JimmyChooEsq

Question 1: What is your motivation for playing poker?

I enjoy it but want to get much more out of it that I currently do. It intregues me. I also like the idea of winning money. I'm not particularly enjoying working nine to five any more but feel that my skills as an accountant can be utilised in the poker world. In three years I want to retire from accountancy at age 40. I want poker to provide a chunk of my income.

Question 2: What are your weaknesses when playing poker?

I do seem to hold on to premium hands too much. I struggle to extract maximum value from hands. I'm unsure if I'm playing too agressively or not agressively enough. I'm tending to play too many marginal hands without the experience to play them effectivly after the flop. Not calculating the odds.

Question 3: What does it mean to play tight aggressive?

Only play premium hands in position and raise and bet rather than calling.

Welcome to the Course and Best of Luck. Good job! Homework #1 Done!

Most of the weakness you wrote can easily be fixed by posting hands (analyzing your session). We will start writing feedback to your play. Usually negative feedback will put you into thinking phase and trying to fix all those leaks. It's almost the same as you lose money, you will remember it more than winning part. By this situation it's gonna be that negative feedback you gonna remember and try to avoid them next time.

What about tilt? Do you adjust something against it? For example:
Easiest way to fight against tilt is to set up stop-loss technique. Which means if you for example have lost more than 3BIs for a session then you just stop the session for some time. The BI amount is set up from your own results. Some may put it higher, some lower. Also after the stop you can spend some time with evaluation part to become better.

Tight style is usually called playing selected hands. Like following the Starting Hand Chart. Aggressive should be also pretty clear that already the word says how you should be playing. But the problem playing aggressively is that you have to watch that you don't play too aggressive. Find good spots, find good targets. About The tight-aggressive strategy you can read in this article: "What is the Big Stack Strategy?"

Hopefully you will enjoy the Course.

I've managed to play nearly 1,000 hands so far this month and have now moved to playing 4 tables. The most interesting thing I'm doing is hand review now I've got HEM2. Once I hit 1,000 I'll post 4 hands.

I've tightened up my play and I'm getting some good results so far. My tilt has been reduced by having a strategy to follow and remembering that it's only poker, not personal. I've also found that playing more tables is useful too. when I have to move my attention around, I'm less likely to overthink the previous hands while waiting for a hand to play. Also, with hands coming more quickly, I'm not playing hands because I'm bored!

Anyway, on to homework 2...

Question 1: What do you think you could play differently than suggested in the BSS Starting Hands Chart and why?

The starting hand chart deals with the theoretical. It takes no account of how the people on your table play. A tight table can be exploited by opening more hands. This is especially true on the Button and cut off. Stealing from here if you've been folded to can generate profit.

Question 2: Do you have questions about your preflop play? Post your hand for evaluation.
Answering questions with question? Why not! ♦
Clickylinky
I'll post answer 3 when I'm not on a work computer and can run Equilab.

And here's Answer 3:
Question 3: What is the equity of AKo against the top 5% range? 5% means 88+, AJs+, KQs, AKo.

       Equity     Win     Tie
MP2    46.32%  37.92%   8.41% { AdKh }
BU     53.68%  45.27%   8.41% { 88+, AJs+, KQs, AKo }

So 46.32%.

Good job! Homework #2 Done!

Totally agree with you about the stealing ranges. Against specific opponents we adjust, either wider range or tighter range. Against some shorties you can even steal with smaller raise, for example 3xBB. But don't overdo the stealing situations. Sometimes you might just put yourself into too many difficult spots if opening with marginal hands. As for example stealing too many hands from SB and being out of position.

About Question #3:

       Equity     Win     Tie
UTG    46.32%  37.92%   8.41% { AKo }
UTG+1  53.68%  45.27%   8.41% { 88+, AJs+, KQs, AKo }

Hopefully you enjoy the Course so far.

The course is really helpful and I am enjoying it. Thanks Veriz.

So, Lesson 3...

Question 1: You are holding KQ. What is your preflop equity against an opponent who has 33?


       Equity     Win     Tie
UTG+1  49.22%  48.84%   0.38% { 3d3c }
MP3    50.78%  50.40%   0.38% { KsQs }

So pretty much a coin flip with pocket 3's being a very slight favourite.

How does the equity change on this flop: J53?

Board: J♠5♦3♠
       Equity     Win     Tie
UTG+1  73.54%  73.54%   0.00% { 3d3c }
MP3    26.46%  26.46%   0.00% { KsQs }

And the hand goes downhill rapidly...

Question 2: What would you do in the following hand? (Remember that it is important to explain your reasons, simply posting "Fold" or "Call" isn't enough!)
No Limit hold'em $2 (9-handed)
Players and stacks:
UTG: $2.00
UTG+1: $2.08
MP1: $1.92
MP2: $1.00
MP3: $3.06
CO: (Hero) $2.08
BU: $2.00
SB: $2.00
BB: $1.24
Preflop: Hero is CO with AJ
5 folds, Hero raises to $0.08, BU calls $0.08, SB folds, BB calls $0.06.
Flop: ($0.25) 263 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, BU checks.
Turn: ($0.25) 5 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.22, BU raises to $0.44, BB folds, Hero...?

Looking at equilab first, and setting the actions on the flop we get:
Board: 2♣6♦3♦ 5♣
       Equity     Win     Tie
CO     48.80%  47.03%   1.77% { AcJc }
BU     24.42%  22.52%   1.90% { TT-22, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, KJo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o, 98o }
BB     26.77%  24.87%   1.90% { 66-22, A8s-A2s, K2s+, Q3s+, J6s+, T6s+, 96s+, 85s+, 75s+, 64s+, 53s+, A9o-A2o, K8o+, Q9o+, J9o+, T9o, 98o }

However, BB folds so we're heads up with BU.

Board: 2♣6♦3♦ 5♣
       Equity     Win     Tie
CO     69.98%  66.92%   3.05% { AcJc }
BU     30.02%  26.97%   3.05% { TT-22, KTs+, QTs+, J9s+, T8s+, 98s, 87s, KJo+, QTo+, JTo, T9o, 98o }

So, we have him on pairs to 10's, which includes all three sets available on the flop. However, no-one raises the flop so I'd exclude that. The 5c on the turn makes him act with a 3bet. So, he's either got, or representing the following:
trip 5's - possible. Pocket fives are in his range.
Straight - Does he have a 4 in his range? only pocket 4's. So it's a possibility.
Flush draw - Again, he could have a draw. most likely a couple of clubs, which we dominate.

His actions make me think he had 44-55. Equilab says:

Board: 2♣6♦3♦ 5♣
       Equity     Win     Tie
CO     20.45%  18.18%   2.27% { AcJc }
BU     79.55%  77.27%   2.27% { 55-44 }

so were about 4:1 underdog.

Lets look at improving our hand.

we need to make the flush to beat either a straight or trip 5s. We have 9 outs from 46 remaining cards so 5.1:1

Looking at the pot odds: we need to put $0.22 in to win $0.91 or 4.1:1 (which is the other way of looking at the equilab statistic). We don't have the odds to call.

So we fold.

EDIT: Except we don't because I calculated my odds incorrectly. We have 9 cards from 46 remaining but they're split 37:9 or 4:1 so it's a call.

Question 3: Do you have questions about your postflop play? Post your hand for evaluation.

This one has been answered with a resounding comment of "yeah, don't do that" which is something I've now put into my play.

See you in lesson 3.

Good job! Homework #3 Done!

About Question #1:
Preflop Equity:

Equity Win Tie
UTG 50.78% 50.40% 0.38% { KsQs }
UTG+1 49.22% 48.84% 0.38% { 3d3c }

Postflop Equity:

Board: J♠5♦3♠
Equity Win Tie
UTG 26.46% 26.46% 0.00% { KsQs }
UTG+1 73.54% 73.54% 0.00% { 3d3c }

About Question #2:
There are several occasions on turn:
a) If we take just odds for the FD and we take into account that all our odds are clean. Which means:
Total Pot = $0,91 ; We have to Call = $0,22 -> According to that it means we are getting ~4,16:1 odds. For flushdraw we would need 4:1. Which tells us that we are getting perfect odds.
b) If we consider the opponent having sets here:
Which means we have to discount outs, for example 6:c and also 3:c. Which means we have 7 clean outs so that means we need 6:1 odds. That tells us that we need ~$0,41 on river to make it profitable. If we expect the opponent being loose enough and being able to pay us no-matter what then we can do the Call here properly.
c) We might even have overcards as outs or even 4 as a out:
Although this kind of situation ain't that likely. I'd rather discount that one and either pick a) or b). Most likely towards Call.

You are doing great progress, keep going!

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation in which you have the initiative postflop. (Post your hand in the Hand evaluation board, and provide a link to your hand in your private thread.)

Clicky linky

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members. (Choose a hand from the Hand evaluation board and post your own evaluation in the thread. Post a link to the hand you have evaluated in your private thread. You can evaluate as many hands as you want, but try to choose hands not yet evaluated by other users.)

Second Clicky Linky

Question 3: You are on the flop with KQ. The board cards are J, 9, 8, and your opponent holds 77. What is your equity in this spot?

Board: J♠9♣8♥
       Equity     Win     Tie
UTG    41.41%  41.41%   0.00% { KsQd }
UTG+1  58.59%  58.59%   0.00% { 7h7c }

you need either a 10, King or Queen to come on the flop or the river without another 7 to win.

Good job! Homework #4 Done!

This weeks homework was a bit easier. But the idea of that is to help you go through last weeks stuff if you didn't go through everything. Or either way maybe even read some more articles, watch some videos and of course attend in the coaching. What will also help for your game is the evaluation part of other members hands and of course posting your own hands.

If you have interests you could try calculating the equity with a formula which you can use even on tables(either playing online or live poker):
(Amount of outs x 4) – (Amount of outs – 8) = Your Equity

About Question #3:

Board: J♠9♣8♥
       Equity     Win     Tie
UTG    41.41%  41.41%   0.00% { KsQd }
UTG+1  58.59%  58.59%   0.00% { 7h7c }

Hopefully this wasn't too easy homework for you.

Oops. I've been skiving my beginners course.

Week 5

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have based your decisions on the stats of your opponents.

Clicky

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members.

NL2 AQs]clicky number two

Question 3: Consider the following situation:

$10 NL Hold'em (7-handed)

Stacks & Stats:
UTG ($10)
MP ($8)
MP2 ($9)
CO ($10)
Hero($10)
SB ($10) (17/13/2.6/24/1212) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]
BB ($10) (27/9/2.0/29/333) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]

Preflop: Hero is BU with 6 , 7
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, SB calls $0.40, BB calls $0.40

Flop: ($1.20) 3 , 3 , T (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($1.20) J (3 players)
SB bets $1.00, BB calls $1.00, Hero...

What action would you take, and why?

We've made a hand so we can't fold but another Diamond would make us very vulnerable as we only have 7 high. So the choice is to call to keep the pot size down or try to price the other players out with a raise.

I'd go with a call on the turn and if the river comes without a diamond try a raise. The pair of 3's on the board concern me slightly. I would expect more agression if someone had a full house but T or J on the river would concern me too.

Stacks & Stats
UTG ($8)
MP ($10)
MP2 ($9)
MP3 ($6)
Hero ($10)
BU ($10) (25/21/3.8/26/1250) [VPIP/PFR/AF/WTS/Hands]
SB ($10)
BB ($10)

Preflop: Hero is CO with J , J
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.40, BU 3-bets to $1.30, 2 folds, Hero calls $1.30

Flop: ($2.75) 6 , 9 , T (2 players)
Hero...

What action would you take, and why?

3.8% VPIP gives hands of 99+, AQs+, AKo.

The board is rainbow so AQs and AKs are coinflips with AKo. We're pretty strong with JJ but could be dominated by AA, KK, QQ.

To get the most out of this, I think we need to check/raise. If villain shoves, we fold.

Good Job! Homework #5 Done!

About Task #3
It's a very close decision: does protection or pot control weigh heavier here? Do you want to protect against hands like 3x or A:dx and K:dx? Or do you want to control the pot size and try to induce a bluff on the river in case there is no T, no J and no additional ♦?

Raise/fold is out of question - with the given pot size and the good made hand you have, it can't even be considered.

In case you decide to go broke, you can't really be blamed either. It's not a sign of weakness that the rather tight small blind decides to bet into two people here, though. I would say a call is to be slightly favored, while the many outs against you are annoying. The big blind who calls rather loosely speaks in favor of a raise/broke again. Both options are finally considered equal, which shows - all things considered - how close and full of variance these spots really are.

About Task #4
You've called pre-flop and then hit a good board. You basically have two choices now: either you assume that your opponent will go broke loosely or puts you on a bluff often and you thus check/raise - or you play check/call in the spirit of way ahead / way behind. The problem with the latter is that there are a lot of cards you don't want to see in the later course of the hand. All in all, it depends on your balancing as both lines make sense under certain circumstances.

A check/fold would be really pointless, of course. It's hard to say whether you should donk-bet here; donk/fold can be discarded as that would turn your hand into a pure bluff and your opponent would interpret this as weakness and start raising you out of flops with hands like AK/AQ/air. So, if you want to donk-bet, it has to be a donk/3-bet.

Good luck on tables and with the Course.

Question 1: Post a hand for evaluation where you have either a) freeplay, b) slowplay, or c) multi-way pot situation.

Multiway KK

Question 2: Evaluate one of the hands submitted by other members.

TT and a nasty flop

Question 3: Consider the following situation:
$25 NL Hold'em (10 handed)

What action would you take, and why?

two pair is a strong hand so we can't fold. BB betting when Qc comes makes me think he's either on a flush draw. A calling station isn't likely to be betting without a strong draw. We can discount AA or QQ as there was no preflop or flop action from him.

Our actions are determined by whether we want to control the pot size or protect against the flush. As he's a calling station, I don't think protection will work so we need to control the pot.

Call the turn and re-evaluate on the river, hoping for no clubs.

Cheers,
Jimmy

Good Job! Homework #6 Done!

About Question #3:
Two lines can quickly be discarded here: fold and raise/fold; your hand is simply too strong for those alternatives.

It's hard to assess whether you should put in a raise here. When a rather passive player decides to bet into three players while being out of position, it does look strong. It's more likely an indication of a made hand than that of a draw.

A raise naturally protects, but you run the risk of isolating yourself against very strong range. Which weaker hands could your opponent possibly continue playing here?

The deciding factor finally comes in the size of the pot. This tiny pot simply isn't worth putting yourself into a tough spot where you could potentially end up risking your entire stack. A raise would be overplayed here and pot control takes the precedent over protection.

Best of Luck on the tables and with the Course.