The Cairo Grind

For some reason my post is very dark, any assistance would be nice! :)

After grinding a lot live at a local 50c/$1 game, I got my bankroll to about $3000. I am finding this game very LAG, and am finding a solid win rate.

So I decided to make the switch to Black Chip Poker from Pokerview where I used to play about a week ago, and have done quite well. If anyone wanting to play on merge, BCP is the way to go with 32% instant rakeback.

Starting Bankroll: $300

My approach is to play both Sit n Go's and Tournaments. Both with a maximum buy in of 11$ (10+$). I started grinding last week, and my results can be found on sharkscope under: OnTheBook! So Check it out.

I like to play a lot of MTTs, and find myself grinding about 4-6 tables at a time. No big scores in the tournaments yet except a 144$ cash, and multiple deep runs. I am going to be updating, about every week with hand histories and what not, from live and online! As I am still in College, I can't play as much as I want to, which sometimes interferes with my studies. Anyone gone through or going with the same

situation? I'm very interested to hear how some dealt with this.

Last night, our internet company went under maintenance, unexpectadly, and many residents lost internet. Meanwhile, this was while i was playing two tournaments and was a short stack in a SNG. Unfortunately, the internet has not come back on at home, and cost me 25$. Not a bad loss, but frustrating.

Anyways, Final Bank Roll: $510

Hey all, I took a summer long break from online, after running up my bank roll playing live in a nearby town.  So far Since September first I have gone from a BR of 100 to 450.  Mainly I have been playing $5, $11 SNG turbo shorthanded...and the occasional tournament. On merge, Poker Maximus II is running and the very last day is today.  I won a satellite into the Main event low and also am playing two other tournaments at the same time!  I will be updating how I do on this blog through out the day! So comment and give me some run good!

Yesterday I won a satellite into a 100+9$ tournament more specifically for the 125k Guarantee. This tournament is definitely the most +EV tournament on merge and I am dedicating my day to it. As well, their are some other sunday tournaments I will be playing, including the VIP freeroll, and 11$ Sunday Tournament.  After I made a killing in sit n gos, and also came away with an 8 place finish in a tournament yesterday my bank roll is up to about $300 now.  I am feeling really good about today, and will update this blog on what happens today.  

Also, I want to touch on HEM 2. If anyone could tell me what they have their HUD set to display, it would be appreciated. Right now I have all of the standard things displayed, and just want to see if their are stats I am missing.

Thanks.

Some updates: 

20 off the money in the VIP freeroll...not too much of a bummer.

Then got it in QQ vs KK in the sunday 11$, and I think I should of gotten away from it, heres the HH:

Merge Network $2,000 Guaranteed NLH (10k Starting Stacks) No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t200.00/t400.00 Blinds + t40.00 - 9 players - View hand 1805423
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG+1: t11778.00 M = 12.27
UTG+2: t19366.00 M = 20.17
MP1: t8874.00 M = 9.24
MP2: t5610.00 M = 5.84
CO: t3264.00 M = 3.40
BTN: t5133.00 M = 5.35
SB: t19416.00 M = 20.23
BB: t20609.00 M = 21.47
Hero (UTG): t24990.00 M = 26.03

Pre Flop: (t960) Hero is UTG with Q Q
Hero raises to t900.00, 1 fold, UTG+2 raises to t2400.00, 6 folds, Hero raises to t7200.00, UTG+2 raises to t19366 all in, Hero calls t12166

Flop: (t39692) J 3 J(2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: (t39692) 5(2 players - 1 is all in)

River: (t39692) 9(2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: t39692
UTG+2 shows K K (Two Pair Kings and Jacks)
Hero shows Q Q
UTG+2 wins t39692.00

Fuck this! 15 from 200$ bubble and this happens! I am so furious right now:

Merge Network Sunday $125,000 Guaranteed Freezeout No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t1500.00/t3000.00 Blinds + t300.00 - 9 players - View hand 1805428
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP1: t45468.00 M = 6.32
MP2: t47945.00 M = 6.66
Hero (CO): t16196.00 M = 2.25
BTN: t102867.00 M = 14.29
SB: t77612.00 M = 10.78
BB: t105859.00 M = 14.70
UTG: t30680.00 M = 4.26
UTG+1: t35044.00 M = 4.87
UTG+2: t102928.00 M = 14.30

Pre Flop: (t7200) Hero is CO with A A
2 folds, UTG+2 raises to t6000.00, MP1 calls t6000, 1 fold, Hero raises to t16196 all in, 4 folds, MP1 calls t10196

Flop: (t45592) T 4 8(2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: (t45592) 6(2 players - 1 is all in)

River: (t45592) 9(2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: t45592
MP1 shows 7 7 (Ten High Straight)
Hero shows A A
MP1 wins t45592.00

So I am going to start posting some hand historys throughout my blog. And I really want some feedback, Ill also be posting on the forum.  Here are some recent hands. I will try to find some more interesting hands and post them throughout the week.  Enjoy!

First hand is an ace high call. Tell me what you think, and if this is the right call most of the time.

Merge Network $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 1803784
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Hero is: 30/19/9.1 over 100 hands

Villain is: 40/27/18.4 over 100 hands

Hero (BTN): $12.78
SB: $10.00
BB: $16.95
UTG: $9.50
MP: $5.00
CO: $9.90

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is BTN with K A
UTG raises to $0.35, 1 fold, CO calls $0.35, Hero raises to $1.25, 2 folds, UTG calls $0.90, CO calls $0.90

Flop: ($3.90) 9 4 T(3 players)
UTG checks, CO checks, Hero bets $2.20, UTG calls $2.20, CO folds

Turn: ($8.30) 4(2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks

River: ($8.30) T(2 players)
UTG bets $6.05 all in, Hero calls $6.05

Final Pot: $20.40
Hero shows K A (Two Pair Tens and Fours)
UTG shows 8 6
Hero wins $19.38
(Rake: $1.02)

Do you like shipping it here? Average stacks were around 80-100k,

Merge No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t2500.00/t5000.00 Blinds - 6 players - View hand 1803808
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: t128528.00 25.71 BBs - VPIP: 20, PFR: 10, 3B: 25, AF: 1.0, Hands: 10
UTG: t71183.00 14.24 BBs - VPIP: 30, PFR: 20, 3B: 0, AF: 0.0, Hands: 10
MP: t77280.00 15.46 BBs - VPIP: 30, PFR: 20, 3B: 0, AF: 2.0, Hands: 10
CO: t51626.00 10.33 BBs - VPIP: 29, PFR: 20, 3B: 9, AF: 3.4, Hands: 174
BTN: t124105.00 24.82 BBs - VPIP: 22, PFR: 20, 3B: 0, AF: 3.0, Hands: 69
Hero (SB): t44210.00 8.84 BBs - VPIP: 21, PFR: 14, 3B: 6, AF: 2.4, Hands: 27912

Pre Flop: (t7500) Hero is SB with A 7
3 folds, BTN raises to t10000, Hero raises to t43710, 1 fold, BTN calls t33710

Flop: (t92420) 9 K 8(2 players)

Turn: (t92420) K(2 players)

River: (t92420) T(2 players)

Final Pot: t92420
BTN shows T A
Hero shows A 7
BTN wins t95420.00
(Rake: t-3000)

Greetings!I am really having trouble sticking to my guidelines. Yesterday I found myself sitting at a 50NL table, after bubbling 2 tournaments due to sick beats. I was thinking to myself what am I doing here, and still continued to play till I lost a buy in and quit. One positive is that I am + EV in sit n gos and have really found a method that works. 

The real problem, is myself wanting to just try cash games once in a while, but i am too aggressive with it and want to play in the bigger games.If anyone wants to give me pointers on BRM and tips on concentration and keeping in line with not taking so many shots, I will be more than thankful.My BR is now around 260, and I try to play 3, 5% sit n gos, with the occasional tournaments. I am going to start posting some hand histories every weekend, starting friday, so keep in touch!

So I have finally come to the decision of strictly playing DONS) Double or Nothing Sit n Go's of $5 and nearly all tournaments of $11 or less.  Currently I am enrolled in summer courses, so I am limited in play during the weekdays, but managed to squeeze a few tournaments out yesterday and Monday.  I have deposited multiple times but this time I am trying to follow certain guidelines. I deposited $200 to Merge last Saturday. And am planning on grinding everyday for at least 2 hours.

I have just begun playing some PLO tournaments, and yesterday I opened up Merge and saw this PLO tournament 11$ buy in w/ rebuys add/on, 1k Guarantee. I usually don't try to play add-ons and re-buys as it always ends up costing a lot of money.  But as only 12 people were registered with 30 minutes of late reg remaining I decided the tourney was profitable and registered.  By the end of late reg and the 1st break, I was top 4 in chips with 20/26 remaining.  Since I am more of a holdem player I decided to do what I know best and just really attack the blinds and then play straightforward post flop. I ran a few bluffs, that turned out not profitable. After 3 hours of play we reached the final tables, with only 4 getting paid (100,200,300,400) everyone was playing tight. I managed to get down to the last 6. And 2 of the shorter stacks played only about 10% of hands, while the other 3 were super aggro.  Since I don't have a PLO tracker and just hem2 I will just move forward to the final 4. I was chip leader after AAxx vs KKxx busted one of the medium stacks.  Right off the bat UTG (2nd in chips) raised, Button called and i potted with AhAcKh10s and he shoved, I called. he showed AsAd2d4c and flopped the wheel. I was crippled and left with 7 BB and quickly moved all in on the next hand and lost a flip.

I was very tilted as I managed to go from chip leader to 4th in a matter of 2 hands. I don't think there is a way im folding here. Any input?

Sorry this is my first blog ever, and its probably pretty jumbled. But any feedback would be nice.

BR = $400.