Originally posted by nutural
nice blog , nice flow in it.I could easily relate when you were playing those beautiful 0.10$ 360 man and 0.50$ 9 man , and I can also relate now with the NL2 Circus land.
Keep it up
Thank you very much! I appreciate your kind words.
When I started this blog I didn't know how to actually write a blog. I'm very glad people like it 
BR Challenge Update
Week: 3
Hands played: 1719
Profit: $+0.52
BR: $89.37
I would like to share with you this hand. It might not be played correctly (3bet/fold preflop is better, worse hand wold fold, better wouldn't...),
but I want to look at the turn and a villain's sizing.
PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker
UTG: $2.32 (116 bb)
MP (Hero): $2.00 (100 bb)
CO: $2.01 (101 bb)
BU: $2.00 (100 bb)
SB: $1.04 (52 bb)
BB: $2.00 (100 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with T♦ T♠
UTG raises to $0.07, Hero calls $0.07, 4 players fold
Flop: ($0.17) J♥ 6♣ 6♠ (2 players)
UTG bets $0.08, Hero calls $0.08
Turn: ($0.33) 8♠ (2 players)
UTG bets $0.16, Hero raises to $0.37, UTG folds
Total pot: $0.65 (Rake: $0.02)
MP (Hero) wins $0.63
I was about to fold the turn, but the sizing on this board texture seemed suspicious to me. Half pot? Really?
It was like the villain would say to me: "Well, I don't know what to do so I bet half pot, let's see what happens."
Even with TP I would bet more. So I tried to raise (sizing is not optimal IMO, should 3x his bet) and it worked.
Do you have a similar experience, could this be a sizing tell?
What other sizing tells have you spotted at the micros?
Originally posted by mjez1
PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing PokerUTG: $2.32 (116 bb)
MP (Hero): $2.00 (100 bb)
CO: $2.01 (101 bb)
BU: $2.00 (100 bb)
SB: $1.04 (52 bb)
BB: $2.00 (100 bb)Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is MP with T♦ T♠
UTG raises to $0.07, Hero calls $0.07, 4 players foldFlop: ($0.17) J♥ 6♣ 6♠ (2 players)
UTG bets $0.08, Hero calls $0.08Turn: ($0.33) 8♠ (2 players)
UTG bets $0.16, Hero raises to $0.37, UTG foldsTotal pot: $0.65 (Rake: $0.02)
MP (Hero) wins $0.63
Not sure if it is good, to turn that hand into a bluff. You still have lots of SD value, and you do not get a lot of better hands to fold, I would assume.
Villain's sizing seems fine to me, although the preflop size is a bit large. I would play JJ+ the same way, maybe betting a bit bigger, up to 66% OTT.
Because you are in position, you can realize your equity quite well. If you think Villain is bluffing, let him continue. As played, you force him to do the right move here, IMHO.
I also agree that you should 3bet preflop.
Good luck with your challenge!
Originally posted by monteCarlol
Not sure if it is good, to turn that hand into a bluff. You still have lots of SD value, and you do not get a lot of better hands to fold, I would assume.
Villain's sizing seems fine to me, although the preflop size is a bit large. I would play JJ+ the same way, maybe betting a bit bigger, up to 66% OTT.
Because you are in position, you can realize your equity quite well. If you think Villain is bluffing, let him continue. As played, you force him to do the right move here, IMHO.
I also agree that you should 3bet preflop.Good luck with your challenge!
On postflop raise I agree with monteCarlol: he won't fold stonger hands (JJ+, Jx, 6x) except maybe some weaker Jx hands and he won't call with a lot weaker hands, except draws like T9 and flush draws. Also you block at least A♠: T♠:, but if he is opening wider UTG you block J♠: T♠:, Q♠: T♠: and K♠: T♠: also. In his fold range you can find some trash hands, A high hands, 8x hands, 77, 99 which you beat anyway. That's why I vote for call OTT instead of raising.
Since SB is a short stack and possibly a fish, I think your call is a better option preflop than 3bet. I know 3bet or fold play is a preffered and more modern strategy nowadays, but I like to have call range if I can keep fishes in the pot easier, even if I am on SB and the fish opened or he left to act behind me.
---------PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker
UTG (Hero): $2.28 (114 bb)
MP: $2.51 (126 bb)
CO: $3.54 (177 bb)
BU: $4.24 (212 bb)
SB: $2.00 (100 bb)
BB: $2.20 (110 bb)
Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with 9♥ J♥
Hero raises to $0.06, MP 3-bets to $0.10, 4 players fold, Hero calls $0.04
Flop: ($0.23) 9♦ 3♥ 4♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, MP raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.12
Turn: ($0.83) T♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.14, Hero calls $0.14
River: ($1.11) T♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1.97 (all-in), Hero calls $1.74 (all-in)
Total pot: $4.59 (Rake: $0.16)
Showdown:
MP shows 5♦ 6♥ (a pair of Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 35%, Flop: 36%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)
UTG (Hero) shows 9♥ J♥ (two pair, Tens and Nines)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 65%, Flop: 64%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)
UTG (Hero) wins $4.43
Originally posted by mjez1
I put him on the face cards and bluffing the river, but didn't expect that ...
--------- NL2 worldPokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players
Hand delivered by Upswing PokerUTG (Hero): $2.28 (114 bb)
MP: $2.51 (126 bb)
CO: $3.54 (177 bb)
BU: $4.24 (212 bb)
SB: $2.00 (100 bb)
BB: $2.20 (110 bb)Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with 9♥ J♥
Hero raises to $0.06, MP 3-bets to $0.10, 4 players fold, Hero calls $0.04Flop: ($0.23) 9♦ 3♥ 4♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, MP raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.12Turn: ($0.83) T♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.14, Hero calls $0.14River: ($1.11) T♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1.97 (all-in), Hero calls $1.74 (all-in)Total pot: $4.59 (Rake: $0.16)
Showdown:
MP shows 5♦ 6♥ (a pair of Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 35%, Flop: 36%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)UTG (Hero) shows 9♥ J♥ (two pair, Tens and Nines)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 65%, Flop: 64%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)UTG (Hero) wins $4.43
I feel like you guys are not interested in these types of hands. From now on, I'll only post meaningful ones.
Originally posted by mjez1
I feel like you guys are not interested in these types of hands. From now on, I'll only post meaningful ones.
Actually, I love these -- it keeps my faith strong that opponents like this really do exist.
There are "like" and "dislike" buttons at the bottom of every post, but most PokerStrategy.com members don't use 'em, and I suspect even fewer look at them.
I'll try to do better 
I would say, this is 50:50. Some people like to see those hands some don't. I'm wondering if there is a thread for crazy/funny hands. I haven't found it, yet.
Maybe would be better to have such a separate thread for fun and post serious hands in the blog.
Originally posted by mjez1
I would say, this is 50:50. Some people like to see those hands some don't. I'm wondering if there is a thread for crazy/funny hands. I haven't found it, yet.
Maybe would be better to have such a separate thread for fun and post serious hands in the blog.
That would be "Hand of the Day".
Any really great, weird, rare or otherwise noteworthy hand can go there.
There can be more than one hand posted there each day. There is also https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=151314&goto=firstnew for those particular hands.
Originally posted by VorpalF2F
That would be "Hand of the Day".
Any really great, weird, rare or otherwise noteworthy hand can go there.There can be more than one hand posted there each day. There is also https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=151314&goto=firstnew for those particular hands.
Great, thanks!
So I will rather post funny/crazy hands into "Hand of the Day" thread and occasionally put a link into my blog so who wants to see it can see it there.
BR Challenge Update
Week: 4
Hands played: 2237
Profit: $+13.05
BR: $102.42
Finally, after a while some profit it always feels good.
Ok, so hopefully this trend will continue. My goal is to take a shot at NL5 with BR 125$.
This time I will do it a little bit differently. I play 4 tables NL2, but when I'll take a shot I will lower the number of played tables to 2.
From my study journal I can see I haven't studied for quite a while now.
I need to fix it. It's good to track your study progress so you can see your past more clearly than your memory can.
Originally posted by mjez1
So I will rather post funny/crazy hands into "Hand of the Day" thread and occasionally put a link into my blog so who wants to see it can see it there.
When I post a Hand-of-the-Day I usually put a link to that hand in my blog.
Week: 5
Hands played: 767
Profit: $-6.63
BR: $95.79
Last week, I had some RL issues to deal with. I felt it affects my mindset so I avoided playing for the rest of the week and I rather studied.
If you haven't yet, check out monteCarlol's videos he has been recording. I find them very useful to see how other fellow Pokerstrategist play certain spots and I compare it to how I would play those dealt hands.
Let's see what the new week brings us 
BR Challenge Update
Week: 6
Hands played: 347
Profit: $+2.66
BR: $98.45
Very low volume, but atleast some profit. I was tired most of the time I could play.
I try to avoid playing when not in the mood or being tired it affects my play a lot.
Poker is there next week to, I am sure.
Anyway, are you guys into NFTs?
Twitter is crowded with these, hype is big.
A while ago Jaime Staples was talking about his idea of having a virtual trophy in poker, it was on Bencb's podcast.
The players would receive the virtual trophy which they could look back on.
I think it's a very good idea and I would like to suggest making it as #NFTs.
With the smart contracts and all that stuff, it could be fun and useful in the future.
Having a virtual trophy from the tournaments you won in your public wallet like Opensea ... imagine ... or in Metaverse
Are you guys into that stuff?
Hey Mjez,
Seems like you're having a low volume last few weeks, let's hope you get back on track soon and hopefully you did some study to keep crushing 
Speaking of virtual trophies, well pokerstars kind of a have something similar for MTT players as their badge for winning major tournaments like WCOOP/SCOOP/Sunday Milly/Sunday Storm etc. Would love to see them adding more badges for other tournaments as well for sure! Not sure how would a virtual trophy look into a public wallet tho, doubt someone would take it that way, but who knows?
Very low volume, but atleast some profit.
Still going the right direction gl keep it up
Originally posted by mjez1
Tips from my experience:
• watch villains reactions, timing, bet sizes - it prevents you to be bored and you can get useful info
• do not trap, go for value
• big river bet is usually a value bet - fish do not bluff often
• count your odds and outs - do not play -EV
I really liked the way you expressed this idea, as Vorpal found as well. I added this to my own list of key points to think of during session:
Color-code, notate, and exploit opponents.
• watch villains reactions, timing, bet sizes - it keeps me interested, it's fun, and I can get useful info
Originally posted by greatpk
Hey Mjez,
Seems like you're having a low volume last few weeks, let's hope you get back on track soon and hopefully you did some study to keep crushingHey greatpk, correct, I didn't have much time for play last few weeks. It seems I'm back on track again. This week's volume seems solid to me.
Originally posted by greatpkSpeaking of virtual trophies, well pokerstars kind of a have something similar for MTT players as their badge for winning major tournaments like WCOOP/SCOOP/Sunday Milly/Sunday Storm etc. Would love to see them adding more badges for other tournaments as well for sure! Not sure how would a virtual trophy look into a public wallet tho, doubt someone would take it that way, but who knows?
Yes, that's true, but I have on my mind something more publicly visible. You can't show your badge from tournaments to your friends conveniently.
For example, Twitter announced just a few days ago NFT verification. That would be a cool way to show publicly badges from tournaments IMO.
Originally posted by RedsYNWA
Very low volume, but atleast some profit.
Still going the right direction gl keep it up
I keep grinding and it goes well again. Good luck to you!
Follow my journey in my blog: 
