Yeah. My game (and profit), has improved since I've been controlling myself and not getting tilty.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Not Getting Run Over
Usually, I would consider folding pocket 9's to a big re-raise (the book says KK/AA). But, at this level, on this site I read a weak A, and a strong A. Besides feeling that I had the best hand, and that the SB was trying to push me out, I hoped my pair would hold up with only 2 A's left in the deck (I felt this was confirmed when SB did not insta-call my all-in).
CakePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.20 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
CO ($20.40)
Button (Hero) ($12.50)
SB ($48.32)
BB ($11.35)
UTG ($34)
MP ($5.35)
Preflop:
UTG calls $0.20, MP bets $0.90, 1 fold,
Button (Hero) raises to $3
SB raises to $9.40, 2 folds
MP calls $4.45 (All-In)
Button (Hero) raises to $12.50 (All-In)
SB calls $3.10
Flop: ($30.75) J
, 10
, 7 (3 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: ($30.75) 2 (3 players, 2 all-in)
River: ($30.75) 7 (3 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: $30.75 | Rake: $1.50
Results:
Button (Hero) had 9, 9
(two pair, nines and sevens).
SB mucked A, K (one pair, sevens).
MP mucked A
, 4 (one pair, sevens).
Outcome: Button won $29.25
CakePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.20 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
CO ($20.40)
Button (Hero) ($12.50)
SB ($48.32)
BB ($11.35)
UTG ($34)
MP ($5.35)
Preflop:
UTG calls $0.20, MP bets $0.90, 1 fold,
Button (Hero) raises to $3
SB raises to $9.40, 2 folds
MP calls $4.45 (All-In)
Button (Hero) raises to $12.50 (All-In)
SB calls $3.10
Flop: ($30.75) J
, 10, 7 (3 players, 2 all-in)Turn: ($30.75) 2
(3 players, 2 all-in)River: ($30.75) 7
(3 players, 2 all-in)Total pot: $30.75 | Rake: $1.50
Results:
Button (Hero) had 9
, 9 (two pair, nines and sevens).SB mucked A
, K (one pair, sevens).MP mucked A
, 4 (one pair, sevens).Outcome: Button won $29.25
People Just Don't Know How To Play Deep Stack
Preflop.
Hero: $6.50 - Q,Q Limp
Villan: $12.40 - 6,6 raise $1.10
Hero: reraise - All in.
Villan: call
I did win the pot, but either way - win or lose - this was a bad call on his part; if this was a tournament then I could justify the risk under certain situations, but this is a cash game for christ's sakes! If not that, most people just don't know how to play deep stacks. They call way too much when they are clearly beat, but don't care because they have their opponent 'covered'.
A couple hands later:
Villan: Maybe I shouldn't of called you on that hand
Villan: but, I had the big stack and was playing deep.
Me: no, good call.
Villan: LOL
Hero: $6.50 - Q,Q Limp
Villan: $12.40 - 6,6 raise $1.10
Hero: reraise - All in.
Villan: call
I did win the pot, but either way - win or lose - this was a bad call on his part; if this was a tournament then I could justify the risk under certain situations, but this is a cash game for christ's sakes! If not that, most people just don't know how to play deep stacks. They call way too much when they are clearly beat, but don't care because they have their opponent 'covered'.
A couple hands later:
Villan: Maybe I shouldn't of called you on that hand
Villan: but, I had the big stack and was playing deep.
Me: no, good call.
Villan: LOL
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Multiple Site Accounts
Thankfully, I saw the benefit of having accounts spread across multiple sites. My new sweetheart - CakePoker - has been a fickle thing as of late, so I went over to Bodog for awhile to get a better game.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
HUGE LEAK ALERT!!!
Pocket 10's! ARrrrrrrghhhhhh!!!!I play them strongly preflop (vp$p= ~90), I've won about 50/50, yet lost more than I won by at least double.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Game Back/Making Reads
Besides getting my feet wet over at CakePoker, I'm paying attention to reads. I've lost $$$ when I had a read and knew not to call, but called anyway. Now I have to make sure I make some $$$ doing the opposite.
Here's some Cake for you:
Usually, I would not raise here, but after his all-in he didn't have enough to get me out of the pot. I felt I may be beat here, but was crazy about my 4's and felt like gambling.
CakePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Button ($2)
IkeepIt (SB) ($5.50)
BB ($2.80)
UTG ($16.43)
MP ($2)
CO ($2.90)
Preflop: IkeepIt is SB with K4
2 folds, CO bets $0.35,1 fold, IkeepIt calls $0.30, 1 fold
Flop: ($0.80) 8, J, 4 (2 players)
IkeepIt checks, CO bets $0.40, IkeepIt raises to $1, CO raises to $2.55 (All-In), IkeepIt calls $1.55
Turn: ($5.90) 7 (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($5.90) K (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $5.90 Rake: $0.25
Results in white below:
IkeepIt had K , 4 (two pair,Kings and fours). CO mucked J A (one pair, Jacks).
Outcome: IkeepIt won $5.65
***
Button was weak and very fishy. His call had me somewhat concerned. I made a bad read on him before when he got lucky on me. Despite his position his raise told me he had two pair or better. To raise on this street at this level, usually indicates a very strong hand, especially after the check on the flop.
***
CalePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
IkeepIt (UTG) ($7.80)
MP ($11.27)
CO ($7.38)
Button ($5.65)
SB ($2.16)
BB ($10)
Preflop: IkeepIt is UTG with 10, A
IkeepIt calls $0.10, MP bets $0.40, 1 fold, Button calls $0.40, 2 folds, IkeepIt calls $0.30
Flop: ($1.35) 6, 4, J (3 players)
IkeepIt checks, MP checks, Button checks
Turn: ($1.35) 5 (3 players)
IkeepIt checks, MP bets $0.70, Button raises to $1.40, IkeepIt folds, 1 fold
Total pot: $2.75 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Button didn't show
Outcome: Button won $2.65
***
After this player raised me, and then just called my bet on the flop I was convinced he was trying to push me out with some random hand, which a lot of players try to do at this level. His call told me he missed the board and had some over pair or weak Ace combo. I was real surprised he called my shove and almost shocked at what he was holding.
Cake Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.20 BB (6 handed) - Cake-Poker Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
IkeepIt (BB) ($10)
UTG ($6.46)
MP ($19)
CO ($9.67)
Button ($14.10)
SB ($26.12)
Preflop: IkeepIt is BB with J, A
3 folds, Button calls $0.20, 1 fold, IkeepIt bets $0.90, Button raises to $1.60, IkeepIt calls $0.70
Flop: ($3.30) 5, 6, 6 (2 players)
IkeepIt bets $1.60, Button calls $1.60
Turn: ($6.50) 10 (2 players)
IkeepIt raises to $6.80 (All-In), Button calls $6.80
River: ($20.10) 4 (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: $20.10 | Rake: $1
Results in white below:
Button had 2, A (one pair, sixes).
IkeepIt had J, A
(one pair, sixes).
Outcome: IkeepIt won $19.10
***
Cake has this nice feature that gives you a visual of hands. Visually aesthetic, but not as functional as the above format. (There is a converter out there that let me change the format from the default cake output in order to display hands in the more widely accepted internet format.)
I've played with the above player a few times before and he likes to push. His over-raise was indicative of a weak hand and trying to take advantage of a scary board. My all-in, probably translated the same to him. When he called I hoped he did not catch whatever high card he may have.
***
There is not much difference between this level or up a few levels after. I've made these plays before as high as .50/1NL. The trick here is not to play the hero often and to keep the pots controlled, so as to not run into big decisions for a significant portion of your stack.
Here's some Cake for you:
Usually, I would not raise here, but after his all-in he didn't have enough to get me out of the pot. I felt I may be beat here, but was crazy about my 4's and felt like gambling.
CakePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Button ($2)
IkeepIt (SB) ($5.50)
BB ($2.80)
UTG ($16.43)
MP ($2)
CO ($2.90)
Preflop: IkeepIt is SB with K
42 folds, CO bets $0.35,1 fold, IkeepIt calls $0.30, 1 fold
Flop: ($0.80) 8
, J, 4 (2 players)IkeepIt checks, CO bets $0.40, IkeepIt raises to $1, CO raises to $2.55 (All-In), IkeepIt calls $1.55
Turn: ($5.90) 7
(2 players, 1 all-in)River: ($5.90) K
(2 players, 1 all-in)Total pot: $5.90 Rake: $0.25
Results in white below:
IkeepIt had K
, 4 (two pair,Kings and fours). CO mucked J A (one pair, Jacks).Outcome: IkeepIt won $5.65
***
Button was weak and very fishy. His call had me somewhat concerned. I made a bad read on him before when he got lucky on me. Despite his position his raise told me he had two pair or better. To raise on this street at this level, usually indicates a very strong hand, especially after the check on the flop.
***
CalePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
IkeepIt (UTG) ($7.80)
MP ($11.27)
CO ($7.38)
Button ($5.65)
SB ($2.16)
BB ($10)
Preflop: IkeepIt is UTG with 10
, AIkeepIt calls $0.10, MP bets $0.40, 1 fold, Button calls $0.40, 2 folds, IkeepIt calls $0.30
Flop: ($1.35) 6
, 4, J (3 players)IkeepIt checks, MP checks, Button checks
Turn: ($1.35) 5
(3 players)IkeepIt checks, MP bets $0.70, Button raises to $1.40, IkeepIt folds, 1 fold
Total pot: $2.75 | Rake: $0.10
Results:
Button didn't show
Outcome: Button won $2.65
***
After this player raised me, and then just called my bet on the flop I was convinced he was trying to push me out with some random hand, which a lot of players try to do at this level. His call told me he missed the board and had some over pair or weak Ace combo. I was real surprised he called my shove and almost shocked at what he was holding.
Cake Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.20 BB (6 handed) - Cake-Poker Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
IkeepIt (BB) ($10)
UTG ($6.46)
MP ($19)
CO ($9.67)
Button ($14.10)
SB ($26.12)
Preflop: IkeepIt is BB with J
, A3 folds, Button calls $0.20, 1 fold, IkeepIt bets $0.90, Button raises to $1.60, IkeepIt calls $0.70
Flop: ($3.30) 5
, 6, 6 (2 players)IkeepIt bets $1.60, Button calls $1.60
Turn: ($6.50) 10
(2 players)IkeepIt raises to $6.80 (All-In), Button calls $6.80
River: ($20.10) 4
(2 players, 1 all-in)Total pot: $20.10 | Rake: $1
Results in white below:
Button had 2
, A (one pair, sixes).IkeepIt had J
, A(one pair, sixes).
Outcome: IkeepIt won $19.10
***
Cake has this nice feature that gives you a visual of hands. Visually aesthetic, but not as functional as the above format. (There is a converter out there that let me change the format from the default cake output in order to display hands in the more widely accepted internet format.)I've played with the above player a few times before and he likes to push. His over-raise was indicative of a weak hand and trying to take advantage of a scary board. My all-in, probably translated the same to him. When he called I hoped he did not catch whatever high card he may have.
***
There is not much difference between this level or up a few levels after. I've made these plays before as high as .50/1NL. The trick here is not to play the hero often and to keep the pots controlled, so as to not run into big decisions for a significant portion of your stack.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Eat My Cake, And Have It Too
I made the move. CakePoker.Besides doing the cliché 'starting with a clean slate,' I've plugged some holes in my game and am keeping a watchful eye to stay off tilt.
There is also rakeback that I've finally signed up for, where players receive a certain percentage back from the rake that the site takes from pots.
The play there is very, very soft. Maybe I'll be there for the long run, maybe not...in the meantime let's eat some cake!
Evaluating My Game
One of the qualifications of a very useful book is that if you can skim around it and not necessarily read it in order (another factor is that it has to have a greater overview of a topic than I, and is well written). The Tao Of Poker, is a book that fits this criteria.
The book is separated into chapters on various topics designed to improve your game by giving you a "rule" (over 200 of them), followed by a description that you should incorporate.
There's a chapter on tilt. It not only talks about regular tilt, but expounds on mega-tilt - tilting beyond normal tilt! Mega-tilt is tilt on steroids, that you can be on tilt for days, weeks, months at a time. Poor-sap! Until I realized that that poor sap is me.
I've been on MEGA-tilt for a couple of weeks now, for various reasons outside the realm of poker. I thought I had this behind me as I wrote down a previous post, but looking at some recent events (now a couple of weeks past), I see that I was not (the first person we fool is ourselves). I am doing much better now and rebuilding stacks.
The book is separated into chapters on various topics designed to improve your game by giving you a "rule" (over 200 of them), followed by a description that you should incorporate.
There's a chapter on tilt. It not only talks about regular tilt, but expounds on mega-tilt - tilting beyond normal tilt! Mega-tilt is tilt on steroids, that you can be on tilt for days, weeks, months at a time. Poor-sap! Until I realized that that poor sap is me.
I've been on MEGA-tilt for a couple of weeks now, for various reasons outside the realm of poker. I thought I had this behind me as I wrote down a previous post, but looking at some recent events (now a couple of weeks past), I see that I was not (the first person we fool is ourselves). I am doing much better now and rebuilding stacks.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Playing Light
Yesterday, I did not have much heart for No-Limit games, so I played very light and short-stacked. I also played some limit and cap-games and did well there...actually, crushed the limit folks, which made me feel good about my game.
In retrospect, it's good to step back from the game when you don't feel you have your A game on.
UPDATE [02:20:2009]: The limit games over at FullTilt are juicer than what I expected; I may stay there for a little while.
In retrospect, it's good to step back from the game when you don't feel you have your A game on.
UPDATE [02:20:2009]: The limit games over at FullTilt are juicer than what I expected; I may stay there for a little while.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Book Reading
From my father's side I have a thirst for knowledge, from my mother's I am gifted with intuition. In combination, these two assets compliment one another and help excel my poker game.
***
Books have always fascinated me. At a younger age, I would stare almost in awe at the two towers of book shelves in my Uncle's house. Deep inside I knew the books contained a wealth of knowledge. But, being a late bloomer I ironically hated to read.
From my Uncle, I learned how to read the Forward and Introduction of a book; how to pick up a book and skim through it to see if the book appeals to me; how to interact with a book and jot down my own notes, and highlight important points. This all stems from casual conversations and indirect influence.
***
If you think about it reading and writing are the same action; they are two opposite ends of a common spectrum.
***
I've picked up 3 new books lately (non-poker), but I expect in the end they will help me with my game. Also, I've renewed my dedication to a few books that I've half read and have planned to read (some poker/some non).
***
Some notes on my phone, from some poker book:
"A good player will rarely fold on the river to a large call after the turn."
"At 15-20 BB you are looking to re-steal from loose players rather than open raise."
Buzz words:
"the four points rule"
"stacks size"
"pot equity"
"folding equity"
I am sure that these notes came out of either of the two cash game books I have.
***
Books have always fascinated me. At a younger age, I would stare almost in awe at the two towers of book shelves in my Uncle's house. Deep inside I knew the books contained a wealth of knowledge. But, being a late bloomer I ironically hated to read.
From my Uncle, I learned how to read the Forward and Introduction of a book; how to pick up a book and skim through it to see if the book appeals to me; how to interact with a book and jot down my own notes, and highlight important points. This all stems from casual conversations and indirect influence.
***
If you think about it reading and writing are the same action; they are two opposite ends of a common spectrum.
***
I've picked up 3 new books lately (non-poker), but I expect in the end they will help me with my game. Also, I've renewed my dedication to a few books that I've half read and have planned to read (some poker/some non).
***
Some notes on my phone, from some poker book:
"A good player will rarely fold on the river to a large call after the turn."
"At 15-20 BB you are looking to re-steal from loose players rather than open raise."
Buzz words:
"the four points rule"
"stacks size"
"pot equity"
"folding equity"
I am sure that these notes came out of either of the two cash game books I have.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Flopping A Royal Flush
The odds of this happening on the flop with two broadway cards are 19599:1, Against. So, I feel very lucky. This is my second royal flush, but my first on the flop. Plus my bonus kicking in tonight it turned out to be a very good night.
Bodog Hold'em No-Limit ($0.10/$0.25)
Hand Number: 1519774095
Seat #8 is the button
Seat 3: sURFrIDER75 ($44.08 in chips)
Seat 2: XBen7 ($25.60 in chips)
Seat 4: michi04 ($0.00 in chips)
Seat 5: jth413 ($21.20 in chips)
Seat 7: Affenkoenig_ ($48.12 in chips)
Seat 8: ikeepon ($32.26 in chips)
sURFrIDER75: posts small blind $0.05
XBen7: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Affenkoenig_: Call $ 0.25 [ 9c,Js ]
ikeepon: Raises $ 1.40 [ Ac, Qc ]
sURFrIDER75: Fold $ 0.10
XBen7: Fold $ 0.25
Affenkoenig_: Call $ 1.15
*** FLOP *** [ Tc Kc Jc ]Pot=$ 3.15
Affenkoenig_: Check
ikeepon: Check
*** TURN *** [ 8c ]Pot=$ 3.15
Affenkoenig_: Bet $ 2.30
ikeepon: Call $ 2.30
*** RIVER *** [As ] Pot=$ 7.75
Affenkoenig_: Check
ikeepon: Bets $1.25
Affenkoenig_: Call $1.25 Pot= $ 9.75
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Ikeepon: Showsdown [ Ac Qc ] (Royal Flush) Wins
Ac Kc Qc Jc 10 c
Affenkoenig: Showdown Mucks
ikeepon: Hand result $ 9.75
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Calling Bold Bluffs/Folding Painted Pairs
I've been raising this player off quite a few hands already tonight as he was trying to see cheap flops and raising with marginal hands. Here, I felt he took a stand to play against me here, and with check-calling I was trying to represent an AK, AQ to get him to continue to bet and try to push me out the pot.
Stacks:
BTN with $26.35
SB with $12.95
BB with $19.85
Blinds:
Site: Pokerstars
Dealt to BB:A♠ T♥
Sklansky group 6
Preflop: BTN calls [$0.25]
SB calls [$0.15] Hero raises $0.75 to $1 BTN calls [$0.75]
1 players folded.
Total folds this street: 1
Potsize: $2.25
Flop: 3♠ 10♦ 6♣ Hero bets [$0.75]
1 players fold.
BTN raises $0.75 to $1.50 Hero raises $0.75 to $2.25 BTN raises $0.75 to $3 Hero calls [$0.75]
Potsize: $8.25
Turn: K♦ Hero: checks BTN bets [$3.25] Hero calls [$3.25]
Potsize: $14.75
River: 8♦ Hero: checks BTN bets [$19.10] [ all-in ] Hero calls [$12.60] [ all-in ] Uncalled bet ($6.50) returned to BTN
Results:
BTN shows high card King: Q♣ 4♣
Hero shows a pair of Tens: A♠ 10♥ Hero collected $38.95 from pot
Poker Hand Converter By Cardschat.com Poker Forum
I knew these pocket J's were no good w/ a raise, call and re-raise w/ two more players to act if I call or raise here, so I mucked.
Stacks:
BTN with $7.20
SB with $30.25
BB with $16.25
UTG with $7.70
Blinds:
Site: Pokerstars
Dealt to BB:J♣ J♥
Sklansky group 1
Preflop:
UTG raises $0.75 to $1 BTN calls [$1]
SB raises $2.75 to $3.75
1 players fold.
UTG raises $3.95 to $7.70 [ all-in ] BTN calls [$6.20] [ all-in ]
SB calls [$3.95]
Total folds this street: 1
Potsize: $22.85
Flop: 4♠ A♠ 3♥
Potsize: $22.85
Turn: 10♣
Potsize: $22.85
River: 5♠
Results:
SB shows a pair of Jacks: J♠ J♦
UTG shows a pair of Kings: K♥ K♦
UTG collected $0.95 from side pot
BTN shows a pair of Aces: 6♦ A♦ BTN collected $20.80 from main pot
Poker Hand Converter By Cardschat.com Poker Forum
There was another pair I had on another table - QQ - and I raised to $1.40 at .10/.25 w/ 9 people UTG. Third to act raised to $8, I thought about it and folded as I had about $23 and he had around the same. It looked like a small pair, but a disguised AA or KK was very possible here. Calling was a possibility, but I wasn't comfortable re-raising as I would of been pot committed, for I didn't want to get it all-in here. (Ed Miller has an article entitled "On Getting Stacked" where he talks about getting it all-in w/ AA, KK, QQ or whatever, and you shouldn't feel bad about it as this most of the time is the correct play. Although the player in his example had 44 BB, in this situation I had 92 BB and felt it was more of a gamble.)
Stacks:
BTN with $26.35
SB with $12.95
BB with $19.85
Blinds:
Site: Pokerstars
Dealt to BB:A♠ T♥
Sklansky group 6
Preflop: BTN calls [$0.25]
SB calls [$0.15] Hero raises $0.75 to $1 BTN calls [$0.75]
1 players folded.
Total folds this street: 1
Potsize: $2.25
Flop: 3♠ 10♦ 6♣ Hero bets [$0.75]
1 players fold.
BTN raises $0.75 to $1.50 Hero raises $0.75 to $2.25 BTN raises $0.75 to $3 Hero calls [$0.75]
Potsize: $8.25
Turn: K♦ Hero: checks BTN bets [$3.25] Hero calls [$3.25]
Potsize: $14.75
River: 8♦ Hero: checks BTN bets [$19.10] [ all-in ] Hero calls [$12.60] [ all-in ] Uncalled bet ($6.50) returned to BTN
Results:
BTN shows high card King: Q♣ 4♣
Hero shows a pair of Tens: A♠ 10♥ Hero collected $38.95 from pot
Poker Hand Converter By Cardschat.com Poker Forum
I knew these pocket J's were no good w/ a raise, call and re-raise w/ two more players to act if I call or raise here, so I mucked.
Stacks:
BTN with $7.20
SB with $30.25
BB with $16.25
UTG with $7.70
Blinds:
Site: Pokerstars
Dealt to BB:J♣ J♥
Sklansky group 1
Preflop:
UTG raises $0.75 to $1 BTN calls [$1]
SB raises $2.75 to $3.75
1 players fold.
UTG raises $3.95 to $7.70 [ all-in ] BTN calls [$6.20] [ all-in ]
SB calls [$3.95]
Total folds this street: 1
Potsize: $22.85
Flop: 4♠ A♠ 3♥
Potsize: $22.85
Turn: 10♣
Potsize: $22.85
River: 5♠
Results:
SB shows a pair of Jacks: J♠ J♦
UTG shows a pair of Kings: K♥ K♦
UTG collected $0.95 from side pot
BTN shows a pair of Aces: 6♦ A♦ BTN collected $20.80 from main pot
Poker Hand Converter By Cardschat.com Poker Forum
There was another pair I had on another table - QQ - and I raised to $1.40 at .10/.25 w/ 9 people UTG. Third to act raised to $8, I thought about it and folded as I had about $23 and he had around the same. It looked like a small pair, but a disguised AA or KK was very possible here. Calling was a possibility, but I wasn't comfortable re-raising as I would of been pot committed, for I didn't want to get it all-in here. (Ed Miller has an article entitled "On Getting Stacked" where he talks about getting it all-in w/ AA, KK, QQ or whatever, and you shouldn't feel bad about it as this most of the time is the correct play. Although the player in his example had 44 BB, in this situation I had 92 BB and felt it was more of a gamble.)
Monday, February 9, 2009
"Players, On Playing Me" Or, "My Table Image"
(This entry may get re-edited.)
I take this as a compliment: one specific player leaves the table and repositions himself against me when I sit down/same player not only does that, but he now usually, re-loads for the full buy-in; another player does the same, adding chips whenever I sit down at the table.
Fear this!
These actions give some me definitive feedback on my table image. They show an overwhelming example that they feel every edge is needed against me. I hate to put myself on a pedestal, but there is no other conclusion. I have to say as well that 4 out of 5 times I am a winner against these two players, and/or they usually see me as a winner at the tables I sit.
Knowing this, it has become easier to play against these players as their bets or no-bets, give me a huge amount of information. Now, if I can only get every player to do this for me.
I take this as a compliment: one specific player leaves the table and repositions himself against me when I sit down/same player not only does that, but he now usually, re-loads for the full buy-in; another player does the same, adding chips whenever I sit down at the table.
Fear this!
These actions give some me definitive feedback on my table image. They show an overwhelming example that they feel every edge is needed against me. I hate to put myself on a pedestal, but there is no other conclusion. I have to say as well that 4 out of 5 times I am a winner against these two players, and/or they usually see me as a winner at the tables I sit.
Knowing this, it has become easier to play against these players as their bets or no-bets, give me a huge amount of information. Now, if I can only get every player to do this for me.
Monday, February 2, 2009
My Adventures At $1/2
Here are some hands from my session at $1/2. The first is pretty much standard - there was a lot of money in the pot and I had outs, the opponent made a mistake by not raising to protect his hand. The second hand was pure luck and I was pushing, the third again was standard and I felt after reviewing the hand that I could of made some more, but I wasn't looking to face a re-raise decision at the time.
(Hands are in no particular order.)
(Hands are in no particular order.)
Running Bad
Aka., variance. Unfortunately, I know how this fellow feels:
Off of Two+Two, someone makes this comment in reply to the above:
...my feeling is right now that I am the unluckiest poker player in the world over the last 10+ months. I mean I truly have no fucking idea how I can run so bad all the time.Fortunately, I am at peace now w/ losing - it's part of the game. My all-in KK, earlier today ran into AA...oh well, it happens.
Off of Two+Two, someone makes this comment in reply to the above:
Those lucky few who HAVE gone through this (>6 months of constant butt****ing) know exactly how he feels.We all go through it - some worse than others, but I say that w/ a grain of salt as over time most things balance out. The only thing to do is to start grind it out, shut the fuck up and play your best game.
For those who HAVEN'T gone through it, his post probably sounds incredibly whiny. But you can't possibly understand until you go through it. Seriously. Most of you never will. Be very, very happy.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Going On Tilt And Playing Bigger Games
I really have to control myself. I went on mega-tilt the other night and crept up to the .25/.50 & $1/$2 levels. No worries though - I survived. But, I made a huge mistake by doing that and put a larger portion of my bankroll at risk while already on a downswing.
The play at those levels is really not that much different than the lower levels. One key thing is that if you are not used to those levels, you may find some of the bets and stacks intimidating. The only way around this is to see bets not as monetary values, but multiples of the blinds or pots: he bet the pot, instead of he bet $100; she bet 4x the blind instead of a $8 raise...etc. This way your emotions are not part of your game.
With all that being said, I am now back to the correct table dictated by my bankroll.
The play at those levels is really not that much different than the lower levels. One key thing is that if you are not used to those levels, you may find some of the bets and stacks intimidating. The only way around this is to see bets not as monetary values, but multiples of the blinds or pots: he bet the pot, instead of he bet $100; she bet 4x the blind instead of a $8 raise...etc. This way your emotions are not part of your game.
With all that being said, I am now back to the correct table dictated by my bankroll.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Experience, A Great Teacher
My Uncle used to tell me that if I was smart I'd learn from other people's experiences instead of making those same mistakes myself. Being told that at a very young age my naive mind reasoned that without my very own experiences I would somehow be cheating myself out of experiencing life. I promptly vowed to not learn from others and to make my own mistakes. Brilliant. Thankfully, I am more wiser than I was, but while my Uncle could not be more correct there are some things that you must experience - even if you know about it from others! Gasp!!! Let me explain.
Put simply, reading and comprehension do not go hand in hand - you can read something, but not necessarily grasp the concept (sometimes we have apparent meaning and more deeper layers of meaning, but let's leave that out of the equation).
Where exactly that I read this I am not sure, but I am sure that I've read it a couple of times here and there; it goes something like this: when you play don't be concerned about winning or losing, just play correctly and the money will follow.
Now, I have to admit that I never fully understood this. What I mean is how can someone play and not be concerned about the money? We are all there to win not the game, but the money! If I wanted to play a game correctly I would go play chess and never wager a dollar.
This past weekend however, after losing half my bankroll, the next day it dawned on me that playing pots and trying to win the money and not lose blinded me from correct play. I was in an auto-aggressive mode where I couldn't understand why my AQ would constantly lose to a 2 or a 4, or why when a hand screamed a straight I did not fold and thought I was being bluffed.
It was an expensive weekend, but I learned a valuable lesson that will save me money in the future. My Uncle was right. Too bad, I did not grasp the entire concept the first time and had to experience this for myself.
Put simply, reading and comprehension do not go hand in hand - you can read something, but not necessarily grasp the concept (sometimes we have apparent meaning and more deeper layers of meaning, but let's leave that out of the equation).
Where exactly that I read this I am not sure, but I am sure that I've read it a couple of times here and there; it goes something like this: when you play don't be concerned about winning or losing, just play correctly and the money will follow.
Now, I have to admit that I never fully understood this. What I mean is how can someone play and not be concerned about the money? We are all there to win not the game, but the money! If I wanted to play a game correctly I would go play chess and never wager a dollar.
This past weekend however, after losing half my bankroll, the next day it dawned on me that playing pots and trying to win the money and not lose blinded me from correct play. I was in an auto-aggressive mode where I couldn't understand why my AQ would constantly lose to a 2 or a 4, or why when a hand screamed a straight I did not fold and thought I was being bluffed.
It was an expensive weekend, but I learned a valuable lesson that will save me money in the future. My Uncle was right. Too bad, I did not grasp the entire concept the first time and had to experience this for myself.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wicked Chops Reader Appreciation Freeroll
I busted out of the freeroll about 2 hours into it; from 1500 participants I felted around 232.
I had about 10,000 in chips and was playing real well. With A
2
, I mini'ed from the button around 200/400 blinds; SB folded and BB being deeper than me called w/ 25,000 in chips.
Board came 9, 9
, A. Giving me 2 pair, I bet the pot. With some thought I was smooth called. Turn was a K giving me a flush draw to my two pair. I read him for a 9, if I was wrong then a higher A. I had outs though and pushed, he called. River was a brick. Bust and then bed.
Check here for the winner.
I had about 10,000 in chips and was playing real well. With A
2, I mini'ed from the button around 200/400 blinds; SB folded and BB being deeper than me called w/ 25,000 in chips.Board came 9
, 9, A. Giving me 2 pair, I bet the pot. With some thought I was smooth called. Turn was a K giving me a flush draw to my two pair. I read him for a 9, if I was wrong then a higher A. I had outs though and pushed, he called. River was a brick. Bust and then bed.Check here for the winner.
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