This thread is to chronicle my inexorable rise from my humble beginnings at micro and low stakes plo to the rough and tumble world of high stakes online poker.

this is my screen right now :

http://imgur.com/f32anTt


like a spider, I patiently await my prey on 23 tables. my plan is simple. to play only fish. to bum hunt. to play exploitable opponents heads up and to customize a strategy specifically designed to defeat them.


I'm doing pretty well today so far. This hand was sweet. My opponent had made a number of dubious flop calls prior to this hand, spurred on by generally very aggressive play.

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $75.37
BTN/SB: $61.69

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 7 A 9 A
BTN/SB calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.50, BTN/SB calls $1

Flop: ($3.00) 8 6 A (2 players)
Hero bets $2.86, BTN/SB calls $2.86

Turn: ($8.72) J (2 players)
Hero bets $8.33, BTN/SB raises to $33.32, Hero raises to $71.01 all in, BTN/SB calls $24.01 all in

River: ($123.38) 3 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $123.38
Hero shows 7 A 9 A (three of a kind, Aces)
BTN/SB shows J J 2 2 (three of a kind, Jacks)
Hero wins $122.88
(Rake: $0.50)



I'm going to be employing cautious bankroll management during my climb. My plan is to advance to .5/1 with bankroll = 5k usd, for 50 buy ins. And then advance to 1/2 with bankroll = 12000 usd to, or 60 buy ins. I think it's a good idea to have stricter bankroll requirements as you advance, and the variance in omaha is pretty sick so it's important not to play with too skeletal a roll.

There is a lot of potential in PLO right now. The games are very good and interest is high. One thing I've been working on the last few months, which I think is very important, is having the right image to get paid off on my bigger hands. By bluffing or betting marginal hands frequently and playing aggressively, which is the appropriate strategy anyway, my opponents are more apt to pay me off.


This hand was pretty sweet. Salvation on the river! Not much choice on how to play it, looks like a pretty decent flop for my hand (not like I was going to be very pick @ this SPR) :

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN/SB): $153.93
BB: $56.47

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN/SB with 8 A A 6
Hero raises to $1.50, BB raises to $4.50, Hero raises to $13.50, BB calls $9

Flop: ($27.00) 3 2 Q (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $26.50, BB raises to $42.97 all in, Hero calls $16.47

Turn: ($112.94) J (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($112.94) A (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $112.94
Hero shows 8 A A 6 (three of a kind, Aces)
BB shows 3 Q Q 9 (three of a kind, Queens)
Hero wins $112.44
(Rake: $0.50)



This was the immediate next hand:

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $209.90
BTN/SB: $50.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 3 5 6 T
BTN/SB raises to $1.50, Hero calls $1

Flop: ($3.00) 3 9 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN/SB bets $2.57, Hero calls $2.57

Turn: ($8.14) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN/SB bets $6.99, Hero calls $6.99

River: ($22.12) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN/SB checks

Final Pot: $22.12
Hero shows 3 5 6 T (a full house, Threes full of Fives)
BTN/SB mucks 7 K A 2
Hero wins $21.62
(Rake: $0.50)



C/r the flop is also an attractive option, but once I filled up I decided to take a WAWB line.

Also my 'move down' point from .25/.50 is a somewhat arbitrary 28 buy ins.

This was also sort of a nice hand :

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.05 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $62.50
BTN/SB: $58.50

Pre Flop: ($0.45) Hero is BB with K J Q A
BTN/SB raises to $0.85, Hero raises to $2.65, BTN/SB calls $1.80

Flop: ($5.40) 6 9 T (2 players)
Hero bets $4, BTN/SB calls $4

Turn: ($13.40) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $6.75, BTN/SB folds

Final Pot: $13.40
Hero mucks K J Q A
Hero wins $12.90
(Rake: $0.50)



My opponent had made some very light flop peels prior to this and in general when your opponents are calling light it's good to keep attacking even with marginal holdings. This is a decent spot for a bluff, I have no showdown value. If he calls I think the best approach is to put him on a flush and check fold all rivers. Not sure what to do if my opponent pots me on the flop but I guess I would call with my 10? nut outs.

his flop call is maybe a little light

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.05 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $87.33
BTN/SB: $22.35

Pre Flop: ($0.45) Hero is BB with 8 4 8 4
BTN/SB raises to $0.85, Hero calls $0.60

Flop: ($1.80) K 6 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN/SB bets $1.72, Hero raises to $6.88, BTN/SB calls $5.16

Turn: ($15.56) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $15.06, BTN/SB calls $14.57 all in

River: ($44.70) J (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $44.70
Hero shows 8 4 8 4 (three of a kind, Eights)
BTN/SB shows 9 3 T 9 (a pair of Nines)
Hero wins $44.20
(Rake: $0.50)

speaking of dubious flop calls :

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.05 Ante - 4 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $89.63
BTN: $79.05
SB: $25.00
BB: $23.75

Pre Flop: ($0.55) Hero is CO with 3 J 7 6
Hero raises to $1.05, BTN raises to $3.70, 2 folds, Hero calls $2.65

Flop: ($7.95) K 9 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $7.61, Hero calls $7.61

Turn: ($23.17) T (2 players)
Hero bets $22.19, BTN calls $22.19

River: ($67.55) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $56.08 all in, BTN folds

Final Pot: $67.55
Hero mucks 3 J 7 6
Hero wins $66.55
(Rake: $1.00)

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN/SB): $20.00
BB: $20.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN/SB with 8 3 7 3
Hero raises to $1.50, BB calls $1

Flop: ($3.00) A 6 5 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $2.50, BB calls $2.50

Turn: ($8.00) Q (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5.50, BB calls $5.50

River: ($19.00) 2 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $10.50 all in, BB folds

Final Pot: $19.00
Hero mucks 8 3 7 3
Hero wins $18.50
(Rake: $0.50)

Today was a good day. I made roughly just under 5 buy ins (230 USD). Actually earlier on I was playing all sorts of games. o/8, stud, 2-7 triple draw. But mostly I think it's best to just focus on PLO and keep developing my theoretical understanding of the strategy as well as honing my observational skills. One area in which I think I need to advance is the application of 'poker logic' as well as to build a more nuanced understanding of the meaning of my opponents' action.

Should one open any double suited hand heads up? I guess your opening range depends partially on your opponent's play style. A lot of people are 'auto three betters' in HU PLO, 3 betting at a high rate, and it seems senseless to open any truly weak hand against such a profile. You can make the other mistake as well, and only open hands which you will four bet, but this strategy is too unbalanced and probably won't work because your opponent will adapt to it. But you should be four betting more and opening less in this situation.

I think in heads up poker of any form you should be opening the majority of hands but maybe, especially as a tactical deviation instead of a long term strategy, there is some leeway here and you can open raise a range of between 30-70% of hands profitably. Or maybe even a tight strategy works heads up, or works very well against a specific set of opponents.

Mistakes are central to poker. Poker is a battle to make fewer mistakes than your opponents. How you react to your own mistakes is also important.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.05 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN/SB): $25.00
BB: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.45) Hero is BTN/SB with J 5 8 A
Hero raises to $0.85, BB calls $0.60

Flop: ($1.80) 8 T 4 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.72, BB raises to $3.44, Hero calls $1.72

Turn: ($8.68) A (2 players)
BB bets $4.75, Hero raises to $20.66 all in, BB calls $15.91 all in

Final Pot: $50.00
Hero shows J 5 8 A (two pair, Aces and Jacks)
BB shows 9 T 5 T (three of a kind, Tens)
BB wins $24.75
BB wins $24.75
(Rake: $0.50)


My overly optimistic flop call turns into disaster when I catch a costly second best on the turn.

one of the things that I am trying to work on right now is developing the proper form. instead of hastily rushing through decisions i want to carefully consider all of my options before making my choice. i want to consider all of my opponent's possible holdings (as well as how likely each individual possibility is) and what they will do with them if I bet them. poker is wonderfully complex and I would like to better understand it.





Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 3 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $22.94
SB: $24.25
BB: $18.91

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with K 5 6 3
Hero raises to $0.75, SB raises to $2.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.75

Flop: ($5.25) Q 9 6 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $4.20, SB calls $4.20

Turn: ($13.65) 7 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($13.65) 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $8.50

Final Pot: $13.65
Hero mucks K 5 6 3
Hero wins $13.07
(Rake: $0.58)



I think the turn here is a spot where your opponent is almost always drawing dead and check folding so you might as well check back and try to induce a river call or bluff. Sadly my opponent showed AA w/ A of diamonds and folded.

after a somewhat rough start my morning session is finally going well. +20 after 220 minutes and 829 hands. stacked some random reg first hand after he sat me with AA, 4 betted and then hit and ran him. gg. making a video of some hands today also. just ate some delicious blood rare steak bites.

this was a fun hand :

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.10 Ante - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $50.60
BTN/SB: $57.90

Pre Flop: ($0.95) Hero is BB with T Q A 9
BTN/SB raises to $1.22, Hero raises to $3.86, BTN/SB calls $2.64

Flop: ($7.92) J Q 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $5, BTN/SB calls $5

Turn: ($17.92) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN/SB bets $11, Hero raises to $41.64 all in, BTN/SB folds

Final Pot: $39.92
Hero mucks T Q A 9
Hero wins $39.42
(Rake: $0.50)

So yesterday I lost 7-8 buy ins to a fish. It was sick. He has $400 at a $50 max table, all of it used to be my money. A bunch of bad beats, and I got it in bad a couple times. Just ****ing destroyed me. Normally I like to quit when I am losing, but I decided to continue battling him in the hopes of winning it back.


And I did. Every last penny. He even rebought another $30. In the final hand I 5 bet to like $30 or so with AA, flopped nut flush on a K high board, nuts, I check called his pot sized bet. Turn was a brick, I c/red all in, and my flush held against his top set. It was glorious.


My opponent made some extremely thin calls throughout so I adapted by mostly just value betting against him. I am excited to play today and will be starting soon, after I enjoy my morning coffee. The event's of yesterday were a helpful reminder of the importance of bankroll management.

GL, enjoying the thread

maybe post some grafs?

yesterday

.25/.50

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $50.00
CO: $53.63
BTN: $49.00
SB: $50.00
BB: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with 7 J J 4
Hero raises to $1.50, 1 fold, BTN calls $1.50, 1 fold, BB calls $1

Flop: ($4.75) 4 2 T (3 players)
BB bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, BTN calls $0.50

Turn: ($6.25) 9 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($6.25) J (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $2, BTN raises to $4, BB folds, Hero folds

Final Pot: $10.25
BTN wins $9.79
(Rake: $0.46)




definitely should have folded the turn here was just choked i got turned after flopping so massive


Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN/SB): $25.23
BB: $31.39

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN/SB with 5 6 6 7
Hero raises to $0.75, BB raises to $1.25, Hero calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.50) 2 6 8 (2 players)
BB bets $1, Hero raises to $5.39, BB calls $4.39

Turn: ($13.28) 7 (2 players)
BB bets $12.78, Hero raises to $18.59 all in, BB calls $5.81

River: ($50.46) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $50.46
Hero shows 5 6 6 7 (a straight, Five to Nine)
BB shows 9 6 5 A (a straight, Five to Nine)
BB wins $24.98
Hero wins $24.98
(Rake: $0.50)

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 2 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN/SB): $19.28
BB: $10.21

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN/SB with 4 J 6 5
Hero calls $0.15, BB raises to $0.75, Hero calls $0.50

Flop: ($1.50) 4 4 A (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50

Turn: ($2.50) 7 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($2.50) 4 (2 players)
BB bets $2.39, Hero raises to $9.56, BB calls $6.57 all in

Final Pot: $20.42
Hero shows 4 J 6 5 (four of a kind, Fours)
BB shows Q A J A (a full house, Aces full of Fours)
Hero wins $19.92
(Rake: $0.50)

I don't understand this weird 4 card poker, but gl

developed a pretty cool new methodology today. this guy was at my table, and i had 82 hands on him but no notes. so i reviewed all 82 hands, with a special focus on those which went to showdown, by opening his id up in hold'em manager. by doing this I was able to develop the read that he does bluff and his bets are generally air or nuts. he does not seem to go for thin value. by doing the same thing with another whale I determined that this other whale does go for extremely thin value with tiny sizing but does not bluff.

-98 so far today over 576 hands and 277 minutes.

okay then

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $44.76
UTG: $6.75
CO: $19.65
BTN: $16.93
SB: $27.32

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with A K K 9
2 folds, BTN calls $0.25, SB raises to $0.75, Hero raises to $2.50, BTN calls $2.25, SB raises to $4.25, Hero calls $1.75, BTN calls $1.75

Flop: ($12.75) 3 J Q (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $12.21, BTN folds, SB calls $12.21

Turn: ($37.17) J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $28.30 all in, SB calls $10.86 all in

River: ($58.89) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $58.89
Hero shows A K K 9 (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
SB shows Q 5 T T (two pair, Queens and Jacks)
Hero wins $56.89
(Rake: $2.00)

lol+

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 3 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $73.90
BTN: $28.45
SB: $44.44

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 3 A 6 T
BTN raises to $0.75, SB calls $0.65, Hero calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.25) 4 6 9 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($2.25) 9 (3 players)
SB bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.50, BTN folds, SB calls $1

River: ($5.25) J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $5.25
Hero shows 3 A 6 T (two pair, Nines and Sixes - Ace kicker)
SB shows T 6 Q 4 (two pair, Nines and Sixes)
Hero wins $5.03
(Rake: $0.22)

only -55ish now. not bad was buried -150 at one point. barely stuck at all with rakeback.

good try tho

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 5 players
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $65.05
BB: $51.45
UTG: $49.50
CO: $38.44
BTN: $32.05

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with J J T T
1 fold, CO calls $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2.22, BB raises to $7.66, 1 fold, BTN calls $7.16, Hero calls $5.44

Flop: ($23.48) K Q 5 (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($23.48) 9 (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, BTN bets $12, Hero calls $12, BB folds

River: ($47.48) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $12.39 all in, Hero calls $12.39

Final Pot: $72.26
Hero shows J J T T (a straight, Nine to King)
BTN shows T 5 T 9 (two pair, Nines and Fives)
Hero wins $70.26
(Rake: $2.00)

euros too so extra juicy

What an awesome turn around. From -150 down to +274. Today has been an incredible success. The real awesomeness wasn't even poker, which was great, but all the cleaning and cardio I did. I'm really over weight, bordering on obese (6 feet tall and 210 lbs) and really need to get way more active and in that regard today was an incredible success. I played for 602 minutes (still going) and played a mere 1,166 hands. I also switched to a standing desk system for grinding which is a million times better, for my game and my posture / desire to be active.