Poker. FML

Good evening, and welcome.

On September the 10th im going to Las Vegas with a group of friends to celebrate his 21st Birthday. It is assumed that on this trip there will be a lot of drinking, and probably even more gambling. So, what does one need to go on a trip like this? Well the answer is simple: Money.

Of recent times i have been pretty much broke. Whether that be through paying the deposit for moving into the flat im currently living in, or paying for the holiday itself, im basically rather poor. So here i am in a situation where im going to embark on a holiday that is going to require copious amounts of spending money, with absolutely no money to my name. So how does one go about this problem?

For 11 days straight, i will be degenning it up playing Live Poker at the Local Casino. By starting for a £100 Bankroll in 10 days i hope to spin this up to over £1000. I have played down the Casino in stints this year. I was playing once or twice a week back in Jan/Feb and the same back in May and during this time i was able to rack up around £2,500. Therefore i am hoping that during this period i can at the very least make £500, but more so weighted towards £1000.

In preparation for this, i do have a staker for the initial few days who will stake me for 2 days at 50/50 split. 

The back-up plan if it all goes wrong, i have some money in my FT account i can withdraw and i'll take a little out of my overdraft.

Kamikaze Vegas style before even going to Vegas. Degen at its best!

Today i kid you not, ive had a horrific poker session. I run AA into Runner Runner All in. I run Sets into Rivered FH when All In. I till have AQ and the board is dry and on showdown i'll see AK. QQ All in vs KK. It literally has been that bad.

But.

Im up.

Today i learnt that, you know what. You run bad. Everyone does! But if you play well, to "the plan" and carry on without it getting to you, you will be up in the long run. If you run AQ in AK, so what, its a cooler. If you get runner runnered, so what. Your long term decision making and thoughts will enable you to profit. I feel i've had an epiphany... but this post is for everyone tilting when fish stacks you.

The graph.. jeez just see how i run into hands so often today, none of them are bad calls either, or bad plays. The only one i question is a hand where i get raised on the river with top two and the river completes a FH but without my pair.. i know when he raises he has it, but i couldnt fold! 

 

 

So this is it. I finally am going to get my head down and start grinding and studying. Funnily enough my motivation actually came from a friend of mine getting a massive pay rise. Me being the competitive folk i said to myself "Well, i want to make that kind of money too!". Ive always felt i have the brain to learn how to be at the very least a profitable 2/4 player but i certainly got discouraged when i tilted off alot of my roll moving sites. So, the coaching Kristy series has been great and from that, im back!

 Ive put in a few sessions recently and just picked up where i had left off. They are as follows (ignore the ridiculoulsly small hand session, my friend got drunk and wanted to play):

What im aiming to do is mix in online play with some live play at the local casino. This year i have had some great results live so its a nice supplement if i can beat the game down there quite regularly. As much as i hate playing 0.1/0.25, i really want to make sure my head is in thinking mode when im playing and if i can beat the limit for 10k i'll just move up. I dont really anticipate things to change much until i get to 1/2 so just gotta keep working!

Heres to starting again!

 

Me Vs Fish and Lag

Its our friend from the previous hand with his 45/5 stats along with a LAG (bad one) 34/12.

Im in the BB with QJo

Villian FISH (UTG): Call $0.25
Villian LAG (CO): Raise $0.75

It seems odd he doesnt raise to $1, but whatever, maybe he wants me to come along for the party.

Hero (BB): Call
Villian FISH (UTG): Call

Theres an argument to be made to simply fold QJo. It wouldnt be bad in any way, and in fact, it would probably be more profitable in the long run as it is marginal. The arguments for calling are based on: #1 Fishy McFish is more likely to come along and i can Cbet him off the pot. #2 The other villian is a LAG, he raise isnt standard and i cant be WB at this stage.

Flop: $2.35
8d 2s 9c

Hero (BB): Check

Its a nice flop, but i am in no way betting in to two people, not including the Pre flop raiser. If there is a bet, i would call based on my two overs and gutshot out.

Villian FISH (UTG): Check
Villian LAG (CO): Check

Turn: $2.35
8d 2s 9c Td

The gin card for me.

Hero (BB): Bet $2.35
Villian FISH (UTG): Call
Villian LAG (CO): Call

Here i think they they are sat on two overs, or various open ended straight draws. Some consideration could be given to the backdoor flush here: AJ, KJ, 56, 67 of diamonds. They are all plausable hands, more so i would say for the CO who has seen another caller by the means of the UTG player. There may even be a flopped donk straight or turned donk straight. For me however, its a dream scenario though getting two callers.

River: $9.40
8d 2s 9c Td 3d

Hero (BB): Bet $9.40
Villian FISH (UTG): Raise $18.80
Villian LAG (CO): Fold

Its a minraise. I guess he does this with donk straights, J7, a set and obviously the made flush. I cant find a fold here and put him all in for his further $5.

Me vs. UTG Tag Reg in Position

Villian (UTG): Bet $0.85 (Pot)
Hero (UTG+1): Raise: $2.75
Villian (UTG): Call

Standard Range here, 99+, AJs+, AQo+.

Flop: $5.85
Kc Kh 2d

Villian (UTG): Bet $1.75
Hero (UTG+1): Raise $4.75

It looks like a standard play with 99,TT to make a play at a super dry flop. I’d probably even make this kind of bet (albeit a little larger) with AJ, AQ also. Its hard to continue when you have whiffers here and in the long run i find his play profitable with those hands. I figure im ahead and raise to protect/value my hand

Villian (UTG): All in $22.95

Im not sure what to make of this value. Pure Value? Pure Bluff? Maybe i level myself in thinking that he makes the All in Shove based on the fact that he knows i will raise any donk bet probably with nothing, based on how his range hits that flop.

If i make the call, i am only really scared of AA. I would of expected a 4b preflop though to be honest. Has he hit a king? Well KQs obviously hits as does AK. I would of expected a 4b with AK as he is Out of Position.

I make the call, but how thin is it? Im rubbish with poker stove (If anyone wants to teach me then please please do, im so slow at it haha)

Turn: $51.75
Kc Kh 2s 4c

River: $51.75
Kc Kh 2s Qd

There we have it!

One of my favourites. This one involves me in position against a player who i’d like to refer to as someone with “Questionable Pre Flop Statistics” – Fair?

Hero (BTN): Bet $0.75
Villian (SB): Call

Flop: $1.75
3d 2h 9d

Im not going to try and define his range, as its completely massive. I look at this flop and figure he could of his this in numerous ways with either top, middle, or bottom pair. He also could have absolutely nothing, or a flush draw. I figure my AQo is probably ahead though.

Villian (SB): Bet $1.75
Hero (BTN): Call

His bet really means nothing to me. If i hit an A or Q and he has a pair, i figure he wont lay his hand down anyway and i get the moneys, that being said, he could be betting pot with anything and i dont feel like folding my hand down when i consider myself ahead. Theres an obvious argument for raising here if i feel im ahead and he’s full of it. However due to his fishy nature, i want him in the hand. If i had 78o, then i may consider a raise to get him off the hand.

Turn: $5.25
3d 2h 9d Ac

Hello. I hit my ace, and its value time.

Villian (SB): Bet $5.25
Hero (BTN): Call

Why do i not raise? He’s bet two streets, i figure he will bet any river, i shove and he calls with some pair between TT and KK, or perhaps even AJ. I really dont think he has a set here, perhaps in the future i should make a larger consideration for fish to actually turn up with a hand. However there are usually some tell tell signs when fish have hands, i really didnt get the vibes though whilst playing this one.

River: $15.75
3d 2h 9d Ac Jh

For me, its a blank unless he hits AJ. With his pre flop stats i still think he’s completely full of it and that im ahead here.

Villian (SB): All in (For the rest of my $22 stack)
Hero (BTN): ??

I actually figure that this is some wildass bluff from a donk. I have one pair and i feel ahead all the way. I call.

Right, here we go with the remainder of hands where i lost moneys:

#2

Hero (UTG): AQs Bet
Villian (CO) 3b
Hero Calls.

Flop: $7.05
Ac Kd 3s

His range i feel is much the same as i mentioned in my previous post. On the flop i obviously now proportion his range much more to TT,JJ,QQ and less so to KK,AA,AK. In my mind here, this is a great flop and i think im ahead.

Hero (UTG): Check
Villian (CO): $3.50
Hero (UTG): Call

So, why do i check? Looking back, im not sure. I figure if he 3bets me pre, with that board he will cbet with 100% of his range (His Cbet% on HEM is 80% anyhow) and it gives me a chance perhaps to feign some weakness and make my hand look like TT,JJ,QQ. His cbet is half pot. In my eyes, it looks weak, perhaps i should raise here? Your thoughts are welcome of course. Either way i call behind.

Turn: $14.05
Ac Kd 3s 7h

Blank.

Hero (UTG): Check
Villian (CO): Check

I check the turn as its a blank as i checked the flop. I think im ahead and i figure if he bets the flop, he bets the turn. Im wrong here. If im looking for value, i really should be betting here but if i come out and donk, i think it makes my hand look super strong. Check Call Donk is always weird like that. But as played, i dont hate my check here. Looking back i probably wish i had bet the flop then bet the turn. I still think im ahead here to AJs, TT,JJ,QQ.

River: $14.05
Ac Kd 3s 7h Ts

Hero (UTG): Bet $6.00

A Value bet. Im looking to get paid from a worse Ace (i guess there is only AJ, or JJ or QQ. TT has now obviously got there. I dont know what value there is in checking this street, i would say none because if i am ahead, ive just let the hand be checked down, and i believe im in front here.

Villian (CO): All in $25.92

Looking back, im beat. I know im beat. Why can i not fold? I make the call (UGHHHHHHHHH), and muck the hand. (By the way, i will only post the Villians hand if there is any discussion in the comments to show what the hand was. Up until then, feel free to chat away!)

I have agreed with myself that i will review my 5 biggest losing hands of any session that i play. Im hoping that by doing this in myself i will learn from my mistakes, and perhaps provoke a small amount of discussion from those interested in poker and who stumble across my blog :)

I have yet to work out how to convert hands from HEM into DC, the Hand Coverter here doesnt seem to like it, so i shall post an image showing you the table make up and go through the hand by typing it. More work on my behalf i know, however at the moment it seems the best way to get an image of the table.

I will post my thought process in the hand, please if im grossly wrong about my thinking at any point, say so. I need to learn!

Hand #1:

The Villian bets out of the CO, i 3b with AJh and get a called. At this point i think his range are PP’s that are probably 99+ at the complete bottom, with perhaps KQs at the bottom of his range there with AJ,AQ,AK suited and off.

Flop: $5.75
A:club: 9:club: 8:heart:

At no point do i consider not betting this flop, and even if im raised, as long as its not something stupid like a 4x, im going to call. I have top pair, albeit it could be a WB situation, but also i have the backdoor suckout draws of the straight and the flush.

Hero: Bet $3.25
Villian: Raise $6.25

Im in no way folding to this raise, however i do now proportion his range to 99,JJ,AQ,AK. I call hoping to pick up a Backdoor draw or, to hit two pair and stack the other ace hands. Clearly every set here has me crushed but i really dont think calling the minraise is bad.

Turn: $18.75
A:club: 9:club: 8:heart: J:club:

The flush gets there but i dont proportion that to any of his range really. Perhaps if the Villian was a donk, sure, but with such TAG REG stats, i cant see this being the case. Of course, here i have hit gin and snapped up my two pair which i think im going to be stacking AQ and AK here all day long.

Now, heres where i look back and realise my through process is flawed. I shove for the remainder of my stack (which at this point is around $25). I assume i think that if im calling any bet on the turn, im calling the river which means the money is going in. If i check and he shoves, i probably call also. I really dont expect him to turn up with JJ here based on the fact that i have a J, theres a J out there and the odds of him having the remainder are obviously lower. 99 is at the bottom of his range in my opinion and somewhat of a questionable pre-flop call that in the long term, is a losing play perhaps? (we are deep so maybe its not, i’d need a hand here). Either way, the money is in, he calls.

River: $70.05
A:club: 9:club: 8:heart: J:club: 3:heart:

Any thoughts on the hand, please post below! I just realised that one hand does infact take up alot of time to write, so we’ll go with hand just for now. I will post the rest later :)

2 Set over Sets.
2 AK v AQ
2 TwoPair Vs. Sets.

Cry.

Ok, so here we go.

I’ve decided to start blogging about poker. Why? Well. For times when i seriously cant be bothered to play or study, i can type. Which makes me feel like im actually progressing in some way shape or form, but really am not in any way. But either way it makes me feel better.

The story so far is as follows:

In May ‘09, i had no idea what poker was. I was an avid MMO Grinder and spent countless hours grinding out levels, items, whatever the hell it was. Either way, that was my main focus of my online time and what i spent most of my time doing. For some reason, i just found myself not being able to grind out games any more mainly because my girlfriend at the time would moan and shit and i’d feel bad that i was on the computer doing something that is generally regarded as socially unacceptable. I thought to myself, well what would be cool to learn. All my friends play musical instruments and i personally am not a very practical learner, which playing the guitar is pretty much all its about. I enjoy theory, study, then putting it in to practise. I was walking around the book store one day and decided just to pick up the most standard of all poker books, Supersystem 2. Having read the Poker parts it all seemed quite fun and there was alot going on, but i enjoy a challenge and set myself the task of learning how to play poker.

I find myself a person who likes to gather as much information as humanly possible. Within two weeks i had a 2+2 Account, a DC Membership and i had looked at other training websites out there such as CR but didnt bother subscribing. I had downloaded a shit ton of videos and began watching…

$10 later i was on Poker Stars and that lasted me around about 1 day before i lost it playing 0.01/0.02. Fun, well. Not. $50.. And off i went. This lasted me at least two weeks, grinding it up to around $200 playing 0.05/0.10 but soon again it had gone. I can say that at each point in my poker story so far, whenever i have reached the bottom, i have tried to correct what i have done and work my way back up again. On this occasion i decided to purchase Hold’Em Manager. $50… I probably got a month out of this, spinning it up to the heady heights of around $275 before again donking it all off with some incredibly loose terrible play.

I took along hard look at what i was doing and i seemed to have all the basic theory down but was making some huge mistakes. The mistakes i was making were in big pots as opposed to small ones so this for me was probably one of my first of what i like to call: "Pokerpiphanies"â„¢ (Im trademarking that!). From here i deposited $100 and span this up to about $700 over the course of around 35k hands at 0.10/0.25. For the first time, i felt good in my game and wanted to take advantage of a rakeback offer. I moved my roll over to FTP with RB and the signup bonus and began working. In the course of 1000 hands i had lost my entire roll. Felling pretty terrible i then took a 5 month Hiatus from poker that lead me to around November time.

It was here i began finding the love i had again. I popped down my local Casino and to my amazement found out how easy it was to take money of the old-boy-nits. I had dabbled down here in the past, losing 100 one night, winning 200 another night, losing 100 another night and over the course of the month probably wound up even. I just couldnt understand why there was no three-betting pre-flop, no squeezing.. it was simple ABC poker where Value Betting was your number one friend.

Over xmas i looked at getting back into to poker, which started with playing Live around 3 times a week in February. I profited over £2000. This has lead me back online, to the home of where i can only improve. This blog will show my highs and lows, and with a bit of luck, some rage chat about bad beats.

Ive put $100 in my FTP account and i still have 1 month to clear the $450 left on my bonus.. Can i do it? No. But i may earn $20 or so which will be nice :)

Ciao