@dill:
H1: Easy GII OTF vs absolutely anyone.
H2: If I thought he could read hands I'd pot it, otherwise bet about 2/3 pot.
H3: Snap fold to the river raise.
H4: I prefer betting a little bigger OTT but river is good.

thanks tda. spoilers for the HHs:

@dill: Interesting way for the villain to play H2 and H3 to say the least. Surprised you never faced a raise in H2. When I feel like I'm on my A-game, unless I have some solid read otherwise, I fold a river raise at a rate approaching 100% of the time. Glad this one worked out for you!

I have a couple of hands I'd like a hand with as I find these general situations really confusing and hard to play.


PokerStars - $0.10 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: $4.00 (VPIP: 10.78, PFR: 9.81, 3Bet Preflop: 4.60, Hands: 703)
UTG+1: $6.78 (VPIP: 30.77, PFR: 23.08, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 26)
MP: $10.00 (VPIP: 14.64, PFR: 10.14, 3Bet Preflop: 0.61, Hands: 449)
MP+1: $10.22 (VPIP: 12.68, PFR: 10.05, 3Bet Preflop: 5.86, Hands: 852)
CO: $12.66 (VPIP: 19.10, PFR: 16.85, 3Bet Preflop: 6.45, Hands: 89)
Hero (BTN): $10.75
SB: $11.89 (VPIP: 20.72, PFR: 18.02, 3Bet Preflop: 9.52, Hands: 111)
BB: $4.79 (VPIP: 95.65, PFR: 30.43, 3Bet Preflop: 23.53, Hands: 24)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has J J

fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.20, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls $0.20, fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.65, 3 players) 7 Q 8
BB checks, UTG+1 bets $0.30, Hero calls $0.30, fold

Turn: ($1.25, 2 players) 9
UTG+1 bets $0.60, Hero ???

The bets that the villain is putting in are so small that I'm tempted to put little stock in them. That being said, I've experienced many occasions where they do things like this and then put in a huge bet OTR if you call down.

PokerStars - $0.10 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: $9.57 (VPIP: 26.51, PFR: 13.25, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 168)
UTG: $7.38 (VPIP: 10.99, PFR: 9.89, 3Bet Preflop: 9.38, Hands: 93)
UTG+1: $10.00 (VPIP: 9.26, PFR: 5.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 54)
UTG+2: $14.14 (VPIP: 12.92, PFR: 10.70, 3Bet Preflop: 8.57, Hands: 273)
MP: $8.00 (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 4.04, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 99)
MP+1: $5.00 (VPIP: 8.38, PFR: 6.29, 3Bet Preflop: 1.72, Hands: 339)
CO: $19.38 (VPIP: 65.38, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 53)
Hero (BTN): $10.00
SB: $10.00 (VPIP: 20.53, PFR: 8.61, 3Bet Preflop: 2.27, Hands: 155)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has 3 3

fold, fold, fold, MP calls $0.10, fold, CO calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, SB calls $0.05, BB checks

Flop: ($0.50, 5 players) K 3 2
SB checks, BB checks, MP bets $0.10, CO calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.60, fold, fold, MP raises to $1.80, fold, Hero calls $1.20

Turn: ($4.20, 2 players) 5
MP bets $6.10 and is all-in, fold



I'm not going to lie, this is one of the first times I folded a flopped set in the couple of months that I've been posting here. It may be the first. My thought process with calling the re-raise on the flop was to look for the board to pair and to re-evaluate OTT but I didn't see any way I could call the shove given the line taken here. I'd really appreciate some help with this because I am comfortable with how I played this hand but I don't know if I should be.

outa:

H1: I understand your line of thinking with the small bets. The 9s may have been the worst card to see because it makes you think that a spade or 10 could be added as outs but I think if anything its one of the 10's that is an out which could give us at most 6 outs. Without a draw I fold OTT but I may be inclined to call and see if a spade or 10 hits and just c/c the river since you don't have any hands on the opponent if for nothing else to give us a note on him. If he makes a huge bet on the river then I would give him benefit of the doubt for it but if he bets 1-2 dollars then it may be an expensive note to get for a later date.

H2: I think your line is fine. I would do the exact same thing as you do, the raise got you the info you wanted. Best case scenario is he has the king with a diamond draw as well but I think he calls the raise with that not push back. Its a tough fold but I think you made the right move.

H2 is a shockingly bad fold IMO. We have decent equity against flushes, we crush 22, he never has KK and that's before we take the spazz factor/TP+FD hands into account.

My question to you would be what is he doing this line with that we beat? Only thing I can see is TP + FD but I don't see him taking this line with that. I don't play much 10NL (More 25NL and 50NL) but I just don't see him doing this with anything we beat unless he is the kind of player to overplay something because he thinks we may be on a draw as well.

I don't claim to be right all the time and I will gladly admit I'm wrong here but I just don't know what he is doing that with that we beat. I can definitely say I am not positive I would fold it in the moment but I am not sure what he is doing this with that we beat since it was an all limped pot.

I can understand what you are saying with equity vs flushes but I just have a tough time calling this if I put him on a flush even if we have 10 outs to a winner.

Thanks for your reply. This is what I was thinking with both hands. I was thinking of villain having a king with a diamond draw as well, but with everyone limping I suppose I have to keep a two pair situation in mind as well. Overall in that situation I just was not comfortable with calling.

TDA, thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if you'd mind expanding on it for me. I agree that KK is quite unlikely, 22 is possible and I have it beat, but with the way villain re-raised my raise, I figure there are the following reasonable possibilities:

- 22 for a set that I have crushed
- Multiple combinations with an already-made flush that I am hoping I can beat with a paired board (by my count 10 outs)
- Kx with the x being a reasonably high diamond
- A couple of combinations of hands where villain has two pair

Is this reasonably OK thinking? Just trying to understand how to best play this hand. When I was in the midst of it, I felt like it was 100% certain that I was up against a flush.

Hey guys, I've been crushing it this month and from €385 I'm at €521. All is well but I am wondering about how my game plan is about moving up. My idea is to take a shot at €750 for 50NL (15BI) and drop down after 2BI loss or less if I feel my game isn't good enough to beat 50NL. Problem is, at my site there isn't 25NL, there's only 20NL. Despite this fact, I feel my shot should be taken this way. Any thoughts on this?

A couple of standard spots to check if my standard of standard is standard at all.

1)
PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $2.62 (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)
Hero (SB): $3.03
BB: $1.89
UTG: $3.52 (VPIP: 22.35, PFR: 14.12, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 90)
MP: $1.00 (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 6.25, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 34)
CO: $3.06 (VPIP: 7.14, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 14)

Hero posts SB $0.01, BB posts BB $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.03) Hero has Q Q

UTG raises to $0.06, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.20, fold, UTG calls $0.14

Flop: ($0.42, 2 players) A T 6
Hero bets $0.26, UTG calls $0.26

Turn: ($0.94, 2 players) 7
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.54, fold


2)
PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $1.67
SB: $1.19 (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 100.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
BB: $0.85
Hero (UTG): $2.37
MP: $2.02 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
CO: $0.93 (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 28.57, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)

SB posts SB $0.01, BB posts BB $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.03) Hero has 4 4

Hero raises to $0.06, fold, fold, BTN calls $0.06, fold, fold

Flop: ($0.15, 2 players) 3 5 8
Hero bets $0.08, BTN calls $0.08

Turn: ($0.31, 2 players) 3
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10

River: ($0.51, 2 players) K
Hero checks, BTN checks


3)
PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $2.93
SB: $1.97 (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
BB: $2.83 (VPIP: 12.90, PFR: 9.68, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 31)
UTG: $4.74 (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
Hero (MP): $2.00
CO: $2.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)

SB posts SB $0.01, BB posts BB $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.03) Hero has A 8

fold, Hero raises to $0.06, fold, fold, SB calls $0.05, fold

Flop: ($0.14, 2 players) 7 4 K
SB checks, Hero bets $0.08, SB calls $0.08

Turn: ($0.30, 2 players) 9
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($0.30, 2 players) Q
SB checks, Hero checks


And finally, never bluff a calling station!

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

BTN: $2.06 (VPIP: 12.93, PFR: 2.61, 3Bet Preflop: 2.33, Hands: 119)
SB: $2.30
BB: $2.00 (VPIP: 22.76, PFR: 15.45, 3Bet Preflop: 4.17, Hands: 125)
UTG: $4.32 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
Hero (MP): $3.41
CO: $1.01

SB posts SB $0.01, BB posts BB $0.02

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.03) Hero has K Q

UTG raises to $0.04, Hero calls $0.04, CO calls $0.04, fold, fold, fold

Flop: ($0.15, 3 players) 7 K 8
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.10, fold, UTG raises to $0.20, Hero calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.55, 2 players) Q
UTG bets $0.84, Hero calls $0.84

River: ($2.23, 2 players) 7
UTG bets $3.24 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.33 and is all-in

With that big a gap between levels, the biggest risk is that you are playing scared money when you have a 15BI roll instead of almost 40BI which you are used to before moving up. Because of this, I would recommend a bigger roll before moving up, but you can of course give it a shot at 15BI as long as you are prepared to move down quickly and not chase your losses.

Fancied a quick zoom session this morning which went well: flat red line.
Except about 40 hands in a nit 4bet shoved into my AA and he had AK which made a straight :/
Oh well, can't have played it better.

I don't see a reason to cbet flop. Any low cards hit the board hard and would atleast float you, any over cards will call as they are in position. Only reason I ever cbet this flop is if I know villain's tendencies of playing fit or fold. Otherwise, I would go for a delayed cbet on the turn and fold to a raise on the flop, we're just never great in this spot, there is absolutely no good turn card, except the 4 obviously.

I used to have a problem with moving up and down and decided that instead of just acting on the moment I would actually make a plan. So what I did was make a 3BI stop loss at the limit that I usually play (not the one I take a shot at) and move down+stop the session whenever I lose 2BI in a shot. I keep to this and it's purely disciplinary as I've had huge problems with not stopping when I'm running bad and would say that I would spew 1-2BI. Even though the other 6 would be variance, why spew the extra 1-2BI and just make me cry harder inside.

I don't think I've ever chased losses in the sense that I move up higher, I only play longer sessions and tend to spew but I always move down.

Run your equity against that range and see if it's a fold, both if you rr the flop and on the turn.

OK, here's what I figured out based on the following items:

- Any possible flush
- 22
- Two pair including K3, K2, 23

I have about 35% equity, and need to call 37%. Now, I know I may really be looking at this incorrectly because I've not made much use of equity calculators (do you do this in real-time!?).

I might not even be using the calculator correctly, but this even excludes top pair with high diamond kicker. When I entered the possible flushes into the calculator (the one in PT4), I did so as follows:

Ad*d, Qd*d ... and so on through any possibilities, excluding Kd, 3d, and 2d. I suppose that's where my error might be. Any help is appreciated.

Hmm, I wasnt sure if his 5bet was for value or bluff but his 7bet was definitely value.

Small brag - 1150bb pot.

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

UTG: $34.90 (VPIP: 26.64, PFR: 23.36, 3Bet Preflop: 18.18, Hands: 246)
MP: $12.34
CO: $14.17
BTN: $27.29
SB: $36.20
Hero (BB): $29.34

SB posts SB $0.02, Hero posts BB $0.05

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.07) Hero has K K

fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to $0.15, Hero raises to $0.50, SB calls $0.35

Flop: ($1.00, 2 players) 2 7 K
SB bets $0.05, Hero raises to $0.80, SB raises to $1.55, Hero raises to $3.60, SB raises to $5.65, Hero raises to $7.70, SB raises to $9.75, Hero raises to $13.40, SB raises to $17.05, Hero raises to $22.25, SB raises to $27.45, Hero raises to $28.84 and is all-in, SB calls $1.39

Turn: ($58.68, 2 players) A

River: ($58.68, 2 players) T

SB shows 2 7 (Two Pair, Sevens and Twos) (Pre 12%, Flop 0%, Turn 0%)
Hero shows K K (Three of a Kind, Kings) (Pre 88%, Flop 100%, Turn 100%)
Hero wins $57.68

^Deep stacked table or what?
Was it a special deep stack table?
If not, how did SB amass 724bb 1. playing 72o in the first place, 2. calling a 3bet OOP with it?

This is against his nittiest possible range. Add some one-diamond hands to that range and then some complete spazz and you're well ahead.

I don't do this in real time, I make educated guesses, and then check if I was right after (which helps me to make future decisions correctly).

It was a normal table which got pretty deep as every reg started topping up to 250bb to get more value from the fish who was running super hot and the one I later caught with his pants down with 72o.

Talking about catching villains with their pants down...
Semi bluff flush draw raise on flop, hit on turn?

iPoker - $0.04 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $5.10 (VPIP: 21.05, PFR: 5.26, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)
Hero (SB): $4.48
BB: $5.10 (VPIP: 24.07, PFR: 22.22, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 54)
UTG: $3.45 (VPIP: 23.53, PFR: 5.88, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 17)
MP: $7.68 (VPIP: 27.50, PFR: 21.25, 3Bet Preflop: 10.81, Hands: 80)
CO: $4.65 (VPIP: 48.00, PFR: 32.00, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 26)

Hero posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.04

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.06) Hero has A K

fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to $0.16, Hero raises to $0.40, fold, BTN calls $0.24

Flop: ($0.84, 2 players) K Q 9
Hero bets $0.42, BTN raises to $1.47, Hero calls $1.05

Turn: ($3.78, 2 players) A
Hero checks, BTN bets $3.23, Hero calls $2.61

River: ($9.00, 2 players) K

First session of the month and a hand-reading exercise for y'all. In this hand, I'm not telling you either my hand or villain's hand.

PokerStars - $0.25 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $25.24 (VPIP: 23.03, PFR: 18.83, 3Bet Preflop: 1.55, Hands: 565)
SB: $25.31 (VPIP: 27.78, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
BB: $26.40 (VPIP: 22.01, PFR: 17.70, 3Bet Preflop: 4.65, Hands: 217)
UTG: $18.41 (VPIP: 19.35, PFR: 12.90, 3Bet Preflop: 4.55, Hands: 63)
Hero (MP): $28.41
CO: $26.60 (VPIP: 28.13, PFR: 12.50, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 33)

SB posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has

UTG raises to $0.75, Hero raises to $2.25, fold, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls $1.50

Flop: ($4.85, 2 players) 9 A 2
UTG checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($4.85, 2 players) 7
UTG bets $1.50, Hero calls $1.50

River: ($7.85, 2 players) J
UTG bets $14.66 and is all-in, Hero calls $14.66


And some fun hands.

1) m8 m8 m8, wot u reppin m8

PokerStars - $0.25 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): $51.49
SB: $19.03 (VPIP: 36.84, PFR: 36.84, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 19)
BB: $29.77 (VPIP: 66.67, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
UTG: $14.79 (VPIP: 20.11, PFR: 14.15, 3Bet Preflop: 6.03, Hands: 549)
MP: $53.34 (VPIP: 25.93, PFR: 25.93, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 27)
CO: $24.77 (VPIP: 19.81, PFR: 16.98, 3Bet Preflop: 10.53, Hands: 111)

SB posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has K 7

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.62, fold, BB calls $0.37

Flop: ($1.34, 2 players) 7 5 6
BB checks, Hero bets $0.84, BB calls $0.84

Turn: ($3.02, 2 players) J
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($3.02, 2 players) T
BB bets $1.75, Hero calls $1.75



2) I call this one the 'reverse cooler'.

PokerStars - $0.25 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $25.00 (VPIP: 37.93, PFR: 27.59, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
Hero (SB): $26.48
BB: $12.50 (VPIP: 26.32, PFR: 15.79, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 20)
UTG: $8.03 (VPIP: 15.15, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 35)
MP: $28.91 (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 10.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
CO: $12.72 (VPIP: 21.88, PFR: 17.41, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 1,382)

Hero posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has 6 6

fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to $0.75, Hero calls $0.65, BB calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.25, 3 players) 7 6 4
Hero bets $1.41, BB calls $1.41, fold

Turn: ($5.07, 2 players) J
Hero bets $3.19, BB calls $3.19

River: ($11.45, 2 players) 4
Hero bets $7.21, BB calls $7.15 and is all-in



3) The ace on the flop is always tilting.

PokerStars - $0.25 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $24.15 (VPIP: 7.69, PFR: 7.69, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 14)
SB: $2.01 (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 15)
BB: $31.62 (VPIP: 17.05, PFR: 13.64, 3Bet Preflop: 5.41, Hands: 927)
UTG: $26.24 (VPIP: 24.66, PFR: 20.55, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 76)
MP: $53.05 (VPIP: 45.45, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 11)
Hero (CO): $29.09

SB posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has T T

fold, MP calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.00, fold, SB raises to $2.01 and is all-in, fold, MP calls $1.76, Hero raises to $5.50, MP calls $3.49

Flop: ($13.26, 3 players) 8 A 6
MP checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($13.26, 3 players) 7
MP checks, Hero checks

River: ($13.26, 3 players) 7
MP bets $3.00, fold



4) River sizing?

PokerStars - $0.25 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): $25.00
SB: $20.61 (VPIP: 30.00, PFR: 30.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
BB: $42.19 (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 12.50, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 40)
UTG: $20.26 (VPIP: 34.48, PFR: 24.14, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
MP: $11.66 (VPIP: 60.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
CO: $35.53 (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 6.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 31)

SB posts SB $0.10, BB posts BB $0.25

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.35) Hero has A K

UTG raises to $0.50, fold, fold, Hero raises to $1.75, fold, fold, UTG calls $1.25

Flop: ($3.85, 2 players) K 6 7
UTG checks, Hero bets $2.02, UTG calls $2.02

Turn: ($7.89, 2 players) A
UTG checks, Hero bets $4.14, UTG calls $4.14

River: ($16.17, 2 players) 2
UTG checks, Hero bets $6.75, UTG calls $6.75

@TDA you should provide some reads other than VPIP and PFR. Anyway, I'm going to try out my soulread (and luck) and say you had KdQd and villain had 99 or 77.

[SPOILER] I have no idea what I'm doing [/SPOILER]

Having recently lost my notes file, in most cases I have little more than VPIP and PFR.