Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
August 12th, 2007
Start 10:00pm
End 1:00am
Total Hours: 3
Total Profit: (+$151.00)
Hourly: $50.33/hr
So I ventured back into the poker world. Ason was in town for a few days, so I thought I would roll out with him to Planet Hollywood for some $1-$2 no limit action. I made it down to the poker room to see only one table going with Ason, Mike, and Keavin another local with about 6 $50.00 short stacks. I waited for about 20 minutes til they were able to get a second game started, Once that game started Mike and Ason moved over to my table. The game was decent I played tight, but ran into a hand with Ason where I flopped Trip 5's and turned Quads, Ason didn't believe me but I didn't get too agressive with him.
This table was crazy in the big hands I saw Ason had quads also, I hit a straught flush and I saw two other set of Quads in the 3 hours. Overall it ws a good game they play was not too good, was the perfect game to get back into the swing of playing again.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
The Duke Returns
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
July 4th, 2007
Start 2:45am
End 4:00am
Total Hours: 1.25
Total Profit: (+87.00)
Hourly: $69.60/hr
I was not planning on returning to the poker table this soon, as I felt it would not be til after the 15th before I could get the time to make my way back in for a good session. But I did end up at Planet Hollywood. After a group of current and previous Planet Hollywood dealer had came in the bar I was DJing at for a night of drinks, they invited me to head back to Planet Hollywood. Well instead of drinking, I ended up playing cards.
My table was a very easy table, early in I had to make a re buy after I called a $160 all in by a player when i was holding As 8h, when he pushed all in, in the dark. When the river card was delt he turned over A 4 and hit a 4 to make a pair and my stack was shipped to this player. Worked back, as every player at the table gave away their hands very easily, and made it one of the easiest tables I had been at in some time. I ended up having to leave as my girl was also at PH and was ready to go. My last hand I played I had pocket Q's, and got a player with KJ to go broke when she hit a J on the flop. I knew what she had so when she lead out the flop I did not wanna give away the strength of my hand so I just called, it worked out as I was able to then over bet the river, and get her to insta called thinking her hand was good.
Well I will be back again later today and Mike and I will be playing as PH will be hosting a Ladies only Tourny. This will put women into the cash games, which is a good thing, since guys have a hard time playing well with women at the table, I think it once again should be an easier day at the poker table.
The Duke
$1 - $2 No Limit
July 4th, 2007
Start 2:45am
End 4:00am
Total Hours: 1.25
Total Profit: (+87.00)
Hourly: $69.60/hr
I was not planning on returning to the poker table this soon, as I felt it would not be til after the 15th before I could get the time to make my way back in for a good session. But I did end up at Planet Hollywood. After a group of current and previous Planet Hollywood dealer had came in the bar I was DJing at for a night of drinks, they invited me to head back to Planet Hollywood. Well instead of drinking, I ended up playing cards.
My table was a very easy table, early in I had to make a re buy after I called a $160 all in by a player when i was holding As 8h, when he pushed all in, in the dark. When the river card was delt he turned over A 4 and hit a 4 to make a pair and my stack was shipped to this player. Worked back, as every player at the table gave away their hands very easily, and made it one of the easiest tables I had been at in some time. I ended up having to leave as my girl was also at PH and was ready to go. My last hand I played I had pocket Q's, and got a player with KJ to go broke when she hit a J on the flop. I knew what she had so when she lead out the flop I did not wanna give away the strength of my hand so I just called, it worked out as I was able to then over bet the river, and get her to insta called thinking her hand was good.
Well I will be back again later today and Mike and I will be playing as PH will be hosting a Ladies only Tourny. This will put women into the cash games, which is a good thing, since guys have a hard time playing well with women at the table, I think it once again should be an easier day at the poker table.
The Duke
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Welcome To The World Series of Poker
Rio Resort & Casino 6/2/07
World Series of Poker Walk through
Today I got up early (Not something I am proud of), and made my way down to day two of The 2007 World Series of Poker. Well first of all I showed up at 11:40am. There was thousands of people waiting in long lines to get into today's event. The event a No Limit $1500 buy in event. Soon after I entered the madness I made my way around the room to see what this years series was offering.
Located in the back was a dry erase board with info posted for cash games. They were offing $2-$5 No Limit & $10-$20 No Limit Hold Em. Now these are not the only games they are spreading for cash, but were the starters. As I approached all I could hear was griping from players that were alternates, saying that they were told to be there at the start time. Yet while they grumbled, over the loudspeaker they were being told to wait in the hallways.
All I could think is, "You have a year to plan this? And it starts like this!" I finally got up to the cash game podium and asked the young girl working there, when they thought the first cash game would start, or if I could even get on the list. She told me, "We are not going to start any til around 4pm." I was amazed, I said, "Really?" She started telling me that today's event was way larger then planned and that they would not have any tables available til then. I decided it was time to head out from the Rio.
I worked my way through the crowed again. Once in the hallway, I am weaving in and out when all the sudden some guy steps back and shoulder checks me. I am about to say something (but I realize there are so many people), I look up and he says "Oh sorry." I look at him, he is familiar to me, I say "No problem Layne," and continue walking off. It was Full Tilt Poker Pro Layne Flack who like most others had made his way to play in that days event. On my way out I started noticing a lot of Poker Pros, I saw Phil Ivey talking to a couple Average Joe's (Not to be confused with the Dogeballs Average Joe's Team, although that would make this more entertaining). I passed an autograph signing, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson as I turned the corner. I saw the likes of Paul Wasicka, Dutch Boyd and more.
The most noticeable of these Pros is this little guy who cut me off, just before I exited the building. He was in an extreme hurry, and was weaving in and out of people with his eyes low and his backpack hiked high. He cut me off so abruptly I had to move quick, to keep from falling over him, he just looked up and smiled. I expected for him to say, "No time to waste, I'm late, I'm late for an important date." This little guy looking more like the White Rabbit in Alice In Wonderland was none other then Daniel Negreanu. He just smiled said excuse me and waved to a couple people as he walked on.
I finally made it out of the Rio, got in my car, took a second to reflect and thought, where to now? Home? Planet Hollywood? Nah I decided on the MGM. I made my way on the backstreets, and within moments I made I was asking to be added to the $1-$2 No limit list, and the $2-$5 No limit List. After about a 5 minute wait I was seated in a $1-$2 game. Bought in for $200, and started my first session of June.
MGM Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
June 1st, 2007
Start 1pm
End 5:30pm
Total Hours: 4.5
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 4
# of Hands: 177
# of Flops: 27
# of Turns: 12
# of Pots Won: 11
# of Showdowns: 4
Total Profit: (+440)
Hourly: $97.78/hr
This session started fast and furious. I planned on playing tight, but felt like i looked like pure action. Within the first 20 minutes I had been in three showdowns, had check raised 4 people and been all in twice. When the smoke cleared I was up to $740 in chips. All of this in less then a half hour. I had pocket Kings, AK, pocket 9's, Pocket 6's & KQ all good.
The rest of the session was me on cruise control. Folding to most raises and only playing back when I had big hands. It worked out, I was very happy with the results, and defiantly helped ease my mind of the last Planet Hollywood session I played. There were a few hands to note during this session. But only one stood out to me in this session.
An hour in I was in the Hijack position with the KQ of clubs. A player in early position made it $15 to go and was called in 3 seats. I thought about folding, especially since the player to my right exposed the K of spades when she was folding. But I thought, what the heck I have good position. 2 other players called and we saw the flop 6 ways for $15 (Pot at $90). The flop was Kh 9s 7h. The original raiser bet $40 and it folded to me. I called as did one other player. The turn card was the 7d. It was checked to me, I checked and the player on the button checked. The river was the 3d. It was checked again, and I made a bet of $40. At this point the pot was at $190. The button thought and then put in a raise to $120. The original raiser folded and I thought for a minute. I knew there was something he did not like about the turn card, the I thought that he was actually playing off his trips. I folded and was shown 8s 6s. Yeah he had a busted straight draw, I was mad, but I said nice hand and showed no emotion. He tried to put me on tilt by saying, "8 high, ship it".
I realized as soon as I folded, that he could not have me beat there. Trips would have wanted to make a flush draw pay when he made his hand on the turn, and; when you pulled in my bet of $40 with his call before he raised the pot was at $270, and was only $80 more to call. I was calling $80 more to win $350. What was I thinking....uggggghhh. Mike says he thinks I sometimes play more tight and passive when I am in situations like this. Well I guess I found something I need to work on. Improving my reads when I have top pair or two pair.
It seems I do not call enough hands when I have top pair, and have a tendency to overplay 2 pair. I will work on this, maybe make this a project to improve my reads etc. Overall this session was good. I will be playing more this next week, I hope to put in somewhere around 100 hours this month, although 80 would be OK. Good luck and keep grinding.
The Gamblin Duke
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Day 4....Judgement Day!!!!!!
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
May 31, 2007
Start 6pm
End 2am
Total Hours: 8
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 7
# of Hands: 337
# of Flops: 94
# of Turns: 22
# of Pots Won: 17
# of Showdowns: 7
Total Profit: (-$600)
Hourly: $0/hr
Well day 4 did not go so well. I ended up re buying on the second hand I played, when I raised to $17 got two callers, ended up going broke when the BB, (who was the table chip leader)busted me with pocket 7's. 3 hands later I raced pocket 7's for his $100 with Ac Qc, and lost when the flop was 9c 9d 4c. So of course I maxed out my stack again, and before I could get them stacked I lost another pot for my stack when I flopped top two against pocket J's. I got him all i on the flop, and the turn card was a J!!!!
How do I feel? Maybe I should have just walked then. But I thought, no I can make this happen. So I gutted up up and kept playing. Now in this session, I was straddling pots. I also saw a lot more flop in position, and this would ultimately be my downfall.
By the end of the session I was in almost every hand, I even saw a $32 flop 7 ways with the Kd Qd on the button. The flop of Ks Jd 3d came down there was a $70 bet, called 4 ways, then the turn was the 5c. The player who bet $70 went all in for $140, one player called then the other pushed for $250, at this point I figured top pair was no good, but with the flush draw, just seemed like too big of a pot for me to fold. I called and the the original raiser went all in for $340. The other three players were all in, so I called. The river was the 3s. The original bettor showed down Kc 7c, then the second player showed down 6s 3h, and I felt a sick feeling in my stomach.
All in all the guy won over an $1100 pot with his trip 3's. What can I do there, nothing I sure cannot fold, turns out my Q and Diamond were good also, as well as a complete whiff would help me also. Pocket 7's was in this hand also all the way to showdown.
This was a bad session, but will not get me down, I really feel I player too loose, but i do have to find a happy medium, one that will hopefully be very profitable.
On a side note, The 2007 World Series of Poker started yesterday, and one of the first events was the $500 buy in Casino Employee event. At 2am Highwaytime Mike informed me that two of the Planet Hollywood's staff (Hadi & Filipo) were still alive & kicking, I wish them luck.
I think I will make my way down to the Rio to see some of today's action, I may also check out a sit N Go or two and Todd and Mike are planning on living there this month and playing these mini tournaments. We will see how this goes, I think they have a good plan as long as the structure, is what they expected it to be. I will keep you up to date on how this goes for them also.
The Duke
$1 - $2 No Limit
May 31, 2007
Start 6pm
End 2am
Total Hours: 8
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 7
# of Hands: 337
# of Flops: 94
# of Turns: 22
# of Pots Won: 17
# of Showdowns: 7
Total Profit: (-$600)
Hourly: $0/hr
Well day 4 did not go so well. I ended up re buying on the second hand I played, when I raised to $17 got two callers, ended up going broke when the BB, (who was the table chip leader)busted me with pocket 7's. 3 hands later I raced pocket 7's for his $100 with Ac Qc, and lost when the flop was 9c 9d 4c. So of course I maxed out my stack again, and before I could get them stacked I lost another pot for my stack when I flopped top two against pocket J's. I got him all i on the flop, and the turn card was a J!!!!
How do I feel? Maybe I should have just walked then. But I thought, no I can make this happen. So I gutted up up and kept playing. Now in this session, I was straddling pots. I also saw a lot more flop in position, and this would ultimately be my downfall.
By the end of the session I was in almost every hand, I even saw a $32 flop 7 ways with the Kd Qd on the button. The flop of Ks Jd 3d came down there was a $70 bet, called 4 ways, then the turn was the 5c. The player who bet $70 went all in for $140, one player called then the other pushed for $250, at this point I figured top pair was no good, but with the flush draw, just seemed like too big of a pot for me to fold. I called and the the original raiser went all in for $340. The other three players were all in, so I called. The river was the 3s. The original bettor showed down Kc 7c, then the second player showed down 6s 3h, and I felt a sick feeling in my stomach.
All in all the guy won over an $1100 pot with his trip 3's. What can I do there, nothing I sure cannot fold, turns out my Q and Diamond were good also, as well as a complete whiff would help me also. Pocket 7's was in this hand also all the way to showdown.
This was a bad session, but will not get me down, I really feel I player too loose, but i do have to find a happy medium, one that will hopefully be very profitable.
On a side note, The 2007 World Series of Poker started yesterday, and one of the first events was the $500 buy in Casino Employee event. At 2am Highwaytime Mike informed me that two of the Planet Hollywood's staff (Hadi & Filipo) were still alive & kicking, I wish them luck.
I think I will make my way down to the Rio to see some of today's action, I may also check out a sit N Go or two and Todd and Mike are planning on living there this month and playing these mini tournaments. We will see how this goes, I think they have a good plan as long as the structure, is what they expected it to be. I will keep you up to date on how this goes for them also.
The Duke
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Day 3 of the revamp...'Getting Rewarded for Stupidity'
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
Start 2:15pm
End 9:15pm
Total Hours: 6 (1hr Dinner Break)
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 4
# of Hands: 276
# of Flops: 52
# of Turns: 14
# of Pots Won: 9
# of Showdowns: 3
Total Profit: (+215)
Hourly: $35.83/hr
Today's session a lot like the last, I folded while everyone raised constantly. I will be honest it it so hard to not limp in early position with 9-8 Suited. OK I'll be more honest I did limp with 9-8 suited in early position a couple of times. I did start off the session with a few hands, I had KK twice in the first hour & AQ once.
The times I had Kings, I raised both times, and both were from the Under the gun position. I raised to $20 on both, one hand I got 2 callers the other I got no callers. The one time I got two callers I bet $65 on the flop of 8c 7s 6s and a guy with a stack of $97 smooth called. The turn card was the 3c and I put enough out there to put him all in. Then as Mike would say he "went into the tank." He started looking stressed and thinking, mike said out loud "Is he serious?" Finally I went from my stoned cold poker face, to laughing as I could not hold it anymore. What in the world did this guy call the flop with, that he could not call the turn with for $32. After a minute had gone by he folds, Mike and I start laughing out loud and he exclaims, "He must have had the straight, he wouldn't bet again if he didn't."
Wow, this guy was serious, it is funny because the type of play was outlined by Angel Largay in his book 'No Limit Texas Hold Em - A Complete Guide." In this book he talks of getting a player to lay down a straight flush draw when the guy was getting more then the right odds to call. This just goes to show how some people lose their minds the opposite way occasionally.
With AQ I won $120 when i check raised a guy who was about to shove it all in on a Qd 8h 3c flop. Just as he was about to push, someone said, "That guy hasn't played a hand in a hour, I wouldn't call him." He said, "Thanks for he free information," and then mucked his hand.
For the most part I did not do too much crazy this session. I did play one hand, where it didn't matter what two cards I had, I was going to play this hand against the player who raised off the button. He had raised a lot of hands, and this time I felt he actually had a hand this time. But more specifically I thought he had JJ so I was looking to make a play at him if the flop was in my favor.
So here is how the hand played out. First I should mention to this point, maybe 4 hours into the session I have not had to show down a hand. Every time I have placed a big bet I have won, and every time I have called someone down they have folded on a bluff and conceded the pot.
I was in the Small Blind with the 8d - 5d. The button raised to $20 and I cold called. He immediately had a concerned look on his face, but I knew he would still bet the flop no matter what it was. Another player who had limped called so we went 3 ways to the flop for $20ea. The flop was Kc 7h 5c, I knew that I could steal this pot with a move. I checked, the limper check and the button bet $20 again. I instantly called, wanted to give the look of strength. The limper was a pretty loose player and he thought then called. The turn, was my money card the Ac, I checked so did the limper and the button. Now the river was the 4d. I led out with a bet of $75, the limper thought for a long time, and in fact I thought he was going to call, but he mucked as did the button. I acted as though I was breathing hard, and showed down my had. Someone goes oh he had two pair, the button said, "NO, just a pair of 5's!!" He had sarcasm in his voice. Well needless to say the button lost his entire stack over the next three hands and then bought in and lost that stack also.
The worst part of this session was the kid from New York. I nicknamed him Proactive cause he had heavy acne on his cheeks and nose, and his hyperactivity. It also did not help that he showed up at the table with a Half Yard Margarita.
This kid was truly amazing, besides coming up with nicknames that were offensive in nature then intent he had the whole table flustered. I am usually cool about these type of players, as I have been known be talkative a time or two. Even the cool head of Mike was being tested when he was having the nickname "Chin" hurled at him every time he had chips in a pot. But I think his most classic move was when he got into a showdown with a player and was check raised, he looked the guy in the eyes and said, "Do you have this beat?"
He then mucked his hand and continued to say, "You're a jerk, ummm I'm just joking." "But your a jerk." After about 6 hours of play this kid went way down hill, he was wasted, claimed he kept going and throwing up in between hands. He apparently lost his mind right after I left as I got a text from Mike. This text said, "I just lost a big pot all in pre-flop with AA." I responded asking how, and he text back, "Proactive had 67 and called almost $200 pre-flop with it". Mike then explained his story of how Proactive called $140 pre-flop then another $75 on the flop with bottom pair. The river apparently gave proactive a full house.
It kills me when I see these things happen at the Poker table, I call it 'Getting Rewarded for Stupidity'. Maybe one day I will write a book about it and even use that title. I could outline all of the classic times people have lost their minds while I was at the table or against someone I know. Here is an example I found on You Tube .
In this hand the players were all in preflop and the player with KK was a 92.12% favorite to win the hand on the flop. Bad beats happen, I just wish it wasn't so common.
Overall it seems to have improved my game, playing a bit more tight. I will continue to keep a log of these hands every session and track my results. I think I am working towards becoming a better player, soon I may be able to upgrade from table Donkey to Jackass.
Mr. Ed
$1 - $2 No Limit
Start 2:15pm
End 9:15pm
Total Hours: 6 (1hr Dinner Break)
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 4
# of Hands: 276
# of Flops: 52
# of Turns: 14
# of Pots Won: 9
# of Showdowns: 3
Total Profit: (+215)
Hourly: $35.83/hr
Today's session a lot like the last, I folded while everyone raised constantly. I will be honest it it so hard to not limp in early position with 9-8 Suited. OK I'll be more honest I did limp with 9-8 suited in early position a couple of times. I did start off the session with a few hands, I had KK twice in the first hour & AQ once.
The times I had Kings, I raised both times, and both were from the Under the gun position. I raised to $20 on both, one hand I got 2 callers the other I got no callers. The one time I got two callers I bet $65 on the flop of 8c 7s 6s and a guy with a stack of $97 smooth called. The turn card was the 3c and I put enough out there to put him all in. Then as Mike would say he "went into the tank." He started looking stressed and thinking, mike said out loud "Is he serious?" Finally I went from my stoned cold poker face, to laughing as I could not hold it anymore. What in the world did this guy call the flop with, that he could not call the turn with for $32. After a minute had gone by he folds, Mike and I start laughing out loud and he exclaims, "He must have had the straight, he wouldn't bet again if he didn't."
Wow, this guy was serious, it is funny because the type of play was outlined by Angel Largay in his book 'No Limit Texas Hold Em - A Complete Guide." In this book he talks of getting a player to lay down a straight flush draw when the guy was getting more then the right odds to call. This just goes to show how some people lose their minds the opposite way occasionally.
With AQ I won $120 when i check raised a guy who was about to shove it all in on a Qd 8h 3c flop. Just as he was about to push, someone said, "That guy hasn't played a hand in a hour, I wouldn't call him." He said, "Thanks for he free information," and then mucked his hand.
For the most part I did not do too much crazy this session. I did play one hand, where it didn't matter what two cards I had, I was going to play this hand against the player who raised off the button. He had raised a lot of hands, and this time I felt he actually had a hand this time. But more specifically I thought he had JJ so I was looking to make a play at him if the flop was in my favor.
So here is how the hand played out. First I should mention to this point, maybe 4 hours into the session I have not had to show down a hand. Every time I have placed a big bet I have won, and every time I have called someone down they have folded on a bluff and conceded the pot.
I was in the Small Blind with the 8d - 5d. The button raised to $20 and I cold called. He immediately had a concerned look on his face, but I knew he would still bet the flop no matter what it was. Another player who had limped called so we went 3 ways to the flop for $20ea. The flop was Kc 7h 5c, I knew that I could steal this pot with a move. I checked, the limper check and the button bet $20 again. I instantly called, wanted to give the look of strength. The limper was a pretty loose player and he thought then called. The turn, was my money card the Ac, I checked so did the limper and the button. Now the river was the 4d. I led out with a bet of $75, the limper thought for a long time, and in fact I thought he was going to call, but he mucked as did the button. I acted as though I was breathing hard, and showed down my had. Someone goes oh he had two pair, the button said, "NO, just a pair of 5's!!" He had sarcasm in his voice. Well needless to say the button lost his entire stack over the next three hands and then bought in and lost that stack also.
The worst part of this session was the kid from New York. I nicknamed him Proactive cause he had heavy acne on his cheeks and nose, and his hyperactivity. It also did not help that he showed up at the table with a Half Yard Margarita.
This kid was truly amazing, besides coming up with nicknames that were offensive in nature then intent he had the whole table flustered. I am usually cool about these type of players, as I have been known be talkative a time or two. Even the cool head of Mike was being tested when he was having the nickname "Chin" hurled at him every time he had chips in a pot. But I think his most classic move was when he got into a showdown with a player and was check raised, he looked the guy in the eyes and said, "Do you have this beat?"
He then mucked his hand and continued to say, "You're a jerk, ummm I'm just joking." "But your a jerk." After about 6 hours of play this kid went way down hill, he was wasted, claimed he kept going and throwing up in between hands. He apparently lost his mind right after I left as I got a text from Mike. This text said, "I just lost a big pot all in pre-flop with AA." I responded asking how, and he text back, "Proactive had 67 and called almost $200 pre-flop with it". Mike then explained his story of how Proactive called $140 pre-flop then another $75 on the flop with bottom pair. The river apparently gave proactive a full house. It kills me when I see these things happen at the Poker table, I call it 'Getting Rewarded for Stupidity'. Maybe one day I will write a book about it and even use that title. I could outline all of the classic times people have lost their minds while I was at the table or against someone I know. Here is an example I found on You Tube .
In this hand the players were all in preflop and the player with KK was a 92.12% favorite to win the hand on the flop. Bad beats happen, I just wish it wasn't so common.
Overall it seems to have improved my game, playing a bit more tight. I will continue to keep a log of these hands every session and track my results. I think I am working towards becoming a better player, soon I may be able to upgrade from table Donkey to Jackass.
Mr. Ed
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Day 2 in the revamping of the Duke
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
$1 - $2 No Limit
Start 8:15pm
End 12:12am
Total Hours: 4
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 2
# of Hands: 147
# of Flops: 26
# of Turns: 6
# of Pots Won: 7
# of Showdowns: 3
Total Profit: (+245)
Hourly: $61.25/hr
So I hope to be building a trend, that is a tend of winning sessions. So far I have learned, people don't miss me in pots, they will play them without me. I watched the standard raise of $12 go 3, 4 5 ways consistently. All the while I kept folding. So big improvement today on number of flops, to pots won. I won 27% of the hands I saw the flop with, and only had 3 showdowns in 4 hours.
This is defiantly a grinder win, but at this point a win is a win. I never really tried to make any moves, I just played text book (depending on what book you read) plays. During this session I had very few big hands, AQ twice, JJ once 10 - 10 once 6-6 twice, 5-5 Once & 2-2 Once. Of all these hands the AQ's were both good the Jacks and one other pocket pair held up.
What was that pocket pair? 6-6 and also the biggest pot of the session that I won. I was in the Small Blind with two black 6's. The player under the gun was very loose aggressive and raised to $10, there were three callers then the 10 seat, who I think was getting tired of the UTG players raises re raised to $30. It folded to me and I scanned the table. I noticed the UTG player had grabbed $20 more in chips and looked as though he was just going to call. Seeing this I felt confident I could get into this 3 way pot for $30 and may have the best hand. I called. To everyone Else's surprise so did every other player that had placed a $10 bet. We went 6 ways to the flop for $30, yeah $180 pot pre-flop.
The flop came down Ks Js 3h, I was first to act and checked, the UTG player bet $20, then a short stack called, he been playing very bad, (he made an all in call with bottom two when the board was paired with Aces). Then the re raiser pre-flop folded. It came to me and I called figured I was getting better then needed odds to see a turn card. The 7d came on the turn, I checked again and UTG bet $20 again, this time the short stack thought, and went all in for $37. I started thinking, I was almost positive the short stack was drawing, he usually would try to go broke a lot sooner if he liked his hand, I finally called when I noticed the UTG player had gotten his chips ready to just call. At this point I was getting 8 to 1 to call,and if the UTG player just called it was almost 10 - 1.Plus I may have the best hand.
The UTG player just called and the river card was delt, it was the 3d. So the board now was Ks Js 7d 3d 3h, I noticed a disappointed look on both players faces, I bet out $40, as I felt I had the best hand, the UTG player folded and I went to showdown with the short stack. Before the hands were turned I looked to my neighbor on my right and told him I had the best hand, showed him and he laughed, I said, "you had a flush draw right?" To the short stack, he flipped over the Qs 8s and I showed my pocket 6's the table just made a huge awe sound and a couple players from other table (*Kenny to be one)came over to see me in my glee of my pocket 6's holding up.
I feel that I am focusing more on the players, with playing tighter, I feel in the hand above it allowed me to make a couple of real good reads and win a nice pot. This pot was (+264) and I had less then $100 invested total, nice +EV.
Today Highwaytime Mike and I are planning on playing again at Planet Hollywood, I will be playing the same way I have in my last two sessions Wish me luck.
As they said in the movie Major League about winning streaks, win tomorrow (a 3rd game) and guess what? Your on a winning streak. Well let's go streaking.
The Gamblin Duke
$1 - $2 No Limit
Start 8:15pm
End 12:12am
Total Hours: 4
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 2
# of Hands: 147
# of Flops: 26
# of Turns: 6
# of Pots Won: 7
# of Showdowns: 3
Total Profit: (+245)
Hourly: $61.25/hr
So I hope to be building a trend, that is a tend of winning sessions. So far I have learned, people don't miss me in pots, they will play them without me. I watched the standard raise of $12 go 3, 4 5 ways consistently. All the while I kept folding. So big improvement today on number of flops, to pots won. I won 27% of the hands I saw the flop with, and only had 3 showdowns in 4 hours.
This is defiantly a grinder win, but at this point a win is a win. I never really tried to make any moves, I just played text book (depending on what book you read) plays. During this session I had very few big hands, AQ twice, JJ once 10 - 10 once 6-6 twice, 5-5 Once & 2-2 Once. Of all these hands the AQ's were both good the Jacks and one other pocket pair held up.
What was that pocket pair? 6-6 and also the biggest pot of the session that I won. I was in the Small Blind with two black 6's. The player under the gun was very loose aggressive and raised to $10, there were three callers then the 10 seat, who I think was getting tired of the UTG players raises re raised to $30. It folded to me and I scanned the table. I noticed the UTG player had grabbed $20 more in chips and looked as though he was just going to call. Seeing this I felt confident I could get into this 3 way pot for $30 and may have the best hand. I called. To everyone Else's surprise so did every other player that had placed a $10 bet. We went 6 ways to the flop for $30, yeah $180 pot pre-flop.
The flop came down Ks Js 3h, I was first to act and checked, the UTG player bet $20, then a short stack called, he been playing very bad, (he made an all in call with bottom two when the board was paired with Aces). Then the re raiser pre-flop folded. It came to me and I called figured I was getting better then needed odds to see a turn card. The 7d came on the turn, I checked again and UTG bet $20 again, this time the short stack thought, and went all in for $37. I started thinking, I was almost positive the short stack was drawing, he usually would try to go broke a lot sooner if he liked his hand, I finally called when I noticed the UTG player had gotten his chips ready to just call. At this point I was getting 8 to 1 to call,and if the UTG player just called it was almost 10 - 1.Plus I may have the best hand.
The UTG player just called and the river card was delt, it was the 3d. So the board now was Ks Js 7d 3d 3h, I noticed a disappointed look on both players faces, I bet out $40, as I felt I had the best hand, the UTG player folded and I went to showdown with the short stack. Before the hands were turned I looked to my neighbor on my right and told him I had the best hand, showed him and he laughed, I said, "you had a flush draw right?" To the short stack, he flipped over the Qs 8s and I showed my pocket 6's the table just made a huge awe sound and a couple players from other table (*Kenny to be one)came over to see me in my glee of my pocket 6's holding up.
I feel that I am focusing more on the players, with playing tighter, I feel in the hand above it allowed me to make a couple of real good reads and win a nice pot. This pot was (+264) and I had less then $100 invested total, nice +EV.
Today Highwaytime Mike and I are planning on playing again at Planet Hollywood, I will be playing the same way I have in my last two sessions Wish me luck.
As they said in the movie Major League about winning streaks, win tomorrow (a 3rd game) and guess what? Your on a winning streak. Well let's go streaking.
The Gamblin Duke
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Where to start
OK it has been over a month since my last post. I have no excuse, just a reason, I have been running so badly, I was either A) Embarrassed or B) Afraid you might think I was on a constant gripe. Every situation I have been in has gone the other way. It includes, 
in this hand I flopped quad Queens against a guy who turned quad Sevens. I got paid off in the hand and hit a mighty $66.00 high hand bonus, but if I had been in a room with a bad beat, I would be somewhere around $4,000 - $15,000 richer. But that is not all, three hands later I pick up pocket 7's, the flop comes Q 7 2 Rainbow, and I end up getting busted by top set. Three hands later? OMG it was unreal, the same two pocket pairs come right back, and bit me in the ass.
Now of course, I have had a couple of wins among the terror, but nothing significant, over the last Month, I have played 12 sessions, I am 3 - 9 over those 12. It is just sick, one session was a 22 hour marathon, where no matter what I did, what I had I would get turned and rivered.
But as I said I am not here to Bitch, I am trying to be as positive as possible. So we will start off with my last session. I played at the MGM and ended up +$190.00 in 3 hours. There is not a whole lot of interesting things to say, but I did start one thing, I basically made a transcript of every hand I played, I kept notes in my phone the entire time, and it forced me to play extremely tight.
Here are some stats for this session.
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 7
# of Hands: 89
# of Flops: 30
# of Turns: 9
# of Pots Won: 5
# of Showdowns: 4
Now when I was playing yesterday, I felt I playing pretty tight. Now looking at these statistics I see that I was not even close to playing tight. Add my bets called pre-flop where I folded and I was involved in almost 40% of the hands, maybe this is why I have been getting so much loose action, or why Todd & Mike joke about me calling everything. Because if I was in my mind "Playing tight" and this is the result, what was I doing before this?
Maybe I have just lost my mind? But seriously that is way too many hands to be playing in a three hour session. Granted I stayed out of the way of danger, but still I was seeing too many flops. Now in my defense, this was a pretty tight table overall, and I almost always saw the flop out of the blinds, in 8 button rounds that means I should have seen the flop 16 times which is just about half of the hands I called pre-flop. So what is your take? too loose? Seems like it would be, Do I only count hands I limped in with rather then the blinds, unless I called a raise out of the blind, etc?
Well here is the interesting hands from this session. In late position I limped called a raise from the button to $9.00 with the Ah 5H. We went 3 ways to the flop, with the Small Blind to act first. The flop of 8H 3C 4H came down, and the Small Blind checked to me. I checked as well. The button bet $25.00, and the SB made it $50.00. I smooth called the $50, leaving about $80 behind. The button then re raised to $100.00. The SB folded and I pushed all in. I know it was only $30.00 more, but I was hoping too get all my money in here at this point. I was sure all my outs were good.
See this particular player, was an easy read, I put him on Pocket 7's maybe 9's, no set. But I did figure my Ace as an out. I was right it was pocket 7's. Well the turn card locked up the hand as the 2C came on the turn giving me Highwaytime's favorite straight, "The 5 high Wheel."
I ended up being + $207.00 in this hand.
Another hand in this session I limped 2 Black Aces under the gun, we went 6 ways to the flop. The flop of 8H 7H 5D came down. The SB bet $15.00, I called and so did anther player. the turn was the 10H, SB checked, I checked and the other player bet $20.00 SB called and I knew he had a flush, I folded. this hand only cost me $17.00, but does show that UTG, I never have and I should be raising my premium hands. As a side note: I would normally straddle, but I was working on playing tighter, trying to, as Highwaytime says, "Make better business decisions."
All in all this is a good start, I am -$1170.00 for the month. would be nice to get at least one more nice win under my belt my months end. Wish me luck, I have not had much of that lately.
I sign off as they all sing,
"The Duke Is Back And Your Gonna Be In Trouble, Hey Now, The DUKE is BACK!!!!"
El Diablo
in this hand I flopped quad Queens against a guy who turned quad Sevens. I got paid off in the hand and hit a mighty $66.00 high hand bonus, but if I had been in a room with a bad beat, I would be somewhere around $4,000 - $15,000 richer. But that is not all, three hands later I pick up pocket 7's, the flop comes Q 7 2 Rainbow, and I end up getting busted by top set. Three hands later? OMG it was unreal, the same two pocket pairs come right back, and bit me in the ass. Now of course, I have had a couple of wins among the terror, but nothing significant, over the last Month, I have played 12 sessions, I am 3 - 9 over those 12. It is just sick, one session was a 22 hour marathon, where no matter what I did, what I had I would get turned and rivered.
But as I said I am not here to Bitch, I am trying to be as positive as possible. So we will start off with my last session. I played at the MGM and ended up +$190.00 in 3 hours. There is not a whole lot of interesting things to say, but I did start one thing, I basically made a transcript of every hand I played, I kept notes in my phone the entire time, and it forced me to play extremely tight.
Here are some stats for this session.
# of Bets Called Pre-flop, then fold to re raise: 7
# of Hands: 89
# of Flops: 30
# of Turns: 9
# of Pots Won: 5
# of Showdowns: 4
Now when I was playing yesterday, I felt I playing pretty tight. Now looking at these statistics I see that I was not even close to playing tight. Add my bets called pre-flop where I folded and I was involved in almost 40% of the hands, maybe this is why I have been getting so much loose action, or why Todd & Mike joke about me calling everything. Because if I was in my mind "Playing tight" and this is the result, what was I doing before this?
Maybe I have just lost my mind? But seriously that is way too many hands to be playing in a three hour session. Granted I stayed out of the way of danger, but still I was seeing too many flops. Now in my defense, this was a pretty tight table overall, and I almost always saw the flop out of the blinds, in 8 button rounds that means I should have seen the flop 16 times which is just about half of the hands I called pre-flop. So what is your take? too loose? Seems like it would be, Do I only count hands I limped in with rather then the blinds, unless I called a raise out of the blind, etc?
Well here is the interesting hands from this session. In late position I limped called a raise from the button to $9.00 with the Ah 5H. We went 3 ways to the flop, with the Small Blind to act first. The flop of 8H 3C 4H came down, and the Small Blind checked to me. I checked as well. The button bet $25.00, and the SB made it $50.00. I smooth called the $50, leaving about $80 behind. The button then re raised to $100.00. The SB folded and I pushed all in. I know it was only $30.00 more, but I was hoping too get all my money in here at this point. I was sure all my outs were good.
See this particular player, was an easy read, I put him on Pocket 7's maybe 9's, no set. But I did figure my Ace as an out. I was right it was pocket 7's. Well the turn card locked up the hand as the 2C came on the turn giving me Highwaytime's favorite straight, "The 5 high Wheel."
I ended up being + $207.00 in this hand.
Another hand in this session I limped 2 Black Aces under the gun, we went 6 ways to the flop. The flop of 8H 7H 5D came down. The SB bet $15.00, I called and so did anther player. the turn was the 10H, SB checked, I checked and the other player bet $20.00 SB called and I knew he had a flush, I folded. this hand only cost me $17.00, but does show that UTG, I never have and I should be raising my premium hands. As a side note: I would normally straddle, but I was working on playing tighter, trying to, as Highwaytime says, "Make better business decisions."
All in all this is a good start, I am -$1170.00 for the month. would be nice to get at least one more nice win under my belt my months end. Wish me luck, I have not had much of that lately.
I sign off as they all sing,
"The Duke Is Back And Your Gonna Be In Trouble, Hey Now, The DUKE is BACK!!!!"
El Diablo
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Well, got a great start to the week.....
4/10/07 - Full Tilt Poker (Online)
$.50 - $1.00 No Limit
12:15am - 12:45am (.5 hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $356.00
Profit: $156.00
Hourly: $312.00/hr (I only wish)
After taking all of Monday off from Poker, DJing etc.....I got home that night watched Entourage (love that show), and decided to sit online and try to make a little money. I have changed my focus online to play small cash games and work on building a bankroll. I figured it was too hard to beat the rake on the HU SNG's. I was gonna have to be at +4 buy-ins per hour just to try to stay a little ahead. This would allow me to win around $20.00 - $25.00/per hour. Although, this is an attainable goal, I feel I can get closer to $30.00per hour multi-tabling cash games.
So I start this week with $.50 - $1.00 No Limit Hold Em cash games. I did think about Omaha, but I think my play in Omaha is a little too loose for what I want to accomplish, plus the play in the online cash game is so bad, I feel it is easy to beat the game.
I sat down at two tables and bought in for the max. I did not take me long and I had scooped a couple different pots. One which was the first of two, I picked up 7h 7c and the flop of As 7d 3c came down. This pot had been raised preflop, and I closed the action when we went 3 ways to the flop. I was check raised by the original raiser All In, with his Ah Kh. I called showed him the bad news and scooped the $45.00 pot.
The second big hand, went a little like this. I limped UTG with Jc Jd, a player in middle position raised to $6.00 with no other limper's in front except me, the button called, as did I. The flop of 5h 4h 2s came down. I lead out, I did not want to check raised here. I bet $15.00. The original raiser made it $45.00 to go and left about $60.00 behind. I thought til my time bank started to kick in. Finally I re raised All In. I figured him for a hand like pocket 10's cause $6.00 was pretty steep preflop, or he had two over cards to my Jacks and I did not want him to out draw me. He started thinking, and I knew I had the best hand. Eventually he called showing 9d 9h and the board double paired the turn and river. I was pushed the pot. I immediately sat out and left the table.
I don't mind taking a quick win sometimes, especially a decent sized one. This week i will be focusing on maybe playing one live session and finishing my hours online. I also will be adding poker tracker and the video software at the beginning of May. I will track some hands and results a little better this way. Good luck, and remember,
"A good suck out feels way better then a well played hand, any day. After all there is nothing better then dishing a beat, when you are used to receiving them!" The Gamblin Duke
El Diablo - The Fighting Chicken
$.50 - $1.00 No Limit
12:15am - 12:45am (.5 hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $356.00
Profit: $156.00
Hourly: $312.00/hr (I only wish)
After taking all of Monday off from Poker, DJing etc.....I got home that night watched Entourage (love that show), and decided to sit online and try to make a little money. I have changed my focus online to play small cash games and work on building a bankroll. I figured it was too hard to beat the rake on the HU SNG's. I was gonna have to be at +4 buy-ins per hour just to try to stay a little ahead. This would allow me to win around $20.00 - $25.00/per hour. Although, this is an attainable goal, I feel I can get closer to $30.00per hour multi-tabling cash games.
So I start this week with $.50 - $1.00 No Limit Hold Em cash games. I did think about Omaha, but I think my play in Omaha is a little too loose for what I want to accomplish, plus the play in the online cash game is so bad, I feel it is easy to beat the game.
I sat down at two tables and bought in for the max. I did not take me long and I had scooped a couple different pots. One which was the first of two, I picked up 7h 7c and the flop of As 7d 3c came down. This pot had been raised preflop, and I closed the action when we went 3 ways to the flop. I was check raised by the original raiser All In, with his Ah Kh. I called showed him the bad news and scooped the $45.00 pot.
The second big hand, went a little like this. I limped UTG with Jc Jd, a player in middle position raised to $6.00 with no other limper's in front except me, the button called, as did I. The flop of 5h 4h 2s came down. I lead out, I did not want to check raised here. I bet $15.00. The original raiser made it $45.00 to go and left about $60.00 behind. I thought til my time bank started to kick in. Finally I re raised All In. I figured him for a hand like pocket 10's cause $6.00 was pretty steep preflop, or he had two over cards to my Jacks and I did not want him to out draw me. He started thinking, and I knew I had the best hand. Eventually he called showing 9d 9h and the board double paired the turn and river. I was pushed the pot. I immediately sat out and left the table.
I don't mind taking a quick win sometimes, especially a decent sized one. This week i will be focusing on maybe playing one live session and finishing my hours online. I also will be adding poker tracker and the video software at the beginning of May. I will track some hands and results a little better this way. Good luck, and remember,
"A good suck out feels way better then a well played hand, any day. After all there is nothing better then dishing a beat, when you are used to receiving them!" The Gamblin Duke
El Diablo - The Fighting Chicken
Monday, April 9, 2007
Nothin new, but a results Month to date...Update
So not a whole lot new. Have not really played the first couple of days. I will be heading out to play today, as I spent way too much money this weekend. But what is life if you don't have fun. My plans this week are 12 - 16 hours live, and the rest online at Full Tilt.
Below are my results so far this month. It has only been a week, but so far, it seems like this month (as far as an hourly goes). Is running pretty well. OK here they are.
Full Tilt Poker (Online)
Hours: 3 hrs
Profit: $64.00
Hourly: $21.33/hr
Live Play
Hours: 20
Profit: $483.00
Hourly: $24.15
Total
Hours: 23
Profit: $547.00
Hourly: $23.78
I would like my hourly to be up around $30.oo and hour, but this is a good start, since I also played a few short sessions where my wins were small. SO I will be off today to start a new week. Good luck.
El Diablo
Below are my results so far this month. It has only been a week, but so far, it seems like this month (as far as an hourly goes). Is running pretty well. OK here they are.
Full Tilt Poker (Online)
Hours: 3 hrs
Profit: $64.00
Hourly: $21.33/hr
Live Play
Hours: 20
Profit: $483.00
Hourly: $24.15
Total
Hours: 23
Profit: $547.00
Hourly: $23.78
I would like my hourly to be up around $30.oo and hour, but this is a good start, since I also played a few short sessions where my wins were small. SO I will be off today to start a new week. Good luck.
El Diablo
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Back Online, With a game plan
4/5/07 - Full Tilt Poker (Online)
$10.00 + .50 Heads Up Sit N Go's
10pm - 12pm (2hrs)
Buy In: $80.50
Cash Out: $126.00
Profit: $52.50
Hourly: $26.25/hr
Well I deposited more money on Full Tilt, but only $200.00. My plan is to play $10.00 heads Up Sit N Go's and see how they go. Work to build my bankroll off them to $500.00. Then I will move up. Had a great start. I played in 7 total HU SNG's and went 6 had 1. I found if I was patient my opponents would start raising a lot and started over playing starting hands preflop. I did get lucky once, but every time we put all the chips in I was ahead, or a favorite.
Good session, I will try to get in a few hours online here and there, and hopefully, I will be able to maintain my online bankroll a little better. Well I am off to wish Sandviper 23 off, as his going away party is tonight as he heads off to Sweden to play Baseball professionally.
The Duke
$10.00 + .50 Heads Up Sit N Go's
10pm - 12pm (2hrs)
Buy In: $80.50
Cash Out: $126.00
Profit: $52.50
Hourly: $26.25/hr
Well I deposited more money on Full Tilt, but only $200.00. My plan is to play $10.00 heads Up Sit N Go's and see how they go. Work to build my bankroll off them to $500.00. Then I will move up. Had a great start. I played in 7 total HU SNG's and went 6 had 1. I found if I was patient my opponents would start raising a lot and started over playing starting hands preflop. I did get lucky once, but every time we put all the chips in I was ahead, or a favorite.
Good session, I will try to get in a few hours online here and there, and hopefully, I will be able to maintain my online bankroll a little better. Well I am off to wish Sandviper 23 off, as his going away party is tonight as he heads off to Sweden to play Baseball professionally.
The Duke
One Day 2 Sessions - New Planet Hollywood Room
4/4/07 - Planet Hollywood
$1 - $2 No Limit
1am - 7am (6hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $525.00
Profit: -$75.00
Hourly: $0.00/hr
This session was frustrating between the suck outs I was taking, and the fact I was card dead, I was surprised that I did not lose more the I did. After I was there for two hours I was re buying when I flopped bottom set, in a set over set over set situation. Yeah my pocket 5's we no good on the K 8 5 flop. So I re bought and actually got myself even pretty quick when this hand came down.
While in the Big Blind I checked my option in a 6 way pot with the 3d 6d. The flop of 8s 5d 4d came down. I checked and a loos aggressive player in early position bet $10.00, it was called by 3 people and then back to me, I raised to $75.00. I thought I may just pick up the pot here.....I was wrong. the original bettor folded and a calling station behind him, went all in for $220.00. I normally would fold here, but the way the session was going, i thought this was my best shot to book a win on the night or morning as it was.
I called and he showed me Ac 3s, the fucking guy had a gut shot wheel draw. he draw was no good as is the 2 came I would have a bigger straight. And on top of it now my 6 was live also. I started booking my win. The turn card was the 10c river was the 4h. He won the pot with A 3 high. I was furious, how in the hell does this guy play for all his chips here? So I played til the game broke at 7am, picked up my chips and did the Duke like walk that only I could do, and made my way to the Black Jack table.
At Black Jack i was able to not only cover my $75.00 at the table. But I was able to book a win of $180 for the day. So over all my session looked more like this.
1am - 7:30am (6.5hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $780.00
Profit: $180.00
Hourly: $27.69/hr
My second session was also at Planet Hollywood, as I had planned to meet Highwaytime Mike there. it would be his first time checking out the new room. Both of us agree the room is solid, lots of room, and seems to be set in a good place. It's only a matter of time for this room to get busy again like, when we first started playing there.
4/5/07 - Planet Hollywood
$1 - $2 No Limit
6pm - 8pm (2hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $315.00
Profit: $115.00
Hourly: $57.50/hr
This session was not long and not much too report. The only real interesting thing that occurred was that I had KK in back to back hands. And in both they were no good. the first hand, I was in the small blind raised to $15.00 got called by a short stack, I check the Ace high flop and he bet $25.00 of his $35.00. I just folded and bitched under my breath, the said, "Show me how bad your Ace was, he showed Ah 9h, and all I thought was figures.
The second hand actually involved Highwaytime Mike. I was now on the button with KK and Raised again to $15.00, once again a short stack called, then Mike while in the Big Blind re raised to $50.00. I thought about his raised and re raised to $150.00 the short stack thought for a minute then called. Mike folded quickly, but i could tell he was a little mad I re raised. But with the other player in the hand, i wanted to see the flop heads up at this point with the short stack.
I showed my KK, and the short stack showed 8c 7c. I immediately announced seven eight is real good, you win. Sure enough the flop of Jc 9c 8h came down, turn 10s, river 8d. So the whole board was in favor of this donkey. I just got pissed told him he was an idiot. Bitched over the next two hands, and when he said good hand and tried to shake hands, I said; "Think i wanna touch your hand? You are the last person at this table that I could give a shit about, fuck off!"
Yeah a little harsh but I think a little bit of build up from the last session was still there. I played a while longer, picked up a couple decent pots and called it a day. Decent win for the time spent at Planet Hollywood.
So my goals for this month are simple, I wanna put in 80 hours this month, doing approximately 20 hours per week. So far I have booked 16 hours so I am on schedule. Not a lot of hours about 40 less then what I had been playing overall the last 3 months. I would like to get my earn rate to around $30.00 per hour for this month, which I think is a real attainable goal. Basically I'll tryo to play shorter sessions, and maximize my hourly rate. I may also sneak in some online hours, but we will see.
El Diablo
"While the Rooster crows the Fighting Chicken is preparing for another cage fight"
$1 - $2 No Limit
1am - 7am (6hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $525.00
Profit: -$75.00
Hourly: $0.00/hr
This session was frustrating between the suck outs I was taking, and the fact I was card dead, I was surprised that I did not lose more the I did. After I was there for two hours I was re buying when I flopped bottom set, in a set over set over set situation. Yeah my pocket 5's we no good on the K 8 5 flop. So I re bought and actually got myself even pretty quick when this hand came down.
While in the Big Blind I checked my option in a 6 way pot with the 3d 6d. The flop of 8s 5d 4d came down. I checked and a loos aggressive player in early position bet $10.00, it was called by 3 people and then back to me, I raised to $75.00. I thought I may just pick up the pot here.....I was wrong. the original bettor folded and a calling station behind him, went all in for $220.00. I normally would fold here, but the way the session was going, i thought this was my best shot to book a win on the night or morning as it was.
I called and he showed me Ac 3s, the fucking guy had a gut shot wheel draw. he draw was no good as is the 2 came I would have a bigger straight. And on top of it now my 6 was live also. I started booking my win. The turn card was the 10c river was the 4h. He won the pot with A 3 high. I was furious, how in the hell does this guy play for all his chips here? So I played til the game broke at 7am, picked up my chips and did the Duke like walk that only I could do, and made my way to the Black Jack table.
At Black Jack i was able to not only cover my $75.00 at the table. But I was able to book a win of $180 for the day. So over all my session looked more like this.
1am - 7:30am (6.5hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $780.00
Profit: $180.00
Hourly: $27.69/hr
My second session was also at Planet Hollywood, as I had planned to meet Highwaytime Mike there. it would be his first time checking out the new room. Both of us agree the room is solid, lots of room, and seems to be set in a good place. It's only a matter of time for this room to get busy again like, when we first started playing there.
4/5/07 - Planet Hollywood
$1 - $2 No Limit
6pm - 8pm (2hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $315.00
Profit: $115.00
Hourly: $57.50/hr
This session was not long and not much too report. The only real interesting thing that occurred was that I had KK in back to back hands. And in both they were no good. the first hand, I was in the small blind raised to $15.00 got called by a short stack, I check the Ace high flop and he bet $25.00 of his $35.00. I just folded and bitched under my breath, the said, "Show me how bad your Ace was, he showed Ah 9h, and all I thought was figures.
The second hand actually involved Highwaytime Mike. I was now on the button with KK and Raised again to $15.00, once again a short stack called, then Mike while in the Big Blind re raised to $50.00. I thought about his raised and re raised to $150.00 the short stack thought for a minute then called. Mike folded quickly, but i could tell he was a little mad I re raised. But with the other player in the hand, i wanted to see the flop heads up at this point with the short stack.
I showed my KK, and the short stack showed 8c 7c. I immediately announced seven eight is real good, you win. Sure enough the flop of Jc 9c 8h came down, turn 10s, river 8d. So the whole board was in favor of this donkey. I just got pissed told him he was an idiot. Bitched over the next two hands, and when he said good hand and tried to shake hands, I said; "Think i wanna touch your hand? You are the last person at this table that I could give a shit about, fuck off!"
Yeah a little harsh but I think a little bit of build up from the last session was still there. I played a while longer, picked up a couple decent pots and called it a day. Decent win for the time spent at Planet Hollywood.
So my goals for this month are simple, I wanna put in 80 hours this month, doing approximately 20 hours per week. So far I have booked 16 hours so I am on schedule. Not a lot of hours about 40 less then what I had been playing overall the last 3 months. I would like to get my earn rate to around $30.00 per hour for this month, which I think is a real attainable goal. Basically I'll tryo to play shorter sessions, and maximize my hourly rate. I may also sneak in some online hours, but we will see.
El Diablo
"While the Rooster crows the Fighting Chicken is preparing for another cage fight"
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
What I need to learn, what I forgot....
4/3/07 - Excalibur
$1 - $3No Limit
3pm - 5:30pm (2.5hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $810.00
Profit: $210.00
Hourly: $84.00/hr
Today I ventured out early as I used to do early in the week and made it out to the Excalibur or known here after as the Castle. First off Highwaytime Mike and & I have always renamed different casinos names. Like the Aladdin (Now Planet Hollywood) was known as Ali Baba's and so on. Alright I will get back to the session.
Made it down to the Castle and placed my name on the waiting list, thought I would check out the games and see how they were. We'll the first table, is what I need to learn. Here sat YJ, an Asian player I have played with quite a bit over the last 6 months. He is a very aggressive player, that seems to make some of the greatest calls, some of which keep you wondering; "How in the hell did he call that? Not my choice in style but I have to say it works for him, I have seen him consistently built over $1000.00 chip stacks. Today when I got there he has a mere $1800.00 in front of him and had the rest of the table looking like they had just walked through a Tornado to get to the table. Everyone was in awe, they had hand fulls of hair, their eyes were bloodshot, and some seemed down right depressed. I knew this was not the table for me.
The other table looked to be the Excalibur of old, a cowboy, a crazy looking Asian guy and a couple who was from the Midwest who seemed to like to play every pot. Soon after checking out the table I was seated at table two, I was glad this was my table. I will get right too the point, wow, I missed the Excalibur. It is truly the only casino (OK maybe MGM) where I can be in the game for $600.00 in and hour and a half, and get it all back.
It all started on my second hand, when I check raised a calling station with Broadway (that is an A, K, Q, J, 10 straight). I re raised 2 times the pot and he insta-called then pushed the river when he spiked a J for Jacks full, I was mad but knew he would not hold onto it. Then the second buy in about 20 minutes later I had KK and lost to 77 when he called a re raise of $50.00 preflop to flop a set.
So on to re buy 3, I had built my stack up to about $450.00 when this hand came up. From the under the gun position I limped with a classic Duke starting hand 10d - 7 d. In a 6 way limped pot the flop of Ad 6d 3d came down. It was checked to me and I checked as well. There were two players in the hand that always bet when and Ace hit so I thought I would slide in a solid check raise here. As I suspected goon#1 bet $20.00 into the $18.00 pot. The Big Blind called, and then I re raised to $150.00. I was happy taking the pot right here. What happened next I did not expect.
Goon #1 went all in for $1 more, and the Big Blind cold called leaving about $60 behind. I called the $1 as I could not re raise then told the Big Blind, I was going all in no matter what came and pushed my stack before the turn card came down. He said he would call and put his chips in. At this time my Girlfriend Stefanie had walked up to the table, and I told her, "I think I am about to lose a huge pot." The turn card was the 10h, great card, the dealer made the side pot right, then showed the river card, the 4s, I turned over my hand, the Big Blind showed the Kd and folded, goon #1 showed Ah Qd and folded. I was so shocked, I did not expect to have the best hand, but felt I did need to get all my chips in if that is the case.
I racked up as I was to be the big blind next, and thought I would take my win. So in the title I said what I need to learn....well that is how to play a little stronger of a style, like YJ, and what I forgot......I love the Excalibur.!!!!
On a side note I was told the the Planet Hollywood room is now open and has been busy all day. I may venture out, depending on how I feel. I know that I will play at Planet Hollywood for the most part, but I need to remember to play more at the Castle. I also an currently taking name suggestions for Planet Hollywood, I was thinking maybe Mars would be a good name. Or ever the twilight zone, cause so much weird stuff has gone on there....Let me know what you think.
10-4
THE DUKE
$1 - $3No Limit
3pm - 5:30pm (2.5hrs)
Buy In: $600.00
Cash Out: $810.00
Profit: $210.00
Hourly: $84.00/hr
Today I ventured out early as I used to do early in the week and made it out to the Excalibur or known here after as the Castle. First off Highwaytime Mike and & I have always renamed different casinos names. Like the Aladdin (Now Planet Hollywood) was known as Ali Baba's and so on. Alright I will get back to the session.
Made it down to the Castle and placed my name on the waiting list, thought I would check out the games and see how they were. We'll the first table, is what I need to learn. Here sat YJ, an Asian player I have played with quite a bit over the last 6 months. He is a very aggressive player, that seems to make some of the greatest calls, some of which keep you wondering; "How in the hell did he call that? Not my choice in style but I have to say it works for him, I have seen him consistently built over $1000.00 chip stacks. Today when I got there he has a mere $1800.00 in front of him and had the rest of the table looking like they had just walked through a Tornado to get to the table. Everyone was in awe, they had hand fulls of hair, their eyes were bloodshot, and some seemed down right depressed. I knew this was not the table for me.
The other table looked to be the Excalibur of old, a cowboy, a crazy looking Asian guy and a couple who was from the Midwest who seemed to like to play every pot. Soon after checking out the table I was seated at table two, I was glad this was my table. I will get right too the point, wow, I missed the Excalibur. It is truly the only casino (OK maybe MGM) where I can be in the game for $600.00 in and hour and a half, and get it all back.
It all started on my second hand, when I check raised a calling station with Broadway (that is an A, K, Q, J, 10 straight). I re raised 2 times the pot and he insta-called then pushed the river when he spiked a J for Jacks full, I was mad but knew he would not hold onto it. Then the second buy in about 20 minutes later I had KK and lost to 77 when he called a re raise of $50.00 preflop to flop a set.
So on to re buy 3, I had built my stack up to about $450.00 when this hand came up. From the under the gun position I limped with a classic Duke starting hand 10d - 7 d. In a 6 way limped pot the flop of Ad 6d 3d came down. It was checked to me and I checked as well. There were two players in the hand that always bet when and Ace hit so I thought I would slide in a solid check raise here. As I suspected goon#1 bet $20.00 into the $18.00 pot. The Big Blind called, and then I re raised to $150.00. I was happy taking the pot right here. What happened next I did not expect.
Goon #1 went all in for $1 more, and the Big Blind cold called leaving about $60 behind. I called the $1 as I could not re raise then told the Big Blind, I was going all in no matter what came and pushed my stack before the turn card came down. He said he would call and put his chips in. At this time my Girlfriend Stefanie had walked up to the table, and I told her, "I think I am about to lose a huge pot." The turn card was the 10h, great card, the dealer made the side pot right, then showed the river card, the 4s, I turned over my hand, the Big Blind showed the Kd and folded, goon #1 showed Ah Qd and folded. I was so shocked, I did not expect to have the best hand, but felt I did need to get all my chips in if that is the case.
I racked up as I was to be the big blind next, and thought I would take my win. So in the title I said what I need to learn....well that is how to play a little stronger of a style, like YJ, and what I forgot......I love the Excalibur.!!!!
On a side note I was told the the Planet Hollywood room is now open and has been busy all day. I may venture out, depending on how I feel. I know that I will play at Planet Hollywood for the most part, but I need to remember to play more at the Castle. I also an currently taking name suggestions for Planet Hollywood, I was thinking maybe Mars would be a good name. Or ever the twilight zone, cause so much weird stuff has gone on there....Let me know what you think.
10-4
THE DUKE
Aprils Fools??? Where are they?
4/2/07 - MGM
$1 - $2 No Limit
10pm - 1am (3hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $253.00
Profit: $53.00
Hourly: $17.67/hr
I got to MGM after a short stop at Planet Hollywood. Planet has been under construction for about 6 months or so, when I showed up to find no poker room, I wasn't surprised. Apparently they closed the Poker Room for a few days as it had been in a temporary location, but will not open today or tomorrow in it's new permanent home. I am excited about the room moving as it will be near the entrance and will get more foot traffic. The room looks good and has better access to parking and Starbucks, LOL.
OK now about my session. Not too much exciting to talk about here. I got to MGM at 10pm who had a huge list, but as only the MGM can do, they opened a new game within 10 minutes of my arrival. I sat down at this new table and quickly realized there where about 4 calling stations, but that they all bought in short. I decided to play tight aggressive. I rarely limped into pots, including folding hands like AJ in early position. I also decided to only raise hands that I either need to raise, or while in position. I really wanna work on my patience, and playing more in position. This worked well, as I did get blinded off a little but every time, I made a hand I was able to get chips back pretty easy.
I did end up running a little card dead. I had AQ three times, and was only good once. I had 4 pocket pairs. Jacks once, where in a raised pot I folded to an opening bet of $25 on a 7c 6c 5s board. I player ended up pushing all in on the turn when the 8s came out, I felt there was not value in my Jacks against the draw. I was right as one person flopped two pair and the other player had Ad 4d and made his straight. So my fold was the right play, after all as Re-Bet would say, "whatever the right play is, yeah that is what I would do." I had Pocket 2's 4's & 5's. Non of which made a hand.
At 1am I ended my session, I could have changed tables, but I like to table change when I have more chips then I started with. I just decided I wasn't really feeling it and that I would get in another session on Tuesday. Well wish me luck, as I will be playing the next few days, hoping that the Planet Hollywood picks up good action the next couple of days and weeks.
The Duke
Oh for your pleasure a new picture of the Educated Donkey has been posted above.
$1 - $2 No Limit
10pm - 1am (3hrs)
Buy In: $200.00
Cash Out: $253.00
Profit: $53.00
Hourly: $17.67/hr
I got to MGM after a short stop at Planet Hollywood. Planet has been under construction for about 6 months or so, when I showed up to find no poker room, I wasn't surprised. Apparently they closed the Poker Room for a few days as it had been in a temporary location, but will not open today or tomorrow in it's new permanent home. I am excited about the room moving as it will be near the entrance and will get more foot traffic. The room looks good and has better access to parking and Starbucks, LOL.
OK now about my session. Not too much exciting to talk about here. I got to MGM at 10pm who had a huge list, but as only the MGM can do, they opened a new game within 10 minutes of my arrival. I sat down at this new table and quickly realized there where about 4 calling stations, but that they all bought in short. I decided to play tight aggressive. I rarely limped into pots, including folding hands like AJ in early position. I also decided to only raise hands that I either need to raise, or while in position. I really wanna work on my patience, and playing more in position. This worked well, as I did get blinded off a little but every time, I made a hand I was able to get chips back pretty easy.
I did end up running a little card dead. I had AQ three times, and was only good once. I had 4 pocket pairs. Jacks once, where in a raised pot I folded to an opening bet of $25 on a 7c 6c 5s board. I player ended up pushing all in on the turn when the 8s came out, I felt there was not value in my Jacks against the draw. I was right as one person flopped two pair and the other player had Ad 4d and made his straight. So my fold was the right play, after all as Re-Bet would say, "whatever the right play is, yeah that is what I would do." I had Pocket 2's 4's & 5's. Non of which made a hand.
At 1am I ended my session, I could have changed tables, but I like to table change when I have more chips then I started with. I just decided I wasn't really feeling it and that I would get in another session on Tuesday. Well wish me luck, as I will be playing the next few days, hoping that the Planet Hollywood picks up good action the next couple of days and weeks.
The Duke
Oh for your pleasure a new picture of the Educated Donkey has been posted above.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
19 Days since the last post....wow what a ride
OK, I know it has been 19 days since my last post. Trust me I have been planning on getting back on here and posting my sessions. After a session on the 6th, where I pushed all in under the gun with KK and got called by 9-10 off and he made trips 10's, really got me frustrated.
Since that point I have played, quit a bit, I have started playing online at Full Tilt again, under the name dabadbeat. I started off playing heads up sit n go's, and for the most part had pretty good results overall. Currently I am up about $900 on Full Tilt.
I have also been playing live at Planet Hollywood exclusively. I have played about 8 sessions and have had a winning result of about plus $2900.00. Overall for the month after starting the month off down $1500.00. I have had the following results for the month of March.
LIVE GAMES
Hours: 78
Total Profit: $1400
Hourly: $17.95/per hour
ONLINE GAMES
Hours: 15
Total Profit: $900
Hourly: $60.00/per hour
TOTAL POKER
Hours: 93
Total Profit: $2300
Hourly: $24.73/per hour
Ok now that I have updated results lets get into so details of some of the sessions I have played.
Online I played $30,000 guarantee tournaments with 292 players. I ended up 10th which paid $600.00 for that win. I mainly folded my way up through the ranks of the money. I thought I was smart at stalling play to allow other tables to bust players to move me up. Overall I liked my play in this tournament, and think I should play more tourney's in the future.
As for cash games I did have some interesting hands come up against some very peculiar play. One thing I have noticed is that people are playing back at me more playing 1 -2 No Limit, so I have had to adjust a little, I have found that if I over play a big hand people have a tendency to risk their chips more. Also in raised pots I have found I get re raised a lot when I make big hands by under betting pots against certain players, they seem to make more moves. This has allowed me to also work on making better reads on players.
Here is a hand from a session I had at Planet Hollywood, this was a 4 hour session I ended up plus $700. I was on the button with a $260 stack when the UTG player straddled to $4. Three players limped in and then I did as well with Kc Jc. The small blind then made it $14 to go, which 3 of the 4 other players called as did I. This is a pretty small raise especially out of position, so it made me feel he was pot building not trying to protect a hand. With a pot of $70, the flop of Jd 10s 6h came down. The small blind bet $25, the remaining players folded and I had to decide weather to try to play a small pot or a large pot. I decided to raise and made it $80. He thought, and finally decided to move all in and he had me covered. I thought for a bit and remembered an earlier hand, where he had QQ and played it really strong on the flop. Finally I made the decision he did not have me beat. I did call and he turn over Ah 10h for middle pair. My hand held up and I was pushed the pot.
OK so now the duke is back, he will be back in action and will be posting regularly. My playing schedule will becoming a little more regular as Stef, the girl I have been dating that lived in Spokane WA, is now moved here to live with me. I am excited for her to be here, and I am looking forward to us getting started together. As for Poker, Monday I will be starting on my regular schedule. Think it will consist of more day time play at MGM or maybe even dipping into the 2-5 ranks at the Bellagio.
El Diablo
Since that point I have played, quit a bit, I have started playing online at Full Tilt again, under the name dabadbeat. I started off playing heads up sit n go's, and for the most part had pretty good results overall. Currently I am up about $900 on Full Tilt.
I have also been playing live at Planet Hollywood exclusively. I have played about 8 sessions and have had a winning result of about plus $2900.00. Overall for the month after starting the month off down $1500.00. I have had the following results for the month of March.
LIVE GAMES
Hours: 78
Total Profit: $1400
Hourly: $17.95/per hour
ONLINE GAMES
Hours: 15
Total Profit: $900
Hourly: $60.00/per hour
TOTAL POKER
Hours: 93
Total Profit: $2300
Hourly: $24.73/per hour
Ok now that I have updated results lets get into so details of some of the sessions I have played.
Online I played $30,000 guarantee tournaments with 292 players. I ended up 10th which paid $600.00 for that win. I mainly folded my way up through the ranks of the money. I thought I was smart at stalling play to allow other tables to bust players to move me up. Overall I liked my play in this tournament, and think I should play more tourney's in the future.
As for cash games I did have some interesting hands come up against some very peculiar play. One thing I have noticed is that people are playing back at me more playing 1 -2 No Limit, so I have had to adjust a little, I have found that if I over play a big hand people have a tendency to risk their chips more. Also in raised pots I have found I get re raised a lot when I make big hands by under betting pots against certain players, they seem to make more moves. This has allowed me to also work on making better reads on players.
Here is a hand from a session I had at Planet Hollywood, this was a 4 hour session I ended up plus $700. I was on the button with a $260 stack when the UTG player straddled to $4. Three players limped in and then I did as well with Kc Jc. The small blind then made it $14 to go, which 3 of the 4 other players called as did I. This is a pretty small raise especially out of position, so it made me feel he was pot building not trying to protect a hand. With a pot of $70, the flop of Jd 10s 6h came down. The small blind bet $25, the remaining players folded and I had to decide weather to try to play a small pot or a large pot. I decided to raise and made it $80. He thought, and finally decided to move all in and he had me covered. I thought for a bit and remembered an earlier hand, where he had QQ and played it really strong on the flop. Finally I made the decision he did not have me beat. I did call and he turn over Ah 10h for middle pair. My hand held up and I was pushed the pot.
OK so now the duke is back, he will be back in action and will be posting regularly. My playing schedule will becoming a little more regular as Stef, the girl I have been dating that lived in Spokane WA, is now moved here to live with me. I am excited for her to be here, and I am looking forward to us getting started together. As for Poker, Monday I will be starting on my regular schedule. Think it will consist of more day time play at MGM or maybe even dipping into the 2-5 ranks at the Bellagio.
El Diablo
Monday, March 5, 2007
March kicks off......right where February ended.
I have played two sessions since March started. Both at MGM, both 8 hours each. I guess if it was in sports terms I would be 1 and 1. I had a $475 win for my 8 hours on March 1, to then have a $600 loss for my 8 hours on March 2nd.
Mike, Todd and I were talking the other day, and they brought up a couple things that have got me thinking. My swings the last two months have been pretty extreme. I attribute this to players just losing their minds against me. For some reason people think I am bluffing a lot at pots. So when i do bluff I almost always get caught, and when I make a monster I almost always get paid off. After our conversation I realized these two main points, and so I will work on them to make my play in March better.
1) Table talk - Fuck it, it is a strength of mine, I am going to talk to players, work on putting them on tilt, make them play back at me. I can do this while I am not in a hand. I think if I use it here, rather then use it when I am drawing this will improve my chances of getting paid off. In these type of games I think I will bluff less, and I will draw less often. And when i have made hands, I will make my opponents feel like making the 'HERO' call is always the right play.
2) Be a bit ore aggressive post flop - I mean by this, when I have made hands that can lose to draws, bet them, and not miss a bet, especially in those situations where I may be able to get my opponent to lay down a drawing hand when my hand is venerable.
I think if I work on these two elements of my game, my action will continue, my hands will p-lay better in the long run, and hopefully my results will be better. We will see. In the mean time, I am suppose to watch some video's of TONY G on Highywatime Mike's blog, Todd and Mike say I should work on adapting his table presence to my game more.
On a side note a big THANKS, goes to Splitime Todd, wh made the final table at the Monte Carlo free roll and in turn made a nice little win in our three way action for the three of us. It was right in the nick of time. Hopefully someday, I will be doing the same thing in return for him.
El Diablo - Leaning towards the Gamblin Duke today
Mike, Todd and I were talking the other day, and they brought up a couple things that have got me thinking. My swings the last two months have been pretty extreme. I attribute this to players just losing their minds against me. For some reason people think I am bluffing a lot at pots. So when i do bluff I almost always get caught, and when I make a monster I almost always get paid off. After our conversation I realized these two main points, and so I will work on them to make my play in March better.
1) Table talk - Fuck it, it is a strength of mine, I am going to talk to players, work on putting them on tilt, make them play back at me. I can do this while I am not in a hand. I think if I use it here, rather then use it when I am drawing this will improve my chances of getting paid off. In these type of games I think I will bluff less, and I will draw less often. And when i have made hands, I will make my opponents feel like making the 'HERO' call is always the right play.
2) Be a bit ore aggressive post flop - I mean by this, when I have made hands that can lose to draws, bet them, and not miss a bet, especially in those situations where I may be able to get my opponent to lay down a drawing hand when my hand is venerable.
I think if I work on these two elements of my game, my action will continue, my hands will p-lay better in the long run, and hopefully my results will be better. We will see. In the mean time, I am suppose to watch some video's of TONY G on Highywatime Mike's blog, Todd and Mike say I should work on adapting his table presence to my game more.
On a side note a big THANKS, goes to Splitime Todd, wh made the final table at the Monte Carlo free roll and in turn made a nice little win in our three way action for the three of us. It was right in the nick of time. Hopefully someday, I will be doing the same thing in return for him.
El Diablo - Leaning towards the Gamblin Duke today
Finishing Up February.....oh how to forget
So I finished February with one final 14 hour melee of a session at Planet Hollywood. When it was all said and done, I was up $80 total, after I took my last Bad Beat of the month when I flopped the nut straight.
This crazy Australian guy who was in the game for $3500, was constantly giving away money, and every time, I built a lead on my chip stack he would out draw me, then, give it all away in 2 or 3 hands......but that is how February went.
I am glad to see it over, I have a new outlook for March and will be trying to play around 120 hours during this month. My final stats for the month are totaled below.
Stats:
Hours: 144.5hrs
Profit: $2185.00
Hourly: $15.12/hr (way below goal)
Bring on March, let's just hope there is not too much Madness
Mr. ED
This crazy Australian guy who was in the game for $3500, was constantly giving away money, and every time, I built a lead on my chip stack he would out draw me, then, give it all away in 2 or 3 hands......but that is how February went.
I am glad to see it over, I have a new outlook for March and will be trying to play around 120 hours during this month. My final stats for the month are totaled below.
Stats:
Hours: 144.5hrs
Profit: $2185.00
Hourly: $15.12/hr (way below goal)
Bring on March, let's just hope there is not too much Madness
Mr. ED
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
It's not a race....but a marathon
OK, so I played my first marathon session of 2007 at Planet Hollywood. I started at Monday Feb 26th at 12:30pm I stopped playing Wed Feb 28th at 1:30am. Here is how my schedule during this session broke down:
Feb 26
12:30p - 3:30p (3hrs)
9:30p - 12:00a (2.5hrs)
Feb 27
12:00a - 10:00a (10hrs)
2:30pm - 12am (9.5hrs)
Feb 28
12a - 1:30 (1.5hrs)
All in all I played a total of 26.5 hours, and as February has gone, I was making up ground most of the time. Finally when the smoke cleared I was up $600 over these hours for an hourly rate of $22.65. Not ideal but for February, this is great.
During this session I saw a lot go on. A lot of suck outs, me personally going on tilt then re correcting, but I was able to change gears pretty good most of the time. In the final leg of the session, I was getting tired, and I guess a bit cranky, which is not good for the Duke, after all i already don't handle being drawn out on very well, so to add to this just makes it worse.
I was sitting at the same table with Mike and Todd when Todd and I got into it a little over a hand where he had QQ, I had KJ of hearts and there were two other players in a pot. Todd was upset cause I had flopped a flush draw with 2 overs, and called his raise of another player to $40 and turned a K, he was not happy, and so a few minutes later when i had JJ he called my raise then lead out, and caught a board pairing 10 on the turn, where I had to fold my hand. As we exchanged words, such as the ingenious phrase only I could say when mad at a friend at the poker table, "Don't worry, I'll 4-6 you, I will snap you off, maybe not today or tomorrow, built soon and I will refer back to this and say, remember when?" OK we were being idiots. Highwaytime Mike saw this, and knew we were on a crash course, so as the blinds approached he stood up ever so quietly, picked up a rack, and racked up hi mound of newly found wealth from the table, and left. I told he before he left I would have put $2000 on it he was about to leave when Todd and I started after all, neither Todd nor I know when to stop.....LOL
In the end it all worked out, although I did play one other pot with Todd when he re raised a Donkey to $40, when i was on the button with AcKc and called, to my surprise the flop of KKA came down, Todd lead out, I called, and the Donkey folded. I had wished Todd would have checked as I know the Donkey if he didn't think one of us had a full house, would have been willing to go broke with almost any two cards. Anyways on the turn Todd Checked and I just went all in, he had done that earlier when I had KK, and he had AA, so i felt it was only fair to return the favor. After all we both work too hard to take each others money when there is so much of the tourists money on the table.
Well I am off again today to finish my month at Planet Hollywood. I would like to book around a $500 win today in 8 hours, hopefully I can pick up some momentum and not be in the game, deep early. Wish me luck, and the sun has got to shine soon, thank God March is right around the corner.
Stats:
Hours: 130.5hrs
Profit: $2105.00
Hourly: $16.19/hr (way below goal)
Feb 26
12:30p - 3:30p (3hrs)
9:30p - 12:00a (2.5hrs)
Feb 27
12:00a - 10:00a (10hrs)
2:30pm - 12am (9.5hrs)
Feb 28
12a - 1:30 (1.5hrs)
All in all I played a total of 26.5 hours, and as February has gone, I was making up ground most of the time. Finally when the smoke cleared I was up $600 over these hours for an hourly rate of $22.65. Not ideal but for February, this is great.
During this session I saw a lot go on. A lot of suck outs, me personally going on tilt then re correcting, but I was able to change gears pretty good most of the time. In the final leg of the session, I was getting tired, and I guess a bit cranky, which is not good for the Duke, after all i already don't handle being drawn out on very well, so to add to this just makes it worse.
I was sitting at the same table with Mike and Todd when Todd and I got into it a little over a hand where he had QQ, I had KJ of hearts and there were two other players in a pot. Todd was upset cause I had flopped a flush draw with 2 overs, and called his raise of another player to $40 and turned a K, he was not happy, and so a few minutes later when i had JJ he called my raise then lead out, and caught a board pairing 10 on the turn, where I had to fold my hand. As we exchanged words, such as the ingenious phrase only I could say when mad at a friend at the poker table, "Don't worry, I'll 4-6 you, I will snap you off, maybe not today or tomorrow, built soon and I will refer back to this and say, remember when?" OK we were being idiots. Highwaytime Mike saw this, and knew we were on a crash course, so as the blinds approached he stood up ever so quietly, picked up a rack, and racked up hi mound of newly found wealth from the table, and left. I told he before he left I would have put $2000 on it he was about to leave when Todd and I started after all, neither Todd nor I know when to stop.....LOL
In the end it all worked out, although I did play one other pot with Todd when he re raised a Donkey to $40, when i was on the button with AcKc and called, to my surprise the flop of KKA came down, Todd lead out, I called, and the Donkey folded. I had wished Todd would have checked as I know the Donkey if he didn't think one of us had a full house, would have been willing to go broke with almost any two cards. Anyways on the turn Todd Checked and I just went all in, he had done that earlier when I had KK, and he had AA, so i felt it was only fair to return the favor. After all we both work too hard to take each others money when there is so much of the tourists money on the table.
Well I am off again today to finish my month at Planet Hollywood. I would like to book around a $500 win today in 8 hours, hopefully I can pick up some momentum and not be in the game, deep early. Wish me luck, and the sun has got to shine soon, thank God March is right around the corner.
Stats:
Hours: 130.5hrs
Profit: $2105.00
Hourly: $16.19/hr (way below goal)
Monday, February 26, 2007
I Know It Has Been A While - Many Sessions
OK so I have played about 8 sessions since my last post, during that time, Anna Nicole Smith Died, the NBA All Star Game Was in Las Vegas. Well if you just ask Highwaytime Mike you will know these sessions went as well as they could for it still being the month of February. This month has been horrid, I cannot build any steam and as soon as I do, I end up, going on tilt and playing Black Jack.
OK, so first off I need to avoid the Black Jack table, I know it favors the house, I am still up for the year playing Black Jack. I just need to avoid playing it. Second I need to manage my sessions a little better, my time, etc. Play for a long session when winning, play less if I have a losing session just to clear my head.
During this run I have played between the Aladdin, MGM, Paris & Bally's. I have been successful in most of my sessions just not many big wins overall. During this time here were my stats.
Hours over period: 47hrs
Profit: $1270.00
This brings my total for the month to
Hours: 104hrs
Profit: $1505.00
Hourly: $14.47/hr
At least over this period I have raised my hourly for the month. It has been such a grind. Here is an example of the type of month it has been.
On Feb 24th, I got off work at 2am and made my way to Paris to play $1 - $2 No limit. There were 4 games when I arrived and most players were bad. Within an hour and a half I was up $440. The max buy in at Paris is $300.00 so my chips stack was at $740.00. I was not having to do anything but make the best hand bet it out and get called down. Dream scenario for all poker players. I was feeling good about this session when this hand came up. I was in the cutoff seat, while my table was 7 handed. The player under the gun had just racked up his chips to leave he had just over $600.00. The cards were delt and he made a raise of $15.00. I felt this was his last hand and a lot of players have a tendency to make moves when they are about to leave, kind of the old, I'll try to win one more before I go. I looked down, I was holding two black 9's, I called as did the button & Small Blind. We went 4 ways for $15.00 there was $62.00 in the pot. The flop of Js 9H 4H cam down. The UTG player bet out making it $15.00, I just smooth called my set of 9's, kind of gambling, looking to have a blank hit the turn them make my move. The button called, and the small blind folded. $107.00 in the pot at this point. The turn card was the 2c. The UTG player bet out $25.00, now I felt it was time to make my move, no need to let the button draw for free, plus, I want to see if the UTG player will play back at me. I Raise to $125, I know I under bet the pot, but was intending on getting the UTG player to play back at me. To my surprise the button called, and so did the UTG player. Now there was $482.00 in the pot, OK I really want to win this pot, the river was the As, in my opinion the best card in the deck, cause now if the button was on the nut flush draw he will have to call a big river bet since he made his hand. Plus this will make AJ feel like he has the best hand. The UTG player leads out to $200.00, I stop and think for a few minutes trying to figure out my opponents betting. All I could really think of was that maybe he had AK or AQ of hearts, and hit his A and thought it was good. After I thought more, he only had $200 more behind, and the button only had $200, so either was I was getting all of their chips or just the UTG players. I decided to go all in, and get the rest of my chips in the pot. The button folded and the UTG player called the pot was now at $1322.00, I showed down my set of 9's, he shook his head then rolled over JJ, yep that's right I flopped set over set for the 4th time this month. I wasn't even mad. I just chalked it up to the month I was having, called myself unlucky.
So what was there to do next, just as Todd says, "Nothing to do, but buy more chips."
I was going to take off the rest of the month, but I feel I need to lay, so I am heading down to the Aladdin today to put in a serious session. Wish me luck, with how February has been, I need it.
Al Diablo
OK, so first off I need to avoid the Black Jack table, I know it favors the house, I am still up for the year playing Black Jack. I just need to avoid playing it. Second I need to manage my sessions a little better, my time, etc. Play for a long session when winning, play less if I have a losing session just to clear my head.
During this run I have played between the Aladdin, MGM, Paris & Bally's. I have been successful in most of my sessions just not many big wins overall. During this time here were my stats.
Hours over period: 47hrs
Profit: $1270.00
This brings my total for the month to
Hours: 104hrs
Profit: $1505.00
Hourly: $14.47/hr
At least over this period I have raised my hourly for the month. It has been such a grind. Here is an example of the type of month it has been.
On Feb 24th, I got off work at 2am and made my way to Paris to play $1 - $2 No limit. There were 4 games when I arrived and most players were bad. Within an hour and a half I was up $440. The max buy in at Paris is $300.00 so my chips stack was at $740.00. I was not having to do anything but make the best hand bet it out and get called down. Dream scenario for all poker players. I was feeling good about this session when this hand came up. I was in the cutoff seat, while my table was 7 handed. The player under the gun had just racked up his chips to leave he had just over $600.00. The cards were delt and he made a raise of $15.00. I felt this was his last hand and a lot of players have a tendency to make moves when they are about to leave, kind of the old, I'll try to win one more before I go. I looked down, I was holding two black 9's, I called as did the button & Small Blind. We went 4 ways for $15.00 there was $62.00 in the pot. The flop of Js 9H 4H cam down. The UTG player bet out making it $15.00, I just smooth called my set of 9's, kind of gambling, looking to have a blank hit the turn them make my move. The button called, and the small blind folded. $107.00 in the pot at this point. The turn card was the 2c. The UTG player bet out $25.00, now I felt it was time to make my move, no need to let the button draw for free, plus, I want to see if the UTG player will play back at me. I Raise to $125, I know I under bet the pot, but was intending on getting the UTG player to play back at me. To my surprise the button called, and so did the UTG player. Now there was $482.00 in the pot, OK I really want to win this pot, the river was the As, in my opinion the best card in the deck, cause now if the button was on the nut flush draw he will have to call a big river bet since he made his hand. Plus this will make AJ feel like he has the best hand. The UTG player leads out to $200.00, I stop and think for a few minutes trying to figure out my opponents betting. All I could really think of was that maybe he had AK or AQ of hearts, and hit his A and thought it was good. After I thought more, he only had $200 more behind, and the button only had $200, so either was I was getting all of their chips or just the UTG players. I decided to go all in, and get the rest of my chips in the pot. The button folded and the UTG player called the pot was now at $1322.00, I showed down my set of 9's, he shook his head then rolled over JJ, yep that's right I flopped set over set for the 4th time this month. I wasn't even mad. I just chalked it up to the month I was having, called myself unlucky.
So what was there to do next, just as Todd says, "Nothing to do, but buy more chips."
I was going to take off the rest of the month, but I feel I need to lay, so I am heading down to the Aladdin today to put in a serious session. Wish me luck, with how February has been, I need it.
Al Diablo
Monday, February 19, 2007
Where to start
OK so February has not been my most profitable month, with the late start due to my trip to Washington, and now the All Star weekend, I have not put in as many hours as I would like to have a nice month. Currently my breakdown looks like this.
Hours: 57
Profit: $235
Hourly: $4.12/hr
So I am feeling good, I mean those numbers are better then they were to start the month off. I was down over $1500, after only playing about 12 hours, so I would say, it is a nice little upswing.
I have played 4 sessions since my last post, won a little, but I did finish my hours at the Monte Carlo, and for the record I finally hit my first high hand jackpot in about 6 months when I flopped Quad Queens. Well I will be playing this week, wish me luck, I will post blogs more regular during my play the rest of the month.
As a side note, the Gamblin Duke will be writing a guest blog in the next day or two on how to establish +EV UTG in No Limit Hold Em' and why it is good for your good table image doing so.
Till then:
"May the Decepticons rise and rule the Transformers world." Chuck Norris
El Diablo
Hours: 57
Profit: $235
Hourly: $4.12/hr
So I am feeling good, I mean those numbers are better then they were to start the month off. I was down over $1500, after only playing about 12 hours, so I would say, it is a nice little upswing.
I have played 4 sessions since my last post, won a little, but I did finish my hours at the Monte Carlo, and for the record I finally hit my first high hand jackpot in about 6 months when I flopped Quad Queens. Well I will be playing this week, wish me luck, I will post blogs more regular during my play the rest of the month.
As a side note, the Gamblin Duke will be writing a guest blog in the next day or two on how to establish +EV UTG in No Limit Hold Em' and why it is good for your good table image doing so.
Till then:
"May the Decepticons rise and rule the Transformers world." Chuck Norris
El Diablo
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Who Is 'The Gamblin Duke'
He is not just any ordinary superhero, no not even Chuck Norris will attempt to battle him. He is skilled as an assassin, trained higher and beyond a Navy Seal, he makes Jack Bauer ponder the meaning of life. He is precise, strikes quickly, doesn't worry about anyone who gets in his way. To sum it up (which is truly impossible), he is the most skilled gamer to ever walk the face of the earth. He doesn't believe that gambling pertains to him. To him it is always skill, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
His knowledge of the games he plays is vast, and he makes claims that only the genius can lament. Like "I invented the check raise" or "The Bellagio high hand jackpot used to exist." He is loved by the ladies and envied by the men, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
He reads his opponents like a book, chapter by chapter page by page, while he becomes knowledgeable and more energized, he wears them down, to a point where they feel tattered and beaten. Soon he will strike, taking away the elements that they need to be successful. He removes their ability to reason, their common sense is destroyed, he is able to see into their souls, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
So now you need not ever wonder why this man of magnificence is who he is, he just is. He is so mysterious that scholars claim that his family history just disappeared like his last opponents chips as he showed down his full house. He is an international man of mystery, a gentleman you could only wish to have the pleasure to sit besides, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
A link to what just may be the only remnent of THE GAMBLIN DUKE'S heratige:http://www.victorianweb.org/history/pms/wellington.html
Author: El Diablo "The Fighting Chicken"
His knowledge of the games he plays is vast, and he makes claims that only the genius can lament. Like "I invented the check raise" or "The Bellagio high hand jackpot used to exist." He is loved by the ladies and envied by the men, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
He reads his opponents like a book, chapter by chapter page by page, while he becomes knowledgeable and more energized, he wears them down, to a point where they feel tattered and beaten. Soon he will strike, taking away the elements that they need to be successful. He removes their ability to reason, their common sense is destroyed, he is able to see into their souls, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
So now you need not ever wonder why this man of magnificence is who he is, he just is. He is so mysterious that scholars claim that his family history just disappeared like his last opponents chips as he showed down his full house. He is an international man of mystery, a gentleman you could only wish to have the pleasure to sit besides, he is THE GAMBLIN DUKE.
A link to what just may be the only remnent of THE GAMBLIN DUKE'S heratige:http://www.victorianweb.org/history/pms/wellington.html
Author: El Diablo "The Fighting Chicken"
Saturday, February 10, 2007
3 Sessions - 3 Wins
Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino
Feb 7th & 8th (Played 2 different sessions on the 8th)
1-2 No Limit
Hours: 18
Profit: + $1400
Well they say sometimes a change of scenery is good, that has been the case with the Monte Carlo. I am playing here because they are doing a $100,000 free roll tournament. Players can qualify for the tournament by playing 40 hours before Feb 28th. The games have been good, I make my hand, I bet, I get paid off. Now this is the way it is suppose to happen. It also helps when you catch some cards.
The second session on the 8th I played with Highwaytime, and a friend of ours Todd. This session was crazy, it made me look like I was a card catching machine. But really I only played hands against certain players. One player in particular, I was able to get him to pay me off in a few different hands. I had made an earlier play when he folded a hand where I smooth called the flop then raised the turn when I had flopped a set against him. He folded but you could tell he was frustrated that he had to fold, he made a good play, but this hand set me up to be able to play big pots against him, when he had just top pair.
The next hand I played against him I was in middle position and raised to $12 with the Qs 6s. I had determined that if I was gonna play a hand like this, then I wanted to dictate the action, so I would raise. A calling station behind me called, as well as our 'Friend' (as we will call him from here out) did from the small blind. I knew he was looking to play pots against me and would call with a large range of hands here. The flop of Js 9s 6c came down. Our Friend checked and I thought for a minute and realized, if I bet here, the calling station having position may call with a J or even a 9, but if I check it was less likely the calling station would lead out unless he had a monster. So I decided to check and as I thought the calling station checked. This was a great check cause the turn was the 6d, yeah I turned bottom pair and a flush draw into the perpetual powerhouse it now was. Our Friend gave me a look like he had just won the lottery and lead out for $25, I knew right then he had flopped top pair and that he liked to board pairing, he figured that he had the best hand for sure. Without hesitation, as I did on the turn when I had hit my set prior I raised to $80, I knew this would make him call, since in his mind he was thinking his hand was good from the time before. The calling station folded and of course our Friend called. The river was the 5s, now I had made my flush, I was afraid this would slow him down, no spade and he check raises me all in for sure here. He checks and I bet $75, he insta-called me, and I showed him my hand. He was in disbelief, he showed J - 9 off, I scooped the pot and he immediately went on tilt. Other players started taking advantage of this, as he started paying people off at the rate of $100 per hand.
About 15Min's later, our Friend limped in middle position, Highwaytime Mike limped. I was in the Big Blind looked down and I had QQ, usually I would raise, but knowing that I want to raise to thin the field, three way action was good, plus if Mike out flopped me I would know pretty quickly and be able to let this go. The flop of 8c 6s 4h came down. I checked as I wanted to see if our friend caught any part. He bet $15, I put him on A - 8 as he liked playing this type of hand in middle position. Mike folded and I just called. The turn was the 4s, and I lead out with a bet of $40, I knew he was frustrated and thought he might go all in. He got upset when I bet, looked at me as though I had just kicked his dog and called. The river was the 3d, I bet $70, and he insta-called me once again, I said "A - 8 no good, and rolled over my hand to show him QQ. He said "I can't put you on that, how can I put you on pocket Queens." All I could think is, 'That's right, how can you put me on that, that is exactly why I played it that way' it was great having an opponent, that you could just tell where he was. He had hands where he bet and I folded, I tried to play it smart. I never gave him action when he was ahead, but was able to force him to give me action every time I did. I tried not to get too crazy with him unless I had the goods and he would pay me off. Finally Todd busted him when Todd limped in the Small Blind with pocket Aces, Todd and our Friend ended up flopping set over set and both turning a full house. After this hand our Friend got up after he had just received a beat down for over $600.
So far my Monte Carlo experience has been good, I do enjoy the room, I know after the free roll the games will be even better without all the locals. I do feel I have been making a little better choices in my play and have been able to change gears pretty easy against certain players. I have made plays against the tight players where they have raised pots and I have played back at them, I think I have kept a good unpredictable style that has made it hard for people to put me on a hand.
I will resume playing on Monday, and hopefully will get my hours in that I need to qualify for the free roll. I have a lot going on this weekend, but I am glad I can report, that I am now up for the month, not a whole lot, but after my beat downs at the Aladdin, it is nice to be in the black. I will try to write the first installment of "Playing with The Gamblin Duke" while I am not playing this weekend. Good luck and thanks for reading.
El Diablo
"Roosters may rise in the morning, but the best Chickens fight at night"
Feb 7th & 8th (Played 2 different sessions on the 8th)
1-2 No Limit
Hours: 18
Profit: + $1400
Well they say sometimes a change of scenery is good, that has been the case with the Monte Carlo. I am playing here because they are doing a $100,000 free roll tournament. Players can qualify for the tournament by playing 40 hours before Feb 28th. The games have been good, I make my hand, I bet, I get paid off. Now this is the way it is suppose to happen. It also helps when you catch some cards.
The second session on the 8th I played with Highwaytime, and a friend of ours Todd. This session was crazy, it made me look like I was a card catching machine. But really I only played hands against certain players. One player in particular, I was able to get him to pay me off in a few different hands. I had made an earlier play when he folded a hand where I smooth called the flop then raised the turn when I had flopped a set against him. He folded but you could tell he was frustrated that he had to fold, he made a good play, but this hand set me up to be able to play big pots against him, when he had just top pair.
The next hand I played against him I was in middle position and raised to $12 with the Qs 6s. I had determined that if I was gonna play a hand like this, then I wanted to dictate the action, so I would raise. A calling station behind me called, as well as our 'Friend' (as we will call him from here out) did from the small blind. I knew he was looking to play pots against me and would call with a large range of hands here. The flop of Js 9s 6c came down. Our Friend checked and I thought for a minute and realized, if I bet here, the calling station having position may call with a J or even a 9, but if I check it was less likely the calling station would lead out unless he had a monster. So I decided to check and as I thought the calling station checked. This was a great check cause the turn was the 6d, yeah I turned bottom pair and a flush draw into the perpetual powerhouse it now was. Our Friend gave me a look like he had just won the lottery and lead out for $25, I knew right then he had flopped top pair and that he liked to board pairing, he figured that he had the best hand for sure. Without hesitation, as I did on the turn when I had hit my set prior I raised to $80, I knew this would make him call, since in his mind he was thinking his hand was good from the time before. The calling station folded and of course our Friend called. The river was the 5s, now I had made my flush, I was afraid this would slow him down, no spade and he check raises me all in for sure here. He checks and I bet $75, he insta-called me, and I showed him my hand. He was in disbelief, he showed J - 9 off, I scooped the pot and he immediately went on tilt. Other players started taking advantage of this, as he started paying people off at the rate of $100 per hand.
About 15Min's later, our Friend limped in middle position, Highwaytime Mike limped. I was in the Big Blind looked down and I had QQ, usually I would raise, but knowing that I want to raise to thin the field, three way action was good, plus if Mike out flopped me I would know pretty quickly and be able to let this go. The flop of 8c 6s 4h came down. I checked as I wanted to see if our friend caught any part. He bet $15, I put him on A - 8 as he liked playing this type of hand in middle position. Mike folded and I just called. The turn was the 4s, and I lead out with a bet of $40, I knew he was frustrated and thought he might go all in. He got upset when I bet, looked at me as though I had just kicked his dog and called. The river was the 3d, I bet $70, and he insta-called me once again, I said "A - 8 no good, and rolled over my hand to show him QQ. He said "I can't put you on that, how can I put you on pocket Queens." All I could think is, 'That's right, how can you put me on that, that is exactly why I played it that way' it was great having an opponent, that you could just tell where he was. He had hands where he bet and I folded, I tried to play it smart. I never gave him action when he was ahead, but was able to force him to give me action every time I did. I tried not to get too crazy with him unless I had the goods and he would pay me off. Finally Todd busted him when Todd limped in the Small Blind with pocket Aces, Todd and our Friend ended up flopping set over set and both turning a full house. After this hand our Friend got up after he had just received a beat down for over $600.
So far my Monte Carlo experience has been good, I do enjoy the room, I know after the free roll the games will be even better without all the locals. I do feel I have been making a little better choices in my play and have been able to change gears pretty easy against certain players. I have made plays against the tight players where they have raised pots and I have played back at them, I think I have kept a good unpredictable style that has made it hard for people to put me on a hand.
I will resume playing on Monday, and hopefully will get my hours in that I need to qualify for the free roll. I have a lot going on this weekend, but I am glad I can report, that I am now up for the month, not a whole lot, but after my beat downs at the Aladdin, it is nice to be in the black. I will try to write the first installment of "Playing with The Gamblin Duke" while I am not playing this weekend. Good luck and thanks for reading.
El Diablo
"Roosters may rise in the morning, but the best Chickens fight at night"
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
"Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, King Kong The......FUCK!"
OK so I am officially having nightmares. I waited to blog about my first session of February as when I think about it, or mention it I all the sudden have acid reflux. What a session, I mean nothing went my way. Okay at first things were going great, I quickly doubled up with 4 -5 of spades when I raised and got called by the calling station who had K-9 off. The Flop of K 5 4 rainbow came down and he went broke against my two pair. Then I made the nut flush in a raised pot and took down another big pot.
Then things started to fall off, I established a good table image by not having to showdown many hands, the pots I won were not showdowns except the 4-5 so people were putting me on making moves. It was good cause as I picked up premium hands I was getting action, the problem was the action was outdrawing me. I had KK 5 times, 5 times it was not good three times it went to show down two times I mucked by the turn. After being up around $300 I quickly found myself re buying another $200 to be invested into the game a total of $500.
I had a hand where when another player raised I smooth called with QQ, one ofthe loose aggressive player called, and we went 3 ways for $20 preflop. The flop of 10h 9c 6d came down. I liked this flop, I was sure the loose aggressive player had some type of Ace in his hand as that was his type of hands, and the other player was at least good to bet and call a raise to see the turn. To my surprise the loose aggressive player just went all in for $145, after the original raiser folded, I called to see the LAP turn over A-9 of spades he had second pair, wow the turn was the Jc and made me feel even better, then the river the 9d and I was informed "Yeah, man that is it, ship those chips to daddy." Amazing not only did I lose the pot I was insulted as well.
Then in another pot I raised with AcQc and got called and called down for $150 by 9h 7h after her called a pot size bet on the flop and the turn. He looked up at me and said, "You shouldn't have bet so much! I knew you didn't have anything betting so much!" I thought what the fuck I made almost the exact amount pot sized bets? What am I supposed to bet. I think it was his way of justifying to the table that he called that hand down.
So overall I lost $500, tucked my tail and left. I was disappointed cause I had such a good fresh feeling about the session. But I guess that is the way thing go. Lets just hope I don't lose the next 5 times I have pocket Kings or I might end up just folding them petaflop. LOL
Then things started to fall off, I established a good table image by not having to showdown many hands, the pots I won were not showdowns except the 4-5 so people were putting me on making moves. It was good cause as I picked up premium hands I was getting action, the problem was the action was outdrawing me. I had KK 5 times, 5 times it was not good three times it went to show down two times I mucked by the turn. After being up around $300 I quickly found myself re buying another $200 to be invested into the game a total of $500.
I had a hand where when another player raised I smooth called with QQ, one ofthe loose aggressive player called, and we went 3 ways for $20 preflop. The flop of 10h 9c 6d came down. I liked this flop, I was sure the loose aggressive player had some type of Ace in his hand as that was his type of hands, and the other player was at least good to bet and call a raise to see the turn. To my surprise the loose aggressive player just went all in for $145, after the original raiser folded, I called to see the LAP turn over A-9 of spades he had second pair, wow the turn was the Jc and made me feel even better, then the river the 9d and I was informed "Yeah, man that is it, ship those chips to daddy." Amazing not only did I lose the pot I was insulted as well.
Then in another pot I raised with AcQc and got called and called down for $150 by 9h 7h after her called a pot size bet on the flop and the turn. He looked up at me and said, "You shouldn't have bet so much! I knew you didn't have anything betting so much!" I thought what the fuck I made almost the exact amount pot sized bets? What am I supposed to bet. I think it was his way of justifying to the table that he called that hand down.
So overall I lost $500, tucked my tail and left. I was disappointed cause I had such a good fresh feeling about the session. But I guess that is the way thing go. Lets just hope I don't lose the next 5 times I have pocket Kings or I might end up just folding them petaflop. LOL
Monday, January 29, 2007
OK So I Lied!!!!!
Ok I ended up not having to work tonite, and I thought a change of scene would be good. I made my way down to the Tropicana to play 1-2 No Limit Hold Em. When i arrived there were two games going and neither game had a lot of money on the tables. After about 45 Min's I won my first pot. I was playing very tight aggressive this session, as I wanted some type of positive result.
I lost a big pot when out of the blind I flopped the nut straight with with a flush redraw with the Q-9 of diamonds. J-8 off suit got all in on the flop against me and turned a J to win with a full house. Yes by the way my flush got there on the river. After a re buy, yeah I know re buying at the Trop is a lot like trying to grab a Lady Cops ass, it is just something you shouldn't ever have to do.
Anyways I built myself up to about $360 when this hand came down. I limped in the cutoff position with the Jh 10h. The Small Blind raised to $10 and two players called, I called as well. The flop of Qh 5h 3c came down. The SB bet $20 and one player and I called. The turn was the Qc it was checked to me and I decided to check behind since the player in middle position was a calling station who claimed he was a 3-6 Limit player. I figured he would call anything I bet no matter if it was now or if I make my hand. I checked behind and took the free card. The river was the Ah I had made my flush. The SB checked and the calling station bet $25, I thought for a second and decided the SB was going to fold, so I raised to $50. Before the SB could act the calling station went all in. Damn was all I could think. Finally I did a little math figured I was getting about 5 to 1 on calling this bet, I felt this was enough for me to call. I called and turned over my flush J high, he shook hi head, flashed me a 8 high flush and folded. This pot was a little over $275.
I took a little bit of a hit over the next hour. I finally deiced to leave to meet my roommate for breakfast up $90. Not a big win, but a win is a win after the last session I played. Well i leave Tuesday for Washington, I will be back Saturday and by Monday should be looking to get February started.
UPDATED JAN Numbers
Hours: 131
Profit: +$3290
Hourly Rate: $25.15/hour
I lost a big pot when out of the blind I flopped the nut straight with with a flush redraw with the Q-9 of diamonds. J-8 off suit got all in on the flop against me and turned a J to win with a full house. Yes by the way my flush got there on the river. After a re buy, yeah I know re buying at the Trop is a lot like trying to grab a Lady Cops ass, it is just something you shouldn't ever have to do.
Anyways I built myself up to about $360 when this hand came down. I limped in the cutoff position with the Jh 10h. The Small Blind raised to $10 and two players called, I called as well. The flop of Qh 5h 3c came down. The SB bet $20 and one player and I called. The turn was the Qc it was checked to me and I decided to check behind since the player in middle position was a calling station who claimed he was a 3-6 Limit player. I figured he would call anything I bet no matter if it was now or if I make my hand. I checked behind and took the free card. The river was the Ah I had made my flush. The SB checked and the calling station bet $25, I thought for a second and decided the SB was going to fold, so I raised to $50. Before the SB could act the calling station went all in. Damn was all I could think. Finally I did a little math figured I was getting about 5 to 1 on calling this bet, I felt this was enough for me to call. I called and turned over my flush J high, he shook hi head, flashed me a 8 high flush and folded. This pot was a little over $275.
I took a little bit of a hit over the next hour. I finally deiced to leave to meet my roommate for breakfast up $90. Not a big win, but a win is a win after the last session I played. Well i leave Tuesday for Washington, I will be back Saturday and by Monday should be looking to get February started.
UPDATED JAN Numbers
Hours: 131
Profit: +$3290
Hourly Rate: $25.15/hour
Sunday, January 28, 2007
In my amazement
1/25/07 - Aladdin -$1250
OK it has taken me two days to write this blog, and with good reason. This was by far my biggest losing session I have ever had. I needed a couple of days to just get over it. All said in total I was down $1250 playing 1-2 No Limit at the Aladdin. So first I question myself, "A good player should never lose this much in a session right?" "What the hell were you thinking when you were down $800 re buying again?" Honestly I have no answer for this session. I felt I played well. I did not make any crazy moves, I just kept running into better hands. It is almost like I was being tested to read my opponents more. If I had made all these good lay downs, I would have never made a show down.
See it was constant, I never had Aces, I had KK once, QQ 8 times, JJ 6 times. Only QQ was good once. Three times I was up against aces, twice I was up against the same player. Twice we flopped set over set. What the FUCK. Twice set over set with QQ and AA. This was just not my day. All my other big hands we no good. I had a set flopped against my Kings, and anytime I made a large bet my opponents mucked, unless I had JJ or QQ then they would lose their minds. My QQ was beat by a range of hands from pocket 8's to K-8 off.
This session ends my month, although I had a good month, this was not the way I wanted it to end. I know I still have a lot to learn. One of the things I need to learn is better discipline and self control. Also as I have been playing more hours the last month and a half I also noticed that I have been getting angry more at the tables. This is something I had been doing before, I need to control my comments and emotions.
In Baseball I would teach pitchers if they gave up a hit, or a particular batter was beating them constantly, to never let their opponent know. It was easy I would tell them, Keep your chin up, and focus on something besides them. This worked well cause their opponent never knew when the pitcher was beat, tired or just didn't have good stuff. I guess the same thing can happen with Poker. You limit your ability to play back, if an opponent thinks that you are beat easily by him, he will call more of your raises and play back.
I was watching the 2003 WSOP and Annie Duke said something interesting, something I need to add to my game. She showed pocket Queens to an opponent after she had re raised and he had folded. She leaned back and told the cameras, that she wanted to keep this player on her good side as he was the big stack and she didn't want him coming after her. This makes sense, whenever I have befriended a player at the table, they have given my instant respect. Now I don't want all players to do this, but I want to set up these types of players, to fold when my hand is marginal and to call when I have a monster. This will be another added element to my game.
Well my stats for January.
Hours: 128
Profit: +$3200
Hourly Rate: $25/hour
My goal for the month was $30/hour. I didn't make my goal at Poker, but when I add Black Jack into the equation. Then my stats would look like this.
Hours: 143
Profit: +7700
Hourly Rate: $54/hour
So overall a very good month.
My goals for February.
1) No Black Jack
2) Make $30 per hour
3) Play at least 120 Hours
4) Only Play Monday through Thursday
5) Play at least 1 tournament per week. (I want to add tournaments into my play each month)
Next month is right around the corner. I am off to Spokane, WA for a week. I will resume posting Blogs on the 3rd or the 4th. Good luck to you.
OK it has taken me two days to write this blog, and with good reason. This was by far my biggest losing session I have ever had. I needed a couple of days to just get over it. All said in total I was down $1250 playing 1-2 No Limit at the Aladdin. So first I question myself, "A good player should never lose this much in a session right?" "What the hell were you thinking when you were down $800 re buying again?" Honestly I have no answer for this session. I felt I played well. I did not make any crazy moves, I just kept running into better hands. It is almost like I was being tested to read my opponents more. If I had made all these good lay downs, I would have never made a show down.
See it was constant, I never had Aces, I had KK once, QQ 8 times, JJ 6 times. Only QQ was good once. Three times I was up against aces, twice I was up against the same player. Twice we flopped set over set. What the FUCK. Twice set over set with QQ and AA. This was just not my day. All my other big hands we no good. I had a set flopped against my Kings, and anytime I made a large bet my opponents mucked, unless I had JJ or QQ then they would lose their minds. My QQ was beat by a range of hands from pocket 8's to K-8 off.
This session ends my month, although I had a good month, this was not the way I wanted it to end. I know I still have a lot to learn. One of the things I need to learn is better discipline and self control. Also as I have been playing more hours the last month and a half I also noticed that I have been getting angry more at the tables. This is something I had been doing before, I need to control my comments and emotions.
In Baseball I would teach pitchers if they gave up a hit, or a particular batter was beating them constantly, to never let their opponent know. It was easy I would tell them, Keep your chin up, and focus on something besides them. This worked well cause their opponent never knew when the pitcher was beat, tired or just didn't have good stuff. I guess the same thing can happen with Poker. You limit your ability to play back, if an opponent thinks that you are beat easily by him, he will call more of your raises and play back.
I was watching the 2003 WSOP and Annie Duke said something interesting, something I need to add to my game. She showed pocket Queens to an opponent after she had re raised and he had folded. She leaned back and told the cameras, that she wanted to keep this player on her good side as he was the big stack and she didn't want him coming after her. This makes sense, whenever I have befriended a player at the table, they have given my instant respect. Now I don't want all players to do this, but I want to set up these types of players, to fold when my hand is marginal and to call when I have a monster. This will be another added element to my game.
Well my stats for January.
Hours: 128
Profit: +$3200
Hourly Rate: $25/hour
My goal for the month was $30/hour. I didn't make my goal at Poker, but when I add Black Jack into the equation. Then my stats would look like this.
Hours: 143
Profit: +7700
Hourly Rate: $54/hour
So overall a very good month.
My goals for February.
1) No Black Jack
2) Make $30 per hour
3) Play at least 120 Hours
4) Only Play Monday through Thursday
5) Play at least 1 tournament per week. (I want to add tournaments into my play each month)
Next month is right around the corner. I am off to Spokane, WA for a week. I will resume posting Blogs on the 3rd or the 4th. Good luck to you.
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