Amateur Poker Association & Tour
Poker Forum => General Discussion => Member Blogs => Topic started by: ThinkerJE on December 09, 2008, 22:03:39 PM
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For a variety of reasons I have not played much online poker this year. Mainly because I don"t get the same enjoyment from sitting down in front of my laptop as I do when sat at the felt, riffling chips and peaking at cards.
However there was a time a few years back when I could not get enough of it. Every spare second, and many late night were spent online, at the tables. Therefore I have decided to give the online game another chance and try to get back the love I had for it.
It so happens that I will have some time on my hands over the next 3 weeks, as I will be between jobs and don"t start my new position until Januray 4th. Therefore I intend to put in some proper hours online and see what happens.
The plan is to start with SNG"s and maybe the odd multi table on Pokerstars & Full Tilt (I don"t play cash) and try and find out if I still have what it takes. I also plan to note down my thoughts and other general ramblings in this blog, firstly as a kind of thearpy for myself and secondly as someone else might enjoy it.
So I finish work on Friday 12 December, but cold drinks will be taken on the evening so the first session will probably be the Saturday evening (depending on hangover) or all day Sunday.
I am actually looking forward to it and I hope my game is up to playing all these online maniacs.
And remember the Thinker motto,
NO BAD BEATS - lets play (online) poker!!!
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Welcome Back. GL
The final APAT league game is Saturday night, if you fancied a friendly game. ;D
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NO BAD BEATS - lets play (online) poker!!!
You must have been away from the virtual felt for a while. Looking forward to this!!
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Viva Las Thinker.....welcome back James!
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Is this in preparation for S3?
Good luck James, what's your name on FullTilt? I will look you up on Sunday
What level will you be playing at?
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Okay, after a very large drinking weekend, I was up early to watch the test match and decided to hit the virtual felt early. This is how I got on.
Sunday 14 December 2008.
09:33 $20 + $2 SNG Pokerstars
Button raise with AKo followed by cintinuation bet takes its down. Next hand, 3 limpers and I put in a decent raise with QQ in the cutoff. BB calls, flop 937 rainbow and a pot sized bet takes down a nice pot. Still level 1, playing solid.
Sehwag is off to a flier in the test match, we can"t lose it from here surely???
All fold to me in SB with JTo and I make up. Flop J94 (2d), I bet out and get called. Turn is 2s, I figure he is drawing and bet again and get called. River 4h and I bet again, he calls and mucks!?! Not sure what he had, but nice pot and up to 2,240 now, level 3, 7 players left, 2nd in chips.
Short stack all in UTG for 600ish, I move all in on the button with QQ. It holds against QJ, 2,470 now, blinds 75/150, 6 left, 4th in chips.
One limper in mid position, I find AQ in BB and raise, limper all in, I call. AQ vs Ad8d, flop 874 (2d), turn 3d and i"m dead, down to 1,100 (still 75/150).
All fold to SB who raises, I"m in BB with KJ and push, called. KJ vs A3, king on the river saves me, 2,500 now, blinds 100/200, 2nd in chips with 5 left.
We lose another player and I pick up the aggression on the bubble to pinch some pots, then I find the rockets. Button raises and I push in SB with AA. Called, AA vs AJ, holds and we are in the money. We pick on the short stack and reach heads up with me having a 8k to 5k advantage. A few hands later we are all in pre flop, me with A6 vs 44, 6 on flop and I win my first SNG back on tinternet. A great start.
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It"s easy this internet lark isn"t it James ?
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10:53 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Solid early doors. Sehwag is finally out, although the damage may have been done. Lets hope monty & swanny can do the business tomorrow.
Matey limps UTG, all fold to me in BB with JT, I check. Flop AJ2 rainbow and I bet 40 into 75 pot to find out where I am at. Matey raises to 300. Puzzling bet but easy fold, probably has KK or QQ and is worried by the ace.
Very tight table, not much action in first 2 levels.
Can"t get anything going, down to 900 (25/50), 8 left and I am the SS (short stack).
I raise in mid position with AQ, SB & BB both call. Flop QJ4 rainbow, both check to me and I move all in for 750 into 450 pot. SB calls with J8 ?!?!, best hand holds, up to 1,950, 7 left, 3rd in chips.
Stay out of trouble and we are down to 4 players, I have 2k with 75/150 blinds.
UTG limps and I raise with AK on button. SB calls, UTG folds. Flop T74 (2s), he checks and I am worried he has a pair so I check behind. Turn blank, he bets 150 into 1,900 pot, don"t like it but I call. River blank and it goes check check, he shows AJ and the AK is good, weird hand though.
Still 4 left, I am 2nd in chips, then I make a hugh mistake.
Chip leader raises on button, and has been very active. I"m in BB with AQ, I think I have his range and more chips than he wants to risk, so I move all in. Insta call AQ vs AK and I am crushed. This is very bad play. Firstly I do not want to get involved with the only player who can knock me out. Secondly why did I go all in, I can re raise and then get away when he pushes and still be in decent shape to cash.
Must learn from this mistake and not make it again.
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13:30 $36 + $3 Pokerstars Sat to Sunday Million
Will keep this brief as 124 runners lined up and I only played 2 hands. I raised with JJ and had to release on a AK4 board. Then I find KK UTG and limp as there has been plenty of action. I get raised and re raised behind and 3 of us are all in. KK vs AQ vs AA. Rockets hold and I am toast. Out in 60th.
13:25 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Solid early doors, very little action. Raise in position with 99 but have to release on AJ4 flop. I find AKo UTG and raise, SS pushes and I insta call. AK vs 99, ace on flop but turn is a 9 and I am down to 1,100 blinds 50/100 with 5 left. A few hands later a find 22 on button and push. SB calls, 22 vs 88 no suck out and I am gone in 5th.
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14:16 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
2nd level, call UTG raise on button with 88. Flop TTT and he checks to me. I bet to find out where I am at and he folds (AK most likely), up to 1,600 (15/30) very tight table.
Still tight and 7 left with blinds 75/150. Get all my chips in with A9 vs 22, ace on the river saves me and soon we are 4 handed. I button push with A3 and get called by QT. Ace high holds and we are in the money. The other 2 now start a pushathon. I keep out of the way and get heads up with 4.5k vs matey 9k. Get back to 6k using pure aggression (no cards) then find QQ on BB. It all flys in pre flop, QQ vs A3, ace seals the deal and I finish 2nd. A good result as I was short stacked for a long time, my patience and decision making held up well.
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15:53 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
There are 4 limps and I raise with AQ on SB and get 2 callers. Flop AQQ and I check. Matey bets, tother matey folds and I call. Turn blank, check, check. I bet 300 on blank river and he folds. Up to 2,050 in level 1, a good start.
There is a min rasie in mid position and a call from the button. I have AQ in the SB and decide to squeeze by raising big. Original raiser calls with only 310 back, button folds. Flop Q47 (2h), I bet 310 and he folds, up to 2,500 25/50, 7 left, 3rd in chips.
Solid, no hands played still same chips and level but only 5 left now.
UTG limps and I raise with AQ, UTG calls. Flop AK4 (2d), I bet 500 and he calls. Turn is Ts (now 2d & 2s), I move all in for 1,500 into 1,900 pot and get called by Ks2s, blank on river and I am up to 4,800 (50/100), 5 left, clear chip daddy now.
Start to push my chip stack around and pick on the short boys, the bubble bursts and next hand we are heads up. I have 10.3k vs matey 3.2k. First hand he completes in SB, I check my 72o. Flop 732, I check, he bets and I call. Turn T, I check, he bets again and I move all in, he calls with K3, river 3 keeps him alive.
I am playing very aggressive, rasing and betting to take pots. Final hand I raise on button with 74o, matey calls. Flop 664, I bet and he check raises all in, I figure he has over cards and call. He has QT and doesn"t hit and I take it down. I was pleased with my game and aggression. Good fun this online stuff.
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17:03 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
2 limpers and I raise from SB with QQ. Button calls, flop is T54 (2h). I bet 210 into 350 pot and button moves all in. He may have a set of 4"s or 5"s but it is only 600 to call. He has 6d5d ?!?!? Queens hold and up to 3,100 in level 2, 7 left, chip daddy.
3 limpers and I find QQ again in the SB, I raise big and get one caller. Flop A37 rainbow, I bet out and get called, and so slow down. I check the blank turn and he bets 300 into 1,800 pot, so I call knowing I am behind but if I hit the 2 outer I will get all of his chips. Blank river ad it goes check, check. He shows AK to win the pot. Hate how he played this hand, if anything I had him on a weak ace. Down to 2,200 (25/50), 6 left, 3rd in chips.
No hands, now 5 left, with one big stack bullying the table.
Mid position raise, I push on the SB with AKs and insta called. AdKd vs 88, flop A76 (2d), and so matey can only hit the case 8, AK holds, up to 3,300, 2nd in chips, 100/200 5 left (2 very short).
Bubble bursts when I raise on button with AJ, BB all in, I call, AJ vs Q9, it holds and soon after we are heads up with me 9k vs matey 4.5k. He is tough heads up, every button is raised and we are both very aggressive. It goes back and forth and I now have 7k vs 6.5k.
He raises the button again, I re raise from BB with AJ and he calls (only 3k back), flop if 7 high and I push and he calls with K7 ?? I hate his call of my re raise, either fold or get it in pre flop. Down to 2k, I push with A7 vs JT, jack on flop and I finish 2nd. I think I played good poker again and was a little unlucky heads up, although he was a tough opponent and it was yet another cash, so I am happy.
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18:49 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No hands played, lose 2 players within 5 mins, crazy action table.
Had to fold AQ pre flop to a raise and re raise, no cards and down to 875 (50/100). I push from button with 66 and get called by K9o ?!?!? Sixes hold, up to 1,900, 6 left, 3rd in chips.
Raise in late position with AT, SS pushes only 300 more, AT vs QQ, queens holds and short again with 5 left.
Crazy man pushes and I call with Ah2h. He has J9o and ace holds and we are now on the bubble. Very next hand, find KcQc on button, I push again and BB calls with Ah2h, no help this time and I bubble in 4th. Frustrating game, crazy man playing every hand made it difficult to make moves, so you had to wait for cards. Pleased with my patience with the SS, gutted not to make the money though.
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19:44 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Button raise with AT, continuation bets fails and I am down to 1,100 early doors.
Set over set hand means we lose an early player, very tight table, not much action.
Raise early with JJ and have to release when ace on the flop, the raise UTG with QQ but get no action.
Next hand was a mis read and big mistake. Button min raises and I call in BB with T9. Flop 833. Check, check and I sense weakness. I bet the turn 2 and get called. River is 3rd spade and I decide I can get him to lay in down so I move all in with goo. Insta called by 88 (oops). He flopped the nuts and I just gave my chips away. Should not have got so involved with such a poor hand, perhaps some over confidence, will not be doing this again. Learn from it. I was out in 8th, my worse result so far.
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20:23 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I was determined to play better and not to do something stupid like the last SNG.
Sit tight early and don"t move a chip until level 3. I re raise a button raise from the SB with AQ, he calls but my bet on the JTT flop takes down a nice pot.
I make a good fold of 99 to a raise and re raise (AK vs TT). Still staying out of trouble and we are now 5 handed and I hit trip 8"s in the BB in an unraised pot and get up to 3,300 (75/150) 2nd in chips with 2 very short stacks.
All fold to me in SB and I complete with QT. Flop 89J, check, bet, call. Check, check blank turn. I bet 500 on river and get called. Up to 4,325, 5 left (100/200), joint chip daddy.
I raise with A9 and BB calls. Flop 9 high and he pushes and I insta call. A9 vs T9, ace holds, up to 5,690, 4 left (1 very short stack) blinds 100/200.
Un raised pot in BB with 93, flop 2 pair and get paid agian to increase my big chip lead, up tp 7,800 now with 2nd only 2,400.
SS goes all in and only 300 more to me in BB. K6(me) vs AT(SS). Flop A24, trun 6, river K, sick suck out but we are in the money. Big chip daddy with 9k.
I push the other 2 around and get heads up with 9k vs 4.5k.
I raise on button with A3 and get called. Flop A98 rainbow, I push and et called by A9, back down to level chips now. The final hand occurs when I call a raise in the BB with Ah6s and I push on a all heart flop, I get called by JJ, but turn A and river A get me the majority of the chips in play. Next hand all in pre flop with AT vs T5, no 5 and I win. Pleased with this victory, especially after messing the last SNG up. Played very solid early on then stepped up the aggression as the blinds increased and also used my stack to push people around.
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21:35 $20 + $2 Full Tilt $100 Guaranteed Doulbe Deuce
I then switched from single to multi table, as 7,000 runners lined up to try and turn 22 bucks into a $22k payday.
Not much to say about the first few levels as I was totally card dead and did not play a hand. I blinded away and when I did pick up JJ I had to release on a KQ7 flop against 2 callers. The last hand before the 1st break I did manage to double up to 1,800. There were 2 limpers and I have KhQh in late position, I decide to squeeze and raise big. All fold to 2nd limper who pushes all in. I don"t think he is super strong as he would have raised originally. His play was consistent with a mid pair and I fancied a race so I called. KQ vs 88, board AK7,A,A and I get my double through.
I didn"t last too long after the break but I felt I was a bit unlucky with my exit. I raise with AdQs and get called behind. Flop J82 (2d) and I continuation bet and get called. Turn is Qd and I move all in. I get called by 99, and the river Th kills me as his straight wins. I finish mid field in 4,511th. That big payday is on hold again, better still to the SNG"s.
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22:58 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Back to the SNG"s, tight again early, managed to win a small pot with a flopped set of 3"s, but mainly staying out of trouble. Its a very tight table and I have managed to get up to 2,170 without any risk.
I then blind away down to 1,400 as I cannot find the cards or opportunity to make a move. With blinds 50/100, I push early with 88 and there is a all in behind (this could be trouble). 88 vs QQ but 8 on flop and its suck out city, up to 3,625 with 6 left and 3 very short stacks.
The button pushes and its only 300 more to me in the BB. My K8 is crushed by his K9, especially on a low board until the 8 on the river knocks out one of the short stacks. Up to 4,135 now with 5 left and 3 players less than 800, I am in good shape. We reach the bubble and he SS only has 400 left, but somehow manages to survive to reach the money. I have 3.2k vs 10k chip daddy vs 300 SS.
He goes shortly after and much as I try to double my stack it never happens and I have to settle for 2nd. Its about as good as I could have done so I am delighted to reach the money yet again. Another good SNG.
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So not a bad first day back in the world of online poker.
General thoughts are that the standard of play seems fairly low at these levels, with players making poor decisions and allowing you to take advantage of them. It remains to be seen if this continues but I felt totally in control at the tables and in control of my game the majority of the time. I made 2 bad mistakes which I will try not to dwell on. I definitely won"t be making them again. I put them down to being a bit rusty and then a bit over confident. I move on and always look to the next SNG.
Figures for today are;
SNG Played 10, 3 wins & 3 2nd"s A great start.
MTT Played 2, no cashes.
I think I am going to concentrate on the SNG"s tomorrow and hopefully continue the excellent start I have made to my online adventure.
NO BAD BEATS - This online gig is easy money...
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Is this in preparation for S3?
Good luck James, what's your name on FullTilt? I will look you up on Sunday
What level will you be playing at?
I am ThinkerJE on both Pokerstars & Full Tilt, although I will be trying to stay away from online sharks like yourself Mr P.
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It"s easy this internet lark isn"t it James ?
It seems it today, lets hope it continues in this manner...
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Figures for today are;
SNG Played 10, 3 wins & 3 2nd"s A great start.
Sweet. Stick in James.
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Monday 15 December 2008
After watching India stroll to victory in the test match, I fire up the laptop and hope to continue the good run from yesterday.
12:20 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Raise and continuation bet with AQ but have to release when I get check raised. Then raise and re re raise on button with AK only to have to release on a 9 high flop when matey with irish position pushes the flop. Down to 850 with 7 players left, blinds 25/50 and very much the short stack.
I need to get busy and raise UTG with AdJd and get 2 callers. Flop is brilliant, Th 8d 9d so I push and get called by 99. Lots of outs and hit the diamond on the river to stay alive. Up to 1,875. Then I raise shortly after with 55 and get 1 caller. I bet out on a rainbow T32 flop and take a nice pot. Up to 2,100, 6 left, 75/150 with 2 short stacks.
I raise with AK and SB pshes for only 140 more. However BB flat calls aswell. Not sure what to do now and so simply call. Flop is 455 and BB pushes and I have to pass. BB shows same hand with AK, SB survives with A4. Down to 1,375 wit 5 left, 75/150, 1 big stack and the other 4 are similar sizes.
I raise with 33 and get called by the big stack. Flop is TT8 which I figure is fairly harmless and push all in, he folds, up to 2,075 with still 5 left, 100/200 and 3rd in chips.
Stay out of he way and we lose another player, onto the bubble with stack sizes me 2k, 7.5k, 1.5k & 2.5k.
Goes very tight and the 4 of us manage to play the entire level, when antes are introduced I only have 1,975 and need to find a spot soon.
UTG calls and I make up in SB with J8 and BB checks. Flop J33, I push and get called by BB with 36o (damm), however I suck out with runner runner spades to hit a flush to survive.
Next level 200/400/25, 4 left and I have 3,100. I push with A8 and get called by A9 (double damm). However I suck out again on the flop 3A8,7,7 and I am now chip daddy with 5,125.
The bubble bursts and we are in the money.
I button push with A6 and get called by AK. Flop 3s 4s 5s, turn 6s, river 7s!!! WOW, chop chop. Then I push with 79 and get called by K9. Flop A52, turn 5, river 9, chop chop again!!! I must be destined to win this with all the suckouts I keep dealing out.
However it is not meant to be as my Q3 vs A6 loses and then my K4 vs KJ knocks me out in 3rd. No complaints, happy to make the money as I went in behind lots of times and managed to suck out.
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13:44 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No hands played during the first 2 levels. 7 left with 25/50 blinds and me on 1,420.
Called a raise from solid player on button with AKo. Had to fold on 9 high flop. Probably should re raise there, but I felt he had a pair and did not want a race at that stage. Down to 1,195, 50/100 with 6 left.
There is a mid position raise and I push in the SB with JJ. JJ vs 77 but a 7 on the turn sends me packing in 6th. It happens, got my chips in good, happy with my play overall.
14:22 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Level 1, I raise 2 limpers in the BB with AQ and they both call. Flop is A38 (all diamonds), I bet 200 into 310 pot and take it down without any fuss. Up to 1,700 early doors.
Then a hand I could have played better. 2 limpers and I complete with T9 in SB, BB checks. Flop 9TK (rainbow), I check intending to check-raise but all check behind. Turn 6c (now 2 clubs) and I bet at it, BB folds, 1st limper calls and 2nd limper min raises. This is strange and figure him for a big draw so I re raise, 1st limper folds and raiser moves all in. Its only 400 more and I am committed to call, but I fear I need to house up on the river. Sure enough he shows 78 for the turned straight and no house arrives on 5th street. Down to 535, 9 left 15/30 and very much the short stack. I probably should bet the flop looking at this again, however he will still call with his up and down straight draw, and I should not have overvalued 2 pair so much on this dangerous board.
I cannot find a spot and finally push my last 350 with A8 vs KQ vs AQ and no miracle 8 to save me this time. Gone in 7th. Disappointed with this game, should have recognised the danger and not got carried away with the hand. Another learning point for the database.
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15:07 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Very tight table. I re raise in SB with AK and take it down pre flop.
Level 3, I call a raise on button with 66 but have to release on QT4 flop. Down to 925 and I am the short stack with 9 left, blinds 25/50.
I check Q6 in BB after the button has flat called. I check-raise the queen high flop and push all in on the turn to get him to fold. Up to 1,350, blinds 50/100 and still all 9 players.
We lose a couple of players but it now becomes a game of chicken and basically a pushathon. With 7 left, blinds 100/200, I only have 1,175 and only one move in my locker.
I push KJ vs 33 and river a king to move up to over 3k and become the chip daddy. Then I raise UTG with AK and SS moves all in for less and also get called by the other big stack. I get out of the way as there is no ace or king on the flop, and the SS"s TT loses to the big stack"s QQ. Now down to 2,110 with 6 left. I somehow manage to guide the thinker stack though the next level without a showdown as we lose 3 players and the bubble bursts. Now I plan to be even more aggressive.
I push A4 and get called by KQ. Ace on flop and I am up to 4k. Then my aggression backfires.
Button limps and SB makes up. There is a lot of chips in the middle and I sense weakness. I push all in with 2d9d hoping to pick up the dead money. Button insta calls with QQ (another top thinker read!!!). Flop gives me hope with 2 diamonds, but the 3rd never arrives and I finish 3rd. Crazy game. There were lots of players still in as the blinds got very big. Needed some luck to make the money, but again overall happy with my play, even the crazy bluff at the end, its a move I like to make, just so happened my read was way off this time.
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16:29 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Re raise with TT in BB and button raise with AQ gets me up to 1,680 early in level 1 without any confrontation.
Level 2, raise with AK and get 2 callers. I bet the king high flop and take it down. Up to 1,800 with 8 left and blinds 15/30. Call a bet in SB with JcTc and check raise the very nice flop QcJs4c to take me over 2k. Then I limp with QsTs and 4 players see a rainbow flop T 7 6. I bet and get 1 caller. Turn is Q, I bet and get called again. River is 6 and he checks to me. Think I am winning but wonder what he may have so just check and win the pot against his T4. Definitely missed a bet on the end, however I was worried about being raised, although looking back if he has me beat he would bet the end and not check. These value bets are important as you need to make the most out of your winning hands. Another thing to put into the SNG database for future reference. Up to 2,600, still level 2 and I am the chip daddy now, 7 left.
UTG SS moves all in and I re raise in mid position with AK to isolate. AK vs 88, king on turn wins it but then I throw away my very good position the very next hand with some bad poker play.
Now I am UTG with 88 an raise. 1 caller in SB and the flop is 468 (2 clubs). He checks and I bet my set and get called. Turn is a blank and he checks to me again and I bet half my stack. This is my first mistake. I should push all in here, it is a overbet of the pot but I need to get him to laydown his obvious draw. He calls my weak bet and then pushes all in on the Tc river. Its all my chips to call with my set, and everyone can tell he has hit his flush. I know I should suck it up and fold and try to steer my short stack to the money as it was still playable. However with over 7k in the middle I manage to convince myself that if he had a flush draw he would raise my flop bet. I call and cilla black time as he shows Kc9c for the flush. THIS IS REALLY BAD PLAY!!! A REALLY BAD CALL!!!
I am annoyed at myself for not making this laydown. I should have pushed the turn also and make him make a bad call. I should also not get involved with the one player at the table who can knock me out. These are all fairly simple SNG rules and I chose to ignore them. Really bad play that must be learnt from. I had thrown away a really good position and come away from the SNG with nothing. Plenty of learning has gone into the thinker database after this game.
After giving myself a good thrashing I put it down to experience and move onto the next SNG, determined to play a million times better.
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17:17 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Played very solid early on. Made up with AT in SB and managed to get 1 bet called on TT5 flop. Up to 1,580 at level 2, 15/30.
Slight mistake with QJ in SB vs KQ on a queen high flop. The ace on the turn probably saved me from doing all my chips. Now down to 925, with all 9 still going and blind 25/50.
I go out in 7th, 2 limpers and I check QT in BB. Flop is T 7 3 and I check hoping for someone to bet. Matey pushes all in and I insta call. He shows KJ for a complete goo ball, however the king on the turn hits him and knocks me out.
Didn"t really get into this SNG, and was low on chips at the end. Perhaps I should just push the ten high flop and take what is in the middle, but I wanted to double up and there was always a risk of the out draw.
18:02 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I limp with 99 (in position) and 4 players see a KT4 flop. All check and a 2 arrives on the turn. 3rd limper bets and I think he is trying to pick it up so I call. Jack on the river and it goes check check. 99 wins againt his 88, up to 1,700 early, very tight table once again.
No hands, 1,595, 50/100 with 8 left. SS pushes UTG for 455 total. I call in BB with TT vs A4. Board comes JQAKJ and my straight is good. Then card dead, apart from a couple of button steals, nothing much has happened.
SS SB pushes and I insta call in BB with AQ vs K7, flop is A76 (good), turn K (sick), river blank and I take a hit. The very next hand there is a raise in mid position. I wake up with AK in SB and push, called. AK vs JJ, flop 9TJ, but no Q arrives and I am gone in 6th.
Another frustrating game. I felt I played alot better and kept my patience well. Just needed the hands to hold and the result could have been different. No mistakes this time though.
So today has been a bit different than yesterday. Only 2 thirds to show from it so far. Going to have a break now and get some food. I may have a few more SNG"s later tonight, and try to get the strike rate back up to where it should be.
NO BAD BEATS - I guess this is what they call variance...
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I didn"t get back online to play any more SNG"s. The lure of good Italian food, a very nice red wine and only fools re runs on G.O.L.D was too much to resist.
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Woke up late, not having to go to work is brilliant. Switched on TV to find some rather fit ladies crunching and stretching in very skimpy outfits. I had a double take to make sure I had not left the sky box on babestation from the night before, then the aussie accent gave it away. The programme in question is the rather fantastic Aerobics Oz Style. Would it be wrong to sky plus this when I go back to work?
Anyway, I had a few tasks to do early afternoon and finally got online to the virtual felt around 4pm.
16:07 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Play tight early. 2nd level 15/30, I call a raise with 66 and 3 of us see the flop. 7 6 T (bingo!!!), the raiser bets, I re raise and the other caller pushes all in. Raiser gets out of the way and I call. 66 vs JJ, turn Q, river T and I am up to 3,025 with 8 left and big chip daddy.
Then I sit and fold alot as the other players proceed to get knocked out. A few steals along the way but we reach the bubble and I still have 3,025 in chips. I still don"t get involved and we are in the money at 100/200 with 2,850 in chips (vs 7.4k & 3.2k). I basically made the money on the back of one hand. Now it is time to get aggressive.
The SS button pushes and I wake up in the BB with KK. I am against A6 and no ace means we are heads up with 4k vs 9k. It goes back and forth without me ever getting near to the chip lead. With blinds 100/200/25, I have 3,500 and chip daddy pushes on button, I have AQ and insta call. AQ vs 82, the deuce on the river means I am gone in 2nd. Pleased with my patience in this game and another cash is a good start to the day.
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17:29 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I raise in mid position with AK and get 1 caller. I bet out on the 8TT flop and get called. I slow down now and it is checked to the river. He shows 55 to take it down and I am 1,150 with 9 left 15/30.
I raise UTG with KK. Matey in mid position re raises and the button flat calls. I am not messing around so I push all in. The raiser folds, but the caller calls??? KK vs A9 (how ad is that???), the kings hold and I am up to 2,660, 25/50 with 8 left.
I re raise in the SB with AcKc and get called. I flop the nuts Tc4c2c and check, he checks behind. The turn is an ace and it goes check check again. I bet a third of the pot on the river and get called (he mucked). Up to 3,795, 25/50 with 8 left.
Then the table gets very tight and I go card dead. Apart from a few steals in position I have nothing to play. I now find myself the SS with 2,000, blinds 100/200/25 and 4 left.
I get it all in pre flop, AQ vs 99, board comes 9T4Q7 and I go out on the bubble in 4th. Damm I hate the bubble, not much more I could do though and pleased with how I played the situations that arose. Just one of those games.
18:45 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
This game did not last that long due to this encounter during level 3.
There is a min raise in early position and 5 callers. I am in BB with 9dTs and it is 50 to call into 400 pot. Flop Th 9s 6s and I check (being sneaky), the raiser bets and gets called. Perfect now I can squeeze with what is likely to be the best hand anyway, make them pay for their draws and hopefully win a big pot. I push all in and they both call!!!! T9 (2 pair) vs 99 (set) vs AsJs (nut flush draw). So I only have 2 outs, a spade on the turn and blank river takes us both out. I can"t understand why the set doesn"t re raise on that dangerous board, it would give me a tricky decision, one I would like to think I could get away from (but then agian...). Anyway I am out early and decide that I didn"t do too much wrong, I think I made the right play, just ran into a better hand.
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19:17 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I get no hands early and sit tight as is my game. I still have 1,500 at 75/150 with 7 players left and no risks have been taken. It is so important to stay out of trouble early in these SNG"s, plenty of time to get funky later when the blinds get higher.
I do a stop & go move in the big blind with Kd Jd on a QT2 flop, now up to 2,175 with only 5 left and 75/150 blinds.
There is a raise from mid position, and I wake up with AA in the SB. I re raise and he pushes and I insta call. AA vs J9off (!!!!!), flop Q8K (I know a ten is coming), turn T (doh!!!), river J (justice). Broadway takes it, I am up to 5,275 and big chip daddy on the bubble. Hate his push with J9, I have not played many hands, why would he choose to get funky with me, he had time and chips left not to play that hand (not that I am complaining like).
I raise a SS with AQ vs 88 all in pre flop. No help small hit down to 4,540.
I raise in position with AT and get min re raised. Now I am worried I am dominated but the pot odds are massive so I call (must be wary of an ace on the flop). Flop is A7J and he checks, I check behind (fearing a bigger ace). Turn is 4 and he min bets again. Again massive pot odds and not too much of my remaining stack so I call. River T (gotcha). He min bets again and I raise (hoping to get paid by AK), he then min re raises me, and I am a bit confused. I figure I am probably beat now, either AJ or 77 being most likely, however the odds are massive again so I call and he shows KQ for rivered broadway. I probably gave him too much credit for a big ace and should have bet the flop when he checked. I took that as strength rather than he wanting a free card. Should have been more aggressive in that hand I think. Down to 3,475 and 2nd in chips, still 4 left with blinds 100/200/25.
I don"t get involved and the bubble bursts and we are in the money. I get it all in pre flop TT vs AJ, board 2T223 and double up to 5,650 with 3 left (1 very short stack), blinds 200/400/25, total pushathon now, just one big game of chicken.
All in pre flop with the SS, 88 vs J9, 5K849 board and we are heads up 7.5k vs 6k.
I push on the button with AQ and get called. AQ vs K7 and no help for him means I take the win. Well pleased with my play, I got some good cards along the way but played some good poker aswell.
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Break for tea, pasta again but very nice. No red wine tonight as I wanted to get back online as I felt I was playing well, so I had a couple of beers instead.
22:50 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I raise in position with AT and get called. Flop is KA2 and he checks, I bet and he calls. Turn is 9 and it goes check check. River 9 and he bets, easy call as the king plays and it is probably a chop. He shows KJ and I take the pot. Up to 1,725, 15/30 with 8 left.
Limp with 88 and 4 people see a Q23 flop. Matey bets and I decide to be aggressive and raise to take it down. However he calls. I shutdown now and have to fold to his river bet, he shows KQ and it was a good read. I like the play I made and the decision to back off when I got called. Down to 1,300 25/50 with 8 left.
I raise on cutoff with AJ and BB calls. Checked to me I bet the KQ7 flop on the semi bluff but matey pushes and I have to release. Down to 1,000 and short stacked now.
Now for a suck out. UTG limps and I find AhQh and raise half my stack (probably should just push here as I am calling whatever), all fold to UTG who pushes and I call (knowing I am in trouble and hoping for a race). AQ vs AK, flop As 8h 7h, giving me the flush draw, turn Td, river Qd. Very lucky suck out and double up to 2,300.
Then the very next hand I get it all in against a shorter stack. JJ vs QT, a queen arrives on the flop and I am down to 970, 50/100, 8 left and SS again.
All in pre flop 88 vs JT on a 45657 board and I am up to 1,790, 75/150 and 7 left (with 2 very short stacks), playable again now.
Have to sit back a bit now as alot of chips are moving every hand. I move in position or when I get a good hand but get no action, we are now 100/200/25.
I push with 33 and get called. 33 vs A8, board 973KJ and I am up to 3,500 with 5 left and 2nd in chips. Chip daddy then disposes of 2 other stacks and we are in the money. He then knocks out another and we are heads up 4k vs 9.5k.
It went back and forth a bit but he was using his stack well and I could not eat into his lead. Finally I pushed with the monster 52 off and was up against AT (they are live), however an ace on the turn sealed it and I finish 2nd and I am very grateful for it. I got very lucky with the AQ vs AK hand, but you need to make the most of it, as it goes against you sometimes aswell (those are the times you remember). Pretty pleased with my overall play, chip stack was up and down like a tart"s knickers, which is not my normal tight style. However you must play each situation as it arises and make the most of them.
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00:11 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
This one doesn"t last too long. In BB with T4 and 3 callers, I check. Flop is 2T4 rainbow and I check. Matey bets and gets 2 callers. I raise to squeeze and get called by original bettor. The pot is bigger than my remaining stack now. Turn is the J and I bet and get raised all in. Now I get the feeling he may have a set of 2"s, but why bet them on a fairly harmless board. I figure I may still be ahead and so call. He turns over JT for a turned better 2 pair. Now miracle on the river and I am down to 140 in level 1. Thinking this through I think I played it well enough, my only concern is that I may be over valuing 2 pair again, which is something that has got me into trouble in the past. The problem is that the standard at this level is very varied. There are some very good players at these tables, however there are some complete donks aswell. I had not played against this guy before and so had no read. I don"t think I can get away from 2 pair on the turn, he was just lucky to hit his card I suppose. The problem is that I played a big hand in level 1. Normally I like to sit tight and play solid early doors in order to preserve chips and not take too many risks. However when a hand like this occurs I had to play it big, so I think I like my play and if he doesn"t hit his card I win a nice pot and are in good shape.
I scratch around for a bit and get up tp 350 before getting it all in AQ vs 88, no help and I am gone in 8th after only 20 minutes. Move on to the next SNG.
00:38 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No hands played until level 3 when I call a raise in BB with QT. Flop 8h Jd 9h (nuts!!!), I check and he checks behind. Turn is Jh which is horrible and it goes check check. River 9d which again is horrible and it gets checked down. I win the hand and are up to 1,575, 50/100 with all 9 left. He didn"t show and I probably missed a bet somewhere along the way, doubtful whether he would have called anyway.
Very active SB pushes all in for a massive overbet. I have AQ in BB and go into the time bank. This is a big call, I know I have his range crushed but do I want to risk most of my chips a this stage. I finally decide to back my read and call. AQ vs A9, board comes AK2QK (!!!!!!). Chop, chop and the sickest board of all time. 1,675 50/100 still all 9 left.
All in verses a SS with AK vs K8, holds and up to 2,365. Then UTG pushes and I wake up with AA on the button. AA vs AT, again they hold and up to 4,050 with 75/150 and 5 left (chip daddy now).
Then I do a load of chips on the following hand. UTG raises and I call in BB with 88. Flop is 973 rainbow and I bet out. UTG flat calls. This feels weak to me as I think he would have rasied if he had an overpair to the board. I have decided to go with my read and move if the turn is harmless. Turn is a deuce and I push all in, he thinks and finally calls with A9. No miracle and I am down to 1,500, 100/200 with 5 left. Not sure about my play on this hand. If he re raises the flop I would definitely fold. I would raise the majority of the time if a had a nine, or an overpair to the board and me betting into him. However perhaps I need to give him credit for the slow play. Perhaps I should have slowed down at the turn instead of using maximum aggression, he must have had something or he would have folded the flop. Perhaps I should re raise pre flop and try to take it down early. I put it down to a bad read and move on as I still have some play left in this SNG.
Not much though, I"m all in with 55 vs Q8 and a queen on the flop seals the deal, gone in 5th. Played okay in this game, need to review the 88 hand to see what I can learn from it and how to play it better in the future.
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01:36 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No hand until level 3. I call a min raise in BB with Ah 3h. The flop comes Kh Jh 9d, I check intending to push to a bet. Right on cue matey bets and I push and get called. Ah 3h vs Th 8h (I am ahead, wow). Turn Kd, river 4c and ace high is good. Up to 2,475 with 25/50 blinds and 7 left.
All in pre flop QQ vs AK, no ace or king and up to 4,900 with 50/100 and 6 left (big chip daddy now). These confrontations are simply unavoidable at this stage and all the chips are going to go in.
Sit back and do nothing as players drop out and we reach the money with 4.5k vs 1k vs 8k. The one thing I don"t want to do now is mess around with the big stack. However chip daddy raises on button and SS folds in SB. I have 55 in BB and decide to call, but I need to hit my set to go any further in the hand against the chip leader. Flop 56J and I check, he bets the pot and I push all in. He calls with TT and no ten on turn or river and I am the daddy now.
We are heads up 9k vs 4.5k. The first hand matey raises on the button. I have AJ in BB and re raise, he pushes, I call. AJ vs 66, no ace or jack and the positions flip flop as I am down to 4,100.
Heads up happens to quick to write all the hands down. It went back and forth for a while, we played heads up for nearly 4 levels. I did catch a river 5 to stay in at one point and managed to get up to level chips. However the final hand occurred, all in pre flop, KT vs A8, no help and I finish 2nd. Again pleased with the result, my play was solid and I made the money again.
I decided to call it a night at this point, happy with my poker in general and looking forward to playing again tomorrow. I am definitely enjoying playing online again, it still is no match for live play, but it means you can play whenever you want whilst only wearing your underwear.
NO BAD BEATS - 50% ITM today
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Wednesday 17 December 2008
Had to go and do the big shop for Christmas this morning. I hate shopping. Lucky Morrisons (other supermarkets are available) was fairly quiet and we were able to wizz round in about an hour. After lunch I fired up the laptop and back to the SNG"s.
15:33 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
1st hand I re raise with AK and get 1 caller. I bet 300 into 430 pot on flop KT2 rainbow and take it down. Up to 1,730 10/20 and 9 left.
Still in level 1 there is a raise and re raise in front. I wake up in the SB with AA and pop it up to 670. The re raiser calls the 470 more. Flop 3 5 6 rainbow and I push all in for 800. Insta called by 54off (!!!!!! wtf). How is this clown still in with that hand??? Anyway I am ahead but I fear what is coming. Turn 6 is okay, but river 7 is a killer and numpty wins a massive pot. I"m down to 40. So this guy re raises with 54 off then calls a massive re re raise. I want this guy (or lady) on my table 100% of the time, just not today.
All in with Q9, no help and I am gone in 8th after only 13 minutes. One of those things, move on to the next SNG.
15:50 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
Call a raise with Jc Tc and we are 3 handed to the flop. QT9 looks great but I have to fold to crazy all in action. Ends up AQ vs KJ and the flopped straight knocks out the AQ. Down to 1,300 with 15/30 blinds and 8 left. That could have been alot worse and I did well not to get too involved with my middle pair/up and down draw.
Raise UTG with KK, matey pushes and I insta call. KK vs JJ and no jack see me up to 2,545 with 25/50 blinds and 5 left, in good shape now.
I"m duckin n divin, without taking any risks and I manage to steer the thinker stack through the bubble. 3 handed I have 2,550 with 75/150 blinds and are 2nd in chips.
The button raises and SB flat calls. Now I am looking to push in this spot and pick up the dead money, my range for this move is fairly loose. As it happens I find 77 in BB and move all in. I get called by AJ and the board KAKQ4 sends me to the rail in 3rd. Pleased with the move, no brainer really. The AJ call was strange as it came from the SB, why did he not re raise the button pre flop? I probably move in anyway at these stacks and blinds, AJ is strong 3 handed but I would rather be pushing than calling all in with it. In the money again so I am not too un happy.
16:43 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I call a raise in position with 7d 8d but get no help from the board and have to release. I like these spectulative hands early as long as I am not risking too much of my stack and potentially can win a massive pot. Down to 1,310, 10/20 and 9 left.
We lose a couple of players and there is now a big chip daddy playing table captain and the other 6 stacks are very similar. I am at 1,250 with 7 left and blinds 25/50.
I then get no hands and cannot find a spot to make a move. I hate to let my chip stack get so low that I am losing my fold equity, however there was nothing I could do. I had no cards and someone was always in the pot before me. I am down to 900 with 50/100 blinds and still 7 left.
Finally I find a hand and its all in pre flop. AQ vs 88, queen on turn doubles me up to 1,900. Next hand I push with AK and are up to 2,200. Card dead again and I fold my way to the bubble with 1,325 but blinds 100/200.
I push with A2 vs AJ of a smaller stack and get no help so I only have 475 left with 200 in the BB. SB makes up and I check 67 off. Flop 963, so I stick the remaining 275 in and he calls with QT. He cannot fold for the chips and I need to avoid 6 outs. 5 on turn is okay, but river T is a killer and I bubble in 4th. Damm I hate the bubble. Happy with my play, there were long periods where I could not get anything going on a very active table. I hate to let my chip stack get so low, but I could not find a spot (or cards) to get my chips in.
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18:14 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No raise and I find KQ in BB. I check and the flop comes Q32 rainbow. I bet out and get min raised, I call. I am trying to control the pot size and not get too commited in the early levels, although I think I am ahead. Turn is a blank, I check, matey bets and I call. River is another blank and it goes check check. He shows QT and I pick up a nice pot. Up to 1,690 with 15/30 blinds and 9 left. Some people may be more aggressive in that last hand, however I prefer to play passive in the early levels and try not to expose too many of my chips too early without the absolute nuts.
Nothing much happens in the next few levels. I call a raise in position with KQ and bet out on a queen high board. It gets called but a dangerous flush and straight card on the turn ensures it is checked to the river and I pick up another nice pot. Up to 1,815 with 75/150 blinds and 6 left.
Then I get really lucky. All in pre flop AK vs KK, the board AK2A7 comes to my rescue and I am up to 3,705 with 75/150 and 4 left (bubble time). Not much else to say about this, the confrontation was unavoidable and I got so so lucky, especially after he flopped the set.
All in pre flop 88 vs AK (SS) and the board 28KQ6 means we are in the money and up to 5,239 with 100/200 blinds.
I start to use my stack to bully the other players and get up to 8k without a showdown. We lose another player and are heads up 8.5k vs 5k. We play for about a level and a half with the stacks pretty much the same before the final hand. We have both been aggressive, the button has been raised most hands. I continue this by raising with K6 and get called. Flop is K68 (perfect). Although I am super strong I bet about 3/4 of the pot hoping he won"t believe me. Sure enough he move all in and I call. He was on the complete bluff with J7 and I take the victory.
Another solid display, I got very lucky with AK vs KK, but that"s poker and I am happy I made the most of my good fortune to take the win.
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19:31 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
No raise and I check 56 in BB. Flop 775 (2 hearts) and I bet to find out where I am at. I get one caller. Turn is black 2 and I bet again and get called. I bet the turn hoping to check the river as there are lots of bad cards for me, not that I am definitely winning at the moment. River is a 3rd heart and I check and fold to a bet. He shows the flush. From what I know about this player he likes to chase his draws and short of moving in on the flop he may never pass in that spot. Down to 1,280 with 10/20 blinds and 9 left. Still early doors and plenty of time left.
Call a raise in position with 22. Flop Td 7d 2h. I check raise to take down the pot. Up to 1,500 still 10/20 blinds.
SS moves all in for about 400 and I call with 77 vs AJ, but a jack on the flop takes me down to 1,025, 15/30 and 8 left.
I get no hands for the next level and I am now the short stack with 800, 50/100 and 6 left. I finally find a spot to move in with Kd Jd vs Ah 5h but get no help from the board and are gone in 6th.
Couldn"t get going in this game, never got above starting stack and struggled to find decent spots throughout the 40 minutes I was in. Move on to the next SNG.
20:14 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
There is a raise and call in front and I find 99 in BB. I could re raise here but decide to control the pot by just calling. Flop TK2 (all hearts), turn 8h, river Td. It is checked all the way to the river and the nine"s are good (to my amazement). Up to 1,710 with 15/30 and 8 left.
Next level I am in BB with A7 and have to call bets on the turn and river on a QTQT4 board, matey had a queen. Down to 1,330 25/50 and 7 left.
Then a cooler, all in pre flop JJ vs KK, plays itself and no miracle this time, down to 100, 75/150 6 left.
All in BB for 100, 74 vs AJ, board T4389, survive up to 300, 75/150 5 left.
All in SB for 300 AK vs AJ, board 7384K, survive again, up to 600 75/150 5 left.
I am now beginning to think of great comebacks and what a story this will make. then this happens.
All in on button for 600 42 vs 44 (ouch!!!) 9J525 board and the comeback is over, gone in 5th. I had to sugababe (push the button) when it folded to me and 600 is enough to make the BB pass without a decent hand. Unfortunately he had the worse hand and it was all she wrote. JJ vs KK early again is unavoidable and just one of those things.
22:24 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
2nd level I raise in late position with AT and get called. My continuation bet is check raised and I have to release. Down to 1,200, 25/50 with 8 left.
UTG min raises and gets 2 callers. Td 2d in BB and its 100 to call into 750 pot, I call. Flop is 4d 6h 7d. I push all in, 1,000 into 850 pot. I want to pick it up now but hopefully have outs if called. I get called by 88. I have 12 outs twice and so are nearly 50/50. Alas no ten or diamond and I depart in 7th. I like the play, being aggressive and forcing the call, knowing I would have outs. Another day I hit and win a very nice pot. NEXT!!!
23:07 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I limp UTG with 66. 4 players see a flop 6 Q A. I check and matey bets, I flat call. 2 to the turn which is a trey. I check, he bets again and I flat call. I know I am ahead and intend to milk the most out of him. River is a jack (I know he doesn"t have KT and I am winning), I check and he bets. I min raise and he folds. Up to 2,200, 15/30 and 9 left. Normally I like to play sets faster but I felt he would do the betting for me so the passive way was better in this situation. Probably got the most out of him, not sure how he can fold on the end to the min raise, unless he had a complete goo ball all along.
Keeping out of trouble, duckin n divin, up to 2,460 at 50/100 with 6 left. I fold my way to the bubble having 2,110, 75/150, 4 left and I am the short stack.
My stack is getting eaten away as I cannot find a spot. Finally I am all in pre flop 77 vs AQ flop T4A (damm), turn 7 (wow) river 4. That was a big turn card and means I survive. However next hand I am all in again pre flop AQ vs 88, board 62998 and I bubble, gone in 4th. I HATE THE BUBBLE.
00:07 $30 + $3 Pokerstars
I raise with KK and get called. I bet the flop with an ace on it and get raised so I have to release. Down to 1,400 early in level 1.
I call a SS all in with TT vs JJ, no help and down to 1,015, 25/50 and 7 left. Then a few hands later its all in pre flop JJ vs QQ. I get some help from the flop TJK, the turn 7 is great also but the A on the river knocks me out in 7th. Again this played itself. I was way behind pre flop but the board is still a pretty sick way to lose after going ahead on the flop. Thats poker.
I had had enough now and called it a night.
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Thursday 18 December 2008
I had a few things to do today so I decided to have a day off from online poker.
So far my progress is as follows;
Played 34
1st 5 - 15%
2nd 6 - 18%
3rd 3 - 9%
This gives me 41% ITM and a profit of $167 - ROI 15%
This is not a bad start and I hope to get the ITM %age up to 50% and also increase my ROI as I play more.
One thing I have noticed is that I have bubbled 5 times (15%). This ia an area I need to improve on. I have done alot of the hard work to make the final four, I just need to push on and convert money of those positions into cash finishes. Apart from that I am happy with my play overall and most importantly I am enjoying playing online poker again.
NO BAD BEATS - Still in profit.
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Great Stuff James.
Oh, and Happy Birthday ;D
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Happy Birthday James - deep breath ... iiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiii i
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Happy Birthday!!!
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Give it time........
I"ve always found that I tend to endure more sequences on Pokerstars than other sites i.e. will frequently win three or four on the trot then lose a similar number whereas with other sites it seems to be a lot more even. Is this just me?
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Ok I realise I have not posted this year, but I thought that I would update.
Basically I have continued playing SNG"s at the $30 level and have been doing good in 2009. January was a losing month, but I was well ahead in February & March and April has started in profit.
I tend to play 3 or 4 nights a week and I have started to play 2 tables at once which I have found has improved my return.
The goal at the moment is to build my bankroll so that I can move up to the $50 level and I think I will be ready to move up in the next few weeks.
I will post my current stats and then try and update my progress throught the rest of the year.
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Instead of moving up a level why not increase the number of tables you are playing? Moving up when you can consistently beat 6-8 tables at your chosen stake would be a far better option imo.
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agree with mal, and learning to play 4 to 8 tables now could prove invaluable for future profit and the speed in which you make that profit both in sngs, cash and mtt"s