Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Live Poker Trip Planning
After a lot of preparation, I have finally figured out my MTT schedule. Logistics (lodging/rental car) are still pending.
In retrospect, if I had planned my vacation a little better, I would have preferred to be in LA for 2 different simultaneous tournament series (NAPT - LA at the Bike & Commerce Casino - LA Poker Open) or possibly USPC - Atlantic City.
It's an interesting schedule for various reasons:
1. PLO8! (enough said)
2. I've never played a live rebuy tourney with a decent structure. They are offering an NLHE version too, but I'm probably only going to play the 6-max NLHE.
3. A couple of my friends will be out in AC as well. Some will get there before me, but I should see all of them and/or play some MTTs together.
I really wanted to play WSOP-Circuit AC's LO8 MTT ($350 LO8 on 12/10), but the "2 day" format of most of the MTTs in NO (specifically 7 game mix on 12/8) would have caused a very undesirable time crunch to get to AC by 12/10.
7 game mix > LO8 > NLHE
"WSOP Satellite" - New Orleans
12/4-12/13: NO
12/4 7:45a CLE -> NO (MSY)
12/4 11:55a arrive in NO
12/5 1p $345 NLHE 6-max
12/6 5p $345 PLO + 100 Rebuys
12/7 5p $345 PLO8
12/8 5p $345 7 game
12/10 5p $345 NLHE
WSOP Circuit - Atlantic City
12/13-12/19: PHI/AC
12/13 1:10p MSY -> PHL
12/13 4:49p arrive in PHL
12/13 6:30p arrive in AC
12/14 11a #7 - $350 NLHE (2 day)
12/16 11a #8 - $570 NLHE (2 day)
12/19 PHL -> CLE (flight still pending)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Online Poker Update - Draw!
1. FTP recently announced the addition of draw games! (It was almost exclusively PS that had draw games up until now...)
a. The new "10 game mix" (2-7 TD, Badugi, H.O.R.S.E., 2-7 SD, NLHE, and PLO although in a different order than THORSEHA as the PS/WSOP version) should be a welcome change and a lot of new players will probably be experimenting in the game from cash and MTT.
b. I dabbled a bit in some of the draw games on the cash game side when it was introduced on Thursday. One player thought Ace was a good low card in at 200 2-7 TD! I still have problems with PL 5CD though....
c. If time permits, I want to try and play some 10 game MTTs in either the low-mid stakes MTTs or satellites into FTOPS/mini-FTOPS. (This would be in addition to some NLHE/PLO/PLO8 MTTs in preparation for live poker trip in the near future...)
2. Overall, I think my biggest leak is not having a "pre-shot routine" (cite: PLO8 Revealed) which includes things to think about as each hand plays out.
Factors include:
a. opponent type (and how they make mistakes)
b. ranges (preflop and after opponent(s)' actions)
c. turn/river card anticipation (barrel cards, overs, draw fillers, etc...)
d. betting action anticipation (bet/fold, bet/call, etc..)
e. board texture
f. hero handstrength relative to villain
g. appropriate pot size goal planning/streets of value/stack size planning are not always in my immediate thoughts (there's other aspects too).
3. NLHE - For the next month or so, I've changed my NLHE from FR to 6max to try to leak bust. I've historically played full ring since I restarted my online poker career, but have some serious leaks in FR and am a losing player over a significant sample size. I suspect that my mental discipline has been lacking and I'm not thinking about all the different aspects at the time a situation is brought up, am trying to find fold equity that does not exist, or just am generally being too loose aggressive. I may end up switching back to FR (or mixing 6max and FR) in the future, but that would not likely be until 2011. (I usually play 200-300 hands/day).
4. PLO8 cash is going ok, although I feel that there is still plenty for me to learn and improve upon. Learning common equities and situations will help in this regard. I think I need to be more conscious of the regs, TBH, which will helpfully improve my win rate. (I usually play 200-300 hands/day).
5. PLO - I'm also learning to play PLO cash. I logged about 80-100 hands/day, although I've increased volume to 200-300 now. I originally 2 tabled, but am trying to add more tables or mix with PLO8 cash.
6. Current plan is to shoot for Iron level this month by 2 tabling RUSH 50PLO8/6m and RUSH 25PLO/6m and adding 25plo8 or 50plo8 ring games (about 1 hour/day). I'd save about 15-25% of my quota for NLHE 6m (2-4 table).
7. Education:
1. I've come up with a couple routines to help with the mental aspect to make sure I'm thinking about various aspects as hands progress (point 2).
2. I'm trying to consistently review my sessions...although I need to probably try to spot bigger trends.
3. I've also been reviewing a bunch of info/doing homework regarding NLHE ranges and reviewing stuff in some of the PLO and PLO8 literature.
4. I've also trying to be more active reading/posting on 2+2 and watching some BlueFire poker videos on NLHE and PLO. I am considering getting coaching to leak bust.
a. The new "10 game mix" (2-7 TD, Badugi, H.O.R.S.E., 2-7 SD, NLHE, and PLO although in a different order than THORSEHA as the PS/WSOP version) should be a welcome change and a lot of new players will probably be experimenting in the game from cash and MTT.
b. I dabbled a bit in some of the draw games on the cash game side when it was introduced on Thursday. One player thought Ace was a good low card in at 200 2-7 TD! I still have problems with PL 5CD though....
c. If time permits, I want to try and play some 10 game MTTs in either the low-mid stakes MTTs or satellites into FTOPS/mini-FTOPS. (This would be in addition to some NLHE/PLO/PLO8 MTTs in preparation for live poker trip in the near future...)
2. Overall, I think my biggest leak is not having a "pre-shot routine" (cite: PLO8 Revealed) which includes things to think about as each hand plays out.
Factors include:
a. opponent type (and how they make mistakes)
b. ranges (preflop and after opponent(s)' actions)
c. turn/river card anticipation (barrel cards, overs, draw fillers, etc...)
d. betting action anticipation (bet/fold, bet/call, etc..)
e. board texture
f. hero handstrength relative to villain
g. appropriate pot size goal planning/streets of value/stack size planning are not always in my immediate thoughts (there's other aspects too).
3. NLHE - For the next month or so, I've changed my NLHE from FR to 6max to try to leak bust. I've historically played full ring since I restarted my online poker career, but have some serious leaks in FR and am a losing player over a significant sample size. I suspect that my mental discipline has been lacking and I'm not thinking about all the different aspects at the time a situation is brought up, am trying to find fold equity that does not exist, or just am generally being too loose aggressive. I may end up switching back to FR (or mixing 6max and FR) in the future, but that would not likely be until 2011. (I usually play 200-300 hands/day).
4. PLO8 cash is going ok, although I feel that there is still plenty for me to learn and improve upon. Learning common equities and situations will help in this regard. I think I need to be more conscious of the regs, TBH, which will helpfully improve my win rate. (I usually play 200-300 hands/day).
5. PLO - I'm also learning to play PLO cash. I logged about 80-100 hands/day, although I've increased volume to 200-300 now. I originally 2 tabled, but am trying to add more tables or mix with PLO8 cash.
6. Current plan is to shoot for Iron level this month by 2 tabling RUSH 50PLO8/6m and RUSH 25PLO/6m and adding 25plo8 or 50plo8 ring games (about 1 hour/day). I'd save about 15-25% of my quota for NLHE 6m (2-4 table).
7. Education:
1. I've come up with a couple routines to help with the mental aspect to make sure I'm thinking about various aspects as hands progress (point 2).
2. I'm trying to consistently review my sessions...although I need to probably try to spot bigger trends.
3. I've also been reviewing a bunch of info/doing homework regarding NLHE ranges and reviewing stuff in some of the PLO and PLO8 literature.
4. I've also trying to be more active reading/posting on 2+2 and watching some BlueFire poker videos on NLHE and PLO. I am considering getting coaching to leak bust.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Variance (continued) - Live Play and Upswings
On a positive note, I started at "newly formed tables" and had a pair of small winning sessions
1. I ballooned up 1 buyin, but settled on small win.
2. I had a short 1 hour session and booked a small win.
Recently, I had a 2.2 buyin score just recently (my first true "win" when joining an existing table, although I had played with some of the players in previous sessions)!
I'm still definitely inexperienced when at a brand new table of 9 players at 2-5 (note LV sessions)
I have been logging hours almost weekly since August at live poker venues in Cleveland (Nautica Charity Poker) to play 2-5 NLHE or traveling to Pittsburgh to play at Rivers Casino at either the 2-5 NLHE, 1-3 PLO (w/ 5 bringin), and some 10-20 LO8 or 4-8 LO8 w/ Full Kill.
1. I ballooned up 1 buyin, but settled on small win.
2. I had a short 1 hour session and booked a small win.
Recently, I had a 2.2 buyin score just recently (my first true "win" when joining an existing table, although I had played with some of the players in previous sessions)!
I'm still definitely inexperienced when at a brand new table of 9 players at 2-5 (note LV sessions)
I have been logging hours almost weekly since August at live poker venues in Cleveland (Nautica Charity Poker) to play 2-5 NLHE or traveling to Pittsburgh to play at Rivers Casino at either the 2-5 NLHE, 1-3 PLO (w/ 5 bringin), and some 10-20 LO8 or 4-8 LO8 w/ Full Kill.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Variance - Live Play and Downswings
My recent NLHE live play has been marked by many downswings. I've had a rather extended one, to be honest at 2-5 (5-6 sessions). I generally fear that it's me playing bad, not reacting well to the new players, and not adjusting quickly enough based on their play.
(I've had long downswings online (5-6+ sessions), but it's definitely a combination of leaks + downward variance swing.)
Problem with variance/downswings:
I'm never 100% sure if it's always my mistakes or just variance.
It's not so much the downswings (that's why I have a bankroll), but it's more that I fear I might overadjust for leaks and such.
(I've had long downswings online (5-6+ sessions), but it's definitely a combination of leaks + downward variance swing.)
Problem with variance/downswings:
I'm never 100% sure if it's always my mistakes or just variance.
It's not so much the downswings (that's why I have a bankroll), but it's more that I fear I might overadjust for leaks and such.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Poker Career Direction (Online and Live)
After my return from LV, I've talked with some of my more experienced poker friends regarding career direction in the live/online and cash game (and MTT) realm. I did not play much NLHE cash during my trip...
Rumor has it that draw might get a small resurgence as Full Tilt is likely going to introduce draw games (PL 5 card draw, 2-7 triple draw, 2-7 single draw, badugi, and a N-game mix) in coordination with the FTOPS XVIII starting in a week or so. This has caused me to think more about my direction.
(+s are positives; -s are negatives).
Here's my current thoughts with their feedback:
PLO8
+1. The best chance to get a WSOP/FTOPS/WCOOP/SCOOP bracelet and/or huge MTT score since the game is not that popular.
-1. The game will probably never get that popular. Thus, new "fish" will not be showing up as often. It will become 90+% reg infested by the time I get into higher small stakes cash games.
-2. Live cash games are practically non-existent. MTTs are a rare occurrence.
NLHE
+1. Best table selection: most number of options for live games (everyone is playing NLHE currently).
-1. To reach equivalent stakes (assuming variance was equal) requires a lot more knowledge. NLHE is much more of a "solved game".
-2. By not spending 100% time focused on NLHE cash, I'm definitely moving up at a slower pace...
PLO
+1. The game is definitely not as "solved". The learning curve is definitely less to move up the ladder.
-1. Live games tend to be rare.
-2. Live variance is ...mentally challenging.
Mixed Limit Games (LO8, S/8, etc...)
+1. The fields do seem to be fairly inexperienced, especially in mixed limit games (ie: 8 game mix for example - 2-7TD, HORSE, NLHE, PLO).
-1. There aren't too many games which would be worthwhile in terms of possible live hourly rate. 10/20 and 15/30 games aren't too common and are likely less juicy compared to the equivalent 2-5 big bet game at NLHE/PLO/PLO8.
-2. Spending a lot of time on my Stud Hi game, isn't probably going to earn me a lot of money. LHE might be worthwhile, but it's the same concern as -1.
Rumor has it that draw might get a small resurgence as Full Tilt is likely going to introduce draw games (PL 5 card draw, 2-7 triple draw, 2-7 single draw, badugi, and a N-game mix) in coordination with the FTOPS XVIII starting in a week or so. This has caused me to think more about my direction.
(+s are positives; -s are negatives).
Here's my current thoughts with their feedback:
PLO8
+1. The best chance to get a WSOP/FTOPS/WCOOP/SCOOP bracelet and/or huge MTT score since the game is not that popular.
-1. The game will probably never get that popular. Thus, new "fish" will not be showing up as often. It will become 90+% reg infested by the time I get into higher small stakes cash games.
-2. Live cash games are practically non-existent. MTTs are a rare occurrence.
NLHE
+1. Best table selection: most number of options for live games (everyone is playing NLHE currently).
-1. To reach equivalent stakes (assuming variance was equal) requires a lot more knowledge. NLHE is much more of a "solved game".
-2. By not spending 100% time focused on NLHE cash, I'm definitely moving up at a slower pace...
PLO
+1. The game is definitely not as "solved". The learning curve is definitely less to move up the ladder.
-1. Live games tend to be rare.
-2. Live variance is ...mentally challenging.
Mixed Limit Games (LO8, S/8, etc...)
+1. The fields do seem to be fairly inexperienced, especially in mixed limit games (ie: 8 game mix for example - 2-7TD, HORSE, NLHE, PLO).
-1. There aren't too many games which would be worthwhile in terms of possible live hourly rate. 10/20 and 15/30 games aren't too common and are likely less juicy compared to the equivalent 2-5 big bet game at NLHE/PLO/PLO8.
-2. Spending a lot of time on my Stud Hi game, isn't probably going to earn me a lot of money. LHE might be worthwhile, but it's the same concern as -1.
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