Monday, June 30, 2008
It's Main Event time baby
The WSOP is basically over. One more event remains. Of course, it's the main event, 10,000 buy in NL Texas Hold 'em. My guess for the number of players is 6865. I've had millions of questions from people about whether I'm buying in or not. I've alloted a certain percentage of my bankroll for the WSOP and early on, it wasn't looking so good. After that 11k cash though, I'm basically parlaying that into the main event. Aside from that, I really believe that I can play with anyone in the field. I really believe that I am fully capable of winning the event should luck fall my way. I also believe that to be as talented as I am and not be in the biggest poker tournament in the entire world is just not acting as if. I've just closed out an online month that is probably my 2nd best month ever (my best month is of course when I won the 100k tournament on Full Tilt). I'm playing with tons of confidence. I've had big wins on every site, and it's only proper if I go play a deep stacked no limit tournament for all the marbles. I probably wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't play in this event. It would be a complete waste. While 10,000 for one tournament is absolutely a ton of money, I can just as easily say I won 22k on Full Tilt and a WSOP seat in that main event. I can say I won a main event seat and 1700 in the 2k. I can say I won a main event seat in the Stars tourney. The only thing I haven't done is been on a list that says I won a seat. I'm planning on playing the Day 1A because I want to just relax for 3 days if I am going on, and I want to get over it quickly if I'm not moving on. All in all, I tried to always keep telling myself that the WSOP this year would define my career. When it was going bad, I was basically considering myself a failure. At the same time though, I was just winning big tournaments online where I started as a poker player. I've basically just learned to define my success by what shows up on the spreadsheet at the end of the day/month/year. I expected to have good shot at a bracelet and maybe that will have to wait, or maybe it's just a couple weeks away.......
Saturday, June 28, 2008
53rd
I just finished 53rd in a firestorm. I can honestly say I've never visibly showed too much emotion in a live poker tournament.......until now. My hand is still hurting from the chair I hit. We'll get to that. I arrived today with 63,700. Early on I raised it to 4k from the button with 9 10 of spades. The big blind defended and the flop came K Qs 5. He bet 5500 into me. At this point, I was just not ready to give up a pot that easy, so I decided to call and see if I could float him off the hand on the turn. The turn was a nice 7 of spades giving me a flush draw in addition to my straight draw. After asking me to count my chips, the SB checked. I decided to take a stab at the pot because I felt like he might have a Q and I could take it down right there. I bet 11k and was called fairly quickly, now basically putting my opponent on a K and really nervous about what I was going to have to do on the river. The river as a wonderful 8 of spades. The player checked to me and I wanted it to look like I missed a flush draw or something so I shoved my chips in quickly. He called and I was quickly up to 130k after he mucked in disgust. Then, I got moved and called a 6k raise from early position out of the SB with 1k/2k blinds with KQdd. The flop came Jd 4d 2s. Oh boy. I check raised the guy basically all in and we got it in there against his AA no diamond. Brick, brick and I was back down to 50k. After finding some good spots and winning a small all in with AK vs A6, I was back up to 100k before moving to my next table. At this point, I noticed a different dynamic. The player to my left had a ton of chips and a ton of gamble, so I was going to have to be ready to play post-flop. I decided to essentially tighten up until I was deeper stacked because I had 100k with 3k/6k blinds and it would greatly limit my post-flop play with this guy calling so much. I won a nice pot against him with QcQs when I raised to 16k was called by him. The flop came 9c 3c 3. I bet 22k, he called. Turn was a 7c. I moved in and he folded. Then the hand of the tournament and possibly worst beat of my life came. I raised to 16k in late position. Erik Cajaleis called out of the SB and the big blind after asking if we just got to 54 squeezed his last 60k in the middle. I really thought it over and how he asked if we just made the money and I jammed my 120k over the top. He showed As8s to my A10. The board ran out 9 5 2 3 river 8!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I turned around hit a chair and probably swore. I'm usually extremely quiet, but for the amount of money in the pot along with the dead money. I would have been at a little over 200k. Instead, I was crippled to 60k. I then got moved to another table and found KQo in mid position which is certainly good enough when folded to me. I pushed all in and was called my AK and that's a wrap. It was around 11k for the win which is certainly good enough for a main event seat. It will also keep me below my around 20k WSOP bankroll that I planned out even if I play in the main event. The good news about the tournament is that I have no regrets. I decided to make moves when I was short that were aggressive and without fear. When playing for a lot of money, I always see players change their games, but I'm glad I didn't. Overall, I think I played about as good as I'm going to play in a tournament. If the luck was on my side, I'd still be playing. Thanks to everyone for your support and interest throughout this. It really means a lot getting messages, calls and everything especially with all the ups and downs.
First WSOP cash, First 100 Rebuy win
Dear Readers,
I am running awfully good and extremely confident. I won the 100 rebuy on Full Tilt the other night. This is a 6 max (6 players maximum at a table) tournament that is one of the biggest tournaments on the net during the week. A little over 32k was rewarded for my efforts. I didn't report on this because I was still in shock.
I just finished up day 1 of the 2k No Limit event at the WSOP. We finished the day with 198 players meaning that I record my first WSOP cash ever. Tomorrow is day 2 beginning at 2PM Vegas time and I have 63700 chips with around 48k being the average. The winner gets a tiny 771,000. I get to play a game for 771,000 although it will take a full day of work to get to the final table which would be Sunday. I'm feeling good though and have tons of hands I could go into, but I'm going to bed.
I am running awfully good and extremely confident. I won the 100 rebuy on Full Tilt the other night. This is a 6 max (6 players maximum at a table) tournament that is one of the biggest tournaments on the net during the week. A little over 32k was rewarded for my efforts. I didn't report on this because I was still in shock.
I just finished up day 1 of the 2k No Limit event at the WSOP. We finished the day with 198 players meaning that I record my first WSOP cash ever. Tomorrow is day 2 beginning at 2PM Vegas time and I have 63700 chips with around 48k being the average. The winner gets a tiny 771,000. I get to play a game for 771,000 although it will take a full day of work to get to the final table which would be Sunday. I'm feeling good though and have tons of hands I could go into, but I'm going to bed.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
9th in Bellagio tournament
9/180 yesterday at the Bellagio. It was a disappointing ending as I ran incredibly cold at the final two tables and limped into the final table with a short stack. I had 170k with 18 left and came to the final table with barely 60k. I lost a 155k pot with AsJs vs AQ when I raised in mid position and got reshoved for 70k . At that point, giving a guy with an 11-12 big blind stack, I just don't see a way I'm going to fold this hand. Then, I lost another 90k pot with 66 vs AQ when I got to isolate a short stack and get some dead money in to the pot with to no avail. The funny part about this tournament is that I lost a 75k pot with AQ vs Q10 all in preflop to have to come back. I really felt comfortable though with this entire tournament. Aside from running kind of cold near the end, I really felt I played well.
Two key hands that boosted me up. I had 8 4 of hearts on the BB 200/400 blinds with 50 ante. Two limpers came in late position and I checked. AQQ flop, checks around, 8 on turn, I check one guy bets 1100, I call. River is K. He bet 2100 after I checked to him, and I really felt like I just had a great instinctual feeling on having him beat. I called and he mucked his hand.
The other huge hand was when I raised it up in early position with AQ off suit. I had one caller right behind me. With 11k in the pot, the flop came Q98. I bet 6500 and was quickly called. Turn was a J. I checked and he instantly shoved all in. I took no longer than 2.5 seconds to deduce that this was probably a bluff. I made the 25k chip call to see he was crushed with an A9. He had a Pittsburgh Steelers had on, so I'm glad to ship the good karma to the Cleveland Browns. Those were really the key pots. I just played aggressive bubble strategy and had a nice 99 vs QQ cooler suck out for a 55k pot with 21 players left.
Two key hands that boosted me up. I had 8 4 of hearts on the BB 200/400 blinds with 50 ante. Two limpers came in late position and I checked. AQQ flop, checks around, 8 on turn, I check one guy bets 1100, I call. River is K. He bet 2100 after I checked to him, and I really felt like I just had a great instinctual feeling on having him beat. I called and he mucked his hand.
The other huge hand was when I raised it up in early position with AQ off suit. I had one caller right behind me. With 11k in the pot, the flop came Q98. I bet 6500 and was quickly called. Turn was a J. I checked and he instantly shoved all in. I took no longer than 2.5 seconds to deduce that this was probably a bluff. I made the 25k chip call to see he was crushed with an A9. He had a Pittsburgh Steelers had on, so I'm glad to ship the good karma to the Cleveland Browns. Those were really the key pots. I just played aggressive bubble strategy and had a nice 99 vs QQ cooler suck out for a 55k pot with 21 players left.
Monday, June 23, 2008
No WSOP Success, Little Break
I've continued to have no WSOP success, and it's becoming more frustrating by the hour. Every time I check an update on one of the WSOP reporting sites and don't see my name I'm angry. I've had a few poor days online to top that all off. I've had a lot of bubbles and have made some mistakes that may be telling me it's time to refocus and get back on track. The next few days are probably a good time to take a break, play less or maybe something other than tournaments. I have had problems controlling my emotions late in these tournaments online lately. This is really something that comes and goes for me in the game of poker. When you are playing online, there really isn't anyone to hold anyone accountable for their actions or emotions. When playing a live event, I easily keep to myself because I don't want to be perceived as a loose cannon asshole that is inconsiderate of everyone around him. At home, only the dog really can see how I act aside from my roommate. My emotions can get to me at times. Emotions cloud judgment and lead to poor decisions.
One thing I think happens to me is after being successful online for consistent periods of time, I begin to lose focus. I forget everything that went into my success in previous weeks and months. To be successful in this game, you have to be a hard worker. It' s just like any other job. You have to study the game, study the players, study your mistakes, study your successes, study your crucial hands, study, study, study, and learn. You can't just rest on your laurels at any point because the game is always changing. There is always a new strategy to learn. Because the game is based on other human counterparts, there are infinite different strategies that must be employed at different times. Those that adapt and succeed will win. Adaptation must come both before and after success.
R.I.P. Tim Russert
One thing I think happens to me is after being successful online for consistent periods of time, I begin to lose focus. I forget everything that went into my success in previous weeks and months. To be successful in this game, you have to be a hard worker. It' s just like any other job. You have to study the game, study the players, study your mistakes, study your successes, study your crucial hands, study, study, study, and learn. You can't just rest on your laurels at any point because the game is always changing. There is always a new strategy to learn. Because the game is based on other human counterparts, there are infinite different strategies that must be employed at different times. Those that adapt and succeed will win. Adaptation must come both before and after success.
R.I.P. Tim Russert
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Let's Talk about Not Poker, US Open, My Envy/Hate of Boston, NBA Draft, and more
Since all I've given this blog lately seems to be poker, I have to start contributing my thoughts on some of the great sports things happening lately. After that, maybe I'll even have some thoughts about other things going on in the world.
Since my blog readership is down to approximately 3 friends of mine, my dad who probably feels obligated to read the blog since he felt bad that I only had three readers, and Bubby, it's probably time to talk about sports or something that other people can relate to. It's not that people can't relate to poker that well, but when it's just bad news and not me slaying hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Rio, no one cares.
US OPEN
We all know we witnessed something special in sports this weekend. The best in the world on the world's biggest stage grinding out a 91 hole victory on the longest course in US Open history without an ACL. Now that Tiger is out for the rest of the season, golf becomes essentially meaningless ruining the two majors and Ryder Cup for most American fans. Since the USA hasn't won a Ryder Cup in it's last 3 tries with Tiger, it's probably not going to happen without him. What about the last two majors of the year? No, I will not cheer for Phil "Manboobs" Mickelson. No, Rocco Mediate will probably not accomplish what he did there, and we all can't chant Rocky, Rocky. Actually, I was really cheering for both of the guys as dumb as that sounds to any sports fan. I always cheer for Tiger because I just want him to win 50 majors and blow every record out of the water, so they will never be broken. This time, though, it was different. A 45 year old hardly ever competes at a high level in these majors. Everyone knows this. The window of success for most golfers closes quickly. That's why when Nicklaus won in '86 at the Masters, we still hear about it every single time. Someone that old winning shocks the world into remembering. The PGA Championship doesn't even matter without Tiger. I doubt I will even watch more than the final 9 holes.
Tiger's future, however, is good. From the sounds of it, his knee will come back repaired, his stress fractures will heal, and after rehabbing he'll be fine. Anyone doubting this return is foolish. This guy is the most clutch athlete in the history of sports. When he can't win with his distance, he'll get better and win somewhere else. That's why it's not unrealistic to think that Tiger will win another 10 majors. Athletes get old and age and body parts begin to break down. Last time I checked though, it doesn't put much on the knee to have a great short game and make great putts. I think we all look forward to a safe and healthy return.
I have a couple of predictions though.
Tiger Woods will come out of this surgery with another child. He can't be wound up that much and not intentionally or unintentionally knock up his wife. Unless they get in a fight, expect a boy no later than September 2009.
Tiger Woods wins two majors next year.
NBA Finals
I really didn't want either team to win and was thinking about likely scenarios that would let that happen. By likely, I mean scenarios that would likely cancel the finals for a while.
1. World War III
2. Redcoats invade Boston
3. Some sort of terrorist act.
Since I really don't want any of those 3 to happen besides maybe the redcoats invading Boston, I had to settle on watching a great team win the championship. I despise Boston because they complain about not having their 17th championship because of a 20 year drought. Can your whole city please shut up already? We are sick of hearing you cry and brag and cry and brag. I was thrilled to watch the Patriots lose so we didn't have to listen to you brag and then cry about your 3 championships in a row. Try being from Cleveland! May God have his wrath come down on Boston and curse them without a championship for 100 years! Maybe I'm going over the top a little bit, but I can't stand it. This city complains more than any city about sports. They are bombarded by great teams, fun athletes, and exciting playoffs year in and year out. I hope you are all appreciating it because it makes me want to puke.
That being said, I really like Garnett and have for a long time, so I am glad to see he won. I think it also shows that the Cavs aren't as far as we think. The Celtics had no shot to win in Cleveland the entire series. Cleveland had game 1 in their clutches and game 7 would have been won without the stellar team performance of Boston. The fact of the matter is that their team is full of smart players that know their roles. Cleveland doesn't have that yet. We have a disheveled bench with players like Sasha Pavlovic that probably can't spell Boston. We were struck for 3 years with the bad luck lightning of Larry Hughes that would never understand how to be part of a team like Boston. I have high hopes for the Cavs.
Cleveland Indians
I'm not going to say much, but it's not looking good. The injury bug has hit another Cleveland team, and all I can say is that I hope it takes away all the bad luck from the Brown's squad. Let's get rid of Sabathia for prospects and rebuild again. We aren't going to be able to sign this guy unless he takes below his market value. On top of that, I'm not super convinced about him being the guy in October. I still think there are lots of games to be played and sometimes a young player working to prove himself is stronger than a veteran with a 6 year $40 million contract.
Random Laughs of the Week
Yuri Zhirkov has some bad luck when he last name is announced in English. He's a Russian soccer player. Zhirkov scores!!! If you don't know how to pronounce it, see the pronunciation below.If you aren't a big soccer watcher, but are a sports fan, keep tuning in to the Euro 2008 on ESPN. It's the best soccer in the world aside from a few South American countries. They aren't snoozefests like most soccer matches in the USA.
"Jerrrrrr Koooofffff"
I can't help but drive through Chinatown here in Vegas and get in a car wreck every single time. Do you think if the car was invented in China, we'd be the horrendous drivers?
That is all for now. I'm looking forward to bringing some good news back from the Rio tomorrow when I go play my first 1500 NL full table event.
Since my blog readership is down to approximately 3 friends of mine, my dad who probably feels obligated to read the blog since he felt bad that I only had three readers, and Bubby, it's probably time to talk about sports or something that other people can relate to. It's not that people can't relate to poker that well, but when it's just bad news and not me slaying hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Rio, no one cares.
US OPEN
We all know we witnessed something special in sports this weekend. The best in the world on the world's biggest stage grinding out a 91 hole victory on the longest course in US Open history without an ACL. Now that Tiger is out for the rest of the season, golf becomes essentially meaningless ruining the two majors and Ryder Cup for most American fans. Since the USA hasn't won a Ryder Cup in it's last 3 tries with Tiger, it's probably not going to happen without him. What about the last two majors of the year? No, I will not cheer for Phil "Manboobs" Mickelson. No, Rocco Mediate will probably not accomplish what he did there, and we all can't chant Rocky, Rocky. Actually, I was really cheering for both of the guys as dumb as that sounds to any sports fan. I always cheer for Tiger because I just want him to win 50 majors and blow every record out of the water, so they will never be broken. This time, though, it was different. A 45 year old hardly ever competes at a high level in these majors. Everyone knows this. The window of success for most golfers closes quickly. That's why when Nicklaus won in '86 at the Masters, we still hear about it every single time. Someone that old winning shocks the world into remembering. The PGA Championship doesn't even matter without Tiger. I doubt I will even watch more than the final 9 holes.
Tiger's future, however, is good. From the sounds of it, his knee will come back repaired, his stress fractures will heal, and after rehabbing he'll be fine. Anyone doubting this return is foolish. This guy is the most clutch athlete in the history of sports. When he can't win with his distance, he'll get better and win somewhere else. That's why it's not unrealistic to think that Tiger will win another 10 majors. Athletes get old and age and body parts begin to break down. Last time I checked though, it doesn't put much on the knee to have a great short game and make great putts. I think we all look forward to a safe and healthy return.
I have a couple of predictions though.
Tiger Woods will come out of this surgery with another child. He can't be wound up that much and not intentionally or unintentionally knock up his wife. Unless they get in a fight, expect a boy no later than September 2009.
Tiger Woods wins two majors next year.
NBA Finals
I really didn't want either team to win and was thinking about likely scenarios that would let that happen. By likely, I mean scenarios that would likely cancel the finals for a while.
1. World War III
2. Redcoats invade Boston
3. Some sort of terrorist act.
Since I really don't want any of those 3 to happen besides maybe the redcoats invading Boston, I had to settle on watching a great team win the championship. I despise Boston because they complain about not having their 17th championship because of a 20 year drought. Can your whole city please shut up already? We are sick of hearing you cry and brag and cry and brag. I was thrilled to watch the Patriots lose so we didn't have to listen to you brag and then cry about your 3 championships in a row. Try being from Cleveland! May God have his wrath come down on Boston and curse them without a championship for 100 years! Maybe I'm going over the top a little bit, but I can't stand it. This city complains more than any city about sports. They are bombarded by great teams, fun athletes, and exciting playoffs year in and year out. I hope you are all appreciating it because it makes me want to puke.
That being said, I really like Garnett and have for a long time, so I am glad to see he won. I think it also shows that the Cavs aren't as far as we think. The Celtics had no shot to win in Cleveland the entire series. Cleveland had game 1 in their clutches and game 7 would have been won without the stellar team performance of Boston. The fact of the matter is that their team is full of smart players that know their roles. Cleveland doesn't have that yet. We have a disheveled bench with players like Sasha Pavlovic that probably can't spell Boston. We were struck for 3 years with the bad luck lightning of Larry Hughes that would never understand how to be part of a team like Boston. I have high hopes for the Cavs.
Cleveland Indians
I'm not going to say much, but it's not looking good. The injury bug has hit another Cleveland team, and all I can say is that I hope it takes away all the bad luck from the Brown's squad. Let's get rid of Sabathia for prospects and rebuild again. We aren't going to be able to sign this guy unless he takes below his market value. On top of that, I'm not super convinced about him being the guy in October. I still think there are lots of games to be played and sometimes a young player working to prove himself is stronger than a veteran with a 6 year $40 million contract.
Random Laughs of the Week
Yuri Zhirkov has some bad luck when he last name is announced in English. He's a Russian soccer player. Zhirkov scores!!! If you don't know how to pronounce it, see the pronunciation below.If you aren't a big soccer watcher, but are a sports fan, keep tuning in to the Euro 2008 on ESPN. It's the best soccer in the world aside from a few South American countries. They aren't snoozefests like most soccer matches in the USA.
"Jerrrrrr Koooofffff"
I can't help but drive through Chinatown here in Vegas and get in a car wreck every single time. Do you think if the car was invented in China, we'd be the horrendous drivers?
That is all for now. I'm looking forward to bringing some good news back from the Rio tomorrow when I go play my first 1500 NL full table event.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Back in Action
Last week was another tough week at the WSOP, but I did get 2nd the Pokerstars Heads Up Matches Tournament. This tournament is one that I would have loved to win and I lost an AK vs K9 all in pre flop on the 3rd hand to cripple me after a J 10 x x 9 board. Yeah, it was an easy $11k river card to handle as that was the difference between first and second. Either way, I have just been crushing online and can keep playing some of these events at the WSOP. I think I'm playing the 1500 tomorrow or today, whenever you read this. I'll also be checking out the Venetian for the first time this week. Sorry I haven't been updating the blog, but I really want to report some good WSOP news rather than the WSOP blues.
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