Originally posted by ragney
How do you deal with long downswings as a solid winning player? For example two weeks long you never win any flips, lose all like 80% of the spots where you're 65-70% favorite. Like after two weeks you still see your winnings minus 20-30BI (well this is std for hu, but maybe SH like 15-25BI?). Anyway I hope you get my point.Kinda in this shit myself and I gives me no motivation to play at all
Hmmm, I don't enjoy downswings myself either ♦
Previously I used to just look at my balance constantly, seeing how much I was up/down and chasing losses.
You've really got to look at yourself and think WTF am I doing,I'm going to play poker for the next 40 years, it doesn't matter what happens in the next 20 minutes or 100 hands, I'm going to play 100 million hands and eventually variance WILL even out. As long as I continue making solid decisions and quitting when I feel like I'm tilting then I/YOU will be a winning player.
Thinking in the short term is super -ev and we should strive to maximise long term EV.
Originally posted by KillerFishes
Hey man,could you give me your opinion on this hand please?
Party Poker $25 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1823624
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History ConverterBTN: $33.23
SB: $27.30
BB: $27.21
UTG: $35.26
MP: $27.83
Hero (CO): $26.10Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with 8
8
2 folds, Hero raises to $1, BTN calls $1, 2 foldsFlop: ($2.35) 6
Q
4
Hero bets $1.50, BTN calls $1.50Turn: ($5.35) 7
Hero checks, BTN bets $3, Hero raises to $7.25, BTN calls $4.25River: ($19.85) 9
Hero bets $16.35 all in, BTN foldsIt is deffo not a std play ... I wanted to exploit my opponet who has:
call open on btn 22%
3bet from btn 9%
ftcbet 51%
stab vs missed cbet ott - 92% (this is what I wanted to exploit)
WTSD 24overall solid ABC player
My plan is maximaze value from his stab/call range ott which he has to fold otr ... as you can see in the spoiler there isn't many combos of flush if you compare it to all his range and I'm sure we can make fold better hands with this play .. (if you check the stab/call range he can't really call many hands...)
in the spoiler my hand analysis - could you write me anything about it? if you agree with ranges etc.?
Spoiler
preflop:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
call flop:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
stab/call range:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I'll be glad for any thoughts, thank you
Cya,
KF
Hey,
Generally as a standard I would open 3x. Just from a pure mathematical POV making it 4x means its alot harder to make our steals successful, also as posted in the thread we should actually be making our range WIDER in the cut off so if anything 2.5x >> 4x as an adjustment.
Just like I mentioned in one of my previous posts, on the river we have probably the worst possible hand to do this move with.
When he raises the turn he is polarized, he either has a VERY big hand or a hand that we beat. Shoving the river gets us snapped off the first part of his range and the second half folds, their is no value but there is alot REVERSE value with this line.
As a bluff it would be suicidal as he has ALOT of value combos, he is NOT folding SETS/FLUSHES/2 PAIRS. If we thnk he is weak and has a weak range then check/calling HAS to be superior to open jamming as it means we don't give him a chance to make a mistake, which is the most critical part here.
Originally posted by DeMarcohsp
Hey,I was looking through my tips written down from my studies and did not get this one:
" Villains can min x/r as a bluff but consequently they will likely check the hand down or at least x/c if he has a marginal hand, but when he donks strong turn his range is also strong"
Doesn't make much sense in my opinion. What can you say about it from your vast experience ♦ ?
Hey,
This seems a little bit like mumbo jumbo.
Notes are just absolutely critical in poker.
I have spoke passionately in skype groups, sweat sessions, msn convos, forums and 1on1 about how passionately I am about take notes. Taking notes can be a huuuuuge advantage and really help you out. I'd like to say firstly.. you shouldn't do exactly what I do with note taking, I've tried in the past to do different methods and generally when it's forced its not going to be as effective.
Talk to yourself
In your notes you should give yourself some questions and try to answer them as you play longer with the player.
Example 1
First of all I will talk about the standard note taking that you caan get "used" to doing. Afterwards BenPS, will post a template about a second way of taking notes and I will try to discuss/talk about it.
NL100 13/11/2011
3bets different amounts c/o vs button, find out what small raise means
cbets 33% on dry board value? bluff?
cbets 55% on wet board what does this mean?
turn cbet size is 75% on "scary turn" value? bluff?
turn cbet size is 40% (setting up river jam) on blank turn - how to exploit?
So the above are the kind of detailed observations that I like to take in cash games and will do for players I have played 200-600 hands with.
As time goes on I will like to cement everything into solid reads.
NL100
- Small 3b co vs btn = weak hand that he is happy to 5b shove with. (A9s, 55, KJ)
- Cbets 33% otf as a bluff in position when blinds defend
- Big turn bet size on overcard = barreling bluff
- Small turn bet size on ANY card is setting up river shove
- close to 1:1 ptsr on river = bluff 1.5-1 set up = strong hand
- Insta jams river when setting up river bluff
- Takes 10 seconds or so to jam when jamming river for value
If you are just writing everywhere in your Notes section, why not do something similar to this, you can edit/change for each of them and have it copied into your clipboard so that its very easy to c+p for each player.
Observations
------------
~
~
------------
Questions
------------
~
~
------------
Solid Reads
------------
~
~
------------
Strategy
------------
~
~
is it harder to fap when playing 6max? because like its faster than full ring right?
Originally posted by CHARMANDER06
is it harder to fap when playing 6max? because like its faster than full ring right?
Just play less tables 
Pleno:
What is the best advice you can give to a break-even or slightly winning player to really boost their game? What should a player focus on first? Ie: Preflop play or making moves postflop.
What was it for you that just set you over the top to become so successful?
Thanks,
Flash
Hello there pleno.
Got some questions for you! 
1. How do you construct your defending ranges against resteals oop (i.e. bvb) and ip? What kind of range do you prefer to call with against different types of opponents? For instance, one reg is 3bet restealing 10%, another 15% what would your ranges be for defending here? Are there any other factors that you take into consideration? Like if they 3bet polarised or depolarised, how would this change your range?
2. How do you change your 3betting ranges when stacks get deeper? Against fish I assume nothing changes really, but how about against regs?
3. How does your betsizing change with stackdepth preflop? For instance, stacks are 150bb and 200bb how big would you make your 3bets, 4bets, 5bets? And at what depth do you tend to make smaller 5bets as opposed to just 5bet jamming?
4. When is it a good idea to raise your toppairs otf against the pfa? Position obv matters a lot, but would you for example raise, say KQo on a Kxxr flop, as a default against someone who is opening more than 50% from LP or SB? Or do they have to open even looser? If so where do you usually draw the line? Or do we need any particular reads before even considering it?
That was all I could think of now, but will probably add a few more questions later on.
Looking forward to hear your thoughts 
Originally posted by pleno1
Originally posted by KillerFishes
Hey man,could you give me your opinion on this hand please?
Party Poker $25 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1823624
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History ConverterBTN: $33.23
SB: $27.30
BB: $27.21
UTG: $35.26
MP: $27.83
Hero (CO): $26.10Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with 8
2 folds, Hero raises to $1, BTN calls $1, 2 foldsFlop: ($2.35) 6
Hero bets $1.50, BTN calls $1.50Turn: ($5.35) 7
Hero checks, BTN bets $3, Hero raises to $7.25, BTN calls $4.25River: ($19.85) 9
Hero bets $16.35 all in, BTN foldsIt is deffo not a std play ... I wanted to exploit my opponet who has:
call open on btn 22%
3bet from btn 9%
ftcbet 51%
stab vs missed cbet ott - 92% (this is what I wanted to exploit)
WTSD 24overall solid ABC player
My plan is maximaze value from his stab/call range ott which he has to fold otr ... as you can see in the spoiler there isn't many combos of flush if you compare it to all his range and I'm sure we can make fold better hands with this play .. (if you check the stab/call range he can't really call many hands...)
in the spoiler my hand analysis - could you write me anything about it? if you agree with ranges etc.?
Spoiler
preflop:
call flop:
stab/call range:
I'll be glad for any thoughts, thank you
Cya,
KFHey,
Generally as a standard I would open 3x. Just from a pure mathematical POV making it 4x means its alot harder to make our steals successful, also as posted in the thread we should actually be making our range WIDER in the cut off so if anything 2.5x >> 4x as an adjustment.
Just like I mentioned in one of my previous posts, on the river we have probably the worst possible hand to do this move with.
When he raises the turn he is polarized, he either has a VERY big hand or a hand that we beat. Shoving the river gets us snapped off the first part of his range and the second half folds, their is no value but there is alot REVERSE value with this line.
As a bluff it would be suicidal as he has ALOT of value combos, he is NOT folding SETS/FLUSHES/2 PAIRS. If we thnk he is weak and has a weak range then check/calling HAS to be superior to open jamming as it means we don't give him a chance to make a mistake, which is the most critical part here.
sizing preflop is an adjustment to a fish on blinds... (usually I'm opening
UTG - 4bb, MP - 3,5 - 4bb, CO - 3bb, BB - 2,5bb, sb - 3-4bb - is it ok like that?)
Tbh I don't think he's that much polarized ott since he stabs like 90% of his calling range on the flop ... I actually wanted to make him fold weaker Qx + get some extra value from stab/call range ott and folding otr (Adx,Kdx, some pair + draw combos) - just check the screenshots if you agree
Well, I gave him a chance to make a mistake ott ... by stab/call range which literally can't call otr so he's just donating unimproved (improving less than in 20%) ...
ideas? thx
1. Some HHs of your biggest pwns. (if possible with thinking process)
2. HM2 vs HM1?
3. Notecaddy?
4. Were you coached? What do you think about coaches?
hey pleno1,
you posted a picture on page 2 of your HUD and the color-coding. im doing hard to create a good coding is it possible you upload your HUD configuration we can also use the comtool.
thx for your help
What's your 3bing size from the blinds vs various button opens? Also how much would you 3b an utg min open from a reg?
UTG open raise with suuuted connectors or suuted Ace, or both, or none? and ~why?
Thanks!
Originally posted by martins1337
UTG open raise with suuuted connectors or suuted Ace, or both, or none? and ~why?
Thanks!
people, read the thread if you want to improve
Originally posted by pleno1
Originally posted by NightFrostaSS
Q3, Do you turn profit UTG with suited connectors?
If you are opening a certain hand from early position then it should be because you think you can make a profit from it and you understand the reasoning and strategy behind opening the hand, if you're opening a hand jsut because its pretty and don't understand which board textures to barrel, which boards double barrel and which boards to check fold then you shouldn't be opening the hand.
I open suited connectors from UTG.
Originally posted by FlashDavin
Pleno:What is the best advice you can give to a break-even or slightly winning player to really boost their game? What should a player focus on first? Ie: Preflop play or making moves postflop.
What was it for you that just set you over the top to become so successful?
Thanks,
Flash
Hey it would totally depend on the player, can you post in the thread your positional stats and graph showing non showdown/showdown winnings and will try to analyse
Originally posted by axelphoney
Hello there pleno.Got some questions for you!
1. How do you construct your defending ranges against resteals oop (i.e. bvb) and ip? What kind of range do you prefer to call with against different types of opponents? For instance, one reg is 3bet restealing 10%, another 15% what would your ranges be for defending here? Are there any other factors that you take into consideration? Like if they 3bet polarised or depolarised, how would this change your range?2. How do you change your 3betting ranges when stacks get deeper? Against fish I assume nothing changes really, but how about against regs?
3. How does your betsizing change with stackdepth preflop? For instance, stacks are 150bb and 200bb how big would you make your 3bets, 4bets, 5bets? And at what depth do you tend to make smaller 5bets as opposed to just 5bet jamming?
4. When is it a good idea to raise your toppairs otf against the pfa? Position obv matters a lot, but would you for example raise, say KQo on a Kxxr flop, as a default against someone who is opening more than 50% from LP or SB? Or do they have to open even looser? If so where do you usually draw the line? Or do we need any particular reads before even considering it?
That was all I could think of now, but will probably add a few more questions later on.
Looking forward to hear your thoughts
Hello Axel, I was waiting for you
1) I think I've already spoken about this in the thread, but unless you think you are a very good post flop player (99% of people aren't) then you should just have a 4bet or fold range out of position it makes things alot easier. For example as soon as somebody calls a 3bet oop vs me I just think wiiiiiiiiiiiii
2) When stacks get deeper I just 3bet relentlessly, especially at Zoom. You get deeper ALOT quicker, meaning that you can often be playing200-300bb deep which isn't super common in non-fast fold games. People are literally terrified of losing 200bbs, 300bbs they literally would cry if they lost. So because of this I just love to pile on the pressure, in spots like this we can often overbet the turn.Example:
We 4bet KJ pre, guy defends, we cbet q62, he calls. On the turn if we overbet here wtf is he going to do? He has to commit to getting it in here with a range that is basically capped at kq/aq assuming he doesn't 3b 66 or 22. Just understanding ranges and board textures + playing deep means you can put immense pressure on these weak ranges and really take advantage of "scared" money, I think this is especially true for NL50-200.
3) When I get to 150bbs I will start 5bet bluffing vs small 4bet sizings. Again people don't like to get 150bbs in pre flop. As stacks increase my sizings will just generally increase, for example if I usually 3bet 3bb -> 9bb 100bb deep, I will start making it 10bb at 120, 11bb at 150 and usually cap it at 12bbs at 200+.
4) This is probably one of the biggest mistakes that I see bad regs doing and I instantly mark them a bad reg when I see it.
When a flop comes Kxx it is literally nonsensical for a reg to raise this. For example. I raise button to 2.5bbs, they defend.
I cbet 3.4bbs on K46r and they c/r me to 11bbs. In this spot I would say that I 3bet bluff to 24ish bbs close to 100% of the time.
If they have a good K such as KQ/AK they almost always 3bet pre flop, people also like to use Kx as a bluff in their 3betting range such as k9s etc, so even if they did c/r Kx here they don't have as many combos as what make sense initially.
Secondly, if a reg does raise Kx here it is very bad. Lets say that the same thing happens as above and we get to showdown and he shows K10o.
Now lets imagine 6 hands later this happens.
I raise button, he defends bb.
I cbet k48 and he calls.
Now if he is c/raising K10 wtf does this mean for his calling range? It is so fkn weak and he can barely ever be able to take 3 streets here and will always have a pocket pair.
Hope I explained this ok?
Originally posted by flekozub
1. Some HHs of your biggest pwns. (if possible with thinking process)2. HM2 vs HM1?
3. Notecaddy?
4. Were you coached? What do you think about coaches?
Hey,
1) Sure, let me finish these replies then I will post a bunch of hands, I don't have a huge database, but could still find some cool ones I'm sure
2) HM2 and its not even close, its just so so sexy and my favourite poker tool of all time. You can do alot and its very easily managable, I really really like it. HM1 was the old school tool that I will never forget, my first love 
3) I don't use it, I probably should though.
4) Erm. Not really. When I've plaued a lot of HU and moved over to 6max after some time off I've taked 1-2 hours from good players to refresh my mind. I'm also good friends with some great players, although without sounding very big headed there is nobody I see to be light years ahead of me and that I could really learn a lot from. I play like 32/28 or something ridiculous and there isn't many coaches who can play that style, so getting a very good coach who plays 24/22 isn't going to be valuable for me.
I think coaches are good. I have had an up and down career as a coach. I think I definitely learned from my mistakes. I was initially very happy to coach but in truth just charged far too little and I wasn't motivated by session 3 or 4. Now I book 5-10 hours worth of coaching at a time, charge a bit more but the quality is a lot better and its definitely +ev for the guy hiring.
Originally posted by Fred1302
hey pleno1,you posted a picture on page 2 of your HUD and the color-coding. im doing hard to create a good coding
thx for your help
Ok, I accept you and can send you it. Don't share it about though pls
Originally posted by peche025
What's your 3bing size from the blinds vs various button opens? Also how much would you 3b an utg min open from a reg?
It depends on stack depth.
They make it $4 I will generally make it $14 oop.
If somebody makes it $4 from UTG and I'm in position then will just make it a standard 3x.
If we get deeper then my raises will slightly increase according to stacks, just so its that little bit easier to get monies in later.