I I think that I felt a lot of pressure in keeping this thread organized. Although, my efforts in that regard probably came off as futile. How organized can life really be anyway. Stuff happens, things come up, and it is on us, as people to make the adjustment and move forward, or die. Will I take the hits and keep moving forward?


The year 2016 has hit me hard. Severe illness in the family that is still being battled and having new issues arrive seemingly on a daily basis, A teenage niece that I helped raise doing bonehead things that 18 yo’s do and having to bail them out of situations, financial setbacks, a notorious nasty man being elected president (I don’t think that either candidate offered much value), a general malaise that was ever present during a national election cycle that lasted far too long, constant presentation of negativity from two “adults” running for the highest and most prestigious office in the U.S., Struggling with substance abuse, etc. etc.


Nothing comes to me as a surprise anymore. Everyone has stuff they are going through, this I always keep in mind. I expect further terrible things to happen, and the calendar simply adding 1 number to the listed year will not change fortunes. Time to adjust. Time to evolve.


Thus, what this year’s election, this year’s contrivances, and this year’s malaise have taught me, is that people like the smell of their own feces. If it is your personal thoughts, actions, or beliefs, no matter how duplicitous it is, you like it. I think that I am no different. Let me try to be better.

Since I have been a primary caregiver for an ill family member, I haven't been able to pursue any goals on the felt per se. Lately, I have been playing sng's on Carbon and firing at NFL & NBA DFS on DK w/ limited success.

My goals moving forward are to be better each new day. Monetary goals are harder for me to set, as I have the ability to do the things that I want in life. Most goals that I begin to conjure up resort to something like, be a beast at poker, or win a random amount of money. Not so concise really. Maybe not even attainable. Some other areas that I invest in, attempting to be the best family member and friend that I can. Enlighten myself. I am some odd conglomeration of malcontent and at peace warrior.

My goal is going to be a net worth of $50k. Once I hit this goal, I will move the amount upward. I will be tossing darts at several endeavors to reach the current specified amount. There will be a combination of gambling and restriction/saving. I will post updates on progress/setback to $50k.

Do I think this amount of money will make me happy? No, not really. It is something to do. Probably not the most advantageous mindset, but here goes.

Here are pics of some beer that I have auditioned recently:





Both were tasty, although I am not the biggest advocate of Brown Ales. Both of these breweries are out of Arkansas. Public House Brewery and Springfield Brewing Company if anyone would like to further look into them.

Slight setback in the race to $50k last night. I play in an annual fantasy football league and last night was the end of the first round of the playoffs. My team fell 89-88, and L. Blounts 3 yard run as time expired last night pushed me down by 1 point, and cost me minimum $50. The championship this week would have been for $200. Pretty disappointing end to my fantasy football season as my team started out 8-0 and then I lost the last 6 weeks in a row, and considering that I was able to win this same league last year and that I will be unable to defend my title this year. On to the next money making endeavor.

Somehow I was able to pull out a $2 win on NBA DFS last night. When I hit the hay my roster was in the bottom 85% of the field and rallied to min cash for me.

I also lost a $1.50 sng on Carbon and then dumped ~$6 a ddb VP. Not too smart.

Life roll~$19K. I plan to ascertain the actual value soon. I will be firing at NBA DFS tonight.

I thought that I was going to make a big score on the NBA slate last night, and my roster just ran out of steam and fell to Boogie Cousin constructed lineups. I think my personal disdain for Cousins keeps him out of my lineups more than what would be considered prudent. I ended up netting $6.

However, I was at one point fairly high on the leader boards, and as is the inevitability for me, I decided that I would attempt to construct multiple lineups for this evenings slate. Typically I just don't have the capacity for building more than one lineup on a given night.

Last I checked, the cut line for cashing was 276.75 points and my closest lineup finished with 275.75. Mavericks have the ball with a 1-point lead and 12 seconds on the clock. All that needs to happen is the ball getting in bounded to either Deron Williams or Harrison Barnes to be fouled, and their knocking down of a free throw. Variance, haha.

I guess this post comes off as a rant, but I wouldn't have been thrilled about a min cash with 1 of 4 lineups, so ah well.

Oh, and I punted $120 on VP last night as well. Back to the grind tomorrow with hopefully some actual progress.

"The (path) is that which everyone would undertake if not sunk in the everydayness of their life." -- Walker Percy

If the choice is between a meaningless leading-nowhere job and the self-actualizing adventure you set out for yourself, I applaud the choice to go on the trek. On the other hand I have always advocated semi-professional play so another income source is usually critical, even more so now that the environment is so tough compared to yesteryear.

But if life as drudgery versus life as adventure is the choice, carry on!

I have been doing a good amount of drinking lately. There that is. I am looking to purge the amount of drinking that I do in the New Year. Another resolution near year’s end, yawn. Nonetheless, I think limiting my drinking will afford me a greater opportunity for success. It is hard for me not to drink during the holiday’s, as many of friends come home, and drinking is a pastime of all my friends and myself.

Here are some of the beers that I have been delving into over the past month or so:



This porter is a bit bold, even for my taste. Typically as the weather turns cooler, I drift more towards the darker beers; porters, stouts, certain ales, etc. This is probably my least favorite beer that I have tasted from Founders Brewing, with consideration to the All Day IPA, The Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale, and the Centennial IPA. Among my favorite porters are a local brewery’s Big Jamoke from Marshall Brewing, and the first porter that I had, Sierra Nevada’s Porter.



I may have posted this particular brew in the past. If so, it was most likely in a 16 oz can. Coop Ale Works has recently transitioned to 12 oz cans. This is a very drinkable Oktoberfest style lager. I am not sure if this is supposed to be the case with this particular style of brew, but the balance seems a little out of whack, I do like the level of hops for the particular tasting notes in this beer. I think the IBU’s are in the neighborhood of 20. I also think that the color is gorgeous, but not indicative of the taste. Come to think of it, this may have been what skewed my analysis of the balance.





These are some the wines that I have toured recently. I don’t know enough about wine to provide any sort of commentary really, other than the Beringer Moscato being my favorite of the bunch. Or maybe I liked the Summerside Vineyards 2011 Riesling the best. At least it is between those two. Te Summerside Vineyards group is actually a winery out of Oklahoma and the founders are distant relatives of mine.




Lastly, this is some of the things that I have been getting into with family and friends over the holidays. This is what I look to limit in 2017. Also, the shot with the whip cream is not a standard drink of mine, haha. The Whiskey and diet coke next to it is my poison.

Now that that is out of the way. I have been doing limited gambling on DFS, with a modicum of success. In fact, just enough to keep my bankroll at the same place at the end of the which, in which it started. I am creeping ever closer to getting out the door to play poker again, and I hope that with my 2017 goal list, I will feel compelled to get in action once again, and hit it harder than I have to date.



Very well said. Another benefit of living my job that I realized, was being able to assist a sick family member that I would of had zero capacity to help with my former employment. Getting out of the slave wage lifestyle has had its ups and downs for me, but the overall net has been a positive one. Thanks for taking time to post itt.

I will be implementing the following, in effort to improve my poker journey:

1. Not compromising on the amount of hours that I have set as my target goal. 1,100 hours

2. Maximizing the amount of study that I put into the game. I should be studying hand histories on 2+2 llsnl forums. I should be watching strategy videos. Additionally, I should be recording all of my interesting hh’s for 2+2 and similar analysis. 5 hours/week, 20 hours/month

3. I must limit my consumption of alcohol considerably.

4. Find poker players to discuss hands, play, and strategy with.

5. Make steps towards playing 2-5. Have a bankroll sufficient to 2-5 by the end of 2017. I will be starting with a $3k poker bankroll. Basically I will need a $10k poker bankroll to satisfy this goal. If I fall back down to $3k, I will rebuild back to $1ok and try it again.

6. Be a fun/enjoyable player at the poker table. I am not sure if there is a metric to assess satisfaction of this goal, I am just going to have to try and be really self aware.



<Monthly graph will go here, just above the monthly updates, which are listed below>

[ ] Monthly hours goal (was the goal met or not)
[ ] Total hours towards yearly goal
[ ] Total study hours for the month
[ ] Profit/Loss


I played a short session this evening to dip my toe back in the water. I will be posting the session log in the new format tomorrow.

Solid goals, knock em out!

1.

Time Played: 3:12
Result: -$276

The poker session

This was my first session back at the live tables in about the past 3 months. I just couldn’t wait until the new year to start the challenge, and it made no sense to be working toward anything to wrap up 2016. The game was good. One player had a VPIP as close to 100% as I can remember. In fact, I can’t remember this player folding pre-flop, unless there was a huge raise. I did see him call a players $110 all-in preflop raise, with 64o out of the sb. There were another couple of donators at the table as well.

I typically take $600 with me for a night’s action. I feel that when I am stuck $600, I find it very difficult to be anywhere near my A game. This aspect of my game is something that I am going to give some serious focus to, and will probably be removing my stop loss altogether, and soon. For this session, I took $400, and I was remiss to have done so. With this table lineup, I would typically sit them until one of us runs out of money, or until the particular opponent(s) leaves the game. I got short on money, felt like I didn’t have any leverage on my opponents, and left.

It is always interesting to see someone just absolutely card racking. An older gentleman at the table hit three straight flushes (each time using both hole cards) in an hour and a half. The last straight flush that he hit was a royal flush. The room has an $100 hourly high hand bonus, which said player one the hour that he hit his first straight flush with, and then beat his second straight flush with his Royal, which was in the same hour. However, each Royal, depending on suit, pays a varied amount. The spade Royal that he hit, was for 1% of the bad beat jackpot, which I believe is around $93k.

As for myself, I was two hands away from cashing ~$350 winner, as opposed to the loss that I put up. The first beat came with my QQ in HJ, I have about $220 in front of me. Two limps to me, I raise to $20, two players behind me call, and one of the limpers to my right calls. Flop is 954r. Checks to me, I bet $45, all fold but the older man to my right who calls, and he now has $6 behind. Turn is a Q, and older man puts his $6 in, I call. The river is the 10, the old man claps his hands and shout “I needed that,” and turns over AJ, nh.

Next beat happened about 2 hands later, I was waiting until the button to rebuy, and thus only have $90 in my stack. Maniac fish from the first paragraph above is otb in this hand. I have KQ in mp. One limp to me, I raise to $15, two behind call and the limper calls. Flop is Q85r. Checks to me, I bet $45. Two players behind me call, ep limper folds. Turn is 4x. I put my last $30 in. One player folds, maniac fish says “I guess I am gambling” and calls. River is a 7, and fish says “two pair” and shows 87, nh,

So, the games are still very good. Mind you, this was on a Wednesday around 5pm


Hand histories

Hero is playing tight, but nobody seems to be taking this into consideration. In the bb, stack is $400, hand is 66.
V1 seems to be pretty straight forward to this point. button straddle, stack is effective $400.
V2 is maniac fish, stack is effective $400. (I have seen him show one bluff in 2 hours.


Hero calls $5, mp limps, V2 limps, button straddle raises to $15, all players call.

Pot: $60
Flop: 353x

All players check to the V1, who bets $25. I think that my hand is in very good shape here, and I don’t think V1 will continue to bet after I make the call on this flop, I just don’t think that he is that type of player. V2 also calls the $25.

Pot: $135
Turn: 4

I think this is one of the better cards for me. I check, all players check.

Pot: $135
River: 2

I think that this is a great card for me at first, but then I second guess myself. I throw out a small bet, with the intention to bet fold. I bet $45, because I think that V1 & V2 are both pretty weak here. V2 raises to $200 and V1 quickly mucks. I take a good amount of time to think. V2 looks very comfortable. I think that villain could have any A and just isn’t good at bet sizing (or he may be out of my league with bet sizing, as I start to think). He could have also backed into some flushes, as you will note with the hand above with this villain, it is nothing for villain to over call with an A high and a backdoor flush draw. I think that there are also some 6’s in his range but probably unlikely.

I fold and villain doesn’t show. Do keep in my, there is a high hand promotion in the room and the minimum hand requirement is a full house. This villain would most certainly be showing a high hand qualifier, so I take that out of his range after the hand. My read is that villain had an A and either a) has no ability to bet size, thinking that he is good and going for fat value or b) he bluffed me.

Any input that any of you may have would be greatly appreciated.



In other news

I have just been scraping by with min cash after min cash the past 4 nights in NBA DFS. I am pleased that I have at least found the cash, but obviously I want to be greedy and am looking for more. The best news is that I have fought the urge to fire up multiple different lineups. That approach just doesn’t work for me. I have to have laser focus on setting one lineup to even think about getting in the cash, at least at this point in my dfs progress.

I have cut back on my drinking quite well the past couple of evenings. It is not “no” drinking, so there is still progress to be made. At least I am making some strides. When I get into the poker grind, I usually do not feel like drinking after a session. So, the volume goal should help me kill two birds with one stone. At least, I may kill one bird and severely injure the other.





“I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.” -- Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Thanks, Pure! I really want to hit this volume goal and see what my hourly looks like afterwards.

About the 66 hand.

I think your play is fine until the turn. I would consider putting in a raise on the turn. He is loose and could defend with a wide range and when everyone checks to him he probably fires most of the time with most his range. You said yourself you don't think he is betting the turn if you call so why not lead? Then if you get raised you have a better idea of where you stand by what he does next.

River fold is tough but I think I might have called if he was really loose. I doubt he had a boat, so a flush is all you lose to, you beat over pairs and air. The price seems right to find out. Good luck and keep posting

Thanks for the input, Sam!

I posted this hand in llsnl and the consensus there was, I needed to make a larger bet otr. It could have been that my small bet made the villain think that a bluff would work, and it did if in fact he had a worse hand. Also, I get more value from hands with a 3 in them, if I bet somewhere in the neighborhood of $75-$100. Ultimately, I didn't feel like this player had many river bluff raises in his toolbox.

2.


Time Played: 2:18
Result: +$137


The poker session

This is the shortest of sessions that I plan on playing during my current challenge. I am still trying to carve out time to play, with consideration to the other things that I have going on with real life. Additionally, I would have played longer with this session, but my table (It was a very profitable table) broke, and the remaining players were being absorbed into the other tables. I was only going to be able to play another hour to hour and a half, so I didn’t think it fruitful to sit down and assess an entirely new table with such a limited time frame.

As mentioned the game was a good one. There was a lot of random chatter about sports, how well different players were running, and the layout of the new room. It was the kind of table that I would like to have a seat at for the majority of my sessions.

I was able to catch a nice glimpse into the mindset of most humans after my game broke last night. At the table behind the one I was playing at, a player is loudly banging the table and laying down F bombs. I am standing at the cage cashing out, and I notice the man that has just walked up behind me is the boisterous man that has been mentioned. A dealer asks the man if he is done for the night and is greeted with “F’ing right I am done, how am I going to get two outed.” at this point the dealer has lost interest and meanders on, but that doesn’t stop the man. Continuing to talk loudly to himself, “I have been getting F’ing two and four outed for two weeks, I have such terrible luck!” So, I am sure that you can guess that this individual's first stop out of the poker room doors, was to the nearest slot machine. One would think that if you believe you are having terrible luck, the slots would be the last place that you would stop. Maybe he needed to confirm his run bad.


Hand histories

Hand 1
This was the 3rd or 4th hand of my session. $200 effective. Hero is utg w/ KK. I think that V is tight/straight forward, but I can’t remember, as it has been sometime since I last played with him, and I suppose his style could have changed.

I raise to $15, V to my direct left calls, Hj & Bb call.

Pot: $60
Flop: 54T

Bb checks, I bet $40, V calls, all others fold.

Pot: $140
Turn: A

I don’t like this card, not necessarily because I think that V has an A, in fact, I think that he has better than an A. I check, V bets $40, I call. After this smallish bet, I am starting to put some straight draws and the like into V’s range.

Pot: $220
River: 8

I check, V shoves $105, and I fold. V doesn’t show, but tells me that he liked the river. I don’t think that there are a lot of hands that I can beat, and I think that I just have to chalk this one up to my not being in position, and this sort of action is just want to happen when you are oop.


Hand 2
Same orbit, I am otb w/ AK. 1 mp limp to the V in co who raises to $7. This V is pretty loose/splashy and his stack is $145. I raise to $25, as I believe that I am way ahead of V’s range and want to set up the pot where we can get the stacks in should the runout dictate such.

Pot: $50
Flop: AQJ

V open shoves $120. I don’t love my spot, but I see about as many hands that V my be punting off his stack with, as hands that he has me beat with. I think that it is going to be very rare where V has a set, and I don’t think that this V will open shove w/ a flopped straight. I make the call

Hand 3
Same V from hand 2. $250 effective. I have J7 otb. There is a $5 straddle utg. The straddle man is a very laggy player, but has been playing a bit more subdued during this short session. There are two limps to me, V is one of the limpers, and I failed to mention above, but he is to my direct right. I raise to $20, only V calls.

Pot: $45
Flop: AQJ

V leads for $30, I raise to $90. V thinks for a bit, he shows me A2, says “you have this beat right?” At this point, I thought that V was mucking right there. I sheepishly said “yeah,” and picked my cards up. I then realized that he wasn’t mucking immediately, but he does end up laying it down. I told player that I had AT. Point being, protect ya neck, errr, I mean hand. I am notorious for getting in my own mind and not following closely enough along with the action. Also, as for my play, I thought that I would be able to get V to lay down some weak A’s, and that’s what happened. As for the preflop action, I wanted to take full advantage of, and exploit V's loose calling range.

Hand 4
I am mp w/ T9, and I feel as though my image is tight. Two players in front of me limp, I raise to $15, Hj,Co, Sb, and previous V who had limped this hand, calls. V in this hand is Sb, ~$300 effective, he is an older Asian man, who has been playing tight, but has been known to tilt and play loose.

Pot: $75
Flop: 327

I like this flop, because I think that there are very few hands that just call me preflop, and will be able to continue in the face of multiple streets of pressure, probably only flush draws will be able to do such. Checks to me, I bet $45, all fold, except V, who calls.

Pot: $165
Turn: 9

I like this card for a few reason. Namely, I think that I picked up some actual equity in this pot, as opposed to the equity that I have from bluffing. Also, I think that if this V has a flush, I am going to hear about it. I don’t think that V is capable of bluff representing the flush. I think that this V is going to play his hand pretty straight forward given his position and the current board runout. I check behind.

Pot: $165
River: 9

This is a bingo card for me obviously, but now how do I extract the most value. V checks to me, but I think that he has some sort of over pair to the board at this point. I bet $65. I don’t like my bet amount, I should have put in $85-$110. V calls, doesn’t show, and the table is shocked when they see my hand.

The rest of the session, which was about 45 min. I was looking to take advantage of this newly found image, but the opportunity never presented itself.

In other news

I actually had a sweat in a couple of different evenings in the past week with NBA DFS. However, I ended up in the top 5% and 10% of the field for very minor cashes. Friends are starting to depart town from their holiday breaks, and while I hate to see them go, my life tends to take a different turn when they are out of town. I had planned to play Saturday night, but coinciding with friends leaving town, is dinner at one of the better Italian places in the area that usually gets constructed to mark the departure.

My drinking typically decreases precipitously with the departure of my comrades. This is something that I need to make sure that I take full advantage of. There will also be more time to go put in hours, as I only have a couple of people in the area that I congregate with when the holidays have passed. Good with the bad.

Remembering to stay humble.
“The body and its parts are a river, the soul a dream and mist, life is warfare and a journey far from home, lasting reputation is oblivion.” --Marcus Aurelius

3.


Time Played: 6:24
Result: +$219



The poker environment

Considering this was a Monday night, the poker room was buzzing, thanks to the College National Football Championship Game and a litany of promotions. There was a good mix of regs and recs at the table. Table chatter was good throughout most of the night, which is always helpful for keeping the game loose.

Just an idea for some of the play; $50 splash spot, all 9 players see the flop for a $10 pre-flop raise. Flop is 579ss. Action checks to a late position player of bets $20, with ~$180 behind. Folds to preflop raiser who raises to $60, he has initial bettor covered. Action folds back to late position bettor, who shoves for $160. Pre flop raiser thinks for a good minute, and calls. Turn J, River, 5, flush comes in. Late position bettor shows K9cc, pre-flop raiser shows AJ.

The promotions for the game were pretty decent, which is why I chose the room I played at over my other viable option. I thought the promos matched up with my style of player better than the other venue. So, there were $50 splash pots on all tables w/ a TD, FG, or safety scored. There was a $25 splash pot for all turnovers. There were also high hands rewarded every 30 min from 7-11. After 11, the 3 highest hands win 1st $250, 2nd $150, 3rd $100.

Needless to say, I whiffed on all promotional dollars. In fact, I didn’t make it to the turn card in any of the 10+ splash pots throughout the night. No worries though, as the promotions brought in some weaker competition, as well as lowering the standards of play by some of the more reg players. Typically I appreciate the promotions more so for the style of play they invite, than the actual dollars that I realize from them.


Hand histories

Hand 1
Hero, Tight image, $240, co, AK
V1, Loose/splashy, $200, sb
V2, Loose/passive, ~$130, mp

Ep limps, v2, limps, I raise to $15, V1 calls, V2 calls.

Pot: $45
Flop: 223

V1 checks, I bet $20, v2 folds, v1 calls.

Pot: $85
Turn: K

V1 checks, I bet $20, v1 raises to $60, I call.

Pot: $205
River: 8

V1 instashoves $105, I call. V1 shos 56 and says “you are probably good, but you have to show.” Seems like I was gifted $200. Ott, I continued with the same bet size becuase I thought that it would induce some spew. I think that I am in really good shape with my hand as well. I didn’t really think for anytime otr. I felt like there was a possibility that I could be beat, but I am not folding my hand on this board without a super strong read.

Hand 2
Hero, Tight image, $400, bb, T8
V1, Tight/passive, $220, utg
V2, Loose, $250, mp

3 limps to me, I check.

Pot: $9
Flop: 679

I catch a great flop, but the trick will be getting some money into it. I bet for $10, thinking that a variety of hands will call me. Both v1 & v2 call.

Pot: $30, about $25 after the drop
Turn: T

I hate this turn card. I think that the only worse card would have been a . I check, v1 bets $20, v2 folds, I call.

Pot: $70
River: J

This is where I make my biggest mistake of the night. I bet out $35. Something short circuited in my mind, because against this villain, I think that I can get hands similar to mine to fold, given the bet is large enough ($50-$70), and then I avoid split pots. V1 makes a crying call of sorts, and shows 87. Split pot.

Hand 3
Hero: Image is getting Laggy, $400, co, AQ
V1, splashy, looks like a middle aged slob, $450, sb (Same guy from the AJ splash pot hand)
V2, Short stack, shoving pre flop, young attractive female, $45, hj

V2 limps, I raise to $12, button calls, v1 raises to $22, v2 calls, I call, button calls.

Pot: $88
Flop: JT8

V1 checks, v2 all-in for $23, I call, button folds, v1 calls.

Pot: $157
Turn: 7

V2 leads for $85, what should my play here be?
I fold. V2 shows 99, no heart, river bricks, and he wins w/ the straight. I felt pretty much lost throughout this hand. I didn’t know which of my draws were clean, and I didn’t think that there would be any betting into the empty side pot until the river, so I was thrown for a loop.



In other news

Most of my friends and family have departed my area to reacquaint their normal lives now. As I mentioned in my previous post, there are some benefits and drawbacks to this. This picture is one of our several send off meals we enjoyed together. The wings and additional pizza didn’t make the photo roll. One of my buddies is a huge eater, and I have never met anyone that can out eat, or out drink him. I am sure these people exist, I just haven’t crossed paths with them. Between 3 people, all of this food was eaten, mostly by my big eating friend, whom I have mentioned itt before, he is getting his doctorate at Texas Tech.


Additionally, I am not sure that I could keep up with the pace of drinking required from the holiday company for much longer.

I have nothing so much to report on the NBA DFS front. I have had a few min cashes, following the end of this past week, were I whiffed on three straight nights, which is pretty unusual for me. I haven’t ever had a big cash in NBA DFS, but I don’t usually find slates of games on consecutive nights were my efforts are as futiles as they were recently. Also, I am ready for Draftkings and FanDuel to complete their merger to see if this is going to be good for DFS. I am not sure that it will be for the best, but the player pools are shrinking and some new blood needs to be pumped into the games.



This is a whiskey, whose original variant I tried a few years ago at the bequest of my TTU buddy, is a pleasure imbibe in. Both the original and the reserve are very good. This Reserve edition is light, with much less body than the original batch. The finish doesn’t have any bite, to my taste, which after a big meal is exactly what I am looking for.

In lieu of a quote, here is a poem I rather like:

Burnt Ships

TO skies that were brighter
Turned he his prows;
To gods that were lighter
Made he his vows.

The snow-land's mountains
Sank in the deep;
Sunnier fountains
Lulled him to sleep.

He burns his vessels,
The smoke flung forth
On blue cloud-trestles
A bridge to the north.

From the sun-warmed lowland
Each night that betides,
To the huts of the snow-land
A horseman rides.

--Henrik Johan Ibsen

Hand 1-played well

Hand 2- You should have checked raised the turn. Only hand you lose to is J8. Then you can lead river.

Hand 3- is a fold. They aren't betting to get you off the hand they are betting for value.

Hand 1 - I agree, I don't think that there is a lot that I could/would do differently.

Hand 2 - Yes, I think you are right, a check raise has a good likelihood of folding out hands that we chop with. Also, if V calls my check raise and we hit a on otr, we get a great spot to extract some value.

Hand 3 - I agree that a fold is the play here. However, I don't necessarily believe that V is betting for value here, just because V is really a thinking player in that regard. It felt like V was spazzing more than anything and was just hoping to be good. W/ V having two blockers to the possible straights, he probably is feeling fine with his hand, hoping to fade 's.


Thanks for your input on the hands, Sam!

4.

Time Played: 5:18
Result: -$294



The poker environment

For the most part, the table I was at remained pretty quiet throughout the session. There was some dull chatter, but not enough to carry a gambling atmosphere. I was all-in for 100bb+, 3 times within my first 8 hands of play. There was a drunk splashy player directly to my right, who got in the game for ~$900, but I wasn’t able to get my hands on any of the loot. I lost my nerve in a couple of pots and couldn’t pull the trigger with the necessary bluff. Overall, I pretty much played my C game or worse throughout the night.


Hand history’s

Hand 1
Hero, first real hand that I have played in the session. $185, otb, KK
V1, Has me covered, has been playing snug, mp

V1 raises to $10, I reraise to $25, V1 calls.
Pot: $50
Flop: QT5x

V1 checks, I bet $45, V1 calls.
Pot: $140
Turn: K

V1 checks, I shove $115, V1 folds.
I am not sure about my move in this hand. I was trying to figure out how to get stacks in here, but I think alot of river cards will kill action. I thought that V might be willing to gamble with some draws ott, and this might be the best shot at getting stacks in.

Hand 2
Hero, 1 hand later, ~$250, QQ, co
V1, Just sat back down after being up from the table. I believe V to be loose, based on some of his play and table talk, by himself and other players. V has me covered, otb

Folds to Hero and raise to $15. V1 reraises to $35. Hero thinks & calls. I think that V1 might have caught the hand that I had just played and might be 3b light. I also incorporated my image for V1 into the equation.
Pot: $70
Flop: T86

Hero checks, V1 bets $35, Hero calls.
Pot: $70
Turn: J

Hero checks, V1 bets $90. I think that V1 could be weak/drawing here. I also have the thought that that, as played, I may be able to push V1 off of AA-KK. Hero shoves for $176. V1 calls after some deliberation and is good w/ KK.

Hand 3
Very next hand
Hero,. $200, bb, QQ
V1, loose/active, has hero covered, $5 button straddle
V2, is V1 from Hand 2 above. V2 has me covered, HJ

Folds to V2 who raises to $15. V1 reraises to $35. Hero takes some time to think, and I believe that I am ahead of V1’s 3bet range in this spot. It appeared to me that he was just over defending his straddle, and taking V2’s image into consideration. I am not sure exactly where I stand w/ V2’s range in this spot, but I think that there is enough dead money out there for me to squeeze. Hero shoves $200.

Folds to V2 folds and V1 calls. The board runs out J high, V1 doesn’t show and I take it down.

Hand 4
This hand occurred much later in the session.
Hero, image is tight at this point. $400, sb, QQ
V1, Drunk & splashy middle aged woman, $300, $5 button straddle
V2, Loose/passive , $200, MP
V3, Tight older Asian man, capable of bluffing. $250, CO

Hero opens to $20. All V’s call.
Pot: $80
Flop: 478

I like the flop, but am weary of taking the hand so many ways. Hero bets $45, V2 folds, V3 & V1 call.
Pot: $205
Turn: K

I like this card. Not necessarily in regard to improving the strength of my hand, but in the sense that I think future action will define the ranges of my V’s. I don’t love my bet size, but I think a small bet will provoke some possible bluff attempts that will convolute the hand. Hero bets $75, V3 reraises all-in $185.

I take some time to think the hand out, but I am pretty sure that I am folding. V3 is moving his chips around, and preemptively tips the dealer. V3 then tells me to “gamble,” at which point I insta muck. V3 shows 77 for the set.


In other news

I have been trying to experiment with some LAG play without investing in it all the way. That is until my epiphany last night. I really need to perfect some TAG play before I delve into a style of play that is going to demand more ability and focus on my part. Plus, I am still working to shake some of the rust off of my game. I have come to realize that it only takes a couple of months away from the table to lose that feeling of being sharp in the game. This is my observation for live that is. Yes, the players are still poor, but it doesn’t mean anything if your brain isn’t at the proper speed to capitalize on the mistakes that present themselves for you to take advantage of them.


“We love being mentally strong, but we hate situations that allow us to put our mental strength to good use.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

5.

Time Played: 7:13
Result: -$60


The poker

I ended up playing my longest session in, a good while. For most of the evening I was sitting around even. I ended up losing a smallish pot and got down to ~$125, at which time I rebought for another $100. Near the 3 hour mark of the session, I ran my stack up to $400 and pretty much hovered around that point until the 6 hour mark. I tried to run a river bluff at the flush that came in, but the opponent turn, rivered trip 4’s and looked me up, I almost got him off the pot. The other hand that took me down was a very disappointing line by myself. I called preflop, flop, and turn bets by a LAG player, when there was a nit behind me calling down as well. I could not pull my focus from the LAG bettor, and allowed the NIT, who I know is way ahead of my range, to take down a big pot.

So, I played a TAG style as I suggested that I would, until the two pots mentioned above. A momentary lapse in two hands was all that it took to erase several hours of solid play.

The table that I was at saw its up and downs. There were 4-6 tables of ½ running most of the night, but I never switched tables as a good seat would continue to come open on my table with position on players that I wanted to be behind. Near the end of the night, the game started to get really good, but I had already spent most of my hours of “good focus” on the earlier hours, so I wasn’t able to fully capitalize.

My demeanor at the table can really fluctuate. If the table is quite, I will try to bristle some energy into people, unless it is very obvious that they want to be silent. If there are other players at the table being talkative and energetic, I will allow them to entertain. I think that quiet tables are usually less profitable tables. Plus the time passes more quickly when people are talking and having a good time, as well as, people paying less attention to their play.


Hand history’s

Late in the session, about 30 min. My departure. Villain is a new player to the table, stating that he is from out of town, and that Oklahoma poker sucks, and that the rules are whack, and how he wants to be back in his home state where the rules are better. I can’t disagree with him on anything, just the method of how he voiced his opinion came off as whiny, but he was drunk.

Hand 1
Hero, Tight image, $200, CO, Q9
Villain 1, Loose/splashy/any two, 40’s Asian man, $~500. Just won a pot where he overall a 200bb ai w/ second nut straight draw on a flush draw board. UTG

V2, description above, has been feuding w/ V1, saying that he is gunning for him, saying that he is is his best customer, etc. $300, MP

V1 limps, V2 raises to $10, I call, V1 calls,

Pot: $30
Flop: QJ8

V1 checks, V2 bets $25, and is focusing and talking solely to V1. I .raise to $75. I am fine with taking it down here or gambling. V1 folds. V2 thinks, and of course, talks to me. V2 asks if I have two pair, asks if I have AQ, says he doesn’t think that I would make this play w/ a fd etc. After a good amount of deliberation, he folds KQ. I showed him the 9 and he got silent. I had about 50% equity in this pot, so I am happy to win w/o having to coinflip.


In other news

I planned on playing Friday night as well, but weather did not permit. I like where my hours pace is at currently. I am just starting to pick up steam, and I am still working on getting my game tuned up. I do plan on putting in 8 hour days once I get completely established.


“Unless you’re ashamed of yourself now and then, you’re not honest” --William Faulkner

I would like to make an addendum to the quote above; that being, if you are a psychopath of some sort you may not ever feel ashamed of yourself.

6.


Time Played: 6:23
Result: -$407

The poker session

This session saw the biggest pot that I have ever played in. Overall, the table dynamics were great for profitability. Early on there was an older man that tripled up and had ~$900 in front of him, I got a seat to his direct left, and was unable to acquire any of his money... he left the table with ~$150. No worries, a drinking gambling, any two man, is directed to the seat that the older gentleman departs. At his high point, the new player to my right runs his stack to $1.5k… I am unable to get any of it.

Most of my losses right now stem from trying to see flops against my targets, and not being able to make anything. I would take a pair to the river against most of these people, but I continued to whiff. As the evening drags on, I start pressing, and playing much too loose. I am greatly struggling with the mindset of “I am going to go into the session with a set amount of hours and a game plan. Nearing the end of my session, my gameplan should only have minor adjustments, such as adjusting to player(s) styles.”

Plus I need to make some hands.


Hand history’s

Hand 1
Hero, $150, loose, Utg+1, QJ
V1, $300, loose, station, bb
V2, $98, mid 30’s man, Stationy, Utg,
V3, $300 Old man (from description above), erratic fish, button


V2 straddles $5 otb, Sb limps, V1 limps, V2 limps, hero raises to $18. V3 calls, Sb folds, V1 calls, V2 shoves (it’s $98 total). Hero?(I folded). V3 calls the shove, others fold.

V2 had 77
V3 has AK and rivered the straight


Hand 2
Hero, $400, loose, HJ, AQ
V1, $145, older Asian man, Utg
V2, $39, Young Indian man, station, ep
V3, $425, I have been conversing w/ this player, super splashy, ~80% Vpip, Mp
V4, $375, Has been playing everything, splashy, button
V5, $39 V1 from above, sb

V1 straddles $5 utg. All V’s limp to hero, I raise to $25. V4 calls, V5 shoves $39, all players call $39.

Pot: $234
Flop: T8J

V1 quickly shoves $85, V3 calls, hero calls, V4 calls. I like this spot as I think stacks are deep enough to give me good implied odds. Coupled with that, is that these players don’t fold. I even believe that I may be able to make a pair and be good otr.

Pot: $574
Turn: K

Obviously a great card for me. V3 checks, I shove $275. Both V3 & V4 call. V3 is saying, “I can’t fold. How can I fold. He is thinking for about a minute before making the call.

Pot: $1,355
River: T

I will leave the winner of the pot, and the hand, in spoilers in case anyone wants to speculate.


In other news

Not much to report here. I had a sweat at a decent payday in NBA DFS on Monday, but as the Nuggets started blowing out the Magic, Jokic didn’t have enough time to jump me up into the high scores. I am still more than capable of keeping my drinking in check when I am playing poker. This has always been a silver lining to putting in some volume at the table. The fact that driving an hour both ways and feeling beyond dilapidated at a late hour, I have no urge to imbibe.


This quote is a little late for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but I couldn’t resist. I had not seen this quote before perusing some of MLK’s musing on Monday.

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ---Martin Luther King, Jr.

7.


Time Played: 4:50
Result: -$376



The poker session

There goes the 4th losing session in a row. I am bluffing way to much, and to explore the depths of my current ineptitude, I punted of $70 when I raised 3x raise preflop with 35o, got called by 4 players, and bet $50 on a AK8 flop, wow! I am not running great, but in no way am I keeping from casting aspersions on my current state of play, I have been horrendous. I had another great table last night, and once again I started pressing when I was getting stacks from the fish. I am currently falling into the mindset of, “I have been patient for a couple of hours, time to try and put a play on.” If I can just stick to the gameplan, eliminate asinine bluffs, and focus on betting for value, I will get this thing turned around.


Hand history’s

Hand 1
Hero, $275, tight image, Utg+1 KK
V1, $296, Loose/erratic, Utg
V2, $200, Loose, button
V3, ~$220, Tight/passive, sb
V4, $400, Competent to thinking player, BB
V5, $300, OMC, mp

V1 limps, Hero raises to $12, all v’s call.

Pot: $60
Flop: KT8

Checks to hero. Hero bets $20. I went with a small bet for value as I didn’t think that there is much that V’s will be able to continue with and I wanted to appear weak. V3 and V1 call.

Pot: $120
Turn: Q

Checks to hero. Hero bets $45. V3 shoves $198. V5 thinks and shoves for $264. Hero?

I give it some time to count all of the money now in the pot. I am getting nearly 3 to 1. I have about 22% equity to draw if I am up against a straight (I think that math is right here, please correct my thinking if anyone is reading and sees me to be in error).I am getting pretty good odds at 3 to 1,if I factor in smaller set(s), some two pair, and pair plus straight draw type of hands.




Hand 2
This is an example of how poorly I am playing at times.

Hero, $275, tight image, HJ, A5
V1, $350, loose and splashy V1 from above. He accidentally slashed his hand when I was watching his action preflop (K9), MP
V2, Covers both players, Loose, have seen him bluff, SB

Two limps in front of my action including V1. Hero raises to $12 and both V’s call.

Pot: $36
Flop: A3Qc

Checks around. I think that I am way ahead of both V’s ranges and don’t see much that they will call with, including a Q.

Pot: $36
Turn: 7

Checks to me. Hero bets $15. V2 calls after taking about 30 seconds to think. V1 folds.

Pot: $66
River: 5

V2 thinks briefly and slides out $100. This bet looks super bluffy to me. I am also figuring in the straight as being to hard to get to here for V. I didn’t feel like V2 would take so long on the turn to call with the sd. I don’t think that V2 is betting this much with a set or two pair. So, V2’s bet to me pretty much represents a bluff or straight, with the majority of this range weighted towards a bluff.



In other news

In spite of my losing streak, I am enjoying being at the table again. The poker table is a comfortable place for me where I don’t feel the specter of doom and dread around me that I often realize in everyday life. Much of my drinking stems from an overactive mind, and anxiety. The poker table helps me curb these creeping feelings. I feel like I am making only tiny steps in the direction of volume and discipline goals that I have for myself, but I am encouraged by these steps nonetheless.


“Don’t be bitter, just get better” --- My first college baseball coach

First off glad your playing more and posting more. I enjoy your thread as I am now unable to play as much as I did in December and it sucks.

From session 6 I think you played those hands well and don't have much to say.

Session 7 though I have a few notes. I noticed your standard raise is 12 which is a good size but you should start considering adding $2 for every person that limped in front of you already in the pot. I think this would help you alot. Let me know if you feel the same.

Now on the KK hand I would say to bet bigger on the flop. You have 5 villians in the hand.and you want to charge a premium to draw. It's 1/2 and someone will draw so you want to charge them alot. A raise of 45 to 55 would have been great. It's also okay to take down a pot here. If I'm a Villian with J9 or AJ I am definitely calling 20 here as the odds are too good. But 45 makes it must less attractive unless stacks are really deep.

Now when they shove it's pretty clear you are behind but you do have outs to win. I think I would call here based on odds and that you have outs cause it looks like they both have starights. But if you raised to 45 I doubt they come along with an inside draw. That 20 dollar raise allowed them to come in and draw cheap and then take your whole stack when they hit the nuts. Just don't let them draw cheap.

Next hand you check the flop when you hit top pair with 5 kicker. I would lead here your Ace is not all that strong and it's okay to take down pots here and not let hands draw a free card. Charge these hands.

I honestly feel like at 1/2 running bluffs is a negative EV unless it's heads up in position against weak opponents that make it too easy. I have been there and found at 1/2 too many people just call down with 2nd pair or some backdoor draw. Most come to gamble and don't want to fold a draw so charge them all the way. Just my 2 cents. And exceptions to every rule.

Keep up the posting and I will keep living through you LOL.

Thanks man, part of the motivation for keeping up with the thread is for people to derive from it what you are. I know that when I was working full-time, all I wished I was doing revolved around poker. Lurking and posting on 2+2 is what assuaged those needs.

With my preflop raising, I went into the night wanting to adopt more of a standard open being $8, and then adding $2 for every limper. This stemmed from reading some other posters and their standard opens. However, The games that I play, this strategy is routinely going to get to the flop 5+ ways. So, I think a standard open of $12 and adding $2 for every limper is a great strategy, and one that I am going to employ.

I couldn't agree more on the KK hand. I fell into the old familiar line that I have been know to do in the past, which is giving great implied odds.

I once again agree with you on the A5 hand. The whole problem could have been eradicated is I hadn't been struck with fancy play syndrome. I would have just bet, taken down the pot, and moved on to the next hand.

I am almost to the point where bluffs need to be taken out of my game almost completely at this point. Unless I am in situations like the HUIP you described. The players that I have been playing against have been very sticky, and I am unable to bully them as I have continued to believe that I can. I need to refocus my efforts on what is the best way to value bet each hand that I am in, and avoid forcing action. I think that my focus will be more beneficial for my game with this mindset.

Thanks for following along. I will continue to put my best foot forward with consistent updates, even though the results may be brutal, I want to improve my game and results and hiding my poor play isn't going to get me to where I want to go.

Best,

Nice updates! A few thoughts on the hands

I don't think you can profitably flat Q9dd with 200 effective (QT/JTsooted are fine). With deeper stacks this hand is a good 3bet-bluff candidate, although in this specific scenario I'd probably just 3bet lighter for value against a whale who isn't folding.

limp or raise more imo. You're not accomplishing much, if anything, by raising 3.5x: pretty much zero fold equity, initiative is worth less in multiway pots, you reopen the betting and can't call a shove. With $150 effective I'd probably limp and plan to bink.

Pretty goofy spot with two stacks at $39, not a bad time to minraise or make it $15 so you can rejam if one of the two shorties go all-in. Playing multiway with offsuit aces sucks.

good word!

Awesome! I appreciate any input that I can get towards improving my game.

I think that you are absolutely right about not being able to profitably play this hand w/ $200 eff. The villian was trying to tilt the other player and I think that he actually tilted me slightly. I might even trend towards folding this hand with such poor relative position.

I agree here as well. I think a limp/call is okay against these villains. I also think that I may be looking to fold in this spot more often.

I had the thought that I would be able to narrow the field with my larger raise size. I was less than thrilled when the hand went 6 ways to the flop. Once the flop fell, I thought my hand was in decent shape with the other villains in the hand having played so passively. I was also under the impression that I was going to be getting decent odds throughout the hand with all of the dead money that went in preflop.

Thank you! I try to vary my diction when I can.

8.


Time Played: 7:42
Result: -$328


The poker session

Well, I booked another losing session. That makes six in a row. It feels like I should have mixed in a winning session if by nothing other than accident. I played tight throughout the evening, did not spew off any money in the way of bluffs, but ran bad in two big pot that basically turned the tide. I did discover another leak that, I am not sure that I was aware of when it was working in conjunction with my other leaks, that being that I turn into a bit of a station on turns and rivers.

This session was by far the worst game that I have played of 2017. The game was extremely quiet, there were 3 pretty competent/good players and 3 absolute rock/nits, and there were no better tables in the room to move to.

I did mix in a hand that I won below, just so that it can be shown that I can win a hand. Albeit maybe only 1 every couple of hours or so.

Does anybody out there have tales of their longest downswings in llsnl? Hours and bb’s?


Hand history’s

Hand 1
Hero, $265, tight image, button, AK
V1, has me covered, competeant and thinking player, pfr ~40%, HJ

Folds to V1 who raises to $10 (his standard open had been to $8), hero reraises to $20. V1 calls.
Pot: $40
Flop: T86

V1 checks, Hero bets $30. V1 raises to $110. I have seen V1 take flops after raising preflop and has folded to bets. I haven’t seen V1 show up w/ any bluffs in the three hours that I have been playing with him. I fold and V1 doesn’t show. I don’t think that this is a very good spot for me. I am basically all-in w/ two overs on the flop if I want to continue.


Hand 2
Hero, $200, tight, TT, MP
V1, $500, this is the V from hand 1, UTG
V2, $175, Nit, MP
V3, $300, Loose/passive, button,
V4, $230, new player to the table, BB

V1 raises to $8, all call.
Pot: $40
Flop: TK8

Checks to hero, hero bets $30. Only V2 calls.
Pot: $100
Turn: 3

V2 leads into me for $45. I think about my options and call. I want to evaluate the likelihood of V having the flush otr. Also, I want to try and boat up just in case I am up against the flush. I don’t think that V is the type of player who would lead into me with a flush. Also, the bet sizing seemed rather small for a flush, unless he has the nut flush.
Pot: $190
River: 7

V2 checks. I think that I am going to go for some value here. I think that it is very likely that V2 has a two pair or a big K. I bet $50. V2 thinks for a good amount of time, and I think that he is going to lay his hand down. Villain ultimately calls and shows


Hand 3
Hero, $215, tight, KJ, UTG
V1, $175, this is V2 from hand 2, button
V2, $500, tight, BB

Hero open raises to $10, and both V’s call.
Pot: $30
Flop: J97

Hero bets out $20, V1 calls, and V3 folds.
Pot: $70
Turn: Q

Hero checks. V1 bets $45. I think that this is an odd bet. I am putting V1 on fd’s and some pair sd’s. I really don’t think that V1 is doing this with a nake Q in his hand, principally because he setting himself to get his stack in. I had seen V1 bluff on the river with air and semi bluff shove the nut fd, in between hands 2 and 3.
Pot: $160
River: 7x

So the fd’s whiff. Hero checks, and villain shoves $72. This line just screams missed fd bluff. I have played the hand pretty passively and think that I have good showdown value. The sole AQ that I think V1 may have is AQ, but feel like that is more on the unlikely side of his range.
Villain shows

Hand 4
Hero, $275, TAG, KT, BB
V1, $125, Splashy, utg+1
V2, $250, TAG, utg+2
V3, $180, tight, HJ
V4, $300, v2 from last hand, hasn’t changed his image, button

Limps to V4, who raises to $8, all call.
Pot:$40
KT8

Checks to V4, who bets $25. Hero raises to $65. V thinks for about a minute and calls. All others fold.
Pot: $170
Turn: 2

I take about 10 seconds and shoves for $202. V tank folds. I thought this was the hand I was going to get back on track. Any thoughts on my line?


In other news

I finished 3rd in a 2k player field on a late night slate of games in NBA DFS for $200. Not a huge score, but with the doom switch activated on my poker game I will take any profit that I can get. Also, the poker room that I am playing at has a paid to play promotion running for January. Players get $5/hour, at a minimum of 50 hours played. I am currently sitting at 34 hours and will be looking to maximize my hours to close out the month. At 40 hours I will qualify for the rooms monthly hours earned freeroll. Gotta try to recoup some of this month's losses through grind.