Jack's Road to Maturity

[Jack Sawyer]

Poker maturity that is.
I've dabbled in the "poker world" since december, but I've been wandering around aimlessly.
Finding direction is one of the great shortcomings of my, uhm, great personality. Discipline is another.
As some of you remember, I've had an ops thread already here, but it was more of a blog than an operation, a bloperation (tm) if you may.

So this time I'm serious.



Rules:

No more than 4 hr sessions daily
Cash + Big MTT only
Post my stats at 5k hands, 10k, 20k, 40k, 80k, etc.
-2BI/Ses = quit for the day
Post Weekly Updates
Play no more than 5 days/week
4 tables max 
FR/ 6MAX/ 5MAX/ HU
Not multitabling when playing an MTT
Play satellites into big MTT's at least once weekly
Never, ever, leave a winning table 
Never, ever, play poker in the morning after waking up. Go read news or something.
Don't ever do this! Listen to me! I'm your own tilted self! I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
NL Texas Hold'em / PL Omaha Hold'em

Goals:
-Monetary

+$50 daily on average during timespan
Build roll to 6K
Reach 200NL

-Character

Build Discipline, Self Confidence, Patience, Consistency
Do not whine about beats; learn to shrug off beats
Be unpredictable
Learn to fold unimproved big pairs
Recognize stealing opportunities
Learn to fold, or keep the pot small, with second bests

Time Frame:

Start= Today
End= Jan 30th, 2008
BR at start = $200
Level at start= 10NL
Sites at start = Stars/Party/UB

My stats over last 2k hands I've played of ring, both 10NL and 25NL


PT Stats over my total 4,6k hands

Wish me luck guys




go



(weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! 500th post!)

[silu73]

GL. From where did you get this little graph with the pie charts?

[Jack Sawyer]

GL. From where did you get this little graph with the pie charts?

TX

The app is called Prospector

[Golden]

Jack

Good luck. I guess the first step is admitting the areas you need to improve in. Your'e pokertracker stats highlight how much of a grind cash games can be at low limits and therefore places even more importance on patience, discipline and the other attributes you mentioned.

Good luck again with the operation. And I don't necessarily think there is a problem with your operation updates turning into a blog as it gets a bit tediuos if all people post are hand histories! a bit of discussion on other aspects of how you are travelling are good for people to read

Stu

[Jack Sawyer]

Jack

Good luck. I guess the first step is admitting the areas you need to improve in. Your'e PokerTracker stats highlight how much of a grind cash games can be at low limits and therefore places even more importance on patience, discipline and the other attributes you mentioned.

Good luck again with the operation. And I don't necessarily think there is a problem with your operation updates turning into a blog as it gets a bit tediuos if all people post are hand histories! a bit of discussion on other aspects of how you are travelling are good for people to read

Stu

TX

I'll keep thing varied, no worries there. But focusing is a big problem for me, which is why I'll try to use this thread to keep me focused.
It will be another bloperation with less emphasis on the bl and more on the operation.

[daven]

interesting read. Good luck! Think I'm going to start something like this soon enough...

[Jack Sawyer]

interesting read. Good luck! Think I'm going to start something like this soon enough...

TX

Go ahead and make an ops thread! It will keep you focused on whatever goals you choose to reach/achieve.

[daven]

will do shortly. Right now it's simple, laydown when I'm beat. Stay playing tight unless there's a reason. Win big pots, rather than lose them. Stay in games that i'm rolled for... similar to you really, will set an ops thread up this weekend!

[Jack Sawyer]

In the beginning, I'll only be able to log 500 or so hands daily. I just received my withdrawal money on moneybookers, which I'll use to get 'net at home.
Once that is done, and I suspect it will happen in 14 days at most, I'll aim to log 2k or so hands daily, as per the rules above.


Today: Roll @ ~260
I've been reading hands properly too.

[daven]

took your advice. I now have a blog thread thing

[Jack Sawyer]

Today's mistakes:

#1 too weak
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

MP1 ($5.90)
MP2 ($6.75)
MP3 ($5.25)
CO ($9.50)
Button ($4.10)
SB ($4.25)
BB ($10.45)
UTG ($9.60)
Hero ($10.80)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
UTG calls $0.10, Hero raises to $0.4, MP1 calls $0.40, 4 folds, SB calls $0.35, BB calls $0.30, UTG calls $0.30.

Flop: ($2) , , (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks, MP1 checks.

Turn: ($2) (5 players)
SB bets $0.3, BB calls $0.30, UTG folds, Hero folds, MP1 folds.

River: ($2.60) (2 players)
SB checks, BB checks.

Final Pot: $2.60


#2 bethappy

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

UTG+1 ($5.50)
MP1 ($6.75)
MP2 ($5.25)
MP3 ($9.50)
CO ($4.10)
Button ($3.55)
SB ($12.25)
BB ($9.20)
Hero ($10.40)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $0.4, UTG+1 calls $0.40, 7 folds.

Flop: ($0.95) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $0.6, UTG+1 calls $0.60.

Turn: ($2.15) (2 players)
Hero bets $1, UTG+1 calls $1.

River: ($4.15) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, UTG+1 raises to $3.5, Hero calls $1.50.

Final Pot: $11.15


I'm still falling in love with AK, actually A[insert a face card here]. I need to learn to fold these.
Also, I should know better when to hold'em and when to fold'em.

[Jack Sawyer]

And today's thincall:

PartyPoker (Cash Game): $0.05/$0.10 NL , 10 players
Sat Aug 25 03:51:18 VET 2007
(Format: BBCode)

BB (15.5 bb's)
B7 (90.1 bb's)
B6 (101.4 bb's)
B5 (160.9 bb's)
B4 (16.5 bb's)
B3 (101.3 bb's)
B2 (15.5 bb's)
Hero (175.7 bb's)
BN (161.8 bb's)
SB (64.8 bb's)

BN is the button.

Precards:
SB posts the small blind 0.5 bb's, BB posts the big blind 1 bb.

Preflop: Hero is dealt (10 active)
B7 raises to 3 bb's, 5 folds, Hero calls 3 bb's, 3 folds.

Flop: (7.5 bb's, 2 active)
B7 checks, Hero bets 3 bb's, B7 calls 3 bb's.

Turn: 6 4 2 (13.5 bb's, 2 active)
B7 checks, Hero bets 10 bb's, B7 raises to 40 bb's, Hero raises to 70 bb's, B7 raises to 84.1 bb's (all-in), Hero calls 14.1 bb's.

River: 6 4 2 3 (181.7 bb's, 2 players)

Final Pot: 172.7 bb's, 9 bb's raked
Hero, net: 82.6 bb's, Won at showdown, has (Two Pair, Eights and Sixes)
B7, net: -90.1 bb's, Lost at showdown, has :Qd: :Kd: (a Pair of Sixes)
BB, net: -1 bb's, Folded Preflop
SB, net: -0.5 bb's, Folded Preflop



However, I'm not too sure about this one:

PokerStars (Cash Game): $0.05/$0.10 NL , 7 players
Sat Aug 25 02:41:02 VET 2007
(Format: BBCode)

B1 (290.5 bb's)
Hero (148 bb's)
SB (63 bb's)
BB (105 bb's)
B4 (104.5 bb's)
B3 (40.5 bb's)
B2 (41.5 bb's)

Hero is the button.

Precards:
SB posts the small blind 0.5 bb's, BB posts the big blind 1 bb.

Preflop: Hero is dealt :Jc: :Js: (7 active)
3 folds, B1 raises to 5 bb's, Hero calls 5 bb's, 2 folds.

Flop: :Ts: (11.5 bb's, 2 active)
B1 bets 7 bb's, Hero raises to 20 bb's, B1 raises to 60 bb's, Hero folds.

Final Pot: 49 bb's, 2.5 bb's raked
Hero, net: -25 bb's, Folded Flop, has Jc Js (a Pair of Jacks)
B1, net: 24 bb's, Won uncontested Flop
BB, net: -1 bb's, Folded Preflop
SB, net: -0.5 bb's, Folded Preflop

I think it was an OK fold. Had he been holding AK, he'd crap out on the flop raise. Unless he had a reaaaaly good read on me.


Anyway, I'm up 3 BI today. slowly but surely, I'm grinding to the next step.

[Chopper]

hey, jack.

gl. as for your histories, hand 1 (JJ), i may fire a flop bet out there, but there were so many players in the hand, i dont mind the prudence. if i fire the flop, i fire it hard, and am done if called, especially once the 9 pairs. hand 2 (AK), yup, thats a bit overplayed.

keep going. is party still rater stupid? that KQ that raised you 88 wasnt the greatest move given the action. lol.

[Jack Sawyer]

TX

keep going. is party still rater stupid? that KQ that raised you 88 wasnt the greatest move given the action. lol.

LOL yeah. Villain left after this. He minraised me like that in a hand a few rounds back, i wonder what he was holding...


Lots of donks on Party. I just don't like the software though. Stars pwns Party in the swimsuit category.



And in the AK hand, I misjudged him because of his stack. I assumed he'd be playing an AQ, AJ or maybe even an AK because he was shortstacked. Anyway, good thing he was, cause I minimized my losses.

[Jack Sawyer]

I've tried about 10 180's since the start of this op. Everyone I placed OTM. That's -$40, a hit to my roll. Maybe I have to scratch 180's from my list, and only do big tourney's where I'm lucky enough to sat into, to keep my roll constant (minimize the hits).

In cash though, I'm still doing fairly well. I'm running 6BB/100 now, and my aggression is also pretty good.


On a sidenote: I used to play MTT's very tight early, etc, folding a lot and so. I find myself not doing this anymore. Maybe that is affecting my play inasmuch as making me a worse/ more variance prone player? Hmm...

[daven]

Hey, a question. How are you copying the poker tracker stats from PT?

[Jack Sawyer]

Just print-screen, then pasting in your favorite image editor.

[Jack Sawyer]

I think I've acquired discipline enough to not pay off with second bests.
That, or the villain had a lot of balls and bluffed me. I guess we'll never know


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

Hero ($23.40)
UTG+1 ($6.75)
MP1 ($7.80)
MP2 ($14)
CO ($16.05)
Button ($10.40)
SB ($12.70)
BB ($29)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $0.3, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.30, 3 folds, BB calls $0.20.

Flop: ($0.95) , , (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.5, MP2 calls $0.50, BB folds.

Turn: ($1.95) (2 players)
Hero bets $2, MP2 raises to $4, Hero calls $2.

River: ($9.95) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $9.2 (All-In), Hero folds.

Final Pot: $0.75

[Jack Sawyer]

Roll update: 310. 190 more to go to reach 25NL.
My won@showdown went up, as did my aggression pf and post.
I'm playing well, and aside from a few lapses in concentration (which cost me dearly), I think I'm in shape to soundly beat the next level for 8bb/100. I'm not anywhere near great, but I'm playing well.


Keep the concentration levels up, don't pay off with obvious second bests, and view my game from a third person perspective. That's all I should be thinking about.


And I'm not complaining about beats. And I'm not gonna do it anymore.

[Jack Sawyer]

Today I couldn't lay long.
Yet every hand I touched, on multiple sites, seems to turn to gold.

An (rather donkish) example:



PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($8.80)
MP2 ($1.85)
Hero ($9.85)
Button ($7.35)
SB ($10.95)
BB ($13.10)
UTG ($17)
UTG+1 ($10.55)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 8, 7.
UTG raises to $0.3, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.30, 1 fold, SB calls $0.25, 1 fold.

Flop: ($1) K, 9, 7 (3 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($1) 7 (3 players)
SB bets $0.4, UTG folds, Hero calls $0.40.

River: ($1.80) 7 (2 players)
SB bets $0.9, Hero raises to $3, SB calls $2.10.

Final Pot: $7.80

Yes I know. Bet turn. Push river.
As played, I guess I should've pushed the river anyway.
Almost at 16 BI for 25NL, I think I'll start taking shots.

See you at the tables!

[Pythonic]

Good lucky sawyer, i'll be there soon too. My BR is at $482 at the moment. I had to withdrawal $1000 at the beginning of August and left myself with just $100.

[martindcx1e]

-2BI/Ses = quit for the day
Leave table once stack= +5BI

why these? do you tilt if you lose 2 buy-ins? if not i don't see why you should quit. what if you lose 2 buy-ins in your first 10 hands? do you quit for the whole day?

and about the big stack thing. do you mean only leave if there are other +500bb stacks hanging around? cuz if everyone is still playing with regular/short stacks there's no reason to leave.

gl man

[Jack Sawyer]

TNX

Not exactly because I tilt, but because I was severely underrolled at the start. This measure was taken to make sure I wouldn't spew 50% of my BR away in any given day.

And about the +5BI - I feel that my implied odds to play any average stack while having such a big stack isn't optimal. I would much prefer to take those earnings to an upper level for a shot.

[martindcx1e]

And about the +5BI - I feel that my implied odds to play any average stack while having such a big stack isn't optimal. I would much prefer to take those earnings to an upper level for a shot.

I don't understand. So is that what you do if you have a good day? Do you take a shot at the next level? I don't understand what you are saying about implied odds. If you have 500bb's and everyone else at the table has 100bb's then it's exactly like you are playing with 100bb's.

[Jack Sawyer]

K

Lets use numbers, for simplicity's sake.
When i have $50 in front of me, yet all I can win the next hand is $10, I don't feel a desire to play. I can only win 1/5 of my stack, yet everybody else can double up when against me.
I want it to be worth my while. I want to at least be able to win $25 in the next hand.

I don't really like playing against short stacks. Maybe its because of this?

[Jack Sawyer]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! 600th post!

[martindcx1e]

K

Lets use numbers, for simplicity's sake.
When i have $50 in front of me, yet all I can win the next hand is $10, I don't feel a desire to play. I can only win 1/5 of my stack, yet everybody else can double up when against me.
I want it to be worth my while. I want to at least be able to win $25 in the next hand.

I don't really like playing against short stacks. Maybe its because of this?

lol ok man whatever you say so long as you admit that it's all in your head. like i said there's no difference between 100bb's and 500bb's if no one else has a deep stack. i guess it's just a mental thing though. you should get over it though cuz if you are at a table with a bunch of fish who made your 500bb stack possible you shouldn't abandon them.

[daven]

any table that lets you get up to 5buy-ins is good to be at. If you don't like sitting with 5, why not leave the table - note the number, then re-join or waitlist it five minutes later?Then you would be there with a normal stack and most of the same donors...

Edit: martindcx1e, i just noticed that we have almost the same project going on, except i started later and have a lot still to learn. Race ya!

[Jack Sawyer]

Its definitely in my head
I've got to get it out! Get it out!

[martindcx1e]

Edit: martindcx1e, i just noticed that we have almost the same project going on, except i started later and have a lot still to learn. Race ya!

cool man. please once you get to your goal don't cash anything out. i hate myself for having done that. now instead of building a roll towards 100nl i could've been building a roll towards 200nl or 400nl.

[daven]

please once you get to your goal don't cash anything out.

interesting advice. I think I may cash some of the money earned through bonuses though, scared that I may otherwise too quickly end up playing stakes higher than I am good enough for...

[Shifubowa]

Good Luck. Many of your targets and goals are my own as I have also only dabbled in the poker world to date.

[Jack Sawyer]

TX





a whole day, grinding at 10NL. I was up two BI.
Then these beauties:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

CO ($28.65)
Button ($2.80)
SB ($5.60)
BB ($10.10)
UTG ($12.80)
Hero ($9.95)
MP1 ($7.80)
MP2 ($15.55)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with , .
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.3, 3 folds, Button calls $0.30, 1 fold, BB raises to $1, Hero calls $0.70, Button folds.

Flop: ($2.35) , , (2 players)
BB bets $2, Hero raises to $5, BB raises to $9.1, Hero calls $3.95 (All-In).

Turn: ($20.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($20.25) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $20.26

Results in white below:
BB has Jh Qh (flush, queen high).
Hero has 9c 9s (three of a kind, nines).
Outcome: BB wins $20.39.


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

BB ($23.60)
UTG ($3.75)
UTG+1 ($6.60)
MP1 ($4.90)
MP2 ($12.90)
MP3 ($1.35)
Hero ($9.75)
Button ($9.85)
SB ($9.60)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.4, 1 fold, SB raises to $1, 1 fold, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, Hero calls $0.60.

Flop: ($2.30) , , (2 players)
SB bets $0.5, Hero raises to $1.5, SB calls $1.

Turn: ($5.30) (2 players)
SB bets $3, Hero raises to $7.25, SB calls $4.10 (All-In).

River: ($19.50) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $19.51

Results in white below:
SB has As Jh (flush, ace high).
Hero has Kh Kd (two pair, kings and fours).
Outcome: SB wins $19.50. Hero wins $0.14.


Fuck this break even shit.

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

Regarding the last two hands you posted:

Hand 1). Looks fine, but make a note that he 3bet you with Q-Js.

Hand 2). I know you would like to keep weaker hands in by just calling the 3bet, but particularly since villain 3bet for such a small amount you ought to make a large 4bet. As played you should just pot the flop and stick it in on the turn.

[Flups]

Definately 4-bet the Kings in hand 2 pre-flop. If he reraises you with AJ, then he might even come along and then you can just stick it in on the flop, otherwise you won a safe and easy 12 BB's. At 10nl I always tried to just get as much in the middle pre-flop as possible against unknowns/ known donkeys with the big pairs and it never stopped amazing me what I got called with.

As for hand 1, nothing you can do but count to ten, breath in a paperback 7 or 8 times, punch your sister in the face for no reason, smile and grind on.

[Jack Sawyer]

martin, daven, you guys are right.
I'll change the rules to reflect this.

Add
- Never, ever, leave a winning table

Delete
- Leave table once stack= +5BI

[Jack Sawyer]

Also

Add
- Never, ever, play poker in the morning after waking up. Go read news or something.
Don't ever do this! Listen to me! I'm your own tilted self!

[Jack Sawyer]

Definately 4-bet the Kings in hand 2 pre-flop. If he reraises you with AJ, then he might even come along and then you can just stick it in on the flop, otherwise you won a safe and easy 12 BB's. At 10nl I always tried to just get as much in the middle pre-flop as possible against unknowns/ known donkeys with the big pairs and it never stopped amazing me what I got called with.

As for hand 1, nothing you can do but count to ten, breath in a paperback 7 or 8 times, punch your sister in the face for no reason, smile and grind on.

Its my first, and hopefully not last, encounter with such a, uhm, you know.

I usually see either AK, KK or AA 3-betting me pf. I've never, ever, seen AJo.

However, still I would've preferred a flop push. I missed there miserably, and I'll never do this again. I assume this to be a leak in my game, and I'm fixing it pronto.

[Jack Sawyer]

Hopefully not the last. BINGO!


PartyPoker (Cash Game): $0.05/$0.10 NL , 10 players
Mon Sep 10 22:43:10 VET 2007


B5 (117.2 bb's)
Hero (123.3 bb's)
B3 (20 bb's)
B2 (145.4 bb's)
B1 (160.5 bb's)
BN (99.6 bb's)
SB (42.4 bb's)
BB (72.1 bb's)
B7 (194.6 bb's)
B6 (19 bb's)

BN is the button.

Precards:
SB posts the small blind 0.5 bb's, BB posts the big blind 1 bb.

Preflop: Hero is dealt :Ks: :Kd: (10 active)
B7 calls 1 bb, 2 folds, Hero raises to 6 bb's, 6 folds, B7 raises to 40 bb's, Hero calls 34 bb's.

Flop: :Kh: (81.5 bb's, 2 active)
B7 bets 154.6 bb's (all-in), Hero calls 83.3 bb's (all-in).

Turn: 7 2 K (319.4 bb's, 2 players)

River: 7 2 K 6 (319.4 bb's, 2 players)

Final Pot: 238.1 bb's, 10 bb's raked
Hero, net: 114.8 bb's, Won at showdown, has :Ks: :Kd: (Three of a Kind, Kings)
B7, net: -123.3 bb's, Lost at showdown, has :Ac: (a Pair of Sixes)
BB, net: -1 bb's, Folded Preflop
SB, net: -0.5 bb's, Folded Preflop

[daven]

gotta love villain's play here. Guess he's trying to rep a slowplayed kk/aa??? or??wtf, i got no idea... nice catch

[Jack Sawyer]

I made up for most of my losses yesterday playing ring.
Yesterday, I tried my hand at a variety of SnG's, with very bad results. IDK what happened to my play, but it sucks now. Badly.
I guess getting accustomed to having 100bb can make you a lazy pig.
BR around $350 now. I'm grinding it a bit more, until I receive word on my Bodog account getting rakeback.
I think I'll grind it up to around $500 and start focusing on my bonuswhoring odyssey.


I started looking at the iPoker network. Party sucks when bonuses are involved, and stars bonuses aren't very lower-limits-friendly.
I think my next stop will be cardoza games, after using up the 25% reload bonus on empire due the 14th.


I need to get this roll to 4-figures by the end of this month.

[daven]

after using up the 25% reload bonus on empire due the 14th.

Really? How you know this? and hope I get it too...

edit. Just opened that e-mail account and I start grind-clearing the bonus shortly...
2) clearing it 5tabling $0.05-$0.10 limit. Halfway after 90minutes, and up a few dollars as well. Fun.

[martindcx1e]

BR around $350 now....

I need to get this roll to 4-figures by the end of this month.

lol gl with that. if you pull it off i will be very impressed.

[daven]

if you pull it off i will be very impressed.

I think I'm going to make it... just cleared $100 empire bonus in about three hours. Experimenting with super-LAG play at $0.05-$0.10 limit - 25-15 with flop AF of 6.... only 1BB/100, so it's not something I'll stick to...

[Jack Sawyer]

Gotta love teh doomswitch

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG+1 ($7.70)
MP1 ($18.95)
MP2 ($15.90)
MP3 ($6.95)
Hero ($9.85)
Button ($13.55)
SB ($9.40)
BB ($2)
UTG ($12.10)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 5, 6.
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.10, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.40) J, 7, 3 (4 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.2, MP1 calls $0.20, Hero calls $0.20, SB calls $0.20.

Turn: ($1.20) 4 (4 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.3, MP1 raises to $1, Hero calls $1, SB folds, BB raises to $1.7, MP1 calls $0.70, Hero raises to $9.55, MP1 calls $7.85.

River: ($22) 8 (3 players)

Final Pot: $22


Bigstack had 2c5c ultralol

[Jack Sawyer]

BR around $350 now....

I need to get this roll to 4-figures by the end of this month.

lol gl with that. if you pull it off i will be very impressed.

Tnx, I'll need it. I'll be in bonuswhoring mode.

[Jack Sawyer]

And when I need one, all I get is "BLANK! BLANK!"
Fuck stars.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP3 ($8.25)
CO ($7.80)
Button ($8.70)
SB ($3.05)
BB ($10)
UTG ($5.05)
UTG+1 ($11)
Hero ($9.60)
MP2 ($40.65)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, 1 fold, MP3 calls $0.10, CO raises to $0.6, Button calls $0.60, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, MP3 calls $0.50.

Flop: ($3.15) , , (5 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $3, MP3 folds, CO raises to $7.2, Button folds, UTG+1 folds, Hero calls $4.20.

Turn: ($17.55) (2 players)

River: ($17.55) (2 players)

Final Pot: $17.55

Results in white below:
Hero has Td 8d (high card, ace).
CO has 7c 7s (three of a kind, sevens).
Outcome: CO wins $17.55.

[Jack Sawyer]

Wow.


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

MP1 ($5.45)
MP2 ($3.85)
MP3 ($6.75)
CO ($10.85)
Hero ($9.40)
SB ($8.50)
BB ($12.30)
UTG ($6)
UTG+1 ($7.80)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , . UTG posts a blind of $0.10.
UTG (poster) raises to $0.2, 3 folds, MP3 calls $0.20, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.8, 1 fold, BB calls $0.70, UTG calls $0.60, MP3 folds.

Flop: ($2.65) , , (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $1.1, BB calls $1.10, UTG raises to $2.2, Hero raises to $8.6, BB folds, UTG calls $3 (All-In).

Turn: ($14.15) (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($14.15) (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $14.15

Results in white below:
UTG has Ah 7h (three of a kind, sevens).
Hero has Ks Kh (two pair, kings and sevens).
Outcome: UTG wins $14.15. Hero wins $3.40.


I haven't had time to reload. Next hand

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG ($3.95)
UTG+1 ($3.85)
MP1 ($6.25)
MP2 ($10.85)
Hero ($3.10)
CO ($8.15)
Button ($10.35)
SB ($15.75)
BB ($7.80)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.10, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.5, 2 folds, SB raises to $0.9, 1 fold, UTG+1 folds, Hero raises to $3.1, SB calls $2.20.

Flop: ($6.40) , , (2 players)

Turn: ($6.40) (2 players)

River: ($6.40) (2 players)

Final Pot: $6.40

Results in white below:
SB has Qs Qd (full house, queens full of sixes).
Hero has Ks Kd (two pair, kings and sixes).
Outcome: SB wins $6.40.


Really, Fuck stars

[Jack Sawyer]

Shit, I'm failing my goal:

Do not whine about beats; learn to shrug off beats

But stars really does like to test me, arrrrgh

[martindcx1e]

if you pull it off i will be very impressed.

I think I'm going to make it... just cleared $100 empire bonus in about three hours. Experimenting with super-LAG play at $0.05-$0.10 limit - 25-15 with flop AF of 6.... only 1BB/100, so it's not something I'll stick to...

are you moving up to 25nl? cuz it seems pretty impossible at 10nl.

[Jack Sawyer]

I'm moving to 25NL ASAP. As soon as I hit 20+ buyins again.



LC, from my other blog
I used to be good at tournaments. Better than average results at least.
But then I realized how much I sucked, and that I won by pure luck only, rather than actual skill.
I kept playing my cards at face value, not really realizing tournament plays and when to apply them, when I can't call but have to push, when to push any two, etc.
I kept checking, holding out, waiting to get top three to double up. Obviously, top three doesn't come along a lot, so I lost.
And I lost.
And I lost again.
And I lost over and over again.
And I kept wondering why my weaktight play, so carefully crafted in order to dodge bullets and make the money, would fail me. Weak-tight-me Always wondering aloud "HOW CAN YOU CALL SUCH AN ENOURMOUS BET W/ 67S? YOU DONKEYFISH! I WANNA MEET YOU OUTSIDE! GAAAAAAAAA!"
I used to apply passing knowledge of M's and Q's. "In this spot, hmmm, Harrington says to fold. Yup, I fold". Completely ignoring pot odds.
Yes, pot odds. The most important thing, IMO, in tourney pokah, I completely ignored it.
"It's 50 more to win 350! Weak-tight-me'll be OOP for the rest of the hand. Weak-tight-me folds."
These kinds of odds.
Also, bad-player pushes with M=2. Bad player must have a hand. Weak-tight-me has an M=12. Weak tight me won't call
with almost any two, despite getting excellent 3:1 odds, the chance to knock out bad-player and move up the tournament prizes ladder, while still retaining an M of 10 in worst case scenario.
What weak-tight-me used to excel in, was with an M=8, QQ on D, push despite the fact someone limped UTG. "Hey, he limped UTG! Hey, he limped UTG!" cries a livid Aggro-Jack begging for attention, yet Weak-tight-me wouldn't listen. Sure enough, Villain turns up AA or KK almost every time in this scenario.
However, Weak-tight-me just wouldn't listen. He folded hand after hand, and let his M dwindle enough for any other stack at the table to knock him out, w/ ATC, prizeless.
And Weak-tight-me had WSOP aspirations! LOL!



Needless to say, Aggro-Jack killed Weak-tight-me this morning. Gruesome death, pity. He won't be missed.

[daven]

are you moving up to 25nl? cuz it seems pretty impossible at 10nl.

I only just made the move to 10nl from 5nl, maybe I'll find I'm being too optimistic...

Aggro-Jack killed Weak-tight-me this morning.

Nice one. Sounds like a good excuse for a party/Funeral/Whatever.

[Jack Sawyer]

Nice one. Sounds like a good excuse for a party/Funeral/Whatever.

I did throw a party, in the best way possible:

With a deep MTT cash


Roll is now right back up to 400. Mobilizing to Empire.
And check your mail. You should've gotten a 15% Party bonus, 7 days to clear

[Jack Sawyer]

Shit, Aggro-Jack is teh evul!

Set him up:

Party Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.05/$0.10
9 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is SB with A K
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, 5 folds, Hero calls, BB checks.

Flop: K J K ($0.3, 3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks.

Turn: J ($0.3, 3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks.

River: T ($0.3, 3 players)
Hero is all-in $11.95, 2 folds.
Uncalled bets: $11.95 returned to Hero.

Results:
Final pot: $0.3


I'm bluffing again, my stack or $0.60, weeeeeeee:


Party Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.05/$0.10
7 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (7 players) Hero is Button with 4 A
4 folds, Hero calls, SB calls, BB checks.

Flop: 5 2 3 ($0.3, 3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: K ($0.3, 3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $0.2, SB folds, BB calls.

River: T ($0.7, 2 players)
BB checks, Hero is all-in $11.24, BB calls.

Results:
Final pot: $23.18

He had KT

[martindcx1e]

are you moving up to 25nl? cuz it seems pretty impossible at 10nl.

I only just made the move to 10nl from 5nl, maybe I'll find I'm being too optimistic...

ah i see. ya getting used to a higher stake for the first time can take a while, and 25nl is over 2x as much money so i can def. understand it. i forget that most others playing 10nl aren't dumb like me and didn't used to play 100nl. i'm chomping at the bit to be back there so as soon as my rb gets deposited it's up to 25nl for me

[Jack Sawyer]

Ok.

10K hand update:



Together with donkaments, bonuses et. al, I'm close to $460.

I'm starting to take shots at 25Nl. Also, I'll be moving my roll to some new site, preferably on the iPoker network, to use more bonuses. I think Cardoza Games. Oh yes, Rakeback too.
Pokerstars doesn't have Rakeback. And unless you are in the US, CA, or EU most of the stars gifts are useless. The good ones at least.
Unless I'm going for the V8 vantage, rakeback there is useless.

I would've been up a lot more, had it not been for my impatience in big pots, and my inability to fold unimproved KK on innocent flops.

Full Speed Ahead!!!

[Jack Sawyer]

LC


I was on the sidelines for this one.
I thought out loud "only logical hand the flop reraiser may have, is JJ"

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Button ($10.95)
SB ($9.90)
BB ($14.20)
Hero ($9.55)
MP1 ($14.75)
MP2 ($7.20)
CO ($10)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with T, A.
Hero raises to $0.3, 2 folds, CO calls $0.30, Button raises to $1.2, 2 folds, Hero folds, CO calls $0.90.

Flop: ($2.85) 9, 5, J (2 players)
CO checks, Button bets $1.75, CO raises to $4, Button raises to $9.75, CO calls $4.80 (All-In).

Turn: ($20.45) 6 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($20.45) K (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $20.46

Results in white below:
CO has Jc Jd (three of a kind, jacks).
Button has Qc Qh (one pair, queens).
Outcome: CO wins $20.45. Button wins $0.94.


Conclusion: My game is improving, or I'm teh luckiest guessah, or the play was really obvious

[Jack Sawyer]

Yup. Aggro-Jack is back.

Hint: Don't try this at home

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

saw flop|saw showdown

UTG ($20.35)
UTG+1 ($6.65)
MP1 ($7.85)
MP2 ($6.75)
Hero ($9.80)
Button ($10.50)
SB ($11.90)
BB ($9.25)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 8, 8.
UTG raises to $0.2, UTG+1 calls $0.20, 2 folds, Hero raises to $0.8, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.60, UTG+1 folds.

Flop: ($1.95) T, A, 3 (2 players)
UTG bets $0.3, Hero raises to $1.2, UTG calls $0.90.

Turn: ($4.35) 2 (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $2, UTG folds.

Final Pot: $4.35

That's my "bluff of the day" today

[Jack Sawyer]

What are the odds of both players calling, both players having AK, and both players get the other two aces from the deck?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t100 (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

saw flop|saw showdown

SB (t2210)
BB (t3690)
UTG (t1890)
UTG+1 (t5060)
MP1 (t5090)
MP2 (t1345)
Hero (t1585)
CO (t110)
Button (t5140)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with J, J.
3 folds, MP2 raises to t200, Hero raises to t1585, 3 folds, BB raises to t2970, MP2 calls t1145 (All-In).

Flop: (t5950) 2, 2, 7 (3 players, 1 all-in)

Turn: (t5950) A (3 players, 1 all-in)

River: (t5950) A (3 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: t5950

Results in white below:
BB has As Ks (full house, aces full of twos).
MP2 has Ac Kh (full house, aces full of twos).
Hero has Jh Jd (two pair, aces and jacks).
Outcome: BB wins t3907.50. MP2 wins t2042.50.



Slowplaying is for pussies

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

CO ($27.45)
Button ($4.65)
SB ($31.15)
BB ($14.50)
UTG ($37.15)
Hero ($29.30)
MP2 ($40.15)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
UTG calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1, 5 folds, UTG calls $0.75.

Flop: ($2.35) , , (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $1.25, UTG calls $1.25.

Turn: ($4.85) (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $2.25, UTG calls $2.25.

River: ($9.35) (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $6.25, UTG calls $6.25.

Final Pot: $21.85

Results in white below:
UTG has Kc Kh (two pair, kings and sevens).
Hero has Td Th (full house, tens full of sevens).
Outcome: Hero wins $21.85.

[Jack Sawyer]

Singletabling 25Nl has proven to be much more profitable to me than 2/3 tabling 10NL.
I just don't get how some people can play 10 tables simultaneously. But, oh well, I don't use a HUD, so I can't get nice lil' tickers running across teh screen with all sorts of villain's info.
While useful, I'm honing my skills for live play, so I think it would hinder my development as a poker player.

So, for now, 'ol Jackie boy will be singletabling 25NL until he has enough money to play 100NL. I'm skipping 50NL, but obviously, I'll be playing donkaments.

Also, I got a great tip (tx dav!) tellin' me that Pacific is the way to go. I'll get me the 25% bonus off stars first, then move to pacific.

[martindcx1e]

So, for now, 'ol Jackie boy will be singletabling 25NL until he has enough money to play 100NL.

this causes a lot of pain to me

Also, I got a great tip (tx dav!) tellin' me that Pacific is the way to go. I'll get me the 25% bonus off stars first, then move to pacific.

pacific isn't exactly the safest place to put your money

[daven]

pacific isn't exactly the safest place to put your money

I'm curious now... I was planning to move $400 to pacific/888 to clear their easy $100 and take advantage of their freerolls. The plan was to hit and run (i.e. leave a week later). But? you suggest not?

[Jack Sawyer]

Yeah martindxc1e, for me singletabling provides the best results, at most two-tabling. I can apply much more aggressive roll management while doing this.
When I have a big enough roll to be able to apply multitabling, then I will. But right now i'm on time constraints to meet my roll goal.


But what's the deal with pacific?

[martindcx1e]

When I have a big enough roll to be able to apply multitabling, then I will. But right now i'm on time constraints to meet my roll goal.

You don't need any larger of a bankroll to play 10 tables than you do to play 1.

Regarding Pacific...I've just heard more than one story about Pacific taking forever to transfer funds, and I know some very respected posters around here who believe Pacific to be a corrupt site. I don't really know the details, but my mind wouldn't be at ease with money in there.

[Jack Sawyer]

Tnx for the heads-up m8, daven is playing over there. He'll surely report back when something goes amiss.
Then, Cardoza or Cake will be next.

[Jack Sawyer]

You don't need any larger of a bankroll to play 10 tables than you do to play 1.

I always regarded playing more tables as having more roll to support it. Say, 15+ BI/ table you play at, etc.

[martindcx1e]

You don't need any larger of a bankroll to play 10 tables than you do to play 1.

I always regarded playing more tables as having more roll to support it. Say, 15+ BI/ table you play at, etc.

nah man you don't need the roll to be any larger. the variance just happens faster with more tables that's all. i'd play with my entire roll if i could play like 30 tables at once.

[Jack Sawyer]

Things seem to be moving in the right direction since my retry of 25NL

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

Things seem to be moving in the right direction since my retry of 25NL

Well if you weren't getting slaughtered at 5NL i would say things look pretty good here

[martindcx1e]

nothing like starting off a new level with a good run of cards

[Jack Sawyer]

Well if you weren't getting slaughtered at 5NL i would say things look pretty good here

LOL @ 5NL. I sat down 1 session, a long time ago, back when I was a full-on SNG player. I wanted to switch to ring. I sit down, fold 33 hands pf. On the 34th hand, I get QQ. All of a sudden, two others engage in a lot of action...
.. I think the HH would speak for itself, lemme see if I can find it...


Here

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver Cards)

saw flop|saw showdown

SB ($2.97)
BB ($1.97)
UTG ($4.11)
UTG+1 ($25.60)
Hero ($5.72)
MP2 ($5.50)
MP3 ($6.20)
CO ($9.28)
Button ($12.78)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
UTG raises to $0.1, UTG+1 calls $0.10, Hero calls $0.10, MP2 calls $0.10, MP3 calls $0.10, CO raises to $1.6, 3 folds, UTG raises to $4.11, UTG+1 folds, Hero raises to $5.72, MP2 folds, MP3 folds, CO calls $4.12.

Flop: ($15.92) , , (3 players)

Turn: ($15.92) (3 players)

River: ($15.92) (3 players)

Final Pot: $15.92

Results in white below:
UTG has 6c 6h (one pair, sixes).
Hero has Qs Qd (one pair, queens).
CO has Kc Kd (one pair, kings).
Outcome: CO wins $15.92.



That was it. I thought "this shit is boring" and I went on with my SNGs.
I don't think I'll ever play 5NL again, so those stats will remain like that in this DB, forever.



Yes, very badly played hand, I know. I guess I didn't know how it felt to have more than 50BB at your disposal

[Jack Sawyer]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! 2nd page!


(also: the rake is killing me. need rakeback, pronto)

[Jack Sawyer]

nothing like starting off a new level with a good run of cards

not really. just better play on my part. I don't pay off as often, I build and win big pots.
But the sample is too small to be decisive. Let me see if I can say the same things when I reach 20k...

[martindcx1e]

nothing like starting off a new level with a good run of cards

not really. just better play on my part. I don't pay off as often, I build and win big pots.
But the sample is too small to be decisive. Let me see if I can say the same things when I reach 20k...

you may very well be playing better. when i say "a good run" i'm also meaning your hands holding up and not just a heater of sets and suckouts. the next 20k hands could go break-even for you. it's just a great feeling and confidence boost when things go the way they are "supposed" to go when moving up a level. good goin man.

[Jack Sawyer]

Doomswitch?


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Button ($4.65)
SB ($14.50)
BB ($20.35)
UTG ($15.70)
UTG+1 ($13.45)
MP1 ($45.30)
Hero ($31)
MP3 ($7.50)
CO ($37.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with K, A.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $0.25, MP1 calls $0.25, Hero raises to $1.7, 4 folds, BB raises to $4, UTG+1 calls $3.75, MP1 folds, Hero calls $2.30.

Flop: ($12.35) T, K, J (3 players)
BB bets $5.25, UTG+1 calls $5.25, Hero raises to $27, BB calls $11.10 (All-In), UTG+1 folds.

Turn: ($50.30) 4 (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($50.30) 8 (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $50.30

Results in white below:
BB has 4h Kh (two pair, kings and fours).
Hero has Kd Ac (one pair, kings).
Outcome: BB wins $50.30. Hero wins $10.65.

And I ended down two buyins. Unbelievable.


YOU JINXED ME, MARTIN!