Hi Tim,
Now would be fine if you like, I was just getting ready to start a session and I think these are really helpful .. Let me find my skype and teamviewer. Do I have yours?
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Hi - sorry I missed you. Posted then went to bed...
I'm in UK so I guess 5-6 hrs ahead of you?
my Skype is: timonthestoop
normally around during the day (4.am - 11.am ish Canada time, i think) then again from 5pm - 8pm Canada time approx. Fridays and Sundays I don't work at all though. 
Let me know some times, and we can schedule.
cheers
Been away for a few weeks, but still lurking here. I'm not tracked aTM which makes it tough, also I've got a bug with Flash and my soundcard.
basically i can't hear videos or coachings until I fix it. It's something to do with windows xp, my sound card(s) and not seeing the audio icon in the taskbar. also the voice in won't take a setting and apply in Sounds..
kind of frustrating, but at the same time reduces distractions and increases motivation to make some progress.
I played only a bit in the last weeks. Started playing some SNG's and did well, but I'm not ready to jump in at $16 and playing $6 wasn't doing it for me at so few tables.
Back to NL25SH with a decent bankroll but well off my high score. A rude 3 stack welcome back downswing and I was back in it. Since that I've come back 10 stacks or so running 40BB/100 for my last 2000. Nice.
I think I'm killing NL25 when I don't make mistakes. This means table selection, and being really attentive to the flow of play. Not being afraid to second and third barrel etc..is key.
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:
$0.1/$0.25 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]MP2$12.75:///////;MP3$25.60:///////;CO$25.05:///////;BU$23.00:///////;SB$23.30:///////;BB(Hero)$28.25:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BB with Q:c, Q:h.
MP2 calls $0.25, MP3 folds, CO calls $0.25, BU raises to $1.00, SB folds, Hero raises to $3.50, MP2 calls $3.25, CO folds, BU calls $2.50.
Flop: ($10.85) A:s, Q:s, 8:s (3 players)
Hero bets $6.50, MP2 raises to $9.25(All-In), BU raises to $19.50(All-In), Hero calls $13.00.
Turn: ($59.1) T:c (0 players)
Hero gets uncalled bet back.
River: ($59.1) 9:d (0 players)
Hero gets uncalled bet back.
Final Pot: $46.1.
Results follow:
Hero shows three of a kind, queens(Q:c Q:h).
MP2 shows two pairs, aces and queens(Q:d A:h).
BU shows three of a kind, eights(8:c 8:d).
Hero wins with three of a kind, queens(Q:c Q:h).
When they flipped over the cards I could hardly believe it, and not one spade!
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:
$0.1/$0.25 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]SB$22.25:///////;BB$25.55:///////;MP2(Hero)$25.55:///////;MP3$35.40:///////;CO$25.85:///////;BU$29.95:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is MP2 with J:h, J:c.
Hero raises to $1.00, MP3 raises to $2.00, CO folds, BU calls $2.00, 2 folds, Hero raises to $6.00, MP3 calls $4.00, BU folds.
Flop: ($14.35) 7:d, T:h, A:c (2 players)
Hero bets $8.25, MP3 folds, Hero gets uncalled bet back.
Final Pot: $14.35.
If I can keep up some winnings I'll be back at NL50 in no time. No hurry. Still it's tempting to take shots already.
thanks Juice. Still grinding but it's looking up lately. I feel dangerous.
still lots of maniacs and crazy fish on late nights - if you can manage to find them amongst the regs. Table selection is even more important.
I finally get a good table with position on a fish that limps almost every hand.
$0.1/$0.25 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]CO$25.00:///////;BU(fish)$11.90:///////;SB(Hero)$32.65:///////;BB$42.75:///////;MP2$33.85:///////;MP3$25.00:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is SB with 6:d, 6:h.
3 folds, BU calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.25, BB folds, BU calls $1.00.
Flop: ($2.75) 5:h, 6:s, 9:c (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, BU calls $1.50.
Turn: ($5.75) 7:h (2 players)
Hero bets $3.00, BU raises to $9.15(All-In), Hero calls $6.15.
River: ($24.05) 8:h (0 players)
Hero gets uncalled bet back.
Final Pot: $17.9.
Results follow:
Hero shows a straight, nine high(6:d 6:h).
BU shows a straight, ten high(T:c 7:c).
BU wins with a straight, ten high(T:c 7:c).
I'm kind of laughing, ridiculous. I'm thinking 'right that's it mofo' you better watch out! Good I don't tilt - he's such a fish, like 70/0
Few rounds later I have position on same fish.
Known players:
[tg]MP3$26.05:///////;CO(fish)$23.60:///////;BU(Hero)$29.15:///////;SB$39.30:///////;BB$32.40:///////;MP2$25.00:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BU with Q:c, J:c.
2 folds, CO calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.25, 2 folds, CO calls $1.00.
Flop: ($2.85) 8:h, 9:s, 6:d (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $1.75, CO calls $1.75.
Turn: ($6.35) J:h (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3.25, CO calls $3.25.
River: ($12.85) 3:h (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $4.75, CO raises to $17.35(All-In), Hero calls $12.60.
I think wtf? you can't really have hit the flush, and you pushed all in last time with low pair. I bet low on purpose to induce if he had nothing.
Final Pot: $47.55.
Results follow:
Hero shows a pair of jacks(Qc Jc).
CO shows high card ace(Ad 7h).
Hero wins with a pair of jacks(Qc Jc).
So that's how it goes. Greedy eh?
So I've been reading and playing.
I'm reading No Limit Hold'em Theory and Practice again. It's one of the best books on poker I have read, even if it is too advanced for NL25 - there's a warning that moves won't work if your opponents don't fold.
It goes up it goes down. I really feel confident on the table and can outplay a lot of players. I end up getting walks in the BB, people try to trap me or other regs are simply avoiding me.
Still, it burns when you play for 2-3 hours, get up about 1.5 stacks and this happens.
I'm blind vs blind on the SB with TT and deepstacked. the BB has seen me steal, but not incessantly, but selectively. I've shown down some good hands only.
Raise my TT to 1$. (last time I only raised .75c with KK and got a fold so it might look more like a steal this time to him)
I get 3 bet to 3.0$. I can't just call it's 4 bet or fold (remember this from an earlier post in my blog) if I 4 bet I'm committed but I can also take it down right there.
I 4bet to $9.50 - he pushes another 20$ into the pot and I think about it, but have to call. He turns over KQ offsuit!!! Flop is blank turn Q, river Q. 2.5 hours gone.
I played him right, I read him right, he played it wrong. I made no mistake that I could see. If I could see his hand I would have made the same play. If he could see my hand (or even guess properly) he should have folded. Did he not make a mistake by pushing and hoping I would fold?
/rant
Hey Gavin.. Ye lot of bad things happen in poker :/ Its a dangerous bussines ..
But there shall be no rest, lets get up and focus 
I hope you hit some heater soon. Looking forward to hear more news!
Been a while. I took a couple of weeks off poker after having to drop down to NL10.
I ran bad, really really bad. I thought people could see my cards at one point - so I stopped and went back to the articles. I reread all the silver articles and a couple of books. I reviewed my mistakes and realized a few things I'd been doing that weren't only leaks, but more like tilt.
This year I've quietly been grinding again at NL10 SH. It's full of crazy play and takes a lot of discipline to not be too creative. I've been able to increase the number of tables I play to 8 or 9, and I seem to be more consistent.
This week has been very good. Even with the 7BI swings, I'm up 12BI overall. I played 9 tables profitably - even playing at 50% of EV.
Yesterday was the best yet, I played about 3700 hands for +8BI. I took a break about every hour and reviewed my play. Just solid, and some really fun - and frustrating hands.
standard hand..
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BU(Hero)$10.00:///////;SB$18.35:///////;BB$2.20:///////;MP2$10.00:///////;MP3$12.05:///////;CO$17.05:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BU with K:h, Q:s.
MP2 raises to $0.30, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.30, 2 folds.
Flop: ($0.75) A:c, J:h, T:h (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $0.60, MP2 raises to $1.20, Hero raises to $3.50, MP2 raises to $9.70, Hero calls $6.20.
Turn: ($20.15) 6:s (2 players)
River: ($20.15) A:h (2 players)
Final Pot: $20.15.
MP2 shows a full-house, tens full of aces(T:s T:d).
Hero shows a straight, ace high(K:h Q:s).
from the other side.. same session a few hands later
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (5 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BB$12.85:///////;MP3$18.85:///////;CO$9.60:///////;BU(Hero)$10.90:///////;SB$17.95:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BU with T:d, T:h.
MP3 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.50, 2 folds, MP3 calls $0.40, CO calls $0.40.
Flop: ($1.65) A:c, K:s, T:c (3 players)
MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero bets $1.30, MP3 raises to $18.35(All-In), CO folds, Hero calls $9.10(All-In).
Turn: ($30.4) 2:h (2 players)
River: ($30.4) A:s (2 players)
Final Pot: $30.4.
Hero shows a full-house, tens full of aces(T:d T:h).
MP3 shows a straight, ace high(J:h Q:c).
just wow.. and also had a confusing hand that surprised me.
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BB(Hero)$10.15:///////;MP2$18.15:///////;MP3$2.65:///////;CO$19.00:///////;BU$11.90:///////;SB$6.65:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BB with Q:h, Q:s.
3 folds, BU raises to $0.30, SB calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.20, BU calls $0.90, SB calls $0.90.
Flop: ($3.6) 2:s, 7:c, 5:d (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2.80, BU raises to $9.00, SB calls $5.45(All-In), Hero calls $6.15.
Turn: ($27) 8:d (3 players)
River: ($27) 6:s (3 players)
Final Pot: $27.
Hero shows a pair of queens(Q:h Q:s).
BU shows a pair of jacks(J:c J:h).
SB shows a pair of tens(T:s T:c).
My winrate for the past 10k hands at NL10 SH is a solid 13BB/100 (6.5ptBB)
Hoping it continues so I can be back at NL25 shortly.
Cheers and good fortune on the tables.
It's been a while, and my life has been surrounded by fish of all sorts.. might as well
Know Your Fish
'The Pineapplefish (Cleidopus gloriamaris) has a remarkable resemblance to the Pineapple fruit The Pineapplefish is easily recognised by its yellow coloured body with conspicuous black outlines on the scales forming a network pattern similar to that of a pineapple. The scales are very tough and act as armour whilst there is small light organ that can be found on either side of the lower jaw that produces a greenish glow. It is believed that the colour of the light organ changes from green to red as the fish matures. This light organ is best seen at night as it is luminescent and the Pineapplefish uses it to attract small microscopic prey to its mouth to feed on. The Pineapplefish grows to a maximum length of approximately 25 cm.
This species can be found on the east and west coasts of Australia but has not been recorded in Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania.
The Pineapplefish is generally found in small caves and under ledges where they aggregate in small groups.
This species is also well-liked by aquarium enthusiasts, as individuals have been recorded for living up to 10 years within private aquariums. Even though this fish resembles a Pineapple it is reported that it is not very good eating!'
go gavin go! ur one of the most dangerous fishermen around imo.
if u cant make it, wat hope do the rest of us have?
wish i had ur dedication. gl at the tables. just checkin in
Hi purplefizz... no purple text for me?
It's going. Like I said it's hard not to be creative and try to stack the fish even though they seem to get lucky more than their share.
I'm running at <50% of EV winnings for 14k hands but still going decent.
I run hot for a while and then lose it all in 500 hands. Last session was 6 stacks up over 2000 hands then 6 stacks down in 500. The usual coolers, suckouts bad beats and eventually tilt. I stopped at breakeven for the day.
I would have been really discouraged had it not been for this hand before the blowup. Had been stalking this maniac/fish for an hour or more already:
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BB$15.65:///////;MP2$19.55:///////;MP3$32.55:///////;CO(Hero)$33.70:///////;BU$10.00:///////;SB$27.55:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is CO with A:c, A:s.
MP2 folds, MP3 raises to $0.30, Hero raises to $0.90, 2 folds, BB calls $0.80, MP3 calls $0.60.
Flop: ($2.75) K:c, T:h, 6:c (3 players)
BB checks, MP3 checks, Hero bets $2.00, BB calls $2.00, MP3 calls $2.00.
Turn: ($8.75) K:h (3 players)
BB checks, MP3 checks, Hero bets $3.10, BB folds, MP3 calls $3.10.
River: ($14.95) A:h (2 players)
MP3 checks, Hero bets $27.70,
MP3 said, "man.."
"i think I'm up against a full hopuse"
"ermm.."
"**** it, let's call"
MP3 calls $26.55.
Final Pot: $69.2.
Results follow:
Hero shows a full-house, aces full of kings(A:c A:s).
MP3 shows three of a kind, kings(K:d 9:s).
Hero wins with a full-house, aces full of kings(A:c A:s).
MP3 said, "ya" "lucky"
I still feel like I'm killing the fish, but I need to adjust even more. I cut down on tables a bit to get some confidence back.. first hand
I hit top pair with KJ, villain in position sticks around 3 streets for the backdoor straight. I have to leave the table.
Next table starts out better.. much better.
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]SB(Hero)$13.85:///////;BB$11.50:///////;MP2$10.95:///////;MP3$10.00:///////;CO$10.15:///////;BU$17.65:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is SB with Q:c, Q:h.
MP2 folds, MP3 raises to $0.30, 2 folds, Hero raises to $1.10, BB folds, MP3 calls $0.80.
Flop: ($2.3) T:c, J:d, 9:d (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, MP3 raises to $3.00, Hero raises to $12.75, MP3 calls $5.90.
Turn: ($23.95) 6:s (2 players)
River: ($23.95) T:h (2 players)
MP3 shows two pairs, jacks and tens(8:c J:c).
Hero shows two pairs, queens and tens(Q:c Q:h).
Hero wins with two pairs, queens and tens(Q:c Q:h).
I'm really motivated to get those 6 stacks back again, and then some. Eventually the luck has to turn around doesn't it?
Wow, NL10 is still a grind. The good news, I'm well up for the last 20k hands and consistently. The bad news, the swings are 4-7BI (I guess not so bad) and getting rivered sucks - so does set under set or KK into AA.
It does even out eventually, KK finally beat AA, and I learned to be a bit more passive to take advantage of all the maniacs and fish. Short stacks are my favourite, and though I hate them, I love to play against them. Sometimes they kill tables, but overall I'm doing well against them.
Talk about set under set -boat under boat - there's always the one outer right?
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (5 handed)
Known players:
[tg]MP3$10.20:///////;CO$8.25:///////;BU(Hero)$10.30:///////;SB$10.00:///////;BB$20.55:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BU with 4:d, 4:h.
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, SB folds, BB calls $0.30.
Flop: ($0.85) 4:s, K:s, 6:s (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.60, BB calls $0.60.
Turn: ($2.05) K:c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.50, BB calls $1.50.
River: ($5.05) 4:c (2 players)
BB bets $4.30, Hero raises to $7.80, BB calls $3.50.
Final Pot: $20.65.
Results follow:
Hero shows four of a kind, fours(4d 4h).
BB shows a full-house, sixs full of kings(6h 6c).
And then sometimes you just have enough of maniacs pushing you around...
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (5 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BB$13.50:///////;MP3$8.60:///////;CO(Hero)$10.55:///////;BU$27.45:///////;SB$10.00:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is CO with J:c, T:c.
MP3 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, 2 folds, BB raises to $13.50, Hero calls $10.15(All-In).
Flop: ($24.1) 9:d, Q:c, K:d (2 players)
Turn: ($24.1) 8:h (2 players)
River: ($24.1) A:h (2 players)
Hero shows a straight, ace high(J:c T:c).
BB shows a pair of aces(6:c A:c).
there's more where that came from..
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (5 handed)
Known players:
[tg]CO$2.35:///////;BU$10.00:///////;SB(Hero)$10.05:///////;BB$17.20:///////;MP3$9.85:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is SB with A:h, Q:s.
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BB raises to $0.80, Hero raises to $2.45, BB raises to $17.30, Hero calls $7.65.
Flop: ($27.25) 4:c, 5:d, 6:c (2 players)
Turn: ($27.25) K:d (2 players)
River: ($27.25) 2:h (2 players)
Hero shows high card ace(A:h Q:s).
BB shows high card ace(A:s J:h).
I'm up to 8-9 tables, I whittle them down to 6 if I don't like it. If it's going really badly, I just leave all the tables and start again after a short break. Having some discipline keeping sessions to 1000 hands is working well.
I also played a couple of low buy-in tourneys, cashed one 87 out of 1500 I think. On my second 'milestone' almost there, and much closer to being rolled again for NL25. Taking shots soon.
thanks for reading, and good fortune on the tables. 
i know wat u mean by being too creative! the fish just dont understand...
and i dont usually write in purple in other people's blogs... out of respect for their space
Crazy day yesterday.. down 2BI up 6BI down 8BI up 5BI in 3k hands. Nice 1.5BI profit for the day lol. At least it's positive.
I got into a battle with a player who had position on me, limping 88 utg and stacking my flopped straight with a turned full house when the board paired. He took 2 stacks quickly from me and started taunting me etc.. I found him on another table finally and had direct position on him now. It wasn't long until I could take advantage.
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]MP3$9.50:///////;CO(Hero)$10.40:///////;BU$5.00:///////;SB$10.80:///////;BB$9.40:///////;MP2$2.90:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is CO with T:d, 9:d.
MP2 folds, MP3 raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.30, 3 folds.
Flop: ($0.75) 5:d, 7:d, 9:s (2 players)
MP3 checks, Hero bets $0.50, MP3 calls $0.50.
Turn: ($1.75) K:h (2 players)
MP3 checks, Hero bets $0.90, MP3 calls $0.90.
River: ($3.55) T:h (2 players)
MP3 bets $7.80, Hero calls $7.80.
Final Pot: $19.15.
Results follow:
Hero shows two pairs, tens and nines(T:d 9:d).
MP3 shows high card king(3:c 8:d).
Hero wins with two pairs, tens and nines(T:d 9:d).
he left the table even before the chips were handed over.. sweet.
I climbed back a few more stacks after this, and the 8BI freefall in <200 hands didn't feel that bad anymore.
here's how I lost 8BI
♦ turned two pair loses to flopped set (I didn't raise preflop..)
♦ flopped straight loses to turned full house (I didn't raise preflop)
♦ QQ loses to AA on low board (I called a 3 bet multiway out of position)
♦ JJ loses to rivered flush (1/2 stack -got fished)
♦ flopped set of 9's loses to turned straight 68s utg raise (I just called oop preflop)
♦ TPGK AJ loses to turned gutshot straight 57o! slowplayed (I don't cbet garbage flop, then call turn and bet river A?)
♦ this hand:
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BU$9.85:///////;SB$10.90:///////;BB$13.25:///////;MP2$20.00:///////;MP3$11.65:///////;CO(Hero)$10.00:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is CO with 7:d, 7:h.
MP2 folds, MP3 calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.50, BU calls $0.50, SB folds, BB calls $0.40, MP3 calls $0.40.
Flop: ($2.05) 5:d, 6:d, 3:d (4 players)
BB checks, MP3 bets $1.10, Hero calls $1.10, BU folds, BB calls $1.10.
Turn: ($5.35) 9:h (3 players)
BB bets $3.00, MP3 folds, Hero raises to $8.40(All-In), BB calls $5.40.
River: ($22.15) 2:s (2 players)
Final Pot: $22.15.
Results follow:
Hero shows a pair of sevens(7:d 7:h).
BB shows three of a kind, threes(3:c 3:h).
♦ I call all in pf with AK vs KK - no ace this time because I don't have the KK
Stacking my nemesis earlier turned my luck around, this hand was my biggest winner and helped me pull back 5BI from the slide.
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:
Known players:
[tg]CO$17.80:///////;BU(Hero)$19.30:///////;SB$15.95:///////;BB$13.50:///////;MP2$10.00:///////;MP3$3.40:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is BU with 2:h, 2:c.
MP2 folds, MP3 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.50, 2 folds, MP3 calls $0.40, CO calls $0.40.
Flop: ($1.65) 2:d, T:s, 6:s (3 players)
MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero bets $1.20, MP3 folds, CO calls $1.20.
Turn: ($4.05) 8:h (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3.00, CO calls $3.00.
River: ($10.05) 5:d (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3.30, CO raises to $9.00, Hero raises to $14.60, CO calls $4.10.
Final Pot: $37.75.
Results follow:
Hero shows three of a kind, twos(2:h 2:c).
CO shows a pair of eights(8:s A:s).
Hero wins with three of a kind, twos(2:h 2:c).
Back to the tables - inching closer to NL25 roll, good fortune everyone.
things are still good, I'm up 17 or so stacks after 25k hands, not the greatest winrate -
I did recover a lot of EV recently and started to boost my red line a bit more.. last 25K hands about even now for both.
I've been working hard on my game I'm not satisfied with 8bb/100 winrate even though I can play 10 tables the swings are maddening.
I tried playing a looser style, figuring I wasn't getting paid for my monsters because I was easily pegged as a 22/18 tag.
At first I played very loose, and built up a bad image quickly. I found being looser meant I had to pay closer attention to opponent ranges and could only do that on fewer tables.
I'm playing now 20/20 - 30/25 and started 3 betting a bit more. I also cut down contibets using the following reasoning on almost all decisions
1) will a better hand fold?
2) will a worse hand call?
3) am I betting for value?
4) am I betting for protection?
I'm also trying to work on eliminating these leaks:
♦ calling in the blinds (esp SB) with suited connectors, weak aces.
♦ bluffing into calling stations maniacs (still)
♦ one barreling
♦ not c-betting after 3betting pf enough (should be nearly always?)
♦ not playing pot control enough
♦ not owning the button
♦ calling value bets on the river when I know I'm beat (spite calling)
♦ not stealing from SB enough
♦ not 4betting or squeezing enough
♦ playing crap hands out of position without initiative
the result is a huge improvement overall in concentration, aggression, unreadability and most importantly, winrate. I figure I can play 3 tables at the same or higher winrate than 10 tables at due to the increased concentration alone.
I really had to see enough to believe that poker players can be so bad, I mean really really bad. trust me, I've been one of them too. Especially at NL10 there are certainly no pros, and everyone has huge leaks worse than mine.
I figure I should be absolutely owning them postflop, so I resolve to get in more pots, so long as I had position, or initiative I had a good chance of taking it down.
SH is still going to be swingy, people hit their gutshots on the turn, and folding KK on an A hi board is still hard, especially against shortstacks.
It's only NL10, if I can't crush it I don't think I should even bother playing nl25. the players there aren't really much better. the key is discipline and constant awareness of my weaknesses.
one more leak.. ♦ not laying down AA or KK to huge reraises from fish.. ugh..
some good pots during the swingy times. it's 5 stacks down 7 stacks up consistently, I was almost seasick - still there's steady winnings even though it's not much, I'll be back at NL25 before long - barring tilt.
this hand made was worth looking at again:
Known players:
[tg]MP3$18.70:///////;CO$3.60:///////;BU$10.25:///////;SB(Hero)$16.05:///////;BB$5.75:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is SB with Q:h, T:h.
MP3 raises to $0.20, CO folds, BU calls $0.20, Hero raises to $1.00, BB folds, MP3 calls $0.80, BU folds.
open minraiser is not loose or tight, but not great (obv minraising) BU is a fish. I don't want to just call so I raise planning to cbet whatever comes on the flop.
Flop: ($2.3) 3:c, T:c, A:c (2 players)
Hero bets $1.60, MP3 calls $1.60.
Standard cbet thinking he could fold a better hand with the flush out there.
A call I figure he has something, or is scared to put too much money in the pot with a decent hand that could improve
Turn: ($5.5) T:s (2 players)
Hero bets $3.00, MP3 raises to $16.10, Hero calls $10.45.
I bet for value and protection now, and when he comes over the top I have to call I think.
River: ($35.05) 9:c (2 players)
Final Pot: $35.05.
Results follow:
Hero shows three of a kind, tens(Qh Th).
MP3 shows two pairs, aces and tens(As Qd).
another hand an unkown 3bets my utg AKs raise all in 100BB. I call and he has JJ, an A comes and I get his stack. I expected anything from 99 up if it wasn't a bluff, and about a 25% chance of a pure bluff with a 30-40% range.
doing a quick calculation with a range of ranges is tough, but I figured I was getting my money in +EV - even though it was the middle good part of his range I felt good about the call. Going all in means AA, a bluff or an overbet I figure.
Anyway, back to school of fish. I'm working on eating as much fish as possible in the next little while and really working hard on my leaks. good fortune everyone.
Confession time.
I didn't want to post this, but this forum is really supporting so I don't mind telling you...
After losing 2/3 of bankroll, moving down from NL50 to NL25, then to NL10 I started to come back a bit. I made really good steady progress and showed a consistent winrate.
Then, after clawing back to almost NL25 level again I hit a streak of the worst suckout/cooler/fish calling K4o and hitting etc.. and went on tilt.
I tilted off my entire roll playing NL50 HU (don't ask) at first I did really well, and destroyed a few players (they ran away) but something happened and I started to lose with unreal rivers again. lost it all getting rivered with strong made hands to two-four outers (usual story) and because I had NO BRM, I lost everything... except my FPP's.
Funny enough I found it incredibly liberating to go broke. (not really broke, because life BRM means that I never have more than 5% of my money in poker bankroll
The next day I decided to play FPP satellites and try to build back up a roll.
First I played several hyper turbo 280FPP satellites that pay $11 for first two places and 280FPP for third. I won a few of these, but then I realized it was mostly a coinflip, I switched to my old friend the 210FPP 20 player satellite (6 tickets for $11) These are usually fairly easy to cash for me.
Pretty soon I was up to 77T$ and decided to try and convert it to real $$ with $3.40 sng's. I didn't win very many, not adjusting to the really bad play of opponents (pushing too loose) Funny, I thought I would do better at $6.50 (with stop loss) and went on a winning streak.
I then played NL, 0.02/0.05 for a while, and won 10BI fairly quickly. Pretty soon I was back up to my bankroll before I tilted. Now back at NL10 SH. Crazy!
So now I'm wondering - why play higher limits at all, if I can make so much more playing the micros? I went from $0.01 to $200 in one day (granted I was on fire)
And then I noticed something really important.
I had improved greatly by going broke and coming back.
I realized that my downswing/tilt was due to playing passively and scared. I was not bet folding.
I was not second barreling.
I didn't play the player and the board, just my cards.
I was not figuring out my opponents and playing them accordingly.
In essence, I had become a fish of sorts.
I regained a lot of confidence building back my roll so quickly. Thank stars for the FPP's, and the satellites. I've been playing A++ game since, and have learned a lot from this experience. I don't recommend it, but it does have it's positives.
I resolve no more tilt (though it was kind of exhilerating at the time) really, if I feel it coming on, I am going to shut down all tables and go away for a while.
Good fortune at the tables.
I've kept playing SNG's, I was doing so well at them after my stint at NLSH - I've got a much better handle on post flop play - and it makes a huge difference in the game. I recommend for anyone playing SNG's to play some NL for a while to get the experience they miss in SNG's.
I practiced ICM trainer with some scenarios, and also got my SNG wizard almost running again (it won't import new tourneys but the quiz is much better than ICM trainer IMO)
I seem to have a recurring leak where I go on a winning streak, get careless and go on a big losing streak.. at times like this I like to consult the book of changes (the I ching)
Throwing three coins six times to form a hexagram (six lines of yin or yang) takes a snapshot of the universe at that time, and the book is so ingenious that its accuracy is mind-boggling. I have some theories on why this is if anyone is interested. The premise is that there are no random events (yes even the RNG in pokerstars cannot be truly random)
I'm amazed sometimes how directly the readings pertain to situations posed. The latest one was a general question during a recent -10BI streak of why I was losing and how to start winning again. Here's part of what it said:
I-Ching Hexagram 63 – Chi Chi – After Completion
"This hexagram is the evolution of T’ai, PEACE (11). The transition from confusion to order is completed, and everything is in its proper place even in particulars. The strong lines are in the strong places, the weak lines in the weak places. This is a very favorable outlook, yet it gives reason for thought. For it is just when perfect equilibrium has been reached that any movement may cause order to revert to disorder. The one strong line that has moved to the top, thus effecting complete order in details, is followed by the other lines, each moving according to its nature, and thus suddenly there arises again the hexagram P’i, STANDSTILL (12).
Hence the present hexagram indicates the conditions of a time of climax, which necessitate the utmost caution.
THE JUDGMENT
AFTER COMPLETION. Success in small matters.
Perseverance furthers.
At the beginning good fortune,
At the end disorder.
The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematized, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all to easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.
THE IMAGE
Water over fire: the image of the condition
In AFTER COMPLETION.
Thus the superior man
Takes thought of misfortune
And arms himself against it in advance.
When water in a kettle hangs over fire, the two elements stand in relation and thus generate energy (cf. the production of steam). But the resulting tension demands caution. If the water boils over, the fire is extinguished and its energy is lost. If the heat is too great, the water evaporates into the air. These elements here brought into relation and thus generating energy are by nature hostile to each other. Only the most extreme caution can prevent damage. In life too there are junctures when all forces are in balance and work in harmony, so that everything seems to be in the best of order. In such times only the sage recognizes the moments that bode danger and knows how to banish it by means of timely precautions."
In essence, the structure of SNG's is an equilibrium. It is almost automatic if you play perfect ICM, but in order to do so you must prepare and be cautious to prevent damage. Indifference to the play of SNG's leads to these careless mistakes and missed opportunities, playing SNG's like an automaton is a quick way to lose your money. Looking back, I can see that most of my downswings fit this pattern.
After reading and absorbing this, I went on to win 3 of my next set of 4 SNG's.... I think I'll read it again.
Good fortune.
Been a while since my last confession er.. update.
I left pokerstars for a while - after the most unlikely series of beats, and figuring that maybe I was a fish after all?
I went to party poker - took the $100 buyin for the 100% bonus.
♦ first I played SNG's 3$ - did ok, but the rake was crazy high.
♦ moved to $6 SNG's - got up to about $160
♦ I placed in a small tourney, won some but tilted it off playing PLO (still it was fun)
♥ decided to try cash games at party - wow, so much softer than pokerstars
♥ cleared the bonus and deposited another $50 for another bonus
♥ killed NL10 - at 50BB/100
♥ moved to NL25 and about 10bb/100
♣ pokerstrategy puts extra points for easter weekend = I make gold status
♣ I start reading gold articles, and watching the videos.
♣ put the knowledge into action - now playing ~29/24 (plus or minus) as a LAGgier type player
I'm well rolled for NL25 and working towards NL50.. I've got a ton of hands to go over and I will post some soon.. some crazy ones too!
e.g. I have A:d A:c raise BU and BB fish calls , flop comes 5:s 7:s 8:c - it gets all in on the flop and he has 64 offsuit! I get distracted by action on another table, but the money is all in so can't do anything about it. Turn is A:s .. river A:h !
my worst run so far at NL25 (only a few thousand hands) is 5BI down. My biggest up is 9BI. I can live with that .. two steps forward, one step back.
got a lot more articles to digest, and videos to watch - finally get to watch Twice T - and I have to say it is a revelation! Thanks guys.
good fortune on the tables everyone.