I had a modest losing NL session last night for about 20EUR on two fullstack 50EUR tables, but I'm still pretty happy. I was well ahead until the second last hand, where I picked up 66. One shortish stack called my raise, and the flop came 345r. I bet in position, and the other guy mincheckraised. I called, thinking he probably has an overpair. Turn came 5, which is not a great card and he bets about 1/3 of the pot. I call for my straight outs. River is a 7 for the straight, and I call his smallish shove and he shows 44 for the turned boat. I don't think I could have gotten away from this hand given his small bets and short stack.
The other iffy hand was the first one, where I held KQhh on the button. I raise and someone reraises and we end up with four players going to the flop. Flop was J84 rainbow, and the preflop raiser bets 10 into a 40 pot. I chose to fold, concerned that my overcard outs are probably tainted. Shoving is probably not out of the question here, but I'm quite worried about overpairs. Anyway the queen showed up on the turn, and the preflop raiser ended up winning a 60EUR pot with his 99 unimproved against a pair of 8s.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Still running good
I've had two more winning sessions, taking my streak to five. My "tables" winning streak was broken at 11, however, when I lost a 50EUR stack with QQ vs KK AIPF (it wasn't a full stack, as I had lost a few small pots before that). Fortunately I made up for that by running 20EUR up to about 90 on another table.
Overall, the no-limit experiment is going very well. In 4000 hands of 0.10/0.20 (mostly Euro), I am running at 30bb per 100 hands. This is obviously very good, and probably unsustainable. I am now moving towards playing full stacks on 50 Euro tables, and we will see if the run can continue at the higher level.
What I am observing suggests that bad players are frequently getting stacks in with very weak hands such as pocket pairs with an overcard on the flop, or mediocre draws. The EV advantage when players play that way is huge at NL, while at limit these plays are often at least close to correct.
Overall, the no-limit experiment is going very well. In 4000 hands of 0.10/0.20 (mostly Euro), I am running at 30bb per 100 hands. This is obviously very good, and probably unsustainable. I am now moving towards playing full stacks on 50 Euro tables, and we will see if the run can continue at the higher level.
What I am observing suggests that bad players are frequently getting stacks in with very weak hands such as pocket pairs with an overcard on the flop, or mediocre draws. The EV advantage when players play that way is huge at NL, while at limit these plays are often at least close to correct.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
RakeTheRake and NoiQ: two thumbs up
I have been playing at the new Entraction NoiQ site for 45 days. In that time, I have raked approximately $685. In return, I have earned $205 in rakeback, won $300 in the Jan-Feb rake race, completed a 120 Euro (about $155) first deposit bonus (just short of the 140 maximum), and am on target to take $400 in the RakeTheRake exclusive freeroll for a total of around $1060 in bonuses.
That is absolutely amazing value. I really hope the transition to Entraction is successful, as they have really invested in the players to achieve it. It's just a shame that I donked off most of the bonus in the process :-/
In other news, I played a couple of freerolls this morning (one of which was on NoiQ via RTR). I bombed out of both, and also failed to place in a couple of sit 'n gos. On the upside though, my NL cash game streak continued to three sessions and about eight tables (with no loss on any table). I played two 50EUR tables with a full stack, doubling on one and winning about 10 on the other. On the double up table, I didn't stack anyone but just built up a stack slowly by playing aggressively on the button and picking up small pots. On one hand, I called a raise on the button with some junk like J9s and whiffed the eight high flop. When the flop checked around and the turn paired the board and checked around to me, I simply bet 5 into a 7 pot and picked it up. Poker really shouldn't be that easy.
That is absolutely amazing value. I really hope the transition to Entraction is successful, as they have really invested in the players to achieve it. It's just a shame that I donked off most of the bonus in the process :-/
In other news, I played a couple of freerolls this morning (one of which was on NoiQ via RTR). I bombed out of both, and also failed to place in a couple of sit 'n gos. On the upside though, my NL cash game streak continued to three sessions and about eight tables (with no loss on any table). I played two 50EUR tables with a full stack, doubling on one and winning about 10 on the other. On the double up table, I didn't stack anyone but just built up a stack slowly by playing aggressively on the button and picking up small pots. On one hand, I called a raise on the button with some junk like J9s and whiffed the eight high flop. When the flop checked around and the turn paired the board and checked around to me, I simply bet 5 into a 7 pot and picked it up. Poker really shouldn't be that easy.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
NL Session review
Here is an interesting session I played last night. Again, I ran good, but in fact I chose this table to share before I spiked the quads to double up.
I am particularly interested in views on my line with AQhh unimproved where I bluffed away $10 (in fact it was Euro) before giving up on the river. In the hand with 55 on the button, I think the 3 bet was an error of inattention (failing to notice the raise ahead). It worked out ok though when I hit my set and stacked off. There is also a missed Cbet with 43cc due to multitabling.
http://www.stoxpoker.com/pokertools/session/521/
Tips for reviewing the hands: click the "skip hands with no flop" option and increase speed to the highest setting, then make judicious use of the "next" button.
The thing I noticed most of all playing these micro levels today, is that it is pretty rare to be threebet preflop, and that is is unusual for players to checkraise your Cbets. These two factors make it very easy to raise in position and Cbet liberally. Even when you get called, you retain total control over pot size, which allows you to see showdowns with modest hands like top pair weak kicker and play for stacks with big hands.
I am particularly interested in views on my line with AQhh unimproved where I bluffed away $10 (in fact it was Euro) before giving up on the river. In the hand with 55 on the button, I think the 3 bet was an error of inattention (failing to notice the raise ahead). It worked out ok though when I hit my set and stacked off. There is also a missed Cbet with 43cc due to multitabling.
http://www.stoxpoker.com/pokertools/session/521/
Tips for reviewing the hands: click the "skip hands with no flop" option and increase speed to the highest setting, then make judicious use of the "next" button.
The thing I noticed most of all playing these micro levels today, is that it is pretty rare to be threebet preflop, and that is is unusual for players to checkraise your Cbets. These two factors make it very easy to raise in position and Cbet liberally. Even when you get called, you retain total control over pot size, which allows you to see showdowns with modest hands like top pair weak kicker and play for stacks with big hands.
No, no limit, gonna reach for the sky..
No valley too deep, no mountain too hi-igh..
I have finally arrested my slump with a very nice short session over lunch today. I played two 50EUR table with 20EUR buyin, and two 20EUR tables with a full buyin. It was good session, with cards coming my way both preflop and post. I ended up with a solid profit on all tables, although my confidence took a dent when I had worked 20 EUR up to about 60 on a 0.25/0.50 table only to lose the lot all-in on the turn to a rivered 2 high flush. But I rebought, and still managed a solid profit at the table.
Overall, I probably won about eight 20EUR buyins across the tables in a pretty short period. I felt like I played it pretty well, but I was certainly helped by some insanely bad plays by my opponents. The guy losing his stack by calling big bets with middle pair was a particular highlight (although I also like the hand where I doubled up with a pair of 3s).
Check the stox link below to review some of the hands:
http://www.stoxpoker.com/pokertools/session/520/replay/
There is one big factor which makes NL somewhat more attractive than limit, and that is that the fish lose their money faster. The calling station type play is simply not as damaging in limit. In no-limit: it's murder.
I have finally arrested my slump with a very nice short session over lunch today. I played two 50EUR table with 20EUR buyin, and two 20EUR tables with a full buyin. It was good session, with cards coming my way both preflop and post. I ended up with a solid profit on all tables, although my confidence took a dent when I had worked 20 EUR up to about 60 on a 0.25/0.50 table only to lose the lot all-in on the turn to a rivered 2 high flush. But I rebought, and still managed a solid profit at the table.
Overall, I probably won about eight 20EUR buyins across the tables in a pretty short period. I felt like I played it pretty well, but I was certainly helped by some insanely bad plays by my opponents. The guy losing his stack by calling big bets with middle pair was a particular highlight (although I also like the hand where I doubled up with a pair of 3s).
Check the stox link below to review some of the hands:
http://www.stoxpoker.com/pokertools/session/520/replay/
There is one big factor which makes NL somewhat more attractive than limit, and that is that the fish lose their money faster. The calling station type play is simply not as damaging in limit. In no-limit: it's murder.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A minor stroke of luck
The NoiQ main race finished on Friday, and I had a minor piece of good fortune in finishing in 99th position in the "Raked Hands race" for a $300 win (101st was $150). They paid 500 places in the rake race (in which places 251-500 also get $300), and 175 places in the hand race (where only those who miss in the rake race are eligible). So $300 was definitely the optimal result there, especially considering I am also well placed in the RTR exclusive race which finishes end of Feb. TFAL also scored in the hands race.
A bit of good fortune was sorely needed, because in all other respects I am still running like a turd. In fact, I think my resolution for the rest of February is to play limit only when I am racing or a ludicrously juicy table is available.
A bit of good fortune was sorely needed, because in all other respects I am still running like a turd. In fact, I think my resolution for the rest of February is to play limit only when I am racing or a ludicrously juicy table is available.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Telesina family pot
Here's one for TFAL:
Game # 1071734248 - Telesina Pot Limit EUR 0.05 - Table "Port Vila"
Players(max 6):
sarajee (EUR 3.85 in seat 2)
theblindman (EUR 8.05 in seat 3)
pizzaman1 (EUR 2.60 in seat 4)
A114464A (EUR 25.86 in seat 5)
mngftg (EUR 5.35 in seat 6)
sarajee Ante (0.05)
theblindman Ante (0.05)
pizzaman1 Ante (0.05)
A114464A Ante (0.05)
mngftg Ante (0.05)
sarajee was dealt: ?? - Td
theblindman was dealt: Ks - Kh
pizzaman1 was dealt: ?? - Jh
A114464A was dealt: ?? - Ah
mngftg was dealt: ?? - Ad
A114464A Bet (0.20)
mngftg Raise (0.85)
sarajee Call (0.85)
theblindman Call (0.85)
pizzaman1 All-In (2.55)
A114464A Call (2.35)
mngftg All-In (4.45)
sarajee All-In (2.95)
theblindman All-In (7.15)
A114464A Call (5.45)
Vela Kd
sarajee was dealt: ?? - Td - Qd - Ac - Qc
theblindman was dealt: Ks - Kh - 7s - 7d - Js
pizzaman1 was dealt: ?? - Jh - 7h - Jd - 8h
A114464A was dealt: ?? - Ah - 9s - 8d - 9d
mngftg was dealt: ?? - Ad - 8c - 8s - Ts
theblindman shows: Ks - Kh - 7s - 7d - Js (a full house, kings full of sevens)
A114464A shows: 9h - Ah - 9s - 8d - 9d (three of a kind, nines)
theblindman wins: EUR 5.15 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
mngftg shows: Qs - Ad - 8c - 8s - Ts (a pair of eights)
theblindman wins: EUR 4.30 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
sarajee shows: 9c - Td - Qd - Ac - Qc (a pair of queens)
theblindman wins: EUR 4.75 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
pizzaman1 shows: Kc - Jh - 7h - Jd - 8h (two pairs, kings and jacks)
theblindman wins: EUR 12.35 main pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
Rake: EUR 1.35
Game ended 2009-02-10 12:26:16 GMT+01:00
Game # 1071734248 - Telesina Pot Limit EUR 0.05 - Table "Port Vila"
Players(max 6):
sarajee (EUR 3.85 in seat 2)
theblindman (EUR 8.05 in seat 3)
pizzaman1 (EUR 2.60 in seat 4)
A114464A (EUR 25.86 in seat 5)
mngftg (EUR 5.35 in seat 6)
sarajee Ante (0.05)
theblindman Ante (0.05)
pizzaman1 Ante (0.05)
A114464A Ante (0.05)
mngftg Ante (0.05)
sarajee was dealt: ?? - Td
theblindman was dealt: Ks - Kh
pizzaman1 was dealt: ?? - Jh
A114464A was dealt: ?? - Ah
mngftg was dealt: ?? - Ad
A114464A Bet (0.20)
mngftg Raise (0.85)
sarajee Call (0.85)
theblindman Call (0.85)
pizzaman1 All-In (2.55)
A114464A Call (2.35)
mngftg All-In (4.45)
sarajee All-In (2.95)
theblindman All-In (7.15)
A114464A Call (5.45)
Vela Kd
sarajee was dealt: ?? - Td - Qd - Ac - Qc
theblindman was dealt: Ks - Kh - 7s - 7d - Js
pizzaman1 was dealt: ?? - Jh - 7h - Jd - 8h
A114464A was dealt: ?? - Ah - 9s - 8d - 9d
mngftg was dealt: ?? - Ad - 8c - 8s - Ts
theblindman shows: Ks - Kh - 7s - 7d - Js (a full house, kings full of sevens)
A114464A shows: 9h - Ah - 9s - 8d - 9d (three of a kind, nines)
theblindman wins: EUR 5.15 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
mngftg shows: Qs - Ad - 8c - 8s - Ts (a pair of eights)
theblindman wins: EUR 4.30 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
sarajee shows: 9c - Td - Qd - Ac - Qc (a pair of queens)
theblindman wins: EUR 4.75 side pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
pizzaman1 shows: Kc - Jh - 7h - Jd - 8h (two pairs, kings and jacks)
theblindman wins: EUR 12.35 main pot (with a full house, kings full of sevens)
Rake: EUR 1.35
Game ended 2009-02-10 12:26:16 GMT+01:00
Monday, February 9, 2009
January Summary
Hi All,
I have been offline for a few days due to moving into a new house - our first "owned" house as it happens. I was impressed to be online with a 14Mbit ADSL connection within two days of moving in, so props to iiNet.
There's not a lot to report about January. It was another bad month. I sStarted at $2056, and finished at $1910, for a net loss of ($146). This included $100 from a Eurolinx/RTR race, and about $225 in rakeback - meaning poker was played at a considerable loss once again.
The bottom line at the end of February should not be as bad as that however, as I am due to cash $300 in the NoiQ race which finishes in a few days, and a further $300-$400 at the end of the month for the RTR exclusive NoiQ race, plus another $100 at Eurolinx. Hopefully these races will restore a bit of sorely needed decency to the bankroll.
The big positive to come out of January was that I am feeling increasingly confident about my shorthanded no-limit play. I booked a number of wins, and finished up a few buyins in NL play (albeit at tiny stakes for now).
For February, I aim to firstly maintain my race positions. I don't aim to shoot for higher positions, since they require a considerably higher level of play proportionally to the return. I am continuing to play a fair bit of limit holdem, especially where I am racing - it makes sense to play the higher rake games when you are getting >100% effective rakeback. Otherwise, I am planning to ramp down the limit and play more no limit. I also want to keep up with the training videos from Stoxpoker, which I feel have helped my NL play enormously. I also want to play that live game that I have been putting off for months.
I have been offline for a few days due to moving into a new house - our first "owned" house as it happens. I was impressed to be online with a 14Mbit ADSL connection within two days of moving in, so props to iiNet.
There's not a lot to report about January. It was another bad month. I sStarted at $2056, and finished at $1910, for a net loss of ($146). This included $100 from a Eurolinx/RTR race, and about $225 in rakeback - meaning poker was played at a considerable loss once again.
The bottom line at the end of February should not be as bad as that however, as I am due to cash $300 in the NoiQ race which finishes in a few days, and a further $300-$400 at the end of the month for the RTR exclusive NoiQ race, plus another $100 at Eurolinx. Hopefully these races will restore a bit of sorely needed decency to the bankroll.
The big positive to come out of January was that I am feeling increasingly confident about my shorthanded no-limit play. I booked a number of wins, and finished up a few buyins in NL play (albeit at tiny stakes for now).
For February, I aim to firstly maintain my race positions. I don't aim to shoot for higher positions, since they require a considerably higher level of play proportionally to the return. I am continuing to play a fair bit of limit holdem, especially where I am racing - it makes sense to play the higher rake games when you are getting >100% effective rakeback. Otherwise, I am planning to ramp down the limit and play more no limit. I also want to keep up with the training videos from Stoxpoker, which I feel have helped my NL play enormously. I also want to play that live game that I have been putting off for months.
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