I had another positive session. Was up to over 1700, but ended around 1612. If I would have quit and not played my last session, I would have had 4 straight days of $200+ wins. Still, up over 100 and feeling great! My weekend jinx is over and put together another solid day.
Still, I made a few bad calls, but overall my game is tightening up.
I started to 5 table a little bit, changed some settings on the tables and am feeling great...i think i might even add a 6th table this week...all great things!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
February 17, 2008
I hit gold star today on Poker Stars. It is nice because now I will earn FPPs faster and can get myself the $285 bonus when I hit 25000 FPPs. I only have about 6600 of them, but after another month to 6 weeks I should be there. It all really depends on my results. Today, I started off nicely with 160 session. I lost it all back in my next session, but i opened up 4 tables and did well after dinner. Played about half an hour and won back everything I lost. I am up about 140 today so i will call it a night. Was a lot of fun again! Poker is fun!
I was watching a WPT event and daniel negreanu won it. I like what he said. He said that if you play poker for the money, you are playing for the wrong reason. He said he wants to win everything, player of the year, biggest money winner, etc, etc. I love that attitude because it just shows how much you love the game. Poker is a lot like chess in that there are different levels. I hope to progress and learn and improve my game. Right now i would say i am a pretty profitable 1/2NL 6-max player. I need some software to start tracking my results.
Roll is over 1400!
Played one more 30 min session and netted $100. Roll is sitting nicely at $1500! my last 3 sessions have doubled my bankroll from 755! 2 more nice sessions and $2k is in sight...which is my goal for February. I have already attained one of them, which is to make gold! Finally starting to hit some poker milestones that i have set for myself. Looking forward to see what the future holds!
I was watching a WPT event and daniel negreanu won it. I like what he said. He said that if you play poker for the money, you are playing for the wrong reason. He said he wants to win everything, player of the year, biggest money winner, etc, etc. I love that attitude because it just shows how much you love the game. Poker is a lot like chess in that there are different levels. I hope to progress and learn and improve my game. Right now i would say i am a pretty profitable 1/2NL 6-max player. I need some software to start tracking my results.
Roll is over 1400!
Played one more 30 min session and netted $100. Roll is sitting nicely at $1500! my last 3 sessions have doubled my bankroll from 755! 2 more nice sessions and $2k is in sight...which is my goal for February. I have already attained one of them, which is to make gold! Finally starting to hit some poker milestones that i have set for myself. Looking forward to see what the future holds!
Friday, February 15, 2008
February 15, 2008
I hit a huge hand and lost top pair (AQ on a Queen high board), to 2 pair. that was for almost a buy in, but i called a preflop raise which turned into 5 total people on a 6 handed table calling a preflop raise of $34! I had AJc and the flop came queen hi and 2 clubs. I was in the SB and I pushed for about 100 more and got 1 caller that had me covered and another shorty that had like $8 left. I hit a club on the river and took down a $350+ pot. Up about $100 on the night...After losing that hand with AQ i was up about 80 and ground it out to up about 105 and quit to play in a tourney. I am playing the $55 buy in $50k guarantee. I have been itching to play a tourney and had some tourney $$ on poker stars and decided to give it a go. I shut down the cash tables cuz i was up over $100 and wanted to concentrate on the tourney. Looking for a deep cash tonight.
So far, i am up to about 3500 (starting stack is 3000) about 30 mins in...table seems loose and exploitable. Updates to come.
Sitting below average at the first break. had about 4500, but lost 800 on the last hand. I had JJ and bumped it from 100 to 350 and the button raised to 800. I called and the flop came King hi. I check and he bet out 900. I had a feeling he had AK and let it go. need to make some progress this hour. otherwise i just need to get aggressive late for a push to the money.
2nd hand after break i limp the button with 78. flop comes 456. i check and there is one bet. turn comes 8, i check and dude pushes...has me covered by a ton. i call and river comes 7 and we split. would have put me over 7k. now, i sit around 3000 after a missed flop on the next hand. oh well.
finished a cash session up 265. would have been 365, but i lost KK to A3 against a short stack. very close to gold vip on stars...one more session and I am there...so I will be playing in the 100k free roll next weekend, which i am looking forward to.
Final Recap:
Poker is such a weird game. It is really just a psychological battle that you play with yourself. Always a balance between confidence and arrogance. My confidence was totally shattered the other night. I dropped about 600 and I documented some of the hands. I got in great and just got unlucky. That is part of the game. My sessions following were very good and made up for most of the losses. I just need to learn to take it in stride and not lose my confidence. I play a tighter brand of poker than most on the cash tables, but when I get in, I have the best of it usually.
It is funny because I hit a nice hand and was shutting down my tables. I had the sit out next blind check box checked and the last hand occurred on both of my tables at the same time. I had AA on one and KK on the other. I won a few bucks with my AA, but ended up dropping about 30 with my KK when I got into a 3way pot and lost to A3. Oh well.
Regarding my tourney play. I had a few nice hands, one of which would have been huge, but it got counterfeited when the board matched my 8 high straight. I made a few moves, chipped up and then ended up pushing A6o in MP and ran into AA. I think I made my move far, far too early. I was pushing things too hard and need to be more patient. When the blinds creep up things can change in a hurry and there is no need to push too hard. I need to remember that.
Anyway, my poker confidence is returning and I hope I can put together a sustained run of positive results and make a push to 2k+ on my bankroll.
So far, i am up to about 3500 (starting stack is 3000) about 30 mins in...table seems loose and exploitable. Updates to come.
Sitting below average at the first break. had about 4500, but lost 800 on the last hand. I had JJ and bumped it from 100 to 350 and the button raised to 800. I called and the flop came King hi. I check and he bet out 900. I had a feeling he had AK and let it go. need to make some progress this hour. otherwise i just need to get aggressive late for a push to the money.
2nd hand after break i limp the button with 78. flop comes 456. i check and there is one bet. turn comes 8, i check and dude pushes...has me covered by a ton. i call and river comes 7 and we split. would have put me over 7k. now, i sit around 3000 after a missed flop on the next hand. oh well.
finished a cash session up 265. would have been 365, but i lost KK to A3 against a short stack. very close to gold vip on stars...one more session and I am there...so I will be playing in the 100k free roll next weekend, which i am looking forward to.
Final Recap:
Poker is such a weird game. It is really just a psychological battle that you play with yourself. Always a balance between confidence and arrogance. My confidence was totally shattered the other night. I dropped about 600 and I documented some of the hands. I got in great and just got unlucky. That is part of the game. My sessions following were very good and made up for most of the losses. I just need to learn to take it in stride and not lose my confidence. I play a tighter brand of poker than most on the cash tables, but when I get in, I have the best of it usually.
It is funny because I hit a nice hand and was shutting down my tables. I had the sit out next blind check box checked and the last hand occurred on both of my tables at the same time. I had AA on one and KK on the other. I won a few bucks with my AA, but ended up dropping about 30 with my KK when I got into a 3way pot and lost to A3. Oh well.
Regarding my tourney play. I had a few nice hands, one of which would have been huge, but it got counterfeited when the board matched my 8 high straight. I made a few moves, chipped up and then ended up pushing A6o in MP and ran into AA. I think I made my move far, far too early. I was pushing things too hard and need to be more patient. When the blinds creep up things can change in a hurry and there is no need to push too hard. I need to remember that.
Anyway, my poker confidence is returning and I hope I can put together a sustained run of positive results and make a push to 2k+ on my bankroll.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentines Day!
I had a nice Valentines Day with Penelope. We made a nice dinner and spent some time together. It is tough with the little man around, so our Valentines day will really be on saturday because her mom is babysitting.
I just dont know how well i am cut out for poker. I did dabble tonight kinda late. i won about 250 and am up over 1k again, but damn its tough to deal with the swings...the worst part is that i am so underbankrolled that i need to avoid as much variance as possible...and how can you really do that. last night was a horrible dose and tonight i didnt get any huge hands...the only ones i was all in were actually against a shortstack that bought in for 40 and i took all 40 2 hands in a row. so i guess i was never all in.
i did play quite passively. i want to find tables where people limp a lot because i can really outplay them post flop. however, when people raise aggressively preflop and there is action post flop, i tend to play too passively and give in to aggression. I need to find tables that fit my style because i really do mop them up. I need to really keep this in mind!
I just dont know how well i am cut out for poker. I did dabble tonight kinda late. i won about 250 and am up over 1k again, but damn its tough to deal with the swings...the worst part is that i am so underbankrolled that i need to avoid as much variance as possible...and how can you really do that. last night was a horrible dose and tonight i didnt get any huge hands...the only ones i was all in were actually against a shortstack that bought in for 40 and i took all 40 2 hands in a row. so i guess i was never all in.
i did play quite passively. i want to find tables where people limp a lot because i can really outplay them post flop. however, when people raise aggressively preflop and there is action post flop, i tend to play too passively and give in to aggression. I need to find tables that fit my style because i really do mop them up. I need to really keep this in mind!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
February 13, 2008
I took last night off because I wasnt feeling well. I ended up going to bed around 8:30 and felt great this morning. however as the day wore on i started to get a headache again and not feeling well. I felt better after I ate and play just under an hour, mostly 3 and 4 tabling. I finished up $140, but still kicking myself over a horrible call i made. I donked off about 60 bucks making a horrible call. those are the reasons I dont like to have too much cash in front of me at the tables quite yet. i just dont want to risk too much.
My total roll is over 1400...so looking good!
ive run into aces a few times in my second session...nasty. my AA just got busted for 350+ on a rivered flush..so not a great set.
i have not hit a set either...just on my first hand and missed... so hopefully the cards will turn my way. i am kind of afraid that if i do hit a set it will be a set over set or a flush or straight draw...just that kinda night
i had AK and raised over teh SB...he called and i flopped AK he had AJ and hit runner runner runner straight.
next hand on another table, i flop 9Q9 wiht A9 and dude holds QQ...just fuckin unreal!
sick night tonight...just getting so unlucky and nuttin i can do about it. I am getting in good and losing to some pretty miraculous stuff.
what a fuckin night...im just gonna shut down my blog for a while cuz im frustrated. got in perfect situations, but time after time i got drawn out on...runner runner, miracle 2 outters...just frustrating.
My total roll is over 1400...so looking good!
ive run into aces a few times in my second session...nasty. my AA just got busted for 350+ on a rivered flush..so not a great set.
i have not hit a set either...just on my first hand and missed... so hopefully the cards will turn my way. i am kind of afraid that if i do hit a set it will be a set over set or a flush or straight draw...just that kinda night
i had AK and raised over teh SB...he called and i flopped AK he had AJ and hit runner runner runner straight.
next hand on another table, i flop 9Q9 wiht A9 and dude holds QQ...just fuckin unreal!
sick night tonight...just getting so unlucky and nuttin i can do about it. I am getting in good and losing to some pretty miraculous stuff.
what a fuckin night...im just gonna shut down my blog for a while cuz im frustrated. got in perfect situations, but time after time i got drawn out on...runner runner, miracle 2 outters...just frustrating.
Monday, February 11, 2008
February 11, 2008
Well, I am trending upwards. My balance stands at 1210 + 55 in tourney $$. I plan on using the $55 in tourney $$ to either continue to build more tourney $$ to get a buy in to the bigger weekend tourneys or just use it as a buy in for the $55 buy in $50k guarantee. Honestly, I wouldnt mind just playing in the $50k guarantee. It has 15 min levels and a 3k starting stack. that is a pretty nice structure that suits my style nicely.
Today I had the biggest hand I have ever won. Actually, I did get involved in a multiway pot where I hit the fullhouse with QQ, but I dont think it paid off quite as nicely as the hand i had tonight. I was up about $150 early in my session but then ran QQ into AA on a jack hi board effectively negating all my profits for the session. I was grinding it out and slowly losing to a lot of aggression from other players. I need to pull it back a bit and play more selectively because I am playing timidly and letting the aggressive player take control. I was also missing every flop...except for this one...
I had about $183 and was in the BB. It was folded around to the SB who limped. I had K10o and raised to 7. The Sb called and we saw a flop of AQJ 2 clubs and a spade. I flopped broadway, but I didnt like the 2 clubs, so I raised $10 into the $14 pot. The SB popped me to $30 and I reraised to $75. the SB called and we saw a 5 of spades hit the turn. The SB checked and I pushed my final $100 into the pot and he called. The river was a 9 of clubs and I was pretty nervous that he was on the flush draw, but he tabled AQ and my straight held up. I had a nice pot of just under $365. It was nice hitting a big hand when I typically buy in for about $100-120 and shut it down when I get over $200 and I am not catching cards...overall was a good, fun night.
Today I had the biggest hand I have ever won. Actually, I did get involved in a multiway pot where I hit the fullhouse with QQ, but I dont think it paid off quite as nicely as the hand i had tonight. I was up about $150 early in my session but then ran QQ into AA on a jack hi board effectively negating all my profits for the session. I was grinding it out and slowly losing to a lot of aggression from other players. I need to pull it back a bit and play more selectively because I am playing timidly and letting the aggressive player take control. I was also missing every flop...except for this one...
I had about $183 and was in the BB. It was folded around to the SB who limped. I had K10o and raised to 7. The Sb called and we saw a flop of AQJ 2 clubs and a spade. I flopped broadway, but I didnt like the 2 clubs, so I raised $10 into the $14 pot. The SB popped me to $30 and I reraised to $75. the SB called and we saw a 5 of spades hit the turn. The SB checked and I pushed my final $100 into the pot and he called. The river was a 9 of clubs and I was pretty nervous that he was on the flush draw, but he tabled AQ and my straight held up. I had a nice pot of just under $365. It was nice hitting a big hand when I typically buy in for about $100-120 and shut it down when I get over $200 and I am not catching cards...overall was a good, fun night.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
February 10, 2008
Happy birthday to my mom and grandpa!
it has been an interesting weekend. I know that when I win a lot in a night that i am mostly just riding the wave of positive variance. the ups and downs are tough, but necessary parts of playing poker. I have been going up and down and settling in around 1k. I hope to make some cash this upcoming week because i have been hovering around 800-1200 for the past week. I have added a 3rd table and have gone from about 1300 VPPs on poker stars to about 2500 in the course of the weekend. That sort of pace puts me on course for some pretty major milestones and benefits. I dont think I will continue it, but if the bankroll starts to grow at a tremendous rate, I dont think I can pass up the cash.
anyway, sitting over 1k and 1500 VPPs away from gold star. I didnt play in the freeroll on saturday and most likely wont make it next weekend either. however, I will definitely play the last saturday of the month. and hopefully can get myself the $285 bonus at some point April.
anyway, poker is good...
it has been an interesting weekend. I know that when I win a lot in a night that i am mostly just riding the wave of positive variance. the ups and downs are tough, but necessary parts of playing poker. I have been going up and down and settling in around 1k. I hope to make some cash this upcoming week because i have been hovering around 800-1200 for the past week. I have added a 3rd table and have gone from about 1300 VPPs on poker stars to about 2500 in the course of the weekend. That sort of pace puts me on course for some pretty major milestones and benefits. I dont think I will continue it, but if the bankroll starts to grow at a tremendous rate, I dont think I can pass up the cash.
anyway, sitting over 1k and 1500 VPPs away from gold star. I didnt play in the freeroll on saturday and most likely wont make it next weekend either. however, I will definitely play the last saturday of the month. and hopefully can get myself the $285 bonus at some point April.
anyway, poker is good...
Saturday, February 09, 2008
February 9, 2008
Last night I played a marathon session. About 4 hours, mostly 2 and 3 tabling. I achieved my silver star on poker stars and am halfway to gold. I hope to get there within 2 weeks because then I can play in the monthly 100k freeroll.
overall last night I didnt get too many monsters. I flopped full houses a few times with medium pairs, but overall my big hands cost me. I lost AA twice and KK to AA. If any of those hands go my way I am a winner last night. However, I did end up winning about 6 bucks :o)
so i guess you can call that a winning session...hopefully I can get some tables in tonight and tomorrow and get to about 2500 VPPs so i only need to get another 1500 over the next 2 weeks to get to gold...
overall last night I didnt get too many monsters. I flopped full houses a few times with medium pairs, but overall my big hands cost me. I lost AA twice and KK to AA. If any of those hands go my way I am a winner last night. However, I did end up winning about 6 bucks :o)
so i guess you can call that a winning session...hopefully I can get some tables in tonight and tomorrow and get to about 2500 VPPs so i only need to get another 1500 over the next 2 weeks to get to gold...
Thursday, February 07, 2008
February 7, 2008
Tonight was a blah night. I could definitely feel that I was out of sync. ran a few bad bluffs and lost a few 2 outters. I could feel that things were just not running my way for a good 40-50 mins. I was 3 tabling with no issues and bought in for 100 on each. I treaded water, busted out of one and rebought into another. I had about 160-180 on all 3 tables when I shut it down. I hit a few big hands on each...was hitting my sets late in the night and rallied to be down about 36 bucks...so overall pretty much break even.
Tomorrow, I should be able to achieve silver star on poker stars...i wonder if I will start to accumulate the FPPs at the higher rate immediately or if i have to wait until the month is over. but it does start to qualify me for freerolls and to purchase bonuses...i am halfway to my $50 bonus. depending on the how the month goes, i might save it all for the 285 bonus when I hit gold!
see ya at the tables tomorrow!
Tomorrow, I should be able to achieve silver star on poker stars...i wonder if I will start to accumulate the FPPs at the higher rate immediately or if i have to wait until the month is over. but it does start to qualify me for freerolls and to purchase bonuses...i am halfway to my $50 bonus. depending on the how the month goes, i might save it all for the 285 bonus when I hit gold!
see ya at the tables tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
February 5, 2008
After a rough weekend of playing and definitely some questioning of my own play, I had an excellent night. I guess it is just me allowing the game to come to me and not trying to push the issue. Also, my big hands actually got action. I had AA a lot tonight, as well as KK. In an hour session of 2 tabling, I would say I had AA 5 times and got it all in twice and took them both down without improving. I also have noticed that I need to play more aggressively. I think playing passively helps me manage pot size when my bankroll is still in the building mode, but I think I give up a lot of pots that I could take down with a little more aggression. I guess this is what they are talking about playing with scared money. If you dont play the hand aggressively, you end up losing a lot of money that you could easily pick up. also, when you have a hand people will give you the benefit of the doubt and not pay you off.
So, even though I had a great hour of play and won about $365 or 3.65 buy ins, I think it was just a correction from the weekend. So, i am pretty much even since last Friday. That is part of poker and you have to get used to these swings. honestly, a 4 buy in downswing is not a swing at all.
Anyway, back on the winning track and another good session. Looking forward to taking tomorrow off for Penny's birthday and getting back to the tables on Thursday.
So, even though I had a great hour of play and won about $365 or 3.65 buy ins, I think it was just a correction from the weekend. So, i am pretty much even since last Friday. That is part of poker and you have to get used to these swings. honestly, a 4 buy in downswing is not a swing at all.
Anyway, back on the winning track and another good session. Looking forward to taking tomorrow off for Penny's birthday and getting back to the tables on Thursday.
Monday, February 04, 2008
February 4, 2008
So far had my QQ run into AA and my king high straight lose to Ace high...just rough. I might just call an end to this madness and study for the series 7. not rolled properly to make any cash and dont have the time to build a proper bankroll.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
February 3, 2008
Losing some big hands today. Dude limped when I had 10 6 and we caught 2 6s on the flop. ended up slowplaying and he had K6. lost 150 on that hand. a couple other nasty ones and not a good start.
ive had aces 3 times in about 20 mins and have raised 3xbb all times and cant get any action! sucks! I am thinking about limping them in late position next time i get them...always have to raise early.
had aces two more times and both times UTG! busted a shortstack for like 40 bucks...man, cant capitalize on these huge ones!
i finally get a guy all in with my AA and he turns the set! unreal!
every one of my pairs is gettign smoked tonight...just getting killed.
Today has been an exercise in patience and futility. I am failing on the patience portion, but there is not much I can do. I am getting solid hands like JJ and QQ and the boards are coming ace and king hi and 3 or 4 to a suit. I cant get any action on aces and never hit sets when i limp in with pairs...overall, just a rough day. I hope my roll survives.
it is fun to write this blog as i play because it helps me relive the session. I need to understand that the game is based on feel. I hit sets on 2 straight, only got action on 1 of them, but it seems like you start to hit in streaks and when the streak is bad, u keep pots small, play hands in position, check your ego and let hands go. I have made a couple calls that I could have saved myself probably $150, but I didnt. when things are going your way, take a few chances, like calling a raise in the SB or BB with small pocket pairs.
well, just lost set over set and gonna call it a night in a few...just a sick, sick session.
I should be leaving a table after I get up to like 160-180. if i lose a hand, i lose a buy in and a half, but when i win them, i only win a buy in...need to be more strict about that
ive had aces 3 times in about 20 mins and have raised 3xbb all times and cant get any action! sucks! I am thinking about limping them in late position next time i get them...always have to raise early.
had aces two more times and both times UTG! busted a shortstack for like 40 bucks...man, cant capitalize on these huge ones!
i finally get a guy all in with my AA and he turns the set! unreal!
every one of my pairs is gettign smoked tonight...just getting killed.
Today has been an exercise in patience and futility. I am failing on the patience portion, but there is not much I can do. I am getting solid hands like JJ and QQ and the boards are coming ace and king hi and 3 or 4 to a suit. I cant get any action on aces and never hit sets when i limp in with pairs...overall, just a rough day. I hope my roll survives.
it is fun to write this blog as i play because it helps me relive the session. I need to understand that the game is based on feel. I hit sets on 2 straight, only got action on 1 of them, but it seems like you start to hit in streaks and when the streak is bad, u keep pots small, play hands in position, check your ego and let hands go. I have made a couple calls that I could have saved myself probably $150, but I didnt. when things are going your way, take a few chances, like calling a raise in the SB or BB with small pocket pairs.
well, just lost set over set and gonna call it a night in a few...just a sick, sick session.
I should be leaving a table after I get up to like 160-180. if i lose a hand, i lose a buy in and a half, but when i win them, i only win a buy in...need to be more strict about that
Saturday, February 02, 2008
February 2, 2008
Started out grinding away up about $60 and then my AA lost to a perfect set up but the JJ hit runner runner straight and I dropped a buyin. I fought back and am winning now, but now i am about even. Had a few nasty river beats again, but if you have good pot control and only push hard later in the hand and when the board is more favorable, you dont run into them quite as much. Keep pots small, build as you build a very strong hand and punish them when they try to draw out.
Great hand for me. I was SB with 10 10. there were two limpers and i limped along. Flop comes 10 5 5. I checked and it was checked around all 4 players. turn was the 2nd diamond and a card that brought straight possibilities. It was checked around again to the button and he put in a small raise. I called and the river brought another diamond to bring flushes into the mix. I bet 10, was raised to 25 and i pushed. it was an overbet for sure, but i figured it would look like i am trying to buy the pot. he called and i won over 110 in the pot. sweet!
I just shut down my tables and ended the night up $4!! :o) Another winning session!
I will update tomorrow.
Great hand for me. I was SB with 10 10. there were two limpers and i limped along. Flop comes 10 5 5. I checked and it was checked around all 4 players. turn was the 2nd diamond and a card that brought straight possibilities. It was checked around again to the button and he put in a small raise. I called and the river brought another diamond to bring flushes into the mix. I bet 10, was raised to 25 and i pushed. it was an overbet for sure, but i figured it would look like i am trying to buy the pot. he called and i won over 110 in the pot. sweet!
I just shut down my tables and ended the night up $4!! :o) Another winning session!
I will update tomorrow.
Friday, February 01, 2008
February 1, 2008
As you know if you read my last blog entry, I am going to make a push to really play in February. In the past I have set all sorts of pretty attainable goals, but for one reason or another I never met them. I know this about myself and I ask Penny to be understanding and encouraging when it comes to me playing poker. With a new baby, I know she is taking on a lot and I need to be there for her, but I figure this month will show whether I can truly make cash, meaningful cash, playing NL poker or if I should just shut it down and turn my attention to activities that are more worthwhile.
Well, in the week that I have started shortstacking the $1/$2 NL tables, I went from a bankroll of about $200 to now over $1050. I had an excellent session tonight after a few that were stressful, but probably more realistic. I am up about $268. What I really like about NL is that I am experiencing variance even while winning every day I have played. I think that you can win very consistently and my bankroll is growing every night I sit down.
I only played just over an hour, but I let the game come to me. I am noticing that the shortstacks when they act passively are very mindful of their stacks and small bets can force them off, otherwise they just push. People make loose calls and firing a 2nd barrel is often necessary - even a 3rd!
Anyway, what a great night and I am enjoying playing NL so much more than sngs. I am just excited to add more and more tables and get my roll up to the full buy in!
Check in tomorrow because I hope to have another session of at least an hour.
Well, in the week that I have started shortstacking the $1/$2 NL tables, I went from a bankroll of about $200 to now over $1050. I had an excellent session tonight after a few that were stressful, but probably more realistic. I am up about $268. What I really like about NL is that I am experiencing variance even while winning every day I have played. I think that you can win very consistently and my bankroll is growing every night I sit down.
I only played just over an hour, but I let the game come to me. I am noticing that the shortstacks when they act passively are very mindful of their stacks and small bets can force them off, otherwise they just push. People make loose calls and firing a 2nd barrel is often necessary - even a 3rd!
Anyway, what a great night and I am enjoying playing NL so much more than sngs. I am just excited to add more and more tables and get my roll up to the full buy in!
Check in tomorrow because I hope to have another session of at least an hour.
January 31, 2008
Well, I finished up January on a nice note finishing a 5 minutes session up $29 bucks. Penny and I went out for pizza and i took the opportunity to jump on the computer after we got back and try to make the pizza money. I had a few hands, but made the bulk of it by hitting the nut flush on the river. I didnt get called on my 80% pot sized bet, but was glad to make a few bucks and finish my first month of playing - well i should say my first week and a half - without a losing session!!
I started with my $100 bankroll and played some Multi table sngs with some success. I got bored and decided to jump to NL when my roll was about $225 and now it sits just under $800. I am glad to say that mixed in there was some pretty hefty variance, mostly bad i must say because I didnt suck out once when the money was all in, but I did lose a couple of them for very big pots. So, I am very happy with my play.
February is upon us and I am looking to hit gold status on Stars. If i do that, i assume my bankroll will leap well above $2k this month! Let's see if i can do it!
I started with my $100 bankroll and played some Multi table sngs with some success. I got bored and decided to jump to NL when my roll was about $225 and now it sits just under $800. I am glad to say that mixed in there was some pretty hefty variance, mostly bad i must say because I didnt suck out once when the money was all in, but I did lose a couple of them for very big pots. So, I am very happy with my play.
February is upon us and I am looking to hit gold status on Stars. If i do that, i assume my bankroll will leap well above $2k this month! Let's see if i can do it!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
January 30, 2008
Today I won a quick $20 and bought into a satellite into the $55 buy in $50k Guarantee. I donked out early, but I am going to try to satellite into some of the tourneys. However, I think I will hold off until I get my bankroll over $1k. Should have done that today...but i did play a bit impatiently. Updates to follow after my session.
lost to the river gutshot and rivered flush for $300+ pots...I had chipped up on a few tables and then got involved in big hands. Lost them both on the river. Hopefully my luck will turn later this session, but my goal was to win a quick $100-$200. I would have been up about $400 had those two hands held up. Gonna keep plugging away!
What a crazy night...got into a big hand 3 way with QQ vs AK vs not quite sure...board had paired and was all black, so i was nervous, but the river was a queen and i filled up! won a $260 pot. Down a little, just lost to a 2 outter on the river...man, just a crazy night. Been taking some nasty beats on the river, but fighting back!
Ok, so including the buy in for the tourney I burned, I am up about 65 bucks. I was down quite a few hundred and took a few huge pots...here are a few things I have learned...
NL cash is quite a bit more aggressive. People raise with garbage and try to bluff their way to win pots. there are also quite a few people that call down with 2nd and 3rd pair. So, I need to bet my hands for value on the river when I have a solid hand. I cant get pushed off hands so easily and need to control the size of the pot. Do not build it on the flop and be very careful about playing marginal hands out of position. yes, i know these are all simple concepts, but I am violating them. I need to realize that spewing a few bucks here and there mean a lot both to your bankroll long term and your psychological state during the session as you watch your bankroll evaporate. Need to be a bit more disciplined and need to learn to get into the poker mindset earlier in my session. Play strong hands, bet your good ones and just let the crap go...learn it, live it!
So, another excellent night results-wise. I made a few bad calls that costs me a few hundred. I knew better and should have just folded...trust your gut and instinct. i am up a net of about $45. bankroll is $755 and thankfully growing. I earned well over 300 VPPs and will most likely fall short of making any VIP status this month. But, considering I started playing so late in January, I should easily make gold next month...shooting for a few of those cash bonuses or maybe a buy in to a tourney...anyway, until tomorrow!
lost to the river gutshot and rivered flush for $300+ pots...I had chipped up on a few tables and then got involved in big hands. Lost them both on the river. Hopefully my luck will turn later this session, but my goal was to win a quick $100-$200. I would have been up about $400 had those two hands held up. Gonna keep plugging away!
What a crazy night...got into a big hand 3 way with QQ vs AK vs not quite sure...board had paired and was all black, so i was nervous, but the river was a queen and i filled up! won a $260 pot. Down a little, just lost to a 2 outter on the river...man, just a crazy night. Been taking some nasty beats on the river, but fighting back!
Ok, so including the buy in for the tourney I burned, I am up about 65 bucks. I was down quite a few hundred and took a few huge pots...here are a few things I have learned...
NL cash is quite a bit more aggressive. People raise with garbage and try to bluff their way to win pots. there are also quite a few people that call down with 2nd and 3rd pair. So, I need to bet my hands for value on the river when I have a solid hand. I cant get pushed off hands so easily and need to control the size of the pot. Do not build it on the flop and be very careful about playing marginal hands out of position. yes, i know these are all simple concepts, but I am violating them. I need to realize that spewing a few bucks here and there mean a lot both to your bankroll long term and your psychological state during the session as you watch your bankroll evaporate. Need to be a bit more disciplined and need to learn to get into the poker mindset earlier in my session. Play strong hands, bet your good ones and just let the crap go...learn it, live it!
So, another excellent night results-wise. I made a few bad calls that costs me a few hundred. I knew better and should have just folded...trust your gut and instinct. i am up a net of about $45. bankroll is $755 and thankfully growing. I earned well over 300 VPPs and will most likely fall short of making any VIP status this month. But, considering I started playing so late in January, I should easily make gold next month...shooting for a few of those cash bonuses or maybe a buy in to a tourney...anyway, until tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wow, it's been a long, LONG time!!
I have been away from poker for some time. I haven't flushed my bankroll down the toilet, but my passion for poker was waning and I had other things that I wanted to focus on. I was more focused on my job, on getting back into shape, and in the time that I was away, I had a baby boy! So, a lot has happened in the past 9 months!
I have moved to Tucson and have taken a job. I am making roughly twice what I was making 2 years ago and am loving my job. Being a father is just awesome! Life-changing is an understatement and one of the best byproducts of being a new father is the newfound discipline and sense of responsibility. I know it might seem ironic that I am talking about responsibility and all of a sudden I pop in to start up my poker blog again. My girlfriend, Penny, was considering getting a part time job, but I told her that I wanted to see if I could start up playing poker again. If she worked 20 hours per week and made like $10/hr, I told her that was just a waste of her time. That if I could start playing poker profitably again that I could make that and much more from the comfort of our own home.
How this all started was I put a few hundred bucks in Poker Stars and was messing around playing sngs. I gravitate towards those because I am an effective player. However, the game is so mechanical and there are so many people grinding sngs that I decided i would make the leap to NL. It was something I have always wanted to do and decided I would say screw the sngs and focus on playing some NL. Well, I have a starting bankroll of about $100. I started playing NL about a week ago. I am shortstacking the $1/$2 NL game. I buy in for $100 and try to grind out some dough. So far, I have had all winning sessions and have brought my bankroll to over $700. I am also shooting to make Gold Star on Poker Stars next month so I can start to work towards earning some cash bonuses to build my roll. It is all quite fun and exciting. I know I am still gambling with my bankroll due to playing well over my head. One bad run and I am pretty much toast! However, recent success has made me feel confident and I am looking to document what i have learned and put it down for me to review. I am learning with every session and I dont want to forget some of the lessons that I have paid to learn!
When I sit down, I need to remember to not force the action. Control the pot size and do not build it too quickly...be careful of playing out of position and just relax and let the game come to you. At this level, there are so many people willing to put all their cash in the middle with draws and pure bluffs that being patient is the key. I forced a little and dropped about 2/3 of a buy in tonight. I spent the rest of the night digging out of the hole I dug and then another half hour grinding out some profit. On the night, up $40 and made 213 FPPs on PS.
Look out, here I come!!
I have moved to Tucson and have taken a job. I am making roughly twice what I was making 2 years ago and am loving my job. Being a father is just awesome! Life-changing is an understatement and one of the best byproducts of being a new father is the newfound discipline and sense of responsibility. I know it might seem ironic that I am talking about responsibility and all of a sudden I pop in to start up my poker blog again. My girlfriend, Penny, was considering getting a part time job, but I told her that I wanted to see if I could start up playing poker again. If she worked 20 hours per week and made like $10/hr, I told her that was just a waste of her time. That if I could start playing poker profitably again that I could make that and much more from the comfort of our own home.
How this all started was I put a few hundred bucks in Poker Stars and was messing around playing sngs. I gravitate towards those because I am an effective player. However, the game is so mechanical and there are so many people grinding sngs that I decided i would make the leap to NL. It was something I have always wanted to do and decided I would say screw the sngs and focus on playing some NL. Well, I have a starting bankroll of about $100. I started playing NL about a week ago. I am shortstacking the $1/$2 NL game. I buy in for $100 and try to grind out some dough. So far, I have had all winning sessions and have brought my bankroll to over $700. I am also shooting to make Gold Star on Poker Stars next month so I can start to work towards earning some cash bonuses to build my roll. It is all quite fun and exciting. I know I am still gambling with my bankroll due to playing well over my head. One bad run and I am pretty much toast! However, recent success has made me feel confident and I am looking to document what i have learned and put it down for me to review. I am learning with every session and I dont want to forget some of the lessons that I have paid to learn!
When I sit down, I need to remember to not force the action. Control the pot size and do not build it too quickly...be careful of playing out of position and just relax and let the game come to you. At this level, there are so many people willing to put all their cash in the middle with draws and pure bluffs that being patient is the key. I forced a little and dropped about 2/3 of a buy in tonight. I spent the rest of the night digging out of the hole I dug and then another half hour grinding out some profit. On the night, up $40 and made 213 FPPs on PS.
Look out, here I come!!
Monday, April 02, 2007
MY NEW BLOGS
I have decided to create a new blog. Actually, two new blogs.
One is to continue my poker progress, but I have a few other things that I want to incorporate into my blog. I wanted to also take my poker progress and blog to the next level. Here is my new poker blog:
I have also picked up my training to start day trading. Here is my blog that is chronicling my progress. I have just started this blog and my training, so probably not going to be any content worth mentioning for at least a week or two.
Come check them out and see how I am progressing. Thanks for reading...
One is to continue my poker progress, but I have a few other things that I want to incorporate into my blog. I wanted to also take my poker progress and blog to the next level. Here is my new poker blog:
http://pokerprojectpreg.blogspot.com/
I have also picked up my training to start day trading. Here is my blog that is chronicling my progress. I have just started this blog and my training, so probably not going to be any content worth mentioning for at least a week or two.
Come check them out and see how I am progressing. Thanks for reading...
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
March 7, 2007
Well, where to begin. how about at my new blog. I am going to put together a new blog because this one has sort of been outgrown. No, I havent become such a great poker player that I no longer need to blog, nor have I log any tables in over a month. I just have had so much happen to me in the past month that I need to start fresh...a new perspective and a new blog. this blog has been fun and was a place where I could vent my frustrations, but I need to make a change. I will post the address to my new blog shortly. It will encompass poker, my life, and my projects...hopefully it will help me remain focused and help me document this interesting time in my life...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
February 8, 2007
I have not seen a poker table in over a week. I want to start playing, but have a new woman in my life and just have no time. She doesnt have internet or any cable of any kind at her place...so there is no watching TV or messing around online...i must admit i wish she had internet, but i dont really miss it. And as for TV, that is awesome! I dont miss it one bit and when i do have a chance to sit down and watch some TV, i realize what a waste of time it is...I am glad that i no longer am addicted to mindless entertainment. However, I need to get back to playing poker...hopefully in the next month or two i will get settled down and back into a normal routine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)