[Closed] Another family man attempting to grind

Originally posted by FSOPFounder
It has been a little bit since I last posted. Finding it very difficult to find the time to play at night, so I have been relegated to only at work as it allows, which hasn't been too much, which is good.

The kids are on Easter/Spring Break, so we have done a few day trips this week with them. Took them to Legoland, which was a lot of fun. My 10 year old daughter was very proud of herself as she "faced her fears" and rode all of the rollercoasters for the first time...and of course loved it. My 8 year old son rides everything, the boy simply has no fear, which is good and painful most of the time. My 3 year old son, is a carbon copy of the 8 year old. No fear...many trips to the emergency room thus far in his young life. The boy simply loves being a boy. The 1 1/2 year old was a trooper and rode the rides he could (not many) and enjoyed the various playgrounds they have there. All in all, a great trip.

Played my first session this morning of 4 tables @ NL2. I like the 4 tables. Keeps me going and not playing hands out of boredom. > 500 hands and slightly above BE...Standard play really...QQ was coolered by AA...straight defeated by a flush on the river (all-in on the turn). Feel very good about my play. Made some questionable plays, of course, chasing some hands thinking, "If I hit, he goes broke." Of course I hit about 3% of the time so it is time for me to learn that, that is not a profitable play

Hope things are going swimmingly for all of you...till next time.

funny post..great kids u have there(they all seem to have skillz for poker )..gl

hi! nice story about the family. its really wats important anyway ♠_cool:

was able to read bits of ur blog and i encourage u to keep improving
id have to agree with the comments, AT is way too loose to open utg.(i play sh and dont do that either. and i can attest that me and jb are not nitty players). calling 3bet with 75 oop is not a good idea. in fact, calling 3 bets oop with most hands is generally not a good idea at all. i doubt players on nl5 have bluff 3bet range anyway. its usually for value.

keep posting, keep learning. the rest will follow. good luck!

purplefizz...what no purple font? I guess you just save that for your blog

I have tightened up quite a bit...thanks to the posts that I have received on the blog...and for continually losing hands with cards that should have been folded a long time ago.

Improvements are coming...slowly, but I am making better decisions and feel good about the progress...

On to the tables...everyone went to bed already....

Originally posted by purplefizz

id have to agree with the comments, AT is way too loose to open utg.

Nit

Originally posted by thazar

Originally posted by purplefizz

id have to agree with the comments, AT is way too loose to open utg.

Nit

9T is better

So, April has come to a close, thankfully! I started here about mid-March, but did not have any poker software, so there was no graph to laugh at for March. Solved that problem by finally getting Elephant to work, so here is my graph from April. Please do not drink anything while you look at the graph as you might get your monitor dirty...

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

May brings a new month and hopefully better results. Heading to the tables now...

pick yourself up :).

I'll find some time to sweat you this month if you want. btw it is good you are using some kind of BRM now ♦. gl at the tables.

992 hands = +45.40 BB

Not spectacular, but it is + and not -, which is a good change.

First part of the session, I was down significantly. Then I decided to stop being "that guy" at the table. You know, Phil Laak, calling station, FISH! Once I stopped calling when I knew I was beat and stopped bloating the pot out of position, hoping to hit...things turned around. I have been battling the whole, playing good poker is boring...where is the excitement! I am coming to grips with the fact that you need to be patient, which is difficult for me, but I am steadily improving. Also, believe it or not, it is not my job to make sure that the pot at my table is a big one, especially when I am a severe underdog. I catch myslef thinking, "Oh, he is just playing his big stack, he doesn't have anything....Call.....Oh, pocket AA."

Looking forward to studying and watching some videos tonight, after the kids go to bed...

Working on going from to ♠_cool:

keep it coming am enjoying this blog tons. i even think i was one of those hands on the first page or so that folded you. anyways i'm sure i'll catch ya on the felt soon until then grind away

Looking over some hands from yesterday and have a question...I think I am too aggressive.

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;Hero$3.95:///////;MP3$13.63:06/67/17/0.0/67/0/-/0;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is UTG2 with Q♥, Q♦
UTG1 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, 2 folds, MP3 calls $0.20, 4 folds.

Flop: ($0.47) T♦, 8♥, 2♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.47, MP3 calls $0.47.

Turn: ($1.41) J♦ (2 players)
Hero raises $3.28 (All-In), MP3 calls $3.28.

River: ($7.97) Q♣ (2 players)

Final Pot: $7.97

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows three-of-a-kind, queens (Qh Qd)
MP3 shows (Ks Kc)

Hero wins with three-of-a-kind, queens (Qh Qd)

Should my raise have been more on the Flop? Or should I have checked/shoved? I was putting him on a monster, not sure I would have been able to shove if he raises, much less call if he pushes...

Here is another one....

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;MP3$3.75:31/16/13/3.0/50/0/-/0;Hero$2.17:///////;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is CO with A♦, J♦
4 folds, MP3 raises to $0.15, Hero raises to $0.35, 3 folds, MP3 calls $0.20.

Flop: ($0.77) A♣, T♠, T♦ (2 players)
MP3 checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($0.77) 4♠ (2 players)
MP3 bets $0.3, Hero calls $0.30.

River: ($1.37) J♠ (2 players)
MP3 bets $0.3, Hero raises to $1.52 (All-In), MP3 calls $1.22.

Final Pot: $4.41

Results follow (highlight to see):
MP3 shows (As Kh)
Hero shows two-pair, aces and jacks (Ad Jd)

Hero wins with two-pair, aces and jacks (Ad Jd)

I was attempting to steal here. With the flop, I figured I was out-kicked, wasn't worried about trip 10's. My plan was to see the cheapest showdown possible...Turn is a harmless brick, although it brings in the flush draw, which I am not worried about either, so I call his 0.30 raise, again wanting to get to showdown, but cheap. The Js on the river will either cost me my stack or double me up. Either he has the 10, which I don't think he does, or his flush completes, which again, I don't put him on. He leads out for another very small bet on the river (0.30), which I push...Problem is, the worst hand that he calls me with is, AK, anything else that calls me has me obliterated....should I have just called? Long run, bad decision, no?

How would you play this hand?????

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;Hero$7.35:///////;BU$2.74:08/63/13/0.7/25/-/-/100;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is CO with A♥, K♦
5 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, BU calls $0.20, 2 folds.

Flop: ($0.47) Q♠, 9♦, 7♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.2, BU calls $0.20.

Turn: ($0.87) A♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.45, BU calls $0.45.

River: ($1.77) 3♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BU raises $1.89 (All-In)

Here is an example of why I lost severely in April...Must stop doing this!!!!

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;Hero$3.06:///////;MP2$6.62:42/14/2/0.3/60/0/50/33;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with K♦, J♠
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, 5 folds.

Flop: ($0.27) 7♣, 5♠, 2♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.15, MP2 calls $0.15.

Turn: ($0.57) 3♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.57, MP2 calls $0.57.

River: ($1.71) 7♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $1.71, MP2 calls $1.71.

Final Pot: $5.13

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Kd Js)
MP2 shows two-pair, nines and sevens (9h 9d)

MP2 wins with two-pair, nines and sevens (9h 9d)

Pretty much decided to lose all of my stack at the beginning of the hand. Was a horrible board to bluff at, not to mention that this kind of bluff should not be attempted at this level. Of course he is calling me down on every street, he has the overpair and nothing to scare him away...granted, once the river comes and nothing comes bigger than his 9's, I should have checked/folded...but the stupid voice inside my head saying, "The only way you win this pot is to get him to fold." Which can also mean, "The only way you can lose all your stack is to push." However, I rarely hear the second voice, but hear the first one loud and clear!!!!

Should my raise have been more on the Flop? Or should I have checked/shoved? I was putting him on a monster, not sure I would have been able to shove if he raises, much less call if he pushes...

For the QQ hand, I like to bet around $0.35-40 on the flop - you want to protect from draws. Potsize is ok, though its a bit unbalanced as you wont pot your bluffs.

On Turn, if you are putting him on a monster, then shoving for 2x pot is the worst of all plans. Why did you assume you were beat?

Without that knowledge, I just continue to bet my overpair, around $0.80 or $1.00. Check/shoving doesnt look ideal vs unkown since you give him free cards for his flush and straight draws.

For 80bb I am not folding if he shoves on us - he can have many worse hands.

Looking at the other hands, it seems you raise less with mediocre hands - like the JK - and also bet the flop small when you miss. To anyone paying attention it will be rather obvious what you have, when, if you play like this.

With AJs, I prefer to just call in position since you have nice hand that plays well. If you 3b, you are kind of bluffing since - If you get action - it is usually from better hands. Villain folds all the hands you beat.

Remember to post hands in the hand judging forums - best way to learn. Good luck!

For the QQ hand, I like to bet around $0.35-40 on the flop - you want to protect from draws. Potsize is ok, though its a bit unbalanced as you wont pot your bluffs.

On Turn, if you are putting him on a monster, then shoving for 2x pot is the worst of all plans. Why did you assume you were beat?

Without that knowledge, I just continue to bet my overpair, around $0.80 or $1.00. Check/shoving doesnt look ideal vs unkown since you give him free cards for his flush and straight draws.

For 80bb I am not folding if he shoves on us - he can have many worse hands.

It seems when I am called like this, I am up against a significant hand. My experience on NL5 Rush (playing 40bb stack), folks tend to be very tight and will not continually call unless they have a significant hand...granted, he could have been holding TPTK and followed the same line....just had a feeling that he had me crushed.

You are correct, stating that it was the worst of all plans shoving the turn...I'm only called by better hands...and I was. I wouldn't be able to find a fold either for 80bb, so at least I was thinking correctly in that spot, at least.

I do need to post more in the hand judging forums...will fix that today

Thanks for the feedback...it is much appreciated.

start by reloading to full stack, that is why you get in to tricky spots with 80bb.

Are you posting your hands in the hand evaluation forum as well?

first hand (QQ) with Full stack I would pot, pot, shove
with your stack I would probably bet like $0.37, $1, shove

2nd hand (AJs) again you have like 43bb which put you on the MSS side. you don't have may hands to put him on a range i would not discount hands like JTs, or 9Ts or even ATs as your 3bet pre is very low and therefore gives little fold equity, I would not discount either Asxs on river, as it could very well be in his range. however that is still not many combo. I think pushing is ok because you can get call by AK, AQ, or even worse Ax there. but calling for for safety isnt wrong either.

3rd hand (AKo). bet sligly bigger on flop ($0.32) to increase your fold equity.
on turn I would c/c you now have showdown value, a good absolute value but not great relative value. and reevaluate river but more than likely c/c.

4th hand (KJo), never min raise, you seem to raise relatively to your hand strenght. opponents will adjust. so pre $0.17 - $0.2. (pot is about $0.4) flop bet $0.25 (pot is $0.9), turn bet $0.8 - $0.9. I'd give up on river. as you dont have fold equity anymore with the little you have left.

Why I lost a ton today...

Hand #1 - Biggest loser
Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;BB$2.25:04/75/0/3.0/33/-/-/100;Hero$5.41:///////;MP3$5.19:08/25/13/0.0/0/0/100/-;CO$5.13:17/12/6/1.0/100/100/-/100;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is UTG1 with A♣, K♦
Hero raises to $0.15, 3 folds, MP3 calls $0.15, CO calls $0.15, 2 folds, BB calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.62) 9♠, 5♥, 3♣ (4 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.45, MP3 calls $0.45, CO calls $0.45, BB folds.

Turn: ($1.97) Q♦ (3 players)
Hero bets $1.97, MP3 folds, CO raises to $4.53 (All-In), Hero calls $2.56.

River: ($11.03) 4♦ (2 players)

Final Pot: $11.03

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Ac Kd)
CO shows three-of-a-kind, threes (3h 3s)

CO wins with three-of-a-kind, threes (3h 3s)

Hand #2

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;BB$4.6:06/33/17/0.5/100/0/-/50;Hero$4.3:///////;MP2$1.27:43/5/2/-/50/0/50/0;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with A♥, K♦
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.25, MP2 raises to $0.80, 4 folds, BB raises to $1.40, Hero raises to $4.30 (All-In), MP2 calls $0.47 (All-In), BB calls $2.90.

Flop: ($9.89) A♠, T♠, 5♠
Turn: ($9.89) Q♦
River: ($9.89) 7♦ (3 players)

Final Pot: $9.89

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Ah Kd)
MP2 shows (Ac Kc)
BB shows three-of-a-kind, tens (Th Tc)

BB wins with three-of-a-kind, tens (Th Tc)

Hand #3

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;Hero$3.71:///////;MP2$3.52:04/75/0/3.0/33/-/-/100;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is UTG2 with A♥, J♥
UTG1 folds, Hero raises to $0.20, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $0.20, 5 folds.

Flop: ($0.47) A♦, J♠, 2♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks.

Turn: ($0.47) T♣ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $0.47, Hero calls $0.47.

River: ($1.41) 7♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $1.41, Hero raises to $3.04 (All-In), MP2 calls $1.44 (All-In), Hero gets uncalled bet back (All-In).

Final Pot: $7.11

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Ah Jh)
MP2 shows three-of-a-kind, deuces (2h 2s)

MP2 wins with three-of-a-kind, deuces (2h 2s)

Hand #4

Known players:
[tg]Position_Stack:hands/vp$ip/RaisePreflop/AF/WTS/ORL/BBvsSteal/W$SD;Hero$4:///////;BU$2.35:16/6/6/2.0/100/100/100/100;[/tg]
0.02/0.05 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: Elephant.Base 0.99 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is BB with K♠, K♦
6 folds, BU raises to $0.15, SB folds, Hero raises to $0.30, BU calls $0.15.

Flop: ($0.62) 7♥, 6♣, 3♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BU checks.

Turn: ($0.62) T♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.2, BU raises to $1.15, Hero raises to $3.70 (All-In), BU calls $0.90 (All-In), Hero gets uncalled bet back (All-In).

River: ($4.72) 5♦ (2 players)

Final Pot: $4.72

Results follow (highlight to see):
BU shows two-pair, tens and sixes (Td 6d)
Hero shows (Ks Kd)

BU wins with two-pair, tens and sixes (Td 6d)

I love variance!

To all the smarter people than me out there...which is most of you...I have finally learned the hard way about BRM. I know, I know, you all warned me and I was too egotistical to listen, and played above sound BRM.

I have managed to turn a Bankroll of about $125 into $7. I am now sitting at the .01/.02 tables and will stay here for a while, until I learn how to play this game called poker.

Please do not take this post as me giving up or quiting, because I'm not. I didn't want to be "that guy" that played reckless BRM and ended up losing all of it, but I am $7 from being "that guy."

In the mean time, I will begin to study more, instead of just playing, which is a bad idea, that I now fully realize.

I will not stop blogging, I have enjoyed it and it will be a good reminder of what not to do for others that might happen upon this.

GLATT

Hey man

sorry to hear that. with $7 there is not much you can do. give me a shout on skype when you are next on.

thats is terrible to hear . take some solace in knowing that dam near every pro has gone broke once in their career. I know you may not have the time but i built up my current br from freerolls. it took surprisingly less time than i had expected but was pretty gruelling at times. keep your chin up and I'm sure this will be a stepping stone to bigger and brighter things (and bankrolls)