Kenny - I've never really had much of a bankroll goal or an idea of what i'm shooting for. However, with my current job, I can't fully sustain myself so I was trying to use poker as a way to cover the rest of my expense which would probably be another 600-800 a month to be comfortable. To be honest, I only played poker seriously (putting in a lot of hours and such) for 1 month where I won about $1200 but ended on a losing streak of $600 that really put a me in a bad mood. Overall, I'm still bringing in much of what I need as I'm up about 3200 since the beginning of the year.

Since, I've only been casually playing and putting in the time only when I feel like it. This may sound good in theory but it also means I haven't been putting in the hours I need. Last month, I somehow earned over $900 playing less than 40 hours at the lowest levels ($25PLO, 1/2 limit, the BTP session at 50NL, Home games) but most of that was bonuses. This month, I'm currently hovering around even for actual poker playing but up only $200 in bonuses as I didn't put much time in. Recently, I've played about 20 20+2 SNG's on party and after a nice ROI at the beginning, I'm only up $44. I'm earning a huge $2 a tourney after so many bubbles and bad finishes. I can't seem to get first and barely in the money.

I'm gonna move on to the $50NL tables as I definitely have the bankroll (I actually have it for 200NL tables if I really wanted). This is the game I play at home and feel like I have a good understanding but never really got into. I've always been a limit player so that's where I always fell back to. I hope the transition goes well as I need to start winning by actually playing, not just from whoring for bonuses.

Anyway................

I somehow pulled off the Horse tourney victory last night. I think I was playing very well the whole time and TW was kind enough to donate plenty of chips my way. I think Mecos has a greater respect for me now that I won him the last longer bet with TW. I'll expect my cut soon MK.

I played 4 more SNG's yesterday. Got 2nd in 2 and 4th and 5th in the other so I did pull in a profit.

I'm doing a summer recreational league on Mon and Weds. My team won our game and we are now in first place, no thanks to me. I just got joined on a random team and they normally have enough guys to play and they are good so I only get in when I can, but they do put me in for at least one at bat a game. Unfortunately, I'm batting like shit and I would help them out more with my defense but what can I do. I've been trying to get in some batting practice but I just don't know why I can't hit this damn ball well.

And I'm spent. Did you actually read all this? Why? I guess you have as little to do at work (or home sometimes) as me so I'm glad I can help pass the time.

$50 NL is off to a good start. Played for only 1.5 hours but was up $80. Here are some of the better hands. I had some questions on smaller plays which I will post in the NL section.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

MP3 ($157.15)
CO ($48.25)
Button ($37.1)
SB ($47.6)
Hero ($49.25)
UTG ($244.17)
UTG+1 ($80.5)
UTG+2 ($48)
MP1 ($86.5)
MP2 ($8.9)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
3 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $1, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.50, MP1 calls $0.50.

Flop: ($3.25) , , (3 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $1.5, MP2 calls $1.50, Hero calls $1.50.

Turn: ($7.75) (3 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $4, MP2 calls $4, Hero raises to $12, MP1 calls $8, MP2 calls $2.40 (All-In).

River: ($38.15) (3 players, 1 all-in)
Hero bets $20, MP1 folds.

Final Pot: $58.15

Results in white below:
Hero has 7c 9c (four of a kind, sevens).
MP2 has Kh Ks (full house, sevens full of kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $58.15.

MP1 told me he hit a straight on the turn so that 7 on the river killed me. However, I'm not gonna complain after that flop

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (9 handed)

MP3 ($11.87)
CO ($63.7)
Hero ($52)
SB ($52.9)
BB ($51.57)
UTG ($76.9)
UTG+1 ($23.7)
MP1 ($24.5)
MP2 ($55.85)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.50, MP3 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($3) , , (6 players)
SB bets $1, BB folds, UTG+1 calls $1, MP2 folds, MP3 calls $1, Hero raises to $6, SB calls $5, UTG+1 folds, MP3 folds.

Turn: ($17) (2 players)
SB bets $8, Hero calls $8.

River: ($33) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $18, SB calls $18.

Final Pot: $69

Results in white below:
SB has Kd 8h (three of a kind, eights).
Hero has 2s 2d (full house, twos full of eights).
Outcome: Hero wins $69.

He tried to scare me off of my hand on the turn but he didn't bet enough to not give me odds. Wonder what would have happened if the board didn't pair on the river.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

MP3 ($159.7)
CO ($40)
Button ($13.35)
SB ($45.45)
Hero ($68.75)
UTG ($236.32)
UTG+1 ($21.25)
UTG+2 ($45.35)
MP1 ($76.55)
MP2 ($36.86)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
7 folds, Button raises to $1, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.50.

Flop: ($2.25) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $2, Hero raises to $6, Button raises to $12.35 (All-In), Hero calls $6.35.

Turn: ($26.95) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($26.95) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $26.95

Results in white below:
Hero has 7h Td (two pair, tens and sevens).
Button has Ah Ac (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $26.95.

I thought he was blind stealing so I called and decided to go for the check raise. He was short stacked so I felt he might be pushing on anything. I sucked out. Oops. I'm not gonna lose any sleep. He should learn how to play AA.

One more that was nice.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (8 handed)

SB ($47.1)
BB ($24.15)
UTG ($64.1)
UTG+1 ($39.5)
MP1 ($55.7)
MP2 ($46.5)
CO ($50)
Hero ($60.35)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , . CO posts a blind of $0.5.
4 folds, CO (poster) checks, Hero raises to $2, 2 folds, CO calls $1.50.

Flop: ($4.75) , , (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $4, CO calls $4.

Turn: ($12.75) (2 players)
CO checks, Hero checks.

River: ($12.75) (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $7, CO calls $7.

Final Pot: $26.75

Results in white below:
CO has 7h 7d (two pair, sevens and sixes).
Hero has Qs Kd (two pair, queens and sixes).
Outcome: Hero wins $26.75.

He let me catch and paid me off nicely.

I must say from the hands you've shown here and on the NL section....I really think you are playing well. True you got lucky on a few hands listed...but really it wasn't luck..more like..taking advantage of other player's mistakes. and thats the key really. take advantage of their mistakes and make less of your own.

Once you get a little more experience on the higher limits; I think you'll start cruising along. keep us posted.

I appreciate the compliment. We always here about the big hands or the really tough decisions but we rarely hear about the little pots, the steals and such which really add to your winrate. Those are the ones that really kill me so I will be posting the big hands but I think I will be posting a good amount of marginal hands to try to confirm that I'm playing them right. Anyone can play the monsters well, but playing these other types of hands are key.

I did very well today stealing small pots, in and out of postion. When out of position, it was short handed and the flop got checked around and no one wanted the pot so I took it.

I LOVE NO LIMIT! I'm saying that now so we'll see how that goes in the future.

Once again, a 1.75 hour session, 380 hands and $164.90 profit at $50 on Party. Here are a few hands that went my way.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (8 handed)

MP1 ($122.51)
MP2 ($73.2)
CO ($50)
Hero ($49.75)
SB ($54.13)
BB ($32.45)
UTG ($58.35)
UTG+1 ($48.25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , . CO posts a blind of $0.5.
3 folds, MP2 raises to $2, 1 fold, Hero raises to $7, 2 folds, MP2 calls $5.

Flop: ($15.25) , , (2 players)
MP2 bets $66.2 (All-In), Hero calls $42.75 (All-In).

Turn: ($124.20) (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($124.20) (2 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $124.20

Results in white below:
MP2 has Ac Qc (two pair, queens and sevens).
Hero has As Ah (two pair, aces and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $100.75. MP2 wins $23.45.

Why bet so much with a set? I put him on a flush draw or the Q or KK. When the Kh hit on the river, I thought I lost but he was just a true moron.


Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

UTG+2 ($48.25)
MP1 ($24.25)
MP2 ($51.35)
Hero ($101.9)
CO ($75.5)
Button ($22.95)
SB ($8.4)
BB ($89.65)
UTG ($59)
UTG+1 ($11)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
5 folds, Hero calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50, Button calls $0.50, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2.50) , , (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $2, CO calls $2, Button folds, SB folds, BB folds.

Turn: ($6.50) (2 players)
Hero bets $5, CO calls $5.

River: ($16.50) (2 players)
Hero bets $10, CO calls $10.

Final Pot: $36.50

Results in white below:
Hero has Qd Jd (straight, king high).
CO has Kc Kh (three of a kind, kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $36.50.

Wow did he misplay his KK. Lucky for him he didn't raise me, even after he hit his set on the turn.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

MP2 ($49.5)
MP3 ($53.45)
CO ($63.1)
Hero ($98.4)
SB ($43.58)
BB ($27.7)
UTG ($29.5)
UTG+1 ($71.65)
UTG+2 ($55.05)
MP1 ($9.5)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 raises to $3.5, 3 folds, Hero raises to $10, 2 folds, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, MP1 calls $6 (All-In).

Flop: ($21.25) , , (2 players, 1 all-in)

Turn: ($21.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($21.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $21.25

Results in white below:
MP1 has Jc Js (one pair, jacks).
Hero has Ac Kc (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $21.25.

I'm not a fan of AK but as long as I can isolate against a shortstack, I'm fine with it.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

UTG ($13.2)
UTG+1 ($47.06)
UTG+2 ($26.68)
Hero ($66.25)
MP2 ($23.39)
MP3 ($23.91)
CO ($59.08)
Button ($87.95)
SB ($57.96)
BB ($38.92)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , . MP3 posts a blind of $0.75.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.50, UTG+2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, MP3 (poster) checks, CO calls $0.50, 2 folds, BB checks.

Flop: ($4) , , (7 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero bets $3.5, MP2 folds, MP3 folds, CO calls $3.50, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 folds.

Turn: ($11) (2 players)
Hero bets $10, CO calls $10.

River: ($31) (2 players)
Hero bets $25, CO calls $25.

Final Pot: $81

Results in white below:
Hero has 7c 7s (full house, sevens full of jacks).
CO has Kc 9s (two pair, kings and jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins $81.

I love sets that become boats. This was a little scary but I was pretty sure I had him.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.5 BB (10 handed)

MP3 ($26.25)
CO ($14.25)
Button ($49.5)
Hero ($69.85)
BB ($22.8)
UTG ($49)
UTG+1 ($106.92)
UTG+2 ($121.35)
MP1 ($167.6)
MP2 ($53.1)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.50, MP3 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Button calls $0.50, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($3.50) , , (7 players)
Hero bets $3, BB folds, UTG folds, UTG+2 folds, MP2 raises to $9, MP3 folds, Button folds, Hero raises to $25, MP2 raises to $52.6 (All-In), Hero calls $27.60.

Turn: ($108.70) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($108.70) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $108.70

Results in white below:
Hero has Jd Jc (three of a kind, jacks).
MP2 has Ah Jh (two pair, aces and jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins $108.70.

Poor guy flopped top two and I just slaughtered him. Oh well.

There are some questionable ones that I will be posting. Interesting stat: I've had AKs 7 times in these past 2 sessions and I've won them all.

I like your aggressive play. It works well against those calling stations who just can't let go of their hand.

I can't believe the KK didn't raise you on the flop or turn!! They way you played that, he should have payed you off for a lot more. Oh well...that's what calling stations do..they call.

I've been much better with my hours this month as I have almost 50 hours in with this week still to go. Much of that play is on the weekends during the day as I have many hours to kill then.

Currently, I'm doing very well at the 50NL tables on party and will be sticking to them for a while. I released a 100 bonus they offered me since april and had til now to take advantage of it. Now, I got the 100 reload bonus too. I should be able to release that with no problem and hopefully get a little profit with it from actually playing. I'm currently making more than $30 an hour playing at the $50NL tables which I know isn't sustainable but still feels really nice. I've yet to lose a buy in and the most I've ever been down at one point is $30 total for the 4 tables. Being that I play on party, that will definitely change.

Once the Party reload is done, I should have over $800 profit for the month which is nice since I had to spend $450 to fix my car.

The BTP tourney was a big disappointment as I had only a few hands and never hit a flop and no one would fold to a bet. When I was severely short stacked, I ran my JJ into AA and that was it. I couldn't even outlast the people sitting out! There's always next time.

Hey Bri,

Its nice to see you kicking ass at the NL tables. I am making the change myself and I have to say I love it. I like the aggression you are showing, betting into made hands even if this risks folding everyone. I am trying the same since it does appear they call no matter what!

How many tables are you playing at a time? If you've said sorry, I am having a no memory day today.

Rich

I play 4 tables at a time and have an Iceman-like VP$IP at about 12 or 13%. This does include limp raising with AA and KK but I have only try the "raising with suited connectors" a couple times. Once, I won a small pot and once I lost about $15.