Hey guys,

I would appreciate your personal opinion on this through I've read similar topics in the forum.

So I'm not new to online poker scene even though I haven't found success in the past. It was about 6 years ago when I first started playing online. Made a couple of deposits worth few hundred dollars. Went busto many times. Yet, I'm not surprised by this. I just had been playing super fishy and reckless. Easily going on tilt and moving up limits just to make back what I had lost. I stopped after a year because I was moving to U.S for college and I'd rather not played on U.S sites.

I graduated last year and early this year I decided to give it another shot as poker is my passion. I began to treat the game seriously reading Slansky books, Moshman's book on STTs. and many other useful books and material on poker and STTs which would help me become a better player. After spending about 3-4 months studying the game, reading and watching strategy videos I decided to deposit $50 on Stars. And chose to play $0.50 9-man Turbo SNGs. I would usually start with 2 tables at a time and if I'm winning I'd add another 2 etc.

I had 50 buy-in downswing. No I'm not playing a loose game. I'm playing according to Moshman's strategy. But I'm probably the unluckiest.

Some hands.

Hand # 1

PokerStars - 10/20 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 79 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 100.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
BTN: 73 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
SB: 73 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
Hero (BB): 75 BB
UTG: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
UTG+1: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
MP: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
MP+1: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
MP+2: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q Q

fold, fold, MP raises to 2 BB, fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 10 BB, fold, Hero raises to 75 BB and is all-in, fold, BTN calls 63 BB and is all-in

Flop: (148.5 BB, 2 players) 9 J 2

Turn: (148.5 BB, 2 players) 4

River: (148.5 BB, 2 players) 6

Hero shows Q Q (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 81%, Flop 87%, Turn 95%)
BTN shows 6 6 (Three of a Kind, Sixes)
(Pre 19%, Flop 13%, Turn 5%)
BTN wins 148.5 BB

Hand # 2

PokerStars - 75/150 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 14.14 BB (VPIP: 47.83, PFR: 8.70, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
Hero (BB): 10.64 BB
UTG: 10.23 BB (VPIP: 22.73, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
UTG+1: 9.99 BB (VPIP: 4.35, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
MP: 10.53 BB (VPIP: 65.22, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
MP+1: 14.93 BB (VPIP: 16.13, PFR: 11.29, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 62)
CO: 11.23 BB (VPIP: 4.35, PFR: 4.35, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
BTN: 8.3 BB (VPIP: 7.44, PFR: 6.72, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 125)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A K

fold, UTG+1 raises to 9.99 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 8.99 BB

Flop: (20.49 BB, 2 players) J 9 9

Turn: (20.49 BB, 2 players) 8

River: (20.49 BB, 2 players) 3

Hero shows A K (One Pair, Nines)
(Pre 74%, Flop 14%, Turn 7%)
UTG+1 shows J A (Two Pair, Jacks and Nines)
(Pre 26%, Flop 86%, Turn 93%)
UTG+1 wins 20.49 BB


Hand # 3

PokerStars - 100/200 NL - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 9.75 BB
UTG: 17.28 BB (VPIP: 20.51, PFR: 5.13, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 40)
CO: 17.03 BB (VPIP: 45.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 40)
BTN: 15.63 BB (VPIP: 25.64, PFR: 21.05, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 40)
SB: 7.83 BB (VPIP: 9.09, PFR: 8.57, 3Bet Preflop: 2.38, Hands: 148)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 6 6

fold, CO calls 1 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 9.75 BB and is all-in, CO calls 8.75 BB

Flop: (20 BB, 2 players) T Q 5

Turn: (20 BB, 2 players) 3

River: (20 BB, 2 players) 2

Hero shows 6 6 (One Pair, Sixes)
(Pre 52%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)
CO shows Q A (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 48%, Flop 92%, Turn 95%)
CO wins 20 BB


Hand # 4

PokerStars - 15/30 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG+1: 50 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 6.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
Hero (MP): 49.67 BB
MP+1: 67.33 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
MP+2: 33.33 BB (VPIP: 60.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
CO: 50.67 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
BTN: 49 BB (VPIP: 5.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)
SB: 53 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
BB: 50 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 10.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
UTG: 47 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A A

fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, MP+1 calls 3 BB, MP+2 calls 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to 50 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 46.67 BB and is all-in, MP+1 calls 47 BB, MP+2 calls 30.33 BB and is all-in

Flop: (183.5 BB, 4 players) 3 8 8

Turn: (183.5 BB, 4 players) 9

River: (183.5 BB, 4 players) K

BB shows K K (Full House, Kings full of Eights)

Main Pot [133.83 BB]: (Pre 18%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
Side Pot#1 [49 BB]: (Pre 19%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
Side Pot#2 [0.67 BB]: (Pre 80%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)

MP+1 shows 6 6 (Two Pair, Eights and Sixes)

Main Pot [133.83 BB]: (Pre 13%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)
Side Pot#1 [49 BB]: (Pre 16%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)
Side Pot#2 [0.67 BB]: (Pre 20%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)

Hero shows A A (Two Pair, Aces and Eights)

Main Pot [133.83 BB]: (Pre 58%, Flop 82%, Turn 90%)
Side Pot#1 [49 BB]: (Pre 65%, Flop 83%, Turn 90%)

MP+2 shows 5 7 (One Pair, Eights)

Main Pot [133.83 BB]: (Pre 11%, Flop 1%, Turn 0%)

BB wins 183.5 BB

Hand # 5

PokerStars - 25/50 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 43.8 BB (VPIP: 6.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
UTG: 21.4 BB (VPIP: 60.00, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 40.00, Hands: 15)
Hero (UTG+1): 28.5 BB
MP: 32.8 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 13.33, 3Bet Preflop: 50.00, Hands: 15)
CO: 68.4 BB (VPIP: 60.00, PFR: 26.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
BTN: 50 BB (VPIP: 46.67, PFR: 26.67, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 15)
SB: 25.1 BB (VPIP: 13.33, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K A

fold, Hero raises to 2.5 BB, fold, CO raises to 4 BB, BTN calls 4 BB, fold, BB calls 3 BB, Hero raises to 28.5 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, BB calls 24.5 BB

Flop: (65.5 BB, 2 players) 2 8 T

Turn: (65.5 BB, 2 players) Q

River: (65.5 BB, 2 players) Q

BB shows J J (Two Pair, Queens and Jacks)
(Pre 57%, Flop 72%, Turn 82%)
Hero shows K A (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 43%, Flop 28%, Turn 18%)
BB wins 65.5 BB


Hand # 6

PokerStars - 10/20 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 82.4 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
BTN: 74.5 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
SB: 72.8 BB (VPIP: 66.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
BB: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
UTG: 70.3 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 100.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
UTG+1: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
Hero (MP): 75 BB
MP+1: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
MP+2: 75 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J J

UTG raises to 2.75 BB, UTG+1 calls 2.75 BB, Hero raises to 9 BB, MP+1 raises to 75 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, BTN calls 74.5 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 66 BB and is all-in

Flop: (231.5 BB, 3 players) 6 T T

Turn: (231.5 BB, 3 players) Q

River: (231.5 BB, 3 players) K

Hero shows J J (Two Pair, Jacks and Tens)

Main Pot [230.5 BB]: (Pre 54%, Flop 71%, Turn 88%)
Side Pot#1 [1 BB]: (Pre 73%, Flop 85%, Turn 95%)

MP+1 shows 9 A (One Pair, Tens)

Main Pot [230.5 BB]: (Pre 14%, Flop 6%, Turn 0%)
Side Pot#1 [1 BB]: (Pre 27%, Flop 15%, Turn 5%)

BTN shows K A (Two Pair, Kings and Tens)

Main Pot [230.5 BB]: (Pre 32%, Flop 23%, Turn 12%)

BTN wins 230.5 BB
Hero wins 1 BB


Hand # 7

PokerStars - 25/50 NL - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 83 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 26.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
Hero (SB): 24.32 BB
BB: 23.2 BB (VPIP: 26.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
UTG: 57.42 BB (VPIP: 46.67, PFR: 26.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
MP: 27.6 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
CO: 54.46 BB (VPIP: 18.52, PFR: 7.41, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 27)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q A

fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, BTN raises to 6 BB, Hero raises to 24.32 BB and is all-in, fold, fold, BTN calls 18.32 BB

Flop: (52.64 BB, 2 players) 2 K A

Turn: (52.64 BB, 2 players) 3

River: (52.64 BB, 2 players) T

Hero shows Q A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 73%, Flop 81%, Turn 86%)
BTN shows A T (Two Pair, Aces and Tens)
(Pre 27%, Flop 19%, Turn 14%)
BTN wins 52.64 BB

Hand # 8

PokerStars - 50/100 NL - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 13.82 BB (VPIP: 30.00, PFR: 23.33, 3Bet Preflop: 5.26, Hands: 60)
BTN: 21.06 BB (VPIP: 41.30, PFR: 17.39, 3Bet Preflop: 4.76, Hands: 46)
Hero (SB): 23.48 BB
BB: 65.44 BB (VPIP: 55.00, PFR: 15.00, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 21)
UTG: 11.2 BB (VPIP: 9.52, PFR: 5.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 42)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A A

fold, fold, BTN raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 5 BB, BB calls 4 BB, BTN calls 3 BB

Flop: (15 BB, 3 players) 3 4 5
Hero bets 9.9 BB, BB raises to 60.44 BB and is all-in, fold, Hero calls 8.58 BB and is all-in

Turn: (51.96 BB, 2 players) Q

River: (51.96 BB, 2 players) 3

Hero shows A A (Two Pair, Aces and Threes)
(Pre 93%, Flop 13%, Turn 3%)
BB shows 2 A (Straight, Five High)
(Pre 7%, Flop 87%, Turn 97%)
BB wins 51.96 BB

Please help me find weakness in these hands. These are just few examples of bad beats. There are many more. Even the rest of the STTs I've busted out from are from simillar situations.

I know this is negative variance. But how long does this last for? It is frustrating. having losing sessions one after the other. This has been going on for weeks. I've tried not playing for a day or two and coming back fresh and playing my A game. But this just keeps happening.

What are your recommendations? My plan is to move to $1.50 9-man non turbo STTs after my bankroll turns $75.

Please help!

Thanks in advance

worry about it after the 14th year of it like me

Why are you posting if you know they are bad beats? Either you play through, or you analyze and decide you need to adjust your play. None of these hands were misplayed, IMO.

Pfffff, 14 years, dats nothing, try a lifetime of runbad!

Ragz (Top Pig) just doesn't realize how many ppl are making fun of how bad he plays and how he complains about being the most unlucky player in the world. He's like a synonym for "LOL" in skype group. He could post a lifetime ev graph to prove his point, but this'd mean he had to show how few bucks he made in a high-wage country while living at his parents as a >30 yo dude, or did he finally move out? Wouldn't be fair to out him like that if he wasn't a huge douche.

No question most of those are bad beats but there are a couple that are questionable - specifically hands 6 and 7.

Hand 6: Committing your stack on level 1 with JJ after someone cold 4-bets your 3b is a no-no.

Hand 7: A bit more debatable but with a raise and min-3b in front, AQ isn't looking so great there.

I don't know if Moshman advocates such high variance STT play (I haven't heard Moshman's name in years) but STTs are more about chip preservation, particularly in the early stages. Many people smarter than me have proven that high variance play in micro STTs is incorrect because the early double-ups don't increase your overall equity enough to justify the risk.

I've been playing the same 50 cent 9-man turbos lately myself after taking a lengthy hiatus from STTs and I have found that patience is a real virtue in these.

You are not lucky. It is very normal. Because most of the players must be unlucky like you, so few can continue the show, this is the game. good play doesn't always make you money. I understand your pain. But luck is essential in this game, especially if you play in micros. If poker room is not rigged, your luck can/must change (who knows when). with this hope you can continue to study and play. You are playing vs staking groups+collusion players+players with big bankroll+players with no care about losing 50cent+rake+..... so variance is huge.

You'r not the unluckiest player. You don't understand variance. This section of the forum is for hand analysis. A hand in which you shove a monster pre and lose to a weaker hand doesn't merit discussion. Getting it in ahead and losing is a part of poker in much the same way as gii ahead and winning the hand.

Variance is a big part of what makes poker profitable as it keeps losing players coming back. Here's a good video that might help you; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbvDbemInVg

Expect your court summons for libel any day now.

move up to small stakes. I get crushed in the micros, but I'm profitable in the small stakes. I don't know if its mental because the micros are for such small amount of money, I play worse. I'm not sure.

He's antisemitic too.

It lasts until you sacrifice a pony to the poker gods.

Hello onetrueyam,

I appreciate your response. Why I posted? Well I needed to hear from someone else that this was all correct play and that they had been in similar situation.

First of all new poster here, and in the same situation as you (just learning poker, read Moshmans start etc)

I would agree that hands 2-5 just unlucky. You have played these correctly in my opinion and just plain old variance. Be happy that you played these hands correctly and try to move away from being results based and taking heart from the fact you made the correct move and over time making the same decisions in these spots will see you win in more STT's over time.

Hand 1 I think is tough - I think I would have been conflicted on whether to shove or fold and would love to know what your thought process was. The 3 bet and then a large 4 bet from the villain reeks of AA-KK for me and there is potential especially in the micros of being in a multi-way all in with QQ's that early on with two pre-flop raisers and the blinds still to act. I know folding sounds nitty as hell and I would love to know the opinion of someone a lot more experienced if this thinking is incorrect as looking to improve myself as well. I think if there had not been a raise before the villain and he just 3-bet I am happily re-raising and hoping for a fold or a call and then re-assess the flop this early on when you are this deep.

Hand 6-7 agree with Darth Maul avoid the flips early on for same reason as above.