I just moved into a new place in Tucson. I am living with a few online players: bdubs, beck, and bigpat. The house is cool, but we don't have the internet for another five days, so I can't play online. I just saw last night that PokerStars got heads up cash game tables which is great; I can't wait to play those.
I will be at Turning Stone from Aug 10-20 playing the Empire State Championships.
Gotta go now- I will update more when we get an internet connection at the house.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Finally, a good tourney day!
The past month I have been on a pretty bad downswing in tournaments. I have been trying to improve my tournament skills a lot lately, and today I felt I played my best and I ran pretty good. I went deep in the $1k on stars, but ended up finishing 33rd. On my final hand I had aces run into a turned two-pair, which was unlucky. I final tabled the 2nd chance, and finished 7th. Then to end the night I won the Sunday mulligan on full tilt.
I definitely feel more confident in tournaments now, and I am going to continue playing and studying MTTs. I plan on playing a lot of satelites to EPT events, and also I am heading out to Vegas soon to check out the poker scene.
I definitely feel more confident in tournaments now, and I am going to continue playing and studying MTTs. I plan on playing a lot of satelites to EPT events, and also I am heading out to Vegas soon to check out the poker scene.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Main Event
20th place.
I had a low stack most of the tourney. I doubled up about 3 times, and then got dealt AK all three times and lost a lot of chips by raising and cbet/folding because I missed every flop.
My hand of the tourney was as follows:
Blinds are 150/300/25ante, 5 limpers! I limp on the button with 77, sb folds (lol), and we have 7 people to the flop of AQT two diamonds, and its check around. The turn is a J, and its checked to me on the button. Right now I have about 6k in chips and I didn't think anyone had a king, but I was positive at least somone had two pair, a set, or a flush draw and would call a bet on the turn and fold an unimproved had to a river shove. I bet 1700, and the SB, BB and UTG call. I put UTG on AA, because he limped-reraised UTG with AA about 4 hours ago. The SB and BB were definitely players capable of check-calling the turn with two pair, and they would check-raise the turn with a king. The river is a black 9. The pot is about 9,000. All three of them check, and I pause a few moments and shove for ~4500. SB and BB fold, and UTG says "I played this about as bad as I could have" and folds.
I played the $500 this morning and was about on about the 6th hand with aces against a flopped set that I stacked off to.
I had a low stack most of the tourney. I doubled up about 3 times, and then got dealt AK all three times and lost a lot of chips by raising and cbet/folding because I missed every flop.
My hand of the tourney was as follows:
Blinds are 150/300/25ante, 5 limpers! I limp on the button with 77, sb folds (lol), and we have 7 people to the flop of AQT two diamonds, and its check around. The turn is a J, and its checked to me on the button. Right now I have about 6k in chips and I didn't think anyone had a king, but I was positive at least somone had two pair, a set, or a flush draw and would call a bet on the turn and fold an unimproved had to a river shove. I bet 1700, and the SB, BB and UTG call. I put UTG on AA, because he limped-reraised UTG with AA about 4 hours ago. The SB and BB were definitely players capable of check-calling the turn with two pair, and they would check-raise the turn with a king. The river is a black 9. The pot is about 9,000. All three of them check, and I pause a few moments and shove for ~4500. SB and BB fold, and UTG says "I played this about as bad as I could have" and folds.
I played the $500 this morning and was about on about the 6th hand with aces against a flopped set that I stacked off to.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Event 4: $1000+70
35th place after about 9 hours of play.
I started off pretty good... Got AA when someone else had QQ to get some chips early. Didn't play too many pots for a couple hours and maintained a pretty average stack throughout the tournament. My final hand was against Annette_15: I believe blinds were 200/400/50ante and she opened from MP to 1325. I was next to act and reraised with JJ to 5325, with about 7k behind. I think Annette's range is wide enough to make this an obvious shove. Unfortunately she shoved, I called, and she had AA.
I made two mistakes that cost me some chips. The first a hand when I raised four limpers on the button with AKo, and got one caller. The caller is a guy I played with in the first event who is really aggressive, he sometimes 8x's preflop and bets large amounts on flops. So he calls out of position and leads for 1500 on a flop of 77T two spades. I had about 13k to start the hand, and he had me covered. I raised to 4500 solely because I don't think he is leading here with a hand worthy of calling a raise. Then he shoves and I fold. I really don't like just folding here to his donk lead here because he is so aggressive he could be bluffing, and a smooth call is out of the question.
The other hand I lost some chips with was just a bad read. I called a miniraise from the BB with KTo. The flop came 993 and I checked, and the guy insta-bet the pot (1200) leaving himself about 3500. I can't really explain it, but I totally sensed weakness, and check-raised him all in. I was wrong and he had QQ. Oops.
After I busted from the tourney, I got some food and then went to play the $300 min game (5/10/20 bring in). I sat for about 30 minutes, and I managed to lost about $700. I played about 3 hands, and lost them all. I was playing bad, and just wasn't in the right state of mind for playing since I just played 9 hours in a tournament. So I left quickly, which probably saved me some money.
Tomorrow I have a free day, so I will probably play cash games, or try to find something to do here at Turning Stone.
I started off pretty good... Got AA when someone else had QQ to get some chips early. Didn't play too many pots for a couple hours and maintained a pretty average stack throughout the tournament. My final hand was against Annette_15: I believe blinds were 200/400/50ante and she opened from MP to 1325. I was next to act and reraised with JJ to 5325, with about 7k behind. I think Annette's range is wide enough to make this an obvious shove. Unfortunately she shoved, I called, and she had AA.
I made two mistakes that cost me some chips. The first a hand when I raised four limpers on the button with AKo, and got one caller. The caller is a guy I played with in the first event who is really aggressive, he sometimes 8x's preflop and bets large amounts on flops. So he calls out of position and leads for 1500 on a flop of 77T two spades. I had about 13k to start the hand, and he had me covered. I raised to 4500 solely because I don't think he is leading here with a hand worthy of calling a raise. Then he shoves and I fold. I really don't like just folding here to his donk lead here because he is so aggressive he could be bluffing, and a smooth call is out of the question.
The other hand I lost some chips with was just a bad read. I called a miniraise from the BB with KTo. The flop came 993 and I checked, and the guy insta-bet the pot (1200) leaving himself about 3500. I can't really explain it, but I totally sensed weakness, and check-raised him all in. I was wrong and he had QQ. Oops.
After I busted from the tourney, I got some food and then went to play the $300 min game (5/10/20 bring in). I sat for about 30 minutes, and I managed to lost about $700. I played about 3 hands, and lost them all. I was playing bad, and just wasn't in the right state of mind for playing since I just played 9 hours in a tournament. So I left quickly, which probably saved me some money.
Tomorrow I have a free day, so I will probably play cash games, or try to find something to do here at Turning Stone.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Event 3: $500+50
Another long day for me. I finished in 6th place for about $2500.
Here are a couple hands I remember:
Blinds 50/100 - I have $4.8k. I have a tight image and raise 43cc in MP to 300. CO, Button, SB and BB call. (Nobody even cares/notices that I haven't played a hand in 45 minutes). The flop comes 567 two clubs. Its checked to me and I make a bet of 475. Three folds and the BB raises to 1475. I smooth call it and the turn is an ace of diamonds. He bets out enough to put me all in and I obviously call. He flips over K8cc, and I hold!
I was basically below the radar for the next 6 hours. The other hand I remember was huge, and it put me at the final table. I had about 24k in chips and J6o in the SB. Blinds are 800/1600/200ante. A player limps under the gun, another player calls and I complete. BB checks. The flop comes JT4. I wasn't sure what to do here, but I decided to check. BB checks and UTG bets 4200. Other guy folds and its on me. I was really confused here, and for some reason I shoved. He calls with QQ. Turn x, river 6! Extremely lucky there... I didn't deserve that one at all.
My final hand I had QJdd in the SB with about 80k chips. Blinds were 3k/6k/1k ante. The button open raises to 18k, and I shoved and got snap called by KK.
I am tired, but looking forward to tomorrow's televised $1k event.
Here are a couple hands I remember:
Blinds 50/100 - I have $4.8k. I have a tight image and raise 43cc in MP to 300. CO, Button, SB and BB call. (Nobody even cares/notices that I haven't played a hand in 45 minutes). The flop comes 567 two clubs. Its checked to me and I make a bet of 475. Three folds and the BB raises to 1475. I smooth call it and the turn is an ace of diamonds. He bets out enough to put me all in and I obviously call. He flips over K8cc, and I hold!
I was basically below the radar for the next 6 hours. The other hand I remember was huge, and it put me at the final table. I had about 24k in chips and J6o in the SB. Blinds are 800/1600/200ante. A player limps under the gun, another player calls and I complete. BB checks. The flop comes JT4. I wasn't sure what to do here, but I decided to check. BB checks and UTG bets 4200. Other guy folds and its on me. I was really confused here, and for some reason I shoved. He calls with QQ. Turn x, river 6! Extremely lucky there... I didn't deserve that one at all.
My final hand I had QJdd in the SB with about 80k chips. Blinds were 3k/6k/1k ante. The button open raises to 18k, and I shoved and got snap called by KK.
I am tired, but looking forward to tomorrow's televised $1k event.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Event 2: $325+40 (With Bounty)
Today I busted after about 3 hours of play.
I think I was a bit reckless in the first half hour because four people weren't even at the table, and there blinds were just sitting there, and I wanted them. We started with 5,000 chips, and I lost about half of them at my first table before it broke. After that the blinds were 75/150, and I had 2500 chips. I hate playing with that stack at these blinds, so I was just trying to find a spot where I could shove over someone's raise, and try to chip up. But I never really got in a good spot, and it just wasn't happening today.
Tomorrow's plan is to start off playing smart and conservative, and I will try not to spew chips early.
I will probably play some cash games later tonight.
I think I was a bit reckless in the first half hour because four people weren't even at the table, and there blinds were just sitting there, and I wanted them. We started with 5,000 chips, and I lost about half of them at my first table before it broke. After that the blinds were 75/150, and I had 2500 chips. I hate playing with that stack at these blinds, so I was just trying to find a spot where I could shove over someone's raise, and try to chip up. But I never really got in a good spot, and it just wasn't happening today.
Tomorrow's plan is to start off playing smart and conservative, and I will try not to spew chips early.
I will probably play some cash games later tonight.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Event 1: $300+40
Today's event was the $300+40, and there were about 200 entrants. We started with 5000 chips, with 40 minute levels. The blind increments were good, and as usual at Turning Stone, very large antes towards the end. I was placed on good tables most of the day, and I was very pleased with my play.
Blinds were 100/200, and I get KJo on the button. A chronic limper open-limps from MP, and I raise to 800, he calls. The flop comes K73 two diamonds. He check-calls my bet of 1100. The turn is the 3d, putting three diamonds out there. I had a good read on him and was pretty sure he just had a K, but I still didn't bet... I just checked to control the pot size, and I didn't want to get raised on the turn. The river is another 3, and the board shows K7333. He bets 1300, and I have about 8k, so I shove in hopes of him folding a king. He thinks for a couple minutes then calls with 75o.
I won a lot of small pots, and didn't show many hands after that, until we got down to two tables. They were paying top 15, and with 19 left all the shortstacks wanted to work out a deal where they take money out of the prize pool to pay 19th-16th. I didn't want to do this, because at that point I a bit above average, and it would destroy the bubble, so I declined. Some people got pissed at me and just couldn't understand why I didn't want to chop 19-handed.
I got into a large pot against an aggressive young player right after the proposed chop. I had 60k chips and TJo in MP so I raised to 10k (blinds 1500/3000/500ante). Said player (chip leader) smooth calls on the button which set off alarms in my head. Who smooth calls 10k here without a good hand? Maybe him, but I doubt it. Another player called in the big blind who was really short. The pot is at about 35k, and the flop comes J56 (two spades). I take my time, then lead for 15k. The button raises to 60k, BB folds, and I fold. So I lost 25k chips that hand (a little under half my stack).
After that I was pretty much in push/fold mode, and I got in with AKs vs. J9 and lost, and that was that. I finished in 11th for $843.
Decent start for the trip... I am happy with my play and I am very confident going into these upcoming tournaments.
Blinds were 100/200, and I get KJo on the button. A chronic limper open-limps from MP, and I raise to 800, he calls. The flop comes K73 two diamonds. He check-calls my bet of 1100. The turn is the 3d, putting three diamonds out there. I had a good read on him and was pretty sure he just had a K, but I still didn't bet... I just checked to control the pot size, and I didn't want to get raised on the turn. The river is another 3, and the board shows K7333. He bets 1300, and I have about 8k, so I shove in hopes of him folding a king. He thinks for a couple minutes then calls with 75o.
I won a lot of small pots, and didn't show many hands after that, until we got down to two tables. They were paying top 15, and with 19 left all the shortstacks wanted to work out a deal where they take money out of the prize pool to pay 19th-16th. I didn't want to do this, because at that point I a bit above average, and it would destroy the bubble, so I declined. Some people got pissed at me and just couldn't understand why I didn't want to chop 19-handed.
I got into a large pot against an aggressive young player right after the proposed chop. I had 60k chips and TJo in MP so I raised to 10k (blinds 1500/3000/500ante). Said player (chip leader) smooth calls on the button which set off alarms in my head. Who smooth calls 10k here without a good hand? Maybe him, but I doubt it. Another player called in the big blind who was really short. The pot is at about 35k, and the flop comes J56 (two spades). I take my time, then lead for 15k. The button raises to 60k, BB folds, and I fold. So I lost 25k chips that hand (a little under half my stack).
After that I was pretty much in push/fold mode, and I got in with AKs vs. J9 and lost, and that was that. I finished in 11th for $843.
Decent start for the trip... I am happy with my play and I am very confident going into these upcoming tournaments.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Heading to Turning Stone
I am leaving tomorrow to play in the Heartland Poker Tour at Turning Stone Casino in New York. Here is the list of events...
I am leaving tomorrow to play in the Heartland Poker Tour at Turning Stone Casino in New York. Here is the list of events...
I plan on playing them all, and playing cash games too. I am gonna try to stay fully focused on poker and try to make it a great week. Check back for updates.
I am leaving tomorrow to play in the Heartland Poker Tour at Turning Stone Casino in New York. Here is the list of events...
I plan on playing them all, and playing cash games too. I am gonna try to stay fully focused on poker and try to make it a great week. Check back for updates.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Cool Video: Caro Vs. Doyle
Click on the image to see the video.
This shows poker legends Mike Caro and Doyle Brunson playing heads up on Doyle's Room. You get to see their hole cards, and live videos of them discussing hands during the match. Its definitely worth checking out.
Caro is pretty funny too...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wisdom Teeth
I just got all four of my wisdom teeth pulled yesterday morning. My whole mouth is pretty soar and my cheeks are swollen. Yesterday seemed like a haze... I was prescribed some pain pills, and I just took those throughout the day/night and watched about 4 seasons of Seinfeld and the movie Friday, while laying in bed.... Ahh, so relaxing.
I was told the pain should stick around for a couple more days, so I probably won't be playing too much. Right now, as I am posting this, I am playing three tables of 5/10NL and seem to be doing fine.
Also, I am debating whether or not to go to Turning Stone for the Heartland Poker Tour. Last time I went to TS I had a great time and got 2nd place in the $1k event. I'd really like to go again, but its so far away, and I don't like flying. I'll just wait till the last minute to decide, as usual.
I was told the pain should stick around for a couple more days, so I probably won't be playing too much. Right now, as I am posting this, I am playing three tables of 5/10NL and seem to be doing fine.
Also, I am debating whether or not to go to Turning Stone for the Heartland Poker Tour. Last time I went to TS I had a great time and got 2nd place in the $1k event. I'd really like to go again, but its so far away, and I don't like flying. I'll just wait till the last minute to decide, as usual.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Strategy Against Shortstackers
On almost every table there is at least one player who buys in short-stacked. I am annoyed by them, and sometimes I make rather loose calls against them because I feel I can afford it. These loose calls add up quickly, and looking through some past hands and stats, I think I need to tighten up against some of the shorties.
There are two different kinds of short-stackers. The ones to look out for are the regulars. These players know how to play a short stack. They usually buy in for the minimum, and then just wait for a hand to double up with. I have found that these players' ranges for a minimum buy-in shove are AQ+, 99+. So I need to stop paying them off with 22-88 and AJs.
The other short-stackers are the ones who buy in for $356.34 (their full bankroll) at 5/10NL. Usually these players are taking a shot with what they have left in their account. Some of them are willing to take risks, and others are very tight and don't want to go broke. Regardless of which style they play, with these players I look to play aggressive preflop by raising their limps with position, and 3-betting hands instead of flat calling.
There are two different kinds of short-stackers. The ones to look out for are the regulars. These players know how to play a short stack. They usually buy in for the minimum, and then just wait for a hand to double up with. I have found that these players' ranges for a minimum buy-in shove are AQ+, 99+. So I need to stop paying them off with 22-88 and AJs.
The other short-stackers are the ones who buy in for $356.34 (their full bankroll) at 5/10NL. Usually these players are taking a shot with what they have left in their account. Some of them are willing to take risks, and others are very tight and don't want to go broke. Regardless of which style they play, with these players I look to play aggressive preflop by raising their limps with position, and 3-betting hands instead of flat calling.
Revamping My Blog
My blogging hiatus is over again, and I would like to continue posting regularly. Like some other poker bloggers I find it hard to keep my site updated with new content, unless I am doing some type of goal where I have to report frequently. So I decided to do another goal to motivate me to post more: my new goal will be to analyze hands, plug leaks, and work on things that will make me a more profitable poker player.
That is all for now,
Lee
That is all for now,
Lee
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Live from Vancouver
It's been a while, but the blogging hiatus is back off, again.
I have been very busy the last week or so... I flew out of Tucson to pick up a car I bought in Seattle, then drove up to Vancouver where I am staying temporarily.
Vancouver holds about 6 casinos, which means there is a lot of live poker action. I have been playing live the past couple of nights at River Rock and Cascades...
River Rock casino is the biggest poker room in Canada. They had a lot of tables, and I decided to start off at 2/5NL. I flopped a set early to double up, then bled some money to some old guy who I didn't put on a hand. I decided to leave 2/5 and play the newly-forming 5/10NL table. This game was not that good, there was a decent lag who was just getting hi over the head with the deck and winning most of the pots. The rest of the table consisted of nits, a couple good aggressive players, and two passive bleeders. I played one big hand... T6sp in the SB with a straddle. Two callers and I complete, bb calls, and straddler checks. Flop is Q23 two spades and I lead for about the pot. I get one call from a straight-forward, weak player. The turn is a Kh, and I check. He bets $150, and I shove for about $600. He calls and I win. The game was playing very slow, and I didn't like the vibe, so I left after about an hour.
At Cascades in Langley they had the best poker game I have ever played in. It was 10/20NL with a bunch of friendly, drunk ATM machines. I sat with $1,000 which was kind of bad because there were some huge stacks, and each hand had a straddle with other blind preflop actions. It played more like 25/50nl. I didn't have much cash on me, and was bored, so I decided to buy in, try to pick up a hand, and take it from there. Right when I sit down, everyone's hollering and calling me Phil Ivey... Then someone said "no, he's Phil's little brother, Steve Ivey". If they only knew my 'stars name, lol...
So I sit with $1,000 and fold about 10 hands, then pick of ladies (QQ) and raise to $120, which was pretty standard because there was a straddle, I mean, there was a stroodle. They call it a stroodle. Two callers, then the maniacal SB makes it $400. I have about $550 left and decide to just get it in... He calls with 88, ship it. I bluffed a couple smallish pots, won a $2500 pot with JJ, where I flopped a set in a 3-way pot. I was running good, having fun, and winning key pots... It was a good session. Here were some things I observed during the game:
1. Some guy wins a $2000 pot with 7 high.
2. Apparently shoving $500 in preflop with K6h is standard, because another person almost beat him into the pot with KJo (for $500 at 10/20nl).
3. 5-way pot... $320 each preflop. Here are the hands: QQ, 84hh, J4cc, ATo, AQo. The flop is J92 two hearts, and ATo open shoves $2300. J4cc calls (has $2300 covered). 84hh Calls (has about $750). QQ calls for $1500. yeah...... Then you have to show your cards when you are all in, so the guy slams down ATo and says "all I need is an ace!".
I am definitely coming back to this game.
I have been very busy the last week or so... I flew out of Tucson to pick up a car I bought in Seattle, then drove up to Vancouver where I am staying temporarily.
Vancouver holds about 6 casinos, which means there is a lot of live poker action. I have been playing live the past couple of nights at River Rock and Cascades...
River Rock casino is the biggest poker room in Canada. They had a lot of tables, and I decided to start off at 2/5NL. I flopped a set early to double up, then bled some money to some old guy who I didn't put on a hand. I decided to leave 2/5 and play the newly-forming 5/10NL table. This game was not that good, there was a decent lag who was just getting hi over the head with the deck and winning most of the pots. The rest of the table consisted of nits, a couple good aggressive players, and two passive bleeders. I played one big hand... T6sp in the SB with a straddle. Two callers and I complete, bb calls, and straddler checks. Flop is Q23 two spades and I lead for about the pot. I get one call from a straight-forward, weak player. The turn is a Kh, and I check. He bets $150, and I shove for about $600. He calls and I win. The game was playing very slow, and I didn't like the vibe, so I left after about an hour.
At Cascades in Langley they had the best poker game I have ever played in. It was 10/20NL with a bunch of friendly, drunk ATM machines. I sat with $1,000 which was kind of bad because there were some huge stacks, and each hand had a straddle with other blind preflop actions. It played more like 25/50nl. I didn't have much cash on me, and was bored, so I decided to buy in, try to pick up a hand, and take it from there. Right when I sit down, everyone's hollering and calling me Phil Ivey... Then someone said "no, he's Phil's little brother, Steve Ivey". If they only knew my 'stars name, lol...
So I sit with $1,000 and fold about 10 hands, then pick of ladies (QQ) and raise to $120, which was pretty standard because there was a straddle, I mean, there was a stroodle. They call it a stroodle. Two callers, then the maniacal SB makes it $400. I have about $550 left and decide to just get it in... He calls with 88, ship it. I bluffed a couple smallish pots, won a $2500 pot with JJ, where I flopped a set in a 3-way pot. I was running good, having fun, and winning key pots... It was a good session. Here were some things I observed during the game:
1. Some guy wins a $2000 pot with 7 high.
2. Apparently shoving $500 in preflop with K6h is standard, because another person almost beat him into the pot with KJo (for $500 at 10/20nl).
3. 5-way pot... $320 each preflop. Here are the hands: QQ, 84hh, J4cc, ATo, AQo. The flop is J92 two hearts, and ATo open shoves $2300. J4cc calls (has $2300 covered). 84hh Calls (has about $750). QQ calls for $1500. yeah...... Then you have to show your cards when you are all in, so the guy slams down ATo and says "all I need is an ace!".
I am definitely coming back to this game.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
2nd Place at Turning Stone
Hey Guys,
I just got back to Arizona from the Turning Stone trip. A beautiful night in Tucson, 70 degrees with clear skies... Such a nice change from the few days of snow and freezing temperatures in Verona, NY. This trip turned out to be amazing. I got to hang out with all the online players who I've become friends with from other live events, and I finished second place in the main event!
It was a $1,000 buy-in and 2nd place paid about $32,000, which makes this my biggest tourney score ever. I have played the $1k event at Turning Stone twice, and final tabled it both times- So I'll guess I'll be back in May, or whenever they have another $1k tourney. There were a lot of hands and thoughts I had during this tournament that I wanted to share, but I can't remember them all right now, but here are two I can recall:
1. Three tables left. I have about $55k, at the 400/800/100 level. Seat 1 (sb) is a young asian player, whos cell phone went off at least 7 times in the hour (ringtone was make it rain by fat joe, and it was loud). He was a nice guy, who seemed like a loose-passive gambler-type. BB is Adam Junglen, who I know from online and is very aggressive, and is capable of 4-betting and playing large pots without huge hands, but still knows to when to fold. I have been playing semi-tight agressive and rarely showing down hands. I open the pot for $2400 with 63hh in LP, SB calls, and I glance at Junglen and he kind of smirks. I am thinking, if I were him, I would squeeze here, because: A) he knows I open here with almost anything and B) he knows the SB has been playing passive, and made a very weak play by just calling. He looks at his cards and does his chip routine of counting, shuffling and stacking chips and raises to $10k. I put him on a squeeze and waited about 15 seconds then shoved for about $45k more, which is a great amount because he can't really call without a good hand. The SB folds (TT- he later said), and Junglen thinks, then folds, and I pick up about $15k to add to my stack.
2. This was at the final table with 6 people left... Blinds 3000/6000, I get AA under the gun, and make it $17k. One fold, and then a shortstack shoves for about $50k, and I get really excited, but try not to show anything since its a live tourney. THEN it folds to the BB who says "Let's make it $100,000". At that point, I am just thinking... Hold one time! He has about $150-$175k behind, so I decided to just put him all in right there. He ends up making a good laydown, and shows QQ face up. The other guy had QJo, and I took the whole thing down.
I missed a lot of small hands, and bluffs that I think is what really got me deep in this tourney.
I was very dissapointed in myself in the first two events because I was out within the two hours in both of them! I hated starting with only 3,000 chips, and I bluffed off most of my stack both tournaments. Before the $1k event I just told myself not to do anything stupid like bluff off 3/4 of your stack on the first level because you "sensed weakness". I didn't do this in the main event and the affect were great.
Overall the trip was definately worthwhile... I got to meet some cool new people, see my poker buddies... I left with a smile on my face.
I just got back to Arizona from the Turning Stone trip. A beautiful night in Tucson, 70 degrees with clear skies... Such a nice change from the few days of snow and freezing temperatures in Verona, NY. This trip turned out to be amazing. I got to hang out with all the online players who I've become friends with from other live events, and I finished second place in the main event!
It was a $1,000 buy-in and 2nd place paid about $32,000, which makes this my biggest tourney score ever. I have played the $1k event at Turning Stone twice, and final tabled it both times- So I'll guess I'll be back in May, or whenever they have another $1k tourney. There were a lot of hands and thoughts I had during this tournament that I wanted to share, but I can't remember them all right now, but here are two I can recall:
1. Three tables left. I have about $55k, at the 400/800/100 level. Seat 1 (sb) is a young asian player, whos cell phone went off at least 7 times in the hour (ringtone was make it rain by fat joe, and it was loud). He was a nice guy, who seemed like a loose-passive gambler-type. BB is Adam Junglen, who I know from online and is very aggressive, and is capable of 4-betting and playing large pots without huge hands, but still knows to when to fold. I have been playing semi-tight agressive and rarely showing down hands. I open the pot for $2400 with 63hh in LP, SB calls, and I glance at Junglen and he kind of smirks. I am thinking, if I were him, I would squeeze here, because: A) he knows I open here with almost anything and B) he knows the SB has been playing passive, and made a very weak play by just calling. He looks at his cards and does his chip routine of counting, shuffling and stacking chips and raises to $10k. I put him on a squeeze and waited about 15 seconds then shoved for about $45k more, which is a great amount because he can't really call without a good hand. The SB folds (TT- he later said), and Junglen thinks, then folds, and I pick up about $15k to add to my stack.
2. This was at the final table with 6 people left... Blinds 3000/6000, I get AA under the gun, and make it $17k. One fold, and then a shortstack shoves for about $50k, and I get really excited, but try not to show anything since its a live tourney. THEN it folds to the BB who says "Let's make it $100,000". At that point, I am just thinking... Hold one time! He has about $150-$175k behind, so I decided to just put him all in right there. He ends up making a good laydown, and shows QQ face up. The other guy had QJo, and I took the whole thing down.
I missed a lot of small hands, and bluffs that I think is what really got me deep in this tourney.
I was very dissapointed in myself in the first two events because I was out within the two hours in both of them! I hated starting with only 3,000 chips, and I bluffed off most of my stack both tournaments. Before the $1k event I just told myself not to do anything stupid like bluff off 3/4 of your stack on the first level because you "sensed weakness". I didn't do this in the main event and the affect were great.
Overall the trip was definately worthwhile... I got to meet some cool new people, see my poker buddies... I left with a smile on my face.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Turning Stone
Time for another TS Trip.
March 1-4 Turning Stone is having the March Madness tournaments: a $200, $300, $500, and $1000 NLHE events. There will also be cash games, satelites and whatnot.
I am going with my friend Adam 'Beck_AA', and plan on meeting up with some other online players there... It should be good times.
If anyone wants to meet up, feel free to comment or send me an e-mail.
March 1-4 Turning Stone is having the March Madness tournaments: a $200, $300, $500, and $1000 NLHE events. There will also be cash games, satelites and whatnot.
I am going with my friend Adam 'Beck_AA', and plan on meeting up with some other online players there... It should be good times.
If anyone wants to meet up, feel free to comment or send me an e-mail.
Poker Woes and the Future
Due to the newly signed SAFE Port Act and Neteller closing for U.S. customers, I have found myself in a lot of complications, which has lead to me not playing much poker (and not blogging as much). My scenario is kind of unique... When I was in Atlantis for the PCA, Pokerstars had a live cashier stand where you could exchange your Pokerstars money for real cash- on the spot! They had a limit of withdrawaling $10,000 a day, so I did that until I didn't have any money in my stars account. At the time I didn't think it would be a problem getting money back on and I could just get it done through neteller which I have been doing for over a year with no problems.
When I returned home, I logged into Neteller and make a large deposit to re-fund my pokerstars, full tilt, and UB accounts. This was a very large deposit transaction, so I wasn't too worried after I saw it was pending for longer-than-usual. After a couple more days I got some gut-wrenching news that Neteller was to stop serving U.S. customers. This means all that money I depositted is dead, and from what I understand is "being held as evidence" by the FBI.
I have been in contact with Neteller throughout this ordeal. In a nutshell, they tell me to not believe any information that isn't directly from their site, and that my money is safe in my account but there is no sign of when I will be able to see that money. I asked them if its possible to get the money out if I move to a different country-- They said yes, as long as I show them a copy of my utility bill in that country, as well as some forms of identification.
So, if Neteller doesn't come through within the next couple months, I may have to establish residency in another country to get that money.
I have been mulling over the idea of moving to Vancouver, BC for some time now. It seems like it would be appropriate because I have virtually nothing holding me back except my friends, I really like Vancouver, and I can kill two birds with one stone...
During my off-time, I have been thinking about moving and getting back in to school to study pyschology. I already dropped out of college once, but if I were to go into it again, I would go in with a more mature mentality-- One that sees college as an opportunity,not just a higher level of schooling. What I mean by that is I am not going to go back to college strictly to get a degree for a job. I am going to learn what I appreciate and use that knowledge to do something I think is important and meaningful.
I have applied to a couple schools in Vancouver, so if it works out, I will be able to get into a nice school in Canada, which will free up my money and allow me to live a new kind of life. Plus, I would be able to play online again at stakes I am used to playing.
I know its kind of useless to plan things out like this because life changes so fast, but its just a preperation for what I might have to do.
When I returned home, I logged into Neteller and make a large deposit to re-fund my pokerstars, full tilt, and UB accounts. This was a very large deposit transaction, so I wasn't too worried after I saw it was pending for longer-than-usual. After a couple more days I got some gut-wrenching news that Neteller was to stop serving U.S. customers. This means all that money I depositted is dead, and from what I understand is "being held as evidence" by the FBI.
I have been in contact with Neteller throughout this ordeal. In a nutshell, they tell me to not believe any information that isn't directly from their site, and that my money is safe in my account but there is no sign of when I will be able to see that money. I asked them if its possible to get the money out if I move to a different country-- They said yes, as long as I show them a copy of my utility bill in that country, as well as some forms of identification.
So, if Neteller doesn't come through within the next couple months, I may have to establish residency in another country to get that money.
I have been mulling over the idea of moving to Vancouver, BC for some time now. It seems like it would be appropriate because I have virtually nothing holding me back except my friends, I really like Vancouver, and I can kill two birds with one stone...
During my off-time, I have been thinking about moving and getting back in to school to study pyschology. I already dropped out of college once, but if I were to go into it again, I would go in with a more mature mentality-- One that sees college as an opportunity,not just a higher level of schooling. What I mean by that is I am not going to go back to college strictly to get a degree for a job. I am going to learn what I appreciate and use that knowledge to do something I think is important and meaningful.
I have applied to a couple schools in Vancouver, so if it works out, I will be able to get into a nice school in Canada, which will free up my money and allow me to live a new kind of life. Plus, I would be able to play online again at stakes I am used to playing.
I know its kind of useless to plan things out like this because life changes so fast, but its just a preperation for what I might have to do.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Thoughts on the "end of online poker"
Anyone who reads this blog, probably knows the huge blow that the online poker community took when Neteller shut down, but for those who don't, here is a brief explanation: Neteller was great; they were the worldwide leader in handling deposits and withdraws to online poker sites. I used Neteller all the time, when I wanted to cash out or deposit, and I think I speak for almost all online players when I say that it was the easiest way to deal with getting money on or off a site. Sadly, Neteller was forced to stop serving U.S. customers because of legal matters I personally cannot explain. Congress passed a bill making online gambling (keyword "gambling") illegal in the US. After about a month of the passing of the bill, we are beginning to see the signs of the authorities enforcing their laws. We are seeing Neteller shut down, debit and credit cards being denied when they try to deposit that way. E*checks don't work, and other sites like CentralCoin and Firepay are already long gone. It is no longer easy for a somewhat high stakes player to get money to and from a poker site. Not only high stakes players, but NEW players. New players (fish?) will not deposit if its going to be a hassle. This leads to more regular players and tougher games... Less fish in the pond.
I have read on various forums that some players are considering going back to school, or going back to their old jobs, and I can't blame them. It is definately a scary time for anyone who depends on online poker, like myself. In my case, I didn't have a lot of funds online at the time I read that neteller closed, so I haven't been playing much poker since then. I am kind of waiting to make a deposit until I get some more news on the current. In the back of my mind I am hoping a new service comes out that will make it easy for players to deposit, but I don't see that coming any time soon. I am not saying that online poker going to die, but its not going to be the same if there isn't a solution. In my opinion, poker shouldn't even be classified as gambling, and the people who were behind passing this bill are unfair and close-minded, not to mention hypocritical.
Luckily, over the past year I have been a pro, poker has given me some great opportunities, like being able to leave college to play full time, and travelling around the world to play in live games. I have been asked what I would do if I couldn't play poker for a living, and the answer is that I would most likely go back to school and study something I am really interested in. More than anything, poker is just a game and its near soulless. Frankly, I wouldn't be too upset if I couldn't play for a living, because there are other things I would rather do. I will just take some time and see how the games evolve, and if any changes in the laws become active to legalize online poker in the US.
I have read on various forums that some players are considering going back to school, or going back to their old jobs, and I can't blame them. It is definately a scary time for anyone who depends on online poker, like myself. In my case, I didn't have a lot of funds online at the time I read that neteller closed, so I haven't been playing much poker since then. I am kind of waiting to make a deposit until I get some more news on the current. In the back of my mind I am hoping a new service comes out that will make it easy for players to deposit, but I don't see that coming any time soon. I am not saying that online poker going to die, but its not going to be the same if there isn't a solution. In my opinion, poker shouldn't even be classified as gambling, and the people who were behind passing this bill are unfair and close-minded, not to mention hypocritical.
Luckily, over the past year I have been a pro, poker has given me some great opportunities, like being able to leave college to play full time, and travelling around the world to play in live games. I have been asked what I would do if I couldn't play poker for a living, and the answer is that I would most likely go back to school and study something I am really interested in. More than anything, poker is just a game and its near soulless. Frankly, I wouldn't be too upset if I couldn't play for a living, because there are other things I would rather do. I will just take some time and see how the games evolve, and if any changes in the laws become active to legalize online poker in the US.
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