Joined Smartpokervideos the other day. I thought it was time to see how others were playing. The advertised a bunch of coachs and content and I happened to be there so I dropped a couple bucks to get credits. You use the credits to buy the video's that you want to see. Its a good idea as anyone (assuming you win I guess) can record the video, narrate. post and sell them.
My enthusiasm soon died however when I discovered that there were only a handful of coaches and the site owner had posted virtually all the content. He seems a decent guy, He gave me 25 extra credits and also gave me the option of my $ back if I wanted. I chose to try it out. In hind sight is was a bad decision. I have only seen 3 video's and it is decent stuff however there is only so much you can learn from one guy. I was looking for some variety.
Again, good concept, decent guy, decent player, decent site, I just think he needs variety. If any of you ballers want to make some money and think you can talk your way through a game, look him up.
Again, I have only seen 3 video's so far but there is already a theme that bugs me a bit. In the video's I have seen so far they run like god. I have had weeks where I didn't catch cards like these guys. LMAO. I'm pretty sure I would do the same thing too. Why post a losing vid, lol.
There is just no making me happy :(
If there is one tip or move that I have maybe picked up from what I have seen so far is the basic "represent a monster" move. Both of the "Coaches" I have seen 3 and 4 bet more than perhaps I would consider. After the flop anyway. I have heard that is Joe Hashem's thing too. he always seems to have a big hand .....
My cash game results have been turning around. I spent a lot of time dissecting my Pokertracker and found a few hands and a few positions I haven't been playing well. I'd like to say I found a big hole but the truth is I know most of them, I just can't fix em. One hole is passing up position too much. Even in Rush Poker I have been stealing blinds like an animal and it is really helping the bottom line. I have also been trying to not lose that big hand that kills a session. I have to learn to look for better spots.
A normal cash session for me is only 500-1000 hands 1 or 2 tabling. Since I bought PT I have put in just over 10k hands. It may be more as I'm not 100% sure all my limits are being picked up. I noticed last night I left out micro stacks. I don't drop there often but when I do it is normally profitable so I'd like to get it included. So at 10,300 I think it was I went back into the profitable zone. Feels good to be up. Even if only for a few $. Adding rackback and cleared bonus's I have a decent cash game ROI. Now if only I could figure out how to get that data into my chart.
I'd love for someone to look at my stats and to read my soul for me. Any offers?
Tonight I have a chance to play a live MTT for the first time since May. Still unsure if I'll go.
Anywho....later skaters...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Buried a Turkey on the weekend !
A "pit creature" was buried, cooked and eaten...it was awesome. Fed about 10 hungry guys Saturday night. It was my first try but I have see it done before. I'll explain more another time...
We also played poker Friday and Saturday nights. It was a lot of fun. I won a few lost a few.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Its been a while ...
But there there really hasn't been much to write about that would be unique.
I'm playing a normal amount online with normal results. Little up, little down.....I just seem to be treading water all the time. No one wants to heard bad beat stories and they seem to be the best ones.
I came close to taking down one of the $10mtt 9pm doubledoubles on FT last weekend. I finished 11th out of 1100ish. My bust out hand was for 480k and 3rd in chips at that point. The hand was interesting and went something like this.
We are 2 tables, 5 on one and 6 on mine, everyone is pretty aggro trying to chip up for the final table. Average stack is about 300k and I have 250k which is still 25BB's. The leader only had 650k so everyone is pretty close. I'm dealt JJ, second to act and I raise to 27k (5000/10000 blinds plus ante). Everyone folds to the BB who calls. Flop comes 2 10 6 with 2 diamonds. BB checks to me and after a short deliberation I Cbet to 47k, about 2/3 of the pot. I'm more than happy to take this down now and expected to given the rag flop. My opponent goes into the tank and check raises me allin. To be more specific he over bet himself allin for emphasis he has me covered.
The first half of the time he is thinking I'm quite happy as I take this as being weak and the fold is coming. The second half of the time I'm concerned as it seems he may be trying to look weak with a monster. Then BAM comes the Allin. I didn't want to see that.
So what are the hands that I put him on and what do I do? I really took my time trying to figure this one out.
22,66,1010 are hands that he would call a PFR with. I might even expect a PFRR with the 1010.
QQ,KK,AA would be nasty and my JJ's are crushed but I'm certain that he would RRPF or even jam me allin PF with those hands.
In hindsight I spent way to much time considering these hands before I thought about what he would have done PF with those holdings. The 22,66 became my biggest concern.
A flush draw, with or without a pair was not a concern, I'll take those odds at this point in the game.
A10, K10, Q10 where certainly in his range PF, especially give the discount of being in the BB.
AK,AQ,AJ,Ax, or any other decent 2 cards which missed the flop are also possible.
Sooooooo.......my determination was that he had a piece of the flop but nothing more. He could beat a draw and that was it. My J's were good. Specifically I put him on TPTK (A10) as his best hand.
I have to admit it took me far to long to figure this out but considering the situation I'm glad I did. Everything seems easy after the fact and you have had time to think and discuss. When a final table seat is on the line it is a bit harder.
Okay.....so I call......I'm Allin......approx 480k pot and a jump from 11th to 3rd with 11 left is on the line. I can't wait to see what he has..........drum roll please....
77....he check raised me allin with 77.... Nothing wrong with that play and I was very very pleased with my read.
But then as I watched his 2 outer hit the river (another 7) my smile is quickly erased and any consolation that could be had from the good read is wiped away in a heartbeat.
I was so close to a FT and a decent payday it was sick.
Last week I also made decent runs in the 5050 and the 35k guar only to meet my fate unjustly. AA specifically is killing me. I'm either walking into them or I'm getting snapped off.
How about AA on a AQ2 flop losing to KJo. How does anyone even put themselves in position to be 4 bet 75%AI PF and then AI on this flop with KJo ? I don't get it at all. No respect around here.
Oh well. Eventually the big score will come my way.
There won't be much playing for a while as I'm doing the cottage thing on the weekend and I 'll have company for a couple weeks after that. I'm going to try to bury my first pit creature on Saturday. A nice big turkey !!! if it turns out I'll try to post a couple pictures.
In other news my under 13 boys soccer team has made it to the semifinals this year. Its the first time one of the kids teams I have coached has had this good of a decent season.
Summer hockey season is wrapping up. We finished 7th of 8 teams. About normal.
later skaters...
I'm playing a normal amount online with normal results. Little up, little down.....I just seem to be treading water all the time. No one wants to heard bad beat stories and they seem to be the best ones.
I came close to taking down one of the $10mtt 9pm doubledoubles on FT last weekend. I finished 11th out of 1100ish. My bust out hand was for 480k and 3rd in chips at that point. The hand was interesting and went something like this.
We are 2 tables, 5 on one and 6 on mine, everyone is pretty aggro trying to chip up for the final table. Average stack is about 300k and I have 250k which is still 25BB's. The leader only had 650k so everyone is pretty close. I'm dealt JJ, second to act and I raise to 27k (5000/10000 blinds plus ante). Everyone folds to the BB who calls. Flop comes 2 10 6 with 2 diamonds. BB checks to me and after a short deliberation I Cbet to 47k, about 2/3 of the pot. I'm more than happy to take this down now and expected to given the rag flop. My opponent goes into the tank and check raises me allin. To be more specific he over bet himself allin for emphasis he has me covered.
The first half of the time he is thinking I'm quite happy as I take this as being weak and the fold is coming. The second half of the time I'm concerned as it seems he may be trying to look weak with a monster. Then BAM comes the Allin. I didn't want to see that.
So what are the hands that I put him on and what do I do? I really took my time trying to figure this one out.
22,66,1010 are hands that he would call a PFR with. I might even expect a PFRR with the 1010.
QQ,KK,AA would be nasty and my JJ's are crushed but I'm certain that he would RRPF or even jam me allin PF with those hands.
In hindsight I spent way to much time considering these hands before I thought about what he would have done PF with those holdings. The 22,66 became my biggest concern.
A flush draw, with or without a pair was not a concern, I'll take those odds at this point in the game.
A10, K10, Q10 where certainly in his range PF, especially give the discount of being in the BB.
AK,AQ,AJ,Ax, or any other decent 2 cards which missed the flop are also possible.
Sooooooo.......my determination was that he had a piece of the flop but nothing more. He could beat a draw and that was it. My J's were good. Specifically I put him on TPTK (A10) as his best hand.
I have to admit it took me far to long to figure this out but considering the situation I'm glad I did. Everything seems easy after the fact and you have had time to think and discuss. When a final table seat is on the line it is a bit harder.
Okay.....so I call......I'm Allin......approx 480k pot and a jump from 11th to 3rd with 11 left is on the line. I can't wait to see what he has..........drum roll please....
77....he check raised me allin with 77.... Nothing wrong with that play and I was very very pleased with my read.
But then as I watched his 2 outer hit the river (another 7) my smile is quickly erased and any consolation that could be had from the good read is wiped away in a heartbeat.
I was so close to a FT and a decent payday it was sick.
Last week I also made decent runs in the 5050 and the 35k guar only to meet my fate unjustly. AA specifically is killing me. I'm either walking into them or I'm getting snapped off.
How about AA on a AQ2 flop losing to KJo. How does anyone even put themselves in position to be 4 bet 75%AI PF and then AI on this flop with KJo ? I don't get it at all. No respect around here.
Oh well. Eventually the big score will come my way.
There won't be much playing for a while as I'm doing the cottage thing on the weekend and I 'll have company for a couple weeks after that. I'm going to try to bury my first pit creature on Saturday. A nice big turkey !!! if it turns out I'll try to post a couple pictures.
In other news my under 13 boys soccer team has made it to the semifinals this year. Its the first time one of the kids teams I have coached has had this good of a decent season.
Summer hockey season is wrapping up. We finished 7th of 8 teams. About normal.
later skaters...
Monday, June 14, 2010
Qualified for PartyPoker online regional
I'm still not showing up as being preregistered but I'm sure it will eventually. As the actual game isn't until Oct 23/10 there is a lot of time to figure it out. Finished 2nd out of 75 I think. I had my shot to win but his kicker hit runner runner straight. It happens. GG.
Anyone have an opinion on someone calling the clock on you when he isn't in the hand. This a live tourny. I know a couple guys who run the clock on purpose but this wasn't like that. It was a tough decision, blinds where still low. Just wondering.
Anyone have an opinion on someone calling the clock on you when he isn't in the hand. This a live tourny. I know a couple guys who run the clock on purpose but this wasn't like that. It was a tough decision, blinds where still low. Just wondering.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
My first Live Royal flush !
I was only holding the Js when the flop dropped AK10s. The Qs on the turn. I think it was the turn. I checked the flop and turn then picked up a small value bet on the river. The 4 flush killed my action.
I have had 2 or 3 RF's online, 2 for sure, the number of hands....hmmmm
7 years x avg 340 days/yr x 500hands/day = 1.2million ballpark.
Live hands....maybe 5,000....
My playing partners gave me serious ups for my demeanor while holding the RF. They are convinced now that if I ever get excited I'm bluffing...lol.
Still only finished 3rd in a Sat that paid out 2 places..........blah.
My bad beat of the day...........
5 handed, 1500/3k blinds.
I raise 9000 from 2nd position putting the BB AI with JJ.
SB calls with J10 unsuited.
Flop comes A,10,rag
I C bet to see where I am in the hand. An A RR's me 100% of the time. She calls.
Turn brings the 2 outer......another 10....say no more. Unreal.
I have had 2 or 3 RF's online, 2 for sure, the number of hands....hmmmm
7 years x avg 340 days/yr x 500hands/day = 1.2million ballpark.
Live hands....maybe 5,000....
My playing partners gave me serious ups for my demeanor while holding the RF. They are convinced now that if I ever get excited I'm bluffing...lol.
Still only finished 3rd in a Sat that paid out 2 places..........blah.
My bad beat of the day...........
5 handed, 1500/3k blinds.
I raise 9000 from 2nd position putting the BB AI with JJ.
SB calls with J10 unsuited.
Flop comes A,10,rag
I C bet to see where I am in the hand. An A RR's me 100% of the time. She calls.
Turn brings the 2 outer......another 10....say no more. Unreal.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
History repeats itself
I need a checklist of things to remember while playing poker. Seriously, every few weeks I'll make a mistake and kick myself in the ass right away.
One of the biggest adjustments I had to make when I started playing in live tournaments was dealing with the different personalities, styles and skill levels. Online you don't have to deal with as many odd situations and in particular the field is relatively skilled and predictable. Live is a different beast all together. There always seems to be a couple of regulars around who really don't understand the game very well. They are nice enough people and on occasion their style is quite effective. Without knowing it they play a very effective and unpredictable LAG style. Okay ... they are calling stations....as raising really isn't in their repertoire. They will not throw a hand away.
So a lesson I was reminded of last night is simply that some players can not be bluffed! The set up could be perfect, the right sized bet, no pot odds, everything....then BINK......"I call". WTF?
It seems that this "style" of player is not picking up any information at all from the game being played and in their mind the worst possible thing they can do is to give up on a hand.
The second I did it I thought back to the first couple weeks I played live. I was crippled a couple times by the same situation. Then it took about 20 tournaments for me to forget again.
My final push last night was with 3c4c, not a great hand, I wouldn't even call it a semi bluff. I was called by the BB who tabled 74, I can't remember if they were suited or not. But seriously, half your stack with 74? Even if I'm bluffing what can you beat? Besides me, lol.
I'll certainly keep an eye out for these situations......but I will forget again.
I have a ton of "reminders" I think I'll make a list .....
C
One of the biggest adjustments I had to make when I started playing in live tournaments was dealing with the different personalities, styles and skill levels. Online you don't have to deal with as many odd situations and in particular the field is relatively skilled and predictable. Live is a different beast all together. There always seems to be a couple of regulars around who really don't understand the game very well. They are nice enough people and on occasion their style is quite effective. Without knowing it they play a very effective and unpredictable LAG style. Okay ... they are calling stations....as raising really isn't in their repertoire. They will not throw a hand away.
So a lesson I was reminded of last night is simply that some players can not be bluffed! The set up could be perfect, the right sized bet, no pot odds, everything....then BINK......"I call". WTF?
It seems that this "style" of player is not picking up any information at all from the game being played and in their mind the worst possible thing they can do is to give up on a hand.
The second I did it I thought back to the first couple weeks I played live. I was crippled a couple times by the same situation. Then it took about 20 tournaments for me to forget again.
My final push last night was with 3c4c, not a great hand, I wouldn't even call it a semi bluff. I was called by the BB who tabled 74, I can't remember if they were suited or not. But seriously, half your stack with 74? Even if I'm bluffing what can you beat? Besides me, lol.
I'll certainly keep an eye out for these situations......but I will forget again.
I have a ton of "reminders" I think I'll make a list .....
C
Monday, May 31, 2010
It has been a while......
As I mentioned in my last post I was sure that getting and using Software/HUD would help my game so I bought Pokertracker. I only wish I had the time to figure it all out. Other than going through some reports and trying the HUD I wouldn't say it has helped me a lot. I find the whole thing to be sooo time consuming and difficult. I'm using too many different computers and the program seems to have a few glitches. I need a tutorial or something to help me set up my HUD and how to interpret what I am seeing. I haven't been able to get all my stored hand histories into PT yet so what I have collected to date isn't the greatest sample size.
Maybe it is helping, I'm not sure but my results have been good the last few months. The last couple weeks in particular.
Since this was intended to be a blog to inspire me and to track my progress on the way to steady profitability I better get back on track....
As a brief recap, I have been playing poker almost every day for about 6 years and I think my game is pretty sound. I have had some good results but overall I'm at best a break-even player. Considering the brutal rake and the odd moment when I donk off a months worth of progress in one hour I don't feel to bad about the B/E thing.
So my plan is to figure out what I can do to get over the hump. I have far to much time invested in this hobby to not make money at it or to quit.
During 2010 I have made these changes;
I started playing Live more. I joined the ONPTL and I have played about 25 live tournaments. I have been doing well (http://www.onptl.com) although now that summer is here I can't play as much and I have fallen out of the top spot at my venue. This has helped my game a bit. Certainly at live events and in live cash games. I'm not nearly as nervous as I used to be. Having tested and proven myself against good players live has certainly not hurt my confidence.
I have been playing live $1/2 when I travel. I have played in Halifax, Vancouver and Calgary in 2010 and have held my own. Again I think this has to help me grow overall as a player. As I also play at LacLeamy in Hull I think I have had a good taste of the skill levels in each region.
As I mentioned I bought PT but I am just at the edge of using it effectively. I have also poked around on Holdem Manager. I know these products will help my game. I'm a bit concerned about wasting too much time setting up PT right now until I get to see more about HM. I certainly have become more aware of my VPIP/PR/Aggre as compared to others I am playing with. Keeping in mind my sample sizes are not great.
I have been playing about 500 hands a day of .25/.50 Rush Poker on Fulltilt.
I have been playing .25/.50 on Partypoker. A site I rejoined purely because of the ONPTL.
I have cut my time on Pokerstars by about 80%. I love the game selection there but I'm doing pretty good on the other two sites right now and to be honest Pokerstars is a pretty tough site to make money on.
I'm obviously playing fewer MTT's and more cash now.
One of my biggest leaks was to join an MTT but not actually be able to finish it. Playing more cash games is saving me a lot of buy ins as I quit when I want now.
I have stopped jumping around within different cash game buy ins. Depending on my mood I would play anything from $.01/.02 to $2/4. I seem to have found my comfort level at .25/.50. I can make decent $ at it and I'm not freaked out by the buyin. So one of my new initiatives is going to be to continue playing at this level for awhile. I have started compiling notes and should soon have good information on the majority of my opponents.
I'm also hooked up through MystPoker and Jackseven to get some rackback from Fulltilt. I have only had 2 small deposits so far but $ is $ and every bit counts.
Finally I have a couple bonus's I'm working on clearing. I'm at 90% cleared for $50 now on one. Again, every penny counts.
I hope to be back soon with some stats, self analysis, leaks, and progress to date.
If anyone has some good info on HUD setup's etc, please drop me a note.
Maybe it is helping, I'm not sure but my results have been good the last few months. The last couple weeks in particular.
Since this was intended to be a blog to inspire me and to track my progress on the way to steady profitability I better get back on track....
As a brief recap, I have been playing poker almost every day for about 6 years and I think my game is pretty sound. I have had some good results but overall I'm at best a break-even player. Considering the brutal rake and the odd moment when I donk off a months worth of progress in one hour I don't feel to bad about the B/E thing.
So my plan is to figure out what I can do to get over the hump. I have far to much time invested in this hobby to not make money at it or to quit.
During 2010 I have made these changes;
I started playing Live more. I joined the ONPTL and I have played about 25 live tournaments. I have been doing well (http://www.onptl.com) although now that summer is here I can't play as much and I have fallen out of the top spot at my venue. This has helped my game a bit. Certainly at live events and in live cash games. I'm not nearly as nervous as I used to be. Having tested and proven myself against good players live has certainly not hurt my confidence.
I have been playing live $1/2 when I travel. I have played in Halifax, Vancouver and Calgary in 2010 and have held my own. Again I think this has to help me grow overall as a player. As I also play at LacLeamy in Hull I think I have had a good taste of the skill levels in each region.
As I mentioned I bought PT but I am just at the edge of using it effectively. I have also poked around on Holdem Manager. I know these products will help my game. I'm a bit concerned about wasting too much time setting up PT right now until I get to see more about HM. I certainly have become more aware of my VPIP/PR/Aggre as compared to others I am playing with. Keeping in mind my sample sizes are not great.
I have been playing about 500 hands a day of .25/.50 Rush Poker on Fulltilt.
I have been playing .25/.50 on Partypoker. A site I rejoined purely because of the ONPTL.
I have cut my time on Pokerstars by about 80%. I love the game selection there but I'm doing pretty good on the other two sites right now and to be honest Pokerstars is a pretty tough site to make money on.
I'm obviously playing fewer MTT's and more cash now.
One of my biggest leaks was to join an MTT but not actually be able to finish it. Playing more cash games is saving me a lot of buy ins as I quit when I want now.
I have stopped jumping around within different cash game buy ins. Depending on my mood I would play anything from $.01/.02 to $2/4. I seem to have found my comfort level at .25/.50. I can make decent $ at it and I'm not freaked out by the buyin. So one of my new initiatives is going to be to continue playing at this level for awhile. I have started compiling notes and should soon have good information on the majority of my opponents.
I'm also hooked up through MystPoker and Jackseven to get some rackback from Fulltilt. I have only had 2 small deposits so far but $ is $ and every bit counts.
Finally I have a couple bonus's I'm working on clearing. I'm at 90% cleared for $50 now on one. Again, every penny counts.
I hope to be back soon with some stats, self analysis, leaks, and progress to date.
If anyone has some good info on HUD setup's etc, please drop me a note.
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