I am 38 years old and playing poker for good few years mostly for fun. Recently I put some effort in studying it and I think it's time to take it seriously.

Couple days ago I started a thread about weekly bankroll challenge. Everything was fine until this morning when my hard drive died. In additional to lost PT4 database I lost nearly full day and physically won't be able to complete it. For this reason I decided to start a proper bankroll challenge from NL2 to NL500

During bankroll challenge I plan to complete 500k hands over 40 weeks and increase bankroll from $20 to $45,000. I will try to update this thread on a daily basis

Poker challenge consist of 8 steps. Each step reflects a stake. I will use progressive bankroll building starting with minimum requirements of 20 BI for NL2 and 90 BI for NL500.

Steps breakdown:

• Step 1 NL2: Starting bankroll $20. Target bankroll 20 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $60
• Step 2 NL5: Starting bankroll $60. Target bankroll 30 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $190
• Step 3 NL10: Starting bankroll $190. Target bankroll 40 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $500
• Step 4 NL25: Starting bankroll $500. Target bankroll 50 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $1450
• Step 5 NL50: Starting bankroll $1450. Target bankroll 60 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $3400
• Step 6 NL100: Starting bankroll $3400. Target bankroll 70 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $8000
• Step 7 NL250: Starting bankroll $8000. Target bankroll 80 BI + 4 BI of next stake: $22000
• Step 8 NL500: Starting bankroll $22000. Target bankroll 90 BI: $45000

Why I need 4 BI of next stake. Let say I am playing NL2. My target is 20 BI what is $40. I need 4 more BI of next stake so I could play NL5. If my bankroll goes down to $40 after I started to play NL5, I am playing NL2 again. If I am winning I continue on.

Step 1 was completed during weekly challenge:




Thread can be found here

Not a bad start at NL5 so far

Step 2 - NL5
Hands played: 500
BB/100: 70.84
C won: $17.71

Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 5282. C won $40.31. BB/100 - 38.16
Step 2 NL5: Hands 500. C won $17.71. BB/100 - 70.84
Current bankroll: $78.02

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 87.8 BB
MP: 145.4 BB
CO: 87.6 BB
Hero (BTN): 116 BB
SB: 132.6 BB
BB: 115.2 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 4 4

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, Hero calls 3 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop: (12.4 BB, 4 players) 2 4 4
BB checks, MP bets 4.8 BB, CO calls 4.8 BB, Hero calls 4.8 BB, fold

Turn: (26.8 BB, 3 players) 9
MP bets 12.8 BB, CO raises to 25.6 BB, Hero calls 25.6 BB, fold

River: (90.8 BB, 2 players) 8
CO bets 54.2 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 54.2 BB

CO shows 2 2 (Full House, Twos full of Fours)
(Pre 18%, Flop 0%, Turn 0%)
Hero shows 4 4 (Four of a Kind, Fours)
(Pre 82%, Flop 100%, Turn 100%)
Hero wins 191 BB

And top loosing hand yesterday!

Villain stats 53/11/25

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 242.2 BB
Hero (UTG): 95 BB
MP: 96 BB
CO: 127.6 BB
BTN: 28.4 BB
SB: 90.2 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has A Q

Hero raises to 2.4 BB, fold, fold, BTN calls 2.4 BB, fold, BB calls 1.4 BB

Flop: (7.6 BB, 3 players) K A 2
BB checks, Hero bets 6 BB, BTN calls 6 BB, fold

Turn: (19.6 BB, 2 players) 5
Hero bets 23 BB, BTN calls 20 BB and is all-in

River: (59.6 BB, 2 players) 6

Hero shows A Q (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 61%, Flop 82%, Turn 89%)
BTN shows 6 K (Two Pair, Kings and Sixes)
(Pre 39%, Flop 18%, Turn 11%)
BTN wins 57.2 BB

Today's update

Step 2 - NL5
Hands played: 1504
BB/100: 16.76
C won: $12.60 C won including payouts: $16.92

A bit a roller coaster day today. Wasn't playing at my best. Made some mistakes what probably cost me roughly 2 BI. Will analyse session tomorrow.

Summary:
Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 5282. C won $40.31. BB/100 - 38.16
Step 2 NL5: Hands 2004. C won $30.31. BB/100 - 30.25 (36.74 all in adjusted)
Cash out: +$3.55
Current bankroll: $94.17

Yesterday's top winning hand.

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 102.8 BB
MP: 137.6 BB
CO: 142.2 BB
BTN: 81.8 BB
SB: 116.8 BB
Hero (BB): 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 9 9

fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, BTN calls 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop: (9.4 BB, 3 players) 8 4 9
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN bets 4.6 BB, Hero calls 4.6 BB, CO calls 4.6 BB

Turn: (23.2 BB, 3 players) Q
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN bets 11 BB, Hero raises to 26 BB, CO raises to 134.6 BB and is all-in, fold, Hero calls 66.4 BB and is all-in

River: (219 BB, 2 players) 5

Hero cashed out 198.6 BB for a fee of 2 BB

Hero shows 9 9 (Three of a Kind, Nines)
(Pre 19%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)
CO shows A A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 81%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)

And top "Loosing" hand yesterday. Cash out future on poker stars was used

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 101 BB
CO: 83 BB
BTN: 115.8 BB
SB: 100 BB
Hero (BB): 245.6 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Q Q

fold, CO calls 1 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 4 BB, CO calls 3 BB

Flop: (8.4 BB, 2 players) 4 8 T
Hero bets 4.8 BB, CO raises to 79 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 74.2 BB

Turn: (166.4 BB, 2 players) 9

River: (166.4 BB, 2 players) Q

Hero cashed out 121.8 BB for a fee of 1.2 BB

Hero shows Q Q (Three of a Kind, Queens)
(Pre 83%, Flop 77%, Turn 82%)
CO shows J 9 (Straight, Queen High)
(Pre 17%, Flop 23%, Turn 18%)
CO wins 159.4 BB

I had some history on this villain. He bets/raises when hit top pair or better. Goes all in when on the draw or middle pair. After facing all in from him it was an easy decision. Plan was to call and use cash out future.

Analysing database is the way I create my strategy. Looking over hands history, bet sizing and final strength of the winning hand I developped my own system to play micro stakes.

It's very straight forward system based on preflop ranges against certain player types, bet sizing and hand strength.

Yesterday I played 1504 hands for a total C won of $12.60 and 16.76 bb/100. I wasn't playing at my best yesterday and analysing hands this morning confirmed that

Session review:
Hands: 1504
Winnings: $12.60
Won during incorrectly played hands: +$6.58
Lost during incorrectly played hands: -$25.05
Session results if to follow strategy to the dot: $31.07 (41.32 bb/100)

As result because I wasn't at my best I lost nearly $20 during 1500 hands at NL5.

Plan for today is to follow strategy to the dot and play same amount hands as yesterday.

Today's update

Step 2 - NL5
Hands played: 1406
BB/100: 22.76
C won: $15.96

Summary:
Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 5282. C won $40.31. BB/100 - 38.16
Step 2 NL5: Hands 3422. C won $46.09. BB/100 - 26.94 (25.83 all in adjusted)
Cash out: +$2.68
Current bankroll: $109.08

Nice challenge

gl to you!

Thank you.

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Yesterday's session review didn't show major leaks. Cards distribution was a bit uneven, what is acceptable due to a small sample.

To winning hand:

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (CO): 116.4 BB
BTN: 234.4 BB
SB: 186 BB
BB: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Q Q

Hero raises to 2.4 BB, fold, SB raises to 9 BB, fold, Hero calls 6.6 BB

Flop: (19 BB, 2 players) 2 5 2
SB bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (39 BB, 2 players) 4
SB bets 20.6 BB, Hero calls 20.6 BB

River: (80.2 BB, 2 players) 6
SB bets 146.4 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 76.8 BB and is all-in

SB shows K J (One Pair, Twos)
(Pre 28%, Flop 13%, Turn 7%)
Hero shows Q Q (Two Pair, Queens and Twos)
(Pre 72%, Flop 87%, Turn 93%)
Hero wins 224 BB

Top loosing hand:

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 225.6 BB
CO: 68.8 BB
BTN: 50.8 BB
SB: 224.4 BB
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 110.6 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has K K

UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, SB calls 2.6 BB, Hero raises to 13 BB, UTG calls 10 BB, fold

Flop: (29 BB, 2 players) 2 9 5
Hero bets 16 BB, UTG calls 16 BB

Turn: (61 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero bets 35 BB, UTG calls 35 BB

River: (131 BB, 2 players) T
Hero bets 36 BB and is all-in, UTG calls 36 BB

Hero shows K K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 18%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)
UTG shows A A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 82%, Flop 92%, Turn 95%)
UTG wins 194.6 BB

In regards to loosing hand KK OOP, probably should C/C the flop etc

Short session today. Only 603 hands

Step 2 - NL5
Hands played: 603
BB/100: 43.12
C won: $13



Summary:
Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 5282. C won $40.31. BB/100 - 38.16
Step 2 NL5: Hands 4025. C won $59.09. BB/100 - 29.36 (31.91 all in adjusted bb/100)
Cash out: +$9.76
Current bankroll: $129.16



Top loosing hand, cash out was used:

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 123.8 BB
UTG: 150.2 BB
Hero (CO): 95.6 BB
BTN: 83 BB
SB: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Q A

UTG calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 4 BB, fold, SB raises to 14 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 10 BB

Flop: (30 BB, 2 players) Q J 5
SB bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (50 BB, 2 players) 2
SB bets 33.6 BB, Hero raises to 71 BB, SB raises to 76 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 0.6 BB and is all-in

River: (193.2 BB, 2 players) J

Hero cashed out 141.6 BB for a fee of 1.4 BB

SB shows A J (Three of a Kind, Jacks)
(Pre 30%, Flop 13%, Turn 23%)
Hero shows Q A (Two Pair, Queens and Jacks)
(Pre 70%, Flop 87%, Turn 77%)
SB wins 185.2 BB

Top winning hand:

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 108.2 BB
SB: 150.2 BB
BB: 128.6 BB
Hero (UTG): 139 BB
CO: 213.6 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Q J

Hero raises to 2.4 BB, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 1.4 BB

Flop: (5.2 BB, 2 players) 8 T 9
BB bets 2.6 BB, Hero raises to 7 BB, BB calls 4.4 BB

Turn: (19.2 BB, 2 players) 3
BB bets 9.2 BB, Hero raises to 29 BB, BB calls 19.8 BB

River: (77.2 BB, 2 players) T
BB bets 37 BB, Hero raises to 100.6 BB and is all-in, BB calls 53.2 BB and is all-in

Hero shows Q J (Straight, Queen High)
(Pre 74%, Flop 91%, Turn 97%)
BB shows J 9 (Two Pair, Tens and Nines)
(Pre 26%, Flop 9%, Turn 3%)
Hero wins 247 BB

Today I decided to try couple things.

1st is to try Hand2Note and 2nd to play zoom tables instead of my 1st choice 6-max.

The reason I want to try zoom tables is due to number of hands can be played an hour. If I could maintain 30% of my winrate I would be happy with it as it would allow me spend extra time studying poker.

The problem I have is Hand2Note. I have some money on 888poker. So I decided to try it there firs. Hud is running fine. Problem with hands reporting. I played 3 tables, apparently it's a maximum allowed number of snap tables on 888poker. Played for approximately 20 minutes and accordingly to H2N I played something like 27 hands.

I searched Internet and found something like to reset game types to default. This didn't solve anything. Hand reporting still useless. Anyone knows what is happenning?

One of my main concerns is amount of time I play vs Study poker. Today I was back to NL2 to try few things.

1st I downloaded N2H and tried snap tables at 888 poker. Apparently N2H doesn't supportsnap snap tables and I have nothing to report. Multi tabling 4 snap tables for 20 minutes and S2H showed only 27 hands were played.

During this 20 minutes I realized snap/zoom tables are not for me. So I decided to download drivehud, paid subscriptions for micros and try it for a little bit. A bit overhelming for me.

Now I had a challenge how to play 6-max, but to play more than 300 hands an hour. When I paid for Drivehud I noticed app StackAndTile. Trial version was downloaded and set upped for eight 6-max tables. Maximum allowed 4 tables on Pokerstars and 4 tables on 888poker.

1508 hands were played in just over 2 hrs. 656 hands/hour. C won 15.53, 13.42 including payouts. 51.49 bb/100, 49.80 all in adj bb/100

Result wise it was on par with 4 tabling NL2.



Challenge Summary:
Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 6790. C won $55.84. BB/100 - 41.12
Step 2 NL5: Hands 4025. C won $59.09. BB/100 - 29.36 (31.91 all in adjusted bb/100)
Cash out: +$7.65
Current bankroll: $142.58

nice results

Thank you James

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Every week I set certain goals for myself. These goals are not result related and more as general targets.

This week goals:
1. Study for 14 hrs. Topic 3/4 bet. I want to increase my 3-betting and 4-betting percentage. I like to conceMy 3-betting is fairly low and I want to increase it significantly. As I study one topic a week, I am dedicating full time to it

2. 12k hands. By my estimates it's roughly 20 hrs of Poker. Slightly more than I would like.
I plan to play roughly 1750 hands NL 2. The reason I want to play NL2 is to get used to eight 6-max tables. 3500 hands NL5 and the rest of the hands at NL10. What stakes I will play depends from results and some adjustments can be done.

3. Complete my strategy for NL2 and NL5 tables by creating presentable PDF file. Despite this goal is only 3rd in the list, probably it's the most important. I enjoy to play poker and spend time at the tables. But creating complete strategy up to NL100 for people who want to take poker seriously is something what makes me to sit in front of PT4 for 30-40 hrs a week analysing database. My goal is not to create something what make sense at poker tables, my goal is to optimize decisions what make the most profitable EV for the stake, based on bet type, size etc

Time to play some poker!

Interesting session today. 1962 hands played for a total C won of $16.10. bb/100 14.93

NL5 - 1099 hands, played mostly on pokerstars. C won $17.07, 31.06 bb/100
NL2 - 863 hands played mostly on 888poker. C won -$0.97, -5.62 bb/100



Challenge Summary:
Starting bankroll: $20
Step 1 NL 2: Hands 7653. C won $54.87. BB/100 - 35.85 (32.86 all in adjusted bb/100)
Step 2 NL5: Hands 5124. C won $86.69. BB/100 - 29.73 (31.01 all in adjusted bb/100)
Cash out: +$7.65
Current bankroll: $158.68

good luck!

Thank you

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GL man will be following

Thank you

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