I won my first hand in Badugi!!!
Full Tilt Poker $0.05/$0.10 Limit Badugi - 7 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1045973
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Pre Draw: (1.4 SB) Hero is SB with 9s 8h 7c 6d
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, MP folds, CO folds, BTN calls, Hero raises, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, BTN calls
First Draw: (8 SB) (4 players)
Hero stands pat, BB draws 2, UTG+1 draws 2, BTN draws 2
Hand: 9s 8h 7c 6d
Hero bets, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, BTN calls
Second Draw: (5 BB) (2 players)
Hero stands pat, BTN draws 2
Hand: 9s 8h 7c 6d
Hero bets, BTN calls all in
Third Draw: (5.4 BB) (2 players - 1 is all in)
Hero stands pat, BTN draws 1
Hand: 9s 8h 7c 6d
Final Pot: 5.4 BB
BTN mucks As 3h 3s 2d
Hero shows 9s 8h 7c 6d (a Badugi: 9, 8, 7, 6)
Hero wins 5.2 BB
(Rake: $0.02)
Ok, for those of you who don't know obscure draw poker games...
Badugi is kind of like razz, but suitedness counts. You're looking for the lowest 4 card hand. Any pairs or matching suits don't count. If you have matching cards, they don't play and you only play your best non-matching cards. For a better description of Badugi, click here.
I've been toying around with Badugi in play money every since Full Tilt began running the games. It's really fun! I find the more things I have to think about, the more fun I have. I decided to take a small shot at playing Limit Badugi for real money to see if the games are playable (or if the softness I see is limited to the play money games only).
NOTE: First session - after 30 min., up 26c (2.5 BB). Not too shabby for a first try!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Michigan Does It Right
I just got back from a family trip and something occurred to me:
Michigan would be a nice place to live.
Reasoning: I've been trying for a while now to find a place to play some live poker, to get some experience under my belt just in case I should find myself in Vegas playing in some sort of WSOP tournament or something. So far, the only place I can find to play in the Albany area has been raided twice in the last year and robbed once.
I think I'll pass on that one.
In Michigan, however, it's a different story. See, they have legalized gambling there. Everyone was jumping the border to Canada to play, so they decided to keep the business for themselves. There are casinos in downtown Detroit, but here is the best part - just about every bowling alley has a poker room in it! I don't know what limits they feature (I didn't have the extra time nor cash to play with), but it is still very interesting. I may have to work that into my schedule/budget the next time we take a trip there.
Michigan would be a nice place to live.
Reasoning: I've been trying for a while now to find a place to play some live poker, to get some experience under my belt just in case I should find myself in Vegas playing in some sort of WSOP tournament or something. So far, the only place I can find to play in the Albany area has been raided twice in the last year and robbed once.
I think I'll pass on that one.
In Michigan, however, it's a different story. See, they have legalized gambling there. Everyone was jumping the border to Canada to play, so they decided to keep the business for themselves. There are casinos in downtown Detroit, but here is the best part - just about every bowling alley has a poker room in it! I don't know what limits they feature (I didn't have the extra time nor cash to play with), but it is still very interesting. I may have to work that into my schedule/budget the next time we take a trip there.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Mini-Vaca
I'm heading on a road trip with the family for the rest of the week, so I'll be pretty much out of commission poker-wise until next week. The good news is that I'm heading back home before the wife & kids (don't ask), so I should have the house to myself for a few days. I should be able to get some nice gaming in during that time.
What I'm really excited about doing is "expanding my game." My 48-inch HDTV also can function as a computer monitor. I plan on lugging my tower out to the living room and playing some poker on the big screen. I wonder how many tables I can fit on there!
What I'm really excited about doing is "expanding my game." My 48-inch HDTV also can function as a computer monitor. I plan on lugging my tower out to the living room and playing some poker on the big screen. I wonder how many tables I can fit on there!
Friday, November 5, 2010
How Much Is My Confidence Worth?
I haven't been playing too much lately - I've had some stuff to do, plus I've been spending some time with my family (sheesh! Who do they think they are!). My mind has a tendency to wander at times like these, and it is doing so now.
I'm contemplating breaking a rule.
My BR rules (explained above) keep me limited to tournaments with $2 buyins or less. For SNGs this is not a issum - there is a $2 level perfect for me. However, MTTs present a problem - the buyins for the 90 man double-stacks tournaments (my comfort zone) jump from $1 to $3. My options are to find tournaments in the $2 zone, or take a shot at the $3 90 mans.
I've played a few $3 90 mans in the past without cashing, mainly due to bad luck/bad beats. The $1 90 mans (same doublestack format, except the $3's are turbo KO's) I did well in, cashing frequently and even getting 2nd in one - if not for a bad beat heads up, I might have taken 1st.
I think my game is good enough to succeed in the $3's. However, I'm really in no rush; it won't hurt me to play the $1's for a bit until my BR is big enough to move up. But will I be wasting my time by cashing in the $1's when I can be netting prizes three times as big? What if I end up winning a $1? Will I be happy for the twenty-something dollar payday, or will I be wondering if it could have been a ~$70 score instead?
Perhaps this is how poker players go broke - overestimating their skill due to overconfidence.
I guess I'll stay put for now. If I'm as good as I think I am, it shouldn't be too long until I get my BR high enough to be where I want to be.
I'm contemplating breaking a rule.
My BR rules (explained above) keep me limited to tournaments with $2 buyins or less. For SNGs this is not a issum - there is a $2 level perfect for me. However, MTTs present a problem - the buyins for the 90 man double-stacks tournaments (my comfort zone) jump from $1 to $3. My options are to find tournaments in the $2 zone, or take a shot at the $3 90 mans.
I've played a few $3 90 mans in the past without cashing, mainly due to bad luck/bad beats. The $1 90 mans (same doublestack format, except the $3's are turbo KO's) I did well in, cashing frequently and even getting 2nd in one - if not for a bad beat heads up, I might have taken 1st.
I think my game is good enough to succeed in the $3's. However, I'm really in no rush; it won't hurt me to play the $1's for a bit until my BR is big enough to move up. But will I be wasting my time by cashing in the $1's when I can be netting prizes three times as big? What if I end up winning a $1? Will I be happy for the twenty-something dollar payday, or will I be wondering if it could have been a ~$70 score instead?
Perhaps this is how poker players go broke - overestimating their skill due to overconfidence.
I guess I'll stay put for now. If I'm as good as I think I am, it shouldn't be too long until I get my BR high enough to be where I want to be.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Luckbox
(Note: I have not had a chance to watch the last episodes of ESPN's World Series of Poker Main Event, so don't spoil it for me in the e-mail)
I know the game of poker involves luck, but sometimes I just get annoyed at how lucky some people are in poker. I wonder if I were as lucky as them, how good could I be?
Specifically... I hate Fillipo Candio.
I've watched most of the WSOP ME - the episodes that didn't get cut off by my DVR. Most of what I've seen from Candio's play is him making terribly bad calls, overaggressive raises, and pulling some lucky bad beat out of his ass to stay in the tournament.
The hand that pisses me off the most was from one of the more recent episodes, deep in the WSOP ME. Candio raises from early position with 7s5s... not bad if he's looking for a blind steal. He gets re-raised big by the chip leader Joseph Cheong, and he calls with his baby suited connectors.
Let's stop here. A call? Really? I'd be happier with a shove here. But calling is just disgusting. He needs a specific flop to be happy, and his fold equity is not very good up against the tournamnet chip leader.
Moving on... the flop is 6-6-5. Candio bets out and the Cheong raises enough to put Candio all-in. Candio thinks... and calls off all of his chips.
Stop again. WTF??? How does he think he's good here? Maybe Cheong is making a move with AK here, but doubtful. He doesn't really need to. Best case scenario, Candio is about a 70/30 to win, but still needs to dodge cards and if Cheong hits an A or K Candio is gone. Worst case scenario, Candio is pretty much already gone. I can understand shoving this flop to use whatever fold equity you have, but calling off all your chips here is downright nuts.
Cheong has AA, and Candio is less that 15% to win the hand. Now here's the part that pissed me off the most:
Candio hits runner runner for a stratight.
So, because he played the hand so badly and made the worst mosves possible, he is rewarded with the chip lead.
This is what makes poker so maddening, but it also makes poker great. If the best players always won, there would be no hope for the lesser skilled players. Everyone always has a shot to win, even the people - like Candio - who play terribly.
I know the game of poker involves luck, but sometimes I just get annoyed at how lucky some people are in poker. I wonder if I were as lucky as them, how good could I be?
Specifically... I hate Fillipo Candio.
I've watched most of the WSOP ME - the episodes that didn't get cut off by my DVR. Most of what I've seen from Candio's play is him making terribly bad calls, overaggressive raises, and pulling some lucky bad beat out of his ass to stay in the tournament.
The hand that pisses me off the most was from one of the more recent episodes, deep in the WSOP ME. Candio raises from early position with 7s5s... not bad if he's looking for a blind steal. He gets re-raised big by the chip leader Joseph Cheong, and he calls with his baby suited connectors.
Let's stop here. A call? Really? I'd be happier with a shove here. But calling is just disgusting. He needs a specific flop to be happy, and his fold equity is not very good up against the tournamnet chip leader.
Moving on... the flop is 6-6-5. Candio bets out and the Cheong raises enough to put Candio all-in. Candio thinks... and calls off all of his chips.
Stop again. WTF??? How does he think he's good here? Maybe Cheong is making a move with AK here, but doubtful. He doesn't really need to. Best case scenario, Candio is about a 70/30 to win, but still needs to dodge cards and if Cheong hits an A or K Candio is gone. Worst case scenario, Candio is pretty much already gone. I can understand shoving this flop to use whatever fold equity you have, but calling off all your chips here is downright nuts.
Cheong has AA, and Candio is less that 15% to win the hand. Now here's the part that pissed me off the most:
Candio hits runner runner for a stratight.
So, because he played the hand so badly and made the worst mosves possible, he is rewarded with the chip lead.
This is what makes poker so maddening, but it also makes poker great. If the best players always won, there would be no hope for the lesser skilled players. Everyone always has a shot to win, even the people - like Candio - who play terribly.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Plan
I had a chance to try out some "large field" MTTs last night - The Ferguson (a $1 tourney that pays good guaranteed money), and a $2.20 scheduled tourney that just happened to be starting around the same time. I played well in both, but got bounced by a couple of bad luck hits. Each tourney I went deep, but got knocked out ~100th place without cashing.
I'm frustrated.
I spent about 2 hours playing them, only to be kicked out on bad luck and not cash or even hit double digits?
From now on, I'm going to stick to the "small field" tourneys for my MTT games - 90 mans, and the like. Less prize money, but easier to final table and easier on my ego.
I'm frustrated.
I spent about 2 hours playing them, only to be kicked out on bad luck and not cash or even hit double digits?
From now on, I'm going to stick to the "small field" tourneys for my MTT games - 90 mans, and the like. Less prize money, but easier to final table and easier on my ego.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
It Can Be Brutal
I tell ya, sometimes this game can drive you crazy. You can play your best game, make all the right plays, and still lose:
Full Tilt Poker $2 + $0.25 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t100/t200 Blinds - 5 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000558
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: t2785 13.93 BBs
SB: t2450 12.25 BBs
Hero (BB): t2245 11.22 BBs
UTG: t4690 23.45 BBs
CO: t1330 6.65 BBs
Pre Flop: (t300) Hero is BB with Th Ts
1 fold, CO raises to t1330 all in, 2 folds, Hero calls t1130
Flop: (t2760) 2s 8c Js (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t2760) 9d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t2760) Ad (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t2760
Hero shows Th Ts (a pair of Tens)
CO shows As Qh (a pair of Aces)
CO wins t2760
------------------------------------
Full Tilt Poker $2 + $0.25 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t120/t240 Blinds - 5 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000559
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: t1830 7.62 BBs
BB: t2110 8.79 BBs
Hero (UTG): t2230 9.29 BBs
CO: t3110 12.96 BBs
BTN: t4220 17.58 BBs
Pre Flop: (t360) Hero is UTG with Qc Kd
Hero raises to t2230 all in, 2 folds, SB calls t1710 all in, 1 fold
Flop: (t3900) Kc Qd Js (2 players - 2 are all in)
Turn: (t3900) 6h (2 players - 2 are all in)
River: (t3900) 5s (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: t3900
SB shows Jc Jh (three of a kind, Jacks)
Hero shows Qc Kd (two pair, Kings and Queens)
SB wins t3900
_________________________________________
Luckily, I ended up with a freebie last night. Ended up cashing in the BLT satty, which paid for my SNG (after the fact, of course). I was down to about 4BB at one point, but I worked hard, pushed at the right times, and caught some good cards. Big thanks to this guy, who called my all-in with rockets:
Full Tilt Poker Satellite to The BLT No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t250/t500 Blinds + t50 - 8 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000560
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP2: t2275 M = 1.98
CO: t11015 M = 9.58
BTN: t4725 M = 4.11
SB: t4185 M = 3.64
BB: t2200 M = 1.91
UTG: t6945 M = 6.04
UTG+1: t6600 M = 5.74
Hero (MP1): t4760 M = 4.14
Pre Flop: (t1150) Hero is MP1 with As Ah
2 folds, Hero raises to t4710 all in, 1 fold, CO calls t4710, 3 folds
Flop: (t10570) 6h 5c Qs (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t10570) 9d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t10570) 8s (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t10570
CO shows Ad 6d (a pair of Sixes)
Hero shows As Ah (a pair of Aces)
Hero wins t10570
__________________________________________
Sat out the rest after that one... even folded KK at one point. It feels so dirty, but once I have that big of a stack, winning one of the sattelite seats is pretty much guaranteed.
Full Tilt Poker $2 + $0.25 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t100/t200 Blinds - 5 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000558
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
BTN: t2785 13.93 BBs
SB: t2450 12.25 BBs
Hero (BB): t2245 11.22 BBs
UTG: t4690 23.45 BBs
CO: t1330 6.65 BBs
Pre Flop: (t300) Hero is BB with Th Ts
1 fold, CO raises to t1330 all in, 2 folds, Hero calls t1130
Flop: (t2760) 2s 8c Js (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t2760) 9d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t2760) Ad (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t2760
Hero shows Th Ts (a pair of Tens)
CO shows As Qh (a pair of Aces)
CO wins t2760
------------------------------------
Full Tilt Poker $2 + $0.25 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t120/t240 Blinds - 5 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000559
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
SB: t1830 7.62 BBs
BB: t2110 8.79 BBs
Hero (UTG): t2230 9.29 BBs
CO: t3110 12.96 BBs
BTN: t4220 17.58 BBs
Pre Flop: (t360) Hero is UTG with Qc Kd
Hero raises to t2230 all in, 2 folds, SB calls t1710 all in, 1 fold
Flop: (t3900) Kc Qd Js (2 players - 2 are all in)
Turn: (t3900) 6h (2 players - 2 are all in)
River: (t3900) 5s (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: t3900
SB shows Jc Jh (three of a kind, Jacks)
Hero shows Qc Kd (two pair, Kings and Queens)
SB wins t3900
_________________________________________
Luckily, I ended up with a freebie last night. Ended up cashing in the BLT satty, which paid for my SNG (after the fact, of course). I was down to about 4BB at one point, but I worked hard, pushed at the right times, and caught some good cards. Big thanks to this guy, who called my all-in with rockets:
Full Tilt Poker Satellite to The BLT No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t250/t500 Blinds + t50 - 8 players - http://www.handconverter.com/hands/1000560
The DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
MP2: t2275 M = 1.98
CO: t11015 M = 9.58
BTN: t4725 M = 4.11
SB: t4185 M = 3.64
BB: t2200 M = 1.91
UTG: t6945 M = 6.04
UTG+1: t6600 M = 5.74
Hero (MP1): t4760 M = 4.14
Pre Flop: (t1150) Hero is MP1 with As Ah
2 folds, Hero raises to t4710 all in, 1 fold, CO calls t4710, 3 folds
Flop: (t10570) 6h 5c Qs (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t10570) 9d (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t10570) 8s (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t10570
CO shows Ad 6d (a pair of Sixes)
Hero shows As Ah (a pair of Aces)
Hero wins t10570
__________________________________________
Sat out the rest after that one... even folded KK at one point. It feels so dirty, but once I have that big of a stack, winning one of the sattelite seats is pretty much guaranteed.
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