Slowing grinding the bankroll up

I had a relatively strong week of play which culminated with another Sunday of play.  Again, many thanks to the wife for watching the pups and letting me play.  Qualified for the $50K GTD Donkament on UB off of 100 points.  Picked up a nice $85 cash placing 138 of 821.  Then, later in the day, I went deep in the $2K GTD (rebuy) on UB, finishing 18 out of 664.  I am happy with cashing the only two events I played on Sunday.  I was up for the week on single table SNGs and 6 handed ring games.  I was pretty much even for the week in heads-up ring games.

Poker will be taking a little bit of a back seat during the holidays.  I hope to grind this week before heading to Newport for a long weekend.  Then, we head to Indiana for the holidays.  Happy holidays to all.

Getting Support

As I spent a good bit of Sunday playing poker, I realized that I am lucky to have the support at home which allows me to play.  How many doggs can get away with playing poker for most of a Sunday with two young pups?  Let's see how many more Sundays the wife will let me play.

Leading up to Sunday, I had been playing fairly well: 

- Won an entry into the Dime $10K GTD on UB.
- 23/364 - $1NL MTT on UB
- 127/2360 - $.25NL MTT on PS
- 376/4261 - $2K GTD on PS   

As for Sunday action, I played the Dime on UB.  I never really got into a groove and finished in a not too flattering 537 out of 1262.  Later in the day, I played the PCA Freeroll Fantasy Main Event.  I ran deep, but not deep enough - finished 124 out of 7639.  Only the top 9 were awarded seats to PCA 2010.  Anyone want to stake me for PCA 2010?

What goes up, goes down, then back up (and then probably back down)

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday.  Variance is a fact of life in MTT play.  I don't like to stay down too long, and I will do things to mix up my mindset so that I can help turn things around.  For example, I had a couple of days running horribly, so I started playing some ring games to refocus - HU NL and PLO.  It really helped.  Had the following notable results:

-  Final tabled - 9th out of 162 in the PCA Freeroll Fantasy $1 Satellite on PokerStars to earn a seat to the PCA Freeroll Fantasy main event.
-  Final tabled - 4th out of 149 in $1NL MTT at Bodog.
-  Really mini-cashed in $.10NL MTT at PokerStars - 672 out of 3740

-  Final tabled the UB CEREUS Twitter Freeroll - placed 8th out of 281.  Brutal beat at the end which would have made me chip leader:

Table: 26 (Real Money) Seat #5 is the dealer
Seat 5 - THEHIREDGUN (7,258 in chips)
Seat 6 - GETS2U75 (64,989 in chips)
Seat 7 - TYCOU (58,950 in chips)
Seat 8 - SUITED59 (47,772 in chips)
Seat 9 - GIJOEVALD111 (37,162 in chips)
Seat 2 - ATLIEN09 (44,887 in chips)
Seat 3 - PINGPONGSHOW (72,708 in chips)
Seat 4 - DISSIDENT11 (61,139 in chips)
ATLIEN09 - Ante 300
PINGPONGSHOW - Ante 300
DISSIDENT11 - Ante 300
THEHIREDGUN - Ante 300
GETS2U75 - Ante 300
TYCOU - Ante 300
SUITED59 - Ante 300
GIJOEVALD111 - Ante 300
GETS2U75 - Posts small blind 1,500
TYCOU - Posts big blind 3,000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [7c Ac]
SUITED59 - Folds
GIJOEVALD111 - Folds
ATLIEN09 - Folds
PINGPONGSHOW - Folds
DISSIDENT11 - Folds(Blind disconnect)
THEHIREDGUN - Folds
GETS2U75 - Raises 7,500 to 9,000
TYCOU - Calls 6,000
*** FLOP *** [7s Kc 2c]
GETS2U75 - Checks
TYCOU - Bets 14,500
GETS2U75 - Calls 14,500
*** TURN *** [7s Kc 2c] [3c]
GETS2U75 - Bets 18,000
TYCOU - Calls 18,000
*** RIVER *** [7s Kc 2c 3c] [Kh]
GETS2U75 - All-In 23,189
TYCOU - All-In 17,150
GETS2U75 - returned (6,039) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GETS2U75 - Shows [2h 2d] (Full house, twos full of kings)
TYCOU - Mucks
GETS2U75 Collects 119,700 from main pot

Mini-cashes, donkaments, and freerolls - oh my!

I have been running pretty well the past couple of days.  In addition to my grind of single table SNGs and HU play, I have finished 12th out of 137 in the $1NL MTT on Bodog, finished 262 out of 4856 in the $2K guaranteed on Pokerstars, and finished 3rd out of 121 in College Challenge on UB.  Slow and steady grind of cashes.

Aiming to be Isildur1 of micro-grinding

There are a lot of opinions out there about the identity of Isildur1.  Regardless of who he/she is, it is pretty remarkable what Isildur1 has been doing.  At 7:30 p.m. tonight, I witnessed Isildur1 play 6 tables - 5 PLO 500/1000 and 25K HU PLO Championship.  It appears that at each table Isildur1 would start with a 200K stack.  On the 2 tables against Ivey, Isildur1 was down on both tables - 273K v. 795K; 337K v. 406K.  On the 3 tables against Antonious, Isildur1 was up on 2 tables - 540K v. 192K and 567K v. 93K - Isildur1 was down on one table- 192K v. 1.5M.  Isildur1 made the final 8 in the 25K HU PLO Championship.  Conservatively, Isildur1 had more than 1M in play.  Obviously, there are only a small number of players in the world who can play at these stakes.  Then, there are even a smaller number of players in the world who can play as consistently as Isildur1 while multi-tabling against the likes of Ivey, Antonious, Benyamine, and Durr for up to 24 hours straight.  This mystery has created a lot of buzz.  Frankly, it has even gotten to me, and I'm intrigued enough to follow the action.  Let's see how long Isildur1 remains a mystery.

Since my last post, I have had a couple of mini-cashes: 399/5106 in NL MTT on Pokerstars and 16/178 in NL Super Satellite on Pokerstars.  I have also secured a spot in the 50K Donkament on UB from a 100 pt qualifier.  Looking back at my results historically, I find that I do relatively well in satellites on UB - cashing about 25% of the time.  In MTTs on UB, I cash about 21.5% of the time and final table slightly less than 10%.  My ROI in MTTs on UB is 4%.  I want to improve these numbers.  I need to improve my play so that I'm not just getting into money, but final tabling more and placing in the top 3.  How have others taken their play to the next level?   Off to some more micro-grinding ...  

Carson's Grampa Beef Jerky Wild Card Hand

This hand comes from a recent MTT on Pokerstars - my username (chodkows)


Seat 1: morrent (1925 in chips)
Seat 2: rubyz (5930 in chips)
Seat 3: vovankubrak (1945 in chips)
Seat 4: chodkows (1455 in chips)
Seat 5: KidbulletAA (3740 in chips) (Carson's Grampa Beef Jerky Wild Card Hand)
Seat 6: amnesia40 (3520 in chips)
Seat 8: Stevster77 (1325 in chips)
Seat 9: Celtic Storm (3770 in chips)
Celtic Storm: posts small blind 25
morrent: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to chodkows [Ah Qs]
rubyz: folds
vovankubrak: folds
chodkows: raises 100 to 150
KidbulletAA: calls 150
amnesia40: folds
Stevster77: folds
Celtic Storm: folds
morrent: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ad Kh Th]
chodkows: bets 250
KidbulletAA: calls 250
*** TURN *** [Ad Kh Th] [Qd]
chodkows: bets 1055 and is all-in
KidbulletAA: calls 1055
*** RIVER *** [Ad Kh Th Qd] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
chodkows: shows [Ah Qs] (two pair, Aces and Queens)
KidbulletAA: shows ???????

Fantasy football

I know that my blog is primarily about poker, but ... for you fantasy football fans out there - you need to watch The League on FX. Once you watch it, you'll know why.

Small cash on UB

I played in a $1NL MTT on UB last night, and I placed 12th out of 460.  This result probably does not warrant discussion, but I reviewed my hand history and I have some thoughts (and I am interested in any other thoughts).  In any event, I was probably the beneficiary of luck vs. skill on more than one occasion.

1.  Blinds 75/150.  

Seat 2 - FRANTURNE111 (4,986 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 3 - JANKDIVER (2,566 in chips) - SB
Seat 4 - TYCOU (1,788 in chips) - BB
Seat 5 - CHRISFAITH (3,105 in chips)
Seat 6 - WARRENBLUFFIT (4,597 in chips)
Seat 7 - IAGGIE (5,002 in chips)
Seat 8 - RIVERRHINO (9,423 in chips)
Seat 9 - RAPP063 (21,148 in chips)
Seat 1 - MANTIS4980 (7,292 in chips)

TYCOU dealt [7s As].
RIVERRHINO, RAPP063, FRANTURNE111, and JANKDIVER limps.
TYCOU checks.

*** FLOP *** [Ah 7c 3h]
Checks to TYCOU who bets 750
Folds to FRANTURNE111 who calls.
JANKDIVER folds.

TURN *** [Ah 7c 3h] [Qs]
TYCOU - All-In 888
FRANTURNE111 - Calls 888

*** RIVER *** [Ah 7c 3h Qs] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
FRANTURNE111 - Shows [Ac 6s] (One pair, aces)
TYCOU - Shows [7s As] (Two Pair, aces and sevens)
TYCOU Collects 4,026.

I desperately needed this double up because I was the short stack at the table.  I had no action up to this point.
  

2.  Blinds 100/200 - Ante 25

Seat 7 - IAGGIE (8,418 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 8 - RIVERRHINO (6,423 in chips) - SB
Seat 9 - RAPP063 (14,651 in chips) - BB
Seat 1 - MANTIS4980 (6,267 in chips)
Seat 2 - FRANTURNE111 (6,173 in chips)
Seat 3 - LAKEDRAW1 (3,988 in chips)
Seat 4 - TYCOU (3,201 in chips)
Seat 5 - CHRISFAITH (4,360 in chips)
Seat 6 - WARRENBLUFFIT (12,064 in chips)

*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [Qh As]
MANTIS4980 - Raises to 600
FRANTURNE111 and LAKEDRAW1 calls.
TYCOU re-raises all-in.
Folds around to MANTIS4980 who calls 2,576
Folds to LAKEDRAW1 who re-raises all-in and MANTIS4980 calls.

*** FLOP *** [4d 8s 5s]
*** TURN *** [4d 8s 5s] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [4d 8s 5s Ks] [7s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MANTIS4980 - Shows [Jh Js] (Flush, king high)
LAKEDRAW1 - Shows [7h Ad] (One pair, sevens)
TYCOU - Shows [Qh As] (Flush, ace high)
MANTIS4980 Collects 1,574 from side pot-1
TYCOU Collects 10,653 from main pot

I didn't think that MANTIS had pocket Aces or Kings.  Again, I was the short stack at the table, and I was willing to race.  I admit that I got really lucky here. 
 
3.  Blinds 600/1200 - Ante 100

Seat 3 - GUNTHER454 (42,837 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 4 - P DOGG (32,246 in chips) - SB
Seat 7 - LINDAB (48,125 in chips) - BB
Seat 8 - SHIGAFRAGGA (161,918 in chips)
Seat 1 - TYCOU (20,586 in chips)
Seat 2 - PKING55 (24,013 in chips)

*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [6h 6d]
Folds to TYCOU who raises to 3,500
Folds to GUNTHER454 who re-raises to 32,200.
Folds to TYCOU who goes all-in. 

*** FLOP *** [7s 8h 6c]
*** TURN *** [7s 8h 6c] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [7s 8h 6c 3h] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TYCOU - Shows [6h 6d] (Three of a kind, sixes)
GUNTHER454 - Shows [Ks Ac] (ace high)
TYCOU Collects 43,372 from main pot

I was definitely playing catch-up prior to this point.  I had three short stacked double ups prior to this one.  I had a feeling that GUNTHER was trying to bully me.  I was wrong, and he had a hand.  Again, I got lucky on the flop.


4.  Blinds 600/1200 - Ante 100

Seat 8 - SHIGAFRAGGA (168,418 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 9 - WARRENBLUFFIT (9,290 in chips) - SB
Seat 1 - TYCOU (43,172 in chips) - BB
Seat 2 - PKING55 (23,713 in chips)
Seat 4 - P DOGG (30,146 in chips)
Seat 5 - IRISH MIKE (77,176 in chips)
Seat 6 - CHARSTRAIGHT (36,359 in chips)
Seat 7 - LINDAB (65,876 in chips)

*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [7s 7h]
PKING55, P DOGG, IRISH MIKE, CHARSTRAIGHT, and WARRENBLUFFIT limp. 
TYCOU raises to 9,200
PKING55 re-raises all-in.
Folds around to TYCOU who calls.

*** FLOP *** [7d 4s 5c]
*** TURN *** [7d 4s 5c] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [7d 4s 5c 2c] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TYCOU - Shows [7s 7h] (Three of a kind, sevens)
PKING55 - Shows [10c 10s] (One pair, tens)
TYCOU Collects 52,826 from main pot

A few hands later I played this questionable hand.  Again, I got really lucky. When PKING came over the top, I should have been more concerned about a high pocket pair.  He had it.  All I can say is that it was late, and I was tired.  This move may have been more a function of fatigue, rather that any thoughtful process.

 
5.  Blinds 800/1600 - Ante 150

 
Seat 8 - SHIGAFRAGGA (172,608 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 1 - TYCOU (43,235 in chips) - SB
Seat 3 - FLEET333 (32,775 in chips) - BB
Seat 4 - P DOGG (37,446 in chips)
Seat 5 - IRISH MIKE (100,626 in chips)
Seat 6 - CHARSTRAIGHT (34,309 in chips)
Seat 7 - LINDAB (72,376 in chips)

*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [Kd Ad]
Folds around to SHIGAFRAGGA who raises to 4,800
TYCOU re-raises to 17,050
Folds around to SHIGAFRAGGA who re-raises to 53,800
TYCOU calls all-in. 

*** FLOP *** [Qs 6d 7c]
*** TURN *** [Qs 6d 7c] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [Qs 6d 7c 6c] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TYCOU - Shows [Kd Ad] (One pair, sixes)
SHIGAFRAGGA - Shows [10s Ac] (One pair, sixes)
TYCOU Collects 88,820 from main pot

Again, I had a feeling that I was being pushed around because of my stack size.  
 
6.  Blinds 1000/2000 - Ante 200

Seat 1 - TYCOU (85,970 in chips) - BUTTON
Seat 3 - FLEET333 (26,225 in chips) - SB
Seat 4 - P DOGG (35,296 in chips) - BB
Seat 5 - IRISH MIKE (90,876 in chips)
Seat 6 - CHARSTRAIGHT (22,559 in chips)
Seat 7 - LINDAB (80,626 in chips)
Seat 8 - SHIGAFRAGGA (151,823 in chips)

*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TYCOU [Qc Kh]
Folds to LINDAB who raises to 8,400Folds to TYCOU who calls. 
FLEET333 and P DOGG fold.

*** FLOP *** [Jc Kd 9h]
LINDAB - Bets 21,200
TYCOU - re-raises to 42,400
LINDAB - re-raises all-in.
TYCOU calls.
*** TURN *** [Jc Kd 9h] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [Jc Kd 9h 8s] [6h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TYCOU - Shows [Qc Kh] (One pair, kings)
LINDAB - Shows [Ad Ac] (One pair, aces)
LINDAB Collects 165,252 from main pot

This hand was devastating.  I did not put LINDAB on AA at all.  I was thinking a pocket pair < JJ pre-flop.  Post-flop - I thought maybe LINDAB had AQ or maybe paired the King with a lower kicker.  Looking back, I probably should have considered a broader range before calling the re-raise post flop.  The problem at point was that I was pot committed.  If I hit, I would have been among the top few chip leaders.  Five hands later my straight lost to a flush, and I was out.

 

Return from Paradise?

Tropical storm Ida and then Hurricane Ida really screwed up my most recent exile to Mexico last week.  We saw about one hour of sun between Weds and Sunday.  During that time, we witnessed some of the biggest thunderstorms, and it rained every day.  After a hurricane watch was issued on Saturday, we made the strategic decision to move from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.  It was probably a smart decision because we were staying in huts on the beach in Playa del Carmen.  Our rooms would likely have been flooded somewhat.  Although the hurricane stayed 50 miles to the east, it canceled our return flight on Sunday, and we could not get out until Tues.  At least we had one day of sun on Monday. 

Can't wait to watch the coverage of the WSOP final table.  Tried my best to follow the coverage online, but my internet coverage was very spotty.  In any event, I am fully refreshed to return to poker after a one week break. 

Self-imposed exile

Leave for Mexico in less than 24 hours.  My self-imposed exile will be in Playa del Carmen.  It will not involve cardio, weights, yoga, and golf.  It probably won't involve any poker either.  First one week break from poker since the beginning of the year.  I envision my routine looking like - breakfast, beach, bar, pool, bar, lunch, beach, bar, pool, bar, dinner, bar (repeat daily).  For those interested in Ivey’s “self-imposed exile” in Cabo, a recent “The Life of Ivey” video sheds some light. (taken from PokerRoad.com).

Back to Basics

I think every player needs to take a look at their game every once and a while and make some tweaks.  Well, I'm doing that by going back to the basics - rereading Super System.  Lately, I've been playing aggressively, but mostly in the wrong spots and in the wrong way.  Texas Dolly is helping me go back to strong fundamental play, as well as reminding me of the wide range of playable hands, depending on position, that I typically undervalue.  Next up will likely be a reread of Harrington on Holdem.  

Watching last night's WSOP coverage also reminded me of the importance of mental and physical endurance, especially in MTT play.  The endurance needed to play almost a week straight is extraordinary.  I can think of the countless times where my play disintegrates during a tournament as I go into the deeper levels of play during a single day.  In fact, there was one time where I folded my hand in the big blind when everyone limped around.  If it's any consolation, even the best of them have mental and/or physical lapses.  See last nights WSOP's coverage of Ivey mucking his winning flush. 

Heading to Playa del Carmen (Mexico) next week for a little vacation with the fam.  If anyone knows of any poker rooms in that area, please drop a line.

Zen and the Art of Poker Maintenance

I was reading a blog prepared by Soupie on PocketFives.com, which discussed the qualities needed to become a pro player.  I found myself agreeing generally with his thoughts.  Technical skills aside, most good MTT players tend to have a even-keeled and patient approach to the game.  In my opinion, these are the most important qualities that a MTT player can have.  Few MTT players cash 50+% of the time.  As a result, "losing" is the "usual" result.  If someone is unable to handle the volatility of MTT play, success becomes an even greater challenge.  In addition, there may be long stretches between tourneys or hands before success is found.  When someone presses for action, that player works against the odds, needs additional luck, and has smaller margins for error. 

Not that I am looking to turn pro (at this time), I find that my online play is less patient than my live play.  This probably accounts for one reason why my live ROI is so much better than my online ROI.  At least I am fairly good at keeping my emotions in check and not going on tilt.  Since adhering to strict bankroll management guidelines, I have also been able to handle the volatility of MTT play much better.

Final thought, although there are many excellent books out there that talk about MTT strategy, Soupie prepared an interesting list which may be found at http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/forum/how-to-win-at-mtt-poker-t3027.html

First Post

Why have I broken down and set up a blog?  1. I believe that a blog will help me think more critically about my poker play; 2. I read many poker blogs - it is time that I give and not only take; and 3. I look forward to meeting other poker players online.

 

I have been playing NL holdem, off and on, since 2006.  This year, however, I have resumed playing regularly.  Most of my play has been online.  No big online wins (no >$1000 wins), but I am fine with that because I have faithfully been playing within my bankroll.  I rarely play live, but I have had 2 recent $1000+ cashes at Foxwoods with a win and a 4th place finish in the 180NL tourney.  My goal is to continue mixing in live tourney play at least once a quarter.

I feel that I have been close to turning the corner for quite some time.  I hope that this blog will help me focus.  I also look forward to some interesting discussions via this blog.