So here's my story, really. I put $50 on stars quite some time ago, played the $3 and eventually $6 turbos before catching a really cold wave of cards and went downhill after making a really stupid mistake (losing money and trying to get it back by playing way over my br). So I quit for a long time. Either way I won a freeroll on Absolute for $10 and started playing their .50 tournaments.. Ran it up to $30 or so then started playing the $2 micro tournies. I'm having moderate success (roughly a 30% roi) at these but find myself getting a lot of second and thirds. Here's a HH from one I actually won, but am I being too aggressive? The style of play you see here is pretty average in terms of how I play both 3-handed (itm) and HU.

Stage #525692848 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $200 - 2006-10-20 06:34:52.020 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:34:52 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($7240 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($6260 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $100
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [5s 5d]
SOBERFISH - All-In(Raise) $6160 to $6260
GORBACHEV - Folds
SOBERFISH - returned ($6060) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Does not show
SOBERFISH Collects $400 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($400)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) collected Total ($400) All-In
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525692908 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:35:06.020 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:35:06 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($7040 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($6460 in chips)
GORBACHEV - Posts small blind $150
SOBERFISH - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [Kc As]
GORBACHEV - Calls $150
SOBERFISH - Raises $900 to $1200
GORBACHEV - Folds
SOBERFISH - returned ($900) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Does not show
SOBERFISH Collects $600 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($600)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (dealer) (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (big blind) collected Total ($600)
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525692964 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:35:19.004 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:35:19 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($6740 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($6760 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $150
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [9c 10s]
SOBERFISH - Calls $150
GORBACHEV - Checks
*** FLOP *** [Jc Js 8d]
GORBACHEV - Checks
SOBERFISH - Checks
*** TURN *** [Jc Js 8d] [3c]
GORBACHEV - Checks
SOBERFISH - Checks
*** RIVER *** [Jc Js 8d 3c] [Qc]
GORBACHEV - Bets $600
SOBERFISH - Calls $600
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GORBACHEV - Shows [4h 2d] (One pair, jacks)
SOBERFISH - Shows [9c 10s] (Straight, eight to queen)
SOBERFISH Collects $1800 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($1800)
Board [Jc Js 8d 3c Qc]
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) HI:lost with One pair, jacks [4h 2d - B:Js,B:Jc,B:Qc,B:8d,P:4h]
Seat7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($1800) HI:($1800) withStraight, eight to queen [9c 10s - B:Qc,B:Js,P:10s,P:9c,B:8d]
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693059 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:35:39.004 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:35:39 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($5840 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($7660 in chips)
GORBACHEV - Posts small blind $150
SOBERFISH - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [9h 5c]
GORBACHEV - Calls $150
SOBERFISH - Checks
*** FLOP *** [4s 3c 5s]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** TURN *** [4s 3c 5s] [2d]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** RIVER *** [4s 3c 5s 2d] [6d]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Shows [9h 5c] (Straight, two to six)
GORBACHEV - Shows [6c Kh] (Straight, two to six)
GORBACHEV Collects $1200 from main pot
SOBERFISH Collects $1200 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($2400)
Board [4s 3c 5s 2d 6d]
Seat3: GORBACHEV (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($1200) HI:($1200) withStraight, two to six [6c Kh - B:6d,B:5s,B:4s,B:3c,B:2d]
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (big blind) won Total ($1200) HI:($1200) with Straight, two to six [9h 5c - B:6d,B:5s,B:4s,B:3c,B:2d]
##############################<wbr>#######
Stage #525693169 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:36:01.004 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:36:01 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($5840 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($7660 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $150
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [Kc 4d]
SOBERFISH - Folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GORBACHEV - Does not show
GORBACHEV Collects $450 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($450)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) collected Total ($450)
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693217 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:36:11.004 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:36:11 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($5990 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($7510 in chips)
GORBACHEV - Posts small blind $150
SOBERFISH - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [Jd Qs]
GORBACHEV - Raises $750 to $900
SOBERFISH - Raises $6900 to $7200
GORBACHEV - Folds
SOBERFISH - returned ($6300) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Does not show
SOBERFISH Collects $1800 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($1800)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (dealer) (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (big blind) collected Total ($1800)
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693313 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:36:34.004 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:36:34 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($5090 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($8410 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $150
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [7s 10c]
SOBERFISH - Folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GORBACHEV - Does not show
GORBACHEV Collects $450 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($450)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) collected Total ($450)
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
<wbr>##############################<wbr>#
Stage #525693361 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:36:43.003 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:36:43 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($5240 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($8260 in chips)
GORBACHEV - Posts small blind $150
SOBERFISH - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [10h 8h]
GORBACHEV - Calls $150
SOBERFISH - Checks
*** FLOP *** [2d 10d Ac]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** TURN *** [2d 10d Ac] [Qs]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** RIVER *** [2d 10d Ac Qs] [5d]
SOBERFISH - Bets $300
GORBACHEV - Calls $300
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Shows [10h 8h] (One pair, tens)
GORBACHEV - Mucks
SOBERFISH Collects $2400 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($2400)
Board [2d 10d Ac Qs 5d]
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (dealer) (small blind) HI: [Mucked] [Kh 2c]
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (big blind) won Total ($2400) HI:($2400) with One pair, tens [10h 8h - P:10h,B:10d,B:Ac,B:Qs,P:8h]
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693454 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:37:04.003 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:37:04 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($4040 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($9460 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $150
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [2d Ah]
SOBERFISH - Raises $4350 to $4500
GORBACHEV - Folds
SOBERFISH - returned ($4200) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SOBERFISH - Does not show
SOBERFISH Collects $600 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($600)
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) collected Total ($600)
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693568 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:37:26.003 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:37:26 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($3740 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($9760 in chips)
GORBACHEV - Posts small blind $150
SOBERFISH - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [6d 10c]
GORBACHEV - Calls $150
SOBERFISH - Checks
*** FLOP *** [7s 8d 4d]
SOBERFISH - Checks
GORBACHEV - Bets $600
SOBERFISH - Folds
GORBACHEV - returned ($600) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GORBACHEV - Does not show
GORBACHEV Collects $600 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($600)
Board [7s 8d 4d]
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (dealer) (small blind) collected Total ($600) HI:($600) [Does not show]
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (big blind) Folded on the FLOP
##############################<wbr>
Stage #525693632 Tourney ID 60948 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit $300 - 2006-10-20 06:37:42.003 (ET) [ 2006-10-20 06:37:42 ]
Table: 9600264 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 3 - GORBACHEV ($4040 in chips)
Seat 7 - SOBERFISH ($9460 in chips)
SOBERFISH - Posts small blind $150
GORBACHEV - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to SOBERFISH [Ac Jc]
SOBERFISH - Calls $150
GORBACHEV - All-In(Raise) $3740 to $4040
SOBERFISH - Calls $3740
*** FLOP *** [6s 3c 9d]
*** TURN *** [6s 3c 9d] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [6s 3c 9d 8s] [5s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GORBACHEV - Shows [Ad 2c] (ace high)
SOBERFISH - Shows [Ac Jc] (ace high)
SOBERFISH Collects $8080 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($8080)
Board [6s 3c 9d 8s 5s]
Seat 3: GORBACHEV (big blind) HI:lost with ace high [Ad 2c - P:Ad,B:9d,B:8s,B:6s,B:5s]
Seat 7: SOBERFISH (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($8080) HI:($8080) with ace high [Ac Jc - P:Ac,P:Jc,B:9d,B:8s,B:6s]

##############################<wbr>############### ###############<wbr>############################## <wbr>###

this is obv a brag post.

Thanks for your help guys, it's appreciated.

My thoughts on the Hand history:

Feel free to disagree, and comment on my thought on it. :)

I don't think your play was too overly aggressive, there was some instances I think it was a bit too aggressive, aswell as some instances where I think you should of been more aggressive.

First hand of heads up, #525692848. You raised all in with pocket fives, I think this is one of the instances where you're being too aggressive, the blinds are still low compared to the stacks, and you both have an M of over 20, so I think you should make a raise here of about anywhere from 3-5X the BB, and then make your play on the flop.

525692908: Correct play I think, you're out of position, raising it 4X the BB with a big hand, and take his 300 off him.

525692964: I probably would of attempted a steal here, of 3-4X the BB, and even if he calls, you have a hand that you can hit alot of hands on the flop with.

525693059: You've hit top pair on the flop. This is one of those instances that you need to raise more, theres straight possibilites, and a flush possibility, you need to raise more to get him off a draw, or to make it a mistake for him calling a drawing hand. Make him pay to draw to his hand (As we see he was doing) You're kicker isnt that good, and your top pair is low, you dont want to be going to the turn with this hand. I think you should raise atleast 600-900 with this hand.

525693169: You have king high. Why fold? If you've read Harrington on Hold'em Volume 2, you should never be folding heads up on the button!...Especially with king high.

525693217: This is the first time he's raised heads up from the button. I think a call here would be better, and hope to hit a hand or out play him on the flop. If he had been raising like this before from the button, then I think this would be more of a correct play.

525693313: Again, I dont think you should be folding. Either call or raise. 7/10 isnt THAT bad of a hand anyways heads up.

525693361: You've hit middle pair here, I think you need to more than minimum raise the pot, to define your hand, and get a better understanding of where you're at, especially since you're out of position. A pot sized bet, or up to 900 I think would be better. If he calls or comes over the top, he probably has you beat, and you can proceed with caution if he calls the bet.

The min bet on the turn and river, allowed to to see both cards cheaply, while still being the aggressor. So I think it was the correct play, with now two over cards on the board and you having a weak kicker.

25693454: Too aggressive here I think with the ace/2. Based on his play so far, he's only going to call with cards that have you dominated. You have ace high, I think a standard 3 or even 5XBB raise is good here. Seeing as you also have position on him.

525693568: Correct play, he doesnt lead out much, and all you have is a gut shot.

525693632: This is only the second time he's raised pre flop I believe, and the other time he raised, he raised 3X the BB and then folded to your over the top raise, but now he's putting all his chips on the line, saying he wants to play this hand until the end! Although you do have a huge hand for heads up, his play so far is saying that this all in raise by him is indicating a monster, or at best you're probably only a 50:50 against his hand (Even though it turned out you had him dominated) You've been out playing him since the start of the heads up match, SO I don't think you have to risk all your chips here hoping for a 50:50 coin flip against him.

Congratulations on winning. :)

Re(2): Am I too aggressive HU? by luckybacon on 10/20/2006 16:48
Yeah, Ive noticed the lack of poker discussion also, but when a site becomes so popular and mainstream I think its what comes along with it. I still love the site but there is a lot less about actually helping people's game in every post

granted p5s is a popular site 2p2 has WAY more members but they are all to up tight over there

i couldn't agree more about the a2 play. if you get called there the momentum shift is problaby gonna shift back the toher way. yeah it's an easy steal unless it costs you the tourney.