Wednesday I put on another 2 buy-ins onto my BR thanks to a massive suckout, hehehe, always feels good. I would have won a side pot even if i hadn't got it.

I've got QQ and call a raise along with 3 others. Flop is 2JQ 2 diamonds. Awesome, top set. I lead out betting pot and get 2 callers. Turn is 9. OK here i'm thinking KT and T8 have already beaten me, but not going to be third best here, besides I got a redraw after that for a boat. I'm sure I can get both to come along for the ride since they already called my bet so they must like their hands. I push and both call which isn't a total disaster. If only one had called I'd be pretty sure of losing my stack. I'm the middle stack of the 3 so theres a healthy side pot of $15 going. River is a 2 and what a suckout, ok had 10 outs so the odds were almost there and I scoop the lot winning $57. Short stack shows T8 diamonds and big stack shows A7 diamonds

Thursday I sort of bimbled along not really getting anywhere. HOTD was this one

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.25 BB (10 handed)

UTG ($15.40)
UTG+1 ($27.30)
UTG+2 ($26.35)
MP1 ($13.50)
MP2 ($21.30)
MP3 ($34.20)
CO ($3.75)
Hero ($22.75)
SB ($8.90)
BB ($10.05)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
UTG calls $0.25, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 4 folds, CO calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.5, 2 folds, UTG calls $1.25, UTG+1 folds, CO folds.

Flop: ($3.85) , , (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $4, UTG calls $4.

Turn: ($11.85) (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks.

River: ($11.85) (2 players)
UTG bets $9.9 (All-In), Hero calls $9.90.

Final Pot: $31.65

Results in white below:
Hero has As Ah (full house, aces full of queens).
UTG has Qh 5h (full house, queens full of twos).
Outcome: Hero wins $31.65.

Nice river but I was done with the hand as soon as villain calls my flop bet.

Today was my first losing day in over a week. I didn't play well at all, possibly a bit of tilt involved and also the way the cards were landing.
I started off up about 2/3 buyin after 30 minutes with help from this hand

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.25 BB (8 handed)

MP2 ($13.45)
CO ($17.45)
Button ($20.30)
SB ($11.85)
BB ($10)
UTG ($14.90)
UTG+1 ($13.15)
Hero ($29.20)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
2 folds, Hero raises to $1.25, MP2 calls $1.25, 4 folds.

Flop: ($2.85) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $2.5, MP2 calls $2.50.

Turn: ($7.85) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $9.7 (All-In), Hero calls $9.70.

River: ($27.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $27.25

Results in white below:
Hero has Jc Jh (one pair, jacks).
MP2 has 9d 7d (one pair, nines).
Outcome: Hero wins $27.25.

It took me a while to work it out but I decided villain here was a muppet and correctly put him on a 9.

After that hand it all went downhill starting off when I got Q4 in the BB and flopped top set, moving all in and going down to villains rivered boat of QT. It would have been a chop but for that (KJ on board).
Then on another table I got AK about 4 times and the guy behind me always seemed to have a hand as well. 1st he re-raised me PF a substantial amount and I had to release. 2nd I unimproved and went down cheaply to QQ. 3rd I unimproved and he outplayed me (not exactly hard with an unimproved AK) and one other time he flopped a set with a small pair, again I was unimproved and got away cheaply. He only showed since someone else in that pot took him all the way. All in all I lost about $15 to that guy. He must have thought he had something over me but it was just bad luck I guess. I did win one hand against him though but not a large one when I call PF with 66 and flopped a set with AQ on board. He must had had something like KQ or Ax since he got away from it fairly easy.

So after my best week ever last week, off to a losing start this week, still got the rest of the week to pull it back.

Jul 18 BR $1628

Even day today, long periods with not much in the way of cards and battled back from being about $15 down early on in the session thanks to running my KK into a medium stacks AA. A 4-flush fell on the board after we went all-in PF but his bullets were both the same suit as my K so the pot went his way.

Got back into it though thanks to this donation

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.25 BB (9 handed)

MP1 ($19.60)
MP2 ($41.90)
MP3 ($.55)
CO ($50.70)
Button ($10.90)
Hero ($38.40)
BB ($14)
UTG ($18.80)
UTG+1 ($11.90)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
3 folds, MP2 raises to $0.5, MP3 raises all in to $0.55, 1 fold, Button calls $0.55, Hero raises to $3.6, 1 fold, MP2 folds, Button calls $3.05.

Flop: ($8.05) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $7.30, Button calls $7.30 (All-In).

Turn: ($22.00) (3 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($22.00) (3 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $22.00
Main Pot: $2.30, between Button and Hero and MP3. > Pot won by Hero ($2.30).
Pot 2: $20.70, between Button and Hero. > Pot won by Hero ($20.70).

Results in white below:
Button has 2s 2c (two pair, fives and twos).
Hero has Ks Kc (two pair, kings and fives).
MP3 has Kh Th (two pair, tens and fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $22.

Why oh why did button donate her stack to me not that i'm complaining.

Watched the Party Poker Million Masters on Sky tonight which again was quite good but a mixed bag of players, 5 unknown internet qualifiers and Julian Gardiner who finally got a mention as finishing second in the WSOP main event in 2002. All we ever seem to hear about is how poor John Shipley held the lead once over, blew it and came in 7th and how he was messed up after it. The final river card in the 2002 event was a card which gave Julian a flush but made Varkonyi's full house to take it, I think that would mess someone up more. Good on ya Julian anyways.
Oh he got knocked out first tonight btw but a classic quote from Roy Brindley when the weak scandinavian at the table sucked out, "He's so lucky even if he got thrown out of a plane over Afghanistan he'd bounce and then find Osama Bin Laden". Classic Roy the Boy, where does he get those one-liners from?

I've also made a life changing revelation of a decision....I'm going to move up a level on Aug 1st to UB $50 NL. I've got sufficient BR to do it, so I thought I'd give it a go, I'll be able to take a few hits before being forced to move back down and even though my BB/100 isn't as good as some of the other guys in the forum at my level (around 5PTBB/100 over 13000 hands) I don't think that actually reflects my play at present (this month playing more towards 8-9 PTBB/100). Interesting to note that not one player who I've logged over 3000 hands on is in double figures for their win rate.

July 19 BR $1630

Had the day off work today, long sleep in, weather foul, what better way to spend an afternoon playing a few hands of cards.

Frustrating session, just above break even, kept getting my big hands cracked. But still if this is happening and i'm breaking even, thats good, right? Something I can take heart in.

Won one AA by set over set when villian had 44 and flop came A4x, nice

Lost one AA to the might of K9 after a limp re-raise thanks to a straight on the turn

Lost JJ to AK when I flopped a set and he called my all-in only to bust me with runner-runner flush

Lost AK (folded on river) to a rivered flush. He showed 45 of the flush suit, the nerve of it

Won KK (my only suckout of the session) when the money went in on the flop of TT7, he had 77 and the turn brought another T reversing his full house.

Actually thats all I could find in my histories, felt a lot worse than 3 suckouts but even so, if they'd have held up, I'd be up about $60 instead of even.
Such is life

Jul 20 BR $1640

DON'T PLAY WHEN YOU GOT A HANGOVER
Geez what didn't I drink yesterday. At least I know tequila makes me happy

Anyhoo got onto the tables for a loooong session 3.5hrs and within 15 minutes down nearly 2 buyins. Couldn't get a hand to hold up after that.

Ran QQ into AA for a stack
AQ into AK twice for a lot
2 pair into higher 2 pair for a lot

Out of 49 pairs, only flopped set 3 times, only got paid once (set over set)

Not a good session

Jul 24 BR $1645

Nothing to report today apart from my downswing continuing, making what was going to be my best month by far into a pretty mediocre one.

No hands of real interest, pretty card dead and missing a lot of flops but stealing where possible.

Ran a 78s with flopped flush into a higher flush (T) dunno how the guy could have called my all-in with only a T but he did.
And as for running my AQ into AK yesterday.....I ran my AK into AQ (2 pr)......nice!! go figure.

Jul 25 BR $1630

Ventured into NL $50 today for the first time since my few sessions on prima last year pretty much just to scope out the opposition for next month when I'll be having a crack at that level. I ended up with an even session but also finding the bonus clearing a little faster which is always good. Again I had very little in the way of cards, not many pairs down and only setting once I think it was when I had AA, no action, and once with 77 but with draw on the table so had to end it quick. I actually found the standard pretty similar to NL $25 but found that most of the play was PF and flop play with less play on the turn and river than NL $25.

After my sessions of last week, this was probably a real bad move but I figured that if moving up made me play a little bit more careful, then I can play out of this downswing and to a certain extent it worked.

My main aim for next month is to try and work out how to play AQ and AK. I need to post more histories for analysis as well and also get that BB/100 up. I still feel my stats don't reflect my play and determined to get this up for next month even at a higher level. I do need to work on my reads and putting my opponent on hands a LOT MORE, to do this I am going to have to devote some time to going through my database and finding some patterns for the regular players.

Heres end of month stats, not planning on playing now till next week, maybe Sunday but I'll tag that onto August.

7400 hands
VP$IP 12.3
(trying to push this up playing more near the button, suited connectors, suited paint, Axs)
PFR 2.14
(need to start raising smaller pairs (TT-77), AQ, AJs)
W$WSF 28.32
(not good at all this month, I have a tendency to play on the turn after no-one bets the flop, getting me in trouble. Focus on flop aggression)
W$SD 58.57
(not bad I don't think, always aim for 60)
PFA 2.60 (F, T, R: 3.18, 2.39, 1.42)
(exactly what I worked on this month, simmering down on the turn. Now need to focus on more flop aggression and less river.)
BB/100 3.2 (6.4)
(still a winner but pretty pitiful really, not what I was hoping for after going along at nearly 10 for the 1st 2 weeks of the month)

BR increase $239
Play $116
Bonus $123

BR low $1355
BR high $1705

Jul 26 BR $1633

Ack !!!
Why is the 1st of the month always so shite for me????!! I was looking forward to playing at the $50NL level and 2 hours later, down 2 buyins and feel like I've been thwacked all over the tables. I actually feel I played pretty well. If certain pots had gone my way I'd be celebrating a 2 buyin gain. I'll post these in the NL section as well for comments


Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

BB ($35.35)
Hero ($53.55)
UTG+1 ($74.35)
MP1 ($12.50)
MP2 ($19.75)
MP3 ($19.85)
CO ($4.55)
Button ($129)
SB ($51.25)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls $0.50, 5 folds, Button raises to $1.5, 2 folds, Hero raises to $8.5, Button raises to $15.5, Hero goes all-in for $53.55 total, Button calls.

Flop: ($104.85) , , (2 players)

Turn: ($104.85) (2 players)

River: ($104.85) (2 players)

Final Pot: $104.85

Results in white below:
Hero has Kc Kd (one pair, kings).
Button has As Ad (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Button wins $104.85.

KK vs AA great, I can cope with this but does it have to be in my first session at a new level

After this beat, I was making a pretty decent comeback, busted a stack with a set turning into a FH against top 2 pair, tagging the above villain with a nut flush agains his Q flush with him winging about being unlucky....yeah bud really unlucky, you forget you had 7 buyins in front of u on 2 tables, f***wit.....and also a couple of outplaying manoeuvres.
Then just when I'm felling pretty confident of getting back toward even, this happens, 2 hands within 2 minutes of each other.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

SB ($25.05)
BB ($25.75)
Hero ($87)
UTG+1 ($46.50)
MP1 ($31.95)
MP2 ($52.45)
MP3 ($10.65)
CO ($22.20)
Button ($54.85)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $2, 3 folds, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold, Hero raises to $10, UTG+1 folds, MP2 folds, SB goes all-in for $25.05 total, Hero calls.

Flop: $50.45

Turn: $50.45

River: $50.45

Final Pot: $50.45

Results in white below:
SB shows Jd Ad
Hero mucks Kd Kh.
SB wins $50.45 with two pair, aces and queens

Just what was he doing going all-in PF with that??????

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

CO ($49)
Button ($22.25)
SB ($67.80)
BB ($77.85)
UTG ($19.45)
Hero ($54.30)
MP1 ($26.60)
MP2 ($50.40)
MP3 ($49.05)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.50, MP3 raises to $2.75, 4 folds, Hero calls $2.25, MP2 folds.

Flop: ($6.75) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $4.5, Hero raises to $15, MP3 calls $10.50.

Turn: ($36.75) (2 players)
Hero bets $36.55 (All-In), MP3 calls $31.30 (All-In).

River: ($96.35) (2 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $96.35

Results in white below:
Hero has 8s 8h (three of a kind, eights).
MP3 has Ks Kd (three of a kind, kings).
Outcome: MP3 wins $96.35.

set over set, hhrmhp

Crap start to the month, as always, I got bouncebackability tho, hehehe

Aug 01 BR $1522

Bouncebackability coefficient running pretty high. Got $70 back of the $110 I lost yesterday.
Again I was down from the start after playing JJ on a draw heavy board and having to fold on the river. Then my AK unimproved against 2 players and my continuation bet got raised. This made me down about 1/2 buyin after the first 40 minutes. Just as I thought I was delving deeper into this downswing a ray of light appears in the form of flopped quads
Then these 2 hands gave me a decent gain toward the end of the session.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

SB ($23.25)
BB ($43.50)
UTG ($30.45)
UTG+1 ($93.30)
MP1 ($21.75)
Hero ($52.40)
MP3 ($24)
CO ($125.25)
Button ($15.50)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
3 folds, Hero raises to $2.5, MP3 calls $2.50, 4 folds.

Flop: ($5.75) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $5, MP3 raises to $10, Hero puts MP3 all-in for $21.50 total, MP3 calls.

Turn: ($46.35) (2 players)

River: ($46.35) (2 players)

Final Pot: $46.35

Results in white below:
Hero has Kh Ks (one pair, kings).
MP3 has 6c 6h (one pair, sixes).
Outcome: Hero wins $46.35.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (10 handed)

MP3 ($7.90)
CO ($.80)
Button ($95.90)
SB ($30.40)
Hero ($76.60)
UTG ($45.90)
UTG+1 ($54.10)
UTG+2 ($49.45)
MP1 ($49.25)
MP2 ($103.05)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.50, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $2.75, 4 folds, Hero calls $2.25, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls $2.25.

Flop: ($9) , , (3 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $1, MP2 calls $1, Hero raises to $8, MP1 calls $7, MP2 folds.

Turn: ($26) (2 players)
Hero bets $25, MP1 calls $25.

River: ($76) (2 players)
Hero puts MP3 all-in (All-In), MP1 calls $13.50 (All-In).

Final Pot: $100

Results in white below:
Hero has 8d 8s (three of a kind, eights).
MP1 has Kd Ad (one pair, kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $100.

Wow my first $100 pot, had me going though when that club fell on the river. Nice to see there are some AK muppets at this level too.

I think this level is going to be a hell of a lot more swingy than NL25, more people seem ready to push at this level so I think I'm in for an interesting time. It definitely seems different to me, not just because everything is doubled in terms of the chips but overall unless it is just the tables I've been picking....more raisy, higher aggression but I feel I can do well here despite the poor start (still down $50).

Aug 02 BR $1599

Its been a good last couple of days on the tables for me, totally wiped out my losses from Monday now and into the green $20 wednesday, $40 today along with $16 in bonus which is coming down very nicely, about $130 left so should have that finished in 2 weeks then I can take some of my BR out ready for the next reload. I feel comfortable at this level now, I thought it would be a bit more difficult but I've adapted to the play pretty well I think. I still reckon this level is slightly different than NL$25 despite what others say, I find that players are trying to be a little more tricky, but still the learning curve continues.

Todays hands: didn't lose a monster today which was good, just lots of small ones which I got away from.

This was the first hand in for a winning start

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

UTG ($32.95)
UTG+1 ($42.15)
MP1 ($47.75)
Hero ($50)
MP3 ($21.50)
CO ($23.30)
Button ($36.45)
SB ($23.75)
BB ($101.65)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , . Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
1 fold, MP1 calls $0.50, Hero (poster) checks, 1 fold, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2.50) , , (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets $2, CO calls $2, SB folds, BB folds, MP1 folds.

Turn: ($6.50) (3 players)
Hero bets $4.5, CO calls $4.50.

River: ($15.50) (3 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $5, Hero raises to $18, CO folds.

Final Pot: $24.25

Results in white below:
UTG doesn't show.
Hero has Kd 8d (three of a kind, eights).
Outcome: Hero wins $24.25.

Followed by a nice suckout

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (10 handed)

UTG+1 ($24.55)
UTG+2 ($100.55)
MP1 ($14.05)
MP2 ($62.60)
MP3 ($33)
CO ($39.90)
Hero ($48.25)
SB ($32.50)
BB ($31.75)
UTG ($49.70)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
4 folds, MP3 raises to $1.75, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.75, 2 folds.

Flop: ($4.25) , , (3 players)
MP3 bets $4.25, Hero raises to $12, MP3 goes all-in for $31.25 total, Hero calls $31.25.

Turn: ($63.75) (3 players)

River: ($63.75) (3 players)

Final Pot: $63.75

Results in white below:
Hero has Ad Kh (two pair, aces and sevens).
UTG doesn't show.
MP3 has 4h Ac (two pair, aces and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $63.75.

Then the following 2 hands played at exactly the same time

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

Hero ($48.75)
BB ($52.35)
UTG ($21.75)
UTG+1 ($44.80)
MP1 ($48.05)
MP2 ($48.30)
MP3 ($29.65)
CO ($27.20)
Button ($58.50)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $1, 2 folds, Button calls $1, Hero raises to $7, BB goes all-in for $52.35 total, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, Button folds, Hero calls all-in $48.75.

Flop: $97

Turn: $97

River: $97

Final Pot: $97

Results in white below:
BB shows Ac Ah
Hero shows As Ad
Split Pot
BB wins $48.50 with a pair of aces
Hero wins $48.50 with a pair of aces

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (10 handed)

MP1 ($18.10)
MP2 ($43.45)
MP3 ($60.85)
Hero ($58.35)
Button ($19.95)
SB ($15.65)
BB ($32.35)
UTG ($12)
UTG+1 ($24.65)
UTG+2 ($163.65)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2) , , (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+2 bets $2, Hero raises to $6, SB folds, BB folds, UTG+2 calls $4.

Turn: ($14) (2 players)
UTG+2 checks, Hero bets $5, UTG+2 calls $5.

River: ($24) (2 players)
UTG+2 bets $20, Hero calls $20.

Final Pot: $64

Results in white below:
UTG+2 has 3s As (two pair, fives and threes).
Hero has 3c 3d (full house, threes full of fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $64.

Really kicking myself after for not min raising the river but was pre-occupied with the AA vs AA

Aug 4 BR $1679

Another good couple of sessions today (1hr) and yesterday (2hrs) up $30 in both. I've not once felt as though I was in any trouble on these NL50 tables since my bad first session on Monday.
I'm currently going along at 3.3PTBB/100 but taking out Monday I've been running at 11PTBB/100 which I genuinely feel is sustainable. Obviously I'm going to suffer a few suckouts and make mistakes along the way to drag it down abit so I'm making my target a conservative 7PTBB/100 (just cursed myself!)

Friday

Flopped trips to kick the session off

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

MP2 ($45.35)
MP3 ($24.50)
CO ($52.10)
Button ($15.50)
SB ($45.20)
Hero ($63.05)
UTG ($34.90)
UTG+1 ($50.25)
MP1 ($46.40)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
4 folds, MP3 calls $0.50, 2 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1.50) , , (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1.5, MP3 calls $1.50, SB calls $1.50.

Turn: ($6) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $5, MP3 calls $5, SB calls $5.

River: ($21) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, MP3 checks.

Final Pot: $21

Results in white below:
SB has 9s Ks (three of a kind, kings).
Hero has Kc Jh (three of a kind, kings).
MP3 has Qh 3h (two pair, kings and queens).
Outcome: Hero wins $21.

Always nice to crack AA

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (10 handed)

CO ($17)
Button ($71.30)
Hero ($53.40)
BB ($48)
UTG ($75.75)
UTG+1 ($24.50)
UTG+2 ($15)
MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($53)
MP3 ($37.20)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , . UTG+2 posts a blind of $0.50. MP1 posts a blind of $0.50.
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 raises to $2.5, 6 folds, Hero calls $2.25, 1 fold, UTG calls $2.

Flop: ($9) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $7.5, UTG folds, UTG+1 raises all-in for $22, Hero calls $14.50.

Turn: $50.35 River:

Final Pot: $50.35

Results in white below:
UTG+1 shows Ad As
Hero wins $50.35.

Medium pair vs short stack



Saturday

Interesting split pot

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (10 handed)

Button ($26.90)
SB ($27)
Hero ($50)
UTG ($38.60)
UTG+1 ($14.50)
UTG+2 ($54.85)
MP1 ($52.80)
MP2 ($12.50)
MP3 ($110.75)
CO ($48.70)

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

Flop: ($2.75) , , (6 players)
Hero bets $1.75, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 folds, MP2 raises to $3.5, Button raises to $5.25, Hero raises to $31.75, MP2 calls $8.50 (All-In), Button calls $21.15 (All-In).

Turn: ($64.55) (4 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($64.55) (4 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $64.55
Main Pot: $36.85, between Button, Hero and MP2. > Split: Button ($18.40), Hero ($18.45).
Pot 2: $27.70, between Button and Hero. > Split: Button ($13.80), Hero ($13.90).

Results in white below:
Button has 3c 5c (straight, six high).
Hero has 5h 3h (straight, six high).
MP2 has Jh Jd (two pair, jacks and twos).
Outcome: Hero wins $32.35. Button wins $32.20.

Muppet villian tries to bluff a monster

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

SB ($47.60)
BB ($12.40)
UTG ($63.50)
UTG+1 ($23.25)
MP1 ($61.50)
MP2 ($26.30)
MP3 ($88.85)
Hero ($44.70)
Button ($41.75)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.50, 2 folds, BB checks.

Flop: ($2.25) , , (4 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2, BB folds, UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $2.

Turn: ($6.25) (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $6, UTG+1 calls $6.

River: ($18.25) (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $14.75 (All-In), Hero calls $14.75.

Final Pot: $47.75

Results in white below:
UTG+1 has 5s 8s (one pair, jacks).
Hero has 6c 6s (full house, sixes full of jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins $47.75.

I wanted to get back on the tables tonight but ended up watching a stellar performance by England in the test cricket. Come on Freddie finish those convicts off tomorrow !!!!

Aug 6 BR $1757

I can't believe I'm running so good at the moment, 7 days straight I've been green. That's never happened before.....ever. I love this NL50 level, after a bad first day in which I didn't play bad, just unlucky, I've made 3 times that back in the 7 days after.
My play has been solid and my instincts getting better, I've not even been in trouble in terms of leaking chips at this level. I'm making calls and plays that I wouldn't dream of just a couple of months ago. I think the big thing is that the fear factor has gone, losing a couple of buyins doesn't phase me now so my money now has a scared factor of near zero and its taken a long time to get to this. Sure it would piss me off to lose a big pot but not totally because of the loss in bankroll but just because I lost the hand whether it be by getting outplayed, getting sucked out on or making a wrong read. I now view a loss as paying for a poker lesson.

Sunday +$17 1hr 40

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

CO ($53.75)
Button ($40.40)
SB ($69.20)
BB ($36.30)
Hero ($60.10)
UTG+1 ($46.50)
MP1 ($35.45)
MP2 ($40.50)
MP3 ($34.65)

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

Flop: ($2.50) , , (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $2.4, UTG+1 folds, MP3 calls $2.40, SB folds, BB folds.

Turn: ($7.30) (2 players)
Hero bets $5.5, MP3 calls $5.50.

River: ($18.30) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $18.3, Hero calls $18.30.

Final Pot: $54.90

Results in white below:
Hero has Ts Td (three of a kind, tens).
MP3 has Jd Ad (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $54.90.

As you all know I 3 table at UB and it's a good job I do as well, one table I was playing on this session was just a nightmare. I went down $10 early with an AK hitting TPTK to 2 pair, managed to keep the pot low though. After that.....nothing for the next hour and whatever I played for. My VP$IP was a whopping 6.6 !!!!! hehehe, lol. Jolly hockey sticks for mutli-tabling!!

Monday +$58 1hr 20

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (8 handed)

UTG+1 ($19.75)
MP1 ($23.05)
MP2 ($23.70)
CO ($76.95)
Hero ($48.85)
SB ($41.15)
BB ($26.65)
UTG ($16)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 1 fold, BB calls $1.75, MP1 calls $1.75.

Flop: ($7) , , (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 bets $1.5, Hero raises to $6.5, BB folds, MP1 calls $5.

Turn: ($20) (2 players)
MP1 checks, Hero checks.

River: ($20) (2 players)
MP1 bets $14.3 (All-In), Hero calls $14.30.

Final Pot: $48.60

Results in white below:
MP1 has Qc Ks (one pair, kings).
Hero has Ac Qh (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $48.60.

I had to really think about this one and almost used up the time on the river call, then I thought back to his flop bet. A weak bet into me, what the hell was that all about???? Decided he had chit and called and he did.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

MP3 ($52.05)
CO ($63.60)
Button ($51.05)
SB ($18.25)
Hero ($55.35)
UTG ($64.50)
UTG+1 ($23.85)
MP1 ($50.15)
MP2 ($32.50)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
3 folds, MP2 raises to $1.75, 4 folds, Hero calls $1.25.

Flop: ($3.75) , , (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $3.75, Hero raises to $9, MP2 calls $5.25.

Turn: ($21.75) (2 players)
Hero bets $21.75, MP2 calls $21.75 (All-In).

River: ($65.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $65.25

Results in white below:
Hero has Js Jc (full house, jacks full of eights).
MP2 has 9s 7c (straight, jack high).
Outcome: Hero wins $65.25.

Oops, suckout to me...well I guess thats 1-1 on this level but I had outs and anyway, served him right for raising with 97o and calling my check raise...What's up widat???

Bonus is going well on UB as well, down to just over $100 to clear from the $435 I started off with at the beginning of June. Should clear that off in just over a week. Also racked up just under 4000 UB points now as well, probably going to save up for the polo shirt at 4600.......which is nice

Aug 08 BR $1848

Scored another big suckout on Tuesday against a bad LAG...min-raising, mini betting, inconsistent in his aggression

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

MP3 ($58.75)
CO ($24.90)
Button ($32.30)
Hero ($60.05)
BB ($14.65)
UTG ($53.45)
UTG+1 ($25.30)
MP1 ($8.95)
MP2 ($25.30)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
4 folds, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.5, 1 fold, UTG calls $2.50, CO folds.

Flop: ($6) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $5.5, UTG raises to $22.5, Hero puts UTG all-in for $50.95 total, UTG calls.

Turn: ($104.9) (2 players)

River: ($104.9) (2 players)

Final Pot: $104.9

Results in white below:
Hero has Qd Qs (two pair, queens and twos).
UTG has 9s 6d (two pair, nines and sixes).
Outcome: Hero wins $104.90.

I was thinking something like 22, 78, flush draw, a 9 with overcard or even 6 with overcard.....never actually put him on both. I was winning against most of his holdings. Serves him right for playing it anyways. If he's going play that UTG and call a raise then good luck to him.

On to tonight

Pretty card dead, kept missing the flop. Lots of muppets knocking around tonight playing some god awful starting hands and getting married to them but couldn't capitalise on them. This was the only had I won tonight apart from a couple of flop steals.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

MP2 ($48.75)
MP3 ($23.30)
CO ($48.55)
Button ($18.75)
SB ($53.10)
Hero ($48.25)
UTG ($53.70)
UTG+1 ($19.50)
MP1 ($61.75)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises to $1.75, MP2 calls $1.75, MP3 calls $1.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.25.

Flop: ($7.25) , , (4 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks, MP2 checks, MP3 checks.

Turn: ($7.25) (4 players)
Hero bets $4, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $4, MP3 calls $4.

River: ($19.25) (3 players)
Hero bets $6, MP2 folds, MP3 goes all-in for $17.55, Hero calls.

Final Pot: $51.65

Results in white below:
Hero has 7c 7s (full house, sevens full of fours).
MP3 hs 5c 5s (full house, fives full of fours).
Outcome: Hero wins $51.65.

Aug 11 BR $1909

Despite my team, Blackburn Rovers, going down to the new boys in the first week of the new premiership season, I had a good day at the tables. No play last night as I was so knacked from work, just read the forums and chilled out.
Today saw a milestone for me in passing the $2000 BR barrier, technically this means I can move up to the NL100 level but theres no chance of me doing that until I'm around $3-3.5k depending on how I feel. I am crushing the tables but my play isn't good enough yet for the higher level, of that I'm sure.

Here's some HOTDs

AA busted in style

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

UTG ($48)
UTG+1 ($10.50)
MP1 ($19.70)
Hero ($55.20)
MP3 ($53.35)
CO ($25.20)
Button ($63.90)
SB ($88.05)
BB ($19.75)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
UTG+1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.50, 2 folds, Button calls $0.50, SB raises to $3, 2 folds, Hero calls $2.50, Button folds.

Flop: ($7.50) , , (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($7.50) (3 players)
SB bets $7.5, Hero raises to $22, SB calls $14.50.

River: ($51.50) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $30.2 (All-In), SB calls $30.20.

Final Pot: $111.90

Results in white below:
SB has As Ad (two pair, aces and eights).
Hero has 5s 5d (full house, fives full of eights).
Outcome: Hero wins $111.90.

Thought something was up when this LAG checked the flop, hmmmm. I'd already played a few hands with him on another table we were playing at the same time and got into some blind battles which basically involved me limping, him min-raising, me missing the flop totally and him pushing me off. He should have realised when I played back at him on the turn I had a hand. Serves him right though, cardinal mistake, I'd have been gone if he had contiued post flop.

Trouble with AK



Enjoyed this one

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.50 BB (9 handed)

MP3 ($25.10)
Hero ($47.25)
Button ($48.65)
SB ($63.85)
BB ($30)
UTG ($33.35)
UTG+1 ($57.70)
MP1 ($39.30)
MP2 ($16)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG+1 raises to $2.25, 3 folds, Hero calls $2.25, 3 folds, UTG calls $2.25.

Flop: ($7.50) , , (3 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $4.5, UTG calls $4.50, UTG+1 folds.

Turn: ($16.50) (2 players)
UTG bets $16.5, Hero puts UTG all-in for $26.60 total , UTG calls.

River: ($66.70) (2 players)

Final Pot: $66.70

Results in white below:
UTG has Ac 8c (two pair, aces and eights).
Hero has Ks As (two pair, aces and kings).
Outcome: Hero wins $66.70

Seeing as I've reached $2k, I reviewed my stats for the month so far and found them to be a great improvement on the last 2 months

VP$IP 13.6 (loosened up a bit this month 11 previously)
PFR 2.64 (still uncomfotable raising AQ and medium pairs in M-LP)
W$WSF 31.4 (pleased with this)
W$SD 57.3 (aiming for 60 so not too far off)
AF 3.75 F5.33, T3.30, R1.17 (very please something I've worked hard on this month)
BB/100 7.08 (target is 7 so again v. pleased, may need to adjust)

Comments always welcome

Aug 13 BR $2005

for your BB/100, is that bog blinds or big bets? pt #s are big bets (2x big blind) -- that's why i'm asking.

congrats on breaking the $2k barrier.