Micro Stakes Online NL Poker Forums

Reading The Shark Experiment I thought it is a good idea to create such a tread for myself. Hoping to get response and learn to be a better pokerplayer.

My Background
Since oktober 2011 I started seriously started playing poker. On Betfair (ongame) I first started playing NL4 FR and after a while I switched to NL4 SH. Why this switch you think....I'm not a fullring player, it's way to nitty for me. Playing 13/11 against other nits is very boring and tilting. On Betfair there is also little traffic on the fullring tables so I switched. And with succes I builded my bankroll from $50 to $150 in 30k hands. Again it is time for me to change and I move my roll to Stars. Lots of traffic and I can play NL2 SH because I still feel I must improve a lot. I spend a part of my roll buying HEM2 for stats etc leaving my roll around $100. Enough to start my journey at Stars.

Goals
A very good thing is that I see poker as a recreational game. This results in a good poker mindset, I almost never tilt. Don't worry about losses. But if I do something I always want to get the best out of myself. To become better in poker I know I've to study and analyse (a lot)!!! No problem, only problem is that I only can spend 2-3 hours a day at poker on weekdays. In the weekend this is more.

But as every pokerplayer I have also some goals:
- become a better player, win a all stakes I play.
- try to spend 10-12 hours a week on poker.
- hold a strickt bankrollmanagement.
- move up!!!
- if winnings are good full membership at DC.

What can you expect
I will post hands after every session I played
I will keep track if I loose or win.
Every x (good) sample hands I post a graph and stats.

What do I expect
I want to learn and become better everything is welcome here to achieve my goal!!

I know this is my first post here so some people are sceptical but wait and see this tread will grow and so will my skills.

And don't mind my English hope and think that you will understand everything. If I wrote this in Dutch I'm sure you wouldn't.

Good luck!

+1. I'm sure I'll see you on Stars.

Just ended my first session on NL2. Didn't get paid of enough and played some stupid hands but had a small plus at the end: $0,45. It's small I know but it's a beginning but I was a little bit tired so not complete focused and playing my A-game too short.

My biggest winner at the end:

Never have luck with AK but I try always play it preflop as a tophand. Also against a villain who is attacking the blinds. Flop and turn are just perfect.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1695694
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $6.01
BTN: $2.75
SB: $1.79
Hero (BB): $2.00
UTG: $3.89
MP: $1.47

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with A K
4 folds, SB raises to $0.16, Hero raises to $0.48, SB raises to $1.79 all in, Hero calls $1.31

Flop: ($3.58) 4 Q J (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($3.58) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($3.58) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

And a stupid hand I think:
Played it check/call to go to showdown cheap as possible. Don't know what I was thinking here aiming for a gutshot or set probably. This kind of hands are a big leak in my game. Some times I love a pp and can't put them down. I really have to learn how to fold this kind of hands.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1695697
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $1.00
Hero (BB): $2.10
UTG: $1.88
CO: $2.00
BTN: $0.82

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with 9 9
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.06, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.04

Flop: ($0.13) 7 J T (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.09, Hero calls $0.09

Turn: ($0.31) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.30, Hero calls $0.30

River: ($0.91) T (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.37 all in, Hero calls $0.37

Good play??

#1

JJ is still an overpair on the flop but first villain donkbets me and then raises me. Smells like a monster so I would not play for stack here.

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1695702
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $2.42
BTN: $0.85
SB: $1.96
BB: $3.15
UTG: $1.45

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with J J
UTG calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.10, 2 folds, BB calls $0.08, UTG calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.31) 5 2 8 (3 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $0.19, Hero raises to $0.48, BB raises to $1.74, UTG folds, Hero folds

#2

The last one for today. KJs I call it preflop because I got good implied odds if I draws a flush, straight or TP. If I raise this hand I isolate myself against better and turning this hand into a bluff. Flop hits a TPGK but I fold on the cbet. Very strange play afterwards. What should I do here playing check/call or is folding a good play expecting villain had a set, calling preflop and raising on the flop???

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1695705
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $2.00
SB: $2.17
BB: $2.32
UTG: $1.30
MP: $2.15
CO: $1.27

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with K J
UTG calls $0.02, MP raises to $0.08, CO calls $0.08, Hero calls $0.08, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.06

Flop: ($0.35) J 9 5 (4 players)
UTG checks, MP checks, CO bets $0.34, Hero folds, UTG folds, MP folds

Now I go to sleep, goodnight!!! Hope to see a lot of comments tommorow.

AK hand flat IP and take it from there, unless we know he stacks off lite here. On that flop I would fold to a large cbet

99 I would jam all in preflop vs stupid button stack size (as played fold flop, esp if he will barrel)

JJ I'm calling it off unless I have a reason not to (eg villan is super passive and only does this with a set)

KJ call,we have tpgk and a backdoor FD so lots of equity

AK hand flat IP and take it from there, unless we know he stacks off lite here. On that flop I would fold to a large cbet

99 I would jam all in preflop vs stupid button stack size (as played fold flop, esp if he will barrel)

JJ I'm calling it off unless I have a reason not to (eg villan is super passive and only does this with a set)

KJ call,we have tpgk and a backdoor FD so lots of equity

Hmmm likes I'm too nitty if someone is very aggresive against me. Is it ok if I play the JJ and KJ hand for potcontrol (check/call) till showdown?

Hmmm likes I'm too nitty if someone is very aggresive against me. Is it ok if I play the JJ and KJ hand for potcontrol (check/call) till showdown?

JJ one I would just get it in on the flop, not check/call 3bet all in instead, you see strange things at micros, people over value top pairs etc

KJ just call and see a turn, we're probably ahead here

After reading a lot of documents and articles I made a SHC that would be allows me to play tight preflop. This is my standard opening range I can deviate from it if I'm on a looser or tighter table.

UTG:
22+, AJo+, ATs+, KQ+
MP:
22+, AT+, KJ+
CO:
22+, A6s+, A9o+, K9+, Q9+, J9+, JTo+, T8s+, 65s+
BU:
22+, A2+, K8o+, K7s+, Q8o+, Q7s+, J8o+, J7s+, 45+, 79+

Blindplay depends a lot on the player that's in the BB and BU. Standard I raise my UTG range but small PP (22-88) I call. Also thinking of calling Axs, suited broadways and some suited connectors if there are limpers. But this needs lots of improvement.

My 3-betting range is now something like 88+, AJs+, AQo+, KQs in late position and a bit tighter in MP. 4 or 5 betting I do only with QQ+ and AK and standard shove then. Needs improvement too I think.

Maybe I will take an account for 1 month to watch some DC videos. Maybe you could put some advice here what videos are a must see for beginners.

I think for UTG I would dump 22-55 and add hands like KJs, QJs, TJs (this is just my preference and not standard)

You need to adjust your CO/BU ranges depending on whose in the blinds, if it is loose passive players, dont raise small suited/unsuited hands, you need hands like k8o that can flop top pairs.

Also think about what your calling range is for each position, so UTG opens what do you call with in CO etc.

As for 3betting this is all opponent specific, so if they are tight, 3bet only tight hands, if they are loose 3bet more. If they fold alot 3bet more bluffy hands like a5s

Watch from the ground up, hand reading, wilt on tilts maths of no limit

Never have luck with AK

First thing I noticed, cut that out. Negative thinking like that can lead to a downward spiral while at the table.

The 99 hand is an interesting hand, I might be inclined to call the flop, but after that, I feel like a fold, or b/f, is a better option than x/c. Pocket pairs aren't exactly my strong point either though so take it with a grain of salt.

#1. Once again my weak spot, but with an overpair, I guess you could shove versus an unknown and see what he's calling with. I feel like this is a good spot to expect either a set, some aggressive flush draws, another overpair maybe even a psycho with A8o, but either way, the main thing is don't expect to ALWAYS be on top for the single reason of having an overpair, but don't be afraid to get violent with one

#2 I'd at least be calling this. I'm not automatically assuming he has a set just because he bet when checked to him. Call and reevaluate on the turn

Things really went bad today........down for 4BI applied the stoploss and quitted. Just not concentrated watching soccer and playing poker. Making bad decisions and losing. Hope things going better tommorow.

Some hands (all losing):

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1697139
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $2.00
MP: $2.96
CO: $2.91
BTN: $7.35
SB: $0.95
BB: $1.27

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is UTG with A K
Hero raises to $0.08, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.08, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.19) J 9 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.16, BTN calls $0.16

Turn: ($0.51) K (2 players)
Hero bets $0.34, BTN calls $0.34

River: ($1.19) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.76, BTN raises to $1.52, Hero calls $0.66 all in

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1697140
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BTN: $2.31
SB: $4.26
BB: $3.00
UTG: $11.10
MP: $8.68
Hero (CO): $2.30

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is CO with J A
2 folds, Hero raises to $0.08, BTN calls $0.08, 2 folds

Flop: ($0.19) T J 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $0.12, BTN raises to $0.36, Hero calls $0.24

Turn: ($0.91) 2 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.58, Hero calls $0.58

River: ($2.07) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.82, Hero calls $0.82

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - View hand 1697143
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

SB: $5.05
Hero (BB): $2.14
UTG: $3.33
CO: $1.34
BTN: $5.10

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with K J
3 folds, SB raises to $0.06, Hero raises to $0.18, SB calls $0.12

Flop: ($0.36) 9 Q J (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.22, SB raises to $0.66, Hero calls $0.44

Turn: ($1.68) 5 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($1.68) 9 (2 players)
SB bets $1, Hero calls $1

Poker Stars $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1697145
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $10.05
MP: $1.97
CO: $2.61
Hero (BTN): $3.98
SB: $3.21
BB: $2.78

Pre Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BTN with A Q
UTG calls $0.02, MP calls $0.02, CO calls $0.02, Hero calls $0.02, 1 fold, BB checks

Flop: ($0.11) 8 A 9 (5 players)
BB bets $0.02, UTG raises to $0.08, MP folds, CO calls $0.08, Hero calls $0.08, BB calls $0.06

Turn: ($0.43) Q (4 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $0.12, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.46, BB calls $0.46, UTG raises to $0.80, Hero calls $0.34, BB folds

River: ($2.49) T (2 players)
UTG bets $3.28, Hero folds

Hands 2 and 3 are flop folds imo. Hand 3, I would also think about checking back the flop, but if I bet, it's to bet/fold. Hand 4, you definitely need to raise pre-flop. AQo plays a lot better with a small stack-to-pot ratio.

#2 I think the main thing you need to ask on this flop is how the player is. What would he raise with here? Does he raise draws, or is he only smacking the table with a made hand? Without any reads, seems to me like you might want to fold here

#3 Pre flop, why did you decide to 3bet here? It's not necessarily a bad play, given certain situations, but what was the current situation that made you feel like raising was the correct play? And on the flop, with middle pair, on a flushed board with a straight possibility (and a straight draw for that matter), I'm hitting the fold button as soon as he put in the raise. There's just not enough that we're beating or have a chance to beat on the turn or river

And as zachd said in much more polite terms already, #4, Raise that s*%t up preflop. You're gonna get some dead money from folds, and pressure whoever stays to play a bigger pot out of position

About AQo: on 2nl ALWAYS 3bet it for value, UNLESS a really really really nitty player opens from under the gun (and you have at least 100 hands proof of his nittyness).

People will call you with way worse. So you make them make a mistake preflop by letting them call a raise pf with a range that is a lot weaker. Stuff like weak aces, KT+, QJ+.

AQo mostly wins pots because it hits big pairs. Sure it can hit a straight but its only one straight that uses both cards. Big pairs do good in 1v1 pots, not in multiway pots because in multiway pots theres more chance of people hitting bigger stuff. Basically it creates a reverse implied odds situation. Also if the people aiming for stuff like sets, straights or flushes hit you;re usually drawing dead.

About the AJ hand:

When a player checkraises on a board like this i would just fold unless the player is really aggressive. Because most players on 2nl are very passive IF he checkraises here I would asume his range consists mostly of really strong hands. Sure there might be some KJs and AJs in his range now and then, but he usually has at least 2p. On 2nl most people play theyre draw passively so checkraises mean the nuts unless proven otherwise. (thats why it helps to only play 2 tables now and then, you can really make notes like: checkraises top pair J kicker on dry/drawy flop, bets turn 1/3, half pot, pot, overbet, shove or whatever)

If you take a 1month subscription watch The Coaching Tree, From the Ground up, The Thin Red Line (especially 1st ep), and other micro vids. Dont get to aggressive though, 2nl-5nl is about valuebetting! Dont get to paranoid/crazy, just bluff a bit by cbetting. Asume they have what they represent and make notes otherwise.

GL!

TY all for the tips!!!

I know my post-flop play really suck. This is the reason that I moved down to NL2. On this moment I play 4 tables but maybe it's an idea to go back to 2 and play fit and fold on the flop.