My months always seem to go like this on Stars; At the beginning i have very nice scores then... nothing. Early in April i took 2nd in a $4 180 and 1st in a $5 mtt, total profit was around $1662.00. I also made two other FTs in $4 180 sngs but no top 3 finishes. It seemed i was heading for a break out month.
Since then nothing. I can't get deep in anything. The $4 180s that i was final tabling with ease, i can't seem to get out of the first hour now. My profits this month is down to $1,175.00, thats a $487.00 decrease!
I don't feel too bad though. I've been taking shots at different tournaments; Several $12 180 sngs, about 3 3+R sunday million satelites for about 7 buyins each and several $11 Mtts, all with no success. Oh yea and somewhere along the way i decided to try to multitable $3 45 sngs which didnt go well.
Thats been the story on Stars this month, hopefully i will have another big score before April is all Done.
Fulltilt on the other hand is still going nicely. I'm accumulating $24+2 tokens and running really well at 25nl fullring as well as getting deep in several KO tournys. Last night for instance i took 3rd in a $3 90 man KO sng, won 3 $24+2 tokens and won 2 buy-ins at 25nl full ring, all while watching playoff basketball... Well actually the tokens were won during the game, $3 KO and 25nl were post game, but you get the idea.
I'm taking some atrocious beats at both sites but i'm at least making coin on fulltilt. Meh. It will come around, i feel there's a big cash in my future... just a feeling ;)
btw tomorrow's my Birthday... I'm old!
-Isgrinder
Showing posts with label Micro stakes sngs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Micro stakes sngs. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Micro stakes update
The micro mtt sng turbos are still kicking my ass. I've taken to pushbotting and have gotten deep in a few. The chat goes crazy though with guys calling me donkey and bingo player... etc etc lol. As a result i get alot of spite calls later in the tourny when blinds become huge relative to stacks and i get call down lite alot. meh.
So lastnight i did two things I haven't done in a long time;
1. Played in a $12 180 man turbo sng. I wanted to play lastnight after work, around 12:30am, my normal $4/180s would take 4hrs... just too long. I decided to play the higher buyin turbo because i saw they take about half the time.I really enjoyed the game, it was soft and i got deep before making a questionable AI shove with M=9.5 to bust 40th. I normally shove around this M but with an EP limper in and my image perhaps i couldve chosen a better spot.
2. Played 25NL full ring cash for the first time in a year. I've been feeling interested in ring again recently. But i'm not gonna get involved with 6max or regular grinding. An hour four tabling 25nl now and again would not be bad. I quickly realized that i was way off that game, and was not sure what to do in several spots... especially post flop. still i managed to come away with a little profit... only making one major mistake with KK that cost alot.
I will study some on playing ring to refresh my skills at that game. I suspect it won't take long to get up to speed on standard play. Am also considering playing more $12 180 man sngs, after all i have the bankroll for it.
- Isgrinder
So lastnight i did two things I haven't done in a long time;
1. Played in a $12 180 man turbo sng. I wanted to play lastnight after work, around 12:30am, my normal $4/180s would take 4hrs... just too long. I decided to play the higher buyin turbo because i saw they take about half the time.I really enjoyed the game, it was soft and i got deep before making a questionable AI shove with M=9.5 to bust 40th. I normally shove around this M but with an EP limper in and my image perhaps i couldve chosen a better spot.
2. Played 25NL full ring cash for the first time in a year. I've been feeling interested in ring again recently. But i'm not gonna get involved with 6max or regular grinding. An hour four tabling 25nl now and again would not be bad. I quickly realized that i was way off that game, and was not sure what to do in several spots... especially post flop. still i managed to come away with a little profit... only making one major mistake with KK that cost alot.
I will study some on playing ring to refresh my skills at that game. I suspect it won't take long to get up to speed on standard play. Am also considering playing more $12 180 man sngs, after all i have the bankroll for it.
- Isgrinder
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Back from Holiday - Challenge update
Actually been back for one week today, but wasn't in the mood to update the blog. had a few life issues that had me tied up, but still managed to play several tournaments and work on completing my challenges.
$5 Sit n Go Challenge - COMPLETED
Played: 20
ITM: 35%
ROI: 27%
finishes
1st: 5
2nd: 2
3rd: 0
4th+: 13
So thats it... challenge completed. Didnt really crush this level, but made $29.50 profit. I haven't played single table sit n goes since '06 but i think my roi during this challenge is more than respectable, in fact i think it may be considered un-maintainable (is that even a word?).
Single table Strategy:
This level is where most beginners start at, so the level of play is understandably weak. Basically I played tight early until blinds got large and/or 4 to 5 players remain. Generally this will be around 50/100 to 75/150 blinds. Then shove any hand i'm willing to open from any position. Basic & simple.
These tournaments are good for players that are good at multitabling 8+ sngs. which is something i'm not good at and would not even attempt. The low roi requires large volume play to be profitable imo. which is why i'm sticking to multi-table sngs.
gl.
Isgrinder
$5 Sit n Go Challenge - COMPLETED
Played: 20
ITM: 35%
ROI: 27%
finishes
1st: 5
2nd: 2
3rd: 0
4th+: 13
So thats it... challenge completed. Didnt really crush this level, but made $29.50 profit. I haven't played single table sit n goes since '06 but i think my roi during this challenge is more than respectable, in fact i think it may be considered un-maintainable (is that even a word?).
Single table Strategy:
This level is where most beginners start at, so the level of play is understandably weak. Basically I played tight early until blinds got large and/or 4 to 5 players remain. Generally this will be around 50/100 to 75/150 blinds. Then shove any hand i'm willing to open from any position. Basic & simple.
These tournaments are good for players that are good at multitabling 8+ sngs. which is something i'm not good at and would not even attempt. The low roi requires large volume play to be profitable imo. which is why i'm sticking to multi-table sngs.
gl.
Isgrinder
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Daily Tournament Results
Woke up early this morning to get in the $5 MTT FO @ 9am (usually get up around 10ish). Because i have to be at work for 6pm when i'm on the night shift, i like to get all my tournaments started by 10:30 the latest.
Unfortunately there are not alot of tournaments starting around this time. The ones that i'd like to play either start 5am - 8am or 12pm and later. So that leaves the $5 FO at 9am and the 8+R at 10am... and i'm not that good at rebuy's.
Played the $5 FO and busted 698 out of 1327 runners, not very good. Decided to fired up some $4 180 man sngs... busted the first two 167th & 85th. Started 3 more and played really well in all three; finishing 16th, 1st and 2nd.... sweet!
I shouldve won the last one also, villian was a donkey. I started out with the chip lead but had lost a race few hands earlier... this is the bust out hand.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t2000 (2 handed)
Isgrinder (t64778)
Button (t205222)
Preflop: Isgrinder is BB with 2h, 6d.
Button raises to t4000, Isgrinder calls t2000.
Flop: (t6200) 2c, 2d, 5d (2 players)
BB bets t2000, Button raises to t4000, Isgrinder calls t2000.
Turn: (t14200) Ah (2 players)
Isgrinder checks, Button bets t4000, BB raises to t10000, Button calls t6000.
River: (t34200) 3h (2 players)
BB bets t46578 (All-In), Button calls t46578.
Final Pot: t127356
Results below:
Isgrinder has 2h 6d (three of a kind, twos).
Button has 4d 6c (straight, six high).
Outcome: Button wins t127356.
62o is not a strong hand but i felt i could out play him... got a miracle flop and tried to milk him. My mistake i think was not pushing the turn. I was hoping he had an ace and would push over the min reraise, Instead he called with the gutshot and hit his miracle card on the river. nh gg.
hmm. looking at the hand again, If i have him on an ace i probably shouldve bet 3bet AI. this is why i hate slow playing! i always get in trouble.
Other News....
The Sunday 100k Gauranteed that i played and finished ITM for 20.00 was also being played by Annette_15. I did not run into her, but had i known she was playing i wouldve railled her after i busted. Not only did she play in the tourny but she took it down for $20k!
here's hand history posted on PXF
NOTE: Changed Template again... unfortunately i lost my blog roll... will try to get it back from memory. But if you don't see your link in the next day or so leave a comment and i get it right back up.
gl.
isgrinder
Unfortunately there are not alot of tournaments starting around this time. The ones that i'd like to play either start 5am - 8am or 12pm and later. So that leaves the $5 FO at 9am and the 8+R at 10am... and i'm not that good at rebuy's.
Played the $5 FO and busted 698 out of 1327 runners, not very good. Decided to fired up some $4 180 man sngs... busted the first two 167th & 85th. Started 3 more and played really well in all three; finishing 16th, 1st and 2nd.... sweet!
I shouldve won the last one also, villian was a donkey. I started out with the chip lead but had lost a race few hands earlier... this is the bust out hand.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t2000 (2 handed)
Isgrinder (t64778)
Button (t205222)
Preflop: Isgrinder is BB with 2h, 6d.
Button raises to t4000, Isgrinder calls t2000.
Flop: (t6200) 2c, 2d, 5d (2 players)
BB bets t2000, Button raises to t4000, Isgrinder calls t2000.
Turn: (t14200) Ah (2 players)
Isgrinder checks, Button bets t4000, BB raises to t10000, Button calls t6000.
River: (t34200) 3h (2 players)
BB bets t46578 (All-In), Button calls t46578.
Final Pot: t127356
Results below:
Isgrinder has 2h 6d (three of a kind, twos).
Button has 4d 6c (straight, six high).
Outcome: Button wins t127356.
62o is not a strong hand but i felt i could out play him... got a miracle flop and tried to milk him. My mistake i think was not pushing the turn. I was hoping he had an ace and would push over the min reraise, Instead he called with the gutshot and hit his miracle card on the river. nh gg.
hmm. looking at the hand again, If i have him on an ace i probably shouldve bet 3bet AI. this is why i hate slow playing! i always get in trouble.
Other News....
The Sunday 100k Gauranteed that i played and finished ITM for 20.00 was also being played by Annette_15. I did not run into her, but had i known she was playing i wouldve railled her after i busted. Not only did she play in the tourny but she took it down for $20k!
here's hand history posted on PXF
NOTE: Changed Template again... unfortunately i lost my blog roll... will try to get it back from memory. But if you don't see your link in the next day or so leave a comment and i get it right back up.
gl.
isgrinder
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Micro Stakes Sng Starting Hand Guide
One of the most important decisions you will make when playing micro stakes sngs, or any poker game for that matter, is which hands to play. Not thinking about the implication of playing certain hands can cost you dearly. You make your hand on the flop only to realize too late that its second best after you've lost your stack.
As a micro stake sng player you should always try to play the best hands posible. It is simply not profitable or necessary to attempt to mix it up. Especially in the early stages of a tournament.
NOTE: If you watch alot of Tv poker then remember that it is a show based on ratings, therefore it is edited to be exciting. Most of poker is very boring and would simply not make good television.
So what hands should we be playing?
22-AA, AK, AQ, AJ, ATs, (KQs, KJs, QJs ... carefully)
There are of course alot more playable hands, but playing just these few hands will already give us an edge against most micro stakes sngs players.
So we have an idea of what hands we should be playing. But how and when we play these hands is also very important. Play some of these hands in the wrong situation and it will still be a losing preposition even though we've identified it as one of our playable hands.
So when playing these hands we should consider the following;
The value of our hand can go up or down depending on these three factors. I will address these factors and the impact on our starting hands in "Micro Stakes Pre-flop Strategy" post later this week.
For now make note of what hands are not included in the playable hands lists; namely Suited Connectors and Ace 'x' type hands, suited or not. While these hands are playable, if you're a new poker player or you're struggling to beat micro stakes sngs i'd suggest you stick to hands above.
gl
ISGrinder.
As a micro stake sng player you should always try to play the best hands posible. It is simply not profitable or necessary to attempt to mix it up. Especially in the early stages of a tournament.
NOTE: If you watch alot of Tv poker then remember that it is a show based on ratings, therefore it is edited to be exciting. Most of poker is very boring and would simply not make good television.
So what hands should we be playing?
22-AA, AK, AQ, AJ, ATs, (KQs, KJs, QJs ... carefully)
There are of course alot more playable hands, but playing just these few hands will already give us an edge against most micro stakes sngs players.
So we have an idea of what hands we should be playing. But how and when we play these hands is also very important. Play some of these hands in the wrong situation and it will still be a losing preposition even though we've identified it as one of our playable hands.
So when playing these hands we should consider the following;
- Our Position
- Stack Size
- Stage of the tournament
The value of our hand can go up or down depending on these three factors. I will address these factors and the impact on our starting hands in "Micro Stakes Pre-flop Strategy" post later this week.
For now make note of what hands are not included in the playable hands lists; namely Suited Connectors and Ace 'x' type hands, suited or not. While these hands are playable, if you're a new poker player or you're struggling to beat micro stakes sngs i'd suggest you stick to hands above.
gl
ISGrinder.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Study Guide
Read any interview with any successful poker player and they will all have 'constant study' and self analysis as one of the keys to becomming a winning poker player. In this section i will go over basic poker concepts and eventually deal with more advance ideas.
Starting Hand Guide
Poker Odds
Bankroll Management
Pre-flop Strategy
Post-flop Strategy
Starting Hand Guide
Poker Odds
Bankroll Management
Pre-flop Strategy
Post-flop Strategy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
