Its a long way to the top if you wanna build a roll

Well that's the first night down. Played for just under one hour and finished up, the blog is already working its magic.

Hands played: 338
Result: +$7.31
BR: $132.31

I'll figure out how to post graphs and make this blog look pretty at a later date.

Goodnight

A bit of a losing night tonight. Played for just under an hour and was not playing my best. I will be looking into a good mental game warm up over the next few days.

Hands played: 340
Result: -$2.61
BR: $129.10

Are you playing short handed and/or full ring cash games to build up you’re bankroll?

Further I wish you al the best to beat the micro stakes

Cheers,
SDK1987

10/10 title.

Subbed, GL!

@SDK1987
I will be playing 6 max cash games. On weekends i tend to also try a few MTT's, i'll be keeping those buy ins separate though.

@MJPerry
Thank you. It only took me 4 months to think of it.

@vonki
Its an honor to be subbed by the queen of pokerstrategy.com. Thanks

Now that we have finished with the pleasantries, on to the bad news. I had a pretty drab night at the tables. I ended up 2 and a half bi's down. The bulk of this was an AK - KK cooler but the rest could be summed up with some poor calls and cold deck. Im going to have a look through some hands and try to post a couple tomorrow (once i figure out how to).

Hands Played: 507
Result: -$12.42
BR: $117.28

Played another session tonight. Finished down again but looking at the hands i mostly ran a bit bad, running my KK into AK and QQ into AA being the two biggest pots lost. Although annoying I can be content with how i played. Im looking forward to getting more volume in over the weekend.

Hands Played: 575
Result: -$3.17
BR: $114.11

So much for more volume over the weekend. I managed to play a grand total of 0 hands. I should have been putting in the hours to hone my craft and become the poker player I aspire to be. Instead I remembered I am Scottish and proceeded to drink copious amounts of alcohol which left me unable to even focus on a screen, let alone engage in this complicated game.

To make up for this I decided to play some zoom poker tonight to get more hands in. This was a mistake. I always forget that I don't much like zoom poker, i'm not really sure how to adjust to this format. Any suggestions please fire away.

I didn't play particularly well, making a few dodgy calls along the way. The biggest pots i lost are below.

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $7.74 (154.8 bb)
BB: $9.68 (193.6 bb)
UTG: $11.09 (221.8 bb)
MP: $7.53 (150.6 bb)
CO: $5.46 (109.2 bb)
Hero (BTN): $6.56 (131.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with T T
UTG folds, MP raises to $0.15, CO folds, Hero calls $0.15, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.37) 5 3 T (2 players)
MP bets $0.20, Hero raises to $0.70, MP raises to $1.55, Hero calls $0.85

Turn: ($3.47) Q (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $1.99, MP raises to $5.83 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.87 and is all-in

River: ($13.19) 9 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results:

And...

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 (SB): $5.25 (105 bb)
BB: $6.46 (129.2 bb)
UTG: $7.71 (154.2 bb)
MP: $6.93 (138.6 bb)
CO: $5.02 (100.4 bb)
BTN: $6.57 (131.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 9 A
UTG raises to $0.12, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.10, BB folds

Flop: ($0.29) 9 3 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.21, UTG raises to $0.55, Hero calls $0.34

Turn: ($1.39) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.80, Hero calls $0.80

River: ($2.99) 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $3.78 and is all-in, UTG calls $3.78

Results:

I actually have no idea what i was thinking in the last hand. Aggro, spewy play that isn't part of my usual style.

Anyways the figures today

Hands played:809
Result: £13.39
BR: $100.72

So it looks like one more losing session and I'll be taking a drop in stakes. Not how I envisioned this going really. Well until tomorrow, good night guys.

the TT hand is just a cooler, no way can you ever fold that. There are more combos of 33 & 55 than there is of QQ not to mention he occassionally plays AA/KK that way though less likely.

Second hand is I think a lot more interesting. Pre-flop defending is close against a UTG raiser.
Off course it pretty much depends how aggressive he’s playing if I call here or not.

On flop I would always check/call here with top pair top kicker and her-evaluate the turn against him. Now you’re leading right in to him and than you most likely need to fold or he likes to spew chips.

River is check/calling already close based on his line so far. Not sure what kind of range you think you’re dealing with, but can’t find weaker hands in it than top pair. So chipping for value is pretty optimistic I think or he has called with worse before. Otherwise you spewing indeed.

Hopefully you have learned a lot about this hand.

Also it’s I think good to post regularly hands on our Hand discussions for No Limit board. This way you get feedback on you’re hands and can help you to improve you’re game.

Cheers,
SDK1987

@vonki
I was thinking the same. I do seem to be getting a lot of these right now. Im hoping the deck shines brighter on me soon.

@SDK1987
The hand was just badly played from beginning to end. I only had 5 hands played with that guy. I must have been temporarily blinded by the suitedness (is that a word). I will start posting more hands as you say, looks like i need all the help i can get.

Sooooo, i didnt post anything last night, internal server kept appearing in my screen. The results were as follows:

Hands Played:544
Result: -$7.97
BR: $92.75

Biggest pots lost were:

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $7.64 (152.8 bb)
BB: $7.31 (146.2 bb)
UTG: $5 (100 bb)
Hero (MP): $5 (100 bb)
CO: $5.07 (101.4 bb)
BTN: $5 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with A T
UTG folds, Hero raises to $0.15, CO folds, BTN raises to $0.35, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.77) A 2 J (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.62, Hero calls $0.62

Turn: ($2.01) 8 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.64, Hero calls $1.64

River: ($5.29) Q (2 players)
Hero bets $2.39 and is all-in, BTN calls $2.39 and is all-in

Results:

Again, random overly spewy play. This one pot accounted for two thirds of my loss last night. I think I have issues believing people at these stakes have a hand.

The next biggest loss was.

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $4.95 (99 bb)
BB: $5 (100 bb)
UTG: $2 (40 bb)
Hero (MP): $5.14 (102.8 bb)
CO: $5 (100 bb)
BTN: $5.07 (101.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with K K
UTG posts BB OOP, UTG checks, Hero raises to $0.20, CO calls $0.20, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.15

Flop: ($0.67) 7 6 Q (3 players)
UTG bets $0.50, Hero raises to $1.30, CO folds, UTG raises to $1.80 and is all-in, Hero calls $0.50

Turn: ($4.27) 6 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: ($4.27) 8 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results:

I think the river was a bit overkill.

So after dropping below the $100 mark i decided to drop stakes as set out in my BRM. Tonight I played 2NL.... Zoom... WTF is wrong with me. After just saying I don't know how to play it profitably, i throw some more cash away.

Hands Played: 806
Result: -$4.09
BR: $88.66

Biggest pots lost:

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $2.22 (111 bb)
BB: $2 (100 bb)
UTG: $1.99 (99.5 bb)
MP: $3.34 (167 bb)
CO: $2.11 (105.5 bb)
BTN: $2.15 (107.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A T
3 folds, BTN raises to $0.06, Hero calls $0.05, BB calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.18) 4 T 7 (3 players)
Hero bets $0.12, BB folds, BTN raises to $0.30, Hero calls $0.18

Turn: ($0.78) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.42, Hero raises to $1.86 and is all-in, BTN calls $1.37

River: ($4.36) K (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results:

I would really like some feedback on this one. The donk bet was a stupid bet. I actually didnt realise until i played it back that ii donked. I thought I had the betting lead.

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $2 (100 bb)
BB: $3.64 (182 bb)
UTG: $0.94 (47 bb)
Hero (MP): $2.86 (143 bb)
CO: $2.39 (119.5 bb)
BTN: $2.06 (103 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with K 9
UTG folds, Hero raises to $0.06, CO folds, BTN calls $0.06, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.15) 7 K 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.10, BTN calls $0.10

Turn: ($0.35) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.25, BTN calls $0.25

River: ($0.85) 4 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.61, BTN raises to $1.65 and is all-in, Hero calls $1.04

Results:

The temperature has definitely dropped here. Could someone please adjust the thermostat.

Tomorrow I will continue to play 2NL. I promise (myself) I will not play zoom until I have figured out how to adjust to the format, any help with that would be appreciated. I am thinking about dropping a table or two, i currently play 4 to 6 tables. I feel I may be missing spots at the moment.

Played another session on NL2 tonight. Finally booked a winning session of just over a buy in. Hoping this is me on my way back to NL5. Im not sure if I will get on tomorrow night, I have a work night out so may not be in the optimum mindset for bankroll building, or even talking in a coherent manner.

Hands Played: 552
Result: +$2.08
BR: $90.74

First hand is indeed spewy. Most likely is a fold on his 3 bet best. As played I would fold the turn . I don’t think he will 2nd barreling with worse aces here.

KK is pretty standard from you’re perspective. His line makes no sense at all.

Second AT hand is interesting for sure. I would normal 3bet/fold with AT against a button steal or button is a nit. As played I would most likely check/call, because button is pre-flop aggressor. In multi way it’s not to bad I think to lead out. Now the original raiser raised you need to ask yourself with what kind of range he will do it with. I expect he will do it with a T and a over pair most of the time on a pretty dry board like this. So calling is I think fine, but than you need to call turn and most likely river as well unimproved. I think it’s also smart to post this hand on the Hand discussions for No Limit section. This way you get faster feedback of other forum members as well.

The last hand is a cooler I think.

Cheers,
SDK1987

Hand #1 - just fold to the 3bet pre. As played, fold turn. No idea why you shove river.

Hand #2 - standard.

Hand #3 - turn x/r is spew. x/c turn and x/f most rivers.

Hand #4 - you did have the betting lead? Think you played that fine, though K9s is a debatable open pre.

Thanks for the feedback guys. If i can eliminate the random aggro spews like hand 1 and 3 from my game i feel i would be a winning player at these stakes. I think playing fewer tables when i get back to NL5 for a while will help.

@MJPerry
Yeah, i had rhe betting line. K9s is near the bottom of my MP open range. I didn't have many hands with player.

@SDK1987
Next hand is going on the hand discussions board.... i promise

Thanks for the feedback guys. If i can eliminate the random aggro spews like hand 1 and 3 from my game i feel i would be a winning player at these stakes. I think playing fewer tables when i get back to NL5 for a while will help.

@MJPerry
Yeah, i had rhe betting line. K9s is near the bottom of my MP open range. I didn't have many hands with player.

@SDK1987
Next hand is going on the hand discussions board.... i promise

Yeah I don't think K9s is a terrible MP open by any means, but I'd probably save it for the CO. Table-dependent though obviously.

I didn't manage to play any poker over the weekend, and even today I only managed a one hour session. It was a disappointing night. I played badly, partly due to the hangover and tiredness and mostly a bad mindset. I shouldn't have played at all but felt I had to due to missing all weekend.

I lost several big pots. My AA cracked by KK and my flush beat by a full house on the rive, standard coolers. Two hands im unsure of though are these. I will post them in the hand discussions forum as well.

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $2 (100 bb)
BB: $1.86 (93 bb)
Hero (UTG): $2.01 (100.5 bb)
MP: $2 (100 bb)
CO: $2 (100 bb)
BTN: $2.53 (126.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with J Q
Hero raises to $0.08, MP calls $0.08, CO folds, BTN calls $0.08, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.27) T 2 A (3 players)
Hero bets $0.19, MP calls $0.19, BTN folds

Turn: ($0.65) A (2 players)
Hero bets $0.47, MP raises to $1.64, Hero raises to $1.74 and is all-in, MP calls $0.09 and is all-in

River: ($4.11) J (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results:

When he raises me on the turn I think he could have a few Ax suited hands and middle pairs. I am wary of the full house but feel that the outs I have are roughly about 30% which is what I need. Its pretty tight I think but would like to know what you guys think.

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $2.24 (112 bb)
BB: $2.10 (105 bb)
MP: $3.58 (179 bb)
CO: $0.75 (37.5 bb)
BTN: $1.75 (87.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K A
MP calls $0.02, CO folds, BTN raises to $0.09, Hero raises to $0.24, 2 folds, BTN raises to $0.78, Hero raises to $2.24 and is all-in, BTN calls $0.97 and is all-in

Flop: ($3.54) 4 5 9 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: ($3.54) 5 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: ($3.54) T (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results:

Is AKs strong enough to be going all in pre flop in this instance? 10 mins prior to this hand the same player had cracked my QQ with 66 from the same positions.

Hands Played: 801
Result: -$6.42
BR: $84.32

Its been a while since i blogged here. Its also been a while since I played some poker. Many reasons for that, but I wont bore you with the details. I did however get to play some time and I hope to be getting back into a routine so I can play more frequently.

Dont really have any specific hands tonight, everything seemed a bit staright forward.

Hands Played: 274
Result: +$5.27
BR: $89.59

I will be updating this blog more frequently and I will be using it to cover a few aspects of my life, mostly poker but other goals too.

So to kick this off I have decided I will stop smoking. This is something I have struggled my whole life, sometimes managing a few months before falling back into the same old trap. This time I am determined it will be the final time. Tough goal to achieve because I'm not really sure when it is achieved.

My next goal is to workout consistently. This is another activity I drift in and out. My goal is to workout out 6 days a week, every week.

And for the poker goal. It's going to be volume based. I'm not sure if it is better to make the goal around hands played or time played. I want to throw this out to you guys, as you are so much more experienced with this. What do you find works better?