Zoom poker updates: Moving Up to 50NL

I used to have this phobia of playing at 50nl. Last year, I got burnt when I moved up to 50NL after successfully built a sufficient bankroll to play there from 25nl. 


Last week, I had an almost 20 buy in downswing at 25nl. This downswing made me realised something - that my game hasn't improve much. I feel like a robot constantly making the same decision over and over again. I feel so lethargic and always forced myself to grind 4-5 hours a day at the minimum. 


And just when I am starting to get out of the downswing, I decided that enough is enough. I am not going to grind relentlessly for the rest of the year, 5 hours/day. I need to get my life balance back. Life is not all about poker. However, I still want to get my SuperNova status. 


Therefore, I decided to move up to 50nl and give it a try. By playing at 50nl, I can play for a shorter time and yet gain more VPPs. I will then have time to study poker, go to gym, outing with friends etc etc. I have not regretted this decision. 


So here's how I fare after 9k+ hands at 50nl:

Nice to be running hot ... ...

An interesting hand that I played today:

Poker Stars, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

Hero (BTN): $56.19 (112.4 bb)
SB: $82.28 (164.6 bb)
BB: $54.36 (108.7 bb)
UTG+1: $49.25 (98.5 bb)
UTG+2: $40.63 (81.3 bb)
MP1: $69.24 (138.5 bb)
MP2: $142.86 (285.7 bb)
MP3: $38.64 (77.3 bb)
CO: $35.82 (71.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with 7 6
UTG+1 raises to $1.50, 3 folds, MP3 calls $1.50, CO folds, Hero calls $1.50, 2 folds

Flop: ($5.25) 8 3 J (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $3.50, MP3 folds, Hero calls $3.50

Turn: ($12.25) 6 (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $5.50, Hero calls $5.50

River: ($23.25) 6 (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $40, UTG+1 calls $38.75 and is all-in

Results: $100.75 pot ($2.50 rake)
Final Board: 8 3 J 6 6
Hero showed 7 6 and won $98.25 ($49 net)
UTG+1 showed Q Q and lost (-$49.25 net)

• Completely outplayed this TAG (15/12) in this hand. 
• I knew that the UTG+1 put me on a flush draw based on his betting size and I correctly put him on an overpair based on his preflop range and post flop action. 
• When I hit a pair of 6 on the turn, I feel that I do have the implied odds to call his slightly less than half pot turn bet. 
• When UTG +1 checks, I think that he think he could induce a bluff from me since I am most likely to have a busted flush draw and a river bet will not achieve anything. Hence he checks. 
• Knowing how he thinks, I will play like I am falling right into his trap and thus I overshoved the river with my trips 6 which is often the best hand. 
• He fell right into the trap that he laid for himself and I win his entire stack size.