Dublinmatt

Originally posted by dublinmatt
Hi

I'm 39, been playing poker online and offline for around 10 years now, really enjoy it but always seem to fall victim to the bad beat, I know it's me and not the cards so want to learn how to fix my leaks and start making some money!

Despite my username (I did live in Dublin previously) I'm English and live in Co Kildare in ireland!

Matt

Hello Matt,

Welcome to the course.

For more information on each lesson please visit this link: Welcome to the No Limit Beginners Course Forums

Bad beats are part of poker and unfortunately we have to get used to them. We get bad beat but we also deal bad beats. It's just how variance works

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Bogdan

Week 1 Homework

Question 1: What is your motivation for playing poker?
Firstly, I enjoy playing, whether it’s online at home , in a casino or with a few beers in a friends house. Secondly, because I genuinely believe I have the “smarts” to get good at it, without sounding too arrogant I have a good IQ and analytical brain. And finally, I’d like to make a bit of money from it for the finer things in life!

Question 2: What are your weaknesses when playing poker?
I believe I play well pre-flop, but my leaks are definitely post-flop, either by not getting the value from good hands by playing too aggressive and forcing an early fold, or by folding myself when I should be staying in. Also, in offline games, the pace of the game means I tend to get impatient (especially after a few beers) and not wait for the playable hands.

Question 3: What does it mean to play tight aggressive?
Tight aggressive means waiting for the playable hands, and getting value for them by raising big and forcing large pots from the outset, or post-flop by controlling the pot if you have a draw. It works because you are saving your BBs for when you need them, rather than wasting them on cards that are getting you nowhere.

Originally posted by dublinmatt
Week 1 Homework

Question 1: What is your motivation for playing poker?
Firstly, I enjoy playing, whether it’s online at home , in a casino or with a few beers in a friends house. Secondly, because I genuinely believe I have the “smarts” to get good at it, without sounding too arrogant I have a good IQ and analytical brain. And finally, I’d like to make a bit of money from it for the finer things in life!

Question 2: What are your weaknesses when playing poker?
I believe I play well pre-flop, but my leaks are definitely post-flop, either by not getting the value from good hands by playing too aggressive and forcing an early fold, or by folding myself when I should be staying in. Also, in offline games, the pace of the game means I tend to get impatient (especially after a few beers) and not wait for the playable hands.

Question 3: What does it mean to play tight aggressive?
Tight aggressive means waiting for the playable hands, and getting value for them by raising big and forcing large pots from the outset, or post-flop by controlling the pot if you have a draw. It works because you are saving your BBs for when you need them, rather than wasting them on cards that are getting you nowhere.

Homework 1 complete, congrats !

Q1: having the smarts is not enough to succeed in a game like this. However, if you have a good work ethic and are disciplined you have a good chance to succeed.

Q2: The leaks you pointed out are very common and you are on the right track to improving them (this course, evaluation forums, coachings, videos, etc).

Best of luck at the tables,

Bogdan

Week 2 Homework (Finally!)
Question 1: What do you think you could play differently than suggested in the BSS Starting Hands Chart and why?
Suited potential straight draws (ie 9Js), in CO, BU or SB. This can be used as a blind steal but also can hit a flush or straight draw on the flop. Also, A2o for similar reasons in same position.

Question 2: Do you have questions about your preflop play? Post your hand for evaluation. ( Post your hand in the Hand evaluation forums and provide a link to your hand in your private thread in the Locker Room.)
Have a few more evaluations posted but here are the most recent three:
TT in MP1
Nl2 66Sb
NL2 J10 in BU

Question 3: What is the equity of AKo against the top 5% range? 5% means 88+, AJs+, KQs, AKo. ( You can either calculate this yourself or use an equity calculator such as the PokerStrategy.com Equilab.)
46.32%

Hey Matt!
Thought I would post here after seeing your username
Gl with your poker career!
Max

Thanks, up the Dubs!

Originally posted by dublinmatt
Week 2 Homework (Finally!)
Question 1: What do you think you could play differently than suggested in the BSS Starting Hands Chart and why?
Suited potential straight draws (ie 9Js), in CO, BU or SB. This can be used as a blind steal but also can hit a flush or straight draw on the flop. Also, A2o for similar reasons in same position.

Question 2: Do you have questions about your preflop play? Post your hand for evaluation. ( Post your hand in the Hand evaluation forums and provide a link to your hand in your private thread in the Locker Room.)
Have a few more evaluations posted but here are the most recent three:
TT in MP1
Nl2 66Sb
NL2 J10 in BU

Question 3: What is the equity of AKo against the top 5% range? 5% means 88+, AJs+, KQs, AKo. ( You can either calculate this yourself or use an equity calculator such as the PokerStrategy.com Equilab.)
46.32%

Hi Dublinmatt,

Homework 2 complete.

Q1: good start. How about if we have info on some of our opponents? Should we change anything?

Q3: did you expect to have almost 50% equity there? Would you be able to calculate this (estimate) without equilab?

Best of luck

Bogdan

Week 3 Homework

Question 0: Download and install the Equilab. (You can download the Equilab for free here: PokerStrategy.com Equilab.)

Question 1: You are holding K Q . What is your preflop equity against an opponent who has 3 3 ? How does the equity change on this flop: J 5 3 ? (Tip: you can use the Equilab to help you with this task.)
Preflop= 50.78%
Postflop= 26.46%

Question 2: What would you do in the following hand? (Remember that it is important to explain your reasons, simply posting "Fold" or "Call" isn't enough!)
No Limit hold'em $2 (9-handed)
Players and stacks:
UTG: $2.00
UTG+1: $2.08
MP1: $1.92
MP2: $1.00
MP3: $3.06
CO: (Hero) $2.08
BU: $2.00
SB: $2.00
BB: $1.24
Preflop: Hero is CO with A J
5 folds, Hero raises to $0.08, BU calls $0.08, SB folds, BB calls $0.06.
Flop: ($0.25) 2 6 3 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, BU checks.
Turn: ($0.25) 5 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.22, BU raises to $0.44, BB folds, Hero...?

I would call here. I have 3:1 draw odds, and around 5:1 pot odds

Question 3: Do you have questions about your postflop play? Post your hand for evaluation. (Post your hand in the hand evaluation forum and provide a link to your hand in your private thread in the Locker Room.)

NL2 87s on BB

Hi Matt,

Good job, homework 3 done.

As far as Q2 goes you would call for both pot odds and implied odds.

With this type of hand we can get paid big, if we hit.

Best of luck at the tables,

Bogdan

Week 4 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation in which you have the initiative postflop. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)
Tt Utg Nl2

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users.)

99 bluff
Pre-flop: Would have called here, based on hero and BU stacks (call20)
Flop: As played, continuation bet is good here. Would also have bet this after a pre-flop call instead of a raise. Would have considered folding his raise though.

Question 3: You are on the flop with K Q . The board cards are J , 9 , 8 , and your opponent holds 7 7 . What is your equity in this spot?
41.4% Equity

Originally posted by dublinmatt
Week 4 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation in which you have the initiative postflop. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)
Tt Utg Nl2

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users.)

99 bluff
Pre-flop: Would have called here, based on hero and BU stacks (call20)
Flop: As played, continuation bet is good here. Would also have bet this after a pre-flop call instead of a raise. Would have considered folding his raise though.

Question 3: You are on the flop with K Q . The board cards are J , 9 , 8 , and your opponent holds 7 7 . What is your equity in this spot?
41.4% Equity

Well done Matt,

Homework 4 is now complete.

Feel free to leave comments on certain hands within their threads. We always encourage other users to come in and give their opinion and create as much of a discussion as possible.

Best of luck,

Bogdan

Hey matt,

Appears the dubs like poker. Hope alls progressing well. What sites are u playing on?

Hi. Play on Poker stars, you?

Despite my nick, I've now moved to sunny Kildare, though I still work in Dublin. Where are you?

Week 5 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have based your decisions on the stats of your opponents. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)

NL2 JTs MP2
T-A Straight NL2

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users first.)
NL16 FR AKo
nl10 sh 88 facing stab OOP

Question 3: Consider the following situation:
$10 NL Hold'em (7-handed)

Stacks & Stats:
UTG ($10)
MP ($8)
MP2 ($9)
CO ($10)
Hero($10)
SB ($10) (17/13/2.6/24/1212) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]
BB ($10) (27/9/2.0/29/333) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]

Preflop: Hero is BU with 6 , 7
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, SB calls $0.40, BB calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.20) 3 , 3 , T (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($1.20) J (3 players)
SB bets $1.00, BB calls $1.00, Hero...

What action would you take, and why?
Fold. SB is a TAG so chances are he has also hit the flush with A, K or Q

Question 4: Consider the following situation:

$10 NL Hold'em (8-handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($8)
MP ($10)
MP2 ($9)
MP3 ($6)
Hero ($10)
BU ($10) (25/21/3.8/26/1250) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]
SB ($10)
BB ($10)

Preflop: Hero is CO with J , J
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BU 3-bets to $1.30, 2 folds, Hero calls $1.30

Flop: ($2.75) 6 , 9 , T (2 players)
Hero...

What action would you take, and why?
Bet aggressively but be prepared to fold, we have top pair and strong equity against a LAG range, but a raise could indicate AA, KK or QQ.

Hi Matt,

Congrats, homework #5 is now complete.

Re Q4: what range do you expect villains to have and why would we fold our draw?

Re Q5: We are in a 3-bet pot so can we play aggressive and really fold? So does that mean you donk/fold the flop? Why not check to let him bluff?

Week 6 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have either a) freeplay, b) slowplay, or c) multi-way pot situation. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)

A6 on BB Freeplay NL2

Kk Mp2 Nl2

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users first.)

Nl 10 -Tt

Question 3: Consider the following situation:
$25 NL Hold'em (10 handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($25)
UTG+1 ($25) rock
UTG+2 ($25)
MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($25) LAG
MP3 ($25) maniac
CO ($25)
Hero BU ($25)
SB ($25)
BB ($25) calling station

Preflop: Hero is BU with Q , J
5 folds, MP3 raises $1.00, CO calls $1.00, Hero calls $1.00, 1 fold, BB calls $1.00

Flop: ($4.10) 3 , J , A (4 players)
BB checks, MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($4.10) Q (4 players)
BB bets $2.05, 2 folds, Hero...?

What action would you take, and why?
To protect two pair, even against a station where bigger hands could be played more passively, I would raise big here, to $8.20 (2 x BB bet + pot)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($25)
UTG+1 ($25) rock
UTG+2 ($25)
MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($25) LAG
MP3 ($25) maniac
CO ($25)
Hero BU ($25)
SB ($25)
BB ($25) calling station

Preflop: Hero is BU with Q , J
5 folds, MP3 raises $1.00, CO calls $1.00, Hero calls $1.00, 1 fold, BB calls $1.00

Flop: ($4.10) 3 , J , A (4 players)
BB checks, MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($4.10) Q (4 players)
BB bets $2.05, 2 folds, Hero...?

What action would you take, and why?
To protect two pair, even against a station where bigger hands could be played more passively, I would raise big here, to $8.20 (2 x BB bet + pot)

No suits of the board cards?!

4 way pot and this makes more likely that you are up against better hand there. 33, JJ, AJ, AQ, A3, K10.. so you want to protect against draws? what kind of draws are there on turn? some cutshots maybe? can not see suits so hard to tell about FD. i would not go crasy there and just call and re-evaluate on the river.. would that villian call with cutshot or Ax (thats not 2 pair) such a big turn raise .. i doubt that.. but that is just my opinion

Originally posted by dublinmatt
Week 6 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have either a) freeplay, b) slowplay, or c) multi-way pot situation. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)

A6 on BB Freeplay NL2

Kk Mp2 Nl2

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users first.)

Nl 10 -Tt

Question 3: Consider the following situation:
$25 NL Hold'em (10 handed)

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($25)
UTG+1 ($25) rock
UTG+2 ($25)
MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($25) LAG
MP3 ($25) maniac
CO ($25)
Hero BU ($25)
SB ($25)
BB ($25) calling station

Preflop: Hero is BU with Q , J
5 folds, MP3 raises $1.00, CO calls $1.00, Hero calls $1.00, 1 fold, BB calls $1.00

Flop: ($4.10) 3 , J , A (4 players)
BB checks, MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($4.10) Q (4 players)
BB bets $2.05, 2 folds, Hero...?

What action would you take, and why?
To protect two pair, even against a station where bigger hands could be played more passively, I would raise big here, to $8.20 (2 x BB bet + pot)

Hi Matt,

Congrats, Homework #6 is officially complete.

Good job on your evaluation of other hands. Try to see if you can evaluate (and post) more hands as well and don't forget to add as many details as possible.

Best of luck at the tables,

Bogdan

Week 7 Homework

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have played on a 6-max table (short-handed). (Post your hand in the No Limit: Hand Evaluations forum, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)

NL2 SH 9Ts SB
NL2 SH 78s BU
NL2 SH KTo BB
Nl2 Sh 22 Sb
NL2 Sh TT BU

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members (Choose a hand from the No Limit: Hand Evaluations board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users first.)

Nl5 At 28073
nl5 99...

Question 3: Consider the following situation:

$10 NL Hold'em (6 handed)

Stacks & Stats:
UTG ($10)
MP ($10)
CO ($10)
BU($10)
SB ($10)
BB (Hero) ($10)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5 , 4
2 folds, CO raises to $0.40, BU calls $0.40, SB calls $0.40, Hero calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.60) 3 , 2 , Q (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.20, CO Raises All-in, BU calls All-in, SB folds, Hero...

What action would you take, and why?

With OESD and flush draw, call, there is enough equity to call this even with no reads on the opponent.

Question 4: Consider the following situation:

$10 NL Hold'em (6 handed)

Stacks & Stats:
UTG ($10)
MP ($10)
CO (Hero) ($10)
BU($10)
SB ($10)
BB ($10)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A , K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BU calls $0.40, SB calls $0.40, BB calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.60) A , 4 , 4 (4 players)
SB checks, BB bets $1.20, Hero...

What action would you take, and why?
Re-raise, pre-flop call from SB and raise on flop would put him on Ax where x is lower than K, or pocket overpair, which our A has beat.