Hello 2p2! I've been reading threads here for two months. Most of them are inspiring, and I enjoy them. Now it's time to start my own thread.

I'm always a competing guy. From WoW to Dota2, I always chased the best, and I made it. But everything stopped working when it came to poker. I started to play poker in 2014 when I was at the university. Since then, I have tried many kinds of game, HE, PLO, cash, MTT. But I never beat any of them. I was disappointed and thought that maybe I wasn't capable of poker, so I let it go. Things took a turn until last month. I forced myself to play seriously in a private game for a month for some reason, and I won a lot in that game because my opponents played so poorly. I realize that the only reason I can't beat poker is I'm not better than others on the table. I started to learn from websites and books. I learned several times in one month as I had learned in the previous years. I'm confident and ready for a challenge now.

I plan to move up from NL2, trying my best and see where I can touch. I play 1000 hands every day on 4 zoom tables. That costs 1 hr/day, which fits me most. I will share my results and some interesting hands here. Hopefully, you guys can talk with me. I find it's so hard to talk to friends about poker when you play it seriously, so I feel incredibly lonely in poker.

The first trip is from NL2 to NL5. It starts at $45.72. The goal is $150.

Not much to say. Fasten your seat belt. Let's go!

Actually, I finished the first session before I started the thread. It's encouraging to win the first session. But there are still some mistakes. I think the biggest mistake is my mindset. I ran hot in the first 300 hands but then fell into fear of losing. This feeling kept me distracted until the session was about to end. I felt something churning in my stomach, and I needed to poop. It was less than 100 hands away, so I decided to finish the session first. The interesting thing was that the feeling took my mind off my fear, which set me free to play. Anyway, It's a good start.

BR: 49.22

Here is the most interesting hand today. I felt villain mostly had a missed draw, and I knew he might have Axs which still beats me. But I thought that he had less Axs than the other combos. The moment I pressed the call button it occurred to me that all I had to do in this case was to raise back. But it's too late and I lost even though I was in control of the situation.
PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 100.5 BB
SB: 205.5 BB
BB: 115.5 BB
UTG: 283.5 BB
MP: 72.5 BB
Hero (CO): 330.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 3 3 5
BB checks, Hero bets 2 BB, BB raises to 7 BB, Hero calls 5 BB

Turn: (19.5 BB, 2 players) T
BB bets 15 BB, Hero calls 15 BB

River: (49.5 BB, 2 players) 5
BB bets 40 BB, Hero calls 40 BB

BB shows A 6 (Two Pair, Fives and Threes)
(Pre 62%, Flop 81%, Turn 70%)
Hero mucks 4 K (Two Pair, Fives and Threes)
(Pre 38%, Flop 19%, Turn 30%)
BB wins 125 BB

Hey!

I wouldn't continue with this hand after a flop raise.
Yes, it's possible that to be balanced we have to continue with some of the strong bdfds, but in practice nl2 players don't have balanced check/raises and their ranges are shifted to the value side. Therefore, I would immediately fold this weak part of our range to a check/raise.

AP - don't bluff catch this type of opponent line.
The X/R - B - B line will never contain enough bluff to make a profitable call with K-high. Just fold and be sure you did the right thing.

Good luck on your journey!

Another vote for fold flop. As played, fold river. A lot of micro players have a really, really hard time folding any ace. You will see an incredible amount of garbage A combos in your journey.

Also, why zoom? Personal preference? Regular micro play is fun because it's 100% exploitative and 0% GTO. Even if you have big leaks, you can exploit bad players with even bigger leaks. You get the 70/6 stations, the 12/8 uber nits, the 60/45 loose spastics. I don't think you can have the same amount of fun at zoom tables.

Hey, slyless! Thanks for your advice. I believe you're right. Maybe some of them are bluffs, but it's not enough for us to call profitably. I will put away these illusory thoughts and move on.

Thank you, Eisenkreuz. I'm used to playing zoom tables, but the regular table in your words sounds good. So I tried it today. It feels kind of weird. I will update my experience today. Looking forward to getting more advice.

Tried regular tables today. I don't use HUD before as the player pool of nlz2 is too deep to collect enough information. I thought it might work in regular table, so spent some time setting it up. Unfortunately, it turned useless because I don't know how to use it. And I found it so hard to deal with four tables. I can play 4 zoom tables because I just play the cards. But when it came to the regular table, I started to force myself to see what's my opponents doing because that's what people say about how you create advantages. I was like a dork until I gave up watching opponents.

Luckily, the result was fantastic. My opponent just put the stacks in like a maniac. But I just play as usual and wait for their mistake. I didn't make any adjustments which I think is the most important thing. So how can I do that? Any advice?

BR:56.81

What do you think of this hand?
PokerStars - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (UTG): 112 BB
CO: 100 BB
BTN: 42 BB
SB: 190.5 BB
BB: 90 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (16.5 BB, 2 players) 8 T 9
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (16.5 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero bets 7 BB, CO calls 7 BB

River: (30.5 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero bets 40 BB, fold

Hero wins 29.5 BB

WP!

There is no need to overbet, the standard sizing of 2/3-3/4 on the river will suffice I think.

Since didn't play yesterday, I extended my session today. But it's a typical frustrating session for me. Made some failed huge bluffs, got some coolers, then started to make mistakes. Then spent a lot of time waking up from my b-game. The good news is that I got some luck today. Ran 5 BIs above ev. And play both zoom and reg table, tried to understand how to take advantage of opponents' leaks.

BR: 52.64

Here are failed bluffs I made today. Did I over bluff?

PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 58.5 BB
SB: 197.5 BB
BB: 103 BB
UTG: 114.5 BB
Hero (MP): 171 BB
CO: 533.5 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 2.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to 9 BB, Hero calls 6.5 BB

Flop: (18.5 BB, 2 players) Q 8 6
BB bets 13.5 BB, Hero calls 13.5 BB

Turn: (45.5 BB, 2 players) Q
BB checks, Hero bets 20 BB, BB calls 20 BB

River: (85.5 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero bets 82.5 BB, BB calls 60.5 BB and is all-in

Hero shows 9 T (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 22%, Flop 34%, Turn 18%)
BB shows A A (Two Pair, Aces and Queens)
(Pre 78%, Flop 66%, Turn 82%)
BB wins 199.5 BB


PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 100.5 BB
SB: 163 BB
Hero (BB): 213 BB
UTG: 94.5 BB
MP: 131 BB
CO: 184 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.5 BB, fold, Hero raises to 8 BB, BTN calls 5.5 BB

Flop: (16.5 BB, 2 players) 4 A 8
Hero bets 6 BB, BTN calls 6 BB

Turn: (28.5 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 22 BB, BTN calls 22 BB

River: (72.5 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero bets 70 BB, BTN calls 64.5 BB and is all-in

Hero shows 9 T (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 64%, Flop 24%, Turn 18%)
BTN shows 7 8 (Two Pair, Eights and Sevens)
(Pre 36%, Flop 76%, Turn 82%)
BTN wins 194.5 BB



PokerStars - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 156.5 BB
UTG: 71 BB
Hero (CO): 100 BB
BTN: 528 BB
SB: 104 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) J A 7
BB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, BB calls 3 BB

Turn: (11.5 BB, 2 players) 2
BB checks, Hero bets 9 BB, BB calls 9 BB

River: (29.5 BB, 2 players) 2
BB checks, Hero bets 60 BB, BB calls 60 BB

Hero shows Q 8 (One Pair, Twos)
(Pre 39%, Flop 7%, Turn 18%)
BB shows A T (Two Pair, Aces and Twos)
(Pre 61%, Flop 93%, Turn 82%)
BB wins 144.5 BB



PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 58 BB
SB: 93.5 BB
BB: 65 BB
Hero (UTG): 221 BB
MP: 125.5 BB
CO: 104 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, BTN calls 2.5 BB, SB calls 2 BB, fold

Flop: (8.5 BB, 3 players) 8 Q 2
SB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, BTN calls 3 BB, fold

Turn: (14.5 BB, 2 players) J
Hero bets 10 BB, BTN calls 10 BB

River: (34.5 BB, 2 players) 9
Hero bets 45 BB, BTN calls 42.5 BB and is all-in

Hero shows K 9 (One Pair, Nines)
(Pre 47%, Flop 26%, Turn 23%)
BTN shows 8 8 (Three of a Kind, Eights)
(Pre 53%, Flop 74%, Turn 77%)
BTN wins 115.5 BB

Thanks for the kind advice. I posted it because I thought I might bet too heavy when I review it. Very interested to know what you think of the bluffs I made today. Am I too greedy for advice? XD

Fold preflop.
Fold flop.

AP, pool has next stats in this line in 3BP oop:
CBet - X/F - 42%,
CBet - X/C - X/F - 48%

So, we can have some auto profit on the river, but I wouldn't do it against any opponent.



Ok



Looks like he has a note on you
Line ok. Sizing on the river is unjustified imo.



I think the river bet is not justified against the short stack plus in the MWP.

You can also post hands in the Online No-Limit Holdem Cash section.
There you can get different points of view on your hands

Was trying to get back to break even whole night. It feels like I just can't play seriously for over 200 hands. I think it was a mental issue. I will write a warning note on my monitor next time.

Biggest hand today. But thought I was over calling because KK seems the worst hand here to call turn. Maybe next time I should fold river?
PokerStars - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 48.5 BB
UTG: 238.5 BB
Hero (CO): 130 BB
BTN: 152 BB
SB: 167 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, Hero raises to 2.5 BB, BTN raises to 5 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 16 BB, BTN calls 11 BB

Flop: (33.5 BB, 2 players) J Q 7
Hero bets 11 BB, BTN calls 11 BB

Turn: (55.5 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 26.5 BB, Hero calls 26.5 BB

River: (108.5 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, BTN bets 98.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 76.5 BB and is all-in

BTN shows K A (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 34%, Flop 30%, Turn 11%)
Hero shows K K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 66%, Flop 70%, Turn 89%)
Hero wins 252.5 BB

I think a call on the river is ok, but we won't get much from this call.

These are the pots where we have to invest a lot of money with near-zero EV, accelerating variance and exposing ourselves to tilt.

For example, Cbet flop on a BTN vs BB spot.
This action will often have a higher EV with any two cards than calling for stack in the hand above.
This CBet many players miss very often.

As a result we skip +EV actions that cost us 3bb but accept near-zero EV actions that cost 76bb and keep skipping CBets day by day, remembering the hand with KK

So, I would try to avoid such spots on micros whenever possible and focus on simple but more profitable actions.

Thank you man. I will keep it.

Another losing day. Got 39% WWSF. Feels so hard to take any pot.

BR: 51.44

Again, the biggest win, but not sure I play it correctly.

PokerStars - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 84.5 BB
Hero (BB): 123 BB
UTG: 117.5 BB
CO: 170.5 BB
BTN: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (9.5 BB, 3 players) K J Q
Hero checks, UTG bets 6 BB, CO calls 6 BB, Hero calls 6 BB

Turn: (27.5 BB, 3 players) 6
Hero checks, UTG bets 20 BB, fold, Hero raises to 114 BB and is all-in, UTG calls 88.5 BB and is all-in

River: (244.5 BB, 2 players) J

UTG cashed out 175 BB for a fee of 2 BB

Hero shows 3 A (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 60%, Flop 20%, Turn 25%)
UTG shows Q K (Two Pair, Kings and Queens)
(Pre 40%, Flop 80%, Turn 75%)
Hero wins 236 BB

It sucks. I lost all my confidence in poker. Nothing was under my control tonight. More frustrating, I realised I only played 5 days this month while I planned to play every day. Got so much work to do in real life but can still play if I could better schedule. Will review hands in this month and try to fix some leaks tomorrow. Hope it will bring the confidence back to me.
BR:43.63

Fun quiz: guess what did villains hold. I lost 100BB in each hand.