Badger Poker Trial [Archive] - Win2Win UK Horse Racing Forum

crazybadger

29th September 2009, 12:41

Played 2 x $1.20 SnG (9 seats) tonight:
7th...I think I only played 3 hands poorly but paid the price dearly in 2 of them.
4th...Played pretty well. Stole blinds (never done before) and went allright. My biggest problem was that I was left of this very aggressive player who knocked every single player out so he had a massive chip lead. I got knocked out in bubble trying to pressure the 2 shorter stacks when I pushed with a KT and he woke up with AK. I was only just 2nd highest chip stack (~2500) and next 2 had 2300 and 1800 with leader on 7000. I hadn't got much and the short stack was playing a lot of hands if he could pay the BB only but folding otherwise. So I pushed with 2 things in my mind - taking the blinds from the shorter stacks, and knowing if I got called I would be alright (and I needed a double up before getting ITM to be able to take the chip leader on). I'm dont think I did the right thing but hindsight says that. I could have waited around but I didnt want to hold back because of the bubble as I think that is counter-productive.

Comments welcome :)

mathare

29th September 2009, 13:24

Comments welcome :)Welcome or otherwise you were always going to get some from me if you start a new thread on poker :D

Played 2 x $1.20 SnG (9 seats) tonight:What's your bankroll? And what site are you playing on?

The reason I am asking is that recommended bankrolls for SnGs vary but are usually in the range 25-50 buy-ins, so $30-60 in this case. If your bankroll is towards the top end of this range I suggest you immediately step up a level IF there is a $2 SnG on your site with a rake/house fee of less than 20%, e.g. $2+0.30 or even $2+0.20. You're going to struggle at this level to make much money, not just because the buy-in is low but because of the 20% rake you're paying just to sit down. Get that down to 15% to 10% if you can. You won't find the players any better at the $2 level - they will still gamble with trash as the money means little to them - but if you can afford to play off a bankroll suited to the $2 level and the rake is lower you will will be better off in the long run. If the next level up is $2+0.40 then you might as well cut your teeth at the level you're at now.

4th...Played pretty well. Stole blinds (never done before) and went allright. I got knocked out in bubble trying to pressure the 2 shorter stacks when I pushed with a KT and he woke up with AK. I was only just 2nd highest chip stack (~2500) and next 2 had 2300 and 1800 with leader on 7000. I'm dont think I did the right thing but hindsight says that. I could have waited around but I didnt want to hold back because of the bubble as I think that is counter-productive.[/quote]Excellent work. You have started to steal blinds, an essential part of tournament play and shown some thinking that is streets ahead of your typical opponent. You weren't afraid to shove with a hand that could (but is unlikely) to be dominated. You recognised the fact that you needed a double up and despite being second in chips you weren't safe in that position (as you would have been with say 4000) with the shorter stacks not that far behind you. I think you did the right thing based on what info you have given. It would be nice to know positions in the hand (especially yours and that of the caller) along with stack sizes (which stack called you?) and the blind levels but minor quibbles at this stage.

You've started OK and are learning with each tourney played so best of luck with it all. There are a few of us here who can offer help and guidance if you need any :thumbs

crazybadger

29th September 2009, 22:15

What's your bankroll? And what site are you playing on?

The reason I am asking is that recommended bankrolls for SnGs vary but are usually in the range 25-50 buy-ins, so $30-60 in this case. If your bankroll is towards the top end of this range I suggest you immediately step up a level IF there is a $2 SnG on your site with a rake/house fee of less than 20%, e.g. $2+0.30 or even $2+0.20. You're going to struggle at this level to make much money, not just because the buy-in is low but because of the 20% rake you're paying just to sit down. Get that down to 15% to 10% if you can. You won't find the players any better at the $2 level - they will still gamble with trash as the money means little to them - but if you can afford to play off a bankroll suited to the $2 level and the rake is lower you will will be better off in the long run. If the next level up is $2+0.40 then you might as well cut your teeth at the level you're at now.
I'm playing Pokerstars and put $100 in. Technically I've only put aside $50 of that as my bankroll for this SnG test hence why I started at the $1 +20c level. I planned to move up after making ~$10 profit which was just a figure to set to give myself some pracice/confidence. However I'm looking at Pokerstars now and it seems the next level is $3+0.40. I assumed all sites ran a $2 SnG too...Should I have a crack at them instead?

Excellent work. You have started to steal blinds, an essential part of tournament play and shown some thinking that is streets ahead of your typical opponent. It felt good to be actually thinking about things like this. And a positive note was that I recognised the table was pretty tight so I managed to steal earlier than I expected :)

You weren't afraid to shove with a hand that could (but is unlikely) to be dominated. You recognised the fact that you needed a double up and despite being second in chips you weren't safe in that position (as you would have been with say 4000) with the shorter stacks not that far behind you. I think you did the right thing based on what info you have given. It would be nice to know positions in the hand (especially yours and that of the caller) along with stack sizes (which stack called you?) and the blind levels but minor quibbles at this stage.
Blinds: 75/150 (this was the main problem I have...I still had a bit of time left)
Short stack was SB, 2nd short was BB. I acted next with my all-in raise, and chip leader called from the button. One thing I forgot was that both those short stacks were only around the 1000 mark 2 hands earlier but both managed to get some action from chip leader - another reason I thought he might be hesitant to play vs my all-in (unless of course he hit something....)

I'm glad to hear you think the move was right. I spent a bit of time last night second guessing myself. Previously my game has lacked aggression at these crucial stages so thats what I am trying to bring in but when it doesnt work I start wondering if it was right...at least my consolation was that I flopped top pair-top kicker [9c Kh 2c] and I would have gone post flop anyway.

You've started OK and are learning with each tourney played so best of luck with it all. There are a few of us here who can offer help and guidance if you need any :thumbs Thanks.

mathare

29th September 2009, 22:39

I'm playing Pokerstars and put $100 in. Technically I've only put aside $50 of that as my bankroll for this SnG test hence why I started at the $1 +20c level. I planned to move up after making ~$10 profit which was just a figure to set to give myself some pracice/confidence. However I'm looking at Pokerstars now and it seems the next level is $3+0.40. I assumed all sites ran a $2 SnG too...Should I have a crack at them instead?Weird they don't do $2 SnGs but oh well, so be it. I'd stick as you are for a little while yet then, get some confidence and think of the additional rake as a fee for your learning rather than dive in to the higher stakes where your full bankroll will actually only give around 30 buy-ins but once you get confident at this form of the game then consider stepping up.

It felt good to be actually thinking about things like this. And a positive note was that I recognised the table was pretty tight so I managed to steal earlier than I expected :)Good on ya! Stealing blinds is a great feeling when it works. The adrenaline of hoping that raise will cause everyone to fold, the nervous anticipation waiting to see what happens and finally the relief of dragging the pot - phew! :laugh

Blinds: 75/150 (this was the main problem I have...I still had a bit of time left)So it was roughly a 15BB shove. If you'd have made a standard raise to 3xBB you risk being re-raised all-in and having it taken away from you (or calling which is weaker than shoving yourself) so while you say you had a stack that meant you had time to play out more hands you also had a good situation so I don't mind the move.

Short stack was SB, 2nd short was BB. I acted next with my all-in raise, and chip leader called from the button. One thing I forgot was that both those short stacks were only around the 1000 mark 2 hands earlier but both managed to get some action from chip leader - another reason I thought he might be hesitant to play vs my all-in (unless of course he hit something....)If the chip leader had been losing chips doubling up the short stacks then you are right to think he's likely to be hesitant to get involved without a monster. If he doubles you up then you're pretty much level with him in chips and he is no longer the dominant force.

I'm glad to hear you think the move was right. I spent a bit of time last night second guessing myself. Previously my game has lacked aggression at these crucial stages so thats what I am trying to bring in but when it doesnt work I start wondering if it was right...at least my consolation was that I flopped top pair-top kicker [9c Kh 2c] and I would have gone post flop anyway.Poker is about making the right decisions but accepting they won't always lead to the right results. The other line here would have been a raise to around 3xBB, perhaps a nice round 400 or 500 rather than 450 exactly, and see what the others want to do. If you're raised you can take a view on how strong you think they are and go from there. If you're raised all-in you can probably fold. As it is the shove for 15xBB or so is pretty bold thinking about it. But then you're playing on the short stacks and the likely tightness of the button given the way recent hands have gone. At those stakes I don't mind the move too much but I wouldn't want to shove for more than 10xBB too often.

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 10:33

Thanks for your comments mate. Now that I'm actually thinking about my game it really helps when you get other people's ideas.

I figured I would stick to the $1 + 0.20 SnG for a bit more until I'm confident in my game again (although I did consider jumping straight at the $5 + 0.50 ones!). I'm also only playing one at a time atm to help me focus and try to force me to think everything through.

Only 1 game today and I finished 1st

Review: I think I played well most hands. Got myself into trouble only a few times. The most memorable was when I tried to steal with pretty much rubbish. Got the called so I tried a continuation bet and got the call. By then I actually had a straight draw and he bet after the Turn. I called but probably shouldnt have. I got away (finally) when the River boarded the only over card. Otherwise I played well I think. Havent reviewed everthing in-depth yet but got my money in well most times, got lucky once and then from that I took command of the table into the bubble and beyond. :)

I'm going to try PokerStars hand visualiser to review the game later tonight so I might post a couple of the key/interesting hands. I know one in particular where I layed down a KQs pre-flop. But more on that later...

mathare

30th September 2009, 10:38

I'm also only playing one at a time atm to help me focus and try to force me to think everything through.If that works for you then it's a good idea. I found it didn't work for me - I got bored between hands so needed multiple tables to keep me focused. I think using Poker Tracker was both an advantage and disadvantage for me. Teh advantages are fairly well known - keeping stats on all players etc - but I found this meant when I had folded a hand I could pretty much ignore the action as PT would pick up the key points for me and I wouldn't need to note anything about my opponents so I may as well check my email or whatever. And as I was folding most of my hands I was only playing a small percentage of the time and ignoring the table the rest of the time. So I played other tables to fill in the gaps somewhat.

Only 1 game today and I finished 1st:thumbs

I'm going to try PokerStars hand visualiser to review the game later tonight so I might post a couple of the key/interesting hands. I know one in particular where I layed down a KQs pre-flop. But more on that later...I'd be interested to see what you come up with and will be happy to throw my opinions on the hands out there

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 12:32

If that works for you then it's a good idea. I found it didn't work for me - I got bored between hands so needed multiple tables to keep me focused. I think using Poker Tracker was both an advantage and disadvantage for me. Teh advantages are fairly well known - keeping stats on all players etc - but I found this meant when I had folded a hand I could pretty much ignore the action as PT would pick up the key points for me and I wouldn't need to note anything about my opponents so I may as well check my email or whatever. And as I was folding most of my hands I was only playing a small percentage of the time and ignoring the table the rest of the time. So I played other tables to fill in the gaps somewhat.

Yeah. I used to tune out in between hands as well and I wasn't using any software. It's one of my weaknesses. I even did it a couple of times this last tournament but managed to snap myself out of it - my aim is to verbalise every poker thought as I found when I ran through it in my head I started short-cutting. Eg I 'd see 84s and I'd just fold as its obvious but now I say "that's rubbish, I'm early adn the table is loose so thats a no-no" and it keeps me focussed. Well that's the plan...

About to post some of the key/important hands

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 12:38

This is my stupid attempt at blind-steal. Some distractions around me at the time caused me to rush but even so I want to get to the point where when I'm rushed/stressed I make the right move not the wrong...anyway I essentially tried 2 continuation bets and folded to the re-raise (the way I saw it, the re-raise was costing me ~17% and I was only getting ~12% pot odds)

Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2009/09/30 3:39:03 ET
Table '199666502 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: ChoppaGuy (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: crazybadger (1490 in chips)
Seat 4: KTsoy (2630 in chips)
Seat 5: Shamroc73 (1370 in chips)
Seat 6: TomaS83B (1350 in chips)
Seat 7: silvertrip24 (2135 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 9: MAX_1477 (3025 in chips)
KTsoy: posts small blind 15
Shamroc73: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to goty0405 [4d 6h]
TomaS83B: folds
silvertrip24: folds
MAX_1477: folds
ChoppaGuy: folds
crazybadger : raises 60 to 90
KTsoy: calls 75
Shamroc73: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7d 8s]
KTsoy: checks
crazybadger : bets 110
KTsoy: calls 110
*** TURN *** [Kd 7d 8s] [Js]
KTsoy: checks
crazybadger : bets 240
KTsoy: raises 240 to 480
crazybadger : folds
Uncalled bet (240) returned to KTsoy
silvertrip24 is connected
KTsoy collected 910 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 910 | Rake 0
Board [Kd 7d 8s Js]

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 12:41

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 12:46

crazybadger

30th September 2009, 12:51

I just noticed something interesting. Those 3 hands were my weakest for the tournament (3/89 is pretty good limitation of poor play so far). The interesting thing was that all 3 were against teh same guy KTSoy who was playing loose and aggressive, I didnt/couldnt get a read on him, and he was positioned after me.

Things I might have to keep an eye on next time I'm playing as I know when I busted in the bubble in 2nd tournament I had an aggressive guy on my left who I couldnt read.

mathare

30th September 2009, 13:05

mathare

30th September 2009, 13:15

I havent had time to check the odds here but this is the lay-down I mentioned earlier. I'd be interested to get opinions on this...looking back I think I should have called as I had 2 confirmed all-ins but I panicked and decided to fold. My reasoning was to see this much action pre-flop I backed one of them to have me monstered. I'm still unsure...I ned to check out the actual hand percentages I think.I'd have folded here too.

You've got KQo in the BB. UTG limps, the button min-raises and you call. OK so far IF you can see the flop without investing another penny. UTG shoves for another 915 so has limp-reraised. That should set alarm bells ringing. His hand is now polarised into either a monster or utter trash that he's trying to steal with otherwise he would have raised when he first had the chance, surely. The SB calls so unless you have a monster you need to run away quickly and forget the extra 50 chips you invested calling the SB's raise. KQo is far from a monster. At least one of these two will show you an Ace in all likelihood so you're drawing pretty slim if an Ace comes at any time. There could also be a big pocket pair out there such as KK or QQ so what happens if you do hit one of your pocket cards? The other guy then has a set. You have nearly 1400 behind so fold and wait for the next hand. The SB has made a mistake calling the all-in anyway. He should have raised all-in himself rather than call if he wanted to play the hand, that way there can be no more action on later streets. With the call you could raise all-in or call the all-in and bet again on the flop.

You would have flopped top pair and won the hand but hindsight is a wonderful thing. The SB could easily have had AQ rather than AK. KTsoy was an idiot though, trying to steal like that. As I said, he completely polarised his hand and AK is only really struggling against AA or KK so if the SB had that he was always going to call.

The SB should have raised to 150 rather than 100 when the action got to him, perhaps even 200, but as it is his line of play didn't work out that well for him thanks to a crazy idiot. And you made a good fold.

mathare

30th September 2009, 13:37

This is my lucky hand...and the turning point for me. I'll just say that I figured (guessed?) he didn't have either set and took the punt he didn't have the ace (this was the guy that raised all-in pre-flop with 53o in the above hand). I got lucky.Yes, you did didn't you.

The biggest question I have about my play is my pre-flop/post-flop action. Was it big enough/not big enough?Let's have a gander. 6-handed and you get KJs in the SB. It's folded to you and you raise to 300 (3xBB). Standard pre-flop raise that tells the BB nothing about your hand. You could have a decent hand, you could have a monster, you could be stealing. Good so far. He calls, he has the chips to take a punt and has shown himself to be a bit of a maniac in a previous hand so fair enough. You make a half-pot bet when the flop comes down, presumably to see where you are. If he raises, you fold in all likelihood fearing he has you beaten. I may have bet more like 400-450 in this situation rather than offer him 3-1 odds. I'd prefer to get the odds on offer to him down a bit more. He calls.

I'm not crazy about the check-raise on the turn here I must admit. You said up front you didn't think he had "either set" but a 7 or a 3 gives him a full house now, not a set. There are two diamonds on the board too so a flussh draw is possible. Also note that any pocket pair (other than 22) gives him a better hand than the board and you're behind to any Ace. What would he call your flop bet with? He'd probably raise with a 7 but not always, figuring he might trap you but I'd say it's at least 80% that he'd raise on the flop so we can reduce the likelihood of him having trips. Pocket pairs would call on the flop, especially if they were middling pairs, but again you can expect a raise something like 60% of the time or more. So he probably doesn't have a decent pocket pair but we can't rule it out. Overcards to the flop would call but not raise, especially if one of them is a King and certainly if one is an Ace. You can probably put the BB on overcards, at least one of which is high (K or A). So when the turn pairs the board you're probably either splitting the pot or behind to the Ace (or a pocket pair eg 44, 55, 66). Checking to see what he does (in particular his bet size) is OK here as your hand isn't that strong any more and you probably need to hit to win. He bets 500 into a 1200 pot giving just just under 7/2. You need around 11 outs with these pots odds for the draw to be correct and you certainly don't have that. There are implied odds though and you could get another 1000 or so out of him if you hit your hand so you'd be calling 500 to win around 2700 in that case meaning the draw is correct with around 7 outs. Count your outs - you have the three Kings, the three Jacks, two 7s (for a split pot), two 3s (for a split pot) and that's it. If you're sure he doesn't have the Ace then you can count the Aces as outs for a split but as he may have a King then the Kings are only probably outs to a split pot depending on kickers so let's assume the Aces and Kings balance out and go with it as above. The 7s and 3s give you a split pot so you effectively win the full pot half the time and lose it half the time so each of those cards counts for half an out each. You have around 8 outs (3 x King, 3 x Jack, 1 x 7, 1 x 3 accounting for splits) so you can call but I wouldn't be raising. You'd have 1045 behind which is 10xBB so if you miss your draw you can check-fold on the river and still be in the game. You check-raise all-in and he calls.

You lucky so-and-so hitting that Jack on the river. It was one of your outs but the odds were against you. You did need to hit to win and you did that. Wrong decision, right result.

BTW This kind of analysis is much easier offline after the game and knowing what cards your opponent holds but you can work back through the hand with that knowledge and think about why he took certain actions and note them for the future. For example, having read the hand history I knew he had A8 so when doing the analysis of what he would call your flop bet with you know what he has but you can see why he called (he was ahead and had to be fairly confident of being ahead but couldn't really raise as you could have a pocket pair or a bigger Ace). You can also think through what other hands he might have had in this situation having called a potential steal raise and then a flop bet on a paired board. Think about what hands he would raise rather than call with and you can start to narrow his range. There weren't many hands he could have plausibly held that would have meant you were ahead on the turn. You were splitting the pot at best at that point.

mathare

30th September 2009, 13:40

Things I might have to keep an eye on next time I'm playing as I know when I busted in the bubble in 2nd tournament I had an aggressive guy on my left who I couldnt read.If they are loose and aggressive play tight against them and value bet them. If you have a decent enough stack take a chance pre-flop with strong hands and hope you connect with the flop and can value bet him to take the maximum off him as if he is loose-aggressive he probably won't give you credit for a hand until he has committed too many chips to make it easy for him to get away from his hand. If you don't connect with the flop and he makes it prohibitive to draw then just fold and move on.

crazybadger

1st October 2009, 08:27

Good points. I've re-analysed those 3 hands and I think I know why they become "big" hands in my game/mind...I'm still not focussing enough on what my opponents do and more importantly deducing why they did something. I think if I can incorporate that then I wont do the really stupid moves as I will start to expect certain hands and make better decisions. If I get beaten by a stupid hand or better hand than I expected then so be it but that's much better than me making a stupid call/raise because I have't bothered to put them on anything in particular.

The second part is I need to let things go. I often will have a go at pots and I think it is generally when I have something good (and am pretty sure the guy was an idiot for calling pre-flop) but the flop has missed me...and therefore maybe hit his rubbis and I cant seem to let it go. I think I need more acceptance and ability to throw a good pre-flop hand away when it becomes a bad post-flop hand.

mathare

1st October 2009, 10:29

The second part is I need to let things go. I often will have a go at pots and I think it is generally when I have something good (and am pretty sure the guy was an idiot for calling pre-flop) but the flop has missed me...and therefore maybe hit his rubbis and I cant seem to let it go. I think I need more acceptance and ability to throw a good pre-flop hand away when it becomes a bad post-flop hand.If you're the pre-flop raiser by all means fire in a continuation bet (not every time but quite often) on the flop and see what happens. Whether you fire another barrel on the turn depends on whether you can be confident it will get the other guy to fold. The only way to know that is to put him on hand ranges and see how well they have connected with the board and offer him restrictive odds with your betting. It takes some balls to fire out on all three post-flop streets with nothing but a bluff though and at that level as the buy-in means almist nothing to most people I can see more players gambling and calling your bluff.

crazybadger

1st October 2009, 10:33

Another one...2nd

This was an interesting game and I jotted down a lot of hands I will look at in a sec. The 2 overall difficulties I faced was this guy who pushed quite
often. He went first hand with AKs and doubled up. But he pushed several other times early on. I doubled up on him with AA but he kept hanging around and getting his stack up. He seemed to push with anything slightly good - AKs is obviously alright but he even went with 22 preflop (he was showing cards). Towards the end he got beat (he re-re-raised all-in with Q4o with top pair...other guy had better kicker) and was short-stacked to around 15xBB. He then pushed just about every hand for the next 10-20. I felt I was getting rubbish so I couldnt even call him. My weakness here is knowing what hands I should take him on with. Some examples during this time that I folded and was not sure on - A7o, KQo, 22 (vs KTo he showed), QTs from early (he didnt even push this time so I started thinking he had gotten to me).So I've identified some learning - pre-flop odds, in particular going all-in. Goodo. I'm going to go install pokerstove now and have a squiz. On a final note I did bust him when I called with 66 and flopped quads! :)

Secondly (and maybe related) I hit ITM as just barely chip leader (2 bigs vs 1 small) and played alright. Short stack was aggressive and I didnt hit too much so he slowly grew against the other biggy. Then we had an all-in moment (maybe badly on my part...we'll see shortly) and he doubled up and I became short-stacked. He got even more aggressive and for a while I felt like I wasnt getting anything good and/or couldnt get into a pot. I did manage to steal the odd time from them (mainly the mid stack, former joint big stack) but was treading water. Finally I hit a few good cards and got back up but then we nearly had a 3-way all in pre-flop (I folded after being the initial raiser) which cost me but ultimately sent me heads-up. And then I think I copped a bad-beat which knocked me out (but I've already forgotten the cards so we'll see during hand analysis)

Some interesting hands throughout...

1) KQo in SB. 8 players left. 10/20 blinds. Min raised and 1 caller. I fold. Too weak? It was very early and I didnt like my position to play 4-way (expecting BB to call).

2) KTs late pos. 8 players. 10/20 blinds. I limper followed by a 3xBB raise to my left. I fold.

3) 88 on button. 6 players. I raise 3xBB. SB folds, BB goes all in for ~1000. I call. I figured it was coin-flip and I had 3.5x his stack.

4)K4o SB 3 players. Roughly equal big stack. 75/150. I raise to $450 (trying to take control, plus my read on opponent was tight). He min re-raised to $750. I see that as weak (even though it as a re-raise) so I call. Flop 9 8 4 rainbow. First to act with bottom pair - bet $500 (1/3 pot) to see his reaction. He folds.

5) A5s on button 3 players. I'm big stack (half total chips). 75/150 blinds. I raise to $750 (I made it bigger to try to push them off blinds). SB (short stack but still with 16BB) re-raises me to $1350. What do I do here? Well I re-raised all-in trying to take a chance to push him out. He has 99. I dont catch and he doubles.

That'll do for that. I have 2 of the last hands to play I'll post up in full and then go check some pokerstove against everything I've said here.

crazybadger

1st October 2009, 10:40

Im goty0405...

Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2009/10/01 3:35:14 ET
Table '199930830 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: AlekseevAV (5410 in chips)
Seat 2: goty0405 (3699 in chips)
Seat 9: Kontra A (4391 in chips)
goty0405: posts small blind 100
Kontra A: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to goty0405 [6h Ah]
AlekseevAV: raises 200 to 400
goty0405: raises 600 to 1000
Kontra A: raises 2000 to 3000
AlekseevAV: calls 2600
goty0405: folds
*** FLOP *** [6d 5s 7d]
Kontra A: bets 1391 and is all-in
AlekseevAV: calls 1391
*** TURN *** [6d 5s 7d] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [6d 5s 7d 5h] [Kc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Kontra A: shows [8c 8s] (two pair, Eights and Fives)
AlekseevAV: shows [Jd Kd] (two pair, Kings and Fives)
AlekseevAV collected 9782 from pot

Interestingly in my first use of Pokerstove if I put both of them on Any broadway and pairs down to 66 then I had ~28% chance and I think I was getting 22% odds to call the raises pre-flop.

crazybadger

1st October 2009, 10:51

Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2009/10/01 3:38:18 ET
Table '199930830 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: AlekseevAV (10176 in chips)
Seat 2: goty0405 (3324 in chips)
AlekseevAV: posts the ante 25
goty0405: posts the ante 25
AlekseevAV: posts small blind 100
goty0405: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to goty0405 [Ac 5s]
AlekseevAV: raises 200 to 400
goty0405: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [8s As Td]
goty0405: bets 600
AlekseevAV: raises 2600 to 3200
goty0405: calls 2299 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (301) returned to AlekseevAV
*** TURN *** [8s As Td] [7d]
*** RIVER *** [8s As Td 7d] [Jd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
goty0405: shows [Ac 5s] (a pair of Aces)
AlekseevAV: shows [Kh Qd] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
AlekseevAV collected 6648 from pot

Painful. I had the feeling I got my money in at the right time so lets see what Pokerstove says...
1) A5o v Kqo makes me a 58:42 favourite. Good enough for me when I'm short stack.
2) When the flop comes (when I get all my money in) I'm 82:18 favourite.

If I put in a few more starting hands he could have been playing (before I saw his cards) even if I make it pretty tight for heads-up play he's only a very slight favourite. Close enough to be a coin-flip which is all I needed.

mathare

1st October 2009, 10:53

Wow, well done for getting away from the A6s. The button's min-raise should immediately set alarm bells ringing. It's not a steal raise as the BB is likely to call with a wide range for just 200 more chips so if it's not a steal 3-handed he's looking to build a pot and probably wants someone to raise so he can reraise. You raise to see where you are, the raise amount is pretty good by the way, I like that with that hand. When the BB makes it 3000 and gets a call you have to get away from your hand fearing a bigger Ace or another hand you're way behind too. The button got what he wanted and a big pot ensues. By folding with two players basically all-in you can sit back and fold all but monsters here as you're almost certain of a move up to a guaranteed 2nd place when one of them is either eliminated on this hand or crippled so they are basically out. This was a good fold, the right move in so many ways.

mathare

1st October 2009, 11:09

This was an interesting game and I jotted down a lot of hands I will look at in a sec. The 2 overall difficulties I faced was this guy who pushed quite often. I felt I was getting rubbish so I couldnt even call him. My weakness here is knowing what hands I should take him on with. If he's a true maniac, and it sounds like he is, then wait for a monster to face him with. It may feel like KQo and QTs are decent hands against his range and perhaps they are but unless you are sure you can get him heads up on the hand you risk facing a multi-way pot with a marginal holding. You also may face way too much action for a hand like KQo when you miss the board and don't know if he has hit even bottom pair and has you beaten. Wait for a monster, or for someone else to get bored of his antics and take him on. You should be part of a team against the maniac, you don't have to take a stand for the whole table and consider it your responsibility to knock him out.

1) KQo in SB. 8 players left. 10/20 blinds. Min raised and 1 caller. I fold. Too weak? It was very early and I didnt like my position to play 4-way (expecting BB to call).You could call for 30 chips and see what happens but I'd fold this one most of the time too. KQo is a great hand for getting you into trouble. Play tight at the start of a tourney and loosen up as the blinds increase. In this situation you could call maybe 20% and fold the rest just to mix it up a little but folding should be your main play (in my opinion).

2) KTs late pos. 8 players. 10/20 blinds. I limper followed by a 3xBB raise to my left. I fold. If it's been folded to you then you could raise to 3xBB here. You have a good hand that you either want to be in a multiway pot for the flush/straight odds or a short-handed pot for the big card value so you want other Kings and big cards to fold if possible. If you are reraised then fold. As it was you limped and correctly folded to the raise.

3) 88 on button. 6 players. I raise 3xBB. SB folds, BB goes all in for ~1000. I call. I figured it was coin-flip and I had 3.5x his stack.Good raise, it looks like a steal but you have a strong hand. The BB either has a bigger pair or overcards. You're way behind to an overpair but coin flipping with overcards. You had the stack to be able to gamble so I don't mind this move, although you don't say what the blinds were so it's not clear how much more the BB raised you. If the blinds were 50/100 or greater I think I would have made the call too, else folded to the shove.

4)K4o SB 3 players. Roughly equal big stack. 75/150. I raise to $450 (trying to take control, plus my read on opponent was tight). He min re-raised to $750. I see that as weak (even though it as a re-raise) so I call. Flop 9 8 4 rainbow. First to act with bottom pair - bet $500 (1/3 pot) to see his reaction. He folds. I'm not crazy about the pre-flop raise but 3-handed poker isn't my strong point. It partly depends on how deep you both were. Good call on the reraise though. On the flop I'd have bet out more that 500 but it did the job. 500 offers him 4/1 pot odds so he can easily call with any straight draw and overcards too given the implied odds. I'd have bet more like 800-900 here.

5) A5s on button 3 players. I'm big stack (half total chips). 75/150 blinds. I raise to $750 (I made it bigger to try to push them off blinds). SB (short stack but still with 16BB) re-raises me to $1350. What do I do here? Well I re-raised all-in trying to take a chance to push him out. He has 99. I dont catch and he doubles. The raise is too big at 5xBB. If they are going to fold to a raise they will fold to 3xBB as often as they will to 5xBB so save the chips in case you're re-raised. When he raises to 9xBB you have to call as it's only 600 more and you have a chance to take him out but I'm not sure about the all-in reraise. He had 16xBB and has more than half of that in the pot already so he will call with pretty much any two now. This should have been a smaller pre-flop raise and a fold to the reraise unless it was a small reraise in which case calling and seeing the flop is fine with a big stack.

mathare

1st October 2009, 11:16

Let's a quick look at the hand that busted you.

You get min-raised from the SB and call with an offsuit Ace. That Ace is huge heads up so you could have re-raised here, to 1000 or so to put the SB to the test. He'd likely have called or even shoved but if you like your hand (and what's not to like about an Ace here) then you can call. You could shove as a re-raise following his min-raise but he may fold and you've not won many chips whereas you could double up with this hand and put yourself level with him in chips.

You get a great flop with top pair and a backdoor flush draw. Your bet of 600 into an 850 pot is fine. He puts you all in and you make an easy call. You have a short stack and need to gamble somewhat but here you're in a great spot. He may have a flush draw or a set but you have outs if you're behind. The turn is irrelevant and he rivers a lucky gutshot to eliminate you and win. You made the right moves but got the wrong result. You'll hear that a lot.

crazybadger

1st October 2009, 23:55

Bah this thread doesnt have my reply either...I must have been zonked last night!

In summary I agreed with pretty much all of your points and often had the same thought process (like getting away from the A6s because I could tell I was behind and also meant I would lock in 2nd). Good to get the feedback and confirm I'm playing well...

You did ask about the blinds when I called the all-in with 88 and they were 25/50. In this case we differ in thinking (as you said you would fold) but I put him on a broadway hand, maybe suited. I have the opinion of not "fearing monsters" so I dont tend to assume big pocket pairs too often and thought my 88 was good.

The all-in re-raise with A5s suited wasn't great and I think it was something creeping back into my game - a tendenacy to try to bully/bluff at bad times. I think the biggest thing for me to take is to remember to see how much they have left in terms of the pot as you made the point he was pretty much calling with anything by that time - something I didn't factor in.

I'm brimming with confidence right now. I even bored my girlfriend with a recount of how I'm playing so I'm enjoying the game too which is positive. I'm happy that I'm playing well and getting my money in right most of the time so even bad beats like the hand that busted me I will accept. Fingers crossed that those few times I make bad calls I get some luck too and then I will stay with a smile on my face.

crazybadger

2nd October 2009, 09:28

Today - 2nd

It was a very interesting game. Early on it played like a limit-game on a few hands. Min-raise, min-reraise, call, call, call. It also had lots of limping going on all over the place and then there was this guy who was betting aggressive and early he got clled and both times had good cards. Then next time he raised I put him on something good again, he bet again after flop and after the turn finally getting the fold and he flips over 72o!

I think I played most hands well. I reached Bubble, ITM, and Heads-up all as the chip leader. I think I got a little unlucky in heads-up. I played very aggressive and was knocking the other guy around, taking his chips. Then he was all-in so I called with Q8o and he had JTs which made it pretty much a coin-flip slightly in my favour. He doubles up and the again a few hands later (A4o v ATo) and he was chip leader. Then the whole process would repeat - I'd get aggressive and knock him down and then become chip leader again only for him to double against me (I think I made a lot of loose calls but I figure that's what happens heads up...). I won a lot more pots but they were small and every big pot he seemed to get. The worst was when I had K9s vs his KTs and the flop was KTT! I was gone, even though I hit my flush by the end.

From then on it was downhill. HE started coming back at my pre-flop raises and forced me out of a few, or the flop would completely miss me. So I think I got annoyed and played stupid - I pushed with 85s and he called and won it. Sad but 2nd is still a good result anyway I suppose

I definitely need to work on heads up though. Things I need to learn:
1) What to do with monsters - raise them? slow play? push? I tried them all and most times he didnt play
2) What cards make good all-in pre-flop in heads up?

mathare

2nd October 2009, 10:35

I'm not one to advise on heads-up play I'm afraid - I suck at it! Have a search around on the internet, someone may have published the all-in heads up tables from Chen and Ankenman's 'Mathematics of Poker' which tell you which hands to shove and which hands to call a shove with when playing heads-up

crazybadger

2nd October 2009, 16:07

Not really tried so had a crack at another before bed....3rd

Well well well. The table "felt" very loose. First hand went like this - limp, 3xBB raise, re-raise to 9xBB, re-raise to 25xBB, all-in shove by the SB. So that's just one lap around the table! The shover had AK but his monster was shot down by a pair of bullets.

Because of this kind of play and the feeling I had I tightened up even more. I didnt get anything but rubbish for about 30 hands or more and then anything remotely good (eg AQo) had something that led me to fold - raises before me, bad position, or seeing a flop that missed me completely and getting bet into.

A question for the readers (thats you Mathare!). I was SB with AKo, blinds 25/50, 6 players. 2 fold. Late raise 3xBB, button folds. I went to re-raise to take control but thought that maybe being out of position for the flop wasnt great so I checked. I'm not too keen on that move though. Thoughts?

So we reached 5 handed. Stacks in order - 6415, 2865, 1670, 1525 (me) and 800. Blinds 75/150. I get JJ on the BB. Big stack raised 3xBB so I push all in and he calls with AKo. Poker stove puts me 56:44 favourite right now. Good push.
Flop = 6 K Q...I'm now waaaaaaaaay behind 15:85
Turn = 9....14:86. I shout "COME ON TEN!"
River = 10
Thank you very much. Although I did get in well at the flop so I consider it just reward :)

I burst the bubble by calling a shove with KQs. He had 77 which but it pretty much at a coin flip. I hit quad kings and the bubble was burst. And my patience was rewarded - I was now roughly equal chip lead (2 Bigs vs 1 short).

Then my luck turned. The shorty had doubled up so stacks were roughly even with me slightly ahead....

Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2009/10/02 9:39:41 ET
Table '200249901 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Makc855 (3425 in chips)
Seat 4: Manni1962 (4530 in chips)
Seat 5: goty0405 (5545 in chips)
Makc855: posts small blind 75
Manni1962: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to goty0405 [Ah Qh]
goty0405: raises 450 to 600
Makc855: folds
Manni1962: raises 3930 to 4530 and is all-in
goty0405: calls 3930
*** FLOP *** [9h Td 3h]
*** TURN *** [9h Td 3h] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [9h Td 3h 7c] [8d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Manni1962: shows [Ad Js] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
goty0405: shows [Ah Qh] (high card Ace)
Manni1962 collected 9135 from pot

Not cool. From there I was very short stack (~7xBB). I got to see a free flop later where I hit mid pair so I pushed. Got called with 67o which hit runners and that was all she wrote. Out in 3rd.

mathare

2nd October 2009, 16:39

A question for the readers (thats you Mathare!). I was SB with AKo, blinds 25/50, 6 players. 2 fold. Late raise 3xBB, button folds. I went to re-raise to take control but thought that maybe being out of position for the flop wasnt great so I checked. I'm not too keen on that move though. Thoughts?Honestly? Your first instinct was right and you should have raised to take control and narrow down his range and make sure the BB doesn't think about calling for the extra. Raise it to 450-500 and shut the BB out isolating the raiser and putting him to test. If that flop comes 6-8-J what do you do with AKo in the SB acting first on the flop? Check and fold to a bet? Lead out with just overcards? In no-limit your whole stack is at risk on every hand so protect it at all times which means raising your AKo here. You can't trap him really so play a strong hand strongly.

Then my luck turned. The shorty had doubled up so stacks were roughly even with me slightly ahead....AQs flopping a flush draw and getting beaten by AJo hitting a lucky straight - ouch. But all part of the game unfortunately. The pre-flop raise is a little strong unless 4xBB has been a standard raise in that game. An agonising situation when you get the shove raise but you have to call it and take your chances (which are good). It's just unfortunate how it turned out

crazybadger

3rd October 2009, 00:47

Honestly? Your first instinct was right and you should have raised to take control and narrow down his range and make sure the BB doesn't think about calling for the extra. Raise it to 450-500 and shut the BB out isolating the raiser and putting him to test. If that flop comes 6-8-J what do you do with AKo in the SB acting first on the flop? Check and fold to a bet? Lead out with just overcards? In no-limit your whole stack is at risk on every hand so protect it at all times which means raising your AKo here. You can't trap him really so play a strong hand strongly.
That's what I thought. An Ace on the flop gave me top pair with top kicker but I knew my pre-flop decision was wrong. I think maybe I had convinced myself the table was silly and I didn't want to make any dumb moves. Oh well, lesson learnt.

AQs flopping a flush draw and getting beaten by AJo hitting a lucky straight - ouch. But all part of the game unfortunately. The pre-flop raise is a little strong unless 4xBB has been a standard raise in that game. An agonising situation when you get the shove raise but you have to call it and take your chances (which are good). It's just unfortunate how it turned out
Very unfortunate. I'm happy though. I played well and if he doesnt hit 4 cards to his straight then I'm in heads-up with a 3-1 chip advantage.

You reckon the raise is too strong? Hmmm I raised it 3xBB to make it a total of 4xBB to play. He had posted the BB so I thought that was the better way to go to give him worse odds.

mathare

3rd October 2009, 10:58

You reckon the raise is too strong? Hmmm I raised it 3xBB to make it a total of 4xBB to play. He had posted the BB so I thought that was the better way to go to give him worse odds.The experts seem to suggest that as the blinds rise and stacks decrease in terms of BBs then making smaller raises is the way to go. Rather than raising to 3xBB raise to 2.5xBB or even min-raise to 2xBB as that way you risk fewer chips when you need to get away from your hand and anyone who was going to fold to a 3xBB raise will almost definitely fold to a 2.5xBB raise. I have to admit I tend to stick to roughly a 3xBB raise (at 75/150 I may raise to 400, 450 or 500 depending on how I feel and who I am raising into so it's not an exact science). Your raise to 4xBB was potentially a bit strong but if you're always going to call a shove over the top, which I think you are (and probably should) then the amount you raise isn't that bad. You have a stong hand though and want to get something for it, more than just nicking the blinds really so you need to raise an amount that keeps him in if he's not got a hand he loves so much to shove on you.

crazybadger

3rd October 2009, 11:30

The experts seem to suggest that as the blinds rise and stacks decrease in terms of BBs then making smaller raises is the way to go. Rather than raising to 3xBB raise to 2.5xBB or even min-raise to 2xBB as that way you risk fewer chips when you need to get away from your hand and anyone who was going to fold to a 3xBB raise will almost definitely fold to a 2.5xBB raise. I have to admit I tend to stick to roughly a 3xBB raise (at 75/150 I may raise to 400, 450 or 500 depending on how I feel and who I am raising into so it's not an exact science). Your raise to 4xBB was potentially a bit strong but if you're always going to call a shove over the top, which I think you are (and probably should) then the amount you raise isn't that bad. You have a stong hand though and want to get something for it, more than just nicking the blinds really so you need to raise an amount that keeps him in if he's not got a hand he loves so much to shove on you.
I had not considered that reasoning before and it does make sense I suppose. I think I've naturally applied that to my weaker hands in Heads-up or last 3 but something else I can try to think about anyway. In this example I was always going to take him on all-in if so not a problem but I see I could end up a little in no mans land if I don't like my hand that much if re-raised.

crazybadger

3rd October 2009, 14:54

1st tonight

Well my poker seems to be going quite well at the moment and I feel like I'm playing better with each game, probably due to the analysis I do afterwards each time. I still feel like Im learning a lot but at the same time that I'm getting the basics right pretty much all the time and thats a good place to start.

Some interesting things from the last game...

Early on I had AQo so I raised 3xBB and got two calls. I bet after flop missed me but to no avail - 2 callers. Ended up folding to a raise on the turn (and checked the river). It doesnt sound like much but I was happy. I often would have had a 2nd go at stealing the pot even though the Turn was a scare card, and in my early weaker days I probably would have called at the end just with Ace-high. So I'm happy with my play.

I won a good pot with 99 early too but was unsure of it. Flop was rainbow QJ8 and I didnt know how to play it. So I bet to see what response I'd get - call. I figure I'm ahead still but not sure. River is 5 but it gives flush draw. I bet bigger and still get call. Turn completes my straight but gives the flush option. I dont think he has the flush so I bet again and this time get the fold. Not sure how I played all that but I got the right result...

A6s (spades) I managed to see a 3 way flop of Ad Td Ks. If they were playing only the top 30% of hands (which I think is being generous to these guys) then I was a favourite to win at 41%. Short stack pushed roughly pot size so I folded which I think was right. Turns out they had AKo and KQo so good call.

Perhaps my ballsiest hand...I had JJ and raised accordingly pre-flop with 6 players. 1 caller. Flop is AK4 rainbow. He acts first and bets 1/4 of pot. Now I had a read on this guy that said he bet out often (and weak) but folded to raises just as often so I re-raised (yes with 2 over-cards he likely could have had to call my initial raise)...and he folded :)

And you got to love when things just go your way. I hit a good run of cards to become a massive chip leader and burst the bubble. 2nd hand ITM I get QQ and we have a 3-way all-in. They show AQs and 88 (makes me a good favourite). I win and thats the ball game. No messing around - just the way I like it

And finally a reminder from my notes - consider their stack size when raising! I put a good pot-size bet at a guy which he HAD to shove over the top of if he wanted to play (and I was always calling any shive he made) so I need to remember that and I might as well be the aggressor and force him all-in with my raise.

crazybadger

5th October 2009, 02:02

My day off so I figurd I'll get a few games in.

7th and 8th

First tournament I probably knocked myself about playing AKs too long. The board was rubbish and I bet with my overcards but kept getting calls. I folded to a re-raise when the board paired on the river. Then I waited around to get something. I finally got KJs with <15xBB and already a raise on the board so I pused. Got called by AQo and that's the end. I needed the double up though so I guess I had to go. Looking back KJs may have been too weak to re-raise all in.

Second game I had been folding away and got QJs. Not great but the players had been fairly weak pre-flop so I limped in to see a multi-way pot (to give better draws). The BB raises to 3xBB and everyone folds but I call (maybe I was getting bored. 2 tourney's and I'd played 3 hands I think...) The flop gives me J 9 8 so I hit top pair with a Q kicker and a straight draw. I bet and get re-raised but I put him on 2 over-cards so I shoved to put him on pressure. He calls and turns AQo so I'm well in front. Turn is his Ace and I miss on the River and say bye bye.

crazybadger

5th October 2009, 02:14

Hmmm thinking about that last one I felt like an idiot. It was only level 2 in the blinds and I had aaaaaaaaages left in the game. But then the reading I've done on SnG play says you only risk your entire stack in the early stages when you have a "premium" hand. I think having top pair + good kicker with straight draw is pretty good with only 1 opponent but I can't shake the feeling I over-played.

It's easy to say I over-played now but would I be saying the same thing if I had won it? That's the point I want to get to where I recognise good and bad play no matter what the outcome.

Playing with PkerStove and no starting hand ranges I could put him see me behind after that flop. Maybe I was just impatient and could have folded anyway.

crazybadger

5th October 2009, 08:39

One more today to make it a round 10 games played for the week....3rd

I'd say I was on the unlucky side of things in that game but I'll still take the cash.

Good hands for me:
1) KJs and flopped top pair. Flush draw was there but I gave poor odds for it and kept getting the call. Nearly talked myself out of it when he re-raised me on the River with a nothing card but pushed over the top and won a big pot.

2) AQs and flopped a straight draw. Checked to the pre-flop raiser but he checked too. Turn gae possible straight so I bet to take the pot and get a caller. River comes and makes the straight but completes my flush. I bet and he pushes all in with the straight. Thank you :)

3) QQ and a baaaaaaaaad flop of AJJ. It was at the bubble and I was chip lead vs 2nd chip lead. So I bet at it...and he folded

4) ITM and short stack I had been pushing with a few hands and only getting blinds so when I got KK I raised small and got the action I wanted - all-in push from mid stack with K9s. He makes his nines but I hit trip kings and I'm back in the game.

Bad hands for me
1) Bubble time and the short stack (9xBB) pushes all in pre flop. I'm chip leader and I call with KQ of spades. He flips over 5h5c. Coin flip...Flop is Qc Qs 9c. Thank your mother for the rabbits. But waaaaaaaaaait...runner-runner of clubs and he makes his flush.

2)QJs with 3 players left. I'm middle stack and end up all in pre-flop vs shorty who shows T8s. Flop comes J 7 2 and I just knew what was coming...9 on the river makes his straight and busts my jacks.

3)K8s I ended up against ATs of the same suit. Never fun.

4)As short stack again I get A9 and < 10xBB I push. Run into AKo and I'm out.

crazybadger

5th October 2009, 08:52

After a whopping 10 games played I'll put some stats up. These are just what I am keeping off my own to measure how I'm playing and try to figure out weakness.

$1 + 0.20 SnG
Played: 10 ($12 spent)
1st: 2
2nd: 2
3rd: 2
4th: 1
5th-7th:2
8th-9th:1
P/L: $6.00 (ROI 50%)

Average stacks by tournament stage
Middle - $2114 (target = $2000)
Bubble - $4638 (target = $4000)
ITM- $6666 (target = $6000)
Heads-up - $6449 ($7500)

So far I'm doing well. I was hoping for 1st 20%, 2nd 20%, 3rd 10% so I've managed to cash once more than I had hoped so far.

My stacks at the various stages are also mostly above my targets. Interesting that the worst is reaching Heads-up but I think that may be just due ot lack of games to get a good enough average. Plus I had a game that I won by knocking 2 out at once so never reached Heads-up.

All in all I'm pretty happy with that first 10 games. the big thing now is where will I go from here. I could try moving up a level, $3 +0.40 is the next but I'm not sure how quickly they fill, and I don't think I have enough bank-roll for the $5 +0.50 games. I could try to multi-table (2 at first) on the $1 games and get the bank up a little first. Or I could continue along how I'm going - very slowly! The other option is the play the Turbos as that will get me more games quicker but I'm unsure of how much the 5min blinds will affect my game.

crazybadger

7th October 2009, 10:19

I made the decision to utilise my full bankroll and thus move up to the $3 + 0.40 SnG at Pokerstars. I decided that with the tad over $100 in there I'm only risking around 3% of my bankroll per tournament which is pretty safe to see out a few bad runs. On that note I will set my next goal at $150 to reasses. I will probably then move to the $5 + 0.50 games.

But for now, my 1st foray into the $3 + 0.40 games and..... 2nd

Early on I really didnt get to see much action due to my cards. Also when I was on the BB the button was raising 3xBB every time. I got a read on him being pretty aggressive but I wasnt getting anything to play with so I had to let him keep doing it. He busted the SB once with this tactic but he only had A9o so I realised that anything remotely alright he was getting aggressive with. And so my game pretty much became a tale of "Me versus The Aggressive Guy". Here's how it panned out...

1) My first pot was with K6s and it was the 1st time I got to see a free flop from the BB (old mate just checked this time). It was 4 way at teh flop of KJT and I raised. Bad move I think but I had top pair and wanted to see how I was. Plus I saw one of the other players had disconnected and would thus fold. The aggressor re-raises me but Im thinking he doesnt have anything as he would have had action pre-flop so I re-raise him and he folds it down. I dont know what I would have done if he had come back or just called but I wanted to show aggression and thought I had the best of that flop. Maybe I got away with it or maybe not...

2) KQ on the button and I call a 3xBB raise from my friend. Flop is raindbow Q83. He bets 1/2 the pot so I re-raise him. He folds. The only poor thing I did here was the amount of re-raise. I left myself with a nasty little amount that he could have then pushed me in with. I pot committed myself and I should have just shoved all-in instead letting that happen. I got away with it though.

3)Then the two of us were pretty much the 2 big stacks on the table but not by a huge amount. So I went through a (weak?) phase where I folded a lot from the SB (i.e. when he was on the button) when he raised. I figured I wasn't going to be bought into playing him without a very good hand. So I folded AT, KT, Q8s...some things I might normally have tried to get in on when down to 5 players.

4)When we made the bubble we had 4 pretty much even stacks which made it kind of hard. I managed to burst the bubble and move to chip leader when I hit KK vs 55.

5)Then I dropped a little as my friend remained aggressive and I really was getting nothing to bother with. I managed to get to Heads-Up as chip lead by knocking the shorty out with KQ vs 77.

6)Then my stupid hand...K9o in heads-up. I rais pre-flop from the button/SB. He calls. Flop is QJ8 with 2 diamonds. I try to get aggressive by betting nearly pot size. He pushes all-in so I call. I really dont know why. The straight draw is there so the over-card Kings might not be good anyway so all I've really got is a gut-shot straight. He ends up with J8 and my stupidity is exposed. I should have folded down and let him only become a slight chip lead instead of having me dominated 10:1 in chips. I didn;t take the time to think. I don't seem to think things through enough during Heads-up...

7)I hang in for a few hands getting some blinds here and there but eventually bust A2 v 66. Once again the really aggressive guy messes with my game. I think I played it a lot better - I had lots of patience through the early and middle stages but when I got to heads-up I just played silly. So that is still my area of weakness but perhaps more Heads-up play will help.

mathare

7th October 2009, 10:39

1) My first pot was with K6s and it was the 1st time I got to see a free flop from the BB (old mate just checked this time). It was 4 way at teh flop of KJT and I raised. Bad move I think but I had top pair and wanted to see how I was. Plus I saw one of the other players had disconnected and would thus fold. The aggressor re-raises me but Im thinking he doesnt have anything as he would have had action pre-flop so I re-raise him and he folds it down. I dont know what I would have done if he had come back or just called but I wanted to show aggression and thought I had the best of that flop. Maybe I got away with it or maybe not...I'm not crazy about the way this played out but I think in general you got it about right. When you get a free look from the BB with a weak hand like K6s you're looking to hit the flop pretty hard or miss altogether as either way makes your decision to carry on or fold pretty easy. You don't want to be calling with K6s on a board of KJT as there are so many draws to beat you and you're behind to two pairs (which are likely given the connectedness of the cards) and any Kings with a better kicker so you need to take this down ASAP or at least find out you're way behind and give it up. You say you raised it so I assume it was bet before it got to you (by the SB) but if you put the first bet in that's fine also. When you're raised you re-raise - that's a brave move regardless of how loose and aggressive the other player has been. He doesn't need much to beat you here and I think I would have folded. But you were there and knew how they guy was playing so fair play to you.

2) KQ on the button and I call a 3xBB raise from my friend. Flop is raindbow Q83. He bets 1/2 the pot so I re-raise him. He folds. The only poor thing I did here was the amount of re-raise. I left myself with a nasty little amount that he could have then pushed me in with. I pot committed myself and I should have just shoved all-in instead letting that happen. I got away with it though.As you've realised if you're pot committed you should just shove all-in in most cases. This was probably one of them. Not sure about the call with KQ though. One of my least favourite hands and not one I like to call raises with in case I am facing any raggy Ace.

3)Then the two of us were pretty much the 2 big stacks on the table but not by a huge amount. So I went through a (weak?) phase where I folded a lot from the SB (i.e. when he was on the button) when he raised. I figured I wasn't going to be bought into playing him without a very good hand. So I folded AT, KT, Q8s...some things I might normally have tried to get in on when down to 5 players.Here I would tend to do as you did and fold most hands but depending on stack sizes something like AT I may be tempted to shove all-in over the top of the raiser potentially winning back most of the chips I have lost folding to him.

6)Then my stupid hand...K9o in heads-up. I rais pre-flop from the button/SB. He calls. Flop is QJ8 with 2 diamonds. I try to get aggressive by betting nearly pot size. He pushes all-in so I call. I really dont know why. The straight draw is there so the over-card Kings might not be good anyway so all I've really got is a gut-shot straight. He ends up with J8 and my stupidity is exposed. I should have folded down and let him only become a slight chip lead instead of having me dominated 10:1 in chips. I didn;t take the time to think. I don't seem to think things through enough during Heads-up...I can't comment here too much as I'm rubbish at heads up play. Depending on the stacks and how much you had in by the time he shoves I don't think I'd have called. You only had the gutshot draw there really, the overcard was worth maybe a couple of clean outs at best, but I'd say you need to hit to win and the odds really aren't there for that sort of play. Fold and move on for me.

Your game is definitely getting better so stick with it and good luck :thumbs

crazybadger

8th October 2009, 09:47

5th

Man what a game. I felt like it mostly went against me and that getting to 5th was lucky...

1) AKo early on I came up against AA. I tagged along as the flop was nothing and I had the over-cards but alarm bells went off when he came too. I didnt fall for his check-raise on the river though so I got away from it. Phew.

2) AKo again and I had to lay it down after the turn which made flush and straight draws all over the place and I had nothing but the over-cards.

3) JJ I lay down at the Turn when the second over-card came down (A and Q). Was good read as he did have them. Phew.

4) Doubled up as short-stack with 88. Kept me alive. Phew.

5) AJ. I raise, 3 call and then the 4th guy pushes all in. Too much action for me so I fold. He gets a caller and they have 55 and AQ. Phew.

6) Doubled up again from short-stack with QQ. Phew.

7) AK, 5 handed, as the short-stack (only just). I had 18xBB so I don't push, instead I raise and get 1 caller. JT4 rainbow flow. He bets 1/3 of the pot and I had a read on this guy that when he made something on the flop he generally min-bet. So I re-raise to see what he will do and if he actually has something. He re-raises me...now I'm thinking he's definitely got a piece of it (he'd done similar actions versus others with top or mid pair). The problem is I'm getting 10:1 to call now. If I put him on a J or T then I've got the 6 over-card outs plus the 4 Queen outs. I call. River is a 3 and he bets small again and I get great odds for my hands, even if I only count the straight draw. My stack is too small to leave it alone and with the odds there and chane for me to become stack lead with those odds I play. Turns out he had JTo so he had flopped 2 pair and took me to the cleaners...

3 AK hands and they all caused me losses to a degree. A little unlucky perhaps but from my perspective I still probably need to learn to forget how good my cards were pre-flop and focus on how good they are post-flop. I might be holding onto them a little longer than I should...

crazybadger

8th October 2009, 10:43

Another one...5th again

Same kind of story of my earlier game. Not much went my way and certainly no big pots. I think the reason I've had success in earlier games is my ability to get through to middle stage with a good stack size. But these last 2 games I've been in "survival" mode trying to wait for something good while the big stacks push the table around. I've had a few marginal hands that I wonder if I should go in with but I err on the side of caution and wait for the better hands. Maybe I need to loosen up around the 5 player mark if my stack isn't growing like it should...

Hands of note:

1) 66. I was early position and there was a raise before me so I folded it. I dont like these kinds of pairs and from that position I felt like I was wasting chips as really you need to see all undercards or hit the set on the flop....turns out I would have hit the set :(

2) 88 with 6 players left. My stack was middle of the range so I raise. Short stack pushes and I call. He has JJ and wins the hand.

3) KK busted by 77 to bundle me out in 5th place. Grrr

crazybadger

9th October 2009, 10:37

2nd

Pretty well played at most times. I'm realling feeling my weakness is ITM/HU when I'm not the big stack leader (or when someone else is getting really aggressive). I'm still doing alright but I think it's the marginal hands in these times I'm unsure of.

I maged to get up early on when I won a good pot with QQ. I also won a pot with AQo. That one was a bit dicey as I flopped middle pair with my Q but the King was out as a scare card. I got 2 callers all the way to the river. I was probe betting 1/3 of hte pot to see their strength but no-one raised me so I thought I was good. I was and went to healthy stack lead.

Then I didnt get much action for a long time. The next few hands I played where down to 5 players and I won those either pre-flop or straight after with some good betting. Small pots however.

I got a good double up with AKo vs A9s and that took me back to a big chip lead heading into the bubble which burst pretty easily with me still slight chip lead ITM.

I tried to get aggressive raising pre-flop with A6. 1 caller. Rainbow rubbish flop so I go again and he calls. River pairs the board and he raises at me so I fold. I think I got out well as I didnt have anything and there was no point in me risking more on a whim.

Later the short stack was down to 3xBB so I raised with A9o. He calls with J5o but hits it and doubles up. :(

I flopped 2 pair with J9s and milked a bit out of the chip leader but probably went to high too early. He was still raising (Even after I re-raised him after the flop) so maybe I could have dragged it out better but the flush draw was scaring me and I wanted the pot. Hindsight says maybe I should have just given him bad odds to play the flush if he had it.

The hand that killed me (Heads-up)
Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2009/10/09 4:12:07 ET
Table '202204214 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: hexe o (7865 in chips)
Seat 6: crazybadger (5635 in chips)
hexe o: posts small blind 100
crazybadger : posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to crazybadger [Tc Qs]
hexe o: calls 100
crazybadger : raises 400 to 600
hexe o: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [Th 6h Jh]
crazybadger : bets 800
hexe o: raises 800 to 1600
crazybadger : calls 800
*** TURN *** [Th 6h Jh] [Ad]
crazybadger : checks
hexe o: bets 600
crazybadger : calls 600
*** RIVER *** [Th 6h Jh Ad] [3c]
crazybadger : checks
hexe o: bets 800
crazybadger : folds
Uncalled bet (800) returned to hexe o
hexe o collected 5600 from pot
hexe o: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5600 | Rake 0
Board [Th 6h Jh Ad 3c]
Seat 2: hexe o (button) (small blind) collected (5600)
Seat 6: goty0405 (big blind) folded on the River

Every time I replay the hand I think something different and I think that comes from my lack of experience (and confidence) heads-up. Even having analysed that in Pokerstove I'm not sure on what the best course of action was. Definitely need to improve there...

mathare

9th October 2009, 11:02

The hand that killed me (Heads-up)
Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2009/10/09 4:12:07 ET
Table '202204214 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: hexe o (7865 in chips)
Seat 6: crazybadger (5635 in chips)
hexe o: posts small blind 100
crazybadger : posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to crazybadger [Tc Qs]
hexe o: calls 100
crazybadger : raises 400 to 600
hexe o: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [Th 6h Jh]
crazybadger : bets 800
hexe o: raises 800 to 1600
crazybadger : calls 800
*** TURN *** [Th 6h Jh] [Ad]
crazybadger : checks
hexe o: bets 600
crazybadger : calls 600
*** RIVER *** [Th 6h Jh Ad] [3c]
crazybadger : checks
hexe o: bets 800
crazybadger : folds
Uncalled bet (800) returned to hexe o
hexe o collected 5600 from pot
hexe o: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5600 | Rake 0
Board [Th 6h Jh Ad 3c]
Seat 2: hexe o (button) (small blind) collected (5600)
Seat 6: goty0405 (big blind) folded on the RiverStacks are deep here with effective stacks of 28xBB so this hand should have some play in it, there's no need for early shoves. He limps from the SB and you raise to 3xBB with QTo. Hmm. I'll be honest, my first thought was to have checked in that spot and see what the flop brings. He could easily be playing a raggy King or Ace that won't fold to a raise so you have to be wary of overcards on the board. A flop of T-6-J all one suit isn't great for you. Middle pair, good kicker but your only redraws are to the backdoor straight which may not even be good if it hits. Betting 800 into a 1200 pot is OK, I like that bet. The min-raise worries me though. He limp-called pre-flop and now raises on a suited flop that could easily have connected with a good percentage of his likely range. The Ace comes and you check - fearing that overcard? He bets 600 into a pot of 4400 giving you odds of just over 8/1 but are you drawing slimmer than that? A Queen now is bad for you as if he does have a raggy King he makes the straight, and any heart could make him a flush (I don't think he has one already). The Tens are good for you as are the Kings and the Aces may be good for a split - but you need to avoid a four flush. So that's two Tens, two Kings and one Ace that'll win the pot for you (two Aces for the split so one for the win) or 5 outs. You can just about draw for that but call this bet and you're damn close to pot committed. You've put 2200 in from a stack of 5600 already, calling this bet makes it half your stack and then what do you do if your draw misses, which it is more likely to do than hit? Can you check-fold leaving yourself 14xBB? He makes a hoover bet on the river and you do check-fold with nothing - good move.

That flop bet - what were you thinking when he raised? What did you put him on? I don't think he has second pair beat at that point but has draws all over the shop. He could have an overcard but I reckon he also has a heart. You can't throw your hand in for that min-raise and the turn bet is small enough to seriously think about calling (and I think calling is probably the right move). But what does he have? And when do you think about making the big shove over the top? Does he have anything or is he just betting the scare card because you checked? You could shove on the river and hope he had a ragged high card hand that missed (I don't think he had two broadway cards so you 'only' have to worry about Ax, Jx, K6 and K3) but it is a risk. It comes down to how he has played heads up so far and only you know that.

Personally I think you played the hand OK. I would think about sometimes checking pre-flop though to control the pot size. If you hit you can get plenty of chips in across the remaining streets else you can fold and lose less.

crazybadger

9th October 2009, 13:57

He limps from the SB and you raise to 3xBB with QTo. Hmm. I'll be honest, my first thought was to have checked in that spot and see what the flop brings. He could easily be playing a raggy King or Ace that won't fold to a raise so you have to be wary of overcards on the board.
It's agood point. I think I would have in my previous poker life but the reading I've done has pushed me towards the aggressive end of the scale in heads-up. Perhaps too much so? I agree the raise wasn't great here...

A flop of T-6-J all one suit isn't great for you. Middle pair, good kicker but your only redraws are to the backdoor straight which may not even be good if it hits. Betting 800 into a 1200 pot is OK, I like that bet. The min-raise worries me though. He limp-called pre-flop and now raises on a suited flop that could easily have connected with a good percentage of his likely range. The Ace comes and you check - fearing that overcard? He bets 600 into a pot of 4400 giving you odds of just over 8/1 but are you drawing slimmer than that? A Queen now is bad for you as if he does have a raggy King he makes the straight, and any heart could make him a flush (I don't think he has one already). The Tens are good for you as are the Kings and the Aces may be good for a split - but you need to avoid a four flush. So that's two Tens, two Kings and one Ace that'll win the pot for you (two Aces for the split so one for the win) or 5 outs. You can just about draw for that but call this bet and you're damn close to pot committed. You've put 2200 in from a stack of 5600 already, calling this bet makes it half your stack and then what do you do if your draw misses, which it is more likely to do than hit? Can you check-fold leaving yourself 14xBB? He makes a hoover bet on the river and you do check-fold with nothing - good move.
Too bad barely any of that went through my head. I'm still forgetting to think it all through at heads-up and play it more from my gut again. When I played the hand back afterwards thought pretty much as you did but its much easier to do it without the pressure...

That flop bet - what were you thinking when he raised? What did you put him on? I don't think he has second pair beat at that point but has draws all over the shop. He could have an overcard but I reckon he also has a heart. You can't throw your hand in for that min-raise and the turn bet is small enough to seriously think about calling (and I think calling is probably the right move). But what does he have? And when do you think about making the big shove over the top? Does he have anything or is he just betting the scare card because you checked? You could shove on the river and hope he had a ragged high card hand that missed (I don't think he had two broadway cards so you 'only' have to worry about Ax, Jx, K6 and K3) but it is a risk. It comes down to how he has played heads up so far and only you know that.When he re-raised I thought maybe he had Jx, or maybe Ax with a heart. I called the Turn raise as I thought he may have been bluffing at the scare card and wanted him to think I wouldnt be pushed off the hand (hoping he would weaken at the River?).

Personally I think you played the hand OK. I would think about sometimes checking pre-flop though to control the pot size. If you hit you can get plenty of chips in across the remaining streets else you can fold and lose less.Yeah I think I might try to check the marginal hands a bit more in heads-up and throttle some my aggression.

PS: This was the 1st heads-up hand so I really didnt have a read on him in heads-up. My over-all read on him from the game was he was he played tight early but as he got chips and players dwindled he started getting looser and aggressive. Not much help really...

mathare

9th October 2009, 14:02

When I played the hand back afterwards thought pretty much as you did but its much easier to do it without the pressure...Absolutely. Which is why it is good to post up hands like this and to discuss them so when you find yourself in a similar situation in the future (and you will) these thoughts may come to mind more easily

crazybadger

10th October 2009, 02:04

Thought I'd squeeze in a game before cricket...8th

Pretty silly. I've been pondering a theory that at these low levels people are using the all-in shove in the early stages as a semi-bluff attempt. I'd seen it a couple of times on this table and each time it was folded to.

So when I raised with AJs and had 2nd chip lead push over the top of me before the flop I thought he might be trying to push me out with Ax so I call. He had AQ. Pretty poor play really as I had aaaaaaaaaages left to wait for a better chance but I dont think my head was in the game. Lesson learnt.

crazybadger

12th October 2009, 13:14

Two tonight...
3rd
The first game was alright but I didnt really ever get into much of a commanding position. I felt the table was going to be dangerous when these 2 guys went head to head all the way to the river (where they were finally all in) on the first hand with the board of J 9 9 9 3...and they showed AK and AT. Ballsy move to not even put the other on a Jack with the betting, especially first hand....

My play was alright. A good point was a correct read I got on this guy's betting patterns. I got AK and was short-stacked and at the point where a coin-flip was going to be good-enough when he raised. I pushed back at him putting him on a low pair. He had 55 and I hit my Ace to double up.

When we reached ITM I managed to get a good stack only to lose it back to the same guy the very next hand when I had QQ vs AA. Then as short-stack again I pushed with 33, got both callers, and hit my set on the flop only to have the chip lead back into a straight on the river and bust me in 3rd. I would have gone to chip lead without that :icon_tong

My one comment I noticed about my game was that as I get deeper into the game I think I push all-in too early/often. I had a hand where I had seen a relatively cheap flop and hit 2 pair. There was flush draw (maybe a straight too...cant remember). One raise before me and I pushed over-the top. I scared them off but I'm not sure if I really wanted them scared off or whether I wanted them in build that pot...

8th
I saw action on 2 hands...AJ and I bet with the over-cards when the flop missed but ended up getting out when the short-stack shoved on the river.

Then I had KK. Flop was Q 9 6 rainbow and he bet, so I shoved all-in putting him on top pair. I was right. He had QJs (made me an 80% favourite) and he hits his Jack on the river and busts me... :icon_tong

mathare

12th October 2009, 13:22

Sounds like you're really thinking about your game now and learning quickly. Keep it up :thumbs

crazybadger

14th October 2009, 08:58

8th

I was doing alright until a fateful hand that I shall post here. The guy I got beaten by (Markus) was a right tool. He had doubled up early with 33 vs AKo and then was re-raised on the flop (mostly min re-raises) with nothing. He pushed a lot of guys out of hands but the few we saw he didnt have much. He'd lose some but then win some again and stay in the game. Then this happened....

Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2009/10/14 2:21:53 ET
Table '203579768 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Carolinaguit (1570 in chips)
Seat 2: rodfrost (2795 in chips)
Seat 3: crazybadger (1665 in chips)
Seat 4: Oatieo (1195 in chips)
Seat 5: bamm320 (1640 in chips)
Seat 6: chullavida (1720 in chips)
Seat 7: markus879 (1510 in chips)
Seat 9: dengas (1405 in chips)
dengas: posts small blind 15
Carolinaguit: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to crazybadger [Tc Ac]
rodfrost: folds
crazybadger: raises 30 to 60
Oatieo: folds
bamm320: folds
chullavida: folds
markus879: raises 30 to 90
dengas: folds
Carolinaguit: folds
crazybadger: raises 120 to 210
markus879: calls 120
*** FLOP *** [Qs 7s Td]
crazybadger: bets 250
markus879: calls 250
*** TURN *** [Qs 7s Td] [Ad]
crazybadger: bets 1205 and is all-in
markus879: calls 1050 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (155) returned to crazybadger
*** RIVER *** [Qs 7s Td Ad] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
crazybadger: shows [Tc Ac] (two pair, Aces and Tens)
markus879: shows [9s Jc] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
markus879 collected 3065 from pot

There are a few tactical things I tried there (the min raise on the flop to try to lure his re-raise - if he min re-raised it I was going to put him rubbish) and the shove all-in I wanted the call as I figured he must have had a drawing hand or even better had hit a pair or even a weaker 2 pair....

I managed to get build form $155 back to $1200 in chips with a few breaks on my shoves but the blinds were against me and I busted on A7s when I had about 6BB left. :icon_tong

crazybadger

14th October 2009, 10:21

2nd

Played pretty well the entire game building a good stack along the way. Only a couple of questionable actions on my part that I thought were of note:

1) AK early days and 2 limpers before me so I raise and make it 4xBB to play. 3 Callers. The flop is A 9 6 rainbow. I bet a touch over the pot because the number of players had me worried (I dont know why...). I think I should have bet smaller and maybe tried to milk more as no flush draw and only a weak straight (that shouldn't have played my initial raise anyway...). Plus if someone had hit a set then I had bet too much.

2) A9s. I flopped straight draw but checked. He checkes. River is 4 and I check. So does he. Turn pairs the board and I bet about half the pot (with nothing but Ace high). He re-raised me all-in so I folded. Stupid/weak bet on my part I reckon.

3) QQ ITM. Slow play pre-flop by calling. Bet nicely all the way to the river but he hit a straight and put me out. 4 cards to the straight were on the board but I couldn't get away from my pre-flop monster.

It's funny how things go in poker sometimes. Here are some of hands I had all-in battles with, most ITM or HU....

AA v QQ - win
A4s v A9s - lost (hit my 4 on the flop but he runner runners me to a flush)
A5 v A6 - lost
QJ v K8 - lost
A8 v A2 - won
66 v 33 - won
QQ v 65 - lost
44 v KT - lost (bust out in 2nd place)

crazybadger

16th October 2009, 01:38

My boss is away today so I trialled playing a game at work. Risky and could have been bad for my game as there is still a (slight) possibility of distraction...

1st

This was a great game for me. I feel I'vebeen playing pretty well most games but this felt like everything went well but that I played everything well too.

The notes I toook about myplay:
1) AK with A 2 6 flop and I think I was too aggresive with my bet as no callers.

2) 66 and I hit my set on a T 8 6 flop but with flush/straight draws on the board and 4 opponents I bet 200 into a 225 pot. They all folded. I htink maybe I should have tried to extract more money with my set but couldnt give them drawing options (and thought if 1 calls it gives the next better odds...)

3) KT and I tried a steal. Got re-raised all-in by shorty so I fold. I was tempted to call though. I think it was good move as KT isnt that good.

4) AT and some action on the flop. Shorty had raised, I nearly re-raised enough to put him all in but didnt. Called and made value bet after flop and he folded. Excellent...

5) Don't min raise as a steal. Enough said

6) Dont you hate monsters around the bubble and everyone folds to you in the BB?

7) A3 vs A4. I was underdog vs teh short stack but went with the Any-Ace theory when he raised. Got away with it when teh baord went all over-cards.

8) Not pushing as much. Normally in later stages I get trigger happy on all-in move (mentioned in last post) so this time I just raised aggressively instead. It was much better. Push many people out of pots even when flop missed and felt like I was controlling the table. In bubble I went from 4000 (with another 4000 stacker) to 7000 and dominating the table. Very nice.

9) ITM first hand...short pushes and other calls. I have 55 so I call and hit the set! :D

crazybadger

16th October 2009, 08:14

I decided to try playing 2 at once. It didnt go so well however I think I was beaten by poor play but I felt rushed and dont think I will go back to single tables for now.

9th
I had AJ. Flopped top pair with the Jack so I bet. He calles with KT (gutshot straight draw...I didnt give him odds for) and he hits runner T and runner K to win.

7th
Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2009/10/16 2:06:57 ET
Table '204127431 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Sledgekins (3580 in chips)
Seat 2: goty0405 (1820 in chips)
Seat 3: DenW2 (2070 in chips)
Seat 4: $$ Ru$HeR $$ (1640 in chips)
Seat 5: kirilka27 (1350 in chips)
Seat 7: jimino333 (1385 in chips)
Seat 9: *Grüpi* (1655 in chips)
goty0405: posts small blind 25
DenW2: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to goty0405 [Ad As]
$$ Ru$HeR $$: folds
kirilka27: folds
jimino333: calls 50
*Grüpi*: folds
Sledgekins: raises 50 to 100
goty0405: raises 200 to 300
DenW2: folds
jimino333: folds
Sledgekins: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [8d 3h 9h]
goty0405: bets 700
Sledgekins: calls 700
*** TURN *** [8d 3h 9h] [2c]
goty0405: bets 820 and is all-in
Sledgekins: calls 820
*** RIVER *** [8d 3h 9h 2c] [Qc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
goty0405: shows [Ad As] (a pair of Aces)
Sledgekins: shows [Td Jd] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
Sledgekins collected 3740 from pot

I think both times I considered pushing all-in earlier but tried to milk them for more money. So am I getting too greedy? I don't think I gave either of them the right odds to play with those hands but should I have just taken the pots down earlier? I cant say I am too impressed with how these panned out...

crazybadger

16th October 2009, 08:43

7th

I cant seem to get any luck right now...

AK I raised appropriately pre-flop. 2 callers. Flop is K T 3. I bet pot-size and get a re-raise all-in so I call. He has K9 but I just know what's going to happen next...9 on the Turn and I'm chasing the miracle river and I drown. Again.

mathare

16th October 2009, 10:01

9th
I had AJ. Flopped top pair with the Jack so I bet. He calles with KT (gutshot straight draw...I didnt give him odds for) and he hits runner T and runner K to win.Things like that happen, unfortunately. It's how you bounce back from it that matters most. Stay confident, it seems like you're playing well.

And as for the Aces, I think you played them well but just got unlucky again.

crazybadger

16th October 2009, 10:42

Things like that happen, unfortunately. It's how you bounce back from it that matters most. Stay confident, it seems like you're playing well.

And as for the Aces, I think you played them well but just got unlucky again.
Yeah I had to go remind myself that I should be glad with what I saw because in the long-run I will profit from those kinds of calls. Hopefully. For a few seconds I did wonder whether being a chump is better as you see more BS but I quickly talked myself out of that.

Played another and some sanity was restored - 2nd

I even got lucky on a couple of hands, catching a card or 2 on the river to win. I played pretty well throughout again and probably was alittle over the whole thing when I made Heads-up and just got aggressive with A7o and got busted by AQo.

Interestingly he was a chatty man and at the end his final comment to me was: "everytime you raised the limp was waiting for that"... I'm not sure what he means by it as I only raised the limp if I thought I had something and didnt want them to see it cheap/free.

crazybadger

18th October 2009, 14:05

Played 2 today - 8th and 4th

The theme for today was poor misjudgment on my behalf. Just about every-time I got my money in I was the underdog. Not something I've ben seeing a lot as I generally do alright in this regard. Maybe I just had a bad run or maybe I was playing looser then normal.

Hands of note:
1) 22...I held on too long when flop was A 3 4 all spades (I had a spade) and no one bet. Thought 22 might be good and couldnt get away when value-bet at on the turn. He had AQ

2) TT and another was the pre-flop aggressor. King on the flop and he bet again. I fold.

3) AJ hit top pair on flop. Beaten by AQ.

4) AK and board makes 2 pair but he was weak the whole hand. Turns out he had 66 and beats the bottom boarded pair.

5) KQ, 5 handed and I fold to a pre-flop raise. Next guy pushes all-in and they have JJ, AK. Glad I got out.

6) ATs. Bet preflop and get called. A K 9 flush flop. I bet and he pushes over the top. I fold.

7) QJ 4 handed. Hit Q on flop and betting takes me all-in. He has KQ and wins.

8) Very short stacked I get 55 and push. Called and busted by TT.

crazybadger

19th October 2009, 02:22

Another two this morning...7th and 2nd

The 1st game I dont know whether it was my confidence or what but any hands I got I just felt beaten (or got beaten) all the time. Second last hand I had JJ and raised 3xBB and got 2 callers. Flop is A 9 6 and the Ace is a scare card as they easily could have Ace-ragged or better. I end up folding to a bet on Turn.

The very next hand I had QQ. I raised 3xBB with the original limper calling. Flop is J 9 2 rainbow and I think I want to extract money from this (as my previous theory on my play is that I dont get enough big pots when I have the good cards). So I bet small and he calls. Scare card comes on the Turn and and I bet bigger thinking I want to end this and he plays, hitting a King on the river to make is straight with QT in the hole. I didnt give him the right odds for the River but did give him a marginal call after the flop. Maybe I should have shoved?

2nd tournament was the longest bloody game ever! We still had 5 guys at level 8 I think and the bubble just wouldnt burst even though these 2 guys were clinging on to stacks < 4BB.

A9 was my baby during this game. I flopped A 9 8 twice with it. Plus I busted a guy with a bad call on my part with A9s when he had KK. I put him on a big pair but for some reason I just called. I knew the flush possibility didnt improve my hand that much but I still played. I was the bigger stack so I wasnt risking much...

The good thing about the long game was that I built my stack well. Especially as we were 5 and 4 handed it was easy to steal-blinds or bet at flops that missed and make money. And the blinds were so high and antes meant I was getting a good stack. And then I played 1 hand overly aggressive (i.e stupid) in heads-up and lost my advantage. Busted with KJs vs A4 at the end.

crazybadger

19th October 2009, 04:44

1st

My second win at this level and it was a little over-due. Generally played pretty well. Didn't get much to play at the bubble and I got massivley short-stacked but caught a lucky break and clawed my way back in. Then I managed to take control and move on up from there.

I still think I'm not getting enough play when I hit my monsters. I had TT and I 3xBB raised. 3 callers. K T 9 flop and I consider slow playing but decide against it so I bet 1/3xPot and they all fold. Also I had KK 4-handed twice and both times I min-raised (instead of bigger raise) but both times everyone folded. Should I try milking this and just check/call?

I also am getting better at laying down when I'm not confident I'm in front. I think I used to call too much. I had KJ and flop had a Q but no-one bet. The Turn comes with a Jack so I bet but then had a big re-raise over the top. The guy was pretty aggressive and I'd seen him play with nothing before but I got away as I didnt want to risk it.

I also folded an AQ when big raise in front of me. He got a caller and they had AQ, JJ and the Jacks won out.

As I mentioned early I got VERY lucky @ the bubble. I had ~ 7BB and pushed with Q2s. Not the greatest push and my one caller shows QJ making me a 30:70 underdog. The flop throws out a 2 for me and I'm saved! Lucky...

The final hand was a good one. He limped from SB/Button and I checked with 43s. The flop was 853 so I got a small piece of it but I check and he does too. Turn comes a 2 and now I'm looking at bottom pair with an open ended straight draw so I bet. He re-raises me. He could have anything - he slow plays pocket pairs but then he bets with nothing half the time. The raise wasnt that big so I call....6 on the river makes my straight and with no flush draws the only hand that beats me is a 79 to make a higher straight and if he re-raised me with that then good luck to him. The betting takes us both all in and he turns over 55. He had slow played his pairs, flopped a set and continued to slow play and I caught up. Thank you very much!

crazybadger

19th October 2009, 06:46

Two more...6th and 4th

Not much to fault. First game I just wasn't getting much and I pushed with KQ with 10xBB but ran into AA. Game over.

Second game was the same. Reached the bubble as short-stack (still had a fair few BB left but I figured I needed a double up) so I pushed with AQs. Got called with KK. Board went 9 A K A 6 and I bust out with trip Aces to his full house Kings over Aces.

crazybadger

19th October 2009, 06:59

21 games at the $3 + 0.40 level so time for a look at my stats (isn't 21 games such a nice time to look at stats...)

Played: 21
1st: 2 (9.52%)
2nd: 5 (23.81%)
3rd: 1 (4.76%)
Bubble: 2 (9.52%)
5th-7th: 7 (33.33%)
8th-9th: 4 (19.05%)
Spent: $71.40
P/L: $1.50
ROI: 2.1%

Average stacks
Middle - 1848 (aim = 2000+)
Bubble - 3745 (aim = 4000+)
ITM - 5464 (aim = 6000+)
HU - 7311 (aim = 7000+)

So what does that tell me? I'm not too far under any of my stack aims so I think I'm doing alright there. The biggest problem looks like converting heads-up. My goal is win half of all my heads-up matches and I'm not there. Just one more conversion would put me up another $5 profit and put my ROI to 9%.

Also I wanted to cash 50% of the time and I'm under that too. It looks like the biggest problem for that is busting out 5th-7th. Some of those have been just plain unlucky but I think I'm only getting myself into strong chip positions around half the time. Maybe I am too tight early? I see people coming with crap like K6s and then hitting 2-pair on the flop and miking big pots. I am waiting for good hands and if they miss I'm in no mans land, and if they hit I often don't get much return.

The future: I'm under performing at this level but still (just) in profit. I will continue to play this level and this style (with some research on heads-up) until I play a total of 50 games or make $50 profit. At that stage I will review my play again and consider my next move. At my current rate that should mean my next review will be at most 3 weeks away, but hopefully its more like a few days :)

crazybadger

19th October 2009, 09:45

Last one for my day off...1st

I played this game well the entire way. I was a little unlucky that I kept getting zero action with my good cards. I had TT, AK, AKs (twice) all folded to when I bet pre-flop. I wasn't even betting big...

I made one error when I raised with KQs pre-flop. I was in early position and when the flop came A T 4 I tried to buy the pot. I failed. Silly hand for me and I thought it was going to cost me as it was as it made me approach the all or nothing stack size quicker than expected.

I got lucky once and I feel that as I mention some of my more obscure unlucky times I should mgive respect to the times when I get some go my way. I had KQ and while at an alright stack level I figured if I was getting in on a coin-flip then I would be happy as I would need to double up anyway if I was to make past the bubble so I pushed over the top of a re-raiser. He calls with AKs and I'm 25% chance of winning the hand. A flop of J 6 3 sees me drop down to a poor 13% chance to win. 9 on the turn gives me a straight draw but my chance of winning only hits 16%....a Ten on the river gives me the runner-runner straight and probably the most aggressive/dangerous player on the table is sent packing. Thank you :D

After that I played very well. Stole blinds. Hassled the small stacks and I especially played well in Heads-up. I managed to win it with 44 vs AT so very happy.

All in all, my first day off from work to get stuck into my own gambling projects and play some poker and I've played 6 games cashing in 3. Good start.

crazybadger

21st October 2009, 09:03

From yesterday

5th

I really didnt get many good hands to play with in this game. I had built from 1500 to just under 2000 chips when I made a silly(ish) call. It was still 8-handed but 3 of those were getting short-stacked. One of these guys pushed with around 10xBB and I called with AQ. I didnt really try to put him on anything just went in hoping it was a coin-flip or better in my favour. He had AK and won it and instead of me reaching the middle stage with a good chip stack I was cut down. The blinds went up soon after and I was down to 12xBB looking for help. I didnt get it and eventually busted out with Q8s.

Interestingly I just ran several scenarios through PokerStove. My AQ was still a slight favourite (55:45) if it was up against Any broadway and any pair which is probably what I would have put him on. So maybe I made the right call...If I drop some of the unsuited broadways that have gaps (but keeping the Ace-X) then it breaks down to a 50:50 shot. Hmmmmmmm.

crazybadger

21st October 2009, 09:07

And just now..

6th

Disappointing. I managed to build a little when got a free look form the BB with 68 versus the SB. The flop hit my 6 and I bet small after he checked. He called. Same on the turn. I hit my 8 on the River to make 2 pair but now there is a flush and straight chance. He bets. I think it through and call...he had limped in with KK and he was hoping for me to catch up. Well I did. :)

Then nothing for a long time and finally I call a short-stacks shove (around 7-8xBB) with KQ. He has KJ and I'm in front all the way to river until he hits his Jack. It leaves me with 5xBB and I'm screwed. I shove with pretty much any high card and get called with KK and thats all she wrote.

crazybadger

21st October 2009, 11:10

3rd

Upds and downs...

Won a few small to medium pots early that helped. A couple of hands where I had a medium strength hand but read others well, stayed in and won (eg JJ into a board of 6QAQJ). The problm with these was that when I'm in control I usuall build good sized pots but these I was betting small or calling their small bets so the results weren't as good as I would hope. Then again I didnt have the confidence in them all the way so maybe it was good enough.

I was hard done by (again) when I called a 12xBB shove from a short-stack. I had AQ and he had ATs. He hit his Ten and I missed. This left me short-stacked at just under 10xBB and with 7 players left I had just missed my opportunity to get a good chip lead and start controlling the table.

I stole a few blinds but then lost another shove with K8s up against KQ. I had K8s again the following hand (ths time with 5xBB) so I went again and came up against AJ. So I was the under-dog but all hope was not lost. The flop 2T8 brought me back into contention. J on the turn swung it back in his favour but I hit another 8 on the river and got my double up. Very lucky but I'll claim it all evens out :)

A good fold...I had A2 with 12xBB and tried to steal. I got a caller and then a re-raie so I fold (but I did consider pushing with my A-rag). Both end up with pocket pairs. The winner is a straight betting a set. Very good fold

I managed to reach the bubble and ITM short-stacked but I was stealing blinds and staying afloat. I won a good pot with K6 ITM - I hit top pair on the flop and with a short-stack I lured him in with a mid sized bet. He played with AT and hit his T but couldnt find his Ace giving me a good double up.

Then the killer...AK and hit Kj6 on the flop. Het bets first so I re-raise. He Has KT so I'm an 86% chance at winning. Of course the Ten comes out and I bust out in 3rd instead of becomming the big chip leader at the table.

crazybadger

22nd October 2009, 09:19

7th

If you had asked me how I was going after 20-30 minutes of this game I would have said great. I was. I had built my stack well - firstly flopping a full house and slow-playing for a little action, then hitting top pair top kicker with AK, I turned a poor limp with 55 into a small win, and knocked out the first guy with KK.

All signs were great and I was just under 3000 in chips. Then the badness happened....

AT I raised and the BB shoves. It was worth 11xBB (and only half my stack) so I called. He had 33. Even though I hit my Ten he has made his set and I am now down to around 12xBB stack. Ah well.

So I bide my time well, picking up a few blind steals or small pots to keep me going. I get ATs, I have around 14xBB but the blinds are about to go up, and there is an early raiser so I shove over the top. 2 callers and they have AA and JJ. The flop did through up 2 spades to give mea glimmer of hope to screw them all over but alas it did not happen that way and I bust out in 7th. A far cry from where I was in the game about 10 minutes earlier.

crazybadger

22nd October 2009, 10:00

4th

Eegads what is happening?!

This game was crazy. A guy busted out on the first hand betting with 2 over-cards. The winner limped in with 47s and made 2 pair on the flop and laughed all the way. Two hands later we were down to 7 when some guy missed his straight on the river but bluffed all-in and got called.

Then I flopped a full house with TT (2nd time for the night I turned TT into full house) and I slow played it to perfection, letting old mate catch his straight and bet into me. Later I also had JJ flop into a full house but no action that time.

I got a little lucky when I got aggressive with A4. He had limped with T3 but hit bottom pair and was prepared to call, but I Rivered an Ace to save it.

Then once again it just didn't go my way...At the bubble and I had become stack lead. I had an all-in run in with AK and came up against QQ. No runners for me. Then as short stack a few hands later I had ATs and I came up against 99 and once again no runners for me. So in the space of 4 hands I went from chip lead to the bubble boy... :icon_tong

crazybadger

23rd October 2009, 08:34

4th

Another game, another coin flip goes against me.

At the bubble I was one of 3 roughly equal stacks that were behind to a big stack. I get QQ busted by AK to see me out. :icon_tong

Earlier in the bubble I raised preflop 3xBB with 88, 44 and AK and all times I got no action. Maybe I should try to slow play? But I hate slow playing like that beause then if the flop misses and they start betting I've missed out. Then again if the flop was always going to miss then why bet in the first place?

crazybadger

23rd October 2009, 09:30

4th

Call me Bubble boy. That's 3 in a row!

I managed to get some good play early and build a reasonable chip stack. Then I got knocked down when my 77 ran into 99. From then I did alright and picked up some pots here and there but nothing substantial to boost me out of the danger zone.

At the bubble I was also in a terrible position. I was on the left of the massive stack lead who was playing a lot of pots and raising most of them. He would min-raise often and my hands werent good enough to play (he showed them often and he was getting a very good run of cards). It also meant that stealing was not an option as he kept getting into the pot before me and mostly with raises.

Then I had ATs lose to JTs. My KTs hit hit a straight and won a 3-way pot, my A2 split a pot with A4, and then my AQ lost out to a K8s (although I got pot comitted at the flop and he had hit top pair with the 8 and my over-cards werent good enough)

mathare

23rd October 2009, 09:34

Earlier in the bubble I raised preflop 3xBB with 88, 44 and AK and all times I got no action. Maybe I should try to slow play? But I hate slow playing like that beause then if the flop misses and they start betting I've missed out. Then again if the flop was always going to miss then why bet in the first place?Try raising smaller, to 2.25-2.5xBB instead of 3xBB. That should be enough to get rid of the trash, assuming blinds are fairly big relative to the average stack which they should be around the bubble, but may be small enough to entice some of the hands you want in there to play with you.

crazybadger

24th October 2009, 01:46

Terrible terrible terrible

7th

Bad game from me. I jumped into a table straight after breakfast but think I might need to do something else in future to wake up my head wasn't in it. I played 3 hands poorly and that was it:

1) KQ and flop was K98. I bet and he calls. 9 on the Turn and I bet again and he calls again. River is another 9 so I check. He bets and I think he has hte 9 but I call anyway. He does...

2) AJ and I had 1 caller pre-flop. QQ7 flop so I bet after he checks. He calls. Same on the Turn. I check the River and he has called my pre-flop raise with J7 and was hanging in with the bottom pair the whole way.

3) AA and I was shortstacked so I wanted some play. I min-raised but only got 1 caller. Bet tiny after the flop, bet a bigger after the turn but he hits his flush on the river and I'm out. My min raise let him get in with Q7s

8th This one hurt.

I was 2nd chip lead and building a good stack. I won a good pot when my 55 had 6 callers pre-flop and flopped 542! I bet pot sized to not give anyone the straight odds and got 1 caller who eventually folded after the Turn.

And then...I got a free look from the BB with 96. The flop is 78T so I've hit a straight. I raise accordingly and the stack lead pushes all-in over the top of me. I call. If this goes my way I would be sitting on ~5000 in chips and be dominating the table...
He shows 88 meaning he has hit a set but is behind (I'm a 65% chance of winning). Of course the board pairs on the River and he makes a full-house and I'm out. Again.

crazybadger

24th October 2009, 01:55

It really wouldnt be a poker thread without some whinging, and it certainly feels like I've been copping a raw deal recently, but I want to see if I am just unlucky or playing poorly.

So I've gone through my notes and tested the All-in showdowns I could find. I have excluded any where I went all-in after the flop and also excluded ones where I didnt see the opponents cards (only 1 or 2 hands where I was all-oin but they weren't). The stats are:

Hands: 40
Wins: 13 (32.5%)
Lost: 26 (65%)
Split: 1 (2.5%)

Not looking good right off the bat. So am I getting my money in at bad times and that 33:67 strike rate is to be expected? Let's see. Now this isnt a completely accurate method but for this simple analysis it will be good enough - I've calculated the %odds (pre-flop) for each all-in showdown and I'm going to average them to find a very rough figure for what my average chance has been when I've been all-in pre-flop over these 40 occasions.

Average Odds = 45.67%

I was hoping this figure would be just over 50% but I suppose that makes sense. I'm getting my money in pretty well on coin-flips and when I factor in the extra cases when I've been short-stacked by a previously failed showdown then I'm pushing with much looser hands and thus getting poorer odds. All up I'll say thats a pretty good start to be getting my money in and with a bit of luck it could have been 50+.

But using that figure it looks like I am definitely not getting the good luck I should. I'm only winning 1/3 of my pre-flop all-ins and my expected strike rate is much closer to 1/2. And lots of those have been at critical times in the tournaments so the impact on my results (and bankroll) is quite significant.

crazybadger

26th October 2009, 01:56

Having a shocker today. I'm a bit under the weather (and am losing interest in poker due to the run of bad luck I feel I am getting) so maybe I'm not in the best frame of mind.

7th
1) I folded JJ to a T62 rainbow flop when I was massively re-raised. I had raised pre-flop and he was acting after me so I thought he might have had bigger pair or perhaps hit a set. I doubt he would have re-raised me with AT or something.

2) AJ I folded pre-flop as I was next to blinds and didnt want to try to come in and get raised later. I was unsure of this move as AJ can be alright. It did get raised but a flop of AAJ would have been nice for me. Especially as they kept building the pot and playing aggressive. Oh well.

3) KJs I came in and flopped 2 over-cards, plus straight draw plus a flush draw. I bet (but small enough to get callers so my odds were good). I check when the board pairs on the Turn and then a call a small bet which gave me good odds. That gets re-raised and I still call. I hit my flush on the River but it turns out that the paired board had madea full-house for another guy. I didnt even really think about that.

4) Won AA vs AJs when short-stacked

5) KTs and I had about 10xBB stack. I fold to a raiser but I was considering pushing over the top. Someone else did push and they played (AJ and KT) but the flop would have given me the flush and a nice triple up. Oh well.

6) AA flopped AKK. I tried to act weak but it was too scary, even when I bet on Turn so I didnt get much from it

7) This guy said he had to go and was going all-in pretty much every hand. He went with a T7o (and lost to a 99) so I figured it was the truth. He pushed the very next hand and I had 44 with about 10xBB stack so I call. He has 55 and I bust out...

crazybadger

26th October 2009, 02:00

8th

1) 77 folded to a bet on a scare flop of KKJ.

2) 55 folded pre-flop with 1 big raised and a caller. It go re-raised too so very glad I got out.

3) KJs I played for too long. Perhapas I shouldnt have limped in at all...

4) 98 I limped in and made top pair with 863 flop. Turn is a 9 and I've made 2 pair and betting takes me all in. I didnt even think of a 57 playing into a straight there which is exactly what busts me.

Another game where I was just unfocussed and not thinking through. I didnt bother to think about their cards at all and didnt play that well at all. Maybe early morning poker is for me, maybe I'm not feeling to well, or maybe I'm on tilt from poor play I seem to be getting.

crazybadger

26th October 2009, 07:28

1st

An its about time! I'm still running at a loss but if I didnt win one soon I think I may have gone crazy and thought I musnt be able to play this game.

1) I got lucky in a hand early on which is something different for me recently...I had TT. There was an early min-raise and 3 callers so I re-raised 3xBB to get rid of a few people. BB re-raises me and gets 1 caller so I call too, thinking (and hoping) he was playing AK aggressive early to take the pot. He shows KK and the other guy has 8d3d...Flop comes 9TQ and changes me from a 17% chance to a 75% chance and I go on to win and triple up.

From then on I didnt get too much action for a long time. Picked up the odd small pot here and there but wasn't getting much and the guy acting after me was aggressive (and getting a good run of cards so I was prepared to wait out until the blinds got up and made it better for me. Eventually I picked up my aggression and got ITM well 2nd-stack and playing well...

2) Short stack 2xBB raised and I called with A2. Flop was J62 and goes all in (only another 2xBB more) so I call with bottom pair top kicker. He has pocket JJ and doubles up.

3) I pushed all in with AQs and ran into KK (so I was 32% to win). A Q on the flop didnt do much for me but the Ace on the Turn certainly did. A good double up with extra (blinds + antes) wored well. And it was something else going in my favour again...

4) I raised pre-flop with 66 and 1 of the other small stackes (about 1/2 me stack) pushes all in. I call and he only has J8. Its not massivel in my favour (53:47) but I flop my set and I'm now a 97% chance. 7 on the Turn gives him an open ended straight but sanity prevails and I knock him out.

5) Heads up I played pretty well. I got a string of absolute rubbish that werent even worth calling from SB but I played well and built my stack when I could. I managed a cheeky win back up when I came with 73s and hit top pair, won a couple of good pots in a row and it might have affected him (certainly hurt his stack) because he raised at me pre-flop with J9. I pushed all-in with AQs and he called and I win.

crazybadger

1st November 2009, 12:03

I have stopped doing a blow by blow recount of my games but I've still been playing. Well to put it better I've still been losing...anyway I just racked up my 50th game at the $3 + 0.40 level so it's review time. This isn't going to be pretty.

Game Stats:
Played: 50
1st: 5 (10%)
2nd :5 (10%)
3rd: 5 (10%)
4th: 7 (14%)
5th-7th: 17 (34%)
8th-9th: 11 (22%)
-$35.00 (-20% ROI)

Chip Stacks at start of each "Stage"
Middle - 1854 (aim = 2000+)
Bubble - 3337 (aim = 4000+)
ITM - 4538 (aim = 6000+)
HU - 7787 (aim = 7000+)

So what does it all mean? Obviously the results aren't going with me so but I'm so far behind what I expected that maybe I'm just playing poor poker. I think the biggest problem I can think of is that I dont seem to build good stacks early unless I get cards. The last 2 I played I got pocket pairs and suite connectors about 3 times each within the first blind level. And as such I was dominating the table...but that just doesnt hapen enough. I tried limping in a little with marginal hands but I just kept missing the flop.

I think this has a flow-on effect because I'm getting a large number of bad beats in the later stages of the games when it comes to the push or fold for shorties and quite often I am one of the shorter stacks so I'm either busted out or just screwed over and left with a handfull of blinds. If I had a bigger stack then these wouldn't be as much of a problem, and I could even have the liberty of folding a few times.

The second point of that is the bad beats. I'm really copping a hiding when I shouldnt be. I did the stats a few posts ago and I was only winning 33% of my pre-flop all-ins and my average chance at that point was 45%. Those figures have only grown further apart since then. The crap thing is that I dont make many bad calls but I seem to get the made regularly against me and then lose. So I dont really get much of a chance to get an "even-up" because I'm not stupid enough to call like the other guys are...

Finally a positive...my final stages play has been great I'm really getting the hang of playing from the bubble onwards (and earlier depending on the blinds). I'm stealing blinds well, re-raising and showing strength on pots and quite often building my stacks quickly. If only I could make it their more often.

Summary

1) Bad beats...not much I can do about them I dont think. I'm playing good poker and getting my money in well most of the time.

2) Build stacks earlier...Im unsure of how to tackle this. I could try seeing more pots with more marginal hands but then I'm throwing money away too often.

3) Quit?...not right now. But maybe. I've got about 5 projects on the go including playing poker and this is time consuming and not working out so it wont last too long at this rate. I'll aim for another 25 games minimum at this level but maybe another 50 and then reasses. If things have changedm poker will go the backburner while I tackle better things.