I've not had a cold run like I just went through over the past three weeks! I couldn't even get the nutz to hold up. Then I started playing with scared money because the losses continued. This week it finally changed and I've booked a couple wins.
I had to slow down on how much I was playing to really process my strategy at the table and how aggressive I need to be or not be. It was frustrating and yet fascinating to go through it. I just hate losing when I know I'm playing well, however I did recognize I was not playing very well after the first two weeks of my cold run and I had to make a change.
I stopped fighting it and relaxed, feel comfortable surer dong but also comfortable making those bluffs at the right time.
Its working again!
Thank goodness. Cash me out!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Amateur moves, missed opportunities
Took a couple of days off of work and was able to play longer nights - Weds was unfortunate again. There was no real action for me, other than getting the second nutz a couple of times costing me enough to need to rebuy. I didn't really make any terrible calls or moves, just was not a good night. Called it a loss.
Thursday night I decided start with only 100 even though everyone had 200 or more in front of them. Played solid, for about 1 1/2 hours going up and down just a little - no real action in front of me until I turned the wheel and someone else hit the nutz with 5 6. I did a rebuy for 80 and got the J high flush against Q high so I added on another 120 and was going no deeper than that. I was also doing a prop bet. Lost 120 in the prop bet but was doing well in the game, it was "hilarious" - would have been much funner if I was on the winning side.
The older gentlemen that I have mentioned in previous postings has been playing back at me a lot lately. He's been booking some pretty big wins in the past few weeks and he won the tourney. He played in the WSOP for over 20 years I think he said. He slow plays a lot of his big hands, frequently check calls and slow roles the nutz. He had made a raise preflop and was called so I reraised to 37 with Ah Ad - he called. (I couldn't believe he called - everyone knew how tight I was playing and how much I was folding)
The flop came Ac 9c 9s - I checked he bet 20 - I figured he decided I had Kings when he called and was going to represent the Ace if it hit. I know the person to my left knew where I was, but I still needed to do whatever I could to make my opponent pay me off. I eventually called and the turn was a 2h I checked he went all in for about 100 and I called and showed my hand. WTF was I thinking???!!! I never saw his hand. I was happy to win the pot and the prop bet pot was about 20. I'm really curious about what he had, but it didn't matter lol
He was in for about $600 and that was unusually for him, it was very late and that's also unusual for him - it was close to my set time to leave and he knew that. I was going see two more hands and I look down at As Qs - there were about two limps. I hesitated and decided to raise to 14, I was prepared for a few calls but it ended up being 5 ways. The flop was Ac 10d 7s - three checks to me, I bet $38 everyone folded to him - I had a feeling he was going to push for about 180 but I didn't feel like he was strong - I didn't react quickly though. I counted the pot, thought about the action. Looked at him and thought about his demeanor and I really could tell I was good. I also thought, If I call and lose, I'm down a little but I played well and I have to be willing to lose it if I want to win anything. I also knew I had outs - I could go runner runner for the flush.... I called, and it went runner, runner spades and I was so happy I turned over the nutz. I was so relieved, he looks at my hand and says, "WELL! I can't beat the nutz!" and he put both hands on the table, stood up and said goodnight to everyone.
Oh SHIT! My buddies were NOT happy with me! They were so upset that I did not make him show his hand before I showed mine. I told them I was not going to slow role the nutz. I just know I had a good read, I believe there was a possibility that he had 8 9 off suite and was open ended on the flop - but that's it at best. I am very confident that I had a good read and I'm glad I didn't share the information with everyone else. Most of them think I got lucky and he was good, or they know I was right and are just giving me a hard time because we will never know for sure. LOL - I love this game even more when I'm winning!
Profit $300
Cash me out!
Thursday night I decided start with only 100 even though everyone had 200 or more in front of them. Played solid, for about 1 1/2 hours going up and down just a little - no real action in front of me until I turned the wheel and someone else hit the nutz with 5 6. I did a rebuy for 80 and got the J high flush against Q high so I added on another 120 and was going no deeper than that. I was also doing a prop bet. Lost 120 in the prop bet but was doing well in the game, it was "hilarious" - would have been much funner if I was on the winning side.
The older gentlemen that I have mentioned in previous postings has been playing back at me a lot lately. He's been booking some pretty big wins in the past few weeks and he won the tourney. He played in the WSOP for over 20 years I think he said. He slow plays a lot of his big hands, frequently check calls and slow roles the nutz. He had made a raise preflop and was called so I reraised to 37 with Ah Ad - he called. (I couldn't believe he called - everyone knew how tight I was playing and how much I was folding)
The flop came Ac 9c 9s - I checked he bet 20 - I figured he decided I had Kings when he called and was going to represent the Ace if it hit. I know the person to my left knew where I was, but I still needed to do whatever I could to make my opponent pay me off. I eventually called and the turn was a 2h I checked he went all in for about 100 and I called and showed my hand. WTF was I thinking???!!! I never saw his hand. I was happy to win the pot and the prop bet pot was about 20. I'm really curious about what he had, but it didn't matter lol
He was in for about $600 and that was unusually for him, it was very late and that's also unusual for him - it was close to my set time to leave and he knew that. I was going see two more hands and I look down at As Qs - there were about two limps. I hesitated and decided to raise to 14, I was prepared for a few calls but it ended up being 5 ways. The flop was Ac 10d 7s - three checks to me, I bet $38 everyone folded to him - I had a feeling he was going to push for about 180 but I didn't feel like he was strong - I didn't react quickly though. I counted the pot, thought about the action. Looked at him and thought about his demeanor and I really could tell I was good. I also thought, If I call and lose, I'm down a little but I played well and I have to be willing to lose it if I want to win anything. I also knew I had outs - I could go runner runner for the flush.... I called, and it went runner, runner spades and I was so happy I turned over the nutz. I was so relieved, he looks at my hand and says, "WELL! I can't beat the nutz!" and he put both hands on the table, stood up and said goodnight to everyone.
Oh SHIT! My buddies were NOT happy with me! They were so upset that I did not make him show his hand before I showed mine. I told them I was not going to slow role the nutz. I just know I had a good read, I believe there was a possibility that he had 8 9 off suite and was open ended on the flop - but that's it at best. I am very confident that I had a good read and I'm glad I didn't share the information with everyone else. Most of them think I got lucky and he was good, or they know I was right and are just giving me a hard time because we will never know for sure. LOL - I love this game even more when I'm winning!
Profit $300
Cash me out!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Worst night ever! Lessons learned about this journey...
Last Saturday was the anniversary tournament of our little poker room and I played terrible. Completely the opposite of the last tournament. Early in tournament I was check raised, and it was too big of a raise to call. I had 9s 9h and flop was Js 8d 7s - the check raise was far too big (if I recall it was 3k on a best of 400) - I thought fold, and called anyway. We checked the turn and the river paired the board, so we checked. He had AJ -
About 4 hands later I had Ah Kh I raised in early position with cut off call and SB - flop As 7s 19s - we all checked, turn Ad, checked to me and I bet, cut off raised about the same as last hand - I knew I should fold and I called hoping for my kicker I guess. She flopped the flush, checked river. So bad!
Anyway, I couldn't really get a hand after that, lasted through the 4th round, then I doubled up and felted in two hands.
Played the cash game and ended up winning a total of 7 hands in 16 hours of play. I made about 3 bad calls after the flop in all that time, but not for any significant amount - I just knew I was behind and should not call. Any other hands I went past the flop with, I was cold decked on river 100%. It was a sick night. There was so much money on the table - I never really thought I should leave, although I did talk myself into believing the cards were going to change "soon"... lol I even went as far as to be willing to be $1000 deep - I've always thought it wasn't worth it in that card room. There are a small number of players that are willing to do that, a few have profited from making the investment but most don't. I really is not a "safe" room to go that deep because the game could break in a second with no back up options. I surrendered at $850 stuck and won't ever be willing to go that deep again.
I did think about my blog while I was on this losing run. (I believe that's a good thing, because of how I believe this blog is supposed to help me reach my goals.) Now I'm reflecting on the goals I've set - and the fact that I've done it publicly. Just like Steve told me in response to one of my postings; I should set more short term goals. I'm going to do that and I'm going to also set some of my goals to include personal spendings.
I'm not trying to get to $100K without enjoying some of the cash - so, I'm going to give myself credit for the spending of what I will call "capital" purchases. Items like laptops, ipads etc. for school or our home - home decor.
I surrender!
About 4 hands later I had Ah Kh I raised in early position with cut off call and SB - flop As 7s 19s - we all checked, turn Ad, checked to me and I bet, cut off raised about the same as last hand - I knew I should fold and I called hoping for my kicker I guess. She flopped the flush, checked river. So bad!
Anyway, I couldn't really get a hand after that, lasted through the 4th round, then I doubled up and felted in two hands.
Played the cash game and ended up winning a total of 7 hands in 16 hours of play. I made about 3 bad calls after the flop in all that time, but not for any significant amount - I just knew I was behind and should not call. Any other hands I went past the flop with, I was cold decked on river 100%. It was a sick night. There was so much money on the table - I never really thought I should leave, although I did talk myself into believing the cards were going to change "soon"... lol I even went as far as to be willing to be $1000 deep - I've always thought it wasn't worth it in that card room. There are a small number of players that are willing to do that, a few have profited from making the investment but most don't. I really is not a "safe" room to go that deep because the game could break in a second with no back up options. I surrendered at $850 stuck and won't ever be willing to go that deep again.
I did think about my blog while I was on this losing run. (I believe that's a good thing, because of how I believe this blog is supposed to help me reach my goals.) Now I'm reflecting on the goals I've set - and the fact that I've done it publicly. Just like Steve told me in response to one of my postings; I should set more short term goals. I'm going to do that and I'm going to also set some of my goals to include personal spendings.
I'm not trying to get to $100K without enjoying some of the cash - so, I'm going to give myself credit for the spending of what I will call "capital" purchases. Items like laptops, ipads etc. for school or our home - home decor.
I surrender!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Good read, good call - but still lost the hand ... really?
Last night was a long one! Since I was running so good and lost 200 on Sunday I decided to start with $100 rather than $200, not to mention the fact that the game was short handed for about 1 1/2 hours. I was able to build my stack early and by the time the table was full I was up about 150. I won a couple more smaller pots and then it all changed I was slowly chipped away after missing flops for about 2 hours and I was back down to about even. Time was going fast, there was a lot of money on the table and I really wanted to book a win since there is a $130 tourney this weekend. (My main poker rooms anniversary party) So I just kept going, kept my game solid and started building.
Then the "goofy" hand happened. There is an "older" gentleman that plays, he's played poker for probably as old as I am (that's pretty old lol) We all know he slow plays he hands, but I've not played with him as much as others and I haven't been in many hands with him. I have watched him play bad and I've also caught him bluffing me - I just need a little more time with him hehe Anyway, I had 10s on the button and he was to my right. The flop was Kd 8d 3h he check called me (like usual) I put him on nothing and thought to myself "self! He's going to represent the flush if it comes" The turn was a blank nothing I could put him on. I bet $33 and he reached for his chips quickly when I was counting out my chips as if he was trying to slow me down - The river was a third diamond. He lead out for $50 - I was really confused at what he could have. I knew he did not have a set, I knew he did not have a King, and I was pretty sure not two pair. I really had decided he was going to represent the flush if it came - The $50 wasn't a "big" bet for the size of the pot, but it seemed like a big bet - I had to call - I had to see. WELL! He did not like my call, BUT he still had me beat! He had JJ (I had 10s) - My poker buddy said he had the same read as me. I feel like I got good information in the end, but damnit! Now I have to play later because I'm feeling good, liking how my game feels, and theres a good amount of money on the table.
I stayed solid, kept with my reads and called a good bluff on a decent size pot. That was a good one, someone said, "even the tight players bluff once in a while" Whew! That helped me a lot!
Profit $130
Cash me out!
Then the "goofy" hand happened. There is an "older" gentleman that plays, he's played poker for probably as old as I am (that's pretty old lol) We all know he slow plays he hands, but I've not played with him as much as others and I haven't been in many hands with him. I have watched him play bad and I've also caught him bluffing me - I just need a little more time with him hehe Anyway, I had 10s on the button and he was to my right. The flop was Kd 8d 3h he check called me (like usual) I put him on nothing and thought to myself "self! He's going to represent the flush if it comes" The turn was a blank nothing I could put him on. I bet $33 and he reached for his chips quickly when I was counting out my chips as if he was trying to slow me down - The river was a third diamond. He lead out for $50 - I was really confused at what he could have. I knew he did not have a set, I knew he did not have a King, and I was pretty sure not two pair. I really had decided he was going to represent the flush if it came - The $50 wasn't a "big" bet for the size of the pot, but it seemed like a big bet - I had to call - I had to see. WELL! He did not like my call, BUT he still had me beat! He had JJ (I had 10s) - My poker buddy said he had the same read as me. I feel like I got good information in the end, but damnit! Now I have to play later because I'm feeling good, liking how my game feels, and theres a good amount of money on the table.
I stayed solid, kept with my reads and called a good bluff on a decent size pot. That was a good one, someone said, "even the tight players bluff once in a while" Whew! That helped me a lot!
Profit $130
Cash me out!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Why do you call when you know you're beat???!!!
Quick update during my lunch break. Last night, most of the time I knew when I was ahead, and I knew when I was behind. I had AA four times and I think I started getting greedy. The last time I had them I had only raised to $9 - I think I did that because the table was short handed during that time - usually it's good to raise to $12 or more with that kind of hand. Anyway, the small blind snap called and the flop was Kh 9d 4h, he check called $18, and something told me STOOOPPPP he's got a set!... But no! I decided to be stubborn and I tried to convince myself that he had AK (lol) and he was putting me on another bluff.... Earlier I got caught in a bluff but still won the pot because I had bet the winners off the hand and the guy chasing missed. The turn was a blank, he checked I bet $43, and went all in and I gave the speech about him having a set and I called. I was right, he had a set,... I thought he had a set of 9's, I was wrong, he had Kings. Ugggghhhh. I couldn't put him on Kings, I would have expected a preflop reraise.
So, how'd the bankroll go?... we'll I had started off good for a short time, and then was suddenly down about 90. I had gotten back to 200 and staying right around that for about 1.5 hours and was thinking I was going to have an early night - I wasn't in the best of moods (HMM! Go figure!) I lost 200 in that hand... so I rebought for another 200 and things were going good, I got up to about 285, and then one person felted and he convince his friend to quit and it snowballed through two more people and basically broke the game. Unfortunately, I got greedy and wanted to see if I could get it during the short handed game... two hands I had trips and lost to a boat, the case card in both situations.
Profit - None
Loss $200
I surrender!
So, how'd the bankroll go?... we'll I had started off good for a short time, and then was suddenly down about 90. I had gotten back to 200 and staying right around that for about 1.5 hours and was thinking I was going to have an early night - I wasn't in the best of moods (HMM! Go figure!) I lost 200 in that hand... so I rebought for another 200 and things were going good, I got up to about 285, and then one person felted and he convince his friend to quit and it snowballed through two more people and basically broke the game. Unfortunately, I got greedy and wanted to see if I could get it during the short handed game... two hands I had trips and lost to a boat, the case card in both situations.
Profit - None
Loss $200
I surrender!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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!
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)
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)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)