Finally starting to show a positive at 100NL:



My red line is much higher than my blue line which is interesting.

Here are a few cool exploitative lines:

Hand #1
I open in HJ with J J for $3
BU calls
BB maniac calls

Flop($9.50) 5 4 3
BB bets $9.02
I raise to $20
BU folds
BB calls

Turn($49.50) 5 4 3 K
BB jams making it $88.09 more to call
I call
BB flips over Q T

River is 4 and I scoop the pot. It pays to pay attention!


Hand #2
Roughly 200BBs deep
I open in HJ with K T to $3
BU 3-bets to $10
I call

Flop($21.50) 6 5 T
I check
BU checks

Turn($21.50) 6 5 T K
I bet $15.32
BU calls

River($52.14) 6 5 T K J
I bet $37.15
BU shoves all-in making it $130.76 more for me to call.

Normally it is an easy fold, but I just felt my opponent was being a bit too aggressive lately and might not check back a flush draw on the turn. River jam seemed like nut flush or busted nut flush draw. AQ, maybe, but it seems a bit thin. Ended up calling and he flipped over A 9. Phew!


Hand #3
250BBs effective
CO opens to $2
BU maniac 3-bets to $7.50
I 4-bet in the SB to $24 holding T T
CO folds
BU calls

Flop($51) 6 2 5
I bet $24.23
BU calls

Turn($99.46) 6 2 5 Q
I check
BU checks

River($99.46) 6 2 5 Q A
I check
BU bets $48.23
I call
BU flips over K J

Maniac players can put you in some pretty tough spots sometimes, but I try to not let that be an excuse to not tango with them, especially when their ranges are so wide.

I've actually been playing a lot less poker lately because of other things in my life right now, but I'm still trying to climb up the ladder to higher stakes.

Really trying to get some hands in. If I open 10 diamond chests in a 28 day cycle I unlock black chests which are 33% rake back instead of just 25%. I have to put in a lot of volume to achieve this. I was sick today, but played over 7 hours of poker. I've been doing 6 tables instead of 4 now to increase the speed at which I can achieve black chests and move up in stakes. I want to get to a $10,000 bankroll before I start dabbling into 200NL. Made $533.97 today which feels good. The all-in adjusted was $1,220.58 so my yellow line is finally caught up to my green line. The bankroll is at $8209.65 so I'm only 18 buy-ins away before I can start grinding at 200NL. Kind of exciting.

I've noticed that when I start tables by playing heads up poker I actually lose money. So instead of starting tables, I play at the stakes available below me, until there are at least 2 other people at the tables at which point I will sit that table and close the lower staked table.

Here are two notable hands I played today:

Hand #1
CO limps
BU with 80BB stack limps
SB folds
I check in BB with K 9

Flop($3.50) K 3 5
I check
CO bets $2.66
BU calls
I call

Turn($11.48) K 3 5 2
I check
CO checks
BU bets $4.25
I call
CO calls

River($24.23) K 3 5 2 8
I check
CO checks
BU bets $3.75
I shove all-in
CO with $104 remaining stack folds
BU with $69.72 remaining stack calls with K J

I thought BU had basically KQ, KJ, or KT and would fold to my all-in, but I was wrong and blundered my stack. Thought I could rep K8 and get a fold, but no.

Hand #2
Folds to me in the SB with A K, my opponent in the BB has $271.33 and I have him covered. I make it $3
BB raises to $9
I re-raise to $27
BB calls

Flop($54) 6 7 5
I bet $16.93
BB calls

Turn($87.86) 6 7 5 K
I check
BB bets $59.40
I call

River($206.66) 6 7 5 K 3
I check
BB moves all-in for $167.97
I call
BB shows A Q

Right before this hand happened I had toggled "sit out next BB" because I prefer to not be deep stacked against other regs at the table if I can help it. Fortunately this hand played out in my favor. Maybe I shouldn't have c-bet this terrible flop which hits his range more than mine. Not sure if 77, 66, and 55 3-bet preflop and I think they have a high chance of raising the flop so river jam looks like flushes and A4s for value. Maybe 54s too. KK is also a rare possibility. AK would be too thin in my opinion, but it is possible as well. For bluffs I think high Ax with the ace being a spade and possibly missed draws. If I had QQ-TT my life would be really miserable on that turn/river and I'd probably be overfolding so I think it makes sense for a reg to start getting creative with some bluffs.

Been playing a lot of hands, won a bunch over $1000 in a single session. Played some $200NL briefly, lost a bunch of money and had to move back down. Interestingly, a lot of the 200NL regs are some of the same regs from the 100NL pool. I finally unlocked the black chest and have gone back to playing 4 tables at a time so that I can think more deeply about hands without going on auto-pilot. Learned how to quick post hands using the PT4 software. It is much quicker than typing them all out.

Here are 15 cool hands from November:

Hand #1

PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 147.03 BB
Hero (UTG): 139.63 BB
MP: 189.74 BB
CO: 154.4 BB
BTN: 185.27 BB
SB: 201 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7 7

Hero raises to 3 BB, MP raises to 9 BB, CO calls 9 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop: (28.5 BB, 3 players) Q 6 4
Hero checks, MP checks, CO checks

Turn: (28.5 BB, 3 players) K
Hero checks, MP checks, CO checks

River: (28.5 BB, 3 players) T
Hero bets 130.63 BB and is all-in, fold, fold,

I felt that the players were not the type to trap in a 3-bet pot and would overfold to the jam. A bit risky, but felt like a good spot.

Hand #2
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 138.26 BB
SB: 121.76 BB
BB: 143.98 BB
Hero (CO): 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 9

Hero raises to 3 BB, BTN raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop: (19.5 BB, 2 players) T 9 A
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 2
Hero checks, BTN bets 13.7 BB, Hero raises to 91 BB and is all-in, BTN calls 77.3 BB



Wanted to get max value from a weak ace and went for the triple check versus a dangerous reg.

Hand #3
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 108.64 BB
BB: 144.18 BB
UTG: 90.8 BB
CO: 104.73 BB
BTN: 119.84 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2.7 BB, fold, BTN calls 2.7 BB, Hero raises to 11 BB, fold, fold, BTN calls 8.3 BB

Flop: (25.7 BB, 2 players) 6 K Q
Hero checks, BTN bets 9.21 BB, Hero calls 9.21 BB

Turn: (44.12 BB, 2 players) 5
Hero checks, BTN bets 20.96 BB, Hero calls 20.96 BB

River: (86.04 BB, 2 players) A
Hero checks, BTN bets 78.67 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 67.47 BB and is all-in



My opponent was getting a bit aggressive and I was worried about him having Kx on the turn. Strangely, the A on the river shifted his all-in bet to a very bluff heavy range and made the river call easy whereas the turn call was a bit tougher.

Hand #4
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 83.09 BB
CO: 121.97 BB
Hero (BTN): 114.67 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 100.62 BB
UTG: 113.7 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 A

fold, MP calls 1 BB, CO calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 5 BB, SB raises to 14 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 9 BB

Flop: (31 BB, 2 players) 5 J 4
SB checks, Hero bets 5 BB, SB raises to 18.02 BB, Hero calls 13.02 BB

Turn: (67.04 BB, 2 players) T
SB bets 15.13 BB, Hero raises to 82.65 BB and is all-in, SB calls 52.85 BB and is all-in

River: (203 BB, 2 players) 8

Players agreed to run it twice.

River #2: (203 BB, 2 players) 5



Sometimes I spazz and it costs me.

Hand #5
PokerStars - $0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 116.5 BB
SB: 49.62 BB
Hero (BB): 136.74 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7 4

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

Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) Q 5 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 2 BB, Hero raises to 8 BB, BTN calls 6 BB

Turn: (22.5 BB, 2 players) A
Hero bets 16.04 BB, BTN calls 16.04 BB

River: (54.58 BB, 2 players) J
Hero checks, BTN bets 25.94 BB, Hero calls 25.94 BB



This hand was played against the same opponent as in hand 4, so perhaps my read that my opponent likes to attack the scary 4 flush board isn't too far off.

Hand #6
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 118.69 BB
BTN: 92.03 BB
SB: 138.23 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

BTN calls 1 BB, SB calls 0.5 BB, Hero checks

Flop: (3 BB, 3 players) 2 4 6
SB checks, Hero bets 1.43 BB, fold, SB calls 1.43 BB

Turn: (5.86 BB, 2 players) 5
SB checks, Hero bets 2.79 BB, SB calls 2.79 BB

River: (11.44 BB, 2 players) 3
SB checks, Hero bets 25 BB, fold



Hand #7
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 202.91 BB
BB: 100 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 A

Hero raises to 3 BB, BB calls 2 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) T Q J
BB checks, Hero bets 2.85 BB, BB calls 2.85 BB

Turn: (11.7 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero bets 3.67 BB, BB raises to 12.9 BB, Hero calls 9.23 BB

River: (37.5 BB, 2 players) J
BB checks, Hero bets 184.16 BB and is all-in, fold



After calling the turn check/raise I suspect my opponent has Ax pretty often. When the river pairs the board I decide to turn my straight into a bluff with an all-in. This hand kind of reminds me of that bluff I read about in that super system book written by Doyle a long time ago.

Hand #8
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 101.22 BB
SB: 66.57 BB
BB: 86.68 BB
UTG: 101.5 BB
Hero (MP): 120.25 BB
CO: 161.99 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 T

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

Flop: (7.5 BB, 2 players) 6 5 4
Hero bets 2.35 BB, CO calls 2.35 BB

Turn: (12.2 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 8.69 BB, CO calls 8.69 BB

River: (29.58 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero bets 50 BB, fold



Opponent was so tight passive, I wouldn't be surprised if he folded 8x sometimes on the river.

Hand #9
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 100 BB
Hero (BTN): 107.48 BB
SB: 96.84 BB
BB: 101.3 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 T

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB raises to 10 BB, Hero calls 7 BB

Flop: (20.5 BB, 2 players) 9 T K
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (20.5 BB, 2 players) 3
BB bets 12.48 BB, Hero calls 12.48 BB

River: (45.46 BB, 2 players) 9
BB bets 21.98 BB, Hero raises to 85 BB and is all-in, fold



Hand #10
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 107 BB
MP: 95.5 BB
CO: 145.58 BB
BTN: 101.5 BB
SB: 112.2 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 3 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) 8 8 9
SB checks, Hero bets 2.85 BB, SB raises to 8.55 BB, Hero raises to 18 BB, fold



3-bet bluffing flops is great against the right people. Probably not GTO, but still effective.

Hand #11
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 250.23 BB
CO: 127.56 BB
BTN: 100 BB
Hero (SB): 222.28 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q 4

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) 5 5 T
Hero bets 1.88 BB, BB calls 1.88 BB

Turn: (9.76 BB, 2 players) A
Hero bets 6.95 BB, BB raises to 15.9 BB, Hero raises to 38 BB, fold



Opponent was a very aggressive reg and since it was BvB, I think I can sometimes make this move on the turn. Only need folds about 50% of the time here to make a profit.

Hand #12
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 114.05 BB
UTG: 110.09 BB
Hero (CO): 120.41 BB
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 101.23 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) 6 7 9
BB checks, Hero bets 2.04 BB, BB raises to 8.5 BB, Hero raises to 17 BB, BB calls 8.5 BB

Turn: (40.5 BB, 2 players) 3
BB checks, Hero bets 19.24 BB, fold



Hand #13
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 100 BB
SB: 100 BB
Hero (BB): 146.46 BB
UTG: 134.26 BB
CO: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.5 BB, fold, Hero raises to 10 BB, BTN raises to 23.5 BB, Hero calls 13.5 BB

Flop: (47.5 BB, 2 players) T 3 3
Hero checks, BTN bets 11.54 BB, Hero calls 11.54 BB

Turn: (70.58 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (70.58 BB, 2 players) 9
Hero bets 25 BB, fold



This was kind of risky with the flop call, but it ended up paying off.

Hand #14
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 155.16 BB
Hero (BTN): 170.62 BB
SB: 100.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A 9

Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB raises to 12 BB, Hero calls 9 BB

Flop: (24.5 BB, 2 players) 9 9 J
BB checks, Hero bets 7.68 BB, BB raises to 21 BB, Hero raises to 52 BB, BB calls 31 BB

Turn: (128.5 BB, 2 players) 8
BB checks, Hero bets 106.62 BB and is all-in, BB calls 91.16 BB and is all-in

River: (310.82 BB, 2 players) 4



3-betting flops for value is pretty awesome when you know they won't believe you.

Hand #15
PokerStars - $1 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 146.15 BB
SB: 101.89 BB
BB: 114.92 BB
UTG: 256.44 BB
Hero (CO): 215.22 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 5 A

UTG calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 5 BB, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls 4 BB

Flop: (11.5 BB, 2 players) Q 8 4
UTG checks, Hero bets 5.46 BB, UTG calls 5.46 BB

Turn: (22.42 BB, 2 players) 4
UTG checks, Hero bets 15.98 BB, UTG calls 15.98 BB

River: (54.38 BB, 2 players) T
UTG checks, Hero bets 38.75 BB, UTG raises to 230 BB and is all-in, fold



This fold was very painful.


Hopefully I'll be able to move up to 200NL again soon.

I've been playing 200NL. Looks like my redline is really high while my blue line suffers. I think I need to learn to check back more often. I feel as though I haven't been running the best, but I've come across some tough competition as well.


Here are 18 interesting hands that I've played for last 4 to 5 months:

Hand #1

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 101 BB
SB: 136.73 BB
BB: 36.04 BB
UTG: 243.23 BB
MP: 107.85 BB
Hero (CO): 140.98 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, SB raises to 11.5 BB, fold, Hero calls 8.5 BB

Flop: (24 BB, 2 players) 8 8 6
SB bets 11.4 BB, Hero calls 11.4 BB

Turn: (46.8 BB, 2 players) 5
SB checks, Hero bets 14.95 BB, SB calls 14.95 BB

River: (76.7 BB, 2 players) 8
SB bets 98.88 BB and is all-in, fold,

This fold was not fun and I ran into the only card on the river that I would have folded to. Not sure if it was correct since his c-bet in 3-bet pots had been 100% at that point so it is possible I folded to a bizarre float on the turn, but at the same time, 66 dropped way down in value for all the possible hands that I had in my range at that point. I was kind of on the fence, but I felt like I was beat a lot so I ended up folding.

Hand #2

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (CO): 106.17 BB
BTN: 99.46 BB
SB: 108.23 BB
BB: 101.5 BB
UTG: 156.94 BB
MP: 364.76 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (7.5 BB, 2 players) J J 5
Hero bets 2.35 BB, BTN calls 2.35 BB

Turn: (12.2 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (12.2 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, BTN bets 5.8 BB, Hero raises to 19 BB, fold,

This was an exciting opportunity to check/raise the river as a bluff to eliminate pocket pairs going for value. I felt like he was floating me a bit as well.

Hand #3

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 141.99 BB
UTG: 70.64 BB
MP: 236.85 BB
CO: 144.78 BB
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 203.58 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 J

fold, MP raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 1.5 BB

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 4 7 T
Hero checks, MP bets 3.9 BB, Hero raises to 10 BB, MP calls 6.1 BB

Turn: (25.5 BB, 2 players) K
Hero bets 18.17 BB, MP calls 18.17 BB

River: (61.84 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero bets 111.32 BB and is all-in, fold,

This was an interesting spot to check/raise the flop and barrel 3 streets. Lots of my bluffs actually hit on that river which is nice.

Hand #4

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 118.52 BB
Hero (CO): 105.01 BB
BTN: 111.92 BB
SB: 109.8 BB
BB: 76.68 BB
UTG: 300.05 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 Q

fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, BB raises to 6 BB, Hero calls 3 BB

Flop: (12.5 BB, 2 players) 6 Q J
BB bets 5 BB, Hero calls 5 BB

Turn: (22.5 BB, 2 players) 5
BB bets 21 BB, Hero calls 21 BB

River: (64.5 BB, 2 players) 8
BB checks, Hero bets 73.01 BB and is all-in, BB calls 44.68 BB and is all-in

Exploitatively going for thin value on this river versus this opponent that has a weaker river checking range.

Hand #5

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 109.4 BB
SB: 221.21 BB
Hero (BB): 318.22 BB
UTG: 100 BB
CO: 76.35 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A 8

UTG raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 2 BB, Hero calls 1.5 BB

Flop: (7.5 BB, 3 players) 9 6 2
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG bets 2.35 BB, fold, Hero calls 2.35 BB

Turn: (12.2 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, UTG checks

River: (12.2 BB, 2 players) T
Hero checks, UTG bets 15.07 BB, Hero calls 15.07 BB

Flop and river calls are a bit loose, but my opponent was a bit aggressive.

Hand #6

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 56.75 BB
UTG: 113.72 BB
MP: 82.84 BB
CO: 126.63 BB
BTN: 102.7 BB
Hero (SB): 100 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) A 7 K
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: (6 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, BB bets 2.85 BB, Hero calls 2.85 BB

River: (11.7 BB, 2 players) K
Hero bets 11.12 BB, BB calls 11.12 BB

I've been looking for spots to donk bet on rivers. I felt like river would be under bluffed so I decided to lead and capture value from an ace.

Hand #7

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 119.01 BB
BTN: 175.23 BB
Hero (SB): 174.05 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A 8

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) A J 2
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: (6 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero checks, BB checks

River: (6 BB, 2 players) T
Hero bets 2.85 BB, BB raises to 19.95 BB, Hero raises to 171.05 BB and is all-in, fold,

I probably could have just called on the river since I underplayed my hand, but since I knew my opponent couldn't have the nuts I just jammed. Not sure why, but at the time, I thought my two pair was beat.

Hand #8

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 197.12 BB
UTG: 127.39 BB
Hero (CO): 104.74 BB
BTN: 90.05 BB
SB: 110.6 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 J

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, BTN raises to 7 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 4 BB

Flop: (15.5 BB, 2 players) 8 T 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 6 BB, Hero calls 6 BB

Turn: (27.5 BB, 2 players) J
Hero checks, BTN bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

River: (47.5 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 23 BB, BTN calls 23 BB

Another spot to donk lead on the river for value.

Hand #9

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 129.02 BB
Hero (BB): 332.47 BB
UTG: 190.94 BB
MP: 102 BB
CO: 100 BB
BTN: 165.08 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.2 BB, fold, Hero calls 1.2 BB

Flop: (4.9 BB, 2 players) 8 9 A
Hero checks, BTN bets 1.16 BB, Hero raises to 6 BB, BTN calls 4.84 BB

Turn: (16.9 BB, 2 players) 9
Hero checks, BTN bets 8.03 BB, Hero raises to 24 BB, fold,

I don't do a double check/raise bluff too often, but I it is very satisfying to pull off when I do.

Hand #10

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 102.5 BB
Hero (SB): 102.27 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 136.33 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 75.27 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 A

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) K 8 4
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: (6 BB, 2 players) T
Hero bets 2.85 BB, BB calls 2.85 BB

River: (11.7 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BB bets 8.34 BB, Hero raises to 25 BB, fold,

This hand was against a streamer who does very well at these stakes. I have access to pretty much every hand he plays since he streams them. I was able to get 4x to fold if I recall correctly. I think a lot of great players overfold to river check/raises as they probably should.

Hand #11

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 94.63 BB
CO: 296.79 BB
BTN: 164.21 BB
SB: 100.5 BB
Hero (BB): 152.4 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, CO raises to 2.3 BB, fold, SB calls 1.8 BB, Hero calls 1.3 BB

Flop: (6.9 BB, 3 players) 3 9 J
SB checks, Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (6.9 BB, 3 players) A
SB checks, Hero bets 3.28 BB, CO calls 3.28 BB, fold

River: (13.46 BB, 2 players) J
Hero bets 36 BB, fold,

This was also against the same streamer. He ended up folding 7 6 which made me very happy. I vaguely remember him saying that he would call a river overbet on stream, but when he saw that it was 3x he reconsidered and threw it in the muck.

Hand #12

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 107.07 BB
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 274.47 BB
MP: 217.28 BB
CO: 149.65 BB
BTN: 92.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 10 BB, UTG calls 7.5 BB

Flop: (20.5 BB, 2 players) K J 2
Hero bets 6.43 BB, UTG calls 6.43 BB

Turn: (33.35 BB, 2 players) T
Hero checks, UTG checks

River: (33.35 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero bets 10.51 BB, UTG raises to 258.05 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 73.07 BB and is all-in

Hero called on the river, I think this spot is usually a fold, but felt like my opponent would bluff a bit too much here. The fact that I didn't hold the A was the final deciding factor leading me to call.

Hand #13

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 122.96 BB
BTN: 112.16 BB
SB: 109.88 BB
Hero (BB): 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

CO raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 1.5 BB

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) K 9 K
Hero checks, CO bets 1.57 BB, Hero raises to 7 BB, CO calls 5.43 BB

Turn: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, CO bets 6.56 BB, Hero raises to 25 BB, fold,

Turn might be too draw heavy for the double check/raise line, but I do block KQ, KJ, and I need some bluffs on the river for when the flush fills in so I chose this combo.

Hand #14

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 100 BB
UTG: 117.69 BB
CO: 100 BB
BTN: 100 BB
Hero (SB): 122.37 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7 5

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) 7 A 8
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: (6 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero bets 2.85 BB, BB calls 2.85 BB

River: (11.7 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 5.56 BB, BB raises to 17 BB, fold,

Disciplined fold against a nit.

Hand #15

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 141.21 BB
BB: 114.97 BB
UTG: 111.45 BB
MP: 182.72 BB
CO: 100 BB
Hero (BTN): 162.47 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has T 8

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB raises to 12 BB, Hero calls 9 BB

Flop: (24.5 BB, 2 players) 4 A 9
BB bets 7.68 BB, Hero calls 7.68 BB

Turn: (39.86 BB, 2 players) 2
BB bets 28.77 BB, Hero calls 28.77 BB

River: (97.4 BB, 2 players) 4
BB checks, Hero bets 114.02 BB and is all-in, fold,

Probably a bit loose on the flop, but I felt like I have a lot of opportunity for plays on various turn cards.

Hand #16

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 100 BB
BB: 118.04 BB
UTG: 104 BB
MP: 285.95 BB
CO: 100 BB
Hero (BTN): 114.09 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 A

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, SB raises to 12 BB, fold, Hero calls 9 BB

Flop: (25 BB, 2 players) T T 7
SB bets 11.88 BB, Hero calls 11.88 BB

Turn: (48.75 BB, 2 players) A
SB bets 23.63 BB, Hero calls 23.63 BB

River: (96 BB, 2 players) 9
SB bets 52.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 52.5 BB

This hand felt like it was on the cusp between folding and calling. Since I held and 8 I block the str8 and holding the hearts unblocks some bluffs, because flush draws in his spot usually want to go two streets instead of three leaning me more towards a call.

Hand #17

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 107.88 BB
MP: 109.21 BB
CO: 110.76 BB
Hero (BTN): 140.82 BB
SB: 3.47 BB
BB: 326.37 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4 7

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, SB raises to 3.47 BB and is all-in, BB calls 2.47 BB, Hero calls 0.47 BB

Flop: (10.41 BB, 3 players) J K Q
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (10.41 BB, 3 players) A
BB bets 7.42 BB, Hero calls 7.42 BB

River: (25.25 BB, 3 players) Q
BB bets 18 BB, Hero calls 18 BB

This hand might be better as a fold on the river, it felt pretty close, but due to the dynamic of the other player being all-in he could potentially bet with the str8 to bluff me, but extract value from the all-in player. I can't really see someone going for value with anything less than a flush with this sizing though, so it may be optimistic thinking someone would do this with a str8. I think I probably got lucky on this one.

Hand #18

PokerStars - $2 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 101.73 BB
BTN: 128.15 BB
SB: 114.22 BB
BB: 206.37 BB
UTG: 200.15 BB
Hero (MP): 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K 7

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, fold

Flop: (7 BB, 2 players) 3 7 3
SB checks, Hero bets 3.33 BB, SB calls 3.33 BB

Turn: (13.65 BB, 2 players) 6
SB bets 6.49 BB, Hero calls 6.49 BB

River: (26.62 BB, 2 players) 2
SB bets 25.29 BB, Hero raises to 87.19 BB and is all-in, SB calls 61.9 BB

Value raise on the river is thin, but I don't think this opponent is folding weaker flushes or the straight so I went for it. It is a bit dangerous because he could have full houses and higher flushes, but he seemed like the right player type to just go for it.


So far I've been quite stagnate at 200NL, but I think my skills are improving. My next step is to stop continuation betting so much. It can be really hard not to sometimes. Also, I have to always remember to hand read, because it can get easy to fall in the trap of not thinking about hands hard enough.

Subbed gl at the tables

Thanks, I've made some changes to my game and it may have made me play worse, so I'm back to the drawing board. It's always a risk changing things to get better, but sometimes it ends up making you play worse.