Aiyaah! After a month of grinding and notching up solid if unspectacular wins I hit a rough spot once again. AA met KK, allin preflop. No big deal. I flop top two with AQ in a reraised pot and lose to a set. Another reraised pot where my flopped trips loses to a set and down goes another buy-in. Another set meets a flopped flush and I fail to improve.
With a downturn like that eroding weeks of solid play it is hard not to tilt. Tilt itself is strange beast and its sometimes pretty hard to recognise. Calling a turn bet with KK on Axx flop. Not that you don't believe they do have an Ace just that you believe they really don't deserve to have outflopped you.
I had should have done is taken a break, even for a couple of days and get back to steady winning. What I shouldn't have done is step up to 50NL. Not so much that I shouldn't play 50NL. I probably should be. But not with the attitude of wanting to win money back. Trying to win money back is a recipe for disaster. Play is more aggressive and I stumbled into some pretty aggro tables. Clearly moves were being made often. I called an 8.50 pot sized bet with one opponent with AQ and caught him on a bluff but also got allin preflop with TT against AA. I was bleeding money. A mixture of good play and awful play but my bad play seemed to be more expensive.
My losses were starting to mount and I was just on my last orbit when up popped my biggest online hand to date..and who should happen to be at the table but Lamma's very own Moocher.
Fresh from a tournament with Joe Hachem. He had position on Joe and had him outchipped. Down to the last 6 with prize money for 5th $200 and increasing thereafter. Top pair weak kicker lost to a straight and bubble boy decided to join me at the 50NL cash games.
Seat 1: Phillberto01 ($63.65 in chips)
Seat 2: LorenFGV ($121.65 in chips)
Seat 3: Ks4ndr ($52.30 in chips)
Seat 4: Moocher666 ($62.70 in chips)
Seat 5: Ensyfer ($75.25 in chips)
Seat 6: SwissCantMis ($50 in chips)
Ensyfer: posts small blind $0.25
SwissCantMis: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to Phillberto01 [Ks Kh]
Phillberto01: raises $1 to $1.50
LorenFGV: calls $1.50
Ks4ndr: folds
Moocher666: calls $1.50
Ensyfer: folds
SwissCantMis: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 3c Ah]
Phillberto01: bets $3.50
LorenFGV: calls $3.50
Moocher666: calls $3.50
*** TURN *** [Kd 3c Ah] [2c]
Phillberto01: bets $11.50
LorenFGV: calls $11.50
Moocher666: calls $11.50
*** RIVER *** [Kd 3c Ah 2c] [Th]
Phillberto01: bets $47.15 and is all-in
LorenFGV: calls $47.15
Moocher666: calls $46.20 and is all-in
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Phillberto01: shows [Ks Kh] (three of a kind, Kings)
LorenFGV: mucks hand
Phillberto01 collected $1.90 from side pot
Moocher666: shows [Ad Td] (two pair, Aces and Tens)
Phillberto01 collected $185.85 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $190.75 Main pot $185.85. Side pot $1.90. Rake $3 Board [Kd 3c Ah 2c Th]Seat 1: Phillberto01 showed [Ks Kh] and won ($187.75) with three of a kind,
KingsSeat 2: LorenFGV mucked [3s Ac]
Seat 4: Moocher666 (button) showed [Ad Td] and lost with two pair, Aces and Tens
I suspect my previous loose/bad play was a factor in getting paid off but this pot was enough to make up for my 50NL losses and draw a line under a bad weekend. Still $200 to recover to reach the high water mark but I plan to do that at 25NL for the time being.
I'll move back to 50NL soon I think though.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
The Grind
With a week to go in March I managed to rack up a few extra dollars last night. No big hands at all just picking my spots and gaining one buy-in for a couple of hours of 4/5 tabling.
I'll post my winnings graph from Poker Tracker 3 which shows the horrendous down-swing I had with it's slightly smaller brother in amongst generally winning play.
I also got around to watching one Deuces Cracked video, something I should try and make some more time for.
So who is around for a live game the week-end after next? Does an afternoon session suit. Maybe 3pm or 4pm start this time?
I'll post my winnings graph from Poker Tracker 3 which shows the horrendous down-swing I had with it's slightly smaller brother in amongst generally winning play.
I also got around to watching one Deuces Cracked video, something I should try and make some more time for.
So who is around for a live game the week-end after next? Does an afternoon session suit. Maybe 3pm or 4pm start this time?
Monday, 23 March 2009
High Stakes Poker - Season 5
Hopefully everyone has had a chance by now to watch the opening episodes from the new season on Poker-tube. If not go and watch them now. With the next episode out today I'm looking forward to seeing Dwan and Brunson clash in a big pot.
Most of the internet discussion has focussed on the hand between Peter Eastgate, Barry Greenstein and the man that looks likely to be awarded poker demi-god status for his audacious turn bluff.
Having read the various takes of internet hind-sighters it seems that there were a number of mistakes made by all three of those involved, in my opinion of course...or should I say someone elses who I happen to agree with.
Eastgate's first mistake was his pre-flop call with 42o. Made worse by the fact that he laughed seemingly amused by the fact an under the gun raise from a tight player could become a family pot and thus flagging up the fact he was playing trash to an observant player.
Dwan's flop bet was questionable it seems. It seems very unlikely he was setting up his turn play with that bet and as a value bet it was pretty misjudged.
Eastgate gets himself into trouble here by calling the flop raise. After facing the turn bet he is a tricky position as both Dwan and him have 500K stacks. He could easily be outkicked and out of position the rest of the money will likely only go in if he is behind. There is an argument for a flop-reraise but if he faces a shove he then loses somewhere between 200-300K. I can't fault his fold at all.
Greenstein has received a lot of flack as well for folding his pocket Aces. There is actually a strong case for folding to Dwan's flop bet after Eastgate called as he was unlikely to be ahead then. He has since said he considered it but thought Eastgate may have called with a Ten. He has also said that he would have got it all-in with Dwan had Eastgate not been involved.
It has certainly give everyone the impression that Eastgate can be moved off of big hand though. If he is smart enough to recognise that possibility he could pick off some big bluffs.
Credit to Dwan for the turn bet though - done with not only a very good read on his opponents hands were but a very good read on what way they would err in a tough situation.
If these guys had stock market prices I think Dwan would be flying high and Negreanu would be dragging the index down to new lows.
Most of the internet discussion has focussed on the hand between Peter Eastgate, Barry Greenstein and the man that looks likely to be awarded poker demi-god status for his audacious turn bluff.
Having read the various takes of internet hind-sighters it seems that there were a number of mistakes made by all three of those involved, in my opinion of course...or should I say someone elses who I happen to agree with.
Eastgate's first mistake was his pre-flop call with 42o. Made worse by the fact that he laughed seemingly amused by the fact an under the gun raise from a tight player could become a family pot and thus flagging up the fact he was playing trash to an observant player.
Dwan's flop bet was questionable it seems. It seems very unlikely he was setting up his turn play with that bet and as a value bet it was pretty misjudged.
Eastgate gets himself into trouble here by calling the flop raise. After facing the turn bet he is a tricky position as both Dwan and him have 500K stacks. He could easily be outkicked and out of position the rest of the money will likely only go in if he is behind. There is an argument for a flop-reraise but if he faces a shove he then loses somewhere between 200-300K. I can't fault his fold at all.
Greenstein has received a lot of flack as well for folding his pocket Aces. There is actually a strong case for folding to Dwan's flop bet after Eastgate called as he was unlikely to be ahead then. He has since said he considered it but thought Eastgate may have called with a Ten. He has also said that he would have got it all-in with Dwan had Eastgate not been involved.
It has certainly give everyone the impression that Eastgate can be moved off of big hand though. If he is smart enough to recognise that possibility he could pick off some big bluffs.
Credit to Dwan for the turn bet though - done with not only a very good read on his opponents hands were but a very good read on what way they would err in a tough situation.
If these guys had stock market prices I think Dwan would be flying high and Negreanu would be dragging the index down to new lows.
Lots of hands - Not so much money
Well I've been trying to make amends for the big losing streak I suffered at the end of Feb and beginning of March. My progress has been a bit like a game of snakes and ladders of late and I've been hitting some pretty long Anaconda's it seems. I've clocked up enough hands to get back to profit for the month but in doing so have run up enough hand to leave my win-rate as a pretty unspectacular one.
I've ordered a new book to continue the learning process and will complement this by watching some poker training vids as I've realised I still need to do a lot of improving.
Looking forward to hitting a new high water mark in hopefully this coming week if the poker god's allow.
I've ordered a new book to continue the learning process and will complement this by watching some poker training vids as I've realised I still need to do a lot of improving.
Looking forward to hitting a new high water mark in hopefully this coming week if the poker god's allow.
Live a little
It’s been a while since the sharply honed poker minds of Lamma saw fit to get together to rumble in the flesh. After a slightly delayed start the game rumbled on for nearly 11 hours of play in the end.
Lamma Jim was first to call it a day but was pleased to cash in $260 to the good and demonstrating some improved play and enough flops hit to see him come out ahead. Including Pocket Aces at the right time to send me running for cover with a loose preflop re-raise.
Sham was next to leave and was again able to take some money off the table. He returned later and despite taking down a 3 way all-in pot with KT for the straight he managed to squander his big pot gains but finished a small winner.
I took my one and only felting against Moocher who rather peculiarly chose to call an all-in on the turn for around double the pot with 86 suited.
With Big slick I was banking on being up against a drawing hand, or weak made hand that could find a fold after his small reraise and thought that my gutshot and overcards were likely to be good if called. After Moocher’s call my gutshot disappeared as an out but I was surprised to find myself ahead. With two overcards I was only a 59% favourite and Moocher found one of his many outs. With that being the most favourable circumstances though and 27% equity being the more likely proposition for him I’m not quite sure what his thinking was with the call.
Luck proved to be on Moocher’s side again when his AQ struck against Rummy Coakes pocket Jacks in a pre-flop all-in turned race.
Luck was definitely not on the Rummy Coakes side whose loose-aggressive play generated some additional action to the game. With both Moocher and Bigshot prepared to gamble with him, often very light, Rummy found himself stuck for 5 buy-ins in what seemed very quick succession.
Quads seemed to raise their head far more often than is the norm. Bigshot was the lucky recipient on two occasions who milked the first one up until the turn but didn’t get any takers for his river bet. The second time he over-bet into a pot that would have given any Ace a full-house. If anyone had an Ace they managed to find a fold in what looked like either Quads or a bet to make an obvious split pot one with his name on it.
I managed to catch quads myself and had Bigshot look me up on the river building a pot big enough to get me back on even terms.
With both Moocher and Rummy to my immediate left it was never going to be easy though. I no doubt was forced to lay-down good hands on occasion with draws. I did manage to make one big lay-down with KK against Moocher’s two pair after a flop raise. With any big pre-flop raise likely to get called by Moocher, Rummy and Sham leaving Bigshot reasonable odds to join the party I found myself in a lot of tough spots.
I think it’s a complement to the Lamma Home Game that I would probably have practiced table selection and moved on to an easier table, or at the very least swapped seats had this been online. In the end I made some speculative calls in the last half hour but caught nothing and ended up down $160.
I did manage to take one pot from Sham somewhat unexpectedly with the night’s entertainment substances having taken their toll. Having reached the river with Q9 giving me trips with a Queen kicker I called Sham’s river bet expecting it to be decided by the kicker. When Sham showed Q9 I was about to turn my cards. A moment of horror as I realized that it was indeed Q8 I held was followed by a quick recalculation that Q8 gave me the straight. I opened another beer and took another quick glug to calm the shock. Sorry Sham. Maybe can't be too critical of Moocher really I guess.
Moocher despite being close to 2 buy-ins down deservedly proved the big winner of the night and Bigshot took silver medal. Don deserves plaudits for bringing plenty of action to the game but variance and willingness to get it in light meant his poor record in the Lamma home game continued as he funded the nights two big winners.
With the Moll providing some refreshments and Rummy losing less than a HKPC buy-in it was perhaps better that he hit a losing streak at the lower stakes. With no-shows from all the new prospects it’s looking likely that they will get another opportunity in 2 weeks time as another game is proposed.
Lamma Jim was first to call it a day but was pleased to cash in $260 to the good and demonstrating some improved play and enough flops hit to see him come out ahead. Including Pocket Aces at the right time to send me running for cover with a loose preflop re-raise.
Sham was next to leave and was again able to take some money off the table. He returned later and despite taking down a 3 way all-in pot with KT for the straight he managed to squander his big pot gains but finished a small winner.
I took my one and only felting against Moocher who rather peculiarly chose to call an all-in on the turn for around double the pot with 86 suited.
With Big slick I was banking on being up against a drawing hand, or weak made hand that could find a fold after his small reraise and thought that my gutshot and overcards were likely to be good if called. After Moocher’s call my gutshot disappeared as an out but I was surprised to find myself ahead. With two overcards I was only a 59% favourite and Moocher found one of his many outs. With that being the most favourable circumstances though and 27% equity being the more likely proposition for him I’m not quite sure what his thinking was with the call.
Luck proved to be on Moocher’s side again when his AQ struck against Rummy Coakes pocket Jacks in a pre-flop all-in turned race.
Luck was definitely not on the Rummy Coakes side whose loose-aggressive play generated some additional action to the game. With both Moocher and Bigshot prepared to gamble with him, often very light, Rummy found himself stuck for 5 buy-ins in what seemed very quick succession.
Quads seemed to raise their head far more often than is the norm. Bigshot was the lucky recipient on two occasions who milked the first one up until the turn but didn’t get any takers for his river bet. The second time he over-bet into a pot that would have given any Ace a full-house. If anyone had an Ace they managed to find a fold in what looked like either Quads or a bet to make an obvious split pot one with his name on it.
I managed to catch quads myself and had Bigshot look me up on the river building a pot big enough to get me back on even terms.
With both Moocher and Rummy to my immediate left it was never going to be easy though. I no doubt was forced to lay-down good hands on occasion with draws. I did manage to make one big lay-down with KK against Moocher’s two pair after a flop raise. With any big pre-flop raise likely to get called by Moocher, Rummy and Sham leaving Bigshot reasonable odds to join the party I found myself in a lot of tough spots.
I think it’s a complement to the Lamma Home Game that I would probably have practiced table selection and moved on to an easier table, or at the very least swapped seats had this been online. In the end I made some speculative calls in the last half hour but caught nothing and ended up down $160.
I did manage to take one pot from Sham somewhat unexpectedly with the night’s entertainment substances having taken their toll. Having reached the river with Q9 giving me trips with a Queen kicker I called Sham’s river bet expecting it to be decided by the kicker. When Sham showed Q9 I was about to turn my cards. A moment of horror as I realized that it was indeed Q8 I held was followed by a quick recalculation that Q8 gave me the straight. I opened another beer and took another quick glug to calm the shock. Sorry Sham. Maybe can't be too critical of Moocher really I guess.
Moocher despite being close to 2 buy-ins down deservedly proved the big winner of the night and Bigshot took silver medal. Don deserves plaudits for bringing plenty of action to the game but variance and willingness to get it in light meant his poor record in the Lamma home game continued as he funded the nights two big winners.
With the Moll providing some refreshments and Rummy losing less than a HKPC buy-in it was perhaps better that he hit a losing streak at the lower stakes. With no-shows from all the new prospects it’s looking likely that they will get another opportunity in 2 weeks time as another game is proposed.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Red Dragon
Not wanting the blog to consist of bad beat bleating I though a quick mention for Moocher was in order. Having taken down an online tournament he has now secured himself a seat in the Macau Red Dragon tourney where a normal buy-in is a hefty HK$10K.
He also has the opportunity to make a name for himself as the Television cameras will be there at the event.
Will the cameras showcase Moocher's talents or see a pro pick off a Moocher stone cold bluff.?
Or more likely of all just ignore him completely. Time will tell. And I'm sure Moocher will as well if there is any prize money to boast of.
He also has the opportunity to make a name for himself as the Television cameras will be there at the event.
Will the cameras showcase Moocher's talents or see a pro pick off a Moocher stone cold bluff.?
Or more likely of all just ignore him completely. Time will tell. And I'm sure Moocher will as well if there is any prize money to boast of.
Bull Market
After managing a steady February my results took a plunge on the final weekend. A pretty steep decline that continued into the start of March and had eroded half of the months winnings.
The downswing, assuming it is over, ran up a total of 16 buy-ins.
That included KK v AA, 3 set against set situation. Trip Aces with the case Ace against a flopped nut flush. A busted flush draw where I tried to represent a straight on the river. And 33 making a flopped full house losing to 73 which flopped a bigger full house.
Add that to being fairly cold decked and the losses just stacked up. It got pretty frustrating and I was beginning to leak money by not playing my A game after four days of horrendous cards.
I decided to switch to 2 then 3 tabling 50NL to force me to concentrate and play properly. I took down $30 in a half hour session which hopefully signals a return to winning poker.
It's certainly shattered my winning rate and not helped my bank-roll one bit.
The downswing, assuming it is over, ran up a total of 16 buy-ins.
That included KK v AA, 3 set against set situation. Trip Aces with the case Ace against a flopped nut flush. A busted flush draw where I tried to represent a straight on the river. And 33 making a flopped full house losing to 73 which flopped a bigger full house.
Add that to being fairly cold decked and the losses just stacked up. It got pretty frustrating and I was beginning to leak money by not playing my A game after four days of horrendous cards.
I decided to switch to 2 then 3 tabling 50NL to force me to concentrate and play properly. I took down $30 in a half hour session which hopefully signals a return to winning poker.
It's certainly shattered my winning rate and not helped my bank-roll one bit.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Sporadic
Well it's becoming a pretty sporadic updating of the blog these days but was feeling a bit nostalgic so I thought I'd get those fingers-a-busy.
I've upgraded my whole online poker playing set-up. I installed Poker Tracker 3 and copied my database across from my Desktop. Unfortunately the old laptop hard drive had to be replaced so I missed the opportunity to merge in the better half of my stats to the combined database.
A pretty cool set-up for Poker Tracker...lots of data just a click away. I continue to run at US$10 an hour at the moment for 2009. I've got various options to increase that number other than the obvious ones of play better and run hotter.
First is to increase my multi-tabling. I'm averaging 3.68 tables at the moment so I'd need to add a second screen which is a possibility as I can only fit 4 tables comfortably with stats on my new laptop despite the bigger screen.
Second is to move back up to 50NL but I believe at Stars this may result in a lower BB/100 but with a similar win-rate and bigger swings. I think a softer site will make the transition a bit easier.
I think the major win-rate boost I need to line-up is a rake-back deal. If I can manage to play1,500 hands a day at 50NL rake-calculators seem to be putting a figure of US$1,000 a month.
First things first though I have to get on the phone and sort out my Neteller account and ensure I can move money around freely again.
Moving to a softer site than Poker Stars I hope could well up by win-rate by 30%.
I believe there is a $250 bonus available at Stars though so I think I’ll use that for my swan song for now while I’m choosing the best site – if I can sort out Neteller, meh.
I've upgraded my whole online poker playing set-up. I installed Poker Tracker 3 and copied my database across from my Desktop. Unfortunately the old laptop hard drive had to be replaced so I missed the opportunity to merge in the better half of my stats to the combined database.
A pretty cool set-up for Poker Tracker...lots of data just a click away. I continue to run at US$10 an hour at the moment for 2009. I've got various options to increase that number other than the obvious ones of play better and run hotter.
First is to increase my multi-tabling. I'm averaging 3.68 tables at the moment so I'd need to add a second screen which is a possibility as I can only fit 4 tables comfortably with stats on my new laptop despite the bigger screen.
Second is to move back up to 50NL but I believe at Stars this may result in a lower BB/100 but with a similar win-rate and bigger swings. I think a softer site will make the transition a bit easier.
I think the major win-rate boost I need to line-up is a rake-back deal. If I can manage to play1,500 hands a day at 50NL rake-calculators seem to be putting a figure of US$1,000 a month.
First things first though I have to get on the phone and sort out my Neteller account and ensure I can move money around freely again.
Moving to a softer site than Poker Stars I hope could well up by win-rate by 30%.
I believe there is a $250 bonus available at Stars though so I think I’ll use that for my swan song for now while I’m choosing the best site – if I can sort out Neteller, meh.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Monday, 9 February 2009
Taking the chalk to the Clean Slate
Ok here are (or aren't at the moment) the results so far for 2009. If you all could email or comment your own current totals for the year I'll do my best to update it on a weekly basis.
Online 2009 US$
1) Moocher +730
2) Phillberto +261
3) Deadlydp +40
4) Bigshot -62
Live 2009 HK$
Moocher +10,690
Deadlydp +3,500
Bigshot +100
Phillberto +0
Online 2009 US$
1) Moocher +730
2) Phillberto +261
3) Deadlydp +40
4) Bigshot -62
Live 2009 HK$
Moocher +10,690
Deadlydp +3,500
Bigshot +100
Phillberto +0
2009 Catch-Up
Weekly (and yearly) Total +$261
Well after my extended absence from the virtual felt I’ve managed to cram in about 20 hours of play since I’ve returned to HK, the vast majority of them four tabling 25NL on Stars. Having run my Stars roll down to $60 at my lowest ebb I’ve now worked in up into $400+ making going bust pretty unlikely unless I step back up to 50NL to soon.
I’m running at around 8PTBB/100 at the moment in 2009 and would be happy to continue at that win-rate.
I sent various documents to Neteller showing my UK address and they have told me they just need to phone me to confirm my account.
I’ve also tried setting up another alternate online payment service using the same docs but not heard back from them although I had to upload the docs onto their website. Basically I have yet to resolve the satisfactory movement of cash online as yet. I’m getting pretty pissed off that I’m missing out on bonii that would be accounting for about $2,000 a year in profit.
I’m considering depositing on a new site with a rake-back deal using a Scottish bank card and that is something I want to explore.
I’m also looking at investing in a top of the range laptop at the moment. Shit hot spec with 17HDscreen and Bluray DVD+writer (50 gigs of data on each disk!). I’ve offered 14K but the seller is looking for 16K.
I’ll try out 6 tabling if I do get that monster although I want a decent sample of hands to compare my 4x against 6x win-rates first.
Major change in strategy for this year is table selection. If I meet any resistance online I’m walking even if I think I’m probably better than them. I broke my new rule yesterday playing heads-up against another player who was aggressive but medium stacked. I was given drawing odds all the way with a hand that almost doubled him up. I then did double him up when I shoved on a J 98K board with JT and he called with KK. Anyway that is the exception to the new rule and it seems to be working out okay.
A recent improvement to my game is being able to lay losing hands down. Always the danger of folding the winning hand of course but sometimes you have to. I’m also shoving a lot lighter now as well if I think I’m good and of course with some drawing hands. With this in mind my pot size manipulation is improving all the time.
Having signed up for Deuces crack instructional site for six months I’ve allowed over half of that time to go by having watched only two vids so my belated New Year resolution has to be to start watching more although it is more fun just playing.
PS
And my horse has been running strongly of late but still an expensive pony leaving me about GBP4K down.
Well after my extended absence from the virtual felt I’ve managed to cram in about 20 hours of play since I’ve returned to HK, the vast majority of them four tabling 25NL on Stars. Having run my Stars roll down to $60 at my lowest ebb I’ve now worked in up into $400+ making going bust pretty unlikely unless I step back up to 50NL to soon.
I’m running at around 8PTBB/100 at the moment in 2009 and would be happy to continue at that win-rate.
I sent various documents to Neteller showing my UK address and they have told me they just need to phone me to confirm my account.
I’ve also tried setting up another alternate online payment service using the same docs but not heard back from them although I had to upload the docs onto their website. Basically I have yet to resolve the satisfactory movement of cash online as yet. I’m getting pretty pissed off that I’m missing out on bonii that would be accounting for about $2,000 a year in profit.
I’m considering depositing on a new site with a rake-back deal using a Scottish bank card and that is something I want to explore.
I’m also looking at investing in a top of the range laptop at the moment. Shit hot spec with 17HDscreen and Bluray DVD+writer (50 gigs of data on each disk!). I’ve offered 14K but the seller is looking for 16K.
I’ll try out 6 tabling if I do get that monster although I want a decent sample of hands to compare my 4x against 6x win-rates first.
Major change in strategy for this year is table selection. If I meet any resistance online I’m walking even if I think I’m probably better than them. I broke my new rule yesterday playing heads-up against another player who was aggressive but medium stacked. I was given drawing odds all the way with a hand that almost doubled him up. I then did double him up when I shoved on a J 98K board with JT and he called with KK. Anyway that is the exception to the new rule and it seems to be working out okay.
A recent improvement to my game is being able to lay losing hands down. Always the danger of folding the winning hand of course but sometimes you have to. I’m also shoving a lot lighter now as well if I think I’m good and of course with some drawing hands. With this in mind my pot size manipulation is improving all the time.
Having signed up for Deuces crack instructional site for six months I’ve allowed over half of that time to go by having watched only two vids so my belated New Year resolution has to be to start watching more although it is more fun just playing.
PS
And my horse has been running strongly of late but still an expensive pony leaving me about GBP4K down.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Lamma's Lazarus
Well as I attempt to ascertain who the biggest winners were for 2008 it seems that two new records have been set.
First one which I gather everyone has heard of by now was Moocher’s performance in the Grand Waldo Macau tournament, which included accommodation and travel for Mr and Mrs Moocher (after finishing second in the Hong Kong Poker House Xmas series). Despite the tournament being a Rebuy Moocher managed to ensure his Free-roll shot enabled him to cruise to 4th place and take down a tidy $10,000 prize.
Moocher had also turned his fortunes around online with the greatest comeback since Lazurus. After busting out he free-rolled his way back to money play and his online roll now stands at a healthy US$1,055.
The highlight of this resurgence also takes the current prize for biggest ever tournament win as he brings down top prize for US$943 after risking a mere $3.30. So the record previously held by Rummy Coakes falls to Moocher.
The come-back kid struck again over the weekend taking second spot in a 90-man tourney.
He also has a tourney lined up with Joe Hachem later in the month with guaranteed HK$25K worth of prize money to divide between the 25 finalists. Joe will be quaking in his boots when he faces a raise from the big nosed dog with the black shades.
First one which I gather everyone has heard of by now was Moocher’s performance in the Grand Waldo Macau tournament, which included accommodation and travel for Mr and Mrs Moocher (after finishing second in the Hong Kong Poker House Xmas series). Despite the tournament being a Rebuy Moocher managed to ensure his Free-roll shot enabled him to cruise to 4th place and take down a tidy $10,000 prize.
Moocher had also turned his fortunes around online with the greatest comeback since Lazurus. After busting out he free-rolled his way back to money play and his online roll now stands at a healthy US$1,055.
The highlight of this resurgence also takes the current prize for biggest ever tournament win as he brings down top prize for US$943 after risking a mere $3.30. So the record previously held by Rummy Coakes falls to Moocher.
The come-back kid struck again over the weekend taking second spot in a 90-man tourney.
He also has a tourney lined up with Joe Hachem later in the month with guaranteed HK$25K worth of prize money to divide between the 25 finalists. Joe will be quaking in his boots when he faces a raise from the big nosed dog with the black shades.
2008 - It's a Wrap
So here are the figures for the year. I’ll try and catch up with people individually to get the year end totals and later the current position to get the blog back on track so we can establish who has earned the below titles.
Online
2008:
Phillberto: USD+1,078 (2007 Total USD+3,283)
Moocher +170
Bigshot -1000
Deadlydp - 1000
2008 Champion - tbc
2007 Champion – Deadlydp +3,298
Lamma Home Games
2008: Phillberto: +HK$2,908 (2007 total -335)
2008 Champion Phillberto
2007 Champion - Deadlydp (Total HK$1,600)
Casino/Live
2008 Phillberto: USD-208 (2007 Total USD-500)
Moocher +0
2007 Champion – N/A
Biggest Single Tournament Cash 2008
Rummy Coakes U$498
Grand Total
2008 Phillberto +USD1242 (2007 Total USD+2,740)
2008 Champion tbc
2007 Champion Phillberto (Total USD+2,740)
Online
2008:
Phillberto: USD+1,078 (2007 Total USD+3,283)
Moocher +170
Bigshot -1000
Deadlydp - 1000
2008 Champion - tbc
2007 Champion – Deadlydp +3,298
Lamma Home Games
2008: Phillberto: +HK$2,908 (2007 total -335)
2008 Champion Phillberto
2007 Champion - Deadlydp (Total HK$1,600)
Casino/Live
2008 Phillberto: USD-208 (2007 Total USD-500)
Moocher +0
2007 Champion – N/A
Biggest Single Tournament Cash 2008
Rummy Coakes U$498
Grand Total
2008 Phillberto +USD1242 (2007 Total USD+2,740)
2008 Champion tbc
2007 Champion Phillberto (Total USD+2,740)
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Cold Turkey
Appreciate the update and venue reviewBigshot to keep the blog alive.
I've been unable to get a reliable mobile internet connection where I am living and don't want to stump up for a year's contract for a fixed line so my poker playing has ground to a halt for a while.
Look forward to hearing more tales of Moocher and Rummy's exploits and all about the 10K Macau win.
I'm back on Friday night and look forward to having a live game soon - do we need to increase the stakes to keep the new flock of Bigshot's happy?
I've been unable to get a reliable mobile internet connection where I am living and don't want to stump up for a year's contract for a fixed line so my poker playing has ground to a halt for a while.
Look forward to hearing more tales of Moocher and Rummy's exploits and all about the 10K Macau win.
I'm back on Friday night and look forward to having a live game soon - do we need to increase the stakes to keep the new flock of Bigshot's happy?
Friday, 19 December 2008
£20K on a Horse
To give some gambling spice to 2009 I have decided to put twenty large of the Queen's coin on a horse.
I'm hoping this little black stallion will come romping home for me.
Poker in the Black Isle
Arrived up in the north of Scotland amongst gusts of sleet to visit Big Bro and family. Once the kiddlywinks were despatched to bed we kicked off with a $1 18 man tourney with me talking bro through each decision. After doubling up with Pocket Kings hitting top trips against trip nines on the flop after folding the first fifty hands we took that puppy down without losing a showdown ansd without getting our money in bad once. My bro's friend arrived from Germany at the weekend so there may be some live action going on.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
No Cigar
Well it's been a poker free holiday as you might have gathered. Internet connection is too dodgy and my Dad's computer is slower than a week in jail.
I did abandon the Moll on Sunday Christmas shopping in Glasgow for a 'quick' NL tourney in the same Casino I played at last time. 70 players sticking in £230 quid each. Starting stacks of 15,000 and blinds kicking off at 25/50. I folded all my hands for the first 40 minutes. When I raised in early position with QQ it was folded round to me quickly and I realised that everyone was paying some attention. It even got a comment so I realised my tight image was well established. I then kept it pretty tight but through in the occasional loose raise in late position and maintained my stack. When two new players moved to the table one made a raise and I reraised in position with KK . I called and a flop 0f 99Q and faced a raise which I flat called. The river brought a third 9 and he shoved. I decided AA was not something I could be scared of. A fourth nine was pretty unlikely so I put him on a Queen or a bluff and called and he showed the Queen and doubled me up.
I take down another small pot with a delayed c-bet from Jacks OOP on a dry flop. With a larger stack I got involved a little bit more putting a medium-shortish stack semi-loose button raiser to a decision for all his chips with AJ and getting a quick fold. I then made my first mistake raising from the button with Ace rage thinking it was blind on blind but having missed a call from UTG. A Qxx flop and I fire out with a near pot sized bet and get called. I check the turn and he shoves and I lose my first pot.
The field begins to thin and I survive the first two breaks and have a slightly peeved Moll now done with Xmas shopping on my hands.
My stack begins to dwindle and I reach Allin or fold territory. I decide to make my move early to make a call less likely and pick my spots carefully and don't get any callers and keep around the 25-35K mark. I come up against a button raise and reraise to 12,000 against a stack around 20K. He shoves and my pocket tens hold up against his fives taking my up to safe territory. I probably miss a few chances to steal blinds at this stage and play a little too conservatively and my stack begins to dwindle. I reach allin or fold territory and down to two tables get a long hard think from the BB after an UTH with AKs. She decides to lay it down and I avoid a probable race although it may have been AQ.
I squeak through to the final table of 10 with just the top 6 paying. With hefty blinds and a very short stack I raise allin with AK twice and take down the blinds. AA from early position again doesn't get any callers despiting offering the big blind almost 2-1 odds.
I have 40,000 left with blinds at 5,000/10,000 and we are down to the last 7. It is folded to me in the small blind and I look down at a distinctly poor T7o. Noone else is going to be forced to make their move this round so I have to decide if I steal 15,000 now or wait for a hand. I plump for the shove and the Big Blind calls with QJs. He rightly puts me on a pretty wide range and I realise he must see me as playing fairly loose having witnessed a shove a round from me.
Neither of us get any help so I leave as bubble boy and leave the rest to decide who gets the £2K+ prize-money and head out for a night in Airdrie.
Next poker session should be my brother's house where I take on him and his pal in some short handed home game action and no doubt some online action too.
I did abandon the Moll on Sunday Christmas shopping in Glasgow for a 'quick' NL tourney in the same Casino I played at last time. 70 players sticking in £230 quid each. Starting stacks of 15,000 and blinds kicking off at 25/50. I folded all my hands for the first 40 minutes. When I raised in early position with QQ it was folded round to me quickly and I realised that everyone was paying some attention. It even got a comment so I realised my tight image was well established. I then kept it pretty tight but through in the occasional loose raise in late position and maintained my stack. When two new players moved to the table one made a raise and I reraised in position with KK . I called and a flop 0f 99Q and faced a raise which I flat called. The river brought a third 9 and he shoved. I decided AA was not something I could be scared of. A fourth nine was pretty unlikely so I put him on a Queen or a bluff and called and he showed the Queen and doubled me up.
I take down another small pot with a delayed c-bet from Jacks OOP on a dry flop. With a larger stack I got involved a little bit more putting a medium-shortish stack semi-loose button raiser to a decision for all his chips with AJ and getting a quick fold. I then made my first mistake raising from the button with Ace rage thinking it was blind on blind but having missed a call from UTG. A Qxx flop and I fire out with a near pot sized bet and get called. I check the turn and he shoves and I lose my first pot.
The field begins to thin and I survive the first two breaks and have a slightly peeved Moll now done with Xmas shopping on my hands.
My stack begins to dwindle and I reach Allin or fold territory. I decide to make my move early to make a call less likely and pick my spots carefully and don't get any callers and keep around the 25-35K mark. I come up against a button raise and reraise to 12,000 against a stack around 20K. He shoves and my pocket tens hold up against his fives taking my up to safe territory. I probably miss a few chances to steal blinds at this stage and play a little too conservatively and my stack begins to dwindle. I reach allin or fold territory and down to two tables get a long hard think from the BB after an UTH with AKs. She decides to lay it down and I avoid a probable race although it may have been AQ.
I squeak through to the final table of 10 with just the top 6 paying. With hefty blinds and a very short stack I raise allin with AK twice and take down the blinds. AA from early position again doesn't get any callers despiting offering the big blind almost 2-1 odds.
I have 40,000 left with blinds at 5,000/10,000 and we are down to the last 7. It is folded to me in the small blind and I look down at a distinctly poor T7o. Noone else is going to be forced to make their move this round so I have to decide if I steal 15,000 now or wait for a hand. I plump for the shove and the Big Blind calls with QJs. He rightly puts me on a pretty wide range and I realise he must see me as playing fairly loose having witnessed a shove a round from me.
Neither of us get any help so I leave as bubble boy and leave the rest to decide who gets the £2K+ prize-money and head out for a night in Airdrie.
Next poker session should be my brother's house where I take on him and his pal in some short handed home game action and no doubt some online action too.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Live from Phillberto's roof
Apologies as I managed to delete the final tallies of the night from my Blackberry. So I'll post my best guesses and please correct them before I add to the running totals.
Phillberto +$880
Rick +$500
Sham -$400
Rummy Coakes -$5xx
Bigshot -$400
My recollection of the hands have also dimmed with the passing of time so I'll recap the ones that spring to mind and edit in any other hands of note as I'm reminded.
The first mention has to go to Bigshot for a very brave calldown. Rummy Coakes fired on 3 streets. Bigshot called down on the river and Rummy had to show a bluff with nothing. The big surprise came when Bigshot showed AQ for Ace high having missed all his own draws.
The final hand of the night was also a big one with Phillberto making a pre-flop raise. Bigshot put in a re-raise and Phillberto called. Flop 96x. Phillberto raised Bigshots c-bet to $150 and Bigshot pushed for around $400. Phillberto called and his trip sixes held against Bigshot's pocket Jacks.
I returned from a swift break to see the final street of an interesting hand between Rummy Coakes and Bigshot on a T9xx board with a possible flush on the board. All the money went in but with both showing T9 the pot was split.
I recall Moocher having been involved in a series of big hands but will need to have my memory refreshed on that front as the only only one I can remember is Sham running into Moocher on a paired board with a King kicker with Moocher taking down a nice juicy pot - can't quite recall if he had the Ace kicker or trips in that one.
So looking like this could well be the final live Lamma session for me in 2009. I'll do the final tally later though just in case there are any games in my absence or we sneak one in somehow before I leave on Tuesday morning.
Phillberto +$880
Rick +$500
Sham -$400
Rummy Coakes -$5xx
Bigshot -$400
My recollection of the hands have also dimmed with the passing of time so I'll recap the ones that spring to mind and edit in any other hands of note as I'm reminded.
The first mention has to go to Bigshot for a very brave calldown. Rummy Coakes fired on 3 streets. Bigshot called down on the river and Rummy had to show a bluff with nothing. The big surprise came when Bigshot showed AQ for Ace high having missed all his own draws.
The final hand of the night was also a big one with Phillberto making a pre-flop raise. Bigshot put in a re-raise and Phillberto called. Flop 96x. Phillberto raised Bigshots c-bet to $150 and Bigshot pushed for around $400. Phillberto called and his trip sixes held against Bigshot's pocket Jacks.
I returned from a swift break to see the final street of an interesting hand between Rummy Coakes and Bigshot on a T9xx board with a possible flush on the board. All the money went in but with both showing T9 the pot was split.
I recall Moocher having been involved in a series of big hands but will need to have my memory refreshed on that front as the only only one I can remember is Sham running into Moocher on a paired board with a King kicker with Moocher taking down a nice juicy pot - can't quite recall if he had the Ace kicker or trips in that one.
So looking like this could well be the final live Lamma session for me in 2009. I'll do the final tally later though just in case there are any games in my absence or we sneak one in somehow before I leave on Tuesday morning.
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Gang Aft Agley
So it was come the first day of my holiday I arose early to begin my attempt at earning a shilling on the virtual felt. Four tabling 25NL I decided was a sensible way to go to increase my chances of scoring a winning start given the proximity of my 50NL to breaking even.
It all started so well with me racking up a $40 win before breaking for breakfast. Some 5 hours later I shoved with AKs on a suited flop and was called by QJs and he spiked a Queen and I called it quits. Having turned into a mix of calling station and badly timed bluffs I had thrown away something in the region of 7 buy-ins and wasted an entire day. Having a high water mark of something like $480 in Poker Stars I had dropped down to $140. I tried again the next day and had to give up when my roll wouldn't allow me to play 4 tables of 25NL as I reached the bottom at $70.
Since then I decided to just play some recreational poker when I had the time and decided to enjoy my hols. With the occasional 4 (sometimes 5 and 6) tabling at 10NL I've scrabbled my roll up to $190. I've just about earned enough FPPs to allow me to buy a second fifty quid Amazon voucher for Crimbo.
So there we have it great plans up in smoke. Still I'm on my holly bags. I'm eating into my losses.
Down but not out.
It all started so well with me racking up a $40 win before breaking for breakfast. Some 5 hours later I shoved with AKs on a suited flop and was called by QJs and he spiked a Queen and I called it quits. Having turned into a mix of calling station and badly timed bluffs I had thrown away something in the region of 7 buy-ins and wasted an entire day. Having a high water mark of something like $480 in Poker Stars I had dropped down to $140. I tried again the next day and had to give up when my roll wouldn't allow me to play 4 tables of 25NL as I reached the bottom at $70.
Since then I decided to just play some recreational poker when I had the time and decided to enjoy my hols. With the occasional 4 (sometimes 5 and 6) tabling at 10NL I've scrabbled my roll up to $190. I've just about earned enough FPPs to allow me to buy a second fifty quid Amazon voucher for Crimbo.
So there we have it great plans up in smoke. Still I'm on my holly bags. I'm eating into my losses.
Down but not out.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Oops
Came home with a few beers inside me and decided to have a loose aggressive experiment at 25NL. It started well with me pulling off an allin bluff on a scare card. I then floated someone and took it away. Then my luck turned. I flopped a straight with 89 from the cutoff and got it allin on the flop against topset and he filled up. Shoved on a scare-card Ace against someone with pocket Aces. I Shoved with AKs against an over-raiser thinking they had a medium pair and might fold and they called with JJ. Lost close to a $100 in less than half an hour. Ah well - lets just see at as a poker stag night. My last night (I doubt it) of wild extravagant poker before I settle down to a dreary grind.
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