I am just coming off of a couple of 24 hour sessions so I apologize if this post is not that coherent or good.
Even though I am down a little bit I feel okay about it. Over the past 2-3 days I have weathered some extremely sick variance as well as sat patiently through periods of card deadness that would make a corpse ansy. I really feel like i've gotten through the 'worst' of it not to mention that a lot of my play was against regs playing the graveyard shift.
So what I mean to say is that I feel as though I was playing through a storm of bad variance and managed to make it through the other side more or less in tact. So now, things should be returning more or less to normal and I will start moving up the curve again.
I know the graph is not looking good but I can and will turn it around over the next couple of days (part of the negative trending is paying my backer back ($250/wk) another reason for the negative trending is spending too much time in tournaments and either bubbling or breaking even.
I'm going to get some sleep, get back to the tables, have a good couple of days, then come back with a much more in-depth analysis on the good and bad that has been happening to me over the last few days.
I'll update this blog this later this week. Wish me luck
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Day 5: Life Costs -$500
As the saying goes in Physics, there is no free lunch.
I knew the beginning of this challenge/journey/shot is going to be very hard and this is the 'phase' that is a bit risky. Ideally, you want to have a big enough bankroll where you can pay yourself and manage all your expenses with relatively little impact on your bankroll.
My reality is that i'm not there yet. I had to dip into my bankroll to take care of life costs, namely, rent, utilities, food, and things of that sort.
The good news is that i'm paid through for the next month, so I won't have these expenses again for a while and by then, I will have a much better cushion built up (knock on wood)
The bad news is that I had to dip into my bankroll and it was unavoidable. :(
No poker today.
Lastly, I added a new line to my graph, ROI Objective. That line is essential where my bankroll needs to be in order to hit my objective of paying back my backer 300% ROI.
As long as my bankroll is above that line, I'm okay, if I fall below that line, I'm not okay.
In the beginning (like now) there is risk, i'm a lot closer to that line than I want to be.
But with time, I should trend up and away from that line.
Lastly, I bought the book Zen and the Art of Poker. by Larry Phillips.
I read the first 30 pages last night. It seems decent although a little overwritten in some parts.
I knew the beginning of this challenge/journey/shot is going to be very hard and this is the 'phase' that is a bit risky. Ideally, you want to have a big enough bankroll where you can pay yourself and manage all your expenses with relatively little impact on your bankroll.
My reality is that i'm not there yet. I had to dip into my bankroll to take care of life costs, namely, rent, utilities, food, and things of that sort.
The good news is that i'm paid through for the next month, so I won't have these expenses again for a while and by then, I will have a much better cushion built up (knock on wood)
The bad news is that I had to dip into my bankroll and it was unavoidable. :(
No poker today.
Lastly, I added a new line to my graph, ROI Objective. That line is essential where my bankroll needs to be in order to hit my objective of paying back my backer 300% ROI.
As long as my bankroll is above that line, I'm okay, if I fall below that line, I'm not okay.
In the beginning (like now) there is risk, i'm a lot closer to that line than I want to be.
But with time, I should trend up and away from that line.
Lastly, I bought the book Zen and the Art of Poker. by Larry Phillips.
I read the first 30 pages last night. It seems decent although a little overwritten in some parts.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Day 4: Not a Bad Tourney +$620
So, I decided to try a change of pace and I entered a live $100-ish donkament.
For those of you used to internet tourneys, these live tourneys are more or less equivalent to $2 180 man tourneys on Poker Stars or Full tilt.
I would say that 1/4 of the field is dead money, 1/4 are more or less ABC weak tight, 1/4 are okay, and the remaining 1/4 are good tourney players.
My primary focus was to keep myself in a position to make the final table. I was conscious of the chip average and made it a point to stay above it. Of course, I picked off all the low hanging fruit with the occasional blind steal, but I managed to make it all the way to the final 20 people without being at risk (going all-in against someone that could bust me).
My bread and butter was targeting bullies that were raising preflop and shoving turns no matter what. I targeted one such bully who i'd seen raise, cbet, and float with Ace rag. For whatever reason, he was hyper aggressive with Ax and treated A3o as if it were AKs.
Key hand. Hero BB ($14K chips), Villain ($10K chips) BTN
Blinds 200/400
Hero BB with A9hh
Action folds to Villian, Villain raises 1000 on the BTN, SB fold, Hero calls from BB.
Flop(pot 2200) Kc Ad 7h. Hero checks, Villain bets 1400, Hero calls.
Turn(pot 5000) 2c. Hero checks, Villain shoves all-in for 7600, Hero calls.
River:(pot 22000): 8s
Villain shows A6o
Hero wins with A9hh
I felt really good about this hand/showdown because villain had been hyper aggressive all day with A3, A6, A7, etc. etc and the table was letting him run over them. I knew villain would shove with Ax and figured my 9 kicker was ahead of most of his range. I knew he'd shove turn no matter what and he didn't disappoint.
Normally I show my donk hand of the day as well, but today I don't have one :). I played very solid and felt good about all my reads and plays.
I finished 4th in the tourney and lost to an A9 vs KT all-in. I had the A9, villain had KT and spiked a T on the river. By that point, the blinds were crazy high and me and villain were even in chips. I win that hand, I probably win the tourney. But you know how it goes, part of the game.
For those of you used to internet tourneys, these live tourneys are more or less equivalent to $2 180 man tourneys on Poker Stars or Full tilt.
I would say that 1/4 of the field is dead money, 1/4 are more or less ABC weak tight, 1/4 are okay, and the remaining 1/4 are good tourney players.
My primary focus was to keep myself in a position to make the final table. I was conscious of the chip average and made it a point to stay above it. Of course, I picked off all the low hanging fruit with the occasional blind steal, but I managed to make it all the way to the final 20 people without being at risk (going all-in against someone that could bust me).
My bread and butter was targeting bullies that were raising preflop and shoving turns no matter what. I targeted one such bully who i'd seen raise, cbet, and float with Ace rag. For whatever reason, he was hyper aggressive with Ax and treated A3o as if it were AKs.
Key hand. Hero BB ($14K chips), Villain ($10K chips) BTN
Blinds 200/400
Hero BB with A9hh
Action folds to Villian, Villain raises 1000 on the BTN, SB fold, Hero calls from BB.
Flop(pot 2200) Kc Ad 7h. Hero checks, Villain bets 1400, Hero calls.
Turn(pot 5000) 2c. Hero checks, Villain shoves all-in for 7600, Hero calls.
River:(pot 22000): 8s
Villain shows A6o
Hero wins with A9hh
I felt really good about this hand/showdown because villain had been hyper aggressive all day with A3, A6, A7, etc. etc and the table was letting him run over them. I knew villain would shove with Ax and figured my 9 kicker was ahead of most of his range. I knew he'd shove turn no matter what and he didn't disappoint.
Normally I show my donk hand of the day as well, but today I don't have one :). I played very solid and felt good about all my reads and plays.
I finished 4th in the tourney and lost to an A9 vs KT all-in. I had the A9, villain had KT and spiked a T on the river. By that point, the blinds were crazy high and me and villain were even in chips. I win that hand, I probably win the tourney. But you know how it goes, part of the game.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day 3: Variance + KITN -$450
This was one of those days where I couldn't overcome the negative variance.
My session started off on the right foot, I made some great reads and plays.
5-200 Spread Limit Hold em (like No limit holdem but with a $200 max bet), effective stacks $300, LP short stack with $60
Hero (me) was in the BB with 43hh, MP limps, LP limps, BTN limps, SB folds, I check the action.
Flop(pot $20): 6c Kd 3s rainbow.
Action checks around.
Turn(pot $20): 2c
MP checks, LP pushes all-in $60, everyone folds, Hero calls
River(pot $140): Jd
He turns over Ad Th, Hero wins with pair of threes.
It was completely obvious to me that he had nothing, not even a real draw. He was very readable and just not playing decent short stack poker. He kept buying in for $100, limp calling drawing and folding until he got around $50 then he'd spazz and shove like he did above. Of course, the whole table is looking at me like "How could you call" but as always I never explain myself.
I take a few little dink hits that drop me around $50 when I run into this situation>
I've got $250-ish UTG with T9dd. MP had been a bit of a donk and he raises preflop to $20. BTN was also a bit donkish and he calls, I call. Both players had been overbetting their hands however they had been snap folding whenever they missed. Effective stacks $300
Flop:(pot $60) 8d 7d Kc
I bet out $40, MP max raises all-in for $240, BTN pushes all-in for $240, action gets to me and I have about $200 behind. Both players had been fairly crazy with TPGK type hands and shoving with top pair like its a set, but obviously i'm behind here as the cards stand but i'm pretty sure I'm ahead equity wise. Usually, OESFD (opened ended straight flush draws) have 50% equity or greater vs a pair or even over pair. So, getting more than 2:1 on my money and having 50% or better equity on the flop this is an easy snap call.
Turn: 7c
River Qs
I miss my draws
MP had A8
BTN had KJ and wins $800 pot :(
So, that sucked but I shook it off, all you can do is make the correct play at the time. I rebuy back in for $200 and about fifteen minutes later I get dealt KJhh in MP. I raise to $40, everyone folds but SB calls, he has about $120 behind.
SB had been overvaluing his hands as well so I felt okay about going heads up.
Flop: 7s Jd 3s.
He checks, I bet $60, he check raises all-in, I snap call.
Turn 2h
River Tc
Hero(me) shows KJhh
SB shows JTo and wins with two pair
That hand sucked and I decided to take a quick walk to shake it off. I also made a huge mistake at this point and switched tables. Even though I got sucked out on, the table was a dream table and I should have stayed.
I buy back in for $200 (I'm stuck $400 at this point) and am dealt QQ on the BTN. Now, the problem here is that i'm new to this table and I have no clue how anyone plays. Normally, I like to get a feel for a table before I start shoving but when you are dealt QQ in a live game you have to play your hand.
UTG raises $15 (which is really light for 5-200 Spread limit holdem), UTG+1 calls as do two other players before it gets to me. Pot is $60 by the time it gets to me, I raise to $75 and am now looking at UTG and he folds. Now this is where things get wierd. UTG+1 folds and MP shoves all in for $200.
I have no idea what to make of this, because it makes no sense. Why would you smooth call two players to your right on a dinky raise if you have a big hand? So, I snap call.
Hero: QQ
MP: AA
Board develops: JT988 and I win with a straight
So, i'll take that suck out and now i'm getting back to break even when I run into the sickest run of good cards I have ever had. Too bad the results weren't the same as the cards :(
Within the space of 8 hands, I was dealt QQ, TT, JJ, QQ, AK and I lost every single one of those hands. I made the appropriate raise preflop and in each case a donk or two called me with Ace rag bullshit, and then on each flop an Ace hit the board and the donks would not fold so I didn't even bother trying a cbet. In most cases, I got to witness them fight each other and show down hands like A6cc vs A9dd when the board was like: A K 3 8 7 board.
So, after that, I'm down about $450 and I'm starting to get a little upset, so I stop playing and call it a day since I NEVER play when i'm upset.
Overall, I was thrilled to be at the table. Unlike most players, I WANT donks to call with inferior hands. I just don't want them to hit ;) But, on occassion they do and such is poker.
Tomorrow is Friday, the juiciest day of the week. I'm going to play a tourney in the morning then set up camp and grind all day. It should go better tomorrow.
Wish me luck :)
My session started off on the right foot, I made some great reads and plays.
5-200 Spread Limit Hold em (like No limit holdem but with a $200 max bet), effective stacks $300, LP short stack with $60
Hero (me) was in the BB with 43hh, MP limps, LP limps, BTN limps, SB folds, I check the action.
Flop(pot $20): 6c Kd 3s rainbow.
Action checks around.
Turn(pot $20): 2c
MP checks, LP pushes all-in $60, everyone folds, Hero calls
River(pot $140): Jd
He turns over Ad Th, Hero wins with pair of threes.
It was completely obvious to me that he had nothing, not even a real draw. He was very readable and just not playing decent short stack poker. He kept buying in for $100, limp calling drawing and folding until he got around $50 then he'd spazz and shove like he did above. Of course, the whole table is looking at me like "How could you call" but as always I never explain myself.
I take a few little dink hits that drop me around $50 when I run into this situation>
I've got $250-ish UTG with T9dd. MP had been a bit of a donk and he raises preflop to $20. BTN was also a bit donkish and he calls, I call. Both players had been overbetting their hands however they had been snap folding whenever they missed. Effective stacks $300
Flop:(pot $60) 8d 7d Kc
I bet out $40, MP max raises all-in for $240, BTN pushes all-in for $240, action gets to me and I have about $200 behind. Both players had been fairly crazy with TPGK type hands and shoving with top pair like its a set, but obviously i'm behind here as the cards stand but i'm pretty sure I'm ahead equity wise. Usually, OESFD (opened ended straight flush draws) have 50% equity or greater vs a pair or even over pair. So, getting more than 2:1 on my money and having 50% or better equity on the flop this is an easy snap call.
Turn: 7c
River Qs
I miss my draws
MP had A8
BTN had KJ and wins $800 pot :(
So, that sucked but I shook it off, all you can do is make the correct play at the time. I rebuy back in for $200 and about fifteen minutes later I get dealt KJhh in MP. I raise to $40, everyone folds but SB calls, he has about $120 behind.
SB had been overvaluing his hands as well so I felt okay about going heads up.
Flop: 7s Jd 3s.
He checks, I bet $60, he check raises all-in, I snap call.
Turn 2h
River Tc
Hero(me) shows KJhh
SB shows JTo and wins with two pair
That hand sucked and I decided to take a quick walk to shake it off. I also made a huge mistake at this point and switched tables. Even though I got sucked out on, the table was a dream table and I should have stayed.
I buy back in for $200 (I'm stuck $400 at this point) and am dealt QQ on the BTN. Now, the problem here is that i'm new to this table and I have no clue how anyone plays. Normally, I like to get a feel for a table before I start shoving but when you are dealt QQ in a live game you have to play your hand.
UTG raises $15 (which is really light for 5-200 Spread limit holdem), UTG+1 calls as do two other players before it gets to me. Pot is $60 by the time it gets to me, I raise to $75 and am now looking at UTG and he folds. Now this is where things get wierd. UTG+1 folds and MP shoves all in for $200.
I have no idea what to make of this, because it makes no sense. Why would you smooth call two players to your right on a dinky raise if you have a big hand? So, I snap call.
Hero: QQ
MP: AA
Board develops: JT988 and I win with a straight
So, i'll take that suck out and now i'm getting back to break even when I run into the sickest run of good cards I have ever had. Too bad the results weren't the same as the cards :(
Within the space of 8 hands, I was dealt QQ, TT, JJ, QQ, AK and I lost every single one of those hands. I made the appropriate raise preflop and in each case a donk or two called me with Ace rag bullshit, and then on each flop an Ace hit the board and the donks would not fold so I didn't even bother trying a cbet. In most cases, I got to witness them fight each other and show down hands like A6cc vs A9dd when the board was like: A K 3 8 7 board.
So, after that, I'm down about $450 and I'm starting to get a little upset, so I stop playing and call it a day since I NEVER play when i'm upset.
Overall, I was thrilled to be at the table. Unlike most players, I WANT donks to call with inferior hands. I just don't want them to hit ;) But, on occassion they do and such is poker.
Tomorrow is Friday, the juiciest day of the week. I'm going to play a tourney in the morning then set up camp and grind all day. It should go better tomorrow.
Wish me luck :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Day 2: Getting Back into the Swing +$720
I started the day at a Rock Garden-- a table full of solid regs, TAGs, and 2 aggressive LAGs.
First key hand was a decent semibluff against a LAG at 5-200 Spread limit holdem.
I was dealt 52ss as the BB, she was in the SB. 4 players limped in preflop, I obviously check the action.
Flop (pot $25): 6s 5c Kd rainbow. I bet out $20, everyone folds except the LAG in the small blind who calls.
Turn (pot $65): 9s. She bets out from the small blind, $50 which is her M.O. She likes to call flop and bet out on turn. So, I raise her $150, she tanks for a while and folds.
Then my next key hand was just a stupid mistake on my part. The table was a little tight and I decided to make a move with a preflop raise from the BB with KQss into 5 limpers. I raised $45 and UTG called. UTG was a 'bored' reg reading a paper and he had been making moves all day.
Flop (pot $115): Ac 5d 3h rainbow. I bet $100 and he snap calls.
Turn (pot $315): 5c. I max bet $200, he tanks then calls.
River (pot $715): Kd. I check, he checks.
He turns over 4d 2d for the flopped straight LOL.
This pot was a huge mistake on my part trying to balance a little bit and take advantage of my image. There just was no need to do this at this table, I should have been a little more patient. So, now i'm stuck around $300 and decide to switch tables since I blew my table image with that play.
I take a break, walk around, and reset. I vow to just play nit-TAG poker, no moves. Just basic TAG.
I sit down with $250, am card dead for an hour but was able to capitalize on weak play and mistakes from the donks, so at this point I have $275 ish and then I hit this key hand against a bully Maniac who had been throwing his weight around.
He raised preflop $15 from MP, two players call. I'm on the BTN with A8cc and decide to 3 bet him to $50, he calls everyone else folds.
Flop (pot $165): 8s 7d 6h rainbow. He checks, I bet $75 he calls.
Turn (pot $315): 7h. He checks, I max bet all in about $150, he calls.
River(pot $615): 2d
He turns over 96o.
I win with A8cc
My stack is around $1,000 ($700 up) when I ran into a series of really tough folds bumping heads with the other big stack at the table on my immediate left. Both of our play had been solid and we both had been showing down top hands. I had QQ preflop twice, 3bet, and he 4bets, I fold and he shows KK both times. Then a few hands later I had KK, 3bet pre to $150, he calls, flop: Ad 2d 3h and of course he has the ace, bets and I fold (he shows AK).
This was a horrid hour where I lost 5 big premium hands, but I lost the minimum and I was proud of myself for remaining tilt free and making the right laydowns.
Then this key hand came up between us. I'm SB, have $500ish and KTcc. Preflop limpfest 5 players call, I decide not to raise and just check.
Flop (pot $25): Jc 9c 5c. I check, BB bets $30, everyone folds, I look at my cards as if i'm doing the club check and then I call (yes, some hollywooding here).
Turn is 9h: I check and he overbets the pot, bets $125. I check raise and make it $325, he tanks then puts me all in.
River: 4s
He had Ah9d
I win with King high flush.
Overall, I felt really good today and played a solid B+ game. At this level I just have to keep telling myself that nit-TAG is the way to go. The players are bad enough to where there is no need to 'loosen up' and play. Just play the cards and let them give you their money. Similarly, most of the players are very readable.
Had things gone a little different I could have easily been up over $1K, but that will come in time. $720 for 6.5 hours of play isn't too bad :)
Hope to keep the momentum going tomorrow
First key hand was a decent semibluff against a LAG at 5-200 Spread limit holdem.
I was dealt 52ss as the BB, she was in the SB. 4 players limped in preflop, I obviously check the action.
Flop (pot $25): 6s 5c Kd rainbow. I bet out $20, everyone folds except the LAG in the small blind who calls.
Turn (pot $65): 9s. She bets out from the small blind, $50 which is her M.O. She likes to call flop and bet out on turn. So, I raise her $150, she tanks for a while and folds.
Then my next key hand was just a stupid mistake on my part. The table was a little tight and I decided to make a move with a preflop raise from the BB with KQss into 5 limpers. I raised $45 and UTG called. UTG was a 'bored' reg reading a paper and he had been making moves all day.
Flop (pot $115): Ac 5d 3h rainbow. I bet $100 and he snap calls.
Turn (pot $315): 5c. I max bet $200, he tanks then calls.
River (pot $715): Kd. I check, he checks.
He turns over 4d 2d for the flopped straight LOL.
This pot was a huge mistake on my part trying to balance a little bit and take advantage of my image. There just was no need to do this at this table, I should have been a little more patient. So, now i'm stuck around $300 and decide to switch tables since I blew my table image with that play.
I take a break, walk around, and reset. I vow to just play nit-TAG poker, no moves. Just basic TAG.
I sit down with $250, am card dead for an hour but was able to capitalize on weak play and mistakes from the donks, so at this point I have $275 ish and then I hit this key hand against a bully Maniac who had been throwing his weight around.
He raised preflop $15 from MP, two players call. I'm on the BTN with A8cc and decide to 3 bet him to $50, he calls everyone else folds.
Flop (pot $165): 8s 7d 6h rainbow. He checks, I bet $75 he calls.
Turn (pot $315): 7h. He checks, I max bet all in about $150, he calls.
River(pot $615): 2d
He turns over 96o.
I win with A8cc
My stack is around $1,000 ($700 up) when I ran into a series of really tough folds bumping heads with the other big stack at the table on my immediate left. Both of our play had been solid and we both had been showing down top hands. I had QQ preflop twice, 3bet, and he 4bets, I fold and he shows KK both times. Then a few hands later I had KK, 3bet pre to $150, he calls, flop: Ad 2d 3h and of course he has the ace, bets and I fold (he shows AK).
This was a horrid hour where I lost 5 big premium hands, but I lost the minimum and I was proud of myself for remaining tilt free and making the right laydowns.
Then this key hand came up between us. I'm SB, have $500ish and KTcc. Preflop limpfest 5 players call, I decide not to raise and just check.
Flop (pot $25): Jc 9c 5c. I check, BB bets $30, everyone folds, I look at my cards as if i'm doing the club check and then I call (yes, some hollywooding here).
Turn is 9h: I check and he overbets the pot, bets $125. I check raise and make it $325, he tanks then puts me all in.
River: 4s
He had Ah9d
I win with King high flush.
Overall, I felt really good today and played a solid B+ game. At this level I just have to keep telling myself that nit-TAG is the way to go. The players are bad enough to where there is no need to 'loosen up' and play. Just play the cards and let them give you their money. Similarly, most of the players are very readable.
Had things gone a little different I could have easily been up over $1K, but that will come in time. $720 for 6.5 hours of play isn't too bad :)
Hope to keep the momentum going tomorrow
First day of poker +$575
My first day of poker (as far as this blog is concerned) went okay. I've been out of action for a couple of weeks and so had built up some rust that needed to be shaken off. Unlike riding a bike, poker reflexes can become stale without frequent use. Its hard to explain. There is a rhythym and cadence to your game, thought processes, responses, etc. (I apologize for no hand conversions, I'll figure out how to work them into the blog on future postings.)
I bought into 5-200 Spread limit Hold em (its like No Limit except that max bet is capped at $200) for $200 and quickly ran that up to $250 in the first ten minutes. Then I hit my first cooler, was dealt KK UTG and raised to $30. A donk on the BTN called and the SB called.
Flop hit: 8d 7c 2h rainbow.
I bet $50, donk shoves all-in for $50 and SB shoved all-in for $100 I call.
Turn: Jh
River 6c
Donk had T9o
SB had A8o
I win side pot of $50 but lose main pot of $240 :(
Anyways, I recovered and got back up to $300 ish when the table underwent a dramatic shift. 3 of the fish busted out and were replaced by 1 maniac, 1 LAG, and 1 TAG.
It was at this point where I started playing really really bad. I started to get card dead and then decided to 'make some moves' which was just stupid.
Part of the reason was due to being rusty and the other part was due to frustration. The 3 players had turned the table into an action table: overbetting the pot and overvaluing top pair and middle pair.
My first big mistake occurred when I was defending my BB with J8dd from a TAG raise on the BTN.
He made it $25 to go and I called.
Flop came Ad Qd 7c.
I check, he bets $40 and I call with my flush draw.
Turn is Qc.
I check he checks.
River is 6h.
I bet out $65 he snap calls.
BTN had ATss
I lose with J8dd bullshit.
I played this hand about as bad as one could play it. First off, I should have put the TAG on an Ace with the flop cbet. Calling $40 on this flop is marginal but i needed to have a plan other than just "spike my flush". Granted, had the flush hit he would have paid me off.
When the turn brought the Queen I should have bet out. This would have given him pause as he'd start to put me on the queen. It would also set me up for a river steal should I miss my hand. But part of the problem was at this point I was starting to get a little short stacked and was at around $180. So, my vagina started to flare up and turned me into a little bitch which is why I checked turn and 'hoped' to spike my flush.
When the river comes, my hand is pretty much face up. I bet $60 into a $140 pot which screams 'busted flush draw'. Ugg, so so bad :(
So, after those donations, I'm $300 in the red and decide to switch tables since my table image at this table is shot to hell.
I take a walk and review my dogshit play, relax, get back into a zen like state, and then go to my new table.
I decide to play strictly ABC TAG poker. First thing I do is get a read on all the players and luckily this table has about 5 fish who have very little clue what they are doing.
First key hand that came up. I had 77 UTG+1 and just limp in for $5. 4 players call.
Flop: K 7 J rainbow.
I check, MP fish bets $10, 2 players call, I call.
Turn 5.
I check. MP fish bets $25, 2 players call. I check raise to $125, fold, fold, BTN fish calls.
River, 6. I bet $125, BTN fish tanks for a minute then calls. He had QQ!!!
So, BTN fish limps preflop on the BTN with QQ after 3 players to his right calls. What an idiot. And then he couldn't fold QQ on a K high board.
I managed to flop another set and milk a different donk for $400. I hit a couple of coolers where a donk hit a gut shot against me but overall, I ended the session in the black for $575 after 6 hours of play.
Overall, i'm happy with my play. The beginning was a little rocky as I settled back into the game and shook the rust off. Once I got 'in the zone' my play was more or less flawless. I recognized the horrible plays I was making earlier, took a break, and then switched back into ABC TAG mode and played a very solid tight game from that point on.
Hopefully, tomorrow I'll pick up where I left off :)
I bought into 5-200 Spread limit Hold em (its like No Limit except that max bet is capped at $200) for $200 and quickly ran that up to $250 in the first ten minutes. Then I hit my first cooler, was dealt KK UTG and raised to $30. A donk on the BTN called and the SB called.
Flop hit: 8d 7c 2h rainbow.
I bet $50, donk shoves all-in for $50 and SB shoved all-in for $100 I call.
Turn: Jh
River 6c
Donk had T9o
SB had A8o
I win side pot of $50 but lose main pot of $240 :(
Anyways, I recovered and got back up to $300 ish when the table underwent a dramatic shift. 3 of the fish busted out and were replaced by 1 maniac, 1 LAG, and 1 TAG.
It was at this point where I started playing really really bad. I started to get card dead and then decided to 'make some moves' which was just stupid.
Part of the reason was due to being rusty and the other part was due to frustration. The 3 players had turned the table into an action table: overbetting the pot and overvaluing top pair and middle pair.
My first big mistake occurred when I was defending my BB with J8dd from a TAG raise on the BTN.
He made it $25 to go and I called.
Flop came Ad Qd 7c.
I check, he bets $40 and I call with my flush draw.
Turn is Qc.
I check he checks.
River is 6h.
I bet out $65 he snap calls.
BTN had ATss
I lose with J8dd bullshit.
I played this hand about as bad as one could play it. First off, I should have put the TAG on an Ace with the flop cbet. Calling $40 on this flop is marginal but i needed to have a plan other than just "spike my flush". Granted, had the flush hit he would have paid me off.
When the turn brought the Queen I should have bet out. This would have given him pause as he'd start to put me on the queen. It would also set me up for a river steal should I miss my hand. But part of the problem was at this point I was starting to get a little short stacked and was at around $180. So, my vagina started to flare up and turned me into a little bitch which is why I checked turn and 'hoped' to spike my flush.
When the river comes, my hand is pretty much face up. I bet $60 into a $140 pot which screams 'busted flush draw'. Ugg, so so bad :(
So, after those donations, I'm $300 in the red and decide to switch tables since my table image at this table is shot to hell.
I take a walk and review my dogshit play, relax, get back into a zen like state, and then go to my new table.
I decide to play strictly ABC TAG poker. First thing I do is get a read on all the players and luckily this table has about 5 fish who have very little clue what they are doing.
First key hand that came up. I had 77 UTG+1 and just limp in for $5. 4 players call.
Flop: K 7 J rainbow.
I check, MP fish bets $10, 2 players call, I call.
Turn 5.
I check. MP fish bets $25, 2 players call. I check raise to $125, fold, fold, BTN fish calls.
River, 6. I bet $125, BTN fish tanks for a minute then calls. He had QQ!!!
So, BTN fish limps preflop on the BTN with QQ after 3 players to his right calls. What an idiot. And then he couldn't fold QQ on a K high board.
I managed to flop another set and milk a different donk for $400. I hit a couple of coolers where a donk hit a gut shot against me but overall, I ended the session in the black for $575 after 6 hours of play.
Overall, i'm happy with my play. The beginning was a little rocky as I settled back into the game and shook the rust off. Once I got 'in the zone' my play was more or less flawless. I recognized the horrible plays I was making earlier, took a break, and then switched back into ABC TAG mode and played a very solid tight game from that point on.
Hopefully, tomorrow I'll pick up where I left off :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Strategizing
The beginning of building ones bankroll is very similar to a rocket launch. The most dangerous part is the very beginning. If there is a problem with liftoff, the whole ship can crash and burn before things ever get off the ground. I find that the mistake most players make is they don't develop a starting plan/strategy. Below is mine.
My strategy has 3 main components:
#1) Bankroll Management. No matter what, I will stay within the confines of my bankroll at all times
#2) Game Selection. I will only stick to games which I have a proven track record of crushing
#3) Cashing out while ahead. I will employ a modified version of the Chris Ferguson Method and leave whenever i've won 15% of my bankroll
Bankroll management is key. Typically, you need 20 times the buy-in for whatever game you are playing to be considered adequately rolled. In online games, you need 20-40 times the buy-in. But I will be playing primarily live which has lower variance. Regardless, I will maintain proper Bankroll discipline, though at the start of this venture I will be at 12 buy-ins for my game of choice, 5-200 Spread limit.
I'm not overly concerned, this is a game that I routinely crush and the worst downswing i've ever had was 6 buy-ins and that was a combination of me playing like shit, tilting, and being super tired from playing 18 hours straight. My normal downswings are 2 buy-ins and my normal upswings are 4 buy ins, so I'm not worried.
However, I will consider this a potential problem area and I will flag it as red in the bankroll chart I will be keeping. Lastly, I will chart my bankroll with a start of $1,000 which is less than my actual bankroll/stake. This gives me some cushion and a great incentive to get the curve moving up.
#2) Game Selection: My bread and butter games are 1/2 No Limit (buy-in $150), 5-200 Spread Limit and 2/5 No Limit ($500 buy-in). I've done fairly well with 5/10 NL ($1,000 buy-in) in the past but I am not adequately rolled for that game and will not be playing it until my bankroll is at $20,000. All things considered, I will primarly be playing 5-200 Spread limit. That is the juiciest game in the Bay Area. It is as fishy as 1/2NL but the players have more money. Once my bankroll hits $12,000 then i'll move up to 2/5NL
#3) Cashing out while ahead. This is the hardest thing for us poker players to do, but I got good at it last year when i was building up my roll. Chris Ferguson wrote a great article about when to leave and how much of your bankroll you should use to play in tournaments (SnGs and MTTs). I've modified the rule somewhat because he is sorta a nit (in a good way), but his underlying logic is sound. Whenever 15% of my bankroll is on the table (due to me winning) its time to leave.
The X factor in my strategy will also involve Online play. Playing online is low risk but high reward. The only problem is that online, competition is a LOT TOUGHER than live play. I know, that is tough for you live players and grinders to hear, but the truth is the truth. I've had some success online, I cashed out for $6K before that stupid anti-gambling legislation passed a couple of years ago. I also cashed for $2K last year. Conversely, i've lost about $7K online so overall i'm a breakeven player online (though in my defense majority of my loses where from taking shots and not so much bad play, just bad bankroll management)
After I generate some profit from live play, I plan to roll a few hundred into online play. It will take a while for that to generate serious monies from online though. I could get lucky, go on a super heater and win a donkament for big money, but most likely it will be a couple of months before I can cash for anything over $1K online.
Why? Well, with online play, your bankroll requirements are HUGE. In order to play 1/2NL live, you can get away with having a bankroll of $1,000. But in order to play 1/2NL online, you need a bankroll of at least $4K just to be able to handle the variance. So, in order to comfortably cashout from your online bankroll, you need at least 30 buy-ins, and that's if you don't plan to try to move up in limit.
Anyways, that is a problem for a later date and not too much of an issue now since my focus will be on live play for the time being.
My strategy has 3 main components:
#1) Bankroll Management. No matter what, I will stay within the confines of my bankroll at all times
#2) Game Selection. I will only stick to games which I have a proven track record of crushing
#3) Cashing out while ahead. I will employ a modified version of the Chris Ferguson Method and leave whenever i've won 15% of my bankroll
Bankroll management is key. Typically, you need 20 times the buy-in for whatever game you are playing to be considered adequately rolled. In online games, you need 20-40 times the buy-in. But I will be playing primarily live which has lower variance. Regardless, I will maintain proper Bankroll discipline, though at the start of this venture I will be at 12 buy-ins for my game of choice, 5-200 Spread limit.
I'm not overly concerned, this is a game that I routinely crush and the worst downswing i've ever had was 6 buy-ins and that was a combination of me playing like shit, tilting, and being super tired from playing 18 hours straight. My normal downswings are 2 buy-ins and my normal upswings are 4 buy ins, so I'm not worried.
However, I will consider this a potential problem area and I will flag it as red in the bankroll chart I will be keeping. Lastly, I will chart my bankroll with a start of $1,000 which is less than my actual bankroll/stake. This gives me some cushion and a great incentive to get the curve moving up.
#2) Game Selection: My bread and butter games are 1/2 No Limit (buy-in $150), 5-200 Spread Limit and 2/5 No Limit ($500 buy-in). I've done fairly well with 5/10 NL ($1,000 buy-in) in the past but I am not adequately rolled for that game and will not be playing it until my bankroll is at $20,000. All things considered, I will primarly be playing 5-200 Spread limit. That is the juiciest game in the Bay Area. It is as fishy as 1/2NL but the players have more money. Once my bankroll hits $12,000 then i'll move up to 2/5NL
#3) Cashing out while ahead. This is the hardest thing for us poker players to do, but I got good at it last year when i was building up my roll. Chris Ferguson wrote a great article about when to leave and how much of your bankroll you should use to play in tournaments (SnGs and MTTs). I've modified the rule somewhat because he is sorta a nit (in a good way), but his underlying logic is sound. Whenever 15% of my bankroll is on the table (due to me winning) its time to leave.
The X factor in my strategy will also involve Online play. Playing online is low risk but high reward. The only problem is that online, competition is a LOT TOUGHER than live play. I know, that is tough for you live players and grinders to hear, but the truth is the truth. I've had some success online, I cashed out for $6K before that stupid anti-gambling legislation passed a couple of years ago. I also cashed for $2K last year. Conversely, i've lost about $7K online so overall i'm a breakeven player online (though in my defense majority of my loses where from taking shots and not so much bad play, just bad bankroll management)
After I generate some profit from live play, I plan to roll a few hundred into online play. It will take a while for that to generate serious monies from online though. I could get lucky, go on a super heater and win a donkament for big money, but most likely it will be a couple of months before I can cash for anything over $1K online.
Why? Well, with online play, your bankroll requirements are HUGE. In order to play 1/2NL live, you can get away with having a bankroll of $1,000. But in order to play 1/2NL online, you need a bankroll of at least $4K just to be able to handle the variance. So, in order to comfortably cashout from your online bankroll, you need at least 30 buy-ins, and that's if you don't plan to try to move up in limit.
Anyways, that is a problem for a later date and not too much of an issue now since my focus will be on live play for the time being.
T-Minus 1 Day: Deciding on a Backer
I've never been staked before and found the prospect of starting the staking process to be somewhat stressful.
Finding a backer is so much more than finding someone willing to take a risk on you. Finding a backer is about initiating a business relationship and it is important that you and the backer are a good fit.
My prospects narrowed down to two choices:
1) A CEO type-A jerk with deep pockets
2) A caring business woman whom i've dealt with in the past
I had more potential options but was reluctant to approach various friends/fellow players whom I play against on a daily basis. It would just feel strange going to the same casinos and sitting at the same tables with people who would be backing me.
Ultimately, I decided to go with option #2 and I can tell that I made the right choice. She is a geniunely good person which will be important support-wise as i'm grinding through the weeks and months. The staking is lower than what option #1 was willing to bear, but it is adequate and that is all that matters.
Staking deals vary depending on the level of risk the backer is willing to tolerate, the skill and track record of the player in question, and of course the amount of the stake. With all this in mind, we came up with a deal that we both feel good about.
My backer is willing to assume 100% of the risk and in return I will payback on a weekly/bi-monthly basis with the goal of hitting a ROI of 300% within six months. In addition, regardless if the 300% ROI has been reached or not, I will be splitting 50% of all tournament winnings within this six month window with my backer.
Based on my winrate and record over the last year and a half, i'm very confident i'll hit those numbers. This is an area that gets many poker players in trouble. Most players think they are better than they are and don't have proven track records...
Well, I just finished typing up the contracts and sent them to my Backer who I'll refer to as Ms. J throughout this blog.
She agrees, says everything looks good, and we will be starting this relationship tomorrow.
Finding a backer is so much more than finding someone willing to take a risk on you. Finding a backer is about initiating a business relationship and it is important that you and the backer are a good fit.
My prospects narrowed down to two choices:
1) A CEO type-A jerk with deep pockets
2) A caring business woman whom i've dealt with in the past
I had more potential options but was reluctant to approach various friends/fellow players whom I play against on a daily basis. It would just feel strange going to the same casinos and sitting at the same tables with people who would be backing me.
Ultimately, I decided to go with option #2 and I can tell that I made the right choice. She is a geniunely good person which will be important support-wise as i'm grinding through the weeks and months. The staking is lower than what option #1 was willing to bear, but it is adequate and that is all that matters.
Staking deals vary depending on the level of risk the backer is willing to tolerate, the skill and track record of the player in question, and of course the amount of the stake. With all this in mind, we came up with a deal that we both feel good about.
My backer is willing to assume 100% of the risk and in return I will payback on a weekly/bi-monthly basis with the goal of hitting a ROI of 300% within six months. In addition, regardless if the 300% ROI has been reached or not, I will be splitting 50% of all tournament winnings within this six month window with my backer.
Based on my winrate and record over the last year and a half, i'm very confident i'll hit those numbers. This is an area that gets many poker players in trouble. Most players think they are better than they are and don't have proven track records...
Well, I just finished typing up the contracts and sent them to my Backer who I'll refer to as Ms. J throughout this blog.
She agrees, says everything looks good, and we will be starting this relationship tomorrow.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
T-Minus 2 Days: Reflections and Goals
As with most things in life, becoming a poker pro is harder than it looks. The lay person will tell you that its all just luck, that there is no skill involved, and that it is gambling.
But that is not the case.
Poker is a game in which skill plays a part. And whenever skill is involved, it is possible to obtain a positive expected value, or edge, as its known in the poker world.
I've played recreationally for years and did fairly well. So when I lost my job last year, I decided to take a shot and give poker a try.
Over the course of the year, i've had ups and downs, been king of the world as well as a pauper.
Now I'm starting over. I've learned from my mistakes and have the proper perspective. I am ready. It's my time to shine.
My goals for the year are simple.
lifeasapokerpro
But that is not the case.
Poker is a game in which skill plays a part. And whenever skill is involved, it is possible to obtain a positive expected value, or edge, as its known in the poker world.
I've played recreationally for years and did fairly well. So when I lost my job last year, I decided to take a shot and give poker a try.
Over the course of the year, i've had ups and downs, been king of the world as well as a pauper.
Now I'm starting over. I've learned from my mistakes and have the proper perspective. I am ready. It's my time to shine.
My goals for the year are simple.
- Give my backer an ROI of 300% within six months
- Grow bankroll to $100K
- Play one major $10K tourney.
lifeasapokerpro
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