Briefly some awesome news. I'm off to Vegas again for New Year for the princely sum of £320.
Stopped into Thomas Cook in the White Rose Centre after finishing Xmas shopping on the off chance they had a good deal (really wasn't expecting much).
Turns out they have a direct flight from Manchester on Dec 31, 7 night stay for £380.
Sounds great, so I get home, manage to get the extra time off work I need, and go on their website to book it. And even better news, it's only £320 on there!!!!!
Dwal has kindly offered me use of his room at IP for the few days he's there and I'll book something else when he's gone. I was beginning to doubt there would be such a good deal available, unless it was a risky really last-minute job, so this has been a great day.
Fired up Stars and won $250 too on some PLO and small tourney cash, although I did get unlucky/impatient in a PLO tourney and blew a decent stack, and also busted my last MTT on the bubble when AK lost to JJ when he flopped quads :)
Finally, it's the 8-game tourney tonight in the Blogger WCOP and that should be great fun.
* Radiohead, In Rainbows
Friday, 19 December 2008
Monday, 15 December 2008
Sit down, stand up*
Played the first blogger tourney tonight and busted out fairly early. It was PLO and I hit some nice hands early to get to about $5.4k and the standard of play was pretty horrible. Eg; Guy with AAxx minraises, everyone calls, button shoves, guy with AA just flat calls and lets a few of us call pretty cheap. Flop is all spades and AA guy bets 200 into a 3,000 pot. LOL.
However, I then missed on two big hands in quick succession, the first with the nut flush draw against nothing but bare KK and the second with top 2 and the NFD on a KQ6 flop with two spades. Villain had bottom set and I missed. I think I was also guilty of getting a bit cocky about the poor standard of play and was a bit too loose - you live and learn.
Anyway, made up for that with a very good cash session with 4 tables of 0.50/$1 PLO8 going. Missed the chance for a Drome-esque slowroll when I had nut-nut on the river and donk shoved into me, but also lost a big hand with A36x on a 66J flop. Ace on turn and all the money goes in, villain has JJ obv. :(
Managed not to tilt for once and still ended up around $330 so pretty pleased, especially as I also won a $215 tourney token on Saturday night. It was a qualifier for the Sunday Million but I was working yesterday so unregistered.
Anyone know if I can sell the tourney dollars????
Oh, and Mancini for Sunderland boss!!!!!!
* Track 2, Hail to the Thief
However, I then missed on two big hands in quick succession, the first with the nut flush draw against nothing but bare KK and the second with top 2 and the NFD on a KQ6 flop with two spades. Villain had bottom set and I missed. I think I was also guilty of getting a bit cocky about the poor standard of play and was a bit too loose - you live and learn.
Anyway, made up for that with a very good cash session with 4 tables of 0.50/$1 PLO8 going. Missed the chance for a Drome-esque slowroll when I had nut-nut on the river and donk shoved into me, but also lost a big hand with A36x on a 66J flop. Ace on turn and all the money goes in, villain has JJ obv. :(
Managed not to tilt for once and still ended up around $330 so pretty pleased, especially as I also won a $215 tourney token on Saturday night. It was a qualifier for the Sunday Million but I was working yesterday so unregistered.
Anyone know if I can sell the tourney dollars????
Oh, and Mancini for Sunderland boss!!!!!!
* Track 2, Hail to the Thief
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Free Poker!!!
I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!
This PokerStars tournament is a No Limit Texas Hold’em event exclusive to Bloggers.
Registration code: 713291
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
True Love Waits
...and so do my loyal fans ha ha ha!!
I realise it's been a while since I updated this excuse for a blog, and it's not as if I haven't been playing.
Earnt enough points to move up to Gold Star on PokerStars, which was worth a mighty $100 bonus - which I still have to earn more points to clear - and I now have enough points for some nice gear in their VIP store.
Thinking about a portable DVD player for those long plane journeys or a Wii for those long winter evenings in front of the box. Other option is swapping points for $285 in bonus, but knowing Stars they'll make sure it's rigged so you can't win while you try to clear the bonus !!!
At the tables I've been playing a few low buy-in STT's and small MTT's and doing reasonably well, mainly because the standard of play is generally appalling. In the space of a few hands in one tournament I had two people shove A-high into me when I happened to be holding strong hands.
If they were playing razz they might have stood a chance, but otherwise it was suicidal!!!
Not making huge money obviously from the $6 buy-ins but at least I'm playing more or less stress free and TRYING not to get annoyed at the usual RiverStars suckouts. Even managed one of my own the other day, shoving with AQ over what turned out to be a guy limping AA. Flop is 10 J K and for once I'm the idiot getting rewarded :)
Anyway, we'll see how long I can keep up the new attitude (over/under set at about 2 days) and keep grinding out the small wins.
Ha'way the Lads!!!
I realise it's been a while since I updated this excuse for a blog, and it's not as if I haven't been playing.
Earnt enough points to move up to Gold Star on PokerStars, which was worth a mighty $100 bonus - which I still have to earn more points to clear - and I now have enough points for some nice gear in their VIP store.
Thinking about a portable DVD player for those long plane journeys or a Wii for those long winter evenings in front of the box. Other option is swapping points for $285 in bonus, but knowing Stars they'll make sure it's rigged so you can't win while you try to clear the bonus !!!
At the tables I've been playing a few low buy-in STT's and small MTT's and doing reasonably well, mainly because the standard of play is generally appalling. In the space of a few hands in one tournament I had two people shove A-high into me when I happened to be holding strong hands.
If they were playing razz they might have stood a chance, but otherwise it was suicidal!!!
Not making huge money obviously from the $6 buy-ins but at least I'm playing more or less stress free and TRYING not to get annoyed at the usual RiverStars suckouts. Even managed one of my own the other day, shoving with AQ over what turned out to be a guy limping AA. Flop is 10 J K and for once I'm the idiot getting rewarded :)
Anyway, we'll see how long I can keep up the new attitude (over/under set at about 2 days) and keep grinding out the small wins.
Ha'way the Lads!!!
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Title change
My loyal fans may have noticed I've decided to change the title of the blog, mainly because the Going ~ Pro experiment thing never really took off thanks to my general laziness etc;
I do have two weeks' off coming up very shortly (from Tue in fact) so I hope to log plenty of hours and grind my way to a healthier bankroll.
It has dawned on me several times the best way for me to make money - namely grinding it out at small stakes where I have an advantage over the donkeys - but I always get bored, move up stakes slightly and after running good for a while perhaps, end up losing a couple of big pots and I'm back where I started it.
I have a bonus to clear at Stars and rakeback on FT so that's where I should be grinding it out mainly, especially as I haven't got used to Party's new software/layout yet.
I do have two weeks' off coming up very shortly (from Tue in fact) so I hope to log plenty of hours and grind my way to a healthier bankroll.
It has dawned on me several times the best way for me to make money - namely grinding it out at small stakes where I have an advantage over the donkeys - but I always get bored, move up stakes slightly and after running good for a while perhaps, end up losing a couple of big pots and I'm back where I started it.
I have a bonus to clear at Stars and rakeback on FT so that's where I should be grinding it out mainly, especially as I haven't got used to Party's new software/layout yet.
Friday, 26 September 2008
So near and yet so far...
So I'm back from the Ryder Cup where Europe were sadly out-putted by the Americans to lose for the first time since 1999 - the only good news being that my debit card wouldn't work on Friday morning when I wanted to back Europe. One bullet dodged there!
Played twice at the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana while staying in Kentucky - gambling is illegal in Kentucky so you have to drive just over the border to an old-fashioned river boat - LOL gotta love America.
First night I blew almost $300, mainly running QQ into a set of Js on a J64 rainbow flop, although I escaped with some of my stack by checking behind on turn and just calling his $60 value bet when board paired on river. Had a nasty feeling he had me beat by the way he check called my c-bet on the flop and then said "AK has shrunk up eh?" when I checked behind on the turn.
Second visit went much better and I turned my $300 buy-in into $1000 in next to no time - all without having better than one pair. It was largely just a case of opponents not catching a draw or sucking out. Eg; I raised AJ, horrible woman calling station calls with A5, flop is A-high, we get it in and I hold. I reraised to $25 pre-flop with QQ, guy behind calls. Flop is 10 5 5, I bet, he shoves for very little more and I call. He has 77.
Won biggest pot without a showdown. I had J10 of hearts in LP and call a raise to $10. Semi-drunk clueless guy in BB I think raises to $45 and loads of people call so I do to. Flop is K J x with two hearts, checked to me and I bet $100 and everyone folds.
Anyway, finally to last night and the "so near and yet so far" bit. Played three tourneys and busted frustratingly in all of them. First was a double shootout to the Sunday Million on Stars - won first table easily as guy I got HU with was clueless, but finished 6th overall with top two getting seats. Won buy-in back!!! Woot.
Then played a PLO8 tourney on Stars and was approaching the cash when I busted with AA5x despite flopping an Ace. Villain called my RR pre-flop with 2356, flopped the low and hit a gutshot straight on turn. Also busted just short of money in HORSE tourney on FT when clown called pre-flop raise in O8 with 2577 and made a seven-high flush to my broadway and went out next hand when a flopped two pair got counterfeited on river by guy who loved his AAxx on a Q 10 2 flop.
But hey, at least I didn't lose this hand below!!!!
Full Tilt $500/$1000 - NL
Seat 4: Ziigmund ($342,506.50)
Seat 6: Ansky451 ($130,499)
Ansky451 posts the small blind of $500
Ziigmund posts the big blind of $1,000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Ansky451 raises to $3,000
Ziigmund raises to $9,000
Ansky451 calls $6,000
*** FLOP *** [2h 9h 2c]
Ziigmund checks
Ansky451 bets $5,000
Ziigmund raises to $27,000
Ansky451 calls $22,000
*** TURN *** [2h 9h 2c] [6h]
Ziigmund checks
Ansky451 bets $21,000
Ziigmund raises to $306,506.50, and is all in
Ansky451 calls $73,499, and is all in
Ziigmund shows [9c 9d]
Ansky451 shows [Kh 5h]
Uncalled bet of $212,007.50 returned to Ziigmund
*** RIVER *** [2h 9h 2c 6h] [8h]
Ziigmund shows a full house, Nines full of Twos
Ansky451 shows a flush, King high
Ziigmund wins the pot ($260,997.50) with a full house, Nines full of Twos
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $260,998 | Rake $0.50
Played twice at the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana while staying in Kentucky - gambling is illegal in Kentucky so you have to drive just over the border to an old-fashioned river boat - LOL gotta love America.
First night I blew almost $300, mainly running QQ into a set of Js on a J64 rainbow flop, although I escaped with some of my stack by checking behind on turn and just calling his $60 value bet when board paired on river. Had a nasty feeling he had me beat by the way he check called my c-bet on the flop and then said "AK has shrunk up eh?" when I checked behind on the turn.
Second visit went much better and I turned my $300 buy-in into $1000 in next to no time - all without having better than one pair. It was largely just a case of opponents not catching a draw or sucking out. Eg; I raised AJ, horrible woman calling station calls with A5, flop is A-high, we get it in and I hold. I reraised to $25 pre-flop with QQ, guy behind calls. Flop is 10 5 5, I bet, he shoves for very little more and I call. He has 77.
Won biggest pot without a showdown. I had J10 of hearts in LP and call a raise to $10. Semi-drunk clueless guy in BB I think raises to $45 and loads of people call so I do to. Flop is K J x with two hearts, checked to me and I bet $100 and everyone folds.
Anyway, finally to last night and the "so near and yet so far" bit. Played three tourneys and busted frustratingly in all of them. First was a double shootout to the Sunday Million on Stars - won first table easily as guy I got HU with was clueless, but finished 6th overall with top two getting seats. Won buy-in back!!! Woot.
Then played a PLO8 tourney on Stars and was approaching the cash when I busted with AA5x despite flopping an Ace. Villain called my RR pre-flop with 2356, flopped the low and hit a gutshot straight on turn. Also busted just short of money in HORSE tourney on FT when clown called pre-flop raise in O8 with 2577 and made a seven-high flush to my broadway and went out next hand when a flopped two pair got counterfeited on river by guy who loved his AAxx on a Q 10 2 flop.
But hey, at least I didn't lose this hand below!!!!
Full Tilt $500/$1000 - NL
Seat 4: Ziigmund ($342,506.50)
Seat 6: Ansky451 ($130,499)
Ansky451 posts the small blind of $500
Ziigmund posts the big blind of $1,000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Ansky451 raises to $3,000
Ziigmund raises to $9,000
Ansky451 calls $6,000
*** FLOP *** [2h 9h 2c]
Ziigmund checks
Ansky451 bets $5,000
Ziigmund raises to $27,000
Ansky451 calls $22,000
*** TURN *** [2h 9h 2c] [6h]
Ziigmund checks
Ansky451 bets $21,000
Ziigmund raises to $306,506.50, and is all in
Ansky451 calls $73,499, and is all in
Ziigmund shows [9c 9d]
Ansky451 shows [Kh 5h]
Uncalled bet of $212,007.50 returned to Ziigmund
*** RIVER *** [2h 9h 2c 6h] [8h]
Ziigmund shows a full house, Nines full of Twos
Ansky451 shows a flush, King high
Ziigmund wins the pot ($260,997.50) with a full house, Nines full of Twos
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $260,998 | Rake $0.50
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Quick update (brag)
Just a quick note to say I'm off to Vegas again in a few hours!!!
Got home from the Olympics and only had 3 days off before going back to work on Saturday, where I discovered they'd put me down for a week off next week. Not something I had planned and not 100% ideal given the fact I was not consulted as such, but welcome in some regards after a long 3 weeks in Beijing.
Anyway, I immediately joked "Ooh, chance of a quick trip to Vegas" and was soon looking up last-minute deals to see if I could get a bargain. Wasn't certain to go as I had planned on going in October, but got flights and six nights at The Orleans for just over £500 so eventually talked myself into it.
Booked it about 8pm on Sunday night, flight is 0745 Monday from Heathrow so I've got some packing to do, no sleep, long drive south but at least on empty roads and then hopefully sleep most of the way there.
Going to be first time in Vegas when it's red hot so plan on a bit of sunbathing during the day and poker all night. Orleans has good 4/8 limit 08 game and good cheap tourneys, 5/10 limit 08 at the Mirage, 10/20 at Wynn and hopefully some PLO too.
Wish me luck.
Got home from the Olympics and only had 3 days off before going back to work on Saturday, where I discovered they'd put me down for a week off next week. Not something I had planned and not 100% ideal given the fact I was not consulted as such, but welcome in some regards after a long 3 weeks in Beijing.
Anyway, I immediately joked "Ooh, chance of a quick trip to Vegas" and was soon looking up last-minute deals to see if I could get a bargain. Wasn't certain to go as I had planned on going in October, but got flights and six nights at The Orleans for just over £500 so eventually talked myself into it.
Booked it about 8pm on Sunday night, flight is 0745 Monday from Heathrow so I've got some packing to do, no sleep, long drive south but at least on empty roads and then hopefully sleep most of the way there.
Going to be first time in Vegas when it's red hot so plan on a bit of sunbathing during the day and poker all night. Orleans has good 4/8 limit 08 game and good cheap tourneys, 5/10 limit 08 at the Mirage, 10/20 at Wynn and hopefully some PLO too.
Wish me luck.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Step 6 win!!!!!!
Will try to tidy this up later, but for now just GET THE FUCK IN!!!!
After a miserable few days I almost forgot about qualifying for step 6 on Party because they take ages to get started. Spotted one this afternoon that already had 5 players registered so signed up and didn't have to wait too long.
For those who don't know, it's effectively a $500 "buy-in" STT, 6th-10th get nothing, 4th and 5th get $500, third $700, second $1000 and winner $2,000.
We got down to 6 and it was very cagey as you can imagine, apart from the clown chipleader who could obviously push people around - I'd played the step 5 with him the night before so knew he would blow up eventually.
Anyway, with 6 left I was down to 1380 chips at one stage with the blinds at 150/300 but shoved twice and wasn't called and eventually two guys got knocked out and we were down to four. Won a flip with AQ v donk's 22 and suddenly I'm back in it. Next hand donk raises, I jam with AQ and he instacalls with A5. Now I'm CL HU.
Went on break and when we came back we traded a couple of small hands back and forth until a real cooler. I get AA and limp, he raises as hoped for, I flat call. Flop is K-high, he bets, I raise, he shoves and I call. He has JJ and $2k is mine :)
After a miserable few days I almost forgot about qualifying for step 6 on Party because they take ages to get started. Spotted one this afternoon that already had 5 players registered so signed up and didn't have to wait too long.
For those who don't know, it's effectively a $500 "buy-in" STT, 6th-10th get nothing, 4th and 5th get $500, third $700, second $1000 and winner $2,000.
We got down to 6 and it was very cagey as you can imagine, apart from the clown chipleader who could obviously push people around - I'd played the step 5 with him the night before so knew he would blow up eventually.
Anyway, with 6 left I was down to 1380 chips at one stage with the blinds at 150/300 but shoved twice and wasn't called and eventually two guys got knocked out and we were down to four. Won a flip with AQ v donk's 22 and suddenly I'm back in it. Next hand donk raises, I jam with AQ and he instacalls with A5. Now I'm CL HU.
Went on break and when we came back we traded a couple of small hands back and forth until a real cooler. I get AA and limp, he raises as hoped for, I flat call. Flop is K-high, he bets, I raise, he shoves and I call. He has JJ and $2k is mine :)
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
That joke isn't funny any more
Been a sick couple of days on Full Tilt so I'm taking the liberty of whining about it here.
Started yesterday with some 10/20 HORSE which started badly and just got worse and worse. Sick beat after sick beat which culminated in one guy (who had won a razz hand against another player despite having a K showing and caught runner runner runner low cards) hitting runner runner two pair to beat my KK in stud hi.
Worse was to come. Very next hand I get rolled up JJJ against a guy with AAx. Beautiful, I slowplay it nicely, drop the boom on fifth street and he now can't fold his one pair - he can't have a str8 or flush. Of course he rivers a 1-outer (one Ace had been folded) to make AAA.
So today I'm down to $63 in my account so sign up for 5 cheap STT/MTT's at once.
Bust-outs so far: KK v 99 all-in PF; JJ v A8 all-in pf; AKs v Q9s (he calls a re-raise OOP and flops an OESFD of course LOL) and my personal favourite....
I have 10 6o in BB but see a free flop. A Q 6 it gets checked around. 6 on turn, I shove and get called by KQ. You can guess the river.
I would say I've never been so disillusioned with the game but I probably have been before. But you know you're in trouble when you EXPECT to lose every single time as a 75 or 80% favourite.
That sounds like hyperbole, but it isn't. When I reraised with KK and he called with 99, I just expected him to hit a set, which he did on the turn. Even the flop was 887 to give him some additional outs anyway. And JJ v A8, not even a sweat. A8 on the flop and it's goodnight.
It's probably a good job I'm off to Beijing on Tuesday for the Olympics as I need a break. Also the weather has been really good recently so I've been getting more golf in and a bit of a tan.
Just wish someone would flip the doom switch off at Full Tilt for me too...
Started yesterday with some 10/20 HORSE which started badly and just got worse and worse. Sick beat after sick beat which culminated in one guy (who had won a razz hand against another player despite having a K showing and caught runner runner runner low cards) hitting runner runner two pair to beat my KK in stud hi.
Worse was to come. Very next hand I get rolled up JJJ against a guy with AAx. Beautiful, I slowplay it nicely, drop the boom on fifth street and he now can't fold his one pair - he can't have a str8 or flush. Of course he rivers a 1-outer (one Ace had been folded) to make AAA.
So today I'm down to $63 in my account so sign up for 5 cheap STT/MTT's at once.
Bust-outs so far: KK v 99 all-in PF; JJ v A8 all-in pf; AKs v Q9s (he calls a re-raise OOP and flops an OESFD of course LOL) and my personal favourite....
I have 10 6o in BB but see a free flop. A Q 6 it gets checked around. 6 on turn, I shove and get called by KQ. You can guess the river.
I would say I've never been so disillusioned with the game but I probably have been before. But you know you're in trouble when you EXPECT to lose every single time as a 75 or 80% favourite.
That sounds like hyperbole, but it isn't. When I reraised with KK and he called with 99, I just expected him to hit a set, which he did on the turn. Even the flop was 887 to give him some additional outs anyway. And JJ v A8, not even a sweat. A8 on the flop and it's goodnight.
It's probably a good job I'm off to Beijing on Tuesday for the Olympics as I need a break. Also the weather has been really good recently so I've been getting more golf in and a bit of a tan.
Just wish someone would flip the doom switch off at Full Tilt for me too...
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Open pics, Royal Birkdale 2008
Took a few photos while covering the Open at Royal Birkdale recently, and here they are. Nothing special but I'm obviously meant to be working and no cameras are allowed on championship days either so had to do what I could.
1 - Not that Drome will ever read this, but this is one of the fleet of Lexuses (Lexi?) which ferry the players around in Japanese "luxury"
2 - The Claret Jug; no explanation needed
3 - The 18th green and mostly empty grandstand during one of the practice days. This is the view from the press waiting area.
4 - Only took a picture of Norman because he was the most famous person on the putting green at the time, three days later he had a two-shot lead going into the final round before finishing third.
5 - Monty and friends!!! A few of us had a laugh at this. These are practice times the players sign up for during each day. Normally it's 2 or 3 at a time, each with their usual mates like Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Adam Scott etc; Not for Monty though, bless him...
6 - +1 at the Open, the view from my seat in the press centre. In front is one of the guys from Reuters and of course the giant scoreboard.
1 - Not that Drome will ever read this, but this is one of the fleet of Lexuses (Lexi?) which ferry the players around in Japanese "luxury"
2 - The Claret Jug; no explanation needed
3 - The 18th green and mostly empty grandstand during one of the practice days. This is the view from the press waiting area.
4 - Only took a picture of Norman because he was the most famous person on the putting green at the time, three days later he had a two-shot lead going into the final round before finishing third.
5 - Monty and friends!!! A few of us had a laugh at this. These are practice times the players sign up for during each day. Normally it's 2 or 3 at a time, each with their usual mates like Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Adam Scott etc; Not for Monty though, bless him...
6 - +1 at the Open, the view from my seat in the press centre. In front is one of the guys from Reuters and of course the giant scoreboard.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Frankly Mr Shankly....
...I'm deservedly kicking myself up the arse right now (were that physically possible).
Just busted out of the $17.5k guarantee on FT with the most idiotically played hand you are likely to see. Avert your eyes if you like...
I have a decent stack of around 19k, blinds are 150/300 I think. 1 limper, I have QJo on the button and just call (first meh moment). Small blind raises in what looks like a squeeze, limper calls and I call as well (moment 2).
Looks like I've got out of jail when the flop is QQ10, SB c-bets, limper jams and of course I instacall and lose to KQ.
Fucking idiot. Would have been 2nd in chips with the money bubble approaching and even a reasonable cash would have been nice after using a $75 satellite token to get in.
So lucky that I was up on my two omaha hi lo cash tables at the time otherwise I wouldn't have a keyboard to type this on.
Just busted out of the $17.5k guarantee on FT with the most idiotically played hand you are likely to see. Avert your eyes if you like...
I have a decent stack of around 19k, blinds are 150/300 I think. 1 limper, I have QJo on the button and just call (first meh moment). Small blind raises in what looks like a squeeze, limper calls and I call as well (moment 2).
Looks like I've got out of jail when the flop is QQ10, SB c-bets, limper jams and of course I instacall and lose to KQ.
Fucking idiot. Would have been 2nd in chips with the money bubble approaching and even a reasonable cash would have been nice after using a $75 satellite token to get in.
So lucky that I was up on my two omaha hi lo cash tables at the time otherwise I wouldn't have a keyboard to type this on.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Back to the old house
You can all stop crying now, I'm back ;)
Been so busy with work I just haven't had the time to play, let alone post much, but managed to sneak in a quick session last night at the house we are renting for the Open at Royal Birkdale this week (house is in Formby, about 6 miles from the course and the owner kindly disabled his wireless security so we can use it).
Anyway, had a good session between a hit and run at 15/30 limit 08 and 1/2 PLO 6-max.
The PLO hand was debatable as I called a re-raise pre with 4678 (4 and 7 of diamonds), although I felt the re-raise meant villain had either AAxx or a big broadway pair.
Flop was 9 10 J with two diamonds so I flopped the idiot end of the straight and weak flush draw. All the money went in, villain had 9JJQ for a set (no flush draw) and I made an unnecessary flush on river to win.
Hi/lo hand was quite funny. I raised with A378ds and it gets re-raised and capped before it gets back to me. Hmmm. I call and the flop is 3 7 7. LOL
It goes bet-call and I raise, both call. Turn J, checked to me, I bet and both call.
River is another J, checked to me, I bet, one fold, other clown raises. I call and he shows A26K for nada. LOL, thanks for the extra $60 pal.
Been so busy with work I just haven't had the time to play, let alone post much, but managed to sneak in a quick session last night at the house we are renting for the Open at Royal Birkdale this week (house is in Formby, about 6 miles from the course and the owner kindly disabled his wireless security so we can use it).
Anyway, had a good session between a hit and run at 15/30 limit 08 and 1/2 PLO 6-max.
The PLO hand was debatable as I called a re-raise pre with 4678 (4 and 7 of diamonds), although I felt the re-raise meant villain had either AAxx or a big broadway pair.
Flop was 9 10 J with two diamonds so I flopped the idiot end of the straight and weak flush draw. All the money went in, villain had 9JJQ for a set (no flush draw) and I made an unnecessary flush on river to win.
Hi/lo hand was quite funny. I raised with A378ds and it gets re-raised and capped before it gets back to me. Hmmm. I call and the flop is 3 7 7. LOL
It goes bet-call and I raise, both call. Turn J, checked to me, I bet and both call.
River is another J, checked to me, I bet, one fold, other clown raises. I call and he shows A26K for nada. LOL, thanks for the extra $60 pal.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Such a little thing...
Really small fry compared to people winning ME seats but this was a fun afternoon after finishing work at 1pm.
Thought I was going to get gayed out of the win despite a huge chip lead 3-handed when the guy I ended HU with sucked out a couple of times and woke up with KK in the BB as a shorty. This guy had no clue how to play short-handed, min-raising A7o from the button and shoving middle pair when checked to. I instacalled with top pair (QJ I think) and he sucked out an ace on the river.
He sucked out runner runner flush on me again when HU after I flopped broadway (QJ was the nuts today) but thankfully, as mentioned, he had no clue HU.
After I open shoved a couple of times with ATC he started just open folding and let me chip up from life support. After that I just kept the pressure on by shoving anything reasonable and came back for the win.
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Vienna Part II
So after my initial success I go back the following night and play a bit of Omaha with just one 2 euro blind. Double up early with a loose-ish call on the button with KTTx after a small raise and loads of limpers. Flop is 10 7 2 with two spades and I have the KT of spades.
Checked to me and I bet pot, loony Asian gambler calls, turn is a 7 and he check calls my all-in. Danke.
However, I then lose most of that back with a set of jacks which I have to fold to a lot of action on a straightening board by the river, and the game bizarrely breaks up. Go and play some 1/2 NL and end the evening down about 90 euro overall after a donk calls 15 pre with 64o and puts the rest of his stack in on a Q 7 3 flop and hits his gutter :)
Following evening is even worse and I drop 300 euro at Omaha. Biggest hand comes when I raise 8910Jds and flop is JJ2. Money goes in and guy flips over A227 - LOL
And it gets worse still. Drop another 150 on Friday night running an unsuccessful bluff on the turn and river against a guy who calls with AK unimproved, and then run AQ into QQ on a Q95 flop.
Thankfully last night I get most of it back, and should have ended with a big win, but I had my share of luck so can't complain.
Hands of note: I raise pre with AJ and get all-in with two shortstackers on A56 flop. One guy has 56 but the turn is a J and river a 7. Then I get QQ on the button, and re-raise UTG's raise to 100. UTG is steaming after losing a big pot but of course he has AA and is all-in for 104. Foolishly he says "You'll flop a queen the way my luck is" and boom, Q 10 5 flop. Unlucky m8, but whatever happens that hand he goes broke.
Just when I'm ready to go however, I lose a big pot to end the night on a downer. I'm playing until my blinds and UTG raises to 9, I call from UTG+1 with 66 and a few others call.
Flop is 764r, UTG checks and I lead out. Donkey at the far end calls and I figure him for a straight draw, possibly overpair. Turn is a blank, I bet, he shoves for 54 more and I call. He has 58o obviously. LOL. Nice play sir.
End up 327 euro for the night and a bit pissed off, but overall happy with the session.
PS - Forgot one funny hand from earlier on. Bit hazy on the exact action but I had 98of hearts and the flop was 10 7 2. I bet the flop, get called. Turn gives me flush draw, I bet again I think. River is a blank and it goes check-check but just as I'm about to show my 9-high, opp mucks face down and I take the pot :)
Checked to me and I bet pot, loony Asian gambler calls, turn is a 7 and he check calls my all-in. Danke.
However, I then lose most of that back with a set of jacks which I have to fold to a lot of action on a straightening board by the river, and the game bizarrely breaks up. Go and play some 1/2 NL and end the evening down about 90 euro overall after a donk calls 15 pre with 64o and puts the rest of his stack in on a Q 7 3 flop and hits his gutter :)
Following evening is even worse and I drop 300 euro at Omaha. Biggest hand comes when I raise 8910Jds and flop is JJ2. Money goes in and guy flips over A227 - LOL
And it gets worse still. Drop another 150 on Friday night running an unsuccessful bluff on the turn and river against a guy who calls with AK unimproved, and then run AQ into QQ on a Q95 flop.
Thankfully last night I get most of it back, and should have ended with a big win, but I had my share of luck so can't complain.
Hands of note: I raise pre with AJ and get all-in with two shortstackers on A56 flop. One guy has 56 but the turn is a J and river a 7. Then I get QQ on the button, and re-raise UTG's raise to 100. UTG is steaming after losing a big pot but of course he has AA and is all-in for 104. Foolishly he says "You'll flop a queen the way my luck is" and boom, Q 10 5 flop. Unlucky m8, but whatever happens that hand he goes broke.
Just when I'm ready to go however, I lose a big pot to end the night on a downer. I'm playing until my blinds and UTG raises to 9, I call from UTG+1 with 66 and a few others call.
Flop is 764r, UTG checks and I lead out. Donkey at the far end calls and I figure him for a straight draw, possibly overpair. Turn is a blank, I bet, he shoves for 54 more and I call. He has 58o obviously. LOL. Nice play sir.
End up 327 euro for the night and a bit pissed off, but overall happy with the session.
PS - Forgot one funny hand from earlier on. Bit hazy on the exact action but I had 98of hearts and the flop was 10 7 2. I bet the flop, get called. Turn gives me flush draw, I bet again I think. River is a blank and it goes check-check but just as I'm about to show my 9-high, opp mucks face down and I take the pot :)
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Vienna update
So whoever designed Terminal 5 at Heathrow (Norman Foster?) needs an enormous kick in the balls.
It's one of those stupid fucking airports where all the seats have metal armrests which don't move, so you can't lie down and sleep on them. Bastard. Also, despite having seemingly loads of space to play with, they somehow needed to have some of the gates separated by so far you need a little tube journey to get to them. Retarded.
Anyway, I make it to Vienna half an hour late and then get delayed at the hire car desk because my travel people have given me the wrong voucher. It says Avis so I go to the Avis desk. Nope. I ring travel people. Sorry it should be Europcar. Go to Europcar. No. Ring travel people again. No answer. Work it out myself and go to Hertz desk. Correct reservation number but he won't accept voucher cos it's got Avis written on it. Fucker. Travel people ring back and fax new voucher.
Eventually make it to hotel, sleep for couple of hours, do some work and then head to card club.
Walk in and immediately get seat at 1/2 NL game. Doesn't look good at first with lots ot shortstackers, but immediately see how bad play is. Get QQ, KK and AA in short session and win with all three, but lose pots with A9 v AQ and AK v K9 to end up just 88 euro.
AA hand was funny. I'm in SB, couple of limpers and button makes it 11. I make it 30 and get 3 callers. Hmmm. Flop is K J 3 with two spades, I shove for 91 (hadn't had chance to reload after A9 hand), 2 folds and donkey tanks.
Some info on this guy: Worst player ever. He chased a gutshot with J8 on a Q954 board and spiked it on the river to beat a set of 9s. He limp calls anything, minraises when he hits something, etc etc.
Eventually he calls and flips up K 2o, no spades. LOL. Thanks. I left shortly afterwards but not before seeing A10o jam over the top of an UTG raise (he had 10s).
Looking forward to going back tonight.
It's one of those stupid fucking airports where all the seats have metal armrests which don't move, so you can't lie down and sleep on them. Bastard. Also, despite having seemingly loads of space to play with, they somehow needed to have some of the gates separated by so far you need a little tube journey to get to them. Retarded.
Anyway, I make it to Vienna half an hour late and then get delayed at the hire car desk because my travel people have given me the wrong voucher. It says Avis so I go to the Avis desk. Nope. I ring travel people. Sorry it should be Europcar. Go to Europcar. No. Ring travel people again. No answer. Work it out myself and go to Hertz desk. Correct reservation number but he won't accept voucher cos it's got Avis written on it. Fucker. Travel people ring back and fax new voucher.
Eventually make it to hotel, sleep for couple of hours, do some work and then head to card club.
Walk in and immediately get seat at 1/2 NL game. Doesn't look good at first with lots ot shortstackers, but immediately see how bad play is. Get QQ, KK and AA in short session and win with all three, but lose pots with A9 v AQ and AK v K9 to end up just 88 euro.
AA hand was funny. I'm in SB, couple of limpers and button makes it 11. I make it 30 and get 3 callers. Hmmm. Flop is K J 3 with two spades, I shove for 91 (hadn't had chance to reload after A9 hand), 2 folds and donkey tanks.
Some info on this guy: Worst player ever. He chased a gutshot with J8 on a Q954 board and spiked it on the river to beat a set of 9s. He limp calls anything, minraises when he hits something, etc etc.
Eventually he calls and flips up K 2o, no spades. LOL. Thanks. I left shortly afterwards but not before seeing A10o jam over the top of an UTG raise (he had 10s).
Looking forward to going back tonight.
Monday, 2 June 2008
This means nothing to me (oh Vienna)
Just a quick update before I'm away for work for two weeks. Off to Vienna in a few hours, doing my usual trick of staying up all night, driving to Heathrow while the roads are empty and then hopefully sleeping on the plane. That's for a golf tournament and then I fly straight back to London on Monday for the Stella Artois tennis at Queen's Club.
Good news is that the world famous Concord Card Casino is just 20 minutes away from my hotel and I had a great couple of nights playing there last year. All the dealers spoke more than enough English to help me at the tables and they even let me charge my mp3 player while I played!
http://www.pokerpages.com/directory/houses/display.php?PokerHouseID=119
Austrian/German players are pretty horrible and I ran well to scoop a decent score. Hopefully this time I then won't oversleep at the airport gate and miss my return flight on Monday morning!!
Been running well since redepositing at FT on Friday, running my $380 up to $1900 thanks to some HU PLO, 8/16 limit hi/lo and PLO tournaments.
Finished 4/195 last night in the $2.5K guarantee for $390 and was chip leader in the same tournament tonight until running into some bad luck at the end and busting out 10th.
I ran really well earlier on, picking up AAxx when relative shorties found KKxx and were forced to get it all-in pre, and for a while used my big stack carefully to pick up a few orphan pots.
But then it all went a bit Pete Tong. 3 of us called a really short-stacks all-in, I flopped the nut str8 but the board paired on the turn so I didn't fire again and the other big stack made a flush on the river. Best one though was when a terrible player raised on the button, I rr from the BB with AAxx and he calls all-in for his tournament life with K742.
Obviously there was only going to be one winner there :)
As I said though, I ran well earlier so not complaining and was also going well in the HA tournament I think Ryan won recently. Seemed like it was full of weak players so look forward to playing in that again.
Thanks to those who railed last night/tonight and fingers crossed my baggage survives the worst efforts of British Airways at Terminal 5...
Good news is that the world famous Concord Card Casino is just 20 minutes away from my hotel and I had a great couple of nights playing there last year. All the dealers spoke more than enough English to help me at the tables and they even let me charge my mp3 player while I played!
http://www.pokerpages.com/directory/houses/display.php?PokerHouseID=119
Austrian/German players are pretty horrible and I ran well to scoop a decent score. Hopefully this time I then won't oversleep at the airport gate and miss my return flight on Monday morning!!
Been running well since redepositing at FT on Friday, running my $380 up to $1900 thanks to some HU PLO, 8/16 limit hi/lo and PLO tournaments.
Finished 4/195 last night in the $2.5K guarantee for $390 and was chip leader in the same tournament tonight until running into some bad luck at the end and busting out 10th.
I ran really well earlier on, picking up AAxx when relative shorties found KKxx and were forced to get it all-in pre, and for a while used my big stack carefully to pick up a few orphan pots.
But then it all went a bit Pete Tong. 3 of us called a really short-stacks all-in, I flopped the nut str8 but the board paired on the turn so I didn't fire again and the other big stack made a flush on the river. Best one though was when a terrible player raised on the button, I rr from the BB with AAxx and he calls all-in for his tournament life with K742.
Obviously there was only going to be one winner there :)
As I said though, I ran well earlier so not complaining and was also going well in the HA tournament I think Ryan won recently. Seemed like it was full of weak players so look forward to playing in that again.
Thanks to those who railed last night/tonight and fingers crossed my baggage survives the worst efforts of British Airways at Terminal 5...
Sunday, 1 June 2008
What difference does it make?
Well if we're talking about rakeback, hopefully it makes a big difference.
I've had rakeback on FT, UB and AP for ages but never really made the most of it, suffering from playing on too many sites instead of concentrating on one and also remaining loyal to Party because I love the interface.
Obviously it's kind of retarded to play most of the time at Party without rakeback, although they do have a points system which works in the same manner - albeit at a much lesser rate.
Therefore, I've finally redeposited on FT on Friday and intend to multi-table religiously when I get the chance. This should also hopefully help with my temper tantrums which are usually brought on by getting bored/frustrated at the pace of play.
Speaking of which, while complaining about the amazingly slow pace of play in an Omaha MTT on Friday, one of the other players suggested playing Omaha HU and I did on Saturday with some pleasing success.
Busted one guy with the nut str8 on the turn when he had top set and a flush draw and I dodged a lot of cards for a change, and also managed not to go bust with the A-high flush against another guy.
There was little action until the river - I think the flush came runner, runner - and I have A6xx with the "nut" flush in clubs. So I bet the river, get raised and am about to re-raise when it dawns on me. He can only have KJ or J9 of clubs for the str8 flush. Obviously I'm not good enough to fold but I just call the raise and sure enough, he flips over KJxx.
I type "lol" in the chatbox and he types back "how good are you?" before leaving the table. LOL.
Favourite part of the day however, was playing a complete weak/tight donk who I just ran over completely. He hardly ever raised, would just call most of my pre-flop raises, and was incredibly passive on the flop and turn. I was hitting the occasional good hand but often betting with nothing on the turn to take it down. If he checked twice he was folding, he never check-raised.
In terms of money I didn't make a fortune because most pots were small, but I'd love to play this guy every day - guaranteed money and rakeback too :)
I've had rakeback on FT, UB and AP for ages but never really made the most of it, suffering from playing on too many sites instead of concentrating on one and also remaining loyal to Party because I love the interface.
Obviously it's kind of retarded to play most of the time at Party without rakeback, although they do have a points system which works in the same manner - albeit at a much lesser rate.
Therefore, I've finally redeposited on FT on Friday and intend to multi-table religiously when I get the chance. This should also hopefully help with my temper tantrums which are usually brought on by getting bored/frustrated at the pace of play.
Speaking of which, while complaining about the amazingly slow pace of play in an Omaha MTT on Friday, one of the other players suggested playing Omaha HU and I did on Saturday with some pleasing success.
Busted one guy with the nut str8 on the turn when he had top set and a flush draw and I dodged a lot of cards for a change, and also managed not to go bust with the A-high flush against another guy.
There was little action until the river - I think the flush came runner, runner - and I have A6xx with the "nut" flush in clubs. So I bet the river, get raised and am about to re-raise when it dawns on me. He can only have KJ or J9 of clubs for the str8 flush. Obviously I'm not good enough to fold but I just call the raise and sure enough, he flips over KJxx.
I type "lol" in the chatbox and he types back "how good are you?" before leaving the table. LOL.
Favourite part of the day however, was playing a complete weak/tight donk who I just ran over completely. He hardly ever raised, would just call most of my pre-flop raises, and was incredibly passive on the flop and turn. I was hitting the occasional good hand but often betting with nothing on the turn to take it down. If he checked twice he was folding, he never check-raised.
In terms of money I didn't make a fortune because most pots were small, but I'd love to play this guy every day - guaranteed money and rakeback too :)
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Huge pot part 2
Well I must have had more red wine than I thought because, having checked the hand history, that big omaha hand was a 4-way all-in fest!!!
However, amazingly no-one had AA, KK or even QQ, so suddenly my Q J 10 10 double suited looks huge in the cold light of day.
Action was as follows:
I raise UTG with Qc Js 10c 10s.
Player A calls.
Player B raises to $56 with KJ54ds !!!
Player C raises all-in for $163 with AKJ2 (3 diamonds, 1 club)
I reraise all-in to $349.
Player A jams for $411 with 6789
Player B calls.
According to the CP calculator, pre-flop 6789 is 36% (presumably because 3 of us have each other's outs, and he is only one with hearts in his hand?), I have 24% and the other two hands 18%.
Thankfully the board comes 4 9 8 7 5 and I make the nuts for an almost $1200 pot.
Despite winning I'm not certain about my pre-flop shove and would like to hear opinions on it and the play of the villains.
However, amazingly no-one had AA, KK or even QQ, so suddenly my Q J 10 10 double suited looks huge in the cold light of day.
Action was as follows:
I raise UTG with Qc Js 10c 10s.
Player A calls.
Player B raises to $56 with KJ54ds !!!
Player C raises all-in for $163 with AKJ2 (3 diamonds, 1 club)
I reraise all-in to $349.
Player A jams for $411 with 6789
Player B calls.
According to the CP calculator, pre-flop 6789 is 36% (presumably because 3 of us have each other's outs, and he is only one with hearts in his hand?), I have 24% and the other two hands 18%.
Thankfully the board comes 4 9 8 7 5 and I make the nuts for an almost $1200 pot.
Despite winning I'm not certain about my pre-flop shove and would like to hear opinions on it and the play of the villains.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Huge pot and short-stacking
DGirl's post at PlusOne mentioned short-stacking at 5/10 NL and it's an approach I've had some success with as well.
Only played for about 30 minutes last night on a couple of tables and came up with this perfect example of how it can work in your favour.
It was 10-handed but I've tidied up the HH to include just me and the villain who was sitting with $1270. I had bought in for $300 and was at $293.75.
Dealt to MackemPlus1 [ Ah, Jh ]
SWED100 calls (10)
MackemPlus1 raises (50) to 50
SWED100 calls (40)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 3c, 5d, As ]
SWED100 checks
MackemPlus1 bets (243.75)
MackemPlus1 is all-In.
SWED100 calls (243.75)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2s ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 5h ]
SWED100 balance $976.25, lost $293.75 [ 6c Ac ] [ two pairs, Aces and Fives -- Ac,As,6c,5d,5h ]
MackemPlus1 balance $599.50, bet $293.75, collected $599.50, net +$305.75 [ Ah Jh ] [ two pairs, Aces and Fives with Jack kicker -- Ah,As,Jh,5d,5h ]
This guy limps A6s, calls a raise OOP and instacalled a $243 bet on the flop. Nice.
I also won a huge pot at Omaha Hi with a bit of a drunken PF shove but I'm not sure I'll post that as it probably makes me look like a complete donkey!!!
If I can come up with some dodgy figures to back it up I will....
Only played for about 30 minutes last night on a couple of tables and came up with this perfect example of how it can work in your favour.
It was 10-handed but I've tidied up the HH to include just me and the villain who was sitting with $1270. I had bought in for $300 and was at $293.75.
Dealt to MackemPlus1 [ Ah, Jh ]
SWED100 calls (10)
MackemPlus1 raises (50) to 50
SWED100 calls (40)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 3c, 5d, As ]
SWED100 checks
MackemPlus1 bets (243.75)
MackemPlus1 is all-In.
SWED100 calls (243.75)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2s ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 5h ]
SWED100 balance $976.25, lost $293.75 [ 6c Ac ] [ two pairs, Aces and Fives -- Ac,As,6c,5d,5h ]
MackemPlus1 balance $599.50, bet $293.75, collected $599.50, net +$305.75 [ Ah Jh ] [ two pairs, Aces and Fives with Jack kicker -- Ah,As,Jh,5d,5h ]
This guy limps A6s, calls a raise OOP and instacalled a $243 bet on the flop. Nice.
I also won a huge pot at Omaha Hi with a bit of a drunken PF shove but I'm not sure I'll post that as it probably makes me look like a complete donkey!!!
If I can come up with some dodgy figures to back it up I will....
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Well I Wonder*
Firstly, congrats to Lucko on winning yet more MTT's, Kevin's on a sick heater at the moment - long may it continue. I'll almost certainly be buying a percentage of him at the WSOP if he does that again this year. 1% of $10million wouldn't be too shabby.
Secondly, and more relevant to the post title, sometimes you have to wonder just what people are thinking online.
I've played against the villain in this hand at higher than 1/2 and actually thought he wasn't too bad, but then he does this against me - not that I'm complaining.
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
6 players
Stack sizes:
MackemPlus1: $372.46
UTG+1: $126.53
CO: $199.95
Button: $212.83
SB: $219.80
BB: $50
Pre-flop: (6 players) MackemPlus1 is UTG with 6d tc ad as
MackemPlus1 raises to $7, UTG+1 calls, CO raises to $26, Button folds, SB calls, BB folds, MackemPlus1 raises to $120, UTG+1 folds, CO calls, SB folds.
Flop: 9h 3c 6s ($275, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 bets $258, CO calls all-in $86.95.
Uncalled bets: $171.05 returned to MackemPlus1.
So, I've raised UTG but this is 6-max and hopefully I'm not pegged as a strictly "only raises AA" player. Villain therefore re-raises and thankfully the terrible SB calls, allowing me to make a bigger re-raise and get it HU.
Now at this point I pretty much have turned my hand face up, and villain could stack me on the right flop. But wtf is he thinking calling off another $87 on that flop with one pair, no draw????
Turn: 9c ($448.9, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $448.9)
River: 3h ($448.9, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $448.9)
Results:
Final pot: $448.9
MackemPlus1 balance 604.41 bet 371 collected 602.95 net 231.95 6d Tc Ad As
CO balance 0 lost 199.95 Ks 6h Jh 7s
Also managed to win a few other hands on other tables, basically by flopping top set, rivering a boat and finding people willing to pay off with their str8s regardless.
Nice to book a solid win for a change.
Secondly, and more relevant to the post title, sometimes you have to wonder just what people are thinking online.
I've played against the villain in this hand at higher than 1/2 and actually thought he wasn't too bad, but then he does this against me - not that I'm complaining.
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
6 players
Stack sizes:
MackemPlus1: $372.46
UTG+1: $126.53
CO: $199.95
Button: $212.83
SB: $219.80
BB: $50
Pre-flop: (6 players) MackemPlus1 is UTG with 6d tc ad as
MackemPlus1 raises to $7, UTG+1 calls, CO raises to $26, Button folds, SB calls, BB folds, MackemPlus1 raises to $120, UTG+1 folds, CO calls, SB folds.
Flop: 9h 3c 6s ($275, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 bets $258, CO calls all-in $86.95.
Uncalled bets: $171.05 returned to MackemPlus1.
So, I've raised UTG but this is 6-max and hopefully I'm not pegged as a strictly "only raises AA" player. Villain therefore re-raises and thankfully the terrible SB calls, allowing me to make a bigger re-raise and get it HU.
Now at this point I pretty much have turned my hand face up, and villain could stack me on the right flop. But wtf is he thinking calling off another $87 on that flop with one pair, no draw????
Turn: 9c ($448.9, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $448.9)
River: 3h ($448.9, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $448.9)
Results:
Final pot: $448.9
MackemPlus1 balance 604.41 bet 371 collected 602.95 net 231.95 6d Tc Ad As
CO balance 0 lost 199.95 Ks 6h Jh 7s
Also managed to win a few other hands on other tables, basically by flopping top set, rivering a boat and finding people willing to pay off with their str8s regardless.
Nice to book a solid win for a change.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Snooker Loopy*
Just a quick update to apologise for the lack of updates.
I know many people can barely get through the day without reading this blog so please forgive me.
Basically I'm covering the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield (check out the world snooker pages on www.sportinglife.com) so have no time to play and/or blog.
Having said that, there was no morning session today so I did manage about 25 minutes of 2/4PLO8 on Party in my hotel room, and won a quick $105. No special hands, although I was disappointed not to get paid off when a big draw hit on the turn.
I had A3xx with the nut flush draw on a J52 flop with 2 of my suit. I was in SB and checked, MP checked and button bet the pot of $15. I raised to $52, MP called and button folded. Turn was a low spade giving me nut-nut. I strongly considered checking, figuring my (decent) opponent could at least also have A3 but decided to bet instead.
He thought forever and folded (FAWK!).
Finally, congrats to Lucko on winning everything he enters apparently.
* I'm aware this is obviously not a Radiohead or Smiths song, but Chas and Dave rule...
I know many people can barely get through the day without reading this blog so please forgive me.
Basically I'm covering the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield (check out the world snooker pages on www.sportinglife.com) so have no time to play and/or blog.
Having said that, there was no morning session today so I did manage about 25 minutes of 2/4PLO8 on Party in my hotel room, and won a quick $105. No special hands, although I was disappointed not to get paid off when a big draw hit on the turn.
I had A3xx with the nut flush draw on a J52 flop with 2 of my suit. I was in SB and checked, MP checked and button bet the pot of $15. I raised to $52, MP called and button folded. Turn was a low spade giving me nut-nut. I strongly considered checking, figuring my (decent) opponent could at least also have A3 but decided to bet instead.
He thought forever and folded (FAWK!).
Finally, congrats to Lucko on winning everything he enters apparently.
* I'm aware this is obviously not a Radiohead or Smiths song, but Chas and Dave rule...
Saturday, 12 April 2008
[nice dream]
Despite a very poor record on Stars I decided to take advantage of their deposit bonus (20% up to $120) and stuck down $600 - to be precise, I stuck down $599.35 or something equally stupid due to a $600 max deposit limit on my debit card and an uncooperative exchange rate!!!
Anyway, first night would have you believing in the old deposit myth which claims that sites let you win when you first deposit/redeposit, and then gradually turn the screws on the RnG to fuck you over good and proper :)
I ran up a quick $200 profit and then, after 2 ~breakeven sort of nights, nudged that up another $200 or so, partly thanks to this guy below.
To be fair, in this hand he has a ~legitimate reason to go broke, but he had been playing like a complete donk since I sat down so it was nice to see proof for once that the "good players" will win in the end.
This is pretty much a brag but it's my blog so...It does at least demonstrate one of the rare times it is okay to slowplay in Omaha hi. I was actually saying out loud during the hand "I can only lose to a Q" and sure enough, that's what he had in his hand.
Poker Stars
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $2/$4
6 players
Stack sizes:
mackem790: $192.75
UTG+1: $231.20
CO: $160.30
Button: $192
SB: $741
BB: $294.60
Pre-flop: (6 players) mackem790 is UTG with jc kh ad 9h
mackem790 calls, UTG+1 calls, CO calls, Button calls, SB calls, BB checks.
Flop: jh 9s js ($24, 6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, mackem790 checks, UTG+1 checks, CO bets $22.8, 3 folds, mackem790 calls, UTG+1 folds.
Turn: 2d ($69.6, 2 players)
mackem790 checks, CO bets $48, mackem790 calls.
River: 3c ($165.6, 2 players)
mackem790 checks, CO is all-in $85.5, mackem790 calls.
Results:
Final pot: $336.6
Anyway, first night would have you believing in the old deposit myth which claims that sites let you win when you first deposit/redeposit, and then gradually turn the screws on the RnG to fuck you over good and proper :)
I ran up a quick $200 profit and then, after 2 ~breakeven sort of nights, nudged that up another $200 or so, partly thanks to this guy below.
To be fair, in this hand he has a ~legitimate reason to go broke, but he had been playing like a complete donk since I sat down so it was nice to see proof for once that the "good players" will win in the end.
This is pretty much a brag but it's my blog so...It does at least demonstrate one of the rare times it is okay to slowplay in Omaha hi. I was actually saying out loud during the hand "I can only lose to a Q" and sure enough, that's what he had in his hand.
Poker Stars
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $2/$4
6 players
Stack sizes:
mackem790: $192.75
UTG+1: $231.20
CO: $160.30
Button: $192
SB: $741
BB: $294.60
Pre-flop: (6 players) mackem790 is UTG with jc kh ad 9h
mackem790 calls, UTG+1 calls, CO calls, Button calls, SB calls, BB checks.
Flop: jh 9s js ($24, 6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, mackem790 checks, UTG+1 checks, CO bets $22.8, 3 folds, mackem790 calls, UTG+1 folds.
Turn: 2d ($69.6, 2 players)
mackem790 checks, CO bets $48, mackem790 calls.
River: 3c ($165.6, 2 players)
mackem790 checks, CO is all-in $85.5, mackem790 calls.
Results:
Final pot: $336.6
Monday, 7 April 2008
Late Night, Maudlin Street
Or in this case, early morning, Ashfield Avenue in early bloody April!!!
So much for the clocks going forward to herald the start of British Summer Time.
So much for the clocks going forward to herald the start of British Summer Time.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
I Might be Wrong...
...and I probably am, but here's a couple of Omaha hands to discuss where I could (should?) have raised for value on the river.
Warning: Looking back, this one is pretty ugly from the turn onwards. (HI LO)
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $2/$4
6 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: $532.89
UTG+1: $179.92
CO: $515.48
Button: $356.46
MackemPlus1: $568.76
BB: $400
Pre-flop: (6 players) MackemPlus1 is SB with qs as qd 5h
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MackemPlus1 calls, BB checks.
Not a bad hand to raise with but, from the SB, I prefer to just check as my A5 low draw isn't really strong enough.
Flop: ts 2c 4d ($12, 3 players)
MackemPlus1 bets $9.4, BB folds, UTG+1 calls.
Good flop, any bare A2 lurking is buggered and I have my QQ overpair. Easy bet.
Turn: 6c ($30.8, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 checks, UTG+1 checks.
In two minds about this check. At first I thought it was pretty weak but OTOH, I have to put him on a low draw to have called the flop bet.
River: Qh ($30.8, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 checks, UTG+1 bets $20, MackemPlus1 calls.
Results:
Final pot: $70.8
Nice river card, but if villain has A3 for the nut low I still only get half. Not sure why I check-called though, pretty gay yes?
This one is hi only and I river the second nut flush, only for BB to spring to life.
Raise the river????
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
6 players
[url=http://www.neildewhurst.com/hand-converter]Converter[/url]
[b]Stack sizes:[/b]
UTG: $201.26
UTG+1: $200.05
MackemPlus1: $232.58
Button: $256.72
SB: $339.20
BB: $113.65
[b]Pre-flop:[/b] ([i]6 players[/i]) MackemPlus1 is CO with [Qc] [Kc] [Kh] [7h]
[i]2 folds[/i], MackemPlus1 calls, Button folds, SB calls, BB checks.
[b]Flop:[/b] [Qs] [7d] [5h] ([i]$6, 3 players[/i])
SB checks, BB checks, [color=#cc0000]MackemPlus1 bets $5.7[/color], SB folds, BB calls.
[b]Turn:[/b] [3h] ([i]$17.4, 2 players[/i])
BB checks, MackemPlus1 checks.
[b]River:[/b] [2h] ([i]$17.4, 2 players[/i])
[color=#cc0000]BB bets $16.53[/color], MackemPlus1 calls.
[b]Results:[/b]
Final pot: $50.46
PS: Anyone know of a hand converter (or which settings to use on the neildewhurst one) which is best for blogs??? I'd like to use the nice pretty big cards if poss.
Warning: Looking back, this one is pretty ugly from the turn onwards. (HI LO)
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $2/$4
6 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: $532.89
UTG+1: $179.92
CO: $515.48
Button: $356.46
MackemPlus1: $568.76
BB: $400
Pre-flop: (6 players) MackemPlus1 is SB with qs as qd 5h
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MackemPlus1 calls, BB checks.
Not a bad hand to raise with but, from the SB, I prefer to just check as my A5 low draw isn't really strong enough.
Flop: ts 2c 4d ($12, 3 players)
MackemPlus1 bets $9.4, BB folds, UTG+1 calls.
Good flop, any bare A2 lurking is buggered and I have my QQ overpair. Easy bet.
Turn: 6c ($30.8, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 checks, UTG+1 checks.
In two minds about this check. At first I thought it was pretty weak but OTOH, I have to put him on a low draw to have called the flop bet.
River: Qh ($30.8, 2 players)
MackemPlus1 checks, UTG+1 bets $20, MackemPlus1 calls.
Results:
Final pot: $70.8
Nice river card, but if villain has A3 for the nut low I still only get half. Not sure why I check-called though, pretty gay yes?
This one is hi only and I river the second nut flush, only for BB to spring to life.
Raise the river????
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
6 players
[url=http://www.neildewhurst.com/hand-converter]Converter[/url]
[b]Stack sizes:[/b]
UTG: $201.26
UTG+1: $200.05
MackemPlus1: $232.58
Button: $256.72
SB: $339.20
BB: $113.65
[b]Pre-flop:[/b] ([i]6 players[/i]) MackemPlus1 is CO with [Qc] [Kc] [Kh] [7h]
[i]2 folds[/i], MackemPlus1 calls, Button folds, SB calls, BB checks.
[b]Flop:[/b] [Qs] [7d] [5h] ([i]$6, 3 players[/i])
SB checks, BB checks, [color=#cc0000]MackemPlus1 bets $5.7[/color], SB folds, BB calls.
[b]Turn:[/b] [3h] ([i]$17.4, 2 players[/i])
BB checks, MackemPlus1 checks.
[b]River:[/b] [2h] ([i]$17.4, 2 players[/i])
[color=#cc0000]BB bets $16.53[/color], MackemPlus1 calls.
[b]Results:[/b]
Final pot: $50.46
PS: Anyone know of a hand converter (or which settings to use on the neildewhurst one) which is best for blogs??? I'd like to use the nice pretty big cards if poss.
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Roy's Keen
What threatened to be a shitty day turned into an absolute beauty today, culminating in a tournament win and Sunderland almost certainly securing Premier League status for next season!!!!
It didn't look so good around 4.15pm with Bolton beating 10-man Arsenal 2-0, Sunderland drawing 1-1 with West Ham and Birmingham being given the worst penalty decision you have ever seen in your life (Rob Styles is a fucking muppet) on their way to beating Man City 3-1.
I was also in danger of being bullied out of what had seemed a certain cash in the $11 PL0 rebuy tourney on Party with the chip leader raising every hand from the CO or button when I was in the small or large blind.
But within 30 minutes or so the world was again a beautiful place, demonstrating once more why we love football and poker so much, even though for 95% of the time they are both a pain in the arse.
First Arsenal's amazing comeback effectively doomed Bolton to relegation (and average crowds of 7,000 in the Championship next season - Mickey Mouse club, hello, hello) and then Andy Reid scored in the sixth minute of injury time to give Sunderland a 2-1 win over the Hammers.
Coincidentally the latest edition of the Sunderland fanzine, A Love Supreme, landed on my doorstep this morning with a cover caricature of the slightly corpulent Reid eating a hamburger, along with the song in his honour:
He's Andy Reid
He plays left wing
He loves McDonalds and Burger King.
Fat he may be but the boy has a great left foot!
But I digress.
Back to the Omaha and I finally get a hand to take a stand against the bully. He raises for the millionth time, I jam with AAxx and he calls with Q932 lol.
Knew he was raising light but fuck me he turns two pair and I'm ready to smash another mouse when the river is an ace....Now we have a game and I start taking him on and, thankfully for me, he doesn't know when to change gears. I get even in chips by checkraising a couple of flops and he instafolds, then I get top set v his two pair and he's out in 4th, one off the money.
That makes me a monster chip leader and, despite a couple of brief setbacks, I crush the shorties quickly and take down the $455 first prize. Not bad for a $22 outlay ( buy-in and top-up, no rebuy needed) with just 30 entries.
Added to my 2nd in the hi-lo on Thursday this pretty much makes me the king of Omaha games and I'll definitely be trying to play these tournaments on a regular basis.
Ha'way the lads!!!
It didn't look so good around 4.15pm with Bolton beating 10-man Arsenal 2-0, Sunderland drawing 1-1 with West Ham and Birmingham being given the worst penalty decision you have ever seen in your life (Rob Styles is a fucking muppet) on their way to beating Man City 3-1.
I was also in danger of being bullied out of what had seemed a certain cash in the $11 PL0 rebuy tourney on Party with the chip leader raising every hand from the CO or button when I was in the small or large blind.
But within 30 minutes or so the world was again a beautiful place, demonstrating once more why we love football and poker so much, even though for 95% of the time they are both a pain in the arse.
First Arsenal's amazing comeback effectively doomed Bolton to relegation (and average crowds of 7,000 in the Championship next season - Mickey Mouse club, hello, hello) and then Andy Reid scored in the sixth minute of injury time to give Sunderland a 2-1 win over the Hammers.
Coincidentally the latest edition of the Sunderland fanzine, A Love Supreme, landed on my doorstep this morning with a cover caricature of the slightly corpulent Reid eating a hamburger, along with the song in his honour:
He's Andy Reid
He plays left wing
He loves McDonalds and Burger King.
Fat he may be but the boy has a great left foot!
But I digress.
Back to the Omaha and I finally get a hand to take a stand against the bully. He raises for the millionth time, I jam with AAxx and he calls with Q932 lol.
Knew he was raising light but fuck me he turns two pair and I'm ready to smash another mouse when the river is an ace....Now we have a game and I start taking him on and, thankfully for me, he doesn't know when to change gears. I get even in chips by checkraising a couple of flops and he instafolds, then I get top set v his two pair and he's out in 4th, one off the money.
That makes me a monster chip leader and, despite a couple of brief setbacks, I crush the shorties quickly and take down the $455 first prize. Not bad for a $22 outlay ( buy-in and top-up, no rebuy needed) with just 30 entries.
Added to my 2nd in the hi-lo on Thursday this pretty much makes me the king of Omaha games and I'll definitely be trying to play these tournaments on a regular basis.
Ha'way the lads!!!
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Disappointed*
Qualified for the Party Poker $300k today for an outlay of $26, crushing a single-table satellite which offered just one place, 2nd got $25 back!
For once built a nice stack early on (more on which to follow) but eventually busted out 278th out of 1500 starters, top 200 paid.
Firstly I wanted to share this Omaha hand I've just played, which I think demonstrates when a "donk" bet can be a good tactic.
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
10 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: $217
UTG+1: $491.73
MackemPlus1: $221.64
MP1: $39
MP2: $208.90
MP3: $348.41
CO: $118.45
Button: $284.80
SB: $172
BB: $230.95
Pre-flop: (10 players) MackemPlus1 is UTG+2 with 3c 3s ad jd
2 folds, MackemPlus1 calls, MP1 raises to $4, MP2 folds, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button folds, SB calls, BB folds, MackemPlus1 calls.
Limping here is pretty bad/unusual for me with a weak hand, blame it on still being in the $300k and not concentrating! Short-stack clown min raises and we take the flop 5-handed.
Flop: jh 3d 8s ($22, 5 players)
SB checks, MackemPlus1 bets $16, MP1 raises all-in $35, 3 folds, MackemPlus1 calls.
Nice flop, but it's still only bottom set and this is why I decide to donk into the shorty. I fully expect this clown to have AAxx or four broadway cards and equally expect him to jam. The benefit of this is that most Omadonks with a set of Js or 8s will now re-raise, allowing me to fold if that is what one of the big stacks does.
Turn: 4s ($92, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $92)
River: 6d ($92, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $92)
Results:
Final pot: $92
MackemPlus1 balance 271.64 bet 39 collected 89 net 50 3c 3s Ad Jd
MP1 balance 0 lost 39 Js 9h Ks Th
None of the big stacks call and I'm certain I'm good against shorty and have an easy call.
Back to the $300k guarantee and a hand I wasn't happy with, although it could be ROT after I saw the flop.
Blinds: t150/t300
10 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: t5372
UTG+1: t2110
UTG+2: t6090
MP1: t5466
MP2: t11270
MackemPlus1: t15130
CO: t4260
Button: t20064
SB: t14297
BB: t20663
Pre-flop: (10 players) MackemPlus1 is MP3 with qs ah
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises all-in t2110, 2 folds, MP2 calls t2110 (pot was t2560), MackemPlus1 ??????????
Is this an autocall, iso-raise or fold?
Knowing what I now know about MP2 after playing against them for a while I would have re-raised, but that's easy to say with hindsight.
Be interested to hear in your thoughts?
*Track 14, Bona Drag
For once built a nice stack early on (more on which to follow) but eventually busted out 278th out of 1500 starters, top 200 paid.
Firstly I wanted to share this Omaha hand I've just played, which I think demonstrates when a "donk" bet can be a good tactic.
Party Poker
Pot Limit Omaha Ring game
Blinds: $1/$2
10 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: $217
UTG+1: $491.73
MackemPlus1: $221.64
MP1: $39
MP2: $208.90
MP3: $348.41
CO: $118.45
Button: $284.80
SB: $172
BB: $230.95
Pre-flop: (10 players) MackemPlus1 is UTG+2 with 3c 3s ad jd
2 folds, MackemPlus1 calls, MP1 raises to $4, MP2 folds, MP3 calls, CO calls, Button folds, SB calls, BB folds, MackemPlus1 calls.
Limping here is pretty bad/unusual for me with a weak hand, blame it on still being in the $300k and not concentrating! Short-stack clown min raises and we take the flop 5-handed.
Flop: jh 3d 8s ($22, 5 players)
SB checks, MackemPlus1 bets $16, MP1 raises all-in $35, 3 folds, MackemPlus1 calls.
Nice flop, but it's still only bottom set and this is why I decide to donk into the shorty. I fully expect this clown to have AAxx or four broadway cards and equally expect him to jam. The benefit of this is that most Omadonks with a set of Js or 8s will now re-raise, allowing me to fold if that is what one of the big stacks does.
Turn: 4s ($92, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $92)
River: 6d ($92, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $92)
Results:
Final pot: $92
MackemPlus1 balance 271.64 bet 39 collected 89 net 50 3c 3s Ad Jd
MP1 balance 0 lost 39 Js 9h Ks Th
None of the big stacks call and I'm certain I'm good against shorty and have an easy call.
Back to the $300k guarantee and a hand I wasn't happy with, although it could be ROT after I saw the flop.
Blinds: t150/t300
10 players
Stack sizes:
UTG: t5372
UTG+1: t2110
UTG+2: t6090
MP1: t5466
MP2: t11270
MackemPlus1: t15130
CO: t4260
Button: t20064
SB: t14297
BB: t20663
Pre-flop: (10 players) MackemPlus1 is MP3 with qs ah
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises all-in t2110, 2 folds, MP2 calls t2110 (pot was t2560), MackemPlus1 ??????????
Is this an autocall, iso-raise or fold?
Knowing what I now know about MP2 after playing against them for a while I would have re-raised, but that's easy to say with hindsight.
Be interested to hear in your thoughts?
*Track 14, Bona Drag
Friday, 21 March 2008
Maladjusted*
Played my first blogger thingy tournament on Full Tilt last night, a PL08 tournament I expected to do well in. Sadly I quickly got bored by the incredibly slow pace of play and started playing badly, eventually busting out with top two pair and weak low draw in an unraised pot.
Villain had limped on the button with 2558 and flopped bottom set on a K95 flop with 2 hearts. Most people are truly horrible at this game but, strangely enough, it can be harder to simply "outplay" them given the nature of the game.
In short, I need to readjust my game and go back to the style which used to serve me well in the nightly PL08 tourney on Party - play only premium hands early on, including strong hi-only hands, and simply wait out the donks.
On another note, been trying the step tourneys on Party again (for cash, not WSOP seats) and currently at level 5. Level 6 is where the money is handed out, $500 for fifth up to $2000 for 1st. Not bad for an initial outlay of $3.
*title track from another decent Morrissey solo album
Villain had limped on the button with 2558 and flopped bottom set on a K95 flop with 2 hearts. Most people are truly horrible at this game but, strangely enough, it can be harder to simply "outplay" them given the nature of the game.
In short, I need to readjust my game and go back to the style which used to serve me well in the nightly PL08 tourney on Party - play only premium hands early on, including strong hi-only hands, and simply wait out the donks.
On another note, been trying the step tourneys on Party again (for cash, not WSOP seats) and currently at level 5. Level 6 is where the money is handed out, $500 for fifth up to $2000 for 1st. Not bad for an initial outlay of $3.
*title track from another decent Morrissey solo album
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Do Your Best and Don't Worry*
Been a rollercoaster week or so since my last post. I came back from Vegas and was virtually busto in terms of poker money, thanks more to blackjack than poker in Vegas to be fair, but also down to a bad run online.
So I had to reload on Party and plonked down £250, just under $500. At first things went great and the first night I could easily have believed in the old "they let you win when you first deposit" myth, racking up a nice profit. Within a few days I had the bankroll over $2,000 thanks to 6-max 1/2PL Omaha hi and thought all was rosy, a few days later and I was almost busto again!!!!
Obviously Omaha is a very swingy game and everything that had been going right started going wrong - if I had top set the board wouldn't pair and villain would catch his str8 or flush; if I had the str8 or flush the board would pair on the river.
I also badly misplayed a few hands for sure and at one point think I was down to under $300 or so. Thankfully, as of about 5 minutes ago, I won a big pot on each table I had open and the bankroll is back in the $1900 region.
Definitely learnt a couple of lessons about playing Omaha, more of which to follow after I watch the Simpsons....
.......Okay I'm back.
My biggest omaha losses obviously come from the kind of thing I mentioned above, but I also need to remember the following (pretty basic things but I'm essentially self-taught in Omaha so worth reiterating):
1 - Folding the nuts - Lost a huge pot with a nut straight with no redraw . These are tough to get away from for obvious reasons, but if stacks are deep and your opponent is reasonable it's one to be aware of.
2 - Folding trips - Hold em players really struggle with this one and can't fold a 5 with bad kickers on a 556 flop when, depending on the action, they are likely up against A5 at the very least or even 66xx. Feel smug at getting away from that very situation recently.
3 - "Slowplaying" the best hand - Got stung by this one a few days ago but used it to my advantage tonight. In the first instance I'm in an unraised pot with 88xx and in LP. Flop is K83 rainbow and it's checked to me, I bet pot. SB calls. Turn is a blank and SB checks, I bet pot. NOW the sneeky git raises and I'm committed to the pot. He flips KKxx and I miss my 1 out.
Tonight I have QQxx, again unraised pot, and the flop is AQ9 with two spades. SB bets pot, BB calls and I just call, looking for a non-spade, non broadway turn card. Turn is a red 3, SB bets pot again, BB folds and I shove. SB calls with 99xx and he misses his 1-outer too.
Obviously this is something which works better with a flop texture like the first hand rather than the second; if villain in hand 2 had spades and a straight draw he still had plenty of outs.
4 - Folding non-nut hands - Well duh!!!
5 - Realise which game you are playing - Posted this on +1. A guy called all 3 streets against me with 10-high when I had a set of Aces, including a value bet of $68 on the river. He had 10 7 2 4 and must have thought he was getting half the pot with his lo!!!
*from Southpaw Grammar (underrated Morrissey solo album)
So I had to reload on Party and plonked down £250, just under $500. At first things went great and the first night I could easily have believed in the old "they let you win when you first deposit" myth, racking up a nice profit. Within a few days I had the bankroll over $2,000 thanks to 6-max 1/2PL Omaha hi and thought all was rosy, a few days later and I was almost busto again!!!!
Obviously Omaha is a very swingy game and everything that had been going right started going wrong - if I had top set the board wouldn't pair and villain would catch his str8 or flush; if I had the str8 or flush the board would pair on the river.
I also badly misplayed a few hands for sure and at one point think I was down to under $300 or so. Thankfully, as of about 5 minutes ago, I won a big pot on each table I had open and the bankroll is back in the $1900 region.
Definitely learnt a couple of lessons about playing Omaha, more of which to follow after I watch the Simpsons....
.......Okay I'm back.
My biggest omaha losses obviously come from the kind of thing I mentioned above, but I also need to remember the following (pretty basic things but I'm essentially self-taught in Omaha so worth reiterating):
1 - Folding the nuts - Lost a huge pot with a nut straight with no redraw . These are tough to get away from for obvious reasons, but if stacks are deep and your opponent is reasonable it's one to be aware of.
2 - Folding trips - Hold em players really struggle with this one and can't fold a 5 with bad kickers on a 556 flop when, depending on the action, they are likely up against A5 at the very least or even 66xx. Feel smug at getting away from that very situation recently.
3 - "Slowplaying" the best hand - Got stung by this one a few days ago but used it to my advantage tonight. In the first instance I'm in an unraised pot with 88xx and in LP. Flop is K83 rainbow and it's checked to me, I bet pot. SB calls. Turn is a blank and SB checks, I bet pot. NOW the sneeky git raises and I'm committed to the pot. He flips KKxx and I miss my 1 out.
Tonight I have QQxx, again unraised pot, and the flop is AQ9 with two spades. SB bets pot, BB calls and I just call, looking for a non-spade, non broadway turn card. Turn is a red 3, SB bets pot again, BB folds and I shove. SB calls with 99xx and he misses his 1-outer too.
Obviously this is something which works better with a flop texture like the first hand rather than the second; if villain in hand 2 had spades and a straight draw he still had plenty of outs.
4 - Folding non-nut hands - Well duh!!!
5 - Realise which game you are playing - Posted this on +1. A guy called all 3 streets against me with 10-high when I had a set of Aces, including a value bet of $68 on the river. He had 10 7 2 4 and must have thought he was getting half the pot with his lo!!!
*from Southpaw Grammar (underrated Morrissey solo album)
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Lucky
Two threads in one night - try to contain yourselves.
Nice result on the Champions League tonight, backing Arsenal and Man Utd to both win with William Hill's "enhanced odds" offer. It paid 9/2 and I'm really glad Arsenal finally got the goals their play deserved - they play some great stuff but can be frustrating as hell to watch.
I'd been shouting at the TV all night for someone to f***ing shoot rather than try to pass it into the net and eventually Fabregas listened and bingo! Nice to see the Australian goalkeeper going down in installments.
Also finally had some luck at UB in terms of the best hands holding up. Played some 1/2 PL Omaha Hi and AAxx won big pots for me twice in the space of about 10 minutes. First one I re-raised preflop and flopped a set on AK5 board, sole opponent folded to my bet. Second one was even better. There's a raise and call, I re-raise and shorty original raiser shoves for $85 total. Other guy also calls and I do as well (can't reraise due to shorty).
Flop is 447 with two spades, I have AAQx with AQ of spades and shove the flop. Other guy folds and all-in player has 10 9 8 7ds; usually a good hand to crack mine but I make the flush on the turn.
Nice result on the Champions League tonight, backing Arsenal and Man Utd to both win with William Hill's "enhanced odds" offer. It paid 9/2 and I'm really glad Arsenal finally got the goals their play deserved - they play some great stuff but can be frustrating as hell to watch.
I'd been shouting at the TV all night for someone to f***ing shoot rather than try to pass it into the net and eventually Fabregas listened and bingo! Nice to see the Australian goalkeeper going down in installments.
Also finally had some luck at UB in terms of the best hands holding up. Played some 1/2 PL Omaha Hi and AAxx won big pots for me twice in the space of about 10 minutes. First one I re-raised preflop and flopped a set on AK5 board, sole opponent folded to my bet. Second one was even better. There's a raise and call, I re-raise and shorty original raiser shoves for $85 total. Other guy also calls and I do as well (can't reraise due to shorty).
Flop is 447 with two spades, I have AAQx with AQ of spades and shove the flop. Other guy folds and all-in player has 10 9 8 7ds; usually a good hand to crack mine but I make the flush on the turn.
Bigmouth Strikes Again
Better late than never, here's a trip report from Vegas at the end of last month.
For those of you who don't know, Zack is a fellow PlusOne member who kindly let me crash in his room all week while he was attending *ahem* a work conference.
Sunday - Arrive in Chicago to discover flight to Vegas is cancelled. Realise too late while stood in the queue that could have flown to Phoenix instead and driven the rest of the way, so end up forced to wait 7 and a half hours for next Vegas flight. Drink lots in bar while trying to feign interest in Daytona 500. Fail.
Arrive at Caesars some time around midnight. Zack is wearing pink. I have been travelling in the same clothes for 25 hours and still look better than him. Grab a room key, head upstairs to change. Zack's been given a room with a disabled shower . Insert own joke here. Back downstairs to drop $100 playing 1/3 and then another $400 playing 2/5PL Omaha.
Monday - Memory of days is as bad as Zack's, but pretty sure I won $400 playing omaha 8b at Mirage while Zack bizarrely attends his conference for a couple of hours. Despite working for a telecomms company he pretends he can't call international numbers on his cell - I think he's trying to dump me already.
If we did play 9am tourney Monday I indeed bust Zack with J9 v AK all-in pre-flop (we were the 2 shorties at the table and Zack was UTG, I was in BB). Kxx flop but I call for and catch running 9s!!!!
Tuesday - Zack hits a one-out gutshot straight flush and doesn't comport himself well when he does so, telling the poor guy "That was a mistake" when he calls the river bet. Guy had K3 for technically the third nut flush.
Wednesday - After busting out at TI (Zack shoves into J4 on a JJ7 board with Q7) we find Shawn hiding his ponytail beneath his sweatshirt at Venetian. I take the under on when he busts and it looks good when he jams AQo - only for the donkey in the SB to call with KQo. Although we are just standing behind Shawn the ~hot waitress keeps offering us drinks so we drink quickly and wildly overtip (she's a bit chunky but we conclude probably gives great head).
Shawn is still in so we play some cash and I get a guy to make the WORST FOLD IN THE HISTORY OF p0ker. I raise KQ on the button and he calls from the SB saying "I think I have the best hand". Flop is 44K and he leads out. I call. Turn is a blank and he bets $55 and I shove for approx $220. He tanks and starts talking about what I could have and flashes me AK. He asks "Do we have the same hand" and I tell him no, we definitely don't. He thinks forever and folds, everyone at the table is saying I must have aces or kings so I show the KQ and the guy can't stop talking about the hand for the next hour.
Head back to Caesar's and I waste 5hrs playing a limit Omaha8b tourney without cashing while Zack and Shawn play cash. Shawn hits a str8 flush but somehow still loses money.
Thursday - My turn to hit a high hand at Caesar's. In a straddle hand I make it $20 with 99 and call a re-raise to $60 from guy next to me who is called Tiger Patel (no shit) and I later learn plays ultra high stakes Baccarat and has just concluded a $165million property deal. Flop is 975 and I check call $80. Turn is a blank and goes check check. River is a 9 and I bet $100. He tanks for a while and calls. I get $94 extra for the quads.
Friday - Play the 10am tourney at Planet Hollywood and build a good stack with some nice cards before being moved tables. First hand I raise 10s UTG and only big blind calls, we are probably the two biggest stacks in the tourney. Flop is 248 and he donk bets, I shove and he calls with 35o. Ace turn, ace river
Play bounty tourney at TI again at 7pm and Zack loses to the WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF p0ker. On a flop of QQJ, idiot bets and Zack CRAI with KJ. Idiot calls with 22 and spikes a 2 on the turn. He says "I thought you had two pair so I called" I double when another clown calls my PF raise and all-in on a 7xx board with A4o. I have 99. Bust out when A9 all-in gets an instacall from KJ.
To say thanks to Zack for using his disabled room I take him to dinner (G5.7) at TI. Zack says to maitre'd "Table doesn't have to be too secluded" but I insist they light the candle. Both order filet mignon in a mexican restaurant, I get abuse for wanting medium well but it's excellent.
Back to Caesar's for what should have been a huge win. I double with KQ v AK on a KQx22 board when he bets $40 on river and says, "You can go all-in if you want." I do and he instacalls. Also flop two pair with 64s on a 642 board and take out woman who shoves with 99. Move tables and talk guy into calling off his last $75 with AQ on Qxxx board when I have KK. He spikes a Q. (Hence the thread title).
Also lose decent pot with AK v QQ and have to fold AQ on AJ9 board after betting $75. Opp showed AJ.
Play till 5.20am and head upstairs for emotional farewell with Zack, but he's already gone.
Random notes: Despite wearing pink, Zack is great fun to have at your table. Needs to stop taunting opponents when he sucks out on them though.
Random note 2: Somewhere in there played 2/5NL at Bellagio. Perfect opponent is in seat 1, he's drunk, rich, terrible at p0ker but still a nice guy. I make it $20 with Ad Jd. Two callers, flop is 9d10dKd. Drunk guy says "Wow I flopped a huge hand" but checks. I check behind. Turn is a blank, he bets $75 and I call. River is an ace and he checks. While I'm thinking how much to bet he says "You push all-in and I'll call." I ask if he's for real and he says yes. So I shove for $216 more with the nuts and he calls with QJ for a flopped str8
Random note 3: Flopped quad 7s on Saturday at the Wynn, won $3.
Forgotten loads of stuff, but whatever...
For those of you who don't know, Zack is a fellow PlusOne member who kindly let me crash in his room all week while he was attending *ahem* a work conference.
Sunday - Arrive in Chicago to discover flight to Vegas is cancelled. Realise too late while stood in the queue that could have flown to Phoenix instead and driven the rest of the way, so end up forced to wait 7 and a half hours for next Vegas flight. Drink lots in bar while trying to feign interest in Daytona 500. Fail.
Arrive at Caesars some time around midnight. Zack is wearing pink. I have been travelling in the same clothes for 25 hours and still look better than him. Grab a room key, head upstairs to change. Zack's been given a room with a disabled shower . Insert own joke here. Back downstairs to drop $100 playing 1/3 and then another $400 playing 2/5PL Omaha.
Monday - Memory of days is as bad as Zack's, but pretty sure I won $400 playing omaha 8b at Mirage while Zack bizarrely attends his conference for a couple of hours. Despite working for a telecomms company he pretends he can't call international numbers on his cell - I think he's trying to dump me already.
If we did play 9am tourney Monday I indeed bust Zack with J9 v AK all-in pre-flop (we were the 2 shorties at the table and Zack was UTG, I was in BB). Kxx flop but I call for and catch running 9s!!!!
Tuesday - Zack hits a one-out gutshot straight flush and doesn't comport himself well when he does so, telling the poor guy "That was a mistake" when he calls the river bet. Guy had K3 for technically the third nut flush.
Wednesday - After busting out at TI (Zack shoves into J4 on a JJ7 board with Q7) we find Shawn hiding his ponytail beneath his sweatshirt at Venetian. I take the under on when he busts and it looks good when he jams AQo - only for the donkey in the SB to call with KQo. Although we are just standing behind Shawn the ~hot waitress keeps offering us drinks so we drink quickly and wildly overtip (she's a bit chunky but we conclude probably gives great head).
Shawn is still in so we play some cash and I get a guy to make the WORST FOLD IN THE HISTORY OF p0ker. I raise KQ on the button and he calls from the SB saying "I think I have the best hand". Flop is 44K and he leads out. I call. Turn is a blank and he bets $55 and I shove for approx $220. He tanks and starts talking about what I could have and flashes me AK. He asks "Do we have the same hand" and I tell him no, we definitely don't. He thinks forever and folds, everyone at the table is saying I must have aces or kings so I show the KQ and the guy can't stop talking about the hand for the next hour.
Head back to Caesar's and I waste 5hrs playing a limit Omaha8b tourney without cashing while Zack and Shawn play cash. Shawn hits a str8 flush but somehow still loses money.
Thursday - My turn to hit a high hand at Caesar's. In a straddle hand I make it $20 with 99 and call a re-raise to $60 from guy next to me who is called Tiger Patel (no shit) and I later learn plays ultra high stakes Baccarat and has just concluded a $165million property deal. Flop is 975 and I check call $80. Turn is a blank and goes check check. River is a 9 and I bet $100. He tanks for a while and calls. I get $94 extra for the quads.
Friday - Play the 10am tourney at Planet Hollywood and build a good stack with some nice cards before being moved tables. First hand I raise 10s UTG and only big blind calls, we are probably the two biggest stacks in the tourney. Flop is 248 and he donk bets, I shove and he calls with 35o. Ace turn, ace river
Play bounty tourney at TI again at 7pm and Zack loses to the WORST CALL IN THE HISTORY OF p0ker. On a flop of QQJ, idiot bets and Zack CRAI with KJ. Idiot calls with 22 and spikes a 2 on the turn. He says "I thought you had two pair so I called" I double when another clown calls my PF raise and all-in on a 7xx board with A4o. I have 99. Bust out when A9 all-in gets an instacall from KJ.
To say thanks to Zack for using his disabled room I take him to dinner (G5.7) at TI. Zack says to maitre'd "Table doesn't have to be too secluded" but I insist they light the candle. Both order filet mignon in a mexican restaurant, I get abuse for wanting medium well but it's excellent.
Back to Caesar's for what should have been a huge win. I double with KQ v AK on a KQx22 board when he bets $40 on river and says, "You can go all-in if you want." I do and he instacalls. Also flop two pair with 64s on a 642 board and take out woman who shoves with 99. Move tables and talk guy into calling off his last $75 with AQ on Qxxx board when I have KK. He spikes a Q. (Hence the thread title).
Also lose decent pot with AK v QQ and have to fold AQ on AJ9 board after betting $75. Opp showed AJ.
Play till 5.20am and head upstairs for emotional farewell with Zack, but he's already gone.
Random notes: Despite wearing pink, Zack is great fun to have at your table. Needs to stop taunting opponents when he sucks out on them though.
Random note 2: Somewhere in there played 2/5NL at Bellagio. Perfect opponent is in seat 1, he's drunk, rich, terrible at p0ker but still a nice guy. I make it $20 with Ad Jd. Two callers, flop is 9d10dKd. Drunk guy says "Wow I flopped a huge hand" but checks. I check behind. Turn is a blank, he bets $75 and I call. River is an ace and he checks. While I'm thinking how much to bet he says "You push all-in and I'll call." I ask if he's for real and he says yes. So I shove for $216 more with the nuts and he calls with QJ for a flopped str8
Random note 3: Flopped quad 7s on Saturday at the Wynn, won $3.
Forgotten loads of stuff, but whatever...
Saturday, 16 February 2008
House of Cards
Just a quick update before I head off to Vegas (again!) tomorrow.
Almost busto online after continuing bad beats, bad play and, admittedly, getting outplayed on a couple of occasions; thankfully still have my stack of dollars from the last two trips - we'll see how long that lasts ;)
Many thanks to Zack for letting me crash in his hotel room at Caesar's Palace, meaning I only need to pay for a hotel the last two nights of my stay after Zack's conference is over.
Looking forward to live play as usual, but I'm folding everything but quads and straight flushes to ensure no more bad beats !!!
Enjoy scraping the frost off your car windscreens without me....
Almost busto online after continuing bad beats, bad play and, admittedly, getting outplayed on a couple of occasions; thankfully still have my stack of dollars from the last two trips - we'll see how long that lasts ;)
Many thanks to Zack for letting me crash in his hotel room at Caesar's Palace, meaning I only need to pay for a hotel the last two nights of my stay after Zack's conference is over.
Looking forward to live play as usual, but I'm folding everything but quads and straight flushes to ensure no more bad beats !!!
Enjoy scraping the frost off your car windscreens without me....
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Paint a Vulgar Picture
The title of the last post clearly upset the poker gods and it's been a shitty week.
Going out tonight for a friend's leaving do from work and then away for the weekend - need a break from losing to rivered gutshots.
:(
Going out tonight for a friend's leaving do from work and then away for the weekend - need a break from losing to rivered gutshots.
:(
Monday, 4 February 2008
We hate it when our friends become successful...
...but when it happens to us, it's wonderful!!!
That rather long-winded title is a way of saying I won the TPOAPC 2008 Main Event on Saturday evening, beating Buzz HU for the bracelet.
Was down to 1400 early on from a starting stack of 3000 but got healthy again when AA decided A10o was a good hand to re-raise me with, my JJ held. Also doubled through AA again with a great call IMHO with AQ on a KK6 flop in a blind v blind battle after I had just limped in from the SB. I check-raised the flop, Zack shoved and I was really confident I was in front and called - he tabled A10 and I held.
That gave me a big stack and I cruised into the money and then got HU when Sportsfreak surprisingly called my re-raise jam with 44, I had 77, game over.
Buzz started the HU really well and was raising a lot but eventually I started to find some decent hands and hit a few very nice flops. Got it all in with A6 v 33 and flop was A88, but turn was a 3 LOL.
However, next hand was my turn to get lucky with A7 v A9 and it was all over. I promise to only mention this victory about 20 times a day!!!
Also, had a good betting weekend with Spurs +1 drawing with Man Utd and 3 of my Super Bowl bets coming good - Under 53 points (never in doubt!!!), Maroney scoring first TD and Giants +12.
That rather long-winded title is a way of saying I won the TPOAPC 2008 Main Event on Saturday evening, beating Buzz HU for the bracelet.
Was down to 1400 early on from a starting stack of 3000 but got healthy again when AA decided A10o was a good hand to re-raise me with, my JJ held. Also doubled through AA again with a great call IMHO with AQ on a KK6 flop in a blind v blind battle after I had just limped in from the SB. I check-raised the flop, Zack shoved and I was really confident I was in front and called - he tabled A10 and I held.
That gave me a big stack and I cruised into the money and then got HU when Sportsfreak surprisingly called my re-raise jam with 44, I had 77, game over.
Buzz started the HU really well and was raising a lot but eventually I started to find some decent hands and hit a few very nice flops. Got it all in with A6 v 33 and flop was A88, but turn was a 3 LOL.
However, next hand was my turn to get lucky with A7 v A9 and it was all over. I promise to only mention this victory about 20 times a day!!!
Also, had a good betting weekend with Spurs +1 drawing with Man Utd and 3 of my Super Bowl bets coming good - Under 53 points (never in doubt!!!), Maroney scoring first TD and Giants +12.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Optimistic*
February 1st, so a good time to start finally keeping an accurate record of my bankroll and wins and losses as I aim for the ultimate goal - paying off my mortgage as soon as possible.
That may well be helped by switching to a Virgin One account but I won't bore you with the details of that.
Instead, this is an inventory of my current bankroll:
Absolute: $2,165.16
UB: $23.89 (with $489.55 in unclaimed bonus!)
Full Tilt: $0
Party: $1,711.21
Stars: $345.69
Cash: $2,600 (this was taken from my Party account for the recent Vegas trips)
Not exactly earth-shattering, but not bad either I suppose, and certainly enough to attempt not to worry about dropping the odd buy-in here or there, but instead to focus on a more long-term approach.
To that end I'll only update the figures on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, assuming I don't just go busto!!
One rather sick hand to report from this afternoon from a 1/2NL 6-max table on Party. I raise with AA and get one caller. Flop is KKx. We both check. Turn is an Ace. Nice. He bets, I'm now praying he does have a King and flat call. River is a King!!!!
He had K7s.....
*For those keeping track, the title comes from Radiohead's Kid A album. Let's see if I feel optimistic in a week...
That may well be helped by switching to a Virgin One account but I won't bore you with the details of that.
Instead, this is an inventory of my current bankroll:
Absolute: $2,165.16
UB: $23.89 (with $489.55 in unclaimed bonus!)
Full Tilt: $0
Party: $1,711.21
Stars: $345.69
Cash: $2,600 (this was taken from my Party account for the recent Vegas trips)
Not exactly earth-shattering, but not bad either I suppose, and certainly enough to attempt not to worry about dropping the odd buy-in here or there, but instead to focus on a more long-term approach.
To that end I'll only update the figures on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, assuming I don't just go busto!!
One rather sick hand to report from this afternoon from a 1/2NL 6-max table on Party. I raise with AA and get one caller. Flop is KKx. We both check. Turn is an Ace. Nice. He bets, I'm now praying he does have a King and flat call. River is a King!!!!
He had K7s.....
*For those keeping track, the title comes from Radiohead's Kid A album. Let's see if I feel optimistic in a week...
Monday, 28 January 2008
Dollars and Cents
I wanted to call this post "the greatest bluff ever" but sadly the Smiths or Radiohead have never done a song with that name so......
Anyway, this is from last night's $22PL8b tourney on Stars which I've been having good runs in. Finished 4th last night after a couple of gay beats at the final table - worst was getting the chip leader all-in when I had AA3J on a T62 flop after I re-raised him pre-flop. Clown called with A5Kx and the turn was a 3 to give him a damn half.
Before that was this great bluff. I've tidied up the hand history but we were 7-handed on the FT.
Seat 4: mackem790 (47537 in chips)
Seat 6: Manta_Rays (38087 in chips)
jelijahd: posts small blind 1000
Manta_Rays: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to mackem790 [4h 4c 2h 6c]
4 folds
mackem790: raises 4000 to 6000
jelijahd: folds
Manta_Rays: calls 4000
*** FLOP *** [Qh Jd 5c]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: checks
*** TURN *** [Qh Jd 5c] [5s]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: bets 8000
Manta_Rays: calls 8000
*** RIVER *** [Qh Jd 5c 5s] [Ad]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: bets 20000
Manta_Rays: folds
mackem790 collected 29000 from pot
mackem790: doesn't show hand
Pre-flop it's essentially a steal, although the hand does have some potential to make a scabby low or lucky high hand. Easy check behind on the flop to see if I pick up any draw, and when he checks the turn I have to take another stab.
River is pretty ugly but it's balls in hand time and fire again, thankfully he folded.
While all this was going on I jumped into a big chip lead in the Stud8 +1 tourney on Full Tilt despite running into quads for the third time this series - just as predicted :)
Ran so well early on it was inevitable the cards would dry up and eventually finished 3rd, well done to Vman (2nd) and donkey lucksack motha f**ka (1st)
Anyway, this is from last night's $22PL8b tourney on Stars which I've been having good runs in. Finished 4th last night after a couple of gay beats at the final table - worst was getting the chip leader all-in when I had AA3J on a T62 flop after I re-raised him pre-flop. Clown called with A5Kx and the turn was a 3 to give him a damn half.
Before that was this great bluff. I've tidied up the hand history but we were 7-handed on the FT.
Seat 4: mackem790 (47537 in chips)
Seat 6: Manta_Rays (38087 in chips)
jelijahd: posts small blind 1000
Manta_Rays: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to mackem790 [4h 4c 2h 6c]
4 folds
mackem790: raises 4000 to 6000
jelijahd: folds
Manta_Rays: calls 4000
*** FLOP *** [Qh Jd 5c]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: checks
*** TURN *** [Qh Jd 5c] [5s]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: bets 8000
Manta_Rays: calls 8000
*** RIVER *** [Qh Jd 5c 5s] [Ad]
Manta_Rays: checks
mackem790: bets 20000
Manta_Rays: folds
mackem790 collected 29000 from pot
mackem790: doesn't show hand
Pre-flop it's essentially a steal, although the hand does have some potential to make a scabby low or lucky high hand. Easy check behind on the flop to see if I pick up any draw, and when he checks the turn I have to take another stab.
River is pretty ugly but it's balls in hand time and fire again, thankfully he folded.
While all this was going on I jumped into a big chip lead in the Stud8 +1 tourney on Full Tilt despite running into quads for the third time this series - just as predicted :)
Ran so well early on it was inevitable the cards would dry up and eventually finished 3rd, well done to Vman (2nd) and donkey lucksack motha f**ka (1st)
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
Well okay, possibly not fully miserable, but definitely a little peeved after the last couple of nights' poker.
Firstly I was chip leader for a while deep into the $11r on Stars and dreaming of a first prize of $13k before eventually busting out in 14th out of 1731 starters.
Bust-out hand was nothing special (my AJ of diamonds lost to KQ of diamonds all-in PF) but annoyed I went card dead at the crucial time and misplayed/didn't get full value when I did have some big hands.
Then last night I finished second in the +1 Stud tournament thanks to a remarkable comeback from less than 200 chips at one stage, but then finished 8th in a $22PL08 tourney on Stars.
Cruised all the way to the FT (about 360 starters IIRC) but then busted when a fellow big stack hit runner runner flush after I bet the flop and turn with overpair and big str8 draw. He has something like A3Qx on a Q 10 6r flop, 9 on river made my str8 but also the backdoor flush.
I had enough chips to fold and still be in good shape but made a tilty call and that was that.
Disappointing but feel the 08 tournament is hugely +EV for me, as are the 1 and 2-table $55PL08 STT's on Full Tilt. Won one and finished 4th in the two 2-table ones I played last night.
Can't play the +1 Hold em event tonight (not too disappointed as limit sucks) but should manage the rest of them in a probably futile attempt to catch Dwal in the POTY race....
Firstly I was chip leader for a while deep into the $11r on Stars and dreaming of a first prize of $13k before eventually busting out in 14th out of 1731 starters.
Bust-out hand was nothing special (my AJ of diamonds lost to KQ of diamonds all-in PF) but annoyed I went card dead at the crucial time and misplayed/didn't get full value when I did have some big hands.
Then last night I finished second in the +1 Stud tournament thanks to a remarkable comeback from less than 200 chips at one stage, but then finished 8th in a $22PL08 tourney on Stars.
Cruised all the way to the FT (about 360 starters IIRC) but then busted when a fellow big stack hit runner runner flush after I bet the flop and turn with overpair and big str8 draw. He has something like A3Qx on a Q 10 6r flop, 9 on river made my str8 but also the backdoor flush.
I had enough chips to fold and still be in good shape but made a tilty call and that was that.
Disappointing but feel the 08 tournament is hugely +EV for me, as are the 1 and 2-table $55PL08 STT's on Full Tilt. Won one and finished 4th in the two 2-table ones I played last night.
Can't play the +1 Hold em event tonight (not too disappointed as limit sucks) but should manage the rest of them in a probably futile attempt to catch Dwal in the POTY race....
Monday, 14 January 2008
Still ill (Part II)
So I finally make it to the Monte Carlo p0ker room and find Dave and Sucko sat next to each other at a table. Dave has a monster stack which he tells me comes from the clown in seat 1, who has already rebought at least 4 times and donated all his chips by calling down Dave with absolutely nothing.
I get the 10 seat, guy in 9 seat also has huge stack and is open raising to $32 with rag aces at a 1/2 table mainly because our friend in seat 1 is calling with any two cards. Seat 1 doubles me up when I have AA and he chases all the way, 1 pair is good, but then cracks AA later when he calls $50 pre-flop with 45o
Sucko then rivers an A with AKs all-in PF against Dave's QQ but they're both winning big bets on the Georgia bowl game so all's good. To avoid tilting after being felted I head off for some food and then down to the Mirage, where I get a text from Dave saying he's just won $4500 playing blackjack. I reply that I officially hate him.
Dave's gone to the airport when I get back to the room at 3/4am but Lucko gives me a full description of his amazing blackjack streak. Try to get some sleep but Kev has a wonderful combination of a nasty cough, bad nasal breathing and snoring. I consider killing him in his sleep but figure I'd be the obvious suspect...
He also sets the world's loudest alarm AND orders a wake up call to make sure he doesn't miss his flight but I have to check out at 11am anyway and move into my new room in the same hotel.
For the next couple of days my attempts to meet up with Josh and Malachai are unsuccessful due to my dodgy mobile which means I get texts about 4 days after they were sent!
As for p0ker, I final table the bounty tournament I won at TI before (twice) and also reach the FT of a PL Omaha event at Caesars, but generally run my usual shitty standard apart from a couple of sessions.
Best was probably at Mirage where I win $300 at 1/2NL while waiting for the 5/10 Omaha hi lo limit game to start, and then turn that $500 into $1200 against the omaha donks (70 big bets in a few hours). Also finally had AA against KK at Caesar's at 2/5NL for a nice pot.
Final day I check out at 11am and have couple of hours to kill. No game going at Monte Carlo so I play some blackjack and win $175 in about 5 minutes - chicken feed to Dave but added to the $275 I won while steaming at the Mirage made for a nice blackjack profit.
Head over to 1/2NL at MGM and table was so passive even I was able to run a table over for the first time ever. First time I straddled everyone folded to me so I started betting and raising with all kinds of stuff, and showing lots of bluffs to try to loosen things up.
It works nicely when I find KQo on my next straddle and make it $20 more after a couple of limpers. Woman directly to my left calls, flop is Kxx. I bet, she calls. Turn is a Q and I'm thinking about how much to bet when I see she's already reaching for chips so I check-raise instead and we get it all-in. She has KJ and is drawing dead.
Few hands later I get AA and raise, 1 caller. Flop is A86 and we both check. Turn is a 9 I think and villain bets $25, I make it $75 and he calls. 6 pairs the board on the river and I bet $75, he announces all-in and I call obviously. He has 88 for a lower boat and I scoop a big pot.
I get the 10 seat, guy in 9 seat also has huge stack and is open raising to $32 with rag aces at a 1/2 table mainly because our friend in seat 1 is calling with any two cards. Seat 1 doubles me up when I have AA and he chases all the way, 1 pair is good, but then cracks AA later when he calls $50 pre-flop with 45o
Sucko then rivers an A with AKs all-in PF against Dave's QQ but they're both winning big bets on the Georgia bowl game so all's good. To avoid tilting after being felted I head off for some food and then down to the Mirage, where I get a text from Dave saying he's just won $4500 playing blackjack. I reply that I officially hate him.
Dave's gone to the airport when I get back to the room at 3/4am but Lucko gives me a full description of his amazing blackjack streak. Try to get some sleep but Kev has a wonderful combination of a nasty cough, bad nasal breathing and snoring. I consider killing him in his sleep but figure I'd be the obvious suspect...
He also sets the world's loudest alarm AND orders a wake up call to make sure he doesn't miss his flight but I have to check out at 11am anyway and move into my new room in the same hotel.
For the next couple of days my attempts to meet up with Josh and Malachai are unsuccessful due to my dodgy mobile which means I get texts about 4 days after they were sent!
As for p0ker, I final table the bounty tournament I won at TI before (twice) and also reach the FT of a PL Omaha event at Caesars, but generally run my usual shitty standard apart from a couple of sessions.
Best was probably at Mirage where I win $300 at 1/2NL while waiting for the 5/10 Omaha hi lo limit game to start, and then turn that $500 into $1200 against the omaha donks (70 big bets in a few hours). Also finally had AA against KK at Caesar's at 2/5NL for a nice pot.
Final day I check out at 11am and have couple of hours to kill. No game going at Monte Carlo so I play some blackjack and win $175 in about 5 minutes - chicken feed to Dave but added to the $275 I won while steaming at the Mirage made for a nice blackjack profit.
Head over to 1/2NL at MGM and table was so passive even I was able to run a table over for the first time ever. First time I straddled everyone folded to me so I started betting and raising with all kinds of stuff, and showing lots of bluffs to try to loosen things up.
It works nicely when I find KQo on my next straddle and make it $20 more after a couple of limpers. Woman directly to my left calls, flop is Kxx. I bet, she calls. Turn is a Q and I'm thinking about how much to bet when I see she's already reaching for chips so I check-raise instead and we get it all-in. She has KJ and is drawing dead.
Few hands later I get AA and raise, 1 caller. Flop is A86 and we both check. Turn is a 9 I think and villain bets $25, I make it $75 and he calls. 6 pairs the board on the river and I bet $75, he announces all-in and I call obviously. He has 88 for a lower boat and I scoop a big pot.
Still ill
So, after the farce of my cancelled flights I get a lucky break when the Virgin flight on New Year's Eve is half empty and I get a whole row of seats to myself on the 10hr flight from London. Watch a couple of films and get some sleep so don't feel too bad when I get into Vegas around 1pm. Amazingly, suitcase is second bag on the carousel so I grab a cab and head for the Monte Carlo.
We get stuck at the corner of the MGM and Strip with all the traffic but eventually get to the hotel, I get a key for the room I'm sharing with Dave and Sucko and dump my bags. Quick shower and change and it's off to the MGM to meet up.
There are three 2/5NL tables running, Dave at one, Kev at another and of course I get a seat at the third! Bust one guy with AA v AJ on a J-high flop before I get a transfer to Dave's table. Table is nice and lively and one guy ends up singing "There's only one Ricky Hatton" over and over again when he discovers I was there for the fight a few weeks ago.
Stoner turns up later and we grab dinner at some cafe place in MGM before heading onto the Strip. By this time I've topped up the booze from the plane with a few beers and add to it with Glenfiddich from the hip flask hidden in my coat so the memory of later events is a bit vague.
We stop to heckle this illiterate God botherer on the street,
and then I think somehow get into Harrah's using a Total Rewards Card passed over the barriers between us to get in and get a drink. Believe this is where I meet Todd (TDizzle) and we all see in 2008 watching the fireworks. (Gay)
Head into the Mirage and end up with all six Plus One ers on a 1/2NL table, but by this stage am apparently pretty wasted, and fail miserably with a 3-street bluff against sucko with AK - he calls with some 85-type garbage and takes it down. Dave runs like Sucko used to and felts Sucko and some clown non Plus One er with 22 on a J72 flop - both opponents had J7.
Think we all get a cab back to Monte Carlo around 6am, Lucko and I crash out but Dave declares "sleeping in Vegas is gay" and heads down to the p0ker room. At one point I wake up and have to vomit copiously in the bathroom, thankfully alive enough to make sure it's all in the toilet. Go back to bed and don't get up again until around 4pm. Get ready to head out and have my coat on when I need to throw up again, this time it's pretty much just bile. Feels like my eyes are sweating. Not felt this bad from alcohol in years
Details of wild 1/2 table to follow...
We get stuck at the corner of the MGM and Strip with all the traffic but eventually get to the hotel, I get a key for the room I'm sharing with Dave and Sucko and dump my bags. Quick shower and change and it's off to the MGM to meet up.
There are three 2/5NL tables running, Dave at one, Kev at another and of course I get a seat at the third! Bust one guy with AA v AJ on a J-high flop before I get a transfer to Dave's table. Table is nice and lively and one guy ends up singing "There's only one Ricky Hatton" over and over again when he discovers I was there for the fight a few weeks ago.
Stoner turns up later and we grab dinner at some cafe place in MGM before heading onto the Strip. By this time I've topped up the booze from the plane with a few beers and add to it with Glenfiddich from the hip flask hidden in my coat so the memory of later events is a bit vague.
We stop to heckle this illiterate God botherer on the street,
and then I think somehow get into Harrah's using a Total Rewards Card passed over the barriers between us to get in and get a drink. Believe this is where I meet Todd (TDizzle) and we all see in 2008 watching the fireworks. (Gay)
Head into the Mirage and end up with all six Plus One ers on a 1/2NL table, but by this stage am apparently pretty wasted, and fail miserably with a 3-street bluff against sucko with AK - he calls with some 85-type garbage and takes it down. Dave runs like Sucko used to and felts Sucko and some clown non Plus One er with 22 on a J72 flop - both opponents had J7.
Think we all get a cab back to Monte Carlo around 6am, Lucko and I crash out but Dave declares "sleeping in Vegas is gay" and heads down to the p0ker room. At one point I wake up and have to vomit copiously in the bathroom, thankfully alive enough to make sure it's all in the toilet. Go back to bed and don't get up again until around 4pm. Get ready to head out and have my coat on when I need to throw up again, this time it's pretty much just bile. Feels like my eyes are sweating. Not felt this bad from alcohol in years
Details of wild 1/2 table to follow...
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