I see nothing wrong with checking your results at the end of every day.

That's fine if your mental game is very good but if it's going to impact on your play at all then not so good.

If your mental game is good enough to handle the fact you dont need to check your results until the end of the month then it will be good enough to handle checking at the end of each day imo.

Not needing to know (because the stakes are low and kinda irrelevant) and being able to play well knowing, are unfortunately two very different beasts for me. I derive a lot of anguish from seeing myself have losing session after losing session, and it almost certainly makes me play worse and book wins faster. However being able to resist looking at my results isn't a difficult task, especially when there is a very clear reason for it.

It's different things. I found it very easy not to check my results. It just takes a little willpower at most.

I follow ur chess twitch stream from time to time, good to see u back at poker. Subbed gl

Hey Loki thanks mate! I haven't streamed chess, let alone played much chess at all in ages. I really do cycle between poker and chess, so I'm sure I'll be back streaming at some stage. Welcome to the thread!

I think what I'm going to continue to do to warm up for sessions is to review my last session and post hands here for review.

1) I feel like I would usually cbet this for value against FDs and Tx, but think in this case I got confused and checked back because this is a very wet board, not good for light cbetting (Grinder's Manual advice), but forgot I don't have a light cbet hand. Mistake probably. Turn is an obvious call, maybe a raise but didn't want to isolate myself against better. River I ran the numbers and think that it's a call if he has even just a few busted FDs and possibly a KJ or two, thoughts?

Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2921602
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $5.34 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 15, 3B: 23, AF: 0.0, Hands: 52
Hero (UTG): $6.56
CO: $5.00 - VPIP: 38, PFR: 15, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 13
BTN: $6.92 - VPIP: 15, PFR: 7, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 27
SB: $5.72 - VPIP: 15, PFR: 12, 3B: 7, AF: 1.6, Hands: 278

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with J A
Hero raises to $0.20, 3 folds, BB calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.42) J Q 9 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.42) J (2 players)
BB bets $0.36, Hero calls $0.36

River: ($1.14) 4 (2 players)
BB bets $1.14, Hero ?


2) Thought about just flatting here IP to get the fish in the SB to call. The SPR would have been super awkward though, and I just decided to isolate the main fish who apparently has a hand. Anyone flatting here?

Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921604
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $4.57 - VPIP: 54, PFR: 13, 3B: 8, AF: 1.0, Hands: 24
BB: $3.89 - VPIP: 67, PFR: 20, 3B: 8, AF: 4.7, Hands: 30
UTG: $6.65 - VPIP: 29, PFR: 20, 3B: 10, AF: 1.5, Hands: 93
MP: $12.33 - VPIP: 16, PFR: 13, 3B: 3, AF: 2.2, Hands: 660
CO: $6.33 - VPIP: 23, PFR: 20, 3B: 10, AF: 4.0, Hands: 65

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with A A
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, SB calls $0.13, BB raises to $0.65, Hero raises to $1.50



3) BTN is moderately nitty (you can see his stats), so wasn't sure if a turn bet was too thin or not. Figure he can certainly call again with hands like 89s/9Ts/66-88, but might be giving him too much credit (figured I don't rep much but overpairs). Thought he could have TT/JJ/22/55 obviously so wasn't sure if I was getting enough to call on this really dry board. Thoughts on the line?

Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2921606
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.86 - VPIP: 88, PFR: 33, 3B: 0, AF: 1.4, Hands: 24
Hero (CO): $5.00
BTN: $10.33 - VPIP: 14, PFR: 12, 3B: 5, AF: 1.6, Hands: 179
SB: $5.07 - VPIP: 15, PFR: 11, 3B: 6, AF: 0.9, Hands: 120
BB: $8.57 - VPIP: 40, PFR: 4, 3B: 7, AF: 0.9, Hands: 102

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with 9 A
UTG calls $0.05, Hero raises to $0.20, BTN calls $0.20, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.67) 2 9 5 (3 players)
UTG bets $0.30, Hero calls $0.30, BTN calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.57) 2 (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $1.03, BTN calls $1.03, UTG folds

River: ($3.63) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Hands Marked for review from last session.

1) Getting better at doing the math on the spot while playing. Figured he wouldn't be raising turn with any bigger sets, as he might be afraid I'm holding a T. I call with the intention of donking river knowing that not many 5nl villains would fold a T anyway, in fact they might snap call. Thoughts on that logic?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921915
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
BTN: $5.04
SB: $5.00
BB: $5.16
UTG: $5.22
Hero (MP): $6.11

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is MP with 7 7
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.15, 1 fold, BTN calls $0.15, 1 fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.47) 7 8 J (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.31, BTN calls $0.31, BB folds

Turn: ($1.09) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.71, BTN raises to $1.84, Hero calls $1.13

River: ($4.77) J (2 players)
Hero bets $3.15


2) This reg was really aggressive and loves to barrel (he's barreled 82%/83%+/100% f/t/r over 270 hands). Figured I could semi-bluff turn and jam river on a lot of cards, maybe take SDV if the flush comes in and bluff catch if a K/A come. Figured on the To river he pretty much had to fold anything worse than a flush to the shove, possibly even a Kh flush. Thoughts?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921916
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.00
CO: $1.88
BTN: $5.50
SB: $4.22
Hero (BB): $5.32
UTG: $5.07

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with A J
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.12, SB calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.36) 5 6 T (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, BTN bets $0.20, SB calls $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.96) Q (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, BTN bets $0.55, SB folds, Hero raises to $1.94, BTN calls $1.39

River: ($4.84) T (2 players)
Hero bets $3.06 all in, BTN folds



3) Against same reg as above, but earlier in the session. Didn't take a proper look at his stats before flatting pre, which might be incorrect given he doesn't seem to give up on hands. Think it's a fold regardless OTR, only thing that seemed to miss was KQ, not much else out there that I beat.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2921917
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.07
CO: $1.72
BTN: $5.00
SB: $4.32
Hero (BB): $5.94
UTG: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with 7 A
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.12, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.26) 5 J A (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.12, Hero calls $0.12

Turn: ($0.50) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.36, Hero calls $0.36

River: ($1.22) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.95, Hero folds

Ran really well variance wise this morning. More importantly though, I feel like I played every spot really well, which is more important to me.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2922337
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.69
Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $3.45
BB: $4.27
UTG: $9.79
MP: $4.83

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with 7 7
UTG raises to $0.17, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.17, SB raises to $0.29, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.12, Hero calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.92) A A 7 (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, SB raises to $1.35, UTG calls $0.85, Hero raises to $4.71 all in, SB calls $1.81 all in, UTG calls $3.36

Turn: ($13.50) 6 (3 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($13.50) 2 (3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $13.50
Hero shows 7 7 (a full house, Sevens full of Aces)
SB shows T A (three of a kind, Aces)
UTG shows A Q (three of a kind, Aces)
Hero wins $2.97
Hero wins $9.97
(Rake: $0.56)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2922338
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $9.79
BTN: $2.84
SB: $5.24
Hero (BB): $5.07
UTG: $6.36
MP: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with 6 5
2 folds, CO raises to $0.15, 1 fold, SB calls $0.13, Hero calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.45) 7 3 9 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, CO bets $0.32, SB raises to $1.30, Hero raises to $4.92 all in, CO calls $4.60, SB folds

Turn: ($11.59) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($11.59) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $11.59
CO shows A A (a flush, Ace high)
Hero shows 6 5 (a straight flush, Six to Ten)
Hero wins $11.11
(Rake: $0.48)


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2922339
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $5.00
Hero (BB): $5.88
UTG: $5.10
MP: $5.14
CO: $7.44
BTN: $5.50

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with T 8
4 folds, SB raises to $0.12, Hero calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.24) Q 9 J (2 players)
SB bets $0.15, Hero raises to $0.60, SB calls $0.45

Turn: ($1.44) 3 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.30, SB calls $1.30

River: ($4.04) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $3.86 all in, SB calls $2.98 all in

Final Pot: $10.00
SB shows 9 Q (two pair, Queens and Nines)
Hero shows T 8 (a straight, Eight to Queen)
Hero wins $9.58
(Rake: $0.42)


Feel like this cbet and sizing is what I'd do with all my QQ+ and AQ, guess he just had it.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2922340
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.00
MP: $6.43
Hero (CO): $5.92
BTN: $5.00
SB: $7.80
BB: $5.07

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with A K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, 2 folds, BB raises to $0.45, Hero raises to $1.20, BB calls $0.75

Flop: ($2.42) 9 Q 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.30, BB calls $1.30

Turn: ($5.02) 5 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($5.02) 2 (2 players)
BB bets $1, Hero folds

Final Pot: $5.02
BB wins $4.81
(Rake: $0.21)


Value owned myself on this river, but I think that's a good thing. It shows I'm looking for more spots to get thin value, and even if it costs me some money occasionally, I think it will benefit me in the long run. Abstractly aside, thoughts on this value bet?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2922341
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.76
Hero (CO): $5.31
BTN: $5.57
SB: $3.92
BB: $8.72
UTG: $3.98

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with Q K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, 1 fold, SB calls $0.10, BB calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.36) 2 5 3 (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.36) Q (3 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, SB calls $0.25

River: ($1.11) 9 (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.60, SB folds, BB calls $0.60

Final Pot: $2.31
Hero shows Q K (a pair of Queens)
BB shows 4 6 (a straight, Deuce to Six)
BB wins $2.21
(Rake: $0.10)

Ooofft that second hand

What's your vpip and pfr?

20/16.

---------------------

Battling a reg yesterday on my immediate left, and he basically defended every SB v my BTN open (BB was a huge nit). He was defending way too wide and I made ~50bbs over the course of 100 hands against him. Then we got this gem of a hand.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923023
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.07
Hero (BTN): $7.49
SB: $9.23
BB: $5.00
UTG: $5.00
MP: $5.90

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with Q Q
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.25) 9 Q T (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.20, SB raises to $0.65, Hero raises to $1.95, SB raises to $9.13 all in, Hero calls $5.44 all in

Turn: ($15.03) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($15.03) K (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $15.03
Hero shows Q Q (three of a kind, Queens)
SB shows J K (a straight, Nine to King)
SB wins $14.41
(Rake: $0.62)


I'm bad at these spots. I get in a hand vs. a completely aggro fish, insanely aggro. I just get so worried that he's going to get lucky on the river, that I deny him any chance of bluffing off the rest of his stack.. I need to stop being so scared and play the hand correctly in future.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923025
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.00
Hero (CO): $5.00
BTN: $4.30
SB: $10.61
BB: $5.00
UTG: $6.50

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with T K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, BTN raises to $0.38, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.26

Flop: ($0.83) 5 K 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.40, Hero calls $0.40

Turn: ($1.63) 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.55, Hero raises to $4.22 all in, BTN folds

Final Pot: $4.73
Hero mucks T K
Hero wins $4.53
(Rake: $0.20)


Trying not to be results oriented here, but what do I beat on the river? Is this just a fold? Or is villain LAGy enough (also got him tagged as fishy) to justify calling in case he triples with AQ/AT type stuff? I am getting 3:1 on the river, so only need him to be betting KT for value, or bluffing some missed broadway to make this a call I think.

Poker Stars $5.00 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2923029
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.78 - VPIP: 31, PFR: 25, 3B: 8, AF: 6.0, Hands: 153
Hero (BTN): $5.52
SB: $5.46 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 12, 3B: 4, AF: 1.3, Hands: 122
BB: $6.23 - VPIP: 26, PFR: 16, 3B: 10, AF: 2.0, Hands: 134
UTG: $4.29 - VPIP: 25, PFR: 17, 3B: 0, AF: 2.7, Hands: 138

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with Q K
1 fold, CO raises to $0.15, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) 8 K 3 (2 players)
CO bets $0.23, Hero calls $0.23

Turn: ($0.83) J (2 players)
CO bets $0.53, Hero calls $0.53

River: ($1.89) 4 (2 players)
CO bets $0.90, Hero calls $0.90

Final Pot: $3.69
CO shows K A
Hero mucks Q K
CO wins $3.54
(Rake: $0.15)

Ah forgot about this one. Thoughts on line and the river value bet?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923036
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $5.28
SB: $7.20
BB: $5.23
UTG: $9.82
MP: $5.22
Hero (CO): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with A T
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.12, 2 folds, BB calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.26) 9 T K (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.26) K (2 players)
BB bets $0.18, Hero calls $0.18

River: ($0.62) 9 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.30


and for the lols, a hand I folded pre.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923039
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $5.25
UTG: $7.77
MP: $5.78
CO: $9.75
BTN: $5.00
Hero (SB): $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with 5 8
UTG raises to $0.15, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) 6 4 3 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.17, BTN calls $0.17

Turn: ($0.71) 5 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.40, BTN calls $0.40

River: ($1.51) 7 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.82, BTN raises to $4.28 all in, UTG calls $3.46

Final Pot: $10.07
UTG shows Q K (a straight, Three to Seven)
BTN shows 8 8 (a straight, Four to Eight)
BTN wins $9.65
(Rake: $0.42)

Hand 1 I like the bet. I probably do the same hoping to get a call from ace high. I sometimes bet smaller though but it depends on the villain. Nasty river if he has 9x though

Yeah I was thinking the same. Also should get called by JT and QT I think. I don't think 9x exists much in his range given he checked river and nothing I've done in the hand should suggest I'll be bluffing this river.

Sunday morning sesh. Was quite a pleasant session despite a couple of gross rivers/spots. Mental game on point today though!

Some hands:

---------------------------------------------------------------

vs "Reg".

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2923755
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.63
CO: $14.46
BTN: $9.59
Hero (SB): $5.00
BB: $5.28

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with Q A
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.15, Hero raises to $0.50, 1 fold, BTN raises to $1.10, Hero raises to $5 all in, BTN calls $3.90

Flop: ($10.05) 7 2 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($10.05) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($10.05) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $10.05
BTN shows A J (high card Ace - lower kicker)
Hero shows Q A (high card Ace)
Hero wins $9.63
(Rake: $0.42)


Think this is a call. He obviously can have QQ+ which makes sense, however I'm getting 3:1 and he could be value betting Tx and also be bluffing busted clubs/Ac/2 overs. Think getting 25% it's actually an easy call correct?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923758
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $7.02
CO: $8.06
BTN: $5.30
SB: $8.01
Hero (BB): $11.52
UTG: $4.94

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with J J
UTG raises to $0.15, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.32) 7 2 T (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.25, Hero calls $0.25

Turn: ($0.82) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50

River: ($1.82) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.90, Hero calls $0.90

Final Pot: $3.62
Hero mucks J J
UTG shows A A (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
UTG wins $3.47
(Rake: $0.15)



vs big fish. Unfortunate river, but even getting about 3:1 I think I have to fold on this specific card. Everything got there.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923757
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $5.00
Hero (CO): $5.31
BTN: $5.16
SB: $8.85
BB: $16.21
UTG: $4.46

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with T T
1 fold, MP raises to $0.12, Hero calls $0.12, 2 folds, BB calls $0.07

Flop: ($0.38) 8 7 T (3 players)
BB bets $0.20, MP calls $0.20, Hero raises to $0.95, BB calls $0.75, MP folds

Turn: ($2.48) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.64, BB calls $1.64

River: ($5.76) 9 (2 players)
BB bets $13.50 all in, Hero folds

Final Pot: $5.76
BB wins $5.52
(Rake: $0.24)


vs same fish as above hand. Kinda thought he had AA the whole way, yet played my hand straight into his trap. I got owned.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2923756
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
Hero (BTN): $6.02
SB: $9.88
BB: $10.20
UTG: $3.69
MP: $5.29

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with J J
UTG calls $0.05, MP raises to $0.12, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.12, 2 folds, UTG raises to $0.30, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.18

Flop: ($0.79) 2 4 5 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.43, UTG calls $0.43

Turn: ($1.65) 9 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $1.05, UTG raises to $2.96 all in, Hero calls $1.91

River: ($7.57) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $7.57
Hero shows J J (a pair of Jacks)
UTG shows A A (a pair of Aces)
UTG wins $7.26
(Rake: $0.31)


Last hand I'll post with the fish above. This is why he's referenced as a fish.


Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2923762
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00
Hero (BTN): $5.17
SB: $6.83
BB: $19.96
UTG: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with A A
1 fold, CO calls $0.05, Hero raises to $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.15, CO calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.62) 8 9 9 (3 players)
BB bets $0.30, CO folds, Hero calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.22) K (2 players)
BB bets $0.40, Hero calls $0.40

River: ($2.02) T (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.10, BB calls $1.10

Final Pot: $4.22
Hero shows A A (two pair, Aces and Nines)
BB mucks A 8
Hero wins $4.04
(Rake: $0.18)

Blupp! GL*

Thanks pokker!

I started a new database for this PGC, but realised that I only did that for mental game reasons. I recently exported my hands and imported them into my old database, which I'll be using henceforth. Unfortunately, that also meant that I saw my results for this month, but hopefully it doesn't change the way I've been playing/studying.

Results update for this month so far:



Graph for this month:



So I'm really happy with volume for a start, considering we're only halfway through the month. All reg tables, between 4-6 each session. I've also been keeping a poker journal for my thoughts before and after each session, gauging how I think I ran, played, and how my mental game was. I just ran through my end of session summary and cross checked it with my session results, and am pleased to say that I'm getting good at identifying the difference between me running badly and playing badly. Not checking results until I have at least written down my thoughts is really helping me focus on what I can control (my play) and that's great.

In the last couple of weeks I have been working a lot with The Grinder's Manual, and have had quite a few eye opening moments. Really enjoying the book, and looking forward to committing as much as possible to my unconscious competence. Speaking of TMGP concepts, I am working on ensuring I don't have any expectations when it comes to winrates, but rather convert them to goals. So, rather than expecting to easily win at 5nl for 5bb+/100 because I have in the past, I am attacking 5nl with the goal of winning at 5bb/100. This means that I don't get upset when I run bad (or play bad!), but rather look at ways in which I can improve to get my winrate higher. I think this is doing wonders for my mental game!

Now for a couple of questionable decisions.

In this one, I know the call after the river 3bet is almost certainly wrong, but thoughts on my original river raise? Villain is a calling station fish playing 50/19 over 32 hands.

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2924545
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $6.02
MP: $5.26
CO: $5.37
BTN: $11.80
SB: $6.31
BB: $4.79

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with A K
Hero raises to $0.15, 3 folds, SB calls $0.13, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.35) 2 6 3 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.18, SB calls $0.18

Turn: ($0.71) 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($0.71) K (2 players)
SB bets $0.35, Hero raises to $1.08, SB raises to $1.81, Hero calls $0.73


One of my favourite things in poker is putting money into the pot when you have the best hand, and then not investing another cent when you don't. Perfectly played hand no? (NB: I could have potted flop and turn and got it all in, however I would rather bet smaller because I don't envision him calling both flop and turn PSBs without a hand that beats me).

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 2924546
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $3.65
Hero (BB): $6.07
CO: $7.13
BTN: $9.14

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with T T
2 folds, SB raises to $0.10, Hero raises to $0.40, SB calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.80) 5 8 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.40, SB calls $0.40

Turn: ($1.60) 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.17, SB calls $1.17

River: ($3.94) A (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $3.94
SB shows A 5 (two pair, Aces and Fives)
Hero mucks T T
SB wins $3.78
(Rake: $0.16)


Against 62/6 whale. Should I be raising turn? Really wasn't sure what to give villain lol. I feel like a diamond isn't coming that often to kill my action, however is it still worth raising to get value from AJ/77/JJ etc before it does come?

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2924547
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $5.38
CO: $3.95
BTN: $5.00
SB: $10.01
BB: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is UTG with Q K
Hero raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.15, 1 fold, SB calls $0.13, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.50) A 7 J (3 players)
SB bets $0.70, Hero calls $0.70, CO folds

Turn: ($1.90) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $1, Hero calls $1

River: ($3.90) 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.70, SB folds

Final Pot: $3.90
Hero mucks Q K
Hero wins $3.74
(Rake: $0.16)

Had a nice session this morning, despite coming down with a cold. Few spots could have easily put me on tilt, but I managed to quickly and effectively inject logic as to why it's a good thing fish/whales occasionally get there with -EV plays, which left me mentally sound. I used to struggle playing longer than an hour (either trying to protect winnings, or minimise losses), but my last 8 sessions have been ~2 hours long, so I'm stoked about that. I'm not running particularly well overall, but I really feel like my fundamentals are improving, and I'm feeling much more confident at the tables.

Got a home game of 20nl today, so really looking forward to that.

Some hands for today:

Vs extreme whale (I'm talking 97/45 with a 45% 3bet kinda whale):

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2925431
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $16.14
Hero (MP): $7.16
CO: $11.87
BTN: $6.55
SB: $5.61
BB: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is MP with A A
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.15, CO calls $0.15, 3 folds

Flop: ($0.37) K 2 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, CO raises to $0.60, Hero raises to $1.80, CO calls $1.20

Turn: ($3.97) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $2.01, CO calls $2.01

River: ($7.99) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.20 all in, CO calls $3.20

Final Pot: $14.39
Hero shows A A (a pair of Aces)
CO shows 6 K (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
CO wins $13.79
(Rake: $0.60)


vs standard idiot fish:

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2925432
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $2.18
UTG: $12.83
CO: $4.96
BTN: $5.35
Hero (SB): $14.76

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is SB with K A
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.12, Hero raises to $0.40, BB calls $0.35, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.92) 6 3 A (2 players)
Hero bets $0.57, BB raises to $1.78 all in, Hero calls $1.21

Turn: ($4.48) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($4.48) K (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $4.48
BB shows 9 9 (three of a kind, Nines)
Hero shows K A (two pair, Aces and Kings)
BB wins $4.29
(Rake: $0.19)


Some good variance tho. Pretty good fold from SB if he did indeed have an overpair or 2pair hand. Holding is so much more satisfying than getting there imo:

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2925433
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $6.46
SB: $10.40
BB: $5.00
UTG: $5.35
MP: $5.00
Hero (CO): $7.08

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with 5 5
UTG raises to $0.15, MP calls $0.15, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62) 8 4 5 (4 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, MP bets $0.40, Hero calls $0.40, BB raises to $1.40, UTG folds, MP raises to $4.85 all in, Hero raises to $6.93 all in, BB folds

Turn: ($11.72) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($11.72) 6 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $11.72
MP shows 4 A (three of a kind, Fours)
Hero shows 5 5 (a full house, Fives full of Fours)
Hero wins $11.23
(Rake: $0.49)


Against a reg I'd been battling with at a table full of nits:

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 2925434
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $5.00
SB: $5.00
BB: $5.00
UTG: $15.47
MP: $12.67
CO: $5.00

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BTN with J J
UTG raises to $0.15, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) 2 4 5 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.18, UTG calls $0.18

Turn: ($0.73) J (2 players)
UTG bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.40, UTG raises to $7.90, Hero calls $3.27 all in

River: ($10.07) A (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $10.07
Hero shows J J (three of a kind, Jacks)
UTG shows K K (a pair of Kings)
Hero wins $9.65
(Rake: $0.42)


Turning J4o into 90bbs of profit. Like Jesus turning water into wine:

Poker Stars $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 2925435
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $5.22
BTN: $5.83
SB: $6.41
Hero (BB): $5.06
UTG: $5.03

Pre Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with J 4
3 folds, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.10) 4 J 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.07, SB calls $0.07

Turn: ($0.24) J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.25, SB raises to $0.90, Hero calls $0.65

River: ($2.04) 5 (2 players)
SB bets $3.75, Hero raises to $4.04 all in, SB calls $0.29

Final Pot: $10.12
SB shows 2 2 (a full house, Deuces full of Jacks)
Hero shows J 4 (a full house, Jacks full of Fours)
Hero wins $9.70
(Rake: $0.42)

Are you using any study materials to work on your game? Books, videos etc?

Yep. I'm working through The Grinder's Manual, by Carroters and finding it very good material. Also working a lot with the mental game of poker.

Physique update from a few days ago. Diet fell by the wayside this weekend. Was studying for finals which made me a lot more stressed than usual, leading to some unfortunate over-eating. Hoping I didn't do too much damage, and am looking forward to getting back on the horse this week now my exams are over. Holidays woo!

Looking good man #nohomo

That one month progress, sick sick sick. The physique of course, who cares about the poker anyway

I tend to check my post-session results every time. I am trying to stop checking them mid-session though, nothing good can come from that.

Will shortlist The Grinder's manual, not a huge fan of those 600 pages especially when it's "highly theoretical" but it's at a reasonable price so worth a try at least.