I couldn't do it justice. Fortunately, I knew that OhCaptain was one keen photographer and he has just posted a fantastic recap of our experience at the Pinball Hall of Fame in December. It's well worth a look-see by any closet geek!
This is yet another reminder of how much fun the blogger Winter Gathering truly was.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
New Year's Resolutions: Poker, part four
Imitate this guy ... since he started this year in a similar BR position to me. He's gone one way, and I've gone in the opposite direction. Go congratulate him on his success.
In other news, I was able to finally get some skiing in and enjoyed every minute of it. I recently updated my woefully outdated and well-used ski outfit, and was very pleased with my new ensemble of gloves and ski pants, which gave me very good ventilation. I'll be picking up a new ski jacket (a hard shell) to complete the outfit. I am a staunch proponent of the layer system, which lets you adapt to the conditions and the temperatures you're skiing in. There is nothing worse than being too hot or too cold and being unable to do much about it when you're up on the slopes.
Now if only Whistler could get enough snow to open up the entire mountain, life would really be good.
(And no, I don't want to talk about the Canucks. They are pathetic right now.)
In other news, I was able to finally get some skiing in and enjoyed every minute of it. I recently updated my woefully outdated and well-used ski outfit, and was very pleased with my new ensemble of gloves and ski pants, which gave me very good ventilation. I'll be picking up a new ski jacket (a hard shell) to complete the outfit. I am a staunch proponent of the layer system, which lets you adapt to the conditions and the temperatures you're skiing in. There is nothing worse than being too hot or too cold and being unable to do much about it when you're up on the slopes.
Now if only Whistler could get enough snow to open up the entire mountain, life would really be good.
(And no, I don't want to talk about the Canucks. They are pathetic right now.)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Year's Resolutions: Poker, part three
I should take the time to list some 2009 poker goals and review what I have done in 2008.
In 2008, I:
Was a winning live poker player (although I played very little in the second half of the year);
Rediscovered my enthusiasm and knack for non-hold'em poker variants, especially Stud8 and Omaha;
Was a winning player in the bloggaments (the Mookie, and especially the Skillz game, where I was the overall leader by a healthy margin);
And was a small loser in my online cash game play. This was primarily caused by some disaster sessions where I chased losses in juicy games past the point where I should have quit.
In 2009, I plan to:
Put in a lot of study time away from the felt;
Improve upon my 2008 online cash game performance;
Win a BBT4 seat and extend my streak to three consecutive ToCs;
Win another Mookie;
Post a winning live cash game year at higher limits;
Play in a WSoP event.
In 2008, I:
Was a winning live poker player (although I played very little in the second half of the year);
Rediscovered my enthusiasm and knack for non-hold'em poker variants, especially Stud8 and Omaha;
Was a winning player in the bloggaments (the Mookie, and especially the Skillz game, where I was the overall leader by a healthy margin);
And was a small loser in my online cash game play. This was primarily caused by some disaster sessions where I chased losses in juicy games past the point where I should have quit.
In 2009, I plan to:
Put in a lot of study time away from the felt;
Improve upon my 2008 online cash game performance;
Win a BBT4 seat and extend my streak to three consecutive ToCs;
Win another Mookie;
Post a winning live cash game year at higher limits;
Play in a WSoP event.
New Year's Resolutions: Poker, part two
I had another post in mind, but I'll delay it another day as I stomach another day of a rather steep downswing at the cash tables. This hand pretty much sums up how I've been running ... this one happened to be at a 6-max O8 table.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Ac Kc 8s 8h]
acvikings has 15 seconds left to act
acvikings calls $2
PirateLawyer raises to $4
QuadSuited folds
StructureK calls $4
hotshot6177 folds
AnonymousLegend folds
acvikings calls $2
*** FLOP *** [5h 5c 8c]
acvikings bets $2
PirateLawyer raises to $4
StructureK calls $4
acvikings calls $2, and is all in
*** TURN *** [5h 5c 8c] [2c]
PirateLawyer bets $4
StructureK raises to $8
PirateLawyer raises to $12
StructureK raises to $16
PirateLawyer calls $4
*** RIVER *** [5h 5c 8c 2c] [6h]
PirateLawyer bets $4
StructureK raises to $8
PirateLawyer calls $1.50, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $2.50 returned to StructureK
*** SHOW DOWN ***
StructureK shows [3h 5d 3s 5s] four of a kind, Fives, for high and 8,6,5,3,2, for low
PirateLawyer shows [Ac Kc 8s 8h] a full house, Eights full of Fives, for high and 8,6,5,2,A, for low
StructureK wins the high side pot ($20.50) with four of a kind, Fives
PirateLawyer wins the low side pot ($20.50) with 8,6,5,2,A
acvikings shows [4d 7c 6c 8d] a flush, Eight high, for high and 7,6,5,4,2, for low
StructureK wins the high main pot ($13) with four of a kind, Fives
acvikings wins the low main pot ($13) with 7,6,5,4,2
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $70 Main pot $27. Side pot $43. | Rake $3
Board: [5h 5c 8c 2c 6h]
Seat 1: QuadSuited didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: StructureK (button) showed [3h 5d 3s 5s] and won ($33.50) with HI: four of a kind, Fives; LO: 8,6,5,3,2
Seat 3: hotshot6177 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: AnonymousLegend (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: acvikings showed [4d 7c 6c 8d] and won ($13) with HI: a flush, Eight high; LO: 7,6,5,4,2
Seat 6: PirateLawyer showed [Ac Kc 8s 8h] and won ($20.50) with HI: a full house, Eights full of Fives; LO: 8,6,5,2,A
This all happened because I decided to re-raise a donkish short-stack and I knew that the second villain, who was running insanely hot, would call with any four cards, so my range of hands here was well ahead of his. And then we get the cooler of all cooler flops.
This makes three times now in the new year that I've had to activate my stop-loss rule. Sigh.
I also thought there was a rule that Canadian poker bloggers were invulnerable to presto.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Ac Kc 8s 8h]
acvikings has 15 seconds left to act
acvikings calls $2
PirateLawyer raises to $4
QuadSuited folds
StructureK calls $4
hotshot6177 folds
AnonymousLegend folds
acvikings calls $2
*** FLOP *** [5h 5c 8c]
acvikings bets $2
PirateLawyer raises to $4
StructureK calls $4
acvikings calls $2, and is all in
*** TURN *** [5h 5c 8c] [2c]
PirateLawyer bets $4
StructureK raises to $8
PirateLawyer raises to $12
StructureK raises to $16
PirateLawyer calls $4
*** RIVER *** [5h 5c 8c 2c] [6h]
PirateLawyer bets $4
StructureK raises to $8
PirateLawyer calls $1.50, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $2.50 returned to StructureK
*** SHOW DOWN ***
StructureK shows [3h 5d 3s 5s] four of a kind, Fives, for high and 8,6,5,3,2, for low
PirateLawyer shows [Ac Kc 8s 8h] a full house, Eights full of Fives, for high and 8,6,5,2,A, for low
StructureK wins the high side pot ($20.50) with four of a kind, Fives
PirateLawyer wins the low side pot ($20.50) with 8,6,5,2,A
acvikings shows [4d 7c 6c 8d] a flush, Eight high, for high and 7,6,5,4,2, for low
StructureK wins the high main pot ($13) with four of a kind, Fives
acvikings wins the low main pot ($13) with 7,6,5,4,2
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $70 Main pot $27. Side pot $43. | Rake $3
Board: [5h 5c 8c 2c 6h]
Seat 1: QuadSuited didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: StructureK (button) showed [3h 5d 3s 5s] and won ($33.50) with HI: four of a kind, Fives; LO: 8,6,5,3,2
Seat 3: hotshot6177 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: AnonymousLegend (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: acvikings showed [4d 7c 6c 8d] and won ($13) with HI: a flush, Eight high; LO: 7,6,5,4,2
Seat 6: PirateLawyer showed [Ac Kc 8s 8h] and won ($20.50) with HI: a full house, Eights full of Fives; LO: 8,6,5,2,A
This all happened because I decided to re-raise a donkish short-stack and I knew that the second villain, who was running insanely hot, would call with any four cards, so my range of hands here was well ahead of his. And then we get the cooler of all cooler flops.
This makes three times now in the new year that I've had to activate my stop-loss rule. Sigh.
I also thought there was a rule that Canadian poker bloggers were invulnerable to presto.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Year's Resolutions: Poker, part one
1) Break filthy habit. Have been threatened with violence and have taken it to heart. At least I don't smoke or drink (to excess), so that leaves me ample willpower to spare.
2) Achieve a proper online poker process -- hardware, software, personal rules re: stop losses etc. -- or simply abandon aspirations of building online poker bankroll into the five figures. New Year did not get off to roaring start as I bubbled this tourney.
2a) Continue experiments with low-stakes cash game play of all games offered on FTP.
After all, if I don't go fishing, others will be there to claim money that is being given away. Here are two examples of how not to play AAxx hands in PLO-hi games. Despite the results, I booked a solid winning session, which should tell you how soft these games truly are ...
Hand #1:
$0.25/$0.50 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi (full ring)
Seat 8: Villain ($36)
Seat 9: PirateLawyer ($56.30)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [3c Tc 9s 9h]
Villain calls $0.50
PirateLawyer raises to $2.25
Villain calls $1.75
*** FLOP *** [9c 2d 3h]
Villain checks
PirateLawyer bets $5.25
Villain raises to $21
PirateLawyer raises to $54.05, and is all in
Villain calls $12.75, and is all in
PirateLawyer shows [3c Tc 9s 9h]
Villain shows [Ac 4h Ad 2h]
*** TURN *** [9c 2d 3h] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [9c 2d 3h 6s] [5d]
PirateLawyer shows three of a kind, Nines
Villain shows a straight, Six high
Villain wins the pot ($69.75) with a straight, Six high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $72.75 | Rake $3
Board: [9c 2d 3h 6s 5d]
Seat 8: Villain showed [Ac 4h Ad 2h] and won ($69.75) with a straight, Six high
Seat 9: PirateLawyer showed [3c Tc 9s 9h] and lost with three of a kind, Nines
Notice how poorly villain played AAxx here. He didn't get money in preflop, and he check-raised for stacks holding overpair and a gutterball with only six clean outs vs. a top set hand on a dry board.
Hand #2:
$0.50/$1 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi (6-max)
Seat 1: PirateLawyer ($58.25)
Seat 2: Villain ($50.35)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Kh Ad Tc Js]
PirateLawyer raises to $2.25
Villain raises to $8.25
PirateLawyer calls $6
*** FLOP *** [Kc Jh 2s]
PirateLawyer checks
Villain bets $18
PirateLawyer raises to $50, and is all in
Villain calls $24.10, and is all in
PirateLawyer shows [Kh Ad Tc Js]
Villain shows [Ah Kd Ac 8d]
*** TURN *** [Kc Jh 2s] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Kc Jh 2s 2c] [3d]
PirateLawyer shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
Villain shows two pair, Aces and Twos
Villain wins the pot ($99.20) with two pair, Aces and Twos
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $102.20 | Rake $3
Board: [Kc Jh 2s 2c 3d]
Seat 1: PirateLawyer showed [Kh Ad Tc Js] and lost with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 2: Villain showed [Ah Kd Ac 8d] and won ($99.20) with two pair, Aces and Twos
Villain made similar mistake but at least raised preflop. With four Broadway cards and relatively deep stacks I can easily justify preflop call of re-raise. I hit flop hard with top two pair and a gutter and happily get the chips in middle vs. overpair who lucks into better 2pr hand.
2b) Budget time away from tables to study some poker math concepts and integrate into cash game play. At present I am too reactive to flop textures -- okay, let's admit it, I am too dependent on my actual holdings -- and am not making proper adjustments to maximize my EV with my hand ranges.
2) Achieve a proper online poker process -- hardware, software, personal rules re: stop losses etc. -- or simply abandon aspirations of building online poker bankroll into the five figures. New Year did not get off to roaring start as I bubbled this tourney.
2a) Continue experiments with low-stakes cash game play of all games offered on FTP.
After all, if I don't go fishing, others will be there to claim money that is being given away. Here are two examples of how not to play AAxx hands in PLO-hi games. Despite the results, I booked a solid winning session, which should tell you how soft these games truly are ...
Hand #1:
$0.25/$0.50 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi (full ring)
Seat 8: Villain ($36)
Seat 9: PirateLawyer ($56.30)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [3c Tc 9s 9h]
Villain calls $0.50
PirateLawyer raises to $2.25
Villain calls $1.75
*** FLOP *** [9c 2d 3h]
Villain checks
PirateLawyer bets $5.25
Villain raises to $21
PirateLawyer raises to $54.05, and is all in
Villain calls $12.75, and is all in
PirateLawyer shows [3c Tc 9s 9h]
Villain shows [Ac 4h Ad 2h]
*** TURN *** [9c 2d 3h] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [9c 2d 3h 6s] [5d]
PirateLawyer shows three of a kind, Nines
Villain shows a straight, Six high
Villain wins the pot ($69.75) with a straight, Six high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $72.75 | Rake $3
Board: [9c 2d 3h 6s 5d]
Seat 8: Villain showed [Ac 4h Ad 2h] and won ($69.75) with a straight, Six high
Seat 9: PirateLawyer showed [3c Tc 9s 9h] and lost with three of a kind, Nines
Notice how poorly villain played AAxx here. He didn't get money in preflop, and he check-raised for stacks holding overpair and a gutterball with only six clean outs vs. a top set hand on a dry board.
Hand #2:
$0.50/$1 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi (6-max)
Seat 1: PirateLawyer ($58.25)
Seat 2: Villain ($50.35)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Kh Ad Tc Js]
PirateLawyer raises to $2.25
Villain raises to $8.25
PirateLawyer calls $6
*** FLOP *** [Kc Jh 2s]
PirateLawyer checks
Villain bets $18
PirateLawyer raises to $50, and is all in
Villain calls $24.10, and is all in
PirateLawyer shows [Kh Ad Tc Js]
Villain shows [Ah Kd Ac 8d]
*** TURN *** [Kc Jh 2s] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Kc Jh 2s 2c] [3d]
PirateLawyer shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
Villain shows two pair, Aces and Twos
Villain wins the pot ($99.20) with two pair, Aces and Twos
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $102.20 | Rake $3
Board: [Kc Jh 2s 2c 3d]
Seat 1: PirateLawyer showed [Kh Ad Tc Js] and lost with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 2: Villain showed [Ah Kd Ac 8d] and won ($99.20) with two pair, Aces and Twos
Villain made similar mistake but at least raised preflop. With four Broadway cards and relatively deep stacks I can easily justify preflop call of re-raise. I hit flop hard with top two pair and a gutter and happily get the chips in middle vs. overpair who lucks into better 2pr hand.
2b) Budget time away from tables to study some poker math concepts and integrate into cash game play. At present I am too reactive to flop textures -- okay, let's admit it, I am too dependent on my actual holdings -- and am not making proper adjustments to maximize my EV with my hand ranges.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A standard DQB brag
Fun and profit. Enough said.
That'll help correct a recent downswing, to be sure. If only it had been at a higher stakes table ...
Friday, January 2, 2009
Staring at the Abyss, part two
I realized during the busy Christmas holidays that I really don't have much more to say about my Las Vegas trip. Others have waxed eloquent about the darker side of Las Vegas; suffice it to say that I got an eyeful during my stay there. The rest of my travel notes aren't going to see the light of day on the ol' blog, at least for now.
Overall, I had a great time; the trip was a profitable one in almost all respects, both emotional and financial, and I even managed some minor epiphanies in the long wait at McCarran for my flight home (it was delayed by 30 minutes, but I arrived very early as I was nervous about the incoming weather as well as the dicey conditions in Vancouver -- which were a harbinger of things to come). I'll have more to say about those in a future post.
As far as the actual poker ledger goes, as I alluded to before I booked a tidy profit despite not finding any good NL 2/5 games or mid-stakes LHE games: I cut a wide swath in NL 1/2 through bloggers and non-bloggers alike. The suckout total was even at one apiece, so that was a push (my KK rivered a set vs. AA whilst CK managed to get to hit her kicker vs. my AK on a K-high board).
I was pleased to shake off the poker rust (I hadn't played any live poker from September through the end of November) and feel firmly in control of my A-game with only occasional dips in focus and concentration. Overall the cards ran reasonably well and my only mistakes were in extracting the maximum when I was nut-peddling; my situational awareness and positional play was good as I didn't get myself into hardly any marginal spots (or if I did, I was able to avoid any truly tough decisions). I'll write up a couple of hands for discussion this weekend to see what others think about my line of play.
My chief regret of the trip was not being able to spend time with everyone I would have liked to. I trust that will be rectified in future.
Next up: your standard New Year's recap/resolution post. Some actual non-poker content too!
Overall, I had a great time; the trip was a profitable one in almost all respects, both emotional and financial, and I even managed some minor epiphanies in the long wait at McCarran for my flight home (it was delayed by 30 minutes, but I arrived very early as I was nervous about the incoming weather as well as the dicey conditions in Vancouver -- which were a harbinger of things to come). I'll have more to say about those in a future post.
As far as the actual poker ledger goes, as I alluded to before I booked a tidy profit despite not finding any good NL 2/5 games or mid-stakes LHE games: I cut a wide swath in NL 1/2 through bloggers and non-bloggers alike. The suckout total was even at one apiece, so that was a push (my KK rivered a set vs. AA whilst CK managed to get to hit her kicker vs. my AK on a K-high board).
I was pleased to shake off the poker rust (I hadn't played any live poker from September through the end of November) and feel firmly in control of my A-game with only occasional dips in focus and concentration. Overall the cards ran reasonably well and my only mistakes were in extracting the maximum when I was nut-peddling; my situational awareness and positional play was good as I didn't get myself into hardly any marginal spots (or if I did, I was able to avoid any truly tough decisions). I'll write up a couple of hands for discussion this weekend to see what others think about my line of play.
My chief regret of the trip was not being able to spend time with everyone I would have liked to. I trust that will be rectified in future.
Next up: your standard New Year's recap/resolution post. Some actual non-poker content too!
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