Alucard's Cash Journal - 5NL to 10NL

[Alucard]

Hello!

It has been some time since I started poker journey.
Many happy days & many frustrating days.

I have been grinding 2NL last month successfully & happy to say I'm ready to move up.
I have been playing 5NL as well but not with much success.
There have been very good upswings & very bad downswings as well.

I think there has been a lack of motivation & also one of the key problems I have with my self which is tilt.
I tilt so bad that a slight loosing session can end up wasting a chunk of my bankroll.
So need to fix that IMMEDIATELY!! .
As of the moment I'm writing this, the same thing happened.

I'm not setting any money goals because it has been counter productive to me.
But of course will be moving down if needed to sustain the BR.

I'll be playing at party poker, 888 & pokerstars. Have some money at bet365 but don't want to play there. Might move it into titanpoker probably.
Will be trying zoom tables as well. But my swings have mainly come from zoom tables. So have to be a bit careful.
I was hoping to start this thread after I had a decent amount of BR at the sites + a decent success rate.
But I felt I'm not taking too seriously and because of it keep on being breakeven or loosing at 5NL.

I have a lot of people to be thankful for my success so far. All from this wonderful community.
And the bottom of my heart I say, Thank You!

You can find my 2NL to 5NL journal here
https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cash-games-11/alucards-cash-journal-2nl-5nl-344527/

Everyone is welcome! Once again special thanks to the ones who have been supporting & helping immensely me so far!!
Let's get this going!! :beer:

 

[Alucard]

First of all I'm setting a stop loss limit per each session.
Today I went down 9 buy ins as of now.
So obviously tilt/ frustration is a big issue.

So if I loose 3 buy ins in a session, I'd immediately quit the session.

To fix the tilt problem, I've been trying meditation with decent success.
But need to train my mind & body more to get rid of this.
And also will be putting some time into reading the Mental Game of Poker.

 

[AviCKter]

I've been trying meditation with decent success.
But need to train my mind & body more to get rid of this.
And also will be putting some time into reading the Mental Game of Poker.

I try to meditate, but my head just wanders around.

Anyways, Good luck as always!

 

[Supmargy]

Ugghhhh this guy again with another thread!! Guess I'll hit that subscribe button again

Wish you all the best my friend!

I do not have any advice for the tilting stuff except: just ragequit. Poker is one of the only multiplayer games where its beneficial to ragequit. Just use it when you feel you play recklessly when you're frustrated. Sometimes even a 5 minute break helps me reset after a bad beat.

Whats your BRM like if I may ask? At what bankroll cutoffs do you go from 2Nl to 5 NL to 10NL?

I was thinking along the lines of go to 5NL when i have 200$, and go back to 2NL at 150$.

 

[Alucard]

Thanks!

Yeah I felt like my progress have been stopped for some reason without a decent success rate at 5NL.

ATM stars roll is at $200
Party $100
888 $100

This month I didn't make any profits at all it seems. Which is really disappointing.
I'm taking a bit of an aggressive approach on BR.
I might grind a bit at party 2NL before moving to 5NL.
Trying to beat zoom 5NL at stars. But so far there have been highly successful attempts as well as insane losses. As I told earlier today I went down around 40 freakin dollars!!

I'll be continuing until I reach $500 at each site then move to 10NL.
In comparison 5NL & 10NL does not differ that much IMO but more tricky plays going on.
I have to really work on this tilt & my mindset. Sometimes I feel so damn unlucky and the next thing that'd happen is all the flips & rivers would go against me.

Since the last thread was filling up quite a bit & achieved it's purpose starting a new thread would be best.
I must end this frustration I'm feeling when I'm loosing. That's the main thing stopping my progress.

 

[Alucard]

One thing I'm noticing quite a bit in the stars 5NL zoom pool is that players bluff raise a lot in mutiway pots when the board is super dry.
Like when 256 rainbow hits the board. I don't actually get the point of this.
Lets say I value bet after 2 people check to me with a set of 2s.
The next guy would raise 4 times my bet!!
WTF!!! So I'm thinking of GII and he'd insta fold.
Have noticed this a couple of times

 

[Alucard]

Getting that insanely terrible yesterday back to level.
Got back up right to yesterday's roll. Had a cooler in the end AK<QQ SB vs BTN so ended up break even two days

Spoiler

Today's graph

Spoiler

I feel very motivated after starting the new thread. It's like having a new objective/mission that is to beat 5NL.
Plus Avi's new challenge & Starting ATB's insane 4NL grind have been really great boosters.

Some hands

Called the 4bet cause of the insanely good price and we flop pretty good

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

Hero (BTN): 206.8 BB
SB: 100 BB (VPIP: 19.83, PFR: 17.67, 3Bet Preflop: 11.83, Hands: 238)
BB: 100 BB (VPIP: 21.54, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 13.64, Hands: 66)
UTG: 87.2 BB (VPIP: 20.59, PFR: 17.65, 3Bet Preflop: 13.33, Hands: 140)
MP: 140.2 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
CO: 150.8 BB

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 2h Ah
fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, Hero raises to 9 BB, fold, fold, CO raises to 15 BB, Hero calls 6 BB

Flop : (31.4 BB, 2 players) 8h 5h 4h
CO checks, Hero bets 10 BB, CO calls 10 BB

Turn : (51.4 BB, 2 players) 8d
CO checks, Hero bets 22 BB, CO raises to 44 BB, Hero calls 22 BB

River : (139.4 BB, 2 players) Kd
CO bets 40 BB, Hero raises to 137.8 BB and is all-in, CO calls 41.8 BB and is all-in

Hero shows 2h Ah (Flush, Ace High)
(Pre 12%, Flop 98%, Turn 93%)

CO shows Ad Ac (Two Pair, Aces and Eights)
(Pre 88%, Flop 2%, Turn 7%)

Hero wins 290.4 BB

---------------------------
Again the 3bet price is too good to fold here in position.

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

Hero (BTN): 154 BB
SB: 322.2 BB (VPIP: 26.92, PFR: 21.79, 3Bet Preflop: 4.35, Hands: 80)
BB: 101.4 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
UTG: 131.2 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 3)
MP: 170.6 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 4)
CO: 135.4 BB (VPIP: 15.15, PFR: 6.06, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 34)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Qc Ac
fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB raises to 10 BB, Hero calls 7 BB

Flop : (20.4 BB, 2 players) Ad Js 2s
BB bets 8.8 BB, Hero calls 8.8 BB

Turn : (38 BB, 2 players) 7d
BB bets 21.2 BB, Hero calls 21.2 BB

River : (80.4 BB, 2 players) Qh
BB bets 57.8 BB, Hero raises to 114 BB and is all-in, BB calls 3.6 BB and is all-in

Hero shows Qc Ac (Two Pair, Aces and Queens)
(Pre 29%, Flop 8%, Turn 5%)

BB shows As Ks (One Pair, Aces)
(Pre 71%, Flop 92%, Turn 95%)

Hero wins 194.8 BB

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

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BTN: 106.8 BB (VPIP: 17.65, PFR: 17.65, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
SB: 100.4 BB (VPIP: 18.52, PFR: 16.67, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 57)
Hero (BB): 270.2 BB
UTG: 200 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 10)
MP: 59.8 BB (VPIP: 36.84, PFR: 15.79, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 20)
CO: 53.6 BB (VPIP: 10.00, PFR: 6.00, 3Bet Preflop: 5.00, Hands: 52)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 6d 8s
UTG calls 1 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, Hero checks

Flop : (2.4 BB, 2 players) 4c 5s 7s
Hero checks, UTG bets 1 BB, Hero raises to 4 BB, UTG calls 3 BB

Turn : (10.4 BB, 2 players) 9h
Hero bets 9 BB, UTG calls 9 BB

River : (28.4 BB, 2 players) Kd
Hero bets 23 BB, UTG calls 23 BB

Hero shows 6d 8s (Straight, Nine High)
(Pre 35%, Flop 92%, Turn 97%)

UTG mucks 7d 8d (One Pair, Sevens)
(Pre 65%, Flop 8%, Turn 3%)

Hero wins 71.4 BB

-------------------------
The big flop cbet didn't agree with me

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BTN: 100 BB (VPIP: 31.34, PFR: 17.91, 3Bet Preflop: 3.57, Hands: 70)
SB: 101.4 BB (VPIP: 29.46, PFR: 24.11, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 113)
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 89.6 BB (VPIP: 15.56, PFR: 11.11, 3Bet Preflop: 6.25, Hands: 46)
MP: 84 BB (VPIP: 100.00, PFR: 50.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)
CO: 34 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 1)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Td Ad
fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 2 BB

Flop : (6.4 BB, 2 players) 2c 4c Th
Hero checks, BTN bets 4.8 BB, Hero raises to 12 BB, BTN calls 7.2 BB

Turn : (30.4 BB, 2 players) 5s
Hero checks, BTN checks

River : (30.4 BB, 2 players) 5h
Hero bets 13 BB, BTN calls 13 BB

Hero shows Td Ad (Two Pair, Tens and Fives)
(Pre 32%, Flop 20%, Turn 20%)

BTN shows Kd Kc (Two Pair, Kings and Fives)
(Pre 68%, Flop 80%, Turn 80%)

BTN wins 54 BB

 

[Alucard]

Watching this interview with Tony Robbins.

The most important thing he says that is needed for success is gratitude

 

[Figaroo2]

New thread huh. Can't escape that easily.
A2s v AA. Quite possibly as bad as you could play AA. Terrible 4bet sizing and then check calling and raising when he should be leading.

AcQc. Doesn't really matter what price you shouldn't be folding AQs to a 3 bet here unless they are a confirmed nit. He massively over plays AK on the river. Nice Q on the end. If you had missed the Q and he fires that big I'd be finding the fold on the end. Ive been stung AQ v AK like that too many times. In fact this is the sort of hand where its often cheaper to min raise the turn in position to freeze the betting on the river.

You can see this effect in the last hand as well with the ATs. There your flop check raise froze him on the turn and stopped him raising the river.

 

[Alucard]

Can't escape that easily.

lol

 

[Alucard]

OK so while I'm doing fine at zoom, it seems I'm pretty bad at fast forward games.
Well.. how could this happen? They are of the similar format.
I think a couple of factors may be the reason.

I'm not rolled properly at part poker. Again went down under $100. So perhaps I'm playing a bit scared money. When I play scared money, I tend to do very irrational things. Like 3 bet calling when I should be folding, overbluffing etc.

Second, the time bank at party poker isn't that big. Also the game seems a bit quicker than zoom. So it may tend to make the player to decide quicker.

Overall I'm going back to 2NL at party poker to get properly rolled. Otherwise I'd never maximise my bankroll there. Then after a bit of consideration, might move to the regular tables permanently.

 

[Rational Madman]

Maybe you should think less about insulting other players and learn to admire the fish for their bravery in hero calling or reverse bluffing you.



this is tried and tested method I used to eliminate tilt from my game.

 

[Alucard]

Started a little challenge to be more disciplined

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/poker-goals-challenges-wins-46/late-october-2nl-grind-351133/

 

[Alucard]

Today's graph

Spoiler

 

[Supmargy]

Today's graph

Alucard you say "don't worry about your red line, it's normal when it's negative" and then flaunt with that? Now I envy you

On a more serious note. Good job man! That's a nice graph!

 

[BuzzKillington]

You're doing great lately. How many hours do you put into poker in a day? Since you have played so many hands.

 

[Alucard]

Alucard you say "don't worry about your red line, it's normal when it's negative" and then flaunt with that? Now I envy you

On a more serious note. Good job man! That's a nice graph!

I do small things to keep it break even without much consideration.
I steal a lot & I bluff cbet a lot to take it down on the flop. A bit easy in zoom though

 

[Alucard]

You're doing great lately. How many hours do you put into poker in a day? Since you have played so many hands.

yeah I put a lot of time these days to really work on my game.
Around 2-4,5 hours I guess

 

[darthdimsky]

Might have missed this from your previous thread, but in terms of multi-tabling what's your approach?

 

[Alucard]

Might have missed this from your previous thread, but in terms of multi-tabling what's your approach?

I don't exactly understand your question but here goes...
At 2NL I'm super comfortable 6 tabling 2NL 6max. But if some table dies down, it becomes a bit hard & you sort of become a click bot.
And the party poker cash game timebanks are pretty small as I've noticed so a bit difficult to properly concentrate & play around 6 tables there. But have done many times.

At 5NL regular tables I'm usually playing 3 tables when I did & perhaps 4.
But right now only playing zoom at stars so only opening 2 zoom tables at once.
Might move to 3 but 4 is too much. I have lost focus when doing 3 so got to adjust a bit.

So overall I think the time-banks are a very important factor when Multi Tabling. And you must pick the amount of tables that you can properly concentrate without being a click bot.

 

[BuzzKillington]

How do you organize your tables? How do you keep track of the active tables? I can't use anything other than tiled, but maybe I'm using the stacked layout incorrectly.

Also, what do you do when you have say 4 tables requiring an action from you at the same time? Suppose that neither table has an easy fold. And let's say you're in preflop at one table, flop at another, turn at another and river at yet another.

 

[Alucard]

Yeah I'm using tiled as well. 6 tables in 3*2 format. I make them smaller as possible.
I focus on the most important pots first. Those kind of situations rarely arrive & when they do it's just practice I guess. plus I have the automatic timebank on

 

[Alucard]

Yesterday after that session I ended up playing more and lost around 150BB.
Today running a love n hate session. Almost up 1k hands and atm at a loss of 60BB

Ok so I've got into 2 pretty tough spots with queens today.
Take a look at both and share your views

So he's 3betting into both UTG & MP. So his range is pretty strong. I'm thinking should I 4 bet here or just flat.. Got the impression I'm against better. So I flat & the flop is fine I guess. He leads big. I call . Then on turn I'm analysing my hand & realise that I'm beat by whatever he has. But feel like it's a fold on flop

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

Hero (BTN): 100 BB
SB: 135.8 BB (VPIP: 25.00, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 12)
BB: 101 BB (VPIP: 16.33, PFR: 4.08, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 50)
UTG: 154.4 BB (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 18.18, 3Bet Preflop: 10.00, Hands: 71)
MP: 154 BB (VPIP: 15.38, PFR: 7.69, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 13)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 28.00, PFR: 21.33, 3Bet Preflop: 17.39, Hands: 79)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Qc Qd
UTG raises to 3 BB, MP calls 3 BB, CO raises to 13 BB, Hero calls 13 BB, fold, BB calls 12 BB, UTG calls 10 BB, MP calls 10 BB

Flop : (65.4 BB, 5 players) 2s 8d Js
BB checks, UTG checks, MP checks, CO bets 18 BB, Hero calls 18 BB, fold, fold, fold

Turn : (101.4 BB, 2 players) 6d
CO bets 69 BB and is all-in, fold

CO wins 97.2 BB

Here I'm thinking wuuuut??
At first UTG opens 4BBs. Then the BTN 3 bets to 20BB!!! Then SB flats. I thought the better of it & folded.

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BTN: 166.6 BB (VPIP: 17.46, PFR: 17.46, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 64)
SB: 88.6 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 5)
Hero (BB): 366 BB
UTG: 251 BB (VPIP: 18.18, PFR: 12.73, 3Bet Preflop: 2.33, Hands: 114)
MP: 111 BB (VPIP: 23.40, PFR: 15.96, 3Bet Preflop: 9.76, Hands: 95)
CO: 129.2 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 14.58, 3Bet Preflop: 5.56, Hands: 100)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Qd Qc
UTG raises to 4 BB, fold, fold, BTN raises to 19.8 BB, SB calls 19.4 BB, fold, fold

Flop : (44.6 BB, 2 players) 8d 4d 6d
SB bets 21 BB, fold

SB wins 42.8 BB

 

[Alucard]

Well another graph similar to yesterday. Cannot get much going at first but picks up later on

Spoiler

https://i.imgur.com/AbmUgvb.png

Another couple of hands

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

BTN: 100 BB (VPIP: 24.71, PFR: 18.82, 3Bet Preflop: 12.90, Hands: 85)
SB: 300.4 BB (VPIP: 7.14, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 14)
BB: 184.8 BB (VPIP: 21.74, PFR: 17.39, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 24)
Hero (UTG): 404.8 BB
MP: 104.8 BB (VPIP: 55.56, PFR: 27.78, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
CO: 105.2 BB (VPIP: 24.24, PFR: 21.21, 3Bet Preflop: 2.13, Hands: 101)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 9c 9s
Hero raises to 3 BB, MP calls 3 BB, fold, BTN calls 3 BB, fold, fold

Flop : (10.4 BB, 3 players) 5d 3c 4h
Hero bets 5.8 BB, fold, BTN calls 5.8 BB

Turn : (22 BB, 2 players) Td
Hero checks, BTN bets 10.8 BB, Hero calls 10.8 BB

River : (43.6 BB, 2 players) Th
Hero checks, BTN checks

Hero shows 9c 9s (Two Pair, Tens and Nines)
(Pre 81%, Flop 61%, Turn 77%)

BTN mucks 6s 6d (Two Pair, Tens and Sixes)
(Pre 19%, Flop 39%, Turn 23%)

Hero wins 41.8 BB

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.05 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4: http://www.pokertracker.com

Hero (BTN): 223 BB
SB: 149 BB (VPIP: 17.59, PFR: 14.81, 3Bet Preflop: 7.14, Hands: 112)
BB: 100 BB (VPIP: 29.41, PFR: 17.65, 3Bet Preflop: 8.33, Hands: 17)
UTG: 97.4 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
MP: 92.4 BB (VPIP: 17.39, PFR: 17.39, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 23)
CO: 101 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 50.00, Hands: 12)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 9h Qd
fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop : (6.4 BB, 2 players) 5c 8c Qh
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn : (6.4 BB, 2 players) Kc
BB checks, Hero checks

River : (6.4 BB, 2 players) Jd
BB checks, Hero bets 3 BB, BB raises to 9.2 BB, Hero calls 6.2 BB

BB shows Ad 2s (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 58%, Flop 13%, Turn 7%)

Hero shows 9h Qd (One Pair, Queens)
(Pre 42%, Flop 87%, Turn 93%)

Hero wins 23.8 BB

 

[Alucard]

When you are boosting with confidence

BB/100 = 52.33
Net won = $21.82

Spoiler

Spoiler

Position-wise report

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6yMSY4ZJFLsTWxTNGFvSTNYY0k

Things could change really quickly though. I was running 2 buyins+ at first and as you can see quickly went down to running at a loss. I dialled my aggression up a bit and then started running good. I'll post some hands as well.

I'm running very short sessions tbh. Ran a similar kind of 1 & half hour session in the morning for my 2NL challenge.
So I feel around 1 & half hours might be the most optimal length that I should be running.
But still I'm doing 2 zoom tables. Will increase it to 3 after I achieve the $300 mark at stars.