The Beginners Blog – Starting from the Micros!

25.03.2011, 15:21 0

Righty-o, Might aswell start by pointing out that as some of you will probably notice, this is indeed my first post! Im Andy, 22 and from the UK. Im studying for a BaHons in Engineering and also working full time.

I started mincing around on poker sites around 5 years ago when my dad set me up an account and put $50 in there for me. ive won bits and bobs over the years nothing massive but enough to keep me from depositing more than once or twice max a year.

I found this website through word of mouth of a friend around a month ago or so and recieved my starting deposit at FT. I started reading some of the strategys and such and played different types of game with the starting balance. Needless to say that money is gone, through me trying out different gametypes to see which suited me best.

I have since then moved to Pokerstars (my origional site) and deposited a simple £10 which at the time gave me $13.65. After extensive research ive decided that i am going to stick with the CG BSS and start at NL2 (i know by balance is way low for a standard BRM, so am taking a bit of a risk but can only deposit this much at the time.)

So basically id like to document my experiences here with everyone and possibly spark some convo about my hands, limits, sites etc or whatever. Along with these reasons i wanted to do this for any other fresh meat starting out here that wanted to see things from another beginners POV.

So yeah, if it interests you please drop by from time to time to check how things are. I will update after every session i play (which unfortunately isnt as much as alot of the other players on here as i have to work full time and study).
I do try to play daily and at least 500-1000hands per session (4-tabling).

I began playing ok PS on the 22nd March and have played 3 sessions since, so to begin i will upload some graphs and some of the key hands from the sessions.

Andy x

Here i will update a running total of hands and profit and also post an up-to-date graph of these stats.:

Updated as of 25th March after Session 3:
Hands: 1689
Profit/Loss: +$11.67

Graph of Running Total (inc Showdown/NSD + EV):

5 replies

_Anonymous_

25.03.2011, 15:38 0

Ok so this was my first session, and i feel it went quite well, i won a few nice hands but also made some silly moves.

Here is the sessions graph:

And here are some of the key hands from the session:

Losers:
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]UTG1 (Hero)$2.71:///////;UTG2$1.98:///////;MP1$0.80:///////;MP2$5.94:///////;MP3$3.08:///////;CO$1.00:///////;BU$1.76:///////;SB$0.71:///////;BB$0.83:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is UTG1 with 6:s, 6:h.
MP1 posts deadblind, Hero calls $0.02, UTG2 folds, MP1 raises to $0.08, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.06.

Flop: ($0.19) 2:h, 5:h, 7:c (2 players)
Hero bets $0.16, MP1 raises to $0.32, Hero raises to $2.63, MP1 calls $0.40.

Turn: ($3.54) T:h (2 players)

River: ($3.54) A:c (2 players)

Final Pot: $3.54.

Results follow:

Hero shows a pair of sixs(6s 6h).
MP1 shows a pair of aces(As Ks).

MP1 wins with a pair of aces(As Ks).

Yeah well what can i say, my read was right on the flop and i feel i made the correct move on him. I thought he may fold but hey he called, turn card makes me feel a little better then the river came. But this is poker right!

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]MP2 (Hero)$4.31:///////;MP3$1.92:///////;CO$0.97:///////;BU$5.88:///////;SB$1.60:///////;BB$1.05:///////;UTG1$1.80:///////;UTG2$0.75:///////;MP1$0.83:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with A:c, Q:c.
UTG1 folds, UTG2 calls $0.02, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, 3 folds, SB raises to $0.20, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.44) K:d, 2:c, K:s (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.26, SB calls $0.26.

Turn: ($0.96) 6:d (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.65, SB raises to $1.14, Hero calls $0.49.

River: ($3.24) 8:d (2 players)

Final Pot: $3.24.

Results follow:

SB shows a flush, ace high(Td Ad).
Hero shows a pair of kings(Ac Qc).

SB wins with a flush, ace high(Td Ad).

Pretty much same again here but reversed (me calling the AI). Again my read told me that this guy was making moves with squat so i made the calls. I was right but again the river jewed me out!

Winners:

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (7 handed)

Known players:
[tg]MP1 (Hero)$2.02:///////;MP2$1.81:///////;MP3$5.73:///////;CO$3.09:///////;BU$1.51:///////;SB$0.60:///////;BB$0.54:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with T:d, A:c.
Hero calls $0.02, 2 folds, CO raises to $0.08, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.06.

Flop: ($0.19) T:s, 2:h, J:d (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.38, CO calls $0.26.

Turn: ($0.95) 3:d (2 players)
Hero bets $0.20, CO raises to $1.68, Hero calls $1.36(All-In).

River: ($4.19) 8:s (2 players)

Final Pot: $4.19.

Results follow:

CO shows high card ace(Ad Qd).
Hero shows a pair of tens(Td Ac).

Hero wins with a pair of tens(Td Ac).

Here i dno, i cant say much other than in my head i was certain he had overcards and hadnt hit, so i made a few pushes and got some re-raises back. I took a risk and it payed off. I wont say it was the smartest move ever but you gotta take a risk every now and then!

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)

Known players:
[tg]BB$1.95:///////;UTG2$4.22:///////;MP1$3.71:///////;MP2$2.20:///////;MP3$2.00:///////;CO$1.99:///////;BU (Hero)$2.26:///////;SB$2.57:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is BU with T:s, T:c.
MP2 posts deadblind, 2 folds, MP2 checks, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, SB folds, BB raises to $0.18, MP2 folds, Hero raises to $0.70, BB calls $0.52.

Flop: ($1.43) 4:s, 8:d, 6:d (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.56, BB calls $1.25.

Turn: ($4.24) 2:s (2 players)

River: ($4.24) K:d (2 players)

Final Pot: $4.24.

Results follow:

Hero shows a pair of tens(Ts Tc).
BB shows high card ace(As 9s).

Hero wins with a pair of tens(Ts Tc).

This guy is just a retard lol

Anyways that was Session 1 and i feel it went alrite. More to come soon!
Session 1
Hands: 509
Profit/Loss: +$5.14

_Anonymous_

25.03.2011, 15:53 0

Good blog, i'll follow because i'm in a very similar situation. I just deposited $10 on FT just over a week ago and i'm sitting about 7.85 profit.

_Anonymous_

25.03.2011, 15:55 0

Ok so i today was my 2nd session, it still went ok but had a few crappy periods.
I ended up splitting this session and playing a few hours daytime then again evening. I stopped daytime after hitting a few bad beats and feeling myself playing worse so i took a much needed break!

Anyhow here is Session 2's graph:

And the key hands from my session:

Losers:

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]UTG1$2.48:///////;UTG2$1.60:///////;MP1$2.16:///////;MP2$0.93:///////;MP3$1.41:///////;CO$3.86:///////;BU$0.82:///////;SB (Hero)$2.08:///////;BB$0.80:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is SB with T:s, K:h.
UTG2 posts deadblind, UTG1 folds, UTG2 raises to $0.04, 2 folds, MP3 calls $0.04, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.03, BB folds.

Flop: ($0.14) K:c, T:h, J:s (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG2 checks, MP3 checks.

Turn: ($0.14) 6:d (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG2 bets $0.06, MP3 calls $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, UTG2 folds, MP3 calls $0.12.

River: ($0.56) 9:d (2 players)
Hero bets $0.30, MP3 raises to $1.19(All-In), Hero calls $0.89.

Final Pot: $2.94.

Results follow:

Hero shows two pairs, kings and tens(Ts Kh).
MP3 shows a straight, ace high(Qh Ac).

MP3 wins with a straight, ace high(Qh Ac).

I feel i didnt play this hand right, IMO i should've bet/3bet on the flop and then folded the turn or maybe river after facing large bets. I dno, what y'all think?

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]CO$1.60:///////;BU$1.65:///////;SB$1.93:///////;BB$5.24:///////;UTG1$1.86:///////;UTG2 (Hero)$2.26:///////;MP1$0.79:///////;MP2$0.54:///////;MP3$1.98:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is UTG2 with T:c, T:h.
UTG1 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, 6 folds, BB raises to $0.22, Hero calls $0.12.

Flop: ($0.45) 2:c, Q:d, 7:s (2 players)
BB bets $0.36, Hero raises to $2.04, BB calls $1.68.

Turn: ($4.53) 6:c (2 players)

River: ($4.53) 8:h (2 players)

Final Pot: $4.53.

Results follow:

BB shows a pair of kings(Kc Ks).
Hero shows a pair of tens(Tc Th).

BB wins with a pair of kings(Kc Ks).

This time i was the retard lol! If i remember correctly i dont think i have an excuse for this hand other than i was being distracted by some RL stuff at the time of the hand!

Winners:
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)

Known players:
[tg]MP3$3.07:///////;CO$2.93:///////;BU$2.42:///////;SB$0.76:///////;BB (Hero)$2.50:///////;UTG2$1.60:///////;MP1$0.57:///////;MP2$1.89:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is BB with K:d, K:c.
UTG2 folds, MP1 raises to $0.08, 2 folds, CO calls $0.08, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.36, MP1 raises to $0.57, CO calls $0.49, Hero calls $0.21.

Flop: ($1.72) J:h, 8:s, J:s (2 players)
Hero bets $1.93, CO calls $1.93.

Turn: ($5.58) 3:s (3 players)

River: ($5.58) 9:d (3 players)

Final Pot: $5.58.

Results follow:

Hero shows two pairs, kings and jacks(Kd Kc).
MP1 shows two pairs, jacks and tens(Ts Th).
CO shows a pair of jacks(Kh Qd).

Hero wins with two pairs, kings and jacks(Kd Kc).

This was an easy push really!

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)

Known players:
[tg]MP2$0.68:///////;MP3$4.67:///////;CO$0.83:///////;BU$1.87:///////;SB (Hero)$2.92:///////;BB$0.42:///////;UTG2$2.77:///////;MP1$0.97:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is SB with A:c, A:d.
4 folds, CO calls $0.02, BU raises to $0.08, Hero calls $0.07, BB folds, CO calls $0.06.

Flop: ($0.26) 5:c, 5:d, K:c (3 players)
Hero checks, CO checks, BU bets $0.12, Hero calls $0.12, CO calls $0.12.

Turn: ($0.62) T:h (3 players)
Hero bets $0.30, CO calls $0.30, BU folds.

River: ($1.22) Q:s (2 players)
Hero bets $2.42, CO calls $0.33(All-In).

Final Pot: $3.97.

Results follow:

Hero shows two pairs, aces and fives(Ac Ad).
CO shows two pairs, kings and fives(Kh Ah).

Hero wins with two pairs, aces and fives(Ac Ad).

Same again here, the table was playing pretty conservatively so i slowed played here (which i wouldnt ususally do) but feel it payed off.

So yeah Session 2 down, 1000hands hit and still in profit so ATM i am happy

Session 2
Hands: 491
Profit/Loss: +$3.20

_Anonymous_

25.03.2011, 15:58 0

Originally posted by silphonica
Good blog, i'll follow because i'm in a very similar situation. I just deposited $10 on FT just over a week ago and i'm sitting about 7.85 profit.

Fantastic! as you may have read this is what i wanted! people in our situation to share and share alike on the info and advice front!
Well done on the profit BTW, keep it up!

_Anonymous_

25.03.2011, 16:11 0

Ok so i had another good session (well, i finished in profit lol). But i had a few silly hands which could have seen me get a great profit on the session if won. But hey-ho im just happy i ended positive right!!!

Here is Session 3's graph:

Followed by some of the usual winning and losing hands from the session:

Losers:
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]UTG2$1.10:///////;MP1$5.94:///////;MP2$0.90:///////;MP3$3.96:///////;CO$0.46:///////;BU$2.75:///////;SB$2.46:///////;BB$0.74:///////;UTG1 (Hero)$4.37:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is UTG1 with K:h, K:c.
Hero calls $0.02, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.02, 3 folds, SB calls $0.01, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.08) 6:s, K:s, T:c (4 players)
SB bets $0.02, BB calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.02, MP2 calls $0.02.

Turn: ($0.16) J:c (4 players)
SB bets $0.02, BB folds, Hero raises to $0.06, MP2 raises to $0.86(All-In), SB folds, Hero calls $0.80.

River: ($1.9) 9:h (2 players)

Final Pot: $1.9.

Results follow:

Hero shows three of a kind, kings(Kh Kc).
MP2 shows a straight, king high(Qs 9s).

MP2 wins with a straight, king high(Qs 9s).

I pissed myself off with this hand. I played it a little slow as was up against another conservative table (strange that im finding these on micros!). So i slow played the flop......why oh why did i do that! This is not a hand i wish to be posting up here again. Nuff said, move on!

Winners:
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (7 handed)

Known players:
[tg]CO$1.27:///////;BU$1.60:///////;SB$0.62:///////;BB (Hero)$2.84:///////;MP1$1.33:///////;MP2$2.00:///////;MP3$2.00:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q:h, Q:s.
3 folds, CO raises to $1.27(All-In), 2 folds, Hero calls $1.25.

Flop: ($2.55) 8:h, K:s, 9:h (2 players)

Turn: ($2.55) Q:c (2 players)

River: ($2.55) 8:c (2 players)

Final Pot: $2.55.

Results follow:

CO shows two pairs, kings and eights(Ad Kc).
Hero shows a full-house, queens full of eights(Qh Qs).

Hero wins with a full-house, queens full of eights(Qh Qs).

This was a simple one for me really! I had him on overcards so i called lol.

Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:

Play hand

$0.01/$0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)

Known players:
[tg]MP3$0.83:///////;CO$6.00:///////;BU$0.72:///////;SB$4.01:///////;BB$0.83:///////;UTG1$2.41:///////;UTG2$0.80:///////;MP1$2.06:///////;MP2 (Hero)$3.33:///////;[/tg]

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with T:h, T:s.
UTG2 posts deadblind, UTG1 raises to $0.10, UTG2 calls $0.08, MP1 folds, Hero calls $0.10, 4 folds, BB calls $0.08.

Flop: ($0.41) 9:h, 4:d, T:c (4 players)
BB checks, UTG1 checks, UTG2 checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($0.41) J:c (4 players)
BB bets $0.08, UTG1 folds, UTG2 calls $0.08, Hero raises to $0.20, BB calls $0.12, UTG2 calls $0.12.

River: ($1.01) 5:h (3 players)
BB bets $0.14, UTG2 folds, Hero raises to $0.56, BB calls $0.39(All-In).

Final Pot: $2.1.

Results follow:

Hero shows three of a kind, tens(Th Ts).
BB shows a pair of jacks(8s Jd).

Hero wins with three of a kind, tens(Th Ts).

I feel this hand went well, when the flop came i checked for the sake of keeping the others in the hand and stacking them, i didnt feel as if anyone was on a straight draw and there wasnt any flush possibilities at the time. So when the turn comes i decided to start the raising but keep it at a size to draw in the rest of the players (at this point i was certain i had the hand taken down). Finally finishing on the river where the villain had no other choice but to call any raise i make.

Anyways that is session 3 and it went ok. Im feeling confident in the fact that im winning some nice pots and losing as little as poss. So far i have indeed made a few silly moves but that will get ironed out over time. Anyways that all for this time, a new session will come in a day or two so untill then feel free to chat about some of the hands, what could've been done or shouldn't have, about NL2 or PS.

Andy x

Session 3
Hands: 689
Profit/Loss: +$3.33

[Closed] The Beginners Blog - Starting from the Micros!