Alucard's Cash Journal - 2NL to 5NL

[Alucard]

Hello!

I thought it's best to keep track of my progress.

I'm only 3 months into online poker and after some heavy ups n downs, things have started to go smoothly with some steady profits.

I'll be playing 2NL at a number of sites and will move on to 5NL when my bankroll is above $100/150 per site.

Here are the balances atm.

888 - $40 (Started without a deposit)
pokerstars - $37 (Started from 10)
partypoker - $31 (Started from 20)
bet365 - €64 (Started from €29) only 4NL+ available
ACR - $16 (Started without a deposit - Not doing the challenge here for the time being)

Will be playing full ring games at 888 and 6max at the other sites.

I have busted a couple of times before due to not having a proper BRM and being uneducated.($20 at stars and $20 at 888)
But now I feel very comfortable at 2NL and the graphs have been good as well.
I tried a journal before playing 2NL zoom at stars but didn't go well. The variance is too high for me at Zoom and always-huge pots and unknown opponents don't agree with me. So won't be playing zoom/fast forward games.

My target is to make $12 at each site per week. So $3 per day playing 5 days per site.(Just an assumption) Don't think it'd be that hard but must balance out poker with other stuff. Hopefully things with go as planned. Or else we'll improvise

Will be playing freerolls as well, and an occasional GTD tourney or a satellite. But I have to improve my tournament game a lot. Specially short stack play.

And also about ICM, HUD stats and etc.

I hope to get advice from everyone here at CC. Everyone is welcome! A special thanks to the ones who have been supporting & helping immensely me so far!!

 

[PokerNuts01]

Good luck buddy, I'll keep track of your progress

 

[terryk]

Go,Alucard! Will be following your progress,my friend

 

[Alucard]

Good luck buddy, I'll keep track of your progress

Thanks mate! appreciate it

Go,Alucard! Will be following your progress,my friend

Thanks terry! hope to get more tournament tips from you

 

[Alucard]

Not the greatest start. Tried 2 sessions on party. lost around $2 in the first and $4 in the second.

Typical AA vs KK happened twice.

And the same opponent who had me beat got the nut flush while I had the K high flush.

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

MP: 129.5 BB (VPIP: 30.24, PFR: 13.78, 3Bet Preflop: 3.82, Hands: 2,363)
CO: 104 BB (VPIP: 26.71, PFR: 17.70, 3Bet Preflop: 8.58, Hands: 2,050)
BTN: 111.5 BB (VPIP: 25.85, PFR: 15.68, 3Bet Preflop: 4.63, Hands: 2,250)
Hero (SB): 102 BB
BB: 199.5 BB (VPIP: 25.97, PFR: 14.49, 3Bet Preflop: 4.13, Hands: 2,276)
UTG: 176.5 BB (VPIP: 23.73, PFR: 14.86, 3Bet Preflop: 4.28, Hands: 2,412)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Qs Js
UTG calls 1 BB, fold, CO calls 1 BB, fold, Hero calls 0.5 BB, BB checks

Flop : (4 BB, 4 players) 4s 6c 5s
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets 4 BB, CO calls 4 BB, Hero calls 4 BB, BB calls 4 BB

Turn : (20 BB, 4 players) Ks
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets 19 BB, fold, Hero raises to 42 BB, fold, UTG raises to 171.5 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 55 BB and is all-in

River : (214 BB, 2 players) 8h

Hero shows Qs Js (Flush, King High)
(Pre 43%, Flop 19%, Turn 0%)

UTG shows 6s As (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 57%, Flop 81%, Turn 100%)

UTG wins 74.5 BB
UTG wins 203.5 BB

You'd ask me why I limped. It's because this opponent would limp shove aces and kings. Happened a numerous times. I was kind of hoping this time around it'd be the same but turned out differently.

Bankroll down to $25.48 at party

 

[Alucard]

Stars roll - $40.64
Party - $27.56

Somehow partypoker 2NL player pool seems tougher.But I like playing there. Table choosing has been really hard for me. Very rare to find a short stacked player in a 6max table at party. At least 3 decent players per table usually. Perhaps it has something to do with the time of the day.

 

[AgentXtreme]

Just and advice , you will waste your time on Bet365 if you're not a depositor , you can't profit of that money it happened to me

 

[Alucard]

Just and advice , you will waste your time on Bet365 if you're not a depositor , you can't profit of that money it happened to me

I am a depositor. I meam yeah I won the freeroll for 50 bucks. but deposited some money as well. But currently on the negative there if you disregard the freeroll winnings.

I don't quite understand your advice.
But I'll tell this from whaat I've seen. Bet365 is the the biggest donk site of all from the above. There are people who shove J6 suited pre there.
But do get lucky though.
I'm trying a bit of a careful approach there.

 

[Alucard]

Had a fine session at party.

party roll upto - $32.05

I think I am right. It's definitely the time of the day at party. This time there were a plenty of interesting players.
I do like to play HU at 2NL. If I'm up against a fish, it's usually easy 50-100 BBs.
Did make 100BBs this session playing HU against fish.

I'll post some interesting hands

This one was against an interesting opponent. He plays a LAG style and did make good money off fish at another table. Has been 3 betting me immensely. When playing HU I'd open the standard 2BB and most of the time He'd 3bet me to 8. Finally I thought it was enough and called his ace high bluff. A risky move but paid off.

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BB: 115 BB (VPIP: 26.69, PFR: 15.98, 3Bet Preflop: 5.15, Hands: 3,105)
Hero (SB): 133 BB

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Ts 8s
Hero raises to 2 BB, BB raises to 8 BB, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop : (16 BB, 2 players) 5h 7d Th
BB bets 8.5 BB, Hero raises to 27 BB, BB raises to 107 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 80 BB

Turn : (230 BB, 2 players) 4d

River : (230 BB, 2 players) Tc

Hero shows Ts 8s (Three of a Kind, Tens)
(Pre 35%, Flop 76%, Turn 86%)

BB shows Ks As (One Pair, Tens)
(Pre 65%, Flop 24%, Turn 14%)

Hero wins 218.5 BB

--------------------------------------

This one against a fair opponent but a bit of a calling station.

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 2 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

Hero (SB): 167.5 BB
BB: 90.5 BB (VPIP: 25.38, PFR: 15.07, 3Bet Preflop: 4.11, Hands: 3,165)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4h 5d
Hero raises to 2 BB, BB raises to 3 BB, Hero calls 1 BB

Flop : (6 BB, 2 players) 7h 4c 5s
BB bets 3 BB, Hero raises to 8 BB, BB calls 5 BB

Turn : (22 BB, 2 players) Jd
BB checks, Hero bets 15 BB, BB calls 15 BB

River : (52 BB, 2 players) 5c
BB checks, Hero bets 35.5 BB, fold

Hero wins 85 BB

----------------------------------------------------

Not sure I got the maximum value or the best play here. I feel like I should've check raised the turn.

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

UTG: 100 BB (VPIP: 26.67, PFR: 17.75, 3Bet Preflop: 9.10, Hands: 2,724)
CO: 134.5 BB (VPIP: 27.35, PFR: 16.73, 3Bet Preflop: 5.85, Hands: 3,230)
BTN: 100 BB (VPIP: 26.96, PFR: 15.40, 3Bet Preflop: 4.97, Hands: 3,242)
SB: 196 BB (VPIP: 26.52, PFR: 15.71, 3Bet Preflop: 4.53, Hands: 3,251)
Hero (BB): 201 BB

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 7s 7h
UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop : (6.5 BB, 2 players) 9d 3d 5h
Hero checks, UTG bets 6.5 BB, Hero calls 6.5 BB

Turn : (19.5 BB, 2 players) 7d
Hero checks, UTG bets 19 BB, Hero calls 19 BB

River : (57.5 BB, 2 players) Js
Hero checks, UTG checks

Hero shows 7s 7h (Three of a Kind, Sevens)
(Pre 55%, Flop 74%, Turn 100%)

UTG mucks Qs Ac (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 45%, Flop 26%, Turn 0%)

Hero wins 55 BB

--------------------------------

A tight fold on the flop

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

UTG: 114 BB (VPIP: 28.76, PFR: 15.04, 3Bet Preflop: 3.96, Hands: 2,999)
CO: 202.5 BB (VPIP: 26.03, PFR: 17.86, 3Bet Preflop: 9.22, Hands: 2,455)
Hero (BTN): 106 BB
SB: 106.5 BB (VPIP: 25.20, PFR: 14.64, 3Bet Preflop: 3.96, Hands: 2,947)
BB: 165.5 BB (VPIP: 22.65, PFR: 14.51, 3Bet Preflop: 4.10, Hands: 3,065)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Qd Qc
UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, UTG raises to 27 BB, Hero calls 18 BB

Flop : (55.5 BB, 2 players) Th 2h 9d
UTG bets 39.5 BB, fold

UTG wins 92.5 BB

-------------------------

An interesting hand. Against the same opponent of 2nd hand posted above. The calling station.
Decided to make a nitty fold

Spoiler

partypoker - $0.02 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BB: 105 BB (VPIP: 28.62, PFR: 15.12, 3Bet Preflop: 3.85, Hands: 3,094)
UTG: 46.5 BB (VPIP: 25.79, PFR: 17.36, 3Bet Preflop: 8.89, Hands: 2,582)
MP: 67.5 BB (VPIP: 26.25, PFR: 15.85, 3Bet Preflop: 5.04, Hands: 3,016)
CO: 35 BB (VPIP: 26.06, PFR: 14.97, 3Bet Preflop: 4.84, Hands: 3,043)
Hero (BTN): 153.5 BB
SB: 100.5 BB (VPIP: 22.77, PFR: 14.58, 3Bet Preflop: 3.99, Hands: 3,239)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Js Kd
fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop : (6.5 BB, 2 players) Qh 8d Ac
BB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, BB calls 3 BB

Turn : (12.5 BB, 2 players) Jc
BB checks, Hero checks

River : (12.5 BB, 2 players) 6d
BB checks, Hero bets 7.5 BB, BB calls 7.5 BB

Hero shows Js Kd (One Pair, Jacks)
(Pre 40%, Flop 13%, Turn 11%)

BB shows Ad Th (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 60%, Flop 87%, Turn 89%)

BB wins 26.5 BB

Please let me know your thoughts on the hands above.

 

[Trillian]

Stars roll - $40.64
Party - $27.56

Somehow partypoker 2NL player pool seems tougher.But I like playing there. Table choosing has been really hard for me. Very rare to find a short stacked player in a 6max table at party. At least 3 decent players per table usually. Perhaps it has something to do with the time of the day.

I always read and thought Stars would be the least most fish site.

 

[Alucard]

I always read and thought Stars would be the least fishiest site.

It's true to an extent. There are a lot of regs there who plays really good even at 2NL. But the player pool is huge so it's not that hard to find a couple of fishy tables if you search enough.
But at party, the player pool is much smaller and not many tables available. And the timing of the day matters as well. Right now, it's reg time as I've noticed. In about 6 hours, not many regs but plenty of recs. But perhaps it's only at 2NL.
KomododragonJesus, whom I follow has moved to party as well. Sometimes I can't believe the amount of bad players he's playing against at 200NL at party.

Stars roll up to - $43.02

Gonna be quite busy the next couple of days. So not much time for poker. But will try a couple of sessions today & tmrw.

My overall work ethic hasn't been great the last few years. I desperately need to change that. Time to get work done!

 

[KFlint]

888 rake is bad but this is the softest site by a mile compared to partypoker and stars. My winrate is higher there despite the rake. You can find lots of fish on snap (zoom) and regular table that don't rebuy to a full stack at 5NL and even higher. I am playing on both stars and 888 because I like to face thougher opponent too to improve my game.

Good luck, hope you can move up soon!

Edit: oh I see you have an account on 888!

 

[AviCKter]

Good luck. Will be following.

 

[Alucard]

888 rake is bad but this is the softest site by a mile compared to partypoker and stars. My winrate is higher there despite the rake. You can find lots of fish on snap (zoom) and regular table that don't rebuy to a full stack at 5NL and even higher. I am playing on both stars and 888 because I like to face thougher opponent too to improve my game.

Good luck, hope you can move up soon!

Edit: oh I see you have an account on 888!

Yeah I really like 888 as well. Tables are full with fish & donks. But have been playing at 888 for some time now and for a change playing at party. Besides,no full stack 6max at 888 @.2NL. full ring tables could get boring quickly
Here are the most to least fish list where I play

Bet365>888>stars & party

 

[Alucard]

Good luck. Will be following.

Thanks! Appreciate it.

 

[Alucard]

Got a bit bored at 888 playing 2NL full ring so tried a 5NL 6max table. Had a terrible experience. Lost 100BBs very quickly making a stupid move.
I am still not comfortable at playing 5NL due to big bets & risk of loosing money. Can't keep my head clear. The only way I see as the solution is get the bankroll up to a decent amount where I'm able to play comfortably.

888 roll down to - $36.xx

 

[Alucard]

Stars roll upto - $46.62

Not many interesting hands tbh.
But there seems to be an increase of donks and fish. Probably due to the new Usain Bolt promotion.
Got caught of a one today who'd min buyin and reload min when he busts. Got plenty of BBs from him. But didn't do great at other tables.
i seems to lack motivation these days.

 

[braveslice]

"But there seems to be an increase of donks and fish." Totally crazy, it feels one third of players are fish, 90% of hands I played today were against fish, or rather 2 fish =) This must be how the old days were, I barely made profit though, AI adjusted 25bb/100.

 

[Supmargy]

Good luck Alucard. I'll be following your thread!

 

[Alucard]

Good luck Alucard. I'll be following your thread!

Hello sup! After a long time Don't see you at the CC freerolls these days.
Appreciate the support!

 

[Alucard]

"But there seems to be an increase of donks and fish." Totally crazy, it feels one third of players are fish, 90% of hands I played today were against fish, or rather 2 fish =) This must be how the old days were, I barely made profit though, AI adjusted 25bb/100.

yeah definitely due to the promotion
A lot of tournament players with no clue how to play cash

 

[Alucard]

Had a whopping session at party. Around $11 won and only 581 hands played.

BB/100 = 101.55

Party roll up to - $43.37

A bit tired atm. I'll post any interesting hands later

 

[terryk]

Had a whopping session at party. Around $11 won and only 581 hands played.

BB/100 = 101.55

Party roll up to - $43.37

A bit tired atm. I'll post any interesting hands later

Bink! nice job,buddy!

 

[Supmargy]

Hello sup! After a long time Don't see you at the CC freerolls these days.
Appreciate the support!

Ive been a bit more busy lately. Not that much time for poker. And the freerolls are in the evening when I try to spend to spend some time with my wife so yeah. Only play when we dont have anything to do.

I started playing cash games a few days ago and it goes so much better than zoom. Maybe its just variance, but Ive read that they are generally softer as its more easy to spot fish. Man they were right imo.
Anyway, i just played some more (on phone, no stats) and encountered the following situations: (2NL)

1) MP raises 0.02 to 0.06. SB (me, JJ) raises to 0.18. BB raises to 0.93 and is allin. MP folds. Hero... Fold right? BB hadnt played many hands before. Small sample size.

2) MP (me, 99) raises to 0.06. BB reraise 0.18. Mp call (is this a mistake already? Maybe a bit too loose?). Pot 0.37.
Flop is J98 rainbow. BB raises 0.20.
Mp reraises 0.60. BB folds.
Should I just have flatted here? Seemed like a dangerous board so i bet before he'd get there.

Any thoughts?

Good luck at the tables.

 

[Alucard]

Yeah I prefer normal tables as well due to the fact that you can read the opponents. Zoom games are more technical imo and you have to play your ranges and stats. And less bluffing. Which I don't prefer that much. I'm having a very nice run these days without focusing that much.

The first hand, I think it depends. For one the villain is short. So a fish likely. I'd maybe fold due to the villain being unknown but my thought process goes like this as well.
I'd not likely fold to a 4 bet by a fish. Specially if it's only a small amount and I know the villains play style.
Then how far would I have gone with the hand if he'd just call and we play for 3 streets. Probably on a dry board. I'd likely gone over 40,50 BB. So then I'd decide to call it or not. But folding may be the right decision considering the villain is unknown. May the experts put some thought on this 😀

Second hand, no it's not a mistake. Sometimes I'd not even fold 3s or 4s facing a 3 bet.
Many people would 3bet suited Aces, suited connectors, low pockets specially from the BB. Even Ace high would be a 3bet from the BB for some loose players. Something like A6,A8 which has no potential. Even AK, when it missed the board and out of position very hard to play. So I'd put the villain on Ace high range. Like AK,AQ or suited aces.
I'd definitely flat the flop and let him bluff. If he checks on the turn with a brick, a check back. A value bet the river. It's usually a bet fold for the villain on the flop so what you should do is let him know you are weak as well and trick him to get more money. On a wet board, a raise may be the better choice. Again that's my approach. May the experts put some insight 😁