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.