Scarface's Journal: Nowhere to go but up

[scarface]

Haven't had much of a chance to play this last week, but played some tonight and ended up a few dollars. I'm still $7 shy of my halfway mark, can't seem to break the hump.

1/3/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 88
VP$IP: 27.27%
PFR: 6.82%
Net: -$5.85
BB/100: -33.24

1/4/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 118
VP$IP: 19.49%
PFR: 4.24%
Net: $3.50
BB/100: 14.83

1/9/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 81
VP$IP: 19.75%
PFR: 11.11%
Net: $3.20
BB/100: 19.75

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 1471
VP$IP: 23.79%
PFR: 9.79%
Net: $42.85
BB/100: 14.46

[scarface]

Still can't seem to break the hump, ended up down a little, although there was one mistake I know I made and if I hadn't made it I would've been up. Stat's and hands:

1/10/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 131
VP$IP: 21.37%
PFR: 4.58%
Net: -$0.85
BB/100: -3.24

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 1602
VP$IP: 23.60%
PFR: 9.36%
Net: $42.00
BB/100: 13.11



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

UTG ($5.90)
UTG+1 ($3.80)
MP1 ($7)
MP2 ($2.90)
MP3 ($6.95)
Hero ($9.70)
Button ($27.15)
SB ($10.40)
BB ($9.40)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , . MP1 posts a blind of $0.10.
2 folds, MP1 (poster) checks, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, 1 fold, SB calls $0.35, BB calls $0.30, MP1 folds.

Flop: ($1.30) , , (3 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.5, Hero raises to $1.5, SB folds, BB calls $1.

Turn: ($4.30) (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $2, BB folds.

Final Pot: $6.30


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($3.55)
Hero ($9)
CO ($9.65)
Button ($9.30)
SB ($17.20)
BB ($2.15)
UTG ($6.55)
UTG+1 ($10.10)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, 2 folds, SB raises to $0.6, 1 fold, MP1 folds, Hero calls $0.50.

Flop: ($1.40) , , (2 players)
SB bets $0.8, Hero raises to $2, SB raises to $16.6, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $20



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($9.90)
MP3 ($16.25)
CO ($6.90)
Button ($7.35)
SB ($2.70)
BB ($3.95)
UTG ($10.50)
UTG+1 ($8.45)
MP1 ($7.45)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.3, MP3 calls $0.30, 2 folds, SB calls $0.25, BB calls $0.20.

Flop: ($1.20) , , (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $1, MP3 calls $1, SB folds, BB folds.

Turn: ($3.20) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP3 calls $2.

River: ($7.20) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $2, Hero calls $2.

Final Pot: $11.20

Results in white below:
Hero has Qd Kd (two pair, kings and tens).
MP3 has 2h 2s (full house, twos full of tens).
Outcome: MP3 wins $11.20.




PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

SB ($6.20)
Hero ($10.10)
UTG ($10.40)
UTG+1 ($12.90)
MP1 ($20.15)
MP2 ($2.90)
MP3 ($1.50)
CO ($6.30)
Button ($10.30)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
3 folds, MP2 calls $0.10, 1 fold, CO calls $0.10, Button calls $0.10, SB completes, Hero raises to $0.6, MP2 calls $0.50, CO folds, Button calls $0.50, SB folds.

Flop: ($2) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $1.5, MP2 raises to $2.3, Button raises to $9.7, Hero folds.

Turn: ($15.50) (2 players)

River: ($15.50) (2 players)

Final Pot: $15.50

Results in white below:
MP2 has 2d 2h (full house, tens full of twos).
Button has Td Ad (four of a kind, tens).
Outcome: Button wins $15.50.



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($9.45)
BB ($6.40)
UTG ($3.35)
UTG+1 ($1.90)
MP1 ($9.55)
MP2 ($10.50)
CO ($8.65)
Button ($12)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, Button calls $0.10, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.60) , , (6 players)
Hero bets $0.5, BB folds, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 folds, CO raises to $3, Button folds, Hero raises to $9.2, MP1 folds, CO calls $5.55 (All-In).

Turn: ($18.85) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($18.85) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $18.85

Results in white below:
Hero has Ad 7s (two pair, aces and sevens).
CO has 5s As (two pair, aces and fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $18.84.

[scarface]

Didn't play much in the last 6 days due to closing on the house and doing work around there, but I did get in a few sessions:

1/11/06 - 1/15/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 189
VP$IP: 24.87%
PFR: 5.29%
Net: $4.40
BB/100: 11.64

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 1791
VP$IP: 23.73%
PFR: 8.93%
Net: $46.40
BB/100: 12.95



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Button ($3.70)
SB ($3.90)
Hero ($9.30)
UTG ($18.55)
MP1 ($28.60)
MP2 ($6.45)
CO ($19.30)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, MP2 raises to $0.3, CO calls $0.30, 1 fold, SB calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.20.

Flop: ($1.20) , , (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $1, MP2 calls $1, CO folds, SB folds.

Turn: ($3.20) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP2 calls $2.

River: ($7.20) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP2 folds.

Final Pot: $9.20

Results in white below:
Hero has Qc Ah (two pair, aces and queens).
Outcome: Hero wins $9.20.


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($2.95)
UTG ($3.90)
MP1 ($6.80)
MP2 ($27.40)
Hero ($10.75)
Button ($11.05)
SB ($13.55)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG calls $0.10, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.3, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.20.

Flop: ($0.75) , , (2 players)
UTG bets $0.1, Hero raises to $0.6, UTG raises to $1.1, Hero calls $0.50.

Turn: ($2.95) (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $2, UTG raises to $2.5, Hero calls $0.50.

River: ($7.95) (2 players)

Final Pot: $7.95

Results in white below:
UTG has Ah 3h (high card, ace).
Hero has Qd Kd (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins $7.95.

[scarface]

Yesterday sucked, plain and simple. I finally broke my halfway hump, on a very good hand, only to blow my winnings on a stupid hand. I also got some good hands cracked, which has been happening a lot lately, I should've been up to about 3/5 of my goal by the end of it all but what should've been doesn't matter, I'm back to about $40 now and need to keep climbing again. This is why I'm playing these limits, I have the bankroll to play higher but I'm here to learn, when I can beat this game I will move up to the next level.

1/16/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 127
VP$IP: 29.13%
PFR: 5.51%
Net: -$6.20
BB/100: -24.41

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 1944
VP$IP: 24.07%
PFR: 8.69%
Net: $39.20
BB/100: 10.08




This one pains me to even think about it. I had seen this guy play a few times before and he seemed like a decent player, but when he sat down at the table last night he was playing like a maniac. I had just gotten off the phone and was in a foul mood, I didn't want him pushing me around all night so I decided to bluff him off his hand because I thought he would be scared of the flush on the flop and had most likely missed whatever cards he was playing. Then on the river I thought he might have been calling me down with a heart, so I pushed to make him fold. He of course called and showed me that my initial thoughts about him were wrong, he was really a fish in disguise, and ended up going broke before I left the table, which did make me feel a little better, but it didn't matter because I gave him my stack. He types "thank you", like a true ass but there's not really much I could do about it, I played like an idiot and payed the price. I'm not sure if I would've felt better if he had been holding a real hand or not, but it doesn't matter, I think I've learned my lesson, and I think this is really important. All along I have heard people say "you can't put moves on guys at this level, it never works", and all along I have thought "Well, I play this level, and I'm capable of laying down my aces and kings and top pairs (capable although I don't always do it)", but I guess I'm wrong. For the one or two guys who are out there that can do this, there's a hundred that can't, so the odds are really stacked against me on the bluff. This doesn't mean that I'm going to stop trying to take down pots on the flop with a bet, because I am able to make money doing that, but I am never bluffing again like I do on the following hand, I haven't done it before and I'm not doing it again at this level. So it is written.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($9.60)
MP1 ($19.75)
MP2 ($12.30)
CO ($3.35)
Button ($9.95)
SB ($5.65)
BB ($4.05)
UTG ($3.60)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
UTG calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $0.3, 4 folds, UTG folds, Hero calls $0.20.

Flop: ($0.85) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $0.7, MP2 calls $0.70.

Turn: ($2.25) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP2 calls $2.

River: ($6.25) (2 players)
Hero bets $6.6 (All-In), MP2 calls $6.60.

Final Pot: $19.45

Results in white below:
Hero has Js Tc (high card, queen).
MP2 has Qd 9d (one pair, queens).
Outcome: MP2 wins $19.45.



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($3.60)
MP1 ($3.10)
MP2 ($6.55)
MP3 ($1.45)
CO ($12.60)
Button ($1.70)
SB ($5.50)
Hero ($10.80)
UTG ($10)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
3 folds, MP2 calls $0.10, 3 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($0.30) , , (3 players)
SB bets $0.2, Hero calls $0.20, MP2 calls $0.20.

Turn: ($0.90) (3 players)
SB bets $0.3, Hero raises to $1, MP2 calls $1, SB calls $0.70.

River: ($3.90) (3 players)
SB bets $0.1, Hero raises to $3, MP2 calls $3, SB calls $2.90.

Final Pot: $12.90

Results in white below:
SB has Th As (one pair, aces).
Hero has 2d 2s (three of a kind, twos).
MP2 has Ah 2c (two pair, aces and twos).
Outcome: Hero wins $12.90.



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP2 ($4.25)
MP3 ($4.60)
CO ($6.10)
Button ($19.05)
SB ($9.80)
BB ($4)
UTG ($2.15)
Hero ($14.70)
MP1 ($5.35)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.4, 4 folds, Button calls $0.40, 1 fold, BB calls $0.30.

Flop: ($1.25) , , (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.2, Button calls $1.20, BB folds.

Turn: ($3.65) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, Button calls $2.

River: ($7.65) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, Button calls $2.

Final Pot: $11.65

Results in white below:
Hero has Ad Ac (one pair, aces).
Button has Qh Jd (two pair, queens and jacks).
Outcome: Button wins $11.65.



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Button ($15.20)
Hero ($9.35)
BB ($19.30)
UTG ($18.60)
UTG+1 ($3.45)
MP1 ($10.35)
MP2 ($5.90)
MP3 ($3.35)
CO ($3.90)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, 4 folds, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.30) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $0.3, BB folds, MP1 calls $0.30.

Turn: ($0.90) (2 players)
Hero bets $0.8, MP1 calls $0.80.

River: ($2.50) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $0.8, Hero calls $0.80.

Final Pot: $4.10

Results in white below:
Hero has 9s Ks (one pair, kings).
MP1 has As Tc (two pair, aces and tens).
Outcome: MP1 wins $4.10.



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($4.20)
MP1 ($4.75)
MP2 ($6.20)
MP3 ($3.35)
CO ($10)
Button ($13)
SB ($2.90)
Hero ($9.80)
UTG ($4.55)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , . CO posts a blind of $0.10.
UTG calls $0.10, 3 folds, MP3 calls $0.10, CO (poster) checks, 1 fold, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($0.50) , , (5 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.3, UTG folds, MP3 calls $0.30, CO folds, SB folds.

Turn: ($1.10) (2 players)
Hero bets $0.5, MP3 calls $0.50.

Villain only has $2.45 left in his stack, I should've put him all in.

River: ($2.10) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP3 calls $2.

Final Pot: $6.10

Results in white below:
Hero has 4c Kc (flush, ace high).
MP3 has 7c As (one pair, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins $6.10.

[scarface]

Well, I kept my cool today and came out on top, played a lot tighter than I've been playing, didn't try to force anything, basically played much better than yesterday.

1/17/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 79
VP$IP: 22.78%
PFR: 3.8%
Net: $4.30
BB/100: 27.22

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 1997
VP$IP: 24.04%
PFR: 8.51%
Net: $44.50
BB/100: 11.14




Yeah, I got a little lucky, but he priced me in.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($7.45)
UTG ($9.75)
UTG+1 ($10)
MP1 ($14.75)
MP2 ($1)
MP3 ($11.75)
Hero ($10.35)
Button ($12.35)
SB ($9.50)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
UTG raises to $0.2, UTG+1 calls $0.20, 2 folds, MP3 calls $0.20, Hero calls $0.20, Button calls $0.20, 1 fold, BB calls $0.10.

Flop: ($1.25) , , (6 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $0.4, UTG+1 folds, MP3 calls $0.40, Hero calls $0.40, Button calls $0.40, BB folds.

Turn: ($2.85) (4 players)
UTG bets $0.5, MP3 folds, Hero calls $0.50, Button calls $0.50.

River: ($4.35) (3 players)
UTG bets $0.6, Hero raises to $4, Button folds, UTG calls $3.40.

Final Pot: $12.35

Results in white below:
UTG has 6c Ks (one pair, kings).
Hero has Jd Td (straight, king high).
Outcome: Hero wins $12.35.



Villian was very lag, I wasn't sure if I was beat here or not, but I didn't get that feeling in the pit of my stomach before I make a bad call, so I went with it.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (5 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP ($10.30)
Button ($3.65)
SB ($7.45)
Hero ($13.55)
UTG ($5.30)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
3 folds, SB raises to $0.2, Hero calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.40) , , (2 players)
SB bets $0.3, Hero raises to $1, SB calls $0.70.

Turn: ($2.40) (2 players)
SB bets $0.4, Hero calls $0.40.

River: ($3.20) (2 players)
SB bets $0.4, Hero calls $0.40.

Final Pot: $4

Results in white below:
Hero has 7s Jc (one pair, sevens).
SB has 6d 7d (one pair, sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $4.



Got top set twice but couldn't get them payed off.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($9.10)
MP1 ($22.25)
MP2 ($4.05)
CO ($3.85)
Button ($3.80)
SB ($6.60)
BB ($8.75)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $0.4, 4 folds, SB calls $0.35, 1 fold.

Flop: ($0.90) , , (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($0.90) (2 players)
SB bets $0.3, Hero raises to $1, SB calls $0.70.

River: ($2.90) (2 players)
SB folds.

Final Pot: $2.90

Results in white below:
Hero has Js Jh (three of a kind, jacks).
Outcome: Hero wins $2.90.


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP2 ($5.95)
MP3 ($11.35)
CO ($10.50)
Button ($16.45)
SB ($4.35)
BB ($15.35)
Hero ($15.70)
UTG+1 ($6)
MP1 ($3.70)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP3 calls $0.10, 2 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.50) , , (5 players)
SB bets $0.2, BB folds, Hero raises to $0.8, MP1 folds, MP3 folds, SB folds.

Final Pot: $1.50

Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $1.50.




(converter wouldn't work for some reason)

POKERSTARS GAME #3665407710: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.05/$0.10) - 2006/01/17 - 09:18:18 (ET)
Table 'Euneus' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: HERO ($9.90 in chips)
Seat 2: MelMel77 ($24.55 in chips)
Seat 3: Vormicia[Big ($4.70 in chips)
Seat 4: kent wins ($4 in chips)
Seat 5: Maaikes ($5.15 in chips)
Seat 6: twin36 ($3.35 in chips)
Seat 7: Locust1 ($3.30 in chips)
Seat 8: Ace over 9 ($2.45 in chips)
Seat 9: SUPERPET ($5.30 in chips)
Ace over 9: posts small blind $0.05
SUPERPET: posts big blind $0.10
kent wins: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO
HERO: raises $0.30 to $0.40
MelMel77: folds
Vormicia[Big: calls $0.40
kent wins: folds
Maaikes: folds
twin36: calls $0.40
Locust1: folds
Ace over 9: folds
SUPERPET: folds
*** FLOP ***
HERO: bets $1
Vormicia[Big: calls $1
twin36: calls $1
*** TURN ***
HERO: checks
Vormicia[Big: bets $0.10
twin36: raises $1.85 to $1.95 and is all-in
chip0029: folds
Vormicia[Big: calls $1.85
*** RIVER ***
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Vormicia[Big: shows [Ac Tc] (two pair, Aces and Queens)
twin36: shows [Ad 4d] (two pair, Aces and Queens - lower kicker)
Vormicia[Big collected $7.95 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $8.35 | Rake $0.40
Board
Seat 1: HERO folded on the Turn
Seat 2: MelMel77 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Vormicia[Big showed and won ($7.95) with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 4: kent wins folded before Flop
Seat 5: Maaikes folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: twin36 showed and lost with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 7: Locust1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Ace over 9 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: SUPERPET (big blind) folded before Flop

[scarface]

My play last night and this morning consisted of mostly folding. The few hands that I did get didn't seem to hit except for one, I was able to get villain all-in but unfortunately he only had less than half a stack. I'll post it below.

01/18/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 102
VP$IP: 14.71%
PFR: 2.94%
Net: -$5.75
BB/100: -28.19

01/19/06 (Morning) Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 14
VP$IP: 21.43%
PFR: 0.00%
Net: $3.75
BB/100: 133.93

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 2113
VP$IP: 23.57%
PFR: 8.19%
Net: $42.50
BB/100: 10.06



Somewhat unlucky for villain, but he didn't really help things by trying to be tricky. What sucks about the level I'm playing is that most players only buy in for a few bucks, so when I get them in situations like this it doesn't pay off as much as it should.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP2 ($9.85)
CO ($13.10)
Button ($10.20)
SB ($1.80)
BB ($7.55)
Hero ($9.75)
UTG+1 ($4.35)
MP1 ($2.25)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero calls $0.10, UTG+1 calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.10, 3 folds, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.45) , , (4 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.4, UTG+1 calls $0.40, MP2 folds, BB folds.

Turn: ($1.25) (2 players)
Hero bets $1, UTG+1 raises to $2,Hero raises to $5, UTG+1 calls $1.85 (All-In).

River: ($10.10) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $10.10

Results in white below:
Hero has 2h 2d (full house, twos full of nines).
UTG+1 has As 4s (flush, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins $10.10.

[scarface]

Today was a day of very tight, straight forward poker, and it payed off. I got my money in with the best of it and didn't waste it on any crap. Left the table a little early since all the fish had left and there was only a TAG, SLAG, LAG, and rocks left, and it looked like they were staying clear of me when I bet.

01/19/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 63
VP$IP: 14.29%
PFR: 1.59%
Net: $8.00
BB/100: 63.49

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 2162
VP$IP: 23.31%
PFR: 8.05%
Net: $46.75
BB/100: 10.81



One of the biggest reasons why I've been playing winning poker is shown in this hand. I used to think you should slow-play the nuts to let them catch up, but I was wrong. Start building the pot on the flop so that you can put them all-in by the river, it's one of the most important things I've learned.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

CO ($3.35)
Button ($6.20)
SB ($13.05)
BB ($5.60)
UTG ($7.30)
MP1 ($10.50)
Hero ($9.55)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.3, 3 folds, BB calls $0.20.

Flop: ($0.65) , , (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.3, BB raises to $0.9, Hero calls $0.60.

Turn: ($2.45) (2 players)
BB bets $0.8, Hero raises to $2, BB calls $1.20.

River: ($6.45) (2 players)
BB bets $1, Hero raises to $3, BB calls $1.40 (All-In).

Final Pot: $11.85

Results in white below:
BB has Qd 8c (two pair, queens and tens).
Hero has As Ks (straight, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins $11.85.

[scarface]

Moving sucks, it's eating up all of my free time lately, so I'm usually just getting a little less than an hour each night to play, hopefully I get some time this weekend though. So, my new thing lately has been to play supertight and take rolls with good hands, so far it's working. Also, my table selection has been horrible lately, it seems like I'm always at a table with one half LAG's and the other half rocks, not very optimal.

01/19/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 46
VP$IP: 15.22%
PFR: 2.17%
Net: $2.80
BB/100: 30.43

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 2208
VP$IP: 23.14%
PFR: 7.93%
Net: $49.55
BB/100: 11.22




Villain was a moron, I have no clue what he was thinking as this was the only hand I raised pre-flop so far, but he did help me out with his reraise, UTG was a rock and I didn't really want him in the hand. Villain reloaded for a full stack afterwards, but I wasn't able to stick around long.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($12.90)
MP1 ($14.25)
MP2 ($4.55)
MP3 ($7.95)
CO ($4.45)
Hero ($9.70)
SB ($3.25)
BB ($7.25)
UTG ($3.50)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
UTG calls $0.10, 4 folds, CO calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.5, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.40, CO raises to $0.9, Hero raises to $5, UTG folds, CO calls $3.55 (All-In).

Flop: ($10.10) , , (2 players, 1 all-in)

Turn: ($10.10) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($10.10) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $10.10

Results in white below:
CO has 6c 6d (two pair, sevens and sixes).
Hero has Kh Kd (two pair, kings and sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $10.09.

[excession]

Scar you are doing well and the way you post your hands show that you take the learning really seriously - more seriously than most of the guys playing $200 NL IMHO.

Also you have picked Stars to learn on which is great, as if you can beat a level at Stars you can beat it at just about any other site.

What is your Roll now? surely with these win rates over this many hands you can move up stakes?

[scarface]

Excession, thanks for reading the journal and for the vote of confidence. Currently my roll is:

Stars: $238
PRoom: $205
Total: $443

I will be moving up to .25NL soon, but, when I started playing .10NL shortly before xmas, I set a goal for myself to only play .10NL until I win 10 buy-ins, I am currently at 5 1/2 buy-ins right now. The reason I picked .10NL was so that I could work on some things that I'm not very good at, like playing LAGish against weak opponents, and laying down quality hands when there's a good chance I'm beat. Also, when I move up I should have almost $500 for my bankroll which should give me some room to play around with.

[scarface]

Had a pretty good day today, except for the Panthers getting blown out by Seattle, but Poker wise things were good. I blew by the halfway mark for my goal and the end is starting to be in sight.

01/19/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 160
VP$IP: 19.38%
PFR: 5.00%
Net: $14.95
BB/100: 46.72

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 2368
VP$IP: 22.89%
PFR: 7.73%
Net: $64.50
BB/100: 13.62




PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG ($17.35)
UTG+1 ($8.50)
MP1 ($11.60)
MP2 ($3.90)
MP3 ($17.70)
CO ($12.50)
Button ($2.70)
SB ($8.90)
Hero ($10.30)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises to $0.3, MP2 calls $0.30, 2 folds, Button calls $0.30, 1 fold, Hero raises to $3, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $2.70, Button calls $2.40 (All-In).

Flop: ($9.05) , , (3 players, 1 all-in)
Hero bets $1, MP2 calls $0.90 (All-In).

Turn: ($10.95) (3 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($10.95) (3 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $10.95

Results in white below:
Hero has Kd Kh (two pair, kings and fives).
MP2 has 9c 7h (two pair, sevens and fives).
Button has 9s Td (one pair, fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $10.94.




PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($13.60)
MP1 ($9.65)
MP2 ($11.05)
CO ($10.85)
Button ($9.85)
SB ($9.05)
Hero ($11.20)
UTG ($5.35)

Preflop: Hero is BB with , .
7 folds.

Final Pot: $0.15

Results in white below:
No showdown. Hero wins $0.15.



Villain was a super lag, pushing all-in a lot preflop and always attempting to steal blinds. I thought he might have thought I was trying to steal the blind from him. I felt pretty confident I was ahead with top pair, but didn't want to re-raise him because of his tendency to push all-in, figured it would be better to just call him down. In the end his hand was better than I thought, but still not enough to win.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($3.20)
MP1 ($17.80)
Hero ($9.80)
MP3 ($9.65)
CO ($3.65)
Button ($3.20)
SB ($9.90)
BB ($12.60)
UTG ($4.80)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , .
UTG calls $0.10, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.4, 4 folds, BB raises to $1.5, UTG folds, Hero calls $1.10.

Flop: ($3.15) , , (2 players)
BB bets $1.4, Hero calls $1.40.

Turn: ($5.95) (2 players)
BB bets $1.7, Hero calls $1.70.

River: ($9.35) (2 players)
BB bets $2, Hero calls $2.

Final Pot: $13.35

Results in white below:
BB has Jh Jd (one pair, jacks).
Hero has Kd Qc (one pair, queens).
Outcome: Hero wins $13.35.




I can't ever figure out the short stacks, so I usually give them looser calls since it won't cost me as much. Worked out to my favor this time.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

SB ($4.15)
BB ($7.35)
Hero ($14.45)
UTG+1 ($6.40)
MP1 ($1.90)
MP2 ($2.25)
CO ($3.60)
Button ($4.15)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $0.4, 1 fold, MP1 raises to $1.9, 5 folds, Hero calls $1.50.

Flop: ($3.95) , , (2 players)

Turn: ($3.95) (2 players)

River: ($3.95) (2 players)

Final Pot: $3.95

Results in white below:
Hero has Jh Jc (two pair, jacks and threes).
MP1 has Qh Th (one pair, threes).
Outcome: Hero wins $3.95.




I bet out on the flop to see if button had a high pair or not, when he min-raised me and the short-stack check-raised all-in, I thought it was a good idea to fold. Even though it turns out I had the best hand at the time, I only win that pot 30% of the time, because any diamond or overcard beats me. After the fact, I think the only way to come out ahead here is a push with the button calling me, but since my read had him as an overpair it would've been a bad move on my part.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($4.45)
MP2 ($2.75)
Hero ($15.95)
Button ($8.45)
SB ($2.30)
BB ($3.75)
UTG ($4.55)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
2 folds, MP2 calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, Button raises to $0.5, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.40, Hero calls $0.40.

Flop: ($1.65) , , (3 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $1, Button raises to $2, MP2 raises to $2.25, Hero folds, Button calls $0.25.

Turn: ($7.15) (2 players)

River: ($7.15) (2 players)

Final Pot: $7.15

Results in white below:
MP2 has Kd Jd (one pair, jacks).
Button has As Qc (high card, ace).
Outcome: MP2 wins $7.15.

[shamdonk]

Do you ever stick your nose in bigger games? These hands look like my 50NL hands. One day when you're feeling frisky take a little shot.

[scarface]

I have yet to play a 50NL game, I used to play 25NL but realized that my game was not good enough for my bankroll size, that's why I moved down to 10NL, I think it's the smartest thing I ever did. Now I'm not playing scared, and when I make a mistake it doesn't hurt me as bad. Because of the breathing room I've been able to improve my game a lot, I'm starting to get the confidence to play the larger limits now. I plan to move up to 25NL when I complete my 10 buy-in goal, and if I do well I may take a shot at 50NL.

[scarface]

Not a good day at the tables yesterday, I think I played pretty well but just had a little bit of bad variance. I finally got set over setted which I knew was bound to happen, it's just too bad the guy had a full stack. I had almost recouped my losses but lost another buy-in on a hand that I'm still not sure about, part of me thinks that I should've just let it go, but another part of me thinks I played it ok, at any rate I did lose a good bit yesterday, but I don't think it was due to bad play. Also, on the plus side, I did not tilt after the set over set, just reloaded and proceeded to start making my money back.

01/23/06 Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 107
VP$IP: 28.97%
PFR: 5.61%
Net: -$16.75
BB/100: 78.27

Total Stats:
Limit: .10NL
Hands: 2475
VP$IP: 23.15%
PFR: 7.64%
Net: $47.75
BB/100: 9.65





Him having a set was definitely in the back of my mind, especially after he checked the river, but I wasn't going to try to talk myself out of playing the hand for my stack, I didn't even feel that bad after the hand, just reloaded and started winning my money back.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

Button ($6.95)
SB ($9.20)
BB ($7.45)
UTG ($5.15)
UTG+1 ($9.55)
Hero ($10)
MP2 ($10.40)
CO ($19.80)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.10, MP2 raises to $0.4, 1 fold, Button calls $0.40, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.30, Hero calls $0.30.

Flop: ($1.75) , , (4 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks, MP2 checks, Button checks.

Turn: ($1.75) (4 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks, MP2 bets $1, Button folds, UTG folds, Hero raises to $3, MP2 calls $2.

River: ($7.75) (2 players)
Hero bets $6.6 (All-In), MP2 calls $6.60.

Final Pot: $20.95

Results in white below:
Hero has 5h 5s (full house, fives full of twos).
MP2 has As Ad (full house, aces full of twos).
Outcome: MP2 wins $20.95.




The last hand of the night, both players were goofs, always playing to the river, using min-bets and min-raises for everything. I didn't even mean to play the hand because the table had just fallen apart and we were the last three left, but my blind was auto-posted so I decided to play it out. Both players were very loose and semi-aggressive, meaning that they bet a lot but it was always minimum amounts. What's odd about this hand is that everyone hit a big hand on the turn, my flop reraise was meant to get me heads up with the short stack, when the button called I put him on an overpair or an ace. I pushed the flop because I figured he would only call with an ace, in which case we split but I have a freeroll to the nuts, or an overpair which I can win, I figured if he happened to have the better straight or the flush then it was just bad luck, but I still had outs on the river.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (3 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($1.55)
Button ($22.90)
Hero ($9.60)

Preflop: Hero is SB with , .
Button raises to $0.2, Hero calls $0.15, BB calls $0.10.

Flop: ($0.60) , , (3 players)
Hero bets $0.5, BB raises to $1, Button calls $1, Hero raises to $3, BB calls $0.35 (All-In), Button calls $2.

Turn: ($7.95) (3 players, 1 all-in)
Hero bets $6.4 (All-In), Button calls $6.40.

River: ($20.75) (3 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $20.75

Results in white below:
BB has 7c 6d (straight, seven high).
Button has Td Kd (flush, king high).
Hero has Ad 5s (straight, five high).
Outcome: Button wins $20.75.




I usually don't call an all-in with AK, but villain was so loose that I didn't give it a second thought.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed)

saw flop|saw showdown

BB ($1.75)
Hero ($9.30)
MP1 ($2.15)
MP2 ($6)
CO ($10)
Button ($29.20)
SB ($4.55)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $0.4, 4 folds, SB raises to $4.55, 1 fold, Hero calls $4.15.

Flop: ($9.20) , , (2 players)

Turn: ($9.20) (2 players)

River: ($9.20) (2 players)

Final Pot: $9.20

Results in white below:
Hero has Kh As (high card, ace).
SB has Ah Jd (high card, ace).
Outcome: Hero wins $9.20.

[shamdonk]