10/7 /.8 AF / 61 hands
Too nitty to fold an overpair? He's not been aggressive yet...
Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/397994
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $31.10
BB: $25.00
UTG: $25.00
UTG+1: $10.85
MP1: $16.20
MP2: $28.60
Hero (CO): $45.70
BTN: $36.25
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with Js Jc
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.85, BTN calls $0.85, 1 fold, BB calls $0.60
Flop: ($2.65) 4s Tc 7c (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.75, BTN raises to $4, BB folds, Hero calls $2.25
Turn: ($10.65) 4h (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $6, Hero ???
Click to see results
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Odds scenarios
As I was constructing the post recapping my poker education, I thought about past history and how I got where I am. I remembered back to the spreadsheets that I used to keep, detailing my wins / losses, player notes, etc. - in the years prior to Poker Tracker. I came up with odds charts, to help me with my pre-flop hand decisions and pot odds / hand equity calculations. I have 4 sheets in the online google document:
The spreadsheets can be accessed by this link:
Link
- Pot Odds Calculator
Helps you determine whether or not, based on the bet you face and the current pot size, if you are getting odds to make a proper call for the current street. - How to Figure Out Hand Equity
A collection of articles on figuring out the equity for the hand you hold (i.e. counting outs & determining the percentage chance that you will make your hand). - Preflop
The chance of running a particular hand through a flop, turn and river against a random set of X players, and ending up winning the hand. - Scenarios
A basic set of scenarios for pre-flop, flop, and turn cards, and your percentage chances of making the particular hand. It is similar to the Pot Odds Calculator sheet, but more detailed.
The spreadsheets can be accessed by this link:
Link
What would you do? #31
BTN is a known regular, my favorite Russian friend [and yours], Valera49. He's a TAG, with stats of 14/10/AF 3.4/cbet 71%/Steal 28% @ 2541 hands. Tons of sample size here.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/387245
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $20.00
UTG: $50.00
UTG+1: $37.45
MP: $49.25
CO: $19.00
BTN: $51.30
Hero (SB): $103.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Qd Qc
4 folds, BTN raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $5, 1 fold, BTN raises to $13, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, 1 fold - He's no dummy. He plays well and he's profitable. I can't see him 4 betting 2.5x without AK, AA, KK. I've not seen him do this without the nuts - and I've 3 bet him plenty of times. Perhaps it's nitty, but I don't see that I have very much equity here. What can he honestly have? QQ? JJ?
Final Pot: $10.50
BTN wins $10.50
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/387245
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $20.00
UTG: $50.00
UTG+1: $37.45
MP: $49.25
CO: $19.00
BTN: $51.30
Hero (SB): $103.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Qd Qc
4 folds, BTN raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $5, 1 fold, BTN raises to $13, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, 1 fold - He's no dummy. He plays well and he's profitable. I can't see him 4 betting 2.5x without AK, AA, KK. I've not seen him do this without the nuts - and I've 3 bet him plenty of times. Perhaps it's nitty, but I don't see that I have very much equity here. What can he honestly have? QQ? JJ?
Final Pot: $10.50
BTN wins $10.50
What would you do? #30
I've been sitting at this table where this erratic player - almost maniac has been raising crazy amounts. One hand, he'll raise UTG to $25, the next, $6, etc. He's a 64 / 39 / 3.3 / 50 / 0 over ~40 hands. What do you do here?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/387221
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP1: $93.95
MP2: $10.75
CO: $18.75
Hero (BTN): $55.20
SB: $51.05
BB: $28.95
UTG: $50.55
UTG+1: $22.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 6h 6d
UTG raises to $17.50, Hero ???
Click to see results
I think this is clearly a shove / fold situation. However, if I shove, he has about 2:1 odds to make a call. I think at best, I'm 50/50 with him. Do I really want to get it all in at a spot where I have 50% equity? As a note, I got it all in at a later hand where I held AK to his J9 and he spike a 9 and runnered Jacks to win my stack. He sat out shortly thereafter.7 folds
Final Pot: $1.25
UTG wins $1.25
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/387221
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP1: $93.95
MP2: $10.75
CO: $18.75
Hero (BTN): $55.20
SB: $51.05
BB: $28.95
UTG: $50.55
UTG+1: $22.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 6h 6d
UTG raises to $17.50, Hero ???
Click to see results
I think this is clearly a shove / fold situation. However, if I shove, he has about 2:1 odds to make a call. I think at best, I'm 50/50 with him. Do I really want to get it all in at a spot where I have 50% equity? As a note, I got it all in at a later hand where I held AK to his J9 and he spike a 9 and runnered Jacks to win my stack. He sat out shortly thereafter.7 folds
Final Pot: $1.25
UTG wins $1.25
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Englightenment... my short history
I was reflecting on the defining moments of my poker career. I can map them out perfectly, as they are well known points that most of you probably know already and have for sometime. (For me, I'm a little dense, and it takes me longer to learn things.)
- The ability to count outs and determine the equity my hand holds. I first read about hand equity when Justin "WPThero" Rollo of PokerSavvy Plus fame wrote an expose' on the dailyhandquiz.com. If you are unaware of how to count outs, it is along the same lines as the article written by the same author: Making a Tough Call By Justin Rollo. I remember that I immediately followed it up with a ton of research on odds and found the rule of 4x and 2x (essentially counting your outs and multiplying them by 4 for the flop and 2 for the river for your percentage of winning the hand), which is a bit easier to use. Based on that information, I formulated a spreadsheet to quickly figure out my equity at each round, as compared with the pot odds that were being offered. I was now able to figure out how to quickly know where I was in each and every hand. I can approximate that I became aware of the rule of 4x and 2x back in early 2009, 2-3 years into my unsuccessful (but lucky) poker career. You can read a few of the original posts on this blog to see what a donkey I was.
- However, I was still finding myself running into situations where I was completely unsure as to whether I was ahead or behind in the hand. Back in the days prior to using Poker Tracker or knowing my co-blogger, omgitsjoshua, situations would arise where I would limp Js3s in the UTG and a J high flop would hit a 2 flush (diamonds) drawing board... Was I ahead or behind? Was my opponent calling my bet because he was drawing to a flush or because he had a better J? I would commit way too much stack on way too weak holdings only to find out that I was dominated the whole time by AJo. I always knew enough to fold Ace rag, which likely kept me out of trouble for the most part, but my pattern for online poker was usually deposit $20 -> play $10NL poker for about a month -> re-deposit. Upon meeting up with omgitsjoshua back in June 2009, after 2 hours of talking and watching him play, I understood how to play a tight aggressive style. (Hint: TAG is not limping Qs3s and folding to a raiser.) I immediately understand ranges and positions. Within 2 months of playing TAG, I earned back all of my prior lost poker money (and continue to this day to show strong profits).
- Finally, learning bankroll management is the last critical piece to become a poker semi-pro. I learned that I was playing in games FAR above my bankroll when I first started out on Full Tilt and other sites. I never had a huge problem with bankroll management, though. I started with $100 on Bodog.com, where I was able to run my bankroll up [and down] I would deposit $20 at a time on my prior poker site, sportsfanatik.com (Cake Poker network), play $10NL and sometimes go broke by night's or week's end. However, when I joined Full Tilt, I built my roll up to $100+ and immediately broke into 1-tabling the $25NL games, which far exceeded my bankroll. I posted a nice table of how to properly manage a bankroll, taking care not to enter into games where you cannot afford the buy in. Learning bankroll management miraculously kept me from going broke. I honestly believe that joining Full Tilt was my last straw - I told myself that if I went broke on FT (lost my initial buy in & 100% match), I was not going to continue feeding the credit card into the site with regular deposits like I had been on my prior site. I had spent ~$500 to that point in the 3 years I had been playing online, and I thought it time to give up if I could not figure out how to profitable. Fortunately, the rest, as they say, is history...
What would you do? #29
Villain is a 12/7/2.0 / 71% cbet / 12% attempt to steal
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/377098
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (CO): $60.60
BTN: $95.75
SB: $14.25
BB: $32.00
UTG: $39.45
UTG+1: $51.55
UTG+2: $12.90
MP1: $27.20
MP2: $29.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with Qs Qh
2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.50, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero raises to $3.25, BTN raises to $12, 6 folds
Bad fold? 3bet percentage is in the 2-3% range. What do you do in this spot?
This hand was compounded by the fact that I think I lost a total of around $200 during the session. I *COULD NOT* run any worse - set of 6's all in on the flop busted by a turned set of Kings, etc... Perhaps it got to my head, but what would you do for 20+% of your stack?
Final Pot: $8.75
BTN wins $8.75
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/377098
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (CO): $60.60
BTN: $95.75
SB: $14.25
BB: $32.00
UTG: $39.45
UTG+1: $51.55
UTG+2: $12.90
MP1: $27.20
MP2: $29.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with Qs Qh
2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.50, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero raises to $3.25, BTN raises to $12, 6 folds
Bad fold? 3bet percentage is in the 2-3% range. What do you do in this spot?
This hand was compounded by the fact that I think I lost a total of around $200 during the session. I *COULD NOT* run any worse - set of 6's all in on the flop busted by a turned set of Kings, etc... Perhaps it got to my head, but what would you do for 20+% of your stack?
Final Pot: $8.75
BTN wins $8.75
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What would you do? #28
This is not so much of a what would you do, but an education lesson. I *RARELY* call down Ace high, but I felt this was a situation that warranted it.
Villain is a 12/10/6.4 / 70% cbet / 28% attempt to steal @ 773 hands.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/374549
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $51.95
Hero (UTG+1): $53.65
UTG+2: $57.00
MP1: $50.00
MP2: $63.35
CO: $54.70
BTN: $40.00
SB: $59.70
BB: $12.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Ah 9h
1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 6 folds, BB checks
Flop: ($1.25) Qs Js Kh (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1, BB calls $1
A BB limped pot with a gut shot and backdoor flush draw. I figure to take down this checked pot. BB opts to smooth.
Turn: ($3.25) 6c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Check through; not sure where I am in the hand. I'm happy to go to showdown here, because I think I have showdown value.
River: ($3.25) 5c (2 players)
BB bets $2, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero calls $2 -His lack of interest / check on the turn says that he's on a draw... to the ten. The only question is whether the 5 or 6 connected with him. I snap call immediately and find that I read the situation exactly correct.
Final Pot: $7.25
Hero shows Ah 9h (Ace King high)
BB shows Th 8h (King Queen high)
Hero wins $6.90
(Rake: $0.35)
Villain is a 12/10/6.4 / 70% cbet / 28% attempt to steal @ 773 hands.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/374549
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $51.95
Hero (UTG+1): $53.65
UTG+2: $57.00
MP1: $50.00
MP2: $63.35
CO: $54.70
BTN: $40.00
SB: $59.70
BB: $12.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Ah 9h
1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 6 folds, BB checks
Flop: ($1.25) Qs Js Kh (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1, BB calls $1
A BB limped pot with a gut shot and backdoor flush draw. I figure to take down this checked pot. BB opts to smooth.
Turn: ($3.25) 6c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Check through; not sure where I am in the hand. I'm happy to go to showdown here, because I think I have showdown value.
River: ($3.25) 5c (2 players)
BB bets $2, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero calls $2 -His lack of interest / check on the turn says that he's on a draw... to the ten. The only question is whether the 5 or 6 connected with him. I snap call immediately and find that I read the situation exactly correct.
Final Pot: $7.25
Hero shows Ah 9h (Ace King high)
BB shows Th 8h (King Queen high)
Hero wins $6.90
(Rake: $0.35)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Winning Stacks by Ed Miller
Ed Miller, Author of Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em and Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I, has written a good strategy article on stacking your opponent. I know I take this to heart in my game, and perhaps I expose myself to a lot more risk as a result (i.e. opponents are willing to stack off light against me because I put so much pressure on them when I know I'm ahead), but to me, this is what the game is all about. Assuming you believe in statistics, which my brain tells me I do (my heart doesn't - which is how I explain running less than expected value for my hands), then the name of the game is getting your stack in the middle when you're a significant favorite.
Here is the link: Link.
Enjoy!
Here is the link: Link.
Enjoy!
What would you do? #28
Villain is a 20/15/2.4 / 71% cbet / 49% attempt to steal @ 214 hands.
I'm not sure whether I stepped in this & had it coming to me, but check it out:
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/374542
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $51.95
Hero (BTN): $56.30
SB: $56.50
BB: $63.35
UTG: $53.45
UTG+1: $40.00
MP1: $59.45
MP2: $12.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 9d 8d
4 folds, CO raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4.50, 2 folds, CO calls $3
CO has proven that over 200 hands, he LOVES to steal - 50% of the time to be exact. I feel comfortable 3 betting light here. I had been 3 betting him light in prior hands and he would call the raise / fold the flop.
Flop: ($9.75) 8c 8h 2s (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3, CO raises to $6, Hero calls $3
CO is definitely defining his hand here by min raising me. I'm putting him on air (AK & the like) or an overpair. Perhaps he is testing me because of our prior history where I'm raising his steals.
Turn: ($21.75) 4c (2 players)
CO bets $10, Hero ???
Are you happy to get it all in here? Are you smoothing the bet? There aren't any draws out there, and he's betting half pot. What is your line?
Click to see results
Hero raises to $25, CO raises to $40, Hero raises to $45.80 all in, CO calls $1.45 all in
River: ($104.65) Jd (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $104.65
CO shows 2h 2d (a full house, Twos full of Eights) - Perhaps I got what I deserved by 3 betting light, but I think he's raising with a lot of junk in the CO / BTN by having a 50% attempt to steal...
Hero shows 9d 8d (three of a kind, Eights)
CO wins $101.65
(Rake: $3.00)
I'm not sure whether I stepped in this & had it coming to me, but check it out:
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/374542
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $51.95
Hero (BTN): $56.30
SB: $56.50
BB: $63.35
UTG: $53.45
UTG+1: $40.00
MP1: $59.45
MP2: $12.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 9d 8d
4 folds, CO raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4.50, 2 folds, CO calls $3
CO has proven that over 200 hands, he LOVES to steal - 50% of the time to be exact. I feel comfortable 3 betting light here. I had been 3 betting him light in prior hands and he would call the raise / fold the flop.
Flop: ($9.75) 8c 8h 2s (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $3, CO raises to $6, Hero calls $3
CO is definitely defining his hand here by min raising me. I'm putting him on air (AK & the like) or an overpair. Perhaps he is testing me because of our prior history where I'm raising his steals.
Turn: ($21.75) 4c (2 players)
CO bets $10, Hero ???
Are you happy to get it all in here? Are you smoothing the bet? There aren't any draws out there, and he's betting half pot. What is your line?
Click to see results
Hero raises to $25, CO raises to $40, Hero raises to $45.80 all in, CO calls $1.45 all in
River: ($104.65) Jd (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $104.65
CO shows 2h 2d (a full house, Twos full of Eights) - Perhaps I got what I deserved by 3 betting light, but I think he's raising with a lot of junk in the CO / BTN by having a 50% attempt to steal...
Hero shows 9d 8d (three of a kind, Eights)
CO wins $101.65
(Rake: $3.00)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Dropping down a level
I took a cash out of most of my Full Tilt funds on Wednesday, leaving me with $600.00. I took it out as a precaution against the UIGEA Act that may or may not go into effect on Dec. 1, which stipulates that financial institutions are no longer allowed to process financial transactions for online gaming companies.
SO, a to make a long story short, staying at $50NL with $600.00 is going to be a difficult thing. 12 buy ins makes it easy to go broke, which is more or less what happened Thursday and Friday... my account dropped to around $350. I decided that I needed to drop down in stakes to $25NL until I can establish a reasonable account balance - at which time I can move back up to $50NL.
I forgot how easy $25NL is... these players are just terrible! Granted, I have a limited sample size, but I have included some of the more amazing hands that just stupefied me when I saw the players call me down.
Didn't win this one, but these villains were pure DONKEYS with a capital "D":
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382892
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG+1: $38.29
MP1: $3.20
MP2: $23.80
CO: $13.36
Hero (BTN): $37.39
SB: $12.55
BB: $5.00
UTG: $36.37
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with Kh Ac
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 3 folds, Hero raises to $1.10, 1 fold, BB raises to $5 all in, UTG+1 calls $4.75, Hero raises to $10, UTG+1 calls $5
Okay. I've established that I have a monster hand. If you're UTG+1, are you calling a 4 bet for 1/3 of your stack (we're deep stacked here) with KTo? PURE DONKEY!
Flop: ($25.10) 8h Tc Jh (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $8, UTG+1 calls $8
PLEASE QUEEN!!! PLEASE!!!
Turn: ($41.10) 5c (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
River: ($41.10) Js (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
Perhaps I can all in shove to represent a Jack, but I already contributed enough to this pot.
Final Pot: $41.10
UTG+1 shows Ts Kd (two pair, Jacks and Tens) - LOL!!!!
Hero shows Kh Ac (a pair of Jacks)
BB mucks Ad Qd
UTG+1 wins $24.70
UTG+1 wins $14.35
(Rake: $2.05)
Here's another hand; tough to fold AQo high, huh?
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382899
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $69.47
UTG+1: $7.15
Hero (MP): $28.57
CO: $12.50
BTN: $5.00
SB: $6.08
BB: $36.77
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP with Kh Kc
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.85, 3 folds, BB raises to $2.65, Hero raises to $5, BB calls $2.35
Flop: ($10.10) 7h Jc 5d (2 players)
BB bets $6, Hero calls $6
AJo? JJJ? Pretty strong bet for a donk bet
Turn: ($22.10) 2s (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $8, BB calls $8
He doesn't have anything!
River: ($38.10) Jh (2 players)
BB bets $17.77 all in, Hero calls $9.57 all in
$9.57 into $38? CALL!!!
Final Pot: $57.24
Hero shows Kh Kc (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
BB shows Qc Ad (a pair of Jacks)
Hero wins $54.38
(Rake: $2.86)
Always good to stack off with AKo high! ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE POKER MEISTER - J9s
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382900
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $10.28
SB: $32.22
BB: $5.00
UTG: $31.51
Hero (UTG+1): $35.81
UTG+2: $26.36
MP1: $8.42
MP2: $5.00
CO: $13.07
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG+1 with Jh 9h
1 fold, Hero calls $0.25, UTG+2 raises to $1.10, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.85
Flop: ($2.55) 9s Jd 8d (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG+2 bets $2.55, Hero raises to $7.75, UTG+2 raises to $25.26 all in, Hero calls $17.51
PLEASE have AA, KK!
Turn: ($53.07) 8h (2 players - 1 is all in)
Damnit, he has a better two pair
River: ($53.07) Js (2 players - 1 is all in)
Redeemed!
Final Pot: $53.07
Hero shows Jh 9h (a full house, Jacks full of Nines)
UTG+2 shows Ad Kh (two pair, Jacks and Eights) - Nevermind; he had AK high! DONKEY!!!
Hero wins $50.42
(Rake: $2.65)
A Rakewell hand (the Mighty 24!):
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382902
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP: $41.77
CO: $25.00
BTN: $33.86
SB: $12.42
Hero (BB): $25.00
UTG: $12.50
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 2c 4s
1 fold, MP calls $0.25, 2 folds, SB calls $0.15, Hero checks
Flop: ($0.75) 5d Ac 3c (3 players)
SB bets $0.25, Hero raises to $1, MP folds, SB calls $0.75
Turn: ($2.75) Jh (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.25, SB calls $1.25
River: ($5.25) 6h (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $4, SB calls $4
Final Pot: $13.25
SB mucks Ah 2h
Hero shows 2c 4s (a straight, Six high)
Hero wins $12.59
(Rake: $0.66)
But don't try to turn the Poker Meister against me!
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382904
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $10.10
Hero (BB): $39.89
UTG: $9.84
UTG+1: $8.17
UTG+2: $9.75
MP1: $5.91
MP2: $33.60
CO: $26.52
BTN: $5.00
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with Td As
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, UTG+2 calls $0.25, MP1 calls $0.25, 3 folds, SB calls $0.15, Hero checks
Flop: ($1.25) 9c Ad Jh (5 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.75, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 raises to $3.50, MP1 folds, SB folds, Hero raises to $11.75, UTG+2 calls $6 all in
Turn: ($20.25) 3d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: ($20.25) Ts (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: $20.25
Hero shows Td As (two pair, Aces and Tens)
UTG+2 shows Js 9s (two pair, Jacks and Nines)
Hero wins $19.24
(Rake: $1.01)
SO, a to make a long story short, staying at $50NL with $600.00 is going to be a difficult thing. 12 buy ins makes it easy to go broke, which is more or less what happened Thursday and Friday... my account dropped to around $350. I decided that I needed to drop down in stakes to $25NL until I can establish a reasonable account balance - at which time I can move back up to $50NL.
I forgot how easy $25NL is... these players are just terrible! Granted, I have a limited sample size, but I have included some of the more amazing hands that just stupefied me when I saw the players call me down.
Didn't win this one, but these villains were pure DONKEYS with a capital "D":
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382892
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG+1: $38.29
MP1: $3.20
MP2: $23.80
CO: $13.36
Hero (BTN): $37.39
SB: $12.55
BB: $5.00
UTG: $36.37
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with Kh Ac
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 3 folds, Hero raises to $1.10, 1 fold, BB raises to $5 all in, UTG+1 calls $4.75, Hero raises to $10, UTG+1 calls $5
Okay. I've established that I have a monster hand. If you're UTG+1, are you calling a 4 bet for 1/3 of your stack (we're deep stacked here) with KTo? PURE DONKEY!
Flop: ($25.10) 8h Tc Jh (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $8, UTG+1 calls $8
PLEASE QUEEN!!! PLEASE!!!
Turn: ($41.10) 5c (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
River: ($41.10) Js (3 players - 1 is all in)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
Perhaps I can all in shove to represent a Jack, but I already contributed enough to this pot.
Final Pot: $41.10
UTG+1 shows Ts Kd (two pair, Jacks and Tens) - LOL!!!!
Hero shows Kh Ac (a pair of Jacks)
BB mucks Ad Qd
UTG+1 wins $24.70
UTG+1 wins $14.35
(Rake: $2.05)
Here's another hand; tough to fold AQo high, huh?
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382899
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $69.47
UTG+1: $7.15
Hero (MP): $28.57
CO: $12.50
BTN: $5.00
SB: $6.08
BB: $36.77
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP with Kh Kc
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.85, 3 folds, BB raises to $2.65, Hero raises to $5, BB calls $2.35
Flop: ($10.10) 7h Jc 5d (2 players)
BB bets $6, Hero calls $6
AJo? JJJ? Pretty strong bet for a donk bet
Turn: ($22.10) 2s (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $8, BB calls $8
He doesn't have anything!
River: ($38.10) Jh (2 players)
BB bets $17.77 all in, Hero calls $9.57 all in
$9.57 into $38? CALL!!!
Final Pot: $57.24
Hero shows Kh Kc (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
BB shows Qc Ad (a pair of Jacks)
Hero wins $54.38
(Rake: $2.86)
Always good to stack off with AKo high! ESPECIALLY AGAINST THE POKER MEISTER - J9s
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382900
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $10.28
SB: $32.22
BB: $5.00
UTG: $31.51
Hero (UTG+1): $35.81
UTG+2: $26.36
MP1: $8.42
MP2: $5.00
CO: $13.07
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG+1 with Jh 9h
1 fold, Hero calls $0.25, UTG+2 raises to $1.10, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.85
Flop: ($2.55) 9s Jd 8d (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG+2 bets $2.55, Hero raises to $7.75, UTG+2 raises to $25.26 all in, Hero calls $17.51
PLEASE have AA, KK!
Turn: ($53.07) 8h (2 players - 1 is all in)
Damnit, he has a better two pair
River: ($53.07) Js (2 players - 1 is all in)
Redeemed!
Final Pot: $53.07
Hero shows Jh 9h (a full house, Jacks full of Nines)
UTG+2 shows Ad Kh (two pair, Jacks and Eights) - Nevermind; he had AK high! DONKEY!!!
Hero wins $50.42
(Rake: $2.65)
A Rakewell hand (the Mighty 24!):
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382902
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP: $41.77
CO: $25.00
BTN: $33.86
SB: $12.42
Hero (BB): $25.00
UTG: $12.50
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with 2c 4s
1 fold, MP calls $0.25, 2 folds, SB calls $0.15, Hero checks
Flop: ($0.75) 5d Ac 3c (3 players)
SB bets $0.25, Hero raises to $1, MP folds, SB calls $0.75
Turn: ($2.75) Jh (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.25, SB calls $1.25
River: ($5.25) 6h (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $4, SB calls $4
Final Pot: $13.25
SB mucks Ah 2h
Hero shows 2c 4s (a straight, Six high)
Hero wins $12.59
(Rake: $0.66)
But don't try to turn the Poker Meister against me!
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/382904
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $10.10
Hero (BB): $39.89
UTG: $9.84
UTG+1: $8.17
UTG+2: $9.75
MP1: $5.91
MP2: $33.60
CO: $26.52
BTN: $5.00
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with Td As
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, UTG+2 calls $0.25, MP1 calls $0.25, 3 folds, SB calls $0.15, Hero checks
Flop: ($1.25) 9c Ad Jh (5 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.75, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 raises to $3.50, MP1 folds, SB folds, Hero raises to $11.75, UTG+2 calls $6 all in
Turn: ($20.25) 3d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: ($20.25) Ts (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: $20.25
Hero shows Td As (two pair, Aces and Tens)
UTG+2 shows Js 9s (two pair, Jacks and Nines)
Hero wins $19.24
(Rake: $1.01)
Friday, November 20, 2009
What would you do? #27
First hand at this table.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/372442
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP2: $46.00
CO: $10.00
BTN: $114.45
SB: $12.85
BB: $13.50
UTG: $11.85
Hero (UTG+1): $50.75
UTG+2: $47.25
MP1: $39.85
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Ac 9c
1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $1.50, 3 folds, BB calls $1, Hero calls $1, 1 fold
Flop: ($5.25) 8d 9d 9s (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP2 checks
Turn: ($5.25) 3d (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.25, MP2 calls $3.25, BB folds
River: ($11.75) 5c (2 players)
Hero bets $5, MP2 raises to $26.75, Hero ???
This is probably an easy one for everyone *EXCEPT* me... I really screwed this hand up! What would you do here? Raise, call fold?
Click to see results
Hero calls $21.75
Final Pot: $65.25
MP2 shows 8h 8s (a full house, Eights full of Nines)
Hero mucks Ac 9c
MP2 wins $62.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/372442
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP2: $46.00
CO: $10.00
BTN: $114.45
SB: $12.85
BB: $13.50
UTG: $11.85
Hero (UTG+1): $50.75
UTG+2: $47.25
MP1: $39.85
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Ac 9c
1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $1.50, 3 folds, BB calls $1, Hero calls $1, 1 fold
Flop: ($5.25) 8d 9d 9s (3 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP2 checks
Turn: ($5.25) 3d (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.25, MP2 calls $3.25, BB folds
River: ($11.75) 5c (2 players)
Hero bets $5, MP2 raises to $26.75, Hero ???
This is probably an easy one for everyone *EXCEPT* me... I really screwed this hand up! What would you do here? Raise, call fold?
Click to see results
Hero calls $21.75
Final Pot: $65.25
MP2 shows 8h 8s (a full house, Eights full of Nines)
Hero mucks Ac 9c
MP2 wins $62.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
What would you do? #26
Stats on Villain:
Total Hands - 47
VPIP - 29.79%
Pre-Flop Raise - 23.4%
3-Bet - 21%
Agression Factor - 1.6
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/365312
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG+1: $10.00
Hero (MP1): $54.07
MP2: $5.00
CO: $9.46
BTN: $7.89
SB: $4.75
BB: $51.34
UTG: $37.87
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP1 with 4d 4c
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, 4 folds, BB raises to $1.25, Hero calls $0.50
Flop: ($2.60) 6s 2c As (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($2.60) 4s (2 players)
BB bets $2.60, Hero raises to $5.75, BB raises to $50.09 all in, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero Folds
Total Hands - 47
VPIP - 29.79%
Pre-Flop Raise - 23.4%
3-Bet - 21%
Agression Factor - 1.6
Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/365312
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG+1: $10.00
Hero (MP1): $54.07
MP2: $5.00
CO: $9.46
BTN: $7.89
SB: $4.75
BB: $51.34
UTG: $37.87
Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP1 with 4d 4c
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, 4 folds, BB raises to $1.25, Hero calls $0.50
Flop: ($2.60) 6s 2c As (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($2.60) 4s (2 players)
BB bets $2.60, Hero raises to $5.75, BB raises to $50.09 all in, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero Folds
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Start anew every session
Poker is a game that has no memory of prior sessions. Remember that fact the next time you take a session loss (big or small).
The next session you play has no bearing on the prior session or sessions. You could be completely broke at the table today, but sit back down with a full stack tomorrow and crush it. You can't control the cards - they're random - but you can control the actions. Use your own memory to store away the misplays and correct your leaks. Learn from your mistakes.
However, don't *EVER* bring what happened at yesterday's session to today's table.
The next session you play has no bearing on the prior session or sessions. You could be completely broke at the table today, but sit back down with a full stack tomorrow and crush it. You can't control the cards - they're random - but you can control the actions. Use your own memory to store away the misplays and correct your leaks. Learn from your mistakes.
However, don't *EVER* bring what happened at yesterday's session to today's table.
A literal bad beat
Thankfully, this was not my hand. However, this is the very definition of a "bad beat." A friend of mine sent this to me - he unfortunately was the hero. In a casino with a bad beat jackpot, he would have been the winner! Royal flush over Kings full... that's when you know you run bad!
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/373527
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $100.00
UTG: $43.25
UTG+1: $100.00
MP1: $70.55
MP2: $139.00
CO: $16.65
BTN: $68.45
Hero (SB): $119.55
Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Kd Kh
UTG raises to $3.50, 2 folds, MP2 calls $3.50, 1 fold, BTN calls $3.50, Hero raises to $18.50, 1 fold, UTG calls $15, 1 fold, BTN calls $15
Flop: ($60.00) Ad Ts Ks (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $24.75 all in, BTN requests TIME, BTN folds, Hero calls $24.75
Turn: ($109.50) As (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: ($109.50) 3d (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: $109.50
UTG shows Js Qs (a Royal Flush)
Hero shows Kd Kh (a)
UTG wins $106.50
(Rake: $3.00)
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/373527
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $100.00
UTG: $43.25
UTG+1: $100.00
MP1: $70.55
MP2: $139.00
CO: $16.65
BTN: $68.45
Hero (SB): $119.55
Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Kd Kh
UTG raises to $3.50, 2 folds, MP2 calls $3.50, 1 fold, BTN calls $3.50, Hero raises to $18.50, 1 fold, UTG calls $15, 1 fold, BTN calls $15
Flop: ($60.00) Ad Ts Ks (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $24.75 all in, BTN requests TIME, BTN folds, Hero calls $24.75
Turn: ($109.50) As (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: ($109.50) 3d (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: $109.50
UTG shows Js Qs (a Royal Flush)
Hero shows Kd Kh (a)
UTG wins $106.50
(Rake: $3.00)
What would you do? #25
Villain is a 23/7 with aggression factor of 2.0. I have no data on cbets for him... 33% attempt to steal @ 97 hands.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/371153
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $8.25
BTN: $50.00
SB: $8.00
BB: $46.95
UTG: $47.90
UTG+1: $50.50
UTG+2: $63.65
MP1: $75.10
Hero (MP2): $76.95
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with Kc Kd
3 folds, MP1 raises to $1.75, Hero raises to $6, 4 folds, MP1 raises to $18.75, Hero calls $12.75
ALARM BELLS! He 4 bets me, out of position! WTF? Is anyone laying this down pre flop?
Flop: ($38.25) Qh Jh 7h (2 players)
MP1 bets $56.35 all in, Hero ????
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero folds
No heart, no real draw. If he has QQ, gg sir. I'm not going to commit the rest of my stack here.
Final Pot: $38.25
MP1 shows Ac Ah (a pair of Aces) - He actually showed his hand after he KNEW I had something good.
MP1 wins $36.35
(Rake: $1.90)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/371153
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $8.25
BTN: $50.00
SB: $8.00
BB: $46.95
UTG: $47.90
UTG+1: $50.50
UTG+2: $63.65
MP1: $75.10
Hero (MP2): $76.95
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with Kc Kd
3 folds, MP1 raises to $1.75, Hero raises to $6, 4 folds, MP1 raises to $18.75, Hero calls $12.75
ALARM BELLS! He 4 bets me, out of position! WTF? Is anyone laying this down pre flop?
Flop: ($38.25) Qh Jh 7h (2 players)
MP1 bets $56.35 all in, Hero ????
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero folds
No heart, no real draw. If he has QQ, gg sir. I'm not going to commit the rest of my stack here.
Final Pot: $38.25
MP1 shows Ac Ah (a pair of Aces) - He actually showed his hand after he KNEW I had something good.
MP1 wins $36.35
(Rake: $1.90)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Cheap steals
I was sitting to the right of a few OVERLY tight players and I started thinking about general poker things...
When raising nits to steal blinds, why not min raise? I started off the session with these nits by raising 3x and they were folding. I caught on quick, though, that in the off chance that they would call, I'd lose at least an extra bet. Therefore, I tried out a 2x raise (min raise). It's almost comical; I wound up stealing and stealing at a 60% clip on one table and a 50% clip on another...
I don't know how to determine my blind steal success rate with PT3; maybe someone can let me know that? However, I'd estimate my success rate to be somewhere north of 70%! Good times had by me (don't think by all :-) )
When raising nits to steal blinds, why not min raise? I started off the session with these nits by raising 3x and they were folding. I caught on quick, though, that in the off chance that they would call, I'd lose at least an extra bet. Therefore, I tried out a 2x raise (min raise). It's almost comical; I wound up stealing and stealing at a 60% clip on one table and a 50% clip on another...
I don't know how to determine my blind steal success rate with PT3; maybe someone can let me know that? However, I'd estimate my success rate to be somewhere north of 70%! Good times had by me (don't think by all :-) )
$5 bonus from me for signup with RakeTheRake & Full Tilt
I have not yet pimped anything on this blog. Pimping and making money from this blog is not the the intent; this blog is to keep a journal of my poker career. However, the rakeback affiliate that I use offered me a deal which I cannot turn down. Therefore, commence pimpage:
Would you like to make $5 for doing what you love (playing poker)? RakeTheRake's is running a promotion offering me $10 for every new referral I get to sign up with them. I am more than happy to split that offer with you, my dear reader. Therefore, I will transfer $5 to you when you sign up with RakeTheRake / Full Tilt. Interested? Read on...
If you haven't signed up for Full Tilt yet, sign up for rakeback at RakeTheRake.com using this link FIRST, and then follow the instructions ON RakeTheRake to sign up for a Full Tilt account. If you're a frequent reader of this site, you know how important rakeback is - I've drawn $1000+ in rake paid back to me through the months, adding (at this point) over a buy-in per week to my bank roll. VERY EV+++!!!!
Since I've yet to actually get a referral, I'm not sure how it works. Therefore, I'm going to use a 30 day grace period for verification prior to the transfer of $5. Leave a comment on this blog to let me know that you've signed up.
Terms & Conditions
Pertinent links for information:
Referral link to RakeTheRake
RakeTheRake FAQ
Information on the RakeTheRake Refer A Friend
Would you like to make $5 for doing what you love (playing poker)? RakeTheRake's is running a promotion offering me $10 for every new referral I get to sign up with them. I am more than happy to split that offer with you, my dear reader. Therefore, I will transfer $5 to you when you sign up with RakeTheRake / Full Tilt. Interested? Read on...
If you haven't signed up for Full Tilt yet, sign up for rakeback at RakeTheRake.com using this link FIRST, and then follow the instructions ON RakeTheRake to sign up for a Full Tilt account. If you're a frequent reader of this site, you know how important rakeback is - I've drawn $1000+ in rake paid back to me through the months, adding (at this point) over a buy-in per week to my bank roll. VERY EV+++!!!!
Since I've yet to actually get a referral, I'm not sure how it works. Therefore, I'm going to use a 30 day grace period for verification prior to the transfer of $5. Leave a comment on this blog to let me know that you've signed up.
Terms & Conditions
- Each qualifying referral must be NEW to RakeTheRake and sign up through the link I've provided.
- Each qualifying referral must generate a net rake of $10 between the date they sign up and midnight GMT 30 days after sign up.
- Each qualifying referral must not have an existing Full Tilt account prior to sign up.
- Leave a comment on this blog with your email address and account name. (I will not publish the comment to the blog.)
Pertinent links for information:
Referral link to RakeTheRake
RakeTheRake FAQ
Information on the RakeTheRake Refer A Friend
Online poker rooms make their money by automatically taking a cut of the players stake money, this is called the "rake". Typically the rake is 5% of every pot, you will often see it being taken and stacked at the top of the table during a game. Playing a few hundred hands a month soon accumulates a large amount of rake, and you could be paying tens of thousands of $$$ a year in rake. Get up to 60% of your rake money back with RakeTheRake.
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What would you do? #24
BTN is a 14/7, 75% cbet with 37% attempt to steal in a fairly extensive history (150+ hands).
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/371149
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (MP2): $110.35
CO: $52.15
BTN: $50.00
SB: $60.55
BB: $65.70
UTG: $87.50
UTG+1: $9.00
MP1: $10.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 4h 4d
3 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 1 fold, BTN calls $1.75, 2 folds
Flop: ($4.25) Qc 5c 9d (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: ($4.25) Ts (2 players)
Hero bets $2.50, BTN calls $2.50
Going to take a stab here. The club draw is there and the straight just got there. BTN has been very passive to this point, with position.
River: ($9.25) 4c (2 players)
Hero bets $5, BTN raises to $15, Hero ????
This is like the WORST card in the deck for me. Any other card is easy to get away. I make my set. Do you call the $10 raise? I waffled quite a bit here. I'm getting ~3 to 1 to make the call here.
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero calls $10
Final Pot: $39.25
Hero shows 4h 4d (three of a kind, Fours)
BTN shows 9c Td (two pair, Tens and Nines)
Hero wins $37.30
(Rake: $1.95)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/371149
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (MP2): $110.35
CO: $52.15
BTN: $50.00
SB: $60.55
BB: $65.70
UTG: $87.50
UTG+1: $9.00
MP1: $10.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 4h 4d
3 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 1 fold, BTN calls $1.75, 2 folds
Flop: ($4.25) Qc 5c 9d (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: ($4.25) Ts (2 players)
Hero bets $2.50, BTN calls $2.50
Going to take a stab here. The club draw is there and the straight just got there. BTN has been very passive to this point, with position.
River: ($9.25) 4c (2 players)
Hero bets $5, BTN raises to $15, Hero ????
This is like the WORST card in the deck for me. Any other card is easy to get away. I make my set. Do you call the $10 raise? I waffled quite a bit here. I'm getting ~3 to 1 to make the call here.
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero calls $10
Final Pot: $39.25
Hero shows 4h 4d (three of a kind, Fours)
BTN shows 9c Td (two pair, Tens and Nines)
Hero wins $37.30
(Rake: $1.95)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Betting on the end.
As a regular reader on this blog, you have probably seen a lot of "What would you do?" hands where the aggressor is betting into me on a checked river. The aggressor, more often than not, bets an unusually strong amount - inconsistent with the action of the hand prior. I understand what my opponent is trying to do: muscle me out of the pot. However, I think there is a sensible way of going about the river bluff. Granted, these hands are far different; I am not suggesting that you bet into represented strength against an opponent who is clearly sending a message that he has a hand and wants value by betting the streets. However, here are a few examples where small bets take down sizable pots, because the read I make is correct; my opponents are on draws.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360112
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $29.00
SB: $8.00
BB: $38.00
UTG: $50.00
UTG+1: $34.25
MP1: $69.75
Hero (MP2): $85.45
CO: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 7s 6s
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1, MP1 calls $1, Hero calls $1, 3 folds, BB calls $0.50
Standard suited connector call. Seeing a flop with a lot of players, while holding suited connectors is a good thing.
Flop: ($4.25) 4s 9s 5h (4 players)
BB bets $2, UTG+1 calls $2, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $7.50, BB calls $5.50, UTG+1 folds
BB's cbet is like 100%. This guy had been aggressive. In addition, I flop an open-ended straight flush draw. It is well-concealed by my raise. This hand is a monster draw.
Turn: ($21.25) Kc (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
I have half of the equity now. I want to control the size of the pot - but at this point, I am putting BB on a draw as well - likely the spade draw.
River: ($21.25) 4c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5, BB folds
The spade draw doesn't get there - the BB has all but shut down, and I make a small bet, which I don't think he'll call because he didn't hit his overs or spades. For $5.00, I win the $21.25 pot.
Final Pot: $21.25
Hero wins $20.20
(Rake: $1.05)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360113
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $13.00
UTG+1: $11.40
MP1: $21.60
MP2: $18.60
CO: $71.55
BTN: $58.50
Hero (SB): $55.90
BB: $11.10
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with 3s Ac
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.25, BB checks
Ace connector limp from SB.
Flop: ($1.50) Js 8s 5s (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks
Turn: ($1.50) Qc (3 players)
Hero bets $1, BB folds, UTG+1 calls $1
I'm going to take a stab at this with the innocuous Queen of clubs. If I get callers, I'm going to assume they're looking for an additional spade. However, given the prior action, none of the players have tried to build a pot, nor tried to stab at it. In fact, A high may even be the best hand to this point.
River: ($3.50) 6d (2 players)
Hero bets $1.25, UTG+1 folds
Given the lack of aggression, a non-spade river card, and a non-overcard to the Q, I'm going to make a small "value" bet on the river, which I expect the UTG+1 to fold. It works, and for $1.25, I win $3.50.
Final Pot: $3.50
Hero wins $3.35
(Rake: $0.15)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360112
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $29.00
SB: $8.00
BB: $38.00
UTG: $50.00
UTG+1: $34.25
MP1: $69.75
Hero (MP2): $85.45
CO: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 7s 6s
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1, MP1 calls $1, Hero calls $1, 3 folds, BB calls $0.50
Standard suited connector call. Seeing a flop with a lot of players, while holding suited connectors is a good thing.
Flop: ($4.25) 4s 9s 5h (4 players)
BB bets $2, UTG+1 calls $2, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $7.50, BB calls $5.50, UTG+1 folds
BB's cbet is like 100%. This guy had been aggressive. In addition, I flop an open-ended straight flush draw. It is well-concealed by my raise. This hand is a monster draw.
Turn: ($21.25) Kc (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
I have half of the equity now. I want to control the size of the pot - but at this point, I am putting BB on a draw as well - likely the spade draw.
River: ($21.25) 4c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5, BB folds
The spade draw doesn't get there - the BB has all but shut down, and I make a small bet, which I don't think he'll call because he didn't hit his overs or spades. For $5.00, I win the $21.25 pot.
Final Pot: $21.25
Hero wins $20.20
(Rake: $1.05)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360113
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $13.00
UTG+1: $11.40
MP1: $21.60
MP2: $18.60
CO: $71.55
BTN: $58.50
Hero (SB): $55.90
BB: $11.10
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with 3s Ac
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.25, BB checks
Ace connector limp from SB.
Flop: ($1.50) Js 8s 5s (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks
Turn: ($1.50) Qc (3 players)
Hero bets $1, BB folds, UTG+1 calls $1
I'm going to take a stab at this with the innocuous Queen of clubs. If I get callers, I'm going to assume they're looking for an additional spade. However, given the prior action, none of the players have tried to build a pot, nor tried to stab at it. In fact, A high may even be the best hand to this point.
River: ($3.50) 6d (2 players)
Hero bets $1.25, UTG+1 folds
Given the lack of aggression, a non-spade river card, and a non-overcard to the Q, I'm going to make a small "value" bet on the river, which I expect the UTG+1 to fold. It works, and for $1.25, I win $3.50.
Final Pot: $3.50
Hero wins $3.35
(Rake: $0.15)
What would you do? #23
Stats on this donkey are 43/16. Aggression factor is 1.2, c-bet is 60% and he has a 36% attempt to steal... all in 100 hands. Clearly, he's an aggro player. UTG+1 had been overlimping a lot as well, seeing a TON of flops.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360104
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $13.00
SB: $12.80
BB: $10.75
Hero (UTG): $114.00
UTG+1: $54.20
MP: $42.25
CO: $53.60
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with Kh Ks
Hero raises to $1.75, UTG+1 calls $1.75, 2 folds, BTN calls $1.75, 2 folds
Hate the out of position spot. but KK is the 2nd best hand...gotta get value!
Flop: ($6.00) Jh 2s 5s (3 players)
Hero bets $3.25, UTG+1 calls $3.25, BTN calls $3.25
Pretty decent flop; 2 spades is cause for concern.
Turn: ($15.75) 8h (3 players)
Hero bets $12, UTG+1 calls $12, BTN folds
Bricked turn. I want to define his hand very clearly. I think he has to fold the near pot bet if he is on a draw. I also think that this type of player would have raised by this point if he has [gulp] AsJs, AJo, or a set. He's either on a spade draw, or has some semblance of hand... Jx?
River: ($39.75) As (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $20, Hero calls $20
Spades AND Ace get there... What are you doing in this spot? UTG+1 has $37.20 behind and bets half pot / half his remaining stack. Was he calling with A5, A2? I don't think he'd have called that turn bet with those types of hands. He certainly wasn't drawing to the nut flush draw, based on the As river card. What would you do?
Click to see results
Final Pot: $79.75
Hero shows Kh Ks (a pair of Kings)
UTG+1 shows Kd Jd (a pair of Jacks)
Hero wins $76.75
(Rake: $3.00)
My thought is that the Ace represents a good scare card as well as the spade scare. I feel like a half pot bet here is a weakish bet... more like a stab. It could be construed as a value bet from a 18/10 type player, but I think against an aggressive player, he realizes that I have a strong hand by this point and is trying to represent a better rivered hand. I think I have a 50/50 shot to call this and win, and he offers $20 to call $60; 3:1.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/360104
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $13.00
SB: $12.80
BB: $10.75
Hero (UTG): $114.00
UTG+1: $54.20
MP: $42.25
CO: $53.60
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with Kh Ks
Hero raises to $1.75, UTG+1 calls $1.75, 2 folds, BTN calls $1.75, 2 folds
Hate the out of position spot. but KK is the 2nd best hand...gotta get value!
Flop: ($6.00) Jh 2s 5s (3 players)
Hero bets $3.25, UTG+1 calls $3.25, BTN calls $3.25
Pretty decent flop; 2 spades is cause for concern.
Turn: ($15.75) 8h (3 players)
Hero bets $12, UTG+1 calls $12, BTN folds
Bricked turn. I want to define his hand very clearly. I think he has to fold the near pot bet if he is on a draw. I also think that this type of player would have raised by this point if he has [gulp] AsJs, AJo, or a set. He's either on a spade draw, or has some semblance of hand... Jx?
River: ($39.75) As (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $20, Hero calls $20
Spades AND Ace get there... What are you doing in this spot? UTG+1 has $37.20 behind and bets half pot / half his remaining stack. Was he calling with A5, A2? I don't think he'd have called that turn bet with those types of hands. He certainly wasn't drawing to the nut flush draw, based on the As river card. What would you do?
Click to see results
Final Pot: $79.75
Hero shows Kh Ks (a pair of Kings)
UTG+1 shows Kd Jd (a pair of Jacks)
Hero wins $76.75
(Rake: $3.00)
My thought is that the Ace represents a good scare card as well as the spade scare. I feel like a half pot bet here is a weakish bet... more like a stab. It could be construed as a value bet from a 18/10 type player, but I think against an aggressive player, he realizes that I have a strong hand by this point and is trying to represent a better rivered hand. I think I have a 50/50 shot to call this and win, and he offers $20 to call $60; 3:1.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Biggest $ pot won #3
Not much here; I nearly tripled through 2 donkeys at my table... we're talking VPIP > 35...
Like I said, I ran well last night!
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/367845
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $19.65
Hero (BB): $71.00
UTG: $10.70
UTG+1: $52.30
UTG+2: $28.75
MP1: $64.15
MP2: $34.75
CO: $101.50
BTN: $10.30
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with Ah Ac
5 folds, CO calls $0.50, BTN raises to $3, 1 fold, Hero raises to $7.50, CO calls $7, BTN calls $4.50
Flop: ($22.75) 6s 6c 4d (3 players)
Hero bets $7.50, CO calls $7.50, BTN calls $2.80 all in
Turn: ($40.55) Kh (3 players - 1 is all in)
Hero bets $10, CO raises to $20, Hero raises to $30, CO raises to $40, Hero raises to $56 all in, CO calls $16
River: ($152.55) 4s (3 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $152.55
Hero shows Ah Ac (two pair, Aces and Sixes)
CO shows As Ks (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
BTN shows 9c 9s (two pair, Nines and Sixes)
Hero wins $119.95
Hero wins $29.60
(Rake: $3.00)
Like I said, I ran well last night!
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/367845
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $19.65
Hero (BB): $71.00
UTG: $10.70
UTG+1: $52.30
UTG+2: $28.75
MP1: $64.15
MP2: $34.75
CO: $101.50
BTN: $10.30
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with Ah Ac
5 folds, CO calls $0.50, BTN raises to $3, 1 fold, Hero raises to $7.50, CO calls $7, BTN calls $4.50
Flop: ($22.75) 6s 6c 4d (3 players)
Hero bets $7.50, CO calls $7.50, BTN calls $2.80 all in
Turn: ($40.55) Kh (3 players - 1 is all in)
Hero bets $10, CO raises to $20, Hero raises to $30, CO raises to $40, Hero raises to $56 all in, CO calls $16
River: ($152.55) 4s (3 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $152.55
Hero shows Ah Ac (two pair, Aces and Sixes)
CO shows As Ks (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
BTN shows 9c 9s (two pair, Nines and Sixes)
Hero wins $119.95
Hero wins $29.60
(Rake: $3.00)
Flopped quads (again)
Like I said, I ran well - didn't get paid on this hand, but still ran very well last night...
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/367844
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (BTN): $54.50
SB: $11.30
BB: $12.65
UTG: $23.95
UTG+1: $65.80
MP1: $10.55
MP2: $21.15
CO: $33.05
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with Kc Kh
UTG calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) Ks Kd 6s (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($5.25) 8d (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $3.50, UTG folds
Final Pot: $5.25
Hero wins $5.00
(Rake: $0.25)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/367844
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (BTN): $54.50
SB: $11.30
BB: $12.65
UTG: $23.95
UTG+1: $65.80
MP1: $10.55
MP2: $21.15
CO: $33.05
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with Kc Kh
UTG calls $0.50, 4 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) Ks Kd 6s (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($5.25) 8d (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $3.50, UTG folds
Final Pot: $5.25
Hero wins $5.00
(Rake: $0.25)
Biggest session to date 2009-11-13
Tonight i played 1,815 hands in 4.28 hours... I turned in a session of $321.05 - the largest single session profit to date. That translates to a sick 17.69 PTBB/100! This brings my November back into good shape. I'm not going to lie; I ran extremely well, being dealt Aces 16 times, making up the largest portion of my 122 pocket pairs on the night (a little above the mean @ 6.7% pocket pair hands). I flopped sets at a below average rate, 8.2%, but my hands held up for the most part - I ran $108.41 above EV in all in situations.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Equity in a pot / thoughts on expected value
Due to October's results, I have really begun to think about winning poker pots in a different light. I had a conversation with a friend the other day- one who has continually experienced all- around bad luck at live poker. He and I were talking about how when you get AA vs. KK all in pre-flop, it just sucks when inevitably, the King hits the flop and you're drawing thin and lose the pot. I've had similar circumstances happen to me *A LOT* in October- where my actual return for pots that I was all in, was far lower than expected value. (A quick tutorial on expected value: EV is the long term value of the hand you hold; i.e. if you have 80% equity in a pot, then you can expect to win $80 for every $100 pot if you ran the exact same cards against each other an infinite number of times.) I can certainly commiserate with him; for a player seeing limited hands like that of live poker, and a limited bankroll, these results can be devastating. Fortunately for me, I do not have said limited bankroll; I follow [in my opinion] proper bankroll strategy.
In theory, unless you are drawing completely dead, everyone has equity in a pot. In other words, if I get it all in with AA vs. 65 on a 6 9 T board, the villain has about 20% equity (5 outs to the two pair / trips) + maybe 2% to tie with running straight cards. Therefore, the way I have begun thinking about winning or losing pots is how much of that pot was theoretically mine; i.e. if at the point of all in, the pot was worth $100, $78 of that money is mine and $20 is the villain's. My friend was quick to point out that "theoretical wins don't pay the bills," which is true, but I do believe that over an infinite hands (which is the amount of hands I intend to play), the statistical norms will be met, and the theoretical wins will become real $78 wins.
I guess what I'm touching upon is Karma - basically what goes around, comes around. When I get a bad beat, or a statistically improbably beat, the "old me" used to tilt like crazy - becoming hyper aggressive for every hand no matter my holdings. I essentially took my frustrations out on my bankroll - making a theoretical $78 / real $100 (in the example above) loss into a MUCH bigger loss because now I'm misplaying hands. However, if the month of October taught me one thing, it is that I no longer get upset. I simply email the hand out to some friends who probably care at an arm's length because they, too, can sympathize but have their own problems with the same type of suckouts. Now, though, I realize that there will be a whipsaw in the end, and I too, when needed, will catch a 2 outter to save my stack at the table - OR, perhaps, I will win 2 more coin flips than I rightfully should (either end of AK vs. pocket pairs). And you know what? To answer my friends comment: I'm not playing poker to "pay the bills," - neither is he. It's not fun to catch a bad beat; it's not fun to be card dead the whole night except for the only time you look down and see a pair of red Aces... but you'll get it back in the end.
In closing, I can take all the bad beats that poker and / or bad Karma manages to dole out. I know that in the end, with every theoretical dollar owed to me, Karma will catch me up to even and [hopefully] then some.
In theory, unless you are drawing completely dead, everyone has equity in a pot. In other words, if I get it all in with AA vs. 65 on a 6 9 T board, the villain has about 20% equity (5 outs to the two pair / trips) + maybe 2% to tie with running straight cards. Therefore, the way I have begun thinking about winning or losing pots is how much of that pot was theoretically mine; i.e. if at the point of all in, the pot was worth $100, $78 of that money is mine and $20 is the villain's. My friend was quick to point out that "theoretical wins don't pay the bills," which is true, but I do believe that over an infinite hands (which is the amount of hands I intend to play), the statistical norms will be met, and the theoretical wins will become real $78 wins.
I guess what I'm touching upon is Karma - basically what goes around, comes around. When I get a bad beat, or a statistically improbably beat, the "old me" used to tilt like crazy - becoming hyper aggressive for every hand no matter my holdings. I essentially took my frustrations out on my bankroll - making a theoretical $78 / real $100 (in the example above) loss into a MUCH bigger loss because now I'm misplaying hands. However, if the month of October taught me one thing, it is that I no longer get upset. I simply email the hand out to some friends who probably care at an arm's length because they, too, can sympathize but have their own problems with the same type of suckouts. Now, though, I realize that there will be a whipsaw in the end, and I too, when needed, will catch a 2 outter to save my stack at the table - OR, perhaps, I will win 2 more coin flips than I rightfully should (either end of AK vs. pocket pairs). And you know what? To answer my friends comment: I'm not playing poker to "pay the bills," - neither is he. It's not fun to catch a bad beat; it's not fun to be card dead the whole night except for the only time you look down and see a pair of red Aces... but you'll get it back in the end.
In closing, I can take all the bad beats that poker and / or bad Karma manages to dole out. I know that in the end, with every theoretical dollar owed to me, Karma will catch me up to even and [hopefully] then some.
Good play by a donk or am I a donk?
35/9 @ 46 hands... Cbets 100%. This is a typical limping donkey. I think he fell into this hand, but are you making this play?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/357124
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $12.85
Hero (BTN): $66.15
SB: $61.00
BB: $5.90
UTG: $26.90
UTG+1: $14.15
MP: $48.15
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 7d 8d
2 folds, MP calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, MP calls $1.75
Standard BTN raise.
Flop: ($5.25) Ad Kd 8h (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $2.75, MP calls $2.75
Bottom pair + flush draw. I'm willing to get it all in here. I figure 14 clean outs for 50% equity.
Turn: ($10.75) 7c (2 players) - Hit 2 pair
MP checks, Hero bets $8, MP raises to $22, Hero raises to $61.15 all in, MP calls $21.15 all in
With his raise, I'm putting him on the same diamond draw, or AT, AJ. I have $21.15 effectively behind + a turned 2 pair, so this is for stacks. Do you put him on AA for the set?
Even still, I'm not drawing dead - 18% equity here.
River: ($97.05) 2c (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $97.05
Hero shows 7d 8d (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
MP shows Ac Ah (three of a kind, Aces)
MP wins $94.05
(Rake: $3.00)
Is this bad play by me, or just a cooler?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/357124
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $12.85
Hero (BTN): $66.15
SB: $61.00
BB: $5.90
UTG: $26.90
UTG+1: $14.15
MP: $48.15
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 7d 8d
2 folds, MP calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, MP calls $1.75
Standard BTN raise.
Flop: ($5.25) Ad Kd 8h (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $2.75, MP calls $2.75
Bottom pair + flush draw. I'm willing to get it all in here. I figure 14 clean outs for 50% equity.
Turn: ($10.75) 7c (2 players) - Hit 2 pair
MP checks, Hero bets $8, MP raises to $22, Hero raises to $61.15 all in, MP calls $21.15 all in
With his raise, I'm putting him on the same diamond draw, or AT, AJ. I have $21.15 effectively behind + a turned 2 pair, so this is for stacks. Do you put him on AA for the set?
Even still, I'm not drawing dead - 18% equity here.
River: ($97.05) 2c (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $97.05
Hero shows 7d 8d (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
MP shows Ac Ah (three of a kind, Aces)
MP wins $94.05
(Rake: $3.00)
Is this bad play by me, or just a cooler?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Not running good, but flopped quads helps...
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/365324
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $33.90
Hero (UTG): $75.15
MP: $52.35
CO: $10.05
BTN: $83.75
SB: $8.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with Kc Kh
Hero raises to $1.75, 4 folds, BB raises to $4, Hero raises to $8.75, BB calls $4.75
BB is somewhat of an aggrodonk. I am definitely 4 betting here and hoping for an over-shove. Instead, he opts to call.
Flop: ($17.75) Kd Ks 3c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Probably a terrible flop in BB's eyes. I'm not sure how he thinks, but I have to imagine, given my aggression PF, that he puts me on a very limited range which includes AK. I have no choice but to check behind for fear that he thinks I hit something.
Turn: ($17.75) 8h (2 players)
BB bets $5, Hero calls $5
The turn is even worse; I was hoping the turn would open up a draw where his pocket pair or AQ has to bet to "protect." Alas, he puts out a feeler, so I opt to call in position. He has $20.15 behind at this point.
River: ($27.75) Ts (2 players)
BB bets $8.50, Hero raises to $23, BB calls $11.65 all in
Yuck. He bets small in comparison to the pot, and about half his remaining stack. He leaves me with one bet, but I try to make it as "small" as possible. I am *SURE* he is folding here. But I get surprised with a delayed call on the end.
Final Pot: $68.05
BB mucks 9h 9s - That's a pretty loose river call. I expected him to *AT LEAST* show up with a set, TT+, etc. Let's recap: He called a 4 bet out of position, committing about 1/3 of his stack pre-flop. He got the other 2/3 in on the turn and river, but thought he was going to be good? I must have missed something; does it say "DONKEY" on my screen notes?
Hero shows Kc Kh (four of a kind, Kings)
Hero wins $65.05
(Rake: $3.00)
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $33.90
Hero (UTG): $75.15
MP: $52.35
CO: $10.05
BTN: $83.75
SB: $8.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with Kc Kh
Hero raises to $1.75, 4 folds, BB raises to $4, Hero raises to $8.75, BB calls $4.75
BB is somewhat of an aggrodonk. I am definitely 4 betting here and hoping for an over-shove. Instead, he opts to call.
Flop: ($17.75) Kd Ks 3c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks
Probably a terrible flop in BB's eyes. I'm not sure how he thinks, but I have to imagine, given my aggression PF, that he puts me on a very limited range which includes AK. I have no choice but to check behind for fear that he thinks I hit something.
Turn: ($17.75) 8h (2 players)
BB bets $5, Hero calls $5
The turn is even worse; I was hoping the turn would open up a draw where his pocket pair or AQ has to bet to "protect." Alas, he puts out a feeler, so I opt to call in position. He has $20.15 behind at this point.
River: ($27.75) Ts (2 players)
BB bets $8.50, Hero raises to $23, BB calls $11.65 all in
Yuck. He bets small in comparison to the pot, and about half his remaining stack. He leaves me with one bet, but I try to make it as "small" as possible. I am *SURE* he is folding here. But I get surprised with a delayed call on the end.
Final Pot: $68.05
BB mucks 9h 9s - That's a pretty loose river call. I expected him to *AT LEAST* show up with a set, TT+, etc. Let's recap: He called a 4 bet out of position, committing about 1/3 of his stack pre-flop. He got the other 2/3 in on the turn and river, but thought he was going to be good? I must have missed something; does it say "DONKEY" on my screen notes?
Hero shows Kc Kh (four of a kind, Kings)
Hero wins $65.05
(Rake: $3.00)
What would you do? #22
Villain is a 17 / 5 @ 41 hands w/ Infinite aggressive factor.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355559
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $10.00
UTG: $11.00
UTG+1: $47.75
UTG+2: $10.00
Hero (MP1): $128.95
MP2: $50.75
CO: $11.00
BTN: $72.55
SB: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Ts Td
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) 9h 2s 5c (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2.75, UTG+1 raises to $5.50, Hero calls $2.75
Turn: ($16.25) 3c (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $16.25, Hero ???
Assume a call here means you're playing for stacks. Do you fold here? Do you fold the flop? Raise?
Click to see results
Hero calls $16.25
River: ($48.75) Ad (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $23.75 all in, Hero calls $23.75
Final Pot: $96.25
UTG+1 shows 9s 9d (three of a kind, Nines)
Hero mucks Ts Td
UTG+1 wins $93.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355559
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BB: $10.00
UTG: $11.00
UTG+1: $47.75
UTG+2: $10.00
Hero (MP1): $128.95
MP2: $50.75
CO: $11.00
BTN: $72.55
SB: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Ts Td
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) 9h 2s 5c (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2.75, UTG+1 raises to $5.50, Hero calls $2.75
Turn: ($16.25) 3c (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $16.25, Hero ???
Assume a call here means you're playing for stacks. Do you fold here? Do you fold the flop? Raise?
Click to see results
Hero calls $16.25
River: ($48.75) Ad (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $23.75 all in, Hero calls $23.75
Final Pot: $96.25
UTG+1 shows 9s 9d (three of a kind, Nines)
Hero mucks Ts Td
UTG+1 wins $93.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Statistical anomalies
I'm trying to keep in tune with the 4 part set of postings on pre- and post- game preparation by going through my overall known starting hands, something I do 1-2 times / month. Here are some findings that I thought I'd share...
While reviewing known starting hand logs for 50NL / 50PL, I found that I am a HUGE winner with AA and KK - each is worth about 4.3 BB / hand. QQ is worth about 2.18 BB / hand.
What is weird is that AKo is my 7th winning-est hand showing a worth of .65 BB / hand, yet AKs is 2nd losing-est hand, worth about -0.68 BB / hand... What that says to me is I'm overplaying my AKs.
Also interesting to me is that TT is a pretty big loser for me, 8th worst on the list, at -0.31 BB / hand. I can more or less chalk that anomaly up to getting stacked at my only 100NL venture for a full 100BBs...
The only other pocket pair on the loser list is 33, with a -0.15 loss rate, but in net dollar amount, hardly worth the mention at a total loss of $12.53.
Surprising to me, though, is that I have a bunch of big losers with suited connectors. T9s, 87s, JTs, QTs, make up the major portion of my net $$$ lost. (I can include AKs in that list as well.) I need to look into how I'm misplaying suited connectors - yet two of my top fifteen net money makers are 76s, 42s and 86s, which nearly cancel out the above losses... (which means I will continue to play suited connectors aggressively).
Looking at overall session results, my sessions won % is less than 50%, yet I am a net positive winning player... Kinda weird, but I think that the issue is when I win a session, I win a "large" session, whereas when I lose a session, the loss may be less than a buy in... losses are contained by stop losses, whereas wins are unfettered.
Finally, expanding my field to include 25NL / 25PL, I was hunting around and looking at my VPIP / PFR numbers and noticed that I am a strong winner in 25PL, and a break-even player in 25NL:
Kinda weird...
While reviewing known starting hand logs for 50NL / 50PL, I found that I am a HUGE winner with AA and KK - each is worth about 4.3 BB / hand. QQ is worth about 2.18 BB / hand.
What is weird is that AKo is my 7th winning-est hand showing a worth of .65 BB / hand, yet AKs is 2nd losing-est hand, worth about -0.68 BB / hand... What that says to me is I'm overplaying my AKs.
Also interesting to me is that TT is a pretty big loser for me, 8th worst on the list, at -0.31 BB / hand. I can more or less chalk that anomaly up to getting stacked at my only 100NL venture for a full 100BBs...
The only other pocket pair on the loser list is 33, with a -0.15 loss rate, but in net dollar amount, hardly worth the mention at a total loss of $12.53.
Surprising to me, though, is that I have a bunch of big losers with suited connectors. T9s, 87s, JTs, QTs, make up the major portion of my net $$$ lost. (I can include AKs in that list as well.) I need to look into how I'm misplaying suited connectors - yet two of my top fifteen net money makers are 76s, 42s and 86s, which nearly cancel out the above losses... (which means I will continue to play suited connectors aggressively).
Looking at overall session results, my sessions won % is less than 50%, yet I am a net positive winning player... Kinda weird, but I think that the issue is when I win a session, I win a "large" session, whereas when I lose a session, the loss may be less than a buy in... losses are contained by stop losses, whereas wins are unfettered.
Finally, expanding my field to include 25NL / 25PL, I was hunting around and looking at my VPIP / PFR numbers and noticed that I am a strong winner in 25PL, and a break-even player in 25NL:
| Limit | Hands | Hands Won | Sessions | Sessions Won | Amount Won | BB/100 |
| $0.25 NL | 45,942 | 7,673 (16.70%) | 430 | 194 (45.12%) | $12.67 | 0.06 |
| $0.25 PL | 10,142 | 1,629 (16.06%) | 104 | 62 (59.62%) | $807.49 | 15.92 |
Kinda weird...
What would you do? #21
14/14/3.0 @ 14 hands
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355516
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
BTN: $52.70
SB: $15.30
BB: $49.50
UTG: $38.30
UTG+1: $60.40
Hero (MP1): $61.50
MP2: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Qd Qs
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.75, Hero raises to $5, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $3.25
Pretty wide PFR range... I re-pop it and will figure out AA, KK or something else pretty quickly. He flats. Bad move, because I have position for the hand.
Flop: ($10.75) 2s 3d 8s (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $5, UTG+1 raises to $15.40, Hero calls $10.40
Okay. What is this check / raise supposed to mean?
Turn: ($41.55) 4c (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $28, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero raises to $41.10 all in, UTG+1 calls $12 all in
Now we're playing for stacks. If he called a 3 bet with 22 33 44 88, GG him. In lieu of that, then he has TT, JJ, QQ(?)
River: ($121.55) Td (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $121.55
UTG+1 shows As Ks (Ace King high) - He was ahead of me on the flop, but lost half his equity on the turn... shoved anyway. Obviously, I'm not laying down with $42 in the pot already. We're playing for stacks.
Hero shows Qd Qs (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $118.55
(Rake: $3.00)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355516
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
BTN: $52.70
SB: $15.30
BB: $49.50
UTG: $38.30
UTG+1: $60.40
Hero (MP1): $61.50
MP2: $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Qd Qs
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.75, Hero raises to $5, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $3.25
Pretty wide PFR range... I re-pop it and will figure out AA, KK or something else pretty quickly. He flats. Bad move, because I have position for the hand.
Flop: ($10.75) 2s 3d 8s (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $5, UTG+1 raises to $15.40, Hero calls $10.40
Okay. What is this check / raise supposed to mean?
Turn: ($41.55) 4c (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $28, Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero raises to $41.10 all in, UTG+1 calls $12 all in
Now we're playing for stacks. If he called a 3 bet with 22 33 44 88, GG him. In lieu of that, then he has TT, JJ, QQ(?)
River: ($121.55) Td (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: $121.55
UTG+1 shows As Ks (Ace King high) - He was ahead of me on the flop, but lost half his equity on the turn... shoved anyway. Obviously, I'm not laying down with $42 in the pot already. We're playing for stacks.
Hero shows Qd Qs (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $118.55
(Rake: $3.00)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pre- and post- game process - Part IV
I'm finding that more and more, in order to continue being a successful poker player, one needs to maintain discipline at all times. Discipline includes more than just playing your "A" game at the table, but putting in time after the game is over to review your hand histories, as well as education and researching. The following is part four of a series of four posts that I will be posting dealing with my pre- and post- game process.
The Supplemental Tools
The final [and smallest] piece of my process is spent looking for ways to increase my profits. As I have posted here before, and will continue to post, I find deals through various deal sites such as slickdeals.com or fatwallet.com. The deals I find there enable me to get a positive return on investment (ROI) just as the process components above, but this is an example of tangible assets. For example, are you aware that there is a Wireless Poker Controller which basically amounts to a portable joystick for fast switching and controlling poker tables? Though it is expensive, in the [far] future, I may consider purchasing it if I can see where it will help my game. Moreover, as everyone who reads this blog already knows, I use PokerTracker, which is a
poker tracking and analysis software tool - which displays real-time statistics on your poker table. Finally, this part of my process can go so far as to the purchase of a new laptop for my poker playing (by the way, the new laptop has nearly paid for itself already by the sheer volume of additional hands I can see by 6 tabling). This part of the process accounts for the final 5% of the non-poker playing time.
In the end, when it's all said and done, over the long term - do the results really matter? The question is: have you maximized the profitability for the hands you're dealt? Are you going to be the player who breaks even after rakeback, or are you going to be the player who puts in the time and plugs the holes to maximize your performance on the table? Formulate your game plan away from the table. Execute the process you have mapped out for yourself, which suits your own style and interests. Commit and dedicate yourself to following out that process. In the end, the results will show.
The Supplemental Tools
The final [and smallest] piece of my process is spent looking for ways to increase my profits. As I have posted here before, and will continue to post, I find deals through various deal sites such as slickdeals.com or fatwallet.com. The deals I find there enable me to get a positive return on investment (ROI) just as the process components above, but this is an example of tangible assets. For example, are you aware that there is a Wireless Poker Controller which basically amounts to a portable joystick for fast switching and controlling poker tables? Though it is expensive, in the [far] future, I may consider purchasing it if I can see where it will help my game. Moreover, as everyone who reads this blog already knows, I use PokerTracker, which is a
poker tracking and analysis software tool - which displays real-time statistics on your poker table. Finally, this part of my process can go so far as to the purchase of a new laptop for my poker playing (by the way, the new laptop has nearly paid for itself already by the sheer volume of additional hands I can see by 6 tabling). This part of the process accounts for the final 5% of the non-poker playing time.
In the end, when it's all said and done, over the long term - do the results really matter? The question is: have you maximized the profitability for the hands you're dealt? Are you going to be the player who breaks even after rakeback, or are you going to be the player who puts in the time and plugs the holes to maximize your performance on the table? Formulate your game plan away from the table. Execute the process you have mapped out for yourself, which suits your own style and interests. Commit and dedicate yourself to following out that process. In the end, the results will show.
What would you do? #20
Another orphaned pot example:
V is 15/7/1.0 75% cbet @ 337 hands:
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355005
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $51.55
BB: $25.55
UTG: $15.20
UTG+1: $66.35
Hero (MP1): $76.90
MP2: $7.75
CO: $50.00
BTN: $18.55
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with 5d 4d
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, Hero calls $1.50, 5 folds
Flop: ($3.75) Kc 2d 6s (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $2, Hero calls $2
This bet makes no sense in this spot; why is he leading here? I call to peel off another card... Plus, if need be, I have a gut shot.
Turn: ($7.75) 6d (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $3, UTG+1 calls $3
I turn a gut shot flush draw. PLUS, UTG+1 "gives up" on the hand. Now, there is reason to bet for value. I can represent a scared K who is concerned about the backdoor flush. He calls the turn, though...
River: ($13.75) Jh (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero ???
If bet, how much? You want to minimize the pain if he shows up with something or comes over the top, but you want to get him to fold in the same action...
Click to see results
Hero bets $5.25, UTG+1 folds
Final Pot: $13.75
Hero wins $13.10
(Rake: $0.65)
V is 15/7/1.0 75% cbet @ 337 hands:
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355005
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: $51.55
BB: $25.55
UTG: $15.20
UTG+1: $66.35
Hero (MP1): $76.90
MP2: $7.75
CO: $50.00
BTN: $18.55
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with 5d 4d
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, Hero calls $1.50, 5 folds
Flop: ($3.75) Kc 2d 6s (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $2, Hero calls $2
This bet makes no sense in this spot; why is he leading here? I call to peel off another card... Plus, if need be, I have a gut shot.
Turn: ($7.75) 6d (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $3, UTG+1 calls $3
I turn a gut shot flush draw. PLUS, UTG+1 "gives up" on the hand. Now, there is reason to bet for value. I can represent a scared K who is concerned about the backdoor flush. He calls the turn, though...
River: ($13.75) Jh (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero ???
If bet, how much? You want to minimize the pain if he shows up with something or comes over the top, but you want to get him to fold in the same action...
Click to see results
Hero bets $5.25, UTG+1 folds
Final Pot: $13.75
Hero wins $13.10
(Rake: $0.65)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pre- and post- game process - Part III
I'm finding that more and more, in order to continue being a successful poker player, one needs to maintain discipline at all times. Discipline includes more than just playing your "A" game at the table, but putting in time after the game is over to review your hand histories, as well as education and researching. The following is part three of a series of four posts that I will be posting dealing with my pre- and post- game process.
Blogging and videos
The third part of my process is online primarily internet related poker education. This portion of my non-playing time includes writing on the blog you are reading right now, as well as posting and reviewing other bloggers' hand histories and posts, and the newly incorporated watching training videos. I can't immediately think of a parallel to engineering for this part, other than the social aspect of my job - talking with other engineers about various issues I am running into. However, this avenue allows me to explore other player's (at similar stakes) thought processes and allows me a venue to air my own misgivings on how I think I played a particular hand. In addition, it also reassures me and gives me confidence by reading that other players are running into similar situations as me. As an added bonus, I have the opportunity to read strategic thoughts from players who are a lot better than I, and who have insights I may or may not have considered prior. Tracking said blogs and bloggers is simplified with Google Reader, which is part of the Google suite of online applications. Via Atom or RSS feeds, I can track and keep up on all my favorite blogs without even needing to visit the site itself.
Finally, similar to reading blogs, watching training videos enables me to see a mass of hands with a commentary similar to that of having a coach on my shoulder. I can certainly put myself in the situation of the video and simulate in my head how I would or would not make a move. Essentially, I get a poker coach for free! Assuming that I am disciplined enough to take a critical and honest look at my own play, I can adapt the videos into my game. I realize that some of you don't qualify for the free training videos, but as little as 1375 Full Tilt base points will net you a free week. There should be no excuse for not already having signed up for the free training. My online time accounts for approximately 55% of my non-playing poker time.
Blogging and videos
The third part of my process is online primarily internet related poker education. This portion of my non-playing time includes writing on the blog you are reading right now, as well as posting and reviewing other bloggers' hand histories and posts, and the newly incorporated watching training videos. I can't immediately think of a parallel to engineering for this part, other than the social aspect of my job - talking with other engineers about various issues I am running into. However, this avenue allows me to explore other player's (at similar stakes) thought processes and allows me a venue to air my own misgivings on how I think I played a particular hand. In addition, it also reassures me and gives me confidence by reading that other players are running into similar situations as me. As an added bonus, I have the opportunity to read strategic thoughts from players who are a lot better than I, and who have insights I may or may not have considered prior. Tracking said blogs and bloggers is simplified with Google Reader, which is part of the Google suite of online applications. Via Atom or RSS feeds, I can track and keep up on all my favorite blogs without even needing to visit the site itself.
Finally, similar to reading blogs, watching training videos enables me to see a mass of hands with a commentary similar to that of having a coach on my shoulder. I can certainly put myself in the situation of the video and simulate in my head how I would or would not make a move. Essentially, I get a poker coach for free! Assuming that I am disciplined enough to take a critical and honest look at my own play, I can adapt the videos into my game. I realize that some of you don't qualify for the free training videos, but as little as 1375 Full Tilt base points will net you a free week. There should be no excuse for not already having signed up for the free training. My online time accounts for approximately 55% of my non-playing poker time.
What would you do? #19
VPIP 33/ PFR 27 / AF 6.5 / C-bet 80% / Attempt to steal 75% @ 60 hands...
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355039
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $44.00
BTN: $20.25
SB: $30.35
BB: $30.00
UTG: $9.50
UTG+1: $91.80
Hero (MP): $58.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP with Ah Qs
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4.50, 4 folds, UTG+1 calls $3
Clearly, this is an aggressive player. He is smart, and thinking. I'm not normally one to raise AQs in MP, but against this guy, he a has a fairly wide raising range.
Flop: ($9.75) Th 6h 3c (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $5, UTG+1 calls $5
2 hearts, but a miss for me. I'm assuming it's a miss for him too.
Turn: ($19.75) 4h (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $7, UTG+1 raises to $20, Hero calls $13
The flush gets there. I really still have him on air here, but I have the nut flush redraw as a backup. Do you really believe he is check / raising a flush?
River: ($59.75) Qc (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $62.30 all in, $29 behind for me..., Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero calls $28.75 all in
Final Pot: $117.25
UTG+1 shows Kc Ad (Ace King high)
Hero shows Ah Qs (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $114.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Based on his hyper aggressiveness, he was clobbering me all day. I can't see him pushing here if he does indeed have the flush. In addition, he can't have the nut flush and my c/r call has to be making him a bit uncomfortable. His shove says he wants me to fold - I therefore do the opposite.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355039
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $44.00
BTN: $20.25
SB: $30.35
BB: $30.00
UTG: $9.50
UTG+1: $91.80
Hero (MP): $58.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP with Ah Qs
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, Hero raises to $4.50, 4 folds, UTG+1 calls $3
Clearly, this is an aggressive player. He is smart, and thinking. I'm not normally one to raise AQs in MP, but against this guy, he a has a fairly wide raising range.
Flop: ($9.75) Th 6h 3c (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $5, UTG+1 calls $5
2 hearts, but a miss for me. I'm assuming it's a miss for him too.
Turn: ($19.75) 4h (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $7, UTG+1 raises to $20, Hero calls $13
The flush gets there. I really still have him on air here, but I have the nut flush redraw as a backup. Do you really believe he is check / raising a flush?
River: ($59.75) Qc (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $62.30 all in, $29 behind for me..., Hero ???
Click to see results
Hero calls $28.75 all in
Final Pot: $117.25
UTG+1 shows Kc Ad (Ace King high)
Hero shows Ah Qs (a pair of Queens)
Hero wins $114.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Based on his hyper aggressiveness, he was clobbering me all day. I can't see him pushing here if he does indeed have the flush. In addition, he can't have the nut flush and my c/r call has to be making him a bit uncomfortable. His shove says he wants me to fold - I therefore do the opposite.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Not really sure what I did wrong here...
1st hand. No priors:
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/356916
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP1: $9.75
MP2: $65.70
CO: $27.55
BTN: $39.35
SB: $50.00
Hero (BB): $50.00
UTG: $10.00
UTG+1: $18.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with As Ah
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4, UTG+1 calls $3.50, MP2 calls $3
Flop: ($12.25) 6s Jh 8s (3 players)
Hero bets $6, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls $6
Turn: ($24.25) 5h (2 players)
Hero bets $15, MP2 calls $15
River: ($54.25) Qc (2 players)
Hero bets $25 all in, MP2 calls $25
I'm committed here, right? I don't want to give him the opportunity to check through. Should I have just shoved the turn?
Final Pot: $104.25
MP2 shows Th 9d (a straight, Queen high)
Hero shows As Ah (a pair of Aces)
MP2 wins $101.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/356916
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP1: $9.75
MP2: $65.70
CO: $27.55
BTN: $39.35
SB: $50.00
Hero (BB): $50.00
UTG: $10.00
UTG+1: $18.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with As Ah
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4, UTG+1 calls $3.50, MP2 calls $3
Flop: ($12.25) 6s Jh 8s (3 players)
Hero bets $6, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls $6
Turn: ($24.25) 5h (2 players)
Hero bets $15, MP2 calls $15
River: ($54.25) Qc (2 players)
Hero bets $25 all in, MP2 calls $25
I'm committed here, right? I don't want to give him the opportunity to check through. Should I have just shoved the turn?
Final Pot: $104.25
MP2 shows Th 9d (a straight, Queen high)
Hero shows As Ah (a pair of Aces)
MP2 wins $101.25
(Rake: $3.00)
Breaking Down the 3-Bet
I don't three-bet enough. Do you?
How often do you three bet? For me in $25 NL over the last ~38,000 hands, my 3-betting % is 2.65. When you break this down, this doesn't even include all of the most premium hands with very high win rates. This means that I'm flatting with AK, QQ, JJ and 10-10 a lot instead of 3-betting. When I'm out of position, I'm more inclined to 3-bet, but while in position I generally view the positional advantage as a key driver to my success with these hands. It is for this reason that I elect to flat call more often. If the board is threatening or I miss completely, I've allowed myself to release my hand more easily, while if I build a larger pot pre-flop I'm going to be greater committed to my hand. I've realized that this 'scared to get my money in behind' mentaily is a roadblock to success and false fear of a very profitable situation.
I also hate getting 4-bet with a wider 3-bet range, although I'm coming to terms with the fact that I need to increase my 3-betting range to about 5-6% to make sure that I'm getting optimal value out of my more premium hands. However, this doesn't necessarily mean I need to 3-bet with JJ every time I see them. I can of course throw some other hands into my 3-betting range when the situation presents itself which aren't top 6% hands.
For instance, say I'm on the button with 100BB effective stacks. An active player makes a standard 3x open. I may 3-bet with a hand like 9c-10c or 5s5h. A lot of the time this player may fold pre-flop providing me with pure un-raked profit with a hand that doesn't typically play well post-flop. Other times I will be able to win the pot on the flop with a continuation bet since I've shown significant strength before the flop. Remember, my opponent will miss the flop at least 2/3 of the time. If I manage to hit a set and my opponent has an overpair to the board or top-pair-top-kicker to the board, I'll have a very good shot at stacking the villain because we are closer to our committment threshold(s).
From what I've observed at the higher/est stakes [both tournaments and cash games] is rampant 3-betting and 4-betting amongst players. Often times you'll see that they're showing down 44 vs AQo, when in your normal home game this line would only be AA vs KK or KK vs QQ. Take a moment and think about why there is so much 3/4-betting occurring. Essentially, all of the players which are playing the profitable 3/4betting ranges are exploiting those who don't. And it should also be stated that high stakes players wouldn't 3-bet light if it wasn't profitable.
How often do you three bet? For me in $25 NL over the last ~38,000 hands, my 3-betting % is 2.65. When you break this down, this doesn't even include all of the most premium hands with very high win rates. This means that I'm flatting with AK, QQ, JJ and 10-10 a lot instead of 3-betting. When I'm out of position, I'm more inclined to 3-bet, but while in position I generally view the positional advantage as a key driver to my success with these hands. It is for this reason that I elect to flat call more often. If the board is threatening or I miss completely, I've allowed myself to release my hand more easily, while if I build a larger pot pre-flop I'm going to be greater committed to my hand. I've realized that this 'scared to get my money in behind' mentaily is a roadblock to success and false fear of a very profitable situation.
I also hate getting 4-bet with a wider 3-bet range, although I'm coming to terms with the fact that I need to increase my 3-betting range to about 5-6% to make sure that I'm getting optimal value out of my more premium hands. However, this doesn't necessarily mean I need to 3-bet with JJ every time I see them. I can of course throw some other hands into my 3-betting range when the situation presents itself which aren't top 6% hands.
For instance, say I'm on the button with 100BB effective stacks. An active player makes a standard 3x open. I may 3-bet with a hand like 9c-10c or 5s5h. A lot of the time this player may fold pre-flop providing me with pure un-raked profit with a hand that doesn't typically play well post-flop. Other times I will be able to win the pot on the flop with a continuation bet since I've shown significant strength before the flop. Remember, my opponent will miss the flop at least 2/3 of the time. If I manage to hit a set and my opponent has an overpair to the board or top-pair-top-kicker to the board, I'll have a very good shot at stacking the villain because we are closer to our committment threshold(s).
From what I've observed at the higher/est stakes [both tournaments and cash games] is rampant 3-betting and 4-betting amongst players. Often times you'll see that they're showing down 44 vs AQo, when in your normal home game this line would only be AA vs KK or KK vs QQ. Take a moment and think about why there is so much 3/4-betting occurring. Essentially, all of the players which are playing the profitable 3/4betting ranges are exploiting those who don't. And it should also be stated that high stakes players wouldn't 3-bet light if it wasn't profitable.
Pre- and post- game process - Part II
I'm finding that more and more, in order to continue being a successful poker player, one needs to maintain discipline at all times. Discipline includes more than just playing your "A" game at the table, but putting in time after the game is over to review your hand histories, as well as education and researching. The following is part two of a series of four posts that I will be posting dealing with my pre- and post- game process.
Reading
Another part of my process is reading books. I will be honest - reading poker books is about as dry as life can get. The only thing worse than technical poker reading is reading science books like calculus or biology. As an engineer, I also think that ready interface definition documents (IDDs) or technical documentation on protocols is equally boring. However, it is a critical element to your game, and just like taking medicine, you need to read and educate yourself. There are a few books that I've read over the past years that are re-readable and worthwhile... Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I, Doyle Brunson's Super System: A Course in Power Poker, Doyle Brunson's Super System 2: A Course in Power Poker, and Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em to name a few..., but by-and-large, I think you are missing a big portion of your overall strategy if you are not reading poker books.
I think there is a lot to be gained by reading books. There is plenty of strategic advice to be gleaned from books, where online content may fall short. In addition, there are plenty of free online books such as Ryan Fee's 6 Max NL Strategy Guide (his website is down, so this link is the closest I could find to the original version of the book). The only caution I take with book reading is, for the most part, books provide good overall strategy, but they can become dated with time - poker is a game that is continually changing its look at the table. Nowadays, people will 3 bet lighter, whereas in certain books, it is suggested that a 3 bet means only AA, KK or AK. Only recent editions of books will accommodate modern times. Finally, books can help supplement the lack of face-to-face playing time. A perfect example of such a book is the timeless Caro's Book of Poker Tells. At any rate, offline book reading accounts for perhaps 10% of my non-playing time.
Reading
Another part of my process is reading books. I will be honest - reading poker books is about as dry as life can get. The only thing worse than technical poker reading is reading science books like calculus or biology. As an engineer, I also think that ready interface definition documents (IDDs) or technical documentation on protocols is equally boring. However, it is a critical element to your game, and just like taking medicine, you need to read and educate yourself. There are a few books that I've read over the past years that are re-readable and worthwhile... Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I, Doyle Brunson's Super System: A Course in Power Poker, Doyle Brunson's Super System 2: A Course in Power Poker, and Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em to name a few..., but by-and-large, I think you are missing a big portion of your overall strategy if you are not reading poker books.
I think there is a lot to be gained by reading books. There is plenty of strategic advice to be gleaned from books, where online content may fall short. In addition, there are plenty of free online books such as Ryan Fee's 6 Max NL Strategy Guide (his website is down, so this link is the closest I could find to the original version of the book). The only caution I take with book reading is, for the most part, books provide good overall strategy, but they can become dated with time - poker is a game that is continually changing its look at the table. Nowadays, people will 3 bet lighter, whereas in certain books, it is suggested that a 3 bet means only AA, KK or AK. Only recent editions of books will accommodate modern times. Finally, books can help supplement the lack of face-to-face playing time. A perfect example of such a book is the timeless Caro's Book of Poker Tells. At any rate, offline book reading accounts for perhaps 10% of my non-playing time.
What would you do? #18
This is an example of a hand where it becomes a matter of philosophy... Do you go after every pot relentlessly? This pot appears to be what I like to call "orphaned," which is to say that no one seems very interested in capturing it.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/354920
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
Hero (BTN): $50.00
SB: $72.65
BB: $53.10
UTG: $12.05
UTG+1: $5.10
MP1: $46.65
MP2: $12.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with Jd Th
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $2.75, UTG+1 calls $2.75, MP2 calls $2.75
Typical squeeze, but I did *NOT* expect this many callers...
Flop: ($13.75) 2s 5h 7d (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50
I have a backdoor and overs (which are probably worthless); I'm going to call this.
Turn: ($15.75) 8c (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50
I *SHOULD* have raised right here & now and raised big, but I don't know what I was thinking...
River: ($17.75) 4s (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, MP2 checks, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???
At this time, no one knows where anyone else is. There has not been much post flop betting other than the .50 that everyone keeps contributing to. What do you do in this spot? I don't think the results matter much, but the question is bet or check - and if bet, how much?
For reference, here are the remaining stack sizes:
Hero (BTN): $46.25
UTG: $8.30
UTG+1: $1.35
MP2: $9.00
Click to see results
Hero bets $8.25, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls $8.25
Final Pot: $34.25
Hero shows Jd Th (Jack Ten high)
MP2 shows 4h Ad (a pair of Fours)
MP2 wins $32.55
(Rake: $1.70)
In retrospect, I think this was a dumb bet on my part, if for nothing else but based on the remaining stack sizes. However, would this be different if the effective starting stacks were 100BBs deep? How would you treat it differently?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/354920
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
Hero (BTN): $50.00
SB: $72.65
BB: $53.10
UTG: $12.05
UTG+1: $5.10
MP1: $46.65
MP2: $12.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with Jd Th
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $2.75, UTG+1 calls $2.75, MP2 calls $2.75
Typical squeeze, but I did *NOT* expect this many callers...
Flop: ($13.75) 2s 5h 7d (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50
I have a backdoor and overs (which are probably worthless); I'm going to call this.
Turn: ($15.75) 8c (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50
I *SHOULD* have raised right here & now and raised big, but I don't know what I was thinking...
River: ($17.75) 4s (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, MP2 checks, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???
At this time, no one knows where anyone else is. There has not been much post flop betting other than the .50 that everyone keeps contributing to. What do you do in this spot? I don't think the results matter much, but the question is bet or check - and if bet, how much?
For reference, here are the remaining stack sizes:
Hero (BTN): $46.25
UTG: $8.30
UTG+1: $1.35
MP2: $9.00
Click to see results
Hero bets $8.25, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 calls $8.25
Final Pot: $34.25
Hero shows Jd Th (Jack Ten high)
MP2 shows 4h Ad (a pair of Fours)
MP2 wins $32.55
(Rake: $1.70)
In retrospect, I think this was a dumb bet on my part, if for nothing else but based on the remaining stack sizes. However, would this be different if the effective starting stacks were 100BBs deep? How would you treat it differently?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
New Tommy Angelo post on live poker & representing a winner
I *LOVE* Tommy Angelo. His insights are refreshing and poignant. He always has a great observational perspective.
Assume the Position is his latest post. It is one of those subjects that seem obvious; I'm sure you've acted the part before... but it's great that he caught it on paper (or electronic). It is a good read! Definitely worth your time to check it out.
Assume the Position is his latest post. It is one of those subjects that seem obvious; I'm sure you've acted the part before... but it's great that he caught it on paper (or electronic). It is a good read! Definitely worth your time to check it out.
The Poker Meister #36
My old friend....
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355521
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP: $63.10
CO: $44.40
Hero (BTN): $50.00
SB: $16.75
BB: $12.00
UTG: $26.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 9s Js
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) Kd Ts 5h (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $3, UTG calls $3
Turn: ($11.25) Qd (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $7, UTG folds
True to his word, he always gets there. Too bad I didn't get paid.
Final Pot: $11.25
Hero wins $10.70
(Rake: $0.55)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/355521
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP: $63.10
CO: $44.40
Hero (BTN): $50.00
SB: $16.75
BB: $12.00
UTG: $26.70
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 9s Js
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.75
Flop: ($5.25) Kd Ts 5h (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $3, UTG calls $3
Turn: ($11.25) Qd (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $7, UTG folds
True to his word, he always gets there. Too bad I didn't get paid.
Final Pot: $11.25
Hero wins $10.70
(Rake: $0.55)
Pre- and post- game process - Part I
I'm finding that more and more, in order to continue being a successful poker player, one needs to maintain discipline at all times. Discipline includes more than just playing your "A" game at the table, but putting in time after the game is over to review your hand histories, as well as education and researching. The following is part of a series of four posts that I will be posting dealing with my pre- and post- game process.
Working full time as an engineer, if I have learned anything, I have learned that process is critical to success. Although process can be tedious at times, the simple fact is that if a process is not in place, quality inevitably decreases and issues with the product eventually surface. Poker should be no different than an engineering exercise; in fact the parallels are uncanny. The "product" is the game you play, the thought process you use, and the winnings you take off the field. Forgoing the process once in awhile, aka short-cutting, will, for the most part, allow you to get away without decreased results. However, total long term neglect to the process will, without a doubt, net you decreased profits - and perhaps a session or multiple sessions loss. What is important here is formulating a process and sticking to it with the discipline talked about earlier.
The Hand Review
As part of my process, I am continually reviewing my Poker Tracker database hand histories, looking back at my hands (major and minor pots) to see what I did correctly and what I did incorrectly. More frequently, I look at the major hands (I sort by pot size and look at the max gain / max loss), but I also look through the middle sections (smaller wins or losses) to find hidden issues or leaks with my game. Every once in awhile, it is necessary to dissect overall profitability from individual hands (i.e. Known Starting Hands Summary) to find your profit centers and loss hands (I was a losing player with The Poker Meister J9s, last month :-( ). In my opinion, the hand review is tantamount to maximizing profit while playing the game.
In my mind, I exercise the Six Sigma (6σ) strategy to cut down these issues and / or formulate appropriate strategies to combat putting myself in the awkward losing spots or not getting enough value out of the hand in the winning spots. 99% of the time, I always have issue with at least one hand in the session, where I either misread my opponent's strength or weakness and made an inappropriate move. Part of my "improvement" process includes posting hand histories to this blog - where I have an opportunity to get outside opinions on my play. Another part of my "improvement" process is discussing the questionable hands with other poker players whose game I respect. Hand history review accounts for around 30% of my non-playing time.
Working full time as an engineer, if I have learned anything, I have learned that process is critical to success. Although process can be tedious at times, the simple fact is that if a process is not in place, quality inevitably decreases and issues with the product eventually surface. Poker should be no different than an engineering exercise; in fact the parallels are uncanny. The "product" is the game you play, the thought process you use, and the winnings you take off the field. Forgoing the process once in awhile, aka short-cutting, will, for the most part, allow you to get away without decreased results. However, total long term neglect to the process will, without a doubt, net you decreased profits - and perhaps a session or multiple sessions loss. What is important here is formulating a process and sticking to it with the discipline talked about earlier.
The Hand Review
As part of my process, I am continually reviewing my Poker Tracker database hand histories, looking back at my hands (major and minor pots) to see what I did correctly and what I did incorrectly. More frequently, I look at the major hands (I sort by pot size and look at the max gain / max loss), but I also look through the middle sections (smaller wins or losses) to find hidden issues or leaks with my game. Every once in awhile, it is necessary to dissect overall profitability from individual hands (i.e. Known Starting Hands Summary) to find your profit centers and loss hands (I was a losing player with The Poker Meister J9s, last month :-( ). In my opinion, the hand review is tantamount to maximizing profit while playing the game.
In my mind, I exercise the Six Sigma (6σ) strategy to cut down these issues and / or formulate appropriate strategies to combat putting myself in the awkward losing spots or not getting enough value out of the hand in the winning spots. 99% of the time, I always have issue with at least one hand in the session, where I either misread my opponent's strength or weakness and made an inappropriate move. Part of my "improvement" process includes posting hand histories to this blog - where I have an opportunity to get outside opinions on my play. Another part of my "improvement" process is discussing the questionable hands with other poker players whose game I respect. Hand history review accounts for around 30% of my non-playing time.
Flopped quads
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/354975
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $11.70
SB: $37.30
BB: $25.70
UTG: $58.60
Hero (UTG+1): $56.35
UTG+2: $10.00
MP1: $50.00
MP2: $17.85
CO: $22.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Td Tc
1 fold, Hero raises to $1.75, 2 folds, MP2 calls $1.75, 4 folds
Flop: ($4.25) 3h Th Ts (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks
Turn: ($4.25) Ac (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks
River: ($4.25) Ks (2 players)
Hero bets $4.25, MP2 folds
Final Pot: $4.25
Hero wins $4.05
(Rake: $0.20)
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: $11.70
SB: $37.30
BB: $25.70
UTG: $58.60
Hero (UTG+1): $56.35
UTG+2: $10.00
MP1: $50.00
MP2: $17.85
CO: $22.75
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with Td Tc
1 fold, Hero raises to $1.75, 2 folds, MP2 calls $1.75, 4 folds
Flop: ($4.25) 3h Th Ts (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks
Turn: ($4.25) Ac (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks
River: ($4.25) Ks (2 players)
Hero bets $4.25, MP2 folds
Final Pot: $4.25
Hero wins $4.05
(Rake: $0.20)
Played in the Mookie last night..
During last night's Mookie, the blogger tournament, I was 11 hands in and the following happens: The Poker Meister turns a boat!Doesn't much matter - I didn't get paid for the hand, but it sure was neat. I was hoping it was a sign from the Poker Gods of good things to follow...
Full Tilt Poker The Mookie No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t15/t30 Blinds - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/354513
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: t2850 M = 63.33
UTG+1: t2985 M = 66.33
MP1: t2940 M = 65.33
Hero (MP2): t2805 M = 62.33
CO: t3120 M = 69.33
BTN: t3285 M = 73
SB: t3690 M = 82
BB: t2325 M = 51.67
Pre Flop: (t45) Hero is MP2 with Jc 9c
1 fold, UTG+1 calls t30, 1 fold, Hero raises to t125, 1 fold, BTN calls t125, 3 folds
Flop: (t325) Js 9d 7c (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: (t325) 9s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
River: (t325) 2h (2 players)
Hero bets t325, BTN folds
Final Pot: t325
Hero wins t325
But, alas, it was not meant to be... because the Poker Meister would later break me:Full Tilt Poker The Mookie No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t300/t600 Blinds + t75 - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/354527
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG+1: t18225 M = 12.79
MP: t18999 M = 13.33
Hero (CO): t8504 M = 5.97
BTN: t9150 M = 6.42
SB: t13082 M = 9.18
BB: t23525 M = 16.51
UTG: t4515 M = 3.17
Pre Flop: (t1425) Hero is CO with 6h Qh
3 folds, Hero raises to t1800, 2 folds, BB calls t1200
Flop: (t4425) Tc Qd Kc (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets t6629 all in, BB calls t6629
Turn: (t17683) 7s (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t17683) Td (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t17683
Hero shows 6h Qh (two pair, Queens and Tens)
BB shows Jh 9h (a straight, King high)
BB wins t17683
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The plan to $100NL
My bankroll continues to grow and I feel like I am beginning to dominate $50NL. I have approximately 50K hands in the $50NL level, and would like to put in another 30K to really prove that last month was a statistical anomaly and nothing more. Therefore, I plan, by month end, to start taking shots at $100NL. I put my first "official" attempt (I secretly took a shot 3 weeks ago and played ~100 hands, getting stacked :-( ) right around mid month, if all goes well. It really depends on my bankroll at this point - I would like to have about $3-4K... With rakeback, I am well on pace to hit that amount by exactly the 15th.
What would you do? #17
A quick WWYD hand for this Wednesday morning. I'm continuing to run well - I sucked out a 2 outter vs. a guy with an unraised PF board of A K 4 (I hold A4 vs. his AK), but I guess I have my fair share of negative EV to make up from last month. I will admit that it did feel good to suckout like that...
Anyway, MP1 is a 14/4/3.1 @ 290 hands. The point of concern here is the VPIP of 14 & 4 PFR... What to do, what to do?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/353720
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $84.80
BTN: $50.00
Hero (SB): $52.05
BB: $21.00
UTG: $9.50
UTG+1: $9.25
MP1: $57.65
MP2: $9.05
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Kc Kh
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.25, 1 fold, MP1 calls $2.75, 1 fold
Flop: ($7.50) 8h 7d 6c (2 players)
Hero bets $4, MP1 raises to $12, Hero calls $8
With a 14, I'm not so worried about the straight... The 3x re-raise is a concern, though...
Turn: ($31.50) Qd (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $42.40 all in, Hero ???
What is he representing here? Better, what holdings is he limping then flatting a PF raise, in position? I believe it could be pretty wide... Since he's a PFR of 4, I can even include hands like JJ, TT, 99... But when the Queen comes out, he shovels it in... I don't believe the Queen changes anything in the hand other than adding a 2 flush to the miserable flop. What are you doing in this situation?
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero folds
Final Pot: $31.50
MP1 wins $29.95
(Rake: $1.55)
Anyway, MP1 is a 14/4/3.1 @ 290 hands. The point of concern here is the VPIP of 14 & 4 PFR... What to do, what to do?
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/353720
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $84.80
BTN: $50.00
Hero (SB): $52.05
BB: $21.00
UTG: $9.50
UTG+1: $9.25
MP1: $57.65
MP2: $9.05
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Kc Kh
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3.25, 1 fold, MP1 calls $2.75, 1 fold
Flop: ($7.50) 8h 7d 6c (2 players)
Hero bets $4, MP1 raises to $12, Hero calls $8
With a 14, I'm not so worried about the straight... The 3x re-raise is a concern, though...
Turn: ($31.50) Qd (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $42.40 all in, Hero ???
What is he representing here? Better, what holdings is he limping then flatting a PF raise, in position? I believe it could be pretty wide... Since he's a PFR of 4, I can even include hands like JJ, TT, 99... But when the Queen comes out, he shovels it in... I don't believe the Queen changes anything in the hand other than adding a 2 flush to the miserable flop. What are you doing in this situation?
Click to see results
Hero requests TIME, Hero folds
Final Pot: $31.50
MP1 wins $29.95
(Rake: $1.55)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
22" ViewSonic 1080p LCD Monitor $128
Copied from bradsdeals.com, this is the monitor that I bought 2 of 2 weeks ago. This is a great deal for a 1920x1080 monitor to be *EASILY* able to fit 6+ screens in with PT3 running. Definitely check it out.
Instructions:
- Go to Dell Small Business via this link and add the item(s) to your cart (new window will open).
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Running well again
Had a nice session last night to kick off the month and put October behind me.
I could not believe the level of donkiness I ran into last night. This is somewhat of a brag post, because there aren't really any interesting hands. The only thought I have as far as these hands are that I seriously question the value of getting AKo all in pre-flop to a 3- or 4- bet. Personally, I am not one to put AK all in pre-flop; I'm not a fan of, at best (generally), a coin flip for 100BBs.
I need to save the AA / KK hands for all the times I get crushed holding AA:
Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352350
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
BTN: $24.55
SB: $71.60
BB: $52.90
UTG: $9.25
UTG+1: $42.65
Hero (MP1): $65.85
MP2: $4.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Ah Qc
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 3 folds, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold
Flop: ($4.00) 6h Ac As (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.75, SB calls $1.75
Turn: ($7.50) Qs (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.75, SB calls $1.75
River: ($11.00) 4h (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $11, SB raises to $22, Hero raises to $60.60 all in
Final Pot: $132.20
SB mucks Ad 5c - Yet another example of why you don't call a raised pot with Ace Rag - PARTICULARLY out of position! DONKEY!
Hero shows Ah Qc (a full house, Aces full of Queens)
Hero wins $129.20
(Rake: $3.00)
Hand #2
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352351
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (MP1): $120.65
MP2: $59.50
CO: $11.15
BTN: $51.70
SB: $34.95
BB: $54.20
UTG: $53.15
UTG+1: $50.00
UTG+2: $10.50
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Kd Ks
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $5, 5 folds, UTG+1 raises to $50 all in, Hero calls $45
From my $5 3 bet to an all in full 100 BB shove of $50 4 bet? Did I miss something?
Flop: ($100.75) 8h 4s 7s
Turn: ($100.75) 3d
River: ($100.75) 6d
Final Pot: $100.75
Hero shows Kd Ks (a pair of Kings)
UTG+1 shows Kh As (Ace King high)
Hero wins $97.75
(Rake: $3.00)
Hand #3
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352352
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $62.95
BTN: $50.00
SB: $49.50
BB: $19.90
UTG: $27.35
UTG+1: $10.00
Hero (UTG+2): $135.90
MP1: $20.15
MP2: $81.85
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+2 with Ad As
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 2 folds, CO raises to $3, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4.25, CO raises to $5.50, Hero raises to $12, CO raises to $18.50, Hero raises to $135.90 all in, CO calls $44.45 all in
I've never had an 8 bet pot before! This was a great takedown.
Flop: ($126.65) 8h 7c 7s
Turn: ($126.65) Th
River: ($126.65) 8s
Cards can be SO cruel! Come on, poker Gods, do you *REALLY* have to toy with me like that?
Final Pot: $126.65
CO shows Ah Kh (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
Hero shows Ad As (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Hero wins $123.65
(Rake: $3.00)
http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352350-352352
I could not believe the level of donkiness I ran into last night. This is somewhat of a brag post, because there aren't really any interesting hands. The only thought I have as far as these hands are that I seriously question the value of getting AKo all in pre-flop to a 3- or 4- bet. Personally, I am not one to put AK all in pre-flop; I'm not a fan of, at best (generally), a coin flip for 100BBs.
I need to save the AA / KK hands for all the times I get crushed holding AA:
Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352350
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $10.00
BTN: $24.55
SB: $71.60
BB: $52.90
UTG: $9.25
UTG+1: $42.65
Hero (MP1): $65.85
MP2: $4.25
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Ah Qc
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 3 folds, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold
Flop: ($4.00) 6h Ac As (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.75, SB calls $1.75
Turn: ($7.50) Qs (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.75, SB calls $1.75
River: ($11.00) 4h (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $11, SB raises to $22, Hero raises to $60.60 all in
Final Pot: $132.20
SB mucks Ad 5c - Yet another example of why you don't call a raised pot with Ace Rag - PARTICULARLY out of position! DONKEY!
Hero shows Ah Qc (a full house, Aces full of Queens)
Hero wins $129.20
(Rake: $3.00)
Hand #2
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352351
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (MP1): $120.65
MP2: $59.50
CO: $11.15
BTN: $51.70
SB: $34.95
BB: $54.20
UTG: $53.15
UTG+1: $50.00
UTG+2: $10.50
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Kd Ks
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $5, 5 folds, UTG+1 raises to $50 all in, Hero calls $45
From my $5 3 bet to an all in full 100 BB shove of $50 4 bet? Did I miss something?
Flop: ($100.75) 8h 4s 7s
Turn: ($100.75) 3d
River: ($100.75) 6d
Final Pot: $100.75
Hero shows Kd Ks (a pair of Kings)
UTG+1 shows Kh As (Ace King high)
Hero wins $97.75
(Rake: $3.00)
Hand #3
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352352
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
CO: $62.95
BTN: $50.00
SB: $49.50
BB: $19.90
UTG: $27.35
UTG+1: $10.00
Hero (UTG+2): $135.90
MP1: $20.15
MP2: $81.85
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+2 with Ad As
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 2 folds, CO raises to $3, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4.25, CO raises to $5.50, Hero raises to $12, CO raises to $18.50, Hero raises to $135.90 all in, CO calls $44.45 all in
I've never had an 8 bet pot before! This was a great takedown.
Flop: ($126.65) 8h 7c 7s
Turn: ($126.65) Th
River: ($126.65) 8s
Cards can be SO cruel! Come on, poker Gods, do you *REALLY* have to toy with me like that?
Final Pot: $126.65
CO shows Ah Kh (two pair, Eights and Sevens)
Hero shows Ad As (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Hero wins $123.65
(Rake: $3.00)
http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/352350-352352
Suicide bluff?
MP1 is a solid player: 18/11/inf @ 143 hands
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/348593
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (SB): $83.95
BB: $7.50
UTG: $24.80
UTG+1: $10.00
MP1: $72.55
MP2: $37.00
CO: $20.05
BTN: $57.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with 3c 3d
2 folds, MP1 raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.25, 1 fold
Flop: ($3.50) 7h Th 6c (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP1 calls $2
Standard cbet
Turn: ($7.50) Kh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks
This is the scare card for a multitude of reasons: He cbets the flop and I call. Now a K connects well with his range from MP1; AK, KQ are possibilities. His check through tells me pretty well that the K did not help him. I also believe at this point that the heart did not help him either.
River: ($7.50) 8h (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, MP1 requests TIME, MP1 folds
I am not quite sure where I am here. I am pretty certain that he does not have a heart. I am also pretty certain that he does not have a set. I am unsure as to what he has: 22-55 are within the realm of possibilities, JJ, QQ less likely, and AQ, AJ. I put out what looks to be a small value bet, which is truly a "call me" bet (which for most opponents is probably about $2.00 too low, but I didn't really want to dump more money into the hand in the event my read was incorrect), but I really don't want him to call me. He obviously knows he does not have a heart, and any heart I have beats him right here. Therefore, after deliberation, he begrudgingly folds.
Final Pot: $7.50
Hero wins $7.15
(Rake: $0.35)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/348593
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (SB): $83.95
BB: $7.50
UTG: $24.80
UTG+1: $10.00
MP1: $72.55
MP2: $37.00
CO: $20.05
BTN: $57.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with 3c 3d
2 folds, MP1 raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.25, 1 fold
Flop: ($3.50) 7h Th 6c (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP1 calls $2
Standard cbet
Turn: ($7.50) Kh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks
This is the scare card for a multitude of reasons: He cbets the flop and I call. Now a K connects well with his range from MP1; AK, KQ are possibilities. His check through tells me pretty well that the K did not help him. I also believe at this point that the heart did not help him either.
River: ($7.50) 8h (2 players)
Hero bets $1.50, MP1 requests TIME, MP1 folds
I am not quite sure where I am here. I am pretty certain that he does not have a heart. I am also pretty certain that he does not have a set. I am unsure as to what he has: 22-55 are within the realm of possibilities, JJ, QQ less likely, and AQ, AJ. I put out what looks to be a small value bet, which is truly a "call me" bet (which for most opponents is probably about $2.00 too low, but I didn't really want to dump more money into the hand in the event my read was incorrect), but I really don't want him to call me. He obviously knows he does not have a heart, and any heart I have beats him right here. Therefore, after deliberation, he begrudgingly folds.
Final Pot: $7.50
Hero wins $7.15
(Rake: $0.35)
Monday, November 2, 2009
A rare home game for a little live poker
Although it's been more than month since the last live home game get-together, our area poker group got a last minute game together. We had 9 players total, 2 of whom were new to the group.
The one takeaway from the game last night is: against a player who is playing any two cards (literally; this player was in 90% of the hands, including a min-raised pot, where he held 72o), be sure to make the maniac pay dearly for his limp / calls. If you enter into a pot, be sure to raise to a healthy amount to make him pay for his potential missed flops. This player is a particularly passive player who pays no attention to position - and has no problem floating and seeing all three streets. Unfortunately, against that kind of player, I find myself checking down most rivers (if unimproved) due to the fact that I really have no idea where I stand against ATC.
Regardless, I was able to turn the $30 buy-in (.25/.50 NLHE) into $100.50 for a tidy profit.
Book the first W of the month: $70.00
The one takeaway from the game last night is: against a player who is playing any two cards (literally; this player was in 90% of the hands, including a min-raised pot, where he held 72o), be sure to make the maniac pay dearly for his limp / calls. If you enter into a pot, be sure to raise to a healthy amount to make him pay for his potential missed flops. This player is a particularly passive player who pays no attention to position - and has no problem floating and seeing all three streets. Unfortunately, against that kind of player, I find myself checking down most rivers (if unimproved) due to the fact that I really have no idea where I stand against ATC.
Regardless, I was able to turn the $30 buy-in (.25/.50 NLHE) into $100.50 for a tidy profit.
Book the first W of the month: $70.00
Calling for value?
This is somewhat of a sick hand. This was my absolute first hand at the table... I've never played against the villain prior to sitting down. OMGITSJOSH & I had a nice discussion over the phone on this hand, and we agreed to disagree, while both settling on the fact that this is a marginal play.
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/348590
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $19.50
CO: $18.25
BTN: $22.60
SB: $49.50
Hero (BB): $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 7h 7s
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, SB raises to $2, Hero calls $1.50, UTG calls $1.50
UTG is flatting, and SB shows tremendous strength against an unkown (me) and an UTG limper. What range can I put him on? AA, KK, QQ, JJ (sometimes) TT-22, AKo, AKs, (sometimes) AQo, AQs.
Flop: ($6.00) Ts Th 3s (3 players)
SB bets $3, Hero calls $3, UTG folds
Pretty good flop for me; No real scare overcards and I still have position. I can fairly well eliminate TT from the list above. This is a very dry flop for both him and me. What is truly beating me here? AA, KK, QQ, JJ.
Turn: ($12.00) Jc (2 players)
SB bets $5, Hero calls $5
Not a hugely scary overcard. I think, given the lack of information I have given on my hand, and the fact that I am an unknown, SB *HAS* to slow down. I can easily have AT, AJ, JJ, and any pair that beats him. If SB has AT, AJ, good game - but I don't think he's raising pre flop in the SB with such weak holdings; particularly AT, AJ. Moreover, that range is simply not a common play at this level. AA, KK, QQ, JJ are well within a SB raiser's range, but is he pressing with them? Perhaps...
River: ($22.00) 9h (2 players)
SB bets $15, Hero calls $15
Okay. So now he makes basically a pot sized bet into an unknown opponent (me) on the river. He has absolutely NO IDEA where he is in the hand because I have called for 3 betting rounds. Definitely, KQ gets there, but I'm not accepting that he runner-ed a straight. Otherwise, the 9h is a blank; the above analysis is still valid. Again, is he going for value here, or is he trying to push me off the hand? I think a better value bet from him in this spot is $10-11.00.
Final Pot: $52.00
SB shows Kh Ac (a pair of Tens) - It's weird that he doesn't give up on the river. He fires 3 bullets with a semi bluff nut non-paired hand.
Hero shows 7h 7s (two pair, Tens and Sevens)
Hero wins $49.40
(Rake: $2.60)
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/348590
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
UTG: $19.50
CO: $18.25
BTN: $22.60
SB: $49.50
Hero (BB): $50.00
Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 7h 7s
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, SB raises to $2, Hero calls $1.50, UTG calls $1.50
UTG is flatting, and SB shows tremendous strength against an unkown (me) and an UTG limper. What range can I put him on? AA, KK, QQ, JJ (sometimes) TT-22, AKo, AKs, (sometimes) AQo, AQs.
Flop: ($6.00) Ts Th 3s (3 players)
SB bets $3, Hero calls $3, UTG folds
Pretty good flop for me; No real scare overcards and I still have position. I can fairly well eliminate TT from the list above. This is a very dry flop for both him and me. What is truly beating me here? AA, KK, QQ, JJ.
Turn: ($12.00) Jc (2 players)
SB bets $5, Hero calls $5
Not a hugely scary overcard. I think, given the lack of information I have given on my hand, and the fact that I am an unknown, SB *HAS* to slow down. I can easily have AT, AJ, JJ, and any pair that beats him. If SB has AT, AJ, good game - but I don't think he's raising pre flop in the SB with such weak holdings; particularly AT, AJ. Moreover, that range is simply not a common play at this level. AA, KK, QQ, JJ are well within a SB raiser's range, but is he pressing with them? Perhaps...
River: ($22.00) 9h (2 players)
SB bets $15, Hero calls $15
Okay. So now he makes basically a pot sized bet into an unknown opponent (me) on the river. He has absolutely NO IDEA where he is in the hand because I have called for 3 betting rounds. Definitely, KQ gets there, but I'm not accepting that he runner-ed a straight. Otherwise, the 9h is a blank; the above analysis is still valid. Again, is he going for value here, or is he trying to push me off the hand? I think a better value bet from him in this spot is $10-11.00.
Final Pot: $52.00
SB shows Kh Ac (a pair of Tens) - It's weird that he doesn't give up on the river. He fires 3 bullets with a semi bluff nut non-paired hand.
Hero shows 7h 7s (two pair, Tens and Sevens)
Hero wins $49.40
(Rake: $2.60)
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Hero folds
Final Pot: $10.65
BTN wins $10.15
(Rake: $0.50)