REVIEW:
Well, another month has come and gone. Great month for me. These first few months were so key! I knew it was so important for me to do well because I needed to build a bankroll quickly enough where I can draw from it if necessary, yet let it build fast enough to get me to that point. My goal had been to grind out the $55s while trying to get to about $8000 so I could start to learn the $109s. Then, I was going to add tables until I was 8-tabling them.
Currently, I am 4-tabling the $77s (Thanks for adding this intermediate step to the $109s Party!) I plan on staying here for a few months because I am doing pretty well at them...I would like to build my bankroll to over $12k before I move up full time to the $109s. I did play a $109...during one of my losing days. This is one of the perks that being very conservative with my bankroll affords me. When I was down about $1000, I played a $109 and took it down...a nice $500 bump to the bankroll and help me jumpstart my comeback.
I hope to get a few sets in tonight...and I need to come up with some goals for April...I need to take a good look at where I stand make some forecasts on how many sngs I believe I will be able to play. Looking back on this month, this has been my best month playing so far. I will post some stats later.
So far today, I lost 2 sngs...lost KK to 10 10 to a river 10...and another, I flopped nut str8, only to lose to a river full house...so far, just bad luck...playing well.
Bubbled on a bad move by me...I was shortstack with 4 to go, doubled up and was 2x the shortstack when i hit my queen high flop with AQ, and called a push...dude held KK and i lost. I would have to play it the same...have to play for first, but just sucked to get close and not cash...
Just playing well...have so much confidence...I need to play more right now because I am playing very well...results havent shown it today yet...but they will.
Another nasty suck out...my QQ lost to A9o lol. These people will call anything. a straight, 9-K hit the board..so I got a set and lost. These people where I play are just idiots and I love them for it...it just hurts sometimes when their stupidity starts to hit...but, without them, the good times wouldnt be nearly as juicy...taking a break...back at it in a few.
I am starting up my 3rd set of the night...first 2 and I am down about 250. So, not too bad. It will often take me 20 mins to get 4 tables open. I am thinking as soon as I hit $8000, I will start opening a $109 in there as well...hoping to play 2 of each pretty soon...so far, I have been waiting 3 minutes and there are only 2 people on the table...this is torture! Ive noticed there are a ton of people at the old denominations, $55s and $109s, but about half as many on the $77s. I thought there would be more people using the $77s as an intermediate step between teh $55s and the $109s. I just hope I can run hot for another week so I can roll myself for a $109 table. I am gonna grind tonight until I am up or about even...so I might be in for the long haul! Stay tuned and I will post stats after I get there :)
Just fired up a set...2 $77s and 2 $109s...lets roll!
Tough tonight...really going card dead when it counts...struggling, but still going at it!
TIGHTEN UP DUDE, TIGHTEN UP!!!
Getting my ass handed to me...just a string of epic beats...i raise preflop to over 3xbb and dude calls with j9o and catches 2 pair...what a joke...and that was on a $109. I guess I need to just push that shit...but i really dont think so.
Just the worst night of beat ever...dont even want to post the last one...down a ton...I need to get crackin tomorrow zfternoon...shakes this shit out of my head.
my final bad beat of the night...on the bubble...in 2nd short stack and call teh shorty's push...i have A5 he has K5 and he gets a full house...lol, unfuckingreal
I think i dropped about 20 buy ins. Just horrible play by everyone...but I was making great calls and plays, but just got outdrawn every time...I just dont understand why it doesnt change at all? I mean...damn. I gotta get some sleep and I will be at it early tomorrow.!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Monday 2/27/2006
Just finished up my first set tonight. I think listening to my instincts when it is time to play is key. I just wasnt up to playing earlier...and sat down a few times with the intention of playing, but I just knew that I couldnt concentrate for 1 hour straight.
A few hours later, my roomates when to the movies and I figured I would have some time to myself and just play poker...not that they ever bother me, but I would be alone with nothing to do. They left, I fired up 4, and finished 1, 3, 1, 5 to net me over 600! And, last night I played 4 and won $332, so my last 8 sngs, I made $934!! God I love poker.
I am having a lot of success...I decided I would stop talking about where I play, unless it is a tourney...It is just better business that way. I have accounts on a few sites and play them all...but it is better to just document my progress and leave the finer details out of it.
So, the past few days I have pulled back on the number I have played, but have won a lot playing sngs...when the rough times hit, the volume of play really helps because rakeback becomes substantial...but I am shooting to hit 7500-8000 ASAP to get my 100 buy ins for the $77s. It will also allow me to play a few $109s to learn to adjust my game. I did play one and won it, but one is obviously not enough to hang my hat on. I know my game can adjust to play on the $109s, but I am in no hurry to move up. It is time to really start to pad my bankroll...I would love to take a few grand out a month and let my roll build 1-2k a month until I was rolled for the $215s. That is where I think I might never venture into...at least not for a while. I can make plenty without really challenging myself at the $77s, muchless the $109s...If i can 4-8 table the $109s, life would be sweet!
Still building...still grinding...and THANK GOD, still winning!
A few hours later, my roomates when to the movies and I figured I would have some time to myself and just play poker...not that they ever bother me, but I would be alone with nothing to do. They left, I fired up 4, and finished 1, 3, 1, 5 to net me over 600! And, last night I played 4 and won $332, so my last 8 sngs, I made $934!! God I love poker.
I am having a lot of success...I decided I would stop talking about where I play, unless it is a tourney...It is just better business that way. I have accounts on a few sites and play them all...but it is better to just document my progress and leave the finer details out of it.
So, the past few days I have pulled back on the number I have played, but have won a lot playing sngs...when the rough times hit, the volume of play really helps because rakeback becomes substantial...but I am shooting to hit 7500-8000 ASAP to get my 100 buy ins for the $77s. It will also allow me to play a few $109s to learn to adjust my game. I did play one and won it, but one is obviously not enough to hang my hat on. I know my game can adjust to play on the $109s, but I am in no hurry to move up. It is time to really start to pad my bankroll...I would love to take a few grand out a month and let my roll build 1-2k a month until I was rolled for the $215s. That is where I think I might never venture into...at least not for a while. I can make plenty without really challenging myself at the $77s, muchless the $109s...If i can 4-8 table the $109s, life would be sweet!
Still building...still grinding...and THANK GOD, still winning!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Sunday 2/26/2006
Man, got a really late start today. About 4 and havent done a damn thing :)
It's ok though...did some good work last night. For such a marginal night, it really did boost my confidence because when I lost, I was rarely outplayed last night. I usually got it in with the best and had a string of epic beats...After reading my posts from last night, it was pretty bad. Plus, when I got into the money, I took too many 3rds, a few 2nds and a 1st. But, my bubble play was good and I did a lot of limping into the money. I know, I usually do play for first, but I just needed consistent cashes...so I went for the money on the bubble if I was one of the shorter stacks...My game seems very profitable at the $77s...and staying away from the speed just allows me to play my game the whole way through...Patient, peddle nuts.
Going to get started sometime soon...just wanted to get today's entry rollin.
First set in the books. I went 3, 1, 3, 5. The 5th was crappy...lost my AK to AQ when he flopped a Q. All in all, great set.
Got distractted tonight after my solid session. Working on my project with my friends, so didnt log any sngs after the first 4. It's ok though...this is a new week!!
I am really pleased with my progress so far...some of the first challenges and decisions I have made recently are really paying off.
First, I am logging the number of sngs, or at least getting closer to logging them, that would allow me to make significant rakeback. enough where I wouldnt have to pull from my bankroll. So, my first challenge I used this blog to overcome has increased my chances of success just due to the increased amount of rakeback I am receiving. I just up to the $77s which is a 40% increase in rake, and therefore, my rakeback. I should be able to log well over 300 sngs this month...still need to get that number up. I am still shooting for 450 sngs a month...need to keep increasing the number I play.
My decision to use a 100 buy in threshold before I move up is also paying dividends...maybe not necessarily when it comes to my bankroll, but definitely in terms of keeping me mentally focused and keeping my risk of burnout low.
I have also set a 5 week goal for myself. Party poker has different players club member levels. My goal by the end of march is to get into their silver level, then in 3 more get to gold...not sure what this will do, but it will give me a nice goal to work towards. And, because the level of play needs to be at least 300 sngs a month to achieve this, it helps me stay on track to meet my volume requirements...
Playing the regulars is a good move for myself as well as
It's ok though...did some good work last night. For such a marginal night, it really did boost my confidence because when I lost, I was rarely outplayed last night. I usually got it in with the best and had a string of epic beats...After reading my posts from last night, it was pretty bad. Plus, when I got into the money, I took too many 3rds, a few 2nds and a 1st. But, my bubble play was good and I did a lot of limping into the money. I know, I usually do play for first, but I just needed consistent cashes...so I went for the money on the bubble if I was one of the shorter stacks...My game seems very profitable at the $77s...and staying away from the speed just allows me to play my game the whole way through...Patient, peddle nuts.
Going to get started sometime soon...just wanted to get today's entry rollin.
First set in the books. I went 3, 1, 3, 5. The 5th was crappy...lost my AK to AQ when he flopped a Q. All in all, great set.
Got distractted tonight after my solid session. Working on my project with my friends, so didnt log any sngs after the first 4. It's ok though...this is a new week!!
I am really pleased with my progress so far...some of the first challenges and decisions I have made recently are really paying off.
First, I am logging the number of sngs, or at least getting closer to logging them, that would allow me to make significant rakeback. enough where I wouldnt have to pull from my bankroll. So, my first challenge I used this blog to overcome has increased my chances of success just due to the increased amount of rakeback I am receiving. I just up to the $77s which is a 40% increase in rake, and therefore, my rakeback. I should be able to log well over 300 sngs this month...still need to get that number up. I am still shooting for 450 sngs a month...need to keep increasing the number I play.
My decision to use a 100 buy in threshold before I move up is also paying dividends...maybe not necessarily when it comes to my bankroll, but definitely in terms of keeping me mentally focused and keeping my risk of burnout low.
I have also set a 5 week goal for myself. Party poker has different players club member levels. My goal by the end of march is to get into their silver level, then in 3 more get to gold...not sure what this will do, but it will give me a nice goal to work towards. And, because the level of play needs to be at least 300 sngs a month to achieve this, it helps me stay on track to meet my volume requirements...
Playing the regulars is a good move for myself as well as
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Saturday 2/25/2006
Played 1 speed and 1 regular sng this afternoon and took 3rd and 2nd. Played really patiently...even when I was shortstack early. I am noticing when I give into that desire to speed up my play, I find I end up losing so much more. I think it is really important to take a little more time between sets than I have, sometimes not taking any time at all. I think if you are too eager to get at the tables, then you might want to cool off a bit before sitting down. I want to sit down calm and mentally refreshed. Time to get going...I still need $250 more to get back to even from last night's fiasco.
Fired up a speed and a regular, entered the 250 max $44 buy in on Party. Starts in 45 mins. thought I would go have some fun.
Lost 2 already...ran into AA when I had KK and JJ....no suckout. Ran into KK with AK...man, not a good night...gonna finish up these two and take a break and play the tourney.
10 10 just ran into JJ...tough, tough.
My JJ ran into 10 10 in the tourney...good right? NOPE.
flopped 2 pair, got a sucker to call me, he catches his kicker on river to beat me...man, just not meant to be
KK just lost to J9...and these are all consecutive losses...im not losing close hands outside of these.
had a great call of a bluff on the flop on the bubble...but once again, 4 to the flush hits the board and takes me out...really bad run today...still powering thru.
OK, i have decided i wont be playing any more speed tourneys...
I think the Party tables are down...I finished up 3rd in my last one...ran into KK with my A10s...just not meant to be tonight...maybe try empire.
Man, such and up and down night...the swings here are just incredible...but i am learning to deal with them. as you can see, my night has been pretty crazy. I need to keep these kinds of night in the forefront of my mind. It will help me realize that these sorts of swings are common and that if I want to do this long term, i need to power through them and keep playing.
I started up two sngs, a speed and a regular...busted out of the speed and took 3rd in the regular. then i started up 3 regular tourneys and ended up 3, 1, 3. When I got to heads up in the one I won, the guy was disconnected for about 2 minutes. I didnt raise too quickly, but i ended up sucking a few 1000 in chips and crippled him before he got back on...he fought back, but I won :)
Overall, logged a ton of sngs...and am up a few hundred on the day.
Fired up a speed and a regular, entered the 250 max $44 buy in on Party. Starts in 45 mins. thought I would go have some fun.
Lost 2 already...ran into AA when I had KK and JJ....no suckout. Ran into KK with AK...man, not a good night...gonna finish up these two and take a break and play the tourney.
10 10 just ran into JJ...tough, tough.
My JJ ran into 10 10 in the tourney...good right? NOPE.
flopped 2 pair, got a sucker to call me, he catches his kicker on river to beat me...man, just not meant to be
KK just lost to J9...and these are all consecutive losses...im not losing close hands outside of these.
had a great call of a bluff on the flop on the bubble...but once again, 4 to the flush hits the board and takes me out...really bad run today...still powering thru.
OK, i have decided i wont be playing any more speed tourneys...
I think the Party tables are down...I finished up 3rd in my last one...ran into KK with my A10s...just not meant to be tonight...maybe try empire.
Man, such and up and down night...the swings here are just incredible...but i am learning to deal with them. as you can see, my night has been pretty crazy. I need to keep these kinds of night in the forefront of my mind. It will help me realize that these sorts of swings are common and that if I want to do this long term, i need to power through them and keep playing.
I started up two sngs, a speed and a regular...busted out of the speed and took 3rd in the regular. then i started up 3 regular tourneys and ended up 3, 1, 3. When I got to heads up in the one I won, the guy was disconnected for about 2 minutes. I didnt raise too quickly, but i ended up sucking a few 1000 in chips and crippled him before he got back on...he fought back, but I won :)
Overall, logged a ton of sngs...and am up a few hundred on the day.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Friday 2/24/2006
Ok, Gonna get going in a few...cut the chit chat and play some poker fool!
i guess technically its Saturday, but I am getting my ass kicked all the same. I started out ok, but then after a few bad beats, I just started to run bad. I played well and lost a bunch of nasty ones on the river...3 of them, I had the better pair, but lost to the board catching 4 to a flush. just plain nastiness.
But, I decided to play a $109. Played it very well...concentrated and took it down. So that was a nice boost when I was getting my ass handed to me....But, here is part of my conservative bankroll strategy. I was able to move up and play a level above where i normally do. What i do it chill out, relax and try to play it as well as I can...I made a crazy bluff and accidentally showed my hand lol...But, it was only a marginal bluff...Pretty much I raised with AQo in CO+2. BB called and I missed the king hi flop, raised strong, got called, raised strong again and he folded...I think it got me more respect at the table actually.
I joined a $22 tourney, $10k Guaranteed. Just tripled up when my 10 10 push held up against AKo and A5s. 1k above the average...not quite at the first break. If i can make a solid comeback tonight...I am pretty sure at one point when I had about 3 tables open, i was down over $1100...I sure hope to end the night close to even, but i am logging a shit load of sngs and rakeback! Now, i just got to get back to even...I had been running hot, so this was inevitable.
First break, 5610 in chips, average is 6130. I lost quite a few early because i was concentrating on the $109 sng I was playing...then tripled up, then did nothing....I usually go great after 1st break when I do well in a tourney...lets see how it goes.
Second break...at least I am still around. Havent done much, but 22 away from the money. I am at 9926, about half the average...gonna need to double up soon. holy shit, blinds are 600/1200..got KQ first hand in late position, gonna push it. that got me up to over 13k, stole the blinds and one limper...sweet
Busted out 55th and netted like 20 bucks. I made a move and got reraised and had to fold...then lost my push a few hands later.
tonight, I logged a bunch, but ended up losing about $450, but was down much, much more, so not a bad finish. And, won my first $109, so maybe will move up and just 2 table them.
i guess technically its Saturday, but I am getting my ass kicked all the same. I started out ok, but then after a few bad beats, I just started to run bad. I played well and lost a bunch of nasty ones on the river...3 of them, I had the better pair, but lost to the board catching 4 to a flush. just plain nastiness.
But, I decided to play a $109. Played it very well...concentrated and took it down. So that was a nice boost when I was getting my ass handed to me....But, here is part of my conservative bankroll strategy. I was able to move up and play a level above where i normally do. What i do it chill out, relax and try to play it as well as I can...I made a crazy bluff and accidentally showed my hand lol...But, it was only a marginal bluff...Pretty much I raised with AQo in CO+2. BB called and I missed the king hi flop, raised strong, got called, raised strong again and he folded...I think it got me more respect at the table actually.
I joined a $22 tourney, $10k Guaranteed. Just tripled up when my 10 10 push held up against AKo and A5s. 1k above the average...not quite at the first break. If i can make a solid comeback tonight...I am pretty sure at one point when I had about 3 tables open, i was down over $1100...I sure hope to end the night close to even, but i am logging a shit load of sngs and rakeback! Now, i just got to get back to even...I had been running hot, so this was inevitable.
First break, 5610 in chips, average is 6130. I lost quite a few early because i was concentrating on the $109 sng I was playing...then tripled up, then did nothing....I usually go great after 1st break when I do well in a tourney...lets see how it goes.
Second break...at least I am still around. Havent done much, but 22 away from the money. I am at 9926, about half the average...gonna need to double up soon. holy shit, blinds are 600/1200..got KQ first hand in late position, gonna push it. that got me up to over 13k, stole the blinds and one limper...sweet
Busted out 55th and netted like 20 bucks. I made a move and got reraised and had to fold...then lost my push a few hands later.
tonight, I logged a bunch, but ended up losing about $450, but was down much, much more, so not a bad finish. And, won my first $109, so maybe will move up and just 2 table them.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Thursday 2/23/2006
Last night I was up late, obsessing over results and my gameplan. Part of successfully being a poker player is to separate yourself from results-oriented thinking. Let me explain...
As you log sngs, you track your statistics and over infinity, your statistics level out. Once you can determine approximately where this is, that should be considered your long term ROI. Of course, this is the simple version, but it gets the idea across. Therefore, if you take the number of tables you play in a day, for me this will be approx 16, multiply it buy the total buy in ($77), you will get your total invested ($1232). That is how much in buy ins I spend every night...if I make, say 15% ROI, my average daily profit is $185.
I know that sounds weird to some, but as a poker player, you cannot expect to make $185 every day. Some days it will be much, much more, some you may lose your ass! BUT, over the long term, you will average $185 a day if you can hit the previously stated numbers. So, how does this relate to results-oriented thinking?? Simple...
If I get caught up obsessing over a losing session, I need to realize it is a necessary evil in order to average whatever it is that I am averaging. $185 a day is well over what I thought I could average in a day...and it came much sooner than I ever thought it could. Problem is, my head gets me intimidated because I just feel like those numbers should not be within my reach yet...but in actuality, my hesitation is keep that number from getting bigger. I know this is a bunch of just rambling, but it makes sense to me and this is pretty much my blog to put my thoughts on paper...so I hope that anyone that actually reads this can translate this.
So...Tonight, >=16 sngs...no exceptions...get em done....get em won...make dat money!
Ok, so I am an idiot...ended up drinking some beers and watching TV and logged none! But, in my own defense, I didnt want to play while I had a solid buzz working. Plus, once the buzz wore off, I was in no mood to be playing poker. So, I am happy with my decision to not play...and I feel refreshed today and hope to win some money!!
As you log sngs, you track your statistics and over infinity, your statistics level out. Once you can determine approximately where this is, that should be considered your long term ROI. Of course, this is the simple version, but it gets the idea across. Therefore, if you take the number of tables you play in a day, for me this will be approx 16, multiply it buy the total buy in ($77), you will get your total invested ($1232). That is how much in buy ins I spend every night...if I make, say 15% ROI, my average daily profit is $185.
I know that sounds weird to some, but as a poker player, you cannot expect to make $185 every day. Some days it will be much, much more, some you may lose your ass! BUT, over the long term, you will average $185 a day if you can hit the previously stated numbers. So, how does this relate to results-oriented thinking?? Simple...
If I get caught up obsessing over a losing session, I need to realize it is a necessary evil in order to average whatever it is that I am averaging. $185 a day is well over what I thought I could average in a day...and it came much sooner than I ever thought it could. Problem is, my head gets me intimidated because I just feel like those numbers should not be within my reach yet...but in actuality, my hesitation is keep that number from getting bigger. I know this is a bunch of just rambling, but it makes sense to me and this is pretty much my blog to put my thoughts on paper...so I hope that anyone that actually reads this can translate this.
So...Tonight, >=16 sngs...no exceptions...get em done....get em won...make dat money!
Ok, so I am an idiot...ended up drinking some beers and watching TV and logged none! But, in my own defense, I didnt want to play while I had a solid buzz working. Plus, once the buzz wore off, I was in no mood to be playing poker. So, I am happy with my decision to not play...and I feel refreshed today and hope to win some money!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Wednesday 2/22/2006
It is kind of frustrating that the sng tracker software isnt functioning properly for me...Well, at least i dont think it is...I dont feel like checking it out in depth because I am lazy and have other projects I need to be working on. As long as I am winning, thats all I am really concerned about.
I just check my activity, and it isnt logging all of my activity. I dont know whats up...hopefully a fix will be coming soon. My sng tracker stats are not accurate, though I wish they were!
Tonight, I decided I needed to log a minimum of 16 sngs a day until the month is over...or, 4 sets. I played 19 today and won $77, but if you include rakeback, thats an additional $35 bucks. Grinding away...
Some thoughts...
those of you that read this and know me, you all know how obsessive I can be when I get involved in something. I think about it constantly and my competitive nature comes out. The last time I challenged myself to play more sngs, I hit a huge wall and dropped over a grand. Since then, I have fully recovered, both my bankroll and my confidence. Now that there are $77s on Party, i will be 4-tabling them in sets. My goal is to play at least 4 sets a day, for 16 sngs a day, or about 112 a week. This translates to about $1500 a week. This seems like a pretty reasonable amout of time to spend playing...and a very, very nice return.
So, to make my playing more structured and consistent, I am going to play more often, meaning almost every day. I often take few days off, but it is essential to get some tables in every day. I do not like to have marathon sessions...the ONLY reason I have marathon session is if i am losing. 16 a day is a perfect amount for me...I played 19 today and feel pretty solid...not even close to being burned out. As my game progresses, it would be pretty amazing to think about how many sngs you could play if you 8 or 12-tabled...I dont even want to think about it...will get too excited and wont be able to sleep.
I just check my activity, and it isnt logging all of my activity. I dont know whats up...hopefully a fix will be coming soon. My sng tracker stats are not accurate, though I wish they were!
Tonight, I decided I needed to log a minimum of 16 sngs a day until the month is over...or, 4 sets. I played 19 today and won $77, but if you include rakeback, thats an additional $35 bucks. Grinding away...
Some thoughts...
those of you that read this and know me, you all know how obsessive I can be when I get involved in something. I think about it constantly and my competitive nature comes out. The last time I challenged myself to play more sngs, I hit a huge wall and dropped over a grand. Since then, I have fully recovered, both my bankroll and my confidence. Now that there are $77s on Party, i will be 4-tabling them in sets. My goal is to play at least 4 sets a day, for 16 sngs a day, or about 112 a week. This translates to about $1500 a week. This seems like a pretty reasonable amout of time to spend playing...and a very, very nice return.
So, to make my playing more structured and consistent, I am going to play more often, meaning almost every day. I often take few days off, but it is essential to get some tables in every day. I do not like to have marathon sessions...the ONLY reason I have marathon session is if i am losing. 16 a day is a perfect amount for me...I played 19 today and feel pretty solid...not even close to being burned out. As my game progresses, it would be pretty amazing to think about how many sngs you could play if you 8 or 12-tabled...I dont even want to think about it...will get too excited and wont be able to sleep.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Tuesday 2/21/2006
Fired up a set of 2 $77s and threw a Speed $77 in there as well. I won the speed and was on the bubble in the other 2 sngs. I should have beat this guy several times heads up, but sucked out 2 straight splits against me and a bad river beat to take it down...just unreal sometimes, but thats ok, took 2nd. Bubbled out of the other one with a marginal push, but blinds were creeping and I was the shorty. Overall, super happy with a quick set taking most of last night's sting away.
Ended up playing quite a few more sngs, sucks the new sng format is messing up sng tracker, so I am not sure about how many I played or what my distribution was, but I know I won a good amount. I am up $462, so almost won everything I lose last night. Played well, then bad, then well again. finished strong with a couple 1sts and am calling it a night. Feels good to get back to winning.
Ended up playing quite a few more sngs, sucks the new sng format is messing up sng tracker, so I am not sure about how many I played or what my distribution was, but I know I won a good amount. I am up $462, so almost won everything I lose last night. Played well, then bad, then well again. finished strong with a couple 1sts and am calling it a night. Feels good to get back to winning.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Monday 2/20/2006
I am fired up and ready to go. This is a good thing...when I feel like this, i usually bring home the bacon. There is a strange feeling...a confidence and excitement that I feel every once in a while...and when i feel that way, I win. I am excited to play, but I have a lot of work to do...so I better get crackin...will update when I sit down at home and start playing.
UPDATE:
Up $110 and havent even hit the tables yet. Stopped at the casino on my way to meet up with a friend. We put our names in to play in a $30 sng satellite to enter into the Celebrity something or other tournament. It is a $35,000 guaranteed tourney, winner is guaranteed $10,000. The winner gets a free entry and $50 bucks, so I thought it would be fun to give it a go. The tables were full and the waiting list was pretty long. So, I had to go get some dough because if the tournament started, I needed to cough up $30. So, I cashed out $160 and put $100 on the blackjack table. My goal was to get up $30 really quick and pay for my buy in. But, after I got up $30 after my first 3 hands, I knew that the tourney wouldnt start for a while and played more. I ended up losing all $160! Typical Ryan fashion...I love to gamble and admit that I do pretty well at blackjack. I dont grind, I hit them for the number of units I want and run. Tonight, I just gambled and had some fun...
...So, after hitting the ATM again for a quick $100. I sit down at the $25 tables...All the other tables are full, so I figured I would really gamble and try to win my money back fast. Nice looking dealer...My friend, Al, is standing behind me the whole time. I win the first hand and ask to be paid in $5 chips and start betting $30 - $40 a hand. I win every hand until the last one of the shoe, I got there and most of it was gone, but I had won a good 5 or 6 hands and tipping well. Next shoe started, I lost the first hand and then won a bunch more. Ended up winning all my money back in about 9 hands and quit. I think I had $300 left when they switched dealers, so I quit. Ended up playing some more and winning another $70 and going home...I suppose I should log some tables.
Had a bad night. I think if I came straight home, I would have been ok. But, I went to the casino and got my gambling juices flowing. Couple that with me getting shortstacked early in one of my 4 sngs, the aggressive style I had to play on the shortstack and seeping into my game. I should have just went to bed tonight because i won a little at the casino, which I quickly gave back at the tables. It was more bad play than anything...I think I am getting too impatient. I played a few turbos to see if that would help and I won the first one I played, did well in the other 2, with another cash, 3rd. I think party poker might be down, so I cant play anymore...going to hit the sack.
UPDATE:
Up $110 and havent even hit the tables yet. Stopped at the casino on my way to meet up with a friend. We put our names in to play in a $30 sng satellite to enter into the Celebrity something or other tournament. It is a $35,000 guaranteed tourney, winner is guaranteed $10,000. The winner gets a free entry and $50 bucks, so I thought it would be fun to give it a go. The tables were full and the waiting list was pretty long. So, I had to go get some dough because if the tournament started, I needed to cough up $30. So, I cashed out $160 and put $100 on the blackjack table. My goal was to get up $30 really quick and pay for my buy in. But, after I got up $30 after my first 3 hands, I knew that the tourney wouldnt start for a while and played more. I ended up losing all $160! Typical Ryan fashion...I love to gamble and admit that I do pretty well at blackjack. I dont grind, I hit them for the number of units I want and run. Tonight, I just gambled and had some fun...
...So, after hitting the ATM again for a quick $100. I sit down at the $25 tables...All the other tables are full, so I figured I would really gamble and try to win my money back fast. Nice looking dealer...My friend, Al, is standing behind me the whole time. I win the first hand and ask to be paid in $5 chips and start betting $30 - $40 a hand. I win every hand until the last one of the shoe, I got there and most of it was gone, but I had won a good 5 or 6 hands and tipping well. Next shoe started, I lost the first hand and then won a bunch more. Ended up winning all my money back in about 9 hands and quit. I think I had $300 left when they switched dealers, so I quit. Ended up playing some more and winning another $70 and going home...I suppose I should log some tables.
Had a bad night. I think if I came straight home, I would have been ok. But, I went to the casino and got my gambling juices flowing. Couple that with me getting shortstacked early in one of my 4 sngs, the aggressive style I had to play on the shortstack and seeping into my game. I should have just went to bed tonight because i won a little at the casino, which I quickly gave back at the tables. It was more bad play than anything...I think I am getting too impatient. I played a few turbos to see if that would help and I won the first one I played, did well in the other 2, with another cash, 3rd. I think party poker might be down, so I cant play anymore...going to hit the sack.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Sunday 2/19/2006
Didn't play last night. Ended up going out, drinking a lot of beer, and shooting pool. Havent played pool in a while, but played decent. Some guys thought I was hustling them because I was on fire and told them I havent played in about a year...Bar tables make everyone a good pool player. Back to poker...
So, with all the new changes to Party, I decided to go to 2+2 and see what was going on. Everyone there is quite reactionary, so I figured there would be a lot of activity. There is so much good content on there, but it is mixed in with so much bullshit that its hard to see the information that is worthwhile. I think I am pretty much done with 2+2 as a resource for improving my game. I think I have the tools I need to adjust and I need to log hours and tables, not message threads. I am going to hop in the shower, clear my head, and maybe fire up some sngs.
UPDATE:
I just played 5 sngs tonight. Went 2/5 with a 1st and a 3rd. Moving up to the $77s has been refreshing because the jump to the $109s is a big one...moving from 22s to 33s can just take a few days of running well...same for the $33s to the $55s. but, the jump from the $55s to the $109s has been taking a while. While obsessing over my desire to jump buy ins, i have put a lot of thought into this. But, the introduction of the $77s helps me build the bankroll faster to get to my target.
So, while thinking about when I should make the jump, I realized that many have said you only need 30 buy ins. I agree because my biggest downswing has been less than 20. BUT, if I were faced with having to fire up a few more sngs (at the same buy in) after losing two thirds of my bankroll, I dont know if I could. For me, I am foregoing the fast approach for the safe one. The ironic thing is, compared to most, I am a pretty risky person. Compared to poker players, I'm pretty conservative. Right now, I am bankrolled for the $215s, but I am playing the $77s. I really, really want to be making the money that the $215 players make, but I want to get there and never have to drop down. Instead of jumping up buy ins so fast, here is how I build my roll and why I take such a conservative approach.
When I am playing a certain level, for instance the $77s, I want to master this level where I understand the nuances of that particular level. So, as I acquire this information, I want to use it to its fullest because it is expensive information to get. So, I maximize the amount I win at each level so I can give myself a chance to learn the new level's nuances. Therefore, even if I go on a losing streak the moment I move up buy ins, I can still handle it without every worrying about my bankroll. I do not get nervous if I have 80 buys ins. So, if I have a 20 buy in downswing, which is equal to my biggest, I still have 80 buy ins and have no worries...much of poker is psychological and I want the impact of my bankroll to have no bearing on my style or level of play. By taking this approach, I give myself the best possible scenario to succeed when I move up. AND, if I go on a losing streak, I NEVER HAVE TO DROP DOWN A LEVEL TO WIN MY MONEY BACK AT HALF THE PACE IN WHICH I LOST IT! I just dont understand how people can stomach doing that.
So, with all the new changes to Party, I decided to go to 2+2 and see what was going on. Everyone there is quite reactionary, so I figured there would be a lot of activity. There is so much good content on there, but it is mixed in with so much bullshit that its hard to see the information that is worthwhile. I think I am pretty much done with 2+2 as a resource for improving my game. I think I have the tools I need to adjust and I need to log hours and tables, not message threads. I am going to hop in the shower, clear my head, and maybe fire up some sngs.
UPDATE:
I just played 5 sngs tonight. Went 2/5 with a 1st and a 3rd. Moving up to the $77s has been refreshing because the jump to the $109s is a big one...moving from 22s to 33s can just take a few days of running well...same for the $33s to the $55s. but, the jump from the $55s to the $109s has been taking a while. While obsessing over my desire to jump buy ins, i have put a lot of thought into this. But, the introduction of the $77s helps me build the bankroll faster to get to my target.
So, while thinking about when I should make the jump, I realized that many have said you only need 30 buy ins. I agree because my biggest downswing has been less than 20. BUT, if I were faced with having to fire up a few more sngs (at the same buy in) after losing two thirds of my bankroll, I dont know if I could. For me, I am foregoing the fast approach for the safe one. The ironic thing is, compared to most, I am a pretty risky person. Compared to poker players, I'm pretty conservative. Right now, I am bankrolled for the $215s, but I am playing the $77s. I really, really want to be making the money that the $215 players make, but I want to get there and never have to drop down. Instead of jumping up buy ins so fast, here is how I build my roll and why I take such a conservative approach.
When I am playing a certain level, for instance the $77s, I want to master this level where I understand the nuances of that particular level. So, as I acquire this information, I want to use it to its fullest because it is expensive information to get. So, I maximize the amount I win at each level so I can give myself a chance to learn the new level's nuances. Therefore, even if I go on a losing streak the moment I move up buy ins, I can still handle it without every worrying about my bankroll. I do not get nervous if I have 80 buys ins. So, if I have a 20 buy in downswing, which is equal to my biggest, I still have 80 buy ins and have no worries...much of poker is psychological and I want the impact of my bankroll to have no bearing on my style or level of play. By taking this approach, I give myself the best possible scenario to succeed when I move up. AND, if I go on a losing streak, I NEVER HAVE TO DROP DOWN A LEVEL TO WIN MY MONEY BACK AT HALF THE PACE IN WHICH I LOST IT! I just dont understand how people can stomach doing that.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Saturday 2/18/2006
Been evaluating my progress, both for this month, year, and overall. I admit that I am new to playing poker as a business, but not new to poker. After reading so much on the different forums, I just figured I was experiencing some good luck and was hoping to sustain my run for as long as possible. Then, I realized that a lot of the people telling me that I was most likely not a winning player were losing players themselves...and those that were not losing players were not winning very much. I am blowing by people that used to talk trash about my game. I have been playing and keeping my stats since April 2005. I am finally convinced I am a long term, profitable player. I no longer worry about what anyone says about my game, nor do I care whether people think I am a good player. BOTTOM LINE: I now have the confidence in my game where I believe I can continue to grow my bankroll.
Poker is a funny game. Your game seems to be only as good as your confidence...and your confidence is a delicate balance between good cards, solid play, decent luck, and positive results. the sad thing is, it only takes one of the four aspects to fall off to completely kill all confidence. With so many variables affecting the success of your poker game, it is easy to see why it is such a tough way to make a consistent living. The only thing you can do is look at your history and, assuming you are truly a profitable player, you should just continue to play your game and the results will come.
the next logical question is, how do I know if I am a profitable player? That is a much harder question. Do I need 1000 sngs logged to determine whether I am a long term winner, or do I need 10,000. Obviously, the more sngs logged, the more reliable your numbers. However, we obviously want to know whether we are winning players before we have logged 1000 sngs, muchless 10,000.
well, I have listed all the reasons I have had doubt in my game and the thought process I have been going through the past 10 months. Am I going to be a long term winner? Am I a good player? Will I be able to move up in buy in and still remain successful? All these questions, and doubts, enter your mind to keep you focused and humble. I think I am finally past doubting my skills and need to focus more on my gameplan.
I guess this post is the first time since I started blogging over 9 weeks ago that I feel like this blog is going to be around next month, or next year for that matter. I feel like I am the only thing that can stop me from getting to where I want to be...if it is up to me and my discipline, then there is a lot of fun to be had in the near future. So, I wanted to celebrate that today.
Poker is a funny game. Your game seems to be only as good as your confidence...and your confidence is a delicate balance between good cards, solid play, decent luck, and positive results. the sad thing is, it only takes one of the four aspects to fall off to completely kill all confidence. With so many variables affecting the success of your poker game, it is easy to see why it is such a tough way to make a consistent living. The only thing you can do is look at your history and, assuming you are truly a profitable player, you should just continue to play your game and the results will come.
the next logical question is, how do I know if I am a profitable player? That is a much harder question. Do I need 1000 sngs logged to determine whether I am a long term winner, or do I need 10,000. Obviously, the more sngs logged, the more reliable your numbers. However, we obviously want to know whether we are winning players before we have logged 1000 sngs, muchless 10,000.
well, I have listed all the reasons I have had doubt in my game and the thought process I have been going through the past 10 months. Am I going to be a long term winner? Am I a good player? Will I be able to move up in buy in and still remain successful? All these questions, and doubts, enter your mind to keep you focused and humble. I think I am finally past doubting my skills and need to focus more on my gameplan.
I guess this post is the first time since I started blogging over 9 weeks ago that I feel like this blog is going to be around next month, or next year for that matter. I feel like I am the only thing that can stop me from getting to where I want to be...if it is up to me and my discipline, then there is a lot of fun to be had in the near future. So, I wanted to celebrate that today.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Friday 2/17/2006
Cashed out a little last night...hate to touch the bankroll, but only took out $300 for some bills...it really is my rakeback, so thats ok...not touching the meat yet!
So, last weekend I failed miserably and played less than 10 sngs when my goal was like 50. I get into these ruts..usually last a day or two, but I have no desire to play. Poker, for someone like me, is a very competitive endeavor. That constant pressure and game play wears on me and I think this is my mind's way of telling me that I am burned out and to take a break. I really try not to play when my head and heart arent in it. I find that when I push it too hard, I play when I shouldnt and end up losing. Then, when I am refreshed, I have to waste a session getting back to even before I get a chance to make some money. so, less may be more in terms of playing...get quality hours logged and I find my stats reflect the quality of my play, not quantity. I still think logging 5 sets of 4-tables is pretty easily doable with some discipline in the other aspects of my life. On second thought, I am starting to think that 4 sets of 5 tables might be better. I have been playing 4 tables pretty easily...thinking about adding a 5th pretty soon...but would like to build my roll a bit more. I am very conservative in my approach in terms of buy in and the # of buy ins before I move up. I would like 100 buy ins before I start to add another table...so when I hit $7700, I will add a 5th table, until I hit $11,000, then I will drop down to 2 tables and work my way back up to 5.
GAMEPLAN:
I need to log a min of 16 sngs a day from here on out for the rest of the month. About a month ago when I made this statement on my blog, it started a tail spin that I have finally recovered from. But, I would like to start setting end of the month goals to help me make a push at least one week a month. Here is what hitting my goals would mean to me and my bankroll:
If I hit my goal, I will log 176 sngs @ $55. If I can play these at 15% ROI, that would net me $1,452 plus over $200 in rakeback. Definitely a nice close to the month...Party put up some $77s yesterday, but they only have PL games. I hope they open them up to the NL sngs.
OK, a few changes. They opened up the $77s to NL, so I figured I had a nice run at the $55s lately, why change up. I opened up with a set of 4 $55s...went 0/4!! Started up a set of $77s and went 4/4, 3 1sts and a 3rd. Mad at myself because my third place was a bad push because I got impatient. In retrospect, that frustrates me because 4 firsts would have been sweet to start my run on the $77s. I will never take a battle in the money for granted again! 2 sets done, up $662. I think 2 sets says it all! I'm done for the night and going to enjoy my best week ever. From Monday through Friday, I netted over $1800. A solid finish to the month will put me in a great position to move up to the $109s at the end of March and perfectly on pace to bankroll myself for a trip to Vegas for the World Series this summer!
So, last weekend I failed miserably and played less than 10 sngs when my goal was like 50. I get into these ruts..usually last a day or two, but I have no desire to play. Poker, for someone like me, is a very competitive endeavor. That constant pressure and game play wears on me and I think this is my mind's way of telling me that I am burned out and to take a break. I really try not to play when my head and heart arent in it. I find that when I push it too hard, I play when I shouldnt and end up losing. Then, when I am refreshed, I have to waste a session getting back to even before I get a chance to make some money. so, less may be more in terms of playing...get quality hours logged and I find my stats reflect the quality of my play, not quantity. I still think logging 5 sets of 4-tables is pretty easily doable with some discipline in the other aspects of my life. On second thought, I am starting to think that 4 sets of 5 tables might be better. I have been playing 4 tables pretty easily...thinking about adding a 5th pretty soon...but would like to build my roll a bit more. I am very conservative in my approach in terms of buy in and the # of buy ins before I move up. I would like 100 buy ins before I start to add another table...so when I hit $7700, I will add a 5th table, until I hit $11,000, then I will drop down to 2 tables and work my way back up to 5.
GAMEPLAN:
I need to log a min of 16 sngs a day from here on out for the rest of the month. About a month ago when I made this statement on my blog, it started a tail spin that I have finally recovered from. But, I would like to start setting end of the month goals to help me make a push at least one week a month. Here is what hitting my goals would mean to me and my bankroll:
If I hit my goal, I will log 176 sngs @ $55. If I can play these at 15% ROI, that would net me $1,452 plus over $200 in rakeback. Definitely a nice close to the month...Party put up some $77s yesterday, but they only have PL games. I hope they open them up to the NL sngs.
OK, a few changes. They opened up the $77s to NL, so I figured I had a nice run at the $55s lately, why change up. I opened up with a set of 4 $55s...went 0/4!! Started up a set of $77s and went 4/4, 3 1sts and a 3rd. Mad at myself because my third place was a bad push because I got impatient. In retrospect, that frustrates me because 4 firsts would have been sweet to start my run on the $77s. I will never take a battle in the money for granted again! 2 sets done, up $662. I think 2 sets says it all! I'm done for the night and going to enjoy my best week ever. From Monday through Friday, I netted over $1800. A solid finish to the month will put me in a great position to move up to the $109s at the end of March and perfectly on pace to bankroll myself for a trip to Vegas for the World Series this summer!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Thursday 2/16/2006
Party found a way to mess things up again. First, they kill the skins. Then, they change their rules so they will eliminate rakeback. I gotta figure out what this means for me...how the game will change and stuff...and i just won abotu a grand over the past 3 nights...was locked in! Damn!!!
Started a set of 3 $11s on Empire and took a 1st and a 2nd. Thinking about trying out a few on Party Poker...not sure what I am getting myself in to.
Ok, just logged my first few sets on the NEW AND IMPROVED Party Poker. I am down 1 buy in, and I played horribly for about 3 of those buy ins, so not too bad. Should have been up about 45, but I got sucked out against heads up and took 2nd...not too much different, but not sure yet. Gonna fire up a few more after a short break.
2:00 Am and I am just finished up. I believe I played 16 sngs...cashed in all 4 of my final set, but two 2nds and two 3rds unfortunately. but up again...so the new format isnt so bad...I think it might be good for me to adjust to a slightly different variation or format...my game seems to translate and adapt...things are good...cards are falling just the right way...lets hope it continues.
Started a set of 3 $11s on Empire and took a 1st and a 2nd. Thinking about trying out a few on Party Poker...not sure what I am getting myself in to.
Ok, just logged my first few sets on the NEW AND IMPROVED Party Poker. I am down 1 buy in, and I played horribly for about 3 of those buy ins, so not too bad. Should have been up about 45, but I got sucked out against heads up and took 2nd...not too much different, but not sure yet. Gonna fire up a few more after a short break.
2:00 Am and I am just finished up. I believe I played 16 sngs...cashed in all 4 of my final set, but two 2nds and two 3rds unfortunately. but up again...so the new format isnt so bad...I think it might be good for me to adjust to a slightly different variation or format...my game seems to translate and adapt...things are good...cards are falling just the right way...lets hope it continues.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Wednesday 2/15/2006
I used to read a lot of discussions about bankroll management. The area that particularly interested me was how many buy ins was enough to ensure a solid transition to the next level of sngs, with little chance to crap out. I have heard as low as 30 buy ins and as many as 100. Considering I am more of a gambler than many poker players, I tend to me much more conservative here. I figure if I can get 100 buy ins, my Risk of Ruin is very low. I believe once I read 100 buy ins, I will never have to ever step down, even when I have a few bad runs, i will never have to drop down a buy in and win back my money at half the pace I lost it at. I think it is very important to for me to have that comfort level.
When I decided to plays more sngs @ the $55 level, I deviated from my plan. I had about 60 buy ins and felt that a 30 buy in downswing is probable, but 60 is highly, highly unlikely. So, I "Gambled." I felt underbankrolled for the $55s when I had about $3k in my poker account. Well, today I hit my 100 buy ins for the $55s, so that is great news!! I believe I am a solid winner on the $55s and have my sights set on the $109s. I need to build my roll another $2500 bucks to get me to around $8000. Then, i will allow myself to play a few to start getting my feet wet.
The thought of 4-tabling the $109s is very tempting and after running some numbers, it could prove to be very, very profitable. Just as exciting is that at that level, I could start to enter some of the bigger buy in tourneys. Those are some big paydays. I have found some decent success in MTTs and want to get a lucky run in a bigger buy in tourney...$10k in one lump sum would be sweet...so far, my biggest tourney cash was just over $2500, after subtracting the buy in, it still netted me over $2500.
UPDATE:
Played 7 sngs so far. 2 2nds and a 1st...so a good start. Trying to keep this great momentum going. But I am going to relax and call it a night...have to be happy winning $165 in about 2 hours. Up almost a grand the past 3 nights!!!
Last night I read some Harrington on Hold 'Em. Read about the first 75 pages in the first sitting, which is amazing for me. I am not a big reader...I do not read for pleasure. I read for information and to learn. I found this book to be pretty amazing so far...hopefully will learn a lot. For me, because I have been playing a while, I am confident in my ability. But, it was often an unstructured game we played, so it is hard for me to gauge how my game stacks up to the good online and tourney players. I seem to do well online at sngs...seem to be profitable at the $55s and am enjoying playing. I am sooo excited to move to the $109s...My game seems to be coming together and my confidence couldnt be higher...cosmic forces are aligning.
I have always been someone that would like to track his progress. So, last April when I decided that I was going to try to make playing poker a real second job, I started to document my progress. When my spreadsheet was in about the 8th month, I was surprised I was still tracking my results. I was still going at it months later. Usually, I would have crapped out or lost discipline and blew my roll. I admit I lost some discipline early on in my playing, but I tighten things up and started to go about this in a very serious manner. When I mentally committed to giving sngs a shot...or playing a high enough volume where great money can be made, I decided to start this blog. Hopefully, like my spreadsheet, my blog will be around in 8 months and I will be reflecting on how far I have come. For the time being, I am going to enjoy my 3rd month of blogging and hoping for more favorable results.
I'm counting down...$2300 bucks short of my next jump in buy ins...
When I decided to plays more sngs @ the $55 level, I deviated from my plan. I had about 60 buy ins and felt that a 30 buy in downswing is probable, but 60 is highly, highly unlikely. So, I "Gambled." I felt underbankrolled for the $55s when I had about $3k in my poker account. Well, today I hit my 100 buy ins for the $55s, so that is great news!! I believe I am a solid winner on the $55s and have my sights set on the $109s. I need to build my roll another $2500 bucks to get me to around $8000. Then, i will allow myself to play a few to start getting my feet wet.
The thought of 4-tabling the $109s is very tempting and after running some numbers, it could prove to be very, very profitable. Just as exciting is that at that level, I could start to enter some of the bigger buy in tourneys. Those are some big paydays. I have found some decent success in MTTs and want to get a lucky run in a bigger buy in tourney...$10k in one lump sum would be sweet...so far, my biggest tourney cash was just over $2500, after subtracting the buy in, it still netted me over $2500.
UPDATE:
Played 7 sngs so far. 2 2nds and a 1st...so a good start. Trying to keep this great momentum going. But I am going to relax and call it a night...have to be happy winning $165 in about 2 hours. Up almost a grand the past 3 nights!!!
Last night I read some Harrington on Hold 'Em. Read about the first 75 pages in the first sitting, which is amazing for me. I am not a big reader...I do not read for pleasure. I read for information and to learn. I found this book to be pretty amazing so far...hopefully will learn a lot. For me, because I have been playing a while, I am confident in my ability. But, it was often an unstructured game we played, so it is hard for me to gauge how my game stacks up to the good online and tourney players. I seem to do well online at sngs...seem to be profitable at the $55s and am enjoying playing. I am sooo excited to move to the $109s...My game seems to be coming together and my confidence couldnt be higher...cosmic forces are aligning.
I have always been someone that would like to track his progress. So, last April when I decided that I was going to try to make playing poker a real second job, I started to document my progress. When my spreadsheet was in about the 8th month, I was surprised I was still tracking my results. I was still going at it months later. Usually, I would have crapped out or lost discipline and blew my roll. I admit I lost some discipline early on in my playing, but I tighten things up and started to go about this in a very serious manner. When I mentally committed to giving sngs a shot...or playing a high enough volume where great money can be made, I decided to start this blog. Hopefully, like my spreadsheet, my blog will be around in 8 months and I will be reflecting on how far I have come. For the time being, I am going to enjoy my 3rd month of blogging and hoping for more favorable results.
I'm counting down...$2300 bucks short of my next jump in buy ins...
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Tuesday 2/14/2006
Still feeling confident about last night. I am playing well and my cards are holding up, even caught a few suckouts! I havent played yet today, but as I was in the shower, it got me to thinking about poker, my recent downswing, and my recovery from it. My second major downswing is in the books and it rattled me pretty good. Confidence was SHOT! Patience were SHOT! Temper was FLARING! Honestly, I think that downswing and some of the events afterwards helped me immensely...Here's how.
After I decided to make a push and start playing more sngs, about a month ago, I have been struggling to remain as profitable as I would have liked, but thank god still profitable. January started out nicely, good profits and solid returns. But, as I increased the number of sngs I played, I found my ROI and ITM% drop, and that lead my $$/hr to plunge. I think I have found a reason for this.
I blamed it on variance and bad luck, with some occaisional bad play. When I start to go on a losing streak, say no cashes in 5 or more, I start to play my "A" game to stop the slide and start to climb out of the hole. This usually works and after a few hours, I'm up and hitting the sack. Sometimes, the slide continues and that's when I think my play can start to fall apart. Well, that is what I used to blame it on. As you remember, my laptop was out of commission for about a week. After playing on my desktop, away from everyone and all the normal household distractions, I have a different answer.
Yes, I did get pretty damn unlucky during that losing streak, no doubt. I would see AA or KK in front of me and see it as a death sentence...a hand I was committed to playing and just knowing it was going to get cracked! I started to alter my play, tighen up, loosen up, aggressive post flop...whatever I could do and I was doing about the same...breaking even. Then I started to climb out of the hole slowly. Things started to come back to normal and my hands were holding up. So, here is where I think the cards started to run as they should...and the bad luck was pretty much gone. I mean, sure these terms are just silly...what is bad luck really? I guess just variance, so lets call it that. Now, it was up to me to play well and recover from the beating I took a few days ago. That is when the laptop went out.
So, I didnt play for a few days...but then I realized I needed to play and had to suck it up and play at the desktop. I resized my screen to 1600X1200 and fired up 3 sngs. did pretty well, fired up some more. Now, the laptop is back, but im still on the desktop. All of the distraction in the living room (TV, people, conversations, etc) were definitely distracting me. I think of it like this...when I am in 3 sngs and itm or on the bubble in all of them, sometimes I fixate on one sng more than the others. typically it is because I am heads up and want to get 1st. But, with the tables so empty, blinds come fast. Next thing I know, I am short stack on my other tables. That is how I play sngs when in the living room. Not enough of my attention is on the game...lack of respect. I have been playing at the desktop this month and my returns have gone back to where I want them (>15%). I have pulled back on number I have been playing, but that is because I am trying to build my roll...remember, goal is to hit $8000, then dabble in the 109s.
UPDATE:
Getting started here...just fired up my first 3.
Well, I finished my set with 2 firsts! Up $335 tonight, so I might not play anymore. It is a nice boost to the bankroll, so I will just be happy with my night.
In the first one I won, I was shortstacked for awhile and was definitely the shortstack on the bubble, but the dominant chip leader took out the 2nd stack when the dude rode top pair and lost to the pocket overpair held by the chip leader. I was heads up now, and with about 1100 chips. I kept pushing...got like K7 or K8 every hand and kept pushing...got to about 3000 chips and i pushed the AKs into him and he called with pocket 10s. I caught a king and took it down from there.
The second one I won, I was down to about 450 chips. I pushed when blinds were 75/150 and just kept up the momentum. After I fought back to about 1000 chips, I got into a three way pot with JJ. It held up and I jumped into the chip lead and took it down from there. Great night...
After I decided to make a push and start playing more sngs, about a month ago, I have been struggling to remain as profitable as I would have liked, but thank god still profitable. January started out nicely, good profits and solid returns. But, as I increased the number of sngs I played, I found my ROI and ITM% drop, and that lead my $$/hr to plunge. I think I have found a reason for this.
I blamed it on variance and bad luck, with some occaisional bad play. When I start to go on a losing streak, say no cashes in 5 or more, I start to play my "A" game to stop the slide and start to climb out of the hole. This usually works and after a few hours, I'm up and hitting the sack. Sometimes, the slide continues and that's when I think my play can start to fall apart. Well, that is what I used to blame it on. As you remember, my laptop was out of commission for about a week. After playing on my desktop, away from everyone and all the normal household distractions, I have a different answer.
Yes, I did get pretty damn unlucky during that losing streak, no doubt. I would see AA or KK in front of me and see it as a death sentence...a hand I was committed to playing and just knowing it was going to get cracked! I started to alter my play, tighen up, loosen up, aggressive post flop...whatever I could do and I was doing about the same...breaking even. Then I started to climb out of the hole slowly. Things started to come back to normal and my hands were holding up. So, here is where I think the cards started to run as they should...and the bad luck was pretty much gone. I mean, sure these terms are just silly...what is bad luck really? I guess just variance, so lets call it that. Now, it was up to me to play well and recover from the beating I took a few days ago. That is when the laptop went out.
So, I didnt play for a few days...but then I realized I needed to play and had to suck it up and play at the desktop. I resized my screen to 1600X1200 and fired up 3 sngs. did pretty well, fired up some more. Now, the laptop is back, but im still on the desktop. All of the distraction in the living room (TV, people, conversations, etc) were definitely distracting me. I think of it like this...when I am in 3 sngs and itm or on the bubble in all of them, sometimes I fixate on one sng more than the others. typically it is because I am heads up and want to get 1st. But, with the tables so empty, blinds come fast. Next thing I know, I am short stack on my other tables. That is how I play sngs when in the living room. Not enough of my attention is on the game...lack of respect. I have been playing at the desktop this month and my returns have gone back to where I want them (>15%). I have pulled back on number I have been playing, but that is because I am trying to build my roll...remember, goal is to hit $8000, then dabble in the 109s.
UPDATE:
Getting started here...just fired up my first 3.
Well, I finished my set with 2 firsts! Up $335 tonight, so I might not play anymore. It is a nice boost to the bankroll, so I will just be happy with my night.
In the first one I won, I was shortstacked for awhile and was definitely the shortstack on the bubble, but the dominant chip leader took out the 2nd stack when the dude rode top pair and lost to the pocket overpair held by the chip leader. I was heads up now, and with about 1100 chips. I kept pushing...got like K7 or K8 every hand and kept pushing...got to about 3000 chips and i pushed the AKs into him and he called with pocket 10s. I caught a king and took it down from there.
The second one I won, I was down to about 450 chips. I pushed when blinds were 75/150 and just kept up the momentum. After I fought back to about 1000 chips, I got into a three way pot with JJ. It held up and I jumped into the chip lead and took it down from there. Great night...
Monday, February 13, 2006
Monday 2/13/2006
Just relaxing for now. Going to play some later.
Got going...played 3 $55s on party and got 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Played 2 $11s on Empire and got a 2nd and a 4th. In a $40+4 MTT on party. about to come up on first break...
I have pretty much folded every hand. I think in the first 50 minutes, I played one hand, raising in position and picked up a few blinds. Had AK and raised to 200, got 2 callers and one paid me off to the end when I flopped a king and he called me to the river with 2nd best pair. Doubled me up, so right now, unless something happens soon, I will hit the first break just under the average. I am used to coming on slow...when I do well, I usually make my move after the first and second breaks. 2 minutes until break, I am coming up on the big blind...looks like i will have about 1660 chips at the first break.
Half way through the second session and I had a nice suck out. I had A9 up against 10 10. we get it all in on turn, and i catch a river 9. as soon as that hand finished, i got moved, so i didnt have to hear any shit hahahaah!!! Anyway, doing well, about 1k over the average. I have 4820 and the average is just about 3600. Looking to play a few monsters before 2nd break.
Coming up on second break. After my last post, I went completely card dead. I had A10s in middle position and raised to 3xbb and bought the blinds. Thank god too because i havent had anything to play. I am hoping we get down to 20 soon so i can start to make a few more moves...just folded to me on my big blind...sweet. update at break.
Sitting at 4520 after the 2nd session. Lost 300 chips in the last half hour. I got moved again, my 3rd time, and I just couldnt catch a hand. looking to limp into money and then press...
Ok ITM with just under 4000 in chips. Need to make a move or get a hand. They are dropping like flies though...chip leader just took out the 3rd biggest stack and has a huge lead. Of course, i am on his right!
Final table, I am 6th in chips, but a long, long way from getting near the leaders.
Nice suck out. I had 10 7 s on button and pushed. Been getting blinded away. Dude calls me and he has AKo, I caught a 7 and doubled up. Sitting around with 11k in chips...have a little to work with...lets see what i can do. 7 left. 5th is almost $400 bucks and there are 2 shorters stax than me...going to try to ensure that payday...then push like a crazy man. Took 6th...made 312, so netted like 268...nice.
Got going...played 3 $55s on party and got 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Played 2 $11s on Empire and got a 2nd and a 4th. In a $40+4 MTT on party. about to come up on first break...
I have pretty much folded every hand. I think in the first 50 minutes, I played one hand, raising in position and picked up a few blinds. Had AK and raised to 200, got 2 callers and one paid me off to the end when I flopped a king and he called me to the river with 2nd best pair. Doubled me up, so right now, unless something happens soon, I will hit the first break just under the average. I am used to coming on slow...when I do well, I usually make my move after the first and second breaks. 2 minutes until break, I am coming up on the big blind...looks like i will have about 1660 chips at the first break.
Half way through the second session and I had a nice suck out. I had A9 up against 10 10. we get it all in on turn, and i catch a river 9. as soon as that hand finished, i got moved, so i didnt have to hear any shit hahahaah!!! Anyway, doing well, about 1k over the average. I have 4820 and the average is just about 3600. Looking to play a few monsters before 2nd break.
Coming up on second break. After my last post, I went completely card dead. I had A10s in middle position and raised to 3xbb and bought the blinds. Thank god too because i havent had anything to play. I am hoping we get down to 20 soon so i can start to make a few more moves...just folded to me on my big blind...sweet. update at break.
Sitting at 4520 after the 2nd session. Lost 300 chips in the last half hour. I got moved again, my 3rd time, and I just couldnt catch a hand. looking to limp into money and then press...
Ok ITM with just under 4000 in chips. Need to make a move or get a hand. They are dropping like flies though...chip leader just took out the 3rd biggest stack and has a huge lead. Of course, i am on his right!
Final table, I am 6th in chips, but a long, long way from getting near the leaders.
Nice suck out. I had 10 7 s on button and pushed. Been getting blinded away. Dude calls me and he has AKo, I caught a 7 and doubled up. Sitting around with 11k in chips...have a little to work with...lets see what i can do. 7 left. 5th is almost $400 bucks and there are 2 shorters stax than me...going to try to ensure that payday...then push like a crazy man. Took 6th...made 312, so netted like 268...nice.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Sunday 2/12/2006
Really a wasted day. I am watching the Winter Olympics and just relaxing. I will be playing some poker here soon. and I have some homework to do for my project...Essentially, my project is me coordinating the development of a piece of software. I look at it like it is my business and I am developing my product. Cool thing is, I never has to sell or let anyone else use my product because it will make me money. But, the potential to make money once I open it to the public will be amazing. so, off to play and get some work done.
Fired up 2 $55 sngs, a $55 MTT, and the $22 $10k Guaranteed on Party. Busted out of the 2 sngs and the $55 MTT. Have 2 more sngs fired up and still in the $10k. Not playing well...need to get my head focused!
Just busted out of the $10k with AA vs A10, guy flopped 2nd best pair and thought it was good apparently. on to sngs...
Ended up playing 9 sngs and won $28 overall tonight. I lost $77 in MTT tourney buy ins, so if I didnt splurge on those, I would have been up over $100 on sngs. So thats pretty solid. I know I shouldnt be playing tourneys yet, but I have been feeling good about my game and have had some success in them recently. Played poorly in the $55 and got unlucky in the $22...
I need to get some live action going pretty soon. In the few times I have played live, it was a different experience. Obviously, if I ever want to get better, I need to learn to develop this part of my game...so this month, I have to get my ass down to a tourney. Going to start reading Harrington On Hold 'Em Volume I. I had also bought Phil Hellmuth's Play Poker Like the Pros. Terrible read and not very much information. Pretty piss poor excuse from the self proclaimed best poker player in the world.
Fired up 2 $55 sngs, a $55 MTT, and the $22 $10k Guaranteed on Party. Busted out of the 2 sngs and the $55 MTT. Have 2 more sngs fired up and still in the $10k. Not playing well...need to get my head focused!
Just busted out of the $10k with AA vs A10, guy flopped 2nd best pair and thought it was good apparently. on to sngs...
Ended up playing 9 sngs and won $28 overall tonight. I lost $77 in MTT tourney buy ins, so if I didnt splurge on those, I would have been up over $100 on sngs. So thats pretty solid. I know I shouldnt be playing tourneys yet, but I have been feeling good about my game and have had some success in them recently. Played poorly in the $55 and got unlucky in the $22...
I need to get some live action going pretty soon. In the few times I have played live, it was a different experience. Obviously, if I ever want to get better, I need to learn to develop this part of my game...so this month, I have to get my ass down to a tourney. Going to start reading Harrington On Hold 'Em Volume I. I had also bought Phil Hellmuth's Play Poker Like the Pros. Terrible read and not very much information. Pretty piss poor excuse from the self proclaimed best poker player in the world.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Saturday 2/11/2006
Getting started around 7:15 tonight. Just playing 2 $11s on Empire. Going to ease into the night with some low stress, low stakes sngs.
Played 3 $11s and took a first...just chillin...hopefully log some $55s later.
I have found there are quite a few nights where I am not feeling up to playing poker. But, I need to play and log a certain number per month. Previously, I had struggled to play 150 a month. Those days are behind me, but I am still finding it challenging to stay on pace to log 300+ a month. I need some more structure...and I am working on that. I am also spending a lot of time thinking about my side project. Great things are happening and hopefully in a month or two things will get going. The project became more complex, much better, but come complex. It also adds a different spin to the original plan...but one that allows me to open it up to the public, which excited me.
Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to say was that I have been logging $11 sngs on Empire when I havent been in the mood to play. I have had a lot of success on those and am trying to build my bankroll there. I would like to play smaller stakes there while my main income will be generated from the $55s on Party. Since I started dabbling on Empire again, my return has gone up on Party and have a sick return on Empire (over a tiny sample size.)
Bottom line, good things...I think a good game plan...an amazing project on the horizon...
Played 3 $11s and took a first...just chillin...hopefully log some $55s later.
I have found there are quite a few nights where I am not feeling up to playing poker. But, I need to play and log a certain number per month. Previously, I had struggled to play 150 a month. Those days are behind me, but I am still finding it challenging to stay on pace to log 300+ a month. I need some more structure...and I am working on that. I am also spending a lot of time thinking about my side project. Great things are happening and hopefully in a month or two things will get going. The project became more complex, much better, but come complex. It also adds a different spin to the original plan...but one that allows me to open it up to the public, which excited me.
Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to say was that I have been logging $11 sngs on Empire when I havent been in the mood to play. I have had a lot of success on those and am trying to build my bankroll there. I would like to play smaller stakes there while my main income will be generated from the $55s on Party. Since I started dabbling on Empire again, my return has gone up on Party and have a sick return on Empire (over a tiny sample size.)
Bottom line, good things...I think a good game plan...an amazing project on the horizon...
Friday, February 10, 2006
Friday 2/10/2006
Today is my Mom's brithday! Happy birthday MOM!
Just finished importing my hand histories into SNG Tracker. I had half a night's worth in there (8 sngs), for the first 5 hours of February, but then the laptop went down and I couldnt upload my hand histories. Now that I had a chance to get them updated, I got a chance to look at my first 9 days of February. Here are the vitals:
71 sngs
18% ROI
37% ITM
I have been pretty money late in tourneys lately, my ITM from the bubble % is sitting at 95% for the first 9 days...so I guess that means I need to start getting deeper in the sngs and giving myself a chance to take advantage of the bubble advantage I have been enjoying this month.
I am taking tonight off. Just going to sit back and relax. Just finished uploading my hand histories from empire poker into SNG Tracker...not much, just 9 tourneys, but 5 cashes.
Going to set a goal for this weekend...I would like to play at least 40 sngs, shooting for 50.
Just finished importing my hand histories into SNG Tracker. I had half a night's worth in there (8 sngs), for the first 5 hours of February, but then the laptop went down and I couldnt upload my hand histories. Now that I had a chance to get them updated, I got a chance to look at my first 9 days of February. Here are the vitals:
71 sngs
18% ROI
37% ITM
I have been pretty money late in tourneys lately, my ITM from the bubble % is sitting at 95% for the first 9 days...so I guess that means I need to start getting deeper in the sngs and giving myself a chance to take advantage of the bubble advantage I have been enjoying this month.
I am taking tonight off. Just going to sit back and relax. Just finished uploading my hand histories from empire poker into SNG Tracker...not much, just 9 tourneys, but 5 cashes.
Going to set a goal for this weekend...I would like to play at least 40 sngs, shooting for 50.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Thursday 2/9/2006
Today is my Grandpa's birthday, so I wish him a very happy birthday!
Just getting the start of my entry for Thursday going. I think I am playing much better lately. I liked how I finished out the night. I think I started out down 5 buy ins, so I came back from that. I think if I can sit down and be "on" from my first sng, that will be a big step for me. Usually by the time I start playing solid poker, I have just recovered from my donk-session and have pulled myself out of the hole. Need to concentrate on that for today!
Playing much better tonight. Had a rough stretch in the middle...started out addressing my weak play when I start my sessions. I had a 2nd in my first set (remember, 3-tabling), so was down juice. Took a 3rd in my 2nd set and was feeling ok. Then went about 0-7 and fired up a final set of 3. Hit 3 1sts on my last set to end up +$245 at its not even midnight!!! I know the 4-tablers call 4 firsts a grand slam, but I got my first as a 3-tabler!
Made some nice progress on a project I am working on...It is becoming more involved, but I think things are coming together. I have a small army of people working on this with me...not because I am paying them, but because they believe in the idea and believe it will produce enough to allow us to support ourselves. I surrounded myself with some bright people with exceptional talent, so to know I have their critical eyes looking at this project and still wanting to volunteer to make it happen...I am encouraged! Going to get to work...these people are night owls, so 2:45 AM is right in the middle of the workday!
Just getting the start of my entry for Thursday going. I think I am playing much better lately. I liked how I finished out the night. I think I started out down 5 buy ins, so I came back from that. I think if I can sit down and be "on" from my first sng, that will be a big step for me. Usually by the time I start playing solid poker, I have just recovered from my donk-session and have pulled myself out of the hole. Need to concentrate on that for today!
Playing much better tonight. Had a rough stretch in the middle...started out addressing my weak play when I start my sessions. I had a 2nd in my first set (remember, 3-tabling), so was down juice. Took a 3rd in my 2nd set and was feeling ok. Then went about 0-7 and fired up a final set of 3. Hit 3 1sts on my last set to end up +$245 at its not even midnight!!! I know the 4-tablers call 4 firsts a grand slam, but I got my first as a 3-tabler!
Made some nice progress on a project I am working on...It is becoming more involved, but I think things are coming together. I have a small army of people working on this with me...not because I am paying them, but because they believe in the idea and believe it will produce enough to allow us to support ourselves. I surrounded myself with some bright people with exceptional talent, so to know I have their critical eyes looking at this project and still wanting to volunteer to make it happen...I am encouraged! Going to get to work...these people are night owls, so 2:45 AM is right in the middle of the workday!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Wednesday 2/8/2006
I must admit some feelings of guilt for not playing too much poker so far in February. The little bit of time I have played, I have done well. Maybe there is something to this playing smarter, not longer line of thinking. Most of what I have learned about playing poker as a business is from what I have read on 2+2. Problem is, it is all the same advice, packaged differently from varying levels of understanding. There are many on that site that have no idea what they are talking about, but they know what the "respected" posters say, so they echo that. Personally, I take what I want from them, and disregard the rest. Many on 2+2 mention that not caring about the individual sng is ok because over the long haul, it isnt about the individual sng, its about long term ROI & $$/HR. While I do understand that, I still believe every sng deserves my best effort. So, I think that is part of the reason I play less than those on 2+2. On the other hand, I think I should be able to log 350 sngs this month. So far, I think I have about 25.
Played a good 12-15 sngs already tonight...still looking to get 12 more in before hitting the sack. Just relaxing and 3-tabling. Had a 1st and a 3rd in the last set, but still down 2 buy ins. Started slow, but heating up!
Just getting started...have 2 $55s open on Party and in a $55 MTT. Just getting started...
Even right now in the tourney...pretty much card dead and hit one hand to cover my blinds. Bubbled out of both sngs I was playing. Fired up 2 more...just some bad timing...playing well. Very relaxed and focused...I am liking right now.
Still at it. Playing 3 at a time and taking a 2nd in each set to keep me even, less vig. Still down a couple buy ins, but playing well. Getting caught here and there and hands are holding up a bit better tonight. Had a nice suckout that lead to a win...so all in all, a solid night. I can tell I control the outcome of my sngs by how well I play. I just need to keep that level of discipline up so I quit losing due to stupid mistakes. I still see them...and it is frustrating. This last set went pretty well. Going to fire up a few more after a break.
Ended the night on a nice run and am up $15 playing sngs and down $55 from my MTT. Got a little jumpy and pushed AK into a big pot on the last hand before the break. Figured I would either bust out or go into the break with a very healthy chip stack. I guess we all know which way it turned out. Logged a bunch tonight...hopefully keep it up tomorrow!
Played a good 12-15 sngs already tonight...still looking to get 12 more in before hitting the sack. Just relaxing and 3-tabling. Had a 1st and a 3rd in the last set, but still down 2 buy ins. Started slow, but heating up!
Just getting started...have 2 $55s open on Party and in a $55 MTT. Just getting started...
Even right now in the tourney...pretty much card dead and hit one hand to cover my blinds. Bubbled out of both sngs I was playing. Fired up 2 more...just some bad timing...playing well. Very relaxed and focused...I am liking right now.
Still at it. Playing 3 at a time and taking a 2nd in each set to keep me even, less vig. Still down a couple buy ins, but playing well. Getting caught here and there and hands are holding up a bit better tonight. Had a nice suckout that lead to a win...so all in all, a solid night. I can tell I control the outcome of my sngs by how well I play. I just need to keep that level of discipline up so I quit losing due to stupid mistakes. I still see them...and it is frustrating. This last set went pretty well. Going to fire up a few more after a break.
Ended the night on a nice run and am up $15 playing sngs and down $55 from my MTT. Got a little jumpy and pushed AK into a big pot on the last hand before the break. Figured I would either bust out or go into the break with a very healthy chip stack. I guess we all know which way it turned out. Logged a bunch tonight...hopefully keep it up tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Tuesday 2/7/2006
Just getting started for the day. Just not finding the fire I need to play $55s right now, so I fired up the $1k Guaranteed on Empire. I spoke with a local friend of mine today, Al, and we decided we wanted to work on our live, tourney games. I am excited to give that a shot. I really like playing tourneys online though. It is so nice to have everyone's chip counts in front of them and have real time access to all the necessary information. I really miss that in the live game. But, it is all a skill and I cannot get better at it if I do not start playing more live...so we have made a commitment to play at least one live tourney this month...I am hoping to get in two a month, and depending on my results, hopefully more...
Ok, so on to the tournament!
So I busted on AJ in the tourney...ran into AK. no worries...I would say I played poorly in the few hands I did play. I dont think I should multitable MTTs because I just have to be locked in. But, I did play 2 sngs while I played the tourney and took 1st and 3rd, so up about $40 bucks and have my Empire account over $200 bucks! I will be playing Party later...grinding some $55s!
Up $75 on Party. A first and a third in 5 sngs. Just chilling for now, its early. Will probably fire up another set soon.
Didnt play any more today...so I ended the night up just over $100 on the two sites combined. Rakeback came in today, so that was a nice treat! Hoping to log a strong 20 sngs tomorrow...my website is running now, so let's see how it goes...but this was something that I have been trying to get off the ground for a few years, so very exciting news for me.
Ok, so on to the tournament!
So I busted on AJ in the tourney...ran into AK. no worries...I would say I played poorly in the few hands I did play. I dont think I should multitable MTTs because I just have to be locked in. But, I did play 2 sngs while I played the tourney and took 1st and 3rd, so up about $40 bucks and have my Empire account over $200 bucks! I will be playing Party later...grinding some $55s!
Up $75 on Party. A first and a third in 5 sngs. Just chilling for now, its early. Will probably fire up another set soon.
Didnt play any more today...so I ended the night up just over $100 on the two sites combined. Rakeback came in today, so that was a nice treat! Hoping to log a strong 20 sngs tomorrow...my website is running now, so let's see how it goes...but this was something that I have been trying to get off the ground for a few years, so very exciting news for me.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Monday 2/6/2006
It has been a hectic week here to kick off February. My bro just left, so he has been in town since Thursday. Tonight is a friend of mine's birthday, so we will be celebrating that...I sure hope to get some sngs in by tomorrow. I have been slowly building my Empire account, but I need to make some bacon. I think I will fire some up tonight...
Sunday 2/5/2006
Not really playing tonight. Hopefully will get a power cable for the laptop this week because I do not really enjoy playing poker at the desktop computer. Played some $11s on Empire tonight. Wasnt looking to play a lot tonight...just looking to see how my change of scenery affects my game. I am in the $1k guarantee on Empire...$20+2, 60 entries, pays top 8 with the winner taking home $360.
At the first break, I had 2510 and the average was 2400. Looking ok...had one big hand and folded the rest. Lets see if I can double up at least once here in the next half hour and make a push for the money.
2nd break...sitting at 7500, which is 1500 above average. One dude just got crippled in 2nd hand after the 2nd break...so one down...one more to the money! sitting in a good spot...I WILL FOLD TO THE MONEY IF I HAVE TO!!
Ok, in the money. Sitting 4th in chips with 6 to go...
Took 4th. Was on the shortstack and pushed 66 on button...called by AK and king hit the flop...i did get an open ended straight draw by the turn, but missed. Anyway, netted $98 bucks on that tourney...was fun!
I have taken the free $10 bucks Empire gave me and have it up to $166...solid progress!
At the first break, I had 2510 and the average was 2400. Looking ok...had one big hand and folded the rest. Lets see if I can double up at least once here in the next half hour and make a push for the money.
2nd break...sitting at 7500, which is 1500 above average. One dude just got crippled in 2nd hand after the 2nd break...so one down...one more to the money! sitting in a good spot...I WILL FOLD TO THE MONEY IF I HAVE TO!!
Ok, in the money. Sitting 4th in chips with 6 to go...
Took 4th. Was on the shortstack and pushed 66 on button...called by AK and king hit the flop...i did get an open ended straight draw by the turn, but missed. Anyway, netted $98 bucks on that tourney...was fun!
I have taken the free $10 bucks Empire gave me and have it up to $166...solid progress!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Saturday 2/4/2006
I guess this really isnt Saturday anymore. I was hanging out with my brother and my friend Ben that moved down here and we got the UFC Pay per view tonight. Was pretty cool...getting my first few sngs of the month in right now. 3-tablings, lets see how it goes.
About 1:40 and I am getting tired. I played 1 set and finished 1st, 3rd, and 6th, so not bad. I had a feeling playing at night is a good move for me. Whatever the reason, I play much better late at night. Going to call it a night, just happy to get my first few of the month in and have a solid night. Hands held up. Couldnt believe it when a guy raised UTG and I pushed AKs on the button. He called me with KQo and my hand held up. Those are the kinds of hands I had been losing with regularity, so they were really killing my bankroll...February started nice, lets see if I can keep it rolling tomorrow.
Good luck to Ric...hope you're killing! I've been out of commission for a bit...catch up with ya in a few days...
About 1:40 and I am getting tired. I played 1 set and finished 1st, 3rd, and 6th, so not bad. I had a feeling playing at night is a good move for me. Whatever the reason, I play much better late at night. Going to call it a night, just happy to get my first few of the month in and have a solid night. Hands held up. Couldnt believe it when a guy raised UTG and I pushed AKs on the button. He called me with KQo and my hand held up. Those are the kinds of hands I had been losing with regularity, so they were really killing my bankroll...February started nice, lets see if I can keep it rolling tomorrow.
Good luck to Ric...hope you're killing! I've been out of commission for a bit...catch up with ya in a few days...
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Thursday 2/2/2006
Might not be playing or updating quite as much in the next day or two. I have to go get a new power cable for my laptop because last night it was sparking! I do not like playing at my desktop, but it actually might be better for my bankroll if I did because it would get me away from the TV while I play.
Going to get started later...going to update last night's entry.
Going to get started later...going to update last night's entry.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Wednesday 2/1/2006
Just getting started...fired up my first sng. Thinking about some goals for February. I will post them later...
UPDATE:
Well, things are just throwing me lately. Here is a typical shitty way I lose and bust out of sngs. I have AA with 6 people left, 900 chips. I push, get called by 2 people. I am called by AKo and A9s. I lose when the board reads 88995...just unreal.
Ok, so things got interesting later in the night. I got really pissed off after a decent downswing. I mean really pissed. A few good things...I was able to control my frustration pretty well. I decided to only play 2 sngs and to play those 2 sngs in sets. I think that is a big thing for me mentally...I need to play in sets. I was playing 2 tables and opening a new one when I busted out or won one. I think that is a situation where I do not do well. I need the small break between sets, the satisfaction of enjoying my win, a little time to digest, and it just adds a little structure. So, I think sets is imperative to my success. I played more aggressive a little earlier than usual. Pushed to pick up some blinds and kept my stack well above average. That allowed me to take a few chances, and therefore a few hits, survive and cash!! Later at night, when there were under 29k people playing on Party, I seem to do very well. I usually could cash in 1 of 2 and took down a 1st and 2nd along with a 3rd in my final 3 sets. I pretty much got back to even for the night after a terrible start, so I am very happy about last night. I think I identified some of my problems and really solidified the value of what I preach to myself. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good night...not sure if I will play much...my bro is coming in from New Orleans and I have to get him from the airport at 11 tomorrow night.
UPDATE:
Well, things are just throwing me lately. Here is a typical shitty way I lose and bust out of sngs. I have AA with 6 people left, 900 chips. I push, get called by 2 people. I am called by AKo and A9s. I lose when the board reads 88995...just unreal.
Ok, so things got interesting later in the night. I got really pissed off after a decent downswing. I mean really pissed. A few good things...I was able to control my frustration pretty well. I decided to only play 2 sngs and to play those 2 sngs in sets. I think that is a big thing for me mentally...I need to play in sets. I was playing 2 tables and opening a new one when I busted out or won one. I think that is a situation where I do not do well. I need the small break between sets, the satisfaction of enjoying my win, a little time to digest, and it just adds a little structure. So, I think sets is imperative to my success. I played more aggressive a little earlier than usual. Pushed to pick up some blinds and kept my stack well above average. That allowed me to take a few chances, and therefore a few hits, survive and cash!! Later at night, when there were under 29k people playing on Party, I seem to do very well. I usually could cash in 1 of 2 and took down a 1st and 2nd along with a 3rd in my final 3 sets. I pretty much got back to even for the night after a terrible start, so I am very happy about last night. I think I identified some of my problems and really solidified the value of what I preach to myself. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good night...not sure if I will play much...my bro is coming in from New Orleans and I have to get him from the airport at 11 tomorrow night.
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