning/improving to do, but I'm definitely going to be following your progress!

This is what happens when you give 5k stake to Starbucks drinking degens who can't beat the game. it's hard to feel bad for you because you make really bad decisions. Stop being such a nice person. Be selfish.

2017 WSOP Day 27



2017 Hand 24:

1/2 NL
V1 (82)- loose
V2 (300)- loose
V3 (255)- local nit
Hero's Image (850)- tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is BTN dealt 22
V1 limps in MP, V2 limps in MP, V3 limps in LP, Hero limps.

Flop (10):
A42
V1 bets 5, V2 calls, MP calls, V3 calls, Hero raises to 40, V1 goes AI for 80, V2 tank folds, MP folds, V3 reships for 253, Hero folds.

We setmine PF. We flop bottom set on a wheel, 2 toned board, we raise it up when it gets around to us, then we get reraised and reraised again. The nit is never putting his whole stack in without a nutted hand, I'm confident he has 44 or 53s atleast 80% of the time here, small chance he has AA or A4s.

PA, Thanks for your opinion. It's always interesting to see what other peoples view points are on the whole bankroll, etc.. question.

I will PM you once I know the dates I will be out in Vegas and if it works out to meet up for a bite to eat cool.

Good luck with the continued WSOP uptick.

2017 WSOP Day 28



PPVO: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...8&postcount=81

2017 Hand 24 Results:



2017 Hand 25:

1/2 NL
V1 (200)- nit
V2 (220)- loose
Hero's Image (550)- tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is BB dealt 66
V1 raises to 12 UTG, 2 MP callers, V2 calls in LP, Hero calls.

Flop (54):
T64
Hero checks, V1 bets 75, MP callers fold, V2 ships for 208, Hero calls, V1 tank folds.

Great multiway spot to setmine PF. We flop a set on a draw heavy board, fairly sure V1 has AK or overpair so I think we can count on a cbet and we can go for c/r, V2 ships and we have an easy call.

Damn. Good read on the 22 fold.

2017 WSOP Day 29



2017 Hand 25 Results:



2017 Hand 26:

1/3 NL
V1 (900)- tag
Hero's Image (300)- tag

Preflop (4):
Hero is BTN dealt AQ
V1 raises to 15 in MP, 1 LP caller, Hero calls, blinds call.

Flop (70):
T83
Checks to Hero who bets 50, folds around.

Here is spot where we can 3b squeeze or flat and play post flop IP, we opt to flat here. We flop a premium draw with NFD, BDSD and overs so we take a stab. We are fine taking it down uncontested but have a plenty outs if called.

2017 WSOP Day 30



2017 Hand 27:

1/2 NL
V1 (500)- tag
V2 (70)- loose
Hero's Image (600)- tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is MP dealt 99
EP raises to 8, MP calls, Hero calls, V1 calls in LP, V2 ships for 70, pfr and MP fold, Hero calls, V1 calls.

Flop (196):
862
Hero bets 50, V1 calls.

Turn (196) sidepot (100):
7
Hero checks, V1 bets 75, Hero calls.

River (196) sidepot (250):
8
Checks through.

Table has been extremely loose so 99 has a lot more value than at a tight table. We flat the first raise and then when a loose guy ships it we could reraise and try to isolate but I think that might be an overplay so we just flat again. We flop the lowest overpair go for a little value, might be able to bet a little bigger like 60 or 70. Turn brings a 3 straight we check for pot control, he bets and we have an easy call with enough equity given our OESD alone. We could bet turn but that would give him the option to ship over the top which we don't really want to get AI. River pairs top card which isn't great, we check to evaluate and V checks behind.

damn looks like photobucket is no longer free to post images in here... lame

2017 WSOP Day 31



2017 Hand 27 Results:



2017 Hand 28:

1/2 NL
V1 (400)- loose
V2 (70)- loose
Hero's Image (500)- tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is MP dealt A4
Hero raises to 8, 2 LP calls, V1 3b to 17 from BB, Hero calls, LP callers call again.

Flop (63):
A76
V1 bets 50, Hero folds.

We open Axs get min3b and are getting a very good price to draw with a good multiway hand. We flop TP no kicker, V1 may cbet KK-TT here but also a lot of better Ax, with other players left to act I think the conservative play is to fold.

I'm noticing opening sizing tells that are very predictable/common at the lower stakes. Be mindful of this and either open in a more uniform manner or use deception to your advantage if ppl are aware. Nice to see you getting back in a groove though. Keep it up!

Hope you guys enjoyed the vids in June. I've decided I'll have to sacrifice the 2-3 hrs of editing and uploading to be able to reach my 300 hr volume goal. I will still try to film a few intersting interviews this month!

17 days averaging 9.5 hrs to hit 300 by July 20.

I think I will take 2/5 shot tomorrow night to celebrate 4th of July