At the end of the rainbow

These sorts of tables give me hope that NL50 amd NL100 are just as juicy. The play at this table was wild with players constantly re-raising and shoving with one pair. This particular hand wasn't from the spots at the table I'd identified earlier.


Hand #1:
Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2009/01/31 19:09:27 ET
Table 'Devota V' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: iceman_xddd ($74.80 in chips)
Seat 4: cabusso ($28.50 in chips)
Seat 5: Hangman1604 ($49.50 in chips)
Seat 6: DawgHouse33 ($58.85 in chips)
Seat 7: Forrest Gump ($75 in chips)
Seat 8: KarlKaefer ($19 in chips)
Seat 9: cubs4lyfe420 ($67.05 in chips)
Hangman1604: posts small blind $0.25
DawgHouse33: posts big blind $0.50
irocyj: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Ks 6c]
Forrest Gump: folds
KarlKaefer: folds
cubs4lyfe420: folds
iceman_xddd: raises $1 to $1.50
cabusso: folds
candeee joins the table at seat #2
Hangman1604: folds
DawgHouse33: raises $1.50 to $3
iceman_xddd: raises $71.80 to $74.80 and is all-in
DawgHouse33: calls $55.85 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($15.95) returned to iceman_xddd
*** FLOP *** [6d 8h 7c]
*** TURN *** [6d 8h 7c] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [6d 8h 7c 3h] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DawgHouse33: shows [Kh Ts] (high card Ace)
iceman_xddd: shows [Jd Jh] (a pair of Jacks)
iceman_xddd collected $114.95 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $117.95 | Rake $3
Board [6d 8h 7c 3h Ah]
Seat 1: iceman_xddd showed [Jd Jh] and won ($114.95) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 4: cabusso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Hangman1604 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: DawgHouse33 (big blind) showed [Kh Ts] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 7: Forrest Gump folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: KarlKaefer folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: cubs4lyfe420 folded before Flop (didn't bet)


------------------
An interesting little hand and a rare spot I play some real poker. My opponent has been fairly tight and isn't on the radar. I have AKo which is a hand I really don't like and also downright hate playing up front from UTG.

With a tight player calling in position, I find the ranges are very limited- I figure either has Ax or a low/mid pair. When he checks behind, I rule out a mid pair. There's just no way he can check behind with an overpair in that spot. Now I'm either being slowplayed by a monster hand or he has AQ etc. The small bet on the turn now confirms he has a hand like AQ and is trying to buy the pot cheaply. I call believing I'm in front with ace high. The turn gives me a straight but puts the flush out there plus the board is paired. I see no point in value betting the river or inflating the pot so I have a difficult call on the river for a possible split.

Oh, wait a minute...

Hand #2
PokerStars Game #24476902691: Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 2009/01/31 19:15:13 ET
Table 'Devota V' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: iceman_xddd ($130.90 in chips)
Seat 2: candeee ($49.95 in chips)
Seat 3: irocyj ($50.50 in chips)
Seat 4: cabusso ($27.50 in chips)
Seat 5: Hangman1604 ($48.75 in chips)
Seat 6: WIJG_AR ($50.70 in chips)
Seat 7: Forrest Gump ($74.75 in chips)
Seat 9: cubs4lyfe420 ($68 in chips)
Hangman1604: posts small blind $0.25
WIJG_AR: posts big blind $0.50
royman0785: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Ac Kd]
Forrest Gump: raises $1 to $1.50
cubs4lyfe420: folds
iceman_xddd: folds
candeee: folds
irocyj: folds
cabusso: calls $1.50
Hangman1604: folds
WIJG_AR: folds
*** FLOP *** [3c 2d 4s]
Forrest Gump: checks
cabusso: checks
*** TURN *** [3c 2d 4s] [4d]
Forrest Gump: checks
cabusso: bets $2
Forrest Gump: calls $2
*** RIVER *** [3c 2d 4s 4d] [5d]
Forrest Gump: checks
cabusso: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Forrest Gump: shows [Ac Kd] (a straight, Ace to Five)
cabusso: mucks hand
Forrest Gump collected $7.40 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $7.75 | Rake $0.35
Board [3c 2d 4s 4d 5d]
Seat 1: iceman_xddd folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: candeee folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: irocyj folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cabusso (button) mucked [9s 9c]
Seat 5: Hangman1604 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: WIJG_AR (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Forrest Gump showed [Ac Kd] and won ($7.40) with a straight, Ace to Five
Seat 9: cubs4lyfe420 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

The best laid plans...

Edit: I wrote this before going to bed and the math was horribly wrong. Now corrected - hopefully!

--------------

Final stages of an extremely tough heads up game. It's level 5 and i have less than 10BB. Opponent has not much more. It's becoming a preflop game now.

Opponent has been playing a good game and the lead has been switching back and forth. I have noticed a trend that he limps weak on the button. I decide to try another steal from the BB with 52s while all but committing my stack. I remember hearing that its an old Johnny Chan play. Same effect as going allin without risking everything.

The problem was, once it became clear my opponent had trapped me by re-shoving I started to consider my options.
- do I now want to fold and leave myself with only ~5 BB? That WAS the original plan right?
- against a bad opponent, not a bad plan. I can still grind my way back. But against an opponent where I have little or no edge, the likelihood of winning a few races vs gambling now?
- if i have two live cards I'm getting a good price and against an overpair even money.
- sweet mercy, do I want to call for my tournament life with 52s?


Ah, feck - its only 2 bucks.




Tournament #136942085, $2.00+$0.20 Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level V (75/150) - 2009/01/28 5:12:48 ET
Table '136942085 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: DOMINO127 (1670 in chips)
Seat 2: Forrest Gump (1330 in chips)
DOMINO127: posts small blind 75
Forrest Gump: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [2d 5d]
DOMINO127: calls 75
Forrest Gump: raises 600 to 750
DOMINO127: raises 900 to 1650
Forrest Gump said, "well played"
Forrest Gump: calls 580 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (320) returned to DOMINO127
*** FLOP *** [4c Jh Js]
*** TURN *** [4c Jh Js] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [4c Jh Js 2c] [Jd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Forrest Gump: shows [2d 5d] (a full house, Jacks full of Deuces)
DOMINO127: shows [5c 5s] (a full house, Jacks full of Fives)
DOMINO127 collected 2660 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2660 | Rake 0
Board [4c Jh Js 2c Jd]
Seat 1: DOMINO127 (button) (small blind) showed [5c 5s] and won (2660) with a full house, Jacks full of Fives
Seat 2: Forrest Gump (big blind) showed [2d 5d] and lost with a full house, Jacks full of Deuces


Pot odds ~4:1 or 20% (call $600 to win $2400)

Good scenario:

Hand	Pot equity	Wins	Ties
5d2d	39.25%	667,894	8,448
AsQc	60.75%	1,035,962	8,448

Bad scenario:

Hand	Pot equity	Wins	Ties
5d2d	19.55%	326,871	15,874
8s8c	80.45%	1,369,559	15,874

Downright ugly:

Hand	Pot equity	Wins	Ties
5d2d	15.52%	219,231	92,934
5s5c	84.48%	1,400,139	92,934

Out of position with Big Slick

Opponent is a little over-aggressive but isn't the soft spot at the table I'm gunning for. They've been relatively quiet due to a maniac playing a bit wild. A rare spot where the maniac has taken a rest and it's a button version blinds hand. The big blind is tight and I expect him to fold.

The button raises to 3BB and I have AK. Most would 3 bet in this spot but I typically call because:
- I don't want to build the pot preflop out of position, even with a hand as strong as AK
- I'm comfortable check-folding if I miss. I view AK as a connect or fold hand. I really don't see the point of playing alot of poker and winning big pots with Ace high at this level.
- I'm masking the strength of my hand and it looks like I'm defending. I often find that people will pay me off with a weak king or middle pair in this spot.
- It's a low variance play.

Post flop I was happy with the play. I felt confident I either had him out-kicked or I was way behind to a set. If it's the latter so be it.

Had the opponent been deeper I would have played this a little slower for pot control. Could possibly be a leak in my game...



Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/27 6:54:33 ET
Table 'Richilde' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: kehlet1 ($21.50 in chips)
Seat 3: fabson24 ($25.40 in chips)
Seat 4: Oz-Teej ($12.75 in chips)
Seat 5: Forrest Gump ($30.80 in chips)
Seat 6: buccanin ($6.15 in chips)
Seat 7: lamar7 ($25 in chips)
Seat 9: gurke66 ($15.55 in chips)
Forrest Gump: posts small blind $0.10
buccanin: posts big blind $0.25
KolaBella: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Ad Kc]
lamar7: folds
gurke66: folds
kehlet1: folds
fabson24: folds
Oz-Teej: raises $0.50 to $0.75
Forrest Gump: calls $0.65
buccanin: folds
*** FLOP *** [3d Ks 6d]
Forrest Gump: checks
Oz-Teej: bets $1
Forrest Gump: raises $2 to $3
Oz-Teej: calls $2
*** TURN *** [3d Ks 6d] [2s]
Forrest Gump: bets $5.50
Oz-Teej: raises $3.50 to $9 and is all-in
Forrest Gump: calls $3.50
*** RIVER *** [3d Ks 6d 2s] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Forrest Gump: shows [Ad Kc] (three of a kind, Kings)
Oz-Teej: mucks hand
Forrest Gump collected $24.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $25.75 | Rake $1.25
Board [3d Ks 6d 2s Kh]
Seat 1: kehlet1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: fabson24 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Oz-Teej (button) mucked [Kd Qh]
Seat 5: Forrest Gump (small blind) showed [Ad Kc] and won ($24.50) with three of a kind, Kings
Seat 6: buccanin (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: lamar7 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: gurke66 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Dipping the toe at NL100 (or Gump the dirty shortstacker)

One of my goals for this year is to move up to NL100. To get a feel for a new level, I usually short-stack so the increase in stacks doesn't affect my decision making. It was kinda fun being on the other side of the fence and being a pesky short-stack. The play is relatively easy as well as its all preflop so I can see how some people short-stack 10 or more tables.

Generally speaking, the skill level didn't seem greatly different and it wasn't too hard to find the soft spots.


Hand #1
Hold'em No Limit ($0.50/$1.00) - 2009/01/24 22:44:22 ET
Table 'Arpola' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: Forrest Gump ($37.95 in chips)
Seat 2: gbandman21 ($149.85 in chips)
Seat 3: YES. GO ($90 in chips)
Seat 5: Federer1414 ($100 in chips)
Seat 6: sladey67 ($54.20 in chips)
Seat 7: FULLABULL123 ($94.85 in chips)
Seat 8: JC-TheGuide ($147.55 in chips)
Seat 9: TeHKai ($18.50 in chips)
Forrest Gump: posts small blind $0.50
gbandman21: posts big blind $1
Bigfishead59: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Kh 8h]
YES. GO: folds
Federer1414: folds
sladey67: folds
FULLABULL123: folds
JC-TheGuide: folds
TeHKai: raises $2 to $3
Forrest Gump: folds
gbandman21: raises $17 to $20
TeHKai: calls $15.50 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($1.50) returned to gbandman21
*** FLOP *** [9h 4c 7c]
*** TURN *** [9h 4c 7c] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [9h 4c 7c 6c] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gbandman21: shows [6h 8s] (two pair, Eights and Sixes)
TeHKai: mucks hand
gbandman21 collected $35.65 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $37.50 | Rake $1.85
Board [9h 4c 7c 6c 8c]
Seat 1: Forrest Gump (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: gbandman21 (big blind) showed [6h 8s] and won ($35.65) with two pair, Eights and Sixes
Seat 3: YES. GO folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Federer1414 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: sladey67 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: FULLABULL123 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: JC-TheGuide folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: TeHKai (button) mucked [8d Ad]


Hand #2
Hold'em No Limit ($0.50/$1.00) - 2009/01/24 23:19:06 ET
Table 'Sirius IV' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: RichyRichDic ($139.75 in chips)
Seat 2: JC-TheGuide ($168.50 in chips)
Seat 3: markiswelbis ($124.60 in chips)
Seat 4: Wake09 ($100 in chips)
Seat 5: Biden4prez08 ($100 in chips)
Seat 6: SERBIAN BLUF ($22.70 in chips)
Seat 7: Coordi ($105.05 in chips)
Seat 8: Elliottism ($21 in chips)
Seat 9: tweakachu ($88 in chips)
Wake09: posts small blind $0.50
Biden4prez08: posts big blind $1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
SERBIAN BLUF: folds
Coordi: folds
Elliottism: folds
tweakachu: folds
RichyRichDic: folds
JC-TheGuide: raises $2 to $3
markiswelbis: raises $3 to $6
Wake09: folds
Biden4prez08: folds
RichyRichDic is sitting out
JC-TheGuide: calls $3
*** FLOP *** [Kh 7h 4d]
JC-TheGuide: checks
markiswelbis: bets $7
JC-TheGuide: raises $14 to $21
markiswelbis: calls $14
*** TURN *** [Kh 7h 4d] [8d]
JC-TheGuide: bets $31
markiswelbis: raises $66.60 to $97.60 and is all-in
JC-TheGuide: calls $66.60
*** RIVER *** [Kh 7h 4d 8d] [6d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
JC-TheGuide: shows [Kc Jc] (a pair of Kings)
markiswelbis: mucks hand
JC-TheGuide collected $247.70 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $250.70 | Rake $3
Board [Kh 7h 4d 8d 6d]
Seat 1: RichyRichDic folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: JC-TheGuide showed [Kc Jc] and won ($247.70) with a pair of Kings
Seat 3: markiswelbis (button) mucked
Seat 4: Wake09 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Biden4prez08 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: SERBIAN BLUF folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Coordi folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Elliottism folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: tweakachu folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

Some of the Gods most beautiful creations grace us for far too short a time.


http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=eUwTdqPkluY


http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=10076292




FG

Heads Up

I've been playing quite a bit of HU lately as a break from the daily full ring grind and I have noticed the level of play particularly soft. In my last two games, I'd estimate my edge at over 80% which is much higher than I could achieve playing full ring. Mind you, I'm just talking $2 stakes at the moment! My goal is the improve my HU game and read Moshman's recent book while I learn. I also think HU is a good way to practice my post flop game which can get rusty when sitting pretty snug in aggressive full ring games.

I have noticed four distinct types of players - from easiest to toughest:

1. Predictable: My last two games were against players where every bet defined their hand strength. If they limped, they had a marginal hand. They'd bet the flop when they hit and so on. In these games, I honestly didn't think I could lose.

2. Passive: Surprisingly, quite a few opponents have been ultra passive. Never raising their button, c-betting or even betting middle or bottom pairs. In these games, I could just grind them down risk free until the eventual allin race when I had a comfortable chip advantage.

3. Hyper aggressive: This was the type I expected to meet but haven't seen too many. I expected to see more players over-adjust to HU and bluff too much, or just not care about dusting off 2 bucks and want to gamble. Against the couple I've played, I've just had to wait for hands and playing a trapping game. There's definitely less edge and I simply need to catch cards at some stage.

4. Solid HU TAG's: Only one or two games so far and I've noticed these guys often multi-table the HU games. In one game, I remember getting completely outplayed by a regular and made sure I took notes on their play.

I have found sharkscope is very helpful to identify the winning players and get a quick feel for how to game might go.




FG

Sound off like you got a pair!

An interesting hand.

Hammerhead seems to be playing a good TAG game and hasn't got out of line. Maverick is my soft spot at the table and I've recently taken a chunk of his chips. My image is pretty tight and I've shown the goods at each showdown, building my stack up over a buyin.


Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/22 2:34:01 ET
Table 'Virton' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Hammerhed64 ($50.75 in chips)
Seat 2: davidabcdefg ($24.70 in chips)
Seat 3: 19dbcooper71 ($25 in chips)
Seat 4: maverick8111 ($3.70 in chips)
Seat 5: SlimClem42 ($9.15 in chips)
Seat 6: jackie198201 ($25 in chips)
Seat 7: Forrest Gump ($62.25 in chips)
Seat 8: VictoryYG ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 9: nver2bg ($10.40 in chips)
davidabcdefg: posts small blind $0.10
19dbcooper71: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Jd Td]
maverick8111: calls $0.25
SlimClem42: folds
jackie198201 has timed out
jackie198201: folds
jackie198201 is sitting out
Forrest Gump: calls $0.25
VictoryYG: folds
nver2bg: folds
Hammerhed64: raises $0.75 to $1
davidabcdefg: folds
19dbcooper71: folds
maverick8111: calls $0.75
Forrest Gump: calls $0.75

(I typically wouldn't limp call here, but I think Maverick is gunning for me)

*** FLOP *** [6h Kd Qh]
maverick8111: checks
Forrest Gump: checks
Hammerhed64: checks
*** TURN *** [6h Kd Qh] [As]
jackie198201 has returned
maverick8111: checks
Forrest Gump: bets $2.80
Hammerhed64: raises $2.80 to $5.60
maverick8111: folds
Forrest Gump: calls $2.80
*** RIVER *** [6h Kd Qh As] [Jh]
Forrest Gump: checks
Hammerhed64: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Forrest Gump: shows [Jd Td] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
Hammerhed64: mucks hand
Forrest Gump collected $13.85 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.55 | Rake $0.70
Board [6h Kd Qh As Jh]
Seat 1: Hammerhed64 (button) mucked [Qc Kc]
Seat 2: davidabcdefg (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: 19dbcooper71 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: maverick8111 folded on the Turn
Seat 5: SlimClem42 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: jackie198201 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Forrest Gump showed [Jd Td] and won ($13.85) with a straight, Ten to Ace
Seat 8: VictoryYG folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: nver2bg folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Okay, so on the turn this is my thinking.

Good
- I have the stone cold nuts.

Bad
- The TAG is playing pretty deep and can all but wipe out my stack.

Good
- I have the stone cold nuts AND could win two buyins. What are you thinking?!

Bad
- The TAG behind me has min-raised, which typically means he wants to build the pot and isn't looking for a fold. He THINKS he has the best hand. Likely holdings are AK/AQ...or has he slow played a set? Maybe he has a pair and flush draw? Maybe he has the same hand? Oh sweet mercy....maybe he has JT hearts and would be free rolling?!?!?!

Oh my, oh my. Maybe I'll just check and take the low variance route.

And thus my balls shrank and I checked it down.




FG

PS An interesting line from the villain checking two pair in position on that flop then min-raising on the turn?

In the midnight hour

A friend recently asked me how my online poker was going and I sighed and said "Breaking even. It's pretty frustrating cos I'm winning all the small pots then getting unlucky in the big ones".

"That's pretty good then isn't it" he said. "That you're still managing to break even despite that?"

"Uh, yeah. I guess so".


He was right. Perspective is a beautiful thing.

As I was playing today and reading the hand history below, the first hand that I post I flop the nuts. When he called the allin, I honestly expected to get snapped off again.


Hand #1: Before sitting down
Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/21 2:43:37 ET
Table 'Demiddelaer IV' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: sa06308p ($30.75 in chips)
Seat 4: perseus18 ($25.35 in chips)
Seat 5: suspekt23 ($11.75 in chips)
Seat 6: Negotiant ($4.65 in chips)
Seat 9: Volatilt ($12.20 in chips)
suspekt23: posts small blind $0.10
Negotiant: posts big blind $0.25
heyyrob: sits out
crisb732002: sits out
NYBATTERI: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Volatilt: raises $0.25 to $0.50
AlekzDj joins the table at seat #8
sa06308p: calls $0.50
perseus18: calls $0.50
suspekt23: folds
Negotiant: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ad 8c 4c]
Volatilt: bets $0.50
sa06308p: calls $0.50
perseus18: raises $1.25 to $1.75
Volatilt: folds
sa06308p: calls $1.25
*** TURN *** [Ad 8c 4c] [2h]
sa06308p: checks
perseus18: bets $3
sa06308p: raises $9 to $12
perseus18: raises $11.10 to $23.10 and is all-in
sa06308p: calls $11.10
*** RIVER *** [Ad 8c 4c 2h] [6s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sa06308p: shows [3d 5d] (a straight, Deuce to Six)
perseus18: mucks hand
sa06308p collected $50.05 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $52.05 | Rake $2
Board [Ad 8c 4c 2h 6s]
Seat 1: sa06308p showed [3d 5d] and won ($50.05) with a straight, Deuce to Six
Seat 4: perseus18 (button) mucked
Seat 5: suspekt23 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Negotiant (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: Volatilt folded on the Flop



Hand #2: First Hand
Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/21 2:51:19 ET
Table 'Demiddelaer IV' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: sa06308p ($68 in chips)
Seat 2: crisb732002 ($9.50 in chips)
Seat 3: NYBATTERI ($25.35 in chips)
Seat 4: Genius4832 ($26.80 in chips)
Seat 6: Forrest Gump ($25 in chips)
Seat 7: heyyrob ($14.30 in chips)
Seat 8: AlekzDj ($12.80 in chips)
Seat 9: Volatilt ($11.65 in chips)
Volatilt: posts small blind $0.10
sa06308p: posts big blind $0.25
Forrest Gump: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [Jd Tc]
crisb732002: folds
NYBATTERI: folds
Genius4832: folds
Forrest Gump: checks
heyyrob: folds
AlekzDj: folds
Volatilt: calls $0.15
sa06308p: checks
*** FLOP *** [9c 7c 8s]
Volatilt: checks
sa06308p: bets $1
Forrest Gump: raises $1.20 to $2.20
Volatilt: raises $1.20 to $3.40
sa06308p: calls $2.40
Forrest Gump: raises $21.35 to $24.75 and is all-in
Volatilt: folds
sa06308p: calls $21.35
*** TURN *** [9c 7c 8s] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [9c 7c 8s Kc] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sa06308p: shows [Td Qc] (a pair of Tens)
Forrest Gump: shows [Jd Tc] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
Forrest Gump collected $51 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $53.65 | Rake $2.65
Board [9c 7c 8s Kc Th]
Seat 1: sa06308p (big blind) showed [Td Qc] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 2: crisb732002 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: NYBATTERI folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Genius4832 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Forrest Gump showed [Jd Tc] and won ($51) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 7: heyyrob folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: AlekzDj (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Volatilt (small blind) folded on the Flop



Happy Hour
I was listening to a podcast with a high stakes HU specialist and he mentioned that the 1am to 3am period seems to be the juiciest online. This is something I've also noticed and fortunately I get home from work at around 1am U.S time and I've noticed there's a 'sweet spot' for an hour or two before the tables quickly dry up.

Bear versus the kids
This thread on Pokerroad is pure gold. I wish I understood all the concepts discussed but when they start mentioning Nash Equilibriums my thoughts wander off to nodding drinking birds...

http://www.pokerroad.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3936


Toot toot, over and out.




FG

Gump on Internet Security

When surfing the internet, you’re just one little fish in the ocean among millions. So how do you stop some nasty predator from deciding you’re it’s next meal? There is one basic rule.

You don’t need to out-run the bear in the woods. You simply need to outrun the other campers. Or in the above example, keep ahead of the other fishies in the ocean.

It’s might sound a little cold but it’s true. Ask yourself this. If a car thief is presented with two cars. One car with locked doors and a club lock on the steering wheel. And the other car, maybe not quite as nice but with unlocked doors and the keys in the ignition, which will get stolen?


The two biggest issues are Spyware and Identity Theft.

Identity theft is pretty simple. Don’t put your personal information on the Internet, it’s that simple. Put it this way, would you put your photo, home address, phone number etc on a wall in a public park?

Spyware has replaced ‘viruses’ as the biggest threat on the Internet. Hackers have figured out that incapacitating your computer and replicating a pop-up that says ‘I love you’ might be fun but that’s about it. But with spyware, they can steal your personal information and ideally, money from you. So how do you protect yourself?

With anti-virus software? Nope, AV software these days is becoming redundant. Think of anti-virus software as the guards behind the castle walls. If the invaders have climbed the walls and drawbridge, its nice to have.

A firewall? Yep, absolutely required. This is the equivalent of the castle walls. The problem is, you can’t completely stop everyone and everything from entering and leaving the castle right? Even by simply surfing the Internet, you’ve immediately opened your computer to those particular ports.

Anti-spyware software? Also very important and should compliment the firewall. You should have both a real-time scanner and also run a full scan over your machine every month or so.


So what else? The most important factor is simply you use your head and be sensible. Be wary when accessing the internet. Even ‘reputable’ sites can be hacked and compromised, so you just need to be ‘aware’.

By taking a few basic precautions and being aware that there are nasties out there, you’re swimming way ahead of the school and really shouldn’t have any problem at all.


Cheers,
FG

Fairies Wear Boots

I'm not a big re-raiser. I think it's to do with the nature of micro-limits. In most pots there's a tendency to blow pots beyond their value and quite often I find myself battling to hold to the river with marginal but possibly best hands.

I think this hand is a clear case for re-raising on the flop and after the session this hand I was pleased with.

Trasher hasn't been at the table long but is yet to play a hand. Tutu is the soft spot at the table I'm targeting. On the flop I figure noone has raised so I must have best hand unless I'm coolered to quads. Yes, it did go through my mind....so call me Forrest Tilly. In reality though, from the SB it wouldn't be that hard to put Trasher on the case 3 and I honestly would lean to folding to a 3 bet shove from him. There's also the possiblity he's got 88-99 or has played a high pair a little funky.

When Tutu calls and Trasher then folds I was very happy with my spot now. The rest of the hand wasn't so interesting - basically just pot control but planning to see the river.

Overall, I've been happy with my play and seem to be making good decisions. One thing I've noticed that that the games seem to have really juiced up since the reload bonus over Christmas. Hopefully the trend continues.


Hold'em Pot Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/08 4:49:21 ET
Table 'Hygiea X' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: blue taboo 2 ($7 in chips)
Seat 4: Forrest Gump ($28.05 in chips)
Seat 5: Combifrank ($10.90 in chips)
Seat 7: tutitututu ($22.65 in chips)
Seat 8: Endova ($16.30 in chips)
Seat 9: trasher101 ($25.10 in chips)
trasher101: posts small blind $0.10
Rübezahl000 joins the table at seat #6
blue taboo 2: posts big blind $0.25
rock55: sits out
gyver11833: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [7s 7c]
Forrest Gump: calls $0.25
Combifrank: folds
tutitututu: calls $0.25
Endova: calls $0.25
trasher101: calls $0.15
blue taboo 2: checks
*** FLOP *** [3h 3c 3d]
trasher101: bets $1
blue taboo 2: folds
Forrest Gump: raises $1.25 to $2.25
tutitututu: calls $2.25
Endova: folds
trasher101: folds
*** TURN *** [3h 3c 3d] [Ks]
Forrest Gump: checks
tutitututu: checks
*** RIVER *** [3h 3c 3d Ks] [2d]
Forrest Gump: checks
tutitututu: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Forrest Gump: shows [7s 7c] (a full house, Threes full of Sevens)
tutitututu: mucks hand
Forrest Gump collected $6.45 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.75 | Rake $0.30
Board [3h 3c 3d Ks 2d]
Seat 1: blue taboo 2 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: Forrest Gump showed [7s 7c] and won ($6.45) with a full house, Threes full of Sevens
Seat 5: Combifrank folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: tutitututu mucked [5s Ac]
Seat 8: Endova (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: trasher101 (small blind) folded on the Flop



During current Hold'em session you were dealt 427 hands and saw flop:
- 32 out of 52 times while in big blind (61%)
- 6 out of 53 times while in small blind (11%)
- 30 out of 322 times in other positions (9%)
- a total of 68 out of 427 (15%)
Pots won at showdown - 10 of 14 (71%)
Pots won without showdown - 13

Another perfect storm

1. Completely card dead for the session
2. Finally spike a set a give a little fist pump
3. Bet it hard as the board is ugly and you're out of position
4. Watch that one perfect straighty/flushy card appear on the river
5. Watch the unknown player playing their first hand at the table insta-shove the river

This game really can be brutal sometimes.




PokerStars Game #23656451793: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2009/01/07 5:50:57 ET
Table 'Valeska' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Devine56 ($31.25 in chips)
Seat 2: mysnook ($6.20 in chips)
Seat 3: flippy3759 ($12.65 in chips)
Seat 4: Forrest Gump ($26.30 in chips)
Seat 5: leotec ($22.60 in chips)
Seat 6: Dan59DK ($26.85 in chips)
Seat 7: ryukenrock ($27.95 in chips)
Seat 8: chr1st0pher1 ($34.15 in chips)
Forrest Gump: posts small blind $0.10
leotec: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Forrest Gump [5h 5c]
cardbluff leaves the table
Dan59DK: folds
ryukenrock: folds
chr1st0pher1: calls $0.25
Devine56: folds
mysnook: calls $0.25
sebixxx joins the table at seat #9
flippy3759: calls $0.25
Forrest Gump: calls $0.15
leotec: checks
*** FLOP *** [6c 8d 5d]
Forrest Gump: bets $1
leotec: calls $1
chr1st0pher1: folds
mysnook: calls $1
flippy3759: folds
*** TURN *** [6c 8d 5d] [Qh]
Forrest Gump: bets $4
leotec: calls $4
mysnook: folds
*** RIVER *** [6c 8d 5d Qh] [7d]
Forrest Gump: checks
leotec: bets $17.35 and is all-in
Forrest Gump: folds
Uncalled bet ($17.35) returned to leotec
leotec collected $11.65 from pot
leotec: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $12.25 | Rake $0.60
Board [6c 8d 5d Qh 7d]
Seat 1: Devine56 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: mysnook folded on the Turn
Seat 3: flippy3759 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: Forrest Gump (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 5: leotec (big blind) collected ($11.65)
Seat 6: Dan59DK folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: ryukenrock folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: chr1st0pher1 folded on the Flop

Upside-down session

Today I played what I call an upside-down session.

First table, first hand I get KK. Next hand TT. Next hand AKo against an opponent with AKs. He rivered a flush and I lost $5 with top pair. A few hands later I turn a boat and win back that $ plus a small profit. Then I go completely card dead and finish up even for the night.

I really hate those sessions when I'm thrown into the thick of battle before I have a chance to get settled. I like to sit down and get my head around the game. I like to browse the hand histories and get a read on the key players. Then after 20 or 30 hands when I'm settled, if the poker gods could throw me something to play poke with I'm happy to oblige.

It's a little like my namesake UFC fighter Forrest Griffin. I remember an interview where he said he's a very slow starter and takes a good punch in the head for him to wake up and think "Oh yeah, I better pay attention". ;)

Speaking of UFC or mixed martial arts fighting. I was thinking recently how poker is to chess what UFC is to boxing. In UFC the favourite is far from a sure thing and this is what makes it such a fascinating specatacle. Also interesting to see that most fighters in the recent UFC event were sporting Full Tilt logos.

http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch/forrest-griffin-ufc-86-post-fight-interview-at-2008-wsop/678549bc3b393a51fcac6b02d58bc2

Back at the ranch, at the moment my BR is around $1200. Half of that is from a $600 deposit to make the most of the recent reload bonus. Once I clear 3000 FPP's I'll get a $150 bonus from Stars. It's actually not all that hard to clear as I'm already at 500 FPP's. I do highly recommend the reload bonuses when they come up.




FG


During current Hold'em session you were dealt 219 hands and saw flop:
- 9 out of 26 times while in big blind (34%)
- 5 out of 25 times while in small blind (20%)
- 14 out of 168 times in other positions (8%)
- a total of 28 out of 219 (12%)
Pots won at showdown - 2 of 5 (40%)
Pots won without showdown - 16