NL50 Nightmare to NL200 Hero: The Collaboration That Saved My Dreams
04-25-2024
, 05:55 AM
Hey everyone,
I'm here to share a bit of my poker journey with you all. I've been in the game since 2008, grinding it out alongside my 9-to-5 gig. Back then, I was holding my own at NL100, mostly sticking to Zoom games or the Entraction network. But as time went on, things got tougher. My focus on GTO became a double-edged sword. While it solidified my fundamentals, it left my exploit game underdeveloped. I was so fixated on playing perfectly against anyone that I missed glaring weaknesses in recreational players. NL200 felt like a distant dream, and even holding ground at NL50 became a struggle. I did dabble in some NL200 games, but it was a roller coaster of ups and downs, constant swings that left me feeling frustrated.
Then, in 2022, something clicked. An old buddy, known as Uskebasi in the Balkan poker scene, reached out to me on Skype. This guy was a legend his reputation preceded him as one of the foremost experts in exploiting recreational players. He boasted win rates that were the stuff of dreams, ranging from a staggering 20 to 25bb/100 over substantial sample sizes. Just hearing his numbers made my jaw drop. We decided to team up. He brought his unmatched ability to identify and exploit fish tendencies, while I contributed my solid theoretical background.
But that's not all. Uskebasi also introduced me to his buddy Bla, another seasoned grinder who added his own insights to our collaboration. Together, they helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice. They showed me how to identify and exploit fish tendencies that I was completely oblivious to before. Honestly, my obsession with GTO had blinded me to the vast potential for profit sitting right there at the tables.
From barely scraping by at NL50, I've climbed my way up to NL100 and NL200, and I'm even dabbling in higher stakes when the action's good. Right now, I'm rocking a solid win rate of 6bb/100 (or 7bb EV if we're getting technical) over the last 200k hands. It's been quite the ride, let me tell you.
But the journey doesn't stop here. I've set my sights on ramping up my volume, aiming for at least 100 hours of play each month, with another 50 to 100 hours dedicated to improving my game. It's all about pushing myself to the next level, constantly learning and adapting in this ever-changing world of online poker.
This blog is a record of that journey, a way to stay motivated and focused, and hopefully an inspiration to others. I'll be posting interesting hands, sharing some of the challenges I face as a full-time grinder, and hopefully learning a ton from all of you along the way. Who knows where it will lead? Maybe I'll crack the code on exploiting those juicy fish, or maybe I'll discover a hidden talent for coaching. The beauty is, it's all an adventure.
So here's to the grind, the late nights, and the adrenaline-fueled showdowns. Here's to chasing our dreams, one hand at a time.
By the way, I used a little AI help to craft this first post, but from here on out, it'll be all me!
Catch you at the tables,
YouBetICall
Last 100k hands
Graph
Last 200k hands
Graph
I'm here to share a bit of my poker journey with you all. I've been in the game since 2008, grinding it out alongside my 9-to-5 gig. Back then, I was holding my own at NL100, mostly sticking to Zoom games or the Entraction network. But as time went on, things got tougher. My focus on GTO became a double-edged sword. While it solidified my fundamentals, it left my exploit game underdeveloped. I was so fixated on playing perfectly against anyone that I missed glaring weaknesses in recreational players. NL200 felt like a distant dream, and even holding ground at NL50 became a struggle. I did dabble in some NL200 games, but it was a roller coaster of ups and downs, constant swings that left me feeling frustrated.
Then, in 2022, something clicked. An old buddy, known as Uskebasi in the Balkan poker scene, reached out to me on Skype. This guy was a legend his reputation preceded him as one of the foremost experts in exploiting recreational players. He boasted win rates that were the stuff of dreams, ranging from a staggering 20 to 25bb/100 over substantial sample sizes. Just hearing his numbers made my jaw drop. We decided to team up. He brought his unmatched ability to identify and exploit fish tendencies, while I contributed my solid theoretical background.
But that's not all. Uskebasi also introduced me to his buddy Bla, another seasoned grinder who added his own insights to our collaboration. Together, they helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice. They showed me how to identify and exploit fish tendencies that I was completely oblivious to before. Honestly, my obsession with GTO had blinded me to the vast potential for profit sitting right there at the tables.
From barely scraping by at NL50, I've climbed my way up to NL100 and NL200, and I'm even dabbling in higher stakes when the action's good. Right now, I'm rocking a solid win rate of 6bb/100 (or 7bb EV if we're getting technical) over the last 200k hands. It's been quite the ride, let me tell you.
But the journey doesn't stop here. I've set my sights on ramping up my volume, aiming for at least 100 hours of play each month, with another 50 to 100 hours dedicated to improving my game. It's all about pushing myself to the next level, constantly learning and adapting in this ever-changing world of online poker.
This blog is a record of that journey, a way to stay motivated and focused, and hopefully an inspiration to others. I'll be posting interesting hands, sharing some of the challenges I face as a full-time grinder, and hopefully learning a ton from all of you along the way. Who knows where it will lead? Maybe I'll crack the code on exploiting those juicy fish, or maybe I'll discover a hidden talent for coaching. The beauty is, it's all an adventure.
So here's to the grind, the late nights, and the adrenaline-fueled showdowns. Here's to chasing our dreams, one hand at a time.
By the way, I used a little AI help to craft this first post, but from here on out, it'll be all me!
Catch you at the tables,
YouBetICall
Last 100k hands
Graph
Last 200k hands
Graph
04-25-2024
, 07:27 AM
04-25-2024
, 08:55 AM
04-25-2024
, 08:56 AM
04-25-2024
, 11:38 AM
GL GL! and nice AI usage! 
04-27-2024
, 04:20 PM
04-27-2024
, 07:42 PM
Cool to see a thread from someone really putting in hours and pushing hard at the game, will be following. Is there anything you're willing to share that you found eye opening about exploit play and taking more than your share of ev? In a lot of ways I'm in a similar boat to you (relatively strong theory, relatively weak exploit), though I wish I had 6-7bb at 200nl 
Good luck, hope you can push hard and succeed!
Good luck, hope you can push hard and succeed!
05-01-2024
, 05:35 AM
Grinding Gears and Getting Stronger
Hey everyone,
Time for another update on the grind! As you can see from the attached graphs, it wasn't a record-breaking month, but it was a solid month overall. The graph might not be setting any online poker world records, but hey, a profit's a profit, right? I managed to squeak out a 2.7k win, and with rakeback, that number bumps up to a decent 4k. Not bad for a month's work!
Putting in the Hours (Mostly)
I aimed for 100 hours at the online tables last month, and while I didn't quite hit that target, I logged a respectable 77 hours. Gotta step up my volume game this month for sure. The good news is, I didn't completely neglect other areas:
Online Grind: 77 hours (gotta hit that century mark this month!)
Game Improvement: 50 hours (keeping those skills sharp!)
Live Action: 30 hours (gotta have some social interaction, you know?)
Leveling Up: Mind, Body, and Poker
It's not just about the grind! Here's what I've been up to outside of poker:
Meditation: Back in the meditation zone, aiming for more focused sessions this month.
The Well-Rounded Grinder: Hitting the gym with friends, started swimming lessons (gotta diversify!), and even training with an ex-MMA fighter (talk about intense workouts!). Basically, I'm training like a champ (at least 5 times a week), with some chill basketball thrown in for good measure.
Coming soon, I'll be posting some interesting hands I encountered at the tables. No deep dives this time, just a chance to see some cool poker situations!
This month, my focus is laser-sharp:
100 Hours of Pure Online Play: No distractions, just grinding.
30-50 Hours of Study: Sharpening my poker arsenal.
Maintaining the Routine: Keeping the gym, meditation, and socializing balanced. Maybe a little less live poker, but hey, gotta have some fun!
Stay tuned for more updates on my journey to poker mastery (and overall awesomeness)!
See you at the tables
Hey everyone,
Time for another update on the grind! As you can see from the attached graphs, it wasn't a record-breaking month, but it was a solid month overall. The graph might not be setting any online poker world records, but hey, a profit's a profit, right? I managed to squeak out a 2.7k win, and with rakeback, that number bumps up to a decent 4k. Not bad for a month's work!
Putting in the Hours (Mostly)
I aimed for 100 hours at the online tables last month, and while I didn't quite hit that target, I logged a respectable 77 hours. Gotta step up my volume game this month for sure. The good news is, I didn't completely neglect other areas:
Online Grind: 77 hours (gotta hit that century mark this month!)
Game Improvement: 50 hours (keeping those skills sharp!)
Live Action: 30 hours (gotta have some social interaction, you know?)
Leveling Up: Mind, Body, and Poker
It's not just about the grind! Here's what I've been up to outside of poker:
Meditation: Back in the meditation zone, aiming for more focused sessions this month.
The Well-Rounded Grinder: Hitting the gym with friends, started swimming lessons (gotta diversify!), and even training with an ex-MMA fighter (talk about intense workouts!). Basically, I'm training like a champ (at least 5 times a week), with some chill basketball thrown in for good measure.
Coming soon, I'll be posting some interesting hands I encountered at the tables. No deep dives this time, just a chance to see some cool poker situations!
This month, my focus is laser-sharp:
100 Hours of Pure Online Play: No distractions, just grinding.
30-50 Hours of Study: Sharpening my poker arsenal.
Maintaining the Routine: Keeping the gym, meditation, and socializing balanced. Maybe a little less live poker, but hey, gotta have some fun!
Stay tuned for more updates on my journey to poker mastery (and overall awesomeness)!
See you at the tables
05-02-2024
, 05:47 AM
05-05-2024
, 06:49 AM
Let me post a few hands, no too much strategy, just a few interesting hands.
1) vs fish
UTG: 61.71 (62 bb)
CO: 165.76 (166 bb)
BU (Hero): 97.90 (98 bb)
SB: 128.02 (128 bb)
BB: 283.14 (283 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is BTN with J
K
UTG raises to 3, CO calls 3, Hero calls 3, SB calls 2.50, 1 fold
Flop: (13) 8
K
7 (4 players)
SB checks, UTG bets 3.50, CO folds, Hero calls 3.50, SB folds
Turn: (20) A (2 players)
UTG bets 6.37, Hero calls 6.37
River: (32.74) 9 (2 players)
UTG bets 16.37, Hero raises to 85.03 (all-in), UTG folds
Total pot: 65.48 (Rake: 3.27)
BU (Hero) wins 62.21
2) vs reg
UTG: 108.94 (109 bb)
MP: 234.88 (235 bb)
CO: 63.27 (63 bb)
BU: 104.00 (104 bb)
SB (Hero): 140.62 (141 bb)
BB: 111.34 (111 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is SB with A A
1 fold, MP raises to 2.50, CO calls 2.50, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to 15, 1 fold, MP calls 12.50, 1 fold
Flop: (33.50) A
4 Q (2 players)
Hero bets 7, MP calls 7
Turn: (47.50) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets 33, Hero calls 33
River: (113.50) J (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets 179.88 (all-in), Hero calls 85.62 (all-in)
Total pot: 284.74 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
MP shows 5 5 (a pair of Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 19%, Flop: 2%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) shows A A (three of a kind, Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 81%, Flop: 98%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)
SB (Hero) wins 281.24
3) classic vs fish agro fish
UTG (Hero): 91.11 (91 bb)
MP: 65.09 (65 bb)
CO: 58.14 (58 bb)
BU: 53.44 (53 bb)
SB: 88.53 (89 bb)
BB: 129.20 (129 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is UTG with A J
Hero raises to 2, 3 players fold, SB calls 1.50, 1 fold
Flop: (5) T 4 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets 2.50, SB calls 2.50
Turn: (10) 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks
River: (10) 6 (2 players)
SB bets 10, Hero calls 10
Total pot: 30 (Rake: 2)
Showdown:
SB shows J Q (a pair of Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 30%, Flop: 30%, Turn: 32%, River: 0%)
UTG (Hero) shows A J (a pair of Eights - higher kicker)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 70%, Flop: 70%, Turn: 68%, River: 100%)
UTG (Hero) wins 28
4) vs reg
UTG: 389.14 (195 bb)
CO (Hero): 305.18 (153 bb)
BU: 210.47 (105 bb)
SB: 552.92 (276 bb)
BB: 354.88 (177 bb)
Pre-Flop: (3) Hero is CO with 2 2
1 fold, Hero raises to 5, BTN 3-bets to 17, 2 players fold, Hero calls 12
Flop: (37) A A 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets 9.25, Hero calls 9.25
Turn: (55.50) A (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
River: (55.50) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets 37.18, Hero calls 37.18
Total pot: 129.86 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
BU shows K J (three of a kind, Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 49%, Flop: 41%, Turn: 19%, River: 0%)
CO (Hero) shows 2 2 (a full house, Aces full of Twos)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 51%, Flop: 59%, Turn: 81%, River: 100%)
CO (Hero) wins 126.36
5) vs fish
UTG: 51.50 (52 bb)
MP: 55.46 (55 bb)
CO: 54.62 (55 bb)
BU: 125.07 (125 bb)
SB: 59.30 (59 bb)
BB (Hero): 118.18 (118 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is BB with J 9
3 players fold, BTN calls 1, 1 fold, Hero checks
Flop: (2.50) A 7 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: (2.50) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets 2.50, Hero raises to 7.50, BU folds
Total pot: 7.50 (Rake: 0.50)
BB (Hero) wins 7
1) vs fish
UTG: 61.71 (62 bb)
CO: 165.76 (166 bb)
BU (Hero): 97.90 (98 bb)
SB: 128.02 (128 bb)
BB: 283.14 (283 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is BTN with J
KUTG raises to 3, CO calls 3, Hero calls 3, SB calls 2.50, 1 fold
Flop: (13) 8
K 7 (4 players)SB checks, UTG bets 3.50, CO folds, Hero calls 3.50, SB folds
Turn: (20) A
(2 players)UTG bets 6.37, Hero calls 6.37
River: (32.74) 9
(2 players)UTG bets 16.37, Hero raises to 85.03 (all-in), UTG folds
Total pot: 65.48 (Rake: 3.27)
BU (Hero) wins 62.21
2) vs reg
UTG: 108.94 (109 bb)
MP: 234.88 (235 bb)
CO: 63.27 (63 bb)
BU: 104.00 (104 bb)
SB (Hero): 140.62 (141 bb)
BB: 111.34 (111 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is SB with A
A1 fold, MP raises to 2.50, CO calls 2.50, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to 15, 1 fold, MP calls 12.50, 1 fold
Flop: (33.50) A
4 Q (2 players)Hero bets 7, MP calls 7
Turn: (47.50) 6
(2 players)Hero checks, MP bets 33, Hero calls 33
River: (113.50) J
(2 players)Hero checks, MP bets 179.88 (all-in), Hero calls 85.62 (all-in)
Total pot: 284.74 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
MP shows 5
5 (a pair of Fives)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 19%, Flop: 2%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) shows A
A (three of a kind, Aces)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 81%, Flop: 98%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)
SB (Hero) wins 281.24
3) classic vs fish agro fish
UTG (Hero): 91.11 (91 bb)
MP: 65.09 (65 bb)
CO: 58.14 (58 bb)
BU: 53.44 (53 bb)
SB: 88.53 (89 bb)
BB: 129.20 (129 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is UTG with A
JHero raises to 2, 3 players fold, SB calls 1.50, 1 fold
Flop: (5) T
4 8 (2 players)SB checks, Hero bets 2.50, SB calls 2.50
Turn: (10) 8
(2 players)SB checks, Hero checks
River: (10) 6
(2 players)SB bets 10, Hero calls 10
Total pot: 30 (Rake: 2)
Showdown:
SB shows J
Q (a pair of Eights)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 30%, Flop: 30%, Turn: 32%, River: 0%)
UTG (Hero) shows A
J (a pair of Eights - higher kicker)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 70%, Flop: 70%, Turn: 68%, River: 100%)
UTG (Hero) wins 28
4) vs reg
UTG: 389.14 (195 bb)
CO (Hero): 305.18 (153 bb)
BU: 210.47 (105 bb)
SB: 552.92 (276 bb)
BB: 354.88 (177 bb)
Pre-Flop: (3) Hero is CO with 2
21 fold, Hero raises to 5, BTN 3-bets to 17, 2 players fold, Hero calls 12
Flop: (37) A
A 7 (2 players)Hero checks, BTN bets 9.25, Hero calls 9.25
Turn: (55.50) A
(2 players)Hero checks, BTN checks
River: (55.50) 9
(2 players)Hero checks, BTN bets 37.18, Hero calls 37.18
Total pot: 129.86 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
BU shows K
J (three of a kind, Aces)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 49%, Flop: 41%, Turn: 19%, River: 0%)
CO (Hero) shows 2
2 (a full house, Aces full of Twos)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 51%, Flop: 59%, Turn: 81%, River: 100%)
CO (Hero) wins 126.36
5) vs fish
UTG: 51.50 (52 bb)
MP: 55.46 (55 bb)
CO: 54.62 (55 bb)
BU: 125.07 (125 bb)
SB: 59.30 (59 bb)
BB (Hero): 118.18 (118 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1.50) Hero is BB with J
93 players fold, BTN calls 1, 1 fold, Hero checks
Flop: (2.50) A
7 4 (2 players)Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: (2.50) 7
(2 players)Hero checks, BTN bets 2.50, Hero raises to 7.50, BU folds
Total pot: 7.50 (Rake: 0.50)
BB (Hero) wins 7
05-05-2024
, 07:01 AM
Following up on the wild hands, this month's been a true variance rollercoaster (lost stack on NL1k!). The first two days were brutal running super bad, down by 1.6k.
But hey, that's poker for you! The last two days have been the complete opposite pure magic (graph attached)! Up 2.2k in those two days! ✨
Overall, the month is still looking decent at 600 profit (entire month graph attached). Again this month so far, EV isn't my friend.
But hey, that's poker for you! The last two days have been the complete opposite pure magic (graph attached)! Up 2.2k in those two days! ✨
Overall, the month is still looking decent at 600 profit (entire month graph attached). Again this month so far, EV isn't my friend.
Yesterday
, 08:03 AM
Month is going better now, but still under EV, but running ok otherwise so it's not all in EV.
One interesting hand vs reg that mostly play higher limits
UTG: 207.52 (104 bb)
MP: 160.81 (80 bb)
CO: 207.02 (104 bb)
BU: 371.22 (186 bb)
SB (Hero): 200.00 (100 bb)
BB: 200.00 (100 bb)
Pre-Flop: (3) Hero is SB with 8 J
4 players fold, Hero raises to 6, BB calls 4
Flop: (12) A 4 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets 15, Hero calls 15
Turn: (42) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks
River: (42) K (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets 179 (all-in), Hero calls 179 (all-in)
Total pot: 400 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
BB shows Q J (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 69%, Flop: 19%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) shows 8 J (a pair of Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 31%, Flop: 81%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
SB (Hero) wins 396.50
One interesting hand vs reg that mostly play higher limits
UTG: 207.52 (104 bb)
MP: 160.81 (80 bb)
CO: 207.02 (104 bb)
BU: 371.22 (186 bb)
SB (Hero): 200.00 (100 bb)
BB: 200.00 (100 bb)
Pre-Flop: (3) Hero is SB with 8
J4 players fold, Hero raises to 6, BB calls 4
Flop: (12) A
4 8 (2 players)Hero checks, BB bets 15, Hero calls 15
Turn: (42) 5
(2 players)Hero checks, BB checks
River: (42) K
(2 players)Hero checks, BB bets 179 (all-in), Hero calls 179 (all-in)
Total pot: 400 (Rake: 3.50)
Showdown:
BB shows Q
J (high card, Ace)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 69%, Flop: 19%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) shows 8
J (a pair of Eights)(Equity - Pre-Flop: 31%, Flop: 81%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
SB (Hero) wins 396.50