runner, runner

I'll be back... (updated on my iPhone)

2009-10-03T22:01:00.002+01:00

Tired, so tired...

2009-04-09T21:33:00.003+01:00

This year has seemed very tiring, work, doing stuff with the house, living essentially in two different houses with my girlfriend... All whilst trying to do my normal, 'do everything' mentality... i.e. mountain biking, football, rugby, gym, runs etc... I swear I wonder why I'm not as skinny as a supermodel... I never seem to have much time to 'do nothing'... But I see this as a blessing to be greatful for!

Ah yes, the love of chocolate, cheese, bread and pastrie.... There we have it!

Anyways, we have completed on the house, we have re-decorated the two rooms we wanted to, and we will be moving in starting from Monday, and hopefully living there by next weekend. Can't wait, it will make my life so much easier!

Looks amazing, and can't wait! I'm actually really looking fwd to living with my gf, despite her OCD tendencies with the cleaning!

Work - Gone pretty ok, up until this last job I was on which I had a lot more responsibility, and more than most other people at my level. I organised it poorly, and got a bit of a talking too, but I know I can improve, its whether I want to or not really! See I work in audit which is dull, but sometimes I work on due diligence, AIM listings, and working capital projects that aren't dull...

I just don't think I'll be happy until I work for profit and not salary... It's just finding what to do... At the end of the day I'm not going to be happy doing 3-4hrs overtime for someone else's pocket. I don't get paid overtime, and the bonus just doesn't cover the hours your EXPECTED to do... I don't do them which is why I probably get in to hassle at work...

I'm a bit scared to move right now tho, as this whole 'economy' think has up till now been pretty much a non entity over here (Isle of Man)... Until the biggest fund administrator HSBC closed their operations here, to move to Luxembourg! This laid off my girlfriends sister in-law, and the groom of the wedding we were at last weekend!!! Savage...

We have, however, been added to the 'white list' of tax co-operative countries, inc UK and US, so this will hopefully stop Alistair Darling referring to us as 'a tax haven rock in the middle of the irish sea'... Hmmm... At least Obama doesn't mind us!

Life - Going to the 'Big Smoke' this weekend with my gf, we are off to see 'Oliver!' with the winner of the 'I'll do Anything...' program from BBC1. This program also starred Sam Barks, who comes from the Isle of Man, in fact I used to play football with her brother, he;s now a pilot. She came third I think. We saw her in a show called 'Cabaret' that was on over here a month or so back, it was ace, it had loads of girls in lingerie prancing around the stage!!! I doubt Oliver! will have quite so much visual appeal! lol

Films - Watched Fargo for the first time all the way thru the other day, this was a pretty stylish thriller I felt, with some comedy moments, and well acted throughout, I give it 4*. Saw, 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' with my gf a while back, I found this quite entertaining, but then again I don't really mind chick flicks, I give it 2.75*, I saw Zoolander by myself, and thought this was pants, 1.75*, rewatched Jerry McGwire (sp) 3.25*, re-re-watched 'The Dark Knight' 4.5*.

Poker - I'm very please with how I've been playing this year. Very pleased. I'm learning patience, and don't seem to be getting involved in ANYWHERE near the number of large pots this year, especially without a hand. I'm still averaging $41 an hour, and am up just short of $1,900.

I am very annoyed with bubbling a few MTT's a few weeks back when I have been in very good positions just prior to the bubble. I have decided this is due to manic aggression on the bubble, and doing the opposite of above, getting involved in too many big pots, with mediocre hands at best.

Anyways, best get to bed... I'm tired!

N-Dog

you don't call, you don't write...

2009-02-25T14:30:00.004Z

Firstly, an apology to C and the London Massif for my lack of communication recently, I have been super busy, but hopefully it'll all settle down by the end of March. I'm down London way the last week of March with work, and again with my girlfriend in April, to see 'Oliver!' and 'Bloc Party'.

Anyways, this is my performance so far, slow, and fairly steady thus far. I'm up $1,310 this year, in 25hrs 41mins. Giving an hourly rate of $51! My BB/hr is 34.84, with an ROI of 21.01%.

To give you some indication, my average session is just 24mins.

Can anyone give me any feedback as to whether this is good, or bad performance? I think for the stakes I play, and the length of time I play it's pretty good, although a fairly small sample period.

I have decided my target for the year will be a conservative (based on current winnings!) $6,000 for the year. At $500 a month, this is far in excess of any prior year best (approx $2,500). I think if I keep my focus, and play only when I'm confident I should make it.

I have had a few good cash sessions lately, with a good mix of nice hands, and good play. My bluff selection seems a little better later.

I have installed some 'rules' for myself.

1) As always, I will buy in for 60% of the maximum. I prefer to start this way, I have always bought in for less than the max.

2) If I drop to 25% of the max buyin I will automatically quit the game, and find a new table. I find this focuses me, and prevents me tilting off the remainder.

3) Play position more

4) Be more creative, but play fewer big pots, and try and 'steal' more pots of around 10BB's

5) When I have some bigger cash wins, in subsequent sessions play STT's, to stop me happily throwing money around thinking I'm the dogs b's! Just cos I won a massive pot with AA v KK, does not mean I should start trying to bluff people all the time. I have been VERY guilty of this in the past, and I know it. Playing STT's will prevent me doing this somewhat, and will make me focus.

6) Quit while your ahead, if I'm sitting with $240, and bought in for $120, I should recognise this is a good win, and be happy to quit

Films...

13 conversations about the same thing (4*) - original, and clever, also teaching you good morals... Happiness is not something to take for granted

Open Season - (1*) - not original, or clever... poor example of an animation film... There is only ONE Toy Story... Well, actually 2, but anyways...

Chat soon,

N-Dog

NEWSFLASH: train crash on the pineapple express

2009-02-08T15:33:00.003Z

Two more reviews,

Pineapple Express (2*) - This was one of the crappest films I've seen in a long time. I'm not a weed fan, and perhaps you have to be to find this film entertaining. I would say it would only appear to fans of Tom Green's 'Freddy Got Fingered'. My girlfriend and I were close to switching it off. There were the odd very funny bit, but all up. This is a BAD film.

Friends With Money (2.75*) - Quite a contrived chick flick, it was mildly entertaining. Showed finding happiness in life, is just about being a happy person. Hmmm... Deep N-Dog... deep... lol

Went mountain biking to day... in the snow... interesting! Went for a walk in the hills yesterday.

Have decided my sport for next season may be hockey...

IDIOT!!!

2009-01-30T21:33:00.001Z

4 man table... No prior moves by opponent, yet I still 4 pop a guy all in with AJ... PRICK!!!

-$120

tom cruise the pirate

2009-01-30T16:55:00.000Z

Valkryie was... Average. It gets a 3* rating, and should be happy with it. I found it very watchable, but ultimately pretty, well, average...

1) The fact it didn't use subtitles is cause for at least 0.75* reduction
2) It was a bit to Hollywood, it reminded me a little of Munich in it's approach. Again, a film that promised a lot, but became a little too commerical.
3) Tom Cruise did not act the part all that well
4) The fact it's a thriller based on something you know failed, since Hitler committed suicide in the final hours of the war with Berlin surrounded means it's essentially like biting into a rolo only to find it's hollow in the middle
5) It's pity we didn't see more of the Hitler character, because I felt the actor, and we he was cast was very good, yet as the film didn't need him in it that much we didn't see him. Acting on him was good though.

May go and see Defiance tomorrow, although, after this film I may give it a miss. It's a long similar lines and has Daniel Craig with an awful Russian accent so...

Played 3 sessions of 10mins each of Omaha, and one person added 'omfg' in the chat box, when I was technically ahead but made an awful call. I'm up about $40. Playing only 0.10/0.20 up to 0.25/0.50. May give it a go for a little while.

N-Dog

bits and pieces

2009-01-29T13:23:00.005Z

Am off to watch 'Valkaryie' tonight, after some din-dins. Watched '7 Pounds' a couple of weeks ago (3.25*), you spend most of the film wondering what's going on, yet it all seems a bit predictable and plods along at points. Will Smith plays the role well, but his anguish is a little OTT in my opinion at times. However, I enjoyed the film, and the twist at the end was good, but by that point your so used to not knowing whats going on you don't really know what to think.

Watched a couple episodes of a fairly new series called 'Fringe' on Sky 1, that started a while back. I'm going to reserve judgement on this one.

Played some poker, from the $600 point, I must have lost about $300, but am now back up to $700 profit for the year so far.

Managed to lose 5lbs since Christmas, though the homemade BLT I just had has probably changed this round. Been to rugby and football training a fair bit, and the gym, and then went mountain biking on Saturday which was ACE!!! Hardcore but ace. I did bin it into a hedge, but it didn't hurt, and at the end we were coming down sheer rock, I felt like a proper extreme mountain biker, though realistically I maybe... erm... wasn't. I deffo wanna do more mountain biking.

This weekend is a wedding reception of someone I've not spoken to, a family (gf's) meal, checking out my gf's brothers cat that is nearly 2 stone (not fat, just its breed - Maine Coon), gym, prob play tennis/squash on Friday nightm maybe a walk on Sunday, so all up a cool weekend, active and lots to do, just the way I like it! Will I be too shattered to stay up and watch Superbowl on Sunday... Hmmm...

Planning on going to London March 6th, and April 10th. I have a free flight for one of them.

Am applying for a Portfolio Manager job at an investment/private bank, though it's completely beyond my experience, I hope maybe they can see me in a supporting role, and develop into a similar managerial position within this area. Can't stand doing this audit malarky! If only I could do more advisory based work.

Parents home from Thailand, which they enjoyed, and I enjoyed having the house to myself!

Had an offer of 290k accepted on a nice house, stay tuned to see how this goes, finding out on mortgage details now, but the rest should go through fine.

Anyways, back to work,

N-Dog

oh my days

2009-01-16T13:37:00.003Z

Now let me start of this post by saying I am by no means a prude... But c'mon, THIS is ridiculous!!!

I was reading Negreanu's blog, and he was going on about this 22yr old Yank, who was AUCTIONING HER VIRGINITY!!!

I thought, wtf, this can't be true... But... it appears as though it is... What makes me sure it is, is the fact that her sister it turns out works in a brothel also, the Bunny Ranch just outside Las Vegas, which is where this 'thing' will take place...

Apparently she has had a bid of $3.8m lodged!

She says it is to put herself through school... I suggest reading Negreanu's blog, http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/blogs/article/453

He gives great insight into why this is such an interesting story...

I believe people should be able to pay for sex should both adults be consenting, what they do is their choice... (I would NEVER do it though I might add! My gf fulfills all my needs in THAT department) But this story I find horrific... I don't know quite why it makes it worse, but it does...

Anyways, in other news, I thought I'd post quick reviews of all the good/bad films I watched over Christmas/NY period...

Casino - 4/5, Lady Vengeance - 4/5, Stardust -3/5, Transformers - 3/5 (the film was AWFUL, but the special effects were amazing), 24 - Redemption - 2.5/5, Golden Compass - 2.5/5, The Grinch - 3/5, Persuit of Happyness - 4/5 (seen before but watched again)... Sure I watched more, but can't think of them!

In other news... poker is ok, I have won a bit lost a bit... I am on about $565 profit for the year, I have lost about $90 from my peak...

I cam 10/180 in a $12 turbo tournie, my hands held when they needed to until the final table bubble. I lost JJ v K9 for a pot that would have made me chip leader, then I raised in position with 9d10d v mid big stack (bout 1/3 more than I had). He flat called. Flop comes K J x two diamonds, I bet out, he re-raises all in, there is 64,000 in the pot, and I have 11,000 behind, I call and don't hit. I had a terrible draw on this table, and should have just waited it out till the final table to see if my draw improved. Once in the hand, I think I have played it right.

Anyways, back to the grind,

N-Dog

wild thing

2009-01-11T19:45:00.003Z

Good start to the New Year all round. Had a good night, watched some good movies, stayed out of trouble. Gonna kick the 'New Year fitness plan' into shape this week, house to myself (and gf) as my parents are off to Thailand.

Watched 'Into the Wild' today. AWESOME film... The conclusion he comes to... ''Happiness is something you have to share''... So true... Brilliant film with some stunning scenary in Alaska. Also showed how lonely very intelligent people can get, over thinking things... This was one of the most captivating films I've watched recently. I might start rating films I watch... I'm going to rate this one 5/5, as I couldn't find anything wrong with the film.

It basically follows a brainbox from a priveldged yet unloved background reject the corporate, career path his parents want for him, and instead donate his life savings to Oxfam, and leave off on adventure up and down America.

The film follows the relationships and experiences he has along the way, and if I hadn't been watching it at my girlfriends house with her parents in the room, I may have come over all emotional... MAYBE!

Based on a true story too...

Poker's gone well, am up $625 after 3hrs play. Had a nice win in a 27 man $30 MTT. $300 first prize.

Ace,

N-Dog

Merry Christmas everyone

2008-12-25T11:37:00.002Z

n-dog

the big freeze

2008-12-21T21:44:00.003Z

The big freeze has hit, frosty the snowman has iced my poker game, I can't get a bluff through, I'm getting no hands, and I can't get my hands to hold. As a result, I'm getting frustrated, and making mistakes.

I've gone from running like God, to running like a one legged fat man...

My profit for the year is a shade over $1,000, and I'm prepared to take that for this year which has probably taught me more about poker than any other. I've experienced many highs, and many lows.

Next years key to increased profitability,

1) Patience

2) Patience

3) Patience

4) Don't tilt off with bad calls

5) Stop trying to out think fish

6) Think more about position

7) Respect peoples play more
8) Stop ''calling for the pot odds'' when the call is so marginal

9) When I run well, don't put it down to good play, and when I run bad, don't put it down to bad play

10) CONCENTRATE!!!

I know I'm a good player when I concentrate, and am patient I feel I'm one of the best at my level. I just need to bring these two key aspects under my control, and I can make a lot of money.

I feel this year, I've been playing a lot of poker without thinking, I've become a little bit impatient and frustrated. I've started to play more for the money as opposed to enjoying the game. Whilst a lot of people may think, damn right. ''The game'' is what I love. I think I'm going to move back to tournaments. Playing so much cash to tournaments I think affects your love for the game, it becomes ''all about the money''...

Anyways, I'll sign off for now. I will try and not play till next year now, but my (ten) new years resolutions are above, and this will lead to a very profitable 2009 for N-Dog... I know it.

Merry Xmas everyone!!!

N-Dog

winter warmers

2008-12-14T11:13:00.003Z

Was in Dublin for a three day course, though I showed up, and our handy HR woman had forgotten to book my on the course. Our support staff at work are SHITE, that they get paid at all is ridiculous.

Anyways, unfortunately I had to stay and listen to a load of dross I simply do not care about, and had heard many times before. I'd managed to block it out at least twice already, so a third time was not a challenge.

The only highlight of the trip was some good food, my philosophy of simply selecting restaurants that are busy paid dividends.

On the downside, within 5 minutes of logging onto the BT Openzone wifi I realised it wasn't going to work as it repeatedly disconnected. So, no poker.

However, with may gf away I've had lots more time to play poker, because I've been bored.

I've been running pretty well as of late, recouping the $1,500 (total) I've lost this year, from my peak. So, I'm back up at aroung $1,500 positive for the year, which 6 months ago I would never have thought given I was on $0.

I even played 30 hands (yes, a smash and grab) of 2/4. Doubled my $240 buyin with 1010 v A10 where we both played it very strangely, allin preflop.

Went to see the Zutons on Friday with a mate. I'd bought their latest CD only on Wednesday, cos I originally decided to go with my gf, just for a change, and not knowing anything of the band other than Valerie, so thought best to see what I was up against prior to arrival. I was actual very, very impressed. They played at our Villa Marina venue, which is a little bit too 'nice' for a music gig I feel, and I find it funny 'Funeral for a Friend' played there a few months ago. Anyways, I loved the funky tones the sax's added, and the lead singer has a good voice...

Watched 15mins of the rugby game between Vagabonds (team I've ben training with) and Ramsey. There was an injury whilst I was there, a guy had been carted off with a broken ankle in the first half, and there was a Ramsey player on the sidelines saying ''my knee sounds like a rattle'', and the coach saying ''yeah, it sounds like you have something loose in there''. There was also a 8-10 man fight on the opposite touchline... I left thinking, maybe I'll just stick to football!

Anyways, I may play a little more poker later, other than that, I'm gonna go enjoy another crisp winters day. Crisp winter days are AWESOME!

N-Dog

Argh... Shiver me timbers...

2008-12-02T21:21:00.005Z

Good to be back for a bit, go to the gym, go to football, go to rugby...I tell a lie, got beasted at rugby circuit training tonight...BEASTED... Esp after so many weeks of inactivity due to work

Our Yeovil work went down a storm. The aquirer loved it, and said in all his years of business, and reading similar reports it was the best one he'd seen... Well suck my hairy meat stick!

Played a live game on Saturday with some ABSOLUTE toffs, at least they sounded like it... They sounded like that double barrelled chicken cook bloke of C4... Anyways, long and short was this... Awful blind structure, but good fun, I came third (of 8) getting it all in AJ v A7 against a massive luck box, and I saw a 7 7 turn, river combo. I'd previously called for a big allin with an up and down str8 flush draw on the flop, with great odds, and plenty behind which if I'd one I would have won for sure. Oh well. After that I finished of 3/4 of a bottle of Morgan Spiced, felt fine, got in the taxi, and it hit me like a brick wall. I had to stop the taxi twice cos I thought I was going to vom. Luckily I kept it in, a number of phone calls I don't remember, and a lack of knowledge how I got home, I wake up the next day wishing I HAD vomed! Monday was worse, and I simply cursed playing poker with people I didn't know so rushing my drinks... I hate shorts... GRRR... Angry with my stoopidity!

I want a MacBook I think, they're so pretty! I rang up Fujitsu-Siemens to see if my broken laptop screen was claimable on insurance... No they say. This is how busy I have been... I have only JUST rang up to do that!

Anyways, by the by, it was a poor laptop, and I thought Vista was rubbish.

I'm gonna bag a Mac I think, a sleek black one... Poker Stars have Mac software, and that's good enough for me,

Went to see a mortgage advisor, said we could borrow £250k with a 10% deposit. So prob look at £300k houses with £50k deposit.

Bad line below? In these situations I like to just call (I know it's weak) in the blinds cos I find you often are not believed if you hit your A, and can often get away cheaper if you do. Roothluss has been a fairly tight player, and not been involved in any hands of note. Also, at this stage I have been fairly loose aggressive at the table, and I believe any raise would get called, and so want to see a cheap flop. On the flop I put him on AK, AQ, AJ, KK, QQ, JJ, 1010 after his call.

After the turn I check as I'm out of position and trying to keep the pot small. Smallish bet indicates to me AQ/QQ, but it's only $10, so I call. The bet of $20 on the river was a blocker bet plain and simple, if he comes over the top, I fold... He does (after a bit of a pause), and I do. I put him AQ/QQ, no other hand is raising me on the river IMO. Little bit peeved though.

PLEASE CAN YOU RATE MY PLAY!!!!

PokerStars Game #22565183195:

Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2) - 2008/12/02 16:24:50 ETTable 'Alkeste II' 6-max Seat

#4 is the button

Seat 1: gczuerich ($62.15 in chips)

Seat 2: Roothluss ($353 in chips)

Seat 3: donkycracker ($263.40 in chips)

Seat 4: Fantatour.dk ($149.70 in chips)

Seat 5: jlost88 ($206 in chips)

Seat 6: HERO ($191.95 in chips) jlost88: posts small blind $1HERO: posts big blind $2*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to HERO [As Ks]

gczuerich: folds

Roothluss: raises $4 to $6

donkycracker: folds

Fantatour.dk: folds

jlost88: folds

HERO: calls $4

*** FLOP *** [4s Ah 6d]

HERO: bets $7Roothluss: calls $7

*** TURN *** [4s Ah 6d] [Qd]

HERO: checks Roothluss: bets $10HERO: calls $10*** RIVER *** [4s Ah 6d Qd] [Tc]HERO: bets $20Roothluss: raises $46 to $66

HERO: folds

Uncalled bet ($46) returned to RoothlussRoothluss collected $84 from potRoothluss

Out, N-Dog

credit crunch? what credit crunch?

2008-11-06T15:28:00.002Z

Good job I've managed to complain to Britz camper vans Australia long enough, and hard enough that they refunded about 10% of our van hire (so they should), as my bonus this year was lower than that of three years ago, when I only worked 6 months, and was in my first year!

times they are a changing

n-dog

ships in the night

2008-11-05T21:26:00.003Z

Fcuking Yeovil?! Was my first reaction having been told I was going there to work for two weeks on a due diligence project...

This summer since going on study phase for my exams has been manic... Screw it... This year has been...

But since I went on study phase it's been crazy... 4 weeks away in Wales, back for 5 studying my super firm ass off, away for another 4... Mixed in there were weekends in Chester, London, Liverpool, Manchester and the Lake District... Then between mid July and well... late November I'll have worked away for 6 weeks (4 weeks London, and now 2 weeks in frickin YEOVIL!?)... Oh yeah, throw in weekends in Brighton too, and a boys canal boating trip, I firmly appreciate my girlfriends comment, at times we're like ships in the night... Finally 3 weeks in Oz... Holiday though obviously!

I really feel this year has put a massive strain on our relationship, and I'm happy to say at the moment we show no signs of breaking... I love her very much, and this amount of time flitting around has shown me how much so... I just feel better when she is around, she is a great balancing influence on me...

I can't wait till we can just spend time together, and get this crazy crappy away jobs out of the way... Before Christmas I'm also going to Dublin for 3 days... work again, and she's quite possibly going to the Phillipene's!!! (sp) with work...

Just stupid, and I have now started to appreciate our relationship, and just chilling out more than I have before...

I don't think the 'ships in the night' comment was a jab at me, because there's very little I can have done about it, and most of the other trips have been with her... I can but appreciate that frustration now...

Hopefully I'll just blink and it'll be Christmas, and I can get fat and drunk!!!

Oh, and congrats to Obama... The election trail in America sounds almost as tiring as my life since May...

Oh, and C... I know you read this... Well I read your blog, and dude... TAKE IT FECKING EASY!

Peace,

N-Dog

zombie nation

2008-11-02T20:00:00.003Z

Bond was good, but not good enough... I really enjoyed the film, and I'm not some kill joy who's gonna say it's crap and all... I just... Expected more... The character development I felt just wasn't there. We didn't learn a whole lot more about Bond, and the 'other company'... That's what I loved so much about Casino Royale... Character development...

Still good film, and a lot better than a lot of modern day action films!

Had a quick session this affy, and playing one now. This afternoon was a 750FPP double shootout on Stars. Top 5 paid a Sunday Million ticket ($215). Made the top 5 with chip leader, but cashed the ticket in for tournament credit... Great system.

Down $40 on the current session, getting caught calling with odds preflop and missing on the flop...

Just check raised all in with Ks9s on a 7s8s10c flop... Qs on the turn. Up $35 now...

Nothing mega this weekend... Was at a fancy dress party on Friday, went as 'the living dead'... Good costume even if I do say so myself...

Just been typing up a CV, see what happens job wise, see whats available...

London tomorrow... 6.40 am flight... ACE! I'll be like how I looked on Friday! My All for the corporate dime...

N-Dog

the rage

2008-10-29T13:57:00.000Z

Argh… The Bond film is getting crap reviews! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo… Bond is my hero… Bond RULES!

After looking fwd to being home for a few weeks, I'm being carted off to London for Monday-Wednesday next week for work, good to see my friends again, but I just can't be arsed with the flights again!

Absolutely knackered today. In my infinite wisdom I thought it'd be a good idea to play 90mins rugby training, then 50mins later 60mins of indoor five aside after a full days work, and not getting in till 6pm… My phobia of not missing out on things, and doing something all the time really kicked in, and although I had good fun… Boy am I tired… (N) Dog tired… I was already stiff after being worked over at 'Studio (insufficient) Strength' at the gym last night… The task master was some muscle freak girl, who lifted heavier weights than me, without stopping, and whilst speaking into her Britney (attached headset) mic… I felt so inadequate...

No poker played, maybe Sunday night.

In other news, I'm going to start commenting on current affairs when I see fit…

1) Ross & Brand - Yes, it was an ill advised gross practical joke that they should publically apologise about, but no one should get sacked, and everyone should just move on.

2) US Presidency - How said is it that American politics is typified by McCain trying to link Obama to terrorists? Politics is rubbish anyway.

3) Credit crunch - If everyone just chilled out, didn't sell all their shares/move their cash/draw their cash/didn't restrict credit then this wouldn't even be an issue. As it is, the business world has and will always be a boom-bust cycle, we've enjoyed the fat times, now it's time to find out who bothered to save for a rainy day. It's the banks fault, and I find it frustrating that the government is bailing them out, I understand people have money tied up in these institutions, but if it was individual business in the private sector, there's no way the government would be bailing them out, it also goes against the free market principle… the strongest survive which is how the world has evolved. My view is those who have indeed put aside for leaner times will be able to capitalise in a major way once everything is settled down, and acquisitions and mergers will pick up again, as there will be bargains and synergies to be had, and the whole process will start again. This is fair. Those who have been prudent will reap the rewards. The global economy needs these problems as a way to regulate itself. It's not a pleasant thing for people stuck at the bottom, but it's unfortunately inevitable and necessary. Those who have lost money through bank deposits are most unfortunate, and I whole heartedly sympathise, but I am talking about the bigger picture.

Best stop now before I get started on political correctness, and civil rights… Suffice to say I'm sick and tired of both, political correctness is so correct now, it's almost incorrect, and civil rights are almost so over the top that you can't get rid of dangerous individuals and deal with general riff-raff correctly, for fear of breaching their ridiculous 'civil liberties'… In my opinion, these d1cks lost their civil rights when they either took away someone elses, broke the law, or did something to require corrective action. We have kids running over teachers who can't so much as tell them off for fear of reprisal, we have murderers and rapists locked in private wings for fear the general prison population may cause them damage… Prisoners on The Rock even have access to Playstations, and flat screen plasma tv's… No wonder these idiots re-offend it's better than their bed sit council house with damp and no heating, so why wouldn't they?! And don't get me started on radical Muslim clerics… Though I believe government are taking steps against these now… Too little too late in my opinion. These now have such a following, and are so used to their precious civil liberties that action just won't work. Yes, these preachers will go underground, and will still exist, they always will, but at least it will make it harder for them!

Ooops...

I'm usually quite bullish in my opinions, and they are opinions, not arguments, I'm just ranting with no support, but it's good to get stuff of your chest. No one should take offence to the above, I'm just some schmuck after all!

(Apparently. Did you know a shmuck (check the sp) is the bit of foreskin chopped off when a Jew gets circumcised? Lovely jubley)

N-Dog

The name's Dog... N-Dog

2008-10-26T22:39:00.003Z

Played a couple of sessions not much happening, think I've lost about $80 since the last post...

Very difficult to find a few hours to play, as 'C' suggests... Esp as my laptop has decided to break. The screen is completely fcuked, and I have know idea how! It's totally cracked near the bottome, but I can't recall dropping it at any point, and in times gone by I have, and have had no probs, so it'd need to be a noticeable drop... Strange... One of those things. Hope I'll be able to get a replacement or someit as it's under warranty, but dunno if that covers 'drops', or should I say phantom drops... Funny. I always thought it would be the screen that went first... But I always thought it would be when my fist went through it when some nut bar hit a two outer on the river!

Was thinking about what I've done this year... Mainly brought on by looking at the fact I have saved minimal amounts in the last 12 months, when previously I've saved like a Jewish bank...

New Year - New York (5 star hotel)

March - Snowboarding, Val D'Isere

August - Canal boat trip

Sept - 3 week, campervan trip to Australia, via Dubai on the way back

Also included, trips to Liverpool, Manchester, Lake District, Chester, London (several times), Brighton...

I've also completed my exams, and worked by myself, and responsible for a junior in London for a week...

Looking at that lot I can see why I'm a little short, even if I'm wearing t-shirts from 4 years ago, and my girlfriend is having to buy shoes only once a month instead of every week... Oh well. Times are hard.

Planning a mate's stag party in Edinburgh next May, so if anyone has any recommendations let me know...

Next week I'm playing some 5 a side with friends, and will prob try and fit in rugby or some other footy that night. Going to the Comedy Club http://www.hahaheehee.com/ on Thursday, a 'Halloween House Party' on Friday, and Quantum of Solace on Saturday (yes we do have comedy nights, houses, and cinemas on the Isle of Man... as crazy as it sounds!)

I'm so psyched about the new Bond film, I hope it's as good as the last... The scene where they're falling off the roof, and it's shot from above them looks sick...

Anyways... Best sign off,

N-Dog

The Big Smoke

2008-10-19T08:04:00.003+01:00

So I've been in London this weekend seeing friends. Kinda looking fwd to going home though. Will be good to see my girlfriend. Kinda a bit weird when I'm so used to seeing her, to not see her in a week.

Have enjoyed my weekend down here though. Apart from the tube ride to Clapham. Peak hour with a case, and the tube is not a pleasant cocktail. I was getting banged around so much on there, I felt like a Soho Ho.

Had a good night Friday at Lost Society in Clapham, seeing some good friends that I haven't seen for a while. Don't think it'd feel as good though if I ever did live in London... I like it people make an effort for me when I'm down. If I ever lived here, it'd just be somewhere else to live. Had some good food at Cha Cha Moon near Canarby St. I thoroughly recommend this place. It's owned by the same guy as Busaba, but it's like £3.50 for a main. It's immense.

Saturday I had some lunch/breakfast with C, and a couple of guys we know. Good to see C. I like to try and keep his media monster head in check when we meet up. He loves it.

As I'm sure he'll write in his blog he actually got punched on Friday... Funny. Funnier that no one else was suprised! It was by some weedy cyclist as well... hahaha, only kidding C'y! Was good to see B that night too.

Then I spent the rest of the day with the guy I went travelling with. We ended up going to the 'Comedy Store', just off Leicester Sq. Quality place.

Played a bit of poker in the mornings while I waited for people to get up. Up a bit, will report back laters.

Today I think I'll go down Oxford St, meet some people for lunch, and maybe play squash. Flight back to 'The Rock' is 7.40pm, though knowing 'FlyMAYbe' it'll prob have the statutory 30mins delay.

How frickin boring is F1!!! Geez...

Ho hum. Back to work tomorrow!

the game is (back) on

2008-10-16T18:15:00.003+01:00

So... I've finally managed to put in a nice winning session, in what seems like years...

I played for just under two hours...

I saw about 20-25% hands...

The session was split into two... Both 45-60 mins. On first session I cashed out $240 from a $100 buyin, and the second I cashed out $370 from a $100 buyin. Both games were at $1/$2.

This hand scared the s**t out of me, but I just don't like his line. Essentially I feel he played it too quick. His betting pattern was very quick, which I normally take as bluffs. He's played it like a flush, and I almost dropped the river, but I called like a nail, and was rewarded. I think in reality the odds prob say I need to call the river. His line in the hand is more like trips I feel, and then on the river, I didn't feel trips would bet it. Therefore the only thing he could have is a flush, and I just felt the pot gave me odds to be wrong enough of the time to make the call right.

He had shown he wasn't afraid to mix it up prior to the hand. I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts...?

PokerStars Game #21242240601: Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2) - 2008/10/16 13:07:45 ET
Table 'Kariba II' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 2: jbeckern6 ($203 in chips)
Seat 3: xXxXxXxXx ($197.05 in chips)
Seat 4: rdog7811 ($391.90 in chips)
Seat 5: GOB_Bluth2 ($200 in chips)
Seat 6: ToTMidiaN ($204 in chips)
ToTMidiaN: posts small blind $1
ofishstix: is sitting out
ofishstix leaves the table
jbeckern6: posts big blind $2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to xXxXxXxXx [Ks Kd]
xXxXxXxXx: raises $5 to $7
rdog7811: folds
GOB_Bluth2: folds
smnrgg81 joins the table at seat #1
ToTMidiaN: folds
jbeckern6: calls $5
*** FLOP *** [6s 2s 7c]
jbeckern6: checks
xXxXxXxXx: bets $8
jbeckern6: raises $19 to $27
xXxXxXxXx: calls $19
*** TURN *** [6s 2s 7c] [6c]
jbeckern6: bets $47
xXxXxXxXx: calls $47
*** RIVER *** [6s 2s 7c 6c] [Ts]
jbeckern6: bets $81
xXxXxXxXx: calls $81
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jbeckern6: shows [5c 5h] (two pair, Sixes and Fives)
xXxXxXxXx: shows [Ks Kd] (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
xXxXxXxXx collected $323 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $325 | Rake $2
Board [6s 2s 7c 6c Ts]
Seat 2: jbeckern6 (big blind) showed [5c 5h] and lost with two pair, Sixes and Fives
Seat 3: xXxXxXxXx showed [Ks Kd] and won ($323) with two pair, Kings and Sixes
Seat 4: rdog7811 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: GOB_Bluth2 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: ToTMidiaN (small blind) folded before Flop

Money Matters - It has to make you sweat!

2008-10-16T17:55:00.001+01:00

So. This week I’m on a course in Preston. Pretty boring, and Preston's a S**T hole! But it’s allowed me a little time to play poker. Here’s what I’ve learnt this week.

Money Matters

So. This week I’m on a course in Preston. Pretty boring, but it’s allowed me a little time to play poker. Here’s what I’ve learnt this week.

I generally make poor ‘value’ calls. Calls when I figure I’m beat, but also figure I may as well call, under the guise of value. Example.

Very tight guy calls UTG calls BB. I raise mid position to $6 ($1/$2) with JJ. Folded back to UTG. Flat call. I’m thinking AA maybe, more likely suited connectors, small pair. Flop was 10 5 2, 2 clubs. Checks to me. I bet about $14. Quickish flat call. Turn fills the flush. He checks. I check behind, trying to keep the pot small. River is a 6 (non club). He bets out $40 after a fairly lengthy pause. I tank, but eventually call. I’m unsuprised to see 56 for two pair.

This was a very bad call, and I think this call highlights a major leak in my game, that I’ll try and fix. I constantly make bad value calls. This guy is never bluffing here, and the only hand he may have that I beat is J10, QJ, KJ or A10. There is a myriad of hands that beat me, and given the guys line, and previous hands, I don’t figure him for value beating with any of the above. Overall: BAD PLAY

I’ve made a very minor profit this week, but I’ve decided I’m much happier playing at ½, than 0.50/1.00. Players are generally less aggressive, more passive, and tighter. This suits my more loose aggressive game. I like to take lots of stabs at smaller pots, in a more generally small ball approach.

This leads me on to my second major leak: not backing off, when players show strength. This is a basic error, and I’ve cut back on this a lot since my earlier playing days. But it still rears it’s ugly head now and again.

This is the point of my post. Money matters. If you play at stakes you see as fairly trivial then you make poor decisions, I believe. In tournaments I can play really low stakes uber serious, because what matters there to me is the winning. In cash? You can’t win all the chips, which is what I love about tournaments, and therefore I need a higher stake to keep me focussed.

I also think a third leak I have is not making enough of my bigger hands. I think I’m too aggressive, and perhaps don’t let people catch up enough. It’s fairly rare for my big hands to go to a showdown. But maybe this is quite common? Maybe it’s only monsters and mediocre hands that should get to the showdown. Hands where your gtd to be in front, or where you’ve controlled the pot very well. Maybe this isn’t a massive leak, but I do think sometimes I don’t milk the pot enough. And this in itself is a leak.

I just read C’s (A Year in the Life) blog. Dude. How can you have a social life, work, a girlfriend and play a 3-4hr session more than once a week?!

Anyways, see you on the weekend C

N-Dog

tick, tock, tick, tock...

2008-10-11T16:50:00.004+01:00

Just the half a year on hiatus...

I've been so busy this summer with exams, holidays, work, and enjoying what good weather we did have I had little time for poker, or this blog...

I have now passed all my ACA exams, which is great cos I don't have to do anymore, but bad, cos I don't think I want to be an accountant!!! Oh well... We'll see what happens!

As I was saying to my 'main man' C (A Year in the Life), I have decided to try and use this blog as a memory aid for myself as to what I have done, and do with my life...

To get a little personal, I have a bit of a phobia of not taking chances, not making the most of my life, not accomplishing anything, and generally just a bit worried of growing up, planning for the future, and generally living an adult life...

I'm getting better, and it's very hard to describe, but I know I've have achieved a great deal in my life, and I'm just scared of standing still basically...

I really enjoy my life I have, with my girlfriend, and the only thorn in my side is my work... which is dull as f**k, and I for one am not someone that can do boring work... I get bored far too easy...

Any ideas people, on what interesting job a newly qualified ACA accountant can do?

Anyways, enough about that...

What I've done this summer... Passed my ACA finals with flying colours, and got a big raise at my work (it's still dull tho!), 3 week holiday to Australia and Dubai, driving from Perth to Broome, visited Brighton, did a couple of weeks work in London

Poker - I went on a massive downswing, and lost all my profit from this year... Therefore my results are, 2006 and 2007 $2,000 net profit in both years (roughly), and 2008 - $0... This will allow me to start over in 2008 I hope... I haven't played really in about 2.5 -3 months

I did, however, play an Isle of Man, £100 freezeout last night, 40 runners, top 6 paid... I'd nursed a small/avg stack all the way thru, and honestly in 6 hrs (inc breaks), I can't remember playing a hand where I made better than top pair all the way thru the hand... Anyways, I find myself on the final table (8 peeps) with 4 good players, 1 decent player, and 2 fish... Of course I had the 4 biggest stacks on my left, all showing previous of mixing it up at any given opportunity... Marvelous...

About 2-3 orbits in, no real action thus far, I have QhJh in the hijack seat (next to cutoff), not wanting to get too involved, I call the BB, with 9BB's behind, weak possibly, but I felt too good to pass, but not worth an all in, given my lack of fold equity when faced with the four biggest stacks behind, who all like to call... With hindsight, I should have just pushed, 10BB's was still a decent bet, and even the weakest of players is gonna be playing tight at this point. My bad... (MISTAKE 1) Anyways, just the SB and BB carry on... Flop, Ks Js 2c... Check, check, I bet 3BB's... SB tanks, and pushes in, BB folds... I have 6BB's behind, and I (for some reason), insta call... I figure him for a draw, or absolute air. Although he'd shown down decent hands in general, I'd seen the guy was capable of bluffs... Anyways... he has a set of twos, and I bow out.

Very disappointed really, because I can honestly say I can't remember playing a hand badly before this one... Bad, bad call...

Anyways, I'm off to a friends house now, and I'm on a course in Preston next week. I'm taking my computer, so I might try to play some poker in the evenings online... Start a fresh...

In London next weekend to see friends...

I did lost $50 this morning, spun it up to $100, then got it in with my overpair J's, to a guys top set 6's on the flop. I should have passed on the flop... My bad again... It's just the odd brain spasm that ends up costing me dear... Ho hum...

I'm alive!!!

2008-03-27T21:22:00.003Z

Long time no post, just been filthy busy... My poker play has now reduced to 2.8% of my waking hours! According to faithfull pokercharts. Which simply is not good enough!

Reasons for lack of play are as follows,

1) February was a bad month, so my play normally is reduced when running bad. I lost $210 in February.
2) Trip to Vilinus, Lithuania. Went with friends. Was great fun, but only as a stag do/drinking trip. There is litterally no tourism there, and very little to do. Although I really liked the place, had a great time, great atmosphere, and was cool to catch up with a few of the guys I haven't seen so much off lately.
3) Trip to Val D'isere. Wicked snowboarding trip, I used to do a bit of skiing, but snowboarding is so much more fun! Val D'isere is a cool place, but very expensive. I probably rate Val Thorens slightly higher, but was a wicked trip, and two of my friends got engaged on the trip (opposite sexes!). Had a challet host called 'Roland' from Scotland. And my word, that boy was an immense cook. Other than that we were staying with a rubbish London couple and a punky dressed girl, who was 27 and still called her Dad, Daddy...
4) Work - Our busy season has left me with fewer poker playing hours!

Other things,

Requiem for a Dream - Watched this film recently. It is about the trouble with drugs, and is SAVAGE! But also a pretty cool film.
A Better Tomorrow - An 80's Korean film which is about Jap Mafia
Nikon D60 - I bought one of these recently. It's pretty rad, tho I'm not fully sure of it's capabilities yet... It's SOOOO complicated!
£75 freezeout - Played at the gutshot with 'CC' the night before Lithuania. No good. Pushed in with Q10 on a 10 8 x flop, when I knew the guy was strong. I was outplayed. But the tournament structure was AWFUL!

Summary: Anyways, I'm up a shade over $1,500 this year, so thats good. Few other real interesting poker issues, tho I won one of the few AA v KK moments for a $380 pot, which was nice!

Hopefully I'll post more sooner!!!

N-Dog

Top Of The Tree...

2008-02-09T23:21:00.000Z

I know it's sad, I know it is... But I get so pumped on a MTT final table, whatever the buyin...

I topped another MTT, ok, it was only 51 peeps, and ok, it was only a $7.50 buyin, but that is two MTT wins in about the last two (serious) attempts!

Very psyched in all honesty...

Last month was my first full month at 1/2, and I finished a shade under $1k up, which I was very please about. This month I'm up a shade over $250. I roughly play about 4hrs a week, to give you guys some idea (including MTTs)

I have booked to go to Lithuania with my friends for a few nights in March, and I have some time booked off w/c 17th March to go snowboarding with my girlfriend, and a couple of other mates and their partners. Should be good.

Last week I was working in Wexford, Ireland. It pretty much blew, the amount of wasted time and money on getting us out there for a simple job, that could have been better served by shipping it over to The Rock... I dunno... Rubbish...

Anyways... Me out... Clearly just gloating, sad... But I'm pumped with my poker play right now...

Please, please let it continue!!!

N-Dog

Relief

2008-01-26T18:56:00.000Z

I somehow managed to get thru my two exams. I was honestly suprised at passing Tax...

I'm now a part qualified ACA... This is not exciting, it was not fist pumping happiness, I put the work in and got my reward, hence the feeling was relief, I'm sure people will relate to the strange emotion. But it is good, because I'm closer to finishing.

Accounting is not exciting.

A question was raised the other week... I was out for dinner with my gf, her brother and his wife... 'Everyone hates there job, it doesn't really matter what you do?'... C, do you hate your job?

I think this is wrong. I don't particular think my job is great right now, but hopefully the qualification I'm working towards will afford me a better choice of more interesting jobs...

Does everyone ultimately not like their job? Obviously, very few people LOVE their jobs, but HATE?!

Hmmm...

Still deciding which camera to get...

I topped a 53 man MTT... Pity it was only a $10 one... But still... Finding my feet in tournies again...

Anyways, peace out brothers...

N-Dog

Focus! For goodness sake FOCUS!

2008-01-16T22:52:00.000Z

So... I've moved up stakes, and successfully!!!

I'm up $650 this month, and $1050 since I came home from my (shit) exams on 15th December. I'm averaging $45/hr after 14hrs play, including tournaments.

This brings me to my point, I can't focus on tournaments. The fact money is riding on every hand focuses me in a cash game, but in a MTT with 100+ runners, and 3hrs ahead of me, I just can't focus...

Maybe this has to do with the stakes I play MTT's at, compared to my cash stakes. It's strange tho, I used to be a tournament monster, but these days they just leave me frustrated.

I may try a few higher buyin tournies.

Also, I'm looking at buying a new camera (hence focus!). My girlfriend bought me a picture I took travelling for Christmas, it was stretched onto a canvas. It's pretty rad, and it has encouraged me to take more pictures. Not that this was a great photo, but it's encouraged me to take more...

Well... Make up your own minds. It's quite an easy shot to take...

I'm considering a Canon EOS 400D SLR camera body, with a Canon 55-200mm lens. If anyone has any input I'd be grateful.

Finally back to poker. I played C 'the heads up Don' (see 'ex-snowman' link) heads up for a playful $50. I busted him, he rebought, and took the lot. The final $100 pot went something like. I have 99 in the SB, and C raises to $1.75 (0.25/0.50). As per every hand, C either calls or raises. I re-raise to $6.

Flop comes down two spades 8 high, I re-raise C to about $20. He calls. Spade on the turn, I call for my final $14. He flips up A high flush.

Can't remember the details, but basically he got lucky... End off.

N-Dog

A Happy New Year - The Next Step

2008-01-07T13:17:00.000Z

So a new year, a rare new post, and a new rung on the 'poker ladder'? I said I wouldn't move up to 1/2 till I had a roll of $4,000+. Now that has happened I will be taking $100 shots at the 1/2 level. Despite what my good friend C (http://exsnowman.blogspot.com/) has to say about buying up in short it has served me quite well.

I'm $1,060 up since the start of December (Since I've been using pokercharts, which I recommend, http://www.pokercharts.com/) started using poker chart. And my first two shots at 1/2 have yielded good results, including making it to $565 after losing my first $100 buy in with KQ v AA on a KQx flop, as the board ran out 2 2.

I'm also trying to play some tournies, tho I never seem to have time. I used to be rather decent at tournaments, until I completely diverted attention to cash. I finished 3rd in a $7.50 (YES I KNOW THATS LOW!) 90 man tournie for $80 profit, and was very pleased with my play, which to often in tournaments mirrors my rather loose-aggressive cash style, and has not been working well in tournaments I have played

I spent New Years in New York with my girlfriend, and it was rad. Though I don't think I could live in the city, 3 months of freezing your bollocks of is too much... If you think the UK is cold, believe me, it is NOT!

Highlights - Evenings (NBA, NHL games, Avenue Q and Cirque du Soliel), Ice Skating, Open Top Bus, and of course New Years Eve!

Lowlights - The cold, and Zoom Airlines (THEY ARE COWBOYS!)

The Christmas break was very cool, tho as most I expect I cannot be arsed getting back to work!

Profit for 2007 was about $2,200, with about $350 profit from Vegas. This was accomplished in about 214 hrs (both these figures inc tournaments where a played badly, and took ages, so cash results would provide more positive results).

Hopefully my next step on the poker ladder will provide a greater profit and challenge, as I felt a little bored at 0.50/1.00 where it was rare I was outplayed, and I felt, as Pokerskillz (C's mate) once said... Whatever makes you sweat... 1/2 does that for me... In fact, I need a shower...

N-Dog

Triple Bollox

2007-12-16T21:21:00.001Z

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

2007-10-26T22:31:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-12T19:12:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-09T21:06:00.000+01:00

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

2007-09-23T22:07:00.000+01:00

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)

2007-09-16T18:49:00.000+01:00

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...

2007-08-25T18:33:00.000+01:00

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...

2007-08-25T17:29:00.000+01:00

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!

2007-08-22T22:46:00.000+01:00

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

Must do better...

From little acrorns...

2007-08-16T16:43:00.000+01:00

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...