Wednesday, December 7, 2011
UB.com responds to data leak
UB.com responds to data leakFive days have passed since I sent an email to UB.com to inquire about the leaked customer information published on the internet. You may read the backstory here and here. Today I received their response, as follows...
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Update regarding hacked UB.com player account information
Update regarding hacked UB.com player account information
I sent an e-mail to UB.com on Friday to learn the extent of the security breach and determine if my personal information had been released. My primary concern was the unconfirmed and unreliable reports that the information included birth dates, passwords, and social security numbers. If true, this breach of security and trust would be very serious business. Two days later, UB.com has not sent any response, not even to acknowledge receipt of my request for information. However, industry insider Haley Hintze has come to the rescue ...
I sent an e-mail to UB.com on Friday to learn the extent of the security breach and determine if my personal information had been released. My primary concern was the unconfirmed and unreliable reports that the information included birth dates, passwords, and social security numbers. If true, this breach of security and trust would be very serious business. Two days later, UB.com has not sent any response, not even to acknowledge receipt of my request for information. However, industry insider Haley Hintze has come to the rescue ...
Friday, December 2, 2011
The imminent death of UB.com (UltimateBet) and Absolute Poker
The imminent death of UB.com (UltimateBet) and Absolute Poker
Once upon a time, four frat boys from Montana, with the father (Phil Tom) of one of those frat boys (Scott Tom) as an investor, started up an online poker site in Aruba. After a merger with another site in Costa Rica...
Once upon a time, four frat boys from Montana, with the father (Phil Tom) of one of those frat boys (Scott Tom) as an investor, started up an online poker site in Aruba. After a merger with another site in Costa Rica...
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Latest developments surrounding Full Tilt Poker
After all the reassurances, Full Tilt turned out to be a flimsy house of cards.
Latest developments surrounding Full Tilt Poker
On November 17, 2011, it was widely reported in both the poker media and to a lesser extent the mainstream media that the Groupe Bernard Tapie and the DOJ-SDNY had reached an agreement regarding the purchase of Full Tilt Poker. Essentially, the agreement consists of the following terms...
Latest developments surrounding Full Tilt Poker
On November 17, 2011, it was widely reported in both the poker media and to a lesser extent the mainstream media that the Groupe Bernard Tapie and the DOJ-SDNY had reached an agreement regarding the purchase of Full Tilt Poker. Essentially, the agreement consists of the following terms...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Native American Poker Tour begins December 1st in Durant
Native American Poker Tour begins December 1st in Durant
Card Player Magazine announced the creation of a new poker tour on October 12: The Native American Poker Tour. The first stop for this new tour? Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma...
Card Player Magazine announced the creation of a new poker tour on October 12: The Native American Poker Tour. The first stop for this new tour? Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma...
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Poker recap: crashing headlong into a brick wall of stupid
Sometimes, we just don't play our best.
Poker recap: crashing headlong into a brick wall of stupid
Today's subject is a 30-minute session I played last night, wherein I lost $489. I think it's the most money I've lost in the shortest amount of time in a complete poker session...
Poker recap: crashing headlong into a brick wall of stupid
Today's subject is a 30-minute session I played last night, wherein I lost $489. I think it's the most money I've lost in the shortest amount of time in a complete poker session...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Poker content on YouTube: Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is known for his outspoken personality, fun-loving attitude, and success at the poker table. In this article, I provide links to tons of content on YouTube featuring Daniel in a variety of settings, both at the poker table and off.
Poker content on YouTube: Daniel Negreanu
If you are a poker player, especially a beginning poker player, the internet offers a wide variety of ways to study and improve your game. In my last article, I provided a list of the top 10 poker training sites on the internet. But if paying for a subscription isn't your thing, there are plenty of free ways to improve your skills. One of the most obvious is YouTube. I know it may sound ridiculous, but there's a mountain of material, from instructional video snippets to excerpts from poker entertainment broadcasts, many with commentary added that was not a part of the mainstream broadcast. I'm going to demonstrate that today with Daniel Negreanu as our subject...
Poker content on YouTube: Daniel Negreanu
If you are a poker player, especially a beginning poker player, the internet offers a wide variety of ways to study and improve your game. In my last article, I provided a list of the top 10 poker training sites on the internet. But if paying for a subscription isn't your thing, there are plenty of free ways to improve your skills. One of the most obvious is YouTube. I know it may sound ridiculous, but there's a mountain of material, from instructional video snippets to excerpts from poker entertainment broadcasts, many with commentary added that was not a part of the mainstream broadcast. I'm going to demonstrate that today with Daniel Negreanu as our subject...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The top 10 poker training sites online
The top 10 poker training sites online
Along with the Moneymaker effect, the internet has had a major influence on the poker industry, both in terms of online poker sites and online poker training. With the indictments brought by the DOJ against the major poker sites in April of this year, few US players continue to play online for real money. But the online training sites are still around and will happily teach you everything from the fundamentals of the game to advanced strategies in every aspect of play.
Along with the Moneymaker effect, the internet has had a major influence on the poker industry, both in terms of online poker sites and online poker training. With the indictments brought by the DOJ against the major poker sites in April of this year, few US players continue to play online for real money. But the online training sites are still around and will happily teach you everything from the fundamentals of the game to advanced strategies in every aspect of play.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The top 7 poker faux pas that should be punishable by death
Just a bit of fun...
The top 7 poker faux pas that should be punishable by death
Okay, maybe not death. Perhaps my mental stability has been damaged beyond a capacity for forgiveness. But certainly people who commit these acts of careless cruelty deserve punishment of some sort.
The top 7 poker faux pas that should be punishable by death
Okay, maybe not death. Perhaps my mental stability has been damaged beyond a capacity for forgiveness. But certainly people who commit these acts of careless cruelty deserve punishment of some sort.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Cash game strategy: Going all-in post-flop
These are general guidelines based on stack-size and stack-to-pot ratio. You should still strive to develop a read, based on your opponent's tendencies and any physical tells you can rely on.
Cash game strategy: Going all-in post-flop
Cash game strategy: Going all-in post-flop
Going all-in is not a common play, but I wouldn't say it's rare, either. If I had to put a number on it, at a full table, there might be someone all-in once every two orbits. That would be one out of 18 hands. The shorter the stacks at the table, the more all-ins you'll see. The opposite is true for deeper stacks. This isn't just a matter of it being hard to get 200BB's into the pot and have your opponent call, although that can be difficult--your opponent has to have a strong hand to call off that much money. It's also a matter of limiting your variance...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Another Oklahoma casino closes its poker room
Another Oklahoma casino closes its poker room
Choctaw casino in McAlester has closed its poker room.
Choctaw casino in McAlester has closed its poker room.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Hard Rock Poker Open begins October 27
Hard Rock Poker Open begins October 27
For the eighth consecutive year, northeast Oklahoma's largest poker tournament will return to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Catoosa. Previously known as the Scotty Nyugen Poker Challenge hosted at the Cherokee Casino, the event was renamed in 2009 as the Hard Rock Poker Open following a $155 million renovation and the rebranding of the venue.
For the eighth consecutive year, northeast Oklahoma's largest poker tournament will return to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Catoosa. Previously known as the Scotty Nyugen Poker Challenge hosted at the Cherokee Casino, the event was renamed in 2009 as the Hard Rock Poker Open following a $155 million renovation and the rebranding of the venue.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tulsa poker tournament strategy series is complete
Well, it took a couple months but I finally finished my strategy series for local Tulsa tournaments.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 1
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 1
Early stage philosophy, hand ranges, and strategy.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 2
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 2
I briefly discuss post-flop play. I also discuss developing a tournament plan by being aware of where you stand in the field, and maintaining patience.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 3
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 3
Stack sizes, table image, position, hand selection, stealing blinds, restealing, calling ranges, and factors to consider when making decisions.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 4
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 4
Small and short stack strategy.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 5
Five example hands to demonstrate strategies from Parts 1-4.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 6
Approaching the final table, aggression proportionate to stack size.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 7
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 5
Five example hands to demonstrate strategies from Parts 1-4.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 6
Approaching the final table, aggression proportionate to stack size.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 7
Chopping.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 8
Bubble play and end game.
Tulsa poker tournament strategy: Part 8
Bubble play and end game.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Another new tournament article out; cash game recap
Well, I've got Part 3 of my local tournament strategy series published. Click here to check it out.
Cash games aren't going so good. I've had 3 straight losing sessions. Nothing to talk about, really. I'm just not making many hands and my opponents have been hitting more than their fair share of draws, while the opposite has been true for me. The only nice thing about it has been that I'm doing a better job of taking it in stride. My reads have been correct except for twice. Once when an opponent took a really weird line (call flop, raise turn) in NL with AA on a draw-heavy board--I had top pair and both draws--and another time where I flopped top pair with 86s on a 832r flop, then turned top 2 when the 6c hit. Unfortunately my opponent had binked a 1-outer with 66. Thankfully that one was a LHE hand and I didn't get stacked.
M
Cash games aren't going so good. I've had 3 straight losing sessions. Nothing to talk about, really. I'm just not making many hands and my opponents have been hitting more than their fair share of draws, while the opposite has been true for me. The only nice thing about it has been that I'm doing a better job of taking it in stride. My reads have been correct except for twice. Once when an opponent took a really weird line (call flop, raise turn) in NL with AA on a draw-heavy board--I had top pair and both draws--and another time where I flopped top pair with 86s on a 832r flop, then turned top 2 when the 6c hit. Unfortunately my opponent had binked a 1-outer with 66. Thankfully that one was a LHE hand and I didn't get stacked.
M
Sunday, August 14, 2011
New article out re:local tournaments; cash game recap
I published a new article on Examiner.com. Here's the link: Tulsa poker tournament strategy, Part 1. It's about my strategy for the first 2 or 3 blind levels in the tournaments I play locally.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I went on a business trip to Virginia a couple weeks ago. I had to write a 200 page software manual in 3 weeks, and I squeaked in under the deadline by about two hours. Needless to say, I was worn out after writing 60 hours a week for three weeks straight, which is a big factor for why I haven't played much poker lately. But now that I'm home and settled in, caught up on my sleep, I made it back out to the poker room.
Now, if you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I prefer LHE over NL. (Even though I make more from NL.) But NL is more like work to me whereas LHE is just plain fun. Yes, you take more beats. No, you can't protect your hand in LHE. No, you can't bluff as often in LHE. But forget all that. If you're at a LHE table where 4 or 5 players are seeing every flop, and you are a fundamentally competent player, there is no reason you can't make money playing LHE. All you have to do is make the proper adjustments. The value of big pairs goes down. The value of suited connectors goes up. So you push hard with draws, and play more cautiously with pairs. The percentages even out over time.
Example #1: Last night I was dealt JJ UTG and raised. 5 players called. The flop came 79Tr. I bet. Player A raised, 1 fold, Player B called. Player C called. 1 fold. I called. The turn was the 3d. I bet. Player A called. Player B called. 1 fold. River 6s. I checked. Player A checked. Player B bet. I folded. Player A folded. I could have made a crying call, but honestly, there's nothing I'm beating on this river. He either has the straight or two pair. If he had a pair of tens and nothing else, he would have checked.
Example #2: I was dealt JdJs UTG+1 and I raised. 6 players called. The flop came QT9hh. I bet. Everyone called. Turn Jh. I bet. Player A called. Player B called. 3 folds. Player C called. I was now confident no one had a flush, but one or more straights could be out there. The river came the 2h. I checked. Player A bet. Player B called. Player C called. I folded. Player A had 2p. Player B had the 6h for a baby flush. Player C had the 8h. I played this one perfectly. All of my bets went in as a favorite, then check-folded when I was beat.
Example #3: I was in the BB with 9hTh. 2 limpers then the CO raised. The BTN called and I 3b. The limpers called then the CO 4b. Everyone called. The flop came KJ4h. I checked. It checked around to the CO, who bet. BTN called, I raised, both limpers folded. Turn was the 9d. I bet. CO called, BTN called. River Qh. I checked. CO bet. BTN called. I raised. CO called, BTN folded. CO showed AA. This one is a variation play I like to make at tables full of call-happy players. I'm building a big pot pre-flop to give me the odds I need to call big bets on the turn with a draw. Of course, if my opponents slow down, I'm going to represent a big pair and try to take the pot away. With a big pot, it doesn't have to work very often to be profitable.
Anyway, I had a great time and took home $140 in profit over a 5-hour session.
By the way, if you have a choice, don't let your house get hit by lightning. We lost 2 tv's, the washer, the microwave, the cable modem and router, both cable boxes, the main circuit breaker and several GFI outlets. On the plus side, my gal says to me, if we have to buy new TV's, lets get the 50". God, I love her.
Good luck at the tables.
M
As I mentioned in my last blog, I went on a business trip to Virginia a couple weeks ago. I had to write a 200 page software manual in 3 weeks, and I squeaked in under the deadline by about two hours. Needless to say, I was worn out after writing 60 hours a week for three weeks straight, which is a big factor for why I haven't played much poker lately. But now that I'm home and settled in, caught up on my sleep, I made it back out to the poker room.
Now, if you read my blog on a regular basis, you know I prefer LHE over NL. (Even though I make more from NL.) But NL is more like work to me whereas LHE is just plain fun. Yes, you take more beats. No, you can't protect your hand in LHE. No, you can't bluff as often in LHE. But forget all that. If you're at a LHE table where 4 or 5 players are seeing every flop, and you are a fundamentally competent player, there is no reason you can't make money playing LHE. All you have to do is make the proper adjustments. The value of big pairs goes down. The value of suited connectors goes up. So you push hard with draws, and play more cautiously with pairs. The percentages even out over time.
Example #1: Last night I was dealt JJ UTG and raised. 5 players called. The flop came 79Tr. I bet. Player A raised, 1 fold, Player B called. Player C called. 1 fold. I called. The turn was the 3d. I bet. Player A called. Player B called. 1 fold. River 6s. I checked. Player A checked. Player B bet. I folded. Player A folded. I could have made a crying call, but honestly, there's nothing I'm beating on this river. He either has the straight or two pair. If he had a pair of tens and nothing else, he would have checked.
Example #2: I was dealt JdJs UTG+1 and I raised. 6 players called. The flop came QT9hh. I bet. Everyone called. Turn Jh. I bet. Player A called. Player B called. 3 folds. Player C called. I was now confident no one had a flush, but one or more straights could be out there. The river came the 2h. I checked. Player A bet. Player B called. Player C called. I folded. Player A had 2p. Player B had the 6h for a baby flush. Player C had the 8h. I played this one perfectly. All of my bets went in as a favorite, then check-folded when I was beat.
Example #3: I was in the BB with 9hTh. 2 limpers then the CO raised. The BTN called and I 3b. The limpers called then the CO 4b. Everyone called. The flop came KJ4h. I checked. It checked around to the CO, who bet. BTN called, I raised, both limpers folded. Turn was the 9d. I bet. CO called, BTN called. River Qh. I checked. CO bet. BTN called. I raised. CO called, BTN folded. CO showed AA. This one is a variation play I like to make at tables full of call-happy players. I'm building a big pot pre-flop to give me the odds I need to call big bets on the turn with a draw. Of course, if my opponents slow down, I'm going to represent a big pair and try to take the pot away. With a big pot, it doesn't have to work very often to be profitable.
Anyway, I had a great time and took home $140 in profit over a 5-hour session.
By the way, if you have a choice, don't let your house get hit by lightning. We lost 2 tv's, the washer, the microwave, the cable modem and router, both cable boxes, the main circuit breaker and several GFI outlets. On the plus side, my gal says to me, if we have to buy new TV's, lets get the 50". God, I love her.
Good luck at the tables.
M
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Time away from poker (sort of)
There's not much in what I'm about to write that will engage your poker brain. I haven't played a hand of poker for two weeks now. Instead, this is a perspective post. Still interested? Read on.
As part of my new position as a Technical Writer, I had to travel to Virginia Beach, VA to interview the development team as part of a writing project. My daughter lives in Virginia with her husband, so it was a chance to see her as well. Of course, one of the things I did before I left was to look up where I could play some poker while I was there. Well, the answer was nowhere. The closest place was Dover, DE. Well beyond driving distance. I spent my time watching the WSOP on ESPN2 instead--when I wasn't on the beach or working. I also had The Poker Blueprint with me which I read on the plane and when dining alone.
For those who are struggling with their post-flop play, I recommend this book and I recommend you wade through the first half, which is mostly common sense, and get to the second half, where post-flop play is disected. I didn't have any real "Aha!" moments, but it did a better job than Super System (imho) to describe how to be aggressive effectively, rather than just generally. After reading Super System the first time I was much too aggressive to the point of border-line spewing. I had to unlearn some of that aggression to return to profitability.
Anyway, at this point I've read Poker Blueprint twice, and I'll reread it again over the next week or two. If you need help reading hands or putting opponents on a range, this book helps. Will I be playing poker in that time? Maybe, maybe not. My poker drive is not what it was before I started working again. I have more money in the bank right now than I've had in years. Some of that is thanks to tournament wins, but most of it is due to having a good job that pays a decent wage. So I may be stepping away from poker as a profession, and treating it more like what it was when I started: entertainment.
I never tore up the felt during my short career as a poker player. I made more than I could have made working at Target, and about the same as a data entry clerk, but without the regular hours or having to answer to anyone but myself. My live poker win rate this year is between 5 and 6 BB per hour at 1/2NL. Not exactly bragging material, but I suppose it could have been worse. Full time employment has tripled that, without swings, without bad beats, without the constant worry of whether I'll be able to pay my bills that week or month.
If nothing else, I have a greater respect for those of you who play the game for a living. I don't know if I'm cut out for that kind of life. I still love the game and will always play, but the stress, now that I no longer have to bear it, is a real joy killer. So my hat's off to you, guys. Keep up the good work. This humble player is going back to his game a bit wiser, and is rediscovering his joy in the game.
M
As part of my new position as a Technical Writer, I had to travel to Virginia Beach, VA to interview the development team as part of a writing project. My daughter lives in Virginia with her husband, so it was a chance to see her as well. Of course, one of the things I did before I left was to look up where I could play some poker while I was there. Well, the answer was nowhere. The closest place was Dover, DE. Well beyond driving distance. I spent my time watching the WSOP on ESPN2 instead--when I wasn't on the beach or working. I also had The Poker Blueprint with me which I read on the plane and when dining alone.
For those who are struggling with their post-flop play, I recommend this book and I recommend you wade through the first half, which is mostly common sense, and get to the second half, where post-flop play is disected. I didn't have any real "Aha!" moments, but it did a better job than Super System (imho) to describe how to be aggressive effectively, rather than just generally. After reading Super System the first time I was much too aggressive to the point of border-line spewing. I had to unlearn some of that aggression to return to profitability.
Anyway, at this point I've read Poker Blueprint twice, and I'll reread it again over the next week or two. If you need help reading hands or putting opponents on a range, this book helps. Will I be playing poker in that time? Maybe, maybe not. My poker drive is not what it was before I started working again. I have more money in the bank right now than I've had in years. Some of that is thanks to tournament wins, but most of it is due to having a good job that pays a decent wage. So I may be stepping away from poker as a profession, and treating it more like what it was when I started: entertainment.
I never tore up the felt during my short career as a poker player. I made more than I could have made working at Target, and about the same as a data entry clerk, but without the regular hours or having to answer to anyone but myself. My live poker win rate this year is between 5 and 6 BB per hour at 1/2NL. Not exactly bragging material, but I suppose it could have been worse. Full time employment has tripled that, without swings, without bad beats, without the constant worry of whether I'll be able to pay my bills that week or month.
If nothing else, I have a greater respect for those of you who play the game for a living. I don't know if I'm cut out for that kind of life. I still love the game and will always play, but the stress, now that I no longer have to bear it, is a real joy killer. So my hat's off to you, guys. Keep up the good work. This humble player is going back to his game a bit wiser, and is rediscovering his joy in the game.
M
Saturday, July 9, 2011
River Spirit modifies its poker tournament schedule
River Spirit modifies its poker tournament schedule
A new tournament schedule has been implemented at River Spirit casino in Tulsa. All of the events are now open to everyone to enter (the men's, women's and senior's tournaments have been discontinued)...
A new tournament schedule has been implemented at River Spirit casino in Tulsa. All of the events are now open to everyone to enter (the men's, women's and senior's tournaments have been discontinued)...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Luck is a funny thing
I spent two and a half years jobless, while looking for a worthwhile job in my chosen career path (although I admit I could've been more tenacious about it). Meanwhile, I'm playing poker online and eking out a profit--not enough to live on, mind you, but enough to hope that one day I might. Then BF hits and my online run comes to a screeching halt. I rejected the idea of trying new sites as too risky, and opted for the live poker route. At first, I did great. $2K in 2 weeks. Then the bottom fell out and I couldn't scoop a pot no matter how big a favorite I was. So for 8 weeks now I've been breaking even overall in the cash games. Obviously, this can't be explained entirely by luck. I AM making mistakes.
The corporate world finally called me back into the office two weeks ago, taking bankroll constraints and self-sufficiency issues out of the equation. I was never great at pinching pennies, and I'm enjoying the reprieve. Funny thing is, now that I'm flush with cash, I'm tearing up the felt in tournaments. Cashed again tonight for a $700 profit. I've final tabled 6 of 7 tournaments in the last month, and cashed 5 times. Is it just my luck changing? Or is it that I'm playing tournaments where the stacks are shallow and preflop play dominates the action? Or is it that I'm playing better now that I don't have to worry about downswings? Or a combination of all of these?
Whatever the case, I hope it continues.
The Poker Blueprint arrived, and I'm halfway through it. So far, there's not much here I didn't already know and practice. But I've just gotten to the post-flop chapters, which is where I'm making most of my mistakes. I'll probably read it twice through before I return to the cash games.
All in all, things are looking bright. The pressure is off, the green line is moving upwards, and I couldn't be happier.
M
The corporate world finally called me back into the office two weeks ago, taking bankroll constraints and self-sufficiency issues out of the equation. I was never great at pinching pennies, and I'm enjoying the reprieve. Funny thing is, now that I'm flush with cash, I'm tearing up the felt in tournaments. Cashed again tonight for a $700 profit. I've final tabled 6 of 7 tournaments in the last month, and cashed 5 times. Is it just my luck changing? Or is it that I'm playing tournaments where the stacks are shallow and preflop play dominates the action? Or is it that I'm playing better now that I don't have to worry about downswings? Or a combination of all of these?
Whatever the case, I hope it continues.
The Poker Blueprint arrived, and I'm halfway through it. So far, there's not much here I didn't already know and practice. But I've just gotten to the post-flop chapters, which is where I'm making most of my mistakes. I'll probably read it twice through before I return to the cash games.
All in all, things are looking bright. The pressure is off, the green line is moving upwards, and I couldn't be happier.
M
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Local tournament winnings, life update
It's been a week since my last update, and a lot is going on. We're finally moving some of the furniture out of my mother-in-law's house in McAlester (she passed away in January), and slowly getting it ready to put on the market. I've re-entered the corporate world as a technical writer. And I've cashed in 3 out of 4 local tournaments, each for about 8x my buy-in. My copy of The Poker Blueprint arrived yesterday. Alas, I haven't had time yet to get past the first chapter. The new employer is a contractor for the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development, and the background checks are many and extensive, including a history of everywhere I've lived for the past 10 years. Had to really dig to come up with the dates. I may not get to turn many pages until Sunday, after we get done moving some more furniture.
Anyway, with a steady income now expected to flow into the coffers, I can afford to take some time off from full ring and really focus on improving my game. My short-stack game is already very good, but my medium-stack game 100-200BB needs work. So I'm going to stick to tournaments for the next month or so where I have more of an edge.
I finished in the top 6 in 3 tournaments, with fields ranging from 75 to 100 players in each. In the one where I failed to cash, I finished in 5th place, two away from the money, out of 23 players. It was also at a casino where I don't often play, and I had no history with any of the players.
Well, that's it for now. Have to get up in 6 hours and report to work, something I haven't done in over 2 years.
M
Anyway, with a steady income now expected to flow into the coffers, I can afford to take some time off from full ring and really focus on improving my game. My short-stack game is already very good, but my medium-stack game 100-200BB needs work. So I'm going to stick to tournaments for the next month or so where I have more of an edge.
I finished in the top 6 in 3 tournaments, with fields ranging from 75 to 100 players in each. In the one where I failed to cash, I finished in 5th place, two away from the money, out of 23 players. It was also at a casino where I don't often play, and I had no history with any of the players.
Well, that's it for now. Have to get up in 6 hours and report to work, something I haven't done in over 2 years.
M
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Morning tournament - more cash game woes
Seems I can run bad in tournaments just as well as cash games.
Started with 8k chips. I played a total of 7 hands. The first five levels I was card dead. I limped once with 88 and called a raise on the button vs UTG raiser w/AQs. Stacks were too deep at the time to reraise or shove. Whiffed both times. I won one pot with a donk bet in a limped pot 3-handed.
Got blinded down to 6k by the time this hand came up, and the blinds had increased to 300/600/50. HJ limped, BTN shoves for 4500, I'm in the BB and have 66. It's the second best hand I've been dealt so far, as I've mostly been getting K5o and 93o trash. I decide to gamble and reraise all in for 6100. HJ calls. HJ shows 55. BTN shows QJ. Board runs out KT839, giving BTN a straight. I win a small side pot.
The very next hand I'm in the SB holding A9o. It folds around to the guy who had 55 last hand, and he limps. It folds to me and I go all in for around 2300. BB folds. The limper calls. He shows T2o. Board runs out KJ482. I finished 18th out of around 50 players.
They have a cash game running and I go take a look at it to see if it's worth joining. There's a chronic bluffer in the game. A chronic gambler in the game. One solid reg and the rest I've never seen or played with before. I decide to take a 1-buyin shot and sit down with $100. First hand I'm in the CO with KQcc. 4 limpers and I raise to $12. 3 callers. Flop AT5cc. The chronic bluffer is 2nd to act and donks for $27. 1 fold, I call, SB folds. Feels like 2nd pair with a gutshot or a naked flush draw. Turn is the Ks. Bluffer goes all in. I call. River blanks and I table my hand. My kings are good.
I go an hour limp-folding, occassionally limp-calling and then folding the flop with middle pairs. Then I pick up AQs on the button with a stack of $132. 6 limpers and I make it $12 to go. 5 callers. Flop AKx. With $70 in the pot, I wanted to make it clear I wasn't folding. I bet $60. 2 callers, both 60+ yr old men. (Neither of them play great, but they're not stupid either.) Turn J. 1 check, then player to my right donks for $50. I go into the tank. AJ? Really? AJ or AK, that's about it. Can this really be happening again? With $250 + the $50 bet in the pot I'm getting 6 to 1 on a call. I have TPTK with a gutshot. I make a crying call. The other villain folds. River blanks. Check-check river. Sure enough, my opponent tables AJ. Another effing 3-outer. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of, I tell him. Nice hand.
I rebuy for $100, which was probably not the best idea in retrospect. I admit I was tilting. I picked up JTdd on the button and raised small, hoping to flop something good and have a pot to go after. 6 players called. Flop came 976d. 2nd player to act (the chronic gambler) came out firing $30 into the $60 pot. I know he has an 8, probably with a pair. This is a clear fold. But do I fold? No, of course not. I'm on tilt. I call. The BB also calls. Turn is the Ad, giving me a flush draw to go with my gutshot. BB (the solid reg) checks. Gambler bets $40. I tank-call, hoping the BB flat-calls. Implied odds don't matter much as I'm only leaving myself $20 behind. The river is the 3h. BB checks. Gambler checks. No value in betting and no fold equity--the BB is a solid reg and he has a hand. I check. BB shows 99 for a set. I am not surprised at all.
I go all in pf with 88 a few hands later for $18, get 2 callers (both the gambler and the AJ player). Board runs out KJTxx, the AJ player shows me K9o. This time I wisely quit.
M
Started with 8k chips. I played a total of 7 hands. The first five levels I was card dead. I limped once with 88 and called a raise on the button vs UTG raiser w/AQs. Stacks were too deep at the time to reraise or shove. Whiffed both times. I won one pot with a donk bet in a limped pot 3-handed.
Got blinded down to 6k by the time this hand came up, and the blinds had increased to 300/600/50. HJ limped, BTN shoves for 4500, I'm in the BB and have 66. It's the second best hand I've been dealt so far, as I've mostly been getting K5o and 93o trash. I decide to gamble and reraise all in for 6100. HJ calls. HJ shows 55. BTN shows QJ. Board runs out KT839, giving BTN a straight. I win a small side pot.
The very next hand I'm in the SB holding A9o. It folds around to the guy who had 55 last hand, and he limps. It folds to me and I go all in for around 2300. BB folds. The limper calls. He shows T2o. Board runs out KJ482. I finished 18th out of around 50 players.
They have a cash game running and I go take a look at it to see if it's worth joining. There's a chronic bluffer in the game. A chronic gambler in the game. One solid reg and the rest I've never seen or played with before. I decide to take a 1-buyin shot and sit down with $100. First hand I'm in the CO with KQcc. 4 limpers and I raise to $12. 3 callers. Flop AT5cc. The chronic bluffer is 2nd to act and donks for $27. 1 fold, I call, SB folds. Feels like 2nd pair with a gutshot or a naked flush draw. Turn is the Ks. Bluffer goes all in. I call. River blanks and I table my hand. My kings are good.
I go an hour limp-folding, occassionally limp-calling and then folding the flop with middle pairs. Then I pick up AQs on the button with a stack of $132. 6 limpers and I make it $12 to go. 5 callers. Flop AKx. With $70 in the pot, I wanted to make it clear I wasn't folding. I bet $60. 2 callers, both 60+ yr old men. (Neither of them play great, but they're not stupid either.) Turn J. 1 check, then player to my right donks for $50. I go into the tank. AJ? Really? AJ or AK, that's about it. Can this really be happening again? With $250 + the $50 bet in the pot I'm getting 6 to 1 on a call. I have TPTK with a gutshot. I make a crying call. The other villain folds. River blanks. Check-check river. Sure enough, my opponent tables AJ. Another effing 3-outer. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of, I tell him. Nice hand.
I rebuy for $100, which was probably not the best idea in retrospect. I admit I was tilting. I picked up JTdd on the button and raised small, hoping to flop something good and have a pot to go after. 6 players called. Flop came 976d. 2nd player to act (the chronic gambler) came out firing $30 into the $60 pot. I know he has an 8, probably with a pair. This is a clear fold. But do I fold? No, of course not. I'm on tilt. I call. The BB also calls. Turn is the Ad, giving me a flush draw to go with my gutshot. BB (the solid reg) checks. Gambler bets $40. I tank-call, hoping the BB flat-calls. Implied odds don't matter much as I'm only leaving myself $20 behind. The river is the 3h. BB checks. Gambler checks. No value in betting and no fold equity--the BB is a solid reg and he has a hand. I check. BB shows 99 for a set. I am not surprised at all.
I go all in pf with 88 a few hands later for $18, get 2 callers (both the gambler and the AJ player). Board runs out KJTxx, the AJ player shows me K9o. This time I wisely quit.
M
14 players chop the June $15K freeroll tournament at River Spirit
Yes, I was among the bottom 7 players. AA < KK for half my stack put me in the bottom half. A steady stream of unplayable hands kept me there. When we chopped, I had around 60k chips.
14 players chop the June $15K freeroll tournament at River SpiritJune 11, 2011. 92 players arrived at the River Spirit Casino poker room to compete for their share of $15,000. At the fourth break, with 14 players left, a deal was struck to chop the prize pool. Going by chip count, the top 7 players received $1,271 while the bottom 7 players received $871.
Taking time off from cash games
Played last night. Started with $100 and ran it up to $550 in less than 2 hours. Then the doomswitch turned on. I dropped to $225 and took a break for an hour.
Came back and bought in for $100 again. Once again, lost to runner runner 2x and moved all in with TPGK + sd + fd and couldn't get there, and my opponent had me outkicked (I had JTs, he had KTo).
Took today off from poker completely except for writing this blog. Waiting for The Poker Blueprint to arrive from Amazon.com.
Going to play the morning tournament tomorrow, but avoiding the cash games for now. I have a bunch of other projects that will keep me away from the tables completely this weekend. Probably for the best. My hourly rate has dipped from $74/hr (Weeks 1 & 2), to a piddly $10/hr (YTD). Still winning, but not enough to make a living (unless I work 80hrs/wk). Basically, I won $2K during those first two weeks and have broken even ever since. What's the answer? I wish I knew. Am I doing something wrong? Probably, but I can't put my finger on it. I keep getting the money in when I'm either ahead or a math favorite, but I can't hold up or get there. Is it the cards or is it me? After 8 weeks of this I'm just not sure.
You know what it feels like? It feels exactly like it did 2 years ago when I started out playing 1c/2c NL on Pokerstars. My game has improved 10 times over since then, but it feels like I'm going through a second puberty playing live.
M
Came back and bought in for $100 again. Once again, lost to runner runner 2x and moved all in with TPGK + sd + fd and couldn't get there, and my opponent had me outkicked (I had JTs, he had KTo).
Took today off from poker completely except for writing this blog. Waiting for The Poker Blueprint to arrive from Amazon.com.
Going to play the morning tournament tomorrow, but avoiding the cash games for now. I have a bunch of other projects that will keep me away from the tables completely this weekend. Probably for the best. My hourly rate has dipped from $74/hr (Weeks 1 & 2), to a piddly $10/hr (YTD). Still winning, but not enough to make a living (unless I work 80hrs/wk). Basically, I won $2K during those first two weeks and have broken even ever since. What's the answer? I wish I knew. Am I doing something wrong? Probably, but I can't put my finger on it. I keep getting the money in when I'm either ahead or a math favorite, but I can't hold up or get there. Is it the cards or is it me? After 8 weeks of this I'm just not sure.
You know what it feels like? It feels exactly like it did 2 years ago when I started out playing 1c/2c NL on Pokerstars. My game has improved 10 times over since then, but it feels like I'm going through a second puberty playing live.
M
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Longer session, fewer playable hands, more bad beats
All in on the turn with top 2 pair, called by top pair, King kicker. River: K.
3-bet pf with AA. Original raiser calls. Flop J56ss. Checks to me. I bet $50 into a $65 pot. He shoves, I call off my remaining $50, hoping to see KK/QQ. He has JJ.
Limp-reraise all in preflop with AA. 3 players call. Board QT9xQ. The two hands I saw were J9o and QTo.
Dunno how long this will continue. Will seriously consider time off if this happens again tomorrow night.
M
3-bet pf with AA. Original raiser calls. Flop J56ss. Checks to me. I bet $50 into a $65 pot. He shoves, I call off my remaining $50, hoping to see KK/QQ. He has JJ.
Limp-reraise all in preflop with AA. 3 players call. Board QT9xQ. The two hands I saw were J9o and QTo.
Dunno how long this will continue. Will seriously consider time off if this happens again tomorrow night.
M
Monday, June 13, 2011
Short session... losing to runner runner 2x
I'm back to running like Negreanu on HSP.
Buy in for $100. I'm on the button with KQs. HJ raises to $12. Flop AQ3ss. HJ bets $20. Turn K. HJ bets $37. Feels like AQ/AK to me. I fold. He says he had AK and I believe him.
I have $52 left when this hand comes up. I have AKcc UTG and I limp. I'm hoping to reraise aipf. MP raises to $7. 2 callers before it gets back to me. I go all in for $52. MP thinks about it and calls, everyone else folds. MP shows KdJd. Flop comes 9d 6d 3d. FML.
Rebuy for $100. I start this hand with $82. After 6 limpers I find 33 on the button. I limp along. SB calls, BB checks. Flop comes A38dd. BB bets $7. MP calls, I call. Turn 8d, giving me a boat and putting a poss flush on board. BB bets $7. MP calls. I count my stack, which is $73. I decide to call and try to get value from MP who may have a baby flush...BB I put on an ace or an 8, likely with a diamond. I call the $7 turn bet. River Ts. BB bets $15. MP calls. I raise all in for $66. MP folds out of turn. BB calls. I turn over my boat. BB turns over T8 for a rivered boat. FML.
I rebuy for $100 more. When this hand started, I had $98 of it left, and am in the SB. 6 players limp and I raise to $16 w/QdQh. 3 callers. Flop AhTh8d. I tank-check. It checks around. Turn is the 6d. I bet $27 into the $64 pot. 1 fold, MP calls, BTN folds. River 2d. I tank-check. MP tanks and bets $30. He either has the runner runner flush or he's bluffing a missed draw. I don't give him credit for an ace (he would have bet the flop), and I don't think he'd bet a pair of tens. With $150 in the pot and slightly tilting, I call. He shows KdTd.
I take my remaining $27 in chips to the cashier and leave. I lost $273 in less than 2 hours.
Getting tired of nights like this.
M
Buy in for $100. I'm on the button with KQs. HJ raises to $12. Flop AQ3ss. HJ bets $20. Turn K. HJ bets $37. Feels like AQ/AK to me. I fold. He says he had AK and I believe him.
I have $52 left when this hand comes up. I have AKcc UTG and I limp. I'm hoping to reraise aipf. MP raises to $7. 2 callers before it gets back to me. I go all in for $52. MP thinks about it and calls, everyone else folds. MP shows KdJd. Flop comes 9d 6d 3d. FML.
Rebuy for $100. I start this hand with $82. After 6 limpers I find 33 on the button. I limp along. SB calls, BB checks. Flop comes A38dd. BB bets $7. MP calls, I call. Turn 8d, giving me a boat and putting a poss flush on board. BB bets $7. MP calls. I count my stack, which is $73. I decide to call and try to get value from MP who may have a baby flush...BB I put on an ace or an 8, likely with a diamond. I call the $7 turn bet. River Ts. BB bets $15. MP calls. I raise all in for $66. MP folds out of turn. BB calls. I turn over my boat. BB turns over T8 for a rivered boat. FML.
I rebuy for $100 more. When this hand started, I had $98 of it left, and am in the SB. 6 players limp and I raise to $16 w/QdQh. 3 callers. Flop AhTh8d. I tank-check. It checks around. Turn is the 6d. I bet $27 into the $64 pot. 1 fold, MP calls, BTN folds. River 2d. I tank-check. MP tanks and bets $30. He either has the runner runner flush or he's bluffing a missed draw. I don't give him credit for an ace (he would have bet the flop), and I don't think he'd bet a pair of tens. With $150 in the pot and slightly tilting, I call. He shows KdTd.
I take my remaining $27 in chips to the cashier and leave. I lost $273 in less than 2 hours.
Getting tired of nights like this.
M
Saturday, June 11, 2011
$15K Freeroll -- chop for 6th place money
I played in the River Spirit monthly $15K freeroll today. 92 players entered. I was chip leader for blind levels 6 thru 10, then took three beats in rapid succession to move into the bottom half of the field. We chopped it going into blind level 13 (3000/6000/500) with 14 left. The top 7 got 5th place money. The bottom 7 got 6th place money. I wrote it up for examiner.com, which you can read here.
It took them 2 hours to process the payouts. While I waited I sat down in a cash game and won an additional $260, putting my total winnings for the day at $1,111.
After suffering from insomnia last night I'm completely exhausted.
Maybe I'll attempt a play by play later, if I can remember the hands. I'm guessing I won't remember most of it though. Just too damn tired.
Good news is my BR is much healthier. It was $400. I added $700 of my own money yesterday. Add to that today's win and we're at $2,211. Feeling good about it. The pressure is off.
M
It took them 2 hours to process the payouts. While I waited I sat down in a cash game and won an additional $260, putting my total winnings for the day at $1,111.
After suffering from insomnia last night I'm completely exhausted.
Maybe I'll attempt a play by play later, if I can remember the hands. I'm guessing I won't remember most of it though. Just too damn tired.
Good news is my BR is much healthier. It was $400. I added $700 of my own money yesterday. Add to that today's win and we're at $2,211. Feeling good about it. The pressure is off.
M
Friday, June 10, 2011
Common sense poker: handling adversity
Continuing with my "common sense" series, I revisit my blog entry from April 7, 2011, where I talked about running bad and having the right mindset. Click below for the full article.
Common sense poker: handling adversity
So, self, here's my advice to you. First, stop focusing on the results. You can do everything right and still lose. Focus instead on making the best decisions you can, and let the results take care of themselves. Second, ...
Common sense poker: handling adversity
So, self, here's my advice to you. First, stop focusing on the results. You can do everything right and still lose. Focus instead on making the best decisions you can, and let the results take care of themselves. Second, ...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Struggle continues
Another loss and frankly, there was nothing interesting about it worth recounting here. I didn't make any big mistakes. I just either couldn't hit or couldn't get paid off. I got coolered in a big pot where I made a flush and my opponent made the nut flush. But w/e...I had straight and flush draws, the pot was 3-way, and I made my flush on the river. Not gonna cry over it.
Going to take tomorrow off from poker completely and get back to work on Friday.
M
Going to take tomorrow off from poker completely and get back to work on Friday.
M
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Two steps forward, one step back
Got two wins under my belt and then last night took a bunch of beats. Nothing that interesting to note, it's all pretty standard, so I'll abbreviate it.
I had J8s in the BB, UTG+2 raises to $7, 4 callers so I call. Flop J87, I check, UTG+2 bets $20, I raise to $60, he calls. Turn T. I go all in for $40 more, he calls. He has KQ for an oesd. River A.
It's a bad beat so I rebuy.
I get back to even with AQ, flop top pair, and get 3 streets of value.
Got $60 profit with Q3s, flop top pair, it checks around. I turned trips, got 2 streets of value.
Then I get A4cc on the button, called pfr. Flop brings a flush draw on a T-hi board. I call the 1/2 pot flop bet. Everyone else folds so we're heads-up. Villain is short stacked with about $60 left. There's ~$45 in the pot. Turn brings my flush, and I decide to check behind and try to get value from a pair of tens on the river. The river brings another T. He leads for $26. I raised to $76. He calls and shows 5's full. He had bottom set and got there. Oops.
Just a few hands later I raise 5x w/AA. Player on my left makes it $32 to go. I go all in. He calls with JJ. Flop QJ4. Player on my right says he folded A4o. My one-outer doesn't come and I'm done.
Feel like I played well, though I did cost myself and extra $35 with the nut flush hand. I could have just called, and did consider it when the board paired, but decided it was unlikely he'd filled up. Not a big mistake, imo, but a mistake nevertheless.
Will make another run at it tonight.
M
I had J8s in the BB, UTG+2 raises to $7, 4 callers so I call. Flop J87, I check, UTG+2 bets $20, I raise to $60, he calls. Turn T. I go all in for $40 more, he calls. He has KQ for an oesd. River A.
It's a bad beat so I rebuy.
I get back to even with AQ, flop top pair, and get 3 streets of value.
Got $60 profit with Q3s, flop top pair, it checks around. I turned trips, got 2 streets of value.
Then I get A4cc on the button, called pfr. Flop brings a flush draw on a T-hi board. I call the 1/2 pot flop bet. Everyone else folds so we're heads-up. Villain is short stacked with about $60 left. There's ~$45 in the pot. Turn brings my flush, and I decide to check behind and try to get value from a pair of tens on the river. The river brings another T. He leads for $26. I raised to $76. He calls and shows 5's full. He had bottom set and got there. Oops.
Just a few hands later I raise 5x w/AA. Player on my left makes it $32 to go. I go all in. He calls with JJ. Flop QJ4. Player on my right says he folded A4o. My one-outer doesn't come and I'm done.
Feel like I played well, though I did cost myself and extra $35 with the nut flush hand. I could have just called, and did consider it when the board paired, but decided it was unlikely he'd filled up. Not a big mistake, imo, but a mistake nevertheless.
Will make another run at it tonight.
M
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Another win...another early exit
Continued my mission to rebuild my bankroll tonight. I showed up at the River Spirit casino at 10:00 and got my seat 15 minutes later. I immediately doubled up with TPTK vs a maniac and 2 overpairs vs TPGK hands. Then I picked up JJ in the BB and raised to $17 vs 6 limpers. 2 players called. Flop J65 with two diamonds. I bet $25 into the $60 pot. 1 caller. Turn was the Ah. I take a moment to decide on my bet size, wanting to get value from A-hi that peeled the flop. I decided on $40. Villain min-raises to $80. I count my stack...if I call, I have roughly $80 left. I count out $40 in chips, pause, and go all in. Villain calls and shows AK, drawing dead. This hand took me up to $430, a profit of $330. Once again, sticking to my rules, I rack up and leave. I've only been at the table 45 minutes.
Man, I'd like to stay at these juicy tables. Can't wait to hit my goal so I can stick around longer.
M
Man, I'd like to stay at these juicy tables. Can't wait to hit my goal so I can stick around longer.
M
Monday, June 6, 2011
Squeezing out a win live
As I mentioned in my previous post, my BR had dipped to around $400. I had very specific goals going in. Buy in for $100. One rebuy allowed if coolered or I take a bad beat for my first BI. I MUST quit if I win $200.
When I arrived, there were 4 tables of $1/$2 NLHE going, with one seat open. Had two solid regs on my left, and a maniac two seats to my right. The maniac had $500 in front of him, the regs had $500 and $300. I bought in for $100.
I folded mostly (limp-folded some) and then picked up pocket 10's in the BB. Solid reg #2 raised UTG+1 to $12. One player called, and I called. Flop 532 (I don't remember if there was a flush draw). I checked. Reg bet $20, LP player called. I thought about it, but not for very long. I folded. I've played enough hours with the reg to know his range oop is super-strong, and lacking a set or draw on board, I didn't like my hand anymore and let it go. Reg #2 showed KK and scooped. I felt like I was beat and folded. The turn was an 8. The river was a T. I would have hit a set on the river to win. While I would have tripled up, I made a good read and a good decision. This was a confidence boost to say the least.
Maniac's tendecies were pretty obvious to read. He would go all in with air, and value bet made hands. He called a raise pf, flop comes 887, checks to him and he shoves for $400 into a ~$40 pot. The original raiser calls. Maniac shows Q6o. Original raiser shows JJ.
So when he raised pf, I look down at AK and I have 35BB left from my original 50. I shove. He over-shoves, everyone folds, and we're off to the flop. Maniac shows KK. Ugh. Cooler. The case King flops and I'm basically dead. I rebuy for $100.
Later on, I open-raise pf with AKo. Maniac reraises. I flat call. Flop 445. Maniac shoves for $240 and has me covered (I started with ~$170). I probably have the best hand or am chopping, but he could have a small pair like 22 or 33, though 67 or QJ is more likely. I decide I'm going to have more and better opportunities vs this player, so I let it go. I don't know if it was a bluff-brag or that he thought he was showing the best hand, but he mucked AKo face-up. So, we were chopping. That's fine, I don't mind my fold. I just hope he sticks around.
My stack drops to around $130. Once again, he raised to $17 pf. Before the action gets back to me, another payer calls, I look down at QQ and I hope they're feeling frisky. I reraise to $60. He shoves, everyone folds, and I call. Board runs out 4Q57Jddd. Maniac shows down Ad8h. This hand brings me back to even plus a bit of profit.
Okay, so time to analyze my situation. I have $240 on the table and my BR is $400. Not the best situation, so I'm thinking about quitting. I consider my opponents at the table. The maniac is begging to go broke. There are two other weak players at my table. I decide to stick around for another 30 minutes, quit if I hit $300 or drop to $100.
I limp 87o in MP. Button raises small. Three players call so I call behind. Flop 469. Everyone checks to the button, who bets the pot. It's a big bet, and smells like weakness to me. It folds to me and I call 15% of my stack. Everyone else folds, which was disappointing. The turn is a J. Check-check. River 5. Bingo, the nuts. I bet $70 into the $110 pot. Button pays me off.
This hand took me up to $325, and I immediately racked up. I decide to play any premium hands I'm dealt while waiting for the blinds to circle back to me. In the space of those 5 hands, I'm dealt AA twice, 3-bet preflop, and took it down on the flop. I quit with $210 profit.
It's nice to book a win after five straight losses. It really sucks to have to quit because you have 67% of your bankroll on the table. But I felt it was the right decision. I'll go back tonight and execute the same plan. Lose $100 or win $200, then quit. 1 rebuy allowed if I lose the 1st BI via cooler or bad beat. How long will I stick with it? Probably until I get back above $1500. Hope it doesn't take too long.
M
When I arrived, there were 4 tables of $1/$2 NLHE going, with one seat open. Had two solid regs on my left, and a maniac two seats to my right. The maniac had $500 in front of him, the regs had $500 and $300. I bought in for $100.
I folded mostly (limp-folded some) and then picked up pocket 10's in the BB. Solid reg #2 raised UTG+1 to $12. One player called, and I called. Flop 532 (I don't remember if there was a flush draw). I checked. Reg bet $20, LP player called. I thought about it, but not for very long. I folded. I've played enough hours with the reg to know his range oop is super-strong, and lacking a set or draw on board, I didn't like my hand anymore and let it go. Reg #2 showed KK and scooped. I felt like I was beat and folded. The turn was an 8. The river was a T. I would have hit a set on the river to win. While I would have tripled up, I made a good read and a good decision. This was a confidence boost to say the least.
Maniac's tendecies were pretty obvious to read. He would go all in with air, and value bet made hands. He called a raise pf, flop comes 887, checks to him and he shoves for $400 into a ~$40 pot. The original raiser calls. Maniac shows Q6o. Original raiser shows JJ.
So when he raised pf, I look down at AK and I have 35BB left from my original 50. I shove. He over-shoves, everyone folds, and we're off to the flop. Maniac shows KK. Ugh. Cooler. The case King flops and I'm basically dead. I rebuy for $100.
Later on, I open-raise pf with AKo. Maniac reraises. I flat call. Flop 445. Maniac shoves for $240 and has me covered (I started with ~$170). I probably have the best hand or am chopping, but he could have a small pair like 22 or 33, though 67 or QJ is more likely. I decide I'm going to have more and better opportunities vs this player, so I let it go. I don't know if it was a bluff-brag or that he thought he was showing the best hand, but he mucked AKo face-up. So, we were chopping. That's fine, I don't mind my fold. I just hope he sticks around.
My stack drops to around $130. Once again, he raised to $17 pf. Before the action gets back to me, another payer calls, I look down at QQ and I hope they're feeling frisky. I reraise to $60. He shoves, everyone folds, and I call. Board runs out 4Q57Jddd. Maniac shows down Ad8h. This hand brings me back to even plus a bit of profit.
Okay, so time to analyze my situation. I have $240 on the table and my BR is $400. Not the best situation, so I'm thinking about quitting. I consider my opponents at the table. The maniac is begging to go broke. There are two other weak players at my table. I decide to stick around for another 30 minutes, quit if I hit $300 or drop to $100.
I limp 87o in MP. Button raises small. Three players call so I call behind. Flop 469. Everyone checks to the button, who bets the pot. It's a big bet, and smells like weakness to me. It folds to me and I call 15% of my stack. Everyone else folds, which was disappointing. The turn is a J. Check-check. River 5. Bingo, the nuts. I bet $70 into the $110 pot. Button pays me off.
This hand took me up to $325, and I immediately racked up. I decide to play any premium hands I'm dealt while waiting for the blinds to circle back to me. In the space of those 5 hands, I'm dealt AA twice, 3-bet preflop, and took it down on the flop. I quit with $210 profit.
It's nice to book a win after five straight losses. It really sucks to have to quit because you have 67% of your bankroll on the table. But I felt it was the right decision. I'll go back tonight and execute the same plan. Lose $100 or win $200, then quit. 1 rebuy allowed if I lose the 1st BI via cooler or bad beat. How long will I stick with it? Probably until I get back above $1500. Hope it doesn't take too long.
M
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Flirting with busto
FYI, this is a vent-post. I'm running bad and my BR is almost gone.
There are no smaller stakes to be played live. I may actually have to use my own money to play if things don't turn around in my next session.
Six weeks ago, I started with $300, added another $600 two weeks later from my PS cashout. In two weeks, my BR reached a height of $3138. I used $1000 for personal expenses (car repair, household goods). Week 3 and 4 were rough, where I lost $1108. Week 5 and 6 I rebounded a bit, winning $1064. I used $225 for personal expenses from week 3 to week 6, putting my BR at $1869 to start week 6.
Five straight sessions without a win has my bankroll teetering on the brink of busto. In those five sessions, I've lost $1440. I keep getting it in good against a donkey who calls my pfr with T6o, J4o, T4s, etc, flops a pair or weak draw, gets it in bad and sucks out.
I'm playing well. I'm not tilt-calling off in bad spots. Example: I held QQ, raised pf, got 1 caller (a player I had pegged as a calling station). Flop KQ4. Bet the pot. Villain calls. Turn T. I bet 3/4 pot. Villain calls. River J. I bet 1/3 pot and villain went all in. I folded, face-up. Villain showed ATo.
The above has become a recurring theme of 2nd best vs calling stations.
KK vs 52o. (Obv I raised pf, villain called from BB.) Flop 529sss (I have Ks). Bet, call. Turn Qh, bet, call. river Jc, bet, call.
QQ vs A3s, aipf. Board:667A9.
Called pfr w/AhTh vs QQ. Flop Tc6hTd, check-called. Donked turn 8h for half pot. River Qh. Donk-called a min raise. I would have folded if I hadn't made the flush.
AA vs J6s. He makes 2 pair.
AJ vs 99. Flop J64ss. Villain overbet the flop, I shoved. He calls my all-in thinking I have a draw. Turn 9.
The pot that really hurt last night was this one, even though it's not a bad beat:
Stack sizes: At the start of the hand, I have 90BB, villain has 110BB.
I'm dealt QsJs in MP. 2 limpers, I raise 5x. 3 callers.
Flop comes TsJh4s.
1 check, villain donks, I raise, folds back to villain who reraises. I thought about just calling. Villain's most likely holding is JT. 44 is also a possibility. I'm discounting naked straight or flush draws because this player would just call rather than reraise. So I think about the math. Against AJ/KJ, I'm a slight underdog. Against JT, it's basically the same, a slight underdog. Against a set it's a bit worse but not horrible.
I decide there's just too much equity to fold it. And if my flush comes, I don't want my opponent freezing up. I shove. Villain insta-calls and shows Th4h for bottom 2.
I'm actually a 52/47 favorite. But, I have to hit. Turn is the 8h.
Now I have more outs, but it can't be a heart.
River 5h.
Look, I realize that when the money went in, I was behind. I accept that. I own it. I just don't accept that I continue to play better cards and the donkeys are constantly getting lucky with trash. I realize bad beats happen. I just have a hard time swallowing the frequency with which I'm getting beat this week.
I just feel like I'm playing well, getting my money in good on a regular basis, and while I'm not happy with my results, I accept the concept that results and play are not directly connected in the short-term. Nevertheless, it is hurting my confidence in both my play and in the poker gods. I don't care who it is, when you're running bad, you can't feel 100% confident.
M
There are no smaller stakes to be played live. I may actually have to use my own money to play if things don't turn around in my next session.
Six weeks ago, I started with $300, added another $600 two weeks later from my PS cashout. In two weeks, my BR reached a height of $3138. I used $1000 for personal expenses (car repair, household goods). Week 3 and 4 were rough, where I lost $1108. Week 5 and 6 I rebounded a bit, winning $1064. I used $225 for personal expenses from week 3 to week 6, putting my BR at $1869 to start week 6.
Five straight sessions without a win has my bankroll teetering on the brink of busto. In those five sessions, I've lost $1440. I keep getting it in good against a donkey who calls my pfr with T6o, J4o, T4s, etc, flops a pair or weak draw, gets it in bad and sucks out.
I'm playing well. I'm not tilt-calling off in bad spots. Example: I held QQ, raised pf, got 1 caller (a player I had pegged as a calling station). Flop KQ4. Bet the pot. Villain calls. Turn T. I bet 3/4 pot. Villain calls. River J. I bet 1/3 pot and villain went all in. I folded, face-up. Villain showed ATo.
The above has become a recurring theme of 2nd best vs calling stations.
KK vs 52o. (Obv I raised pf, villain called from BB.) Flop 529sss (I have Ks). Bet, call. Turn Qh, bet, call. river Jc, bet, call.
QQ vs A3s, aipf. Board:667A9.
Called pfr w/AhTh vs QQ. Flop Tc6hTd, check-called. Donked turn 8h for half pot. River Qh. Donk-called a min raise. I would have folded if I hadn't made the flush.
AA vs J6s. He makes 2 pair.
AJ vs 99. Flop J64ss. Villain overbet the flop, I shoved. He calls my all-in thinking I have a draw. Turn 9.
The pot that really hurt last night was this one, even though it's not a bad beat:
Stack sizes: At the start of the hand, I have 90BB, villain has 110BB.
I'm dealt QsJs in MP. 2 limpers, I raise 5x. 3 callers.
Flop comes TsJh4s.
1 check, villain donks, I raise, folds back to villain who reraises. I thought about just calling. Villain's most likely holding is JT. 44 is also a possibility. I'm discounting naked straight or flush draws because this player would just call rather than reraise. So I think about the math. Against AJ/KJ, I'm a slight underdog. Against JT, it's basically the same, a slight underdog. Against a set it's a bit worse but not horrible.
I decide there's just too much equity to fold it. And if my flush comes, I don't want my opponent freezing up. I shove. Villain insta-calls and shows Th4h for bottom 2.
I'm actually a 52/47 favorite. But, I have to hit. Turn is the 8h.
Now I have more outs, but it can't be a heart.
River 5h.
Look, I realize that when the money went in, I was behind. I accept that. I own it. I just don't accept that I continue to play better cards and the donkeys are constantly getting lucky with trash. I realize bad beats happen. I just have a hard time swallowing the frequency with which I'm getting beat this week.
I just feel like I'm playing well, getting my money in good on a regular basis, and while I'm not happy with my results, I accept the concept that results and play are not directly connected in the short-term. Nevertheless, it is hurting my confidence in both my play and in the poker gods. I don't care who it is, when you're running bad, you can't feel 100% confident.
M
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sign of a live poker player
I was in McAlester, OK Monday. Going through a small town on my way home, I was pulled over for doing 63 in a 50 zone. The officer asked for my ID. I immediately opened my wallet and handed him my River Spirit player's club card.
True story.
M
True story.
M
Notable quote
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."--Thomas Jefferson
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Week 6 live grind results & goals
My sixth week of live grinding is complete.
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 2 wins and 2 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE, and won $145.
Altogether, I worked a total of 27.5 hours. ($5.27/hr)
What I did right or wrong:
Nothing stands out this week. Either I was hitting or I wasn't.
I made 1 big mistake in a big pot. A little metagame info: A player I know well from the 3/6 limit games sat down at my NLHE table. She is a known chaser who will call all in with draws. Holding ATs I raised preflop, she called from the BB, and the flop came AKT. She check-called the flop and called my all in on the turn with AQ while I held 2 pair. The river K counterfeited me and she won a 220BB pot.
A few orbits later, I raise pf with T8ss, she again called from the blinds. The flop came JT7ss. She donked and I raised; she called. The turn came a 9h. Again she donked, and I raised again. She called. The river came the 5s, completing my flush, but she moved all in. I didn't even think about it and snap-called. Big mistake. Not only did she have KQ for the nut straight, she was also suited in spades for the better flush. It's not so much that I raised the turn with the worse hand as much as I plowed forward on the basis of our history rather than the current action. Do I think she would have played a naked 8 the same way? Yes, except for the river shove. The only thing I'm beating on this river is the nut straight. I should have at least taken a moment to think about it. I still don't think I can fold vs this player, but I'm disappointed I didn't at least think it over.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 2 wins and 2 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE, and won $145.
Altogether, I worked a total of 27.5 hours. ($5.27/hr)
What I did right or wrong:
Nothing stands out this week. Either I was hitting or I wasn't.
I made 1 big mistake in a big pot. A little metagame info: A player I know well from the 3/6 limit games sat down at my NLHE table. She is a known chaser who will call all in with draws. Holding ATs I raised preflop, she called from the BB, and the flop came AKT. She check-called the flop and called my all in on the turn with AQ while I held 2 pair. The river K counterfeited me and she won a 220BB pot.
A few orbits later, I raise pf with T8ss, she again called from the blinds. The flop came JT7ss. She donked and I raised; she called. The turn came a 9h. Again she donked, and I raised again. She called. The river came the 5s, completing my flush, but she moved all in. I didn't even think about it and snap-called. Big mistake. Not only did she have KQ for the nut straight, she was also suited in spades for the better flush. It's not so much that I raised the turn with the worse hand as much as I plowed forward on the basis of our history rather than the current action. Do I think she would have played a naked 8 the same way? Yes, except for the river shove. The only thing I'm beating on this river is the nut straight. I should have at least taken a moment to think about it. I still don't think I can fold vs this player, but I'm disappointed I didn't at least think it over.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
Monday, May 23, 2011
Common sense poker: bluffing
Common sense poker: bluffing
I was at my bank last week and met with my account manager. During the course of our conversation she asked what I did for a living. When I told her that I was a writer but most of my income came from poker, she said, "Oh, that's something I could never do." I asked her why not? "Because I don't think I'd ever be able to bluff." The simple truth is, you don't have to bluff to be a profitable poker player...
Week 5 live grind results & wrapup
My fifth week of live grinding is complete.
I played 5 of 7 days, posted 2 wins, 1 break-even and 2 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE.
Playing NLHE, I won $919.
Altogether, I worked a total of 29.5 hours. ($31.15/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and trusted them.
Played more aggressively this week, but still fundamentally sound. I got a bit overaggressive with big draws and overcards when I was half-stacked, see next section for details.
Took more small stabs at orphan pots with modest success.
I floated successfully this week, something I hadn't been doing in previous weeks.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
I gambled a bit too much this week, peeling the flop with gutshots, 2nd pair, et al, sometimes correctly, sometimes not. I need to make sure I'm either getting the right odds or the stacks are very deep (and my draw is likely to get paid off).
I went all-in with 2nd pair + nut flush draw three times & combo draws 2 times, got called each time, and couldn't hit my outs. While I don't necessarily count this as a mistake, my bankroll isn't big enough to withstand these high-variance plays yet. Going to play these hands a bit more conservatively until my bankroll is of the proper size for my stakes.
I overplayed AK four times, trying to represent a big pair on a Q-hi or lower board. In each case, I was short-stacked (50BB) and was hoping for some modest fold equity. Instead, I got called all-in every time, even by opponents who typically would fold TPTK. I'm not sure if it's my play or my table image that's really to blame here, but it's something I need to work on one way or another. I need to pay more attention to my own play, and not just that of my opponents.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
I played 5 of 7 days, posted 2 wins, 1 break-even and 2 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE.
Playing NLHE, I won $919.
Altogether, I worked a total of 29.5 hours. ($31.15/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and trusted them.
Played more aggressively this week, but still fundamentally sound. I got a bit overaggressive with big draws and overcards when I was half-stacked, see next section for details.
Took more small stabs at orphan pots with modest success.
I floated successfully this week, something I hadn't been doing in previous weeks.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
I gambled a bit too much this week, peeling the flop with gutshots, 2nd pair, et al, sometimes correctly, sometimes not. I need to make sure I'm either getting the right odds or the stacks are very deep (and my draw is likely to get paid off).
I went all-in with 2nd pair + nut flush draw three times & combo draws 2 times, got called each time, and couldn't hit my outs. While I don't necessarily count this as a mistake, my bankroll isn't big enough to withstand these high-variance plays yet. Going to play these hands a bit more conservatively until my bankroll is of the proper size for my stakes.
I overplayed AK four times, trying to represent a big pair on a Q-hi or lower board. In each case, I was short-stacked (50BB) and was hoping for some modest fold equity. Instead, I got called all-in every time, even by opponents who typically would fold TPTK. I'm not sure if it's my play or my table image that's really to blame here, but it's something I need to work on one way or another. I need to pay more attention to my own play, and not just that of my opponents.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Unbelievable hand, $1300 pot at $1/$2 NLHE live, snap-call with Jack-high
Here's the situation: I'm at my local casino playing $1/$2 NLHE. I bought in for $300 and had an up and down night, and have $250 in front of me after 4 hours of play. By now it's around 1am. We are seven-handed as the poker room started emptying out around midnight.
A player I'd never seen before sits down in seat 5. I'm in seat 2. He buys in for $300. He is well dressed, but obviously drunk. He has the option to wait until the button passes but he opts to play his first hand UTG. He limps. I'm on the button with AQo. Limps around to me and I make it $12 to go. Small blind calls (he's a certified calling station), and Mr. Drunk reraises to $35. Folds back to me and I move all in for $250. Both players fold.
Next hand I pick up JdTd. A player in MP raised to $8, and I call on the button hoping Mr. Drunk comes along. Mr. Drunk makes it $25 to go. MP folds, I call, and Mr. Station calls on the button. Flop KJTr. Mr. Drunk bets $40. I call. Station calls. Turn Q. Mr. Drunk bets $60. I call. Station folds. River 4. Mr. Drunk bets $60. I call. Mr. Drunk shows 88.
Mr. Drunk goes broke and rebuys for $200.
Next orbit I pick up AsKs on the button. It's limped to me and I make it $15 to go. Station calls. Mr. Drunk calls. Everyone else folds. Flop is 569 with 2 spades. Mr. Drunk bets $50. I shove for $500. Station folds. Mr. Drunk calls. Turn 9. Riv 7. Mr. Drunk turns over Q2, and I scoop.
Mr. Drunk rebuys for $300 more.
I get AA and KK cracked and drop to $640 or so. Meanwhile, Mr. Drunk sucked out on someone while I was away from the table, and doubles up to around the same amount, $640.
Next orbit I'm dealt Qs6s on the button. Mr. Drunk is in, so I'm in. The pot is $12 and we're off to the flop which comes 2QQ. The blinds check and Mr. Drunk bets $20. It folds to me and I call. Both blinds fold. The turn is a 3. Mr. Drunk bets $95. I pause for just 2 seconds and call. The river is another 3. Mr. Drunk looks at me and shrugs (actually shrugs!) and pushes out two stacks of red, $200. I put my head down, shuffle my chips, announce "all in". Mr. Drunk snap-calls, and turns over J2o. The pot came to $1302 total, and with that one pot, I'm even for my last five sessions.
Mr. Drunk decides $800 is enough of a loss and quits. Those of us who were left pushed the blinds around for half an hour before packing it in, during which time I was the target of their envy--and I don't blame them one bit. Snap-call with Jack-high. It's a message from the poker gods, that's what it is. "Sorry about all those bad beats last week, son. Here's a little gift for you to make up for it."
Thank you, poker gods. Thank you very much.
M
A player I'd never seen before sits down in seat 5. I'm in seat 2. He buys in for $300. He is well dressed, but obviously drunk. He has the option to wait until the button passes but he opts to play his first hand UTG. He limps. I'm on the button with AQo. Limps around to me and I make it $12 to go. Small blind calls (he's a certified calling station), and Mr. Drunk reraises to $35. Folds back to me and I move all in for $250. Both players fold.
Next hand I pick up JdTd. A player in MP raised to $8, and I call on the button hoping Mr. Drunk comes along. Mr. Drunk makes it $25 to go. MP folds, I call, and Mr. Station calls on the button. Flop KJTr. Mr. Drunk bets $40. I call. Station calls. Turn Q. Mr. Drunk bets $60. I call. Station folds. River 4. Mr. Drunk bets $60. I call. Mr. Drunk shows 88.
Mr. Drunk goes broke and rebuys for $200.
Next orbit I pick up AsKs on the button. It's limped to me and I make it $15 to go. Station calls. Mr. Drunk calls. Everyone else folds. Flop is 569 with 2 spades. Mr. Drunk bets $50. I shove for $500. Station folds. Mr. Drunk calls. Turn 9. Riv 7. Mr. Drunk turns over Q2, and I scoop.
Mr. Drunk rebuys for $300 more.
I get AA and KK cracked and drop to $640 or so. Meanwhile, Mr. Drunk sucked out on someone while I was away from the table, and doubles up to around the same amount, $640.
Next orbit I'm dealt Qs6s on the button. Mr. Drunk is in, so I'm in. The pot is $12 and we're off to the flop which comes 2QQ. The blinds check and Mr. Drunk bets $20. It folds to me and I call. Both blinds fold. The turn is a 3. Mr. Drunk bets $95. I pause for just 2 seconds and call. The river is another 3. Mr. Drunk looks at me and shrugs (actually shrugs!) and pushes out two stacks of red, $200. I put my head down, shuffle my chips, announce "all in". Mr. Drunk snap-calls, and turns over J2o. The pot came to $1302 total, and with that one pot, I'm even for my last five sessions.
Mr. Drunk decides $800 is enough of a loss and quits. Those of us who were left pushed the blinds around for half an hour before packing it in, during which time I was the target of their envy--and I don't blame them one bit. Snap-call with Jack-high. It's a message from the poker gods, that's what it is. "Sorry about all those bad beats last week, son. Here's a little gift for you to make up for it."
Thank you, poker gods. Thank you very much.
M
Don't play distracted, play focused!
Food for thought.
Common sense poker: eliminate distractions
Common sense poker: eliminate distractions
Nothing beats common sense at the poker table. If you have KK, the board reads 4578, and your opponent check-raises you, common sense tells you the villain has a 6 for the straight, and you'd better have a very good reason to think he's bluffing if you're going to continue in the hand. Of course, if both you and the villain have a lot of money on the table, it doesn't matter if he has it or not, you're never going to be sure enough he's bluffing to justify a call in that spot. There are all kinds of common sense decisions when it comes to playing hands, but some of the most profitable common sense applies to how you approach a session before you even sit down at the tables...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Week 4 live grind wrap-up
My fourth week of live grinding is complete.
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 1 win and 3 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE.
Playing NLHE, I lost $817.
I worked a total of 15.25 hours and lost $817.
I also spent 4 hours in the WSOP Main Event satellite freeroll.
What I did right or wrong:
Forgive my language, but I ran like total dogshit this week and have to say my play suffered as the week (and my bad run) rolled on. I played hands I know better than to play in situations where my opponent showed a ton of strength. Hands like AJs, KTs, QJs, which I would normally pitch to a 3-bet (unless there is a 3rd player coming along), I not only took a flop, I also peeled too lightly on the flop to strong--and expected--continuation bets. A couple times I compounded the error by raising and trying to take the pot away, knowing they're going to call with their overpair. Bad. Just fugly.
That being said, I also played fantastic in a number of spots where I got all the money in as a big favorite (2 pair vs 1 pair, set vs 1 pair, etc), only to lose to 4-outers or runner runner. In all, I was all in with the best hand in pots of over $400 a total of 5 times and only won 1 of them.
My last two sessions I played way too passive and allowed my opponents to make hands that beat me a good dozen times. I failed to raise with the best hand and allowed the turn to be checked through too often. In most of these situations I had a top-pair hand with a draw or a pair on board. I'd value bet the river and paid off min-raises pretty much every time, only to learn my opponent hit their gutshot or 3-outer on the riv.
Goals for next week:
Tighten up, especially from early position.
Raise first-in every time. No open-limping, except with a limp-reraise plan.
Be more aggressive on the turn when I expect to have the best hand.
Fold more often to aggression when I have a medium-strength hand, especially on the river.
Play 30 hours of NLHE.
M
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 1 win and 3 losses.
I played $1/$2 NLHE.
Playing NLHE, I lost $817.
I worked a total of 15.25 hours and lost $817.
I also spent 4 hours in the WSOP Main Event satellite freeroll.
What I did right or wrong:
Forgive my language, but I ran like total dogshit this week and have to say my play suffered as the week (and my bad run) rolled on. I played hands I know better than to play in situations where my opponent showed a ton of strength. Hands like AJs, KTs, QJs, which I would normally pitch to a 3-bet (unless there is a 3rd player coming along), I not only took a flop, I also peeled too lightly on the flop to strong--and expected--continuation bets. A couple times I compounded the error by raising and trying to take the pot away, knowing they're going to call with their overpair. Bad. Just fugly.
That being said, I also played fantastic in a number of spots where I got all the money in as a big favorite (2 pair vs 1 pair, set vs 1 pair, etc), only to lose to 4-outers or runner runner. In all, I was all in with the best hand in pots of over $400 a total of 5 times and only won 1 of them.
My last two sessions I played way too passive and allowed my opponents to make hands that beat me a good dozen times. I failed to raise with the best hand and allowed the turn to be checked through too often. In most of these situations I had a top-pair hand with a draw or a pair on board. I'd value bet the river and paid off min-raises pretty much every time, only to learn my opponent hit their gutshot or 3-outer on the riv.
Goals for next week:
Tighten up, especially from early position.
Raise first-in every time. No open-limping, except with a limp-reraise plan.
Be more aggressive on the turn when I expect to have the best hand.
Fold more often to aggression when I have a medium-strength hand, especially on the river.
Play 30 hours of NLHE.
M
Saturday, May 14, 2011
WSOP satellite tourney results
This morning my favorite local casino, River Spirit, conducted its WSOP Main Event satellite freeroll. Approximately 90 players showed up to compete. It's been about, well, I guess about 16 months since I last played a live NLHE tournament. Back when I played tournaments on a daily basis, I did manage to cash most of the time, but felt like my game was pretty rusty going into this one today.
The first two levels were rough. Starting stack: 10,000 chips
Level 1: 25/50; Level 2: 50/100
Raise pre with JJ, 2 callers. Flop K45. C-bet flop. Check-fold turn.
4 players limp, I overlimp Qs3s on the button. Flop a flush draw. Called flop. Called turn getting 6-1 odds. Miss and fold river.
Raise pre with QQ, 1 caller. Flop KJ6cc. C-bet flop. Check-fold turn. Villain shows KJss.
Raise pre with AdKd, 2 callers. Flop 689cc. Check flop. Fold turn.
4 players limp, I overlimp with 5d6d. Flop Kd6h7d. Checks to me, I bet the flop smallish ~40% pot, 2 callers. Turn 7s. Check-check and I check. River 3c. I fold to a smallish river bet.
Raise pre with TT, 3 callers. Flop J75. Checks to me, I check, player behind me bets. Folds to me and I call. Turn 8. Check-check. River 7. Check-check. Villain bets small and I call. He shows KJo.
By now my chip stack has dipped to 5,000. Level 3: 100/200 thru Level 9: 800/1600/200
I limp in MP w/9hTh. 3 more limpers behind me and both blinds come along. Flop Jh8h7s. SB bets 1K, BB calls, I raise to 3K, everyone folds.
Raise pre in LP with Ad9d. Button calls, BB calls. Flop KT7dd. C-bet flop, button calls. Turn is the 5c. Check-check. River 5h. I check-fold.
I'm UTG+2 and look down at 77. I shove, hoping to pick up 900 chips uncontested. Button calls, everyone else folds. Button has 99. A 7 falls on the turn and I double up.
I successfully steal the blinds 3 more times this level, with KQs, JTs, and ATs.
I basically fold every hand for an hour. I've been moved to a new, more aggressive table, with zero limping allowed. Being dealt lots of 52o, 93o, 73s type hands.
Antes start. I blind down to around 10k, then steal and get back to the 12-13k range.
UTG+1, pick up AA and raise to 4k. Button, another short-stack who nevertheless has me covered, shoves. I call (obv). He has 88. AA holds and I jump to 29k in chips.
I raise a few more times and either get no callers or no flop resistance and chip up to around 35k.
I pick up TT UTG+2. Blinds at this point are 800/1600/200. I raise to 4000. Button reraises to 15000. Shove or fold time. Button has easily 50k chips in front of him. If I fold, I'll have 29k or so to play with, and looking at the clock, blinds go up to 1000/2000/200 in 5 minutes. I decide to risk it and shove. Snap-call from button with AA. Oops. No miracles come and I'm out.
Finished 24th.
The first two levels were rough. Starting stack: 10,000 chips
Level 1: 25/50; Level 2: 50/100
Raise pre with JJ, 2 callers. Flop K45. C-bet flop. Check-fold turn.
4 players limp, I overlimp Qs3s on the button. Flop a flush draw. Called flop. Called turn getting 6-1 odds. Miss and fold river.
Raise pre with QQ, 1 caller. Flop KJ6cc. C-bet flop. Check-fold turn. Villain shows KJss.
Raise pre with AdKd, 2 callers. Flop 689cc. Check flop. Fold turn.
4 players limp, I overlimp with 5d6d. Flop Kd6h7d. Checks to me, I bet the flop smallish ~40% pot, 2 callers. Turn 7s. Check-check and I check. River 3c. I fold to a smallish river bet.
Raise pre with TT, 3 callers. Flop J75. Checks to me, I check, player behind me bets. Folds to me and I call. Turn 8. Check-check. River 7. Check-check. Villain bets small and I call. He shows KJo.
By now my chip stack has dipped to 5,000. Level 3: 100/200 thru Level 9: 800/1600/200
I limp in MP w/9hTh. 3 more limpers behind me and both blinds come along. Flop Jh8h7s. SB bets 1K, BB calls, I raise to 3K, everyone folds.
Raise pre in LP with Ad9d. Button calls, BB calls. Flop KT7dd. C-bet flop, button calls. Turn is the 5c. Check-check. River 5h. I check-fold.
I'm UTG+2 and look down at 77. I shove, hoping to pick up 900 chips uncontested. Button calls, everyone else folds. Button has 99. A 7 falls on the turn and I double up.
I successfully steal the blinds 3 more times this level, with KQs, JTs, and ATs.
I basically fold every hand for an hour. I've been moved to a new, more aggressive table, with zero limping allowed. Being dealt lots of 52o, 93o, 73s type hands.
Antes start. I blind down to around 10k, then steal and get back to the 12-13k range.
UTG+1, pick up AA and raise to 4k. Button, another short-stack who nevertheless has me covered, shoves. I call (obv). He has 88. AA holds and I jump to 29k in chips.
I raise a few more times and either get no callers or no flop resistance and chip up to around 35k.
I pick up TT UTG+2. Blinds at this point are 800/1600/200. I raise to 4000. Button reraises to 15000. Shove or fold time. Button has easily 50k chips in front of him. If I fold, I'll have 29k or so to play with, and looking at the clock, blinds go up to 1000/2000/200 in 5 minutes. I decide to risk it and shove. Snap-call from button with AA. Oops. No miracles come and I'm out.
Finished 24th.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Week 3 of live grinding...results & wrap up
My third week of live grinding is complete.
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 1 wins and 3 losses.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I won $12.
Playing NLHE, I lost $303.
Altogether, I worked a total of 18.75 hours and lost $291.
What I did right or wrong:
I don't have anything to say either way this week about what I did well or need to work on. I game-selected well, and played well.
Why I lost this week:
This week's loss came down to coolers and losing flips. Around $50 of the loss was from bad calls or bad gambles, depending on how you want to look at it. For the most part, I won the small pots and lost the big ones. I ran KK into AA twice, QQ into KK once, and lost a 130BB pot with KQ on a board of QK229. In that last hand, I raised pre, bet pot on the flop, and my opponent c/r all in on the turn. At that point, I was pot-committed, with 2/3 of my chips already in the pot. Villain showed up with 32o for trip 2's.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 1 wins and 3 losses.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I won $12.
Playing NLHE, I lost $303.
Altogether, I worked a total of 18.75 hours and lost $291.
What I did right or wrong:
I don't have anything to say either way this week about what I did well or need to work on. I game-selected well, and played well.
Why I lost this week:
This week's loss came down to coolers and losing flips. Around $50 of the loss was from bad calls or bad gambles, depending on how you want to look at it. For the most part, I won the small pots and lost the big ones. I ran KK into AA twice, QQ into KK once, and lost a 130BB pot with KQ on a board of QK229. In that last hand, I raised pre, bet pot on the flop, and my opponent c/r all in on the turn. At that point, I was pot-committed, with 2/3 of my chips already in the pot. Villain showed up with 32o for trip 2's.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
Saturday, May 7, 2011
This week has been a bust, pun intended
With poker site offices being raided in Costa Rica, the news does not look good. Props to QuadJacks for their coverage. Special thanks to DrPauly, Chuck Kidd, et al.
Live poker this week has been rough. I'll do the official results tomorrow, but it's not looking good. I've been coolered and drawn out on constantly (constantly in this case means 6 coolers over 19 hours and 4 suckouts in pots of 100BB or more). Feel okay with my play for the most part, with just two exceptions--neither of which was for a lot of money.
All that being said, I'm down just 145.5BB for the week, which in the scheme of things is not all that bad. Shit happens, it's just my turn to have it happen to me. Time to take some soap and a stiff-bristled brush and scrub the shit off, that's all.
I didn't get as much time on the felt as I'd planned, either. I had to re-plumb my bathroom. My house was built in the 1950's, and everything is lead and steel. Thankfully the plumbing is accessible from a crawlspace, and not encased in cement. But it still kicked my ass trying to cut out the old trap and replace all the pipes with new PVC. On the plus side, I should only have to do it once.
/end whine
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but didn't FTP announce last week that they would have an official announcement this week about cashouts? I've looked but I can't find anything. Did I miss it?
M
Live poker this week has been rough. I'll do the official results tomorrow, but it's not looking good. I've been coolered and drawn out on constantly (constantly in this case means 6 coolers over 19 hours and 4 suckouts in pots of 100BB or more). Feel okay with my play for the most part, with just two exceptions--neither of which was for a lot of money.
All that being said, I'm down just 145.5BB for the week, which in the scheme of things is not all that bad. Shit happens, it's just my turn to have it happen to me. Time to take some soap and a stiff-bristled brush and scrub the shit off, that's all.
I didn't get as much time on the felt as I'd planned, either. I had to re-plumb my bathroom. My house was built in the 1950's, and everything is lead and steel. Thankfully the plumbing is accessible from a crawlspace, and not encased in cement. But it still kicked my ass trying to cut out the old trap and replace all the pipes with new PVC. On the plus side, I should only have to do it once.
/end whine
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but didn't FTP announce last week that they would have an official announcement this week about cashouts? I've looked but I can't find anything. Did I miss it?
M
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Who is Madeira Fjord?
A company declares bankruptcy, is it the parent of UB.com and Absolute Poker?
UB/AP parent company (?) files for bankruptcy
UB/AP parent company (?) files for bankruptcy
US players with funds on deposit with poker sites UB.com and Absolute Poker (the Cereus network) are facing bad news today as Madeira Fjord declares bankruptcy. If you're wondering who Madeira Fjord is, you are not alone. Last fall, the Cereus network was sold by Tokwiro Enterprises to Blanca Gaming. What is the relationship between Madeira Fjord and Blanca Gaming? Good question.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Mid-South Poker Classic begins May 5th at Hard Rock Catoosa
Click the link for the full schedule and buy-ins.
Mid-South Poker Classic begins May 5th
Mid-South Poker Classic begins May 5th
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is hosting the Mid-South Poker Classic, one of the region's premier poker tournaments. The event takes place May 5th through May 15th. A total of 25 tournaments are scheduled, with an additional 2 satellite tournaments to the championship event. Buy-ins range from $125 to $1060. Last year's MSPC Championship event was a two-day contest, attracted 77 players and awarded $24,648 to first-place.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Live grind session turns into a trainwreck
WARNING: If you don't want to hear me whine like a little girl, stop reading. Don't like bad beat stories? Move along...nothing to read here.
Went to my closest casino, River Spirit. They have 4 tables of $1/$2 NL running, none of them are full. They put me at a table that has 2 open seats. I sit down, and immediately 2 players leave, so we're 5-handed.
NOTE: I bought in short for $100.
In my first hand, I'm UTG w/A9hh, and raise to $8. MP and CO call, everyone else folds. Flop A94ss. I lead for $16. MP folds, CO min-raises to $35. I shove for $74 , CO calls. CO has AJo. Turn 3h. River Jc. FML
I rebuy for $100, and run my stack up to $165 when this next hand comes up.
Table has filled up, and after a bunch of limpers, I'm on the button with KJo and raise to $12. BB calls, MP calls. Flop QT5hh. Checks to me, I bet $15 (pricing in my draw). BB min-raises to $30, MP folds, I call. Turn 9c. BB bets $30. I raise to $75. BB thinks for about 4 seconds and announces he's all in. I insta-call. BB has 9To. River Td. FML
I rebuy for $100, and run my stack up to $265 when this next hand comes up.
A reg UTG+1 raises to $10 pre, I'm on the button with 77 and call. I look at his stack...looked like he had a stack of $175 to 180. He should have at least $200 to make this call, but it's close enough. Flop J74r, bingo. UTG+1 bets $15. I pause briefly and raise to $35. He calls. Turn Ks. He checks. I bet $55. He shoves, I call. He has KK. FML.
Turns out I had him covered by $56 (meaning he had $209 to start the hand after all--he must have been holding some chips in his hand I didn't see) and I immediately cashed out and went home.
The first two were no big deal, shrugged it off, kept playing my A game. Can't decide if I should have gotten away from my set on the third one. I tend to think not. He could easily have AK/AA. Not going to worry about it too much.
My decision to quit was to prevent tilt should a 4th bad beat occur. It will be much easier to return to the game tomorrow, fresh and confident, than if I were to take another beat for a bunch of money. My stop loss is 3 BI's, and while I didn't lose that much, if I bought back in and lost again, I'd be over the limit, so I quit. The game will still be there tomorrow. And so will I.
Went to my closest casino, River Spirit. They have 4 tables of $1/$2 NL running, none of them are full. They put me at a table that has 2 open seats. I sit down, and immediately 2 players leave, so we're 5-handed.
NOTE: I bought in short for $100.
In my first hand, I'm UTG w/A9hh, and raise to $8. MP and CO call, everyone else folds. Flop A94ss. I lead for $16. MP folds, CO min-raises to $35. I shove for $74 , CO calls. CO has AJo. Turn 3h. River Jc. FML
I rebuy for $100, and run my stack up to $165 when this next hand comes up.
Table has filled up, and after a bunch of limpers, I'm on the button with KJo and raise to $12. BB calls, MP calls. Flop QT5hh. Checks to me, I bet $15 (pricing in my draw). BB min-raises to $30, MP folds, I call. Turn 9c. BB bets $30. I raise to $75. BB thinks for about 4 seconds and announces he's all in. I insta-call. BB has 9To. River Td. FML
I rebuy for $100, and run my stack up to $265 when this next hand comes up.
A reg UTG+1 raises to $10 pre, I'm on the button with 77 and call. I look at his stack...looked like he had a stack of $175 to 180. He should have at least $200 to make this call, but it's close enough. Flop J74r, bingo. UTG+1 bets $15. I pause briefly and raise to $35. He calls. Turn Ks. He checks. I bet $55. He shoves, I call. He has KK. FML.
Turns out I had him covered by $56 (meaning he had $209 to start the hand after all--he must have been holding some chips in his hand I didn't see) and I immediately cashed out and went home.
The first two were no big deal, shrugged it off, kept playing my A game. Can't decide if I should have gotten away from my set on the third one. I tend to think not. He could easily have AK/AA. Not going to worry about it too much.
My decision to quit was to prevent tilt should a 4th bad beat occur. It will be much easier to return to the game tomorrow, fresh and confident, than if I were to take another beat for a bunch of money. My stop loss is 3 BI's, and while I didn't lose that much, if I bought back in and lost again, I'd be over the limit, so I quit. The game will still be there tomorrow. And so will I.
River Spirit announces $15K freeroll tournaments
River Spirit gives you an added incentive to accumulate hours in their poker room.
River Spirit announces $15K freeroll tournaments
River Spirit announces $15K freeroll tournaments
Tulsa poker players have an added incentive to choose the River Spirit casino as their venue for the months of May, June, and July. The River Spirit poker room is rewarding its players with a monthly $15K freeroll. To qualify, players must log 40 hours of live play during each qualification period. The top 15 players in tournament points during each qualification period also qualify. Each freeroll tournament is scheduled for the second Saturday following the end of each qualfication period.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Week 2 of live grinding...results and wrapup
My second week of live grinding is complete.
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 2 wins, 1 break-even and 1 loss.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I lost $363.
Playing NLHE, I won $1521.
Altogether, I worked a total of 30 hours and won $1158. ($38.60/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
I was all in with the best hand every time but once in heads-up pots.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and went with them (was wrong only once--that I know of).
Didn't encounter any maniacs this week, just value bet my made hands and picked off some bluffs.
Played a fundamentally sound game and didn't get fancy.
Successfully value-bet the river with 1-pair hands more often.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
Spent too much time playing LHE. The LHE game cost me $20/hr just to play this week. Compare that to being paid $169/hr to play NLHE, and my decision is clear: give up LHE and play NLHE exclusively.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
I played 4 of 7 days, posted 2 wins, 1 break-even and 1 loss.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I lost $363.
Playing NLHE, I won $1521.
Altogether, I worked a total of 30 hours and won $1158. ($38.60/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
I was all in with the best hand every time but once in heads-up pots.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and went with them (was wrong only once--that I know of).
Didn't encounter any maniacs this week, just value bet my made hands and picked off some bluffs.
Played a fundamentally sound game and didn't get fancy.
Successfully value-bet the river with 1-pair hands more often.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
Spent too much time playing LHE. The LHE game cost me $20/hr just to play this week. Compare that to being paid $169/hr to play NLHE, and my decision is clear: give up LHE and play NLHE exclusively.
My goal for next week is to log 30 hours of NLHE.
M
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Stars roll cashed out...
Still disappointed and sad that things have come to this. Happy to be getting my funds. Still angry to be unable to grind online.
M
M
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Limit Hold'em vs. No Limit Hold'em
I think Limit Hold'em is underrated these days. It's a lot more fun than NLHE. Click the link and I'll tell you why.
To limit or not to limit, that is the question
To limit or not to limit, that is the question
Just a few short years ago, the game of choice in Tulsa's cardrooms, and indeed the nation's, was Limit Hold'em (LHE). The games were loose, friendly, and lots of fun. While most of the poker world has transitioned to No Limit Hold'em (NLHE), there are still many loyal fans who love the post-flop play of LHE. As a professional poker player, I make most (and sometimes all) of my profit playing NLHE. But I am a die-hard LHE player. It may be more difficult to find a game nowadays, and while my hourly win rate is much lower versus NLHE, I have loads more fun in LHE games.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
First week of live grinding complete ... recap and goals for week 2
I completed my first week of live grinding.
I played 6 of 7 days, posted 4 wins and 2 losses.
I played in 2 different casinos, and now know for certain which has the best games.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I lost $213.
Playing NLHE, I won $1293.
Altogether, I worked a total of 28.75 hours and won $1080. ($37.57/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
I was all in with the best hand 10 out of 13 times in heads-up pots.
I quit early on Friday night after being card dead for 2 hours and getting no respect for my preflop raises. Could have changed tables but wasn't in a positive frame of mind, so I quit.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and went with them (was wrong only twice--that I know of).
Somehow managed to get seats directly to the left of maniacs on a regular basis.
Effectively exploited maniacs with a call-call-raise/shove line.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
I called too liberally with speculative hands OOP.
I failed to 3-bet preflop with hands that play best heads-up (i.e., AK, AQs, 88-JJ).
C-bet the turn too often after getting called on the flop.
Flatted too many c-bets (in raise/fold situations) and gave too many free cards.
Played too fit or fold without the initiative.
Betting too small on the turn and river.
Not bluffing in good spots for it.
I have a lot of non-poker projects that are going to get in the way of my felt hours next week, so I'm setting a goal of 20 hours for poker, and to move as many items as possible from the "work on" list to the "did right" list.
M
I played 6 of 7 days, posted 4 wins and 2 losses.
I played in 2 different casinos, and now know for certain which has the best games.
I played both $1/$2 NLHE and $3/$6 LHE.
Playing LHE, I lost $213.
Playing NLHE, I won $1293.
Altogether, I worked a total of 28.75 hours and won $1080. ($37.57/hr)
What I did right:
I chose games with the fewest regulars, whenever I could.
I was all in with the best hand 10 out of 13 times in heads-up pots.
I quit early on Friday night after being card dead for 2 hours and getting no respect for my preflop raises. Could have changed tables but wasn't in a positive frame of mind, so I quit.
Did not play scared.
Developed reads and went with them (was wrong only twice--that I know of).
Somehow managed to get seats directly to the left of maniacs on a regular basis.
Effectively exploited maniacs with a call-call-raise/shove line.
What I did wrong/need to work on:
I called too liberally with speculative hands OOP.
I failed to 3-bet preflop with hands that play best heads-up (i.e., AK, AQs, 88-JJ).
C-bet the turn too often after getting called on the flop.
Flatted too many c-bets (in raise/fold situations) and gave too many free cards.
Played too fit or fold without the initiative.
Betting too small on the turn and river.
Not bluffing in good spots for it.
I have a lot of non-poker projects that are going to get in the way of my felt hours next week, so I'm setting a goal of 20 hours for poker, and to move as many items as possible from the "work on" list to the "did right" list.
M
Guidelines to tipping in live poker rooms
Guidelines to tipping in live poker rooms
With many new poker players visiting Tulsa's casino poker rooms, some for the first time in a live setting, I've noticed some confusion (and a wide variety of methods) regarding what is customary when it comes to tipping dealers and cashiers. As someone who has played live poker for over five years, I thought I might share my guidelines for tipping. If you're new to the live poker scene, and unsure what a normal tip should be, perhaps this article will help.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Win streak broken -- card room PACKED!
Oh my God! The River Spirit poker room was absolutely packed tonight. Are there really that many online players in Tulsa? Judging by the size of the crowd and the amount of conversation revolving around online poker, YES there ARE!
Oh, and my win streak is busted. Was absolutely card dead. All my c-bets were called. Even with free turns & rivers, couldn't make a pair. Lost 1 buy-in over 2 hours. Decided to quit rather than rebuy and try again tomorrow.
Four out of five ain't bad, tho.
M
Oh, and my win streak is busted. Was absolutely card dead. All my c-bets were called. Even with free turns & rivers, couldn't make a pair. Lost 1 buy-in over 2 hours. Decided to quit rather than rebuy and try again tomorrow.
Four out of five ain't bad, tho.
M
Still batting 1.000 -- four for four in live sessions
Went back to what I know best tonight: $3/$6 LHE at the River Spirit. Mainly just trying to get in enough hours to qualify for their WSOP freeroll in May. Finished a 4-hour session earning 7.08 BB/hr. I know this run is going to end at some point, but hopefully it won't be with a crash. Had to quit early tonight for an interview in the morning. Hope that goes well, too. Then I won't have to rely exclusively on poker for an income. Despite an average $74/hr win rate over 4 sessions, it's unrealistic to think that these results will continue without issue. I would think $40/hr would be a more realistic figure, and will use that as my yardstick for now. Would love to hear from any grinders with history at live $1/$2 NLHE tables to compare notes.
M
M
Friday, April 22, 2011
Why the indicted poker sites will not return to the US market
Whether or not we want to admit it, the indicted poker sites skirted the law in places. Unless the DOJ allows a settlement without an admission of guilt, the indicted sites will not be returning to the US.
Why the indicted poker sites will not return to the US market
Why the indicted poker sites will not return to the US market
The bottom line is that these sites, while providing and protecting their customers with a poker room of the highest possible integrity, conducted their back-office business dealings without regard for the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, or the Anti-Money Laundering laws included in the Patriot Act of 2001. The DOJ in its press releases has made it clear that these companies are no longer welcome in the US. And just as we cannot have a convicted felon voted into public office, the US will not allow a convicted fraudster access to US banks.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Threepeat live
Made it back to the River Spirit casino tonight. Started at $1/$2 NLHE, where I doubled up while waiting for a LHE seat. Played LHE for three hours and basically broke even. When the LHE table broke at midnight, went back to NLHE, where I went broke (QQ vs 88, flop 877 and we get it AIOTF), re-buy, and then doubled through three times for a nice profit. Still need to work on my game when it comes to big calls. That being said, I did fold ATs on a 3T7r flop where I led the flop for $10 and BTN raised to $40. It was a limped pot where I was in the big blind and checked my option. BTN was a newcomer and I had no read, so I just let it go. Also folded an under-full house on the river to an overbet, meh. The players here are a bit wild and can be hard to read as a result. Pretty much all of my double-ups came from TPTK hands, though, so maybe calling an all in is the right thing to do against wilder players.
For example: I'm the button with QTo. Two limpers, HJ raises to $15, CO reraises to $50, I fold, SB calls, folds back to HJ who goes all-in for $155, CO calls, SB calls. Flop 674r. CO checks, SB goes all-in, CO calls. Turn 7, Riv 2. SB shows 62hh and wins the side pot. HJ shows KK and wins the main. Who calls $155 pre-flop with 62s?
Example #2: I'm the HJ with AQhh. 4 limpers, I raise to $12. 5 callers incl both CO and SB. Flop 244hh. I bet $25, 3 callers. Turn Ad. Checks to me, I bet $60. CO calls, SB and MP fold. River 9s. I bet $75. CO calls and shows A5o.
Still feeling my way through it all as I'm more of a LHE player and don't have much history with the NLHE crowd. Mainly just happy that I'm not playing scared and showing good results so far.
For example: I'm the button with QTo. Two limpers, HJ raises to $15, CO reraises to $50, I fold, SB calls, folds back to HJ who goes all-in for $155, CO calls, SB calls. Flop 674r. CO checks, SB goes all-in, CO calls. Turn 7, Riv 2. SB shows 62hh and wins the side pot. HJ shows KK and wins the main. Who calls $155 pre-flop with 62s?
Example #2: I'm the HJ with AQhh. 4 limpers, I raise to $12. 5 callers incl both CO and SB. Flop 244hh. I bet $25, 3 callers. Turn Ad. Checks to me, I bet $60. CO calls, SB and MP fold. River 9s. I bet $75. CO calls and shows A5o.
Still feeling my way through it all as I'm more of a LHE player and don't have much history with the NLHE crowd. Mainly just happy that I'm not playing scared and showing good results so far.
My opinion, and others', on the Black Friday charges
Online poker: the charges and argumentsLet's say that you and I decide to flip coins. Every time it lands on heads, you pay me $1. Every time it lands on tails, I pay you $1.25. While we are both gambling, you should expect to make a profit in the long run. Now let's say for integrity's sake, we hire a third person to do the flipping, at 5 cents a throw. This third person has no interest in the outcome. He's just there to make sure nobody cheats, that the game is played by the rules, the results are judged accurately, and that the victor is paid his winnings. Is this third person gambling? Is this third person operating an illegal gambling business? Well, that's the question the courts will ultimately have to answer...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
UB.com and Absolute Poker follow Pokerstars' lead
The third-largest poker network suspends real-money games and withdrawals for US players.
UB suspends real money games in the US
Five days ago, on Friday, April 15, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York charged 11 online poker executives with crimes including: conspiracy to violate the UIGEA, violation of the UIGEA, operation of an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Later that same day, online poker giants PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker suspended real money games and tournaments for all US players.
Absolute Poker suspends real money games in the US
Today, Absolute Poker has followed their lead and suspended real money cash games and tournaments in the US. The message at the left is displayed to US players who connect to the Absolute Poker poker client.
UB suspends real money games in the US
Five days ago, on Friday, April 15, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York charged 11 online poker executives with crimes including: conspiracy to violate the UIGEA, violation of the UIGEA, operation of an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. Later that same day, online poker giants PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker suspended real money games and tournaments for all US players.
Absolute Poker suspends real money games in the US
Today, Absolute Poker has followed their lead and suspended real money cash games and tournaments in the US. The message at the left is displayed to US players who connect to the Absolute Poker poker client.
Speculation on the future of online poker
The future of online poker in the USLast night I visited the Hard Rock poker room in Catoosa. When I arrived, there were two tables of $1/$2 NLHE running, and I was first on the wait list (tip: always call ahead and put yourself on the list). The evening tournament still had two tables going, and players busting out were added to the list. As it worked out, before a seat could open up, they spread a new table. This turned out to be the liveliest table I'd been a part of since high school, when eight cards were wild and five aces won every pot. In this case, the first eight hands saw five all-ins called. As a Limit Hold'em specialist, I am rarely witness to that much action when a game has just started and players have full stacks...
Two for two playing live
Another 4 hour session, booked another win. This time played at the Hard Rock Tulsa, and was seated at a table with some very lively players. In the first orbit, seven-handed, we had 5 all-ins. All-in from 88 on a J56 board (and it was called by ATo). All in from 76 on a QJ5 board (called by QJ). Too many to remember. I made two semi-bad calls (both times with a pair and a draw) and went busto for my first buy-in. Then tripled my second buy-in for a small win.
Hope your offline endeavors are working out as well.
M
Hope your offline endeavors are working out as well.
M
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Local and Online reactions to Black Friday
I take a look at poker community reactions to Black Friday, both locally and online.
The online poker community is in turmoil
Two days after the announcement from the US Attorney of the SDNY, the poker community is still reeling. Full Tilt and Pokerstars, the two largest online poker sites in the US, have suspended both real money play and cash withdrawals for US account holders. No official statement has been made yet from Absolute Poker or UB.com (both operating on the Cereus network), the third largest US-facing poker site...
In Tulsa, it's poker business as usual
With the pullout of PokerStars and Full Tilt from the US market, US players are left with few choices--none of them particularly attractive. UB.com (now doing business as UBPoker.eu) is still allowing US players to sit and play at their real money tables, but cashouts are restricted--so what's the point? While I don't have the Absolute Poker (now doing business from AbsolutePoker.eu) software installed to verify personally, I presume AP is conducting its operations in the same manner as UB, since they share both ownership and management. Other online poker choices include Bodog, Doyle's Room, Sportsbook Poker, Players Only, Lock Poker, Everest Poker, and a slew of smaller sites I'd never heard of before...
The online poker community is in turmoil
Two days after the announcement from the US Attorney of the SDNY, the poker community is still reeling. Full Tilt and Pokerstars, the two largest online poker sites in the US, have suspended both real money play and cash withdrawals for US account holders. No official statement has been made yet from Absolute Poker or UB.com (both operating on the Cereus network), the third largest US-facing poker site...
In Tulsa, it's poker business as usual
With the pullout of PokerStars and Full Tilt from the US market, US players are left with few choices--none of them particularly attractive. UB.com (now doing business as UBPoker.eu) is still allowing US players to sit and play at their real money tables, but cashouts are restricted--so what's the point? While I don't have the Absolute Poker (now doing business from AbsolutePoker.eu) software installed to verify personally, I presume AP is conducting its operations in the same manner as UB, since they share both ownership and management. Other online poker choices include Bodog, Doyle's Room, Sportsbook Poker, Players Only, Lock Poker, Everest Poker, and a slew of smaller sites I'd never heard of before...
Monday, April 18, 2011
Live grinding is the nuts (so far)
Off to a good start playing live. Bought in short for $100 at a $1/$2 NLHE table, while waiting for a seat in the $3/$6 LHE game. Played roughly an hour and got up with $235. Took my seat at $3/$6, played for 3 hours and left with a total of $516. Played tight, ran good, and got paid off every time. Easiest poker session of my life. If you are a full time online grinder who's never played live, I highly recommend it.
M
M
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Pokerstars and Full Tilt suspend US real-money play, withdrawals
Naturally, in response to the DOJ's indictment, they're suspending US operations.
PokerStars suspends real money poker for US players
Less than twenty-four hours after the United States Attorney of the Southern District of New York unsealed its indictments for 11 online poker executives, PokerStars has suspended its "real money poker services" to US players. CardPlayer.com reports that Full Tilt will soon follow suit. The press release from the US Attorney's Office of the SDNY regarding the indictments can be read here...
Full Tilt Poker suspends US players from real money games
As reported by CardPlayer and other news media, Full Tilt Poker has suspended US players from access to real money games and tournaments. In anticipation of the FBI's seizure of the FullTiltPoker.com domain, operations have been moved to FullTiltPoker.co.uk...
Full Tilt restricts US players from withdrawing funds
US players with real money accounts at Full Tilt "will temporarily be restricted from withdrawing" funds. Account holders are directed to contact support@fultiltpoker.co.uk with any questions...
PokerStars suspends real money poker for US players
Less than twenty-four hours after the United States Attorney of the Southern District of New York unsealed its indictments for 11 online poker executives, PokerStars has suspended its "real money poker services" to US players. CardPlayer.com reports that Full Tilt will soon follow suit. The press release from the US Attorney's Office of the SDNY regarding the indictments can be read here...
Full Tilt Poker suspends US players from real money games
As reported by CardPlayer and other news media, Full Tilt Poker has suspended US players from access to real money games and tournaments. In anticipation of the FBI's seizure of the FullTiltPoker.com domain, operations have been moved to FullTiltPoker.co.uk...
Full Tilt restricts US players from withdrawing funds
US players with real money accounts at Full Tilt "will temporarily be restricted from withdrawing" funds. Account holders are directed to contact support@fultiltpoker.co.uk with any questions...
Final results for April
I'm going to take the rest of the month off from online grinding. I may give other sites a try, I may not. Either way, I just renewed my CardRunners sub through September.
Since that means my current stats are the final for April, I'll go ahead and post them. Only half a month and still broke all my personal bests in terms of winrates and volume (pro-rated).
I'm going to take advantage of my local card rooms for the remainder of the month, but I'll still be active on CardRunners. I'm fortunate to have other venues nearby where I can play (one table at a time, 30 hands per hour, dammit). I hope all of you survive the storm unscathed and prosper despite the current legal debacle.
To Bill Frist: this is why the UIGEA should have been debated in the first place. A failure to define "illegal gambling" is the reason why we're here. Thousands of people, families, and billions of dollars all in jeopardy for failure to define this simple term. Well done, sir. Well done.
Since that means my current stats are the final for April, I'll go ahead and post them. Only half a month and still broke all my personal bests in terms of winrates and volume (pro-rated).
I'm going to take advantage of my local card rooms for the remainder of the month, but I'll still be active on CardRunners. I'm fortunate to have other venues nearby where I can play (one table at a time, 30 hands per hour, dammit). I hope all of you survive the storm unscathed and prosper despite the current legal debacle.
To Bill Frist: this is why the UIGEA should have been debated in the first place. A failure to define "illegal gambling" is the reason why we're here. Thousands of people, families, and billions of dollars all in jeopardy for failure to define this simple term. Well done, sir. Well done.
M
Friday, April 15, 2011
Black Friday -- online poker indictments?
It's all over the web. 11 online poker executives indicted. Two arrested so far. Too sad for words.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/04/three-largest-online-poker-sites-indicted-and-shut-down-by-fbi.html
http://money.cnn.com/rssclick/2011/04/15/news/economy/online_poker_indictments/?section=money_latest
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/founders-of-top-poker-web-sites-indicted-2011-04-15?link=MW_latest_news
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hxQXSRuLjxYniiKqet38bKwBV18w?docId=CNG.0d9a23b647ebc53de077adf8cd2bb6a0.541
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/04/three-largest-online-poker-sites-indicted-and-shut-down-by-fbi.html
http://money.cnn.com/rssclick/2011/04/15/news/economy/online_poker_indictments/?section=money_latest
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/founders-of-top-poker-web-sites-indicted-2011-04-15?link=MW_latest_news
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hxQXSRuLjxYniiKqet38bKwBV18w?docId=CNG.0d9a23b647ebc53de077adf8cd2bb6a0.541
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Forget about the curve ball Ricky, give him the heater
LHE RUSH. After struggling all March long, I'm finally hitting hands and holding up (most of the time). LHE graphs don't have an EV line, but if they did, I'd bet my profit line would be above it; and all I can say is it's about time.
I tweaked my game a little bit to plug some leaks. I played a little tighter (26/18), played fewer suited connector hands below QJ, C-bet 85%, and folded earlier and more often in marginal spots. The biggest payoff has been how I've played against donk bettors. You really need to know what donks are betting into you with. Take notes. If you know what a player will donk with, basically you own him. You know with relative certainty what you're up against and the optimal way to play the hand.
Results? Glad you asked. 9.83 pt BB/100 over 3400 hands.
I've been playing this new style for 2 days now, and while I know this is a small sample and I am running good, I'm sticking with it until I have a reason to change it.
Mid-month update...My win rate has doubled for the month from 1.15 to 2.37 pt BB/100. I hope this continues. I would like to take some shots at 1/2 next month.
Good luck at the tables!
M
I tweaked my game a little bit to plug some leaks. I played a little tighter (26/18), played fewer suited connector hands below QJ, C-bet 85%, and folded earlier and more often in marginal spots. The biggest payoff has been how I've played against donk bettors. You really need to know what donks are betting into you with. Take notes. If you know what a player will donk with, basically you own him. You know with relative certainty what you're up against and the optimal way to play the hand.
Results? Glad you asked. 9.83 pt BB/100 over 3400 hands.
I've been playing this new style for 2 days now, and while I know this is a small sample and I am running good, I'm sticking with it until I have a reason to change it.
Mid-month update...My win rate has doubled for the month from 1.15 to 2.37 pt BB/100. I hope this continues. I would like to take some shots at 1/2 next month.
Good luck at the tables!
M
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
This is too good not to share
Saw him in concert last summer and found this live version of an older song of his.
Getting love (and money) from my opponents
I have been running hot tonight in 25c/50c LHE RUSH so I put in a longer session than usual, much to my opponents' dismay. One in particular has nothing but love for me. Fairly standard, imo. But correct me if I'm wrong.
Full Tilt, $0.25/$0.50 Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Preflop: Hero is MP with A
7
UTG folds, Hero raises, 2 folds, SB 3-bets, BB folds, Hero calls
Flop: (7 SB) 7
3 6
(2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, Hero calls
Turn: (6.5 BB) A (2 players)
SB bets, Hero raises, SB folds
SB : you fish again
SB : lolidiot
SB : hope you will have a deadly accident
Results: 8.5 BB pot (0.4 BB rake)
Final Board: 7 3 6 A
Hero mucked A 7 and won 8.1 BB (4.1 BB net)
SB mucked and lost (-4 BB net)
Full Tilt, $0.25/$0.50 Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Preflop: Hero is MP with A
7UTG folds, Hero raises, 2 folds, SB 3-bets, BB folds, Hero calls
Flop: (7 SB) 7
3 6 (2 players)SB bets, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, Hero calls
Turn: (6.5 BB) A
(2 players)SB bets, Hero raises, SB folds
SB : you fish again
SB : lolidiot
SB : hope you will have a deadly accident
Results: 8.5 BB pot (0.4 BB rake)
Final Board: 7
3 6 AHero mucked A
7 and won 8.1 BB (4.1 BB net)SB mucked and lost (-4 BB net)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Results-oriented thinking is bad?
Look, I'm a reasonably intelligent guy, and I know I should have this concept understood by now, but I guess I just don't get the distinction. What is the difference between making +EV plays and "results-oriented thinking"?
Let me explain.
I was having a conversation with a fellow poker player about a hand I played in a live game--and his opinion was that I suffer from results-oriented thinking. Here's what happened. It's a $1/$2 NLHE game, 8 players at the table. I'm sitting in the 9 seat next to the dealer. Across from me in Seat 6 is a 20-something maniac with about $900 in front of him. Two hands before this one he 4-bet 74o. His opponent flat called with AA (why he didn't 5b preflop, I will never know) and then shoved the flop which came 4Q7r, and the maniac takes his $400 stack. The guy with AA chose not to rebuy, so we're playing 8-handed.
Anyways, I'm in the CO with $160 total. Maniac raises UTG+1 to $12. It folds to me and I look down at JJ, one of my least favorite hands. Basically, there's 3 ways to play it and every one of them is wrong. I decide to flat and see a flop before I play for stacks. Everyone else folds and we see a flop heads up which comes T84ss. Maniac insta-bets $45 into a $27 pot. If I call, the pot will bloat to $117 and I'll have $103 left, and I'll be committed if an undercard falls on the turn. Taking my time, I look him over to see how comfortable he looks, and to me, he looks comfortable. My read is he's caling if I shove. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm beat, but he hadn't overbet the pot before so I had no idea if it meant anything. He could have an overpair to my jacks, or 77-TT, or Tx, or a complete air ball. I just wasn't sure, and since I was taking so long I decided to see the turn and if it was a blank (No A, K, Q, or T), I'd get it in. Turn falls an offsuit 9 and he shoves. I don't think the 9 helped him at all--if I was ahead before I'm still ahead now. I'm open ended now so if I'm behind at least I'm not drawing dead. Not sure where I am in the hand I call. He has AT for TPTK; the river bricks and I scoop.
Maybe this is going to sound defensive, but if I had been dealt QQ+ or AK, I would have played for stacks from the get-go. But with 22-JJ, AJs or AQ in this spot, I'm certainly not folding but I want to see a flop before I play for stacks. With these lesser hands, there's just so many things that can go wrong.
Is this results-oriented thinking? I guess, yeah, you could say so. But with a medium-strength hand is that so bad? Honestly, we make results-oriented decisions all the time. Like folding 72o preflop. How is results-oriented thinking and making +EV plays any different? Can one of you savvy pros explain this to me?
Thanks,
M
Let me explain.
I was having a conversation with a fellow poker player about a hand I played in a live game--and his opinion was that I suffer from results-oriented thinking. Here's what happened. It's a $1/$2 NLHE game, 8 players at the table. I'm sitting in the 9 seat next to the dealer. Across from me in Seat 6 is a 20-something maniac with about $900 in front of him. Two hands before this one he 4-bet 74o. His opponent flat called with AA (why he didn't 5b preflop, I will never know) and then shoved the flop which came 4Q7r, and the maniac takes his $400 stack. The guy with AA chose not to rebuy, so we're playing 8-handed.
Anyways, I'm in the CO with $160 total. Maniac raises UTG+1 to $12. It folds to me and I look down at JJ, one of my least favorite hands. Basically, there's 3 ways to play it and every one of them is wrong. I decide to flat and see a flop before I play for stacks. Everyone else folds and we see a flop heads up which comes T84ss. Maniac insta-bets $45 into a $27 pot. If I call, the pot will bloat to $117 and I'll have $103 left, and I'll be committed if an undercard falls on the turn. Taking my time, I look him over to see how comfortable he looks, and to me, he looks comfortable. My read is he's caling if I shove. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm beat, but he hadn't overbet the pot before so I had no idea if it meant anything. He could have an overpair to my jacks, or 77-TT, or Tx, or a complete air ball. I just wasn't sure, and since I was taking so long I decided to see the turn and if it was a blank (No A, K, Q, or T), I'd get it in. Turn falls an offsuit 9 and he shoves. I don't think the 9 helped him at all--if I was ahead before I'm still ahead now. I'm open ended now so if I'm behind at least I'm not drawing dead. Not sure where I am in the hand I call. He has AT for TPTK; the river bricks and I scoop.
Maybe this is going to sound defensive, but if I had been dealt QQ+ or AK, I would have played for stacks from the get-go. But with 22-JJ, AJs or AQ in this spot, I'm certainly not folding but I want to see a flop before I play for stacks. With these lesser hands, there's just so many things that can go wrong.
Is this results-oriented thinking? I guess, yeah, you could say so. But with a medium-strength hand is that so bad? Honestly, we make results-oriented decisions all the time. Like folding 72o preflop. How is results-oriented thinking and making +EV plays any different? Can one of you savvy pros explain this to me?
Thanks,
M
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