[Bankroll Challenge] Return after Black Friday

Month did not start very well, but trying to get it back on track.
December 1st is Holiday for me, so I played a little longer than usual and way longer than I should've (6.5BI down).
After that I had a lot of social appointments and a lo more to come, just like if it was Christmas month.

I am not sure about the volume for the month, as I think I only have one week to play for the rest of the month/year. Let's see what I can do with it.

Isn't likely to be a lot more updates this month, but they probably won't be missed.

GL @ the tables

It would be unfair if he paid and didn't hit the flush.
Fold flush in a paired board vs 2x overbet? Nahhh

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 109.2 BB
SB: 150.7 BB
BB: 122.7 BB
Hero (UTG): 154.3 BB
CO: 93.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7♥ 7♠

Hero raises to 2.4 BB, CO calls 2.4 BB, fold, SB calls 1.9 BB, fold

Flop: (8.2 BB, 3 players) 2♦ 7♣ K♦
SB checks, Hero bets 6 BB, fold, SB calls 6 BB

Turn: (20.2 BB, 2 players) 9♠
SB checks, Hero bets 21.3 BB, SB calls 21.3 BB

River: (62.8 BB, 2 players) 7♦
SB checks, Hero bets 124.6 BB and is all-in, SB calls 121 BB and is all-in

Originally posted by yangmartins
It would be unfair if he paid and didn't hit the flush.
Fold flush in a paired board vs 2x overbet? Nahhh

And that is why we sometimes bluff on a paired board. Nice hand!

I am such a donk!
Don't ask me what I was afraid of.
I think I was afraid of paying rake for a split. Either that or I didn't see the paired 5s and was afraid of TT.

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 76.7 BB
BTN: 272.6 BB
SB: 72.7 BB
BB: 101.5 BB
Hero (UTG): 201.3 BB
MP: 64.5 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A♣ K♣

Hero raises to 2.4 BB, fold, fold, BTN raises to 8.8 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 20 BB, BTN calls 11.2 BB

Flop: (41.5 BB, 2 players) 5♥ 5♣ K♠
Hero bets 13 BB, BTN calls 13 BB

Turn: (67.5 BB, 2 players) T♦
Hero bets 17 BB, BTN raises to 39 BB, Hero calls 22 BB

River: (145.5 BB, 2 players) K♥
Hero checks, BTN bets 60 BB, Hero calls 60 BB

I think I was afraid of paying rake for a split.

How much is your rake? Our local site is 10% @20nl & 50nl. From 100nl its 7% I think. I hate when its clear we going to split but opponent still bets or shoves.

Originally posted by jiffybag

I think I was afraid of paying rake for a split.

How much is your rake? Our local site is 10% @20nl & 50nl. From 100nl its 7% I think. I hate when its clear we going to split but opponent still bets or shoves.

I don't really know.

Thing is I played really bad. I think I missread the board and didn't see the doubled 5. I am so used to complicate when deep that I failed to extract with this hand.
I am convincing myself villain would not call a jam and that I didn't loose value.

Originally posted by yangmartins
Thing is I played really bad. I think I missread the board and didn't see the doubled 5. I am so used to complicate when deep that I failed to extract with this hand.
I am convincing myself villain would not call a jam and that I didn't loose value.

Don't beat yourself up about misreading the board. It happens.
Your second comment is likely true, but this is a guy who calls the flop, raises the turn and leads the river with a K on the board — and holding only QQ

My comment is the small open-raises. If you're following a coach or some system that recommends that, then fine, but I dislike the small opens because it gives BB pot odds to call with a much wider range, and it seems to lead to more multi-way pots.

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 52 BB - Wahle
Hero (SB): 102 BB
BB: 77.5 BB - Loose passive, but not 100% CS
UTG: 120.7 BB
CO: 71.7 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♦ A♥

fold, fold, BTN raises to 2 BB, Hero raises to 8 BB, BB calls 7 BB, BTN calls 6 BB
Pretty standard to try isolate the whale. I was not happy that BB decided to joi, but it is what it is.

Flop: (24 BB, 3 players) 9♣ J♥ 7♠
Hero checks, BB bets 6 BB, BTN calls 6 BB, Hero calls 6 BB
This flop is a mix. AQlthough it gets part of my range, it also gets into villains range. They won't fold any T there, so there's no point in Cbetting.
1/4 bet from BB doesn't really represent much of strength. That can easily be a T, or any J. BTN calls, as a good whale he is and I think my hand is OK for a 1/6pot float.

Turn: (42 BB, 3 players) T♦
Hero checks, BB checks, BTN checks
This river isn't either good nor bad for me. It opens me up for str8, but I think there's a lot of 2 pair combos there.
When both villains check, I think none of them has an unfoldable hand (2 pairs, str8).

River: (42 BB, 3 players) 4♦
Hero bets 21.9 BB, fold, fold
River is as good as a brick can be. Now, against 2 what am I holding, what can I represent and what can they hold/fold.
1- KQ is nuts. considering the PF action, it is possible that any of them is holding it, BUT is BB had it, he surely would bet turn with str8, after betting flop. BTN would most likely bet the turn, considering the action arrived to him in check. So, the only one on the 3 that can have KQ is me and it consistent with my play (they have no idea how I would play KQ there).
2- Sets are also possible, considering the PF action, but apart from pocket 4s, would the action be as it was if someone was holding it? I don't think so. It is clear I don't have a set myslef.
3- 2 pair hands are the ones I'me worried about here, as they have a difficult fold.

Now, from the action, and considering I 3betted pre-flop, what hands can I be holding?
AA, KK and QQ mostly likely not, or I would've betted flop, at least.
JJ or 99, also very unlikely that I check set on such flop after PF action.
TT is very well in my range, calling with "2nd pair"+GS on flop and turning set.
AK is very unlikely, as pool 200% CBet AK regrdless of the board.
AQ, AJ, KQ, KJ, AT are a mix, on this pool, some 3bet it, some call it (as actioned PF). . AJ and KJ would've betted flop. So it leaves me with AT, AQ and KQ.
AT wouldn't definitely bet, but would go with calls.
AQ would be trashed probably on flop and definitely (by pool) not bet the river.
I can only have KQ, if I bet and want to get paid.
And that decides why I betted 1/2 pot and not more. Is a board where I shown strength, but making my bet look like I want a call. I don't know if the rsult would be the same if I betted closer or above pot.

What I want to highlight in this hand is how, against 2 players that I often wouldn't bluff against, I decided to make a bluff value bet, just by analyzing my perceived range and capping theirs on previous strees actions.

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 139.8 BB
UTG: 166.1 BB
CO: 241.5 BB
BTN: 156.9 BB
Hero (SB): 100 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K♦ A♦

fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 10 BB, fold, BTN calls 7.5 BB
Pretty standard

Flop: (21 BB, 2 players) 2♦ 3♥ 6♥
Hero bets 6.6 BB, BTN raises to 15.2 BB, Hero calls 8.6 BB
Wouldn't it be funny if I flopped something?
My Cbet is debatble, as flop clearly doesn't hit my range, but I have a lot of high pocket pairs in my range and I don't want to cap my range for villain, so I decided to Cbet. My usual Cbet, on such flops is 1/3, so I kept it.
When villain raises, I think he has 88 to JJ. Maybe some overcards FD. Not much of sets, tbh. I think I have 2 life cards and let's call it by the name, I am too donk to fold my hand just like that.
I think my call doesn't cap my range at all.

Turn: (51.4 BB, 2 players) 5♦
Hero checks, BTN bets 24.4 BB, Hero raises to 74.8 BB and is all-in, fold
I don't know how I would've played if turn didn't open up FD for me, but it did and the donk that didn't want to fold flop now has even less will to fold.
Is almost guaranteed villain will bet turn. Even if he doesn't, I don't mind having a free river with my hand. I think I cannot bet this turn.
When he bets 25 into 50, he leaves me with 50 (if I call) in a 100 pot for the river. Meaning if I call I am pretty commited. At the same time, if I shove this turn he will be 50 to 150 for calling. Looks reasonable, so let's see if he can fold anything and if so, what.

The only hands that make sense for him to have are pockets (including the ones that setted) and probably some combos.
Against his combos I am likely ahead, as I have draw and higher cards.
Against his pocket pairs, I think there's a lot more pairs and higher pairs in my range. Probably he can fold about half is pocket holdings (likely fold 88 to TT).
Against sets, well, I am not dead and I really don't want to fold this hand, so only one option.

December is a complicated month for me to play poker.
An holiday next to a weekend in the middle of the month and I took it to travel. Week after I had to travel on work and then...Xmas and New Year.
I gave up on the bonus and accepted I wouldn't be anywhere near my usual volume (I try to get 25k hands/month+).

Nonetheless, it was a good month. I played only NL10 and am getting more comfortable with it.
It actually helped that I new I wouldn't play as much, so I decided to study a little more and ended adding a couple things to my game.
Main difference being the range instead of hands play. I am not grat at it, but I can understand it (kind of) and I am less afraid of doing it and also accepting that when I play more hands I am called more often, either when I have good hands and when I am bluffing. Next step will be to balance it better.

All in all, a good month.

Stats for regular tables (I erased zoom from memory - mine, not PT4)

Noticeable:

Lower VPIP, Higher PFR
increased 3bet PF for NL10
increased 4bet+ decreased Call 3bet as consequence
Increased Squeeze, as consequence of the above
Slightly higher PF Pos. Awareness
Increased 3 bet steal
Increased Total AF

Would love if someone takes a look and shares oppinion(s)

I think overall it reflects a slightly more agressive style of play, as I think it should be as limits are climbed. Not that one should be less agressive in lower stakes, but as one evolves (necessity and consequence of states climbing) one gets more aggressive.

Current bankroll: 600€

This is likely it for the year. If it happens to play some hands, volume will be negligible.
I will try to make an year (actually 3 months) review later this year or soon the next one.

GL @ the tables.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year

...wishing you the very best for a peaceful, prosperous 2023,

Happy new year, have a good one

A little later than usual, but here comes the December report.

Month graph

Month stats

As expected, December did not allow for decent volume, but it was a good month nonetheless.
It was my first month playing only NL10 and I am enjoying it. Also, I feel my game evolved more in one month playing NL10 than in previous 2 months playing from NL2 to NL10:

I feel more comfortable 3betting light IP
I feel more comfortable playing range against "regs"
I feel more comfortable deffending my blinds
I am making major mistakes against donks. Specially when they shove, I often place them in air when they have close to nuts.
I'm having troubles keeping my aggression against whales and stations. I get too tight and overbet instead of valuebetting. The PF betsize increase in tables with 2 to 3 whales is giving away my hand against some regs that can be there. I think this is me playing a little scared of suck outs.
After being card dead for a while I start playing the opponents with air. This is not as good as may sound

Let's hope 2023 treat me as good as 2022 did.

GL @ the tables

It is time to evaluate 2022 and define some milestones for 2023.

2022 review:

Overall:

Starting with 101€, the bankroll grew to 644€. 404€ won, 140€ from bonus.
In my experience, a break-even player that is willing to put the effort to get in some volume can make a profit from bonus and getting better will be a consequence of this effort. So, my advice to any break-even player is to put in volume in the lower limits.

NL2:

NL2 is just a jungle. One doesn't need a lot of poker brain to conquer it. I don't have it and conquered it @20+ bbs/100.
I am curious how I would I do if I went back to NL2 playing how I am playing NL10. Maybe the future makes me swallow my pride and I need to get back there...hope not.

NL2 key considerations:
Work PF range. The field is weak and a tight PF range will ensure a long run advantage for the hands that it is the main profit source.
Valuebet. The field is eager to pay. Forget about making them fold. Just value-bet to dead.
Learn to fold. Aligned with value betting. If value-bet gets raised, often in NL2 one is beaten.

NL5:

I didn't play much hands in NL5. It was curious to see so many familiar faces. Players I was facing in NL2 and I was finding them here simultaneously. This allowed me to have some knowledge on them (probably they also had in me).
I was expecting NL5 to be a stronger filter, meaning a lot more difficulties than in NL2. At first, it was, because I tried to adapt my game abruptly, instead of correcting one leak at the time and introduce one new play at the time. After that, it was smooth enough, for me to go by.

NL5 key considerations:
Position, position, position. A lot of playable hands from NL2 now deppend on position. A tighter range from EP and wider from BTN are key. In NL5, I don't think I saw a lot of blind deffenses, even from regs and even regs often called instead of raising. At the same time, everyone learnt to raise limpers.
Start paying attention to opponents Players in NL5 already developed a strategy through NL2 and a lot of them aren't able to adapt, so they keep playing all the same. If one finds their patterns, it is easily exploitable and they don't adjust often.

NL10:

I will be here for a while, I think. For now, the plan is to make 500€ profit on NL10, or reach 1100€ on bankroll before I move up to NL25. This may change, but that's the idea.
The idea is also to make a withdraw sometime soon. The only reson for that is that I think being able to do something with money coming from poker (hobby) will sharpen my mindset about it.

NL10 key considerations (yet to prove):
++Aggression I regret not being (at least) as agressive in NL2 and NL5 as I'm becoming in NL10. Main reason behind this regret is that when I arrived to NL10 I had to adapt myself to this change in game. 3betting light and even some 4bet steals became part of my repertoir and even when they fail to work, they change my image on the table, making it harder for opponents to place my hand.
Range vs hand Be conscient about image at the table and perceived range and start playing range instead of hands. Same goes for opponent.

For 2023, and keeping it on what I can "control":

25k+ hands/month. I think this is realitic and maybe even on the lower side.
Get some time off the tables once a week to study a little more. Would be nice if I could get the Saturdays to do 50/50 study/play, but I won't sacrifice bonus unlock for some extra time studying. Bonus seem, at worst, free practice.
Think, think, re-think, repeat before hero-calling whales on their nonsense plays. This has been where I bleed most of my profits.
Keep updating this blog. I can't compromise with weekly, but let's ensure it is at least monthly.
Keep posting and discussing hands in hands review.
Make an extra effort to create some content. I have some topics I want to write about, but I am missing to organize them. Think this would be even better than extra studying.
Start making some withdraws. Just to understand poker money is not only money to play poker. I'm yet to decide when, but I would like to start cashing out the bonus and play based on profit.

Let's hope for a good 2023!

Those are nice results! Your VPIP/PFR didn't change much from 2nl - 5nl, but they are closer at 10nl, 22/18, I'll sit out if I see this tag

The idea is also to make a withdraw sometime soon.

I did this today, I want to start from overs, @2nl, as I feel when I started out, I was all over the place and wasn't really beating the level, mainly breaking even or losing slightly. I'm beating 2nl now, and I am much less prone to losing my temper and spewing money when things don't go my way. I hope to be at 10nl or at least taking shots at 10nl by the end of the year, maybe sooner if things go smoothly. Anyways GL with your grind.

Originally posted by jiffybag
... I hope to be at 10nl or at least taking shots at 10nl by the end of the year, maybe sooner if things go smoothly. Anyways GL with your grind.

April. April 12th, on my birthday, come here and tell me what limit you're playing.
You are focused. You are invested. You question. You adapt. You think. I am confident by April you'll be playing NL10.

From the producers of "Really?!?!"

Acting as hero "The punching bag"

Soundtrack from "This looks like NL2"

Directed by "Thankfully they don't know how to extract"

I have the sadness to present you 2023:

In a pokerstars at the distance of a click.

Current bankroll: 634.90€

Want to tilt me? That's how you tilt me.
PokerStars praizing the wrong plays.
At least allow me to fold before I have 2nd nuts, so that you don't suck me out.
Note how he would go 3 streets (PF, F, T) witout betting it.

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 43.2 BB
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 113.8 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 78.8 BB
BTN: 159.7 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J♣ 9♦

fold, fold, fold, fold, SB calls 0.5 BB, Hero checks

Flop: (2 BB, 2 players) T♣ K♠ 6♦
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (2 BB, 2 players) Q♠
SB checks, Hero bets 1.7 BB, SB raises to 3.4 BB, Hero raises to 6.7 BB, SB raises to 10 BB, Hero raises to 29.3 BB, SB raises to 42.2 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 12.9 BB

River: (86.4 BB, 2 players) Q♣

Freaking amazing time for PS client to go down.
Folded by time out. Afetr waiting for a hand like this against whale.

PokerStars - €0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 112.5 BB
BB: 107.1 BB
Hero (UTG): 103.6 BB
CO: 365.1 BB
BTN: 123.3 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K♦ A♥

Hero raises to 4.2 BB, CO calls 4.2 BB, fold, fold, fold

Flop: (9.9 BB, 2 players) 4♠ J♠ K♥
Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (9.9 BB, 2 players) 6♥
Hero bets 8.3 BB, CO raises to 34.3 BB, Hero calls 26 BB

River: (78.5 BB, 2 players) A♣
Hero checks, CO bets 74.6 BB, fold