I've invested a good amount of time in the last month putting in 50k hands at 2nlz on stars for a win rate of 6bb/100 All in adjusted. I've decided today to move up stakes and as I played my first few hands of 5nl, I came up with an idea to 10x it, transfer 5k into my account, and jump straight into 50nl with a 100bi roll.

Before you give me ****, hear me out:
1: I make really decent money and have no ambitions of doing this professionally
2: I want to learn the game more than I care about beating it and for that reason, it doesn't make much sense to play a million hands moving up the stakes
4: I have a suspicion that playing very small stakes may build bad habits.
5: I'm lucky enough to have 5k to lose
6: I think there's a ton of value in knowing that I'm the worst player at the table

My goal will be to learn fast enough to get to neutral ev before I bust the roll. Hopefully the variance gods help me in this endeavor 🙏

Rules to play by:
1) no multi tabling. The more hands per hour the faster I go bust
2) All focus will go to playing as balanced as possible. Avoid trying to play exploitatively
3) study off the table and close leaks as fast as possible

I'll post my 2nl graph and some of my first 50nl hands tonight. Look for me in the zoom pool I'm clubbd2death

Hey man, don't worry I'm not gonna tell you not to do it

I ran to all those micro pools after starting in NL2 on stars and I think as long you have the roll (because it could me more expensive) it's completely fine to start in 50z actually. Don't think you want to start higher tho. My piece of advice; Ofcourse it's nice to be humble but don't overestimate your opponents too much. They most likely have a more solid basic understanding of the game but they all have leaks.
GL Op.

gl man

Thanks for the kind words and advice man. first session I was blown away by how many rec players were in the pool. maybe it being a holiday here in canada had something to do with it



Not a great start but had a blast! here's some hands I played poorly:

PokerStars - $0.50 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 262.38 BB
SB: 253.76 BB
BB: 137.1 BB
UTG: 106.06 BB
MP: 105.76 BB
Hero (CO): 348.78 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 1 BB

Flop: (4.5 BB, 2 players) 5 9 6
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (4.5 BB, 2 players) J
BB bets 3.52 BB, Hero calls 3.52 BB

River: (11.54 BB, 2 players) 6
BB bets 10 BB, Hero raises to 39.42 BB, BB calls 29.42 BB

Hero shows 6 K (Three of a Kind, Sixes)
(Pre 69%, Flop 18%, Turn 7%)
BB shows 6 9 (Full House, Sixes full of Nines)
(Pre 31%, Flop 82%, Turn 93%)
BB wins 86.38 BB

Not sure what I'm getting value from here on the river. specifically with his large raise sizing, seems like a pretty clear call in retrospect.

PokerStars - $0.50 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 102.96 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 236.7 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 85.4 BB
Hero (CO): 126.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) A 2 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 2.6 BB, Hero calls 2.6 BB

Turn: (10.7 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero checks, BTN bets 7.08 BB, Hero calls 7.08 BB

River: (24.86 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, BTN bets 9.8 BB, Hero calls 9.8 BB

BTN shows A 2 (Two Pair, Aces and Twos)
(Pre 32%, Flop 73%, Turn 80%)
Hero mucks 8 A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 68%, Flop 27%, Turn 20%)
BTN wins 42.24 BB

this one felt cringy. I know that solvers don't mind checking this flop lots as the oop raiser but it felt like it put me in a position of having 0 information and basically bluff catching by the river. I actually planned to fold river but his sizing talked me into it.

going to study this little sample I put in today and get back to it tomorrow.

Starting nl50 if you have the money to spend isn't that bad of a move, but I would start with nl25 If I were you.

Also why you don't want to exploit opponents? I hear a lot about this nonsense that you have to be balanced like if you are playing vs gto computers and not other **** regs in microstakes lmao

50nl regs are insanely good thats for sure. Might try it from 25nl if this doesn't work. I'm focusing on balance because I'm coming at this under the assumption that I have a bunch of leaks. Doesnt make much sense imo to focus on other peoples game when my game is spewing all over the table.

There is a pretty noticeable difference between 25z and 50z imo.
And a bit less noticeable a difference between 50z and 100z.
200z gets pretty intense generally for a player like myself. I can hang, but I think I’m giving up some edge at that point.
I play a fair bit of 50z, curious to see how this goes for you. Gl and feel free to send a pm if you have any questions you think would be helpful to discuss.
Lots of the same good regs at 50z are playing 100z at least part-time, if not fulltime fyi.

First 2k hands are in!



Bankroll- $5100

HERE WE GO. The gods have heard my prayers, who cares the gold line is tanking when you're spiking 2 outers for stacks.

Here's a classic punt from yours truely:

PokerStars - $0.50 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 119.12 BB
Hero (SB): 102.7 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 44.68 BB
MP: 112.46 BB
CO: 70.52 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, BTN raises to 11.5 BB, Hero raises to 27 BB, fold, fold, fold, BTN calls 15.5 BB

Flop: (61 BB, 2 players) 2 3 T
Hero bets 17.38 BB, BTN calls 17.38 BB

Turn: (95.76 BB, 2 players) 5
Hero bets 58.32 BB and is all-in, BTN calls 58.32 BB

River: (212.4 BB, 2 players) K

Hero shows Q K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 14%, Flop 4%, Turn 0%)
BTN shows A A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 86%, Flop 96%, Turn 100%)
BTN wins 208.4 BB

been playing quite badly but I'm learning a lot and studying with solvers. seems like its starting to click. hope we can get that gold line headed north.

Hey appreciate it man. I'd be curious to know if most people at 50z are studying with solvers, and if there's any you'd recommend? subbed to GTOwizard for now.

I’d guess there’s a pretty equal split at 50z of certain regs who do well because of solver work and others who get by with pretty serious exploit strat. Actually the serious exploit regs are probably more like 30% of the profitable regs I would guess.
I run some hands with my study partner through PIO. Honestly been slacking a bit on study work lately due to busy life these days.
Don’t know much about GTOwizard, but do know a few very good regs who use it. One in specific I’m thinking of actually, so should be fine if you’re using it well.
Good job binking some lucky stacks early on, always helps!

Awesome, good to know! thank you sir, luck has had my back in this challenge so far

I've noticed regs have started 3betting me more, and I'm well aware my f3b stat is high. just thought this hand was absolutely hilarious.

PokerStars - $0.50 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): 100 BB
SB: 216.24 BB
BB: 104.02 BB
UTG: 102.56 BB
MP: 112.52 BB
CO: 116.96 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 2.5 BB, fold, BB raises to 12 BB, Hero calls 9.5 BB

Flop: (24.5 BB, 2 players) K T Q
BB bets 5.82 BB, Hero calls 5.82 BB

Turn: (36.14 BB, 2 players) 2
BB bets 17.18 BB, Hero calls 17.18 BB

River: (70.5 BB, 2 players) 8
BB bets 69.02 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 65 BB and is all-in

BB shows 5 7 (Flush, King High)
(Pre 41%, Flop 38%, Turn 20%)
Hero shows J K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 59%, Flop 62%, Turn 80%)
BB wins 196.5 BB

thought I was making the sickest hero call on the river, but unfortunately I left out 57s from his range Pretty painfully obvious that regs are exploiting me this way now.
curious to know peoples opinion on the call. I guess he's only really repping the flush on the river so probably want blockers to call and preferably the A. talked myself into the J being a blocker but AJ doesn't ship it like this. He probably shows up with some bluffs here if he's 3betting this wide.

Can’t help but guess that it was either JungoPS or NO1CARES.

Or Olegim. lulz

Goofindeuces was V. Have him noted as a very good reg

3b you with 75s and tripling with a FD that got there is not exploitative play. It's clicking buttons.

Indeed, solver hated the double barrel and opts to check flop and turn with its lower fds. It was indifferent to my river call

Was surprised to see solver checks this flop with most of its hands as BB. but I guess it makes sense when AJ is a part of my range

Aj is also part of his range. So that factor isn't that big. In terms of your calling range river. If you call all KJ. And a bunch of 2 pairs. Starts to be a bit of combo on flush card...

In the ranges I use (slightly lower rake structure) 57s is a 20% 3bet from BB. Calling and 3betting is actually the same ev in my preflop trees.

I ran the sim and V's line is fine. It wants to check call his flushes OTR more often because you so have so many more, so you should bluff accordingly. But I can see people just playing it like this. They protect their checking range too little in general.

This is OOP strategy OTT with his flush draws, it likes to bet them a lot in my sim:




You have an ev+ call on the river but I must say in this pool regs are bit scared to triple off, especially on a flush completer. So ingame sigh folding is the best option imo and call against other villain types.

Ya, I didn’t think V’s play was super button clicky, but probably some low frequency RNG button clicking going on. If he thinks you’re overfolding to 3b he might of went wider % wise. I agree with Kid Cudi that most regs in this pool aren’t tripling off with many bluffs at all by river and KJ is very meh. Probably a -EV call against pool OTR.
Surprised I actually don’t have that reg tagged or know the SN even.

Also agree with the sentiment that checking ranges aren’t being protected enough in a variety of spots. I think his flop/turn bets and sizings are actually pretty good.
Once he pulls the trigger pre, it’s hard to say his line is bad, but river could go either way.

This is sweet thanks for running it. interesting that it comes up with different results than GTO wizard.

funny I hadn't seen any of the regs you mentioned until last night and played several pots with each of them.

My idea was that KJ was a better call than many of my 2p combos because of the J blocker, not saying that Id find a fold there with 2p though, I'm a station.

4k hands!
bankroll- $4800

Can you see my MASSIVE suckout in the graph? here was the beauty

BTN: 296.2 BB
SB: 551.26 BB
Hero (BB): 198.5 BB
UTG: 270.8 BB
MP: 104 BB
CO: 101.84 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, CO raises to 2.26 BB, fold, SB raises to 7.78 BB, Hero raises to 18 BB, fold, SB raises to 45 BB, Hero calls 27 BB

Flop: (92.26 BB, 2 players) 3 T 8
SB bets 58.84 BB, Hero raises to 153.5 BB and is all-in, SB calls 94.66 BB

Turn: (399.26 BB, 2 players) K

River: (399.26 BB, 2 players) 9

SB shows A A (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 82%, Flop 92%, Turn 5%)
Hero shows K K (Three of a Kind, Kings)
(Pre 18%, Flop 8%, Turn 95%)
Hero wins 395.26 BB


playing all around quite badly and just overcalling in general. feeling down about it, might take a few days off from play and just study.

I've been working to memorize my preflop ranges. It should help me with hand reading postflop and give me a better understanding of which hands I have to bucket into different postflop actions.

Been working on building out this thought process postflop:
1: How strong is my range
2: given 1, how should I play that range
3: where does my specific hand fit in.
ie: more thought given to range, less thought given to my specific hand in a vacuum

I've been intrigued by places where the solver opts to have a donking range, I feel that implementing it properly could cause even very skilled players to misplay their hand.

Tried it for the first time (popped my donking cherry) and was quite pleased with the result. surprised by the spewy reaction of V. Checked the hand afterwards and I was correct that the solver donks over 50% of its range on this flop


BTN: 100 BB
SB: 71.82 BB
Hero (BB): 416.88 BB
UTG: 27.12 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 142.52 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 5

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 5 6 8
Hero bets 1.3 BB, BTN calls 1.3 BB

Turn: (8.1 BB, 2 players) K
Hero bets 3.86 BB, BTN raises to 18 BB, Hero calls 14.14 BB

River: (44.1 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, BTN bets 26 BB, Hero calls 26 BB

BTN shows 5 9 (One Pair, Fives)
(Pre 67%, Flop 29%, Turn 32%)
Hero shows 8 5 (Two Pair, Eights and Fives)
(Pre 33%, Flop 71%, Turn 68%)
Hero wins 92.1 BB

Been running like a GOD.
Bankroll-$5400


Yesterday I made second on the leaderboard for $450 + was up 4.5 bi. I've been playing a lot better as well, finding the fold button more often and trying not to station everything. still found a few spots to bluff catch successfully. this call down was pretty sick.

BTN: 100 BB
SB: 126.82 BB
BB: 234.62 BB
UTG: 123.88 BB
MP: 101.02 BB
Hero (CO): 129.96 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (5.1 BB, 2 players) Q 5 3
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (5.1 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero bets 1.22 BB, BB raises to 6.42 BB, Hero calls 5.2 BB

River: (17.94 BB, 2 players) Q
BB bets 5.9 BB, Hero calls 5.9 BB

BB shows T J (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 46%, Flop 28%, Turn 30%)
Hero shows A 6 (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 54%, Flop 72%, Turn 70%)
Hero wins 28.26 BB

Thought this was a decent/hard fold to find but lost the minimum.

BTN: 133.46 BB
SB: 103.36 BB
BB: 150.06 BB
UTG: 100 BB
Hero (MP): 319.3 BB
CO: 101.92 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, CO calls 2 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 1 BB

Flop: (6.5 BB, 3 players) K 3 Q
BB checks, Hero bets 2 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Turn: (10.5 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero checks

River: (10.5 BB, 2 players) 9
BB bets 7 BB, fold

BB wins 9.98 BB

Obviously a lot easier to improve at a stake you can't beat when you catch a wave of positive variance. I feel miles ahead from my 2nl grinding days. Still studying GTO and working with GTO Wizard. Also been watching Jarretman play 500nl on youtube. Learned a lot from him.

Have you been able to play leaderboards often recently? I keep only seeing them available for spin and go’s the last month and a bit…
I have been hoping they’d come back soon.
Hope the heater keeps up for you.
Also, ya. Jarretman is the nuts. Any Fried Muelders you can watch on YT is worth your time as well.