Best Laid Plans

On Saturday I woke up happy that I had written for the blog for the first time since May. I was refreshed after a very lazy Post-Thanksgiving Friday (ask my wife). That night I was having my first poker tourney at our new place and I wanted to straighten up the house. I started in the living room and worked my way into the kitchen. I finally got most of it done and started a pot of coffee while I logged on to FTP. 4 minutes prior to registration closing I signed up for the $10+1 $12.5K Guaranteed Rush tourney. Blinds were already 120/240 and I started with 3K in the BB. The good news was that well over 1/2 of the field of ‎1,863 had already been eliminated.

A few hours later I ran my KTo into and A5o and finished 4th place for ‎$1,471.77.

So about that plan for $900 in the next month... Time to reevaluate. I was planning on playing rush tourneys as much as possible and slowly creeping toward the goal while taking shots in $2 and $3 buyin MTTs with huge payouts. I was also going to run a stake on Part Time Poker for miniFTOPS. Admittedly, All of these approaches were long-shots for an entire $900. To put it in terms any poker player can understand, I was at least a 2:1 dog.

Now I'm a lock for accomplishing my goal and it feels great! I have some decisions to make though. Foremost I need to decide how much money to leave in my account. Historically I play my worst poker after a big win. I don't plan on that this time. That, coupled with the fact that I have accomplished my goal means I probably should leave plenty in my account. But we all know how plans go sometimes...

Next, I need to start formulating a goal for next year. Doubling a bankroll is an easy target (in terms of planning, not neccisarily hitting), but I want to find the best balance between challenging and realistic. FTOPS, WSOP, and WPT entry come to mind.

Either way, it means more writing for me, which means that part of the plan is still in tact.

The Poker Pod Home Game

Yesterday I managed to win the Poker Pod home game! It was tough throughout. I had to suck out a river queen to trip up against AA and KK early on.

To add to my successful day I competed against 7 others in the Attu home game and won a marathon session. :D Quite a poker day!

For Billy

On Saturday I was home from work with nothing to do but think about my uncle's passing. I was unsure of how I would do on the felts given my emotional state. I decided that I would play one game for the day, and dedicate my performance to him. I chose a $4.40 180-person S&G. Billy used to buy me into these all of the time. In over 30 attempts for him, I only ever broke even. I was surprisingly focused, and I got lucky a couple of times. Here's the result:

PokerStars Tournament #136136584, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $4.00/$0.40
180 players
Total Prize Pool: $720.00
Tournament started 2009/01/24 11:10:07 ET

Dear CgCook38,

You finished the tournament in 1st place.
A $216.00 award has been credited to your Real Money account.

You earned 218.47 tournament leader points in this tournament.
For information about our tournament leader board, see our web site at
http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/tournaments/leader-board/


Congratulations!
Thank you for participating.

New Year's First Big Cash

I won a 45 person sit & go using a $26 token I had won at a $4 table. 1st prize was $410.40. This is a great way to start the year. My plan is to use $22 of that to attempt to win more tokens, while cashing out $375. This keeps my bankroll at a great level to continue playing private events through Railbirds.

I had originally been using an approach recommended by a friend of mine. He suggested playing $2.25 18-player events and parlaying the winnings into the token events. I gave it a good run, but of my 21 attempts at the $2 level, I’ve only cashed six times and won once. I only won one token in the process. I’ve lost money at these tables. A lot of it has been some nasty-terrible-luck. Way too much of it has been my lack of patience. I attempted to play two at once to reduce my attempts to “make something happen” and lovely Maine delivered me the knock-out punch – my Internet went out while I was at the final table of each. =(

The $26 buy-in had better players that weren’t necessarily better at being aggressive. That spelled an easier game for my style. It seemed like every table I sat at had the players I was having trouble with to my right. It came down to me and the most aggressive player from the final nine. I had to get really lucky heads-up once – my 89o all-in against her 9To. I spiked an 8 and eventually caught up with her chip count.

Positional Poker Play

I recently won Event # 4 of The Poker Trivia Tour through Railbirds. The event was Fixed Limit Hold’em with 29 players. The money was at four people, and the points for Player of the Season started in sixth place. The following hand took place with 15 players left – still a ways from the final table of 9. I was around 8th place in chips at the time. My game up to this point may have been considered over-aggressive in position by others at the table. I also had a great feel for the other players at the table, and I had lost very few chips without a distinct thought process going through my head. In the following hand, my check on the turn was in order to avoid a check-raise bluff that would force me off of the hand. The call on the river was with the distinct impression that my opponent was betting a missed draw. Decisions like these won me this tournament. It was very gratifying.


Full Tilt Poker Game #9854486311: PTT Event #4 (72078327), Table 3 - 200/400 - Limit Hold'em - 15:27:40 ET - 2009/01/04
Seat 1: Mr Shug (5,070)
Seat 2: crazee55 (690)
Seat 3: FRENCH RAP (2,910)
Seat 4: houndawg37 (3,710)
Seat 5: seaurchin1 (2,635)
Seat 6: edwin232 (3,210)
Seat 7: edly68 (4,195)
Seat 8: CgCook38 (2,900)
FRENCH RAP posts the small blind of 100
houndawg37 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to CgCook38 [Td Ts]
seaurchin1 folds
edwin232 folds
edly68 folds
CgCook38 raises to 400
Mr Shug folds
crazee55 folds
FRENCH RAP calls 300
houndawg37 folds
*** FLOP *** [9c 3h Qh]
FRENCH RAP checks
CgCook38 bets 200
FRENCH RAP calls 200
*** TURN *** [9c 3h Qh] [Kd]
FRENCH RAP checks
CgCook38 checks
*** RIVER *** [9c 3h Qh Kd] [4h]
FRENCH RAP bets 400
CgCook38 has 15 seconds left to act
CgCook38 calls 400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
FRENCH RAP shows [Ad Tc] Ace King high
CgCook38 shows [Td Ts] a pair of Tens
CgCook38 wins the pot (2,200) with a pair of Tens
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,200 Rake 0
Board: [9c 3h Qh Kd 4h]
Seat 1: Mr Shug didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: crazee55 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: FRENCH RAP (small blind) showed [Ad Tc] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 4: houndawg37 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: seaurchin1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: edwin232 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: edly68 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: CgCook38 showed [Td Ts] and won (2,200) with a pair of Tens

Willy Billy

Years ago my dad and I started trying out online poker. He signed on with a PokerStars account and started playing for play chips. They give you 1,000 to start and it’s an excellent way to learn the mechanics of online poker, and the basics of whatever game you choose to play. My dad is an excellent player and quickly built the 1,000 chips into millions.

Eventually we both gravitated toward real money; often he would return to play money tournaments to fill time. I made a return to the play money as well, but it was in the Ring Games. I experienced quite a lot of fun playing with friends at these tables. The problem with these tables is that if you have no friends there, it’s not really fun. The chips mean nothing to any of the players. Some of them have a sense of pride that comes with winning. Some of them are genuinely trying to play good poker. But for the most part, it’s a Donk-fest.

Lately I’ve experienced new life at these tables, as I have joined my dad (WldWilly) and uncle (WatsonWE) at a few of these games. What’s more fun than bluffing the pants off of your dad? Nothing, that’s what. My dad’s friend Richard joins us once in a while. It’s great to razz each other on the table. It is even more fun to jump on someone else’s case when they pick on one of us, not knowing that we have friends at the table. One of the best parts about these tables is that you can try out different strategies. I’ve been using Daniel Negreanu’s small ball strategy lately. It’s good to get practice to somewhat prepare me (especially in regards to discipline) for what I’ll see at real money tables. I can do this with absolutely no risk. Since starting these games up again, I’ve won about $14 playing at the .05/.10 level at the real money tables over three days.

My First Trophy

I play quite a few private tournaments on Full Tilt Poker. I won my first one last night. It was a $1.50 + .50 buy in with 51 entries, including pro Gabriela Hill. With the win I received my first ever poker trophy (alright, so it's just an image, but still).
I feel like I am practically related to ol' Speedy. So it was great to receive this. Top prize was $19.89. 2nd place would have been okay with me, as the trophy features Speedy's drunk cousin!

I gain entry to these tourneys by being a member of Railbirds. You can find my member page here.

The Sunday Warm-Up

Today I played in the $200+ 15 buy-in Sunday Warm-Up on PokerStars. I kept a log of major events while I was playing. I was mentally prepared to play in this tournament and I am not sure that I would have changed the way I played any one hand. 12:45pm – I start the tourney at a 7-handed table with two players sitting out.

12:49pm – I am amazed at how tight the table is. This is the tightest table I’ve ever been at online. We’ve played 9 hands in four minutes, which means there has been a lot of folding. I won my second hand with a walk in the big blind.

12:51pm – I just won my first big hand. I played a K8o from the big blind and won 1,750 chips with two pair against an opponent who’s been active.

12:57pm – So far, I’ve stolen the blinds twice from the button when folded to me. I’ve skipped the chance once. There’s been very little action at the table for some time; I just walked with my big blind for the second time in twelve minutes.

1:00pm – Blinds just went up to 50/100. I’ve got 11,200 chips.

1:03pm – [This is one of two hands that I am not sure if I played correctly.] I just lost a chunk of chips with AKo. I made a standard raise and another player who had position on me made a re-raise. Because I was in early position I decided to make it three bets to give myself the best chance of winning without seeing the flop. He called and I bet the flop. He raised and I folded. My chip stack falls to 5,400

1:06pm – I picked off my first bluff in a big blind/small blind play. The big blind fired two shots into my small blind flopped pair. I felt like he was steaming from my stealing of his small blind on three prior occasions, so I called him down and won. I am up to 6,050 chips

1:13pm – I snagged a pot with 99 v AKo. Once again, I was betting from the button and the small blind guy paid me off. I’m up to 7,100. My uncle just went out with KK v AA in 3634th place. He won’t be happy.

1:14pm – I just tried my first early position steal attempt with A4o. I am up to 7,250 and the blinds just moved to 100/200.

1:15pm – The prizes have just been announced as late registration closes. 585 people will be paid at least $389.90 as we had 3,899 players register. The winner will claim $101,374 of the $779,800 prize pool.

1:17pm – I re-raised from the big blind with JKo against the most aggressive player at the table. My chip stack is now up to 7,850.

1:22pm – I am settling down nicely. I feel like I can compete at this level. I am at 8,450 chips and there are 7 minutes ‘till the 150/300 level.

1:24pm – This is the first time I’ve seen two limpers into the pot, and it happens to be against my big blind. I see a flop. And then a turn and a river as every one checks down. My J4o hits a four card straight and I take down the pot. I’m up to 8,950 and feeling great about my play so far.

1:25pm – I’ve stolen the blinds three times and folded once from button when it has been folded to me. Last time I had to make a continuation bet to take down the pot. I have to be careful what I raise with next time.

1:29pm – [This is a huge turning point as I surpass my starting stack of 10k for the first time.] I made a steal attempt with K9d. The big blind called me. The flop came down with an inside straight flush draw for me. I didn’t want to see a check-raise when the other player checked to me, so I checked as well. He bet smallish on the turn and I called him. I hit my flush on the river. I bet and he called with his AJo for one pair. This is a huge pot for me (7,600) and I am up to 12,650.

1:30pm – My dad just lost with a set of kings to a small card straight. He’s on life support and guaranteed not to be happy. Blinds are now 150/300 and he has 545 chips.

1:34pm – The first all-in called at my table: 66 v QJ by two very active players. The sixes hold.

1:38pm – My dad just went all-in under the gun with J9o and found AA in the big blind. He’s out in 3108th place.

1:40pm – I just got my first AJo, which I hate. The reason I am still in is probably because I haven’t had this hand yet. However, this time I flopped two pair and I move up to 13,550.

1:42pm - The first elimination at my table just occurred nearly one hour in.

1:45pm – It’s break time! The current leader sasodiits has 55,568 chips. I’m in 1,202th place of 2,907 remaining with 13,100 chips. The average chip stack is 13,412.

1:52pm – We’re back from the break. The blinds are now 200/400. The antes will start in 45 minutes. The first hand back I steal from cutoff seat with K9o.

1:58pm – There were three limpers on my big blind just now and I flopped top pair and a flush draw! The short stack goes all in after my bet is called by another player – I go all-in for the first time in the tournament. The other player folds and I pick off the short stack’s semi-bluff open-ended straight draw. I’m up to 21,001 after a 12,802 pot and I am ecstatic!

2:05pm – I made my first under the gun limp with 55. I bet the safe looking flop and moved up to 22,201.

2:09pm – We went to 300/600 blinds a little while ago. I just noticed. I guess I’m still a little fired up from my big hand.

2:11pm – My pocket aces net me the blinds.

2:13pm – [This is a mistake I made, I almost forgot about it.] I just doubled up someone. He limped under the gun plus one and when I bet my second pair after checking my big blind he raised all-in. He was too short for me to fold. He showed pocket kings and I am down to 15,881. [It would have been better to check to see what happened as there were four people in the hand.]

2:16pm – My kings net me the blinds.

2:22pm – The blinds are now 400/800 and I’m spiraling down. My chip stack is 13,781.

2:25pm – I just moved to a new table and lost any table image I might have. [At the time I was not happy about it either!]

2:38pm - The blinds are up to 400/800 with a 50 ante bringing the pot to 1,650 to start. I’m hurting at 10,931 chips.

2:41pm – I am back in business for now. I eliminated a player with my AQ v his AJ. I’m up to 21,781.

2:46pm – I just hit a set of sixes. There was a raise pre-flop and one other player called in front of my button. I called as well with my 66. I hit my set on the flop. The original bettor bet and the next player raised. I went all-in for the third time today and everyone folded. My reward is a 34,681 chip pot.

2:50pm – There is three minutes to break and I can’t wait!

2:52pm – I got pocket kings in the small blind in the last hand before the break. I re-raised someone and took it down. I have 37,981 at the break and feel magnificent. The chip leader amarillion has 162,871. I am in 318th out of 1389 remaining. The average is 28,070. The first hour chip leader is now in 123rd place.

3:00pm – Blinds are 500/1K with a 75 chip ante. I get AKo on the button the first hand back from break. There are three limpers and I make a big raise. The short stack in the small blind comes over the top. I call and she has AQo. A queen hit the flop and I am down to 21,808 and fuming!3:03pm – My first pocket jacks net me the blinds, which means a 3,175 pot at this level.

3:15pm – The blinds are now 600/1200 with a 100 chip ante. I have 18,123. It’s almost time for me to move chips.

3:24pm – I haven’t played a hand in the last 14.

3:25pm – I just got AJs and got to play a hand after 15 folds. I get back up to 17,883.

3:30pm – The blinds are 750/1500 with a 150 chip ante. I have the ability to go around the table five times without playing at this level. It’s all-in or fold for me now.

3:31pm – I go all-in with AKo thinking it might be my last hand. The other guy has the same hand and we split the pot. [sigh.]

3:36pm – The blinds just passed and I have 14,083. There are 855 remaining and I am in 788th place.

3:41pm – I am about to hit the blinds again. I feel like I’m on my death march, but I’ve been here before. I just need a double up. It doesn’t help that 11th place in the entire tourney is one seat to my right. Actually, it probably does help, as it is keeping me tame.

3:43pm – I just got QQ in the small blind. Sweetness! I ran into AJo and got 29,116.
3:45pm – The blinds are up to 1K/2K with a 200 chip ante. There is now 4,800 in pot to start.

3:56pm – [Another questionable move by me.] I just had 77 in the big blinds. There was a raise of 4,000 by under the gun plus one. I called, checked, and folded when I didn’t hit a set.

4:00pm – Break time again. I have 15,416 and am 633rd of 656 remaining. The chip leader jumps13 has 358,976. The average stack is 59,435. The first hour chip leader is in 31st and the second hour chip leader is in 23rd.

4:07pm – Back from break and the blinds are 1250/2500 with a 250 chip ante. I have about 2.5 trips around the table remaining. The first hand back I go all-in with A7o and now have 21,166.

4:08pm – SWEET! I just got JJ and went all-in. I was called by AQs and my jacks held up! I might make the $$$!!!!!

4:13pm – I have 42,682 after the blinds passed. We are some 40 people from the money!

4:19pm – 384th of 609 remaining and I am pumped!

4:21pm – I have 37,082 left after the blinds and am in 418th place of 600 remaining. 15 people from the money!

4:22pm – The blinds moved to 1.5K/3K with a 300 chip ante.

4:30pm – In the money!

4:31pm – I have 27,832 after the blinds pass and I am way short.

4:32pm – I go all-in with A5s and double a short with A9o.

4:35pm – It’s over. I went all-in with 66 and was called by the big blind table chip leader with A5o. An ace fell on turn and I went out in 508th winning $389.90 for my efforts.