Made the money in both this weekends payday tournaments on Crypto, thats not as good an achievement as it sounds as they pay 50 and Saturdays £ 2k Gtd had only 64 entrants and Sundays £3k Gtd only 90.
I finished 3rd on Saturday for £160 and a valuble boost to the bankroll, Sunday I managed only 34th for £18 and a meagre £7 profit.
Wyld /John Terry won the £2k Gtd event on Saturday night for over £500 and his biggest win to date, playing some great poker to come back from being short-stacked early on to dominate at the end despite a couple of bad beats along the way.
These tournaments are becoming the new flashmob with ukgatsby, AJ Cairns, Dibble Snap, Keliwah, Chalfont fan etc all playing.
Mid pairs were again my nemesis in Sundays £3k Gtd, I seem to get a lot more than my fair share of 88 and 99, early doors Im happy to limp or raise and fold to any show of strength after the flop if I dont improve. When the blinds rise, I seem to always overplay them, either not being able to put them down if I miss the flop, or re-raising and convincing myself I will win despite all the evidence to the contrary.
If anyone reading has any good advice on playing mid size pocket pairs when the blinds are biting, I would be grateful for any pointers
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Mid Pocket Pairs II
Why can't they all pan out like this
Game #4074891364: Hold'em NL (15/30) - 2006/11/24 - 18:54:08 (UK)
Table "£8K FRI Thunder Sat 3802312 - 1" Seat 8 is the button.
Seat 1: Flopadop1 (1460 in chips)
Seat 3: Mic290133 (1290 in chips)
Seat 4: Kingyrm (1390 in chips)
Seat 5: Cubantony sits out
Seat 6: Matt20026 (1845 in chips)
Seat 7: Wookie99 (4870 in chips)
Seat 8: Luckynic (1925 in chips)
Seat 9: Spicyal (840 in chips)
Seat 10: redcar (1640 in chips)
Spicyal: posts small blind 15
redcar: posts big blind 30
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [7d 7h]
Flopadop1: folds
Mic290133: folds
Kingyrm: calls 30
Cubantony: folds
Matt20026: calls 30
Wookie99: folds
Luckynic: calls 30
Spicyal: calls 15
redcar: raises to 90
Kingyrm: calls 60
Matt20026: calls 60
Luckynic: calls 60
Spicyal: calls 60
----- FLOP ----- [8s 9s 7c]
Spicyal: checks
redcar: bets 300
Kingyrm: calls 300
Matt20026: folds
Luckynic: folds
Spicyal: folds
----- TURN ----- [8s 9s 7c][8d]
redcar: bets 300
Kingyrm: calls 300
----- RIVER ----- [8s 9s 7c 8d][Tc]
redcar: bets 950 and is all-in
Kingyrm: is all-in 700
Returned uncalled bets 250 to redcar
----- SHOW DOWN -----
redcar: shows [7d 7h] (A Full House, Sevens full of Eights)
Kingyrm: shows [Ks Js] (A Straight, Jack high)
redcar collects 3050 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 3050 Main pot 3050 Rake 0
Board [8s 9s 7c 8d Tc]
Seat 1: Flopadop1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Mic290133 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Kingyrm showed [Ks Js] and lost
Seat 5: Cubantony folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Matt20026 folded on the Flop
Seat 7: Wookie99 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Luckynic (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: Spicyal (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 10: redcar (big blind) showed [7d 7h] and won (3050) with A Full House, Sevens full of Eights
Game #4074891364: Hold'em NL (15/30) - 2006/11/24 - 18:54:08 (UK)
Table "£8K FRI Thunder Sat 3802312 - 1" Seat 8 is the button.
Seat 1: Flopadop1 (1460 in chips)
Seat 3: Mic290133 (1290 in chips)
Seat 4: Kingyrm (1390 in chips)
Seat 5: Cubantony sits out
Seat 6: Matt20026 (1845 in chips)
Seat 7: Wookie99 (4870 in chips)
Seat 8: Luckynic (1925 in chips)
Seat 9: Spicyal (840 in chips)
Seat 10: redcar (1640 in chips)
Spicyal: posts small blind 15
redcar: posts big blind 30
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [7d 7h]
Flopadop1: folds
Mic290133: folds
Kingyrm: calls 30
Cubantony: folds
Matt20026: calls 30
Wookie99: folds
Luckynic: calls 30
Spicyal: calls 15
redcar: raises to 90
Kingyrm: calls 60
Matt20026: calls 60
Luckynic: calls 60
Spicyal: calls 60
----- FLOP ----- [8s 9s 7c]
Spicyal: checks
redcar: bets 300
Kingyrm: calls 300
Matt20026: folds
Luckynic: folds
Spicyal: folds
----- TURN ----- [8s 9s 7c][8d]
redcar: bets 300
Kingyrm: calls 300
----- RIVER ----- [8s 9s 7c 8d][Tc]
redcar: bets 950 and is all-in
Kingyrm: is all-in 700
Returned uncalled bets 250 to redcar
----- SHOW DOWN -----
redcar: shows [7d 7h] (A Full House, Sevens full of Eights)
Kingyrm: shows [Ks Js] (A Straight, Jack high)
redcar collects 3050 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 3050 Main pot 3050 Rake 0
Board [8s 9s 7c 8d Tc]
Seat 1: Flopadop1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Mic290133 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Kingyrm showed [Ks Js] and lost
Seat 5: Cubantony folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Matt20026 folded on the Flop
Seat 7: Wookie99 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Luckynic (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: Spicyal (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 10: redcar (big blind) showed [7d 7h] and won (3050) with A Full House, Sevens full of Eights
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Mid Pocket Pairs
I managed to get myself in a lot of trouble overplaying mid-ranking pocket pairs this week.
Crashed out of the Payday tournament on UKBetting on Sunday night with 88.
Raised Pre-flop and got one caller, flop was Qxx opponent checked it to me so I checked also, turn card was another rag, he checks again, so I make a play for it with a pot size bet and get reraised, I should just bow out here, but instead I managed to covince myself he was bluffing and push all in, he has QQ and I'm out.
Impatience seems to be a recurring theme, I used to think I was a decent mtt player at low stakes, but it seems like I've forgotton all about patience, in my attempts to be more aggressive, I have to go back to basics.
I did a similar move in the £4k Gtd earlier this week against Dibble, raised pre-flop with 88 only to be reraised by Dibble, now I like to think I give him credit for a big pair here , but he types in AA ? and for some reason I think hes also on a bluff, hes not and again has QQ, I rivered the straight to all but knock him out (Sorry mate).
I did the same again last night with 99 limp utg and get raised by the button, I decide instead of folding or calling to push all in, and he calls with AQ (not the best call in the world), anyway, he hits a Q on the flop and Im out again.
I have to get some patience back into my game. Aggression is all well and good, but I have to learn how to pick my spot a bit better than I am currently
Crashed out of the Payday tournament on UKBetting on Sunday night with 88.
Raised Pre-flop and got one caller, flop was Qxx opponent checked it to me so I checked also, turn card was another rag, he checks again, so I make a play for it with a pot size bet and get reraised, I should just bow out here, but instead I managed to covince myself he was bluffing and push all in, he has QQ and I'm out.
Impatience seems to be a recurring theme, I used to think I was a decent mtt player at low stakes, but it seems like I've forgotton all about patience, in my attempts to be more aggressive, I have to go back to basics.
I did a similar move in the £4k Gtd earlier this week against Dibble, raised pre-flop with 88 only to be reraised by Dibble, now I like to think I give him credit for a big pair here , but he types in AA ? and for some reason I think hes also on a bluff, hes not and again has QQ, I rivered the straight to all but knock him out (Sorry mate).
I did the same again last night with 99 limp utg and get raised by the button, I decide instead of folding or calling to push all in, and he calls with AQ (not the best call in the world), anyway, he hits a Q on the flop and Im out again.
I have to get some patience back into my game. Aggression is all well and good, but I have to learn how to pick my spot a bit better than I am currently
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Bubble Boy
I haven't played online much for the last week or so, travelling over to the UK for a family function at the weekend.
Returned to Gib in time for the £100 freeze-out at the casino on Wednesday night, my biggest ever live buy-in.
I enjoy the freeze-out tournaments rather than the usual rebuy frenzy, even if £100 is somewhat outside my normal stakes, with 5000 starting chips and a slower structure, it gives time to play some poker without the usual lunatic rebuys every other hand.
I never really had a good starting hand early on, managed to pinch a few blinds and nick some pots from the BB before doubling up just before the break when I raised into the chip leader with AdTd, only to get reraised. The re-raise told me I was behind, but I called to see the flop of 3 rags with 2 diamonds, I pushed on the nut flush draw, my opponent showed pocket Kings, but I was lucky enough to catch a diamond and win the pot.
After the break, I had a run of decent cards and built my stack up to around 30k and pretty near the chip lead for the tournament.
Then I moved tables and was completely card dead for about an hour and a half before the final table formed at about 1.00 am.
I was one of about 4 short stacks on the final table with 6 to get paid so I had to make a move before the blinds got me.
I thought my time had come with AKo utg and raised to 3 x BB, it was folded round to the table short stack on the BB who reraised all in. I quickly called, and he flipped over AA, Whoops !
My luck held however when 4 diamonds on the board gave me the nut flush and the pot.
We were soon down to seven remaining, and with six to get paid, the table tightened up. I decided to try and take advantage of this and raised from mid-position with Qc8c, only to get a call from the 2nd chip leader from the BB. The flop was 6c 7c 7s so when it was checked to me, I pushed my luck with a flush draw again by going all in, only to be called by trip sevens. For once my luck ran out and I busted out in 7th, qualifying for a free smoothie from Joost in Main Street as the bubble boy, at £100 its probably the most expensive "free" smoothie I'll ever have so I better enjoy it !
Returned to Gib in time for the £100 freeze-out at the casino on Wednesday night, my biggest ever live buy-in.
I enjoy the freeze-out tournaments rather than the usual rebuy frenzy, even if £100 is somewhat outside my normal stakes, with 5000 starting chips and a slower structure, it gives time to play some poker without the usual lunatic rebuys every other hand.
I never really had a good starting hand early on, managed to pinch a few blinds and nick some pots from the BB before doubling up just before the break when I raised into the chip leader with AdTd, only to get reraised. The re-raise told me I was behind, but I called to see the flop of 3 rags with 2 diamonds, I pushed on the nut flush draw, my opponent showed pocket Kings, but I was lucky enough to catch a diamond and win the pot.
After the break, I had a run of decent cards and built my stack up to around 30k and pretty near the chip lead for the tournament.
Then I moved tables and was completely card dead for about an hour and a half before the final table formed at about 1.00 am.
I was one of about 4 short stacks on the final table with 6 to get paid so I had to make a move before the blinds got me.
I thought my time had come with AKo utg and raised to 3 x BB, it was folded round to the table short stack on the BB who reraised all in. I quickly called, and he flipped over AA, Whoops !
My luck held however when 4 diamonds on the board gave me the nut flush and the pot.
We were soon down to seven remaining, and with six to get paid, the table tightened up. I decided to try and take advantage of this and raised from mid-position with Qc8c, only to get a call from the 2nd chip leader from the BB. The flop was 6c 7c 7s so when it was checked to me, I pushed my luck with a flush draw again by going all in, only to be called by trip sevens. For once my luck ran out and I busted out in 7th, qualifying for a free smoothie from Joost in Main Street as the bubble boy, at £100 its probably the most expensive "free" smoothie I'll ever have so I better enjoy it !
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The King Ten Lunatic
Apologies again for posting another hand history, but I just finished playing a small stakes mtt with a complete lunatic who never folded, raised with junk and just kept hitting.
Game #3911816164: Hold'em NL (150/300) - 2006/11/08 - 15:06:55 (UK)
Table "Tourney 3803589 - 3" Seat 10 is the button.
Seat 1: Eddcase (2130 in chips)
Seat 3: redcar (7145 in chips)
Seat 5: Bowwows (15090 in chips)
Seat 6: Mag3456 (2965 in chips)
Seat 7: Bugsy76 (10917.50 in chips)
Seat 8: Gbhmfc (2055 in chips)
Seat 9: Acealan29 (10480 in chips)
Eddcase: posts small blind 150
redcar: posts big blind 300
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [7c 7d]
Bowwows: folds
Mag3456: calls 300
Bugsy76: folds
Gbhmfc: folds
Acealan29: calls 300
Eddcase: folds
redcar: raises to 1200
Mag3456: calls 900
Acealan29: calls 900
----- FLOP ----- [5d Ah As]
redcar: checks
Mag3456: bets 1765 and is all-in
Acealan29: folds
redcar: calls 1765
----- TURN ----- [5d Ah As][Kh]
----- RIVER ----- [5d Ah As Kh][Kd]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Mag3456: shows [Td Ks] (A Full House, Kings full of Aces)
redcar: shows [7c 7d] (Two Pairs, Aces and Kings, Seven high)
Mag3456 collects 7280 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 7280 Main pot 7280 Rake 0
Board [5d Ah As Kh Kd]
Seat 1: Eddcase (small blind) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: redcar (big blind) showed [7c 7d] and lost
Seat 5: Bowwows folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Mag3456 showed [Td Ks] and won (7280) with A Full House, Kings full of Aces
Seat 7: Bugsy76 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Gbhmfc folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Acealan29 folded on the Flop
after that hand I was waiting for another opportunity to get in a pot with him and when it finally came, guess what happened
Game #3912020364: Hold'em NL (200/400) - 2006/11/08 - 15:27:53 (UK)
Table "Tourney 3803589 - 2" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Dee3105 (6910 in chips)
Seat 2: Jacey (5850 in chips)
Seat 3: Mckenn006 (14762.50 in chips)
Seat 5: Gbhmfc (2710 in chips)
Seat 6: _foggi_ (6500 in chips)
Seat 7: Mag3456 (18830 in chips)
Seat 8: redcar (5730 in chips)
Seat 9: KAAK (11210 in chips)
Seat 10: Deltag (12052.50 in chips)
_foggi_: posts the ante 50
Mag3456: posts the ante 50
redcar: posts the ante 50
KAAK: posts the ante 50
Deltag: posts the ante 50
Dee3105: posts the ante 50
Jacey: posts the ante 50
Mckenn006: posts the ante 50
Gbhmfc: posts the ante 50
_foggi_: posts small blind 200
Mag3456: posts big blind 400
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [Qs As]
redcar: raises to 1200
KAAK: folds
Deltag: folds
Dee3105: folds
Jacey: folds
Mckenn006: folds
Gbhmfc: raises to 2660 and is all-in
_foggi_: folds
Mag3456: calls 2260
redcar: calls 1460
----- FLOP ----- [9h Kh Ks]
Mag3456: checks
redcar: checks
----- TURN ----- [9h Kh Ks][7c]
Mag3456: bets 1200
redcar: raises to 3020 and is all-in
Mag3456: calls 1820
----- RIVER ----- [9h Kh Ks 7c][5d]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
redcar: shows [Qs As] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Gbhmfc: shows [Ah 8s] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Mag3456: shows [Td Kd] (Three of a kind, Kings, Ten high)
Mag3456 collects 6040 from Side pot #1
Mag3456 collects 8630 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 14670 Main pot 8630 Side pot #1 6040 | Rake 0
Board [9h Kh Ks 7c 5d]
Seat 1: Dee3105 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Jacey folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Mckenn006 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Gbhmfc (button) showed [Ah 8s] and lost
Seat 6: _foggi_ (small blind) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Mag3456 (big blind) showed [Td Kd] and won (14670) with Three of a kind, Kings, Ten high
Seat 8: redcar showed [Qs As] and lost
Seat 9: KAAK folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 10: Deltag folded before Flop (didn't bet)
......and I know I should have seen it coming but he really was a complete lunatic, thats all I can say in my defence.
Game #3911816164: Hold'em NL (150/300) - 2006/11/08 - 15:06:55 (UK)
Table "Tourney 3803589 - 3" Seat 10 is the button.
Seat 1: Eddcase (2130 in chips)
Seat 3: redcar (7145 in chips)
Seat 5: Bowwows (15090 in chips)
Seat 6: Mag3456 (2965 in chips)
Seat 7: Bugsy76 (10917.50 in chips)
Seat 8: Gbhmfc (2055 in chips)
Seat 9: Acealan29 (10480 in chips)
Eddcase: posts small blind 150
redcar: posts big blind 300
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [7c 7d]
Bowwows: folds
Mag3456: calls 300
Bugsy76: folds
Gbhmfc: folds
Acealan29: calls 300
Eddcase: folds
redcar: raises to 1200
Mag3456: calls 900
Acealan29: calls 900
----- FLOP ----- [5d Ah As]
redcar: checks
Mag3456: bets 1765 and is all-in
Acealan29: folds
redcar: calls 1765
----- TURN ----- [5d Ah As][Kh]
----- RIVER ----- [5d Ah As Kh][Kd]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Mag3456: shows [Td Ks] (A Full House, Kings full of Aces)
redcar: shows [7c 7d] (Two Pairs, Aces and Kings, Seven high)
Mag3456 collects 7280 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 7280 Main pot 7280 Rake 0
Board [5d Ah As Kh Kd]
Seat 1: Eddcase (small blind) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: redcar (big blind) showed [7c 7d] and lost
Seat 5: Bowwows folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Mag3456 showed [Td Ks] and won (7280) with A Full House, Kings full of Aces
Seat 7: Bugsy76 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Gbhmfc folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Acealan29 folded on the Flop
after that hand I was waiting for another opportunity to get in a pot with him and when it finally came, guess what happened
Game #3912020364: Hold'em NL (200/400) - 2006/11/08 - 15:27:53 (UK)
Table "Tourney 3803589 - 2" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Dee3105 (6910 in chips)
Seat 2: Jacey (5850 in chips)
Seat 3: Mckenn006 (14762.50 in chips)
Seat 5: Gbhmfc (2710 in chips)
Seat 6: _foggi_ (6500 in chips)
Seat 7: Mag3456 (18830 in chips)
Seat 8: redcar (5730 in chips)
Seat 9: KAAK (11210 in chips)
Seat 10: Deltag (12052.50 in chips)
_foggi_: posts the ante 50
Mag3456: posts the ante 50
redcar: posts the ante 50
KAAK: posts the ante 50
Deltag: posts the ante 50
Dee3105: posts the ante 50
Jacey: posts the ante 50
Mckenn006: posts the ante 50
Gbhmfc: posts the ante 50
_foggi_: posts small blind 200
Mag3456: posts big blind 400
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to redcar [Qs As]
redcar: raises to 1200
KAAK: folds
Deltag: folds
Dee3105: folds
Jacey: folds
Mckenn006: folds
Gbhmfc: raises to 2660 and is all-in
_foggi_: folds
Mag3456: calls 2260
redcar: calls 1460
----- FLOP ----- [9h Kh Ks]
Mag3456: checks
redcar: checks
----- TURN ----- [9h Kh Ks][7c]
Mag3456: bets 1200
redcar: raises to 3020 and is all-in
Mag3456: calls 1820
----- RIVER ----- [9h Kh Ks 7c][5d]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
redcar: shows [Qs As] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Gbhmfc: shows [Ah 8s] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Mag3456: shows [Td Kd] (Three of a kind, Kings, Ten high)
Mag3456 collects 6040 from Side pot #1
Mag3456 collects 8630 from Main pot
----- SUMMARY -----
Total pot 14670 Main pot 8630 Side pot #1 6040 | Rake 0
Board [9h Kh Ks 7c 5d]
Seat 1: Dee3105 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Jacey folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Mckenn006 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Gbhmfc (button) showed [Ah 8s] and lost
Seat 6: _foggi_ (small blind) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Mag3456 (big blind) showed [Td Kd] and won (14670) with Three of a kind, Kings, Ten high
Seat 8: redcar showed [Qs As] and lost
Seat 9: KAAK folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 10: Deltag folded before Flop (didn't bet)
......and I know I should have seen it coming but he really was a complete lunatic, thats all I can say in my defence.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Higher Stakes (Part 3)
I've been playing in a couple of higher stakes tournaments on Crypto this week, and while I haven't made the money yet, I haven't felt out of place in them either.
There are certainly less crazy calls and less fishing with draws, but there is also more respect for raises and people actually realise what you are representing when you make a move, instaed of the "call regardless with any pair" attitude which exists on the low stakes mtts.
Having said only yesterday that I would avoid the thunder format satellites for the AWF tournaments on Crypto, I did the opposite and qualified for the $100 + $9 $4k added on Monday night at the first attempt.
I was delayed on Tuesday night so played the satellite for the $50 + $5 $3k added instead and again qualified at the first attempt, so two decent value tournaments for a total stake of around 12 quid and a return to form in the satellites even in thunder format.
I had a decent run in the $4k added, spotted the fish at the table early on and watched as he inevitably built up a big stack by hitting everything in sight. He even won one pot when his overpair v two pair (all in on the flop) paired the board on the turn to give him another double up, and as the chips slid over towards him typed in chat "That was confusing" lol, I don't believe he even realised he had won the pot.
He raised me off two pots when I limped in with Ax suited as I tried to pick my spot while watching him donk off chips in all directions. I eventually found JJ on my BB and as he did his usual pre-flop raise, I pushed all in confidently expecting him to call with Ace Rag or a lower pair, and call he does..........and then he flips over Pocket Rockets.
That did for half of my chips and two outdraws later I was out in 71st of 231, but a good experience in my highest value mtt to date.
The $3k added on Tuesday was less enjoyable, never really got going, lost half my stack with AJ on a board of KKKxx v JJ and went out soon after defending my BB with KT v AJ, just before the first break. I did however have the honour of the famous Azimut on my table for half an hour, without ever getting in a pot against him
There are certainly less crazy calls and less fishing with draws, but there is also more respect for raises and people actually realise what you are representing when you make a move, instaed of the "call regardless with any pair" attitude which exists on the low stakes mtts.
Having said only yesterday that I would avoid the thunder format satellites for the AWF tournaments on Crypto, I did the opposite and qualified for the $100 + $9 $4k added on Monday night at the first attempt.
I was delayed on Tuesday night so played the satellite for the $50 + $5 $3k added instead and again qualified at the first attempt, so two decent value tournaments for a total stake of around 12 quid and a return to form in the satellites even in thunder format.
I had a decent run in the $4k added, spotted the fish at the table early on and watched as he inevitably built up a big stack by hitting everything in sight. He even won one pot when his overpair v two pair (all in on the flop) paired the board on the turn to give him another double up, and as the chips slid over towards him typed in chat "That was confusing" lol, I don't believe he even realised he had won the pot.
He raised me off two pots when I limped in with Ax suited as I tried to pick my spot while watching him donk off chips in all directions. I eventually found JJ on my BB and as he did his usual pre-flop raise, I pushed all in confidently expecting him to call with Ace Rag or a lower pair, and call he does..........and then he flips over Pocket Rockets.
That did for half of my chips and two outdraws later I was out in 71st of 231, but a good experience in my highest value mtt to date.
The $3k added on Tuesday was less enjoyable, never really got going, lost half my stack with AJ on a board of KKKxx v JJ and went out soon after defending my BB with KT v AJ, just before the first break. I did however have the honour of the famous Azimut on my table for half an hour, without ever getting in a pot against him
Monday, November 06, 2006
Another small profit on the week
As the title says, I managed to scrape another small profit on the week.
My strategy, playing mainly MTT's is to break even most weeks and wait for the big win to boost the bankroll. The variance in MTT's is such that its very difficult to keep making a weekly or even monthly profit, so any week that ends up in the black is welcome, even if its only by a couple of quid. As they say, "Profit is Profit"
I've been playing mainly on Crypto this week via UK betting, the Payday tournaments, as always, had plenty of value and the value added AWF tournaments have some overlay as well.
The problem with the AWF tournies, at least as far as I'm concerned is that all of them except the $2k added $33 entry are above my normal stakes, no problem if there are satellites, except for the fact that all the sats are thunder format, which means the qualifiers are decided more by good luck than good judgement.
I made a decision a couple of weeks ago to avoid the thunder format tournies as I never seem to do well in them, maybe I should play stt's to try to win the entry into the $50 and $100 tournaments.
I tried to use Betfair again this week, but have to say its very awkward to use, despite the value added tournaments, it's too temperamental to trust money to, even opening the lobby takes up 50% of my cpu usage, compared to about 6% for the UK Betting site, I'm no IT expert but I'm sure thats not good news, and probably the reason that my laptop crashes frequently if I even have the software open, never mind playing it.
There are some good value tournaments in their online BAPT promotion, but if the site is so unstable it caused my computer to crash, then I think I'll have to side step it.
I wont play much over this weekend as I'm heading back to the UK for a few days to attend an engagement party for my nephew, can't say I'm looking forward to it. Apart from meeting some people who I haven't seen in a while, its going to be cold, wet and expensive. Bah Humbug.
My strategy, playing mainly MTT's is to break even most weeks and wait for the big win to boost the bankroll. The variance in MTT's is such that its very difficult to keep making a weekly or even monthly profit, so any week that ends up in the black is welcome, even if its only by a couple of quid. As they say, "Profit is Profit"
I've been playing mainly on Crypto this week via UK betting, the Payday tournaments, as always, had plenty of value and the value added AWF tournaments have some overlay as well.
The problem with the AWF tournies, at least as far as I'm concerned is that all of them except the $2k added $33 entry are above my normal stakes, no problem if there are satellites, except for the fact that all the sats are thunder format, which means the qualifiers are decided more by good luck than good judgement.
I made a decision a couple of weeks ago to avoid the thunder format tournies as I never seem to do well in them, maybe I should play stt's to try to win the entry into the $50 and $100 tournaments.
I tried to use Betfair again this week, but have to say its very awkward to use, despite the value added tournaments, it's too temperamental to trust money to, even opening the lobby takes up 50% of my cpu usage, compared to about 6% for the UK Betting site, I'm no IT expert but I'm sure thats not good news, and probably the reason that my laptop crashes frequently if I even have the software open, never mind playing it.
There are some good value tournaments in their online BAPT promotion, but if the site is so unstable it caused my computer to crash, then I think I'll have to side step it.
I wont play much over this weekend as I'm heading back to the UK for a few days to attend an engagement party for my nephew, can't say I'm looking forward to it. Apart from meeting some people who I haven't seen in a while, its going to be cold, wet and expensive. Bah Humbug.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Evidently Chicken Town - A poem by John Cooper Clarke
EVIDENTLYCHICKEN TOWN
the fucking cops are fucking keen
to fucking keep it fucking clean
the fucking chief's a fucking swine
who fucking draws a fucking line
at fucking fun and fucking games
the fucking kids he fucking blames
are nowehere to be fucking found
anywhere in chicken town
the fucking scene is fucking sad
the fucking news is fucking bad
the fucking weed is fucking turf
the fucking speed is fucking surf
the fucking folks are fucking daft
don't make me fucking laugh
it fucking hurts to look around
everywhere in chicken town
the fucking train is fucking late
you fucking wait you fucking wait
you're fucking lost and fucking found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the fucking view is fucking vile
for fucking miles and fucking miles
the fucking babies fucking cry
the fucking flowers fucking die
the fucking food is fucking muck
the fucking drains are fucking fucked
the colour scheme is fucking brown
everywhere in chicken town
the fucking pubs are fucking dull
the fucking clubs are fucking full
of fucking girls and fucking guys
with fucking murder in their eyes
a fucking bloke is fucking stabbed
waiting for a fucking cab
you fucking stay at fucking home
the fucking neighbors fucking moan
keep the fucking racket down
this is fucking chicken town
the fucking train is fucking late
you fucking wait you fucking wait
you're fucking lost and fucking found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the fucking pies are fucking old
the fucking chips are fucking cold
the fucking beer is fucking flat
the fucking flats have fucking rats
the fucking clocks are fucking wrong
the fucking days are fucking long
it fucking gets you fucking down
evidently chicken town
LYRICS © JOHN COOPER CLARKE
the fucking cops are fucking keen
to fucking keep it fucking clean
the fucking chief's a fucking swine
who fucking draws a fucking line
at fucking fun and fucking games
the fucking kids he fucking blames
are nowehere to be fucking found
anywhere in chicken town
the fucking scene is fucking sad
the fucking news is fucking bad
the fucking weed is fucking turf
the fucking speed is fucking surf
the fucking folks are fucking daft
don't make me fucking laugh
it fucking hurts to look around
everywhere in chicken town
the fucking train is fucking late
you fucking wait you fucking wait
you're fucking lost and fucking found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the fucking view is fucking vile
for fucking miles and fucking miles
the fucking babies fucking cry
the fucking flowers fucking die
the fucking food is fucking muck
the fucking drains are fucking fucked
the colour scheme is fucking brown
everywhere in chicken town
the fucking pubs are fucking dull
the fucking clubs are fucking full
of fucking girls and fucking guys
with fucking murder in their eyes
a fucking bloke is fucking stabbed
waiting for a fucking cab
you fucking stay at fucking home
the fucking neighbors fucking moan
keep the fucking racket down
this is fucking chicken town
the fucking train is fucking late
you fucking wait you fucking wait
you're fucking lost and fucking found
stuck in fucking chicken town
the fucking pies are fucking old
the fucking chips are fucking cold
the fucking beer is fucking flat
the fucking flats have fucking rats
the fucking clocks are fucking wrong
the fucking days are fucking long
it fucking gets you fucking down
evidently chicken town
LYRICS © JOHN COOPER CLARKE
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Betfair Disaster
Well, not a bad time recently on the poker front, no mtt win this week but a couple of final tables and but for a bad beat or two, well, who knows.
Played in the UKBetting Poker Payday tournaments this week and despite the huge overlay, managed just a small overall profit.
Had a good run in Mondays when my J9 on the BB was rewarded with a J99 flop, lots of cagey checking, calling and eventually re-re-raising on the river, was the order of the day as my opponent had T9 and despite flush and straight possibilities called my all in on the river with trip nines - happy days.
Unfortunately it didn't last, a few hands later I limped with QJ and saw a flop of 89Q.
When a ten came on the turn, I thought Christmas had come early and was all in v Opponents KQ unfortunately a J on the river gave him the higher straight and shortly after I was gone for a small profit when I thought a final table was in reach and maybe a big payday.
The biggest news of the week, however has to be Betfairs new poker platform.
The worst kept secret in poker for months has been Betfairs imminent move from Cryptologic and onto the PokerChamps software.
I thought, however that they had been upgrading and updating it for months prior to the changeover to provide a state of the art poker platform to compete with the best, what they have actually launched on, is Pokerchamps with blue tables.
I honestly couldn't believe how poor it is, you still have to decide before you sit down, how many tables you want to play, just like the old pokerchamps set-up.
The tables are way too small, or fill the complete page (Where is the PokerStars style re-sizing option ?)
On top of the awful graphics there have been all sorts of problems with stability and connectivity and the Betfair poker forum has been full of complaints from regular forumites and newcomers alike.
Some Betfair stalwarts are doing a stirling job of defending the indefensible, its not Betfairs fault, wait until the problems are sorted out, etc, but It looks very much like a lot of players will, like me, be looking for a new site to play on, at least until Betfair sorts out all the problems, and that may be quite some time.
Played in the UKBetting Poker Payday tournaments this week and despite the huge overlay, managed just a small overall profit.
Had a good run in Mondays when my J9 on the BB was rewarded with a J99 flop, lots of cagey checking, calling and eventually re-re-raising on the river, was the order of the day as my opponent had T9 and despite flush and straight possibilities called my all in on the river with trip nines - happy days.
Unfortunately it didn't last, a few hands later I limped with QJ and saw a flop of 89Q.
When a ten came on the turn, I thought Christmas had come early and was all in v Opponents KQ unfortunately a J on the river gave him the higher straight and shortly after I was gone for a small profit when I thought a final table was in reach and maybe a big payday.
The biggest news of the week, however has to be Betfairs new poker platform.
The worst kept secret in poker for months has been Betfairs imminent move from Cryptologic and onto the PokerChamps software.
I thought, however that they had been upgrading and updating it for months prior to the changeover to provide a state of the art poker platform to compete with the best, what they have actually launched on, is Pokerchamps with blue tables.
I honestly couldn't believe how poor it is, you still have to decide before you sit down, how many tables you want to play, just like the old pokerchamps set-up.
The tables are way too small, or fill the complete page (Where is the PokerStars style re-sizing option ?)
On top of the awful graphics there have been all sorts of problems with stability and connectivity and the Betfair poker forum has been full of complaints from regular forumites and newcomers alike.
Some Betfair stalwarts are doing a stirling job of defending the indefensible, its not Betfairs fault, wait until the problems are sorted out, etc, but It looks very much like a lot of players will, like me, be looking for a new site to play on, at least until Betfair sorts out all the problems, and that may be quite some time.
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