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Aspiring to improve

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Hey guys,

Welcome to the start of my poker blog!

As the title suggest, I'm a player who needs to improve as currently I'm seeming breakeven, always deviating from whatever I watch or read from poker players way beyond my skill level, and calling hands down where I don't believe someone, based on no reads or anything, just "he can't have that."

So I'm starting afresh, with a more strict style until I get better. Firstly, a starting hand chart. This will be the first time I've ever made/used one, so it may need some adjustments.

Secondly, some aims/info:

- Starting with $100, continue to improve.
- 7k hands per week on regular tables.
- Record one session per week for youtube.
- Review top 5 winning/losing hands each week.
- Achieve PokerStars Gold status in February, and keep it.

I don't want aims regarding win-rates or over-the-top volume yet, so I'm starting with a few aims that I can add to. I'm starting with $100 and will be playing 10NL. I know this is aggressive BrM, however I can reload this and don't wish to start below 10NL.

Areas I want to improve on:

- Make more player notes, and don't label colours purely based on stats.. I can see them.
- Take regular breaks, especially during bad runs or periods of tilt.'

Well, thanks for reading, and I'll be back with an update on how progress goes.

Wish me luck!


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9 replies
Ramble
Joined: 17.11.2008

Hi WhatTheDeuce and Welcome to PokerStrategy!

Looks like you've got a plan. A couple of links that you may find interesting as a new member:

Have you checked out the https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=321631&page=1 to see other members near you or to add yourself?
Also be sure to check out the free live coachings available for your format - there is often some very good tips to be had during these sessions.

Best of luck to you!


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Mon3yMaChin3
Joined: 15.03.2011

You cant find many infos at weazel thread.Opening ranges and many more to help you to your game.
gl


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Starting BR: $100
Current BR: $138.54

Well, the SHC quickly went out the window. I'm sticking to it slightly, and it surprises me how hands I thought were easy plays from MP and such are actually wayyyyy too wide. So it served some purpose, but I was missing a lot of value by sticking to it I think.

Todays session will kind of run on to tomorrows, as I work a lot of night-shifts and depending on the workload, I can sometimes get a few hours of poker in.. So, here's the first half that I've done whilst at home.

And I got into a lot of spots that were really tough. Normally, I'd go full rambo aggressive mode through them, but today I made some big folds. Maybe nitty folds, but definitely folds I couldn't have done a few weeks ago.

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

CO: $19.05 (VPIP: 31.25, PFR: 28.13, 3Bet Preflop: 14.29, Hands: 33)
Hero (BTN): $31.15
SB: $10.39 (VPIP: 27.03, PFR: 16.22, 3Bet Preflop: 5.88, Hands: 39)
BB: $10.00 (VPIP: 8.33, PFR: 8.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 12)
UTG: $23.69 (VPIP: 15.28, PFR: 13.89, 3Bet Preflop: 6.67, Hands: 73)
MP: $21.00 (VPIP: 21.05, PFR: 18.42, 3Bet Preflop: 7.69, Hands: 38)

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has 3♣ 3♦

fold, MP raises to $0.23, fold, Hero calls $0.23, fold, BB calls $0.13

Flop: ($0.74, 3 players) 3♥ J♠ T♣
BB checks, MP bets $0.47, Hero calls $0.47, BB raises to $1.55, MP raises to $2.90, fold, fold

MP wins $4.12

Explanation: MP is seeming to be a reg, playing 21/18. I don't have many hands as its a new DB, but the BB is an unknown. Usually, I'd probably over-jam here, but with our stacks so deep, I don't think he can call here with anything but MAYBE JT, and TT/JJ. I just expect I'll get stacked here every time. Might be nitty, but I think to shove would be spewy, and if I call then what turns am I really wanting besides another 3?

I think thats about it for this short session. I'll be posting again tomorrow for tonight/tomorrows session.

Thanks for reading.


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Moderator
SDK1987
Joined: 12.11.2008

Looks like you’re not lucky with making good screenshots I can watch.
Maybe an idea to drag your screenshot file to your post and the screenshot will be automatic uploaded.

Further I wish you the best with improving your game :gl:

Cheers,
SDK1987


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Thanks; I thought I had to upload them off site. Edited, so now at least the graph should show :)


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Moderator
SDK1987
Joined: 12.11.2008

Works fine now :f_thumbsup:
Now I have fixed your first picture as well in opening post.


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Current BR: $170.26
Session Profit/Loss: +$70.26 (it's still kind of a part of yesterdays session).

So, the long session is done. It appears I managed to get quite a few hands in whilst at work.

I've honestly felt solid for the most part today. Not really on making big calls, but on making folds that I usually wouldn't. I've had a few hands where, sure, I should have laid down my cards, but overall I'm happy and can start to feel progress.

There are still areas I can see a lot of room for improvement; 3betting wider from the BTN being the most prominent one, as well as raising less rag hands from late positions when I have aggressive players to my left, as this has cost me quite a bit.

Bonuses are on the horizon also. If I earn 400VPPs, not only will I get my $62.50 ultimate challenge bonus, but I'll also reach my next $10 stellar reward and have enough FPPs to get a $25 bonus from the shop. That looks like 1-2 more days play, and an extra 9-10BIs on top of whatever bankroll I have at that point!

Well, overall, a steady first day with probably the least variance I've seen in my graphs for a long while.

Until next time..


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Current BR: $223.29 (doesn't quite match graph due to trying a couple of tiny SNGs)
Session Profit/Loss: +$53.03

Well, it's been a tiring poker day:

I sat around the 1000BB mark pretty early on, hit a mental barrier on it so it acted as a resistance line for a while, then broke through only to lose it by shoving a nut flush draw that never made it vs a set, as well as some random KQ beaten by K6 and stuff. Still happy with how I'm playing. That downswing wasn't fun though; I don't mind losing some, but my frame of mind wasn't right at all. I went super passive, and just got pissed on to be honest. I had a 30minute break, told myself to man up, and went back to the tables with a much better game though.

I've also cashed in a $25 FPP reward, and should hopefully cash in the remainder of my bonuses tomorrow which will be a nice healthy boost to the bankroll.

Oh, and hand of the night by far. I assume this guy might even be on the forum somewhere as he was a solid reg, then rage-quit after this hand. Can't blame him though; could you fold in his position? My question though; why raise it? When he does, he's splitting at best as it's not like I'm calling without an A here..

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.10 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: $11.67 (VPIP: 21.43, PFR: 17.14, 3Bet Preflop: 7.41, Hands: 142)
BB: $8.10 (VPIP: 64.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 25)
UTG: $15.48 (VPIP: 70.51, PFR: 34.56, 3Bet Preflop: 5.05, Hands: 225)
MP: $10.00 (VPIP: 24.07, PFR: 17.04, 3Bet Preflop: 7.75, Hands: 274)
CO: $10.00 (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
Hero (BTN): $12.06

SB posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: (pot: $0.15) Hero has 4♣ 5♣

fold, MP raises to $0.30, fold, Hero calls $0.30, fold, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.95, 3 players) 5♠ 8♥ 5♥
BB checks, MP checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($0.95, 3 players) 5♦
BB checks, MP checks, Hero checks

River: ($0.95, 3 players) A♥
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $0.74, fold, MP raises to $1.85, Hero raises to $11.76 and is all-in, MP calls $7.85 and is all-in

Hero shows 4♣ 5♣ (Four of a Kind, Fives)
(Pre 40%, Flop 99%, Turn 100%)
MP mucks Q♣ A♦ (Full House, Fives full of Aces)
(Pre 60%, Flop 1%, Turn 0%)
Hero wins $19.43

Well, that's it from me again. Hoping for another few thousand hands tomorrow in an attempt to get the remainder of the bonuses, as I can't play on Monday night :(

Cheers..


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Moderator
SDK1987
Joined: 12.11.2008

Looks like its going well so far.
Also your 54s hand is nice, but I had already folded that hand pre-flop
If I was in his shoes I couldn’t fold the hand as well. Is not that likely you have an A or better FH hands or quads this time :f_cool:

How is it going this month so far?

Cheers,
SDK1987


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