The Mathematical Path To +EV Decisions.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, December 06, 2010
Searching for a Gold...GoldStar.
Good luck at the tables!
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Top 10 Today (at the moment)
Of course this will change, I am going for another session today and I can be it better or worst shape at the end of the session. Anyway just to show you guys that you can always find some ways to learn a new type of game and be willing to work hard and achieve something. About my VIP status, I have right now about 100 Fpps, and will work to maintain Silverstar.
See you at the tables!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Silverstar Achieved!
Once again, I made it, I am Silverstar until the end of the year. I will try to maintain Silverstar for January also. Goldstar? Well, it is more harder but not impossible, probably next year. Just accomplished 2 of my goals for this month: SNG Leaderboard and Silverstar. Add the $45 profit at the 18 Man SNG (Turbo) and this month was good.
I realize that is very hard to climb the Pokerstars VIP by playing micro stakes SNG's, that is why I played some shorthanded limit holdem cash games. It is not what I like to play most but I am learning other concepts on these games.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
SNG Leaderboard
I have been playing some limit holdem cash games to get some FPP's and during this week I played some 18 Man Turbo SNG's, that's why I achieve it the SNG Leaderboard Mercury orbit.
Stay tuned for my Silverstar picture very soon!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Month Feedback
First Congratulations to the 2010 WSOP Winner: Jonathan Duhamel.
The more important is to be a better player and improve the game, going for silverstar is a motivational thing to put more volume. I have been playing some cash games to mix up the whole process.
Here is the current VIP status:
See you at the tables!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
November Mini Challenges
What is a challenge to you?
Well for me is an opportunity to grow and become better at something. Sure is a motivational thing to do. I decided to set up some new small challenges for the next month to have a "back again" to the tables more focused than ever. I will set up some goals that are going to be challenging for me and I must achieve at least one until the end of November and will start on the 1st day.
The Challenge
The challenge is to try to accomplish one of these goals on November and will start only on November, so here they come:
1. Make Silverstar.
2. Play 500 games.
3. Make more than $150.
4. Make $50 in one single day (my current record is $72 in one single day).
5. Ended up on the SNG leaderboard (whatever will be at low orbit or high orbit).
Goals Explanation
- The 1st one is something that will put me on the volume side to play at least 22 games per day at $1 stakes, or about 12 games per day at $3 stakes. I am more than rolled for the $1 and $3 stakes (probably for the $5 too).
- The 2nd is related to the 1st one but a little bit more softer.
- The 3rd and 4th doesn't deserve any explanation, is pure profit goals.
- The last one is to try to make something that I never made and could give me more profit too.
SNG Structures
I will choose whatever SNG I like, but I am more inclined to play the 18 man tables. Probably mixing with some 27/45 and 180 man tables. I will also play some 360 man tables. For the most part expect to see me at the 18 man tables
Buy-ins
Well, like I said before, besides my current downswing this month, I have 100 buy-ins to play the $5 tables. But, because I am a nit at bankroll management, and because the multitable SNG's have more variance than single tables, I will play at the $1 and $3 buy-ins.
Schedule Play
On weekdays expect to find me at the tables between 23h and midnight grinding at least 6 tables and some times 12 tables at the same time.
On weekends I will play on the same schedule but with more flexibility to play on afternoon.
I probably play some MTTs on the weekends.
So this is it, let the challenge begin on 1st of November.
Let me leave you guys with a picture where I was playing on the Sunday 1/4 million and there was the professional Pokerstars player Leatherass9 (Dusty Schmidt) on my table.
Well for me is an opportunity to grow and become better at something. Sure is a motivational thing to do. I decided to set up some new small challenges for the next month to have a "back again" to the tables more focused than ever. I will set up some goals that are going to be challenging for me and I must achieve at least one until the end of November and will start on the 1st day.
The Challenge
The challenge is to try to accomplish one of these goals on November and will start only on November, so here they come:
1. Make Silverstar.
2. Play 500 games.
3. Make more than $150.
4. Make $50 in one single day (my current record is $72 in one single day).
5. Ended up on the SNG leaderboard (whatever will be at low orbit or high orbit).
Goals Explanation
- The 1st one is something that will put me on the volume side to play at least 22 games per day at $1 stakes, or about 12 games per day at $3 stakes. I am more than rolled for the $1 and $3 stakes (probably for the $5 too).
- The 2nd is related to the 1st one but a little bit more softer.
- The 3rd and 4th doesn't deserve any explanation, is pure profit goals.
- The last one is to try to make something that I never made and could give me more profit too.
SNG Structures
I will choose whatever SNG I like, but I am more inclined to play the 18 man tables. Probably mixing with some 27/45 and 180 man tables. I will also play some 360 man tables. For the most part expect to see me at the 18 man tables
Buy-ins
Well, like I said before, besides my current downswing this month, I have 100 buy-ins to play the $5 tables. But, because I am a nit at bankroll management, and because the multitable SNG's have more variance than single tables, I will play at the $1 and $3 buy-ins.
Schedule Play
On weekdays expect to find me at the tables between 23h and midnight grinding at least 6 tables and some times 12 tables at the same time.
On weekends I will play on the same schedule but with more flexibility to play on afternoon.
I probably play some MTTs on the weekends.
So this is it, let the challenge begin on 1st of November.
Let me leave you guys with a picture where I was playing on the Sunday 1/4 million and there was the professional Pokerstars player Leatherass9 (Dusty Schmidt) on my table.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
October Feedback
Results
This month has been terrible, I am down for about $120. I played some different structures (again) and even on the regular one, the 9 Man SNG, I am having some bad results lately. In fact, was on 9 man sng (regular blinds) that I lost most and next was 9 Man SNg (turbo blinds). But the sample size is ridiculous, only 66 games combined on these games, wich is a very small sample.
Multitable SNG
Where I am being profitable (this month)? I played 21 games of 18 Man SNG (turbo) and I have a 16% ROI on them. I also played 47 games of 45 Man SNG (turbo) and made a 14% ROI on them. I think my grind will be on the 18 Man SNG. What about 9 Man SNG? Well for now, I will not play them as much as I could.
Volume
I played this month 291 games, and I will reach 300 for sure. Right now is my highest volume month, I am happy for that. I have a goal to reach 1k games in one month, not sure when that will be, but I am getting closer to that mark.
Silverstar this month? Well, with so much volume, I need to make 384 FPP to reach silverstar. I should play 35 games everyday until 31 of this month. I am not sure if I will do that, let's see.
Future Thoughts
This month was so hard for me. I mean, the downswing's are part of the game, I see some serious professional players who make thousands of dollars each month by playing SNG's and they all have downswing's for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
Volume is the key to keep making profit, this is a long term game and on the short term luck plays a big role but on the long term, skill is master.
I think I will play more multitable SNG than single table SNG because they are more profitable besides having more variance.
180 Man SNG
These are the most profitable and yet more variance sng that exists (in turbo blinds). I have been looking at some pros results and these games are very very profitable. I played a few this month and did not cash in any of them but I enjoyed a lot. I think these games have potential to become my grind on the future, not right now because I do not have the perfect bankroll to grind them and I also need to study them. To make good profit on them you have to play at least 1k in one month.
These are my thoughts on my actual poker career. Not a good month but you should not look to your short term results, instead, look at your decisions at the tables and work towards long term profitable results.
This month has been terrible, I am down for about $120. I played some different structures (again) and even on the regular one, the 9 Man SNG, I am having some bad results lately. In fact, was on 9 man sng (regular blinds) that I lost most and next was 9 Man SNg (turbo blinds). But the sample size is ridiculous, only 66 games combined on these games, wich is a very small sample.
Multitable SNG
Where I am being profitable (this month)? I played 21 games of 18 Man SNG (turbo) and I have a 16% ROI on them. I also played 47 games of 45 Man SNG (turbo) and made a 14% ROI on them. I think my grind will be on the 18 Man SNG. What about 9 Man SNG? Well for now, I will not play them as much as I could.
Volume
I played this month 291 games, and I will reach 300 for sure. Right now is my highest volume month, I am happy for that. I have a goal to reach 1k games in one month, not sure when that will be, but I am getting closer to that mark.
Silverstar this month? Well, with so much volume, I need to make 384 FPP to reach silverstar. I should play 35 games everyday until 31 of this month. I am not sure if I will do that, let's see.
Future Thoughts
This month was so hard for me. I mean, the downswing's are part of the game, I see some serious professional players who make thousands of dollars each month by playing SNG's and they all have downswing's for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
Volume is the key to keep making profit, this is a long term game and on the short term luck plays a big role but on the long term, skill is master.
I think I will play more multitable SNG than single table SNG because they are more profitable besides having more variance.
180 Man SNG
These are the most profitable and yet more variance sng that exists (in turbo blinds). I have been looking at some pros results and these games are very very profitable. I played a few this month and did not cash in any of them but I enjoyed a lot. I think these games have potential to become my grind on the future, not right now because I do not have the perfect bankroll to grind them and I also need to study them. To make good profit on them you have to play at least 1k in one month.
These are my thoughts on my actual poker career. Not a good month but you should not look to your short term results, instead, look at your decisions at the tables and work towards long term profitable results.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Back to 9 Man grind on Turbo mode
I am down for the month and I am willing to turn things around. I returned yesterday to 9 Man SNG's but on Turbo. I dropped 1 buy-in level so I can manage to multitable and adapt to turbo blinds at the 9 Man SNG's.
I played 10 tables at the same time today and I made ITM (in the money) on 5 tables with two 1 st places, one 2nd and two 3rd places. The funny thing is that I lost with good hands, like AK vs 72s (player rivers a deuce) and on the other game I call a shove with A8 vs his A3s (he rivers a 3).
Anyway I made a small profit and I will try to play between 60 and 100 this week, so I can have many points to the Battle Of the Planets and, of course, to make cash.
Keep grinding smart!
I played 10 tables at the same time today and I made ITM (in the money) on 5 tables with two 1 st places, one 2nd and two 3rd places. The funny thing is that I lost with good hands, like AK vs 72s (player rivers a deuce) and on the other game I call a shove with A8 vs his A3s (he rivers a 3).
Anyway I made a small profit and I will try to play between 60 and 100 this week, so I can have many points to the Battle Of the Planets and, of course, to make cash.
Keep grinding smart!
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Last Month Review
Last month I played 216 games, was my highest month in volume. But I played different types of SNG and that brought some negative consequences on my ROI. Was a month with a small profit, almost break even. In some point of the month I was 3 digits in profit and then after some games I was down again. Anyway, poker is a learning process and I should think and take action to correct my game.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tricky Session / Equity Analysis
Today I have a day as a holiday, make some things in the morning and I was lunching with my wife parents, since July (that I wasn't launching with them).
Afternoon I made 2 poker sessions, on the 1st one I played 4 tables and made a smaller profit. On the second session I did not make ITM on the 5 tables that I played at the same time. The tricky thing is the spots that I lost with the hands that I shove.
1st table: blinds were at level 3, preflop player 3 bets MP, everyone folds and I flat call on the big blind with AKo, on a paired board at the flop (772) he bets 2/3 of the pot and I push thinking the flop did not hit him, and he calls with pocket nines, my equity is 44% against his 55% equity and I lost.
By the way, this is preflop equity (not on the flop).
Probably I should check the flop and fold to a bet, still early and I still have more than 20 big blinds.
2nd table: I have 12 big blinds, one limper at MP and I have AKo so i decide to push, the button "awakes up" with pocket aces.
3rd table: I am at the small blind with ATo and 16 big blinds, the button shoves and I call. He has A9s.
My equity: 68%
His equity: 31%
He wins by making a straight on the turn (8TJ/7)
4rd table: I have 11 big blinds, a UTG+1 3 bets, I have AKo in LP and I push he calls with AJo.
My equity: 74%
His equity: 25%
He flops the Jack and make 3 of a kind on the turn.
5rd table: with only 5 big blinds left I push with my pocket teens after one limper, the big blind calls and the limper folds, the big blind has A5o.
My equity: 70%
His equity: 30%
And he flops the Ace.
Afternoon I made 2 poker sessions, on the 1st one I played 4 tables and made a smaller profit. On the second session I did not make ITM on the 5 tables that I played at the same time. The tricky thing is the spots that I lost with the hands that I shove.
1st table: blinds were at level 3, preflop player 3 bets MP, everyone folds and I flat call on the big blind with AKo, on a paired board at the flop (772) he bets 2/3 of the pot and I push thinking the flop did not hit him, and he calls with pocket nines, my equity is 44% against his 55% equity and I lost.
By the way, this is preflop equity (not on the flop).
Probably I should check the flop and fold to a bet, still early and I still have more than 20 big blinds.
2nd table: I have 12 big blinds, one limper at MP and I have AKo so i decide to push, the button "awakes up" with pocket aces.
3rd table: I am at the small blind with ATo and 16 big blinds, the button shoves and I call. He has A9s.
My equity: 68%
His equity: 31%
He wins by making a straight on the turn (8TJ/7)
4rd table: I have 11 big blinds, a UTG+1 3 bets, I have AKo in LP and I push he calls with AJo.
My equity: 74%
His equity: 25%
He flops the Jack and make 3 of a kind on the turn.
5rd table: with only 5 big blinds left I push with my pocket teens after one limper, the big blind calls and the limper folds, the big blind has A5o.
My equity: 70%
His equity: 30%
And he flops the Ace.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
45 Man SNG Hands Analysis
Been playing this week with some 3 tabling sessions, summing up to 12 tables for the all day. Hit another minor stretch on the 6 man, losing hands like AK to KK, KQs to ace rag hand and QQ against a flush. Anyway I am happy the way I have been playing.
I played some 45 man Turbo SNGs, and I won my first $3.25 Turbo 45 man today. I had some interesting hands that I would like to share with you guys. These hands were the turnaround on the tournament, where I doubled up my stack or eliminated some player.
Hand 1
##########################################
Blinds : 100/200
6 players
[SB] Player1 (2255)
[BB] lmagalhaes (1365)
[1] Player3 (4865)
[2] Player4 (1725)
[3] Player5 (3165)
[But] Player6 (5555)
lmagalhaes 4
4
Initial Pot: 300
Player3 raises to 600
Player1,Player4,Player5,Player6 folds
lmagalhaes is All in
Player3 calls 765
### FLOP ### 3 7
7 Pot: 2830
### TURN ### 3 Pot: 2830
### RIVER ### 9 Pot: 2830
lmagalhaes shows 4 4
Player3 shows J A
lmagalhaes wins 2830 from the main pot with Two pairs, sevens and fours
I only have 7 big blinds or an M of 4.55, so I am on the push/fold mode. Any pair is a shove for me so I think I made the right decision.
I think the player call is not bad, he has a strong hand. The only thing is that he has more than 20 big blinds, so folding is not so bad either to him.
Hand 2
##########################################
Blinds : 200/400 - Ante 25.0
7 players
[SB] nw... (9345)
[BB] bv... (4745)
[1] Al... (6445)
[2] KL... (2760)
[3] lmagalhaes (1535)
[4] fl... (9855)
[But] Re... (2975)
lmagalhaes K 7
Initial Pot: 775
Al... folds
KL... folds
lmagalhaes is All in
fl... folds
Re... folds
nw... calls 1310
bv... is All in
nw... calls 3210
### FLOP ### 3 K 9 Pot: 11125
### TURN ### 5 Pot: 11125
### RIVER ### 8 Pot: 11125
nw... shows Q A
bv... shows Q Q
lmagalhaes shows K 7
lmagalhaes wins 4705 from the main pot with A Pair of kings
bv... wins 6420 from side pot n°1 with A Pair of queens
On this hand I was very lucky to flop the king. I still think that I made the right decision, I was already blinded out with only 3 big blinds so I must push with any face card, specially a King with a not so bad kicker.
Hand 3
##########################################
Blinds : 600/1200 - Ante 75.0
7 players
[SB] lmagalhaes (8304)
[BB] Qu... (3460)
[1] po... (7941)
[2] fl... (17531)
[3] gi... (7870)
[4] re... (11419)
[But] Al... (10975)
lmagalhaes T A Initial Pot: 2325
po... folds
fl... raises to 2600
gi... folds
re... folds
Al... folds
lmagalhaes is All in
Qu... is All in
fl... calls 5629
### FLOP ### 4 7 A Pot: 20368
### TURN ### K Pot: 20368
### RIVER ### 9 Pot: 20368
lmagalhaes shows T A
fl... shows K Q
Qu... shows 4 6
lmagalhaes wins 9688 from side pot n°1 with A Pair of aces
lmagalhaes wins 10680 from the main pot with A Pair of aces
I only have 6 big blinds, the player who min raises is doing that on the last hands and taking advantage of the tightness on the table. I was expecting him to fold to my shove, but this time he has a decent hand, but my hand is to strong to fold and I am not a fan of flat calling, specially to a loose aggressive player.
I won a nice pot on this hand and I was the chip leader at the table at this point of the game.
I really enjoy playing the 45s, I do not know why I abandoned these games, probably due to the variance but after losing 8 straight games on the regular 6 man SNG, and last month lost a bunch of games at the 9 man SNG, what type of SNG have more variance? Probably the 45s but not that much and the 45s gives a better ROI and $/hour (turbos) if you are a winning player.
I played some 45 man Turbo SNGs, and I won my first $3.25 Turbo 45 man today. I had some interesting hands that I would like to share with you guys. These hands were the turnaround on the tournament, where I doubled up my stack or eliminated some player.
Hand 1
##########################################
Blinds : 100/200
6 players
[SB] Player1 (2255)
[BB] lmagalhaes (1365)
[1] Player3 (4865)
[2] Player4 (1725)
[3] Player5 (3165)
[But] Player6 (5555)
lmagalhaes 4
4 Initial Pot: 300Player3 raises to 600
Player1,Player4,Player5,Player6 folds
lmagalhaes is All in
Player3 calls 765
### FLOP ### 3
7 7 Pot: 2830### TURN ### 3
Pot: 2830### RIVER ### 9
Pot: 2830lmagalhaes shows 4
4Player3 shows J
Almagalhaes wins 2830 from the main pot with Two pairs, sevens and fours
I only have 7 big blinds or an M of 4.55, so I am on the push/fold mode. Any pair is a shove for me so I think I made the right decision.
I think the player call is not bad, he has a strong hand. The only thing is that he has more than 20 big blinds, so folding is not so bad either to him.
Hand 2
##########################################
Blinds : 200/400 - Ante 25.0
7 players
[SB] nw... (9345)
[BB] bv... (4745)
[1] Al... (6445)
[2] KL... (2760)
[3] lmagalhaes (1535)
[4] fl... (9855)
[But] Re... (2975)
lmagalhaes K
7 Initial Pot: 775Al... folds
KL... folds
lmagalhaes is All in
fl... folds
Re... folds
nw... calls 1310
bv... is All in
nw... calls 3210
### FLOP ### 3
K 9 Pot: 11125### TURN ### 5
Pot: 11125### RIVER ### 8
Pot: 11125nw... shows Q
Abv... shows Q
Qlmagalhaes shows K
7lmagalhaes wins 4705 from the main pot with A Pair of kings
bv... wins 6420 from side pot n°1 with A Pair of queens
On this hand I was very lucky to flop the king. I still think that I made the right decision, I was already blinded out with only 3 big blinds so I must push with any face card, specially a King with a not so bad kicker.
Hand 3
##########################################
Blinds : 600/1200 - Ante 75.0
7 players
[SB] lmagalhaes (8304)
[BB] Qu... (3460)
[1] po... (7941)
[2] fl... (17531)
[3] gi... (7870)
[4] re... (11419)
[But] Al... (10975)
lmagalhaes T
A Initial Pot: 2325po... folds
fl... raises to 2600
gi... folds
re... folds
Al... folds
lmagalhaes is All in
Qu... is All in
fl... calls 5629
### FLOP ### 4
7 A Pot: 20368### TURN ### K
Pot: 20368### RIVER ### 9
Pot: 20368lmagalhaes shows T
Afl... shows K
QQu... shows 4
6lmagalhaes wins 9688 from side pot n°1 with A Pair of aces
lmagalhaes wins 10680 from the main pot with A Pair of aces
I only have 6 big blinds, the player who min raises is doing that on the last hands and taking advantage of the tightness on the table. I was expecting him to fold to my shove, but this time he has a decent hand, but my hand is to strong to fold and I am not a fan of flat calling, specially to a loose aggressive player.
I won a nice pot on this hand and I was the chip leader at the table at this point of the game.
I really enjoy playing the 45s, I do not know why I abandoned these games, probably due to the variance but after losing 8 straight games on the regular 6 man SNG, and last month lost a bunch of games at the 9 man SNG, what type of SNG have more variance? Probably the 45s but not that much and the 45s gives a better ROI and $/hour (turbos) if you are a winning player.
Saturday, September 04, 2010
You Have No Choice But To Grind
"The Quitters Never Wins, The Winners Never Quits"
I had a major downswing last month and I am just posting to say that I recovered all that I lost and I have my bankroll on a new value. My main goal is to at least end the year on a $1k bankroll (at least).
Well, this is the evidence that when you study the game, put the effort on this game, make the right decisions, even if you lost that all-in on that particular game, you are going to win at long term.
Whenever you have a downswing trust on your game, review you hands played, find some leaks and the results will come. I am very satisfied with the last results, I am not saying that I will not have a downswing sooner or later, but whenever you have a downswing you have no choice but to keep grinding.
Here is a graph with the all my career on Pokerstars, I have more bankroll than what appears on the graph (due to some bonuses and deposits at the beginning of the last year).
Except 2 moments where I won some great cash on 2 MTTs, I was always grinding SNGs, starting at the $1 buy-in.
I had a major downswing last month and I am just posting to say that I recovered all that I lost and I have my bankroll on a new value. My main goal is to at least end the year on a $1k bankroll (at least).
Well, this is the evidence that when you study the game, put the effort on this game, make the right decisions, even if you lost that all-in on that particular game, you are going to win at long term.
Whenever you have a downswing trust on your game, review you hands played, find some leaks and the results will come. I am very satisfied with the last results, I am not saying that I will not have a downswing sooner or later, but whenever you have a downswing you have no choice but to keep grinding.
Here is a graph with the all my career on Pokerstars, I have more bankroll than what appears on the graph (due to some bonuses and deposits at the beginning of the last year).
Except 2 moments where I won some great cash on 2 MTTs, I was always grinding SNGs, starting at the $1 buy-in.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
September Milestones
August, finally is over, what a month, unbelievable month. I had my biggest downswing at the tables for the first time. Never had a downswing of this size by playing 9 man SNG (regular blinds). Last week I was down for about $100, what a negative stretch! Right now, I recovered almost half.
August Overall Numbers:
Total games played: 216
Total Profit/Loss: - $17
Now let's check out what games I played and where I lost/won:
SNG 9 Man:
Total games: 90
Profit/Loss: - $15.4
SNG 6 Man:
Total games: 6
Profit/Loss: + $43.2
SNG Heads Up:
Total games: 126
Profit/Loss: - $44.8
These kind of negative variance could happen sometimes, but instead of complaining about it, I just keep working on my game. Some poor results was due to bad beats and some river coolers, in others games I think I did not made the optimal play, so there were some leaks to identify and correct.
I have been playing 6 Man SNG (regular blinds) during the last days and I am happy with my results on them. For September I will try to play between 200 and 250 games and try to go for Silverstar. I will return to my grind on 9 Man or/and 6 Man SNG regular blinds. It is not good to make profit goals but I will make it anyway. At the minimum I will be break even, but I will try to make between $100/$200 in profit for September. Again, this is just a general idea and a straightforward path to have for September.
I am thinking in create some videos once in a while of my plays at the tables, but instead of putting a whole session, I will put a part of the session (for example the bubble, or the late game). Stay tuned for updates on this matter, but
See you at the tables on the one and only Pokerstars.
August Overall Numbers:
Total games played: 216
Total Profit/Loss: - $17
Now let's check out what games I played and where I lost/won:
SNG 9 Man:
Total games: 90
Profit/Loss: - $15.4
SNG 6 Man:
Total games: 6
Profit/Loss: + $43.2
SNG Heads Up:
Total games: 126
Profit/Loss: - $44.8
These kind of negative variance could happen sometimes, but instead of complaining about it, I just keep working on my game. Some poor results was due to bad beats and some river coolers, in others games I think I did not made the optimal play, so there were some leaks to identify and correct.
I have been playing 6 Man SNG (regular blinds) during the last days and I am happy with my results on them. For September I will try to play between 200 and 250 games and try to go for Silverstar. I will return to my grind on 9 Man or/and 6 Man SNG regular blinds. It is not good to make profit goals but I will make it anyway. At the minimum I will be break even, but I will try to make between $100/$200 in profit for September. Again, this is just a general idea and a straightforward path to have for September.
I am thinking in create some videos once in a while of my plays at the tables, but instead of putting a whole session, I will put a part of the session (for example the bubble, or the late game). Stay tuned for updates on this matter, but
See you at the tables on the one and only Pokerstars.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Poker Pro Elky Gives a Instant Interview
Here is a quick and small chat from Elky, a successful professional poker player. One of my favourites online poker players.
Very interesting the 1st question and more interesting his answer...
Very interesting the 1st question and more interesting his answer...
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Some Changes at the Tables.
I am taking a break on 9 man sng games and back to heads up play. The last downswing on the 9 man sng let me thinking that I should take a break on them and increase my study game. So the rest of this month I will play them occasionally, but I will focus on study the game and play more heads up sng games.
I enjoy playing heads up SNG, I made a full night play on 13th Of June, (before going on Hollidays), just playing 24 games of 1€ heads up games (I was more that over rolled, I just wanted to play them), played no more than one table simultaneously.
With this change of games, plus the study I will have more data to analyse my own game and evaluate the right direction at SNG play.
Good luck to everyone at the tables!
I enjoy playing heads up SNG, I made a full night play on 13th Of June, (before going on Hollidays), just playing 24 games of 1€ heads up games (I was more that over rolled, I just wanted to play them), played no more than one table simultaneously.
With this change of games, plus the study I will have more data to analyse my own game and evaluate the right direction at SNG play.
Good luck to everyone at the tables!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Funny Analogy For a Downsing
I am experiencing the worst month of my SNG play, but I am ok. Most of the decisions that I made at the tables were the right moves. Besides that I will increase my study time on the next week.
The reason I am posting is to let you guys with a music lyrics analogy to my current downswing, the lyrics are from a new popular and great music from Armin Van Buuren, - Going Wrong.
Yea I keep dreaming (of jumping to the next SNG game level)
That I have it all (all the good preflop hand)
Ooh I'm still craving
To have you by my side (the skill/luck at my side)
...
You're burning out of my head
And in my brain it's going wrong (with the all negative variance)
And I will live today (yeah, I will make it)
And I will live tomorrow (To turn the negative in to positive variance)
No matter what is said or done (no matter the outcome, the decision was the right one)
Even if it's going wrong
You're burning out my head
Even if it's going wrong
The reason I am posting is to let you guys with a music lyrics analogy to my current downswing, the lyrics are from a new popular and great music from Armin Van Buuren, - Going Wrong.
Yea I keep dreaming (of jumping to the next SNG game level)
That I have it all (all the good preflop hand)
Ooh I'm still craving
To have you by my side (the skill/luck at my side)
...
You're burning out of my head
And in my brain it's going wrong (with the all negative variance)
And I will live today (yeah, I will make it)
And I will live tomorrow (To turn the negative in to positive variance)
No matter what is said or done (no matter the outcome, the decision was the right one)
Even if it's going wrong
You're burning out my head
Even if it's going wrong
Monday, August 09, 2010
Though Times
It is not the first time, certainly will not be the last time. It happens, sooner or later the negative variance of the game will hit you badly. I am experiencing and feeling that right now (at least until yesterday).
Some numbers
I was up in profit $42.2 with 19 games this month (at 4 of August) and right now I am up in profit for only $33.7 ($23.7 from 57 games played + $10 in rake back). What was my reaction to this performance?
Well I reviewed my all weekend session, found some minor errors in some moves that I made but most of the games, I lost due to some coolers, few bad beats and lucky flops to opponents.
Some coolers
For example, yesterday (in one of my sessions) I played 6 tables at the same time. In 2 of the tables I made ITM (2nd and 3rd place), on another 2 tables I bubbled, on the other 2 tables I was out. On the 3 tables that I lost, I had some coolers, like losing to opponent river straight. Shoving better pairs preflop and opponent flopping the set!
The Pressure is a Good Thing
It's times like these that I feel the pressure, the pressure to keep going, keep working out my game, grind much more to turn things out. These are the moments that separates the winners from the losers. The way you keep focusing on your "A" game and challenge yourself to give the best you can in each and every hand played and avoiding tilting.
Good Bankroll Management is the Key
One of the things that a good bankroll management gives you it's that when you are experiencing a downswing, you can be sure that you have plenty of money to keep grinding for the long term success because you are over rolled. I am glad that I was wise to be over rolled for the buy-ins that I play.
Stay in touch, I am all-in!
Some numbers
I was up in profit $42.2 with 19 games this month (at 4 of August) and right now I am up in profit for only $33.7 ($23.7 from 57 games played + $10 in rake back). What was my reaction to this performance?
Well I reviewed my all weekend session, found some minor errors in some moves that I made but most of the games, I lost due to some coolers, few bad beats and lucky flops to opponents.
Some coolers
For example, yesterday (in one of my sessions) I played 6 tables at the same time. In 2 of the tables I made ITM (2nd and 3rd place), on another 2 tables I bubbled, on the other 2 tables I was out. On the 3 tables that I lost, I had some coolers, like losing to opponent river straight. Shoving better pairs preflop and opponent flopping the set!
The Pressure is a Good Thing
It's times like these that I feel the pressure, the pressure to keep going, keep working out my game, grind much more to turn things out. These are the moments that separates the winners from the losers. The way you keep focusing on your "A" game and challenge yourself to give the best you can in each and every hand played and avoiding tilting.
Good Bankroll Management is the Key
One of the things that a good bankroll management gives you it's that when you are experiencing a downswing, you can be sure that you have plenty of money to keep grinding for the long term success because you are over rolled. I am glad that I was wise to be over rolled for the buy-ins that I play.
Stay in touch, I am all-in!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
August Challenges
Besides being my birthday month, August is the Month that I enjoy very much because everyone is on holidays so there is a peaceful environment in Lisbon. What I do not like about is the hot weather, that is why I enjoy more the Winter than the Summer, the cold is so cool, I really love the cold weather and the snow.
Poker is unique
One of the things that make poker a unique game is that combines luck and skill in a very specific form. In the short term luck is going to be predominant but in the long term, skill is going to be constant.
You see, there are games were you cannot play to win or play to lose, the odds are the same no matter what you do. Take roulette, slot machines, some card games or even a very popular game in Portugal the Euro millions.
There is a Friday fever in Lisbon that suddenly when Friday arrives everyone wants to take that big shot on the, (at least), 15 millions. Euro Millions is a long term losing game, you cannot play to win or lose, the odds are always the same and you are giving your money away. Sure, you may be lucky to hit the big prize, but the odds are very, very small ("nano small").
In poker you can play to lose or you can play to win, there is skill involved. Another thing is that you are playing against other players so there isn't the "house" advantage (like happens on blackjack). Sure, there are some "bad beats" or "coolers" but that is the variance of the game, if you play skilful poker you are going to win money in the long term.
Personal Month Challenges
I am always inspired by winning players who make long multitabling sessions with a constant focused mind on the tables. To grind this game out you must really be willing to put your mind and soul at the tables, is takes very, very effort to put that kind of dedication.
My challenge for this month is to play between 125 and 150 games and profiting between $100 and $150. I will also try to have a poker marathon, what I mean is I will try to have a full night playing (like I did on June). If I make this marathon I will inform on twitter during that night, but expect to be in on a Friday or a Saturday night during the month.
Commitment
I do not have the all time of the day to grind the game, but I do have some (at least) 2 hours per day to make the most out of this game. I commit myself to improve my game on one very specific variation in poker, that is the No-Limit Holdem Sit aNd Go (SNG) of one table (Single Table Tournament).
I have seen, felt and realised that hard work really pays-off in many thing in life where skill is involved and poker is no exception. If you review you poker sessions, correct some minor errors or leaks you have and study the game you will see your game improving and that will have a long term positive impact.
Poker is unique
One of the things that make poker a unique game is that combines luck and skill in a very specific form. In the short term luck is going to be predominant but in the long term, skill is going to be constant.
You see, there are games were you cannot play to win or play to lose, the odds are the same no matter what you do. Take roulette, slot machines, some card games or even a very popular game in Portugal the Euro millions.
There is a Friday fever in Lisbon that suddenly when Friday arrives everyone wants to take that big shot on the, (at least), 15 millions. Euro Millions is a long term losing game, you cannot play to win or lose, the odds are always the same and you are giving your money away. Sure, you may be lucky to hit the big prize, but the odds are very, very small ("nano small").
In poker you can play to lose or you can play to win, there is skill involved. Another thing is that you are playing against other players so there isn't the "house" advantage (like happens on blackjack). Sure, there are some "bad beats" or "coolers" but that is the variance of the game, if you play skilful poker you are going to win money in the long term.
Personal Month Challenges
I am always inspired by winning players who make long multitabling sessions with a constant focused mind on the tables. To grind this game out you must really be willing to put your mind and soul at the tables, is takes very, very effort to put that kind of dedication.
My challenge for this month is to play between 125 and 150 games and profiting between $100 and $150. I will also try to have a poker marathon, what I mean is I will try to have a full night playing (like I did on June). If I make this marathon I will inform on twitter during that night, but expect to be in on a Friday or a Saturday night during the month.
Commitment
I do not have the all time of the day to grind the game, but I do have some (at least) 2 hours per day to make the most out of this game. I commit myself to improve my game on one very specific variation in poker, that is the No-Limit Holdem Sit aNd Go (SNG) of one table (Single Table Tournament).
I have seen, felt and realised that hard work really pays-off in many thing in life where skill is involved and poker is no exception. If you review you poker sessions, correct some minor errors or leaks you have and study the game you will see your game improving and that will have a long term positive impact.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
July By The Numbers
I "grew up" as a 9 man SNG player this month. I played the games with more confidence and strategic/analytical thinking.
I finally decided and stayed with the type of game I enjoy most and where I have the best edge, the non turbo 9 Man SNG. Besides not making serious money, (at the moment), due to the buy-in level, I ended up making my best profitable SNG grind month of my career.
July Numbers
Still started this month playing 45 man and HU (less than 10 games on these two), then I played some 1€ turbos and finally decided to stick to the non turbos (regular) 9 man SNG where I ended up with more than 20% ROI in 96 games:
This is a picture, (from the site PokerProLabs / TopShark), where you can check out some more data filtered for 9 Man SNG this month.
In August I will be playing 9 Man SNG, (this is becoming a "cliché" word!). Will start to play in some point of the month the $5,50 buy-in level and mix with the $3,40 buy-in.
I finally decided and stayed with the type of game I enjoy most and where I have the best edge, the non turbo 9 Man SNG. Besides not making serious money, (at the moment), due to the buy-in level, I ended up making my best profitable SNG grind month of my career.
July Numbers
Still started this month playing 45 man and HU (less than 10 games on these two), then I played some 1€ turbos and finally decided to stick to the non turbos (regular) 9 man SNG where I ended up with more than 20% ROI in 96 games:
This is a picture, (from the site PokerProLabs / TopShark), where you can check out some more data filtered for 9 Man SNG this month.
In August I will be playing 9 Man SNG, (this is becoming a "cliché" word!). Will start to play in some point of the month the $5,50 buy-in level and mix with the $3,40 buy-in.
Monday, July 26, 2010
WSOP 2010: Congratulations!
First of all, I congratulate all the great poker players who made ITM at the WSOP 2010. For all nations in the world, a sincere word of kind to all good players.
Because I am portuguese I want to give a special attention to Portuguese players.
Portuguese Poker Players were in great shape during the WSOP 2010. We had 21 ITM Portuguese Players and some great performances by some players.
The Events: #42, #49, #54, #56 and of course the Main Event, were all played by a lot of players and there were some very good portuguese players who made ITM.
On the Main Event we had a 175th Place, history was made once again on the portuguese poker book.
I am sure that in next years to come there will be Final Tables and bracelets to portuguese poker players. I am also sure that we are going to have a portuguese player at the November Nine and probably a World Champion (who knows?).
Congratulations to all players and specially portuguese poker players on the WSOP.
Because I am portuguese I want to give a special attention to Portuguese players.
Portuguese Poker Players were in great shape during the WSOP 2010. We had 21 ITM Portuguese Players and some great performances by some players.
The Events: #42, #49, #54, #56 and of course the Main Event, were all played by a lot of players and there were some very good portuguese players who made ITM.
On the Main Event we had a 175th Place, history was made once again on the portuguese poker book.
I am sure that in next years to come there will be Final Tables and bracelets to portuguese poker players. I am also sure that we are going to have a portuguese player at the November Nine and probably a World Champion (who knows?).
Congratulations to all players and specially portuguese poker players on the WSOP.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Week Feedback
July is my best 9 Man SNG month of the year, I played only 68 SNG's of $3.40 buy-in and I have a 30% ROI. Last month I finished with a 14% ROI in 115 games, I think I can end this month above 20%.
I am considering in moving to the $5.50 buy-in level next month to make more profit and maintain my sng strategy. I will have to adapt to new players and I am sure they will also adapt to my play. It is not the first time I play the $5.50 SNG games, but it will be the first time I will grind this buy-in level.
You see, there is a difference in between playing, "take a shot" on a type of game and grinding a type of game. To me grinding is playing a lot, put really awesome volume on only that type of game (or buy-in level).
So my transition will be definitive but I have some loss lines. The same way I am moving up to play another buy-in (according to my bankroll and skill), I am also willing to move down if I sense that I do not have the skill to play there or I lose some buy-ins on that level.
Bankroll Management is the key on moving up and moving down on buy-in levels and is the fundamental to preserve you as a skilful and excellent player.
I am considering in moving to the $5.50 buy-in level next month to make more profit and maintain my sng strategy. I will have to adapt to new players and I am sure they will also adapt to my play. It is not the first time I play the $5.50 SNG games, but it will be the first time I will grind this buy-in level.
You see, there is a difference in between playing, "take a shot" on a type of game and grinding a type of game. To me grinding is playing a lot, put really awesome volume on only that type of game (or buy-in level).
So my transition will be definitive but I have some loss lines. The same way I am moving up to play another buy-in (according to my bankroll and skill), I am also willing to move down if I sense that I do not have the skill to play there or I lose some buy-ins on that level.
Bankroll Management is the key on moving up and moving down on buy-in levels and is the fundamental to preserve you as a skilful and excellent player.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Mid July Feedback
SNG Strategy
I returned to the 9 Man non-turbos SNG games, the $3.40 buy in games. I was grinding profitable the $1 turbo 9 man SNG, but I had less $$$ in return so I decided to move on to my beach, the non turbo 9 Man.
I played this month 23 games of $3.40 9 Man SNG, I have righ now and only for this month a ROI of 51%. I am very satisfied with results so far and I will keep my grind on these games and try to move on to the $5.50 next month. If I count with last month, I have a overall ROI of 12% on the $3.40 SNG.
I am working to end this year grinding the $11 non turbo 9 Man SNG. I can only dream with Supernova next year if I end the year playing the $22, but I am not sure if I can speed up my progress to that buy in level until the end of the year.
See you at the tables!
I returned to the 9 Man non-turbos SNG games, the $3.40 buy in games. I was grinding profitable the $1 turbo 9 man SNG, but I had less $$$ in return so I decided to move on to my beach, the non turbo 9 Man.
I played this month 23 games of $3.40 9 Man SNG, I have righ now and only for this month a ROI of 51%. I am very satisfied with results so far and I will keep my grind on these games and try to move on to the $5.50 next month. If I count with last month, I have a overall ROI of 12% on the $3.40 SNG.
I am working to end this year grinding the $11 non turbo 9 Man SNG. I can only dream with Supernova next year if I end the year playing the $22, but I am not sure if I can speed up my progress to that buy in level until the end of the year.
See you at the tables!
Monday, July 05, 2010
June Performance with a Picture
June overall I played different kind of games and that behaviour had consequences to my ROI. I did not played any big MTT so June was more of a SNG grind. I had never played so much in my entire poker career!
Total games played (all-types of SNG and MTT's): 234 games.
Now lets check out the overall numbers. I did not put the 18 Man SNG on the next picture but I had a net loss of ($22.25).
In overall I can see that I am growing as a SNG player, specially on the 9 Man tables. I had some suck-outs and coolers on some games and only because of that I did not have even better profit.
I am trying to move on to the 9 Man turbos instead of moving up limits on the regular ones. I have almost 200 buy ins for the $3.40 regular SNG's and I have good results on them, but instead of grinding them, I decided to move down in limits and play the 1€ 9 Man Turbos this month.
My goal is to try to grind the $6.50 9 Man Turbos next month or at least on September. Because I like to multitable, I cannot stand to multitable the $6.50 right now, I need more roll for that.
I am going to improve my performance on the Turbos by studying the game and grind the games.
Right now this month, i played 25 games of the Turbos with a ROI of 10.8%. I am multitabling 6 tables at the same time, I just finished a positive session a few minutes ago. If I count with past month, I have about 33 games with a total ROI of 23.2%.
Stay tuned for more updates, I see you at the tables on the one and only Pokerstars!
Total games played (all-types of SNG and MTT's): 234 games.
Now lets check out the overall numbers. I did not put the 18 Man SNG on the next picture but I had a net loss of ($22.25).
In overall I can see that I am growing as a SNG player, specially on the 9 Man tables. I had some suck-outs and coolers on some games and only because of that I did not have even better profit.
I am trying to move on to the 9 Man turbos instead of moving up limits on the regular ones. I have almost 200 buy ins for the $3.40 regular SNG's and I have good results on them, but instead of grinding them, I decided to move down in limits and play the 1€ 9 Man Turbos this month.
My goal is to try to grind the $6.50 9 Man Turbos next month or at least on September. Because I like to multitable, I cannot stand to multitable the $6.50 right now, I need more roll for that.
I am going to improve my performance on the Turbos by studying the game and grind the games.
Right now this month, i played 25 games of the Turbos with a ROI of 10.8%. I am multitabling 6 tables at the same time, I just finished a positive session a few minutes ago. If I count with past month, I have about 33 games with a total ROI of 23.2%.
Stay tuned for more updates, I see you at the tables on the one and only Pokerstars!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tudo começou assim... (Portuguese Post)
Olá!
Decidi escrever este post em Português para vos contar como começou a minha aventura no poker, como estou actualmente e como encaro a médio/longo prazo.
Relembro que jogo em part-time, à noite e que durante o dia tenho um trabalho comum como técnico/programador informático.
Fazer €€€
Sempre quis ganhar mais €€€ para além do trabalho comum das 9h às 18h. No fim de 2008, inicio de 2009 dedicava-me uma parte do meu tempo nas apostas desportivas mas nunca tirei grande proveito porque nunca estudei a sério o tema.
No site onde eu fazia as apostas desportivas olhava sempre para aquele banner do Poker que me chamava a atenção, até que um dia cliquei no banner e a minha vida não voltou mais ser a mesma desde essa altura!
Brincadeira nos micro Cash Games
Em pouco mais de 15 minutos li as regras básicas do poker, a importância de ser o ultimo a jogar, as blinds e coloquei 10 € na sala e sentei-me numa mesa a dinheiro, na altura as blinds eram de 0,02€/0,04€. Em alguns minutos gastei os 10 €.
Entretanto decidi colocar mais 10 € e no mês seguinte coloquei na Pokerstars $10 e penso que noutra sala da concorrência também fiz. Assim, de Abril a praticamente Agosto joguei essencialmente micro stakes cash games e fui aumentando o volume de SNG's. Tive alguns up's e down's mas nunca estudei a sério os cash games mas jogava tight e tirava partido da minha posição da mesa. Até que veio Agosto e Setembro, os meses da reviravolta...
Inicio do estudo, mudança de planos
Depois de jogar bastante no mês de Agosto (por sinal o mês em que faço anos), fiz Silverstar (na altura era preciso 1500 FPP's). Tomei uma decisão importante na minha carreira de jogador de poker: grindar (jogar com dedicação) os SNG's de 9 pessoas e tornar-me um jogador vencedor.
Adquiri os meus 1ºs livros pela Internet, estudei e tive um bom resultado num MTT em Novembro que me deu mais confiança. Mas continuava a perder dinheiro nos SNG's de 9 apesar de jogar os limites mais baixos da sala para manter uma boa gestão de banca. Até que veio 2010 e o tempo de jogador perdedor chegou ao fim...
Ano novo, vida nova
Em Janeiro de 2010 consegui tornar o meu Sharkscope positivo e finalmente estava a vencer os SNG's de 1€ na Pokerstars, desde ai que tenho um ROI positivo até aos $3 e alguns resultados positivos nos de $5.
Este ano tive bons resultados em 2 MTT's da Pokerstars (Sunday 1/4 Million e SCOOP), para além de um 1º lugar num MTT da Unibet patrocinado pela comunidade portuguesa de poker.
Estudar e aprender a grindar Turbo's
O meu actual desafio é saber jogar SNG's de 9 no formato Turbo (as blinds aumentam de 5 em 5 minutos). Tenho um ou outro jogador como referência neste formato e que são exemplos para mim neste formato de jogo, um deles já facturou só este ano mais de $20k a grindar este tipo de SNG's.
Apesar de ter praticamente mais de 90 buy-ins para jogar os de $6,50 SNG, sou muito conservador e gosto de fazer muiltitabling (jogar várias mesas ao mesmo tempo), por isso decidi grindar os de 1€, e também porque estou a aprender a jogar este novo formato que na realidade os "adjustments" não são significativos em comparação com os SNG's de formato regular (blinds aumentam de 10 em 10 minutos).
Os meus preferidos
Os meus tipo de jogos preferidos são os SNG's de 9 e 6 em formato turbo e atenção que nunca estudei os de 6 em formato turbo e estou "down" nestes.
A seguir venham os grandes torneios e os Heads Up, que também gosto muito. Houve uma noite este mês que fiz 1 directa a jogar mano a mano de 1€ e acabei a sessão positivo.
Médio / Longo Prazo
No poker um jogador vencedor nunca pensa a curto prazo mas sim a médio e longo prazo. Os meus objectivos são bem claros e se pretendo evoluir a minha banca em termos monetários para a casa dos 4 e 5 dígitos a médio prazo, tenho que me tornar um melhor jogador e aproveitar ao máximo o pouco tempo que tenho disponível neste momento para o NL Texas Holdem.
A longo prazo pretendo ser um jogador Pro.
O meu investimento no mês que vem vai ser na minha educação como jogador de poker e vou ver vários vídeos de profissionais a jogarem o meu formato favorito de jogo.
Por agora é tudo espero que tenham gostado, os próximos posts serão em inglês mas poderei voltar a escrever mais alguns em português.
I am all-in!
Decidi escrever este post em Português para vos contar como começou a minha aventura no poker, como estou actualmente e como encaro a médio/longo prazo.
Relembro que jogo em part-time, à noite e que durante o dia tenho um trabalho comum como técnico/programador informático.
Fazer €€€
Sempre quis ganhar mais €€€ para além do trabalho comum das 9h às 18h. No fim de 2008, inicio de 2009 dedicava-me uma parte do meu tempo nas apostas desportivas mas nunca tirei grande proveito porque nunca estudei a sério o tema.
No site onde eu fazia as apostas desportivas olhava sempre para aquele banner do Poker que me chamava a atenção, até que um dia cliquei no banner e a minha vida não voltou mais ser a mesma desde essa altura!
Brincadeira nos micro Cash Games
Em pouco mais de 15 minutos li as regras básicas do poker, a importância de ser o ultimo a jogar, as blinds e coloquei 10 € na sala e sentei-me numa mesa a dinheiro, na altura as blinds eram de 0,02€/0,04€. Em alguns minutos gastei os 10 €.
Entretanto decidi colocar mais 10 € e no mês seguinte coloquei na Pokerstars $10 e penso que noutra sala da concorrência também fiz. Assim, de Abril a praticamente Agosto joguei essencialmente micro stakes cash games e fui aumentando o volume de SNG's. Tive alguns up's e down's mas nunca estudei a sério os cash games mas jogava tight e tirava partido da minha posição da mesa. Até que veio Agosto e Setembro, os meses da reviravolta...
Inicio do estudo, mudança de planos
Depois de jogar bastante no mês de Agosto (por sinal o mês em que faço anos), fiz Silverstar (na altura era preciso 1500 FPP's). Tomei uma decisão importante na minha carreira de jogador de poker: grindar (jogar com dedicação) os SNG's de 9 pessoas e tornar-me um jogador vencedor.
Adquiri os meus 1ºs livros pela Internet, estudei e tive um bom resultado num MTT em Novembro que me deu mais confiança. Mas continuava a perder dinheiro nos SNG's de 9 apesar de jogar os limites mais baixos da sala para manter uma boa gestão de banca. Até que veio 2010 e o tempo de jogador perdedor chegou ao fim...
Ano novo, vida nova
Em Janeiro de 2010 consegui tornar o meu Sharkscope positivo e finalmente estava a vencer os SNG's de 1€ na Pokerstars, desde ai que tenho um ROI positivo até aos $3 e alguns resultados positivos nos de $5.
Este ano tive bons resultados em 2 MTT's da Pokerstars (Sunday 1/4 Million e SCOOP), para além de um 1º lugar num MTT da Unibet patrocinado pela comunidade portuguesa de poker.
Estudar e aprender a grindar Turbo's
O meu actual desafio é saber jogar SNG's de 9 no formato Turbo (as blinds aumentam de 5 em 5 minutos). Tenho um ou outro jogador como referência neste formato e que são exemplos para mim neste formato de jogo, um deles já facturou só este ano mais de $20k a grindar este tipo de SNG's.
Apesar de ter praticamente mais de 90 buy-ins para jogar os de $6,50 SNG, sou muito conservador e gosto de fazer muiltitabling (jogar várias mesas ao mesmo tempo), por isso decidi grindar os de 1€, e também porque estou a aprender a jogar este novo formato que na realidade os "adjustments" não são significativos em comparação com os SNG's de formato regular (blinds aumentam de 10 em 10 minutos).
Os meus preferidos
Os meus tipo de jogos preferidos são os SNG's de 9 e 6 em formato turbo e atenção que nunca estudei os de 6 em formato turbo e estou "down" nestes.
A seguir venham os grandes torneios e os Heads Up, que também gosto muito. Houve uma noite este mês que fiz 1 directa a jogar mano a mano de 1€ e acabei a sessão positivo.
Médio / Longo Prazo
No poker um jogador vencedor nunca pensa a curto prazo mas sim a médio e longo prazo. Os meus objectivos são bem claros e se pretendo evoluir a minha banca em termos monetários para a casa dos 4 e 5 dígitos a médio prazo, tenho que me tornar um melhor jogador e aproveitar ao máximo o pouco tempo que tenho disponível neste momento para o NL Texas Holdem.
A longo prazo pretendo ser um jogador Pro.
O meu investimento no mês que vem vai ser na minha educação como jogador de poker e vou ver vários vídeos de profissionais a jogarem o meu formato favorito de jogo.
Por agora é tudo espero que tenham gostado, os próximos posts serão em inglês mas poderei voltar a escrever mais alguns em português.
I am all-in!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Week Feedback
I played 45 games of 9 Man SNG since Monday and a total of 120 games this month. It is the first time that I played so much 9 Man SNG. All of them of $3.40 and some $5.50 buy in and I have some ups and downs on the games.
My total ROI on these 120 games is a positive 13,8%, making ITM about 42,5% of the time.
I am facing right now a down-swing of 7 straight buy-ins. Anyway I will keep grinding, this is not the 1st time that this happens. I should continue to make the right decisions, and play optimal to get over this down-swing.
Some downs games are more like pushing with AK against a medium pair from opponent and see that no ace or king comes on the board. Then when is my turn to push a medium pair because I am short, I found out that opponent calls with AK and he hits is Ace or King on the board.
Other are something like pushing AA against KK and see opponent making king trips on the river. Sometimes I push QQ or KK and opponent makes his straight on the river...amazing, but this is NL Texas Holdem, and these things happens once and while and it also happens to me these good things.
On the good games I push all my strong hands and I connect very well with the board. On other good games I limp with a medium pair and make my set and someone goes broke with his AK when I have the set and he has his Ace on the board.
I remember a game where I made a straight flush against a Full house from opponent, of course he got broke, if I were on his place I would made the same.
I will continue to grind the $3.40 9 Man games and mix with some HU and MTT's and occasionally play some $5.50 9 man games.
I played 3 MTT's since yesterday and cashed in 2 of them, one of those ITM MTT's belongs to the Low Stakes MTT's, it was a $ 5.50 buy in.
The challenge to make $150 until the end of the month is still on progress, I need to make more $46.07 to end this "mini challenge" positive.
My total ROI on these 120 games is a positive 13,8%, making ITM about 42,5% of the time.
I am facing right now a down-swing of 7 straight buy-ins. Anyway I will keep grinding, this is not the 1st time that this happens. I should continue to make the right decisions, and play optimal to get over this down-swing.
Some downs games are more like pushing with AK against a medium pair from opponent and see that no ace or king comes on the board. Then when is my turn to push a medium pair because I am short, I found out that opponent calls with AK and he hits is Ace or King on the board.
Other are something like pushing AA against KK and see opponent making king trips on the river. Sometimes I push QQ or KK and opponent makes his straight on the river...amazing, but this is NL Texas Holdem, and these things happens once and while and it also happens to me these good things.
On the good games I push all my strong hands and I connect very well with the board. On other good games I limp with a medium pair and make my set and someone goes broke with his AK when I have the set and he has his Ace on the board.
I remember a game where I made a straight flush against a Full house from opponent, of course he got broke, if I were on his place I would made the same.
I will continue to grind the $3.40 9 Man games and mix with some HU and MTT's and occasionally play some $5.50 9 man games.
I played 3 MTT's since yesterday and cashed in 2 of them, one of those ITM MTT's belongs to the Low Stakes MTT's, it was a $ 5.50 buy in.
The challenge to make $150 until the end of the month is still on progress, I need to make more $46.07 to end this "mini challenge" positive.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Multitabling the $3.40
I finally made my first multi-tabling on the $3.40 SNG 9 Man.
I played a session with 4 tables at the same time and I made ITM on 3 of them, I won 1st place in one. I am feeling more confident on the $3.40 buy in level, I am over rolled for them and I am trying to play my best A-Game possible in each and every single SNG.
I played a session yesterday night until 2 AM, today I played 3 sessions with an average time of 2,5h each session. In every session I played with 3 tables at the same time and on the last session I played 4 tables at the same time. I am up in terms of $$$ but still not much to be a glory day. Anyway, today grinding is not over, I will come up late at night again to attack the tables.
For those who don't know, I am on holidays until 20th of June, but I will not play any game on the week 14th to 17th June because I will be on Algarve (a Portuguese location of great beaches).
I am occasional playing the hyper-turbo satellites (buy in of 84 FPP), and I am getting t$ 3.30 each time I make 1st or 2n place and I use that tournament dollars to buy in for some of my SNG. I think I am up in these hyper-turbos.
I played a session with 4 tables at the same time and I made ITM on 3 of them, I won 1st place in one. I am feeling more confident on the $3.40 buy in level, I am over rolled for them and I am trying to play my best A-Game possible in each and every single SNG.
I played a session yesterday night until 2 AM, today I played 3 sessions with an average time of 2,5h each session. In every session I played with 3 tables at the same time and on the last session I played 4 tables at the same time. I am up in terms of $$$ but still not much to be a glory day. Anyway, today grinding is not over, I will come up late at night again to attack the tables.
For those who don't know, I am on holidays until 20th of June, but I will not play any game on the week 14th to 17th June because I will be on Algarve (a Portuguese location of great beaches).
I am occasional playing the hyper-turbo satellites (buy in of 84 FPP), and I am getting t$ 3.30 each time I make 1st or 2n place and I use that tournament dollars to buy in for some of my SNG. I think I am up in these hyper-turbos.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
May Feedback, June Goals
Ended a grinding session right now, the last SNG I made ITM in 3rd place (4 places paid), so sick the last hand, I had 2 pairs on the flop but opponent makes a set on the Turn!
Anyway, let's talk about May. I am very happy to see that I finally discovered the type of game I will play during the next months. It will be 18 man SNG (non turbo). Currently I am playing the $1.20 buy in but I am almost making the change to the $3.40, I played a few and some of them I paid with t$ (tournament dollars that I won on a satellite game).
Here are some numbers:
Type of game: 18 Man SNG
Total games played: 52 games
Buy in: $1.20 (46 games played) and $3.40 (6 games played)
ROI: 88.1%
ITM: 50%
I am making a slow transition to the $3.40 SNG's, probably will be my grind next month.
I also watch a SNG video this month, a 9 man turbo SNG. I am going to watch a video about ICM next month.
Now another numbers about big tournaments:
Type of game: MTT's (more than 1000 players)
Total games played: 5 games
ROI: 3158.4%
ITM: 40%
Just played a few MTT's but cashed on 2 of them, in one of them was my SCOOP MTT.
I will play more MTT's next month.
As SNG concern, I will play more than 100 games of 18 man SNG's next month and try to go for Silverstar. I am also focusing on the goal to make more $150 by the end of June, right now I already made $55.6.
My main challenge for June is to stabilize my grind on the $3.40.
Anyway, let's talk about May. I am very happy to see that I finally discovered the type of game I will play during the next months. It will be 18 man SNG (non turbo). Currently I am playing the $1.20 buy in but I am almost making the change to the $3.40, I played a few and some of them I paid with t$ (tournament dollars that I won on a satellite game).
Here are some numbers:
Type of game: 18 Man SNG
Total games played: 52 games
Buy in: $1.20 (46 games played) and $3.40 (6 games played)
ROI: 88.1%
ITM: 50%
I am making a slow transition to the $3.40 SNG's, probably will be my grind next month.
I also watch a SNG video this month, a 9 man turbo SNG. I am going to watch a video about ICM next month.
Now another numbers about big tournaments:
Type of game: MTT's (more than 1000 players)
Total games played: 5 games
ROI: 3158.4%
ITM: 40%
Just played a few MTT's but cashed on 2 of them, in one of them was my SCOOP MTT.
I will play more MTT's next month.
As SNG concern, I will play more than 100 games of 18 man SNG's next month and try to go for Silverstar. I am also focusing on the goal to make more $150 by the end of June, right now I already made $55.6.
My main challenge for June is to stabilize my grind on the $3.40.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Today session
I played 12 games, the 18 man SNG non turbo, I ended up 5 games ITM and one 1st place at the 3.40 buy in. I have been playing the 1.20 buy in level but I decided to take a shot at the 3.40 and ended up winning! I am over rolled for the 1.20 and also the 3.40 buy in levels, I have more than 125 buy ins for the 3.40 level.
I just do not grind so much the 3.40 because I do not like losing too much money due to variance, probably will build more bankroll until I can grind a lot of 3.40.
Anyway, I am committed to continue to build my bankroll and make (more) $150 between yesterday and 30 of June. I will keep updating with my results, I cannot play so much games during the week because I am working but I will enter in Holidays on 31 May, I will have more time to grind in some days.
Stay tuned.
I just do not grind so much the 3.40 because I do not like losing too much money due to variance, probably will build more bankroll until I can grind a lot of 3.40.
Anyway, I am committed to continue to build my bankroll and make (more) $150 between yesterday and 30 of June. I will keep updating with my results, I cannot play so much games during the week because I am working but I will enter in Holidays on 31 May, I will have more time to grind in some days.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Sick variance and commitment
So sick, I have the worst bad beats on my game. My Aces broked by sets, everytime I am short and I shove with AKs or ATo or a medium pair, someone call with a big pair or gets that miraculous card on the river, it so bad to play and make the best decisions possible and getting busted for a bad beat.
Sorry for this complaining, bad beats are part of the game, this is a mathematical game, you will run hot but you will also take some coolers sometimes, and you cannot avoid. I probably had the worst downswing this year, I did not won any €1 turbo. I had finished played a 18 mans game and I won the 3rd place ITM.
I am being inspired by the professional Portuguese player André (acoimbra), he is trying to make $60000 in only 2 months. In 15 day ha already made more tha $15000. Congratulation André for your effort, you are the man!
I cannot make that challenge with those values because I play low/micro stakes tables according to my bankroll. So I will continue focused to my own challenge and will try to make $150 until the end of June.
This is an example of one of my worst bad beats on this hand:
This Hand History Player is supported by www.myhands.com
Sorry for this complaining, bad beats are part of the game, this is a mathematical game, you will run hot but you will also take some coolers sometimes, and you cannot avoid. I probably had the worst downswing this year, I did not won any €1 turbo. I had finished played a 18 mans game and I won the 3rd place ITM.
I am being inspired by the professional Portuguese player André (acoimbra), he is trying to make $60000 in only 2 months. In 15 day ha already made more tha $15000. Congratulation André for your effort, you are the man!
I cannot make that challenge with those values because I play low/micro stakes tables according to my bankroll. So I will continue focused to my own challenge and will try to make $150 until the end of June.
This is an example of one of my worst bad beats on this hand:
This Hand History Player is supported by www.myhands.com
Thursday, May 20, 2010
New Milestone
I have increased my bankroll this year in 2 ways: 2 good ITM finishes on large MTT's at Pokerstars and by playing SNG of 9 players on the 1st Trimester of the year, although that time I had less bankroll that I have now.
I am going to take a step back and learn to play Turbo SNG of 9 players. I will start with the 1,10 € on Pokerstars and when I make my first $50 on them, I will change to the $3,40. Let's see if I can keep up with this.
I have more than 400 times the 1,10 € buy in but in order to learn how to play them and reduce variance I will start at micro levels.
I will also play some Multitable tournaments and multitable SNG. I am targeting more $150 on my bankroll until the end of June.
I am going to take a step back and learn to play Turbo SNG of 9 players. I will start with the 1,10 € on Pokerstars and when I make my first $50 on them, I will change to the $3,40. Let's see if I can keep up with this.
I have more than 400 times the 1,10 € buy in but in order to learn how to play them and reduce variance I will start at micro levels.
I will also play some Multitable tournaments and multitable SNG. I am targeting more $150 on my bankroll until the end of June.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Interesting Hand: Suited Connectors
This is an interesting hand that I had on the SCOOP event 20. I am posting this hand to show the huge mistake that opponent makes by giving free cards until the River, were I make my straight, he slow plays his monster hand and get "self-killed" on the River.
This is how the hand was played:
Poker Stars $20+$2 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t400/t800 Blinds + t100 - 9 players - View hand 700850
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter
Hero (UTG): t30340 M = 14.45
UTG+1: t12372 M = 5.89
UTG+2: t4142 M = 1.97
MP1: t5405 M = 2.57
MP2: t26034 M = 12.40
CO: t24181 M = 11.51
BTN: t18735 M = 8.92
SB: t33090 M = 15.76
BB: t25287 M = 12.04
Pre Flop: (t2100) Hero is UTG with 9
THero raises to t1750, 3 folds, MP2 calls t1750, 2 folds, SB raises to t4800, 1 fold, Hero calls t3050, 1 fold
Flop: (t13050) Q
K
Q
(2 players)SB checks, Hero checks
Turn: (t13050) 8
(2 players)SB checks, Hero checks
River: (t13050) J
(2 players)SB checks, Hero bets t25440 all in, SB calls t25440
Final Pot: t63930
Hero shows 9
T (a straight, Nine to King)SB shows A
K (two pair, Kings and Queens)Hero wins t63930
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