So I've played 2 sessions in the past couple days. I played 2NL to get just over the $100 mark, so I've finally graduated to 5NL. However, upon moving up to 5NL, I promptly tilted off a few buy-ins, then played another session where I went on a epic heater and won most of it back, putting me at about the $95 mark.
My confession is that I have not been doing as much session review as I should be. I had some 2NL sessions that I was going to go over, as well as the HU SNGs that I played that I want to review. Now that I'm playing 5NL, I'm going to skip over the 2NL sessions and just start focusing on 5NL. I'm going to review the SNGs and the 5NL sessions, post some hands, then get back to playing.
I know the downswing @ 5NL was at least partially due to getting outdrawn, but I know I made some plays (like a squeeze play that wasn't necessary, as well as some c/r bluffs that weren't necessary) that were definitely spewy. Add that together, and I tilted a bit, and that's where another part of the downswing came from.
Fortunately, when I sat down today, I was in good spirits. I had played a live home game last night at a frat house and basically owned. Made some really good plays, and sat down to play a short session in good state of mind. Ran like god too :), but I ended up making most of that downswing back (in case anyone is curious, no, live earnings are not being added to my bankroll; not at least until I'm playing live somewhat regularly, after my home game gets rolling).
Next, I just need to upload the sessions I've played so far and review them all, take some notes, and then take another crack at the game. I feel good finally being able to play 5NL. It's going to be a lot of work before I'm back up to 10NL, though, so I'll be here a while.
My next post will probably be some discussion of the live game I played, as well as some hands from 5NL.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Update: Not too much to say
Sorry about the lack of updates. I haven't been playing too much lately, just been really busy with work, trying to find a new job, plus taking care of some other things. When I get a chance to do some session review, I'll look at the tilty session I had and discuss what happened.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Some HU SNGs - Not So Good :(
Played a bunch of HU SnGs. Lost about $6 playing those. Unfortunately, I'm clearly not cut out for heads up yet. Need to learn more patience. HU gets really frustrating when I'm not getting hands, and I tend to start making really spewy bluffs. That's kind of a general problem of mine. I need to learn to be more patient.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
My First Losing Session
And the tilt monster rears its ugly head. Just when I thought I was about to cross back into 5NL, I have a -$7.50 session. Back down to $89.5ish. Part of it was definitely tilt. It's kinda stupid tilt too. I'm going to definitely review all my hand histories for that session before I do any more playing. I let you know what that turns up.
I gotta take this kind of thing as a learning experience though. Figure out why I tilted, what hands I played badly, vs what hands were coolers (there was one hand when I raised AA, got shoved on a low board, and was shown a set; I wonder sometimes if I should be folding those spots or what).
I gotta take this kind of thing as a learning experience though. Figure out why I tilted, what hands I played badly, vs what hands were coolers (there was one hand when I raised AA, got shoved on a low board, and was shown a set; I wonder sometimes if I should be folding those spots or what).
Another Short Update
Another short session, made about $2.8ish, so I'm around $97. Almost up to 5NL. Will probably get there on Monday, although I won't be able to play as much Monday because I'm working in the morning. Definitely going to play the quintuple shootout again on Monday though. Going deep in that was awesome, and I was CRUSHING when we got down to HU on each table. I'll be doing some review Monday, mostly, if I can play at all, and I'll probably be sharing some hands from that tourney. There was basically one key hand on the last table that basically cost me that tourney, where I made a hero call with middle pair and was wrong :(.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Short Session
Played another short session. I feel like I'm paying people off too much. Gotta do some more hand history review. Made like $4.5ish, so I'm up to $94.5ish. Bedtime!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tourney Review
Reviewing the tourney from yesterday, there are a couple hands that stand out. The first was a really terrible bluff I made, which I'm going to decline to share with you :). Although I did manage to get most of my chips back from that fish from a set when he couldn't fold top pair. The first interesting hand, though, is this one:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, 2.2 Tournament, 50/100 Blinds 10 Ante (7 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (SB) (t6910)
BB (t8905)
UTG (t6860)
MP1 (t2140)
Villain (MP2) (t14380)
CO (t2665)
Button (t2720)
Hero's M: 31.41
Preflop: Hero is SB with 7♥, 7♣
2 folds, Villain calls t100, 2 folds, Hero calls t50, BB checks
Flop: (t370) 8♥, 2♠, 8♦ (3 players)
Hero bets t200, 1 fold, Villain calls t200
Turn: (t770) Q♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, Villain checks
River: (t770) 6♦ (2 players)
Hero bets t300, Villain raises to t1300, Hero folds
Total pot: t1370
Results:
Villain didn't show
Outcome: Villain won t1370
If villain had a AQ and floated the flop, I would've expected a turn bet. The only thing I can really think of him having here is an 8, maybe 6 that thinks I'm bluffing, or air. Is he turning 2A into a bluff? I'm not really willing to give villains at this level that much credit, but I don't really know what he could have in this spot period. Should I have check/called the river? Looking over some of his hands from earlier, his play has been a little weak, so it's possible he had an 8 and didn't think he'd get any more value from betting the turn. I posted this hand on 2+2:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/23/mtt-strategy/2-20-90man-getting-little-deep-river-decision-787755
Actually, that was really the only hand. Nothing else really needs a whole lot of discussion. As I stated in my earlier post, I lost a flip (55 < AJ), which in retrospect, is more OK than I felt about it at the time. I also open shoved my button w K3s a little short, which I'm less happy with. Overall, I think I played pretty well. Can't win 'em all.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, 2.2 Tournament, 50/100 Blinds 10 Ante (7 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (SB) (t6910)
BB (t8905)
UTG (t6860)
MP1 (t2140)
Villain (MP2) (t14380)
CO (t2665)
Button (t2720)
Hero's M: 31.41
Preflop: Hero is SB with 7♥, 7♣
2 folds, Villain calls t100, 2 folds, Hero calls t50, BB checks
Flop: (t370) 8♥, 2♠, 8♦ (3 players)
Hero bets t200, 1 fold, Villain calls t200
Turn: (t770) Q♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, Villain checks
River: (t770) 6♦ (2 players)
Hero bets t300, Villain raises to t1300, Hero folds
Total pot: t1370
Results:
Villain didn't show
Outcome: Villain won t1370
If villain had a AQ and floated the flop, I would've expected a turn bet. The only thing I can really think of him having here is an 8, maybe 6 that thinks I'm bluffing, or air. Is he turning 2A into a bluff? I'm not really willing to give villains at this level that much credit, but I don't really know what he could have in this spot period. Should I have check/called the river? Looking over some of his hands from earlier, his play has been a little weak, so it's possible he had an 8 and didn't think he'd get any more value from betting the turn. I posted this hand on 2+2:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/23/mtt-strategy/2-20-90man-getting-little-deep-river-decision-787755
Actually, that was really the only hand. Nothing else really needs a whole lot of discussion. As I stated in my earlier post, I lost a flip (55 < AJ), which in retrospect, is more OK than I felt about it at the time. I also open shoved my button w K3s a little short, which I'm less happy with. Overall, I think I played pretty well. Can't win 'em all.
Nice Run in the Quintuple Shootout
I came in 15th place, for a nice $30 cash. That puts me at an $85 roll. I've got some stuff to do today, so I'm going to go get that all done, do some reviewing, and post some key hands from my tourney yesterday and the shootout today. So far, the challenge has been going pretty well. I've been mediating, and I'm almost at the 5NL level. I would like to be there by the time the day is over, so I do plan on playing some cash games later today as well.
Today's Play
I played the $3.30 6-max MTT @ 9:40 and played really terrible. I'm starting up the $2.20 4-max quintuple shootout (which is SO MUCH FUN), so hopefully that will go a little better now that I've gotten the spew out. I did meditate this morning, so I'm feeling good otherwise. Got my coffee, doing some review while I'm waiting. I'm going to review the tournament I went deep in (but didn't cash). I know there are a few hands I want to talk about in that tournament, see what mistakes I made. Post-shootout, I'll have around $55ish in my account, but I plan on playing some cash games later as well, after I've finished reviewing (and finished with some other stuff), so hopefully, I can at least bump that up to $70ish by the end of the day.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Why, God, WHY?!
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
MP ($2.39)
Hero (CO) ($5.84)
Button ($7.89)
SB ($7.16)
BB ($7.20)
UTG ($2.54)
Preflop: Hero is CO with 6♣, 2♠
UTG bets $0.08, 2 folds, Button calls $0.08, SB raises to $0.28, 1 fold, UTG raises to $0.80, 1 fold, SB calls $0.52
Flop: ($1.70) A♦, 9♦, 5♥ (2 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.84, SB raises to $1.68, UTG raises to $1.74 (All-In), SB calls $0.06
Turn: ($5.18) 3♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($5.18) 2♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $5.18 | Rake: $0.25
Results:
SB had 2♥, 9♠ (two pair, nines and twos).
UTG had K♥, K♠ (one pair, Kings).
Outcome: SB won $4.93
Gotta love 2NL.
MP ($2.39)
Hero (CO) ($5.84)
Button ($7.89)
SB ($7.16)
BB ($7.20)
UTG ($2.54)
Preflop: Hero is CO with 6♣, 2♠
UTG bets $0.08, 2 folds, Button calls $0.08, SB raises to $0.28, 1 fold, UTG raises to $0.80, 1 fold, SB calls $0.52
Flop: ($1.70) A♦, 9♦, 5♥ (2 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.84, SB raises to $1.68, UTG raises to $1.74 (All-In), SB calls $0.06
Turn: ($5.18) 3♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($5.18) 2♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $5.18 | Rake: $0.25
Results:
SB had 2♥, 9♠ (two pair, nines and twos).
UTG had K♥, K♠ (one pair, Kings).
Outcome: SB won $4.93
Gotta love 2NL.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Busted :(
I busted the tourny in like 20th, which sucks because I was the big stack for a while. I lost like 3 flips in a row (AJ>55, AJ>K3s, 99>A3; granted, the last wasn't a flip, but an ace came on the flop every time except for mine :( ). It was a nice run, I feel like I'm playing tournies a lot better than I used to. I like playing one or two tournies a day, hoping for a big cash, while playing cash games on the side. The players are so bad, it hurts sometimes.
I've got stuff to do today, so I'll probably do a session review Wednesday, and maybe play again either Wednesday or Friday (although Friday is my birthday, so I'll probably go out).
I've got stuff to do today, so I'll probably do a session review Wednesday, and maybe play again either Wednesday or Friday (although Friday is my birthday, so I'll probably go out).
Cash Session Wrap-Up
I ended the session up $13.48. I feel I played pretty well, although I still find I'm getting egotistical (yes, even at this limit), and battling it out with other players in particular, rather than just playing my cards as best I can.
I'm still surprised how many people will call 2 or 3 streets with bottom pair. Honestly, I don't even understand why these people play poker. Is it just gambling to them? Are they just trying to get to showdown and see who wins? I just don't get it.
I'm going to upload my sessions and do a session review right after I wrap up this tournament. I'm right now 12th out of 35 in my second $2.20/90 tourny. The first one I busted making a really spazzy shove on a draw against a guy who obviously had trips and wasn't folding.
We're on break now, so I'm running to the bathroom after typing this :), and hopefully, I'll ship this and move up to 5NL.
I'll keep you posted.
I'm still surprised how many people will call 2 or 3 streets with bottom pair. Honestly, I don't even understand why these people play poker. Is it just gambling to them? Are they just trying to get to showdown and see who wins? I just don't get it.
I'm going to upload my sessions and do a session review right after I wrap up this tournament. I'm right now 12th out of 35 in my second $2.20/90 tourny. The first one I busted making a really spazzy shove on a draw against a guy who obviously had trips and wasn't folding.
We're on break now, so I'm running to the bathroom after typing this :), and hopefully, I'll ship this and move up to 5NL.
I'll keep you posted.
Alright, No More 2NL Hands
I was looking over the hands I posted from yesterday. Clearly still trying to find my "voice." None of those hands were really that interesting. You probably won't see a lot of individual hands from me until I hit at least 10NL.
I'm planning on a session today, as well as playing one $2.20/90-man SnGs. Top prize is around $50, so a victory in one of those will propel me into 5NL, which would be nice. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes. Getting used to reviewing my sessions and taking notes is more of a discipline game than I thought. As I was saying yesterday, it can be really tedious, especially at the level I'm at now. Still, it's good practice for the future, so I'm sticking to it.
I'm planning on a session today, as well as playing one $2.20/90-man SnGs. Top prize is around $50, so a victory in one of those will propel me into 5NL, which would be nice. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes. Getting used to reviewing my sessions and taking notes is more of a discipline game than I thought. As I was saying yesterday, it can be really tedious, especially at the level I'm at now. Still, it's good practice for the future, so I'm sticking to it.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Session Review - Oh, 2NL...
So I'm going through my session. Nothing too crazy. A few hands I'd like to discuss:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
Button ($5.93)
Villain (SB) ($1.04)
BB ($2)
UTG ($2.13)
Hero (MP) ($2)
CO ($1.05)
Preflop: Hero is MP with J♠, J♦
UTG calls $0.02, Hero bets $0.08, 2 folds, Villain calls $0.07, 2 folds
Flop: ($0.20) 4♥, 3♦, 8♦ (2 players)
Villain checks, Hero bets $0.14, Villain calls $0.14
Turn: ($0.48) 9♦ (2 players)
Villain checks, Hero bets $0.28, Villain calls $0.28
River: ($1.04) 5♦ (2 players)
Villain bets $0.54 (All-In), Hero calls $0.54
Total pot: $2.12 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Villain had 8♠, 7♠ (one pair, eights).
Hero had J♠, J♦ (flush, Jack high).
Outcome: Hero won $2.02
Am I reading this correctly? Did a 2NL villain just turn his hand into a bluff? I thought he might have a counterfeited baby flush, at the time. I'm kind of in the middle of my range, so I figured it was worth a call. Correct?
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
MP ($5.50)
CO ($3.04)
Button ($2.52)
SB ($3.19)
Hero (BB) ($2.78)
UTG ($0.97)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 8♣, 8♦
UTG bets $0.12, 1 fold, CO calls $0.12, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10
Flop: ($0.37) 9♥, A♦, 10♥ (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.18, 1 fold, Hero folds
Total pot: $0.37 | Rake: $0
Results:
UTG didn't show
Outcome: UTG won $0.37
Anyone consider reraising this pre? Or would I be getting to aggressive there? Is calling ok? I usually don't see 2NL villains raising that large preflop; could he have a big hand there? I don't hate the way I played it, but wondering if anyone has any thoughts.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
BB ($1)
UTG ($3.32)
MP ($0.97)
Button ($1.38)
Hero (SB) ($2.48)
Preflop: Hero is SB with A♣, Q♣
UTG bets $0.06, 1 fold, Button calls $0.06, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold
Flop: ($0.20) 10♦, 8♦, A♦ (3 players)
Hero bets $0.16, UTG calls $0.16, 1 fold
Turn: ($0.52) J♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.36, UTG calls $0.36
River: ($1.24) 3♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50
Total pot: $2.24 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Hero mucked A♣, Q♣ (one pair, Aces).
UTG had A♠, 10♠ (two pair, Aces and tens).
Outcome: UTG won $2.14
This is the first mistake I came across. If I'm going to check that river, I have to check to c/f. He's not betting anything I beat there. I'm just still trying to adapt to passive villains. That was an OK flop for me, and a bad turn for me. I'm ahead of what, A9, A(x<7), and some busted diamond draws, none of which are betting that river. Bleh.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
UTG ($0.78)
MP ($1.58)
Button ($0.81)
Hero (SB) ($4.16)
BB ($2)
Preflop: Hero is SB with K♥, 9♥
UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.01, BB bets $0.10, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.08
Flop: ($0.26) K♦, 2♠, 6♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10
Turn: ($0.46) 10♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.60, 1 fold
Total pot: $0.86 | Rake: $0
Results:
Hero didn't show K♥, 9♥.
Outcome: Hero won $0.86
I feel like I c/r the turn here because I didn't want to have to herocall the river. Should I have let him barrel it off? No one's folding a K here, right?
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
BB ($0.83)
UTG ($0.77)
MP ($1.32)
CO ($1.60)
Hero (Button) ($4.52)
SB ($3.90)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 10♥, 9♥
2 folds, CO (poster) checks, Hero bets $0.08, SB calls $0.07, 1 fold, CO (poster) calls $0.06
Flop: ($0.26) 3♥, 2♦, 9♦ (3 players)
SB checks, CO bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.36, 1 fold, CO calls $0.24
Turn: ($0.98) 7♦ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero checks
River: ($0.98) K♣ (2 players)
CO bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20
Total pot: $1.38 | Rake: $0.05
Results:
Hero mucked 10♥, 9♥ (one pair, nines).
CO had 3♦, 3♣ (three of a kind, threes).
Outcome: CO won $1.33
I don't mind the flop raise to get value from flush draws, and I had to call such a small bet on the river to see what he had. These are the type of hands that I make a note on (i.e. villain leads flop w a set multiway). Handhistory reviews are good for making those kinds of notes that are difficult to make mid-game.
This process is getting a little tedious, especially at these stakes. I'm done for now, I'll probably come back at some point later and post some more updates. There's also another hand that same session where I stack a guy w a set vs TP, but it's not really notable. If anyone has any thoughts, please comment. Although none of these hands really have too much going on.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
Button ($5.93)
Villain (SB) ($1.04)
BB ($2)
UTG ($2.13)
Hero (MP) ($2)
CO ($1.05)
Preflop: Hero is MP with J♠, J♦
UTG calls $0.02, Hero bets $0.08, 2 folds, Villain calls $0.07, 2 folds
Flop: ($0.20) 4♥, 3♦, 8♦ (2 players)
Villain checks, Hero bets $0.14, Villain calls $0.14
Turn: ($0.48) 9♦ (2 players)
Villain checks, Hero bets $0.28, Villain calls $0.28
River: ($1.04) 5♦ (2 players)
Villain bets $0.54 (All-In), Hero calls $0.54
Total pot: $2.12 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Villain had 8♠, 7♠ (one pair, eights).
Hero had J♠, J♦ (flush, Jack high).
Outcome: Hero won $2.02
Am I reading this correctly? Did a 2NL villain just turn his hand into a bluff? I thought he might have a counterfeited baby flush, at the time. I'm kind of in the middle of my range, so I figured it was worth a call. Correct?
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
MP ($5.50)
CO ($3.04)
Button ($2.52)
SB ($3.19)
Hero (BB) ($2.78)
UTG ($0.97)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 8♣, 8♦
UTG bets $0.12, 1 fold, CO calls $0.12, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10
Flop: ($0.37) 9♥, A♦, 10♥ (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.18, 1 fold, Hero folds
Total pot: $0.37 | Rake: $0
Results:
UTG didn't show
Outcome: UTG won $0.37
Anyone consider reraising this pre? Or would I be getting to aggressive there? Is calling ok? I usually don't see 2NL villains raising that large preflop; could he have a big hand there? I don't hate the way I played it, but wondering if anyone has any thoughts.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
BB ($1)
UTG ($3.32)
MP ($0.97)
Button ($1.38)
Hero (SB) ($2.48)
Preflop: Hero is SB with A♣, Q♣
UTG bets $0.06, 1 fold, Button calls $0.06, Hero calls $0.05, 1 fold
Flop: ($0.20) 10♦, 8♦, A♦ (3 players)
Hero bets $0.16, UTG calls $0.16, 1 fold
Turn: ($0.52) J♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.36, UTG calls $0.36
River: ($1.24) 3♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50
Total pot: $2.24 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Hero mucked A♣, Q♣ (one pair, Aces).
UTG had A♠, 10♠ (two pair, Aces and tens).
Outcome: UTG won $2.14
This is the first mistake I came across. If I'm going to check that river, I have to check to c/f. He's not betting anything I beat there. I'm just still trying to adapt to passive villains. That was an OK flop for me, and a bad turn for me. I'm ahead of what, A9, A(x<7), and some busted diamond draws, none of which are betting that river. Bleh.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (5 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
UTG ($0.78)
MP ($1.58)
Button ($0.81)
Hero (SB) ($4.16)
BB ($2)
Preflop: Hero is SB with K♥, 9♥
UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, Button calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.01, BB bets $0.10, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.08
Flop: ($0.26) K♦, 2♠, 6♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.10, Hero calls $0.10
Turn: ($0.46) 10♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.60, 1 fold
Total pot: $0.86 | Rake: $0
Results:
Hero didn't show K♥, 9♥.
Outcome: Hero won $0.86
I feel like I c/r the turn here because I didn't want to have to herocall the river. Should I have let him barrel it off? No one's folding a K here, right?
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
saw flop | saw showdown
BB ($0.83)
UTG ($0.77)
MP ($1.32)
CO ($1.60)
Hero (Button) ($4.52)
SB ($3.90)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 10♥, 9♥
2 folds, CO (poster) checks, Hero bets $0.08, SB calls $0.07, 1 fold, CO (poster) calls $0.06
Flop: ($0.26) 3♥, 2♦, 9♦ (3 players)
SB checks, CO bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.36, 1 fold, CO calls $0.24
Turn: ($0.98) 7♦ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero checks
River: ($0.98) K♣ (2 players)
CO bets $0.20, Hero calls $0.20
Total pot: $1.38 | Rake: $0.05
Results:
Hero mucked 10♥, 9♥ (one pair, nines).
CO had 3♦, 3♣ (three of a kind, threes).
Outcome: CO won $1.33
I don't mind the flop raise to get value from flush draws, and I had to call such a small bet on the river to see what he had. These are the type of hands that I make a note on (i.e. villain leads flop w a set multiway). Handhistory reviews are good for making those kinds of notes that are difficult to make mid-game.
This process is getting a little tedious, especially at these stakes. I'm done for now, I'll probably come back at some point later and post some more updates. There's also another hand that same session where I stack a guy w a set vs TP, but it's not really notable. If anyone has any thoughts, please comment. Although none of these hands really have too much going on.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Follow-Up to the First Session
I didn't get a chance to post after my first session. I'm remembering why I found multi-tabling so much more difficult at 25NL. There were a few times in my session that I was looking at a hand, going "How did I get here?" I ended up ~$2.50 for the session, which is a start. 2NL is going to be slow going though. You don't really start getting any "play" until 10NL at least.
I've started doing my session review. I haven't come across any interesting hands yet, but I've started taking notes, so I'm really interested in using this review process more when I get up limits. For now, I'm not looking at hands that don't go to showdown that I wasn't involved in. You don't really get into 3betting and 4betting wars until 25NL at least, so I'm not really going to start looking into preflop dynamics at all (i.e. who's 3bets out of the blinds vs. who 3bets more against a CO open). I know there's at least two hands I'll be posting (both of then when I had jacks), but I haven't come to them in my review yet.
That's all for now. Got work today, probably going to finish my review tomorrow, post some hands, and have another session either after the review or Monday. I will keep you updated.
I've started doing my session review. I haven't come across any interesting hands yet, but I've started taking notes, so I'm really interested in using this review process more when I get up limits. For now, I'm not looking at hands that don't go to showdown that I wasn't involved in. You don't really get into 3betting and 4betting wars until 25NL at least, so I'm not really going to start looking into preflop dynamics at all (i.e. who's 3bets out of the blinds vs. who 3bets more against a CO open). I know there's at least two hands I'll be posting (both of then when I had jacks), but I haven't come to them in my review yet.
That's all for now. Got work today, probably going to finish my review tomorrow, post some hands, and have another session either after the review or Monday. I will keep you updated.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Where I'm At Now - The Beginning
I currently have $48.59 in my account, with 2,680.90 FPPs. I am 876 VPPs out of 5,000 VPPs into my Stellar Rewards Bonus for $50. I have SilverStar status, valid until the end of June. That is the current state of my PokerStars account as of right now. I just finished my meditation, set up my handhistory folder to allow easy access to my new hand histories for review, and I'm ready to hit a short 2NL session. I am going to be 8-tabling.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Rules Update
I'm changing my withdrawl rules:
Withdraw $50 @ $150 ($50->$150
Withdraw $50 @ $250 ($100->$250)
Withdraw $50 @ $300 ($200->$300
Withdraw $50 @ $350 ($250->$350)
Withdraw $50 @ $400 ($300->$400)
I NEED to get the $250 out, and this seems like the best way to do it: it will still feel like progress, and I changed it slightly so that after the 2nd withdrawl, I can still play 10NL comfortably within my rules.
I'm also going to up the BR requirements for 50NL: 30 buyins ($1500) before I move into that level. I've been told that there's a much bigger jump between 25NL and 50NL than between 10NL and 25NL (although I thought the jump between those two was pretty big to begin with, at least at Stars).
I'm also removing the stopwin to a 3 hour cap for a session (unless I go deep in an MTT, in which case, I close the rest of my tables and focus on that). Mostly because I simply need to limit the amount of time in my life that I'm spending on poker.
Also, you can follow the discussion at 2+2 here:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/174/poker-goals-challenges/losing-player-going-try-turn-around-782078/
Withdraw $50 @ $150 ($50->$150
Withdraw $50 @ $250 ($100->$250)
Withdraw $50 @ $300 ($200->$300
Withdraw $50 @ $350 ($250->$350)
Withdraw $50 @ $400 ($300->$400)
I NEED to get the $250 out, and this seems like the best way to do it: it will still feel like progress, and I changed it slightly so that after the 2nd withdrawl, I can still play 10NL comfortably within my rules.
I'm also going to up the BR requirements for 50NL: 30 buyins ($1500) before I move into that level. I've been told that there's a much bigger jump between 25NL and 50NL than between 10NL and 25NL (although I thought the jump between those two was pretty big to begin with, at least at Stars).
I'm also removing the stopwin to a 3 hour cap for a session (unless I go deep in an MTT, in which case, I close the rest of my tables and focus on that). Mostly because I simply need to limit the amount of time in my life that I'm spending on poker.
Also, you can follow the discussion at 2+2 here:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/174/poker-goals-challenges/losing-player-going-try-turn-around-782078/
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Challenge
Today, I’m starting my $50 to 50NL challenge.
A little history: long-term break-even/losing player has finally had enough of this. I'm setting up a challenge for myself to finally turn myself into a decent winner.
I know this isn’t something that hasn’t been done before. Verneer’s epic thread has taught me a lot about poker, although he started with $100. The one thing I have not learned or developed from that, though, is discipline. I think, when I have my head on straight, when I’m focused and paying attention, I’m a decent player. The problem is I tilt way too easily, I lose my concentration, and my bankroll takes a big hit. Over time, I’ve won a bit, lost a lot more, won a bit, lost a lot more, and I’ve finally decided to sit down, take a good hard look at myself and my play, and try and develop the discipline to actually win at this game.
So I’m starting this challenge. It’s for myself and myself alone. This public post is more to keep me honest with myself (psychologically speaking, they say public pronouncements make it more likely you’ll follow through on your goals; i.e. smoker’s who tell everyone they know they’re going to quit are more likely to quit).
In order to develop discipline, I’ve decided to lay down some rules for myself and my play:
1) No session begins before I’ve spent at least 10 minutes meditating.
I used to meditate, and I don’t much anymore. I felt I was much more present with my life in general when I was meditating, and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stay focused now that I don’t. Meditating before each session will help me stay focused and aware of myself during play, not to mention general life benefits.
2) After every session, upload the tables for the day to Bluff.com and review every hand.
I don’t do much, if any, post session review. I want to get in the habit of reviewing myself, as well as my opponents, and making notes on my opponents and myself. Pokerstars, at least, allows you to add notes to players even if you’re not on the table with them. I plan on doing this more afterwards so I have more information at my fingertips when I play. It will also give me some more insight into the types of leaks I still have.
3) Stoploss at 4 buyins, stopwin at 6 buyins.
Tilt is a huge problem for me. Losing a few buy-ins usually just makes it worse. So the need for a stoploss is obvious. However, I have the same problem when I’m winning: winner’s tilt. I get over confident, assume I’m going to hit draws, shove in obviously bad spots expected to outdraw my opponent. It’s pretty bad. There’s also a positive psychological factor in “clocking a winning session.” I win 6 buyins, I’m happy, I call it a day. I would also like to mention here that playing for several hours has never been a problem for me. If I’m playing well for the 1st, I’m still playing well at the 4th if I haven’t tilted in interim.
4) Buyin requirements: 20 buyins for the next level before I move up, move down again if I hit 15 buyins for current level. For SnGs, 50 buyins for the next level (although I don’t play many SnGs).
Again, I need to develop the discipline to move back down again if I hit a rough spot: tilt, variance, coolers, whatever. Just move down. I’ve got it stuck in my head that I’m a 25NL player, so starting over at 2NL is going to be humbling. But it’s important. I have to do it.
So this means no shot-taking. I take shots at 50NL HU all the time, and it’s a HUUUUGE leak. So that has to end.
I also plan on playing in the $3.30 6 max MTT @ 9:40 every morning. I like MTTs, I’m decent at them, but I have a focus problem with those as well (in that I go deep, then spew off all my chips on a bad bluff and lose). Playing one MTT a day will improve my MTT game; hopefully, one of these days I’ll actually ship that MTT and can get out some of the grotesque amounts of money I’ve put into this game.
5) No distractions during play.
The amount of times I’ve playing while watching HSP, or a tv show, or some other video, is really lame. I need to remain focused on the game while I’m playing, or I’m simply not going to be as effective.
6) Write about it in a blog after every session.
Again, making this whole process public will force me to stick to the guidelines I’ve set out.
7) If I break any of these rules, I’m voluntarily locking myself out of the software for my next “play day.”
As my work schedule currently is, I can play 2, maybe 3, days a week. Not a whole lot. If I break one of my rules, I lose one of those days to play. Kind of an intense punishment, but totally necessary. I’m trying to figure out a reward system for following the rules, but I don’t want the reward to be poker-related. If you have any suggestions, feel free.
All these rules are intended to make me focus and play my A-game as often as possible. It wil be the only way I’ll have any chance of making any money at this game. I’m also going to add here that I’m planning on making a $150 withdrawal @ the $200 mark because I deposited $250 for the SCOOP bonus that I had planned on taking out as soon as it cleared, and I lost most of it. So I’m going to get some of that back out before I continue on.
It’s going to be a long process. It has to be. Hopefully, some of this self-exploration will turn me from a spewy, losing playing, to a solid, winning LAG.
Thoughts and comments appreciated. Flame on!
Link to TwoPlusTwo.com post about it:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/losing-player-going-try-turn-around-782078
Which was apparently closed not long after it opened :(.
Edit: Nope, moved to a new home :)!
A little history: long-term break-even/losing player has finally had enough of this. I'm setting up a challenge for myself to finally turn myself into a decent winner.
I know this isn’t something that hasn’t been done before. Verneer’s epic thread has taught me a lot about poker, although he started with $100. The one thing I have not learned or developed from that, though, is discipline. I think, when I have my head on straight, when I’m focused and paying attention, I’m a decent player. The problem is I tilt way too easily, I lose my concentration, and my bankroll takes a big hit. Over time, I’ve won a bit, lost a lot more, won a bit, lost a lot more, and I’ve finally decided to sit down, take a good hard look at myself and my play, and try and develop the discipline to actually win at this game.
So I’m starting this challenge. It’s for myself and myself alone. This public post is more to keep me honest with myself (psychologically speaking, they say public pronouncements make it more likely you’ll follow through on your goals; i.e. smoker’s who tell everyone they know they’re going to quit are more likely to quit).
In order to develop discipline, I’ve decided to lay down some rules for myself and my play:
1) No session begins before I’ve spent at least 10 minutes meditating.
I used to meditate, and I don’t much anymore. I felt I was much more present with my life in general when I was meditating, and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stay focused now that I don’t. Meditating before each session will help me stay focused and aware of myself during play, not to mention general life benefits.
2) After every session, upload the tables for the day to Bluff.com and review every hand.
I don’t do much, if any, post session review. I want to get in the habit of reviewing myself, as well as my opponents, and making notes on my opponents and myself. Pokerstars, at least, allows you to add notes to players even if you’re not on the table with them. I plan on doing this more afterwards so I have more information at my fingertips when I play. It will also give me some more insight into the types of leaks I still have.
3) Stoploss at 4 buyins, stopwin at 6 buyins.
Tilt is a huge problem for me. Losing a few buy-ins usually just makes it worse. So the need for a stoploss is obvious. However, I have the same problem when I’m winning: winner’s tilt. I get over confident, assume I’m going to hit draws, shove in obviously bad spots expected to outdraw my opponent. It’s pretty bad. There’s also a positive psychological factor in “clocking a winning session.” I win 6 buyins, I’m happy, I call it a day. I would also like to mention here that playing for several hours has never been a problem for me. If I’m playing well for the 1st, I’m still playing well at the 4th if I haven’t tilted in interim.
4) Buyin requirements: 20 buyins for the next level before I move up, move down again if I hit 15 buyins for current level. For SnGs, 50 buyins for the next level (although I don’t play many SnGs).
Again, I need to develop the discipline to move back down again if I hit a rough spot: tilt, variance, coolers, whatever. Just move down. I’ve got it stuck in my head that I’m a 25NL player, so starting over at 2NL is going to be humbling. But it’s important. I have to do it.
So this means no shot-taking. I take shots at 50NL HU all the time, and it’s a HUUUUGE leak. So that has to end.
I also plan on playing in the $3.30 6 max MTT @ 9:40 every morning. I like MTTs, I’m decent at them, but I have a focus problem with those as well (in that I go deep, then spew off all my chips on a bad bluff and lose). Playing one MTT a day will improve my MTT game; hopefully, one of these days I’ll actually ship that MTT and can get out some of the grotesque amounts of money I’ve put into this game.
5) No distractions during play.
The amount of times I’ve playing while watching HSP, or a tv show, or some other video, is really lame. I need to remain focused on the game while I’m playing, or I’m simply not going to be as effective.
6) Write about it in a blog after every session.
Again, making this whole process public will force me to stick to the guidelines I’ve set out.
7) If I break any of these rules, I’m voluntarily locking myself out of the software for my next “play day.”
As my work schedule currently is, I can play 2, maybe 3, days a week. Not a whole lot. If I break one of my rules, I lose one of those days to play. Kind of an intense punishment, but totally necessary. I’m trying to figure out a reward system for following the rules, but I don’t want the reward to be poker-related. If you have any suggestions, feel free.
All these rules are intended to make me focus and play my A-game as often as possible. It wil be the only way I’ll have any chance of making any money at this game. I’m also going to add here that I’m planning on making a $150 withdrawal @ the $200 mark because I deposited $250 for the SCOOP bonus that I had planned on taking out as soon as it cleared, and I lost most of it. So I’m going to get some of that back out before I continue on.
It’s going to be a long process. It has to be. Hopefully, some of this self-exploration will turn me from a spewy, losing playing, to a solid, winning LAG.
Thoughts and comments appreciated. Flame on!
Link to TwoPlusTwo.com post about it:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/losing-player-going-try-turn-around-782078
Which was apparently closed not long after it opened :(.
Edit: Nope, moved to a new home :)!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)