Just a Little Fun and Other Stuff

I made another final table in a Razz tourney over the weekend as well as going deep in one other tourney (26th place). The Razz tourney was very disturbing in that I hit the final table sitting in 3rd place and proceeded to miss every hand I got. A24 and 235 lost to shorties who came in with a J85 and a T92. So I double them up and lose part of my stack. All told I lost every hand at the final table and virtually every one of them started with 3 cards under an 8. In my deep run playing hold’em I played well by coming over the top of steals and pushing my edges. At the money bubble I had a good stack and caught pocket aces when a big stack tried a steal and doubled. I waited for my hands and continued to move up the ladder until I make a play at a pot when holding AJ. A player pushes and I call figuring it was a steal and it was. A7 is gold and I’m out.

So as far as the year goes to this point I’ve played 10 Razz tourneys and cashed in 4. Not a bad run and if you include the 3 final tables then it is really good. The play continues to be soft and I can see my self making a few more final tables in the near future. The way these players chase with inferior hands it mouth watering.

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It was a wonderful morning yesterday as I walked out to the car and saw 1/2 an inch of ice on my car. It seems that the snow didn’t come but the freezing rain took its place. At least I didn’t have far to go and it didn’t knock out the power so I got to watch the Bears win. Super Rex was at the top of the hill and played a solid game. We’ll see if he can do it again. And I’m hoping for crappy weather next weekend so that the Saints attack can be put on ice.

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I’m glad that the year has turned because that means baseball will be starting soon. Spring training will be here in like 5 or 6 weeks and I’m ready for it already. I need to see how the Cubs will spend another year of futility as I wait for them to get to the world Series.

L has been practicing softball and I am amazed at how getting even a half year older makes a big impact on a players skill level. She was one of the top players on here 12U team last year as an 11 year old but wow does she look good so far. I also think the fact that she grew about 5 inches and gained the strength that goes with it helped a lot also. She is also older and thus has gained more knowledge. I think she understands direction better and has a grasp on why we instruct and what those instructions will do for her. Right now she will be playing about 45 games or so on her travel team and maybe another 15 in a local league so that she can get some extra pitching in. anyway, I am so looking forward to her playing ball this summer and I know that she will have a great season.

M has decided to play in house softball but not travel ball. She didn’t have as much fun and didn’t like the time commitment that was needed. She is more of an individual when it comes to sports and I think her true calling will be in track or soccer. She is faster then hell and can run forever so either would be a great choice for her.

B will be playing ball for the first time this summer and he can not wait. He is going to be a player and wants to play catch or hit the ball at all times. By the end of October I was throwing the ball hard to him and he was hitting it almost every time. Not bad for 5. He lives for sports and can name every professional football, baseball, and basketball team there is. He’s trying to learn hockey now but we only Blackhawk games so it has been slow going.

That’s it for now and have a great day.

Never Give Up

Tenacity, persistence, and perseverance. These three words are some of cornerstones of my competitive life as well as my life in general. They are what drives me and makes me better in all facets of my life. Sure, my family is the most important thing but those things made me what I am today. Now stick with me as I get through some needed information.

Tenacity is many things. It is tending to stick firmly to any decision, plan, or opinion without changing or doubting it as well as difficult to loosen, shake off, or pull away from. It also means capable of absorbing and retaining a large store of information and of recalling details accurately. And finally it means holding together tightly or fused solidly.

Persistence is the quality of continuing steadily despite problems or obstacles as well as continuance of an effect after its cause has ceased or been removed. So in essence persistence is someone who works through walls to get to the other side if need be.

Perseverance is a steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks. It is often associated with religion or Christianity but can be seen in many other areas of life.

Together the use of these three words is what drives people to greatness. Now I’m not saying that I’m an achiever of greatness but that I am driven by these forces. Greatness isn’t something a person can design on their self but must be generated by the observations of others. If Michael Jordan didn’t play in the NBA but was still a great player who never got a chance because of some misfortune, would we consider him great?

So where am I going with all of this?

Being the person I am I have worked through adversity in many aspects of my life. Being without a job last year was a trying time in many different ways. Playing ball for two years with a torn labrum because I loved playing ball and didn’t care if it hurt so bad I could cry when I threw it hard. Playing in 95 degree heat because I won’t let it bother me even if I want to throw up. Fighting threw all adversity because of the three words above drive focus.

Being 39 years old is not a negative thing. I’ve gained weight, gotten slower but smarter and generally live with some pain at all time because of the abuse I put my body though. I’ve had a great life and wouldn’t change any of it unless it was to do it again.

So back in late October or early November I played in a charity soccer game. I played very well and a few of the guys asked me to play on their team. Well a few weeks ago I was asked to play in a winter league that started tonight so I jumped at the chance because I love the game and it was a chance to play.

Now I played goalie my whole life from the time I was a little Enthusiast until I left college. So I show up to play and I’m going to split time with another guy so I don’t play other than a few minutes during the first 20 minute half. The second half starts and I’m on fire. I make a few good saves and stop two balls that were headed into the corner of the net. But after 10 minutes I have to take myself out of the game because I’m exhausted.

I can’t catch my breath. For 7 minutes I laid on the ground trying to suck all of the oxygen out of the atmosphere so that my heart would stop trying to break though my chest. This is a new fell for me and one that I don’t like.

Let’s go back in time to around mid Septemeber. This was about the time that I started having problems staying awake when I got home from work. I figured it was part of getting used to working again. It didn’t dawn on me that something else could be wrong. The issue has gotten worse but I chose to ignore the tell tail sign that something may be wrong. I’ve even gotten to the point that driving home is testing my stamina at times. And dozing off during poker right after I start a table cannot be good.

I used to work through any physical issue with guts and determination. Being tired didn’t mean that I gave up but meant that I worked harder and focused more. Now I’m realizing that this is not possible because either I’m so out of shape that I could have a heart attack at any minute or that I have a physical ailment that needs to be brought to a doctors attention.

I will be calling the doctor tomorrow to make an appointment because I am truly scared by what occurred last night. This sort of thing should not happen to a person my age.

And yes I do struggle at times to keep my eyes open for short periods of time because an overwhelming desire to sleep comes over me. It may be narcolepsy (Narcolepsy may be associated increased body mass index and disturbed nighttime sleep.) but that’s not all of it and I don't think that is it. Hopefully this nothing other then a fat guy trying to play like a skinny guy.

Mansion Poker and a some other things.

Played and lost over all when I saw a good table and blanked most of my good hands. I did do well in a hold'em MTT but missed my Razz game by 30 seconds as I was coming home from a meeting.

Think about playing this.






Also, sign up for Mansion Poker and take a chance at their 100K tourney. They have been placing around 50K of there own money reach the 100K level so the everlay is great. Click the link on the right to join when I get it up soon.

Not Much to Say

I grind some Razz last night and broke even for the time I put in. Ialso play the Razz tourney I like to play and was sitting at the top of the list with 25 left before My good hands went to crap and I got busted out. The killer was losing 60% of my stack when I held a made 7 from 5th street and had raises flying at me from guys showing Jacks and tens up. Now I figure the each have a draw but I have a made 7 and have an A2357. I have a chance at the nut and a 6 while they each have a made 10 at best. One guy is drawing to and 8 and the other is drawing to a 7. The worst hand raises and we call. The other guy scoops as he hit his A2347 to scoop me on 7th street. He had 2 outs.

I was discussing this hand with a guy at work and he said that with my chip stack I should have just check called all the best to lessen a suckout. I don't agree because I felt I was way ahead, and was, and want these guys to put their money in with the worst hand. Sure I can lay back and lose 35 or 40 percent but don't I want to take advantage of their bad play. I'm going to win this many more time than lose and I would have held about 15% of the chips in play if I hit.

Anyway, I waited for good hands and played them hard but 4th and 5th street were unkind and I lost one hand when my A36 were no good vs. a shorty with 47T. I got knocked at the bubble but I felt that I played well and could have won based on my play.

I also watched another good run by surf in the 25k. He got bumped around 58th place as he did his Dan Harrington impersonation but just staying alive.


Is this really Surflexus. I've never seen them together at the same time.

Crash But No Burn

There is nothing like seeing two cars hit each at an intersection to make your day start out bad. There is a bad intersection on my way to work and some guy made a right turn on red. The problem was that he didn’t see the truck coming because of a little hill that blocks your view. I was at the scene with in seconds of the crash and thankfully everyone seemed to be OK. Like I said, not a good start to the day.

I grinded out some Razz again last night. One session saw me lose most of a buy-in as my A24 and 345 saw flops of QQ and JJ or other such junk. None of my good starting hands hit for the most part. I worked hard and made much of the loses back but never got back over the hump. On another table I moved up slowly and had a marginal gain. In an hour of play I lost about $10 bucks.

Later on I played the 8:45 central time Razz tourney and chatted with Surf as he moved along in a MTT he was playing. As the bubble approached he was on the edge but made it to the money when the bubble burst. At the same time, I was trying to keep afloat in my tourney Early on 4th street was my foe as my good starting hands were killed by early crap. At the same time Surf started to make a move. He chipped up and got into the top 10 after being on the felt for much of the tourney. I kept a low profile in my tourney, mostly cuz I was getting no cards. I slowly moved closer to the bubble as dead money dropped out.

Surf made the final table. His run of cards was more than amazing and he took full advantage. And there I sat, card dead in a donkey game waiting for the chance to hit it big when I get A53 and get two callers to my complete. 4th street is an A and I bet it out as even though I paired, my cards look much better the either one guys J and the other guys 10. 5th street brings a 5 to me and I bet again. Though I have 2 pair I can’t back away. Both call. Next I hit a 3 on 6th street and I have to bet. The best either has is a made J and they have to fold, right? Nope, they call and I fold on 7th street. Now I’ve called down some players before but never on a board like that. The best part of it all was the comments that Surf made to me. He agreed that my betting was right and that I had to play it that way. I already knew that but it felt good to hear it from a guy I respect.

So now I’m crippled and get lucky when I push all my chips in and double up. I double up again and again a little later and I’m now in 5th place over all. I know have chips and made the money to boot so I get aggressive. My good hands start to come and become the chip leader in short order. And Surf gets knocked out in 5th in his tourney. I push every edge and the short stacks fold to pressure. As the final table bubble bursts, I’m second in chips and ready to work. The only problem was the guy who held 40% of all the chips left. He knocked out a couple of players and held over half in short order. I stayed tight aggressive as I held on to the 3rd spot but a few missed draws and huge bets costing almost 10% of my stack at a time and I’m hurting. I did double back on the big stack eventually got knocked out in 5th. Just like Surf.

He and I both commented about how similar our runs were. We were both on the felt near the bubble and had nice runs to but us at or near the top. I should have trade final table money with him considering he got more from his 5th place then I did.

Anyway, I went back to the Razz tables and played some 1/2 for a while and made a quick bit of cash before calling it a night. It is funny how the worm turns sometimes and can change your perspective very quickly. When I got up this morning I was happy about my play last night. And now I’m having a bad day because of someone’s misfortune.

Razzmatazz

I like Razz. Does that make me strange and unusual? I probably already fit that description bur in some ways I think it fits this game. The gut wrenching that takes place when you start with a superior hand only to hit blank and bricks and lose to a donkey who calls you down with a made queen is incredible. Those same player pay you off when you hand is gold.

One of the things about Razz is that you don’t have to have a great starting hand to win. You can have a 5 up with 2 big cards down and make people think that you have a hand. At the same time, other players will do the same thing and try to get you to lay down your hand when the have bricked. In the end, winning at this game isn’t really a question of the cards you get but is based on the reads you get from your opponents.

One thing that I try to do as early as possible is to put every player at the table into categories. This is no different then my approach to hold’em but is very important in Razz. Calling stations and chasers can be the bain of your existence. They will call down with their marginal hands because the have a chance to make a 7 low if they hit runner runner and beat your 8. They will also pay you off so you must watch the board closely to insure that you have them beat. Raising these players when you have an inferior hand because of your hole cards will not push them away.

LAGs, like in any other poker game, like to raise it with any good up card. They will push with any apparent draws and try to move you off your hand. Set these players up and be willing to call down with what may appear to be a lesser hand. They will bet hard when they know they’re beat and try to run you off. Look at their betting patterns to see if they give away information.

The tight players are easy to play with. Don’t be afraid to play them with one blank behind. If the board hits them bad they will fold to pressure. You may be able to see a free card on later streets if you raise back at them early when both of you have similar up cards. If you hit a blank get out when they bet because they will be sitting well. Also, don’t be afraid to raise it up when it looks like they may have paired up a low card. Test them to make sure they like there hand.

The solid players will play different combinations of cards and play them in a way that makes it hard to know what they hold. Don’t be afraid to re-raise players pre-flop to find information. You can do this with a good hand as well as a marginal hand so as to disguise your holdings. Many players will assume that you will only re-raise with all cards under a 5 or 6 put doing this with some higher cards may pay you well when it looks like you could have bricked the board.

This will work in both cash and tourney Razz but changes need to be made as the game indicates. Some of the moves you can make early in a tourney may need to be ignored in later rounds. At the same time, aggression with good up cards will win a lot of blinds in the later stages of a tourney. And finally, Don’t be afraid to push your great draws because being aggressive is always better than being passive, or weak/tight.

I’m sure I didn’t hit everything here but I think it looks good in a nut shell.

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I did play some Razz over the weekend at the .50/1 and 1/2 levels. I didn’t see much difference in skill level and also saw many of the same players playing each. I had one small losing session of about $5 but had winning sessions the rest of the time. I got lucky in one hand when two guys were chasing my made 8 with them both having great draws. Neither hit and I scooped a $30 pot in .50/1. What they failed to realize was that many of they outs they needed were already used in each others hands.

I also had a couple of cashes in MTTs, Razz and hold’em, but not for big money. In the hold’em tourney I was above average right at the bubble when the button made a play at the blinds. I held AQ suited and re-raised 4x of his bet trying to take it down. He called. The flop was 1010x and I was unsure what to do. I wanted to push but being on the bubble I wimped out. He bet and I folded after using all the clock and watching to see if I had moneyed. I wasn’t crippled but had a smaller stack. I eventually went out with KJ vs. 1010.

The Razz tourney was OK except for bring it in 7 of 8 times with the antes at 200. I was in 6th place before that run and 13th when it was over. The bets were so big that I pushed with the first hand that looked good and got busted. Without that small run of bad luck I could have final tabled but it’s hard to play Razz when you keep getting Ks and Qs for you up cards.

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I’ve read where many of the great tourney players out there support their tourneys by being winning cash game players. I guess it’s time to continue my efforts in the cash area so that I don’t have to count on tourneys to supply and build my bankroll. I’ve said this before but it’s starting to sink in. I spent more hours playing cash games in the past week than I had in the previous month. I also saw the increase that went with it so color me green for money cuz I like the graphs that go up.

By changing to Razz have I given up on the other games? No. It is a simple question of making some money. The player pool in Razz is not as good so I am going to the place I make money with the biggest return. I made about 15 bucks an hour while I single tabled Razz and played tournaments at the same time. If I can play at that rate for an extended time then making money should be easy.

A Night Watching Movies

I took rare break from poker last night. I know I’ve been spending way too much time playing and made the decision to spend time watching TV with the family. We ended up watching Herbie Fully Loaded with super tart Lindsay Lohan. Not my first choice of movies but this wasn’t about me. We later watched Live and Let Die as we all love a good 007 movie. Sheriff J.W. Pepper has to be one of my favorite parts of all times in any movie. This country boy cop makes my laugh as he chews his tobacco and acts like a stereotypical redneck cop.

It is Friday so I’m sure I’ll play at some point tonight but I do have a birthday dinner to go to with the family so I won’t play until late.

The Moooookie and Superheros

I wasn’t sure if I would play the Mookie last night. My son has bronchitis and was having trouble breathing. L also had softball practice so we had places to go and thing to do. So returning home after a trip to Menard’s to get a humidifier and picking up L after practice I still had work to do. I got the humidifier going, changed the furnace filter, and finally sit down with my son on my lap. After about 10 minutes he was sleeping so I laid him down and notice I have about 3 minutes to sign up for the Mookie, so I did.

It was the typical hard field and I moved up early with a combination of good cards and non-weak play. I Pushed NewinNov off a hand while sitting in the SB. I had 66 and called a raiser from yancypants. NewinNov was the BB and also called. The flop comes5Q7 and everyone checks. At this point I think I’m good but NewinNov may have a 7 or 5. The turn is a 3 and I decide to go for the check raise. I’m sure one of the two players will take a stab. NewinNov makes a pot size bet and yancy folds. I raise it to 750 and after much thought New folds. This puts me up to 1935.

A little later I called a 135 chip raise from NumbBono while holding 88. NewinNov also calls. The flop comes 3Q4 and NumbBono bets 320 into 400 + pot. This could be a continuation bet but I don’t have a great read on this guy so I eventually fold. NewinNov pushes with AQ and Numbo calls with KK. I could have lost some chips but would have sucked out to the tune of 5500 chips. I made the right decision.

I got moved to a new table and get involved with smokkee and columbo on the third hand when I raise it with pocket 9s from early position. The flop comes A54 and I have two options. I can play weak and check to the ace or bet and represent strength. I bet and they fold winning me 420 chips.

A few hands later I raise from middle position with AcKc and get called by gap86 who is a shorty. The flop comes T96 all clubs so I give gap86some rope and he pushes his last 425 in the middle with his 2nd pair and I gain another 1225 chips. Really a hand that played itself.

I made a re-steal vs. hacker59 when I held AK just before my big hand. I wake up with AA on the button and make a 3x raise. I’m hoping someone will think I’m stealing and push but hoy just calls. The flop comes J104 and hoy leads out 400 into a pot of 520. I view this as a testing bet because the flop was lower and I come over the top to 1200. He pushes and I call to see his 2 pair. I’m not good enough I guess to throw away aces. I figured him for a strong J and will lose chips many times in this situation. Can I get away from this hand? Anyway, I didn’t last much longer.

The 2nd chance event went much better. I doubled up early when I hit a set of 9s vs. Jacklivia and waited for some cards to play. Now this being a 6-handed turbo, my starting hands were a little looser than normal and it paid off later.

Mondogarage raises to 120, a min bet from 4th position and I call from the BB with 54 off suit. The flop comes down 769 with 2 spades and he bets 270. I smell continuation bet and make a smooth call to show strength and see his reaction on the turn. The turn is another 6 and we both check. Now I could have bet here to win the pot but I achieved my goal of seeing the river so I didn’t commit anymore chips. The river is a lovely 3 and I make a half pot bet. He folds. Now I could have checked here but I don’t think he would have committed any more chips. I was trying to give him value but I think he was done after my original call.

I made a similar play later against xkm1245 when I saw a free flop while holding J8 off suit. The flop comes 76T giving me a gut shot draw. He makes a pot size bet and I call. Now I could be way behind here but he could have bottom pair or just testing me. Anyway, the turn shows a K and he checks. Now it’s my turn to take a stab so I make a 2/3 bet and he folds. I could have escaped that hand if he shows aggression but took it down instead.

As we moved deeper into the tourney I got involved in a big hand vs. iam23skidoo. He was the big stack and playing many hands. He was on the SB so I had postion and make a 3x raise from UTG which he calls. With his stack he could have about anything but I know it isn’t a top hand or he would have re-raised me. The flop come TT7 and ski checks and I check. The turn is a Q giving me an open ended straight draw I make a bet of 1000 into a 1200 chip pot. I’m pretty much committed at this point. The river is an 8 and I have the straight. He hoy’s me and I call all-in and scoop. This was the hand that got me to the end.

I knocked out ski a little later when I got 1010 and raised it to 600. He pushed and I called. His A7 suited didn’t improve and I’m now the tourney chip leader.

When the final table started I was 2nd in chips. I won an early hand with KQ suited when I hit top pair and stole a few blinds with good and bad hands. I eventually Knocked out Mookie when my kq beat his q9 to get us into the money. I had half the chips in play with 3 of us left. A few hands into it I call from the SB with J9 suited and flop trip 9s. Delisox makes a small bet and I call. The turn is a king and I check push his big raise and I now have a huge lead. Three hands later it was over.

I played as well as I could for the most part and got good cards. I folded a couple of strong hands and stole blinds when I had a big stack. Good times.

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I did the Super Hero and Villain test and found out that I am each of these.

Luck Box is Good

Some times the world turns in your favor when you least expect it. I don’t know if that statement is truly relevant in this case but it was nice. I was working at home last night and decided to play a SNG before heading to bed. This isn’t amazing in its self but playing when not fully focused can cost money. Anyway, thought I was on my game as I called a raise from the big blind and hit middle pair on a low flop. I check called the flop with intentions of stealing the hand after the turn. The turn put a flush draw on the board and I check raised my opponent off the hand with my middle pair. I repeated this same action an orbit later vs. another opponent and I have an early chip lead without getting any cards. Later on I get JJ UTG and make a standard 3x raise. It’s folded to the SB who thinks for a second before pushing. She was short on chips and could be making this move with almost anything. Regardless, I was getting better than 2-1 and only feared 3 hands. She flipped over QQ and I’m now a shorter stack. I tightened up a little and looked for a chance to double. Eventually used my tighter image to steal blinds and maintain my chip stack until we got down to 4 players. One guy held a massive chip lead (8000) and me and one other guy were on life support. We took turns stealing each others blinds when I make the move with the Brunson. He called with A2 but a ten spiked on the flop and I’m now in a comfort zone. This when the game became a suck out fest with guy going in with the worst and coming out on top. The chips flew around the table until we eventually got to 3-handed. I held the chip lead and watched the third place guy put a tremendous beat on the second place guy. Heads up I had lost my lead but regained it with some luckbox action as my 64 suited was good vs. AQ when I tries a steal. He returned the favor when he hit a 4 flush and I got it back when I called his push when I held bottom pair after he made a raise pocket 10s. I hit a set on the turn and it was over.

Luck box action is fun.

I made a nice run in a RAZZ tourney but failed to cash. I was the chip leader about 10 from the money and got beat by chasers on consecutive hands to put a dent in my stack. In both cases I was ahead but vulnerable and my hands didn’t hold up. Winning either hand would have kept me in good position but it wasn’t to be. I eventually got knocked out when in the same fashion pushing against a big stack with the lead and a great draw and not hitting what I needed.

A Short Post for the Beginning of the Year.

I didn’t do much other than play some cash Razz games since Friday night. I’m going to give junk kicking card chasers a chance to humiliate me with their stellar play. I’m going to be two tabling .50/1 when I can and will try to log as many hours as I can while doing this. I will continue this until I play around 100 hours and will reevaluate where I’m at.

I’m going to stay away from MTTs during this time of exile for the most part. This will be hard because I love playing tourneys so to combat this I will play a Razz tourney once in a while. I will also throw a hold’em tourney on occasion but I will keep them at the lower buy-in level.

I did play a hold’em tourney last night and had this happen. I held QQ UTG and made a 3x raise to 480. I have an above average chip stack of 4500 chips. The next player pushes all-in for 4100. My thinking at this point is we have a race or I have him dominated as AA or KK would probably raise me back. Anyway, a middle position guy push for 3000. Now at this point I figure I’m behind. To make this move he has to have a hand like AA or KK. If he doesn’t then I’m way ahead. Anyway, if I fold I have 4000 chips. Very manageable. If I call and win, I will be at around 11,000. If I call and lose I will have about 2000. What is my decision.

I called and got knocked down to 2000 when the second guy gets pocket kings. The other guy had 99. Was this a bad decision. I think that getting those chips at that time would have put me in a position to win where I would have had a lot of work at the position I was sitting if I fold. I ended up missing the money by about 60 spots. I really would like to know what you would think of this move. I’m going to lose most of these but will be alive in each case. I also will have a top 20 stack about 15-20 percent of the time.