I hope i am not out of line here, but i was looking at some of the blogs and came across this post and i thought it was a good example of problems many microplayers have and is pretty easliy corrected. I know because i had this same problem before i saw Tims videos and he got me pointed in the right direction so hopefully i can recycle his advice to benefit others

here is the post i saw - NAME REMOVED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT

It is a little frustrating to lose 2/3 of the money I won yesterday.

I opened two 25nl tables. In the beginning I lost 3 hands when I went to showdown (three times bad luck at the river. I dont blame myself for this). After that there were a lot of agressive players, Every pot I entered, playing postflop I encountered a lot of agression. Getting checkraised, donkbetted, a few times I tried pot control and got raised out of the hand...I have to analyze some hands to see if this was a logical downswing or if I can find mistakes. My strategy was right i think. I wanted to play a little tighter and I didnt want to blow up a pot with a marginal hand. After 200 hands all the agressive players were gone and my loss stayed the same.

*analysis*

I analysed the three biggest losses, and I think I see a trend. It's the concept of pot control versus giving away the initiative and inducing agression from opponent. Check out the hands:

GENERALLY SPEAKING YOU WANT TO BE THE AGGRESSOR WITH YOUR STRONG HANDS. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CONTROL POT SIZE WITH STRONG HANDS, YOU WANT TO FIND A WAY (BET SIZES) TO GET ALL MONEY IN BY RIVER. YOU WANT TO INDUCE AGGRESSION FROM OPPONENTS WHEN YOU HAVE MEDIUM STRENGTH HANDS THAT WILL ONLY GET CALLED BY BETTER HANDS, BUT MIGHT GET WORSE HANDS TO BET IF YOU CHECK

hand 1

Seat 1 is the button
Seat 1: EVIL GUY ( $25.00 USD )
Seat 2: SB ( $11.26 USD )
Seat 3: BB( $20.71 USD )
Seat 4: EP ( $36.31 USD )
Seat 5: HERO ( $25.00 USD )
Seat 6: CO ( $26.42 USD )
SB posts small blind [$0.10 USD].
BB posts big blind [$0.25 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to HERO [ Ks Ad ]
EP folds
HERO raises [$1.00 USD]
CO folds
EVIL GUY calls [$1.00 USD]
SB folds
BB calls [$0.75 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ac, 3d, 4h ]
BB checks
HERO bets [$2.50 USD]
EVIL GUY raises [$5.30 USD]
BB folds
HERO calls [$2.80 USD] THIS IS A MANDATORY RERAISE W/ TPTK ON A VERY DRY BOARD THAT YOU HAVE CRUSHED, MOST TIMES HE WILL SHOW UP W/ A WORSE ACE AND CALL TO RIVER WHICH MEANS YOU GET HIS STACK MOST OF THE TIME. OR YOU WILL GET OTHER NON BELIEVERS W/ 66+ PAIRS THAT WILL CALL ANOTHER STREET OR TWO TO SEE IF YOU HAVE THE A- VALUE TOWN
** Dealing Turn ** [ 7h ]
HERO checks
EVIL GUY checks
** Dealing River ** [ 5h ]
HERO checks
EVIL GUY bets [$6.85 USD]
HERO calls [$6.85 USD]
EVIL GUY shows [6d, 6c ]
EVIL GUY wins $26.05 USD from main pot
HERO shows [Ks, Ad ] HAD YOU RERAISED FLOP YOU LIKELY FOLD HIS 66, BUT A WIN OF A $10 POT IS BETTER THAN GIVING HIM 2 FREE CARDS AND LOSING ANOTHER 6+ ON RIVER. FREE CARDS KILL SINCE THEY GIVE THE OPPONENT INFINITE IMPLIED ODDS, IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT FOR THE GUY W/ THE WORSE HAND. NOTICE IF HE CALLED A FLOP 3 BET HE WILL ALSO CHASE THE TURN MANY TIMES TAKING MUCH THE WORST OF IT HAVING TO CALL SOMETHING LIKE $18 IN A $24 POT W/ ONLY 6 OUTS IF YOU HAD RERAISED FLOP TO $7.5 AND HE CALLED- VALUETOWN FOR YOU IN LONG RUN


Villain (or EVIL GUY because of his play stats: 41/32 postflop 4.5/3/2 During analysis I noticed that he raises CB 50% (6)

I liked the flop, when I checkraised I thought he might have a set, or he might have a strong ace. He wasnt sure I was ahead so I choose to call and proceed with caution. Checked the river, tried to control the pot. Because he checked the turn I didnt suspect a set anymore, but the rivercard completed straight and flushdraws so I decided to checkcall and he showed his awfull pair of sixes. Perhaps, knowing now that he loves to raise a cbet, I should have 4bet him on the flop. But I didnt have this info during the hand. I lost control and he ran into a straight. Perhaps I should have folded to the river bet.

i THINK THIS WAS JUST OVER THINKING IT A BIT HERE, STATS ARE HELPFUL, BUT DONT LOSE SIGHT OF THE BIG PICTURE, AK ON A34 FLOP IS THE NUTS ALMOST EVERY TIME AND SHOULD BE PLAYED ACCORDINGLY


HAND 2

Seat 3 is the button
Seat 3: HERO ( $32.64 USD )
Seat 4: SB ( $31.27 USD )
Seat 5: VILLAIN ( $30.69 USD )
Seat 6: EP( $46.22 USD )
Seat 2: CO ( $6.05 USD )
SB posts small blind [$0.10 USD].
BB posts big blind [$0.25 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to HERO [ Qc Qd ]
EP folds
CO folds
HERO raises [$1.00 USD]
SB folds
VILLAIN raises [$3.60 USD]
HERO calls [$2.85 USD] THIS IS A MANDATORY 4 BET EXCEPT MAYBE IF YOU HAVE 1K+ HANDS AND HE IS 1% OR LESS(ie AA or KK only) 3 BETTOR, personally i would still 4 bet that type here as well. But villian is 23% 3 bet in blinds. QQ IS THE NUTS VS THIS GOOFBALL RERAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** Dealing Flop ** [ 2h, Ts, Ks ]
VILLAIN bets [$4.65 USD]
HERO calls [$4.65 USD] VS A NIT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE K, WITH THIS GOOF BALL NOT AT ALL
I LIKE 2 OPTIONS HERE, A SMALLISH RAISE 2.2-2.5X TO GROW POT- THIS IS THE CONSERVATIVE PLAY
OR A CALL WITH THE INTENTION OF SHOVING NO MATTER WHAT ON THE TURN, I EXPECT HIM TO BARREL SINCE YOU SHOWED WEAKNESS W/ CALL. I WOULD SHOVE TURN IF ANY A HITS, ANOTHER K OR T HITS,THIS GUY IS A MESS AND NO REASON TO EXPECT QQ NOT BEST, SOMETIMES YOU WILL BE BEAT, BUT MOST TIMES NOT
** Dealing Turn ** [ Jc ]
VILLAIN bets [$22.19 USD]
HERO folds
VILLAIN wins $22.19 USD
VILLAIN wins $16.26 USD from main pot

VILLAIN stats: 37/29 postflop: 3.4/3.2/2.1 3bet in bb: 23% (!) 354 hands

Raising the button I expected a 3bet from this agressive 3bettor. Wasnt keen on 4betting, although that might have been a good option. Postflop I didnt like the K, but knew he has a wide range. I called his cbet (cbet after 3bet 100%, 10 hands) because I still thought I could be ahead. I wanted to reevaluate the turn, hoped he would stop betting. But his push meant an easy fold. Assuming it would have been best to 4bet preflop, but how should I have played this hand postflop? I was trying not to blow up the put but I was simply pushed out.

I THINK YOU NAILED THE BASIC ANALYSIS, BUT GOT SCARED WHEN HE PUSHED. REMEMBER HE DOESNT PLAY LIKE YOU. HE IS A LAGGY DORK AND HE WILL KEEP BETTING ESPECIALLY WHEN HE SENSES WEAKNESS. YOUR LINE PFR, CALL,CALL REEKS OF WEAKNESS, BUT VS HIS RANGE IT IS QUITE STRONG
I SNAP CALL HIS PUSH
-FYI- IF HE WERE A NIT I SNAP FOLD TO A PUSH

HAND 3

Seat 4 is the button
Seat 4: button ( $4.25 USD )
Seat 5: HERO ( $25.15 USD )
Seat 2: BB ( $8.32 USD )
Seat 3: VILLAIN ( $13.40 USD )
HERO posts small blind [$0.10 USD].
BB posts big blind [$0.25 USD].
VILLAIN posts big blind [$0.25 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to HERO [ Ac Js ]
VILLAIN checks
button folds
HERO raises [$0.90 USD]
BB folds
VILLAIN calls [$0.75 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 9s, Ts, Ad ]
HERO bets [$1.50 USD]
VILLAIN raises [$3.00 USD]
HERO calls [$1.50 USD] AGAIN, SAME AS HAND 1, THIS GUY IS A 48/18 MESS. MOST BETS MEAN WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE ESPECIALLY FROM LOOSE DONKS. MIN RAISE IS WEAK, TYPICALLY TESTING TO SEE IF YOU HAVE AN A. I LIKE A RERAISE TO $6 AND SHOVE TURN OR A SHOVE NOW SINCE HE ONLY HAS $10 LEFT. HE WONT FOLD ANY A AND CANT HURT YOU MUCH IF HE GOT LUCKY ON FLOP. TOP PAIR GOOD KICKER IS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET IT ALL IN VS A 1/2 STACK EVERY TIME POSTFLOP, SO JUST GET IT IN WHEN THE CHANCES YOU ARE AHEAD ARE THE STRONGEST
** Dealing Turn ** [ 8h ]
HERO checks
VILLAIN bets [$2.50 USD]
HERO calls [$2.50 USD] AGAIN, A WEAK BET BY HIM, RAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** Dealing River ** [ Ks ] K DOESNT HELP MUCH EXCEPT K9 OR KT OR FLUSH, ALL OTHER HANDS HAVE YOU BEAT OR YOU HAVE BEAT, SO IT CHANGES LITTLE
HERO checks
VILLAIN bets [$6.90 USD]
HERO folds YOU CALLED TURN, MUST CALL RIVER IN THIS SITUATION
VILLAIN wins $6.90 USD
VILLAIN wins $12.59 USD from main pot

VILLAIN STATS: 48/18 postflop 1.3/4.0/inf (62 hands)

I got raised on a wet board. Potential flush/straightdraws or he may have two pair or a set. Many possibilities. I decided to call the raise and the turn gave me a straightdraw. I thought a push wouldnt get him to fold and I had serious doubts if my hand was best. I did decide to call his weak bet because I had outs and there still was a chance that I was ahead. The river card was any easy fold, it gave him so many completed draws...Im not sure how I should have played this hand. Perhaps folding to the raise? Perhaps not cbetting?

FIRSTLY, THE RIVER K ONLY COMPLETES THE FLUSH, QJ MADE A STRAIGHT ON THE TURN 8. AK WAS ALREADY AHEAD. KK WOULD BE AGGRO PREFLOP. IT IS UNLIKELY HE WAS BETTING FLUSH DRAW ENTIRE WAY AS HE CANT EXPECT ANY FOLD EQUITY SO HE WOULD BE BLOATING THE POT AS A BIG UNDERDOG. I THINK AK A9 AT A8 ALL BET TURN BIGGER, DITTO QJ, OR ANY SET, HE CANT HAVE K9 OR KT W/ A SPADE DRAW. THERE ARE A LOT OF HANDS THAT BEAT YOU, BUT HIS PLAY IS PRETTY WIERD, RIVER BET IS ABOUT HALF POT SO YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE BEST 1/4 GETTING 3/1 ON YOUR CALL TO BE PROFITABLE. I DOUBT HE BETS AQ OR A7 OR LESS ON TURN AND RIVER, BUT I AM CONTINUALLY SURPRISED WHAT THESE YAHOOS DO, I LOOK HIM UP HERE. I THINK I FIND AK MOST OF THE TIME

THE FIRST THING I THINK WHEN A WET FLOP HITS AND I HAVE A SOLID MADE HAND (TP GOOD KICKER IS PLENY GOOD ENOUGH) IS VALUE BET, MOST HANDS THAT CONTINUE ARE DRAWS AND ARE WAY BEHIND. I MUST MAKE THEM PAY TO CHASE. SECONDLY TO RECYCLE A POINT TIM MADE IN HIS RECENT THINK LIKE A PRO SERIES. MICRO TAGS FEAR GETTING SUCKED OUT ON MORE THAN ANYTHING ( I KNOW I DO, HOW ABOUT YOU?) SO THEY PLAY MADE HANDS ON DRAWY BOARDS VERY FAST TO CHARGE THE CHASERS. MIN RAISE IS NOT PLAYING FAST , IT IS TYPICALLY A WEAK ATTEMPT TO GET A FREE CARD W/ A DRAWY TYPE HAND (EVER TRY IT YOURSELF, I HAVE ALOT). SO YOU MUST RAISE TO CHARGE MAX SINCE HE WONT FOLD THE DRAW. YOU CAN'T STOP DRAW CHASERS (AND REALLY DONT WANT TO) BUT YOU CAN CHARGE THEM TO CHASE SINCE THAT BENEFITS YOU IN LONG RUN.

MONEY AND AGGRAVATION SAVING TIP- BE AGGRESSIVE EARLY IN HAND AND OPPONENTS TEND TO PLAY FACE UP. THEY FOLD CRAP, CALL W/ WEAK OR MEDIUM STRENGTH HANDS AND DRAWS AND RAISE VERY BIG HANDS. A 3 BET ON THE FLOP IS MUCH CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN THAN A CALL AND A TURN CALL AND THEN A RIVER DECISION TO CALL OR FOLD THAT LEAVES YOU WONDERING.


In all three hands I have a marginal holding and didnt want to blow up the pot. I played against agressive opponents however. Pot control is difficult against people who like to raise. But if I decided to be more agressive, would that force more folds?

My postflop play has to improve and any tips are more than welcome.

I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE W/ YOUR CHARACTERIZATION OF THESE 3 HANDS BEING MARGINAL. HAND 1 FLOP + HAND 2 PREFLOP AND POSTFLOP ARE SO FAR AHEAD SO OFTEN THAT MORE AGGRESSION IS MANDATORY TO GET MORE VALUE AND/OR PROTECT YOUR HAND. WHEN YOU GIVE UP THE AGGRESSOR INITIATIVE YOU ARE ALWAYS STUCK WONDERING/DECIDING AM I BEAT. VERY STRESSFUL, YES? AND LEADS TO ERRORS. HAND 3 IS A BIT DIFFERENT AS IT DEVELOPED INTO A TOUGHER SPOT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT AGGRESSION ON FLOP. A 3 BET ON FLOP GETS VALUE FROM DRAWS AND TENDS TO EXPOSE OPPONENT MONSTER HANDS, IF YOUR 3 BET GETS CALLED AND THE DRAWS FILL UP YOU KNOW IF YOU WERENT BEAT YOU ARE BEAT NOW AND CAN FOLD W/ CONFIDENCE. OPPONENTS DONT BLUFF INTO DISPLAYS OF STRENGTH, BUT WEAK LINES INVITE BLUFFS AND TOUGH DECISIONS. EARLY AGGRESSION CLARIFIES AND LEADS TO CLEAR DECISIONS REDUCING FRUSTRATION AND THAT SAVES $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


I HOPE THIS HELPS THE POSTER AND OTHERS
HG

Wow it feels like you woke me up with a megaphone!

Reading your comments it becomes clear that I am on some sort of tilt. I have suffered quite a few bad beats lately. It seems that everytime I play a hand for stacks I lose to a monster. That's how I got scared and results in the play as shown above. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, although my ears are still drumming

Im taking a break for a few days, got a nice little road trip to Paris planned for the weekend. After that I will try to take your advice to heart and hope to post some examples of proper play.

Cheers, Erik

Excellent post. I have had this happen a few times, I lose to monsters and start playing tight passive. I am presently working on this. Thanks to the original poster and hg's response.

Cliff

legian62 wrote:Wow it feels like you woke me up with a megaphone!

Reading your comments it becomes clear that I am on some sort of tilt. I have suffered quite a few bad beats lately. It seems that everytime I play a hand for stacks I lose to a monster. That's how I got scared and results in the play as shown above. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, although my ears are still drumming

Im taking a break for a few days, got a nice little road trip to Paris planned for the weekend. After that I will try to take your advice to heart and hope to post some examples of proper play.

Cheers, Erik

we have all been there, i hope i wasnt too rude
Paris sounds like a fun distraction
enjoy!!!!!!!!
hg