Speaking of loving PokerStars Updates....

Another significant change to the VIP club makes purchasing $ bonuses much easier and much more attractive:

From 2+2 http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/28/internet-poker/pokerstars-vip-program-changes-oct-1st-2010-a-887224/

PokerStars VIP Program Changes: Oct 1st, 2010

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PokerStars would like to announce two changes to VIP Club Rewards effective October 1st. These changes are made after listening to input from players here on 2+2 and elsewhere.

Effective October 1st, VIP Reward Bonuses purchased from the VIP Store will instantly reward players with cash. In the past, players had to earn VPPs equal to 7 times the dollar amount of the bonus prior to the reward being credited to their account. This requirement will be removed.

Also, starting October 1st, NL and PL ring games at limits up to and including $0.05/$0.10 will earn VPPs at rates faster than other stakes. The new rates will last at least through December 31st, 2010.

$0.01/$0.02: 12X
$0.02/$0.05: 10X
$0.05/$0.10: 8X

These rates will be reflected at new tables created as of October 1st. Older tables awarding the previous VPP rates may still exist until the next server restart. Note that the 10X multiplier from the MicroMania promotion in July was continued unannounced and is still in effect, so the 'older' tables are awarding 10X VPPs.

NL/PL ring games at other stakes will continue to award VPPs as normal. All Fixed Limit games, including stakes that have been awarding 10X since July, will also award VPPs at normal rates. Some older Fixed Limit tables up to and including $0.10/$0.20 may continue to award VPPs at 10X until the next server restart. The normal VPP rates for ring games are:

8+ seats: 6X
7- seats: 5.5X

Thank you for your continued involvement in helping PokerStars to better serve their customers.

Loving the new PokerStars Update

Some seriously good stuff.  The Average Stack sort feature in the lobby is phenomenal, especially with the new auto buy-in and seat me options (eliminates delay that occurs when using TableNinja).  I also think it is helping get the 100bb games more popular as the default puts those tables at the top of the list.  Fish like easy so they go to the top of the list.  Tada more good 100bb games.

At least that is my theory.  I like the following hand.  I 100% knew my opponent had AJ here based on previous reads and wasn't going to fold a full house.  100% standard and easy play.


Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 913930
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $50.00
UTG: $53.35
MP: $37.70
CO: $54.55
BTN: $51.50
SB: $64.10

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with Q Q
3 folds, BTN raises to $1.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $4, BTN calls $2.50

Flop: ($8.25) 8 8 J (2 players)
Hero bets $4.75, BTN calls $4.75

Turn: ($17.75) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $11.25, BTN calls $11.25

River: ($40.25) 7 (2 players)
Hero bets $30 all in, BTN calls $30

Final Pot: $100.25
Hero shows Q Q (a full house, Eights full of Queens)
BTN shows J A (a full house, Eights full of Jacks)
Hero wins $97.25
(Rake: $3.00)

WWYD - River Play #1 - Turned two pair and facing action from loose-passive

Poker Stars $50.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players - View hand 905042
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $77.20  - your loose passive fish, 66/0/0 > 66 hands
Hero (BB): $50.00
UTG: $96.60
MP: $52.35
CO: $89.55
BTN: $50.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with J 3
4 folds, SB calls $0.25, Hero checks

Flop: ($1.00) J 8 4 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $0.75, SB calls $0.75

Turn: ($2.50) 3 (2 players)
SB bets $2.00, Hero raises to $6.50, SB raises to $11, Hero calls $4.50  (What is his range?  sets a HUGE chunk of the time?)

River: ($24.50) A (2 players)
SB bets $4.00, Hero calls $4  (dumb bet, but what do I do?)

Final Pot: $32.50
SB shows 4 3
Hero shows J 3
Hero wins $30.95
(Rake: $1.55)


I can't figure out how to do the cool, click to show results thing like PokerMeister does, but I'll figure it out.  PM - If you happen to stop by here, please drop me a line with some hints.

What goes up...comes down when you are a TiltMonkey

Ran well at 100NL for a bit, then tilted off the profits in a couple subsequent sessions. It's a little tight on my bankroll so I've decided to drop to 50NL for a bit and conquer my TiltMonkey disease.

Next post, a what would you do post similar to PokerMeister's "Just the facts..a low stakes poker blog."  I'm digging his site and suggest everyone visit it.