This Week's Hands

Well now pokerhand is back up I'll post a batch of hands that I've played this week. One pretty bad cooler in there...

Can someone help me make the hyperlinks clickable again. Big Mac - I couldnt find 'enable hyperlinks' anywhere...

On my last post I got asked in the comments about why I dont play machines if I win £300 per day. Unfortunately this isnt the case any more - profit is less now and is not anywhere near guaranteed, it has a lot of variance now too! Losing days are now possible. As far as the pubs and machine distributors go - I dont know why they have tricks in machines, probably because they are not play tested well enough (really they should employ pros to test them) and in the past they weren't updated quick enough because you had to physically get an engineer to put a new chip in them. Now the updates are all done through broadband and can be done really quick. The edge is being able to manipulate the short term percentage and to know how to do that and when to leave the machine. If you can do that, you could make a lot of money. You could also empty some machines if they had a really big trick (leak I guess) which allowed you to get stupidly easy jackpots repeatedly.

Here's some hands from this week:-

The sick cooler.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135117

Pretty ridiculous.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135121

Hand v regular where we were both gonna get it in.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135122

Not sure if I should have shoved this, didnt really know what else to do though.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135124

Sick two outer.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135125

I debated whether to post this hand as it outs the worst player on FTP. Never mind!

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135126

Nice river overbet. Unfortunately I have better set!

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135131

Nice draw lucks out over set.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135133

Nice river - shame about his turn line...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135134

Standard on both parts I guess.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135136

I get aggro with La Jolla Shores and suck out.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135137

Lol.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1135139

Back to the tables now, gl everyone!

Back To The Grind - And Some Random Musings

Ok so I got back from holiday on Wednesday Evening and it was pretty nice to get away to be honest. I played poker a bit over there, mainly working on some stuff and studying and managed to make $1200 which was ok. I got back and did well immediately, picking up a few buyins. I played today though and things didn't go that well, I got a/i with 75 on a 765 flop against 74 who proceeded to hit runner runner flush (4 high one card!) and allin with 86 on an 863ddx flop against Callide (a regular) who had A8dd and hit his ace. I also got a/i with AKhh on a T64hhx flop against Q4hh in a reraised pot (wtf) and his hand held. Of course, I could usually show you these hands on pokerhand.org but it looks like someone has forgotten to renew their domain name or sth so the site is down. I'll post some HHs when it's working again.

Whilst I was away I read a couple of really good books, I love reading books on criminality/gangs as well as soccer autobiographies. I read a good book called Grafters which documented a gang of sneak theives from Manchester called the Wide Awake Crew, they basically went round Europe stealing all manner of crazy things. If these guys had the organisation of the gang of the second book I read, The Great Casino Heist by Richard Marcus, they probably would have got away with a lot, lot more. The Casino gang really were amazing, they pastposted on Blackjack and Roulette, as well as some other Craps scams too. The stories in there are truly amazing and it even has some good thoughts to general personal psychology which can probably be applied to Poker and definitely life.

The book really took me back to my years playing Fruit Machines full time. To be honest, if I had the chance to do that again for the money involved at the time, I'd do it like a shot. Looking back on it now, I had a great time on the road and locally. Some of the scrapes that me and my mates got into were brilliant, and we made great money. If someone offered me £600 between 2 every day with ZERO risk, after all expenses, I'd bite their hands off. If only things were good now.

Reading this book really reminded me of some incidents which we got into and some of the banter and camaraderie that we had.

One time I found this pub about 30 minutes from my house in a little village. It had 3 machines, and two were 'doable'. Basically for 10-15 minutes on each you could pretty much be guaranteed to walk out with £70-100 every time, as long as they weren't done which in this place was almost certainly not done. I went there like 10 times in about 3-4 weeks and made some great money, then they barred me. I said I'd cut them in if they let me carry on playing in there, they said no so I told them that I'd send all my mates in and they'd regret the day they barred me.

I sent my brother in a few times and he did good, obviously. Then I sent my mate in a couple of times. First time, he properly caned the fruits and I just sat in the car waiting for him, happy days. Second time, I found another good fruit in a pub down the road and went there after dropping him off at the pub which was hot for me. 20 minutes later I get a phone call, it's him sounding pretty out of breath. He's asking where the fuck I am, I'm like well just down the road mate, he goes well get here quick cos they are chasing me down the road! He jumps into my car still moving and we give them a beep and drive off. It turns out the landlord tried to turn the fruit off when he was getting the streak (a big amount of money which he has set up for it to give) out of the fruit and he ended up hitting the landlord whilst he tried to turn the machine off! He got the money out though, fair play to him.

Nothing came of it though, you've got to laugh because these landlords were basically the thickest people I have ever met. Every day or two you could be guaranteed to hear "That's my holiday fund" etc... They didnt realise that all you are doing is taking the percentage out of the machine and as soon as a drinker (aka donk) goes on it he is going to lose our profit back into it.

Now the jackpots are £35 and may be going up to £50 soon which is just ridiculous. These guys couldnt even handle £50 or £75 streaks on £25 jackpot so how can they handle it when they go for £100+. Absolute joke.

I remember many times pub workers trying to get my car numberplate when we drove off, not sure why because I'm sure they dont have access to a police database to find out who I was. Not that I was even committing a crime anyway. They were just stupid. I used to have a convertible at the time so we used to drive off with the roof down, thumbs up to them, and the stereo turned up to the max playing house music. They used to hate it, but we'd come back several days later and they'd say nothing. I've got many other stories but maybe I'll write a book someday. Many many people have told me I should, so if I ever get the motivation I might do that.

Should have a CR video up tomorrow, 4 tabling NL50 with some good PT analysis at the end.

I'll be playing all week so should update regularly, especially if pokerhand.org gets back up and running.

Cheers,

FP.

Holiday Monies

Well I went on holiday to France on Tuesday which I definitely needed as non stop working at home was definitely getting stressful. Over here, there is nothing really to do which is what I need.

So I havent really done much although I have been putting in some study on CR and 2+2 as well as playing like 500 hands/day.

Away from the tables, I am playing sick amounts of Football Manager 07 at the moment and I'm going for the Premiership with Bristol Rovers, we are 2nd to Man United in January 2019, and playing Barcelona in the UEFA Cup. When I was younger I was properly hooked on Championship Manager but then I found poker...

I'm also up to date with Lost and its getting good! Episode 20 was the best ever IMO and although Episode 21 wasnt as good, next week's season finale should be awesome. Question is, what do I watch now PB and Lost have finished for a few months? Maybe I'll start catching up with Heroes, seeing as everyone says how good it is.

Here's some hands from when I've been away. I've booked about 4.5 buyin profit playing not much, so its all good.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1110969

Standard Preflop against a semi regular

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1110974

Sweet river. Was so obv he had Tx too.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1110975

'AK' induces terrible bluff float from over aggro opponent who couldnt fold. And there are plenty of them.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1110977

Set holds against overs and flush draw.

And thats about it at the moment. Not sure how much I'll play between now and when I get back, will have to see!

Gl everyone,

Dan

Omg, The Swings Are Huge!

Well after Monday I took a few days off which made sense definitely - I returned yesterday and FTP was lagging up big time which obv is so frustrating but (EDITED): They showed great customer service by emailing me asking some very specific technical questions. Having said that, why cant they email their customers to tell them when they are going to have downtime? If they can send everyone emails with 'strategy tips' from Gavin Smith and Gus Hansen, why can't they do this? I know what I'd prefer. A lot of talk on CR and 2+2 has been about the 'Bot' Issues but tbh I couldnt care less. Obv it doesnt affect me so much at 6 max anyway but I'm sure they must be so exploitable as people have posted on there. I guess they shouldnt be allowed as they have unlimited stamina and dont tilt but I dont really give a shit to be honest!

Ok so I just played 1k hands at 1/2. 8 tabling. Many regulars, games were pretty tough. Didnt exactly run good on the whole, though I did win a nice little pot which I'll show later...If someone can tell me how to flop a set (esp in a reraised pot v regular), I'd like to know!

Well here's a few of the ridiculous hands from today. I was down like 3/4 buyins at one point but recovered well to turn in just over a $300 profit. The big pot certainly helped...

Ridiculous setup v regular who takes this line with a much bigger range.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1084263

I figure the OR misclicked somehow cos he folded really quick. Obv the cold caller (50% vpip+) played the hand abysmally and got lucky.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1084266

Nice cold calls, buddy.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1084267

Deepstacked, I flop the nuts on a fairly drawy flop and get raised. How to extract the most money? I know - overbet shove! Obv the turn sucked but it's fair to say that the rest of my block of flats heard me when the river paired the board.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1084270

I've got some coaching to do this afternoon and then I'm going out into town in the evening. Tomorrow, it's Cricket but if I'm feeling ok I may play in the morning. Sunday I have soccer in the morning and then Spurs v Man City in the afternoon. I went to the Blackburn game last night and it was pretty mediocre. Thanks to the stupid roadworks in the Blackwall Tunnel it took me 2.5 hours to get home (50 miles of basically dual carraige/motorway driving).

Gl everyone.

Absolute Joke

Just dropped 6 buyins in 500 hands at 1/2. Ridiculous setups/beats. Take a look at these:-

FullTiltPoker Game #2371108541: Table Kiowa (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:34:43 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: SMOKINACESS07 ($150.55)
Seat 2: JustRiveredU ($317.35)
Seat 3: TLC1418 ($0), is sitting out
Seat 4: brendan01 ($222.55)
Seat 5: hairypencil ($232.65)
Seat 6: PheeRage ($200), is sitting out
brendan01 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Jd 9d]
hairypencil folds
SMOKINACESS07 folds
TLC1418 stands up
JustRiveredU raises to $7
SMOKINACESS07: glad i folded that ace
brendan01 calls $5
*** FLOP *** [5s Js 9c]
PheeRage has returned
brendan01 bets $10
JustRiveredU raises to $30
brendan01 raises to $50
-Brigy- sits down
JustRiveredU raises to $310.35, and is all in
brendan01 calls $165.55, and is all in
JustRiveredU shows [Jd 9d]
brendan01 shows [9h Ah]
-Brigy- adds $46
Uncalled bet of $94.80 returned to JustRiveredU
*** TURN *** [5s Js 9c] [Ac]
*** RIVER *** [5s Js 9c Ac] [7h]
JustRiveredU shows two pair, Jacks and Nines
brendan01 shows two pair, Aces and Nines
brendan01 wins the pot ($443.10) with two pair, Aces and Nines

This one was good...Against a ridiculously aggro 37/19.

FullTiltPoker Game #2371129901: Table Lynnwood (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:46:19 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: bonehead1979 ($244.80)
Seat 2: Fuldtit ($1,376.20)
Seat 3: JustRiveredU ($201)
Seat 4: PheeRage ($200)
Seat 5: feelingit ($187), is sitting out
Seat 6: NoNFAtMiLk ($243)
JustRiveredU posts the small blind of $1
PheeRage posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Ad Td]
NoNFAtMiLk folds
bonehead1979 folds
Fuldtit raises to $7
JustRiveredU raises to $25
PheeRage folds
Fuldtit calls $18
*** FLOP *** [3c 3d 9d]
JustRiveredU bets $36
Fuldtit raises to $160
JustRiveredU raises to $176, and is all in
Fuldtit calls $16
JustRiveredU shows [Ad Td]
Fuldtit shows [Kd Kh]
*** TURN *** [3c 3d 9d] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [3c 3d 9d 5c] [9s]
JustRiveredU shows two pair, Nines and Threes
Fuldtit shows two pair, Kings and Nines
Fuldtit wins the pot ($401) with two pair, Kings and Nines
JustRiveredU is sitting out

Hate this spot, but again villain was a fish and NONFATMILK was playing back at me in like every hand.

FullTiltPoker Game #2371115602: Table Lynnwood (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:38:28 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: bonehead1979 ($216.75)
Seat 2: Fuldtit ($873.25)
Seat 3: JustRiveredU ($216.95)
Seat 4: PheeRage ($215.30)
Seat 5: feelingit ($187), is sitting out
Seat 6: NoNFAtMiLk ($200)
JustRiveredU posts the small blind of $1
PheeRage posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Qd Qh]
NoNFAtMiLk raises to $7
bonehead1979 folds
Fuldtit calls $7
JustRiveredU raises to $30
PheeRage folds
NoNFAtMiLk calls $23
Fuldtit calls $23
*** FLOP *** [8d 4s 3s]
JustRiveredU bets $70
NoNFAtMiLk raises to $170, and is all in
Fuldtit calls $170
JustRiveredU raises to $186.95, and is all in
Fuldtit calls $16.95
JustRiveredU shows [Qd Qh]
NoNFAtMiLk shows [Ks Kd]
Fuldtit shows [8s 7s]
*** TURN *** [8d 4s 3s] [Js]
*** RIVER *** [8d 4s 3s Js] [8h]
JustRiveredU shows two pair, Queens and Eights
Fuldtit shows a flush, Jack high
Fuldtit wins the side pot ($33.90) with a flush, Jack high
NoNFAtMiLk shows two pair, Kings and Eights
Fuldtit wins the main pot ($599) with a flush, Jack high
JustRiveredU is sitting out
NoNFAtMiLk adds $200

FullTiltPoker Game #2371095140: Table Bonanza (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:27:38 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: plzlemmewin ($402.55)
Seat 2: MyEntourage ($175.25)
Seat 3: JustRiveredU ($207.25)
Seat 5: vanjoelz ($308.70)
Seat 6: NoNFAtMiLk ($218)
plzlemmewin posts the small blind of $1
MyEntourage posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Ad Ac]
JustRiveredU raises to $7
vanjoelz calls $7
NoNFAtMiLk folds
plzlemmewin folds
MyEntourage calls $5
*** FLOP *** [2d 8d Jd]
Parcesros sits down
MyEntourage checks
JustRiveredU bets $16
Parcesros adds $78.15
vanjoelz raises to $32
MyEntourage folds
JustRiveredU raises to $200.25, and is all in
vanjoelz calls $168.25
JustRiveredU shows [Ad Ac]
vanjoelz shows [7d Td]
*** TURN *** [2d 8d Jd] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [2d 8d Jd 9d] [Tc]
JustRiveredU shows a flush, Ace high
vanjoelz shows a straight flush, Jack high
vanjoelz wins the pot ($419.50) with a straight flush, Jack high
JustRiveredU is sitting out

FullTiltPoker Game #2371124962: Table Lynnwood (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:43:32 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: bonehead1979 ($202)
Seat 2: Fuldtit ($1,270.20)
Seat 3: JustRiveredU ($200)
Seat 4: PheeRage ($198)
Seat 5: feelingit ($187), is sitting out
Seat 6: NoNFAtMiLk ($247)
PheeRage posts the small blind of $1
NoNFAtMiLk posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Td Qd]
bonehead1979 folds
Fuldtit calls $2
JustRiveredU raises to $9
PheeRage adds $3
PheeRage folds
NoNFAtMiLk folds
Fuldtit calls $7
*** FLOP *** [Jd Ts Th]
Fuldtit checks
JustRiveredU bets $16
Fuldtit calls $16
*** TURN *** [Jd Ts Th] [Ac]
Fuldtit checks
JustRiveredU bets $34
Fuldtit calls $34
*** RIVER *** [Jd Ts Th Ac] [8d]
Fuldtit bets $92
JustRiveredU: omg
JustRiveredU has 15 seconds left to act
JustRiveredU: if you have outdrawn again this is sick
JustRiveredU calls $92
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuldtit shows [Tc Js] (a full house, Tens full of Jacks)
JustRiveredU mucks
Fuldtit wins the pot ($302) with a full house, Tens full of Jacks

FullTiltPoker Game #2371064196: Table Newburg (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:11:48 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: TakeUrCheese ($197)
Seat 2: theWILLofD ($174.85)
Seat 3: batmonster ($133.70)
Seat 4: 79 HAMMER ($200)
Seat 5: phaldamir ($31.75)
Seat 6: JustRiveredU ($217)
batmonster posts the small blind of $1
79 HAMMER posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Jd Ah]
phaldamir folds
JustRiveredU raises to $7
TakeUrCheese folds
theWILLofD folds
batmonster calls $6
79 HAMMER folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 2h 3h]
batmonster checks
JustRiveredU bets $12
batmonster calls $12
*** TURN *** [Kd 2h 3h] [5s]
batmonster checks
JustRiveredU checks
*** RIVER *** [Kd 2h 3h 5s] [As]
batmonster bets $38
79 HAMMER: fu-ckin idiot
JustRiveredU calls $38
*** SHOW DOWN ***
batmonster shows [8h 4h] (a straight, Five high)
JustRiveredU mucks
batmonster wins the pot ($113) with a straight, Five high

FullTiltPoker Game #2371064254: Table Briggs (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:11:50 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: Anjonez ($710.85)
Seat 2: TakeUrCheese ($304.95)
Seat 3: JustRiveredU ($198)
Seat 4: NoNFAtMiLk ($295.30)
Seat 5: BigPappa882 ($69.75)
Seat 6: MyEntourage ($258)
JustRiveredU posts the small blind of $1
NoNFAtMiLk posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [9c 7c]
BigPappa882 raises to $4
MyEntourage folds
Anjonez calls $4
TakeUrCheese folds
JustRiveredU calls $3
NoNFAtMiLk calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7d 9s]
JustRiveredU has 15 seconds left to act
JustRiveredU bets $12
NoNFAtMiLk calls $12
BigPappa882 calls $12
Anjonez folds
*** TURN *** [Kd 7d 9s] [2h]
JustRiveredU bets $36
NoNFAtMiLk calls $36
BigPappa882 folds
*** RIVER *** [Kd 7d 9s 2h] [2s]
JustRiveredU checks
NoNFAtMiLk bets $72
JustRiveredU has 15 seconds left to act
JustRiveredU folds
Uncalled bet of $72 returned to NoNFAtMiLk
NoNFAtMiLk mucks
NoNFAtMiLk wins the pot ($121)
JustRiveredU adds $54

FullTiltPoker Game #2371069252: Table Kiowa (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:14:18 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: SMOKINACESS07 ($171.55)
Seat 2: JustRiveredU ($177.90)
Seat 3: TLC1418 ($95.80)
Seat 4: brendan01 ($187.90)
Seat 5: hairypencil ($183.65)
Seat 6: cobrasu27 ($241.05)
SMOKINACESS07 posts the small blind of $1
JustRiveredU posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [Js Ts]
TLC1418 folds
brendan01 folds
hairypencil raises to $4
cobrasu27 folds
SMOKINACESS07 calls $3
JustRiveredU calls $2
*** FLOP *** [3s 8s 5s]
SMOKINACESS07 bets $8
JustRiveredU raises to $24
hairypencil calls $24
SMOKINACESS07 calls $16
*** TURN *** [3s 8s 5s] [Qs]
SMOKINACESS07 checks
JustRiveredU checks
hairypencil checks
*** RIVER *** [3s 8s 5s Qs] [Th]
SMOKINACESS07 checks
JustRiveredU checks
hairypencil bets $28
SMOKINACESS07 calls $28
JustRiveredU folds
JustRiveredU adds $50.10
*** SHOW DOWN ***
hairypencil shows [Qd Ks] (a flush, King high)
SMOKINACESS07 shows [8c 9s] (a flush, Queen high)
hairypencil wins the pot ($137) with a flush, King high

Going to lie in a darkened room for a while now. Can someone answer me this? This guy (28/20) makes a ridiculously light call on the river against a fish, but whenever I do this with better, they have the goods. Explain?

FullTiltPoker Game #2371135811: Table Kiowa (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 6:49:36 ET - 2007/05/07
Seat 1: SMOKINACESS07 ($140.30)
Seat 2: JustRiveredU ($200)
Seat 3: -Brigy- ($0), is sitting out
Seat 4: brendan01 ($514.35)
Seat 5: hairypencil ($238.75)
Seat 6: PheeRage ($208)
hairypencil posts the small blind of $1
PheeRage posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to JustRiveredU [5s 7d]
-Brigy-: A5
SMOKINACESS07 folds
JustRiveredU folds
brendan01 folds
SMOKINACESS07: no1 cares
hairypencil raises to $6
PheeRage raises to $24
hairypencil calls $18
*** FLOP *** [5c Qh Kd]
brendan01: oh thats harsh
hairypencil checks
PheeRage bets $30
hairypencil calls $30
*** TURN *** [5c Qh Kd] [4c]
hairypencil checks
PheeRage checks
*** RIVER *** [5c Qh Kd 4c] [7s]
hairypencil bets $36
-Brigy- adds $40
-Brigy- has returned
PheeRage has 15 seconds left to act
PheeRage calls $36
*** SHOW DOWN ***
hairypencil shows [Ac Th] (Ace King high)
PheeRage shows [6d 6h] (a pair of Sixes)
PheeRage wins the pot ($177) with a pair of Sixes

To All UK Citizens

For all UK citizens, here is a link to a petition on the government's website. It is to get Poker recognized as a prescribed game in the UK Gaming act. This will allow it to be played outside of licensed casinos, in other card rooms for example.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Poker-UK/

Please pass this on to other uk players.

A New Beginning

After the various posts on CR and the last post on here, I am going back to basics for a bit. I have really worked on my game in the last few days and the things that have inspired me to do this was some comments on the forum/here, and also the SB Rugby HU video, as well as the Hawk51 vid in Member Contributions. IMO this is one of the best videos on CR, he is an excellent LAG player and is well worth watching. If anyone doesnt learn anything from it, then you are either world class or need to give up.

I'm going back to 50NL for 20k hands (should take until Monday or Tuesday) to implement some things I have been thinking about. I'm not mad keen to share them on here as I am sure some of my opponents read this, but its safe to say that I will be much tougher to play as a result if I can get them to work effectively in my game.

I played 1500 hands at 50NL yesterday and picked up 3 buyins making some adjustments. I actually felt the standard, apart from obvious donks, was actually pretty decent. There are definitely some very competent (probably CR) members on there. In fact several started chatting in the chat box to me, so clearly this is true.

This morning I made a NL100 video for CR. It's a 4 tabling one where I focus on determing opponent's ranges based on their preflop stats and postflop actions, and how effective note taking can be a huge boost to your winrate by giving you a great read on an opponent's postflop range. It should be added on Monday.

I've got a couple of lessons this afternoon, so that should be good too - after that I'll probably 8 table for most of the evening, I have no real social plans for tonight. Tomorrow I've got Cricket nets, and a Barbeque at a mates house, so no poker unless I get up early to play, and Sunday I have Soccer in the morning (our game got called off but I'm going to watch a cup final), Cricket (first game for me this season) in the afternoon, and then a football awards drink up in the evening. As manager I have to present awards to our players based on their votes and the marks that me and my mate who is captain have given throughout the season. Should be a grin, even I am getting hammered!

Good luck at the tables,

Dan

Confidence, or lack of it

To be honest, I'm not really sure where my game is at at the moment. I'm writing this kinda feeling confused and unsure of where I am in the poker world.

Basically last week I played like 6k hands of 1/2 and picked up about $2,500 which I'm pretty satisfied with. But this is the whole problem. I can carry on repeatedly at 1/2 and make ok monies but I'm not sure I want just that. I don't want to be Mr. Average and be just a solid low stakes player. I want to be a big winner - I mean not in the league of SBRugby obv but it would be nice for me to make a game like 5/10 or 10/20 my regular game so I can start to make big money.

But every time I move up to 2/4 I just get crushed. I think there are various reasons for this.

Firstly the games are somewhat toughter, with far less donks and far more regulars. I mean, a 27% average vpip table seems juicy at 2/4, whereas in all honesty I'd probably pass it up at 1/2 and look for better. When I'm playing 1/2 I do tend to make most of my money from bad players, and obviously at the higher games they are getting spread thinner so its not as easy.

Secondly, I just dont seem to have the confidence to play here either. I'm not really the most confident of people to start with and this I think is part of the problem for me - i.e. its easy for me to get downhearted for various reasons. I'm not sure how to overcome this, that will be tough.

To be honest, I feel quite embarrassed posting this, as well as a similar post on the CR Forum today, but I'm not really sure what to do. At the moment I just keep 40 buyins for 2/4 online and withdraw anything on top of that like twice a month so I'm putting away a decent amount of cash but I'd really like to move up with confidence. I dont see why I have this issue really, I'm running at like 7.5ptbb/100 at 1/2 for the last few months so obviously I have ability. Whenever I play I feel I am amongst the best players at the level, and whilst I have respect for some of the regulars, I never have any fear of them.

This probably sounds like a whining post but I dont intend it to be that. Obviously I have to be grateful that I am earning what is, in all honesty, decent money playing 1/2 compared to most people who work for a living. But I have definitely put more work into being good at poker than I did in 3 years doing my degree, so I think I deserve this relative success. But I want to be able to build on this, and at this point I think I am under achieving and in danger of missing the boat.

On one positive note, I just watched Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties. A real shame to see Lampard and Ashley Cole on the losing side :-)