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 :)