A Start- Bloggggging

I know its not real (I don't think) but everytime I have made a substantial withdrawl from ongame, I have gotten crushed the following few sessions. If you look at my long term graph 220k hands on the site, the worst sessions I've experienced are the day after I take a big chunk off the site. I ran like hell obviously but even so, I have been a winner even when running really badly below ev. Ongame isn't the same as stars atm, so I've figured out a style that allows me to beat the game without much trouble and conistantly withdrawl for living expenses. Today was the biggest losing day I've had on the site (7 bi). Maybe that is not alot the higher up you go, but its pretty crazy for the fishy game I play.  I dread withdrawing because I know it is coming. I looked back at dates of big withdrawls and sessions immediately after and its the same thing. Really weird to me. I KNOW variance is a big part of the game, but playing nitty aggressive and passive against certain players does take alot of variance out of this particular game. No matter what I had, my hand would and could not win at showdown today. Didn't matter one bit if it was nuts on turn or AA all in against A5 and k6 respectively. There are days that no matter what you do, you have no chance whatsoever in winning. Some hands and graph...

Second hand of session...

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 3 players - View hand 1757872
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $10.42
Hero (BB): $9.38
BTN: $7.99

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is BB with K K
BTN calls $0.10, SB raises to $0.50, Hero raises to $1.25, BTN calls $1.15, 1 fold

Flop: ($3.00) T T Q(2 players)
Hero bets $1.25, BTN raises to $2.50, Hero calls $1.25

Turn: ($8.00) 8(2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4.24 all in, Hero calls $4.24

River: ($16.48) A(2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $16.48
Hero shows K K (TWO_PAIR KING, TEN)
BTN shows Q A (TWO_PAIR ACE, QUEEN)
BTN wins $15.39
(Rake: $1.09)

This player always checked with a good hand and bluffed with air. Could have/should have raised turn but he literally has k high here 90 percent of time.

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1757875
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $10.78
BB: $10.97
UTG: $7.18
CO: $31.66
BTN: $17.54

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is SB with Q A
UTG raises to $0.40, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.35, 1 fold

Flop: ($0.90) A 5 5(2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.70, Hero calls $0.70

Turn: ($2.30) 6(2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $1.15, Hero calls $1.15

River: ($4.60) 6(2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $2.25, Hero calls $2.25

Final Pot: $9.10
Hero mucks Q A
UTG shows 6 Q (FULL_HOUSE SIX, FIVE)
UTG wins $8.50
(Rake: $0.60)

Probably a check fold on river I know I was beat the way the day had been going... Wasn't a chance I was good. Should have bet flop.

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1757876
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $8.30
UTG: $5.88
CO: $19.43
BTN: $20.24
Hero (SB): $9.55

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is SB with K Q
UTG calls $0.10, 1 fold, BTN raises to $0.50, Hero raises to $1, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.20) A 6 J(2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($2.20) T(2 players)
Hero bets $2.20, BTN calls $2.20

River: ($6.60) A(2 players)
Hero bets $6.35 all in, BTN calls $6.35

Final Pot: $19.30
BTN shows T T (FULL_HOUSE TEN, ACE)
Hero shows K Q (STRAIGHT ACE)
BTN wins $18.02
(Rake: $1.28)

This guy insta call A5 pre. One diamond on flop sealed the deal.

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1757878
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $6.25
BB: $9.14
UTG: $11.25
MP: $11.34
CO: $25.92
Hero (BTN): $8.40

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is BTN with A A
1 fold, MP calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.45, 1 fold, BB raises to $1, MP calls $0.90, 1 fold, Hero raises to $8.40 all in, BB raises to $9.14 all in, MP calls $8.14

Flop: ($26.83) Q Q 9(3 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($26.83) 2(3 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($26.83) T(3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $26.83
BB shows K K (TWO_PAIR KING, QUEEN)
MP shows 5 A (FLUSH ACE)
Hero shows A A (TWO_PAIR ACE, QUEEN)
MP wins $23.66
MP wins $1.39
(Rake: $1.78)

Somewhat in response to kuval regarding redline at 10nl...

I'm enjoying poker, not stressing over results, trying to chase fish, win back loses, getting super pissed over a 150 bb cooler, etc and I like it. Yes, I have been running normal and not super bad, which got me into an unwanted and unwarranted mental state a few weeks ago. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm getting back to basics. I think for a long while I was over analyzing, trying to incorporate new tricks and moves into my arsenal when it really wasn't necessary. I started to play WAY to many hands just because a fish was in a pot, call out of the blinds, try to outplay the other regs and it got me no where, except to the pharmacy to buy more advil or the market to buy more Mantabi Sugar Cane Absolutely Horrible But Cheap Liquor- to forget about the game for a while. After my computer crashed and had been away from the tables for about a week, I got a re-deposit bonus offer from the ongame skin I play on (with no rb), so took roll off, and transferred back a couple of days later. I Have put in 3 long days without looking at HM once! I feel like I'm playing better and also feel like the results are probably there, but am enjoying this time to not be results oriented and just go with the flow.

After about 75 percent of my sessions that occurred on days that I din't go out with buddies or girlfriends, I basically just watched vids until the wee hours, and while the content is great and there is always something more to learn, it probably just became too much. My brain was overloaded with info, concepts, advice, strategy, and as such, I couldn't filter it out and apply it correctly. I'll get back to studying hands, and breathing poker when not playing sessions, but for the next few days, just going to play like I know how, and try to let the accrued knowledge naturally come out. Here's to hoping it goes well, and that I don't jinx myself by writing this and end up tilting off buy ins to monkey men and stations. And if any of you are interested in a sick poker thread to follow though it is dated- check out this link- sure most of the DC vets have seen it and know the guy, but it is an incredible read from page 1 to page 141 on 2+2. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/108/las-vegas-lifestyle/another-kid-another-dream-tl-dr-659480/index56.html

Just looked at HM now- this is since Monday and didn't play today. Didn't once look at HM. Was surprised I broke totally even on Tuesday and won 9 bi's on Wednesday when both days seemed similar and to go well. I am def more nitty (21 vip in games where average to flop is like 45 percent on most tables) though which means my adjustments are good for the games I'm, feel my current game would be too weak against super good opponents- even at 10nl. But during long break even stretch, I was playing like 28 vip avg but more like 35+ on lots of fishy tables and it definitely hurt my game for how I play. Stupid preflop calls ended up being whole buy in loses when I shouldn't have been in the pot in first place.

Hey, have been away for a bit. My computer crashed and took a week to fix and before that was getting crushed, running bad, playing bad etc so played and thought about poker alot less. Got my pc back and have put in some hands and a thought occurred to me- playing nitty/weak tight/not ideal for higher stakes where people exploit, and then picking spots against the regs of the game, and value betting the shit out of fish seems to be what worked for me when I was winning the most during a 150k hand sample. At some point, I started to get more aggressive, 3 and 4 bet, barrel, bluff, and go with jj and ak plus against most regs in most spots if the dynamic was there. Anyway, during this time, variance was obviously way higher, and it was far easier to run bad. Sometime qq is not the nuts pre in a non aggressive game.

My question is, and I know my answer but wanted feedback- is it ok to play in a way that others construe as "weak tight/fit or fold" (most of the time at least) if that is winning you the most money in your current game? I got so worried about my numbers, stats, etc that I didn't play in a way that I knew was profitable in the 10 and 20 nl game I play in. It is a style that allows a player to limit to a degree variance which subsequently, can lead to less tilt etc... anyway, adjusting is the name of the game, just think I adjusted in the wrong direction when the need wasn't there in order to "play better more agro poker"

So things started off quite well over first 120k hands or so, and still aren't going that bad. My rate has dropped but not surprised given how I've been responding to beats, and always targeting super fish in spots it isn't called for. OOP with junk hands, or calling too much from blinds with suited connectors etc. I realize the leaks as they  are occurring but they continue. Anyway, a few big hands and sessions swing and things play out different. one SUBSTANTIAL difference from the micro play on ongame is that the money doesn't often go in pre as it seems to do on more aggressive stakes and sites. Alot of times as pfr, you will cbet with nuts or close to it to set up pot size or less shoves, and the players that never fold sometimes get there. Having committed so much of your stack, and not knowing what draw they have on straight and flush boards, you put the money in. Sometimes, as 90+ percent favorite on turn, and drawing dead on river so all in EV doesn't mean much. Anyway, onto what I want feedback for--- this game is juicy and beatable, very, very beatable. Playing abc poker etc, value betting, and getting paid. The one thing I have trouble with and maybe always will, even after working with a coach, and studying religiously, is knowing how to value our hands that are probably best, but might not be (because fish can have any two at anytime, and don't act in a way, that lets you know the strength of their hand) This is general, I know, but I feel like lately I am either over thinking, trying to play too aggressive because my stats don't look aggressive enough, or try to 3 bet hands like AQ suited oop against a large field that doesn't fold, and end up being in tricky spots. So what feedback am I looking for? How to get to river with huge draw with zero fold equity both in and out of position? When to c/f rivers when passive fish call you down as board gets worse and worse (sets, etc, not just overpairs), when to barrel with good pot equity but zero fold equity? I think playing more passively, trying to hit your hand and then get paid, is way to go on this skin at this stake. I feel like such a weak tight nit, but when playing as such, the money keeps coming in. As soon as I try to step up random aggression in spots that seem good for it, it backfires. I'll post three hands with a comment about each and a graph..... Hope some of you guys can comment as it sucks having the recent swings I've been having when it kind of is avoidable if I play to minimize variance, and stop chasing fish.... Anywhooooo. Thanks. 

Villain is super agro. Saw him barrel three streets with air. Considering raising flop or turn, but felt he was full of it and wanted to keep in air. Backfired obv...

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1655082
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $8.23
BTN: $11.35
SB: $15.00
BB: $10.00
Hero (UTG): $9.15

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is UTG with Q K
Hero raises to $0.35, 3 folds, BB calls $0.25

Flop: ($0.75) T A J(2 players)
BB bets $0.55, Hero calls $0.55

Turn: ($1.85) 5(2 players)
BB bets $1.40, Hero calls $1.40

River: ($4.65) 3(2 players)
BB bets $3.50, Hero folds

Final Pot: $4.65
Hero mucks Q K
BB wins $4.34
(Rake: $0.31)

I have to raise flop bigger, and shove turn. Very big mistake but again, against spewy fish that could have any two, felt I was crushing his range and only card I didnt' want to see was 7 or 8. This set me off on mini tilt run... Def a fold on river as played. Another mistake.

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1655084
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $9.70
SB: $12.99
Hero (BB): $11.89
UTG: $9.60
CO: $10.15

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is BB with 9 9
UTG raises to $0.40, CO calls $0.40, BTN calls $0.40, SB raises to $0.70, Hero calls $0.60, UTG calls $0.30, CO calls $0.30, BTN calls $0.30

Flop: ($3.50) 6 9 5(5 players)
SB bets $0.90, Hero raises to $2.25, UTG folds, CO folds, BTN folds, SB calls $1.35

Turn: ($8.00) 3(2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $3.50, SB calls $3.50

River: ($15.00) 8(2 players)
SB bets $6.54 all in, Hero calls $5.44 all in

Final Pot: $25.88
SB shows 6 A (FLUSH ACE)
Hero mucks 9 9
SB wins $24.16
(Rake: $1.72)

Typical spot I used to check back with added turn equity, have been barreling but maybe a mistake? This fish is calling any ace and obv what he shows up with...

Ongame Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players - View hand 1655085
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $8.96
SB: $4.44
BB: $12.25
Hero (CO): $10.10

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is CO with K J
Hero raises to $0.30, 1 fold, SB calls $0.25, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.90) A 6 J(3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.70, SB folds, BB calls $0.70

Turn: ($2.30) 3(2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $1.50, BB calls $1.50

River: ($5.30) Q(2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $5.30
BB shows 6 J (TWO_PAIR JACK, SIX)
Hero mucks K J
BB wins $4.95
(Rake: $0.35)

Three typical spots. Anyway thanks for feedback. here is the graph. as you can see, not the best results over last 10-20k hands or so....

Played my longest session to date since being south of the equator and results and play wise, it wasn't the best thing ever. Started the 11 hour grind off running second nuts into nuts twice in first 5 minutes against opponents I know to be maniacs. Settled ok afterward, but found that whenever I lost a big pot to one of the 225 fish on the site in a spot where I assume I played the hand decent until the river, and then either called when I shouldn't have or checked when I shouldn't have, I would have a momentary lapse of poker intelligence that would last for a good 7 min on all my tables. Also becoming clear to me is the fact that after 7 pm est, the games STINK! I mean you can steal blinds very easily but the spots you just love to play for- hero calling a monkey, or bluff shoving a scare card, or check calling three streets with the nuts against someone that assumes everytime you check, he can steal it- those spots just don't seem to happen much. I logged off for the night at around 9 pm, but was still wired and in the mood to play, so gave it a second go. Just like the start of the day, 2 bi's down the drain in first 3 min- one I should have pot controlled (top two in limped pot against bottom set), second, top two and flush draw in position with JTdd on jt35dd board to KQdd ai on turn. It is definitely a mental challenge to start sessions behind the eight ball, when all you want to do is grind, play well, and make some loot. Soooooooooooo much hidden variance in poker- onto tomorrow although it's 2am and am way too amped to sleep.

Not having the balls to move higher. Such a puss. Will drop $100 on a night out like its my job, but not put same amount aside for $20 NL. So weak considering have been beating 10nl for 13bb/100 over last 125k hands. Maybe too comfortable winning there and too scared to fail? Whatever it is, I'm being a puss. Ugh!!!!

My jaw drops roughly every 7 min playing these clowns. Anyway, things are always easier in hindsight but feel good about my reading ability at the moment, at least at the stakes I am playing. Sometimes I end up making nitty laydowns based on a read that I have which is fine and swell, if the read is generated through a decent hand sample size. That is often not the case and wish I didn't try to make hero reads and just did what everyone else would do in spots like these: Layed down AA on kt3r to flop cbet, then very big 3 bet. In chat he said, "I had you smoked, I had AK." Didn't 3 bet pre because he was UTG and wanted to keep him in and mix up my play. Sucks to be results oriented but at this level, this is an insta 4 bet shove without VERY VERY good reads which I didn't have on this villain. He later stacked off twice OTF with one pair.

One other scenario, didn't call a big button iso with 44 in bb to who I thought was solid reg (maybe he was) but on a A94r, He and fish got 120 bb in each, AJ to AK.... Think it is mandatory to setmine in these spots when there are uberfish going 5 way to every flop. At higher stakes or on stars, this is not the case, but these spots are just to valuable to pass up on with these clowns playing every hand and stacking off with anything and everything!!!! Sorry this is more of a ramble than strategy post but feel free to comment on the two hands. Thanks!

Feeling pretty much in the zone lately. Not letting beats get to me. Finally have had AA a few times when someone else has had KK which is nice. Just grinding but DON'T WANT TO JINX IT!!!!

Hey all,

If you read my earlier post, you'll know I was bonus whoring to pay for current expenses, but that dried up a bit in that the "kickbacks (which differ from straight bonus)" take alot more time to clear so figured I'd just grind like an ordinary human being and see how it goes without rb. The reason I made this decision, at least will hold to it for the time being, is the site I am playing on really is that juicy, that even without rb, I am probably still making more than I would on a tougher site/network where the nits nit it up and the fish don't splash in deep waters the way they do here. Wish I had put a little more volume in the past two or three weeks, but a 3 day weekend at the beach, a few crazy nights outs, and one or two days bumming because of the run bad limited my hours at the tables. Still at 10nl but my roll is now at $425 so will be moving to $20nl asap. Had my roll up to $1200 from scratch but had to pay rent, food, dates etc so was comfortable grinding out the 3-5 bi's a day (maybe 5 days a week) and withdrawing weekly. I do have to mention my idiotic "fear" of moving up. It is idiotic for a few reasons 1.) Was grinding $25 and $50 for over a year and was able to handle the bigger swings, 2) Wouldn't think twice about loosing $300 playing $1-$2 in AC when I had a job because I always made so much more than I lost on those trips, 3) I am comfortably beating 10nl and have played a few thousand hands at 20nl on current site with same winrate.

So this fear may be unfounded, but regardless, it's there. I am sure 2 to 3 days in all will be fine and dandy mentally even if I am not winning at the rate I am winning at 10nl. At least I hope so. I do have to mention, as all of us bloggers do, the state of our most recent stretch of "run." Things have been decent over the last week, however, the week prior was a different story. Besides the 8-10 bi loses when I got the money in as a 98% favorite or better (it really was this many over 8k hands or so), the coolers were non stop. Not at all complaining, it was actual comical at times and I've come to expect it, but it definitely took its toll. Anyway, below is a recent graph. Will be hopefully moving on up from here and hoping the winning continues. Have also just become part of two study groups with some legit DC members, which is something I am very much looking forward to. I am sure it will benefit all of our games. Off to see a beautiful Ecuadorian amiga so hasta luego...