OK Sometimes I do get lucky

I'm officially back on nlhe for a bit

Jesus, another shitty night with the cash games. Personally I don't think I'm playing that badly. Clearly I'm doing something wrong and I'm just leaking money.

Typical example of when I hit the flop with a half decent hand


When I miss, I've put in decent raises with hands like AQ and AK but completly miss the flop and when someone bets, and another 3 call, I'm well out of it.

Ended up ruining what should have been a good day after the omaha tourney. I think I'm down around $80 in total, prettty shitty considering I won $100 on the mtt.

I may have to move back to no limit, at least with that I'm not often called but K5 off suit and end up losing to it against my AQ. It's annoying watching all the bad calls that seem to get paid off. They say in the long run you want them calling, but I have to disagree. They take your money then they do lose it all again, but not to you because you can't hit a decent hand to get paid off, some other player gets it with his nut flush or crappy two pair - regardless, just kiss the money goodbye.

Once the Stars bonus has been worked off, I may give cash games a miss all together for a bit. It's demoralising so I may concentrate on my mtt game, that's not too bad thankfully.

Just came 2nd in an omaha limit mtt. It helped getting a Royal Flush (my first ever) and then not long after hit quad queens, but then that's the luck you need sometimes. I made the ft in good shape but the big stack continued to dominate all the way through and heads up he was on about 160,000 against my 20,000 on 4k/8k blinds. Well a raise or two when I didn't have a hand and it was all over. He got lucky on the last hand though, hitting a jack on the river to give him a pair. I held pocket 7's in my hand and was ahead until this point.

Very happy with 2nd though, not only another final table, but my best Stars place finish to date.

Ok, some do go my way!

Perhaps my problem is I'm calling too much, calling with too many hands and calling too much in general.

Still missing what seems like every flop. My exit hand of the APAT event involved making a move with 44 and the big stack called and showed 33. When the 4 came on the flop, I thought I was safe, but the A 2 and 5 that also followed gave him the straight and that was that.

In my cash games, I raise preflop with AJs and get a loose caller with K9o and a king and a 9 come on the flop. I have the flush draw but completely miss it as per usual.

Not a lot seems to be going my way at the moment. The pots I do win seem to be small ones and there aren't enough of them to make up for he big ones I loose.

Oh and I don't like to moan but I've just taken a hit with AJ on an AJ3 board and matey had JJ. Down to $12 and I get TT, raise preflop from SB, BB call.s 6 high flop and I bet my last $6 in to a $6 pot - BB calls. Turn A river 9 - BB shows A9 !

Wanker

I think I need a day off. The last few days I've either played really shit or am just being damn unlucky. I seem to be missing lots of flops yet sticking all my chips in. In an omaha tourney yesterday, I went out first hand after hitting trip jacks, mateyboy held full house. I don't think I'm on my A game at the moment and a small break could be in order - pains me to say that as I love it, but I'm leaking cash.

Also my betting project took a kick in the teeth today too. Tried using Bet Angel again to trade on the horses and ended up losing £30 first go! Then I had a 0-0 in 2 games, a Greek cup game and bloody tottenham being held 0-0 against Southend after 90 mins - wankers. All my hard work from the last month or so gone. Feeling a bit sorry for myself now.

On a plus note, my phone issue is finally resolved with Vodafone cancelling the debt and cancelling my contract after they've realised how shit I've been treated by the mobile outlet - don't use them!!

It's been a while since I had some decent results but today was a good day. It could have been better but overall, not to shabby.

Started out playing a £1250 guaranteed on DTD earlier. Only 50 or so runners so it was a value tourney and I managed to get 6th for £75. I was a bit disapointed in my exit hand as I decided to make a move with Q9s when it all folded to me and ran in to AK! Not the best but still £75 is better than a poke in the eye. I also managed to win a seat in the £8k at the same time by playing a £3.20 sat. That was the afternoon session done and dusted and at this point I was feeling good.

Then I had a couple of my bets on the football - 2 goals or more in the Man U game and also under 3.5 goals in the Roma match when it was 1-0 with half an hour to go. Anyway, Man U lost 1-0 and Roma won 4-0 - the final goal coming 4 mins into injury time with an own goal.

Back to poker. Stars had a VIP freeroll with 3 WPT-PCA seats and I managed to come about 10,000th. I also entered the $20k $50 mtt and ended up going out to a bigger stack chasing a flush draw - was so gutted about going out in that.

I fired up a $2/$4 cash table and was doing ok but then the river let me down a few times to people chasing flushes, making gutshot straights etc and I'm currently down $60 on that. Ended up $70 down after not being able to claw back any.

No good in the £8k either. Was up to 3rd at one point but after getting a decent run of calling preflop hands and then not hitting anything, I ended up going out in about 115th.

I also decided to have a bash at the $27 rebuy to the $475 WPT sat with my W$ I have and only went and won a seat :) Another $475 for the W$ account - what a way to end the day.

I'm beginning to like limit poker. I always stayed away from it because I just gave my money away but after to many nervous moments playing NLHE cash games, I've moved back to limit and am learning to play it properly.

I've not been playing cash games for that long. I realised how quickly I could work a bonus off for Stars after a quick session and also realised that it was a good way to earn some money when your mtt's aren't bringing in enough and I haven't looked back since. I started on NLHE but time after time, I've lost my sit down money within a few hands and decided that I was fed up with it. You get nutters calling at every level but the number of hit and runners that you get on NLHE is annoying. Coming to the table with $20 on a $100 table and moving all in every hand then leaving once they'd doubled up takes the piss, so I moved to limit.

The things I like are that the pots are controlled. You don't tend to get huge pots, but then you don't often take the blinds and nothing else. It's also easy to get out of a pot fairly cheaply. The down side is the sick outdraws you can suffer. AA is still a good hand but if you can't get rid of Mr But It's Soooted, then you could be in trouble.

When I play tight and solid, I do ok. When I slip and make some iffy calls preflop, I don't. I need to concentrate more but sometimes I think I'll play an ok hand, hit bottom pair and call the bets.

I started out last week on $0.5/$1 tables but moved up to $1/$2 fairly quickly. Tonight I've been playing $2/$4 and I have to say, the game is not much different, if you play solid tight poker. I've lost a bit of cash but only in two hands, one I had AA and couldn't shake off 56s and the other KK and couldn't get rid of Q9! I played them ok I think but still lost. I'm still only really one pot away from being even.

I'm off to bonus whore in the next day or two which is the main reason I moved up a level.

Anyway, just really thinking out loud.

Also, my mtt game is hopefully back on track. Two cashes in the last two nights and I was going to make it a 3rd tonight, but I had to push with QQ and matey with AQ and too many chips called me and hit his ace and I went out about 7 from the money! Truth be told though, I didn't really concentrate on the tourney and had an eye on the footy, one on a cash game, another on the internet and also talking to the missus! By the time I realised I had to push, I was on 3k, average was around 6k!

The limit poker is going ok. I started out losing a bit for the first couple of sessions but last night I had an ok time. I did pretty good to start with but then lost what I made but then ended up a small amount for the session. The approach 'Tight is Right' is definitely correct, but I seem to have trouble sticking to it. I have trouble letting go of hands like KK despite there being an ace on the board - 'because it's only $2' to call. If I can stop this, I think I'll do ok in this. You do get clowns playing though. Last night one called a preflop raise from the BB with J3 off suit. He got damn lucky and hit a J33 flop and it was unfortunate for me that I had AJ suited and paid him off a bit. I guess it was only another dollar for him to call which is why he did.

Best hand of the night for me came with me holding AQ. Flop came AAA! Sweet! To make it even nicer, the turn and river both brought queens! Totally amazed and I got paid off a bit - Someone held TT and thought they were good and then thought I was blagging when I bet the flop, he called. Never had a hand like that before. If I can find it in my Poker Tracker, I'll post it later.

The LHE suits me more. I don't think I play any more hands than in NLHE but I spend less on them. I've lost my stake in one hand before in NL but in LHE, it doesn't happen and I like this. The pots tend not to be that much smaller either. The fixed bet at the start attracts a lot of callers which counters the big preflop raise in NLHE that chases off everyone. I just need to not lose focus and keep tight and I should be ok. Bankroll took a bit of a battering at first but hopefully it's undercontrol and will move upwards soon.

Oh and the rate you earn fpp's at is amazing. I must have earned about 400 points last night just playing two tables for a few hours. I've achieved my first goal of keeping silver status in 10 days, I may even make gold, although this isn't a target but if it happens it happens. I'm probably going to lay of the mtt's for a bit and concentrate in building my funds up.

Silver in 10 days, I can't believe it! The first deposit bonus I took advantage of with Stars took me about 3 months to work off. On the current rate, it would take me a day and a half! Can't wait for the next one which will hopefully be soon.

the hand

Definatly playing limit from now on. $1/$2 to be precise. I'm going to build my bankroll up to a nice amount (not decided yet how much) then move up to the next level. I'm also going to read the LHE book I have (I've only had it about 6 months!)

OK so I had another go! Tried 50c/$1 limit tonight. Took $30 to the table and pretty soon I was up to $60 - managed to hit everything. Then without warning, I hit nothing and when I did hit, my opponants hit better - trips being called by crappy hands hitting straights - you name it, I've lost with hit - pair of 9's losing to two higher pairs on the board and matey with Ace kicker wins, full house lost to better full houses by a Q3 caller! It's all happened. Still, I'm only back to my initial $30 at the moment. The people seem to play with anything and call to the end. OK if you hit a hand, bit of a problem if it's a risky board. I may try limit for a bit. I'll have another look at a book I have and see what's what. I like the fact that I don't get bet of pots early on in limit. To easy to get all in in NLHE and get beat by an idiot just joining the table with a small amount and betting crazy. I also think the thing to do is when I double up at limit, leave the table, pick another and start again having 'banked' some cash.

Liking it so far though but I may have to move up to $1/$2.

Oh dear, lost all what i made yesterday. Some guy at the table was very agressive. Raised every pot preflop, called to the end, then bet big. Anyway, he got lucky a few times (hitting 8 on river for a pair, then 8 turn, 10 river to give full house, lots of other stuff like that). Anyway, lost my $60, then reloaded and lost that, mainly with KK against AQ when AQQ flopped, turned and rivered.

Just having a go now trying raising all the time!

Very agressive isn't for me. You have to be willing to lose lots by betting lots and I'm not. I've lost enough today so that's it for me. Just going to finish the round I'm on at the moment and am calling it a day. Bit disapointed to lose all what I made yesterday but at least I'm even over the two days. It wasn't bad play that lost me the money at least, just a very agressive player that got the better of me. Mind, it doesn't help when you have pocket 9's on a 10 high board with four diamonds on the board - how can I call?

Had a good session last night. I finally had a look at Poker Tracker, found a page on twoplustwo that helps a bit in what to look for and WOW! I had a couple of massive areas in my game where I was losing money so I decided to have a quick go and try and sort it. I left the first table $80 up and then left the 2nd table $70 up! Not bad for an hours work even if I do say so myself!

I know partly down to the cards I was dealt some was down to the change, especially the first hand. I've found I'm far to passive preflop. In the first hand, there's one limper round to me and I raise to $4 with 76 off suit (yes I know this isn't the ideal hand to be aggressive with) Anyway, everyone else folds. Flop comes K high but has a 7 so I make a continuation bet of $5. MB calls. turn brings nothing special and I continue again with a $7 bet. MB calls. River brings another 7 but I'm feeling not so confident anymore and just check. Anyway, he checks too and loses with JJ. I know I was lucky, but I didn't think he played the jacks well.

Later my AA held against KK and I took a $120 pot which was nice too :) Nice for them to hold up for me. Lost the day before to an idiot pushing with K3. He was all in on the flop for his $11 on a board he'd missed. Turn and river both came with 3's! Wouldn't have minded so much but there was another person in the pot and he took about $40.

Can't seem to get my mtt game back in gear though. Only played a $5 donkathon rebuy yesterday but didn't do anything. Will have maybe another night off them and try again soon.

Anyway, good day yesterday, things are on the up again!

Some hands, comments appreciated

A losing hand

First hand in that omaha mtt. The then the one where I lost them - it was the next hand!

The AQ v AK hand on the two ace board. I think the only thing I could have done with this was to check when he checked instead of betting.

That's it for now.

I could have gone out early in the the $50. In SB with AJ, folds to me, I raise to 60, BB moves all in. Folded to be safe.

$50 Hands

1. Was happy to call the initial raise with this hand, I quite like KJs but then the bigger raise put me off. I'm not exactly flushed for chips and can't afford to call, even though I think he only raised to put the short stack all in.

2. Just lost a few more chips to a big stack after he put me all in. AJ and I've called the short stack who was making a move. Got unlucky on the flop and I'm very much in trouble

3. KTs, went in for the value and again lost.

Thus ends another grim night.

Another bad night for me. Played 4 tourneys I think and did nothing. Was going well in a NLHE game until my AQ yet again ran into AK but on an two ace board with nothing else to worry about, would you fold? I couldn't anyway. Never really got going again from there.

Omaha, trebeled up first hand!!! Two hands later, lost most of it with the nut flush to a full house :( Didn't really hit anything else in the game, lots of calling hands, no calling the flop bet hands.

I must make a note of hands that cost me a lot and see where I'm going wrong. If I can find them from tonight, I'll post them, if not, I'll remember for next time.

Don't think it was a good idea, but I've just signed up for a $50 mtt. This is probably a mistake as my account has taken a bit of a hammering in the last couple of days but I'm going to win so it will be ok :)

WHAT HAVE I DONE TO OFFEND YOU POKER GODS!

Lost 3 times in a row with AQ to AK then this bloody hand

I was on over 100% profit for the night before the 3xAQ. I didn't lose big on any of them but enough to bring me back to my starting stack. I actually made some good folds on the way after my continuation bets were raised and then there was a Q high flop and I still folded. The QQ hand is just sick and summed things up.

I've reloaded though and am going to win some back hopefully. I'm not playing bad which is the main thing.

Tonights Tourneys

$10 NLHE, going well at first break more to follow

$8 PLO going ok too.

Got to love omaha though

Omaha not going ok at all now, I'm out. On a 758 board, I'm holding 4 and 6 move all in, two callers, both have 69 :( How unlucky is that, all 4 6's were in play too, one of them held 2.

Managed to lose 3000 chips in the NLHE mtt calling an all in on a 522 board when I held a 5 - madness I know, really should have not played at all. Must not make stupid calls for the rest of the tourney. Was in 3rd for quite a while but am well down now. Come on nice cards.

Gah no nice cards, messed this mtt up badly. Ended up having to make a move so I chose 98s and ran into pocket 10's - no help.

This was disapointing really, bad calls from me caused me to go from in a great position to a really crappy position. Then the blinds get big and I have to do something and end up not getting any cards for ages so I make moves with stupid hands like the pair of 5's hand I lost loads with.

When will I learn? Tomorrow hopefully!

Played the $5 rebuy $25k guaranteed and wasn't really going anywhere prior to the break. Second break saw me in a pretty grim state too but then this hand came and all of a sudden, I'm on over average chips! Next hand I won another pot and was up to 27k. Just had to lay down AQ to a reraise then an all in on the flop - didn't think it was worth it on a ten high flop and am currently on just over 21k - Looking ok so far!

151 hands, 2.5 hours in and the first time I get pocket aces....and they take the pot :) Best starting hand up to now was 77, well, that's the best pocket pair I've had, had AKs and AQ but both haven't done anything yet.

Another wicket gone in the cricket!

Onwards...

Balls - down to 11k

Then out. I seem to not win these situations a fair bit. I know I get my fair share of luckyness like the 95 hand above, but all ins preflop, I tend not to win if it's a coin flip like this one. Take the one above, one ten would have been a big blow, but two was just taking the piss. Perhaps I don't go in to enough of them.

Ah well, lasted a while, shame not to cash though - we were less than 100 from the money. In hindsight, I shouldn't have tried to move with the A8. If I wanted to cash, I should have just waited. I think I'd probably have made the money just folding away, but with an M of only about 4 I can't sit around. At least I got first in, just unlucky to run into a bigger hand.....again.

One day, I'm going to win one of these bigger prize money tourneys. I hope the US Dollar exhange rate has got better by then though :)

Flintoff out, things not looking good for England in the cricket. I think I'll wait till the lunch break then go to bed.

Poker Highs and Lows

It's amazing the swings that you go through playing cash games. Playing them is slow solid grind and it's not easy to maintain a standard when you're folding hand after hand.

I was a bit disapointed at my early exit in a $50 mtt earlier but losing the $60 when my QQ ran into AA on a low board was a kick in the goolies. $110 down already and I'd only just started for the night. I reloaded with $40 on my losing cash table and carried on playing. It's been a good 4 hours I guess since then and I'd only picked up scraps. I also loaded a PLHE table. Managed to win a nice pot for $30 at the start but slowly it all went down and eventually the table emptied - PLHE doesn't seem to be that popular. In the last hand I played, on a T3775 board, I bet to the river and even on the river MB called, only to show A3!! Amazing, I don't know what he put me on but bottom pair! Anyway, he was right, I was bluffing but I had a straight draw to the end and the only way I was winning was to bet the river, but amazingly he called.

Anyway, back to the original table, I'm sat on $157 at the moment, all losses have been accounted for, even the $50 I spent on the mtt! I did actually play a couple of $5 rebuys to the $175 WPT DS and didn't win, but I'm not really counting that, my W$ is a seperate fund.

3rd attempt at a $50 mtt.

Payed the price for slow playing KK

http://www.pokerhand.org/?647124

Very next hand

http://www.pokerhand.org/?647126

Then the very next hand

http://www.pokerhand.org/?647129

Not quite back in it, but not far off.

JJ was the next hand and I raised to 200, 1 caller and an ace on the flop ment I had to fold to his bet - after raising when there was an ace with the kings, I thought better of it this time.

Anyway, Stuck my last chips in with JTs and got a caller with 77 but I didn't improve and thus went out. Grim night so far. I've also lost $60 in cash when my QQ was up against AA.

Great night

Managed my first cash in a $50 mtt in only my second go - came 18th for $235. Also cashed in a $8 omaha and also won $80 on the cash tables. Will write up the tourney in the morning, but for now I must sleep.

Been a good day, more than makes up for yesterday :)

God bless cash games, then can make you feel like shit one minute then make your day the next

It was actually going not too bad anyway, managed to make $50 before reducing that to a $20 profit then that hand came and I'm probably now even evens for the day overall, including my mtt losses.

May quit now