April 26, 2007
This new approach to playing is going to pay off down the road. Aggression is what makes money in this game and that's been my bane for a while. If this works for a pro who plays $5/$10 NL who am I to think that there is a better way? I won't win every continuation bet I make but I'm determined to improve my game. This is also helping me open up my pre flop game in the right places and I'm getting more action on my big hands. I've found that when I make my raises and opponents playback they: 1) have a big hand or a big draw. 2) are floating me with a small pair. 3) are complete calling stations/idiots. Now the trick is to discern the differences in the players and make the best decisions. So, this is the first step in seriously improving my game. There will be more to come. Many more :) Good luck on the felt...........
April 23, 2007
A 180 from last post
This session was horrible. I didn't play a lot of hands, as I was trying something different that was suggested to me by a respected pro player who runs this site. In this session whenever I raised pre-flop I would c-bet (pot sized raise) no matter the player or the cards on the board. I didn't get to raise much as I was severely cold decked the whole time. I don't mean getting an Ace with a low offsuit card in early position either. I mean 72, 83, 32 (about 15 times). There was a stretch - 40+ hands - where the best hand I saw was T5 offsuit. The hands I did catch didn't fare too well. When I raised I was immediately re-raised and had to release my mid pair hand, or Top Pair, Weak Kicker hands, as they don't play too well in that size pot. I felt increasingly frustrated and decided to quit after 200 hands down almost one buy in.
I can see the reasoning behind playing so aggressively post flop. It's the weakest part of my game, and the more I am consistent with raising the more my really good hands will be disguised. In the long run I'll get paid off more when they come so I have to look forward to that. Good luck on the felt....................
I can see the reasoning behind playing so aggressively post flop. It's the weakest part of my game, and the more I am consistent with raising the more my really good hands will be disguised. In the long run I'll get paid off more when they come so I have to look forward to that. Good luck on the felt....................
April 20, 2007
Another Day.....
...... Another buy in to the good. I've had pretty good results recently even though I have big holes in my game. One, which I've talked about before, is not concentrating fully for every hand I'm involved in. I also need to pay more attention to the hands in which I'm not involved. One thing I'm going to start doing is guess what every player has and what their bets really mean, since basically players are having conversations through their actions. PAHUD numbers give you a good start but not the whole picture. This isn't an idea I originated. Ama300's post (and the link inside this post) from 2+2 is, as well as the newest video at PokerDynasty.net. I'll keep you posted on the progress of this new exercise.
April 16, 2007
Another Good Sunday
Not only did I play a little poker, but we had our daughter's 2nd birthday party as well. This is the first year that she fully understands the whole birthday thing and just to see the look on her face makes it all worthwhile. My wife worked really hard to get a lot done in the house and I have to say thank you for everything you do. You're the best, honey!
I managed to play 2 tables and get in 365 hands for a profit of a buy in. Nothing too special stood out from the session either. I made a few mistakes that cost me some pots, didn't let it affect my overall mood, and made it right back. It was a better session than last Friday night, as I made better decisions. I have a long way to go if I want to improve for the next level. I was reading two posts, here and here, that really got me thinking. They are very well written and his blog is in my links on the right. Please visit there.
I'm doing okay at this level, especially since I've only played 6 max for about 3 weeks. I've made some blunders, but not nearly as many as I thought possible. I do think I'm missing some opportunities to exploit my opponents' weaknesses and that is costing me money. The money is better than at full ring games and if I can apply myself and study more, and get rid of some of my biggest flaws I'm sure I'll have the roll for $50NL pretty soon. But simply having the bankroll to ascend to the next level doesn't mean squat if I don't get help in the areas I posted about here. If you want help with your game you would be doing yourself a favor by registering there. It's free to join, and there are some great poker minds there. Until then, good luck on the felt...........
I managed to play 2 tables and get in 365 hands for a profit of a buy in. Nothing too special stood out from the session either. I made a few mistakes that cost me some pots, didn't let it affect my overall mood, and made it right back. It was a better session than last Friday night, as I made better decisions. I have a long way to go if I want to improve for the next level. I was reading two posts, here and here, that really got me thinking. They are very well written and his blog is in my links on the right. Please visit there.
I'm doing okay at this level, especially since I've only played 6 max for about 3 weeks. I've made some blunders, but not nearly as many as I thought possible. I do think I'm missing some opportunities to exploit my opponents' weaknesses and that is costing me money. The money is better than at full ring games and if I can apply myself and study more, and get rid of some of my biggest flaws I'm sure I'll have the roll for $50NL pretty soon. But simply having the bankroll to ascend to the next level doesn't mean squat if I don't get help in the areas I posted about here. If you want help with your game you would be doing yourself a favor by registering there. It's free to join, and there are some great poker minds there. Until then, good luck on the felt...........
April 14, 2007
A Good Hand From Last Night
Not every hand I played was bad, but I think I left some chips on the table here. What do you think?
FullTiltPoker Game #2205168865: Table Stanford (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:59:18 ET - 2007/04/13
Seat 1 HERO ($39.10)
Seat 2: qbp305 ($43.30)
Seat 3: please no more ($24.40)
Seat 4: kiahbree ($34.40)
Seat 5: xDOCTORx ($21.60)
Seat 6: thebooboos ($45.55)
kiahbree posts the small blind of $0.10
xDOCTORx posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9d 9s]
thebooboos calls $0.25
HERO raises to $1.10
qbp305 folds
please no more folds
kiahbree folds
xDOCTORx folds
thebooboos calls $0.85
*** FLOP *** [9h Qc 8s]
thebooboos checks
HERO bets $2
thebooboos raises to $4
HERO raises to $14.55
thebooboos calls $10.55
*** TURN *** [9h Qc 8s] [6s]
thebooboos checks
HERO checks Do you bet a little something here?
*** RIVER *** [9h Qc 8s 6s] [6c]
thebooboos bets $5.50
HERO raises to $11 Is a push better here? I just felt afterwards that he would've called. Thoughts?
thebooboos calls $5.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO shows [9d 9s] (a full house, Nines full of Sixes)
thebooboos mucks
HERO wins the pot ($51) with a full house, Nines full of Sixes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $53.65 Rake $2.65
Board: [9h Qc 8s 6s 6c]
Seat 1: HERO showed [9d 9s] and won ($51) with a full house, Nines full of Sixes
Seat 2: qbp305 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: please no more (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: kiahbree (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: xDOCTORx (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: thebooboos mucked [Ts Qd] - two pair, Queens and Sixes
FullTiltPoker Game #2205168865: Table Stanford (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:59:18 ET - 2007/04/13
Seat 1 HERO ($39.10)
Seat 2: qbp305 ($43.30)
Seat 3: please no more ($24.40)
Seat 4: kiahbree ($34.40)
Seat 5: xDOCTORx ($21.60)
Seat 6: thebooboos ($45.55)
kiahbree posts the small blind of $0.10
xDOCTORx posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9d 9s]
thebooboos calls $0.25
HERO raises to $1.10
qbp305 folds
please no more folds
kiahbree folds
xDOCTORx folds
thebooboos calls $0.85
*** FLOP *** [9h Qc 8s]
thebooboos checks
HERO bets $2
thebooboos raises to $4
HERO raises to $14.55
thebooboos calls $10.55
*** TURN *** [9h Qc 8s] [6s]
thebooboos checks
HERO checks Do you bet a little something here?
*** RIVER *** [9h Qc 8s 6s] [6c]
thebooboos bets $5.50
HERO raises to $11 Is a push better here? I just felt afterwards that he would've called. Thoughts?
thebooboos calls $5.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO shows [9d 9s] (a full house, Nines full of Sixes)
thebooboos mucks
HERO wins the pot ($51) with a full house, Nines full of Sixes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $53.65 Rake $2.65
Board: [9h Qc 8s 6s 6c]
Seat 1: HERO showed [9d 9s] and won ($51) with a full house, Nines full of Sixes
Seat 2: qbp305 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: please no more (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: kiahbree (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: xDOCTORx (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: thebooboos mucked [Ts Qd] - two pair, Queens and Sixes
"I've Been Down So *** Damn Long.....
...That it looks like up to me!" Thanks to Jim Morrison for that quote. I'm posting some hand histories here, and these are ugly. I honestly did not think at all during these hands. Sometimes I have a tendency to push my weight around at the table and it gets me in trouble when I don't stop and think about what I'm doing.
Hand #1 5th hand played and literally no reads on any players.
Seat 1: Urban2 ($21.30)
Seat 2: gerger6969 ($7.50)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($8.35)
Seat 4: HERO ($24.65)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($22.40)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($13.35)
Urban2 posts the small blind of $0.10
gerger6969 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Jc]
HonestAbe 1 folds
HERO raises to $0.85
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 raises to $1.45
Urban2 folds
gerger6969 folds
Not a bad play here. I got someone 3 betting me. Fine. I'll call and see the flop.
HERO calls $0.60
*** FLOP *** [3d 9s 9h]
HERO bets $2
ACE071983 raises to $4
HERO calls $2
Is a check better here since I was 3 bet? The min raise put up a red flag to me that was ignored.
*** TURN *** [3d 9s 9h] [Qc]
HERO checks
ACE071983 bets $4
HERO raises to $8
At this point I know I'm beat and can't help myself. This is stupid. I know it. Beat me up for it anyway. I deserve it.
ACE071983 calls $3.90, and is all in
HERO shows [Jh Jc]
ACE071983 shows [Ad Ac]
Hand #2 Another min raise on the turn and over valuing TPTK equals the same result.
Seat 2: clodoc1 ($20.05)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($12.65)
Seat 4 HERO ($25.10)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($36)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($24.85)
HonestAbe 1 posts the small blind of $0.10
HERO posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Qs Ah]
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 calls $0.25
clodoc1 raises to $0.50
HonestAbe 1 calls $0.40
HERO calls $0.25
ACE071983 calls $0.25
*** FLOP *** [9d 3c Qd]
HonestAbe 1 checks
HERO bets $2
ACE071983 folds
clodoc1 calls $2
HonestAbe 1 folds
*** TURN *** [9d 3c Qd] [8h]
HERO bets $3.50
clodoc1 raises to $7
HERO calls $3.50
*** RIVER *** [9d 3c Qd 8h] [7s]
HERO bets $15.60, and is all in
clodoc1 calls $10.55, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $5.05 returned to HERO
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO shows [Qs Ah] (a pair of Queens)
clodoc1 shows [Qc Qh] (three of a kind, Queens)
Hand #3 I made a play on the flop that usually works vs. min bets. But, when he plays back I know I'm beat. Why did I keep playing this hand? Some form of tilt, and again, not thinking clearly. He is telling me he's in love with his hand. Just LAY IT DOWN!!!!!
Seat 1: qbp305 ($23.90)
Seat 2: clodoc1 ($34.35)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($15.25)
Seat 4: HERO ($28.95)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($32.95)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($25.70)
ACE071983 posts the small blind of $0.10
qbp305 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Td]
clodoc1 calls $0.25
HonestAbe 1 calls $0.25
HERO calls $0.25
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 calls $0.15
qbp305 checks
*** FLOP *** [Js 8c 8d]
ACE071983 checks
qbp305 checks
clodoc1 bets $0.25
HonestAbe 1 folds
HERO raises to $2
ACE071983 folds
qbp305 folds
clodoc1 raises to $3.75
HERO calls $1.75
*** TURN *** [Js 8c 8d] [Ts]
clodoc1 bets $4.75
HERO calls $4.75
*** RIVER *** [Js 8c 8d Ts] [5d]
clodoc1 has 15 seconds left to act
clodoc1 bets $4
HERO calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
clodoc1 shows [8h Ac] (three of a kind, Eights)
HERO mucks
Now, my whole session wasn't bad. I actually ended up winner for the night. I did settle down and trapped some players to get some nice scores on another table that I may post, but this blog isn't to simply brag. I want to improve. These were glaring mistakes I made last night. I may find some from last night where I won medium pots to see if I lost some value.
Good luck on the felt........
Hand #1 5th hand played and literally no reads on any players.
Seat 1: Urban2 ($21.30)
Seat 2: gerger6969 ($7.50)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($8.35)
Seat 4: HERO ($24.65)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($22.40)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($13.35)
Urban2 posts the small blind of $0.10
gerger6969 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Jc]
HonestAbe 1 folds
HERO raises to $0.85
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 raises to $1.45
Urban2 folds
gerger6969 folds
Not a bad play here. I got someone 3 betting me. Fine. I'll call and see the flop.
HERO calls $0.60
*** FLOP *** [3d 9s 9h]
HERO bets $2
ACE071983 raises to $4
HERO calls $2
Is a check better here since I was 3 bet? The min raise put up a red flag to me that was ignored.
*** TURN *** [3d 9s 9h] [Qc]
HERO checks
ACE071983 bets $4
HERO raises to $8
At this point I know I'm beat and can't help myself. This is stupid. I know it. Beat me up for it anyway. I deserve it.
ACE071983 calls $3.90, and is all in
HERO shows [Jh Jc]
ACE071983 shows [Ad Ac]
Hand #2 Another min raise on the turn and over valuing TPTK equals the same result.
Seat 2: clodoc1 ($20.05)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($12.65)
Seat 4 HERO ($25.10)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($36)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($24.85)
HonestAbe 1 posts the small blind of $0.10
HERO posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Qs Ah]
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 calls $0.25
clodoc1 raises to $0.50
HonestAbe 1 calls $0.40
HERO calls $0.25
ACE071983 calls $0.25
*** FLOP *** [9d 3c Qd]
HonestAbe 1 checks
HERO bets $2
ACE071983 folds
clodoc1 calls $2
HonestAbe 1 folds
*** TURN *** [9d 3c Qd] [8h]
HERO bets $3.50
clodoc1 raises to $7
HERO calls $3.50
*** RIVER *** [9d 3c Qd 8h] [7s]
HERO bets $15.60, and is all in
clodoc1 calls $10.55, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $5.05 returned to HERO
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO shows [Qs Ah] (a pair of Queens)
clodoc1 shows [Qc Qh] (three of a kind, Queens)
Hand #3 I made a play on the flop that usually works vs. min bets. But, when he plays back I know I'm beat. Why did I keep playing this hand? Some form of tilt, and again, not thinking clearly. He is telling me he's in love with his hand. Just LAY IT DOWN!!!!!
Seat 1: qbp305 ($23.90)
Seat 2: clodoc1 ($34.35)
Seat 3: HonestAbe 1 ($15.25)
Seat 4: HERO ($28.95)
Seat 5: mburnz8 ($32.95)
Seat 6: ACE071983 ($25.70)
ACE071983 posts the small blind of $0.10
qbp305 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Td]
clodoc1 calls $0.25
HonestAbe 1 calls $0.25
HERO calls $0.25
mburnz8 folds
ACE071983 calls $0.15
qbp305 checks
*** FLOP *** [Js 8c 8d]
ACE071983 checks
qbp305 checks
clodoc1 bets $0.25
HonestAbe 1 folds
HERO raises to $2
ACE071983 folds
qbp305 folds
clodoc1 raises to $3.75
HERO calls $1.75
*** TURN *** [Js 8c 8d] [Ts]
clodoc1 bets $4.75
HERO calls $4.75
*** RIVER *** [Js 8c 8d Ts] [5d]
clodoc1 has 15 seconds left to act
clodoc1 bets $4
HERO calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
clodoc1 shows [8h Ac] (three of a kind, Eights)
HERO mucks
Now, my whole session wasn't bad. I actually ended up winner for the night. I did settle down and trapped some players to get some nice scores on another table that I may post, but this blog isn't to simply brag. I want to improve. These were glaring mistakes I made last night. I may find some from last night where I won medium pots to see if I lost some value.
Good luck on the felt........
April 11, 2007
Quick recap of the weekend
I didn't play much poker this past weekend, as I had stuff to do to get ready for my daughter's 2nd birthday. I played 220 hands on Sunday evening and only won a few dollars, but at one point I was up a buy in. Early in the session I had command of the table by being aggressive pre- and post flop. I also picked off a nice bluff from a short stack who shoved with air.
Then all of a sudden the dynamic on the table changed after a few people replaced the passives, and I should've left as well. The table got very aggressive and I didn't adjust to this. To be honest, I don't really know what adjustments to make. Is it correct to sit back and wait for big hands? They don't come around that often so it's pretty transparent when you start raising them post flop. Or do you open up your 3 betting range? I find it hard to do at $25NL, or I just haven't done it enough to feel comfortable. If I ever want to get to the next level I'm going to have to figure this out. Good luck on the felt.....
Then all of a sudden the dynamic on the table changed after a few people replaced the passives, and I should've left as well. The table got very aggressive and I didn't adjust to this. To be honest, I don't really know what adjustments to make. Is it correct to sit back and wait for big hands? They don't come around that often so it's pretty transparent when you start raising them post flop. Or do you open up your 3 betting range? I find it hard to do at $25NL, or I just haven't done it enough to feel comfortable. If I ever want to get to the next level I'm going to have to figure this out. Good luck on the felt.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)