... Almost. This poor guy (imthothor). He's been playing relatively tight. VP$P about 25% at a full table. Max buy-in is $25, he has $47. I have a $21 after buying in for $10. I've been playing pretty straight forward Tight aggressive. I jumped back up to the .10/.25 recently, after spending some time at the .05/.10. One difference between the two is "players/flop." At the lowest limit, you can easily find 45% at a full table. People just messing around. Jump up one level and that drops down to about 25%-30%. I jumped into this table because it had the high side of 33%. It had a lower # of hands which meant it wasn't a short handed table that just filled up.
So I've been at the table for about an hour. Doubled my buy-in plus some (had about 25). I decide to call it a night, but then decide to play one more round. What do I do? I loosen up a bit. And I blow through some cash. I play a hand in late position and flop a set of 2s in the SB, no action. Very next hand, AA. No action. Tilting a bit since I'm down about 4 bucks. I decide to play one more round again. A mistake since I know I'm tilting a little.
I'm dealt A9 in the BB and just check with 2 other players in the pot. Flop is K96. I Bet it and take it. Get 22 in SB again, but it gets checked down. A Bet on the river and I fold. THen in late position, this hand comes up.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5246646390: Table Pacific Palisades - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:56:51 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: Unimpressed ($21.30)
Seat 2: MAGTF ($14.40)
Seat 3: Muckaroo ($23.50)
Seat 4: Andy I ($7.95)
Seat 5: imthothor ($47.10)
Seat 6: MiStErZYX ($10.95)
Seat 7: Nick Acree ($7.75)
Seat 8: JDEBUCH23 ($14.40)
Seat 9: romadolce ($25)
Andy I posts the small blind of $0.10
imthothor posts the big blind of $0.25
5 seconds left to act
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [7d 9d]
MiStErZYX folds
Nick Acree folds
JDEBUCH23 folds
Unimpressed raises to $0.85 -Might as well try. I was kicking myself when I made this raise. Not horrible, since it folded to me, but why get out of line?
MAGTF folds
Muckaroo folds
Andy I has 15 seconds left to act
Andy I folds
imthothor raises to $1.45 -Min raise- tight player, I should let this go. He probably has something, he hasn't gotten out of line. I'm thinking to myself, FOLD FOLD.
Unimpressed calls $0.60 -Why? Not sure. I wish I could think of a reason, but I can't.
*** FLOP *** [9c 9h Ts] -GIN!!!
imthothor bets $1 -continuation bet.
Unimpressed raises to $6 -At least I get something
imthothor raises to $45.65, and is all in -WOW! For a split second, I'm thinking he's going to show A9 (though I know he wouldn't re-raise me with that). But I know I can't fold.
Unimpressed calls $13.85, and is all in -I know it FTP is going to show A9 or TT to teach me a lesson- don't call raises with crap hands!
imthothor shows [Kd Ks] - WOOT!!!
Unimpressed shows [7d 9d]
Uncalled bet of $25.80 returned to imthothor
*** TURN *** [9c 9h Ts] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [9c 9h Ts 2h] [Ac]
imthothor shows two pair, Kings and Nines
Unimpressed shows three of a kind, Nines
Unimpressed wins the pot ($40.60) with three of a kind, Nines
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $42.70 Rake $2.10
Board: [9c 9h Ts 2h Ac]
Seat 1: Unimpressed showed [7d 9d] and won ($40.60) with three of a kind, Nines
Seat 2: MAGTF didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Muckaroo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Andy I (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: imthothor (big blind) showed [Kd Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Nines
Seat 6: MiStErZYX didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Nick Acree didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: JDEBUCH23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: romadolce is sitting out
Full Tilt once again rewards the donkeys!
I feel bad for imthothor. He lost about half his stack he had been building up playing solid poker. Eight hands later, he loses AQ to AK on an AKx board. He went from $45 to $.60. Ouch.
He managed to build it back up to 8. Then lost a big pot again, when he called a raise from the guy on his right with 33. Flop was Q7Q. Raisor bet out the minimum and imthothor re-raised to almost 3 bucks basically putting the guy all in. He calls (all but $.20). River is an 8. All the money goes in, the guy had A8. Loses 1/2 his stack. He's finally sent home, tilty. Limps with 22, that gets raised to 1 then re-raised to 3. imthothor called all-in, and is up against JJ.
Sometimes it's not your night. It may have seemed like mine, but after failing to cash in 2 11+1 turbo SnGs, I profit about $5.00 for the night.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
I Almost Feel Bad...
Nice Improvement.
We got it all in on the flop. I took the lead on the turn and took the super lead on the river.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
The Next Rounders?
This actually looks like a good (funny) poker movie.
The Grand.
via: Wicked Chops Poker
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
I May Suck At Poker...
...But I can fold Jacks like a pro.
Twice I've let them go this week preflop.
The first time was with two people raising and re-raising ahead of me. KK vs QQ.
The second time, a loose player raises 3x UTG, a tight player Re-raises to 3x that, UTG+2. I have JJ and am next to act. I think, then fold. Folds around to UTG who calls.
Flop is 7A7. Both check. I smell it there.
Turn is a J. Even at this point, I'm confident it was a good fold. UTG+1 bets out 1/2 the pot. UTG calls.
River is a 4. UTG+1 bets half the pot, the UTG folds and sure enough, UTG+1 shows AA.
Did I mention I'm ecstatic that the PATRIOTS LOST!!!!! SUCK IT!!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
That's Right!!!!
There is only ONE Perfect Season!
Tonight was the only highlight this season for a Dolphins Fan.
ReBuilding
Just call me Tilty McTilterson.
I blew up last night. Completely. I had about $135 in my account last night. I was playing in a .10/.25 NL short handed game. I may have had 2 at once. No biggie. I lose a buy in (I usually buy in for $10 instead of the $25 max- because of my bankroll). I'm building another buy-in up. I'm about back to even. I get into a hand and lose it to this guy: H0ll4nD C4s1n0. Next thing I know he's gone. This annoyed me and set me on tilt.... why? I don't know.
So I search for him. I find him. In Spades. He is multi-tabling about 10-12 tables. All .10/.25 NLSH. I sit down to him, and lose a buy-in. I see he's playing standard for a multi-tabler. If he comes in, it's for a raise EVERY TIME and there's almost always a continuation bet. Now if he's raising he can have anything from A9 up including double face cards. And I keep losing to him. I'm finally at a table where's he's immediately on my left. I pick up QQ in the SB. I know that if I limp he'll raise. I limp. He raises. I re-raise, he pushes, I call. KK.
I'm now sitting in a $6.50 SnG and playing one final table. I'm playing well. H0ll4nD C4s1n0 is across the table from me. I'm not avoiding him, but I'm not getting involved with him unless I have a hand. I even won one off of him. This hand arises:
Full Tilt Poker Game #5047150861: Table Richard (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:05:08 ET - 2008/01/29
Seat 1: NittnyLion25 ($8.25)
Seat 2: deegs85 ($25)
Seat 3: Unimpressed ($37.45)
Seat 4: Thorzgirl ($6.75)
Seat 5: kiloali ($38.50)
Seat 6: H0ll4nD C4s1n0 ($44.10)
Thorzgirl posts the small blind of $0.10
kiloali posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [Ts Ks]
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 has 15 seconds left to act
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 raises to $1
NittnyLion25 folds
Unimpressed calls $1 - I'm in position- I'll take a flop.
Thorzgirl folds
kiloali folds
*** FLOP *** [3s 4c 7s]
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 bets $1.70
Unimpressed calls $1.70 - Let me hit something, please.
*** TURN *** [3s 4c 7s] [6d]
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 bets $3.70
Unimpressed calls $3.70 - should have folded, but I thought, if I hit, I might be able to get his stack.
*** RIVER *** [3s 4c 7s 6d] [5c] - nuts! Straight on the board, I missed
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 bets $37.70, and is all in
Unimpressed calls $31.05, and is all in - NOT GOING TO PUSH ME OFF A HAND!
Uncalled bet of $6.65 returned to H0ll4nD C4s1n0
*** SHOW DOWN ***
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 shows [8c 8h] a straight, Eight high - I'm an idiot.
Unimpressed mucks
H0ll4nD C4s1n0 wins the pot ($72.25) with a straight, Eight high
Unimpressed is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $75.25 Rake $3
Board: [3s 4c 7s 6d 5c]
Seat 1: NittnyLion25 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: deegs85 is sitting out
Seat 3: Unimpressed (button) mucked [Ts Ks] - a straight, Seven high
Seat 4: Thorzgirl (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: kiloali (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: H0ll4nD C4s1n0 showed [8c 8h] and won ($72.25) with a straight, Eight high
There was no reason to lose all that. If you look at all of my hand histories last night, each table I was at, it ended with H0ll4nD C4s1n0 busting me.
The only saving grace, was that I won my SnG at the end of the night to recover some.
Tonight I rebuilt a little. I played one table, and won a buy-in and a half. But in 3 SnGs, I finished 3-7-7 for a small loss. Still my win was bigger than my loss. I'm done for the night. No Mookie for me.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
A Roller Coaster
Played in a lot of tournaments tonight.
Katitude's Donkament
$75 Token Frenzy
$28,000 Guaranteed
$26 Token Frenzy
I'm down for the night if you count them all, but I did use a token to enter the 28k.
The $75 Token tournament, I made a poor move when, I had plenty of chips to wait for a hand, but in the big blind I had a 3 in my hand. flop came A3A. There wasn't much action. Turn was a J and the river was a 2. In the end i tried to make a big hero call (had done it earlier in the 28k), but he had an ace. I lost a good amount of chips and couldn't regain any footing.
The $26 Token tourney, I don't even remember what happened there. I think with both Token tournaments, I stopped playing them like a super sattelite and chose not to wait for big hands, even when I could.
The 28k, well, that was fun. I managed to go deep. 1403 and I finished 416. I got super lucky early on with this hand.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4911647690: $28,000 Guarantee (36637157), Table 6 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:10:59 ET - 2008/01/18
Seat 1: angiesman10 (8,433)
Seat 2: Archable (1,519)
Seat 3: kalterrell (4,410)
Seat 4: Unimpressed (4,581)
Seat 5: oceansbluetwou (4,170)
Seat 6: Anniebets (4,235)
Seat 7: Bennat75 (8,181), is sitting out
Seat 8: GR sucks (2,956)
Seat 9: jwerk (6,695)
kalterrell posts the small blind of 60
Unimpressed posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [5s 5d]
oceansbluetwou folds
Anniebets folds
Bennat75 folds
GR sucks folds
jwerk raises to 360
angiesman10 folds
Archable folds
kalterrell folds
Unimpressed calls 240
*** FLOP *** [Jc Js 4h]
Unimpressed checks
jwerk bets 400
Unimpressed raises to 1,560n - I put him on a steal attempt for some reason.
jwerk has 15 seconds left to act
jwerk has requested TIME
jwerk calls 1,160
*** TURN *** [Jc Js 4h] [3s]
Unimpressed bets 2,661, and is all in - decided to go with my read.
jwerk calls 2,661
Unimpressed shows [5s 5d]
jwerk shows [Jd Kh] - Started to think I my read was wrong (this is a reoccurring theme tonight)
*** RIVER *** [Jc Js 4h 3s] [5c] - Given a reprieve.
Unimpressed shows a full house, Fives full of Jacks
jwerk shows three of a kind, Jacks
Unimpressed wins the pot (9,222) with a full house, Fives full of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9,222 Rake 0
Board: [Jc Js 4h 3s 5c]
Seat 1: angiesman10 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Archable (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: kalterrell (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Unimpressed (big blind) showed [5s 5d] and won (9,222) with a full house, Fives full of Jacks
Seat 5: oceansbluetwou didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Anniebets didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Bennat75 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: GR sucks didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: jwerk showed [Jd Kh] and lost with three of a kind, Jacks
I then started to change my play there. I had enough chips to not go nuts. I stay around the 9k mark, until my final hand.
I had Q8 in a blind. The flop comes, I believe 8Tx, no betting the flop, a Q comes on the turn giving me two pair. We get it all in and my opponent shows T8, but rivers a T for a boat. Too bad, I was feeling good too.
Must of my focus was on Katitudes Donakament. I won this a few months back and wanted to do well. I started off OK, but then had to re-buy. In the end, I rebought 5 times (for a total investment of $7.00). The rebuy period ended and I was 2nd or 3rd in chips. I chose not to add on.
I made it to the final table with a decent stack (in re-buys there is a lot of play towards the end). However, I lose some pots and I'm down to about 10k with 6 people left.
I find KQ UTG and put in a raise to $3,400.
It folds to Fishiswa who pushes all in for 27k.
I think for a few moments, but then decide, if he's pushing when an UTG raises, I'm dead.
He said he pushed because he figured I was pot-committed, and he had AA. Good laydown Unimpressed.
Still 6 handed, a few minutes later. Prior to this there is a LOT of button/cutoff raising to steal blinds. My big blind is constantly being stolen.
Seat 1: MiamiDon (14,783)
Seat 2: Fishiswa (29,723)
Seat 3: BuddyDank (23,883)
Seat 4: Unimpressed (15,930)
Seat 5: surflexus (26,096)
Seat 9: Joshuacarlsen (63,085)
MiamiDon antes 100
Fishiswa antes 100
BuddyDank antes 100
Unimpressed antes 100
surflexus antes 100
Joshuacarlsen antes 100
BuddyDank posts the small blind of 400
Unimpressed posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [Ad 3d]
surflexus folds
Joshuacarlsen folds
MiamiDon raises to 2,200 - I'm tried of my blinds being stolen and figured he's on a steal. He needs chips.
Fishiswa folds
BuddyDank folds
Unimpressed calls 1,400 - No need to go nuts, let's try to hit a flop.
*** FLOP *** [Qd Ah 3s] - DING, DING, DING!
Unimpressed checks
MiamiDon bets 3,200
Unimpressed raises to 6,400 - Let's see if he's just continuation betting. I've got to be good
MiamiDon: damn
MiamiDon: ggl
MiamiDon has 15 seconds left to act
MiamiDon raises to 12,483, and is all in - Excellent, please don't have AQ, please don't have AQ.
Unimpressed calls 6,083
MiamiDon shows [As 7s] - Guess he wasn't on a steal. Another wrong read.
Unimpressed shows [Ad 3d]
*** TURN *** [Qd Ah 3s] [5s] - RUH ROH!
*** RIVER *** [Qd Ah 3s 5s] [3c] - Whew!
MiamiDon shows two pair, Aces and Threes
Unimpressed shows a full house, Threes full of Aces
Unimpressed wins the pot (30,366) with a full house, Threes full of Aces
MiamiDon stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30,366 Rake 0
Board: [Qd Ah 3s 5s 3c]
Seat 1: MiamiDon showed [As 7s] and lost with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 2: Fishiswa (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: BuddyDank (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Unimpressed (big blind) showed [Ad 3d] and won (30,366) with a full house, Threes full of Aces
Seat 5: surflexus folded before the Flop
Seat 9: Joshuacarlsen folded before the Flop
This was a weird hand, badly play by me.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4912022430: Friday Nite Blogger Donkament (36631720), Table 3 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:45:18 ET - 2008/01/18
Seat 2: Fishiswa (45,298)
Seat 3: BuddyDank (36,916)
Seat 4: Unimpressed (32,088)
Seat 5: surflexus (17,221)
Seat 9: Joshuacarlsen (41,977)
Fishiswa antes 125
BuddyDank antes 125
Unimpressed antes 125
surflexus antes 125
Joshuacarlsen antes 125
Unimpressed posts the small blind of 500
surflexus posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [Js Td]
Joshuacarlsen folds
Fishiswa folds
BuddyDank folds
Unimpressed calls 500
surflexus checks
*** FLOP *** [8s 9h Jd]
Unimpressed checks
surflexus checks
*** TURN *** [8s 9h Jd] [Kd]
Unimpressed checks
surflexus checks
*** RIVER *** [8s 9h Jd Kd] [7d] - I believe at this point, I took my beat that knocked me out of the 28k, so I was annoyed. I didn't even see the straight.
Unimpressed checks
surflexus bets 2,000
Unimpressed calls 2,000 - I suddenly see the straight and quickly, without thinking much, I call. I probably should have put in a raise, but there was the chance that he hit his flush since there was no action after the flop and turn. I don't think I would have folded, and I probably could have gotten more chips.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [7s 9s] two pair, Nines and Sevens
Unimpressed shows [Js Td] a straight, Jack high
Unimpressed wins the pot (6,625) with a straight, Jack high
I busted Joshuacarlsen when I pushed (and it was a big push despite being 2nd short stack) from the button with A4. Joshuacarlsen, in the BB quickly calls and shows A7. I flop a 4 and bust him.
In the final hand, I have one more instance of BAD read.
Blinds are 800/1600/200.
In the BB I have 9sTc
Fishiswa, the big stack and very aggressive raises to 4800 from the button.
To defend my blind I call.
Flop comes Qc-8c-3d. I flop a gutshot.
Fishiswa bets out 9,600. - I'm figuring he's missed and is trying to be a big stack bully, so I push back at him.
Once again, I'm wrong and he flips over QJ for top pair. I don't hit my gutshot and I go home in third.
Fishiswa has a huge stack and eventually finishes off BuddyDank.
I make a small amount on the tournamnet. From a cash bankroll point of view I made a *small* profit, but I lose a token which brings the overall to a loss.
Kat's Donkament is a lot of fun, especially early in the re-buy period. Overall, I had fun playing poker.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
OK, OK, I still play bad.
I want to win a blogger event, so I played in last night's Riverchasers event. And by "played" I mean sucked! I played a LAP style. Loose and Passive. I limped in with such crap and was constantly folding. I threw in a continuation bet, but it never got respect. To the point where everyone knew that if I bet, on the flop, to re-raise me and I'd fold. It was bad, bad play. I busted 50th out of 59.
During thte tournament, I decided to play a few 11+1 Turbo SnGs. I don't mind my play in them, but that's only because I had no playable hands. In one I went out in 9th, when I pushed my QQ into AA. I don't mind it, but it bothers me that I felt like he had AA. One guy bet out, I raised, the guy with AA re-reraised, and the original bettor folded. I had a feeling this guy had AA. So I just called. Honestly, I was hoping for an A or a K to hit the board to release this. But in a turbo format, you have to play your big hands. The flop was J high and I was first to act. I pushed hoping he had Ax, but knowing it was unlikely and he called.
The other SnGs I never got playable hands and had to push with marginal hands. That's how it goes.
After busting out of Riverchasers, I opened up a .10/.25 Short-handed table. I was playing tight. I bought in for $10, and folded to about $6.50. When I got AA UTG. I raised to $.85, the player to my right re-raised to $2.25, it folded back to me- I min raised $4.50, he pushed, I called. He had QQ. I doubled up. The very next hand in the BB I'm dealt AA again, unfortunately it folds to me and I get a walk. The next hand, in the SB, I get 9Ts. There's a limper, I called and BB checks (he was the guy with QQ). Flop comes 996. I bet, he re-pops me, limper folds, and I push. He calls showing the 96. I'm busto.
In the end, I go from $187 to about $130. It looks like I'm back down a SnG level to the 6.50 SnGs and lower. I'll probably stick with the .10/.25 game, only because I REALLY hate the .05/.10.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
2 Nights In A Row
I had two winning nights in a row.
Monday night: I made about a buyin and a half ($15) in cash games, and I won an 11+1 Turbo SnG for almost $50. That cash helped since I blew $25 in rebuys @ a $5.50+rebuy sattelite for FTOPS VII Event 10. It only had 30 players. With rebuys and add ons there was cash as well as a seat. Top 5 paid. After the add on I had to come in 4th to show a $2 profit. I made it to the final table and managed to get a big stack, but made a questionable call on a re-raise with pocket 6s. My opponent had QQ. And I became short stacked. I salvaged my chips but ended up going out in 7th.
Tonight: Another successful profitable night. I made just under 1 buy-in at the cash game and placed second in a 11+1 turbo SnG.
I was just slightly under my buy-in at the cash game, when, in the SnG, I took a slightly bad beat. I raised to 1.10 from the button with AQoff. The cutoff (who had just sat down a couple of hands ago) raises to 3. At that precise moment, in the SnG I take a slight beat. I switch back to the cash game and since I don't know how the SB plays, I call. the flop is all hearts and I have two overs and the Qh. The SB pushes and I out of tiltiness call. I turn a heart and almost double my buy-in. I then simple tread water for a few rounds, before sitting out without losing much more.
I sit out because I'm doing well in the SnG now. The blinds are astronomical and I took a couple of bad beats (domination situations) and am crippled. I managed to battle back and take a chip lead. We get to heads up, I lose the chip lead to a beat, then push with my next hand and am dominated, but take 2nd.
I'm up to about 180 from my 100 deposit. Plus I still have the $26 token. I decided not to play in the Hoy last night. Maybe next week.
I'm thinking about diversifying and throwing $50 on Pokerstars. Maybe I should leave the money on FTP for a cushion.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
Weekend Wrapup
I had a good day on the virtual felt this weekend. Saturday my daughter was sick so she just sat on the couch and watched TV. I sat on the chaise and fired up the laptop and hopped into a couple of SnGs. I played a 90player 3.30 Knockout Tourney. My first one. At the same time I played a 54-person 5.50 SnG.
I got very lucky in both of them late. I got severely short stacked in both, at about the same time. In the Knockout, I had a little more than the BB and didn't get any good hands until I was in the BB and tripled up. Then I got hit with the deck and with in 15 minutes took the chip lead going into the final table.
In the 54 person tourney, I wasn't as low, but at the same time, started getting hit with the deck and made it to the final table with the 2nd largest stack. I then played a hand poorly and busted out in 5th or 4th for about $15.
I managed to take down the 90 person SnG and for $72.00. The final hand:
Blinds 3000/6000 w/ 750 ante.
I have 15,4670 to my opponents 115,330.
I have Ad4s, and hit my four on a flop of 4h-2c-Jh. We got it all in on the flop and he had flush draw with Kh9h. He didn't improve and I took down the hand.
At the same time, I'm learning to play at limits I'm comfortable with. I'm OK throwing $10 into a .10/.25 (even 20 if I lose a buy-in) NL ring or short handed game. And if I play smart I can win. But I'll try to jump up to a .25/.50 NL short-handed game, and am too worried about losing that buy-in in relation to my bankroll. Yesterday I made almost $40 at my .10/.25 table after losing $20 the day before at .25/.50. Right now I think .10/.25 is my comfort zone. Maybe I'll jump up if I make it to about $200 bankroll.
Currently I'm about about $130 but I also won a $26 token, which I may use for the Hoy tonight (to try to take care of my Blogger tournament win goal).
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
Tonight's Mookie
I played in the Mookie tonight.
I'm no closer to any of my goals.
I sat out the first few hands and somehow won a pot. Then I sat down and I bled about 1000 chips. I don't feel horribly for doing so. I felt I lost the minimum on a couple of hands. Top pair, good kicker, I ended up checking the river in position, my opponent had Aces. Another hand I flopped top pair with 3 clubs. I turned an two pair, and checked the river to allow my opponent to put in a small bed. I called and he had KQ of clubs.
Basically I was a lot less willing to put my chips in with marginal hands. In the end I go out in a coin flip.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4802454066: The Mookie (35911825), Table 7 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:44:22 ET - 2008/01/09
Seat 1: PirateLawyer (7,300)
Seat 2: Donkey Shortz (5,145)
Seat 4: corron10 (2,715)
Seat 5: GCox25 (2,625)
Seat 6: cubanlinks (2,415)
Seat 7: JoeSpeaker (4,980)
Seat 8: Unimpressed (1,730)
Seat 9: Maudie (2,890)
Unimpressed posts the small blind of 40
Maudie posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [Qs Qh]
PirateLawyer folds
Maudie: thankyou
Donkey Shortz raises to 280
PirateLawyer: np
corron10 folds
GCox25 folds
PirateLawyer: least I could do
cubanlinks folds
PirateLawyer: i hate AQ
JoeSpeaker calls 280
Unimpressed raises to 1,730, and is all in
PirateLawyer: TT?
Maudie has 15 seconds left to act
Maudie folds
Donkey Shortz folds
JoeSpeaker calls 1,450
Unimpressed shows [Qs Qh]
JoeSpeaker shows [Ah Kc]
*** FLOP *** [Tc 7d Th]
*** TURN *** [Tc 7d Th] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [Tc 7d Th Ks] [7s]
Unimpressed shows two pair, Queens and Tens
JoeSpeaker shows two pair, Kings and Tens
JoeSpeaker wins the pot (3,820) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Unimpressed stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,820 Rake 0
Board: [Tc 7d Th Ks 7s]
Seat 1: PirateLawyer didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Donkey Shortz folded before the Flop
Seat 4: corron10 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: GCox25 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: cubanlinks didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: JoeSpeaker (button) showed [Ah Kc] and won (3,820) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Seat 8: Unimpressed (small blind) showed [Qs Qh] and lost with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 9: Maudie (big blind) folded before the Flop
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
ESPN Poker Edge
I listen to ESPN's Poker Edge, more out of nostalgia, than anything else. When I first starting following poker, I really liked Phil Gordon. I still do, don't get me wrong, I find him entertaining, but that's about it. Usually his podcast is short so, I can find sometime to listen to it. Right now he's going through the H.O.R.S.E games and having other pros on to talk about the games.
The week of 1/3 (mp3) he had Barry Greenstein on to talk about Stud 8 or Better. While it was short (Barry mentioned Dawn Summers by "name" at the 5:40 mark), I felt it somewhat useful. But more interestingly, he had a long discussion about Chip Reese and his multi-accounting on Full Tilt. He wasn't doing it to enter tournaments, but because he'd play so well that people would be afraid to play him and he'd have to create a new account (often giving his old account to a family member).
It was an interesting podcast, and adds more fuel to the fire about what's against the rules and what's not in the online poker world. You should take a moment to listen to it.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
A Look Foward
Just like everyone else, I'm going to put down my thoughts on what I want to do/change in 2008.
First off, something non poker/blogging related. I mentioned it in an earlier post:
**Lose Weight. I need to drop about 50 pounds, and I want to do that in the new year. I have a "bet" going with my father-in-law, whoever loses the most (we're the same weight and he's about a foot and a half short than I), treats the other to a night in Foxwoods. Basically it's a bet I can't lose since I can't afford to pay for a night at Foxwoods.
Now I'll switch gears and move over to the poker/blogger items.
**Get More From Poker Books. I've only a few:
- Winning Low Limit Poker by Lee Jones
- Real Deal by Phil Gordon (also known as the "Little Black Book")
- Harrington on Hold'em: Volume 1 by Dan Harrington
- Read 'Em and Reap by Joe Navarro
- Super System 2 by Doyle Brunson (basically just the NLHE section)
Now to get more out of those, I definitely need to read some of those again, but I'll just focus on Navarro's, Harrington's and Super System (maybe even Lee Jones' book if I start playing limit online). I also intend on purchasing and reading two more:
- Harrington on Hold'em: Volume 2 (and 3)
- The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition
One of the problems I have with reading is that I prefer fiction, so many times, I lose interest in some of the poker books.
Now onto the poker side of thing. First, for something NEW.
**Sit at a Live Cash Game, that's NOT only Texas Hold 'em- If I get to Vegas this will probably be easier. Most mixed games at Foxwoods are beyond my limits. The most likely opportunity is a 1-3 or 1-5 Stud game.
**Play at a Casino/Card room that's NOT Foxwoods- I put this on there, because like every year, I'll be in Florida and there are plenty of card rooms there. The family will also be returning to St. Louis for vacation and I might be able to hit one of those casinos.
This is the key, the main purpose of 2008.
**Improve My Play. Like most people, I want to improve my play, partially by reading (see above), but also by playing, both live and online. I really doubt I'll get too much more live playing in. It's just unlikely.
- Pay more Attention: I really don't do that much at all. Online, I tend to play video games or watch TV or visit blogs. Live, my mind wanders and I fantasize about big pots.
- Try to avoid tilt. Be willing to step away if I need to. I do OK in this regard, but could definitely use improvement.
- Stop making Awfukit calls/pushes. My bottom pair is probably no good there!
As a result of improving my play, these are goals I hope to reach in 2008:
**Build a legitimate Bankroll- I've made my $100 "deposit" on FTP, I want to try to avoid having to reload. Building a bankroll will lead to two other items:
**Cash Out / Make a Profit- I want to maintain a bankroll AND still have some to cash out in order to spend it.
**Move up in limits- Get out of micro limits. I don't have to be playing 2/4 by the end of the year, but I'd like to see me sit comfortably, with a max buy in at either .25/.50 or .50/1.00.
**Subscribe to Poker Xfactor or Cardrunners- I've heard a lot about these sites, but the fees and cost area bit high.
**Get To Vegas- I stated this in a previous post. I want to get to Vegas. I want to make it to a live blogger event. I love Vegas and I need to go.
**Win a Blogger Event- I should probably put in a caveat, the Donkament doesn't count. I took that down this year. I want one of the big 4 (Hoy, Mookie, Riverchasers, The Big Game) or the new Skillz Game.
**Learn Omaha- I know the basic rules, but strategy goes right out the window. May fit nicely with my goal of playing a non Texas Hold 'em live game.
These goals are going to lead to a difficult road ahead, and may even be unattainable in one year for me. Basically we're talking about winning thousands of dollars playing poker when I have YET to be a winning player. But I want to try. Poker is a mental game. I consider myself an intelligent person and if I focus and apply myself, I feel these are goals I can attain.
But there are obstacles to this. The biggest is just Life (no not the board game). I will almost NEVER play poker if I'm home with my family (unless they're napping). If we home together, we're focusing on being together. Whether it be cleaning and/or working around the house, or playing together. My online play is usually early in the morning if I wake up before my daughter, or late at night after my daughter and my wife go to bed. This is why I rarely compete in any AIPS Events, I'm automatically missing 1/2 of the events since I don't play Saturday afternoons.
So while I believe I can approve and am giving myself lofty goals, the biggest obstacle is me and my lack of prioritizing poker. It's a catch-22 to say the least.
Good luck to all of you in 2008... unless you're across the felt from me... then I hope you go card dead.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic. But I'm trying to get better.
Stack Your Chips!
Had my Not-So-Monthly Homegame. Which looks like it's going to start up monthly again, and While not upset with my play in general, and did make one big mistake that I'll discuss later.
As I've mentioned before, we start at about 3pm and go until around midnight. It's the same 6 or 7 people with a few extras occasionally thrown in. This week we had 10 (the later tournaments have less as some people head out). The tournaments are quick, blinds DOUBLE every 15 minutes. You start with $20.00 in chips (but it only costs $10- don't ask) and blinds start at .25/.50. Each tournament lasts about an hour and a half. You're not going to win a fortune, it's mostly about hanging out and having fun.
I arrived early to watch some folks play Rock Star. I'm "recruited" to be the singer. I'm sick so my voice doesn't work. Not that that's an excuse. I can't sing to save my life. I can't sing to save my daughter's life. Hell on Easy, the video game kicks me off I suck so bad. Slappy takes over and I'm left playing guitar. More people arrive and we start poker.
I don't do much the first two tournaments. There's not much to talk about or that I remember from those. Our resident crazy maniac guy takes down both tournaments. It's easy to do when you hit. In the 2nd one, one guy pushes and runs into RCM's QQ. The next hand I push with the Consenza (AT). RCM of course has Aces, and I'm out. Oh and the first tournament I went out, I had two diamonds. I'm in the BB, the blinds are pretty high. There are a bunch of limpers and I check. I wish I can remember the action (Slappy, refresh my memory... if you remember) Basically there's 2 diamonds and an Ace on the board. RCM has a huge stack and is betting. I know I'm beat and getting ready to fold. Suddenly, bam, there's a couple of callers. I want to fold, but the blinds are high and I'm definitely getting the price to call to hit my flush, even if it means all my chips. So I do. I'm vindicated on the river with the 3rd diamond. My vindication is short lived when RCM did in fact hit his Ace. He had Ad9d. Oh well, I'll go watch this guy play Assassin's Creed.
The 3rd tournament I do a bit better. But I fuck up pretty bad and I'm kickin' myself the rest of the night. I go into heads up pretty short stacked. We don't chip up so there are a lot of chips on the table, especially of the smaller denominations (whites and reds). I just one a big hand off my opponent. But he still has a mountain of chips. The next hand, I'm in the BB, he limps. I quickly glance at his chips. I have Qd4d. The blinds are HUGE. I push. He calls with an Ace. For a moment I am jubilant when a Queen flops. But I don't remember if he gets an Ace or goes runner, runner for a flush. I'm standing up since I figure it's over. Suddenly someone says "Make sure he has you covered." "Of course he has me covered." "What about all those green and black chips?" I look down and sure enough, mixed in my pile of unstacked chips is almost all the black ($5) chips and a bunch of greens ($1). In the end, I had HIM covered, but barely. I win the next hand, but it's a moot point and I'm out shortly with 52 vs 62 I think. Someone asked if I'd play that differently if I knew I had him outchipped. I definitely would. It MAY have ended up the same way. If I knew I had hte chip lead. I'd have just checked after his limp. I hit my queen, with the blinds so high, I don't get tricky, I push on the flop hoping he has 2nd or 3rd pair. More than likely he folds. With my reputation there, he MIGHT call with Ace high, but unlikely. I win that pot and who knows from there.
Remember kids, stack your chips.
I make it to heads up in the 2nd tournament, it ends pretty quickly when I get it all in with AQ but my opponent has AK. Not much to be done there. Now I'm even for the night.
The fifth tournament I go out in the middle of the pack in another situation, where, there's not much I can do. Slappy limps, I limp with 33 (I'm working on not overvalue low pairs). THe flop comes 996. It checks around. The turn brings a 3. Now I'm hoping someone has 9. Turns out slappy had a 9. And a 6. Ouch. But I'm not good enough to fold a full house, unless the board is something like 55KKx and I have a 5. Even then that's not an easy fold, because a lot of people will push with an ace, expecting to chop.
The 6th tourney, I don't remember what happened, I was sick, had little voice, and was mostly going through the motions of playing. I busted out and watched, as the Jaguars squeaked out a win, even after the refs totally fucked them in the ass by calling that pass interference call on the 1 yard line. The receiver absolutely had the defender by the face mask. Payback was a bitch. I was rooting for the Jags because Garrard and Taylor pretty much won me my fantasy league.
All in all the night was a success. Good times, good times. The Mrs is planning movie night with some co-workers, and I might be able to use that to my advantage to make JLBSox's home game at the end of the month.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
The Key to My Game
I have yet to put up a goals/resolutions post, but I intend to. Eventually. Probably by December. At least I'll know if I was successful at keeping them.
One of them will be to re-learn patience. Something my game is terribly lacking. [creepy voice in your head] IF YOU HAVE PATIENCE, THEY WILL COME [/creepy voice in your head]
As I type, I'm busting out of SnG's left right and center. But another table I'm sitting in a .10/.25 short handed NL table. I started off mixing it up a bit, but started to get low. I had about $5 left and I get dealt 6d3d in the SB. A limper or two and I just call. BB checks.
The flop is 3Q6. Woot. One guy bets out, I push he calls. He shows QJ. I'm praying *and I'm an athiest- hey it worked for Jerry Yang* that board doesn't pair. The board pairs on the Turn. But it pairs the 6 and I'm back in it.
OK, that didn't show patience but it got me some chips. A few hands later I'm dealt KK. I double up again. I then get pretty tight and just wait for some hands. And they come... slowly, but they do come. In the end I broke even for the morning, using my cash game to make up for my lost SnGs (i'll discuss patience in one of those in a second.)
Patience helps, but so does having idiots at your table.
I made a horrible play here, I think.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4744815429: Table Gatewood (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:38:44 ET - 2008/01/05
Seat 1: Unimpressed ($20.30)
Seat 2: BerkshireBlaze ($24.95)
Seat 3: JunioriL ($27.90)
Seat 4: mervha ($25.10)
Seat 5: Mr_Colt72 ($15)
Seat 6: lumpi_lumpi ($24.75)
mervha posts the small blind of $0.10
Mr_Colt72 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Unimpressed [As Qc]
lumpi_lumpi folds
Unimpressed raises to $1
BerkshireBlaze folds
JunioriL calls $1
mervha raises to $1.75
Mr_Colt72 folds
Unimpressed calls $0.75
JunioriL calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [3h 2s 3d]
mervha bets $0.25 -yes that's .25 into a $5.50 pot-
Unimpressed calls $0.25 -duh call here, that's odds to hitting anything.
JunioriL calls $0.25
*** TURN *** [3h 2s 3d] [Qd] -Good I hit.
mervha bets $0.25
Unimpressed calls $0.25
JunioriL raises to $0.50 -screams weak since he's on the button.
mervha raises to $8.25 -to me, especially after that fact, this seems dangerous. Not quads, but possibly a set of 2s or set of Qs (though unlikely since I have one), but possibly, with the preflop raise this could be Aces or even Ks. Raised with them, then slowplayed them when the flop is likely to miss everyone. Then the flush draw appears and pushes stronger. Ultimitely I decide that, for whatever reason, he didn't like the Button min-raising and figured him for nothing or he had a flush draw.
Unimpressed raises to $18.30, and is all in -if I'm right I'll take it down, if I"m wrong, uh-oh.
JunioriL folds -thought so.
mervha calls $10.05 -RUH ROH! "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"
Unimpressed shows [As Qc]
mervha shows [Ks 5s] -Um... huh???
*** RIVER *** [3h 2s 3d Qd] [8d] -Glad he didn't have the flush draw.
Unimpressed shows two pair, Queens and Threes
mervha shows a pair of Threes
Unimpressed wins the pot ($41.20) with two pair, Queens and Threes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $43.35 Rake $2.15
Board: [3h 2s 3d Qd 8d]
Seat 1: Unimpressed showed [As Qc] and won ($41.20) with two pair, Queens and Threes
Seat 2: BerkshireBlaze didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JunioriL (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 4: mervha (small blind) showed [Ks 5s] and lost with a pair of Threes
Seat 5: Mr_Colt72 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: lumpi_lumpi didn't bet (folded)
So it helps to have an idiot at your table, especially if you are a donkey.
In the last SnG I played it was a 6 handed turbo. I got extremely short stacked (AK vs A8 and guy hit his 8) and then started on a comeback (A5 vs A9, I hit my 5). Then I hit a set of 6s against top pair. I was proud of my patience. I then proceed to, two hands later, donk it all of when I called a raise with AJ, missed the flop, pushed and ran into Kings.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
I Play GOOT!
If Goot means piss poor. I'll have to look that up.
Playing this morning, a bit high, but I wanted to try to build a bit quicker. So $40 at a .50/1.00 NLHE short handed table. I fold the first few hands, then get dealt A7 off on the button. On limper, I raise to $3. Big Blind calls (he's multi-tabling 4 tables) as does the limper (he's seen every flop so far, but I haven't been playing long enough to determine if he's tight or getting OK starting hands). Flop comes Ace high, two diamonds. It checks to me. I bet $7 into $9.50. The BB calls but the limper folds. The turn is a 10d. Suddenly the BB bets about 2/3 the pot. I push (STUPID) and he calls (my raise was not enough to make him fold). Seriously, what would he call on the flop and bet out on the turn? A steal? Not as likely when he's multitabling and a big stack. That's usually an indication that's he's playing rather solid, if not ABC poker. I'm not surprised when he shows AT for 2 pair. I make such a stupid play that I figure I'm drawing dead. When a diamond comes on the river, I can clearly see 4 diamonds, a quick check shows he has none, but my 7 is a diamond, giving me a flush. I more than double up.
With that poor play I decide to finish my orbit (which included being dealt QQ and winning the blinds + a limp). I cash out, and get ready for work having increased my bankroll by 50%.
I'm hoping that was a one time thing and my poor play at that level means I need to ease back into it. I'll probably stick with the .10/.25, MAYBE .25/.50 for the time being. Patience is the key!
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
Looking Back
My Goal and Donations
I've added a button on my site to facilitate my trip. This is for donations. I don't really expect any, but I want to make sure I'm doing anything and everything I can to to get there. Any amount, no matter the size, is appreciated.
--Breakdown--
I'm still working on a goal amount. The plan is a 3-4 day weekend, around the a blogger event. I'd prefer the December event for two reasons:
1) more time to save
2) more time to focus on meeting and hanging out with bloggers (since a summer event usually is in the middle of the WSOP.
The goal amount, basically include airfare and hotel, food/drinks and gambling. I'm thinking, originally my thinking was $5000, but that's just a first number with no real research or input. Now I have yet to do any real research yet, but in talking with people, that's probably a bit high for 3-4 days.
$3000 might be a little closer to reality and probably even $2000. The biggest issue is that I don't want to get out there and have only a few bucks for gambling. So I want to be able to have at least $1000 strictly earmarked for gambling. Now I'm not a degenerate gambling and I don't really play table games, I mostly stick with poker, with such a large group of people, I'm sure I'll be "talked" into some PaiGow and Craps.
So that is my rough draft of a plan. I put it on the side, but again, if I'm falling way short of my goal by the time October rolls around, I will withdraw any donations and add that to my Foxwoods bankroll to try to get there in December. Again, it's the thoughts that count. Any amount is appreciated.
Las Vegas Nevada Moves Further Away
Ok, so may the continent didn't split and everything west fo the Mississississississippi River isn't drifting out to sea. More than likely, I'm talking about my goal of making it to Vegas this year. Mind you not a huge setback since I'm more or less at the beginning of this goal, there's no way to get further from the goal. But with the loss at Foxwoods yesterday, I'm slipping back a little. And, now I have a decision to make.
For playing poker, I more or less have $180. Now if I go broke, I can usually scape up 50 or 60 to play in the not-so-monthly home game in the future. But with that full 180, it's pretty much not worth it to drive to Foxwoods. It's an hour drive (that's about $40 in gas, back and forth), and variance, it's hard to justify another trip. Now, my other option is the online route. Now recently I haven't played well online. But I think most of that is from me trying to take the few bucks I get in affiliate money and turn that into some sort of playable bankroll. Which usually means me not playing patiently enough and blowing it on one hand. That is much less likely with an actual (granted small) bankroll of say $100.00. Plus if I'm playing at the .05/.10 or .10/.25 level and start to play poorly, I can step back and take a break. When I have my entire bankroll at the table you play poorly you sit out and wait for the next month. So, my 7 readers (I know I have 7 because I re-added my blog to my Bloglines, and it had 7 subscribers- I guess I might have 6 readers and the 7th was me, previously), do I throw $100 onto FTP and try to build a bankroll that way, or do I hold on to it (which is a risk, cash burns holes in my pockets), and try to save enough to hit Foxwoods again? I've added a Poll to the site.
Live at the Bi... er Foxwoods.
Well I decided to make a short trip to Foxwoods with Slappy on Sunday (I don't know why I link to his blog when he hasn't posted since August 20th). It was fun, as live poker always is, despite not winning.
Here are some notes:
The First Table: Slappy and I are seated at the same 1/2 NL table. Tables been in session for a while as there are a few large stacks. Two big stacks get involved with VERY marginal hands. One guy gets lucky, rivering two pair to win a HUGE pot. The winner turns out to be extremely aggressive, often putting in large bets with absolutely nothing. Slappy wins a big hand early with just top pair (KQ) against him, aggressive guy mucks. I play a hand very poorly against he loser of that first hand. I have 66 and put in a small raise. I may have gotten a couple of callers. The flop is 883. I bet and only get one caller (the guy who lost that first pot earlier- who also seems to be playing ATC). Turn is a Jack. We both check. River is a 9. I check, he bets. I stupidly call and he shows J9. I lose about 25% of my stack.
My final hand was some what poorly played but I was losing patience and my stack was dwindling. On the car ride to Foxwoods, Slappy and I had a discussion about AQ and why it's such a poor hand. Of course, I'm dealt AQ. I raised and got a caller or two. Flop comes AJx. I bet and one guy min raises me. I almost immediately push. I could have folded, but I couldn't really call the min raise or re-raise without pushing all in. If I would have thought about it, I should have figured I was beat. The guy seems to be playing solid. I haven't seen him get out of line and despite his stacks of reds and whites (which probably a few hundred), he also has at least 3 $100 dollar chips. I should have figured him for not going crazy with anything. Would he really re-raise a preflop raiser with AT or anything I can beat? Unlikely. He shows AJ and I'm busto. I go for a walk. I come back a few minutes later and rail Slappy for a bit, but then I sign up for another table. One note: after I left Slappy informed me that the guy with J9 earlier went on a crazy rush for like 3 hours where he played EVERY hand (literally) and would constantly hit two pair and most of the time it was good.
The Second Table: I'm WAY off the list. More than 20 people ahead of me. So I figured I won't be sitting for a while. They suddenly start two fresh tables and I'm playing again. And since I'm not sitting with anyone I know, I pop my Ipod into one ear and let the Richard Cheese play. Everyone is relatively close. Some people buy in for max, others buy in for about a third of the max. I'm in the middle. The table starts off tight as things tend to do at a new table, while people try to figure things out. Old Cranky guy to my right shows a set early when everyone folds to his post flop bet. Fireworks suddenly errupt between two players in a set over set situation. I split a pot with the Cosenza when I a river jack gives me a straight. Another guy was had A10 too. But there had been a few other in the hand earlier, so it was slightly profitable. We had one guy who, if on the river, you even put your hands on your chips, if he didn't have anything, he'd fold immediately. I didn't get a chance to use this. But the Kid to my right used it frequently. Even showing a worse hand (which was stupid, but the guy didn't stop), when he put his hand on his chips, the Foldy Guy shows an ace for ace high and mucks. As soon as the cards hit the Kid shows J high. I took a hand early from the Kid, before he got overly aggressive. I had 6c9c and played it from the small blind. Lots of limpers. I check with the flop is JT5, two clubs. It limps and the Kid bets. I call, everyone else folds. Turn is a J. We both check. River is a T. I check. The Kid thinks and think, is tempted to bet, but finally he just checks. We both go to muck our cards, I realize he's about to muck his too (now I wasn't about to muck unless he showed his hand, but I was gretting ready to toss 'em. Him seeing me muck waits to see if I will. I show my 9 (actually the dealer makes me show both) for two pair with a 9. He shows 4d 2d for basically playing the board. And I take down a small pot. I got dealt pocket aces once. Raised and got a few callers. Flop is ragged, I bet, get one caller. Turn is a blank and I bet again and the last person folds. Another hand I'm dealt AK in the SB. There's a bunch of limpers so I make a larger raise. Surprisingly everyone folded. I flipped over the Ace. Most people assumed I had aces. I was showing a profit but played one hand poorly against the Kid. He showed a lot of aggression and would sometimes show his hand sometimes good, sometimes bad. I'm dealt Jd9d. I call a small raise in position from the Kid. The flop comes A9x. With two diamonds. It checks around, I bet, he calls. Turn is a 6, non diamond. The Kid checks again, and I check. the river is another card lower than a 9. I have 2nd pair. I puts in a $40 bet (a little more than pot). I thought about it for a few minutes and thought that with that bet size, 2nd pair could be good. I call and he shows A6. In the end, on this table I was down about 20. But with the exception of that one play, I played OK. I really need to amp up my aggression.
That's one of the nice things about the no-so-monthly home game. The structure is fast, but the buy-ins are cheap, so we get 5 or 6 tournaments in. This will give me a chance to try out some new styles and plays.
Interesting Note: I don't go to Foxwoods often. And I've had women at my table before. But my first table was almost half women when we sat down. My second table had fewer, and there were a bunch around the casino. Nice to see more women playing.
One final note: Another think I love about Foxwoods (possibly most casinos, but I haven't been to another casino in a few years), Hot Asian Dealers. Yummy!
One Week And Counting
Well I have my "monthly" home game next weekend, and I'm stoked! Granted, this "monthly" home game hasn't occured in close to 9 months. But it should be a lot of fun. A lot of guys who know each other somewhat well and we're all comfortable with each other. Playing poker with an incredibly fast structure. It's not really about the money since in the end it's a crap shoot. And we play so many $10 tourneys that you really need to win 2 to break even. But it's about poker and good times.
Now, should I have a Foxwoods Warm up tomorrow? I want to the the wife is giving me some guilt about it. Granted it's the remainder of my Xmas money, but it's really only enough for one buy-in @ 1/2. Unless I want to buy in for 100 or yikes, 40. BUt thats' unlikely. The max is 300, but I only have 200. Decisions, decisions.
One of the things pulling me to do it, is my new goal. Blogger event in 08. More than likely I'll hit the December one. As I figure there will be too much going on in the Summer one since it's usually during the WSOP. Don't get me wrong, I want to attend a WSOP at some point in the future, but for a first blogger event, I figure it should be a more relaxed atmosphere. But this could be the beginning of my journey.
Poker Jones
I am jonesin' for some poker. I need to play. Play chips doesn't do it. I'll have to give a whirl to some freerolls. I haven't checked my Railbirds. account. I'll have to check out that account to get into their freerolls. More cash and less people. Slightly better EV. I've been reading Super System 2 and want to try some adjustments to my play. Early on in a freeroll you either have to be HYPER-aggressive or super tight. You'll have plenty of people pushing all in for a quick double up, so you can either join them or wait for a hand.
What I really want to do is dump $50 into the FTP and jump in with all of it, and try to get a decent bankroll built quickly, then I can drop down a level to the micro limits.
I've also been eager to try some Sports Betting. Though with the NFL season over, that's the only sport I even remotely follow. But that will require cash on Bodog.
If we don't spend all the holiday money this weekend, maybe I'll head to Foxwoods on Sunday.
Bad Beat?
Is this a bad beat?
I got a good sum of money from my in-laws for Christmas . Enough for a full buy-in at 1/2 no limit at Foxwoods. Plus enough left over for their lower buy-in SnG. The Mrs got the same amount. Right away the Mrs. earmarked pretty much all of it (hers and mine) for household items. BAH HUMBUG!
Let's pray there's a quarter of it left over for my personal use.
I did win $40.00 from a stocking-stuffer scratch off. Now I just need to go to another state to cash it. But that will probably go into Full Tilt or maybe get me a Wii or 360 game.
Super Tilt!
What the fuck happened??? I have no idea. I managed to scratch some cash together (very little) and decided to stick with SnGs. I managed to win a few $1 ones. Then I played in two 4 person headsup Shootouts. First one, with in a few hands, I had KQ, I raised. Player called. Flop came out 333. I bet, he reaised and I pushed. He called with K7. The turn was a 5 and the river, a 7. I don't know why but I tilted. I started another one. 2 hands in I'm dealt 10-7. I call a small raise. Flop comes JTx. I bet, he insta-pushes. I don't even think long. I mean there's about 150 in the pot and I have to call almost 1500. So obviously I call with 2nd pair. He shows J9 and I'm out.
Now, I thought that might have been a turning point for me. I realized that when it comes to online, I do not want to be bluffed. And I KNOW I'm going to be bluffed from time to time, apparently I can't allow that to happen.
Well tonight was the Mookie. My last $11. 69 players started. Top place was about $200. I was ready to take first place and rebuild my bankroll. Build enough cash to go to Vegas in 08.
I proceed to play the worst poker in my life and bust out in the Gigli- 69th. While not a bad number, it's not good when there are only 69 players. I don't know what happened, I played so craptasticly. Mindless bluffs, calling flush draws (which is a leak in my game anyway). It was just ugly.
I need to re-evaluate my game. I need a game. I suck. Fuck you!
WSOP and the Summer
Well, after my last post, it's pretty clear that I have no readers, but I'll keep plugging away. Maybe eventually there will be readers. And they'll want to have access to all my wit and knowledge.
My goal f0r 2007: Attend a blogger event in Las Vegas.
Problems: I'm broke. I don't just mean my poker bankroll, in life. I really can't afford it. For a nice long weekend at a blogger event, I'm planning on needing about $5,000. That will include airfare and hotel, food, drinks, spending money. That number could be high or low, I'm not sure. How to do this? I have no idea. As my current poker bankroll is $0.00. That's not true. I have $11. Slappy transferred me money for the Mookie, but I was too tired to play last night. Next week. If I do win, I owe him half.
What it comes down to is that I'm going to have to win some kind of tournament. I need to start to develop a bankroll and take down a 24k guarantee or something.
I am jonesin' for Vegas.
An Unimpressive Weight Loss Challenge.
I'm a big, but can wear baggie clothes to hide it. I'm 6'1" and in general, I have a big frame. But there's no way around it. Like most Americans, I'm overweight. I'm roughly around 245. Weight Watchers says someone my height should be 180. I disagree with this, and not because I'm 245. For someone with my build, 180 would look sickly. However, I do think something closer to 200 would be better.
Last year, as some of you (by you I mean the one reader I have, probably someone who just googled "poker playlists") know, I tried a diet last year. I started out at 248 and got down as low as 225. But then I hit the snag where dieting, alone wasn't working, and I hate the gym and to excersize, in general. I tried jogging a few months back, but HATED IT! And as you can see by my current weight, I've put most of it back on.
What I'm thinking about, is, as an added incentive, turning this into a prop bet (similar to this guy and this guy). Basically, starting, Jan 1st, I plan on trying to lose 40 pounds (get to 205). I was originally going to do a straight year, where on Jan 1st 2009 I have to weight 205 or less. But as I'm not rich or confident that I can do this, I can't bet a lot of money, so I don't think anyone would want to weight a year to win a few bucks.
Now what I want to know, is how many people would be interested? This is not binding yet. I want to see how much interest and, well, if I even have any readers. But I want to know, if you'd be interested in the prop bets and what kind. Say 205lbs in 9 months, or have to be 205 on January 1st (which is probably harder since we have to make it through the holidays.
Why Do I Even Play?
Seriously? Not that I play often. I'm busted on FTP and funds are tight at home so no money to deposit. The only playing I get is the occasional stake from by buddy Slappy, or from the rakeback and/or affiliate cash I get. Which amounts to about $3.00 a month.
This month, I was actually starting to build on it. Got it up close to $10. To the point where I was able to sit down at a table and not have the ENTIRE bankroll on the line, but at least half.
The first session I donked off my stack on a flush draw. I figured it could help later as I was playing rather tight. I got reloaded with the rest of my bankroll and continued to play at the table. I limp with A8 suited. Antoher limper and the button makes a standard raise (he's aggressive). I call. Flop is 8 high with only one of my suits. I bet, he raises, I push, he calls with his Aces. I'm out again, destined to either play a freeroll (no way am I playing another Razz freeroll) or wait until next month (though the people I've signed up don't play much anymore), or I think Slappy will stake me in the Mookie tomorrow night. Maybe I'll take that down. I'll probably use some Xmas money for a deposit though.
Will Work For 67 Cents an Hour
Last night, while playing my new game, Mass Effect (fun game by the way), I decided to play the Railbirds.com Stud freeroll as well as the nightly Razz freeroll on FTP. After about 30 minutes in the Stud tournament I wanted to focus on Mass Effect so I pushed with VERY marginal hands. The Razz freeroll started up and I barely paid attention only playing 3 to an 8. At about the 2nd break I started to focus on the tournament and turned off the Xbox.
The Razz tournament runs with 2400 people, but only 27 people cash. (27-10 gets $2), 1st gets $15. When there was 33 people left, I was chip leader (6k/12k/1k ante) with 231k. I held the chip lead for a while until around the bubble and from that point on I was pretty much in the top half of the field.
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When we made the final table I was 3rd in chips with 575k. Blinds: 20k/40k, 3k ante. The 8th player goes out. And I don’t know what comes over me. Despite it being an almost full table, I treat it like we’re short handed and don’t believe anyone. In the span of two hands, I donk off all of my chips thinking: 1) Oh that complete with a 2, I’m sure he’s got high cards in the hole. 2) Hey that Ace on 4th street MUST have paired him. 3) As did his 4 on fifth street. I’m sure my T7 is good. The guys shows a 65. I’m still in OK shape (since this is Razz, and you don’t have to get involved except ante’s and bring in) with about 250k. But the very next hand, against the same guy, I do it again, but this time against 2 different big stacks. I just didn’t believe them. And I’m out in 7th place. Part of it, I’m sure was the fact that the tournament started as 9:40p est. It was 3:30am. AND I had to get up in 2 ½ hours for work.
So there you have it folks. 6 hours of play for $4.00. Not too shabby, eh?
Now I can play 3 $1+.25 SnGs... I'm RICH!
Maverick
I’m a movie junkie. Or at least I used to be. My wife and I used to go to the movies all the time. Now, with a daughter, not so much. Though, we do get to see plenty of Disney/Pixar and Dreamworks movies. Which is really fine with us, as we would have seen them even if we didn’t have a daughter.
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The point is, if there’s a movie I’ve seen a bunch of times I can just LISTEN to it. So at work, sometimes, instead of listening to my Ipod, I’ll pop a DVD into my laptop and minimize the screen and just listen.
Now, I can’t do this with ANY movie, it’s got to be something I liked and have seen numerous times. Shawshank Redemption, any Star Wars (primarily the original trilogy), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (which I actually have the full audio track in MP3 format on my Ipod), Let It Ride, Rounders… Yesterday, it was Maverick. Another rarely talked about, Poker movie. Granted it was Draw but still a decent flick. Had some funny moments. And even the crazy last hand, Quads vs. Straight Flush vs. Royal Flush was “believable” since the game was rigged. But apparently rigged poorly, since Maverick was able to make his Royal, but as he put it, it was “magic.” Though, I’m not sure why he called off the rest of his stack after drawing to at best a flush, when he knew the hand was rigged. He should have just folded and then played the next hand and watched more closely. Oh well. It’s only a movie.
Pimpage - NINTENDO WII ON EBAY! (until 11/27 @ 19:12, pst
The Northeast Chapter of the Ante Up Nation
Last week I joined for my second appearance at the New Home game. It was a special occasion. Chris, one of the hosts of our favorite podcast, Ante Up, was in town (not the funny one) and the home game was put together for that purpose. Three of the normal home game members are Ante Up listeners, and 2 more came into to town from Boston and from Manhattan. There are pictures on their website: Ante Up.
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This was the first live poker I’ve played in months (probably since the first time I attended this home game). The last time I played it was a $10.00 tourney with $10.00 rebuys for the first 3 levels. I go there willing to put up 2 buy-ins the tournament and 2 buy-ins to the home game. Though when I get there, I find out the tourney is doubled. Not a big deal, but I am short on cash at the moment. The last time, I went through 4 buy-ins, but it wasn’t my fault, well one of them was.
Not much happened in the tournament. I got short stacked early, but lived up my “Herpes” moniker and managed to finished 4th out of 8. No cash. The last hand was probably the only thing of significance. There are four people left. I’m on the cutoff (1st to act) with KhTh. I limp. Button folds (I think). SB limps and BB checks.
The Flop comes A-K-Q, one heart. It checks around. The Turn is a blank. The SB bets, the BB folds, and it gets to me. I try to think what he could have checked around with, possibly a straight. I figured a weak ace might have bet the flop to see where he was. Basically, I’m short stacked and if I put any real thought into it, I’m sure I’m beat. But I’m hoping for a Q or something. The guy tends to play tight. Basically as soon as it checked around, I convinced myself that I was going to put all my chimps and I didn’t want logic to get in the way. I push which is very barely more than a call. He calls and flips AJ. I’m dead to a K or a J. The river is nothing and I get in on the cash game before it starts. The Chris the podcast host (CTPH) ends up taking the tournament down. I was just glad I didn’t have to re-buy.
The cash game was a bit more fun. We played .25/.50 NLHE (this time a max buy-in of 50, though I think everyone bought in for $20) for about an hour and a half. Then it switched to dealers choice. Now the mixed games was just recently introduced to this home game, and the skill level of the normal attendees is wide ranging. So to keep things simple, they got rid of pot limit option (so Omaha and what not were played no limit). And despite what was discussed, Stud and Razz were played LIMIT not no limit. Also, split games were taken out of the equation, so only Stud and Omaha hi. However, after a few rounds, since the people here had at least played most of these games, we did bring in the split games.
I ended up down two buy-ins. My third buy-in faired better. Thanks to a lot of luck. Basically I won 3 or 4 hands that allowed me to break even in the cash game.
I wanted to play a hand of Razz but wasn’t getting anything good. So finally I had (34)K (but wasn’t the bring-in). A 2 completed and I decided screw it lets call. There were a few other players in the hand. I hit perfect on the next two streets, A and then a 2. Everyone thought that if I’m playing a K, one if not BOTH of those had to have given me a pair. When I made my hand on 6th street, I was still getting plenty of action. I ended up taking down a decent pot there.
Another Razz hand I made an 86 (or was it a 76) to beat someone with a 96. Either way it was a bad play by me, but with that hand I was playing the player more. I figured he had a low door card, but would play it even if he had bad cards in the hole. I was right.
Then two hands in stud helped me out. Now I’m VERY inexperienced in stud. I’ve played, sure, but the nuances escape me. I’m dealt three diamonds (Ax)Q. I called a bet. 4th street brought me a 4th diamond. Now, CTPH, is still in the hand and showing 8d3d. So two of my diamonds are out, but I was aware enough to realize that no one else showed a diamond or folded. Once my fourth diamond comes out, I do get aggressive and start raising. I continue aggression on 5th street even though I bricked. On 6th street, I slow down and start check calling (CTPH hit another 8). Mostly I figured the pot was big enough that I could check call to try to hit. I hit my diamond on 7th street, and take down a big pot. CTPH had Aces up. That was a rather big pot.
The final hand I won, again I hit perfect. This would have been a great hand if it was Stud 8, but it was just Stud. I get dealt (A2)3. I call a raise. Hit a 5, then hit a 4, for my wheel. Push the aggression and take down another big pot and that pretty much got me back to even in the cash game.
So not a bad night, down the Tourney buy-in, and more importantly I had fun, even if I played poor poker.
I just purchased a second Nintendo Wii, and I just put it up on Ebay, hoping to make a bit of a profit that can fund a trip to Foxwoods. Lets hope for a bidding war breaks out
Another Prop Bet
I don't know the guy, but mutual acquaintences and what not. Not sure how payments will be made. But so what.
http://www.rickblaine.com/index/weblog/place_your_bets/
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Poker Road
Stupid Pokerroad.com. Had a typo in their link for their 11/8 show. I have to fix it.
http://www.pokerroad.com/_/pokerroad_radio/11-8-07/PRR_11-8-07.mp3
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Antonio Esfandiari
I couldn't think of an approriate Star Wars quote, but really, I didn't try that hard.
Wow. Poker After Dark the other night. It folds to Boston in the SB with KJ. He limps. Antonio pops in the BB with AQ. Alan “Boston” Dvorkis calls.
Flop comes QT9. Boston quickly checks. Antonio thinks for a long moment then just checks. He seems to suspect something. Turn is a J. Both check again. River is a 9. Boston has to bet and Antonio folds quickly. Now that fold is not anything special. Most people could fold that. A paired board, 4 to a straight, not a difficult fold for “top top”. But he just seemed to suspect something on the flop and gave up there. The more I see him play the better and better I think he is. That is probably why he’s able to play in the 500K buy-in on High Stakes Poker; people willing to buy pieces of him.
Also on PAD, anyone else think that Matusow seems more strung out than normal?
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Heroes: Sucking
Since I started a non-poker Blog and I do actually have a reader or two here. I figured I'd pimp out my posts over here.
Heroes: Sucking
“This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.”
I just started a new blog. You know, because this blog couldn’t handle the influx of readers. It’s is located at http://daddy-nopoker.blogspot.com/. As the title states, it’s going to contain non poker content.
I played in the Mookie last week. It was the first Mookie of BBT2. Apparently, Full Tilt forgot to turn on the random card generator. I was dealt QQ about 5 times within 25 hands, and I got paid on 4 out of 5 of them. I also got dealt KK.
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I raised and one of the blinds just called.
Flop came A-6-x. Figures. The Blind bets out, but it’s a small amount. I’m thinking a weak ace, maybe a lower pair. I call.
Turn is an X. Blind checks. This is where I made a mistake. This check is a big sign that he’s weak. He probably has a weak ace. I should be able to push him off of this hand. I check.
The river is another blank. All lower cards. The Blind then puts out another small bet. This is another chance to take the pot away with a raise. Again I fail to trust my instincts and I just call. I expect him to flip over Ax. Instead I’m VERY lucky and get to split a pot when he shows KK.
I really need to work on my end game. I spent a large part of the first two hours on the top 10, but fell apart in 24th place (18 spots paid).
The big hand that finished me off was another example of not trusting my instincts. I’m in middle position. Kashei (Karol, from I Had Outs). She is one of the few bloggers I’ve actually played live poker with. I’ve also read the blog daily (or when they feel like posting). So I have an idea of how she plays.
Kashei raises from early position. I have her covered… barely. I look down at 88. My first reaction is muck. But apparently FTP finally turned on the RNG and I’m finally getting normal cards. I haven’t had any decent hands in a while. I have about 10x the BB (plus there are antes). I can’t just call off half my stack and fold, so I need fold now or push. I start to think. Well she COULD have AK/AQ/AJ. Maybe even a lower pair. I convince myself, it’s a race, and I’ll take it. I push. The Button has a little bit less than I do, and calls. Uh-oh. Kashei calls time and goes into the tank. Finally she folds. I flip my 88, and Button flips his TT. Flop is J high. Kashei is livid, saying she threw away JJ.
I’m crippled and push my remaining chips (80 more than the BB of 800 or something). I couldn’t convince the BB to fold his 99 for 80 more into a 3000 pot. I GUESS he had pot odds to call. Donkey.
Now my play was bad. I knew Kashei would NOT raise ½ her stack from early position with AJ or AQ; maybe AK and any pair higher than mine.
I have to say though, in that position, with half her stack in the pot, she had to call with the Jacks. Only 3 hands have you beat. With two short stacks pushing/calling, they could have each other’s outs. Her fold didn’t help much as she was the next to bust out.
It was nice to see her and Dawn in the Blogger events. I hope to be able to play with them some more. But first I need to build a bankroll.
*Insert Witty Closing Phrase Here*
I GOT 3 HOURS OF SLEEP...
For BEJEWELED????
Well as I'm not playing much poker right now. Some video game info. Last night I hung around MTG to finally give the guy the cards he bought. While doing that, I was playing some Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. Which is a glorified Bejeweled. At least if I had bought Halo 3, I could KINDA of understand it. Next thing I know, I look at the clock and it's 3am! And I have to get up for work in 3 hours! CRAZY!!! FOR BEJEWELED??? What is WRONG with me?
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Pokerstars Blogger Event
I missed it, but then I didn't really expect to make it. My daughter had her birthday party at the in-laws on Sunday. Even if I HAD managed to register, the normal 2 hour drive from the in-laws turned into 5 hours, as the highway was closed due to a bad accident.
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MTG to Poker
Many moons ago I was into Magic: The Gathering. Not like David Williams, into it, but I enjoyed playing it. Then the online version was developed and I started playing that. Truth be told, I was never very good. But it was fun. And I wasn’t playing poker at the time. And in all honesty, for me, there was no transition between MTG and Poker. A few years back, when I discovered online poker, I wasn’t playing MTG much and decided to sell my cards. Sold ‘em on EBay, and used the cash to fund my Party Poker account. That money was quickly gone.
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Well a few months ago, I tried to get back into Magic. I enjoyed it, but only to a limited degree. Plus, the software takes up a ton of hard drive space. So I’ve decided to sell again. I recently sold any rare cards in my collection to Slappy, and he transferred me some cash on FTP. Unlike this weekend, when my good play was slapped down like a wet fish, MY donkey plays were rewarded with suckouts to win. In the cash games I played, I managed to get my money in, multiple times way behind.
Two key examples; I’m at a 6-handed cash game (.05/.10 nl). I have three tight players on my left and two loose players on my right. I know… horrible seating position. I don’t know why I didn’t move across the table when one seat opened up and would have put me in the perfect position. Anyway, I was down to my last $4.00. I had been playing bad, so I wasn’t even going to play, but said, “What the hell.” I threw in the last of my cash. I fold a couple of hands.
Then, in the BB, I get AcJc. You know… the nuts! Tighties fold. The button raises it to .35. SB raises to .70. I push All-in, figuring the button for a steal and the SB for a re-steal. The button calls. Uh-oh. The small blind calls… rut-roh. They still have some cash. Flop comes x-K-T (rainbow). I know I’m dead at this point. That had to hit one of them. They both check. The Turn brings a Q. My first thought is, I’m dead. Then it dawns on me. Huzzah! Broadway, the nuts. The Button and SB get the rest of their cash in here. Button has JJ and now has the straight draw. SB has TT for a set. No ace hits and the board does pair on the river and I almost triple my buy-in (stinkin’ $2.00 rake).
A couple of rounds later, I still have around ten bucks. After I fold UTG, I figure I’ll just log off. At the last minute I decide to play one more round and pay the BB. I get dealt QQ. Sweet. Tightie McTightie to my right, raises it up. We have about the same amount. I raise from the big blind. I re-pops it to about $3. I push. He insta-calls with… AA. “DOH! All that bad play, down the tubes in another bad play.” Naturally, I’m rewarded with a flop of QJJ. No ace hits and I have about $20. I don’t disappear right away, in deference to my opponent. But after about two rounds and no hands, I log off.
The next night I play a little better. I stick mostly with SnGs and can’t seem to win a danm thing. Probably playing too many (had around 4 going at once… I’m no Hevad Khan). I’ve pretty much depleted my bankroll. All I have left is… again $4.00 and I’m still in a $6.50 turbo SNG. I throw the last of the cash into a short handed table and procede to lose that to a bad beat. Oh well time to wait until I have something else to sell or cash to give Slappy to reload me.
What’s this? I’m still in the SNG with 4 people to go? Well, there’s still some hope (yes I more or less forgot I was in there. I won a big hand or two early, but had been folding almost anything that came my way. I didn’t realize we were this close to the money). I get dealt a few hands and build up my stack a little. Bubble bursts. We’re all pretty close in chips, but the blinds are getting high. I don’t remember too many hands, but suddenly I’m heads up with a small chip deficit. I turn that around quickly and manage to take that down to reload my balance with $27, Woo hoo!
Edit: Last night (Wednesday) I blew about $15 of that in SnGs without a cash. Hurrumph!
A Satellite to the Sunday's 750k.
As I stated in my last one, I earned entry in to the 2500ftp satellite into the 750K Guarantee on Sunday. There were about 1500 punters and the top 108 players win entry in this $200+ buy in tournament.
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I played decent poker, got extremely lucky hitting a BUNCH of sets. On one hand I was UNLUCKY to hit a set. Early on, I limp then call a small raise, from one of the blinds, with pocket 3s. Flop comes A high with just one diamond. We both check. The turn gives me the 3 of diamonds. Nice little set, and I’m probably best. The blind bets about 200 (I think blinds are 40/80). I think about raising, but just call. The river is a 3rd diamond. The Blind bets 400 (it was less than half the pot). I’m trying to decide between calling or raising. I’m thinking he could have been on a flush draw since he checked the flop, and got the draw on the turn. He bet a small amount to try to see a cheap river. The guy has me cover and a call would leave me with about 1200 in chips. Blinds are still low enough that I’m far from in trouble. I finally decide to just call. Figuring I may miss winning more on the hand if a high ace., but I won’t be broke if I make a mis-step. He didn’t have a flush, but he did have an ace… two of them actually. So I managed to lose the minimum on a set over set situation.
I would then go ahead and build up my stack. I got to about 5k when I made a mis-step in the SB. It folded to me and I limp with JT (blinds are about 50/100, might be one level higher). BB pushes all in with about 1200. I for no idea why, call. He shows AK, and I don’t improve.
I managed to build up my stack and get it to 6500 (about average stack) and there are about 300 players left (again 108 get the seat). I’m dealt AA in UTG+1. UTG limps, I raise to 1200 (blinds 200/400, ante 25). Folds around to the button and he pushes all in for about 6200. Folds to me and I call. He shows JJ. He rivers the J, and I’m crippled. (I actually win the next hand with TT and get to about 1400, but go out shortly).
The surprising thing I felt was the lack of tilting. I wasn’t angry, I didn’t curse the poker gods, I just felt, “hey, I got my money in an 80% favorite, it happens.” So maybe I’m growing as a poker player.
Or not…
