:: Midstakes HeadsUp SNG ($60, $30) HYPAZZZ ::

Originally posted by purplefizz
ragney, why dont u play NL50? what brm do u use?

A big part of my bankroll came from bonuses IMO. Like $600 first deposit bonus and $200 SCOOP reload bonus (so this is already about half of my bankroll). I still think I'm not ready for NL50. I still chicken out vs the loose aggresive regulars on my limit because I don't want to get into a huge variance war with them. I focus on the weaker players at the moment. I'll stick to a ~40x BRM and try NL50 around/after summer vacation orso.

Finally a decent weekend upswing...

Some notes:
- Bluff less OOP
- Bluff less vs regulars on crappy low-card boards, they aren't stupid
- Respect UTG raises more
- Stop playing one/two gappers from the blinds, we are OOP and due to some reverse implieds etc its not profitable enough most of the time

Will post some hands after coach review in the future.

Near month end update... Haven't played much due national exams coming up. Still need to play about 8500 hands to finish the reload bonus.

Note: Stop being way too aggresive on WA/WB situation! Its really shitty and especially on river where the potsize is big.

Hey ragney,

Nice blog here!

I think you are loosing lot in Non-showdown winnings, i think you should work on it seriously. Also for SH seeing your stats at the beginning of blog, i think you are playing nitty for short hand, 15/13 is too nitty for SH, I think you need to loosen up little more then you are now and also steal lot, Also hire some experts to watch your game and tell you why your non-showdown looses are lot, I too have that problem, started working on it.

Good Luck.

Originally posted by MaHnaK
Hey ragney,

Nice blog here!

I think you are loosing lot in Non-showdown winnings, i think you should work on it seriously. Also for SH seeing your stats at the beginning of blog, i think you are playing nitty for short hand, 15/13 is too nitty for SH, I think you need to loosen up little more then you are now and also steal lot, Also hire some experts to watch your game and tell you why your non-showdown looses are lot, I too have that problem, started working on it.

Good Luck.

Thank you

Sadly I'm too lazy to update my own blog but I guess I should. I'm playing now about 18/15 indeed its abit nitty but I select my tables also pretty well so when there is passive fishes left to me (very often) I open tighter from the CO/BU because stealing with crap hands while they don't fold is a bad idea IMO. And yeah, I'm way to nitty on showdown, my WTS is about 21% and thats very low and something I have to work on (thats the biggest part of my non-sd looses). I have someone (friend who suggested me poker) watching my game already

Also played nl25 and almost 50. Now back at 10.

Originally posted by ragney

Originally posted by MaHnaK
Hey ragney,

Nice blog here!

I think you are loosing lot in Non-showdown winnings, i think you should work on it seriously. Also for SH seeing your stats at the beginning of blog, i think you are playing nitty for short hand, 15/13 is too nitty for SH, I think you need to loosen up little more then you are now and also steal lot, Also hire some experts to watch your game and tell you why your non-showdown looses are lot, I too have that problem, started working on it.

Good Luck.

Thank you

Sadly I'm too lazy to update my own blog but I guess I should. I'm playing now about 18/15 indeed its abit nitty but I select my tables also pretty well so when there is passive fishes left to me (very often) I open tighter from the CO/BU because stealing with crap hands while they don't fold is a bad idea IMO. And yeah, I'm way to nitty on showdown, my WTS is about 21% and thats very low and something I have to work on (thats the biggest part of my non-sd looses). I have someone (friend who suggested me poker) watching my game already

A good way to still steal quite lightly from CO and BU against passive fishes are playing hands with a lot of equity against their range, they usually like suited cards with some sort of connection. Hands that play well against this range are like TPGK sort of hands like Q7s and J8s and things, as well as your standard opening range.

@Wriggers: Those are my CO/BU opening range already

I updated my first post abit with May graphs.

Oh well, time to post some hands I played badly.

Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $30.40 - VPIP: 16, PFR: 14, 3B: 5, AF: 2.0, Hands: 1413
CO: $25.89 - VPIP: 20, PFR: 15, 3B: 4, AF: 1.9, Hands: 3955
Hero (BTN): $35.24
SB: $25.00 - VPIP: 18, PFR: 15, 3B: 6, AF: 3.3, Hands: 7165
BB: $27.15 - VPIP: 25, PFR: 15, 3B: 7, AF: 1.9, Hands: 3403

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with K♦ Q♠
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, SB raises to $2.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.75

Flop: ($5.25) J♥ 3♠ 5♣ (2 players)
SB bets $3.00, Hero calls $3

Turn: ($11.25) T♣ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $6.00, SB raises to $19.50, Hero folds

Standard 3bet call vs a high% reg stealer. Plan was to float him as most of the time his range is air. The turnbet is horrible because we're forced to fold to a shove. Instead we should check behind and bet the river if we hit or not to float. Incase he bets the river we can go allin if we hit and fold if we didn't. So burned 24bb there for nothing.

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Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $30.79 - VPIP: 12, PFR: 10, 3B: 5, AF: 2.3, Hands: 3407
CO: $27.84 - VPIP: 17, PFR: 13, 3B: 4, AF: 3.7, Hands: 6422
BTN: $28.02 - VPIP: 29, PFR: 19, 3B: 0, AF: Infinity, Hands: 21
Hero (SB): $25.00
BB: $26.34 - VPIP: 29, PFR: 19, 3B: 5, AF: 1.5, Hands: 4126
UTG: $25.00 - VPIP: 23, PFR: 18, 3B: 7, AF: 3.2, Hands: 1025

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with T♦ A♦
4 folds, Hero raises to $1, BB calls $0.75

Flop: ($2.00) 6♥ J♥ T♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, BB calls $1.50

Turn: ($5.00) 6♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $3.00, Hero folds

This play is just too weak. Villain is somewhat aggresive he could be betting with alot worse hands. We have to call the turn or bet the turn ourself for value.

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Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $77.03 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 18, 3B: 7, AF: 3.5, Hands: 4161
BTN: $28.77 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 19, 3B: 3, AF: 1.0, Hands: 58
SB: $25.00 - VPIP: 18, PFR: 16, 3B: 6, AF: 3.3, Hands: 1008
Hero (BB): $30.16
UTG: $15.11 - VPIP: 36, PFR: 20, 3B: 7, AF: 1.4, Hands: 1287
MP: $31.38 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 11, 3B: 2, AF: 1.5, Hands: 7050

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 4♥ 4♣
3 folds, BTN raises to $1, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.75

Flop: ($2.10) 4♠ K♠ 5♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.60, BTN raises to $4.20, Hero calls $2.60

Turn: ($10.50) 6♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($10.50) 2♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Shove it preflop, we're OOP and we cannot afford to give him free cards. Along with the fold equity it should be a profitable move.

Originally posted by ragney

Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $77.03 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 18, 3B: 7, AF: 3.5, Hands: 4161
BTN: $28.77 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 19, 3B: 3, AF: 1.0, Hands: 58
SB: $25.00 - VPIP: 18, PFR: 16, 3B: 6, AF: 3.3, Hands: 1008
Hero (BB): $30.16
UTG: $15.11 - VPIP: 36, PFR: 20, 3B: 7, AF: 1.4, Hands: 1287
MP: $31.38 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 11, 3B: 2, AF: 1.5, Hands: 7050

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 4♥ 4♣
3 folds, BTN raises to $1, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.75

Flop: ($2.10) 4♠ K♠ 5♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.60, BTN raises to $4.20, Hero calls $2.60

Turn: ($10.50) 6♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($10.50) 2♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Shove it preflop, we're OOP and we cannot afford to give him free cards. Along with the fold equity it should be a profitable move.

Why don't you
1. Re-raise him on flop,
2. Bet on the turn ~ 1/2,
3. Value bet on river ?

Thats what I said. Re-raise/shove flop. If he calls to re-raise, I shove it on the turn regardless the card.

Not betting on turn/river was totally my mistake. Hence written above "very bad played hands"

nice analysis. i like

Originally posted by purplefizz
nice analysis. i like

You're welcome

It seems to be that we're running very very badly this month. The funny thing according to my coach, my play has improved for sure comparing to last month. I guess this month is full of swings. Today marks one of my biggest losing days, played about 3 hours 8-tabling and we're down by 8 stacks! 6 stacks of them were lost preflop all-ins (std range QQ+/AK). Also lost some big pots. Good lesson for the soon NL50 poker mindset.

Some hands:

Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $25.57
MP: $24.55 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 17, 3B: 8, AF: 4.7, Hands: 2325
CO: $28.23 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 17, 3B: 11, AF: 5.2, Hands: 3548
BTN: $12.50 - VPIP: 20, PFR: 14, 3B: 4, AF: 3.1, Hands: 81997
SB: $49.19 - VPIP: 40, PFR: 7, 3B: 1, AF: 1.4, Hands: 2168
BB: $25.60 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 17, 3B: 7, AF: 2.2, Hands: 1193

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with A♥ T♥
Hero raises to $1, MP calls $1, 4 folds

Flop: ($2.35) 8♦ 5♦ A♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.80, MP calls $1.80

Turn: ($5.95) Q♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $2.83, Hero calls $2.83

River: ($11.61) 9♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $8.28, Hero calls $8.28

Villain is very aggresive. I thought I'd go for c/c turn and re-evaluate river. Most likely will c/c river was well as such bet doesn't like for thin value (like any other Ax) but bluffy. I think it was better to bet the turn ourself, the board is still somewhat drawy.

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Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP: $24.41 - VPIP: 47, PFR: 29, 3B: 4, AF: 1.5, Hands: 821
CO: $40.41 - VPIP: 16, PFR: 14, 3B: 5, AF: 3.7, Hands: 4010
BTN: $28.39 - VPIP: 21, PFR: 18, 3B: 6, AF: 3.5, Hands: 9718
SB: $26.91 - VPIP: 18, PFR: 13, 3B: 4, AF: 2.3, Hands: 3642
BB: $10.81 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 11, 3B: 0, AF: Infinity, Hands: 9
Hero (UTG): $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with Q♥ A♠
Hero raises to $1, MP calls $1, 4 folds

Flop: ($2.35) 3♥ J♥ A♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.80, MP calls $1.80

Turn: ($5.95) K♦ (2 players)
Hero bets $4.25, MP raises to $8.50, Hero folds

Given the odds, we should just call this down with the second nutflush. Most fishes likes to play connected cards or suited gappers.

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Poker Stars $25.00 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players -
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $12.85 - VPIP: 29, PFR: 5, 3B: 2, AF: 2.6, Hands: 2253
UTG: $40.66 - VPIP: 22, PFR: 11, 3B: 2, AF: 2.3, Hands: 149
Hero (CO): $27.65
BTN: $25.00 - VPIP: 19, PFR: 16, 3B: 8, AF: 2.9, Hands: 4347
SB: $30.49 - VPIP: 28, PFR: 13, 3B: 2, AF: 1.3, Hands: 1008

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with K♣ A♠
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, BTN raises to $2.70, 2 folds, Hero raises to $6.25, BTN calls $3.55

Flop: ($12.85) 3♥ 8♠ 4♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $6.00, Hero folds

Now this hand is abit tricky, if we cbet about half pot we need about 33% succes ratio. Do we have it? I'm not sure. I don't think anything weaker than AQ+/JJ+ are calling us down.

Back from a 6 week poker break. Went on a 4 week vacation and the other time was to improve poker / take a break from poker for mindset.

My last week so far, crushing NL25 abit and time to move to NL50 very very soon.

So far we're running good after our vacation:

1. Villain is very very aggresive. I wanted to raise small to keep some Qx in but I guess I might as well ship it in as he won't fold after that raise.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($25.85)
BB ($60.49)
UTG ($28.32)
Hero ($25)
CO ($29.96)
BTN ($20.06)

Dealt to Hero T♥ T♦

fold, Hero raises to $0.75, CO calls $0.75, fold, fold, BB calls $0.50

FLOP ($2.35) 4♥ Q♥ T♠

BB checks, Hero bets $1.70, CO raises to $4, BB folds, Hero raises to $9.70, CO calls $5.70

TURN ($21.75) 4♥ Q♥ T♠ K♣

Hero bets $14.55 (AI), CO calls $14.55

RIVER ($50.85) 4♥ Q♥ T♠ K♣ 5♣

2. Villain is somewhat tight tag. Thought I could make him fold any draws/weak Ax. I still think its the best move, not very sure though.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($34.68)
BB ($37.02)
Hero ($25.32)
UTG+1 ($28.98)
CO ($26.55)
BTN ($27.90)

Dealt to Hero 5♠ K♠

Hero raises to $0.85, fold, fold, BTN calls $0.85, fold, BB calls $0.60

FLOP ($2.65) A♠ 8♦ 2♠

BB checks, Hero bets $2, BTN calls $2, BB folds

TURN ($6.65) A♠ 8♦ 2♠ J♣

Hero bets $4.50, BTN raises to $25.05 (AI), Hero folds

BTN wins $14.89

3. Easy one. Range your villain and bet properly. Easy +100bb.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($20.14)
BB ($39.66)
Hero ($27.22)
BTN ($49.30)

Dealt to Hero T♦ J♠

Hero raises to $0.75, BTN calls $0.75, fold, BB calls $0.50

FLOP ($2.35) K♠ A♦ Q♠

BB checks, Hero bets $1.90, BTN calls $1.90, BB calls $1.90

TURN ($8.05) K♠ A♦ Q♠ 2♣

BB checks, Hero bets $6.20, BTN calls $6.20, BB folds

RIVER ($20.45) K♠ A♦ Q♠ 2♣ 6♠

Hero bets $18.37 (AI), BTN calls $18.37

One interesting hand that I want to point out.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($10.32)
BB ($29.31)
UTG ($37.40)
CO ($27.65)
Hero ($25.35)

Dealt to Hero J♦ A♦

UTG raises to $0.75, fold, Hero calls $0.75, fold, fold

FLOP ($1.85) 4♠ 7♦ 8♠

UTG bets $1.23, Hero calls $1.23

TURN ($4.31) 4♠ 7♦ 8♠ 8♣

UTG checks, Hero bets $2.70, UTG calls $2.70

RIVER ($9.71) 4♠ 7♦ 8♠ 8♣ 7♥

UTG bets $2, Hero raises to $9, UTG folds

Hero shows J♦ A♦

Hero wins $13.05

Villain is a reg. Not sure how to play the river. His action on the turn+river looks weak so raised the river to fold out any Ax and maybe 99-JJ but if he had those he would barrel again since he isn't passive.

Calling isn't bad either but I don't see a reg betting so small and re-raise the river. Only fishes do it sometimes. Still unsure about my riverplay.

Anyway we're still running about 9bb/100h (~12bb/100h (incl. rakeback)) over a 20k sample this month.

As for my poker goals, I told myself I would be playing with 40-50x BRM @ NL50 within a year, which will happen soon. I can see myself playing NL50 somewhere in September (if school doesn't kill much of my time..)

So far so good. My last 8k hands were some really insane swings!

#1
Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($70.70)
BB ($25)
UTG ($23.03)
UTG+1 ($28.57)
Hero ($25)
BTN ($30.59)

Dealt to Hero Q♥ K♣

UTG calls $0.25, fold, Hero raises to $1, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls $0.75

FLOP ($2.35) 8♦ 3♦ 5♦

UTG checks, Hero bets $1.70, UTG calls $1.70

TURN ($5.75) 8♦ 3♦ 5♦ 7♠

UTG checks, Hero bets $4, UTG calls $4

RIVER ($13.75) 8♦ 3♦ 5♦ 7♠ 6♠

UTG checks, Hero bets $8.25, UTG folds

Hero shows Q♥ K♣

Hero wins $13.08

Wasn't sure to bet river or not, he's not showing any aggresion on this wet board. So I just fire a 2/3 barrel to check him.

#2
Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $0.25(BB) Replayer
SB ($25)
BB ($69)
CO ($25)
Hero ($29.69)

Dealt to Hero J♥ J♦

fold, Hero raises to $0.60, SB raises to $2.25, fold, Hero raises to $6, SB calls $3.75

FLOP ($12.25) 6♥ 9♠ 2♠

SB checks, Hero bets $6.25, SB raises to $19 (AI), Hero calls $12.75

TURN ($50.25) 6♥ 9♠ 2♠ 8♠

RIVER ($50.25) 6♥ 9♠ 2♠ 8♠ 3♥

Lol so funny our blind battles, I made my cbet look like a AK.

I was watching my friend playing NL50 and it seems much harder. Less fishes obviously but the problem is there is like no nits playing around (since they cannot be a winning player @ NL50). So the ~18/16 players there are actually "the nits". Nits are so the best villain to have on your left

Another problem is that NL25 is providing me a good rate, maybe the sample is still small but I'm averaging ~$14/hour without rakeback. So its going to be a hard decision for me to play NL50 or not. I think I have to at least try it.

Nice progress. I played NL25 also b4, til almost NL50. Did some shots, twice and they always destroyed me.:p(also moved back too late)
Now back at NL10 and almost back to 25. Finally!

Originally posted by EmmaDauwe
Nice progress. I played NL25 also b4, til almost NL50. Did some shots, twice and they always destroyed me.:p(also moved back too late)
Now back at NL10 and almost back to 25. Finally!

NL50 will never destroy me because I have about 50-60 stacks

NL25 destroyed me because I was playing with a 25x BRM which is very very low. I recommend to everyone at least 40x to avoid variance. So I learned my lesson here already, I also moved down to NL10.