Maybe this belongs in "Conspiracy Theories" but...

[high_rustler]

Relatively new to bonus hunting, & just finished clearing a bonus...I don't have PokerTracker (yet...next promo to do ASAP!)...so I can't give gory details on what happened in the last two sessions...but here's how it went (pasted Excel Spreadsheet):

Game type-----Time (h)-----Net ($)---Cum RHs
0.25/0.50 Limit-----1---------1.94------10
0.25/0.50 Limit-----2---------(10.00)---21
0.25/0.50 Limit-----2---------10.00-----56
0.25/0.50 Limit-----3---------12.97-----100
0.25/0.50 Limit-----2---------3.37-------129
0.25/0.50 Limit-----1.5-------2.22-------152
0.25/0.50 Limit-----1---------7.54-------182
0.25/0.50 Limit-----3.5-------(19.69)----232
0.25/0.50 Limit-----1.5-------(8.50)-----255

The last 2 sessions killed me!!! Did they know I was close to clearing my bonus??? I was at an ~5.4 BB/100 rate until those...ended up essentially break-even...

Should I just chalk it up ar least partially to normal variance (Those last 2 sessions, I did NOT tilt...I kept putting in $ on flush/straight draws with correct odds to do so, only to miss, also I lost w/ premium hands & was ahead until the river (betting aggressively to try and get rid of ppl, but ppl calling w/ incorrect odds and hitting runner-runners, etc., etc.).

The one thing I will admit to is probably calling more rivers than I should have when I was pretty sure I was beat...(but with $5-9. pots and ~10-20:1 odds to call, is it VERY wrong to do this ~half the time?)

I look forward to some general advice, and will post some PokerTracker data in the future (as I'm sure I do have some leaks that I need to plug)

Best,
Jeff

[ugignadl]

Yes, when you are close to clearing a bonus sites will take your money and give you bad beats, just so that the `fake' players (who are actually employees of the parent company) can give it back to the parent company.

Especially with such a large sample size, the evidence you have there represents UNDENIABLE FACT.

...

[high_rustler]

Hahaha...I KNEW my theory was true!!!!

[mervhage]

The bottom line for low limit hold 'em is, if someone flops a straight or flush draw, he's gonna call to the river and try to catch it. There's nothing you can do (including showing strength). As a matter of fact, you could show him your hand and they'll still call trying to fill their draw.

As soon as I figure out what "cum RHs" stands for, I'll get back to you.

[high_rustler]

Cum RH = cumulative raked hands...

[mervhage]

Also, considering you played more hands during some sessions, you can't compare them against one another.

Daniel N. preaches that you should concern yourself with putting in time playing poker, rather than concetrating on the money. I like this idea, haven't tried it yet, but I like it.

If you have a few hand histories you'd like to share for some advice, please feel free to do so. Also, welcome to the forum.

[caffiend]

The one thing I will admit to is probably calling more rivers than I should have when I was pretty sure I was beat...(but with $5-9. pots and ~10-20:1 odds to call, is it VERY wrong to do this ~half the time?)

Not if those are your true odds and you're not overcalling. (calling when someone ahead of you has already called)

[biggle10]

My advice is to always post hands. If you want input, try posting the first 10 hands (not in blind) you played in a session.