Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Ship Cake 30r

Went on a heater the last two days consisting almost entirely of the Cake 30r. Third on Monday, first yesterday. Nothing to feel bad about on the third on Monday, bustosoon was a big CL and was being very aggro and just catching ridiculous cards and was just running over the table. He then promptly finished second after catching some really bad breaks.

Yesterday got heads up with a player who was willing to be aggressive and make plays. He had, for instance, reraised on the flop and then showed Q high (I was so close to shoving that hand too). I like it. Started out outchipped a little more than 2:1, but got to use his aggressiveness against him here:

Hand #17593FCD57003207: DAILY $25K GUARANTEED!! - R&A
Seat 1: GILF*** (1043296.00 in chips)
Seat 9: bzimzim (475204.00 in chips)
GILFHUNTER posts ante of 2,000
bzimzim posts ante of 2,000
bzimzim: posts small blind 10,000
GILF***: posts big blind 20,000
Dealt to bzimzim [ Ks Kd ]
bzimzim: calls
GILF***: checks
@@@ F_L_O_P @@@ [ 4h 6c 6h ]
GILF***: checks
bzimzim: bets 25,000
GILF***: calls
# # # TURN # # # [ Ac ]
GILF***: checks
bzimzim: bets 40,000
GILF***: raises to 120,000
bzimzim: is all in 388204.0000
GILF***: folds
bzimzim: returns uncalled bet 308,204

Cards help too. Clearly he just thought I was making a play here. If he has an A or 6 I go broke obviously, but I figured this was going to be a play a pretty good percentage of the time.

Won a couple other hands to build up 3:1 CL, then lost a flip. Back to work, aggro here:

Hand #17593FCD57003228: DAILY $25K GUARANTEED!! - R&A
Seat 1: GILF*** (760592.00 in chips)
Seat 9: bzimzim (757908.00 in chips)
GILFHUNTER posts ante of 2,000
bzimzim posts ante of 2,000
GILF***: posts small blind 10,000
bzimzim: posts big blind 20,000
Dealt to bzimzim [ Ad Jd ]
ILF***: calls
bzimzim: raises to 60,000
GILF***: calls
@@@ F_L_O_P @@@ [ 6c 7h Qs ]
bzimzim: bets 70,000
GILF***: calls
# # # TURN # # # [ 9c ]
bzimzim: bets 150,000
GILF***: folds
bzimzim: returns uncalled bet 150,000

A couple things: I felt like I'd bet the flop and shut it down on the turn a couple times. I also had very rarely raised OOP pre, content not to build big pots out of position with marginal hands. So I think by representing the turn I'm really representing big and have a good chance to take it away. Always nice when it works.

Hitting flops helps, hard to smack it much harder than this:

Hand #17593FCD57003230: DAILY $25K GUARANTEED!! - R&A
Seat 1: GILF*** (671592.00 in chips)
Seat 9: bzimzim (846908.00 in chips)
GILFHUNTER posts ante of 2,000
bzimzim posts ante of 2,000
GILF***: posts small blind 10,000
bzimzim: posts big blind 20,000
Dealt to bzimzim [ Ks 9s ]
GILF***: raises to 55,000
bzimzim: calls
@@@ F_L_O_P @@@ [ 9c 2s Ts ]
bzimzim: checks
GILF***: bets 75,000
bzimzim: raises to 200,000
GILF***: folds
bzimzim: returns uncalled bet 125,000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
bzimzim: mucks
bzimzim wins 264,000

As always, I run good. Eventually he open shoved 500k with K high, I made the call with A high, and it held.

So it took about half the month to get going, but thanks to a ten day heater of about 14k over ten days I'm at about 12k for the month. Very solid. I'll take 12 every month no questions asked. Probably not too much play in me left this month, I feel like I've played a lot lately.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Cake Poker Disclaimer

So got a check from Cake Poker. I really don't think it's the first one they've sent me, but maybe in the past I've just done trades and cashed out from other sites. But I really thought I'd cashed out from them before. Anyway, I got a check from them today, after paying their ridiculous $35 charge so they can send it by courier (just drop it in the mail folks). Anyway, it came with this disclaimer:

"If this is your first affiliate payment, please note the following.

Some branches of some US banks seem to have difficulty with the format of the line of numbers at the bottom of the cheque/check. The cheque. check you received is drawn off a Canadian bank, but is in US funds (clearly marked on the cheque/check). The row of numbers will not be the same as a cheque/check drawn on a bank in the USA. We cannot change that information to match what a US bank would use (Ed: why not?)

The cheque/check is valid and your bank can process it. You may experience a delay between the time you deposit your cheque/check, and the time the funds appear in your account. It takes between 10 days and three weeks from the date a cheque/check is issued, for the funds to clear our bank.

We have in the past heard from clients who have had problems with their bank. You can request that they send the cheque/check via collections. This is a separate system than a usual deposit and it will take longer for your cheque/check to clear.

A few banks also appear to have issues with the dollar amount of the cheque/check, most do not. The cheques/checks are sent in complaince with FinTrac guidelines as set out by the Canadian Government. This is why you were asked to submit ID prior to the cheque/check being sent.

We are contract to send cheques/checks only. I do not have the option of sending money orders or wire transfers at this time.

If you have any further questions please send an email to xxxxx."

Well. That inspired a lot of confidence. What the hell is this, 2004? Online poker has been around awhile now. How is it that Cake Poker still hasn't figured out how to send checks?

Second of all, where did the first person come in? I? Who the fuck is I?

So yeah, could be fun times when I go to the bank tomorrow.

Add this to my life of complaints about Cake, this may not be a good omen for the night:

Hand #17583FA7CC000248: DAILY $20K GUARANTEED!!
Seat 1: nets*** (4730.00 in chips)
Seat 2: ILik*** (4865.00 in chips)
Seat 3: true*** (5330.00 in chips)
Seat 4: txkf*** (1765.00 in chips)
Seat 5: lulu*** (6225.00 in chips)
Seat 6: sqls*** (6532.00 in chips)
Seat 7: wall*** (5135.00 in chips)
Seat 8: bzimzim (5690.00 in chips)
Seat 9: Hot*** (4818.00 in chips)
Seat 10: yeve*** (4910.00 in chips)
nets***: posts small blind 15
ILik***: posts big blind 30
Dealt to bzimzim [ Qd Th ]
true***: calls
txkf***: calls
lulu***: calls
sqls***: folds
wall***: calls
bzimzim: calls
Hot***: calls
yeve***: folds
nets***: calls
ILik***: checks
@@@ F_L_O_P @@@ [ Jc Ac 9d ]
nets***: checks
ILik***: checks
true***: checks
txkf***: checks
lulu***: checks
wall***: checks
bzimzim: checks
Hot***: bets 240
nets***: folds
ILik***: folds
true***: calls
txkf***: folds
lulu***: calls
wall***: folds
bzimzim: calls
# # # TURN # # # [ 8s ]t
rue***: checks
lulu***: bets 1,000
bzimzim: is all in 5420.0000
Hot***: folds
true***: folds
lulu***: calls
bzimzim: shows Qd Th
lulu***: shows 9c 8c
&&& RIVER &&& [ 8h ]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
lulu*** wins 12,040 with Full House, Eights full of Nines

Should know not to get it in with the nuts like that. Whatever. Time to get to work.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

30k Sniper Roller Coaster

Tournaments are always going to up and down affairs, but the 30k sniper I just played had more twists and turns then just about any tournament I can remember.

First a couple fun hands:
Stage #1418426636 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $150 - 2009-01-19 22:37:17 (ET)
Table: 35 (Real Money) Seat #1 is the dealer
Seat 1 - GOLDEN28 ($3047.50 in chips)
Seat 2 - JMAN0971 ($4430 in chips)
Seat 3 - BZIMZIM ($4290 in chips)
Seat 4 - T LAING ($5640 in chips)
Seat 5 - KIDPVP ($6190 in chips)
Seat 6 - JAMESOB51 ($1027.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - JOHNNY2912 ($1537.50 in chips)
Seat 8 - SPIN31 ($3710 in chips)
Seat 9 - MANSTHEMAN ($1315 in chips)
JMAN0971 - Posts small blind $75
BZIMZIM - Posts big blind $150
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [4s Ac]
T LAING - Folds
KIDPVP - Folds
JAMESOB51 - Folds
JOHNNY2912 - Folds
SPIN31 - Folds
MANSTHEMAN - Folds
GOLDEN28 - Folds
JMAN0971 - Raises $225 to $300
BZIMZIM - Calls $150
*** FLOP *** [6s 2c Qc]
JMAN0971 - Checks
BZIMZIM - Checks
*** TURN *** [6s 2c Qc] [7c]
JMAN0971 - Bets $300
BZIMZIM - Raises $900 to $900
JMAN0971 - Calls $600
*** RIVER *** [6s 2c Qc 7c] [Ks]
JMAN0971 - Bets $730
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $3090 to $3090
JMAN0971 - Folds (Fold & Show [Jh Qs])
BZIMZIM - returned ($2360) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Does not show
BZIMZIM Collects $3860 from main pot

Here after I get called on the turn I'm pretty sure he has a hand just like he ended up showing, and decide to represent big and blow up his pot control bet on the river. Risky but in this case profitable play.

This goes in "your read isn't as good as you think it is" category:

Stage #1418482838 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $200 - 2009-01-19 23:05:20 (ET)
Table: 35 (Real Money) Seat #2 is the dealer
Seat 1 - GOLDEN28 ($5185 in chips)
Seat 2 - ENDER555 ($6240 in chips)
Seat 3 - BZIMZIM ($5545 in chips)
Seat 4 - T LAING ($3365 in chips)
Seat 5 - KIDPVP ($5265 in chips)
Seat 6 - 47MABRY ($3567.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - JOHNNY2912 ($8250 in chips)
Seat 8 - MYLOJAMES ($9625 in chips)
Seat 9 - MANSTHEMAN ($4342.50 in chips)
BZIMZIM - Posts small blind $100
T LAING - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ks Js]
KIDPVP - Folds
47MABRY - Folds
JOHNNY2912 - Folds
MYLOJAMES - Folds
MANSTHEMAN - Folds
GOLDEN28 - Folds
ENDER555 - Raises $400 to $400
BZIMZIM - Calls $300
T LAING - Folds
*** FLOP *** [8c Jh 6h]
BZIMZIM - Checks
ENDER555 - Checks
*** TURN *** [8c Jh 6h] [Jd]
BZIMZIM - Bets $600
ENDER555 - Calls $600
*** RIVER *** [8c Jh 6h Jd] [Jc]
BZIMZIM - Bets $1800
ENDER555 - Calls $1800
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ks Js] (Four of a kind, jacks)
ENDER555 - Mucks
BZIMZIM Collects $5800 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($5800)Board [8c Jh 6h Jd Jc]
Seat 1: GOLDEN28 Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: ENDER555 (dealer) HI: [Mucked] [7h Ad]

My flat is a little unusual here, but I'd 3 bet Ender a couple times, and didn't want to get my chips in with K high if he just decided that he'd had enough. On the other hand I necessarily think he was that strong, though was a little wary of the min raise. If that all seems like contradictory logic, well, it probably is. Anyway, it just kept getting better, and ender tries to make an all-world call with the A high, putting me on some sort of busted draw. That didn't really work out.

Roller coaster time. First, good flop, ugly river:

Stage #1418502689 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $300 - 2009-01-19 23:15:53 (ET)
Table: 35 (Real Money) Seat #8 is the dealer
Seat 1 - GOLDEN28 ($5185 in chips)
Seat 2 - ENDER555 ($3440 in chips)
Seat 3 - BZIMZIM ($7745 in chips)
Seat 4 - T LAING ($3465 in chips)
Seat 5 - KIDPVP ($9282.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - JOHNNY2912 ($7800 in chips)
Seat 8 - MYLOJAMES ($10425 in chips)
Seat 9 - MANSTHEMAN ($4042.50 in chips)
MANSTHEMAN - Posts small blind $150
GOLDEN28 - Posts big blind $300
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ah 10s]
ENDER555 - Folds
BZIMZIM - Raises $800 to $800
T LAING - Calls $800
KIDPVP - Folds
JOHNNY2912 - Folds
MYLOJAMES - Folds
MANSTHEMAN - Folds
GOLDEN28 - Folds
*** FLOP *** [4s 6c Ad]
BZIMZIM - Bets $1200
T LAING - All-In(Raise) $2665 to $2665
BZIMZIM - Calls $1465
*** TURN *** [4s 6c Ad] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [4s 6c Ad 6h] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ah 10s] (Two Pair, aces and sixes)
T LAING - Shows [Ks Kd] (Full house, kings full of sixes)
T LAING Collects $7380 from main pot

Better river:

Stage #1418599316 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $600 - 2009-01-20 00:11:54 (ET)
Table: 31 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 1 - BEATTRICE ($8573 in chips)
Seat 2 - DBLUPM0J ($8493 in chips)
Seat 3 - BPV ($26061 in chips)
Seat 4 - THE431TWOGO ($25496.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - WAWA711 ($7225 in chips)
Seat 7 - DNS1983 ($12372 in chips)
Seat 8 - PARTDEUX ($15532 in chips)
Seat 9 - BZIMZIM ($10210 in chips)
BEATTRICE - Ante $75
DBLUPM0J - Ante $75
BPV - Ante $75
THE431TWOGO - Ante $75
WAWA711 - Ante $75
DNS1983 - Ante $75
PARTDEUX - Ante $75
BZIMZIM - Ante $75
THE431TWOGO - Posts small blind $300
WAWA711 - Posts big blind $600
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ad 8s]
DNS1983 - Folds
PARTDEUX - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $10135 to $10135
BEATTRICE - All-In $8498
DBLUPM0J - Folds
BPV - Folds
THE431TWOGO - Folds
WAWA711 - Folds
BZIMZIM - returned ($1637) : not called
*** FLOP *** [3c Qs 10h]
*** TURN *** [3c Qs 10h] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [3c Qs 10h Jc] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BEATTRICE - Shows [9s 9d] (One pair, nines)
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ad 8s] (One pair, aces)
BZIMZIM Collects $18496 from main pot

Maybe a little light for that shove from that position 8 handed? I'm not sure about that one. Anyway, good catch.

Just posting this to taunt Deal:
Stage #1418643217 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $1000 - 2009-01-20 00:38:58 (ET)
Table: 38 (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAGONDRAKE ($44410 in chips)
Seat 2 - BZIMZIM ($19639 in chips)
Seat 3 - UTTSNUTTS19 ($4556.50 in chips)
Seat 4 - SSBEATZ ($34724.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - BLIZAIR ($20762 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOC_HENRY ($35233.50 in chips)
Seat 8 - DEALACE1 ($27111 in chips)
Seat 9 - PARLIGOD ($38357 in chips)
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $100
BZIMZIM - Ante $100
UTTSNUTTS19 - Ante $100
SSBEATZ - Ante $100
BLIZAIR - Ante $100
DOC_HENRY - Ante $100
DEALACE1 - Ante $100
PARLIGOD - Ante $100
DEALACE1 - Posts small blind $500
PARLIGOD - Posts big blind $1000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ac Qd]
DRAGONDRAKE - Folds
BZIMZIM - Raises $2550 to $2550
UTTSNUTTS19 - Folds
SSBEATZ - Calls $2550
BLIZAIR - Folds
DOC_HENRY - Folds
DEALACE1 - Raises $10000 to $10500
PARLIGOD - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $16989 to $19539
SSBEATZ - Folds
DEALACE1 - Calls $9039
*** FLOP *** [Qs Kh 9s]
*** TURN *** [Qs Kh 9s] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [Qs Kh 9s 9c] [Kd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ac Qd] (Two Pair, kings and queens)
DEALACE1 - Shows [10d As] (Two Pair, kings and nines)
BZIMZIM Collects $43428 from main pot

Deal picks an aggressive spot to 3 bet against my ep raise with the flatter in there for some extra change. I decide AQ is too good to fold and shove. I was a little surprised to see the AT. I'll remember that one Deal, haha.

Back in the ugly river category:

Stage #1418698237 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $1600 - 2009-01-20 01:16:33 (ET)
Table: 38 (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAGONDRAKE ($27138 in chips)
Seat 2 - BZIMZIM ($95218 in chips)
Seat 3 - BPV ($35372 in chips)
Seat 4 - SSBEATZ ($31924.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - BLIZAIR ($34111 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOC_HENRY ($22133.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - TUMMO ($23619 in chips)
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $150
BZIMZIM - Ante $150
BPV - Ante $150
SSBEATZ - Ante $150
BLIZAIR - Ante $150
DOC_HENRY - Ante $150
TUMMO - Ante $150
SSBEATZ - Posts small blind $800
BLIZAIR - Posts big blind $1600
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ah Ad]
DOC_HENRY - Folds
TUMMO - Folds
DRAGONDRAKE - All-In(Raise) $26988 to $26988
BZIMZIM - Calls $26988
BPV - Folds
SSBEATZ - Folds
BLIZAIR - Folds
*** FLOP *** [10c Qh 2d]
*** TURN *** [10c Qh 2d] [Qc]
*** RIVER *** [10c Qh 2d Qc] [Js]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DRAGONDRAKE - Shows [9d 8d] (Straight, eight to queen)
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ah Ad] (Two Pair, aces and queens)
DRAGONDRAKE Collects $57426 from main pot

From CL to short stack after I got spewy with 4s and spewy in general. Here 5 high is the nuts.

Stage #1418720901 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $2000 - 2009-01-20 01:34:13 (ET)
Table: 38 (Real Money) Seat #1 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAGONDRAKE ($56351 in chips)
Seat 2 - BZIMZIM ($23805.50 in chips)
Seat 3 - PARTDEUX ($93903 in chips)
Seat 4 - SSBEATZ ($58570.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - BLIZAIR ($68872 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOC_HENRY ($56467 in chips)
Seat 7 - TUMMO ($10547 in chips)
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $200
BZIMZIM - Ante $200
PARTDEUX - Ante $200
SSBEATZ - Ante $200
BLIZAIR - Ante $200
DOC_HENRY - Ante $200
TUMMO - Ante $200
BZIMZIM - Posts small blind $1000
PARTDEUX - Posts big blind $2000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [5h 4h]
SSBEATZ - Folds
BLIZAIR - Folds
DOC_HENRY - Folds
TUMMO - Folds
DRAGONDRAKE - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $22605.50 to $23605.50
PARTDEUX - Calls $21605.50
*** FLOP *** [Qd 7c 4d]
*** TURN *** [Qd 7c 4d] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [Qd 7c 4d 7h] [4c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Shows [5h 4h] (Full house, fours full of sevens)
PARTDEUX - Shows [9c 10c] (Two Pair, sevens and fours)
BZIMZIM Collects $48611 from main pot

Hard to get it in pre much deader than this:

Stage #1418750578 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $3000 - 2009-01-20 01:58:08 (ET)
Table: 38 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAGONDRAKE ($68151 in chips)
Seat 2 - BZIMZIM ($48461 in chips)
Seat 4 - SSBEATZ ($35978.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - BLIZAIR ($56922 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOC_HENRY ($163278 in chips)
Seat 7 - TUMMO ($24605.50 in chips)
Seat 8 - BELADONNA777 ($62703.50 in chips)
Seat 9 - FEEDMEMUNE ($100490 in chips)
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Ante $300
SSBEATZ - Ante $300
BLIZAIR - Ante $300
DOC_HENRY - Ante $300
TUMMO - Ante $300
BELADONNA777 - Ante $300
FEEDMEMUNE - Ante $300
BLIZAIR - Posts small blind $1500
DOC_HENRY - Posts big blind $3000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [10d 7h]
TUMMO - Folds
BELADONNA777 - Folds
FEEDMEMUNE - Folds
DRAGONDRAKE - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $48161 to $48161
SSBEATZ - Folds
BLIZAIR - Folds
DOC_HENRY - Calls $45161
*** FLOP *** [9s 3c 7c]
*** TURN *** [9s 3c 7c] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [9s 3c 7c 9c] [7d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Shows [10d 7h] (Full house, sevens full of nines)
DOC_HENRY - Shows [10c 10h] (Two Pair, tens and nines)
BZIMZIM Collects $100222 from main pot

Hehe. That's a good one. This was more annoying, but hey, I didn't lose I suppose.

Stage #1418796675 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $6000 - 2009-01-20 02:48:18 (ET)
Table: 40 (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 2 - FEEDMEMUNE ($215958.50 in chips)
Seat 3 - ONLINEPRONGP ($107805 in chips)
Seat 5 - DOC_HENRY ($139787.50 in chips)
Seat 6 - JOHNNY2912 ($128665.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - DRAGONDRAKE ($182557.50 in chips)
Seat 8 - BELADONNA777 ($32364 in chips)
Seat 9 - BZIMZIM ($149862 in chips)
FEEDMEMUNE - Ante $600
ONLINEPRONGP - Ante $600
DOC_HENRY - Ante $600
JOHNNY2912 - Ante $600
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $600
BELADONNA777 - Ante $600
BZIMZIM - Ante $600
FEEDMEMUNE - Posts small blind $3000
ONLINEPRONGP - Posts big blind $6000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Ks Kh]
DOC_HENRY - Folds
JOHNNY2912 - Folds
DRAGONDRAKE - Folds
BELADONNA777 - Folds
BZIMZIM - Raises $15100 to $15100
FEEDMEMUNE - Folds
ONLINEPRONGP - All-In(Raise) $101205 to $107205
BZIMZIM - Calls $92105
*** FLOP *** [As 2h 3c]
*** TURN *** [As 2h 3c] [5s]
*** RIVER *** [As 2h 3c 5s] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ONLINEPRONGP - Shows [10d 9d] (Straight, ace to five)
BZIMZIM - Shows [Ks Kh] (Straight, ace to five)
ONLINEPRONGP Collects $110805 from main pot
BZIMZIM Collects $110805 from main pot

Anyway, played fairly well at the final table. Then got to heads up, which ended up being a 113 hand battle. Played aggressively, made some good plays but made a few mistakes. And then this atrocity:

Stage #1418833827 Tourney ID 4039422 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $12000 - 2009-01-20 03:47:43 (ET)
Table: 40 (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 7 - DRAGONDRAKE ($461781.50 in chips)
Seat 9 - BZIMZIM ($495218.50 in chips)
DRAGONDRAKE - Ante $1200
BZIMZIM - Ante $1200
BZIMZIM - Posts small blind $6000
DRAGONDRAKE - Posts big blind $12000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Kc Ah]
BZIMZIM - Raises $24000 to $30000
DRAGONDRAKE - Calls $18000
*** FLOP *** [2d 4c 10d]
DRAGONDRAKE - Checks
BZIMZIM - Checks
*** TURN *** [2d 4c 10d] [Ad]
DRAGONDRAKE - Checks
BZIMZIM - Bets $36000
DRAGONDRAKE - Raises $110000 to $110000
BZIMZIM - Calls $74000
*** RIVER *** [2d 4c 10d Ad] [5c]
DRAGONDRAKE - Bets $180000
BZIMZIM - Calls $180000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DRAGONDRAKE - Shows [7d Qd] (Flush, ace high)
BZIMZIM - Mucks
DRAGONDRAKE Collects $642400 from main pot

Now against a certain kind of player, this is actually a perfectly defensible call, depending on the read. The problem is that dragon had played a fairly straight ahead game, and this line just screams giant hand. Particularly that river bet. My god, I hate that call so much. Hate it. Hate. I'm just so aghast with myself for my play here. I absolutely deserved to lose.

Soon after that, shoved 4s into 8s, nh, gg.

There was a quote from some entertainer (Janeane Garofalo) sometime that they stayed in the entertainment business because it provided the required "sheer depression and self-loathing" they needed. Sometimes I feel that way about poker.

At least the second place finish means I've actually made some money this month.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

Barack Obama is now the President of the United States.

On a more bitter note, the absolute disastrous administration of George W. Bush has come to an end. In recent days, conservatives and Republican hacks have taken to writing columns about how history will look back and judge this President, and that his present popularity doesn't matter. Well, they're certainly right that history will judge this President. A President brought to power by a stolen election thanks to Katherine "if you have a similar name to a felon that's good enough to remove you from the rolls" Harris and an atrocious Supreme Court decision. A President who launched a war based on false pretenses. A President who had contempt for the law and liberty, while claiming to be acting in their defense. A President who brought ineptness in the federal government to an unprecedented level. A President that only looked out for his friends ("his base", he once "joked"). A President that authorized torture and rightfully earned the United States contempt around the world. Yes, conservative pundits and other hacks, history will look back and judge the Bush presidency. Be careful what you wish for.

I also reached the last page of my Bush quote-a-day calendar. The last quote was: "I hope you leave here and walk out and say, 'What did he say?'" Well played, Bush calendar. Well played.

On a more optimistic note, it's nice to know that our President is now a measured, intelligent, thoughtful human being. That's no guarantee of success, but it's certainly a nice start. I have higher hopes for this President then any in my lifetime. On the other hand, the other Presidents in my lifetime: Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II. Yikes. No wonder our country is in big trouble. But Obama was elected to bring change. His instinct, on the other hand, seems to be somewhat cautious. I just hope he isn't. Health care, Iraq, climate change, economic stimulus: go for it. Work with the Republicans, but don't be bipartisan just for the sake of being bipartisan. There are Democratic majorities for a reason. I hope he uses them. And follows my advice, because I'm sure the new President reads my poker blog, looking for potential political advice.

Also if the government was capable of performing basic tasks again, that would be nice too.

Monday, January 19, 2009

UBOC Main Event

I was trying a new thing yesterday called running good. It was a nice change of pace. Mostly it's been a pretty ugly month so far.

But if there was a time to start running good, the UBOC Main Event was as good a time as any. Just as it was starting to get interesting, top 20 chip stack with 75 left, it all came apart in four hands.

First, a three bet fold:

Stage #1416797850 Tourney ID 2118848 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $3000 - 2009-01-19 00:13:41 (ET)
Table: 62 (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAWGANGSTA ($43290 in chips)
Seat 2 - CHICAGOCARDS1 ($41540 in chips)
Seat 3 - M3MENTOMORI ($87418.62 in chips)
Seat 4 - RETIREDAT30 ($54442.78 in chips)
Seat 5 - BRAINWASHER ($78427.72 in chips)
Seat 6 - BZIMZIM ($99162 in chips)
Seat 7 - BOOTSWILD ($142432.18 in chips)
Seat 8 - PAPASMIRK ($33273.72 in chips)
Seat 9 - IMMAREALOG ($141182.85 in chips)
DRAWGANGSTA - Ante $300
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Ante $300
M3MENTOMORI - Ante $300
RETIREDAT30 - Ante $300
BRAINWASHER - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Ante $300
BOOTSWILD - Ante $300
PAPASMIRK - Ante $300
IMMAREALOG - Ante $300
BRAINWASHER - Posts small blind $1500
BZIMZIM - Posts big blind $3000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [9s Ac]
BOOTSWILD - Folds
PAPASMIRK - Folds
IMMAREALOG - Folds
DRAWGANGSTA - Folds
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Folds
M3MENTOMORI - Raises $7255 to $7255
RETIREDAT30 - Folds
BRAINWASHER - Folds
BZIMZIM - Raises $16500 to $19500
M3MENTOMORI - Raises $79745 to $87000
BZIMZIM - Folds
M3MENTOMORI - returned ($67500) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
M3MENTOMORI - Does not show
M3MENTOMORI Collects $43200 from main pot

Meh. I'd three bet some, but hadn't been that active, this seemed like a good spot. After the shove, way behind any decent range, don't see how I can call unless I just think it's a play. Which it may have been I suppose. Whatever.

Very next hand, flip time:
Stage #1416800002 Tourney ID 2118848 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $3000 - 2009-01-19 00:15:05 (ET)
Table: 62 (Real Money) Seat #5 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAWGANGSTA ($42990 in chips)
Seat 2 - CHICAGOCARDS1 ($41240 in chips)
Seat 3 - M3MENTOMORI ($110818.62 in chips)
Seat 4 - RETIREDAT30 ($54142.78 in chips)
Seat 5 - BRAINWASHER ($76627.72 in chips)
Seat 6 - BZIMZIM ($79362 in chips)
Seat 7 - BOOTSWILD ($142132.18 in chips)
Seat 8 - PAPASMIRK ($32973.72 in chips)
Seat 9 - IMMAREALOG ($140882.85 in chips)
DRAWGANGSTA - Ante $300
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Ante $300
M3MENTOMORI - Ante $300
RETIREDAT30 - Ante $300
BRAINWASHER - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Ante $300
BOOTSWILD - Ante $300
PAPASMIRK - Ante $300
IMMAREALOG - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Posts small blind $1500
BOOTSWILD - Posts big blind $3000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Jc Js]
PAPASMIRK - Folds
IMMAREALOG - Folds
DRAWGANGSTA - Folds
CHICAGOCARDS1 - All-In(Raise) $40940 to $40940
M3MENTOMORI - Folds
RETIREDAT30 - Folds
BRAINWASHER - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $77562 to $79062
BOOTSWILD - Folds
BZIMZIM - returned ($38122) : not called
*** FLOP *** [5s 2c Qh]
*** TURN *** [5s 2c Qh] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [5s 2c Qh Ks] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Shows [Kh Ac] (One pair, kings)
BZIMZIM - Shows [Jc Js] (One pair, jacks)
CHICAGOCARDS1 Collects $87580 from main pot

Since Chicagocards FT'd both this and the FT Sunday Brawl, I'd say he was running good that day.

Very next hand again, easy shove:
Stage #1416801263 Tourney ID 2118848 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $3000 - 2009-01-19 00:15:54 (ET)
Table: 62 (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAWGANGSTA ($42690 in chips)
Seat 2 - CHICAGOCARDS1 ($87580 in chips)
Seat 3 - M3MENTOMORI ($110518.62 in chips)
Seat 4 - RETIREDAT30 ($53842.78 in chips)
Seat 5 - BRAINWASHER ($76327.72 in chips)
Seat 6 - BZIMZIM ($38122 in chips)
Seat 7 - BOOTSWILD ($138832.18 in chips)
Seat 8 - PAPASMIRK ($32673.72 in chips)
Seat 9 - IMMAREALOG ($140582.85 in chips)
DRAWGANGSTA - Ante $300
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Ante $300
M3MENTOMORI - Ante $300
RETIREDAT30 - Ante $300
BRAINWASHER - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Ante $300
BOOTSWILD - Ante $300
PAPASMIRK - Ante $300
IMMAREALOG - Ante $300
BOOTSWILD - Posts small blind $1500
PAPASMIRK - Posts big blind $3000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [9s As]
IMMAREALOG - Folds
DRAWGANGSTA - Folds
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Folds
M3MENTOMORI - Folds
RETIREDAT30 - Folds
BRAINWASHER - Folds
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $37822 to $37822
BOOTSWILD - Folds
PAPASMIRK - Folds
BZIMZIM - returned ($34822) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BZIMZIM - Does not show
BZIMZIM Collects $10200 from main pot

And very next, and last, hand:
Stage #1416802274 Tourney ID 2118848 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $3000 - 2009-01-19 00:16:34 (ET)
Table: 62 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 1 - DRAWGANGSTA ($42390 in chips)
Seat 2 - CHICAGOCARDS1 ($87280 in chips)
Seat 3 - M3MENTOMORI ($110218.62 in chips)
Seat 4 - RETIREDAT30 ($53542.78 in chips)
Seat 5 - BRAINWASHER ($76027.72 in chips)
Seat 6 - BZIMZIM ($45022 in chips)
Seat 7 - BOOTSWILD ($137032.18 in chips)
Seat 8 - PAPASMIRK ($29373.72 in chips)
Seat 9 - IMMAREALOG ($140282.85 in chips)
DRAWGANGSTA - Ante $300
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Ante $300
M3MENTOMORI - Ante $300
RETIREDAT30 - Ante $300
BRAINWASHER - Ante $300
BZIMZIM - Ante $300
BOOTSWILD - Ante $300
PAPASMIRK - Ante $300
IMMAREALOG - Ante $300
PAPASMIRK - Posts small blind $1500
IMMAREALOG - Posts big blind $3000
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to BZIMZIM [Qc Kc]
DRAWGANGSTA - Folds
CHICAGOCARDS1 - Folds
M3MENTOMORI - Folds
RETIREDAT30 - Folds
BRAINWASHER - Raises $7300 to $7300
BZIMZIM - All-In(Raise) $44722 to $44722
BOOTSWILD - Folds
PAPASMIRK - Folds
IMMAREALOG - Folds
BRAINWASHER - Calls $37422
*** FLOP *** [4h 3h 2s]
*** TURN *** [4h 3h 2s] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [4h 3h 2s 9s] [5s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BRAINWASHER - Shows [As Ks] (Flush, ace high)
BZIMZIM - Shows [Qc Kc] (king high)
BRAINWASHER Collects $96644 from main pot

Brain had been playing pretty aggressively, I don't see how this isn't a shove really. Ran into a big one instead. What can you do.

Back to work tonight.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Goals for 2009

Well with one full year as a poker player in the books, and a fairly successful one at that, time to focus on what I want to accomplish here in the new year.

1) Make 100k

First goal is monetary. I'm somewhat hesitant to make monetary goals, since some of that is out of my hands, in terms of how I run in spots where I can hit big cashes. On the other hand, a year is really a long enough time span that some of those breaks are going to even out. Plus after making 86k last year, 100k seems doable. Especially if I meet the other goals on this list. I'm a long way from my thinking at the beginning of last year, when I was sure I could make 50k but wasn't sure what would really happen beyond that.

2) Focus on improving as a player

Well, there's a lot to cover here. I've gotten exceeding lazy in terms of my own development as a player. In some ways that's not that surprising, since, well, I don't like to work that hard. Unfortunately that's bad for my aspirations as a poker player. So let's list the things I should be doing more:
a) Go over more hand histories, analyze where I think I'm making mistakes
I can't remember the last time I looked at one of my own hand histories. That's sad.
b) Get PT running again
My PT2 stopped working on Stars, I'm getting some sort of error message. Never got it fixed. Also got PT3, haven't even got it set up. Good work Brian. You are lazy. It doesn't help that I don't know anything about computers, so I tend to just throw up my hands (figuratively) and give up.
c) Training sites?
Have never had a subscription to any of the training sites, would probably be worth my time to figure out how other good players are thinking.
d) Better fundamental understand of the math involved
Involves putting opponents on ranges and being able to more precisely figure shove/fold situations when high blinds. Also need to improve at playing unexploitably.
e) Maintain better focus while playing
Less TV, more background music, since that's less distracting. Also the nights I'm having, say, glass of wine number four/five/six, maybe I shouldn't be doing that. Just a thought.
Wow I look at this list and it's a wonder I win at all. Anyway.

3) Volume, volume, volume

Improved on this toward the end of the year. Obviously need work/life balance, and I don't play much on the weekends (although I'd like to play some more Sundays actually in order to play majors). So the time I'm taking off is fine. Just want to be running at full speed if I am planning. Been much better recently that if I'm playing, I'm getting 4 or 5 tables going. Still not prepared to be one of those people that plays 13 at a time, I can't think that fast.

4) Play more live

Every time I got play live, I enjoy myself, and think I need to be doing that more. Yet I rarely go. It makes no sense.

Also my live game sucks. I mean, I usually just donk around at 1/2 NL, so I'm obviously fine there. But I'm terrible at reading people. And for some reason I still get nervous playing around people I don't know. Which is ridiculous. But whatever. I've got room for life growth.

Also on the live front, I'd really like to play some more live tournaments, as opposed to when I just go donk around for fun. Need to check out see if Gary/Hammond have any good size tournaments, or if there are some other casinos in driving distance doing the same. Speaking of live tourneys...

5) Play more qualifiers for big live events

I have a couple weddings to go to this summer, so depending on when the WSOP Main Event is, I may be out regardless. But whether it's circuit events, WPT events or just other big buyin events, I'd like to play some more qualifiers and play one. It's about time.

So there we go. Let's see how many of those things I actually accomplish.

Played all yesterday. Won qualifier for UBOC main event on the 18th. Otherwise nothing much good, two outed for 9th in FT $55 1r1a. That was about it. Not a useful day.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Year Wrap

Let's wrap this up.

Month: $11,000 (11 grand even, seriously)

Year: $85,832

There it is. Come get me IRS. Also, fuck you guys.

I'll have more on goals coming up for this year. First day of work tomorrow.