WordPress

I don't know why, but I happened to check out WordPress, the other day and signed up for a site there. I do like their layouts better, and they have a lot more gadgets and widgets that can easily be applied into a blog, so I am entertaining the idea of continuing the blog over there instead of Blogger. More soon...

Empire City at Yonkers

So, getting beat by 3 key poker hands on Friday, I took a break and went to Empire City in Yonkers to 'relax' with video poker. I played Jacks or Better, and Deuces Wild. It was fun and not the least bit frustrating. I lost about $20, but that was expected. After all, it was video poker, and favored odds weren't expected.

Besides paying for drinks at the machines, I had to remind myself that I was in Yonkers. I mean, with the cheesy decor and the constant tumulose drone of the slot machines it would be hard for anyone to know they were not in AC. There was a live band accompanied by the embarrassing antics of drunk regulars on the dance floor; skimpy cocktail waitresses; aged one-armed bandits looking for the Big Score; young courters trying to impress their dates with implied high-roller status; regulars who think they know a thing or two about gambling, but their wins and losses balance out - that is where I would fit in, lol.

Hey, it's slots!

At any rate, it was the right medicine. A $40 investment, yielding a $20 loss in 3 hours is not bad in my book. I could of easily spent 3 fold more in a bar or resturant and not expect any +EV. In retrospect, it's kinda sick if you look at your spare time in profits and losses. Then again, isn't it a positive to say to yourself 'how did I benefit?' At least we are not cranking out some mindless justification for recreation.

Table Selection

When I was on Bodog, I did good at the highest percentage of players preflop per table. In other words, I was killing the most wild tables there. On PokerStars, however I just can't catch a break with the same table selection.

So I did a 360.

On PokerStars, I now select tables with mid 20's or less players preflop...and I am flourishing.

In 20 min, both my two pair got beat by trips costing me 2 buy-ins. Two pair are like White Castle Hamburgers - just throw them right in the toilet.

Moving on...

I found a daily Tuesdany (Night?) tournament that starts at 3pm Est on Poker Stars.

The game is sponsored by The Bigger Deal. I don't know how I can play in this since on Tuesdays at 3, I can be found at my day job. But, I'll keep it on the radar.

Online Player's Future

A little long, but delivers a chuckle in the end.

My Chat Banned!

Generally, I'm not an abusive player. Live and let live, is my motto. But, what a bunch of EGOMANIACS at PokeStars.

Now I'm not the most chivalrous one at all times, and can respond at the lowest of levels. - what's a little abrasiveness at the table? This is poker, not the Olympics...sometimes we just steeeeeeeeeam, if at either a player is rewarded by the poker gods for their dumb play, or they say something out their mouths straight, that we know should come sideways.

Let me tell you, I haven't witnessed a more sensitive, cry-babying, bunch of weiners than the players at PokerStars.

Here's a notice from PokerStars:

Hello ikeep -

We are writing to inform you that we have suspended your chat priv-
ilege for 24 hours as a result of your chat on 2008/08/16.

Name-calling and disparaging remarks about another member's
race, nationality, gender, or sexual preference is against
the Card Room Rules.

The use of vulgarity when addressing another player is not
allowed.

When asterisks are seen during chatting, it is a warning that
what is being put into the chatbox is not allowed. Using
spaces or other characters, or otherwise defeating the censor
is a violation of the Card Room Rules.

At the end of 24 hours, your chat will automatically
be reinstated. There is no need to write to support.

Our goal at PokerStars is to be a fun place to play, where everyone
can feel comfortable. Abuse and other disruptions to the games takes
away from everyone's enjoyment, and therefore will not be tolerated.

We thank you for your cooperation.


Regards,

PokerStars Chat Moderation Team

Oh, well...I guess I learned my lesson.

A more humorous post over at MeltedFelt.

OM...Bankroll Management...OM...

Since I've moved to PokerStars from Bodog a few weeks ago, I've experienced the worst distribution of cards a player cares to see. Basically, I've been card dead for two weeks now. Batshit, is more interesting right now than the cards dealt to me.

My money on Bodog is actually still there, and the consideration right now is to leave it (or half), and continue to play there until the PokerStars fuck fest ceases. I think the same happened to me on PokerStars when they gratuitously gave me a few dollars for signing up via a promotion code; I managed convert those few bills to a couple of a hundred, and then the bullshit started and I tilted it off.

...sigh.

That's what I am not trying not to do - lose it all. Been there; done that. So besides ranting here, I am keeping my head cool, playing smart and not going on tilt. I can always recite 'Bank Roll Management' as a mantra, and make sure not to play above my limits, which by the way is the Golden Egg of not losing your bankroll.

By the way, how many times have you lost your bankroll? Me: 4 or 5 times, when I knew nothing about BRM (I have to admit that the last two times I did, and still managed to lose it, which goes to show it's not solely bankroll management to keep your investment, but learning the game and not going on tilt).

I'll end this post with a couple of links to some other players, who too, seem to equate August with The Suck. And a forum post at Two + Two, started by yours truly, entitled "How Many Times Broke?."

UPDATE: Being that I am playing like a full fledged nit, I am fairing a little better. I also see there are still yet others who like me, equate August with THE SUCK.

If They Never Played Poker (Continued)

Aces and 8's all around

UB = the suck.

In addition to their recent scandal their random generating software blows.

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.10 BB (6 handed) Ultimate Bet Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Hero ($5.28)
UTG ($4.17)
MP ($1.65)
CO ($2.39)
Button ($8.06)
SB ($10.64)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 8d, Ah.
UTG calls $0.10, 2 folds, Button calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero checks.

Flop: ($0.35) 4s, 9h, 5h (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, Button checks.
Turn: ($0.35) 5d (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, Button checks.
River: ($0.35) 2c (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, Button checks.
Final Pot: $0.35


Results:
Button has 8s As (one pair, fives).
Hero has 8d Ah (one pair, fives).
UTG has Ad 8c (one pair, fives).

!!!

PokerStars World Champion Of Online Poker

I wish I had time to play this, but recent full work days and a newborn (4 months), I don't think I can. I'll look into it though; maybe I can squeeze a couple in somewhere.

If They Never Played Poker

ROTFL!

Learn, chat, get threatened by the pros...only at Full Tilt Poker

(I loved the title of this, so I lifted it from the original.)

BankrollBilly (Observer): gl phil ull need it
phantasmag: phils a major donk
Dealer: Phil Gordon has 15 seconds left to act
System: A $69+$6 Satellite to FTOPS Event #12 will be starting in 3 minutes. At least 1 seats will be awarded!
phantasmag: i hate that %$&
Dealer: DwideSchrude has 15 seconds left to act
Dealer: DwideSchrude has requested TIME
Dealer: Phil Gordon wins the pot (840)
Dealer: Hand #7598872716
phantasmag: phil = the suck
Phil Gordon: phan, i'd keep that mouth shut if you
like your account
Phil Gordon: one more comment
Dealer: Bigman82 wins the pot (300)
Dealer: Hand #7598877706
Phil Gordon: and your account is closed
phantasmag: what rule am i breaking
Phil Gordon: good luck to you
Phil Gordon: being a prick
Phil Gordon: 1 more comment
Phil Gordon: please
Dealer: DwideSchrude wins the pot (300)
Dealer: Hand #7598883377
phantasmag: jeez wow
phantasmag: chill
Dealer: rakata wins the pot (120)
Dealer: Hand #7598887747
Dealer: KPOP wins the pot (300)
Dealer: Hand #7598891540
Phil Gordon: when you've cashed for over 2+
million in tournament poker, feel free to trash talk...
Phil Gordon: until then, keep it shut

Read the thread and judge for yourself.

"I don't think I appreciate being called an idiot."
(3:15 on...)

Justice (and crime)!

Interesting weekend playing over at PokerStars. I think I played some of my best poker. Poker is easy when you win; it's your losses that challenge you as a player. I took a major swing (for a micro-stakes player), of about $120. Keeping my cool and continuing to play good poker is what I am proud of here...money has no choice, but to eventually follow.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Hero ($24.05)
Button ($21.50)
SB ($24.40)
BB ($25)
UTG ($31.40)
MP ($44.40)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Ts, Tc.
UTG raises to $1, 1 fold, CO raises to $3, 3 folds, UTG calls $2.
Flop: ($6.35) 3c, Ad, Th (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks.
Turn: ($6.35) 4h (2 players)
UTG bets $6, CO raises to $14, UTG raises to $23, Hero calls $7.05 (All-In).
River: ($50.40) 2c (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $48.45

I won w/ 3 10's.


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Hero ($24.05)
Button ($21.50)
SB ($24.40)
BB ($25)
UTG ($31.40)
MP ($44.40)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Ts, Tc.
UTG raises to $1, 1 fold, CO raises to $3, 3 folds, UTG calls $2.
Flop: ($6.35) 3c, Ad, Th (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks.
Turn: ($6.35) 4h (2 players)
UTG bets $6, CO raises to $14, UTG raises to $23, Hero calls $7.05 (All-In).
River: ($50.40) 2c (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $48.45


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Button ($62.25)
Hero ($46.65)
BB ($52.5)
UTG ($49.75)
MP ($52.20)
CO ($7.05)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Js, Ah.
1 fold, MP raises to $2, 1 fold, Button calls $2, Hero calls $1.75, 1 fold.
Flop: ($6.50) As, 4c, 5h (3 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $4, Button folds, SB raises to $8.5, MP calls $4.50.
Turn: ($23.50) Ad (2 players)
SB bets $36.15 (All-In), MP calls $36.15.
River: ($95.80) 2c (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $95.80

Results in white below:
Hero has Js Ah (three of a kind, aces).
MP doesn't show.
Outcome: Hero wins $95.80.

So, today I end up $10 above where I left off at the beginning of the weekend: - $45.

Following Instinct: Stealing Blinds

By instinct, I've always stole blinds in cash games. Some feel that that is a move for tournaments or SNG's; being part of a strategy for staying ahead of ever increasing blinds, and since there is no pressure in cash games of being "blinded-out" then there is no reason to prompt this behavior. But they would be wrong.

Stealing blinds is part of cash games:

I’ll admit it: I’m a ruthless, heartless, helpless, hopeless, habitual blind thief. I stole blinds when I played limit hold’em, I stole blinds when I played tournaments, I steal blinds when I play no-limit hold’em. I’ve stolen blinds from my eight-year-old cousin and from an 85-year-old great-grandmother. I steal blinds when I’m playing my 16/9 full-ring TAG game and I steal blinds when I’m playing my 35/20 6-max LAG game. I’ve always stolen blinds, and I always will.

As for instinct? Always follow it.

Bad Beat Weekend...

and second best hands.

Hands like the below is the reason why I am down $100 on PS. It started last weekend and hasn't stopped since:
I.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

SB ($14.90)
BB ($11.50)
Hero ($17.55)
MP ($14.65)
CO ($14.70)
Button ($21.25)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 3c, 9d.
Hero calls $0.25, 4 folds, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.60) 3s, 3d, Jh (2 players)
BB bets $0.5, Hero calls $0.50.

Turn: ($1.60) 4h (2 players)
BB checks, UTGA bets $0.5, BB raises to $3, Hero calls $2.50.

River: ($7.60) Kd (2 players)
BB bets $7.75 (All-In), Hero calls $7.75.

Final Pot: $23.10

I don't usually play 3, 9 offsuit UTG but I decided to there and then.

I had Bullets 5 times during the past week and 4 out of 5 times made nothing (the only time I did make something is when I slow played them).
II.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Hero ($21.70)
CO ($17.30)
Button ($5.75)
SB ($7.15)
BB ($30.20)
UTG ($45.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP with As, Ad.
1 fold, MP raises to $0.75, 4 folds.

Final Pot: $0.60

My Q's flanked:
III.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (3 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Button ($12.70)
Hero ($16.40)
BB ($14.75)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Qc, Qs.
Button calls $0.25, SB raises to $1, 1 fold, Button raises to $12.7, Hero calls $11.70.

Flop: ($25.75) Ad, 8c, 3c (2 players)

Turn: ($25.75) 7c (2 players)

River: ($25.75) 4d (2 players)

Final Pot: $25.75

Other than that I flopped two pair maybe 7 times, and those 7 times that I did I got whammied each and every time.
IV.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Button ($4.98)
SB ($4.79)
Hero ($4.96)
UTG ($9.80)
MP ($24.74)
CO ($4.64)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Qd, Qs.
UTG calls $0.05, 1 fold, CO raises to $0.1, Button calls $0.10, SB calls $0.08, BB raises to $2.4, UTG folds, CO calls $2.30, Button calls $2.30, SB folds.

Flop: ($7.35) Kc, 2d, 9c (3 players)
BB bets $2.56 (All-In), CO calls $2.24 (All-In), Button calls $2.56.

Turn: ($14.71) As (3 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($14.71) 2c (3 players, 2 all-in)

Final Pot: $14.71
V.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)

Button ($3.05)
SB ($4.40)
BB ($10)
Hero ($4.80)
MP ($2.15)
CO ($9.45)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Js, Kh.
Hero calls $0.10, MP calls $0.10, 2 folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.40) Jc, 5h, Kd (4 players)
SB bets $0.1, BB raises to $0.5, UTGA raises to $1.4, MP folds, SB folds, BB raises to $4.5, UTGA raises to $4.7, BB calls $0.20.

Turn: ($9.90) 6d (2 players)

River: ($9.90) Qd (2 players)

Final Pot: $9.90

And finally, just some real dumb shit:
VI.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (5 handed) Poker Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: HTML)


Hero ($21.15)
BB ($19.40)
UTG ($24.65)
MP ($30.50)
Button ($45.75)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Ac, 8c.
3 folds, SB raises to $0.5, BB calls $0.25.

Flop: ($1.10) 5h, 5c, 3h (2 players)
SB bets $0.25, BB calls $0.25.

Turn: ($1.60) Qs (2 players)

Hero checks, BB checks.

River: ($1.60) As (2 players)

Hero checks, BB bets $1.25, Hero calls $1.25.

Final Pot: $4.10

I'll publish the results later, but since I am whinning you know what happened. Boo hoo. Back to the tables.

The Sky Is Falling

...on online poker. Andrew Smith wields the "gloom and doom" card about online poker rooms and online bots.

Why? Because there's no real way to tell a program from a person. Crooks will enter programs -- or poker bots --as people. Human players will consistently lose. Eventually, all but the stupidest humans will just stop playing."

Personally, I don't understand the whole fear of Bots playing poker. I welcome them, because I exploit them. Firstly, bots are written by humans, and we know we are fundamentally flawed, so thus are bots. Secondly, bots have patterns like anything else and once found can be exploited.

Andrew fails to state which poker game he is refering to: Limit, No Limit, Omaha, etc. All which bots fair different results. I let Darse Billings speak:

That is a ridiculous conclusion -- this is not a catastrophe for online poker.

First, Ian's program only plays heads-up Limit Hold'em, which is not a popular variant. Modern programs are not strong at No Limit or multi-player games.

Secondly, it is not difficult to identify a known program. If you use the Fritz chess program to play chess on an online server, it will be obvious to everyone. The same applies for poker. Since using programs is against the poker site's terms of use, if you do it you will have your account closed permanently.

I started the research into poker AI in 1992, and we have had a very large team of excellent researchers working on the problem for many years. We have made a lot of progress over the past 16 years, but i can assure you, the sky is not falling.

Andrew sums up with his little timid chicken-ass mentality: Personally, I've never understood why so many people are so willing to risk so much money gambling online. It's not gambling dude, but skill. Maybe Andrew, feels better hording up his money in a savings account (lol), or gambling in a 401K.

RSS

I have to set up the RSS for 'PokerGambit.com,' but if you just can't wait you can find a feed now at www.pokergambit.blogspot.com, for now.

A Little Background

I think a little bio is due here.

This blog was created with the mindset to keep track of my poker game. I've played on a lot of sites: Bodog, PokerStars, FullTilt, UB, Titan, ParadisePoker (my first site). Currently, I have live accounts on UB, Bodog, and PS.

A few months ago, Bodog allowed me to transfer over some points (from previously play), into real cash that amounted to a whopping $5. Over the course of 90 days, I made that $5 into $500 playing micro limits. Not bad.

This is not my first time having real money on a site so by far, it's not a claim of being one of those wonders who deposited a few bucks and made it into thousands. I have made however, $100 dollars into a few hundred, and have also unfortunately made a $100 into $0...nothing special.

I am not the same player as I used to be. Making that $5 into $500, was proof to me that I have mastered some basics, namely bankroll management and proper play. More on that in another post, but I will say here it is one of the main reasons I started this site.

For now, I am divorcing myself from Bodog (until they have better payout options), and am playing at PokerStars grinding it out at .5/.10 and .10/.25. It took me about a week to adjust, because PS players are different monsters than the Bodogers.

Currently, I am down $40 as of last night due to some horrible suckouts. Not sure if I am playing tonight or this weekend.

Punta Del Esta

Doesn't it bite? You at work. Poker players in the cradle of Latin America doing what they do...you at work...

245 Person Waiting List To Play "Pokernubz"

Funny story in development, since March until now. A poker player named "Pokernubz" earned enough "medals"(750 in total), from playing on Fulltilt poker to be awarded his own table.

Funny thing is the player who created the table doesn't play at that limit, and probably created the table in hopes to play there one day. Ironically, the waiting list still grows.

Hard-Boiled Poker has more and the story with links.

The Poker Gambit Begins

You always want your first impression to be a good one, if not the best. It's that "Splash!" effect which is sought after in order to get the "Ooh!" reaction . I've blogged for many years now - five to be exact - and from experience, I know that it's not the first piece that gets you noticed, but constant effort that gets you prominence. Just like successful No-Limit poker players know, that it's not the one big pot that will rake in profits, but the small consistent ones that make your bankroll soar!

Let's not mistake this for a popularity contest. But, a promise of my best effort; the highest quality that I can offer to make this blog work. Everything else that follows is an aftereffect. Just like when you play your best game. It's not the money that you should worry about, but the best darn card playing you are capable of: the best raise, the best fold, the best bluff. What follows after is simply a result of your best effort - and that is money!

Anyway.

This is a poker blog. I enjoy playing poker. I also enjoy writing, so naturally it was only a matter of time that I write about poker. (Here would of been a good place to insert bio: how long I played...where I played...residence...occupation...wants...desires...favorite sex position...blah, blah, blah. But that would be a little too predictable, so let's savor moment and just know that we have begun.)

EDIT: ...okay, done with the moment. What we will server up here is nothing new. You'll find my goals as a poker player, strategy, hand analysis, commentary, what books I've read, interesting links, and some good old goofing around. Same as most, I am sure but the difference is it's mine, which means it's my perspective - and that's what matters most. If you find it worth sticking around then enjoy, if not then this is just another page on the vast world wide web.

Until the next hand...