Announcement - Epiphany!

Ok so as many of you know and have pointed out, I'm playing way too low for my skill level/BR. Well I was doing that for reasons which included (not going to lie), fear of failure and fear of mistakes.

Working through TMGP's chapter on fear has made me realise two things:

1. I have a way to cure my fear of failure. It's not something that will always be there, and I don't have to play at the lowest stakes to improve it.
2. My fear of mistakes is actually a fear of learning, and has severely hindered my progress in the past to the point where I'd avoid studying cringeworthy and badly played hands, because I was embarrassed about them.

These factors have caused me to question myself at the table, which takes away a lot of certainty I should have in my game, causing me to be anxious, nervous, fearful and all sorts of negative emotions. These emotions cause me to play badly, which translates into more opportunities to learn and improve, however I haven't been fully taking advantage of that (I have lately but didn't on my 10nl/5nl downswing).

This epiphany was had when I considered my development as a player to my development as a lifter. I remember late last year, my Squat 1RM (one rep max) was ~95kgs. I had this crazy goal of achieving a 100kg Squat by years end and was determined to achieve it. I made that 100kg Squat the very next session, followed by a 105kg the session after that, and a 115kg Squat the session after that. As you can see I clearly had the strength in me, I just didn't have the confidence to pull the trigger and get under the ****ing bar. A couple of months later I hit a surprisingly comfortable 135kg squat, and honestly felt like I could go 140kg pretty easily. The next time I test my 1RM, I'm even going to push myself to failing at least once, to honestly determine my true 1RM, and to establish exactly the milestone that will be my new goal, rather than setting arbitrary weight goals that I "think" are goals (even if I could already hit them).

So what does this mean for my poker game? Well it means I'm going to get back under the bar. I'm moving up to 5nl asap, and seeing how that goes for me. My current bankroll is sitting at $206 (IIRC) and so I'll play 5nl for maybe 5-10k hands, see where the bankroll is at, and perhaps start mixing in some 10nl again.

And if I fail? ****ing good. I will look at all the mistakes I've made, my failure to adapt and where I can look to improve my game to adjust to 10nl, I will take every punch as fuel to my fire to become a better, stronger and more confident player. Bring on the next few months.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words so far in this thread, and for motivating me to be a better player

First 5nl session. Felt comfortable for the most part. Pretty focused and played a solid B game. Made some bluff raises OTF where they likely didn't hit villains range, and could easily have hit mine (exploiting range advantage), which is something that I don't do frequently.

Hands: 725
Result: $6.66 (666 hands in my first session, now 6.66 result )
Game: B

This sort of thing just does not happen when you're on a downswing. Of course this is all just luck, it's just nice to sometimes happen for the good guys.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915910
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.12
BTN: $6.80
SB: $6.05
Hero (BB): $5.07
UTG: $9.81
MP: $2.81

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with A A
2 folds, CO raises to $0.12, BTN raises to $0.40, SB raises to $6.05 all in, Hero calls $5.02 all in, 2 folds

Flop: ($10.66) 4 5 3 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($10.66) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($10.66) 7 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $10.66
SB shows Q Q (two pair, Queens and Fours)
Hero shows A A (two pair, Aces and Fours)
Hero wins $10.22
(Rake: $0.44)


Ran this through equillab and found that my call is indeed correct if he's ever shoving with KJo. I need ~30% equity to BE, and even against a range of AQ/66/TT/QQ I have like 22% equity which is pretty neat. Think the cbet in general is OK as well, considering my range smashes this flop whereas his has a lot more TJ/88/KT type stuff.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2915913
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $7.97
BTN: $2.05
Hero (SB): $6.94
BB: $5.21

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with K A
1 fold, BTN raises to $0.12, Hero raises to $0.40, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.28

Flop: ($0.85) 6 T Q (2 players)
Hero bets $0.46, BTN raises to $1.65 all in, Hero calls $1.19

Turn: ($4.15) 3 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($4.15) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $4.15
BTN shows A T (a pair of Tens)
Hero shows K A (high card Ace)
BTN wins $3.98
(Rake: $0.17)


This hand was tough for sure. Last hand BB raised 4x UTg and called a 3bet shove for 100bbs with KJs, so I'm surely ahead of his range. HJ on the other hand is a bit nitty, and I was very concerned when he just x/c'd flop. Turn and river play are indicitive of a value hand, as I figure with QK/JJ/AJ type stuff, he's just checking river hoping for showdown. Sizing kinda screams TT/AA/AK to me. Thoughts?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915914
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.00
CO: $5.09
Hero (BTN): $8.07
SB: $17.95
BB: $5.00
UTG: $10.22

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with Q A
1 fold, MP raises to $0.15, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.15, 1 fold, BB raises to $0.62, MP calls $0.47, Hero calls $0.47

Flop: ($1.88) 6 A T (3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $1.02, BB folds, MP calls $1.02

Turn: ($3.92) K (2 players)
MP checks, Hero checks

River: ($3.92) 7 (2 players)
MP bets $2.05, Hero folds

Final Pot: $3.92
MP wins $3.76
(Rake: $0.16)


Thought villain might fold Ax OTR to a shove, but would almost certainly shove over a small bet with Qx. He did not disappoint. Happy with my thought process in this hand.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2915915
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $4.40
BB: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with 8 8
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, BB calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.30) Q 8 A (3 players)
SB bets $0.05, BB raises to $0.34, Hero calls $0.34, SB calls $0.29

Turn: ($1.32) 5 (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.87, SB calls $0.87, BB folds

River: ($3.06) Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.60, SB raises to $3.09 all in, Hero calls $1.49

Final Pot: $9.24
Hero shows 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Queens)
SB shows Q 3 (three of a kind, Queens)
Hero wins $8.86
(Rake: $0.38)


Getting there against fish is so much sweeter to me than getting there vs. regs.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2915916
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.16
BTN: $6.92
SB: $5.18
BB: $6.03
Hero (UTG): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with J K
Hero raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.15, BTN calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.52) 7 A 8 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.34, CO calls $0.34, BTN folds

Turn: ($1.20) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.79, CO calls $0.79

River: ($2.78) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.51, CO calls $1.51

Final Pot: $5.80
CO mucks 9 8
Hero shows J K (a flush, Ace high)
Hero wins $5.56
(Rake: $0.24)


Another spot where I missed a bit of thin value. On one hand, all of his draws are folding river, and so are some of his "value" hands that I beat. On the other hand, if he's a level 2 thinker, he might consider that I missed my draw (there were plenty out there) and call down light. A spot where I could have (and possibly should have) bet for sure.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915917
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $6.90
UTG: $4.94
MP: $5.23
Hero (CO): $5.13
BTN: $5.79
SB: $2.39

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with K Q
UTG raises to $0.10, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.10, BTN calls $0.10, SB calls $0.08, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.45) Q 9 6 (4 players)
SB bets $0.10, UTG calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.51, BTN folds, SB folds, UTG calls $0.41

Turn: ($1.57) 7 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $1.10, UTG calls $1.10

River: ($3.77) 4 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $3.77
UTG shows Q T (a pair of Queens)
Hero shows K Q (a pair of Queens - King kicker)
Hero wins $3.61
(Rake: $0.16)


Figured there were a bunch of busted AsXo and KsXo that could bluff here, also some KJ/AJ/AK combos also. Obviously sometimes he has the nuts with the line he took, but I still think my call is OK. I think folding might be better if I hold the As though.


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915919
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $6.03
BTN: $5.07
SB: $3.85
BB: $5.00
UTG: $5.28
Hero (MP): $6.16

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is MP with A Q
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.15, 3 folds

Flop: ($0.37) Q 2 T (2 players)
Hero bets $0.19, CO calls $0.19

Turn: ($0.75) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.49, CO calls $0.49

River: ($1.73) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.83, Hero calls $0.83

Final Pot: $3.39
CO shows J K (a flush, King high)
Hero mucks A Q
CO wins $3.25
(Rake: $0.14)

These are the couple of spots where I picked up on some value when I have the range advantage. Thoughts on these two spots? Think never taking these in the past might have been a leak.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2915920
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $8.97
BB: $5.34
UTG: $2.72
MP: $6.05
CO: $5.07
Hero (BTN): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with Q K
2 folds, CO raises to $0.15, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) 5 3 8 (2 players)
CO bets $0.26, Hero raises to $0.99, CO folds

Final Pot: $0.89
Hero mucks Q K
Hero wins $0.85
(Rake: $0.04)

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2915921
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.63
CO: $5.00
BTN: $5.51
SB: $8.26
Hero (BB): $5.58

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with Q K
3 folds, SB raises to $0.20, Hero calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.40) 6 T 8 (2 players)
SB bets $0.28, Hero raises to $1.07, SB folds

Final Pot: $0.96
Hero mucks Q K
Hero wins $0.92
(Rake: $0.04)

Always nice to win dem huge pots with big hands.

Great examples in the last two hands, I like first more though, SB is often stealing with connectors and T86 flop can hit his range pretty hard. Raise with KQo is good.

And good decision to play at least on NL5 for the time being.

yeah dude good ****. honestly, as poker players and experienced lifters we ALL make mistakes but that doesn't mean we should lift like pu$$ies and get the form nazies until **** is perfect. That's not how it works, you live and you learn. When you fall, you get back up but this time, you are stronger. For poker, I have always been a nit and a HUGE brm nit. This is just all madness. The goal is to move up ASAP, there is so much rake at the micros and we are limiting ourselves. There are fish at every limit and every reg has leaks but we will fight and work hard to play our best but to limit our potential to very very small winnings is quite frustrating and discouraging. Keep at it.

Yeah SB is, but he was also pretty ABC, so figured he would be folding a large % of the time regardless.

Yep pretty much. I think the biggest flaw I used to have was expecting to win every session, and then when I didn't I freaked out. I also didn't take opportunities to learn and improve, so rather than learning from my runbad, I just blamed it and then continuously played worse!

Session this morning was interesting to say the least. One of my tables had an aggrofish and a huge whale on it, so that was definitely taking my focus away from the other tables. Had a pretty unfortunate runout in one hand where I probably was going to stack an overpair/top pair which cost me a fair bit. Standard AKs<AA. Other pretty standard stuff, but I'll post some hands and see if we can learn something.

Hands: 604
Result: -$3.60
Game: B-

One of the hands with the fish/whale. Pre flop may be a little loose, but we're pretty deep and figured I could extract a lot of value when I hit big. Was happy to take down a pretty sizable pot uncontested but unfortunately I wasn't ahead at all, let alone as far ahead as I thought I'd be. Got lucky to get there.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2916220
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $12.43
SB: $4.73
BB: $16.58
UTG: $5.62
MP: $5.00
Hero (CO): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with 7 8
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.20, BB raises to $0.28, Hero calls $0.16, SB raises to $0.40, BB calls $0.12, Hero calls $0.12

Flop: ($1.20) 9 4 6 (3 players)
SB bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50, Hero raises to $4.60 all in, SB folds, BB calls $4.10

Turn: ($10.90) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($10.90) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $10.90
BB shows J K (high card King)
Hero shows 7 8 (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
Hero wins $10.45
(Rake: $0.45)


My sizings were terrible in this hand. I should have raised to about $1.30-$1.50 preflop, the 90/5 whale was probably calling. Flop had to be bigger so I could shove a reasonable size OTT. Obviously I'm not always ahead, and he can rock up with some QT/straights etc, but if I sized correctly throughout the hand I'm almost certainly getting Qx and straight draws to stack off.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2916221
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $12.43
MP: $3.68
CO: $11.86
BTN: $5.52
SB: $5.09
Hero (BB): $10.30

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with A A
1 fold, MP raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.15, 1 fold, SB calls $0.13, Hero raises to $0.85, MP calls $0.70, CO calls $0.70, 1 fold

Flop: ($2.70) T Q 5 (3 players)
Hero bets $1.78, MP folds, CO calls $1.78

Turn: ($6.26) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $7.67 all in, CO folds

Final Pot: $6.26
Hero mucks A A
Hero wins $6.00
(Rake: $0.26)


This is the unfortunate hand I was alluding to earlier. Considered calling flop, but really didn't want to allow a flush to get there for cheap (and BB was the main target anyway). Once the 3rd diamond hits OTT and he checks, I'm kind of nervous and feel like he's shoving a lot if I bet. I checked and hoped for a brick so I could call off relatively confidently. Rivered 4th diamond and with that sizing and the nut low flush, I think I have to let it go. Unfortunate to just give up on so many big blinds, but sometimes the runouts just don't happen the way you want I guess.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2916222
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $12.38
BB: $5.00
UTG: $9.30
MP: $5.52
CO: $5.00
Hero (BTN): $13.65

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with 2 2
UTG calls $0.05, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.20, Hero calls $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.15, UTG calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.82) 2 9 8 (4 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $0.70, CO folds, Hero raises to $2.56, BB folds, UTG calls $1.86

Turn: ($5.94) A (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks

River: ($5.94) 5 (2 players)
UTG bets $3.70, Hero folds

Final Pot: $5.94
UTG wins $5.69
(Rake: $0.25)


River sizing was because I wanted to ensure I got called by 77-99/Tx which I felt made up a bigger part of his range than overpairs (he flatted BB after all). Figured he'd raise any 6/3 anyway, so not super worried about missing value there.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2916223
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $5.33
BTN: $5.27
SB: $3.98
BB: $6.32
UTG: $6.04
MP: $6.17

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with T T
UTG raises to $0.15, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.47) T 6 3 (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $0.25, BB calls $0.25, UTG folds

Turn: ($0.97) 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.64, BB calls $0.64

River: ($2.25) 3 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.30, BB calls $1.30

Final Pot: $4.85
Hero shows T T (a full house, Tens full of Sixes)
BB mucks J J
Hero wins $4.65
(Rake: $0.20)


Man I didn't even get a chance to bluff river. Sometimes you just don't get there haha.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2916224
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $5.23
BB: $24.88
CO: $8.29
Hero (BTN): $5.26

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with J 9
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.25) 6 7 T (2 players)
SB bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.45, SB calls $0.33

Turn: ($1.15) Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.75, SB calls $0.75

River: ($2.65) 3 (2 players)
SB bets $2.54, Hero folds

Final Pot: $2.65
SB wins $2.54
(Rake: $0.11)

Figured I'd be better off posting weekly updates and hands rather than sessionly ones.

Week: 2
Result: +$14.86
Mood: Happy with progress.

Made more progress through The Grinder's Manual this week, thoroughly enjoying the read and feel like I'm still learning tons! Didn't do that much work with TMGP though, going to force myself to once uni is over as just because I'm not running bad right now, doesn't mean I won't ever again haha. Felt like I played solid this week, feeling comfortable at 5nl and expecting to move up to 10nl when I have a moderate sample at 5nl.

Volume was meh this week, and likely not going to be any better next week, it's that time of the semester for uni. Got 2 assignments (1 big 1 small) due Monday (big) and Tuesday (small) next week, and then I'm free until finals. Gunna be a busy weekend with not that much poker, but sacrifices must be made in the name of the education Gods.

Results:



Giraffe:

Some hands from the last week:

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2918058
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $11.52
UTG: $6.54
CO: $5.37
BTN: $5.00
Hero (SB): $12.34

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with A A
UTG calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.35, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.75) T 3 Q (2 players)
Hero bets $0.61, UTG calls $0.61

Turn: ($1.97) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.60, UTG raises to $5.58 all in, Hero calls $3.98

River: ($13.13) A (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $13.13
UTG shows 3 9 (a pair of Threes)
Hero shows A A (three of a kind, Aces)
Hero wins $12.59
(Rake: $0.54)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2918059
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.30
MP: $5.00
CO: $5.49
BTN: $5.23
Hero (SB): $5.08
BB: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with 3 3
UTG raises to $0.15, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.15, Hero calls $0.13, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.50) 3 7 Q (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.31, BTN calls $0.31, Hero calls $0.31

Turn: ($1.43) 6 (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.84, BTN calls $0.84, Hero raises to $2.40, UTG folds, BTN calls $1.56

River: ($7.07) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $2.22 all in, BTN calls $2.22

Final Pot: $11.51
BTN shows T Q (three of a kind, Queens)
Hero shows 3 3 (a full house, Threes full of Queens)
Hero wins $11.03
(Rake: $0.48)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2918060
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $6.01
SB: $6.45
Hero (BB): $5.10
UTG: $15.35
CO: $9.41

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with 5 2
2 folds, BTN calls $0.05, 1 fold, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.12) 6 5 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.10, BTN raises to $0.35, Hero raises to $1.04, BTN raises to $3.25, Hero raises to $5.05 all in, BTN calls $1.80

Turn: ($10.22) 3 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($10.22) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $10.22
BTN shows J 4 (a straight, Deuce to Six)
Hero shows 5 2 (two pair, Fives and Deuces)
BTN wins $9.80
(Rake: $0.42)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2918061
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $10.37
MP: $5.28
Hero (CO): $5.00
BTN: $14.07
SB: $9.14
BB: $8.26

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with A K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, 1 fold, SB raises to $0.41, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.25, SB raises to $9.14 all in, Hero calls $3.75 all in

Flop: ($10.05) 2 T 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($10.05) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($10.05) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $10.05
Hero shows A K (a pair of Jacks - Ace+King kicker)
SB shows Q A (a pair of Jacks)
Hero wins $9.63
(Rake: $0.42)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2915915
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $4.40
BB: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with 8 8
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, BB calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.30) Q 8 A (3 players)
SB bets $0.05, BB raises to $0.34, Hero calls $0.34, SB calls $0.29

Turn: ($1.32) 5 (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.87, SB calls $0.87, BB folds

River: ($3.06) Q (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.60, SB raises to $3.09 all in, Hero calls $1.49

Final Pot: $9.24
Hero shows 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Queens)
SB shows Q 3 (three of a kind, Queens)
Hero wins $8.86
(Rake: $0.38)


Thoughts on this one?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2918063
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
BTN: $9.17
Hero (SB): $5.07
BB: $7.41
UTG: $5.27
MP: $4.45

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with K K
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.30, 1 fold, MP calls $0.25

Flop: ($0.65) 2 7 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.52, MP calls $0.52

Turn: ($1.69) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.11, MP calls $1.11

River: ($3.91) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.14 all in

Also physique update - cheeky abs spotted.

Villain stats/reads? I hate these spots. I will probably c/c irl but I think its probably a c/f river unless v is a drooler. Then shove is prob fine.

Nice1.

Had him tagged as suspected fish based on a few hands limping + buying in short stacked, no other reads.

Cheers! Long way to go but can't wait to lose a few more kilos!

How long you been working out and what kind of schedule do you do ?

Worked out here and there between 18-21, nothing remotely close to correct, just lifting random **** in the gym on occasion. Last year I got serious around September so I guess been lifting properly (nutrition tracked, training for specific purposes etc) for about 9 months now.

At the moment I'm doing a standard PPL routine, Legs/Core together, Chest/Triceps/Shoulders together and Back/Biceps together. I started off training heavy (low reps, higher % of my 1RM) but have since transitioned into more bodybuilding rep ranges (so like 12-15 reps and a lighter weight).

Ive been having a 6 days a week morning workout since around September last year.

My 6 days are 6k+run, next day gym session , next day run and so on.

Nothing special ... just 45-60 minutes on my own multi gym doing various routines with a long bar and dumb bells thrown in.

I do not do heavy weights really ... just try and increase the reps when it becomes easy or up 10 kilos and lower the reps until it gets easier again.

My diet is ok but nothing too strict and i drink a protein shake after each workout.

This week the multigym is set at 60kg and i do various routines that consist of 25-30 reps with each routine.

I repeat each 8 routines three times and takes about 65 minutes.

Im also upping the protein shakes to 2 from this week.

Sounds good. Have you seen much progress over the last 8-9 months?

Note: Remember lifting "heavy" doesn't refer to actual weight, but rather a measure of the weight you're lifting as a % of your 1RM. If you can bench 60kg for 1 rep on Bench, and do 5 sets of 3 reps at 50kg, you're lifting "heavier" than a guy who can Bench 120kg, but is doing 5 sets of 3 reps at 90kg. It's all relative, and important to keep in mind to keep motivation as high as possible (in my experience)!

I had to google that stuff !!

The multigym's limit is only 100 kilos, my aim is to reach that figure one day and see how much reps i can do over time ..

No real science just a dedication to do it every morning and see where it takes me.

Definite progress for sure ... feel completely different these days.

Looking lean mane. DUEL though? I certainly don't.

What's your height weight and macros?

DUEL = DYEL?

Height: 6'2
Weight: 80kg

Calories ~2500
Macros are ~ (not strict, only on protons)
180p
280c
70f

Following from now on. GL!

Cheers Arty!

So the month ended so I figure I'll start the new week now. As I mentioned before, the last week has been extremely busy for me with uni final assessments due, and actually a decent amount of work so not that much time for poker.

Lack of hands makes results look worse than they were, I actually felt like I played fine at the tables. One BI down was just QQ<AK all in pre, no biggy. Had one hand which was quite interesting though, would like some feedback on it.

Last Week:



May:





Villain is 19/13/1.0 over 135 hands. 3bet of 8%. Thought I'd turn my hand into a bluff getting AK/AQ to fold. Thoughts?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2919718
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $5.61
UTG: $3.93
MP: $5.07
CO: $4.02
Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $5.02

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with J A
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, 1 fold, BB raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.62) 3 A J (2 players)
BB bets $0.35, Hero calls $0.35

Turn: ($1.32) K (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.87, BB calls $0.87

River: ($3.06) Q (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.48 all in

I would raise flop and as played I see no reason to do this OTR.. The only reason to make this play is bc you believe he has sets a lot and we try to make him fold hands that beat us at SD.

Calling flop is good. You can bet or check the turn. I would just check the river. You have more obvious hands to bluff with on the river, such as underpairs with a diamond. I'm not sure if you can make villain fold AK/AQ anyway (especially as with some combos he has the Kd/Qd blocker), so I think I'd just treat this as a spot where the board ran out badly for your hand. You still beat some of his Axs and his random bluffs with a diamond, so checking back should do fine in the long run.

Yeah the last part was the intention. Figure he could see that any flush/T beat his 2pair/set combos, and that I'm more likely to have those hands in my range than him. Given that he 3bet pre I found it pretty hard to believe he had a flush (given the only combo that makes sense is like KQdd) and there aren't that many Ts in his range either, maybe TT and AT?

Mmm I definitely considered checking river, as it feels wrong to be turning flopped top 2 into a bluff, something I've probably never done before [intentionally haha]. Didn't consider that he might use Kd/Qd blockers with his 2pair to talk himself into making a call, that's something I need to consider in the future, cheers.

Inspired by dev (his PCG is here for those interested), I'm only going to be checking my results at the end of each month, rather than every session or even every week. I think this will help me stay more process oriented, and keep me focused on factors I can control such as my mental game, how I played, and how much I'm improving. I'll still be posting weekly hand histories and results in terms of my mental game and how I played, but the graphs and results will have to wait for the end of the month.

Bout to have a session now, but wanted to post some spots from my session yesterday for feedback. I'm not going to say what I did in each spot, I'm just identifying spots I wasn't 100% sure about and am interested in feedback (I've done my own analysis of each spot, so am intrigued as to how my thought process compares to others).


1) Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921440
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $4.78 - VPIP: 20, PFR: 8, 3B: 7, AF: 8.0, Hands: 50
BTN: $5.99 - VPIP: 24, PFR: 19, 3B: 10, AF: 5.3, Hands: 75
Hero (SB): $12.71
BB: $3.75 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 15, 3B: 4, AF: 2.5, Hands: 74
UTG: $6.50 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 18, 3B: 10, AF: 0.7, Hands: 67
MP: $7.31 - VPIP: 71, PFR: 4, 3B: 13, AF: 0.7, Hands: 28

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with K Q
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.25, 1 fold, MP calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.55) A Q Q (2 players)
Hero bets $0.45, MP raises to $1.25, Hero ?




2) Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921438
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $5.00 - VPIP: 16, PFR: 13, 3B: 2, AF: 2.1, Hands: 542
Hero (UTG): $5.80
MP: $5.12 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 13, 3B: 9, AF: 0.5, Hands: 23
CO: $5.00 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 13, 3B: 5, AF: 2.0, Hands: 135
BTN: $3.70 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 17, 3B: 4, AF: 0.5, Hands: 95
SB: $9.75 - VPIP: 27, PFR: 22, 3B: 7, AF: 2.5, Hands: 92

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with A A
Hero raises to $0.15, 3 folds, SB raises to $0.40, BB raises to $1, Hero ?


3) Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921441
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $5.02 - VPIP: 20, PFR: 20, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 5
BB: $2.61 - VPIP: 38, PFR: 28, 3B: 8, AF: 3.8, Hands: 58
UTG: $5.12 - VPIP: 18, PFR: 9, 3B: 0, AF: 0.5, Hands: 77
MP: $5.00 - VPIP: 8, PFR: 0, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 12
CO: $4.93 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 22, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 9
Hero (BTN): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with K J
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, 1 fold, BB calls $0.05

Flop: ($0.22) K J Q (2 players)
BB bets $0.10, Hero ?


4) vs. calling station fish. Is my sizing ok?

Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921445
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $18.37 - VPIP: 37, PFR: 22, 3B: 0, AF: 3.3, Hands: 134
CO: $5.21 - VPIP: 16, PFR: 13, 3B: 6, AF: 2.7, Hands: 100
BTN: $4.91 - VPIP: 65, PFR: 2, 3B: 0, AF: 1.2, Hands: 52
SB: $5.36 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 17, 3B: 7, AF: 2.0, Hands: 156
BB: $5.00 - VPIP: 10, PFR: 4, 3B: 4, AF: 2.7, Hands: 70
Hero (UTG): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with K A
Hero raises to $0.15, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) A 6 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, BTN calls $0.30

Turn: ($0.97) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $0.80, BTN calls $0.80

River: ($2.57) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $2.10

Checking your results once a month will definitely help you. It's only fairly recently that I stopped doing it and allowed myself to check my results more frequently. Funnily enough it wasn't losing that affected me it was winning. I found I tried to protect my winnings when I was doing well rather than focusing on just trying to play every spot in the most +EV manner.