Or perhaps that should be E for Effortless. After all, it doesn't take much effort to fold crap. Perhaps the best paraphrased cliche' to describe the RPT for me last night is, Slow and Steady but loses a Race.
Here is my tournament in a nutshell. The first river I saw was the 4th hand after the second break (which I believe was hand 138 or so of the tournament). By rights, I shouldn't have seen that river either. I was in the SB and it folded to me so I raise it up about 4x with Kh8h. The BB repops and I tank. I know I should just let it go, but this exact thing happened on the last hand before the second break. I think I had something like A8 on that hand and decided I didn't want to go busto on the last hand before the break, and I'd hate to make a stand by calling all-in with A8.
With that in mind it made sense to fold the K8 suited, but I pretty much decided to gamble. Up to that point I had not had a hand better than one pair. I had seen only 3 turns, and as I mentioned, no rivers. So I put the rest of my money in and he calls the extra couple hundred. I find, not unexpectedly, that I am up against AQ. Miraculously I river a flush and keep going.
An orbit or so later I flop an open end straight draw and bet out with one caller. The turn gives me the nut straight, but puts three hearts on board (I had one heart but it was fairly weak). I am relieved when my turn bet gets a fold and not a shove. That was the second of the only two hands in which I had better than one pair...out of a total of 190+ hands.
I somehow managed to squirm my way into the final table with a decent stack; a little better than 12K. But my final table experience did not last long. In the BB I get 77. It is folded to the button who position raises. The SB reraises to about 4k or so. I figure the button will fold his position raise, and I put the SB on a big Ace (at least that's what I was hoping), so I make a move and shove with my 77. The SB goes in the tank, and I figure I was right, but I'm still begging for no call. Ultimately he decided to call with his AJ and spiked a Jack on the flop; thanks for playing. The downside of Pyrrhic victories, is that the victor gets destroyed.
All in all, I should be relatively happy with the run I made considering I got virtually no help from the deck. But at the end of the day, it's another non-cash and that doesn't help my BBT3 schedule. Congratulations to whomever the donkey was who ended up winning.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Let the Games Begin
The BBT3 is here and better than ever, I look forward to it all. Thank you long-haired hippy freak.
As much as I'm looking froward to it though, I feel like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Why snak? Good question. It's because I know that I will play at best 30% of these games. And that may be extraordinarily optimistic. But I don't mope (much). Instead I will happily take my shots when they come. If I succeed, so much the better. If not, c'est la vie. There are worse things. I reserve the right to adjust this estimate if I go deep and cash big in an early contest.
I have come to realize lately that there is a downside to semi-retirement from online poker. It doesn't give you a whole hell of a lot to write about. I am reduced to giving sickbay reports (by the way, my son officially has the flu), or making stabs at humor with semi-fictitious stories (sounds like the real Olga was more worth writing about). What's next? More song parodies? (I'm doing my best to refrain.)
Hopefully my part-time participation in the BBT3 will spawn some new material. Good luck to all, and I'll see you (sometimes) at the tables.
As much as I'm looking froward to it though, I feel like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Why snak? Good question. It's because I know that I will play at best 30% of these games. And that may be extraordinarily optimistic. But I don't mope (much). Instead I will happily take my shots when they come. If I succeed, so much the better. If not, c'est la vie. There are worse things. I reserve the right to adjust this estimate if I go deep and cash big in an early contest.
I have come to realize lately that there is a downside to semi-retirement from online poker. It doesn't give you a whole hell of a lot to write about. I am reduced to giving sickbay reports (by the way, my son officially has the flu), or making stabs at humor with semi-fictitious stories (sounds like the real Olga was more worth writing about). What's next? More song parodies? (I'm doing my best to refrain.)
Hopefully my part-time participation in the BBT3 will spawn some new material. Good luck to all, and I'll see you (sometimes) at the tables.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Out Sick
Well it was a glorious weekend of fevers, body aches and productive coughing. I don't believe anyone in the house is completely healthy at this point. Let me say right now, there is nothing quite as annoying as a nagging illness. I can't wait until my chest REALLY starts hurting from the continuous coughing.
As a result I was really in no mood to play anything over the weekend. A lot of sleeping was done. The shoveling I did on Saturday morning was a real treat. I think my heart was moments away from jumping out of my chest, wrestling away the shovel, and beating me to death with it.
I hope to achieve a level resembling normal in a day or two.
As a result I was really in no mood to play anything over the weekend. A lot of sleeping was done. The shoveling I did on Saturday morning was a real treat. I think my heart was moments away from jumping out of my chest, wrestling away the shovel, and beating me to death with it.
I hope to achieve a level resembling normal in a day or two.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Snakster Family Death Match
So I'm sitting on the couch last evening, minding my own business, when my 6-year old son walks up with a dollar in his hand and asks if I want to play poker.
GAME ON!!!!!
So I divy up some chips, flip for deal, yadda yadda yadda, he's stuffing $2 into his new wallet.
I'd like to say it was an epic, competitive battle, but I didn't win a hand. The coup de grace was when I flopped top pair with AK and he turned trip 4s. Live poker is so fixed.
GAME ON!!!!!
So I divy up some chips, flip for deal, yadda yadda yadda, he's stuffing $2 into his new wallet.
I'd like to say it was an epic, competitive battle, but I didn't win a hand. The coup de grace was when I flopped top pair with AK and he turned trip 4s. Live poker is so fixed.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Red Menace
Nothing is quite as coincidental as life's great coincidences. Case in point:
Earlier today I was reading Poker Degenerate's post (yes, I'm the one) on team, Sputnik speaking poker at a Washington card room. An interesting and amusing little anecdote to be sure. But then tonight, I'll be damned if I don't have a similar experience. Just a little while ago, I went out to do some quick gocery shopping at the new local Giant.
What? A guy can't do grocery shopping? Are you and me going to have a problem about that? Then shut your piehole and let me finish.
Anyway, I was at the Giant. I'm minding my own business, humming to a tune, when this lady walks by me in the opposite direction talking Russian into her cell phone. Needless to say, I was floored. Still jacked up by Degen's story, I couldn't let it slide. So I say...
"HEY........OLGA! NO FREAKIN' SPUTNIK IN THE DAIRY AISLE!!!!!!"
Instantly she stopped dead in her tracks...completely silent. Everyone else went quiet too. Clearly they felt the same as me, but were probably too polite to say anything. She was staring at me in disbelief. I'm quite certain this was the first time somebody pushed back at her non-conforming behavior. Not wanting to lose my advantage, I continued...
"This is America...we speak ENGLISH here, capisce? You know the rules so take your bolshevik babbling back to the third world where it belongs. And that goes for the produce department too!!!"
She s-l-o-o-o-o-w-w-w-w-l-y closed her phone and started to back away. I think she got the message. But just to make sure, I saw some pock-faced 17 year-old kid in an apron walking near by. "Hey Floor!!" I called, "C'mere." I told him the whole story. He looked pretty stunned. I guess he didn't think something like that would happen in his place. So I gave him a fiver and suggested he have the eye in the sky keep an eye on her.
Feeling pretty good about myself, I finished my shopping. I hate having to be the grocery police, but I'm a stickler for rules...just my nature I guess.
Earlier today I was reading Poker Degenerate's post (yes, I'm the one) on team, Sputnik speaking poker at a Washington card room. An interesting and amusing little anecdote to be sure. But then tonight, I'll be damned if I don't have a similar experience. Just a little while ago, I went out to do some quick gocery shopping at the new local Giant.
What? A guy can't do grocery shopping? Are you and me going to have a problem about that? Then shut your piehole and let me finish.
Anyway, I was at the Giant. I'm minding my own business, humming to a tune, when this lady walks by me in the opposite direction talking Russian into her cell phone. Needless to say, I was floored. Still jacked up by Degen's story, I couldn't let it slide. So I say...
"HEY........OLGA! NO FREAKIN' SPUTNIK IN THE DAIRY AISLE!!!!!!"
Instantly she stopped dead in her tracks...completely silent. Everyone else went quiet too. Clearly they felt the same as me, but were probably too polite to say anything. She was staring at me in disbelief. I'm quite certain this was the first time somebody pushed back at her non-conforming behavior. Not wanting to lose my advantage, I continued...
"This is America...we speak ENGLISH here, capisce? You know the rules so take your bolshevik babbling back to the third world where it belongs. And that goes for the produce department too!!!"
She s-l-o-o-o-o-w-w-w-w-l-y closed her phone and started to back away. I think she got the message. But just to make sure, I saw some pock-faced 17 year-old kid in an apron walking near by. "Hey Floor!!" I called, "C'mere." I told him the whole story. He looked pretty stunned. I guess he didn't think something like that would happen in his place. So I gave him a fiver and suggested he have the eye in the sky keep an eye on her.
Feeling pretty good about myself, I finished my shopping. I hate having to be the grocery police, but I'm a stickler for rules...just my nature I guess.
Marking Time
Just counting down the days until Thursday and the RPT. The thing about semi-retirement from online poker...it cramps my content style.
I did play a little bit at the nickel-dime tables last night. Lost a stack at the NLHE table by constantly getting second best hands. Then made most of it back at a PLO table. Exciting, I know.
I have been spending a lot of time recently researching something new. No point saying what it is yet, because so far I haven't really done anything. Perhaps it will come to light in the near future. But man can I get obsessive when looking at something new.
Other than that, nothing to see here. If I don't fall asleep early I may be on a PLO table again tonight. Feel free to join me if you don't mind playing in the kiddie pool.
I did play a little bit at the nickel-dime tables last night. Lost a stack at the NLHE table by constantly getting second best hands. Then made most of it back at a PLO table. Exciting, I know.
I have been spending a lot of time recently researching something new. No point saying what it is yet, because so far I haven't really done anything. Perhaps it will come to light in the near future. But man can I get obsessive when looking at something new.
Other than that, nothing to see here. If I don't fall asleep early I may be on a PLO table again tonight. Feel free to join me if you don't mind playing in the kiddie pool.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Quiet Evening on the Rail
As I was still a bit fatigued from the previous night, I limited myself to the rail last night. I was watching Chad's progress in the FTOPS Main Event and Riggstad at the .50-1 NL table. At least I did until I found a good movie on the tube.
Riggs was at about 100 when I popped in and was down to about half that by the time I popped out. I think at one point he was sucked out on 5 or 6 hands in a row. It was actually pretty sick to watch. The impressive part was, many people we know would have gone broke on several of those hands. It was impressive how he was able to minimize his losses, although he admitted to misplaying a couple of the hands. Even on an off night I find things to learn from him.
Chad did a nice job in the ME. I kept the window open so I could see how it finished. I noticed he finished in the money in the second level. Well played sir.
Riggs was at about 100 when I popped in and was down to about half that by the time I popped out. I think at one point he was sucked out on 5 or 6 hands in a row. It was actually pretty sick to watch. The impressive part was, many people we know would have gone broke on several of those hands. It was impressive how he was able to minimize his losses, although he admitted to misplaying a couple of the hands. Even on an off night I find things to learn from him.
Chad did a nice job in the ME. I kept the window open so I could see how it finished. I noticed he finished in the money in the second level. Well played sir.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
And one Rye, and one Tequila, and one more Bourbon for good measure.
Good time last night. We ended up playing a little short handed (6) for most of the night due to a couple late cancellations. I was up about 70 or 75 early, but lost two large pots to the same person and ended up only $6 on the evening. After 3 people departed, the remaining 3 of us played PLO until 4:30. I was essentially card dead for the last 5 hours or so, able to pick up a few small pots here and there to tread water. A couple of occasions where I decided to win the pot before the cards were dealt, and fortunately no one woke up with a hand. That kind of thing.
Two new faces last night who brought solid play to the table to make for an enjoyable poker experience. I generally get compliments for the game I host because it usually includes solid players and people who are capable of letting go marginal hands. Hopefully I'll have another one scheduled in 2 or 3 weeks; just need to check the calendar to see which one works best.
No online poker this weekend, and I'm just trying to eliminate the poison from my body today.
Good time last night. We ended up playing a little short handed (6) for most of the night due to a couple late cancellations. I was up about 70 or 75 early, but lost two large pots to the same person and ended up only $6 on the evening. After 3 people departed, the remaining 3 of us played PLO until 4:30. I was essentially card dead for the last 5 hours or so, able to pick up a few small pots here and there to tread water. A couple of occasions where I decided to win the pot before the cards were dealt, and fortunately no one woke up with a hand. That kind of thing.
Two new faces last night who brought solid play to the table to make for an enjoyable poker experience. I generally get compliments for the game I host because it usually includes solid players and people who are capable of letting go marginal hands. Hopefully I'll have another one scheduled in 2 or 3 weeks; just need to check the calendar to see which one works best.
No online poker this weekend, and I'm just trying to eliminate the poison from my body today.
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Bar is Open
Here are the beverages available for enjoyment on Saturday night:
And here are the chips used at the Manor:
Yes....I'm a geek.
Delayed Retirement
Thanks to a 4th place, in the money, finish in the RPT last night, my retirement has been delayed. It was a tough beat that put me on the felt 4 handed (AQ < AJ), but I was the beneficiary on several occasions of cards falling my way, so I can't complain. I was done in when my JJ couldn't hold against KQ. Congratulations to whomever won. Zeem had the big stack 3 handed, and the deck seemed to be smacking him almost as hard as it was smacking me.
Ironically, I probably played worse last night than I have in weeks, yet I finished better. A number of misplays on my part were not punished, and I often found myself wiping my brow and sighing relief. However, as I noted to Riggstad on AIM after I called a shove four handed with Ace-rag (and lost to a bigger Ace), bad play only gets you so far. I promised him that was my last call of an all-in 4 handed with Ace-rag. Perhaps if he wasn't so loaded, he would have berated me more. I was certainly deserving
My only regret was that it was not a KO tourney. I lost count of how many people I took out. It was at least 7 and there were only 31 in the tourney. Good times though. I guess I'll see you for a few more weeks (until the money runs out).
I'm looking forward to the cash game at my house tomorrow night. It has been too long since the last one. I'll try to keep notes in case anything entertaining happens.
Ironically, I probably played worse last night than I have in weeks, yet I finished better. A number of misplays on my part were not punished, and I often found myself wiping my brow and sighing relief. However, as I noted to Riggstad on AIM after I called a shove four handed with Ace-rag (and lost to a bigger Ace), bad play only gets you so far. I promised him that was my last call of an all-in 4 handed with Ace-rag. Perhaps if he wasn't so loaded, he would have berated me more. I was certainly deserving
My only regret was that it was not a KO tourney. I lost count of how many people I took out. It was at least 7 and there were only 31 in the tourney. Good times though. I guess I'll see you for a few more weeks (until the money runs out).
I'm looking forward to the cash game at my house tomorrow night. It has been too long since the last one. I'll try to keep notes in case anything entertaining happens.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
All Systems Down
I got home last night to discover that my Verizon FiOS was down (is that Riggstad I hear laughing in the background?). That means Internet, Television and Phone…all out. Of course the phone wasn’t a big deal, but the other two were a bummer. I called verizon up to see if I was an isolated victim, or if it was a broader issue. I was relieved to find out it was a broader issue. This was the first time FiOS has crapped out on me, and the weather has been pretty crappy. No biggie…THIS time.
My wife, bless her heart, was concerned about whether I was going to miss a tournament. Fortunately the answer was no (sorry Mookie). It was all just as well. I had an errand to run after scraping up something to eat, then I had to pick up my daughter and her friend from a Wednesday night activity. I got home to see my son had taken over the TV (again) with a Scooby Doo video.
After I got everyone safely off to bed, I popped in A Few Good Men; one of my comfort movies. It’s like potato chips for the mind. I think this was the first time I watched it on my big screen TV. Quick review: it’s still good. The good news is services were restored by the time I woke up this morning. I should be good to go for the RPT this evening.
I was a little perturbed this morning when I did a quick read of the Riverchaser message boards. A gentleman was taking Riggs to task over the absence (so far) of the top 100 freerolls for the online tour. Apparently the only reason he played that particular $10 tournament was to qualify for the freeroll and the big payday that it represents (sarcasm intended). It seems he’s deep enough to play any other $10 tournament he wants, but played this one for the big payoff at the end. Well bully for you. But here’s a question: how many of those other tournaments offered you an opportunity to play in a freeroll with 1 in 28 chance of winning an $18K Aussie Millions package? What’s that? SPEAK UP YOU UNGRATEFUL TWIT!!
Part an parcel to his criticism was the brushing aside of the participation of the RPT online tour on the BBT for an Aussie Millions package. At the risk of confirming myself as one of the RPT management ass kissers he refers to, I have this to say: go fornicate yourself. Are people really that stupid to not understand that these packages and freerolls are offered by a stand alone entity and that these are provided at their pleasure? Full Tilt doesn’t just give these things away because they think Al is a groovy guy. These are business decisions. The work and effort behind the Aussie Package (and future packages) can’t possibly be slam dunks. If the timing of a freeroll suffers so I can compete for a mega package so be it.
So if I may presume to speak for those who provide us with great opportunities, let me leave with a quote from another superb movie, Snatch: “Listen, you f**king fringe, if I throw a dog a bone, I don't want to know if it tastes good or not.”
My wife, bless her heart, was concerned about whether I was going to miss a tournament. Fortunately the answer was no (sorry Mookie). It was all just as well. I had an errand to run after scraping up something to eat, then I had to pick up my daughter and her friend from a Wednesday night activity. I got home to see my son had taken over the TV (again) with a Scooby Doo video.
After I got everyone safely off to bed, I popped in A Few Good Men; one of my comfort movies. It’s like potato chips for the mind. I think this was the first time I watched it on my big screen TV. Quick review: it’s still good. The good news is services were restored by the time I woke up this morning. I should be good to go for the RPT this evening.
I was a little perturbed this morning when I did a quick read of the Riverchaser message boards. A gentleman was taking Riggs to task over the absence (so far) of the top 100 freerolls for the online tour. Apparently the only reason he played that particular $10 tournament was to qualify for the freeroll and the big payday that it represents (sarcasm intended). It seems he’s deep enough to play any other $10 tournament he wants, but played this one for the big payoff at the end. Well bully for you. But here’s a question: how many of those other tournaments offered you an opportunity to play in a freeroll with 1 in 28 chance of winning an $18K Aussie Millions package? What’s that? SPEAK UP YOU UNGRATEFUL TWIT!!
Part an parcel to his criticism was the brushing aside of the participation of the RPT online tour on the BBT for an Aussie Millions package. At the risk of confirming myself as one of the RPT management ass kissers he refers to, I have this to say: go fornicate yourself. Are people really that stupid to not understand that these packages and freerolls are offered by a stand alone entity and that these are provided at their pleasure? Full Tilt doesn’t just give these things away because they think Al is a groovy guy. These are business decisions. The work and effort behind the Aussie Package (and future packages) can’t possibly be slam dunks. If the timing of a freeroll suffers so I can compete for a mega package so be it.
So if I may presume to speak for those who provide us with great opportunities, let me leave with a quote from another superb movie, Snatch: “Listen, you f**king fringe, if I throw a dog a bone, I don't want to know if it tastes good or not.”
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Worst Damn Poker Show
I had the misfortune last night of witnessing quite probably the worst poker television show ever conceived. Ironically, the title of this debacle is The Best Damn Poker Show. This particular disaster features both Annie Duke and Phil Helmuth sitting in a back room watching and critiquing amateurs playing poker. Apparently, based on their judgement, they are allowed to eliminate the worst players at the table and the best move on to some future round. I have no idea what that entails. God willing, I never will.
The production value was so bad, it looked like the budget was about $400. The video may as well have been recorded with $300 Korean camcorder. They were using chips that you could get at Wal Mart for $20. Neither Annie (whose failed solo show held the previous title as worst poker show) nor Phil could be bothered to dress like they were going to be on television. It appeared as if they rolled out of bed on a Saturday morning, put the clothes on they wore the night before, and hurried over to the filming. The location seemed to be half of a banquet room at a Holiday Inn. Plus we get to see Annie slugging down a large coffee that she must have bought at the 7-11 on the way in.
To sum it up, this show sucked from top to bottom. The teaser for the next episode showed a big blow up by Annie Duke over Phil's constant yammering. Ooh, how could I possibly not tune in to catch that forced exchange? Do yourself a favor if you make a wrong turn and find this show on your screen: change the channel immediately! Otherwise you may be tempted to shove long metal spikes into your eyes.
The production value was so bad, it looked like the budget was about $400. The video may as well have been recorded with $300 Korean camcorder. They were using chips that you could get at Wal Mart for $20. Neither Annie (whose failed solo show held the previous title as worst poker show) nor Phil could be bothered to dress like they were going to be on television. It appeared as if they rolled out of bed on a Saturday morning, put the clothes on they wore the night before, and hurried over to the filming. The location seemed to be half of a banquet room at a Holiday Inn. Plus we get to see Annie slugging down a large coffee that she must have bought at the 7-11 on the way in.
To sum it up, this show sucked from top to bottom. The teaser for the next episode showed a big blow up by Annie Duke over Phil's constant yammering. Ooh, how could I possibly not tune in to catch that forced exchange? Do yourself a favor if you make a wrong turn and find this show on your screen: change the channel immediately! Otherwise you may be tempted to shove long metal spikes into your eyes.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Family Style
This just in...my brother just AIMed me that he finished 4th in a $55 tournament on PartyPoker (no, he doesn't live in the U.S.). 586 started and he cashed a cool $1767.
Congratulations to you sir.
Congratulations to you sir.
Having Some Fun Again
I have found my happy place, and it's at the nickel dime PLO table. A sense of sanity has been restored. My sanity anyway; the people who play these tables suck, but they generally suck in a good way. I'm certainly not going to get rich at these tables. Even if I go on a sick run (which I haven't yet), I'd only be looking at 10-20 bucks. As it is, I walk away ahead a few bucks, but I believe I'm learning some things.
For example, I am getting a much better sense of pot management playing these games. Although it's true others may be pot button mashers, I am using the opportunity to hone MY game as best I can. I also believe I am getting a better feel for PLO. While others at the table may not be all that concerned with improvement, it is always my goal. The most important thing I have learned is that improvement can be pursued even at the smallest of games...if it's the right game.
Riggstad has been kind enough to join me at these tables from time to time. We have a lot of fun laughing at the other players. It really is amazing what people will call off their money with in Omaha. Gotta love people who bring their Hold 'em game to an Omaha table. Anyway, these small successes are delaying my ultimate retirement. Here's a hand from last night (I folded it of course). I'm quite certain someone at the table would have played it. Heck I stacked a guy who played 3 aces; none of them suited to the 4th card.
I decided to bag the RPT game on Thursday. As I've stated before, I have no great love for Stud at this juncture in my life. Some day. I railed the donkament a little last night. Kat must have lost in every way imaginable. That's no way to treat the host. It was like watching Marvis Frazier try to fight Mike Tyson. Just ugly.
For example, I am getting a much better sense of pot management playing these games. Although it's true others may be pot button mashers, I am using the opportunity to hone MY game as best I can. I also believe I am getting a better feel for PLO. While others at the table may not be all that concerned with improvement, it is always my goal. The most important thing I have learned is that improvement can be pursued even at the smallest of games...if it's the right game.
Riggstad has been kind enough to join me at these tables from time to time. We have a lot of fun laughing at the other players. It really is amazing what people will call off their money with in Omaha. Gotta love people who bring their Hold 'em game to an Omaha table. Anyway, these small successes are delaying my ultimate retirement. Here's a hand from last night (I folded it of course). I'm quite certain someone at the table would have played it. Heck I stacked a guy who played 3 aces; none of them suited to the 4th card.
I decided to bag the RPT game on Thursday. As I've stated before, I have no great love for Stud at this juncture in my life. Some day. I railed the donkament a little last night. Kat must have lost in every way imaginable. That's no way to treat the host. It was like watching Marvis Frazier try to fight Mike Tyson. Just ugly.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A Bernard Hopkins Kind of Retirement
I have achieved a nice sense of inner peace since my retirement from online poker. So far it is going extremely well, probably because I'm still playing. That is I have been playing some nickel/dime omaha to pass the time. It is a nice way to try to clear some bonus money. I'm still running uber-badly, but I don't really care now. The race is on between the leak of my roll and the bump from bonus. It's like trying to walk up a down escalator.
I shall also be spreading my chips around at the RPT tomorrow night. Come early if you want some. I shall not be playing the Mookie tonight, but I'll probably rail a little just to make smart ass remarks. It keeps me warm.
Part and parcel to my retirement from online poker is a hopeful increase in live play. I've been able to go out to the bars to play a little more recently. It's nice to be able to build up a stack to show that you can, than donk them off without remorse when you get bored. As riggstad put it the other night, it's like a cat batting around a crumpled up paper ball.
Also I have been able to schedule my first home ring game in a couple months. Things have just been too busy and I got away from it. I anticipate bringing it back to its semi-regular status now. First up...February 16. Participants TBD, but the list is growing fast. That should be fodder for a week's worth of posts.
I shall also be spreading my chips around at the RPT tomorrow night. Come early if you want some. I shall not be playing the Mookie tonight, but I'll probably rail a little just to make smart ass remarks. It keeps me warm.
Part and parcel to my retirement from online poker is a hopeful increase in live play. I've been able to go out to the bars to play a little more recently. It's nice to be able to build up a stack to show that you can, than donk them off without remorse when you get bored. As riggstad put it the other night, it's like a cat batting around a crumpled up paper ball.
Also I have been able to schedule my first home ring game in a couple months. Things have just been too busy and I got away from it. I anticipate bringing it back to its semi-regular status now. First up...February 16. Participants TBD, but the list is growing fast. That should be fodder for a week's worth of posts.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wits End
I simply can't take it anymore. I'm done. Finis. You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore.
I made the decision yesterday to essentially divorce myself from online poker. I can not take the play at the low levels in which I live, and I am not about to make an investment to play higher. I am too tired of only winning 20% of the time in situations where I am 80% and 75%. I realize 75% and 80% is not 100%, but it's not 20% either.
I know I am not a pro caliber player, but I can't take the level of play anymore at these micro levels. I am doing myself no good by continuing to subject myself to the idiocy. So I am out. Kaput. Good game Japan.
Well almost. I have decided to continue to play the RPT until that time in which my roll finally drains. I also may be playing some cash games for the next couple weeks because I have bonuses I can clear. After that, it's over. So whether it's RPT or cash games that finally put me out, I will be doing it no longer.
I will continue to have cash games at my house, and I'll play the occasional Riverchaser bar tourney. These too are increasingly difficult to play in, but when I get bored, I don't mind donking off the stack and leaving. I will also try to get to AC fairly regularly. Once a month may be a stretch, but more than my current once a year ought to be obtainable.
So search for me when you're online. Then you can say you sat with me during my farewell tour.
By the way, that had to be the best Sooper Bole I've ever seen. I have long been a closet Eli Manning fan. I have an Ole Miss #10 jersey I bought when he was still slingin' it for the Rebels. I wear it proudly every Turkey Bowl.
I made the decision yesterday to essentially divorce myself from online poker. I can not take the play at the low levels in which I live, and I am not about to make an investment to play higher. I am too tired of only winning 20% of the time in situations where I am 80% and 75%. I realize 75% and 80% is not 100%, but it's not 20% either.
I know I am not a pro caliber player, but I can't take the level of play anymore at these micro levels. I am doing myself no good by continuing to subject myself to the idiocy. So I am out. Kaput. Good game Japan.
Well almost. I have decided to continue to play the RPT until that time in which my roll finally drains. I also may be playing some cash games for the next couple weeks because I have bonuses I can clear. After that, it's over. So whether it's RPT or cash games that finally put me out, I will be doing it no longer.
I will continue to have cash games at my house, and I'll play the occasional Riverchaser bar tourney. These too are increasingly difficult to play in, but when I get bored, I don't mind donking off the stack and leaving. I will also try to get to AC fairly regularly. Once a month may be a stretch, but more than my current once a year ought to be obtainable.
So search for me when you're online. Then you can say you sat with me during my farewell tour.
By the way, that had to be the best Sooper Bole I've ever seen. I have long been a closet Eli Manning fan. I have an Ole Miss #10 jersey I bought when he was still slingin' it for the Rebels. I wear it proudly every Turkey Bowl.
Friday, February 1, 2008
There's Always Tomorrow
"Sister luck is screaming out somebody else's name"
-Black Crowes
It's amazing how frustration can pile up quickly. I've been running more bad than good in recent weeks. I try not to let one day affect another, and I am generally successful at that. What I try to be aware of is that my fuse on the next day may be a little shorter when the previous day ran real bad. In that light I try to keep my eyes open to self realization. Huh?
What I mean is, if after some bad beats I see myself making very uncharacteristic plays and calls in the next game, I realize that I have been thrown off kilter and I shut it down for the night. No sense making a bad situation worse. Such was the case last night.
It started off badly enough. While waiting for the Riverchasers game to start, I jumped into a 6-man SNG. Always seeming to be second best I quickly found myself sitting on a short stack and nursing my chips. Somehow I managed to survive to three-handed play. I was able to steal a few and then the second stack lost a big pot to the chipleader. Amazingly I was in second now, by a margin of just under 300 chips (but still small compared to blinds). Next hand, the shortstack limps UTG and I shove KQ. He calls with K6. He turns his 6 and suddenly I'm down to 285. The very next hand I have AT and put my money in. I am called by the chipleader who shows A4; dominating again. Flop comes 235 of course. Good game Japan.
So then the RC starts. I lose a bunch early to Waffles when I pushed back hard with my underpair to the board. He apparently flopped TPTK with his AQ and wasn't about to let go, and I eventually had to give in. But this was not crippling (thank you deepstack tourneys). However, for the better part of the rest of my short stay, I rarely made a bet that wasn't re-raised by somebody, or at least it seemed that way. There was at least one occasion where I felt a move was being made, but discretion always seemed the better part of valor, and I was always able to lay down good, but certainly not great, hands. Finally I cracked. After getting re-raised yet again, I could stand it no longer and decided to shove with 66 in hopes that, miraculously, I would only be in a race (not that I've been winning many of them lately). Alas, Waffles ended my misery when he called with his lowly KK.
I still felt ok though and decided to jump into another 6-man SNG. I more than double on the first hand. UTG+1 raises to 105, cutoff calls, I have 33 on button. What the heck, I say to myself, see if I can hit a set and do some damage. Three to the flop which comes AJ9 rainbow. Initial raiser and CO both check. Hmmmmmm. I throw out a 3/4 pot bet. Raiser calls, CO folds. Turn is a 3...YAHTZEE! Raiser checks again, I bet 2/3 pot, he calls again. I decide he is on a straight draw. I figure as long as a low card hits the river I should be good. River is a 6 and I'm certain I am gold. Raiser shoves his last 500+. I see this as a desperation shove after missing his straight draw and instacall. Sure enough he flips over QTo and I rake in the pot. I won't even get into the preflop raise with QTo, I'm used to that stuff by now.
About one orbit later I eliminate player #2 and I'm feeling really good. It gets to three handed and I'm still the comfortable chip leader. Mayhem then ensues. I have forgotten the specific details of the suckouts that followed (I believe that is clinically referred to as "hysterical amnesia"), but it was in keeping with the crap that has been hitting me quite often in recent days/weeks (indeed, similar to the pre-RC SNG described above). So there I sit, having gone from chipleader to out on the bubble (again) in a virtual blinking of an eye. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
I immediately jump into another one. On the third hand I watch myself put all my chips in the middle (after some back and forth raising and re-raising) preflop with TT, being quite certain that the guy is going to call and flip an overpair. He does. QQ. That's about the time I AIM riggstad that I am shutting down for the night. Tilt cost me the last SNG buy-in, but at least I knew that I was out of my game and that I needed to wait until the next day to play anymore.
Hopefully the good run starts tonight.
-Black Crowes
It's amazing how frustration can pile up quickly. I've been running more bad than good in recent weeks. I try not to let one day affect another, and I am generally successful at that. What I try to be aware of is that my fuse on the next day may be a little shorter when the previous day ran real bad. In that light I try to keep my eyes open to self realization. Huh?
What I mean is, if after some bad beats I see myself making very uncharacteristic plays and calls in the next game, I realize that I have been thrown off kilter and I shut it down for the night. No sense making a bad situation worse. Such was the case last night.
It started off badly enough. While waiting for the Riverchasers game to start, I jumped into a 6-man SNG. Always seeming to be second best I quickly found myself sitting on a short stack and nursing my chips. Somehow I managed to survive to three-handed play. I was able to steal a few and then the second stack lost a big pot to the chipleader. Amazingly I was in second now, by a margin of just under 300 chips (but still small compared to blinds). Next hand, the shortstack limps UTG and I shove KQ. He calls with K6. He turns his 6 and suddenly I'm down to 285. The very next hand I have AT and put my money in. I am called by the chipleader who shows A4; dominating again. Flop comes 235 of course. Good game Japan.
So then the RC starts. I lose a bunch early to Waffles when I pushed back hard with my underpair to the board. He apparently flopped TPTK with his AQ and wasn't about to let go, and I eventually had to give in. But this was not crippling (thank you deepstack tourneys). However, for the better part of the rest of my short stay, I rarely made a bet that wasn't re-raised by somebody, or at least it seemed that way. There was at least one occasion where I felt a move was being made, but discretion always seemed the better part of valor, and I was always able to lay down good, but certainly not great, hands. Finally I cracked. After getting re-raised yet again, I could stand it no longer and decided to shove with 66 in hopes that, miraculously, I would only be in a race (not that I've been winning many of them lately). Alas, Waffles ended my misery when he called with his lowly KK.
I still felt ok though and decided to jump into another 6-man SNG. I more than double on the first hand. UTG+1 raises to 105, cutoff calls, I have 33 on button. What the heck, I say to myself, see if I can hit a set and do some damage. Three to the flop which comes AJ9 rainbow. Initial raiser and CO both check. Hmmmmmm. I throw out a 3/4 pot bet. Raiser calls, CO folds. Turn is a 3...YAHTZEE! Raiser checks again, I bet 2/3 pot, he calls again. I decide he is on a straight draw. I figure as long as a low card hits the river I should be good. River is a 6 and I'm certain I am gold. Raiser shoves his last 500+. I see this as a desperation shove after missing his straight draw and instacall. Sure enough he flips over QTo and I rake in the pot. I won't even get into the preflop raise with QTo, I'm used to that stuff by now.
About one orbit later I eliminate player #2 and I'm feeling really good. It gets to three handed and I'm still the comfortable chip leader. Mayhem then ensues. I have forgotten the specific details of the suckouts that followed (I believe that is clinically referred to as "hysterical amnesia"), but it was in keeping with the crap that has been hitting me quite often in recent days/weeks (indeed, similar to the pre-RC SNG described above). So there I sit, having gone from chipleader to out on the bubble (again) in a virtual blinking of an eye. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
I immediately jump into another one. On the third hand I watch myself put all my chips in the middle (after some back and forth raising and re-raising) preflop with TT, being quite certain that the guy is going to call and flip an overpair. He does. QQ. That's about the time I AIM riggstad that I am shutting down for the night. Tilt cost me the last SNG buy-in, but at least I knew that I was out of my game and that I needed to wait until the next day to play anymore.
Hopefully the good run starts tonight.
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