I'm pretty much back to ground zero after a sizzling start to the 2007 campaign. Wow, that went quick. As I mentioned a couple posts back, I really have no one to blame for my poorous play except my self. The question is, how do I start over?
Part of it is having a better understanding of my bankroll. I have got to stick to strict guidelines when evaluating what kind of limits I should play at. I agree with the article in the fact that 300 BBs at a specific limit is kind of pushing it, but at .25-.50 normal limits, I would have to figure that $150 is a safe amount.
At least for now.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Bluffing
I wanted to link to an article in the Feb. 2007 edition of Bluff Magazine, but unfortunately for whatever reason it isn't on the web site. Looks like they're behind. However, I may have found a better article that plays to my point even more.
In short, the article written by an author whose name I can't remember (I have the print version of the mag and of course I don't have it right in front of me) talked about bluffing a form of advertising, setting people up for later success and when and when not to use it and who to use it against and who to not use it against. Niman Kenkre's article actually compliments that article because it adds one more dimension: bluffing when you smell weakness.
This was a well-played hand by Kenkre. He knew exactly what the other guy had and exploited him for it. It takes a couple of things below the belt to make a play like that with absolutely nothing. In fact, you can only do that when you put the other person on absolutely nothing. Bluffs are overused in today's game (I'm guilty of that sometimes), but knowing when to do it and when not to do it are critical for long-term success.
In short, the article written by an author whose name I can't remember (I have the print version of the mag and of course I don't have it right in front of me) talked about bluffing a form of advertising, setting people up for later success and when and when not to use it and who to use it against and who to not use it against. Niman Kenkre's article actually compliments that article because it adds one more dimension: bluffing when you smell weakness.
This was a well-played hand by Kenkre. He knew exactly what the other guy had and exploited him for it. It takes a couple of things below the belt to make a play like that with absolutely nothing. In fact, you can only do that when you put the other person on absolutely nothing. Bluffs are overused in today's game (I'm guilty of that sometimes), but knowing when to do it and when not to do it are critical for long-term success.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Tonight (Hibachi)
Glad that I got the graded post out the way. Seriously though, check out Poker After Dark.
It's definitely worth a look if you want to learn more about the game or if you want to see REAL poker.
So... here's the post I've been putting off for almost two weeks. Here goes nothing:
I made the common mistake of not only newbie (which I'm not) poker players but gamblers as well. I played over my limit. Skill wise, .50-$1 and $1-$2 aren't over my limits. I feel like whenever I sit down I can play with anybody at any limit. However, I was having so much success both online and live at the $.25-.$.50 level that I felt invincible. Then, it happened.
With roughly $180 sitting in my Full Tilt account one day in the library, I donked every last penny of that in about 20 minutes sitting at $.50-$1 on Full Tilt (they should be paying me for as often as I'm linking to this damn site). It's tough to recall exactly what happened because I pretty much blacked it out, but I think my first bust-out I got sucked out on, and on my re-buy I bluffed it off into someone holding close to the nuts. Luckily, I had $200 waiting in my Click2Pay account from a previous cash out, so I put that in.
Sat down with that and actually ended $50 up for the day. I was proud of myself.
Then, the next night I went to Ryan's house and lost $60 playing $.25-$.50. I didn't play bad, just didn't really catch any cards, and if I remember correctly that was the first time I'd ever seen Jen, this girl who's pretty much just learning poker and is the least-skilled person sitting no matter what table she occupies, finish with a huge night. Most of her chips were at the expense of catching miraculous cards, but to her credit she siphoned chips out of everyone, which ultimately is the name of the game.
Fast forward a couple days later, and this is where the hero has his tragic fall from grace. Through some great play, I somehow have $450 in Full Tilt. Determined to increase my bankroll, I sat down and played 1-2. Somehow my tight online image disappeared. I reverted back into a drunken Daniel Negreneau and saw flops with trash, trying to outplay the other person. Wasn't happening. I admittedly got my ass handed to me. Twice, for two buy-ins at the max allowed at a 1-2 table.
Then, I sat with my last bit of chunk change, hoping for a miracle. No.
I have no more money left in my Full Tilt account.
I think for the year that puts me around +$250.
Don-key.
But, you know what? At least I'm up. And, it's not like I'm oblivious to what I've been doing. I can't lie and say I've been getting unlucky. I've been so self-destructive in my play over the past two weeks. I have to buckle down. I'm seeing way too many flops. During this streak I think I'm seeing flops at a ridiculous 40% rate. Some people can get away with that, but that's not my style.
I can switch gears. I can be hyper-aggressive, and a lot of times that will end up netting me some serious dough. But, poker isn't a sprint. It's a marathon. It's about getting consistent results over time and more often than not making the right play. I haven't been doing that. So, until further notice it's back to grinding. Tight-aggressive play. Realistic limits. Asking myself, "Is this really the right play at this point in the hand against this person?"
In other words, back to Tripset. Tonight.
It's definitely worth a look if you want to learn more about the game or if you want to see REAL poker.
So... here's the post I've been putting off for almost two weeks. Here goes nothing:
I made the common mistake of not only newbie (which I'm not) poker players but gamblers as well. I played over my limit. Skill wise, .50-$1 and $1-$2 aren't over my limits. I feel like whenever I sit down I can play with anybody at any limit. However, I was having so much success both online and live at the $.25-.$.50 level that I felt invincible. Then, it happened.
With roughly $180 sitting in my Full Tilt account one day in the library, I donked every last penny of that in about 20 minutes sitting at $.50-$1 on Full Tilt (they should be paying me for as often as I'm linking to this damn site). It's tough to recall exactly what happened because I pretty much blacked it out, but I think my first bust-out I got sucked out on, and on my re-buy I bluffed it off into someone holding close to the nuts. Luckily, I had $200 waiting in my Click2Pay account from a previous cash out, so I put that in.
Sat down with that and actually ended $50 up for the day. I was proud of myself.
Then, the next night I went to Ryan's house and lost $60 playing $.25-$.50. I didn't play bad, just didn't really catch any cards, and if I remember correctly that was the first time I'd ever seen Jen, this girl who's pretty much just learning poker and is the least-skilled person sitting no matter what table she occupies, finish with a huge night. Most of her chips were at the expense of catching miraculous cards, but to her credit she siphoned chips out of everyone, which ultimately is the name of the game.
Fast forward a couple days later, and this is where the hero has his tragic fall from grace. Through some great play, I somehow have $450 in Full Tilt. Determined to increase my bankroll, I sat down and played 1-2. Somehow my tight online image disappeared. I reverted back into a drunken Daniel Negreneau and saw flops with trash, trying to outplay the other person. Wasn't happening. I admittedly got my ass handed to me. Twice, for two buy-ins at the max allowed at a 1-2 table.
Then, I sat with my last bit of chunk change, hoping for a miracle. No.
I have no more money left in my Full Tilt account.
I think for the year that puts me around +$250.
Don-key.
But, you know what? At least I'm up. And, it's not like I'm oblivious to what I've been doing. I can't lie and say I've been getting unlucky. I've been so self-destructive in my play over the past two weeks. I have to buckle down. I'm seeing way too many flops. During this streak I think I'm seeing flops at a ridiculous 40% rate. Some people can get away with that, but that's not my style.
I can switch gears. I can be hyper-aggressive, and a lot of times that will end up netting me some serious dough. But, poker isn't a sprint. It's a marathon. It's about getting consistent results over time and more often than not making the right play. I haven't been doing that. So, until further notice it's back to grinding. Tight-aggressive play. Realistic limits. Asking myself, "Is this really the right play at this point in the hand against this person?"
In other words, back to Tripset. Tonight.
Poker After Dark
Given my current struggles, I've been going back to the drawing board. I've been reading more than playing lately, and I've also been watching.
Mostly I've been watching Poker After Dark, and I have to tell you: by far it's the best poker show on television. I almost hate watching anything else.
The World Series of Poker pretty much gave birth to the televised poker era, and it's a good reference point, especially for people just starting to get into the game. However, by now most of you know that the Series is so cut and edited that, for the most part you don't get a chance to watch anyone play poker. You get vignettes and snippets for how people play, but they only show the big hands most of the time. You don't usually see the blind stealing raises or the hands that people fold on the regular, like 6-5 off suit or A-7 off suit. You see the amazing bluffs, calls, or coolers, the equivalent of Sportscenter showing Kobe Bryant throw it down in traffic without showing you his other 40 points.
Poker After Dark, however, is great because the editing is minimal. You see everything: the cards that people play, how they bet, how they react to certain hands (I swear I've got a million tells on Jamie Gold). Actually one of the better parts of it is that the commentators don't over-talk. The players are the ones who dictate the conversation, talking about everything from who won which bracelet to how Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, did an excellent job of setting the Lakers up for success.
It's good stuff, and if you're interested in becoming a serious player or just want to see what real poker is like, you can tune in at two o'clock in the morning. And, if you aren't a night owl like me, just click the link and you can watch it in the library, kind of like I'm doing now.
Mostly I've been watching Poker After Dark, and I have to tell you: by far it's the best poker show on television. I almost hate watching anything else.
The World Series of Poker pretty much gave birth to the televised poker era, and it's a good reference point, especially for people just starting to get into the game. However, by now most of you know that the Series is so cut and edited that, for the most part you don't get a chance to watch anyone play poker. You get vignettes and snippets for how people play, but they only show the big hands most of the time. You don't usually see the blind stealing raises or the hands that people fold on the regular, like 6-5 off suit or A-7 off suit. You see the amazing bluffs, calls, or coolers, the equivalent of Sportscenter showing Kobe Bryant throw it down in traffic without showing you his other 40 points.
Poker After Dark, however, is great because the editing is minimal. You see everything: the cards that people play, how they bet, how they react to certain hands (I swear I've got a million tells on Jamie Gold). Actually one of the better parts of it is that the commentators don't over-talk. The players are the ones who dictate the conversation, talking about everything from who won which bracelet to how Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, did an excellent job of setting the Lakers up for success.
It's good stuff, and if you're interested in becoming a serious player or just want to see what real poker is like, you can tune in at two o'clock in the morning. And, if you aren't a night owl like me, just click the link and you can watch it in the library, kind of like I'm doing now.
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