It All Started With ACES… ⋅ SplitSuit Poker VLOG 008

[@ThePokerBank]

You can practice the math and line work for the preflop all-ins from this session with The Poker Math & Preflop Workbook: www.splitsuit.com/poker-preflop-math-workbook

[@bradjones7835]

Great content as always. Love the comment re showing your hand once all players are all in.

[@ThePokerBank]

Thank you Brad!

[@slow3131]

have become a great fan of yours and appreciate all your content! i think the vlog session format is great, but since you asked for some feedback i wouldn't mind if you mixed in times where you found the fold button, as somebody who struggles with that, working through some hands that you shouldn't call might be good for me 😂

[@ThePokerBank]

Noted! I think I have a few of those folding spots coming up shortly =)

[@VOILAA]

I would also really appreciate that! Like maybe a dast forward for the folds

[@roofnugs3202]

Hey James, just found your channel recently. Absolutely loving the content and I am slowly making my forward through your videos starting from 8 years ago to present. Just wanted to say, what I've seen so far has been an absolute treasure trove even though I have been playing poker for over 17 years. Keep up the good work and looking forward to watching all of your content.

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers and welcome Roof! I would prioritize watching the newest content first since that would be the most relevant to current games (for any topics that aren't timeless/math focused) =)

[@roofnugs3202]

@@ThePokerBank Sound advice, thanks!

[@ThePokerBank]

@@roofnugs3202 you're very welcome!

[@thierryfallingstar]

Thx James for this video. Always a pleasure.

[@ThePokerBank]

You're very welcome!

[@Godvernment]

What a great table!

[@ThePokerBank]

Indeed 😁

[@matijahuin8363]

Great video James! Hope to see more vlogs!

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Matija! I have more coming =)

[@mattstieg5388]

Great to see how you attack the less conventional variance this low limit plays. I'm 1/2 player due to bankroll and lack of consistent play. It sure would be great to have GTO charts memorized!! Many 2/5 & 1/2 players at my (only) local room do, and I feel outmatched now. Thanks for these 1/2 sessions!!!

[@jlaux7]

Great vlog. Although you already do, I'd love to see more hands that go multi-way, especially out of position. I've noticed that this is a weak spot of mine, and I think I tend to overfold in these spots.

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Justin!

[@JonPaulMorris]

I think was one of your better Vlog's recently. I liked the explanations very much!

[@ThePokerBank]

Thanks JP!

[@Ares999999999]

Haha. Thanks for that insight about players who line up their chips. Gotta stop doing that now 🤣

[@VenomousStare]

Great vid as usual man. Love these 1/2 commentaries

[@ThePokerBank]

Thank you VS!

[@michaelligue3842]

I have been watching your videos over the past week .I like your style of play and the way you present your sessions 👍

[@ThePokerBank]

Thanks Michael!

[@dantheman3916]

Hey mate, been watching your vids for a while now. Just wanna say really enjoying them and keep up the great work!

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Dan!

[@joeroman7938]

Thank you for the content Always on point!

[@ThePokerBank]

You're very welcome Joe!

[@hrykne6134]

nice session and good explained thoughts

[@ThePokerBank]

Thank you Ingmar!

[@martinpier2073]

Good Session, nice profit😀. That´s a normal session for this limit.

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Martin!

[@ligafftheindifferent3495]

7:15 How should he play Ah3h? Is this a spot to CR flop and continue betting when the turn is an A, 5, 4 or heart?

[@24Cristiandiaz]

I REALLY would like to know where can I get a Splitsuit coin like yours? I just realize I NEED IT!! Great stuff as always James!

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers! Send me an email and I'll go see if I have any extra in storage. I used to sell them, but never really promoted them...

[@djh9477]

I really love your 1/2 vlogs. They're specific and insightful. Thank you for taking the time to do this. It is the most informative and educational poker program out there! One quick question, why didn't you go all in with your pocket aces pre-flop after the $68 AI reraise from the EP1 player?

[@SFreedberg1]

Excellent video. You're an excellent teacher and I like your calm, laid back demeanor. My initial reaction on the 15% bet with AA is I thought it was on the small size. The size of the pot was fairly significant and at these levels it seems there's value to betting larger and taking it down. I could be convinced otherwise though - I often make small bets, though not that small. How are you figuring BB's/100? Is that based on an estimate of 25 hands per hour? Love the video format. Would like to see a tad higher stakes eventually to see spots with players that are at a little higher skill level. They probably don't have a 1-3 in that room so I imagine 2-5 is the next level. Keep doing this - I hope you get to 100k subscribers soon and increase your views on these Vlogs - much appreciated.

[@ThePokerBank]

Thank you Bukowski! Yes, the BB/100 is based upon 25hands/hr (which is a pretty fair average for live poker). And I have a few more sessions of 1/2 coming and then we're jumping back to 2/5

[@SFreedberg1]

@@ThePokerBank Great news! Thank you for the reply.

[@ThePokerBank]

@@SFreedberg1 Gladly!

[@ekw555]

@2:10 you say "and a little side pot between BB and myself" not sure how, as the short stacked EP shoved and you called & BB called. odd session, lol. or "pretty standard" for 1/2 NL.

[@ThePokerBank]

I'm forward planning for a sidepot vs. BB =) And fair enough re: 'standard session' lol

[@qazzaqstan]

Regarding the second AQ hand (though hand admittedly doesn't matter given the question), how tight does your SB and BB open need to be with a button straddle? It just feels like such an impossible spot.

[@ThePokerBank]

Pretty damn tight

[@seruas1]

That is the chop chop session LOL

[@ThePokerBank]

Exactly right.

[@brianepstein9491]

Great stuff. Any consideration to breaking down each hand with flopzilla like you do in other videos? Even if it means fewer hands shown? I think that’s something you can provide that a ton of other vloggers can’t. I’d love to see how your off-the-table mind works through certain situations. Thanks!

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Brian! I've been experimenting with making more in-depth HH videos from the VLOG hands, and using tools while doing so, which seems to be working so far =)

[@pandaimpress8726]

Thank you for another great video James! Love your content! To me, the 1st Ax post-flop play makes (some) sense. If I was the A2 post-flop, I'd read a $30 bet as KQ, A10s, or J10s that don't want to let a combo like QJ, AQ, or AJ see a free card. He's at equity to call KQ and J10, and probably thinks he can convince A10 he was checking Kx for position on the turn. His turn bet gets plenty of fold equity from A10, upping his win % from "chopping at best" to 12% + the $60 side pot assuming the short-stack went all-in with something like middle pair. It's a prayer, but his options are either fire for fold equity or hope for a chopped pot at best. That being said, completely agree A2s OOP has no business in this pot. Tried to get cute, ended up hitting a 4-outer for a grand post-rake total of probably ~$7.

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers! He won a bit more than $7, but not that much more, lol

[@cheetopartyroomtw5496]

Thank you so much for the video! Do you mind explaining why the hand ATs, why is it better to 3bet it? Don't most worse hands fold to 3bet, only better hands continue? or is it because it is a 1/2 game, so most players will continue with worse hands? Thanks again

[@therealjackwhite1523]

They should be calling with more than just what beats you (KQ, QJs down to J9s, 10-8s, etc,) but most importantly 3betting keeps your range uncapped, and you need to have some 3bet bluffs as well

[@ThePokerBank]

You're very welcome. If nothing else, 3betting gives you the chance to win it preflop with a hand that isn't even that strong in the first place. It clears out equity, minimizes the number of players in the pot most of the time, and puts you in the driver's seat if you end up going postflop.

[@cheetopartyroomtw5496]

@@therealjackwhite1523 Thank you for your reply. Maybe it's just me, but I don't too often call with the hands you mentioned above, is my range too tight? While I agree that we should have some 3bet bluffs, is it better to 3bet bluff with even worse hands, like weak suited Ax, like A2 to A5?

[@roberatilan5646]

@@cheetopartyroomtw5496 u r not to tight. kinda de[pends on position but you need not to spew money. Watch the flops on all cards you lay down. I do that. Do you no how many times the 89 suited I lay down does not hit in a session and has over cards on the boards? does not hit 95? to 99% of the time. Over cards at least 80 to 85% of time.

[@fluffysheap]

The most interesting hands are usually the ones with the toughest decisions. Though funny hands where 72o flops a full house or whatever are also good content. I don't really have anything to add regarding the hands, seems pretty straightforward here.

[@ThePokerBank]

Not every session offers the most interesting hands - but I work with what I have =)

[@radumurzea6112]

Just out of curiosity: when calculating a session’s profit, do you take into account the room’s rake? Or do they do that thing where it’s subtracted automatically from each pot?

[@StreetSoulLover]

It's subtracted from each pot - no other way to do it LOL

[@dirkroos1146]

I use Poker Bankroll Tracker, BI vs cash out - easy

[@ThePokerBank]

They take rake out of each pot automatically, so all session results have rake factored in.

[@noex100]

@@StreetSoulLover Time rake is a thing in many rooms, especially bigger games and PLO.

[@lozgod]

He did have 2 back door draws on the flop. That’s like a royal flush draw to a fish. 😂

[@ThePokerBank]

🐟🧲

[@andymcgowan9819]

I have a 1/2 1/3 question for you. How do you avoid playing like a NIT when faced with 'peelers'? (They play peeling off a C note at a time till they lose it or get down to $20 and then peel another C note off) It almost never makes sense to play any kind of drawing hand as you will never make the odds.

[@therealjackwhite1523]

Pre flop - tighten up when they raise Post flop - they overfold, so bet small. Once you see them put money in you know they have a good hand, so tighten up again, then bet huge for value on turns and rivers

[@ThePokerBank]

You may not have much of a choice tbh. There just isn't a ton of room for making plays when players are constantly sitting around with 50bb

[@ligafftheindifferent3495]

Short stack have some advantages that you cannot avoid. The value of a deep stack lies in taking advantage of mistakes that can cost opponents very large amounts of money. But you cannot fight them. If your whole table has a bunch of short stacks, you cannot make many moves and you cannot profitably play hands like 86s and 33. This is even more true if the game is raked. If the rake is high enough, you cannot even beat the game if they play even halfway decent poker. You can beat them and lose their money and more to the house.

[@sev3ncardkillr637]

In these games does the BTN straddle act as a full kill or does he always act in turn?

[@ThePokerBank]

The BTN acts in turn

Hi James, I realized that you raise different sizes in live poker than online. why do u open 15 bucks for example? In my private game they raise 7bb without limpers. why? and how to deal with it?

[@adamlowery5689]

Suggestion - leave the graphics up during the hand please

[@nagyee15]

when you talk about the hand, can you leave up your holdings and the board all the way, thanks. makes it easier if someone missed something, doesnt have to go back or wait another 15 sec.other than that, its great, keep them coming

[@ThePokerBank]

I try to when the graphic doesn't directly cover up villain's action.

[@ashtonalfred5884]

QTss hand would argue for a check on the turn once we xr flop, small sizings on the flop will contain a lot of 9x, weak Tx, we also block QJ and Tx which is even more important on paired boards (removal becomes exadurated) so bending him more to 9x, we don't really deny any equity from QJ because that calls anyway and we're inflating a pot where we don't have much in the way of improvement, we will just lose more on a K or an 8 a lot of the time if we're not already behind, although I do agree the bet still gets value from QJ on the turn even if it doesn't deny any equity, my 2 cents.

[@ThePokerBank]

The interesting thing is not all live players call the $35 flop raise with 9x, which can naturally minimize the trip combos on that turn fwiw.

[@JetStormslol]

I also align my chips sometimes and I would attack my straddle, hopefully you know what an ocd is, nothing to do with poker skills...

[@wcmjohnsonchris]

Can you do a video on dealing with situations where you're running bad or get in the mind set of just having bad luck. I know I am not a great poker player or even a good player, but I feel like I have some of the worst luck ever when playing poker. I play mainly cheaper tournaments, normally under $10, and I have given up playing cash online and I am about to give up on tournaments due to what I perceive as my bad luck. I do have an understanding of variance and EV, and ranges and position. But it seems like no matter what I do I seem to lose to either junk that has gotten there or gets there or to someone who's played every hand and when I get a decent hand they show up with under repped AA or something that destroys me. I am not sure if I am just that bad at poker, or if it's a mind set thing that causes me to look at it that way. It's gotten to the point where I will go all in in a tournament with AA or KK and get called by J9o and I will think I am about to lose to trip 9's or J's and sure enough it will be that or the two pair. I know I made the right play but the future mind set of that would have worked 99 out of 100 times you just lost that one, is no longer making those types of losses easy. I am guessing you have worked your way through situations like this in the past and it would be interesting to get your opinion on it.

[@JT-tl5vx]

I joined (Red Chip Poker )a year ago it’s really help me with my game and my wind rate I recommend it to anybody looking for a Edge at the poker table

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers!

[@turninflat]

perfect content

[@ThePokerBank]

tyty!

[@thegoldenruel7740]

I’ve been thinking about playing at this place, what’s the rake?

[@ThePokerBank]

High. $6+$2 I believe

[@thegoldenruel7740]

@@ThePokerBank is it worth going when it’s this high?

[@ThePokerBank]

@@thegoldenruel7740 Because I can record and get VLOG footage, I find it worth my time, yes.

[@KS-ud8pg]

I have been playing poker for 40 years. 7 stud was my game for 20 years until it basically went away. Having said that, I have never studied hold em other than playing and watching videos and or reading small tutorials. Over 15 years or so playing recreational hold em I have been a winning player year to year. Averaging 2k to 5k to the good. I feel that information that sites have are a good thing but why would it benefit me? I know that sounds sparky but I truly want some detailed input? I mainly play 1/3 and occasionally 2/5.

[@MugenTJ]

I played 2/5 at Bestbet Jacksonville for over a year. That game was…easy money! I can’t beat smaller game.

[@ThePokerBank]

FL is lovely for poker. And I can't imagine for a moment that you couldn't beat 1/2

[@MugenTJ]

@@ThePokerBank my style way too tight perhaps. Whenever I try those games I do poorly or at best even over time.

[@ThePokerBank]

@@MugenTJ gotchya. To be fair, I'd much prefer being profitable at the higher stake =)

[@dirkroos1146]

The J8o from this dude really sucks! I would go over the top as well, same play I would do so just awful to flat with another player behind you. Second AQo was just a miracle hand, I would end up making the nitty fold. Here in Germany players tend to be tighter and not so splashy with the chips. Good work, thank you for the information - totally valueable!

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers Dirk!

[@grindix]

“Everyone loves a chopped pot!!”

[@ThePokerBank]

💔

[@kevinlindstrom8486]

Saw a guy fold pocket aces preflop, and it was the right decision! Like, to start everyone was like, what?!?!!? But it was multilayer and the way the others betted, he picked up on stuff and he would have lost to both players. It was crazy.

[@ThePokerBank]

"Right decision" because he would have lost that particular runout?

[@kevinlindstrom8486]

@@ThePokerBank First because 2 strong players (both stack size and experience) bet heavy before him, but also because he had just won a huge pot and wanted to protect it. Dude who bet first ended up hitting quads, so he would have lost a good bit of his winnings. This was from Poker Stars' The Big Game, Season 1, week 10, episode 4.

[@toniweigl9783]

Wondered for some time why it‘s called „splitsuit“… much clearer now

[@ThePokerBank]

😁

[@PSviewpoint]

Do you live in Florida? I live in central Florida maybe we can meet up at Tampas Hard Rock or another casino to play together

[@ThePokerBank]

I did for a while, but have moved up north since.

[@alexandrosnicolaou8829]

Would be cool to watch you do a challenge. Like play for 30 days or 30 sessions and make X profit

[@tiktokviral6969]

Go play at the lodge!

[@ThePokerBank]

In due time =)

[@mattstieg5388]

Those chips & cards are filth-nasty! Rarely have I seen them this tore up and haggard.

[@ejfavreau9538]

I DO PLAY TOURNAMENTS .. OVER THERE DID NOT KNOW IF YOUR A LOCAL.. BUT WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU DO PRIVATE-LESSONS

[@ThePokerBank]

Cheers EJ! I do offer coaching, but I'm not taking on new students right now given my schedule

[@ejfavreau9538]

@@ThePokerBank thx for reply ,,, good skill on tables am in Daytona more than orange city ,, good skill on tables

[@ThePokerBank]

@@ejfavreau9538 👍

[@CarlosMunoz-ml1rq]

More bluff catching hands would be nice…

[@cockerpoker1176]

WTF thought he got A10s lol..

[@joshuarichardson8895]

Those chops were painful to watch, especially the Aces one

[@TrickyDickyGaming]

Need to edit faster… to many long silent pauses waiting for action to catch up on the recordings… also keep hole cards and board on show throughout

[@ThePokerBank]

Noted.

[@joegillum]

Wow, whatever FLA casino this is needs to swap out card decks more often. Every time you showed your hands I was grimacing... those cards are gross. :)

[@ThePokerBank]

Yeah, and some of the chips are even worse lol

[@CowenJE]

I disagree with you a little, but all in all, were on the same page. I think you show your hand always. If you lose, it's the cards, you can't will the cards. There is no right/wrong way to play your cards, but slow rolling and whining is not part of the game.

[@ThePokerBank]

Totally fair Joseph.

[@amrafel7]

you talk so fast that i understand nothing. not because i am a dummy, but because English is foreign to me. i suppose to others too. any chance you talk slower and clearer?

[@justinhart7172]

You aren’t organized, your AA hand you scooped but you said you didn’t. Another hand you bet but don’t say your sizing. Cmon brah

[@ThePokerBank]

Huh? How did I scoop the AA hand? And which hand did I not put my bet sizing on the graphic?

[@michaellocker2995]

@@ThePokerBank Hey Split, I think he is whining because you didn't say out loud that you raised to $35 with the QT, I only noticed because I am so used to you saying it that I thought I missed something. As far as scooping the AA, IDK what video he is watching. Lastly, you REALLY should stop reading every single comment homie, it's bad for your JOY. Not reading every comment is gonna be much better in this spot, trust me! On that note, Good Luck out there, and Happy Grinding!

[@ThePokerBank]

@@michaellocker2995 Cheers Michael!