OK, so I was a little optimistic in my last post.
My NL play is still solid, and I made another $100. Although I did have to move up to the 50c/$1 level to get this.
However my roll has actually taken a bit of a battering.
The reason: I seem to have found a poker version of blackjack in the form of Razz.
With my roll at an all time high of $1,400 I decided to have a stab at heads-up Razz ($2/$4 limit). Won $20 without showing against a clown.
Bolstered by the success I moved to the $8/$16 level (!) and leaked all $160 of my buy-in in about 15 minutes.
Unperturbed by that I then lost another $150 playing $2/$4 limit RAZZ, five-handed.
I couldn't hit a thing. The basic rule of Razz seems to be don't play paint and don't play pairs, but whatever starting hand I had I then paired up or hit a succession of high cards. Also kept losing on the river when ahead.
I was on serious tilt by the time I managed to close the table down.
To cap it all I then donked off $70 on an Omaha H/L PL table and roll was down to a sorry $983. Arse!
I've managed to bump this back up to $1,160 - where I was about a fortnight ago - but it still is mighty galling.
So, just for fun, I've decided on some New Year's Resolution's a la MilkyBarKid
1) Build my roll to $3,500.
Very do-able at my current win rates, anything extra is a bonus.
2) Win a cash MTT with more than 100 entrants.
I'm not a massive MTT player, and have only a loyalty points freeroll (on Absolute) once. I've placed loads, especially back when I started playing in 2004, but it would be nice to get there at least once in 2007.
3) Don't play limit holdem and NO RAZZ.
Pretty obvious really.
4) Learn how to use Pokertracker better
I've got it, and log my results but I need to take the time to read the Pokertracker user guide, written by Iggy.
5)Try to vary my game more
This has to be the one of the keys to success on the cash tables. Although no matter how tight you've played, there always seems to be some chump who's bought in with all his stack and can't help but call to see your nuts!
Can't really think of much else at the mo, though I might add a couple at a later date.
On a personal note, I moved into my new flat today and have plans to see a couple of mates in Manchester for the New Year.
Work is going well and I'm actually quite hopeful of a promotion in the next couple of months. I have a finance exam in Jan which I should pass and am off skiing in two weeks for my first holiday in ages.
Ta-ra
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Winning run
I'm absolutely loving my poker at the moment. Cash games on FullTilt rule and I made another $100 in about 90 mins of two-tabling.
I'm now playing just 25c/50c NL and don't plan to move up til I reach $2,000.
I was lucky last night, hitting trips with 3s and 9s, and winning some by acting weak with As (after raising pre-flop).
I re-read yesterday's post and my style is slightly more complicated than basically feigning tightness and then stealing.
I have some other tricks, and one of the best is to raise pot pre-flop with position lots. It can definitely put low stakers on tilt and confuses the hell out of them.
I'm now playing just 25c/50c NL and don't plan to move up til I reach $2,000.
I was lucky last night, hitting trips with 3s and 9s, and winning some by acting weak with As (after raising pre-flop).
I re-read yesterday's post and my style is slightly more complicated than basically feigning tightness and then stealing.
I have some other tricks, and one of the best is to raise pot pre-flop with position lots. It can definitely put low stakers on tilt and confuses the hell out of them.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Slowly rising
The last week or so has been as hectic as ever. Lots of xmas dos, and room hunting have taken their toll.
I have one more booze-up left and then its Xmas, thank god.
I'm really not enjoying tournament and SNG play at the moment, but cash games are going well.
My stack is up to $1,300 now and slowly rising. The three sessions I've played since my last post have each netted around $100, all from the 25c/50c NL and 50c/$1 NL tables on FullTilt.
The more I play the more I realise how stupid I've been over the past two years of play.
The game is so much easier with a big stack behind you.
I've no problem calling big bets if I think I'm ahead and most importantly, I can now push around timid, small stack players who are obviously playing with all the roll. Frankly they seem to be papping their pants every time, they put some money in.
I really try to work on table image.
I like to play very tightly for a few rounds. And make a show of checking down blind v blind battles with a pr, so I can show at the end.
This means I can start stealing as my foes think I'm a supertight.
Last night I was flopped two str8 at the same time, on different tables and got paid off.
With Christmas coming, my aim is to move the roll past $1,500 by the new year, which is more than reasonable.
As long as I stay in my comfort zone of no more than 50c/$1 NL, I should be able to manage it.
On the home front I'm moving into a room in a house in Brixton with a freelance journalist and a French actress/post-grad student.
SPeak soon
I have one more booze-up left and then its Xmas, thank god.
I'm really not enjoying tournament and SNG play at the moment, but cash games are going well.
My stack is up to $1,300 now and slowly rising. The three sessions I've played since my last post have each netted around $100, all from the 25c/50c NL and 50c/$1 NL tables on FullTilt.
The more I play the more I realise how stupid I've been over the past two years of play.
The game is so much easier with a big stack behind you.
I've no problem calling big bets if I think I'm ahead and most importantly, I can now push around timid, small stack players who are obviously playing with all the roll. Frankly they seem to be papping their pants every time, they put some money in.
I really try to work on table image.
I like to play very tightly for a few rounds. And make a show of checking down blind v blind battles with a pr, so I can show at the end.
This means I can start stealing as my foes think I'm a supertight.
Last night I was flopped two str8 at the same time, on different tables and got paid off.
With Christmas coming, my aim is to move the roll past $1,500 by the new year, which is more than reasonable.
As long as I stay in my comfort zone of no more than 50c/$1 NL, I should be able to manage it.
On the home front I'm moving into a room in a house in Brixton with a freelance journalist and a French actress/post-grad student.
SPeak soon
Monday, December 04, 2006
Volatile returns
I played a lot this weekend, and played very poorly.
I have been made homeless after falling out with my flatmate/landlord, so I knew the weekend was to be the last time in at least two weeks when I had a chance to play.
Reaching a four-figure bankroll seems to have affected my play and I'm having trouble pushing on past it.
I have no trouble losing to the better hand all-in, but have too often called off all my buy-in on some very dubious calls.
I'm finding it too easy to just insta-call an all-in re-raise, w/o thinking. Sometimes they're bluffing, or have a marginal hand, but I've managed to lose a couple of $100 buy-ins simply from not thinking through the hand properly.
I've been trying to take advantage of the drunk American by playing early doors on the weekends, with success.
But ran into a drunk, and very lucky, bully to my left who raised every bet I made.
I waited and waited, but was getting nothing, before playing back at him on a turned str8, only to lose to a 4-outer, higher str8, on the river.
My roll is now just shy of $1,000 and will remain there until I find a new place to live.
Over at Stars, I've started turning my dwindling bankroll back up by playing pee-wee sit'n'go's ($3+.40c turbos omaha h/l) and am slowly eeking it back up, but this is more for fun than anything.
I'm staying for the next two weeks at my news editor's flat in Stoke Newington, while she is on holiday in Vietnam.
In the meantime I have two viewings, one in a flat in Hammersmith and the other in a house in Finsbury Park.
I'm hoping either will be suitable, but it looks like it will be an interview situation a la Shallow Grave.
We shall see if my charms work on them!
I have been made homeless after falling out with my flatmate/landlord, so I knew the weekend was to be the last time in at least two weeks when I had a chance to play.
Reaching a four-figure bankroll seems to have affected my play and I'm having trouble pushing on past it.
I have no trouble losing to the better hand all-in, but have too often called off all my buy-in on some very dubious calls.
I'm finding it too easy to just insta-call an all-in re-raise, w/o thinking. Sometimes they're bluffing, or have a marginal hand, but I've managed to lose a couple of $100 buy-ins simply from not thinking through the hand properly.
I've been trying to take advantage of the drunk American by playing early doors on the weekends, with success.
But ran into a drunk, and very lucky, bully to my left who raised every bet I made.
I waited and waited, but was getting nothing, before playing back at him on a turned str8, only to lose to a 4-outer, higher str8, on the river.
My roll is now just shy of $1,000 and will remain there until I find a new place to live.
Over at Stars, I've started turning my dwindling bankroll back up by playing pee-wee sit'n'go's ($3+.40c turbos omaha h/l) and am slowly eeking it back up, but this is more for fun than anything.
I'm staying for the next two weeks at my news editor's flat in Stoke Newington, while she is on holiday in Vietnam.
In the meantime I have two viewings, one in a flat in Hammersmith and the other in a house in Finsbury Park.
I'm hoping either will be suitable, but it looks like it will be an interview situation a la Shallow Grave.
We shall see if my charms work on them!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Rising fortunes
Just a quickieto say since my last post I've managed to get a wireless internet connection up-and-running at the flat.
Unfortunately the $900 deposit turned into $500 because the blackjack demons returned. V. v annoying.
But I have since turned this $500 into $1065.35 on FullTilt, a huge stack by my standards.
Most of this has come from the 50c/$1 NL tables, and a little from omaha h/l.
My basic plan is to stick at this level until I reach $2,000 - then move up.
I'm enjoying my time at the tables, mainly because I'm not playing so much.
Unfortunately the $900 deposit turned into $500 because the blackjack demons returned. V. v annoying.
But I have since turned this $500 into $1065.35 on FullTilt, a huge stack by my standards.
Most of this has come from the 50c/$1 NL tables, and a little from omaha h/l.
My basic plan is to stick at this level until I reach $2,000 - then move up.
I'm enjoying my time at the tables, mainly because I'm not playing so much.
Rising fortunes
Just a quickieto say since my last post I've managed to get a wireless internet connection up-and-running at the flat.
Unfortunately the $900 deposit turned into $500 because the blackjack demons returned. V. v annoying.
But I have since turned this $500 into $1065.35 on FullTilt, a huge stack by my standards.
Most of this has come from the 50c/$1 NL tables, and a little from omaha h/l.
My basic plan is to stick at this level until I reach $2,000 - then move up.
I'm enjoying my time at the tables, mainly because I'm not playing so much.
Unfortunately the $900 deposit turned into $500 because the blackjack demons returned. V. v annoying.
But I have since turned this $500 into $1065.35 on FullTilt, a huge stack by my standards.
Most of this has come from the 50c/$1 NL tables, and a little from omaha h/l.
My basic plan is to stick at this level until I reach $2,000 - then move up.
I'm enjoying my time at the tables, mainly because I'm not playing so much.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
One game
Lack of internet at home has seriously curtailed any poker play since my last post.
I've only managed to squeeze in the odd game while visiting my parents at home.
Only three things of note have happened since last month:
1) I've cashed out of PartyPoker, which has lost a LOT of traffic since the gambling legislation was passed. My neteller a/c now sits with $900.
2) I've slowly leaked $80 of my $200 deposit at Stars
3) I played the BIGGEST tournament of my life!
As you can guess I didn't cash but it was probably the closest I've come to a big payout.
It was the raketherake.com freeroll for Party players which had reached the dizzy heights of £25,000. Yet the new legislation limited it to non-US players and so only 54 lucky souls got a chance to play.
I happened to be home that Sunday so it worked out prefectly.
Six players paid, with 1st getting over $9,000 and 6th reaping $1,750.
It started ok when I won a few chips with 9s v two high cards.
My first double up was farily streaky when I re-raised all-in an early position raiser with aqs, and he flipped over qs. Ace on the flop.
With 10 min blinds and 3,000 starting chips, it quickly became a raise/fold game and lots of all ins.
I called a small stack all in with 5s, and he turned over k9s. NO k, no 9.
I then reraised a yo-yo bluffer with kqo all-in, and he took ages before folding.
I took the rest of his chips with kq again, vs his kj.
Had 10k in chips and was sitting pretty when I lost a ako v 8s race.
Then lost ajo v a10o all-in preflop (10 on turn) my only bad beat all game and was out 14th.
O well.
Thats a pretty quick summary but basically, I can't complain after outdrawing the qs early and not getting sucked out on 3x before my badbeat at the end.
Work is good. I've pretty much cemented my position as the best of the reporters. And yesterday picked up a pretty handy freelance gig which should net me a few quid each month.
Internet comes on Friday, and I'm heading for full tilt with the $900.
I've only managed to squeeze in the odd game while visiting my parents at home.
Only three things of note have happened since last month:
1) I've cashed out of PartyPoker, which has lost a LOT of traffic since the gambling legislation was passed. My neteller a/c now sits with $900.
2) I've slowly leaked $80 of my $200 deposit at Stars
3) I played the BIGGEST tournament of my life!
As you can guess I didn't cash but it was probably the closest I've come to a big payout.
It was the raketherake.com freeroll for Party players which had reached the dizzy heights of £25,000. Yet the new legislation limited it to non-US players and so only 54 lucky souls got a chance to play.
I happened to be home that Sunday so it worked out prefectly.
Six players paid, with 1st getting over $9,000 and 6th reaping $1,750.
It started ok when I won a few chips with 9s v two high cards.
My first double up was farily streaky when I re-raised all-in an early position raiser with aqs, and he flipped over qs. Ace on the flop.
With 10 min blinds and 3,000 starting chips, it quickly became a raise/fold game and lots of all ins.
I called a small stack all in with 5s, and he turned over k9s. NO k, no 9.
I then reraised a yo-yo bluffer with kqo all-in, and he took ages before folding.
I took the rest of his chips with kq again, vs his kj.
Had 10k in chips and was sitting pretty when I lost a ako v 8s race.
Then lost ajo v a10o all-in preflop (10 on turn) my only bad beat all game and was out 14th.
O well.
Thats a pretty quick summary but basically, I can't complain after outdrawing the qs early and not getting sucked out on 3x before my badbeat at the end.
Work is good. I've pretty much cemented my position as the best of the reporters. And yesterday picked up a pretty handy freelance gig which should net me a few quid each month.
Internet comes on Friday, and I'm heading for full tilt with the $900.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
New job, new city
It's been six weeks since my last post so for any readers out there I thought I'd update my blog.
I'm now a financial journalist working for a magazine in London.
My life in the north is over, probably forever, and I've joined the throng on the tube every day.
I suppose I'm still in a honeymoon period here. I'm sad to say I enjoy the subject matter, which is almost wholly investment-based, the money's ok, and the office is teaming with media honeys.
The best thing has to be the freebies where PR companies and fund managers are literally falling over themselves to offer us free stuff.
Whether it be a posh lunch, drinks after work or tickets to see a footie match or concert.
In just a month though I already feel overqualified for the job, most people here are either writers just out of journalist school or graduates.
No-one has shorthand and most can't write a decent story.
I've been on jobs with people five years younger than me, with incredibly posh accents, working for Reuters or the FT, who basically are a joke to journalism.
I s'pose this is my fault for spending four years bumming around Europe...
Anyway, the new job seems to have rejuvenated my poker skills.
I've taken the $290 I deposited a while back on Party to $800, which includes taking an additional $200 out of there into Stars.
Stars is up to $260 now.
Not doing much different, just playing higher limits and playing tight
Back to work now
Ta-ra for now
I'm now a financial journalist working for a magazine in London.
My life in the north is over, probably forever, and I've joined the throng on the tube every day.
I suppose I'm still in a honeymoon period here. I'm sad to say I enjoy the subject matter, which is almost wholly investment-based, the money's ok, and the office is teaming with media honeys.
The best thing has to be the freebies where PR companies and fund managers are literally falling over themselves to offer us free stuff.
Whether it be a posh lunch, drinks after work or tickets to see a footie match or concert.
In just a month though I already feel overqualified for the job, most people here are either writers just out of journalist school or graduates.
No-one has shorthand and most can't write a decent story.
I've been on jobs with people five years younger than me, with incredibly posh accents, working for Reuters or the FT, who basically are a joke to journalism.
I s'pose this is my fault for spending four years bumming around Europe...
Anyway, the new job seems to have rejuvenated my poker skills.
I've taken the $290 I deposited a while back on Party to $800, which includes taking an additional $200 out of there into Stars.
Stars is up to $260 now.
Not doing much different, just playing higher limits and playing tight
Back to work now
Ta-ra for now
Monday, August 07, 2006
Happy days
I had one of my best days on the felt yesterday in months.
I was feeling slightly the worse for wear after two nights of the tiles on Friday and Saturday, plus a round of golf in the rain on Sunday.
But it made no difference as I managed to kill two tables.
I played for about two hours on two tables (25c NL) before supper. On one I hovered on or below my $25 buy-in the whole time, but the second was a dream.
I won a $25 pot with jks and the turned nut flush. About two hands later I held 5s and the flop came 5,7,2 rainbow and I picked up about $20 without showing.
A few more wins and I left with around $75 for a tidy $50 profit.
Then, later in the night I found the BIGGEST fish I've ever come across.
He played every single hand, bet big, bluffed lots and seemed to have no idea of pot odds.
The best news of all was that he had more than $100 (4x the maximum buy-in) and seemed more than happy spread his winnings around.
It was very obvious after just a few hands that he was playing any two cards and would bluff at pots if he smelt any weakness from a player.
Yet people kept folding to his bets which was keeping his stack intact.
One example of his play was to call a $10 all-in pre flop raise (thats 40x the BB!) with 84s.
I was up to around $31 when I called his $3 river bet and raised turn with 2nd pr to win a tidy pot and move to $40.
I can't remember the hand I busted him the first time but I think I slow-played the nuts and he fell for it.
He reloaded $10.52 suggesting this was the last of his deposit and quickly doubled up with flopped 2pr (94o) v. Js.
The last hand was though I remember and it was sweet.
I had 54o in the small blind.
Flop came 575 with 2 diamonds. I checked, a new player - who deposited just $5 and had already doubled up against the FISH - bet $1, the FISH called and I called.
The turn was a 6 (not diamond), I checked, the new player checked, FISH bet $4 and we both called.
The river was a magic 4! I checked - basically I was 99% sure he would bet. He did, betting $20 (out of his $24.92 left), I put him in and he showed 83o for the rivered str8.
So, the 4 really was the money card.
I've been racking my brains to remember the first big hand but can't.
Anyway when I sat down he had over $100, when he left I had over $85, another player had about $60 and there 12 people on the waiting list, clamouring for a go at him.
In about four hours play my stack grew from around $250 to $370.
And this time I'm NOT going to lose it all by playing Limit Hold'em or Blackjack, honest!
Typing this at work so must dash.
I was feeling slightly the worse for wear after two nights of the tiles on Friday and Saturday, plus a round of golf in the rain on Sunday.
But it made no difference as I managed to kill two tables.
I played for about two hours on two tables (25c NL) before supper. On one I hovered on or below my $25 buy-in the whole time, but the second was a dream.
I won a $25 pot with jks and the turned nut flush. About two hands later I held 5s and the flop came 5,7,2 rainbow and I picked up about $20 without showing.
A few more wins and I left with around $75 for a tidy $50 profit.
Then, later in the night I found the BIGGEST fish I've ever come across.
He played every single hand, bet big, bluffed lots and seemed to have no idea of pot odds.
The best news of all was that he had more than $100 (4x the maximum buy-in) and seemed more than happy spread his winnings around.
It was very obvious after just a few hands that he was playing any two cards and would bluff at pots if he smelt any weakness from a player.
Yet people kept folding to his bets which was keeping his stack intact.
One example of his play was to call a $10 all-in pre flop raise (thats 40x the BB!) with 84s.
I was up to around $31 when I called his $3 river bet and raised turn with 2nd pr to win a tidy pot and move to $40.
I can't remember the hand I busted him the first time but I think I slow-played the nuts and he fell for it.
He reloaded $10.52 suggesting this was the last of his deposit and quickly doubled up with flopped 2pr (94o) v. Js.
The last hand was though I remember and it was sweet.
I had 54o in the small blind.
Flop came 575 with 2 diamonds. I checked, a new player - who deposited just $5 and had already doubled up against the FISH - bet $1, the FISH called and I called.
The turn was a 6 (not diamond), I checked, the new player checked, FISH bet $4 and we both called.
The river was a magic 4! I checked - basically I was 99% sure he would bet. He did, betting $20 (out of his $24.92 left), I put him in and he showed 83o for the rivered str8.
So, the 4 really was the money card.
I've been racking my brains to remember the first big hand but can't.
Anyway when I sat down he had over $100, when he left I had over $85, another player had about $60 and there 12 people on the waiting list, clamouring for a go at him.
In about four hours play my stack grew from around $250 to $370.
And this time I'm NOT going to lose it all by playing Limit Hold'em or Blackjack, honest!
Typing this at work so must dash.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
The fall and rise of a bankroll
Poker is a strange beast. When you're running hot, it seems the easiest way to make money. But then the bad beats start and you wonder why you bother.
My roll on Party has reached a high of $450 and a low of $138, from a starting point of $295.
Over the course of the month I've learnt a valuable lesson: I'm rubbish at limit poker.
When I play low-level NL, I'm a winning player. Ditto for SNG and MTTs.
But the odd win on limit doesn't disguise the fact that I suck at the game.
The low point came a couple of weeks back after some serious tilting on $2/$4 Limit badbeat jackpot tables. And I shouldn't even be playing such high limits with my current bankroll.
Anyway, I've eeked it back up over the next few sessions and stand at around $250 again.
I honestly think part of my problem is that once I'm up I start relaxing, and end up losing pots I should never have been in in the first place.
Workwise, I have seven days left to go before I leave regional journalism for ever.
It will also mean I won't be playing as much poker, as moving to London means more hours at work and a longer commute.
But in the meantime, I still plan to play as much as poss until then.
Bye for now
My roll on Party has reached a high of $450 and a low of $138, from a starting point of $295.
Over the course of the month I've learnt a valuable lesson: I'm rubbish at limit poker.
When I play low-level NL, I'm a winning player. Ditto for SNG and MTTs.
But the odd win on limit doesn't disguise the fact that I suck at the game.
The low point came a couple of weeks back after some serious tilting on $2/$4 Limit badbeat jackpot tables. And I shouldn't even be playing such high limits with my current bankroll.
Anyway, I've eeked it back up over the next few sessions and stand at around $250 again.
I honestly think part of my problem is that once I'm up I start relaxing, and end up losing pots I should never have been in in the first place.
Workwise, I have seven days left to go before I leave regional journalism for ever.
It will also mean I won't be playing as much poker, as moving to London means more hours at work and a longer commute.
But in the meantime, I still plan to play as much as poss until then.
Bye for now
Monday, July 17, 2006
Update
Been playing sporadically in the past ten days.
NL, limit, and bit of Omaha and the odd freeroll.
My roll reached a high of $430 before dropping back down to $270.
Most of the losses have come from $1/$2 limit and the $2/$4 Badbeat jackpot tables.
On Sunday I tried a couple of multi-table SNG, 3-table and 5-table, and came 3rd and 2nd respectively to net myself about $70-ish profit so I'm standing around $360 now.
I like Party but I'm thinking about having a go at Full Tilt and its 100% deposit bonus.
On the work front I just handed in my notice! I start work as a reporter at an investment magazine in London next month.
I've decided to rent out my flat up here and will be moving back down south soon. I'll prob have to stay with my folks for the first couple of weeks, but I should be able to find a room somewhere.
NL, limit, and bit of Omaha and the odd freeroll.
My roll reached a high of $430 before dropping back down to $270.
Most of the losses have come from $1/$2 limit and the $2/$4 Badbeat jackpot tables.
On Sunday I tried a couple of multi-table SNG, 3-table and 5-table, and came 3rd and 2nd respectively to net myself about $70-ish profit so I'm standing around $360 now.
I like Party but I'm thinking about having a go at Full Tilt and its 100% deposit bonus.
On the work front I just handed in my notice! I start work as a reporter at an investment magazine in London next month.
I've decided to rent out my flat up here and will be moving back down south soon. I'll prob have to stay with my folks for the first couple of weeks, but I should be able to find a room somewhere.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
The Good, The Bad and The Downright Ugly
I'll start with the ugly because this happened first.
I'm afraid to say my Blackjack demons returned in a big way. My roll at Ultimate Bet was sitting pretty at around $400, having soared from a low of about $20 a couple of months ago.
I was playing tightly and winning money regularly. Then disaster struck and blew it all in 30 minutes.
My initial deposit was $200 and I've managed to win about $75 from rakeback, but it still hurt. This was all last week, and was too embarrassed to write about it.
Suffice it to say that I lost about $50, and then kept trying to win it back with bigger and bigger bets.
Went camping with some colleagues at the weekend, which was a great way to forget about my poker pains.
Returned on Monday and deposited my Absolute bankroll of $300 into Party Poker.
I'd never played there before so it was fun to have hundreds of tables to chose from.
The Bad is that I lost about $50 quickly on the 25c/50c NL tables. I couldn't hit a hand, missed flushes, got trips cracked 2x.
The good is that I quickly released my 20 per cent bonus of around $55 to clear that debt and then won a $6 10-man SNG late last night.
It was limit, which I didn't realise when I enrolled, but I got a handy chip lead when I flopped a set with 4s, and then rivered a fullhouse with JKo to crack As and a flush.
I was late for work this morning as a result of my late night playing, and got a mild ticking off, but I really don't care.
As for work, I'm plodding along, its the start of silly season when everyone's on holiday and not much is happening.
I went for a job interview in London at a magazine yesterday and feel I've got a good shot at getting it.
I have a writing test to do tonite. This month could be the end of my northern dalliance and the end of my regional newspaper career.
We'll see.
I'm afraid to say my Blackjack demons returned in a big way. My roll at Ultimate Bet was sitting pretty at around $400, having soared from a low of about $20 a couple of months ago.
I was playing tightly and winning money regularly. Then disaster struck and blew it all in 30 minutes.
My initial deposit was $200 and I've managed to win about $75 from rakeback, but it still hurt. This was all last week, and was too embarrassed to write about it.
Suffice it to say that I lost about $50, and then kept trying to win it back with bigger and bigger bets.
Went camping with some colleagues at the weekend, which was a great way to forget about my poker pains.
Returned on Monday and deposited my Absolute bankroll of $300 into Party Poker.
I'd never played there before so it was fun to have hundreds of tables to chose from.
The Bad is that I lost about $50 quickly on the 25c/50c NL tables. I couldn't hit a hand, missed flushes, got trips cracked 2x.
The good is that I quickly released my 20 per cent bonus of around $55 to clear that debt and then won a $6 10-man SNG late last night.
It was limit, which I didn't realise when I enrolled, but I got a handy chip lead when I flopped a set with 4s, and then rivered a fullhouse with JKo to crack As and a flush.
I was late for work this morning as a result of my late night playing, and got a mild ticking off, but I really don't care.
As for work, I'm plodding along, its the start of silly season when everyone's on holiday and not much is happening.
I went for a job interview in London at a magazine yesterday and feel I've got a good shot at getting it.
I have a writing test to do tonite. This month could be the end of my northern dalliance and the end of my regional newspaper career.
We'll see.
Monday, June 26, 2006
WSOP freeroll
Three days in Prague was the ideal preparation for my WSOP freeroll...well, almost.
My plane back from Czech was 90 mins late so I had to listen to the first-half of the England v Ecuador match on the radio.
Caught Beckham's goal, and saw England play poorly but without incident against a very defensive minded team.
They looked tired and lacked drive, but I still think they have a good chance of beating Portugal in the quarter finals.
Anyway, after the game I moved on to my PC and waited for the WSOP freeroll to start.
There were 39 registered for the game with $5,000 WSOP seat for the winner and $500 shared between the final nine.
I qualified after playing 2,500 raked hands in May.
Understandably, play started tightly with small pots and mild swings.
I lost an early hand button v big blind when I called a check-raise on the turn (for 5xbb) with top pair and a flush draw against a foe who had turned a str8.
But I got it back quickly when I held Ks and check raised an 8-hi flop.
Nine non-starters were then withdrawn and we were down to 30.
I hovered around 1500 chips for several hands and the table
There were two aggressive players - Villain and DeuceA1 - who were constantly tangling.
Villain took him down in two hands with 9s v Ako when Villain hit a four flush, and then Aqo v a slightly tilty A7o from Deuce.
The blinds were at level II and I raised early with AJs. All folded and it quickly became a raise/fold game round the table.
I won a nice pot at level III with Qs against Draco Malfoy again, in almost identical fashion - calling his 3xbb pre-flop raise then raising a low flop post flop.
My biggest hand came after 45 mins with Js
Table: 3 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 1 - ANECHKA ($3540 in chips)
Seat 2 - __VILLAIN__ ($3200 in chips)
Seat 3 - FIGAROCLEO ($1145 in chips)
Seat 4 - DRACO MALFOY ($1000 in chips)
Seat 5 - NIHILISTI ($1410 in chips)
Seat 6 - QUANTICFIVE ($1860 in chips)
Seat 8 - SHUUSH ($1005 in chips)
Seat 9 - THAT FISH ($3155 in chips)
NIHILISTI - Posts small blind $40
QUANTICFIVE - Posts big blind $80
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to QUANTICFIVE [Jc Js]
ANECHKA - Raises $240 to $240
QUANTICFIVE - Calls $160
*** FLOP *** [6s 9c Jh]
QUANTICFIVE - Checks
ANECHKA - Bets $240
QUANTICFIVE - Raises $480 to $480
ANECHKA - Calls $240
*** TURN *** [6s 9c Jh] [9d]
QUANTICFIVE - Checks
ANECHKA - Checks
*** RIVER *** [6s 9c Jh 9d] [9h]
QUANTICFIVE - Bets $400
ANECHKA - Folds
QUANTICFIVE - returned ($400) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
QUANTICFIVE - Does not show
QUANTICFIVE Collects $1480 from main pot
Should have bet the turn but I was trying to let him catch up.
For the next half hour we were playing six handed and I slowly started to get blinded down until I had about $1600 with the blinds at $150.
The next hand couldn't have worked out better. I found As late against THAT FISH he was the most active player on the table - and had re-raised all in 3xbb pre-flop raises along with a couple of other players a few times.
Sure enough, he put me all in with qks and I doubled up.
The very next hand I found 10s and raised 3xbb again. Villain who had called the bb in 1st position called.
An A-10-9 flop, with 2 clubs was almost perfect. Villain led out $600 and instead of calling I raised all-in.
He was there to be taken and I should've fished him in. He was busted out about three hands later.
I was now 3rd out of about 10.
We played five handed for a while and we were soon onto the final table.
I was about 6th at the start of the final table, with about 4000 and blinds at 200.
I found As again and did the standard 3xbb raise but no=one called.
Eight hands later I got Ks, and won about $2000.
I was getting lucky with the hi pairs.
It got quite frenetic after this with lots of pre-flop bets and raises. I feel I didn't make a mistake until we were down to the last 3.
The chip counts were:
Seat 3 - PHANTOMSHARK ($23710 in chips)
Seat 6 - QUANTICFIVE ($8170 in chips)
Seat 8 - WILDSAMOAN ($13610 in chips)
I did my standard 3xbb with Ajo got re-raised by Phantom Shark, who I believed but instead of folding I shoved and lost to his Aq0.
Its only now that I write this do I realise how close I came to winning.
I had a very tight table image, and was starting to make some plays...I coulda outplayed them with the right cards.
I won $100, which is not to be sniffed at but it coulda been so much more.
Phantom ended up winning the $5,000 after a 30 mins heads up battle and deserved the win.
I then won $30 on an AP points freerol, coming 3rd again.
So long for now...
My plane back from Czech was 90 mins late so I had to listen to the first-half of the England v Ecuador match on the radio.
Caught Beckham's goal, and saw England play poorly but without incident against a very defensive minded team.
They looked tired and lacked drive, but I still think they have a good chance of beating Portugal in the quarter finals.
Anyway, after the game I moved on to my PC and waited for the WSOP freeroll to start.
There were 39 registered for the game with $5,000 WSOP seat for the winner and $500 shared between the final nine.
I qualified after playing 2,500 raked hands in May.
Understandably, play started tightly with small pots and mild swings.
I lost an early hand button v big blind when I called a check-raise on the turn (for 5xbb) with top pair and a flush draw against a foe who had turned a str8.
But I got it back quickly when I held Ks and check raised an 8-hi flop.
Nine non-starters were then withdrawn and we were down to 30.
I hovered around 1500 chips for several hands and the table
There were two aggressive players - Villain and DeuceA1 - who were constantly tangling.
Villain took him down in two hands with 9s v Ako when Villain hit a four flush, and then Aqo v a slightly tilty A7o from Deuce.
The blinds were at level II and I raised early with AJs. All folded and it quickly became a raise/fold game round the table.
I won a nice pot at level III with Qs against Draco Malfoy again, in almost identical fashion - calling his 3xbb pre-flop raise then raising a low flop post flop.
My biggest hand came after 45 mins with Js
Table: 3 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 1 - ANECHKA ($3540 in chips)
Seat 2 - __VILLAIN__ ($3200 in chips)
Seat 3 - FIGAROCLEO ($1145 in chips)
Seat 4 - DRACO MALFOY ($1000 in chips)
Seat 5 - NIHILISTI ($1410 in chips)
Seat 6 - QUANTICFIVE ($1860 in chips)
Seat 8 - SHUUSH ($1005 in chips)
Seat 9 - THAT FISH ($3155 in chips)
NIHILISTI - Posts small blind $40
QUANTICFIVE - Posts big blind $80
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to QUANTICFIVE [Jc Js]
ANECHKA - Raises $240 to $240
QUANTICFIVE - Calls $160
*** FLOP *** [6s 9c Jh]
QUANTICFIVE - Checks
ANECHKA - Bets $240
QUANTICFIVE - Raises $480 to $480
ANECHKA - Calls $240
*** TURN *** [6s 9c Jh] [9d]
QUANTICFIVE - Checks
ANECHKA - Checks
*** RIVER *** [6s 9c Jh 9d] [9h]
QUANTICFIVE - Bets $400
ANECHKA - Folds
QUANTICFIVE - returned ($400) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
QUANTICFIVE - Does not show
QUANTICFIVE Collects $1480 from main pot
Should have bet the turn but I was trying to let him catch up.
For the next half hour we were playing six handed and I slowly started to get blinded down until I had about $1600 with the blinds at $150.
The next hand couldn't have worked out better. I found As late against THAT FISH he was the most active player on the table - and had re-raised all in 3xbb pre-flop raises along with a couple of other players a few times.
Sure enough, he put me all in with qks and I doubled up.
The very next hand I found 10s and raised 3xbb again. Villain who had called the bb in 1st position called.
An A-10-9 flop, with 2 clubs was almost perfect. Villain led out $600 and instead of calling I raised all-in.
He was there to be taken and I should've fished him in. He was busted out about three hands later.
I was now 3rd out of about 10.
We played five handed for a while and we were soon onto the final table.
I was about 6th at the start of the final table, with about 4000 and blinds at 200.
I found As again and did the standard 3xbb raise but no=one called.
Eight hands later I got Ks, and won about $2000.
I was getting lucky with the hi pairs.
It got quite frenetic after this with lots of pre-flop bets and raises. I feel I didn't make a mistake until we were down to the last 3.
The chip counts were:
Seat 3 - PHANTOMSHARK ($23710 in chips)
Seat 6 - QUANTICFIVE ($8170 in chips)
Seat 8 - WILDSAMOAN ($13610 in chips)
I did my standard 3xbb with Ajo got re-raised by Phantom Shark, who I believed but instead of folding I shoved and lost to his Aq0.
Its only now that I write this do I realise how close I came to winning.
I had a very tight table image, and was starting to make some plays...I coulda outplayed them with the right cards.
I won $100, which is not to be sniffed at but it coulda been so much more.
Phantom ended up winning the $5,000 after a 30 mins heads up battle and deserved the win.
I then won $30 on an AP points freerol, coming 3rd again.
So long for now...
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Blackjack, no poker
I've played v little poker in the past few days.
I cashed out on Absolute and am still waiting for the money to hit my neteller a/c, so I've only been playing on Ultimate.
A few raids have netted pennies there and the bankroll still stands at around $330.
On Sunday, I decided to have a go at Blackjack bonus whoring for the first time.
I opened an a/c with 888.net, deposited $200 and played textbook (i.e mindless) blackjack for about four hours and withdrew $428.
I needed to play 20x my deposit to release the match bonus and just followed the strategy card.
When I've got a few hours spare I'll have another go at another site.
Work is brutal at the moment, but I'm off to Prague on friday for a couple of days to see my quasi-girlfriend and celebrate her b'day by getting horrifically drunk.
I hope to get back in time for the raketherake.com WSOP freeroll I qualified for last month.
It'll be a race from the airport but I should make it back in time.
I cashed out on Absolute and am still waiting for the money to hit my neteller a/c, so I've only been playing on Ultimate.
A few raids have netted pennies there and the bankroll still stands at around $330.
On Sunday, I decided to have a go at Blackjack bonus whoring for the first time.
I opened an a/c with 888.net, deposited $200 and played textbook (i.e mindless) blackjack for about four hours and withdrew $428.
I needed to play 20x my deposit to release the match bonus and just followed the strategy card.
When I've got a few hours spare I'll have another go at another site.
Work is brutal at the moment, but I'm off to Prague on friday for a couple of days to see my quasi-girlfriend and celebrate her b'day by getting horrifically drunk.
I hope to get back in time for the raketherake.com WSOP freeroll I qualified for last month.
It'll be a race from the airport but I should make it back in time.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Questionairre
Saw this questionairre floating around a while back so though I'd have a go.
1. What is the biggest mistake people make at a NL table?
Overbetting top pair.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make at a Limit table?
Calling down with mediocre hands.
3. Why do you play poker?
I enjoy the buzz of playing. I'm a gambler at heart and I know I can beat the game, which makes it better than the blackjack and the horses any day.
4. If you weren't playing poker, what would you be doing?
Surfing, watching TV, chatting to my flatmate more (who complains I ignore him!) and prob. playing chess online. I still haven't turned down a night on the tiles to play poker but I'm sure that day will come.
5. What is your favorite poker book and why?
Big Deal by Anthony Holden. Hilarious and absorbing.
6. Who is your favorite poker player and why?
I normally root for any of the Brits when I watch on TV. Don't really have a favourite but I s'pose the Milkybarkid has to be a up there cos of his blog.
7. Which poker player do you dislike the most and why?
Erm...pass
8. Do your coworkers know about your blog?
No
9. What is the most you have won in a cash game or MTT (both live and online)?
Prob around $200 - all from one pot of Omaha H/L NL on Ladbrokes when I first started playing.
10. What is the most you have lost in a cash game or in one day total (both live and online)?
Prob around $100. I always stop if it gets too bad.
11. Who was your first poker blog read?
Not sure but Tao of Poker was one of the first US blogs, Milkybarkid and the internetpokerpro in the UK.
12. What satisfies you more, your aces holding up for a big pot or a bluff working for a big pot?
Bluff definitely as I hardly ever bluff. When I do I absolutely pap my pants. I s'pose this is why I'm a recreational player. I'm quite good at spotting bluffs though and getting someone to show nothing is always satisfying.
13. Why do you blog?
As a journalist writing stuff down takes no time at all and I like sharing stories.
I also thought it would help me play better if I recorded my winnings and a few hands.
14. Do you read blogs from an RSS reader like bloglines or do you visit each blog?
Mainly through bloglines but I sometimes check out sites direct.
15. Would you rather play poker for a living than do what you currently do for a living?
No, too much poker gets old quite quickly. I can tell when it s time to stop because I start playing loose and fast, and start playing too many tables out of boredom.
I have a great job and working with around 40 other journalists is a blast. They love going out and have loads of great stories to tell. Although a successfull poker player definitely earns a lot more than a journalist
16. Do you wear a tin foil hat on occasion?
Nope
17. If you had to pin it down to one specific trait, what does a great poker player have (or do) that separates them from an average player?
Balls the size of elephants, be able to bluff, be a great reader of other players and have a big roll. If you listen to interviews with successful players they are also very motivated to be the best - to win bracelets etc. Ambition is the key to any successful career.
18. Is Drizz the coolest person on the planet for naming his baby Vegas?
Have no idea.
19. What is your primary poker goal and are you close to accomplishing it?
I s'pose build a bigger bankroll and make more money. But I don't think I'm ever going to get rich from the game. In the past, I've always cashed out my winnings when it gets to a certain amount. We'll see when the roll reaches four figures again how broke I am!
20. What is your primary online site and why?
At the mo, Ultimate Bet and Absolute. But will soon change to some of the other biggie's. As far as I can tell there are fish at all sites, so I go by rake and rakeback, deposit bonuses and traffic as my main indicators for where to play.
21. What site do you dislike and why?
None really.
1. What is the biggest mistake people make at a NL table?
Overbetting top pair.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make at a Limit table?
Calling down with mediocre hands.
3. Why do you play poker?
I enjoy the buzz of playing. I'm a gambler at heart and I know I can beat the game, which makes it better than the blackjack and the horses any day.
4. If you weren't playing poker, what would you be doing?
Surfing, watching TV, chatting to my flatmate more (who complains I ignore him!) and prob. playing chess online. I still haven't turned down a night on the tiles to play poker but I'm sure that day will come.
5. What is your favorite poker book and why?
Big Deal by Anthony Holden. Hilarious and absorbing.
6. Who is your favorite poker player and why?
I normally root for any of the Brits when I watch on TV. Don't really have a favourite but I s'pose the Milkybarkid has to be a up there cos of his blog.
7. Which poker player do you dislike the most and why?
Erm...pass
8. Do your coworkers know about your blog?
No
9. What is the most you have won in a cash game or MTT (both live and online)?
Prob around $200 - all from one pot of Omaha H/L NL on Ladbrokes when I first started playing.
10. What is the most you have lost in a cash game or in one day total (both live and online)?
Prob around $100. I always stop if it gets too bad.
11. Who was your first poker blog read?
Not sure but Tao of Poker was one of the first US blogs, Milkybarkid and the internetpokerpro in the UK.
12. What satisfies you more, your aces holding up for a big pot or a bluff working for a big pot?
Bluff definitely as I hardly ever bluff. When I do I absolutely pap my pants. I s'pose this is why I'm a recreational player. I'm quite good at spotting bluffs though and getting someone to show nothing is always satisfying.
13. Why do you blog?
As a journalist writing stuff down takes no time at all and I like sharing stories.
I also thought it would help me play better if I recorded my winnings and a few hands.
14. Do you read blogs from an RSS reader like bloglines or do you visit each blog?
Mainly through bloglines but I sometimes check out sites direct.
15. Would you rather play poker for a living than do what you currently do for a living?
No, too much poker gets old quite quickly. I can tell when it s time to stop because I start playing loose and fast, and start playing too many tables out of boredom.
I have a great job and working with around 40 other journalists is a blast. They love going out and have loads of great stories to tell. Although a successfull poker player definitely earns a lot more than a journalist
16. Do you wear a tin foil hat on occasion?
Nope
17. If you had to pin it down to one specific trait, what does a great poker player have (or do) that separates them from an average player?
Balls the size of elephants, be able to bluff, be a great reader of other players and have a big roll. If you listen to interviews with successful players they are also very motivated to be the best - to win bracelets etc. Ambition is the key to any successful career.
18. Is Drizz the coolest person on the planet for naming his baby Vegas?
Have no idea.
19. What is your primary poker goal and are you close to accomplishing it?
I s'pose build a bigger bankroll and make more money. But I don't think I'm ever going to get rich from the game. In the past, I've always cashed out my winnings when it gets to a certain amount. We'll see when the roll reaches four figures again how broke I am!
20. What is your primary online site and why?
At the mo, Ultimate Bet and Absolute. But will soon change to some of the other biggie's. As far as I can tell there are fish at all sites, so I go by rake and rakeback, deposit bonuses and traffic as my main indicators for where to play.
21. What site do you dislike and why?
None really.
World Cup
Haven't been playing much poker in the past week, mainly because of the World Cup.
I haven't watch every game, but it's been pretty darn close.
We have a sweepstake going on in the newsroom which needed you to pick the correct score for EVERY first round game, then all the qualifiers for the 2nd round, 1/4 finals, semis and final.
Its a point based scoring system. At the mo, its 5 pts for a correct score and 2 pts for the correct result.
Basically the laws of probability took over for me and I went one-nil for every game.
This has seriously pissed off my colleagues cos I'm leading by miles.
I think there's been five 1-0s, while the rest of the newsroom got swept up in World Cup fever and were predicting scores like 3-1 and 4-0 for almost every game.
It's got to the stage where everyone knows what I've done and there are cheers when a 2nd goal goes in.
I played up to my role as bad guy during the England v T&T game by pretending to be pissed off when Gerrard knocked in the extra time 2nd goal.
Anyway, I think the money is mine.
What following little poker I have been playing, I've cashed out of Absolute - around $280.
And UB is sitting at around $320.
Gonna register for the blogger freeroll on Stars when I get home (I'm on an Saturday early shift at work today) if its not too late.
I haven't watch every game, but it's been pretty darn close.
We have a sweepstake going on in the newsroom which needed you to pick the correct score for EVERY first round game, then all the qualifiers for the 2nd round, 1/4 finals, semis and final.
Its a point based scoring system. At the mo, its 5 pts for a correct score and 2 pts for the correct result.
Basically the laws of probability took over for me and I went one-nil for every game.
This has seriously pissed off my colleagues cos I'm leading by miles.
I think there's been five 1-0s, while the rest of the newsroom got swept up in World Cup fever and were predicting scores like 3-1 and 4-0 for almost every game.
It's got to the stage where everyone knows what I've done and there are cheers when a 2nd goal goes in.
I played up to my role as bad guy during the England v T&T game by pretending to be pissed off when Gerrard knocked in the extra time 2nd goal.
Anyway, I think the money is mine.
What following little poker I have been playing, I've cashed out of Absolute - around $280.
And UB is sitting at around $320.
Gonna register for the blogger freeroll on Stars when I get home (I'm on an Saturday early shift at work today) if its not too late.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Mo money
Work has been dull this week.
I have a page to fill everyday, and as business editor, it also means I'm under constant pressure to produce page leads and front-of-the-book stories on top of this.
I had two splashes last week, including a great exclusive into a £3 milllion training centre which was under investigate for fraud.
But after the highs of last week, I basically spent this week resting on my laurels and peddling the crap.
Had no decent stories really.
On the poker front, my Ultimate Bet roll is slowing rising.
Up to $320-ish now from a couple of big NL Hold'em hands. Trips and top two pair all-ins.
The 'big' news is that I've qualified for a WSOP freeroll through raketherake at Absolute after playing 2,500 hands there last month.
Winner gets $5,000 towards a WSOP seat, with the cash not spent on entry fees going towards travel expenses.
There's also $500 to share out. With only 40+ qualifiers I should have a fair chance.
I have a page to fill everyday, and as business editor, it also means I'm under constant pressure to produce page leads and front-of-the-book stories on top of this.
I had two splashes last week, including a great exclusive into a £3 milllion training centre which was under investigate for fraud.
But after the highs of last week, I basically spent this week resting on my laurels and peddling the crap.
Had no decent stories really.
On the poker front, my Ultimate Bet roll is slowing rising.
Up to $320-ish now from a couple of big NL Hold'em hands. Trips and top two pair all-ins.
The 'big' news is that I've qualified for a WSOP freeroll through raketherake at Absolute after playing 2,500 hands there last month.
Winner gets $5,000 towards a WSOP seat, with the cash not spent on entry fees going towards travel expenses.
There's also $500 to share out. With only 40+ qualifiers I should have a fair chance.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
One month on
Ok, it's not quite been a month but its been too long.
I've been playing in fits and starts. Work has been brutal and the weather has been too nice to sit and play all the time.
My bankroll on Absolute has stagnated and I've almost given up playing there.
The traffic when I tend to play (between 5pm and 9pm) BST is very low.
I've not quite achived my aim of cashing out the $300 I lost playing blackjack, it sits at $250.
But I think I would be better served to move it all to another site. I'm looking at having a go at Party Poker for the first time, and maybe redepositing at Full Tilt.
The highlight at Absolute was winning my first over 100 person tournie. It was an bonus point tournie with cash for the final table.
At the same time, I came fourth in a $2 NL tournie with around 100 starters.
I felt I was v. unlucky in that. I was big chip leader twice but kept getting rivered and couldn't knock any of the short stacks out all in.
Only one of the one the players had a clue how to play short-handed.
Anyway, the real plus is that I've hit a run of form on Ultimate Bet and am finally now in profit.
The roll is up to $280, including winning about $75 last night from playing PL Omaha H/L and NL Hold'em.
Hit some great hands, quad aces on the flop at Omaha which paid off and trips 4s on an all low flop, both of which netted around $25.
I also managed to pair the board with trip 10s on the river against two players with str8s on the turn.
I was committed but it's nice when you ctahc up on the river for a change.
Anyway back to work
I've been playing in fits and starts. Work has been brutal and the weather has been too nice to sit and play all the time.
My bankroll on Absolute has stagnated and I've almost given up playing there.
The traffic when I tend to play (between 5pm and 9pm) BST is very low.
I've not quite achived my aim of cashing out the $300 I lost playing blackjack, it sits at $250.
But I think I would be better served to move it all to another site. I'm looking at having a go at Party Poker for the first time, and maybe redepositing at Full Tilt.
The highlight at Absolute was winning my first over 100 person tournie. It was an bonus point tournie with cash for the final table.
At the same time, I came fourth in a $2 NL tournie with around 100 starters.
I felt I was v. unlucky in that. I was big chip leader twice but kept getting rivered and couldn't knock any of the short stacks out all in.
Only one of the one the players had a clue how to play short-handed.
Anyway, the real plus is that I've hit a run of form on Ultimate Bet and am finally now in profit.
The roll is up to $280, including winning about $75 last night from playing PL Omaha H/L and NL Hold'em.
Hit some great hands, quad aces on the flop at Omaha which paid off and trips 4s on an all low flop, both of which netted around $25.
I also managed to pair the board with trip 10s on the river against two players with str8s on the turn.
I was committed but it's nice when you ctahc up on the river for a change.
Anyway back to work
Friday, May 19, 2006
Rolling on
Back on Wednesday and immediately back to the tables.
Played at least 12 hours in three days, partly because I took Thursday off to have my fridge delivered.
Mainly played Omaha H/L $2/$4 limit on Absolute where I booked a couple of solid wins (around $50 to $70) before leaking some of it back again yesterday (Thurs).
Most of the table are rocks but there's usually at least one fish on every table playing every hand.
Sometimes they get lucky, but it always ends in tears.
My biggest weakness is when its heads-up blind v. blind. I hate being bullied and twice called off stupid bets with nothing, convinced my foe had nothing.
The rake is huge on Absolute, but so is the deposit bonus so it seems to attract the odd fish to play.
I've been playing the Hold'em limit tables - 50c/$1 too - with success, mainly because of the lack of big NL tables.
I have three days left to clear $60 bonus before I'll prob move to somewhere with more traffic and less rake.
Although I've earned $40 rakeback this month alone.
My bankroll currently stands at $220 and I'm managing to stay off the blackjack!
Played at least 12 hours in three days, partly because I took Thursday off to have my fridge delivered.
Mainly played Omaha H/L $2/$4 limit on Absolute where I booked a couple of solid wins (around $50 to $70) before leaking some of it back again yesterday (Thurs).
Most of the table are rocks but there's usually at least one fish on every table playing every hand.
Sometimes they get lucky, but it always ends in tears.
My biggest weakness is when its heads-up blind v. blind. I hate being bullied and twice called off stupid bets with nothing, convinced my foe had nothing.
The rake is huge on Absolute, but so is the deposit bonus so it seems to attract the odd fish to play.
I've been playing the Hold'em limit tables - 50c/$1 too - with success, mainly because of the lack of big NL tables.
I have three days left to clear $60 bonus before I'll prob move to somewhere with more traffic and less rake.
Although I've earned $40 rakeback this month alone.
My bankroll currently stands at $220 and I'm managing to stay off the blackjack!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Prague
No poker or work for the next five days as on a five-day trip to Prague.
The weather is gorgeous and there are honeys galore.
Just before I left my bankroll started moving in the right direction with some solid Omaha and Hold 'em play.
Won a Omaha Sit 'n' Go, while three tabling (the most my brain can take) on two ring games.
The break will be good cos I was getting kinda loose by Wedsnesday night out of boredom.
The only downer is that I missed a blogger freeroll on Virgin which has a WSOP seat up for grabs. I tried to get my brother to play for me but he was playing football that night.
I have the next few days in Prague pretty much planned out. Cinema tonight to see a Czech film that I've been dying to catch.
And a theatre performance on Sat night which I'm filming for a friend.
Intermingled, I hope, with lots of boozing and flirting with the Czech honeys here.
One of my few talents is that I speak Czech fluently which helps.
Plus I'm spending Mon and Tues with my sorta Czech g'friend,
Prob no more updates until I'm back in the UK on Wedsnesday.
The weather is gorgeous and there are honeys galore.
Just before I left my bankroll started moving in the right direction with some solid Omaha and Hold 'em play.
Won a Omaha Sit 'n' Go, while three tabling (the most my brain can take) on two ring games.
The break will be good cos I was getting kinda loose by Wedsnesday night out of boredom.
The only downer is that I missed a blogger freeroll on Virgin which has a WSOP seat up for grabs. I tried to get my brother to play for me but he was playing football that night.
I have the next few days in Prague pretty much planned out. Cinema tonight to see a Czech film that I've been dying to catch.
And a theatre performance on Sat night which I'm filming for a friend.
Intermingled, I hope, with lots of boozing and flirting with the Czech honeys here.
One of my few talents is that I speak Czech fluently which helps.
Plus I'm spending Mon and Tues with my sorta Czech g'friend,
Prob no more updates until I'm back in the UK on Wedsnesday.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Five days of nothing
Five more days of my life - most of it spent in the newsroom. I was w'end reporter so no boozing and very little playing.
But I did end up with my byline on the first four pages which I s'pose is an achievement.
When I did get back on it on Monday my play swung wildly from diabolical to err...not so diablolical.
I dropped $50 at NL, but won it all back playing $2/$4 Omaha H/L.
The worst hand was losing $30 with Ks on a Q9x flop to a player with Q9.
My notes on him say: 'So tight it hurts' so when he re-raised my post flop pot bet I shoulda laid down. Something I've been good at over the past few months.
But no I carried on betting, and another 9 then a Q came and I lost it all.
I then donked off another $20 for good measure.
I played a $6 rebuy tournie with 13 players on Absolute which I bubbled out at 4th.
I was sitting pretty with five players left as 2nd high chip stack, all without a single rebuy or add-on.
But I went TOTALLY card dead, and my chips frittered away as the blinds were huge.
Looking back at my hand history I shoulda made a stand somewhere along the line as one guy kept raising all-in, and no-one was calling.
O well.
My roll on Absolute stands at $140 and $140 on Ultimate where I qualified for the semi-finals of there $1m guaranteed.
Back to work now.
But I did end up with my byline on the first four pages which I s'pose is an achievement.
When I did get back on it on Monday my play swung wildly from diabolical to err...not so diablolical.
I dropped $50 at NL, but won it all back playing $2/$4 Omaha H/L.
The worst hand was losing $30 with Ks on a Q9x flop to a player with Q9.
My notes on him say: 'So tight it hurts' so when he re-raised my post flop pot bet I shoulda laid down. Something I've been good at over the past few months.
But no I carried on betting, and another 9 then a Q came and I lost it all.
I then donked off another $20 for good measure.
I played a $6 rebuy tournie with 13 players on Absolute which I bubbled out at 4th.
I was sitting pretty with five players left as 2nd high chip stack, all without a single rebuy or add-on.
But I went TOTALLY card dead, and my chips frittered away as the blinds were huge.
Looking back at my hand history I shoulda made a stand somewhere along the line as one guy kept raising all-in, and no-one was calling.
O well.
My roll on Absolute stands at $140 and $140 on Ultimate where I qualified for the semi-finals of there $1m guaranteed.
Back to work now.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Bank Holiday doldrums
Mixed bag on the tables over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Eeked my rool on Absolute to about $180 with no real highlights.
Came 3rd in 27 man tournie and won a bit on the NL and omaha H/L tables.
But got my hand caught in the cookie jar trying to slowplay flooped trips and losing to a rivered full house.
I've also found a feature that hides the blackjack tag - yippee - but also printed of the full, blackjack basic strategy table which I'm sooooooo tempted to try out.
As for work, we have a new associate editor starting in June who made her first visit to our cheery newsroom today.
Its his first appointment since he came over from a bigger, regional daily.
First impressions are mixed. Bouffon hair that didn't move, power dressing and saggy.
But as she'll be in charge of all content - features and news - I'll need to show her what a top guy I am...
Eeked my rool on Absolute to about $180 with no real highlights.
Came 3rd in 27 man tournie and won a bit on the NL and omaha H/L tables.
But got my hand caught in the cookie jar trying to slowplay flooped trips and losing to a rivered full house.
I've also found a feature that hides the blackjack tag - yippee - but also printed of the full, blackjack basic strategy table which I'm sooooooo tempted to try out.
As for work, we have a new associate editor starting in June who made her first visit to our cheery newsroom today.
Its his first appointment since he came over from a bigger, regional daily.
First impressions are mixed. Bouffon hair that didn't move, power dressing and saggy.
But as she'll be in charge of all content - features and news - I'll need to show her what a top guy I am...
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Running hot
Just logged off a very successful session on AP's Omaha H/L $50c/$1 limit tables.
I was playing two games at the same time and there are so many loose, clueless players.
On the first table it took more than hour to get ahead and I slowly eeked it up to a $20 profit.
But once I'd sat on the 2nd table halfway through the session things really started to hot up.
There were a couple of clueless players and the pots were huge.
I won my first three hands and was $16 up v quickly and I left in an hour $43 up.
The bank roll now sits at $140 on Absolute, which means I need $160 more to clear my Blackjack losses.
I still have $130 of bonus left to clear and will have racked up another $20 or so of rakeback so I'm pretty confident.
Gonna take another shot at the omaha h/l tables after supper.
I was playing two games at the same time and there are so many loose, clueless players.
On the first table it took more than hour to get ahead and I slowly eeked it up to a $20 profit.
But once I'd sat on the 2nd table halfway through the session things really started to hot up.
There were a couple of clueless players and the pots were huge.
I won my first three hands and was $16 up v quickly and I left in an hour $43 up.
The bank roll now sits at $140 on Absolute, which means I need $160 more to clear my Blackjack losses.
I still have $130 of bonus left to clear and will have racked up another $20 or so of rakeback so I'm pretty confident.
Gonna take another shot at the omaha h/l tables after supper.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Gotta feel sorry for PDIZZIE, the victim in the last hand, cos this happened a few minutes later.
Stage #347989880: Holdem No Limit $0.10 - 2006-04-26 16:51:56 (ET)
Table: JAPONICA AVE (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - DASFX ($18.60 in chips)
Seat 4 - LIZTON ($52.80 in chips)
Seat 5 - HERO ($31.01 in chips)
Seat 6 - PDIZZIE ($29.11 in chips)
Seat 7 - SKAGIT ($10.80 in chips)
Seat 8 - LORD RONIN ($57.91 in chips)
Seat 9 - MATTYB3518 ($10.15 in chips)
Seat 1 - SHORT_GUY99 ($19.40 in chips)
Seat 2 - DOCTORWOLF ($20.65 in chips)
LIZTON - Posts small blind $0.10
HERO - Posts big blind $0.25
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9c 7c]
PDIZZIE - Calls $0.25
SKAGIT - Folds
LORD RONIN - Raises $1 to $1
MATTYB3518 - Calls $1
SHORT_GUY99 - Folds
DOCTORWOLF - Folds
DASFX - Folds
LIZTON - Folds
HERO - Folds
PDIZZIE - Calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [7h Ad 8s]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Bets $2.75
MATTYB3518 - Folds
PDIZZIE - Calls $2.75
*** TURN *** [7h Ad 8s] [5c]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Bets $4.25
PDIZZIE - Raises $8.50 to $8.50
LORD RONIN - Calls $4.25
*** RIVER *** [7h Ad 8s 5c] [4h]
PDIZZIE - All-In $16.86
LORD RONIN - Calls $16.86
*** SHOW DOWN ***
PDIZZIE - Shows [Ac 8c] (Two Pair, aces and eights)
LORD RONIN - Shows [3s 6h] (Straight, four to eight)
LORD RONIN Collects $56.62 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($59.57) | Rake ($2.95)
Board [7h Ad 8s 5c 4h]
Seat 1: SHORT_GUY99 Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: DOCTORWOLF Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: DASFX (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: LIZTON (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: HERO (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 6: PDIZZIE HI:lost with Two Pair, aces and eights [Ac 8c - B:Ad,P:Ac,B:8s,P:8c,B:7h]
Seat 7: SKAGIT Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 8: LORD RONIN won Total ($56.62) HI:($56.62) with Straight, four to eight [3s 6h - B:8s,B:7h,P:6h,B:5c,B:4h]
Seat 9: MATTYB3518 Folded on the FLOP
Didn't like my 97s this time and so glad I didn't.
Absolutely outrageous play from Ronin. A few hands later I was dealt AA on the button and raised 5xbb behind about three limpers.
Only Ronin called on the button. Q-Q-7 flop which Ronin check raised and then led out with a big bet on turn.
Had to lay down - not worth the risk, the guy coulda had anything.
Stage #347989880: Holdem No Limit $0.10 - 2006-04-26 16:51:56 (ET)
Table: JAPONICA AVE (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - DASFX ($18.60 in chips)
Seat 4 - LIZTON ($52.80 in chips)
Seat 5 - HERO ($31.01 in chips)
Seat 6 - PDIZZIE ($29.11 in chips)
Seat 7 - SKAGIT ($10.80 in chips)
Seat 8 - LORD RONIN ($57.91 in chips)
Seat 9 - MATTYB3518 ($10.15 in chips)
Seat 1 - SHORT_GUY99 ($19.40 in chips)
Seat 2 - DOCTORWOLF ($20.65 in chips)
LIZTON - Posts small blind $0.10
HERO - Posts big blind $0.25
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9c 7c]
PDIZZIE - Calls $0.25
SKAGIT - Folds
LORD RONIN - Raises $1 to $1
MATTYB3518 - Calls $1
SHORT_GUY99 - Folds
DOCTORWOLF - Folds
DASFX - Folds
LIZTON - Folds
HERO - Folds
PDIZZIE - Calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [7h Ad 8s]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Bets $2.75
MATTYB3518 - Folds
PDIZZIE - Calls $2.75
*** TURN *** [7h Ad 8s] [5c]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Bets $4.25
PDIZZIE - Raises $8.50 to $8.50
LORD RONIN - Calls $4.25
*** RIVER *** [7h Ad 8s 5c] [4h]
PDIZZIE - All-In $16.86
LORD RONIN - Calls $16.86
*** SHOW DOWN ***
PDIZZIE - Shows [Ac 8c] (Two Pair, aces and eights)
LORD RONIN - Shows [3s 6h] (Straight, four to eight)
LORD RONIN Collects $56.62 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($59.57) | Rake ($2.95)
Board [7h Ad 8s 5c 4h]
Seat 1: SHORT_GUY99 Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: DOCTORWOLF Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: DASFX (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: LIZTON (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: HERO (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 6: PDIZZIE HI:lost with Two Pair, aces and eights [Ac 8c - B:Ad,P:Ac,B:8s,P:8c,B:7h]
Seat 7: SKAGIT Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 8: LORD RONIN won Total ($56.62) HI:($56.62) with Straight, four to eight [3s 6h - B:8s,B:7h,P:6h,B:5c,B:4h]
Seat 9: MATTYB3518 Folded on the FLOP
Didn't like my 97s this time and so glad I didn't.
Absolutely outrageous play from Ronin. A few hands later I was dealt AA on the button and raised 5xbb behind about three limpers.
Only Ronin called on the button. Q-Q-7 flop which Ronin check raised and then led out with a big bet on turn.
Had to lay down - not worth the risk, the guy coulda had anything.
Sweet hand
REALLY enjoyed this one!
Stage #347980203: Holdem No Limit $0.10 - 2006-04-26 16:35:41 (ET)
Table: JAPONICA AVE (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 9 - MATTYB3518 ($12.30 in chips)
Seat 1 - SHORT_GUY99 ($18.70 in chips)
Seat 2 - DOCTORWOLF ($19.15 in chips)
Seat 3 - DASFX ($19.80 in chips)
Seat 4 - LIZTON ($50 in chips)
Seat 5 - HERO ($11.27 in chips)
Seat 6 - PDIZZIE ($52.38 in chips)
Seat 7 - SKAGIT ($11.40 in chips)
Seat 8 - LORD RONIN ($59.33 in chips)
SHORT_GUY99 - Posts small blind $0.10
DOCTORWOLF - Posts big blind $0.25
LIZTON - sitout (wait for BB)
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9s 7s]
DASFX - Folds
HERO - Calls $0.25
PDIZZIE - Raises $0.75 to $0.75
SKAGIT - Folds
LORD RONIN - Calls $0.75
MATTYB3518 - Folds
SHORT_GUY99 - Folds
DOCTORWOLF - Folds
HERO - Calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [2s 8s 5s]
HERO - Checks
PDIZZIE - Bets $1.50
LORD RONIN - Raises $5.50 to $5.50
QUANTICFIVE - All-In(Raise) $10.52 to $10.52
PDIZZIE - Calls $9.02
LORD RONIN - Calls $5.02
*** TURN *** [2s 8s 5s] [Ah]
PDIZZIE - Bets $11
LORD RONIN - Calls $11
*** RIVER *** [2s 8s 5s Ah] [10d]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO - Shows [9s 7s] (Flush, nine high)
PDIZZIE - Mucks
LORD RONIN - Shows [3s 4s] (Flush, eight high)
LORD RONIN Collects $21 from side pot-1
HERO Collects $32.36 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($56.16:$34.16,$22) | Rake ($2.80:$1.80,$1)
Board [2s 8s 5s Ah 10d]
Seat 1: SHORT_GUY99 (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: DOCTORWOLF (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: DASFX Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: HERO won Total ($32.36) All-In HI:($32.36) with Flush, nine high [9s 7s - P:9s,B:8s,P:7s,B:5s,B:2s]
Seat 6: PDIZZIE HI: [Mucked] [Qd As]
Seat 7: SKAGIT Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 8: LORD RONIN won Total ($21) HI:($21) with Flush, eight high [3s 4s - B:8s,B:5s,P:4s,P:3s,B:2s]
Seat 9: MATTYB3518 (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Stage #347980203: Holdem No Limit $0.10 - 2006-04-26 16:35:41 (ET)
Table: JAPONICA AVE (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 9 - MATTYB3518 ($12.30 in chips)
Seat 1 - SHORT_GUY99 ($18.70 in chips)
Seat 2 - DOCTORWOLF ($19.15 in chips)
Seat 3 - DASFX ($19.80 in chips)
Seat 4 - LIZTON ($50 in chips)
Seat 5 - HERO ($11.27 in chips)
Seat 6 - PDIZZIE ($52.38 in chips)
Seat 7 - SKAGIT ($11.40 in chips)
Seat 8 - LORD RONIN ($59.33 in chips)
SHORT_GUY99 - Posts small blind $0.10
DOCTORWOLF - Posts big blind $0.25
LIZTON - sitout (wait for BB)
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9s 7s]
DASFX - Folds
HERO - Calls $0.25
PDIZZIE - Raises $0.75 to $0.75
SKAGIT - Folds
LORD RONIN - Calls $0.75
MATTYB3518 - Folds
SHORT_GUY99 - Folds
DOCTORWOLF - Folds
HERO - Calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [2s 8s 5s]
HERO - Checks
PDIZZIE - Bets $1.50
LORD RONIN - Raises $5.50 to $5.50
QUANTICFIVE - All-In(Raise) $10.52 to $10.52
PDIZZIE - Calls $9.02
LORD RONIN - Calls $5.02
*** TURN *** [2s 8s 5s] [Ah]
PDIZZIE - Bets $11
LORD RONIN - Calls $11
*** RIVER *** [2s 8s 5s Ah] [10d]
PDIZZIE - Checks
LORD RONIN - Checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO - Shows [9s 7s] (Flush, nine high)
PDIZZIE - Mucks
LORD RONIN - Shows [3s 4s] (Flush, eight high)
LORD RONIN Collects $21 from side pot-1
HERO Collects $32.36 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($56.16:$34.16,$22) | Rake ($2.80:$1.80,$1)
Board [2s 8s 5s Ah 10d]
Seat 1: SHORT_GUY99 (small blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: DOCTORWOLF (big blind) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: DASFX Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: HERO won Total ($32.36) All-In HI:($32.36) with Flush, nine high [9s 7s - P:9s,B:8s,P:7s,B:5s,B:2s]
Seat 6: PDIZZIE HI: [Mucked] [Qd As]
Seat 7: SKAGIT Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 8: LORD RONIN won Total ($21) HI:($21) with Flush, eight high [3s 4s - B:8s,B:5s,P:4s,P:3s,B:2s]
Seat 9: MATTYB3518 (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Blogger freeroll
I thought I'd have a go at this one.
It starts at 1am which is a bit late, but its on Saturday so I think I can manage it.
It starts at 1am which is a bit late, but its on Saturday so I think I can manage it.
 | I am registered to play in the Online Poker Blogger Freeroll Win your share of $25,000 and a set of Nevada Jacks poker chips. Hosted By: Absolute Poker Sponsored By: Poker Source Online Registration Code: 69124780 |
Blackjack is goooood!
Just a quick update from work which is a little naughty, but heh I'm writing!
Braved Absolute again last night and their dreaded blackjack tables.
Had $20 from rakeback sitting in my a/c and sat on the 10c/25c NL table with half of it.
Lost it in about ten minutes to a v aggressive Swede who called my pre-flop ako raise with 76o and hit trips on the flop.
To be fair he sucked me in well.
I rocked up with my last $10 but slowly leaked it away until there was $6 left. The table had become v tight so I took the 'rational' decision to whack it on the blackjack table.
I then won several hands in a row (including blackjack and two 15 draws which 6s) and left with $35. Yeeeee - haaaaaa!
Won another Omaha H/L SNG and about $5 overall on several NL and went to bed with $45 in my account.
The rake is huge on Absolute - a $10 pot leaks back 50c to the site, compared to 25c at UB - but this means they can offer a great deposit bonus which seems to attract the odd fishie.
Braved Absolute again last night and their dreaded blackjack tables.
Had $20 from rakeback sitting in my a/c and sat on the 10c/25c NL table with half of it.
Lost it in about ten minutes to a v aggressive Swede who called my pre-flop ako raise with 76o and hit trips on the flop.
To be fair he sucked me in well.
I rocked up with my last $10 but slowly leaked it away until there was $6 left. The table had become v tight so I took the 'rational' decision to whack it on the blackjack table.
I then won several hands in a row (including blackjack and two 15 draws which 6s) and left with $35. Yeeeee - haaaaaa!
Won another Omaha H/L SNG and about $5 overall on several NL and went to bed with $45 in my account.
The rake is huge on Absolute - a $10 pot leaks back 50c to the site, compared to 25c at UB - but this means they can offer a great deposit bonus which seems to attract the odd fishie.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Grinding
It's been a fruitful three days since my last post and the blackjack debacle.
Returned to UB and run the $20 that was left in the account up to $150.
Been sticking to the 10c/25c NL tables.
I can't remember a bad beat and only had a big pr cracked once, which I laid down on the turn.
The only thing I think that I've been doing differently is being able to lay down when I'm behind.
The tables are dominated by rocks who sit for hours waiting for the nuts - they NEVER bluff.
I've got some good notes on most of the regular players.
I sometimes watch a hand unfolding when the rock wakes up and starts betting, shouting at the unsuspecting fish to fold. I've never typed it onto the chatbox but i've been close.
I sit down with $10 and buy in another $5 if I slip too low.
* UPDATE Ooops, just had to lay down my As again. Might have been a bluff but there was a flush and straight on the board.
The guy later told me he hit trips on flop.
Ended up $9 down before table broke up but still happy with my game.
Returned to UB and run the $20 that was left in the account up to $150.
Been sticking to the 10c/25c NL tables.
I can't remember a bad beat and only had a big pr cracked once, which I laid down on the turn.
The only thing I think that I've been doing differently is being able to lay down when I'm behind.
The tables are dominated by rocks who sit for hours waiting for the nuts - they NEVER bluff.
I've got some good notes on most of the regular players.
I sometimes watch a hand unfolding when the rock wakes up and starts betting, shouting at the unsuspecting fish to fold. I've never typed it onto the chatbox but i've been close.
I sit down with $10 and buy in another $5 if I slip too low.
* UPDATE Ooops, just had to lay down my As again. Might have been a bluff but there was a flush and straight on the board.
The guy later told me he hit trips on flop.
Ended up $9 down before table broke up but still happy with my game.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
I hate blackjack
O dear, its been a strange month for my poker bankroll.
On the poker front, I've been making steady progress and eeking out a profit most days.
However, my bankroll has taken a hammering because of blackjack.
About six months ago I had a brief foray onto The Gaming Club tables and lost my $50 deposit on the blackjack tables.
I decided never to deposit there again.
Then, Absolute start up their own blackjack tables which are easily accessible from the poker rooms and you can guess what happened?
First, I wiped out my $200 deposit. Reloaded $100, which I worked up to $140 playing poker in a couple of days while resisting the blackjack room.
But it kept calling me and I blew the lot in around 2 hrs which included a single $50 "please double me up bet" after I completely lost my head.
I have about $30 rakeback still on the site but I'm too scared to go back there :)
After the blackjack debacle, I've been playing Ultimate Bet again and staying on the NL Hold-em tables.
I had just $9 left there from my $200 deposit but I've run this up to $55. This included a a couple of six-pak SNG wins and a 5th place in an $1 omaha H/L PL tournie.
There were around 180 entries so I netted $15, i think, after being in the top 10 most of the tournie.
Despite the loss of the $300, I'm pretty confident about my Hold'em game. It's all about patience and not losing your head.
Its pretty easy to identify who will pay you off on a table and who're rocks.
The players on UB that seem to consistently win are rocks that bet hard with strong hands and I'm trying to copy that style.
I've also re-remembered how to lay down a hand when I'm behind.
As for work, we have a new editor who has fired no-one which is actually quite dull. After a couple of weeks of frantic work from the entire newsroom, its settled back down to 'normal' newspaper life...i.e an hour of frenetic typing intermingled with hours trying to sweet talk unsuspecting jo-schmo's into talking.
The paper is a lot busier, ie higher story count, which means more stories to write but Spring is also a good time. People are out more and doing shit, but haven't left for their hols.
Anyway, till next time
On the poker front, I've been making steady progress and eeking out a profit most days.
However, my bankroll has taken a hammering because of blackjack.
About six months ago I had a brief foray onto The Gaming Club tables and lost my $50 deposit on the blackjack tables.
I decided never to deposit there again.
Then, Absolute start up their own blackjack tables which are easily accessible from the poker rooms and you can guess what happened?
First, I wiped out my $200 deposit. Reloaded $100, which I worked up to $140 playing poker in a couple of days while resisting the blackjack room.
But it kept calling me and I blew the lot in around 2 hrs which included a single $50 "please double me up bet" after I completely lost my head.
I have about $30 rakeback still on the site but I'm too scared to go back there :)
After the blackjack debacle, I've been playing Ultimate Bet again and staying on the NL Hold-em tables.
I had just $9 left there from my $200 deposit but I've run this up to $55. This included a a couple of six-pak SNG wins and a 5th place in an $1 omaha H/L PL tournie.
There were around 180 entries so I netted $15, i think, after being in the top 10 most of the tournie.
Despite the loss of the $300, I'm pretty confident about my Hold'em game. It's all about patience and not losing your head.
Its pretty easy to identify who will pay you off on a table and who're rocks.
The players on UB that seem to consistently win are rocks that bet hard with strong hands and I'm trying to copy that style.
I've also re-remembered how to lay down a hand when I'm behind.
As for work, we have a new editor who has fired no-one which is actually quite dull. After a couple of weeks of frantic work from the entire newsroom, its settled back down to 'normal' newspaper life...i.e an hour of frenetic typing intermingled with hours trying to sweet talk unsuspecting jo-schmo's into talking.
The paper is a lot busier, ie higher story count, which means more stories to write but Spring is also a good time. People are out more and doing shit, but haven't left for their hols.
Anyway, till next time
Monday, April 03, 2006
It's been a while
Oh yes it has.
Spent three weeks on my travels - in the UK and then in the US. Not a single hand of poker played.
On my return I got straight back on the tables and proceeded to squander around $150.
Sullked for a while, then got back on recently.
Played in a Noble Poker $10k freeroll last night, placing 45th for $25.
The most fun I had on my return was making the final table of a 2000 player freeroll on Absolute for a superb $2 - which equalled to around 50c an hour.
Total waste of time but its the deepest I've been in such a large tournie.
My MTT is definitely improving.
To be honest though, I'm really trying to cut down the poker habit as its affecting my life. I spend all day working behind a PC only to jump behind one as soon as I get home. Not healthy really.
I'm writing this from work so a longer update soon.
Spent three weeks on my travels - in the UK and then in the US. Not a single hand of poker played.
On my return I got straight back on the tables and proceeded to squander around $150.
Sullked for a while, then got back on recently.
Played in a Noble Poker $10k freeroll last night, placing 45th for $25.
The most fun I had on my return was making the final table of a 2000 player freeroll on Absolute for a superb $2 - which equalled to around 50c an hour.
Total waste of time but its the deepest I've been in such a large tournie.
My MTT is definitely improving.
To be honest though, I'm really trying to cut down the poker habit as its affecting my life. I spend all day working behind a PC only to jump behind one as soon as I get home. Not healthy really.
I'm writing this from work so a longer update soon.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Up n Down
Played very little poker in the past week.
I've continued to run well on the Absolute Poker Omaha H/L tables and run my roll up to $55 from $8 last week.
On Ultimate however its been pretty terrible to be honest. Won about $25 set over set (Ks vQs) on my very first hand at one table on Friday.
But then squandered it slowly over the rest of the weekend.
Its looking like I might lose all my $200 buy-in from two months ago - the first time this has happened at any site.
I've decided to stick to Omaha H/L and go for bust or glory.
Looking back at my neteller a/c I'm still around $1,200 up since June 2005 and Absolute, Full Tilt and Bugsys Club have definitely been the most profitable so I'm gonna stick to those in future.
I've continued to run well on the Absolute Poker Omaha H/L tables and run my roll up to $55 from $8 last week.
On Ultimate however its been pretty terrible to be honest. Won about $25 set over set (Ks vQs) on my very first hand at one table on Friday.
But then squandered it slowly over the rest of the weekend.
Its looking like I might lose all my $200 buy-in from two months ago - the first time this has happened at any site.
I've decided to stick to Omaha H/L and go for bust or glory.
Looking back at my neteller a/c I'm still around $1,200 up since June 2005 and Absolute, Full Tilt and Bugsys Club have definitely been the most profitable so I'm gonna stick to those in future.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Omaha H/L
After my two wins in Omaha H/L SNGs yesterday I decided to have another crack at Absolute Poker's games.
Played 50c/$1 fixed for about an hour. Got stuck $15, tightened up and managed to win it all back plus a couple of bucks.
Played a SNG at the same time and came 2nd. So my results over the past two days are 1st, 1st, 5th (I snuck in a game late last night), and 2nd today.
The SNG's are simple to beat. Only play the nuts early and slowly loosen up.
My heads-up play is simple - bluff a lot and push with hands with Hi and Lo possibilities.
Its basically a nuts game and people have trouble adapting their play to short-handed. At the same time, pre-flop people seem to call with mediocre starting hands.
A2 is decent, but needs cover. Another A, K or Q, low cover or flushes.
At work, my business story about the sale of well-known local firm (it's not going bust) will prob make page two. I'm writing it now and am sending it by email when I'm done.
Played 50c/$1 fixed for about an hour. Got stuck $15, tightened up and managed to win it all back plus a couple of bucks.
Played a SNG at the same time and came 2nd. So my results over the past two days are 1st, 1st, 5th (I snuck in a game late last night), and 2nd today.
The SNG's are simple to beat. Only play the nuts early and slowly loosen up.
My heads-up play is simple - bluff a lot and push with hands with Hi and Lo possibilities.
Its basically a nuts game and people have trouble adapting their play to short-handed. At the same time, pre-flop people seem to call with mediocre starting hands.
A2 is decent, but needs cover. Another A, K or Q, low cover or flushes.
At work, my business story about the sale of well-known local firm (it's not going bust) will prob make page two. I'm writing it now and am sending it by email when I'm done.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Switch 2
Won the 2nd $2 sit n' go to bring the stack to $25.
Really enjoyed the freeroll - was knocked out 39th when my Js were all in with 7s and Q9s.
It was kinda a crap shoot throughout but had fun while it lasted.
Thought about playing another but too tired.
Work tomorrow. Picked up a decent story from a contact about a local co. going bust with 100 job losses.
Erm...happy valentine's day!
Really enjoyed the freeroll - was knocked out 39th when my Js were all in with 7s and Q9s.
It was kinda a crap shoot throughout but had fun while it lasted.
Thought about playing another but too tired.
Work tomorrow. Picked up a decent story from a contact about a local co. going bust with 100 job losses.
Erm...happy valentine's day!
Switch
After this morning's rant about the size of my...errr...bankroll, I decided to switch over to Absolute where I had about $8 left after my last withdrawl.
The juice on the sit n' gos are ridiculous, 40c for a $2. But they have lots of omaha h/l games which I like.
Won my first and doing ok in the 2nd. Also running 'deep' in one of their freerolls.
Only the 2nd one I've tried but my stack is around 2500 (10x BB) with the hi stack a massive 75k. Wish me luck!
The juice on the sit n' gos are ridiculous, 40c for a $2. But they have lots of omaha h/l games which I like.
Won my first and doing ok in the 2nd. Also running 'deep' in one of their freerolls.
Only the 2nd one I've tried but my stack is around 2500 (10x BB) with the hi stack a massive 75k. Wish me luck!
My Bankroll
I've realised if I ever want to play poker at a higher level I need to work on my bankroll.
Unfortunately through financial hardship and greed, I've banked any money I've made out of poker and my roll is puny.
My play is pretty ropey at the moment too.
I made a bunch of cash of Bugsys Club, Full Tilt and Absolute over the past couple of years, but cashed out to my $ a/c on neteller each time.
Then I withdraw most of my winnings, leaving me enough to get a decent bonus on the next site.
But since moving to Ultimate I've hit the proverbial wall.
Everyone is such rocks and I regularly sit down to find I have notes on half the players saying 'tight as ...' or words to that effect.
I've now cleared my bonus and have less than half what I started with.
Made about $20 last night but I had Ks about four times and hit trips 2x.
Now I wish I'd kept all the money in neteller, giving me the roll to move up the levels.
My brother did just this and only plays $1/2 NL tables.
Anyway I'm at work and gotta get back to it.
Unfortunately through financial hardship and greed, I've banked any money I've made out of poker and my roll is puny.
My play is pretty ropey at the moment too.
I made a bunch of cash of Bugsys Club, Full Tilt and Absolute over the past couple of years, but cashed out to my $ a/c on neteller each time.
Then I withdraw most of my winnings, leaving me enough to get a decent bonus on the next site.
But since moving to Ultimate I've hit the proverbial wall.
Everyone is such rocks and I regularly sit down to find I have notes on half the players saying 'tight as ...' or words to that effect.
I've now cleared my bonus and have less than half what I started with.
Made about $20 last night but I had Ks about four times and hit trips 2x.
Now I wish I'd kept all the money in neteller, giving me the roll to move up the levels.
My brother did just this and only plays $1/2 NL tables.
Anyway I'm at work and gotta get back to it.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Griffin
Hilarious story from today.
An aged, a very right-wing features writer wrote an opinion piece on Nick Griffin, of BNP-fame.
She wanted to call Mr Griffin odious followings his victory in a recent high profile court case.
Unfortunately she got his name confused with a fellow reporter in the newsroom who's name is similar to the British National Party leader's
A reader spotted her blunder and wrote this letter.
After browsing through the menopausle rantings of, 'top journalist', Jane xxxxxx article, 'Its time to get tough on loathsome rabbles', I was amazed to learn that one of your very own reporters is the leader of the BNP. "The odious Nick Griffxxx and his BNP" she fumes!(I can only presume she means Nick Griffin) Is this the same Nick Griffxxx who has the centre page spread 'Supercop on the beat' in the same edition? Before the queen of the coffee mornings is allowed to submit future articles in your paper, I strongly suggest that she is given a rundown of who is who before she starts spluttering on about events & people of which she obviously has little or no knowledge. Keep up the good work Jane, & mine's two sugars please!
Caused much hilarity.
An aged, a very right-wing features writer wrote an opinion piece on Nick Griffin, of BNP-fame.
She wanted to call Mr Griffin odious followings his victory in a recent high profile court case.
Unfortunately she got his name confused with a fellow reporter in the newsroom who's name is similar to the British National Party leader's
A reader spotted her blunder and wrote this letter.
After browsing through the menopausle rantings of, 'top journalist', Jane xxxxxx article, 'Its time to get tough on loathsome rabbles', I was amazed to learn that one of your very own reporters is the leader of the BNP. "The odious Nick Griffxxx and his BNP" she fumes!(I can only presume she means Nick Griffin) Is this the same Nick Griffxxx who has the centre page spread 'Supercop on the beat' in the same edition? Before the queen of the coffee mornings is allowed to submit future articles in your paper, I strongly suggest that she is given a rundown of who is who before she starts spluttering on about events & people of which she obviously has little or no knowledge. Keep up the good work Jane, & mine's two sugars please!
Caused much hilarity.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Two day rollercoaster
Two days off from work and two days of solid poker.
I've been alternating between the 10c/25c NL and 25c/50c NL and I've been up-and-down more times than a yo-yo.
Its driving me nuts to be honest and I'm coming to think that UB is not the place for me.
When I last posted I was up to $120, then back down to $80. Up to $130 and then this hand happened.
Maxi1848 is at seat 0 with $8.10.
mavie1 is at seat 1 with $56.05.
coach 2 is at seat 2 with $11.95.
tacobell12 is at seat 3 with $20.45.
Joe Tex is at seat 4 with $117.70 (sitting out).
RiceAndSoya is at seat 5 with $22.25.
RedEye420 is at seat 6 with $22.70.
Blackwatch is at seat 7 with $26.30.
dentistface is at seat 8 with $18.65.
playznutz is at seat 9 with $72.60.
The button is at seat 9.
Maxi1848 posts the small blind of $.25. mavie1 posts the big blind of $.50.
Maxi1848: -- --
mavie1: -- --
coach 2: -- --
tacobell12: -- --
RiceAndSoya: Ad Ks
RedEye420: -- --
Blackwatch: -- --
dentistface: -- --
playznutz: -- --
Pre-flop: coach 2 folds.
tacobell12 raises to $3.
RiceAndSoya calls.
RedEye420 calls.
Flop (board As Td 7d)
tacobell12 checks. RiceAndSoya bets $9.75. RedEye420 calls. tacobell12 folds.
Turn (board: As Td 7d 4s): RiceAndSoya goes all-in for $9.50. RedEye420 calls.
River (board: As Td 7d 4s 6d): (no action in this round)
Showdown: RiceAndSoya shows Ad Ks.
RiceAndSoya has Ad Ks As Td 7d: a pair of aces.
RedEye420 shows Tc Ts. RedEye420 has Tc Ts As Td 7d: three tens.
It was a big pre-flop raise but tacobell have shown himself to be v v aggressive. But then I massively overbet top pair, doh!
I bet so big to try and get them both out, but could have bet $4 for the same effect.
Then on another table I donked away another $25 with qs against 7s that hit trips on flop and quads on the river.
Lost some more today to be around $78.
I'm running cold and as a result playing way too tight. But hands like the two I lost the $50 on don't help me loosen up.
I've been only playing Ultimate Bet but I might try the site where I made my first $500 - Bugsys Club. The only problem is that they don't do rakeback. We'll see.
At work I only wrote two stories today after my two days off.
Couldn't get motivated. One more day until the weekend and then two days of binge drinking, me thinks.
A colleague is leaving to start work as a features writer at a local magazine and a council press officer is also quitting to join a local college.
They're at two different pubs so I'm gonna flit like the media star that I am between the two :)
I've been alternating between the 10c/25c NL and 25c/50c NL and I've been up-and-down more times than a yo-yo.
Its driving me nuts to be honest and I'm coming to think that UB is not the place for me.
When I last posted I was up to $120, then back down to $80. Up to $130 and then this hand happened.
Maxi1848 is at seat 0 with $8.10.
mavie1 is at seat 1 with $56.05.
coach 2 is at seat 2 with $11.95.
tacobell12 is at seat 3 with $20.45.
Joe Tex is at seat 4 with $117.70 (sitting out).
RiceAndSoya is at seat 5 with $22.25.
RedEye420 is at seat 6 with $22.70.
Blackwatch is at seat 7 with $26.30.
dentistface is at seat 8 with $18.65.
playznutz is at seat 9 with $72.60.
The button is at seat 9.
Maxi1848 posts the small blind of $.25. mavie1 posts the big blind of $.50.
Maxi1848: -- --
mavie1: -- --
coach 2: -- --
tacobell12: -- --
RiceAndSoya: Ad Ks
RedEye420: -- --
Blackwatch: -- --
dentistface: -- --
playznutz: -- --
Pre-flop: coach 2 folds.
tacobell12 raises to $3.
RiceAndSoya calls.
RedEye420 calls.
Flop (board As Td 7d)
tacobell12 checks. RiceAndSoya bets $9.75. RedEye420 calls. tacobell12 folds.
Turn (board: As Td 7d 4s): RiceAndSoya goes all-in for $9.50. RedEye420 calls.
River (board: As Td 7d 4s 6d): (no action in this round)
Showdown: RiceAndSoya shows Ad Ks.
RiceAndSoya has Ad Ks As Td 7d: a pair of aces.
RedEye420 shows Tc Ts. RedEye420 has Tc Ts As Td 7d: three tens.
It was a big pre-flop raise but tacobell have shown himself to be v v aggressive. But then I massively overbet top pair, doh!
I bet so big to try and get them both out, but could have bet $4 for the same effect.
Then on another table I donked away another $25 with qs against 7s that hit trips on flop and quads on the river.
Lost some more today to be around $78.
I'm running cold and as a result playing way too tight. But hands like the two I lost the $50 on don't help me loosen up.
I've been only playing Ultimate Bet but I might try the site where I made my first $500 - Bugsys Club. The only problem is that they don't do rakeback. We'll see.
At work I only wrote two stories today after my two days off.
Couldn't get motivated. One more day until the weekend and then two days of binge drinking, me thinks.
A colleague is leaving to start work as a features writer at a local magazine and a council press officer is also quitting to join a local college.
They're at two different pubs so I'm gonna flit like the media star that I am between the two :)
Monday, February 06, 2006
Back to the tables
Finished the day pretty tired after eight days working on the trot.
Two days off and time for a few games.
Played for a couple of hours.
I s'pose I better explain that I'm no high stakes player. I play predominantly Hold'em NL and Omaha H/L limit or PL.
Been playing for a couple of years now, the only live games have been home games with mates.
I've made around $1,500 all told through bonus whoring and the odd win.
Played 10c/25c NL and Omaha H/L on Ultimate Bet and ran pretty good.
Made $19 in a hour on NL and about $7 on Omaha H/L.
Tried a couple of SNG, coming 3rd and out of the money to break even.
After depositing $200 on the site, I'm now standing at around $120 having been as low as $50.
I have $25 left on my bonus and about $25 due on rakeback.
Rakeback is my new friend and although I don't played enough to make it really count, it's great to watch the cash rack up.
Try www.raketherake.com and say I referred you. My ID code is RTR05253.
It's pretty simple to follow, they have decent customer service and offer all the first deposit bonuses as well as rakeback. And u'll get $10 free if u play enough raked hands. 250 I think.
Anyway, I just wanted to post a bit about the poker life.
I'll try and detail some more individual hands another time.
Two days off and time for a few games.
Played for a couple of hours.
I s'pose I better explain that I'm no high stakes player. I play predominantly Hold'em NL and Omaha H/L limit or PL.
Been playing for a couple of years now, the only live games have been home games with mates.
I've made around $1,500 all told through bonus whoring and the odd win.
Played 10c/25c NL and Omaha H/L on Ultimate Bet and ran pretty good.
Made $19 in a hour on NL and about $7 on Omaha H/L.
Tried a couple of SNG, coming 3rd and out of the money to break even.
After depositing $200 on the site, I'm now standing at around $120 having been as low as $50.
I have $25 left on my bonus and about $25 due on rakeback.
Rakeback is my new friend and although I don't played enough to make it really count, it's great to watch the cash rack up.
Try www.raketherake.com and say I referred you. My ID code is RTR05253.
It's pretty simple to follow, they have decent customer service and offer all the first deposit bonuses as well as rakeback. And u'll get $10 free if u play enough raked hands. 250 I think.
Anyway, I just wanted to post a bit about the poker life.
I'll try and detail some more individual hands another time.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Weekend reporting
I'm back in the newsroom as a weekend reporter and am desperately trying to find stories to fill Monday's paper.
Have a sexual assault on a mum story to write up and another on a news £2 million new bar and club complex opening.
I'm just about to "borrow" some stories from a rival weekly to fill in some space.
No poker last night but sat watching Friday night TV with my flatmate - a local TV journalist.
I've asked him to try and get me on some dating series they're about to start filming.
It'll kill two birds with one stone: a) get my mug on TV for first time b) get me a date.
Have a sexual assault on a mum story to write up and another on a news £2 million new bar and club complex opening.
I'm just about to "borrow" some stories from a rival weekly to fill in some space.
No poker last night but sat watching Friday night TV with my flatmate - a local TV journalist.
I've asked him to try and get me on some dating series they're about to start filming.
It'll kill two birds with one stone: a) get my mug on TV for first time b) get me a date.
Friday, February 03, 2006
First Post
No idea what I'm doing but a brief hello.
I'm a reporter for evening newspaper in the north of England, and part-time poker player.
I've a vague idea of posting the odd tale from the newsroom and from my experiences from the online poker world.
OK, lets see what this looks like...
I'm a reporter for evening newspaper in the north of England, and part-time poker player.
I've a vague idea of posting the odd tale from the newsroom and from my experiences from the online poker world.
OK, lets see what this looks like...
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