Cash me out!

I played again tonight for about 4 hours - solid night with a few big hands.  Not a lot to talk about.... especially because some of the players read this and I don't want to give any information away. :) I played consistent all night.


Profit $160
Cash me out!

I put you on A K...

I can't tell you how many times I've heard and seen someone say, "I put you on Ace King"... as they are scooping a pot after making a bad call gone good.  Last night, about 3 hours into my play - I had called a button straddle of $5.  There were two or three guys that were straddling on their buttons routinely and most of the time you could expect if their straddle doesn't get raised,  they will raise when it's their option. In this hand, when I called the $5 in early position with 4s 5s, I had already decided I was calling if the straddle raised.  Sure enough, when he was given his option he raised it $20 more.  We were heads up.  Before the flop I was thinking I could check in the dark and see if I could influence him to check it down... OR... I could wait for my action and if I get any sort of a draw I could block bet.  I decided to check in the dark because his stack was short only $46 more and I was going to call any bet if I had a draw.  Flop 3d 7h 9h - he went all in, I had a gut shot and I called 6d on the turn - I hit my straight and showed my cards, so as not to slow role him.  I didn't try to get a read on him because of what I had decided preflop about my hand.  The river was an 8h - which made a 10 be the bigger straight... it took him a few seconds to show his hand... it was AA - oops, I'm pretty sure if I knew he had aces I would not have called... "I put you on Ace King...??"  I humbly stacked the pot.

My profits continue - I had a solid night.

Profit $125
Cash me out!
$25 away from my first goal of $2500 - next goal $5000 by End of August
(I start school this summer - timeline for goals might change)

I still got it!...

Great news!... I was at the table when the bad beat hit... I had a feeling it was going to hit and the dealer and I both thought of it at the same time,... he said, "You'll write about me in your blog when I deal it, right?!" Absolutely!  It was very late, but I had blocked my calendar the next day to start late since I had worked late into the evening a few recent days to round on the night shift.  Another dealer was playing and he and the "best tournament player in the valley" were all in preflo.  One had AA the othe QQ flopped two queens and rivered an Ace.  Sweet!  Table share was over $600 and I was $100 down.  Cash me out!

The next night (Thursday) I was playing in a different card room because I was invited to play in the $200/hr high hand... I had a bad feeling, I never win on those high hand nights)... and I pretty much was cold decked and lost $500 - 

I surrender!

Now, I rested Friday (painted my nails etc.) got ready for the big Spring Classic Tournament - about 2 1/2 hours south of where I live.  I had planned on riding with three of my poker buddies that have played in the tourney a few times and cashed.  Circumstances came up and none of them were able to go.  I was committed to going, I really miss those bigger tournaments and felt like I'd been really in the zone and had a chance to do well.  I was looking forward to taking a road trip in my new "Beamer" :) One of the dealers had decided he wanted to go and asked if he could ride with me... sweet!  Now I don't have to take a road trip alone.  I told him we needed to leave about 6:30 and I'm exhausted so he should call me when he wakes up to make sure I'm up - and I laughed.  (I really didn't think it was necessary, my husband would make sure I woke up after my alarm)... I set my alarm and low and behold he called and I was sound asleep - I didn't realize I set my alarm wrong.  Damn!  I love how the universe works - Took a quick shower and we made it there by 9:15 it started at 10:15.

202 players and they were paying the top 20.  They had a stage in the middle of the convention center and the final two tables (the cash) were up on the stage - it was pretty cool.  I was more focused and patient than I've been in a longtime and I folded more than I've ever folded.  There was one hand I'd wished I played (Q7 Suited) I would have flopped a boat, and I really had a feeling I should play it when I saw it - it was a decent pot and the way my table was playing it would not have changed the action if I was in the hand.  I was in the cut off and it was early in the rounds- I decided not to because I felt like that was something to play in cash game not tourney because it leads to more bad calls. 

I did not make a single bad call the entire tournament!  I was never behind when I called until we were down to 30 players and I was getting very short stacked (my cards went really cold)... I had A2 Suited and about 15 bb's, I decided to limp - I knew I needed to push but I wanted to see what action was going to happen because I didn't want to be against multiple hands.  Everyone folded until the sb - she pushed and had me covered by a small amount.  A very big stack before me folded and I called.  She had 10's - I flopped a 2 and rivered an A.  That was my one "one time"!

After that I doubled up again, then I had AA two out of three hands, then 10's then 9s and A9 with trip 9s... enough to get me to the cash!! Weeeeee

THERE'S A LESSON AT THE END - Take it for what it's worth.

We had a 20 minute break while they broke down tables and set up the area that the business would happen for the final payouts etc.  It was really nice.  The blinds were getting huge suddenly - only 8 minutes left in the round we moved to the payouts.  Two players out within about 20 minutes - I was forced to call and All in in my bb because it was only half the bet and he won.  My small blind had connectors so I called but missed.  On my button the blinds went up and I was extremely short stacked, 6bb's.  I had A5 suited, the action folded to me and I was thinking.  Something was telling me that I was going to lose even though there is no question that I should push... my hesitation was that there are 3 players at the table that have less than I do and with the blinds they would be out most likely before me because they were all to my left - I just didn't take the time to think it through because the bb threw in a raise out of turn - (this is a player that was making mistakes frequently and had been given multiple warnings... as I reflect back on his moves, his character I almost believe he was angle shoot and was getting away with too many "warnings")  So he raised out of turn both myself and the small blind had not acted - the dealer says "time" and I thought to myself, "I know I have the best hand, I'm here to win" so I pushed, sb folded and he called.  He had suited KJ - I felt good that I was right and I was ahead. I flopped two pair, and he flopped a flush draw.  He flushed on the turn and I prayed for an A or 5 on the river, but to no avail.  

Profit .... get this $500!

After arriving, and all players were seated - I discovered there were 7 of us from our town,... six made it to the final 30 and two of us made it to the cash. (pictures below)

  

Moral of the story - Are you playing to win or to cash a little more?... I was willing to put it all in and lose rather than trying to squeak through to more money - I needed to be aggressive to go for the win and not just survive.  I made the right choice.

Cash me out!

Playing a short night

I'm not sure I've mentioned that I'm playing more right now and my husband and I are in agreement that it's just for awhile- normally I play 2 night/week.  Tonight I wasn't going to play, but right after dinner my son was gone, and my husband took the girls to the batting cage for a couple hours, so I went to play and committed to be done by 10:00 (I committed quietly to myself lol, wasn't sure if I could keep my promise to myself).


The game seemed like it was going to go good,... I lost a few small pots and then started winning decent pots but it didn't last long.  I couldn't get anything to connect and the people that were calling were catching.  It's an interesting thing that I'm seeing in the game right now, there are more people calling larger raises and the flops are 3-4 handed... resulting in larger pots.  Also, more people are starting with 200 or more. 


Well, now it was after 9:00 and I was down over $100 (started with $200) I started coming back and was up to almost $200 again, raised to $5 UTG with 9c 10c got 5 callers flopped flush draw, I check called $11 and now we were three handed.  I turned a straight draw with the flush draw and decided to chase for $45 - I figured I was already stuck and I was willing to lose it since I was playing a short night.  There was a blank on the river ... I hesitated to fold trying to represent I had something... I know a couple people, that pay attention, knew where I was.  The very next hand I have AA in bb.  UTG (the person I lost the last pot to, still stacking my chips) raised to $12 with one caller on the button.  I raised to $45 and UTG went all-in - he had me covered and  I doubled up!  (he had 
6d 9d... I know!)  He thinks he's funny, when I called he said, "I have the nutz" I turned over the black aces and said, "you have the red ones?" and he said, "yea" and turned over his diamonds 9 6.  


Now after that hand and few more I was up 140 and it was going on 10:00.  


Profit $130
Cash me out!

When do you learn what you already know?...

I've talked to my buddies about this a dozen times... when you say to yourself I should leave now... it's getting late and I'm at a good stopping point.  But then, the love of the game says,... I'll wait until my bb or,... I'll go one more orbit... and then the next thing you know you've lost half your stack or majority of your profit... Damn!  Now I have to stay... RIGHT?...


Last night was a perfect example of that... and not being disciplined since I know that's how it works.


The game had somewhat of a mellow feel.  Primarily the "older" crowd with a few younger but newer guys so it was somewhat of a quiet table with good size pots.  I was in the zone and the cards were coming my way.  Got lucky a couple times and had the right reads.


I looked at the clock and thought I should go now, since I'm up about 175 and this way I won't be too tired in the morning.  Then I said to myself I'll just go one more orbit and leave... Well sure enough within three hands I decided to "make a move" and lost all of my profit and was down 25... so needless to say, I had to get my head back on straight, and I decided to stay to prove to myself that so much of the game is frame of mind.  
A new player showed up (one we all like to see - he digs very deep into his pocket and will go 1800 deep while continuing to play bad, and donk off all his chips... we call him "Helmuth"  because of the comments he makes after he gets called and loses lol)


I stayed solid and got back to 50 up within an hour... I really didn't want to leave but I looked at the clock and thought I should leave so I'm not too tired tomorrow at work.


Discipline Discipline Discipline... reduces the torture and losses!


$50 up
Cash me out!

Play bad, get lucky?.... sometimes ya gotta

Well, tonight was a good night ... two full tables after the "Freeroll" that they have on Sunday afternoons... a few of the "freerollers" decided to play... One considers himself to be the best tournament player in the valley... lol  Well, I knew I'd felt him and I did.  I raised to 10 preflop with Kings UTG... there were a couple short stacks on the table with less than $50 most everyone else had 200-300.  I expected a short stack to reraise but instead I was only smooth called by three people.  Flop came 8h 6d 2h I bet $10 again, expecting a push, and all folded except him... he went all in and I called... he had 4s and went home. 

About one round later, I was BB with AQ off,... and the button straddled for $6... everyone folded to me, I raised to 21 expecting to take it down and he called.  (This is the other tourney player)  Flop K 10 6, I bet $20 hoping he'd fold ... if he called, hoping I got there ... but NO,... he raised to $60... now because of who he is, and the fact that he was whining for the past hour... I really didn't have a read on him.  However, I had outs (4)... something told me to call... I never make those calls with gut shots, but I figured, if I missed, I would be 100 down and there were two full tables with lots of money on the tables, so I could get it back.  J on the turn, I had the nutz!  It was like he knew, because he rolled his eyes and shook his head.  I checked of course... as did he.  River was a blank, I went all in, he called.  He actually had a hand... K 10.  He was calmer than usually and said, "that was a heck of a turn"... Yes it was, it was sick. 

The rest of the night I picked my times to raise... with suited connectors and every single time I was called by three or four people... each time I'd flop the flush draw or open ender and I bet out and took it down... about five different hands.

Profit - $175

Cash me out!

A little history... before the journey

I consider myself to be a competitive person that strives for and expects excellence.  I've been playing poker for about 7 years... I learned to play when my daughters softball team had a fund raiser Texas Hold 'em Tournament.  I had to use a cheat sheet that helped me with what hands beat what... it only took a few hours for me to be hooked on the game.  There's something to say about the dynamics that happen at a poker table.  There are many factors that come into play.  Not only the power of the cards but the interactions between the players.  Being a woman in a male dominated game also adds to the experience... some consider it to be an advantage... I believe often times there are men that think they have the advantage over a woman at the table,... that's my favorite position to be in... because little do they know, I always have the advantage.  :)  
(That's not the case for all women... I'm just sayin')


I've been a nurse for about 17 years and am working toward becoming a member of the executive team. It's the beginning of softball season and my daughters games start next month... we will be at games 1-2 times a week and about every other weekend traveling out of town for tournaments.  


About 2 1/2 years ago we moved to our current home, in a place where there is limited access to poker games.  There are about three card rooms that I have access to play in and truly only about 20-30 consistent players in the cash games... we average only one table, sometimes two.  One card room has a game every night that goes as long as I need it to go... before I have to go home to bed.  The other two close around midnight or 1:00 am.  As far as competition goes... well it's pretty average for a small local game.  There are a variety of players and only a few of them play with a dedicated poker bankroll that they manage.  The rest of the players pretty much gamble with their money... sometimes they borrow money from other players... some go far too deep.  I still feel bad when I see people losing more than they "should"... but then again... the purpose of the game is to take their chips and if my goal is to build my bankroll I can't let my heart get in the way.


I like to learn from other players - especially the ones that are truly dedicated to the game and respect it.  Some I talk to about strategies and others I watch and listen to ... Players that win and players that lose... I think I learn more from their experiences than they do sometimes because of the way I analyze the situations.


Before we moved here, I played primarily tournaments at the casinos, some small limit games and a friendly home cash game on Saturday nights.  Since we moved here, I don't have access to any casinos without a good 2-5 hour drive so I pretty much only play cash, with the occasional tournament.  I never had a bankroll before we moved ... I just enjoyed my winnings and spent them.  Now that I'm playing in a cash game regularly (1-2 no limit regularly and 2-5 once a month) I see the value in building a bankroll and a back up for when things run cold.  It took me a few months to get to a point that I had started building the funds... Last year I played on average about 2 -3 times a week, had a profit of about $4k and spent over half of it on personal things ... it was fun.


Now I'm starting to view life a little differently, visualizing my goals and focusing on my game in a different way.  I recognize that when I strive for excellence at all times with work and play all things come together even better.  When things are running good at work and I focus on my game in the right way I book wins, have successes at work and the good vibrations carry over at home... and all is great! 


I had a pretty bad cold streak at the first of the year and made a big dent in my bankroll - lost about $1200 in 4 sessions - majority of my bankroll.  I recognized what I was doing wrong but still struggled with my discipline... folding, or just surrendering and getting up from the game.  I talked through it with a couple of my poker buddies and my husband,... I adjusted my thinking strategy ... and now I'm back in the game.  
NOTE:  You might realize that for the size of my bankroll and my losses I'm allowing a loss of more than I should with each game based on the size of my bankroll.  I'm doing that because I have the income to support my game if I do go broke and I'm building a savings account as a third back up.  My intent is that savings account never goes toward poker.


You can read a lot in the books and take away great hints on how to profit in the game... the absolute most important thing is discipline and knowing when and how to shift gears.


Well, I'll stop for now with a final note about where I'm at with my game;

• One of the poker rooms I play in right now builds a bad beat jack pot that is currently over $9000 with the qualifying hand going down on a weekly basis. It's down to Aces full of 6s.
• The game is getting juicy because players that don't play regularly are coming to try and hit the bad beat. 
• The regulars (like me) have been the players that have built up that jackpot and many of us are playing more frequently... the game is extremely juicy and full of "fish".  Not to mention, we would like to be a part of the payout since we are the ones that built it up.
• This week's record; I've booked two wins and two losses - unfortunately last night started off good... but the young guys came after being out drinking and I just could not beat the All-In's that kept happening preflop.  Normally I don't mind a reckless player at the table, it's usually to my advantage, but there was 4 of them and I had to surrender and cash out after being down about 190.  I'm still in the black with a profit of $60. I'm playing again tonight and plan on a good profit.

Cash me out!