Hey, mate.

Good update! It's nice to hear that you're playing solid and your decisions are becoming more and more natural. I still use my whole time bank almost every important hand. My opponents need to be patient, hehehehe.

How are your RNG "system" working? Did you develop something as you said? Starshelper is great [also] for that.

GL.

Nice progress. I’d advise you to beware of some obvious time tells, even if they are easy decisions. Take your time, count to five, then play It’s what I try to do.

Cheers

Thanks man. If I only would get some more volume in everything would be great

GL to you too

I still use a free software I downloaded. It's not too practical but haven't had time to code my own yet. I will probably end up buying starshelper.


Thank you! Yeah I still try to have a standard timing when making decisions. GL in your challenge!

Still playing and studying when I have the time. Only ~5000 hands so far this month with some swingy results. My play is ranging from B+ to A game. Just standard solid poker and playing low volume as usual.

Playing mostly theory in spots where I'm not bluffcatching, and making exploitative folds when I'm facing a lot of aggression, which should be the way to play all the way up to 50z IMO.

I'm trying to have solid GTO process when I play regs, and think about my frequencies and sizings before making decisions. Not that it is crucial <100nl but it will be way easier to move up later.

1. Range advantage -> Decide overall frequencies
2. Nut advantage -> "Fine-tune" frequencies and decide sizings
3. Specific combo -> Decide if I need to mix
4. If combo is mixed -> Pick frequencies and look at the RNG

Standard stuff but I also account for some pool tendencies and bet somewhat more than equilibrium would suggest etc.

While all this seems somewhat simple, I still go into the habit of making decisions by feel and not really care about mixing, when I probably should mix and use the RNG.

But again, not really necessary but it's important to get used to good habits for later.

GL homeboys

Nice work, mate! You're doing great.

About playing more (or playing less) the theory:

You already know my opinion, hehehehe. For me, it will depend on what you want to invest: if you prefer to boost your winrate, deviating from the equilibrium (sometimes deviating a lot!) is the best way. But if you want to invest in the quality of your game so that you can move up the stakes more prepared and accustomed, getting used to the theory (frequencies, bluffcatches, combos, etc.) right now is the best decision, because our memory is shaped a lot by repetition, so repeating the theory over and over again helps us to record it.

But I think you are already in a good sweet spot between these two. You're deviating to have more bb/100, but without forgeting the theory. That's a nice way to go, right?

How many hands do you already have on the nl25z? How many BI's up/down? So far, are you finding the nl25z very different from the nl10z? I'm thinking of skipping nl16z and going to nl25z next month.

Good luck, mate.

I see a lot of people skip that 16nl, maybe because of the small player pool and weird BB sizing. However, I really recommend giving it a go. (Play in BB not $ so it is less confusing preflop)

I really enjoyed playing this stake as the small pool meant you actually built up reads on players and could play some cool exploitative strategies. It may not be for everyone but I found this a lot of fun.

There are a few aggressive strong regs and then a load of bad players. I enjoyed battling the same regs hand after hand and then there being plenty of spewy players to keep the winrate high.

You can definitely skip it but I think its interesting to try out. I had my highest WR in the like 30 player pools at 16nl.

Thanks man. Yeah I mix theory and exploitative. I think it's the way to go, you will encounter bad players at any stake so it's good to know how to gain EV vs weak players.

I've won 6 stacks at 25z, but according to EV I'm B/E. 15k hands.

25z is pretty much like 10z. Maybe a bit more aggressive and a little less non fullstacks. But I don't adjust much between the stakes. I think at 50z I need to change my approach to unknows a little.

Been doing some more solver work and focused on 3b pots OOP and IP in looser positions as the preflop caller when we have a medium overpair on low boards.

COvBTN3b:
- Quite loose positions, OOP will have quite a tight flatting range and IP has a somewhat linear 3b range.

Let's say the flop is 554ss:
- Against 1/3 bet we defend all 66-99, and we mix in folds with 77-99 vs 3/4 turn bet on lets say 2r and we dont have a flushcard
- Against 3/4 flop sizing we are actually folding most 66-99 without the flushcard in equilibrium!

Now this means we need to fold flop even more if we open in earlier position and get 3b by the BTN. And then add pool tendencies and we can comfortably pure fold 66-99 without flushcard vs a bigger cbet.

Stop overplaying medium overpairs OOP on these boards without the additional EV/EQ that the flushcard gives vs tight ranges. If you don't fold the flop, please find the fold button on the turn without reads. IP you can call a bit more, but you still need to fold turn vs 3/4 sizing somewhat often

Interesting, I always assumed IP 3b ranges were more polarized. I usually just assume snowie, and deviate only after I’ve seen who villain actually is. My flats vs 3b are profitable that way (5nl fr), which leads to the conclusion that my pool is not very good on these spots and this obv helps a lot

Cheers

I use snowie ranges in these. Ok it's not that linear but linearish.

Yes, you're all right, that's why I use starshelper. Can't play anymore if I don't see stacks as big blinds, hehehehe. Now even PS has this option, so good for everyone.

fwiw, I struggled a lot at most micro stakes (breakeven at 25z, etc.) apart from 16z where i have 200k hands at 6bb.

Not sure if variance but I found it way way easier than 25z and had a much higher hourly there.

That's interesting, mate. Thank you! Did you play nl10z as well? If yes, how it was?

Pretty bad too, it took me way to long to realise that people had it all the time. Honestly I was pretty breakeven at all stakes up until 50z where i started picking up things.

I was playing way too fancy, not realising that good tight poker is the way to go.

Thanks for your report, mate. Good solid poker seems to be the best option indeed. Do you have any other advice for the players that are climbing the stakes?

Some hands


HAND 1:

Low frequency raise OTF. I think turn overbet is a thing here. River I don't like going ham with this combo.

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/32cdn2h

UTG: $22.68 (91 bb)
MP: $87.43 (350 bb)
CO: $7.47 (30 bb)
BU: $25.25 (101 bb)
SB: $17.97 (72 bb)
BB (Hero): $39.96 (160 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 5♦ 3♦
1 fold, MP raises to $0.56, 3 players fold, Hero calls $0.31

Flop: ($1.22) 8♠ 5♠ 2♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.39, Hero raises to $1.85, MP calls $1.46

Turn: ($4.92) K♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $6.35, MP calls $6.35

River: ($17.62) K♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $78.67 (all-in), BB (Hero) folds



HAND 2:

Weaker player in the BB. Dunno if this should be turned into a bluff vs a weaker player. Vs reg I think it's standard.

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/62cdn2d

UTG: $35.12 (140 bb)
MP: $27.37 (109 bb)
CO (Hero): $25.00 (100 bb)
BU: $35.97 (144 bb)
SB: $24.13 (97 bb)
BB: $21.50 (86 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with J♣ 7♣
2 players fold, Hero raises to $0.62, 2 players fold, BB 3-bets to $1.96, Hero calls $1.34

Flop: ($4.02) A♥ 5♣ 7♥ (2 players)
BB bets $1.75, Hero calls $1.75

Turn: ($7.52) 8♠ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($7.52) 9♥ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5.39, BB calls $5.39



HAND 3:

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/62cdn1m

UTG: $25.00 (100 bb)
MP: $39.59 (158 bb)
CO (Hero): $25.83 (103 bb)
BU: $36.29 (145 bb)
SB: $36.95 (148 bb)
BB: $25.13 (101 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with K♠ Q♥
2 players fold, Hero raises to $0.62, BTN calls $0.62, 2 players fold

Flop: ($1.59) 8♠ T♥ 2♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.76, Hero raises to $3.04, BTN calls $2.28

Turn: ($7.67) 2♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($7.67) 5♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $3.66, CO (Hero) folds



HAND 4:

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/32cdn1y

UTG: $26.69 (107 bb)
MP: $27.50 (110 bb)
CO: $30.17 (121 bb)
BU: $29.39 (118 bb)
SB: $32.07 (128 bb)
BB (Hero): $32.39 (130 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with T♣ K♠
3 players fold, BTN raises to $0.56, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.31

Flop: ($1.22) K♦ 3♦ 8♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.39, Hero calls $0.39

Turn: ($2) J♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($2) 3♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $2.58, BTN calls $2.58


HAND 5:

Probably a silly spot to bet the river. Might be overbluffing.

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/42cdn20

UTG (Hero): $29.42 (118 bb)
MP: $27.53 (110 bb)
CO: $38.38 (154 bb)
BU: $4.01 (16 bb)
SB: $82.08 (328 bb)
BB: $38.09 (152 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with Q♥ A♥
Hero raises to $0.62, 4 players fold, BB 3-bets to $3, Hero calls $2.38

Flop: ($6.10) 9♦ 6♥ K♦ (2 players)
BB bets $1.75, Hero calls $1.75

Turn: ($9.60) 7♣ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($9.60) 7♦ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $9.17, BB folds

Ok so r00vam that has a PG&C too (https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...ition-1764335/) shared his setup. I got inspired by the freshness so I will also share my own. Here it is. Be forever jelly.



EDIT: Yes I know the cube is unsolved. I know how to solve one I promise

Damn that setup is so much better than mine lol! Definitely feeling the jellyness boiling up I need at least another monitor, better desk and an actual chair (using a stability ball for now lol) before I can even begin to compare
3 monitors is just sick as well, I think I'll definitely do that eventually. Congrats on that awesome setup!

Btw, in! I'll definitely be following along man. Glgl

Already at HS when it comes to the setup

Villain is completely unknown. I messed up big time here I think. Can someone just confirm this is a pure fold vs pool OTF. Disgusting with the low SPR but considering BB being in the mix pre MP cant have anything else than AA or QQ here.

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat - https://www.cardschat.com/replayer/42cdnm8

UTG (Hero): $78.52 (314 bb)
MP: $55.18 (221 bb)
CO: $27.02 (108 bb)
BU: $17.38 (70 bb)
SB: $27.32 (109 bb)
BB: $13.68 (55 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with K♠ K♥
Hero raises to $0.62, MP 3-bets to $2.21, 3 players fold, BB calls $1.96, Hero 4-bets to $8.75, MP calls $6.54, 1 fold

Flop: ($19.81) 9♦ Q♣ 5♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $6.25, MP raises to $12.50

Haha thank you. I've always loved building myself a nice setup.

Haha thank you very much. Gotta make the place you spend the most time beautiful!

YTD:

Ugly spot. Vs unknown I don't think that I am folding the flop. But I can see your reasoning behind it. This is one of the reasons why I avoid playing deep.

In general when playing that deep I assume that we want to play more passive compared to 100bb poker, especially when beeing OOP. So i don't mind even a check call OTF. But might be also off with this assumption.