I have been reading a lot of poker books this year - mostly by respected winners such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, David Slansky, and Dan Harrington.
I thought I had decided my goal for 2010 was to be a model of consistency - and strive for first quartile results in all tournaments I enter. Surely in so doing, I will stumble into cashing and placing high occasionally.
I have been scanning the results of many successful online players - seems to me cashing 15% of the time is the minimum I should strive for, and some players are a touch north of 20%.
Top quartile play is something I have been striving for in live tournaments for the past few months - and it seems to be working.
However, this is a grinding game - I am rarely in a dominant chip position at the table - seems that is best left for the looser, more aggressive players.
I just finished Doyle Brunson's new autobiography called "The Godfather of Poker" - an enjoyable read to be sure.
Doyle is in his mid seventies. He seems to have an incredibly high opinion of his abilities (I say this with respect since I believe it has served him well) and he also espouses on the need for relentless aggression and fearlessness at the table. And his results certainly speak for themselves.
Funny how he and Bobby Wolff and Bob Hamman (renowned world champion bridge players) are all from Texas and of the same generation. Must be something in the chili.
So now I am rethinking my goal. Maybe I should conduct an experiment for one or two months. I could start two online accounts with identical stacks and enter the same tournaments on the same days. One account would be played according to my chosen style (top quartile objective then see what happens) and the other could be played far looser. I would expect the loose playing account to cash far less times, but perhaps the overall results will be better if this account goes very deep on occasion.
Maybe I can use this experiment to formulate my player profile for the future. To be sure, regardless of how you begin a tournament, you have to modify and adapt your style to the changing size of field and playing conditions, so I guess I am mostly talking about the early stages of tournaments.
One edge I may have is that I am not afraid to play with aggression. Not afraid to lose. The money doesn't scare me - you have to be immune to the money (in the moment) since to play with fear is a losing game.
And I am not an old dog who cannot learn new tricks. (Well I am oldish, but I pride myself on my willingness to learn)
This is gonna be a great year. I feel it. At the same time as Svetlana and I are adapting our business to new realities (more on that later) I plan to write lots, play lots, and develop a winning aura about myself.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday's online report
Sunday Poker update
Not so much to report today because I was playing bridge with Keith at Hazel’s club – first round qualifying for the Canadian Championships.
But I did enter two online tournaments this evening and by accident one of them was a Hi Lo limit stud poker game – which I have never ever played before. I got the hang of it pretty quickly; seemed like people were reluctant to hit the fold button – so lots of calling stations. The original field of around 170 was down to 90 or so when my internet connection to FTP went down. Dead. Down. Can’t get it back. And I was chip leader at my table too!
Same time I was in a KO tournament with around 1500 entrants and there were 400 or so left when the connection went dead. I was not in such a strong position, but I was about to triple up (maybe I did?) when the connection went dead.
I still had internet – just no connection to FTP. Quite frustrating. Could have been worse I suppose – I had just missed qualifying for the $750,000 guarantee which began at 6 pm EST this evening. This morning before I left the house I took two cracks at qualifying.
I suffered a sad bad beat to be eliminated from one of them. Got all our chips in the middle when I began with K10o and the flop was K106.
The villain made a continuation bet which I raised, and he shoved all in. I called and he turned over 76 suited in diamonds (none of which were on the board)
The turn was a 6 and the river a 7 for good measure (he didn’t need the full house – the set already had me beaten)
The villain was playing at 18 tables at the time he beat me – so I cannot credit him with too much forethought to his plays. How do people do that???
Anyway, I am on the sidelines, my stacks being blinded and ante’d away in the two events I was in when FTP went offline for me.
Not so much to report today because I was playing bridge with Keith at Hazel’s club – first round qualifying for the Canadian Championships.
But I did enter two online tournaments this evening and by accident one of them was a Hi Lo limit stud poker game – which I have never ever played before. I got the hang of it pretty quickly; seemed like people were reluctant to hit the fold button – so lots of calling stations. The original field of around 170 was down to 90 or so when my internet connection to FTP went down. Dead. Down. Can’t get it back. And I was chip leader at my table too!
Same time I was in a KO tournament with around 1500 entrants and there were 400 or so left when the connection went dead. I was not in such a strong position, but I was about to triple up (maybe I did?) when the connection went dead.
I still had internet – just no connection to FTP. Quite frustrating. Could have been worse I suppose – I had just missed qualifying for the $750,000 guarantee which began at 6 pm EST this evening. This morning before I left the house I took two cracks at qualifying.
I suffered a sad bad beat to be eliminated from one of them. Got all our chips in the middle when I began with K10o and the flop was K106.
The villain made a continuation bet which I raised, and he shoved all in. I called and he turned over 76 suited in diamonds (none of which were on the board)
The turn was a 6 and the river a 7 for good measure (he didn’t need the full house – the set already had me beaten)
The villain was playing at 18 tables at the time he beat me – so I cannot credit him with too much forethought to his plays. How do people do that???
Anyway, I am on the sidelines, my stacks being blinded and ante’d away in the two events I was in when FTP went offline for me.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Never give up on a hand
Playing in the daily Deep Stack event at The Venetian (home of the city's best poker room), we were in the early stages with the blinds at $50/$100 when a young player with spiky hair and a completely tatooed right arm (henceforth Spike) picked up 82 offsuit in the small blind.
He had suffered a few knocks early on, and was already short stacked with around $1,800.
A total of six players were in this pot, no raises from anyone.
The flop was 4 5 7 with two clubs.
Spike decided to make a play for the pot. He shoved all his chips into the middle of the table.
Young John, to the right of the button, called - holding 88. The button himself had begun life with 74 offsuit so he was excited about this hand too! The button raised all-in himself.
Young John made a good lay down with his 88 and now it was heads up between the dealer's flopped two pairs and Spike's 82 (basically his only chance was an inside straight draw completed with a 6)
Spike got up and put his coat on and said, "cheesh I don't even want to show this hand."
Everyone laughed as both hands were tabled face up.
The turn was a 3, and the river was a 6.
Spike's 82 (the second worse starting hand in NL Hold 'em Poker, had made a straight on the river. Staying Alive!
He had suffered a few knocks early on, and was already short stacked with around $1,800.
A total of six players were in this pot, no raises from anyone.
The flop was 4 5 7 with two clubs.
Spike decided to make a play for the pot. He shoved all his chips into the middle of the table.
Young John, to the right of the button, called - holding 88. The button himself had begun life with 74 offsuit so he was excited about this hand too! The button raised all-in himself.
Young John made a good lay down with his 88 and now it was heads up between the dealer's flopped two pairs and Spike's 82 (basically his only chance was an inside straight draw completed with a 6)
Spike got up and put his coat on and said, "cheesh I don't even want to show this hand."
Everyone laughed as both hands were tabled face up.
The turn was a 3, and the river was a 6.
Spike's 82 (the second worse starting hand in NL Hold 'em Poker, had made a straight on the river. Staying Alive!
Aces busted by kings in Venetian daily deep stack
Another enjoyable, but too brief, run in the daily Venetian deep stack event. A smallish field of 87 players paying $150 each.
My stack size was always on the wrong side of average, but I was playing pretty well without great cards. I was moved to the General's table (Texas pro Joseph Davis, who I remarked about in an earlier blog - he reminded me of General Custer) with around 30 players left.
Initially improved my stack with an all-in versus an even smaller stack, when I had KK and he had AQ suited.
Not long later, with the blinds at 75/400/800 and a stack size of around $17,000 (average would be $22,000 or so), my right hand opponent (young John)in second position opened for $2,600 . I think there had been a limper before him. I was looking at two red Aces. I had not seen a high pair all day, and now I had been dealt kings then aces within minutes of each other. I like this dealer !
I could call or raise, but I went for the max with an all-in re raise. At this stage, young John would be hard pressed to lay down what was clearly a real starting hand, as he had even fewer chips than I did.
Everyone else got out of the way, and as he exposed his kings, John said, "I know you have Aces, but I am committed to my hand, I have to call".
Lucky for John and Jocelyn (his cheering section) his agony was short lived, as the flop included a sadistic looking king of clubs.
Nothing else of interest popped up on the board and for the second time in two days, my red Aces have been cracked in key situations. In fact, since I have been in Vegas (8 days now) I have had Aces twice only - once online yesterday in late stages of a big event) and now today. Last night I lost to a starting hand of AK when the turn AND river were BOTH Kings.
John had the good grace to be apologetic, and commiserated that it should be me sitting there with an above average stack in excess of $30,000, rather than the $2,700 or so I was left with.
Had I simply re-raised, it is unlikely John would lay down his hand. And calling would make no sense. I believe he would have re-re raised, and all our chips would have ended up in the middle regardless.
Ah such is poker. As great as AA or KK are as starting hands; neither comes with any guarantees.
Special hellos to Nicholas from Atlantic City, Clint, James (pronounced Jame - es) and John who were at my table today and who all went deep.
My stack size was always on the wrong side of average, but I was playing pretty well without great cards. I was moved to the General's table (Texas pro Joseph Davis, who I remarked about in an earlier blog - he reminded me of General Custer) with around 30 players left.
Initially improved my stack with an all-in versus an even smaller stack, when I had KK and he had AQ suited.
Not long later, with the blinds at 75/400/800 and a stack size of around $17,000 (average would be $22,000 or so), my right hand opponent (young John)in second position opened for $2,600 . I think there had been a limper before him. I was looking at two red Aces. I had not seen a high pair all day, and now I had been dealt kings then aces within minutes of each other. I like this dealer !
I could call or raise, but I went for the max with an all-in re raise. At this stage, young John would be hard pressed to lay down what was clearly a real starting hand, as he had even fewer chips than I did.
Everyone else got out of the way, and as he exposed his kings, John said, "I know you have Aces, but I am committed to my hand, I have to call".
Lucky for John and Jocelyn (his cheering section) his agony was short lived, as the flop included a sadistic looking king of clubs.
Nothing else of interest popped up on the board and for the second time in two days, my red Aces have been cracked in key situations. In fact, since I have been in Vegas (8 days now) I have had Aces twice only - once online yesterday in late stages of a big event) and now today. Last night I lost to a starting hand of AK when the turn AND river were BOTH Kings.
John had the good grace to be apologetic, and commiserated that it should be me sitting there with an above average stack in excess of $30,000, rather than the $2,700 or so I was left with.
Had I simply re-raised, it is unlikely John would lay down his hand. And calling would make no sense. I believe he would have re-re raised, and all our chips would have ended up in the middle regardless.
Ah such is poker. As great as AA or KK are as starting hands; neither comes with any guarantees.
Special hellos to Nicholas from Atlantic City, Clint, James (pronounced Jame - es) and John who were at my table today and who all went deep.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday is online poker day
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. So I decided not to enter any live poker tournaments today. (At least not so far!)
I got up early to do battle in the DD blackjack pit. Yesterday had been a real struggle – I lost small, six times out of seven tables. Whereas the prior night, after fuming over my pulled muscle and untimely poker tournament exit, I had won significantly in four of six sessions.
Overall, my BJ play has been profitable this trip, though the winning session percentage has been very low, at around 55%.
I have not been able to catch a rhythm.
This morning was particularly annoying as this Asian kid beside me was winning money at a clip of $300 per hand or more, while my spot treaded water. And he was asking me for advice on many of his hands.
Most of my time has been organizing my notes from the week’s adventures and playing online poker tournaments concurrently. Sunday is usually a big day for online events at all the major poker sites. My site of favor is FTP – known as Full Tilt Poker.
I love the word “ tilt”
It is so apropos for what I see at the card tables almost every day.
I have suffered ‘bad beats’ in every online tournament I have played in so far today, so I am bit bummed out.
The one that mattered most to me had 118 entrants, with the top 15 winning entries into today’s $1 million guarantee – which starts in a few minutes, and presently has an enrolled field of close to 1,900 players.
The entry fee is a healthy $535 – which, to this point in time, is more than I have ever spent on an online poker tournament entry.
I was nursing my chips, being patient, as we got down to only 17 players – just about ‘on the bubble.’
If I had owned a huge stack, I would simply have folded all hands until I won my entry – taking no risks. But I was always hovering between 12th and 16th, so I could not sit quietly.
I picked up the two red Aces on the dealer’s button. The big stack was in the small blind. He should be folding his way to the end.
I opened with a three bet (3 times the BB) and he decided to shove me all in. Of course, I called.
He turned over the Ace of spades and the King of hearts.
The flop was the 1098 all of hearts. Good – if the winning hand is a flush, it’ll be mine.
The turn was the King of Spades, giving him a pair of kings to go up against my Aces. But the river was a damned king of clubs, and that was NOT amusing.
I mean come on !
“Runner runner” kings to beat me, and to ensure I do NOT play in the million dollar guarantee which is starting right now.
Anyway, as consolation, I won a smaller tournament which qualified me into the FTOPS main event which began at 5 pm. Just under 16,000 players are in this thing, with a prize pool of $799,000.
And concurrent with that, I am playing in a $15,000 tournament. around 2,300entrants, and 250 remaining as I write. I am presently in 89th place.
I got up early to do battle in the DD blackjack pit. Yesterday had been a real struggle – I lost small, six times out of seven tables. Whereas the prior night, after fuming over my pulled muscle and untimely poker tournament exit, I had won significantly in four of six sessions.
Overall, my BJ play has been profitable this trip, though the winning session percentage has been very low, at around 55%.
I have not been able to catch a rhythm.
This morning was particularly annoying as this Asian kid beside me was winning money at a clip of $300 per hand or more, while my spot treaded water. And he was asking me for advice on many of his hands.
Most of my time has been organizing my notes from the week’s adventures and playing online poker tournaments concurrently. Sunday is usually a big day for online events at all the major poker sites. My site of favor is FTP – known as Full Tilt Poker.
I love the word “ tilt”
It is so apropos for what I see at the card tables almost every day.
I have suffered ‘bad beats’ in every online tournament I have played in so far today, so I am bit bummed out.
The one that mattered most to me had 118 entrants, with the top 15 winning entries into today’s $1 million guarantee – which starts in a few minutes, and presently has an enrolled field of close to 1,900 players.
The entry fee is a healthy $535 – which, to this point in time, is more than I have ever spent on an online poker tournament entry.
I was nursing my chips, being patient, as we got down to only 17 players – just about ‘on the bubble.’
If I had owned a huge stack, I would simply have folded all hands until I won my entry – taking no risks. But I was always hovering between 12th and 16th, so I could not sit quietly.
I picked up the two red Aces on the dealer’s button. The big stack was in the small blind. He should be folding his way to the end.
I opened with a three bet (3 times the BB) and he decided to shove me all in. Of course, I called.
He turned over the Ace of spades and the King of hearts.
The flop was the 1098 all of hearts. Good – if the winning hand is a flush, it’ll be mine.
The turn was the King of Spades, giving him a pair of kings to go up against my Aces. But the river was a damned king of clubs, and that was NOT amusing.
I mean come on !
“Runner runner” kings to beat me, and to ensure I do NOT play in the million dollar guarantee which is starting right now.
Anyway, as consolation, I won a smaller tournament which qualified me into the FTOPS main event which began at 5 pm. Just under 16,000 players are in this thing, with a prize pool of $799,000.
And concurrent with that, I am playing in a $15,000 tournament. around 2,300entrants, and 250 remaining as I write. I am presently in 89th place.
Taken out with three strikes
I played in the big stack $340 entry event at the Venetian Saturday. It's my favorite event of the week. You receive $12,000 in starting chips (versus the normal $7,500); the blind levels increase more slowly; and the field is far stronger than the rest of the week.
Today there were 112 players, with prizes paying down to 13th. First place a cool $9,800 - and a chop of the first four places would be around $5,000.
It took me a while to find my footing. On my left was General Custer - a very nice man who looked like he has been playing poker more than 30 years in every casino in Nevada. He had long flowing grey hair with a beard and mustache that would do Custer proud, and a hat that looked vintage cavalry from the 19th century. A dark vintage blazer, blue jeans, and high heeled cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
He played with panache and mixed his style very well. In the beginning he was a virtual patsy, folding his button, limping into the pot, and giving up his blinds - but then he began to make some moves.
Within a couple of hours, if anyone wanted to see a flop at our table, they were going to pay dearly for it. Raises were met with re-raises, and re-raises were met with all-ins.
I am beginning to recognize the local regulars - good tough cash game players who look down at the rest of the poker world, and who feel they have nothing new to learn. I can feel their eyes smirking knowingly at some of the stuff I do. One of them caught a big pot off me in the early stages – it saved his tournament life in fact.
I held 99 in mid position, and opened for $300. (blinds were only $50/$100). He called as dealer, and we were heads up.
The flop came 752 rainbow. I bet $350, and he called. The next card was an 8. I bet $800, and he called again. The river was another deuce, and the action was on me.
I had seen him play two hands down to a showdown already. He was a typical cash game player who believes in milking a hand till the end. Which is fine in a cash game, where you theoretically have an unlimited supply of chips, but in tournaments, you live in the short run – and you better be right most of the time if that is how you play.
He had lost almost half his stack already. On one of these two occasions, when he had a sizeable investment in the pot, he had made a big bluff bet on the river, and had been called. He mucked without even showing.
Meanwhile, his buddy beside him had busted early. These guys get demoralized if they lose a hand they should have won. His buddy had picked up AA in first position. A short stack in mid position had gone all in with 63 suited in clubs. (Yes you read correctly)
Everyone else got out of the way, and the old timer was happy to call the bet for about 1/3 of his stack. When the flop came 63x, the short stack was well on his way to doubling up.
Now with a large starting stack and blinds still small, there is plenty of time to regroup and play small ball poker, waiting for the right hand to make a move. But a guy came very late to the table (a full hour and a half after we began) and ended up in an all-in encounter on his very first hand of the day. Old timer had QQ and newbie had AK. The old timer saw a flop of K9x and shoved all in - for no good reason that I could see. Newbie called and quickly doubled up.
I say all this because I want you to know the context and the table vibe when my 99 hand came up.
After the river 2, I felt I had to make a bet. I had been uncomfortably out of position this whole pot, forced to make betting decisions before my guy. So I bet $2,000 (the pot was around $3,300 at this point. He thought for a long time and shoved all his chips all in.
I had conflicting information. Was this a last gasp attempt to win a hand he was doomed to lose (say with A7 or something), or had he flopped a set, or made quad two’s ??
I decided to call, and he showed a starting pair of sevens, giving him a full house of 7’s and 2’s, and more than 1/3 of my stack. (I had been doing well to that point)
Ach, I felt I had been outsmarted. Which is true. The guy put on his dark glasses, after several verbal high fives with his buddies at his end of the table, and he settled back into a long run, content that his tournament life was no longer in immediate jeopardy.
Anyhow, back to the grind for me. I played my normal game and watched the monitor for updates on the size of the field.
As time goes by, the average stack size increases, and the number of survivors decreases, and the number of active tables in play consolidates down. They try to keep 9-10 players at all tables all the time (until they get down to 20 or less). So as a result, you can find yourself moved around from time to time.
At 7 pm, after seven hours of play, we were down to 31 players, and I had an above average mid size stack of around $55,000. I was moved to a table where the lady at the opposite end had a stack that would choke a large horse. Her raises were usually monstrous, so that if you played a hand with her, there was a risk you were going to be all-in whether or not you wanted to be.
As a result, she was running roughshod over everyone.
She was guzzling beers straight from the bottle, and sounded like she had had a few too many. Loud and in form. Deadly.
I decided I would keep a low profile for a couple of orbits, and size up whose stacks I could go gunning for. Conveniently, three of the four players on my left were very tight, and their blinds were ripe for the picking. The dominatrix would have to commit to a hand in early position whenever their blinds were in play. So I had an edge there.
I picked off several pots, and my stack increased to $80,000 or so. Doing well, all things considered. I picked up QQ in late position. The blinds were $2,000, $4,000 with a $500 ante. Dominatrix made it $17,000 to go from first position, which meant (even she) had some kind of hand.
I decided to call, not raise, and everyone else folded. The flop was A102 and she instantly said all in, and just as quickly my cards hit the muck. Strike one.
A while later, I held AS 6C on the dealer button. My RHO limped in to the pot and I flat called. It was a three player pot, as the small blind folded. The flop was AC 7C 3D.
The BB and my RHO checked and I bet $13,500. The BB folded, and RHO called. The turn card was a scary ten of clubs, and we both checked. The river was a red king, which I felt had not changed anything.
RHO now bet $20,000 and I called. He turned over A8 unsuited. We both had a pair of Aces, but his 8 out kickered my 6, and he took down a pretty big pot. Strike two.
In retrespect, I might have taken down the pot pre flop with a big bet - maybe even an all-in. Ironically, it seems to play small ball you often have to put your whole stack at risk when you judge weakness everywhere else.
I suppose I also could have folded to his river bet, but that seems too tough to figure out.
I was down to $30,000 or so, definitely below average. Not long after I picked up JJ in mid position, the boozy lady was in the big blind. I needed a double up, and she was usually a willing customer when someone else tried an all in move.
"All in" I announced, and everyone folded to her. Finally, after an unusually long wait, she called and turned over 32 suited in hearts !!
Everyone at the table gasped. Even she had gone too far. We had seen her call all-ins with 109, K3, Q7 even, but 32 !!
The flop was an unsuited but still highly toxic 654.
Can you believe this??
Nothing else came on the turn or the river, and I was busted when my all in bet with a pair of jacks was called by 32 suited and the lady flopped a straight!
Strike 3 - tough game. I was busted just before we got down to two tables.
The lady was playing like a drunken pork chop, and she was crushing everyone. (She won the whole event by the way)
Today there were 112 players, with prizes paying down to 13th. First place a cool $9,800 - and a chop of the first four places would be around $5,000.
It took me a while to find my footing. On my left was General Custer - a very nice man who looked like he has been playing poker more than 30 years in every casino in Nevada. He had long flowing grey hair with a beard and mustache that would do Custer proud, and a hat that looked vintage cavalry from the 19th century. A dark vintage blazer, blue jeans, and high heeled cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
He played with panache and mixed his style very well. In the beginning he was a virtual patsy, folding his button, limping into the pot, and giving up his blinds - but then he began to make some moves.
Within a couple of hours, if anyone wanted to see a flop at our table, they were going to pay dearly for it. Raises were met with re-raises, and re-raises were met with all-ins.
I am beginning to recognize the local regulars - good tough cash game players who look down at the rest of the poker world, and who feel they have nothing new to learn. I can feel their eyes smirking knowingly at some of the stuff I do. One of them caught a big pot off me in the early stages – it saved his tournament life in fact.
I held 99 in mid position, and opened for $300. (blinds were only $50/$100). He called as dealer, and we were heads up.
The flop came 752 rainbow. I bet $350, and he called. The next card was an 8. I bet $800, and he called again. The river was another deuce, and the action was on me.
I had seen him play two hands down to a showdown already. He was a typical cash game player who believes in milking a hand till the end. Which is fine in a cash game, where you theoretically have an unlimited supply of chips, but in tournaments, you live in the short run – and you better be right most of the time if that is how you play.
He had lost almost half his stack already. On one of these two occasions, when he had a sizeable investment in the pot, he had made a big bluff bet on the river, and had been called. He mucked without even showing.
Meanwhile, his buddy beside him had busted early. These guys get demoralized if they lose a hand they should have won. His buddy had picked up AA in first position. A short stack in mid position had gone all in with 63 suited in clubs. (Yes you read correctly)
Everyone else got out of the way, and the old timer was happy to call the bet for about 1/3 of his stack. When the flop came 63x, the short stack was well on his way to doubling up.
Now with a large starting stack and blinds still small, there is plenty of time to regroup and play small ball poker, waiting for the right hand to make a move. But a guy came very late to the table (a full hour and a half after we began) and ended up in an all-in encounter on his very first hand of the day. Old timer had QQ and newbie had AK. The old timer saw a flop of K9x and shoved all in - for no good reason that I could see. Newbie called and quickly doubled up.
I say all this because I want you to know the context and the table vibe when my 99 hand came up.
After the river 2, I felt I had to make a bet. I had been uncomfortably out of position this whole pot, forced to make betting decisions before my guy. So I bet $2,000 (the pot was around $3,300 at this point. He thought for a long time and shoved all his chips all in.
I had conflicting information. Was this a last gasp attempt to win a hand he was doomed to lose (say with A7 or something), or had he flopped a set, or made quad two’s ??
I decided to call, and he showed a starting pair of sevens, giving him a full house of 7’s and 2’s, and more than 1/3 of my stack. (I had been doing well to that point)
Ach, I felt I had been outsmarted. Which is true. The guy put on his dark glasses, after several verbal high fives with his buddies at his end of the table, and he settled back into a long run, content that his tournament life was no longer in immediate jeopardy.
Anyhow, back to the grind for me. I played my normal game and watched the monitor for updates on the size of the field.
As time goes by, the average stack size increases, and the number of survivors decreases, and the number of active tables in play consolidates down. They try to keep 9-10 players at all tables all the time (until they get down to 20 or less). So as a result, you can find yourself moved around from time to time.
At 7 pm, after seven hours of play, we were down to 31 players, and I had an above average mid size stack of around $55,000. I was moved to a table where the lady at the opposite end had a stack that would choke a large horse. Her raises were usually monstrous, so that if you played a hand with her, there was a risk you were going to be all-in whether or not you wanted to be.
As a result, she was running roughshod over everyone.
She was guzzling beers straight from the bottle, and sounded like she had had a few too many. Loud and in form. Deadly.
I decided I would keep a low profile for a couple of orbits, and size up whose stacks I could go gunning for. Conveniently, three of the four players on my left were very tight, and their blinds were ripe for the picking. The dominatrix would have to commit to a hand in early position whenever their blinds were in play. So I had an edge there.
I picked off several pots, and my stack increased to $80,000 or so. Doing well, all things considered. I picked up QQ in late position. The blinds were $2,000, $4,000 with a $500 ante. Dominatrix made it $17,000 to go from first position, which meant (even she) had some kind of hand.
I decided to call, not raise, and everyone else folded. The flop was A102 and she instantly said all in, and just as quickly my cards hit the muck. Strike one.
A while later, I held AS 6C on the dealer button. My RHO limped in to the pot and I flat called. It was a three player pot, as the small blind folded. The flop was AC 7C 3D.
The BB and my RHO checked and I bet $13,500. The BB folded, and RHO called. The turn card was a scary ten of clubs, and we both checked. The river was a red king, which I felt had not changed anything.
RHO now bet $20,000 and I called. He turned over A8 unsuited. We both had a pair of Aces, but his 8 out kickered my 6, and he took down a pretty big pot. Strike two.
In retrespect, I might have taken down the pot pre flop with a big bet - maybe even an all-in. Ironically, it seems to play small ball you often have to put your whole stack at risk when you judge weakness everywhere else.
I suppose I also could have folded to his river bet, but that seems too tough to figure out.
I was down to $30,000 or so, definitely below average. Not long after I picked up JJ in mid position, the boozy lady was in the big blind. I needed a double up, and she was usually a willing customer when someone else tried an all in move.
"All in" I announced, and everyone folded to her. Finally, after an unusually long wait, she called and turned over 32 suited in hearts !!
Everyone at the table gasped. Even she had gone too far. We had seen her call all-ins with 109, K3, Q7 even, but 32 !!
The flop was an unsuited but still highly toxic 654.
Can you believe this??
Nothing else came on the turn or the river, and I was busted when my all in bet with a pair of jacks was called by 32 suited and the lady flopped a straight!
Strike 3 - tough game. I was busted just before we got down to two tables.
The lady was playing like a drunken pork chop, and she was crushing everyone. (She won the whole event by the way)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Deja Vu
Back in 1982 I was in between my two University degrees, and I filled my time working for Ted Horning at his fine bridge studio in Thornhill, Ontario. I was a jack of all trades, including game director.
I used to enjoy sitting at the front of a large room filled with earnest bridge players as I waxed eloquently over the microphone about the movement of boards or whatever.
The players used to remark I sounded like an airline pilot.
One day I was directing a very large Olympiad game and was in fine vocal form. In between announcements and rulings I would amuse myself with whatever there was at hand. Certainly not a PC back in those days.
I had the unfortunate habit of swinging on my chair back then. I chose this particular night to lean back a touch too far, and went head over heels into the boxes and debris behind the director's desk!
Well, you can imagine the reaction this ruckus caused among the forty odd tables of bridge players in the room.
And you can certainly imagine the colour of my cheeks as I sprang from the floor like a cat, trying to act as if nothing had happened !
I don't think I pulled a muscle that time though !
I used to enjoy sitting at the front of a large room filled with earnest bridge players as I waxed eloquently over the microphone about the movement of boards or whatever.
The players used to remark I sounded like an airline pilot.
One day I was directing a very large Olympiad game and was in fine vocal form. In between announcements and rulings I would amuse myself with whatever there was at hand. Certainly not a PC back in those days.
I had the unfortunate habit of swinging on my chair back then. I chose this particular night to lean back a touch too far, and went head over heels into the boxes and debris behind the director's desk!
Well, you can imagine the reaction this ruckus caused among the forty odd tables of bridge players in the room.
And you can certainly imagine the colour of my cheeks as I sprang from the floor like a cat, trying to act as if nothing had happened !
I don't think I pulled a muscle that time though !
Rare sports injury incurred at the poker table
How, you may ask, can this happen? Well, we were down to the final two tables and they were kitty corner to each other. I was waiting for a hand to finish at the other end of our table (which I was not involved in) and decided to crane my neck to see what was going on at the table beside me.
I leaned back in my chair at the same time, and all of a sudden I felt my balance rapidly disappearing. In a mild panic, I torqued my body forwards and flailed out my arms, and narrowly averted a personal disaster. Only a slight chest muscle pull spasmed forth from the melee.
Other than the guy at the next table whose head I accidentally clobbered, and my seat mates (who were killing themselves laughing) I don’t think more than a few dozen people saw my little escapade.
Today, Friday, the daytime field was back up in size to 131 players with an entry fee of $150. First place was $4,853. In fact the first thirteen players would cash – plus $10 from each player for the bubble boy who came 14th.
I was pretty pleased with my play most of the day, except towards the end when I found myself in some tough situations with the blinds and raises so high. I would have to guess when it was prudent to lay down some pretty big hands, or when to push aggressively with others.
Each final table I have been at this week, the play has been much tighter than I have seen in my prior final table experiences. Basically, the first crack at a pot usually took it down, as people were almost all trying to move up the money board.
Eleventh through 13th were each paying only $324, and that’s where I finished. I misjudged my final hand completely. I should have cashed higher, but no one to blame but myself for misreading the situation.
I thought my hand was ahead of my opponent’s, and I could put him in a tough situation where he would have to fold rather than risk calling a very large re-raise bet. He saw it otherwise, and he was correct, and I made no miracle draws on the river. (After my re-raise he shoved me all in. I could fold and slink away or call - hoping (a) my original read was correct, or (b) for a minor miracle. I called)
I took my eye off the ball and gambled when I should have been thinking strategically, as I had been all day. It was way too early and I was too comfortable (ie not under an extreme shortage of chip pressure) to pull a stunt like the one I did.
The prize structure was as follows :
Place $ prize money
1st $4,853
2nd $2,912
3rd $1,941
4th $1,432
5th $1,076
6th $890
7th $728
8th $556
9th $445
10th $364
11th through 13th paid $324.
I don’t think the cards I picked up today were so great – best hand I saw all day was 99 and also AQ a few times, but definitely better than two days ago.
I do feel I mixed up my play more, and created a table image which was harder to play against than I had been all week so far.
A guy beside me, Craig, never really got his stack size going, and as a result found himself going all-in all day an inordinate number of times. He knew the law of averages were going to catch up to him. But at last count, he had done so successfully 18 times. Either he had won a showdown, or the other players had all folded and he had taken down the blinds and antes. Craig finally exited around 17th.
Craig’s father’s name is Russ, but they call him Ross. My father’s name is Craik, but most people have never heard of that spelling, and refer to him as Craig.
Neat coincidence I thought.
I am kinda bummed out about my mistake at the end, so I will not dwell any further here on this tournament. Other than it was a painful, but useful lesson.
I leaned back in my chair at the same time, and all of a sudden I felt my balance rapidly disappearing. In a mild panic, I torqued my body forwards and flailed out my arms, and narrowly averted a personal disaster. Only a slight chest muscle pull spasmed forth from the melee.
Other than the guy at the next table whose head I accidentally clobbered, and my seat mates (who were killing themselves laughing) I don’t think more than a few dozen people saw my little escapade.
Today, Friday, the daytime field was back up in size to 131 players with an entry fee of $150. First place was $4,853. In fact the first thirteen players would cash – plus $10 from each player for the bubble boy who came 14th.
I was pretty pleased with my play most of the day, except towards the end when I found myself in some tough situations with the blinds and raises so high. I would have to guess when it was prudent to lay down some pretty big hands, or when to push aggressively with others.
Each final table I have been at this week, the play has been much tighter than I have seen in my prior final table experiences. Basically, the first crack at a pot usually took it down, as people were almost all trying to move up the money board.
Eleventh through 13th were each paying only $324, and that’s where I finished. I misjudged my final hand completely. I should have cashed higher, but no one to blame but myself for misreading the situation.
I thought my hand was ahead of my opponent’s, and I could put him in a tough situation where he would have to fold rather than risk calling a very large re-raise bet. He saw it otherwise, and he was correct, and I made no miracle draws on the river. (After my re-raise he shoved me all in. I could fold and slink away or call - hoping (a) my original read was correct, or (b) for a minor miracle. I called)
I took my eye off the ball and gambled when I should have been thinking strategically, as I had been all day. It was way too early and I was too comfortable (ie not under an extreme shortage of chip pressure) to pull a stunt like the one I did.
The prize structure was as follows :
Place $ prize money
1st $4,853
2nd $2,912
3rd $1,941
4th $1,432
5th $1,076
6th $890
7th $728
8th $556
9th $445
10th $364
11th through 13th paid $324.
I don’t think the cards I picked up today were so great – best hand I saw all day was 99 and also AQ a few times, but definitely better than two days ago.
I do feel I mixed up my play more, and created a table image which was harder to play against than I had been all week so far.
A guy beside me, Craig, never really got his stack size going, and as a result found himself going all-in all day an inordinate number of times. He knew the law of averages were going to catch up to him. But at last count, he had done so successfully 18 times. Either he had won a showdown, or the other players had all folded and he had taken down the blinds and antes. Craig finally exited around 17th.
Craig’s father’s name is Russ, but they call him Ross. My father’s name is Craik, but most people have never heard of that spelling, and refer to him as Craig.
Neat coincidence I thought.
I am kinda bummed out about my mistake at the end, so I will not dwell any further here on this tournament. Other than it was a painful, but useful lesson.
Biding my time
I decided to extend my trip till next Tuesday, rather than check out today. Frankly, I would much rather spend my time here, doing what I do, than be back at our business grinding out mortgages and bankruptcies. (Don't tell our clients that !)
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Another day, another poker tourney
The truth is not every day is exciting in Las Vegas - at least not when you approach the whole thing as a business, rather than as an escape from reality as many do.
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It ain't over till it's over
Last night's tournament took an unexpected twist after I busted out in 7th. The monster stack (at least 70 % of the chips in play) got off his game a bit and allowed a few players to double up on him and chip away at his lead. Shortly thereafter they got to five people and the chip stacks were now balanced enough they decided to chop most of the prize pool. They each took $1,500, and left $1,000 available for the actual winner to take home.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
Another final table
Well my eyes are bone tired right now. I just exited the 7 pm Venetian poker tournament ($120 entry) - at 1.30 AM; after an hour and a half at the final table.
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Barely time to warm my seat !
I have really enjoyed poker this past week. It feels like my semi regular online play in the past couple of months has improved my overall game. I still have a couple of leaks I am working on (2 that I know about - there may be more)
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Back in the saddle again
I arrived back in Vegas Sunday afternoon to test and improve my skills once again; gather material; and hopefully win some money. My focus this trip is on poker.
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
