March has been a very tough month online. I started off by playing a ton of tournaments and did not fare well at all. After reviewing my hand histories, I noticed that I was not playing well at all. Out of position, with marginal hands, not folding enough.
After the review, I did make the necessary adjustments and I am back to my historical average of cashing 1 in 5 tournaments. I have not gotten a final table yet, but know it is not far off.
I have been playing the massive fields of the PokerStars micromillions and have cashed in 50% of those. Still no deep run, but again, it will come.
One good tournamnet will turn this month around and put me into the black. I just have to be patient and wait for it to happen.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Live Tournament Final Table
I decided at the last minute to play the $230 deep stack event today at Brantford Charity Casino. 100 runners, $20K+ prize pool, $6400 for first.
I played so tight, I must have squeeked any time I put chips in to the pot. With 30 minute blinds starting at 25/50, and a $15,000 starting stack, there was lots of play during the first four hours or so.
I didn't do anything dramtic, other than pay attention to what other players were raising, then when I felt my hand was better than there's, I re-raised them and usually took down the pot, or on the flop with a c-bet.
I chipped up steadily during the day and was only all in for my tourney life once before the final two tables.
Once it got to the last two tables, the blinds and antes were ridiculous. Average stack was $75k and the blinds were $4k/$8k with a $500 ante, so there was $17000 in the pot before a card was dealt.
I thought I was out, with two tables left, when A7 beat my AK, and I was down to $40k. Then my AJ beat 66 and KT, to knock out two players and chip up to $175k. The final table average was going to be $150k, so I was very pleased, to say the least.
The final table was crazy, the chip leader going in, went into god mode, picking up KK, QQ, AK and AQ to knock out the four short stacks. At one point, he had over 50% of the chips in play. I went down to about $100k, then the big stack doubled me up when my 77 held against his A6.
Then, as fast as he accumulated those chips, he re-distrubuted them to the other 3 players left, me included. We ended up chopping the prize pool four ways !! Gave me a nice $3,000 ish score. And my second final table at a BCC tourney
I played so tight, I must have squeeked any time I put chips in to the pot. With 30 minute blinds starting at 25/50, and a $15,000 starting stack, there was lots of play during the first four hours or so.
I didn't do anything dramtic, other than pay attention to what other players were raising, then when I felt my hand was better than there's, I re-raised them and usually took down the pot, or on the flop with a c-bet.
I chipped up steadily during the day and was only all in for my tourney life once before the final two tables.
Once it got to the last two tables, the blinds and antes were ridiculous. Average stack was $75k and the blinds were $4k/$8k with a $500 ante, so there was $17000 in the pot before a card was dealt.
I thought I was out, with two tables left, when A7 beat my AK, and I was down to $40k. Then my AJ beat 66 and KT, to knock out two players and chip up to $175k. The final table average was going to be $150k, so I was very pleased, to say the least.
The final table was crazy, the chip leader going in, went into god mode, picking up KK, QQ, AK and AQ to knock out the four short stacks. At one point, he had over 50% of the chips in play. I went down to about $100k, then the big stack doubled me up when my 77 held against his A6.
Then, as fast as he accumulated those chips, he re-distrubuted them to the other 3 players left, me included. We ended up chopping the prize pool four ways !! Gave me a nice $3,000 ish score. And my second final table at a BCC tourney
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Figured out how to make videos today
I downloaded CamStudio today and figured out how to make a poker video. First attempts have been crude, but I'm working on it. As soon as I am happy with it, I'll upload it to YouTube with a link.
I wasn't sure if this was a good idea as I don't want my opponents to know what I'm doing. But I can make the videos only available to those I want, so that's what I'm going to do.
Reviewing my tournaments on Universal Replayer has really opened my eyes to some of the dumb plays I make during a tourney. I am really trying to plug those leaks so I can go further and take more of them down.
I am playing in one more tournament tonight, a $33 buy in, $4k GTD. It should end up with about 200 runners with first being $900. I've decided that I am going to ship it and play the best tourney I have in a long while.
I wasn't sure if this was a good idea as I don't want my opponents to know what I'm doing. But I can make the videos only available to those I want, so that's what I'm going to do.
Reviewing my tournaments on Universal Replayer has really opened my eyes to some of the dumb plays I make during a tourney. I am really trying to plug those leaks so I can go further and take more of them down.
I am playing in one more tournament tonight, a $33 buy in, $4k GTD. It should end up with about 200 runners with first being $900. I've decided that I am going to ship it and play the best tourney I have in a long while.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
First day
Wow, I should have known, the minute I start documenting my progress or start keeping a spreadhseet, my results would go to hell. But something has changed, I'm not the least bit upset or tilted by it. Sure, I curse my luck when it happens - but I put it behind me and move on to the next game.
At the stakes I am playing, one win in a 45man SNG and I break even for the day. In fact, I tried that tonight, playing 12 of them, only thing was, I didn't cash in even one. That is a strange occurance as I consistently cash one in every five I play.
I put a few tournament hand histories into the hand replayer to see where I was losing most of my chips. It was a revelation to say the least. I am still putting too much at risk in marginal situations. For example:
Why am I risking half my chips with AJos ? The all-in player is not under pressure from the blinds. I am not going to be ahead here very often.
I am still in one tourney, as I write this. So maybe my next entry will have more positive news in it. I am confident that things will turn around, they always do.
At the stakes I am playing, one win in a 45man SNG and I break even for the day. In fact, I tried that tonight, playing 12 of them, only thing was, I didn't cash in even one. That is a strange occurance as I consistently cash one in every five I play.
I put a few tournament hand histories into the hand replayer to see where I was losing most of my chips. It was a revelation to say the least. I am still putting too much at risk in marginal situations. For example:
Why am I risking half my chips with AJos ? The all-in player is not under pressure from the blinds. I am not going to be ahead here very often.
I am still in one tourney, as I write this. So maybe my next entry will have more positive news in it. I am confident that things will turn around, they always do.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Taking it to the next level
This blog is going to chronicle my progress from micro stakes tournaments to the bigger stakes. My goal is to grow my bankroll to over $20,000 within 12 months. Updates will be regular but the bankroll will only be checked once in a while.
I want the focus of my play to be on correct decisions and not the money. If I play my best, the money will follow. I'll post interesting hands, links to articles I've read or some new strategy.
Current Bankroll: $778.00
Lately, I have been playing too much poker and am in need of a schedule. I have to think that less will lead to more, better focus and better play. I also need more time to study and review my play, making sure to get advice from the some of the best online players.
Fortunately, I have access to some of them on pokerforum.ca and they are more than happy to share their knowlege and give advice. I hope some of you continue to follow my progress through this next year.
I want the focus of my play to be on correct decisions and not the money. If I play my best, the money will follow. I'll post interesting hands, links to articles I've read or some new strategy.
Current Bankroll: $778.00
Lately, I have been playing too much poker and am in need of a schedule. I have to think that less will lead to more, better focus and better play. I also need more time to study and review my play, making sure to get advice from the some of the best online players.
Fortunately, I have access to some of them on pokerforum.ca and they are more than happy to share their knowlege and give advice. I hope some of you continue to follow my progress through this next year.
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