Man, did I take a BEATING on this one!!! You guys really, really think I played this not bad but pathetically. Maybe so. Here was my (albeit highly debatable) thoughts on the streets.
It was $50 to call and I look at 86o. I felt the guy came in weak, but I am not going to get hasty. I should just fold. I call.
Flop is Q86 as we said. He bets and I min-raise to "test" for the Queen. Although this worked, the min-raise gets little love and most players hate it. Lee Childs nudged me after the hand and called it out. Although he is more a proponent of standard bet sizes.
So love it or hate it, I didnt think at the time that more pressure gets the queen to fold and it did tell me what I wanted to know spending the minimum to do it. I think everyone out there but Daniel Negreanu hated it. In working back through it, I have to agree that blowing him off the hand was best. I was forgetting this was a SnG and that he might not be a gambling donkey like so many others I ran into this weekend. There is no doubt that at least the bet should have been POT and then...
The turn card is a terrible card and now he checks. Here is where I hated my play. When he checks, I really already let the draws get there OR I didn't. I can either trust my read that he has a Queen and blow him off the hand, or CHECK behind him instead of making a dark bet of 300. When he calls the turn bet, I gain nothing. It was wasted money.
So to complete the thought above... There is no doubt that I bet pot on the flop and if he calls that big of a bet, I shut down and check behind on that crappy turn card.
The river is now an easy check. The only smart thing I did. And I let someone get there because I played very cautiously (weak) in the early going.
Funny part is, I went on to chop first. Needless to say, I played the other hands MUCH better.
Thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate them. Especially the caustic ones. I had it coming here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Highly debated hand
$300 SnG with 8left in level 2. $1500 in chips to start. I have 1550.
Limper only so I junk button call with 8s6c.
Flop is Q86 with 2 diamonds.
He bets $150 (pot). I test for Queen with min-raise. He calls.
(I believe he has a queen now.)
Turn is Td putting third diamond out. Pot is 900. He checks and I bet $300 not too afraid of 3rd diamond,but cautious.
He calls.
River is 9d. We both check. Neither has diamond but he wins hand with 1card straight.
QJ.
Again, this is a SnG.
Did this get played good or bad?
Limper only so I junk button call with 8s6c.
Flop is Q86 with 2 diamonds.
He bets $150 (pot). I test for Queen with min-raise. He calls.
(I believe he has a queen now.)
Turn is Td putting third diamond out. Pot is 900. He checks and I bet $300 not too afraid of 3rd diamond,but cautious.
He calls.
River is 9d. We both check. Neither has diamond but he wins hand with 1card straight.
QJ.
Again, this is a SnG.
Did this get played good or bad?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Last post before Vegas
As tradition, I move to twitter when it comes to updating vegas tournaments and results. Last night I played 3 MTT for some last minute practice and cashed in one. The hand I went out in was interesting though.
95 players left and we are in the money. At this point, the payout is a measly 2x buy-in. Now I raise on a semi-steal with JTs and a blind re-raises all-in and I am SURE its AK. I have a Q of .5 and only the top 9 receive good payouts. (i.e. I have 11k and he has 10k, avg is 20k.) I think the level was 500/1000/125, so my M is about 5.
Knowing all this information, are you willing to call the AK shove?
I was so against going another round and blinding off 2500 of my chips, that I decided that I could not fold despite being 30% here. Have not decided if it was lame or not.
95 players left and we are in the money. At this point, the payout is a measly 2x buy-in. Now I raise on a semi-steal with JTs and a blind re-raises all-in and I am SURE its AK. I have a Q of .5 and only the top 9 receive good payouts. (i.e. I have 11k and he has 10k, avg is 20k.) I think the level was 500/1000/125, so my M is about 5.
Knowing all this information, are you willing to call the AK shove?
I was so against going another round and blinding off 2500 of my chips, that I decided that I could not fold despite being 30% here. Have not decided if it was lame or not.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The WSOP approaches
I leave in a week and I have a schedule all worked out now.
Wednesday night, play cards with Lee Childs (of acumen poker) and pick up any last minute tips and get into the right mindset.
Thursday noon - Caesar's deep-stack tourney (with a friend from Chicago playing also).
Saturday - Event 39
Monday - Return
I have for the 50th billionth time, I have adjusted my strategy going into a tournament. Everyone has probably heard the most basic strategy ever (still professed by Phil Gordon).
1. What is my opponent likely holding?
2. Do I think I am ahead (bet) or behind (dont bet).
Here is my strategy going into the next 2 weeks.
1. What range am I narrowing in on for my opponent? (can I get action from a hand that is behind?)
2. Based on pot size, what is the current "pressure point" bet?
3. What "betting lines" are we in the midst of?
4(implied). What is my best course of action?
At times I feel like Spicolli explaining how he can fix a car because his Dad has this "ultimate set of tools". Playing this game as long as I have now, I really have the tools I need. And that short above list is deceptively simple, yet VERY powerful. (Want to prove it? Write it down and hold it while watching an episode of High Stakes Poker.)
Adding this checklist to the other tools in the bag (too long to list), I feel I have what I need. It's a matter of execution.
Wednesday night, play cards with Lee Childs (of acumen poker) and pick up any last minute tips and get into the right mindset.
Thursday noon - Caesar's deep-stack tourney (with a friend from Chicago playing also).
Saturday - Event 39
Monday - Return
I have for the 50th billionth time, I have adjusted my strategy going into a tournament. Everyone has probably heard the most basic strategy ever (still professed by Phil Gordon).
1. What is my opponent likely holding?
2. Do I think I am ahead (bet) or behind (dont bet).
Here is my strategy going into the next 2 weeks.
1. What range am I narrowing in on for my opponent? (can I get action from a hand that is behind?)
2. Based on pot size, what is the current "pressure point" bet?
3. What "betting lines" are we in the midst of?
4(implied). What is my best course of action?
At times I feel like Spicolli explaining how he can fix a car because his Dad has this "ultimate set of tools". Playing this game as long as I have now, I really have the tools I need. And that short above list is deceptively simple, yet VERY powerful. (Want to prove it? Write it down and hold it while watching an episode of High Stakes Poker.)
Adding this checklist to the other tools in the bag (too long to list), I feel I have what I need. It's a matter of execution.
TOC wrap-up
Congrats to the winners. 44 runners, paid 4 places. I finished in the middle of the pack. Even worse, I died a slow death. I never did get "a bit lucky". I watched some unknown shlub run his TPTK into ck's AA when they had 5k behind. ARKM? My BIGGEST pot of the first two hours was 1000 chips when a couple of players overplayed pairs on a straight board and I put in a big raise with second nuts. That was IT. Nada. Even when I attempted moves, I got pwned 3 out of 3 times). Adding insult to injury, I avoided races and bad situations all day, even folding 88 to a ck re-raise (she rarely comes in light) and finally had to win my first race against 55 and came up empty (0 for 1). This is not a set of winning stats.
I am disappointed that I could not capitalize on this great opportunity 2 years in a row. (Last year I was 21st and went out early in TOC, this year I was 16th and went out mid-way in the TOC.)
And finally, a BIG shout-out to Full Tilt and AlCantHang which not only sponsored this series, but continues to understand better than most how to cultivate brand loyalty. Running a BBT series is a thankless job at times, and Al took one for the team this year. Remember to buy him a shot of SO-CO in December.
I am disappointed that I could not capitalize on this great opportunity 2 years in a row. (Last year I was 21st and went out early in TOC, this year I was 16th and went out mid-way in the TOC.)
And finally, a BIG shout-out to Full Tilt and AlCantHang which not only sponsored this series, but continues to understand better than most how to cultivate brand loyalty. Running a BBT series is a thankless job at times, and Al took one for the team this year. Remember to buy him a shot of SO-CO in December.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
My lower RIO in poker
Middle stages and M is between 9 and 20. AK or AQ in EP or MP.
Miss flop? Expect that either c-bet will get raised or check will get punished.
Hit the flop? Expect folds when you bet.
Odds of hitting flop are 3-1, pay off on hit = 2 to 1.
Your milage may vary, but the scenario is far too common to me as of late.
Position. Don't leave home without it.
Miss flop? Expect that either c-bet will get raised or check will get punished.
Hit the flop? Expect folds when you bet.
Odds of hitting flop are 3-1, pay off on hit = 2 to 1.
Your milage may vary, but the scenario is far too common to me as of late.
Position. Don't leave home without it.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Still not getting the results I want
5 table MTTs, still bubbling or worse... Want to WIN TOC, 10th wont due much.
In non-poker news, I upgraded my Lions tickets today. From 5 yard line row 21 to 15 yard line row 16. Let's hope they win a game now.
In non-poker news, I upgraded my Lions tickets today. From 5 yard line row 21 to 15 yard line row 16. Let's hope they win a game now.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Advanced Betting Lines
I am seeing more clearly some of the betting lines we face on a daily basis. Naming them seems to help me with my pattern recognition, so I am including monikers with the lines.
The "Chan" Line (moniker from Daniel N.) - OOP opponent check-calls flop and leads on turn. This is a sign of strength, but gives little else away. I usually want a read on the opponent or some sort of hand to continue.
The "Ali" Line - An Opponent on your immediate left that calls your Pre-flop raise and then raises your c-bet no matter what. (named after the rope-a-dope). I am seeing ALOT more of this one.
The "Shark" line - I have seen another interesting one where the big stack limps from EP. The idea is that when someone reraises, when it folds to him he can decide to call if it results in heads-up play. He then either leads out or check-raises the flop.
I also notice that when some players are "raising for information", that they often do this with middle pair or TPWK. But they are creating a bigger pot which is harder to get to showdown. I am not sure I agree with this. All you can do is shutdown on the turn. Or are you going to fire a big barrel next?
And on that topic, I am re-evaluating the best c-bet size. MANY pros tell you to never vary your bet-sizes, so you sort of have to pick a size each level. I have RAISED mine to 75% in the early levels, where players like to chase draws, but have lowered it to 50% in middle rounds where players like to prey on c-bets. Any comments here?
Not much value in mentioning the "floater". Its so common now, that its hardly advanced. but what's with idiots floating and then not raising the turn when checked to? When I see that, I mark it down as PFW (post flop weak). If you have position, shouldn't you use it?
The "Chan" Line (moniker from Daniel N.) - OOP opponent check-calls flop and leads on turn. This is a sign of strength, but gives little else away. I usually want a read on the opponent or some sort of hand to continue.
The "Ali" Line - An Opponent on your immediate left that calls your Pre-flop raise and then raises your c-bet no matter what. (named after the rope-a-dope). I am seeing ALOT more of this one.
The "Shark" line - I have seen another interesting one where the big stack limps from EP. The idea is that when someone reraises, when it folds to him he can decide to call if it results in heads-up play. He then either leads out or check-raises the flop.
I also notice that when some players are "raising for information", that they often do this with middle pair or TPWK. But they are creating a bigger pot which is harder to get to showdown. I am not sure I agree with this. All you can do is shutdown on the turn. Or are you going to fire a big barrel next?
And on that topic, I am re-evaluating the best c-bet size. MANY pros tell you to never vary your bet-sizes, so you sort of have to pick a size each level. I have RAISED mine to 75% in the early levels, where players like to chase draws, but have lowered it to 50% in middle rounds where players like to prey on c-bets. Any comments here?
Not much value in mentioning the "floater". Its so common now, that its hardly advanced. but what's with idiots floating and then not raising the turn when checked to? When I see that, I mark it down as PFW (post flop weak). If you have position, shouldn't you use it?
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Final Thoughts on TOC
I think Hoyazo nailed it when he said that I can play too tight in the early to middle stages. Its funny, but in the early stages is debatable. I usually drop 10-15% of my stack in level 1 and spend the rest of the early levels chipping back to start stack size (or SSS). Its those dang-tarnish middle rounds that kill me.
And what has killed me the most in BBT4 vs. say the 32k?
TWO BIG THINGS:
1. Bloggers attack c-bets much harder than your typical field. This makes it more difficult to play ABC poker in a blogger event. (this includes the re-steal on the c-bet, not just the floats and turn take-aways)
2. (excuse me as I attempt to quantify this) I have struggled with "chipping up" without risking losing large pots. As I reviewed my stats from this year, I was going out too early in too many tournaments. Yet, when I adjusted to stop that, I started literally running out of chips in the middle rounds. NOTE TO EVERYONE OUT THERE: If I figure this part of MTTs out, there will be no stopping me. So if you know why I am struggling here and you help me, there is serious karma in it for you.
I could ramble on and on about this topic, and its plagued me for nearly a year now. As a matter of fact, its the reason I originally sought out a mentor. That has resulted in some increased strategy and decision making for me, but has not really squashed the original issue.
I do know one thing though, and I think my nose has been rubbed in it enough for it to take. Simply using Q to determine if I should be crazy loose or not is just plain stupid. I have had better results dropping the Q concept completely from my MTT play.
Now its a matter of playing long rounds 9 handed as well as I play them 6 or 7 handed. Why its so different for me, I am not sure. But man I have to figure out how to win hands with marginal holdings in the middle rounds.
-
As promised yesterday, here was the big game hand that really hurt me... Note that I TIMED OUT DESPITE CALLING TIME. I think I make this call if I had the time.
At the time, I put ScottMc on either a river'd set of 7s, or AIR.
Full Tilt Poker Game #12550357817: Blogger Big Game (81289279), Table 6 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:18:10 ET - 2009/05/31
Seat 3: BuddyDank (10,385)
Seat 4: bdidde (11,960)
Seat 5: ScottMc (2,650)
Seat 6: columbo (5,785)
Seat 7: iaatg6296 (3,290)
Seat 8: rozzz5 (5,155)
Seat 9: cemfredmd (2,370)
BuddyDank antes 25
bdidde antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
columbo antes 25
iaatg6296 antes 25
rozzz5 antes 25
cemfredmd antes 25
ScottMc posts the small blind of 120
columbo posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [8d 7s]
iaatg6296 folds
rozzz5 folds
cemfredmd folds
BuddyDank folds
bdidde folds
ScottMc calls 120
columbo checks
*** FLOP *** [8c 6d 9c]
ScottMc checks
columbo bets 240
ScottMc calls 240
*** TURN *** [8c 6d 9c] [4d]
ScottMc checks
columbo bets 720
ScottMc calls 720
*** RIVER *** [8c 6d 9c 4d] [7h]
ScottMc has 15 seconds left to act
ScottMc bets 1,425, and is all in
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo has requested TIME
columbo: wow (I am working it out in the old insane-in-the-membrane)
columbo has timed out (ARGH)
ScottMc shows [xx xx] (guess)
There is no way the 7 completes his hand unless he either river'd a set or made a worse 2 pair with 67. I think the odds (based on betting story, not math) might be as follows:
He made a river'd set : 3 to 1
He made two pair : 12 to 1
He has a broken draw with a pair of 7s : 3 to 1
He has a broken flush draw with Ac7c : 2 to 1
Now, as you know over the last 2 weeks, I have collided with more than my fair share of SETS. Oh my yes. A set has sent me packing more than any other hand. So, you can see why I stopped to think LONGER than I usually do. And THAT, more than anything else, cost me this hand.
And what has killed me the most in BBT4 vs. say the 32k?
TWO BIG THINGS:
1. Bloggers attack c-bets much harder than your typical field. This makes it more difficult to play ABC poker in a blogger event. (this includes the re-steal on the c-bet, not just the floats and turn take-aways)
2. (excuse me as I attempt to quantify this) I have struggled with "chipping up" without risking losing large pots. As I reviewed my stats from this year, I was going out too early in too many tournaments. Yet, when I adjusted to stop that, I started literally running out of chips in the middle rounds. NOTE TO EVERYONE OUT THERE: If I figure this part of MTTs out, there will be no stopping me. So if you know why I am struggling here and you help me, there is serious karma in it for you.
I could ramble on and on about this topic, and its plagued me for nearly a year now. As a matter of fact, its the reason I originally sought out a mentor. That has resulted in some increased strategy and decision making for me, but has not really squashed the original issue.
I do know one thing though, and I think my nose has been rubbed in it enough for it to take. Simply using Q to determine if I should be crazy loose or not is just plain stupid. I have had better results dropping the Q concept completely from my MTT play.
Now its a matter of playing long rounds 9 handed as well as I play them 6 or 7 handed. Why its so different for me, I am not sure. But man I have to figure out how to win hands with marginal holdings in the middle rounds.
-
As promised yesterday, here was the big game hand that really hurt me... Note that I TIMED OUT DESPITE CALLING TIME. I think I make this call if I had the time.
At the time, I put ScottMc on either a river'd set of 7s, or AIR.
Full Tilt Poker Game #12550357817: Blogger Big Game (81289279), Table 6 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:18:10 ET - 2009/05/31
Seat 3: BuddyDank (10,385)
Seat 4: bdidde (11,960)
Seat 5: ScottMc (2,650)
Seat 6: columbo (5,785)
Seat 7: iaatg6296 (3,290)
Seat 8: rozzz5 (5,155)
Seat 9: cemfredmd (2,370)
BuddyDank antes 25
bdidde antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
columbo antes 25
iaatg6296 antes 25
rozzz5 antes 25
cemfredmd antes 25
ScottMc posts the small blind of 120
columbo posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [8d 7s]
iaatg6296 folds
rozzz5 folds
cemfredmd folds
BuddyDank folds
bdidde folds
ScottMc calls 120
columbo checks
*** FLOP *** [8c 6d 9c]
ScottMc checks
columbo bets 240
ScottMc calls 240
*** TURN *** [8c 6d 9c] [4d]
ScottMc checks
columbo bets 720
ScottMc calls 720
*** RIVER *** [8c 6d 9c 4d] [7h]
ScottMc has 15 seconds left to act
ScottMc bets 1,425, and is all in
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo has requested TIME
columbo: wow (I am working it out in the old insane-in-the-membrane)
columbo has timed out (ARGH)
ScottMc shows [xx xx] (guess)
There is no way the 7 completes his hand unless he either river'd a set or made a worse 2 pair with 67. I think the odds (based on betting story, not math) might be as follows:
He made a river'd set : 3 to 1
He made two pair : 12 to 1
He has a broken draw with a pair of 7s : 3 to 1
He has a broken flush draw with Ac7c : 2 to 1
Now, as you know over the last 2 weeks, I have collided with more than my fair share of SETS. Oh my yes. A set has sent me packing more than any other hand. So, you can see why I stopped to think LONGER than I usually do. And THAT, more than anything else, cost me this hand.
Monday, June 01, 2009
and now our feature attraction
The BBT4 is finally over. I managed 11th in the brit tourney in the afternoon (1 lousy point?), followed by a middle of the pack finish in the big finale.
I have so many thoughts on my status, where to start?
Ok, the small-ball obsession is concluding. I have added it to my bag-o-tricks, but I find it difficult to play this way online where stacks are 20BB. I can use it early, and when deeper, but can not think of it as a way of life. I like it to control my FLOP play though and then on the Turn deciding what my best options are (showdown/no-showdown).
Second, I cant stand the FT timeouts. My bank is 15 seconds and yet I get 1 minute on a disconnect? GEZ. I had a hand last night that if I had the time to think through, might have been different. (I'll add that to the end of this post).
BDR was fun last night, with Chad becoming funnier as the beer kicked in. I appreciate the fact that the gang put me (your humble narrator) in the non-donk TOC category. Chad made a comment that I am disguising my hands well. That was good to know. Apparently he also made the FT 100k final table at the same time last night. Astounding.
Finally, a brutal recap of my weaknesses as we approach the TOC / WSOP.
1. When I go card dead in the middle rounds, I bleed too many chips. Even when I try to make plays, I only seem to make it worse. I need to catch some hands during the middle rounds. Even after working on this for a year, I still have only a smattering of answers.
2. My playing style seems to work best with 6/7 players at a table. This may happen multiple times at the 5 table TOC, but rarely at the WSOP.
3. I don't give players credit for hitting sets enough. If you read this blog over the last 3 months, you can still hear my screams. Yet, last night I let a user bluff a river'd set and I folded a winning hand.
4. I often start a tournament by losing 10% of my chips. WTF? Is it really that easy to small ball off your chips that fast seeing a few flops? No, its the FLOAT that eats the chips. Got to watch this early.
5. I don't re-steal very often. Okay, never. I am not a big fan of this play and yet, I know you need it at times. That leaves me in a quandary on this one. (See #1)
I think I will take a couple of days off so I can relax with some XBOX-360 (Burnout & "Saint's Row Bitches!") and then get back to it.
I also want to play a big$ Razz tournament, but that may have to wait.
I have so many thoughts on my status, where to start?
Ok, the small-ball obsession is concluding. I have added it to my bag-o-tricks, but I find it difficult to play this way online where stacks are 20BB. I can use it early, and when deeper, but can not think of it as a way of life. I like it to control my FLOP play though and then on the Turn deciding what my best options are (showdown/no-showdown).
Second, I cant stand the FT timeouts. My bank is 15 seconds and yet I get 1 minute on a disconnect? GEZ. I had a hand last night that if I had the time to think through, might have been different. (I'll add that to the end of this post).
BDR was fun last night, with Chad becoming funnier as the beer kicked in. I appreciate the fact that the gang put me (your humble narrator) in the non-donk TOC category. Chad made a comment that I am disguising my hands well. That was good to know. Apparently he also made the FT 100k final table at the same time last night. Astounding.
Finally, a brutal recap of my weaknesses as we approach the TOC / WSOP.
1. When I go card dead in the middle rounds, I bleed too many chips. Even when I try to make plays, I only seem to make it worse. I need to catch some hands during the middle rounds. Even after working on this for a year, I still have only a smattering of answers.
2. My playing style seems to work best with 6/7 players at a table. This may happen multiple times at the 5 table TOC, but rarely at the WSOP.
3. I don't give players credit for hitting sets enough. If you read this blog over the last 3 months, you can still hear my screams. Yet, last night I let a user bluff a river'd set and I folded a winning hand.
4. I often start a tournament by losing 10% of my chips. WTF? Is it really that easy to small ball off your chips that fast seeing a few flops? No, its the FLOAT that eats the chips. Got to watch this early.
5. I don't re-steal very often. Okay, never. I am not a big fan of this play and yet, I know you need it at times. That leaves me in a quandary on this one. (See #1)
I think I will take a couple of days off so I can relax with some XBOX-360 (Burnout & "Saint's Row Bitches!") and then get back to it.
I also want to play a big$ Razz tournament, but that may have to wait.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
So this is it
That last night of the BBT4. And in effect, the last night of training.
I have always been transparent in this blog, writing thought and strategies even if they turn out to be wild or unfounded. But the blog is one that chronicles a journey, and a long one at that. After 5 years, I strive to be more than I am.
The last year has been a wild one. Major job change, winning a 24k, breaking my back, seeking the mentoring of a pro, and realizing once again that the journey never truly ends.
Despite my results over the last year, I feel that I am better than I am last year when I satellited my way in via my home-town league. I am constantly experimenting now with advanced concepts instead of intermediate ones.
There is one day left in my "training schedule" to the WSOP, today's BBT4 events. I am 16th overall and despite that solid running, I hope this is no aspersion to any of the players in saying how disapointed I am that I am not in the top 10. There is no one to blame but myself, and I cant place much of the results on beats. With a event sampling size as large as this 3 month series, its silly to dwell on the one or two where you went out 11th.
Although this does remind of the 32ks over the last 6 months where I went down with 100 left to a brutal beat, sabotaging my repeat success.
I have thoughts about how I will approach the NLHE event 39, but that can wait. For today, I am prepared mentally for the challenge. I will be no easy mark today. My biggest mistake over the last week was playing to conservative close between 20-15 places left. I can not let myself fall into that trap again.
Good luck everyone.
I have always been transparent in this blog, writing thought and strategies even if they turn out to be wild or unfounded. But the blog is one that chronicles a journey, and a long one at that. After 5 years, I strive to be more than I am.
The last year has been a wild one. Major job change, winning a 24k, breaking my back, seeking the mentoring of a pro, and realizing once again that the journey never truly ends.
Despite my results over the last year, I feel that I am better than I am last year when I satellited my way in via my home-town league. I am constantly experimenting now with advanced concepts instead of intermediate ones.
There is one day left in my "training schedule" to the WSOP, today's BBT4 events. I am 16th overall and despite that solid running, I hope this is no aspersion to any of the players in saying how disapointed I am that I am not in the top 10. There is no one to blame but myself, and I cant place much of the results on beats. With a event sampling size as large as this 3 month series, its silly to dwell on the one or two where you went out 11th.
Although this does remind of the 32ks over the last 6 months where I went down with 100 left to a brutal beat, sabotaging my repeat success.
I have thoughts about how I will approach the NLHE event 39, but that can wait. For today, I am prepared mentally for the challenge. I will be no easy mark today. My biggest mistake over the last week was playing to conservative close between 20-15 places left. I can not let myself fall into that trap again.
Good luck everyone.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
so far no determinations...
Top Set could not stave off an attack from an OESD. He hit both ends on the turn/river.
The Psychology of Self Improvement
I have been thinking about this for quite some time... I remember even in grad school, the words of one professor. "You are very good at making decisions. But sometimes you make them too quickly." Still true to this day? Yes, albeit to a lesser extent, but yes. So what is a repeat offender to do?
I am going to try something drastic. I physical manifestation of a mnemonic device. (Sounds all doctory, doesn't it?)
This is a small object (not a chip) that I can hold in my hand and rub/stroke (heh) to remind me to think longer and more completely before a hand.
This is not the first mnemonic I ever used, as in my early days I had a sticker of the professor from Powerpuff girls on my monitor asking me "flush?" to remind me of the number of times (way too many) that I was paying off flushes. And it worked. Very effective.
I am off right now to locate said object and to try out my desperate grasp at control in the 32k today.
I am going to try something drastic. I physical manifestation of a mnemonic device. (Sounds all doctory, doesn't it?)
This is a small object (not a chip) that I can hold in my hand and rub/stroke (heh) to remind me to think longer and more completely before a hand.
This is not the first mnemonic I ever used, as in my early days I had a sticker of the professor from Powerpuff girls on my monitor asking me "flush?" to remind me of the number of times (way too many) that I was paying off flushes. And it worked. Very effective.
I am off right now to locate said object and to try out my desperate grasp at control in the 32k today.
66 does me in
Its funny that on Monday I did not want to play 66 from EP and instead went out on AJ vs. 33. So color me red when I played 66 and was re-raised from the ginormous stack on the button. I called and saw a flop of T83 and he CHECKS.
Now either he has JJ-AA OR he has big overs. But when he checked, I pushed. At the time, I figured I scare a big range of his holdings and I represent a hand like JJ also. But today, I realize that his CHECK instead of a c-bet to a short stack is an invitation to go broke. So I dressed up to the nines and he welcomed me at the door with Top Set.
I think I was in trouble here no matter what, but to not recognize that simple betting line has me in a panic.
Now either he has JJ-AA OR he has big overs. But when he checked, I pushed. At the time, I figured I scare a big range of his holdings and I represent a hand like JJ also. But today, I realize that his CHECK instead of a c-bet to a short stack is an invitation to go broke. So I dressed up to the nines and he welcomed me at the door with Top Set.
I think I was in trouble here no matter what, but to not recognize that simple betting line has me in a panic.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
My name is (who?)
Coming from the land of eminem, I understand economic adversity. But despite all that, I am playing Event #39. Why? Numerous reasons.
1. Have to play a big tournament once in a while. The Shaolin monks would say that if you practice fighting and do not fight, then your skills are less than those who fight. I dont fight the big fights very often, but I can make an exception once a year to test my mettle. (I want to play more Razz after the WSOP is over and test my mettle there too.)
2. I have been practicing way too much over the last 3 months not to take the "test". Despite my results, my decisions are becoming honed and my game rising to a level I did not even feel I could get to a year ago.
3. With the economic downturn and the reigning in of travel and such, I need to do something that is "bigger than life". Considering I broke (nasty) my back months ago, this is as big as it gets this year.
So there you have it. Justification in the worst way. I did not qualify for a $1500 event this year in a satellite or club, so I am breaking my own rule to not play an event without expressing my way in. But I will take 3 or 4 shots are WSOP main event seats. I expect next year to be the year I get in, but you never know.
In other news, I am starting to combine chip utility and small ball together without a train wreck ensuing. This is interesting. Sometimes I feel that the best thing I could do for myself is to never know what my chip stack is... But obviously no one can afford that lack of information. I do need to make sound decisions, however, without allowing myself to be taken in by justifications. As of late, I am too prove to make a good call, even though the stand alone logic is FOLD. Interestingly I am right alot of the time. But not all the time. I am really starting to understand the meta-game behind small ball.
But in results, it can be brutal if you let your stack get too short. I bubble the PPI on Monday, and I was disapointed by a big stretch of dreck that I could not play my way out of. As it was, a suckout blind vs blind kept me out of 13th.
Skillz was Stud and if it wasn't the last BBT4 skillz night, I would have passed. Instead I made 4 second best hands to go out way too soon. Just 2 events left...
As it is, I feel slightly guilty going into the WSOP series as results have been average lately AND I punched my BBT4 ticket in RAZZ, not NLHE. Funny, eh? I'll put all that behind me tonight as I make a final, focused charge at the Mookie.
"I will fold to sets. I will fold to sets. I will fold to sets."
ok, I am ready.
1. Have to play a big tournament once in a while. The Shaolin monks would say that if you practice fighting and do not fight, then your skills are less than those who fight. I dont fight the big fights very often, but I can make an exception once a year to test my mettle. (I want to play more Razz after the WSOP is over and test my mettle there too.)
2. I have been practicing way too much over the last 3 months not to take the "test". Despite my results, my decisions are becoming honed and my game rising to a level I did not even feel I could get to a year ago.
3. With the economic downturn and the reigning in of travel and such, I need to do something that is "bigger than life". Considering I broke (nasty) my back months ago, this is as big as it gets this year.
So there you have it. Justification in the worst way. I did not qualify for a $1500 event this year in a satellite or club, so I am breaking my own rule to not play an event without expressing my way in. But I will take 3 or 4 shots are WSOP main event seats. I expect next year to be the year I get in, but you never know.
In other news, I am starting to combine chip utility and small ball together without a train wreck ensuing. This is interesting. Sometimes I feel that the best thing I could do for myself is to never know what my chip stack is... But obviously no one can afford that lack of information. I do need to make sound decisions, however, without allowing myself to be taken in by justifications. As of late, I am too prove to make a good call, even though the stand alone logic is FOLD. Interestingly I am right alot of the time. But not all the time. I am really starting to understand the meta-game behind small ball.
But in results, it can be brutal if you let your stack get too short. I bubble the PPI on Monday, and I was disapointed by a big stretch of dreck that I could not play my way out of. As it was, a suckout blind vs blind kept me out of 13th.
Skillz was Stud and if it wasn't the last BBT4 skillz night, I would have passed. Instead I made 4 second best hands to go out way too soon. Just 2 events left...
As it is, I feel slightly guilty going into the WSOP series as results have been average lately AND I punched my BBT4 ticket in RAZZ, not NLHE. Funny, eh? I'll put all that behind me tonight as I make a final, focused charge at the Mookie.
"I will fold to sets. I will fold to sets. I will fold to sets."
ok, I am ready.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
If I see one more set....
I have moved from chip-utility drills to small-ball practice, but I am having a HELL of a time getting away from an over-pair when I run into a SET.
I am banging my head on the table. Look, if you play me at all in the next week and you raise me on the turn and I dont fold, just type SET into the chat box to remind me what a DONK I am.
I would also like to PIMP a poker podcast, Poker Soup TV. Other than occasionally leaving the podcast running for an extra hour while they play poker on skype, I really like to return to old-school poker podcasts where people talk about hands. No, take that back. Where you dont just TALK about hands for a few seconds, but you analyze hands. I miss that so much. (Get them on itunes).
I am banging my head on the table. Look, if you play me at all in the next week and you raise me on the turn and I dont fold, just type SET into the chat box to remind me what a DONK I am.
I would also like to PIMP a poker podcast, Poker Soup TV. Other than occasionally leaving the podcast running for an extra hour while they play poker on skype, I really like to return to old-school poker podcasts where people talk about hands. No, take that back. Where you dont just TALK about hands for a few seconds, but you analyze hands. I miss that so much. (Get them on itunes).
Monday, May 18, 2009
Self-flagellation
OMG, just I just play a hand like a donkey.
Limper, I make it 4xBB, BB calls, original limper calls. Flop is 989. chcek, check to me. I make a c-bet of 2/3rds the port with an overpair of JJ.
Like that bet? Well, I c-bet into 2 players. But not necessarily incorrect. I am able to assume that one player hit a card higher than 8 (a 9 in this case), but since there are two of them, its just as valid to think they both missed. so far, still ok.
BB now RAISES to 3x my bet. original limper folds.
AS HARD AS IT IS here to put the BB on A9, QQ, KK or even AA, I feel stupid because once again I make a QUICK decision and get it all in. Now to be fair, if I CALL here, the money is going in over the next 2 streets because he has KK.
Its a hard read here, but I was 11th in chips and did not need to play a big pot with a pair. At the same time, how do I put the BB on KK? (TripJax played this tricky and got a great flop for it I think, considering there were 3 to the flop.)
Limper, I make it 4xBB, BB calls, original limper calls. Flop is 989. chcek, check to me. I make a c-bet of 2/3rds the port with an overpair of JJ.
Like that bet? Well, I c-bet into 2 players. But not necessarily incorrect. I am able to assume that one player hit a card higher than 8 (a 9 in this case), but since there are two of them, its just as valid to think they both missed. so far, still ok.
BB now RAISES to 3x my bet. original limper folds.
AS HARD AS IT IS here to put the BB on A9, QQ, KK or even AA, I feel stupid because once again I make a QUICK decision and get it all in. Now to be fair, if I CALL here, the money is going in over the next 2 streets because he has KK.
Its a hard read here, but I was 11th in chips and did not need to play a big pot with a pair. At the same time, how do I put the BB on KK? (TripJax played this tricky and got a great flop for it I think, considering there were 3 to the flop.)
Friday, May 15, 2009
situations and thoughts
ok, mostly thoughts.
mini-Ftops is worthless. I want to see if I can hold my own in a RAZZ tournament, so I sign up for mini-ftops Razz. 1200 players? In a limit game? what for 24 hours? gez. I bowed out. FTOP razz was more reasonable at 400, but its was a $300 buy-in. so I guess I can continue to fool myself a while longer.
Working on my game going into the final training stretch before Vegas. My results in the last 6 months are all over the place, and yet I am playing incredibly well as of late.
How many of you have lost to QUADS 3 times in 2 weeks?
"thought I'd something more to say..."
mini-Ftops is worthless. I want to see if I can hold my own in a RAZZ tournament, so I sign up for mini-ftops Razz. 1200 players? In a limit game? what for 24 hours? gez. I bowed out. FTOP razz was more reasonable at 400, but its was a $300 buy-in. so I guess I can continue to fool myself a while longer.
Working on my game going into the final training stretch before Vegas. My results in the last 6 months are all over the place, and yet I am playing incredibly well as of late.
How many of you have lost to QUADS 3 times in 2 weeks?
"thought I'd something more to say..."
Monday, May 11, 2009
Recovering from a brutal beat
When you play in a tournament, a big tournament, you are focused on making good decisions. But in the end, there is a fundamental difference from the smaller tournaments you will play. In the big tournaments, results DO matter. Its a tad ironic that you got hear by remembering the mantra, "decisions not results".
So you train, practice and study making good decisions. You analyze every mistake. Then you walk into the big tournament and you know what? Fish start jumping out of the water and into your boat. It's what you trained for. You feel great. And then an early setback.
Have a sample:
Seat 1: WidowJack (3,625)
Seat 2: boyana05 (8,553)
Seat 3: donkurchips2me (2,947)
Seat 4: rhe041 (2,615)
Seat 5: MrHeuvel (2,965)
Seat 6: Gabyleviking (2,080)
Seat 7: columbo (4,995)
Seat 8: koikoi1 (2,095)
Seat 9: HevvyDevvy (10,160)
rhe041 posts the small blind of 25
MrHeuvel posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [9h 9c]
Gabyleviking calls 50
columbo raises to 150
koikoi1 folds
HevvyDevvy folds
WidowJack folds
boyana05 calls 150
donkurchips2me folds
rhe041 folds
MrHeuvel calls 100
Gabyleviking calls 100
*** FLOP *** [6d Js 9s]
MrHeuvel checks
Gabyleviking bets 500 (top pair, probably AJ)
columbo raises to 1,000
boyana05 folds
MrHeuvel folds
Gabyleviking has 15 seconds left to act
Gabyleviking raises to 1,930, and is all in
columbo calls 930
Gabyleviking shows [Jd Ks]
columbo shows [9h 9c]
*** TURN *** [6d Js 9s] [Kd]
*** RIVER *** [6d Js 9s Kd] [Jc]
Gabyleviking shows a full house, Jacks full of Kings
Not just a full house mind you, a runner-runner bad beat.
My above average stack is now reduced to a starting stack and I am forced to stare into space, a gaping hole in my face where my jaw was.
We have ALL been there. But what is important is that I am "down but not out". Chip-and-a-chair cliche' moved aside by a Monty Python, "I'm not dead yet".
Chris Ferguson once said that one of the biggest differences between an amateur and a pro is how quickly the amateur will shift to all-in hope-and-a-prayer poker after his stack suffers a big loss. Again, we've all been there.
So how do we soldier on? Here is what I do.
First off, If I get knocked out, I think of it this way. "It took runner-runner to take me out". (or on Sunday, "it took a 3 outer to take me out".) It's not a bad beat story. Its a testament to how lucky someone has to get to outplay you. The "how" is irrelevant. 'It took QUADS to knock me out.' Not that is a statement.
If I did NOT get knocked out, then its usually a call to arms. I am not going to sit idly by and watch my stack dwindle. oh no! You have unleashed pain upon the table my friend. You thought I raised a lot before? The pots just got bigger because I'll take a bit more volatility now! And I will bet into you after the flop like a kamikaze pilot. The reality is that I will start to do that, but slowly shift back down after the image is established or I get some chips back. Then I am going to try and stack someone even if it means getting my money in on Middle Pair with a solid redraw. Once I reach average again, its back to my regular game plan.
One last thing. I never, ever get into a discussion at the table in an attempt to justify my play. The best you are going to get from me is a shrug. I can not be rattled. I'll even say that to myself. "these guys are not good enough to tilt me. They might be bad enough to tilt me..."
Its true in many ways that its harder to get through minefield of fish than a sea of pros. But is there anything more satisfying that watching that idiot who luck-boxed away with your chips go broke while you are still sitting there and get to watch him walk to the rail? If you are going to wage a comeback and you have some volatility, you may have to win a race. Or worse, win from behind. So be it.
All the more satisfying when some player who read a chapter on small ball lets you get there on the turn and river to 2-pair his TP weak kicker. He'll tell me how bad that play was. And I'll shrug. Because after all, he's half right!
Its funny that I feel stupid writing this post. I mean, I have the urge to just delete it. Sometimes when I read it, I feel like I am explaining cooking my favorite dish to a chef. But I want to be able to go back and read this post later. Because one day, I might need to learn this again. There is only so much beating a person can take before they require some solace.
So you train, practice and study making good decisions. You analyze every mistake. Then you walk into the big tournament and you know what? Fish start jumping out of the water and into your boat. It's what you trained for. You feel great. And then an early setback.
Have a sample:
Seat 1: WidowJack (3,625)
Seat 2: boyana05 (8,553)
Seat 3: donkurchips2me (2,947)
Seat 4: rhe041 (2,615)
Seat 5: MrHeuvel (2,965)
Seat 6: Gabyleviking (2,080)
Seat 7: columbo (4,995)
Seat 8: koikoi1 (2,095)
Seat 9: HevvyDevvy (10,160)
rhe041 posts the small blind of 25
MrHeuvel posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [9h 9c]
Gabyleviking calls 50
columbo raises to 150
koikoi1 folds
HevvyDevvy folds
WidowJack folds
boyana05 calls 150
donkurchips2me folds
rhe041 folds
MrHeuvel calls 100
Gabyleviking calls 100
*** FLOP *** [6d Js 9s]
MrHeuvel checks
Gabyleviking bets 500 (top pair, probably AJ)
columbo raises to 1,000
boyana05 folds
MrHeuvel folds
Gabyleviking has 15 seconds left to act
Gabyleviking raises to 1,930, and is all in
columbo calls 930
Gabyleviking shows [Jd Ks]
columbo shows [9h 9c]
*** TURN *** [6d Js 9s] [Kd]
*** RIVER *** [6d Js 9s Kd] [Jc]
Gabyleviking shows a full house, Jacks full of Kings
Not just a full house mind you, a runner-runner bad beat.
My above average stack is now reduced to a starting stack and I am forced to stare into space, a gaping hole in my face where my jaw was.
We have ALL been there. But what is important is that I am "down but not out". Chip-and-a-chair cliche' moved aside by a Monty Python, "I'm not dead yet".
Chris Ferguson once said that one of the biggest differences between an amateur and a pro is how quickly the amateur will shift to all-in hope-and-a-prayer poker after his stack suffers a big loss. Again, we've all been there.
So how do we soldier on? Here is what I do.
First off, If I get knocked out, I think of it this way. "It took runner-runner to take me out". (or on Sunday, "it took a 3 outer to take me out".) It's not a bad beat story. Its a testament to how lucky someone has to get to outplay you. The "how" is irrelevant. 'It took QUADS to knock me out.' Not that is a statement.
If I did NOT get knocked out, then its usually a call to arms. I am not going to sit idly by and watch my stack dwindle. oh no! You have unleashed pain upon the table my friend. You thought I raised a lot before? The pots just got bigger because I'll take a bit more volatility now! And I will bet into you after the flop like a kamikaze pilot. The reality is that I will start to do that, but slowly shift back down after the image is established or I get some chips back. Then I am going to try and stack someone even if it means getting my money in on Middle Pair with a solid redraw. Once I reach average again, its back to my regular game plan.
One last thing. I never, ever get into a discussion at the table in an attempt to justify my play. The best you are going to get from me is a shrug. I can not be rattled. I'll even say that to myself. "these guys are not good enough to tilt me. They might be bad enough to tilt me..."
Its true in many ways that its harder to get through minefield of fish than a sea of pros. But is there anything more satisfying that watching that idiot who luck-boxed away with your chips go broke while you are still sitting there and get to watch him walk to the rail? If you are going to wage a comeback and you have some volatility, you may have to win a race. Or worse, win from behind. So be it.
All the more satisfying when some player who read a chapter on small ball lets you get there on the turn and river to 2-pair his TP weak kicker. He'll tell me how bad that play was. And I'll shrug. Because after all, he's half right!
Its funny that I feel stupid writing this post. I mean, I have the urge to just delete it. Sometimes when I read it, I feel like I am explaining cooking my favorite dish to a chef. But I want to be able to go back and read this post later. Because one day, I might need to learn this again. There is only so much beating a person can take before they require some solace.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
"I run bad" Hall of fame first ballot
Think it can't happen TWICE IN ONE WEEK?!?!?? THINK AGAIN!
Full Tilt Poker Game #12066319284: $34,000 Guarantee (90177637), Table 102 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:14:47 ET - 2009/05/06
Seat 1: bego82 (3,068)
Seat 2: stockpig (45,260)
Seat 3: pokerpro109 (52,675)
Seat 4: Guitarhero10 (25,418)
Seat 5: Lefty_wAAs (18,919)
Seat 6: nemo_fr (31,048)
Seat 7: columbo (18,347)
Seat 8: Gregtzky85 (11,408)
Seat 9: miski (19,624)
bego82 antes 125
stockpig antes 125
pokerpro109 antes 125
Guitarhero10 antes 125
Lefty_wAAs antes 125
nemo_fr antes 125
columbo antes 125
Gregtzky85 antes 125
miski antes 125
stockpig posts the small blind of 500
pokerpro109 posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [Js Jh]
Guitarhero10 folds
Lefty_wAAs raises to 2,000
nemo_fr folds
columbo calls 2,000
This guy was hard to figure out on bet sizes, but often came in light and tried to buy it post flop.
Gregtzky85 folds
miski folds
bego82 folds
stockpig folds
pokerpro109 calls 1,000 (big stack, almost exact same note)
*** FLOP *** [9d 3h 6d] (not bad at all!)
pokerpro109 checks
(10-1 lefty bets here)
Lefty_wAAs has 15 seconds left to act
Lefty_wAAs bets 7,625
columbo raises to 16,222, and is all in SWEET
pokerpro109 folds SWEETER
Lefty_wAAs calls 8,597
columbo shows [Js Jh]
Lefty_wAAs shows [8h 8c]
SWEETEST!!!!! So many chips!
*** TURN *** [9d 3h 6d] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [9d 3h 6d 8s] [8d]
columbo shows two pair, Jacks and Eights
Lefty_wAAs shows four of a kind, Eights
Lefty_wAAs wins the pot (40,069) with four of a kind, Eights
columbo stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
YOU RUN BAD. HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED THAT YET? GO HOME NOW.
Full Tilt Poker Game #12066319284: $34,000 Guarantee (90177637), Table 102 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:14:47 ET - 2009/05/06
Seat 1: bego82 (3,068)
Seat 2: stockpig (45,260)
Seat 3: pokerpro109 (52,675)
Seat 4: Guitarhero10 (25,418)
Seat 5: Lefty_wAAs (18,919)
Seat 6: nemo_fr (31,048)
Seat 7: columbo (18,347)
Seat 8: Gregtzky85 (11,408)
Seat 9: miski (19,624)
bego82 antes 125
stockpig antes 125
pokerpro109 antes 125
Guitarhero10 antes 125
Lefty_wAAs antes 125
nemo_fr antes 125
columbo antes 125
Gregtzky85 antes 125
miski antes 125
stockpig posts the small blind of 500
pokerpro109 posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to columbo [Js Jh]
Guitarhero10 folds
Lefty_wAAs raises to 2,000
nemo_fr folds
columbo calls 2,000
This guy was hard to figure out on bet sizes, but often came in light and tried to buy it post flop.
Gregtzky85 folds
miski folds
bego82 folds
stockpig folds
pokerpro109 calls 1,000 (big stack, almost exact same note)
*** FLOP *** [9d 3h 6d] (not bad at all!)
pokerpro109 checks
(10-1 lefty bets here)
Lefty_wAAs has 15 seconds left to act
Lefty_wAAs bets 7,625
columbo raises to 16,222, and is all in SWEET
pokerpro109 folds SWEETER
Lefty_wAAs calls 8,597
columbo shows [Js Jh]
Lefty_wAAs shows [8h 8c]
SWEETEST!!!!! So many chips!
*** TURN *** [9d 3h 6d] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [9d 3h 6d 8s] [8d]
columbo shows two pair, Jacks and Eights
Lefty_wAAs shows four of a kind, Eights
Lefty_wAAs wins the pot (40,069) with four of a kind, Eights
columbo stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
YOU RUN BAD. HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED THAT YET? GO HOME NOW.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)