And it is a purely psychological matter as well.
For example, when I'm in a SNG, I'm not afraid of losing some chips early. I will go ahead and call someone down with a overpair knowing that I may likely be beat by a better overpair. I have no fear though that I cannot come back from a short stack and take down the game. Heck, yesterday I was down to 360 chips with blinds at 50-100 and 7 players left in a 9seat SNG. I ended up taking 2nd (and should have had first if not for a runner-runner bad beat during HU).
The point being is that my opponent can't get up and walk away with my money in a SNG. I still have a chance to make $$ as long as long as I have chips in front of me. And so far, I'm doing a good job of that. My FT BR is back up over $350 solely on the strength of $5 SNGs. I have enough confidence that I'll be going up to the $10 SNGs without fear of being successful. I'll remain there until my BR rules allow me to start on $20.
With SNGs my opponents can't change during the game and I don't have to develop new reads every 5 minutes. That's been a problem with my PokerStars cash game experiment. I'm too slow to develop reads. I'm too aggressive out of position. And I'm not disciplined enough to give up good but not great hands. Like 88 on a 7-6-3rainbow board. Lost a buy-in to KK. It was obvious he had an overpair yet I called him down. Need to stop doing that.
I also managed to lose half a buy-in with Ac-Qc on a rag board. If the guy calls my first bet, he's probably calling my second bet on a rag board. He may fold away any draws if he has them. The point being, IT WAS A RAG BOARD. Which means he has something and is not drawing at something. That probably means I should stop betting into him and let the hand go!
Sorry for the ramble that is called this post. I need to start writing from home and concentrating on my writing. Otherwise my 6 readers will stop coming back!
In other news, I have an Amazon gift card to spend and want to buy a book that focuses less on tourney NLHE and perhaps more on cash/ring NHLE. What do you all suggest?
My library so far: Super System 2 (very good, will do a write up soon on what this book has taught me), Full Tilt Strategy Guide: Tourney Edition, Dan Harrington's Vol 2.
Thanks for your help!
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT BR: ~$350
PS BR: ~$60
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Reading "Super System 2"
And I have to say I like what I'm reading. So far I've completed the introductions and the "Mad Genius" section. I'm up to "Small Pairs" in Doyle Brunson's NLHE section.
I truly appreciate the way Doyle's section is written in an odd kind of way. It is very personalized, i.e. it's like you are sitting down with him and receiving a master lesson in poker. His thoughts on slowing down with AA with 3 card straights and 3 card flushes on the flop were something I've never considered before. Whenever I've gotten AA in the hole, I plow on indiscriminatly.
I've also been rolling around his thoughts on always attacking the pot, taking down the little ones so he can afford the big ones. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much further detail until I finish the book. I will then provide a more full review.
Now I'm sure most of my fellow bloggers have read this book. What was your opinion? What idea altered your game signficantly?
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT: $310 ->gotta love $5 SNGs...I continue to dominate these 4 out 7 cashes - 2 first, a second, and a third last night.
PS: $67 -> this will be my cash game experiment for the time being. Plan to sit down at 1 $10NL table and grind it out until I figure it out.
I truly appreciate the way Doyle's section is written in an odd kind of way. It is very personalized, i.e. it's like you are sitting down with him and receiving a master lesson in poker. His thoughts on slowing down with AA with 3 card straights and 3 card flushes on the flop were something I've never considered before. Whenever I've gotten AA in the hole, I plow on indiscriminatly.
I've also been rolling around his thoughts on always attacking the pot, taking down the little ones so he can afford the big ones. Unfortunately, I can't go into too much further detail until I finish the book. I will then provide a more full review.
Now I'm sure most of my fellow bloggers have read this book. What was your opinion? What idea altered your game signficantly?
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT: $310 ->gotta love $5 SNGs...I continue to dominate these 4 out 7 cashes - 2 first, a second, and a third last night.
PS: $67 -> this will be my cash game experiment for the time being. Plan to sit down at 1 $10NL table and grind it out until I figure it out.
Friday, January 25, 2008
20/11 and Fixing Massive Leaks
21/11. Terrible. 20/11. Simply terrible. 21/11 is my PokerTracker stats through 1k hands at $10NL.
21/11 is my VPIP and Preflop Raise rates. Basically it means I voluntarily put money in the pot 21% of the time (in essence any time I play a hand outside of BB and do not raise when I am in BB). 11% - the number of times I raise preflop.
So why does I consider this terrible? Because it means that I am playing relatively loose (not maniac fortunately) and calling preflop way too often with marginal hands. For the level I am being forced to play out (BR mgmt), I need to being playing TAG or, in PokerTracker terms, ideally around 15-20 VPIP with about 15-20% Preflop Raises. This means that I'm calling other people raises less frequently and instead putting the decision on them to act.
Which leads me to my next point. Identifying leaks and TRYING to fix them.
1- I fire 2 bullets way too often at the micro level. It's amazing how many people at 10NL will call 3/4 pot bets with only middle pair all the way down to the river after calling a preflop raise. I've cost myself a pretty penny by continuing to bet at them with my A-Q on a jack high board with them calling me down with a pair of 8s and no draws.
2- Calling. period. I've become one of those idiots calling down with middle pair hoping that my other card will hit. Especially true when I'm playing Ace-rag from the blinds and catch the rag.
3- Blinds play. Way too loose. Only premies should be played from here. Don't raise without premies here. If there are any limpers preflop around to you, raising pot (.35 typically at 10NL) the limpers will call and then #1 happens all over again. You are out of position and have not made a hand.
4- Betting/calling without made hands. Another hemmorage area. Weak draws, low pockets.
5 - Low pockets. Need to look at stack sizes and implied odds if you hit the set. Once again at 10NL, very little reason to be raising with low pocket pairs preflop.
6- Need to mix up weak/aggressive plays, even at this level. If you raise every time you have an ace, eventually someone will pick up on you. See #1.
7- Luck has got to turn. I had pocket Aces 4x yesterday in a 2 hour session. They got cracked 3x for huge pots.
AA first time (should have just quit after this hand): Pot sized raises preflop, on the flop, with the turn putting Villian all in. his hand 3-5. Offsuit. River gave him a 6 high straight. Nice play dumbass.
AA second time: AA vs QQ got it all in preflop for $30+ pot (at 10NL, that's huge). Flop A-QQ. After losing this hand, I went from being at $40 profit to ending at -$20. KK got outdrawn by JJ (4 card flush) 3 hands later.
AA third time: AA vs K10 all in preflop for $18. Flop- QJ3 Turn- 8 River- 9 Nice play dumbass.
So after having my BR crushed due to personal expenses, I have now hemorraged 6 buy-ins at 10NL. I have approx 30buy-ins left. Plenty for the limit, just need to improve on the items above.
This weekend will be a nice little break as I'm taking the fiance to LA for the Garth Brooks concert on Saturday night. I need the breather to get my head right.
When I return, I will be playing $5 SNGs to rebuild back up a little bit. My SNG and MTT game is still relatively solid (especially compared to my cash game). I finished in the top 1/3rd of the Mookie getting crippled to the eventual winner when my AcQc wasn't good enough versus his A8off (Flop- 10,4,5 Turn-6, and yep, of course River-7) when we were down to 3tables.
So, obviously I'm a little frustrated with my game right now. When I get back, I'm also going to research how to make videos of my playing. I have found it helpful to actually talk out loud the hands as they happen. Might as well let you all see in what I'm actually doing and what my thoughts are and see if you can help me correct a few of my more glaring leaks.
See you at the virtual felt,
Dubspoke
FT: ~$300
PS: ~100 (haven't played there for a while, may switch over to see if games are any weaker. Additionally, is there rake better there? Unfortunately, I wasn't aware Rakeback existed until I already had a FT account so I do not receive that benefit either.)
21/11 is my VPIP and Preflop Raise rates. Basically it means I voluntarily put money in the pot 21% of the time (in essence any time I play a hand outside of BB and do not raise when I am in BB). 11% - the number of times I raise preflop.
So why does I consider this terrible? Because it means that I am playing relatively loose (not maniac fortunately) and calling preflop way too often with marginal hands. For the level I am being forced to play out (BR mgmt), I need to being playing TAG or, in PokerTracker terms, ideally around 15-20 VPIP with about 15-20% Preflop Raises. This means that I'm calling other people raises less frequently and instead putting the decision on them to act.
Which leads me to my next point. Identifying leaks and TRYING to fix them.
1- I fire 2 bullets way too often at the micro level. It's amazing how many people at 10NL will call 3/4 pot bets with only middle pair all the way down to the river after calling a preflop raise. I've cost myself a pretty penny by continuing to bet at them with my A-Q on a jack high board with them calling me down with a pair of 8s and no draws.
2- Calling. period. I've become one of those idiots calling down with middle pair hoping that my other card will hit. Especially true when I'm playing Ace-rag from the blinds and catch the rag.
3- Blinds play. Way too loose. Only premies should be played from here. Don't raise without premies here. If there are any limpers preflop around to you, raising pot (.35 typically at 10NL) the limpers will call and then #1 happens all over again. You are out of position and have not made a hand.
4- Betting/calling without made hands. Another hemmorage area. Weak draws, low pockets.
5 - Low pockets. Need to look at stack sizes and implied odds if you hit the set. Once again at 10NL, very little reason to be raising with low pocket pairs preflop.
6- Need to mix up weak/aggressive plays, even at this level. If you raise every time you have an ace, eventually someone will pick up on you. See #1.
7- Luck has got to turn. I had pocket Aces 4x yesterday in a 2 hour session. They got cracked 3x for huge pots.
AA first time (should have just quit after this hand): Pot sized raises preflop, on the flop, with the turn putting Villian all in. his hand 3-5. Offsuit. River gave him a 6 high straight. Nice play dumbass.
AA second time: AA vs QQ got it all in preflop for $30+ pot (at 10NL, that's huge). Flop A-QQ. After losing this hand, I went from being at $40 profit to ending at -$20. KK got outdrawn by JJ (4 card flush) 3 hands later.
AA third time: AA vs K10 all in preflop for $18. Flop- QJ3 Turn- 8 River- 9 Nice play dumbass.
So after having my BR crushed due to personal expenses, I have now hemorraged 6 buy-ins at 10NL. I have approx 30buy-ins left. Plenty for the limit, just need to improve on the items above.
This weekend will be a nice little break as I'm taking the fiance to LA for the Garth Brooks concert on Saturday night. I need the breather to get my head right.
When I return, I will be playing $5 SNGs to rebuild back up a little bit. My SNG and MTT game is still relatively solid (especially compared to my cash game). I finished in the top 1/3rd of the Mookie getting crippled to the eventual winner when my AcQc wasn't good enough versus his A8off (Flop- 10,4,5 Turn-6, and yep, of course River-7) when we were down to 3tables.
So, obviously I'm a little frustrated with my game right now. When I get back, I'm also going to research how to make videos of my playing. I have found it helpful to actually talk out loud the hands as they happen. Might as well let you all see in what I'm actually doing and what my thoughts are and see if you can help me correct a few of my more glaring leaks.
See you at the virtual felt,
Dubspoke
FT: ~$300
PS: ~100 (haven't played there for a while, may switch over to see if games are any weaker. Additionally, is there rake better there? Unfortunately, I wasn't aware Rakeback existed until I already had a FT account so I do not receive that benefit either.)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Smart play, Hero call, or am I an idiot?
(Original POSTING FROM WORK, edits are in red italics)
Lunch break poker back in full force....interesting hand at end of session today. Let me know what you think.
Scenario: Villian is the button when I'm BB. Raised my BB 3x in a row but folds the fourth time, the time I have AA of course. Anyways, a fairly loose-aggressive player (22/18 per PT) at low stakes .10/.25 table. I'm playing a very TAG type of game and it is apparent after I get moved off several hands in a short span after raising preflop (AK, AQ, A10suited - missed flop terribly every time and get continuation bet called/re-raised). Table disinegrates and before I can uncheck the auto-post feature, I get SB vs his BB HU. I hold 5-6o. I decide that this will be my last hand and I decide to see if I can outplay someone. (a terrible reason to play any hand, why I am very suspectible to tilt, and a main reason why I'm a losing CASH game player..still trying to figure out how I'm a winning SNG player at the same time).
I raise to .85 from SB. He re-raises me pot. I decide that he thinks he can outplay me and 3bet him 3/4 pot. He flat calls. Pot is now around $16 and I have $18 behind. Villian has ~$21 behind.
Flop comes Qs-10d-6h (if I remember correctly, it could have been two spades). After I check my option, (thanks Mike! see comments) Villian INSTANTLY pushes all-in. And when I say instantly I mean he was all-in before his name even got highlighted.
and I tank. and decide to chat him up while I can. I type:
Hero: "I think that is a bluff"
Villian: "yep"
I hit the time button and think it over before I make the call. Let me know if you agree/disagree and why:
After my raise preflop, he is thinking I am trying to steal and thus re-raises. I think only for a couple seconds before I push back. Now he has to think "oh crap, he must have something then." And then he flat calls.
Typical hands to re-raise with AA, KK, AK, perhaps A-Qs, QQ, A-Js, possibly JJ. I decide to discount the first set. With the first set, he would not only 4bet, but he would 4bet all-in preflop so AA, AK, KK are out. His INSTANTEOUS push post-flop make me disregard A-Q, QQ. Why would you push with TPTK or a top set? Normal play would be a value bet or even a weak bet to entice me (andI've already played the hand very aggressively) into pushing over the top and he collects all my $$.
So far then, the only hands that are ahead of me post flop is A-10 or mid pockets 7s through Js. A-10 is a possibility but a push doesn't make sense with second pair, top kicker. 10-10 doesn't make sense because once again you value/weak bet those to entice me to push. Pocket pairs lower than 10 wouldn't push either.
So the only hand that really scares me here is JJ. The way he had been playing, a push preflop would be more in his style so that hand is out as well.
I put him on A-J. I think he puts me on AK, A-rag or a small pocket pair.
With all that thought, two other actions confirmed to me that I was ahead:
1- The timing of his bet postflop
2- his comment "yep"
Knowing that I am probably suspectible to a redraw to 6 outs (3 aces and whatever rag he is holding), I decide to make the call with low pair and terrible kicker with no real draws of my own. I'm going to win this hand more than 50% of the time and I was essentially getting 2-1 for my $$. (Is that correct, I'm still a nub at calculating odds).
I avoid his As-8h pairing on the turn and river and take down the pot. I go back to work a little bit happier and a little more confident.
EDIT: Home from work - Actual hand history:
FullTiltPoker Game #4954060998: Table Moradi (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:57:29 ET - 2008/01/22Seat 3: shipithollas ($29), is sitting outSeat 4: Mundgeruch ($26.80)Seat 6: DubsPoke ($25)DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10Mundgeruch posts the big blind of $0.25The button is in seat #6*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [6s 5h]
DubsPoke raises to $0.75
Mundgeruch raises to $3
DubsPoke raises to $7
Mundgeruch calls $4
*** FLOP *** [Qs Ts 6c]
Mundgeruch bets $19.80, and is all in
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke: i think that is a bluff
DubsPoke has requested TIME
Mundgeruch: yep
DubsPoke: eh f' it, last hand for me
DubsPoke calls $18, and is all in
Mundgeruch shows [As 8c]
DubsPoke shows [6s 5h]
Uncalled bet of $1.80 returned to Mundgeruch
*** TURN *** [Qs Ts 6c] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [Qs Ts 6c Qd] [9d]
Mundgeruch shows a pair of Queens
DubsPoke shows two pair, Queens and Sixes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($49.50) with two pair, Queens and Sixes
Mundgeruch is sitting out*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $50 Rake $0.50
Board: [Qs Ts 6c Qd 9d]
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
PS - Bankroll took a huge hit this past weekend. I decide to get a puppy for my fiance, I thoroughly sucked at 4tabling .10/.25 cash games, and I decided to join Cardrunners. This adds up to a $450 downswing in my FT bankroll. More on joining Cardunners later.
FT: $434
PS: ~$100
Lunch break poker back in full force....interesting hand at end of session today. Let me know what you think.
Scenario: Villian is the button when I'm BB. Raised my BB 3x in a row but folds the fourth time, the time I have AA of course. Anyways, a fairly loose-aggressive player (22/18 per PT) at low stakes .10/.25 table. I'm playing a very TAG type of game and it is apparent after I get moved off several hands in a short span after raising preflop (AK, AQ, A10suited - missed flop terribly every time and get continuation bet called/re-raised). Table disinegrates and before I can uncheck the auto-post feature, I get SB vs his BB HU. I hold 5-6o. I decide that this will be my last hand and I decide to see if I can outplay someone. (a terrible reason to play any hand, why I am very suspectible to tilt, and a main reason why I'm a losing CASH game player..still trying to figure out how I'm a winning SNG player at the same time).
I raise to .85 from SB. He re-raises me pot. I decide that he thinks he can outplay me and 3bet him 3/4 pot. He flat calls. Pot is now around $16 and I have $18 behind. Villian has ~$21 behind.
Flop comes Qs-10d-6h (if I remember correctly, it could have been two spades). After I check my option, (thanks Mike! see comments) Villian INSTANTLY pushes all-in. And when I say instantly I mean he was all-in before his name even got highlighted.
and I tank. and decide to chat him up while I can. I type:
Hero: "I think that is a bluff"
Villian: "yep"
I hit the time button and think it over before I make the call. Let me know if you agree/disagree and why:
After my raise preflop, he is thinking I am trying to steal and thus re-raises. I think only for a couple seconds before I push back. Now he has to think "oh crap, he must have something then." And then he flat calls.
Typical hands to re-raise with AA, KK, AK, perhaps A-Qs, QQ, A-Js, possibly JJ. I decide to discount the first set. With the first set, he would not only 4bet, but he would 4bet all-in preflop so AA, AK, KK are out. His INSTANTEOUS push post-flop make me disregard A-Q, QQ. Why would you push with TPTK or a top set? Normal play would be a value bet or even a weak bet to entice me (andI've already played the hand very aggressively) into pushing over the top and he collects all my $$.
So far then, the only hands that are ahead of me post flop is A-10 or mid pockets 7s through Js. A-10 is a possibility but a push doesn't make sense with second pair, top kicker. 10-10 doesn't make sense because once again you value/weak bet those to entice me to push. Pocket pairs lower than 10 wouldn't push either.
So the only hand that really scares me here is JJ. The way he had been playing, a push preflop would be more in his style so that hand is out as well.
I put him on A-J. I think he puts me on AK, A-rag or a small pocket pair.
With all that thought, two other actions confirmed to me that I was ahead:
1- The timing of his bet postflop
2- his comment "yep"
Knowing that I am probably suspectible to a redraw to 6 outs (3 aces and whatever rag he is holding), I decide to make the call with low pair and terrible kicker with no real draws of my own. I'm going to win this hand more than 50% of the time and I was essentially getting 2-1 for my $$. (Is that correct, I'm still a nub at calculating odds).
I avoid his As-8h pairing on the turn and river and take down the pot. I go back to work a little bit happier and a little more confident.
EDIT: Home from work - Actual hand history:
FullTiltPoker Game #4954060998: Table Moradi (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:57:29 ET - 2008/01/22Seat 3: shipithollas ($29), is sitting outSeat 4: Mundgeruch ($26.80)Seat 6: DubsPoke ($25)DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10Mundgeruch posts the big blind of $0.25The button is in seat #6*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [6s 5h]
DubsPoke raises to $0.75
Mundgeruch raises to $3
DubsPoke raises to $7
Mundgeruch calls $4
*** FLOP *** [Qs Ts 6c]
Mundgeruch bets $19.80, and is all in
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke: i think that is a bluff
DubsPoke has requested TIME
Mundgeruch: yep
DubsPoke: eh f' it, last hand for me
DubsPoke calls $18, and is all in
Mundgeruch shows [As 8c]
DubsPoke shows [6s 5h]
Uncalled bet of $1.80 returned to Mundgeruch
*** TURN *** [Qs Ts 6c] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [Qs Ts 6c Qd] [9d]
Mundgeruch shows a pair of Queens
DubsPoke shows two pair, Queens and Sixes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($49.50) with two pair, Queens and Sixes
Mundgeruch is sitting out*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $50 Rake $0.50
Board: [Qs Ts 6c Qd 9d]
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
PS - Bankroll took a huge hit this past weekend. I decide to get a puppy for my fiance, I thoroughly sucked at 4tabling .10/.25 cash games, and I decided to join Cardrunners. This adds up to a $450 downswing in my FT bankroll. More on joining Cardunners later.
FT: $434
PS: ~$100
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Pot control or weak play?
You decide:
FullTiltPoker Game #4917468578: Table Helen (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 13:00:40 ET - 2008/01/19
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($79.95)
Seat 2: Paschaa ($47.40) (decent TAG type player)
Seat 3: LL Pimpman ($14.35)
Seat 4: SimmoTV ($19.70)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio ($13.55)
Seat 6: farbiza ($22.70)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
Paschaa posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kh Ks]
LL Pimpman raises to $0.50
SimmoTV folds
michiamoclaudio folds
farbiza folds
DubsPoke raises to $1.75
Paschaa raises to $3
LL Pimpman calls $2.50
DubsPoke calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [2s 3c Td]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa bets $3.75
LL Pimpman folds
DubsPoke calls $3.75
*** TURN *** [2s 3c Td] [3d]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa bets $8
DubsPoke calls $8
*** RIVER *** [2s 3c Td 3d] [9c]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Paschaa shows [Jh Jd] two pair, Jacks and Threes
DubsPoke shows [Kh Ks] two pair, Kings and Threes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($30.90) with two pair, Kings and Threes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $32.50 | Rake $1.60
Board: [2s 3c Td 3d 9c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Kh Ks] and won ($30.90) with two pair, Kings and Threes
Seat 2: Paschaa (big blind) showed [Jh Jd] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Threes
Seat 3: LL Pimpman folded on the Flop
Seat 4: SimmoTV didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: farbiza (button) didn't bet (folded)
FullTiltPoker Game #4917468578: Table Helen (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 13:00:40 ET - 2008/01/19
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($79.95)
Seat 2: Paschaa ($47.40) (decent TAG type player)
Seat 3: LL Pimpman ($14.35)
Seat 4: SimmoTV ($19.70)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio ($13.55)
Seat 6: farbiza ($22.70)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
Paschaa posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kh Ks]
LL Pimpman raises to $0.50
SimmoTV folds
michiamoclaudio folds
farbiza folds
DubsPoke raises to $1.75
Paschaa raises to $3
LL Pimpman calls $2.50
DubsPoke calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [2s 3c Td]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa bets $3.75
LL Pimpman folds
DubsPoke calls $3.75
*** TURN *** [2s 3c Td] [3d]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa bets $8
DubsPoke calls $8
*** RIVER *** [2s 3c Td 3d] [9c]
DubsPoke checks
Paschaa checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Paschaa shows [Jh Jd] two pair, Jacks and Threes
DubsPoke shows [Kh Ks] two pair, Kings and Threes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($30.90) with two pair, Kings and Threes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $32.50 | Rake $1.60
Board: [2s 3c Td 3d 9c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Kh Ks] and won ($30.90) with two pair, Kings and Threes
Seat 2: Paschaa (big blind) showed [Jh Jd] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Threes
Seat 3: LL Pimpman folded on the Flop
Seat 4: SimmoTV didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: farbiza (button) didn't bet (folded)
Good read or terrible play?
Look over the hand below, what is your opinion?
FullTiltPoker Game #4917330654: Table Helen (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:45:23 ET - 2008/01/19
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($59.25)
Seat 2: Paschaa ($45.35)
Seat 3: LL Pimpman ($11.20)
Seat 4: SimmoTV ($23.75)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio ($22.50)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
Paschaa posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kc Ks]
LL Pimpman folds
SimmoTV folds
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act
michiamoclaudio raises to $1
DubsPoke raises to $2.75
Paschaa folds
michiamoclaudio raises to $4.50 (uh-oh)
DubsPoke calls $1.75 (I call)
*** FLOP *** [Ad 8d 8c]
DubsPoke checks
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act
michiamoclaudio bets $5.50
DubsPoke calls $5.50
*** TURN *** [Ad 8d 8c] [8s]
DubsPoke checks
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act (timing was a factor in my decision)
michiamoclaudio bets $12.50, and is all in
DubsPoke calls $12.50
michiamoclaudio shows [Qd Qs]
DubsPoke shows [Kc Ks]
*** RIVER *** [Ad 8d 8c 8s] [Td]
michiamoclaudio shows a full house, Eights full of Queens
DubsPoke shows a full house, Eights full of Kings
DubsPoke wins the pot ($43) with a full house, Eights full of Kings
michiamoclaudio is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $45.25 | Rake $2.25
Board: [Ad 8d 8c 8s Td]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Kc Ks] and won ($43) with a full house, Eights full of Kings
Seat 2: Paschaa (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: LL Pimpman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: SimmoTV didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio (button) showed [Qd Qs] and lost with a full house, Eights full of Queens
FullTiltPoker Game #4917330654: Table Helen (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:45:23 ET - 2008/01/19
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($59.25)
Seat 2: Paschaa ($45.35)
Seat 3: LL Pimpman ($11.20)
Seat 4: SimmoTV ($23.75)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio ($22.50)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
Paschaa posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kc Ks]
LL Pimpman folds
SimmoTV folds
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act
michiamoclaudio raises to $1
DubsPoke raises to $2.75
Paschaa folds
michiamoclaudio raises to $4.50 (uh-oh)
DubsPoke calls $1.75 (I call)
*** FLOP *** [Ad 8d 8c]
DubsPoke checks
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act
michiamoclaudio bets $5.50
DubsPoke calls $5.50
*** TURN *** [Ad 8d 8c] [8s]
DubsPoke checks
michiamoclaudio has 15 seconds left to act (timing was a factor in my decision)
michiamoclaudio bets $12.50, and is all in
DubsPoke calls $12.50
michiamoclaudio shows [Qd Qs]
DubsPoke shows [Kc Ks]
*** RIVER *** [Ad 8d 8c 8s] [Td]
michiamoclaudio shows a full house, Eights full of Queens
DubsPoke shows a full house, Eights full of Kings
DubsPoke wins the pot ($43) with a full house, Eights full of Kings
michiamoclaudio is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $45.25 | Rake $2.25
Board: [Ad 8d 8c 8s Td]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Kc Ks] and won ($43) with a full house, Eights full of Kings
Seat 2: Paschaa (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: LL Pimpman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: SimmoTV didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: michiamoclaudio (button) showed [Qd Qs] and lost with a full house, Eights full of Queens
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What she take, she giveth back...
In a matter of 3 hands, I went down from 1 buy-in to making that buy in back plus 3/4 buyin in the positive.
Overbetting for value against a weak player who overplays ever top pair:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896491784: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:09:41 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($18.95)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($24.40)
Seat 3: huffnail ($18.75)
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($29.50)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($10)
Seat 6: Godsim ($33.45)
huffnail posts the small blind of $0.10
GoldenPhoenix posts the big blind of $0.25
verona-gal posts $0.25
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kd Ac] (uh oh...big slick)
verona-gal checks
Godsim folds
DubsPoke raises to $1.10
tommycartoon folds
huffnail calls $1 (very loose players, plays a lot of hands; doesn't bluff much but overplays every top pair)
GoldenPhoenix folds
verona-gal calls $0.85
*** FLOP *** [8c As 3c] (good flop for me)
huffnail checks
verona-gal checks
DubsPoke bets $17.85, and is all in (he's a fish, any ace and he's calling this bet)
huffnail calls $17.65, and is all in (see.... =)
verona-gal folds
DubsPoke shows [Kd Ac]
huffnail shows [Ad Qs]
Uncalled bet of $0.20 returned to DubsPoke
*** TURN *** [8c As 3c] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [8c As 3c 4d] [3d]
DubsPoke shows two pair, Aces and Threes
huffnail shows two pair, Aces and Threes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($36.95) with two pair, Aces and Threes
huffnail is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $38.85 | Rake $1.90
Board: [8c As 3c 4d 3d]
Seat 1: DubsPoke showed [Kd Ac] and won ($36.95) with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 2: tommycartoon (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: huffnail (small blind) showed [Ad Qs] and lost with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: verona-gal folded on the Flop
Seat 6: Godsim didn't bet (folded)
A fish sits down and then stands up...:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896509123: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:11:11 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($45.50)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($24.40)
Seat 3: mister805 ($10.60)
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($29.15)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($0), is sitting out
Seat 6: Godsim ($33.20)
Godsim posts the small blind of $0.10
DubsPoke posts the big blind of $0.25
verona-gal adds $10
5 seconds left to act
mister805 posts $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [8h 7d]
verona-gal has returned
tommycartoon folds
mister805 checks
GoldenPhoenix folds
Godsim calls $0.15
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke checks
*** FLOP *** [8c 7h 3c] woohoo, but i don't like that flush draw...
Godsim has 15 seconds left to act
Godsim bets $0.75
DubsPoke raises to $6.75 (time to overbet and protect)
mister805 raises to $10.35, and is all in (set!?)
Godsim folds
DubsPoke calls $3.60
mister805 shows [Ad Kc] (WOOHOO!)
DubsPoke shows [8h 7d]
*** TURN *** [8c 7h 3c] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [8c 7h 3c Ts] [6h]
mister805 shows Ace King high
DubsPoke shows two pair, Eights and Sevens
DubsPoke wins the pot ($21.10) with two pair, Eights and Sevens
mister805 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $22.20 | Rake $1.10
Board: [8c 7h 3c Ts 6h]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (big blind) showed [8h 7d] and won ($21.10) with two pair, Eights and Sevens
Seat 2: tommycartoon didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: mister805 showed [Ad Kc] and lost with Ace King high
The deck slaps me in the face:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896559416: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:15:32 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($55.15)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($27.40)
Seat 3: mister805 ($0), is sitting out
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($30.75)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($10)
Seat 6: Godsim ($27.95)
Godsim posts the small blind of $0.10
DubsPoke posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [As Ad]
tommycartoon folds
GoldenPhoenix folds
verona-gal raises to $0.75
Godsim folds
DubsPoke raises to $2.25 (standard re-raise)
tommycartoon stands up
verona-gal raises to $7.50
DubsPoke raises to $55.15, and is all in
verona-gal calls $2.50, and is all in
DubsPoke shows [As Ad]
verona-gal shows [Ah Kd]
Uncalled bet of $45.15 returned to DubsPoke
*** FLOP *** [Jd 5h 2d]
*** TURN *** [Jd 5h 2d] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Jd 5h 2d 2c] [6c]
DubsPoke shows two pair, Aces and Twos
verona-gal shows a pair of Twos
DubsPoke wins the pot ($19.10) with two pair, Aces and Twos
verona-gal is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $20.10 | Rake $1
Board: [Jd 5h 2d 2c 6c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (big blind) showed [As Ad] and won ($19.10) with two pair, Aces and Twos
Seat 5: verona-gal (button) showed [Ah Kd] and lost with a pair of Twos
Overbetting for value against a weak player who overplays ever top pair:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896491784: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:09:41 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($18.95)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($24.40)
Seat 3: huffnail ($18.75)
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($29.50)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($10)
Seat 6: Godsim ($33.45)
huffnail posts the small blind of $0.10
GoldenPhoenix posts the big blind of $0.25
verona-gal posts $0.25
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Kd Ac] (uh oh...big slick)
verona-gal checks
Godsim folds
DubsPoke raises to $1.10
tommycartoon folds
huffnail calls $1 (very loose players, plays a lot of hands; doesn't bluff much but overplays every top pair)
GoldenPhoenix folds
verona-gal calls $0.85
*** FLOP *** [8c As 3c] (good flop for me)
huffnail checks
verona-gal checks
DubsPoke bets $17.85, and is all in (he's a fish, any ace and he's calling this bet)
huffnail calls $17.65, and is all in (see.... =)
verona-gal folds
DubsPoke shows [Kd Ac]
huffnail shows [Ad Qs]
Uncalled bet of $0.20 returned to DubsPoke
*** TURN *** [8c As 3c] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [8c As 3c 4d] [3d]
DubsPoke shows two pair, Aces and Threes
huffnail shows two pair, Aces and Threes
DubsPoke wins the pot ($36.95) with two pair, Aces and Threes
huffnail is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $38.85 | Rake $1.90
Board: [8c As 3c 4d 3d]
Seat 1: DubsPoke showed [Kd Ac] and won ($36.95) with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 2: tommycartoon (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: huffnail (small blind) showed [Ad Qs] and lost with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: verona-gal folded on the Flop
Seat 6: Godsim didn't bet (folded)
A fish sits down and then stands up...:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896509123: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:11:11 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($45.50)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($24.40)
Seat 3: mister805 ($10.60)
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($29.15)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($0), is sitting out
Seat 6: Godsim ($33.20)
Godsim posts the small blind of $0.10
DubsPoke posts the big blind of $0.25
verona-gal adds $10
5 seconds left to act
mister805 posts $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [8h 7d]
verona-gal has returned
tommycartoon folds
mister805 checks
GoldenPhoenix folds
Godsim calls $0.15
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke checks
*** FLOP *** [8c 7h 3c] woohoo, but i don't like that flush draw...
Godsim has 15 seconds left to act
Godsim bets $0.75
DubsPoke raises to $6.75 (time to overbet and protect)
mister805 raises to $10.35, and is all in (set!?)
Godsim folds
DubsPoke calls $3.60
mister805 shows [Ad Kc] (WOOHOO!)
DubsPoke shows [8h 7d]
*** TURN *** [8c 7h 3c] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [8c 7h 3c Ts] [6h]
mister805 shows Ace King high
DubsPoke shows two pair, Eights and Sevens
DubsPoke wins the pot ($21.10) with two pair, Eights and Sevens
mister805 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $22.20 | Rake $1.10
Board: [8c 7h 3c Ts 6h]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (big blind) showed [8h 7d] and won ($21.10) with two pair, Eights and Sevens
Seat 2: tommycartoon didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: mister805 showed [Ad Kc] and lost with Ace King high
The deck slaps me in the face:
FullTiltPoker Game #4896559416: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:15:32 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($55.15)
Seat 2: tommycartoon ($27.40)
Seat 3: mister805 ($0), is sitting out
Seat 4: GoldenPhoenix ($30.75)
Seat 5: verona-gal ($10)
Seat 6: Godsim ($27.95)
Godsim posts the small blind of $0.10
DubsPoke posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [As Ad]
tommycartoon folds
GoldenPhoenix folds
verona-gal raises to $0.75
Godsim folds
DubsPoke raises to $2.25 (standard re-raise)
tommycartoon stands up
verona-gal raises to $7.50
DubsPoke raises to $55.15, and is all in
verona-gal calls $2.50, and is all in
DubsPoke shows [As Ad]
verona-gal shows [Ah Kd]
Uncalled bet of $45.15 returned to DubsPoke
*** FLOP *** [Jd 5h 2d]
*** TURN *** [Jd 5h 2d] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Jd 5h 2d 2c] [6c]
DubsPoke shows two pair, Aces and Twos
verona-gal shows a pair of Twos
DubsPoke wins the pot ($19.10) with two pair, Aces and Twos
verona-gal is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $20.10 | Rake $1
Board: [Jd 5h 2d 2c 6c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (big blind) showed [As Ad] and won ($19.10) with two pair, Aces and Twos
Seat 5: verona-gal (button) showed [Ah Kd] and lost with a pair of Twos
Terrible...simply terrible....
This is the type of @#%@# that has me on a nearly $100 downswing at FT right now. Started last night, continuing today...
FullTiltPoker Game #4895897802: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:17:58 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($26.90)
Seat 2: AlexTrebekIsGod ($24.75)
Seat 3: huffnail ($15.60)
Seat 4: rowdy20 ($31.45)
Seat 5: Davis12 ($25.20)
Seat 6: Pissuru ($4.75)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
AlexTrebekIsGod posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Qs Qd]
huffnail folds
rowdy20 folds
Davis12 has 15 seconds left to act
Davis12: u have a higher pair there then 22
Davis12 folds
Pissuru raises to $0.50
DubsPoke raises to $1.50
AlexTrebekIsGod folds
Pissuru calls $1
*** FLOP *** [6c Td Ad]
rowdy20: i had at least 66
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke checks
Pissuru bets $3.25, and is all in
DubsPoke calls $3.25
Pissuru shows [4s 5h] really?
DubsPoke shows [Qs Qd]
*** TURN *** [6c Td Ad] [3s] no way....
*** RIVER *** [6c Td Ad 3s] [2c] F U FT.
Pissuru shows a straight, Six high
DubsPoke shows a pair of Queens
Pissuru wins the pot ($9.30) with a straight, Six high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $9.75 | Rake $0.45
Board: [6c Td Ad 3s 2c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Qs Qd] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 2: AlexTrebekIsGod (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: huffnail didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: rowdy20 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Davis12 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Pissuru (button) showed [4s 5h] and won ($9.30) with a straight, Six high
FullTiltPoker Game #4895897802: Table Udine (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:17:58 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: DubsPoke ($26.90)
Seat 2: AlexTrebekIsGod ($24.75)
Seat 3: huffnail ($15.60)
Seat 4: rowdy20 ($31.45)
Seat 5: Davis12 ($25.20)
Seat 6: Pissuru ($4.75)
DubsPoke posts the small blind of $0.10
AlexTrebekIsGod posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DubsPoke [Qs Qd]
huffnail folds
rowdy20 folds
Davis12 has 15 seconds left to act
Davis12: u have a higher pair there then 22
Davis12 folds
Pissuru raises to $0.50
DubsPoke raises to $1.50
AlexTrebekIsGod folds
Pissuru calls $1
*** FLOP *** [6c Td Ad]
rowdy20: i had at least 66
DubsPoke has 15 seconds left to act
DubsPoke checks
Pissuru bets $3.25, and is all in
DubsPoke calls $3.25
Pissuru shows [4s 5h] really?
DubsPoke shows [Qs Qd]
*** TURN *** [6c Td Ad] [3s] no way....
*** RIVER *** [6c Td Ad 3s] [2c] F U FT.
Pissuru shows a straight, Six high
DubsPoke shows a pair of Queens
Pissuru wins the pot ($9.30) with a straight, Six high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $9.75 | Rake $0.45
Board: [6c Td Ad 3s 2c]
Seat 1: DubsPoke (small blind) showed [Qs Qd] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 2: AlexTrebekIsGod (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: huffnail didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: rowdy20 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Davis12 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Pissuru (button) showed [4s 5h] and won ($9.30) with a straight, Six high
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The "Scare Card Bluff"
One of my favorite moves is the "Scare Card Bluff." Essentially it goes down like this:
Aggressive player with position raises preflop. Flat call with decent starting hand from the blinds. Flop comes ugly, usually a single face with some type of draw, the more obvious the draw the better. For example, flush draws are awesome. 3 connectors may potentially work as well but results may vary.
Identify the draw quickly and check quickly to help enhance opponent feeling you may be on draw plays. Aggressive player will raise with ATC most of the time. Flat call. Timing of call is based on how you have previously played your draws. You must be aware of your own image in order for this to work.
If turn card hits the draw, you have two options. A) Raise big quickly B) check-raise big as aggressive player will typically overbet or probe bet. If you get called, then river is up to you. You can push real hard on river and hope he doesn't have what you are bluffing. Or you can cut your losses and check down. Once again, table image is a big factor in your success. (PS don't pull this on maniacs who will call down with any mid or top pair! This move works better with players you perceive as ABC-type of poker players, more on that at a later date.)
If turn misses, flat call any value bet and cross your fingers that your scare card hits on river.
If it does, you're golden, lead out your big bet of 3/4ths pot. A check-raise obviously won't work here as you'll get checked behind and lose the opportunity.
Here is an example of this move. Hand occurred during my "Lunch Break Poker Session" today:
Table: .10/.25 NLHE cash - 6max
Checked around to button who is an aggressive tight player, very ABC poker. Raise from position with AxFace. Not a whole lot of hands but will play them aggressively. Raise pot to $0.85. SB folds. DubsPoke calls from BB with KcQs.
Flop: Jd - 4h -4d
Check my two overcards. Button raises pot. I call quickly as I set my move into play.
Turn: 8s
Check my two overcards. Button raises quickly just slightly less than pot. He is obviously trying to protect his hand from draws. I figure he has A-J.
River: Kd
BINGO! He has to be scared I just called him down with the draw and hit. PLUS I also paired one of my overcards so I do have an out if he decides I don't have the flush I have represented. I raise slightly over 3/4 (around $8 into $10 pot). Villian types in "nice river" and folds. I will refrain from highlighting the other nice thoughts he had about my "call down to the river on only a draw."
A few hands later, I'm dealt Aces in the CO. I raise preflop 3x BB. Get called by SB, BB, and Villian I had just abused in the hand above. Villian is in MP. Flop comes J-and two suited undercards. After SB and BB check, villian opts to raise pot again (once again ABC poker player defending a hand against the flush draw). I reraise here to isolate Villian. He reraises all in for his $40 stack (huge overbet because he's on tilt). I tank and call for my $30 stack and double up as his A-J (no flush draw) doesn't improve.
Fun stuff.
See ya at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT BR: $815 (terrible day on Monday where I got tilted after my first hand of the day was AA and got whooped by gut shot straight draw that nailed on river. Proceeded to lose with A-k, A-q, QQ, and A10sooooottteed in a matter of 15-20 hands. This is a game about emotion control. I didn't have it and it cost me $100. Lesson learned. Moving on.)
Aggressive player with position raises preflop. Flat call with decent starting hand from the blinds. Flop comes ugly, usually a single face with some type of draw, the more obvious the draw the better. For example, flush draws are awesome. 3 connectors may potentially work as well but results may vary.
Identify the draw quickly and check quickly to help enhance opponent feeling you may be on draw plays. Aggressive player will raise with ATC most of the time. Flat call. Timing of call is based on how you have previously played your draws. You must be aware of your own image in order for this to work.
If turn card hits the draw, you have two options. A) Raise big quickly B) check-raise big as aggressive player will typically overbet or probe bet. If you get called, then river is up to you. You can push real hard on river and hope he doesn't have what you are bluffing. Or you can cut your losses and check down. Once again, table image is a big factor in your success. (PS don't pull this on maniacs who will call down with any mid or top pair! This move works better with players you perceive as ABC-type of poker players, more on that at a later date.)
If turn misses, flat call any value bet and cross your fingers that your scare card hits on river.
If it does, you're golden, lead out your big bet of 3/4ths pot. A check-raise obviously won't work here as you'll get checked behind and lose the opportunity.
Here is an example of this move. Hand occurred during my "Lunch Break Poker Session" today:
Table: .10/.25 NLHE cash - 6max
Checked around to button who is an aggressive tight player, very ABC poker. Raise from position with AxFace. Not a whole lot of hands but will play them aggressively. Raise pot to $0.85. SB folds. DubsPoke calls from BB with KcQs.
Flop: Jd - 4h -4d
Check my two overcards. Button raises pot. I call quickly as I set my move into play.
Turn: 8s
Check my two overcards. Button raises quickly just slightly less than pot. He is obviously trying to protect his hand from draws. I figure he has A-J.
River: Kd
BINGO! He has to be scared I just called him down with the draw and hit. PLUS I also paired one of my overcards so I do have an out if he decides I don't have the flush I have represented. I raise slightly over 3/4 (around $8 into $10 pot). Villian types in "nice river" and folds. I will refrain from highlighting the other nice thoughts he had about my "call down to the river on only a draw."
A few hands later, I'm dealt Aces in the CO. I raise preflop 3x BB. Get called by SB, BB, and Villian I had just abused in the hand above. Villian is in MP. Flop comes J-and two suited undercards. After SB and BB check, villian opts to raise pot again (once again ABC poker player defending a hand against the flush draw). I reraise here to isolate Villian. He reraises all in for his $40 stack (huge overbet because he's on tilt). I tank and call for my $30 stack and double up as his A-J (no flush draw) doesn't improve.
Fun stuff.
See ya at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT BR: $815 (terrible day on Monday where I got tilted after my first hand of the day was AA and got whooped by gut shot straight draw that nailed on river. Proceeded to lose with A-k, A-q, QQ, and A10sooooottteed in a matter of 15-20 hands. This is a game about emotion control. I didn't have it and it cost me $100. Lesson learned. Moving on.)
Monday, January 14, 2008
6 days is a long time for me...
To not make a post! I got to attend my company's national sales conference last Wed-Saturday where I was fortunate enough to win a nice award. This was detrimental to my poker efforts for the week.
But that's not to say that I didn't take advantage of it on Sunday. Will post some stats at some point but the great news is that I'm currently a winning cash game player.
Bankroll up to $844 on FT. Looking forward to playing tonight. Will post some interesting hands.
Take care,
DubsPoke
But that's not to say that I didn't take advantage of it on Sunday. Will post some stats at some point but the great news is that I'm currently a winning cash game player.
Bankroll up to $844 on FT. Looking forward to playing tonight. Will post some interesting hands.
Take care,
DubsPoke
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Interesting hand...need input
So my lunch break poker has gone from turbo SNGs to .10/.25 no-limit hold'em (according to bankroll rules 5% x $800 = $40 so $25 max buy-in fits). I had this hand come up today:
Table: .10/.25 6max NL Hold'Em Ring Game
Folded around to Villian on button who limps. Villian has been semi-tight but limping and raising from button often. SB folds. I raise 4x BB to $1 from the BB with 6c7c. Villian flat calls.
Flop:
7s-6s-6d
So I flopped the nuts more or less. I check. Villian raises pot. I flat call.
Turn: 2h
I check again. Villian raises 3/4 pot. I run down the clock and call with about half my time bar left.
River: 9s
Now I don't know what to do. I've been playing the hand like I have faces or ace high or possibly on the flush draw. I decided to bet out around half the pot for value. Villian folds relatively quickly. How could I have gotten more value out of the hand?
Was the river bet a poor idea? Should I have checked down to see if I could get him to fire another bullet or was the scare card already too much? I think the smarter play would have been a small raise on the turn.
I'll post a cleaner recap from PokerTracker when I get home but for now this will do. Look forward to your input.
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
P.S. - My cash game is improving. 0 losing sessions in 7 tries on the ring game in 2008. profit of $50+ on micro limits of .05/.1 and .10/.25. Will post stats later.
Table: .10/.25 6max NL Hold'Em Ring Game
Folded around to Villian on button who limps. Villian has been semi-tight but limping and raising from button often. SB folds. I raise 4x BB to $1 from the BB with 6c7c. Villian flat calls.
Flop:
7s-6s-6d
So I flopped the nuts more or less. I check. Villian raises pot. I flat call.
Turn: 2h
I check again. Villian raises 3/4 pot. I run down the clock and call with about half my time bar left.
River: 9s
Now I don't know what to do. I've been playing the hand like I have faces or ace high or possibly on the flush draw. I decided to bet out around half the pot for value. Villian folds relatively quickly. How could I have gotten more value out of the hand?
Was the river bet a poor idea? Should I have checked down to see if I could get him to fire another bullet or was the scare card already too much? I think the smarter play would have been a small raise on the turn.
I'll post a cleaner recap from PokerTracker when I get home but for now this will do. Look forward to your input.
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
P.S. - My cash game is improving. 0 losing sessions in 7 tries on the ring game in 2008. profit of $50+ on micro limits of .05/.1 and .10/.25. Will post stats later.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Something I need to do better...
is my blogging! Half the point of this blog is to gain insight from my fellow bloggers on areas of my game to improve. Hard to do that if I'm not giving you much to comment on. By this I mean that I need to start posting more interesting hands, how I played them and why, and asking for feedback from my esteemed fellow poker players out there. I will make it a goal to post at least 3 hands throughout the week for comment.
On the poker front it was an up and down weekend again. Bad beats and coolers were a common theme. However, for the first time that I can ever remember, the cash games treated me well. 5 positive sessions at the .05/.10 NL tables resulted in making up for the losses suffered at the SNGs.
Final result:
FT Bankroll: $835
PS Bankroll: $100 (just not playing much here yet. Monsterstack made a good suggestion to practice my micro limit cash game here. I think I'm going to follow that advice.)
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
On the poker front it was an up and down weekend again. Bad beats and coolers were a common theme. However, for the first time that I can ever remember, the cash games treated me well. 5 positive sessions at the .05/.10 NL tables resulted in making up for the losses suffered at the SNGs.
Final result:
FT Bankroll: $835
PS Bankroll: $100 (just not playing much here yet. Monsterstack made a good suggestion to practice my micro limit cash game here. I think I'm going to follow that advice.)
See you at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008 Goals
Time to state my goals for 2008:
1- STAY BOUND TO MY BANKROLL RULES! I seriously need to stop donking it up and playing MTTs I have no business in playing yet. I love taking shots at the $24+2 $24k guaranteed on FullTilt. However, my bankroll rules do not allow this. The point of bankroll rules is to build my bankroll and prevent myself from buying in at levels that are not appropriate. If I want an MTT experience, I'll stick to the $5 and lower buy ins until my bankroll allows for larger investments. Either that or satellites.
2- Become a consistent cash winner at the micro stakes and slowly go up as my bankroll increases. I'm currently break even in cash games. Now I need to go even farther.
3- Read my books! I have Harrington's book as well as Doyle's SuperSystem yet haven't read them or studied them. Just owning them isn't enough, I need to READ and STUDY them as well! I will also be looking to purchase and READ/STUDY 3 more books of esteem before the end of 2008.
4- Make $10k in 2008. To some this isn't much. To me, it is a fairly lofty goal but achievable if I play smart, consistent poker.
Those are my 4 goals so far. I'll be adding more as I think about it more.
See ya at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT BR: $785
PokerStars BR: $105
1- STAY BOUND TO MY BANKROLL RULES! I seriously need to stop donking it up and playing MTTs I have no business in playing yet. I love taking shots at the $24+2 $24k guaranteed on FullTilt. However, my bankroll rules do not allow this. The point of bankroll rules is to build my bankroll and prevent myself from buying in at levels that are not appropriate. If I want an MTT experience, I'll stick to the $5 and lower buy ins until my bankroll allows for larger investments. Either that or satellites.
2- Become a consistent cash winner at the micro stakes and slowly go up as my bankroll increases. I'm currently break even in cash games. Now I need to go even farther.
3- Read my books! I have Harrington's book as well as Doyle's SuperSystem yet haven't read them or studied them. Just owning them isn't enough, I need to READ and STUDY them as well! I will also be looking to purchase and READ/STUDY 3 more books of esteem before the end of 2008.
4- Make $10k in 2008. To some this isn't much. To me, it is a fairly lofty goal but achievable if I play smart, consistent poker.
Those are my 4 goals so far. I'll be adding more as I think about it more.
See ya at the virtual felt,
DubsPoke
FT BR: $785
PokerStars BR: $105
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