I'm no longer Fifty!

Bit of a heart breaker tonight. Was playing pretty well for the most part. One hand put me back down amongst the bottom three with 6 left. But, I still had around 1600 in chips vs. the low stack of around 700. Dealt an AK suited (hearts)...raised double the blind...got one caller (the big stack of 5600)...two hearts on the flop...he raised me all in...i called and didn't see another heart or AK. He won with a pair of Jacks. That was a tough call on the bubble. But, I did have two over cards and a flush draw...approximately 15 outs! So, it was probably the right call technically, but when you're on the bubble its still a tough one. Don't feel too bad about it.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 27
Record: 18-9
Current Money: $47.78

I'MMMMMM FIFTY!!!!

Yes, the immortal words of Sally O'Mally rang in my head at the end of my game tonight as I climbed back over the $50 mark. Playing like a robot is working. Going to go with it until things start to crumble!

Here's Sally if you have no idea who I'm talking about...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiehDcVZ-vA

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 26
Record: 18-8
Current Money: $51.28

I am a Robot

That was my strategy going into my 2nd game today. Play like a robot. No risky plays. No calling in the small blind with 8-2 just because I'm half committed. No falling in love with hands. And it worked! It was pretty dry for a long time, though, while my alter ego robot personality waited, but it was worth it.

Inching back to $50.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 25
Record: 17-8
Current Money: $49.50

I Blew Up.

Oh man. I was CRUISING in a game this morning. Well ahead of everyone. 7 players left. Made a good size raise and got called. Flop revealed nothing of significance for a raise that high, so I put the other guy all in (about 1/3 of my chips). He called and had pocket aces. Still have a good number of chips left (2200). Two hands later, same deal...I have KQ, make significant raise, flop reveals nothing significant, so I go all in and get called by an AK that holds up. Lame. Dumb play. Interesting call by the other guy, though. I guess seeing how I had just put the other guy all in previously with nothing really maybe gave him a clue. Still pretty risky though.

You live and learn. Hopefully.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 24
Record: 16-8
Current Money: $46.80

Breaking 50! ...barely

After a horrendous night of real poker, I almost had a horrendous online poker game. Was cruising with 6 people left, but the lower stacks just kept hanging around and exchanging double ups until I was left as a low stack of $173 after my AQ lost to a 63 off suit. Lucky to get a triple up a few hands later, then another double up before someone else bowed out and ended the game. Squeaked by the $50 mark in the process.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 23
Record: 16-7
Current Money: $50.40

Moving on Up!

I had planned my next post to be all about how its now much harder to move up 'money-wise' on pokerstars if you are just playing the Fifty/50 games then it used to be. Then I won $9+ in a game tonight bringing me agonizingly close to the $50 overall mark! Post topic no longer as relevant. FYI: You know what can help you win a lot of money at poker? Being dealt QQ, KK, AA, and AK. It also helps that 3 out of those 4 times people either go all in or call your own all in!

Its still true, though. The entry fee is always $3.50, but your winnings vary from $0 (yes, that actually happened one game when I was put out at the same time as another guy who had less chips then me...so, technically I lost money since pokerstars takes a quarter as part of the entry fee---i got $3.25 back for that game. On another note this is the longest explanation in parentheses ever!) all the way to the $9+ range. But, usually I find I'm getting my $3.50 back + around $2 on average. You really do need to win twice as many games as you lose to move up with any kind of momentum.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 22
Record: 15-7
Current Money: $49.32

Look Ma! I'm a human yo-yo!

That's how it feels sometimes. Finished in the money in the only game I played tonight. Nothing too dramatic.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 21
Record: 14-7
Current Money: $43.26

0-2 Today. Ugly.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 20
Record: 13-7
Current Money: $41.25

What can you do?

First hand of a $3.50 Fifty/50. Starting with $1500 in chips. I'm dealt AcAh. Folded to me. I just call ($30). Folded to big blind who raises double the big blind ($60). I raise to $290. He calls. Flop is 4, 6, K...all clubs. Not too bad. I've got the nut flush draw even if this guy has two clubs already or 3 of a kind. He bets, I raise, he re-raises, I go all in , he calls. He has 3 kings. No clubs come on the turn or river and in one hand I am out of the tournament.

What can you do?

Played a 2nd game and struggled to the money, but feel good about sticking it out, when it would have been easy to throw in the towel on a few occasions.

Dominated the 3rd game winning my biggest payday at this level yet ($9.56).

And struggled to the money again in the 4th game of the day! Its amazing how you can go from unlucky to struggling to dominant to struggling! What the hell??? But, after all is said and done it was a 3-1 day, so I can't complain too much. Close to breaking $50!

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 18
Record: 13-5
Current Money: $48.25

Breaking 40

2-1 today. Ugh. That loss today was some painfully bad poker on my part.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 14
Record: 10-4
Current Money: $43.78

So close...

...to the $40 mark! Exciting! ;-) 2-0 in the $3.50 games today. I've decided I'd like to get to at least 20-10 in that category, see where I'm at money wise, and go from there. Maybe move up to $7 games. We'll see. Might want the bank to hit $100 (if possible) before I do that.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 12
Record: 8-4
Current Money: $39.76

When playing poker...

...don't play wii at the same time. 1-1 today.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 10
Record: 6-4
Current Money: $35.85

One more game.

Uneventful game of $3.50 50/Fifty tonight. Finished 4th.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 8
Record: 5-3
Current Money: $39.59

WiNnInG!

How much of these poker games on the internet come down to luck? Its definitely a part of the game. Not only getting the right cards to play, but also having an opponent who is willing to play with you when you know you've got him beat. Patience is definitely a factor, but with escalating blinds and games finished within an hour on pokerstars, if you haven't built a decent stack or just had a run of bad luck early on, then by the near-end of the game you could be really screwed no matter how smart you played.

I was reminded of that tonight when playing a game of $3.50 Fifty/50. Won a decent pot early on, then hung around as 4 of the 10 players went away. With 6 players left (on the bubble!) play tightened up quite a bit and I was close to the bottom if not at the bottom for the most part. But a couple of wins gave me breathing room and the ability to force the action. That's always nice. But, what goes up must come down and I finally did what I am loathe to do...small blind vs me (big blind)...small blind puts me all in and I have AJ suited...reluctantly make the call vs. 99. End up hitting an ace and the rest is history. I came in 1st in the tournament. Mostly because of that double up and the power it game me the rest of the way (raising, etc). However, I could have just as easily been out during that all-in. 50/50. Unless you are desperate, is there ever a good reason to make a call when you figure you are at best 50/50 to win the pot (and stay alive!)? Should I have made that call? AJ isn't super strong by any means. The other person could have easily had AK, AQ, AA, KK, QQ, JJ, which all dominate me. Or they could have a pair (like they did) and at best I am 50/50. What are the chances its a pure bluff? Probably low since we're all on the bubble and one big mistake can take any one of us to the bottom. So, why did I do it? Mostly because I never thought that deeply about it before I made the call! :-) But, partly because the small blind had pulled this all-in move on me a few times before this and you can't just let them get away with that all night...especially when you have a decent hand. Or can you?

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 7
Record: 4-3
Current Money: $37.91

Loss-Quick Update

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 6
Record: 3-3
Current Money: $32.22

Back to the 6 man Tables!

Well I put a big chunk on the line tonight...$1.50 in a 6 man game. Managed to win it after some ups and downs. Was down 6500-1500 when heads up play began, so I have to be pretty happy with that. A win is a win no matter what the stakes!

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 5
Record: 3-2
Current Money: $35.72

2 more games

Nothing exciting. Won one and lost one at the $3.50 50/Fifty.

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 5
Record: 3-2
Current Money: $32.18

I'm Back???

For some reason, I am starting to get the itch to play more poker again. Both live and online. I don't know why. Perhaps it is a desperate need for money? Ha! Well sure, but that's not really all there is. I think it is more just wanting to get better at it. I've been playing poker for 4 years now and though I think I have improved from those early days, I'd have to say that things have kind of stagnated for me lately. Which can be kind of boring. And I like poker, so I don't want it to be boring. Time to change things up and actually put an effort in to get better instead of thinking it will happen naturally. That means playing more poker and actually thinking about the game instead of just putting it in cruise control and betting pairs, suited connectors, and A-picture card while watching Pawn Stars! Will I actually do it? Probably not, but at least I know that's the direction I should be headed in.

Having said all that, I dipped back into Pokerstars today for a $3.50 50/50 game and came in 2nd for a $6.70 share of the prize money. What will happen next?

Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 3
Record: 2-1
Current Money: $33.76