are you prepared to drop back to the $50's if you lose another buy in?

I am trying to figure out if I am any good at poker. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here are some of my big hands over the last 3 or 4 sessions:

Villian is about 30/20/2 over 30 hands, nothing out of line so far except is seeing a lot of flops.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (5 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

SB ($88)
BB ($73.75)
UTG ($49)
MP ($27.75)
Hero ($54.95)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
2 folds, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, BB calls $1.50.

Flop: ($4.25) , , (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3.5, BB calls $3.50.

Turn: ($11.25) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $7.5, BB raises to $68.25, Hero calls $41.95 (All-In).

River: ($110.15) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $110.15

Second hand at the table, havent played with villain before:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

CO ($19.80)
Button ($74.40)
Hero ($49.50)
BB ($54.65)
UTG ($17.75)
MP ($70.35)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, CO raises to $1.5, 1 fold, Hero raises to $5, BB calls $4.50, CO folds.

Flop: ($11.50) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $8, BB raises to $20, Hero raises to $44.5, BB calls $24.50.

Turn: ($100.50) (2 players)

River: ($100.50) (2 players)

Final Pot: $100.50

Villain is very passive, around 50/4/.5 after 50 hands, i cant remember him betting anything

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (5 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

SB ($104.70)
BB ($39.90)
UTG ($51.80)
Hero ($46.80)
Button ($60.10)

Preflop: Hero is MP with , .
1 fold, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold.

Flop: ($4.50) , , (2 players)
SB bets $4.5, Hero raises to $21, SB calls $16.50.

Turn: ($46.50) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $23.8 (All-In), SB calls $23.80.

River: ($0) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $94.10

Villain is new to the table, he had AA a few hands ago and played it aggressively (3-bet pf, shove on k-high flop)

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (5 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

BB ($25.15)
UTG ($29.75)
MP ($74.15)
Button ($52.60)
Hero ($57.85)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
1 fold, MP raises to $1.5, 1 fold, Hero raises to $5, 1 fold, MP calls $3.50.

Flop: ($10.50) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $8, MP calls $8.

Turn: ($26.50) (2 players)
Hero bets $20, MP raises to $61.15, Hero calls $24.85 (All-In).

River: ($116.20) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $116.20

1: i really dont like it...i know its AA, but i really think you're beat when he shoves the turn over you...if not, great play by him, get him somewhere else.

2: std?

3: i think you're flop raise it too big and when he calls why shove the turn? i think you're beat as soon as he calls the flop raise, but i dunno

4:std? unlucky?

Just finished a short session (370 hands) and lost about 2.5 buyins.



However, I was not very unhappy with my play. Here are a few hands:

I have played against the villian here before (50/8/2), and he is pretty bad. I have seen him call a lot of my CBs with a low pair or 2 overs or a weak draw. I have also seen him bet missed draws a few times on the river.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

SB ($65.55)
BB ($67.65)
UTG ($46.95)
MP ($174.30)
CO ($42.35)
Hero ($70.25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
3 folds, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, BB calls $1.50.

I have seen him call a lot of my raises from the BB, so this could be a wide range of hands.

Flop: ($4.25) , , (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $3, BB calls $3.

Turn: ($10.25) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $7.5, BB calls $7.50.

At this point, I am worried that he might have a big hand, but could also see him calling with just the . So at this point, i am thinking he had a set on the flop, has the other J, a flush, or the NFD.

River: ($25.25) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $15, BB raises to $30, Hero raises to $57.75, BB calls $25.15 (All-In).

My gut was telling me to just call his minraise because i was SURE he had a flush or full house. But because i am only behind KK, KJ, i was ahead of his range.

Final Pot: $135.56


One outer. Cool.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

UTG ($44.05)
MP ($49.75)
Hero ($50)
Button ($24.25)
SB ($37.35)
BB ($42.35)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.5, Button calls $2.50, SB calls $2.25, 1 fold, UTG calls $2.

Flop: ($10.50) , , (4 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $7.5, Button folds, SB raises to $16.5, UTG folds, Hero raises to $47.5, SB calls $18.35 (All-In).

Turn: ($80.20) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($80.20) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $80.20

Results in white below:
SB has 6h 6c (four of a kind, sixes).
Hero has Ac As (full house, aces full of sixes).
Outcome: SB wins $80.20. Hero wins $12.65.


No good reads on villain, but he is pretty passive (something like 20/10/1 after 35 hands).

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

BB ($66.50)
UTG ($146.85)
MP ($50)
CO ($5.50)
Button ($71.20)
Hero ($50.50)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
UTG calls $0.50, 3 folds, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($1.50) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $1.5, BB calls $1.50, UTG calls $1.50.

Turn: ($6) (3 players)
Hero bets $5, BB calls $5, UTG folds.

River: ($16) (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $10, Hero calls $10.

Final Pot: $36

Results in white below:
Hero has 7d 8d (straight, jack high).
BB has 9d Qd (straight, queen high).
Outcome: BB wins $36.

Is villain ever betting this river without the Q, especially one who i know isnt very aggressive?

Villain is new to the table 10 hands ago, hasnt done much yet.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

Button ($66.50)
SB ($153.35)
BB ($49.25)
UTG ($10)
MP ($49.50)
Hero ($49.75)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , . UTG posts a blind of $0.50.
UTG (poster) checks, MP calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2.5, 1 fold, SB calls $2.25, 1 fold, UTG folds, MP calls $2.

Flop: ($8.50) , , (3 players)
SB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $5, SB folds, MP raises to $10, Hero calls $5.

Turn: ($28.50) (2 players)
MP bets $10, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $28.50

Results in white below:
No showdown. MP wins $28.50.

Without a read on what this flop CR means, I dont want to re-raise the flop here, or do I? It seems i have to fold the turn because all i am beating here is a bluff, and the small bet seems to scream a strong hand. Basically, i am lost here.

Any comments/advice would be appreciated.

Pretty good session today...

Ive been feeling a little better about poker lately, and am going to try to participate more in BTP.

Status: at about 10k hands for december, up around $500. I am going to play at NL50 until i hit the 2k BR mark...not letting myself cheat on it this time.

CURRENT BR: $1388

thanks rdale, i have been working on being more aggressive pre-flop out of the blinds, dont see too many opponents floating at nl50 and the ones that may are easy to spot.

Played about 1700 hands today...amazing how one hand turns a decent session to a real nice one:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (5 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

Hero ($151.35)
Button ($53)
SB ($153.35)
BB ($29.65)
UTG ($57.15)

Preflop: Hero is MP with , .
1 fold, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold.

Flop: ($4.50) , , (2 players)
SB bets $3, Hero raises to $10, SB calls $7.

Turn: ($24.50) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $19, SB raises to $141.35, Hero calls $120.35 (All-In).

River: ($303.20) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $303.20

Results in white below:
SB has Kd 8d (flush, king high).
Hero has 9d Ad (flush, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins $303.20. SB wins $2.


Ive never won a 600 BB pot before. Nice. Overall +234.

CURRENT BR: $1559

Had a few good sessions in the last few days...need to get in another 1500 hands or so today so i can stay at gold star on PS for the month.

I was haunted by this hand over christmas...

forum/viewtopic.php?t=28857

I know that i should have made my bet sizes a little more and i like the play, but the guy ended up showing AK hearts. I think its an awful move as there is no way that he has a read on me that says i would play a draw like that, and since i would play a set/made flush the same way, he is definitely losing against my range doing this. Glad i sucked out though!

Played about 2500 hands yesterday (most in a day!) and ended up about a buy-in. Kinda disappointing but i think i played well.

CURRENT BR: $1762

Just played another 1500 hand session and ended up down about 4 buy-ins. Ive been playing a little more aggressively and im not sure it is profitable at these stakes. I just cant believe what i get called down by sometimes.

I feel that i am on the right track, but NL50 just seems to kick my ass sometimes...

oh well, im probably done for the month/year so here are some results:

September: +$611
October: +$490
November: -$319
December: +$704

2007 overall
72k hands
+$1487
3.57ptbb/100


My long term goal is to be able to beat NL200 for 5ptbb/100 while 4-tabling. I am disappointed with my 3.5 ptbb/100 this year but i think i am getting on the right track. I have become much more aggressive and also better at reading opponents. GL 2008.

Back in the saddle for the new year. Played about 1250 hands today, dropped about 2 buyins. I am running at 20/16/5.5 which is a good deal more aggressive than i was used to. I need to do a little better in taking notes on players and figuring out which opponents can be bluffed on later streets and which can be bluffed.

One of my main goals is to win money in non-showdown hands (something I have not done before). So far i am about dead even.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (5 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

Hero ($50.80)
UTG ($32.65)
MP ($48.25)
Button ($113.95)
SB ($53.20)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
1 fold, MP raises to $2, 1 fold, SB calls $1.75, Hero calls $1.50.

Flop: ($6) , , (3 players)
SB bets $6, Hero calls $6, MP folds.

Turn: ($18) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $12, SB calls $12.

River: ($42) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $30.8 (All-In)

This is a spot that i would usually check behind. SB was running about 40/20 and was pretty bad. I would have raised the flop against him heads up, but with MP to act i decided to call and re-evaluate the turn. I figured i was ahead most of the time on the turn, and i figure he is only going to call the river push with the or , which most players will lead out with.

Results in white below:

SB instacalls.

SB has Js Kd (flush, queen high).
Hero has 9d 9h (one pair, nines).
Outcome: SB wins $103.60.

SB types "gotcha" and leaves table. Hero calmly ends session.



CURRENT BR: $1478

Played about 1100 hands today, ended up about 2 buyins. Got pretty lucky in a few spots and wasnt overall very happy with my play. I feel i was too predictable, too passive on later streets. I lost over 2 buyins on non showdown hands which is terrible. I thought i was working on that.

Im just pretty glad that i was able to post a good win for today to put me ahead for the month.

CURRENT BR: $1580

1500 more hands today at nl50. Played pretty well, ended up $42 and ran about 2 buy ins under EV. Lost one stack AIPF with AK against KK. Lost $38 w/o showdown.

Might have found a new best friend:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Converter Tool from (Format: Bet The Pot)

BB ($54.10)
UTG ($55.75)
MP ($78.25)
Hero ($49.75)
Button ($88.70)
SB ($16.65)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
1 fold, MP raises to $2, Hero raises to $6.5, 3 folds, MP calls $4.50.

Flop: ($13.75) , , (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $8, MP calls $8.

Turn: ($29.75) (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $16, MP calls $16.

River: ($61.75) (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $19.25 (All-In), MP calls $19.25.

Final Pot: $100.25

Results in white below:
MP doesn't show.
Hero has As Ad (three of a kind, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $100.25.

Edit: Villain had KQo

CURRENT BR: $1624