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