Hi all,

I started playing Poker again about 3 months ago (played for a while in 2008 at microstakes casually for a small profit), after working up $30 to $100 (8.7bb/100) fairly easily on 2NL Zoom I decided to try 5NL Zoom. I automatically noticed 3 betting light in position against tight players (I'm using a HUD) was fairly profitable here where as 3 betting for value was the only way in 2NL Zoom it seemed.

I had a good start and I've had a few heaters but overall feel like I am a losing player, despite winning $19.20 (over 40k hands is only 0.98bb/100).

I seem to be picking the wrong times to cbet and I've noticed calling on the river seems to be a huge mistake with only TPGK usually, especially if you have re-raised at the turn or river. I feel like I can't get anyone to go along in my hands, many of the times I win hands with sets I win $0.50-$1 but when I lose a hand against a set I'm losing $2-4.

Am I just another fish? I feel like I have a decent understanding of the maths and ability to beat the micro stakes but it's been tougher than I thought.

I'm $21 down this month and I have $30 left before I have to drop back to 2NL Zoom that will REALLY SUCK ! I feel like I am getting crushed at the moment and I'm desperate to turn it around, had some really bad sessions recently as you can see below.

Below are my stats and I've attached some of my troublesome hands since I started playing 5NL Zoom.

Thanks for taking the time to read. Love the game and really want to continue to improve my game and I know I've come to the right place.

Stats





From posting on the wrong forum (sorry!) someone helpfully identified to me my one pair and two pair hands I am overvaluing a lot and that I should open up a little. Trouble I find with opening is that I will be facing a lot of bets with nothing against people who are prepared to bet / call me down to the river with second pair, how do I deal with those people other than playing tighter?

All of my top 5 losing hands have been set over set not sure there was much I could do about those, but here are some other big hands I have lost that are hopefully more interesting.

Hand 1 - Over valuing an over pair
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $6.41 (VPIP: 11.03, PFR: 8.82, 3Bet Preflop: 4.35, Hands: 138)
SB: $5.00 (VPIP: 14.62, PFR: 8.46, 3Bet Preflop: 4.65, Hands: 265)
Hero (BB): $6.60
UTG: $6.89 (VPIP: 10.53, PFR: 8.95, 3Bet Preflop: 2.13, Hands: 384)
UTG+1: $6.38 (VPIP: 70.00, PFR: 40.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
UTG+2: $2.27 (VPIP: 10.74, PFR: 10.57, 3Bet Preflop: 3.72, Hands: 603)
MP: $4.55 (VPIP: 19.91, PFR: 16.81, 3Bet Preflop: 8.24, Hands: 232)
MP+1: $4.70 (VPIP: 30.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
CO: $7.42 (VPIP: 37.50, PFR: 9.38, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 32)

SB posts SB $0.02, Hero posts BB $0.05

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

fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.15, fold, MP calls $0.15, MP+1 calls $0.15, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to $0.40, UTG+1 calls $0.25, MP calls $0.25, MP+1 calls $0.25

Flop: ($1.62, 4 players) 3 J 5
Hero bets $1.15, UTG+1 calls $1.15, fold, fold

Turn: ($3.92, 2 players) 8
Hero bets $5.05 and is all-in, UTG+1 calls $4.83 and is all-in

River: ($13.58, 2 players) 2

Hero shows Q Q (One Pair, Queens) (Pre 81%, Flop 9%, Turn 5%)
UTG+1 shows 5 5 (Three of a Kind, Fives) (Pre 19%, Flop 91%, Turn 95%)
UTG+1 wins $13.02

Hand 2 - Should have reraised pre flop I guess but anyway I can get away from this hand?
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $4.33 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
SB: $6.59 (VPIP: 46.67, PFR: 38.67, 3Bet Preflop: 19.44, Hands: 77)
Hero (BB): $4.66
UTG: $5.59 (VPIP: 8.62, PFR: 3.45, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 62)
UTG+1: $2.36 (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 13.64, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 22)
UTG+2: $14.10 (VPIP: 11.84, PFR: 9.21, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 152)
MP: $43.53 (VPIP: 15.79, PFR: 10.53, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 19)
MP+1: $5.01 (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 4)
CO: $5.00 (VPIP: 11.18, PFR: 6.88, 3Bet Preflop: 3.17, Hands: 163)

SB posts SB $0.02, Hero posts BB $0.05

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.07) Hero has Q A

fold, UTG+1 calls $0.05, fold, fold, fold, fold, BTN calls $0.05, SB raises to $0.25, Hero calls $0.20, fold, BTN calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.80, 3 players) 4 J A
SB bets $0.55, Hero calls $0.55, BTN calls $0.55

Turn: ($2.45, 3 players) 7
SB bets $1.75, Hero raises to $3.86 and is all-in, fold, SB calls $2.11

River: ($10.17, 2 players) 9

SB shows A J (Two Pair, Aces and Jacks) (Pre 27%, Flop 85%, Turn 93%)
Hero mucks Q A (One Pair, Aces) (Pre 73%, Flop 15%, Turn 7%)
SB wins $9.75

Hand 3 - I think was bad - too many hands that could beat me at the river reraise and I should have folded I think?
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $2.30 (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 13)
SB: $2.38 (VPIP: 10.00, PFR: 10.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
BB: $4.11 (VPIP: 9.09, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
UTG: $7.21 (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
UTG+1: $5.00 (VPIP: 37.50, PFR: 37.50, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 9)
UTG+2: $3.82 (VPIP: 30.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 25.00, Hands: 11)
MP: $5.48 (VPIP: 21.43, PFR: 21.43, 3Bet Preflop: 40.00, Hands: 14)
MP+1: $2.59 (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 14.29, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
Hero (CO): $4.49

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.05

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.07) Hero has Q J

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

Flop: ($0.47, 2 players) 5 9 J
UTG bets $0.30, Hero calls $0.30

Turn: ($1.07, 2 players) 9
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.50, UTG calls $0.50

River: ($2.07, 2 players) Q
UTG checks, Hero bets $1.00, UTG raises to $6.21 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.49 and is all-in

UTG shows 9 9 (Four of a Kind, Nines) (Pre 52%, Flop 92%, Turn 100%)
Hero shows Q J (Two Pair, Queens and Jacks) (Pre 48%, Flop 8%, Turn 0%)
UTG wins $8.67

Hand 4 - I was trying to push him off any flush draws here but it didn't work, what am I supposed to do WITHOUT overvaluing my one pair?
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $2.23 (VPIP: 15.00, PFR: 10.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)
SB: $14.20 (VPIP: 12.35, PFR: 9.57, 3Bet Preflop: 2.56, Hands: 330)
BB: $4.21 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 4)
Hero (UTG): $4.07
UTG+1: $4.53 (VPIP: 7.34, PFR: 5.08, 3Bet Preflop: 2.86, Hands: 180)
UTG+2: $18.70 (VPIP: 11.41, PFR: 8.05, 3Bet Preflop: 5.17, Hands: 151)
MP: $13.43 (VPIP: 13.58, PFR: 10.57, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 267)
MP+1: $3.70
CO: $5.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.05

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.07) Hero has A J

Hero raises to $0.15, fold, fold, MP calls $0.15, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.47, 3 players) T 7 J
BB checks, Hero bets $0.35, fold, BB raises to $0.90, Hero calls $0.55

Turn: ($2.27, 2 players) 8
BB bets $1.35, Hero calls $1.35

River: ($4.97, 2 players) Q
BB bets $1.81 and is all-in, Hero calls $1.67 and is all-in

BB shows J 9 (Straight, Queen High) (Pre 31%, Flop 26%, Turn 77%)
Hero shows A J (One Pair, Jacks) (Pre 69%, Flop 74%, Turn 23%)
BB wins $7.97

Hand 5
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $4.62 (VPIP: 16.89, PFR: 11.72, 3Bet Preflop: 1.67, Hands: 370)
SB: $3.03 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
BB: $4.00 (VPIP: 27.59, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
Hero (UTG): $3.73
UTG+1: $7.48 (VPIP: 14.10, PFR: 12.82, 3Bet Preflop: 8.70, Hands: 80)
UTG+2: $5.25 (VPIP: 26.19, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 42)
MP: $4.39 (VPIP: 6.06, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 33)
MP+1: $7.10 (VPIP: 9.90, PFR: 5.94, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 103)
CO: $5.00 (VPIP: 11.85, PFR: 8.41, 3Bet Preflop: 0.63, Hands: 468)

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.05

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

Hero raises to $0.15, fold, UTG+2 calls $0.15, fold, fold, CO calls $0.15, fold, fold, fold

Flop: ($0.52, 3 players) Q 2 J
Hero bets $0.35, UTG+2 calls $0.35, fold

Turn: ($1.22, 2 players) 9
Hero bets $0.85, UTG+2 calls $0.85

River: ($2.92, 2 players) 6
Hero bets $2.38 and is all-in, UTG+2 calls $2.38

Hero shows K K (One Pair, Kings) (Pre 68%, Flop 77%, Turn 70%)
UTG+2 shows J A (Flush, Ace High) (Pre 32%, Flop 23%, Turn 30%)
UTG+2 wins $7.36

Hand 5 - Obviously a straight out there but could I get away after that flop?
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: $5.05
SB: $2.57 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
BB: $5.75 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 50.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 4)
UTG: $8.41 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
UTG+1: $9.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
UTG+2: $8.89 (VPIP: 10.53, PFR: 10.53, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 19)
MP: $5.58 (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 6)
Hero (MP+1): $4.39
CO: $5.45 (VPIP: 12.73, PFR: 1.82, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 56)

SB posts SB $0.02, BB posts BB $0.05

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.07) Hero has 2 2

fold, fold, UTG+2 raises to $0.15, fold, Hero calls $0.15, fold, BTN calls $0.15, fold, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62, 4 players) 2 4 3
BB checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero bets $0.40, fold, BB raises to $1.55, fold, Hero raises to $4.24 and is all-in, BB calls $2.69

Turn: ($9.10, 2 players) 6

River: ($9.10, 2 players) 7

BB shows 5 6 (Straight, Seven High) (Pre 52%, Flop 65%, Turn 76%)
Hero shows 2 2 (Three of a Kind, Twos) (Pre 48%, Flop 35%, Turn 24%)
BB wins $8.72

I am not really qualified to offer any kind of advice, but I must say that I am suffering from the same phenomenon. I am -$40 after 46k hands at 5NL and +$117.12 after 48k hands for 2NL (winrate of 12.17bb/100 lawl).

H#1: Bet smaller on the turn. You want to get value from weaker hands, not many weaker hands will call an overbet.

H#2: No point in raising the turn. Just call him down. If he checks the river, you can decide on betting there.

H#3: I may just fold to the river shove, but its close.

H#4: Bet flop and turn a little bigger, 80% pot.

H#5: Cooler. Waste of time thinking about it.

Just keep posting hands, preferably standard spots which comes up every 15mins rather than coolers that happens once every 2 hours. Coolers tends to be neutral EV spots, whereas if you make mistakes in standard spots, you can be losing a few BBs everytime they come up, which can be very frequent and costly.

^This

I am focusing on leaks. I have leakbuster and I have run it on my sample. I have a lot of A+'s but it also shows some big leaks. My question is though: is leakbuster suitable for finding the leaks in such a small stakes game ?

Is 20.2% 3-bet vs steal your 3-bet% in the blinds? You mention in the OP that you're 3-betting light more in position vs tighter players but 3-betting this wide oop at 5nl seems pretty spewy when lots of villains will station you.

Hand 1 - I would squeeze much bigger preflop. You haven't even 3x the original open + there are 2 callers. I would make it more like 70c. As played don't really like the turn overshove, would rather raise bigger pre and then have a normal sized shove OTT. Don't think I'm getting away from this hand vs a villain (small sample) who is shaping up to be a fish.

Hand 2 - No need to shove turn as he will fold all bluffs (might call with A9, AT etc but he might bet these OTR anyway). I would call down vs this villain.

Hand 3 - Definitely folding this river after being shoved on. Villain will have a 9 or backdoor flush very often. Even if he's overplaying KT or KK/AA he has you beat.

Hand 4 - Folding river with second pair on 3 flush 4 straight board.

Hand 5 - Played it fine, prefer shoving river rather than x/c as the hands we beat (KQ, AQ, maybe AJ/QT) that call our shove on the river will often check behind whereas almost all hands that beat us (QJ+) will shove when checked to. Check calling means we usually only get all the money in when we're beat but at least shoving (although we still lose a full stack when beat) at least we can win a full stack when ahead.

Also, auto top-up and play 100bb deep.

GL.