NL50 update

At one point I basically lost around 12 buy-ins in a row in a span of <1000 hands Wasn't even tilting just constantly running into nuts and losing flips.

I somehow have been more passionate about learning solver outputs than actually playing. I have done a fair share of drilling practice mode in GTO Wizard daily.

Gonna grind some NL20 for a few days then try NL50 again

Gave NL50 one more try just because weekends are filled with recreationals. During the session I just couldn't win a hand. Few thousand hands is a really small sample but its starting to create a mental barrier when every session lately ends up in me losing 100% of flips and facing always the top of villains range. I'm not sure if I should deviate a lot more from theory and just be super nitty with calling villains because lately I have only seen them betting the nuts. Starting to feel afraid to raise for value because villain seems to always have the 1 combo of trapped nuts they shouldn't even have in their range according to theory

I noticed that one of my leaks is sometimes being way too theory-oriented in spots vs unbalanced shitregs. I just need to learn to fold when the 15/10/5 nit starts blasting.

H1 - vs weekend funplayer

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 100 BB
BB: 108.86 BB
UTG: 352.9 BB
Hero (MP): 100 BB
CO: 144.78 BB
BTN: 103.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, Hero raises to 2.24 BB, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 1.24 BB

Flop: (4.98 BB, 2 players) J 7 3
BB bets 2 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Turn: (8.98 BB, 2 players) Q
BB bets 3 BB, Hero raises to 13.48 BB, BB calls 10.48 BB

River: (35.94 BB, 2 players) T
BB bets 7 BB, Hero raises to 82.28 BB, BB calls 75.28 BB

Hero mucks J J (Three of a Kind, Jacks)
(Pre 68%, Flop 94%, Turn 91%)
BB shows 9 K (Straight, King High)
(Pre 32%, Flop 6%, Turn 9%)
BB wins 197.5 BB


H2 - Never saw a bluff in this spot. Idk honestly how I could have played this differently

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 100.5 BB
BB: 198.12 BB
UTG: 131.66 BB
CO: 101 BB
BTN: 481.42 BB

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 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 11.6 BB, fold, BTN calls 9.1 BB

Flop: (24.2 BB, 2 players) A 2 7
Hero bets 6.04 BB, BTN raises to 16.08 BB, Hero calls 10.04 BB

Turn: (56.36 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (56.36 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 453.74 BB, Hero calls 72.82 BB

BTN shows T 9 (Flush, Ten High)
(Pre 23%, Flop 6%, Turn 30%)
Hero mucks A A (Three of a Kind, Aces)
(Pre 77%, Flop 94%, Turn 70%)
BTN wins 199 BB

H3 - Fold pre

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 69.78 BB
Hero (BB): 105.14 BB
UTG: 111 BB
MP: 100.96 BB
CO: 103.42 BB
BTN: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2 BB, fold, CO calls 2 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 14 BB, UTG raises to 34 BB, fold, Hero calls 20 BB

Flop: (70.5 BB, 2 players) 5 6 9
Hero checks, UTG checks

Turn: (70.5 BB, 2 players) K
Hero bets 17.62 BB, UTG raises to 77 BB, Hero calls 53.52 BB

River: (212.78 BB, 2 players) K

UTG shows A K (Three of a Kind, Kings)
(Pre 7%, Flop 1%, Turn 5%)
Hero mucks A A (Two Pair, Aces and Kings)
(Pre 93%, Flop 99%, Turn 95%)
UTG wins 209.78 BB


H4 - Honeslty I wasn't even paying enough attention to the board midst playing. All options seem a bit tricky. Ran the hand in GTOw afterwards and my specific combo was the only one pure jamming river :P

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (MP): 148.66 BB
CO: 154.4 BB
BTN: 103.6 BB
SB: 111 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 105.7 BB

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 2.24 BB, fold, BTN raises to 7.5 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 22.76 BB, BTN calls 15.26 BB

Flop: (47.02 BB, 2 players) J K 4
Hero bets 11.76 BB, BTN calls 11.76 BB

Turn: (70.54 BB, 2 players) T
Hero bets 23.26 BB, BTN calls 23.26 BB

River: (117.06 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero bets 90.88 BB, BTN calls 45.82 BB

Hero mucks K A (Two Pair, Kings and Fours)
(Pre 74%, Flop 83%, Turn 3%)
BTN shows Q A (Straight, Ace High)
(Pre 26%, Flop 17%, Turn 97%)
BTN wins 205.7 BB


H5 - Villain was a station rec. Thought that he shouldn't have many Kx and if he somehow did, most recs would just donk them. Decided to bet river for "value" all facts considered

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 125.08 BB
UTG: 109.92 BB
MP: 302.8 BB
Hero (CO): 169.4 BB
BTN: 107.4 BB
SB: 250.04 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, Hero raises to 2.22 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 1.22 BB

Flop: (4.94 BB, 2 players) K 2 A
BB checks, Hero bets 6.18 BB, BB calls 6.18 BB

Turn: (17.3 BB, 2 players) 9
BB checks, Hero bets 21.62 BB, BB calls 21.62 BB

River: (60.54 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero bets 39.96 BB, BB calls 39.96 BB

Hero mucks A Q (Two Pair, Aces and Kings)
(Pre 63%, Flop 82%, Turn 89%)
BB shows K J (Three of a Kind, Kings)
(Pre 37%, Flop 18%, Turn 11%)
BB wins 137.46 BB

H6 - Saved some money. Could honestly have just folded since villain was really loose n bad and has all the straights

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 400.48 BB
UTG: 177.88 BB
MP: 129.28 BB
Hero (CO): 105.2 BB
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 329.24 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, Hero raises to 2.22 BB, fold, fold, BB raises to 6.44 BB, Hero raises to 22.54 BB, BB calls 16.1 BB

Flop: (45.58 BB, 2 players) 8 4 7
BB checks, Hero bets 11.4 BB, BB calls 11.4 BB

Turn: (68.38 BB, 2 players) 6
BB checks, Hero checks

River: (68.38 BB, 2 players) 3
BB bets 34.18 BB, Hero calls 34.18 BB

Hero mucks K K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 79%, Flop 64%, Turn 0%)
BB shows T 9 (Straight, Ten High)
(Pre 21%, Flop 36%, Turn 100%)
BB wins 133.74 BB


No can do back to grinding NL20 for real this time

After being stuck for a while now I have been doing some self reflection on my results and found the spots where I have been bleeding the most money. My current playstyle has been mostly GTO-oriented and I have been doing my best to play a balanced strategy. However opening and defending a balanced range of hands have its downsides especially when it comes to low to medium pocket pairs and suited connectors. Ik I'm not supposed to pure open / defend them vs 3bet in every spot but I feel like I should just be way nittier than in theory when it comes to playing those hands.

Reviewing my PT4 stats I found that I keep losing so many BB's in the long run calling 3bets with hands the solver calls 100% of the time and inevitably completely miss the flop. Can't recall the last time I hit a set and stacked villain in 3bet pot. Obviously I do more folding against players who have a very low 3bet% but even against somewhat competent players I just keep losing money defending when "getting a good price to hit my hand".

Found that this thing exists and I just get depressed every time I look at it.


I guess I'll become a nit for a while and check if my results improve

Light at the end of the tunnel



After 6 days of stagnant results it felt really good having a +16 buyin day. Felt like I was running good and playing really focused so I just decided to keep going for multiple hours. Pumped up the tables from 6 to 9 and found it to be a bit too much. Constantly timing out on other tables while trying to make a decision. Didn't really make any drastic changes to my game, just kept playing overall solid.

One more +ev change is me finding Jarretman's old 500zoom play n explains. I feel like I know certain spots way better now and understand the reasons for different actions / betsizes for specific boards just from watching a couple of videos daily.

If the heater continues I'll be back to NL50 soon.

Sick session man! Yes Jarretman's videos are really good value. I wouldn't try to 1-1 copy solver like he does, but he shares a lot of concepts and reasoning for his actions. What works for me is while watching his vod, sim all the spots on the side. And see if you can make sense of it.

GL

February 2024 recap



Poker is slowly starting to become a profitable side hustle. Cool to make even 4 figures playing cards in a month. Grinded most of the hands during the first 2 weeks of February then slowly decreased the volume due to my finals approaching quickly and spending more time studying for them. I also didn't want to force myself to play and mainly played when I really felt like it. Got stuck for almost a week and it kind of depleted my motivation for a while. Alongside working on my poker game, I have also done a lot more focus on my physical health. Stopped skipping workouts and nowdays I workout every day by either going to the gym or running.

Almost 99% of my profits this month came from NL20 since I ended up exactly breakeven from NL50. Played around 1500 hands of NL10 and won around 61,40€. I'll keep stay on NL20 for a while then maybe try to shot NL50 again next month.


NL20




NL50

Another amazing NL50 shot


Last 3 NL50 shots have gone terribly. Just keep losing every big pot and constantly facing coolers. I have been printing money in NL20 after a big sample but somehow I just can't win in NL50. I doubt that the players on one level higher are just suddenly 100 times better however I could be mistaken. Feels like every big pot I play I am against either AA or a set even when the villains have loose / normal stats. I am getting really paranoid to play NL50 due to recent negative variance on that stake. Last 7-9k NL50 hands are just straight down while winning in NL20 with around 13bb winrate.

I guess my biggest enemy in NL50 is variance but grinding a 5k br playing NL20 doesn't seem appealing. It just feels frustrating to win 4-5 days in a row then lose all the profits in an instant running terribly while shotting a higher stake. I gotta start being way nittier than in theory calling when down bets from villains because they basically had it every time. I have been occasionally watching gameplay from higher stakes and made the mistake of assuming the regs in my limits are also capable of critical thinking. "Regs" 2x donkoverbetshoving immortal nuts IP is indeed a thing.

On a positive note I have been eating healthier and working out consistently lately and I am in the best shape of my life


H1 - Probably a mistake. Not sure if I am getting called by anything worse, A3 & 6s7s?

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (CO): 105.22 BB
BTN: 17.88 BB
SB: 113.06 BB
BB: 120.88 BB
UTG: 149.62 BB
MP: 111.04 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, Hero raises to 2.3 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 1.3 BB

Flop: (5.1 BB, 2 players) 5 3 A
BB checks, Hero bets 2.54 BB, BB raises to 6.98 BB, Hero calls 4.44 BB

Turn: (19.06 BB, 2 players) 7
BB bets 23.82 BB, Hero raises to 95.94 BB, BB calls 72.12 BB

River: (210.94 BB, 2 players) T

Hero mucks 5 5 (Three of a Kind, Fives)
(Pre 66%, Flop 72%, Turn 23%)
BB shows 4 6 (Straight, Seven High)
(Pre 34%, Flop 28%, Turn 77%)
BB wins 207.94 BB


H2 - Vs the same weekend whale iirc. Villain has both flushdraws and few straights and even 99 it seems like.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 100 BB
MP: 192.4 BB
CO: 361.25 BB
Hero (BTN): 153.75 BB
SB: 161.4 BB
BB: 113.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP calls 1 BB, CO calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 5 BB, fold, fold, MP calls 4 BB, CO calls 4 BB

Flop: (16.5 BB, 3 players) T K 3
MP checks, CO bets 2 BB, Hero raises to 11.25 BB, MP calls 11.25 BB, fold

Turn: (41 BB, 2 players) 9
MP checks, Hero bets 51.25 BB, MP raises to 136.3 BB, Hero raises to 137.5 BB, MP calls 1.2 BB

River: (316 BB, 2 players) J

MP shows 9 9 (Three of a Kind, Nines)
(Pre 53%, Flop 13%, Turn 91%)
Hero mucks T K (Two Pair, Kings and Tens)
(Pre 47%, Flop 87%, Turn 9%)
MP wins 311 BB

H3 - BB was a obvious rec and CO was a bad reg. Feels too nitty to fold top top when he could easily have the same hand or a worse top pair.


iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 129.16 BB
Hero (BTN): 364.54 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 159.9 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

CO raises to 2.3 BB, Hero raises to 6.9 BB, fold, BB calls 5.9 BB, CO calls 4.6 BB

Flop: (21.2 BB, 3 players) 2 Q 4
BB bets 1 BB, CO calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 16.96 BB, fold, CO calls 15.96 BB

Turn: (56.12 BB, 2 players) T
CO checks, Hero bets 28.06 BB, CO raises to 105.3 BB, Hero calls 77.24 BB

River: (266.72 BB, 2 players) 4

CO shows 2 2 (Full House, Twos full of Fours)
(Pre 53%, Flop 96%, Turn 100%)
Hero mucks Q A (Two Pair, Queens and Fours)
(Pre 47%, Flop 4%, Turn 0%)
CO wins 263.72 BB

Torrid variance at 50, this game can be dumb sometimes.

H1) nothing wrong, just ridic cooler. if this was vs a fish id look to fast play flop at a decent freq and 3bet/gii. they will stack off with 33/A3/FDs/Ax, seen fish flatting AKo in BB and they flat AQ basically 100%. obv standard to flat & shove turns IP

H2) id raise flop to 15/16 vs these whales. turn id go under pot but pretty close to it then look to jam brickish rivers. always sucks getting x/raised as they likely have a made hand, im not seeing these players x/r draws, its always a made hand. not solid enough evidence to deviate from though, just always seems the case. we are never folding here

H3) yeah again, same as above. it never seems to be a draw. never a fold in theory but real life it gets closer with Ah. really doubt I fold either. thing is he has QT and all sets bar QQ

Sucks, you're definitely winning at 50nl hang in there

Fold H3, A is a horrible card to have vs a bad reg who probably just has combo draws and 2p+

Quick month update



Have been really busy with finals this month and have not had time for poker, only played occasional 45m-1h sessions from time to time. However they are completely over after the end of March. This basically means I have nothing to do for the rest of spring and I decided to put all my efforts into poker and try to get into NL200 by the end of the year.

I am going to start a proper study routine for poker next month and actually produce a relevant graph

gl

GLGL

GLGL, keep up the good work!

Ty for support

Sessions were going well in NL20 this week so I once again decided to shot NL50 today. You can probaly guess from the this weeks graph when the shot took place.



This is my 4th or 5th attempt to play NL50 but for some reason I just always lose there. I have played around 80k hands of NL20 and still have a 13.5bb/100 winrate there but I am unable to book a win playing higher. Starting to feel really frustrating being stuck in a babystake for multiple months now. I guess there is nothing else to do than keep working on my game and perhaps give a sacrifice to the poker gods. My mental game is usually pretty strong but today I was definitely in passive tilt. Started to play faster and made bad decisions mostly out of impulse.


All big & interesting hands from today. Would like to hear feedback

H1

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 115.02 BB
MP: 195.18 BB
CO: 38.7 BB
BTN: 117.58 BB
SB: 153.78 BB
Hero (BB): 101.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 7

UTG raises to 2.2 BB, fold, CO calls 2.2 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 1.2 BB

Flop: (7.1 BB, 3 players) 4 8 9
Hero checks, UTG bets 2.34 BB, fold, Hero raises to 14.12 BB, UTG raises to 37.08 BB, Hero raises to 99.3 BB, UTG calls 62.22 BB

Turn: (205.7 BB, 2 players) Q

River: (205.7 BB, 2 players) 9

UTG shows 4 4 (Full House, Fours full of Nines)
(Pre 48%, Flop 67%, Turn 20%)
Hero mucks 9 7 (Flush, Queen High)
(Pre 52%, Flop 33%, Turn 80%)
UTG wins 202.7 BB

H2 - Solver isn't a fan of the 50% size on flop and really dislikes shoving there. It just felt awkward playing certains turns with low spr and I just preferred to get it in given the amount of equity I had on the flop.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 101.94 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 100 BB
Hero (CO): 148.3 BB
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (19.5 BB, 2 players) T 6 K
MP checks, Hero bets 9.74 BB, MP raises to 34.1 BB, Hero raises to 139.3 BB, MP calls 56.9 BB

Turn: (201.5 BB, 2 players) 8

Players agreed to run it twice.

Turn #2: (201.5 BB, 2 players) 3

River: (201.5 BB, 2 players) 5

River #2: (201.5 BB, 2 players) 2

MP shows 6 6 (Three of a Kind, Sixes)
Board #1 (Pre 52%, Flop 67%, Turn 77%)
(Three of a Kind, Sixes)
Board #2 (Pre 50%, Flop 66%, Turn 76%)

Hero mucks Q A (High Card, Ace)
Board #1 (Pre 48%, Flop 33%, Turn 23%)
(High Card, Ace)
Board #2 (Pre 50%, Flop 34%, Turn 24%)

MP wins 99.26 BB
MP wins 99.24 BB

H3 - Really annoying spot. Felt nitty folding everything except a straight but in hindsight I should have just sighfolded instead of chasing a boardpair like a fish.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 130.7 BB
UTG: 156.5 BB
CO: 62.16 BB
BTN: 187.86 BB
Hero (SB): 118.1 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11.2 BB, fold, UTG calls 8.7 BB

Flop: (23.4 BB, 2 players) A Q T
Hero bets 7.72 BB, UTG calls 7.72 BB

Turn: (38.84 BB, 2 players) J
Hero checks, UTG bets 30 BB, Hero calls 30 BB

River: (98.84 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, UTG bets 107.58 BB, fold

UTG wins 95.86 BB

H4 - Not sure of the turn sizing. I like my giveup

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 178.32 BB
CO: 141.66 BB
BTN: 239.94 BB
SB: 108.28 BB
Hero (BB): 123.44 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (20 BB, 2 players) 6 J 5
SB checks, Hero bets 10 BB, SB calls 10 BB

Turn: (40 BB, 2 players) A
SB checks, Hero bets 26.4 BB, SB calls 26.4 BB

River: (92.8 BB, 2 players) Q
SB checks, Hero checks

SB shows T A (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 62%, Flop 83%, Turn 80%)
Hero mucks K 9 (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 38%, Flop 17%, Turn 20%)
SB wins 90 BB

H5 - Really dislike this. My already tilting brain gave me excuses to call and my thought process was that villain was an aggressive reg and UTG shouldn't open that much 33-55 & 76s. Actually solver calls here more than 50% of the time but in reality my call is just awful and JJ is never good here.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 130.62 BB
MP: 148.5 BB
Hero (CO): 100 BB
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 139.94 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2.2 BB, fold, Hero raises to 6.6 BB, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls 4.4 BB

Flop: (14.7 BB, 2 players) T 5 4
UTG checks, Hero bets 11.02 BB, UTG calls 11.02 BB

Turn: (36.74 BB, 2 players) 3
UTG checks, Hero bets 24.24 BB, UTG raises to 113 BB, Hero calls 58.14 BB

River: (201.5 BB, 2 players) A

UTG shows 4 4 (Three of a Kind, Fours)
(Pre 19%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)
Hero mucks J J (One Pair, Jacks)
(Pre 81%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
UTG wins 198.5 BB

H6 - Yeah this was terrible from me even when ignoring the outcome, dislike my play in every street. I usually dont flat the SB but the BB was a passive fish who wasn't 3betting. Raised too small on the flop. I was actually suprised that I should check the turn 99% of the time in theory. I usually shove the river but in this time I opted for a block which doesnt make any sense. This specific villain had really agro stats and had been raising me in every hand so I hoped that he would turn some pairs with a heart into a bluff. In retrospect this was just terrible.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 76.7 BB
Hero (SB): 136.14 BB
BB: 124.52 BB
UTG: 101.8 BB
MP: 153.48 BB
CO: 116.04 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 3 3

fold, MP raises to 2.2 BB, fold, fold, Hero calls 1.7 BB, fold

Flop: (5.4 BB, 2 players) 3 4 6
Hero checks, MP bets 1.78 BB, Hero raises to 5.54 BB, MP calls 3.76 BB

Turn: (16.48 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero bets 12.36 BB, MP calls 12.36 BB

River: (41.2 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero bets 10.3 BB, MP raises to 133.38 BB, Hero calls 105.74 BB

MP shows 4 4 (Full House, Fours full of Sixes)
(Pre 81%, Flop 94%, Turn 98%)
Hero mucks 3 3 (Full House, Threes full of Sixes)
(Pre 19%, Flop 6%, Turn 2%)
MP wins 270.28 BB

H7 - Table was breaking up. I recall HU-ranges being wider so I just went for it.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 109.3 BB
Hero (BB): 138.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

SB raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 11.2 BB, SB raises to 24.9 BB, Hero raises to 138.8 BB, SB calls 84.4 BB

Flop: (218.6 BB, 2 players) 4 5 T

Players agreed to run it twice.

Flop #2: (218.6 BB, 2 players) 3 A 3

Turn: (218.6 BB, 2 players) K

Turn #2: (218.6 BB, 2 players) 8

River: (218.6 BB, 2 players) 8

River #2: (218.6 BB, 2 players) 8

SB shows K K (Three of a Kind, Kings)
Board #1 (Pre 80%, Flop 92%, Turn 100%)
(Two Pair, Kings and Eights)
Board #2 (Pre 78%, Flop 90%, Turn 95%)

Hero mucks 9 9 (One Pair, Nines)
Board #1 (Pre 20%, Flop 8%, Turn 0%)
(Two Pair, Nines and Eights)
Board #2 (Pre 22%, Flop 10%, Turn 5%)

SB wins 108.8 BB
SB wins 108.8 BB

H8 - Felt ******ed winning the absolute minimum in set over set scenario. Doubt that there is much merit in 3betting the flop with a diamond in my hand. On the turn I was honestly a bit afraid of getting check-shoved on. Also wanted to reignite bluffs on the river. Not sure if I should have raised the river.

iPoker - €0.50 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 170.2 BB
CO: 143.16 BB
BTN: 242.64 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 145.24 BB
Hero (UTG): 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2.3 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 1.3 BB

Flop: (5.1 BB, 2 players) T 6 3
BB checks, Hero bets 3.82 BB, BB raises to 12.64 BB, Hero calls 8.82 BB

Turn: (30.38 BB, 2 players) 2
BB checks, Hero checks

River: (30.38 BB, 2 players) 7
BB bets 10.02 BB, Hero calls 10.02 BB

Hero shows 6 6 (Three of a Kind, Sixes)
(Pre 81%, Flop 96%, Turn 98%)
BB shows 3 3 (Three of a Kind, Threes)
(Pre 19%, Flop 4%, Turn 2%)
Hero wins 48.9 BB



Moving forward I am definitely increasing my study ratio. Also going to stop these 5 BI shots since I don't believe my edge over the NL50 field to be large enough.

NL20


NL50




Ran really well for the first 2 days of shotting NL50 then the hell started. I honestly feel paranoid that I am somehow getting massively exploited even when trying to play balanced, however I am usually getting the money in good

Variance can be ugly and I am a bit terrified after reading about the lenghty downswings of some actually good players.

h1 id probably lean fold unless one or both of the players are huge fish, hand just performs bad mw even vs fish so its not a great spot at all...on flop think we just wanna call and proceed on turn, no need to stack off here since when stacks get in we are flipping at best and big dog most of the times.

h2 std, nh..getting stacks in with NF+GS and OCs is not much of a punt with these stacks even if solver says it is...OOP is probably not supposed to xr that big anyways

h3 seems fine

h4 seems fine although think i like turn check more with this combo and barrel with say 98dd since bet folding K9dd is super gross but bet folding a lower fd like 98dd i can do with smile on my face...as played i probably follow through on river and lose more lol

h5 yeah fold turn, after they call big bet flop and xr big bet turn its just going to be super underbluffed line and pretty much always value so have to think do we beat any value here? does ATs do this? doubt it

h6 seems fine tbh, i mean id never block river just bet big but hard to fold because i just expect nl50 regs to overplay flushes and AA/KK here some of the time so just a cooler imo

h7 unlucky, at HU this hand plays itself

h8 honestly seems fine, the 7 completes a lot of the straight draws that xr flop so looks wp and looks like you have some entitlement tilt because you didnt win stacks on set over set but just got unlucky on this run out bro you played the hand fine...maybe you 3b flop and get stacks in but also good chance he just calls and hand plays out exactly the same on turn and river

shake it off and crush some nl20 for a bit and then try again and just play your normal game, you are probably giving guys too much credit like saying they can't have these combos or he might turn heart blocker into a bluff raise when its more likely pool is just as easy as nl20 but you end up playing a different game trying to overcompensate against players that dont deserve it...also make sure you table select very aggressively and have at least 2 big fish at your tables because rake and variance is underestimated by all. glgl

Yeah most likely.

Thanks for feedback!

I'd bet you're crushing 50nl but maybe for mental game having a slightly bigger roll is better.

H1 seems fine if we call we probably just stack off turn

H2 You have pretty good turn playability so flatting is nice especially when you have little fold equity. I think people play combo draws too aggressively but there's definitely a lot of spots you should.

H3 Yeah that size is very strong on a 4-straight turn in this tight configuration. You must must shove pairing rivers if you call.

H4 yep horrible blockers

H5 correct turn XR is very strong, and nutted when you go large on flop and turn

H6 XR size seems fine on a connected board, turn low sets (boats now) love betting and we have a good amount so I'd expect solver to build an overbet range around them. Yeah I really don't like river unblocking so many calls. I expect you to face some really nitty calls, and get bluffed less than you should.

H8 river is tough I might go for it

Yeah just losing over 30 buyins in a row is pretty devastating.

Def need a 5k roll for NL50

Yesterday is gone. It's a new day.

Mindset and perception can go a very long way in this game. Reset this mentality asap. It's just unlikely that someone is picking up on exactly how you play in short samples, basically impossible imo.

Update


Good news: I am basically completely done with school for the rest of the year and have more time than ever before. Time to start a proper poker study routine and pump up the volume



Bad news: Struggling in NL20 for the past 3 days ��




I think in my current stake I should put more emphasis on just grinding and getting a large enough bankroll since I am a big winner there already if we discount the last 3 days. The players have massive mistakes in their games and I can print more with just playing an exploitable strategy. Obviously not going disregard solver study but I don't believe I need a 60/40 play/study ratio, mainly thinking of something like 80/20.

I'll start a simple goal of studying atleast 1h daily in GTOWizard and focus more on studying when I hopefully move to higher stakes


Some hands

H1 - I think I played this perfectly agaisnt a whale. Idk if I am allowed to go bigger on flop with JJ

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 94.3 BB
BTN: 83.75 BB
SB: 101 BB
Hero (BB): 101.5 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 147.3 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, CO raises to 2 BB, BTN calls 2 BB, fold, Hero raises to 15 BB, CO calls 13 BB, fold

Flop: (32.5 BB, 2 players) 4 3 8
Hero bets 16.25 BB, CO calls 16.25 BB

Turn: (65 BB, 2 players) 5
Hero bets 70.25 BB, CO calls 63.05 BB

River: (191.1 BB, 2 players) 6

Players agreed to run it twice.

River #2: (191.1 BB, 2 players) 6

CO shows 7 9 (Straight, Nine High)
Board #1 (Pre 20%, Flop 10%, Turn 9%)
(Straight, Nine High)
Board #2 (Pre 20%, Flop 9%, Turn 7%)

Hero mucks J J (One Pair, Jacks)
Board #1 (Pre 80%, Flop 90%, Turn 91%)
(One Pair, Jacks)
Board #2 (Pre 80%, Flop 91%, Turn 93%)

CO wins 93.05 BB
CO wins 93.05 BB

H2 - Just checked that my hand wasn't an open. Gotta prac the ranges for BTN - BB. I like to call with this hand way more than any overpair. Villain also had pretty agro stats and was definently capable of bluffing

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 184 BB
CO: 100 BB
Hero (BTN): 100 BB
SB: 63.15 BB
BB: 343.8 BB
UTG: 186.3 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 7

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 2.3 BB, fold, BB calls 1.3 BB

Flop: (5.1 BB, 2 players) 6 6 7
BB checks, Hero bets 1.65 BB, BB raises to 5.7 BB, Hero calls 4.05 BB

Turn: (16.5 BB, 2 players) 4
BB bets 18.5 BB, Hero calls 18.5 BB

River: (53.5 BB, 2 players) 2
BB bets 317.3 BB, Hero calls 73.5 BB

Hero shows 8 7 (Two Pair, Sevens and Sixes)
(Pre 41%, Flop 80%, Turn 77%)
BB shows K 5 (One Pair, Sixes)
(Pre 59%, Flop 20%, Turn 23%)
Hero wins 195.5 BB


H3 - vs the same whale as in H1. I like to slowplay more with strong hands on dry boards vs blaster villains. Animals like them can't comprehend someone checking back a strong hand so they usually start barrelling with any two cards. Unfortunately they can still improve on the river.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (CO): 159.4 BB
BTN: 141.15 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 76.75 BB
UTG: 160.35 BB
MP: 32.45 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 6.4 BB, fold, fold, BB raises to 10.8 BB, fold, Hero calls 4.4 BB

Flop: (24.1 BB, 2 players) Q 5 4
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (24.1 BB, 2 players) A
BB bets 13 BB, Hero calls 13 BB

River: (50.1 BB, 2 players) 6
BB bets 52.95 BB, Hero calls 52.95 BB

Hero mucks A Q (Two Pair, Aces and Queens)
(Pre 45%, Flop 86%, Turn 95%)
BB shows 6 6 (Three of a Kind, Sixes)
(Pre 55%, Flop 14%, Turn 5%)
BB wins 151.3 BB


H4 - Solver calls here almost always but in reality I'm not that sure. I don't block the other 2 KTs' and the regs in these stakes don't find enough bluffs. Villain was totally unknown.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: 66.25 BB
MP: 100 BB
Hero (CO): 102.5 BB
BTN: 77.6 BB
SB: 346.2 BB
BB: 135 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 7.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, MP calls 5 BB

Flop: (16.5 BB, 2 players) T T J
MP checks, Hero bets 5.4 BB, MP raises to 25.8 BB, Hero calls 20.4 BB

Turn: (68.1 BB, 2 players) 6
MP bets 66.7 BB, Hero calls 66.7 BB

River: (201.5 BB, 2 players) 4

MP shows T A (Three of a Kind, Tens)
(Pre 33%, Flop 89%, Turn 95%)
Hero mucks K K (Two Pair, Kings and Tens)
(Pre 67%, Flop 11%, Turn 5%)
MP wins 196.5 BB

H5 - vs agro bad reg. Villain tanked until the last second. I think its a good bluff canditate especially against a weak reg who wouldn't ever slowplay the turn with a strong hand. I already decided on the turn that I will checkjam most rivers.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (UTG): 120.25 BB
MP: 196.75 BB
CO: 186.55 BB
BTN: 157.45 BB
SB: 130.65 BB
BB: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2.3 BB, MP raises to 8 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 5.7 BB

Flop: (17.5 BB, 2 players) J Q A
Hero checks, MP bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (37.5 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, MP checks

River: (37.5 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, MP bets 28.5 BB, Hero raises to 102.25 BB, MP calls 73.75 BB

Hero mucks T Q (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 34%, Flop 21%, Turn 11%)
MP shows K A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 66%, Flop 79%, Turn 89%)
MP wins 237 BB

H6 - Villain was pretty nitty so I went for it. On hindsight I should have just given up the river.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 173.85 BB
BB: 174.8 BB
CO: 202.3 BB
BTN: 237.85 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 3 A

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

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) 3 6 T
Hero checks, BB bets 4.2 BB, Hero raises to 18.6 BB, BB calls 14.4 BB

Turn: (43.2 BB, 2 players) J
Hero bets 36.7 BB, BB calls 36.7 BB

River: (116.6 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 115.55 BB, BB calls 115.55 BB

Hero mucks 3 A (One Pair, Threes)
(Pre 55%, Flop 23%, Turn 11%)
BB shows 4 5 (Flush, Ten High)
(Pre 45%, Flop 77%, Turn 89%)
BB wins 342.7 BB

H7 - Against ABC reg. Ok in theory ig but in reality what can I even beat here.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (UTG): 124.3 BB
MP: 159.3 BB
CO: 100 BB
BTN: 103.2 BB
SB: 102 BB
BB: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2.3 BB, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 11.6 BB, fold, Hero raises to 22.9 BB, SB calls 11.3 BB

Flop: (46.8 BB, 2 players) T A J
SB checks, Hero bets 11.7 BB, SB raises to 79.1 BB, Hero calls 67.4 BB

Turn: (205 BB, 2 players) 2

River: (205 BB, 2 players) 7

Hero mucks Q A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 60%, Flop 39%, Turn 27%)
SB shows T J (Two Pair, Jacks and Tens)
(Pre 40%, Flop 61%, Turn 73%)
SB wins 200 BB

H1 seems fine you could definitely X turn

H2 you can get away with opening SB/BTN wider than 87o if they're just overfolding or under 3-betting a bit, nice blockers to call down with but villain being overly aggressive is the most important factor

H3 I don't mind the flop check, but if you bet I doubt he's folding much

H4 I would've assumed is a +EV call, but if solver mixes it's probably a fold

H5 I like it, bluffing river is probably too crazy you have diamond suited connectors and T9

H6 you aren't supposed to XR flop much on mono boards, definitely smaller if you do. 3/4 on a mono flop seems strong from a nit. 3, you want them to have 2p/set right? And A you want them to BC-C-F the nut flush draw so it's not great

H7 there's not much for ABC regs to bluff I might fold in this configuration. You had enough equity vs a value combo though, and maybe they have AQ so I don't mind it.

Yeah after review I really dislike it. I forgot I even had a pair midst the hand

Had a nice sunrun immediately after that post. Felt good sucking out on aces multiple times getting it in pre.


Started to drill the practice mode daily for atleast 90 minutes. Currently focusing on the most common spots such as BTN vs BB SRP's. I also started to review my biggest hands after a session regardless of how it went. Not sure if I should just simplify my betting strategy to 1-2 sizings per board instead of trying to apply a higher EV route consisting of multiple sizings with different hands.


some hands

H1 - Thought that it was a massive punt because I should usually give up bluffing with missed flushdraws. However according to solver my play was low freq but okay from pre -> turn and jams river almost always


iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (CO): 114.45 BB
BTN: 131.8 BB
SB: 113.8 BB
BB: 252.35 BB
UTG: 106.3 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7 8

UTG raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 7.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls 5 BB

Flop: (16.5 BB, 2 players) Q A 6
UTG checks, Hero bets 5.4 BB, UTG calls 5.4 BB

Turn: (27.3 BB, 2 players) 4
UTG checks, Hero bets 20.45 BB, UTG calls 20.45 BB

River: (68.2 BB, 2 players) 4
UTG checks, Hero bets 81.1 BB, UTG calls 72.95 BB

UTG shows 8 7 (Flush, Queen High)
(Pre 50%, Flop 66%, Turn 50%)
Hero mucks 7 8 (One Pair, Fours)
(Pre 50%, Flop 34%, Turn 50%)
UTG wins 209.1 BB


H2 - Most likely an massive overplay with a spade blocker. CO was really agro shitreg which made me want to call him down.

iPoker - €0.20 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): 253.25 BB
SB: 75.6 BB
BB: 135.1 BB
CO: 241.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

CO raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 7.5 BB, SB calls 7 BB, fold, CO calls 5 BB

Flop: (23.5 BB, 3 players) 2 3 T
SB checks, CO checks, Hero bets 11.75 BB, fold, CO raises to 37.5 BB, Hero calls 25.75 BB

Turn: (98.5 BB, 2 players) 7
CO bets 49.25 BB, Hero calls 49.25 BB

River: (197 BB, 2 players) 3
CO bets 61 BB, Hero calls 61 BB

CO shows T T (Full House, Tens full of Threes)
(Pre 18%, Flop 88%, Turn 77%)
Hero mucks Q Q (Two Pair, Queens and Threes)
(Pre 82%, Flop 12%, Turn 23%)
CO wins 314 BB

Just taking what belong to you after those 3 bad days, deserved.