Bah!

So I was able to play the CFL tourney, but really it didn't matter if I did. Everyone was gone by 3pm and, yes, it was voluntarily. So I put Alex down for a nap and turned on the laptop. I was a couple minutes late and only played three hands at my first table and then I was moved.

At the new table I was getting kick-ass hands. First hand 77, I raise everyone folds. Next hand, AA, I raise, callers, bet the flop, everyone folds. Next AJo, I call a 4xBB raise, but fold when someone goes allin on the flop and I didn't hit. I fold the next two hands preflop, then I get AKo and I raise and get one caller. The flop is a K and two suited cards. I bet, he raises, I push. He flips AKo, the A is a heart, the two suited cards are hearts, so, the turn comes a heart and the river comes a heart. Yay! No choppie choppie, my opponent scoops the pot. I'm still in, but crippled. Next hand, I have A5o, I go all in, I barely have 100 chips and it's still the 10/20 level, but the guy who calls me has AA, and I'm done. That really sucked.

Brag and Beat

Last night I played in the CFL $1M Round 1 Satillite.

Brag: I finished 161/7500, so I made it to Round 2.
Beat: Round 2 is on Sept. 2nd @3 PM, my son's birthday and smack dab in the middle of his birthday party.

So, I probably can't play Round 2. I hadn't realized this until I was in the money otherwise I probably wouldn't have joined as it was over 2 hours of play and top prize other than the satellite was only $25. I'm considering asking someone to play for me and work out some sort of deal if they make any money for me, but the person I trust most is Rob and well, he's my husband and Alex's dad.

Maybe we can just kick out all our guests at 3? Or I can just play while everyone celebrates? Grrr...

I fold alot

League time again last night. Great turnout; a total of 17 people. Four who traveled long distance. Jen and Mike who just recently moved to Waterloo and Rob and Julie, Invigilator and Oceanwaves, from the TalkingPoker forum and just outside of Windsor.

As you can tell from the title, I basically folded all night. I just wasn't getting any cards. I'm actually quite jealous of Robbie Robb, he said he was dealt AA twice, KK once and other nice premium hands. I didn't see a single pocket pair.

I did make it to the final table, though. First hand there, I completed in the small blind with 2h5h. It was actually a family pot, hence the reason I called. The flop came all hearts! Since it was a weak flush, I pushed. I was starting to get short anyway since blinds kept increase and I wasn't playing. I don't know if it was a good or bad thing, but everyone folded. Although, Mike C stated if any of his cards were a heart he would have called.

A couple hands later I finally get another good hand, AKo. There's a min raise UTG and two callers. I push hoping to take the dead money. Every folds around to Tony, who called the first raise. He goes into the tank and says as he calls, "This is probably a mistake," and flips Ad5d. And no one else stays in the pot. It's me and Tony. The flop comes two diamonds--of course. And the turn is the dreaded third diamond, I'm now drawing dead on the river and Tony takes me out.

I decided to deal for the tournament a while since the cash game was pretty full. There were already at least nine people sitting at the table. The tourney was down to final three before two people lost all their money at the ring game, so I hand the deck to Jason, one of the bustees to let him deal and I join the other table.

I think I only played for an orbit before the table broke up for the night, but it was enough. In middle position I limp with JTs. The flop came T9x, it checks around to me and I bet around 3/4 pot. I get one caller and Mike H min raises me. It folds back to me, so I push. The caller folds and Mike shrugs and calls. He flips his cards saying he's chasing a gutshot. I cross my fingers as the turn and river are shown. My luck holds and Mike doesn't catch his 4 outs. Nice big pot for me.

So at the end of the night, Robbie Robb finished third in the tournament and I finished up $3 in the cash game.

New Links

I've added a couple of new links to my blog. First The HedgeHog, it from Studiopet. Ando05 started a trend at the forum and there are several people trying a bankroll building sit and go experiment. Check out the details here.

The next is Vegas Trip Report. This one is 2Tone's. He's lucky enough to be able to hit the strip quite a bit and he always makes a report at his blog.

Enjoy!

Another Final Table

I really wish I had more time to play tournaments. I'm sure I win more money from them in the long run than I do ring games. After Alex went to bed, I joined a $7.70 PL Hold'em tournment. I did well throughout the entire game and was able to reach the final table. I was THE short stack though, so I had to work hard to keep in the game. I was finally eliminated in 7th (out of 191) when my TT ran into KTo, the King spiked on the river and I received a pay day of $46. Oh well, since it was a PL tourney, even at final table, it was only 3 hours into the tournament.

Windsor Trip

Rob and I went to Windsor on Saturday to meet up with a few people from the Talking Poker forum and to play a little poker. Invigilator's post here pretty much says it all. But there are a few posts after that add some opinions, so if you want to read the whole thread click here.

I had a great time, it's always great to meet new people and I hope we are able to meet up again sometime.

TP Open

Ok, so the TP open was played on Wed night. Just a $5 private tourney on Stars set up by TP himself. But he had a few bounties for the tournament. First out, got their buy-in back. Going out with AA got you cash; winning at showdown with the hammer, busting TP and top 3 finishers also won extra money.

There were 35 people total and I was running great. I usually do well in these anyway, but it's nice to sit top 5 for most of the game. I was able to win the 72o bounty, I played it nice and passively, had to make sure it went to showdown.


PokerStars Tournament game, buy-in $5.00+0.50, Level I $10/$20 No Limit, 8 players
Hand History Converted at http://www.talkingpoker.com/hh

SB: T$1440
BB: T$1440
UTG: T$1910
UTG+1: T$1500
MP1: T$1350
MP2: T$1470
CO: T$1670
HERO (Button): T$2720

SB posts Small Blind T$10
BB posts Big Blind T$20

Pre-flop: 2c 7s (T$30)
UTG calls T$20
UTG+1 folds
MP1 folds
MP2 folds
CO folds
HERO calls T$20
SB folds
BB checks

Flop: 3c 8c 7d ($70)
BB checks
UTG bets T$60
HERO calls T$60
BB calls T$60

Turn: 3c 8c 7d 2h (T$250)
BB checks
UTG bets T$140
HERO calls T$140
BB folds

River: 3c 8c 7d 2h Qs (T$530)
UTG bets T$220
HERO calls T$220

UTG shows 9c 5c
HERO wins T$970 with two pair Sevens and Deuces

It was $20 for that bounty, and I also got a $10 bounty for placing 2nd, then the 2nd place pay out of $42 was quite nice as well. So for a fun game with a few friends from the forum turned out to be quite profitable. I always like that.

I Need to Make a Post

There was a TalkingPoker open on Wednesday that I played in and I need to post the details of how I did, but I'm just not finding the time. July is actually a busy month. I figured I would make this post to remind me to make a real post when I have time.

Finally Some Points

It was poker night again at our place last night. It was a very small turnout, only 9 played. It turned out that most of our regulars had other plans that day, a trip to Jamaica, a Stag and Doe and a White Stripes concert were the main culprits.

As you can tell from the title, I finally made some more league points. I earned a kill for taking out Mike C and was able to finish in 2nd. I'm still only 5th overall in the league though.

The first 3 people out were done before the first orbit was done, none of them even got a ch out.ance to deal. The fourth was shortly after that. Then it was five, for a loooooong time. It wasn't until about the 200/400 blind level or maybe the 150/300 level before anyone else went

I was short most of the game, early on I called Mike down with middle pair, knowing he was capable of betting a weaker hand, turned out he had top pair. I didn't hit too many hands for a while after that. I lost a lot more chips to Tim when I had trips on the turn and a boat on the river, unfortunately I had the J in my hand and he had the Q and the board was QJxJQ. I knew he had probably had the Q, but I couldn't fold my boat.

I was then into push or fold mode. I pushed first with K7o and it was folded to me, next hand, UTG I have KT both of clubs and I push again. Scott looks at me funny and calls. Tim thinks about it but folds and so does the rest of the table. Scott flips his cards and has KK, oh-oh, now I know why the look. I don't remember the exact cards, but it's club, club, non-club, the turn is the another club and I crack the Kings. They are the Kiss of Death. Especially since after a bit more play, Scott is the next one to go out and he was one of the big stacks for most of the game.

Jen goes out on the money and point bubble and it's Mike C, Tim and myself. Mike had been a chip leader early, but had whittle most of his chips away by being in pretty much every pot. I bust him when he pushes on the Button. I'm in the BB with KTo and since Mike was playing every hand, he could have any two cards. When I call, he shows, 34s. When we saw the flop, it didn't look good, he hit both a straight and a flush draw, but it didn't get there. Next hand was Tim and I head's up. He had probably 90% of the chips and the blinds were 250/500. First hand I have A9s, Tim raises so I push as I need to double up to have any chance to win, he calls and shows AJo. Well, neither of us hit and Tim takes another tourney down.

There was a cash game again, but I quickly lost my five bucks with a bad call and went to bed afterwards as I have to work today. The night was fun as always and I'm looking forward to the next one.

50 FPPs

So, I decided to play in a 50FPP $1000 freeroll today. It was a limit hold'em tourney so I figured there would be a smaller field so bigger final table payout. Not that I'm the greatest at limit, but I can hold my own.

I was hitting the deck huge. If I was able to see a flop with pocket pairs, I would flop a set. There were only a couple times I didn't and it was usually when I had AA and QQ, so I didn't mind not getting the set with those hands. Also, as is typically with a lot of limit players, I was getting called down a lot with middle pair or worse.

So I grinded my way through the field, hovering around average stack until I made it to the money. Then I actually started picking up speed. My stack grew and grew and I stayed around top 10. As people were eliminated, final table looked easier and easier to get to. And I did. It's been a while for me to final table a tourney so it was a nice feeling. And people continued to be eliminated. It was finally head's up. But I had a third of his stack. I tried, but he was hitting the deck harder than me, so I finished second. I'm not complaining though, second paid $132.50. Not bad for 4 hours play and 50FPPs.

KQ is EVIL!

Another great home game last night. There were about 12 of us for the tournament. So smaller than usual but still a great turnout. I got lucky early against Mooney. I pushed with ATo on the flop with TP against him. I figured it was the only way to get him to fold the crap he usually has. When he called and flipped over his cards, he actually had me beat with two pair, A2! There was a 2 of course on the flop. Luckily by the river, a ten came. After that I basically spewed chips. I was able to make it to the final table, but I points bubbled. I really need to make some more points, I'm not in a spot to win any league money now.

I drank too much last night, so I don't really remember a lot of the details clearly, but again, the cash game was more prosperous than the tournament. I was hesitant to join the game as I had an early shift at work the next day and I kinda wanted to sleep. My gambling problem got the better of me though and I bought in for $5. I'm glad I did, I was able to walk away with $20 after everyone left for the night. I was getting card lucky though. But I'm not complaining, that doesn't happen enough for my liking anyway.

There were a couple of big hands that I remember clearly. First one, I was in the SB and I call dark. The whole table had limped in before me, so I had odds to call with pretty much any two cards. I was also playing a little loose and reckless since it was just a friendly home game. Then Mike in the big blind raises to $2. I'm like crap, now I have to look at my cards. Everyone folds and I look down and see JJ. Well, I had to push. I do and Mike calls and shows 22! Of course, he was pretty drunk too. My hand held to boost my stack a lot.

The other big hand was when I was UTG, I have AQo so I raise to 80cents. Two positions down, Brent raises all-in. Now one thing to note, is the whole table had decided this would be the last orbit for the night; we were actually on the second last hand to be played, so I figured Brent was just feeling ready to GAMBOOOL! And with the way the players play at our game, AQo was a strong hand. Anyway, I call and he flips KQo. I've got him dominated, so of course what come on the flop? A freaking Queen AND a King. Goddammit, I'm beginning to hate that hand, busting me last tournament and now this. Well, I pull the patented resuck and catch runner, runner Ten then Jack to have a straight and keep my money and take Brent's.

Next poker night is also our BBQ, so it should be a great event and hopefully it brings out more people.

Needed a Change

So, I've not been enjoying hold'em too much lately. So I decided to switch games for a bit. I tried Omaha for a bit and failed miserably, then I tried Razz. I'm not great at the game, but can easily break even. I think I might hang out at the low limit razz games for a while. It was quite fun. Especially when I won a hand with 9 high against a person who kept raising me every street and had a hand of JJxxx at showdown. Gotta love people who sit at a table and don't know the rules.

Silver Star

Woohoo! First time I've ever made it to Silver Star status on Pokerstars. I was just able to squeak in the the last few points at about 10 o'clock tonight. Not that I'm going to do anything extra with the new status, but it's cool to make it one level up either way.

Big Slick Suited

So another home game at Robbie Robb's and my place last night. Rob was worried we'd have a poor turnout, but we ended up have about the same as any other night.

My tournament didn't last long. During the 30/60 blind levels, Mike to my right raises all in for about 900 chips, I look down and see AcKc, so I re-raise all in for about 2500 total. Then Jason to my left starts to think. You can tell he really wants to call, but he's hesitant. Unfortunately, he makes the call and has me covered. We flip our cards, Mike has QJo (I forget which suits), and Jason had KdQd. I have them both dominated...so what comes on the flop? A Queen and a Jack! I catch a flush draw on the turn, but the river is a blank and I'm out.

The rest of the night, was filled with waiting, the cash game didn't get started until about only 2 or 3 people left in the tournament. Although, that ended up us having our first full table for the cash game, usually we play short-handed.

I started off well. First hand I'm dealt QQ, there's a limp, so I raise to 50 cents, a bunch of people fold, Mike raises it to $1, Mooney calls and I decide to push, both players are fairly loose and I figure I'm good here. Both call and we reveal. Mike has 88 and Mooney has JJ. No one improves with the board, so right away, I'm sitting with $15 in front of me. Live poker is so rigged!

FPP Satellites

So, I did use those FPPs I won to try and win entry to the Sunday million. I first tried the 1800 FPP 30 man turbo. Four places won entry. I ended up busting out 7th on that one. This was about a week ago so I don't remember how I busted, but I was getting short so I was in push or fold mode and my hand just didn't hold when I was called.

Today, I tried the 2700 FPP 20 man turbo. Again, four places paid entry. The deck was hitting me nicely throughout the tournament. Pocket queens a couple times, both times I was able to get all in and they held. Jacks held up when I called an all in. Pocket tens eliminated another opponent. Even AKs won a couple hands. I was chip leader for most of the tournament. It only took about 40 minutes to play. So quick is nice, especially when you never know when the little one is going to need your attention.

I think I like the second satellite better of the two (and not just because, I won). Sure, it costs more, but more places pay per entry. But since the two satellites combined work out to 4500 FPPs (fortunately, I had earned a few at the $50NL tables), it will be a while before I can play this one again.

I've already unregistered from the tourney. I really want to play, but I don't think it's a good idea. One, it's in the middle of the afternoon when I have to worry about getting supper ready for Alex and two, there's no guarantee I will make it to the money. I will probably sell the T$, but I might wait a bit. I told Rob if I could win two Satellites, I'd play the Sunday million with one and sell the T$ I get from the other.

Bored

I was bored tonight and didn't feel like playing serious poker, so I first decided to join a 400 FPP WSOP qualifer. That turned out ot be a crapshoot with people going all in with marginal hands. I raised with AQs and was raised all in. Since I know I was probably a favorite based on previous hands he shown down, I quickly called. I soon learned that A9o>AQs, he had flopped his nine and I caught nothing.

Still bored, I then joined a 40FPP rebuy WSOP qualifier. I think I had to rebuy something like 7 times. I was just not getting lucky tonight...maybe a carry over from yesterday? There were actually a couple people yelling at some of the players for going all in preflop. I guess they had never played rebuys before since that is the basic strategy for the game. After rebuys were over, I folded alot. I did try to suck out on someone when I called with A3 versus their 55, I was already in the BB and it was not much more for me to call.

My luck finally turned though. On the button, I have KQo and it's folded to me. I move all in which isn't even enough to cover the BB and pray (it was a turbo, blinds were hurting everyone at this point). The flop comes 4Q4 and I win a much needed pot. After that hand, although I wasn't getting too many hands preflop, if I did see the flop, I was hitting. I was able to coast my way through the rest of the tournament and was able to qualify.

I've actually unregistered from the other tournament. I'm working when it starts, but it was worth 4000FPPs. Not too bad, but I have no idea what I'm going to use them for. Nothing I'm too interested in in the store right now. Maybe I'll use them for Sunday Million qualifiers.

Major Downswing

I'm either getting hit hard by the variance stick or I just plain suck at poker. No matter what I did yesterday, I just could not win a hand. I was dealt KK several times and every time an A flopped and I was up against major aggression. I had AA not cracked by AJo, but a split pot when the board showed a seven high straight. I later caught a couple more straights and got my opponents all in, only to find they had the exact same hand so more spit pots. So I was either losing or splitting the pot, either way, because of rake, I was losing money. Grrr....It was a very frustrating day.

Extra Traffic

I've noticed some extra traffic to my site lately, which is really cool. Most are from google searches, but I'm sure they are searches intended to find my page. At least I like to think they are specifically to search for my page. But a search for "micro poker grinding blog" and "nikita poker" proves I'm not being too egotistical. I'm so glad you guys are searching for and finding me.

The funny thing is, the traffic has seemed to increase the most this month and I think the is the month I've posted the least. I've just haven't had much to say. I've been grinding the $25NL tables but not as much. I've played a few SNGs, but nothing substantial. I think I've maybe averaged an hour of poker a night.

I guess I will update my poker exploits a little for everyone. It's not that exciting though. My grinding is barely break even right now. I'm sure I've got a few leaks that are causing issues. I've posted a hand or two at TalkingPoker.com. I need to post more. I've been running decent at the SNGs. For the month of April, I have an ROI of 25% with a finish in the money of 43%. I doubt this is sustainable, but I'm willing to ride the rush.

If you have been searching for my site, feel free to comment. I'd like to know who you are. Any suggestions are welcome too.

WWdN Final Table!

Rob and I decided to play a tournament together tonight and since it was Tuesday, we joined the Wil Wheaton dot Net invitational. I've played a few of them, but have usually been quite unsuccessful at them. Although I did knock out Wil once.

Well, tonight was the night. I finally made it to the final table. Made it to the money! Woo hoo! Ended up 6/51 for a cool $33.15 payout. I would have done better but AK is no good against AJ.

Poker Graph

Here is a graph of my month of March. A little up and down, but overall up for the month. It's amusing to see the huge dips at the end of the month. I started out playing $10NL and then switched to $25NL. I'm fumbling around at the limit a bit, but I think I can beat it overall.