I ran up $1.78 to $100. Less then a month ago I decided not to deposit more money on-line and lay in the bed I made. Practicing BR management and of course dropping down to .02/.04 I started to grind it out. As you know my BR mgmt is very lacking so this was good for me. Now that I see it works on-line maybe I can do it live.
I did hit a bump in the road last week loosing 37% of my BR just as I was reaching the $100 mark. I took some time off which helped but I think most of it came from my studies of NL. I carried over the concepts of position, added some aggression and I went on a streak. Now the questions is, do I go back to studying limit or keep going on NL? I may just do both.
Now that I made my goal I will start adding .5/1 tables to my play. The BR is still short but I will add them slowly. At $500 I will add 1/2 tables and so on. I will move up fast to 1/2 but then slow down until I have the proper BR.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Having a Rough Stretch
Was cruising along nicely on-line and then hit a down swing. Mix of bad luck and bad play. I took a couple of days off before trying again and booked a win. The next day down again.
Pretty much the same live. Live, I am also playing above my bankroll. This does and is adding to my woes so I ahve to re-think my plan of attack. I tried to avoid it but I think I will have to grind it out at the 4/8 and 1/2 NL tables. My theory is that 1/2 NL plays as big as 10/20 Limit and 3/5 NL up to 20/40 limit. 3/5 NL killed me last night. I just couldn't hit a flop. By itself it was a normal loss on a bad night, but since my BR is so small it was devastating.
I started to study No Limit. I have been having trouble finding live limit games above 4/8 so I decided to add NL. I am watching and studing Ed Miller's videos on Stoxpoker and then reading the corresponding chapters in his book NL Theory and Practice. I then try it and can see exactly what he means and why.
So back to the grind building a BR. Slow and steady. I guess I will have to warm up to long hours and lots of hands.
Pretty much the same live. Live, I am also playing above my bankroll. This does and is adding to my woes so I ahve to re-think my plan of attack. I tried to avoid it but I think I will have to grind it out at the 4/8 and 1/2 NL tables. My theory is that 1/2 NL plays as big as 10/20 Limit and 3/5 NL up to 20/40 limit. 3/5 NL killed me last night. I just couldn't hit a flop. By itself it was a normal loss on a bad night, but since my BR is so small it was devastating.
I started to study No Limit. I have been having trouble finding live limit games above 4/8 so I decided to add NL. I am watching and studing Ed Miller's videos on Stoxpoker and then reading the corresponding chapters in his book NL Theory and Practice. I then try it and can see exactly what he means and why.
So back to the grind building a BR. Slow and steady. I guess I will have to warm up to long hours and lots of hands.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Commerce
Made it to the Commerce last Tues. night. Pulled in around midnight and went to bed. The rooms were clean and quite. The room rate was $189 but if you talk to the floor they lower it to $139 without an issue. This is the same rate as the Doubletree which is down the road.
Overall it was a let down. Not because of the card room but because I built it up so much in my mind and it was just like my local card room but bigger. The games were just as loose and the players behaved the same. The jackpots were bigger but I didn't hit it. I did see Barry G playing mixed games and Chinese poker but nothing spectacular. Once I got over the excitement and fear that I wasn't as good as these players I settled down into my game. I found I was able to hold my own and I started to grind out some hands.
I played as much as I could and slept as little as I could, so it took until the last day to appreciate the benefits of the large room. I was playing mostly 9/18 and then 20/40. There were multiple games of the 9/18 with a seemingly endless list and mostly the same for the 20/40. If there wasn't a second game the list moved pretty fast and they kept the game full.
There were calling stations in both games but no maniacs throwing money away. I feel like I need to go back to give it a better review. I was so blinded by my expectations and excitement that I didn't get much out of it. The same can be said for when I go to Bay 101. I guess I need to get out more. Anyway, I have now been there and done that so the next time will be better.
As for LA, I didn't see much. My friend lived there so I thought he would play tour guide. Didn't happen. He kept saying that everything would take a whole day and he thought I wanted to play poker all day. I guess with more sleep I would have but he snores. We did make it out to eat twice. Once to Captain Jacks for crab and Chris n Pitts for bar-b-que. I had steamed crab at Captain Jacks and it was huge. Everything on the menu was huge. So if you go there be hungry. The same can be said for the bar-b-que. And they both had great food and I would go again.
I suck at reviews so I will now end my misery and your pain.
Overall it was a let down. Not because of the card room but because I built it up so much in my mind and it was just like my local card room but bigger. The games were just as loose and the players behaved the same. The jackpots were bigger but I didn't hit it. I did see Barry G playing mixed games and Chinese poker but nothing spectacular. Once I got over the excitement and fear that I wasn't as good as these players I settled down into my game. I found I was able to hold my own and I started to grind out some hands.
I played as much as I could and slept as little as I could, so it took until the last day to appreciate the benefits of the large room. I was playing mostly 9/18 and then 20/40. There were multiple games of the 9/18 with a seemingly endless list and mostly the same for the 20/40. If there wasn't a second game the list moved pretty fast and they kept the game full.
There were calling stations in both games but no maniacs throwing money away. I feel like I need to go back to give it a better review. I was so blinded by my expectations and excitement that I didn't get much out of it. The same can be said for when I go to Bay 101. I guess I need to get out more. Anyway, I have now been there and done that so the next time will be better.
As for LA, I didn't see much. My friend lived there so I thought he would play tour guide. Didn't happen. He kept saying that everything would take a whole day and he thought I wanted to play poker all day. I guess with more sleep I would have but he snores. We did make it out to eat twice. Once to Captain Jacks for crab and Chris n Pitts for bar-b-que. I had steamed crab at Captain Jacks and it was huge. Everything on the menu was huge. So if you go there be hungry. The same can be said for the bar-b-que. And they both had great food and I would go again.
I suck at reviews so I will now end my misery and your pain.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Long Road Ahead
Didn't make it to the Commerce yet. Still planning to go, my friend just keeps getting delayed. The new plan is Tues. night heading down there. Gives me some extra time to iron out the kinks.
I had a rough weekend at the Peppermill Sping tournaments. I was down in the cash games and then Sat. I played the noon tournament. Brought home how weak my NL game is. Planning on working on that as soon as I get back from the Commerce.
Anyway, I was actually doing good in the tournament at the first break. I was double the average chip stack but I had been getting lucky. I had a terrible nights sleep Fri. so I was chugging coffee. By the end of the break I was dragging. My table broke and I got moved to a new table. A few hands in I flop a straight on a drawing board. The big stack bets the pot, 1k, and I raise to 5k. He calls. I tell myself to move in on a non-flush, non-straight card. The board pairs and when it is checked to me I move in. He insta-calls and I know I am done. He had 2 pair and filled up. This is why I hate NL. One hand and it is over.
Back to cash games. Tired and tilty from the loss and loose 500 in a 15/30 game. Time to go. Sun. I have more sleep and jump into a 15/30 game. Play ABC poker and start to build a stack. From the start my plan is to play until 5pm. That is 5 hours and I will go home. At 4 I am up 1200, at 4:50 I am up 400. Next time I will play 4 hrs and take atleast an hour break.
The signs where there to leave but I wanted to stick to my plan. I didn't tilt, I got sucked out on. Two big pots, one was my last hand, and I was done. Crap. Nothing I could do but leave. Overall I played well. I was very patient, didn't know exactly how much I was up, let hands go, and was alittle more aggressive. I was alittle tired because I missed a few bets and pots that I should have won.
I am still getting my new form down so I am happy with any win. Was pleased that my tight play got me the chips. The game is so loose but I just waited and took my shots when I had the best of it. It payed off and am optimistic that this is the right way to beat these games. Playing like this on-line too and I am on a nice win streak. Just going to grind it out and play within my bankroll.
I had a rough weekend at the Peppermill Sping tournaments. I was down in the cash games and then Sat. I played the noon tournament. Brought home how weak my NL game is. Planning on working on that as soon as I get back from the Commerce.
Anyway, I was actually doing good in the tournament at the first break. I was double the average chip stack but I had been getting lucky. I had a terrible nights sleep Fri. so I was chugging coffee. By the end of the break I was dragging. My table broke and I got moved to a new table. A few hands in I flop a straight on a drawing board. The big stack bets the pot, 1k, and I raise to 5k. He calls. I tell myself to move in on a non-flush, non-straight card. The board pairs and when it is checked to me I move in. He insta-calls and I know I am done. He had 2 pair and filled up. This is why I hate NL. One hand and it is over.
Back to cash games. Tired and tilty from the loss and loose 500 in a 15/30 game. Time to go. Sun. I have more sleep and jump into a 15/30 game. Play ABC poker and start to build a stack. From the start my plan is to play until 5pm. That is 5 hours and I will go home. At 4 I am up 1200, at 4:50 I am up 400. Next time I will play 4 hrs and take atleast an hour break.
The signs where there to leave but I wanted to stick to my plan. I didn't tilt, I got sucked out on. Two big pots, one was my last hand, and I was done. Crap. Nothing I could do but leave. Overall I played well. I was very patient, didn't know exactly how much I was up, let hands go, and was alittle more aggressive. I was alittle tired because I missed a few bets and pots that I should have won.
I am still getting my new form down so I am happy with any win. Was pleased that my tight play got me the chips. The game is so loose but I just waited and took my shots when I had the best of it. It payed off and am optimistic that this is the right way to beat these games. Playing like this on-line too and I am on a nice win streak. Just going to grind it out and play within my bankroll.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Mind Control
I have been spending alot of time trying to get my mind under control. I guess it is because of all of the stress in my life right now that I finally realized how important it is. Bordem or frustration can lead to tilt and ruin very fast if you aren't on guard.
I also spent most of my bankroll outside of poker so I am in rebuilding mode. I have been playing lower stakes and 1/2 NL. 1/2 NL can play bigger then 4/8 but I have been playing tight to compensate.
In fact, last Saturday I played 10hrs of 1/2 NL to win 500. It was so boring to fold, call/fold, raise/fold, and raise/bet/fold. Most of my winnings came in 2 hands. I flopped a straight and got paid off and then I got all in pre-flop with QQ against AJ. I won some smaller pots in between but how boring. I kept getting big/little so even if I flopped a pair I couldn't bet it or would have to fold to another bet.
I knew I was running bad so I downloaded a book onto my Ipod to listen to while I folded. It paid for itself. I know this is not the best idea but I think it was the right thing for me this weekend. I wasn't bored so I was able to fold everything I was suppose to and turned it off if I got in a hand.
Suppose to go to the Commerce casino for the first time next week. We almost went this week but it turns out that the LA Poker classic is going on and that would have been too much for my first time. I will let you know how that goes and how my rebuilding goes. I would rather stay local to rebuild my bankroll but I can't turn down a chance to go to the Commerce.
I also spent most of my bankroll outside of poker so I am in rebuilding mode. I have been playing lower stakes and 1/2 NL. 1/2 NL can play bigger then 4/8 but I have been playing tight to compensate.
In fact, last Saturday I played 10hrs of 1/2 NL to win 500. It was so boring to fold, call/fold, raise/fold, and raise/bet/fold. Most of my winnings came in 2 hands. I flopped a straight and got paid off and then I got all in pre-flop with QQ against AJ. I won some smaller pots in between but how boring. I kept getting big/little so even if I flopped a pair I couldn't bet it or would have to fold to another bet.
I knew I was running bad so I downloaded a book onto my Ipod to listen to while I folded. It paid for itself. I know this is not the best idea but I think it was the right thing for me this weekend. I wasn't bored so I was able to fold everything I was suppose to and turned it off if I got in a hand.
Suppose to go to the Commerce casino for the first time next week. We almost went this week but it turns out that the LA Poker classic is going on and that would have been too much for my first time. I will let you know how that goes and how my rebuilding goes. I would rather stay local to rebuild my bankroll but I can't turn down a chance to go to the Commerce.
Monday, February 11, 2008
BJ Took All My Money
First poker. Dialed up the aggression this weekend with mixed results. It worked and I was up 2 racks Friday night. Called a friend to go get some beers and lock in the win but he didn't answer so I played more. Didn't dial it back and with some suckouts I gave most of it back.
A friend that likes to play BJ came in late friday night so I was up early Sat. We got some breakfast and I talked him into some poker. Again I was up quickly with my new aggression, but soon gave it back. This time I did dial it back, but I was getting suckout on or missing the flop and having to fold. Still was up for the weekend so not the end of the world. I can see I need to tweek the new style of play but it has great promise.
Then we went to the Grand Sierra for dinner. They were booked so we at at the bar and got a expensive bottle of wine for the two of us. The food was ok but the bar setting wasn't right for the meal. So after downing the bottle of wine we headed to the BJ tables. I took my entire weekend winnings and lost it playing 100 plus a hand.
So I headed to the poker room to win it back in a 1/2 NL game. It was working out like I had planned until I hit a brick wall. I was up 100 when I flopped top two pair. So I bet, got raised, and then I went all in. I turned a fullhouse and at show down I am shown a bigger fullhouse. Rebuy, and on the very next hand I flop a straight. I go all in and the same guy calls to show me a bigger straight. WTF! I had to settle down after this and grind it out. Couldn't get much going and left after only getting 100 back.
I did feel a little better when my buddy came over and told me that he lost everything he had won when we were playing togeather and then hit his credit card for another 1k. Ouch. Why do we feel better when someone is hurting more then us? lol.
Anyway, I know what I was doing was a set back but I have a plan in place to make up for it. I am going to grind out the 4/8 tables 2 times during the week and hit the 10/20 all next weekend. 30 hours of live poker plus work and internet poker should be enough to compensate.
A friend that likes to play BJ came in late friday night so I was up early Sat. We got some breakfast and I talked him into some poker. Again I was up quickly with my new aggression, but soon gave it back. This time I did dial it back, but I was getting suckout on or missing the flop and having to fold. Still was up for the weekend so not the end of the world. I can see I need to tweek the new style of play but it has great promise.
Then we went to the Grand Sierra for dinner. They were booked so we at at the bar and got a expensive bottle of wine for the two of us. The food was ok but the bar setting wasn't right for the meal. So after downing the bottle of wine we headed to the BJ tables. I took my entire weekend winnings and lost it playing 100 plus a hand.
So I headed to the poker room to win it back in a 1/2 NL game. It was working out like I had planned until I hit a brick wall. I was up 100 when I flopped top two pair. So I bet, got raised, and then I went all in. I turned a fullhouse and at show down I am shown a bigger fullhouse. Rebuy, and on the very next hand I flop a straight. I go all in and the same guy calls to show me a bigger straight. WTF! I had to settle down after this and grind it out. Couldn't get much going and left after only getting 100 back.
I did feel a little better when my buddy came over and told me that he lost everything he had won when we were playing togeather and then hit his credit card for another 1k. Ouch. Why do we feel better when someone is hurting more then us? lol.
Anyway, I know what I was doing was a set back but I have a plan in place to make up for it. I am going to grind out the 4/8 tables 2 times during the week and hit the 10/20 all next weekend. 30 hours of live poker plus work and internet poker should be enough to compensate.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Why Do You Play Poker?
At first glance this is an easy question with an easy answer. To make money. That is the answer when you are fully rested, excited to got play, and ready for battle. The problem is that you are not always ready to play or what about after you have been playing for awhile.
I am not being honest with myself when I think about this question. Friday night I stayed home and played on the internet so I could go to bed early and be ready to play Saturday for a marathon session. I ended up staying up till midnight and then at 2 am my upstairs neighbor came home and woke me up. So after a lousy nights sleep I woke up at my normal time tired. I drank coffee and played on the internet to kill the morning and then headed up to play.
Before I got there I was tired. Then I noticed I played a hand badly early in the session just before I went card dead. I battled back to within 100 of even before slipping back down. Then I did it again before slipping into the abyss of being card dead, taking bad beats, and playing badly before I left 12+ hours later and 3 buyins lighter.
If I had been honest with myself before I left I would have said that I am going to play poker because this is what I was planning to do on one of the few days a week that I can play. Then after playing for a while I would have said that I am stuck and I have to get it back because this is one of the only days of the week I can play. Then when I bought my third rack I would have said that I haven't hit bottom yet and if I loose one my rack I can feel truly defeated and go home completly and underly depressed.
And that is what happened. I only asked myself this question once when I was ready to play instead of before I left and through out the night. And on top of it I was not honest with myself. I should have told myself that I can take a nap and go later. I don't need to play 12+ hour a day anyway. Then when I was card dead and almost even I should have said that the cards aren't with me tonight so I quit. And the third time, well, it was to late by then.
I say I play to make money but my actions say that I play because I have nothing else to do. If I want to make serious money at poker I have to start being honest with myself. I can take steps to be rested before I leave but what about during the session? I have to ask myself this question many times during the night and be honest with each answer.
I figure that if I was honest I would have lost 300 dollars over the last two weekends instead of many times that amount. I will correct this NOW.
I am not being honest with myself when I think about this question. Friday night I stayed home and played on the internet so I could go to bed early and be ready to play Saturday for a marathon session. I ended up staying up till midnight and then at 2 am my upstairs neighbor came home and woke me up. So after a lousy nights sleep I woke up at my normal time tired. I drank coffee and played on the internet to kill the morning and then headed up to play.
Before I got there I was tired. Then I noticed I played a hand badly early in the session just before I went card dead. I battled back to within 100 of even before slipping back down. Then I did it again before slipping into the abyss of being card dead, taking bad beats, and playing badly before I left 12+ hours later and 3 buyins lighter.
If I had been honest with myself before I left I would have said that I am going to play poker because this is what I was planning to do on one of the few days a week that I can play. Then after playing for a while I would have said that I am stuck and I have to get it back because this is one of the only days of the week I can play. Then when I bought my third rack I would have said that I haven't hit bottom yet and if I loose one my rack I can feel truly defeated and go home completly and underly depressed.
And that is what happened. I only asked myself this question once when I was ready to play instead of before I left and through out the night. And on top of it I was not honest with myself. I should have told myself that I can take a nap and go later. I don't need to play 12+ hour a day anyway. Then when I was card dead and almost even I should have said that the cards aren't with me tonight so I quit. And the third time, well, it was to late by then.
I say I play to make money but my actions say that I play because I have nothing else to do. If I want to make serious money at poker I have to start being honest with myself. I can take steps to be rested before I leave but what about during the session? I have to ask myself this question many times during the night and be honest with each answer.
I figure that if I was honest I would have lost 300 dollars over the last two weekends instead of many times that amount. I will correct this NOW.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
