Croatian BlogBuster - Full-Time Teacher Playing Poker

So, the first session.. Horrible!!

I was hoping for a good start, but I have to admit that I don't deserve it lately. I'm to much results oriented and not able to think clearly while in the game. As soon the session starts, I played this one:
NL10 SH Speed JJ

Since I didn't sure what to do and did I make a mistake by 3-betting preflop, I started to tilting slightly.

The other hand which made me to tilt some more is this one:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $14.14 (141.4 bb)
UTG: $4 (40 bb)
MP: $6.13 (61.3 bb)
Hero (CO): $18.36 (183.6 bb)
BTN: $2.20 (22 bb)
SB: $10.15 (101.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q K
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, BTN calls $0.20, SB calls $0.15, BB folds

Flop: ($0.70) Q T 5 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, SB folds

Turn: ($1.70) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $0.80, BTN raises to $1.50 and is all-in, Hero calls $0.70

River: ($4.70) 2 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results:

*I misscklicked preflop to 2BB, normally I'm raising 3BB from the CO

The next hand, which made me to tilt LITLE more was this:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $6.83 (68.3 bb)
BB: $11.66 (116.6 bb)
Hero (CO): $16.56 (165.6 bb)
BTN: $2.40 (24 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with K T
Hero raises to $0.30, 2 folds, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.65) 4 J 3 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.40, BB calls $0.40

Turn: ($1.45) K (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.90, BB calls $0.90

River: ($3.25) 9 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.70, BB raises to $3.40, Hero calls $1.70

Results:

I went for a thin value on the river and had to fold on his minraise.

Then I lost almost half a stack with this one:

IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $8.81 (88.1 bb)
CO: $6.92 (69.2 bb)
BTN: $9.11 (91.1 bb)
Hero (SB): $11.85 (118.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A Q
CO folds, BTN calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.50, BB folds, BTN calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.10) T A 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.70, BTN calls $0.70

Turn: ($2.50) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, BTN calls $2

River: ($6.50) 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $5.91 and is all-in, Hero folds

Results:

After that, KK vs AA:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $10 (100 bb)
UTG: $10.10 (101 bb)
MP: $9.90 (99 bb)
CO: $3.65 (36.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $10.15 (101.5 bb)
SB: $11.36 (113.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with K K
UTG raises to $0.30, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.90, 2 folds, UTG raises to $2.30, Hero raises to $10.15 and is all-in, UTG calls $7.80 and is all-in

Flop: ($20.35) Q 5 2 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: ($20.35) 9 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: ($20.35) 7 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results:

But also AA vs KK:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $10.41 (104.1 bb)
Hero (UTG): $10.15 (101.5 bb)
MP: $4.53 (45.3 bb)
CO: $10 (100 bb)
BTN: $13.46 (134.6 bb)
SB: $9.81 (98.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A A
Hero raises to $0.30, MP folds, CO raises to $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $2.60, CO raises to $10 and is all-in, Hero calls $7.40

Flop: ($20.15) 9 3 9 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: ($20.15) Q (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: ($20.15) 4 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results:

And for the end, one that I won:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $15.32 (153.2 bb)
Hero (BB): $10 (100 bb)
CO: $10 (100 bb)
BTN: $14.62 (146.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with T A
CO folds, BTN calls $0.10, SB folds, Hero raises to $0.50, BTN calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.05) 6 J T (2 players)
Hero bets $0.80, BTN calls $0.80

Turn: ($2.65) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, BTN calls $2

River: ($6.65) J (2 players)
Hero bets $3.32, BTN calls $3.32

Results:

I tought that my 2nd pair is good vs fish, so I decided to bet the river. Guess I would have to call if he raise..

Here is the graph of the session:

So, I spent almost 2 hours today on analysing the session and making notes of players. I will post some hands to evaluation forum and won't play today.

Hope the second session will be better.

Current bankroll: 790,18 USD

I've told yesterday that won't play. Unfortunatelly, I did..

I had some time before I had to go to work and opened two tables of Speed Holdem NL10. To follow the pattern, one of the first hands tilted me and everything further went wrong..

IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $12.80 (128 bb)
UTG: $4.57 (45.7 bb)
MP: $3.60 (36 bb)
CO: $5.68 (56.8 bb)
Hero (BTN): $10.35 (103.5 bb)
SB: $20.31 (203.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A A
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, SB calls $0.15, BB folds

Flop: ($0.50) K 4 T (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.40, SB raises to $0.85, Hero calls $0.45

Turn: ($2.20) 6 (2 players)
SB bets $1.54, Hero calls $1.54

River: ($5.28) J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Results:$5.28 pot ($0.35 rake)
Final Board: K 4 T 6 J
Hero mucked A A and lost (-$2.59 net)
SB showed K 6 and won $4.93 ($2.34 net)

I had to stop playing right there because I could assume what will happen. Have to admit, I'm playing sooo badly last couple of days that I'm thinking of stopping this bloging thing to return my good run back.. My thinking just isn't right ATM. I had a fealing that everything is against me: No action with premiums, tight blinds 3-bet my steals almost every time, My river value bets with TP are always raised, bla bla bla.. The usual stuff fishes are thinking.. ♠_mad:

I need to go to work, so I will post some more interesting hands (loosing ones, because I didn't have winning ones in this session ♦):

IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $3.15 (31.5 bb)
UTG: $13.15 (131.5 bb)
MP: $10 (100 bb)
Hero (CO): $10 (100 bb)
BTN: $15.83 (158.3 bb)
SB: $12.37 (123.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with J T
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.30, BTN calls $0.30, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.75) J J 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.40, BTN calls $0.40

Turn: ($1.55) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $1, BTN calls $1

River: ($3.55) 5 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $2.70, Hero calls $2.70

Results: $8.95 pot ($0.59 rake)
Final Board: J J 8 Q 5
Hero mucked J T and lost (-$4.40 net)
BTN showed A T and won $8.36 ($3.96 net)

IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

BB: $9.07 (90.7 bb)
UTG: $11.05 (110.5 bb)
MP: $4 (40 bb)
CO: $6.35 (63.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $10 (100 bb)
SB: $4.57 (45.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A J
2 folds, CO raises to $0.30, Hero raises to $0.90, SB folds, BB calls $0.80, CO folds

Flop: ($2.15) J Q K (2 players)
BB bets $1.50, Hero calls $1.50

Turn: ($5.15) Q (2 players)
BB bets $3.60, Hero folds

Results: $5.15 pot ($0.34 rake)
Final Board: J Q K Q
BB mucked and won $4.81 ($2.41 net)
Hero mucked A J and lost (-$2.40 net)

IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (BB): $10 (100 bb)
UTG: $5.18 (51.8 bb)
MP: $5.03 (50.3 bb)
CO: $5.55 (55.5 bb)
BTN: $8.69 (86.9 bb)
SB: $13.50 (135 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q A
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.30, SB folds, Hero raises to $1, BTN calls $0.70

Flop: ($2.05) T 2 J (2 players)
Hero bets $1.10, BTN calls $1.10

Turn: ($4.25) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $3, BTN calls $3

River: ($10.25) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $4.90 and is all-in, BTN calls $3.59 and is all-in

Results: $17.43 pot ($1.16 rake)
Final Board: T 2 J Q 4
Hero mucked Q A and won $8.14 (-$0.55 net)
BTN showed Q A and won $8.13 (-$0.56 net)

Here is the graph:

So, as you can see, I play perfectly, but luck just isn't on my side..

Afternoon I will try to do the homework and this time for real won't play. Probably I should take one or two days off to set my mind and start to return my lost buy ins..

Current bankroll: 770,80$

I took a day off of poker and yesterday played about two hours of NL10 SH on regular tables. Since I'm break even after 30k hands (1,65 bb/100), I'm considering moving to regular tables, where I will have enough time to think about ranges, opponents, bet sizes etc. I don't know if someone actually reads this, but I would be happy to hear some sugestions on that matter. Is it better to play regular tables while still learning and adopting to the limit, instead of speed tables where you have to think fast?

The session was very bad again. Seems that I'm on huge downswing after starting the blog and I play very bad in general. Even the blue line can't go to positive side, which may indicate that, besides of bad playing, it could be some sort of downswing. But who knows..

Here is the graph:

The biggest mistake I've done was this:
IPoker, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

MP: $12.41 (124.1 bb)
CO: $19.97 (199.7 bb)
Hero (BTN): $10.75 (107.5 bb)
SB: $10.20 (102 bb)
BB: $6.78 (67.8 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with Q A
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, SB folds, BB calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.85) K 7 Q (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.78, BB calls $0.78

Turn: ($2.41) 5 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $2, BB raises to $5.60, Hero calls $3.60

River: ($13.61) 2 (2 players)

Results:

The guy was playing every hand very aggressively, but I ignored the fact that he raises the turn only with TP (even bad kicker) and better. I had to fold on his raise, but I decided to call..

I didn't have any big loses except that, just small ones, where I did some mistakes, was raised preflop with medium hands, was called when bluff 3-bet and didn't hit the flop etc..

Today I watched the video ( http://www.pokerstrategy.com/video/27808/ ) about profiling unknows to help me to start analyse players. I analysed all showdown hands of one opponent and made some notes on him. After taking notes, I was trying to think and write down how could I exploit what I've seen. I spent almost two hours on that, so I'm wondering is there any video or article about analysing players, is there any pattern which could help me with it?

Anyway, I took about 30 notes, sinthesized them in 15 more general and dividing them by the streets (preflop, flop, turn and river). I wrote down the following:

1. Open raise questionable hands from EP (like T9s, 87s) and sometimes call them on 3bet
2. Or/c with middle pair MP vs BB.
3. UTG A8s ol/c CO.
4. While on Blinds calls hands like AJ, KQ, QJ, but also 42s after Steal.
5. While on Blinds calls and completes hands like J9s. 54s, no matter of oraiser's position.
6. F Doesn't bluff or semibluf cbet
7. F Call donkbet with overcard
8. F ch/r overpair on dry board.
9. T Bluff vs missed cbet oop with no showdown value.
10. T Doesn't bluff oop with some showdown value.
11. T ch/c A-high vs missed F cbet.
12. R ch/c with 3rd pair no matter the board.
13. R Doesn't bluff river.
14. F T R Doesnt bluff mwp.
15. F T R ch/c with TPGK 3 streets.

I would say he is more weak regular or recreational player than a regular.

The problem is - how to exploit these notes. I wrote the following:

1. Open raise questionable hands from EP (like T9s, 87s) and sometimes call them on 3bet *Don't 3bet him as a bluff, but could 3bet wider range for value, like TT+, AJ+, KQ+ and call with small to middle pocket pairs
2. Or/c with middle pair MP vs BB. *When oop, 3-bet him only for value with a bit tighter range than ip (TT+, AQ+)
3. UTG A8s ol/c CO. *Isolate him with pocket pairs like 77+, Ax like AT+ and some broadways
4. While on Blinds calls hands like AJ, KQ, QJ, but also 42s after Steal. *Don't steal as a bluff (with connectors or suited hands)
5. While on Blinds calls and completes hands like J9s. 54s, no matter of oraiser's position. *Postflop we can get nice value with dominating hands
6. F Doesn't bluff or semibluf cbet *If he cbet, probably has a hand, so don't try to bluff him or float him.
7. F Call donkbet with overcard *Donk with overpairs and continue to do it on later streets on suitable cards (if overcards don't come)
8. F ch/r overpair on dry board. *if he check/raise, we could fold our TP, but could also go broke with high overpair
9. T Bluff vs missed cbet oop with no showdown value. *We can sometimes check back some middle pair and call his turn donkbet
10. T Doesn't bluff oop with some showdown value. *Not sure about this, but we shouldn't try to bluff him when he checks the turn
11. T ch/c A-high vs missed F cbet. *Again, we could check back the flop and bet the turn sometimes with hands like middle pairs
12. R ch/c with 3rd pair no matter the board. *We can get value on the river with TP
13. R Doesn't bluff river. *If he bets or raises the river, we know that he has a hand. If he doesn't show aggression, maybe we could bluff him sometimes, but I'm not sure about that
14. F T R Doesnt bluff mwp. If he shows aggression in multiway pots, he probably has a strong hand
15. F T R ch/c with TPGK 3 streets. *We could get value from him with TP on all tree streets.

So, I would like some sugestions about my assumtions and some advice, where to find good learning stuff about analysing opponents.

While reading some blogs here, I started to considering to buy some private coachings. I have a bankroll with which some players play NL25, but I'm struggling with NL10. If I spend some of it on coachings, it would stay me enough to play NL10, but I assume it would help me to beat theese stakes. The school year ends on 14.6, so I will have enough time to concentrate only on poker during summer. I would probably take w34z3l because I've read some great stuff here about his coachings and he is affordable to micro-stakes players. 10 sessions would probably be enough to master NL10 untill the end of August, when summer holydays end for me.

Will decide during next couple of weeks..

And yes, current bankroll: 755,55 USD

Your notes are too complicated.
For example: if a player has like 81% fold BB to a SB raise with 70% fold BB to a BU raise combined with 19% VPIP i make a note "does not defend blinds" and i try to steal as much as i can. (Useful on IPN network)
Sometimes i write "raises EOSD, FD on flop", so i dont fold decent hands on flop vs a player because some players raise flop with these kind of hands while wait for the turn to raise monsters.
Simplify your notes.
Thats sistem of your is probably unusable and a distaction
Right now you can explore these pages and find some information on the rake you pay on the levels you play.
On 770 it costs you 18,7BB to play 100 hands on NL10 (1,87bucks) in terms of rake
If you were to play 100 hands on NL20 on the same site it would cost you 9,5BB or 1,9bucks. These are numbers for SH games.
So it would pretty much cost you the same.
Use HEM to see if you are being beated by rake or players, if you beat players move up to NL20 asap with that bankroll, play a solid game and tweak your game as you progress.

Sretno!

Originally posted by GvozdenTM
Your notes are too complicated.
For example: if a player has like 81% fold BB to a SB raise with 70% fold BB to a BU raise combined with 19% VPIP i make a note "does not defend blinds" and i try to steal as much as i can. (Useful on IPN network)
Sometimes i write "raises EOSD, FD on flop", so i dont fold decent hands on flop vs a player because some players raise flop with these kind of hands while wait for the turn to raise monsters.
Simplify your notes.
Thats sistem of your is probably unusable and a distaction
Right now you can explore these pages and find some information on the rake you pay on the levels you play.
On 770 it costs you 18,7BB to play 100 hands on NL10 (1,87bucks) in terms of rake
If you were to play 100 hands on NL20 on the same site it would cost you 9,5BB or 1,9bucks. These are numbers for SH games.
So it would pretty much cost you the same.
Use HEM to see if you are being beated by rake or players, if you beat players move up to NL20 asap with that bankroll, play a solid game and tweak your game as you progress.

Sretno!

Hvala!

Thank you for your advice! I have a feeling that this is too distracting so I have to short the number of notes and make them easier to understand. I will try to do that today. I need some system to follow when analysing players and writeing notes, but can't find any source of knowledge on this matter.

About the rake, I would check later in my HEM2. I think that it's quite big in terms of bb/100, but not that big as you noted. I think that paying for a coach and playing NL10 with solid bankroll, at least untill I master it, would maybe be wiser choice, especially long-term. What do you think?

Hi Alleen 86

I've just read your blog and wish you luck with your goals!

My 2 cents on some things:
#1 HOW TO LEARN
- 'Common learning errors' article by Jared Tendler
http://www.pokerstrategy.com/strategy/psychology/2289/1/

Check out this article. My guess is that you are learning too much and overcomplicate your game. Been there, done that After I simplified my routine and started focusing on revision and plugging leaks I feel like I'm crushing the games!

- 'Leakfinder for Micro-Stakes No-Limit' video by Yersh
http://www.pokerstrategy.com/video/16384/

The video is somewhat on the same notes. The first 10 or so minutes intro will probably be the most valuable to you on explaining how learning too much affect your game.

#2 NOTES
- I don't have an article to suggest.
- What I do:
1. I have a colour system for players - (1) green = fish (isolate, value bet); (2) yellow = weak reg (I try to avoid them); (3) red = loose aggressive (high variance, but better than yellow; value bet, call lighter); (4) purple = nit (steal a lot, if he raises, give it up, don't 3bet bluff).
2. I only make 2 other types of notes - (1) Trapper (likes to slowplay, don't make thin value bets), (2) I note showdown hands (helps with their play style).

#3 TABLES
- When I'm improving I stick with regular tables. It's my personal choice as I find rush tables too fast for me and I like to table select. I play 6 tables.

#4 COACHING
- My personal opinion is that coaching is for NL100+ and you have to know exactly what you want to get out of it (certain questions, exact spots). Even then, you can do that all here in the forums.
- I'm happy with my play in NL5 and if you want we could have some sweat sessions together where you analyse my game and I listen to how you explain your reasoning at the tables. If you'd like that, add me via the community tools.

#5 GENERAL TIPS
- Your attitude seemed somewhat down in this blog and I think you are the guy who tries very hard when I started checking my cashier only once a week I liked the feeling of not caring about the money.

So to summarize:
1. Learn less.
2. Make less notes.
3. You must be prepared for coaching.

I'll be following your blog so you better make some improvements

Best of luck!
David

Thank you very much, Dawidas888!

Yeah, you are right in most things said. In fact, I have a feeling that am trying too much and am afraid too much of losing money. I shall stop doing that (I mean, being afraid of losing money). ♦

I'll add you and, ofcourse, we can do some sweats, have never tried that. Will have more time in about a month, when all that rush about school stops, so we'll definitelly be in touch. Thank you!

I'll think some more time about coachings and decide when I see if I could make some improvements at NL10. If I'll feel like I'm stuck, probably will try some, can't lose anything (except the money, but we agreed that money is not important).

Thank you for helpful suggestions!

To mention, yesterday I signed up for Pokerstrategy freerool at Poker770 and ended 140 of 327 with sitting out all the time because I wasn't at home while the tournament was going. So I won 10$! Man, I'm gooood!

To mention, yesterday I signed up for Pokerstrategy freerool at Poker770 and ended 140 of 327 with sitting out all the time because I wasn't at home while the tournament was going. So I won 10$! Man, I'm gooood!

The most +EV line in poker is to not play. Congratulations on great move

That shows just how much playing tight at freerolls pays out ♦

I don't think your note system is too complicated. I actually think it's quite good. I'll have a look on your assumptions later on and see if I agree or disagree with them. But nice work, you're already ahead of 99% of the field.

As for coaching, I have to agree that in general it might not be worth it on NL10. What you can do (and probably should do) is: 1) watch as many videos as you can, make notes, study; 2) attend to pokerstrategy's live coachings; 3) team up with some other micro stakes guys and create a study group.

With 2) I've learnt a LOT, plus I got quite a few "free" coaching sessions. For example, I've got 2 or 3 times a session of mine reviewed by a Brazilian coach during the live coachings, and I got my database when on NL25 analysed by Bogdan, and so on. Lots of opportunity out there, and free!

As for 3), just make sure you get serious, motivated people. It's too easy to get surrounded by whiners moaning about standard bad beats, and soon people loose motivation. But you find the right group... that helps a ton.

I'd say if you have a lot of time studying, and a lot of videos seen, and a good group, and still is at NL25 with some difficulties, a coach might be worth it. You don't need to get a $300/h coach. You can find one between 1 or 2 BI an hour, which is not much if you think long term. It's good to spot some obvious leak (which you will have if you can't beat NL25) that you can't see, or even to say: "you're doing the basics right, sooner or later variance will smile towards you" and give you some tips. Again, doesn't have to be a 15h-long programme... just a couple or a few sessions to brush up the basics can be very helpful, depending on how long your "long run" is. (if you're playing 4k hands a month just for fun, probably not worth it anyway...).

Keep it up.

Originally posted by luizsilveira
That shows just how much playing tight at freerolls pays out ♦

I don't think your note system is too complicated. I actually think it's quite good. I'll have a look on your assumptions later on and see if I agree or disagree with them. But nice work, you're already ahead of 99% of the field.

As for coaching, I have to agree that in general it might not be worth it on NL10. What you can do (and probably should do) is: 1) watch as many videos as you can, make notes, study; 2) attend to pokerstrategy's live coachings; 3) team up with some other micro stakes guys and create a study group.

With 2) I've learnt a LOT, plus I got quite a few "free" coaching sessions. For example, I've got 2 or 3 times a session of mine reviewed by a Brazilian coach during the live coachings, and I got my database when on NL25 analysed by Bogdan, and so on. Lots of opportunity out there, and free!

As for 3), just make sure you get serious, motivated people. It's too easy to get surrounded by whiners moaning about standard bad beats, and soon people loose motivation. But you find the right group... that helps a ton.

I'd say if you have a lot of time studying, and a lot of videos seen, and a good group, and still is at NL25 with some difficulties, a coach might be worth it. You don't need to get a $300/h coach. You can find one between 1 or 2 BI an hour, which is not much if you think long term. It's good to spot some obvious leak (which you will have if you can't beat NL25) that you can't see, or even to say: "you're doing the basics right, sooner or later variance will smile towards you" and give you some tips. Again, doesn't have to be a 15h-long programme... just a couple or a few sessions to brush up the basics can be very helpful, depending on how long your "long run" is. (if you're playing 4k hands a month just for fun, probably not worth it anyway...).

Keep it up.

Thank you very much!

a. Open raise questionable hands from EP (like T9s, 87s) and sometimes call them on 3bet

Don't 3bet him as a bluff, but could 3bet wider range for value, like TT+, AJ+, KQ+ and call with small to middle pocket pairs

Well, you *can* 3bet as a bluff. What you cannot do is 3bet as a bluff and give up post flop, or 3bet as a bluff, cbet flop, then give up. However, if you put pressure he'll have to fold most of his trash post flop, and/or will pay you off when you do have a monster hand. (I'm not saying you should do it, it's just something to keep in mind. It's too often people 3bet as bluff and give up post flop; against some types of players, it only makes sense to do it if you're willing to go all the way).

Depolarizing your range and 3betting a wider range for value is . Against some people at these limits you can 3bet AJs v. UTG for value. If they 4bet you have an easy muck.

b. Or/c with middle pair MP vs BB.

When oop, 3-bet him only for value with a bit tighter range than ip (TT+, AQ+)

My "middle pair" I think you mean medium pocket pair.

Seems sound. No need to put yourself in awkward spots, in big pots oop if he calls a lot. But I like 3betting TT+, for example (which against many oponents at NL10 would be a waste).

c. UTG A8s ol/c CO.

UTG A8s ol/c CO. *Isolate him with pocket pairs like 77+, Ax like AT+ and some broadways

Well, yes. But that's very standard for any weak player really, so barely worth a note ♦

What is good to know is if he ever folds A7 on a A high board. If not, you can always iso with, say, AJ and bet almost potsize on flop, turn and river.

d. While on Blinds calls hands like AJ, KQ, QJ, but also 42s after Steal.

Don't steal as a bluff (with connectors or suited hands)

Well, the first part of your note is a bit useless. Most people do that. And your conclusion is only valid depending on frequencies. If he once called with 42s is one thing, if he always calls with it is another.

Your conclusion is right but incomplete imo. It's like the 3bet: we won't do as a bluff but we can do suuuuper wide for value. We'll play in position, which is +EV regardless of range (if both ranges are 100%, we still have the positional advantage). You can let go trash like 74, but easily you can open 80% (which won't be a bluff!), especially if he's bad post flop. You'll make sure you loose the small pots and fork the big ones. What matters here to decide how much we open is how much he 3bets.

e. While on Blinds calls and completes hands like J9s. 54s, no matter of oraiser's position.

Postflop we can get nice value with dominating hands

Yes. Plus it's good to know he's post flop tendencies. How does he plays these hands? Does he ch/r a lot with draws and weak pairs? Does he call down? Does he call flop and turn and then check/fold river thinking he's behind by then? (lot's of weaker players do that, be weary of bluffing them only once - the famous "one and done").

f. Doesn't bluff or semibluf cbet.

If he cbet, probably has a hand, so don't try to bluff him or float him.

True. On the other hand, if he's that predicable you can call a lot in position and take down the pots when he does not cbet. Not to mention every once in a while you'll hit a strong hand, too

g. Call donkbet with overcard

Donk with overpairs and continue to do it on later streets on suitable cards (if overcards don't come)

Why only with overpairs? You should be donking him relentlessly. You told us he has a weak range and does not cbet as a bluff, so what's the point of checking to him with any of your value range if he calls the donks suuuper light? You're loosing lots of value.

h. ch/r overpair on dry board

if he check/raise, we could fold our TP, but could also go broke with high overpair

Yup. And also surprisingly standard with bad players. If I have JJ and get ch/r by a good player on a 7 :spade:6 :spade:2 board I'd say "uh oh". We're flipping against OC+FD and it's always a nasty spot. Against a very very loose passive recreational player I'd even fold. But against a badly aggressive recreational player, it's an easy 3bet/shove/celebrate.

i. Bluff vs missed cbet oop with no showdown value.

We can sometimes check back some middle pair and call his turn donkbet

Yes. And river, please (some people check back flop, call turn, fold river. Big mistake).

j. Doesn't bluff oop with some showdown value.

Not sure about this, but we shouldn't try to bluff him when he checks the turn

Yeah, that's a good one. Which means: 1) if we check back flop, we know it's either with SD value to call turn and river, OR to give up. Don't stab again. Which also means: I'd be more inclined to check A high on the flop than 42, because we're more likely to drag it to showdown.

But this j together with i can also mean something else: depending on board and his flop calling frequencies, you can check back flop and raise his turn donks with air (because if you do have a hand you're calling to bluff catch, thus when you do not have a hand... raise him. Especially with overcards etc, that have some kind of equity).

k. ch/c A-high vs missed F cbet..

Again, we could check back the flop and bet the turn sometimes with hands like middle pairs

Middle pairs, bottom pairs, underpairs... ♦ Don't be afraid of thin value against these type of guys who can't fold and like to bring A high to showdown to "keep you honest". If he never ever folds, when you bet you just need to win more than 50% of the time for that bet to be profitable.

l. ch/c with 3rd pair no matter the board

We can get value on the river with TP

And middle pair. With top pair then it's easy 3 streets of value.

m. Doesn't bluff river.

If he bets or raises the river, we know that he has a hand. If he doesn't show aggression, maybe we could bluff him sometimes, but I'm not sure about that

That's an interesting note. How do you know that? I mean, what's your sample size to know he never bluffs river?

But one thing is important: that he never bluffs river does not lead to he never calling the river. So even if he never, ever bluffs, that has no relation whatsoever to our bluffs. He might never bluff but always call. They are two distinct tendencies.

n. Doesnt bluff mwp. If he shows aggression in multiway pots, he probably has a strong hand

That's a good one to know but I'd be weary of sample as well. Maybe he never bluffs, maybe he bluffs only 1/10 times. I'm not saying it's worth calling him if he's tendency is not to bluff, but it's worth it checking his showdowns and keep confirming it. If you play with him a whole lot, that is.

m. ch/c with TPGK 3 streets.

We could get value from him with TP on all tree streets.

Yeah, the conclusion is quite obvious. But the note might be a bit redundant as well. Plus, a very wide array of players will be willing to check/call 3 streets with a top pair, so if this guy shows tendencies to be a very loose/passive recreational player I'd only expect those types of calls. I'm not saying the note is "wrong", but notes should only contain what is exceptional and not the rule (for example, you'd never make a note "goes all in preflop with AA").

Keep it up, if you disagree with any please shout it up and I'd love discussing further.

Originally posted by Dawidas888

I'll be following your blog so you better make some improvements

+1

Poz Oliver.

Originally posted by luizsilveira
a. Open raise questionable hands from EP (like T9s, 87s) and sometimes call them on 3bet

Don't 3bet him as a bluff, but could 3bet wider range for value, like TT+, AJ+, KQ+ and call with small to middle pocket pairs

Well, you *can* 3bet as a bluff. What you cannot do is 3bet as a bluff and give up post flop, or 3bet as a bluff, cbet flop, then give up. However, if you put pressure he'll have to fold most of his trash post flop, and/or will pay you off when you do have a monster hand. (I'm not saying you should do it, it's just something to keep in mind. It's too often people 3bet as bluff and give up post flop; against some types of players, it only makes sense to do it if you're willing to go all the way).

Depolarizing your range and 3betting a wider range for value is . Against some people at these limits you can 3bet AJs v. UTG for value. If they 4bet you have an easy muck.

b. Or/c with middle pair MP vs BB.

When oop, 3-bet him only for value with a bit tighter range than ip (TT+, AQ+)

My "middle pair" I think you mean medium pocket pair.

Seems sound. No need to put yourself in awkward spots, in big pots oop if he calls a lot. But I like 3betting TT+, for example (which against many oponents at NL10 would be a waste).

c. UTG A8s ol/c CO.

UTG A8s ol/c CO. *Isolate him with pocket pairs like 77+, Ax like AT+ and some broadways

Well, yes. But that's very standard for any weak player really, so barely worth a note ♦

What is good to know is if he ever folds A7 on a A high board. If not, you can always iso with, say, AJ and bet almost potsize on flop, turn and river.

d. While on Blinds calls hands like AJ, KQ, QJ, but also 42s after Steal.

Don't steal as a bluff (with connectors or suited hands)

Well, the first part of your note is a bit useless. Most people do that. And your conclusion is only valid depending on frequencies. If he once called with 42s is one thing, if he always calls with it is another.

Your conclusion is right but incomplete imo. It's like the 3bet: we won't do as a bluff but we can do suuuuper wide for value. We'll play in position, which is +EV regardless of range (if both ranges are 100%, we still have the positional advantage). You can let go trash like 74, but easily you can open 80% (which won't be a bluff!), especially if he's bad post flop. You'll make sure you loose the small pots and fork the big ones. What matters here to decide how much we open is how much he 3bets.

e. While on Blinds calls and completes hands like J9s. 54s, no matter of oraiser's position.

Postflop we can get nice value with dominating hands

Yes. Plus it's good to know he's post flop tendencies. How does he plays these hands? Does he ch/r a lot with draws and weak pairs? Does he call down? Does he call flop and turn and then check/fold river thinking he's behind by then? (lot's of weaker players do that, be weary of bluffing them only once - the famous "one and done").

f. Doesn't bluff or semibluf cbet.

If he cbet, probably has a hand, so don't try to bluff him or float him.

True. On the other hand, if he's that predicable you can call a lot in position and take down the pots when he does not cbet. Not to mention every once in a while you'll hit a strong hand, too

g. Call donkbet with overcard

Donk with overpairs and continue to do it on later streets on suitable cards (if overcards don't come)

Why only with overpairs? You should be donking him relentlessly. You told us he has a weak range and does not cbet as a bluff, so what's the point of checking to him with any of your value range if he calls the donks suuuper light? You're loosing lots of value.

h. ch/r overpair on dry board

if he check/raise, we could fold our TP, but could also go broke with high overpair

Yup. And also surprisingly standard with bad players. If I have JJ and get ch/r by a good player on a 7 :spade:6 :spade:2 board I'd say "uh oh". We're flipping against OC+FD and it's always a nasty spot. Against a very very loose passive recreational player I'd even fold. But against a badly aggressive recreational player, it's an easy 3bet/shove/celebrate.

i. Bluff vs missed cbet oop with no showdown value.

We can sometimes check back some middle pair and call his turn donkbet

Yes. And river, please (some people check back flop, call turn, fold river. Big mistake).

j. Doesn't bluff oop with some showdown value.

Not sure about this, but we shouldn't try to bluff him when he checks the turn

Yeah, that's a good one. Which means: 1) if we check back flop, we know it's either with SD value to call turn and river, OR to give up. Don't stab again. Which also means: I'd be more inclined to check A high on the flop than 42, because we're more likely to drag it to showdown.

But this j together with i can also mean something else: depending on board and his flop calling frequencies, you can check back flop and raise his turn donks with air (because if you do have a hand you're calling to bluff catch, thus when you do not have a hand... raise him. Especially with overcards etc, that have some kind of equity).

k. ch/c A-high vs missed F cbet..

Again, we could check back the flop and bet the turn sometimes with hands like middle pairs

Middle pairs, bottom pairs, underpairs... ♦ Don't be afraid of thin value against these type of guys who can't fold and like to bring A high to showdown to "keep you honest". If he never ever folds, when you bet you just need to win more than 50% of the time for that bet to be profitable.

l. ch/c with 3rd pair no matter the board

We can get value on the river with TP

And middle pair. With top pair then it's easy 3 streets of value.

m. Doesn't bluff river.

If he bets or raises the river, we know that he has a hand. If he doesn't show aggression, maybe we could bluff him sometimes, but I'm not sure about that

That's an interesting note. How do you know that? I mean, what's your sample size to know he never bluffs river?

But one thing is important: that he never bluffs river does not lead to he never calling the river. So even if he never, ever bluffs, that has no relation whatsoever to our bluffs. He might never bluff but always call. They are two distinct tendencies.

n. Doesnt bluff mwp. If he shows aggression in multiway pots, he probably has a strong hand

That's a good one to know but I'd be weary of sample as well. Maybe he never bluffs, maybe he bluffs only 1/10 times. I'm not saying it's worth calling him if he's tendency is not to bluff, but it's worth it checking his showdowns and keep confirming it. If you play with him a whole lot, that is.

m. ch/c with TPGK 3 streets.

We could get value from him with TP on all tree streets.

Yeah, the conclusion is quite obvious. But the note might be a bit redundant as well. Plus, a very wide array of players will be willing to check/call 3 streets with a top pair, so if this guy shows tendencies to be a very loose/passive recreational player I'd only expect those types of calls. I'm not saying the note is "wrong", but notes should only contain what is exceptional and not the rule (for example, you'd never make a note "goes all in preflop with AA").

Keep it up, if you disagree with any please shout it up and I'd love discussing further.

Wow!

Thank you very much for making this effort. This would really help me with understanding how to exploit information I gather. Didn't have much time today to study this in details, just read it once and all written make sense to me!

Anyway, i would probably go for simplifying things, which means that I somehow agree with the fact that notes should be as simple as possible because I don't have time to go trough that many complicated things while playing, especially while playing speed poker. So, I would need to make some simple and understandable notes from those written before and to rely on colors (in fact, I already color them, but probably don't use that colors as much I could). The thing is I'm not so sure how to simplify the notes. I'll try to do that these days, when I'll have some time. That would help me to analyse other players and to speed up the process of analysing. Advice from you, Dawidas888 and GvozdenTM would be of great help there.

Thank you guys for now!

Today I had another session at NL10 SH Speed and in fact it was winning session! I won 2,20$! Yeah, baby! ♠_thumbsup:

Very strange session where I didn't win a thing by showdown, but I managed to retain the red line positive, which I'm quite happy with. I was following some advice from Dawidas888 and really tried to think using simple logic, withoud much complicatons. It's a pity that I didn't capitalize some monsters I had, but better luck next time!

Here is the graph:

Will play couple of hands now just to relax before going to sleep. In the morning have to go to work..

Cheers!