http://www.wsop.com/tourney/tourneydetails.asp?groupID=737
http://www.wsop.com/tourney/tourneydetails.asp?groupID=746
Maybe our league play will be a buy in to one of these events?
If not I sure am going to start planning to make a couple tourneys and hopefully bring home a ring and some nice cash!
I feel my tournament play is the best its been in a long time.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Checking it Down - Or Not
Thank you TotalGarbage for sharing your feedback with me and everyone else. I also heard responses in person from several players who had strong feelings about isolation of an all-in player vs. checking it down.
As TG pointed out, these situations are subject to all the little nuances. Therefore, I will describe with a little more detail how the hands from the previous post played out, plus a bonus hand, and let you all decide for yourselves what you might have done.
Example 1: Blinds 800/1600, 2 of 3 tables remaining. In middle position, I raised all-in for my last 12,000 chips - just over half the average stack. The player at the cutoff reraised all-in for 27,000. The small blind called all-in for less than my stack. I was thrilled when I saw that my pocket jacks were against pocket tens and pocket nines. I won the hand and proceeded to fold my way to the final table.
If I were in the cutoff, I might have played my 10s the same way against a short stack. I wouldn't want calls from suited face cards or weak aces that are hoping to catch, especially if there are alot of chips to back them up.
Example 2: Blinds 2,000/4,000, 8 players left. A player pushed all-in for 6,000. There were three callers including me. I had limped in from the cutoff with Ac 7h. Perhaps a marginal call, but I thought there was a good chance it would be checked down.
The flop was 2, 7, 7 rainbow. It was checked to me and I checked the dry side pot with my trip 7s. But, the third live player (on the button) didn't get the memo and made a min-bet. The first player folded and I smooth-called.
The turn was a Q. I checked and the button min-bet again. I eyed her up and down. Pocket 2s and Q7 were not out of the question, so I min reraised to see where I stood. She called.
The river was a brick so I checked and she checked behind. She showed her Q2 suited and I scooped the pot with my trip 7s.
I disagree with her play here because a pair is just a pair and with a pair showing, two pair is just a pair! With a player all-in and no side pot, I wouldn't have taken a stab at the pot with weak holdings.
Example 3 (bonus hand): Blinds 6,000/12,000, 7 players left. I was all-in for 4,000 in the small blind with Q6 offsuit. There was one caller and the big blind checked.
The flop was 3, 6, 7 and following a check, the BB bet all-in to a 16,000 chip side pot. The other player folded, and my 6s were behind to the BB's 10, 7 off. When another 7 landed on the river, I was eliminated in 7th place.
This play I like. With top pair and a side pot, pushing the other live player out of the hand makes sense. Even if the BB lost against the all-in, he would have more than when he started the hand.
Please post your comments.
As TG pointed out, these situations are subject to all the little nuances. Therefore, I will describe with a little more detail how the hands from the previous post played out, plus a bonus hand, and let you all decide for yourselves what you might have done.
Example 1: Blinds 800/1600, 2 of 3 tables remaining. In middle position, I raised all-in for my last 12,000 chips - just over half the average stack. The player at the cutoff reraised all-in for 27,000. The small blind called all-in for less than my stack. I was thrilled when I saw that my pocket jacks were against pocket tens and pocket nines. I won the hand and proceeded to fold my way to the final table.
If I were in the cutoff, I might have played my 10s the same way against a short stack. I wouldn't want calls from suited face cards or weak aces that are hoping to catch, especially if there are alot of chips to back them up.
Example 2: Blinds 2,000/4,000, 8 players left. A player pushed all-in for 6,000. There were three callers including me. I had limped in from the cutoff with Ac 7h. Perhaps a marginal call, but I thought there was a good chance it would be checked down.
The flop was 2, 7, 7 rainbow. It was checked to me and I checked the dry side pot with my trip 7s. But, the third live player (on the button) didn't get the memo and made a min-bet. The first player folded and I smooth-called.
The turn was a Q. I checked and the button min-bet again. I eyed her up and down. Pocket 2s and Q7 were not out of the question, so I min reraised to see where I stood. She called.
The river was a brick so I checked and she checked behind. She showed her Q2 suited and I scooped the pot with my trip 7s.
I disagree with her play here because a pair is just a pair and with a pair showing, two pair is just a pair! With a player all-in and no side pot, I wouldn't have taken a stab at the pot with weak holdings.
Example 3 (bonus hand): Blinds 6,000/12,000, 7 players left. I was all-in for 4,000 in the small blind with Q6 offsuit. There was one caller and the big blind checked.
The flop was 3, 6, 7 and following a check, the BB bet all-in to a 16,000 chip side pot. The other player folded, and my 6s were behind to the BB's 10, 7 off. When another 7 landed on the river, I was eliminated in 7th place.
This play I like. With top pair and a side pot, pushing the other live player out of the hand makes sense. Even if the BB lost against the all-in, he would have more than when he started the hand.
Please post your comments.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Checking it Down
Example 1: Blinds 800/1600, 2 of 3 tables remaining. In middle position, I raised all-in for my last 12,000 chips - just over half the average stack. The player at the cutoff reraised all-in for 27,000.
With two full tables left, raising to isolate makes sense. At this point in the tournament, a player needs to focus on accumulating and preserving chips. By reraising an all-in you are likely going to scare off all but premium hands. He clearly wanted to isolate and take his chances against only one player.
Example 2: Blinds 2,000/4,000, 8 players left. A player pushed all-in for 6,000. There were three callers including me.
Post-flop, it was checked to me and I checked the dry side pot. But, the third live player didn't get the memo and made a bet. There were grumbles from irritated players who chided the bettor. (Note: in most tournaments, encouraging other players to check-down against an all-in while cards are live is complicity and considered a form of cheating).
Why would other players care? Aren't we still trying to accumulate and preserve chips? Wouldn't anyone want to increase their odds at the pot and play heads-up against the all-in?
This is really a question about expected value in relation to the stage of the tournament.
In the first example, the reraiser has to eliminate 8-10 other players before he can win anything. Therefore, the expected value from the reraise is that he will play heads-up and either eliminate or double-up one player. Either way it does not immediately affect what will ultimately be won and by whom.
In the second example, all the players involved were already "in-the-money". Therefore, the expected value is in eliminating another player and guaranteeing more for those who remain, regardless of its effect on any one player's chip stack. (Note: Eliminating other players can also be more important than chip accumulation at or close to the bubble).
Let's assume that the all-in player has pocket Aces and all the callers have small pocket pairs... 4s, 5s, and 6s. If the flop is 8h, Kd, 2c and two players check to the player with 5s who presents a bet, the other players are likely to fold forcing a heads-up situation. Before the bet, the player with 5s (and everyone else) needs one of six cards to hit in order to improve: a 4, 5, or a 6 (30.7%). After the bet and subsequent folds, there are only two cards (5s) that can hurt the all-in (11.7%). The all-in player is now more likely to win and quadruple-up.
There are always exceptions. Substantial side pots or big hands (straights, flushes, full-houses, etc.) may be justification for a bet. However, most players will understand the implied complicity of checking down a pot when it will likely result in climbing even one rung in the reward ladder.
As always, your comments are encouraged.
With two full tables left, raising to isolate makes sense. At this point in the tournament, a player needs to focus on accumulating and preserving chips. By reraising an all-in you are likely going to scare off all but premium hands. He clearly wanted to isolate and take his chances against only one player.
Example 2: Blinds 2,000/4,000, 8 players left. A player pushed all-in for 6,000. There were three callers including me.
Post-flop, it was checked to me and I checked the dry side pot. But, the third live player didn't get the memo and made a bet. There were grumbles from irritated players who chided the bettor. (Note: in most tournaments, encouraging other players to check-down against an all-in while cards are live is complicity and considered a form of cheating).
Why would other players care? Aren't we still trying to accumulate and preserve chips? Wouldn't anyone want to increase their odds at the pot and play heads-up against the all-in?
This is really a question about expected value in relation to the stage of the tournament.
In the first example, the reraiser has to eliminate 8-10 other players before he can win anything. Therefore, the expected value from the reraise is that he will play heads-up and either eliminate or double-up one player. Either way it does not immediately affect what will ultimately be won and by whom.
In the second example, all the players involved were already "in-the-money". Therefore, the expected value is in eliminating another player and guaranteeing more for those who remain, regardless of its effect on any one player's chip stack. (Note: Eliminating other players can also be more important than chip accumulation at or close to the bubble).
Let's assume that the all-in player has pocket Aces and all the callers have small pocket pairs... 4s, 5s, and 6s. If the flop is 8h, Kd, 2c and two players check to the player with 5s who presents a bet, the other players are likely to fold forcing a heads-up situation. Before the bet, the player with 5s (and everyone else) needs one of six cards to hit in order to improve: a 4, 5, or a 6 (30.7%). After the bet and subsequent folds, there are only two cards (5s) that can hurt the all-in (11.7%). The all-in player is now more likely to win and quadruple-up.
There are always exceptions. Substantial side pots or big hands (straights, flushes, full-houses, etc.) may be justification for a bet. However, most players will understand the implied complicity of checking down a pot when it will likely result in climbing even one rung in the reward ladder.
As always, your comments are encouraged.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Poker Blog
My blog is back up and running.
http://christianrivera.squarespace.com/poker
I'll be posting my bankroll progress, net profit, advice, tournament info, strategy, hands of the week/game and poker news. Be sure to check it out!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
200K Double Deuce
Playing the 200K Double Deuce on Full Tilt. Follow me as FuseThe2Kapow and on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FuseThe2Kapow
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Better Lucky Than Good
This week I was in Las Vegas. I mostly played cash games due to time constraints. However, I did play in one tournament. As I walked into the Stratosphere on Wednesday, they made an announcement that the one o'clock daily was about to start.
My wife, who reads my mind after 16 years of marriage, asked me "how long will it take?" After checking at the poker room/area and seeing 17 entries, I told her about 3 hours (yes, I am an optimist). She accepted the burden of having to go shopping while I played cards.
I chose the grinder approach and, with a few exceptions, stuck to premium play. After 2 hours, the two tables were consolidated to one. I was chip leader with 17K in chips. Average stack was 8K. Blinds were 400/800 with no antes until the next level. Players were starting to get antsy with most of them holding fewer than 10 big blinds and everyone else not far behind. With the free-for-all about to begin, I needed to figure out how I was going to last to one of only two spots getting paid.
A few hands later, 8 players were left. The player two to my right was first-in, raising to 2800. Then it was fold-fold to me on the button. I looked down at Ace-Jack off suit and declared "Raise. The bet is his stack," as I pointed to the raiser. The blinds folded and the raiser shrugged his shoulders as he meekly called his remaining 3K into a pot of 9800.
He turned over his Ace-3 of hearts. I was already counting the chips as I flipped over the dominating hand... OH NO!!!!! What I thought was an Ace was actually a 4!!!!
The dealer heard me comment on my mistake and laughed that he has mistaken fours for Aces, too. Small consolation. Where do I pick up my donkey ears, sir?
So, I'm heads up with Jack-4 off suit against Ace-3 hearts. The flop came out Ac-2c-10c. I was so distracted by my mistake that it wasn't until the table groaned at the turn card, 6c, that I saw my 4 was a club! With great remorse (NOT!!!) I collected the pot.
I was now triple the average stack with only six players and me left. Eventually I made it to heads-up play where we chopped the prize. But without my unfortunate mistake (for player #8) and amazing suckout, the result could have easily been different.
My wife, who reads my mind after 16 years of marriage, asked me "how long will it take?" After checking at the poker room/area and seeing 17 entries, I told her about 3 hours (yes, I am an optimist). She accepted the burden of having to go shopping while I played cards.
I chose the grinder approach and, with a few exceptions, stuck to premium play. After 2 hours, the two tables were consolidated to one. I was chip leader with 17K in chips. Average stack was 8K. Blinds were 400/800 with no antes until the next level. Players were starting to get antsy with most of them holding fewer than 10 big blinds and everyone else not far behind. With the free-for-all about to begin, I needed to figure out how I was going to last to one of only two spots getting paid.
A few hands later, 8 players were left. The player two to my right was first-in, raising to 2800. Then it was fold-fold to me on the button. I looked down at Ace-Jack off suit and declared "Raise. The bet is his stack," as I pointed to the raiser. The blinds folded and the raiser shrugged his shoulders as he meekly called his remaining 3K into a pot of 9800.
He turned over his Ace-3 of hearts. I was already counting the chips as I flipped over the dominating hand... OH NO!!!!! What I thought was an Ace was actually a 4!!!!
The dealer heard me comment on my mistake and laughed that he has mistaken fours for Aces, too. Small consolation. Where do I pick up my donkey ears, sir?
So, I'm heads up with Jack-4 off suit against Ace-3 hearts. The flop came out Ac-2c-10c. I was so distracted by my mistake that it wasn't until the table groaned at the turn card, 6c, that I saw my 4 was a club! With great remorse (NOT!!!) I collected the pot.
I was now triple the average stack with only six players and me left. Eventually I made it to heads-up play where we chopped the prize. But without my unfortunate mistake (for player #8) and amazing suckout, the result could have easily been different.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Never thought...
Thursday. Blinds 100/200. I admit it. I was steaming from the first hand of the night where I squeezed some chips out with pocket Aces.
In hand #2, I'm heads-up with the same player! I put my opponent on A-X or a pocket pair based on his preflop raise to $600 and C-bet on the flop.
Since I started from the small blind, I could easily have ATC against a standard raise, and Q-J suited came pretty close. When I check-insta-called his third shot on the turn, I sensed that he no longer thought I was drawing.
The river pairs. On my side of the cards is a busted flush draw, Queen high. What to do? A $4K bet into a $6K pot sends my opponent into the tank.
The board is full of possibilities; a pair and all low cards. On his side of the cards I might have the straight or the boat or lesser hands that beat top pair or pocket pair.
The point here is that when you make a bluff you take a leap of faith that any opposing player is experienced/smart enough to know what you are representing (and that you read the situation correctly and and he doesn't have the nutz!). Hats off to the players who are capable of making brilliant folds with strong holdings.
I aspire to the grandeur. Meanwhile, when he folded, I threw down my bluff face up which tilted half the table. Bonus.
235 points to go
In hand #2, I'm heads-up with the same player! I put my opponent on A-X or a pocket pair based on his preflop raise to $600 and C-bet on the flop.
Since I started from the small blind, I could easily have ATC against a standard raise, and Q-J suited came pretty close. When I check-insta-called his third shot on the turn, I sensed that he no longer thought I was drawing.
The river pairs. On my side of the cards is a busted flush draw, Queen high. What to do? A $4K bet into a $6K pot sends my opponent into the tank.
The board is full of possibilities; a pair and all low cards. On his side of the cards I might have the straight or the boat or lesser hands that beat top pair or pocket pair.
The point here is that when you make a bluff you take a leap of faith that any opposing player is experienced/smart enough to know what you are representing (and that you read the situation correctly and and he doesn't have the nutz!). Hats off to the players who are capable of making brilliant folds with strong holdings.
I aspire to the grandeur. Meanwhile, when he folded, I threw down my bluff face up which tilted half the table. Bonus.
235 points to go
Never thought I would do it...
I never thought that I would ever make a bluff for all my chips, but it happened during Thursday night league.
9 handed game I was 2 seats after BB
Under the gun was Ben (who thinks the big blind is a ante and posts it everyhand) calling station..
I limped as well for 600 KQ off ( a hand I usually through in the muck in that position.)
I believe 7 players to the flop of
6,8,2 check, check, check, I lead out with 2,000
Everyone fold around to Pete who calls.
head up
Turn a blank 10 I beleive
I fire again 3,000
Pete calls without thinking much
River blank as well 3
I push all in for about 14K
Pete tanks and runs the hand over and over in his head, puts me on 2 pair and finally mucks after taking what seemed to be forever and flips up an 8.
I had to show the bluff and it tilted him
(Sorry Pete)
Showing that bluff paid off a few hands later when a pot was raised to 2500 i smooth called with 99 and flopped a set vs QQ I checked raised, QQ pushed all in probably thinking I was at it again. Felted him. Bill Kramer
(Sorry Bill)
196 points to go
9 handed game I was 2 seats after BB
Under the gun was Ben (who thinks the big blind is a ante and posts it everyhand) calling station..
I limped as well for 600 KQ off ( a hand I usually through in the muck in that position.)
I believe 7 players to the flop of
6,8,2 check, check, check, I lead out with 2,000
Everyone fold around to Pete who calls.
head up
Turn a blank 10 I beleive
I fire again 3,000
Pete calls without thinking much
River blank as well 3
I push all in for about 14K
Pete tanks and runs the hand over and over in his head, puts me on 2 pair and finally mucks after taking what seemed to be forever and flips up an 8.
I had to show the bluff and it tilted him
(Sorry Pete)
Showing that bluff paid off a few hands later when a pot was raised to 2500 i smooth called with 99 and flopped a set vs QQ I checked raised, QQ pushed all in probably thinking I was at it again. Felted him. Bill Kramer
(Sorry Bill)
196 points to go
Saturday, August 15, 2009
No Peeking!
At the final table on Thursday, I'm watching this luckbox player who over a couple hands eliminates the initial bigstack. He starts winning every hand except an impossible split pot where he was dominated. In the bulk of these wins, he wasn't even looking at his cards.
I met a cash game player in Vegas a couple years ago who rarely looked at his cards. After he pounded my stack to oblivion, he told me of playing an entire tournament with this strategy. Impossible! I thought out loud. He assured me that it was both possible and profitable. I then discovered a strategy by a controversial poker and blackjack author for certain structure tournaments that did not involve looking at your cards (except for showdowns). I admit, I have experimented and it has some merit in a fast tournament.
Anyway... I'm two seats off the button with 22k. There's no small blind and luckbox has 8k up for the big blind. Everyone folds to me. In this classic battle involving chips, position and cards, I'm zero out of three before looking at my cards. I may as well peek.
I look down at my QJ suited and for a second considered the blinds rising to 6k/12k and I have less than 2 blinds for my next cards. Besides, I was better than 60% against any two random cards in a heads-up situation. ALL-IN.
Fold, fold, and as predicted, luckbox/superstack calls the 14k without looking.
I met a cash game player in Vegas a couple years ago who rarely looked at his cards. After he pounded my stack to oblivion, he told me of playing an entire tournament with this strategy. Impossible! I thought out loud. He assured me that it was both possible and profitable. I then discovered a strategy by a controversial poker and blackjack author for certain structure tournaments that did not involve looking at your cards (except for showdowns). I admit, I have experimented and it has some merit in a fast tournament.
Anyway... I'm two seats off the button with 22k. There's no small blind and luckbox has 8k up for the big blind. Everyone folds to me. In this classic battle involving chips, position and cards, I'm zero out of three before looking at my cards. I may as well peek.
I look down at my QJ suited and for a second considered the blinds rising to 6k/12k and I have less than 2 blinds for my next cards. Besides, I was better than 60% against any two random cards in a heads-up situation. ALL-IN.
Fold, fold, and as predicted, luckbox/superstack calls the 14k without looking.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
To fish or not to fish, that is the question.
I'm experimenting with marginal plays in the hopes of gaining info about how I am perceiving the other players. Trying to make the final table each week only complicates matters. But, that's my problem. Here is the problem for all of us:
There are two players I have focused on that are in direct opposition. Both are top five players this season. As they are consistent at making the final table I don't think luck is the predominant factor for either one (although it is early in the season). Player 1 calls a lot, folds a little, and rarely raises. Player 2 raises a lot, folds a lot and rarely just calls.
Logic, experience and many books tell me that player 1 is a fish and player 2 is either a shark or a maniac. How can these opposing strategies both be successful? Can a fish or a maniac be successful in the long term? Further, can you force other players to mix it up? Would you want to?
There are two players I have focused on that are in direct opposition. Both are top five players this season. As they are consistent at making the final table I don't think luck is the predominant factor for either one (although it is early in the season). Player 1 calls a lot, folds a little, and rarely raises. Player 2 raises a lot, folds a lot and rarely just calls.
Logic, experience and many books tell me that player 1 is a fish and player 2 is either a shark or a maniac. How can these opposing strategies both be successful? Can a fish or a maniac be successful in the long term? Further, can you force other players to mix it up? Would you want to?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Table 1
Lately its been getting under my skin that some players at the final table should have no buisness being there.It seems certain people have assigned seats during the Tuesday and especially Thursday night leagues. I know that the best players are not always going to be at the final table, but when you start at a table with all friends that are "learning" the game someone is bound to get lucky and make the final table. Lets face it the whole table isnt going to bust out.
While at the other tables people are battling to make the final table cut.
What to do about this?
If you tell everyone that seating is random and the friends don't get to sit with each other will they not show up? We can't have that.
I witnessed a table 1 player at the final table with 50k in chips call them all of within 4 hands.
The calling hands were:
(note, pots were raised big before the calls)
K2 suited
Q8 off suit
33 with all overs on the board
Explain how this player obtained 50k in chips
I know Jim doesnt want to lose players because they can't sit together but I also know its getting to a lot of others that ONE table has assigned seating.
Thats my rant and I'm sticking to it.
227 points to go.
While at the other tables people are battling to make the final table cut.
What to do about this?
If you tell everyone that seating is random and the friends don't get to sit with each other will they not show up? We can't have that.
I witnessed a table 1 player at the final table with 50k in chips call them all of within 4 hands.
The calling hands were:
(note, pots were raised big before the calls)
K2 suited
Q8 off suit
33 with all overs on the board
Explain how this player obtained 50k in chips
I know Jim doesnt want to lose players because they can't sit together but I also know its getting to a lot of others that ONE table has assigned seating.
Thats my rant and I'm sticking to it.
227 points to go.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Starting to sell poker t-shirts...
Okay everyone! I want to know who is interested in a "One Time" T-shirt, the first of many Fourth Street Clothing T-shirts soon to be on sale. I need at least 12 people interested in PURCHASING a "One Time" T-shirt for $19 each before I started getting these printed. Please, I need your help and support! Let me know ASAP in the comments below if you want one and what size you would like!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34757035&id=60711137&ref=nf
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34757035&id=60711137&ref=nf
Monday, July 6, 2009
Let the new season begin!
Tonight, we kick off the our 4th season with the start of our Monday Night H.O.P. League July 6th followed with our Tuesday Night Hold'em League, Wednesday Night Live League and Thursday Night Hold'em League. We start at 7:30 pm Monday thru Thursday. Hope to see you all this season. www.riversiderounders.com.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
300 point season?
I need some serious motivation to play "good" poker at the club. Seems like I have been bitching about all the moronic play last year, and how some players never try and learn from their mistakes.
I am realizing that anywhere you play you will be confronted with morons at the poker table. So I am challenging myself to be more patient at the tables this year against the beginners(stop trying to buy pots from players that will call any bet in any situation).
Plus my table image has been slightly miscued by my play at the club.
So I am going to go ahead and guarantee a 300 point season out of either Tuesday or Thursday night.
Expect some solid play out of me (at least until some donk pisses me off and I go back to being aggressive)
Anyone else up for the challenge?
I am realizing that anywhere you play you will be confronted with morons at the poker table. So I am challenging myself to be more patient at the tables this year against the beginners(stop trying to buy pots from players that will call any bet in any situation).
Plus my table image has been slightly miscued by my play at the club.
So I am going to go ahead and guarantee a 300 point season out of either Tuesday or Thursday night.
Expect some solid play out of me (at least until some donk pisses me off and I go back to being aggressive)
Anyone else up for the challenge?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Committed?
So how much time is required to get the "A" game rolling? Weeks, months, decades. At last read, I noticed that 200 tournemants played is enough to be considered experienced. Most of us hit that landmark a while ago between Riverside and home games alone, not counting casino play. The question is whether the quality of play we first exposed ourselves to was decent enough to be considered average. Lets say 6 months was enough time for most players in our circles to get the feel for their game, while reacting to players of simular skill. The loss of 6 months of regular play puts a serious dent in our perception of where we stand. For the intensity of play and volume of games in that amount of time, how much was of poor quality.
Now I haven't mentioned internet play as part of our learning curve. I believe that venue to be as different from live, as HORSE to Texas Hold `em. The experience gained through online play doesn't transfer well. Not to diminish online play, its just too differing.
To be considered merely experienced at this point seems a little frustrating, but I think that the threashold to semi-pro is not very far away. More games, more theory and more devotion and many of us could make a serious breakthrough. The competition between several of us is fierce, but respectful and fun. I hope that we all can achieve our personal goals, along with being there to see our friends do the same.
Best of luck, if you're out of luck, outplay `em. - Jeff
Now I haven't mentioned internet play as part of our learning curve. I believe that venue to be as different from live, as HORSE to Texas Hold `em. The experience gained through online play doesn't transfer well. Not to diminish online play, its just too differing.
To be considered merely experienced at this point seems a little frustrating, but I think that the threashold to semi-pro is not very far away. More games, more theory and more devotion and many of us could make a serious breakthrough. The competition between several of us is fierce, but respectful and fun. I hope that we all can achieve our personal goals, along with being there to see our friends do the same.
Best of luck, if you're out of luck, outplay `em. - Jeff
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Who is really your best friend?
Is your dog or your wife your best friend?
Lock both in the trunk of your car. Wait an hour or so. Open your trunk, Who is happiest to see you?
Lock both in the trunk of your car. Wait an hour or so. Open your trunk, Who is happiest to see you?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Can you play limp poker?
I love limp poker. I know most players would say raise or fold if your first to enter the pot in no limit hold'em. I think there are some times when limping in (just calling the Big blind) will work out better then raising. Try mixing it up with your big hands Like AA and KK and limp in from time to time. You may just trap someone and get all there chips. It will also be hard for players to raise you when you limp in, because you may have the 8s 7s or you could have Qc Qd, it make's you hard to read, give it a try you may be supprised as to how well things work out for you.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Happy Cinco de Mayo
If you wear a surgical mask and sambrero tonight you get $1000 extra chip
$3.00 Corona Bottles!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
New Friday night game.
$30 Sit n GO Friday nights. 8:30pm start time.
Snacks and soft drinks provided. BYOB
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
hello fukers........
just trying to see if it works....... see you at the table and ill get YOU on the river......
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
online last night
So, I am playing a sit and go online last night. I have about 2,000 with the blinds at 40 and 80 the player under the gun makes a raise to 160 and the player in the 2 spot calls I am allso in erly posistoin in the 3 spot I have the 8h 7h I make the call because I love suited conecting card and because I think if one of these two player have a big hand I could crack it and win a big pot(double up). all other player fold round to the big blind who calls. The pot in now 680 and four players are seeing the flop I have posistion on them all. The flop comes 7d 10s Jh it gives me a gut shot straight draw a piar of sevens and a back door flush draw. The big blind checks and the player under the gun bets 80 into a pot of 680 the player in the 2 spot raises to 160 and I call thinking maybe I can get lucky and hit a 7 or a 9 on the turn and win a big pot. The Big blind folds and the player under the gun calls. The turn comes 7c and gives me trip sevens.(gin baby) The player under the gun now go's all in and he has me covered and the 2 spot folds. Ok the bord looks like this 7d 10s Jh 7c there are about three hands that I am woried about jacks tens or the 9 8 suited. But because I hit my hand and this player is under the gun I could be up against an over pair like AA KK QQ or maybe AJ so i make the call for all my chips. Player shows AJ (As Jc) for two pair jacks and sevens I am an 95% to win with one card to come, but you can guss what the river was. A Jack!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
WWBCD
Sometimes I ask myself, "What would Bill Cannon do?"...
The answer...
"Check, Call, Check, Call, Check, Fold."
Good game.
SCOOP Event #1
I'm playing in Pokerstars M-SCOOP Event #1 right now. We've gotten through the ReBuy period and 3,860 in chips. I'll be posting my progress on twitter. http://www.twitter.com/FuseThe2Kapow if you want to follow my progress.
My name on PokerStars is TotalGarbage.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Danny makes a cameo..
I was watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine online last night (Review at my site http://www.christianrivera.squarespace.com) and noticed that none other than Daniel Negreanu appears in Gambit's introduction scene! Pretty sweet....
P.S. I'm wearing a towel. Wait...now I'm naked.
Things I think about while playing poker...
Is my hand good?
Christian posting naked?
Will you suck out on me?
He must have the ace everybody plays them.
Will Pete catch the straight? He does have pot odds.
Does Adam have the best hand or is he just making a move?
Is Christian really posting naked?
CALL ME!!!
If dogs did play poker what breed would be the best players?
Come on 20 times the big blind.
Would Doyle Brunson sit at table 1 if he came here on thursday nights?
If McNabb played poker would it be low cards?
What if Bill C. did play that hand?
What does Roo think?
Will Jim really play king rag on a raise and reraise?
It's SUITED!
Not much Bill Kramer can fold here, but what would he fold?
If Phil Ivey played here could he overcome the suckouts and bad calls?
Why do I put myself through this turmoil for poker?
That is some of the things I think about while playing poker.
Christian posting naked?
Will you suck out on me?
He must have the ace everybody plays them.
Will Pete catch the straight? He does have pot odds.
Does Adam have the best hand or is he just making a move?
Is Christian really posting naked?
CALL ME!!!
If dogs did play poker what breed would be the best players?
Come on 20 times the big blind.
Would Doyle Brunson sit at table 1 if he came here on thursday nights?
If McNabb played poker would it be low cards?
What if Bill C. did play that hand?
What does Roo think?
Will Jim really play king rag on a raise and reraise?
It's SUITED!
Not much Bill Kramer can fold here, but what would he fold?
If Phil Ivey played here could he overcome the suckouts and bad calls?
Why do I put myself through this turmoil for poker?
That is some of the things I think about while playing poker.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
$10 to $100,000
I'm starting my own Pokerstars cash game challenge. Much like that of Daniel Negraneau's challenge with very strict bankroll management rules.
Details coming soon...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
FML.
There are moments when you're playing poker where a complete fish comes to the table (no, I'm not referring to Pete Kearns) and you can't be anymore excited. Then again, there are moments when you're playing poker where a complete fish comes to the table (still not referring to Pete Kearns) and you just want to rip your hair out. As you all know, wednesday nights are the simulated cash game nights. Not many players take this too seriously, including myself, and will practically play ATC style. That aspect is fine and I understand the loose attitude when you're not playing with real money. My only complaint is that when you don't hit a flop with your cards, regardless of what they are, and want to make a play at the pot...make it a good play.
I started this hand with at $350 in chips and was playing some hands blind at this point just messing around and whatnot. Some new players just came to the table including one of the new guys Rob, who is very loose-aggressive in the simulated cash game. Needless to say, I expected to win a couple big pots because they're my favorite type of player to play against. Anyway, I'm one seat to the right of the cutoff. There are a few limpers in the pot including me who limped blind since I won the pot before. It gets around to Rob in the big blind and he makes it $12 to go. A couple players drop and I call blind again. The flop comes A 5 Q rainbow. Rob bets out about $25 or $30 I'm not quite sure. 2 players fold and Jim Belisle calls as do I, again blind. After I call I decide to look down at my cards to see 2 4 o/s. Seeing that Rob was being so aggressive I knew I could get a huge payout if I hit my gut-shot but I wasn't really counting on it and depending on the action on the turn I was pretty much ready to give up the hand. The turn card is a 3! Yahtzee! In my head it's more like "no fucking way..." and Rob instantly goes all-in! I pretty much got a hard-on under the table and waited for the action to get around to me. Jim calls all-in also for less and I, of course, call. Rob shows KJ for a whiff and proclaims, I was just making a move at the pot. Jim shows A5 for 2-pair and I show my 24 for the nut straight. I'm like "Sweet, I just won a huge pot." Until the dreaded river shows a 10 to give Rob the wheel. Ew. FML.
That same night in the "T-shirt" game I was playing with $40 and be patient, hoping for an opportunity to double-up to play a little more versatile. A hand came where I was in cutoff seat with A8 o/s. Adam UTG min-raises and 6 players call. The flop comes 7A8 (sweet.) and I flop top two. Adam bets another $2 and the player two seats over whom I've never played with (and seemed like a solid straight forward player) raises it to $7. Players fold around to me and I re-raise it to $15 (in retrospect about $20-$22 may have been a better raise). Dottie to my left calls and Adam (with only $1.50 left) tanks for like 3-minutes. I mean, seriously? If you're tanking over $1.50 you shouldn't be playing. Anyway, he ends up folding and the original raiser goes all-in for $21 more. I have about $17 and call. Dottie also calls (?). First player shows 78 for a lower two-pair and I show my A8. The turn card is a 9 and the river is a 10. I know instantly what Dottie has before she flips her cards over with 10 9 7 A 8 on board. She flips over J8 for the runner-runner straight. I had a re-buy but I went home. FML.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gross.
I've just been having a Daniel Negraneau-like run lately...
http://www.christianrivera.squarespace.com/poker
Thursday, March 26, 2009
You can't beat dumb luck.
Ya know, I don't have time to tell the stories right now but when you get a couple bad beats in one night it's time to call it quits. When you're at rounders, it's just another day at the office.
Expect the full story soon...
P.S. I'm naked.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Mississippi Straddle....
In honor of it being the night of the simulated cash game i am going to contribute a new play. This is commonly seen in high limit PLO games but what the hell its worth a try. Basically, what happens during a M S is that a person on the button straddles only if the U.T.G. player does not straddle. So when you straddle from the button, that now makes the small blind first to act or now the U.T.G. player. if the blinds a re $1-$2, than the straddle is typically $4. This type of straddle now gives the button a new meaning and total position over the entire hand, so I intend to use it tonight, and watch out!
ROO
ROO
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
"Aw I would've hit my flush!"
I'll most likely be copying and pasting the poker posts from my blog to this one but you can check it out seperately here. I also post random things on the main page about movies, music or oddities that I find around the internet.
Good luck to the HOP players tonight. I will not be attending tuesdays tournament but I should be good for wednesday and thursday! See you all there...
...P.S. if anyone hears Bill Cannon go "Aw I would've hit the flush (or straight or boat)" which some ridiculous hand like 5 3 o/s, you have my permission to bitch slap him with whatever inanimate object is closest to you. If it happens to be a baseball bat that somehow appeared next you than so be it! Much love buddy!
Monday, March 16, 2009
The first bad beat story!
Ok since I hear them from you guys almost everyday I'd thought I'd kick it off with one of my own. I was down at the WSOP this past Wednesday with Dwight and Jerry (Pop). We all played in Event 11 the turbo event. Well here is the hand where my bad beat story begins. I'm big blind (blinds 300/600 50 ante) I look down at pocket sixes a few limpers in. It gets to my option I go all in (little european poker move I learned from my friend Paval) fold fold fold then it gets to this little squirly kid reminds me of Cheese. CALLS! He said theres a lot in the pot ($2300) mind you I'm all in for about $6000 on top he is right around me in chips. I have been playing quality cards all day and hes been at my table for most of the tournament. I turn over my sixes he said you got me crushed he turns over 6 7 off suit! before the flop the guys nexts to me said mucked a seven hen the guy across from mr said so did I. He has one 7 to catch so I think I'm in real good shape. Oh don't worry the 7 didn't hit. Flop comes 4 5 10 Fuck hes got a open ended straight draw as you all know I call cards I knew the 8 was coming and BAM! 8 on the turn WHAT THE FUCK! hey 7 for a split no a K on the river. I wanted to smack the smirk off his face as he says sorry man you had me.
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