Hi all,

As a 26year old Belgian poker enthousiast I have been fascinated by poker for a long time. Have been playing poker semi serious for about 4years and. 2 years ago I decided to take thing a bit more serious after a 50 buy in downswing and put in a bit of work to improve my game.

Lifetime graphs:

hm2:


hm3 (2020):


Glad to say it payed off somewhat, allowing me to slowly grind my way up to 50nl zoom in the beginning of 2020. However I had to stop playing poker as I bought a house and needed to drain my poker bankroll. Sadly at the same time I was shot taking 100nl zoom, but got crushed by variance and probably also superior players.

Now that I am finally settled I am gonna try to rebuild a decent bankroll of which I will use some to start playing live poker in some local casinos.

Currently I am sitting at 775 dollars and playing small volume at 25NL zoom at pokerstars. Goal for 2021 would be to build this up to 6k. This would result in playing around 250k hands at a winrate of 4-5bb at 50nl.

I have a full time job as project manager in IT, which means I will not be able to play tons of volume, though 20k hands/month should be realistic.

For now I will continue at 25nl zoom until I reach 1.5k. I will not play lower than this level, if needed I can reload. Since this year this stake is played with ante. First impression is that the game is more fun, forcing me to play wider and play for bigger pots more often. Luckily a lot of nits/weak regs don't seem to understand how to do this.

Preliminary results over small sample:


Running a bit hot, but not complaining . Though I am interested to hear what kind of winrate is achievable in the ante zoom variant. I would think winrates for good regs should be a bit higher, but maybe it's the otherway around?

I will try to update this thread at least once a week, but I am not really that disciplined in posting to forums

If anyone can help with the images, that would be very helpful :s

Edit: found how to fix it!

I was going to say, pictures seem fine haha.

In, GL for 2021.

Some hands from today's session

hand 1:
Reggish player calling me a whale for calling preflop with 75s. Saying that's the reason I will be stuck in 25nl yeah right

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

hilly4045 (UTG): $101.66 (407 bb)
andrmsan (MP): $14.31 (57 bb)
towel37 (CO): $28.81 (115 bb)
Blurrox (BU): $32.91 (132 bb)
Luckbox15 (SB): $69.05 (276 bb)
Bradley_W (BB): $25.00 (100 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero (Blurrox) is BTN with 5♣ 7♣
3 players fold, Blurrox (BU) raises to $0.75, 1 fold, Bradley_W (BB) 3-bets to $3, Blurrox (BU) calls $2.25

Flop: ($6.28) 5♠ 4♦ 7♠ (2 players)
Bradley_W (BB) bets $1.98, Blurrox (BU) raises to $6.96, Bradley_W (BB) raises to $21.97 (all-in), Blurrox (BU) calls $15.01

First Turn: ($50.22) T♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)

First River: ($50.22) K♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Second Turn: ($50.22) 3♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Second River: ($50.22) A♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $50.22 (Rake: $2)

First Showdown: Board: 5♠ 4♦ 7♠ T♣ K♠

Bradley_W (BB) shows A♠ Q♥ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 59%, Flop: 11%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)

Blurrox (BU) shows 5♣ 7♣ (two pair, Sevens and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 41%, Flop: 89%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)

Blurrox (BU) wins $24.11

Second Showdown: Board: 5♠ 4♦ 7♠ 3♠ A♥

Bradley_W (BB) shows A♠ Q♥ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 59%, Flop: 11%, Turn: 31%, River: 0%)

Blurrox (BU) shows 5♣ 7♣ (two pair, Sevens and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 41%, Flop: 89%, Turn: 69%, River: 100%)

Blurrox (BU) wins $24.11

Hand 2:
Gift

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

ninobel88 (UTG): $37.97 (152 bb)
Mexos (MP): $19.92 (80 bb)
Sea Bas123 (CO): $29.98 (120 bb)
Vladislava1992 (BU): $31.88 (128 bb)
Blurrox (SB): $38.14 (153 bb)
B.Paulino (BB): $31.56 (126 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero (Blurrox) is SB with Q♣ A♥
1 fold, Mexos (MP) raises to $0.75, 2 players fold, Blurrox (SB) 3-bets to $3, 1 fold, Mexos (MP) calls $2.25

Flop: ($6.43) Q♥ A♦ K♠ (2 players)
Blurrox (SB) bets $4.42, Mexos (MP) calls $4.42

Turn: ($15.27) 3♣ (2 players)
Blurrox (SB) bets $30.69 (all-in), Mexos (MP) calls $12.47 (all-in)

River: ($40.21) 7♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $40.21 (Rake: $0.52)

Showdown:
Blurrox (SB) shows Q♣ A♥ (two pair, Aces and Queens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 72%, Flop: 93%, Turn: 97%, River: 100%)

Mexos (MP) shows A♠ 5♣ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 28%, Flop: 7%, Turn: 3%, River: 0%)

Blurrox (SB) wins $38.40
Mexos (MP) wins $1.29

Hand 3:
Not sure if this is a call, but I get great odds and we are a bit deeper

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

Patryk06094 (UTG): $35.54 (142 bb)
mgus93 (MP): $12.08 (48 bb)
Blurrox (CO): $46.26 (185 bb)
Bängelinio (BU): $45.36 (181 bb)
eetupes14 (SB): $74.30 (297 bb)
La Makinaa (BB): $45.19 (181 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero (Blurrox) is CO with 8♥ 7♥
Patryk06094 (UTG) raises to $0.62, 1 fold, Blurrox (CO) 3-bets to $2, 3 players fold, Patryk06094 (UTG) 4-bets to $5, Blurrox (CO) calls $3

Flop: ($10.53) 9♠ Q♥ 6♠ (2 players)
Patryk06094 (UTG) checks, Blurrox (CO) bets $3.32, Patryk06094 (UTG) folds

Total pot: $10.53 (Rake: $0.47)
Blurrox (CO) wins $10.06

Hand 4:
stupid runout. Trying to set up for a 2street play. On the turn I will be checking back a lot (if not always) with made flushes as we only have 1 street of chips left anyway. With that in mind + pool that most likely doesn't have any bluffs here makes me insta fold river

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

bradders102 (UTG): $34.02 (136 bb)
LoveADraw (MP): $31.53 (126 bb)
Bängelinio (CO): $37.93 (152 bb)
xaiontilt (BU): $25.00 (100 bb)
pailemen (SB): $24.94 (100 bb)
Blurrox (BB): $37.38 (150 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero (Blurrox) is BB with A♥ A♠
3 players fold, xaiontilt (BU) raises to $0.60, pailemen (SB) 3-bets to $2.60, Blurrox (BB) 4-bets to $6, 1 fold, pailemen (SB) calls $3.40

Flop: ($12.78) T♣ 9♣ 3♣ (2 players)
pailemen (SB) checks, Blurrox (BB) bets $6.10, pailemen (SB) calls $6.10

Turn: ($24.98) 6♣ (2 players)
pailemen (SB) checks, Blurrox (BB) checks

River: ($24.98) 4♣ (2 players)
pailemen (SB) bets $12.81 (all-in), Blurrox (BB) folds

Total pot: $24.98 (Rake: $1.12)
pailemen (SB) wins $23.86

Hand 5:
Doubting between xc and xr on T. What would be best against this size? Its polarized so a call is probably much better.

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

B-man555 (UTG): $73.01 (292 bb)
BanzaiBacon (MP): $17.46 (70 bb)
Luckbox15 (CO): $69.42 (278 bb)
La Makinaa (BU): $36.23 (145 bb)
8.A.T.8 (SB): $30.91 (124 bb)
Blurrox (BB): $55.97 (224 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero (Blurrox) is BB with 6♠ A♠
3 players fold, La Makinaa (BU) raises to $0.75, 1 fold, Blurrox (BB) calls $0.50

Flop: ($1.78) K♠ 7♣ 6♥ (2 players)
Blurrox (BB) checks, La Makinaa (BU) bets $0.50, Blurrox (BB) calls $0.50

Turn: ($2.78) 9♠ (2 players)
Blurrox (BB) checks, La Makinaa (BU) bets $2.65, Blurrox (BB) raises to $8.37, La Makinaa (BU) calls $5.72

River: ($19.52) 5♥ (2 players)
Blurrox (BB) checks, La Makinaa (BU) checks

Total pot: $19.52 (Rake: $0.88)

Showdown:
Blurrox (BB) shows 6♠ A♠ (a pair of Sixes)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 32%, Flop: 4%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)

La Makinaa (BU) shows K♦ K♥ (three of a kind, Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 68%, Flop: 96%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)

La Makinaa (BU) wins $18.64

tnx!

Month recap:



decent results, low volume, but we have only just started the challenge.

Goals for Januari:

- 25k hands volume
- update thread once a week
- review 10 hands
- set up and commit to a sleeping schedule

A small update

Goals progress Januari:
volume: 4.3/25k hand
review: 0/10 hands

Results:

After a good start in December, variance came in hard. Don't think I played that bad this week, though lost nearly 8 buyins in a day so maybe some small tilt was present. Will have to check when going through my hands this weekend.

Nice brag hand from the start of my graph:

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $68.50 (274 bb)
MP: $25.06 (100 bb)
CO (Hero): $65.97 (264 bb)
BU: $21.09 (84 bb)
SB: $52.25 (209 bb)
BB: $11.90 (48 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero is CO with T♣ 9♣
UTG raises to $0.75, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to $2.25, 3 players fold, UTG 4-bets to $6.50, Hero calls $4.25

Flop: ($13.53) 7♠ 9♠ 9♥ (2 players)
UTG bets $4, Hero raises to $14.46, UTG calls $10.46

Turn: ($42.45) 7♦ (2 players)
UTG bets $10, Hero raises to $44.98 (all-in), UTG calls $34.98

Hand2
My bet-call on the flop might be a bit wide, but rather have a 6 or 5 here when V raises. As I 63 still has some backdoor capabilities I think it's a fine bluffcatcher. Don't see V raising much if any Kx 3way so only 2p+ and bluffs.

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 ($0.03 ante) - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $41.17 (165 bb)
MP: $26.03 (104 bb)
CO: $63.72 (255 bb)
BU (Hero): $51.82 (207 bb)
SB: $45.33 (181 bb)
BB: $26.97 (108 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.53) Hero is BTN with 3♠ 6♠
3 players fold, Hero raises to $0.75, SB calls $0.65, BB calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.43) 6♥ K♦ 5♦ (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.77, SB folds, BB raises to $3.25, Hero calls $2.48

Turn: ($8.93) K♠ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($8.93) J♠ (2 players)
BB bets $6.40, Hero calls $6.40

hand 1 what villan had?, i dont like your raise otf, you have position, dont need to raise, if he has an overpair he will stack anyway, with you raise you are showing a lot of strg

gl with everything

hand 1 what villan had?, i dont like your raise otf, you have position, dont need to raise, if he has an overpair he will stack anyway, with you raise you are showing a lot of strg


hand 2: its really close otf, but without backdoors i probably folding, what he had?

dont forget to puit the results of the hands, cheers.

gl with everything

reason for raising the flop in the first hand is that we are deep and want to get stacks in by the river + hand is still vulnerable. This flop hits me more than Villain and I can have a lot of hands to bluff with so I don't agree that we shouldn't have a raising range.

If we were less deep then there is no need to raise as we can easily get stacks in and will not lose a ton extra if V hits a boat or flush

Hand 2 I agree that it is close on the flop and possible should be folded

H1: V had Q7hh
H2: V had 98dd

Goals progress Januari:
volume: 9.1/25k hand
review: 2/10 hands



Pokerstars decided to end the ante zoom format, so back to regular old zoom poker. Had nice results last week and hope I can keep this up. Reviewed 2 hands last weekend and worked on my sleeping schedule.

Been going to bed at the same time each evening and forcing myself to wake up when the alarm goes off. Which i rather hard for me as I am one of those guys that continuously presses the snooze button, only waking up after the 5th or 6th alarm sound.

Short update, just to post at least one a week

Played a lot this week, hitting a nice volume of 10k hands 2 tabling zoom.
Have marked some hand for review, but have not yet taken a look to it. Still in the current downswing, but have been through worse in the past.

Lots of periods where it's just going straight down, with the rare moments that things are going my way for a couple 100s of hands.



Starting from next month on, I will reduce my volume goal and start working on one subject at a time, first being reviewing and improving my preflop game

Biggest hand won:
PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $47.35 (189 bb)
MP: $28.40 (114 bb)
CO: $25.34 (101 bb)
BU: $41.89 (168 bb)
SB: $26.51 (106 bb)
BB (Hero): $60.08 (240 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 7♦ 5♦
3 players fold, BTN raises to $0.62, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.37

Flop: ($1.34) 8♥ 4♦ A♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.96, Hero calls $0.96

Turn: ($3.26) 6♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $2.33, Hero raises to $7.92, BTN raises to $15.50, Hero raises to $58.50 (all-in), BTN calls $24.81 (all-in)

River: ($83.88) 5♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $83.88 (Rake: $2)

Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows 7♦ 5♦ (a straight, Four to Eight)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 18%, Flop: 31%, Turn: 77%, River: 100%)

BU shows 8♠ 8♦ (three of a kind, Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 82%, Flop: 69%, Turn: 23%, River: 0%)

BB (Hero) wins $81.88

Blurrox (BB) wins $81.88

Biggest hand lost, V probably never has worse then me when raising river. I knew I was beat but couldn't find the fold button:

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $26.00 (104 bb)
MP: $42.00 (168 bb)
CO: $65.34 (261 bb)
BU: $47.24 (189 bb)
SB: $51.95 (208 bb)
BB (Hero): $37.21 (149 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with T♣ T♦
1 fold, MP raises to $0.75, 3 players fold, Hero calls $0.50

Flop: ($1.60) T♥ 5♦ A♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.81, Hero raises to $3.08, MP calls $2.27

Turn: ($7.76) 8♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $5.34, MP calls $5.34

River: ($18.44) 9♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $8.81, MP raises to $32.83 (all-in), Hero calls $19.23 (all-in)

Total pot: $74.52 (Rake: $2)

Showdown:
MP shows J♥ Q♥ (a straight, Eight to Queen)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 47%, Flop: 35%, Turn: 30%, River: 100%)

BB (Hero) shows T♣ T♦ (three of a kind, Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 53%, Flop: 65%, Turn: 70%, River: 0%)

MP wins $72.52

Interesting hand:

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $21.82 (87 bb)
MP: $26.43 (106 bb)
CO: $17.29 (69 bb)
BU: $59.96 (240 bb)
SB (Hero): $25.10 (100 bb)
BB: $25.00 (100 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with 8♦ 8♥
3 players fold, BTN raises to $0.62, Hero 3-bets to $2.25, 1 fold, BTN 4-bets to $6.25, Hero calls $4

Flop: ($12.75) 9♠ 4♥ 5♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $6.33, Hero calls $6.33

Turn: ($25.41) 6♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $12.52 (all-in), BU folds

Total pot: $25.41 (Rake: $1.14)
SB (Hero) wins $24.27

Update for Januari



The graph speaks for itself. Januari started great but quickly turned around and I had to grind the entire month to get back in the green, just to have the doomswitch to be reactivated and drop 12 stack in 2k hands...

I am proud that I have reached the volume goal Though I barely made it with 2 tabling zoom. Feels like a bit much to combine with a full time job. I am going to try getting comfortable with 3 tabling. At least so I can play more volume during the weekend. If the pool feels dry, I will keep it to 2 tables max.

After reviewing some hand, I came to the conclusion that I have a mental leak that is holding me back. I used to practice a lot with poker solvers and I feel it resulted in me comparing every situation to solver poker, making it hard to exploit player tendencies.

In short I am paying of people with bluffcatchers where they will never have a bluff. During the sessions I know I should be calling, but then shrug and still do . Resulting in multiple stacks I could have saved by not doing so.

The second leak I feel that I have, is playing to passive at times under the assumption that I should be balanced. Which is quatch at 25nl. Sure there are some good regs that will making it hard for my calling ranges. But I doubt the pool is stabbing/bluffing enough in most situations.

Graph since start of challenge:



Breakeven over the last 30k hands. I guess that isn't too bad. At this rate The challenge might take some time though

As goals for March I would say:
* 20k hand volume
* 8 hours of study
* go running once a week

first update of februari and it is not a good one so will keep it short.

I will let the graph speak for itself:


Haven't upped my volume since I think there is no point when I am running bad like this. I try not to let it get to me, but I am already down 25 buy ins for the year, so yeah not really good for building a bankroll...

I can accept losing to coolers and lucky fishes/whales. But when seeing hands like this against unknowns I just can't understand it. It's like I am being soul read... Plan was to x-shove R against strong Ax/slowplayed sets/straight. But if he checks this back then I am just doubting my life

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $56.50 (226 bb)
MP: $44.94 (180 bb)
CO: $29.98 (120 bb)
BU: $25.00 (100 bb)
SB (Hero): $25.00 (100 bb)
BB: $25.00 (100 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with 9♠ 9♦
2 players fold, CO raises to $0.75, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to $2.75, 1 fold, CO calls $2

Flop: ($5.75) 9♥ 7♦ 8♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: ($5.75) 9♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2.24, Hero calls $2.24

River: ($10.23) A♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Total pot: $10.23 (Rake: $0.46)

Showdown:
CO mucks K♥ A♣ (two pair, Aces and Nines)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 44%, Flop: 2%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)

SB (Hero) shows 9♠ 9♦ (four of a kind, Nines)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 56%, Flop: 98%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)

SB (Hero) wins $9.77

back in the green for the month, sadly EV is not yet there

Hi all,

It's been a while since my last update. Things have not yet turned around for the best yet. But this won't make me quit my challenge.

March so far


Total since start of challenge


Also won a satty to the Sunday Million special edition which I will be playing this Sunday, together with some smaller MTTs.
Getting a cash might help me reach my goal of 6k sooner. But I will be focussing for the final table, even if it means passing on a mincash (which would still yield a big ROI)!

So far the bankroll challenge has been a bust, playing for over 3 months and ending up BE

You might want to change strats. Change your pre flop ranges, buy some ranges that work from PIO, they include squeezes, and what to do by position against multi way and 3bet, 4bet.

Take at least a week off to study intensively. Review all hands, even the ones you did not play in. Tag review in database so can run through solver. Download Simple GTO Trainer, and purchase the core pack. Don't bother with drills, just study the regular play. Fast fold, at 25nl, lets simplify without worrying about frequencies. Its either open, fold, raise, call.

Try some regular tables. I did that (after losing that many plus more buy ins at Zone poker since January 1st, hence the intense study), and found most of the fish were at the regular tables. Start with one or two tables, we are not worried about volume. You want to take the time to learn how to apply your strategies. Build confidence as you actually win sessions. Don't play deep, rathole when close or over 200bb.

When want to do fast fold again (after 500+ hands regular tables), start at lower level. for stars, that is 10nl or 16nl. Where I play, it is only 5nl. don't be ashamed at dropping levels. You want to apply the same lessons (including learning the difference between polarized and merged ranges, and when to use them) that you used at the reg tables. You would be surprised that all these concepts apply no matter what level you are playin at.

When playing reg tables, if it seems as dry as paint, join a different table.

Thank you for your advice.

I am already doing study work. I work with GTO+ and am reviewing hands to find pool exploits on a weekly basis. I know zoom is much harder than regular tables. I can see the same thing in my winrate of last year 6.5bb/100 <-> 3.8bb/100 (zoom).

But volume makes it much more worth my time. At the higher pools I will probably add some regular tables when zoom pool is dry. For now I can just play during prime hours, where there are still more than enough fish to be profitable

25NL is for now the bottom where I will go, since I am not afraid to reload if I were to go broke. When playing higher stakes I will move down when facing a 10+ buy in downswing

Some hands:

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG (Hero): $32.78 (131 bb)
MP: $46.11 (184 bb)
CO: $25.89 (104 bb)
BU: $31.58 (126 bb)
SB: $25.35 (101 bb)
BB: $39.99 (160 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with 9♣ 9♠
Hero raises to $0.62, 3 players fold, SB 3-bets to $2.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.88

Flop: ($5.25) 8♣ 4♠ 7♠ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($5.25) 6♠ (2 players)
SB bets $3.66, Hero calls $3.66

River: ($12.57) 6♣ (2 players)
SB bets $8.56, Hero raises to $26.62 (all-in), SB folds

Total pot: $29.69 (Rake: $1.34)
UTG (Hero) wins $28.35

Taking advantage of the deepstack and position

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $19.59 (78 bb)
MP (Hero): $39.08 (156 bb)
CO: $47.00 (188 bb)
BU: $30.29 (121 bb)
SB: $24.48 (98 bb)
BB: $53.45 (214 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP with A♠ K♥
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.62, 3 players fold, BB 3-bets to $2.75, Hero calls $2.13

Flop: ($5.60) Q♠ 4♠ 2♠ (2 players)
BB bets $1.61, Hero raises to $4.44, BB calls $2.83

Turn: ($14.48) 3♦ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $8, BB folds

Total pot: $14.48 (Rake: $0.65)
MP (Hero) wins $13.83

Failed bluff

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $25.66 (103 bb)
MP: $18.51 (74 bb)
CO: $30.01 (120 bb)
BU (Hero): $25.35 (101 bb)
SB: $20.64 (83 bb)
BB: $118.46 (474 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with T♣ J♣
2 players fold, CO raises to $0.63, Hero 3-bets to $2, 2 players fold, CO calls $1.37

Flop: ($4.35) A♦ K♠ 3♥ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $1.37, CO calls $1.37

Turn: ($7.09) J♥ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $5.25, CO calls $5.25

River: ($17.59) 5♠ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $16.73 (all-in), CO calls $16.73

Total pot: $51.05 (Rake: $2)

Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows T♣ J♣ (a pair of Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 30%, Flop: 16%, Turn: 9%, River: 0%)

CO shows K♦ J♦ (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 70%, Flop: 84%, Turn: 91%, River: 100%)

CO wins $49.05

With a diamond I would likely have called in game, but V just never has bluffs here while he might slowplay some flushes

PokerStars Zoom, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker

UTG: $25.00 (100 bb)
MP: $23.34 (93 bb)
CO: $53.38 (214 bb)
BU: $13.12 (52 bb)
SB: $25.86 (103 bb)
BB (Hero): $25.00 (100 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 9♣ 9♠
2 players fold, CO raises to $0.75, 2 players fold, Hero 3-bets to $2.87, CO calls $2.12

Flop: ($5.84) 6♦ 5♦ 8♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: ($5.84) 2♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $3.50, CO calls $3.50

River: ($12.84) 7♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $6.13, CO raises to $20.50, BB (Hero) folds

Total pot: $25.10 (Rake: $1.13)
CO wins $23.97

gl lad, think the fold on the bottom is a little tight.

keep grinding and you will get there. mindset is a lot more important than raw skill

"I decided to take thing a bit more serious after a 50 buy in downswing and put in a bit of work to improve my game."


What exactly you did? training sites ? (which one)?

Started of with the grinders manual, the mental game and a subscription to RIO.

Following that I started working with GTO+ which I still constantly use to this day.

Somewhere down the road I also took some coaching sessions. Did not get too much from that (though only a session or 3). Lesson I learned there was to do solver work systematically and do analysis on the pools you play in. Some pools have very clear exploits which you definitely need to take advantage of.

I think as long as you are not lazy there are enough ways to improve your own game.

It's been a while since my last update. found it hard to find time to play, study or write about poker.

2 weeks ago I started a side business. Had to take care of some administrative work for that. I will from now foresee at least 8 hours a week for this side business, where I will be doing mostly studying different programming languages and doing some app development.

Goal is to have build a decent portfolio of apps, that might or might not generate some revenue along the way and use my skills as a developer and as a project manager to switch my main occupation to build my own software company. I set myself a deadline in 6 months to start looking for projects that I can combine with my current full time job.

This also means that I will have less time for poker, which honestly at this point is not that hard to let go given my results so far this year

On the bright side this is the first month this year where I am actually not losing money (though the month is not over). Sadly also not really winning any either



Went through some sessions and noticed that a lot of my sessions start out with a steep drop, so decided to start incorporating warm-up drills where I use gto+ to play against some of my solutions for 15minutes before starting a session

GL in your new endeavor!

GL, buddy. I'm in!

Thanks!

Update for May:

Sadly due to other stuff having for me a higher priority I did not play much this month. I am going to halt this challenge for now as I believe I can put my effort into my business and get much more out of it in the short term.



Was glad to steadily see my graph go up, but again lost all motivation when losing it all in a single small Sunday session. Losing a stack with QQvsAA, KKvsAA, AAvsK5s (V called 3b from UTG, hitting FD, and runner 2p), AKovsQQvs55

If all of this is just variance, then I don't see the point in focusing on poker for now. Losing over such a streak after putting multiple years into studying it, makes me doubt my skills as a poker player. Lifetime I am still up, but with such a very marginal winrate (1.26bb/100 over last 200k hands). Still proud, that I am atleast not a losing poker player

So goodbye for now and maybe I will return in a month or 6