An Update

I didn't get to play on Thursday or Friday due to work, and Saturday I logged on to play a morning session before Cricket. Unfortunately the William Hill morning game selection is non existent and the 4 $50 NL tables were populated with short stacks, so I didn't bother playing.

I played a quick session on sunday and made decent profit.

Here were the stats:

Hands: 727
VPIP: 16.92%
PFR: 12.10%
Amount Won: $97.35
BB/100 Hands: 13.39

I also played for a short while last night. I didn't want to play that long as I was tired after spending most of the day getting drenched trying to watch Kent v Ireland at Cricket and playing in the nets at the ground during the breaks in play. In both the sunday session and monday's, I moved up to 5 tables playing at a time. It took me about 10 mins to get used to but after a while I found it fine, and if I can find 6 tables worth playing, I will do that in the future too. You can get so many hands in during a short space of time, which obviously is a big advantage if you are a winning player.

My stats for last night:

Hands: 522
VPIP: 17.62%
PFR: 12.64%
Amount Won: $110.43
BB/100 Hands: 21.16

In my opinion, I played my A game last night, I was really pleased with how I played. There were only one or two hands I thought I would have played differently with hindsight, but these were small pots against people who I didn't have PT numbers on yet. I also got stacked with aces when I was 90% odd when the money went in on the turn.

I am several sessions away from moving up to $100 NL using my very strict bankroll conditions. This should happen hopefully some time this week if I can get the hands in, if not early next week when my rakeback should push me over the barrier. I have been watching my brother a lot at $100 NL and he is absolutely killing the game, but plays in a bit of a different style to me and wins some huge pots with marginal starting hands. In my opinion there are more fish there than at $50NL as at $50 NL they want to see flops but not play as many big pots. At $100 NL they seem to want to play a big pot all the time with marginal hands. I am looking forward to it!

Here's some interesting hands from last night:

The first two illustrate the value of raising pre flop with premium hands and not limping in and then betting like crazy when you flop top pair/overpair. It just may be the case that a certain player in the blinds flops a monster on the cheap...

Game #1981291133: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/29 - 20:37:01 (UK)
Table "Katerina" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: hmrl ($40.45 in chips)
Seat 2: Mardell88 ($28.90 in chips)
Seat 3: J____S ($32.55 in chips)
Seat 4: fricken ($29 in chips)
Seat 5: Fruitypro ($58.95 in chips)
Seat 6: Loffman ($41.65 in chips)
Fruitypro: posts small blind $0.25
Loffman: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [7s Qs]
hmrl: calls $0.50
Mardell88: calls $0.50
J____S: folds
fricken: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: calls $0.25
Loffman: checks
----- FLOP ----- [Qh 7c 3c]
Fruitypro: bets $2.50
Loffman: folds
hmrl: folds
Mardell88: raises to $8.40
fricken: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $58.45 and is all-in
Mardell88: is all-in $20
Returned uncalled bets $30.05 to Fruitypro
----- TURN ----- [Qh 7c 3c][7h]
----- RIVER ----- [Qh 7c 3c 7h][4h]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [7s Qs] (A Full House, Sevens full of Queens)
Mardell88: shows [As Qd] (Two Pairs, Queens and Sevens, Ace high)
Fruitypro collects $56.35 from Main pot



Game #1981469173: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/29 - 20:47:33 (UK)
Table "Katerina" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: hmrl ($43.85 in chips)
Seat 3: J____S ($23.30 in chips)
Seat 4: fricken ($38.65 in chips)
Seat 5: Fruitypro ($86.85 in chips)
Seat 6: Loffman sits out
fricken: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [6c 6s]
hmrl: folds
BACH joins the table at seat #2
J____S: calls $0.50
fricken: folds
Fruitypro: checks
----- FLOP ----- [7s 3c 6h]
Fruitypro: bets $0.90
J____S: raises to $5
Fruitypro: raises to $86.35 and is all-in
J____S: is all-in $17.80
Returned uncalled bets $63.55 to Fruitypro
----- TURN ----- [7s 3c 6h][9d]
----- RIVER ----- [7s 3c 6h 9d][5d]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [6c 6s] (Three of a kind, Sixes, Nine high)
J____S: shows [Td Th] (A Pair of Tens, Nine high)
Fruitypro collects $44.55 from Main pot

With this hand, I put him on Kx after his actions on the turn. I was correct in that, and he got lucky on the river. If people want to get their money in drawing to 5 outs with one card to come, I am going to be a very rich man. Unfortunately you do get suck outs which happened here. His call on the turn with top pair 7 kicker is atrocious.

Game #1981712343: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/29 - 21:01:24 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Persiano ($44.55 in chips)
Seat 2: Wizzy_X ($45.40 in chips)
Seat 3: dwags222 ($123.92 in chips)
Seat 4: Pontan ($49.60 in chips)
Seat 5: Fruitypro ($49.25 in chips)
Seat 6: roadkill ($76.37 in chips)
roadkill: posts small blind $0.25
Persiano: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [As Ad]
Wizzy_X: folds
dwags222: calls $0.50
Pontan: calls $0.50
Wizzy_X leaves the table
Fruitypro: raises to $3.50
roadkill: folds
Persiano: folds
dwags222: folds
Pontan: calls $3
----- FLOP ----- [Ks 2d 6h]
Pontan: bets $4
Fruitypro: raises to $12
Pontan: calls $8
----- TURN ----- [Ks 2d 6h][3c]
Pontan: checks
Fruitypro: bets $33.75 and is all-in
Pontan: calls $33.75
----- RIVER ----- [Ks 2d 6h 3c][Kh]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [As Ad] (Two Pairs, Aces and Kings, Six high)
Pontan: shows [7d Kc] (Three of a kind, Kings, Seven high)
Pontan collects $96.75 from Main pot

Rollercoaster Day

After the success of this morning, I played a few other sessions today. I got absolutely shafted in the next one in the early afternoon. I was playing good poker but got some terrible beats, including where I called a guys bluff and he hit runner runner straight, his only outs apart from running 4's. I made it all back tonight and ended up making a small profit over the rest of the day to add onto the good session in the morning.

Stats for the day:

Hands: 2016
VPIP: 16.96%
PFR: 13.34%
Amount Won $142.24
BB/100 Hands: 7.06

Considering the hands I got sucked out on, I am pleased with how things went. I also lost KK v AA for slightly over half a buy in, all in pre flop again.

Here's the two worst offenders. I don't mind the one where I lost with AK as much because at least the guy was making a play on me. But how on god's green earth does the guy think his QT is good on the second one is beyond belief! Still, it's a long run game and these fish are what keeps us in profit. When you get a shocking beat, you have to think that and hope it keeps things in perspective.

Game #2481165914: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 15:36:20 (UK)
Table "Tombeau" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: smudgeliv ($32.54 in chips)
Seat 2: BYT2005 ($4.80 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($71.65 in chips)
Seat 4: Smarter ($43.70 in chips)
Seat 5: veyron ($27.91 in chips)
Seat 6: Jacko120 ($27.35 in chips)
veyron: posts small blind $0.25
Jacko120: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ks As]
smudgeliv: calls $0.50
BYT2005: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: raises to $3.50
Smarter: folds
veyron: folds
Jacko120: calls $3
smudgeliv: calls $3
BYT2005: folds
----- FLOP ----- [Kh 6d 5c]
Jacko120: checks
smudgeliv: checks
Fruitypro: bets $7
Jacko120: raises to $23.85 and is all-in
smudgeliv: folds
Fruitypro: calls $16.85
----- TURN ----- [Kh 6d 5c][3d]
----- RIVER ----- [Kh 6d 5c 3d][2h]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Jacko120: shows [4h Ah] (A Straight, Six high)
Fruitypro: shows [Ks As] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Jacko120 collects $56.05 from Main pot



Game #2481069554: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 15:21:19 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 6 is the button.
Seat 1: cjs_99 ($52.85 in chips)
Seat 2: CosmicCat ($29.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Unlikely ($97.05 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($49.75 in chips)
Seat 5: 67jayjay ($44.20 in chips)
Seat 6: SlimOdds ($74.65 in chips)
cjs_99: posts small blind $0.25
CosmicCat: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [8c 9c]
Unlikely: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: calls $0.50
67jayjay: calls $0.50
SlimOdds: foldsc
js_99: raises to $2
CosmicCat: folds
Unlikely: calls $1.50
Fruitypro: calls $1.50
67jayjay: calls $1.50
----- FLOP ----- [2c Th 4c]
cjs_99: bets $6
Unlikely: calls $6
Fruitypro: calls $6
67jayjay: calls $6
----- TURN ----- [2c Th 4c][3c]
cjs_99: checks
Unlikely: checks
Fruitypro: bets $25
67jayjay: raises to $36.20 and is all-in
cjs_99: folds
Unlikely: folds
Fruitypro: calls $11.20
----- RIVER ----- [2c Th 4c 3c][Ac]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
67jayjay: shows [Tc Qs] (A Flush, Ace high)
Fruitypro: shows [8c 9c] (A Flush, Ace high)
67jayjay collects $101.90 from Main pot

A Good Start

I just finished an hour and a bit session, I like to keep my sessions quite short generally so I can focus maximum attention on them. I am going to have a break for a while and then hit the tables again.

The session went really well... I have been thinking that there are some absolute nutters on in the mornings UK time and this session just proves it!

Here's My Stats:

Hands: 442
VPIP: 17.19% (Didn't really get the cards)
PFR: 12.67
Amount Won: $127.47
BB/100 Hands: 28.84

Some cracking hands from today already!:

This guy was completely drunk. He was typing in all manner of rubbish in the chat box and even admitted he was hammered! He must have thought he was onto a winner in this hand. Shows the danger of giving free/cheap cards! It also shows that min raising out of position is not to be recommended. I called the reraise with position, flop a gutshot, get a free card, get a flush draw as well on the turn and call a small bet, and rivered the nuts.

Game #2479147954: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 10:44:08 (UK)
Table "Sergio" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: Andyw87 ($29.96 in chips)
Seat 2: Iluv_QQ ($52.70 in chips)
Seat 3: Bocamon ($47.90 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($89.65 in chips)
Seat 5: Havsalt ($36.35 in chips)
Seat 6: Tinman004 ($42.17 in chips)
Havsalt: posts small blind $0.25
Tinman004: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ts Js]
Andyw87: folds
Iluv_QQ: folds
Bocamon: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: raises to $3
Havsalt: raises to $5.50
Tinman004: folds
Bocamon: folds
Fruitypro: calls $2.50
----- FLOP ----- [8c As Kh]
Havsalt: checks
Fruitypro: checks
----- TURN ----- [8c As Kh][6s]
Havsalt: bets $3
Fruitypro: calls $3
----- RIVER ----- [8c As Kh 6s][Qh]
Havsalt: bets $15
Fruitypro: raises to $30
Havsalt: is all-in $12.85
Returned uncalled bets $2.15 to Fruitypro
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Ts Js] (A Straight, Ace high)
Havsalt: shows [Kc Ks] (Three of a kind, Kings, Ace high)
Fruitypro collects $70.70 from Main pot

Not sure how I get paid more on the next hand... And any ideas on how I should play the flop? It's a nice situation for me!

Game #2478898224: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 09:45:04 (UK)
Table "Lexicon" Seat 6 is the button.
Seat 1: Fuser74 ($52.90 in chips)
Seat 2: ollning ($11.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($52.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Rain_man ($21.85 in chips)
Seat 6: scooping ($46 in chips)
Fuser74: posts small blind $0.25
ollning: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ks Kc]
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50
Rain_man: calls $2.50
scooping: calls $2.50
Fuser74: folds
ollning: calls $2
----- FLOP ----- [8c 8h Kh]
ollning: checks
Fruitypro: checks
Rain_man: checks
scooping: bets $2.50
ollning: folds
Fruitypro: calls $2.50
Rain_man: folds
----- TURN ----- [8c 8h Kh][2d]
Fruitypro: checks
scooping: bets $5.50
Fruitypro: calls $5.50
----- RIVER ----- [8c 8h Kh 2d][9h]
Fruitypro: bets $15
scooping: calls $15
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Ks Kc] (A Full House, Kings full of Eights)
scooping: mucks hand [5d Kd]
Fruitypro collects $53.45 from Main pot

This next hand was pretty standard. I make a weak lead out of position into the other two players with my flopped set, begging to be reraised. The guy who had KJ was an absolutely terrible player who I have added to my buddy list. To be honest, I am amazed I didn't stack him on the flop with what he had. I gave him some respect and made some good folds before I got his PT stats after 25 hands, I think I folded the best hand several times against him, his stats were 88/16! He had just reloaded after getting stacked before...

Game #2479016744: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 10:15:31 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Fruitypro ($56.55 in chips)
Seat 2: skn1001 ($64.75 in chips)
Seat 3: Siggelito ($59.35 in chips)
Seat 4: badgersru ($50 in chips)
Seat 5: kbohannon ($242.10 in chips)
Seat 6: Treasu001 ($69.95 in chips)
Treasu001: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
badgersru: posts big blind $0.50 + posts small blind $0.25
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [3d 3s]
skn1001: raises to $2.50
Siggelito: folds
badgersru: calls $2
kbohannon: folds
Treasu001: folds
Fruitypro: calls $2
----- FLOP ----- [3h 7d Jc]
Fruitypro: bets $3.50
skn1001: calls $3.50
badgersru: calls $3.50
----- TURN ----- [3h 7d Jc][5s]
Fruitypro: bets $12
skn1001: folds
badgersru: calls $12
----- RIVER ----- [3h 7d Jc 5s][Ad]
Fruitypro: bets $16
badgersru: calls $16
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [3d 3s] (Three of a kind, Threes, Ace high)
badgersru: mucks hand [Jh Kd]
Fruitypro collects $71.50 from Main pot

And we all like a good bad beat! Here's one I inflicted earlier. The guy went on tilt afterwards, it was highly amusing. When will people learn that QT is not a hand you want to call raises with out of position?! I would probably have folded to a strong turn bet but his bet was so weak, I just thought sod it, lets go for it. Nice river:-)

Game #2478931484: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/24 - 09:57:15 (UK)
Table "Sergio" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Lurpak ($40.25 in chips)
Seat 2: Cooldog ($6.35 in chips)
Seat 3: Treasu001 ($82.43 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($42.75 in chips)
Seat 5: MaoDes ($23.80 in chips)
Seat 6: Tinman004 ($48.80 in chips)
Tinman004: posts small blind $0.25
Lurpak: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [As Qd]
Cooldog: calls $0.50
Treasu001: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $3
MaoDes: calls $3
Tinman004: calls $2.75
Lurpak: folds
Cooldog: folds
----- FLOP ----- [Ts 5h Qs]
Tinman004: checks
Fruitypro: bets $8
MaoDes: folds
Tinman004: raises to $16
Fruitypro: calls $8
----- TURN ----- [Ts 5h Qs][4h]
Tinman004: bets $9
Fruitypro: raises to $23.75 and is all-in
Tinman004: calls $14.75
----- RIVER ----- [Ts 5h Qs 4h][Ah]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [As Qd] (Two Pairs, Aces and Queens, Ten high)
Tinman004: shows [Tc Qc] (Two Pairs, Queens and Tens, Ace high)
Fruitypro collects $86.50 from Main pot

Hopefully the rest of the day will continue like this!

Finding The Time...

I haven't been able to play much online over the last few days, I have been working hard on the fruits recently and have been very tired when I get home so I just haven't been mentally ready to hit the tables. I did play two very short sessions and banked about a $70 profit, but it feels I am fitting in poker in between work and a social life.

If I am ever going to achieve my goals, I have to devote more time to poker, and not fit it in as and when it's convenient. The question is, do I keep my life as it is and be comfortably average, or try to live the dream, so to speak. I am sure with a week off and playing full-time, I could get my roll to the $4k level to play $100 NL. But with small sessions I am doing, this would take some time.

It's a tough one for me. I think what I am going to try to do is work the fruits 3-4 days a week and devote the rest of the time to poker. At least I am my own boss and can give myself time off when I want :-)

The thing is, if I have a day off and am running badly at cards, I am tempted to go out and make the money back on machines! I have to be able to differentiate between the two disciplines and keep the days seperate.

I am going to have a 'poker day' tomorrow, and I am aiming to play 2,500 hands at least.

In my short session yesterday, I had a very interesting hand occur. I thought my fold was quite tight, but the general consensus on the cardrunners forum was that it was a good fold. I think I should have raised on the turn but I wanted to keep the pot small with a good hand and position. If the fourth diamond doesn't come on the river, I call the river bet quickly. I think the straight is good without the river diamond.

Game #2455690924: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/22 - 09:34:54 (UK)
Table "Tombeau" Seat 5 is the button.
Seat 1: Ijcspeed ($37.76 in chips)
Seat 2: webbstar ($14.40 in chips)
Seat 3: SlimOdds ($40.65 in chips)
Seat 4: Treasu001 ($65.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Fruitypro ($58.65 in chips)
Seat 6: baltazar ($47.40 in chips)
baltazar: posts small blind $0.25
Ijcspeed: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kc Qd]
webbstar: folds
SlimOdds: folds
Treasu001: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: raises to $3
baltazar: folds
Ijcspeed: calls $2.50
Treasu001: calls $2.50
----- FLOP ----- [7d Jd Td]
Ijcspeed: bets $3
Treasu001: calls $3
Fruitypro: calls $3
----- TURN ----- [7d Jd Td][9c]
Ijcspeed: checks
Treasu001: bets $4
Fruitypro: calls $4
Ijcspeed: folds
----- RIVER ----- [7d Jd Td 9c][6d]
Treasu001: bets $13.50
Fruitypro: folds
Returned uncalled bets $13.50 to Treasu001
Treasu001: doesn't show hand
Treasu001 collects $24.95 from Main pot

Comments always welcome!

The Recovery Starts Here...

Cricket got rained off this afternoon, unfortunately we had almost got to their ground by then, 20 miles away :-(

This gave me the opportunity to try to restore my confidence with a quick session at the tables, which I have just finished. This was a feeler session for me, really just to build confidence and get back into the swing of things. I only played for an hour but felt like I was the best player at the tables, which I was pleased about. No beats or coolers thank god but I lost count of the short stacks I busted! Didn't play any big pots v big stacks - I didn't hit that many flops and only flopped one set in a limped pot. My aggressive pre flop play saw me reraise with AQ an UTG raiser with 30/14 stats. He folded, and said he had AQ, lol!

Here's my stats from this afternoon's quick session:

Hands: 372
VPIP: 20.43%
PFR: 14.52%
Amount Won: $64.68
BB/100 Hands: 17.39

Overall, a good quick session which has helped no end with my confidence after tuesday.

Here's some hands from today. There weren't that many of interest but these I felt were worth commenting on: Critique always welcome!

I was waiting to bust this guy - he overbet all in so many times and I was just looking for a spot. He wasn't that loose pre flop, but volatile is an understatement post flop... Notice how passively I played the streets, that was a conscious decision as I really didn't want him to push and leave me folding K high which may have been the best hand. When the river came giving me top pair on a 3 flush flop, I beat him into the pot calling his all-in overbet. A prime example of playing the player.

Game #2435923054: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/20 - 16:56:37 (UK)
Table "Laptop" Seat 6 is the button.
Seat 1: Javkam07 ($20.03 in chips)
Seat 2: CruS ($64.42 in chips)
Seat 3: jompass ($45.20 in chips)
Seat 4: Birksted ($98.73 in chips)
Seat 5: Guzzin ($10.50 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($83.95 in chips)
Javkam07: posts small blind $0.25
CruS: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Qh Kh]
jompass: folds
Birksted: calls $0.50
Guzzin: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $3
Javkam07: calls $2.75
CruS: folds
Birksted: folds
----- FLOP ----- [3d 6d 5d]
Javkam07: bets $0.50
Fruitypro: calls $0.50
----- TURN ----- [3d 6d 5d][6c]
Javkam07: checks
Fruitypro: checks
----- RIVER ----- [3d 6d 5d 6c][Qs]
Javkam07: bets $16.53 and is all-in
Fruitypro: calls $16.53
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Javkam07: shows [Jc Qd] (Two Pairs, Queens and Sixes, Jack high)
Fruitypro: shows [Qh Kh] (Two Pairs, Queens and Sixes, King high)
Fruitypro collects $39.01 from Main pot

This next hand shows the value of being the aggressor pre flop, and taking that approach into the flop as well. I couldn't stand the reraise but everything I did suggested I had a huge hand. I am guessing he had AK, AQ, TT or 88 as he had fairly low PFR stats. So there was a big chance that my aggression won me the hand without the best hand. On a side note, his raise pre flop is far too small with the limpers already in the pot.

Game #2435288704: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/20 - 16:08:51 (UK)
Table "Laptop" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: Javkam07 ($57.35 in chips)
Seat 2: CruS ($54.95 in chips)
Seat 3: Robtovnb ($24.27 in chips)
Seat 4: Birksted ($143.28 in chips)
Seat 5: expired ($48.20 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($50 in chips)
expired: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ah Kc]
Javkam07: calls $0.50
CruS: calls $0.50
Robtovnb: calls $0.50
Birksted: folds
expired: raises to $2
Fruitypro: raises to $8
Javkam07: folds
CruS: folds
Robtovnb: folds
expired: calls $6
----- FLOP ----- [Jd 3s 9h]
expired: checks
Fruitypro: bets $12
expired: folds
Returned uncalled bets $12 to Fruitypro
Fruitypro: doesn't show hand
Fruitypro collects $16.65 from Main pot

This last hand shows a leak I have in my game. When I flop middle pair in position when I have raised pre flop in a multiway pot I play it too passively. I really should have fired on the flop, or at least the turn, and I am a bit obsessed with keeping the pot small. I need to find where I am and not pay off people who catch on the river. It was only a small bet but if I bet the flop I probably win.

Game #2436014144: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/20 - 17:03:55 (UK)
Table "Katerina" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: Potbet ($43.55 in chips)
Seat 2: DoctorX2k ($67.85 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($55.85 in chips)
Seat 4: jompass ($52.45 in chips)
Seat 5: daiwiza ($48.65 in chips)
daiwiza: posts small blind $0.25
Potbet: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kh Ts]
DoctorX2k: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50
jompass: folds
daiwiza: calls $2.25
Potbet: calls $2
----- FLOP ----- [4d As Th]
daiwiza: checks
Potbet: checks
Fruitypro: checks
----- TURN ----- [4d As Th][6s]
daiwiza: checks
Potbet: checks
Fruitypro: checks
----- RIVER ----- [4d As Th 6s][9s]
daiwiza: checks
Potbet: bets $2
Fruitypro: calls $2
daiwiza: folds
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Potbet: shows [9h 9d] (Three of a kind, Nines, Ace high)
Fruitypro: mucks hand [Kh Ts]
Potbet collects $10.95 from Main pot

The Fish Get Richer, I Get Poorer...

On Tuesday I had the most brutal cash session of my challenge so far. I dropped 5 buy ins over about a 4-5 hour period, which basically came when I got in situations when I had the second best 'great' hand, or got sucked out on. I have to accept this as variance and the reason why we have a bankroll, but it was difficult to take. I did manage to avoid going on tilt however, which at least was one thing...

I had to have a day off yesterday and today to get my head round things, the fact is, in my opinion, I wasn't playing bad poker but I needed a break to recover mentally. I have to keep on playing my aggressive game and to accept that poker is a game of difficult situations.

My stats from tuesday:

Hands: 1801
VPIP: 18.49%
PFR: 14.10%
Amount Won: ($245.21)
BB/100 Hands: (13.62)

Here's a few hands from tuesday, including a hand where I somehow avoided getting stacked due to a mathematically correct fold preflop:

Game #2394521984: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 22:32:41 (UK)
Table "Laptop" Seat 4 is the button.
Seat 1: bobble2 ($16.25 in chips)
Seat 2: -Rust- ($53.80 in chips)
Seat 3: elmo27 ($110 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($48.95 in chips)
Seat 5: Teddy_LV ($53.05 in chips)
Teddy_LV: posts small blind $0.25
bobble2: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kc Ks]
-Rust-: folds
elmo27: raises to $1.50
Fruitypro: raises to $5
Teddy_LV: folds
bobble2: folds
elmo27: raises to $110 and is all-in
Fruitypro: is all-in $43.95
Returned uncalled bets $61.05 to elmo27
----- FLOP ----- [Tc 6h 2c]
----- TURN ----- [Tc 6h 2c][7d]
----- RIVER ----- [Tc 6h 2c 7d][Th]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
elmo27: shows [As Ad] (Two Pairs, Aces and Tens, Seven high)
Fruitypro: shows [Kc Ks] (Two Pairs, Kings and Tens, Seven high)
elmo27 collects $95.65 from Main pot

Game #2388478554: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 13:49:03 (UK)
Table "Verdi" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: Stew05022 ($35.85 in chips)
Seat 2: indsdress ($32.10 in chips)
Seat 3: Annez_H ($69.34 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($59.30 in chips)
Seat 5: Granvorka ($34.25 in chips)
Seat 6: juand4 ($65.10 in chips)
Fruitypro: posts small blind $0.25
Granvorka: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kd Kh]
juand4: calls $0.50
Stew05022: calls $0.50
indsdress: folds
Annez_H: raises to $2
Fruitypro: raises to $9
Granvorka: folds
juand4: folds
Stew05022: folds
Annez_H: raises to $25
Fruitypro: raises to $59.30 and is all-in
Annez_H: calls $34.30
----- FLOP ----- [4h 3d 8h]
----- TURN ----- [4h 3d 8h][Th]
----- RIVER ----- [4h 3d 8h Th][9s]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Kd Kh] (A Pair of Kings, Ten high)
Annez_H: shows [As Ah] (A Pair of Aces, Ten high)
Annez_H collects $117.10 from Main pot

Both situations where I have kings and the other guy has aces - can you really fold kings pre flop? I don't think so... Harrington says anyone who does is a fool and you can't argue with a guy who has achieved so much in the game. And does any lack of fold equity change anything?

I think I played the next hand badly... I had no fold equity and hence maybe a laydown to the all-in on the flop should be considered... However, I am favourite over TPTK, JJ and QQ so it's a tough situation.

Game #2394283884: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 22:17:44 (UK)
Table "Lundu" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: MAO11 ($69.30 in chips)
Seat 2: Groggen ($60.55 in chips)
Seat 3: Carl022 ($50 in chips)
Seat 4: Fischer18 ($47.95 in chips)
Seat 5: jonasx ($46.75 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($50 in chips)
Groggen: posts small blind $0.25
Carl022: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ad Ks]
Fischer18: folds
Fischer18 sits out
Fischer18 sits back
jonasx: raises to $1.50
Fruitypro: raises to $5
MAO11: folds
Groggen: folds
Carl022: folds
jonasx: calls $3.50
----- FLOP ----- [4d 3d Td]
jonasx: bets $2
Fruitypro: raises to $8
jonasx: raises to $41.75 and is all-in
Fruitypro: calls $33.75
----- TURN ----- [4d 3d Td][Ac]
----- RIVER ----- [4d 3d Td Ac][3h]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
jonasx: shows [4c 4h] (A Full House, Fours full of Threes)
Fruitypro: shows [Ad Ks] (Two Pairs, Aces and Threes, King high)
jonasx collects $91.25 from Main pot

The next hand I got sucked out on, although he did have a lot of outs on the turn. I thought a lot before my turn bet, and decided that I did have the best hand and hence would pot commit myself with this bet.

Game #2388813804: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 14:36:50 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 6 is the button.
Seat 1: Bedinite7 ($55.38 in chips)
Seat 2: Think2win ($40.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($53.25 in chips)
Seat 4: Fetern ($59.25 in chips)
Seat 5: victorine ($32.10 in chips)
Seat 6: mrLogan ($71.60 in chips)
Bedinite7: posts small blind $0.25
Think2win: posts big blind $0.50
victorine: posts big blind $0.50 + posts small blind $0.25
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ac Js]
Fruitypro: raises to $3
Fetern: folds
victorine: folds
mrLogan: folds
Bedinite7: folds
Think2win: calls $2.50
----- FLOP ----- [Jc 6d 9h]
Think2win: bets $3
Fruitypro: raises to $9
Think2win: calls $6
----- TURN ----- [Jc 6d 9h][7h]
Think2win: bets $3
Fruitypro: raises to $15
Think2win: calls $12
----- RIVER ----- [Jc 6d 9h 7h][Tc]
Think2win: bets $13.50 and is all-in
Fruitypro: calls $13.50
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Think2win: shows [8h Jh] (A Straight, Jack high)
Fruitypro: shows [Ac Js] (A Pair of Jacks, Ace high)
Think2win collects $79 from Main pot

The next hand, I think I played it well but was basically put in a situation I can't get out of. I like my reraise pre flop to try to get heads up with the short stack, who could have a wide range of hands. The guy who called $18 pre flop with AJ was a huge fish, had a VPIP of over 60% and was getting very lucky throughout the whole session.

Game #2389175574: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 15:17:14 (UK)
Table "Verdi" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: Stew05022 ($53.25 in chips)
Seat 2: victorine ($13.13 in chips)
Seat 3: Scaramouc ($64.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($59.47 in chips)
Seat 5: eAzydaman ($22.95 in chips)
Seat 6: lickME ($53 in chips)
Fruitypro: posts small blind $0.25
eAzydaman: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Qc Ad]
lickME: folds
Stew05022: calls $0.50
victorine: calls $0.50
Scaramouc: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $4
eAzydaman: folds
Stew05022: calls $3.50
victorine: raises to $7.50
Fruitypro: raises to $18
Stew05022: calls $14
victorine: is all-in $5.63
----- FLOP ----- [Ac Jd 2h]
Fruitypro: bets $41.47 and is all-in
Stew05022: is all-in $35.25
Returned uncalled bets $6.22 to Fruitypro
----- TURN ----- [Ac Jd 2h][Qs]
----- RIVER ----- [Ac Jd 2h Qs][Jh]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Qc Ad] (Two Pairs, Aces and Queens, Jack high)
Stew05022: shows [As Js] (A Full House, Jacks full of Aces)
victorine: shows [Qh Ah] (Two Pairs, Aces and Queens, Jack high)
Stew05022 collects $79.19 from Side pot #1
Stew05022 collects $37.94 from Main pot

This last hand, I folded pre flop due to not having the correct implied odds to flop my set. Because of the nature of the original raiser, I was 90% sure he would reraise all in pre flop. And hence I would have to be calling 1/3 of my stack pre flop to hit a 7.5/1 shot. Thank god I did fold...

Game #2388641374: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/16 - 14:10:27 (UK)
Table "Verdi" Seat 2 is the button.
Seat 1: Stew05022 ($60.50 in chips)
Seat 2: $Rune$ ($18.88 in chips)
Seat 3: Annez_H ($141.94 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($57.05 in chips)
Seat 5: Thebish ($50 in chips)
Annez_H: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [3c 3s]
Stew05022: folds
$Rune$: raises to $1.60
Annez_H: raises to $5
Fruitypro: folds
$Rune$: calls $3.40
----- FLOP ----- [3h 9s 6c]
Annez_H: checks$
Rune$: checks
----- TURN ----- [3h 9s 6c][Qd]
Annez_H: checks$
Rune$: checks
----- RIVER ----- [3h 9s 6c Qd][2d]
Annez_H: bets $5.50
$Rune$: calls $5.50
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Annez_H: shows [9h 9d] (Three of a kind, Nines, Queen high)
$Rune$: mucks hand [Ad 6s]
Annez_H collects $20.45 from Main pot

Not nice overall, but that's the nature of the game we play. Not sure if I am going to be able to get in a session on Friday or Saturday, have to work all day tomorrow and have Cricket on Saturday and a Football dinner in the evening, but after that I am going to hit the tables, and get back on track. On a side note, I read on the cardrunners forum that a member turned $50 to $100k in 4 months. This is obviously an amazing achievement and really is some inspiration...

A small loss tonight

I played for a couple of hours tonight, the first time since Saturday I have played, and recorded a small loss (1/2 a buyin). Got involved in a couple of cooler situations and got played back at a bit more than I would have liked. I also was quite annoyed at what happened when I flopped a set.

Here's my stats:

Hands: 793
VPIP: 18.41%
PFR: 12.86%
Amount Won: ($24.33)
BB/100 Hands: (3.07)
Hourly Rate: ($10.58)
Current Bankroll: $3,409.55

Here's some hands which I found interesting. I don't think I played some of them very well. Feedback would be much appreciated!

Game #2381326024: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 20:33:54 (UK)
Table "Tombeau" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: Ninealive ($34.98 in chips)
Seat 2: MR.RK ($47.48 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($75.40 in chips)
Seat 4: jonasx ($52.75 in chips)
Seat 5: sandman4 sits out
Seat 6: Bakke ($60.35 in chips)
MR.RK: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [As Qh]
jonasx: calls $0.50
Bakke: raises to $2
Ninealive: calls $2
MR.RK: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $8.50 - My standard reraise with AQ out of the blinds. Bakke is a tight player but seems to try to stay out of my way as I have stacked him a few times in the past. I have played with him a lot before. The other guy who has just sat down cold calls two raises.
jonasx: folds
Bakke: folds
Ninealive: calls $6.50
----- FLOP ----- [Ac 7d Tc]
Fruitypro: bets $13 - I texture my bet to bet half his stack. I obviously do this with the intention of calling the all-in if he does that. He does push and I call. I am hugely behind but that's poker. I will be in front a lot of the time here in my opinion, and I have fold equity on the original bet. If he was deeper stacked the situation may have been different.
Ninealive: raises to $26.48 and is all-in
Fruitypro: calls $13.48
----- TURN ----- [Ac 7d Tc][4s]
----- RIVER ----- [Ac 7d Tc 4s][Jd]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Ninealive: shows [7h 7s] (Three of a kind, Sevens, Ace high)
Fruitypro: shows [As Qh] (A Pair of Aces, Queen high)
Ninealive collects $69.71 from Main pot

Game #2380211114: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 19:21:28 (UK)
Table "Persimmon" Seat 2 is the button.
Seat 1: Stacker ($66 in chips)
Seat 2: snemanden ($29.02 in chips)
Seat 3: Bedinite7 ($49.09 in chips)
Seat 4: Mr.B ($49.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Sibiris ($50 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($51.50 in chips)
Bedinite7: posts small blind $0.25
Mr.B: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Jd Jh]
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50 - My standard no limper raise.
Stacker: folds
snemanden: raises to $29.02 and is all-in
Bedinite7: folds
Mr.B: folds
Fruitypro: calls $26.52 - Against any normal player I fold. But this guy was an absolute lunatic. 50/25 ish and overbet the pot consistently. I think I have the best hand and I am slight favourite when the cards get turned over.
----- FLOP ----- [5h 8h 9s]
----- TURN ----- [5h 8h 9s][Qh]
----- RIVER ----- [5h 8h 9s Qh][Kd]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
snemanden: shows [Ad Kh] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Fruitypro: shows [Jd Jh] (A Pair of Jacks, King high)
snemanden collects $55.89 from Main pot

I got rivered but that's poker. He did have a flush draw on the turn too.

This next hand I am not convinced about how I played it. I ended up folding the best hand, but I think most of the time I am losing here. I had no reads on either player. Critique would be much appreciated. I am going to post this hand on cardrunners forum later too.

Game #2379904024: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 18:51:44 (UK)
Table "Katalina" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: Fruitypro ($49.25 in chips)
Seat 2: Hollers79 ($37.04 in chips)
Seat 3: Formand3n ($169.52 in chips)
Seat 4: mijo86 ($37.30 in chips)
Seat 5: polak84 ($41.15 in chips)
Seat 6: Turnip1 ($32.95 in chips)
mijo86: posts small blind $0.25
polak84: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Qd Ad]
Turnip1: calls $0.50
Fruitypro: raises to $3 - Standard 5x plus limper raise pre flop.
Hollers79: folds
Formand3n: calls $3
mijo86: folds
polak84: folds
Turnip1: calls $2.50
----- FLOP ----- [9h Ts Ah]
Turnip1: checks
Fruitypro: bets $6.50 - I hate picking up 2 callers, but I flop top pair and bet 3/4 of the pot.
Formand3n: calls $6.50
Turnip1: calls $6.50
----- TURN ----- [9h Ts Ah][Td]
Turnip1: checks
Fruitypro: checks - I am absolutely hating the ten. I thought there was a good chance one of them had a ten, or even perhaps AT. I am happy to check the hand down now.
Formand3n: checks
----- RIVER ----- [9h Ts Ah Td][Qh]
Turnip1: bets $23.45 and is all-in
Fruitypro: folds - The queen on the river changes little for me. Any ten is still winning and so is JK although I don't give much credence to that. Turnip goes all-in for about pot size and I reluctantly fold.
Formand3n: calls $23.45 - I think this call is very poor.
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Turnip1: shows [8d 7s] (A Pair of Tens, Ace high)
Formand3n: shows [As 9d] (Two Pairs, Aces and Tens, Queen high)
Formand3n collects $73.15 from Main pot

Game #2381280984: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 20:39:05 (UK)
Table "Katalina" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: Fruitypro ($73.70 in chips)
Seat 2: DaOne sits out
Seat 3: tacopaj ($41.95 in chips)
Seat 4: eddie84 ($48.68 in chips)
Seat 5: Queenlea ($9.78 in chips)
Seat 6: Jaques ($20 in chips)
tacopaj: posts small blind $0.25
eddie84: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kh Kc]
Queenlea: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50 - Standard
tacopaj: calls $2.25
eddie84: calls $2
----- FLOP ----- [5d 9h Ts]
tacopaj: checks
eddie84: bets $5
Fruitypro: raises to $15 - I still think I have the best hand and re raise to see where I am. Eddie is a bit of a fish. He bought in short and doubled up when he called a big bet to hit runner runner flush and skanked an ace on the river to win the pot anyway.
tacopaj: folds
eddie84: calls $10
----- TURN ----- [5d 9h Ts][As]
eddie84: checks
Fruitypro: checks - I hate the ace here. Only a ten is a worse card for me.
----- RIVER ----- [5d 9h Ts As][Th]
eddie84: bets $31.18 and is all-in
Fruitypro: folds - Horrible river too. He goes all-in for about pot and it's an easy, although annoying fold.
Returned uncalled bets $31.18 to eddie84
eddie84: doesn't show hand
eddie84 collects $35.65 from Main pot

How do I get paid more on this hand? Should I have played it slower? Should I worry about being behind?

Game #2380718534: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 19:55:52 (UK)
Table "Persimmon" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: supercham ($10 in chips)
Seat 2: metalface ($54.95 in chips)
Seat 3: vinvin ($33 in chips)
Seat 4: Mr.B ($92.94 in chips)
Seat 5: Sibiris ($42.38 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($54.17 in chips)
metalface: posts small blind $0.25
vinvin: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Qh Ac]
Mr.B: calls $0.50
Sibiris: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $3
metalface: folds
vinvin: calls $2.50
Mr.B: calls $2.50
----- FLOP ----- [Jc Qd Qc]
vinvin: bets $3.50
Mr.B: raises to $8
Fruitypro: raises to $25 - I flop top trips with an ace kicker. Raise and a reraise in front of me. I triple the reraise and expect to be put all in. If he has QJ that's just unlucky. They both fold. I really cannot work out what Mr.B has.
vinvin: folds
Mr.B: folds
Returned uncalled bets $17 to Fruitypro
Fruitypro: doesn't show hand
Fruitypro collects $27.35 from Main pot

This next hand illustrates the importance of raising pre flop with premium hands. If you limp, you let the blinds get very lucky and get your stack :-)
Game #2380371084: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 19:31:35 (UK)
Table "Tombeau" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: victorine ($42.25 in chips)
Seat 2: MR.RK ($44 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($54.05 in chips)
Seat 4: DaOne ($51 in chips)
Seat 5: pysa ($39.65 in chips)
Seat 6: SPAWNNN ($19.15 in chips)
MR.RK: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [4s 8h]
DaOne: folds
pysa: folds
SPAWNNN: calls $0.50
victorine: folds
MR.RK: calls $0.25
Fruitypro: checks - Obviously I check with a garbage hand.
----- FLOP ----- [2c 8d 4d]
MR.RK: checks
Fruitypro: bets $1.50 - Nice flop for me. Top 2 pair. Bet pot.
SPAWNNN: raises to $3
MR.RK: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $9 - Short stack reraises me. I am happy to play an all-in pot with him and triple his reraise. He oddly calls.
SPAWNNN: calls $6
----- TURN ----- [2c 8d 4d][Kc]
Fruitypro: bets $10 - King is a blank to me. I stick him all in and he calls and needs the board to pair on the river. It doesn't and I win a nice pot with rags.
SPAWNNN: is all-in $9.65
Returned uncalled bets $0.35 to Fruitypro
----- RIVER ----- [2c 8d 4d Kc][3h]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [4s 8h] (Two Pairs, Eights and Fours, King high)
SPAWNNN: shows [Ts Th] (A Pair of Tens, King high)
Fruitypro collects $36.90 from Main pot

The final hand is my set hand. I think I could have stacked him on the flop if I lead into him. My intention was to check/call the flop and check/raise the turn, but I slowed down on the flush card. I decided to play a smaller pot with 3 diamonds on the board. I still think I played the hand too cautiously on the turn onwards.

Game #2381231034: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/15 - 20:29:04 (UK)
Table "Tombeau" Seat 2 is the button.
Seat 2: MR.RK ($63.78 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($60.95 in chips)
Seat 4: jonasx ($58.75 in chips)
Seat 5: sandman4 ($47.62 in chips)
Seat 6: Bakke ($56.85 in chips)
Fruitypro: posts small blind $0.25
jonasx: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [2s 2h]
sandman4: folds
Bakke: folds
MR.RK: raises to $2
Fruitypro: calls $1.75
jonasx: folds
----- FLOP ----- [Kd 9s 2d]
sandman4 sits out
Fruitypro: checks
MR.RK: bets $1.50
Fruitypro: calls $1.50
----- TURN ----- [Kd 9s 2d][Jd]
Fruitypro: checks
MR.RK: bets $3.50
Fruitypro: calls $3.50
----- RIVER ----- [Kd 9s 2d Jd][3h]
Fruitypro: checks
MR.RK: bets $8.50
Fruitypro: calls $8.50
----- SHOW DOWN -----
MR.RK: shows [Kc Ac] (A Pair of Kings, Ace high)
Fruitypro: shows [2s 2h] (Three of a kind, Twos, King high)
Fruitypro collects $29.95 from Main pot

Nice Quick Profit

I thought I would have a quick 90 minute session before I play Cricket this afternoon, but due to a couple of factors the session was cut short. Firstly the big stacks on the tables left and were either replaced by empty seats or short stacks. The game selection on William Hill in the UK mornings isn't amazing, they usually only have between 2000 and 3000 active players on the site and about 4-5 $50NL tables. I also managed to lock in a $105 profit in the 25 minutes I did play so I was happy with that anyway.

My stats for the morning's session:

Hands: 131
VPIP: 18.32%
PFR: 13.74%
Amount Won: $105.03
BB/100 Hands: 80.18
Hourly Rate: $242.38 (!!!)
Current Bankroll: $3433.87

Another $567 and I will have a roll for $0.50/$1 which I will be very happy about. I used to play there a lot (before cardrunners) and the standard is low. Unfortunately I was weak-tight then and couldn't take advantage. I also didn't have a proper roll for it.

A couple of hands where I stacked my opponent... They didnt have full stacks but were still nice enough. It also shows how aggressive my play is pre-flop, particularly out of the blinds where I either want the betting lead or to take the pot down pre-flop. I can't believe that in the past I folded AQ to a button raise! How weak was that! Also, I am not really that superstitious but the Truffle table on Will Hills really seems to like me! The 2 pots from yesterday with AA and 66 were on it as well:-)

Game #2353638014: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/13 - 11:16:21 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: vragot ($62.15 in chips)
Seat 2: Shouter ($20.81 in chips)
Seat 3: Fruitypro ($48.75 in chips)
Seat 4: ricea ($20.62 in chips)
Seat 5: Gamskjaer ($105.70 in chips)
Seat 6: billly88 ($43.35 in chips)
Shouter: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Qc Ah]
ricea: folds
Gamskjaer: folds
billly88: calls $0.50
vragot: calls $0.50
Shouter: raises to $1.50
Fruitypro: raises to $5 - Shouter is very loose, an absolute nutter in fact, VPIP of 60%+. The only worry I had was that he may push to the re raise but his range of hands he would do that with is so large, I have played with him a lot before, so I would only reraise if I would call all-in pre flop, which I decided I would do so. Also the two limpers are very loose and also very volatile players. I decided that I didn't want to see a 4 way flop out of position.
billly88: folds
vragot: folds
Shouter: calls $3.50
----- FLOP ----- [6h 4h 2h]
Shouter: checks
Fruitypro: bets $15.81 - I flop the nut flush draw with 2 overcards, an excellent flop for me. He had $15.81 left and the pot was about $10 - I wasn't really bothered if he called or not, I didn't have a made hand but a ton of outs. When I stick a short stack in I love to type the exact amount they have in - especially when I don't have a great hand. They seem to think you are targeting their stack and often fold. He calls and is drawing to 2 outs, he needs to hit the jack of spades or diamonds to win. My flush comes on the turn and it's game over.
Shouter: calls $15.81 and is all-in
----- TURN ----- [6h 4h 2h][Jh]
----- RIVER ----- [6h 4h 2h Jh][7h]-----
SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Qc Ah] (A Flush, Ace high)
Shouter: shows [Ac Jc] (A Flush, Jack high)
Fruitypro collects $40.52 from Main pot

The next hand was a nice one. My re raise pre flop didn't have the desired effect though!

Game #2353585004: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/13 - 11:06:35 (UK)
Table "Lundu" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: ebbot007 ($86.40 in chips)
Seat 2: lvernel ($40.17 in chips)
Seat 3: BrorSalsa ($85.57 in chips)
Seat 4: tjoonken ($28.90 in chips)
Seat 5: Fruitypro ($55.80 in chips)
Seat 6: Quantum1 ($36.35 in chips)
tjoonken: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Th Ts]
Quantum1: folds
ebbot007: raises to $2
lvernel: calls $2
BrorSalsa: folds
tjoonken: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $8.50 - I haven't played with ebbot or ivernel before, and made my standard reraise with TT out of the blinds as I would always do.
ebbot007: calls $6.50
lvernel: calls $6.50
----- FLOP ----- [6h 8s 9s]
Fruitypro: bets $18 - An OK ish flop for my hand. I flop the smallest overpair and a gutshot draw. I bet about 80% of the pot hoping to take it down. I decided that if ivernel went all in I would call for about $13 more. He oddly called, leaving himself a small amount left.
ebbot007: folds
lvernel: calls $18
----- TURN ----- [6h 8s 9s][Qd]
Fruitypro: bets $29.30 and is all-in - I don't see how the queen would have helped him, plus I now have a double gutshot draw. I put him all in. He calls and flips up K 9 which is purely horrific play throughout on his part. A nice pot against a guy who shouldn't have been in the hand to start with.
lvernel: is all-in $13.67
Returned uncalled bets $15.63 to Fruitypro
----- RIVER ----- [6h 8s 9s Qd][Qs]-----
SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Th Ts] (Two Pairs, Queens and Tens, Nine high)
lvernel: shows [9d Kh] (Two Pairs, Queens and Nines, King high)
Fruitypro collects $86.09 from Main pot

Hopefully I will be playing a longer session this evening as well. A couple more good ones and it's time for the step up!

From One Extreme To Another

My cards tonight that is! I found it tough going trying to play a SLAG style tonight, I was either getting dealt premium hands or absolute garbage. One table I played at my VPIP was only 12%, and another only 13% - nothing I could do. I lost count of the amount of times I got dealt aces though, but got little action on them.

I made just under $50 in about 80 minutes which I still can't complain about as it's above my hourly earning rate at this level, which stands at $19.25/hr.

I didn't stack anyone, or get stacked myself, in fact I didn't really play many hands of interest.

One hand where I tried to keep the pot small, but I wasn't really sure if I had the best hand. I think this shows the danger of playing garbage hands out of the blinds. I was out of position obviously and he was representing a King throughout.

Game #2346742664: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/12 - 20:16:36 (UK)
Table "Atria" Seat 2 is the button.
Seat 1: Wayedinn ($71.68 in chips)
Seat 2: viuf ($98.10 in chips)
Seat 3: taishan ($53.30 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($52 in chips)
Seat 5: Rubin1001 ($48.30 in chips)
Seat 6: Zindredin ($28.77 in chips)
taishan: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Kd 2s]
Rubin1001: folds
Zindredin: folds
Wayedinn: folds
viuf: calls $0.50
taishan: folds
Fruitypro: checks
----- FLOP ----- [Kh 9h 5d]
Fruitypro: bets $1
viuf: calls $1
----- TURN ----- [Kh 9h 5d][Ks]
Fruitypro: bets $2
viuf: raises to $4
Fruitypro: calls $2
----- RIVER ----- [Kh 9h 5d Ks][4s]
Fruitypro: checks
viuf: bets $5
Fruitypro: calls $5-----
SHOW DOWN -----
viuf: shows [7h 6c] (A Pair of Kings, Nine high)
Fruitypro: shows [Kd 2s] (Three of a kind, Kings, Nine high)
Fruitypro collects $20.20 from Main pot


Here are my overall stats for today's play @ $50 NL:

Hands: 1,020
VPIP: 18.43%
PFR: 12.84%
Amount Won: $112.23
BB/100 Hands: 11.00
Hourly Rate: $32.22
Current Bankroll: $3,316.69

Early Session On 12th May

Made $65 this afternoon in about an hour and a half playing 4 tables of $50NL.

I got stacked once, and managed to stack someone twice.

Overall my VPIP (Voluntary put $ in pot%) was around the 21% mark, and my PFR (pre flop raise%) was about 17%. This are stats I am aiming at for this level, I think it's hard to have higher stats than that and be a consistent winning player at the low limits - people just don't give you respect and therefore play back at you more if you get out of line any more than this. Generally there are 3 styles of players at the $50NL level - maniacs who are playing 50%+ of hands, and either raise most of these or hardly at all, weak-tight players who's stats are something like 18/4, or TAG/SLAG with stats of about 25/15. The latter category tend to be the better players overall, although obviously some are better than others post-flop.

Here is the hand I got stacked on - it came early in the session so I was fighting an upward battle from the start:
Game #2342957114: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/12 - 13:43:28 (UK)
Table "Katalina" Seat 1 is the button.
Seat 1: lickME ($54.09 in chips)
Seat 2: McBest ($74.40 in chips)
Seat 3: Maxx101 ($19.67 in chips)
Seat 6: Fruitypro ($50.89 in chips)
McBest: posts small blind $0.25
Maxx101: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Tc Th]
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50 - TT is obviously a raising hand in any position, and so I make my standard 5xBB raise
lickME: calls $2.50
McBest: raises to $7
Maxx101: folds
Fruitypro: calls $4.50 - I get re raised by the small blind, he has a good stack so I am getting good implied odds for hitting my set, plus I have position on him post-flop.
Tere10031 joins the table at seat #4
lickME: folds
----- FLOP ----- [Jd 5s Jh]
McBest: bets $7
Fruitypro: calls $7 - I sort of floated on this flop, basically with position I wanted to see his action on the turn. There was a chance I still had the best hand anyway.
----- TURN ----- [Jd 5s Jh][6s]
McBest: checks
Fruitypro: checks - I thought I was in front here after his check - his play really fits AK so far - but I thought I would check and keep the pot small.
----- RIVER ----- [Jd 5s Jh 6s][Td]
McBest: bets $15
Cabecao joins the table at seat #5
Fruitypro: raises to $36.89 and is all-in - I hit my miracle card, unless he has JT or JJ I am winning, and neither of his plays are consistent with those hands. If he has either I really have to pay them - no getting away from it.
McBest: calls $21.89
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Fruitypro: shows [Tc Th] (A Full House, Tens full of Jacks)
McBest: shows [Js Jc] (Four of a kind, Jacks, Ten high)
McBest collects $101.78 from Main pot

Overall, it was pretty much a cooler situation - there is only one possible other way I play this hand and that is to fold on the flop. I felt that may have been a weak play, plus I have played with McBest before and he is a loose aggressive (38/20) player. He will be betting that flop regardless.

The next hand was easy: I had aces and all the money went in pre-flop, which obviously is ideal when you have AA - as you are at least 80% favourite against any other hand. One of the benefits of playing LAG/SLAG is that you often get paid better on your good hands - the next two illustrate that.

Game #2343384254: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/12 - 14:35:24 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 2 is the button.
Seat 1: 91raver ($62.20 in chips)
Seat 2: Misscash ($41.34 in chips)
Seat 3: Con2512 ($40.50 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($45.95 in chips)
Seat 5: Sallyaces ($47.49 in chips)
Seat 6: JTCORK sits out
Con2512: posts small blind $0.25
Fruitypro: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [Ad As]
Sallyaces: folds
91raver: folds
Misscash: raises to $2.50
Con2512: calls $2.25
Fruitypro: raises to $15 - I make this raise for several reasons. Obviously I am going to re raise with aces, but I really want one opponent only. I am also out of position against Misscash (although their raise could have been a standard button play) and don't want to play out of position post flop, so I put the other two to the test with a 6x reraise. Misscash comes over the top of me all-in and I have an easy call, and hope they don't spike a jack!
Misscash: raises to $41.34 and is all-in
Con2512: folds
Fruitypro: calls $26.34
----- FLOP ----- [8d 7s 5d]
----- TURN ----- [8d 7s 5d][Td]
----- RIVER ----- [8d 7s 5d Td][Ts]
----- SHOW DOWN -----
Misscash: shows [Jc Js] (Two Pairs, Jacks and Tens, Eight high)
Fruitypro: shows [Ad As] (Two Pairs, Aces and Tens, Eight high)
Fruitypro collects $82.18 from Main pot

The last hand was a hand that dreams are made of! It was the very next hand after the last hand I posted where I had AA!

Here it is:

Game #2343384264: Hold'em NL ($0.25/$0.50) - 2006/05/12 - 14:36:14 (UK)
Table "Truffle" Seat 3 is the button.
Seat 1: 91raver ($62.20 in chips)
Seat 2: Misscash sits out
Seat 3: Con2512 ($38 in chips)
Seat 4: Fruitypro ($86.79 in chips)
Seat 5: Sallyaces ($47.49 in chips)
Seat 6: JTCORK sits out
Fruitypro: posts small blind $0.25
Sallyaces: posts big blind $0.50
----- HOLE CARDS -----
dealt to Fruitypro [6h 6d]
91raver: folds
Con2512: folds
Fruitypro: raises to $2.50 - We are only playing 4 handed after a couple of players got stacked, and it's folded round to me, and I make a standard SB raise with 6 6.
Sallyaces: raises to $4.50
Fruitypro: calls $2 - There are a lot of things to think about here. My opponent was a total fish, VPIP of 60% which obviously is very loose, yet a PFR of 1.3%. This indicated a big hand for them here. However, the minraise is a horrible play as it gives you such good pot odds to call. I have good implied odds and make the call, hoping to flop a set. Otherwise I am gone from the hand.
----- FLOP ----- [6s Tc 6c]
Fruitypro: checks
Sallyaces: bets $4.50
Fruitypro: calls $4.50 - What a flop. Flopping quads is a 0.20% chance to occur, and I hit a pretty much unbeatable hand. It would take an epic beat to lose here. I can't afford to lose my customer so I check/call his continuation bet.
----- TURN ----- [6s Tc 6c][Ks]
Fruitypro: checks
Sallyaces: bets $5.50
Fruitypro: raises to $13 - At this level, players rarely fire 2 bullets without a hand after raising pre-flop. If he had AK, I just got very lucky and hope that he has a big hand capable of paying me.
Sallyaces: raises to $38.49 and is all-in
Fruitypro: calls $25.49 - He reraises me all-in and I have the easiest call of my life.
----- RIVER ----- [6s Tc 6c Ks][Qd]-----
SHOW DOWN -----
Sallyaces: shows [Ac Ah] (Two Pairs, Aces and Sixes, King high)
Fruitypro: shows [6h 6d] (Four of a kind, Sixes, King high)
Fruitypro collects $91.98 from Main pot

He had aces and couldn't let them go - to be fair I don't think many would have, I don't think he could have put me on one 6, let alone 2!

The 2k Challenge

A couple of weeks ago, I joined Cardrunners Poker School (see link), which has really opened my eyes to the LAG (Loose Aggressive) style of playing poker. Previously I was a losing weak-tight player who just couldn't understand what was going wrong... Now I do!

After reading the articles and the forum, and learning loads from Green Plastic's and Muddywater's videos, I decided to set myself a challenge. Start with $2,000 and work my way (multi-tabling 4 tables) up the limits, maintaining 40 buy ins for the level I play at. So I am starting at $.25/$.50NL, until I can get to $4,000 where I move up to $.50/$1NL etc. My aim is to get to be a regular at $1/$2 before the end of the year, and this should be a level where I can earn a good income. Once I get up to $2/$4 my aim is to be playing poker for a living.

After a few weeks, my bankroll has grown to slightly over $3,200 (from 15,500 hands), so I have had a decent start.

I thought I would set up a blog so that I can post all the hands that I either stack my opponent or they stack me, as well as some other interesting hands - and to explain my thought processes in the hands. I think analysing hands from myself or other people is probably the best way to improve as a poker player.

Wish me luck with my challenge anyway!