Entries from my old blog
4/26 (Eric's Game) - Here's some interesting hands of note. I was getting really unlucky early. It seemed like it could be one of those nights where I would get coolered. A10 lost to 910 when 9 turned. I lost the min but whatever. I made a play on a pot with position, with A3 hearts, flopping the ace. I raised the flop and was called after some thought. Turn was a blank and it was checked to me. I push for my remaining $17 and was called after some thought. However, I knew this hand would be key for me for the rest of the night if I got involved with the same player again. I little while later, I raised in lp with 88 and get two callers. Flop brings 10, 8, rag with a flush draw. 1st to act bets out $7 and I move all in for about $25. The other player folds and its back to the original bettor. He starts talking and I can tell he's weak. I want him to call, I NEED him to call. I say "you can't call, your hand is too weak." "Oh really, what do you have" he says. "It doesn't matter what I have because your hand isn't strong enough to call." I guess that was enough to convince him to call with his K10. He was drawing dead once the turn came out. Nice pot, back in the game.
A few hands later, same player raises my bb in lp. I look down and see 93 diamonds and decide to call. Extremely loose call I know but I feel like I can outplay him postflop most of the time. Flop brings A,9,2. I check and player bets $7. I don't make him for an ace at this point. I called to see what would develop on the turn. Turn brings a 3. I check and he bets $15. I changed my mind, he does have an ace. BIG ace actually. AK most likely. I didn't feel like I needed to slowplay here and push my entire stack $60ish. I was instacalled and he showed AJ offsuit. River bricked and I felted him.
3rd hand: I raise to $3 in mp with Q10 spades and was called by the bb. Flop brings A,10,rag with 2 spades. Player checks and I bet $6. BB raises to $12. I was a little suspicious of this bet. I even said out loud "min raise!?" In most instances I would think set but I was feeling more like a weak ace. Plus, there was way too much danger to 1 bet if you had a set. 3rd card was a rag but I remember it being pretty connected, possibly an 8. Plus, theres spades out there and I didn't read set of 10s or As. I called. Turn brings my nut card, K spades. Player checks again and I bet $20 thinking I would probably win the pot right there or he's going for the check raise AGAIN because he didn't put me on the flush. Seriously, this is how some of these guys think. Anyhow, he pushed on me and I instacalled. He turned over A3 clubs, drawing dead. Chips came flying at me, guess he was pissed and called it a suckout blah blah.
+120 night.
4/27 (Bruces) - game didn't go as planned. -180 for the night. I lost some pretty big hands in Omaha hi/lo that I played completely wrong. The hand that I did play somewhat right, board of 885, holding 55, I pushed but one of his cards paired so I lost to a bigger boat. Oh well. Its only a matter of time before I figure this Omaha crap out.
4/28 - Heads up tournament, knocked out in 1st round. 10 player holdem tournament afterwards, knocked out 6th or 7th. I was playing incredible too. Making big plays, bluffs, and laydowns. I put my stack in jeopardy when I decided to make an unneccessary play at the pot with A8 preflop and was called by AJ off. I was actually really suprised when he turned over that hand. I couldn't figure out if that was a good read on his part, or just a "I have AJ" I'm calling. I'll have more opportunities to play with this player in the future and I'll be able to figure it out.
-10 heads up, -25 bounty tourney.
4/29 (my game) Short handed game but it was still fun. Only 3 hands I wanted to discuss.
First hand: AA utg and raised to $4 and its called in 2 spots. Flop brings 89J rainbow. I lead out for $10, utg+1 raises to 30, fold, and its back to me. I smelled set. I was hoping for maybe QQ here but it smelled like 88, 99, or JJ. However, I didn't want to give up the pot. I wanted to lay down but at the same time, I felt like I had some bluffing cards also. My stack was well over $100 and my opponent had $70. I felt that with any 7, Q, or ace, I take this pot down. There was no way I would be raised with a straight in this spot, I thought. I called the raise. Turn brings a K and I check. Opponent goes all in. I fold my aces up and he turns over JJ. I took a gamble but it didn't work out.
2nd hand: 78off in BB. UTG raises to $5 (same player from above) and I'm the only caller. I called with one intention, to outplay him on THIS hand. Flop brings A,4,2 with 2 clubs. I lead out for $5. He thinks for a minute and raises to $15. I think for about 2 seconds and RR for another $20. He shows me JJ and lays it down. I elected not to show.
3rd hand: utg raises to $4, call, and I raise to $12 in bb with QQ. utg folds after alot of thought and other player calls reluctantly. Flop brings A22. I bet $10 and he calls. At this point, I'm not sure what he has. He was talking preflop how he needed the other guy to call and he has two low cards blah blah. Turn is a 4. I bet $25 and he starts saying how he can beat AK, AQ, but can't beat AA. Do I believe him, not really. He calls. River is a K. I check and my opponent goes all in. I checked for a couple of reasons, one I wanted to give my opponent the chance to bluff if he has no hand. With only $59 left in my stack, I could bet but I would only be getting called by the winning hand and I would have to bet my stack here with the size of the pot. My intentions were to check call. I was a little suprised by the insta all in but at least it gave me time to think. My opponent could really have any two cards here. Ace anything is possible, 23 or even 2 anything. I wanted to test myself. I narrowed it down to AK, 44, a deuce, or 34. I really felt like it was 34 and called. Thats exactly what my opponent had and I won a monster pot. Good call me.
+119.50 night
GL Folks!
TK
A few hands later, same player raises my bb in lp. I look down and see 93 diamonds and decide to call. Extremely loose call I know but I feel like I can outplay him postflop most of the time. Flop brings A,9,2. I check and player bets $7. I don't make him for an ace at this point. I called to see what would develop on the turn. Turn brings a 3. I check and he bets $15. I changed my mind, he does have an ace. BIG ace actually. AK most likely. I didn't feel like I needed to slowplay here and push my entire stack $60ish. I was instacalled and he showed AJ offsuit. River bricked and I felted him.
3rd hand: I raise to $3 in mp with Q10 spades and was called by the bb. Flop brings A,10,rag with 2 spades. Player checks and I bet $6. BB raises to $12. I was a little suspicious of this bet. I even said out loud "min raise!?" In most instances I would think set but I was feeling more like a weak ace. Plus, there was way too much danger to 1 bet if you had a set. 3rd card was a rag but I remember it being pretty connected, possibly an 8. Plus, theres spades out there and I didn't read set of 10s or As. I called. Turn brings my nut card, K spades. Player checks again and I bet $20 thinking I would probably win the pot right there or he's going for the check raise AGAIN because he didn't put me on the flush. Seriously, this is how some of these guys think. Anyhow, he pushed on me and I instacalled. He turned over A3 clubs, drawing dead. Chips came flying at me, guess he was pissed and called it a suckout blah blah.
+120 night.
4/27 (Bruces) - game didn't go as planned. -180 for the night. I lost some pretty big hands in Omaha hi/lo that I played completely wrong. The hand that I did play somewhat right, board of 885, holding 55, I pushed but one of his cards paired so I lost to a bigger boat. Oh well. Its only a matter of time before I figure this Omaha crap out.
4/28 - Heads up tournament, knocked out in 1st round. 10 player holdem tournament afterwards, knocked out 6th or 7th. I was playing incredible too. Making big plays, bluffs, and laydowns. I put my stack in jeopardy when I decided to make an unneccessary play at the pot with A8 preflop and was called by AJ off. I was actually really suprised when he turned over that hand. I couldn't figure out if that was a good read on his part, or just a "I have AJ" I'm calling. I'll have more opportunities to play with this player in the future and I'll be able to figure it out.
-10 heads up, -25 bounty tourney.
4/29 (my game) Short handed game but it was still fun. Only 3 hands I wanted to discuss.
First hand: AA utg and raised to $4 and its called in 2 spots. Flop brings 89J rainbow. I lead out for $10, utg+1 raises to 30, fold, and its back to me. I smelled set. I was hoping for maybe QQ here but it smelled like 88, 99, or JJ. However, I didn't want to give up the pot. I wanted to lay down but at the same time, I felt like I had some bluffing cards also. My stack was well over $100 and my opponent had $70. I felt that with any 7, Q, or ace, I take this pot down. There was no way I would be raised with a straight in this spot, I thought. I called the raise. Turn brings a K and I check. Opponent goes all in. I fold my aces up and he turns over JJ. I took a gamble but it didn't work out.
2nd hand: 78off in BB. UTG raises to $5 (same player from above) and I'm the only caller. I called with one intention, to outplay him on THIS hand. Flop brings A,4,2 with 2 clubs. I lead out for $5. He thinks for a minute and raises to $15. I think for about 2 seconds and RR for another $20. He shows me JJ and lays it down. I elected not to show.
3rd hand: utg raises to $4, call, and I raise to $12 in bb with QQ. utg folds after alot of thought and other player calls reluctantly. Flop brings A22. I bet $10 and he calls. At this point, I'm not sure what he has. He was talking preflop how he needed the other guy to call and he has two low cards blah blah. Turn is a 4. I bet $25 and he starts saying how he can beat AK, AQ, but can't beat AA. Do I believe him, not really. He calls. River is a K. I check and my opponent goes all in. I checked for a couple of reasons, one I wanted to give my opponent the chance to bluff if he has no hand. With only $59 left in my stack, I could bet but I would only be getting called by the winning hand and I would have to bet my stack here with the size of the pot. My intentions were to check call. I was a little suprised by the insta all in but at least it gave me time to think. My opponent could really have any two cards here. Ace anything is possible, 23 or even 2 anything. I wanted to test myself. I narrowed it down to AK, 44, a deuce, or 34. I really felt like it was 34 and called. Thats exactly what my opponent had and I won a monster pot. Good call me.
+119.50 night
GL Folks!
TK
Sunday at the Rainbow
There were definitely some highs and some lows today. I made some really good plays and some really bad ones. My stack fluctuated way too much for my liking. I started to become a little impatient and made some terrible plays. Not only terrible plays, but very passive ones. My stack went as high as +600 to -800. I wound up about +220 for the two 4.5 hr sessions but it was really hard work. During the first session, I made some really good plays and started building my stack. Then I got impatient and raised with A6. I was check raised on the flop when the ace hit. At that point, I either needed to let the hand go, or make a stand. I decided to be passive and called the 150 flop, 75 turn, and 75 river bet. He turned over AQ. I think if I make a stand on any street and put my opponent to a decision, I win that hand. Even if I don't, I go down fighting instead of playing defensive poker. Not too much later, I took a stand with 88 and my opponent wound up have AA. On this particular hand, I lead out on the flop, turn, and river but I think he was going to call me anyway. I probably should have given up on the river when he called my turn bet and realized he was going to call me all the way. I did end this session on a positive note when I made a great play with 44.
I limped in middle position with 44 and was raised by lp. Flops 3 rags with 2 hearts. I check and my opponent bets 25. I check raised to 75. He makes it 150 to go. For some reason, this hand, I decided I was going to try and outplay this guy. At this point, I put him on a big pocket pair. QQ - AA range. I call, hoping to either get really lucky and spike that 4 (crazy I know) or represent this flush when it hits. Sure enough, turn brings the 3 heart. I can't push here because he might have AA with A hearts and calls. I decided to value bet bluff. I bet 150 into the pot. Almost half. My opponent is digusted. He checks his cards (my thinking is to see if he has a heart in the hole). After some thought, he calls. I feel for certain he is terrified of the flush and if no heart hits on the river, this pot is mine. River brings a non heart, non pairing card. I push AI for around 200. I can tell he wants to call. He wants to call but he feels like he's beaten. I am motionless, dead silence. My heart is racing but I am trying to convey a calm demeanor. After about a minute, he reluctantly folds. He starts talking to his neighbor and how dangerous the board was and it was a good laydown blah blah and I turn over my 44. Big pot for TK. Not too long after that, he left.
2nd session was up and down too. I made some really good plays and some really bad ones. Caught people bluffing and then I paid off some big hands. My problem was when I paid off the big hands, I KNEW I was. Thats what pissed me off. I could have gotten away easy but my stupid curiousity get the best of me sometimes. Pocket 10s and letting the flush catch up. 99 vs KK in the battle of sb vs bb. STUPID. I think if I play solid poker for an entire session, I can really come up big. +1K to +2K range. Thats the hard part. I blame my impatient this time. There was no reason for me to play mediorcre hands in my first session, not with the crowd on the table. I didn't need to jeopardize my stack at all. I tried to be too aggressive and at wrong spots. Thats something I need to work on when I put in these long sessions. PATIENCE! Twice now, I've built a big stack early only to piss it away. I was stuck in this game for nearly 800 and fought all the way back to +200. That says something. I just need to maintain. The spectrum is coming up here in two weeks. If I can't pull a good win there, then I plain suck.
Laterz
TK
I limped in middle position with 44 and was raised by lp. Flops 3 rags with 2 hearts. I check and my opponent bets 25. I check raised to 75. He makes it 150 to go. For some reason, this hand, I decided I was going to try and outplay this guy. At this point, I put him on a big pocket pair. QQ - AA range. I call, hoping to either get really lucky and spike that 4 (crazy I know) or represent this flush when it hits. Sure enough, turn brings the 3 heart. I can't push here because he might have AA with A hearts and calls. I decided to value bet bluff. I bet 150 into the pot. Almost half. My opponent is digusted. He checks his cards (my thinking is to see if he has a heart in the hole). After some thought, he calls. I feel for certain he is terrified of the flush and if no heart hits on the river, this pot is mine. River brings a non heart, non pairing card. I push AI for around 200. I can tell he wants to call. He wants to call but he feels like he's beaten. I am motionless, dead silence. My heart is racing but I am trying to convey a calm demeanor. After about a minute, he reluctantly folds. He starts talking to his neighbor and how dangerous the board was and it was a good laydown blah blah and I turn over my 44. Big pot for TK. Not too long after that, he left.
2nd session was up and down too. I made some really good plays and some really bad ones. Caught people bluffing and then I paid off some big hands. My problem was when I paid off the big hands, I KNEW I was. Thats what pissed me off. I could have gotten away easy but my stupid curiousity get the best of me sometimes. Pocket 10s and letting the flush catch up. 99 vs KK in the battle of sb vs bb. STUPID. I think if I play solid poker for an entire session, I can really come up big. +1K to +2K range. Thats the hard part. I blame my impatient this time. There was no reason for me to play mediorcre hands in my first session, not with the crowd on the table. I didn't need to jeopardize my stack at all. I tried to be too aggressive and at wrong spots. Thats something I need to work on when I put in these long sessions. PATIENCE! Twice now, I've built a big stack early only to piss it away. I was stuck in this game for nearly 800 and fought all the way back to +200. That says something. I just need to maintain. The spectrum is coming up here in two weeks. If I can't pull a good win there, then I plain suck.
Laterz
TK
Streak Continues.....
Wednesday was Game 6 of 6. I wasn't going to buy in for the optional $30 because I wanted to focus on moving up instead of trying to finish in the money. I changed my mind and went ahead and did it anyway. We decided to make it $40 instead of $30 because we were 9 handed. I started off just laying low because I didn't want to be the first one out and jeopardize my 1st place overall. But of course I can't help myself and always get involved. I wound up playing really well and as people got knocked out, I found myself in the money! When it went heads up, Rich had a little over 10K and I had about 3K. However, I wasn't about to just give it up. I established early in the heads up that I was willing to limp and allow him to limp. We pretty much exchanged blinds for a while but then I changed gears and started raising nearly every hand. The turning point of the match was when I had 10 6 and flopped top pair ten, with 3 spades on the board. I lead out and Rich raised. I called and made a determination that he wouldn't like it if another spade hit. The turn was that 4th spade and it went check check. When the river hit, I thought for 5 seconds and pushed. He turned over 10 3 for flopped two pair and I turn over my 10 6. Top pair, no spade. That hand pretty much put us equal in chips and from then I was able to control the pace of the game. I wound up winning when my pocket nines head up against his A5 clubs. I was +140 for that night and +400 for taking 1st overall!
I started off strong at the Thursday game. It was the first game in a long time where I didn't have to rebuy to make a comeback. I made a few plays where my pot odds weren't correct to call and draw out but I felt like my implied odds were huge. I was right on those. +110 for the night. I am taking a trip this Sunday to Wendover to play 2/5 and the tournament. My bankroll is hovering right around 2K right now and if I can do well enough on Sunday, I should be closer to 2.5K or 3K. Hopefully I can still get my goal of 5K by mid June. Good luck me.
TK
I started off strong at the Thursday game. It was the first game in a long time where I didn't have to rebuy to make a comeback. I made a few plays where my pot odds weren't correct to call and draw out but I felt like my implied odds were huge. I was right on those. +110 for the night. I am taking a trip this Sunday to Wendover to play 2/5 and the tournament. My bankroll is hovering right around 2K right now and if I can do well enough on Sunday, I should be closer to 2.5K or 3K. Hopefully I can still get my goal of 5K by mid June. Good luck me.
TK
Confidence Boost
I thought my Thursday game was going to be a down one. Started off again losing early, dropping the initial buy in of $40. Somehow, someway, made it to +50 for the night. There were a couple of hands where I got lucky but there were some hands I got unlucky on too. Seems to work out in the end. Friday, I decided to play in a tournament for $30 buy in. I wound up taking 2nd. I had control of my table from the get go, stealing blinds and pots. When it went heads up, I had a 120K - 80K lead but lost a couple of pots and took 2nd. I should have taken 1st. I was very dissappointed with my play heads up but I can't complain too much. There was a comment made by one of the players there along the lines of "Is this TK, is this him?" I didn't know people talked about me 
I could tell it was a genuine comment, meaning people are talking good stuff about me. It makes me feel good that people have respect for my game. It means my game has come a long ways. Even the ones that have ridiculed me are starting to say I play well. I know I still have a long ways to go but I know I'm on the right path. Not too much happened in the live game. Sat for 4 hrs and broke even. I read up on Omaha hi and hi/lo and have some basic strategy to use now. It should help out a lot in my Omaha game for Friday night instead of running around with my head cut off.
Sunday's game was interesting. I played really well in spots and really bad. One hand, I had underpair to the board. I put the guy on some type of draw and when the board doubled paired by the river, negating my 2pair, I checked. Of course he checked behind and his Jack high took down the pot. There was no question I needed to fire a bullet there regardless of what I had. I was NOT on my game at all and still managed to cash out +60. I should have been closer to $300 but missed some value bets and overplayed some hands that I shouldn't have. Can't play my best all the time I guess.
Thoughts in general.....
Am I ready to play professionally? Sure! Can I grind everyday and live that lifestyle. Maybe. Am I willing to make the move to Vegas? Maybe. These next few months will determine everything. I've never put so much effort into something. I want to get better, I want to be perfect. I know my game isn't near where I want it to be but only through playing and learning from the experiences will I ever be able to be near perfect!
TK
I could tell it was a genuine comment, meaning people are talking good stuff about me. It makes me feel good that people have respect for my game. It means my game has come a long ways. Even the ones that have ridiculed me are starting to say I play well. I know I still have a long ways to go but I know I'm on the right path. Not too much happened in the live game. Sat for 4 hrs and broke even. I read up on Omaha hi and hi/lo and have some basic strategy to use now. It should help out a lot in my Omaha game for Friday night instead of running around with my head cut off. Sunday's game was interesting. I played really well in spots and really bad. One hand, I had underpair to the board. I put the guy on some type of draw and when the board doubled paired by the river, negating my 2pair, I checked. Of course he checked behind and his Jack high took down the pot. There was no question I needed to fire a bullet there regardless of what I had. I was NOT on my game at all and still managed to cash out +60. I should have been closer to $300 but missed some value bets and overplayed some hands that I shouldn't have. Can't play my best all the time I guess.
Thoughts in general.....
Am I ready to play professionally? Sure! Can I grind everyday and live that lifestyle. Maybe. Am I willing to make the move to Vegas? Maybe. These next few months will determine everything. I've never put so much effort into something. I want to get better, I want to be perfect. I know my game isn't near where I want it to be but only through playing and learning from the experiences will I ever be able to be near perfect!
TK
Lock it up!
I finished game 5 of 6 of the tournament series I am in on Monday. I took 1st and basically locked up 1st place overall. There's only one person that can tie my score if he took first next week. If he were to take first, I would have to place 6th or better because I think they take the overall score if there is a tie. Game 1: 3rd, Game 2: 3rd, Game 3: 2nd, Game 4: 5th, Game 5: 1st. I felt like it was a pretty solid performance thus far. Depending on what happens next week but I felt like I controlled the table for the most part. I think I only made one bad call on Monday and that was when I thought this guy was trying to make a play at me but he had the nut flush. I got lucky in a few spots but I really had no choice with the stack that I had. I had to gamble. The $500 first place will definitely help the bankroll out. I hoping to get it to 3 - 4K by mid June. I should be about halfway at the end of this month. I'll be using part of it to play at the Spectrum and see what I can do there. I really feel good right now about where my game is at. I have a lot of confidence in my game. If I can string together a couple good months, you never know what can happen. I'm going to put in a session on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. I've been pondering either going to Pendleton, Las Vegas, or Wendover next weekend and play some higher stakes to help with the roll. It becomes a real grind playing these .25/.50 games all the time. You can make decent money but I think the games at Dover in the 2/5 are really soft.
See you around.
TK
See you around.
TK
Updates in general
I decided to make this post about my game in general rather than on specific events. I went on a really bad run there towards the end of March. I took a big downswing in my bankroll, hourly rate, etc. Nothing seemed to go right. I kept on making the 2nd nuts...ONE of those streaks. My confidence was a little shaken but I battled back and feel better than ever. I was starting to get a little fatiqued from playing and got a little cold on top of that. I just wasn't concentrating at the table when I was playing.
April started a new month and I just wanted to put a win under my belt, get my confidence back. I did just that. I've put in a few solid sessions this month and it looks promising. Poker is so tough because if you feel like you're going to lose and make bad decisions, you usually do. I've learned that the hard way. When I make a mistake and I KNOW I made a mistake, its probably best to quit playing that session. My game is based so much on reads and tendencies of others that if I'm not sharp, I know I'll lose. I did this when I played at the Rainbow. I just slowly deteriorated my stack away until I realized what I was doing. Thank god I realized in time before pissing away my entire profit.
I think my game has come a long way since I started playing again. I think one of my best attributes right now is the ability to re-create hands in my head and make reads on people. Sometimes its just instincts. Its getting inside your opponents heads and figuring out what they are trying to make you think and why. I've never had this ability. I feel like the majority of the time, I'm right. I amaze myself sometimes, its ridiculous. Its something I want to master. Cards become irrelevant at that point. To know your opponent is to know it all.
Do I think I can play professionally and make a good living at this game? Yes. Am I willing to give it all up to give it a try? Thats the hard part. Only time will tell.
Good luck everybody
TK
April started a new month and I just wanted to put a win under my belt, get my confidence back. I did just that. I've put in a few solid sessions this month and it looks promising. Poker is so tough because if you feel like you're going to lose and make bad decisions, you usually do. I've learned that the hard way. When I make a mistake and I KNOW I made a mistake, its probably best to quit playing that session. My game is based so much on reads and tendencies of others that if I'm not sharp, I know I'll lose. I did this when I played at the Rainbow. I just slowly deteriorated my stack away until I realized what I was doing. Thank god I realized in time before pissing away my entire profit.
I think my game has come a long way since I started playing again. I think one of my best attributes right now is the ability to re-create hands in my head and make reads on people. Sometimes its just instincts. Its getting inside your opponents heads and figuring out what they are trying to make you think and why. I've never had this ability. I feel like the majority of the time, I'm right. I amaze myself sometimes, its ridiculous. Its something I want to master. Cards become irrelevant at that point. To know your opponent is to know it all.
Do I think I can play professionally and make a good living at this game? Yes. Am I willing to give it all up to give it a try? Thats the hard part. Only time will tell.
Good luck everybody
TK
03/27/07 General Updates
Its been a while since I posted. I was getting too busy to update but I wanted it to be a priority today. I'm just going to list games since my last post and notable hands I remember since I keep track of results at www.checkyourbets.com.
3/11 UB .5/1 - (-100) Wanted to play a quick session before bed and lasted 20 minutes when I lost two big hands when I got drawn out on.
3/11 My game .25/.50 - (-93) Just big coolers all night. I'm talking AQ vs AJ and J flops, JJ vs 88 and 8 flops, KK vs AA. I actually laid down my KK preflop on this particular instance, a HUGE lay down and I was right but COME ON!
3/14 UB 1/2 - (+289.50) I didn't see much activity for over an hour then I started getting major action when I had big hands. Funny thing is, I didn't think I would because I had been playing so tight.
3/17 UB .5/1 - (+16.70) quick hr session before bed. Nothing too exciting here.
3/18 My game .25/.50 - (+13) I remember making a few plays here and there but for the most part didn't get involved in anything fancy today.
3/19 UB 1/2 - (-98.55) Funny thing is, I was at a point, +200, then just got cooled!
3/20 Multi 100+9 - QQ runs into KK and then QQ runs into 88 to send me packing. How does that work?
3/21 at Jon's game 2 of 6 - (+36)11 handed and wound up taking 3rd AGAIN. I was able to make some pretty good reads. Again, I started out just accumulating chips like crazy but then when it got to 4 or 5, everybody else around me was getting chips except me. Went in with about 4K 3 way action and just couldn't get it going.
3/22 Eric's .25/.50 - (-50) Of course, I started making my hands at the end of the night. I probably won about $40 in the last 15 minutes of action.
3/23 Rainbow 2/5 - (+465) Played 1 split session. First session, made 247 in 40 minutes before the table died. Flopped nut straight with K10 and got action. 2nd table (+218) At a point, was probably up +600 - +800 but just slowly deteriorated. I established my table image as really tight and was able to win a lot of small pots. Big hand to note was when i had 42 in the bb and flopped a gutshot. A56 rainbow. Bet was 15 with 3 callers so I made the call. Figured I had huge implied odds here with the A on board and I would have to rethink of course if someone repops me (possible 47 for nuts). Turn 3. Gin. I check and player to my left makes it 20. Button calls and I make it 80 to go. Now, with this bet, I wanted the one who opened to call cause I have him on mediocre ace and maybe wants to look me up. Button, possibly 78 or maybe a flush draw because the turn made it 2 to the flush. At that particular point, I wasn't too concerned. Person to my immediate left calls and so does the button. NOW i'm concerned with the smooth call by the button. I am OOP. River hits 5. I liked this card. I did not put anybody on a set by the turn. Reason being is I think I would have been RR by the set. At that point, there was a ton of money in the pot and with all the draws, I think set RR right there. I guess if someone had something like A5 or 56, then I'm paying them off. At this point, I was thinking value bet. With the pot close to 300 or so, I made it 200 to go. I still felt like I had the guy to my immediate left beat and he would call me up to 200. After much deliberation he called. Button mucked but said he was on a flush draw but whatever. I showed my hand and he was of course disgusted but I don't know what he had. He claims to have flopped top 2 so A6? I wanted to get to +1K and walk but never got to that point. I think fatigued started to play a factor cause looking back I think I missed a few spots where I could of bluffed, especially with my table image I created. Still a decent session so I can't complain too much.
3/24 UB 1/2 - (-155.05) Not too much action except for missing flops like crazy. Some guy tried to be cute and raised it to $4 preflop in mp. I had k4 spades in the bb and take a flop with about 5 players. Flop is K74 rainbow. I check and original raiser makes it 10. Folded to me and I RR and put him all in for his stack of 70 or so. He instacalls and shows AA. BUT of course I get unlucky as the turn is Q and river is Q. nice hand bitch.
3/25 My game .25/.50 - (-140) One hand of note. Button raises to 3.50 and I decide to take a flop with A10. Flop brings 10 high. I check and button bets $4. I check raise to 15. Button thinks for a sec and goes all in for about $30 more on top of my raise. On the flop, I put him on overcards here. When I check raised, he thought for a minute. Now, either he thinks I flopped a set and his overpair is no good, or he does have AK or AQ or something like that. When he pushed, I think he made up his mind that I was making a play at him. I started asking him questions, "do you have queens or are you just pushing with AK?" Well, after much deliberation, I call turn, river goes JJ and he turns over AK.
Cooler that felted me. 89 spades 3 handed in bb. flop brings 289. We get it all in on the turn and villian has 88. ouchers!
3/26 at Rich's game 3 of 6 - Finally was able to break the 3rd place mark. Took 2nd but I went into heads up play with about 4K to his 12K. Almost made a great comeback when I tried to trap with 1010 on a flop of 457. Turn A, river J. I felt like I was winning and was letting him bluff off his chips. River made his two pair, J4. Took a shot but what can you do. That didn't felt me but if I win that hand, I woulda been right around 7K and he would have 9K. I wasn't able to get chips early like I have in the past but started to steal some blinds when it got to 6 handed.
I'm still working on making reads as I feel that is the most important part of the game. It what I feel I need to master to be extremely successful. ANYBODY can play AA, KK or AK but can you lay those down and can you call a huge bet with 3rd pair when you put your opponent on air? Thats where I think the average player gets separated from the great ones.
Until next time, see you at the felt!
TK
3/11 UB .5/1 - (-100) Wanted to play a quick session before bed and lasted 20 minutes when I lost two big hands when I got drawn out on.
3/11 My game .25/.50 - (-93) Just big coolers all night. I'm talking AQ vs AJ and J flops, JJ vs 88 and 8 flops, KK vs AA. I actually laid down my KK preflop on this particular instance, a HUGE lay down and I was right but COME ON!
3/14 UB 1/2 - (+289.50) I didn't see much activity for over an hour then I started getting major action when I had big hands. Funny thing is, I didn't think I would because I had been playing so tight.
3/17 UB .5/1 - (+16.70) quick hr session before bed. Nothing too exciting here.
3/18 My game .25/.50 - (+13) I remember making a few plays here and there but for the most part didn't get involved in anything fancy today.
3/19 UB 1/2 - (-98.55) Funny thing is, I was at a point, +200, then just got cooled!
3/20 Multi 100+9 - QQ runs into KK and then QQ runs into 88 to send me packing. How does that work?
3/21 at Jon's game 2 of 6 - (+36)11 handed and wound up taking 3rd AGAIN. I was able to make some pretty good reads. Again, I started out just accumulating chips like crazy but then when it got to 4 or 5, everybody else around me was getting chips except me. Went in with about 4K 3 way action and just couldn't get it going.
3/22 Eric's .25/.50 - (-50) Of course, I started making my hands at the end of the night. I probably won about $40 in the last 15 minutes of action.
3/23 Rainbow 2/5 - (+465) Played 1 split session. First session, made 247 in 40 minutes before the table died. Flopped nut straight with K10 and got action. 2nd table (+218) At a point, was probably up +600 - +800 but just slowly deteriorated. I established my table image as really tight and was able to win a lot of small pots. Big hand to note was when i had 42 in the bb and flopped a gutshot. A56 rainbow. Bet was 15 with 3 callers so I made the call. Figured I had huge implied odds here with the A on board and I would have to rethink of course if someone repops me (possible 47 for nuts). Turn 3. Gin. I check and player to my left makes it 20. Button calls and I make it 80 to go. Now, with this bet, I wanted the one who opened to call cause I have him on mediocre ace and maybe wants to look me up. Button, possibly 78 or maybe a flush draw because the turn made it 2 to the flush. At that particular point, I wasn't too concerned. Person to my immediate left calls and so does the button. NOW i'm concerned with the smooth call by the button. I am OOP. River hits 5. I liked this card. I did not put anybody on a set by the turn. Reason being is I think I would have been RR by the set. At that point, there was a ton of money in the pot and with all the draws, I think set RR right there. I guess if someone had something like A5 or 56, then I'm paying them off. At this point, I was thinking value bet. With the pot close to 300 or so, I made it 200 to go. I still felt like I had the guy to my immediate left beat and he would call me up to 200. After much deliberation he called. Button mucked but said he was on a flush draw but whatever. I showed my hand and he was of course disgusted but I don't know what he had. He claims to have flopped top 2 so A6? I wanted to get to +1K and walk but never got to that point. I think fatigued started to play a factor cause looking back I think I missed a few spots where I could of bluffed, especially with my table image I created. Still a decent session so I can't complain too much.
3/24 UB 1/2 - (-155.05) Not too much action except for missing flops like crazy. Some guy tried to be cute and raised it to $4 preflop in mp. I had k4 spades in the bb and take a flop with about 5 players. Flop is K74 rainbow. I check and original raiser makes it 10. Folded to me and I RR and put him all in for his stack of 70 or so. He instacalls and shows AA. BUT of course I get unlucky as the turn is Q and river is Q. nice hand bitch.
3/25 My game .25/.50 - (-140) One hand of note. Button raises to 3.50 and I decide to take a flop with A10. Flop brings 10 high. I check and button bets $4. I check raise to 15. Button thinks for a sec and goes all in for about $30 more on top of my raise. On the flop, I put him on overcards here. When I check raised, he thought for a minute. Now, either he thinks I flopped a set and his overpair is no good, or he does have AK or AQ or something like that. When he pushed, I think he made up his mind that I was making a play at him. I started asking him questions, "do you have queens or are you just pushing with AK?" Well, after much deliberation, I call turn, river goes JJ and he turns over AK.
Cooler that felted me. 89 spades 3 handed in bb. flop brings 289. We get it all in on the turn and villian has 88. ouchers!
3/26 at Rich's game 3 of 6 - Finally was able to break the 3rd place mark. Took 2nd but I went into heads up play with about 4K to his 12K. Almost made a great comeback when I tried to trap with 1010 on a flop of 457. Turn A, river J. I felt like I was winning and was letting him bluff off his chips. River made his two pair, J4. Took a shot but what can you do. That didn't felt me but if I win that hand, I woulda been right around 7K and he would have 9K. I wasn't able to get chips early like I have in the past but started to steal some blinds when it got to 6 handed.
I'm still working on making reads as I feel that is the most important part of the game. It what I feel I need to master to be extremely successful. ANYBODY can play AA, KK or AK but can you lay those down and can you call a huge bet with 3rd pair when you put your opponent on air? Thats where I think the average player gets separated from the great ones.
Until next time, see you at the felt!
TK
Some tragic news, poker, and ramblings
First, let me start by saying that theres been some terrible news in my life. A friend of mine, a coworker for the last 5 years, died in a tragic accident on Wednesday, March 7. Wednesday was her 35th birthday. She was going to go to Wendover with her husband to have dinner because her husband's friend was going to fly them out for free. Sadly, on the way back, their plane went down. The authorities have not identified why the plane went down, but the tail and wings were separated from the aircraft. Over the years, we became good friends. How can you not when you share the same office. We worked well together and ran the accounting department. I have a hard time imagining what its going to be like without her. She asked me that day if I wanted to take the trip with her since she knows I like to gamble and they had an open seat on the plane. I declined because I already had other plans for the evening and just wasn't too sure about a weekday day trip to Wendover. How am I suppose to interpret that? Am I meant for something bigger? Somehow, I find it so irrevelant because I lost someone so close. Someone you spend 8 hours of your life a day talking to and working with. Weekend projects, everything. Everybody in the office on Thursday was shocked and in tears. We all lost someone very dear to us. Life is just so short and you really never know what could happen. We have to tell all the ones close to us how much they mean to us, everytime we get a chance because you just never know. So many people let little petty things of life get in the way of what is important. The ones that you love. The friends and family in your life. Just live life to the fullest. No regrets.
As for poker, Weds game, +30 day. Friday 1/2 game, +150. Very weak/tight game and I think I can dominate that game everyweek. As usual, used my instincts and reading ability to make some very good plays and very good laydowns. If this success continues, I don't see how I can't take a shot at playing for a living.
To everybody in my life, I love you all. Thank you for all the support and love you have shown me throughout my life. I know sometimes I never show it or tell you enough, but everyone I hold close to me has an influence in my life. The ones that have remained closed to me, thank you for accepting me for who I am and I accept you for who you are.
Peace
As for poker, Weds game, +30 day. Friday 1/2 game, +150. Very weak/tight game and I think I can dominate that game everyweek. As usual, used my instincts and reading ability to make some very good plays and very good laydowns. If this success continues, I don't see how I can't take a shot at playing for a living.
To everybody in my life, I love you all. Thank you for all the support and love you have shown me throughout my life. I know sometimes I never show it or tell you enough, but everyone I hold close to me has an influence in my life. The ones that have remained closed to me, thank you for accepting me for who I am and I accept you for who you are.
Peace
Another session on 03/06/07
I don't know when the poker deviation is going to catch up with me. I put in a 2 hour session online yesterday and did really well. At one point, I was down to $50. Grinded it out at .10/.25, .25/.50, .5/1, and yesterday, dabbled in 1/2. I know bankroll management says you should 20 buy ins or whatever for the game you're playing but I'm not one to sit and play .10/.25 forever. So basically, when I had $50, I played .10/.25. When I got to $100, I bought into .25/.50. When I got to 150ish, I bought into .50/1. Well, yesterday, my account was about 240, so I bought into 1/2. I'm sitting at about 440 right now after last night. That puts me at 5 winning sessions in a row online and 4 winning sessions in a row at home games. If I hadn't risked half of my bankroll at the Venetian tournament, I'd be well over 1K, closer to 1500. I know I'm going to have a losing session sooner or later. But right now, I'm running really well. I can't just say its the cards. I've made sick reads and plays when I play live. I'm able to put opponents on hands and adjust accordingly. Online, I just play it straight up. People are so willing to overplay their hand that if you're patient enough, you do decent. When you make a big hand, just let them put their money in there. Thats all I did. I never risked my stack on any marginal hand. However, when I made my big hands, they got paid off. I just hope I can keep this going. Not get burned out. I only put in 2 hrs online last night, $200 profit, and saw about 120 hands.
I know my game is sharp right now but theres always room for improvement. I know the true test is when I sit down at a game and the entire table is full of good, experienced players. I want to take a trip to Wendover probably next week and sit 2/5. That game can really help out the bankroll.
Until tomorrow.....
I know my game is sharp right now but theres always room for improvement. I know the true test is when I sit down at a game and the entire table is full of good, experienced players. I want to take a trip to Wendover probably next week and sit 2/5. That game can really help out the bankroll.
Until tomorrow.....
03/05/07 Game
Decided to join a little sng 6 game series with the group. 10 players, buy in $100, and top points gets the money. 50/30/20 breakdown. They also do a $30 each week if you want to. Today, I took 3rd. Won 55, -30 entry fee and of course the 100 main which I won't include. It has been a while since I've played tournament. It was good to get my feet wet. Made some good plays, and some bad ones. Took a guy out on his very first hand he played and he was late to the tourney. check raised the fop with KQ on a K high flop. He had K10. supposedly the guy next to my left laid down AK. Obviously that was the only hand I was scared of but since him I were chip leaders, he laid it down. I made a sick call against a player with 2/3 and made bottom pair 3. I put him on two overs the way he was betting but worse, he had j4. lol. Wound up knocking him out with Q5 when I made a mistake raising on the button. He had AK but it was 525 more for me to call a pot of 2K. If I was live, i was a 2/3 dog and getting nearly 1/4 on money. I spiked a Q on the river. Bye bye. I think I shoulda finished 2nd but made a mistake. I could have easily called the flop bet but I think i woulda raise on the turn anyway when I made top pair with 89 and open ended straight draw. He had 78 for top two so he wasn't going anywhere. When I pushed, I thought both my 8 and 9 were live but they were not. I still had plenty of chips and could have waited for a better spot. Anyhow, until next time!
03/04/07 Poker Report
Things have been going really well for me. I played some poker on the internet sat night and won 71.25 in about 2 hrs. Played .5/1 and won 1 big pot early and thats about it. Seems to be patience is the key to online poker. Since I can't really use reads, I just have to play solid poker.
My Sunday game was another great session. It was the first time playing .5/1 at my house. I got involved in a really big hand early. MP raises to $4, I call with AKo, and blind calls. Flop brings 10,J,8, two hearts. Checked around. Turn Q. blind checks, mp bets $3, I call, BB raises to 9, mp raises to 29. Interesting. Now, obviously I have the nuts right now. I was pretty sure mp had AK, just not sure which AK. I did not hold a heart in my hand. Blind, I don't know what the crap he had. At that point, I figured 2 pair, possibly set. MAYBE a flush draw. Now, I can just call the $29 here and hope bb comes along for the ride with his hand. I could rr ai but I felt pretty sure he would fold anything there besides the nut straight and then mp and I chop the pot. Honestly, I really didn't feel like chopping the pot and making 6 bucks so I elected to call and see what happens on the river. Mind you, I've never played with either players. I already had felted the blind earlier with he called my ai with gut straight draw and I had nut flush draw. He was shortstacked and I figured him for move so it all worked out. Anyhow, river hits 6 of hearts. He immediately moves all in for about $35. MP relunctantly folds. By him folding, it eliminated AK of hearts obviously, which I thought he possibly had. But now, could the blind hold the Ace of hearts and called that draw? My thought process was about 50/50 possibility he could hold a flush. Again, I've never played with him before. Instincts told me he did not have a flush. I made him for a set. I called and turned over my hand. He didn't show his and said he flopped the ass end straight. IF that was the case, that was a terrible play on the turn. But whatever. I take down a pot close to $200.
Another hand. I limp in with AJo in lp behind 2 other limpers. bb raises to $4. limpers call and do I. Flop came down A, rag, rag. bb immediately goes AI for $23. everybody folds and its up to me. Let me say that I hadn't played with a bunch of these people so I knew I had to get information just in case I ever play with them again. I had a hard time seeing AK or AQ here but I wasn't sure. It looked weak. This very same guy popped me before with a2o. I gave him a look over and asked "do you have AK?" He says "I raised it preflop so you figure it out". BAM, thanks buddy. It didn't matter what he had cause I knew he didn't have an ace. He actually had shit cause he turned over K10o. He didn't rebuy and kinda had a stunned look to him for a while.
Session total: +180
I've really concentrated on my plays the last few weeks. I think one of the key components is making the correct reads, especially in NL holdem. Thats a part of my game I want to perfect. I know it won't happen overnight. Also, picking the right spots to bluff and make moves.
Lets hope I keep this up!
TK
My Sunday game was another great session. It was the first time playing .5/1 at my house. I got involved in a really big hand early. MP raises to $4, I call with AKo, and blind calls. Flop brings 10,J,8, two hearts. Checked around. Turn Q. blind checks, mp bets $3, I call, BB raises to 9, mp raises to 29. Interesting. Now, obviously I have the nuts right now. I was pretty sure mp had AK, just not sure which AK. I did not hold a heart in my hand. Blind, I don't know what the crap he had. At that point, I figured 2 pair, possibly set. MAYBE a flush draw. Now, I can just call the $29 here and hope bb comes along for the ride with his hand. I could rr ai but I felt pretty sure he would fold anything there besides the nut straight and then mp and I chop the pot. Honestly, I really didn't feel like chopping the pot and making 6 bucks so I elected to call and see what happens on the river. Mind you, I've never played with either players. I already had felted the blind earlier with he called my ai with gut straight draw and I had nut flush draw. He was shortstacked and I figured him for move so it all worked out. Anyhow, river hits 6 of hearts. He immediately moves all in for about $35. MP relunctantly folds. By him folding, it eliminated AK of hearts obviously, which I thought he possibly had. But now, could the blind hold the Ace of hearts and called that draw? My thought process was about 50/50 possibility he could hold a flush. Again, I've never played with him before. Instincts told me he did not have a flush. I made him for a set. I called and turned over my hand. He didn't show his and said he flopped the ass end straight. IF that was the case, that was a terrible play on the turn. But whatever. I take down a pot close to $200.
Another hand. I limp in with AJo in lp behind 2 other limpers. bb raises to $4. limpers call and do I. Flop came down A, rag, rag. bb immediately goes AI for $23. everybody folds and its up to me. Let me say that I hadn't played with a bunch of these people so I knew I had to get information just in case I ever play with them again. I had a hard time seeing AK or AQ here but I wasn't sure. It looked weak. This very same guy popped me before with a2o. I gave him a look over and asked "do you have AK?" He says "I raised it preflop so you figure it out". BAM, thanks buddy. It didn't matter what he had cause I knew he didn't have an ace. He actually had shit cause he turned over K10o. He didn't rebuy and kinda had a stunned look to him for a while.
Session total: +180
I've really concentrated on my plays the last few weeks. I think one of the key components is making the correct reads, especially in NL holdem. Thats a part of my game I want to perfect. I know it won't happen overnight. Also, picking the right spots to bluff and make moves.
Lets hope I keep this up!
TK
02/28/07 - In the ZONE
I think its been a while since I felt that good at a poker table. I made all the right plays. Bluffs, raises, bets, everything. For some reason, people kept trying to bluff me yesterday. I had to look people up numerous times.
Notable hands: Limped utg with AQ off. mp raises. I call. Flop: A,10,7. I check. mp bets 4. I call. Turn 7. check, he bets $6. River J. I check, he bets $10. I could have gotten in trouble with this hand. With the action, he could have AK. On the turn, I felt like I was winning. I was going to go for the check raise to see if he had AK but this guy hasn't been showing his cards all night so I wanted to see his betting pattern. Instead of going for the turn checkraise, I decided that I was goign to check call the river just so I can see his cards. Well, he turned over K9 off. Sweet.
K8 off in bb. Limped all the way around. Flop comes KKQ, two hearts. Pot was maybe $2 and I lead out for $1. Button raises to $4. At this point, I thought he may have a K and is putting me on the flush draw. But it felt more like a Q. It was a pretty big raise considering the pot size. I decided to give it a little hollywood and call. Turn 7, no heart. I wanted it to seem like I was on the draw still and check. He bets $6. I relunctantly call. River K. Obviously, he was trying to represent the K and put me on a draw. I don't think he can really get away from his hand here. I check hoping to induce a possible bluff (well kinda bluff cause he has Kings full i'm sure). He bets $6. The please call me bet. I felt like he would call an all in here. Theres no way he sees my K coming. But then I started thinking what if he was on the flush draw and missed? then he can't even call my raise anyway. I decided to value raise to $15. He thought for a minute and call. Nice.
Buy in $40: Cash Out 156.75. +116.75.
There was a lot of spots where I decided to play small ball instead of big pots. Seemed to work out well. Usually, I'm pretty aggressive and go after pots but this session, I decided I wanted to get to showdown alot and test my reads against these players. People give each other so much credit and we never get to see hands that I decided I'm going to look everybody up. Suprisingly, people were trying to bluff me ALOT. Overly obsessive actually. Sometimes with nothing no a dangerous board. Do people think I just call with junk!? Since I've started adapting, I seem to be doing much better at these games. Lets hope I can keep it up!
Notable hands: Limped utg with AQ off. mp raises. I call. Flop: A,10,7. I check. mp bets 4. I call. Turn 7. check, he bets $6. River J. I check, he bets $10. I could have gotten in trouble with this hand. With the action, he could have AK. On the turn, I felt like I was winning. I was going to go for the check raise to see if he had AK but this guy hasn't been showing his cards all night so I wanted to see his betting pattern. Instead of going for the turn checkraise, I decided that I was goign to check call the river just so I can see his cards. Well, he turned over K9 off. Sweet.
K8 off in bb. Limped all the way around. Flop comes KKQ, two hearts. Pot was maybe $2 and I lead out for $1. Button raises to $4. At this point, I thought he may have a K and is putting me on the flush draw. But it felt more like a Q. It was a pretty big raise considering the pot size. I decided to give it a little hollywood and call. Turn 7, no heart. I wanted it to seem like I was on the draw still and check. He bets $6. I relunctantly call. River K. Obviously, he was trying to represent the K and put me on a draw. I don't think he can really get away from his hand here. I check hoping to induce a possible bluff (well kinda bluff cause he has Kings full i'm sure). He bets $6. The please call me bet. I felt like he would call an all in here. Theres no way he sees my K coming. But then I started thinking what if he was on the flush draw and missed? then he can't even call my raise anyway. I decided to value raise to $15. He thought for a minute and call. Nice.
Buy in $40: Cash Out 156.75. +116.75.
There was a lot of spots where I decided to play small ball instead of big pots. Seemed to work out well. Usually, I'm pretty aggressive and go after pots but this session, I decided I wanted to get to showdown alot and test my reads against these players. People give each other so much credit and we never get to see hands that I decided I'm going to look everybody up. Suprisingly, people were trying to bluff me ALOT. Overly obsessive actually. Sometimes with nothing no a dangerous board. Do people think I just call with junk!? Since I've started adapting, I seem to be doing much better at these games. Lets hope I can keep it up!
Online Poker Feb 26,27
Feb 26: Played some UB and did ok. Got into a .25/.50 game for 65 and finished the night cashing out about 110ish. Played a $5 sng and finished 4th.
Feb 27: Still playing as I blog. Bought in for $50, sitting at $73 after nearly 3 hrs. Played in a multi for $10 with bounty. Knocked 1 out so i got $5 back.
Theres been interesting hands in both sessions but none I can really recall. Its online and moves so fast so I don't remember much. I'm hoping I can keep building my roll. Its really hard to do playing .25/.5, I tell ya what.
Its good to keep my mind thinking poker and playing poker. I'm actually doing better than I
thought I would online. Lets see how things go.
I'm playing pretty tight, but aggressive. I'm not getting much action now, sitting at 94.90. Might just put in another orbit and call it a night since its 10:47.
Heres a sick hand where I finally started getting things going:
Hand #39414274-10560 at Bemidji (No Limit Hold'em)Started at 27/Feb/07 23:33:38 tiltnu is at seat 0 with $10.65. Vanborm is at seat 1 with $44.40. go low 69 is at seat 2 with $25.70. gohalos is at seat 3 with $33.45. steve pedrego is at seat 4 with $20.75. villano16 is at seat 6 with $51.20. Tangytang is at seat 8 with $41.60. stewartmann is at seat 9 with $22.65. The button is at seat 8. stewartmann posts the small blind of $.25. tiltnu posts the big blind of $.50.
tiltnu: -- -- Vanborm: -- -- go low 69: -- -- gohalos: -- -- steve pedrego: -- -- villano16: -- -- Tangytang: Qd Kc stewartmann: -- --
Pre-flop: Vanborm raises to $1. go low 69 folds. gohalos folds. steve pedrego folds. villano16 folds. Tangytang re-raises to $3.50. stewartmann folds. tiltnu folds. Vanborm calls.
Flop (board: 8d Ad Ts): Vanborm checks. Tangytang checks.
Turn (board: 8d Ad Ts 9c): Vanborm bets $3.50. Tangytang raises to $10. Vanborm calls.
River (board: 8d Ad Ts 9c Jc): Vanborm checks. Tangytang bets $27.75. Vanborm goes all-in for $30.90. Tangytang goes all-in for $28.10. Vanborm is returned $2.80 (uncalled).
Showdown: Vanborm shows Js Ac. Vanborm has Js Ac Ad Ts Jc: two pair, aces and jacks. Tangytang shows Qd Kc. Tangytang has Qd Kc Ad Ts Jc: straight, ace high.
Hand #39414274-10560 Summary: $3 is raked from a pot of $83.95. Tangytang wins $80.95 with straight, ace high.----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, calling it a night and cashing out 81.55. Decent session.
Feb 27: Still playing as I blog. Bought in for $50, sitting at $73 after nearly 3 hrs. Played in a multi for $10 with bounty. Knocked 1 out so i got $5 back.
Theres been interesting hands in both sessions but none I can really recall. Its online and moves so fast so I don't remember much. I'm hoping I can keep building my roll. Its really hard to do playing .25/.5, I tell ya what.
Its good to keep my mind thinking poker and playing poker. I'm actually doing better than I
thought I would online. Lets see how things go.
I'm playing pretty tight, but aggressive. I'm not getting much action now, sitting at 94.90. Might just put in another orbit and call it a night since its 10:47.
Heres a sick hand where I finally started getting things going:
Hand #39414274-10560 at Bemidji (No Limit Hold'em)Started at 27/Feb/07 23:33:38 tiltnu is at seat 0 with $10.65. Vanborm is at seat 1 with $44.40. go low 69 is at seat 2 with $25.70. gohalos is at seat 3 with $33.45. steve pedrego is at seat 4 with $20.75. villano16 is at seat 6 with $51.20. Tangytang is at seat 8 with $41.60. stewartmann is at seat 9 with $22.65. The button is at seat 8. stewartmann posts the small blind of $.25. tiltnu posts the big blind of $.50.
tiltnu: -- -- Vanborm: -- -- go low 69: -- -- gohalos: -- -- steve pedrego: -- -- villano16: -- -- Tangytang: Qd Kc stewartmann: -- --
Pre-flop: Vanborm raises to $1. go low 69 folds. gohalos folds. steve pedrego folds. villano16 folds. Tangytang re-raises to $3.50. stewartmann folds. tiltnu folds. Vanborm calls.
Flop (board: 8d Ad Ts): Vanborm checks. Tangytang checks.
Turn (board: 8d Ad Ts 9c): Vanborm bets $3.50. Tangytang raises to $10. Vanborm calls.
River (board: 8d Ad Ts 9c Jc): Vanborm checks. Tangytang bets $27.75. Vanborm goes all-in for $30.90. Tangytang goes all-in for $28.10. Vanborm is returned $2.80 (uncalled).
Showdown: Vanborm shows Js Ac. Vanborm has Js Ac Ad Ts Jc: two pair, aces and jacks. Tangytang shows Qd Kc. Tangytang has Qd Kc Ad Ts Jc: straight, ace high.
Hand #39414274-10560 Summary: $3 is raked from a pot of $83.95. Tangytang wins $80.95 with straight, ace high.----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, calling it a night and cashing out 81.55. Decent session.
Vegas Report: Feb 23/24 2007
Well, it was an interesting trip to say the least. Amazing plays, some donkish plays, and some bad beats. Negative trip to say the least. Looks like back to the grind to build the bankroll.
I rolled into Vegas Friday night and decided to spend the night there instead of coming back to St George with the wife. I found a room at the Circus Circus (I didn't realize there was a poker player rate which would have saved me 50% off my room!) After checking in, I decided I would put in a session before going to bed. Went down to the room and there was a 1/2 NL game. I bought in for table max, $300, and see what the table was all about. When I first sat down, there were 2 players with over $600 but they didn't stay much longer. Most of the players bought in for 100 - 150. I felt like I had the advantage over the majority of the players at the table. I fluctuated between 300 - 450 for a few hours. I made a decent bluff early on with 6/8 clubs when I turned a flush draw and didn't get there. Good read, right result. A few hours in, Steve, who was a dealer at the Circus, bought in and was very loose/aggressive. He also took a few bad beats too. He would push AI with weak flush draws, straight draws, bet on bottom pair, etc. People stayed out of his way alot. Me, I wanted to get involved with him. One hand, I had JJ in late position and raised to 15. He called outta the blind. Flop A83, I think. He pushed AI for 50 - 80 range. I was like wtf. I felt pretty confident on my read of no ace was correct. I called and turn over JJ and he says you win. Sweet. But wait, he had 4/6 and the combination of the turn and river made a straight for him. WTF! VERY next hand I get AQ hearts and people know I'm steaming after that one and I said TILT RAISE and bump it to $20. Of course the guy calls. Flop 235, two hearts. He leads out for about 40 or so and says he has a pair. I say lets see how big your pair is and bet $200. Instacall. HUH!? turned over 7/3. Turn brought K of hearts and I send him off. About an hr later, same guy buys back in for table max. We get involved again. I raise lp with 10 hearts/10 clubs. Steve calls and another guy that limped. Now, the other guy that called was a terrible player so I wasn't too worried there. Flop brings 4,9,J, all spades. Steve leads out for $40. This other guy thinks and steve is shouting out what ya got (obviously they've played together before) jack ass, jack ass, Meaning ace jack. Well, sure enough he did and turned it face up. ace jack hearts. This had some major implications on how I proceeded with this hand. At this point, I felt like Steve had a draw. I call. I yell out "red card!" Turn, Q hearts. He bets $80. This put me in a tough spot. He could very well have Q9, with Q spades. I wasn't sure. I read still had him on a bigger flush draw. I call. River brought the 4 diamonds and he pushes AI for $215. Wowsers. HUGE pot for 1/2 game. Now, if my read is right, my hand is good. If not, I'd be left with 50 - 100 and would be going to bed. I went into the tank. I'm not beating very many hands here. I'm beating a straight bluff. Ace of spades of very unlikely to me because I see him pushing on the turn there. K spades seems likely to me. But what was his other hole card? J? 9? Well, I decided I had to be winning here and called. He said nice call and turned over K8, K spades. He got up and left. With that pot, puts my stack a shade over $800. Table went CRAZY! I got the "sick call" "how do you make that call" and one dude called me his Hero. His buddies came over and he was telling them all about the call. It made me feel good. I didn't get much action after that though. Left the table about 3am, 5 hrs of play. Cashed out 700 for +400. not bad.
Sat was the deep stacks tourney at the Venetian. Got over there about 9 am and played in a satellite which paid the top 2 into the tourney and finished 6th. If you don't get hands early on in the first 2 rounds, the blinds will eat at you quick. 25/50 doubling 15 mins rounds, 1500 starting stack. Went and got something to eat and decided to just relax before the tourney. Tourney starts with 10K in chips, 40 min rounds so you get a ton of play. VERY FIRST HAND: mp makes it $200 to go and I bump it to $600 with KK. blind calls and mp calls. Ace flop. Checked to me and I bet 600 and the blind makes it $2500 to go. MP folds. I was like seriously!? I fold the hand face up and say its way too early to go broke. I felt ok. Made it to the first break with 13K in chips. About average. I was never in danger. I doubled up right before the break with AK when i flopped top pair K, turn K and a guy pushed on me with flush draw and my hand held. After the break, I got foolish and got busted with Q10, flopped Q, and ep had KK. I overplayed my hand. I don't know what inclined me to do what I did but I could have gotten away preflop but decided to make a move for chips and then push AI on the flop. I was very dissappointed on how I played.
Decided to go play 2/5 at the Wynn. Bought in for $500 and built my stack up for 600 - 700 fairly quickly. I maintained the 500 - 600 range for a while, not hitting cards, blah blah. Usual for NL. Then I make a DONK play. I dont know whether it was fatigue that got me or what. There were 3-4 players at the table that were bad players and just donking off money but I lose to them. Anyhow, I have JJ ep and make it $25 to go. mp calls, and blind calls. flop 773. check and I bet $50, mp calls, ep folds. Now, mp starts yapping, how he has two overs I have shit blah blah. At this point, I have to make him for a 7. But he was pretty shortstacked and I wound up paying his 7 off. Very Donkish play by me. The hand that sent me to the rail was a10 diamonds. Flop aq10 with 4 to the flop. I check raise to 60 and i get a call from a limper on the flop. He could very well have KJ. That would be my only concern at that point. Unless he slowplayed a big set. Turn brings 5 diamonds and I push for about 125 and instacall. Guess he has KJ. NOPE, KQ. Are you fucking serious? I'm a 9 to 1 favorite at this point. He has 5 outs. 3 jacks, 2 queens. Well, Q falls on the river and I get felted thus the end of my Vegas trip.
I hate playing well and lose. I don't feel like I was outclassed at any of the tables I played at. I KNOW I can play with these guys. I can play. I can make moves. I've made right reads. Why can't the cards fall correctly.
Until next time.
I rolled into Vegas Friday night and decided to spend the night there instead of coming back to St George with the wife. I found a room at the Circus Circus (I didn't realize there was a poker player rate which would have saved me 50% off my room!) After checking in, I decided I would put in a session before going to bed. Went down to the room and there was a 1/2 NL game. I bought in for table max, $300, and see what the table was all about. When I first sat down, there were 2 players with over $600 but they didn't stay much longer. Most of the players bought in for 100 - 150. I felt like I had the advantage over the majority of the players at the table. I fluctuated between 300 - 450 for a few hours. I made a decent bluff early on with 6/8 clubs when I turned a flush draw and didn't get there. Good read, right result. A few hours in, Steve, who was a dealer at the Circus, bought in and was very loose/aggressive. He also took a few bad beats too. He would push AI with weak flush draws, straight draws, bet on bottom pair, etc. People stayed out of his way alot. Me, I wanted to get involved with him. One hand, I had JJ in late position and raised to 15. He called outta the blind. Flop A83, I think. He pushed AI for 50 - 80 range. I was like wtf. I felt pretty confident on my read of no ace was correct. I called and turn over JJ and he says you win. Sweet. But wait, he had 4/6 and the combination of the turn and river made a straight for him. WTF! VERY next hand I get AQ hearts and people know I'm steaming after that one and I said TILT RAISE and bump it to $20. Of course the guy calls. Flop 235, two hearts. He leads out for about 40 or so and says he has a pair. I say lets see how big your pair is and bet $200. Instacall. HUH!? turned over 7/3. Turn brought K of hearts and I send him off. About an hr later, same guy buys back in for table max. We get involved again. I raise lp with 10 hearts/10 clubs. Steve calls and another guy that limped. Now, the other guy that called was a terrible player so I wasn't too worried there. Flop brings 4,9,J, all spades. Steve leads out for $40. This other guy thinks and steve is shouting out what ya got (obviously they've played together before) jack ass, jack ass, Meaning ace jack. Well, sure enough he did and turned it face up. ace jack hearts. This had some major implications on how I proceeded with this hand. At this point, I felt like Steve had a draw. I call. I yell out "red card!" Turn, Q hearts. He bets $80. This put me in a tough spot. He could very well have Q9, with Q spades. I wasn't sure. I read still had him on a bigger flush draw. I call. River brought the 4 diamonds and he pushes AI for $215. Wowsers. HUGE pot for 1/2 game. Now, if my read is right, my hand is good. If not, I'd be left with 50 - 100 and would be going to bed. I went into the tank. I'm not beating very many hands here. I'm beating a straight bluff. Ace of spades of very unlikely to me because I see him pushing on the turn there. K spades seems likely to me. But what was his other hole card? J? 9? Well, I decided I had to be winning here and called. He said nice call and turned over K8, K spades. He got up and left. With that pot, puts my stack a shade over $800. Table went CRAZY! I got the "sick call" "how do you make that call" and one dude called me his Hero. His buddies came over and he was telling them all about the call. It made me feel good. I didn't get much action after that though. Left the table about 3am, 5 hrs of play. Cashed out 700 for +400. not bad.
Sat was the deep stacks tourney at the Venetian. Got over there about 9 am and played in a satellite which paid the top 2 into the tourney and finished 6th. If you don't get hands early on in the first 2 rounds, the blinds will eat at you quick. 25/50 doubling 15 mins rounds, 1500 starting stack. Went and got something to eat and decided to just relax before the tourney. Tourney starts with 10K in chips, 40 min rounds so you get a ton of play. VERY FIRST HAND: mp makes it $200 to go and I bump it to $600 with KK. blind calls and mp calls. Ace flop. Checked to me and I bet 600 and the blind makes it $2500 to go. MP folds. I was like seriously!? I fold the hand face up and say its way too early to go broke. I felt ok. Made it to the first break with 13K in chips. About average. I was never in danger. I doubled up right before the break with AK when i flopped top pair K, turn K and a guy pushed on me with flush draw and my hand held. After the break, I got foolish and got busted with Q10, flopped Q, and ep had KK. I overplayed my hand. I don't know what inclined me to do what I did but I could have gotten away preflop but decided to make a move for chips and then push AI on the flop. I was very dissappointed on how I played.
Decided to go play 2/5 at the Wynn. Bought in for $500 and built my stack up for 600 - 700 fairly quickly. I maintained the 500 - 600 range for a while, not hitting cards, blah blah. Usual for NL. Then I make a DONK play. I dont know whether it was fatigue that got me or what. There were 3-4 players at the table that were bad players and just donking off money but I lose to them. Anyhow, I have JJ ep and make it $25 to go. mp calls, and blind calls. flop 773. check and I bet $50, mp calls, ep folds. Now, mp starts yapping, how he has two overs I have shit blah blah. At this point, I have to make him for a 7. But he was pretty shortstacked and I wound up paying his 7 off. Very Donkish play by me. The hand that sent me to the rail was a10 diamonds. Flop aq10 with 4 to the flop. I check raise to 60 and i get a call from a limper on the flop. He could very well have KJ. That would be my only concern at that point. Unless he slowplayed a big set. Turn brings 5 diamonds and I push for about 125 and instacall. Guess he has KJ. NOPE, KQ. Are you fucking serious? I'm a 9 to 1 favorite at this point. He has 5 outs. 3 jacks, 2 queens. Well, Q falls on the river and I get felted thus the end of my Vegas trip.
I hate playing well and lose. I don't feel like I was outclassed at any of the tables I played at. I KNOW I can play with these guys. I can play. I can make moves. I've made right reads. Why can't the cards fall correctly.
Until next time.
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