http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/ Poker forum discussion on no-limit texas holdem strategy, tips, videos, lessons, and tricks. en Thu, 17 May 2012 19:19:57 GMT vBulletin 60 http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/images/misc/rss.png http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/ http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15170-PokerZion-back-online?goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:47:34 GMT We apologize for the recent site outage. We had to change some DNS settings which took longer than expected, but we are back online and ready to go.... We apologize for the recent site outage. We had to change some DNS settings which took longer than expected, but we are back online and ready to go. Also, the image issue in the header and the text formatting will be resolved soon. ]]> Announcements Brian http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15170-PokerZion-back-online http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15169-Donk-Leads?goto=newpost Fri, 11 May 2012 01:18:32 GMT So you open raise from the cut-off with KcTc in a 6-max or full ring cash game, and a player that you perceive as not very good calls you in the... So you open raise from the cut-off with KcTc in a 6-max or full ring cash game, and a player that you perceive as not very good calls you in the small blind. The flop comes: 3c 8s Qd. The weak player bets 2/3rds of the pot into you. Almost always this means I have a 3, an 8, a small pocket pair, or air. What do I see a lot of students do though? Yep, fold.

A small raise is going to take down this pot almost always. The board is super dry, there's no reason to bet into someone if they had a Queen. Now, if your opponent is really really bad, it's entirely possible that they make a pair and just bet. You of course want to pay attention for this kind of player. There's also the passive bad trappy player that may have an over pair and is looking to get you to call with a Q or worse. You also don't want to make this play at the higher small stakes games against competent of good regulars, because they will sometimes lead with top pair or better to induce action. Those are the exceptions in these cases, and not the rule however.

Back to our example, we have a backdoor straight and a high backdoor flush as well, and an over card that might be good. So in situations that we are called, we have a lot of things to our advantage. We'll have position, and we'll have a lot of backdoor outs that can connect and scoop a nice pot when our opponents does have a hand. If we pick up a card on the turn that improves our hand, such as a club or a jack, king or ace, we can bet again and apply extra pressure. If not, we can choose to check and hope to hit a ten or King that might be good. The bottom line is that we're applying pressure to our opponent in position, and taking back the initiative in the hand.

Same situation as above, but this time the flop comes: 8h 9c Qh. Your opponent donk leads into you for 2/3rds of the pot. Even though you have a gut shot, you should fold. Why? A king likely isn't a good card for you so you don't have any solid over card outs, and a ten isn't a good card for you either. You're left with a gutshot that doesn't carry high implied odds, and a back door flush draw. On top of that, it's highly plausible your opponent is leads with a draw, or some type of combo draw such as 9hTh. It's not a good texture to raise on because our fold equity is dramatically reduced.. Any board texture that is very draw heavy, and doesn't provide you with good solid out if you're called, is not a situation you want to look to pressure your opponents lead bet.

Stay focused on clear dry boards with lots of backdoor outs, and some over card outs. Pay attention to how often your opponent is leading into pre-flop raisers (either by using your hud or your good old fashioned eye balls). Look for ideal opponents who are weak players, but on the more aggressive side of the scale. Use the position you have on your opponent and apply pressure by making them make a decision, take back the initiative and scoop the pot. ]]> PokerZion Mentor Articles John http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15169-Donk-Leads http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15168-LB-and-HEM1?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 08:09:30 GMT I use HEM1 and dont want to change to HEM 2 until
A.) I have to (no more support) or
B.) the HEM2 users start posting more "Glad I upgraded" compared toe the "Went back to HEM1" posts.

So, I am seriously considering getting LB full (I am MS but, hey, optimism abounds). Is it still totally compatible with HEM1 and will stay that way for as long as HEM1 is supported?

Thanks

MM ]]> Leak Buster Musicman http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15168-LB-and-HEM1 http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15167-errors-connecting-to-server?goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 07:05:05 GMT Sorry to post a license/tech support kind of questions here, but not sure what to do....

I haven't used Ace Poker Drills in a while, and when I recently tried to open it, I was asked to register it again. I provided my info and the serial number, but there was apparently an error or some kind. Is this on my end or yours? Thanks. ]]> Ace Poker Drills rowhousepd http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15167-errors-connecting-to-server http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15166-Tried-out-Seeds-to-get-a-feel-for-the-site-but?goto=newpost Tue, 08 May 2012 17:24:59 GMT I am thinking of joining, but want to get a feel for how this is. I signed up for the free Seeds, and got an email with a link to a video (vids... I am thinking of joining, but want to get a feel for how this is. I signed up for the free Seeds, and got an email with a link to a video (vids galore out there, so, altho I thought a good vid, but its a vid so not showing me much about this specific learning program and why it is different....) and got a link to a module which didnt work......

I did an intro post about me and what I am trying to strive for, and am not improving enough through books, article and vids.

I really would like to get a taste of why this will bring me farther..... ]]> Musicman http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15166-Tried-out-Seeds-to-get-a-feel-for-the-site-but http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15165-New-here.-A-short-synopsis-of-me-and-what-I-am-aiming-for...?goto=newpost Mon, 07 May 2012 08:34:24 GMT I am a middle aged pro musician. I have been playing nlhe for 3 years. Since 1 year pretty seriously. Maybe 200k hands in the last 6-7 months. I am a... I am a middle aged pro musician. I have been playing nlhe for 3 years. Since 1 year pretty seriously. Maybe 200k hands in the last 6-7 months. I am a slightly losing player. I have HEM1. I am pretty solid with the basics. I am a member of 2 poker forums - CC is one, where you guys are presently active, I had heard of you before but you CC offers reminded me about you.

What I have done so far:
Read quite a few books, Professional no limit holöde em, Harrington on cash games, Theory of Poker, SS no limit he, Tri's books, Baluga whales books, and more, a few of the "must reads, I havent finished all of em yet.
Been a member at DTB and DC. Watched loads of vids as well.
2+2 and CC, I do a lot of reading, some HH posting. Take part in forum discussions.
Have worked with a couple of SS coaches. maybe 10 sessions so far.
I review in HEM, but I am not always sure how to make review as effective as it should (could) be.

So, since I have a BR put aside just for poker, and my professional life has taken some...uhhh.. interesting turns over the last couple of years, where work is getting scarce, I have decided to start putting in volume at both .10nl and .25nl. .10 nl cause it seems I am not beating it, and 25 nl cause I am well rolled for it and shot take now and then. Most of my volume is at 10 nl tho. I am married with kids, and my wife is in the loop. At first she was not too happy with it, but I am a hard worker, and people actually do make money at poker, so she has kinda said go for it. If it does not take off by the end of the year, our agreement is I then look for a job (at 53, living in a foreign country, and no degree in anything but the school of hard knocks, not a pleasant outlook)

So here I am. I am targeting wanting to be a volume reg higher limits. I dont know what is realistic. My main long term goal is to play full time and make a reasonable income. I know how that sounds, but I am not sure how else to put it. I can put in 40-50 hour weeks, and still do the odd gig when one comes in. I go on the road maybe 2-4 times a month. My wife will keep the kids and household under control, so I can grind with no outside disturbances. All of which I am doing...... and not winning after 200K+ hands, I am badly leaking apparently in a lot of places. lol, but where????

So I am not sure where to start. I guess the roots, but I know all my basics like BRM, position and why it is important, value betting, odds and outs and so on. So I am not sure about taking a half a year to work on that. Having said that, I am not sure if the iron lion is a good idea if I am not a winning uNL player.

tl:dr: cliffs

Losing uNL player with 200k+ hands.
Done lots of work on my game, know the basics.
Iron lion or Roots?

Thanks. ]]> Introductions Musicman http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15165-New-here.-A-short-synopsis-of-me-and-what-I-am-aiming-for... http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15164-refund?goto=newpost Sat, 05 May 2012 11:12:11 GMT I asked for a refund for the combo of the Roots coarse and the Poker Drills as I found the coarse lacking any substance and the Poker Drills filled... I asked for a refund for the combo of the Roots coarse and the Poker Drills as I found the coarse lacking any substance and the Poker Drills filled with errors that are agravating to try and learn with. Told update for the Drills was coming .....nothing! And no reply about the coarse.

No where online have I purchased anything that if a customer was not pleased they would be refunded, until now.

The Roots Coarse? Old Leakbuster videos as a training tool? Really? Atleast be original.

Your coarse and Drill s/w is laughable.

I can hardly wait for 2+2 forums to open again so I may warn people of your product. ]]> Ace Poker Drills ez2cy http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15164-refund http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15163-Gut-shot-pick-up?goto=newpost Fri, 04 May 2012 17:45:32 GMT This is going to be part of the: Missed Opportunities at micro/small stakes no-limit Series How do you increase your poker winrate from good to... This is going to be part of the: Missed Opportunities at micro/small stakes no-limit Series

How do you increase your poker winrate from good to great? It's all about picking up the small pots, and of course, playing the big pots well. It's the small pots that a lot of players over look far too often though. All of these pots (and we'll define small as 10 big blinds or less), add up over the course of a session, and turn already winning players, into players that crush their stakes.

I can't over emphasize how important it is to think of creative ways to scoop more than your share of the small pots. I'm going to focus on one specific hand situation that occurs quite often. Something that I see students miss over and over again in my 6 years as a poker coach.

Someone raises the minimum in middle position in a 6-max cash game. Player on the button calls, and you call in the big blind with Ah2h. The flop comes: 3c 5s Qh. I'll often watch a student check/fold here. Some of the more aggressive students will go ahead and lead at this pot, at least figuring no one hit it often enough, which of course they'd be correct. There's an even better play though.

Check the flop, with the intention of making a smallish check-raise. With a gut-shot, back door nut flush and an over card that is likely good, we have a lot of nice semi-bluff outs, and the gut shot and nut flush carry nice implied odds if we hit. The most ideal situation being that the middle position open raiser checks, and the person last to act is somewhat aggressive, and bets the flop. You're going to have a lot of players at micro/small stakes that have "bet when passed to disease", so take advantage of it.

Check raising is going to net more on average in this spot, even though you risk more, simply because you're going to get a lot of air to bet, and a lot of mid pairs as well that will very likely fold a good percentage of the time. It's quite reasonable that if someone has 66-JJ, 3x or 5x on this board that they're going to bet the flop. Most of those same hands are going to fold to a check raise, and a lot of them are going to call a lead on the flop. So we make the most money on average by adhering to the basic theorem of poker, which is allow your opponent to make the biggest mistake possible.

There are some of your better opponents who will understand that this is a pretty dry board, and there's not much of a reason to check-raise, but they will be in the minority at these stake levels. Most opponents will fold and move on to the next hand. If you are called, then give up unless you hit a card to improve your hand, such as another heart, an Ace, or a King as an additional scare card.

Now, let's take almost the exact same situation as above, but look at a slightly different flop texture that's not suitable to execute this play. Flop comes: 4c 5h 8c. We still have a gut shot and back door nut flush, but we don't want to look to check-raise this board multi-way. Heads up, we might look to lead. Against some more passive opponents, we might also lead 3 handed. On average though, it's better to check/fold. Why? Out of position multi-way on a board that is more coordinated towards the middle, which will hit more small sized open raises, you're going to get a lot more calls, and a lot less folds. Especially in micro stake games where you're going to have a lot of opponents call with all sorts of gut shots, Ax and even Kx hands.

So board texture is key in making plays when you have gutshots. The most ideal situation is always that you have a really strong back door flush, and at least one high over card that is likely good. In spots like these, because they happen quite often, make sure you're attacking and looking to scoop these small pots. ]]> PokerZion Mentor Articles John http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15163-Gut-shot-pick-up http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15162-QcQd-OOP-on-5h4s3h-vs-re-raise?goto=newpost Wed, 02 May 2012 22:48:58 GMT Vilain is a decent regular 22/18/ 4.2% 3bet on CO/ 15% call open CO/ agg 3.1/ raise CB 18% Pre-Flop ($1.50, 6 players) Hero is UTG+1 ... Vilain is a decent regular 22/18/ 4.2% 3bet on CO/ 15% call open CO/ agg 3.1/ raise CB 18%

Pre-Flop ($1.50, 6 players) Hero is UTG+1
Q:club: Q :diamond:

1 fold, Hero raises to $3, lipskerov_x calls $3, 2 folds, stalion x 69 calls $2

Flop ($9.50, 3 players)
5:heart: 4:spade: 6:spade:

stalion x 69 checks, Hero bets $7, lipskerov_x raises to $23, stalion x 69 folds, Hero calls $16

Turn ($55.50, 2 players)
3:heart:

Hero checks, lipskerov_x bets $28, Hero calls $28

River ($111.50, 2 players)
K:diamond:

Hero checks, lipskerov_x goes all-in $46, Hero ?

What is the optimal play aginst the current vilain starting from the flop? ]]> Cash Game Hand History Reviews NoTrustEver http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15162-QcQd-OOP-on-5h4s3h-vs-re-raise http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15161-AA-KK-loses.....?goto=newpost Tue, 01 May 2012 15:24:08 GMT hi all, just the last couple of weeks ive noticed that when i have AA/KK out of position i seem to be getting a lot of villains hitting straight... hi all,

just the last couple of weeks ive noticed that when i have AA/KK out of position i seem to be getting a lot of villains hitting straight draws on the river with small one gap connectors

My general play (although not always) is to raise 3x pre, then bet the flop/turn on a dry ish board, obviously betsizing changes but im generally around 3/4 pot on both streets.

I dont know if i should be happy or sad about this as obviously its nice to have players fishing for 2 streets and taking the money, but im wondering if i should change my bet sizing to get rid of them on the turn?

Maybe im not noticing the pots im winning with AA/KK and just the ones that lose big (insert random bad beat story here), it just seems to be happening a lot more often. Perhaps id normally win these pots but i only noticed the ones i get bummed on

im clueless obviously lol, any ideas/advice gratefully received ]]> Cash Game Hand History Reviews lancyuk http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15161-AA-KK-loses..... http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15160-pocket-pair-in-multiway-raised-pot.?goto=newpost Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:51:44 GMT Hello, I would like to get your opinion on this hand and the way I played it. When I looked back over it I thought I probably could have squeezed... Hello, I would like to get your opinion on this hand and the way I played it. When I looked back over it I thought I probably could have squeezed preflop. Should I have re-raised the flop bet? and should I have folded on the turn? The BB was 17/14 over 67 hands. What is your opinion.?

Pacific Poker - $0.10 NL - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 3: [url]http://www.pokertracker.com[/url]

CO: $9.71
BTN: $15.51
Hero (SB): $11.40
BB: $10.00
UTG: $4.93

Hero posts SB $0.05, BB posts BB $0.10

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero has 9c 9h

fold, CO raises to $0.30, BTN calls $0.30, Hero calls $0.25, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($1.20, 4 players) 4s 6d 4h
Hero checks, BB bets $0.90, fold, fold, Hero calls $0.90

Turn: ($3.00, 2 players) 8s
Hero checks, BB bets $1.50, fold ]]> Cash Game Hand History Reviews K.A.B. http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15160-pocket-pair-in-multiway-raised-pot. http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15159-Predetermined-Ranges?goto=newpost Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:10:21 GMT Are the pre-dertermined ranges for 6 max? It would seem like a stretch to use 18.4% for UTG in Full Ring. I really need help with figuring ranges... Are the pre-dertermined ranges for 6 max? It would seem like a stretch to use 18.4% for UTG in Full Ring. I really need help with figuring ranges and am having trouble when my UTG range for Full Ring is ~9% (88+,AJ,KQ,QJs,JTs) and I don't always include KQo. I think APD can help me if I can just get to understand what information to put in so I can come up with some of the correct answers.

Another example of problems I have with the pre-dertermined ranges, 4betting 23%. The site I am on at this time, if someone raises, I 3bet QQ-TT,AK and I get 4bet (2x or min 4bet), it will 90% of the time be AA. If they shove, I have a better chance of it being something other than AA or KK. The last 4 times I called with KK, I have met AA after a dry flop and they shove the flop or c/r all-in.

If you can just get me started in the right direction, I'd truly appreciate it.

Oh, one other question reqarding Bluff Equity. I thought you could figure break even bluff equity with this formula: our bet / (our bet + pot total). Is that incorrect as I know that formula is not including anything towards him calling and then us winning the pot.

Thanks in advance, ]]> Ace Poker Drills EdgeOfReality http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15159-Predetermined-Ranges http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15158-Over-limping-AA?goto=newpost Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:55:43 GMT I've really only cold called AA when there are known squeezers behind me at higher stakes. Playing on a small roll on Bovada, got a chance to over limp against an over agro player at 1/2nl tonight. Always risky, but can pay off huge in the right spot.

There was a early poster, so the CO decided to limp, and I limped behind on the button w/ AA. The over agro player was in the SB and raised. Folded back to me, made a small re-raise and he jammed AJo. Fun stuff.

Had to make up for having 3 set over sets happen today. Ugh...

So this isn't really a hand history, but more or a deep philosophical story. What's the moral? :) ]]> Cash Game Hand History Reviews John http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15158-Over-limping-AA http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15157-W-SD-3-bet-advice?goto=newpost Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:43:32 GMT two areas that seem to stand out on my stats are not 3 and 4 betting enough and also low winning from SD in all positions. I think a large portion... two areas that seem to stand out on my stats are not 3 and 4 betting enough and also low winning from SD in all positions.

I think a large portion of my loses at showdown are from playing weaker hands and staying in hands to showdown when i should have folded earlier. does anyone have any advice on ways to improve my w$sd. I also have a feeling i miss turn/river value when i have tptk and overpairs and therefore i am winning but perhaps not as much as i should.


When im 3/4 betting what am i trying to achieve? What hands should i be 3 betting in position? i know this probably varies according to who else is in the hand, but its frustrating 3 betting aces and feeling like your not getting value when they fold, or getting shoved on and feeling like your losing more than winning (when you dont have AA obviously) ]]> Leak Buster lancyuk http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15157-W-SD-3-bet-advice http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15156-Hello-Pokerzion?goto=newpost Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:05:25 GMT Hello my name is karl, I would just like to say hi to everyone at Pokerzion. I am new here and looking forward to becoming an active member of... Hello my name is karl,

I would just like to say hi to everyone at Pokerzion.
I am new here and looking forward to becoming an active member of the community.
I've been playing microstakes poker on and off for a couple of years now, but I want to
start taking it seriously and from what I've seen so far this is definitly the place to start. ]]> Introductions K.A.B. http://pokerzion.com/Poker_Forum/showthread.php/15156-Hello-Pokerzion