Hey 2+2, I'll start with a small introduction, I'm a 25 year old CS student from Germany and I have been playing poker on and off for the better part of 2 1/2 years now.
I started with a $20 deposit on Pokerstars that I quickly busted playing a mix of 2NL and micro tourneys. I reloaded $50 and managed to move up from 2NL then 5NL to 10NL, taking occasional 16NL shots.
I decided to start this thread to keep myself accountable and use it as a bit of a journal, as I don't really enjoy talking poker with my real life friends who have trouble understanding variance and my motivation to play in the first place. To most of them it's pointless gambling and they don't seem to understand just how much strategy is involved.

I decided at the beginning of 2019 to start taking things a little bit more seriously, I bought Pokertracker and decided I would try to move up through the different Limits playing zoom exclusively, as it really helps me get in volume. So far this has only helped Pokerstars generate rake but I'm hoping I can eventually improve my winrate.
It went okay at 10NL in the beginning, but when I tried moving up to 16NL I got absolutely crushed, coupled with runbad and tilt I managed to lose almost all of my profits and am back at 10NL. I honestly feel like a break even player who has been running pretty well so far, my goal is to work on my technical game as well as the mental game and improve my confidence so that I have less issues when the runbad inevitably strikes. I have a lot of leaks to plug, mainly I feel like I'm scared money a lot of the time, which leads to missing value and a horrible "red line".

My goal is to play at least 10k hands/week, and I want to allocate at least 25% of the time I spend grinding to studying the game, mindless grinding, especially when running bad, has not been good to me and I realize that I need to work on my fundamentals to stop paying off in certian spots when I'm running low on willpower. Currently my bankroll sits at $630, whenever I have 50BI for the next limit I will take a 10BI shot, whenever I drop below 40BI for my current limit I will move down. Nitty I know, but playing shorter BRM will not help with scared money issues. Planning to update this thread every second session or so.

Thanks for reading and good luck at the tables everyone!

In hindsight, I shouldn't even have played today. About 500 hands in my mind started drifting, I just couldn't keep focused, all that was on my mind were negative thoughts about how bad I run/play. Donated a couple of stacks, ran pretty poor in general. Worst decision of the session was probably to finish the 2k hands that I set out to play.

Today's results

Really started to have doubts about the quality of my play and me as a player in general. My last 5 sessions have been losing, The work of the last month is completely undone. Going to move down to 5NLz to hopefully regain confidence, I don't understand how my discipline completely seems to disappear when I run bad, something I really need to work on.

Some hands of the session:

Questionable float goes sour:

BTN: 63.6 BB
SB: 163.3 BB
Hero (BB): 106.7 BB
UTG: 117.6 BB
MP: 106 BB
CO: 61.4 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 3 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) K T 3
SB bets 2 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Turn: (10 BB, 2 players) 9
SB bets 7 BB, Hero raises to 22 BB, SB calls 15 BB

River: (54 BB, 2 players) 4
SB checks, Hero bets 79.7 BB and is all-in, SB calls 79.7 BB



Missed flop cbet, explains why I'm bleeding so much at non-showdown:

Hero (BTN): 124.4 BB
SB: 246.1 BB
BB: 108.5 BB
UTG: 79.4 BB
MP: 124.5 BB
CO: 98.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, SB calls 2.5 BB, BB raises to 12 BB, Hero raises to 30 BB, fold, BB calls 18 BB

Flop: (63 BB, 2 players) 6 3 2
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (63 BB, 2 players) 9
BB bets 31 BB, fold

Absolute donation:

BTN: 111.1 BB
SB: 116.8 BB
BB: 161.2 BB
UTG: 101.5 BB
MP: 100 BB
Hero (CO): 101.2 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 9

UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 3 BB, fold, fold, fold

Flop: (7.5 BB, 2 players) 8 7 6
UTG checks, Hero bets 4 BB, UTG calls 4 BB

Turn: (15.5 BB, 2 players) 6
UTG checks, Hero bets 9 BB, UTG raises to 20 BB, Hero calls 11 BB

River: (55.5 BB, 2 players) 5
UTG bets 74.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 74.2 BB and is all-in



Already losing big, might as well punt for the lulz 'cause folding pre is boring. Not even sure what I'm repping here, obviously not getting any folds given how tight 4bets are at this limit:

BTN: 116.2 BB
Hero (SB): 195 BB
BB: 237.1 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 159.7 BB
CO: 104.2 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 7

fold, fold, CO raises to 2.5 BB, fold, Hero raises to 10 BB, fold, CO raises to 23 BB, Hero calls 13 BB

Flop: (47 BB, 2 players) K 4 3
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (47 BB, 2 players) Q
Hero bets 20 BB, CO calls 20 BB

River: (87 BB, 2 players) A
Hero bets 83.1 BB, CO calls 61.2 BB and is all-in

Got crushed at 5NL today, played some 2NL and lost there also... Was not able to find the fold button in some pretty simple spots, really poor quality of play, to top it all off ran QQ into KK/AA 4 times today, 4bets are even more nutted at 2NL/5NL. Still have ~$500 in my bankroll, but my stars balance is just north of $100.
I need to take a break from the game, my head is not in the right place. It's funny, I started this thread to help me with my downswing and to keep up my spirits, but I have now lost so much I can't even remember what winning feels like anymore. Impossible to win with this mindset!
Have been studying a good bit yesterday evening, but I just couldn't apply any of it today. The graph that shows all my Pokerstars hands that I played since I have been tracking (some time near the end of 2018) really hurts to look at. It's a reminder how bad my play and my tilt issues actually are lately. No hands today, have to take my mind of the game for the time being.

I'll take a day or two to recollect, focus on something else, then move down. When I'm in a better place mentally I think I'll just treat the $100 in my stars account as my bankroll and invest the other money in resources to improve my play/mental game.
Goal will be to turn it into $1k by the end of September, that's when I'll have less time to play again because of my studies.

Subbed your thread since I am a fellow computer science student from Germany, grinding the same stakes on stars aswell. I find it quite amusing that we have the same issue finding people to talk with bout poker and the general congruity!

GL at the tables and PM me if you like!

Gesendet von meinem ANE-LX1 mit Tapatalk

Hey! Yeah if you want to talk strategy or study/review hands we can definitely do that, won't have much time this weekend but I'll shoot you a PM some time next week!

Played a "real" 2NL session for the first time in quite a while today, it went pretty okay. Really tried to focus on bet sizing and since the pool is so large I went for a full out exploitative style, things like 4.5xing my premiums preflop and 2xing my baby pairs, as well as some pretty nitty folds versus flop/turn raises on fairly dry boards. Pool is waaay softer than I remember, but then again I'm a good bit better than I was a year+ ago, but still got room for improvement!

Feels good to win after like 7 losing sessions, even if it's just half a stack of the stakes I played just 2 weeks ago lol.

Some hands where I wasn't quite sure what to do:

Might call this without a club, but I think for this sizing 3way we are unlikely to look at clubs anyway. Seems like it's almost always a set especially vs the SB. HJ why no 3bet? :'( Would have most likely worked out better for me lol.

BTN: 174 BB
SB: 128.5 BB
BB: 117 BB
Hero (UTG): 227.5 BB
MP: 88 BB
CO: 124.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 4 BB, MP calls 4 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 3.5 BB, fold

Flop: (13 BB, 3 players) 5 8 2
SB checks, Hero bets 8 BB, MP calls 8 BB, SB raises to 124.5 BB and is all-in, fold, MP calls 76 BB and is all-in

Turn: (189 BB, 2 players) T

River: (189 BB, 2 players) 3



UTG had very very passive stats but I should still probably aim to play for stacks preflop, then again maybe his range is literally AA here. Really unsure how to play this at 2NL. Considered raising flop But all I'm doing is folding out AK if he even has it in his range. Don't see most villains at these stakes bluffing river enough and I don't beat any value hands so I just folded.
Also worth noting that in these positions I don't love my 3bet sizing, should probably go a bit larger. Going to study monotone flops in 4b pots later this evening, even though it's probably not a great use of my time, still I wasn't sure what my range is doing in this spot.

BTN: 123.5 BB
SB: 30.5 BB
BB: 108.5 BB
UTG: 322 BB
MP: 100 BB
Hero (CO): 165 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2 BB, fold, Hero raises to 7 BB, fold, fold, fold, UTG raises to 18 BB, Hero calls 11 BB

Flop: (37.5 BB, 2 players) 9 Q 2
UTG bets 13.5 BB, Hero calls 13.5 BB

Turn: (64.5 BB, 2 players) J
UTG bets 23.5 BB, Hero calls 23.5 BB

River: (111.5 BB, 2 players) 9
UTG bets 267 BB and is all-in, fold

UTG wins 107.5 BB


This one I clearly misplayed. When villain sizes down like this on the turn instead of jamming he won't be bluffing much at all, and river he definitely is not bluffing at these stakes for 1/5 pot. Fold turn potentially, definitely fold river even though the price is amazing, just never looking at AK/AQ here vs an unknown at 2NL. From the BB villains 3b is too tight for me to consider 4betting at these stakes imho.

Hero (BTN): 305.5 BB
SB: 49 BB
BB: 98.5 BB
UTG: 88 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 72 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 4 BB, fold, BB raises to 18 BB, Hero calls 14 BB

Flop: (36.5 BB, 2 players) T 2 6
BB bets 15 BB, Hero calls 15 BB

Turn: (66.5 BB, 2 players) 2
BB bets 37 BB, Hero calls 37 BB

River: (140.5 BB, 2 players) 4
BB bets 28.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 28.5 BB



edit: Rereading this, I notice that I should probably write my thoughts on the hands after the HH, will do that in the future.

Played two long sessions (for me anyway) over the weekend, ran pretty meh but at 2NL I luckily have enough of an edge to absorb the swings a little bit better. Overall it went okay, had a very bad run at the beginning where I got outrivered a bunch and valueowned myself in 3 or 4 hands pretty much back to back.

Made some folds that felt extremely nitty, but I just gotta keep reminding myself that everyone underbluffs, it's crazy what people, even the more "passable" regs, check down in some spots, it sometimes feels like the notion of showdown value doesn't even exist at this limit. Hope I can keep it up and move up to 5NL again fairly soon, I'll do that once my stars balance hits $150 (currently 122).

Some hands:

BTN: 76.5 BB
SB: 215 BB
BB: 103.5 BB
UTG: 305.5 BB
Hero (MP): 335 BB
CO: 166 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, BTN calls 3 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop: (12.5 BB, 4 players) 7 T 4
BB checks, Hero checks, CO checks, BTN checks

Turn: (12.5 BB, 4 players) 8
BB bets 9 BB, Hero calls 9 BB, fold, BTN raises to 73.5 BB and is all-in, BB raises to 100.5 BB and is all-in, fold

River: (168.5 BB, 2 players) 2



Not usually in the business of folding sets, but not quite getting the right price and I don't see how this is a bluff or overvalued set from both players at this stake, especially when BB flats 56o. I am a litte uncertain in multiway pots, I considered raising the turn which is probably a good play for protection but since BB is a very passive player I felt he was unlikely to bluff here, he's definitely the type that would not play his draws fast.


BTN: 87.5 BB
SB: 104 BB
BB: 125.5 BB
UTG: 32.5 BB
MP: 298 BB
Hero (CO): 110 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG calls 1 BB, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, fold, UTG calls 2 BB

Flop: (10 BB, 3 players) 4 7 3
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets 5 BB, SB calls 5 BB, fold

Turn: (20 BB, 2 players) 2
SB checks, Hero bets 13 BB, SB calls 13 BB

River: (46 BB, 2 players) J
SB checks, Hero bets 29 BB, SB raises to 83 BB and is all-in, fold

SB's calling range at these stakes is full of baby pairs and weak suited connectors, and I definitely don't think most players at this limit would turn 55 or 66 into a bluff (most definitely call them donw on flop and turn though). A5s also possible but a little less likely, JJ is also not always a 3bet from the SB vs UTG at this stake. 88-TT also never bluff river in my experience so I just don't see how villain is bluffing, maxbe 75s or 76s but again I feel it's unlikely to be turned into a bluff. Can consider checking back turn for sure, but again I don't think SB will be aggressive enough and the EV of that line mostly comes from picking off bluffs imo.
e: Should defnitiely isolate bigger preflop, guess I missed UTG's limp at the table. Betsizing in general can be tweaked, porbably a smaller flop bet and then (relatively speaking) bigger turn bet is in order.


Hero (BTN): 100 BB
SB: 230.5 BB
BB: 250 BB
UTG: 169.5 BB
MP: 108 BB
CO: 138.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, SB raises to 11 BB, fold, Hero raises to 28 BB, SB calls 17 BB

Flop: (57 BB, 2 players) 3 T J
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (57 BB, 2 players) 6
SB bets 23 BB, Hero calls 23 BB

River: (103 BB, 2 players) 2
SB checks, Hero bets 49 BB and is all-in, SB calls 49 BB



If I cbet flop I always win this hand, but in theory (if OOP plays a solid range) he just smashes this board as the PFC so most of my range is checking, including some nutted draws. Guess I just played a little too fancy in this one considering my opponent but I don't feel terrible about my line. My valuehands will make up the EV I lost here and then some.

hey, check out raise your edge beginner cash guide, only 40 bucks or so.

glgl

Played a fairly large session today. Ran well, played well, kept focused the entire session and definitely improved ranging the weaker players at this limit.
A lot of trading coolers today, 4th orbit or so I got AA vs KK all in pre with a king on the flop, that kind of set the tone. Hit sets in 3b/4b pots 3 times or so, sucked out on a guy with the only possible straight (97) when I had top set. Knew he had 97 but the price was to good after I 3bet turn to fold to his 4bet and spiked the board pair. Feels great because I was on the other side of hands like that so often lately.

Today's results

Gonna edit in some hands later, weather is really nice which it hasn't been a lot lately, so spending the rest of the day outside with some friends.

BTN: 28.5 BB
SB: 57 BB
Hero (BB): 152 BB
UTG: 112.5 BB
MP: 22.5 BB
CO: 147 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 2 BB, CO raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 28 BB, fold, CO calls 19 BB

Flop: (58.5 BB, 2 players) 4 T 3
Hero bets 16 BB, CO calls 16 BB

Turn: (90.5 BB, 2 players) K
Hero bets 25 BB, fold

CO is likely trying to isolate the weaker player, he has a pretty wide 3bet range in general and since I am ahead of the HJ's calling range over my cold 4b (he can easily call AJs hands, underpairs, even KQ or KJs) I decided to try to stack HJ and 4b bluff CO. CO flats and we play a cold 4b pot with pretty deep stacks. Went for a small sizing because I felt like I still have heaps of fold equity even when making it so cheap, in general players at this stake are inelastic so I'm just trying to buy this pot. Easy barrel when I turn extra outs, and I think the King is pretty bad for CO's flop calling range. Probably shouldn't make plays like this too often at these stakes, mostly I am folding AQo preflop.


BTN: 98.5 BB
Hero (SB): 590 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 130 BB
MP: 552.5 BB
CO: 149.5 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, CO raises to 2.5 BB, fold, Hero raises to 11 BB, fold, CO calls 8.5 BB

Flop: (23 BB, 2 players) Q 3 A
Hero bets 8 BB, CO calls 8 BB

Turn: (39 BB, 2 players) J
Hero bets 25 BB, CO raises to 130.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 105.5 BB

River: (300 BB, 2 players) 2
Players agreed to run it twice.

River #2: (300 BB, 2 players) T



Standard cooler I suppose, I obviously snapped him off but at these stakes I would not be surprised if this is closer than one might think. If villain has worse valuejams this is obviously never a fold, but some players will absolutely only raise better hands at this stake and I can still call down with literally all sets. Nice turn card though for sure :P


BTN: 124 BB
SB: 95.5 BB
Hero (BB): 461 BB
UTG: 167 BB
MP: 196.5 BB
CO: 178.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 7 4 T
Hero checks, BTN bets 4 BB, Hero calls 4 BB

Turn: (13.5 BB, 2 players) 5
Hero checks, BTN bets 7 BB, Hero calls 7 BB

River: (27.5 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero bets 20 BB, fold

Villain was very very aggro which is why I went for the float on the flop with the gutshot and the BDFD, obviously going nowhere on the turn and I thought of raising, but getting such a good price and under the assumption that villain will barrel often when checked to on the river and call me off somewhat light should I raise if I make my hand I decided just to flat, though in hindsight I actually prefer the raise. River I just wanted to make sure I have a shot at winning the hand, I know for a fact that this guy is not just barreling FDs and I have more 7x, more FDs, more two pair with a 7 so I defintely want to be donking for value sometimes. Also this donk at these stakes is very very strong, most players would probably not give me credit for bluffing there. Happy it worked out

Ran and played well today, basically couldn't not hit a set, flopped some straights, overpairs held up for the most part. 4 more stacks of profit at 2NL and I'll take a 10BI 5NL shot. Feel like I have regained a solid understanding of how people play at 2NL, it's obviously very hard to get a good sample in this huge zoompool but by now I have a decent idea of how the regs play which I was definitely able to capitalize on so far.

Today's results

I had a weird spot happen today, 4 times the exact same thing happened, I have AKo in the SB, BU raises I 3b and SB jams between 100 and 140BB over my 3b. Folded every time but it felt really gross, and it felt worse and worse each time. It's tough when you have no history but I think I can't just always lay AK down without being exploited, not like these players will catch up on this but still.

Let's say stacks are 100BB, I would need to call off 88BB to win 113.5 given a standard open and 3bet sizing. So I need to defend 56% of my 3b range to not let BU auto profit which is pretty much impossible if I fold AKo. I need a little less than 40% to make the call, so if BUs range is wider than QQ+, AK it's just always a snap. Think I'm opening myself up to exploitation and leaving a lot of money on the table making this nitty fold over and over, and I'm just giving BU way too tight of a range there. At 130BB+ it starts to become more interesting but yeah, just way too nitty on my part.


BTN: 122 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 109 BB
UTG: 107.5 BB
MP: 100 BB
Hero (CO): 558 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, Hero raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, fold, MP calls 6 BB

Flop: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 4 3 6
MP checks, Hero checks

Turn: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 7
MP bets 15 BB, Hero calls 15 BB

River: (49.5 BB, 2 players) Q
MP bets 31 BB, Hero calls 31 BB



I think OOP has a pretty large range advantage given how wide this player was opening and calling 3bets, I have no sets here and only a small amount of 5x. I should probably cbet flop but I decided to go for pot control and paid for it. It's also somewhat hard to find villains bluffs here, 89 makes sense but a lot of his turn bluffs improve with the heart on the river. I doubt he bets worse value for this sizing, too, so I should probably fold river even with the Jh as played. Don't like how I played this hand, not cbetting flop got me in trouble.


BTN: 115 BB
SB: 122 BB
BB: 100 BB
Hero (UTG): 266 BB
MP: 101.5 BB
CO: 246.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB raises to 7 BB, Hero calls 5 BB

Flop: (14.5 BB, 2 players) K Q 7
BB bets 9 BB, Hero calls 9 BB

Turn: (32.5 BB, 2 players) 2
BB bets 20 BB, fold

Again super nitty, just didn't give BB credit to play AT or AJ this way. In theory I can't fold turn I don't think, but against this more passive player I feel like his BB 3b already very strong, on this board he really won't have many hands that I beat, he is most likely not doing this with AQ for thin value, JJ and TT aren't in this line, I just have a hard time seeing what I beat. Then again maybe I'm just assigning this player way too tight of a range preflop. Obviously a disastrous fold if he is capable of playing AT, AJ, suited baby aces and hands like spades with a flopped SD this way. The more I look at these type of hands the more I need to stop nitting it up so hard ffs, if people know what I'm folding there they can just absolutely print money.

Played pretty meh today, had this mental fog thing going on all day probably because I slept like ****. Decided to just play 2k hands and call it a sesh cause it was really exhausting keeping my focus up. Paid off in some very avoidable spots, didn't really get paid off that much when I did hit hands.

Today's results


BTN: 50.5 BB
SB: 100 BB
Hero (BB): 106 BB
UTG: 108 BB
MP: 129.5 BB
CO: 107 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K 9

fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 3 BB, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) 8 4 T
SB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, SB calls 3 BB

Turn: (12 BB, 2 players) J
SB checks, Hero bets 7 BB, SB raises to 16 BB, Hero calls 9 BB

River: (44 BB, 2 players) A
SB checks, Hero bets 84 BB and is all-in, fold


Pretty nutted blockers, not really something I want to do too much off at these stakes but have to do it every once in a while I guess. Pretty sure I can make OOP fold AdXd type hands as well as sets/weak straights once in a blue moon with this sizing, had villain labeled as a weak, straight forward reg, seen him at 10NL before too so he can definitely click the fold button more often than just any random 2NL player.


Hero (BTN): 172.5 BB
SB: 256 BB
BB: 102 BB
UTG: 102 BB
MP: 111 BB
CO: 618.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

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

Flop: (4.5 BB, 2 players) 7 T Q
BB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, BB raises to 13.5 BB, Hero calls 10.5 BB

Turn: (31.5 BB, 2 players) K
BB bets 26 BB, fold

I think villains sizing makes this a pretty easy fold, he should definitely size down turn in my opinion. Block his lighter BDFD bluffs too with the Ac so all in all easy fold.


BTN: 642.5 BB
SB: 164 BB
Hero (BB): 136 BB
UTG: 107 BB
MP: 153 BB
CO: 100 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 8

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

Flop: (4.5 BB, 2 players) 4 J Q
Hero checks, CO bets 2.5 BB, Hero calls 2.5 BB

Turn: (9.5 BB, 2 players) T
Hero checks, CO bets 4.5 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, CO raises to 34.5 BB, Hero calls 19.5 BB

River: (78.5 BB, 2 players) 2
Hero checks, CO bets 38 BB, Hero calls 38 BB



Bad defend, bad float, bad turn call, as played should still fold river. Never a bluff down in the 2NL slums so yeah, big blunder imo.


BTN: 126.5 BB
SB: 104 BB
Hero (BB): 231.5 BB
UTG: 135 BB
MP: 102 BB
CO: 112 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q 9

UTG calls 1 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 4 BB, UTG calls 3 BB

Flop: (8.5 BB, 2 players) 7 5 3
Hero bets 3 BB, UTG calls 3 BB

Turn: (14.5 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, UTG bets 7 BB, Hero raises to 23 BB, fold

I think IP will just bet too wide here when facing the turn check, I assume his limp call range will have a lot of JTo, QJo, KJo, KTo type hands that are gonna peel flop and take the opportunity to try to bluff me once I check. If I'm wrong I can still bink the 8, 9, Q which all have at least a chance of being good on the river.

Played really well today imo, maybe did a bit too much check/folding OOP on A high boards. I also think one or two regulars caught on to my exploitative preflop betsizing, been getting 3bet a lot when only 2xing. Gonna make sure to just stick to my standard sizing when they are on the table with my entire range.

Continued to run okay, not amazing but definitely not bad. Happy with the session for sure. Balance is at $149.4, maybe I'm a bit too pedantic but I won't take the shot at 5NL until I have at least $150. FWIW 2NL really helps my confidence so I don't mind playing an extra session or two there.

Today's results

Had two hands happen where I was so amused that I laughed out loud, not something that is known to happen to me when alone in front of a computer.


Hero (BTN): 239.5 BB
SB: 124.5 BB
BB: 119.5 BB
UTG: 175.5 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 108 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 9 7

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, SB calls 1.5 BB, BB calls 1 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 3 players) Q 8 K
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (6 BB, 3 players) K
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks

River: (6 BB, 3 players) Q
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets 2 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB



9 high like a boss... for value! Kind of butchered this hand, I can definitely delayed cb turn when I get checked to there. Explains why I'm not getting a lot of credit on the river but come on :P


BTN: 99 BB
Hero (SB): 196.5 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 76 BB
MP: 102 BB
CO: 193 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero raises to 13 BB, fold, CO raises to 40 BB, Hero raises to 91 BB, CO calls 51 BB

Flop: (183 BB, 2 players) 8 8 3
Hero bets 105.5 BB and is all-in, CO calls 102 BB and is all-in

Turn: (387 BB, 2 players) 9

River: (387 BB, 2 players) A
Players agreed to run it twice.

Turn #2: (387 BB, 2 players) 7

River #2: (387 BB, 2 players) 4



When they try to donate but fail. Had absolutely no reads on villain, was debating 5bet jamming and 5betting for a weird size like I did. I don't usually study deep poker, when playing 10NL+ I make sure to sit out and come back with 100BB everytime I hit ~180BB or so. I think I get more value vs 99, TT with the small 5bet sizing. Also can suck in AQs or AJs if it is being 4bet.


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

BTN: 91.5 BB
Hero (SB): 170 BB
BB: 208.5 BB
UTG: 106.5 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 241 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 11 BB, fold, BTN calls 8.5 BB

Flop: (23 BB, 2 players) K 7 6
Hero bets 7 BB, BTN calls 7 BB

Turn: (37 BB, 2 players) 9
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (37 BB, 2 players) 4
Hero checks, BTN bets 18 BB, Hero calls 18 BB



Sometimes you just have to be the Hero. Don't think this player was likely to go for thin value on the river even though it is a spot where he definitely can here and there. Didn't want to cbet turn because I still feel like I have a decent amount of SDV vs his range, he's going to have some AJ, AQ type hands that are at least possible check downs, if not likely ones. Kx is always being bet on the turn by this type of guy, I block straights which are unlikely anyway. Tanked down my timebank and said whatever if he is out there value betting thin NH. Sucks that I have a club but 5cXc is not likely in his range except A5.


BTN: 235 BB
Hero (SB): 135 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 133.5 BB
MP: 98.5 BB
CO: 123 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

UTG raises to 2 BB, MP calls 2 BB, CO calls 2 BB, BTN calls 2 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, BTN calls 13 BB

Flop: (37 BB, 2 players) 4 7 A
Hero bets 15 BB, BTN calls 15 BB

Turn: (67 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero bets 40 BB, BTN raises to 80 BB, Hero raises to 105 BB and is all-in, BTN calls 25 BB

River: (277 BB, 2 players) T



Very ugly "call" to make at this limit given stackdepth and how seldomly player's bluff. Don't think I can fold though, if he has a set NH, they definitely all are in his range but sometimes he will just get impatient with AJ, AQ type hands or be bluffing. Noted the **** out of this guy after the hand lol.

Jc8c : river overbet does not make sense to me. i think regular sized bet would accomplish the same, overbet on spades imo.

AhKs: agree on flop cbet. 4bet pots are not a common study area. you gave up the turn just because he always shoves river!!! bluffcatch turn and riv. I wouldn't do it ingame, because timebank, but on paper looks tempting. that's a surprise!!!

9d7d: is just atrocious, end of story.

KhKc: following the thought process of explo 4.5x premiums and 2x bottom range pre, this 582cc flop asks for a pot sized cbet? altough multiway it might be different, more room to fold in case heavy action? idk. solid fold.

JsJh: villains 3b size suggests some knowledge about the game, hence should have a somewhat thought through 3b range. altough maybe not vs 4x BU open, this size could narrow his 3b. im not good enough to 4b/c pre or just balance? i mean, come on, without FDs on board turn fold looks very, very good..but something is wrong in that picture. idk, not enough info.

8s8h: superb fold. BB without any doubt has you beat. Idont find those folds in game often enough. But I should, not in high school anymore, 'game is the same, but it got more fierce', it's all in my head. def. dont raise the turn, even though has plenty weakness, BB has the strongest hand by far.

QsQc: before e: I thought that the small iso pre was odd, figured was to induce a 3bet, i guess not, too much leveling. flop cbet size doesnt feel correct, but there's no way to solve for multiway so i'll take it. either 30% or 80%, but idk so bet 50%. turn bet good, small enough to make him continue with every pair + draw while extracting big enough value at the same time. I don't see SB flat 75s, but if it was bb, then i think it's a cool spot to river x/r bluff many hands in his shoes.

AdKs: what is the river bet trying to accomplish?

I find this sentence contradictory, how do you always win with a cbet if his range smashes the board?

I'll take a break from those now, will come back later.

Hey thanks for taking the time, much food for thought. Also loved the 'The Wire' reference, that's my favorite show. In the AK hand I was strictly talking results oriented, generally speaking I don't want to auto cbet in that spot and I can certainly go either way with AK, just if I happen to cbet when my opponent has A6s I probably end up winning, definitely not always winning vs his range which is why I checked. Agree on the 97cc, pure punt. Also good point about J8 not needing to overbet there, can get same FE for better price there.

Played a very long session today, planned to play 5k hands but ended up playing a bit more. Played fine but terrible results, ran sooo bad. KK into AA 3 times, couple of other big coolers, hands just not holding up and having to check/fold river a bunch. Still proud of myself that I didn't lose more because the variance was just absurdly bad. Ran two bluffs that were kind of close but nothing out of the ordinary, got snapped as it usually happens on a day such as today. Guess I'll be at 2NL a while longer, Balance is back down to ~$125.

Today's results

Might post some hands tomorrow, going out now. Big hands were mostly set over set or AA vs flopped two pairs in 4bet pots, clear preflop get ins, etc. so not too much interesting stuff.

AsQd: vnh. do you jam missed rivers? spades I suppose yes because of the nfd blocker. how about 4h?

AcQd: why small flop bet? losing value against any AX, big part of V. range, while he folds all underpairs anyway. almost as if you are asking to get outrdawn by KJ, KT and TJ with badckoors. or is this the perfect size making them call with just slightly incorrect odds? but then again implied, kind of deep.

Jd8d: love this line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5YAsJlrZxY

^ reminds me of this. nh by isildur, but even more intrestnig river lead by pavel. i ran a similar sim, it was x/c flop with some sneaky backdoors, turn backdoor, x/c again, suddenly jam missed scary river without SD value. the x/c x/c lead so often screams nuts, at least from non-genius players, that i think should be implemented more often in daily routine. (simple thought process without value:bluff ratio considerations, i don't do those much/enough). Given assumed pop. tend. to fold river vs. leads, I think overbluffing in those can be very good.

@folding AKo pre, I think it's good. the 4b jam often means 'i'll go all in with AA pretending it's a worse hand', 4b bluff I find they use regular size. and even if it's slightly -ev to fold, I think its ok too. no reason to gamble on marginals when there will be plenty clear spots. at least in tourneys. idk about cash, you can never be 100% sure assesing ranges anyway.

JhJs: always CB flop. so many hands call flop and so many overs to protect from! very wierd balance. I'd X AA or KK some % of the time though.

Even if only 2 street hand, I usually follow the rule of '2 street hands IP: start bet from flop', '2 street hands OOP start bet from turn'. thoughts on this simplification?

In regards to 3b range from CO, shouldn't low pairs be a part of it at least @ some FQ? reason: when flat in CO, is likely to face sqz. My tendency is to 3b small pairs in CO and flat them in BU.

KcJc: eh, I approve turn fold. don't see he barrel many worse hands, and he the barrels he does he will jam riv he and he put IP shoes,very tough decision. there's some merit to avoid difficult spots. (just some, because difficult spot for hero is often difficult for villain too)

reminder to self: think 1 street ahead.if he OOP boys range is very value heavy + he has some semi bluff FDs... eh, I guess overall equity of KJ isn't very enticing.

later, gonna do some finesse painting now to clear my head.

acqs: 3b flop? why not?

9s8d: defend ok, float ok, lead riv after he checks turn, underused line, feels like smth wrong on turn, perhaps x/r size, slightly smaller on non fd board? vs turn 3b i F. so nutted, am i right?

qh9h: oop pre i raise bigger vs L. ? he always folds to cb, or am i wrong?
or not, haha, certainly not on this board vs this size, he always floats any two overcards? what is the purpose of such flop bet? is the offsuit brodway range assumption already accounted for on the flop? if so, vnh!

9h7h: he he, don't see that everyday, right?

ahas: really? seriouslyy? wtf?

5d5c: above my level, altough turn xback gave plenty info, what more do you need??

acks: those turn raises are just the worse, wow @ spoiler

no sb vs bb hands? why not?

AsQd yeah plan is to jam bricks for sure once I barrel flop and turn, elegant hand to do it with. Sometimes I'll run into TT but that's okay, can really put the hammer on any JJ, QQ in his range, KQs must not like the spot either. We're deep enough where I can just really lean on villain with my range advantage imo.

AcQd you're probably right, my sizing aims to get value from 88 type hands (are definitly not being folded 100% at this stake and they draw to 2 outs) and the plan is to bet most turns very large, so hands without much immediate equity will have a problem there. But yeah definitely losing a bit of value vs AX.

On the JJ hand, yeah I definitely should have cb flpo, sometimes I check flop to not have to make as tough decisions on turn/river which is obviously not a good approach. I like your 'rule of thumb', definitely not something I ever formulated this way but intuitively it feels right. Folding 22-55, mixing 66 and 77 between 3betting and folding, mostly folding though because of rake, unless there are passive guys behind and the opener is a tight player.

AcQs yeah I don't 3bet flop much there at all, in fact I am more in between fold and call. Think FDs, OESDs continue by calling mostly, so his raising range is just pretty scary there. 3betting top two+ for value, strongest combodraws as bluffs. I can probably make more money vs his draws by 3betting but I lose a lot against all those T7, 77 he has.

89o hmm I have trouble getting on board with my defend there, if this was an environment with lower rake it might be pretty decent but I think I can just say no to these spots especially with CO probably opening a bit too tight there which is a population read of mine.

Q9hh Yeah plan is to double barrel most of the time on dryish overcards, folding out enough Ax, Kx hands on flop+turn. With my sizing he is defintely defending flop with almost his entire limp/call range. So usually continuing turn by barreling but on this turn I don't want to get raised but can't really check/call, yet his betting range will be weak enough given how much defending he'll do on the flop.

Yeah the 55 hand is definitely street poker, I just think turn checkback is insanely weak there from this villain specifically.

SB vs BB spots missing is just coincidence, I tag my hands very sporadically. Gonna keep it in mind and share some in the future.

Only small session today, ran pretty good played okay but not great. Also not posting hands, kind of strapped for time right now, gonna get back in the mix with that stuff on Monday. Allergy season is starting for me, now I get to choose between meds that make me super sleepy (hate 'em) or just sneezing and having a runny nose+red eyes all day. Both distracting for the grind but probably not gonna take medicine until it gets really bad. Celebrating my little brothers birthday tomorrow with the family, not gonna spend time on poker I don't think.
Looked at my DB today, realized I can be opening much wider on the Button, probably fastfolding all my 'more marginal' opens (however they aren't all that marginal, BB defends way to little at this stake on average, something that surprised me).

Today's results

no more hhs? too bad, i enjoyed those riddles, didnt spend too much time digesting hands step by step, my attention was sent in many other directions of poker. i'll focus my thoughts elswhere.
wondering if that 97 riv bet was meant to be an unimaginative needle or just not understanding that certain hands can not be value bet at a given time, u know it was trash.
peace.

Just didn't have time to post hands, had kind of a busy weekend. Obviously was trying to get a fold on that 97hh hand, hand would have played much better if I delayed cb flop. Yeah not a hand I'm proud of just funny result. Not sure what you mean by "unimaginative needle" tbh.

Only played a small session today, planning to study a bunch tonight so didn't want to spend all my 'poker time' playing. Went to the farmer's market because my roommate has this new roasted tomato soup recipe she wants to try, gonna cook that later tonight. Also fed some ducks maybe? Who knows..

Played fine today but the sessions was dead boring. Not unusual for a 2NL session it just felt like nothing interesting happened really. Some hands where I was put in a tough spot though, gonna look them over in more detail later.

Today's results

BTN: 118.5 BB
SB: 100 BB
BB: 130.5 BB
UTG: 95 BB
Hero (MP): 156 BB
CO: 25.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BTN raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 24 BB, BTN calls 15 BB

Flop: (49.5 BB, 2 players) Q J 6
Hero checks, BTN bets 18 BB, Hero calls 18 BB

Turn: (85.5 BB, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, BTN bets 35 BB, Hero calls 35 BB

River: (155.5 BB, 2 players) 8
Hero checks, BTN bets 41.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 41.5 BB



Really don't like my flop play. I think check range is fine on this board, but I should only defend by raising. I'm giving IP all the sets, even 66 although at a very low frequency. He can overplay AQ sometimes at these limits, he can bluff with AK and sometimes potentially AJs or ATs as well as any XdYd that might be in his range. So I call to keep his bluffs in, not realizing that the SPR will be very awkward going to the turn. He cbets turn and I'm thinking, if he had one of the strong value hands he is repping, basically sets at this point and QJs that got here, would he really choose this sizing? I really don't know. I don't think this sizing is great as a bluff either but he has to have some hands here lol. In the end I just sigh/called turn planning to call all rivers except like Td or Ax because there still are some natural bluffs in his range and it's hard to flop sets. Also discounted some JJ because it's not always being 3b. Ugly hand the way I played it. I think my combo should just check/jam flop FWIW, without a diamond I can check/fold and sometimes check/jam.


Hero (BTN): 100 BB
SB: 275.5 BB
BB: 140 BB
UTG: 211.5 BB
MP: 70 BB
CO: 122.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, MP calls 6 BB

Flop: (19.5 BB, 2 players) 5 J 3
MP checks, Hero bets 9 BB, MP raises to 18 BB, Hero raises to 91 BB and is all-in, MP calls 43 BB and is all-in

Turn: (141.5 BB, 2 players) 8

River: (141.5 BB, 2 players) A



The flop minraise was very alarming, but it's at least possible that he has a hand like AJ, 67cc, some weird overpairs that tried to trap preflop. Noted that this guy plays top set this way, minraises are so nutted at this limit it's crazy. Decided I don't like calling, I don't like folding, so I just jam and if he has a set it is what it is. Feels good to suck out but I wonder, does anyone ever fold their AA here? Not sure.


BTN: 39 BB
SB: 337 BB
BB: 100 BB
UTG: 100 BB
Hero (MP): 262.5 BB
CO: 112.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4 4

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

Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 7 4 Q
Hero bets 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB

Turn: (11.5 BB, 2 players) T
Hero bets 8 BB, CO raises to 28.5 BB, Hero raises to 257.5 BB and is all-in, CO calls 79 BB and is all-in

River: (226.5 BB, 2 players) 8



Trying to stack QT, 89dd, maybe T7s. In hindsight that's only like 5 combos realistically, compared to 6 combos of better sets, although 77 will raise flop lot. I think people spazz enough to make this turn 3b profitable, I've seen people show up with random FDs in similar spots and actually call off but meh. I don't see how I can just flat the turn raise with the draws out there, just seems too nitty. Brushing it off as a cooler for now, gonna review these turn raise spots though. My feeling says they are just insanely underbluffed, more than most other spots (I mean, pretty much every spot is underbluffed anyway) at these stakes even.


Hero (BTN): 185 BB
SB: 224.5 BB
BB: 131 BB
UTG: 273 BB
MP: 117.5 BB
CO: 306.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, Hero raises to 13 BB, fold, fold, fold, CO calls 10 BB

Flop: (30.5 BB, 2 players) 7 Q K
CO bets 52 BB, fold



Need to defend ~35% of my 3b range, I have all KK, QQ, KQs, about 50% of my KQo and I prefer calling of AK no diamond so that I block top two. I think I can fold AA sometimes here but it's very close. Just nitted it up because this spot is so rare and I have a bunch of hands I'd rather call with. Really not sure what the 1.6x donk range is made up of here. KQ, 77, TJdd, AT/AJdd sort of stuff? Didn't run a calc but vs that range I probably have a little less than 30% equity, I know it's not an end of action spot but I also don't like too many turns, really only 7x no diamond and the Ac. If he does this with most his random FDs folding seems pretty bad. Not sure about this one.

idk what meant by the needle either, those HHs so much leveling i got lost in the woods, its no fun to be alone in the dark! and i am under tremendous amount of stress, so sometimes write dumb words, i only appear so chill because my mind is like a fortress.

i actually wanted to feed some ducks today too, but then thought 'i don't eat bread myself because not very healthy and actually addictive, is it ethical to feed ducks with possible gmos?' i'd eat gmo if starving, but would rather fast if only hungry. anyway, sorry for offtopic, back to HHs:

KcKd: i thought flop was ok x/c, but then again 4bet pot, so deny equity important. x/jam flop could give the impression that is weak (i.e. AK, KT). turn idk, difficult, size is scary...sure, board is such that you have to be very suspicious of draws and i think villain will get fair price on all-in too. anyways, given dynamics it seems like delaying the bet is not a very good idea. at least for me, i'm a little afraind the draws will get there. just now saw your conclusion on x/j flop, at least we agree on that!

AdAh: i wouldn't fold, but it does look like the nuts.

4h4c: i c u sexplo 2x baby pair pre, why not explo potbet on flop? if villain not very savvy then overbet? flop turn riv overbets. saw such line in Aesah's thread and thought it was cool. dunno if thats good, just trying to think outside the box.

turn however, is alarming and worse hand i see is only QTs and small FQ of 77. one of those hero fold spots I think that differiate ok players from good players. i also think turn raises are heavily underbluffed, esp. IP, look is not very natural imo. fold... just do not hesitate too much pls...

AsAh: crazy hand! thought on AK blocking KQ i find helpful, this blocker shenanigans i need to pay more attention to. vnh. i have to admit i'm impressed by villinas unorthodox play, curious what is his turn plan.


btw. i did run a sim on the AQ on QT7fd board and indeed there are almost no flop 3bets, but it surprised me how often BB only flats AQo vs 50% BU 2x! those BB defend sims are flabbergasting. i tried extending my defend ranges based on EV of hands (flat those which have very small preflop risk loss in hopes of enormous postflop gain) but i begin to feel like this is going nowehere and stick to blueprint.



^BB vs 50% BU minraise.

Man I think I have to buy PIO, I need those PF sims in my life.

Yeah I mean feeding ducks is fun but white bread seriously can kill those critters. Somewhat egotistical to potentially kill them just to feel like Cinderella having birds flock to you and stuff.

Agree with what you say about post flop betsizing re: that 44 hand. I think I'm a little bit too rigid when it comes to my sizing in spots like that, perhaps overly careful to not split my range too much. With my flop betsizing 44 is literally the 3rd best hand I can have there on the turn, I think it can be a great fold exploitatively but if the player is even playing close to 'balanced' folding will just be too much. Then again IF he is balanced he is already fully polarized on the turn so jam is really bad in hindsight, like you say it's pretty much QTs only I'm gunning for and that's 2 combos. So it's actually between call and fold probably. Crazy stuff. If I start making those folds I'm not gonna like the nit that looks back when I'm in front of a mirror but maybe my WR will thank me?

i do enjoy that Cinderella feeling ocasionally.

but ducks dont flock to me, they rather battle for life & death against each other to get that little piece of food and i feel like a ***** boss feeding those poor little kittens.

Subbed!! i am absolutely can relate to your condition OP!
i have no real life friend to talk about poker, they just negatively thought i am gambling my life away. i play on and off before but now thinking giving it a shot at stars 2NL with $100. hope i can proggress together with you!

Hey man good luck! Hope you enjoy my journaling.

Played normal 2k hand sessions today, would have loved to play more because I ran hot and played well but I have an appointment in a little bit and then later going out with friends so no more time unfortunately.

Not too many super interesting hands, mostly just coolered people and had my hands hold up, thin value called by worse etc.. Balance at over $150 now, so going to start with my 10BI 5NL shot next session.

Today's results

2NL results since starting this thread


BTN: 172 BB
SB: 61 BB
BB: 156 BB
UTG: 100 BB
Hero (MP): 561.5 BB
CO: 207.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4 4

fold, Hero raises to 2 BB, CO raises to 6 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 5 BB, Hero calls 4 BB

Flop: (18.5 BB, 3 players) 4 5 T
BB checks, Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (18.5 BB, 3 players) A
BB bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB, CO raises to 34 BB, BB calls 24 BB, Hero raises to 555.5 BB and is all-in, CO calls 167.5 BB and is all-in, fold

River: (455.5 BB, 2 players) K



Kind of worried about protection on the turn so maybe I should raise the lead, I decided against it because I felt like I would overall gain more value keeping in CO's Ax which are more likely than flushdraws/67 imo. Once CO raises I am slightly worried about AA but it's not likely to check back flop at these stakes at all even though I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Still have to backraise obviously, get value from two pairs and strong draws.


Hero (BTN): 196 BB
SB: 298 BB
BB: 454.5 BB
UTG: 123 BB
MP: 135.5 BB
CO: 139.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7 6

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB raises to 9 BB, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop: (18.5 BB, 2 players) 2 5 9
BB bets 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (38.5 BB, 2 players) K
BB checks, Hero bets 15 BB, BB calls 15 BB

River: (68.5 BB, 2 players) J
BB bets 25 BB, Hero raises to 65 BB, fold

Flop float is close, but against someone whom I suspect to be a bit weaker I don't mind it at all, not mandatory but it's fine I think. Don't give OOP credit for many turn traps so I have to start bluffing with the bottom of my range here, I can obviously get tons of better hands to fold. River lead at first did not make me very happy, but the more I thought about it the more I felt like this is just a really scared blockbet kind of thing. Decided to raise small because he is never folding a set or top two, but anything else is probably folding even if I make it very small. I can just abuse the fact that this river donk will not contain flushes/super strong hands ever, in theory I should choose a large betsize for the purpose of punishing capped range but I just felt like I could get folds for much less.


BTN: 104 BB
SB: 175.5 BB
BB: 126.5 BB
Hero (UTG): 154 BB
MP: 94.5 BB
CO: 230.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) K 9 Q
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (6.5 BB, 2 players) 7
BB bets 9 BB, Hero calls 9 BB

River: (24.5 BB, 2 players) 8
BB bets 32 BB, Hero calls 32 BB



Very polarizing sizing, I didn't give this player credit to choose the sizing with any old Kx, have a very strong catcher with the T and no spade. Usually not advisable at these limits but villain looked very aggro and when I check back flop vs. aggro player I can't just start folding everything. Didn't feel great but my hand has good removal and there's no shortage of possible bluffs so I flicked it in.


BTN: 100 BB
Hero (SB): 172 BB
BB: 103 BB
UTG: 118.5 BB
MP: 135 BB
CO: 211.5 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 13 BB, fold, MP calls 10 BB

Flop: (27 BB, 2 players) 9 6 K
Hero checks, MP bets 7 BB, Hero calls 7 BB

Turn: (41 BB, 2 players) K
Hero checks, MP checks

River: (41 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero checks, MP bets 27 BB, Hero calls 27 BB



Can cbet flop small, can check/call, not sure which is better but the King being out there removes more of my flushes than villains so I liked checking a bit more. When villain chooses small betsizing on the flop I think in theory he should still have a bunch of top pairs, so when turn goes check/check instead of being barreled small I am very suspicious. Sure, he still has some flushes and I have a lot of Kx, but I still feel like I'm folding too much on the river if I only call trips+. Going to analyze this hand later in detail, at the table I just felt that the turn check is very weak and that was enough to call riv.