Time for some reflection.

Some basic info: 31 yo MTT-only player from Finland, been playing poker from ~2004-05, until 2009 as a pure hobby, ~2010-2015 as a half professional alongside studies and ~July 2016 -> as a main thing. Not a single losing year, from 4-figs years to 5-figs (2011 ->) and got one 6-figs year too (2016). Lifetime profits probably little over 300k€, with largest cash being 22k€ (2011) and not a single 5-digits (€) cash since. Not that there wouldn't have been like 200+ reasonable shots at them last few years alone.

2017 was super mega bad year for me on poker, bitter mix of bad luck, health problems (pneumonia and likely some kind of bronchitis) which made grinding more problematic and finally collusion. Profitable due to my always overwhelming game-selection despite not getting any 40+ buy-in cash in whole year despite lots of chances (again!) and getting -30k in high rollers, but super bad year profit-wise too (poker around +50k€ after I remove CPP buy-in). On the "bright side" my game did feel super good especially after spring. Actually it makes me even more frustrated combined with collusion event.

Well, let's compare to other players in my generation around here in Finland: roughly almost everyone I have known from poker circles as MTT player is either broke or moved on to other challenges. Actually my long-standing friend who's probably also one of top5 MTT-players in Finland and probably best mixed MTT player in the country decided to stop playing poker professionally too, which is not a surprise considering that amount of time and effort required to get a great paycheck is hard to combine with a wife and a child. If you have lots of money it's hard to keep yourself motivated and if you don't you usually won't get much more than from most regular jobs. Those few still playing even part-time and making some $$$ from MTTs are mostly more recent breed and play at lower stakes, trying to grind 2k€-3k€ a month to sustain themselves and possible family.

So it's feeling quite lonely here... and have to say that recent events have pretty much pushed toward that same line. First of all: death of MTTs might loom ahead much sooner than I anticipated. It's not really like players have become too good but more about bots and even more about collusion. Second: the amount of stress and the sheer amount of grinding. Some of these promos really require giving up all social life and grinding 100 hrs a week, and although I still manage to do it I don't know for how long and it's really starting to strain. Third: One has to remember that it's not probably going to get any easier and pay drops every year. As in some regular work it usually starts at lower level but you will get better pay later with little to worry about. Of course there's the MTT variance, that ****ing Dark Lady Fortuna who seems to kick my ass at every possible situation.

Less than 8 hours until my flight to Punta Cana leaves. Wanted to get this started before I left, since although I don't plan to grind anything before January (probably checking Powerfest etc.) it's less likely to extend my poker-free vacation if I have written it somewhere that I will grind before the end of January. Bought a nice new apartment and I'll intend to move there next month hopefully can find a renewed grind spirit there. Maybe 1-2 weeks in somewhere where it's warm in January, hate Finnish cold weather. Plan next year is to play poker full-time until end of August, when I have set my goal to spend 10+ months and concentrate solely on my master's degree. After that, who knows?

Planning to play just main event in Punta Cana I got ticket on. Really need a vacation (1,5 months sick) and taxes make it hardly worth of my time grinding anything there anyways. Hopefully some decent weather (last time rained almost all the time) and nice side activities... good run at the big tournament is certainly too much to ask. Last two had-to-play 5k£ event shots met their end with turned 2-outers in Nottingham. Have like 25% ITM in live events but not a single winning year on live tournaments since those ITMs have always been on small buy-in events.

CPP over. Trip was quite eventful, but not on poker table.

Cliffs:
+ Party staff
+ Level restaurants
+ Weather
+ Farewell party was great

- Hotel staff, took ages to check-in, room service super slow etc.
- Mouldy first room and overall weak - mediocre rooms (considering they should be 5 star hotels)
- Side-events (registration confusion in non-poker and no interesting low buy-in poker side-events)
- Bad poker runs continue in big events

Late registered at the end of late registration with 20bb stack, did play few rounds before getting busted by a loose calling station when I did shove ~23bb stack with pocket tens from SB (CO weak player limp) and BB called with KJo (super bad call but unfortunately a flip), jack came at flop. He had already made super bad cold call with 88 against tight UTG opener and UTG+2 18bb all-in from MP at full table and I expected him to call with any pair etc. and possibly CO too if no call from BB. Decided to late reg because A) I like playing shorter stacks, B) 12:00 starting time is just too early for day2 and C) had been sick for over a month before trip so I wasn't sure if I could grind at 110% efficiency for 5 days. Also opponents seemed mostly bit bored / tired at the table as I expected.

Since I wanted to have some holiday and fact that non-ETA poker winnings are taxable in Finland I didn't plan to play any other tournaments. Especially as there weren't any low buy-in events except two boring vanilla Hold'ems... if there would've been some fast paced PLO / PLO8 / NLO8 low buy-in event I might have played that.

Vacation part was better, mainly because weather was nice almost all the time. Hotel itself (Melia / Level) was actually quite bad especially considering their high price, first room we got was mouldy, unclean and overall in subpar condition but thankfully Party / DtD staff helped us to get reasonable room instead from nearby Paradisus. Super bad / slow service in the check-in considering both hotels, took like overall 2 hours. Missed most of the (couldn't find where to pre-register) non-poker side events which was bit sad but otherwise enjoyed about sun and sea.

Level restaurants in Cuatro were good, which can't be said for "basic" restaurants near the lobby which were super awful. Hard Rock Hotel was much better where CPP was held last year, but this year at least good weather made up with the difference... if weather would've been bad whole week would have been super bad experience as most events were held in outside / open-roof area and holiday complex was spread around quite large area.

Flights to Punta Cana were quite boring, especially return trip. 14-16 hour flights including stopover is just something I can't enjoy, but at least this time managed to get some sleep. At the return trip had to go through security check FOUR times ("technical stopover in Santo Domingo" and always pain-in-the-ass stopover in Paris CDG where was TWO checks) and I just hate security checks.

Next year CPP will probably be in Bahamas, someone spoke about Atlantis. Never been there, but I am somewhat skeptical about such tourist catches. But we'll see, at least it will be a nice to see new places if I again grind few packages to CPP.

One nice value freeroll and one 22$ ticket used for Sunday. Got annoying 5th place from smallish field turbo PLO for 125$ (about 700 for the winner). Too bad flopped set couldn't handle opponents flush draw with like 40% of chips in the middle.

Really not going to play much this month, plan still is to move to new apartment by the end of the year and get new place ready for 2018, and when that's done I'll probably take 1-2 week holiday in Canary Islands or somewhere else where it is warm. Since PartyPoker doesn't currently have working HUD for HEM2 in MTTs (at least for PLO) that won't support quick shots either. Hopefully will get new setup and internet working 100% before the end of January and I'll try to get some touch back before I start to grind bigger promos.

Still have to finish up with collusion problem. The refund Party offered was just a bad joke (like less than 10% what I lost on that one FT alone) so gotta follow by sending request for reasonable refund and if not willing to compromise then approach Gibraltar Gaming Commission with an official claim. I do so very much hate this, and I personally don't trust that Party is currently even able to protect their MTTs from collusion.

Subbed.

Happy 100y anniversary of independence as well
Regards fellow finn!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, happy Independence Day there also!

For me it brings some variation in everyday life: going to party with student association. Party-party!

Well, December (and early January) didn't leave much to tell on poker front. Just few tournaments, and moved to new apartment but my highspeed internet is not yet working (got mobile broadband though) and still need to buy a new computer table and probably third display to finish up with computer setup.

Haven't done much, been a bit hard to get on with anything. Sometimes just all stuff feels super boring and hard to do. Much to do with dark winter and move to new apartment, did live over 10 years in old place so hard to get used to not live there anymore.

At least one of my poker friends got me to see one of HIM's last concerts. It's Finnish band, one of the most popular ones abroad which had its greatest years around 2004-2007 when I was still young one (high school, compulsory military service and early years with poker). Not a surprise that last song they played was this one:



And last encore out of two:



2018 goals

- Win 100k€ from poker (around 1200 hrs, mostly Feb-Aug) (Most work to be done)
- Get around half of studies left done (Sep ->) (Hardest to find motivation)
- Lose 22 kg (92 -> 70) (Most unlikely to happen)

Also trying to get 5% return after taxes for investments. Plan is to concentrate on poker until August and then switch to studies and get other stuff done alongside.

Hopefully can find some lost motivation, new place got some awesome stuff: whirlpool bath, sauna, glazed balcony (prob great in summer) and one of largest shopping centers about 100m from my place + metro etc.

January Mini Challenge

Still no main internet working, and I was actually planning to go travelling (found some decent cheap holiday package to Bangkok, but friend decided studies over fun and didn't want to go alone. So still at home, but looking for some quick trip to Canary Islands.

To get back in touch making a small live package challenge to get rid of some old satellite tickets. Aim to win at least 1 live package using following tickets:

- 490€ UO satellite tickets (to UO London)
- 211€ MPNPT satellite tickets (to MPNPT Bratislava)
- Going for PartyPoker centrolls too, although they're much worse with expensive larger stack rebuys (not going to rebuy, might consider add-on if super value for interesting location).
- 100€ budget for other satellites (play for bigger too if nice package + great value)

Might end up winning some value-wise stupid 500€ seat to Austria or 1100$ seat to Canada from cent-sats but might be a start for a great trip.

Was planning to try this O8 schedule today... of course Stars crashed.

Stars O8 schedule (EET / GMT+2)

18.32 NLO8 hyper PKO 82$
19.14 NLO8 27$
19.27 (20.02) NLO8 hyper 82$
20.05 NLO8 hyper 27$
(20.32 NLO8 PKO 27$)
20.48 (21.23) NLO8 deep hyper 16,5$+r
21.14 PLO8 44$
21.38 NLO8 hyper PKO 82$
22.40 PLO8 turbo 16,5$
23.07 NLO8 11$
23.36 NLO8 turbo 27$
23.48 NLO8 hyper PKO 55$

Late:
01.14 NLO8 16,5$
01.31 NLO8 turbo 55$
01.38 (02.12) NLO8 hyper 82$
02.08 NLO8 turbo PKO 27$
02.32 (03.06) NLO8 hyper 11$

Second tournament this year (played same 82$ NLO8 hyper PKO Monday, unfortunately got busted in huge pot just before bubble).

Aiming to get 50 tournaments this week to get some touch. Possibly adding some turbo rebuys (so few of them running 11r or higher price point nowadays) or some PLO tournaments which have always been super soft. 4 tables max especially when hyper PKOs running, those tournaments take lots of concentration.

Powerfest promotions and schedule was super disappointment. Not sure if going to play at all.

PartyPoker has shown little respect for players for last few months... first they did act like nothing major happened with MTT collusion, then they introduced live $$$ which was to start at the beginning of a year with promotions and then they informed us that new leaderboard +major software improvements (which they've been promising for long time) were coming up 5th of February. Two latter ones were advertised hugely with e-mail and social media, and when both have failed miserably they just give us either no info at all or truly last minute announcement hidden in some of their blog posts in Friday when leaderboard is supposed to start in Monday. No info whatsoever about live $$$ and when it's going to be implemented, WP Party. Not.

One could say that I have been quite fed up with Party lately. It's sad to see poker site from going bad to far worse, especially as it looked for a moment that they would be the one taking PokerStars monopoly down. Lately especially PartyPoker has utterly failed players with their miserable way of communicating (or not communicating) important changes to players. MTT schedule also have been revamped constantly and is currently in very sorry shape.

In other news: super bad run, though few games. Hard to keep up with fledging motivation when you run super bad in MTTs and there's no promotions whatsoever worth playing. Been playing more this (Brandenburg 1444 -> Germany with some client states):



Live satellites also run badly, got pretty close for Unibet London package with my 250 ticket though as busted 8th with 5 packages. Mirrored bad beat from last big satellite, when SB pushed 30bb all-in and lost AA < JTs which costed 3k$ package. Same JTs this time was in my hand and opponents AA held for 2k€ package. Have used most UO tickets, but still have 200€ ticket left for MPNPT. Waiting for some good value spot to use it.

Got some deep runs but always in low buy-in tournaments (try to keep fields beatable so not really playing 500+ player fields). And they've also failed to get through to win, except one small one. Not much to tell.

55r turbo shows the way what happens when I get some good hand, have lost around 10x total buy-ins worth of chips in unlucky rivers (though usually chips in).

Party, $50 Buy-in (2,000/4,000 blinds, 400 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 8 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): 273,585 (68.4 bb)
BB: 87,709 (21.9 bb)
UTG+2: 43,470 (10.9 bb)
MP1: 117,793 (29.4 bb)
MP2: 156,525 (39.1 bb)
MP3: 137,107 (34.3 bb)
CO: 104,861 (26.2 bb)
BTN: 59,482 (14.9 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A A
4 folds, CO raises to 10,000, BTN folds, Hero raises to 28,000, BB raises to 87,309 and is all-in, CO raises to 104,461 and is all-in, Hero calls 76,461

Flop: (299,431) T 2 J (3 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (299,431) J (3 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (299,431) K (3 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 299,431 pot
Final Board: T 2 J J K
Hero showed A A and won 34,304 (-70,557 net)
BB showed K K and won 265,127 (177,418 net)
CO showed 8 8 and lost (-104,861 net)

While I wrote this tournament just went from bad to worse:

Party, $50 Buy-in (2,500/5,000 blinds, 500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 8 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 51,082 (10.2 bb)
Hero (BB): 200,028 (40 bb)
UTG+2: 271,877 (54.4 bb)
MP1: 98,828 (19.8 bb)
MP2: 220,213 (44 bb)
MP3: 150,265 (30.1 bb)
CO: 137,207 (27.4 bb)
BTN: 261,905 (52.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q Q
5 folds, BTN raises to 10,000, SB raises to 50,582 and is all-in, Hero raises to 199,528 and is all-in, BTN folds

Flop: (115,164) T J K (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (115,164) 5 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (115,164) 8 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 115,164 pot
Final Board: T J K 5 8
SB showed T T and won 115,164 (64,082 net)
Hero showed Q Q and lost (-51,082 net)

We'll see how February goes. Probably rather same way like January, which is Need to get new computer setup + finally get internet fixed, there's been so many problems with internet connection and such basic things that if I would have known I would've probably never moved.

Super hard to get into poker mode. No feeling at all, especially when every time you try to start a session you get hit setups like this I just got:

Poker Stars, $100 Buy-in (3,000/6,000 blinds, 750 ante) No Limit Omaha H/L Tournament, 8 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 157,430 (26.2 bb)
BB: 165,789 (27.6 bb)
Hero (UTG+2): 77,876 (13 bb)
MP1: 165,150 (27.5 bb)
MP2: 264,284 (44 bb)
MP3: 351,427 (58.6 bb)
CO: 241,305 (40.2 bb)
BTN: 381,400 (63.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with 3 6 A 4
Hero raises to 77,126 and is all-in, MP1 raises to 164,400 and is all-in, 6 folds

Flop: (169,252) 8 3 Q (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (169,252) 5 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (169,252) 5 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 169,252 pot
Final Board: 8 3 Q 5 5
Hero showed 3 6 A 4 and lost (-77,876 net)
MP1 showed 5 2 A A and won 169,252 (91,376 net)

Played like 100 tournaments this year, out of which 50+ has been freerolls including some over 100€ value free shots. But no luck, got some nice deep runs like probably 5+ in 27$ NLO8 PKO hypers, but always crashed before good money.

All big buy-in events have crashed max. so 5-10 buy-in cashes and some small cashes from freerolls aren't enough to make it profitable. And on other side of the table I don't really feel enjoying playing, not least because my game setup is still not completed.

EU4 has taken most of my time though (Lithuania with 3 client states in Europe).

Positive news: There's certainly huge value still in poker. Perhaps even better in high / med buy-in tournaments than during so called "Golden Age" 5-10 years ago.

Negative news, when my flip runs are always like this it won't be nothing else but burning money... NLO8 PKO hyper

Poker Stars, $78.10 Buy-in (20/40 blinds, 10 ante) No Limit Omaha H/L Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 2,631 (65.8 bb)
Hero (BB): 3,117 (77.9 bb)
MP: 2,899 (72.5 bb)
CO: 2,953 (73.8 bb)
BTN: 3,370 (84.3 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K 6 5 A
2 folds, BTN raises to 100, SB calls 80, Hero raises to 3,107 and is all-in, BTN calls 3,007, SB folds

Flop: (6,364) 7 K 3 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (6,364) J (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (6,364) 9 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 6,364 pot
Final Board: 7 K 3 J 9
Hero showed K 6 5 A and lost (-3,117 net)
BTN showed Q K T 9 and won 6,364 (3,247 net)

Decided to try and play this week, incentived by Unibet's rather small MTT series. Just forgot how super mega bad their software is, which is made even worse by lack of HEM2. Will try to get used to it at least today because I really would need some grinding practice before next week and PartyPoker has currently completely unplayable daily schedule.

Series itself is quite boring, almost only Texas Hold'em but there's small leaderboard incentive to play. Also many events are rebuys, which are ok to latereg and play as effective freezeouts (even though you gotta play at least one rebuy level.

Overall super sad that currently best place to play MTTs seems to be PokerStars with ~0 rakeback or bonuses. Every other site has either super crappy MTT schedule, ultra bad structures, terrible software or are simply not trust-worthy.

Morale-wise it's not much help when all high buy-in side-events finish like this one.

Poker Stars, $78.10 Buy-in (100/200 blinds, 50 ante) No Limit Omaha H/L Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 4,160 (20.8 bb)
BB: 1,835 (9.2 bb)
UTG: 14,354 (71.8 bb)
MP: 8,200 (41 bb)
Hero (CO): 3,206 (16 bb)
BTN: 3,650 (18.3 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q A 3 A
2 folds, Hero raises to 3,156 and is all-in, BTN folds, SB raises to 4,110 and is all-in, BB calls 1,585 and is all-in

Flop: (8,397) 9 9 6 (3 players, 3 are all-in)
Turn: (8,397) Q (3 players, 3 are all-in)
River: (8,397) K (3 players, 3 are all-in)

Results: 8,397 pot
Final Board: 9 9 6 Q K
SB showed 2 K K J and won 8,397 (5,191 net)
BB showed 8 2 3 A and lost (-1,835 net)
Hero showed Q A 3 A and lost (-3,206 net)

These 82$ NLO8 hyper PKOs run super extremely mega bad. So ridiculously bad actually that it would make one laugh if not feeling so super ****ty bad about these runs. They shouldn't really be hard to beat also variance-wise, as I always just early reg and don't take re-entries to maximize value, but when all 60-40 or better flips against opponents ultra crappy hands always end up with them scooping me it's just demoralizing like hell.

hope to learn some nlo8 from you in this thread, follow.

Probably not so much studying material coming for now, playing those hypers is straight-forward enough + usually very shallow. Did stream (NLO8) MTTs in the past for some occasions on twitch though, might do it again after I get my setup ready.

Personally I think NLO8 is probably ~best MTT format around, at least of those which have any popularity. It's also great for hyper / turbo speed tournaments because so many hands are playable. PKO gives it also a nice touch.

Today was really not my day. We were shopping in Ikea with a friend, trying to find a new sofa for my place. Not really lucky to find anything interesting there, nothing that I liked except one and it costed over 2x more than about as nice sofa in some basic furniture store. Probably have to buy a new computer table from Ikea and sofa from somewhere else which is boring, as would've really wanted to get them with no extra hassle. And my place has a floor plan that I should buy sofa first which takes 1+ week to arrive and would need my gaming setup ready before next week. Noup, not gonna happen if I want a sofa. (I really, really, really hate moving to a new apartment and this has been super ****ty instance... never make a major move during Finnish winter).

Coming back we miss a bus for a minute because it took like ~10 minutes for one family before us to buy ~5 items because they had grabbed them from some backroom or so, hopped to other one which had a transfer midway, but missed because our bus was later and the one we were to jump came in advance -> more waiting outside. Usually not a big deal, but with outside temperature of -17 of celsius which felt like -25 not really nice to spend time outside.

So just took 6 LB tournaments. Session lasted around 30 minutes and won like 1 hand, with this one as closing action:



E: KK < AK flip for ~50k in high 25+r.

Not sure if continuing LB, so far maxibad results and got some problem with Friday as promised to go to Estonia with a brother which makes playing then bit hard because we are going with a ferry in evening. Well, probably playing in Wednesday at least.

Maybe trying to make some decent program with 4 tables / 4 sites max with good value featuring some O8s, rebuys and other good value tournaments and hit a decent session. Could use part of it alongside Party leaderboard if I am going to play it.

Now sauna and hot bath, what could possibly go wrong.

Positive news, got a small freeroll to home:



Negative news, no oxygen in tournaments as runs continue ridiculously bad. Just took LB-tournaments, blindfight in 25r met aces 16bb deep and 25 PLO KO got two 60-40s and out. Moneywise maxibad and leaderboardwise maxibad run, so no light to be seen for poker year 2018 so far. At least got buy-ins back from that freeroll.

Last one actually survived until FT (10r), but effective mincash when 8 left pushed 15bb stack (around half average stack) from MP with KQs and once again got stuck by aces. 10r mincash no good.

Missed nanotournament (KO, sure points) so LB-wise was still terrible day. And this time one thing to blame myself instead of just horrible runs, such misses should NOT come at this kind of leaderboard. Easily cost a lot of money... up to 700+€ in this kind of LB. Shame on me for that... although 99+% players are far worse than me in that light it doesn't mean that one should thrive to be better.

Have been looking new poker setup and other stuff for my place, and pretty much going with this stuff. New electric table for poker which allows to change table height from 65 cm to 125 cm:



Also planning to purchase new primary monitor, 27" one with 2560x1440 resolution min in addition to current 27" and 24" one, so three display setup coming.

Also getting a new sofa, probably this one:



And 55" TV screen too for living room. Would've like to have even bigger, but no room for larger. Old 40" TV goes to bedroom.

Bit too late to get all stuff here before next week, but I guess it's ok... just too much second guessing so better order all stuff here with home delivery now and get over it.

And while writing this just got reminder that need to get secure internet connection. Wireless is losing connection bit too often (imo. in high games even once a year is too much) as it disconnected for a moment again. I so very ****ing much hate internet disconnections (in addition that they usually cost money too).

No light, though mincashes from 25€ events. Not nice to FT-bubble at chiplead pot @25€ leaderboard-freezeout.



Tomorrow will be a bit of challenging as going to Tallinn by a boat in the evening, so have to play at least part of first 3 tournaments with my phone. Wonder if Unibet mobile software even supports multi-tabling. I guess I will soon find out.

And final nail probably was that missed first 3 tournaments today because internet connection didn't work at all on boat. Blaah, got already 12th at the main LB (the one which matters most) so annoying way to lose lots of points.

Bad luck that today first 3 events were turbo speed, would've managed to register them on any other day. Planning to play last 3, next week gonna play PartyPoker LB so don't take too much time to add these Unibet LB tournaments alongside.

Separate note: Estonia usually is quite tricky place to play online poker. Unibet software also didn't work in here like some other, so better have VPN if you come here and plan to play poker. Purchased F-Secure Freedome for my own use. It's perfectly legal to play in Estonia, but for some reason some .com poker softwares do not work here.

Nice thread friend

Are you living in Estonia or Finland? How is Estonia, if not?

Am a French Canadian from Montreal, but spent 3 months in Eastern Europe last winter (played the Unibet Open in Bucharast) and will do so again next October-January. Finland (and Iceland) are definitely on my list of countries I want to visit. But will most likely spend most of my time in Spain. Anyhow, would love to hear more about Finland and Estonia, and some pics would be nice, GL friend

Well you can guess what happened with last 3 tournaments. My phone crashed, and I got wi-fi to My laptop around 1 minute too late. Bye bye leaderboards lol, way to Make your weekend trip cost easily 1k€+

I am living (and mostly staying) in Finland. We're just visiting one of my brothers in Estonia. Mid-term planning to get new apartment in Spain for winter though... I think Finland is great place to visit during late spring or autumn but I just hate long cold winter.

Blaah. Back to home, 0 cashes so far except one (lol) won freeroll, got 50 ticket from it. Just busted semideep 25 UOS main event AA < JTs with lots of the chips in before flop (less than pot behind) which came KJJ.

One last is running, 100€ UOS event. 72 left 36 paid, bit over average and victory would shed some light over dark start of '18.

Gonna post longer post about series of unfortunate events which have haunted me since last summer both poker- and lifewise and which must be dealt with if I intend to grind properly. Let's just say that yesterday I did choose hot jacuzzi + drinks under the cold northern sky over grinding this UOS leaderboard which was already badly hit because of missing tournaments in Friday and likely next week couldn't have played all events anyway. Will play some though, because some ok-value events and can get some extra from LB anyways as it's super flat.

More EU4 content imo

Probably would be much better result-wise unless runs get even a bit better :/

Mincashed 100€ tournament as did get two setups, but more important LB started horrible way as lost regspeed KQ < T8 and now second tournament with this.

Party, $50 Buy-in (4,500/9,000 blinds, 1,100 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 7 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): 163,592 (18.2 bb)
BB: 130,507 (14.5 bb)
MP1: 417,381 (46.4 bb)
MP2: 155,383 (17.3 bb)
MP3: 319,297 (35.5 bb)
CO: 703,544 (78.2 bb)
BTN: 127,550 (14.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A K
3 folds, CO raises to 18,234, BTN raises to 126,450 and is all-in, Hero raises to 162,492 and is all-in, 2 folds

Flop: (287,834) 4 7 4 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (287,834) 2 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (287,834) 3 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 287,834 pot
Final Board: 4 7 4 2 3
Hero showed A K and lost (-127,550 net)
BTN showed Q J and won 287,834 (160,284 net)

Also looks like my computer has broken ethernet port, making it harder to get solid internet connection (using mobile modem). Not too bad if playing few small events, but wouldn't like to risk connection disruptions if playing highrollers.

But now zzz.

Monday in a Hell

Well, it was the worst Monday I remember ever had. First PartyPoker decided to completely destroy their tournament calendar, and when I played it due to leaderboard I got the most worst run of luck since maybe ever. All tournaments PKOs, so losing 90+% of ALL flips including some opponent 1-outer rivers where there chance to get bounties / to get into money doesn't really give any chance to get profit. 14 hour session gone so wrong as it was probably even possible.

Party results:

-55 +56,25 PKO
-215 +100 PKO
-55 -55 PKO
-109 -109 +25 +37,5 PKO
-215 -215 +100 PKO
-55 -55 PKO
-215 PKO
-55 -55 +12,5 PKO
-109 PKO
-215 -215 t. PKO
-109 r-e
-55 t. PKO
-109 -109 +150 t. PKO
-109 +374 t. r-e
-55 -55 +215,62 PKO
-55 +169,26 t. PKO

Opponents were so ridiculously bad as they usually are in PKOs, but that feels super ****ty and sad that couldn't have any chance in critical situations losing all flips and getting all setups and 1-outer bad beats. And in general to make constant profit from PKos generally require to win some because 1st place gets such a major piece of prize pool because of KOs.

Well, I have never run well in major spots in Party (highest cash from <215 tournaments is 4k and 530s have run -40k in total... overall played LOTS and LOTS of high buy-in tournaments with LOTS of spots for great prizes) and so on, but at least have always managed to get decent amount of scores despite ultra bad luck in terms of good cashes. Last year got really hit by that highstakes collusion which probably costed me somewhere between 20k-80k and also made me to quit playing for a while longer than planned.

Some hands:

From last tournament:

PKO same opp

Party, $50 Buy-in (3,000/6,000 blinds, 750 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 224,033 (37.3 bb)
BB: 779,263 (129.9 bb)
MP: 199,441 (33.2 bb)
Hero (CO): 140,126 (23.4 bb)
BTN: 566,820 (94.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with 9 A
MP folds, Hero raises to 14,940, 2 folds, BB calls 8,940

Flop: (36,630) T A 4 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets 18,681, BB calls 18,681

Turn: (73,992) 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets 37,735, BB calls 37,735

River: (149,462) A (2 players)
BB bets 707,157 and is all-in, Hero calls 68,020 and is all-in

Results: 285,502 pot
Final Board: T A 4 6 A
BB showed Q J and lost (-140,126 net)
Hero showed 9 A and won 285,502 (145,376 net)


Party, $50 Buy-in (3,500/7,000 blinds, 900 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 878,871 (125.6 bb)
BB: 573,317 (81.9 bb)
MP: 446,785 (63.8 bb)
Hero (CO): 268,602 (38.4 bb)
BTN: 25,191 (3.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A K
MP calls 7,000, Hero raises to 24,500, 2 folds, BB calls 17,500, MP folds

Flop: (64,000) 5 4 5 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets 23,040, BB calls 23,040

Turn: (110,080) A (2 players)
BB bets 55,040, Hero calls 55,040

River: (220,160) 3 (2 players)
BB bets 110,080, Hero raises to 165,122 and is all-in, BB folds

Results: 440,320 pot
Final Board: 5 4 5 A 3
BB mucked and lost (-213,560 net)
Hero mucked A K and won 440,320 (226,760 net)


Same opp

Party, $50 Buy-in (4,000/8,000 blinds, 1,000 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 582,783 (72.8 bb)
Hero (BB): 528,449 (66.1 bb)
MP: 817,680 (102.2 bb)
CO: 114,380 (14.3 bb)
BTN: 291,394 (36.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q J
2 folds, BTN raises to 16,000, SB folds, Hero calls 8,000

Flop: (41,000) Q 5 T (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: (41,000) Q (2 players)
Hero bets 14,760, BTN calls 14,760

River: (70,520) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets 25,387, BTN raises to 146,681, Hero calls 121,294

Results: 363,882 pot
Final Board: Q 5 T Q 2
Hero mucked Q J and lost (-178,441 net)
BTN showed T T and won 363,882 (185,441 net)


Same opp minbetting

Party, $50 Buy-in (4,000/8,000 blinds, 1,000 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 562,935 (70.4 bb)
BB: 518,443 (64.8 bb)
Hero (MP): 326,008 (40.8 bb)
CO: 944,300 (118 bb)
BTN: 194,896 (24.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with 7 7
Hero raises to 19,920, CO calls 19,920, BTN calls 19,920, SB calls 15,920, BB calls 11,920

Flop: (104,600) 6 2 2 (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks, CO checks, BTN checks

Turn: (104,600) 6 (5 players)
SB bets 8,000, BB calls 8,000, Hero calls 8,000, CO calls 8,000, BTN calls 8,000

River: (144,600) K (5 players)
SB bets 8,000, BB folds, Hero calls 8,000, CO calls 8,000, BTN calls 8,000

Results: 176,600 pot
Final Board: 6 2 2 6 K
SB showed 8 5 and lost (-36,920 net)
BB mucked and lost (-28,920 net)
Hero showed 7 7 and won 176,600 (139,680 net)
CO mucked T A and lost (-36,920 net)
BTN mucked 5 5 and lost (-36,920 net)


Party, $50 Buy-in (6,000/12,000 blinds, 1,500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 1,865,982 (155.5 bb)
BB: 801,018 (66.8 bb)
Hero (MP): 1,341,068 (111.8 bb)
CO: 243,778 (20.3 bb)
BTN: 258,952 (21.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with J T
Hero raises to 29,880, 2 folds, SB calls 23,880, BB folds

Flop: (79,260) 7 7 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (79,260) Q (2 players)
SB bets 39,630, Hero calls 39,630

River: (158,520) 6 (2 players)
SB bets 79,260, Hero raises to 193,394, SB folds

Results: 317,040 pot
Final Board: 7 7 9 Q 6
SB mucked and lost (-150,270 net)
Hero mucked J T and won 317,040 (166,770 net)




Party, $50 Buy-in (7,000/14,000 blinds, 1,750 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): 1,396,576 (99.8 bb)
BB: 373,284 (26.7 bb)
UTG: 162,278 (11.6 bb)
MP: 498,904 (35.6 bb)
CO: 1,689,880 (120.7 bb)
BTN: 590,018 (42.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K K
2 folds, CO raises to 28,000, BTN folds, Hero raises to 84,000, BB folds, CO calls 56,000

Flop: (192,500) 3 7 T (2 players)
Hero bets 69,300, CO calls 69,300

Turn: (331,100) A (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets 165,550, Hero calls 165,550

River: (662,200) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets 331,100, Hero calls 331,100

Results: 1,324,400 pot
Final Board: 3 7 T A 7
Hero showed K K and won 1,324,400 (672,700 net)
CO showed Q J and lost (-651,700 net)



But in the end, no use for chips gained by great skill if you don't win critical flips for bounties and in the end 8 left happens this... 37,5$ of bounties, couldn't win any bountyflips even at this one. So super ****ty mincash.

Party, $50 Buy-in (25,000/50,000 blinds, 6,500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 2,537,281 (50.7 bb)
BB: 3,057,677 (61.2 bb)
CO: 1,388,984 (27.8 bb)
Hero (BTN): 2,237,130 (44.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with Q K
CO raises to 100,000, Hero raises to 275,000, 2 folds, CO raises to 1,382,484 and is all-in, Hero calls 1,107,484

Flop: (2,865,968) 9 5 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (2,865,968) 9 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (2,865,968) T (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 2,865,968 pot
Final Board: 9 5 7 9 T
CO showed 8 8 and won 2,865,968 (1,476,984 net)
Hero showed Q K and lost (-1,388,984 net)


Party, $50 Buy-in (30,000/60,000 blinds, 7,500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 4 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): 1,294,032 (21.6 bb)
BB: 1,478,135 (24.6 bb)
CO: 3,004,577 (50.1 bb)
BTN: 3,444,328 (57.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J A
CO folds, BTN raises to 120,000, Hero raises to 1,286,532 and is all-in, BB folds, BTN calls 1,166,532

Flop: (2,663,064) 7 4 8 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (2,663,064) 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (2,663,064) 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 2,663,064 pot
Final Board: 7 4 8 7 7
Hero showed J A and lost (-1,294,032 net)
BTN showed T T and won 2,663,064 (1,369,032 net)

And simulaneous second last tournament got effectively no bounties, but ended like many other tournaments today as maniac got lucky setup and mincash from 6th place:

Party, $50 Buy-in (30,000/60,000 blinds, 7,500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 3,259,957 (54.3 bb)
BB: 2,150,570 (35.8 bb)
UTG: 1,914,934 (31.9 bb)
Hero (MP): 2,263,488 (37.7 bb)
CO: 843,649 (14.1 bb)
BTN: 2,267,402 (37.8 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with T T
UTG raises to 120,000, Hero raises to 330,000, 3 folds, BB raises to 2,143,070 and is all-in, UTG folds, Hero calls 1,813,070

Flop: (4,481,140) 5 Q J (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (4,481,140) 5 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (4,481,140) 3 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 4,481,140 pot
Final Board: 5 Q J 5 3
BB showed A A and won 4,481,140 (2,330,570 net)
Hero showed T T and lost (-2,150,570 net)

Didn't get other deep runs except this. F2T turbo 4,6k 1st 1,5x avg. posa

Party, $100 Buy-in (40,000/80,000 blinds, 10,000 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 3,723,710 (46.5 bb)
BB: 1,006,984 (12.6 bb)
UTG: 1,431,362 (17.9 bb)
MP: 2,014,746 (25.2 bb)
CO: 1,402,326 (17.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): 1,304,762 (16.3 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with K J
3 folds, Hero raises to 1,294,762 and is all-in, SB folds, BB calls 916,984 and is all-in

Flop: (2,093,968) 2 3 4 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (2,093,968) T (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (2,093,968) 7 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 2,093,968 pot
Final Board: 2 3 4 T 7
BB showed A Q and won 2,093,968 (1,086,984 net)
Hero showed K J and lost (-1,006,984 net)

Rest 10th to 374$

Party, $100 Buy-in (45,000/90,000 blinds, 11,000 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 1,338,362 (14.9 bb)
BB: 1,810,746 (20.1 bb)
UTG: 2,482,652 (27.6 bb)
Hero (MP): 318,778 (3.5 bb)
CO: 3,215,262 (35.7 bb)
BTN: 1,718,090 (19.1 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with 9 A
UTG folds, Hero raises to 307,778 and is all-in, 3 folds, BB calls 217,778

Flop: (726,556) 8 A 5 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (726,556) 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (726,556) 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 726,556 pot
Final Board: 8 A 5 7 7
BB showed K 7 and won 726,556 (407,778 net)
Hero showed 9 A and lost (-318,778 net)


And some basic stuff, like some usual overhunting small bounties with 3 starting stacks:

Party, $50 Buy-in (3,000/6,000 blinds, 750 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 851,310 (141.9 bb)
BB: 355,865 (59.3 bb)
MP: 167,271 (27.9 bb)
CO: 110,100 (18.4 bb)
Hero (BTN): 341,569 (56.9 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with K A
2 folds, Hero raises to 14,940, SB folds, BB raises to 355,115 and is all-in, Hero calls 325,879 and is all-in

Flop: (688,388) Q K 8 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (688,388) 7 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (688,388) T (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 688,388 pot
Final Board: Q K 8 7 T
BB showed A Q and lost (-341,569 net)
Hero showed K A and won 688,388 (346,819 net)


And basic PartyPoker "pro" house runs and I semibubble.

House player alias "teampro" LuizaSimao, ofc rivered ~80 left 64 paid

Party, $100 Buy-in (5,000/10,000 blinds, 1,250 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 8 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 413,628 (41.4 bb)
BB: 680,146 (68 bb)
UTG+2: 176,656 (17.7 bb)
MP1: 89,170 (8.9 bb)
MP2: 194,644 (19.5 bb)
MP3: 190,220 (19 bb)
Hero (CO): 219,016 (21.9 bb)
BTN: 271,916 (27.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A A
UTG+2 folds, MP1 raises to 30,000, 2 folds, Hero raises to 217,766 and is all-in, 3 folds, MP1 calls 57,920 and is all-in

Flop: (200,840) J 7 5 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (200,840) K (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (200,840) 9 (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 200,840 pot
Final Board: J 7 5 K 9
MP1 showed 9 9 and won 200,840 (111,670 net)
Hero showed A A and lost (-89,170 net)

And same "Pro"

Party, $100 Buy-in (6,000/12,000 blinds, 1,500 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 7 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): 136,096 (11.3 bb)
BB: 300,916 (25.1 bb)
MP1: 692,146 (57.7 bb)
MP2: 153,656 (12.8 bb)
MP3: 167,090 (13.9 bb)
CO: 160,644 (13.4 bb)
BTN: 364,440 (30.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 7 7
2 folds, MP3 raises to 165,590 and is all-in, 2 folds, Hero calls 128,596 and is all-in, BB folds

Flop: (291,692) 6 3 4 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
Turn: (291,692) 2 (2 players, 2 are all-in)
River: (291,692) K (2 players, 2 are all-in)

Results: 291,692 pot
Final Board: 6 3 4 2 K
Hero showed 7 7 and lost (-136,096 net)
MP3 showed K Q and won 291,692 (155,596 net)

Got far too many of these, though most of them at the early game:

aggro opp 215 PKO ofc. 36 left 24 paid

Party, $200 Buy-in (5,000/10,000 blinds, 1,250 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 5 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 672,809 (67.3 bb)
BB: 499,946 (50 bb)
Hero (MP): 219,885 (22 bb)
CO: 502,138 (50.2 bb)
BTN: 955,984 (95.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP with Q Q
Hero raises to 24,900, CO folds, BTN raises to 82,150, 2 folds, Hero raises to 218,635 and is all-in, BTN calls 136,485

Flop: (458,520) A 3 7 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
Turn: (458,520) 3 (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: (458,520) 5 (2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: 458,520 pot
Final Board: A 3 7 3 5
Hero showed Q Q and lost (-219,885 net)
BTN showed K K and won 458,520 (238,635 net)


At least three 1-outer rivers today for opponents. This was sort of interesting (others pretty straightforward).

PKO epic river inferno

Party, $200 Buy-in (2,500/5,000 blinds, 650 ante) No Limit Hold'em Tournament, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: 341,676 (68.3 bb)
BB: 303,200 (60.6 bb)
UTG: 7,759 (1.6 bb)
MP: 91,580 (18.3 bb)
Hero (CO): 216,258 (43.3 bb)
BTN: 263,180 (52.6 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q 6
UTG raises to 7,109 and is all-in, MP folds, Hero calls 7,109, BTN raises to 20,000, SB calls 17,500, BB calls 15,000, Hero calls 12,891

Flop: (91,009) 3 2 4 (5 players, 1 is all-in)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: (91,009) Q (5 players, 1 is all-in)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

River: (91,009) 6 (5 players, 1 is all-in)
SB bets 66,436, BB folds, Hero calls 66,436, BTN folds

Results: 223,881 pot
Final Board: 3 2 4 Q 6
SB showed 6 6 and won 223,881 (136,795 net)
BB mucked and lost (-20,650 net)
UTG mucked 3 A and lost (-7,759 net)
Hero mucked Q 6 and lost (-87,086 net)
BTN mucked and lost (-20,650 net)

High leaderboard actually seems far worse than before and low leaderboard is of course rigged because it can only be won by bots or bunch of people grinding 24/7, but going to try and play it for this month at least. Today was super disappointing from LB perspective too, though moneywise it was even much worse as even mincashes came from smallest tournaments. Did intentionally skip 530+ events, too many running simultaneosly and with these runs rather skip them instead of smaller events as I don't have 500k+ bankroll for those.

Pretty sure that can get good ROI% from 55-215 PKOs (early reg, bad opponents and good concentration) but unless finally getting some wins it's borderline impossible to get really good $/hr especially as these last FAR TOO LONG. Even 50% ROI would probably mean that would lose like half of times after ~1000 sample because fields are huge and variance is terrific. And one can get better $/hr from other games without leaderboard (or even with somewhat modest leaderboard). Especially if you have to play on PartyPoker where there's no real security team to keep up the fair play, customer support (except Colette) is non-existent, MTT schedule alters all the time (for the worse) and servers are known to crash almost every Sunday when there's major games going.

But now some zzz. Just some because ofc it had to be the last ****ty small games to run deep and crash for ~3x buy-in just before FT payjumps.