Get Rich or Die Tryin' Jackpots

Hi, SirPaulius,
Lets not focus on results.

The focus should be on the hand in play, and its dynamics.

The elements of a hand:
Preflop:
 Hole cards
 Position
 Action ahead of you (ranges & playing style)
 Players left to act. (ranges and playing style)

If you are in BU and face an open raise, what you do is influenced by his playing style (nit, LAG, TAG etc) and by how the SB and BB are likely to react.

Post-Flop:
The above plus:
 Board Texture and how well it hits our hand and opponents ranges.
 Number of players in the hand.

I've probably missed a few, but you get the idea.
If you are bringing things into the decision (whether you're up or down, for example) then you are being distracted from a proper decision.

All the best,
VS

Thanks Vorpal, Today I did my best I guess, results are not impressive, but I managed my tilt after my AA's was cracked twice. I made few good folds, made few good calls. today is probably first day when I am happy with my play.

Starting to feel that my game is improving. Still folding too much vs 3b, but I am uncomfortable to call a 3b being OOP, don't think that's a huge mistake at NL 2/5, but it's a leak where I have to work on. I reduced my Cbet, my red line started to drop down, but i find my self in less tricky spots, where I am loosing tons of money.

overall dont adjust your 3bet based on the stake - but more the player. if you have no reads I would say there is minimal difference between the population read 3b % of 2nl, 5nl to warrant a change in call 3bets. There are many more profitable spots to overfold without being exploited and if you play regularly you will be able to see villians who you may need to play back.

Even at 25nl most people are nitty as anything 3betting but they do start loosening up from small blinds around 10nl but again it's not everyone just some regs or agro fish

Thank you, my fold vs 3b is ~85%, I increased a little bit my call vs 3b in position, still folding a lot OOP. now my stats looks like ~81% fold to 3b.

ok time for update.

Was playing again NL5 with a 17 BI it's too aggresive BRM for me, but I coudnt resist to give a shot there again. Used a 2 BI shot. Session was pretty horrible, but again I managed to play my A game all most all the time.

Overall I am happy with my volume, and my game. I reduced to 3 zoom tables, was playing 2, but was lack of action a bit. I won't play anymore today. My wife's sister is coming with her husband, and son, and i told to my self no poker after a alcohol. I still have my old Nintendo with all those clasic games like Contra, Mario, Battle city, duck hunt etc. You would be suprised how a 7 years boy reacted once I showed him those games.. I thought he will ask me WTF is this ... but surprisingly he like that much more than xbox or PC.. I guess faith in young generation restored ?

I am all most sure that i can state that I beated NL 2. the sample is small, but I believe I am a winning player at the lowest stake.

The NL 5 session graph looks pretty standard -- except that more than once you appear to have won or lost more than $5.00
For example, just past the peak of your graph, you appear to have taken a bad beat for about $8.50 -- that is a tough hit.
Playing deep stacked ( > 200 BB) is quite a bit different than playing with a 100 BB stack.

If you're comfortable with playing that deep then great!

Even so, it is sometimes a good idea to "rathole" your winnings by switching tables or in zoom just exit that one table and start another.

One thing about playing deep is that people respect your bets more. You can also play some more speculative hands in position -- but that can be a death trap if you're not careful to get out of there when you're likely beaten.

Best of luck,
VS

Originally posted by VorpalF2F
The NL 5 session graph looks pretty standard -- except that more than once you appear to have won or lost more than $5.00
For example, just past the peak of your graph, you appear to have taken a bad beat for about $8.50 -- that is a tough hit.
Playing deep stacked ( > 200 BB) is quite a bit different than playing with a 100 BB stack.

If you're comfortable with playing that deep then great!

Even so, it is sometimes a good idea to "rathole" your winnings by switching tables or in zoom just exit that one table and start another.

One thing about playing deep is that people respect your bets more. You can also play some more speculative hands in position -- but that can be a death trap if you're not careful to get out of there when you're likely beaten.

Best of luck,
VS

thanks vorpal, I always respect what others suggest me. when I should sit out ? with ~150bb or 200bb or 120 just like SSS witch I used to play many years ago.

update.

not much to say today. Thanks to God this horror day finally ended.

Hi, SirPaulius,
Is this graph a single session?
How many breaks did you take?

I do notice one or two things:
First -- short after you took the big loss in the middle your non-showdown winnings (red line) go up for a bit, then start steeply down. This can be several things. You might just be card dead. You might have had a highly aggro player sit at one or more tables, or you might have "gone into your shell" and started to play passively to "protect your stack"
Second -- this is actually a reasonably good session except for one (maybe two) big losses in the middle and a couple more at the very end. Over all your graph shows that are taking quality hands to showdown (blue line trends upward) and that you are playing your hands reasonably aggressively (red line fairly flat).

So if those losses are due to properly played hands that got beaten -- well done!
If you think that those hands represent mistakes, why not post them in the hand discussion forums?

All the best,
VS

It was in 3 sessions with some smoke breaks, I feel that there is a deeper reason, not just variance, I am slightly loosing at NL 5 after ~18k hands, my EV line is in green zone, but that's not excuse, and can't blame variance.

After I reviewed my hands i found some spots where I could save my stack. Overall I am happy with my yesterday play, there was spots where I coudnt do anything any other day, I would show up in profit, but I was just keep hitting the top or their range, or took a bad beat. But as I mentioned I really could save up more than a 1 stack.

What do you think in general about having a 4b bluff range at micros. Do players have to stick with 4b only for value ? I dont know how to play AK when I am getiin' 4b, I dont have large database where I can determinate either he has 4b bluff range or not. Sometimes in position if villain has pretty aggresive stats I do call, but it leads me to a quite big losses, and not that big wins. And my 4b range is pretty much AK KK+, QQ I preffer more to call especially in position, OOP i do 4b with QQ unless villain is less than 10 VPIP PFR and 3b of 2 then I more likelly to fold my QQ even KK after a lots of crying.

I did calculation if Villain 4b range is value (QQ+, AK) QQ has ~40 % equity I quess it's a fold to 4b ?
KK have ~57% equity, but then again if I 5b push KK, I dont expect to get a call from QQ and AK. Dont i turn my hand in to a bluff ?

UPDATE

Finally a descent day at NL5. I am happy how I played I made few mistakes which cost me around 1 stack, but as usual I see my mistakes only after a session review. Volume is low since I reduced amount of tables to 3, and I have my regular job from 8 to 5. Not that much time for poker left as I want

and a graph which sums up my journey at NL5, Finally I am a slightly winner, hope to turn things around asap and make it look more like my NL2 graph.

Yesterday and today morning before my work I was digging my database. I found some improvements, and some still active maybe new leaks. I am not defending my blinds I lost ~ 60 $ in BB (biggest lost was ~2.3 usd) or defending it too passive, and 19 in SB (which I think is alright) in ~15k hands, all other position is profitable, possible leak is I am too tight at btn and CO, and just a tiny bit too loose at UTG ( I like to open utg KQo AJo, but I feel comfortable to fold it when i have to, but it maybe decrease my WR at little overall). I will try to fix it ASAP, and I believe this should increase my win rate.
I think I improved overall, and lifted my game to a new level I hope that I will be able to reach NL10 (with a 20BI for 4 BI shot) this month. After NL10 I plan to switch at 6max, and back to NL5 for a while, since after NL25 theres no active zoom tables, so sooner or later I will have to do it.

This week plan:
Show up in profit in 2nd week BR challenge
Play at least 15k hands
work on blind defending

And a question about FPP's and stellar: Should I save up them (untill I reach at least GOLD), or spend it on cash bonus whenever I hit a dowsing, or taking a shot to a new level ?

It was just another horror day at NL5. I am angry at my self.

I woun't play today anymore even I feel motivated (tilted) Hope tomorrow will bring something better.

I could convince my self "look at yellow line" but...
of yellow line.

I know it has nothing to do with a break even day, today there was so many unnecessary spots, where i could save my stack.

some itresting hands.
PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 108.4 BB (VPIP: 6.35, PFR: 3.17, 3Bet Preflop: 6.06, Hands: 64)
SB: 140.6 BB (VPIP: 19.05, PFR: 9.52, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)
BB: 91.6 BB (VPIP: 17.40, PFR: 12.61, 3Bet Preflop: 3.87, Hands: 489)
UTG: 149 BB (VPIP: 13.60, PFR: 8.00, 3Bet Preflop: 1.79, Hands: 126)
UTG+1: 182.8 BB (VPIP: 18.11, PFR: 13.39, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 127)
MP: 96.8 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 13)
Hero (MP+1): 100 BB
MP+2: 124.6 BB (VPIP: 16.09, PFR: 11.49, 3Bet Preflop: 3.13, Hands: 88)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 10.95, PFR: 7.79, 3Bet Preflop: 1.53, Hands: 417)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has K♠ K♣

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, MP+2 raises to 10.4 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 7.4 BB

Flop: (22.2 BB, 2 players) 9♦ T♥ 9♠
Hero checks, MP+2 bets 7 BB, Hero calls 7 BB

Turn: (36.2 BB, 2 players) 5♣
Hero checks, MP+2 bets 34.6 BB, Hero raises to 82.6 BB and is all-in, MP+2 calls 48 BB

River: (201.4 BB, 2 players) T♦

Hero shows K♠ K♣ (Two Pair, Kings and Tens)
(Pre 18%, Flop 10%, Turn 5%)
MP+2 shows A♣ A♥ (Two Pair, Aces and Tens)
(Pre 82%, Flop 90%, Turn 95%)
MP+2 wins 193 BB

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 90.6 BB (VPIP: 20.69, PFR: 6.90, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 29)
SB: 123 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 50.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
BB: 100.6 BB (VPIP: 8.89, PFR: 8.89, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 45)
UTG: 108.2 BB (VPIP: 14.37, PFR: 9.64, 3Bet Preflop: 4.92, Hands: 170)
UTG+1: 112.8 BB (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 9.09, 3Bet Preflop: 6.45, Hands: 88)
MP: 77.2 BB
MP+1: 108.2 BB (VPIP: 18.44, PFR: 13.44, 3Bet Preflop: 6.03, Hands: 320)
Hero (MP+2): 110.2 BB
CO: 115.4 BB (VPIP: 10.69, PFR: 8.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 160)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has A♥ Q♠

fold, fold, MP calls 1 BB, MP+1 raises to 3 BB, Hero raises to 10 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, MP calls 9 BB, MP+1 calls 7 BB

Flop: (31.4 BB, 3 players) 5♠ 4♣ 6♠
MP checks, MP+1 checks, Hero checks

Turn: (31.4 BB, 3 players) Q♦
MP bets 30 BB, fold, Hero raises to 100.2 BB and is all-in, MP calls 37.2 BB and is all-in

River: (165.8 BB, 2 players) T♦

MP shows 5♥ 6♥ (Two Pair, Sixes and Fives)
(Pre 41%, Flop 90%, Turn 82%)
Hero shows A♥ Q♠ (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 59%, Flop 10%, Turn 18%)
MP wins 159 BB

Originally posted by SirPaulius
I think I improved overall, and lifted my game to a new level I hope that I will be able to reach NL10 (with a 20BI for 4 BI shot) this month. After NL10 I plan to switch at 6max, and back to NL5 for a while, since after NL25 theres no active zoom tables, so sooner or later I will have to do it.

I just checked PokerStars, and for 6-Max there are zoom tables with over 200 players in the pool all the way up to NL 100. For FR there are 331 players at NL 50 right now. (16:15 UTC)

Maybe you have a filter set?

Originally posted by SirPaulius
And a question about FPP's and stellar: Should I save up them (untill I reach at least GOLD), or spend it on cash bonus whenever I hit a dowsing, or taking a shot to a new level ?

Don't forget to purchase your $10 Stellar Rebates. They cost 1 FPP when you reach 750, 1500 and so on.

As for what to do with the rest of your FPPs, if you're OK with hyper-turbos there are 6-Max STT Sit & Go satellites to the Sunday Storm that pay 2 $11 tickets.

I've played 4 and got two tickets. So I've paid 470 FPP to get $11.
You can pay $1000 FPP and get $10 ($1.42 per 100 FPP), or purchase a Sunday Storm ticket outright for 700 FPP ($1.57 per 100 FPP)
If you're GoldStar, and have 20K + FPP, you can get a $320 tournament ticket. That is $1.60 per 100 FPP -- not a huge difference, so why wait?

If you're not OK with hyper turbos, read up on them first, and practice.
They favour a nitty aggressive style -- very similar to the way Short Stack Strategy used to be played.

If you're not into tournaments at all, you can sell your T$ in the Official PokerStars T$ / W$ Exchange Market.

Saving them might be worthwhile, though.
If you're Supernova Elite, and have 3.1 million FPP, you can get a Porsche Cayman S.

<sigh>
VS

I am not sure where I will spend FPP's yet, but your info was really helpfull. Thanks again vorpal.

UPDATE not much to update

I catch a flu so didnt played much. Adding a graph which summs up NL journey trough NL5, and it is HORRIBLE. I made some mistakes, but variance had influence too.

I have no idea what happened to my red line... I play same poker, just always miss my draws, or get in nasty spots where probably I overfold my hands, today I folded KK preflop, but i was 5betted AI pre flop so i guess that fine.
BR stand over 100 mar so I still can play NL5, hope to turn thing around.

Originally posted by SirPaulius
I have no idea what happened to my red line...

Hi, SirPaulius,
In general, declining red line usually means passive play (not betting strongly enough to get others to fold -- and folding too much in the face of aggression) or it might mean you were just card-dead for a while. Or both.

Check out The Red Line Myth by w34z3l (one of our coaches).

Check the video section for videos by him.

All the best,
VS

never fold KK preflop at NL5, people are all crazy at this stake and KK is very very very very good hand

gl

still feeling pretty sick, I dont want to put a lot of volume, while I am feeling sick.

and a hand which I am not sure if I played it right.

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 175.6 BB (VPIP: 18.86, PFR: 11.40, 3Bet Preflop: 4.02, Hands: 465)
Hero (SB): 112.4 BB
BB: 193.4 BB (VPIP: 15.17, PFR: 9.55, 3Bet Preflop: 4.94, Hands: 180)
UTG: 211.2 BB (VPIP: 12.19, PFR: 4.64, 3Bet Preflop: 3.02, Hands: 526)
UTG+1: 100 BB (VPIP: 17.19, PFR: 10.89, 3Bet Preflop: 3.15, Hands: 355)
MP: 177 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
MP+1: 126.8 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 7.14, 3Bet Preflop: 5.26, Hands: 56)
MP+2: 311.4 BB (VPIP: 22.52, PFR: 14.41, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 113)
CO: 217.6 BB (VPIP: 16.05, PFR: 13.73, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 517)

Hero posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has A♥ A♠

fold, fold, MP calls 1 BB, MP+1 raises to 5 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 16 BB, fold, fold, MP+1 calls 11 BB

Flop: (34 BB, 2 players) 4♦ K♠ Q♣
Hero checks, MP+1 bets 24.4 BB, Hero raises to 96.4 BB and is all-in, MP+1 calls 72 BB

Turn: (226.8 BB, 2 players) J♣

River: (226.8 BB, 2 players) 7♠

Since he called my 3b I put him on AK/AQ/TT/JJ/QQ and maybe 99 / KQ, So I decided to check raise on this board, and put him on his calling range QQ/AK, I had in my mind that is either way behind or way ahead spot, I noticed that villain's is likely to stack off with TPTK, and QQ's is not that likely but definitely possible in his range.

about my week plans.
This week plan:
Show up in profit in 2nd week BR challenge - completed
Play at least 15k hands - failed because of disease
work on blind defending - I was working but results remains unchecked

next week plans remains same.