Looking for backers!

Haven't played much poker at all after the Sook's PLO tourney. I have no mood playing online, especially cash games. Played a couple of PLO donkaments, but as usual, gone deep to the final 2 or 3 tables before bumping into some lucktards, check/raise shove with nothing and hit miracles. In my last PLO tourny, some big stack raised with 99 34 ds, I re-raised with AKKJ with 1 suite putting 1/2 my stack in pre-flop. Flop K 5 6, gave my top set with nut flush draw. Stack went in on the flop and the guy can spike the 2 river. What a joke!

The next live tourny series at the Pond will be the Melbourne Poker Championship in May. Schedule and structure has been released. The $175 PLO with 4k starting stack is a joke. With blinds start at 25/25, there won't be much play at all after a few levels. Although the field won't be big, assuming about 120 runners, 50% of the field will have no idea (bunch of NLH players, will call anything on a 9 high flush on paired board), but double chance format really protect the lesser players. You can never bluff them coz in most situation they are pot committed. It will be a combination FRY RICE with a lot of dead money in it. At the same time, based on their structure, the luck factor will dominate. I probably will play only if I can sell 50% of my stake, otherwise a no go for me.

This time around, I might fork out $240 in Event 5, NLH with 10k start stack. Although NLH is not my strength, but with a good structure I might able to make a deep run. I am looking for any backers as this FISH will work-out often in the next few weeks. My flippers will grow stronger and bigger. I will swim faster than before. Stay tuned!

Also in May in PS, SCOOP returns. I will definitely play in 2 tournys. Based on the result on the first 2, I might play the third or forth. I am definitely playing the $22 PLO Heads-up and also the $11 NLH, 100k guarantee. I might also play the $55 PLO 6-max depends on the result of the previous 2 ( or find some backers). If I manage to cash anything decent, I will also play the $107 Main Event. Only problem, the entry fees won't be an issue, but the starting time will be. Can I stay awake or wake up 4am in the morning? I know fishes don't sleep, but I am still in a transforming status. Going back to Adelaide next week for 2 weeks. Might play in some live tournys over there, will keep you updated!

You gotta love those Cocksuckers!

After the Sook PLO, nothing much happening in life. Don't have much feel playing any poker online. Occasionally grinding in FullRig as they are giving me $25 as Take2 bonus. As usual its a gimmy! My everyday 10 hands of poker starts there and ends it right there.

Been playing a bit of snooker lately. One thing really amazed me. Nowadays, you never know how many self proclaim superstars but actually wannabes you will cross path in snooker these days. Went to Princes last week, had a hit with some B graders. At start, he didn't play too well. It was a friendly game, and I played very loose. After 1 frame, he picked up his cueing and start potting.

In the next frame he made a 94 break against me. It was good to watch. We played on table #52, which is a bucket. Start of the frame there were like 6 or 7 loose reds, nothing on the cushion. After potting a long red and cannon several reds on the way, he landed perfectly on the black. He made like 42+ with a couple of long shots to top corner pockets. Then cue ball ran out of position, smashed in another long red, cue ball went straight into the pack, but not with a lot of pace. Somehow, he managed to get on the pink. Then he made a 94 break. Thru out the break, I can tell either hes the Master in cannon, or a pure potter with no position. His cue ball will cannon something every second shot but not necessary. Anyway, thats not the point. The things that he and his mate said afterwards really amazed me.

I lost to him 4-1. After the match, we went for a smoke. Now the conversation starts heating up.

Player A : "I guess I should make a century there if I managed to pot the last red along the rail."

His Mate: " Do you think he is good enough to play A grade? He is good in break building and very good long potter. Don't think anyone in B grade can beat him."

Player A: " I have seen some players in A grade, they are just average."

ME:" Of course he can, if he can consistently pot the way he is like tonight. At least Brad Harris plays that that."

Player A: "Well! A bit lucky tonight. I know you are a good player (In fact he doesn't know who I am before tonight). I know I can't beat you in the long run. Somehow I have to play up to my usual standard in order to beat you!"

Player A still bragging how good he played and the way he free up the packs Blah Blah Blah! After a minute or so he left.

His Mate: "Adriam, you know he is a very good in 9-ball. His standard is like Steve Mifsud and Aaron in snooker. They are good in potting. Good in 1/2 table shots. And they love cannon the edge of the pack to free up red balls. Those are how 9 ball players used to play!"

WOW! I didn't say anything afterwards. No wonder how Princes won so many flags in B grade over the years. Its all about CHEMISTRY. Team chemistry plays a big part in success. The more I listen, the more I want to laugh. I know I am not very good in this game. I know I don't play 9-ball. When is 9-ball players in these days good in cannon? Honestly, no point for me arguing with him, I don't want to insult my own intelligence in this game. You gotta love these players. They talk more shits than MVP + Godahou combined. Once again I am motivated, time to get on the snooker table and start practicing.

Another close finish!

So far this year I have been running stone cold in both online and the Pond. After the Oceania Snooker Championship, I rushed back to Melbourne to play in the Sook Deepstack series. There were 2 tournaments I want to play, unfortunately I can managed to play in one of them. In the team event, the Master decided to be stingy and kept all his poker secret to himself. All of the sudden Superman can't play on that night, so I were left alone. In the next day (Monday night), Superman decided to play in the terminator, hopefully going 1 place better than last time. As usual, I had 1/3 of him. This time he played like a spastic and busted out after the first break.

Tuesday night was my turn. $220 PLO, double chance with 10k stack in total. Due to the fact after Sydney, I am cash strapped, as well as running cold. I decided to sell the Master 30% of my stake. Blinds start off 25/50, and I cashed in my re-buy card. In PLO, you need a stack. In position, I can control the pot, use my stack and play 4 fold poker. Small field, with only 101 players. Final table pays. In the first 2 levels, I managed to build my stack from 10k up to like 17k, without much showdown. Just before the first break on the button I got 2345. Blinds were 50/100, I called. Flop K 2 5. All checked to me and I bet $600. UTG checked raised to $1800. All folded and I called with my bottom 2 + open ended. Turn blanked. UTG fired $2400, I put him on either top 2 or a set. I got outs and called. River 4, stucked with bottom 3 pairs. He value bet $3k and I mucked instantly. So on the break, I had like 13k in chips.

After the break, blinds 75/150, I dealt 9 10 J Q UTG. I mini-raise to $300, got 3 callers. Flop 7 8 Q with 2 clubs, I had no clubs in my hand. I decided to bet pot and see whats going on. Flush draw won't go away, and any set or 2 pair will either shove or all. No the guy next to me, shoved all-in for $4k+. All fold, easy call for me. He turned over 2 pair. Turn nothing and river 10. Stack close to $20k.

Making a lot of small bets here and there in position. Won a lot of small pots on the flop uncontested. Then I managed to bust a guy with medium stack in BB. Limp pot in BB got 3 4 7 K. I checked my option, flop 2 5 6 with 2 spades. I flopped with nut with higher straight draw but no flush draw. With like $1400 in the middle, I bet $900 and see whats going on. All folded to the CO and he mini-raised to $1800. All folded to me, I had 3 things in mind. Either he had a set, or flush draw or 34. Instead of jamming the pot, I asked him how much he had behind. He had like 9k+. So I mini-raised him to $3300. Hes not shoving without the nuts straight. Now he jammed, and I shoved instantly. He turned over A 3 4 6, with no spades. Turn gave me a diamond draw and river 3. I won with a higher straight. Now stack close to $35k.

I slowly built up my stack close to 40k and took a minor hit. First in UTG + 2, I dealt 7733. Blinds 150/300. Instead of limping, I decided to raise to $750. Standard 2 and a 1/2 BB. These small pairs play badly OOP and against a lot of limpers. Either I won't have top set, or I there will be a lot of draws out there with 7 on the board. I try to mini the field, and now only both blinds called. Flop 5 7 10 with 2 spades. Flop middle set and most likely in front. With a lot of draw out there, pot control is the key. The last thing I want will be a race. Need to use my position to my advantage. All checked to me and I bet $1200 on the flop. Both blinds called. Turn another 10. Now both blinds checked once again. I bet $3k. This time only SB called. River J with no spade. SB checked for the third time. I was thinking either he missed all his draws or he was trapping. I decided to check. I showed 77, but he had 10 5. Lost min in there.

I have gone quiet in the next level. stack about $30k. Now blinds 500/1000. CO raised to $3k, in BB I dealt AQ108. Flop 8 9 J with 2 hearts, but I had the Ah only. I checked my nut straight expect him to bet. Now he bet $6k. With 25k behind me, time to roll. I shoved and he folded. Then made a huge bluff against the same guy with A 10 10 8. I raised to $2500 pre flop. Flop Q 3 3 , I bet $5k and he called. Turn 5 went check/check. River 7. I tossed in $10k and he mucked.

Now blinds $1k/$2k. Dealt A 2 2 6 with As 2s. In the CO I raised to $5k, only the BB called. Flop A K 5. I bet $7k on the flop and he called. Turn 2, went check/check. River 8. BB tossed in $15k. I knew he had no Ace. Hes a tight NLH player, try to shove his stack in with any AK, AQ, and bet the flop with any Ace. The way the hand played out, he had no A. Only worry he might fluke some kind of 2 pair. But since a tight player won't bet river with middle 2 pairs, so i assumed he either slow-playing a set or miss draw. I called and he had 8 10 J Q. I won a good size pot with 1 pair A with no kicker.

Now blinds $2k/$4k, many short stack are in all-in mode. I have like $75k in front of me. Lost 3 hands, double up mushroom in the process, but managed to win it bck thru aggression pre-flop. Then this hand came up. Had AKQ8 with Qs8s in BB. All folded to SB, and he raised to $12k. I called. Flop Ah 5s 7s. I got AK with Q high flush draw. He checked to me, and I bet $15k, he called. Turn another 7. He checked and I bet $22k, leaving $24k behind, and now he shoved, had me covered. I made a very tight fold, figuring it definitely a cooler. AK with higher flush draw, or AA or A 7 all within his range. Stack $24k.

Didn't play a hand in the next round, now stack $19k. Dealt KKJ9 ds. I shoved it preflop and got 2 callers. Flop K x x with 2 hearts. Turn another hearts. River paired the board and I triple up with Kings full. Stack back to $50K.

Things start turning around, I stole a couple set of blinds, and limp in position, bet with nothing on the flop and took it down. Then had 5 7 9 J in SB. Blinds 3k/6k. MP limp, I called. Flop 2 6 8, I checked my straight wrap, and MP bet $10k, I called. BB folded. Turn 4, I check once again, and mow he bet $25k, I shoved and he folded. Now over $110k in chips. I kept my aggression pre-flop against several players in BB whom just want to make the bubble. Then against bigger stack in BB, I simply limp and play flops with them. Now 10 players left, I were about 2nd in chips. Stack about $150k. In the CO, I dealt JJ 10 5 ds. With blinds 4k/8k, I raised to $20k pre-flop. Button called and blinds fold. Button had like $130k+ and 3rd in chips. Flop J 7 2 rainbow. Seriously I didn't want to play any pot against him OOP. Too many easy money out there, no point risking it right now. I flop top set, and no obviously draw out there. I bet the pot, and try to end it right there. Now he re-raised me all-in and I snap called. He had 8 9 10 Q for an inside wrap, but I had 1 blocker. So 8 outs for him but I had re-draw to boat. Turn x river another 7 and I won a monster pot. Now stack over $300k.

Also in the final table was the guy who defeat Superman in last year Sook terminator, as Superman finished 2nd. Blinds 5k/10k. This time he shoved all-in pre-flop for $34k, all folded to me and I snap call with J Q 10 3. He had something like A 6 8 8. He hit the 8 on the flop and I hit the 3. Turn blank and river another 3. So I seek some revenge for Superman. I also bust out another guy who look a bit like Van Marcus. He is a tough player. He shoved with QQKx and I called with AKxx. Flop AA 6 and he left with 2 outs. With 6 players remaining, I left great. All the major threats were gone and with a massive chip lead, I felt I can win it all.

Now things start getting more interesting. Blinds 10k/20k and playing 5 handed. Called a raised in BB for $70k with 4567. Flop A K 10. Folded instantly, as he showed AA. I sort of maintaining my stack about $250k. Now blinds 15k/30k. Lost $100k to him with KJJ5 ds. I were in BB, and he open shoved with A 10 77 ds. You gotta love those idiots try to shove all-in pre-flop in PLO. I have seen him survived 5 times already with his mushroom stack and he never died. This time I called, figuring he might be on a steal. I took my time and made the call. You gotta love the speech he gave me when we turned our cards over.

" Oh! I have an Ace, but you don't!"
"Oh! I had you covered in clubs "
"Oh! My hand is double sthooted!"
"You had a pair of Jacks, why you take so long for calling?"

Shut the fuck up! Are we playing in FullRig while they play 10 Aces with 20 cards of the same suite? What are JJ beating in PLO? None of my flush outs were nuts. I would be a flip with AK10, I would be massive dog if he had higher pair with higher flush draw. I also a dog if he had AKQ. Please do us yourself a huge favor. Please shut up and stop insulting your own intelligent. I didn't do much but just humbly replied, " I am still learning the game. You must be good making this far to the final table, surviving 5 all-ins in the process!" He hit 7 on the flop and held up.

Then in SB, with blinds 40k/ 80k, I shoved with AK95, putting the old fart all-in, and he called with A Q 9 7. Flop 8 10 3, turn 4, river J. Not much pre-flop, slight dog on the flop even I were in front. 60/40 fav on the turn but river sucks! In the next hand I just shoved with 7 8 9 Q ds with my mushroom stack, and lost! So I finished 3rd, for something less than $3k. Right now my record in any kind of Omaha tournament at the Pond stands at:

Played: 8
Cashed: 5 times
Final table: 3 times
Best finished: 3rd

I played brilliant last night. I felt comfortable. My read was good. Somehow, once again you can't beat a lucktard in any sort of poker. I shipped the Master's share this morning. At the same time I know why the Master is by far more superior than me. At the Pond, fishes will ship their money into your stack, but the Master do it in the next level. All the fish will still ship their money towards to the Master, but the Master no need to be at the table. He can do it in his comfort at his own home. Sleeping middle of the night and still achieve financial enlightenment. Clearing all the debts along with gaining new poker mojos, while without putting a cent in, is certainly the way to go. Now I know apart from crafting a meta-game, there are still a lot more to learn from him! Hoefully one day he can help me creating a Masterpiece!

Oceania Snooker Championship

I had a great week in Sydney. Very inconsistent in my snooker, but all ended up well. Here's my week in review:

SAT 20th March

Drive up to Sydney. I left my home like 2pm. About 7 pm, I reached a place called Gundagai. I drove into a KFC, had dinner over there. At the same time I had my laptop ready. Master Buck had sent me numerous SMS. Nothing much, nothing special. Every message had the same word. "SEND! SEND! SEND!" I sent him his relief fund. Drove for another 3 hours or so. Reached Goldboun, and stayed overnight in a motel there.

SUN 21th March

Up and driving about 12pm. About 200km away from Sydney, caught speeding 135km/h in a 110 km/h zone. $375 fine, thank you very much. Checked into my hotel in the avro. The 6 red comp starts tonight, first match against S.Budd. I lost 3-0, than played Hassan, start potting a bit but still lost 3-1. The table conditions were pretty ordinary. Not quick, re-stretched cloths, big buckets with a lot of drift. The condition doesn't suit me at all.

MON 22nd March

Had lunch with Grandma, then played Mark Jackson in the 6 red comp at night. Lost 3-2, final frame, he fluked the pink and won the match. Then played Jaydon in a dead rubber. Lost 3-2 again. So played 4, lost 4. Nothing to be proud of. I didn't adjust to the condition and struggle big time.

TUE 23rd March

Had lunch with grandma again. We went to Chinatown, and I got lost in Sydney CBD. Paid about $20 in toll charge, site seeing a bit. Nothing special.

WED 24th March

Woke up in the morning and my right foot was hurting. Got biten by some insects, either ant or spider. Played my first match against Roger Dalitz, he left me plenty of chances. Scrappy 1st frame, and make a 40+ and a 30+ in second frame. Won 2-0. Then played D.Fong, the PNG champ in my next match. That guy is a freak, pots everything from everywhere with no position. My game still struggling, couldn't make any breaks, lost 2-0 pretty standard.

After the match, I went straight to the doctor as my foot was killing me. Swollen another foot size. Took medicines and went back to hotel. Another early night for me.

THUR 25th March

Now my foot felt a bit better. Still hurt a bit, but not as bad as Wednesday. First match vs Uncle Glen, no chance, what so ever. So lost 2-0. Than I played Ali G in my next match. I need to win that match in order to qualify. So sick about my performance, chances everywhere. My highest break in the match was 13. Lost 2-0, I felt snooker is some kind of punishment. I want to snap my cue in halves. Mr.Invincible was there watching a WA chick in action. Obviously something behind the scene. For the first time this year, I told him I need a beer. I skull a bottle within 5 min. Went passed Adam Wyard, the tournament director, I told him I will forfeit my last match against the Dunk. Went back to Mr.Invincible with another bottle. All of the sudden they called my name. I decided not to play, but Mr. Invincible insisted I must play or no Yum Cha winning will be received. OK! I skull another beer and play.

All of the sudden, I were half drunk, but start potting. I played on a better table. A lot quicker, and the cloth has less drift and a lot more grab. I played in my lightning pace. I bit scrappy in the first frame, but had the frame under control even i were behind. I won it on the pink. Then in the second frame, Stu Dunk made a nice 48. With 4 reds remaining, about 50 points behind, I potted a good red, got position and clear up within 5 min. WOW! I didn't expect this would happen. With some results going my way, I might sneak into the last 32.

FRI March 26th

I need to win my match against Austin Power. Either Ali G or Fong need to lose both of their matches, then I will sneak in. They played each other in the first match. Fong won comfortably 2-0. Up next Ali G had to beat Uncle Glen, if he lose, I will be in. Scrappy 1st frame and Uncle Glen won on the black after a fluke pink. Uncle Glen ran away in 2nd frame and I qualify 4th in my group. After the draw, I played Smoking Joe Minici in the last 32.

In the first 2 frames, I struggle again. Joe was smoking and he took a 2-0 lead. In the 3rd, I finally pot something and my shakes had calm down a lot. I played in a quick pace and won the next 2 frames without any trouble. So 2-2, and final frame. We both had a couple chances but under pressure, we didn't score much. With 3 reds remaining, I were like 12 points in front. Joe left me a red over the middle pocket. Pink was on the spot, the other 2 reds were under the pink but touching each other, forming a little triangle. When I went down for the easiest shot in the world, some idiot walked in front of me. I twitched, the red still went in but now I left with no position on any colour. I played a pretty good safety shot but Joe fluked the red. Although he didn't clear up but he was in control. I went down 3-2.

I don't like the format, best of 3 round robin stage is a joke. They shouldn't put the Billiards and Snooker together. I hate the 6 red comp, it plays like pool. The table condition is horrible, hard to play on an old cloth with no grab. Somehow MVP had different idea. He reckons the tables are tight, but everyone thinks they are buckets. I am not going to argue with the MVP, as he has infinite knowledge in this game with a couple of lineup 147 under his belt. After struggling early, I came back strongly in my last 3 matches. Losing 3-2 to Joe certainly not a shame. Not too disappointed losing the match that way. I had my chances but didn't fully capitalize it. My half of the draw was good. Now Joe will play Ricky Emery in the last 16, then either Kurt Brown or Paul Blazer in the QF. If I play well, I have a good chance beating them. Can't expect too much as I almost concede my match against the Dunk not too long ago. Looking forward for more snooker, as well as Sunday night Sook tag team Event at the Pond with the Master. More update later.

Its funny how people can go so low!

How can people go so low? It is only a stupid game on Facebook. "Be a Tycoon" is the name of the game. I have been playing this stupid game for the past 2 years. You need to build up your Net Worth, bid on items etc. You can also trade RARE items with others. So that means, just in the real world, there are scammers everywhere. I bumped into 1 yesterday.

You gotta love this. Most of these scums are all Indians. As my Dad used to tell me, he will never do business with the Indians. They are all dishonest scumbags. We negotiate a trade, after I sent my item to him, he deleted my name in his list and hide. OK! I admitted I were being stupid. But it was only a fucken game. I went thru the chat history, found something very funny. Here are a few things that he said:

"That item means a lot to me. I need it desperately!"
"Please do it quick!"
"I appreciate if you send me the 2 items first......"
"Send me the other one and I will send my Med.SPA back immediately"

Obviously I sent him the first item, then I request him sending me his before I will send him the second one. Then here said.

"My item is more precious than yours, so you must send both before I send back to you"
" I can't trust you, coz you might go away after you receive my item and I will be in a massive lose."

Blah! Blah! Blah! Now I knew I got scammed. Fuck those Indians! Most of them are dogie, and all of them have strong body odour. Obviously I didn't send him the 2nd one, and for sure he ran away. I should be more careful next time. Should ask myself a few questions. Why he need those Rare items so desperately? Why some items in a virtual world with no money value means so much to them? Without owning some fucken item in a Facebook game, does it means you can't perform at night in bed? Did that item has some magic, so you can grow a few inches longer? That item you are looking for must have some crytonite power. You must become a supernatural right now. Running faster than Usin Bolt, swim quicker than Phelps, stronger than any weight lifter in this world. Most importantly you are unbeatable at night in bed. Finish the whole process within 10 sec. You are good! Real good!

No poker for me in the past week. I didn't bust my account, but thanks to all my mates, my current PS balance is $0. First up was Master Buck, not only he bust my account, but also used up all my fpp, about 1k+ of them. Then deposited $30, built to like $60+, Superman busted it for me. Master Gee transfer me $50 in FullRig, bust it in 10 min playing Rush PLO. Life without poker is peaceful. No stress, no pot odds, no read, no hands, no IRON FIST what so ever!

For the past week, I simply practice snooker all the time. The draw for the Oceania Snooker Championship is out. In the 6 red comp, I drew in a tough group with S.Budd, Hassan Kerde, Jaydon and someone from QLD. Top 2 qualifys, Tough group, but only 6 reds, anything could happen! In the Main Draw, I am in the same group with Uncle Glen, S.Duncan, Roger Dalitz, Austin Power, Ali Gangi and the PNG snooker Champion. Top 4 qualify, but only best of 3 in round robin. The format doesn't suit me because I am bit of a slow starter. Apart from Uncle Glen and Duncan, I should be ok against the rest of the group. Just need to perform at the right time.

Struggling in pennant last night at Kings, lost 3-0 to Tony Freidman. I used to kick his ass everytime I play him. Somehow the table condition was horrible. So $20 to our snooker pot, once again donated by ME! Right now I found something very interesting but I don't have an answer yet.

The more I practice.....
1) The more I struggle
2) The more I realize how shit I am in snooker

GLITCH is working

A few weeks ago I got a horrendous bad run of cards in both PS and FullRig. Somehow I found a pattern in all those bad beats. All those check/raise or re-raise shove in a nothing pot on the turn, when obviously you are behind, no odds to call, no business in the hand what so ever. All those poker room will reward you with miracle river. Recently I haven't played much poker, both online or at the Pond. All those plays define logic, but I am willing to test it out.


This hand came at PS. I started the hand with about $33 in my stack, played 7 handed. Table very tight but aggressive pre-flop. UTG I raised to $1.50 with my Q 9 sthooted. Nothing special about the hand, but who knows. Since they all play passive after flop, I might outplay them from there on. All folded to SB who popped to $4.50. He might have a big Ace or Big pair. $3 more for me + position, I decided to take the flop. BB folded. I flopped 2 pair as board 889. SB lead out for $6, standard continuation bet with a big stack behind him. Either I am way in front or way behind, I called and see what he will do on the turn. Turn 7d, now I have 2 pair along with Flush draw. Now he bets another $11.50. He definately have a big pair, but I could represent 10 J in my hand. Wishful thinking from my part, because in this limit, no one going to fold over pair. No matter what, they will bet or call shove with their family lives on the line. Folding in their part definately not an option. At the same time I was thinking, if the glitch really work, I should still shove. I am behind, but have more than 10 outs to win. So I shove for $23+ and he snapped call. River 9, the glitch is working.
..
This one on FullRig, 10c/25c PLO rush table. Everyone plays like a maniac. UTG raised to $0.85, all folded to me in the SB, called and BB also called. On the flop, UTG bet pot to $2+. I check/raised to $8+. I feel I have enough outs to be fav in this hand. BB folded, UTG called. Turn an absolute blank 2 c. I check once again, and this time UTG bet pot for $17+. I still have like $20+ inside, so I took the aggressive route by shoving. UTG called showed JJJ. Glitch is WORKING! 10 on the river.


As a mathematical player like I am. It is very hard for me to make plays like this. No odds shoving in that spot. Most of the time I tend to keep the pot small, rather than playing big pot without something close to the nuts. In order to execute this play, it took my tremendous amount of guts and courage, also believed in the Glitch that is not virtually existed. Might try more in the next couple of days and see how it goes!

Poker home game at the Master's place tomorrow night. Master Buck might also make a special appearance. Hope Neverlose won't be there. I have enough of all those "Whats the experience like playing at the high limit area at Crown" BS bunch of craps. Move to Las Vages! Bar none!

As my snooker goes, I am playing almost everyday. I want to make a slash next week in Sydney at the Oceania Snooker Championship. Unfortunately for me, I found out I am a slow starter. In all those best of 5 format, very hard for me to get a good start. I have been playing ok in pennant recently. Here are my results so far:

Week 1: Lost to Steve Cain 2-1. Final frame by 1 point.
Week 2: Lost to Sausage 3-0. They put a number 1 player against me. Table in perfect condition, didn't adjust in time.
Week 3: (Monday) Lost to Peter ManiV 2-1. Got lucktarded in first 2 frames. Final frame make 37 and 38 in 2 consecutive visits.
(Wednesday) Won 2-1 against M.Keagan with break of 48 in last frame.

Overall my game is on the way up, and see how it goes before Oceania.

Bad Cueing

Since I came back from HK, I have been playing snooker 5 nights a week. I don't know what happen, I just lose my cueing after the Matchroom Open. Wed night in pennant, I lost to Sausage 3-0. Totally different condition at Brunswick, compare to Princes. The table was lightning fast, and the cue ball felt heavier. In another term, they were using the correct match sets, compare to Princes using a feather white. Struggling with my cueing and nothing went right. So I donated $20 into the Fat Banana Snooker Pot.

This morning, I went to Princes and played the Handicap tournament. Lost in my first match against S.Daltiz. First frame was close, I were 2 points in front with colours remaining. Green and brown over the pocket. Blue and pink on spot, black was open somewhere under the yellow spot. I played a good safety shot on the yellow, cue ball tide up on the top rail, about 2 inches from the right side pocket. Yellow on the right side rail close to the balk line about 1/2 inches off the cushion. Somehow he slammed the yellow in and cleared up. That was a good pot, even Neil Robbo might only pot it 1 in 10. If he miss, most likely I will have a chance and clear up. Just like in poker, with flop Q 10 3 rainbow, people will shove with AJ, thought would have AK, then I call with my QQ. Rag turn and K river. So 1-0 down. In the next frame, he made a 30 break at the start, then I pot 3 long reds and all 3 times my cue ball went in off. I have no idea what's going on, better donate $50 to Slowvari on Monday and let him fix it all up for me.

After Wed night pennant, I had a 14 hours marathon poker session. Started off well, played 25/50c NLH. In the BB, had 78 off. UTG raised to $1.50. Button and SB called, I called as well for extra $1. Flop 9 10 J with 2 spades. I flopped the lower end straight on a draw heavy board. SB check, I check as well, expect UTG will bet. UTG bet $4 into a $6 pot, UTG flat called, SB folded. I was thinking UTG might have a set, AJ or over pair. Button should be on draw. So I look for a safe card on the turn. Turn 4c, now 2 spades and 2 clubs on the board. With $16 inside, and about $30 behind me. Either I shove it right now, or check-raise shove. I check, expect UTG will fire a second barrel, something not too big in the $12 range, so I can move over the top. Button might have KQ, if so nothing I can do about it. I checked again, but this time everyone check. River the Ad. Definitely a good card for me. All the draws have missed and might improve to 2 pairs or so. If UTG had KK, he will definitely check. 2 pair, he might raise me. While button might call with pair Aces if hes on nut flush draw. So I made a solid bet of $16, UTG called, and button fold. UTG had A 10 for 2 pair and I won a decent pot.

Stack down a bit, then table broke up. Then I went to 10/25c PLO 6 handed. Lost my first buy-in $25 when I flopped middle set on As Js 4h board. Stacked in on the flop, the guy had KQ102 with no spades. 65% fav on the flop and he hits runner runner flush. Then I re-buy, and double up with my middle pair + 2 way gutters + nut flush draw, vs KKxx with 2nd flush draw. I made my nuts at the end. Won a few medium size pot, and left with $72+.

Then my down fall had begun. Went to 50c / $1 NL Omaha H/L table, my AA 3 4 lost to A 2 K Q for $150 pot. The guy flop straight and I were drawing dead. Lost $100 there and another $50 in lowball table. Lost another $100 shopping around from games to games. Then check my balance, only $56+ left. Then I started a mini rush.

I found a fish in 25/50c PLO HU table. I bought in for $50. Managed to run it up to $200 within 25 hands. In one hand I flopped the nut straight with nut flush draw, went into a raising war on the flop, and he held AAxx. Then he check raise me on the river on a 4 straight board 5 7 8 9 10 with 2 pair, when I had 10 J in my hand. Now I am having new mojo within my blood, time to move on. I bought in for $200 in a $1/$2 PLO HU table.

Start off slowly, down to $188. Then on a As Js 4h board, I had bottom 2 with crap flush draw vs my opponent AKJxx no spades. Hit my flush on the turn, went check/check, river 4, and I bet 1/2 pot and he paid me off. Then down a couple $$, with stack $244+, this hand came up.

In BB I dealt K997. SB popped to $6, I flat call. Flop 8 8 J rainbow. Well I didn't have much apart from a GS with 99. I check to him and he fired a pot size bet. I knew I was behind, but I had something different in mind. I could represent trips. Just need to know if he had the 8 or not. So I float around, and called his pot size bet on the flop. Turn 4s. Now 2 spades on the board. I check to him once again, but to my surprise he checked as well. So hands that will bet on this board will be any 8, JJ, any overpair with nut flush draw. So once he check, he will either have something like, bare over pair, straight draw, 2 pair or flush draw. So I know for sure he didn't have an 8 in his hand, and I can make a play on the river. River Kd. No straight or flush possibility. So he either have a monster (KK or JJ) or a very weak / average hand. I stalled for a while, thinking what he might do on the river. BTW I still have some show down value with my 2 pair Kings up. I checked for the third time, and now he made another pot size bet of $36+. I instantly re-raised him another $100. He folded instantly. Most likely he was bluffing. But at least I can make him fold a lot of hands that had me beat. After the session, PS mojo stood at $370.

Happy Snookering

First time in the last 4 years, I feel like playing snooker everyday. Enjoying the game as much as ever. Thanks to all the cocksuckers I met in HK, they really motivate me big time. They are all MVP in the making. Remember the time when MVP told me to get my ass back in B Grade, then Yarraville Club called me to play for them. Right now I am having the same feeling. I am not a championship type player, and I know I won't win any open event in Australia. I can't afford to practice 6 to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I know I can give any player in Australia a good run for their money at any time if I play well. One day I found a DVD of myself playing against Fat Banana, I realize how good I used to be, and right now I am about 60% compare to my peak. Kick, Stroke, Breath, paddle..... whatever it takes, I am determine to get back to my old form. I am practicing nearly everyday. Time will tell if I can achieve my goal.

Fat Banana and their B grade team is doing a snooker pot. Its how it works: Each playing has to pay $5 for every frame they lose in pennant night. If a player lose 3-0, then there will be an extra $5 penalty (Total $20 for the night). At the end of the season, there will be a massive pool, so we will spend the money dining and have a big night out. History said the pot will exceed $600 by the end of the season. Tony Lee and his C grade team years ago, in a 4 men team created a pot of $750+. The biggest pot ever was about $850+ when King of Power, Fat Banana and company in the 6 men B grade side couple years ago. Although I am not in their B grade team this year, but I have joint them. I will still pay them the money base on my result at Yarraville A grade side. Should be fun!

Oceania Snooker Championship will be held at Sydney later this month. I have entered both the 6 reds and the Open events. I am leaving on the 21st, and should be back by the 27th. Then on the 28th, I will play the Sook Deep Stack team Event along with the Master. It will be my honor hopping along side with the Master in his quest for poker supremacy. It will be my once in a lifetime opportunity playing along side with the Great One without having him eyeing on my stack all the time. It will be exciting, it will be entertaining and the Pond will be electrifying! Can't wait for that night to come!

Matchroom Open Review

I am back! Had a great time over there. I can't recall when was the last time in Australia we have a $20k snooker tournament with only 44 entries. Monty and the Matchroom staffs has done a good job running the tournament. Somehow there are still a lot of improvements could be make. The table conditions were very crap. Only 6 tables were available, and I think 4 of them has new cloths in it, but the cloths on the cushions are old. It gives an uneven bounce off the rail. On Friday and Saturday, it was 37C outside. The room still using the evaporating type air con system. It was hot inside the room and also sticky. Too much moisture in the air, even on a new cloth, the table runs very slow. Table #1 and #2 has tight pockets, but all the balls roll off the rail. It is impossible to pot balls along the rail no matter how hard or soft you hit them. I didn't play on table #4, 5 and 6, so no comments from me, but they should definitely throw Table #3 away. More on it later!

My first match was against M.Hook, I played absolutely crap. Too hot inside the room and I were sweating after 5 min. Won the first frame easily, and won the second frame with a bit of luck on the black. In the final frame I cued well and won by a big margin.

On Saturday, I were up against Paul Balzer. We played on the butcher table #3. It was an old cloth, I think re-stretched. After a few shots, there were something wrong with the table. The table was not levelled. I played a shot from the top rail, rolls towards the balk. The cue ball rolled towards the yellow pocket about 1 1/2 ball length. Further more you can't play a lot of shots. When you hit it hard, the cue ball throws to the other way; No drag shots allow, coz the cloth has no grab, so everytime you drag, it becomes a swerve. No screw back when 2 balls like 2 feet's apart, coz the cloth has no grab ( either stop or stun follow), plus hitting it hard, the cue ball might throw off. Scrappy game all 5 frames, even Paul can't make anything over 30 with clear chances, pack wide open and colours all on spots. Playing on tables like this actually works in my advantage. Now it becomes a crap shot against a better player. Even Vinny, Ben Nunan, Jayden, they all can't pot a string of balls together on that table. Aaron made a break of 104 over there, by hitting plain ball on every shots.

In the first frame, I had a good chance to pinch it. With 3 reds on the table, all open, I cut back a red about 1/2 ball to the middle when the red was a couple inches under the blue spot. Just before it rolls to the pocket, the red rolled towards the upper jaw. Paul made a 15 break or so and pot 1 ball at a time and won the frame.

I won the second and Paul ran out in the third. In the forth frame I won on the yellow when he needed 1 snooker. Paul did enough in the final frame and won the match 3-2. Hard to judge my effort playing on conditions like these. Somehow I am having the feeling to play almost everyday. Its something lost in my blood over the last 4 years. Looking forward for the pennant tomorrow night vs Humphrey Bear's team. Should be a good season coming ahead.

Whenever tournaments is on, I will have a prop bet or 2 with Mr.Invincible. Before the tournament starts, I were already down $25 when Man United won 3-2 at Milan. So here are the bets I had with him for the weekend.
1) Everton +1/2 in EPL vs Man.United
2) Luke Hough vs MVP
3) S.Budd at 5 -1 to win the tournament
4) Vinny at 5-1 to win the tournament
5) Laying 4-1 on Mr.Invincible
6) Laying 8-1 on Bobo

Everton got up, Budd lost in first round. MVP 3-0 over Luke, but Vinny won the tournament. So I am up $125 Yum Cha credits.

My bad run in cards continues. Lost another $800 in Adelaide. I played in the $65 NLH freeze out tourny on Wed night. $2500 starting chips, and built it up to $4k+ after 2 rounds. With blinds $50/$100, I got AA in MP. After 2 limpers, I raised to $450. All folded to SB called, all folded to UTG also called. So 3 way action. Flop J Q 5 rainbow. All checked to me and I bet $800. Now SB shoved for $2k+ and UTG folded. I called. SB had 9 10 for straight draw. Turn 8 and I were drawing dead. Still had $2200 behind. A few hands later, I dealt the MIGHTY TUNA UTG. I raised to $250, sort of a block raise, knew no one will pop me back without a real hand. Now all folded to the BB and he called. Flop J 2 3 with 2 spades. I had no spades in my hand. SB over betting the pot for $600. With my top pair, I called. He might be on draw, want to know what he will do on the turn. Turn card an off suite J, so now I have trip Jacks. This time he shoved and had me covered. I called instantly. He turn over 4 5 off. River card 6. Now I bust! I lost another $700+ on Friday night playing BlackJack, losing 15 hands in a row. Can't win a hand, so from now on, I am not going to Crown or any casino for the next 6 months. I will go to the Pond, but not for cash games but only for the 2 tournys in the Sook's Deepstake. Need to stay away from there, and play more snooker. Once again I am enjoying it. It helps!

Rush Poker

Happy Chinese New Year to you all!

Last Saturday I travelled all the way to Pakenham and visited the Master. It was his birthday and we had a 10/20 home game. BTW we played in cents. Grand Master was there, along with the Master, Stacy, myself, Sam Fishy, Marty and also Nehad. Neverlose wasn't there and it was the best thing for the night. I have heard enough whats it like playing at the high stake area at the Pond. We have heard enough about "string bets" for 60 cents. Also we have heard enough about his short but fruitful poker career. Sam Fishy still annoying as ever.

We played 7 handed, and the Master played about 80% of his hands, so did Grand Master. There was a major difference between the two. The Master managed to win 50% of his hands played, but Grand Master just mucked 75% of the time on the river. Once again the Master showed to all his fellow students how to play small ball, as well as the power of raising. He played his position well and bluff at the right situation. For me I played very well. Tighter than Action Dan. Card dead for the whole night. We played closed to 8 hours, My best hand was pocket 10s. Had AK once, but folded before the flop instantly. The action went like this: Sam Fishy limped, Nehad raised, I re-raised, Sam Fishy shoved all-in, and both of us folded. I guessed I have read the same book, Sam fishy was reading. I put him on the big pair. Later I found out he had QQ. I ended up winning $20. The Master broke even due to running into AA 4 times when he had KK. Grand Master was the biggest winner for the night, up like $60. It was a great night out, looking forward for the next home game (only if Neverlose not there).

As far as my online goes, I managed to win back 1/3 of my lost so far this year. Superman has just quit PS for good. I think I might follow his footstep soon, if those donkeys keep on shoving on draws when I am at least 2 to 1 fav in every spots. I recently tried my hands in Rush Poker at FullRig, and I am having mixed results. The NLH is tough. I am losing in that game at Rush poker. There are a lot of things I need to adjust. The action goes so fast, and you can always fold in advance. So everytime when a player enters the pot, their starting hand generally will be better than in an average ring game. People lose patience and starts playing more hands. In PushPoker, you see a lot more hands in a minute, so you will be dealt more good hands in a minute. So the UTG raise or MP raise first in, not necessary means AJ or middle pair. Most of the time they will have a premium hand. So folding KQ, A 10 in position will not be a bad play. You will be amazed how often you bump into AA or KK over there. Because I haven't adjusted to the flow of the game yet, I am losing there.

Rush Poker also have PLO. Normally they played 6 handed, which I am doing very good right now. I tend to play short session. For 15 mins or so, I can play like 40 hands at least. I know the table will be loose and many people will take the pot bet as always. I guess I have adjusted to the flow of the game by folding a lot of hands OOP. Once I am on the button or CO, that will be my seats. I bluffed a lot of pots in position. Imaginative Representation is the key in there. Calling the first raise in position won cost you too much. Betting the dangerous card on the turn or river when OOP player checked will become very profitable. Since you will be shuffle to a different table every hand, your opponent won't have a read on you. Generally they will think you play tight, and bluff less. I took full advantage of this. I once ran my stack from $25 to $180+, also from $15 to $87, within 10 minutes. All I played was 10c/25c PLO short handed. I will be playing more often in PLO than NLH. In NLH, my play is based on my read and on my opponents betting patterns. You never get any of them in Rush Poker.

After losing $600 at the Pond last week, I went there again with Fat Banana on Sunday and donked away another $400. So I won't go there again untill the Sook Deepstack Series and I plan to play the $230 PLO, or maybe the team event if I can come back from Sydney in time. I am heading to Adelaide on Wed, and I will play in the $65 NLH tourny that night, then back to snooker. The Matchroom Open's draw is out already. My first match will be against M.Hooks. I think I sort of knowing who he is and I should be 2 to 1 fav in that one. Then in last 32 will be up against Paul Balzer. I need to pot well and full capitalize my chances if I have any chance beating him.

Had a hit with Rudy this afternoon. I lost to him 4-2. In the first 4 frames I lost it all. I had like 10 visits to the table in total. Rudy made a 101 in the first frame in his first visit. In the second frame, he made 82. Then 72 in third and 89 in forth. I won a scrappy 5th on the black and ran away winner in the 6th with a 30 and 40. So at least I can win some frames after I warm up! Tomorrow another ass whipping from Mr.Invincible. Need to perform under pressure, and against these kind of monsters will be the way to go!

Unhappy Swim

Since I got crushed by a bunch of lucktards recently in PLO, I have done a lot of analysis about my play. Those big check/raised or big re-raised on the turn when drawing after a strong almost committed bet, I still couldn't figure it out. Those guys were just creating better odds for themselves by volunteer shipping majority of their stack in a nothing pot with only 1 card to come. What make it worse was they simply can't get the benefits of implied odds by calling. Checking a lot of forum, I found out Tom Durrrr, Phil Galfond loves doing this move. Based on the hands they played, their stack size compare to the pot ratio was totally different. They don't re-raise a huge bet on the turn when drawing when the guy almost committed. So I have learnt a lot in that session:

1) You can never beat Lucktards in this game
2) I joined a Pure Luck Omaha table
3) I am still a worm
4) There might be a glitch in all poker sites. Check-raise or re-raise after a huge bet, if the aggressor shoves, you must call or shove when drawing. All those online site will reward you. PERIOD!

Went to the Pond on Wed night. They have $60 PLO tourny there. I knew the structure will be crap, but for $60, I'm willing to test the water there. If PLO in PS stands for Pure Luck Omaha, than this tourny must mean Pure Lottery Omaha. Everyone limp and button will pot, then everyone will call. After the flop anything could happen. All-ins everywhere. "CONGRATULATION Player X! You have just won the Bingo in hand number 1."

Went there again tonight with Superman. I guess my bad run continues. Bought in for $200 in $2/$3 NLH. In CO I dealt 4d 5d. UTG raised to $15, after 2 callers, I decided to take the flop. SB also called and BB folded, so 5 players in and flop came Ad 10d 3d. I flopped flush with Steel Wheel draw. Everyone checked to me and I bet $45 to start with. SB called and everyone folded. Turn Kh, checked to me again, and I bet $107. Now SB shoved all-in for $150. Easy call for me. He turned over 7d 2d. Drawing dead!

WTF was he doing with 72 sthooted? By playing my small sthooted connectors, always a chance losing to a bigger flush at any point. I guess I played it right by playing it fast especially the Ace on the board. I also mistaken the power of 72 sthooted. After a long thought, I realised why people play 72 sthooted.

1) Its STHOOTED
2) It has 2 straight draws
3) 2 chances for straight flush draw
4) He might think he is Joe Sebok
5) Can also hit a pair, 2 pair, trips, fullhouse, Quads
6) He must have too much mojos playing 7 2
7) Runner runner possibilities if you know whats coming
8) Most importantly, its a FAMOUS HAND

I re-buy for another $200. After like 2 rounds, my stack down to like $180. dealt Kh Qh. UTG raised to $15, got 1 caller in the middle. I also called in MP+3. One of the blinds also called. 4 way action. Flop 10h 8h 5s. UTG bet $22, After a bit of thought I raised to $55 with my flush draw + 2 overs. All folded to raiser and he shoved. I called. Turn 4 river 8 with no hearts. UTG showed 45 off and I busted again.

Superman also didn't fair too well tonight. We went upstairs and I lost another $200 in Baccarat + Pai Gow. Overall down $600 for the night. Not pleased with that. I guess I better stop going there for a while untill the Sook Deepstack series. Need to practice more in snooker as I am heading to Adelaide next week for tourny. If feel boring, might start grinding again in PS. So far I have grind back $100 after that PLO session. Still a long way to go, but need to be patience. Tomorrow, I am heading to Pakenham, visiting the Master and have a home game over there. 10/20 blinds NLH should be interesting. As he is the Model of Excellent, hopefully the Master will teach me a trick or two. Hopefully I can turn the table in no time. By the way, the blinds we'll be playing tomorrow are in cents!

Rough start!

At the start of year, every poker room and bookies usually have some kind of bonus. At the start of the year I received an email from IAS. They were giving me $200 (100%) bonus. I deposited $400 in it and cleared it in no time. Once I cleared it, I withdraw $1000 straight away and still have $100 open bet on the Saints in Superbowl.

With $600 AUD profit, I had something else in mind. I said to myself, I will take a shot at higher limits in PLO. So I deposited US$500 in my PS account and start rolling. My target is to play at $1/$2 PLO. I would like to give it a try and I am confident I will be OK. My PS adventure didn't start too well. Coolers after coolers. I didn't think I played it bad. I played most of my hands in position. A lot of times, I managed to keep the pot small pre-flop and on the flop. Then based on my read, I either, re-raised or check-raised on the turn, managing to ship my stack in when I were well in front. Not 1 time my hand held up. What a sick feeling. I guess PS just wouldn't allow me to play at those middle stack. Or perhaps I am a worm, so they will award bad players the monster pot at my expenses. No idea whats going on. I guess I will stay away from there for a while.

I bought in for $175 in $1/$2 PLO and after a few rounds, I built it up to $185, then this hand came up. On the button, UTG limp for $2, CO raised pot to $9. My hand KJ68 ds, not a bad hand on the button. I flat called. Blinds folded, UTG called. $30 pot on the flop. I hit middle pair but no draw. All checked to me, so I checked as well. Turn 6. Now I had middle 2 pair along with 2nd nut flush draw. UTG checked as well. Now the initial raiser bet $22. The 6 most likely won't help him. His checked on the flop gave his hand away. Any kind of hand from 2 pair or set, he would at least bet a bit on the flop. I guess he would also bet the diamond draw and wrap. So most likely he had nothing but an overpair. Since no one showed any strength on the flop, he tried to take a stab at the pot. I believed I am in front. If he had a lower wrap, or AA with flush draw. I must make him pay. If he hd a set, I still got outs. So I raised the pot to $94+ leaving $82+ behind. Tried to end it right there. UTG folded, CO re-raised all-in, I called. My read spot on. I were 60% to win. What a donkey he was. I must have at least 2 pair. If I had a set, he could be close to 3-1 dog. Anyway DONKEY RULES!

At the same time I also playing in 25c/50c NLH. Straight after I busted in the PLO this hand came up. UTG raised to $1.50, all folded to me in the big blind. I called. Hit top pair on the flop, but I expect him to bet. I figured he had a hand, so I took the aggressive route by checking. He bet $2.25, but I still not sure if my hand good or not. So I called. Turned Qd. With 3 flush on the board, I can't check anymore. I figured my hand were good, HU situation, can't put him on flush. If he had overpair, he will check/call behind me. So I lead out for $6, almost the size of the pot. Now he raised me to $19.50. If he had a small flush, or set then hes too good. I put him on AA with Ad. Can't really call the bet and left $20 behind. So I shoved all-in for $42 ($23+ more for him). He snapped called me with nothing but AK. I were 75% to win on the flop, 73% to win on the turn, but in this game, you NEVER beat a SNAPPER on draw.

Then I went back to 25c/50c PLO full table, lost about $60 when my flopped top set lost to turned straight for another $100 pot in BB. So I quit for the night and went back the next day.

With bankroll about $230, I kept my promise. Went back to $1/$2 PLO 6 handed. Bought in for full amount $200 and slowly up to $220. Now on the button dealt 3456 ds. UTG folded, CO called, I raised to $6. Perfect hand to play on the button with a raise. If I hit the flop hard, I will win a big one. BTW my opponents most likely put me on high cards, so my hand would be well disguised. Both blinds called along with CO, so $24 pot pre-flop. I hit the flop well with bottom 2 pair + open ended. No flush draw there, so even I didn't have the best hand, I certainly had the best draw. Both blinds checked, CO bet $10, I mini raised to $20, Looking for a free card on the turn. Both blinds folded, CO called. Turn another 10. I figured he had turned a set, maybe boat but very unlikely coz he must have 10 4 or 10 3 in his hand. Now he checked and I checked behind him. River completed my nut straight. CO bet pot for $60. 50/50 situation for me. He might have A 10 or boat. I knew he put me on high pair, but I had straight. Made a curious call and he had quads.

Now stack $131. Down to $93. The guy on my right was a fish, never fold a hand. I had position on him, so I got the perfect seat. I slowly built up my stack back to $174, raking a lot $20+, $30+ pot. Then this hand came up in BB. Had AAQJ ds. All folded to SB fishy and he raised to $6. With my huge hand HU + position, I re-raised him to $18. He had no choice but called. I caught a good flop, 10 6 2 rainbow. No obvious draw out there and that guy has to raise with junks to hit 2 pair. Best hand he could have will be 2456 or 6789 or 679 10 sort of hands. Now he checked, need to play it quick and try to end it right there. I bet pot for $34+. Now SB re-raised to $89 all-in. His range was huge, from 2 pair to 789. Since he raised pre-flop, I put him on KKxx, 4 high cards with a 10. I trusted my instinct and called him straight away. Once again my read spot on. Once again I were 69% fav pre-flop, 83% fav on the flop when the money went in. He must know whats coming and the spiked the Kc on the turn. Even though I still have re-draw, now I had a big wrap with nut flush draw. Although he spiked the miracle, I only 40% dog to win. River completed my flush but the board paired. Lost another one. $214 pot.

Now stack down to $67. I made a re-raised bluff on the turn with my wrap and took a much needed $50 pot. I slowly built it back to $140+. Then this hand came up once again with AAxx in BB. All folded to button and he raised to $7. SB had no choice coz he never fold and he called. I had AA39 1 suite. I were not folding, but my AA a bit weak. If I had a larger stack, I might just call. With $140 behind, I could either raise or call. Since the button played very aggressive and always raised in position, I decided to re-raised. So I pot to $28. Button folded instantly which was good. SB ATC again. Flop K 5 6 with 2 spades. Now SB checked, I decided to bet the pot coz I had the As. Representing AA with nut flush draw. I bet $60 leaving $58 behind. SB thought for a long while and shoved. He had me covered by a few $$$. Tough decision on my part. Since he had a long delay check/raise, I knew hes on draw. He would slow play a set, plus any kind of big hand he would check raise a lot quicker. He would check/call on crap flush draw, lead out with 2 pair. I thought for a long while, and put him on AKxx. Getting 4 to 1 on my money, I need a bit of luck there. He got 1 pair + up and down with no flush draw. I only 46% dog in this hand, but could easily be 67% fav if I had the flush draw. Turn blank, river 4s. BUSTO!

Losing US$500 in 2 days really hurts my poker mojo as I normally play in micro-stakes. Since I am on a free roll from IAS, I can still handle that. Did I play it that bad? I lost all the big pots when I were in good shape. I didn't shove it on the flop, but most of the time on the turn with only 1 card to come. Somehow PS always reward pots to those players shoving it on draw, espically on the turn. I lot of river rats these days. Perhaps ATC is the way to be no matter what. That's really piss me off. I am off from poker in the next few weeks. I am off to Adelaide on the 17th and play in the snooker tourny over there. I will also go to Sydney for the Oceania Snooker Championship in March. Need to spend more time in snooker and F*** poker right now!

I am Back!!!!

I am back in Melbourne after 40 days in Hong Kong. My time over there was OK, spent most of my time with family and did a limit time of swimming over there. My original plan was to take part in the FEPT (Far East Poker Tour), and test my 1/2 assemble IRON FIST in some poker room in Hong Kong before invading the Pokerstars home base across the border in Macau. I went to a poker room one night and found out poker in the Far East was like playing Bingo. With blinds $5/$10 (HKD), everyone would shove pre-flop with all kind of hands for $500+. I saw a 4 way all-in pot, with no mushroom stack, all-in preflop and no one had any Premium hand. AQ vs KJ vs JJ vs 89. WTF was going on in there? Unfortunately I didn't get any big pairs to play with. After 2 hours or so I broke even.

I planned to goto Macau as well. Soon after I went to Guangzhou, I abandoned my plan. Just too much fun up there in China. I ended up spending the weekend up there. At the meantime, I heard that Mr.Sklansky has retired from poker. Really? Without poker, what else can he do? Without poker, what does he worth? Without poker, his life will become meaningless! As one of the most influential figure in poker history, he has conquered millions of poker player around the world. Even in Hong Kong, during the countdown on New Years eve, I even heard people chanting his name at the Edinburgh Square. How can he retired? Poker is part of his life and The Pond is his home away from home. He thrives in all kind of all-in situation. His Iron Fist has revolutionized the world of NLH. Everytime hes at the table, the rail will explode. He can electrify all the players in the room. His opponents fear him and even the dealer is getting goose bumps. So my guess is that he is taking a break from poker, time to spend some of his winnings. Once he find the loneliness without poker, he will definitely head back to the Pond.

WBCOOP

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Registration code: 923709