Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Back To My Game


For a cash game player, I sure took a long break from live cash games. The Office in Mississauga held what is now a monthly 10 20 limit holdem game tonight, I wanted to get there from the start as this is a great game. Unfortunately, I didn't get there until 1230am and had to wait until about 2am to play. 11 handed to start and then eventually down to 4 handed. Made some great reads and only really misplayed 1 hand bluffing into a calling station. Overall, only played 3 hours or so, +$110.

Now the main effort is to get out and find live 10 20 or 15 30 games in the area.

Goal is now to play 10 20 2-3x/week on a regular basis, keeping online to low limit ($30-$40) sngs. The last 2 weeks I've played games online which are not high percentage, MTTs, turbo sngs, etc. So, now that this is out of my system, I'm back to my main games -- live cash games and the occasional online sng.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
B&M LHE Cash MTD = +$110
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$134US
Online Satellites = $-49, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$239US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$96US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$8US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$2US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$235US

Online MTD = -$112US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$70CDN

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Killing Time, Not Playing Well, Not Playing High Percentage Games


My sleep is all crewed up from work, so staying in to get it back to normal tonight, playing some MTTs.

Stud h/l satellite for the $200 on stars. Never got much going, busted midway without ever getting above my initial 1500. -$39, no seat.

HU MTT limit HE, Stars. Really just outcarded in the second round. -$33.

Completely done online for now, not even trying to play well anymore. Live only for the next month.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$101US
Online Satellites = $-49, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$57US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$8US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$2US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$235US

Online MTD = -$134US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Friday, November 25, 2005

How Online Has Been Going


Just playing a MTT here and there, withdrew most my online money. So, PLO8 hu MTT on stars, second round i hit top set of KKK on K85 rainbow board get my opponent all in calling with AAQJ, hits runner runner straight. Clueless players keep hitting me. Down to 300 battle back to even and he gets hit by the deck with high blinds. 2nd round, -$22.

UB 6 handed MTT, -$33. Early on my sb i limp with K5s, BB makes min raise. Flop K59 rainbow, I check he bets pot i raise 2/3 of his stack he calls with 200 left. Turn is T giving me flush draw as well, and he hit his gutshot. Jesus, what a joke. Outplayed his on every street and lose 1/2 my stack early. -$33.

Jesus (#*@&$(#*&, even when I win I lose. Stud h/l $33 MTT on Stars, 3rd/56. 3 handed 24k or so, big stack with 45k, other with 22k. I bring in with JJ rolled up 7 door card. Big folds, other player raises showing a 7, I put him on a pp hopefully under JJ. Capped, I pair my 7 JJ77, hes all in and turns up 997Q, next card??????????? QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ. FUCK. I'm out third for +$202, first was $500. Ah crap. 3rd/56, +$202. Was a good tournament, like the small field games.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$32US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$57US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = -$11US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$235US

Online MTD = -$29US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Lost My Patience For Online Play


This has happened before. I'm playing too fast for too long in some sngs. I'm losing patience with online poker right now. Time to switch to live play. Live is actually by far my preference, I've just been lazy about driving to games this year. Going to start playing 10 20 twice a week and some small tournaments here and there. May give some 5 5 NL games a shot, although the variance can be devastating at times. Withdrawing the bulk of my online monies and hitting the live games starting this weekend.

Haven't had to bring out the $5 chip for a while, but that's what I get for playing when I'm not really feeling like it online.

Not a great month. I know I can consistantly beat the $38s on stars, but I've lost patience for those games right now, likely played them too much and then start wanting to move up when my game is not at its best. Next time I come back to online sngs I'll start at the 100s and go from there.

I've located 2-3 live 10 20 games within 30 minutes of my home, will try them out next week. Might go play live at Fallsview or Seneca on Saturday. Going to start playing more tournaments, so this may be negative on my bankroll until I manage to cash in one. Starting with smaller $100-$150 tournaments and moving up if I get some cashes.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$179US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$52US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = -$11US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$235US

Online MTD = -$180US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Wednesday, November 23, 2005


What a weak table. UB $55 6 handed NLH sng. I easily cruise through to heads up, no fancy plays. These players were simply clueless about hand values, etc. So I just played tight, a few button steals, thats it. I basically lose it for my self HU. Up by 2000 or so, I raise with A8s, call. Flop 68T, I bet 1/2 pot or so, flat call...I'm thinking uhoh 97, but then again this guy calls with alot of hands including overcards here, turn A for 2 pair...I push, he calls with 97...stupid. I could easily chop this guy away. Final hand I have T7s and call a min raise. Flop JJx rainbow, he bets and I go all in for another 1500, he calls with Q9s and I don't improve. Took the wrong path against this guy, should have had no big pots and chopped him down. UB payouts are a bit different, 70/30 vs. 65/35 on stars. Still love the structure (this was a turbo). Second, +$35.

OOOps...wow placed 6th/6 in a $55 6 handed on UB. I plsyed tight to start as the table was aggressive, tried to make a few moves, the last one being AJs on the button, end up all in vs the BB with 600 left and he flips AA. All I kept seeing were KK, QQ, AK flipped over, couldn't get anything going. Sixth, -$55.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$179US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$17US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = -$11US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$159US

Online MTD = -$69US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Mostly Omaha8...Switching to Ultimatebet


UB 6handed $22 MTT, -$22. Very beatable game. First hand A8 in my sb vs bb with JJ. Flop AJx and I'm down to 900 right away. Get back to 1800. Down to 1400, smallest stack at the table. Final hand I have A9 and make a min raise in EP (table is very weak) flop 994 rainbow, decide to slowplay against a clueless player who will pay off. 499TK, he turns over QJ and I'm out. Had to take a chance there to get some chips, he would have called with and ten or K as well. 55/75 or so, -$22. Hadn't played UB in ages, I like this tourney, only 75 players and first is $650 or so, very beatable.

PLO8 $35 sng. Second, +$51. Fourth, -$35. Third, +$23. Fifth, -$35.

Sort session of 5 10 O8sh for a change, shouldn't even bother lately, -$59.

O8 limit hu MTT out in first round, lets just say I went out to K333...not really doing well this week. -$33.

OK, decided to play some bigger games. Played 2 $119 6 handed turbo sngs on Stars, 4th and 3rd. I didn't like the games at all...the structure is too fast for my liking and the Stars server was screwed up tonight making every hand take a minute, effectively making each 5 min round 5-8 hands. Brutal. 4th/3rd, -$119x2.

So, this sent me looking for a new 6 handed game with a larger buyin than the $38. Over to UB, played a $55 6 handed turbo sng, their turbos are a dream structure compared to Stars turbos. Was a pretty tight match, lost 3 times with the best hand all-in, finally heads-up against a very tight player, I constantly stole his blinds and bet every flop. First, +$155. Will be playing these $50 sngs for a while, if winning up to the 100s on UB.

Also withdrew all monies from Absolute to stop myself from playing these microsessions at O8, that's just not a good plan. Will keep $400 or so in Stars and play the $38s here and there until I clear the bonus.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$179US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$17US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = -$11US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$139US

Bleh can't be bothered with these streaks.


Online MTD = -$49US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Monday, November 21, 2005

Maybe Not My Night


$38 6 handed -- still 4 handed at 40 minutes, weak table but I'm playing too passive. I have 1600 in BB as do th 2 players to my left, chup leader on my right with 5k or so. Everyone's limping all the time. I'm kind of tired and blinds are 50 100. My BB and SB is weeeeeak. I start playing impatient and get dealt 85s in my BB. limped to me so I push all in, sb calls with KTs and I'm out, not really my game to push so hard for a $200 pot. Should have raised to 300 and bet 500 at the flop or so if checked to me. Played impatient, bad play. Fourth, -$38.

May play some HU MTTs tonight, not in the mood for sngs at the moment.

$22 64 played Stud HU MTT -- never played much stud heads up, fun game, made the second round and then the guy I was playing caught every card in the deck, very frustrating. 2nd round, -$22.

$20 HU O8 limit on Absolute, opponent hit 1 outer quads twice against my nut full house, lost -$10.

$38 6 handed, playing too loose early against several calling stations, so I'm short at 950, still lots of play. Calling station 2 to my right raises minimum to 60 and I have QQ in my BB. Gonna slow play and hopefully double up...flop KQJ, check check. Turn 5 hearts for a 4 flush, I overbet the pot and he calls, We end up all in on the river and he turns over AT for flopped nuts. Can't ever get away from that hand vs that player. 5th, $-38.

HU NLHE $21 Absolute. Opponent hit by the deck. I would have T9 he would have QT on a board of AAT23, etc, etc......bleh. Lost, $-21.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$124US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$219US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$17US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = -$1US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$56US

All time 6 handed NLH In-The-Money Streak = 3
All time 6 handed NLH No-Cash Streak = 2 (active)

All time HU NLH Winning Streak = 2

Online MTD = +$154US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Not Much Of A Month

Played alot of games which are not real cash gains for me in general.
Note not to play the following:
1. Turbo sngs
2. Too Many MTTs if not ahead on the day
3. MTTs with huge fields
4. Online Cash Games

Next Month -- live cash games are the focus.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
B&M LHE Cash MTD = +$110
Online O8shMTD = -$124US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$134US
Online Satellites = $-49, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$223US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$96US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$8US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$2US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$235US

Online MTD = -$128US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$70CDN

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Sometimes You Play Perfectly, But You Don't Win


Stars $38 6 handed sng. Early chip lead up to 2700, pick up KK in LP. 2 limps infront of me at 15 30 level, I make it 180 to go, short 700 stack makes it 360, folded to the player on my right who calls with 1200 or so infront of him, I rereraise all in...fold and call with 66 for all 1200 of his chips. Hits a 6 and I'm down to 1400 or so.

I get heads-up with the aforementioned idiot after he has some great suckouts against other players. Me 2500, him 6500 and lots of play left. Significant hands: he limps with JJ, me K8o, Khi flop and I get him all in, he shows JJ for 2000 more chips??? I double up. Even. It's going really slowly, blinds still 100 200, I try to set up a move if I get good cards. I push all in with ATs, fold. Next hand KK, I push and he calls with QTs, have him down to 1700 or so. Next big hand I have Kx, he has 23, flop K54...I bet he raises I call with intent of pushing the turn, blank and I push, he calls for all his chips and hits a straight on the river. Things continue to hit him over the head. Final hand I push A5s and he calls 73o (for alot of chips), 7 on the river. Sometimes you just have to wonder. I played perfectly in the key spots but lost. Second, +$35.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$102US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$219US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$38US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = +$20US

All time 6 handed NLH In-The-Money Streak = 3 (active)
All time 6 handed NLH No-Cash Streak = 1

All time HU NLH Winning Streak = 2 (active)

Online MTD = +$283US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Some Sngs...Faster Than The Human Eye


$38 6 handed NL on Stars, placed 3rd. Got an early lead and played a bit too tight, ended up 3 handed 40 minutes in and had about 1800 agaist 2 big stacks. Each player ended up having a monster every other hand. I guess I played too tight hoping for them to move on each other as I had nothing to play with and it almost worked, then one caught a river flush and back to the same thing. Moved all in with A3o with blinds 100 200 and only 690 left, called in 2 places and lost to AK. Third, -$38.

Another one, same game. Got to heads up within 20mins, pretty uneventful. Me 2.5k, him 6.5k, lots of play left. He's a bit of a maniac getting lucky from behind all in to eliminated people, was overvalues draws and top pair. I double through JTo on a 298 flop I bet min 100, he raises to 300, turn 2789 rainbow for the stone cold nuts, check, he bets 1100 I go all in and double up, we are virtually even. A few hands later T8o call a small raise flop JT8, praying for an overpair, check and he bets 1000 I push all in and he shows KQo, sweet....turns an A and no help on the river...second. I'd play it all the same again, was ahead against a maniac and set a decent trap, that's how you beat a maniac...most times. Second, +$35.

For fun, $5.50 quadruple shootout, starts 3 handed, opponent hit by the deck KK AA etc, come in second pushing K hi vs AA when short, -$5.50.

Felt like some variety so played a $35 turbo PL Omaha8. Not much to say, lots of luck involved as you get 4-5 handed with the blinds up and its steal, steal, steal and hope your hand holds when you get called. First, +$109.

Absolute Poker, heads up NLH sng. Playing an idiot who spikes a gutshot for 2 pot sized bets on the river, so I'm down early 2350 to 650...still on the first level. Comeback and win it winning small pots, then limping and reraising with AKs vs his A6o. Final hand is the Brunson, T2o on a flop on JT2, screw it I'm pushing because this guy will call with any piece, calls with J3o and I take it down. I like the structure on the heads-up games on Absolute, you get alot of play but it's not as tedious as the Stars HU Sngs. First, +$19.

Ok, lets add a Heads-Up Winning Streak Stat (excluding MTTs).

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$102US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$219US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$38US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$15US

All time 6 handed NLH In-The-Money Streak = 2 (active)
All time 6 handed NLH No-Cash Streak = 1

All time HU NLH Winning Streak = 2 (active)

Online MTD = +$248US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

I'm Shakezulah, The Mic Rulah


Stars $38 sng, first. Lots going on today, didn't get to play much.
Bad beat midway when chip leader at 2.5k, QQ in BB, 800 stack limps, 1200 calls sb, I make it 300, 800 immediatly all in with K6o, I call...K and I'm down to slightly ahead. Table is very passive and very weak postflop other than the above idiot with K6. Take down small pots here and there, get heads up with the idot down 2k to 7k or so, all in TT he calls with K6! doubles me up and I easily take it down after 10mins or so of chopping him down heads up.
Final hand I have K3o, Kclubs. Flop 3 clubs, he min bets I min raise, check check when the flush hits me. I check to him on the river and he goes all in and I quickly call with the 2nd nuts and take it down.

Since almost all of any significant online poker being played by myself currently is 6 handed NLH sngs on Stars, I'll add another stat for fun (at least when I'm winning), in the money win streaks and losing streaks which will be ongoing. I'm also going to start writing a brief summary of each game prior to moving on to the next one.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$97US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$110US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$19US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$12US

All time 6 handed NLH In-The-Money Streak = 2
All time 6 handed NLH No-Cash Streak = 1

Online MTD = +$128US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

If It Wasn't For Luck, I'd Win All These Things


Played 3 6 handed $38s today, 1st one I'm very short heads-up, double through once and then lose A4 to T4s when he flops the flush, 2nd place.

Onto the next bad beat I'm 3 handed and work back from short to even with the other 2. Guy to my right overplays everything. Limp in SB with AQo to trap. Flop A hi with 2 hearts, I bet small to keep him in and he calls, I put him on a crappy A...turn a brick diamond and I push 3k into a 1.5k or so pot, he thinkkkkkkkkkkkkkks and calls with A4 diamonds for a dominated pair, only out is a diamond or 4, I wanted that call...until the river, out in 3rd.

Play well again and FINALLY get a first, it's been a while.

In the middle there I played a $2 turbo rebuy satellite for shits and giggles, spent $10 and didn't win a big $33 seat...all in A5 vs K9 and lost. Next hand get 99 and push in LP hoping someone will call a steam raise, which they do...with QQ...c'est la vie and adios.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$97US
Online Satellites = $-10, no seats
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$110US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$19US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$111US

Online MTD = +$29US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Playing Great Poker


Training Room $60 + Rebuy, 45-50 players.
Rebuy right away, 4000 in chips. Pretty tight table, one strong player on my left, one completely clueless calling station 2 to my left, 1 other decent player at the table. All the rest average, I play my cards and don't make any moves type players. I'm playing great in the rebuy period, raising lots of hands, stealing lots of small pots. Involved in a big pot with the calling station. I raise his SB with T9 clubs in the cutoff (BB is post and fold), good player on the button folds, SB calls as expected. glop Kxx 2 flush he checks, I bet 2/3 the pot he calls...ok I guess he has a pair or more likely a flush draw. Turn completes the flush on board, check check. River puts a 4th spade out, I have ten high no spade, he checks the 4k or so pot and I go all in for 3.5k. He thinks a long time and calls with AQo, Q spades. Ok, I double rebuy, I know I'm the strongest player at the table, turn 4k into 15k before the 1hour break, add on and I'm at 19k. Build it to 30k or so then down to 3 tables.

Off to the final table with only 19k, top stacks over 100k, I need to make a move, 5 pay money, top 3 are all I want 2.8k, 1.2k, 700 or something like that. Final table consists of good player to my right, good player 2 to my right, ok player on my left who only plays her cards but is solid, 4-5 clueless players and one very tight player 3 to my right. I'm short, I want first, I need to steal with position and try and double up when able.

Blinds 2k 4k. First hand I play is my BB. Weakest player at the table by far limps in EP, folded to good sb player who calls, I look down at 64o. I have 15k left and there is 12k out there. I have a good read on EP as weak, and good player likely would have raised to get it heads-up with a decent hand. So, all-in and I take the pot as I thought. Ok now have 31k or so. Same orbit blinds now 3k 6k, I have 24k left. QQ UTG+1. Raise all in and am praying for a caller. Really tight but not so good player on the button debates a long time, so I put him on AQ or TT, JJ. I want a call. He calls and shows AJs. I'll take that. Turns a flush and I'm out. I double on that hand and I have enough chips to steal constanlty from the 4 tight players on my left and possibly make it all the way to first. That hurt.

8th/45-50 players.

Weakest, clueless player ends up winning getting hit by the deck. Honestly the final few players did not take advantage of his play enough, but he hit the cards and won. What could have been, maybe next time. Been a long time since I missed a final table, I'm playing great poker.

Training Room -- great tournament. Has a 10 20 game after, but my head was too tired to play. Saw some definite dead money there and will try that game out in the near future.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = $-180CDN
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$97US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$110US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$19US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$207US

Online MTD = -$57US ~~~~ Live MTD = -$180CDN

Played Some Small MTTs


Yesterday felt like playing a MTT, missed the game in KW I was supposed to go to (it was early, I got up late, it was far, and it was only a $60 tourney). Noticed a $39 stud h/l satellite for the $215 on stars, so I tried it. 11 entries/66 made it in so I had a great shot. Finished 14th, ugh...damn I wanted that seat after playing that long.

Played the HU $22 MTT with 128max, bad beats and lost the first game...never out in the first round b4 I don't think.

Played a $12 5 table NL turbo, just for fun...OK, I hate multi table turbos...what a crapshoot.

This AM played awfully in a $38 6 handed sng and actually got 6th for the first time almost ever. THis was the first BADDD poker I've played in a long time, kinda tried to rush the game cuz I'm off to a live game, really shouldn't have played.

Off to the Training Room for the $60 rebuy...

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = 0
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$97US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$110US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$19US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$18US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$207US

Online MTD = -$57US ~~~~ Live MTD = +$0

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Finally Some Live Poker


I've been pretty lazy about getting to live games lately, mostly it's that there are no games I want to play within 30 minutes of my place. So, I went to play a $75 NL tourny last night, were supposed to be 2-3 tables, but there ended up being only 10 players so we played a $100 freezout. Placed 3rd. 3 left and I have 5k or so, weak player has 5k or so, decent player has 40k or so. My BB weak players makes it 1200 to go, chip leader calls, I see black 7s and push, knowing thet the chip leader respects to fears my play, so I will likely be heads up with the weak player. He thinks and calls with QJo, leader folds and shows JTs. Puts me a bit more ahead..A23 with 2 clubs, A23J with 3 clubs, blank and I'm out (obviously he had no clubs). I went in with the best hand and lost. After the hand I still am not sure if I liked how I played it/ I pushed to get in heads up with a medium PP, and there was a good chance that they'd both fold. If it was just the weak player and me I would have called and pushed on any bluffable flop (ie one paint card), which A23 definitely was. The problem is I needed the chip leader out, and I wanted 1st so I needed to double up at some point. So ended up getting my money back for third, could have made $450 if I won that coinflip.

Tournament was at the new Airport Club and had a fantastic structure, 5000 chips with 25 50 blinds going up slowly every 20 minutes.

I'm starting to be more of a tournament player, some of the underground tournaments have great structures and have an incredible amount of dead money.

Rooms with great tournament structures that I've played to date: Airport Club, Training Room, West Side Poker Club (although blinds got big fast near the end). Have to try out the River Room and see what the game is like there.

Have to examine my heads-up plpay in the 6 handed sngs lately. Just played one and placed second. Got heads up a bit short, but still lots of play, blinds 75 150. Opponent is very aggressive, so I'm looking to trap. Pick up AQ0 and limp, he makes in 450 to go, I push (like 3k in chips). He shows 88 and flops a set. Now, this isn't my game. If the blinds were alot larger I'd not have any problem with my play, AQ is a monster heads up. But in this situation, I think I could have outplayed this guy by seeing more flops. It was too soon to push a coinflip. Although, he would have likely called with and dominated ace as well, so the odds were in my favour...still not sure I like the play.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = 0
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = +$0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$36US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$110US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online HU NLHE SNGs MTD = +$19US
Online HU O8 SNGs MTD = +$9US
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$30US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$169US

Online MTD = +$54US ~~~~ Live MTD = +$0

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Playing Focused


There's a big difference between playing focused and well rested and playing because you kinda feel like it and are kinda tired. Played 2 $35PLO8 sngs and a 6 handed NL sng.

Been doing well at the sngs again, three seconds at least one of which should have been a first. The last NL sng I got heads up and was short stacked, doubled up on A9 vs A5 all in preflop, this guy was raiaing every pot so I figured any ace and I'd push. Then I made a mistake and pushed with A4 when there was still alot of play left. I hate that move, big mistake. I was a much better player and then was still some play left with the blinds 200 400 and me having 3.5k or so, he showed 55 and I lost, bad play by me. Otherwise I played great.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = +0
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = 0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$36US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$161US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$30US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$245US

Online MTD = +$1US ~~~~ Live MTD = 0

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Why I Shouldn't Play MTTs Online (with fields > 200 players)


I just don't have the patience. I find tournaments with more than 200 players online incredibly boring.

That said, I played A $11+R PLO8 tourney on Stars and had maybe 10 playable hands the whole game, finished just inside the money 17th/100+ players.

Played the $22 HU NLHE tourney on Stars, which is now 256max from 128max. After easily winning the first round I realized how tired I was while I sat and waited over 40 minutes for round 2 of potentially 8 rounds. I played crappy and lost. Should not have entered. I'll have to play this sometime when I'm up for it, the competition is crap and first is now over $1.5k.

Played some sngs, generally did well. Nothing big, only $38s and lower lately.

Just finished another $38 6 handed. I played perfectly and got 2nd. As chip leader heads-up called an all-in with A9, he shows 75s, flop 877. Then I slopwplay 88 on the button, flop 652, I push as chip leader again and he shows 35 for a pair and a gutshot, 9 outs with 2 cards to come and I'm ahead roughly 60:40, river 3. Ended up losing when short-stacked and gambling to double-up. Won some money, but first was mine..how things have been for a bit.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = +0
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = 0
Online O8shMTD = -$65US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$36US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$59US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$30US
Online 9 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = $-27US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$281US

Online MTD = -$137US ~~~~ Live MTD = 0

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Time For A Switcharoooooo


Stepping back from sngs for the moment to clear my head. Played a $12 45 man turbo 9 handed sng on Stars, my A8 loses to KT when short stacked and I'm out...not a big favourite, but I've been in with the best hands lately and losing. Then I play a 6handed 2 table $38 sng on stars and finish 4th (3 pay), to make it worse I was chip leader when 4 handed with 7.5k the other largest stacks being 3.5k or so with a small stack in there at less than 2k. I took beat after beat after beat, money in ahead every time. So, instead of winning $170 or so I lose $38 again.

Time to take a break from sngs for a moment.

Why not some shLHE? Played 5 10 on absolute (my favourite cash-game site), and won over $100 in an hour or so (2 seperate sessions), and decided to make it a day.

B&M O8/Stud8 MTD = 0
B&M Tournies MTD = +0
B&M NLHE Cash MTD = 0
Online O8shMTD = -$57US
Online LHEshMTD = +$183US
Online MTT MTD = -$27US
Online Satellites = 0
Online PLO8 SNGs MTD = +$13US
Online Stud8 SNGs MTD = 0
Online 9 handed NLHE Multitable SNGS MTD = +$30US
Online 6 handed NLHE SNGS MTD = -$352US

Online MTD = -$210US ~~~~ Live MTD = 0