Triple Bollox

Long time since my last post, but I have been busy doing revision for my December exams, and then busy doing them...

They went CRAP! And failure on at least one appears almost enivitable...

Fortunately my girlfriend is a qualfied accountant now, so... at least I can be a kept man, which given my poker performance last month is handy!

At one point I was up POSITIVE $400... Only to end the month on just under NEGATIVE $100!

This was a tough pill to swallow. I may have been playing hyper aggressively, but this is a strategy that has been suprisingly steady and profitable for me in recent months.

However, bearing this in mind, I have decided to tighten up my cash style, especially when opposition show strength, recently I feel I may have been going back to old habits of not considering the texture of the board enough, and firing three barrels too often, and too quickly.

However, I have also noticed alot more aggression in my normal games, maybe it's just me. But I like to be the most aggressive player at the table, and normally there seems a 3-4 man fight for the table captain role!

Just played a 'raketherake' freeroll ($5,000). Played well, getting down from 133 to 25 players. Then UTG I pick up QQ, blinds now high at 200/400 25 ante. I raise to 1,000. Folded to BB, who calls (no image). Flop comes 10 5 5. He bets out the pot, I don't particularly like it, but put it all in (4000 more). He calls with A10, and well we all know the 10 falls and I'm out right?

Was pleased with how I played, but I can never catch any break in tournaments. I mean, I got lucky with one hand earlier, but it wouldn't have bust me if I'd lost, it would have put me back to average chips.

Everytime I go deep in any tournament, I always get it in with the best of it (near enough), and everytime it goes bad.

This leads me to pose the question... How can tournament pro's exist?!?!?!?

Hopefully I'll play a bit more poker this month, although when I play tournaments and suffer bad beats, it seems harder to take than cash beats... Even if it's for less money!!!!!!!!!! I think I just take it more personally... Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Will probably not play till Tuesday...

Anyways, sorry to my friends for not staying in very good touch recently, but hopefully I'll be better now...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Raisy Daisy

Seen the flop percentages of 45%, and 35% on two different tables after 85 hands and 100 hands respectively... Loose? lol

$400 up this month...

Promises

As I'm sure your all very (un) interested, I include here a graph of my winnings this year. Value's in dollars,



Interesting really, no MASSIVE swings...

Won back most of my losses from previous posted session, with a draw I was priced in on, but shouldn't have been. I got lucky really.

Anyways, progress exam was SOLID today, tax it was and failed I did... Oh well, about 2 months till real one. Fingers crossed.

Off to see 'The Kingdom' tonight, unlike C ('A year in the life...' - see links) this will not be a premiere, and unfortunately, Jennifer Garner will NOT be there. Instead it's in Llandudno Junction, and I am more likely to be sat next to Mr & Mrs A Chav.

Best of luck to the C man getting out of the poker rut, I of course don't know what this feels like ;)

hehehe

Finally, check out http://www.highstakesdb.com it's a pretty cool site that tracks all the big online cash games. David Benyamine seems to absolutely rinse the world!

Finished High Stakes Poker Series 3, and it's a great series, especially when Jamie Gold leaves... The last few episodes are the best, and much more interesting to watch than a preflop allin fest of the latest Joe Poker winning the latest WPT, and becoming the latest poker millionaire, coin flip expert...

Breathe...

N-Dog

Good Vibrations

Long time no blog...

I've now been sentenced to 3 weeks hard labour in Northest Wales... Studying for my next exams in mid-December.

This is not good... However, I have managed to fit in a couple of fun trips to London recently, and it was great to hook up with old friends...

Saw two bands, 'Oh no, Ono', a Scando band... They may be good, but I don't really know as they were so loud my ears were bleeding by the time the first riff had been strummed...

'Nine Black Alps'... Not wonderful

I have been playing a bit of poker this month, 30 mins cash here and there. It was going very well until this evening ($177 up after 195 mins play).

I lost two crucial hands, as follows... both $0.50/$1.00

I'm on the button with 56os, and folded to me, I raise to $3. Called in both SB and BB (I have been playing loose-aggressive to this point)...

Flop comes magically 2, 3, 4... SB bets $4, BB folds, I call...

Turn, 10 (no flush draws). SB bets $9 I call

River a 3, SB bets $9, he has $18 left, I limit raise to $18, he goes allin, I call...

He turns over 10 10 for a runner, runner full house... Which was nice!

I then miss a bunch of times with AK, AQ etc. Finally, 4 limpers, I check my option on the BB with 8 5os.

Flop comes 8 5 K (2xclubs). I bet out $4. Called MP, all others fold.

Turn a 9. I bet out $10. He calls. He has a weak K I think...

River a wonderful 9, and I'm counterfeited by his marvelous K7...

I also made a couple of steamy raises that didn't get thru, inc a very silly one after I KNEW the guy was trap checking the river to me.

I'm now down to +$84 for the month after 245mins play.

I'm so pissed, cos I KNOW I've been playing really well, and to be hit twice in this session to screw my month up really annoys me. I'm prob gonna take the rest of the week off, to concentrate on studies.

Positively tho, I have not been stacked this month once in 15 buyins, which is where I'm really trying to improve. I'm playing much more solidly, and not giving my chips away as cheaply as previously...

Gotta go, I'll include a graphical summary of profits next post... How exciting?!?!?!?!?!

Off to Chester for the weekend with my girlfriend that'll be really cool, also breaks up the studying and monotony of North Wales...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

The N-Meister

PS - Beach Boys rock, also been listening to Bell X1.... Fantastic!

DEAD END

This blog is going to be POKER related, and long! That’s right folks! I have been playing a bit of poker!

My sexy little poker spreadsheet tells me I’m running at $165 up for the month.

Last night after going round a mates house for a bit, I came home, and thought I’d play a satellite for the Mansion $150k gtd tournament on Sunday, as I had no plans.

Whilst waiting for that to start I jumped on a couple of $0.50/1.00 tables on betfair. I made $100 net, but this hand intrigued me.

I was being a bit of a monkey on one of the tables, as per, I raised from the cutoff to $3. Re-raised to $9.50 by a guy ‘Kebabkungon’ that I’ve seen on there a few times, and seems a good player. Because they were I called with my modest 7h8h, pretty much 100% they have AA, KK, AK. Flop comes 9d10d5h. They raise $16. I’m not totally sure where I stand. I call. Turn a 10c. Smells like a bluffing card! He bets $40. I re-raise allin for $105 total. He calls in a flash. River a Qx. He scoops the pot with…? AK! Then he tells me on the chat… ‘I’ve been watching you. I have notes’… I don’t know whether to be annoyed or proud?! Any comments, I think the bet here is good. Doubtful he’s playing a 10 here. I feel he has to lay down anything in his range here, say JJ+. I know I would!

I got up to $300 on another table tho, with some donk calling a massive overbet by me with K8 on a 8 high board, I had top set.

I also qualified for the Mansion thing. I played pretty loose in this, wanting to accumulate some chips. Was splashing around in a lot of pots… Here are some key hands… xx/xx indicates the blinds.

10/20, in the cutoff. I raise to 60 with 7c5c. SB re-raises to 180, I call. Flop looks good at, 7 5 K. I bet 200, looking for a re-raise. Turn a 2. Wanting to induce a bet I check. He checks behind. River the marvellous K. Check, check. He turns up 1010 for a decent early pot. Looking at this, should I bet the river? I think not, most of the time I’m getting called in this spot, as I don’t think he puts me on a K (which is what I initially wanted!).

15/30… 99, call a raise to 90 from BB. Flop QJ5. I check raise. Call. Hmmm, what does he have? I follow up the turn (the turn follow up was an awful play I admit). Check, check river. Same guy as above sweeps up with KK.

Now down to 1,500… From, erm, 2500… Time to tighten up?

15/30… Raise early limper to 100 with QQ, all fold to limper who calls. Flop KJ6. Check, check. Turn a J. Check, check. River a Q. Limper bets 90. I re-raise to 350. Call. I take the pot.

A little frustrated with my play so far. Not really hitting much, and not picking good spots to play back. Back down to 1550… Blinds now near end of 25/50. 50/100 next. This is why I think it’s necessary to gamble a bit in the opening rounds on these tournaments, because it quickly becomes shortstack poker unless you do have a big stack, and to have 1500 is not greatly different to having 2500. Yes you have to be more selective, but it soon only becomes the difference of a preflop re-raise.

Next, a big bluff… 25/50… Kd7d in BB. MP raises to 150. 2xspots call. I call. Flop 6d 5x 10x. Checks all around. Turn a 9d. I have up and down, and flush draw. 690 pot. I bet 400, called in one spot (not original raiser). River a Qc. I bet out 800 of my remaining 1000. He dwells… and folds. PHEW! Just felt he hasn’t got a hand here he’s crazy about, and he only had 1800 left. Does he really want to put 800 in against the maniac with only 2nd pair?. Up to 2,250 after I raise two hands in a row, 1st from SB with JJ, and 2nd time with A6 from button. 1st one gets thru, second one gets re-raise from SB. I fold.

Last but not least!

50/100… AKh UTG, raise to 300. Called in 2xspots. Flop Ah 10h 7c. I bet out 600 into 1000. Called in one spot. Turn a dangerous Jc. Check, check. River a Qc. He goes all in, I call for my last 1,350. He turns over 8c9c. Should I have bet the turn? Was trying to keep the pot small, A10, and AJ are deffo playable hands, as is KhQh, and I only have 1xpair. Realistically tho it should all of gone in on the turn, and I’d have still done my money… Erm… A dead end!

Please. If anyone has comments about the above hand I’d like to hear em! Only way for this fish to learn.

Just keep swimming...

N-Dog

Oddjob(s)

A collection of bits... Obviously a while since my last post. I'm going to make things brief (fairly), and many random points... A few mates have ordered a new update... So...

I've been in London for a few days with work, auditing a private equity company. My GOD their office was sweet. From fresh orange for all staff, to the little sachet (sp) coffee, to kettle chips and nutri-grain bars. Even had towels instead of paper towels in the little boys room!

Also life on expenses was pretty sweet... I managed to fit in some Malaysian food in Chinatown, and a phat steak pie in the Hush, some other fine dining and some greasy burgers.

Anyways!

1) My football team is doing crap, we've lost 4-3 and 6-5 this season... Like getting outdrawn by a gutshot on the river!

2) My supported team Leeds United are the only 100% team in the country... Yay us! Eye of the Tiger!

3) I've been playing a bit more poker this month, with little success, down $15 for the month after about 5hrs play... Hopefully the rakeback will bring me back, lol

4) Well done Karl (see 'Poker Hitsquad' link), he finished 15th in the WSOPE main event, needless to say he's come along way since Casino Chcuk... Which I hear has had to close it's doors recently, since they've had a poor cashflow. They are now seeking a new business strategy

5) I'm amazed at how s**t a lot of final table, main event play is. I'm talking about all events, WPT, EPT, World Series... People waiting, and then commiting all there chips with A2, or a crappy draws. I know there comes a point you have to gamble, make a stand etc... I know I can't really comment, since I've never been, but seriously... Comments? I'm sure I'm gonna be hung for being so outspoken, just my thoughts...

6) Watching High Stakes Poker Series 3 at mo... Play is very interesting, very passive in the main, and Jaime Gold getting beat up on a bit, a highlight being Doyle calling three barrels with A high, and beating a stone GOLD bluff... Best player thus far, Daniel Alai

7) Watched LA Confedential recently. Good but slightly overated. Worth a watch, I know it's old though!

8) Not played much golf recently, not the weather or players around... So I'm still just as mega rubbish as ever!

9) I'm going to New York for New Year with my girlfriend, should be immense... Lucky girl...

10) I don't know what to write for point 10, just thought I might as well have 10!

Oddjob... What a character!

N-Dog

Back to the tables...

After a 10 day lay off, I return to make a $32 profit in the hour I played on Betfair... As I said high stakes indeed!
Having bought in for $100, I made a bad call with my Q high flush on a 4 flush board...
The player in question checked his AKxxx flush on the turn AND river... So I made a value bet of $15 on the river ($25) pot. He re-raises to $54. As I said I made a bad call, but felt he was trying to buy the pot, putting me on a weak hand (due to me checking the turn). As I said tho, bad play, I'll hold my hand up.
Anyways, now I'm down to about $11. I get that back up to $132 in the end and cashed out, happy if a little embarassed...
N-Dog

Maybe I'll take a mulligan...

Golf... Looks easy... In actual fact it's TOUGH!

I've been trying to get into golf a bit lately, just in the summer it's a great way to get out and chill out with mates in the sun... Apart from all the etiquette...

Anyways. This was my, probably 5th full round in my life, and I'm deffinetly improving... But it's impossible to be as consistent as you need to be...

I know I was improving, because I only threw my clubs about 4 times today!

No poker to speak of. May play an hour now before I scoot off to a mates house.

Watched 'The Prestige' last night... Really good film, perhaps slightly overated (based on IMDB's rating, http://www.imdb.com/ )

I'd write a comment, but I don't want to ruin it for people...

Oh, and as a result of last nights Chinese I had... I will never again be eating duck and plum sauce...!

Fore!

N-Dog

Told you so!

Apologies... I knew the formatting would be awful!

Must do better...

From little acrorns...

So this is my first ever post, on my first ever blog. So it's bound to be S**T!

Anyways, I'm a pretty low limit player myself, running around on $0.50/$1.00 almost exclusively.

I have a bank roll of approximately $3,000, and will not move to $1.00/$2.00 before the big $4,000 flashes in front of my eyes.




Hopefully I will become more amusing as I begin to get more comfortable with writing my most intimate thoughts down in blog form.



I'm currently a mega $40 up for the month (from about 3hrs play)... High stakes indeed!



Haven't played in over a week. Playing on Betfair now. Software is fairly lame, but the rakeback is really good (30%).

Went to V Festival last weekend, and as per the frickin weather was amazing...ly bad!

Ended up a complete mud bath (see above).

A weekend in welly boots and a non to waterproof gagool (sp) insued... Less than impressed. Luckily I enjoyed the acts, and grudgingly had a good time...

For details of the line up see, http://www.vfestival.com/index.html?pid=2124

Here are the bands/artists I saw and my thoughts...



James - One of my guilty pleasures this band, and live they did not disappoint. They played all the old classics, and I sang away till my vocal chords hurt. Tim Booth is a nutter tho.



Rodrigo y Gabriela - Altho brief, I enjoyed the quirky Latino folk rock



Manic Street Preachers - Watched from a far, and if I was a fan I reckon I'd have thought they were amazing. But I'm not... So I didn't.



Damian Rice - BEST ACT OF THE FESTIVAL imo, no doubt. Haunting, provactive and intimate set. This was made better by the fact all the jubs had gone to watch the pile of crap known as the 'The Killers' on the main stage.



Seth Lakeman - Intriguing folk rock, but ultimately no long lasting appeal



Mutya Beuna - Averagely ok, thankfully I was far enough away that I couldn't see the girl properly



Stephen Fretwell - Pretty good, but not as good as I remember thinking his album was. He didn't seem as tight as I expected, nor as passionate.



The Fratellis - Not a massive fan, but I couldn't help but enjoy the chav band of the moment, and jump around with them like I'd taken one too many herbal highs. Very entertaining, and pretty well put together songs



Snow Patrol - My second favourite act of the festival... Probably because I was expecting to be a bit bored. Crowd really go into it, and I did get a shiver down my spine when they played Chasing Cars... So, erm, that must be good... right?!?!



Pink - Jumped around like the crazy girl she is, luckily she had backing vocals so we didn't have to hear her man voice



Kanye West - Like he Fratellis, not a massive fan, but very entertaining... I felt like a gangstar! West Side!



Editors - Tho the lead singer had immense moves, couldn't help but think at the start of the next song... Have I not heard this before? Oh yeah, it sounds the same as the last one! Which is a shame, as I reckon these boys do have talent!



The Proclaimers - CRAP



Just Jack - Really good, and he just seemed so happy to be there it rubbed off on me, and made me smile (awwwwww!)... Good lad, and some quite varied music.



The Kooks - Pretty damn average! Very disappointed. Don't know why, just don't think they put on a show by either quality, nor stage atmosphere.



Tom Baxter - Really cool. Intimate tent, brilliant arrangement. So gutted I ended up going to watch The Kooks, instead of staying for the last 15 minutes of his set...



In summary great fun...

Next year I'd like to check out Leeds/Reading. The line up looks more interesting for this festival (based on this year), and I don't like the number of chav's and jubs at V who will que for 5 hours to get a beer that is worse than piss, and spend the entire weekend so out of their face on party poppers they ended up crawling in the mud as opposed to listening to their hero Pete Doh!erty...

I would write about the toilets, but... All I'll say is that the worst you've ever heard about festival toilets is nearly as bad as these were.



Anyways this post seems pretty big (sorry if the formatting is panties), and I don't wanna start with an essay, so...

Less rage in the next post... I promise...



Out...