mblm - thanks for your analysis, everything made sense. very insightful, especially the AA hand. Denied myself the chance to get some value on the River.
gigenieks - I'll definitely read it through many times. Obv couldn't understand every concept fully. Heh. Will just follow his topics and study accordingly.
2 sessions combined in 2 days.
First Session
Was tired after the weekend and could sense the lethargy in me. But decided to play anyway because I'm already suffering in volume didn't want to skip a day. It was definitely my C game, played super passively, made -EV plays and deservedly ended 75bbs down.
Second Session
Still tired. Am always tired after work. Lol. But managed to play well, looked for good spots to steal and re-steal. Only had 1 all-in 200bbs pot and managed to hold up w AAs.
In Summary
Bankroll: $100.17
I find out that my C game is still not good enough to beat NL2. Thus, it is a good enough reason for me to still stay at this limit. I would like to play for another 5k hands before deciding if I'm comfortable to move up to NL5.
Also have some ideas on how I should go about studying the game, as well as I've started on the INSANITY 60 DAYS CHALLENGE thingy. Read about it through another thread on the Small Talk thread. Had my first day yesterday, and gonna do my second one right now. Will have an in-depth post SOON. ♦
Hurricane Sandy has already left 40 dead, just hope that this will be over soon and for all affected by it to be safe and sound. Thankful I do not experience natural disasters over here in Singapore. Although it's bitterly cold now as I type this in my office. It has been a rainy day with thunderstorms.
Poker-wise (study), I've decided on a few routes of action.
1) I'll take a couple of hours to review all my past reviewed hands which I posted on the evaluation boards. I'm guilty of just posting for the sake of it and not taking the time out to digest the coach's advice.
2) Watch Zoom videos and absorb the coaches' thought processes and decision-makings. I know mblm has done some zoom videos on his youtube channel, and other good zoom videos like the one pleno did as well.
3) Read through verneer's building a bankroll and note down the important topics that I've learned.
I also hope to put in a little more volume as 300 hands a day is only 9k/mth and I'll fall lesser than that because I skip a few days usually. Hope to hit 500/day now. Maybe add in a table to see how I feel.
The past few days, I've been following this fitness program called Insanity. Actually found out about it in this thread
https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=208273
The workout is INSANE. My muscles are burning and it really makes you sweat it out. Hope to last the full 60 days! I'm not really out of shape, but definitely not in shape as well. There's a layer of belly fat, and I'm a scrawny looking Asian boy that's all ♦ looking after my eating habits, and hope to see some nice changes to my body after this program.
Poker update coming soon~
Have been pretty busy over the last few days. Played 100+ hands on Wed and Fri, skipped Thurs. Tried to 3-table to put in some more volume, adding the 3rd table while I'm about 3/4 through the session to get myself used to it. Struggling abit, but still able to cope. Will do the same for the next couple of sessions to acclimatise myself to playing 3-tables.
Of course, lots of hands I need to post and will post some trouble hands right here. Gonna install HM2 on my office com tomorrow and sync it 
Really need to pump in more volume though, and STUDY
Haven't posted in awhile as have been real busy, with hospital visits, wedding banquets to attend. As a result, studying the game has taken a hit. But have still managed to put in volume.
Since I started this blog, I was losing terribly at NL5 and continued to play there. After 2767 hands, I moved down to NL2 because my bankroll was suffering as I lost $25.18 at 18.20bb 
Played 6max 10k hands on NL2 and this is my graph.
Here is my "lifetime" NL2 6 max graph.
I studied specifically on Opening Ranges, and Stealing in Late Positions and tried my best to apply the concepts to NL2 and found that it really helped my game a lot in terms of immediate profitability and also easier postflop decisions. There was the occasional spew here & there postflop which I got really disappointed at myself.
I knew I was a total nit with 16/13 stats in my first 34k hands. I became more confident in playing a wider range in the most recent 10k hands, about 20/17 with a higher 3bet. Even though it's only 10k hands, I think the reflection in bb/100 won is a good indicator that I'm playing better (as well as running better!).
After depositing $20 into my PS account to get the free $3.30 micromillions ticket, my bankroll stands at $151.80. I also need 15 more VPPS to be eligible for the $10 Stellar Rewards. ♦
Thus with 32BI(after stellar rewards) for NL5, I would be a proven nit if I don't take a shot. However, will take these couple days off from playing to catch up on studying, and hopefully play much better at my 2nd shot at NL5. Much will be taken off Verneer's "Building a Bankroll" and others will be bronze articles and some strategy videos.
Study Goals
Preflop Play will be the focus
Opening Ranges (Revision)
Isolating Limpers (Revision) --> proven to be super profitable in NL2
Calling a Raise (Revision)
3-betting
Calling a 3-bet
Start on Beginners' Course
Well, I know it requires a lot of commitment and effort to go through the whole course. I hate starting on a project and then giving it up halfway, so it took me a few weeks to consider about the course. And I realize I really enjoy playing poker and really am determined to get better after getting crushed at NL5. I want to beat NL5 and the limits beyond
Maybe, I'll make a list of pointers on what I feel can be done to beat NL2 and what not to do, like kind of a summary on NL2 and how to beat it in my own experience. Which of course is not the best "strategy", but still would be nice to know how I should approach the limit if I ever drop back down again, which is very possible!
tl: dr
Losing player at NL5 over 32k hands at -5.14/bb -$83.03
Dropped back to NL2 for 10k hands at 16.34/bb +32.70
Lifetime NL2 for 44k hands at 8.34/bb +$74.31
Second shot at NL5!
Hello and sorry to my blog which I've failed to take care of for the past week. Work, personal issues (grandma hospitalized) and dismay at Newcastle United's form has caused me to be a little down.
That said, I'm working behind the scenes and particularly pleased with myself as I'm 70/30 studying/playing respectively. Moved up to NL5, prayed to God to run like him. 2 tabling 300h/day and only played 3.5 days which is 1k hands.
Soooo, here's the graph..
And the 3 AI hands which more or less determined my session in chronological order.
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
BTN: $8.09 (161.8 bb)
Hero (SB): $5.40 (108 bb)
BB: $5.02 (100.4 bb)
UTG: $9.93 (198.6 bb)
MP: $6.72 (134.4 bb)
CO: $2.55 (51 bb)
Preflop: Hero is SB with K
K
UTG folds, MP raises to $0.15, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.60, BB folds, MP raises to $1.05, Hero raises to $5.40, MP calls $4.35
Flop: ($10.85) 7 7
9 (2 players)
Turn: ($10.85) A (2 players)
River: ($10.85) 6 (2 players)
Results:$10.85 pot ($0.45 rake)
Final Board: 7 7 9 A 6
Hero showed K K and lost (-$5.40 net)
MP showed A
Q and won $10.40 ($5.00 net)
Ffffffffffff u Pokerstars! I just prayed for run good!
And a few hands after...
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
BTN: $2.79 (55.8 bb)
SB: $7.61 (152.2 bb)
BB: $2.87 (57.4 bb)
UTG: $13.57 (271.4 bb)
MP: $6.62 (132.4 bb)
Hero (CO): $5.29 (105.8 bb)
Preflop: Hero is CO with 9 7
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, BTN folds, SB calls $0.13, BB folds
Flop: ($0.35) 5 Q 4 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.25, SB raises to $0.74, Hero calls $0.49
Turn: ($1.83) 6 (2 players)
SB bets $0.86, Hero raises to $2.15, SB raises to $6.72 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.25 and is all-in
River: ($10.63) K (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Results: $10.63 pot ($0.44 rake)
Final Board: 5 Q 4 6 K
SB showed T A and won $10.19 ($4.90 net)
Hero showed 9 7 and lost (-$5.29 net)
I haven't reviewed my hand, had a feeling I overplayed it. Maybe could have folded to Turn 3b by Villain? Appreciate any thoughts/discussions!
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
Hero (BTN): $8.11 (162.2 bb)
SB: $6.59 (131.8 bb)
BB: $5.98 (119.6 bb)
UTG: $5 (100 bb)
MP: $12.17 (243.4 bb)
CO: $13.68 (273.6 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BTN with Q Q
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, SB calls $0.13, BB folds
Flop: ($0.35) Q 9 J (2 players)
SB bets $0.24, Hero raises to $0.80, SB calls $0.56
Turn: ($1.95) J (2 players)
SB bets $1.40, Hero calls $1.40
River: ($4.75) A (2 players)
SB bets $4.24 and is all-in, Hero calls $4.24
Results: $13.23 pot ($0.55 rake)
Final Board: Q 9 J J A
Hero showed Q Q and won $12.68 ($6.09 net)
SB showed 9 9 and lost (-$6.59 net)
Quite obvious on flop he had a 2P/lower set trying to protect his hand as well. So just let him valuetown himself. Was surprised to see him shove River w 99s as don't think any worse hands would call? Only FH will call(I think, we never know) and his is e weakest.
NL5 First Session Summary
1) Really happy with how I did not go on tilt after getting crushed AQ>KK and then losing another stack w lower flush.
2) Not being results oriented, but to lose 2/3 AI and still be up around 60bbs is particularly pleasing to me because it means I'm playing well overall and having profits even though I haven't being shipping. I know it's a small sample, but still happy.
3) I've been focusing on Preflop play a lot, and especially stealing/restealing and 3bet. 3bet is my weakest right now and hope to study more this week. Been re-reading "Building A Bankroll" 3-betting section.
Beginners' Course
I'm delighted to join the Beginners' Course as well as Lesson 2 is on Preflop Play and just by reading the articles, there's much content to be absorbed. Looking forward to the videos now.
Coach Veriz was great as well giving a very detailed reply to my own thread. Sad that he's no long here with PS. For whatever reasons, I would like to thank him for his work and always providing quality HE to me. Still, looking forward to completing the course as I'm sure PS will get first class coaches in to take over.
Bankroll - $164.64 --> Claimed $10 for Stellar Rewards ♦
I think I played pretty well this session. I decided to play 2x longer to 600 hands 2-tabling and was okay. Have more hands and spots to review and post for evaluation. So not gonna play today.
Will try and get 1.5-2k hands over the weekend, hope there are more fishes to boost my bankroll! Posting the big hands in awhile.
As for Beginners' Course, gonna go through the 2 videos for lesson 2 on Preflop Play. Really excited about it! Cheers!
So my call for fishes on Saturday was answered. Decided to play 1k hands both on Sat & Sun so this is my result from the 1st day.
Basically, what happened in the session:
1) ONE all in pot, stacks went in the middle on the Turn. This is the hand. Villain is unknown.
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
BTN: $11.91 (238.2 bb)
SB: $7.37 (147.4 bb)
BB: $5.07 (101.4 bb)
UTG: $5 (100 bb)
MP: $1.81 (36.2 bb)
Hero (CO): $6.39 (127.8 bb)
Preflop: Hero is CO with A K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, BTN raises to $0.45, 2 folds, Hero raises to $1.35, BTN calls $0.90
Flop: ($2.77) K 7 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $1.65, BTN calls $1.65
Turn: ($6.07) J (2 players)
Hero bets $3.39, BTN calls $3.39
River: ($12.85) 6 (2 players)
Results:$12.85 pot ($0.53 rake)
Final Board: K 7 8 J 6
BTN showed 6 6 and won $12.32 ($5.93 net)
Hero showed A K and lost (-$6.39 net)
Actually, I think I played like crap PF. So I'm gonna post this on the HE board and see what the coach says. Basically, Villain spikes a 2 outer on the River and I go FUUUU.
Well the good thing is, I didn't really deviate much from my normal game and tilt off my money. Maybe 10% off my game. Lolol.
2) There were 2 hands after that which really ALMOST put me on full blown tilt.
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
BTN: $7.60 (152 bb)
SB: $4.38 (87.6 bb)
BB: $4.25 (85 bb)
UTG: $14.16 (283.2 bb)
MP: $5.30 (106 bb)
Hero (CO): $5 (100 bb)
Preflop: Hero is CO with J A
UTG folds, MP raises to $0.15, Hero calls $0.15, BTN folds, SB calls $0.13, BB folds
Flop: ($0.50) J 5 8 (3 players)
SB checks, MP bets $0.15, Hero raises to $0.50, SB folds, MP calls $0.35
Turn: ($1.50) Q (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $0.90, MP calls $0.90
River: ($3.30) 4 (2 players)
MP bets $3.75 and is all-in, Hero folds
Results:$3.30 pot ($0.14 rake)
Final Board: J 5 8 Q 4
MP mucked and won $3.16 ($1.61 net)
Hero mucked J A and lost (-$1.55 net)
Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
Hero (BTN): $5.64 (112.8 bb)
SB: $5.19 (103.8 bb)
BB: $4.25 (85 bb)
UTG: $3.09 (61.8 bb)
MP: $3 (60 bb)
CO: $6.70 (134 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BTN with Q Q
UTG calls $0.05, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.20
Flop: ($0.57) 3 5 3 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.40, UTG calls $0.40
Turn: ($1.37) 5 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.80, UTG calls $0.80
River: ($2.97) A (2 players)
UTG bets $1.64 and is all-in, Hero folds
Results:$2.97 pot ($0.12 rake)
Final Board: 3 5 3 5 A
Hero mucked Q Q and lost (-$1.45 net)
UTG mucked and won $2.85 ($1.40 net)
So the similarity in both these hands is that Villain shoves on a River which completes the flush. I think I would have folded even if I had 2Ps or EVEN sets. That's how afraid I am of Flushes. I don't know if I played well till the River. But I really hope I made the right decision on it.
