TEST

TEST – for my (your?) skill level.

First of all, I hope everybody is fit and well.

I don't know if it is the right time for a test, 'cause so many people will try their skills in poker sites right now, but I will do it anyway.

Many of yours, who are following my trouble to beat 5 levels at Pokerstars, know, that I'm still struggling at the level one. Then I started this challenge for myself, I did play occasionally at level 3 (blinds 0.05/0.10), mostly for fun. I did not count my winnings (or beats), but I felt, that I was a winning player at the time. At least, I did not worry about TILT or how good or bad a player I am. Now after years, after studying the game, it looks like my skills are much worse, then they were at the beginning. It has been a very hard start for this year. Losing, losing and losing again.

So, the plan is:

• Play on three levels at the same time for 21 days. Right now Pokerstars has the challenge to play at least 300 hands-on different levels. Starting LEVEL 2. So by doing that I (you) will give me (you) the possibility of even win some prize.

My levels are - LEVEL 1 (0.01/0.02), LEVEL 2 (0.02/0.05) and LEVEL 3 (0.05/0.10) Starting tomorrow 1^st of April

• I will post every day (days I do play) my results up here. I do encourage you to do the same here or in the secret in your homes.

After 21^st of April I will play on the level where my results are the best.

That's my plan and test. Play along.

RULE of 365

RULE of 3 6 5

RULE of 3 (FLOP TEXTURE)

Holding the third-best hand - FOLD

You didn't hit anything, but holding a draw

Draw alone is the fourth-best hand – any pair opponent does hit will beat your draw.

On the flop, there are 3 possibilities, turn 4 and river 5. Even a pair of the 2

If flop texture is ''wet'' – then your best bet is to wait - not to bet out and hope to see the next streets without spending any chips. Just call or fold.

Be cautious with Pocket Pair -2 outs, One Overcard, it gives you 3 outs or with Inside Straight – 4 outs only. Even do not call, if holding less then 6 outs. (RULE of the SIX)

If flop texture is ''dry'' – then your best bet is still to wait. The reason for this is very simple – players at micro stake tend to stay in hand in every street. The passive part of the players does not bet out without hitting. They usually still call. Aggressive players will act out on the flop with any two cards. They do not like fold later streets at all. It will be very hard to bluff them out from the hand on the flop, turn or river if your hand is not improving.

Then you have a good reading from the opponent – folding too often on the flop or/and turn, you can bet out, but be cautious, if they turn to be aggressive against your bet.

If you are holding overpair, bet out on the dry flop. Your hand might be the best, but if it will be changed on later streets, back off from spending chips. You might end up with a third-best hand.

You did hit on the flop and holding now the third pair in your hand.

Lucky days, or not? I would say: ''This is not a situation worth fighting''. Especially, if somebody in hand will show you an aggressive play. They probably did hit something – even, if draw.

In micro stakes players usually will bet out, if they hit. At least most of them. Sometimes it will happen on the flop, sometimes on the turn or river. Most certainly you can guess the card they did hit - if they bet out on the turn, they did hit turn card or if they bet on a river – they did hit river card. With flop it is a bit harder – you have 3 cards to choose and all kinds of draws, Sure there are slow players and passive players too, but slow players are a mostly rare breed. Slow play at the micro-stakes happens mostly with made hands. It might be a high pair or overpair. This kind of play will finish after the flop betting round most of the time. On the turn most players will be in a hurry to get out value from the hand they are holding.

RULE of 6 (SIX OUTS) - BET

Bet, call or fold – to be aggressive or not?

Pocket Pair to Set – 2 outs

You are holding One Pair, it really doesn't matter how high.

What are you hoping to accomplish on the next street? There is only one card to come in every following street. Three of kind?

If you are holding already two similar cards, there are only two of them in pack left. Even that might not be true. Some of the players might hold or fold them already.

Three of the kind will beat, only one pair or two pairs. Also, you might be beaten with a higher pair. You have only two outs there.

You are holding one pair and the table has a pair already. Now, it is important how high is your pair. Higher then pair on the table is better of course.

What are you hoping to accomplish on the next street? Full house, right? Don't forget your opponents are hoping the same. They probably did hit three of the kind already, if aggressive, or they are holding high card Ace or King in hope that nobody did hit anything and broadway card is coming on the very next street. And will prove their hand.

You have only two outs there.

One Overcard - 3 outs – hold low profile or fold

Inside Straight – 4 outs - same

Keep in mind by folding you loose less and you are still in play

Two overcards, no draw possibilities - 6 outs.

Bet out at least in one street, to check the ground. If you have read from the opponent(s), act accordingly of course.

Two overcards, straight or flush possible or both. ?It will push your hand to be third best.

There is a big chance somebody did hit straight or flush, or draw.

If your opponent is playing for the draw, he/she should bet or call at least 2 streets – flop and turn. Betting or calling only one street will lower their possible win 5 % with inside straight draw till 30 % with open straight + flush draw. And the right play will be to bet. Even, if they are not thinking about right or wrong play, many of them can't lay down draw hands anyway. Especially, if you are not betting out.

Keep in the mind – possibilities to win with two overcards (if not improving to full house) will decrease in every next street. Possibilities to win with straight or flush will increase in every next street.

Two pairs to Full House

You have made hand already, even if your hand will not improve. Worth to bet certainly. Aggressively or not, will up to you readings from the opponent(s). If you like to stay in hand make small bets, if not – bet out big to push other(s) out of the hand.

Set to Full House/ Four of kind 7 outs.

You have made hand already. You will beat straight or flush if hitting. You should be aggressive and bet. Even bet big to fear opponents and not one but at least 2 streets. If you don't have cuts for that, you will probably lose out lots of chips. By betting only one street you will not be getting out the value of the hand if the hand will improve. If you are not betting out, you are giving opponent(s) a good reason to be aggressive and push you out from hand, if not hitting. You might lose one bet for nothing. Bet twice (at least), or fold right away.

Open-Ended Straight Draw 8 outs.

With flush draw possible, be more cautious, but there are the same rules – bet twice or fold. Make your mind up on the flop and follow your plan until the end of the hand.

Flush Draw 9 outs

Again, right play will be bet and bet again. Is it on flop and turn, flop and river or turn and river up to you...

From now on:

Inside Straight + Two Over cards 10 outs,

Inside Straight + Flush Draw 12 outs,

Open Straight + Flush Draw 15 outs,

Your +EV play and chance to the win is very high, therefore you should bet, bet and bet three streets, if you like to stay in hand, or, raise the bet if you would like to end hand here and now.

RULE of 5 (POT ODDS)

Limping(calling) multiway – if the amount of the chips you must put in the pot is more then 1/5 of the pot, just FOLD. You will play – EV and in the long run, you will lose. Even, if you will hit in some hands, it will not compensate all the chips you did loose previously.