The World According To Gump

Without Fear

2011-06-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a dream interpreter would have a field day with this one:

I was driving along a quiet country road when i came to a T-intersection. I wasn’t sure whether to turn left or right but quickly decided to turn left and started heading north. I then realised i was heading in the wrong direction and made a u-turn. Soon after passing the intersection i came across a beautiful spot near the top of the mountain. There was a large flowing river with aqua-marine coloured water flowing down the mountain. I could see the road was slow and winding down the mountain so i decide to leave the car behind and dive into the river.

As a lay in the water floating down the river it occurred to me the water was getting faster and rougher and it was likely there would be a waterfall up ahead. I could hear a sound in the distance that made me quite sure this was the case. I had plenty of time to get out but then figured “its only a dream, lets have some fun – if I die I’ll just wake up with a bit of a start”. You know that uncomfortable, disoriented feeling you get if you die in a dream...

Shortly afterwards, the pace quickened then i found myself dropping over a massive waterfall. Strangely, there was no sense of falling or any fear at all. Eventually I hit the water below and sunk quickly to the bottom from the speed of the drop. I then looked up at the surface and pushed off towards the substantial distance to the surface. I recall regretting not taking a large breath before hitting the water and it would going to be touch and go but i made it to the surface with a second to spare. I struggled to the shore and collapsed trying to catch my breath. I was aware of people walking by and probably wondering what the hell i was doing. I fond myself giggling at the insanity but pure thrill of what I’d done.

When i eventually recovered i started jogging back up the path to the top of the mountain to retrieve my car. After some time i got to where I’d left the car and noticed a parking ticket on the windscreen. I laughed at seeing this as i didn’t expect I’d be returning to the car after going over the waterfall.

"It's just a matter of what card's you choose to deal me today."

2011-05-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

Wrote the feem tune. Sang the feem tune.

Seventeen years of age.

I was hypnotized too

Cognitive Dissonance much

2011-05-03T17:40:00.001-07:00

Loved this post on a forum. The final sentence made me smile.

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

Syborfical writes...

"Since his dead is evil gone from the world now?"

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

TheAnonymouse writes...

From my perspective, with all the celebraions and the reveling in revenge. There is more evil than there was.

Perhaps he could be called evil, perhaps he was.
Perhaps we were fed information, and having no personal experince in the matter we concluded so.
Perhaps he should not of been killed, perhaps it is better he has been.
Perhaps it is a time for celebration, Perhaps it is a time for mourning.
Perhaps he was fighting in the name of freedom, Perhaps he has inspired many.
Perhaps revenge is just, Perhaps it is not.
Perhaps celebrating ones death, gives us a opportunity to see what we truly value.
Perhaps i am conflicted and confused, Perhaps i dont understand completly.
Perhaps i should entertain the thought my views could be wrong. merely for the sake of objectivity

Currently i have a severe case of cognitive dissonance
http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/cognitive_dissonance.htm

Not sure where my mind will settle on this, There are many perspectives, right or wrong really does not matter it is all too subjective. In my mind i imagine this thru 3 peoples eyes, One celebrating, one mourning and one trying to understand why the other 2 feel this way.

A night devoid of stars

2011-05-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Party...?

2011-04-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

It seems any site that isn't one of the big three is clambering to sign up the expected exodus of players from these sites.

I just signed up for the $50 free (no deposit) from Party Poker. Looks like i get $25 for signing up then another $25 if i clear some FPP's. The interface looks pretty horrible but hopefully i can customize it a little

Registration successful

Congratulations,

We will now verify your details – this process will take about 72 hours.

If your application is successful you will receive $25 direct to your PartyPoker account. PokerNews will contact you if further information is required.

To release the additional $25, simply earn 200 PartyPoker Points within 45 days of the first cash transfer.

Be sure to check your spam filter and add free50@pokernews.com to your safe list.

Thanks & good luck at the tables.

State of play

2011-04-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

888.com

These guys offer an $8 sign-up without a deposit required. Could be fun to try and grind it into a bankroll.

http://www.888poker.com/promotions/real-poker.htm

Stars is still business as usual. Unfortunately my bankroll is $3.50 there. :/

Full Tilt is down. I hope they don't go under as I built a nice bankroll there playing Rush. Apparently their I.T stuffed up royally:

Full Tilt messed up. Their software update application will not work with the redirection of fulltiltpoker.com to the FBI. Thus, anyone, in the US or otherwise, who has the updated DNS settings, will get a failure when attempting to get the update.
Those that get the update will notice that if they go to fulltiltpoker.com, they still get the normal website.
Full Tilt is now completely screwed because they can no longer issue software updates.

I did read that it's still possible to update the client via the U.K. website which I plan to try.

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

Update: Yep, downloaded the FTP client from the U.K and could log in.

Fear and Liquidity

2011-04-16T01:27:00.001-07:00

In the shit-storm that's gathering momentum at the moment, consider this. If you add up all the bankrolls held online by Stars, Tilt and AP - do you think these unregulated companies have this amount of money sitting idly in bank accounts? Or can we assume a significant amount is invested and earning the owners a healthy return.

And if their customers go into a mad panic and all try to withdraw their money at the same time, how long before the cheques bounce...?

When you're beat, you're beat.

2011-03-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

MP2: $25.00

CO: $118.07

BTN: $27.56

SB: $3.52

Hero (BB): $24.90

UTG: $26.10

UTG+1: $58.36

UTG+2: $24.61

MP1: $27.48

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with Q Q

4 folds, MP2 raises to $0.75, 2 folds, SB calls $0.65, Hero raises to $3.50, 1 fold, SB calls $2.75

Flop: ($7.75) J 2 5 (2 players)

SB bets $0.02 all in, Hero folds

Final Pot: $7.75

SB wins $7.37

(Rake: $0.38)

Pushing it uphill

2011-03-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

CO: $32.20

BTN: $10.00

SB: $29.79

BB: $18.18

UTG: $26.67

UTG+1: $18.37

UTG+2: $27.36

MP1: $8.40

Hero (MP2): $24.40

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP2 with Q T

4 folds, Hero raises to $0.85, CO calls $0.85, 2 folds, BB calls $0.60

Flop: ($2.65) Q A 4 (3 players)

BB checks, Hero bets $1.50, CO folds, BB raises to $4, Hero raises to $23.55 all in, BB calls $13.33 all in

Turn: ($37.31) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($37.31) K (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $37.31

BB shows Q A (two pair, Aces and Queens)

Hero shows Q T (a flush, Ace high)

Hero wins $35.45

(Rake: $1.86)

board: As Qd 4s
Hand Equity Wins Ties
Qs Ts 34.85% 345 0
Ac Qc 65.15% 645 0

Two sets - both checked down

2011-03-09T02:15:00.001-08:00

FFull Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

BB: $55.29

Hero (UTG): $24.15

UTG+1: $41.37

UTG+2: $39.17

MP1: $32.65

MP2: $23.96

CO: $19.92

BTN: $49.50

SB: $11.20

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with 7 7

Hero raises to $0.75, 2 folds, MP1 calls $0.75, 5 folds

Flop: ($1.85) 6 7 T (2 players)

Hero checks, MP1 checks

Turn: ($1.85) K (2 players)

Hero checks, MP1 checks

River: ($1.85) 3 (2 players)

Hero checks, MP1 checks

Final Pot: $1.85

Hero shows 7 7 (three of a kind, Sevens)

MP1 shows T T (three of a kind, Tens)

MP1 wins $1.76

(Rake: $0.09)

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

Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

UTG: $10.00

UTG+1: $119.15

UTG+2: $24.67

MP1: $38.41

MP2: $43.09

Hero (CO): $28.53

BTN: $26.82

SB: $28.44

BB: $26.05

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with T T

1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.75, 3 folds

Flop: ($1.85) J T Q (2 players)

UTG+1 bets $1.25, Hero calls $1.25

Turn: ($4.35) 2 (2 players)

UTG+1 checks, Hero checks

River: ($4.35) 3 (2 players)

UTG+1 checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $4.35

UTG+1 shows 8 8 (a pair of Eights)

Hero shows T T (three of a kind, Tens)

Hero wins $4.14

(Rake: $0.21)

Dead Bullfrog

2011-03-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

i laughed until i wept. My girlfriend thought i was insane.

My favouite book

2011-02-15T03:34:00.000-08:00

When i was at school they had a 'compulsory' 10 minute reading class before the usual 9am lessons started. You were free to bring any book but everyone had to be silent and read for that 10 minutes.

I chose a particularly large book that took the best part of the year to finish. It was a book about God and Satan. About good and evil. About faith. About prophets and devils. About the end of the world. About holy pilgrimages and our failings as humans.

And now it would appear its being made into a movie:

http://www.filmjunk.com/2011/02/01/stephen-kings-the-stand-movie-in-development/

Mother Nature?

2011-02-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

This monster is about to hit Queensland. All but a few weeks after a 1 in 100 year flood hit the region hard.

When experts from the weather bureau say "Cyclone Yasi 'more life threatening than any experienced in recent generations" - there's some cause for alarm.

You have my prayers Maroons.

FG

Voyage in art with Brian Badonde

2011-01-30T20:50:00.000-08:00

Best laugh I've had in some time:

Interestingly, the guy behind this show is also in the movie Four Lions which i saw recently. It's a light-hearted comedy about some young muslims who decide to become suicide bombers.

I kid you not.

Muhammad and me

2011-01-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

This year has and will be a year of milestones for me. A few weeks ago i turned the ripe old age of 40. Sometime during the year the plan is to get married to my partner of almost two years. And given that her parents are strict Muslims, it's been discussed (and for the most part agreed) that I'll convert to Islam.

For me personally, religion plays little to no part in my life to this point - so there's little sacrifice. The reason for converting is simply so my future parents-in-law will accept the wedding and more importantly, make the whole process so much simpler for my future wife. Of course, before making the final leap there's some due diligence to be done and I thought it might be interesting to blog about my discoveries along the way. Some I already knew, others I've found very surprising.

The most obvious issue will be my main past-time, hobby and love which is poker. I've already looked into this and there's no escaping that's its simply not kosher. Perhaps if they have a catholic style confessional i can beat a well worn path behind the curtain.

More to come.

Muhammad Bin Gump

Australia Day

2011-01-25T22:32:00.000-08:00

Today is Australia Day and apparently it celebrates the arrival of the first fleet of settlers not so long ago. Some aboriginals prefer to call it 'Invasion Day'. Unlike the natives of New Zealand, Australian history was pretty dark and we tend to not discuss the poisoning of water holes or removing children from parents to give them a better life. Our recently disposed prime minister offered a formal apology which while symbolic and overdue, hopefully was the first steps to better relations with our original land owners.

On a lighter note, nothing describes current Australia like Paul Kelly singing how to make gravy.

Quick poker update

2011-01-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

I played the grand sum of two tournament these last few months and zero cash games. This is mainly due to some study I've needed to do for work to get a certification. The exam is a bitch and i needed to memorize all sorts of facts and figures which i plan to forget straight after the exam.

One tournament was $10 27 player table Full Tilt before Christmas and i finished 2nd. The table was oddly weak/tight and i monstered them on the bubble and in late position. Second hand of HU i 3bet jammed with 44 and he snap called with A8. We were in fact pretty deep and i was getting comfortable for quite the battle. That's poker.

Also played a live freeroll on the weekend. The kitty was $1500 with $500 for first and the venue was a 5 minute walk from my place. Unfortunately, only the top 6 got payed and around 160 punters turned up. When i saw the payouts, i decided to either bust early or get the chip lead. This hand was particularly enjoyable:

I raised from UTG+1 with T8s (one of my favourite hands). An active player on the button 3 bets me. I should note we're playing pretty deep (for a free tournament) with 5000 chips and the blinds 25/50. I snap called and the flop came J8x for a pair and gutterball. I check-raised jammed the flop and he snap called with his AA. I binked the ten on the next pull much to the chagrin of the table. I made it to the last few tables before getting completely coolered. Some guy limped with KK from UTG. I turned my flush on the turn with JQs. Only problem was the flop was K77. That's also poker.

Tournaments have always been my thing but i just hate being tied down for extended period of time. The plan for this year is the find the 'fun' in poker again. As i love the social aspect of live play it will likely revolve around this.

FG

PS Phil Ivey is on the front of the main stream newspaper here for the Aussie Millions. Very surprising.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/champ-stands-alone-in-the-ivey-league-of-poker-players-20110123-1a1a4.html

Pike River

2010-11-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Unlike in Chile, it appears the miners trapped underground in New Zealand will not be as fortunate. These guys that chose to work underground have always had my admiration and its a job I could never do.

It does make me think of this brilliant video from many years back. Cheers guys.

Perspective

2010-10-02T01:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a pretty rough week for me health-wise. After going for a jog a while back, I felt a bit on an ache in my left foot. Of course I ignored it and continued on, only to find the next week I was hobbling around on an extremely sore foot. Then i went to see the Doc about a persistent little dot I'd had on the end of my nose for most of this year. As it turns out, it was a nasty little skin cancer which fortunately they'd caught early. Not early enough to save me from a non-too insignificant scar down the bridge of my nose consisting of 6 stitches. And of course, while struggling with what then became a slightly infected wound I ended up with the mother of all head colds. Trying to expel a pound of snot with several stitches on your nose really is some task. Yep, it was all a bit much for a while there.

And yet, while waiting in the surgery to get the stitches out I saw a guy about my age with a scar running from above his eyebrow to just below his ear - apparently he had the same thing but hadn't caught it early.

And then, to put all that in perspective there's also Thuy:

http://www.pokerroad.com/blog/thuy-doan/22

Then i feel grateful for all that I have and i put in a quiet word to the bearded one up stairs.

FG

And now for something completely different

2010-10-01T22:51:00.001-07:00

Beyond absurd

2010-09-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

Not the hand but being 0 from 20 allin preflop with aces. I hate to think of the odds. This was the icing on the cake and i found myself laughing hysterically. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing...

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (MP1): $24.50

MP2: $66.90

CO: $16.20

BTN: $25.00

SB: $38.65

BB: $10.00

UTG: $19.25

UTG+1: $9.50

UTG+2: $25.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with A K A J

3 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, 1 fold, CO calls $1.50, BTN raises to $6.75, 2 folds, Hero raises to $22.50, 1 fold, BTN calls $15.75

Flop: ($47.25) T 9 T (2 players)

Hero bets $2 all in, BTN calls $2

Turn: ($51.25) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($51.25) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $51.25

Hero shows A K A J (two pair, Aces and Tens)

BTN shows 5 Q T T (four of a kind, Tens)

BTN wins $48.85

(Rake: $2.40)

Bring the pain

2010-09-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

I'm on my biggest down-swing since playing poker. I don't whine about bad beats and don't find them particularly interesting. I'm finding that variance is well and truly biting me on the butt when my stack goes in and I'm only winning the smaller pots. Today was a typical example where leading up to this hand I kept getting run down every time i got my stack in with at least a 60% edge. This time, I knew i was coolered but went with it anyway. I'm curious to look up how far behind i was.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $8.30

MP2: $12.76

CO: $5.31

BTN: $17.63

Hero (SB): $14.99

BB: $15.08

UTG: $13.14

UTG+1: $10.57

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with K 6 A K

1 fold, Hero says "just one time'", UTG+1 raises to $0.75, 1 fold, MP2 calls $0.75, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.65, 1 fold

Flop: ($2.50) Q K 9 (3 players)

Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $1, MP2 calls $1, Hero calls $1

Turn: ($5.50) 5 (3 players)

Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, MP2 bets $5.24, Hero raises to $13.24 all in, UTG+1 calls $8.82 all in, MP2 calls $5.77 all in, Hero says "bring the pain"

River: ($36.34) J (3 players - 3 are all in)

Final Pot: $36.34

MP2 mucks T K J 9

Hero shows K 6 A K (a flush, King high)

UTG+1 mucks 8 J T 9

Hero wins $4.16

Hero wins $30.38

(Rake: $1.80)

Folding bottom set

2010-08-26T04:36:00.000-07:00

With what range of hands does my opponent smooth call the flop then 4bet into me?

No reads. I'm new to the table and yet to play a hand.

What hands am i beating in this spot?

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em $0.10 Ante - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $160.00

UTG+1: $51.90

UTG+2: $131.00

MP1: $53.95

MP2: $125.00

Hero (CO): $96.40

BTN: $102.50

SB: $61.50

BB: $50.65

Pre Flop: ($1.65) Hero is CO with 5 5

UTG raises to $1.50, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $1.50, 2 folds, Hero calls $1.50, 2 folds, BB calls $1

Flop: ($7.15) 5 8 9 (4 players)

BB checks, UTG bets $4.50, UTG+2 calls $4.50, Hero raises to $20, BB folds, UTG folds, UTG+2 raises to $55, Hero folds

Final Pot: $51.65

UTG+2 wins $49.10

(Rake: $2.55)

Elliot #Sharp

2010-08-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

I honestly can't figure if this is a 'Spinal Tap'esque piss take, or if his music operates on a much higher plane then my brain can process...

The Accidental Value Bluff

2010-08-22T02:26:00.001-07:00

I thought i was good on the turn. I almost fired the river but gave respect to a solid opponent playing 4 tables of rush.

Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $24.14

Hero (BTN): $24.85

SB: $45.64

BB: $6.98

UTG: $42.43

UTG+1: $19.50

UTG+2: $21.75

MP1: $10.00

MP2: $32.79

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with J J

1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.85, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.85, 2 folds

Flop: ($2.05) 3 4 T (2 players)

UTG+1 bets $1.56, Hero calls $1.56

Turn: ($5.17) 4 (2 players)

UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2.50, UTG+1 calls $2.50

River: ($10.17) 3 (2 players)

UTG+1 checks, Hero says "AK?", Hero checks

Final Pot: $10.17

Hero shows J J (two pair, Jacks and Fours)

UTG+1 shows A A (two pair, Aces and Fours)

UTG+1 wins $9.67

(Rake: $0.50)

Now time for the weather. Tiffany?

2010-08-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

Television at its finest.

Happiness is

2010-08-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

I was Facebook-surfing some friends photos and stumbled across this.

Definitely a 'wow' moment.

City to Surf 2010

2010-08-08T00:43:00.000-07:00

I sign up for this 'fun' run almost every year. It's not that I'm a mad runner but I use it as motivation to get off my lazy ass over winter and try to stay fit. This year my goal was 80 minutes which I squeaked in with 78 minutes. Next year, the goal is 75 minutes so I can start in the lead group and avoid crowds. Without doubt, one of the highlights was spotting Napolean Dynamite in the crowd.

AA-rags misplayed?

2010-07-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

According to a reg I misplayed this hand. Not sure I see it though.

Boy it would be nice to win one of these flips. :/

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 6 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP: $10.32

Hero (CO): $26.66

BTN: $9.92

SB: $18.63

BB: $36.91

UTG: $16.42

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with A A 4 8

UTG calls $0.25, MP calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, BB raises to $0.66, UTG calls $0.41, MP calls $0.41, Hero raises to $3.80, 3 folds, UTG calls $3.14, MP raises to $10.32 all in, Hero raises to $26.66 all in, UTG calls $12.62 all in

Flop: ($44.32) 2 T J (3 players - 3 are all in)

Turn: ($44.32) 6 (3 players - 3 are all in)

River: ($44.32) T (3 players - 3 are all in)

Final Pot: $44.32

MP shows K 8 J Q (two pair, Jacks and Tens)

Hero shows A A 4 8 (two pair, Aces and Tens)

UTG shows 2 J J T (a full house, Jacks full of Tens)

UTG wins $11.80

UTG wins $30.52

(Rake: $2.00)

Hand Equity
Ah As 4h 8h 49.05%
Kc 8d Js Qd 26.80%
2c Jh Jc Th 24.15%

Jesus built my hotrod

2010-07-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

Hitting the flop hard in Omaha

2010-07-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

These hands make my head spin. I think to some degree it was almost a freeroll.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 6 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $15.95

BB: $12.50

UTG: $12.50

Hero (MP): $12.99

CO: $19.18

BTN: $10.22

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP with 8 7 6 9

1 fold, Hero calls $0.25, CO calls $0.25, BTN raises to $1.35, SB calls $1.25, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.10, CO calls $1.10

Flop: ($5.65) 9 3 7 (4 players)

SB bets $1.25, Hero raises to $9.12, CO folds, BTN folds, SB raises to $14.60 all in, Hero calls $2.52 all in

Turn: ($28.93) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($28.93) Q (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $28.93

SB shows Q Q 7 9 (three of a kind, Queens)

Hero shows 8 7 6 9 (a flush, Nine high)

Hero wins $27.50

(Rake: $1.43)

board: 9h 3h 7d
Hand Equity
8h 7s 6h 9d 73.72%
Qs Qd 7c 9c 26.28%

Second chances

2010-07-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

The guy to my right is an absolute dribbler. His range is much wider than a flush here. I need to check my equity to see how bad the fold was.

In poker, there's rarely such a thing as second chances though.

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 6 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $17.89

BB: $12.50

UTG: $11.15

MP: $8.20

Hero (CO): $23.07

BTN: $25.39

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with 9 7 5 9

UTG raises to $0.85, MP calls $0.85, Hero calls $0.85, 3 folds

Flop: ($2.90) 9 3 7 (3 players)

UTG bets $1, MP raises to $5.76, Hero folds, UTG folds

Final Pot: $4.90

MP wins $4.67

(Rake: $0.23)

board: 9c 7c 3c
Hand Equity
9h 7s 5h 9s 33.05%
Ac 5s Kh Tc 66.95%

Hand #2 - Revenge
Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 5 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $16.69

UTG: $12.50

CO: $10.57

Hero (BTN): $32.98

SB: $24.79

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 9 A 2 2

1 fold, CO raises to $0.85, Hero calls $0.85, 2 folds

Flop: ($2.05) 2 Q 4 (2 players)

CO bets $1.95, Hero raises to $7.80, CO raises to $9.72 all in, Hero calls $1.92

Turn: ($21.49) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($21.49) A (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $21.49

CO shows 7 T 8 K (a flush, Queen high)

Hero shows 9 A 2 2 (a full house, Deuces full of Queens)

Hero wins $20.43

(Rake: $1.06)

Somewhere to dip a line.

2010-07-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

I hit the wall with the full ring NLH Rush games quite some time back. While it may be a small sample size, my last two sessions playing 6 handed Rush PLO have turned a couple of buyin profit. Hands like the one below are a gift that I almost never see in NLH these days.

Full Tilt Poker $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 6 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (MP): $13.28

CO: $13.28

BTN: $22.77

SB: $24.15

BB: $5.27

UTG: $0.68

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is MP with J 3 J Q

1 fold, Hero calls $0.10, 2 folds, SB raises to $0.40, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.30

Flop: ($0.90) 7 6 J (2 players)

SB bets $0.90, Hero raises to $3, SB raises to $9.90, Hero raises to $12.88 all in, SB calls $2.98

Turn: ($26.66) 9 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($26.66) 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $26.66

Hero shows J 3 J Q (three of a kind, Jacks)

SB shows K 9 A A (a pair of Aces)

Hero wins $24.89

(Rake: $1.77)

Movie Insults

2010-07-15T23:24:00.000-07:00

Avoiding card cheats

2010-07-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

No setups or video magic. This guy really is doing this.

Attitude

2010-07-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

Quite often when I'm watching professional poker players on TV I see mental flaws that make me wonder how they made it as a professional. The obvious example is Mike Matusow and it makes me think he must have an incredible amount of talent to overcome what would be a significant handicap at the table. But even when I watch a 'young gun' like Jason Mercier,I see some big flaws in his attitude at the table.

In the NBC heads up against Scotty Nguyen, Scotty was making some awful calls and getting there by the river. And yet I saw Mercier steaming and making a sarcastic comment about Nguyen making 'a good call'. Then in the Pokerstars Big Game, after losing a big pot to the amateur he swore and berated his own play rather than congratulate the amateur so she feels comfortable and might loosen up?

On the positive side of the ledger, watching Ivey get brutalized by Scotty in the NBC heads up and still (honestly) laugh about the result was incredible.

I'm on a poker hiatus at the moment but will kick off some brick and mortar very soon.

Australian Anthems

2010-06-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

If there's one song that gets sung the most around Aussie campfires, this is the likely contender.

And the song that gets the most play in any pub, is this one by a mile.

Webcam Magic

2010-06-19T04:41:00.001-07:00

Americans?

2010-06-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

A few of my favourite things

2010-06-10T16:51:00.001-07:00

Paul Ruiz, Euan MacLeod and Anthony Breslin

Those little touches

2010-06-08T01:03:00.000-07:00

Butterfly Ball revisited

2010-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

(RIP Ronnie James - it was a pleasure.)

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

Come take up your Hats, and away let us haste
To the Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast.
The Trumpeter, Gad-fly, has summon'd the Crew,
And the Revels are now only waiting for you.

So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions came forth in a Throng.
And on the smooth Grass, by the side of a Wood,
Beneath a broad Oak that for Ages had stood,

Saw the Children of Earth, and the Tenants of Air,
For an Evening's Amusement together repair.
And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black,
Who carried the Emmet, his Friend, on his Back.

And there was the Gnat and the Dragon-fly too,
With all their Relations, Green, Orange, and Blue.
And there came the Moth, with his Plumage of Down,
And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;

Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.
And the sly little Dormouse crept out of his Hole,
And brought to the Feast his blind Brother, the Mole.

And the Snail, with his Horns peeping out of his Shell,
Came from a great Distance, the Length of an Ell.
A Mushroom their Table, and on it was laid
A Water-dock Leaf, which a Table-cloth made.

The Viands were various, to each of their Taste,
And the Bee brought her Honey to crown the Repast.
Then close on his Haunches, so solemn and wise,
The Frog from a Corner, look'd up to the Skies.

And the Squirrel well pleas'd such Diversions to see,
Mounted high over Head, and look'd down from a Tree.
Then out came the Spider, with Finger so fine,
To shew his Dexterity on the tight Line.

From one Branch to another, his Cobwebs he slung,
Then quick as an Arrow he darted along,
But just in the Middle, -- Oh! shocking to tell,
From his Rope, in an Instant, poor Harlequin fell.

Yet he touch'd not the Ground, but with Talons outspread,
Hung suspended in Air, at the End of a Thread,
Then the Grasshopper came with a Jerk and a Spring,
Very long was his Leg, though but short was his Wing;

He took but three Leaps, and was soon out of Sight,
Then chirp'd his own Praises the rest of the Night.
With Step so majestic the Snail did advance,
And promis'd the Gazers a Minuet to dance.

But they all laugh'd so loud that he pull'd in his Head,
And went in his own little Chamber to Bed.
Then, as Evening gave Way to the Shadows of Night,
Their Watchman, the Glow-worm, came out with a Light.

Then Home let us hasten, while yet we can see,
For no Watchman is waiting for you and for me.
So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions returned in a Throng.

Take the money and run

2010-06-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

I cashed out most of my Pokerstars bankroll. A cheque for $US5500 left Paris via Fedex, briefly passed through Guangzhou, arrived the following day in Alexandria (Sydney) then a few hours later was waiting in my mail tray at work. If there's one thing about Stars, the cash outs are super speedy and professional. The cheque cleared immediately and is now a small drop in the ocean which is my mortgage.

The main reason for cashing out was the Aussie dollar dropping 10c against the US. I wasn't comfortable having that amount of money sitting in a poker site (as reputable as it might be) and the exchange rate change was all the convincing I needed. Added to this the UIEGA was days away from enforcement.

Right now grinding online cash games is on hold. I may make another run at the casino cash games. I haven't been back since the horrible 'Rain Man' session but playing real people is where i get the most enjoyment.

.P

Ride the waves and don't ask where they go

2010-06-03T01:19:00.000-07:00

Actually I don't agree with the comment in this video that we should live our lives like a Fibonacci spiral. As with most Tool songs, to some degree I think they're taking the piss with the complexity in the song. The actual idea is that we should ignore our human nature to dissect and over-analyze everything. We should in fact sit back and enjoy the music and not seek to understand every aspect of it.

"Ride the waves and don't ask where they go"

Lateralus

2010-06-01T04:03:00.000-07:00

(1) Black,
(1) then,
(2) white are,
(3) all I see,
(5) in my infancy,
(8) red and yellow then came to be,
(5) reaching out to me,
(3) lets me see.
(2) There is,
(1) so,
(1) much,
(2) more and
(3) beckons me,
(5) to look through to these,
(8) infinite possibilities.
(13) As below so above and beyond I imagine,
(8) drawn outside the lines of reason.
(5) Push the envelope.
(3) Watch it bend.

Orion

2010-05-04T05:29:00.001-07:00

Testing Chips theory

2010-05-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

I remember an interview with the late Chip Reese where he described two of the biggest leaks that he sees in amateur players. Those are:
- banking a win when you're running good and;
- playing too long when you're stuck and trying to get even.

According to Chip, it should be the other way around. When you're stuck, just accept a loss and come back tomorrow. You should also consider the real possibility that you don't have the edge at this particular table that you think you have, and may in fact be the spot.

On the flip-side, is banking a win too early. He mentioned that when you're running good and you have a table with plenty of soft spots, you should stay however long it takes for the table to eventually break. These occasions can be rare and should be milked for every dollar possible.

The other night I was playing Omaha and i had two maniacs playing deep and donating to the table. After winning a few buyins and some hours later, it appeared they were going nowhere. Yet the clock approached midnight and i had to work the next day. As i reluctantly closed down the table (to the joy of the many waiting for a seat) i think i almost heard Chip's sigh.

The long term vision, or perhaps the tiny spot of light at the end of the tunnel - is being able to make a living from this hobby. I'm well aware that "its hard way to make an easy living" and it can be mental torture at times, but i do feel with each year I get more balanced and immune to the fluctuations.

And on that day, I'll be staying at a sweet, sweet table until it eventually breaks.

FG

Value betting not for value

2010-05-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

But betting the river to not give away free information. I'm confident my opponent has a missed draw on the river. I don't expect my river bet to get called, but I'm betting to keep my image intact.

Just a little change to my game. Value betting the river has always been a weakness but this give any reason to fire out a bet.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em $0.05 Ante - 8 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $69.45

MP2: $68.05

CO: $62.50

BTN: $56.80

SB: $130.85

Hero (BB): $142.35

UTG: $39.60

UTG+1: $44.75

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 3 K

UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.25, 4 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($1.25) 6 8 K (3 players)

Hero checks, UTG checks, MP1 checks

Turn: ($1.25) 9 (3 players)

Hero bets $1, UTG calls $1, MP1 folds

River: ($3.25) 2 (2 players)

Hero bets $1.50, UTG folds

Final Pot: $3.25

Hero mucks 3 K

Hero wins $3.10

(Rake: $0.15)

The Hurt Locker

2010-04-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to watching The Hurt Locker over the weekend. I'm not Army savvy by any means, but nearly all the scenes (while entertaining) seemed just ridiculous in the extreme. I have to agree with the film almost being a parody.

The movie was criticized by some Iraq veterans and embedded reporters for inaccurately portraying wartime conditions.[31] Writing for The Huffington Post, Iraq veteran Kate Hoit said that The Hurt Locker is "Hollywood's version of the Iraq war and of the soldiers who fight it, and their version is inaccurate". She described the film as being more accurate than other recently released war movies, but expressed concerns that numerous errors in the portrayal of military conditions would prevent service members from enjoying the film.[32]

Author Brandon Friedman, also a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, shared a similar view at VetVoice: "The Hurt Locker is a high-tension, well-made, action movie that will certainly keep most viewers on the edges of their seats. But if you know anything about the Army, or about operations or life in Iraq, you'll be so distracted by the nonsensical sequences and plot twists that it will ruin the movie for you. It certainly did for me." Friedman criticized the accuracy of the film's representation of combat, saying "in real life, EOD techs don't conduct dangerous missions as autonomous three-man teams without communications gear... Another thing you'll rarely hear in combat is an EOD E-7 suggesting to two or three of his guys that they leave the scene of an explosion in an Iraqi city by saying: 'C'mon, let's split up. We can cover more ground that way.'"[33]

At the blog Army of Dude, infantryman and Iraq veteran Alex Horton noted that "the way the team goes about their missions is completely absurd", though he went on to call the film "the best Iraq movie to date".[34]

Troy Steward, another combat veteran, wrote on the blog Bouhammer that while the film accurately depicted the scale of bomb violence and the relations between Iraqis and troops, "just about everything else wasn’t realistic". Steward went on to say: "I was amazed that a movie so bad could get any kind of accolades from anyone."[35]

A review published March 8, 2010 in the Air Force Times[36] cited overall negative reviews from bomb experts in Iraq attached to the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division, quoting a bomb disposal team leader who called the movie’s portrayal of a bomb expert "grossly exaggerated and not appropriate", and describing the lead character as "more of a run and gun cowboy type…exactly the kind of person that we're not looking for". Another bomb disposal team member said that the lead character's "swagger would put a whole team at risk. Our team leaders don't have that kind of invincibility complex, and if they do, they aren't allowed to operate. A team leader's first priority is getting his team home in one piece."

On the embedded side, former correspondent for The Politico and Military Times Christian Lowe (who embedded with U.S. military units each year from 2002 to 2005) explained at DefenseTech: "Some of the scenes are so disconnected with reality to be almost parody."[37]

On the other hand, Henry Engelhardt, an adjutant with the National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association having 20 years' experience in bomb defusal, praised the film's atmosphere and depiction of the difficulties of the job, saying, "Of course, no film is realistic in all its details, but the important things were done very well."[38] Screenwriter Mark Boal noted that The Hurt Locker was produced independently, without US Army extras.[39]

A change of image

2010-04-26T05:03:00.000-07:00

Literally that is - this one is the front runner. Love the TV show and this character is just brilliant. I also think this image may have some tilt-worthiness against anyone that loses decent pot to me.

FG

Further behind than I thought

2010-04-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

I need to spend less time playing and more time studying the odds of these situations until its second nature:

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $10.45

SB: $3.80

Hero (BB): $13.35

UTG: $4.75

UTG+1: $15.55

UTG+2: $16.60

MP1: $20.65

MP2: $12.80

CO: $24.55

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with T 9 J K

2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.25, 3 folds, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, Hero checks

Flop: ($1.00) Q 6 J (4 players)

SB bets $0.25, Hero raises to $1.20, UTG+2 calls $1.20, BTN raises to $6, SB folds, Hero folds, UTG+2 calls $4.80

Turn: ($14.45) 9 (2 players)

UTG+2 bets $10.35 all in, BTN calls $4.20 all in

River: ($22.85) J (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $22.85

BTN shows J 6 T K (a full house, Jacks full of Sixes)

UTG+2 shows A 5 K T (a straight, Nine to King)

BTN wins $21.75

(Rake: $1.10)

board: Qd 6s Js
Hand Equity
Th 9d Jd Kc 20.35%
Ac 5s Kh Tc 9.46%
Jh 6c Ts Ks 70.20%

Time to jam, how bad a shape can i be?

2010-04-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi $0.02 Ante - 7 players

CO: $20.00

BTN: $25.43

SB: $26.38

BB: $12.79

Hero (UTG): $24.06

UTG+1: $30.85

MP: $18.66

CO posts a big blind ($0.10)

Pre Flop: ($0.39) Hero is UTG with 3 J A K

Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP raises to $0.30, 2 folds, SB calls $0.25, BB calls $0.20, Hero calls $0.20

Flop: ($1.44) T 3 A (4 players)

SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $1, MP raises to $2, SB folds, BB folds, Hero raises to $7, MP raises to $18.34 all in, Hero calls $11.34

Turn: ($38.12) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($38.12) K (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $38.12

Hero shows 3 J A K (a straight, Ten to Ace)

MP shows A A K 5 (three of a kind, Aces)

Hero wins $36.22

(Rake: $1.90)

Odds

board: Ts 3d As
Hand Equity
3h Js Ah Ks 36.71%
Ad Ac Kd 5c 63.29%

An Omaha Heater

2010-04-17T15:20:00.001-07:00

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $12.25

BB: $22.55

UTG: $8.00

UTG+1: $11.20

MP1: $8.05

Hero (MP2): $12.00

CO: $24.15

BTN: $4.75

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP2 with 7 K K 9

UTG calls $0.25, UTG+1 raises to $0.75, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.75, 4 folds, UTG calls $0.50

Flop: ($2.60) 6 2 8 (3 players)

UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $2, Hero raises to $8.50, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds

Final Pot: $6.60

Hero wins $6.30

(Rake: $0.30)

Hand #2

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $12.85

MP2: $10.30

CO: $10.10

BTN: $9.80

SB: $6.55

BB: $6.20

Hero (UTG): $15.05

UTG+1: $18.85

UTG+2: $19.05

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with 4 A A 5

Hero calls $0.25, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $0.25, MP1 raises to $1.25, 1 fold, CO calls $1.25, BTN calls $1.25, 2 folds, Hero raises to $6.85, 1 fold, MP1 calls $5.60, CO calls $5.60, BTN calls $5.60

Flop: ($28.00) 2 Q 6 (4 players)

Hero bets $8.20 all in, MP1 calls $6 all in, CO calls $3.25 all in, BTN calls $2.95 all in

Turn: ($46.20) 4 (4 players - 4 are all in)

River: ($46.20) 5 (4 players - 4 are all in)

Final Pot: $46.20

MP1 shows K A K T (a pair of Kings)

CO shows 8 Q J 9 (a pair of Queens)

BTN shows J 9 6 Q (two pair, Queens and Sixes)

Hero shows 4 A A 5 (a flush, Ace high)

Hero wins $5.25

Hero wins $0.85

Hero wins $37.90

(Rake: $2.20)

Hand #3

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 7 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $14.00

UTG: $5.40

UTG+1: $8.75

MP: $10.50

Hero (CO): $45.80

BTN: $12.50

SB: $36.95

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with Q 9 Q 6

UTG calls $0.25, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.25, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($1.25) T 7 Q (5 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $1.20, BTN raises to $4.80, SB calls $4.80, BB folds, UTG calls $4.80, Hero raises to $25.20, BTN calls $7.45 all in, SB folds, UTG calls $0.35 all in

Turn: ($35.70) T (3 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($35.70) 3 (3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $35.70

UTG shows J J A A (two pair, Aces and Tens)

Hero shows Q 9 Q 6 (a full house, Queens full of Tens)

BTN shows 9 T 7 8 (a full house, Tens full of Sevens)

Hero wins $13.50

Hero wins $20.45

(Rake: $1.75)

Hand #4

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $6.05

BB: $12.50

UTG: $12.25

UTG+1: $21.65

UTG+2: $32.30

MP1: $9.90

MP2: $16.85

Hero (CO): $18.15

BTN: $17.60

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with A T K 2

UTG raises to $0.50, 3 folds, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, SB calls $0.40, BB calls $0.25

Flop: ($2.50) A J 9 (5 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, MP2 checks, Hero bets $2, SB raises to $5.55 all in, BB folds, UTG folds, MP2 folds, Hero calls $3.55

Turn: ($13.60) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($13.60) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $13.60

SB shows A K 9 J (two pair, Aces and Jacks)

Hero shows A T K 2 (a straight, Ten to Ace)

Hero wins $12.95

(Rake: $0.65)

View all 4 hands

A over T

2010-04-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

I was riding my bike around the city and while distracted failed to notice some shallow stairs ahead. Before my girlfriend could finish her "Oooohhhh!"
I was over over the handlebars and lying on the footpath. Fortunately, no damage done apart from a few small cuts and bruises.

FG

Can't win em all

2010-03-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

Fairly sure this hand played itself but I'll run the odds later.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players

MP1: $22.60

MP2: $15.25

CO: $22.50

Hero (BTN): $25.20

SB: $22.85

BB: $30.80

UTG: $25.70

UTG+1: $25.90

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with J Q T 9

2 folds, MP1 calls $0.25, MP2 calls $0.25, CO calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($1.50) Q J 3 (6 players)

SB checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, MP2 checks, CO bets $0.50, Hero raises to $2.50, SB calls $2.50, BB folds, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, CO raises to $11.45, Hero raises to $24.95 all in, SB calls $20.10 all in, CO calls $10.80 all in

Turn: ($68.95) 8 (3 players - 3 are all in)

River: ($68.95) 3 (3 players - 3 are all in)

Final Pot: $68.95

CO shows Q Q 5 5 (a full house, Queens full of Threes)

Hero shows J Q T 9 (a straight, Eight to Queen)

SB shows 9 K 6 A (a pair of Threes)

Hero wins $0.70

CO wins $65.25

(Rake: $3.00)

A new strategy for Rush

2010-03-28T03:10:00.001-07:00

When I start up a game, I sort the playing field by tables and take notes on all those playing the maximum four tables. The advantages I can see are:
- they are typically tough regulars and winning players
- because they're playing 4 tables, I'm going to see them often.
- their blinds are likely vulnerable.
- if they open raise, i can tighten my range accordingly.
- if they open in the CO or button, I can widen their opening range for a 3-bet.

FG

Bastardy

2010-03-11T03:32:00.001-08:00

Just brilliant.

BASTARDY THEATRICAL TRAILER bastardydocumentary.com from BASTARDY DOCUMENTARY on Vimeo.

A little tournament action

2010-03-09T20:41:00.001-08:00

Last night I took a visitor staying at our place to a local freeroll. He’s a microstakes grinder but has never played in a ‘real’ tournament before. As fate would have it, he finished a very credible sixth out of the eighty something runners and had the time of his life.

My tournament didn’t go quite so well. At the end of the first session I hadn’t won a hand. My best hole cards were A8o in UTG+1 which i planned to raise until UTG (uber tight/card dead also) lead out. The bad run continued after the break until i finally found a good ‘situation’.

My stacked was 2200 with the blinds at 100/200. My image was super tight as I’ve been folding napkins all night. The table was hyper loose/aggressive and would call virtually any raise. It was actually quite a strange table as typically they play loose/passive as my visitor friend soon found. As i was in the BB, I quickly glanced at my cards and saw J8 diamonds. Early position (clueless, any two, old guy) open limps, two more limp behind then the SB caps his option. Perfect spot I think to myself. Hold my cards snugly like i have pocket aces, i carefully avoid eye-contact then confidently slide my 2200 across the felt announcing “I’m all in guys”.

The old guy that open limped snap calls for most of his stack. Everyone else quickly mucks.

“WTF?!?!“ I think. Did he limp with a monster hand?

I proudly table my J8, “Hey, its suited”. My opponent tables QT of diamonds. “Damn, there goes my suits and straight draws. Lovely”. Still, I’m not that far behind.

The flop give me the 8. (“Ha, i think, now you’re drawing to a Queen or Ten”)

The turn brings the Jack. (“Ha, I think, now you’re only drawing to a....)

The river flips the 9.

FG

PS I did take a few notes while spotting my friend make a run at the final table.

A couple of tips i picked up watching you play. Thought i might brain dump it while its fresh.
- In a casino you can’t lift your cards off the table either onto the rail or as you saw some do, to your chest. Always protect your cards either with your hand or with a chip. It’s not uncommon for your hole cards to get swept into the muck accidently.
- Keep your chips close to you. You had yours closer to the pot than to you.
- Best not to say anything at all in a hand. You almost scared ‘green shirt’ away from your double up when you said ‘It’s only 6k more’ or something. If you want to spread misinformation and look nervous, you could hold your cards loosely like its 72o and not AA, lean back from the table and maybe fold your arms. (Joe Navarro’s book on body language is awesome – not just on picking tells but more importantly not giving them away. I had a really obvious tell which was foot tapping when i had a playable hand. )
- It’s personal preference, but i prefer to wait before looking at my hold cards until the action is on me. Or for a friendly game, so i don’t hold up play i look just before the action gets to me. The main reason is to watch the action and pick up tells. You’d be surprised how much people give away.

Congrats on playing really well and making a final table!

Pretty obvious really

2010-03-02T00:31:00.000-08:00

My notes on my opponent are "any 2 pre, weak on flop, can fold by river"

There is of course, only one hand he can possibly have by the river.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $25.65

BTN: $24.65

SB: $48.05

BB: $21.65

UTG: $26.15

UTG+1: $26.45

MP1: $48.35

MP2: $24.80

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with T J 2 A

3 folds, MP2 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($1.25) 6 7 J (5 players)

SB bets $0.50, BB folds, MP2 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, BTN folds

Turn: ($2.75) 3 (3 players)

SB bets $0.75, MP2 folds, Hero raises to $3, SB calls $2.25

River: ($8.75) A (2 players)

SB bets $8.35, Hero calls $8.35

Final Pot: $25.45

Hero mucks T J 2 A

SB shows 6 4 5 8 (a straight flush, Three to Seven)

SB wins $24.20

(Rake: $1.25)

No more Holdems

2010-02-25T21:28:00.000-08:00

Well not really, but I've come to the conclusion that the NL25/NL50 games on Stars aren't anywhere near as profitable for me as Rush poker or PLO25.

Rush poker still seems to be a fish-fest although the games aren't quite as soft anymore. I do find I enjoy this format more than the regular long-format online game. I often hear people ask if its a fad or how long it will be around, but i think this might be the future of online poker.

An interesting thing I noted while multi-tabling both NLH and PLO recently, was how much more comfortably i can play maniacs in PLO. I was fortunate enough to be sitting snugly to the left of a maniac on a NLH table but still had an awful time finding a playable hand with just two cards. Yet with PLO, there are so many more preflop hand combinations that can profitably call a maniac then either hit the flop extremely hard or be an easy fold.

FG

A broadway wrap

2010-02-21T03:29:00.000-08:00

I asked myself in this hand:

"Self, am i happy to jam preflop if someone re-pops me?"

On the flop, i then asked myself:

"Self, this is as good as it gets without flopping the nuts. What equity do i have against a variety of hand ranges?".

A little study of this hand is required...

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $25.05

UTG+1: $24.55

MP1: $15.00

MP2: $5.35

Hero (CO): $25.00

BTN: $70.30

SB: $29.10

BB: $6.55

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with K J Q T

1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 2 folds, Hero raises to $1.10, BTN calls $1.10, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.85

Flop: ($3.65) J 3 9 (3 players)

UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $2.50, BTN folds, UTG+1 folds

Final Pot: $3.65

Hero mucks K J Q T

Hero wins $3.50

(Rake: $0.15)

Edit:

And the answer is.

Against aces preflop:

Hand
Kh Js Qd Tc 36.28%
Ah Ad 7s 7c 63.72%

Against top set on the flop:

board: Jc 3s 9d
Hand
Kh Js Qd Tc 43.29%
Jh Jd 5s 5c 56.71%

Against other straight draws:

board: Jc 3s 9d
Hand
Kh Js Qd Tc 71.71%
Td Qh 8s 7d 28.29%

This result surprised me:

board: Jc 3s 9d
Hand
Kh Js Qd Tc 64.88%
Td Qh As Ks 35.12%

A WTF hand

2010-02-11T01:37:00.000-08:00

Villain is a tagfish - super tight preflop, super aggressive on the flop and rarely folds.

Full Tilt Poker $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $24.55

CO: $48.69

BTN: $30.31

Hero (SB): $24.00

BB: $30.55

UTG: $10.00

UTG+1: $25.72

UTG+2: $22.17

MP1: $20.49

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with A 7

4 folds, MP2 calls $0.25, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($0.75) A 7 6 (3 players)

Hero bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $1.75, Hero raises to $4, BB calls $3.50, MP2 folds

Turn: ($10.50) T (2 players)

Hero checks, BB bets $8, Hero raises to $19.75 all in, BB calls $11.75

River: ($50.00) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $50.00

Hero shows A 7 (two pair, Aces and Sevens)

BB shows 8 5 (Ace Queen high)

Hero wins $47.50

(Rake: $2.50)

Rush Marathon

2010-02-05T03:47:00.000-08:00

I played 400 hands straight of Rush poker tonight over maybe an hour or so. I actually didn't feel too bad despite a fairly frustrating session of break-even poker until hand 401 when i doubled up with a set.

In hindsight though, i think a hundred hands then a small break would be higher EV. Just wanted to test my limits.

FG

Where the fish are jumping...

2010-02-04T02:33:00.000-08:00

After grinding 100 or so hands on Stars to eventually break even, I thought I'd take a quick dip in the Rush Poker pond. Around 150 hands and a short time later, I finish with a profit of 3 buyins at 25NL.

I guess I've found a new fishing spot for the time being.

FG

Pair and a draw in Rush

2010-02-03T03:07:00.000-08:00

I need to run the odds for this hand. I'm curious my equity against his range.

Full Tilt Poker $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (CO): $13.52

BTN: $10.85

SB: $24.73

BB: $29.06

UTG: $4.43

UTG+1: $0.87

UTG+2: $7.75

MP1: $14.06

MP2: $10.60

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is CO with A K

5 folds, Hero raises to $0.30, 2 folds, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.65) 9 3 A (2 players)

BB checks, Hero bets $0.50, BB raises to $1.60, Hero raises to $5, BB raises to $28.76 all in, Hero calls $8.22 all in

Turn: ($27.09) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($27.09) 9 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $27.09

Hero shows A K (a flush, Ace high)

BB shows T Q (a flush, Ace high)

Hero wins $25.29

(Rake: $1.80)

Against a made flush:

board: 9s3sAs
Hand Pot equity
AcKs 31.72%
QsTs 68.28%

Against a set:

board: 9s3sAs
Hand Pot equity
AcKs 29.80%
9h9d 70.20%

Against two pair:

board: 9s3sAs
Hand Pot equity
AcKs 44.49%
Ah9d 55.51%

Maybe i shouldn't have been so happy to ship it in....

FG

The Truth about Bad Beats

2010-01-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

- You're not special. They happen to everyone and unless you've to lost something like quads over quads it's really very standard.
- They're not interesting. If anything it shows a lack of understanding of the math, variance and overall poor mental approach. Most who tell bad beat stories are looking for validation which also shows a lack of self belief.
- If you're playing well you will generally get your money in good and will take more bad beats than most.
- It's proof the poker 'machine' is functioning perfectly. The poker what? It's that perfect balance between the good players making a tidy profit and the poor players winning sufficiently to keep plugging away. It's the fools gold they receive when they completely misplay a hand but stack someone that made good decisions on every street. It's the necessary evil that means average poker players earn a much better living than excellent chess players.

Stakes and Bankroll Management

2010-01-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on picking the right stakes.

Play at a level where getting stacked will sting just a little. Otherwise, you're effectively playing a video game.

But never play at a level where getting stacked hurts. Apart from it affecting your decision making there's also the lingering pain that continues away from the table into your personal life.

As for bankroll management, I've come to the conclusion that for the most part it's a complete waste of time. Unless you're a professional or unless you absolutely cannot under any circumstances reload, you should play the level you can achieve the best hourly rate. If you need to reload, big deal?

I see a lot of people deposit $20 then grind the penny stakes for months trying to build a bankroll? Why? To brag to friends that you built a paltry 20 bucks into a monster bankroll? I should know, I did the same... then looking bank realized what a waste of time it is. In hindsight, the process I'd follow would be:
- play a little 5NL to get used to the game and interface
- make a decent deposit (to get the deposit bonus) then grind 25NL
- build my BR then move to 50, 100NL etc.

FG

Table Ratings

2010-01-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.pokertableratings.com/

I didn't use this site a great deal as it was previously for 100NL and above, but now they include micro stakes. It's become an invaluable tool for me and during any dead time I'm usually 'researching' players at my table. Two particular types of players which have always caused me headaches are:

a) The 'any 2' preflop types that play a standard game post flop. They're looking for two pair or better and often lure the TAG's into over-playing one pair. They're usually to the far right of the preflop graph but bang on average for post flop.
b) The TAG's who happily stack off with top pair or an over-pair despite the board. Conversely, they're typically on the far left preflop but way to the right on the flop once they hit.

Identifying these types at the beginning of a session has helped immensely. Despite some awful coolers the last little while i'm still profiting and feel much better at the tables now.

FG

Christmas present levels of thinking

2009-12-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

1. There are those who buy gifts that they (the giver) like without much thought for the recipient.
2. There are those who buy gifts that they like but think the recipient may also appreciate.
3. There are those who put themselves in the mind of the recipient and buy that they think they will want or need.
4. There are those who figure out a gift that may inspire, delight or bring real happiness to the recipient.

Level zero are those who buy $ vouchers from department stores.

FG

Childrens Poetry

2009-12-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Somehow, I think mum or dad may have helped with one of her poems:

SPACE
Kimberley McGuire

Saturn and Jupiter,
Pluto and Mars,
Asteroids fly everywhere,
Charon is one of the moons,
Earth is orbited by the moon.

MONOTONOUS LIFE
Kimberley McGuire

Ways we get around and work,
Habit forming humans,
In the door, out the door,
Turning, talking, two-dimensional,
Everyday life repeating itself,
Migrating from home to work,
Itinerant, finding work,
Children and adults as robots,
Everyday people, monotonous life
Some times never returning.

http://jetsetterclub.com.au/poems.html

The tide turning

2009-12-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

This was my best session in a few weeks. I should be happy...but its a drop in the ocean after the mother of all downturns.

Still, I'm not one to dwell on bad beats and losses...

During current Hold'em session you were dealt 279 hands and saw flop:
- 16 out of 32 times while in big blind (50%)
- 9 out of 33 times while in small blind (27%)
- 32 out of 214 times in other positions (14%)
- a total of 57 out of 279 (20%)
Pots won at showdown - 18 of 20 (90%)
Pots won without showdown - 12

Gump's poker gospel

2009-12-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

- I shall make every attempt to enjoy every minute at the table. This game is a hobby and not a job.
- I shall never reveal my cards if given the choice.
- I shall never attempt to explain or justify a good, bad or terrible play I've made.
- I shall attempt to reinforce anyone's belief that I'm a complete and utter donk after receiving a berating for a good, bad or terrible play.
- I shall never give free information about myself that may assist my opponent decision making. This includes poker related clothes and accessories.
- I shall never berate bad players at the table or attempt to belittle them.
- I shall never try to educate the bad players at the table.
- I shall always try to conduct myself with as much class as possible and either win or lose in the style of the great Chip Reese.

Meeting the Dalai Lama

2009-12-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to attend a 'talk' given by the Dalai Lama. There's something about his religion and the man himself that seems to resonate with me. I remember the first time I saw an interview with him he was nothing at all like I expected. He doesn't pretend to be be holier than though and doesn't consider himself better than anyone else, preferring to describe himself as 'a simple monk' or a teacher. In the interview, I remember the typical answer to many of the deep and meaningful questions were "Who knows?" or "I have no idea" - shortly followed by a lengthy chuckle.

When asked about how Australian can help with the Tibetan's struggle against the Chinese government, his answer went along these lines: "Why don't you fly to Tibet and just see for yourself. If all is well as the Chinese government says, then have a nice holiday, buy some trinkets then sell them back home for a tidy profit to help pay for your trip. If you should see what I see, then you'll be inspired to write to your government and try to bring about change. The choice is in your hands."

Lost in the woods

2009-11-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

I had no idea where I was at in this hand. The flop and turn play was just horrible. Interesting how the odds change with the third player in the hand.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 383062

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $89.10

UTG+1: $38.45

MP1: $16.65

MP2: $4.65

CO: $38.15

Hero (BTN): $24.40

SB: $8.70

BB: $29.35

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 7 8 9 6

UTG raises to $0.75, UTG+1 calls $0.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.75, SB calls $0.65, BB calls $0.50

Flop: ($3.75) 8 9 4 (5 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets $3.60, UTG+1 folds, Hero calls $3.60, SB raises to $7.95 all in, BB folds, UTG calls $4.35, Hero calls $4.35

Turn: ($27.60) 5 (3 players - 1 is all in)

UTG bets $26.25, Hero folds

River: ($27.60) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $27.60

UTG shows Q T 2 3 (a flush, Queen high)

SB shows J 8 5 T (two pair, Eights and Fives)

UTG wins $26.25

(Rake: $1.35)

board: 8h9s4s
Hand Pot equity
7d8s9h6h 56.83%
QsTs2d3d 43.17%

board: 8h9s4s
Hand Pot equity
7d8s9h6h 38.29%
QsTs2d3d 41.74%
Jh8d5dTh 19.97%

Aces no good in Omaha

2009-11-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 378170

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $44.35

MP1: $33.80

Hero (MP2): $24.75

CO: $7.20

BTN: $4.20

SB: $24.40

BB: $49.30

UTG: $9.65

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is MP2 with 9 A A 6

2 folds, MP1 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, CO raises to $1, 2 folds, BB calls $0.75, 1 fold, Hero raises to $4.35, CO raises to $7.20 all in, 1 fold, Hero calls $2.85

Flop: ($15.75) T 8 T (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($15.75) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($15.75) 5 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $15.75

Hero shows 9 A A 6 (two pair, Aces and Tens)

CO shows A K T J (three of a kind, Tens)

CO wins $15.00

(Rake: $0.75)

Hand #2

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players - View hand 378171

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $37.40

BB: $32.55

Hero (UTG): $23.90

UTG+1: $18.95

UTG+2: $6.40

MP1: $23.95

MP2: $9.15

CO: $17.90

BTN: $23.40

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG with K Q 5 K

Hero calls $0.25, UTG+1 calls $0.25, UTG+2 calls $0.25, 2 folds, CO raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.25, UTG+1 calls $1.25, 1 fold

Flop: ($5.10) K 7 J (3 players)

Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, CO bets $4.85, Hero raises to $19.40, UTG+1 folds, CO calls $11.55 all in

Turn: ($37.90) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($37.90) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $37.90

Hero shows K Q 5 K (a full house, Kings full of Sevens)

CO shows T J A A (a straight, Ten to Ace)

Hero wins $36.05

(Rake: $1.85)

View all 2 hands

Preflop
Hand Pot equity
KhQd5sKs 30.62%
TdJdAcAh 69.38%

board: Kd7dJh
Hand Pot equity
KhQd5sKs 59.02%
TdJdAcAh 40.98%

board: Kd7dJhQc
Hand Pot equity
KhQd5sKs 20.00%
TdJdAcAh 80.00%

board: Kd7dJhQc7c
Hand Pot equity
KhQd5sKs 100.00%
TdJdAcAh 0.00%

The brick wall

2009-11-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

After an extended period of running above expectation the Poker Gods determined that this was the week the streak would end. Three under-sets in a relatively small number of hands this week along with running KK into AA certainly brought the good run to an end. As Ned would say, "Such is life".

FG

Best bass riff #1

2009-11-19T02:39:00.000-08:00

Black Steel

2009-11-13T04:03:00.000-08:00

Widely considered the best sportsman to have walked the planet. And yet I wonder, how would a Muslim who turned his back on the draft be accepted today?

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

In 1964, Ali failed the U.S. Armed Forces qualifying test because his writing and spelling skills were sub-par. However, in early 1966, the tests were revised and Ali was reclassified as 1A.[4] This classification meant he was now eligible for the draft and induction into the U.S. Army. This was especially important because the United States was engaged in the Vietnam War. When notified of this status, he declared that he would refuse to serve in the United States Army and publicly considered himself a conscientious objector.[4] Ali stated that "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers." Ali also famously said in 1966: "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ... They never called me nigger." Rare for a heavyweight boxing champion in those days, Ali spoke at Howard University, where he gave his popular "Black Is Best" speech to 4,000 cheering students and community intellectuals after he was invited to speak at Howard by a Howard sociology professor, Nathan Hare, on behalf of the Black Power Committee, a student protest group.[17][18]

Appearing shortly thereafter for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces on April 28, 1967 in Houston, he refused three times to step forward at the call of his name. An officer warned him he was committing a felony punishable by five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Once more, Ali refused to budge when his name was called. As a result, he was arrested and on the same day the New York State Athletic commission suspended his boxing license and stripped him of his title. Other boxing commissions followed suit.

At the trial on June 20, 1967, after only 21 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Ali guilty.[4] After a Court of Appeals upheld the conviction, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. During this time, the public began turning against the war and support for Ali began to grow. Ali supported himself by speaking at colleges and universities across the country, where opposition to the war was especially strong. On June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court reversed his conviction for refusing induction by unanimous decision in Clay v. United States.[4] The decision was not based on, nor addressed, the merits of Clay's/Ali's claims per se; rather, the Government's failure to specify which claims were rejected and which were sustained, constituted the grounds upon which the Court reversed the conviction.[19]

Man of Lettuce

2009-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this blog.

http://www.cablog.com.au/

FG

Ante Up!

2009-10-07T04:20:00.001-07:00

Untouchable face

2009-10-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

Untouchable face - Ani Difranco

...
two-thirty in the morning
and my gas tank will be empty soon
neon sign on the horizon
rubbing elbows with the moon
a safe haven of sleepless
where the deep fryer's always on
radio is counting down
the top 20 country songs
and out on the porch the fly strip is
waving like a flag in the wind
y'know, i don't look forward
to seeing you again soon

you'll look like a photograph of yourself taken from far far away
and i won't know what to do
and i won't know what to say

except fuck you...
--

Another tricky Omaha spot

2009-10-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

I've been playing pretty snug and winning much more consistently than NLH. What I've picked up from reading part of Hwangs book also also made a big difference. I still find myself occasionally in these spots where I have no idea where I'm at.

In this hand, I have top two but likely not the best hand. I also have an open ended draw but again, likely not the best draw. If in doubt, at the moment I just pull the ripcord....

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 308253

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $5.85

MP1: $19.60

MP2: $15.35

CO: $6.00

Hero (BTN): $9.75

SB: $12.30

BB: $7.65

UTG: $24.90

CO posts a big blind ($0.10)

Pre Flop: ($0.25) Hero is BTN with J T 9 Q

UTG raises to $0.40, UTG+1 calls $0.40, MP1 calls $0.40, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.40, SB calls $0.35, BB calls $0.30

Flop: ($2.50) J T 4 (6 players)

SB checks, BB bets $2.40, UTG raises to $4.80, UTG+1 folds, MP1 folds, Hero folds, SB folds, BB calls $2.40

Turn: ($12.10) 9 (2 players)

BB bets $2.45 all in, UTG calls $2.45

River: ($17.00) 4 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $17.00

BB shows T T 3 9 (a full house, Tens full of Fours)

UTG mucks A Q 4 2

BB wins $16.20

(Rake: $0.80)

Two interesting Omaha hands

2009-09-30T04:39:00.000-07:00

Two Omaha hands where I need to analyze the odds on each street.

The first hand I flop 3 pair and I'm facing some heat from an aggressive but good player. I was pretty sure he had either a straight or set so I was drawing to a boat. I'm curious to see my equity against a range of hands.

In the second, this hand was a Hwang special. I'm about 1/3 through the book and there's some detailed discussion on 2 gapper straight draws. The flop was all but perfect from what I recall.

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 7 players - View hand 304945

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $29.10

UTG+1: $41.25

MP: $47.60

Hero (CO): $30.00

BTN: $57.30

SB: $24.25

BB: $17.80

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with K Q T A

1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.25, BTN calls $0.25, SB calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($1.25) A T Q (5 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, BTN raises to $3.20, SB folds, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, Hero folds

Final Pot: $2.75

BTN wins $2.65

(Rake: $0.10)

Hand #2

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 304946

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $5.00

BTN: $0.85

SB: $23.55

BB: $16.65

UTG: $4.90

UTG+1: $33.75

MP1: $9.80

Hero (MP2): $22.85

UTG posts a big blind ($0.10)

Pre Flop: ($0.25) Hero is MP2 with Q 8 J 7

UTG raises to $0.35, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.35, 2 folds, SB calls $0.30, BB calls $0.25

Flop: ($1.40) 9 T 6 (4 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $1.35, SB folds, BB folds, UTG folds

Final Pot: $1.40

Hero mucks Q 8 J 7

Hero wins $1.35

(Rake: $0.05)

View all 2 hands

The Grey Man

2009-09-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's a very dangerous road he's taken and I wish him the safest journey.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/shadesofgrey/default.htm

http://www.thegreyman.org/

FG

Bill Hicks

2009-09-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

First two hands - quads twice

2009-09-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

I wonder the chances of get quads two hands in a row. Not to mention the chance of this occurring first two hands of a session.

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 287646

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $5.30

UTG+1: $3.70

MP1: $23.85

MP2: $4.90

CO: $13.20

BTN: $13.80

SB: $9.75

Hero (BB): $10.00

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is BB with Q 9 A T

UTG calls $0.10, UTG+1 calls $0.10, MP1 calls $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, BTN calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.75) T T 8 (7 players)

Hero checks, UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, MP2 checks, CO checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($0.75) T (7 players)

Hero checks, UTG checks, UTG+1 bets $0.40, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, CO folds, BTN folds, Hero calls $0.40, UTG folds

River: ($1.55) K (2 players)

Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $0.40, Hero raises to $2.40, UTG+1 calls $2

Final Pot: $6.35

UTG+1 mucks 3 9 Q Q

Hero shows Q 9 A T (four of a kind, Tens)

Hero wins $6.05

(Rake: $0.30)

Hand #2

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 287647

The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $5.20

UTG: $0.80

UTG+1: $23.75

MP1: $4.80

MP2: $13.10

CO: $13.70

BTN: $9.70

Hero (SB): $13.15

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is SB with 5 7 3 Q

2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, CO calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.05, BB checks

Flop: ($0.50) 6 7 5 (5 players)

Hero checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, MP2 checks, CO checks

Turn: ($0.50) 5 (5 players)

Hero bets $0.40, BB folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $0.40, CO calls $0.40

River: ($1.70) 5 (3 players)

Hero bets $1.65, MP2 folds, CO folds

Final Pot: $1.70

Hero mucks 5 7 3 Q

Hero wins $1.65

(Rake: $0.05)

View all 2 hands

An ugly Omaha spot

2009-09-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

I figured there were flush draws and I was caught in one of those ugly Omaha spots with the nuts and no redraw.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players - View hand 282444

MP1: $20.40

MP2: $9.05

CO: $13.80

BTN: $15.05

Hero (SB): $24.75

BB: $34.80

UTG: $19.80

UTG+1: $27.30

UTG+2: $48.25

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is SB with A 7 Q T

UTG calls $0.25, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.25, 1 fold, CO calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.15, BB checks

Flop: ($1.50) 9 5 J (6 players)

Hero checks, BB checks, UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 checks, CO checks

Turn: ($1.50) K (6 players)

Hero bets $1.40, BB folds, UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to $5.65, MP1 calls $5.65, CO folds, Hero raises to $24.05, UTG+1 raises to $27.05 all in, MP1 calls $14.50 all in, Hero calls $0.45 all in

River: ($70.65) A (3 players - 3 are all in)

Final Pot: $70.65

MP1 shows 5 Q A T (a straight, Ten to Ace)

Hero shows A 7 Q T (a straight, Ten to Ace)

UTG+1 shows T T 6 Q (a straight, Ten to Ace)

Hero wins $4.35

UTG+1 wins $4.35

Hero wins $19.65

UTG+1 wins $19.65

MP1 wins $19.65

(Rake: $3.00)

board: 9s5hJhKs
Hand Pot equity Wins Ties
5sQcAdTd 26.39% 0 28
Ah7dQdTs 26.39% 0 28
ThTc6sQh 47.22% 8 27

An Omaha hand - AA and nut flush draw

2009-09-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 8 players - View hand 281349

MP1: $17.65

MP2: $8.75

CO: $11.50

Hero (BTN): $24.50

SB: $18.15

BB: $10.80

UTG: $19.70

UTG+1: $26.10

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 9 A T A

3 folds, MP2 calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $1.10, 1 fold, BB calls $0.85, MP2 calls $0.85

Flop: ($3.40) 4 3 Q (3 players)

BB bets $3.25, MP2 folds, Hero raises to $13, BB calls $6.45 all in

Turn: ($22.80) 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($22.80) A (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $22.80

Hero shows 9 A T A (a flush, Ace high)

BB shows 6 7 J J (a flush, Jack high)

Hero wins $21.70

(Rake: $1.10)

Against a set:
board: 4c3cQs
Hand Pot equity
9cAcThAh 26.34%
6c7c4h4s 73.66%

Against two pair and flush draw:
board: 4c3cQs
Hand Pot equity
9cAcThAh 41.59%
6c7c3h4s 58.41%

Actual Hand:
board: 4c3cQs
Hand Pot equity
9cAcThAh 75.49%
6c7cJhJc 24.51%

Six Libras

2009-09-13T20:14:00.001-07:00

Something old, something new, something borrowed...

2009-09-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

A new toy

2009-09-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

A have a new phone with a decent camera in it. It's great being able to capture random events when they occur.

Tangling with the maniac

2009-09-06T00:41:00.001-07:00

A little bit of run good for a change. After a brutal week where I ran boats into royal flushes and had KK cracked by KK, this weekend was a nice boost to the bankroll.

Hand #1

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - View hand 269598

MP: $50.75

CO: $51.75

BTN: $50.00

SB: $110.40

BB: $56.50

Hero (UTG): $49.75

UTG+1: $53.65

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with A K

Hero raises to $1.50, 4 folds, SB calls $1.25, 1 fold

Flop: ($3.50) T 9 A (2 players)

SB checks, Hero bets $1.50, SB raises to $3, Hero calls $1.50

Turn: ($9.50) A (2 players)

SB checks, Hero bets $4, SB raises to $9, Hero calls $5

River: ($27.50) J (2 players)

SB bets $18, Hero folds

Final Pot: $27.50

SB wins $26.15

(Rake: $1.35)

A horrible river card, its still early in the fight and the math tells me to call against the villains range but my spider senses tell me I'm beat on the river. Still trying to get a read if he a good LAG or if he doesn't know where the fold button is.

Hand #2

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - View hand 269599

BTN: $50.00

SB: $50.25

BB: $58.25

UTG: $227.05

UTG+1: $50.00

Hero (MP): $49.25

CO: $52.15

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP with J 4

UTG calls $0.50, 4 folds, SB raises to $3, 1 fold, UTG calls $2.50

Flop: ($6.50) Q 7 9 (2 players)

SB bets $4.50, UTG raises to $11.50, SB raises to $47.25 all in, UTG calls $35.75

Turn: ($101.00) 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($101.00) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $101.00

SB shows K A (high card Ace)

UTG shows 5 5 (a pair of Fives)

UTG wins $98.00

(Rake: $3.00)

Villain 3-bet then called an allin with an under-pair to the board, my initial read on the first hand was wrong. This hand gives me a better line on his play.

Hand #3

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 269600

UTG+2: $52.05

MP1: $54.55

MP2: $57.50

CO: $269.05

BTN: $50.00

SB: $50.00

BB: $50.00

Hero (UTG): $49.25

UTG+1: $52.15

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG with J 7

5 folds, CO raises to $1.50, 2 folds, BB calls $1

Flop: ($3.25) Q K 8 (2 players)

BB checks, CO bets $2, BB raises to $6.50, CO raises to $11, BB calls $4.50

Turn: ($25.25) Q (2 players)

BB checks, CO bets $10, BB calls $10

River: ($45.25) A (2 players)

BB checks, CO bets $27, BB calls $27

Final Pot: $99.25

CO shows 9 T (a pair of Queens)

BB shows K 8 (two pair, Kings and Queens)

BB wins $96.25

(Rake: $3.00)

Villain fired 3 barrels with a gutshot then bluffed the river. Okay, I think I know his game.

Hand #4

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 269601

BB: $51.50

UTG: $49.25

UTG+1: $56.75

UTG+2: $268.95

MP1: $55.00

MP2: $50.00

CO: $95.25

Hero (BTN): $50.85

SB: $50.90

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 7 Q

2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.50, SB calls $0.25, BB checks

Flop: ($2.00) Q 7 7 (4 players)

SB checks, BB checks, UTG+2 bets $1.50, Hero raises to $3, SB folds, BB folds, UTG+2 raises to $5, Hero calls $2

Turn: ($12.00) 8 (2 players)

UTG+2 bets $4.50, Hero raises to $15, UTG+2 raises to $25.50, Hero raises to $45.35 all in, UTG+2 calls $19.85

River: ($102.70) J (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $102.70

UTG+2 shows J 8 (two pair, Jacks and Eights)

Hero shows 7 Q (a full house, Sevens full of Queens)

Hero wins $99.70

(Rake: $3.00)

My first double up and more proof this guy is way too aggressive. I flopped the world and I can only figure he thought he could push me off a pair.

Hand #5

Poker Stars $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - View hand 269602

CO: $50.75

BTN: $55.00

SB: $55.10

BB: $217.80

UTG: $50.00

UTG+1: $50.00

UTG+2: $105.15

Hero (MP1): $99.10

MP2: $50.80

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with A A

3 folds, Hero calls $0.50, 1 fold, CO raises to $3, 2 folds, BB calls $2.50, Hero raises to $99.10 all in, 1 fold, BB calls $96.10

Flop: ($201.45) 8 2 Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

Turn: ($201.45) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($201.45) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $201.45

BB shows 6 6 (two pair, Queens and Sixes)

Hero shows A A (two pair, Aces and Queens)

Hero wins $198.45

(Rake: $3.00)

View all 5 hands

I'd love to say I had no doubt the villain would call the huge preflop overbet, but the reality was I was playing deep and didn't want to to get in an ugly post flop situation when he could have any two. One of the biggest pots I've won on PS.

Getting off the well travelled road

2009-08-31T02:05:00.001-07:00

No editing or photoshopping, I swear.

Right back at ya!

2009-07-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players -

CO: $10.00

BTN: $21.15

SB: $9.70

BB: $10.35

UTG: $6.45

Hero (UTG+1): $9.90

UTG+2: $5.95

MP1: $4.15

MP2: $3.80

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is UTG+1 with A 3 5 9

2 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.10, MP1 calls $0.10, MP2 raises to $0.30, CO calls $0.30, 1 fold, SB raises to $1.50, 3 folds, MP2 calls $1.20, CO calls $1.20

Flop: ($4.80) T 6 T (3 players)

SB bets $4.60, MP2 calls $2.30 all in, CO raises to $8.50 all in, SB calls $3.60 all in

Turn: ($23.50) J (3 players - 3 are all in)

River: ($23.50) 7 (3 players - 3 are all in)

Final Pot: $23.50

CO shows T 8 9 7 (a full house, Tens full of Sevens)

SB shows A 5 J A (two pair, Aces and Tens)

MP2 shows J Q K Q (two pair, Queens and Tens)

CO wins $11.20

CO wins $11.15

(Rake: $1.15)

loser said, "****in idiots who calls rerais wit h ****"

winner said, "[ ] you understand omaha hands"

Hand Pot equity
As5dJhAd 56.61%
Td8h9d7h 43.39%

board: Th6dTc
Hand Pot equity
As5dJhAd 13.66%
Td8h9d7h 86.34%

Yay! Yay! D'oh! D'oh! Yay!

2009-07-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

.
And I'll say it again, noone runs like Gump. :)

Why the guy with AA doesn't ship it preflop i have no idea...I was forced to call as the shortstack with QQ didn't raise twice my original 3 bet.

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players -

MP2: $5.00

CO: $12.75

BTN: $4.65

SB: $43.10

BB: $37.20

UTG: $22.15

Hero (UTG+1): $24.20

MP1: $20.95

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is UTG+1 with K K

UTG raises to $0.85, Hero raises to $2.90, 3 folds, BTN raises to $4.65 all in, 2 folds, UTG calls $3.80, Hero calls $1.75

Flop: ($14.30) A 5 9 (3 players - 1 is all in)

UTG bets $13.60, Hero folds

Turn: ($14.30) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($14.30) T (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $14.30

BTN mucks Q Q

UTG shows A A (three of a kind, Aces)

UTG wins $13.60

(Rake: $0.70)

Hoosier Donkey?

2009-07-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

I thought I might figure out the odds on this hand later. The winner of the hand got called an idiot but my notes say he's a regular and a little dangerous.

Poker Stars $0.05/$0.10 Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 9 players -

Hero (UTG+2): $9.90

koroshiya (MP1): $8.55

heeeeheeee (MP2): $30.10

elenoar (CO): $11.20

Taxitony (BTN): $8.70

Simi1980111 (SB): $5.00

frisbeejim2 (BB): $10.05

LikelyWinner (UTG): $12.75

toszka23 (UTG+1): $9.70

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is UTG+2 with K 7 A 9

LikelyWinner calls $0.10, toszka23 raises to $0.40, 2 folds, heeeeheeee calls $0.40, 4 folds, LikelyWinner calls $0.30

Flop: ($1.35) 2 Q A (3 players)

LikelyWinner checks, toszka23 bets $1.30, heeeeheeee calls $1.30, LikelyWinner calls $1.30

Turn: ($5.25) 3 (3 players)

LikelyWinner bets $5, toszka23 raises to $8 all in, heeeeheeee raises to $13, LikelyWinner calls $6.05 all in

River: ($35.35) 5 (3 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $35.35

heeeeheeee shows 3 4 5 9 (a straight, Ace to Five)

LikelyWinner shows 3 A T A (three of a kind, Aces)

toszka23 mucks Q T Q 4

heeeeheeee wins $5.80

heeeeheeee wins $27.80

(Rake: $1.75)

Victory! Erm....yay.

2009-07-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

So I played TheDeuce today and won 2-0. Bah, too easy - I was expecting tougher games.

I'm joking of course.

He's a student of the game and has worked on and improved his HU game significantly. I was a bigger dog than I expected and fortunately the cards cooperated. Each game followed a similar progression where I would slowly get ground down then fight my way back to even. When the blinds escalated and it came time to get lucky - I got lucky.

In saying that, I was happy that I hung in for each game and gave myself a punchers chance to win each. I was also happy that I changed my strategy in the 2nd game when it appeared I was being outplayed. TD knew that I open a very wide range on the button so he started 3-betting liberally. I expected this, but I figured the best strategy was to flat and see flops in position with a bloated pot. The problem was, I kept completely whiffing every flop and had to give up when TD rightly cbet. Whether my strategy was completely flawed or the sample size was too small, I decided to either fold or reraise in the 2nd game which seemed to have more success. The problem was in adjusting I'd been dragged into a preflop war which just isn't my game.

Which brings me to the question I was pondering early in the first game. If I min-raise 80-90% of my range on the button, and my opponent (rightly) starts 3-betting me very wide. How horrible is flatting in position and with what range is it correct to 4-bet?

FG

Heads up versus TheDeuce

2009-07-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

In the PAO Heads Up Challenge I've made it through to the final four and my next game is against 'TheDeuce'. This is the reason why I play in these things - the chance to play some high quality poker and very good opponents. Had I gone out early, I would have been disappointed to have missed the chance to play against TD or PeterGunn. Having reached this spot, I've achieved my immediate goals and I'm happy with either result. I'd also be happy to see the guy putting in the effort to organize the event play the final.

The interesting thing about this game is that I have little or no edge. It's very conceivable I'm a slight dog in this match. Most likely the cards will be the biggest deciding factor though.

The other interesting thing is my opponent knows my game. We've talked HU strategy and I've even discussed the light bulb moment when I figured out that min raising 90% of buttons was the best strategy. Previously I would raise 2.5 to 3 BB's and was looking to take pots down preflop, but I since realised this was the wrong mindset. With HU play, it's all about playing more streets in position and few hands than your opponent out of position. I want my opponent to call and see flops out of position, especially inferior opponents where i can now outplay them and winner a bigger pot post flop. The other side benefit if that when the blinds escalate and can still continue to raise my button without committing too many chips.

The strategy against TD I'm still not sure about. If I play a solid fundamental game, my opponent will quickly exploit this. If I mix up my play and deviate too far from the perfect line, I may be giving up too much to not justify being un-exploitable. There is one idea which is floating in my head which was something I learnt watching an old PA player called Spambot...

FG

Birds of Tokyo

2009-07-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

I was at a party the other night and someone put this band on. It's the first band I've heard in some time that made me go 'Wow!'. I plan to head out today and pick up the CD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aQHZQufB4o&feature=channel

FG

The biggest leak

2009-06-17T05:03:00.001-07:00

This is one of the biggest leaks in my game. The villain is a maniac, he's been raising every pot by 10+BB, so i limp with the idea of coming over the top after everyone else has acted.

But I hate gambling in these spots because I know I have a better edge against these guys. So as I get ready to click the Gambooool button, I hesitate for a while.

Then I figure feck it - it's been a frustrating session and he's only got half a stack.

Yet if he was playing deeper and I'd had a winning session....

FG

Poker Stars $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players

Hero (CO): $24.65

BTN: $5.95

SB: $13.95

BB: $14.65

UTG: $25.15

UTG+1: $5.75

MP: $8.50

Pre Flop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with A J

3 folds, Hero calls $0.25, 1 fold, SB raises to $3.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $24.65 all in, SB calls $10.45 all in

Flop: ($28.15) T 9 8 (2 players - 2 are all in)

Turn: ($28.15) 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)

River: ($28.15) Q (2 players - 2 are all in)

Final Pot: $28.15

Hero shows A J (a straight, Eight to Queen)

SB shows 2 K (high card King)

Hero wins $26.75

(Rake: $1.40)