Thanks. I just wanted the journal to be day-to-day stuff, while the blog was more for article-type things. Maybe we can persuade iceman to host some of the articles in a limit holdem section...

As for winrate, I'm at 3600 hands of 5/10, and I'm winning at 4.06 BB/100. Overall, since I started playing this year, I've played 23000 hands from 0.50/1 to 5/10, and I'm at 4.86 BB/100 for an overall number. I feel I'm doing well, but I always look to get better.

Tonight's session started out well, then the deck went cold for me.

I was amazed at how far this guy would push "presto." He wsa 39/7/1.6, IIRC. He paid.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
5 folds, MP3 raises, CO calls, Button calls, Hero calls, 1 fold.

Flop: (9 SB) , , (4 players)
Hero bets, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button calls.

Turn: (6.50 BB) (4 players)
Hero bets, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button folds.

River: (9.50 BB) (3 players)
Hero bets, MP3 folds, CO calls.

Final Pot: 11.50 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Jh Kh (one pair, jacks).
CO has 5c 5h (one pair, fives).
Outcome: Hero wins 11.50 BB.

Then lost $77 on two whiffs with AK. You know, there's a fine line between the idea of calling and winning with A-high and sadly overplaying your AK.

In hand 1, Anna loses to the famed star J4s (who called two cold, spiked a Jack on the flop and played it like a set--he's buddy listed for sure). Hand 2 was another beaut, with A4o beating the lovely Ms. Kournikova with a pair of 9s on board and him spiking his 4 on the river, then checking it. Brilliance.

Pocket 8s? Whiffed. Twice. You know, if it wasn't for Fischman winning a bracelet with them, they'd probably hit the muck after a raise, but do they? Noooo.

How cold a deck was it? Didn't win more than the blinds (and only won them twice) at all over 68 hands. Finally the schneid was broken with this:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (8 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
6 folds, SB raises, Hero calls.

Flop: (4 SB) , , (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, Hero caps, SB calls.

Turn: (6 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, SB calls.

River: (8 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: 8 BB

Results in white below:
SB has 8s Ks (high card, king).
Hero has 6s 6h (one pair, sixes).
Outcome: Hero wins 8 BB.

Scared me to death--SB was 14/8/1.98, and he came along with a cap on a double gutter and backdoor flush draw? Sheesh. I'll take it though. That'll teach him to try and steal MY blinds.

Regardless, another downer session. Check out the blog (address in the sig) for some cool info, and I'll be chatting with y'all soon.

5/10 LHE: 96 hands, 1h 27m, -$125.00

A quick session tonight, up a little, down a little. I'm still fighting through this downswing, but at least I'm fighting through it on the plus side of the ledger.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, 5 folds, SB calls, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls.

Flop: (8 SB) , , (4 players)
SB bets, Hero calls, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, SB 3-bets, Hero calls, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 calls.

Turn: (9 BB) (3 players)
SB bets, Hero calls, UTG+2 calls.

River: (12 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, UTG+2 calls, SB folds.

Final Pot: 14 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Kh Jc (one pair, kings).
UTG+2 has Qs Ac (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins 14 BB.

It never hurts to play QJ in position for one bet either...

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls, 3 folds, Hero calls, 1 fold, BB checks.

Flop: (3.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Turn: (3.20 BB) (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, BB calls, MP1 calls.

River: (6.20 BB) (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, BB folds, MP1 calls.

Final Pot: 8.20 BB

Results in white below:
MP1 has Ah 7h (one pair, sevens).
Hero has Jh Qc (one pair, jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins 8.20 BB.

Of course, I had a couple whiffs, whiffing on KJs with flopping a flush draw, and twice whiffing AK's. Like I said before, Anna Kournikova sure looks pretty, but she doesn't win all that much.

Overall, though, a winning session, which is a major plus.

5/10 LHE: 91 hands, 1h 12 m, +$48.00
WTD: +$197.00, 508 hands.

It's been a few really rough weeks online for me. Especially when this happens:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
4 folds, MP3 raises, 2 folds, Hero 3-bets, 1 fold, MP3 calls.

Flop: (7 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets, MP3 calls.

Turn: (4.50 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, MP3 raises, Hero calls.

River: (8.50 BB) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.50 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has As Ad (two pair, aces and tens).
MP3 has Jc Ac (straight, ace high).
Outcome: MP3 wins 10.50 BB.

Have you ever sat at a table with a guy who just hits EVERYTHING? That is this guy. He's 32/11/1.26 over 57 hands. He's won 482.00 just since I've been there. WtSD for him is 13/19, W$SD is remarkable--12/13. This is getting run over by the deck. I've never seen anything like it.

Then, this:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises, 5 folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (4.40 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets, MP1 raises, Hero calls.

Turn: (4.20 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, MP1 raises, Hero calls.

River: (8.20 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, MP1 raises, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 12.20 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Ad Qc (three of a kind, aces).
MP1 has Kc Jc (flush, ace high).
Outcome: MP1 wins 12.20 BB.

This is easily the most absurd run of luck I've ever been involved with playing this game. Mecos is talking about being drawn out on, getting second best hands, and I'm right there with him...So here's me, playing 11/10/2.86, and LOSING $144 as of now. Decks can't run this cold forever can they?

I can't deal with this anymore. I'm stepping aside for a little while. Since 10/12, I'm at -$552.50 over 1377 hands. I'm a >4 BB/100 winner, and I'm LOSING at 4 BB/100.

VP$IP 17.5 *check*
PFR 7.33 *check*
AF-T 2.44 *check*
WtSD 31.58%
W$SD 44.05% (WTF??)

What the hell is the problem?

A small analysis of my biggest pot losers, which should tell you what's going on:

6.5BB:
QQ loses to AA (okay)
A8 loses to JJ (flopped A-8-3, turned J)
6 BB
AQ loses to KJs (I turned set of As, he rivered flush)
5.5 BB
AKs loses to T8o (flopped an A, he flopped a T and turned the 8)
5.2 BB
JJ loses to 99 (he flopped set)
5 BB
KK loses to T5s (he rivered flush)
AK loses to AQ (I flopped K, he turned flush)
KK loses to AQ (flop 2-6-J, turn K, river T)
AA loses to AJ (flop T-K-9, turn Q)
4.5 BB
JJ loses to QQ (okay)
JT loses to Q9o (flop 6-8-J, turn K, river T)
AK loses to 88 (whiffed)
KK loses to QTo (flop 9-8-6, turn J)
AK loses to KJ (flop A-Q-T)
KT loses to AJ (flop Q-K-3, turn 2, river T)
64 in BB loses to 76 in SB (flop 8-T-4, turn 4, river 9)
AQ loses to AT (flop J-2-Q, turn 4, river K)
4.4 BB
AK loses to UTG raise calling J4 when he hits J on flop
4.3 BB
AJ loses to KQ (flop 8-Q-K, turn A, river Q)
4 BB
whiffed AQ (folded)
whiffed AQ vs JJ
JJ loses to KT (flopped K)
QQ loses to 66 (flop J-2-4 turn 6)
QJs loses to raise calling K7 (flop 7-7-J, turn Q, river 9)
A8 loses to TT (flop A-3-4, turn T)
JJ loses to KK (okay)
QQ loses to raise calling from EP K7 (flopped K)
Q3s from BB loses to K4s (flop 7-5-Q, rivered flush)
A8 loses to J9 (flop 4-2-T, turned flush, river A)

The amazing thing is that I have not skipped a single hand that I've lost more than 4 BB on in this carnage. Every beat is listed. I was a big flop or later favorite in 16 of the 19 hands. I won't even get into the ridiculous pre-flop raise calls that hit a flop.

Some hands that have been losers over the time: AKs, AK, AQ, AJs, JJ, 77, 66, 55, 44, and many others. I've hit 2 straights, 2 flushes, and 2 full houses, 1 of which lost. I've only hit 6 sets in 1377 hands.

Time for a break.

Josh--

Great points. My problem (if it is a problem) is that it will probably take me the better part of 10 years to play 200k hands. I'm not even sure if playing poker as much as I do now will even be on my radar in 10 years. I also don't knw of anyone (except maybe piers here) who has 200k hands in their database, much less for a single limit.

I know losing 50 BB over 1300 hands is nothing. Relative to my playing status, however, and relative to the success I've had over the last year, it is significant.

The strange thing (and no, this is not an "online poker is rigged" post) is that if you look at my blog and the PokerPatterns chart on there, you'll see that every so often, I hit this skid where I can't win no matter what I do. It's frustrating and it's strange, because things like the above happen all the time. I don't change my style, either a) the cards don't come, b) I whiff on my premium hands, or c) the fish are simply too stupid to fold and they win with a previously dominated hand. This has happened to me for most of the last 2 weeks, and I go through it sometimes. It just frustrates me.

I don't have a desire to play professionally. That's why I consider myself "semi-pro." As I win, I take off my winnings to get stuff for me and my family. The lifestyle just isn't for me, with the wife and kid (on the way). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the opportunity, but the microcosm of the poker world that I live in right now is nice for me. I just know that I've had sustained, consistent success over the year I've been playing. Yes, I believe that some of it is catching favorable cards. But the best portion of your post: "...concentrate more on making correct plays and less on results..." is very applicable to me. I feel I'm making solid plays and I've made some really tough laydowns this week.

I mean, how much more perfectly could I play this:
PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with , .
2 folds, Hero raises, 5 folds, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop: (6 SB) , , (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB calls.

Turn: (4.50 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB calls.

River: (7.50 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: 7.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has 6d 2d (flush, ten high).
BB has Qh Qd (one pair, queens).
Hero has Kh Kd (one pair, kings).
Outcome: SB wins 7.50 BB.

It's when these hands are losers, and when the beats get outrageous that I get frustrated (see above). This is short term variance--it can't last forever. I just can't deal right now with the swings, not to mention how PokerStars has gotten to look more like the bane of my existence, Party Poker, with the new invasion of donks.

Thanks for the above advice, and despite my rant(s) above, it is well taken. Thanks also for a fantastic product. I'll be first in line for version 1.0.

Best session in a few weeks this morning. A couple nice wins, and a couple hands where I caught my opponent's hand in the cookie jar.

I love people who buy into 5/10 games with >$2000. To me, all it does is put a bullseye on their chest.

I only spewed away more than my blind on 2 hands out of 71. Like I said, a very solid session. On the other hand,

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
2 folds, UTG+2 calls, 1 fold, Hero raises, 4 folds, BB calls, UTG+2 calls.

Flop: (6.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, UTG+2 checks, Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+2 raises, Hero calls, BB folds.

Turn: (5.70 BB) (2 players)
UTG+2 bets, Hero raises, UTG+2 calls.

River: (9.70 BB) (2 players)
UTG+2 checks, Hero bets, UTG+2 calls.

Final Pot: 11.70 BB

Results in white below:
UTG+2 has 6c 6h (three of a kind, sixes).
Hero has Ks Js (flush, king high).
Outcome: Hero wins 11.70 BB.

That's an example of the kind of hand I WOULDN'T win on "the streak." Guy flopped trips, I turned the flush. Worst part is that he was raising on the flop with anything--I knew I was calling there, no doubt at all.

This is one of those "hand in the cookie jar" kind of hands.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 4 folds, CO calls, Button calls, Hero raises, 1 fold, UTG+1 calls, CO calls, Button calls.

Flop: (9 SB) , , (4 players)
Hero bets, UTG+1 calls, CO calls, Button calls.

Turn: (6.50 BB) (4 players)
Hero bets, UTG+1 folds, CO folds, Button calls.

River: (8.50 BB) (2 players)
Hero bets, Button folds.

Final Pot: 9.50 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has Kc Jc (one pair, twos).
Outcome: Hero wins 9.50 BB.

And this one? Makes me proud. My opponent had bought in for $2700, then made this weak-ass play. This to me is absolutely pathetic. He folded before I even acted. No check, no nothing. He probably threw away A-high or J-high.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
3 folds, Hero calls, 3 folds, SB raises, 1 fold, Hero calls.

Flop: (5 SB) , , (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB calls.

I'm raising here to let him know I have something. I'm also raising for a free card--most players in SSHE check to a raiser.

Turn: (4.50 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, SB calls.

Got the freebie. He still called, and I only have 3rd pair. I could be in trouble here...

River: (6.50 BB) (2 players)
SB folds.

Huh? Best part is that I may actually have considered folding to a river bet. Donk.

Final Pot: 6.50 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has 5h 5s (one pair, fives).
Outcome: Hero wins 6.50 BB.

All in all, a good profitable session, the first real solid one I've played in a while.

5/10 LHE: 71 hands, 51m, +$160.00

WTD: 293 hands, 3hr, 54m, +$175.00

Rough night tonight--not bad beats, just some lousy luck...

In this hand, I really should've figure him for the flush. I guess I'm just not used to people playing nut flush draws this weakly on the flop:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
3 folds, Hero calls, 4 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (3 SB) , , (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB folds.

Turn: (2.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero calls.

River: (4.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 6.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has 8c Ac (flush, ace high).
Hero has Tc Ah (one pair, aces).
Outcome: SB wins 6.50 BB.

Nothing like flopping top pair good kicker and getting crushed off the flop.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
4 folds, Hero raises, 1 fold, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls.

Flop: (6.40 SB) , , (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button folds, BB calls.

Turn: (4.20 BB) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, BB raises, Hero calls.

River: (8.20 BB) (2 players)
BB bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.20 BB

Results in white below:
BB has 8c 7c (four of a kind, sevens).
Hero has Qc Ah (full house, sevens full of aces).
Outcome: BB wins 10.20 BB.

Again--had a great hand, turned out to be second best.

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
2 folds, Hero calls, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, 2 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (5 SB) , , (5 players)
SB bets, BB folds, Hero raises, MP2 folds, MP3 folds, SB calls.

Turn: (4.50 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, SB calls.

River: (6.50 BB) (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: 6.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has 3s Ks (two pair, kings and threes).
Hero has Td Kd (one pair, kings).
Outcome: SB wins 6.50 BB.

Top pair, again foiled by a guy hitting his kicker.

This is getting to be a broken record:

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with , .
2 folds, Hero calls, 5 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (3 SB) , , (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: (1.50 BB) (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets, SB calls, BB folds.

River: (3.50 BB) (2 players)
SB bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 5.50 BB

Results in white below:
SB has Kc 5h (full house, eights full of kings).
Hero has 9d Ad (three of a kind, eights).
Outcome: SB wins 5.50 BB.

The "you lose" button worked well tonight...

PokerStars 5/10 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises, 5 folds, Hero calls.

Flop: (4.40 SB) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $4 (All-In), MP1 calls.

Turn: (3 BB) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: (3 BB) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: 3 BB

Results in white below:
Hero has 9d 9c (two pair, nines and sevens).
MP1 has Qc Ad (two pair, queens and sevens).
Outcome: MP1 wins 3 BB.

A shitty end to a shitty month.

5/10 LHE: 39 hands, 31m, -$200

WTD: -$25.00
Month End Totals
5/10 LHE: 2396 hands, +$298.50
3/6 LHE: 27 hands, +$11.00
28.57 hours ($10.83/hr)

VP$IP: 17.29%
PFR: 7.31%
AF-Total: 2.66 (2.74 Flop, 2.67 Turn, 2.47 River)
WtSD: 34.02%
W$SD: 47.27% (worst in a long time...)

I might blog a month review later, but tomorrow will be busy, so good luck at the tables!