Hi, I'm one of those grinders who is moving up and down through stakes and never played higher than N50.
So I've decided to write a blog to give myself extra motivation and most importantly prove myself that I can become a better player and person.

I'm starting at NL16z.

The challenge:

• Play 40k hands
• Have 5evbb/100 winrate
• Complete challenge until November
• Playing mostly 3 tables, sometimes 2.

Other goals for the week:

• Gym 3 time
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts
• Watch 2 poker videos
• Review every session
• Attend seminars at my university

I will be updating after every week, will post weakly graph some hands and my thoughts about the week.

I have question for zoom and regular tables grinders, what win rate are you achieving in Nl16 or NL25? Do reg table and zoom winrates have a huge difference?

Have a great week and GL with your goals

P.S. Sorry if a made grammar mistakes, English is not my native language.

I think I recognize your sn, did you play 25z or 50z before?
Anyway best of luck on all the goals, will be following.

Yes, I have played NL25 and NL50z and how are you doing?

Week 1 update

Hi, it's been very productive week and I will start with the weekly graph and quick recap of my weekly goals.



Winnings: $260,75
Rakeback: $20,78
Earnings from Card Match promotion: $21
Total: $302,53


The challenge:

• Play 40k hands 10018/40000
• Have 5 ev bb/100 winrate 11.1 EV bb/100
• Complete challenge until November 25% completed
• Playing mostly 3 tables, sometimes 2. Half of volume was played on 3 tables and another half on 2

Other goals for the week:

• Gym 3 time 3/3
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day I was pretty happy with nutrition, but there some things to improve, I still eat to much food that I shouldn't.
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min So this was around 3,5h in total and I have read around 2,5h in total
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply its concepts This one I've completed 100%
• Watch 2 poker videos I've watched 2,5 videos
• Review every session Reviewed every session
• Attend seminars at my university I had 4 seminars and I attendant only 2, so failed at this one

Green = God mode
Yellow = Showing some skills
Red = ****ty performance ( It's weird that 2+2 doesn't allow to show such word as sh**ty)



I'm happy with my performance, one thing that I realize more and more is that everything matters in poker (in other jobs or areas in your life as well, but this is poker forum, so...), all the things your physical state, your nutrition, sleeping, your schedule making, that will you do first, what will you do second on particular day an so on, working on your game, studying new concepts, improving your mentality and etc., when you perform at highest level on all these areas you will be able to perform at the same level in poker. Short version of this: high performance in one area leads to better performance in another and IMO all areas in life are related.



Now some hands:

1) BB is big fish and UTG is suspected to be a fish. BU reg.

Vs BB and UTG ranges we have a +EV call, but given that BU is left to act behind and he has all KK,QQ and some AJo it's become very tough spot and now I think that folding is better. Of course If I call I'm hitting quads


Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968136
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.32
SB: $19.29
BB: $10.02
UTG: $34.82
MP: $16.38
Hero (CO): $16.32

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with T T
UTG raises to $0.48, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.48, BTN raises to $2.08, 1 fold, BB calls $1.92, UTG calls $1.60, Hero calls $1.60

Flop: ($8.40) K T Q (4 players)
BB bets $7.94 all in, UTG raises to $32.74 all in, Hero calls $14.24 all in, BTN calls $14.24 all in

Turn: ($59.06) J (4 players - 4 are all in)

River: ($59.06) T (4 players - 4 are all in)




2) As popular one hand to show that poker is not dead and yeah quads again.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968137
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $20.76
SB: $10.69
BB: $23.28
UTG: $21.65
Hero (MP): $39.67
CO: $18.70

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with 7 7
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, 3 folds, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.04) 2 8 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.69, BB calls $0.69

Turn: ($2.42) 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.85, BB raises to $1.70, Hero calls $0.85

River: ($5.82) K (2 players)
BB bets $5.44, Hero raises to $13.44, BB raises to $20.41 all in, Hero calls $6.97

Final Pot: $46.64
BB shows 6 J (a pair of Sevens)
Hero shows 7 7 (four of a kind, Sevens)
Hero wins $45.14
(Rake: $1.50)




3) BU is reg 21/12 35h.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968138
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $77.64
SB: $26.40
BB: $19.56
UTG: $16.57
MP: $41.48
Hero (CO): $22.76

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with K K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BTN raises to $1.44, 2 folds, Hero raises to $3.60, BTN calls $2.16

Flop: ($7.44) 8 5 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.84, BTN calls $3.84

Turn: ($15.12) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $15.32 all in, BTN calls $15.32

River: ($45.76) 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)




4)
BU is bad reg 27/20
fold to cb:20
agg freq:29
WTSD:37
W$SD:38
cc BUvsUTG: 36(14)
308h.

I block almost all possible flushes w Ac, don't really see him having a set OTR, but he can have it rarely. There are few value hands in his range and he is definitely has 98s in his range besides that he can have some pairs turned into a bluff.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968140
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $17.05
SB: $19.85
BB: $16.00
Hero (UTG): $31.48
MP: $22.90
CO: $8.53

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is UTG with K A
Hero raises to $0.48, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.48, 2 folds

Flop: ($1.20) 4 T 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.75, Hero raises to $2.24, BTN calls $1.49

Turn: ($5.68) K (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $3.20, Hero calls $3.20

River: ($12.08) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $11.13 all in, Hero calls $11.13




5) UTG is bad reg, but very tight so far 13/4 after 53h.

I think calling flop is best option, his pre calling range crushes this board.
OTT I believe that he would bet bigger with 2 pairs and better, so I shoving seems reasonably.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968141
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.16
SB: $15.26
BB: $15.36
UTG: $25.36
MP: $18.14
Hero (CO): $16.40

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with K K
UTG calls $0.16, MP raises to $0.32, Hero raises to $1.28, 4 folds, MP calls $0.96

Flop: ($2.96) J 9 T (2 players)
MP bets $1.41, Hero calls $1.41

Turn: ($5.78) 5 (2 players)
MP bets $2.76, Hero ???



6)
CO is 18/13
fold to 3b:40
Agg freq:30
fold to cb:40
WTSD:27
W$SD:33
419h.

I posted this hand, because I wanted you to show that you need to play very exploitable vs some players and lines.
CO never raised vs cb before. He is tight and this is a 3b pot on pretty dry board ( regarding 3b and calling vs 3b ranges). Pool tendencies are that you almost never see a bluff raise in this spot and vs this particular opponent is even more rare for him to be bluffing. He has AA,JJ,77 at least 95% of the time and I honestly believe this.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968142
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $16.00
SB: $20.45
BB: $16.38
UTG: $68.81
MP: $36.66
CO: $16.48

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BTN with K K
2 folds, CO raises to $0.48, Hero raises to $1.44, 2 folds, CO calls $0.96

Flop: ($3.12) J 7 5 (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $1.51, CO raises to $3.84, Hero ???



7) Tough spot pre

SB is unknown fish
MP is pretty good reg.

Regarding MP range IMO he never has KK or AA in this spot, it's super bad spot to slowplay AA, because he is even deep with UTG.. His range is AK and QQ 99% of the time. Fish can can be doing this with not nutted hands only.


[FONT=courier new][SIZE=12]
*******Equity*****Win*****Tie
MP2****26.64%**20.23%***6.41%*{ QQ, AKs, AKo }
BU*****42.65%**40.08%***2.56%*{ QQ }
SB*****30.72%**25.25%***5.47%*{ TT+, AKs, AKo }
[/SIZE][/FONT]


I have around 42.5% here and I need 41%, but given the high rake given we are deep with MP it's fold IMO.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968144
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $39.75
SB: $16.56
BB: $74.26
UTG: $25.40
MP: $41.24
CO: $16.00

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BTN with Q Q
UTG raises to $0.48, MP calls $0.48, CO calls $0.48, Hero raises to $2.40, SB raises to $10.40, 2 folds, MP raises to $41.24 all in, Hero ???

I have to say that I'm not really a guy who likes to post hands.




Poker goals for the next week:

• Play 10k hands
• Will be playing 2 or 3 tables
• Review every session
• +5 evbb/100 win rate
• Watch 2 poker videos and apply its concepts to my game
• Write about my mental game after every session

Non poker goals:

• Gym 3 time
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min, target is 3h per week
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts
• Attend seminars at my university

If you have any questions don't hesitate and ask, even if you are thinking that it's a fool question, there are no fool questions, only being scary to ask is foolish.

Have a great week and Gl!

Week 2 update

Hi, the 2nd week ended, so here it's a recap of what happened:



Winnings: $130,04
Rakeback: $14.32
CardMatch promotion: $16,5
Total: $160,86



Poker goals for the 2nd week:

• Play 10k hands 7005
• Will be playing 2 or 3 tables Tried to play 4 tables at one time, played like 100 hands, it's to much action for me to play my best game
• Review every session Completed
• +5 evbb/100 win rate 10,3evbb/100
• Watch 2 poker videos and apply its concepts to my game Completed
• Write about my mental game after every session Completed

Non poker goals for 2nd week:

• Gym 3 time 3/3
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day Still made mistakes at this one
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min, target is 3h per week It's a shame, I dind't read at all
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts 2/3
• Attend seminars at my university 1/3, it's so hard and especially when you have limited time, because for one seminar I need to waste around 50min on average of my time on the road to university only, so in total it's add to about 2h30min for one seminar

Green = Crushing
Brown = Not consistent
Red = Worse than Trump being a president(?)

The challenge graph so far:



This week was not so good in terms of my productivity. I still completed a lot things, which I wanted. Besides there was some other important stuff in my life, which I had to take on. One of them was going to hospital and setting a date for my operation of tonsillectomy. Finally I will get rid off these little parasites.

This week showed one of my problems, why I didn't have time to complete my goals. I'm talking about my hands and reading goals, on which I really failed. The problem, which I knew in my mind, but could't bring that up, was my sleeping, and thanks to my girlfriend for helping to realize it. The problem was that for probably 4 days I went to sleep to late and in the morning I just turned off my alarm and said to myself I will just lie for a few minutes and the I will get up and I will always sleep for extra 1h-1,5h

But this morning my girlfriend called me, she waked me up ( she noticed that I was sleeping to much I past days and she already knew why I missing with my goals this week) and said that I have to change this, because this is the reason why I'm failing at some of my goals, she talked strictly and she made it so simple for me to notice that I have to do, she triggered something in mind as she triggered long time ago and I am so grateful to my life that I have her, because she taught me so much and changed my thinking in so much better way, I wouldn't be the person I am now, I wouldn't have clear goals in my life, I wouldn't be trying so hard to achieve them, if she wouldn't have opened my mind and inspired me with her attitude to life. The best thing that my inspiration/motivator is the women I love, so I can always talk to her about anything that is on mind.

I wish to all of you to find that person in your life, which would change you in a better way, inspire and motivate, teach you the small and simple things about life, which you couldn't notice so far.



Poker goals for the next week:

• Play 10k hands
• Will be playing 2 or 3 tables
• Review every session
• +5 evbb/100 win rate
• Watch 2 poker videos and apply its concepts to my game
• Write about my mental game after every session

Non poker goals:

• Follow my sleeping schedule
• Gym 3 time
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min, target is 3h per week
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts
• Attend those seminars at my university, which I think is worth my time.

Will post some hands later.

Gl with your goals this week.

If you have any questions don't hesitate and ask, even if you are thinking that it's a fool question, there are no fool questions, only being scary to ask is foolish.

Nice results so far, keep it up! I wouldn't bother with regular tables if you are happy with zoom and doing fine there, it's much better for volume and you prob improve your game faster as well.

Not much difference between regular tables and zoom.. Regular tables just have looser fishes. But obv you can get higher winrate on regular tables. 16z is sorta weird stake very very fishy so you could get a winrate of 8bb/100 there and 25z 5bb+ and you would be crushing imo .

Gl with your goals bud.

Thank you, yeah, I agree with, I will play only zoom for now. Maybe in the higher stakes I will try to play reg tables.

What stakes do you play? How it's going for you?

I have to work hard and then I will be having 5bb+ on NL25z. Thanks, EaziiMoniezz. What about you, what are you playing?

I recently moved up to 50z and doing quite well atm ty

gl mane

Hand 4 with AK: I would bet flop kinda odd to x/r flop not repping a ton. As played, I would fold river.

Thanks, ExpectedV

Yeah, I agree with on betting the flop vs most villains, but in this case the BU had low flop fold to cb, so I decided to go for x/r vs his stabs, because in this particular situation I see this move as more +EV than calling and I still have TT, some 77 for value.

The river is awkward on one side I know that it's so rarely a bluff, but on the other hand given the pool tendencies not many guys would jam here with set and in fact 77/44 and TT would probably 3b OTF if not then as I said I don't think he is jamming 77 or 44 OTR. He has 98s, 3 combo of bluffs and his value range is mainly QcJc/9c8c and maybe some TT, sometimes he can have Jc9c. Really important thing is his sizing OTT as well, which is weird and doesn't represent flush to me, which he is trying to rep OTR I've got some other notes on him that indicates, that he can take unorthodox lines.

In this spot he showed me AsQd , so he thought the same as you that I don't rep much OTF, but he didn't think that my bluffing range will have significant bigger equity than his bluff catcher

Some hands:

1)
CO is 22/18
fold to 3b 25(8)
Agg%:43
239h

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974647
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $16.92
SB: $16.00
BB: $30.22
UTG: $14.98
MP: $14.58
CO: $21.66

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BTN with Q A
2 folds, CO raises to $0.48, Hero raises to $1.44, 2 folds, CO calls $0.96

Flop: ($3.12) Q 9 J (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $1.52, CO calls $1.52

Turn: ($6.16) 5 (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3.52, CO raises to $18.70 all in, Hero calls $10.44 all in



2) SB is unknown, I assumed that he was a reg, because he is hidden from search and has 100bb.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974650
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $13.84
SB: $16.40
Hero (BB): $16.15
UTG: $78.25
MP: $18.50
CO: $38.01

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with 5 4
4 folds, SB raises to $0.48, Hero raises to $1.44, SB calls $0.96

Flop: ($2.88) 6 7 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.52, SB calls $1.52

Turn: ($5.92) K (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2.88, SB calls $2.88

River: ($11.68) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $10.31 all in, SB calls $10.31




3) SB is reg. I really don't understand why would he make this play with this hand.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974653
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $37.84
SB: $16.00
Hero (BB): $19.12
UTG: $13.52
MP: $7.33
CO: $38.43

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with K A
4 folds, SB raises to $0.48, Hero raises to $1.44, SB calls $0.96

Flop: ($2.88) 9 T Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.52, SB calls $1.52

Turn: ($5.92) 3 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $3.44, SB calls $3.44

River: ($12.80) K (2 players)
SB bets $9.60 all in, Hero calls $9.60




4) Bluff catching
CO is 26/18
fold to flop cb:20
stab flop vs missed:0
Agg% river:53
209h.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974654
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.16
SB: $4.33
Hero (BB): $16.00
UTG: $30.51
MP: $30.51
CO: $31.63

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with A K
2 folds, CO raises to $0.40, 2 folds, Hero raises to $1.44, CO calls $1.04

Flop: ($2.96) 7 3 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: ($2.96) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $1.60, Hero calls $1.60

River: ($6.16) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $4, Hero calls $4




5) Bluff

CO is 16/13
Agg%:24
WTSD:26
W$SD:70
356h

I have all JTs and could might in his eyes have some JTo. I assume he never has these hands. As for turn play don't see much value range besides 55, but given that I'm oop and there so many bad rivers I could fold, my plan was to turn hand into a bluff on some runouts, on some clubs , K and 8.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974656
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $40.46
SB: $8.01
Hero (BB): $16.00
UTG: $19.70
MP: $25.72
CO: $44.87

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with 7 9
1 fold, MP raises to $0.48, CO calls $0.48, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.52) Q 4 9 (3 players)
Hero checks, MP checks, CO checks

Turn: ($1.52) 5 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.82, MP folds, CO raises to $2.40, Hero calls $1.58

River: ($6.32) K (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3.20, Hero raises to $13.12 all in, CO folds


6) I think it's easy fold 3 way.
BU is reg.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974660
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.00
Hero (SB): $16.00
BB: $14.48
UTG: $56.35
MP: $16.83
CO: $16.00

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is SB with K K
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.56, Hero raises to $1.76, BB calls $1.60, BTN calls $1.20

Flop: ($5.28) 5 T 4 (3 players)
Hero bets $2.40, BB calls $2.40, BTN raises to $14.24 all in, Hero folds, BB folds

7) vs fish

IMO I should bet bigger OTF and OTT.

I made some calculations and I realise that the river jam on this runout is not so clear jam spot. He has many 7x and I think he is folding some Jx.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2974664
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $18.89
SB: $16.00
Hero (BB): $16.00
UTG: $18.78
MP: $63.39
CO: $16.00

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with K Q
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.32, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.36, BTN calls $1.04

Flop: ($2.80) 7 J 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.76, BTN calls $1.76

Turn: ($6.32) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.98, BTN calls $3.98

River: ($14.28) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $8.90 all in, BTN calls $8.90

Tough spot


BU is unknown reg

I could fold this hand pre vs unknown.

As played I think and from that I've seen people almost never bluff this spot and that river sizing. So I want to hero fold in this spot.

What do you think?

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2975092
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $17.58
SB: $39.65
BB: $17.91
UTG: $16.00
MP: $24.89
Hero (CO): $16.00

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with K T
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BTN raises to $1.28, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.88

Flop: ($2.80) K 8 K (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.04, Hero calls $1.04

Turn: ($4.88) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $2.65, Hero calls $2.65

River: ($10.18) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $6.99, Hero ???

you cant ever fold here

Why I can't ever fold here?

Week 3 update

Hi, it's been productive week, but for around 3 days I wasn't at home, so that is way I couldn't managed to get all the things done, I will tell about it later.



Winnings: $136,86
Rakeback: $10,42
CardMatch promotion: $10,5
Total: $158


Poker goals for the next week:

• Play 10k hands 5,343k
• Will be playing 2 or 3 tables Played 30% on 2 tables and 70% on 3 tables
• Review every session Reviewed
• +5 evbb/100 win rate 11,3evbb/100
• Watch 2 poker videos and apply its concepts to my game 2/2
• Write about my mental game after every session Done

Non poker goals:

• Follow my sleeping schedule I performed better at this than previous week, but still need to work on this and this week sleeping will be really important
• Gym 3 time 3/3
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day Overall I'm pretty satisfied with this, didn't eat healthy 6 days, but I managed to control my portions, when I ate not so good food
• Read a book (non poker related) everyday for 30min, target is 3h per week I have read magazine instead, but not 3h in total, so failed at this one
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts 2/3
• Attend those seminars at my university, which I think is worth my time. I attendant all seminars, which I needed

Green = Devoted
Brown = Good signs
Red =Devastated


Challenge graph:



I'm happy with my performance this week given how much time I've had. So as I said before, I wasn't at home for some days, because me and my girlfriend had all weekend planned. It was fantastic, we had a wonderful time, it was very relaxing and we forgot about all the other stuff in our lives. Now we are looking forward for our travel in January, our favorite so far is Dubai, because our priorities are the interesting with a lot of places to see and hot countries, which has sun shining entire day, no snow and higher temperature not like -20°C as in Lithuania at that time

As for my challenge, I will try to finish it until November. I have around 17k hands to play, so it will be very intense week and I hope I will be able to complete it.


Poker goals for the week:

• Play 17k hands until November
• Play mostly 3 tables
• Review every session
• +5 evbb/100 win rate
• Watch 2 poker videos and apply its concepts to my game
• Write about my mental game after every session

Non poker goals:

• Follow my strict sleeping schedule
• Gym 3 time
• Eating healthy 6 days and have one cheat day
• Read a Bryan Tracy's book The Power of Self-Confidence 3 times a week for 30min and apply it's concepts
• Attend those seminars at my university, which I think is worth my time

I will post some hands later.


Have a great week!


If you have any questions don't hesitate and ask, even if you are thinking that it's a fool question, there are no fool questions, only being scary to ask is foolish.

Hands:

1)

BU 24/16
River Agg%: 50
Fold to flop cb: 33
165h

Not an easy call, since he can decide not to bluff some of his draws like Asxs.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978281
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $26.74
Hero (SB): $16.08
BB: $23.53
UTG: $8.00
MP: $18.06
CO: $29.76

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is SB with A A
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.40, Hero raises to $1.44, 1 fold, BTN calls $1.04

Flop: ($3.04) Q 7 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.52, BTN calls $1.52

Turn: ($6.08) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.63, BTN calls $3.63

River: ($13.34) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $20.15 all in, Hero calls $9.49 all in

Final Pot: $32.32


2) BU is a reg, IMO he overplays his hand with his bet sizing.


Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978283
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.00
SB: $34.59
Hero (BB): $16.00
UTG: $18.80
MP: $8.19
CO: $55.87

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with Q 8
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.40, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.24

Flop: ($0.88) 5 8 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.65, Hero calls $0.65

Turn: ($2.18) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.62, Hero calls $1.62

River: ($5.42) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4.04, Hero calls $4.04

Final Pot: $13.50


3) Inducing vs reg

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978284
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.12
SB: $16.40
BB: $26.72
Hero (UTG): $19.24
MP: $18.40
CO: $25.33

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is UTG with 8 8
Hero raises to $0.48, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.48, 1 fold, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.52) Q J K (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($1.52) 8 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.05, BTN calls $1.05, BB folds

River: ($3.62) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.14, BTN raises to $4.64, Hero calls $3.50

Final Pot: $12.90



4) vs unknown one tabler

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978287
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $20.55
SB: $20.31
BB: $15.90
UTG: $22.33
Hero (MP): $30.63
CO: $20.58

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with 7 8
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, 3 folds, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.04) 8 7 4 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.69, BB raises to $1.92, Hero calls $1.23

Turn: ($4.88) 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($4.88) J (2 players)
BB bets $3.84, Hero calls $3.84

Final Pot: $12.56




5) Attacking vs reg

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978288
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $14.26
SB: $16.00
BB: $17.14
UTG: $33.93
Hero (MP): $55.03
CO: $39.04

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with 9 Q
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, 3 folds, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.04) 3 4 4 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.63, BB calls $0.63

Turn: ($2.30) 3 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($2.30) 3 (2 players)
BB bets $1.84, Hero raises to $5.95, BB folds


6) Couldn't fold vs fish, but I think I should, hard to see him bluffing at all in this spot or value betting weaker hands.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978289
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $30.88
SB: $16.00
BB: $29.85
UTG: $27.11
Hero (MP): $16.08
CO: $16.40

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with Q A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, 2 folds, SB raises to $0.96, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.48

Flop: ($2.08) T 7 A (2 players)
SB bets $1.99, Hero calls $1.99

Turn: ($6.06) A (2 players)
SB bets $4, Hero calls $4

River: ($14.06) 8 (2 players)
SB bets $9.05 all in, Hero calls $9.05





7) Big loss vs reg 20/14, 3/5 times he 4bet vs me, agg%:31. This one is easy fold OTR, he never bluffs with such line IMO.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2978291
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $13.26
Hero (SB): $64.46
BB: $16.00
UTG: $38.60
MP: $25.03
CO: $40.30

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is SB with J J
UTG calls $0.16, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.64, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.24, 2 folds, CO raises to $5.12, Hero calls $2.88

Flop: ($10.56) T 6 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $4.03, Hero calls $4.03

Turn: ($18.62) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

River: ($18.62) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $14.72, Hero calls $14.72

Final Pot: $48.06
)

following!

Challenge completed





And some spin & goes:



Results of the month:

Winnings from tables: $350
Tourneys: $23
Rakeback: $80
Promotions: $73
Total: $530


As you can see at around 23k hands mark I had few rough sessions. After these seesions it was not so easy to recover, for a few days I didn't play my A game, made some silly mistakes, but after few thousands hands I was back on track and played my game. I really happy with my progress, I'm improving almost everyday and I feel that my real winrate is higher, maybe if my goal would be 7bb I would have 7bb, because it looks like that I really don't want to deviate from win rate goal at all I will not play NL16z anymore, I will do another challenge at NL25z.

The main things that I noticed at NL16z pool:
1) Players are too tight in value betting overall, missing a lot of thin value betting spots
2) Raising ranges post flop are very strong
3) Rarely making protection bets
4) Calling too much in the spots, which they shouldn't
5) Don't play balanced pre flop (3b and 4b ranges)

I need to increase my volume, so the next challenge will be:

• Play 60k hands in 30 days at NL25z and have +5evbb/100 win rate.

Now I will take few days off and will not play, but will do a database review to find my leaks and areas to improve.

So I will start play NL25z probably after one week, because I have operation on November 8th, finally my tonsils will be destroyed, goodbye quinsy.

As for other things, I will be giving coaching for the first time! Really waiting for this.

Me and my girlfriend decided to travel to UAE in January, so all the money I earn from rakeback, tourneys and other promotions will be dedicated to this journey, that's why I decided to increase my volume, I'm kidding but of course it will be better for this travel as well.

When I will be recovered after my operation I will post my goals for a week.



Now for some hands of the challenge:

Biggest pot won

BB is big fish and UTG is suspected to be a fish. BU reg.

Vs BB and UTG ranges we have a +EV call, but given that BU is left to act behind and he has all KK,QQ and some AJo it's become very tough spot and I think that folding is better, so I made a mistake.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968136
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.32
SB: $19.29
BB: $10.02
UTG: $34.82
MP: $16.38
Hero (CO): $16.32

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with T T
UTG raises to $0.48, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.48, BTN raises to $2.08, 1 fold, BB calls $1.92, UTG calls $1.60, Hero calls $1.60

Flop: ($8.40) K T Q (4 players)
BB bets $7.94 all in, UTG raises to $32.74 all in, Hero calls $14.24 all in, BTN calls $14.24 all in

Turn: ($59.06) J (4 players - 4 are all in)

River: ($59.06) T (4 players - 4 are all in)

Final Pot: $59.06
BTN shows K K (a full house, Kings full of Tens)
BB shows Q J (two pair, Queens and Jacks)
UTG shows 8 7 (a pair of Tens)
Hero shows T T (four of a kind, Tens)
Hero wins $18.90
Hero wins $38.66
(Rake: $1.50)



Biggest pot lost

This was so disgusting because MP is insane fish.

So this is why I had to call OTR in the other hand

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2968137
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $20.76
SB: $10.69
BB: $23.28
UTG: $21.65
Hero (MP): $39.67
CO: $18.70

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with 7 7
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, 3 folds, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.04) 2 8 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.69, BB calls $0.69

Turn: ($2.42) 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.85, BB raises to $1.70, Hero calls $0.85

River: ($5.82) K (2 players)
BB bets $5.44, Hero raises to $13.44, BB raises to $20.41 all in, Hero calls $6.97

Final Pot: $46.64
BB shows 6 J (a pair of Sevens)
Hero shows 7 7 (four of a kind, Sevens)
Hero wins $45.14
(Rake: $1.50)

And now he goes for revenge, it's ironic because he has quads as well

I can see this being a fold, because it's double paired board.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982162
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.00
SB: $20.06
BB: $10.19
Hero (UTG): $34.10
MP: $52.80
CO: $8.28

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is UTG with K K
Hero raises to $0.48, MP calls $0.48, 3 folds, BB raises to $0.80, Hero raises to $2.72, MP calls $2.24, 1 fold

Flop: ($6.32) 8 T 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $4.22, MP raises to $8.44, Hero calls $4.22

Turn: ($23.20) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP checks

River: ($23.20) T (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $41.64 all in, Hero tanks and calls $22.94 all in

Final Pot: $69.08




Some other hands:

1) vs fish


Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982168
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.00
SB: $14.04
BB: $16.00
UTG: $31.61
Hero (MP): $17.94
CO: $26.66

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with Q Q
UTG raises to $0.32, Hero raises to $1.20, CO calls $1.20, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.88

Flop: ($3.84) 6 2 3 (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $2.09, CO calls $2.09, UTG folds

Turn: ($8.02) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

River: ($8.02) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $4.36, CO raises to $23.04, Hero calls $10.29 all in

Final Pot: $37.32





2) vs fish, max EV line

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982170
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $29.10
Hero (SB): $16.00
BB: $17.81
UTG: $20.45
MP: $37.95
CO: $8.26

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is SB with 7 Q
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.48, BB raises to $0.80, Hero calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.60) 7 Q T (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $1.53, Hero raises to $15.20 all in, BB calls $13.67

Turn: ($32.00) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($32.00) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $32.00





3) vs fish, really close spot, don't mind folding, followed my instincts

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982172
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $25.33
SB: $17.36
Hero (BB): $16.17
UTG: $11.78
MP: $20.02
CO: $16.00

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BB with J K
UTG calls $0.16, 4 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.40) 3 K J (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.16, Hero raises to $0.75, UTG calls $0.59

Turn: ($1.90) T (2 players)
Hero bets $1.26, UTG calls $1.26

River: ($4.42) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $2.95, UTG raises to $9.61 all in, Hero calls $6.66

Final Pot: $23.64






4) vs reg, missed some river value, what do you think?

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982175
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $15.61
Hero (SB): $23.14
BB: $36.00
UTG: $8.12
MP: $63.95
CO: $15.80

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is SB with 8 8
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.48, BB raises to $1.52, Hero calls $1.04

Flop: ($3.04) T J 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $1.45, Hero raises to $4.32, BB calls $2.87

Turn: ($11.68) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

River: ($11.68) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

Final Pot: $11.68




5) vs fish, small hero call

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982177
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $8.00
SB: $30.33
BB: $16.40
UTG: $23.81
Hero (MP): $19.00
CO: $17.42

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is MP with A K
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.48, CO calls $0.48, 3 folds

Flop: ($1.20) 5 9 T (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: ($1.20) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.43, CO calls $0.43

River: ($2.06) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.98, Hero calls $0.98

Final Pot: $4.02




6) vs 16/14 reg, since it was mw pot and he has QQ in his range, I'm not sure about the best line here, probably betting turn 1/2 is okey.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982179
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $16.00
SB: $6.27
BB: $32.01
Hero (UTG): $17.83
MP: $16.83
CO: $62.51

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is UTG with J A
Hero raises to $0.48, MP calls $0.48, 3 folds, BB calls $0.32

Flop: ($1.52) 4 J T (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.80, MP calls $0.80, BB folds

Turn: ($3.12) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.67, MP calls $1.67

River: ($6.46) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $3.82, Hero folds


7) Really weird line from the reg, hard to put him on a hand, but what he is bluffing here, when I'm not capped?

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982181
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $15.78
SB: $18.41
BB: $16.56
Hero (UTG): $23.03
MP: $21.24
CO: $19.97

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is UTG with K K
Hero raises to $0.48, 1 fold, CO raises to $1.44, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.96

Flop: ($3.12) 7 3 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $1.10, Hero calls $1.10

Turn: ($5.32) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

River: ($5.32) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.35, CO raises to $8, Hero folds



8) vs reg, super tough spot and i think it's a fold at NL16z

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982184
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $19.00
SB: $17.68
BB: $17.89
UTG: $17.95
MP: $16.00
Hero (CO): $27.52

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is CO with 7 5
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, 2 folds, BB calls $0.24

Flop: ($0.88) 7 9 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.55, BB raises to $1.69, Hero calls $1.14

Turn: ($4.26) A (2 players)
BB bets $2.80, Hero calls $2.80

River: ($9.86) 9 (2 players)
BB bets $5.55, Hero ???



9) vs fish, can I get away? I don't think so, could call his 3b OTF, maybe is he bluffing 1% of the time.

Poker Stars $0.08/$0.16 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2982185
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $23.39
SB: $19.65
BB: $15.52
UTG: $33.28
MP: $8.02
CO: $9.15

Pre Flop: ($0.24) Hero is BTN with 9 9
UTG raises to $0.48, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.48, 2 folds

Flop: ($1.20) T 9 T (2 players)
UTG bets $0.57, Hero raises to $1.76, UTG raises to $2.95, Hero raises to $5.27, UTG raises to $16.96, Hero raises to $22.91 all in, UTG calls $5.95

Turn: ($47.02) 4 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($47.02) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $47.02


That's all for now. Have a nice weekend!

P.S. how to change a thread title?