Saturday 3/6/2010 Nightmare (Down -$1000 total)

Saturday Commentary

Let’s try this again…

4:50 p.m

The BS ALREADY STARTS.  Table one flopped 2 pair on the blind.  The opponent  flops the set.  Amazing.  Buy in bye.  YEAH LET ME FOLD THAT?  Sticking to around 6 tables right now because I can’t avoid shit like that obviously, as shown the last 9 fucking hours of play.  Oh he was also fundamentally the worst player on the table, absolutely un-foldable.

5:30 p.m

Just doubled to $140 with table 3.  The table is so bad I decided to stay around until the worst player goes bust.  Shouldn’t be long .  I’m sure a super-user will stack will get dealt their standard AA and stack him in the next 2 hands. 

Table 4 dealt KK on the button.  Entire table folds to me and I win the blinds.  Did I mention I hate this site?  The table also had 2 very loose players on my right amazing.  I guess it’s better than losing to the standard ace flop.

5:45 p.m

Just lost a $70 pot vs a short-stacking regular on table 3 (table where I chipped up and stayed).  OF COURSE HE HAS AA> AK.   WHAT THE ELSE WOULD HE Have?  Down to $100 there.   That’s my signature move baby, get all in with AK against a regular that’s somehow dealt AA at the same time.  I won’t say “gotta love it”.  I hate this shit.  Balance out the unbelievable screw you have put on me the last 10 hours you piece of shit Troll Stars.

6:00 p.m

Coolered again table 5.  JJ< KK all in pre.   That’s what I do; get in with 1010+ and get slammed by the KK.  So if you want to know who has KK+ in the hand just deal me a QQ or JJ every hand. Again, I’d love to know how these people constantly pick up these insane hands against my premiums, but when I get KK or AA the entire table folds around.

6:20 p.m

Full buy in gone QQ < KK all in pre.  IT NEVER ENDS.  I should really be used to it

6:30 p.m

Taking a quick break when the blinds hit.  Terrible session.  I don’t even want to check the bankroll it certainly can’t be good.  Add in the 3 coolers that’s insurmountable right there.  I could play 10 years and not have the better end of coolering 3 opponents in 2 hours.   Or if I did they would slam every 2 outer in the book.  My attitude is shit right now so the break would be good.  I’m obviously not mature enough to handle 10 hours of straight up abuse.  Down only -$40 in those 2 hours, but I feel like a horse kicked me in the face.

7:00 p.m

I’m back.  Going to phase in tables and strive for profitable ones.  The tables really suck right now, so there’s going to be a lot of stealing and trying to get in people’s heads until I can find decent ones.  There’s also hordes of short-stackers for some reason.  Terrible time to play poker.

7:10 p.m

Table 3.  JJ< KK all in pre lost.  THAT TOOK LONG LOL.  THANKS!! ANYTHING ELSE?  Just for the record today in 2 hours opponents coolering me with better hands FOUR TIMES.  Me coolering them ZERO.  Something seems a little unbalanced.   12 tables, 8 tables, 4 tables, you name it; nothing can go right.

7:25 p.m

Table 4 $100 POT GONE KK< AA PREFLOP.  What do I do fold the KK because poker-stars decided to rig me.  IT’s the worst player on the table.  PLEASE STOP THE HORSESHIT OR I AM LEAVING THIS SITE.  I’m dead fucking serious I am DONE WEITH THIS SHIT.   THAT’S THE FIFTH COOLER IN 2.5 HOURS against my 0.  I don’t understand what to do here.   This is a huge reason why my ultimate goal is to move and play live.  I can’t stand getting FUCKED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN by an un-named BULLSHIT site.  The shit I have gone through is the most unjust disgusting shit I have ever seen.

7:45 p.m (20 minutes after I lost my mind)

Doubled on two tables and lost a buy-in on one.  The lost buy-in happened when I pushed all in with the nut flush draw.  The tool-shed had turned 2 pair with 56 off , after calling a pre raise.  I have no idea, must be nice.  It’s going to be a long night so I might as well get the emotions under control a while or quit and go out like normal 24-year old who has the ability to pick up girls.  Well I was never a quitter.

Just picked up a $100 pot on table 4.  Opponent calls my huge re-raise pre with A5 off.   He ended up shoving me all in re-raising on the flop on a 10 10 5 board.  I somehow avoided the suck-out with over pair QQ.  I’ve decided to leave the $100 stack on that table.  The mentioned opponent is to my immediate right and there are not many good tables right now.

8:35 p.m

Just doubled up to $180 on table 3.  Hybrid strategy pays off for once.  Same guy playing A5 before pays me again.  This time calling A9, mid pair 9, all the way to the river.  He rebuys $100; I’m staying.  Meanwhile on table 2 CLOWN-BOX CALLS 40 ALL IN PRE WITH A5 OFF.  RIVER 5.  A5> AK.  How does this idiot sleep at night?  I swear he sucks me out ever session like this.  Here’s what I will do idiot.  I will add you to my buddy list and look you up ever time I log in for the rest of my fucking life, so I hope it was worth the $40 call with A5 pre.  He left the table lol.  Maybe he can buy a poker book with the +40.

Table 2 all in pre with JJ > 10 10.  That’s one cooler in my favor against the 5 against me tonight.  IT’S ONE TO FIVE BABY.  So 4 more of those in a row and I’ll call it even.  That’s some perspective on how massively I have been screwed so far.

9:15 p.m

Terrible suck-out on table 1 to lose an $80 pot.  I flop a set, he calls all in with ace pair and the FD.  RIVER FLUSH.  THANKS STARS!!!  A++++ EXCELLENT SOFTWARE WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND GETTING FUCKED OUT OF A POT HERE AGAIN!!!!!   THE OPPONENT WAS ALSO VERY SOCIABLE!!!!!

9:40 p.m

AA sucked out on two different tables to lose enormous pots.  Table 6 idiot calls $30 all in pre with JK off.  RIVERS THE FLUSH.  Table 2 calls my raise pre with JK OFF and flops the nut straight against my top set of aces.  I should be used to it but ARE WE SERIOUS?????  Are these idiots working for pokerstars or are they really this bad?  How can you be that bad and get rewarded again and again.

I’m not sure if any sane person would sit here and keep playing after losing AA like that on simultaneously different tables.  I obviously need to see a psychologist.  Playing some music, maybe it can calm me down some.  I’m really fed up.

10:15  p.m

COOLERED AGAIN TABLE 3  JJ < QQ ALL IN PRE .  FUCK THIS SIX TO ONE ON THE COOLERS.   At this rate ill be making another deposit by the end of the friggin session.  Everything that could be taken has been robbed from me tongith by this bs site.  Taking a break around 11:00 p.m; late dinner.

Table 6 full buy in gone AA < JJ all in pre. hits the straight.   I might as well fold AA pre-flop, lost 3 of them tonight all ready, WON 0. 

Table 6 THE 4^TH AA LOST TONIGHT.  THIS TIME HE FLOPS SET OF 10S WTF.  How come I can’t hit a 2-outer one of the SIX FUCKING TIMES I’m coolereD?    This is a nightmare, I could never turn this shit around.   I’m going to say worst Saturday of my life.   I’m going to throw up if I lose one more fucking AA all in pre.   Down about 200 in this session alone.   Just accept you will lose every SINGLE AA dealt, fail to dodge every 2-outer,  get coolered a thousand times; until my bankroll hits zero.  FUCK IT whats the point Troll-stars has already decided my fate.  Just playing it out for “fun” at this point.  I don’t think I’ve doubled up in over an hour.  Just lost AA 4 times or whatever, not sure how that is humanly possible.

Lost a $75 stack on table 1 before I could leave.  Somehow this has gotten worse.  AN asshole plays A8 suited against my raise pre and HITS THE NUT FLUSH AGAINST MY TOP PARI TOP KICK AK.  All the clown had to do was check and call for the $130 pot.  HAHAHAHAHAH.  Didn’t think I could get one.   There is fire inside me right now; I’m going to end up breaking something really soon.  By the way what are the odds of flopping the nut flush?   It’s already happened twice against me today .  Must be very common.  Troll stars strikes again.  10 Minutes until break.  I’m so disgusted I’m not even hungry, but I should really break an hour anyways.  This type of bull-shit is a lot to wrap your head around.

If I play later I’m just going to have to treat as a clean-slate.  The way I have run the past few sessions is not going to balance out in a session.  It could take weeks, it may NEVER balance out for that matter.  To get dealt AA and lose 4 times in a row, much less even get dealt them for example.  The coolers, the suck-outs, the bullshit, it just all has to be wiped clean in my mind. 

Table 4 DEALT AA, HE HITS THE MOTHER FUCKING SET.  That’s what 5 times AA slain?  I Can’t even keep count. 

11:00 p.m

Logged.  -$237 in 3.5 hours.  That was fun.  That’s -$650 in the past 8.  Well I’m going to go eat something.  Maybe I’ll get all my decks of cards in the house take all the aces out, light them on fire, and throw them out the window.  I can’t feel like anything above was my fault.  I somehow feel like I played fine, I just feel completely screwed over.  At least manger is recording all this so I can turn Stars in for being rigged one day.  What else can I say……..

NEW CHAPTER???

12:45 a.m

That was a nice break.  I almost forgot about the brutality I suffered.   I want to put in at least 3 more hours.  Then I would only need 3 more Sunday to hit 20 this weekend.  I really don’t see how things could get any worse.  Striving to treat this as a clean slate and forget about the past 14 hours; not really much else I can do.

Let’s try this again………….

1:30 a.m

Table 1 Idiot calls raise pre with 22.  Flops the set against my top pair ace, king kicker.  Don’t waste any time in fucking me over or anything right troll-stars?  That’s the beginning of it lol .  HERE WE GO AGAIN.

2:30 a.m

I’m sticking to around 8-10 tables currently.  Strangely not a whole lot going on to report.   Calm before the storm or something….

2:31 a.m

Just doubled to $90 on table 6.  KK holds against 99, not sure how I dodged the two out.  I must have fallen into the twilight zone or something.  I’m sure it will be short-lived and inconsequential.  Thought I was toast with the ace on the river. 

2:35 a.m

Buy in gone on table 3 AK < JJ all in pre.  Standard.

2:45 a.m

LOST A $100 pot on table 3.  I am steaming.  Just had a minor flip out in my basement.   All in pre-flop $50 with AK.  FLOP KING KING QUEEN.  The guy has QQ  BOAT BABABAHAABABAH.  Burn in hell poker stars seriously.  BURN IN HELL.  How’d I know he was holding QQ there lmao.   So the one possible hand combo in the deck that could beat me on that flop he’s holding.   I can’t get over that I’m fucking done.  WHAT DO I NEED TO FLOP ?   FOUR OF A KIND?   A GOD DAMN Straight flush????

TABLE 1 ALL IN ON THE FLOP OVERPAIR 10 10.. he Turns the flush to win  WOW.  Another full buy in stolen from me my rig stars.   I have completely lost my mind.   People don’t run like this playing 10 tables for 20 hours.  IT’s not fucking possible.

3:10 a.m

Full buy in gone table 1 against super-user AK< JJ all in pre.  It pisses me off as much as the first race I lost today.   But now I have this anger infused into me that probably won’t go away for a long time.

Just checked my bankroll  I’m Down THREE HUNDRED FUCKING DOLLARS In this 2.5 hour session already.  That’s what happens when you’re rigged.  Lost almost a thousand this weekend, by the far the most I’ve ever lost in my life playing poker.  That’s about 25 buy-ins playing solid poker, unthinkable.  This has to be a record somewhere.    I don’t know if I can come back from this ever.  Might as well enjoy being a corporate slave the rest of my life.

3:25 a.m

Another fully buy in gone on table 3.  All in on the flop with the nut flush draw A9 < A7.  He flopped the 7.  Rivered the ace with no help obviously.  Love to know what I did to deserve this.  I wish from the bottom of my soul that I never logged on this weekend.

3:50 a.m

Not much going on.  Capping it at 6 tables right now.  Things seem to move so slow with 6 haha.  BR is in ruined and not sure what im going to do, but I think I have kind of accepted it; if that’s possible. 

4:25 a.m

Table 4 lost a full buy-in.  over pair KK get’s suck-out on the river amazing.  6 tables are moving slower, but that doesn’t mean ill suddenly be able to dodge ANYTHING.   TABLE 5 ANOTHER SUCK-OUT  all in on the flop with over-pair 10 10.. he calls with bottom pair pocket 33, but hits a str8 draw on the flop.  Of course he rivered it.   I never does end does it?  I could make a horror movie out of this night.   Poker players would piss their pants.

4:40 a.m

SAME GUY on table 5 another full buy in gone.  This time he flops a set against the top pair + nut flush draw.  No flush came shocker.  I just threw a chair across the room and 2 of the screws came out as it nearly exploded.   Like I give a shit.  Logging in 10 minutes.  Not because I’m tired or playing bad, but because this is absolutely hopeless.    THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT.  -$500 IN 4 HOURS OMFG.  I’m so screwed.  Logged.  I just screamed at the top of lungs into a pillow.  I can’t fucking believe this.   I obviously won’t be sleeping tonight or probably the entire week.

Time: 4 hours

Net Loss: -$512 

-$1,169 in 18 hours.  That is a record.

Recap: Train-wreck Friday (3/6/2010)

I played from 9:00 p.m – 5:00a.m Friday and ended up down almost -$400.  It was the most disgusting session I have ever experienced.  I played fine, just nothing went right.  How do you not win a coin-flip on 12 tables in 3 hours?  How after getting coolered the entire night does your AA lose to KK as a river hits king (-$100)?  Followed by your JJ losing to 88 all in pre?  How does your flopped set with JJ NOT HOLD UP IN A $120 POT?  The king turn gave some guy a higher set!  How do you lose two full-buy-ins  to suck-out flush draws hitting on the river after all in?  How can you NEVER dodge 2 or 3 out situations to save your life?  How does the same stupid donk stack you 3 times in a row completely dominated?   How the fuck do you lose AK vs AK as your opponent flushes you on the river to win another full buy-in?

I don’t have all the answers, but I don’t think it’s possible to run any worse.  After a while I just felt like I was throwing pennies at an armored tank.  Every time I’d get in better and get smashed.  The coin-flips I knew were doomed, so whatever.  I guess SIX more rape sessions like this and I’m pretty much done.  Not sure how people deal with the swings here.  I still have over 60 buy-ins, but it doesn’t even seem safe after bull-shit like that.  You have to wonder, what’s stopping the same thing from happening again 2 sessions in a row?  Well nothing.

When you are over 8 tabling the swings are absolutely massive.  Well I now have zero confidence in my ability to dodge any sort of suckout or win a race, but I’m going to forge on today I suppose.  I may try to keep it to 6 tables until I get up a certain amount.  And if I don’t get up I’ll stay in that mode.  Though it’s stupid to think this way (and I never end up sticking to random buy-in limiting plans).  I should be adding as many tables as I want as long as they are profitable.  But I think it could be ok at first until I get my confidence back (if ever).  Another minor adjustment will be taking breaks.  Last night I pretty much played 8 hours straight.  I also have to stick to a very tight strategy, and only adjust my range based on an opponent.  I lost one or two buy-ins late last night to coin-flips against regulars.  I knew they were coin-flips, but I DON’T WIN COIN-FLIPS.  FOLD TO THE 4-BET BECAUSE THE SUPER-USER CLOWN WILL WIN EVERY TIME.

I remember one or two situations where I could have folded enormous hands, and I’m sure people make these sort of lay-downs that are the best of the best.  One was a guy limping UTG pre, and he 4-bets me when the action cames around .  I obviously have to call for $30 more with JJ right?  Actually I don’t, I was 95% sure the guy had me dominated, he turned over KK.  Of course the 1-tabling reward for medium stack guy probably one tabling.  Played it atrocious and he gets rewarded.  I wish I could get rewarded for playing CORRECTLY one time.  Also against certain super-users I feel like it’s almost pointless to call their 4-bet unless I have QQ+.  With hands like JJ or even QQ I seem to just be PRAYING that maybe they HAVE AK for once; and I can win a race.  They either end up having AA or KK, or their AK hits on the river. 

Fuck my life, good day all.

-bag 



Setting the Bar: Quest for Supernova (3/4/2010)

I have decided to make a huge push to go for Supernova Status during the upcoming months on Stars.  I basically already decided this over a week ago, but writing it down makes it more official.  I completely underestimated how difficult it would be at first.  At first I was making the goal to hit Supernova before I quit my 9-5 job (latest end of May).  But I was confusing FPPs with VPPs.  You need 100,000 VPPs to hit Supernova which are a lot tougher to earn than the FPPs.  VPPs are not multiplied based on status.  However, my FPP boast going forward will still help overall (3.5x FPP every 1VPP earned).  I'll be able to purchase up a $600 bonus (using FPPs) if I'm slipping without having to deposit out of my bank account.  Though my plan is to put off using ANY FPPs until I get Supernova.  You get more for your money using FPPs with Supernova Status.  But I'm not setting anything in stone.  If I drop a grand in a week I would obviously feel pressured to pick up the $600 bonus.

Last month I earned over 15,000 VPPs.  This month I want to pick up at least 20,000.  For much of the month of February I was sticking to 4 tables, so I expect to be able to hit around 20,000 this month with the increase in tables.  If I earn 20k this month (35k total), (20k April), and 20k May that would put me at 75k VPPs.  Then after I quit I could pick up the remaining 25k in two weeks.  So my goal going forward is to get as CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to 100k VPP by the time I quit.

Hell I might be able to even hit Supernova by the time I quit (if things go incredibly well which they never do).  But I’m really not sure yet.  I have to feel the situation out as I progress.  I understand achieving this status is extremely important to my goals this summer.  With this status I would be able to play break-even poker and earn what I make at my day job.  This equates to a SMOOTH transition. 

This is quite a mountain to climb and I’m not sure how close I will be.  Based on the past month I think it is very possible.  It’s going to take a huge sacrifice, but I don’t see much of a choice right now.  This is going to be my lowest point “social life wise” in the last 15 years of my life.  Actually the last 20 years.  Even in first fucking grade I hung out with friends a lot.  Sadly this is how I can reach a smooth transition out of corporate. 

I will let most of my friends know and try not to vanish off the face of the earth without explanation (even know that’s what I’ve already been doing the last month).  I’m not going to be secretive with the friends I am close to anymore.  I’m just going to tell them what I’m doing and explain exactly why I can’t hang out much (like it or not).  I will also tell them if I stick to my goals the next 3 months that this summer will be different.  The sacrifice now should give me more of a social life during the summer.  I want my summer and life back.  I want freedom.  I want to be able to flex my schedule where I want.  I WANT the majority of my time going towards what I’m passionate about (poker not corporate).  I NEED NATURAL SUNLIGHT. 

That being said I know I’m getting a little ahead of myself here.  The number 1 priority still needs to be putting myself in the best position to make profit, every single session.  Sometimes this is going to mean cutting back on tables.  I understand this, but the VPPs are also a way to measure the volume I am putting in.  If I don’t put at least 20 hours in each week it won’t be possible to hit my goals.  I am damn aware of this going forward.

This week I only played 3 hours on Tuesday.  I was up +$100.  The start of this month has been slow mostly due to hardware issues.  I spent all of Sunday fixing my primary computer.  Then I had to reinstall EVERYTHING.  Tons of time going into re-setting everything up.  Even my hold em manager set-up was wiped.  When I started Poker-Stars most of the sounds were broke.  OPPONENT’S CHECKS WERE SILENT; IT WAS TERRIFYING.

Anyways now everything is good to go again.  Last night I took a nap from 8-9 p.m.  I was going to get up and put in a session, but instead I slept the entire night.  I slept 12 effing hours; it was amazing.  I decided I will hit the gym after work today for my goal of TWO TIMES IN A WEEK BABY.  From there on out the next few nights are going to involve a lot of turning off my phone and playing poker.  Health wise I’m still feeling great only going to the gym 2 nights this week.  I always eat well, and now I’m going out and drinking a maximum of once per week.  This week I’m not even planning to go out and drink which is crazy for me.  I’d consider a glass of wine during the Saturday session, but that’s just going to end up with me throwing the glass against the wall when I take a few bad beats.  I see where that would lead.  

Cheers to the War of March 2010!

-bag

Saturday Part II Session and Weekend Review

The first 10 hours of poker this weekend have been an absolute war.  The 6 hours Friday ended in one of my best sessions.  Up +$306, and by the end of the session I was 12-tabling comfortably.  It all came crashing down the first 4 hours of Saturday.  Down -$302.  The worst beats came when I was getting in with the best of it.  Huge pots were lost AK< KJ all in pre.  AK < QK all in pre.  AK < J4 all in pre.  If I could have held on to those pots alone I would have been even for the 4 hours.  Anyways the QK hitting the queen on the river against my AK set me off on a rampage.  Now I’m back.  Just trying to focus on making the best decisions.  It might be wise to stick to 6 tables until I’m very comfortable and un-phased by any sort of bull-shit that occurs, but I feel Stars has it out for me after a session like that.  Well it really can’t go any worse at least.  Or can it?

11:25 p.m

Already extremely pissed off and having to refrain from screaming or throwing something across the room.   Worst player on table 5 sucks out my AA like usual.  Calls my 3-bet pre with JQ off… hits the top pair queen on the flop and goes all in.  TURN JACK FUCK OFF.  It looks to be a continuation from the session earlier.  It hurts that much more because the tables are dead right now.  I need to avoid A SUCKOUT .

TABLE 5 AGAIN AK < 10 10 ALL IN PRE. HILARIOUS.  WTF IS WITH THIS HORSESHIT TABLE?

12:10 a.m

Somehow I’m down like -$150.  Combine completely card dead with a few really bad suck-outs and there you have it.  The worst possible 2 hours you could have on 6 tables.  Going to break in 10 minutes.  Things really have gone to shit.  The endless screw continues on table 2.  All in pre AQ < A5. The clown hits a 5 on the flop lmao.  I give up.  The standard one tabler reward.  You only seem to get rewards on here if you play one table or 24.  If you’re somewhere in between you might as well not play.  I guarantee the super-user won’t having trouble avoiding 4 outs when the same guy donks his entire stack away within the next 15 minutes.

I’m going to push this until 1a.m at least before breaking.  Man I’m all over the place.  Trying to find 4 solid tables. 

12:40 A.M

Just doubled on table 3.  This is a weak table; I’m going to leave the doubled stack on.

1:05 a.m

8-tabling trying to get something going here.

1:50 a.m

Getting ready to break at 2:00 a.m.  I’m starving.  This session really hasn’t picked up.  A lot of it has been fought in the trenches.  I’m just not getting enough hands tonight.  I also don’t think I’ve ever seen so many 3-bets in my life.  And no they aren’t bluffs im legit beat.  Just have to regroup and keep fighting I suppose.  My mult-tabling is also affecting my table selection probably.

I was down -$60 in those 4 hours.  Not terrible for 8 tabling.  It’s also a loss that is salvageable.  Certainly better then the -$300 I lost when I played the 4 hours earlier.  Funny, I felt like I actually played better earlier even know I lost 5 times more; go figure.

2:10 a.m

Back already.  Had a quick slice of pizza.  Going to start off 4-tabling.  I want to establish some good reads before I begin massing tables, if I get to that point.   The volume vs research debate is still going on with me.  I will say though, sometimes I feel more comfortable 8-12 tabling because playable hands are dealt at a higher frequency.  Therefore, generally I think it makes me feel less impatient.  I’m also less likely to do something stupid.  Well maybe.

I’m getting a few thoughts together here.  The last 6 hours or so the cards really haven’t been there all that often, and when they do come there are sometimes folds completely around.  I think back to the last session in particular and it would have been a worse if I didn’t pull off two huge bluffs post-flop on different pots.

Last week I contacted one of the biggest grinders at 200NL on Poker Stars.  He actually happens to be on two of my tables right now.  I was really excited that he agreed to talk to me, and said it would be cool to give him a call.  Last week on one of the weeknights I spoke with him an hour and a half.  If he plays break-even poker he would still make 100k a year.  The guy 24-tables at once with full buy ins.  We disagreed on some points, but I truly didn’t grasp one thing he said until during the last few sessions which was:

“YOU HAVE TO BLUFF”.

A normal response to that would be “yeah sure well sometimes”……

But now I see how it really factors into the realm of these particular stakes.  For example, I’m card dead an hour, but have a tight image.  I make a nice raise preflop with AQ off and get one very loose caller.  I completely miss the flop.  He checks, then CALLS my C-BET.  He checks again.  With air I drop the hammer and push my remaining $25 all in.  He thinks a moment and then MUCKS.  In certain cases I think pulling off bluffs like this is essential.  Especially against a very loose caller.  You are usually going to miss your flops with a hand like AK or AQ.  But he is often going to miss the flop even worse, so you have to sometimes apply the pressure.  Even with a weak mid-pair he is sometimes going to fold.  And more than half the time under that same situation you actually have him dominated, and he usually knows this.

2:40 a.m

Still four tabling.  Was dealt AA on the button on table 1.  All 8 players fold around.  Did I mention I hate this site?

Just doubled on table 1.  AK> 10 10 all in pre.  Did that really just happen? 

3:00 a.m

Biggest pot of the night on table 2.  Unreal.  Just took a $60 buy-in up to $190.  Leaving the table with $167.  All in on the flop with overpair QQ with 4 people behind me.  Both callers had top pair JACK LOL.  The regular who I talked to one the phone was in the pot and happened to fold KK??  I was all in on the flop first to act and he MUCKED, there were 4 people left to act behind him and he said later that he figured someone had a set or I had AA.  We were talking about how much I owe him lol

3:20 a.m

TABLE 1 All in preflop with AK.  GUY HAS AQ AND NAILS THE QUEEN ON THE FLOP.  You gotta be fucking kidding me.  That just destroys any progress I had.  Typically 4 out bullshit drilled on the flop.

Table 4 all in 3-betting pre with QQ.  He calls with AQ.  NO ACES? WTF?  REALLY?  Double and leaved. 4-tabling, but I’m in the mood to kick it up to 8 if the traffic picks up.

3:35 a.m

Still only 4-tabling but there is crazy action going on everywhere.  Won a buy in AK> A7 all in pre on one table.  Lost a buy in on the other AQ< AA all in pre.  He limped with AA for some reason.  The guy was very loose so I pushed my $30 all in from the button.  I was hoping to get him to call with a dominated hand.  Of course the one time he actually had a hand, and LIMPED with the intention of trapping, so sick.  Even if I only bumped to $8 pre I would have been committed there. 

3:40 a.m

Lost an $80 pot on table 3.  First really big mistake of the night.  I tried to steal with a low pocket.  He calls my C-BET on a very low flop with a flush draw out.  Turn comes queen, he instantly goes $30 all in first to act.  I thought he was on a flush draw and called with 55.  HE WAS ON A FLUSH DRAW.  BUT HE ALSO HIT THE FUCKING QUEEN ON THE TURN.  God damnit.  That was a questionable call that I really could have laid.  I’m not going to push to many tables right now, feeling pretty stupid after that.

One more incorrect play and I’m pulling myself from every table; that is a promise.

4:00 a.m

Just doubled on table 4 and table 6.  Table 6 is extremely profitable, but I’m going to stick to a correct “by the books” strategy and leave for once.

Just doubled on table 3 as well.  He paid me off all in with a shit mid pair despite the ace clearly showing, which I clearly hit.  Before the blinds hit me I just won another $80 pot with QQ> AQ preflop.  Leaving with $120; awesome.

Doubled on table 4.  QQ holds.  Guy tried to bluff the river with ace high and I picked him off despite a king showing on the board.  Gg donk.  What’s wrong you couldn’t catch a 4-outer for once?  The king on the turn certainly didn’t scare me all that much.  I figured he would have 3-bet pre-flop with AK.  This has been the most profitable 30 minutes of the session I believe.  There is some NICE traffic right now.  People are paying off with anything.   Maybe I should just shift my poker on the weekends to 3:00 a.m to 6:00 a.m.  Then I can have a social life as well!  But then I’d be drunk and pissing money away.

4:20 a.m

Lost a full buy in on table 2 AK < KK all in pre.  Not like I was getting away from that hand but the guy had a 75% vpip.  Guess the min-heater is over.  Everything was going right for a bit.  PLEASE COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doubled on table 5.  BB special flopping 2 pair with K7 off.  Though I’m not sure why the guy called $30 against my 4-bet on the flop with top pair king, 5 kicker lols.  Whatever man.  These are the type of idiots that were breaking me in half 12 hours ago as they hit every 3-outer in the book, making me lose my mind Saturday afternoon.  Now comparable players have returned only now they are apparently playing while tripping on acid and smoking crack.  I haven’t checked my bankroll.  I’m hoping it’s doing damn good.  No clue where it stands, but it should be a decent amount.

4:45 a.m

8-tabling.  There are still some really awful players floating around.  This is amazing, there isn’t a presence of regulars sitting there playing 20 tables!  The majority of the players on a given table are actually NORMAL PEOPLE.

5:10 a.m

Currently 6 tabling.  Just doubled on table 3 with JJ> AQ all in pre.  There are still some really crazy tables, I can’t leave just yet.

5:20 a.m

I trimmed down to 4 tables.  I’m a little tired and that’s all I can focus on right now.  Though I’m probably getting the same FPPs as 8-tabling because table 1 and table 3 are border-line play money tables.  I have a stack of $70 on table 3.  I’m trying to trap this donk I’ve been watching. 

5:35 a.m

Down to 3 tables.  Table 1 is really enjoyable so I’ve been sticking around.  Having some fun for once.  I should really set a time limit or start 4-6 tabling again; but I’m so tired it’s a bad idea to multi.

6:00 a.m

Completely logged out.  Ending bankroll $2,720.  That completely wipes out the -$300 loss Saturday afternoon so I’m feeling very good.  I also only need to play 2 more hours to hit the weekend goal of 20 hours.  The first 8 hours of Saturday I was down -$365.  The last 4 hours I was up +$410.  Combined in the 18 hours this weekend I’m up +$350.  The big losing session (Saturday afternoon) I took some horrendous beats as well.  Guess I should um sleep or something.

Hours: 4

Starting: $2310

Ending: $2720

Profit: +$410

That sounds great, but in the combined 18 hours I was only up +$350.  It would have been a break-out weekend if it wasn’t for the loss Saturday afternoon.  You figure if I avoid some suck-outs and break even there I would be up +$650 for the weekend.  Ah well.

Update Sunday 2/28/2010:

Unfortunately I did not get to finish the final 2 hours this weekend.  I was having some serious issues with my primary machine.  It almost didn’t start Saturday.  I spent 8 hours on Sunday buying Windows 7 and re-installing the new operating system.  I completely started over with my system.  Finally I seem to have figured everything out.  I now haven’t had any issues booting up.  I knew it was either the operating system going corrupt, or the hard-drive about to fail.  Either way Windows 7 is awesome.  I should have bought and installed a while ago.

-bag

Updates, Strategy, Girls, and Life (2/22/2010)

Traffic was absolutely miserable this morning.  It took me over an hour to get to work.  The commute is back to being hands-down the worst part of my life.  Sitting in the traffic causes me to question my very existence.  The prospect of dealing with it another year is a terrifying thought.  Hopefully I can escape in a few more months.

Last night I played another 4 hours, and at least I hit the 20-hour goal for the weekend.  I had a commentary I recorded on the session, but I’m not going to post it this time.  Another extremely frustrating session, ended up down -$60 overall.  I vividly remember 3 hands in the last hour that really screwed up any chance of a possible profit. 

Hand 1:  All in preflop with AA against 10-10.  Dude drills a TEN.  You gotta love it.

Hand 2:  All in preflop with AK against AQ.  Guy nails a queen on the flop.  He turns another queen just to rub it in.

Hand 3:  All in preflop KK < AA.  Why am I the only one on this site who seems to have a problem hitting a 2 outer when I need it?

There were a few more, but you get the general idea.  Yet overall, I was still down only -$60 in the 4 hours.  That puts me just over break even for the full 20 hours.  The last 2 hours of the Sunday session I was also 8-tabling (the most tables I have played at once during this format).  I actually felt relatively comfortable playing the 8 tables at once.  I did make one ten dollar blunder, as I hit “min-raise” by accident on a far left table.  My 3-5 off-suit was promptly 5-betted and I had to fold.  That mistake could have been a lot worse.  If the opponent had already raised $20 instead of $6 it would have been a full buy-in.  But normally I would have only lost -$4.  I normally don’t make that sort of error, it was completely unacceptable.  But I have a feeling it occasionally happens to the best of us.   

I’m going to discuss a few strategy topics below.  I have a lot to sort out:

Should I crank up the table volume, or sacrifice a few tables for increased research?

This is an interesting debate that I haven’t quite figured out.  It may seem stupid that I’m considering increasing my table volume, when realistically I haven’t showed a consistent profit when four tabling.  All I’ve shown is the ability to get my money in with the best of it and lose to horrific suck-outs again and again.  I’m not sure how even 8-tabling would help that fact.  Sure it should balance out the shit-luck, but maybe it will just increase my misery x8.  Well I think the topics of player traffic, research being over-rated, and HUD should factor into my decision.

Player Traffic

When I played 8 tables on Sunday, it really seemed to make sense.  There was an abundance of very solid tables, and there seemed to be at least 2 fundamentally poor players at each table.  Things were very much getting crazy, and I would have stayed longer if it wasn’t for obligations the next day.  In this type of situation I think it would be ideal to sacrifice some table selection for increased table volume.

However, if I tried the same strategy Saturday afternoon for example; I don’t think it would have made sense.  The tables were super-tight, and there wasn’t much action anywhere.  During times of limited action I think I should stick to a max of 4-tabling while intensely researching during the time being.  However, during peak times I think I could benefit from 6-8 tabling.

Table Research may be Over-rated in This Format

I honestly can’t believe I am making such a statement.  If someone made this comment with regards to my online poker situation three weeks ago I would have sarcastically laughed in their face.  But in some instances, it seems that table research can be almost border-line detrimental.  I have to understand that the main point of my strategy is to CHIP UP AND LEAVE.  Therefore, when I do all this research and get on the best tables I think it sometimes messes with me.  Often I double up and want to go to war with my $100 stack against a terrible player.  This strategy should be used sparingly; when used it needs to be a VERY IDEAL situation.  Otherwise it could be screwing me up in the long-run.  Even the time I spend researching could go into winning a few extra big blinds here and there. 

Every-time I’m using a doubled up stack to go after a weak player I am making a drastic strategy shift on one of my tables.  This is doable, but it is not easy.  And many times it could be taking away valuable focus from the other tables.  Meanwhile, I could split the $100 stack into almost 3 additional buy-ins and play optimally against semi-weak players.  I don’t think I can ever completely write off researching and committing more against super-weak players.  However, I am now more aware of some possible negatives to this strategy.  That being said, there are still certain situations that I would label as 100% foolish to not attack.  I guess having an adaptable mind-set and being aware is essential here.

When I boil it down it seems going after the weak with a bigger stack is setting myself up for a big score.  But in the process I lose a slight amount of profit per hour.  When the score hits it is worth it.  But I am increasingly aware of what I am giving up to even go after the score.  Hitting the score is rare, but sometimes worthwhile.  Usually the guy is just going to end up stacking off to a regular who is dealt QQ+ within 10 minutes.  There are also the risks of getting caught up with a regular when trying to go after the fish.  Not that I should be scared of regulars, but in this situation I would be under-stacked against them, which is an enormous disadvantage.

HUD Implications

Within a week of using an HUD display I have already noticed the unavoidable dynamic that has be introduced to my personal game.  The HUD allows me to cut down on the research.  It even gives me a clearer picture of who to steal from at certain times.  It is massively important, especially when I was playing 8 tables Sunday.  However, personal research is sometimes better than the HUD.  I realize people playing more than 8 tables are pretty much screwed without the HUD, I get that.  They use the HUD to make pretty much ALL of their reads and strategy adaptations while playing.  Everything makes so much more sense to me now.  The HUD is such a valuable tool.  But sometimes it can cost you. 

For example, last night I remember a hand I lost a full buy in when using an HUD read while 8-tabling.  I pushed all in pre-flop with AQ off against a very loose player.  Without the HUD I wouldn’t have made the play.  But the HUD read gave me that slight read that ultimately pushed my decision to ALL-IN, rather than FOLD.  The guy turned over QQ.  That being said, based on his VPIP% and Pre-flop raise% I had to make that push.  Serves me right for using an HUD!

The HUD gives an increased advantage to putting in more table volume, and sacrificing some research.  

Conclusion on focusing on volume or research

Going forward there really is no conclusion.  I’m going to adapt based on the feel of the situation.  If there seems to be great traffic and tons of profitable tables I will increase my table volume.  If the site seems to be dead I will cut back to a 4-table maximum and ramp up the research while doing so.

Hardware Upgrades

I now have two enormous 22 inch+ monitors linked up together.  Sunday I had 8 tables up and could keep a view on them at all times.  It’s funny though because my right monitor is more distant from my view then the left monitor.  It’s almost like a different world over there.  And the two tables on the far right of the right monitor are like Pluto or something.  Funny but maybe this isn’t always bad.  I probably stick to a more conservative strategy on the far right.  The HUD eventually becomes more in charge of the two tables on the VERY FAR right.  And maybe that’s not always bad.  Besides what the hell do I know?  The HUD is probably a better player than me.  I bet it could do more than break even if it played on its own. 

That being said, I think keeping a view on your tables at all times is still much better then stacking tables on top of each-other.  Even if I’m only 4-tabling I can be researching new tables on the second monitor, or keep a running commentary if I please.  I also have my mac-book set up to my left (on the same desk).  The book can be used to research opponents while playing.  So I’m now utilizing 2 machines and 3 screen displays during my sessions.  I also bought a new laser mouse that is super responsive and a great improvement.

I’m also thinking about hooking up a car battery to my portion of the room.  If I did this I would have a lamp and my computers available as the rest of the neighborhood plunged into darkness during a power outage.  This way I won’t lose anything even if the power goes out for a few hours.  I would be immune to power surges.  I haven’t had problems with power yet, but it’s just something to plan for in the future.  Thunderstorms sometimes cause problems during the summer.

Weekly Poker and Obligations

This upcoming weekend I want to put in 20 more hours.  I will probably get at least one solid session in during the week, but I’m not sure yet.

I am absolutely forcing myself to go to the gym and work out at least TWICE this week.  I am looking to go Monday and Wednesday, getting it out of the way.  I have been seriously slacking the last two weeks.  Last week I went ONCE, lol.  Sure I’ve been drinking less, but two times a week needs to be a minimum going forward. 

If I need to go out once during the week it will be on Thursday.  Again, this ensures my work schedule is screwed up and not the weekend.  Last weekend I went out Friday night and I’m sure it messed with my poker game the first half of Saturday.

I plan to not go out this upcoming weekend and put in the time with poker.  I’m going away the first week of March, so this weekend is a big-deal.  I should most likely just turn off my phone Thursday night through Sunday evening.  It is very important to stay focused.

Russian Girls are still my Ultimate Weakness

I went out Friday because it was one of my best friend’s birthdays.  I was not looking for a girl.  It was a shitty bar (it was not my choice), and I didn’t expect there to be one girl that was worth hitting on anyways.  I planned to hit on a chair in the corner or something.  As in an actual bar-stool, not a girl that is as big as a chair.  Yes I figured I’d be spending the night hitting on an inorganic object.  That sums up my hopes for this particular place.

Of course out of nowhere there is this gorgeous girl.  I don’t think we broke eye contact the first 20 minutes we met.  Immediately there was a connection.  I find out this girl lives 5-10 minutes from me and is from Ukraine.  And this attractive?  How?  Her looks are stunning.  Her accent is unbelievable.  Her name is amazing.

For starters, this bar was close to my house, which is basically considered the country.  Russian girls DON’T LIVE IN THE COUNTRY.  This is impossible.  I’m agnostic, but at this point I’ve concluded that a higher force is OBVIOUSLY FUCKING WITH ME.

Secondly, Russian girls are my weakness.  The higher force knows this.  I semi-dated a girl last summer who was straight up from Russia, and it was her first summer in the U.S.  I have never been attracted to someone more.  I basically sacrificed months of my summer driving 3-hours each way to the beach just to see her (I was still working 9-5 during the week).  Sure it ended in a raging inferno, but WE SHARED A MOMENT OK. 

Back to the bar, I later talk to one of her friends (that I somehow happened to know from a while back).  I just ask if she could put in a good word for me.  She immediately goes “no”.  So I’m like wtf?  She said the girl has a boy-friend so FML.  This is why I DON’T GO OUT; SERIOUSLY.  Go fuck yourself.  I didn’t like you anyway.  You aren’t even real Russian; Ukraine is some bull-shit satellite nation.

That being said she told me to call her and seemed really interested.  So I texted her the next day and received no response.  It was against my morals not to contact this girl.  I’m not sure why she seemed so interested and lead me on if she had a boyfriend.  Actually I am sure.  Either she was really drunk, got lost in the moment for an hour, and was just having fun.  Or she is looking for a back-up plan, girls do that shit all of the time.  In my experience this logic ESPECIALLY refers to really good looking girls.  These girls need constant attention and without it they cease to exist in a way.  These girls take preemptive steps to make sure they always have a solid source of constant attention.  These attention sources ultimately define them.  They are actually so insecure that they will wrap up a solid “back-up plan” months before their current relationship comes to a fiery end.  When the first signs of problems pop up they begin looking for a back-up.  Well I’m hoping I am a back-up plan, because I would um….. how do I say this…..

Be totally in on that. 

I’ll probably try to call her one more time and that’s it.  What a waste of time going out really is though.

I’m currently content being single, but when stuff like that happens it makes be momentarily lose focus.  Ok let’s say someone said choose A or B and I could only have ONE:

A)  You hook up with the girl from Ukraine.  She dumps her BF and you begin hooking up regularly.  Somehow you get into a relationship, but are only required to see her once every week or two.  She is somehow totally cool with this.  She hasn’t even mentioned marriage.

B)  You become profitable enough playing online poker where you can quit your job at the end of May with EASE.  You won’t need to think about quitting, it will just make sense.  You then steadily build your bankroll as you plan your next step to Vegas.

I’d choose B.

-bag