1 million zoom hands in 2026
hi! i'm a noname zoom microgrinder.
i've always liked pokerstars, and i've played on and off since the supernova days. unfortunately, the future doesn't look too bright for them. that's a problem.
as of the current time, i'm what we call a semi-pro.
my bankroll is short, and every month i cash out some $500-$800 for hookers and blow... sorry, i mean life expenses.
here's the 2025 graph:
nice graph? maybe.
if you look closely, you'll even notice that i've worked on my game.
but also, if you have mathed the maths... you will have realized that my bankroll has, in fact, not grown in 2025, even after what stars calls "rakeback" (estimate it yourself). that's a problem.
actually, worse than that, 2025 saw me move down from NL25 to NL10 due to some unexpected expenses and particularly poor planning. that's a big problem.
i rage easily, so i'm not going to play NL25 with some dozen buy-ins, as suboptimal as skipping that may be.
so, what's the plan for 2026?
it's to cut my life expenses and get them in order... no, just kidding. we're going to double down and volume harder, obviously.
is 1 million hands too much? it probably is. the magic numbers are 2740 hands a day and about 84k a month, if you're curious.
but, even if we just get close, that's already a good thing... probably. we're going to find out.
i'll also probably cut a table or two if we get within range of returning to NL25, so that will also result in some volume fail. we'll cross that bridge if... i mean, when we get to it.
at the very least, i'll post a graph per month for this year.
if i don't, that means i'm dead. by external causes, i'm not looking into ending it all myself. yet.
we'll see where the flow takes us.
i usually play with chat off, but sometimes i get curious to see if there's any reaction to something i did.
here are some thoughts on my game, according to game chat:
"****ing nit" ―many regs
"****ing station" ―many regs
"do you ever ****ing fold anything" ―25z reg
"do you ****ing enjoy paying more rake" ―tilty 10z crusher, raising my minbet on AKQJT*
"nh" ―10z rec
"nh" "it was sarcasm" ―25z and above crusher, after stacking me
"you're one of the worst regs in the pool mate" ―former 200z reg who's now been playing 10z, after spending his roll on crack (allegedly)
you might recognize me, or some of the players cited.
you don't have to mention it. it's all right.
*i did not 3b jam, and i regret that very much.
hi! i'm a noname zoom microgrinder.i've always liked pokerstars, and i've played on and off since the supernova days. unfortunately, the future doesn't look too bright for them. that's a problem.as of the current time, i'm what we call a semi-pro.my bankroll is short, and every month i cash out some $500-$800 for hookers and blow... sorry, i mean life expenses.here's the 2025 g
Heard similar stories, one player who was nl25 crusher recently was playing nl10 and when i asked why he had almost the similar answer, i guess poker gets harder and harder which forces players to move down stakes, some of them can’t withstand pressure and give up, gl mate with your journey hope you find success
Heard similar stories, one player who was nl25 crusher recently was playing nl10 and when i asked why he had almost the similar answer, i guess poker gets harder and harder which forces players to move down stakes, some of them can’t withstand pressure and give up, gl mate with your journey hope you find success
thank you! if anything, my winrate has been getting better, but i'm still working on my game.
the big problem is my spending habits and the occasional random expense, which has me cashing out too much to progress... 😂
how to get high winrate?
it's easy! just be present to collect when they punt.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 128.8 BB
SB: 105.4 BB
BB: 170.3 BB
UTG: 111.3 BB
Hero (MP): 113.3 BB
CO: 31.2 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has T♠ T♣
UTG raises to 2.4 BB, Hero raises to 7.5 BB, CO calls 7.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, UTG calls 5.1 BB
Flop: (24 BB, 3 players) 2♣ Q♠ T♥
UTG bets 20.6 BB, Hero calls 20.6 BB, CO raises to 23.7 BB and is all-in, UTG calls 3.1 BB, Hero calls 3.1 BB
Turn: (95.1 BB, 3 players) J♦
UTG bets 80.1 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 80.1 BB
River: (255.3 BB, 3 players) J♠
UTG shows A♣ J♥ (Three of a Kind, Jacks)
Main Pot [95.1 BB]: (Pre 20%, Flop 16%, Turn 5%)
Side Pot#1 [160.2 BB]: (Pre 38%, Flop 16%, Turn 10%)
Hero shows T♠ T♣ (Full House, Tens full of Jacks)
Main Pot [95.1 BB]: (Pre 46%, Flop 82%, Turn 90%)
Side Pot#1 [160.2 BB]: (Pre 62%, Flop 84%, Turn 90%)
CO shows Q♥ A♦ (Two Pair, Queens and Jacks)
Main Pot [95.1 BB]: (Pre 34%, Flop 2%, Turn 5%)
Hero wins 243.8 BB
Rake paid 11.5 BB
UTG is a winning player, which makes this hand particularly strange.
maybe he had a few too many for new years?
how about some everyday tilt... for your entertainment.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
Hero (BTN): 101 BB
SB: 106.8 BB
BB: 97.3 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 150.8 BB
CO: 100 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 2♥ A♥
fold, fold, CO raises to 2.2 BB, Hero raises to 7 BB, fold, fold, CO calls 4.8 BB
Flop: (15.5 BB, 2 players) T♣ 3♠ 8♦
CO checks, Hero bets 7.5 BB, CO calls 7.5 BB
Turn: (30.5 BB, 2 players) 4♦
CO checks, Hero bets 24 BB, CO calls 24 BB
River: (78.5 BB, 2 players) 5♣
CO checks, Hero bets 62.5 BB and is all-in, CO calls 61.5 BB and is all-in
Hero shows 2♥ A♥ (Straight, Five High)
(Pre 33%, Flop 14%, Turn 16%)
CO shows K♣ K♦ (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 67%, Flop 86%, Turn 84%)
Hero wins 192.4 BB
Rake paid 9.1 BB
nice bink!
of course, that's the entry that has to get immediately paired with the 50/30 whale who's also doubled up...
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 132.9 BB
BB: 167.6 BB
UTG: 187 BB
MP: 291.1 BB
Hero (CO): 193.4 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K♥ K♠
UTG raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero raises to 12 BB, fold, fold, BB calls 11 BB, UTG SNAP raises to 187 BB and is all-in, ...
unholy damn fiddlesticks. of course this whoreson has damned aces and i don't think my dumbass can fold to this ducker and i'm actually going to end it all this time
...Hero raises to 193.4 BB and is all-in, fold
Flop: (386.5 BB, 2 players) 7♦ 9♣ J♣
Turn: (386.5 BB, 2 players) T♣
River: (386.5 BB, 2 players) T♠
UTG cashed out 298.4 BB for a fee of 6.1 BB 🤐
UTG shows A♦ A♥ (Two Pair, Aces and Tens)
(Pre 82%, Flop 89%, Turn 82%)
Hero shows K♥ K♠ (Two Pair, Kings and Tens)
(Pre 18%, Flop 11%, Turn 18%)
Rake paid 15 BB
he did have damned aces, good for him. it's happened before, and it's going to happen again, i'll live.
a spooky thought...
good day!
it's funny that i actually played like utter trash, i just ran hot af. if i was playing well this would have been about +13 to +15.
i'll add a new guideline.
i'll post whenever i have a good day (+10 BI in either $ or EV) or a bad day (-5 BI in either $ or EV)...
that's a good first week.
we just have to do this fifty more times.
how hard could it be???
surely, nothing bad can happen to us.
spewy villain. i'd x/jam turn
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 40 BB
SB: 106.6 BB
Hero (BB): 115.4 BB
UTG: 122.8 BB
MP: 98.5 BB
CO: 99 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♠ J♠
fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 3 BB, fold, Hero calls 2 BB
Flop: (6.5 BB, 2 players) A♠ T♦ 2♥
Hero checks, BTN bets 4.7 BB, Hero calls 4.7 BB
Turn: (15.9 BB, 2 players) T♠
Hero checks, BTN checks
River: (15.9 BB, 2 players) K♠
Hero checks, BTN bets 32.3 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 32.3 BB
BTN shows 6♥ 5♠ (One Pair, Tens)
(Pre 35%, Flop 20%, Turn 14%)
Hero shows Q♠ J♠ (Royal Flush)
(Pre 65%, Flop 80%, Turn 86%)
Hero wins 76.9 BB
Rake paid 3.6 BB
Why don't you focus on only move up stakes in NL10 and NL25?
If you reach at least NL50 you would earn much more
Why don't you focus on only move up stakes in NL10 and NL25?
If you reach at least NL50 you would earn much more
because i can't control my spending and have to cash out. 😂
you're absolutely right, of course. that's why i defined this volume target, so that we can crush the cashout rate.
Honestly, 10 Zoom is a lot of fun as well. There’s lots of different types of players and you’re free to kinda play how you want to.
Good luck this year! Perhaps I see you in the pool at some point 😀
Honestly, 10 Zoom is a lot of fun as well. There’s lots of different types of players and you’re free to kinda play how you want to.
Good luck this year! Perhaps I see you in the pool at some point 😀
i feel similarly about it!
against most players, there are multiple possible angles of attack in many lines.
if you just want to "fold and wait for a better spot", you can often do that too. it's mostly not too difficult to enter some flow state.
about seeing you, i hope to move up before that happens... 😂
but zoom 25 already has a higher amount of annoying players (i mean, good). not that many, but enough to make it less fun...
you're free to kinda play however you want to.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 52.7 BB
Hero (SB): 101.5 BB
BB: 104 BB
UTG: 304.9 BB
MP: 107.9 BB
CO: 318.5 BB
Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has K♠ K♥
UTG raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 11 BB, fold, UTG calls 8.5 BB
Flop: (23 BB, 2 players) 9♦ 5♣ 2♥
Hero bets 7.5 BB, UTG calls 7.5 BB
Turn: (38 BB, 2 players) 4♣
Hero checks, UTG checks
River: (38 BB, 2 players) 2♠
Hero bets 83 BB and is all-in, UTG calls 83 BB
Hero shows K♠ K♥ (Two Pair, Kings and Twos)
(Pre 79%, Flop 76%, Turn 89%)
UTG shows 8♥ 9♥ (Two Pair, Nines and Twos)
(Pre 21%, Flop 24%, Turn 11%)
Hero wins 194.8 BB
Rake paid 9.2 BB
small cbet, normal cbet, x/r, triple barrel, random ship.
it's all the same, if you believe with all your heart and commitment.
regfish villain was taking very long to act, so i opted to check chat.
i feel you, buddy. we all do.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
Hero (BTN): 107.6 BB
SB: 529 BB
BB: 149.1 BB
UTG: 44.1 BB
MP: 102.8 BB
CO: 100 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A♠ J♣
UTG raises to 2.5 BB, fold, fold, Hero raises to 7 BB, SB calls 6.5 BB, fold, UTG calls 4.5 BB
Flop: (22 BB, 3 players) T♦ 8♠ 7♥
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks
Turn: (22 BB, 3 players) 9♦
SB bets 522 BB and is all-in, UTG calls 37.1 BB and is all-in, fold
River: (96.2 BB, 2 players) 2♦
SB cashed out 87 BB for a fee of 1.8 BB
SB shows Q♠ J♠ (Straight, Queen High)
(Pre 31%, Flop 30%, Turn 96%)
UTG shows J♥ A♥ (Straight, Jack High)
(Pre 69%, Flop 70%, Turn 4%)
Rake paid 4.3 BB
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 133.8 BB
BB: 120.9 BB
UTG: 191.8 BB
Hero (MP): 117.7 BB
CO: 146.5 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A♠ A♥
fold, Hero raises to 2.1 BB, fold, fold, fold, BB calls 1.1 BB
Flop: (4.7 BB, 2 players) 2♥ 5♣ 2♠
BB checks, Hero checks
Turn: (4.7 BB, 2 players) Q♥
BB checks, Hero bets 2.5 BB, BB calls 2.5 BB
River: (9.7 BB, 2 players) A♦
BB checks, Hero bets 7 BB, BB raises to 116.3 BB and is all-in, Hero calls 106.1 BB and is all-in
BB shows 2♦ 2♣ (Four of a Kind, Twos)
(Pre 18%, Flop 99.9%, Turn 100%)
Hero shows A♠ A♥ (Full House, Aces full of Twos)
(Pre 82%, Flop 0.1%, Turn 0%)
BB wins 222.7 BB
Rake paid 13.2 BB
this hand was badly played against this villain, regardless.
[edit: i just realized that it seems i can still edit older posts via the new interface, but not via the old one. that's interesting]
here's the thing.
my quitting muscles are stronger than ever. no chasing while the mind keeps going over their dumb ass luckbox coolers.
it's stupid, it doesn't matter. the games will still be there later.
reg. nice read, you got me...
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 100 BB
SB: 119.4 BB
BB: 250.6 BB
Hero (UTG): 100 BB
MP: 101.7 BB
CO: 154.7 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has 4♥ 4♠
Hero raises to 2.1 BB, fold, fold, fold, SB raises to 10.3 BB, fold, Hero calls 8.2 BB
Flop: (21.6 BB, 2 players) T♦ 7♦ 9♥
SB checks, Hero bets 7 BB, SB calls 7 BB
Turn: (35.6 BB, 2 players) 2♠
SB checks, Hero checks
River: (35.6 BB, 2 players) J♦
SB checks, Hero bets 19 BB, SB calls 19 BB
Hero shows 4♥ 4♠ (One Pair, Fours)
(Pre 52%, Flop 70%, Turn 86%)
SB mucks A♠ K♠ (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 48%, Flop 30%, Turn 14%)
Hero wins 70.3 BB
Rake paid 3.3 BB
week 2:
slightly below average run, but it got carried by the flip gods.
i have two breakeven days and it's as if the world is ending, how are they so lucky, you know the drill.
boo-hoo, woe is me. i have no intent to bore you with whining. we are just getting started here.
i didn't want to raise the river. am i a nit?
it's more that i am the only moron in this pool to raise the river without Ax.
PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
BTN: 104.6 BB
SB: 73.3 BB
Hero (BB): 109.6 BB
UTG: 100 BB
MP: 100 BB
CO: 225.8 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♣ 5♣
fold, fold, fold, BTN raises to 2.5 BB, fold, Hero calls 1.5 BB
Flop: (5.5 BB, 2 players) 2♣ 6♣ J♥
Hero checks, BTN bets 2.7 BB, Hero calls 2.7 BB
Turn: (10.9 BB, 2 players) Q♥
Hero checks, BTN bets 12 BB, Hero calls 12 BB
River: (34.9 BB, 2 players) 9♣
Hero checks, BTN bets 22 BB, Hero raises to 92.4 BB and is all-in, BTN calls 65.4 BB and is all-in
Hero shows Q♣ 5♣ (Flush, Queen High)
(Pre 33%, Flop 17%, Turn 64%)
BTN shows K♣ T♣ (Flush, King High)
(Pre 67%, Flop 83%, Turn 36%)
BTN wins 200.3 BB
Rake paid 9.4 BB
this pool doesn't vbet (let alone call) anything worse than a flush, his combodraws look like some KT, AK, AT, T8. my call-call-raise range also looks a lot like what i have, Qxcc/Jxcc. fml?
is this too results oriented and he has random small clubs in the turn b120? he probably should, but he probably doesn't.
i jam, he calls, and even before seeing the cards i'm not happy, because i already ranged him for having a lot of higher flushes.
so why the hell did i raise? totally moronic brain damage plays.
just 3-bet pre and lose in a different node instead, at least then we cooler ourselves with a little more dignity.
damn it, he's overfolding the button. easy 3-bet, even if this hand would end in the same way. or raise flop.
we can do better, and we can be better.
surely, many blunders lie in the road ahead. we'll live.
you're probably right.
but, while whether it's a cooler or not is an interesting question, that's not even the problem here.
the problem is that in-game i didn't find the worse hand combinations that could be calling me, just "Q high flush must be good hurr durr".
i even found a lot of the better hand combos that he could have, but what worse is calling me? i need at least 50% combos of worse hands that call me to value jam.
JJ club, T8cc, some 87cc 43cc, some AA KK club, and a little spaz factor? sure, that'd do it.
whether he actually plays those hands in this line doesn't matter. it matters during review, where we are trying to get closer to the truth, so that we can do better next time. but, during the heat of gameplay, we just want to do the best that we can.
the point is... if i had at least thought of that in-game, then it's fine to ship.
but i didn't find any of that in-game, so that means i was just clicking buttons. if opponent calls my "value jam" and i am not happy even before i see the cards, something clearly went wrong in terms of thought process.
in terms of winrate, this has been a very average month.
that's good!
considering the volume i put in, we are on pace to be doing some NL25 shots. cut down to 2 tables, we'll see how that goes...
i'll allow myself this early "winquit", while we are still settling back in.
also because i've prepared by spending a few hours reviewing preflop, so i was tired quickly.
while 3 buy-ins is "nothing", it leaves a good feeling to sleep on. we shall remain focused.
my preflop game is ass, even when it comes down to many common spots.
poker is easy at NL10 because everyone is a nit, so you just bet/raise range, and then fold range when faced with any strong line.
i know that NL25 players are not gods and, in fact, there's a lot of the same. i've been here before.
but there are also many better players compared to NL10, so i would do well to remind myself of what nuance looks like.
