Thursday, June 29, 2006

It's a Boy!

Although technically I am already an uncle since my brother-in law and his wife have a little one, it does not feel the same as my sister being pregnant. Well, she had her ultrasound yesterday and it's a boy.

I can spoil the heck out of a boy, that's for darn sure. Can't wait for him to arrive!

My sis and her hubby are coming out tho visit this weekend, so probably not much poker to speak of. But hey, family will be awesome. My sister was my closest friend for a lot of years, and I miss her now that she's out in California.

Of course, the fact that my dad finally filed for divorce (pro se) last week without telling anybody including his wife added some drama to the mix. Suddenly we're one of those families with drama. What the heck is that about?

Oh well. I may try to sneak out for a tourney some time Monday or Tuesday, since I have two days off from the office. However, I will only do that if my girl and I get some quality time this weekend. She deserves the time!

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Well, crap.

My trials got put on hold indefinitely, so apparently I don't get to go to the Philly area for the next few weeks.

I was excited to get back into trial, and now I have to wait until at least September. Oh well. I also don't get to check out the Borgata poker room opening, but I'm sure I will get there eventually.....

What happened to the fun?

I hesitated posting this, because I'd like to think I am a nice guy who does not stir the pot. However, this is supposed to be my "online diary," right? Well then, no intent to offend, but here's an issue I have been having lately.

I occasionally play in two private tournaments hosted by a member of one of the sites I post on regularly. It is my understanding that he put them together so that people from the site could test their skills against each other and have some good camaraderie. One was open to anyone who could find the password, the other had been more exclusive until recently. As they only cost $10, they are not high stakes and should not be a bankroll issue for anyone who plays in them, so everyone could focus on having fun together and playing good poker against good players. There were even leaderboards and other fun ways to measure ourselves against each other and for "bragging rights" at live events.

Unfortunately, the games have become more and more unpleasant, as certain elements have decided to play contrary to what I believe were the orginal goals.

One player admits he acts in a certain fashion in order to get a rise out of other players and to tilt them so he can capitalize on that. Others taunt, and not in our typical sarcastic fun fashion. Some players are easily tiltable and go insane when anyone dares disagree or say anything in jest or otherwise that might be interpreted as an "attack." All in all the experience has become increasingly unpleasant.

I actually watched a player call his table assholes last night because of something someone else posted hours earlier on a completely unrelated topic. Where's the fun in that?

I understand that some of this is just the vagaries of online play, but I've played with the folks who come to our live events and the vast majority aren't like this. In fact, some of the people who are acting in this fashion aren't really like this. Perhaps it is the act of placing fingers to keyboard that makes people forget decorum, but it's not fun anymore. There is not point in blocking half of the players' chat in order to tolerate a game -- I'll just post and IM with my friends and play in a satellite or something.

So, anyway, still love the sites, hate the private games. Good luck to all those who still play them, and I do hope they improve in character and tone. Maybe some day I can play them again, because I do enjoy playing with my friends.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Sweet Fancy Moses That Was Fun

For once had a great night at a cash game and I feel like my game was as focused as it's ever been.

The game in question is NLHE and PLO, 50BB buyin (can double each time you bust). The key to a good play session if Omaha is being chosen a lot is either doubling up or busting so you can buy in double, because not enough behind to play with those blinds.

As per usual, ran through my first hundred quickly, missed a bunch of flops. Got my second buy-in up, but lost one big pot and had to drop a big Omaha draw on the turn. Seeing few good hands, and my cheap in position hands are missing.

Then at around midnight or so begins the kind of rush you dream about.

Hand that starts the late night rally -- AK10x double suited with diamonds, I call in LP a small raise from MP. Flop K83 two diamonds, we get it all in and he shows me bottom set. River diamond gets me back up to about 2 buy-ins.

Then I win a big pot against the drunk guy to my right who was spewing chips. I can't remember the hand too well but I think I had him the whole way and he kept calling.

Next hand AA109 single suited spades, smooth call preflop raise in SB to disguise my hand and because I don't like to overplay aces. Straddle is the ultra loose game runner and he calls as well. Flop 934, two spades, bet out, call fold. Turn 10, bet, call. River 7 of spades, smooth call (he says "I'll pay you off"), he turned the same two pair and hit the 10 high flush. That put me at about eight buy-ins.

Last notable hand -- QQ in SB, raise 6x (standard), BB smooth calls, limpers fold. Flop KQ4 rainbow. I check, BB bets half pot, I think he has a good King so I checkraise 3x, he smooth calls again. Turn offsuit 6, I bet half pot, he smooth calls again, I see no indication that I could possibly be behind. River 4, I bet the rest of my "working stack" as I was racking up to leave, he smooth calls again, he has AK and probably loses the minimum considering the way the hand played out. I finish at a bit over 11 buy-ins for the night, after being stuck two buy-ins.

Most importantly than the big score, however, I played tightly enough that I actually had a great table image, but my raises got respect (but not too much from the drunkies and because I did show down some "weak" hands when I could get to the river cheap), I tended to know exactly where I was, and I got out of the way unless I had a good hand in position, a great hand out of position, or could play cheap.

This is what all the work has been about, and I am pleased with my performance. I passed the test.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Boring

Sorry, stuff has been boring. Ramping up for three trials in Delaware and I have not been feeling well -- means I am reading a lot and struggling to keep focused. My sleep apnea equipment finally arrives tomorrow so at least I can start getting some good sleep.

My condolences to fellow Pittsburgh blogger Mean Gene on his recent troubles. Keep your chin up, sir.

I will probably play in a crazy local cash game tomorrow night. I am trying to get excited for it, but I have gone a long time between winning sessions at this game. They play NL and PLO, though, so it's like crack. I think I am a better player than the last time I was there, so here's hoping I remember my rules.

1. Play tighter when they're loose.
2. Tight does not mean folding when you have a hand that can cripple if it nails the flop and can see said flop for cheap.
3. Play tighter when they're loose.
4. Think before you bet, try to keep pots small unless you are pricing out a draw.
5. Play tighter when they're loose.
6. It's OK to fold. If you're getting bored, play with your Hulk toy or make conversation. Hell, that's why you bought the damn IPod.
7. Play tighter when they're loose.
8. AJ and AQ are crap.

I don't think I missed anything. ;)

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Now That's a Shame

Call me crazy, but I had the notion that a blogger tournament would include good poker play.

Boy that was wrong. I suppose my new saying should be "those who can't do, blog," because the play in the Blogger championship was atrocious. Unfortunately I was fully unable to capitalize, because I only got a few playable hands in the first hour and a half. I was able to work my good hands a bit and doubled up through grinding and some steals with decent Aces. That put me about middle of the pack with 800 left.

It was a shame that I could not get anything going in the 215 early either. The good part of the sat system is I can play for cheap. The bad part is that others can play for cheap and play very, very crazy the first few levels. I had to make some laydown early and was at 1200 an hour in. Had to start pushing. So A2 v. 77 v. AK. Shocking, I lose -- too short to follow my "don't push with Ace rag" rule, and of course I run into a pair and a better Ace.

Back to the blogger tourney -- I sucked out twice in a row and got myself to $16k with 350 left. So sorry ToddCommish and obsoleet, I felt pot committed in both ;). Nice to meet a reader, though!

This hour saw me grind away and get up to $25K with one double up -- middle ace against underpair. Lost some, then got back up when my K7 in the big blind got bluffed all-in on the flop. He had a gutshot and I had top pair and I survived. Treaded water until the break.

And then I lost on the second hand after the break when some moron calls my push with Q10o and catches. People are idiots. Out 100 something of 2200, so I guess yay me.

OK, sorry about the can't do, blog thing. I know quite a few bloggers, especially the ones in the weekly tourneys, are good players, but boy several of the folks that made the tourney sucked. Maybe it is because several admitted to starting a blog just to try this tourney. However, in fact it seemed like people were willing to go to war with bad hands, middle pair, and any draw. I hope it was the effect of the freeness, because otherwise it's ridiculous.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Actually, I was Going to Post it as a Bad Beat but it's Really Rather Creepy

Decide to play a bit of live tonight. Off I went down the hill to the local tournament (literally there is a tournament every Saturday half a mile down the hill from my house).

Played pretty well considering my cards. Got AK once, threes once, tens once, and that was it for about the first hour and a half. Finally I am forced to push in LP when short with A8, and the guy with A2h who calls anything calls out of the BB. My hand is good and I am up to 14k with blinds of 400/800.

I get A9, two callers. Flop A 9 4, two spades. Button donkey call my flop pot be. Turn 4, I bet pot again, he calls. River 2s. I decide he caught and check. He pushes, I fold after tanking, he shows a 9 so he probably bluffed. That's life, but I am down to 8k.

I get short again, and end up pushing a ragged flop with middle pair and two hearts. The SB calls. With bottom pair and a 5 high flush draw. Of course that hits and IGHN. Should have pushed preflop, oh well. Out 11th for nothing, but I win the 50/50 amd I am free rollin', baby! Don't ask, 50/50 tickets are my leak.

Speaking of leaks, I decide to play a little cash. Sit down in 1/2, get it up to 2 buy-ins or so when my Aces hold up against K8 (he had top pair and a flush draw, not sure why he called 16 preflop but hey I dodge his outs). Then it limps around to me in the BB two hands later and I have a suited jack. 6 players, I rap.

Flop K5J, two hearts. Middle pair and a flush draw. Checked to MP who bets 15, I call with another person. Turn is a black J. I bet out 40, fold, reluctant call. River brings my flush, I push, he instacalls with his limped Kings. So that's twice in three days I lose most of my stack with limped premium pairs from middle position. Creepy. I know the possible hands of Axh and KJ should have had me checking or betting smaller on the river, so don't feel like I don't know I played it badly, but why do my limps with Aces or Kings never work out that way?

Next hand in the SB I complete (with 25 total in my hand) with suited 45. Flop comes A36, two clubs, I push (double up or go home at this point, open ended good enough). One caller. He has 25 clubs. Gutshot and a 5 high flush draw. Club on the turn.

How does one lose to two five high flush draws in one night? Creepy.

One thing I learned is that I am much better at paying attention to body language in a tournament. Now that I reflect, Mr. limped Kings was oozing weak is strong tells and I missed them. I should have seized on the bad acting and slowed down. Oh well, money poorly spent, but I had some fun and listened to 80s music.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

What a crappy night

I play several DS's and bet my good hands strong only to lose each one on the turn or river.

I finally get HU in one, wrestle back the chiplead and get immediately disconnected for ten minutes, resulting in me getting short and deperate. I end up having to push with the Hammer which is way no good.

Then I get short in another sat (73+7) and of course the donkey's limped Aces work out great for him.

Just frustrating from start to finish. I did not play horribly, just aggressively, and every last donkey caught.

Monday, June 12, 2006

All Good

Sold some of my $W, and won some $T. I also have 3 FTP tokens that I hope to turn into $75 tokens ASAP.

Played some yesterday, spent too much to get $T215, but hey now I have it. I should be able to turn it into something positive. If I keep running good in double shootouts, I may just start selling $T and $W for extra BR.

Congrats to scottjf8, our latest DB 5 figure winner -- 3d in the PS Million yesterday. Awesome job.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

OK

I feel better.

Not going to apologize or feel badly for the last post, because that's how I felt at the time.

However, I think the experience that was poker Monday night led me to a place where I know what I generally need to do to play better. I think because I play and post with a bunch of great players that I am better than I am sometimes, and fancy play and cockiness results. Therefore, even though I was hard on myself, I think it was important for me to recognize reality for a minute.

My mom called in tears last night and got me going emotionally, so the usual insomnia kicked in around 10:30. As a result I wound up in a WSOP double shootout. I won the sucker thanks to a combination of patience and some good cards at the precise moment they were needed. That was a good thing, obviously.

Now, after the tough weekend and paying some expenses with my Quad Shootout win (which apparently replayed last night and I totally missed it), I have a dilemma regarding what to do with these tournament dollars in my account.

1. I have wanted to go to the WSOP oh so much and would love to take a shot at it. These $W make that possible on my BR in a variety of ways.

2. My BR is low these days and even at 90% the money would come in handy for other things.

So should I sell? Play an sat or two and try to make more and then sell, while still keeping some for WSOP shots? DS? Blow it all on Sunday's tournament?

I'm still pondering. I think the answer is probably sell a few hundred and then take a few shots, but there may be an advantage in selling the whole thing and trying it again. I've shown some ability to win these things when I stay patient.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Maybe I should just quit

Seriously, I can only beat awful players (See 1c Poker, Mansion).

I can only play my cards and occasionally see what they might have. I have no other levels (See AJ, pushing into Aces and AK with).

What are gears (see Tourney, Any)?

I give away 90% of my big stacks within 90 minutes (see supra).

I have no reasonable sense of BR management (See Expenses, Atlantic City).

I try to push donkeys off of hands (See Games, Cash).

I can talk a good game but I have no means of following through on the felt (See Poker, DB).

I win tournaments that are pushfests but can't see my way through a deep stack tournament because I have no skill disadvantage in a pushfest (see Shootout, Quad).

I have so many holes in my game I am sure all my friends have notes on me a paragraph long (See Cheese, Swiss).

I lack patience, discipline, and proper motivation (See Blog, Every).



What is it about me right now that I can't get past this neverending level of mediocre play? This is not just me venting after making yet another series of boneheaded maneuvers. This is me realizing how poor a student of the game I am.

I just don't know what to say.

Ugggggggggh

Horrible poker day yesterday. Played in both the PS 215 and the FTP 216 and was in both for about two hours before getting dumped.

I did not play brilliantly, I will admit, but I also had nothing to work with. I never got above starting stack in the PS tourney, and also never got a playable pocket pair. I also never hit the flop.

FTP started off great after tripling up early. However, my stack never crested 9500 as I got sucked out on with Aces versus Q5 sooooted and then the card death continued.

In 4.5 hours of play, I got about 10 playable hands, including three big pocket pairs and a couple of high paint. My rudimentary math says I should have gotten at least three times that amount over the two tournaments. Simply put, I am not good enough yet to play well with no cards. Maybe that day is looming, but when even the steals don't work it's simply not my day.

Oh well, I'll take a break and hopefully it will go better next time.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Weird Night

Could not sleep again. So I played.

Qualified for the FTP $200K Sunday. Bubbled in a DS for the PS Million. And finished 6th again for $24 at the Mansion 1c tourney. It's like a license to print money.

Glad to see that FTP increased chipstacks for their big guarantees. Had not played them in a long while and that's an important improvement. Now all they need is $T and we're set.