Thats a wrap!

Basically I wanted to review my goals and create some new ones for this month.

Daily:
Always play my A game. Read 1 chapter of a poker book everyday. Respond to 3 forum posts with stove analysis. Post 1 difficult hand from every session.
In the beginning of the month I was 4-8 tabling and having a blast and then it just clicked. I am playing this game to get better not play as many hands as possible. This occured after a coaching session. I realized just how awesome my coach was at putting villains on hands and I decided I too could be as good if not better. The key for me now is to improve my hand reading and applying ranges as well as trusting my reads and not letting short term results impact my decisions at the table. So I didnt play my A game every session but I have been as of late. The reading didnt happen and probably wont anytime soon but I do want to spend some time with a book every week. As for the forums i just havent been feeling them lately. Definately will be making a concious effort to respond to a few posts but as far as posting i much rather AIM my core poker friends and discuss hands with them.
Weekly: Watch two videos and take in depth notes. Participate in no less then two sweat sessions. 1 hour long session 1 tabling.
1 Tabling hasnt happen but I have decreased my tables to 2-3 which for me is optimal. As for videos I have exceeded 2 easily and will begin a new video watching style this month. I imagine some already do this but I am going to start pausing the video and playing the hand myself before the vid producer does his analysis. Also SWEATS kick serious ass. I have been banging out a few good ones every week and hope to do more. I dont mind sweating a few low limit grinders either. If you are interested shoot me an email @ Rickjames@yahoo.com
Monthly:
Build my roll in Jan. for a shot at 2/4 in Feb or sooner. Play no less then 75k hands.
So obviously 75K hands was like insanely high. In all honesty one of the reasons I have chose Poker as my profession is so I can work when I want thus allowing me to work as little or as much as I see fit. I love playing and truly never can get enough but balance is so key. Like this was my best month and it really took off once I started school again. School has allowed me to get in a routine again and my brain is being stimulated in more ways then one now. To be honest hours spent playing are crucial but I think it is really how you spend the hours you arent playing that lead to success.

To wrap this up I had my best month yet at the tables and look forward to continued success. I got 31308 hands in at 5.3BB/100 ( graph-> http://giganticdonkeyballs.blogspot.com ) which I am quite proud of. my roll is at a point where I will begin stabbing 400NL when I see a soft spot. As for this months goals they are simple.

Play my A game always. No more then 4 tables at a time with the majority of my time 3 tabling. Stab 400NL when the games look good. Study, study, study. Range, range, range. 50K hands would kick major ass. I typically dont like to set monetary goals but a 20K month is looming and it would be nice if this was it.

We must stay on our A game no matter what.

That is my month. Wow today was the funnest part of a roller coaster the steep decline. All and all I played pretty solid poker. I ran into tough spot over and over with very few going my way today. Here is my major downfall playing this game, I love money. I do. I love looking at my graph too. Its stupid all I should be worried about is making correct decisions. Nothing more nothing less. So I could post a ton of coolers and of course a few of these will look just like them but whatever.

Hand 1: 43/8/1-83hands I call on BTN with a hand that can flop big against a tight preflop raiser. I flopped the nut straight on a monotone board. He either flopped it or has a pair with a FD to continue in my book. I play my hand fast but he wont give up. The river sucks and may very well be a fold because of what I have typed above. Can you find a fold?
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914731

Hand 2: 21/16/3 TAG whom I have quite a load of history against. I opt to CC IP and felt a load of flops. I like my line here but I really like villain hand.
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914751

Hand 3: 20/10/3 High att. to steal. Am I tilting? My 3 bet isnt bad here. When the trun bricks WTF can I do? This is where you are aware you are running bad and you want the hand to work. Or is it only me who does that? Honestly here is my spew. 1st I looked at where i was for my session which now has me in a I have to get even mind frame. Is there ever any getting even? There is only making +EV decisions plain and simple. Is my turn bet +EV? I dont think so.Lets stove it. AHHHH!!! Looks like an easy C/F
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914768
Text results appended to pokerstove.txt
2,596 games 0.016 secs 162,250 games/sec
Board: 8d Th Js 5h
Dead:
equity win tie pots won pots tied
Hand 0: 19.318% 16.95% 02.37% 440 61.50 { KdQd }
Hand 1: 80.682% 78.31% 02.37% 2033 61.50 { AA, KcKh, KcKs, KhKs, QcQh, QcQs, QhQs, JcJd, JcJh, JdJh, TcTd, TcTs, TdTs, 99, 8c8h, 8c8s, 8h8s, AcKc, AhKh, AsKs, AcQc, AhQh, AsQs, AcJc, AdJd, AhJh, KcQc, KhQh, KsQs, QcJc, QhJh, QsJs, AQo+ }

Hand 3: 31/18/3.3 att. to steal 28. I 3bet AQ and cbet so far standard. Turn checks through and the A peels. I didnt feel I get to much value from anything other the another A and he could turn a marginal hand into a bluff on the river. I dont know if that is proper thinking. If I am him I check behind everything except an A or air and air probably bluffs the turn. Therefore I think i see 2p or a straight here alot and sometimes of course AK.
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914781

Hand 4: 29/6/2.5 I can suck out too. I didnt think villain was strong here when he made the good old min C/R. I decide to 3bet it up and he min 4 bets. Well lets get it in. The flop is pretty dry but you really never know with donks. I actually have a funny feeling this guy is a winner at these games. With the aggression in the 6-max game you can really steal alot of pots post flop if your a good hand reader. I dont recommend his style and maybe I give him too much credit. Its almost like I hate isolating these guys with marginal hands. Its quite insane to be honest as I run the call cbet and raise cbet stats and most donk numbers are super high. If the cards keep sucking it can make things real hard. Enough talk now the suckout.
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914790

Hand 4: 18/12/3 I had been playing back at this guy a bit lately and he was ready. I just hit that suckout right before this one. I decide donking would be good as I have been donking a bit more lately. He raises and I debated 3 betting but because I dont think the flop is over drawy he may get off an OP here. I decide to call and donk the turn instead. It works perfect and he overplays QQ. I really cant blame him for felting this one bit to be honest.
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1914799

Thats all for today. Wow what a fun month it has been. Its only up from here.

Dont bluff donks let them bluff you.

The year has already been nice and swingy due to some insano hands and some horrific hero calls. I have decided donks dont over bluff. Unless I have a solid reason to believe they are which i will give an example of I will be folding to there river pot donks. I have also determined that bluffing donkeys is the wrong way to +EV poker instead let them bluff you. To start here is a sick graph of my 6,732 hand weekend. yeah I have decided 6-7 tables is optimal. played 10K hands already on the month. So I am on pace for like 50K but if I can stay on my weekend pace it could be higher. This week I have some things happening so it probably wont. Also school starts in a week. I am shooting for straight A's so that will require a small portion of my time as well. Now the graph...

Hand 1: Villain is 38/8/3.6 super donk whom I was sitting deep stack for. He had been mijn raising UTG and I had been isolating him alot. This is pretty sick spot when the Q pairs the river because now it is less likely he is on air. i checked turn behind to showing weakness in his eyes I assume. This is where you dont want to hero call though. I think there must be a site like CR out there for donks. Or rather one that teaches how to optimize donk style of play.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($379.70)SB ($280.50)BB ($218.05)UTG ($330.47)MP ($252.15)Hero ($402.15)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Jh, Jd. UTG raises to $4, 1 fold, Hero raises to $16, 3 folds, UTG calls $12.
Flop: ($35) Qc, 2c, 7s (2 players)UTG checks, Hero bets $26, UTG calls $26.
Turn: ($87) 8d (2 players)UTG checks, Hero checks.
River: ($87) Qs (2 players)UTG bets $128, Hero calls $128.
Final Pot: $343
Results below: UTG has Qh As (three of a kind, queens). Hero has Jh Jd (two pair, queens and jacks). Outcome: UTG wins $343.

Hand 2: Same villain different spot. This time I have basically the nuts and I put him on a weak A or a draw so I bet the turn for value. Now he over shoves the river and I snap call. of course my decision is made easy by my cards but his line screams bluff here.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (5 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Hero ($205)SB ($46.45)BB ($170.65)UTG ($168.20)MP ($243.50)
Preflop: Hero is Button with Ah, Js. 2 folds, Hero raises to $8, SB calls $7, BB calls $6.
Flop: ($24) 8d, Jc, As (3 players)SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $16, SB folds, BB calls $16.
Turn: ($56) 9d (2 players)BB checks, Hero bets $36, BB calls $36.
River: ($128) 3c (2 players)BB calls $110.65 (All-In), Hero calls $110.65.
Final Pot: $349.30
Results below: Hero has Ah Js (two pair, aces and jacks). BB has Ks Th (high card, ace). Outcome: Hero wins $349.30.

Hand 3: Couldnt find any great examples of me being a spewy bluff tard so instead I want to show you how bad AP donks are. This guy is 70/31/10 My image is kinda loose and I know this guy doesnt want to believe I have an A and also wants to bluff me if he can. i give him the opportunity. I was kinda in a weird spot because of his turn bet size. I had to raise enough to hopefully get it in I felt but I thought my C/R was going to look too strong. I guess he didnt think so.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($400)Hero ($222)BB ($627.15)UTG ($254.72)MP ($410.30)CO ($379.05)
Preflop: Hero is SB with Kd, Ad. UTG calls $2, 3 folds, Hero raises to $12, 1 fold, UTG calls $10.
Flop: ($26) Ah, As, 3c (2 players)Hero bets $18, UTG calls $18.
Turn: ($62) 9s (2 players)Hero checks, UTG bets $25, Hero raises to $60, UTG raises to $145, Hero raises to $192 (All-In), UTG calls $72.
River: ($471) Qh (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $471
Results below: Hero has Kd Ad (three of a kind, aces). UTG has Js Tc (one pair, aces). Outcome: Hero wins $446. UTG wins $25.

All and all it was fun weekend. Lost a $1200 pot with set vs set that was insane. Actually a very fun hand to analzye. Might post later. Stay tuned.

My poker goals for 2008.

Continue improving my poker game while steadily moving up the stakes, obviously easier said then done. I know I am at a point in my poker career where things are ready to take off. I finally realize I am a winner at 200NL and approach the game with that attitude. This month has been good but not great. I havent played half as many hands as I would like but I am still satisfied. 2008 is my year to shine. I havent fully decided the perfect way to continually imporve my game but 1st and foremost putting in hands is my main goal. I spend way to much down time just kinda aimlessly surfing the web or whatever. If I aint studying/responding to a post/posting I will be grinding. Basically i have outlined daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
Daily:
Always play my A game.
Read 1 chapter of a poker book everyday.
Respond to 3 forum posts with stove analysis.
Post 1 difficult hand from every session.
Weekly:
Watch two videos and take in depth notes.
Participate in no less then two sweat sessions.
1 hour long session 1 tabling.

Monthly:
Build my roll in Jan. for a shot at 2/4 in Feb or sooner.
Play no less then 75k hands.

The hands goal is not unobtainable but is set insanely high for the sole purpose of making it so I must play alot of hands. If I reach it awesome if not I imagine my hand total will be way above any month of 07. I will hopefully chronicle some of the trials and tribulations I go through on my road to success. If the content here is lacking I suggest checking the crews blog.

http://unrecklessforce2b.blogspot.com/

Up and down.

I havent posted as frequent as I would like and probably wont ever. I have decided that my game is sound and I need to focus mainly on playing. Playing hands is what makes you better. I have all the concepts and ideas it is now a matter of applying them. While applying them when problems arise that is when I will need to seak a solution. With that in mind I will post a few of the more interesting hands that have occured sense my last post.

Hand 1: Villain plays 41/18/2.8 and is actually a regular whom I now own. This hand was me being a spew tard.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($126.10)Hero ($201.90)BB ($422.05)UTG ($1079.40)MP ($261.60)CO ($523.10)
Preflop: Hero is SB with Jd, Jh. UTG raises to $7, MP calls $7, 2 folds, Hero raises to $32, 1 fold, UTG folds, MP calls $25.

I considered CC here as not to create a nasty spot OOP and because JJ is a tweener hand in spots like these. Anyways my 3bet gets called by the original CCer which is strange. I had just recently seen him play AA in a similar fashion.

Flop: ($73) 7d, Th, Qc (2 players)Hero bets $46, MP raises to $229.6 (All-In), Hero calls $123.90 (All-In).

Not the worst flop in the world and to bhe honest looks like a very simple bet/fold. I was very near a fold when I convinced myself that he may well push an OESD in this spot and called.
Turn: ($472.50) Ah (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: ($472.50) 4s (2 players, 2 all-in)
Final Pot: $472.50
Results below: Hero has Jd Jh (one pair, jacks). MP has Ad Qh (two pair, aces and queens). Outcome: MP wins $472.50.

After plugging it into stove this is a easy fold. This hand occured at a time when i was doubting myself and pressing to win. Those two combined are no bueno.

hand 2: villain is 35/18/3.2 When this hand occured I had begun open raising from late position for 3x rather then 4x which I have gone back to. This created a realy loose image and I began playing loose as well. I strarted 3 betting a little too much.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (5 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Hero ($241.25)SB ($201.15)BB ($123)UTG ($383.45)MP ($476.08)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 8s, 5s. 1 fold, MP raises to $6, Hero raises to $20, 2 folds, MP calls $14.

I 3bet 85s? I dont hate it actually as most the time I should be folding out alot of villains hands though he is the type to call with a wide range. This can be trouble but will me allow me to take him to value town when i do hit.

Flop: ($43) 4s, Kd, 2s (2 players)MP checks, Hero bets $28, MP raises to $56, Hero calls $28.

A great flop to cbet when checked to and then he min raises. I think a shove here may be profitable as I doubt he ever is doing this with a monster. to me his bet is more of a feeler looking to find out where a mediumish strength hand stands.

Turn: ($155) 3h (2 players)MP checks, Hero bets $100, MP raises to $200, Hero calls $65.25 (All-In).

Here is where I went wrong in the hand. The turn gives me more outs and I can take a free card and most likely extract when I get there. If I miss I can give up if villain leads the rive ror consider bluffing. against someone with these stats I think checking is best. I do not hate my p-lay thought at any point in the hand besides the fact that I think a shove is a better choice then my 2/3 PSB.
River: ($520.25) 2h (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $520.25
Results below: Hero has 8s 5s (one pair, twos). MP has Kh Th (two pair, kings and twos). Outcome: MP wins $520.25.

Hand 3: villain is 28/14/1.65 Another 3bet happy time. Looking at these stats that makes this play even worse granted I do belive he has a high attempt to steal. Although I do believe if you look close at this hand you will see that I do have what it takes to be a successful high stakes winner


Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($295.89)SB ($1096.87)Hero ($222.80)UTG ($398.85)MP ($394)CO ($234.60)
Preflop: Hero is BB with Js, Th. 2 folds, CO raises to $6, 2 folds, Hero raises to $22, CO calls $16.

Pretty loose 3bte OOP something I removed from my arsenal.
Flop: ($45) 4d, 7s, 4c (2 players)Hero bets $32, CO raises to $64, Hero raises to $200.8 (All-In), CO calls $136.80.

If I dont cbet I cant win. When villain min raises I sensed weakness. I should most likely fold due to the player strength at 200NL as they rarely fold and if he calls my equity is shit. At the time I said fuck it and trusted my gut. he was so weak it wasnt funny. The best thing is he thinks he made a great call. The truth is 95% of the time I make this play he is dead.
Turn: ($446.60) 9d (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($446.60) 6s (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $446.60
Results below: Hero has Js Th (one pair, fours). CO has Kd 7d (two pair, sevens and fours). Outcome: CO wins $446.60.

Hand 4: Villain is 55/25/3 He can give you fits and is a regular whom I believe stays afloat 1 or two tabling. he is and older man from what I gathered who simply enjoys playing the game and loves the action.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($270.10)SB ($400)BB ($423.50)UTG ($465.65)Hero ($273.10)CO ($1442.84)
Preflop: Hero is MP with Kd, Qd. UTG calls $2, Hero raises to $10, CO calls $10, 2 folds, BB calls $8, UTG calls $8.
Flop: ($41) Ks, Jc, 6s (4 players)BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $30, CO calls $30, BB folds, UTG folds.

4 handed with TP2ndK isnr fun but I must bet. The maniac calls. At this point I belive he has a very wide range and is very capable of anything on the turn.

Turn: ($101) 2h (2 players)Hero checks, CO bets $64, Hero calls $64.

I would like to say I knew my opponent and checked to allow him to bluff but that isnt the case. I actually checked for the simple fact that I was afraid to bet and get bluff raised. Knowing your opponent is so key and this hand is a perfect example of that. My hand is basically the nuts against this guy and I think I am forced to go broke. A large range of his hands are either Kx or a draw. I considered a CRAI once he bet but opted to call instead.


River: ($229) 9c (2 players)Hero checks, CO bets $198, Hero calls $169.10 (All-In).
Final Pot: $596.10

The river completes a oesd and I opt to check again. Villain shoves pretty quick and I go into the tank. I know this guy can do this with the nuts or nothing. By calling the turn I felt calling the river was almost a must. i do and boo yah he was bluffing all along.


Results below: Hero has Kd Qd (one pair, kings). CO has 8c 8s (one pair, eights). Outcome: Hero wins $567.20. CO wins $28.90.

If you look at this hand I think you might think i played it brillaintly. The truth is I played it like shit. But what I have learned is by knowing your opponents tendencies well enough you will be able to extract max value from them at all times. This is a spot where my turn and river check maximized my value by inducing my opponent to play his hand how I wanted him to. At the time I wasnt aware of that.

Must play more.

I have been slacking big time this month yet the results have been decent but I am in this shit for the long term and I know they will as long as I continue to make +EV decisions. I have been slacking on posting as well simply because I have been mopre time into actually studying and trying to improve my game. Working super hard on the mental side of the game as well as improving my hand reading. I truly want to master equity vs ranges. That is why I made this blog and that is why i will continue to attempty to post here as much as possible. Yesterdays session. Only played 538 hands yet I 4-6 tabled for 1.25 hours. Not enough at all. I think if I can get in two solid 90 minute sessions a day I will be happy. My new style is actually my old style too. I am playing very nitty yet I do make some moves here and there. Now the hands.


Hand1: No real explanation needed. I opted to call and jam any non A flop that villain leads on rather then 4 bet preflop. I still am not sure of my line.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($271.30)SB ($382.15)BB ($504.90)UTG ($390.40)MP ($1068.28)Hero ($235.45)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Kc, Kh. UTG calls $2, 1 fold, Hero raises to $10, 3 folds, UTG raises to $24, Hero calls $12.
Flop: ($49) 5s, 3d, 2c (2 players)UTG bets $54, Hero raises to $213.45 (All-In), UTG calls $159.45.
Turn: ($475.90) 2h (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($475.90) Td (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $475.90
Results below: UTG has Ah Ad (two pair, aces and twos). Hero has Kc Kh (two pair, kings and twos). Outcome: UTG wins $475.90.


Hand 2: I check the turn as I think the A kills alot of my action from worse hands thus I might induce a bluff from worser hands as well as portect myself from getting C/R off my hand. Again not sure if this was the best way to play the hand but i do like my line.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (6 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($159.56)SB ($255.37)BB ($133.25)UTG ($329.65)MP ($432.75)Hero ($286.40)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Kh, Qd. UTG calls $2, 1 fold, Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, BB calls $6, UTG calls $6.
Flop: ($25) 8c, Qs, 9h (3 players)BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $20, BB calls $20, UTG folds.
Turn: ($65) Ad (2 players)BB checks, Hero checks.
River: ($65) 2d (2 players)BB bets $25, Hero calls $25.
Final Pot: $115
Results below: BB has Jh As (one pair, aces). Hero has Kh Qd (one pair, queens). Outcome: BB wins $115.

Hand 3: Villain was a complete maniac who had been open raising for anywhere from 50-70. I hadnt seen him going crazy in a few orbits and then he limp raises me. I honestly didnt put him on a big hand here as he was actually showing down strong holding when open raising. This player seemed like an action junky who if he was going to play a raised pot he wanted to get it in the middle asap. As I tanked a shove or fold villain typed in chat that he Q8. I wasnt sure what to think but I decided to trust my initial read and jam it. Look at his hand.

Absolute Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (5 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Button ($554.37)Hero ($242.10)BB ($393)UTG ($706.35)MP ($515.85)
Preflop: Hero is SB with 9h, 9d. 2 folds, Button calls $2, Hero raises to $10, 1 fold, Button raises to $54, Hero raises to $242.1 (All-In), Button calls $190.10.
Flop: ($488.20) 5d, 2c, 5s (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: ($488.20) Kd (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: ($488.20) Jd (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: $488.20
Results below: Button has Qs 8s (one pair, fives). Hero has 9h 9d (two pair, nines and fives). Outcome: Hero wins $486.20. Button wins $2.

Well so much for applying ranges. I will do more tomorrow as for now i am going to work on some ranges with stove and PT.

Hi

Ok so no real reason for the title. Well I guess it is kinda like HI. Because I feel I need to say hello to poker again as it feels like it has been way to long. Personal shit had me not feeling so good about playing so I took a break. I did play a few small sessions but nothing spectacular. I have been doing a ton of studying the game though. I feel I lack a lot of the real solid fundamentals that make a winning player. 1st and foremost a good computer to work on. Sent the new/old one back. New one on the way. Please god let it work without any bs. Also been studying the shit out of the math side and working on getting super solid at hand ranges and knowing equity against them. Basically the biggest thing super solid winning players do that make them the shit. Also knowing villains range and then the range I am repping and wether or not I can push them off there range. Basically 3rd and 4th level shit. Fuck grinding away and playing super ABC poker. I mean shit that is my style and I will do that but I will also out play any reg that wants to go to war for my fish. I am back in a major way too. My reads are sick good right now and I think they will only be getting better. I will mostly be 4 tabling and occasionally that wil be 6 depending on how I feel. I think 4 will allow for some sick good poker.

I will post hands manana. I am OUT!