So I ended up playing a bunch of $12 180 man turbos again tonight, while playing those team Canada things on PokerStars...and at the end, when I look back at some of the hands, I have come to a conclusion.
I am officially a spewtard.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Upswing is Over
Finally hit the inevitable downswing from the high variance $12 180man turbo. It is definitely not unexpected, as I was probably running way above expectation given how high the variance for this tournament is.
Gone about 1/16 or so now with the 1 being a min-cash, and just losing all the hands I was winning during the hot streak. KK < Ax, winning crucial flips, etc. No complaints though as I still feel like I'm playing well and just losing due to cards.
Other than that, nothing is really new...just a quick update for now. Might not get to play much with final exams around the corner with 2 of them coming up in about 10 days. After that, will probably buckle down and grind a few APPT/EPT satellites and see what happens.
Gone about 1/16 or so now with the 1 being a min-cash, and just losing all the hands I was winning during the hot streak. KK < Ax, winning crucial flips, etc. No complaints though as I still feel like I'm playing well and just losing due to cards.
Other than that, nothing is really new...just a quick update for now. Might not get to play much with final exams around the corner with 2 of them coming up in about 10 days. After that, will probably buckle down and grind a few APPT/EPT satellites and see what happens.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Solid Session + APPT
Since I've been back from the WSOP, first time I've managed to put in a solid session and at the end of the day, I feel like I did pretty well.
Basically grinded through about 12-14 $12 180 man turbos, and managed to min-cash about 3 times, and finished 1st and 5th respectively in 2 others. Also took down a $90 satellite into the $800 APPT Macau satellite, but sadly I have to unregister and keep the W$ for the time being as I am unable to play in the upcoming satellite.
The goal is still to try to win a seat to APPT Macau, and while I'm there visit friends and family in Hong Kong. Although the trip will overlap with CCSA playoffs, I feel the priority is a little bit higher with this. We will see if I end up winning a seat though, as due to my schedule, I might only have one shot at qualifying.
Basically grinded through about 12-14 $12 180 man turbos, and managed to min-cash about 3 times, and finished 1st and 5th respectively in 2 others. Also took down a $90 satellite into the $800 APPT Macau satellite, but sadly I have to unregister and keep the W$ for the time being as I am unable to play in the upcoming satellite.
The goal is still to try to win a seat to APPT Macau, and while I'm there visit friends and family in Hong Kong. Although the trip will overlap with CCSA playoffs, I feel the priority is a little bit higher with this. We will see if I end up winning a seat though, as due to my schedule, I might only have one shot at qualifying.
Monday, July 13, 2009
WSOP 2009
A bit of a recap about my adventures in Las Vegas this year at the World Series of Poker. In short, this year felt very much like last year when I headed down to Las Vegas for the WSOP Main Event. Albeit last year was my first time ever in Vegas, the only other major difference between 2009 and 2008, is that in 2009 I played in the Main Event, while 2008 involved me playing in several other side events.
Back-track a little bit to May of 2009. Obviously as any competent poker player, the World Series of Poker Main Event is probably the one event everyone looks forward to every year. Not only does it have the biggest prize pool compared to every other poker tournament in the world, the fame and prestige that comes with winning the tournament is like no other. Therefore, I decided in May, that I would attempt to either satellite into the Main Event, or sell enough action to be able to pay the rest and enter. I started approaching a few individuals, and was able to sell about 30% of my action between 2 players - but at that time, it was not enough for me to be able to cover the rest in order to buy-in directly. Therefore, it's time to take matters into my own hands.
While I did not have my hopes up in winning a seat to the Main Event via online satellites (I have been 0 for 5 thus far in major live tournament satellites), there was no doubt in my mind that this was the best way for me to get into this tournament. My lucky day came on May 29th when I managed to conquer a field of 223 players, defeating "Timex" Mike McDonald heads up for my first WSOP Main Event seat. With the newly found confidence (and money), I began grinding out more satellites, leading to a second win about 3 weeks later in the PokerStars 200 Seat Guaranteed Tournament.
With 2 seats won, it no longer require me to sell more of my action as I was essentially "free-rolling". Trip was booked, and I was off to Las Vegas.
I departed Toronto on July 2nd, coming with me was a close friend of mine, John, with his flights covered as I promised to do so prior to winning my second seat. Unfortunately another friend was unable to make the trip due to his training schedule. The first 3 days in Las Vegas included attending various parties put on by various poker sites, watching KA, and just wandering around the Las Vegas strip with the John. With John's departure on July 5th, it was time to get down to business, playing on Monday July 6th - Day 1D of the Main Event.
July 6th, 2009.
This day began on a good note, as I woke up at about 9am, feeling rested and refreshed for the series. An in-room breakfast later, I decided to make my way over to the Rio a bit earlier than expected to register, giving me time to relax at one of the poker lounges after registration so get ready for the beginning of the tournament. It turns out arriving to the Rio early was the best decision I made all trip, as after I registered at 1045~, day 1D was full and the Rio was no longer accepting registration after approximately 11am.
Play began shortly after noon, and I find myself at a table with 7 unknowns with 1 empty stack at the beginning of play.
My table consisted of mostly loose-passive players with a couple of loose aggressive player in which I have position on, an excellent table draw for the first day. I find myself involved in quite a number of pots was many of the players were content with limping in preflop, allowing me to play many speculative hands in an attempt to chip-up early. Unfortunately the day simply wasn't my day from the get-go, as I simply had too many 2nd best hands. If it wasn't for the passiveness of some of the players, the deep starting stacks, and slow blind structure, I would've been eliminated alot quicker than the 7~ hours I lasted in the tournament.
The day itself was a frustrating day, too many second best hands, and not being able to make draws are just a couple of reasons that led to my elimination. A couple of hands which can pretty much sum up my day.
Hand 1
Blinds 100/200, My Stack: 24000~, MP's Stack: 35000~
MP raises to 700, a player call, I call on the CO with AQss - 3 players to the flop
Flop A Q 3 rainbow
MP bets 1600, player fold, I call (although raising probably would've been a better play, I think I would've been able to get more value out of Ax hands play smooth-calling this flop)
Turn 8
MP checks, I bet 2700, MP calls
River K
MP checks, I bet 4200, MP calls and shows AK.
Hand 2
A little history before this hand. The table has been generally loose-passive, with 3-4, sometimes more limpers in each hand. Often a preflop raise would also be called in 2 or 3 spots going to the flop.
Blinds 150/300 - 3 limpers in EP and MP limps for 300, and I raises to 1400 on the button with AA, everyone folds.
The one time I have a hand preflop, I get no action. I guess it is better than I didn't go broke with AA against a stupid hand, but this hand is used as an illustration as to how I was getting no action when I have a big hand.
Final hand, was down to 8750, blinds at 150/300 with an ante of 25, and I am in the SB with AK. UTG+1 (or could've been UTG+2) raised to 900, getting 3 callers before it got back around to me in the SB. After looking at my hand, it was a decision on whether to move all-in, or make a raise to 3600~ and moving-in with any flop. I decided to move-in, as with this table, I could get anywhere from 0 callers, to getting all 4 other players to call and see a flop. After moving in, the original raiser took little time in putting in another re-raise over my all-in, meaning I'm going to need some serious help. Limpers fold and my AK is up against KK.
The flop brings K 5 3, turn x (I think a 7 or 8) and this 2009 Main Event is over for me.
Playing in the Main Event was a huge thrill for me, and it was also a great learning experience for me. Hopefully I will be back in 2010, and put in a better performance.
As for now, I am really unsure of the direction I'm going to take with poker and my life. While I definitely hope to continue to play, and achieve my goals of playing in other APPT/EPT events, poker will always remain a hobby, giving priority to other real life decisions. I will probably play for fun from now until the end of August, and plans for the future remains up in the air.
Back-track a little bit to May of 2009. Obviously as any competent poker player, the World Series of Poker Main Event is probably the one event everyone looks forward to every year. Not only does it have the biggest prize pool compared to every other poker tournament in the world, the fame and prestige that comes with winning the tournament is like no other. Therefore, I decided in May, that I would attempt to either satellite into the Main Event, or sell enough action to be able to pay the rest and enter. I started approaching a few individuals, and was able to sell about 30% of my action between 2 players - but at that time, it was not enough for me to be able to cover the rest in order to buy-in directly. Therefore, it's time to take matters into my own hands.
While I did not have my hopes up in winning a seat to the Main Event via online satellites (I have been 0 for 5 thus far in major live tournament satellites), there was no doubt in my mind that this was the best way for me to get into this tournament. My lucky day came on May 29th when I managed to conquer a field of 223 players, defeating "Timex" Mike McDonald heads up for my first WSOP Main Event seat. With the newly found confidence (and money), I began grinding out more satellites, leading to a second win about 3 weeks later in the PokerStars 200 Seat Guaranteed Tournament.
With 2 seats won, it no longer require me to sell more of my action as I was essentially "free-rolling". Trip was booked, and I was off to Las Vegas.
I departed Toronto on July 2nd, coming with me was a close friend of mine, John, with his flights covered as I promised to do so prior to winning my second seat. Unfortunately another friend was unable to make the trip due to his training schedule. The first 3 days in Las Vegas included attending various parties put on by various poker sites, watching KA, and just wandering around the Las Vegas strip with the John. With John's departure on July 5th, it was time to get down to business, playing on Monday July 6th - Day 1D of the Main Event.
July 6th, 2009.
This day began on a good note, as I woke up at about 9am, feeling rested and refreshed for the series. An in-room breakfast later, I decided to make my way over to the Rio a bit earlier than expected to register, giving me time to relax at one of the poker lounges after registration so get ready for the beginning of the tournament. It turns out arriving to the Rio early was the best decision I made all trip, as after I registered at 1045~, day 1D was full and the Rio was no longer accepting registration after approximately 11am.
Play began shortly after noon, and I find myself at a table with 7 unknowns with 1 empty stack at the beginning of play.
My table consisted of mostly loose-passive players with a couple of loose aggressive player in which I have position on, an excellent table draw for the first day. I find myself involved in quite a number of pots was many of the players were content with limping in preflop, allowing me to play many speculative hands in an attempt to chip-up early. Unfortunately the day simply wasn't my day from the get-go, as I simply had too many 2nd best hands. If it wasn't for the passiveness of some of the players, the deep starting stacks, and slow blind structure, I would've been eliminated alot quicker than the 7~ hours I lasted in the tournament.
The day itself was a frustrating day, too many second best hands, and not being able to make draws are just a couple of reasons that led to my elimination. A couple of hands which can pretty much sum up my day.
Hand 1
Blinds 100/200, My Stack: 24000~, MP's Stack: 35000~
MP raises to 700, a player call, I call on the CO with AQss - 3 players to the flop
Flop A Q 3 rainbow
MP bets 1600, player fold, I call (although raising probably would've been a better play, I think I would've been able to get more value out of Ax hands play smooth-calling this flop)
Turn 8
MP checks, I bet 2700, MP calls
River K
MP checks, I bet 4200, MP calls and shows AK.
Hand 2
A little history before this hand. The table has been generally loose-passive, with 3-4, sometimes more limpers in each hand. Often a preflop raise would also be called in 2 or 3 spots going to the flop.
Blinds 150/300 - 3 limpers in EP and MP limps for 300, and I raises to 1400 on the button with AA, everyone folds.
The one time I have a hand preflop, I get no action. I guess it is better than I didn't go broke with AA against a stupid hand, but this hand is used as an illustration as to how I was getting no action when I have a big hand.
Final hand, was down to 8750, blinds at 150/300 with an ante of 25, and I am in the SB with AK. UTG+1 (or could've been UTG+2) raised to 900, getting 3 callers before it got back around to me in the SB. After looking at my hand, it was a decision on whether to move all-in, or make a raise to 3600~ and moving-in with any flop. I decided to move-in, as with this table, I could get anywhere from 0 callers, to getting all 4 other players to call and see a flop. After moving in, the original raiser took little time in putting in another re-raise over my all-in, meaning I'm going to need some serious help. Limpers fold and my AK is up against KK.
The flop brings K 5 3, turn x (I think a 7 or 8) and this 2009 Main Event is over for me.
Playing in the Main Event was a huge thrill for me, and it was also a great learning experience for me. Hopefully I will be back in 2010, and put in a better performance.
As for now, I am really unsure of the direction I'm going to take with poker and my life. While I definitely hope to continue to play, and achieve my goals of playing in other APPT/EPT events, poker will always remain a hobby, giving priority to other real life decisions. I will probably play for fun from now until the end of August, and plans for the future remains up in the air.
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