Step by step!

Originally posted by alexx331

What do you think about this graph? (played a mixture of 0.50 9max and 0.25 45 max). It shows a downswing or bad play? I start to feel like my game isn't progressing at all. I run very bad, most of the times when i have a good hand i get sucked out and after that everything goes down. The worst part is that this starts to affect my game more and more, and i start to make poor decision just because i think anyway i'll lose; i believe that maybe i'm a really weak player. I started to neglect the study part or hand review, mainly because my motivation is going down. Have anyone else experienced this and got through or is just me? What should i focus on? Should i make a program for poker and for study?

Sorry there are so many questions but i don't really know how can i get over this!

Looks like in general you’re on a downswing, because your expected value line (orange) is still steady on a high peak and your net profit line (green) is going down. A reason could be that your expected value line is not increasing any more is that you made some bad decisions, because you don’t feel well about your downswing, but that’s already what you said.

Further is it good you post difficult hands in your blog. Maybe is it also smart to post some hands in the Hand discussions for Sit and Go-Tournaments board. Than you have also change you get feedback of other members than only me.

Originally posted by alexx331
PokerStars - $0.23+$0.02|75/150 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): 2,880
SB: 1,593 (VPIP: 17.54, PFR: 12.96, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 58)
BB: 1,237 (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 10.71, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 57)
UTG: 7,311 (VPIP: 39.67, PFR: 3.36, 3Bet Preflop: 4.65, Hands: 121)
UTG+1: 3,777 (VPIP: 41.67, PFR: 41.67, 3Bet Preflop: 50.00, Hands: 12)
MP: 4,960 (VPIP: 53.85, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 13)
MP+1: 2,730 (VPIP: 31.58, PFR: 19.30, 3Bet Preflop: 8.33, Hands: 57)
CO: 740 (VPIP: 3.45, PFR: 1.85, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 58)

SB posts SB 75, BB posts BB 150

Pre Flop: (pot: 225) Hero has Q♥ A♦

fold, fold, fold, MP+1 raises to 300, fold, Hero raises to 625, fold, fold, MP+1 calls 325

Flop: (1,475, 2 players) J♠ 7♦ 2♥
MP+1 checks, Hero checks

Turn: (1,475, 2 players) 8♥
MP+1 bets 450, Hero calls 450

River: (2,375, 2 players) A♣
MP+1 bets 1,655 and is all-in, Hero calls 1,655

Spoiler

MP+1 shows 8♣ A♠ (Two Pair, Aces and Eights)
Hero shows Q♥ A♦ (One Pair, Aces)
MP+1 wins 5,685

Villain had a wider range of opening, so i decided to 3bet him. I believe i should have bet on the flop but i'm not sure. What do you think guys?

I’m 3 bet shoving here with AQo against MP+1, because you’re playing 18bb effective here and prevent you for awkward post-flop spots with your small stack. If I normal 3 bet I make it a little bit more like 800-900. Than you get more value from your AQ and he will not call with his entire opening range.

As played I’m most likely betting small on flop to try to win the pot with a bet of 700 or so, because is not to likely the 3 cards hit his range to much. Problem off course you need to invest almost 1/3 of your stack here and he most likely fold only his missed hands. I expect this happened a lot of the time here. Also a check for pot control with your 2 over cards is fine I think.

Turn is nasty, because he bet small. Off course you can’t beat much here and you have only 6 outs (3 aces and 3 queens) to improve your hand and you can expect a river bet/shove as well. So most likely is a fold the best option.

River I’m calling as well with top pair, but was better to avoid this situation in the first place with shoving pre-flop.

Cheers,
SDK1987

PokerStars - $0.23+$0.02|15/30 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

MP: 4,406 (VPIP: 35.29, PFR: 6.25, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 17)
CO: 2,575 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
BTN: 1,460 (VPIP: 15.06, PFR: 11.54, 3Bet Preflop: 1.41, Hands: 239)
SB: 1,111 (VPIP: 58.82, PFR: 11.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 17)
Hero (BB): 4,555
UTG: 1,868 (VPIP: 37.50, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 8)
UTG+1: 5,919 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 8)

SB posts SB 15, Hero posts BB 30

Pre Flop: (pot: 45) Hero has A♠ K♦

fold, UTG+1 calls 30, MP raises to 60, fold, fold, SB calls 45, Hero raises to 240, UTG+1 calls 210, fold, SB calls 180

Flop: (780, 3 players) 9♠ J♣ 2♣
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG+1 checks

Turn: (780, 3 players) K♠
SB checks, Hero bets 375, fold, SB calls 375

River: (1,530, 2 players) 9♥
SB checks, Hero bets 500, fold

Should i bet on the flop with 2 loose guys? I choose to pot control on the flop because it was multiway pot.

Check on flop against 2 players is fine with me. No reason to make the pot bigger with only 2 over cards and players that most likely don’t like to fold.

On turn is better to bet more for value. I bet here around 500, because if someone had a draw or something they call on turn anyway on this stakes and fold on every river bet when the draw didn’t arrived like now most likely.

Further is it well played I think

Cheers,
SDK1987

Even though it is a bit late i decided to make a plan for the rest of the year so it will be easier to track my progress and to achieve my goals.

2015 Poker Goals

:diamond:600+ Multi-table SNG per month (now i play like 6-10 per day but i'm working on improving my multi-table ability).
:diamond:study more and improve my game ( joining a study grup or find someone to help me with my game).
:diamond:build a bankroll for 3.5$ multi-table SNG ( even though i have a long way until there, i still believe it can be achieved)

To achieve my goals i split the plan into weekly objective:
:diamond:150+ Multi-table SNG per week.
:diamond:1-1.5h+ for hand reviews and study everyday.
:diamond:play 5-6 days a week; 3 sessions of 2h.

Every opinion or feedback is more than welcomed!

PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|75/150 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 3,757 (VPIP: 18.52, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 20.00, Hands: 29)
Hero (BB): 2,230
UTG: 1,545 (VPIP: 20.69, PFR: 17.24, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
UTG+1: 1,095 (VPIP: 3.45, PFR: 3.45, 3Bet Preflop: 10.00, Hands: 29)
MP: 2,388 (VPIP: 15.71, PFR: 13.64, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 71)
CO: 1,300 (VPIP: 10.34, PFR: 3.45, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
BTN: 1,185 (VPIP: 7.41, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)

SB posts SB 75, Hero posts BB 150

Pre Flop: (pot: 225) Hero has J♠ A♦

UTG raises to 300, fold, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 150

Flop: (675, 2 players) 3♣ T♦ J♥
Hero bets 337, UTG raises to 1,245 and is all-in, Hero calls 908

Turn: (3,165, 2 players) 4♥

River: (3,165, 2 players) T♥

Should i folded preflop?

The UTG player is min-raising with his 10bb stack. I normal shove in a spot like that. It is possible he’s doing this with only his strong hands, but that is difficult to say without reads on him. If I play against a 10bb stack I always shove or fold pre-flop, because is difficult to play profitable post-flop against a small stack. The reason of it is that you hit around 1/3 times the flop and even than you not always win his entire stack.
So a call here is I think the worst option here. Against a random UTG player I’m most likely folding in a spot like that, because he has most likely a tight range and if you shove you have not much fold equity against him. That also depends what you have seen so far of this particle player.

On the flop I newer bet OOP the flop against a pre-flop aggressor. Even with top pair top kicker. Than you have still change he will continue with his weaker hands and based on his bet size I call or shove the flop. Now he’s shoving you need to call. Is still a decent change that he will do it with worse than your hand.

Cheers,
SDK1987

PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|150/300 Ante 25 NL - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 7,048
BTN: 4,859 (VPIP: 23.44, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 69)
SB: 1,593 (VPIP: 49.21, PFR: 1.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 69)

3 players post ante of 25, SB posts SB 150, Hero posts BB 300

Pre Flop: (pot: 525) Hero has 9♥ 9♦

BTN raises to 780, fold, Hero calls 480

Flop: (1,785, 2 players) Q♠ 8♣ 6♥
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: (1,785, 2 players) 2♥
Hero bets 892, BTN calls 892

River: (3,569, 2 players) 5♠
Hero bets 1,784, BTN calls 1,784

How would you play this hand?

Which is the best way to improve my postflop, bubble and HU game?

Watch videos.I think is the best way to learn,and ofcurse skype group.
This forum is really big weapon make work for u.

Originally posted by Mon3yMaChin3
Watch videos.I think is the best way to learn,and ofcurse skype group.
This forum is really big weapon make work for u.

Thanks!

PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|25/50 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): 1,645
SB: 1,625 (VPIP: 11.11, PFR: 5.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
BB: 1,290 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
UTG: 1,360 (VPIP: 8.62, PFR: 5.26, 3Bet Preflop: 4.76, Hands: 58)
UTG+1: 847 (VPIP: 26.32, PFR: 16.22, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 38)
MP: 2,750 (VPIP: 44.44, PFR: 22.22, 3Bet Preflop: 10.00, Hands: 18)
MP+1: 1,525 (VPIP: 16.51, PFR: 4.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 109)
MP+2: 1,275 (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 36)
CO: 1,183 (VPIP: 25.53, PFR: 4.35, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 47)

SB posts SB 25, BB posts BB 50

Pre Flop: (pot: 75) Hero has K♣ A♦

fold, fold, MP raises to 150, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 450, fold, fold, MP calls 300

Flop: (975, 2 players) T♦ 6♥ A♣
MP bets 500, Hero raises to 1,195 and is all-in, fold

When i run it through PT4 ICM it says that i should fold.

Originally posted by alexx331
PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|150/300 Ante 25 NL - Holdem - 3 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 7,048
BTN: 4,859 (VPIP: 23.44, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 69)
SB: 1,593 (VPIP: 49.21, PFR: 1.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 69)

3 players post ante of 25, SB posts SB 150, Hero posts BB 300

Pre Flop: (pot: 525) Hero has 9♥ 9♦

BTN raises to 780, fold, Hero calls 480

Flop: (1,785, 2 players) Q♠ 8♣ 6♥
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: (1,785, 2 players) 2♥
Hero bets 892, BTN calls 892

River: (3,569, 2 players) 5♠
Hero bets 1,784, BTN calls 1,784

Spoiler

Hero shows 9♥ 9♦ (One Pair, Nines)
BTN shows Q♣ T♣ (One Pair, Queens)
BTN wins 7,137

How would you play this hand?

Push pre-flop, because he need to fold almost everything here.
You’re the chip leader and he needs to be careful with the short stack still in.

Originally posted by alexx331
PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|25/50 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BTN): 1,645
SB: 1,625 (VPIP: 11.11, PFR: 5.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
BB: 1,290 (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
UTG: 1,360 (VPIP: 8.62, PFR: 5.26, 3Bet Preflop: 4.76, Hands: 58)
UTG+1: 847 (VPIP: 26.32, PFR: 16.22, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 38)
MP: 2,750 (VPIP: 44.44, PFR: 22.22, 3Bet Preflop: 10.00, Hands: 18)
MP+1: 1,525 (VPIP: 16.51, PFR: 4.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 109)
MP+2: 1,275 (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 36)
CO: 1,183 (VPIP: 25.53, PFR: 4.35, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 47)

SB posts SB 25, BB posts BB 50

Pre Flop: (pot: 75) Hero has K♣ A♦

fold, fold, MP raises to 150, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 450, fold, fold, MP calls 300

Flop: (975, 2 players) T♦ 6♥ A♣
MP bets 500, Hero raises to 1,195 and is all-in, fold

Spoiler

Hero wins 1,975

When i run it through PT4 ICM it says that i should fold.

This hand I play the same way most of the time.
I newer fold top pair top kicker against a random player on the 50c stakes.
They can easy bet like this with weaker aces.

Other option is to call pre-flop and her-evaluate the flop in position.

Weekly update:

This week i played only 0.50 9max SNG. Even though i was more inclined to play 45max or 90max i actually started to like quite much the 9max ones. It was a pretty good week, i actually managed to boost my bankroll a little bit. Today and yesterday a played quite badly, taking some bad decisions so i chosed to stay away from the tables and study more and make some hands reviews. I really want to improve my ICM decision; i don't fully understand it but hope i'll eventually get it.
Here is my graph until now. Any feedback is welcomed!

PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|100/200 Ante 25 NL - Holdem - 4 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (BB): 4,483
CO: 1,195 (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 7.46, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 70)
BTN: 3,629 (VPIP: 19.15, PFR: 19.57, 3Bet Preflop: 16.67, Hands: 47)
SB: 4,193 (VPIP: 53.49, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 47)

4 players post ante of 25, SB posts SB 100, Hero posts BB 200

Pre Flop: (pot: 400) Hero has 7♥ 7♦

fold, fold, SB calls 100, Hero checks

Flop: (500, 2 players) Q♦ 3♣ Q♣
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (500, 2 players) 2♥
SB bets 200, Hero calls 200

River: (900, 2 players) 5♠
SB bets 200, Hero calls 200

Could the small bets represent a strong hand? Should i try to get more value or the line i followed is good?

I’m raising pre-flop already on limp of SB. I make it 500 in total. The reason for this is that the SB has most of the time a weak hand and you want to build a pot with 77. Also you set some pressure on your opponent.

Now you can try to bet the flop after his check. Is not so likely he hit the Q at all. This way you protect you hand against all kind of hands the SB might have. I bet 222 chips here.

On turn and river I call, because is difficult to get much value if you raise. His min bets looks not strong at all, but you don’t want to blow I’m off his weak hand.

In general you can play a little bit more aggressive when your opponent playing passive the hole time.

Cheers,
SDK1987

PokerStars - $0.44+$0.06|100/200 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 2,335 (VPIP: 24.32, PFR: 13.89, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 37)
UTG: 2,613 (VPIP: 21.62, PFR: 2.78, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 37)
UTG+1: 1,275 (VPIP: 8.11, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 37)
MP: 1,315 (VPIP: 7.80, PFR: 5.54, 3Bet Preflop: 1.92, Hands: 363)
CO: 1,475 (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 14.71, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 37)
Hero (BTN): 3,014
SB: 1,473 (VPIP: 30.65, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 62)

SB posts SB 100, BB posts BB 200

Pre Flop: (pot: 300) Hero has 9♠ J♥

fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 425, fold, BB calls 225

Flop: (950, 2 players) T♥ 5♣ 9♣
BB bets 200, Hero calls 200

Turn: (1,350, 2 players) 6♥
BB bets 675, Hero calls 675

River: (2,700, 2 players) J♦
BB bets 200, Hero raises to 800, BB calls 600

Should i have folded on the flop or i even shouldn't be in with this hand?

The problem here with raising your committed if the SB shoved and J9o is not a hand you want to deal with him. So I think a fold pre-flop is better here.

As played I newer fold on his min-bet with middle pair. Is likely he is doing this with a weak hand or a draw. I think a call on flop is fine here.
Turn is tricky, because this time his bet looks a lot stronger with his half pot bet with only 1.035 chips behind now. If I fold post flop is it now.

On river I will go all-inn on his funky min-bet again. I think you have now almost always the best hand and you want to win his remaining stack here.

Cheers,
SDK1987

Weekly update:

This week wasn't as good as i would like it to be (from poker perspective). I'm not very happy with my game, actually i played quite bad. Yesterday i managed to get the Ultimate Challenge bonus (not a big amount but it boosts my bankroll). In my head is a total mess, i moved back and forward from 9max (0.50 turbo) to 45max (0.25 regular) and my game suffered a lot from this. I just can't decide which type of game i want to play. Anybody else have experienced this?

PokerStars - $0.23+$0.02|100/200 Ante 25 NL - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: 3,683 (VPIP: 28.68, PFR: 13.49, 3Bet Preflop: 3.85, Hands: 140)
Hero (BTN): 3,605
SB: 1,896 (VPIP: 10.14, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 69)
BB: 5,580 (VPIP: 15.15, PFR: 9.68, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 33)
UTG: 3,573 (VPIP: 15.15, PFR: 12.90, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 33)
MP: 10,032 (VPIP: 36.36, PFR: 4.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)

6 players post ante of 25, SB posts SB 100, BB posts BB 200

Pre Flop: (pot: 450) Hero has A♣ Q♥

UTG raises to 400, MP calls 400, fold, Hero raises to 3,580 and is all-in, fold, fold, fold, MP calls 3,180

Flop: (8,010, 2 players) K♠ 2♦ 8♣

Turn: (8,010, 2 players) 5♣

River: (8,010, 2 players) A♠

Should i folded preflop?

PokerStars - $0.23+$0.02|25/50 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BB: 5,340 (VPIP: 10.00, PFR: 6.00, 3Bet Preflop: 8.70, Hands: 51)
UTG: 1,495 (VPIP: 11.76, PFR: 11.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 51)
UTG+1: 2,005 (VPIP: 8.00, PFR: 6.00, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 51)
MP: 1,590 (VPIP: 12.16, PFR: 9.72, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 77)
Hero (CO): 1,195
BTN: 1,925 (VPIP: 45.83, PFR: 35.42, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 51)
SB: 1,450 (VPIP: 8.33, PFR: 4.17, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 48)

SB posts SB 25, BB posts BB 50

Pre Flop: (pot: 75) Hero has Q♣ A♦

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 125, BTN raises to 200, fold, fold, Hero calls 75

Flop: (475, 2 players) A♠ J♣ 4♠
Hero bets 225, BTN calls 225

Turn: (925, 2 players) 3♠
Hero bets 770 and is all-in, BTN calls 770

River: (2,465, 2 players) 7♠

Check on the turn?