A pretty good month indeed!
I believe in "card karma". If you make right decisions, you will see good results, and the cards will be kind, although occasionally there will be a delayed reaction. I had debated my last decision in UBOC15, but my theory of "card karma" proved to me that it was right.
In short, I could have just barely cashed in UBOC15 and made $550, but I attacked with a good hand near the bubble and got knocked out. The next day, I had my best cash game session EVER! 3 hours played, $795.10 profit. Some will say they are not related, but I feel there is a link.
For the month, I was up $1175.95. My first cash game based $1k+ month (I've won > $1k in a couple of tourneys before). That month wiped out my bad 2009 (<$814.72). I played great 6max cash games, but sucked pretty bad in HU SNGs. I spent a lot more time on UB than PS, mostly to clear a bonus, but so far the cash games there have been kind. Here's the breakdown:
PS:
$22+1 PLO8 HU SNG: 2/2 ($4.00)
$33+1.5 PLO8 HU SNG: 1/1 ($3.00)
$55+2.5 PLO8 HU SNG: 3/2 $42.50
$55+5 PLO8 FT SNG: 0/0/0/1 ($60.00)
25PLO8 2 sessions: ($9.75)
50PLO8 2 sessions: $129.75
Total: $95.90
UB:
$50+2.5 PLO8 HU SNG: 0/4 ($210.00)
50PLO8 3 sessions: ($26.27)
100PLO8 3 sessions: $23.48
200 PLO8 9 sessions: $886.05
400 PLO8 1 session: $345.20
bonus: $55.00
Total: $1073.46
I've been playing very well at my .10/.25 live cash game as well, though I always start fast and slowly bleed off chips at the end. If I can improve that leak, my results will be even better.
Also, I complained that in 2009, it felt like I lost all the big pots, and that the cards did not go my way. This year has been very kind in that respect. Last week, in the live game, I got caught in 2 bad situations and hit 2 outers, twice, on the turn to win the pots. And in one online cash game, I flopped a str8 with 8765 to a 976 board, I bet and was called. The turn was another 7. I bet, opponent re-raised and I moved all in. He had 99 (hit a 5 outer on turn). I rivered the case 7 for quads (he berated me for being lucky, go figure). So, I've been hitting cards, but probably more importantly, my opponents have not, and thus my good hands have remained good until the river to take down the pot.
I'm looking forward to the next month to see what comes!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Easy come, easy go
:....(
41st place out of 331. Missed placing by 6 spots.
Final hand, Ah5h4h2c (me) against Ad3c8dKh.
The flop came K77, and with the Q on the turn my night was done.
I seriously contemplated folding because one of my goals was to place, and then go for first. However, my first goal was to play well, and folding that hand in that spot is not playing well. I could have called, but I would have only had 8k left to a 10k pot, so it doesn't make sense. Another thing against folding was that they were at the stage where the other short stacks below me were stalling for time. So when they finally are forced to push, if they get lucky and survive, then I'll be in a position where I have to get lucky with a short chips stack, and that isn't one of my strengths! :)
I took my gamble, and lost. It hurts, but the whole experience cost me $0, and I had a blast. I guess my next opportunity will come when PS hosts its SCOOP (spring championship of online poker).
41st place out of 331. Missed placing by 6 spots.
Final hand, Ah5h4h2c (me) against Ad3c8dKh.
http://twodimes.net/h/?z=7068151He raised OTG and I pushed all-in from the button. I figured I was a slight dog because I was only 5 high, but at the same time, that is a pretty loose call by him. If he's a thinking player, he has to figure me for A2 with something good to go with it, which shrinks his AK3 pretty fast. He got lucky that my hand wasn't that good.
The flop came K77, and with the Q on the turn my night was done.
I seriously contemplated folding because one of my goals was to place, and then go for first. However, my first goal was to play well, and folding that hand in that spot is not playing well. I could have called, but I would have only had 8k left to a 10k pot, so it doesn't make sense. Another thing against folding was that they were at the stage where the other short stacks below me were stalling for time. So when they finally are forced to push, if they get lucky and survive, then I'll be in a position where I have to get lucky with a short chips stack, and that isn't one of my strengths! :)
I took my gamble, and lost. It hurts, but the whole experience cost me $0, and I had a blast. I guess my next opportunity will come when PS hosts its SCOOP (spring championship of online poker).
Quick double
I just doubled up on the first hand from the break, and now I have some breathing room.
On break - #4
D'oh!!! I just lost a huge hand (16k), and I'm now down to 6054 with 500/100 blinds. There 43 players left, we cash at 36 and I'm 40th. I'm going to have to pick my spot very intelligently because the player 2 to my left calls loose, and re-raises loose. I lost about 10k to him in the past hour because he's insane.
That said, I have played him poorly. If I don't cash, it's because I didn't recognize that I needed to tighten up against him. I've got about 24-30 hands if I don't play a single hand, so unless I get a great starting hand in the next 8, I'll wait until the blinds pass before pushing with any medium strength hand.
That said, I have played him poorly. If I don't cash, it's because I didn't recognize that I needed to tighten up against him. I've got about 24-30 hands if I don't play a single hand, so unless I get a great starting hand in the next 8, I'll wait until the blinds pass before pushing with any medium strength hand.
On break - #3
24146 in chips, 11th place w/ 82 players left. Blinds are at 250/500, and I really need to start figuring out when the blind pressure will affect my play. It's is getting tough, because my PF raises are taking a greater chunk of my stack. You have no choice to call some all-ins with hands you know you are beat with because the pots odds compel you.
36th has 9k in chips which means that I need to get into the 30k region in the next hour to feel comfortable about placing.
I just need to keep playing 1 hand at a time, and focus on figuring out who to avoid and who to exploit.
36th has 9k in chips which means that I need to get into the 30k region in the next hour to feel comfortable about placing.
I just need to keep playing 1 hand at a time, and focus on figuring out who to avoid and who to exploit.
I love the pros
So far anyway...
They are playing so predictably. I raise A LOT pre-flop, so If they call OOP to me, they will always check, unless they need to defend their hand. Then, if I check behind them, they bet out on the turn, if the board looks safe, say 2 high cards on the flop, and a 3rd high card on the turn. I have raised them 3 times in this position, and they have all folded. It didn't matter what I had, they couldn't call that raise without something VERY good.
In this hand against P0KER H0, he limps, I raise, and we get 1 more caller in between. I have AcQc4dQh. The flop comes Qs6h9s. H0 checks, I pot bet, and they both call. Turn is a nasty 3s. H0 checks. I'm pretty sure at this point someone has the flush, just not sure who. When the other player behind me checks, I know it's not him. River is a 5c, giving me second nut low. H0 moves the rest of his chips in. I'm positive I'm beat, but he could be playing A2 hard or spade flush hard, so I have to call. He table AsJs2h9c.
I had him chasing a flush only on the flop. That's not a smart play on his part. If I hit that 9 on the turn, giving him a set or the 6s giving him a flush, I take the rest of his stack.
They are playing so predictably. I raise A LOT pre-flop, so If they call OOP to me, they will always check, unless they need to defend their hand. Then, if I check behind them, they bet out on the turn, if the board looks safe, say 2 high cards on the flop, and a 3rd high card on the turn. I have raised them 3 times in this position, and they have all folded. It didn't matter what I had, they couldn't call that raise without something VERY good.
In this hand against P0KER H0, he limps, I raise, and we get 1 more caller in between. I have AcQc4dQh. The flop comes Qs6h9s. H0 checks, I pot bet, and they both call. Turn is a nasty 3s. H0 checks. I'm pretty sure at this point someone has the flush, just not sure who. When the other player behind me checks, I know it's not him. River is a 5c, giving me second nut low. H0 moves the rest of his chips in. I'm positive I'm beat, but he could be playing A2 hard or spade flush hard, so I have to call. He table AsJs2h9c.
I had him chasing a flush only on the flop. That's not a smart play on his part. If I hit that 9 on the turn, giving him a set or the 6s giving him a flush, I take the rest of his stack.
On break - #2
I'm sitting in first, with 16431, and a narrow chip lead over 2nd place (16057). There are 200 people left. There are 63 with 3k or less, and 30 with 2k or less, which means that now, with the blinds 100/200, the chips should start flying. These players are left with only 2 choices PF: Pot bet or fold. A pot bet will put in 700 minimum, thus they are committed to put the rest in on the flop, if someone hasn't put them all-in before.
What this means to me:
1) Find your opportunities to break some of these smaller stacks
2) I'm not going to be in 1st position very soon
I don't mind 2), because the goal is to be in first at the end!
What this means to me:
1) Find your opportunities to break some of these smaller stacks
2) I'm not going to be in 1st position very soon
I don't mind 2), because the goal is to be in first at the end!
Card rush
I won 6 consecutive pots, going from 7648 in chips to 15956, and the chip lead. I have fallen a little since, but those rushes are nice.
I just missed an opportunity to go big: There was a PF raise from UTG+1, and I called with KhJd9h9s. The problem was the resident UB pro to my left, Shawn Rice, who was short stacked re-popped it. The UTG+1 called, and I could have called but Shawn did not have enough chips behind, even though UTG+1 did. The flop came Td8h7h and Shawn went all-in, and UTG+1 called. Shawn shows AdAs9c4d and UTG+1 showed AcJc3dKc. I would have taken a chunk out of UTG+1, and Shawn would have half the chips he has now.
It would have been a bad call at the right time.
I just missed an opportunity to go big: There was a PF raise from UTG+1, and I called with KhJd9h9s. The problem was the resident UB pro to my left, Shawn Rice, who was short stacked re-popped it. The UTG+1 called, and I could have called but Shawn did not have enough chips behind, even though UTG+1 did. The flop came Td8h7h and Shawn went all-in, and UTG+1 called. Shawn shows AdAs9c4d and UTG+1 showed AcJc3dKc. I would have taken a chunk out of UTG+1, and Shawn would have half the chips he has now.
It would have been a bad call at the right time.
331 Entries
Lot of people signed up late. Here's the new payout scheme:
1st $25,000.00
2nd $15,150.00
3rd $10,500.00
4th $7,750.00
5th $6,500.00
6th $5,250.00
7th $4,250.00
8th $3,250.00
9th $2,250.00
10th - 12th $1,250.00
13th - 15th $1,000.00
16th - 18th $850.00
19th - 27th $650.00
28th - 36th $550.00
The goal is still the same. Place, then go for 1st, but I'm adding an in between step: Get to 18th. That extra $300 to my bankroll is worth the patience.
1st $25,000.00
2nd $15,150.00
3rd $10,500.00
4th $7,750.00
5th $6,500.00
6th $5,250.00
7th $4,250.00
8th $3,250.00
9th $2,250.00
10th - 12th $1,250.00
13th - 15th $1,000.00
16th - 18th $850.00
19th - 27th $650.00
28th - 36th $550.00
The goal is still the same. Place, then go for 1st, but I'm adding an in between step: Get to 18th. That extra $300 to my bankroll is worth the patience.
I won my first big pot
That was scary: I raise MP with Ad2h3hKh in MP, button calls, SB re-raises.
SB has AA I'm sure, but I'm in a squeeze. I decide to call/fold if button re-raises, cause I'm hoping to see a 3 way flop. I call and button only calls. Phew.
The flop is as close to perfect as I can get. Ks 2d 7s. I flopped 2-pair, which is CRITICAL to cracking AA, and even better, I flop nut low draw with my A3. This is better than A2, because SB is highly likely to have AA2, not AA3. SB bets half the flop, I move all-in, and button folds, SB calls. He tables As2sAc4c. I'm not surprised to see the flush draw in the least. Turn is the Jc, and the river is the 6h. I scoop!
I'm just very happy I wasn't unlucky. I manage to fade the spades and the 3 which would have crippled me.
SB has AA I'm sure, but I'm in a squeeze. I decide to call/fold if button re-raises, cause I'm hoping to see a 3 way flop. I call and button only calls. Phew.
The flop is as close to perfect as I can get. Ks 2d 7s. I flopped 2-pair, which is CRITICAL to cracking AA, and even better, I flop nut low draw with my A3. This is better than A2, because SB is highly likely to have AA2, not AA3. SB bets half the flop, I move all-in, and button folds, SB calls. He tables As2sAc4c. I'm not surprised to see the flush draw in the least. Turn is the Jc, and the river is the 6h. I scoop!
I'm just very happy I wasn't unlucky. I manage to fade the spades and the 3 which would have crippled me.
UBOC 15 in 15 minutes
I'm excited. Need to calm down these nerves....
Alright, there are 231 registered right now for payouts up to 27th place:
19-27: $700
16-18: $850
13-15: $1200
10-12: $1500
9: $2500
8: $3500
7: $4500
6: $5500
5: $6550
4: $8000
3: $11000
2: $15500
1: $26000
They grabbed most of the money for 19-27 from places 4-5-6. I find that a little odd...
Ok, I know what the payout is. Need to
1) play well,
2) place,
3) then go for first!
HERE WE GO!!!!
Alright, there are 231 registered right now for payouts up to 27th place:
19-27: $700
16-18: $850
13-15: $1200
10-12: $1500
9: $2500
8: $3500
7: $4500
6: $5500
5: $6550
4: $8000
3: $11000
2: $15500
1: $26000
They grabbed most of the money for 19-27 from places 4-5-6. I find that a little odd...
Ok, I know what the payout is. Need to
1) play well,
2) place,
3) then go for first!
HERE WE GO!!!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
So close...
Last night, I entered a $100+9 satellite, using UPs (10000+900), for the UBOC main event with a guaranteed prize pool of $1M. The satellite had 5 guaranteed entries, so when only 46 players entered, they were paying out more than they were taking in from buy-ins, which is a +EV situation in the first place.
Starting stack of 3k, and 12 minute blinds starting at 10/20. I basically floated around my starting stack for the first hour. I was more aggressive than most at my table, so I was able to take a few little pots. I tried to avoid big ones, especially with the TAG to my left. I would have preferred to have won more before the break, which would have given me more room to operate, but at the same time, I wanted to give myself a chance to place.
After the first hour, with the blinds at 50/100, I started being a little more aggressive to start accumulating chips. My M is 20, and it was only going to get smaller with every blind raise, so I wanted to stay at around that M level. It was clear that most of the other players were waiting for big hands. In fact, most of the hands either did not see a flop, or were finished on the flop, except for the 3 way PF all-in between AQ, AK and KK (which held).
I managed to get up to 4500 chips with 30 players left, which wasn't bad, but not great either. I really did not have enough chips to survive running into a big hand with the smaller, 2k ish short stacks remaining at the table, so I couldn't be as aggressive as I wanted.
I ended up with pocket 5's after that 3 way all-in, against the AK from that 3-way. He moved all-in PF and I called. I felt he was steaming, but in the end, he had 77. I lost half my stack and was around 2.2k Soon after, we were down to 18, and I got switched tables. I needed to be aggressive, hoping that no one would call the new guy, and pushed all-in with J9. I ran into QQ, and proceeded to flop a J and turn another to double back to 4.5k. From there, I picked my spots, and moved all-in PF with random cards. The player 2 to my left was the chip leader, so I ran the risk of loose calls, and to his left was a very tight player, who would show his cards when he folded. I took the strategy to attack his BB to exploit. I would have been SO dead had he called any of my raises, but he didn't, except when I had JJ, and managed to double up again.
I kept following the all-in or fold strategy, since the blinds had gotten up to the point where, at 7k, my M was 5, and the chip leader had an M <20. It kept working as the table was tight enough. We got down to the final table, and then the arrival of the new players made it a little more difficult to push from early position, so I constrained myself to middle to late raises. With 8 players left, I had worked up to 11k, but was still only in 6th position with an M=5, I pushed on the button with KdQc. I was called by the SB (former chip leader), who had 20k chips. He had AsTd. The flop comes Qd3d2d. SWEET. Not only do I flop my Q, but the Ad is now a good card for me. Turn is an 8. River is the Ac. Dammit, he hit a 2-outer. :(
Oh well, so close....
Starting stack of 3k, and 12 minute blinds starting at 10/20. I basically floated around my starting stack for the first hour. I was more aggressive than most at my table, so I was able to take a few little pots. I tried to avoid big ones, especially with the TAG to my left. I would have preferred to have won more before the break, which would have given me more room to operate, but at the same time, I wanted to give myself a chance to place.
After the first hour, with the blinds at 50/100, I started being a little more aggressive to start accumulating chips. My M is 20, and it was only going to get smaller with every blind raise, so I wanted to stay at around that M level. It was clear that most of the other players were waiting for big hands. In fact, most of the hands either did not see a flop, or were finished on the flop, except for the 3 way PF all-in between AQ, AK and KK (which held).
I managed to get up to 4500 chips with 30 players left, which wasn't bad, but not great either. I really did not have enough chips to survive running into a big hand with the smaller, 2k ish short stacks remaining at the table, so I couldn't be as aggressive as I wanted.
I ended up with pocket 5's after that 3 way all-in, against the AK from that 3-way. He moved all-in PF and I called. I felt he was steaming, but in the end, he had 77. I lost half my stack and was around 2.2k Soon after, we were down to 18, and I got switched tables. I needed to be aggressive, hoping that no one would call the new guy, and pushed all-in with J9. I ran into QQ, and proceeded to flop a J and turn another to double back to 4.5k. From there, I picked my spots, and moved all-in PF with random cards. The player 2 to my left was the chip leader, so I ran the risk of loose calls, and to his left was a very tight player, who would show his cards when he folded. I took the strategy to attack his BB to exploit. I would have been SO dead had he called any of my raises, but he didn't, except when I had JJ, and managed to double up again.
I kept following the all-in or fold strategy, since the blinds had gotten up to the point where, at 7k, my M was 5, and the chip leader had an M <20. It kept working as the table was tight enough. We got down to the final table, and then the arrival of the new players made it a little more difficult to push from early position, so I constrained myself to middle to late raises. With 8 players left, I had worked up to 11k, but was still only in 6th position with an M=5, I pushed on the button with KdQc. I was called by the SB (former chip leader), who had 20k chips. He had AsTd. The flop comes Qd3d2d. SWEET. Not only do I flop my Q, but the Ad is now a good card for me. Turn is an 8. River is the Ac. Dammit, he hit a 2-outer. :(
Oh well, so close....
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
UBOC15: Here I come!
I just qualified for UBOC15 via a satellite! Even better, rather than pay the $30+3 buy-in, I had enough Ultimate Points in my account to buy-in using points (3000+300). 18 players and I took it down in just over 2 hours. The opponent HU wanted to take the $220 second place cash. Fine by me!
The tourney is January 28th, 8:05PM. So far there are 36 players registered. I'm sure that will shoot up closer to the tourney, especially since the prize pool is a guaranteed $100k. Assuming it's in the range of 100-200 people, 18 places will pay out:
14-18: $1250
10-13: $1500
9: $2500
8: $3500
7: $4750
6: $6000
5: $7250
4: $9500
3: $11750
2: $16000
1: $26500
The goal is to cash, and then figure out a way to win the thing!
The tourney is January 28th, 8:05PM. So far there are 36 players registered. I'm sure that will shoot up closer to the tourney, especially since the prize pool is a guaranteed $100k. Assuming it's in the range of 100-200 people, 18 places will pay out:
14-18: $1250
10-13: $1500
9: $2500
8: $3500
7: $4750
6: $6000
5: $7250
4: $9500
3: $11750
2: $16000
1: $26500
The goal is to cash, and then figure out a way to win the thing!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
December recap
It's official: I've had my first losing year. I lost $814.72 this year. I had a chance to break even had the last 2 weeks been good, instead they were the exact opposite (see previous post). Anyway, I'm in the process of reconciling my spreadsheets with some nifty new Excel tricks thanks to my wife. Once that's done, I'll get back to the tables.
Here's the breakdown of December:
$11+0.5 HU SNG: 8/7 $3.50
$22+1 HU SNG: 3/8 ($121.00)
$30+1.5 HU SNG: 5/6 ($46.50)
$33+1.5 HU SNG: 5/6 ($49.50)
$50+2.5 HU SNG: 0/2 ($105.00)
$55+2.5 HU SNG: 12/15 ($232.50)
$35+3 FT SNG: 0/0/0/4 ($152.00)
$55+5 FT SNG: 1/0/1/8 ($253.50)
25PLO8: 3 sessions ($18.60)
50PLO8: 8 sessions $268.40
100PLO8: 3 sessions $253.35
UB:
$20+1 HU SNG: 0/2 ($42.00)
$50+2.5 HU SNG: 1/0 $47.50
$100+5 HU SNG: 1/0 $95.00
Total: ($367.85)
If I have one poker resolution for the year, it's that I'm going to target big online tourneys. UB is running its UBOC in January. I'd like to play in the $300+20 PLO8 championship on January 28th, I believe (event 15). PS will have its SCOOP tournies in the spring, which I will target as well.
In between, I'm just going to keep it simple and small, and rebuild my bankroll to enter into these tournaments. Let's see where that takes us!
Here's the breakdown of December:
$11+0.5 HU SNG: 8/7 $3.50
$22+1 HU SNG: 3/8 ($121.00)
$30+1.5 HU SNG: 5/6 ($46.50)
$33+1.5 HU SNG: 5/6 ($49.50)
$50+2.5 HU SNG: 0/2 ($105.00)
$55+2.5 HU SNG: 12/15 ($232.50)
$35+3 FT SNG: 0/0/0/4 ($152.00)
$55+5 FT SNG: 1/0/1/8 ($253.50)
25PLO8: 3 sessions ($18.60)
50PLO8: 8 sessions $268.40
100PLO8: 3 sessions $253.35
UB:
$20+1 HU SNG: 0/2 ($42.00)
$50+2.5 HU SNG: 1/0 $47.50
$100+5 HU SNG: 1/0 $95.00
Total: ($367.85)
If I have one poker resolution for the year, it's that I'm going to target big online tourneys. UB is running its UBOC in January. I'd like to play in the $300+20 PLO8 championship on January 28th, I believe (event 15). PS will have its SCOOP tournies in the spring, which I will target as well.
In between, I'm just going to keep it simple and small, and rebuild my bankroll to enter into these tournaments. Let's see where that takes us!
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