Alucard's Cash Journal - 5NL to 10NL

[braveslice]

Btw it looks like your call river&WSD especially from blinds are quite low, 35%. If we count the fact that value bets are usually larger than weak hands, you most likely are losing money here. Also it seems your 3bet range is static given position?!? Also if fish calls (almost all that is ) there is no mandatory flop cbet, it's quite right to only bet for value and only pick clear air cbet spots, tight 100% cbet, and try to pick (I know very very hard) cbet spots against tag where cbet is clear or you can see that OTT you have barrel opportunity (except if there are draws).

Also you should see how tags and tight player open on late position. For many BTN and CO are really tight, because they know that there is going to be a 3bet, you can't use same calling range against them than wide ranges. Out of position, no range advantage, no initiative. Against aggressive it's really hard to call anything out of position.

 

[braveslice]

Flop : (34.8 BB, 2 players) 5s Js Jc
Hero bets 16 BB, BB raises to 118.4 BB and is all-in

I got just a hand with similar trends:

Spoiler

PokerStars - $0.02 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 104 BB (VPIP: 28.57, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
SB: 107 BB (VPIP: 25.45, PFR: 18.18, 3Bet Preflop: 15.38, Hands: 60)
BB: 102 BB (VPIP: 22.34, PFR: 16.48, 3Bet Preflop: 6.54, Hands: 282)
Hero (UTG): 105 BB
MP: 100 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 7)
CO: 5.5 BB (VPIP: 27.27, PFR: 4.55, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 22)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♣ Q♦

Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, BTN calls 3 BB, SB calls 2.5 BB, fold

Flop: (10 BB, 3 players) 4♣ 9♣ 9♠
SB checks, Hero bets 4.5 BB, BTN raises to 9 BB, SB raises to 25.5 BB, fold, BTN calls 16.5 BB

Turn: (65.5 BB, 2 players) 5♥
SB bets 32 BB, BTN calls 32 BB

River: (129.5 BB, 2 players) 8♦
SB bets 46.5 BB and is all-in, BTN calls 43.5 BB and is all-in

SB shows K♦ 9♦ (Three of a Kind, Nines)
(Pre 28%, Flop 21%, Turn 14%)
BTN shows A♥ 9♥ (Three of a Kind, Nines)
(Pre 72%, Flop 79%, Turn 86%)
BTN wins 209 BB

 

[whiskers77]

Very interesting thread Alucard and very interesting insights of CRStals and especially Figaroo2.
I come back and back again to your threads, really interesting.

 

[Leonardo Laquale]

All in Stars

I do not like playing All In the Star, players go to the table cloth with any letter

 

[Alucard]

A spot where I'm quite unsure what to do.. What would you do??

Spoiler

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

BTN: 111.6 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
SB: 100 BB (VPIP: 35.62, PFR: 24.66, 3Bet Preflop: 14.04, Hands: 152)
Hero (BB): 224.8 BB
UTG: 131.2 BB (VPIP: 20.96, PFR: 16.30, 3Bet Preflop: 7.94, Hands: 662)
MP: 111.4 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 28.41, PFR: 17.05, 3Bet Preflop: 7.32, Hands: 90)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Jd Jh
fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11 BB, CO calls 8 BB

Flop : (22.4 BB, 2 players) Kd 8h 3c
Hero bets 9 BB, CO calls 9 BB

Turn : (40.4 BB, 2 players) 6c
Hero checks, CO bets 23 BB,

 

[Gohaku94]

A spot where I'm quite unsure what to do.. What would you do??

Spoiler

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

BTN: 111.6 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
SB: 100 BB (VPIP: 35.62, PFR: 24.66, 3Bet Preflop: 14.04, Hands: 152)
Hero (BB): 224.8 BB
UTG: 131.2 BB (VPIP: 20.96, PFR: 16.30, 3Bet Preflop: 7.94, Hands: 662)
MP: 111.4 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 28.41, PFR: 17.05, 3Bet Preflop: 7.32, Hands: 90)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Jd Jh
fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11 BB, CO calls 8 BB

Flop : (22.4 BB, 2 players) Kd 8h 3c
Hero bets 9 BB, CO calls 9 BB

Turn : (40.4 BB, 2 players) 6c
Hero checks, CO bets 23 BB,

Hi, i belive it's a pretty easy fold there. Your cbet on that board should fold any worse hand than your maybe not his TT and 99 tho he might still fold them.
That is the driest flop in the world there is not straight or flush draws so you can only beat a complete bluff by him.. If You have 23 or JJ in that situation i think it's pretty much the same. (Unless he have some weird small pair but If he has it he is bad risking it like that at 5nl)

 

[braveslice]

Speculation, but imo, if you CB you want folds and calling ranges are elastic so adding about 3bb is actually well spent. Betting second pair as a bluff is a bit counter productive though.

That said I changed my thinking about this from last time given good results and discussion back then and my line would be x/c - x/c|f - x|b/c|f

As played I would say calling is not a big mistake, but why would you not believe him. Quite reasonable him to have you beat here.

 

[Alucard]

Hi, i belive it's a pretty easy fold there. Your cbet on that board should fold any worse hand than your maybe not his TT and 99 tho he might still fold them.
That is the driest flop in the world there is not straight or flush draws so you can only beat a complete bluff by him.. If You have 23 or JJ in that situation i think it's pretty much the same. (Unless he have some weird small pair but If he has it he is bad risking it like that at 5nl)

well the thing is this is exactly what I think when I would bluff in this spot. My cbet sizing a kind of a levelling bet & to see where I am.


Some of his other stats,
Fold to 3bet = 2/3
AF=2
call cbet on 3bet pots = 0/1


So I guess vs this player that would be fine??
But if you are facing an aggro player what would you do?

 

[Alucard]

Speculation, but imo, if you CB you want folds and calling ranges are elastic so adding about 3bb is actually well spent.

That said I changed my thinking about this from last time given good results, and my line would be x/c - x/c|f - x/c|f|b

As played I would say calling is not a big mistake, but why would you not believe him. Quite reasonable him to have you beat here.

I haven't tried the check calling line in these kind of boards.
For one you are letting him draw cheaply.
What if there's another overcard on the turn or river?

 

[Gohaku94]

well the thing is this is exactly what I think when I would bluff in this spot. My cbet sizing a kind of a levelling bet & to see where I am.


Some of his other stats,
Fold to 3bet = 2/3
AF=2
call cbet on 3bet pots = 0/1


So I guess vs this player that would be fine??
But if you are facing an aggro player what would you do?

I wouldn't look too much into his bluffing range since most people at 2nl and 5nl don't have one on the turn. People are likely to bluff on the flop when the pot is smaller.
Also you are oop and this is the reason for this situation, if you are ip and play the same you are the river and can call that bet on river If You really think he is bluffing (You can only beat a bluff) but oop what do you do If he bets on river? If You plan to call a river bet too can be very costly. No matter what your decision should be made on the turn, You can call the turn and just pray he does not bet again on river.

 

[Figaroo2]

A spot where I'm quite unsure what to do.. What would you do??

Spoiler

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

BTN: 111.6 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 15)
SB: 100 BB (VPIP: 35.62, PFR: 24.66, 3Bet Preflop: 14.04, Hands: 152)
Hero (BB): 224.8 BB
UTG: 131.2 BB (VPIP: 20.96, PFR: 16.30, 3Bet Preflop: 7.94, Hands: 662)
MP: 111.4 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 23.81, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 21)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 28.41, PFR: 17.05, 3Bet Preflop: 7.32, Hands: 90)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Jd Jh
fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11 BB, CO calls 8 BB

Flop : (22.4 BB, 2 players) Kd 8h 3c
Hero bets 9 BB, CO calls 9 BB

Turn : (40.4 BB, 2 players) 6c
Hero checks, CO bets 23 BB,

This sort of spot illustrates why it is important to check over some strong hands on the turn and be nicely balanced.
In this spot at these stakes they are going to probe the turn nearly always and in my experience aggro players will also bet heavily on the river if you just call the turn figuring you won't be strong enough to call a big river bet/shove.
It's too easy just to float a one and done from you here. I think it's better to double barrel here and then check it over it knowing you are likely beaten but it depends largely on the player. If they are passive I check it over if they are aggro I double barrel.
I like your flop sizing here as it keeps the pot small enough to avoid pot commitment on firing a turn barrel.

 

[braveslice]

I like your flop sizing here as it keeps the pot small enough to avoid pot commitment on firing a turn barrel.

I agree with this if we indeed plan to play multiple streets. I’m not convinced that we want to do that in 3betted dry K-high flop, where usually villain plays fit or fold.

I haven't tried the check calling line in these kind of boards.
For one you are letting him draw cheaply.
What if there's another overcard on the turn or river?

Scare cards are scary for him too and we win sometimes even if over cards lands. That is plenty enough for 3rdP. Over cards QA are bad obviously but there are 23456789TJK that are not scary.

I don’t mind betting flop at all, but it takes a bit more skill probably if called, then again if folded no skill needed anymore at all. Also we might think that if we CB we lose our card edge and are more depended of skill, if we check we still have card edge even if villain bets and skill part is reduced. I would chose bet line here with 99 for example, where I don't trust my skill anymore on later streets, even though same arguments probably could be used not to CB that too.

Notice that you did exactly how fish do, they bet small when they are scared, and call happily weird pairs, and 5NL is full of players who are risen there from 2NL by abusing them. So your defense should be at maximum on later streets, but imo it's costly if he has K. So maybe what Fig says, just barrel.

 

[Alucard]

Would you play this from here??
I was leaning towards a squeeze which I rarely do.
Also what's your SB flatting range looks like in a multiway flop?? Vs early opens mine would very likely be only pocket pairs while now I fold even ATo/AJo type hands.
AQo also very player dependant & would never likely flat from SB.

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

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

BTN: 22.6 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 3)
Hero (SB): 276.8 BB
BB: 283.4 BB (VPIP: 20.99, PFR: 12.60, 3Bet Preflop: 1.75, Hands: 274)
UTG: 104.6 BB (VPIP: 24.38, PFR: 18.44, 3Bet Preflop: 5.04, Hands: 328)
MP: 289.4 BB (VPIP: 25.96, PFR: 20.19, 3Bet Preflop: 15.38, Hands: 108)
CO: 53 BB

Hero posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Ah 2h
UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, BTN calls 3 BB,

 

[Alucard]

Cbetting lower pockets??
While we have the range advantage on this board, how would you continue in a situation like this???

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

BTN: 151 BB (VPIP: 26.15, PFR: 9.23, 3Bet Preflop: 2.22, Hands: 134)
SB: 118.4 BB (VPIP: 14.14, PFR: 9.85, 3Bet Preflop: 2.47, Hands: 404)
BB: 159.2 BB (VPIP: 16.00, PFR: 11.33, 3Bet Preflop: 2.99, Hands: 154)
Hero (UTG): 270.4 BB
MP: 127.2 BB (VPIP: 32.50, PFR: 25.00, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 41)
CO: 103.4 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 5s 5d
Hero raises to 3 BB, fold, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 2 BB

Flop : (6.4 BB, 2 players) 8c Qs Ks
BB checks,

 

[Alucard]

His fold to 3bet was 4/4 so I thought of going with it.
AF=3

I feel like some weaker kings need to balance out by checking the flop or turn.
Perhaps this is wrong???

Spoiler

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

BTN: 99.2 BB (VPIP: 14.97, PFR: 12.05, 3Bet Preflop: 5.08, Hands: 173)
SB: 214.8 BB (VPIP: 27.84, PFR: 18.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 98)
Hero (BB): 128.8 BB
UTG: 59.6 BB (VPIP: 15.09, PFR: 7.55, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 53)
MP: 133.4 BB (VPIP: 14.53, PFR: 7.26, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 182)
CO: 76.8 BB (VPIP: 20.69, PFR: 6.90, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 30)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Kc 6c
fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 3 BB, Hero raises to 9 BB, SB calls 6 BB

Flop : (18 BB, 2 players) 3s 5h Ks
SB checks, Hero bets 8 BB, SB calls 8 BB

Turn : (34 BB, 2 players) Qh
SB checks, Hero checks

River : (34 BB, 2 players) 9s
SB bets 16 BB, Hero calls 16 BB

SB shows 7s 8s (Flush, King High)
(Pre 45%, Flop 38%, Turn 20%)

Hero mucks Kc 6c (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 55%, Flop 62%, Turn 80%)

SB wins 63.2 BB

 

[Figaroo2]

His fold to 3bet was 4/4 so I thought of going with it.
AF=3

I feel like some weaker kings need to balance out by checking the flop or turn.
Perhaps this is wrong???

Spoiler

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

BTN: 99.2 BB (VPIP: 14.97, PFR: 12.05, 3Bet Preflop: 5.08, Hands: 173)
SB: 214.8 BB (VPIP: 27.84, PFR: 18.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 98)
Hero (BB): 128.8 BB
UTG: 59.6 BB (VPIP: 15.09, PFR: 7.55, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 53)
MP: 133.4 BB (VPIP: 14.53, PFR: 7.26, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 182)
CO: 76.8 BB (VPIP: 20.69, PFR: 6.90, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 30)

SB posts SB 0.4 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Kc 6c
fold, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 3 BB, Hero raises to 9 BB, SB calls 6 BB

Flop : (18 BB, 2 players) 3s 5h Ks
SB checks, Hero bets 8 BB, SB calls 8 BB

Turn : (34 BB, 2 players) Qh
SB checks, Hero checks

River : (34 BB, 2 players) 9s
SB bets 16 BB, Hero calls 16 BB

SB shows 7s 8s (Flush, King High)
(Pre 45%, Flop 38%, Turn 20%)

Hero mucks Kc 6c (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 55%, Flop 62%, Turn 80%)

SB wins 63.2 BB

This is fine, 3 times out of 4 you win this hand when he misses the flush.
Bet turn for value is standard as is turn pot control. Little concerned when he leads out but you have to call having checked turn.

 

[Alucard]

Today,

Spoiler

positional stats

https://drive.google.com/open?id=116nQQBwQ7GbCwRWJazgDkT4w7pStZUSE


Another $40+ stack at one table while I ran like crap at the other.
AK is to blame where I lost $9 all in pre vs <AA & <JJ

Toning up the aggression from BB have helped a lot it seems.
Let me know if there are other things that might hit you as odd.

 

[Alucard]

Very interesting thread Alucard and very interesting insights of CRStals and especially Figaroo2.
I come back and back again to your threads, really interesting.

hey sorry I missed this.
Thank you for following & GL to you on moving to cash!!

 

[Alucard]

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

BTN: 99.4 BB (VPIP: 41.67, PFR: 33.33, 3Bet Preflop: 33.33, Hands: 13)
Hero (SB): 240.8 BB
BB: 191 BB (VPIP: 20.06, PFR: 12.39, 3Bet Preflop: 2.14, Hands: 354)
UTG: 102.6 BB (VPIP: 14.75, PFR: 10.10, 3Bet Preflop: 2.51, Hands: 507)
MP: 82 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
CO: 100 BB (VPIP: 37.78, PFR: 24.44, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 47)

Hero posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Kh Ks
UTG raises to 3 BB, MP calls 3 BB, fold, BTN calls 3 BB, Hero raises to 18 BB, fold, fold, MP calls 15 BB, BTN calls 15 BB

Flop : (58 BB, 3 players) Js Ts 7c
Hero checks, MP checks, BTN bets 41.8 BB,

 

[Alucard]

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

BTN: 91.6 BB (VPIP: 22.22, PFR: 15.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 45)
Hero (SB): 220 BB
BB: 119.4 BB (VPIP: 26.23, PFR: 16.39, 3Bet Preflop: 4.76, Hands: 63)
UTG: 103.2 BB (VPIP: 18.33, PFR: 13.33, 3Bet Preflop: 3.77, Hands: 305)
MP: 130.4 BB (VPIP: 40.00, PFR: 20.00, 3Bet Preflop: 12.50, Hands: 16)
CO: 69.2 BB (VPIP: 21.18, PFR: 8.24, 3Bet Preflop: 2.86, Hands: 91)

Hero posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has 2h 2s
UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, CO calls 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 2.6 BB, fold

Flop : (10 BB, 3 players) 6d 6c 2d
Hero checks, UTG checks, CO checks

Turn : (10 BB, 3 players) 7c
Hero checks, UTG checks, CO checks

River : (10 BB, 3 players) 5c
Hero bets 5.4 BB, UTG raises to 100.2 BB and is all-in, fold,

 

[Alucard]

Since this Monday at stars 5NL zoom.

Pretty happy with the progress. Specially getting my redline back on track. Aggressive blind defence has paid out.

But not gonna be overexcited about it like the last times. Need to keep the momentum & keep on improving finding the leaks

Spoiler

position wise stats (would be really helpful if someone could look into them & could find something odd)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=16gUH9mX90XSr1GSpIRHYMZIryuuh02aT

 

[braveslice]

Do you have RFI per position, hard to get the whole picture in 6max zoom from PFR.

Your blind style will get countered a bit by part of the pool when stats catch up, so prepare to be even more dynamic with your ranges. That means usually tight it down for some, but also wider value when hit. Just don’t search help from call mode, but fold mode and occasional 4bet bluffs. I said not call mode, but to be long term balanced you need also a call range, but it’s not that important yet, but in phase after next phase.

Also notice that this is not first time you go this same cycle with aggression, it’s better not go from extremes to extremes, but with small steps.

I don’t see anything bad in your stats, things that are interesting are from blinds, especially high CBet with low CBet Suc but still great profit and 18% 3bet vs steal. This would suggest you barrel or even triple barrel a lot with air?

 

[Figaroo2]

Good results. Running well. Still small samples but I suggest you aren't playing enough from the BTN your vpip should be in the 30%+. Call a bit more if you can ID one and done cbettors and and keep trying to nick those blinds as often as you can.

 

[Alucard]

Do you have RFI per position, hard to get the whole picture in 6max zoom from PFR.

Also notice that this is not first time you go this same cycle with aggression, it’s better not go from extremes to extremes, but with small steps.

I don’t see anything bad in your stats, things that are interesting are from blinds, especially high CBet with low CBet Suc but still great profit and 18% 3bet vs steal. This would suggest you barrel or even triple barrel a lot with air?

yeah noted. I'm trying to balance out my aggression when needed.

RFI stats

BTN - 37
CO - 24
MP - 15
UTG - 10.5
SB - 33

Triple barrel - yeah at times I guess. But not much as I remember. I usually double barrel a lot now with an interesting style.
That JJ hand is one of the rarest moments where I checked the turn as I remember.
This is all situational & I try to pick my spots.

 

[Alucard]

Good results. Running well. Still small samples but I suggest you aren't playing enough from the BTN your vpip should be in the 30%+. Call a bit more if you can ID one and done cbettors and and keep trying to nick those blinds as often as you can.

I'm still trying to balance put my BTN flatting range & cbet calling range.
The thing is at times flatting can become messy when a blind comes in for the ride.


Ex - Tried your suited aces flatting suggestion, & while I catch the Ace on flop & be ahead of the RFI, a blind could easily have 2 pair or sets & could get easy value playing it passive first two streets.


I have also limited flatting due to your opinion about flatting broadways vs low pfr players. It had some affect as well.


So yeah trying to figure out my flatting range from BTN as well a clear 3betting range.
So I usually go with the flow & 3bets PF considering the opponent.