Thursday, September 17, 2009

Cruising

Won three straight SNGs last night. Can't remember the last time that happened. Of course they were of the $2 variety, so it's relatively little money. But a solid $20 profit on $2 games? I'll take it. I will probably end up taking a shot at a $5 again in a bit - maybe two.

The cards are falling my way. I think I won both coinflip situations, and a 60-40, and my dominating hands held up. But it's not that I'm getting great cards. Sure I'm getting decent cards deep, but not getting AA every hand. And it's not so much the cards I'm getting as the timing of the good cards. Getting very strong cards early in an SNG is dangerous if you're not willing to let go of them. Late, the decisions are much easier. All three games went the same way - I was low stacked in or around the money, then shoved fairly strong hands and ended up being the favorite.

I did lose with TT to 44, so it's not as if I won every hand. I think I was just able to avoid the suckouts. In the last game, I hit a huge three-way all in with 88 vs. 55 vs. AJ and was able to hold.

Been keeping up in the Take 2 challenge. If I play every day for the rest of the month, I will amass 23 days of play. But after I hit the bonus on day 15, the next bonus is at 25 days, which I will not be able to make. Right now, I'm at 9 days. I'll play tonight and get a $10 bonus....weeeeeee!

I think I'll wait until after I get the Take 2 money to do the cashout.

The one good thing about the Take 2 is that it's getting me to play some cash games. And as Herm Edwards would say - You play to win the game! You don't just play it to qualify for the Take 2! And I think I've turned a modest profit in the games, and am getting more confident in my reads. I still bet too much with the nuts.

Couple things that I think I've improved on - one is not being afraid to sit down with a big stack at the table. I used to avoid tables with guys sitting with $7 because they'd just buy every pot from me. I'm better at picking my spots against these players now, evaluating which hands have good value to see a flop and hit a big one. Because it's PLO and not NL, there's a lot more you can do to control the size of the pot, even if you don't have a really deep stack. I've been basically forced to play with bigstacks though because the micro tables are usually full, so you just gotta get in where you fit in.

The other is getting away from marginal hands. In PLO, at least at the stakes I play, this is absolutely key. It's probably the #1 most important thing in the entire game. Hand values just don't transfer from NLHE. It's a completely different game from a hand-evaluation standpoint, reading the board, etc.

Couple things I have not been able to do well is bet-size appropriate on the turn. I still have a lot of difficulty figuring out where I am. If someone's on a flush draw and I bet pot, are they getting really good value to call that bet and float to the river? I generally like keeping pots small until I have a good sense of where I'm at. And in PLO, there's a lot of value in betting small to protect against your opponent hitting his spade on the river. And when it does come, you can get away from the hand at that point. It's almost like buying insurance. At these stakes, guys are gonna call. You may even want to consider just checking a set or dummy straight. The other is set over set. When I have the under, and there are not obvious straights or flushes, I will probably go broke.

If the next couple sessions go well, maybe I'll move up to 2/5 cent and see how it goes. Maybe one table of 2/5. I know that my game is not suited to play against people who play big and play for "real" money. I will absolutely get bullied. In order to be a great player in PLO, you must be able to raise with a wide, wide variety of hands on every street. I like to limp to see a lot of flops. That won't happen the higher up you go.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Up and down

It's been a while since I last blogged. Pokerwise, things have gone way up and way down. I'm still toiling in the $2 games. I had a really hot run in $2 SNGs and then decided to switch to $5, and then tumbled downward. I guess my luck had run out. It's been quite a while since I've actually won an SNG - just not hitting hands when I get 3 handed, losing flips, etc. Overall, I'm about even.

I've started to play more PLO cash .01/.02, mostly because of the Take 2 promotion FTP has going. Basically, if you two table-cash games 25 out of 30 days in the month, they will give you $50. At the stakes I play, I would seriously have to try to lose that much in a month. Luckily, the games have been profitable for right now, albeit profitable for 1/2 cent games. Maybe I'll "take a shot" at 2/5 cent one of these days.

I didn't play at all for the first week of this month, so I can't get $50, but if I play 15 out of 30 days, I get $25. They will probably penalize my rakeback again.

I'm doing horribly in MTTs. Been a while since a decent cash. I think I'm due, but I just don't have the time or energy to play them anymore.

I'm considering a hefty cashout, since I am not playing any higher with a bigger bankroll, and since there is some uncertainty about banks and online poker. I'm thinking of taking out about half my roll, since I'm afraid there may come a day that I won't see any of it, then this will have been all for naught.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I never hit this draw.

Full Tilt Poker Game #14078701095: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (103716126), Table 1 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:36:50 ET - 2009/08/16
Seat 1: ssgray (1,115)
Seat 2: EgoGrande (2,255)
Seat 3: NOCTURNE (1,925)
Seat 4: actzeng (1,845)
Seat 5: BBsNCowtown (2,515)
Seat 7: nic7k (1,380)
Seat 8: HorseMaster (1,420)
Seat 9: Barh0812 (1,045)
ssgray posts the small blind of 50
EgoGrande posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ad Qd]
NOCTURNE folds
actzeng raises to 200
BBsNCowtown raises to 300
nic7k calls 300
HorseMaster folds
Barh0812 has 15 seconds left to act
Barh0812 folds
ssgray folds
EgoGrande folds
actzeng calls 100
*** FLOP *** [Th 2d 6d]
actzeng has 15 seconds left to act
actzeng bets 1,545, and is all in
BBsNCowtown calls 1,545
nic7k calls 1,080, and is all in
actzeng shows [Ad Qd]
BBsNCowtown shows [9d 9c]
nic7k shows [Jh Js]
*** TURN *** [Th 2d 6d] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [Th 2d 6d 8h] [9s]
actzeng shows Ace Queen high
BBsNCowtown shows three of a kind, Nines
BBsNCowtown wins the side pot (930) with three of a kind, Nines
nic7k shows a pair of Jacks
BBsNCowtown wins the main pot (4,290) with three of a kind, Nines
nic7k stands up
actzeng stands up

Saturday, August 15, 2009

UNREAL

I swear I play against idiots.

Full Tilt Poker Game #14056464843: $5 + 0.50 Sit & Go (103565215), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:35:34 ET - 2009/08/15
Seat 1: GhinAces (3,480)
Seat 5: actzeng (3,745)
Seat 8: angeletta (2,465)
Seat 9: 4 Tanou (3,810)
actzeng posts the small blind of 80
angeletta posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qh Qc]
4 Tanou has 15 seconds left to act
4 Tanou raises to 480
GhinAces folds
actzeng raises to 1,450
GhinAces: call
angeletta folds
GhinAces: 4 tanou
4 Tanou calls 970
*** FLOP *** [6d Tc Qs]
actzeng checks
GhinAces: perfect
4 Tanou bets 2,360, and is all in
actzeng calls 2,295, and is all in
4 Tanou shows [Jh Ah]
actzeng shows [Qh Qc]
Uncalled bet of 65 returned to 4 Tanou
*** TURN *** [6d Tc Qs] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [6d Tc Qs 9s] [8h]
4 Tanou shows a straight, Queen high
actzeng shows three of a kind, Queens
4 Tanou wins the pot (7,650) with a straight, Queen high
actzeng stands up

Sunday, August 9, 2009

So stupid

Full Tilt Poker Game #13931722257: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102708169), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:00:10 ET - 2009/08/09
Seat 3: OnTheGrind_09 (1,105)
Seat 7: actzeng (2,245)
Seat 8: diogosdg (10,150)
OnTheGrind_09 posts the small blind of 100
actzeng posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ad Ah]
diogosdg folds
OnTheGrind_09 raises to 1,105, and is all in
actzeng calls 905
OnTheGrind_09 shows [Qs 7h]
actzeng shows [Ad Ah]
*** FLOP *** [2h 7d 4c]
*** TURN *** [2h 7d 4c] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [2h 7d 4c Jh] [Qh]
OnTheGrind_09 shows two pair, Queens and Sevens
actzeng shows a pair of Aces
OnTheGrind_09 wins the pot (2,210) with two pair, Queens and Sevens

Full Tilt Poker Game #13931756333: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102708169), Table 1 - 120/240 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:02:08 ET - 2009/08/09
Seat 3: OnTheGrind_09 (2,970)
Seat 7: actzeng (1,100)
Seat 8: diogosdg (9,430)
actzeng posts the small blind of 120
diogosdg posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kh 6h]
OnTheGrind_09 folds
actzeng raises to 1,100, and is all in
diogosdg has 15 seconds left to act
diogosdg calls 860
actzeng shows [Kh 6h]
diogosdg shows [8c 7d]
*** FLOP *** [Tc Qc 3c]
*** TURN *** [Tc Qc 3c] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [Tc Qc 3c Kc] [2h]
actzeng shows a pair of Kings
diogosdg shows a flush, King high
diogosdg wins the pot (2,200) with a flush, King high
actzeng stands up

Continued

Full Tilt Poker Game #13894461374: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102466447), Table 1 - 150/300 - No Limit Hold'em - 9:02:52 ET - 2009/08/08
Seat 6: bullet tooth24 (2,260)
Seat 8: actzeng (1,900)
Seat 9: mad_melvin (9,340)
actzeng posts the small blind of 150
mad_melvin posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Js Jh]
bullet tooth24 folds
actzeng raises to 900
mad_melvin raises to 9,340, and is all in
actzeng calls 1,000, and is all in
mad_melvin shows [9c Ac]
actzeng shows [Js Jh]
Uncalled bet of 7,440 returned to mad_melvin
*** FLOP *** [Th 7c Ad]
*** TURN *** [Th 7c Ad] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [Th 7c Ad 5h] [8h]
mad_melvin shows a pair of Aces
actzeng shows a pair of Jacks
mad_melvin wins the pot (3,800) with a pair of Aces

WHY do I even bother?

Full Tilt Poker Game #13930556455: $5 + 0.50 Sit & Go (102704656), Table 1 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:01:41 ET - 2009/08/09
Seat 1: isaw21 (75)
Seat 2: PassTheRoxi (3,175)
Seat 3: live4deriver (2,000)
Seat 4: JJH29229 (1,335)
Seat 5: yolapavement (1,930)
Seat 6: aremore (1,790)
Seat 8: actzeng (2,060)
Seat 9: CaesarPigeon702 (1,135)
JJH29229 posts the small blind of 30
yolapavement posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Kc Kh]
aremore folds
actzeng raises to 180
CaesarPigeon702 folds
isaw21 folds
PassTheRoxi has 15 seconds left to act
PassTheRoxi raises to 3,175, and is all in
live4deriver calls 2,000, and is all in
JJH29229 folds
yolapavement folds
actzeng calls 1,880, and is all in
PassTheRoxi shows [Qh As]
live4deriver shows [6s Ah]
actzeng shows [Kc Kh]
Uncalled bet of 1,115 returned to PassTheRoxi
*** FLOP *** [6d 5s 6c]
*** TURN *** [6d 5s 6c] [Ac]
*** RIVER *** [6d 5s 6c Ac] [7d]
PassTheRoxi shows two pair, Aces and Sixes
actzeng shows two pair, Kings and Sixes
PassTheRoxi wins the side pot (120) with two pair, Aces and Sixes
live4deriver shows a full house, Sixes full of Aces
live4deriver wins the main pot (6,090) with a full house, Sixes full of Aces
actzeng: awesome
actzeng stands up

Full Tilt Poker Game #13914885964: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102606630), Table 1 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 8:02:51 ET - 2009/08/09
Seat 1: isabellesweet (1,470)
Seat 2: django570 (1,375)
Seat 3: CouchPotato246 (2,000)
Seat 4: icem9c (1,680)
Seat 5: 1aa__gray (3,240)
Seat 7: didaskalia (1,400)
Seat 8: actzeng (840)
Seat 9: neuzeitpoet (1,495)
didaskalia posts the small blind of 25
actzeng posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Qh Qc]
neuzeitpoet folds
isabellesweet raises to 150
django570 folds
CouchPotato246 calls 150
icem9c folds
1aa__gray folds
didaskalia folds
actzeng raises to 840, and is all in
isabellesweet raises to 1,470, and is all in
CouchPotato246 folds
isabellesweet shows [Ks As]
actzeng shows [Qh Qc]
Uncalled bet of 630 returned to isabellesweet
*** FLOP *** [2s 5d Ts]
*** TURN *** [2s 5d Ts] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [2s 5d Ts Jc] [Kc]
isabellesweet shows a pair of Kings
actzeng shows a pair of Queens
isabellesweet wins the pot (1,855) with a pair of Kings
Full Tilt Poker Game #13907490656: $5 + 0.50 Sit & Go (102553034), Table 1 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:56:23 ET - 2009/08/08
Seat 1: bostken1433 (2,730)
Seat 4: Farris777 (3,220)
Seat 6: urwuthurts (4,745)
Seat 7: actzeng (1,225)
Seat 9: DrSeuss (1,580)
DrSeuss posts the small blind of 60
bostken1433 posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [6s 6d]
Farris777 folds
urwuthurts has 15 seconds left to act
urwuthurts folds
actzeng raises to 360
DrSeuss raises to 1,580, and is all in
bostken1433 folds
actzeng calls 865, and is all in
DrSeuss shows [Th As]
actzeng shows [6s 6d]
Uncalled bet of 355 returned to DrSeuss
*** FLOP *** [Ks 9c 9h]
*** TURN *** [Ks 9c 9h] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [Ks 9c 9h 3h] [Ah]
DrSeuss shows two pair, Aces and Nines
actzeng shows two pair, Nines and Sixes
DrSeuss wins the pot (2,570) with two pair, Aces and Nines
actzeng stands up

Full Tilt Poker Game #13906617238: $5 + 0.50 Sit & Go (102548804), Table 1 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:09:42 ET - 2009/08/08
Seat 1: Julienne_San (1,900)
Seat 3: actzeng (1,160)
Seat 5: rhemix (5,860)
Seat 6: CJC_100 (4,580)
rhemix posts the small blind of 50
CJC_100 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ah Kh]
Julienne_San has 15 seconds left to act
Julienne_San calls 100
actzeng raises to 1,160, and is all in
rhemix folds
CJC_100 folds
Julienne_San has 15 seconds left to act
Julienne_San calls 1,060
actzeng shows [Ah Kh]
Julienne_San shows [5h 5d]
*** FLOP *** [6s Qs 4h]
*** TURN *** [6s Qs 4h] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [6s Qs 4h 5c] [Qc]
actzeng shows a pair of Queens
Julienne_San shows a full house, Fives full of Queens
Julienne_San wins the pot (2,470) with a full house, Fives full of Queens

Full Tilt Poker Game #13899698460: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102502602), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 15:09:18 ET - 2009/08/08
Seat 1: rezorg (5,275)
Seat 3: actzeng (2,225)
Seat 7: AceJackson81 (6,000)
rezorg posts the small blind of 80
actzeng posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Ac Kh]
AceJackson81 folds
rezorg raises to 5,275, and is all in
actzeng calls 2,065, and is all in
rezorg shows [Qd Ad]
actzeng shows [Ac Kh]
Uncalled bet of 3,050 returned to rezorg
*** FLOP *** [5s 2d Tc]
*** TURN *** [5s 2d Tc] [Td]
*** RIVER *** [5s 2d Tc Td] [5d]
rezorg shows a flush, Ace high
actzeng shows two pair, Tens and Fives
rezorg wins the pot (4,450) with a flush, Ace high
actzeng stands up

Full Tilt Poker Game #13896746066: $2 + 0.25 Sit & Go (102482357), Table 1 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:06:23 ET - 2009/08/08
Seat 5: Mihalyche (2,250)
Seat 7: athomemark (1,880)
Seat 8: actzeng (1,260)
Seat 9: gshc eagels (8,110)
Mihalyche posts the small blind of 100
athomemark posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to actzeng [Th Ts]
actzeng raises to 1,260, and is all in
gshc eagels calls 1,260
Mihalyche folds
athomemark folds
actzeng shows [Th Ts]
gshc eagels shows [Qd Kd]
*** FLOP *** [8c Qs Js]
*** TURN *** [8c Qs Js] [8d]
*** RIVER *** [8c Qs Js 8d] [4c]
actzeng shows two pair, Tens and Eights
gshc eagels shows two pair, Queens and Eights
gshc eagels wins the pot (2,820) with two pair, Queens and Eights
actzeng stands up