I would think the swings will hurt more as you'll be spending too much time not experiencing swings at 2nl. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is staying too long at the beginner levels. If you're skilled enough to beat higher limits, and you have the roll, then setting hand targets at the lowest limit is just an excuse to delay having to play higher. You say it's a coincidence issue but I suspect it's fear of failure. If so, this is a much bigger leak than you think. Again, I'm coming from experience, it takes a lot of courage to take off the armbands and try to swim. I'm just trying to help.

I definitely appreciate the advice, don't get me wrong. It's almost certainly a fear of failure, no doubt about it. Working through TMGP again will definitely help me deal with that, but in due time. I am purely a recreational player and see no need to go up in stakes just because it seems to be "the done thing". I have no interest in becoming a poker professional so spending extra time in the lower limits really doesn't bother me. It's not like I'm deciding to stay in 2nl forever, or even play a ridiculous amount of hands either, it's only 50k.

That's ok man. I know you know my hearts in the right place lol. It is, of course, up to you. I have to say though, being a rec player that doesn't care about the money is perfectly fine, but if you're not really playing for the profit, I assume you're looking to improve your game? Playing 2nl for a set number of hands won't help with that. If it's just a bit of fun and you're curious about what you can do at 2nl then disregard anything I've said.

Good thread btw.

In glgl op.

I would not even consider playing 2nl in your shoes as it's clear you beat it, but to each their own....

Subbed. Gl man, hope you can achieve your goals!

Thanks guys!

Session this morning felt great. I felt like I played really well and continually put people on ranges and justified most decisions I made. Very little auto-pilot and played longer than usual!

Hands: 882
Result: +$0.08
Game: A

Couple of fun "classic 2nl" hands to start with ^_^

Simply the dream. Near flopped nuts [check]. No draws to worry about [check]. In hand against fish [check]. He's betting into you [check].

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2913518
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $2.11
BB: $2.21
UTG: $2.76
Hero (CO): $3.48
BTN: $2.00

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with 8 8
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.07, 2 folds, BB calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.15) 2 8 2 (2 players)
BB bets $0.14, Hero calls $0.14

Turn: ($0.43) 3 (2 players)
BB bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.75, BB calls $0.55

River: ($1.93) 4 (2 players)
BB bets $1.25 all in, Hero calls $1.25

Final Pot: $4.43
BB shows 8 4 (two pair, Eights and Fours)
Hero shows 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Deuces)
Hero wins $4.27
(Rake: $0.16)

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2913519
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Really not sure what doing.

CO: $2.16
BTN: $2.07
SB: $2.00
BB: $4.31
UTG: $2.51
Hero (MP): $2.51

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with K J
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.07, CO raises to $0.12, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.27) 2 K 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.02, Hero calls $0.02

Turn: ($0.31) J (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.59, CO raises to $0.98, Hero raises to $2.37 all in, CO calls $1.04 all in

River: ($4.35) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $4.35
CO shows T 7 (a pair of Sevens)
Hero shows K J (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
Hero wins $4.20
(Rake: $0.15)

Sure I get the turn call (kinda) but the river call makes 0 sense haha.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2913523
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $2.17
BB: $2.19
Hero (UTG): $2.29
CO: $2.46
BTN: $1.46

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with Q K
Hero raises to $0.07, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.07, 1 fold, BB calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.22) 4 Q Q (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.11, BTN calls $0.11, BB folds

Turn: ($0.44) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.35, BTN calls $0.35

River: ($1.14) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.93, BTN calls $0.93 all in

Final Pot: $3.00
Hero shows Q K (three of a kind, Queens)
BTN shows 4 8 (two pair, Queens and Fours)
Hero wins $2.90
(Rake: $0.10)




Some not so fun rivers.

This guy was all over the place the whole session. 57/0 through 88 hands with a post-flop AF of 4.2. Figured he could be overvaluing QK/K6/A5/A6 etc here, and could also be doing this with busted clubs. AK and JT were the hands I was most afraid of. What he turned up with, well I didn't even give him that in his range after the way flop played out.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2913521
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $2.00
SB: $3.42
BB: $0.70
UTG: $2.82
CO: $2.00

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with Q A
1 fold, CO raises to $0.05, Hero calls $0.05, SB calls $0.04, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.17) A 6 Q (3 players)
SB checks, CO checks, Hero bets $0.09, SB raises to $0.18, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.34, SB calls $0.16

Turn: ($0.85) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.60, SB calls $0.60

River: ($2.05) K (2 players)
SB bets $0.99, Hero raises to $1.01 all in, SB calls $0.02

Final Pot: $4.07
Hero shows Q A (two pair, Aces and Queens)
SB shows K K (three of a kind, Kings)
SB wins $3.93
(Rake: $0.14)

Despite the result, I thought I played this hand very well. My flop/turn barrels were designed to be value bets against draws/TP. Once the river came, I thought I'd check/call rather than bet so I could extract value from his busted diamonds and TP/2Pair type hands he might bet with.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2913522
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $4.42
Hero (MP): $2.00
CO: $2.03
BTN: $2.25
SB: $1.58
BB: $2.84

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with 6 6
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.07, CO calls $0.07, BTN calls $0.07, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.24) 6 J 2 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.15, CO calls $0.15, BTN folds

Turn: ($0.54) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.35, CO calls $0.35

River: ($1.24) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $1.14, Hero calls $1.14

Final Pot: $3.52
Hero mucks 6 6
CO shows Q Q (three of a kind, Queens)
CO wins $3.40
(Rake: $0.12)


They sometimes have it. I almost forgot that fish can sometimes get AA as well. Not sure about my shove, but figure I don't want to play OOP with a weird SPR against god knows what holding. I've seen people stack off 50bbs with plenty worse than QQ so figured it's fine against fish.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2913524
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $3.77
UTG: $2.11
Hero (MP): $2.00
CO: $1.01
BTN: $1.19
SB: $3.73

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with Q Q
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.07, CO raises to $0.12, 3 folds, Hero raises to $1.16, CO calls $0.89 all in

Flop: ($2.05) 8 5 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($2.05) 3 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($2.05) K (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $2.05
Hero shows Q Q (a pair of Queens)
CO shows A A (a pair of Aces)
CO wins $1.98
(Rake: $0.07)

Not sure about this hand. Obviously villain can have Tx and I'm dead, but I think a majority of his range has FDs and overcards in it also. I was planning to x/c non club/overcard rivers to bluff catch, but obviously have to fold when I beat almost nothing once the flush comes in. Is it worth double barreling here with that logic, or should I check/give up somewhere? Villain was pretty fishy IIRC.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2913525
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $2.71
MP: $2.94
CO: $1.92
BTN: $0.97
SB: $2.54
BB: $2.39

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with 8 8
Hero raises to $0.07, 1 fold, CO calls $0.07, BTN calls $0.07, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.24) 3 2 T (3 players)
Hero bets $0.15, CO folds, BTN calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.54) T (2 players)
Hero bets $0.29, BTN calls $0.29

River: ($1.12) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.46 all in, Hero folds

Final Pot: $1.12
BTN wins $1.08
(Rake: $0.04)

Against aggressive reg. Not sure what bluffs he could have here OTT. Didn't feel like cbetting the flop because I don't think he calls with much worse. Maybe KQ? I might have made a big mistake with the x/c though, but I usually live by: big hand, big pot. small hand, small pot. Thus the x/c was intended to keep the pot as small as possible... Ugh I dunno.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2913526
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $2.00
SB: $2.00
Hero (BB): $2.25
UTG: $1.48
CO: $1.79

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with A J
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.06, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.18, BTN calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.37) A T K (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.26, Hero calls $0.26

Turn: ($0.89) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.62, Hero folds

Final Pot: $0.89
BTN wins $0.86
(Rake: $0.03)

Been extremely busy with uni and work, so no play lately (I might squeeze in a session before bed tonight), but I have been reading more of TMGP and also purchased The Grinders Manual (which TDA reviewed here on 2+2) which I'm hoping will help me out. Enjoying studying just as much as playing, but still very keen to get in some semblance of volume.

Rare evening session (probably a bit too tired to play my A game, felt solid though):

Hands: 723
Result: +$3.29
Game: B-

My latest downswing hasn't really been in all in spots (and losing a lot), it's been me running into the top of my opponents ranges a huge amount (arguably more frustrating). It was nice to have a hand that even against my opponents most nutted combo, I still had 35% equity. Still annoying he doesn't just have AT here or something haha.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914117
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.77
Hero (BB): $2.50
UTG: $2.87
CO: $0.71
BTN: $2.34

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with Q J
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.06, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.13) T 8 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.06, Hero raises to $0.27, BTN raises to $1.20, Hero raises to $2.44 all in, BTN calls $1.08 all in

Turn: ($4.69) 9 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($4.69) 2 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $4.69
Hero shows Q J (a straight, Eight to Queen)
BTN shows T T (three of a kind, Tens)
Hero wins $4.53
(Rake: $0.16)

Huge spew by villain...

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914118
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.70
Hero (BB): $3.39
UTG: $2.10
MP: $2.15
CO: $2.00
BTN: $4.15

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with K Q
1 fold, MP raises to $0.06, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.13) 7 2 Q (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.33) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

River: ($0.73) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.30, Hero raises to $1.24, MP raises to $1.79 all in, Hero calls $0.55

Final Pot: $4.31
Hero shows K Q (a flush, King high)
MP shows 5 3 (two pair, Fives and Threes)
Hero wins $4.16
(Rake: $0.15)


Arguably terrible. However this is the villain who had TT in hand 1, so figured there might be a bit of "bluff hatred" in there somewhere. Nope, just got owned. Sizings noted for future reference.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914119
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $1.63
Hero (CO): $4.68
BTN: $2.00
SB: $0.78
BB: $1.73
UTG: $1.94

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with J J
UTG raises to $0.06, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.06, BTN calls $0.06, SB calls $0.05, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.26) 6 7 3 (4 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.22, Hero calls $0.22, BTN calls $0.22, SB folds

Turn: ($0.92) 3 (3 players)
UTG bets $0.88, Hero raises to $4.40 all in, BTN folds, UTG calls $0.78 all in

River: ($4.24) 6 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $4.24
Hero shows J J (two pair, Jacks and Sixes)
UTG shows K K (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
UTG wins $4.09
(Rake: $0.15)


Villains first hand at the table. Figured he could have a plethora of missed draws, still tanked for ages before calling. This is why I find myself making some rather questionable calls at 2nl... Yeah sometimes they have it (next hand), but this just happens frequently enough for me to question myself (and my fold button)... (Spew with 53o again lol, swear it's a different aggro fish).

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914120
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $2.00
UTG: $2.86
CO: $2.00
BTN: $2.35
Hero (SB): $2.32

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is SB with A Q
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.06, BB raises to $0.18, Hero calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.36) 2 J Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.17, Hero calls $0.17

Turn: ($0.70) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.34, Hero calls $0.34

River: ($1.38) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.99, Hero calls $0.99

Final Pot: $3.36
BB shows 5 3 (high card Queen)
Hero shows A Q (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $3.24
(Rake: $0.12)


I beat so many bluffs here, even some value hands (AK/AQ) so figure calling is ok. Probably miss-played flop/turn though. Should have likely cbet the flop for value against all aforementioned draws rather than letting him control the pot.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914122
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $0.98
Hero (CO): $2.23
BTN: $2.57
SB: $3.75
BB: $1.39

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with 6 A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.06, BTN calls $0.06, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.15) 4 T A (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.07, Hero calls $0.07

Turn: ($0.29) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.18, Hero calls $0.18

River: ($0.65) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.36, Hero calls $0.36

Final Pot: $1.37
Hero mucks 6 A
BTN shows 4 4 (three of a kind, Fours)
BTN wins $1.32
(Rake: $0.05)

Quick session this morning before uni:

Hands: 366
Result: +$0.34
Game: B+

Felt solid all morning. Putting into place some stuff I've been learning from the Grinder's Manual, pre-flop is making more sense.

Winning flips NBD.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914596
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $1.51
SB: $2.00
BB: $1.06
UTG: $2.00
MP: $2.43
Hero (CO): $2.34

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with A K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.05, 2 folds, BB raises to $0.34, Hero raises to $1.50, BB calls $0.72 all in

Flop: ($2.13) 8 9 K (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($2.13) 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($2.13) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $2.13
BB shows T T (two pair, Tens and Nines)
Hero shows A K (two pair, Kings and Nines)
Hero wins $2.06
(Rake: $0.07)


Monster draws not getting there always seems unfair haha.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914597
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $1.50
SB: $2.52
BB: $2.00
UTG: $0.88
Hero (CO): $2.00

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with 8 9
UTG raises to $0.05, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.20, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.15, Hero calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.62) 7 K T (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.68 all in, Hero raises to $1.80 all in, SB folds

Turn: ($1.98) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($1.98) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $1.98
UTG shows Q K (a pair of Kings)
Hero shows 8 9 (high card King)
UTG wins $1.91
(Rake: $0.07)


Tried really hard to get QQ+ to call. Maybe I'm better off raising OTT so if he has a hand like QhQx/KhKx he might stack off... The turn raise looks so damn strong though.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914598
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.49
BB: $2.00
UTG: $1.95
MP: $2.00
CO: $2.60
Hero (BTN): $3.31

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with 9 A
1 fold, MP raises to $0.06, CO calls $0.06, Hero calls $0.06, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.21) 3 6 8 (3 players)
MP bets $0.17, CO folds, Hero calls $0.17

Turn: ($0.55) T (2 players)
MP bets $0.46, Hero calls $0.46

River: ($1.47) J (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $0.62, MP folds

Final Pot: $1.47
Hero mucks 9 A
Hero wins $1.42
(Rake: $0.05)


His turn check confused me greatly. Figured he'd bet hands like 99-JJ/A8 etc OTT. Also figured he wouldn't have many Qx hands to peel flop with that aren't flushes, so really couldn't figure out what I would get value from OTR with a bet, thus the check (and call to bluff catch).

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914599
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $1.66
UTG: $2.00
MP: $1.82
CO: $2.00
BTN: $2.51
Hero (SB): $4.05

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is SB with K K
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.05, Hero raises to $0.20, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.42) 8 4 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.34, BTN calls $0.34

Turn: ($1.10) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($1.10) Q (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Final Pot: $1.10
BTN mucks 7 A
Hero shows K K (a pair of Kings)
Hero wins $1.06
(Rake: $0.04)



Not sure about this one. Thought the donk was ok with 2 fish (inc Vill) in the hand. Once he calls flop/turn, his sizing on the river is a pretty strong hand I think. Even KJ/J8 that he might have floated with got there (though not that often does he call turn with them). If I called, I would have expected to be shown a flush/set a lot of the time. Figured his only value hands I beat are 9T/Q9, though not 100% sure he bets them OTR. Thoughts?

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914600
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.23
Hero (BB): $2.00
UTG: $2.42
CO: $4.18
BTN: $1.46

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with Q T
UTG raises to $0.05, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.05, SB calls $0.04, Hero calls $0.03

Flop: ($0.20) Q T 2 (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.13, UTG folds, BTN calls $0.13, SB folds

Turn: ($0.46) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, BTN calls $0.30

River: ($1.06) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.50, Hero folds

Final Pot: $1.06
BTN wins $1.02
(Rake: $0.04)

Finished the Grinder's Manual section on opening ranges, and am impressed by the author's work. I assumed I knew most of the reasons why you open, and to be honest did know a fair bit, but certainly learned some new things. I learned a lot about the mathematics of opening bet sizes (which I think I intuitively knew but it's nice to have logic back me up) and will be more specific with why I open certain hands rather than: I'm in the hijack and therefore KJs is an open because my range %.

With study for the day done, onto my post-uni/pre-gym session:

Hands: 482
Result: +$5.44
Game: B+ (would be A, but I made a couple of dubious calls)

Felt like I played well, and that my game is progressing nicely. Even though I'm only playing 2nl, I'm still really interested during the sessions, and constantly am putting people on ranges to practice (even if I'm not in the hand!). I think a big reason my downswing last month was so brutal, was that I was trying to learn new things to "improve" rather than plugging obvious leaks which were holding back my game. The result was that my best became better, but my worst was as bad as ever, which was terrible because being in a downswing, I found myself playing worse than average more often than not. Playing 2nl has allowed me to put a back-burner on making my A game better so I can focus on making my C and D games stronger (essentially allowing me to play better overall). Anyway onto the hands:

Out of the 2 villains (one was a 85/30 whale), surprisingly the one who stacked off was the reg. I had been raising his blinds and relentlessly cbetting flop and turns against him (he folded a lot), so I figured he was tired of my ****. Oops, I have Aces.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914669
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $1.74
BTN: $2.00
SB: $0.87
Hero (BB): $2.13
UTG: $2.06
MP: $4.52

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with A A
1 fold, MP raises to $0.07, 2 folds, SB calls $0.06, Hero raises to $0.28, MP calls $0.21, SB calls $0.21

Flop: ($0.84) 5 Q 8 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.55, MP raises to $2.07, SB folds, Hero calls $1.30 all in

Turn: ($4.54) 4 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($4.54) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $4.54
Hero shows A A (a pair of Aces)
MP shows Q A (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $4.38
(Rake: $0.16)


Yeah... I'm not folding. Most people (especially fish) river a flush and think to themselves: How can I get the most value here? - They don't tend to bet 6x pot after that. Pretty ez call imo.


Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2914670
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $1.72
Hero (BTN): $2.17
SB: $2.07
BB: $0.80

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with K A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.04, SB calls $0.03, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.10) J 3 Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.06, SB calls $0.06

Turn: ($0.22) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($0.22) T (2 players)
SB bets $1.16, Hero calls $1.16

Final Pot: $2.54
Hero shows K A (a straight, Ten to Ace)
SB shows 2 2 (a pair of Deuces)
Hero wins $2.45
(Rake: $0.09)


I always criticise people who stack off with overpairs so willingly (though probably not bad for 60bbs), however I find myself not getting away from QQ+ myself. It's definitely a leak against the majority of 2nl->10nl, so I think I should do it in the future. Sure I lose some EV when they are doing it with draws/air, but it's just far more common they have a big hand in my experience. How do you guys feel about it?

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914671
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $3.49
Hero (SB): $3.02
BB: $0.68
UTG: $2.67
MP: $1.18
CO: $3.55

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is SB with 4 4
1 fold, MP raises to $0.06, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.14) 4 7 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.10, Hero raises to $0.38, MP raises to $1.12 all in, Hero calls $0.74

Turn: ($2.38) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($2.38) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $2.38
Hero shows 4 4 (three of a kind, Fours)
MP shows Q Q (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $2.30
(Rake: $0.08)


I actually tanked a lot before making this call, not because I considered folding, but because I realised that I had no idea whether I should shove or call. Yes he can definitely have Axss played this way, but he can also have all possible sets, lots of 2pair combos and some straights. I didn't have many hands on villain, so wasn't sure whether he was capable of raising weak hands, let alone stacking off with them, so I took the safe road and flatted. Is this a big mistake? No results for you this time cheaters.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914672
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $3.59
Hero (SB): $2.24
BB: $0.70
UTG: $2.27
MP: $1.53
CO: $4.40

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is SB with J Q
1 fold, MP raises to $0.06, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.14) Q 7 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.06, Hero calls $0.06

Turn: ($0.26) K (2 players)
Hero checks, MP checks

River: ($0.26) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.21, MP raises to $0.72, Hero calls $0.51


You guys playing this differently?

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914673
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.82
Hero (BB): $2.00
UTG: $3.70
CO: $1.95
BTN: $1.97

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with T T
1 fold, CO calls $0.02, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.08, Hero calls $0.06, CO calls $0.06

Flop: ($0.24) 9 J 8 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.15, CO folds, SB calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.54) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.29, SB calls $0.29

River: ($1.12) K (2 players)
SB bets $1.08, Hero folds

Final Pot: $1.12
SB wins $1.08
(Rake: $0.04)


Standard fold I think. Plenty of 2pair/set/flush combos villain would play this way. 7x also makes a whole lot of sense given turn/river action. Yes it could be busted spades, but given I hold the As, I think I have to give that possibility a lot less weight.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914674
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $2.10
Hero (UTG): $2.32
CO: $3.34
BTN: $1.99
SB: $1.45

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with A Q
Hero raises to $0.06, 2 folds, SB calls $0.05, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.14) 5 6 4 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.09, SB calls $0.09

Turn: ($0.32) Q (2 players)
SB bets $0.02, Hero raises to $0.26, SB calls $0.24

River: ($0.84) 8 (2 players)
SB bets $0.50, Hero folds

Final Pot: $0.84
SB wins $0.81
(Rake: $0.03)


I love talking and showing hands, but I think that's enough for now else I might find myself posting all the hands I play!! Hope everyone is having a good week.

Caught some insane heat this morning. Plenty of fish in the pool as usual, but just kept "getting there" with all sorts of stuff. Really awesome feeling, and was struggling with positive tilt for the first time in a long time. Trying to stay calm, focus on my ranges and to not play too loose because I was running so well. Thought I did a good job, and aside from a few dubious calls (and one quite severe one), I played really well. Lastly, I almost stopped playing at the 600 hand mark (up 3 BIs) but decided I would test myself and push through to playing ~1000 hands. Glad I did, because I won another 6 BIs in those hands haha!

Hands: 1014
Result: +$18.12
Game: B+

Starting with the dubious stuff, then will post some big hands.

Definitely not a call down. The dude nitty, and snap betting the whole way for POT. Definitely a big red flag, which I pretty much ignored because "lol I haz tptk!". Stupid idiot me.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914983
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $2.35
SB: $1.44
BB: $2.75
UTG: $2.00
MP: $2.98
CO: $3.37

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with K A
UTG raises to $0.06, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.06, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.15) A 5 8 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.14, Hero calls $0.14

Turn: ($0.43) 2 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.41, Hero calls $0.41

River: ($1.25) 9 (2 players)
UTG bets $1.21, Hero calls $1.21

Final Pot: $3.67
Hero mucks K A
UTG shows 5 5 (three of a kind, Fives)
UTG wins $3.54
(Rake: $0.13)

This happened as my last hand of the session. I think calling here is "ok", but I was not surprised to see a flush. Maybe I can fold river, but who knows what unknown villains at 2nl will do with sets/2pair (though it's probably to x/c river)...

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914985
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $1.97
Hero (BTN): $2.39
SB: $3.11
BB: $2.14
UTG: $2.56

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with Q J
1 fold, CO raises to $0.04, Hero calls $0.04, 1 fold, BB calls $0.02

Flop: ($0.13) A T K (3 players)
BB bets $0.08, CO folds, Hero calls $0.08

Turn: ($0.29) 8 (2 players)
BB bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

River: ($0.69) 6 (2 players)
BB bets $0.46, Hero calls $0.46

Final Pot: $1.61
Hero mucks Q J
BB shows 4 5 (a flush, Ace high)
BB wins $1.55
(Rake: $0.06)

Onto some fun hands. Don't get me wrong, I got SUPER lucky in some of these, I know, however there was also a lot of dubious play from my opponents and not much missplay from me imo.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914986
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $2.35
MP: $2.00
CO: $1.27
Hero (BTN): $5.49
SB: $4.30
BB: $2.22

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with Q Q
2 folds, CO raises to $0.22, Hero raises to $0.50, SB raises to $0.78, 1 fold, CO calls $0.56, Hero calls $0.28

Flop: ($2.36) 2 Q 5 (3 players)
SB bets $3.52 all in, CO calls $0.49 all in, Hero calls $3.52

Turn: ($9.89) T (3 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($9.89) 2 (3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $9.89
CO shows 4 A (a pair of Deuces)
Hero shows Q Q (a full house, Queens full of Deuces)
SB shows K K (two pair, Kings and Deuces)
Hero wins $5.89
Hero wins $3.70
(Rake: $0.30)



Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914987
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $2.21
CO: $2.00
BTN: $2.36
SB: $3.83
Hero (BB): $5.46
UTG: $1.97

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with 6 6
4 folds, SB raises to $0.06, Hero calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.12) 4 7 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.08, SB raises to $0.16, Hero calls $0.08

Turn: ($0.44) 8 (2 players)
SB bets $0.29, Hero calls $0.29

River: ($1.02) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $0.72, Hero raises to $2.64, SB raises to $3.32 all in, Hero calls $0.68

Final Pot: $7.66
SB shows A 3 (a straight, Ace to Five)
Hero shows 6 6 (a straight, Four to Eight)
Hero wins $7.39
(Rake: $0.27)



Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2914988
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $0.90
CO: $3.51
BTN: $2.19
SB: $2.01
Hero (BB): $2.73
UTG: $0.89

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with 8 8
UTG calls $0.02, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.08, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.06, UTG calls $0.06

Flop: ($0.25) 8 4 J (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.12, CO calls $0.12, Hero raises to $0.63, UTG folds, CO calls $0.51

Turn: ($1.63) J (2 players)
Hero bets $0.89, CO raises to $2.80 all in, Hero calls $1.13 all in

River: ($5.67) Q (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $5.67
CO shows A 9 (a flush, Ace high)
Hero shows 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Jacks)
Hero wins $5.47
(Rake: $0.20)

Villain was a "reg"

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2914989
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $4.14
SB: $2.16
BB: $1.79
CO: $2.00

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with K K
CO raises to $0.08, Hero raises to $0.24, 2 folds, CO raises to $0.40, Hero raises to $4.14 all in, CO calls $1.60 all in

Flop: ($4.03) 2 T A (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($4.03) Q (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($4.03) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $4.03
Hero shows K K (a straight, Ten to Ace)
CO shows T T (three of a kind, Tens)
Hero wins $3.89
(Rake: $0.14)



Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914990
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $5.51
CO: $2.19
BTN: $1.45
SB: $2.04
BB: $2.00

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with A A
Hero raises to $0.06, 3 folds, BB calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.13) 6 9 3 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.08, BB raises to $0.22, Hero raises to $0.61, BB calls $0.39

Turn: ($1.35) T (2 players)
BB bets $1.33 all in, Hero calls $1.33

River: ($4.01) K (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $4.01
Hero shows A A (a pair of Aces)
BB shows 6 5 (a pair of Sixes)
Hero wins $3.87
(Rake: $0.14)

lol ok...

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2914991
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $2.22
SB: $2.05
BB: $1.82
UTG: $2.13
CO: $1.85

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with Q Q
UTG raises to $0.06, CO calls $0.06, Hero raises to $0.26, 3 folds, CO calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.61) 5 T 7 (2 players)
CO bets $1.59 all in, Hero calls $1.59

Turn: ($3.79) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($3.79) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $3.79
Hero shows Q Q (two pair, Queens and Fives)
CO shows A 7 (two pair, Sevens and Fives)
Hero wins $3.66
(Rake: $0.13)

And with that, week 1 of the new strategy is complete. Glad to have caught some heat at the end, looking forward to increasing it next week (weeks start/end Friday morning). More hands than expected, probably wont be as much in the coming weeks due to the final few weeks of uni semester though.

In terms of study, I did a lot this week, working halfway through TMGP and also through a chapter of The Grinder's Manual. Happy with both study and how I played this week, feeling good.

Results:



Giraffe:

Subbed gl

Btw, what is The Grinders Manual? I googled it and only got a list of the top 10 coffee grinders.

Haha!

It's a book written by Peter Clarke (Carroters here on 2+2). TDA did a review over it in the publications sub forum (on phone so can't link).

Cheers for the sub, I'm already following you, gl!

For anyone interested, I'm also quite into fitness, in particular lifting heavy **** up and putting it back down again. Starting a cut as of today, so am looking to get to about 10-12% BF in the next few months (maybe by the time I move up to 5nl), so check the spoilers if you wanna follow along that progress.

subbed!!! gl especially with fitness goals.

Ah right, I found it in the 2+2 books bit and read the TDA review on it. Seems quite new, I'll maybe add it to my hitlist at some point but I've already got a backlog of stuff to read right now so might wait and see some more reviews first.

Woke up 5:00am this morning to get a session in before work. Did a little bit of reading on the reasons to ISO, and considerations when doing so. I think a lot of this stuff that I'm reading and "learning" I already (and I use this term quite loosely) knew, but it really helps to have my hunches confirmed by legit sources. I feel like this confirmation is allowing me to play pre-flop more confidently, which means I'm making less post-flop mistakes because when I'm confident my pre-flop "play" was correct, I'm less concerned about the outcome of the hand, knowing it will work for me in the long run. Also read a bit about "Hate-Losing Tilt" in TMGP, and that stuff hit home hard. It's definitely one of my mental game issues, and I think in conjunction with getting better, I'll improve in that regard.

Hands: 604
Result: +$7.14
Game: A

Felt good this morning, focus barely away the whole ~hour I played. Made what I think is a good fold, and played well overall.

v aggro (but solid) reg. Never seen him take a line like this before, and I'm confident he sees me as a solid reg as well, so I figure this is pretty infrequently a bluff. Even if he was semi-bluffing OTF, pretty much the only bluff he can have OTT is QT, and I'm not even sure he bets that. Think this is a good fold on a turn card which seems to improve my hand, while probably actually making my range weaker vs. his.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2915495
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $2.03
UTG: $3.64
CO: $2.04
BTN: $2.30
SB: $2.25

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with A Q
3 folds, SB raises to $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, SB calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.36) 5 A K (2 players)
SB bets $0.28, Hero calls $0.28

Turn: ($0.92) Q (2 players)
SB bets $0.71, Hero folds

Final Pot: $0.92
SB wins $0.89
(Rake: $0.03)


Almost shoved flop, realising that would probably fold out AK/77-JJ, whereas I might occasionally get calls from those hands if I double barrel small instead. Always fearful of an A hitting the turn when I bet small (or him having QQ), but gotta get out of the monsters under the bead syndrome. Happy with this hand.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915496
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $2.00
Hero (UTG): $2.17
MP: $2.00
CO: $2.12
BTN: $2.25
SB: $3.77

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with K K
Hero raises to $0.06, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.06, 1 fold, BB raises to $0.19, Hero raises to $0.60, 1 fold, BB calls $0.41

Flop: ($1.27) Q 4 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.54, BB calls $0.54

Turn: ($2.35) J (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.03 all in, BB calls $0.86 all in

River: ($4.07) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $4.07
BB shows K A (a pair of Jacks)
Hero shows K K (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
Hero wins $3.93
(Rake: $0.14)


Happy with this hand as well. Thoughts on sizings? I think maybe a bit bigger OTT, but don't think it's too bad. River could almost certainly be bigger, because while I might miss value from 66/77/99, I probably make up for that with calls from Jx which are probably pretty inelastic (I think is the term) meaning they'll call almost regardless of the size (between 1/2p and PSB).

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915497
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $0.92
UTG: $2.00
MP: $2.00
Hero (CO): $2.27
BTN: $0.76
SB: $2.12

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with Q Q
UTG raises to $0.06, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.06, 1 fold, SB calls $0.05, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.20) T T 5 (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.09, Hero calls $0.09, SB folds

Turn: ($0.38) J (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.25, UTG calls $0.25

River: ($0.88) 8 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.48, UTG calls $0.48

Final Pot: $1.84
UTG mucks J K
Hero shows Q Q (two pair, Queens and Tens)
Hero wins $1.78
(Rake: $0.06)


Just KK gettin' it done at 2nl.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2915498
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $4.17
BTN: $1.96
SB: $2.13
BB: $2.16
UTG: $4.45

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with K K
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.05, BTN calls $0.05, SB raises to $0.22, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.62, BTN calls $0.57, SB calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.88) T 5 2 (3 players)
SB bets $1.51 all in, Hero calls $1.51, BTN calls $1.34 all in

Turn: ($6.24) 7 (3 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($6.24) 6 (3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $6.24
Hero shows K K (a flush, King high)
BTN shows 3 5 (a pair of Fives)
SB shows Q Q (a flush, Queen high)
Hero wins $0.33
Hero wins $5.69
(Rake: $0.22)


Finally caught this fish after about 90 hands of grind. Haha literally felt like I was fishing.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2915500
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $3.12
Hero (BTN): $3.20
SB: $1.21
BB: $1.07

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with A Q
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.08, 1 fold, BB calls $0.06

Flop: ($0.17) T J 9 (2 players)
BB bets $0.02, Hero calls $0.02

Turn: ($0.21) 8 (2 players)
BB bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.40, BB calls $0.20

River: ($1.01) 3 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.66, BB calls $0.57 all in

Final Pot: $2.15
Hero shows A Q (a straight, Eight to Queen)
BB shows 7 T (a straight, Seven to Jack)
Hero wins $2.07
(Rake: $0.08)

Keep at it man. Posting a lot of hands, obviously you are conscious about working on your game. Only thing I will say is to try to move up asap, you don't need to destroy each stake to move up. Hell, look at me, I am coming to cash after being a DoN player for years and I took a 12 bi shot at nl30 lol.

Nice physique bro, just noticed this post. Solid back gainz. You look pretty lean already, you said you plan to drop 10 lbs right? What's your plan after that?

Subbed. GL with everything!

Cheers!

@EV I'm likely going to once again try and lean bulk. I've made the mistake multiple times in the past where I bulk to fast and gain unnecessary fat. Just wanna do it right this time.

Everyone knows bulking is an excuse to eat Maccas

Yup, we all been there man. Lean bulking too, first month is the toughest. Still feels like dieting.

Haha Jabba that's definitely my reasoning in the past, but Pizza Hut instead!

EV that's exactly it, it feels like dieting so isn't super satisfying being on a surplus. Will be worth it this time next year though when I'm still lean but have made the gains!!