Why?:
I want to prove to myself that I am able to generate a decent profit playing cards and that it´s still possible to grind through the micro stakes up to low | mid stakes (or even higher) these days. Of course, I will have to work hard on and off the felt, but with the right mindset and work ethic I think it´s still achievable.

Backround:
I used to play MTTs with some small success. I grinded out a 10k Bankroll. Cashed some of it out but also lost a lot due to some bad BRM and downswing. I decided to the make the transition from MTTs to cash because it suits my lifestyle a lot better. Since I have a full time job and a lovely wife (a man gotta keep the women satisfied ) it´s hard to play a well structured and profitable MTT schedule. I also had some coaching lessons with Alex Fitzgerald (aka "Assassinato"), so I know at least a bit about poker. I decided to buy the "no-bs 6 max" course from Gordon Gekko (NO, he didn´t ask me to make a blog, like some people already have, to show that he is the best ). I got myself some infos about him and his strategy seems to work well for all of his students, so I thought to mself "f*** it, let´s try this out". If I fail, so be it. But I have some confidence and I think I will be fine. I just have to stay patient and practice some good BRM [which will be quite agressive at the beginning ].

Starting Point:
I start with a 20 BI BR on NL10. I know, it´s quite agressive but nothing out of line. I will drop down to NL5 when I have around $110. and move up when I reach $200 again. I will move up when i have 25 BIs for NL25 (I will move up when I have 25 BIs for the next level - except for NL10 ). When I reach NL50 I will restructure my BRM [a bit more conservative - but I will think about this when I´m in the situation - which is far away for now ]
I´m playing on Stars exclusively right now. But if anyone has some suggestions what sites to play on while grinding micros, I´m open to your guys opinions.

Goals 2014:
- playing between 35k and 50k hands a month [it´s not much, i know, but due to some real life balances and issues, I have to keep it realistic. If I will be able to play more, I will]
- reach NL50 by the end of 2014 [doable, I think]
- earn as much $$$ as possible [I think it´s not a good idea to set monetary goals in the situation i´m in right now. As long as I show some positive progress i will be happy]
- post interesting hands regularly [no bad beats or brags. Only the ones where I´m lost or where I´m not sure about the line I took ~ and maybe some really funny/ weired ones, which might happen on NL10]
- study [will be the hardest part for me probably and I will have to push myself to do some session reviews on a regular basis]

Closure:
I will update this thread on a regular basis [after every session] with results, giraffes and interesting hands.
Let´s hope I will start with a heater. Would make things a lot easier at the beginning Let´s do this!
Hope you all enjoy reading

Thx

GL

ty

GL sir!
u are from germany?
pm me ur skype please!
i am also at micros with a similar br, playing rush.
might be good to talk strategy a bit

ty sir!

PM sent
GL with your challenge

GL
subbed

Day 1:
meh...didn´t run + play well. Have some questionable hands which i will post later. Below my not very beautiful giraffe

Day 2:
There is not much to say. Started off fairly good and then - doomswitsch and just got completely raped
I think I played ok but had some bad board run outs and got rivered a couple times in the big pots. So not much I can do I think. Fish chased their draws, paying every price no matter what and got there. Oh well, it´s part of the game and I don´t wanna whine, so here is the giraffe



Hands will follow tomorrow
I guess this is not the hot start I was hoping for

I will also be doing a similar challenge here shortly. GL Brutha!

Subbed gl!

ty

ty

Hands Day 1 & Day 2:

Ok, here we go. Reviewed some key hands and think I didn´t play optimally but would like to hear some opinions on the lines I took. Most of them (actually all of them) are loosing hands. I´m not posting to show how unlucky I run. I try to find out how I can avoid some of these big losses.

Questionable Hands:

Hand 1:

Villain is more of a station. SO I think I´m best most of the time. I think most sets would raise on flop or turn. River isn´t the best card but...is this river bet any good?? I try to put as much pressure on opponents as possible.

PokerStars - $0.10 Ante $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: $36.39 (VPIP: 27.34, PFR: 16.55, 3Bet Preflop: 5.66, Hands: 141)
BB: $13.88 (VPIP: 19.00, PFR: 13.00, 3Bet Preflop: 11.63, Hands: 101)
UTG: $25.10 (VPIP: 35.44, PFR: 10.13, 3Bet Preflop: 2.44, Hands: 79)
MP: $23.69 (VPIP: 47.32, PFR: 14.29, 3Bet Preflop: 1.96, Hands: 116)
Hero (CO): $20.86
BTN: $25.00 (VPIP: 36.36, PFR: 36.36, 3Bet Preflop: 42.86, Hands: 34)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10, 6 players post ante of $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.27) Hero has 6 5

UTG calls $0.10, MP calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.67, fold, SB calls $0.62, fold, UTG calls $0.57, fold

Flop: ($2.33, 3 players) 6 T 5
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $1.67, fold, UTG calls $1.67

Turn: ($5.67, 2 players) 3
UTG checks, Hero bets $4.05, UTG calls $4.05

River: ($13.77, 2 players) 9
UTG checks, Hero bets $14.45 and is all-in, UTG calls $14.45



Hand 2:

I think pre and flop is standard. I messed it up on turn. What do we beat when we raise? Can we call/ fold turn with top 2?

PokerStars - $0.10 Ante $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $24.15 (VPIP: 57.14, PFR: 42.86, 3Bet Preflop: 40.00, Hands: 7)
SB: $40.99 (VPIP: 41.46, PFR: 26.83, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 41)
Hero (BB): $23.74
UTG: $25.95 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 50.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
MP: $23.77 (VPIP: 26.04, PFR: 13.02, 3Bet Preflop: 1.79, Hands: 398)
CO: $74.01 (VPIP: 35.53, PFR: 28.29, 3Bet Preflop: 12.30, Hands: 305)

SB posts SB $0.05, Hero posts BB $0.10, 6 players post ante of $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.27) Hero has K A

UTG calls $0.10, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.50, UTG raises to $0.90, Hero calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.97, 2 players) 2 K T
Hero checks, UTG bets $1.40, Hero calls $1.40

Turn: ($4.77, 2 players) A
Hero checks, UTG bets $8.00, Hero raises to $21.42 and is all-in, UTG calls $13.42

River: ($47.61, 2 players) 3



Hand 3:

I´m having really some problems with this hand on turn. We have TPGK+ 2nd NutFD. I just can´t find a fold. River is just mehhh. Was a bit on tilt.

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (MP): $14.82
CO: $14.18 (VPIP: 43.14, PFR: 27.45, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 51)
BTN: $23.15 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 18.75, 3Bet Preflop: 15.00, Hands: 32)
SB: $10.00 (VPIP: 21.05, PFR: 11.84, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 79)
BB: $10.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 6)
UTG: $13.76 (VPIP: 17.75, PFR: 11.24, 3Bet Preflop: 1.69, Hands: 181)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has J K

fold, Hero raises to $0.30, CO calls $0.30, fold, SB calls $0.25, fold

Flop: ($1.00, 3 players) 7 K 6
SB checks, Hero bets $0.72, fold, SB calls $0.72

Turn: ($2.44, 2 players) 5
SB checks, Hero bets $1.74, SB raises to $4.10, Hero calls $2.36

River: ($10.64, 2 players) 3
SB bets $4.88 and is all-in, Hero calls $4.88



Hand 4:

I don´t like my line here. Is river a good spot to bluff??

PokerStars - $0.10 Ante $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: $26.77 (VPIP: 44.57, PFR: 26.09, 3Bet Preflop: 6.90, Hands: 93)
BTN: $25.06 (VPIP: 24.20, PFR: 12.01, 3Bet Preflop: 2.62, Hands: 548)
SB: $9.88 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
BB: $25.17 (VPIP: 15.79, PFR: 15.79, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)
Hero (UTG): $25.55

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10, 5 players post ante of $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.25) Hero has K Q

Hero raises to $0.40, fold, fold, SB calls $0.35, fold

Flop: ($1.00, 2 players) 9 Q 5
SB bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.48, SB calls $0.98

Turn: ($3.96, 2 players) K
SB checks, Hero bets $1.89, SB calls $1.89

River: ($7.74, 2 players) J
SB bets $0.90, Hero raises to $3.75, SB calls $2.85



Hand 5:

Standard??

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $7.50 (VPIP: 15.00, PFR: 5.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 22)
Hero (SB): $10.00
BB: $4.23 (VPIP: 57.14, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 14)
UTG: $28.74 (VPIP: 17.58, PFR: 14.55, 3Bet Preflop: 11.76, Hands: 169)
CO: $10.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)

Hero posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has J Q

fold, fold, BTN raises to $0.20, Hero raises to $0.75, fold, BTN calls $0.55

Flop: ($1.60, 2 players) Q 9 T
Hero bets $1.14, BTN calls $1.14

Turn: ($3.88, 2 players) K
Hero bets $2.78, BTN raises to $5.61 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.83

River: ($15.10, 2 players) T



Hand 6:

River??

PokerStars - $0.10 Ante $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $17.40 (VPIP: 56.25, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
SB: $32.14 (VPIP: 48.65, PFR: 13.51, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 38)
Hero (BB): $30.39
UTG: $10.00 (VPIP: 24.08, PFR: 17.14, 3Bet Preflop: 3.19, Hands: 251)
MP: $25.72 (VPIP: 23.98, PFR: 11.89, 3Bet Preflop: 1.46, Hands: 503)
CO: $12.51 (VPIP: 21.95, PFR: 17.07, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 84)

SB posts SB $0.05, Hero posts BB $0.10, 6 players post ante of $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.27) Hero has 7 T

fold, fold, fold, BTN calls $0.10, SB calls $0.05, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.42, 3 players) 9 8 6
SB checks, Hero bets $0.30, BTN calls $0.30, fold

Turn: ($1.02, 2 players) 2
Hero bets $0.72, BTN calls $0.72

River: ($2.46, 2 players) 5
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.20, Hero calls $1.20



Entertaining Hands:

Hand 7:

You have to love the fish

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): $25.02
SB: $10.00 (VPIP: 32.61, PFR: 13.04, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 46)
BB: $4.14 (VPIP: 43.48, PFR: 13.04, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 24)
UTG: $6.54 (VPIP: 20.59, PFR: 16.18, 3Bet Preflop: 4.55, Hands: 71)
MP: $10.07 (VPIP: 16.13, PFR: 12.90, 3Bet Preflop: 8.33, Hands: 32)
CO: $10.00 (VPIP: 30.43, PFR: 23.91, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 46)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has K K

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.25, SB raises to $0.75, fold, Hero raises to $2.35, SB raises to $4.20, Hero raises to $12.70, SB calls $5.80 and is all-in

Flop: ($20.10, 2 players) Q J A

Turn: ($20.10, 2 players) 4

River: ($20.10, 2 players) 8

Hand 8:

Where is my rungood hiding

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: $2.28 (VPIP: 22.73, PFR: 13.64, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
Hero (UTG): $10.00
CO: $13.53 (VPIP: 10.57, PFR: 7.32, 3Bet Preflop: 2.27, Hands: 125)
BTN: $10.73 (VPIP: 19.18, PFR: 4.11, 3Bet Preflop: 2.94, Hands: 74)
SB: $12.05 (VPIP: 22.92, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 9.43, Hands: 145)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has Q Q

Hero raises to $0.30, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to $0.95, Hero raises to $2.90, BB calls $1.33 and is all-in

Flop: ($4.61, 2 players) 7 Q 7

Turn: ($4.61, 2 players) T

River: ($4.61, 2 players) 6



So, this should be enough for now. Would like to hear some opinions on the questionable hands.

Thx

Day 3:

Session 1 - NL10:
- $32.14

Session 2 - NL5:
+ $41.95

Profit: + $9.81

After Session 1 i decided it would be best to drop down to NL5. I had some really bad runouts pared with some bad play + little tilt on NL10.

After a 2h break I decided to hit the tables again on NL5 (12 tabling). I tried to focus on making the best decisions. I had some juicy tables and got some sweet payouts with my NUT hands EZ-game

I think NL5 and NL10 is no different. I just ran better on NL5. I will stay there until I reach $250. I will then take a 5BI shot on NL10 and hope to stay there.

I´m pretty happy with my volume. I hope i can play between 10k - 15k hands a week. I´m also happy with my comeback. I didn´t really tilt much and stayed focused on making the best decisions, not getting interrupted by bad variance I feel I already made some small progress and hope this will be the turning point

I will post some hands I´m not sure about and some funny hands later

Here my giraffe:

Day 4:

Profit: + $25.06

I think I´m improving constantly and playing a lot better - seems like I adjusted

Day 5:

Profit: + $19.09

Nice progress, nice graphs keep it up!

How do you guys play these hands? I´m ahead (assuming all my outs are live) on FLOP vs. every pair and we still got 30% vs. a set. Struggle a bit which is the best way to play these kind of hands

Hand 1:

PokerStars - $0.05 Ante $0.01 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: $8.49 (VPIP: 15.00, PFR: 7.50, 3Bet Preflop: 10.53, Hands: 40)
MP: $8.47 (VPIP: 94.74, PFR: 52.63, 3Bet Preflop: 40.00, Hands: 20)
CO: $13.95 (VPIP: 46.15, PFR: 15.38, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 41)
Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $10.76 (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 21.21, 3Bet Preflop: 6.67, Hands: 34)
BB: $12.50 (VPIP: 32.73, PFR: 21.21, 3Bet Preflop: 10.29, Hands: 165)

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.05, 6 players post ante of $0.01

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.13) Hero has K A

UTG raises to $0.20, MP calls $0.20, fold, Hero calls $0.20, fold, fold

Flop: ($0.73, 3 players) T 5 4
UTG bets $0.35, MP calls $0.35, Hero raises to $2.10, fold, MP raises to $4.70, Hero calls $2.60

Turn: ($10.48, 2 players) T
MP bets $3.56 and is all-in, Hero calls $0.09 and is all-in

River: ($10.66, 2 players) Q



Hand 2:

I played this one really bad!!

PokerStars - $0.05 Ante $0.01 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: $13.85 (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
BTN: $3.03 (VPIP: 71.43, PFR: 32.14, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 29)
SB: $8.92 (VPIP: 23.08, PFR: 15.38, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 15)
Hero (BB): $6.07

SB posts SB $0.02, Hero posts BB $0.05, 4 players post ante of $0.01

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.11) Hero has A J

CO raises to $0.16, BTN calls $0.16, fold, Hero calls $0.11

Flop: ($0.54, 3 players) 5 7 4
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.64, CO calls $1.64, fold

Turn: ($4.32, 2 players) T
Hero checks, CO bets $2.06, Hero raises to $4.26 and is all-in, CO calls $2.20

River: ($12.84, 2 players) T



would love to hear some opinions

Day 6:

Profit: - $4.95

Pretty meh day...didn´t get much going.

What happened??