you probably take the pot with a bet on the turn with the Qs.

Raining blood double bass drum intro can only be matched by Propaghandhi's Night Letters intro...

I am probably not going to play a session until I get to AZ. I need to save up a little cash to make sure I have enough for the trip and a bullet or two.

I am going to record a vlog with a couple pointers for anyone thinking about moving out to Vegas and grinding poker as suggested by serio562. I am going to get RobFarha's thoughts on the subject aswell.

Yeah I think you are right. It was a sticky spot and I was torn between betting again or pot controling seeing as the turn improves Tx and the flush completes.





The set was absolutely killer, they still have it after 30 years of thrashing. I got in a good amount of headbanging and of course had to hop in the pit for angel of death.

I checked out that Propaghandhi song, not bad.

That logic is pretty results oriented.

If you think you can cont to get value ott then betting is correct, but you never want to bet just to "take it down".

Nice thread, following! And I like new $100s

yeah, you're right, but i still think we have to bet the turn.

I disagree with betting the turn, hand played itself.

While I wouldn't bet the turn against most villians in the hand above with QQ because that is one of the many terrible turn cards you can see, I strongly disagree with that statement.

There are plenty of opportunities where it can be correct to bet where we are not particularly defined as value-betting or bluffing. Capturing equity is an important part of poker.

For example when we raise with AK/AQ/AJ and are heads up against someone on a 332 flop, I'm cbetting here like all the time. I do not expect worse to call, nor do I expect better to fold, I am betting in the hopes that I just take it down.

1. It allows me to maintain the lead and dictate the size of the pot on the turn. I'm thinking about riving sizing when I make my cbet.
2. It does not give me opponents random cards like 68 suited a chance to pair up/turn a draw on the turn.
3. These boards are perfect for setting up multiple street bluffs against the correct opponents. So many bad turn cards for his c/c range that we can represent. On the reverse end it discourages him from bluffing me on later streets where I may incorrectly fold.

As far as situations where it isn't a cbet. Think about times where we call with 77 in position in a 3 way pot and it checks to us on the flop on T 6 3.

It's really likely we have the best hand here but we are against two opponents with a particularly vulnerable hand. We might have to fade3 or 4 overcards OTT whereas betting captures equity and gives us the best chance to win the pot. When we check this spot we seldom win unimproved.

When I bet the flop here I am not value-betting or bluffing. I am certainly not hoping I get called, I am hoping to win the pot by betting right here. I am "betting to take it down" and it certainly not a bad thing if everyone just folds here as our hand is really unlikely to improve.

Where people misapply this is with hands like jacks (or even aces) preflop where they make some mammoth raise that forces everyone out of the pot. Same thing postflop when people overbet with a made hand against a flush draw board to "get the draws out". Those are terrible plays made by terrible players, but to say that betting with the intention of taking it down is never correct is totally wrong.

Good explanation, I agree with everything. I should have specified that my blanket statement was only in regards to this, and other similiar, specific situation ott. Based on the Vs flop callin range, betting ott just to take it down is essentially turning your hand into a bluff against most opponents.

There are many situations where, as you mentioned, it is correct to bet to "capture" your equity. I've recently started opening my small and medium pps from up front and when I'm cbetting 22s on a AK6 board, this is exactly where this concept applies. Disregarding balancing purposes and other factors that make this bet correct, in the most simple terms, I am betting to essentially "take it down" so I don't allow my V to realize his equity.

Good post. It's a pretty new concept I've only really began thinking about since transitioning to 2/5 where I'm betting in situations with a hand that has some value where it's pretty much impossible to get called by worse.

I would say you are betting the flop for value and to capitalize on dead money. As in there are lots of random hands that have alot of equity which won't call a bet.

I find turn in QQ hand really difficult. Villain only has about a PSB left, so pot control is pretty much out the window. We has overpair with only ~PSB left, but that's a pretty gross turn card, but we might have a redraw if behind (well, at least 2 outs, hopefully 11). I think I play it the same way, but I think I also feel a little gross about it at the same time.

GsubbedG

I put in a low volume month, I think I played well mostly.

I did accomplish my mini challenge even though I only played one sess. I am going to keep that pattern whenever I play.

Thanks for all the discussion about that last hand.

GllsnllegendITTG, welcome

Cheers to all the PG&C live grinders, let's crush these last 2 months.

Got a few pics for you all, new vlog will be uploaded as soon as I get around to recording it.



I am going to try and play a few more hrs this month.

I didn't end up playing at talking stick.



Passed through Laughlin, will have to try poker here someday.





Phoenix seen from Camelback peak

The valley has a similar climate as LV but way bigger and spread out.



Downtown at night



Cool mural



Ran into this sick band at first Friday phx, they smoked me out and I helped em out as roadie after their gig

On my way back to LV today. Hangin out with JoeyBlaze for a few more days.

November 2013

Total hours played- 0
Average hourly winrate- 0
Winnings- $0

2013 YTD

hours played- 1363.5
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23483

"If the wind will not serve, take to the oars." - Latin Proverb







Few more pics from Phoenix, The view reminded me of the hrs I used to spend playing sim city 3000, the whole valley is developed in a neat grid just like the suburbs of Vegas

I didn't play any poker for 2 weeks, which it the longest break I've taken since I can remember.

I just played a session last night, played alright. I'm going to go post a hand in LLSNL and comment on 3 hhs today.

Hand 1:

V1 (250)- 35 yo white female, loose
V2 (350)- 40 yo white male, tight
Hero's Image (155)- 25 yo white male, tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is SB dealt 76
V1 raises to 10 from MP, V2 calls from BTN, Hero 3bet to 50, V1 calls pretty quickly, V2 folds.

Flop (108):
QJ8
Checks through.

Turn (108)
K
Hero checks, V1 bets 5, Hero folds.



I guess I picked a bad spot but got some info. Seat changed to her left seeing as she called a huge 3bet with an easily dominated hand.

Hand 2:
V1 (110)- 35 yo French male, station
V2- (400)- 55 to white male, tight
Hero's Image (89)- 25 yo white male, tag

Preflop (3):
Hero is BB dealt JJ
V1 raises to 6 in MP, V2 calls from MP, Hero 3bets to 30, V1 calls, others fold.

Flop (63):
743
Hero bets 23, V1 calls.

Turn (109):
T
Hero bets 36 and is AI, V1 calls.

River (181):
7



I am planning to play some more sessions this week whenever I have the cash. I feel like the wind hasn't been in my sails the last few months but I will still try my best and eventually I will get something going again.

Mini Challenge

3/3 hhs posted
3/3 hhs commented on
1/1 motivational quotes
1/1 encouragement to others

November 2013

Total hours played- 3
Average hourly winrate- -$33
Winnings- -$100

2013 YTD

hours played- 1366.5
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23383

I don't like the massive 3-bet, OOP here. With small/mid SC's, I'm looking to get multi-way, IP, with huge implied odds. You know that V1 is loose and has a high probability of calling your 3-bet. By 3 betting so large, you've eliminated V2 and his equity while making it heads up for $123 which is 82% of your starting stack. Now you're left guessing OOP as the QJ flop smacks right in the middle of her range while completely missing yours. I can appreciate the spirit of aggression but feel that simply calling and seeing a 3 way flop is the correct move in this situation.

Regardless, I hope you re-discover the wind in your sails and find that run good once more. GL

Whats up man! I don't have time to read all 133 pages, care to give a summary of what you've been up to? your $17/hr winrate at 1/2nl is fantastic, its much harder to achieve 8bb an hour after rake and tipping than most people would think. I like your goals and challenges, I think we share that mentality. Looking forward to keeping up on your thread

76s is a fold preflop here. When you 3bet you're gonna get called too often by the loose woman, and implied odds aren't there to call her open OOP.

Good advice ITT.

"The best way out is always through." - Robert Frost



They are starting to attach some pods the the observation wheel



Spotted this sweet vette outside Hard Rock, always been my dream ride since I was a kid

I got in a session had some decent tables, played well. I avoided spots with marginal holdings postflop and stayed out of trouble.

I think while I am low on cash I need to tone down the aggression a little bit and play a little more nitty nut peddling style until I build some momentum.

Hand 1:

V1 (350)- 65 yo white female, tight, raises bigger with premiums small with mid strength hands
Hero's Image (100)- 25 yo white male, tight

Preflop (3):
Hero is BB dealt 92
V1 raises to 5 from MP, 4 calls, Hero folds.

I thought this would be a good squeeze spot as no one has show much strength. Everyone has me covered. I think I could shove here and pick up 25, no one had shown a tendency to slowplay monsters pf.

But seeing as this is my last 100 bucks I didn't pull the trigger.

Hand 2:
V1- (85)- 30 yo white male, loose station, will make hero calls
Hero's Image (200)- 25 yo white male, tight

Preflop (3):
Hero is LP dealt T7
3 limps, V1 limps, Hero limps.

Flop (12):
TT6
Checks to Hero who bets 5, 2 calls, V1 calls.

Turn (30):
Q
Checks to Hero who bets 20, V1 calls the rest fold.

River (69):
5
Checks to Hero who bets 58, V1 folds.

I am going to go post a hand in LLSNL.

Yeah I guess it was a poor spot, I didn't have any specific read on how villain reacts to 3bets so I shouldn't have made that move without more info to suggest villain would fold the weak hands in her range.


This thread basically chronicles my poker journey since Black Friday. I started out playing mostly in Oakland, CA the first year. I've spent 5 months last year and 6 months living in Vegas so far this year. I'm still working on the building a bankroll and money management aspects. I will also do a detailed 2013 wrap up at the end of the year, which has been filled with lots of new places, people and experiences with many lessons learned.

That $17/hr this year is actually a mix of 1/2, 1/3 and 2/5 so not exactly an impressive bb/hr.

I like your thread too, your have a pretty solid bankroll which is necessary when you hit those inevitable 10 and 20 BI downswings. You have great attitude, hope you recover from the lime disease quickly and can get back to crushing poker!


I agree, it is a fold without a better read that I have FE. SCs are not good hands to play postflop oop and I am short stacked so insufficient IO anyhow.


Yes definitely. Thanks everyone for the comments I genuinely appreciate it, cheers.

Mini Challenge

6/6 hhs posted
6/6 hhs commented on
2/2 motivational quotes
2/2 encouragement to others

November 2013

Total hours played- 7.5
Average hourly winrate- $5
Winnings- $40

2013 YTD

hours played- 1371
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23523

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do" - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe





I saw the trucks delivering some of the observation wheel pods they look kind of futuristic

I played a ridiculously short session, played poorly I'll give myself an F. I didn't stick to the game plan of nitting it up and got into some marginal spots.

Hand 1:

Very first hand I am dealt.

V1 (180)- 40 yo asian male
V2 (350)- 40 yo white male
Hero's Image (300)- 25 yo white male

Preflop (3):
Hero is CO dealt AK
V1 limps from MP, Hero raises to 10, V2 calls from BTN, V1 calls.

Flop (30):
753
V1 checks, Hero bets 20, V2 folds, V1 calls.

Turn (69)
9
V1 checks, Hero bets 40, V1 snap calls.

River (149):
8
Checks through.



Hand 2:
V1 (170)- 40 yo asian male, loose
V2- (80)- 25 to white male, loose
Hero's Image (160)- 25 yo white male, loose, can bluff

Preflop (3):
Hero is
LP dealt 44
V1 raises to 10 in MP, V2 calls from MP, Hero calls.

Flop (30):
765
V1 bets 40, V2 folds, Hero jams for 150 total, V1 calls.



I need the semi bluff to work about 1 in 3 time to b/e and villain is probably only folding 1 in 10 times so this was -EV spew :/. Not to mention my image isn't clean after hand 1.

I have one more I am going to go post in LLSNL.

Mini Challenge

9/9 hhs posted
9/9 hhs commented on
3/3 motivational quotes
3/3 encouragement to others

November 2013

Total hours played- 8
Average hourly winrate- -$33
Winnings- -$260

2013 YTD

hours played- 1371.5
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23223

Nice Goethe quote. I like the pictures ITT, the view of Phoenix from the mountains is cool. I'm going to start posting pics to, hopefully it will inspire me to adventure and avoiding monotonous activities in life. Do you have a car in Vegas? how much is the cost of living?

That first hand looks standard. Not a fan of hand two. I think trying to get people to fold when they overbet in 1/2 is suicide. It's not a huge mistake but it would be better if you had like 68s or 78s since you would have more equity. This is probably just unnecessary variance IMO. Especially when you describe him as a loose asian player.

Great thread btw!

"A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own" - Latin Proverb



Bill's has some new steel framing on top and on the east side and new paint

Everyone should be sure to learn from my mistakes. Otherwise you will end up a busto donk like me.

I played a couple short sessions, played alright I think.

Hand 1:

V1 (41)- 25 yo asian male
Hero's Image (70)- 25 yo white male, tight

Preflop (3):
Hero is HJ dealt AA
2 limps, Hero raises to 12, V1 calls from BTN, the rest fold.

Flop (27):
A86
Hero bets 12, V1 says "you got the ace?" takes a bit and calls.

Turn (50)
A
[C Hero bets 17, V1 calls and is AI.

River (84):
3



Hand 2:
V1 (250)- 60 yo white male, haven't seen him 3b before
Hero's Image (75)- 25 yo white male, tight

Preflop (3):
Hero is
CO dealt AK
1 limp, Hero raises to 10, V1 raises to 20 from BTN, Hero 4bets to 75, V1 calls.

Flop (150):
A65

Turn (150)
9

River (150):
Q




Thanks, I know I personally like seeing pics in threads rather than endless walls of text.

I don't have a car, I just walk or use the bus to get around. I know housing in NV is cheaper than CA and a lot of other places.


Hand 1 think checking turn might be better in this spot without enough FE but it's close.

Hand 2 I have ok equity about 38% vs overpairs and sets but I just don't have enough FE here. He is only overbet/folding extremely rarely, virtually never.

Glad you dig the thread, thanks for the comments on the hhs.

Mini Challenge

12/12 hhs posted
12/12 hhs commented on
4/4 motivational quotes
4/4 encouragement to others

November 2013

Total hours played- 10.5
Average hourly winrate- -$25
Winnings- -$262

2013 YTD

hours played- 1374
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23221

"How prone to doubt, how cautious are the wise!" - Homer (he also has other great sayings such as "d'oh!" )



some Australian, Malaysian, and Korean currency

I played a couple short sessions, I think I played ok.

Hand 1:

V1 (200)- 35 yo white male, tag
V2 (250)- 65 yo white male, tight
Hero's Image (100)- 25 yo white male, nit

Preflop (3):
Hero is BB dealt T4
4 limps, Hero checks.

Flop (9):
JQ8
Checks through.

Turn (9)
9
Hero bets 10, V1-V2 and limpers call.

River (56):
5
Hero checks, V1 bets 40, V2 calls, Hero folds.



Maybe bet like 20 ott, b/f, c/c or c/f river?

Hand 2:

Table- loose passive
Hero's Image (70)- 25 yo white male, raised a couple times and won uncontested

Preflop (3):
Hero is
SB dealt JJ
UTG raises to 6, 2 calls, Hero raises to 70, all fold.

3b small and bet the rest otf or is shipping pf most +ev?

I have been sticking with my mini challenges the last 2 weeks pretty closely even though I havn't been playing much, going to start another weeklong one today.

Mini Challenge

3/3 hhs posted
3/3 hhs commented on
1/1 motivational quotes
1/1 encouragement to others

November 2013

Total hours played- 13.5
Average hourly winrate- -$19
Winnings- -$255

2013 YTD

hours played- 1377
Average hourly winrate- $17
Winnings- $23228

Cool pics and nice dedication. Can I ask what are your current "big" goals are right now? (Life and poker).

I 3b JJ and ship all flops with unders, and basically all flops with one overcard especially with a fd included. You will lose more pots this way but make more $$ in longrun. If the open was just a bit larger, like $10 I'd just stuff it like
you did.