Whether this is true or not is debatable (and not by me). What is not debatable is that below 25nl unbalanced, exploitive poker is massively more EV than anything approaching GTO.

At 10nl and below, esp Zoom, you can profit just by overfolding to the regs and exploiting the massive fish pool.

Since OP seems to be playing 2nl, I find any discussion on GTO just a bit silly.

First of all he's planning on moving "from 2nl to the top" so that would be a temporary solution.

Secondly, it still doesn't negate the "What is your methodology" question.

Furthermore, the way it sounds it seems like he's setting up a script "if x then y" type play system which implies more like standard bot play rather than being exploitative and taking different lines against different players. Could be mistaken there but that's what it seems like.

I really don't understand why someone with no skin in the game would just comment like this and say you're question is irrelevant, especially when another person seconded it. Just seems like you're being a dick for sake of being a dick and not really trying to contribute nor even drive the conversation forward.

Had started typing a reply, and then lost everything I typed. So I'll just keep it short.

Busy thanksgiving weekend for me here. I use Equilab and Flopzilla; nothing fancy. Not sure where I should even start to answer the question about how I develop my strategy. Do you have any more specific question that would be easier to answer lol?

I am trying to develop something that is independent of the opponents I'm playing against. Didn't think of me as simulating a bot lol. After though, I was planning to create adjusted ranges based on exploiting the imbalances in my opponent's ranges.

One thing I'll say is that all I'm able to play right now is 2 tables, as I'm still spending lots of time looking through my lines to find the right action. That part worries me, as I would eventually like to settle on 6-8 tables. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully it'll go smoother once I get more practice in.

Not at all. I'm as interested as the next person in Ops strategy and have followed it from the beginning and contributed previously. I've also done my research (have you?). Op has been posting, playing and trying to innovate for quite a few years.

Aside from his methods/strat, op seems to be data gathering at 2nl (see previous comments about volume) That's beyond pointless...nothing that happens at 2nl has any pertinence to play further up the food chain...I've also commented on that B4.

As to your dig about credibility...how much cred do you need to comment on a 2nl thread...which is so far what this is?

But I have a pgc of my own, which you can easily find, so you are more than welcome to come aboard and have a pop there...positive or negative all welcome. We loves a bit o banter.

Sorry for the derail op. I won't post (for a while anyway) but I will continue to watch and read with interest.

Ok, back to playing after the busy holiday weekend.

1321 hands, -$1.81.
Current BR: $85.71 [0.68% Complete]




Realizing that a GTO-like strategy that's not close to being fully-developed might be more harmful than helpful right now. So I drew up some preflop ranges fairly quickly based on the more traditional approach, and started playing with those. My stats are around 21/16 right now, and might just stick with this through the micros. Also, might be better for now since I can manage to play more tables, and that's a huge plus for the micros.

Started the session horribly though lol. I am really rusty since I haven't done much playing over the last couple months, and so took awhile to get going. Still didn't play anywhere close to perfectly, but turned it around. Will look to keep the momentum going.

439 hands, +$1.31
Current BR: $87.02 [0.69% Complete]



Only managed a short session before work yesterday. As you can tell by the graph, I ended the session with a nice "suckout". I'll post the hand below. I think I misplayed it, but the end result would be the same.

Also, I think I'm most likely going to deposit enough to bring my BR to $400. I can then play (and work on my game) at NL10. According to my BRM strategy, I will have 30BI at NL10. Once I lose those 30BI, I drop right down to NL2 (when my BR drops below $100). Again, my first goal is to achieve a BR of $12,650. Most of it will be from poker profits obviously (assuming I achieve the goal). But there might be 1 or 2 small deposits (such as this) to help me along.

As far as playing style goes, I'm going to continue using the new ranges. I'll put the GTO stuff on the backburner for now. I'll take some of the advice given here lol. I'm going back and using some of the knowledge gained from my time in BPC. But I have to make some changes, cause that didn't work before for me past NL5. So the new ranges are a result of that. I tightened up my opening ranges a bit from the BU and SB. And loosened up a bit from EP and MP.

And I'm defending much wider against 3bets. I was looking at my database for NL10... I was being 3bet close to 20% (average across all positions), and lost a ton of money from that. Over a 150k hand sample, I lost $826 from open-raising and then folding to a 3bet (I was folding about 73% of the time). That's about a -5.5bb/100 hit to my winrate! I think this might have been my biggest leak.

Here's my previous graph for NL10 in case anyone's interested.



So I will go back to playing NL10 after depositing (most likely), and build up my database of hands there again. I will work on my game by similar analysis and find areas to improve. Not sure if fixing this leak is enough in itself to turn me into a winner at NL10. I've also made some small changes to my postflop play. But considering the amount of losses from folding to 3bets, I think fixing that could turn me into a winner at this stake. Of course, I have more work to do to become a big winner at NL10 (and above).

Oh, one more thing. I purchased an Essential plan at RIO, since it's only $10/month. I don't plan on watching a ton of videos at this point. But I'll try to watch some here and there, and use them as well to work on my game.





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

As mentioned above, don't think I played this well. First, I think I should have just called the flop bet (and probably just call with my entire range?). But as played, I think I should check behind the turn and then shove the river (if he doesn't shove first).

3254 hands, +$2.08 (last night)
409 hands, +$7.89 (just now)
Current BR: $96.87 [0.77% Complete]



The above graph is only for my session I just finished. Last night, I went back to 18-tabling using my old strategies. In my session I just finished, I went back to 6-tabling using the newly drafted (non-GTO) ranges.

I didn't deposit anything yet, so all that is still at NL2. Looking at my finances, if I deposit the $300 or so that I was planning to, I may be tight on money for the next month. I think better idea is to wait for a month and a half until I can more comfortably deposit. So for now, sticking to NL2 and the BRM strategy, which I'll post periodically as a reminder and motivating factor.

---------

Goal #1: Achieve a bankroll of $12,650.

BRM Guidelines:

Level-Up [NL2 -> NL5]: $150
Level-Down [NL5 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL5 -> NL10]: $200
Level-Down [NL10 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL10 -> NL25]: $650
Level-Down [NL25 -> NL10]: $400

Level-Up [NL25 -> NL50]: $1,650
Level-Down [NL50 -> NL25]: $1,150

Level-Up [NL50 -> NL100]: $3,650
Level-Down [NL100 -> NL50]: $2,650

Level-Up [NL100 -> Goal Complete!]: $12,650

i guess you shouldn't consider playing NL10 soon.... that graph is a big sample and you are not beat the game.... improve study and play NL10 with a huge bankroll it's my advice bro.

GL

Thanks, the point was that I think I have improved a huge leak which cost me a lot of money at NL10. Which, if true, would most likely turn me into a winning player there. Plus, the deposit which I was planning to make would have given me a bigger bankroll.

However, like I mentioned above, I'm continuing at NL2 right now and moving up in accordance to my BRM guidelines. By the time I reach NL10, I should be able to beat it (I would hope). Anyway, just finished another session:

892 hands, +$1.37
Current BR: $98.22 [0.78% Complete]





Swingy session, but not terrible. Happy with my play, and I believe I'm headed in the right direction.

454 hands, +$9.41
Current BR: $107.63 [0.85% Complete]



Went on a bit of a roll. Too bad I only had an hour to play before work.

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

Villain is 47/30 with 14% 3bet over 100 hands. Do you bet the river for value when he "gives up"? Would you check back like I did in this case? Or would you play the hand differently at an earlier point?

Another short session.

1086 hands, +$4.21
Current BR: $111.84 [0.88% Complete]

Feeling really confident right now. After all that work on a GTO-type strategy, I go back to just playing simple poker (actually, even more simple than before). And the results so far are just night and day. Perhaps I was misguided before. Trying to make things too complicated. Should have just built upon what I learnt at BPC earlier lol. Looking forward to moving back to NL10 and turning things around at that limit. Once I'm able to do that (after all my losing there before), then I'll know I'm on the right path.

As someone who was also in BPC, I can tell you the micro ranges are the most NIT/unprofitable things you can learn.

You will be probably slight winner vs bad regs that play like a robot (BPC style) and if you table select really hard vs fishes. However, if there is a good reg that exploits you and knows what's going on, you will lose a lot of money vs him.

One of the best things I've done since quitting BPC was starting to call more 3 betts and playing exploitable.

BPC is good to teach you how hard you have to work, but in terms of making money there is not a lot of people doing it actually I think. I left BPC months ago, but am still in micro skype group lurking others. There are basically 15+ people in micro group after trying hard for 1year+.. and they still didn't get out of micros and that tells you enough.

I haven't been on skype lately, but I should lurk there again as well lol, just to see the state of things.

I also call 3bets a lot more now. Like I posted above, I also changed my opening ranges. I open slightly wider in EP and MP. And I open significantly tighter in BU and SB (~45% on the button, and ~40% in the small blind). I then defend 50% of my range vs a 3bet. I also call more often vs an open-raise.

I'm guessing the ranges get better in CFP once you get to intermediate, but I wasn't able to get there to find out. For what they are though, the micro ranges do what they're supposed to. They allow you to win at the lowest of stakes, and give a solid set of rules to follow to stay out of trouble.

Can you explain to this idiot what CFP is?

lol no problem. It's Coaching For Profits. It's basically a program where they (BPC) receive half of your profits until you reach a certain amount (depending on which program you join). As opposed to paying someone for coaching by the hour. I didn't make it too far. Life got in the way, and I needed to leave the program. I kind of miss it a bit though, and of course miss Gordon throwing insults around lol.

Oh, and NOM3RCY, what was your name over there at BPC?

shovel that river mane

Readless, I usually check back, but it's close (bottom of your range for jamming). Some notes on how villain plays post-flop would help. I don't see how he calls with worse unless he's butchered KK-JJ or something like that and feels committed to calling off the last 36bb.

Thanks guys. He seemed like a crazy 3betting fish, so I was thinking he could have a few weaker aces he might play this way. But not sure if that's enough reason to bet the river. For whatever it's worth, he had T5s.

Last Session: 1453 hands, +$3.44 [NL2]
Total Profit: +$26.32
Current BR: $115.21 [0.91% Complete]

I'm about to play a session now, but I'm planning first to deposit about $385 US, in order to bring my BR to $500. This will give me 40BI to play at NL10, and will mean I only need to win 15BIs more until I can take a 10BI shot at NL25. I added total profit above, to track my profit, since I'll be depositing to my BR and (most likely) withdrawing from my BR in the future for expenses.

I'll probably be trying to cut back from the current 55 hrs I work per week in a couple months, so would need to withdraw a little each month. My goal remains the same though: to grow my bankroll to $12650. By depositing the $385 now, I can speed up the progress through the lowest stakes, and get to the point where I can work less hours quicker. Which means I'll be able to play more poker. So will start playing NL10 now! Hopefully will do better this time around lol. Will continue also to work on the theory side of my game.

Total graph so far (since new goal was set, with new BRM plan):



Goal #1: Achieve a bankroll of $12,650

BRM Guidelines:

Level-Up [NL2 -> NL5]: $150
Level-Down [NL5 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL5 -> NL10]: $200
Level-Down [NL10 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL10 -> NL25]: $650
Level-Down [NL25 -> NL10]: $400

Level-Up [NL25 -> NL50]: $1,650
Level-Down [NL50 -> NL25]: $1,150

Level-Up [NL50 -> NL100]: $3,650
Level-Down [NL100 -> NL50]: $2,650

Level-Up [NL100 -> Goal Complete!]: $12,650

Last Session: 939 hands, -$4.67 [NL10]
Total Profit: +$21.65
Current BR: $498.12 [3.94% Complete]



I deposited $387.73 USD ($520 CAD), so that's why my BR is a lot bigger now.

Was hoping to get off to a good start, but right near the start, walked into flush over flush (having the smaller flush). Also spewed with AA. Will post both hands below. Other than that, think I played ok. Was starting to feel comfortable at NL10 near the end, and definitely think I can win at these stakes. Will hopefully have time tomorrow night for a much longer session.

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

Only had 30 hands on villain, but he's looking nitty (17/14). Against an unknown, I'm guessing I should call on the turn and fold on the river? But against a nit, I think I should just exploitatively fold to the flop raise? Or maybe call the raise but fold to the large turn bet? By the way, I didn't realize stacks were about 150bb deep while playing the hand.



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

Welcome to NL10! Cooler, I think? Villain was something like 34/17.




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

Not everything went badly lol. Only 7 hands on villain, but he appears to be a fish.



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

Goal #1: Achieve a bankroll of $12,650

BRM Guidelines:

Level-Up [NL2 -> NL5]: $150
Level-Down [NL5 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL5 -> NL10]: $200
Level-Down [NL10 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL10 -> NL25]: $650
Level-Down [NL25 -> NL10]: $400

Level-Up [NL25 -> NL50]: $1,650
Level-Down [NL50 -> NL25]: $1,150

Level-Up [NL50 -> NL100]: $3,650
Level-Down [NL100 -> NL50]: $2,650

Level-Up [NL100 -> Goal Complete!]: $12,650

OK, I deleted my original reply because I said I would not post negative...lets go with something entirely constructive and positive.

The 87s hand is not a cooler in anyway and you need to know why.

Question...what does villains flop raise mean?

Answer it's polarizing. Villain is raising for value, or bluffing, so villain is strong or weak. (villain type could indicate the frequency of value to bluffs, but 34/17 is nothing special over a small sample size and you don't give the hand count which makes stats meaningless). Anyway, whatever it's still polarised.

So what are villains value bets? 2P/sets/maybe over-played TP hands. Are any of these giving you a free turn card, especially you are oop, so they are in total control. You have a weak (9 out) draw to the non-nut flush. Do you have odds/equity to call the flop raise (hint saying "implied odds" to yourself in these situations is going cost you a fortune before the penny drops - especially where flushes are concerned, because they are often not paid off)

But it gets worse, the bluffing part of villains range on a wet flop will likely be mainly draws - in this case pretty much only flush draws. So not only is villains value range way ahead, his bluffing range beats yours, which gives you a horrible reverse implied odds scenario, as you found out.

Taking the turn you probably only have 7 good outs, 15% equity needing 5.7:1 and getting nothing like that. Again, if you just say "implied odds", you basically are just being a station.

All this is pretty NLHE 101 stuff, but I'm hoping it will get you thinking about your game in a little more depth...and I've tried to be as constructive as possible.

Seems a bit contradictory? Anyway, if I don't give the hand count, then we use the assumption that these are his true stats.

Ok, if he has a set/2pair, I have 8 outs, not 7 [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, T, J, Q]. I need to win approximately a half pot bet on the turn to break even. You don't think I can make that? People don't fold sets that easily. I think it's safe to say I do have implied odds. Considering that the villain is most likely to be a fish given his stats, it's even more likely I'll get his stack.

If villain is bluffing, or has a hand he'll give up with, then either he'll bluff further (and I'll make money with my value hands). Or he'll give up, and I'll make money with my bluffs.

You're looking at this as my hand vs his range. I'm looking at it as my range vs his range.

I appreciate your advice, even though you seem to be doing so with a condescending attitude towards me. But I don't agree with your analysis. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has any thoughts on this.

If he has a set how is the 6 an out?

You lose track of stack size, can't count outs, talk complete B/S about stat convergence and think a butchered weak draw with horrible reverse implied odds is a cooler.

And I'm the one being condescending? Blimely, you better hope some of the hard arses on here stay out of your thread.

No matter. I'm out...permanently.

Good luck and peace

When you said taking the turn, I thought you were talking about possible turn cards as outs. Misunderstanding there. Looks like I was the one being a bit negative there, so sorry for that. Just some of what you wrote rubbed me the wrong way. If you choose to stay out, it's up to you. I'd still welcome your posts. I know you probably didn't mean any harm. I still disagree with you regarding that hand, but we'll have to agree to disagree I guess.

Last Session: 959 hands, +$37.21 [NL10]
Total Profit: +$58.86
Current BR: $535.28 [4.23% Complete]



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

Goal #1: Achieve a bankroll of $12,650

BRM Guidelines:

Level-Up [NL2 -> NL5]: $150
Level-Down [NL5 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL5 -> NL10]: $200
Level-Down [NL10 -> NL2]: $100

Level-Up [NL10 -> NL25]: $650
Level-Down [NL25 -> NL10]: $400

Level-Up [NL25 -> NL50]: $1,650
Level-Down [NL50 -> NL25]: $1,150

Level-Up [NL50 -> NL100]: $3,650
Level-Down [NL100 -> NL50]: $2,650

Level-Up [NL100 -> Goal Complete!]: $12,650

+1