2009 REVIEW + Award / 2010 Resolution

I will be going to Hong Kong this Friday for 6 weeks. So would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Don't drink too much, and use a condom. 2009 not too bad or me in terms of poker. The only disappointment I have would be no final tables at the Pond, haven't won any donkaments online as well as still haven't won any NLH tournaments. The upside would be I become a more consistent player, with less swing in my account. Here below are the figures:

Year 2007:
Total online profit = $1110 (USD)
Total Pond profit = $134 (AUD)
Total Live Cash game = -$391 in 108 hours

Year 2008:
Total Online profit = $1561 (USD)
Total Pond profit = $1529 (AUD)
Total Live cash game = -$403 in 32 hours

Year 2009:
Total Online Profit = $1520 (USD)
Total Pond Profit = $878 (Excluding $3k profit from staking Superman)
Total Live cash game = $1063 in 30 hours

Compare to previous years, my profit at the Pond has increased especially in cash tables. I made some minor adjustments at the Pond and it worked out OK. Instead of grinding long hours at the Pond, I decided to play shorter session. It works quite well. Manage to maintain my overall figure without any big cash in tournaments. So next year, I probably will swim a bit more and stick to my short session system. Hopefully I could also win a PLO tournament as well.

As far as my online goes, I have no idea how I could keep up that figure. This year I have played a lot less. I spent a lot of time visiting my parents interstate (I didn't play much when I were over there), I tried to do Master Buck twice with no result, donked like $600 away in the process, also I dropped 1 level in cash tables (mainly play 10c/25c instead of 25c/50c). I didn't win any smaller field donk fest this year, with my best finish only 2nd in PLO H/L for $100+. Maybe my hit and run strategy is working. Anyway, would like to play more tournys online next year. Hopefully I could manage to take down my first ever NLH donkament.

As my snooker in 2009 wasn't anything special. I didn't play a lot of tournaments this year, and everytime I bumped into a brick wall in my last 32 match. I lost in my first match to Alibaba at Yarraville was a bit of disappointment. Then I lost all of my second round (3rd round once) matches to either Mr.Invincible, Slowvari, Ben Judge and the Great Has Been which I had no chance at all. I missed the Princes Cup due to personal reason. The only highlight I had this year would be at the National Championship. Best of 7 against the Gimpsland State Champion, I won 4-3 at the end, but I gave him 1 frame start coz I rocked up late. I did very good in snooker prop bet this year. This year my goal is to get back to top 30 in Aus ranking. Mr.Invincible is laying me 2-1.

Now its time for all the AWARDS. There are no panels, no voting, no ballots.

Most inspiring figure: Mr. Sklansky

Most spectacular move: IRON FIST

Lucktard of the Year: Superman

Most annoying person: Lucktard Fat Chowhi

Trash talking line of the year: " I don't think your AK would be any good in this spot." I had AK on flop K 6 2, unfortunately LT had AA. My stack, gone.

Most consistency: Teapot

Biggest BS of the year: Master Chan. Always kill the game in PS $1/$2 and $2/$4 level, but PTR had him down almost $9k US for the year.

Roller-coaster ride of the year: Superman.

I need help award: Master Buck. Send! Send! Send!

FaceBook line of the year: "Why people loves comparing the Moon to the Sun? You might be able to walk on the Moon, but good luck if you try to walk on the Sun!"

The best show on FaceBook: "Love is in the Air!" by Master Gee + Cate

The PottingAngle award: The Master Gee. I can't leave him out. He is my spiritual leader. Even he is on semi retirement, but he has already set the bar for all his fellow student to follow.

I let the Master down!

Well, after nearly 3 months of waiting, FINALLY the Master came to my place and we had some tag-team action. I want to make it crystal clear, we are not colluding. We played under 1 account, each player chooses their table and play for 1 hour. Then we swap it over and change tables. So nothing we did were against PS rules. Tonight we played under Master Gee's account. We both deposited AUD$50 (Total $90US) and started rolling.

At first Master Gee drove the action. He had a $11, 27 players SNG running as well as $30 in a 25/50c NLH table. He hit nothing at all at the SNG and busted at the 4th level. Then he entered a $5.50, 45 players SNG and had no joy as well. Somehow Master's speciality not only in SNG, but in cash tables as well. Everytime he played a pot, he will bring in for a raise. He steam rolled the table and slapped everyone around like his little bitch. He maintain his stack at $30 and than flop a set of 4s and double up straight away. There were 2 pots which he flopped a straight but 3 flush on the board. The 4th flush card hit the board on the turn and forced to fold. After a while he ran his stack to around $95+ and he said this to me. " To my student, my favorite Grasshopper! Its time for you to lift. Take this stack and go to PLO. Its time for you to shine. Your guiding light will be watching. Hopefully you can find the PATH to POKER ENLIGHTENMENT."

With our roll at $140, I took $100 and sat down at a 50c/$1 PLO 6 handed table. I started off pretty well, after missing several flops, limp pot stack down to like $93, I bet all the way in the BB with middle pair + GS + small flush draw, representing a straight on a 4 5 8 board. The turn was 6 and river complete out flush, went check/check. Won an ok pot about $20+. Then we flopped the nut flush on the button, limp pot again. I bet pot on the flop, both blinds called. Turn rag but no pair on board. BB check called again. I put him either had a flush (hopefully K high) or a set. Our nuts held up and I went for the kill, he folded river pot bet after some thoughts.

Moments later, this hand came up. I were in CO with a bunch of low connecting cards 3 6 7 9. Nothing spectacular about this hand, but I love this hand at the right situation. In full ring game, with callers in front of me, I definitely fold. 6 handed, in late position first in, different story. I need to bring in for a raise. My hand totally conceal. High cards flop, people put me on high cards and hit the flop nicely. Rags flop, it will be in my territory.It plays like low sthooted connectors in NLH, but with a lot more outs. With our stack about $129, and the table playing tight, time to bully them a bit. I bought in for a raise to $3, hopefully I can buy the button. Button called, so did the blinds. So 4 way action.


Flop K 4 5 rainbow. Now we have a 5 card wrap draw. Any 2 3 6 7 8 will make us a straight. All check to me, and its time for a big semi-bluff. I hit a big draw and ready to go to war! I bet the pot for $11.40. Button fold, SB called, and all of the sudden BB popped to $50 leaving $42 behind. Now I knew he had at last 2 pair and very likely a set, but my hand still very good. I am willing to play for my whole stack at this point. SB check called me, either he also on draw or 2 pair at best. Hopefully he had 2 pair and took away some outs if BB had a set. If he is on some kind of up and down, hope he would fold, so I could scoop for the whole pot. So I went for the IRON FIST and shoved it on the flop. SB flat called again and so did the BB. SB turned over 67 for up and down only, and BB had top set. Still ok, I am 50% to win at least half the pot, thx to SB took away 2 of my outs and split pot with 5 or 8. I have a +EV of 35% overall so I didn't make any mistake. If SB didn't check call me I probably will flat call BB check-raise, no pair board on the turn, I am going nowhere for extra $40+. Unfortunately for us, we missed and lost a big one.

Sorry Master! Once again I let you down. Being a grasshopper that I am, I think I can only hop around in micro-limits. Grinding on donkey tables and win $10 here and $15 there. I have such a bad record in those 50/50 situation for the whole stack. Master, you gave me the opportunity to shine, but I am the MOON. You are shining brightly coz you are the SUN. Like Master Buck famous word of wisdom, " Human started walking on the Moon 50 years ago, but good luck if you try to walk on the SUN." Sorry Master, once again I let you down! Thank you for showing faith in me. Thank you for your Master Class. One thing for sure, I won't give up. I might be back to my micro-limits and donkaments, I am going to improve my game. Hopefully next time when I step to the plate, I can hit a Home Run off a hanging curve-ball.

Suck-out Galore!

PLO is a game of swing, but in lower stakes, you still need to dodge a bunch of bullets. Having the IRON FIST in your arsenal, a lot of times would not be enough. Not only because its Pot-limit, but with 4 cards combination, your opponents always have OUTS! When the pot getting bigger and bigger, the word VALUE will take over. People tends to have this in mind, " WOW! Big pot! I must call and see all the cards." Or they might be thinking," The guy must be on draw or just one pair, although I am behind right now, but I could improve to 2 pairs and win a monster." Here are some hands that I have experienced, either you can say they are a bunch of LUCKTARDS, but in my most humble opinion, they are just TOO GOOD!.

This hand was back a while ago. After 1 or 2 limpers, the KKds guy raised the pot. From what I have seen, either he has 4 high cards, or high pair. Since I were holding AA, so the possible of him having the same hand will be minimal. The next guy flat call, plus 1 or 2 callers. Now in the SB, I had the perfect situation to re-raise with my AA. With the stack related to the blinds were so deep, if I could not put 1/2 of my stack in, I would just flat call. Otherwise, re pot. Now I pot to $10+, the KK guy didn't disappoint me by shoving all-in. The next guy with A 10 10 3, also shove. I forced to call, and turned out I am getting 2- to 1 on 40% fav preflop, 64% fav on the flop, 70% fav on the turn. Just like all other online poker site, they need to keep the fishes alive. Nice hand Sir, you are too good. You just won the lottery for $71.

...

This hand also played a while back, but in 25/50c deep table. After several limpers, I raised to $3.50 with my AKQQds. The guy behind me re-raised to $12. Fold to the Gimp flat called, I called as well, so $35+ inside already. On the Flop UTG gimp check, I bet the pot. I hit a nice flop, with a bunch of outs plus overpair. Most likely the guy behind me had AAxx, and my bet on the flop could make him fold. He folded instantly, and now the GIMP shoved all-in. I called. He turned over that piece of crap and hit bottom set. I still have a bunch of outs about 45% to win. As usual in these lottery contest, PS will reward the donkey with a monster pot.

...

Nothing special about this one, but I wish I could use all 4 cards.

...

If you think it only happens in PS, then you are wrong. FullRig has the right name for their site, and you know how rig it is. In 25c/50c PLO. I called with KKxx. A bunch of people called, then SB all of the sudden pot it to like $5. He was a manaic, and I didn't respect his raise at all. I could have a case for either calling or folding, but I mini-raise him to $10 and see what he would do. Now MP flat called for the second time, SB just called, so I knew he didn't have AA. Flop top set but a bunch of draws out there, SB lead out for $10, and I applied the IRON FIST. MP flat call again and SB folded. I filled up but he made QUADS. Very nice hand sir! Now I believe 2 7 10 10 is a monster hand and should be played aggressively. ATC all the way would be the way to go. As usual FullRig will reward you for your ultra-aggressiveness.

...

This one in NLH, 25c/50c. MP opened raised to $1.50, CO called, I called with 33 on the button. The blinds folded. On the flop, MP made c-bet of $1.00, then CO re-raise to $3.00. I figured some big pairs out there. If either one of them have a set, nothing I can do. 2 pair also a possibility. No point slow playing it, coz if the Ace come, and both of them have pairs, I won't get any action. Remember in FulLRig, they are playing 10 Aces in a deck. Once again, I applied the IRON FIST, and figured will be called by 1 place. MP folded instantly, now CO thought for a long while and made the call with 44. How the hell he can call with 44? I were shoving $20+ into a $8 pot. He's not getting anything close to 2-1. Well, I didn't make any mistake. Once again in FullRig poker, if the board not coming 3 flush with a King, then they will come 4 straight with an Ace. So with his pocket 4s, he would be 100% chance to win. PERIOD!!!

...

Back to PS, some 10c/25c donk fest. Limp pot, the guy who won this hand just joined the table and posted BB. Folded to him, he checked. Others folded, SB called, I checked my option in BB. I hit a decent flop. Nut flush draw + wheel draw + backdoor crap flush draw. I knew AA not out there, coz they will go crazy with there AA. No raise pre-flop, everyone had random hand. SB lead out for $0.75, I flat called. Now that PLO Superstar, he raised pot. SB fold. Do I want to continue? He might have 2 pair, which I have full 11 outs to win. He might have 444, full 11 outs as well. QQQ? then I would be in bad shape, but not as bad as it appears. So I decided to play this hand aggressively, ATC all the way. So I check/call $3+ flop bet and $8 turn bet. I hit my set of 5s on the river. Based on the action, most likely he has 2 pair or set rather than 23 or 68. Pot was protected, I thought my hand was good, and shoved for last $5+, he called. Another cooler in the making. ATC only works for some individuals, and I know I am not the one!
...

Changed table straight away, post BB in my first hand. With middle position, limp pot I checked my option with AJ73. Button called, SB raised to 75c, everyone called. After the flop, MP bet $2. I definitely call. So did the button. Now I had the nuts on the turn with 1 way flush draw. With $8 inside already, I bet pot to protect may hand. Button re-raised all-in and I called with my nuts + flush draw. He had the same hand as I did, but with a set. River, I lost. Well I have no complaint about this one, coz it could go either way. His hand much better than mine, but why coolers always keep following me?

...

Now I top-up. I said to myself, if I bump into coolers again, I won't play PS for the rest of the year. Now UTG just call, in MP 2nd in, my AKK looks pretty good, but can't sell my hand cheaply. So I just flat call. A bunch of players limp, and we saw the flop AA3. UTG bet $1.25 on the flop, I figured my AK good right now, I re-pot him straight away. All fold, and he called. Turn 2, now, he checked, I bet pot and he check-raised me all-in. I called in an instant. I had enough of that shit. If he had 45, what a donk he is. A 2, A 3, so be it. He turned over A 10 2 2. OMG! Stupid 5 outer again. maybe this time PS heard my voice and gave me a miracle river card. I scooped a much needed pot with the nuts!

He is back!

He is back! He is out from retirement. Right now the poker world is buzzing. They all talk about who the hell is that guy Isildur1? There are many rumors about his true identity. Here below are my 2 cents:

1) Victor Bloom

I don't know who the hell he is, so no comment!

2) Guy Libertre

Maybe, but he is a fish. Can't win, so most likely not.

3) Bill Clinton

Maybe, as his wife is too busy in the political circus, the only way you won't lose your husband is to lock him at home for some online poker.

4) Osama bin Ladan

Nothing to do inside the cave somewhere in Afghanistan. So the best way to hit the US economy is to win all the fishes money online.

5) Daniel Sklansky

No way! Although he loves to shove, but can't do it in PLO.

6) James Wood or some Hollywood actors

Probably! They have millions. Money not really an issue for them. Somehow highly unlikely coz they can't show boating their acting skills online.

7) Kobe Byrant

Maybe! His boss Jerry Buss loves poker. The question is: How can he loggon to FullRig the same time when the Laker's game is on?

8) Micheal Jordan

Maybe! Just like Superman, he has gambling addiction. He loves Blackjack and Roulette more than poker.

9) Bill Gate

His Microsoft team already hacked into FullRig site. Now they just create a bot and ready to kill the game. Very soon we will see MicrosoftPoker.com They will take over the industry and have more customer than their Window 7.

10) Master Gee

He has the skills. He has the look (all depends on your taste). He has the hearts (willing to go broke anytime). Somehow he doesn't have the bankroll.

Wait! Master Gee........ Maybe its him. He is back and kill the table at PS last night. After GrandMaster grand showing in the $1 re-buy donkament, plus final table at Crown on Sunday. Maybe Master Gee could get $50 off him. Phil Galfond, Tom Dwan, James Obsts, they all winning millions online, but they all start from either playing freeroll or from $50. If they can do it, the Master can do it as well. Since the Master was in action last night, and I was fortunate to find him. Time for me to watch him play. Hopefully I can learn a trick or 2.

..

He played 25c/50c at the start. Bought in for $20+. Then he double up with KK and stack ran up to $40+. Then this hand came up. Master raised to $2 on the flop, SB called. SB played the hand very aggressively by check/calling on every street (ATC). Normally it works, but not against the Master. The Master always have the goods. He has some special poker ability thats so unique in this world. Its called "Donkey Magnet." I would love to have it, but all I got were "Suck-out Magnets".

..

Now the Master is hungry for more. A few hands later, he dealt AQ sthooted UTG, raised to $1.50. MP will KK mini-raised him and Master called. They saw the flop. Just like in your local Maccas, they will ask you, "Sir! Would you like fries with your burger?". Tonight is different, the Master is so hungry, he would love to have some Mushroom with his Poker. Since the Mushroon is too short, its there for the taking. Master flop a monster, as he always do, "When you flop a monster draw, get ready for an all-in brawl!" What else, he shoved. MP couldn't lay down his KK, not fearing Master might have 99 or A 2, and went for his 2 outer. Well, he deserved to lose.

..
Now the table surrounded by fungus. He moved to a new table with 50BB min. In his 2nd hand in SB, he dealt the most horny hand in poker of all time. The 69 sthooted. CO raised to $2, Master called, and they saw the flop HU. Once again the Master hits big. He had straight draw + flush draw + backdoor trips + runner 2 pair + any 6 or 9 might be good, if the guy had A 2 or 33. With hand so much combos, he must be a massive favorite to win the hand. He lead out for $3. CO call. Turn complete his flush. He bet $7, CO called. River blank, and he bets like $15. Co called with JJJ. Another donkey in the making. CO should learn how to fold top sets. His mistake, so it became the Master's gain.

..

Nothing special about this hand. Just SB vs BB confrontation and proves to all of you that the Master is not a flop rack. He will lose some pots after putting money in. Like all the good players in this world, he managed to lose the min everytime.

..

Now, the table really knows who the best player is. Like 99% of poker player out there, they never give up on their egos. Since the Master is a Donkey Magnet, and all superstars wannabe would like to win a pot against the Master, they would give the Master plenty of action. All fold the Master, and he raised to $1.50 with QQ. both blinds calls. SB lead out for $2.50, Master call. SB lead out for $8.50 on the turn, Master mini raised to $17, SB called. River, SB check/call Master's all-in shove with top pair. See! the Master played this hand very aggressively. If ATC on the flop not aggressively enough, then a check-raise on the turn follow by the IRON FIST on the river really give you enough infos. Just like most donkeys in this world, they will hand their chips to the right direction, to the Master's stack.

..

Couple of rounds later, once again the SB vs BB confrontation. Master called with A 8 and flop top pair, elected to check. Master demonstrated what ATC is all about in this hand, check/calling $1.50, $3.00 and $7.00 bets. The guy had something close to nut low.

..

How can someone keep getting slapped around by the Master? Once again the Master limped with Ad5d, the donkey popped to $2.50, Master called. As usual Master will check with his straight. The donkey will bet and fired $3.50, this time the Master changed gear, and raised to $7. The guy called. Now he fired $8 on the turn and the donkey fold. He must feel pain in his ass right now. He should give Master Buck a call, he will tell you which hospital to go in order to stitch up your ass.

..

If this guy is not suffering from diarrhoea, he must be special. Another SB vs BB confrontation. Master bets $1 on the flop and the BB called. Then Master check/call his $3 bet on the turn with straight. River check/call again his $6 bet. I know the Master could have raise him on the river, but somehow he might be a bit remorseful after all these beatings giving to him. Another nice pot to the Master.

..

This time against the same donkey, again SB vs BB, again the Master dominated. If you think he is a flop rack, then you are wrong. In this hand the Master had nothing. After the flop, he check call a $1.50 from his favorite donkey. On the turn he check raise his $3.50 bet to $8.50 total. After all those beatings, about time to go to toilet. So he folded and left the table after that hand.

..

His favorite Donkey has gone. So time to pick another target. Somehow no need to do anything when you were dealt AA, and they call your re-raise pre-flop.

..

The Master fear no one, nothing can stop him except some lucktards. Master first in pop to $1.50 with JJ, got 2 callers. Master fired $3 on the flop and only the SB called. On the turn Master fired $9, and this time SB mini-raised to $18. Master called. River went check/check. Huge suckout with the guy holding A 7.

We all know we can't beat lucktards in this game, but against normal donkeys, Master's skills will dominate his opponents in all areas. ATC, check-raise move, IRON FIST, well timed bluff, changing gear, etc. I have seen it all on TV, but the Master once again showed his superior poker skill and demonstrated it in 1 short session. You have inspired all the grasshoppers like myself. You are good! TRUELY AMAZING!

Technical Swimming: Individual Medley

Just got back from the Pond. I have done the Grand Slam of poker today. I woke up very early today, and still pissed off about the $75 donkfest from FullRig last night. So first thing in the morning, I decided to punish FullRig by withdrawing my full bankroll over there. Leaving less than $2 for emergency. Its also the beginning of my marathon swim. Instead of playing in the same site/table for a long period of time, I added some tweeks into it. Here's how I went:

LEG 1: Online Poker

I want to see how far I can go with only $2 in my account. KO Master did once before, built to $700 from like $5. Ok, I am not as good as he is, but I might give it a try. All those bankroll management, % buy-in related to bankroll, short stack strategy blah blah blah. I just chucked all them out the window. My bankroll right now only $2 (in FullRig), I don't care if I donk it away in 1 pot. Coz I can afford it!! Anyway, can't really buy-in to any SNG except $1.10 donkfest. If I lose that, I can't really do with 90c. So I grinded a bit in Stud H/L table, I made 30c in the process. Then I played 2 HU SNG, NLH and PLO each cost me $2.15. Lucky for me, I won them both, so my RIG roll right now stands at $6. Then Superman rang me up, and asked me to go for a swim. I went there after lunch.

LEG 2: Limit Holdem

I didn't feel like playing any cash table at the start. Not many tables opened, and each of them playing very loose and always a couple of monster stack over there. I saw Happy Andrews in the $5/$10 Limit table, so I cashed $150 and muck around with him.

I played very tight all the way, mostly play nothing up front. One thing I found out, the rake was killing me. They took $2.50 out from everypot right from the start. Most pot were above $50. So they took $7.50 rake for pots over $50, $10 in rake for pots over $75. Most importantly, they took the rake by the end of the hand. So instead of having 10% in rake, they are charging more than that.

The table as always in all limit games are very loose, no one willing to fold pre-flop. Everyone going to see the turn card for $5 as well. Position in this game is very important. The turn card would be the key. If you have a good hand, in late position, you can drive out a lot of opponents. I played like a NIT all the way, folding a lot of hands. I won a couple of mid-size pots today, and 1 monster pot. I had K 10 off on the button. After several limpers, CO raised to $10, I flat called. Everyone called, flop A J 7. Everyone fold to the raiser, and he bets. I flat called, plus 2 callers. Turn 9, now made 2 diamonds on the board, I had no diamonds. All of the sudden MP came out firing $10, initial raiser flat call, I called as well for my GS on the button. With close to $100 inside already, I gamble. I knew both of them not folding, so I have $20 implied odds to make my hand. So I were like getting 12 to 1 on a 10 to 1 shot, I called. BB folded. River Q, and I made the nuts. They all check to me and as I expected, they both called my $10 river bet. Happy Andrews left soon after and I followed him. A bit boring in those limit games, simply impossible to drive out people. Overall up $115 over there.

LEG 3: NLH

With $115 profit already, all it would cost me was $100 more to swim around with Superman. I joined his table, didn't play a hand in the 1st orbit. Dealt JJ in BB, limp pot, I pop to $25 and everyone fold. Couple of hands later, got AA in the middle. After 2 limpers, I raised again to $25, all of the sudden the guy next to me re-raised to $100. All folded to me and I applied the IRON FIST for total $205. He called. AA vs AK and I double up. A few hands later, UTG+2 dealt KQ, I raised to $18, all of the sudden the Maniac 2 seats on my left re-raised to $55, got 1 caller. Folded to me and I folded. I was thinking all I could hope for would be JJ or 10 10 for a flip. Although the Maniac re-raised, odds were those type of players love to raise with anything, but only re-raise with premium hands. Flop 9 10 J, Bugga!!! The maniac had QQ and took it down.

Once again I wish I have no idea. 2 face cards, I should go all the way! I should at least see the flop. I should fish around since my flippers is working today. If you never see the flop, you never know if you win or not. I should be sitting there with $800+ stack. Like Doyle Brunson used to say, " You need to play or you never know if you are on a rush or not." Pump my ass please!

My stack hovering around $400, then this hand came up. I dealt 5c6c in BB, limp pot and I checked in the dark. Flop 788 with 1 club. UTG fired $20, all folded and I snapped call. Turn Ac, I checked again, but not going anywhere. I put him on 7 instead of trips. Most likely I will have a free hit. He checked! River 9c. Instead of drawing to straight, I ended up making a flush. Since I put him on 7, I bet a teasing $15, hope he would call. He raised me instead to $50. Maybe he had full house, I snapped call him and he showed 5 6, same hand as me on the flop but I won with runners. Now stack about $530.

Then I lost the min on button with Jd 4d. Limp pot, and I called. Flop TT8 with 2 diamonds. All checked on the flop and I took a free hit. Turn 7d. Now I made the flush. SB came out with a $25 bet, BB flat called. I put one of them with 8, so if river no pair, I should be ok! River Qs. This time SB checked, BB came out betting $20. I flat called feared SB might going to check raise, since he representing trips on my part. SB called, BB showed Kd 2d and beat my flush. SB said he also had flush. I guess I lost the min in that one.

After the Maniac has left, I loosen up my game. Since I have established a tight image, I managed to run several bluffs at the pot and they all folded. Now stack close to $470. Then had KJ off, I raised to $8 UTG pre-flop. Got 3 callers. Flop J 9 8 with 2 diamonds. I fired out $20 on the flop, Superman and SB called. BB check-raised shoved for $150. I made another tight fold, invested only $28, I felt I were either marginally in front, or way behind. Not going to risk it at a small pot, so I folded. They called time soon after and I left with $440 stack. Superman didn't fare well today, as he busted his whole stack with KK, ran into AA preflop. Losing 2 buy-ins today.

FINAL LEG: Bonus Holdem

On the way to the carpark, I stopped by the bonus holdem table. $15 ante, $30 to play, $15 on flop and turn, plus $5 jackpot. First hand folded 8 3 off, and the next hand I called $30 with 6h3h, hit nothing and lost. Thats $70 already, I guess I better leave.

When I want to win, I lose. When I want to lose, but I can't!!!!!

Login to FullRig today, I had like 6k in points over there. I used them and played some SNG. I registered a 1800 ftp, top 3 will win a $26 token. The first one I played, I had no joy. Somehow I won in my 2nd attempted. Apart from entering tourneys or SNGs, these token are absolutely useless. I though for a while whether I should use it in SNGs or MTT. I found a SNGs which top 2 paid $75 token and 3rd place paid $66.

I did ok at the start. I didn't play much but it was a turbo SNG. The table seems a bit tight, so it ok. Lets make it a shoving game. At blinds $25/$50, I raised to $150 with my AJ. I got 3 callers. $650 in the middle already. Flop 8 8 9 with 2 clubs. Both blinds check, and UTG also check. With only $1k behind me, I took a stab at the pot by applying the IRON FIST. BB called, all-folded. BB turn over 10 4 clubs, so I were still in front. Turn+river blank and I almost triple up. Then won another pot with QQ vs KJ. With $4500+ in chips, I only needed to maintain my stack and I will be home. Now another question popped up in my mind. Should I take the cash for $66? or should I play and try to win the $75 token?

Now the bubble had bursted. I decided to take the cash. There were 2 ways doing it. Either I can sit out and get blind out, or I shove with nothing. The problem on the first option would be, if both guys all of the sudden wake up with something, then I can't lose. So I took the other option.

Now blinds 300/600. I had about $4k in chips in BB, SB had like $5k+ and button had $4.2k. I dealt 7 3 off. Perfect! Button pop to $1800, SB folded, now I shoved with my 7 3 off. Button thought for a long while and made the call. He showed A J. Perfect!!!! The flop brought nothing but sadness to my face as I made trips, and he drew dead on the turn. In the very next hand I have to post $300 in SB and BB all-in for less than that amount. So I was forced to play, dealt QQ vs his QJ. Flop all rags and no draw for him all the way. So instead of trying to cash 3rd, I ended up winning it.

What can I do with that stupid $75 token? Not going to play high buy-in tournys with that. I want cash but I can't sell it. I had that token all free, so I went to a donkfest NLH turbo SNG with only 300 starting chips. Also top 3 paid, $319/$200+/$126 something like that. It is a shoving game. Here is the strategy:

1) Any Ace = shove
2) 2 face cards = Shove
3) Any Pair = Shove
4) Any K in late position but first in = Shove
5) Anything in SB vs BB = SHOVE

The action was fast and furious. I managed to double up with A5 vs 9 10 sthooted, all-in preflop, rivering the Ace. Soon after, down to 4 handed. I managed to maintain my stack and now folded to me with K 8 off. Blinds 50/100 and only had $500 behind me, so I shoved. BB had $440 and he called with Q 10 off. Q on the flop and no King on turn/river. With $60 behind me, shoved with Q 4 sthooted. Hit nothing and busted out in 4th place.

That's what poker is all about. If you want to win, all you get is suck-outs. So I thought it would be easier for me to lose. Somehow the site must know something. Perhapes I should never shove with 7 3 off in the first place. Joe "The Sook" Hachem won the WSOP with that hand. As I am a worm, FullRig might think I have been watching too much TV. Shoving with 7 3, and they rewarded me with the pot. Giving a huge suck-outs late stage in tournament is exciting, good for railbirds, good for viewers, good for TV. FullRig might want me to stick around in the cash tables. Since they thought I am an action player, I will juice up the pot. So more rake to them and thats good business!

The Hot run / Cold Deck continues

When you are on running good, you are playing like GOD. No one can stop you, and money just kept on flowing into your acc. Superman is on a hot streak. After he took 2nd at the Pond, time for him to tax all those fishes online. On Thursday night he ran wild in PS. He entered a $75 NLH turbo, registered 45 min past the hour. An hour later, he was top 10 in chips. He played aggressively all the way, but this time it was a bit different. Some short stack played back at him. It didn't matter that much to him coz he stole enough blinds to gamble along the way. He reached the final table 3rd in chips, but a cooler at the end busted at 4th place. All folded to SB, raised, Superman shoved allin with AQ, SB called with KJ. FLOP 9 10 Q, and he drawing dead. Still a very good effort, pocketing $1500 in the process.

Then he withdrew most of it and donked off the rest to a team Pokerstars PRO "Exclusive" in a $2/$4 NLH table. Losing close to $400 in the process. Then he went to FulLRig, played some $48 HU SNG with 300 starting chips. He went 7-2 against some FullRig PRO, and also won a $45 9 players SNG. Pocketing $500 in the process. See if you are running hot, you can Neverlose!!!!!

According to me, I can't get anything going. It has been a couple of weeks that my Bankroll has been stuck. No big cash, and also in cash table nothing went right. Played a lot of Donkaments, sick beats everywhere. Everytime I had the goods but somehow they were just too good at the end. Too good knowing whats coming on the flop. Too good catching cards on the river. Here are a few coolers.

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FullRig donkfest. I think in the second level. I limp with my AA55. Not too fuzz about my hand as stack still too deep. The whole table limp, button raised pot, 1 caller, and I re-pot. He 3-bets. Middle guy folded, I 4-bets. He shoved all-in, I called. KKK4 and 1 outer on the flop! Why is he so good?

...

This hand normal 3XBB raised pot, I think blinds 50/100. I bet pot on the flop, with my 2 pair + small flush draw. BB check/call. Turn made me 3 pair with potential straight on the board. BB lead out 1/2 pot and I re-pot him, putting more than 3/4 of my stack in there. River completed my flush and he put me all-in. I made the call coz pot committed. BB showed the nuts and I busted. He really played his hand aggressively. ATC all the way with 1 pair + nut flush draw. As the result, FullRig will reward you for your aggressive play.

...

This one another Classic. Still early in the Donkaments. Blinds $40/$80. Limp pot and the guy with 6 9 mini-raised to $160. Everyone call, about 6 way action. I hit the almost perfect flop. Middle pair + flush draw + GS + straight flush draw. Based of Master Gee's aggressively play, "When you hit a monster draw, get ready for an all-in brawl!" I check the flop, button bet $700, 1 caller in the middle and I put the IRON FIST in play. BB called for his whole stack about $4k+. UTG folded. I were way in front the whole way until the river. Now i know what aggressive means. I didn't play my big draw aggressively coz mathematically I were way in front. BB played it well with his bottom pair + GS. Thats aggressive! Since he played it that well, FullRig will reward you with your gutsy effort.

YOU ARE BETTER THAN ME

After my 14th place finish in PLO on Monday night, Tuesday night its time for Superman to shine in the $340 NLH terminator. Not long ago, he opened an account at FullRig, since than he fall in love with those KO tournaments. Somehow I know he wanted to play in that KO tourney at Crown, but wouldn't like to fork out $340 entry fees. So I staked 1/2 of his buy-in. I will get 1/2 of his winnings capped to $3k. This is his maiden live tournament. I would be surprised if he survived the first break. One thing stood out in my mind, he will have a jaw breaking experiance.

Since each bountys worth $100, I told him to work on the bountys. If he managed to win 3 of those, then he will be free-rolling. We went there in the same car, and I first thought it will be short. Somehow he survived the first few levels, with 1 KO in the pocket. The starting bank was $15k, he lost a $6k pot with AK, flop A 3 4. He bet all the way and at the end lost to a runner runner 2 pair. The guy had 6 7, called with GS all the way and hits lightning.

He came over and chat with me every hour, and he said the table was full of fishes. He managed to triple up with AA. With blinds 75/150. After several limpers, he raised to $1500 with AA. Got several callers. Flop 669 rainbow, and he lead out for $3k. Some Crown PRO re-raised shove all-in with 5 5, and talked a lot about his poker theory, put him on AK or so. Superman called and AA held up. He then managed to bust several mushroom and collected their bounty. At the first break, his stack reached alomost $75k.

After the break, things were all the same. Maybe the way he dressed, the table tought he is a big fish. He dressed like a nerd, has his usual bowl cut from his local $5 brabershop and you looked at him from a distance, hes a bit like "GobbleBoy" Jimmy Fickke. He got all the action he need when he had a monster. People try to bully him all the way, at the end Superman just need to falt call all the way and shove the river. At the break, his stack reached over $100k with 5 KO.

Half of the field had gone, with a massive chip lead, Superman didn't change gear at all. His stack yoyoing up and down but collected an extra bounty on the way. I stood there like an idiot and watched him from a fare distance. After 8 hours, finally he made into the money. I didn't watch him play much but saw him raking up a lot of pots. He played very aggressive, but under control. Another 2 hours past, he reached the final table with about $400k stack, 3rd in chips.

At the final table, everyone was playing tight except him. He raised everytime when folded to him in late position and picked up a lot of blinds. No one played back at him and kept on folding. He played like Gus Hansen on TV, steam rolling the final table. Now with Blinds 20k/40k, 5 players reamining, this hand came up. Superman had A 10 off in SB. Folded to mushroom in middle shoved all-in with 88 for $100k+. Superman made the call. BB folded 8 9 off. Flop A x x, but turn the 1 outer 8. He lost to trips. In the very next hand Superman on button dealt Q 10 off. All folded to him and he pop to $100k. BB called and had him covered. Both still had $400k+ in chips. Flop 2 5 7 rainbow. BB lead out for $75k, Superman mini raised to $150k, BB called. Turn the miricle 10. This time BB shoved all-in and Superman snapped call with Q 10. BB showed 5 6. River J, Superman won a monster pot. He soon took another 2 bounty, both with KJ vs QJ. Both times KJ held up, now total 9 KO.

Close to 8am in the morning and we were HU. Both players had similar stack, and they both agreed to chop. So each get $7500 and left about $700 in the middle for the winner. If short handed poker is his specialty, then HU poker would definately be his achilles heal. All I can say he sucks in HU. After like 10 hands, he lost more than 1/2 of his stack. In the final hand, his 22 lost to AK all-in preflop and he finished 2nd place.

CONGRATULATION to you. Very good effort! Now you are OFFICIALLY better than me in NLH. Now you can brag all you want unless I manage to take down 1st place in some big tournys. I stood there for more than 13 hours, barracking for you and its totally worth it. I have learnt a lot. I learnt that image is very important. A special combo of Tony G 's $5 haircut along with Gobbleboy's nerdy outfit will give your opponents a FISHY image. Thats how you find the donkeys, re-raising you with 10 J when you had KK. Everytime you push with the good, they will put you on AK. Everytime you shove, they will call you with 6 7 due to POT ODDS. Now you have the BRAGGING RIGHTS and you can give me all the shits you want, coz you deserved it!

Sook PLO Deep Stack Reveiw

Playing the PLO tonight, $15K starting bank, triple chance format. Before I started, my strategy was start with $5k and played very loose, before I used my re-buy cards. Total of 125 players entered and top 16 paid. We played 8 handed all the way.

I started out very well. Double up in the first orbit. Then had AA, I raised the pot in CO, flop A 6 7. One guy had A 5 8 9, we both shipped our stack in there. Turn 7 and he was drawing dead. Then I won another $15k pot, flopped nut flush vs a set. And my hand held up. Before the break, I managed to build my stack close to $50k (including $10k rebuy). Lost a bit at the end, and stack $45k at the break.

After the break, nothing went right for me. I was dealt a lot of those medium rundowns, raised pot and I will call with those 5679, 9 10 J K all day long. Somehow I couldn't hit anything on the flop and slowly down to $30k. Then I bluffed at a pot with K678 in SB. Blinds $300/$600. Flop 5 9 Q. I lead out almost a pot size bet on the flop and got 3 callers. Turn another Q, I lead out again for 1/3 of the pot, everyone fold. Several hands later in CO, dealt J244 ds. Multiway limp pot as well. I caller, flop A 4 5. UTG bet the pot, I called so did button. Turn 2. UTG checked, and I bet the pot for like $3k. Both called. River 5. UTG shoved for $6k. I though for a long while, with $18k inside, I made a tilt call. I knew button on draw and won't be a threat. UTG might try to buy the pot with his wheel, as it turned out, he had A 5. WTF? Calling with 2 pair and hit 4 outer in a 4 straight 2 flush board? SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!

As the blinds kept increasing, $30k didn't look that much. Not a lot of plays remaining. There was a loose cannon at my table, entering in everypot and likely to bet with anything when checked to him. With blinds $400/$800, I had a free look in BB with my 44 8 10. Flop A 4 7 all diamonds. I had a set but no diamond. I checked as the whole table checked as well. Turn 5, I lead out for $3k, and the loose cannon called, all folded. River another 5. This time I checked, figured he will bet for sure. He didn't disappoint me and fired $6500 into the pot. I snapped call him, coz I had an under boat. Can't re-raise in case he fluked a bigger boat. He had straight and I won the pot. Now stack back to about $40k.

Somehow the table playing very slow, people thinking a lot. With each levels only 25 min, there weren't many hands to play at each level. At the meantime the table loved to raise with big pair, and big pair only pre-flop. Dealt a lot of junks and forced to muck. After like 3 rounds, now blinds $800/$1600, my stack down to $25k. All folded to the NIT on button called. SB called and I checked with my KJ86. Flop K 10 8 with 2 diamonds. I flops 2 pair but dangerous board. SB checked, and I bet $4k. The NIT shoved $15k plus. I mucked faced up, and she showed 1010 for set + flush draw. One round later on button dealt KQJ7 with hearts, stack about $12k. The whole table limp and I called. BB raised pot to $9.6k, all folded to me and I shoved. My KJQ7 held up against 6789. Now stack just less than $40k.

The blinds really increasing rapidly. Soon after, the blinds were 1k/2k. After that 2k/4k, 3k/6k and 4k/8k. I forced to fold a lot of hands. I didn't play a hand in 4 rounds, either dealt all kind of junks or totally missed the flop completely. My AKJ10, can't even bluff on a 457 board against several players. Now stack down to $20k+. Dealt AAJ6 ds in BB. A bunch of limpers, and raised., took the blinds and dead money in the middle. Then dealt KK4 9 ds. I raised to $6k UTG, the guy behind me repop to $27K. I folded my KK, figured he either had AA or High pair rundown with sthooted Ace. So either marginally in front or way behind. He showed KK as well with an Ace, but my double suite were live. Still I consider not a bad fold.

Soon after with blinds 2k/4k. I dealt KQJJ. I raised the pot and got called by the BB. Flop 8 AA. He checked and I shoved, took it down. 2 rounds later I dealt AAKJ ds. There were 2 mushroom all-in already preflop and I called. They both had junks, had them all the way and I hit ROYAL FLUSH on the river.

Kept folding my junks and now blinds 4k/8k. My stack still about $50k. Managed to keep my stack in play but the blinds really caught up to me. Now with 17 players remaining, my stack down to $30K. Blinds 6k/12k. Table playing 6 handed. With blinds coming up to me, I had to shove with AQ77 ds. Fortunately the BB folded. After that hand, someone busted on the other table and I sneaked into the money.

I managed to win a small pot when I were in BB vs SB. Now blinds jumped from 6k/12k to $8k/$16k. Dealt KK23, with $55k behind me, I had to shove as well. 1 mushroom called for $4k, but the SB also called. My KK23 vs A899 vs QQJ10 (BB). Flop AQ3 and I almost drawing dead. I picked up a few outs on the turn as the 4 hits. River blanked and I were out in 14th place.

Overall I didn't think I play my best, but I satisfied with my effort. I had a good start, but played a bit too loose in the middle stage. Also, flop dead when blinds 300/600 onwards didn't help my clause. I think I called too many hands OOP with medium run-downs in the middle stage of the tournament. Well, always next time.

Melbourne Heats

I am back to Melbourne. Not much going on in the past few weeks. No snooker for me, a bit of donkfest online. Nothing really exciting. One night I played in FullRig and came 3rd in a PLO event. Entering the final table, I were the shortest stack with about 20k in chips. Managed to build it up to $114k. In the last hand, I were in the SB, I flopped top 2 pair with lower GS + flush draw vs a made straight. I ended up making my straight but not good enough. Very please with my effort in that one.

In the last couple of days, it is really hot outside, 34C everyday. Mum visiting me and grandma, so I spent the weekend with them. Since the weather is hot, beautiful under the sun. Last night I were tempted to go for a SWIM. Superman is doing quite well recently. He is going there nearly everyday and getting good results. Next week they have another SOOK Deep Stake tourney. I am going to play the PLO on Monday night. So last night I went there trying to win my buy-in.

Sat down in the table and there were 2 guys fighting against each other in every pot. Dealt AJ sthooted UTG, I opened raise to $15. Got re-raised to $25 by MOPS #1. Then his maniac villain shoved all-in for $190+. We both mucked instantly, and the maniac showed 77. Now I know it is an all-in table. I have to play tight in early position. Occasionally need to limp raise pre-flop with premium hands.

Then won a small pot with 10 10. Stack stayed the same around $225. Then dealt AQ UTG. I limp for $3, coz if the MOPS raise, my hand good enough to call. If the maniac shoves, I will call as well. This time both MOPS and maniac folded. CO raised to $11, BB called, and I called as well. Flop Q 4 7. BB checked, I lead out for $15, CO flat called, now BB re-raised to $35. I knew CO didn't have much. But BB, I had no idea. He only have like $70 behind him, so I raised $100 more. CO folded, and later he said he had JJ. BB called with Q 10. My AQ held up. Now stack about $350+.

About 1 round later, I dealt J Q off in BB. This time MOPS raised to $11, 2 callers in the middle, I called as well. BB also called, 5 way action. Flop 3 9 10 with 2 spades. All checked to me, and I checked as well. MOPS is capable check-raising with nothing and most likely I am behind right now, so I took a free card. Turn another 10 but put 2 diamonds on board along with 2 spades. Now MOPS lead out for $35, 1 caller in the middle. I thought for a long while, knew the middle guy most likely on diamond draw, but to MOPS, I still had no idea what he had. Already $100+ inside, I made the call. BB folded. River off suite Q. Both checked to me and I flipped over my JQ. MOPS shook his head and they both mucked.

Now stack about $470. I remember about a month ago when I didn't leave when I set myself a target. Not going to make that same mistake again, even thou I felt I will win more if I kept playing. So I left the table with $245 profit. So next week, I am free-rolling in the PLO tournament.

Back to swim after 2 months. Same old BS!!!

Ultra boring in Adelaide. Nothing to do every night, so last night I decided to go for a swim. They have $65 freeze out MTT last night, as well as $1/$2 PLO cash games. I am not going to play at their NLH cash table. I have had bad experience before. Too many stables, too bloody good.

The tournament capped at 100 players. Top 12 will be paid. Each player will have 2500 starting stack, 20 min level. In the very first hand I dealt AK off. After several limpers, I pop to $250. BB called as well as 1 limper called. Flop QQ8 with 2 hearts. BB lead out for $400, next guy folded, and I called with my AK. Didn't know what he had, but more likely on the draw. Turn rag, he checked, I also checked. River K but completed the flush. He checked to me and I checked as well. He showed J 9 off for a missed GS, and I won with my AK.

The action was fast and furious. With blinds 50/100. All folded to CO raised to $300. I called in the BB with 7 8 off. Flop 6 9 10 rainbow. At that moment, 2 things crossed my mind. I flopped the nut straight, from Grand Master's Word of Wisdom, I must fold! In the other side, based on Superman's fantasy playbook, I must slow play. Since Superman has been doing well recently in FullRig, I am following his lead. So I checked. Button bet $500, I raised to $1k. Then he shoved, I called. He showed A 10 and my hand held up.

I splashed around a bit afterwards. Hit nothing at all, and create a lot of action. Then a rock UTG raised to $400, I flat called in BB with JQ off. Flop 6 8 10 with 2 clubs. I lead out for $600 and see what he will do. He flat called only. Turn another 8 but complete the flush. I lead out for $1.2k. After a lot of thought, he mucked.

With stack almost $8k. I played tight in the next level. Now I can see a lot of mushroom in the house and getting very horny. Now blinds up to 200/400. I had pocket 9s UTG. I raised to $1200. All folded to the BB and he called. Flop 9 6 4 rainbow. BB bet $2500 into me. I gave myself a lot of TV time in the process. Master Gee loves doing this at the Pond. I flat called. Turn J. He shoved all-in into me and I called instantly. He showed A 10 off. Dead!!!!

Now with a big stack, I got moved to another table. A bunch of monster stack over there, and I played very tight. I didn't have any cards at the new table. With blinds 600/1200 stack about $20k. I laid down A 9 off to the Rock, open shoved on button for $13k. 1 round later I dealt pocket 10s in BB. UTG shoved all-in for $8k, one mushroom called for $3k+. I called as well. AA vs AK vs 10 10. AA held up. Then the table laugh at me, saying what a donkey call that was with pocket 10s after 2 shoves. Did I missed something? Cost me less than 1/3 of my stack with no further betting to come, getting more than 2-1 odds, I think it was a right call. I were in gambling mode. Since there were a side pot, my hand didn't need to beat both to win.

I managed to sneak into the money, but short in stack. Here are the payout structure:
12th to 8th pays $135
7th pays $175
6th pays $260
5th pays $345
4th pays $445
3rd pays $625
2nd pays $850
Winner pays $1475

At the final table, I shoved all-in twice with marginal hands and won the blinds to keep my stack flowing. Then I got lucky with my A 4. With blinds $1k/$2k, UTG limp for $2k. I shoved with A 4 off for $8k. All fold, and UTG called with QQ. Flop 3 5 6, turn 9 river 7. I got lucky there with A 4. Then I managed to triple up with KK. Chip leader donkey raised to $7k, next guy shoved all-in for $25k +. I shoved for $18k, UTG folded. My KK held up against AK.

Several guys busted, and now 5 handed. The guy next to my right talks a lot, and brag that he made the 888.com poker team via some satellite. At first I thought he must be good, but later I found out he is nothing but a donkey. Blinds 2k/4k, he limp in CO with KJ off. SB called, and BB shoved all-in for $9k. SB acted out of turn and called the bet. So cost him extra $5k to call, and he had like $20k behind him. Then he said," I must be dominated!" Then he folded! WOW! Dry pot, getting more than 4-1 and he fold? AK vs 99. The board ran out J high and no straight no 9, plus small pair. No idea what kind of poker theory is that? Maybe I should go and play at 888.com.

Moments later, I double up the 888.com mushroom. All folded to him in SB and he shoved for 12k. Cost me $8k to call in BB and I got 10 7 off. I knew he would shove with wide range of hands, but due to pot odds, I called. He showed pocket 2. Hit 2 on the turn. But I managed to win it back all in the very next hand with 6 2 off. UTG limp, folded to me in SB and called. BB checked. Flop 6 9 10. I lead out for $5k and everyone folded.

During 5 handed, the blinds come around very quickly. The button stole my big blind twice already when all folded to him. I gave him credit for the first time, but the second time I had no hand to call with. Now for the third time, he pop to $12k. 888.com folded. I had A 6 off. I picked up a tell on him, knew he was weak. I had like $40k behind me and I shoved all-in. Somehow he was a Snapper! Snap called me with Ah 7h. He had me covered by $2k or so. I flopped 6, but he got runner flush. I busted out in 5th place.

I have no idea how he can call with that hand? I have been playing tight /solid in the final table. I shoved a few times, but showed the table I had a hand. AQ, 88 or so. Now, please tell me what does his Ah 7h beating? Based on my shoving range: Flip with 66 or below, 60/40 fav vs 2 high cards like 10J, KQ or so; but 3-1 dog vs bigger Ace or any pair 7 or above. At the end it didn't matter. I played the hand bad, not because I shoved with A 6 and knew he was weak; but my play was simply too advance for those donkeys to realise. As I said before, I try to paint the hand so much, at the end I was selling Dali's Masterpiece to some retards. They never get it, and they never fold!

The BIG EEL

I am back in Adelaide. Nothing much to do in here, and I won't be swimming over here. It is a shark tank! Recently I have found out something, I can't play any cash tables either in PS or FullRig! Coolers always following me, I can't win with AA vs AK, and my BIG SNAKE always bump into AA. Different story to Superman. He is killing the KO game in FullRig (sort of).

Recently I have done well in PLO donkfest tourneys in both PS and F.Rig. So I tried my hand in some of their cash tables as well. So the result, I burnt my finger. Always bought in for the max, but I never last more than 10 hands. It was a lottery. All those guys have potential to become the next Neil Robertson or Ronnie O'Sullivan. They just love potting with any sort of hands, and never fold to any bets. Everytime I flop a set, I lost to some crappy draws, and all my 24 outs draw, never got there against their AA. I think I better stick to PLO tournys instead. One night I played a $14 PLO sub-satellite in Full Tilt. I won a $109 ticket to another satellite. Still thinking about whether I should play in it or not. That main satellite is for a $535 seat to FTOPS Event 6.

Had a prop bet with Superman the other night. We agreed to play 5 KO SNG, and see who will get the most prizes. At the end, both of us didn't cash in any of them, but he got 1 KO more than me. Losing to him is hard to swallow, plus now he has the bragging right. OMG! Now I have to cop all those shits from him. After 2 days, he is driving me insane already. Not only he won the prop bet, but he also did well in some PLO table, from $50 up to $200+. Hitting everything with any 4 cards dealt to him. Sure it helps!

The most amazing part was not online. Couple days ago, he went to the Pond with $100, sat down on a $2/$3 table. After paying $5 time charge, he only had $95 behind. He managed to double up early with JQ, flopping top pair, and some big stack pro tried to bully him. Put him all-in with A 5. Obviously Superman called and his top pair held up.

Several rounds later, he dealt 22 in late position. That same big stack raised to $15, and Superman called with his pair of ducks. Flop A A 2. As usual Superman will slowplay it, but the table went ballistic. Turn 4, which had 3 flush on the board. After a lot of betting and calling, we saw a 4 way all-in. Superman had 22 for full-house, one guy had an A, one guy didn't show but most likely he had flush or the other A. The big stack showed J 5 off. WOW! Superman's 22 held up and he quadruple up. Then he donk away his stack a bit.

In the final hand before he left, he had 6 8 off. Flop 6 8 10. He lead out for $25 on the flop and got 2 callers. Turn J which complete 3 flush. Superman bet $50, 1 fold and the last guy went all-in for $130. Superman made a crying call. He discussed the hand with me and I said the guy shoved with 10 J. I were right, but since Superman has improved a lot, he told me he saw the 8 was coming. River 8! Bingo!!!!

I always think Superman is a fish! Now I admit I am totally wrong. Now he has become those top instinct player, with a bit of those little funny feelings (Like Phil Hellmuth)! He has transform himself from a fish into a bigger creature. An EEL!!! An eel also eats worms, they eat little fishes, but sharks would never touch them! An eel could be lethal. They hide between rocks and corals. They will snap you in an instant. Some of the eels are so special, they might have some fancy play syndromes, but when they turn over their hands, you can feel the electricity in the water! Since he is very good friend of mine, he is generous enough to give me some advise or two. He told me not to play NLH anymore, coz I suck at it. Just stick to PLO and I might be able to grind a dollar or two! Thank you for your advice, but I don't think I can play either one of them. If you have Luck, you are a Superstar! If you don't have luck, you just SUCK!

The BIG SNAKE

I am taking a break from snooker right now. Without any flippers, I haven't swum at the Pond for a while. No intention going there as well. So at the meantime, I just swim in PS and FullRig.

I haven't touched any cash game at PS lately. All tournaments! Those ultimate luckfest, $5 or lower buy-in, field of 5000+. You simply can't win those tourneys without luck. Shoving preflop with AK will called by several places while they are holding 44 or 10 J. You need to play a lot more tourneys to get a result. Playing those donkfest won't affect my bankroll too much. It is part of the learning process, plus a lot of entertainment in the chat box.

One day, in the first orbit. I saw a 3 way all in preflop. KK vs QQ vs A5 sthooted. At the end obviously the AK will win most of the time because in PS they are playing 10 Aces in the deck with 20 cards of the same suits. That's not the point! The guy lost with KK was a bit stiff, bitching a bit in the chat box. The AK guy said this, " I got the BIG SNAKE! It is an all-in hand!"

Am I out of date? Is there someone out there just revolutionize the English poker dictionary? What the hell is a Big Snake? The one in between your legs? A cobra, anaconda, scorpion or rattle? I know what a Big Chick is. (AQ) and the Big Slick (AK, might be the old version). But a Big Snake is just too bit scary for me. I prefer a Big Lick on my Big D*ick! After a while I might give you a Big Flick.

Anyway, I played a lot of PLO tourneys this week with decent results. After last week 2nd showing in the PLO H/L, this week PS released a bunch of donkfest PLO tournys. I played quite a few of them. Managed to make a deep run, but still no final table. Generally I think I played pretty solid. On the down side, I didn't change gear at the later stage of the tournament when the table was tight.

...

I started off the week making Final Table at FullRig. Second in Chips entering to the final table, but the chips were pretty even. I ended up busting out in 5th place. Not a bad result, considering I missed a lot of flops, and the table played quite aggressive. I need to win those key pots, but I didn't. Well very please with my effort there.

...

Then I played a bit in PS. Managed to finish 11th in a PLO H/L tournament, losing to a 2 outer on the river when I had the nut low + Flush draw + GS vs a made low straight. The 2 on the river killed all my draw and the low. In the next PLO H/L tourney, I busted out midway thru. I had Ah 3s 5s Qh, the guy had AAK8 rainbow. HU raised pot pre-flop. I checked raised all-in on the flop and he called. Flop 2h 4h Qd. OK! His AA was in front, but any A, 3, 5, 6, Q or hearts, I would have the best hand. Also could have chop with any 7 or 8. So I had like 20 outs to win straight up, plus 6 outs for a chop. With such a big draw, although I won't put my life in it, but certainly go to war with you! At the end, AA held up!

...

Screw those H/L games. Lets play some real stuff. They have a new tourney $4.40 PLO with 3k bank. I manage to survive the early donkfest. With 12 players remaining, I were 5th in chips. Blinds only 2500/5000. I have 135k+ stack. I played pretty solid thru out. Managed to steal a couple of small pots just to maintain my stack. Then this hand came up. All folded to button, he pop to $15k. SB fold, I had 2446. Many people will fold this hand, but both of us had a deep stack, I decided to gamble. Table playing very tight and most of them play high cards. My card is not that important. If high cards flop, I can get away easily. I will hit big time if low cards flop, middle cards on the board, I can do a lot of moves and outplay them. If I have the chip lead at the final table, I am very confident I will finish in the top 3 at least. Flop 4 6 K rainbow. I check and the guy bet $20k. I pop to $50k and he shoved all-in. On a flop like this, many people will go crazy with their AA, or AKQ9. I held a 6, so mostly he won't have 666. Only losing to KKK. Would he had middle rundown like 5678? Very unlikely, because that guy is not up to that standard yet. He will limp on the button with that hand. So I call, and you know the result.

Had a chat with Suprman before, and he has quited PS. He reckons you can't win in PS unless they let you win. All those coolers are killing him. PS rewards donkeys shoving all-in with 33 vs your higher pair. 2 outer on the river is PS speciality. For me, I hardly lose to the 2 outer river, but cold deck always follows me at crucial moments, esp in those donkfest tournys.

Time for some self-reflection!

"Why am I a worm?" Good question! Then there is another question pops up in my mind. " Why am I no good?" Guys like the Master and Mr.Sklansky keeps on killing the game in all levels they played in it. While I can only grind in the micro-limits. Winning $2 to $5 in the process, but always lose much more than that. Why?

Lack of knowledge? I don't think so. Having more than 30 books in my poker library, and I have read them all. I read more books than when I were in college. Most of them I read it more than once.

Did I bluff too much? I don't think so! I play tighter than a rock.

Money management problem? NO! Playing micro-limits won't hurt my bankroll too much. I consistently using my hit and run strategy to keep my swing to the min.

Inferior oppositions? This must be it! Why everytime when I had the goods on the flop, I always get chased out? Everytime I was bluffing when I missed all my draw, the guy will snap call my bet with 22 on a A K J 9 9 board? Do they have pokerrng? or they can read my cards! I don't know about that, but one thing for sure. They might be a poker expert in their own mind, but I am definitely the better driver. I drive so slow, I always have enough time to step on the breaks. I always know that FOLDING is like the IRON CURTAIN, it will protect your chip stack like nothing else. If you never go all-in, you will never bust! Easy as that! It is the most useful weapon in your poker Arsenal.

Back to topic! So why I still lose? Now I just find out the answer.
1) I read too many poker books
2) I watched too much TV
3) I try too hard to copy the Master's superior poker ability. Try too hard to create my own Masterpiece.

Everytime when I am in a hand, I try too hard to play it perfect. Watching the Master did all his fancy moves was truely amazing. I forgot one thing. To win the war, you must know yourself as well as your enemies. If you are not up to that standard, you should never try it. All those limp raise UTG with AA followed by an all-in bet on the flop, doesn't work at micro-limits level. Poker God will punish you being sneaky. Also those 3 bullets bluff with air doesn't work at my table because they work for Telstra, a bunch of calling stations. Those check/raise bluff on the river will never work for me, my opponents love to keep me honest! Those check/raise on the turn, follow by an all-in bet on the river, also never work for me. I create the pot so big, due to POT ODDS, they always get 2-1 on their money to call. So folding on their part will not be an option.

Every hand I play, I try to follow the Master's footstep. I try to create some Masterpiece. Try to play the Meta-game. No matter how hard I try, it will not work. You try to paint your hand as beautiful as possible, at the end you are just selling Mona Lisa to a bunch of blinds and retards. They won't get it. Talking to idiots and morons about Monet and Renoir is just waste of time. My downfall in poker is caused by my play. I lot of times I play the hand far too sophisticated (try be like the Master) for the poker public in gereral to understand.

Right now I should follow another poker expert's footstep. Fold or all-in preflop. If Folding is the Iron Curtain, then ALL-IN preflop must be the IRON FIST in the poker arsenal. The good thing about this strategy is, it is a lot easier to play. Also most of the time you will win the hand uncontested. Even winning the blinds is still a win. Now I have learnt something. Thank you Mr. Sklansky! From now on I will be following your lead! Wherever you lead, I will dance with you!

PS wants me back!

What will you do if someone you just dump wants you back? Right now, in my mind I am in the cross path. I am lost and I don't know what to do. Should I go straight forward, or sort of making a U-turn? Should I stand my ground firm and treat all those were nothing but illusions? Am I dreaming? Or am I being setup for more horrendous bad beats to come?

Couple of days ago, I decided to quit Pokerstars for good. No more money in the account and ready to install that silly software. All of the sudden, something popped out of my mind. I still have like 3500+ FPP in their. So what I did, was spent it all in those donfest satellites. I played about 8 of them, and won 2 for a total T$22. Once again Pokerstars proved the whole world that there is no math involved in poker. I won like 2 out 8 with my pair vs A-rag. There is an old say:" If you don't have an Ace, you don't really have a case!" So thank you Pokerstars, once again I learnt a valuable lesson from you.

Master Buck did his trick again, and he just got back from the hospital. He had his arse stitched up after a pounding from Pokerstars. With no money in his account as well, I told him to play in my account. Play whatever tournaments he liked, and we split 50/50. At first he went to a $5 NLH with re-buy and obviously did no good. Then he registered in some $1 NLH donkfest, didn't cash at all. With $2.10 in the account he had the last roll of the dice. He finished 16th the $1 donkfest for $10. Brought his $10 to some cash table, and roll up to whatever amount. Also cashed in a $11 NLH MTT for $20. He played in my account for 20 hours straight, and end up building the roll over $100+. After that Master Buck transfer back his share of the pie, and left about $54.41 in my account.

With suck a huge bankroll, no way I am going to stay put. First thing I did was withdrawing $50, no matter what and left $4.40 behind for SNGs. Then I registered in $2.20 NLH donkfest. I finished 12th for $9.65. In the last hand, we were playing 6 handed, the guy had AA in the BB played very well. I had Kh Qs, first in raised 3 times BB. Fold to BB flated called with AA. Flop 8 8 10 with 2 hearts. He check- miniraised my c-bet on the flop. Qh on the turn and he shoved. I called with my top pair, good kicker + flush draw, and he showed AA. I could still won the hand with Q and heart on the river, but blank came. Well, made mistake on the flop. Should have folded to the check-raise rather than floating around. Very please with my effort!

Straight after that, with about $10 in the account, I registered in another tournament. $5.50 PLO H/L. I went all the way to the final table. I held the chip lead at one point with 4 players remaining. I were 2-1 deficit in chips against the flop rack who never missed anything. I ended up finishing 2nd in the tournament for $110.

With such a monster bankroll, of course I have to withdraw. $100 back to Neteller, and leave $18+ in there. Today I cashed in another $3.30 NLH MTT. Somehow Pokerstars back to normal. All you have to do is to run/run/run, chase/chase/chase, swim/swim/swim. Pokerstars will reward you for your persistent. I built a good chip stack early on the tournament. In the first orbit, I got 99 on the button. Multiway limp pot and I pop to $100. Obviously everyone call. Flop 9 10 10. I flopped the boat. All checked to me and I made a teasing bet of another $100. This time folded to UTG and he pop to $400. Got 1 caller, and I called as well. Turn Jd, UTG bet $600. MP folded, and I flat called. River Kd. So the board read 9 10 10d Jd Kd. Now he shoved all-in and I was thinking about folding. In PLO, this is a no brainer. We knew he had a 10. 9 10, J 10, K 10 are all within his range. I could only beat A 10, Q 10 and 10 8. With 3 flush and 4 straight on the board, I can eliminate A 10 and 8 10. If he had one of those hands, he wouldn't shove the river. Only beating Q 10, what the hack! I made a crying call, and he really showed Q 10.

Then had KJ in SB, raised pot. UTG raised with AQ, several callers, and I flopped top 2 pair. I check raised UTG on the flop, and he shoved the turn when another blank came. I called instantly and bust his arse again. Sitting around 12k in chips, blinds 50/100 with no antes, about 1000 players remaining, this hand came up. I am in the BB with JJ. Several limpers, I check my options. Many people will raise in my spot, but I decided to check. Here's why:

1) Keep the pot small preflop
2) People tend to chase overs when the pot is big
3) No intention to play a big pot with my stack right now.
4) Don't want any all-in donk fest.
5) Most importantly, no one going to fold.

Flop 9 10 4 but with 2 clubs. SB check, I check as well. UTG bet $100. Got 1 caller and I check-raised to $1200. UTG had about $6K left in his stack flat called. All folded, which is a good sign for me. Either he had the 10, a set or flush draw. Turn off sthoot 5. I put him all-in and he snapped called his whole stack about $4.6K with nothing but QJ off. River K and he double up and my stack crippled. Managed to sneak into the money.

With $20 in the account, time to donk away in cash tables. Went to NLO H/L, try to shove everything pre-flop, but ended up getting chop in every hand. Managed to double up with A245. Flop 3 6 8. I open shoved and got a guy called with a dry A 2. 2 on the river and I double up to $35. At the meantime I am going to play recklessly. I am going to play like there is no tomorrow. I am going to play like a sex manaic, horny at its peak, just shove everything up all those donkey's asses. Go ahead! I am going to smash all you donkeys whoever is in my way. All of you should go back and report to the rail. Most importantly you should check back in to the mental hospital where you came from. Because all you donkeys are a bunch of spastics. Get out of my way!