Terrible

Running horribly. Playing badly. Very, very, very frustrating. About to lose the star in sharkscope. Dropping down.

I've lost about $60, which if you're counting, is like 11 $5.50 SNGs. I have not cashed in the last about seven or eight of them. This SUUUCKS.

Luck is turning against me

It's not actually true - I've still been getting lucky and having good hands hold. It just seems that way because the last few SNGs have not gone so great. I had a second, and third, and the rest were losses. Losing flips, really. The last one I bubbled hurt. I came back from the low stack and fought, fought, and fought, while the chipleaders were feeding the other low stack, finally to wake up with a real hand at 150/300 (with about a 2k stack), 88, shove UTG, and get called by KQ, and then lose. I don't think I can effectively raise in that spot without committing myself, so all in I think is the right play. Maybe, call pre then shove anything? Like the shove better.

Sufferred a horrible beat in my quest to make the 1 a day freeroll. Knew I wasn't going to have a ton of time to play at night, so I played CAP NLHE cash in the morning. It was happy hour and made like 3 points. Only to find out that the happy hour points don't count, and I was credited .95 points, which is .05 off what I needed to qualify. Fuuuuuuuuuck.

Finally flopped a set...

Full Tilt Poker Game #9609755399: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (73269411), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:24:36 ET - 2008/12/21
Seat 1: jwraimee (4,459)
Seat 2: buddhasisters (2,641)
Seat 4: pochofer (2,175)
Seat 8: sickballer_3 (2,710)
Seat 9: actzeng (1,515)
jwraimee posts the small blind of 60
buddhasisters posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [2c 2s]
pochofer folds
sickballer_3 folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 360
jwraimee folds
buddhasisters raises to 600
actzeng calls 240
*** FLOP ***
[2d Tc 9h]buddhasisters bets 2,041, and is all in
actzeng calls 915, and is all in
buddhasisters shows [Kd Td]
actzeng shows [2c 2s]
Uncalled bet of 1,126 returned to buddhasisters
*** TURN *** [2d Tc 9h] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [2d Tc 9h 9c] [Ts]
buddhasisters shows a full house, Tens full of Nines
actzeng shows a full house, Twos full of Tens
buddhasisters wins the pot (3,090) with a full house, Tens full of Nines
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 3,090 Rake 0Board: [2d Tc 9h 9c Ts]Seat 1: jwraimee (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 2: buddhasisters (big blind) showed [Kd Td] and won (3,090) with a full house, Tens full of NinesSeat 4: pochofer didn't bet (folded)Seat 8: sickballer_3 didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: actzeng (button) showed [2c 2s] and lost with a full house, Twos full of Tens

Despite this, things have gone ok. Feel like I left money on the table, but I always do unless I win. I feel like I'm playing patiently, and making plays to give myself a chance to win. I haven't experienced a beat this sick in a while. I'm pissed.

Moving up, but not as fast as I'd like.

A couple games of grinding tonight. Finished second in both of them. One was a bad beat, and the other, I got beat badly. The difference between second and first is so great though, I always feel like I've missed out.

Again, at the risk of instigating the next downswing, it's been a good month. Sharkscope and BR are at an all time high. The $5 experiment seems to be working thus far, although I think it's due in part to the fact that I have been playing well. Doing things like flopping a set and just betting POT instead of moving all in, even though a flush draw is on the board. That, and being able to lay down marginal hands, especially early in the SNGs.

As I said, it's been a good month, although not the best. The graph is skewed because sharkscope just started covering MTTs, and I had that $92 win the other day. It, however, has the POTENTIAL to be the best month - which is all I can ask for - the opportunity to do well. Although, I was in this spot last June, and went on a wicked downswing.

I won't try to force things other than to just try to qualify for the one a day freeroll.

Poker not going great, but there are good things in life

Just losing flips, not anything really huge.

On another note - I kind of got a glimpse into what life would be like without friends and a person like my brother in my life. Kind of strange. When you're all grown and things seem to be "normal", you kind of forget what a strange and weird time growing up is. There are so many different things that you give consideration to when you're younger that just doesn't occur to you when you're older. Or is it the other way around?

Without any kind of real support system or anyone to show you a different way, you can get so lost in your own world that you can't fit in to the world around you. And that's hard enough - when you look different, sound different, your parents are different - basically, when you're different. Being an outsider is something that can consume you.

Running Well

And not running well also. I guess it's about even. The baby could not sleep without someone holding her through the night, and the wife was nice enough to let me take a nap yesterday evening, so the job was mine. I don't mind so much. At least I got in a few poker hands.

Yesterday's MTTs were kind of a debacle. I really didn't focus on them. There was that KQ hand, but there was also a hand I lost with AA vs. AK vs. TT when a T hit the flop. That would have sent me, but it was not to be. Just gotta dodge those bullets in that situation. Nothing else I could do.

I regret playing the early double. It's fun to mix it up, but when you just go completely card dead, you wonder why you put a relatively large amount of money in ($6) when you know you're negative EV.

Played three SNGs this morning, and it helped make up for the earlier losses. First game, I was the first one eliminated. I had QQ in mid pos, one or two limpers, and a big re-raiser all in out of the big blind. Generally, people holding AA or KK do not raise like this, opting more often to put in that middle-raise, where it puts the opponent to a decision push it all over the top or fold. I called, and did so correctly, as he turned over AJ. An ace on the flop sent me packing.

The next game, I nitted it up, and we were 4-5 handed for quite a long time. I hit some crucial hands at big moments - flopped a straight with rags, etc. Also won again with KQ to AK when I flopped the straight. It was a dogfight, but I ended up getting HU and getting QQ and AJ on back to back hands and took all the chips, even though I probably shouldn't have won.

The next game, I should have won, but lost. I had a spewtard on my left and we ended up getting HU. Official poker rankings is an ok guage on a player's ability, but isn't nearly as good as sharkscope with the precision. Official poker rankings had my opponent as a losing player, and, as is a pretty common trend (I'll get to this in a second), he played big and had some relatively big wins early on, and is now nitting up the $5-$10 games.

Anyways, with QT, I call a raise, and it comes down T high. I have a 2.5k chip advantage at this point. No doubt, the way we have been playing, I 100% have the best hand here. He bets the flop, leaving himself with about 3.5k, and I have to decide how much to bet.

I had check raised him several times in this exact situation about 2-3 times before (usually with top pair), but I had not pushed all in. I was confident about my hand, and confident about my read to think that this was the point I wanted to strangle him and get his frustration call. I was right. He called and flipped up KJ. Turn K, River, K. Next hand I get AK, he pushes QQ, and I miss, game over.

As I said before, a lot of the players I am now encountering, when I look them up on official poker rankings, have a very good history early on, but then just get banged on so hard that they end up dropping down to where I am. It is rare to find someone who is a winning player, according to their calculations. Although mine is modest, it is still on the winning side. I wonder if these guys get a $500 win early and then just decide that they belong in the $75 games. Then they hit a losing streak of 9 straight and it's all gone. It is interesting because OFP's first page is just the player's wins. You have to click on a tab to also display the losses. I mean, some guys have multiple, large three and sometimes four figure scores and do NOT have a profit to show for it!

I wonder if I belong in those games.

In total for the weekend, BR is up. Will consider perhaps moving to $10 games if I can run this up to $1k. That's still a long, long way away though.

I am playing so well

Full Tilt Poker Game #9493212890: $1 Tournament (72338336), Table 30 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:30:34 ET - 2008/12/14
Seat 1: performer8 (4,013)
Seat 2: chadrock78 (2,890)
Seat 3: paulwat (1,225)
Seat 4: laguna creek (2,487)
Seat 5: Evesuvio (2,665)
Seat 6: Sonora Slew (2,120)
Seat 7: actzeng (1,425)
Seat 8: beat me 61 (1,690)
Seat 9: Kazama_Jin1708 (2,270)
Evesuvio posts the small blind of 20
Sonora Slew posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kh Qh]
actzeng calls 40
beat me 61 folds
Kazama_Jin1708 calls 40
performer8 calls 40
chadrock78 folds
Sonora Slew is feeling happy
paulwat raises to 280
laguna creek folds
Evesuvio folds
Sonora Slew folds
actzeng calls 240
Kazama_Jin1708 folds
performer8 raises to 4,013, and is all in
paulwat calls 945, and is all in
actzeng calls 1,145, and is all in
performer8 shows [Qc Ac]
paulwat shows [Ks Ad]
actzeng shows [Kh Qh]
Uncalled bet of 2,588 returned to performer8
*** FLOP *** [9s Ts Jh]
*** TURN *** [9s Ts Jh] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [9s Ts Jh 9d] [4d]
performer8 shows a pair of Nines
actzeng shows a straight, King high
actzeng wins the side pot (400) with a straight, King high
paulwat shows a pair of Nine
sactzeng wins the main pot (3,775) with a straight, King high
paulwat stands up

PLO Woes

I should probably just stop playing PLO. I'm not playing well. Losing to first time players. Not running well either. Surprising how simply hitting your 23482934802 outs on the turn and river will change your attitude about whether you're playing well or playing badly.

NLHE is going ok. At least it's profitable. I think I got my BR to an all-time high. I don't remember exactly what the high number was. It was after I won that $1 tourney last year.

Obviously, I've lost a few games since then, but overall, I'm up about $15 or so. If I can win a few today, there will be no question.

I am going to put a stop loss on my play today. Basically, if I lose that $15, I'm stopping. Doesn't help that I just tanked a PLO game. Got bluffed out of a big pot holding Top Top, he led out for basically the game on the river and flashed a pair of tens after I folded.

He will obv not win a ton playing that way, but I guess he had a read against me.

HOW IS POKER GOING?!

Full Tilt Poker Game #9473183632: $2 + $0.15 Heads Up Sit & Go (72325909), Table 1 - 15/30 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 14:26:38 ET - 2008/12/13
Seat 1: PFC_Witman (1,445)
Seat 2: actzeng (1,555)
PFC_Witman posts the small blind of 15
actzeng posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [As Qs Kh Ks]
PFC_Witman raises to 90
actzeng raises to 270
PFC_Witman raises to 810
actzeng raises to 1,555, and is all in
PFC_Witman calls 635, and is all in
actzeng shows [As Qs Kh Ks]
PFC_Witman shows [Th 4d 5d Ts]
Uncalled bet of 110 returned to actzeng
*** FLOP *** [2c Td 2h]
*** TURN *** [2c Td 2h] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [2c Td 2h 7h] [Ah]
actzeng shows two pair, Aces and Twos
PFC_Witman shows a full house, Tens full of TwosPFC_Witman wins the pot (2,890) with a full house, Tens full of TwosThe blinds are now 20/40

Now running bad

This will be a trying time - a bit, anyways. In the last 2 days, I was way up in my experiment, and now fallen back to almost even. I'm not going to recount the hands because I don't think it's necessary. Yesterday, the hands played themselves. I got stuck in bad spots with big hands and that was it.

This is exactly why I didn't want to do this experiment - the swings. I'm down almost $30 right now, and maybe no end in sight. That is a lot of $2 games - to make up that kind of money. That's 6 $5 games, and basically $12 in the 2 dollar games, and that kind of losing streak rarely happens at $2.

I need to get back to being patient. I will try. Last game I crippled myself with top pair on the river, chasing an open ended straight (oppenent had flopped 2 pair). And then pushed into an UTG raiser with 99 and he had JJ. Not a great play.

PLO not going well

I busted in like 108th place in the $1 Turbo. I totally forget what the bustout hand was, but I remember being quite disappointed. Three straight cashes would have been pretty cool. Then proceeded to donk off some more in HU PLO. Lost 2 games, basically.

I do not feel that I got outplayed. Sometimes it is just a struggle. You flop the straight, get it in, and they hit some miracle flush or FH on the river. This happens over and over. One of the games I lost, I lost early. I had K-high flush, and yep, he had me beat.

I keep wondering how long I should wait until I start playing higher in MTTs, especially given my most recent results. I'm not dumb enough to think that I'm going to start ripping shit up on every tourney I play, but the recent results have to be in part due to some disciplined play. I was looking back over mt MTT results and my ROI is pretty good. I guess I have to discount for the improved quality of play, but who knows how much improved the players really are at that level. My guess is - not much. I will probably give it a more serious shot when/if I can get my BR to four figures. That will probably be about 6-7 months of solid grinding.

I think one of the factors influencing the better play is the Gus book. I'm not that far through it, but it helped me in terms of bet-sizing when the antes start. I'm still really bummed about that guy hitting his two outer on the river, because there's no telling what I could have done with a top 10 stack at that point.

The other major concept that I've been making a part of my game is something that I call conceptually in my head "the in between." When I'm not playing well, I constantly think I need to go all in in certain spots. This is true sometimes, but not as much when I'm playing well. Sure, you have to bet, and catch some cards, but "the in between" is about bet-sizing, especially when you have a weak hand or a bluff - like AK on a nothing flop, or playing mid-pairs. The all in with a weak hand or bluff is just too weak of a play nowadays (you will get called), and folding sometimes is just too passive. Whenever I feel like I am in a situation where it is all in or fold, I'm trying to ask myself whether there's something I can do that's in between. A bet that is big enough to represent a real hand but also small enough that it looks like you want the call. Often, the right decision, and what is perceived as a strong play to your opponents is to do something in between all in and fold. I should post a hand as an example of this. The biggest consideration of the in between is your opponent's stack size.

Objects in mirror...

Amazingly enough, I made another MTT run. This time in the 6-max $1 on FTP. We were pretty well into the money when I just started running bad. The worst was when I got all my money in with 99 on a flop that read TT2, and he called. With 55!!!. Turn was good, but the river didn't cooperate. I later made a mini comeback only to lose to the same guy. I had AK, raised, he RR me all in, I called. He had 77. Flop came a K, but also a 7. Turn was a tease K, and river was nothing, although the odds gods probably should have given it to me. Anyway, less than a dollar profit on it. Thought all along it was strange I was running through this one the same way as the last one.

Since the MTTs are going ok, I'm going to play the $1 turbo tonight.

Cue the downswing

Bad. Getting my money in good when the money is on the line and just not hodling up.

so stupid

I shouldn't play after going deep in a tourney. I just needlessly called an all in on a BOB action with K8 os and lost to his Ace rag. WTF - so stupid.

Changes

I ended up playing one more and got three handed and then lost with 77 to K4 when the board counterfeited me at the end. Strange how you can play so well and then just get unlucky at the crucial hand and that's the big money difference.

Speaking of big money difference, I just finished third in a $1 tourney for $93 dollars. Nice to get to a final table again because it's been a while. I got to the final table in third, and people started dropping like flies - even people who jumped ahead of me. Ultimately, I crippled myself with pocket 3's, overplayed some good hands, and then shipped A5 three handed only to get called by A7 and that was it.

I was gonna do the $5 experiment and end it whenever I either won or lost $100 from my original starting point. I'm past that now. As these things go, I also played a $2 HU PLO game and lost to a guy who just started playing FTP today and misclicked into PLO. Go figure.

I will probably keep with the $5 thing and just add a hundred to my previous stop loss. Just fired up an SNG, so will update later. Also doing a razz freeroll for no good reason.

Back to Even

So I'm back to zero in the experiment. Played two SNGs this morning. The first, I lost with AJ vs. A7 AIPF in blind on blind action. Flop came 7 high. I'm still in the second game as I write this blog. crippled myself with KK on the BB. UTG +1 called, I raised to 350 - blinds were 50/100. I had about 3k, and he had about 2k. He raised to 600 and I moved all in. I guess at that point, he's indicating to me that he at least has a big hand. I think it's very possible I'm getting my money in good, but alas, I was getting my money in as a huge dog. He had AA, flop hit the A (even though the river was a K). I went down to about 900

Anyways, I ended up more than doubling up when I flopped a straight with 7-4 os in the BB. We're 4 handed now, so I'm going to try and eek this one out. And the bubble boy just got Greensteined and I'm ITM! I'm the low stack by a long way, but will continue to battle. Won a flip - my 33 vs. KJos, hitting hands and now back up to respectability. Baby's crying. Bob on Twin Peaks. My 77 got counterfeited on the river but I pulled off a decent bluff - he was betting and showed no strength and checked the river on a JJ88 board.

I cannot limp into any pots vs the guy on my left (Mr. AA from earlier). Wow crippled bigtime with A3cc on a AJ8 board with 2 clubs. He bet, I raised, he called, turn 9 - he had T7. You play well sir - knew I should have pushed all in. Back in business after doubling with AT vs. A3.

Ace rag all in in BOB, and he folded. Binds 200/400 - limped into BB with QT (did not have enough to justify raise, and I figured he'd RR for me. We got it in pre, and he had 88 and I won the flip. AQ RR all in pre up against AQ, split. Huge hand between other 2 guys - KQ vs. AQ. I'm out in third with AQ vs. KK. Shit. I could have waited and tried to finish second, but I chose to go for the win and was a huge dog. I suck.

And I lost

Full Tilt Poker Game #9331791796: $2 + $0.15 Heads Up Sit & Go (71317461), Table 1 - 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 7:11:29 ET - 2008/12/05Seat 1: alwaysbusto (1,520)Seat 2: actzeng (1,480)alwaysbusto posts the small blind of 10actzeng posts the big blind of 20The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [2h Ac Jc 7h]
alwaysbusto raises to 60actzeng calls 40
*** FLOP *** [As 7d 6d]
actzeng bets 60alwaysbusto raises to 300actzeng raises to 1,020alwaysbusto raises to 1,460, and is all inactzeng calls 400, and is all in
alwaysbusto shows [3s 5d 7c Qd]
actzeng shows [2h Ac Jc 7h]Uncalled bet of 40 returned to alwaysbusto
*** TURN *** [As 7d 6d] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [As 7d 6d 9s] [Kd]
alwaysbusto shows a flush, King highactzeng shows two pair, Aces and Sevensalwaysbusto wins the pot (2,960) with a flush, King high
actzeng stands upalwaysbusto stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,960 Rake 0Board: [As 7d 6d 9s Kd]Seat 1: alwaysbusto (small blind) showed [3s 5d 7c Qd] and won (2,960) with a flush, King highSeat 2: actzeng (big blind) showed [2h Ac Jc 7h] and lost with two pair, Aces and Sevens

I guess I could have done the same thing on the turn and worked for pot control. Probably what I should have done, although I'm not sure how he figures he's ahead here.

Going ok

So I guess the experiment unofficially started last night and it's going alright. I took third and first in SNGs. Would have gone better if I had not just tilted off $5 in a HU PLO game against some trash Italian player. I know he's trash because he had all kinds of negative numbers on official poker rankings. Got me tilted when I had JJ and flop came with 2 fours. He played it a little tricky, but he had a 4 in his hand. Next hand, I flopped the nut straight, but it was all diamonds. The betting should have told me everything I needed to know about where I was in the hand, but my brain went on "fuck it" mode, and I shoved it in, and he had 7d4d, gg me. He wanted to rematch, which is annoying and I declined.

As I write this, I have dropped back down to the $2 SNGs. I will file this under the divided attention exemption, although hopefully I don't go out of my way to find excuses to play lower, although I'm sure I will. As I write this, I won one hu plo sng, and just got crippled in another. Flop came TT9 and I had AT - we shipped it on the flop, he had a T also, but was a dog to me, untl he binked the J on the turn, which filled him up. He had straight draws, so whatever. I made a mini comeback, but just lost and we're rematching now. Not a good day so far I guess.

At least NLHE is going ok tho, and I'll jump back on for a couple games tonight. It's finally friday.

Suicidal Thoughts

Not in real life, but just poker BR-wise. I was checking the leaderboard on sharkscope, and saw that another player who is in the top 20 for Omaha and O H/L games under $2 also plays much higher. With an 11% ROI and average stake at about $12 or so, he has played something ridiculous like 18,000 games. BUT, he has made about 24k playing. Interesting. He plays almost exclusively H/L. His graph is almost a steady incline - no real dips or rises.

Do I have the guts to do this? Just ramp it up to $5 every game or $10 every game? It's amazing how much of a nit I am and I start going crazy about losing $6 and dipping below the $1k threshold. I put these imiginary barriers in front of me and end up convincing myself that - if I can just eek out a little more, then I'll play higher. What ends up happening is that if I do go on a great streak, it's followed by a downswing, then I convince myself to cash out some of it. But for what? $100. To this day, I can't single out one thing in particular that I have purchased with my oline poker winnings, which to date is about $600 or so (at least the amount I have withdrawn) - maybe more, but I forget how much I pumped into it and all that, and also the stuff on Party.

Before FTP put in the $2 games, I was playing $5 SNGs regularly, and had less than 1/3 the bankroll I have now. What's changed?

The only real and true barrier for me is losing the entire online BR. I have no way of getting money back onto the site, and the prospect of losing it all makes me such a nit. The biggest issue is not the prospect of never playing again. I feel comfortable about the fact that I could walk away forever at any time and never go back. The biggest issue is not having the ability to play if I wanted to. There's a distinct difference, the latter much more frustrating, mentally. It will mean that I have lost my online roll, and failed. I like having options, even if my option of choice is not to play at all.

But, there's a happy medium, I think. I think I can probably safely set aside $100 of BR, and play strictly $5 games (aside from MTTs). If I lose $100, the experiment is over, and I go back to grinding $2 games. In fact, if I lose $100 from the point I am right now, I will not be too far off from my previous low point - in other words, I have recently grinded the $2 games into a $70 profit in the last 3 months or so, and am somewhat confident in my ability to be able to do it again, although it is a long and arguous process.

A couple disclaimers - now that my daughter is here, I will allow myself to play $2 games when my attention is divided among various things. this is one of the things I love about the $2 games - they are relatively inconsequential in the end. Nice to win, but if I lose, whatever. Even if I lose 4 in a row, sucks, but has almost no effect on my total bankroll. $20 may have that effect, but I'm hoping that I can eek out the same results at the $5 level as the $2 level.

I don't know when I'm going to start this, which is the problem. I keep thinking about how much it would suck to lose $100.

Does anyone read this blog? If so, please post a comment.

Lucky/Unlucky

I did pass the $1k threshold, but I won't be there for too long. In fact, I think I'm already under it. Thanks to hands like this.

Full Tilt Poker Game #9309750309: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (71159653), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:15:21 ET - 2008/12/03
Seat 2: caseycat2 (2,840)
Seat 3: actzeng (1,195)
Seat 4: Zulu94598 (3,045)
Seat 5: darqblue42 (2,195)
Seat 8: resler101 (2,435)
Seat 9: XPhillyRobX (1,790)
caseycat2 posts the small blind of 40
actzeng posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [9d 2d]
Zulu94598 calls 80
darqblue42 folds
resler101 folds
XPhillyRobX folds
caseycat2 folds
actzeng checks
*** FLOP *** [Kh 3d Qd]
actzeng checks
Zulu94598 bets 160
actzeng raises to 1,115, and is all in
Zulu94598 calls 955
actzeng shows [9d 2d]
Zulu94598 shows [Ah Ac]
*** TURN *** [Kh 3d Qd] [Ad]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 3d Qd Ad] [As]
actzeng shows a flush, Ace high
Zulu94598 shows four of a kind, Aces
Zulu94598 wins the pot (2,430) with four of a kind, Aces
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,430 | Rake 0
Board: [Kh 3d Qd Ad As]
Seat 2: caseycat2 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: actzeng (big blind) showed [9d 2d] and lost with a flush, Ace high
Seat 4: Zulu94598 showed [Ah Ac] and won (2,430) with four of a kind, Aces
Seat 5: darqblue42 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: resler101 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: XPhillyRobX (button) didn't bet (folded)

Keeping on

I'm posting again, knowing full well that this is probably going to lead to another downturn in luck, but it is what it is.

November wrapped up ok. I ended up losing the star on sharkscope, and I think it's half bad play on my part and half just getting unlucky. Despite the fact that I'm up on the month, I feel like I suffered some pretty horrific beats. There was one 9 person SNG where I had KK four times, AA once, and QQ once and busted out in like 15 hands. the beats were sick. remind me to send you the HH. I should still have it.

The good thing is that even with the downturn in HU PLO, the SNGs have been running much better and I feel a lot more in control, and more patient. I'm not raising low pairs in EP, and getting away from AJ and AQ early on.

It is weird to think that it was about 7 months ago or so that I was excited about crossing the $1000 mark on sharkscope and $700 in my BR, and to date, I have done neither. I predicted then that my play would suffer, and it did. I am now $10 away from the $1k mark on sharkscope, so we'll see how it goes this time around.

If I do end up crossing either threshold, I may step back into the $5 SNGs. In actuality, I should play all $5 games, even the HU PLO. Over the course of time, I will pay less to FTP, and will take a bigger prizepool. I just don't want to go on that downswing where I lose 8 in a row and am suddenly down $40. You have to play a ton of $2 games to make that money. I know - that's basically what I've scrounged together in the last 3 months.

Yep.

Full Tilt Poker Game #9066253134: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (69372586), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:21:18 ET - 2008/11/19
Seat 1: actzeng (900)
Seat 2: helfires (4,115)
Seat 5: Cheryl1950 (2,795)
Seat 7: Verbal K (970)
Seat 9: broncobaker7 (4,720)
broncobaker7 posts the small blind of 60
actzeng posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [As Qc]
helfires calls 120
Cheryl1950 folds
Verbal K calls 120
broncobaker7 folds
actzeng raises to 900, and is all in
helfires calls 780
Verbal K folds
actzeng shows [As Qc]
helfires shows [6c 5c]
*** FLOP *** [2s 5h 6d]
*** TURN *** [2s 5h 6d] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [2s 5h 6d 5s] [Qh]
actzeng shows two pair, Queens and Fives
actzeng: nice play
helfires shows a full house, Fives full of Sixes
helfires wins the pot (1,980) with a full house, Fives full of Sixes
Verbal K: lol
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,980 Rake 0
Board: [2s 5h 6d 5s Qh]
Seat 1: actzeng (big blind) showed [As Qc] and lost with two pair, Queens and Fives
Seat 2: helfires showed [6c 5c] and won (1,980) with a full house, Fives full of Sixes
Seat 5: Cheryl1950 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Verbal K (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: broncobaker7 (small blind) folded before the Flop

Now I know why I stopped doing the blog...

Because right after I blog about how things are going right, they suddenly go so wrong. Played some yesterday while taking care of my daughter. Lost some, won some. Played like shit in the $1 at 1 tourney. Ran up a pretty big stack by getting JJ vs. AK AIPF - flop came A high, but I rivered the J. My opponent got knocked down to about 800 chips, but miraculously came back, and then eventually crippled me when I made a GOD AWFUL rr in lat position with AK - we got it all in on the flop, which missed me, BTW, and he had AA. That knocked me down from about 8k chips to 3k. Then the next hand, I have K7 suited, and get it all in on a K75 flop. Great spot to double, but my opponent had 55 and that's all she wrote. Missed the money again because I played like an idiot.

Won a $2 SNG after that to recoup the losses in the day, then ended up blowing it by losing a couple HU PLO games because I didn't play with any kind of patience. HU PLO is suddenly not going well.

Been a while

My brother asked me if the blog was dead and I said yes. There was no real reason not to continue it except for the fact that I was in an enormous poker funk.

August was a small losing month for me, and I moved down in stakes, playing almost strictly $2 games. It has been going ok. I am about $70 off from my recent BR highest. I was recently down to about minus $140 from the highest point. I attribute some of that to the fact that I did three $10 cash transfers to the other guy who work(ed) at my office (and got cash back), and to one night when I poured $30 down the drain in cash PLO. Yeah, that was a bad night.

October turned small winner, and November is going ok (see monthly graph). I got a sharkscope star in HU PLO under $2, which is pretty cool. I should be able to maintain it until year's end which would be cool. That game is so streaky though. I find it amazing that I'm still ranked after some of the bad runs that I go on. I do run well at times, though so it's a give and take. I'm also pretty sure that if sharkscope tracked everyone that my name wouldn't even be close to the top of the list. It was only after I submitted my name for consideration that it popped up. There are certain times that I feel so keyed into that game though, and just rip off 7-8 straight wins. I feel like HU brings out the competitor in me moreso than 9-handed SNGs.

For a while, I had almost completely stopped playing holdem. I'm back playing the $2 SNGs now with some moderate success. I think it will be a while until I got back to the $5 games again. Moving down is always easy. Moving up is difficult because if you lose $10 really quickly, you know it's going to take a lot of $2 games to grind that back.

This hand would have put me massive chipleader with 22 left

Full Tilt Poker Game #7966434994: $1 Tournament (60455835), Table 65 - 3000/6000 Ante 750 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:08:24 ET - 2008/09/06
Seat 1: robert_wrath (35,832)
Seat 2: actzeng (60,834)
Seat 3: semkim (33,260)
Seat 4: JohnnyB99 (61,230)
Seat 5: AMBUSKES (75,974)
Seat 8: billjp (87,699)
Seat 9: melncsu (53,795)
robert_wrath antes 750
actzeng antes 750
semkim antes 750
JohnnyB99 antes 750
AMBUSKES antes 750
billjp antes 750
melncsu antes 750
semkim posts the small blind of 3,000
JohnnyB99 posts the big blind of 6,000
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qd As]
AMBUSKES foldsbilljp folds
melncsu foldsrobert_wrath folds
actzeng raises to 18,000
semkim folds
JohnnyB99 has 15 seconds left to act
JohnnyB99 raises to 60,480, and is all in
actzeng calls 42,084, and is all inJ
ohnnyB99 shows [Td Kd]
actzeng shows [Qd As]
Uncalled bet of 396 returned to JohnnyB99
*** FLOP *** [8d 2h 7h]
*** TURN *** [8d 2h 7h] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [8d 2h 7h Jc] [9c]
JohnnyB99 shows a straight, Jack high
actzeng shows Ace Queen high
JohnnyB99 wins the pot (128,418) with a straight, Jack high
actzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 128,418

I never win this hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #7952072016: $2 + $0.25 Tournament (60358898), Table 5 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:11:36 ET - 2008/09/05
Seat 1: marks36 (4,490)
Seat 2: poke85 (2,989)
Seat 3: ResinKing420 (3,420)
Seat 4: cmajowski (4,365)
Seat 5: actzeng (4,241)
Seat 6: TweetyPacer (6,370)
ResinKing420 posts the small blind of 40
cmajowski posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kh Kd]
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 240
TweetyPacer folds
marks36 calls 240
poke85 raises to 2,989, and is all in
ResinKing420 folds
cmajowski folds
actzeng raises to 4,241, and is all in
marks36 calls 4,001
actzeng shows [Kh Kd]
marks36 shows [5h 5s]
poke85 shows [Td Ts]
*** FLOP *** [3h 5d Jc]
*** TURN *** [3h 5d Jc] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [3h 5d Jc 5c] [Ks]
actzeng shows a full house, Kings full of Fives
marks36 shows four of a kind, Fives
marks36 wins the side pot (2,504) with four of a kind, Fives
poke85 shows two pair, Tens and Fives
marks36 wins the main pot (9,087) with four of a kind, Fives
poke85 stands up
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,591 Main pot 9,087. Side pot 2,504. | Rake 0
Board: [3h 5d Jc 5c Ks]
Seat 1: marks36 showed [5h 5s] and won (11,591) with four of a kind, Fives
Seat 2: poke85 (button) showed [Td Ts] and lost with two pair, Tens and Fives
Seat 3: ResinKing420 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: cmajowski (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: actzeng showed [Kh Kd] and lost with a full house, Kings full of Fives
Seat 6: TweetyPacer didn't bet (folded)

It continues, Why?

Full Tilt Poker Game #7840170932: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (59610557), Table 1 - 200/400 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:39:42 ET - 2008/08/28
Seat 3: nyc3kim (3,907)
Seat 5: actzeng (3,627)
Seat 6: Sorlow (1,730)
Seat 8: Meitz4 (4,236)
nyc3kim posts the small blind of 200
actzeng posts the big blind of 400
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kc As]
Sorlow has been disconnected
Sorlow has 15 seconds left to act
Sorlow has reconnected
Sorlow folds
Meitz4 folds
nyc3kim calls 200
actzeng raises to 3,627, and is all in
nyc3kim calls 3,227
actzeng shows [Kc As]
nyc3kim shows [Qs Ah]
*** FLOP *** [3d 6c Jc]
*** TURN *** [3d 6c Jc] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [3d 6c Jc 8h] [Qd]
actzeng shows Ace King high
nyc3kim shows a pair of Queens
nyc3kim wins the pot (7,254) with a pair of Queens
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,254 | Rake 0
Board: [3d 6c Jc 8h Qd]
Seat 3: nyc3kim (small blind) showed [Qs Ah] and won (7,254) with a pair of Queens
Seat 5: actzeng (big blind) showed [Kc As] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 6: Sorlow didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Meitz4 (button) didn't bet (folded)

Full Tilt Poker Game #7839604879: $1 Tournament (59496728), Table 32 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:53:13 ET - 2008/08/28
Seat 1: actzeng (3,500)
Seat 2: Tontondups (27,494)
Seat 3: copenhagent8 (4,075)
Seat 4: JoJoRauch (3,745)
Seat 5: NiceOutdrawFish (3,395)
Seat 6: ZAKURDA (2,970)
Seat 7: diekirsche46 (9,703)
Seat 8: bobolew (1,301)
Seat 9: HaidaPutt (5,520)
actzeng antes 25
Tontondups antes 25
copenhagent8 antes 25
JoJoRauch antes 25
NiceOutdrawFish antes 25
ZAKURDA antes 25
diekirsche46 antes 25
bobolew antes 25
HaidaPutt antes 25
bobolew posts the small blind of 120
HaidaPutt posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ks Ad]
actzeng raises to 3,475, and is all in
Tontondups folds
copenhagent8 folds
JoJoRauch folds
NiceOutdrawFish folds
ZAKURDA folds
diekirsche46 calls 3,475
bobolew folds
HaidaPutt folds
actzeng shows [Ks Ad]
diekirsche46 shows [Tc Ah]
*** FLOP *** [6s 7h 8s]
*** TURN *** [6s 7h 8s] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [6s 7h 8s 9h] [4c]
actzeng shows Ace King high
diekirsche46 shows a straight, Ten high
diekirsche46 wins the pot (7,535) with a straight, Ten high
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,535 | Rake 0
Board: [6s 7h 8s 9h 4c]
Seat 1: actzeng showed [Ks Ad] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 2: Tontondups folded before the Flop
Seat 3: copenhagent8 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: JoJoRauch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: NiceOutdrawFish folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ZAKURDA folded before the Flop
Seat 7: diekirsche46 (button) showed [Tc Ah] and won (7,535) with a straight, Ten high
Seat 8: bobolew (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: HaidaPutt (big blind) folded before the Flop

Stupid

Full Tilt Poker Game #7725125332: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58754214), Table 1 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 10:02:32 ET - 2008/08/20
Seat 1: actzeng (1,485)
Seat 2: brattherat (1,390)
Seat 3: OpexoBoe6e3yMue (1,455)
Seat 4: fourfou4 (1,575)
Seat 5: Avary (1,455)
Seat 6: LimeEJx (1,470)
Seat 7: ftbstep (1,390)
Seat 8: Ahalia (1,500)
Seat 9: MONGKONGTONG (1,780)
LimeEJx posts the small blind of 15
ftbstep posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kh Ks]
Ahalia folds
MONGKONGTONG raises to 80
actzeng raises to 240
brattherat folds
OpexoBoe6e3yMue folds
fourfou4 folds
Avary folds
LimeEJx folds
ftbstep folds
MONGKONGTONG raises to 1,780, and is all in
actzeng calls 1,245, and is all in
MONGKONGTONG shows [As Qd]
actzeng shows [Kh Ks]
Uncalled bet of 295 returned to MONGKONGTONG
*** FLOP *** [Qc Ac 2s]
*** TURN *** [Qc Ac 2s] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [Qc Ac 2s 4d] [3h]
MONGKONGTONG shows two pair, Aces and Queens
actzeng shows a pair of Kings
MONGKONGTONG wins the pot (3,015) with two pair, Aces and Queens
actzeng: stupid
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,015 | Rake 0
Board: [Qc Ac 2s 4d 3h]
Seat 1: actzeng showed [Kh Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: brattherat didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: OpexoBoe6e3yMue didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: fourfou4 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Avary (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: LimeEJx (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: ftbstep (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: Ahalia didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: MONGKONGTONG showed [As Qd] and won (3,015) with two pair, Aces and Queens

Hands like these piss me off

Full Tilt Poker Game #7702356417: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58579632), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:09:03 ET - 2008/08/18
Seat 1: actzeng (2,910)
Seat 2: tsar007 (955)
Seat 3: labo1305 (3,805)
Seat 5: dmoney128 (5,830)
tsar007 posts the small blind of 80
labo1305 posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ac 9d]
dmoney128 folds
actzeng raises to 320
tsar007 raises to 955, and is all in
labo1305 calls 795
actzeng calls 635
*** FLOP *** [8h Kh 5c]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** TURN *** [8h Kh 5c] [6d]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** RIVER *** [8h Kh 5c 6d] [4d]
labo1305 checks
actzeng checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tsar007 shows [7s 7c] a straight, Eight high
labo1305 mucks
actzeng mucks
tsar007 wins the pot (2,865) with a straight, Eight high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,865 | Rake 0
Board: [8h Kh 5c 6d 4d]
Seat 1: actzeng (button) mucked [Ac 9d] - Ace King high
Seat 2: tsar007 (small blind) showed [7s 7c] and won (2,865) with a straight, Eight high
Seat 3: labo1305 (big blind) mucked [Qd Ks] - a pair of Kings
Seat 5: dmoney128 didn't bet (folded)


Full Tilt Poker Game #7702377713: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58579632), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:10:45 ET - 2008/08/18
Seat 1: actzeng (1,955)
Seat 2: tsar007 (2,865)
Seat 5: dmoney128 (8,680)
dmoney128 posts the small blind of 100
actzeng posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [5h 9d]
tsar007 calls 200
dmoney128 calls 100
actzeng checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 5s 6c]
dmoney128 checks
actzeng checks
tsar007 checks
*** TURN *** [5d 5s 6c] [Jc]
dmoney128 checks
actzeng bets 300
tsar007 folds
dmoney128 raises to 600
actzeng raises to 900
dmoney128 has 15 seconds left to act
dmoney128 raises to 1,500
actzeng raises to 1,755, and is all in
dmoney128 calls 255
actzeng shows [5h 9d]
dmoney128 shows [8c 5c]
*** RIVER *** [5d 5s 6c Jc] [8h]
actzeng shows three of a kind, Fives
dmoney128 shows a full house, Fives full of Eights
dmoney128 wins the pot (4,110) with a full house, Fives full of Eights
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,110 | Rake 0
Board: [5d 5s 6c Jc 8h]
Seat 1: actzeng (big blind) showed [5h 9d] and lost with three of a kind, Fives
Seat 2: tsar007 folded on the Turn
Seat 5: dmoney128 (small blind) showed [8c 5c] and won (4,110) with a full house, Fives full of Eights

I will never profit ever again

Full Tilt Poker Game #7689354605: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (58482766), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:06:58 ET - 2008/08/17Seat 5: DannysUncle (1,573)Seat 6: soiceee1 (4,560)Seat 7: Silentghost (5,947)Seat 8: actzeng (1,420)soiceee1 posts the small blind of 100Silentghost posts the big blind of 200The button is in seat #5*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Qc Ah]actzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 1,420, and is all inDannysUncle foldssoiceee1 raises to 2,640Silentghost foldssoiceee1 shows [Ac Js]actzeng shows [Qc Ah]Uncalled bet of 1,220 returned to soiceee1*** FLOP *** [5c Tc 4c]*** TURN *** [5c Tc 4c] [5s]*** RIVER *** [5c Tc 4c 5s] [Jc]soiceee1 shows a flush, Ace highactzeng shows a flush, Queen highsoiceee1 wins the pot (3,040) with a flush, Ace highactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 3,040 Rake 0Board: [5c Tc 4c 5s Jc]Seat 5: DannysUncle (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: soiceee1 (small blind) showed [Ac Js] and won (3,040) with a flush, Ace highSeat 7: Silentghost (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 8: actzeng showed [Qc Ah] and lost with a flush, Queen high

It's plays like this....

I really do have a complete and total mental block that prevents me from playing poker. I think I might be done.


Full Tilt Poker Game #7677983565: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (58401758), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:03:23 ET - 2008/08/16
Seat 1: BadBeats1013 (4,995)
Seat 2: Diego2486 (1,300)
Seat 3: actzeng (2,705)
actzeng posts the small blind of 100
BadBeats1013 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ts Th]
Diego2486 folds
actzeng calls 100
BadBeats1013 raises to 1,000
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 2,705, and is all in
BadBeats1013 calls 1,705
actzeng shows [Ts Th]
BadBeats1013 shows [As Ac]
*** FLOP *** [2s 5s 7c]
*** TURN *** [2s 5s 7c] [Qh]
*** RIVER *** [2s 5s 7c Qh] [Jd]
actzeng shows a pair of Tens
BadBeats1013 shows a pair of Aces
BadBeats1013 wins the pot (5,410) with a pair of Aces
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,410 | Rake 0
Board: [2s 5s 7c Qh Jd]
Seat 1: BadBeats1013 (big blind) showed [As Ac] and won (5,410) with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: Diego2486 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: actzeng (small blind) showed [Ts Th] and lost with a pair of Tens

Or this hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #7665087040: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58306147), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:05:10 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 1: direstr8ts (1,075)Seat 2: AP-007 (780), is sitting outSeat 3: actzeng (1,305)Seat 4: bucklane (1,540)Seat 6: SlowPlayah (2,755)Seat 7: Kanacko (1,635)Seat 8: kyddad (1,945)Seat 9: mormonee (2,465)direstr8ts posts the small blind of 40AP-007 posts the big blind of 80The button is in seat #9*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Ks Kc]AP-007 has returnedactzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 240bucklane foldsSlowPlayah foldsKanacko raises to 840kyddad foldsmormonee foldsdirestr8ts foldsAP-007 foldsactzeng raises to 1,305, and is all inKanacko calls 465actzeng shows [Ks Kc]Kanacko shows [Kd Ad]*** FLOP *** [6c As 5s]*** TURN *** [6c As 5s] [Jd]*** RIVER *** [6c As 5s Jd] [4d]actzeng shows a pair of KingsKanacko shows a pair of AcesKanacko wins the pot (2,730) with a pair of Acesactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,730 Rake 0Board: [6c As 5s Jd 4d]Seat 1: direstr8ts (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 2: AP-007 (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 3: actzeng showed [Ks Kc] and lost with a pair of KingsSeat 4: bucklane didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: SlowPlayah didn't bet (folded)Seat 7: Kanacko showed [Kd Ad] and won (2,730) with a pair of AcesSeat 8: kyddad didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: mormonee (button) didn't bet (folded)

Or this hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #7664726137: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58302859), Table 1 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:35:26 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 2: actzeng (1,250)Seat 5: ProLoser (3,400)Seat 6: whiskey_bar (7,370)Seat 8: chicagodrew1128 (1,480)chicagodrew1128 posts the small blind of 50actzeng posts the big blind of 100The button is in seat #6*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [Qc Td]ProLoser foldswhiskey_bar foldschicagodrew1128 calls 50actzeng checks*** FLOP *** [2c Qd 9s]chicagodrew1128 checksactzeng bets 100chicagodrew1128 calls 100*** TURN *** [2c Qd 9s] [5d]chicagodrew1128 checksactzeng bets 400chicagodrew1128 has 15 seconds left to actchicagodrew1128 raises to 1,280, and is all inactzeng calls 650, and is all inchicagodrew1128 shows [Qs 9c]actzeng shows [Qc Td]Uncalled bet of 230 returned to chicagodrew1128*** RIVER *** [2c Qd 9s 5d] [Jh]chicagodrew1128 shows two pair, Queens and Ninesactzeng shows a pair of Queenschicagodrew1128 wins the pot (2,500) with two pair, Queens and Ninesactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,500 Rake 0Board: [2c Qd 9s 5d Jh]Seat 2: actzeng (big blind) showed [Qc Td] and lost with a pair of QueensSeat 5: ProLoser didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: whiskey_bar (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 8: chicagodrew1128 (small blind) showed [Qs 9c] and won (2,500) with two pair, Queens and Nines

Not worth trying to reformat this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7664293836: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (58298792), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:00:07 ET - 2008/08/15Seat 2: Manofsteel86 (5,230)Seat 3: actzeng (1,990)Seat 4: KittyToes (1,640)Seat 7: barkero (3,855)Seat 9: Hautian99 (785)actzeng posts the small blind of 60KittyToes posts the big blind of 120The button is in seat #2*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [As 4h]barkero foldsHautian99 foldsManofsteel86 foldsactzeng raises to 360KittyToes raises to 1,640, and is all inactzeng calls 1,280KittyToes shows [Kc Qd]actzeng shows [As 4h]*** FLOP *** [Jh 5s Ac]*** TURN *** [Jh 5s Ac] [4c]*** RIVER *** [Jh 5s Ac 4c] [Ts]KittyToes shows a straight, Ace highactzeng shows two pair, Aces and FoursKittyToes wins the pot (3,280) with a straight, Ace high*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 3,280 Rake 0Board: [Jh 5s Ac 4c Ts]Seat 2: Manofsteel86 (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 3: actzeng (small blind) showed [As 4h] and lost with two pair, Aces and FoursSeat 4: KittyToes (big blind) showed [Kc Qd] and won (3,280) with a straight, Ace highSeat 7: barkero didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: Hautian99 didn't bet (folded)

All is Calm on the Eastern Front

Still no baby. Wife had a non-stress test today. Took up about 3 hours at the hospital. Basically, they hooked up two electropads to her to monitor the baby's movement and heartbeat, and kept it on for 20 minutes. The results were being recorded on a long roll-type printout sheet, almost like a plolygraph test. The baby is fine. We're just waiting.

We talked to the nurse-midwife today, Deb, who put us at ease about inducing labor. She says that more couples nowadays seem to want to be induced when they're this far along because of the discomfort, so our opinion - basically that the baby will come when she's ready - is sort of the minority position. When it gets about 2 weeks post-due, she said, there may be some issues. That gives us a ton of time. We're scheduled to be induced next Wednesday, but if it comes around and there's still no baby, we'll probably re-schedule for a later day.

I still am playing horrible in poker. Dropped down to the $2 games, which is probably the best thing I could possibly do. It's like a professional player just missing layups for no reason. Or Knoblauch not being able to throw to first. I hope that's not the case, because I've had Knobloauch moments in Softball. Just real ugly - couldn't throw the ball to first - it either went straight into the ground or wherever. It's all mental. It's a confidence thing, I think. Just a mental block. This doesn't happen when I drink, which is weird, and neither did the throwing-the-ball thing occur when I played after putting a few away. It's some weird anxiety thing. I knew exactly how A-Rod felt when he was going through the throwing problems he had. I think I'm going through that now, but in poker, which I didn't think was possible.

Running Bad/Playing Bad

When Full Tilt isn't through screwing me enough, I am just playing like a moron. I play at my worst and most frustrating when I get the - "I don't believe you" syndrome, where I just don't believe anyone has anything anytime they raise. I screw myself by getting my money in bad, and when I do get my money in good (see AK vs. KQ below), FTP will do the honors for me:

Full Tilt Poker Game #7624836217: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (58003724), Table 1 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:23:27 ET - 2008/08/12
Seat 1: Junedog79 (645)
Seat 2: AKLSkillz (1,635)
Seat 3: actzeng (1,335)
Seat 4: DJ_Louis_75018 (1,055)
Seat 5: oLa (1,605)
Seat 6: tmsplatt1 (1,730)
Seat 7: BigPhillyEd (1,230)
Seat 8: tiltisthename (1,545)
Seat 9: dagmangirl (2,720)
tmsplatt1 posts the small blind of 25
BigPhillyEd posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ac Ks]
tiltisthename folds
dagmangirl folds
Junedog79 folds
AKLSkillz raises to 100
actzeng raises to 375
DJ_Louis_75018 has 15 seconds left to act
DJ_Louis_75018 raises to 1,055, and is all in
oLa folds
tmsplatt1 folds
BigPhillyEd folds
AKLSkillz folds
actzeng calls 680
DJ_Louis_75018 shows [Jd Ad]
actzeng shows [Ac Ks]
*** FLOP *** [Js 3h 6c]
*** TURN *** [Js 3h 6c] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [Js 3h 6c 9d] [7d]
DJ_Louis_75018 shows a pair of Jacks
actzeng shows Ace King high
DJ_Louis_75018 wins the pot (2,285) with a pair of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,285 | Rake 0
Board: [Js 3h 6c 9d 7d]
Seat 1: Junedog79 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AKLSkillz folded before the Flop
Seat 3: actzeng showed [Ac Ks] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 4: DJ_Louis_75018 showed [Jd Ad] and won (2,285) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 5: oLa (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: tmsplatt1 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: BigPhillyEd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: tiltisthename didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: dagmangirl didn't bet (folded)

I made the call, saw the hole cards, and looked away and actually asked my wife to look at the screen for me. Luckily, she couldn't see it, so I was able to see the carnage for myself. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Worst night of poker in a long, long time. Problem is, they're all being strung together.

Running in Place

Today is the day my daughter is supposed to come into the world, and she's not here yet. It sucks we're losing out on maternity time, since wife has to go back to work on a specific day. We went to the nurse-midwife this morning, and she said that wife is pretty much the same status as last week (not dilating at all). She also said that babies are born on their predicted due-date about 5% of the time, which I understand from poker, means you're crushed. That's fine. She'll get here when she's ready.

Wife has been off of work and totally bored. Mind you, this is 100% opposite of me, whereas I'm happy just lying in bed staring at the ceiling. She always has to be busy doing something. So we made today take-your-pregnant-wife-to-work day. So I dragged her with me to the office to make a few calls and took her to Court. We got there late in the morning session, but the Judge was very nice and went out of her way to talk to us once the court took a recess. I was surprised. It was nice for everyone to finally meet her. We did some Indian food and then just came back to chill, which is when I got in that $1 tourney.

I had fun playing with my daughter last night. She's actually quite responsive now to movement outside the belly. I can sort of rub my hand in a certain spot, and you can tell that she'll kick at it, and then stop. And then when I start up again, so does she. I have a feeling that she is going to be a very active girl/spoiled drama-queen.

This just happened. WHY?!

Full Tilt Poker Game #7621465009: $1 Tournament (57863156), Table 22 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:15:39 ET - 2008/08/12
Seat 1: JenaieA (7,956)
Seat 2: iv8an (8,699)
Seat 3: pete-za-hutt (13,639)
Seat 4: Jason St Jean (32,016)
Seat 5: actzeng (13,735)
Seat 6: Al Kpok (22,590)
Seat 7: -Sir Improve- (40,690)
Seat 8: The Wrong Guy (10,503)
Seat 9: HempHog2 (31,600)
JenaieA antes 150iv8an antes 150pete-za-hutt antes 150Jason St Jean antes 150actzeng antes 150Al Kpok antes 150-Sir Improve- antes 150The Wrong Guy antes 150HempHog2 antes 150
HempHog2 posts the small blind of 600
JenaieA posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kd As]
iv8an foldspete-za-hutt folds
Jason St Jean folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 3,000
Al Kpok folds-Sir Improve- folds
The Wrong Guy raises to 10,353, and is all in
HempHog2 has 15 seconds left to act
HempHog2 folds
JenaieA folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng: am I messing with the wrong guy?
actzeng has requested TIME
actzeng calls 7,353
The Wrong Guy shows [Ks Qs]
actzeng shows [Kd As]
*** FLOP *** [2h Js 4s]
*** TURN *** [2h Js 4s] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [2h Js 4s 2d] [3s]
The Wrong Guy shows a flush, King high
actzeng shows a pair of Twos
The Wrong Guy wins the pot (23,856) with a flush, King high

What goes up

I am continuing to struggle, particularly in the $5 SNGs. I thought I was going to have some time to play yesterday, but ended up going to the in-laws. On the bright side, I was able to come home and watch my brother make a deep run in the Sunday Million on PS. Bankroll shifter right there - and awesome considering he satellited in for the min.

HU PLO despite my results, is not going that badly. I think I'm down only a little there recently, and I was able to make a massive chip comeback in one game. The problem is that after I get blistered out of the $5 SNGs, I don't really want to play, but feel a need to chase the losses by playing HU PLO. It's such a streaky thing though - you never know when you're going to rip off 6-straight wins.

I will continue to grind the $5 SNGs. Funny thing is that after my post a few days ago, it seems as if the 1000 milestone on sharkscope is almost like some artificial cap on my graph.

I did manage to get cash in the $1 turbo yesterday. The late stages of that tourney are so ridiculous - shove, shove, shove. Things become so automatic. I was able to suckout early on, and then lost a flip with 55 to QT to bust out. I had it until the river of course.

No baby. And it doesn't even look like we're close. I hope it's not too much longer. I was already planning on changing diapers and all that by now. She'll get here soon tho.

Keeps going

Full Tilt Poker Game #7584586061: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57697167), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:45:40 ET - 2008/08/10
Seat 1: nowvoyager (1,025)Seat 2: actzeng (970)Seat 3: liljun900 (3,855)Seat 5: weezy80 (1,820)Seat 6: guffy1 (2,900)Seat 8: Sif3506 (2,380)Seat 9: SkamperDog (550)weezy80 posts the small blind of 40guffy1 posts the big blind of 80The button is in seat #3*** HOLE CARDS

***Dealt to actzeng [Ah Qd]
Sif3506 foldsSkamperDog foldsnowvoyager foldsactzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 240liljun900 raises to 3,855, and is all inweezy80 foldsguffy1 foldsactzeng calls 730, and is all inliljun900 shows [2d As]actzeng shows [Ah Qd]Uncalled bet of 2,885 returned to liljun900*** FLOP *** [3s 6c 6s]*** TURN *** [3s 6c 6s] [8s]*** RIVER *** [3s 6c 6s 8s] [5s]liljun900 shows a flush, Ace highactzeng shows a pair of Sixesliljun900 wins the pot (2,060) with a flush, Ace highactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,060 Rake 0Board: [3s 6c 6s 8s 5s]Seat 1: nowvoyager didn't bet (folded)Seat 2: actzeng showed [Ah Qd] and lost with a pair of SixesSeat 3: liljun900 (button) showed [2d As] and won (2,060) with a flush, Ace highSeat 5: weezy80 (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 6: guffy1 (big blind) folded before the FlopSeat 8: Sif3506 didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: SkamperDog didn't bet (folded)

The Donk Parade Continues

Full Tilt Poker Game #7584185022: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57696060), Table 1 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:09:02 ET - 2008/08/10
Seat 1: actzeng (1,485)
Seat 3: littlefalcon (1,455)
Seat 4: JackShaw13 (1,500)
Seat 5: buddha1952 (1,500)
Seat 6: getshookson (4,560)
Seat 8: redhed78 (1,500)
Seat 9: ptran06 (1,500)
littlefalcon posts the small blind of 15J
ackShaw13 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qc Qh]
buddha1952 calls 30
getshookson folds
redhed78 folds
ptran06 raises to 135
actzeng raises to 480
littlefalcon folds
JackShaw13 folds
buddha1952 folds
ptran06 has 15 seconds left to actptran06 calls 345
*** FLOP *** [8d 3d 4h]
ptran06 checks
actzeng bets 1,005, and is all in
ptran06 has 15 seconds left to act
ptran06 calls 1,005
actzeng shows [Qc Qh]
ptran06 shows [6s 8s]
*** TURN *** [8d 3d 4h] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [8d 3d 4h 8c] [Kh]a
ctzeng shows two pair, Queens and Eights
ptran06 shows three of a kind, Eightsptran06 wins the pot (3,045) with three of a kind, Eightsactzeng stands up

It extends to MTTs also

These were literally the two hands right after the hour break -

Full Tilt Poker Game #7579196234: $1 Tournament (57545854), Table 69 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:12:25 ET - 2008/08/09
JBRQB16 posts the small blind of 50
romatusan posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ks Ah]
sbeefyk1 folds
HighLife06 has 15 seconds left to act
HighLife06 folds
actzeng raises to 350
tv23 has 15 seconds left to act
tv23 is sitting out
tv23 has timed out
tv23 folds
TXSPIRIT calls 350
jack13111 folds
gaga57 folds
JBRQB16 folds
romatusan folds
*** FLOP *** [Qc 8h 3d]
actzeng bets 2,325, and is all in
tv23 has returned
TXSPIRIT calls 750, and is all in
actzeng shows [Ks Ah]
TXSPIRIT shows [As 8s]
Uncalled bet of 1,575 returned to actzeng
*** TURN *** [Qc 8h 3d] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [Qc 8h 3d 5s] [8d]
actzeng shows a pair of Eights
TXSPIRIT shows three of a kind, Eights
TXSPIRIT wins the pot (2,350) with three of a kind, Eights
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,350 | Rake 0
Board: [Qc 8h 3d 5s 8d]
Seat 1: jack13111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: gaga57 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: romatusan (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: HighLife06 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: actzeng showed [Ks Ah] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 8: tv23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT showed [As 8s] and won (2,350) with three of a kind, Eights



Full Tilt Poker Game #7579211226: $1 Tournament (57545854), Table 69 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:13:36 ET - 2008/08/09
Seat 1: jack13111 (3,890)
Seat 2: gaga57 (1,150)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (6,840)
Seat 4: romatusan (10,125)
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 (5,905)
Seat 6: HighLife06 (5,770)
Seat 7: actzeng (1,575)
Seat 8: tv23 (7,460)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT (2,350)
romatusan posts the small blind of 50
sbeefyk1 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qc Ac]
HighLife06 raises to 200
actzeng raises to 750
tv23 folds
TXSPIRIT folds
jack13111 folds
gaga57 folds
JBRQB16 has 15 seconds left to act
JBRQB16 is sitting out
JBRQB16 has timed out
JBRQB16 folds
romatusan folds
sbeefyk1 folds
JBRQB16 has returned
HighLife06 calls 550
*** FLOP *** [6d Jd 2d]
HighLife06 bets 5,020, and is all in
actzeng calls 825, and is all in
HighLife06 shows [Ks Qs]
actzeng shows [Qc Ac]
Uncalled bet of 4,195 returned to HighLife06
*** TURN *** [6d Jd 2d] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [6d Jd 2d 3h] [Kh]
HighLife06 shows a pair of Kings
actzeng shows Ace King high
HighLife06 wins the pot (3,300) with a pair of Kings
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,300 | Rake 0
Board: [6d Jd 2d 3h Kh]
Seat 1: jack13111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: gaga57 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JBRQB16 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: romatusan (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: sbeefyk1 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: HighLife06 showed [Ks Qs] and won (3,300) with a pair of Kings
Seat 7: actzeng showed [Qc Ac] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 8: tv23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: TXSPIRIT didn't bet (folded)

Things not going well

It was bound to happen, but in the last few SNGs have not gone well. Low stacked and 3 handed, I pushed A4hh into the chipleader. He made a tough call with KK.

Next game VERY early on, I raised in EP with AK, got RRAI from the BB. I figure the RRAI at that point is from a weak hand, and called for basically all my chips. He had 88 and I couldn't hit. I ended up going out with JT on a T high board to the same guy who had raised pre with QQ.

Next game, UTG was crippled pretty had the previous hand, and moves all in with about 600 chips with A5, I call in the BB with JJ, I lose. No prob, I still have chips though. Then promptly lose them all about 10 hands later when my AA cannot beat 77.

I can't think of another way to play this

Full Tilt Poker Game #7563369703: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (57535199), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 14:47:27 ET - 2008/08/08
Seat 1: champ7710 (5,460)
Seat 4: actzeng (1,530)
Seat 7: pierd1989 (3,770)
Seat 9: RTNM (2,740)
RTNM posts the small blind of 100
champ7710 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Js Jh]
actzeng raises to 1,530, and is all in
pierd1989 folds
RTNM folds
champ7710 calls 1,330
actzeng shows [Js Jh]
champ7710 shows [Ks Ad]
*** FLOP *** [9s Kc Td]
*** TURN *** [9s Kc Td] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [9s Kc Td 7h] [Kd]
actzeng shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
champ7710 shows three of a kind, Kings
champ7710 wins the pot (3,160) with three of a kind, Kings
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,160 | Rake 0
Board: [9s Kc Td 7h Kd]
Seat 1: champ7710 (big blind) showed [Ks Ad] and won (3,160) with three of a kind, Kings
Seat 4: actzeng showed [Js Jh] and lost with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 7: pierd1989 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: RTNM (small blind) folded before the Flop

As I predicted

I played like shit tonight. Started off well enough with a second place finish, where I was about 5-1 chip underdog. I had 72 I think and flop came 557. We moved it and he had K5. Then lost a $5 SNG. Then lost another one where in about 30 seconds I went from the shortstack, to chipleader, to out on the bubble. Tiiiiiiiilt.

Then won 3 HU PLO games to salvage a frustrating breakeven night.

Made it through the first hour of the $1 Turbo, only to get my money in when my A3 was dominated by A9.

The wife is now done working. She went out for a while with some work friends last night. I imagine that today will probably be my last real work day for quite some time also. It is 8/8, which is father's day in some Asian countries. I hear lots of people are getting c-sections so that their kids can be born on this day. I don't think we're that into it. My stance is, she'll come when she's ready. Tomorrow would be nice though.

The olympics start today. I couldn't care less.

Other observations

I have also noticed a significant shift in high stakes cash game play online. The old guard is losing a ton of money. Maybe it has always been this swingy, but I look at guys - especially the cardrunner guys - and think that they should hang it up and do something else - or at least think about it. I don't know if it's because they post their videos online or if the game has changed, or if its the dramatic shift towards PLO. Seems like they're all on a downswing. I heard Durrrr on PAD say he was on a $2M downswing. Eric Liu, Benefield - Townsend goes nowhere near the games he used to play regularly. Even Wiggins - in his latest post he indicated that he was at or near busto on FTP. Guys like Gus and Benyamine are just degens and will always play at those stakes no matter who is playing. Antonius has also been losing a ton. Reading Daniel's blog about the golf stuff makes me seriously question how long he might still be able to live his life the way he's going.

Of whom can it be said that he/she is a "great online cash game player" right now? Benyamine is in the conversation, Ivey also. Singer has been playing well. Lolina, who I think is Tim Phan. Maybe durrr does still make a ton. My point is, I feel like things are shifting. I wonder how long CR will be able to last when all of their pros go online busto.

Can't complain

I know that I use this blog a lot to bitch about horrible beats in poker and all of that, but lately, I really can't complain about the way things have been going. My ROI this month is really high, (over 30% in SNGs) and my ROI in the $5 SNGs is climbing back to par (still just under 9%, which I consider to be par - for me, anyways). Lately, I've been able to catch huge hands early on, and then be able to sit back, sit back, and wait for another chance to pounce. Not that I've won every SNG or not made stupid moves, or suffered horrible beats (although my 80-20 situations have been holding up for the most part). In fact, over the most recent run, I think I have only won about 2 or 3. In the last 100 SNGs or so, I am up about $150, which is good, considering what my bankroll is. I think they key is just paying attention, and knowing when to fold when I'm beat. I am basically one $5 SNG away from crossing the $1k threshold on sharkscope, and crossing the $700 threshold on my BR. I don't want to get ahead of myself though.

There are spots now where I used to shove or raise pre-flop, but I'm starting to interpret certains spots where it's more effective to float pre, and bet later, especially when I am deepstacked. Look at that - me actually paying attention to post-flop play! I have realized that I should have been doing this for about a year and half now, and I think I go in and out of zones where I actually implement this strategy to my game. I think when I start raising all in pre, or trying to win hands preflop, it's just impatience or laziness. It all depends on stack sizes/blind sizes. Sometimes you're able to get in a zone where you can see the whole field - as they say in QB terminology. I feel like I've been close to that. There have been times where I feel like I have been firmly in it. Actually, probably only once - when I got back from my honeymoon and made $250 in about 80 games. That was a BR changer.

The MTTs have gone absolutely nowhere. Not really paying attention, and simply losing after flopping top pair or whatever.

I'm not naive enough to think that the good run will last forever, or that I cannot improve, or that some of this is just due to the fact that certain hands are holding up, or my AK is connecting with the flop. For one, my style of play is probably still too conservative to be optimal. I play to make the money, not necessarily to go for the win, and sometimes that mindset is what holds me back. Depending on relative stack sizes and blinds, I still cannot find it within me to raise A5dd on the button when it's 4 handed. Of course, I'm sure the bad run will start right when I hit the "publish post" button in about 10 seconds.

And of course this is all low stakes stuff, so to most people the $150 I'm talking about is a mere pittance.

The surge is coming

Been running like dog doo recently. One game I caught 55 three times and did not win with it once. I went from huge chipleader to finishing third, oh well. I backed down the $2 games for a few because at the times I was playing, I did not feel as if I could have focused 100% on the games. Plus, I am just not winning the flips. Last night had AQ vs. 33, I raised, he called. Flop is AJ3 rainbow, we get it all in right there, he has 33. Few hands later, I catch 77 in the BB, SB raises into me, we jam (maybe it was a bad idea to jam pre), he had AK, and catches it on the turn.

SNG madness has now ended. I think I won either 2 or 3 SNGs during the time, but didn't win anything in the raffle. The first raffle, I won a $75 token, which I still have not used.

I did a google search for "actzeng" and, unfortunately, this blog came up. I wish there was some way to escape that. I may have to start modifying the hand histories to erase my name, or put the hands through one of those hand-posting sites, which seems like a pain.

I was, however happy to see that the Marcus-Antoine guy or whatever his name is, was now negative on sharkscope, last I checked.

I exchanged unfriendly words with this guy -

Full Tilt Poker Game #7490349996: $2 + $0.25 Madness (56984166), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 3:13:10 ET - 2008/08/03Seat 1: actzeng (2,900)Seat 3: nil45472 (2,150)Seat 4: Mark-Antoine (3,050)Seat 5: alenateli bags (890)Seat 7: yukug614 (1,615)Seat 9: Sheldonio (2,895)nil45472 posts the small blind of 80Mark-Antoine posts the big blind of 160The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [7c 7s]alenateli bags folds
yukug614 has 15 seconds left to act
yukug614 foldsSheldonio folds
actzeng raises to 480
nil45472 folds
Mark-Antoine raises to 3,050, and is all in
actzeng calls 2,420, and is all in
Mark-Antoine shows [2s Kd]
actzeng shows [7c 7s]
Uncalled bet of 150 returned to Mark-Antoine
*** FLOP *** [6d Ts Th]
*** TURN *** [6d Ts Th] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [6d Ts Th Ks] [As]
Mark-Antoine shows two pair, Kings and Tens
actzeng shows two pair, Tens and Sevens
Mark-Antoine wins the pot (5,880) with two pair, Kings and Tens
actzeng stands up***

This is the classic "he shoved because he has nothing" and I caught him on it. Too bad the cards wouldn't cooperate. He said "Sick", to which I responded "Stupid", to which he responded that calling with 77 was "stupid" to which I said "nice move with K2".

Guy was a total ass and a liar. He said he was four-tabling and up $220 on the day, sharkscoped him, he was up $22. I don't know what 4 tabling has to do with anything, but it suggests to me that he was even that much MORE stupid by making that move with K2. I kept the screen up, and he lost heads up after blowing a massive chiplead by being aggro with nothing. Go figure - when you get your $ in bad, it sometimes doesn't work out.

Won a $2 SNG after that.

I love Cash Games!!!!

Full Tilt Poker Game #7489910247: Table Mabry (6 max) - $0.05/$0.10 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:22:05 ET - 2008/08/03
Seat 1: 79donDaane ($8.05)
Seat 2: Adiiiboiii ($5.90)
Seat 3: odoyle022 ($1.30)
Seat 4: actzeng ($3.60)
Seat 5: dagothegreat ($6.15)
Seat 6: zenmasterbeta ($4.20)
odoyle022 posts the small blind of $0.05
actzeng posts the big blind of $0.10
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [As Ac]
dagothegreat folds
zenmasterbeta calls $0.10
79donDaane folds
Adiiiboiii folds
odoyle022 folds
actzeng raises to $0.20
zenmasterbeta calls $0.10
*** FLOP *** [Qh Td 8d]
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng bets $0.25
zenmasterbeta raises to $0.50
actzeng raises to $1.95
zenmasterbeta has 15 seconds left to act
zenmasterbeta raises to $4, and is all in
actzeng calls $1.45, and is all in
zenmasterbeta shows [Jh Qc]
actzeng shows [As Ac]
Uncalled bet of $0.60 returned to zenmasterbeta
*** TURN *** [Qh Td 8d] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [Qh Td 8d Jc] [4h]
zenmasterbeta shows two pair, Queens and Jacks
actzeng shows a pair of Aces
zenmasterbeta wins the pot ($6.55) with two pair, Queens and Jacksactzeng is sitting out*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $7.25 Rake $0.70Board: [Qh Td 8d Jc 4h]Seat 1: 79donDaane didn't bet (folded)Seat 2: Adiiiboiii (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 3: odoyle022 (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 4: actzeng (big blind) showed [As Ac] and lost with a pair of AcesSeat 5: dagothegreat didn't bet (folded)Seat 6: zenmasterbeta showed [Jh Qc] and won ($6.55) with two pair, Queens and Jacks

Some Hands

Full Tilt Poker Game #7473814987: $5 + $0.50 Madness (56853585), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:54:22 ET - 2008/08/01Seat 3: RubberDuck1 (4,975)Seat 6: actzeng (4,600)Seat 7: snowchance (3,925)RubberDuck1 posts the small blind of 80actzeng posts the big blind of 160The button is in seat #8*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to actzeng [4c 4h]snowchance foldsRubberDuck1 raises to 320actzeng calls 160*** FLOP *** [3d 5d Ts]RubberDuck1 checksactzeng checks*** TURN *** [3d 5d Ts] [4s]RubberDuck1 bets 160actzeng calls 160*** RIVER *** [3d 5d Ts 4s] [Th]RubberDuck1 bets 480actzeng has 15 seconds left to actactzeng raises to 1,600RubberDuck1 raises to 4,495, and is all inactzeng calls 2,520, and is all inUncalled bet of 375 returned to RubberDuck1*** SHOW DOWN ***RubberDuck1 shows [5h 5s] a full house, Fives full of Tensactzeng mucksRubberDuck1 wins the pot (9,200) with a full house, Fives full of Tensactzeng stands up*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 9,200 Rake 0Board: [3d 5d Ts 4s Th]Seat 3: RubberDuck1 (small blind) showed [5h 5s] and won (9,200) with a full house, Fives full of TensSeat 6: actzeng (big blind) mucked [4c 4h] - a full house, Fours full of TensSeat 7: snowchance didn't bet (folded)

Poker Update

Missed some wins in the last few games. Actually, the only real miss was yesterday. I finished 2nd in a $5 SNG. As usual, I was low stacked going into heads up and then made a charge, and then blew it all with A9 vs. AQ AIPF. I need to be more patient in those situations.

What really pissed me off was that the guy I had lost to should have knocked out by me waaaay earlier in the match. One hand, I limped in with 22, and flop came a 2. He bet, I called. Turn is a diamond, putting two diamonds on the board. He bet again. This time I raised pretty big. He called. River comes another diamond. he bets about the same size as my previous bet. I thought it unlikely that he hit runner runner flush, so I called, and he had it. Turns out that the called the turn raise with a diamond prayer.

One hand we had HU, I had turned trips, only to see him hit his open ended straight draw on the river. I will try to post the hands. They are on the laptop.

HU PLO continues to go pretty well, although I am probably jinxing myself as I type this. I think it's 6 in a row now.

On the baby front, it's still the waiting game. I have a daddy bootcamp tomorrow from 9 -12. Good to have it early and get it out of the way. Hopefully tonight is a quiet night where I can get in some poker. There won't be too many left.

Manny

Manny Ramirez got traded from the sox today. Can't really blame the managment - he put them in a tough spot. It is the end of an era though. It disappoints me most because it just showed he never really cared about playing here at all. It was just all about the paycheck. I'm not making a judgment about him - it's just that the truth is a little disappointing as a fan. The sox will be fine in the long run without him.

I bought my brother a Manny jersey around the time he came to the team. I thought there'd be good value in it since he had singed such a long contract. He did stick it out for 7 1/2 of the 8 years, so that's a while, especially in today's sports world.

Another $5 loss.

I heard you have to win coinflips or something. This shit always happens. Mind you, this is like the first hand I played.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7445736399: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (56631690), Table 1 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:42:27 ET - 2008/07/30
Seat 2: AggieMae (2,220)
Seat 3: actzeng (1,200)
Seat 4: chanman2 (890)
Seat 7: CHRISNI (5,305)
Seat 8: MADDOG40 (1,940)
Seat 9: bing2828 (1,945)
AggieMae posts the small blind of 40actzeng posts the big blind of 80The button is in seat #9*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ah Kc]
chanman2 folds
CHRISNI folds
MADDOG40 folds
bing2828 raises to 280
AggieMae folds
actzeng raises to 1,200, and is all in
bing2828 calls 920
actzeng shows [Ah Kc]
bing2828 shows [Qs Qd]
*** FLOP *** [4h 6d Jc]
*** TURN *** [4h 6d Jc] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [4h 6d Jc 6c] [2h]
actzeng shows a pair of Sixesbing2828 shows two pair, Queens and Sixesbing2828 wins the pot (2,440) with two pair, Queens and Sixesactzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 2,440 Rake 0Board: [4h 6d Jc 6c 2h]Seat 2: AggieMae (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 3: actzeng (big blind) showed [Ah Kc] and lost with a pair of SixesSeat 4: chanman2 didn't bet (folded)Seat 7: CHRISNI didn't bet (folded)Seat 8: MADDOG40 didn't bet (folded)Seat 9: bing2828 (button) showed [Qs Qd] and won (2,440) with two pair, Queens and Sixes

Mini-cashout

So, there's another attorney that we share office space with who has a law student working for him. The other day, I walked in his office and heard the sweet sound of FTP chips being shipped. I sort of barged in and mentioned something about it, and he instantly kind of looked nervous and looked like he was trying to click out of it. I quickly assured him that playing FTP was fine with me. We got to chatting about poker a bit. He plays under the handle "the ten deuce", but without the spaces. I looked him up on some sites and he plays mostly mini-stakes SNGs/MTTs. He's had a few good wins too. When we were at the office, he was actually playing a playchip game (WTF!!!!????!?!?)

I told him that with the death of Neteller that if he wanted me to ship him some online cash in exchange for cash-cash, I'd do it. I was thinking $50 to $100, but he was talking like $10. He told me a few stories about Foxwoods. He'll play the $1-2 cash. One day, he ran it up to over a grand, and this weekend, he took $80 and ran it up to over $400. Why can't I ever do shit like that? Oh yeah, I suck at cash. And lately, I've been sucking at the SNGs too. Anyway, today, he asked me to spot him $10 on FTP and gave me a $10 bill. This was of course before he told me he won $300 at foxwoods this weekend. WTF? $10? This was the first player-2-player transfer I've done. Rest assured, I will probably never sit with him at any table.

Anyways, good luck to him. I wish I had discovered online poker in law school. Many hours spent being totally unproductive could have actually been put to use. Oh well.

Down a bit

Won every single one of my HU PLO games, but just played horrifically bad in the $5 SNGs, which nets me minus 10 on the night. Lot of grinding for nothing. Just got my money in bad just about every time.

Sox Game

Went to the Sox game with boss last night. Dice-K pitched well and then all of the sudden lost the ability to throw a ball anywhere but the heart of the plate and got tagged, and that was the difference. One highlight - being able to see K-Rod, who will break the record this year for saves in a single season.

Wife did dinner with aunt, and I ate after I got home at about 11:30 (traffic sucks even at night). Thought about grinding out some SNGs, but thought better of it. Poker After Dark looks interesting this week, so I set it to record. Haven't watched any of it yet.

Kept checking the phone to see if wife was going into labor. I was almost sure that it was going to happen while I was at the game, but it didn't. The contractions are getting more intense and closer together. We're still about 14 days away from the scheduled due date though. Pretty weird walking on eggshells like this.

A little better

That's a little more like it. First, shout out to my brother who qualified for, and cashed in the Sunday mil on Stars. That has got to be a great confidence booster.

Yesterday started slow and probably ended up being an average day except for the fact that I decided to roll it and play a $10 SNG which I took down. That felt really, really good, considering all the bad beats I have been getting lately.

The MTTs continue to haunt my dreams. They do so because I can't finish any of them - I end up just falling asleep. I managed to fall asleep during the Ferguson on Friday into Saturday and cashed. I fell asleep last night during the $1 Turbo. I don't even know why I bother signing up.

I mis-clicked and played a $5 Razz HU. I tried to play PLO. This was a terrible mistake as I got crushed. I actually came back a couple times, but played it with zero confidence. Ended up winning a $2 PLO HU, which was nice. Also saw that my brother dabbled in the PLO, and won a 4-person shootout.

Frustrating Again

The $5 SNGs continue to go poorly. There were a ton of donks on yesterday, but the cards didn't hold, so I really couldn't take advantage. Got my BR to a new high (not counting the withdrawals), then promptly lost 2 SNGs. One where JJ didn't hold to KJ. The one I just got out of was interesting. I had A6 in the BB, button limp, sb limp. Flop is A76 rainbow. SB limps into the flop, I go ahead and limp behind, and so does the button. Turn is a 2d, putting two diamonds on the board. SB makes a regular 3/4 pot-sized bet this time. I raise all in, button folds, and SB flips over A7. Talk about bad timing.

That crippled me down to about 400-500 chips. Then lost a 3-way all in that would have gotten me back to health when I had AJss and it ran into AT, and AT, and it ended up being a 3 way chop.

It's raining like crazy outside today so I will try to get some MTT work in. I'm due.

Went to dinner for American pub fare last night with Dave and Kim. Got a chicken club, which was decent. We sat on an outside patio, and were welcomed to $2.25 draft beers. I thought it was some kind of joke. Their wedding planning seems to be going well, and is slated for next July. We got to show them the baby room, which wife and I are pretty proud of. Installed the baby seats into the cars. Got a lot of errand-type stuff done yesterday, as I promised the wife that it would be done on Saturday.

SOMEBODY STAKE ME!!!!

Full Tilt Poker Game #7377521670: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (56098202), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:28:37 ET - 2008/07/26
Seat 1: bdweezy (1,310)
Seat 2: My lil Ponies (1,810)
Seat 4: annigra1 (1,550)
Seat 5: actzeng (2,075)
Seat 6: tiger44 (3,170)
Seat 8: djc888 (3,585)
djc888 posts the small blind of 60
bdweezy posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Tc 9d]
My lil Ponies folds
annigra1 folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 360
tiger44 calls 360
djc888 folds
bdweezy folds
*** FLOP *** [Ks 6s 8h]
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng bets 1,715, and is all in
tiger44 calls 1,715
actzeng shows [Tc 9d]
tiger44 shows [Ts Kc]
*** TURN *** [Ks 6s 8h] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [Ks 6s 8h 3c] [9s]
actzeng shows a pair of Nines
tiger44 shows a pair of Kings
tiger44 wins the pot (4,330) with a pair of Kings
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,330 | Rake 0
Board: [Ks 6s 8h 3c 9s]
Seat 1: bdweezy (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: My lil Ponies didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: annigra1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: actzeng showed [Tc 9d] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 6: tiger44 (button) showed [Ts Kc] and won (4,330) with a pair of Kings
Seat 8: djc888 (small blind) folded before the Flop

MTT madness

Decided I wanted to play an MTT tonight, so I got in a $3.30 KO. I play these just like regular MTTs. This was my bustout hand fairly early.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7377033483: $3 + $0.30 Knockout (55993638), Table 10 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:49:39 ET - 2008/07/25
Seat 1: actzeng (1,010)
Seat 2: blarrgh (1,735)
Seat 3: Vitorbrasil (1,400)
Seat 4: HUSKERFANX2 (3,055)
Seat 5: CAS575 (4,080)
Seat 7: Shtuls (2,690)
Seat 8: rkreddy (1,050)
Seat 9: Mojo Filter (2,220)
HUSKERFANX2 posts the small blind of 20
CAS575 posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kc Ks]
Shtuls folds
rkreddy calls 40
What_tha_deuce sits down
What_tha_deuce adds 1,505
Mojo Filter folds
actzeng raises to 120
blarrgh folds
Vitorbrasil raises to 1,400, and is all in
HUSKERFANX2 has 15 seconds left to act
HUSKERFANX2 is sitting out
HUSKERFANX2 has timed out
HUSKERFANX2 folds
CAS575 calls 1,360
rkreddy folds
actzeng calls 890, and is all in
Vitorbrasil shows [Jd Jh]
CAS575 shows [Ah As]
actzeng shows [Kc Ks]
*** FLOP *** [Ts 4d 9d]
*** TURN *** [Ts 4d 9d] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [Ts 4d 9d 6h] [5d]
Vitorbrasil shows a pair of Jacks
CAS575 shows a pair of Aces
CAS575 wins the side pot (780) with a pair of Aces
actzeng shows a pair of Kings
CAS575 wins the main pot (3,090) with a pair of Aces
actzeng stands up
Vitorbrasil stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,870 Main pot 3,090. Side pot 780. | Rake 0
Board: [Ts 4d 9d 6h 5d]
Seat 1: actzeng showed [Kc Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: blarrgh didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Vitorbrasil (button) showed [Jd Jh] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 4: HUSKERFANX2 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: CAS575 (big blind) showed [Ah As] and won (3,870) with a pair of Aces
Seat 7: Shtuls didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: rkreddy folded before the Flop
Seat 9: Mojo Filter didn't bet (folded)

Again, I'm waaaay off

Perhaps the stop and go would have worked better....or a fold.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7358204758: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (55945847), Table 1 - 150/300 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:19:11 ET - 2008/07/24
Seat 2: flaidy (2,490)
Seat 3: kartoffel1 (770)
Seat 5: anakin99 (1,420)
Seat 6: actzeng (1,680)
Seat 9: BO_SOX_114440 (7,140)
anakin99 posts the small blind of 150
actzeng posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [7d 7s]
BO_SOX_114440 raises to 600
flaidy folds
kartoffel1 folds
anakin99 folds
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng raises to 1,680, and is all in
BO_SOX_114440 calls 1,080
actzeng shows [7d 7s]
BO_SOX_114440 shows [Kc 9c]
*** FLOP *** [8d 9s Jc]
*** TURN *** [8d 9s Jc] [3s]
*** RIVER *** [8d 9s Jc 3s] [2d]
actzeng shows a pair of Sevens
BO_SOX_114440 shows a pair of Nines
BO_SOX_114440 wins the pot (3,510) with a pair of Nines
actzeng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,510 | Rake 0
Board: [8d 9s Jc 3s 2d]
Seat 2: flaidy didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: kartoffel1 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: anakin99 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: actzeng (big blind) showed [7d 7s] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 9: BO_SOX_114440 showed [Kc 9c] and won (3,510) with a pair of Nines

Should have quit

played late into the night on Wedesday/Thurs morning, but it was going relatively well. I had 3 second place finishes and a first, and I was pretty much going to keep playing until I stopped cashing. Which, fortunately happened in the 5th game where I just got really really unlucky, but I guess I deserve it for all the hands that held up for me.

Played some HU PLO yesterday. Won all three of those. Two of the guys I played I had never played before, and managed to take them down in about 5 hands or less. Seems as if you drag 2-3 small, small pots to start the game, the opponent suddenly tilts at the 5th hand and says - I am not going to be bullied and am going to with this hand here. Which is a bad strategy if you run into a monster hand.

The $5 SNGs did not go well. Lost both or all three - I forget what it was. The first game, I was put to a tough decision. 5-handed late in the SNG. UTG is the chipleader and either limps or mini-raises into my BB. After posting the BB, I am down to about 900 chips, and I find 77. I did not feel like the hand was good, but I think blinds were going up to 150/300 the very next hand, which would have forced me to play one of the next 3-4 hands. Was I going to find a better spot? I mean, I've got a wired pair and am only up against one opponent, and it might be a good spot to try to double. I pushed it all in, he snap called with QT and he won the race. Not sure if I could have waited. I will try to post the hand later.

Also used some FTP points try and get some tourney dollars, but that didn't work out either. I was pretty tired.

Avenged Sevenfold

While I have this blog about my passions - I might as well talk about Avenged Sevenfold. I first heard of the band via Bat Country - forget where I first heard the song, but definitely liked it. Beast and the Harlot was on Guitar Hero, and I played that song approximately 200 times more than any other song on the game.

More recently I ran across their song on Youtube called Afterlife. It was a live performance (glossed over) for their new DVD that is either out or is coming out. Anyway, best metal song I have heard in years.

Got the album. Whatever record company is in charge of promoting these guys have their heads up their asses. This is the best metal album that I have heard since Hypnotize/Mezmerize, and has instantly made my top 10 of all time. All the songs are quality. I have basically listened to the entire album as many days as I've had it. Probably more.

I may take the time at some point to address each and every song on the album and what I like about it, but it is quality stuff. This is what new metal is supposed to sound like. Each person in the band is a virtuoso at what they do.

I wish this album had come out when I was in high school. I probably would have spent every moment of practice just trying to figure out the songs. And I would have been a 1000x better player for it.

I hear Ozzy in them, I hear GNR, Skid Row, Iron Maiden, and Pantera. Insane combination.

I am really interested to hear how other people who loved those bands and that era feel about A7x. Am I insane? "I'm not insane, I'm not insane....."

Truth is, I have been planning on blogging about this band for a while, but this blog doesn't cut it. I will address this matter again.

Played for the win

But got the loss. He flipped over KK, flop came down all clubs, so I had some redraws, but missed them. I didn't feel like it was a bad play, especially considering both me and the other stacks were pushing him off hands. A few rounds before I came over the top of his raise with AQ and he folded. QQ was the best hand I saw the entire game, and so I don't regret it. Ok, maybe I regret it a little.

RIGGED

Finished 2nd in a SNG which is par for the fucking course, except I got HU with a 2-1 chip disadvantage at NOSEBLEED blinds, and FTP decides to fucking shit out on me, only to let me log back in with 765 chips with AK suited so I can lose to 77 as a kick in the balls. Great.

Should I play for the win?

Or move up the money ladder?

Full Tilt Poker Game #7336061865: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (55776460), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:06:14 ET - 2008/07/22
Seat 5: everknowing1 (8,665)
Seat 7: actzeng (3,795)
Seat 9: golcapmike (1,040)
actzeng posts the small blind of 100
golcapmike posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qc Qs]
everknowing1 raises to 400
actzeng raises to 1,400
golcapmike folds
everknowing1 has 15 seconds left to act
everknowing1 raises to 8,665, and is all in