The Stone Cold Nutz !

TX NL Workbook - Tri 'SlowHabit' Nguyen

I recently bought 'The NL Hold'em Workbook: Exploiting the Regulars', written by Tri 'SlowHabit' Nguyen, and found it very informative. I particularly like chapter 12: The Exam. It's a selection of hand histories where you have to work out the best line of play, and then Tri gives an explanation of the best line to take and why. I've only read the book once, and it's already paid for itself....

I can't wait to get hold of 'Let There Be Range'.

Luke 'Full Flush' Schwartz Interview

Joe Cada - World Champion

Watch WSOP 2009 November Nine - Joe Cada WSOP Champion on PokerStars.tv

Happy Anniversary !

This month I'm celebrating the 4th anniversary of writing this blog. It's interesting to look back in time, and see what games I was playing and how I thought about the game. I must admit that my game has improved significantly in the last 4 years, but I'm still not anywhere near the level that I've always aspired to achieve. Of course it would be fantastic to reach the dizzy heights

of Ivey or Durrrr, but I'd be happy being a regular 5/10 winner.

For the last couple of years I've concentrated almost exclusively on FR and 6 max TX NL games with a small level of success. The games have definitely become harder, and if you're not studying the game, then you're just going to get left behind. My game is more suited to live play than online, because I'm just too aggressive, when all you need to do is press a mouse.

I played a horrible session last night. Over played AKo oop twice against the same opponent, 3 betting him preflop, and triple barrelling a low safe board. I was playing like a zombie, not thinking about the hand, and paid for it dearly. Once my opponent has called the cbet on a ragged flop, what can he have? It's not rocket science. That is major leak, when you play long sessions, and go on 'auto-drive'. In a live game, I would have never made such an elementary mistake. You live and learn. Back to the Grosvenor...

Be lucky...

Gone Fishing !

So, October was a reasonable month. I played 20k hands and ran at 5BB/100, playing mostly FR at FTP and Stars. I've also recently started to play again at Chilipoker, Bigslick (ipoker network) and PartyPoker. There is a huge difference in player skill level at these less popular sites. I played one maniac at PP who over bet the pot when he was bluffing like 100% of the time. Needless to say he donated 2BI to my charity. lol

Today, I'm playing the usual Sunday donkaments in the vain hope of taking one down.

Be lucky...

Never go broke in an unraised pot !

Been grinding the $100 tables on FTP and Stars. It's been the usual roller-coaster ride. I lost 2 buy-ins in the first 3 hands on one table, both times with AKo ugh. Fortunately, I made a recovery towards the end of the session.

I had a nasty feeling that this guy had quad eights, especially having recently watched a similar hand on one of DJ Sensei's videos. I was losing and made a crying call. Captain Zeebo's theory has been proven:





This is not how to play aces against muppets:





Be lucky...

Luke Schwartz - Alter Ego !

The Ringmaster !

Still grinding away at the FR cash games on FTP and Stars. The games on Stars seem to always have a lower percentage of players per flop compared to FTP. I've started to play the $100 games now, and the games seem more suited to my skill-set. The $50 games are full of luckboxes, and they don't believe my bluffs lol.

Check out Tiltbuster and PSThemes. They make custom modifications for tables, cards and chips. I've bought some table and card mods that make it easier to see the HUD and multi-table.

I've been watching some FR videos at Deucescracked. DJ Sensei has produced an excellent series called 'The Ringmaster'. The videos are DRM free, so you can watch them, even if you finish subscribing to the site.

Be lucky...

Problems, Problems, Problems !

I didn't go to the Grosvenor last night, so played online. Played some FR cash and sngs, but nothing to write home about.

Today, I fired up HEM and the HUD has apparently got a back door trojan virus. Checked out the HEM Forums, and they are looking for a solution. It has something to do with the latest update. I don't mind playing 'blind', but you really feel handicapped without certain stats, so invariably I can play only a couple of tables, to not miss any of the action.

Blitzed (cleaned) the house today; long overdue. Got to get around to fixing the shower tiles, dumping a load of rubbish (old boxes and cupboards etc.), and doing the gardening. I just can't get my head round to doing the mundane things in life when the virtual poker world is awaiting. It's not only your ranges that need balancing, but also life. Time to renew my gym membership...!

Be lucky...