Hi Guys,

My goal is to grind my way up to the 3.5$ and 7$ HT HU in next two months.

I am Currently loosing player (-450$) who has decided to step up my mental game (The main reason I busted my bankroll few times) and focus on the HT HU and 45man Turbo SnG as I see this two formats combined together as a good base for building my bankroll and to move up.

I am engaged, work full time in the office and also bartending in the weekends part time (saving for a flat) - so I am obviously limited in the time I can spent playing - but I am motivated and focused - and If I see I can crush the game I will leave the part time job and play instead (Preferably).

I am using PT4 together with HoldemResources Calculator for session reviews and also just purchased Coffee HUD - I haven't used it yet though.

Have some study materials (Crushing HT - Phl500 & zZzTILT), The Mental Poker Game & Essential Poker Math.

I will be posting sum of my hands and also graphs here from time to time just to keep a track of my progress.

My Current Bankrolll Is 210$.

My HU graph for last 30 days (apx 250 games):

Do you think its worth it to invest in any table selection software on the 1.5$ or is just a waste of money on these low levels?

I am either playing 1 table HU and two/three tables of 45man or 2 tables of HU - I am still looking for the ideal system.. any advices on that?

You don't need table selection software until $15s, at which point it becomes mandatory.

Day 3 Update

HU played: 74 (-£22.5)
45s played: 10 (+£16.14)

Current BR: $232 (I mincashed 11$ tournament which I got free ticket for).

Not a very good start - I was two tabling the HU from the beginning but, I soon realized it was a mistake. Went back to 1xHU and 2x45m simultaneously - with main focus on the HU table.

Game wise - It feels like I've been running into the top range of my opponents and wasn't on the good side of variance either so far. (lots of hands when dominating and been sucked out on the turn/river).

Even though I've lost 15BI I feel that studying HU is improving my game on the 45man and my postflop game in general.

I wish I had more time to play ...

HU this month:



45mans this month:

19th October 2017

HU played: 134 (+£59.84)
45s played: 23 (-£11.62)

Current BR: $274

There has been rather longer unplanned break from poker in last month due to some unexpected family problems. I was also spending a lot of my free time on eBay as I am trying to establish small business over there.

I was only playing some micro MTT's and Satellites on Sundays, but that was about it. I got back to playing regular HU session two days ago and ended up running quite good in last 100 games. The game sample is still so low I know it doesn't mean much - must put some more volume on.

I might try to focus only on HU during the week days and to play two tables at the same time. Right now I am playing 1 table HU and 2,3 tables 45mans.

45mans on the other hand quite sucked as I only managed to cash out 1 game out of 23 terrible streak but I know the variance in these games can be crushing.

I would like to post some hands but I am at work right now and obviously don't have my PT4 or hand history here but will try do it later from home.

45mans Results:





HU:

Oh and I completely forgot to mention that those last 130 games were 3.50s

I've decided to use more aggressive BR approach as I didn't want to pay the rake on 1.50s

19th October 2017

Hey what's up guys. It's time for my regular update. I've played nearly 700 HU games in less than 4 weeks. I know some players will do this in few sessions but I am quite happy considering that me and my girlfriend are going through quite difficult period. (I am not going to go into the details because that would be for a different forum and a separate blog..)

So let's move on and check my stats:

HU Played: 212 (-£0.59)
45s Played: 8 (-£ 8.69)
MTTs Played: 15 (- £6.25) Here it gets tricky as I was playing a bunch of satellites and even thought I've won two of them (22$ Mini Sunday Million & 16.50$ Bounty Builder) I didn't cash out any of the actual tournaments - so the real profit will be even lower then this.
Current BR: $266

HU since 31.08.17:



HU this month:




Here is few rather interesting hands:

HAND 1

PokerStars - 10/20 NL (2 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 25 BB
Hero (BB): 25 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 5 6

SB raises to 2 BB, Hero calls 1 BB

Flop: (4 BB, 2 players) 9 3 9
Hero checks, SB bets 2.2 BB, Hero raises to 5.25 BB, SB calls 3.05 BB

Turn: (14.5 BB, 2 players) K
Hero checks, SB checks

River: (14.5 BB, 2 players) 6
Hero bets 5 BB, SB calls 5 BB

Hero shows 5 6 (Two Pair, Nines and Sixes)
(Pre 30%, Flop 18%, Turn 7%)
SB mucks 5 A (One Pair, Nines)
(Pre 70%, Flop 82%, Turn 93%)
Hero wins 24.5 BB


With this hand - I was trying to get him out of the flop as it was quite dry, but I am thinking I should have second barrelled the turn ?


HAND 2

PokerStars - 20/40 NL (2 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 9 BB (VPIP: 55.56, PFR: 25.93, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 27)
Hero (SB): 16 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2 BB, BB calls 1 BB

Flop: (4 BB, 2 players) Q 6 9
BB checks, Hero bets 2 BB, BB raises to 7 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 5 BB

Turn: (18 BB, 2 players) 3

River: (18 BB, 2 players) 7

BB shows Q 2 (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 57%, Flop 79%, Turn 89%)
Hero shows 9 7 (Two Pair, Nines and Sevens)
(Pre 43%, Flop 21%, Turn 11%)
Hero wins 18 BB


I am not sure about this, looking at it - are you ever folding here with second pair ? He could have been shoving there with 6 or semi bluffing with hands like 7,8 - 10,8 or 10 J ?

HAND 3

PokerStars - 20/40 NL (2 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 14 BB
BB: 11 BB (VPIP: 80.00, PFR: 73.33, 3Bet Preflop: 50.00, Hands: 15)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero calls 0.5 BB, BB checks

Flop: (2 BB, 2 players) 8 4 9
BB bets 1 BB, Hero calls 1 BB

Turn: (4 BB, 2 players) J
BB bets 1 BB, Hero calls 1 BB

River: (6 BB, 2 players) 7
BB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, fold

Hero wins 6 BB

Here I am simply not giving up the flop and tanking up the turn as well - I wouldn't call the river If I didn't get any help there, but after he checks I feel weakness and taking advantage of it. Now I think it was mistake and I should have just checked back there as there is not many worse hands he would call me with ?

HAND 4

PokerStars - 15/30 NL (2 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 23.17 BB
BB: 10.17 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 25.00, Hands: 6)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 8 7

Hero calls 0.5 BB, BB raises to 10.17 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 9.17 BB

Flop: (20.33 BB, 2 players) A 5 3

Turn: (20.33 BB, 2 players) 9

River: (20.33 BB, 2 players) 8

BB shows 4 K (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 52%, Flop 76%, Turn 77%)
Hero shows 8 7 (One Pair, Eights)
(Pre 48%, Flop 24%, Turn 23%)
Hero wins 20.33 BB

Here I am only limping as this hand plays good post flop but I am ready to call his shove as 78s will also be good against his shoving range - Thoughts ?

HAND 5

PokerStars - 15/30 NL (2 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 18.67 BB (VPIP: 78.57, PFR: 21.43, 3Bet Preflop: 25.00, Hands: 14)
Hero (SB): 14.67 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

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

Hero raises to 2 BB, BB raises to 5 BB, Hero calls 3 BB

Flop: (10 BB, 2 players) 9 2 3
BB bets 13.67 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 9.67 BB and is all-in

Turn: (29.33 BB, 2 players) A

River: (29.33 BB, 2 players) 4

BB shows 4 8 (One Pair, Fours)
(Pre 30%, Flop 3%, Turn 7%)
Hero shows 9 8 (One Pair, Nines)
(Pre 70%, Flop 97%, Turn 93%)
Hero wins 29.33 BB

And this hand was quite funny - I am calling this 3bet because 98s is just too good to fold here as it plays great post flop and hitting the top pair - I was quite surprised after seeing my opponent's hand in a showdonw thought


That's all for today, thanks you for reading this and will be grateful for any thought/advice or in fact for any comment so I can see that someone is actually reading this

And some thread savers

20th February 2018

Hey Guys,

It's been a few months since my last update due to the emergency bankroll withdrawal. Last three months was quite challenging period and I only played MTTs and some 45mans - with not much success I must say.

I went to the local Grosvenor Casino couple of weeks ago and played Saturday tournament (My girlfriend paid the buyin as a birthday treat) - finished 3rd after a deal was made and cashed £375 - nice roll booster

This also made me realize that I missed to play live game (I had not played live since I came to UK in 2015) and I can say I am highly motivated to attend some 25/25 £225 Grosvenor tournaments this year as I think they've got really good structure with a good chance to qualify in online satellite.

This together with HT HU SNG will be my main poker focus in 2018 - I wont be playing as many 45mans and probably eliminate them completely for the time being as I wasnt very sucessfull in them lately.

I deposited some money on PS and will be playing 3.50s HT HU again (where I stopped in October).

2018 Chart



Since 08/2017

01-03-18

Hey Guys,

It's been slow week in which I only played apex 225 games, was running quite bad in last 50 or so games and just running into top ranges of my opponents together with some suck outs - just little bit of variance I guess.

I still have a problem with volumes and hard time to motivate myself to review my game and study in the meantime. I could use some good 1on1 coaching.. but dont have a budget for that at this point - but that will change.

With ROI around 4% after 1200 games I feel quite confident to move to 7s soon even though 1200 games in this format is probably not relevant sample..

I played some £5 sub Satellites to 25/25 in Portsmouth and qualified two times to the £35 Satellite. Busted once and will play the other one next week - hopefully will get the main event ticket, I feel like having a considerable edge in a live play. I am quite looking forward to play live again..

Wholeness

2018



All time

07-03-18

Hey Guys,

What a crazy week! I started with a blast of snow storm here on the South coast - we didn't have that much snow for at least 6 years (to be fair we barely have any snow) Even though it lasted only for couple of days it caused total mayhem and chaos - I couldn't get to work the second day since my car turned into a piece of ice cube over the night





I spend the day playing HU so can't really complaint that much..

Little I knew that was only the beginning of really difficult week.
Next think I know we had a emergency call and I found out that I must drive 150 miles to ward off an family crisis in Wales.

So after spending 7 hours in a car and 24 hours in Swansea (which I really didn't enjoy) we arrived at home on Sunday evening - both fairly exhausted

Game-wise it was quite good week as I hit the 25/25 Satellite
(finished 4/126) and won the £225 ticket as planned ! whoop whoop



I insta-registered for todays online day 1 - hope I will have a good run (day 2 is on Sunday).

I must say that after last update I reflected on my game and spend a good 2 hours reviewing my hands and watching some videos as well - I will keep doing this as I can see it is necessary and it really is helping my game a lot.

I can now play 2-3 tables (1-2 MTTs & 1 HU) simultaneously without any significant negative drawback on my game - I started to think about playing 2x HU tables at the same time, but will wait as there is nowhere to rush, and will work on my game some more until I am confident it won't affect my A-game.

Last Week



Total

wholeness

I've just realized I posted an old graph by accident

Here's the up to date total for HU:

Current Bankroll: $315

14-03-18

Hey Guys,

It has been a bumpy ride after my last rather enthusiastic post..

First of all I bust in 25/25 last Wednesday.

It was really frustrating for me, because I couldnt attend the live day 1 and thought that online day 1 will be quite nice and convenient way how to do it.
Oh boy, was I wrong..

I don't know if this was just a fluke or its a standard but we played the whole tournament 5 handed, yes that's right, only 5 players attended £225 online day 1 for Portsmouth.
If I had a choice, I wouldnt play this tournament as there was only 3 players registered just before the tournament has started - unfortunately I didnt really have any other choice.
I was quite active from the begining, playing aggressively from the first level and dominating the table, there was only one player who was playing back on me, especialy when in position.
I was winning quite a few hands, was over 50 000 chips after 5 levels (we started with 25 000) after eliminating one player.
The game was still quite frustrating for me though as I wasn't mentaly prepared for this dynamic at the table..

The crucial hand of the tournament:


36suited has the dealer button

Mexicanelbow posts ante (50.00)

Nut_allergy posts ante (50.00)

36suited posts ante (50.00)

Mexicanelbow posts small blind (300.00)

Nut_allergy posts big blind (600.00)

36suited folds

Mexicanelbow raises for 900.00

Nut_allergy calls for 600.00

Dealing Flop

Mexicanelbow bets 1,200.00

Nut_allergy raises for 3,900.00

Mexicanelbow raises for 8,300.00

Nut_allergy calls for 5,600.00

Dealing Turn

Mexicanelbow went all-in for 41,450.00

Nut_allergy went all-in for 35,450.00


Nut_allergy shows Two Pair, winning 97,400.00



I wasnt expecting many QK in his range and was putting him on flush/straight draw or a pair with a back door

I dont think it was optimal play, I think I should have bet the turn and, and to probably fold to his raise..

I was on a proper tilt after this hand and lost everything in a few hands after.. yep I know.

HU wise it wasn't successful week neither as I only played 130 tournaments and managed to drop down 12bb.
I didnt play great but also running under the EV..

Last week



Total



Let's study some more and get back to it..

This week I challenge myself to

- play over 200 games
- post at least 10 hands on my blog
- spent 2 hours studying the game

Wholeness



SUMMER IS COMMING

21-03-18

Hey Guys,

I realized that I was using a wrong graph the whole time and C Net Won with Chip EV. Well it took my some time to figure ti out - but hey, I am using the right graph now

I played 280 games and ended up $20 under EV

Profit: $ -14.40

PS Bankroll: £220

I have studied and review my game for 4 hours this week.

I found a way how to study my all time stats using CoffeeyHUD and wrote down some key points, which will need adjustment:

- Open more hands
- Less FvCB
- More limping 0-8bb
- More RvCB
- Less FvProbe on T & R in limped pots

I printed it out on piece of paper and have it in front of me when playing, that should help - will review this in couple of weeks.

Cnet



Chips



I also played some MTTs on Party Poker, but with no succcess - I am usually quite good in the early stages of the tournament, but think I have major leaks in the later phases, will have to incorporate some more MTT study materials and improve this weakness before playing any more MTTs as I am just wasting money at this point. (I only play $1 & $2 MTTs) and never more than 5 per each day.

My bankroll on PartyPoker: £30





Some interesting hands of the last week