48 replies to this topic

[Smasharoo]

The GoalTo turn $50 in my first Pokerstars deposit into $1000.The RulesI'll play only Limit games, primarily Holdem, though I might mix in some O8 or Stud etc. later on.I won't move up in limits without at least 300BB for the new limit. I will post hands that I win and lose and explain my thinking behind how I played them.I'm too lazy to spellcheck. Deal with it.Day 10 Just another day at the grind. Only got about 200 hands in, broke $90, and noticed that the morning Pstars micro players are a lot like morning casino players. Tight pre-flop, horrible postflop, and in love with high pocket pairs, no matter what the board looks like. Still haven't had a losing session yet, which in a way annoys me, because I'd like to demonstrate that it happens to anyone, etc. I figure it's the lack of rake that's really contributing to it. I'm sure some of my longer, small win sessions are probbaly losses with rake.Here's a hand where I hit the wrong button preflop and call with some suited crap in the BB.PokerStars Game #1120317873: Hold'em Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2005/01/24 - 10:20:04 (ET)Table 'Arneb' Seat #3 is the buttonSeat 2: PowerCrazy ($0.31 in chips) Seat 3: dabirdlady ($1.35 in chips) Seat 5: yehaw1967ss ($1.92 in chips) Seat 6: thecandle ($4.24 in chips) Seat 7: silverminxx2 ($4.55 in chips) Seat 8: Thurman15 ($1.78 in chips) Seat 9: sidrich1 ($4.35 in chips) Seat 10: ripit ($2.02 in chips) nfinity711 will be allowed to play after the buttonyehaw1967ss: posts small blind $0.02thecandle: posts big blind $0.05*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [2c 8c]silverminxx2: folds Thurman15: calls $0.05sidrich1: folds ripit: folds PowerCrazy: folds dabirdlady: calls $0.05yehaw1967ss: raises $0.05 to $0.10thecandle: calls $0.05Thurman15: calls $0.05dabirdlady: calls $0.05Oops. I literally misclicked. Hazards of multi-tabling.*** FLOP *** [5c 8s 9c]damom has returnedyehaw1967ss: bets $0.05thecandle: calls $0.05Thurman15: calls $0.05dabirdlady: calls $0.05Hey, that worked out ok! Middle pair and a flush draw. I should play 82s more often!*** TURN *** [5c 8s 9c] [2s]yehaw1967ss: bets $0.10thecandle: raises $0.10 to $0.20Thurman15: calls $0.20dabirdlady: calls $0.20yehaw1967ss: calls $0.10I raise the two pair with the flush draw, figureing I might get a striahgt draw or A9 or something to come along for the ride. A ussual I underestimate the proclivity for cold calling by microlimit players. *** RIVER *** [5c 8s 9c 2s] [8h]yehaw1967ss: bets $0.10thecandle: raises $0.10 to $0.20Thurman15: calls $0.20dabirdlady: folds yehaw1967ss: calls $0.10River the full house, I almost go for overcalls here, but figure what the hell, if they cold called the turn maybe they'll cold call the river, too. *** SHOW DOWN ***thecandle: shows [2c 8c] (a full house, Eights full of Deuces)Thurman15: mucks hand yehaw1967ss: shows [Ac As] (two pair, Aces and Eights)thecandle collected $2 from potEither can't let go of AA or figured the river made him a better two pair. Dealt to thecandle [5s Kc]PowerCrazy said, "absolutly, they probably have one of the best all around teams without having a big name player"Thurman15: folds sidrich1: folds ripit: calls $0.05damom: folds PowerCrazy: folds koivu11: folds Hansi: folds yehaw1967ss: folds thecandle: calls $0.03deesdollars: checks Clearly complete the SB with Kx suited.*** FLOP *** [5c As Ks]thecandle: checks deesdollars: checks ripit: bets $0.05thecandle: raises $0.05 to $0.10deesdollars: folds ripit: calls $0.05I'm not into slowplaying a weak two pair, but particularly not on this fairly coordinated flop.*** TURN *** [5c As Ks] [Jc]thecandle: bets $0.10ripit: calls $0.10*** RIVER *** [5c As Ks Jc] [5h]thecandle: bets $0.10ripit: calls $0.10*** SHOW DOWN ***thecandle: shows [5s Kc] (a full house, Fives full of Kings)ripit: mucks hand PowerCrazy said, "They have 2 things going for them. They are aggressive and very confident"thecandle collected $0.75 from potCalls me down with A9. Figured I was betting the flush draw I guess? I had raised some multiway flush draws in previous hands for value so maybe he was paying attention but didn't notice the fact that I kept betting.I think the chat is about the Patriots.*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Th Jd]ripit: calls $0.05PowerCrazy: calls $0.05rooferdon: calls $0.05thecandle: calls $0.03wobin: checks Complete TJ in the SB. It's a hand a lot of people play far too much from early and middle postion. It's actually a fold for me anywhere but on the button even in a loose game. I'll complete with it though.*** FLOP *** [Ac 5d Jh]thecandle: bets $0.05wobin: calls $0.05ripit: folds PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05I like to bet out of the SB occasionally with a marginal hand on a passive table if I think it can get me a cheap showdown. I'd fold this to a bet on the turn .*** TURN *** [Ac 5d Jh] [Qc]thecandle: checks wobin: checks rooferdon: checksExactly what I"m looking for, the chance to show down a weak hand cheaply in a relatively small pot. I'm not real intrested in betting this for value or paying to see a showdown. *** RIVER *** [Ac 5d Jh Qc] [2h]thecandle: checks wobin: checks rooferdon: checks *** SHOW DOWN ***thecandle: shows [Th Jd] (a pair of Jacks)wobin: shows [5c 4c] (a pair of Fives)rooferdon: mucks hand thecandle collected $0.40 from potA 4 handed hand from the same table, earlier I think:PokerStars Game #1120258331: Hold'em Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2005/01/24 - 09:37:37 (ET)Table 'Arneb' Seat #7 is the buttonSeat 2: PowerCrazy ($1.67 in chips) Seat 5: rooferdon ($1.07 in chips) Seat 6: thecandle ($4.54 in chips) Seat 7: wobin ($3.15 in chips) ripit will be allowed to play after the buttonPowerCrazy: posts small blind $0.02rooferdon: posts big blind $0.05*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [8d 9h]thecandle: calls $0.05wobin: calls $0.05PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: checks Meh. I'm not crazy about 89 and it's a clear and easy fold normally, but 4 handed I"ll look at a flop with it.*** FLOP *** [9d 5d 2h]rooferdon: checks thecandle: bets $0.05wobin: calls $0.05rooferdon: foldsTop pair is top pair. Even with a crappy kicker, it's ussually going to hold up 4 handed. *** TURN *** [9d 5d 2h] [6c]thecandle: bets $0.10wobin: calls $0.10*** RIVER *** [9d 5d 2h 6c] [6h]thecandle: bets $0.10rooferdon said, "nh"wobin: calls $0.10*** SHOW DOWN ***thecandle: shows [8d 9h] (two pair, Nines and Sixes)wobin: mucks hand thecandle collected $0.67 from potSeat 7: wobin (button) mucked [Ad Kc]How do you not raise AK 4 handed? I completely don't understand how people play sometimes.PokerStars Game #1120257019: Hold'em Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2005/01/24 - 09:36:36 (ET)Table 'Arneb' Seat #5 is the buttonSeat 2: PowerCrazy ($1.77 in chips) Seat 5: rooferdon ($1.42 in chips) Seat 6: thecandle ($3.94 in chips) Seat 7: wobin ($3.30 in chips) thecandle: posts small blind $0.02wobin: posts big blind $0.05*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [5s 6s]PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05thecandle: calls $0.03wobin: checks I complete with any two suited cards in the SB.*** FLOP *** [9s 3s As]thecandle: bets $0.05wobin: folds rooferdon: raises $0.05 to $0.10thecandle: raises $0.05 to $0.15rooferdon: raises $0.05 to $0.20Betting is cappedthecandle: calls $0.05I can't figure out if this guy has decided that he thinks I'm bluffing because I'm betting at a flush draw out of the SB or if he has a bigger flush.Four handed I figure my three-bet is autmoatic.*** TURN *** [9s 3s As] [Jc]thecandle: bets $0.10rooferdon: raises $0.10 to $0.20thecandle: calls $0.10I slow down a little on the turn. I fgure a three-bet here is probably a little too agressive even four handed. I'm willing to pay off a higher flush but I don't want to pay it off for 10 BB.*** RIVER *** [9s 3s As Jc] [Ac]thecandle: checks rooferdon: bets $0.10thecandle: calls $0.10Really can't raise here either with the very real possibility of the flop action having been a set or Ax two pair. Have to call, of course.*** SHOW DOWN ***rooferdon: shows [Ad Kc] (three of a kind, Aces)thecandle: shows [5s 6s] (a flush, Ace high)thecandle collected $1.15 from potIf he raises pre-flop I'm not in the hand. PokerStars Game #1120255419: Hold'em Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2005/01/24 - 09:35:22 (ET)Table 'Arneb' Seat #7 is the buttonSeat 2: PowerCrazy ($1.94 in chips) Seat 5: rooferdon ($2.02 in chips) Seat 6: thecandle ($3.52 in chips) Seat 7: wobin ($2.95 in chips) PowerCrazy: posts small blind $0.02rooferdon: posts big blind $0.05*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Kc 7c]thecandle: raises $0.05 to $0.10wobin: folds PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05K7s is a raise for me 4 handed.*** FLOP *** [Kh 7s 5c]rooferdon: checks thecandle: bets $0.05rooferdon: calls $0.05Again, I'm really not into slowplaying two pair.*** TURN *** [Kh 7s 5c] [3d]rooferdon: checks thecandle: bets $0.10rooferdon: calls $0.10*** RIVER *** [Kh 7s 5c 3d] [Qc]rooferdon: bets $0.10thecandle: raises $0.10 to $0.20rooferdon: calls $0.10*** SHOW DOWN ***thecandle: shows [Kc 7c] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)rooferdon: mucks hand thecandle collected $0.92 from potI think the value raise here is automatic. Here's a nice "are you kidding me?" suck out when I have QQ heads up. I expect to be sucked out on by strange hands multiway, heads up it's a little more perplexing:*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Qc Qh]ike61: folds jo444: calls $0.05Hansi: calls $0.05thecandle: raises $0.05 to $0.10LatesJ: folds OWL_MOM7162: calls $0.08IndyJohnJ: folds jo444: calls $0.05Hansi: calls $0.05Raise QQ preflop, of course.*** FLOP *** [Ks 4s 7c]OWL_MOM7162: checks jo444: checks Hansi: checks thecandle: bets $0.05OWL_MOM7162: folds jo444: calls $0.05Hansi: foldsI ussually bet into an overcard flop with QQ if it's not three-bet to me pre-flop. *** TURN *** [Ks 4s 7c] [9s]jo444: checks thecandle: checks I ussually check the turn if I get called. *** RIVER *** [Ks 4s 7c 9s] [6d]jo444: bets $0.10thecandle: calls $0.10*** SHOW DOWN ***jo444: shows [5d 3h] (a straight, Three to Seven)thecandle: mucks hand jo444 collected $0.75 from potGutshots happen.Sometimes people overplaying high PP bites me in the ass:*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Ac Qd]bigmac1979: calls $0.05elmis: folds pixey63: calls $0.05LatesJ: folds PowerCrazy: folds Prez01: raises $0.05 to $0.10Chrandaiqbe: calls $0.08thecandle: calls $0.05bigmac1979: calls $0.05pixey63: calls $0.05AQ in the BB is ussually a call for me. In a tighter game it's a fold. AJ is pretty much allways a fold.*** FLOP *** [7c Qh Qs]Chrandaiqbe: checks thecandle: checks bigmac1979: checks pixey63: bets $0.05Prez01: raises $0.05 to $0.10Chrandaiqbe: folds thecandle: calls $0.10bigmac1979: calls $0.10pixey63: calls $0.05I didn't three bet because I figures overcalls were worth more and that I meght be able to get raised again if I bet out on the turn. I had planned originally to CR.*** TURN *** [7c Qh Qs] [Jd]thecandle: bets $0.10bigmac1979: calls $0.10pixey63: calls $0.10Prez01: calls $0.10No raise, but three calls, which is almost better.*** RIVER *** [7c Qh Qs Jd] [Kc]thecandle: bets $0.10bigmac1979: raises $0.10 to $0.20pixey63: folds Prez01: raises $0.10 to $0.30pixey63 is sitting outthecandle said, "hm"Yomobear joins the table at seat #1 thecandle: calls $0.20bigmac1979: calls $0.10I wasn't thrilled with calling two cold here, but it's a tough fold in a pot this big. Someone hitting KJ or hanging around with Q8 isn't out of the question.*** SHOW DOWN ***Prez01: shows [Kh Kd] (a full house, Kings full of Queens)thecandle: mucks hand bigmac1979: shows [Th 9d] (a straight, Nine to King)Prez01 collected $2.20 from potTwo and four outer all in one!Just figured I'd post some hands that might frustrate people playing micro-limits so it doesn't seem like I win every hand I'm in or wisely fold. I show down a lot of losers in micro-limits just like everyone else. Continuing on that theme:*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Qh Th]thecandle: calls $0.05deesdollars: checks Thurman15: folds ripit: folds damom: calls $0.05PowerCrazy: folds koivu11: calls $0.03Hansi: checks QTo is a fold for me here. QTs is worth limping with.*** FLOP *** [5c 7h Qc]koivu11: checks Hansi: checks thecandle: bets $0.05deesdollars: calls $0.05damom: calls $0.05koivu11: calls $0.05Hansi: foldsTop pair, can't let flush draws get a frree card, etc. *** TURN *** [5c 7h Qc] [9s]koivu11: checks thecandle: bets $0.10deesdollars: calls $0.10damom: folds koivu11: calls $0.10*** RIVER *** [5c 7h Qc 9s] [Kh]koivu11: bets $0.10thecandle: calls $0.10deesdollars: calls $0.10*** SHOW DOWN ***koivu11: shows [9d 5s] (two pair, Nines and Fives)thecandle: mucks hand deesdollars: mucks hand koivu11 collected $1.05 from potPot's to big to fold.$8 to three figures baby. Halfway to the first limit move up. ResultsStarting Bankroll: $89.37Ending Bankroll: $92.00Playtime: 200 handsNet: $2.67BB/100: 10+

[speedz99]

Thanks for the post.Next time can you go back to 50 hands in a row? I though that was great, because unlike highlights only (like tv poker), we could see a continuous thought process.

[Smasharoo]

Next time can you go back to 50 hands in a row? I though that was great, because unlike highlights only (like tv poker), we could see a continuous thought process.Sure.

[dna4ever]

Smash, good stuff. I actually enjoy these and enjoy the through process explanations. Even though I dont play Limit (Just NL) the through process is neat. I am going to pick up Harringtons book today which is going to be similiar to this I think except focuses on NL Tournies which is what I play so will be really beneficial.Two quick comments/questions .....

Smasharoo said:

[Dealt to thecandle [5s Kc]PowerCrazy said, "absolutly, they probably have one of the best all around teams without having a big name player"Thurman15: folds sidrich1: folds ripit: calls $0.05damom: folds PowerCrazy: folds koivu11: folds Hansi: folds yehaw1967ss: folds thecandle: calls $0.03deesdollars: checks Clearly complete the SB with Kx suited.

As I was first reading this I wondered why the call then I read your explanation. Those are not suited?

Smasharoo said:

PokerStars Game #1120255419: Hold'em Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2005/01/24 - 09:35:22 (ET)Table 'Arneb' Seat #7 is the buttonSeat 2: PowerCrazy ($1.94 in chips) Seat 5: rooferdon ($2.02 in chips) Seat 6: thecandle ($3.52 in chips) Seat 7: wobin ($2.95 in chips) PowerCrazy: posts small blind $0.02rooferdon: posts big blind $0.05*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to thecandle [Kc 7c]thecandle: raises $0.05 to $0.10wobin: folds PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05K7s is a raise for me 4 handed.

Can u explain some more about that through process? I guess I dont play a lot of short handed (especially limit), but raising with K7 soooted ?

[justblaze]

Nice post smash. 1 comment though. would you, at this point, attribute your lack of a losing session to skill or luck? Not implying anything, just wanna know if you actually think the luck factor can be overcome 200 hands at a time.

[Smasharoo]

Nice post smash. 1 comment though. would you, at this point, attribute your lack of a losing session to skill or luck? Not implying anything, just wanna know if you actually think the luck factor can be overcome 200 hands at a time.I'd attribute it to lack of rake along with luck. I'm sure at some point I've been down over 200 hands somewhere along the way, just not at the end point of a given session.I imagine I'll probably have one before I hit $150.I definately don't think you can overcome the luck factor 200 hands at a time.The nature of these games, though is that losing sessions for a tight agressive player are going to be pretty rare. You get paid off so well when you're exploiting huge edges that you'd really have to have a bad run to show a loss. Still think I'll probably have one though.I still have 580BB to go at .5/.10, and have been crusing along at 5BB/100 or over so I have probably 7-10k more hands at this limit to go. Plenty of time to have a losing session.As I was first reading this I wondered why the call then I read your explanation. Those are not suited? Yeah, I don't know. I remember the hand, too, and thought they were. Bad SB complete on my part, I guess.Can u explain some more about that through process? I guess I dont play a lot of short handed (especially limit), but raising with K7 soooted ?Best hand 4-ways most of the time, certainly good enough to put pressure on the blinds. When you're paying so many blinds as you do shorthanded you have to steal when you can and get more money in when you have a better than average hand.

[SBriand]

Nice work Smash! Good to see someone out there is having a better go than me at the moment. Guess it's time for me to hot the books...yet again.

[Wagon]

Smash your posts are not only informative but entertaining.Please continue to posts these updates on your project. I'm learning a ton about the decision making process of a winning player by reading these. With situations in poker being so contextual its invaluable to have specific examples over a particular session.Thanks for taking the time to put these together, it is appreciated.

[CheckisGood]

What time do you usually play at these tables?

[braminc]

glad to see your back smash....was afraid you were leaving. good work, keep it up

[saskatonian]

smash do you know how to play stud hi/lo. If you know how to play at all I would suggest when you have 150 bucks to play the .25 .50 cent tables they are quite easy to beat. I was reading your posts and decided to drop to a lower limit to see how the play is and doubled my buyin in 10 minutes at the .25 .50 cent tables. Very few bettors but tons of callers. Easy game.

[JohnnyFourthSt]

Smash, as someone who is just starting out with Low Limit, these posts are invaluable. Question: The other day you mentioned that someone played so much like Lee Jones that they probably were reading the book while you were playing. How would you say you're strategy differs from Jones at this level? I just bought his book and am following his strategies to start out.

[dna4ever]

saskatonian said:

smash do you know how to play stud hi/lo. If you know how to play at all I would suggest when you have 150 bucks to play the .25 .50 cent tables they are quite easy to beat. I was reading your posts and decided to drop to a lower limit to see how the play is and doubled my buyin in 10 minutes at the .25 .50 cent tables. Very few bettors but tons of callers. Easy game.

I dont think Smash's goal is to win money here although that is certainly going to be a nice benefit. From previous posts Smash says he makes $40,000 - $50,000/year online. From my understanding this $50 - $1000 experiment is mainly to help people of this forum with their game by providing detailed explanations of his hands so we can attempt to learn some things.

[saskatonian]

just suggesting if he wanted a change of pace or if he knows how to play split games such as stud hi/lo or omaha hi/lo (these games are more complicated but i think that if new players learn these they can increase there bankroll better then holdem) then he could show beginners how to play these also.-However it seems his forte is hold'em

[dna4ever]

saskatonian said:

just suggesting if he wanted a change of pace or if he knows how to play split games such as stud hi/lo or omaha hi/lo (these games are more complicated but i think that if new players learn these they can increase there bankroll better then holdem) then he could show beginners how to play these also.-However it seems his forte is hold'em

gotcha. yea I would love to see this exact thing for different games like Omaha. I have never ventured outside of Hold em mainly because I havent wanted to take time to learn a new game. Its taken me 4 or 5 years to learn Holdem and I am still learning something every day. I just bought Harringtons book and made it through first chapter. Its awesome.

[mx957]

Smash,I just wanted to thank you. I have been playing limit at the B&M cardrooms when I go to Vegas (3 or 4 times a year). Always managed to stay about even maybe just slightly ahead. Reading your posts 1) helped my confidence 2) proved that you can be patient (and have to be) in limit 3) helped me fine tune my starting hand requirements and finally 4) helped take some of the passivity out of my game (Not afraid to raise when I feel I should). While 2 sessions is no iron clad proof, I do see quite a change already.Thanks for helpin out a newbie I really will follow your journey!Ron.

[monoatomic]

Okay just a few questions for you here smash.In one of the hands you state that to a raise AQ is sometimes a fold, as well as AJ almost always being a fold.Just kinda wondering your thoughts on why folding AQ, or AJ to one bet? Is it because at a tighter table if you hit the ace you are worried about AK or AA? Just wondering because I usually raise pre-flop with AQ in any table position and depending on how many people are in the hand even raise in the BB with it with a raise ahead of me.Just wondering what your thoughts were on this hand.Also, on that hand where you played K7, just wondering what your play would have been if you had hit just the K and not the 7 as well?

[NYIsles]

Dealt to thecandle [5s 6s] PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05 thecandle: calls $0.03 wobin: checks I complete with any two suited cards in the SB.Did you mean any two suited connectors, as I assume? Or do you really complete with any two suited cards?

[Ed]

NYIsles said:

Dealt to thecandle [5s 6s] PowerCrazy: folds rooferdon: calls $0.05 thecandle: calls $0.03 wobin: checks I complete with any two suited cards in the SB.Did you mean any two suited connectors, as I assume? Or do you really complete with any two suited cards?

I think he means complete with any 2 suited cards. I do the same. If it's an unraised pot when it comes to you in the small blind, you're sneaking in suited for half a bet. And it's easy to ditch on the flop if it misses you.