O-Poker

Phil Hellmuth just put up a blog post. It is definitely worth checking out whether you are a Hellmuth fan or not.

Some of the highlights:
Losing $500k+ to Ivey
Name Dropping (as always)
$4k bottle of wine
$50k donation to charity
Phil's usual humbleness and modesty :)

http://www.philhellmuth.com/phil-hellmuth-poker-blog.html

I think they may need to change this sign again next week.

Leaks

Leaks are crappy (literally). I was dealing with a major leak this weekend and it didn't have anything to do with poker. We have an old house that was built in the '40s. The previous owners did some additions/upgrades to plumbing, but I have noticed over the past few years that they cut a lot of corners.

A few weeks ago, we noticed a smell coming from under the house. (We have a crawl space.) I called the plumbers to come check out the problem. It turned out that the sewer line was backed up. To make things worse, when the previous owners installed new piping to the bathrooms they didn't put a cap on the cleanout of the old cast iron main sewer pipe under the house. A normal backup in a sewer line would cause the plumbing in your house to backup. Because there wasn't a cap on the cleanout, the sewage was coming out of the cleanout under the house. (fun, fun)

The plumbers cleared the line and said that we would need to wait a couple of weeks (for the sewage to dry out) to put a cap on the cleanout under the house. The following weekend, I climbed under the house to pour a couple of 2 gallon jugs of bleach to help get rid of the smell. I planned on doing this again and installing a cap once it was dried out enough to reach the cleanout without lying in sewage water.

On Friday, we noticed the smell again. I was thinking that the sewage water was probably dried out and it was the smell from the dry ground. I went to Home Depot, and bought the following so that I could cap of the cleanout and put this plumbing nightmare behind us:

4" cleanout cap
4" compression cleanout cap
2 large containers of bleach
rubber gloves
mask
painters tarp to roll out under the house and crawl on

On Saturday, I rolled out the tarp and began crawling under the house with my bleach. I managed to make it to the cleanout and began pouring the bleach. When I started pouring the second bottle it starting coming out of the cleanout. I went inside and turned on faucet to the tub. I climbed back under the house and sure enough water was pouring out the cleanout. F-me.

I called our plumber's emergency service number on Saturday evening. They returned my call on Sunday morning while I was sitting at Home Depot about to rent a snake. I opted for having them come out to the house for $200 vs. renting the snake for $55 and trying to muddle my way through things.

A couple of hours later the line was clear again. I crawled back under the house and went to put the cap on. It didn't quite fit with the compression ring out as far as it goes. I left it sitting on the cleanout anyway.

I won't go into the gruesome details of trying to get the cap on the cleanout. Let's just say that it wasn't fun.

I am probably going to have to have the old cast iron main sewer line under my house replaced - I'll find out in the next few days.

Talk about a BAD BEAT!!!

----------------------
MTTs

I didn't feel like playing cash games last night, so I played a few MTTs for a change of pace. I felt like I was on my MTT game more than I have been in a while, but came up just short in a couple of spots. I played the following:

1. $26 8 PM on FTP - Finished 17th out of 995. I was in great shape as an above average stack in top 6-8 when I ran AQ into 55 on an Q5x flop against the chip leader. The Queen on the turn made it all the more frustrating. It felt good to go deep in a large field since I haven't been playing many tourneys.

2. $75 Bracelet Race - 91 players; Paid 3 $2k packages and cash to 4-6. I finished 7th. I wasn't able to get anything going late and wound up pushing when very short from the cutoff with 22. BB had 99. GG me.

3. $14 Turbo Token ($75) Satellite - 99 players; 18 tokens. I played this in the background and was focusing more on the above mtts. I managed to win a token. These seem like a good value because the play was pretty horrible.

I am going to play a few more mtts this week and see how things go. I feel like I am back in my mtt zone. I want to try to capitalize on that. Hopefully, it will work out to a nice cash/win or a WSOP seat.

----------------------
WSOP

I am going to try to qualify for the FTP $1k Super sat on Thursday night. This seems like the best option for winning a seat.

Pokerstars is running a new $1k Super Sat on Friday night at 8:30 PM. They have $215 feeders on Wednesday and Thursday nights to it - I will probably try to satellite into the $215 and then the $1k.

I hope to get two shots at winning my seat this week (If things go well)

-----------------------
$30K Update

I didn't get a chance to play many hands this week or this weekend. I didn't play poker at all on Saturday and only played a few mtts on Sunday. I finished fairly even in the few hands that I did play.

I'm not sure how many hands I will get in this week, but I am not abdonding the challenge. I think that I will be able to pick things back up without much of a problem next weekend.

Current status
Cash Game Profits = +$640
Bonus/Rakeback = $320 (I had this listed incorrect on the last update)
Total Profits = +$960

---------------------

FINAL FOUR BABY!!!

GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt like I was sitting down to play against myself. (My first name is Mitch; last name starts with M.)

I played the $75 Bracelet Race NL MTT last night with 97 players. It awarded 3 $2,000 packages. I was 2nd in chips with 15 remaining and managed to self-destruct my way to 9th place. I seem to keep getting close, but no where near close enough. I think I will probably watch a few of the Cardrunners and PokerXFactor MTT videos over the weekend, to try to get back into the MTT mindset.










-------------------
I will probably start posting updates on the $30k goal on Mondays and Fridays. I think daily or every other day post would start to get very boring.

I have been so busy, that I almost forgot to post...........

GO GATORS!!!

Sweet Sixteen

Basketball. Football. Total Sports Domination!!!

Joakim Noah is a little (O.K. - A lot) cocky. This video is funny - Gator fan or not.

There are a lot of differences between 1/2nl and even 2/4nl - a lot more short stacks, players that won't fold, players that push or call all-in on draws when they have horrible odds, and on and on. I think that I am starting to get the feel for the players at the this level, but the variance is a lot greater than I thought it would be. I have been getting all-in a lot more in, but also getting sucked out on a lot more. It is all relative - I am sure it just seems like I am getting sucked out on a lot more because I am getting all-in a lot more. In general, tight aggressive play is more profitable than loose aggressive play at 1/2 IMO.

I put in a ton of hands this weekend and I am not happy with my results, but I think things will improve with a few tweaks.

I played around with a few things this weekend and even tried 6 tabling for a change. (Mental note to self - 6 tabling is not a good idea)

Graph to date (shows as $200 too high because I closed a table after I got stacked and the hand history wasn't saved)














I am buried at work, so I probably won't get that much playing time in this week. (Also, the reason for no detailed hand histories today.)

Current status
Cash Game Profits = +$626
Bonus/Rakeback = $120 (Thanks to the FTP random bonus - check your account)
Total Profits = +$846

New Computer Issues

Hopefully, my computer issues are becoming a thing of the past. I just got an awesome new laptop (Dell Inspiron 9400/E1705 with a 17" 1920x1200 screen). I had a couple of problems - one of which was veiwing certain websites with Internet Explorer. My blog loaded incredibly slow fore some reason. I changed the template and everything was fine. I am pretty sure the problems have something to do with the IE settings/resolution since everything works fine in Firefox.

I will probably put the template back up sometime this weekend.

-------------------------
$30K Goal Update

I have had an extremely crazy week at work this week. I worked until 2:30 AM on Monday and Tuesday night to get a project out the door by Wed at noon. I don't think I will have any 2:00 AM nights in the near future, but things aren't slowing down too much at work. I somehow managed to squeeze in a few hands this week.

1/2NL is a different animal from the games that I am used to playing (2/4 and 5/10). There are a lot more players that buy-in short - usually their entire remaining poker balance. A lot of the players will get all their money in with a draw no matter how poor the odds. I think the variance is going to be pretty high at 1/2 - mainly due to a lot of poor play. It should also be very profitable.

I got off to a quick start and then had a huge drop off. I managed to lose set over set 3 times - one of which my opponent got all of his money in with pocket Jacks on a King high flop against my set of 8s only to spike a Jack on the river. I lost a flopped straight to a flush draw and a set to a straight draw.

My high point out of the gate was around $1,400.

I didn't get a chance to go through all the hand histories with moving Pokertracker and PokerGrapher over to my new computer. Once, I get everything setup correctly, I'll include more in later updates.

I was able to grab a couple of hands today showing how crazy the play can be at 1/2nl.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?910298

FullTiltPoker Game #2000498780: Table Escondido (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:20:36 ET - 2007/03/16
Seat 1: wuleq ($200), is sitting out
Seat 2: cmitch ($213.65)
Seat 3: photozoid ($53.15)
Seat 4: o0o_eight _o0o ($174.35)
Seat 5: nyr359 ($158.45)
Seat 6: chefrm ($199)
cmitch posts the small blind of $1
photozoid posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cmitch [Kd Kh]
o0o_eight _o0o raises to $4 - minimum raise with A8o UTG
nyr359 calls $4 - call with 23o from MP after UTG strange min raise
chefrm folds
cmitch raises to $18 - OK, I am raising with KK; not much chance anyone folds an Ace preflop at 1/2
photozoid folds
o0o_eight _o0o calls $14
nyr359 calls $14
*** FLOP *** [5d 7s 4h]
cmitch bets $40 - the board isn't too scary, but I would be happy to just take down the pot right here since these guys are crazy enough to have a straight draw.
o0o_eight _o0o calls $40 - I'll call - I have a gutshot straight draw and 2 overs.
nyr359 calls $40 - I made a great call preflop and now have a double gutshot - can't fault him here.
*** TURN *** [5d 7s 4h] [Ah]
cmitch checks - Yep, someone definitely has an Ace. I probably gave them too much credit, but was thinking that I was getting called preflop and on the flop with AJ-AK by one of the guys. I thought one of them might even have A4,5 or 7.
o0o_eight _o0o checks
nyr359 checks
*** RIVER *** [5d 7s 4h Ah] [6h]
cmitch checks
o0o_eight _o0o bets $116.35, and is all in - Bingo. I made my straight someone will call me.
nyr359 calls $100.45, and is all in - I made my straight, but it kind of sucks. I have to call because there is no chance he has an 8.
cmitch folds - Got out cheap
Uncalled bet of $15.90 returned to o0o_eight _o0o
*** SHOW DOWN ***
o0o_eight _o0o shows [8c As] (a straight, Eight high)
nyr359 mucks
o0o_eight _o0o wins the pot ($373.90) with a straight, Eight high
nyr359 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $376.90 Rake $3
Board: [5d 7s 4h Ah 6h]
Seat 1: wuleq is sitting out
Seat 2: cmitch (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 3: photozoid (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: o0o_eight _o0o showed [8c As] and won ($373.90) with a straight, Eight high
Seat 5: nyr359 mucked [3c 2s] - a straight, Seven high
Seat 6: chefrm (button) didn't bet (folded)


http://www.pokerhand.org/?910269

It seems like I am winding up in a lot of situations against short stacks on draws.

FullTiltPoker Game #2000543392: Table Lynnwood (6 max) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:31:21 ET - 2007/03/16
Seat 1: cmitch ($270.90)
Seat 2: sportydna17 ($158.75)
Seat 3: Scottr62083 ($83.20)
Seat 4: Hollias ($221.30)
Seat 5: xxMKxx ($198)
Seat 6: DonkDollars ($196), is sitting out
xxMKxx posts the small blind of $1
cmitch posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cmitch [As Qs]
sportydna17 folds
Scottr62083 raises to $7
Hollias folds
xxMKxx folds
cmitch raises to $24
Scottr62083 calls $17 - I guess he was getting frustrated with me. He called $17 more with 10h7h. "...but, they were soooooted."
*** FLOP *** [Jh Ad 5h]
cmitch bets $49
Scottr62083 raises to $59.20, and is all in
cmitch calls $10.20
Scottr62083 shows [Th 7h]
cmitch shows [As Qs]
*** TURN *** [Jh Ad 5h] [Qh]
*** RIVER *** [Jh Ad 5h Qh] [4s]
DonkDollars stands up
Scottr62083 shows a flush, Queen high
cmitch shows two pair, Aces and Queens
Scottr62083 wins the pot ($164.40) with a flush, Queen high
cmitch adds $12.30
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $167.40 Rake $3
Board: [Jh Ad 5h Qh 4s]
Seat 1: cmitch (big blind) showed [As Qs] and lost with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 2: sportydna17 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Scottr62083 showed [Th 7h] and won ($164.40) with a flush, Queen high
Seat 4: Hollias (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: xxMKxx (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: DonkDollars is sitting out


As you can see there is going to be quite a bit of variance in 1/2, but I think it is going to be extemely profitable once I start winning more than my fair share of coinflips. I am hoping that I will get to put in a decent amount of hands this weekend.

Current status
Cash Game Profits = +$336
Bonus/Rakeback = $0 (I am not including my rakeback payment for Feb play)
Total Profits = +366

I am not sure if other people were having problems veiwing our blog or not. I have had some major issues veiwing the blog since I got my new laptop.

Please post a comment is my blog loaded very slowly for you before this change.

I have temporarily changed the template to a generic template until I can get everything figured out. (I'll try to add the bloglines links tonight)

I just got an awesome new computer (Dell Inspiron Laptop with 17" UXGA 1920x1200 res) with Windows XP (purposely didn't get Vista). It came pre-installed with Norton Internet Security and I think that is what is causing me a lot of headaches.

I am having a couple of specific problems that I need help with - hopefully someone out there has a few suggestions.

1. Some web pages (specifically my blog) are loading extremely slow and the scroll feature is incredibly slow. I am guessing I need to change a Norton Setting or Internet Security Setting. I messed around with it a little, but don't know what to change. **EDIT** - I just disabled Norton and tried loading the web page - problem still happening. Must be Internet Settings??

2. I run Outlook for my work email and Outlook Express for my home/personal email. When I open the compose new mail in Outlook and start typing the text slows down dramatically and sometimes I get a couple of words ahead and then it catches up. I don't have this problem at all in Outlook Express. I guess it has something to do with Word being the Outlook Email Editor.

3. Any other suggestions on things that I should change in Norton to make my life easier.

--------------------------
$30K Goal Update

I had a big up and down run the last few days and will put a detailed post once I get all my computer problems worked out. (I just finished moving my pokertracker stuff over.)

I am currently at +$86

Poker has been a crazy roller coaster since getting back from the PCA in January. I was on a major heater from Mid-Jan through Mid-Feb, followed by a major cold streak (some sick beats/2nd best hands/poor play). I should have been playing 5/10NL with the a little bit of 10/20NL when the games were good. Instead I was playing 10/20NL with a little bit of 25/50NL.

I am still up a decent amount for the year in cash games, but no where near as much as I was a month ago. I have been going through some hand histories and trying to plug some leaks that I think have popped up in my game.

I think the major leak was not adapting to table/player conditions as quickly as I have in the past. I was becoming too robotic. I was making generic decisions based on typical situations instead of really thinking about how I should be playing against a particular opponent based on my image, his image, and what he thought I was capable of from past play.

Sometimes, it is better to give up a small pot with what might be the best hand instead of losing a big pot with a marginal hand. This is especially true if you can use the situation to your advantage to win a bigger pot later in the session.

I have seen a lot of different challenges and goals in the forums and blogs lately. They have inspired me.

I am going to take a "back to basics" approach between now and the Main Event of the WSOP. I am extremely busy at work and it will probably continue. I am setting a goal that I think is acheivable based on how much time I have available after work and family life.

I want to make $30K in cash game profits (including rakeback/bonuses) between now (Mid-March) and July 5th - WSOP Main Event. I will start at the lower limits and move up gradually.

Parameters
1. Will probably only be able to play 80k-100k hands between now and July 5th. (2-4 tabling part time)
2. Play 1/2nl until I make $4k profit at 1/2
3. Play 2/4nl until I make $8k profit at 2/4
4. Play a combination of 2/4, 3/6, and 5/10 for the remainder of the time frame - based on time of day, game selection, etc. - profit goal of $18k.

I tried to make this a realistic goal so I used 4PTBB/100 for 1/2 and 2/4 and 3PTBB/100 for 5/10. The key to acheiving my goal will be how fast I get to $4k and $8k at 1/2 and 2/4, respectively.

I have been a slacker with poker and the blog over the last few months. Hopefully, this will motivate me to get back on track with both. I'll post regular updates with key hands.

Following up to my last post....

Apparently, PimpOwnage and Traneho were having fun trying to stir up the rail and possible create better aciton for themselves down the road.

Traneho posted his repsonse in a thread on P5s (see below)

Click here for the P5s thread.


"Re(4): 300-600NL
by traheho on 3/12/2007 02:50

okay for everyone thats posting... this was just for fun. PO and I thought it would be funny to play crazy on ftp one day when were were bored and cause up a stir with the rails. just thought i'd clear up some confusion. gl all
trah-

P.S.
atimos - ty for compliment (if you were being serious) and anytime you want "lessons" we can play 1/2. im sorry for blocking you. i get a lot of random IM's from rails who want to play HU. i thougth you meant like .5/1 and 1/2 not 50/100 and 100/200. if you want to play.... you know where to find me.
until then ... gl "

Traneho and PimpOwnage were playing 300/600NL HU. A didn't see the match but a few people (including a few I play against regulary) where saying that the match was for show and that Pimp was probably going to transfer the $$ back to traneho (saying traneho and pimp are friends). I don't know whether Pimp won the money or was messing around.

Anyway, when I opened the table up I saw a hilarious comment.

I played a $55 satellite to the $216 Bracelet race and won my entry. I was cruising along biding my time for the perfect situation when the following hand put me out.

When slowplaying works and then goes horribly wrong.

Poker is fun... for everyone.

Full Tilt Poker Game #1957693950: WSOP Bracelet Race (14112144), Table 10 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 1:25:04 ET - 2007/03/10
Seat 1: Joao M (6,369)
Seat 2: ekeneibekwe (2,110)
Seat 3: desert_foxx (6,595)
Seat 5: skullmike (3,340)
Seat 6: wheelguy (8,525)
Seat 7: JaspudUF (2,655)
Seat 8: OSUBuckMan (5,025)
Seat 9: cmitch (3,105)
ekeneibekwe posts the small blind of 60
desert_foxx posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to cmitch [Kc Ks]
skullmike folds
wheelguy folds
JaspudUF has 15 seconds left to act
JaspudUF is sitting out
JaspudUF has timed out
JaspudUF folds
OSUBuckMan raises to 360
cmitch calls 360
Joao M calls 360
ekeneibekwe folds
desert_foxx folds
*** FLOP *** [7h Tc 6c]
OSUBuckMan checks
cmitch bets 900
Joao M folds
JaspudUF has returned
OSUBuckMan raises to 2,745
cmitch calls 1,845, and is all in
OSUBuckMan shows [Th Ac]
cmitch shows [Kc Ks]
*** TURN *** [7h Tc 6c] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [7h Tc 6c 5c] [8c]
OSUBuckMan shows a flush, Ace high
cmitch shows a flush, King high
OSUBuckMan wins the pot (6,750) with a flush, Ace high
cmitch stands up
OSUBuckMan: gross
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6,750 Rake 0
Board: [7h Tc 6c 5c 8c]
Seat 1: Joao M (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: ekeneibekwe (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: desert_foxx (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: skullmike didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: wheelguy didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: JaspudUF didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: OSUBuckMan showed [Th Ac] and won (6,750) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 9: cmitch showed [Kc Ks] and lost with a flush, King high

Most of you have probably seen this Poker Players Alliance Ad, but for those that haven't, here it is.

Video removed - Link to Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WifyEbDVnCw

So far, no good. I have played three sub-sats to the Super Sats without any luck.

1. FTP $109 satellite to the $1k Thursday night Super Sat. Paid 1-3 Super Sat entry and 4-6 paid cash. I busted out 12th when I called the SB's push for the 5th time in a row with KJs. He had A3 and the A3 held. I only made that call because I figured he was pushing any two. We had about even stacks - both 8-9x BB (blinds about to go up - table was short handed.) Anyone thinking that I should fold here and wait for a better spot? (I usually like to push my chips in when no one has entered the pot when short with a hand like KJ instead of calling them all off.) This hand was situation/opponent dependant IMO.

2. PS $16 Double Shootout to the Sunday $650 Super Sat. Paid 1 seat and 2-9th paid cash. There were a couple of really horrible players in this tourney. I busted out of the first table against a major calling station. I was dealt QQ in the BB (25/50 blinds). Calling station limps, 2 more limp. I make it $250. Calling station does his thing. Everyone else folds. J82 flop (2 hearts). I bet $500. Calling station calls (a little less than half his stack). I am thinking that he pushes with a Jack here based on how he has been playing. His most likely hands are A8, K8, 89, 8x, or probably a flush draw - although, in retrospect, he was the type of player that probably raises a flush draw. Turn is a 6. I push. He calls with 86. River is no help and I'm out.

3. PS $80 satellite to the Sunday $650 Super Sat. Paid 7 seats, 8th paid cash. I went out when I was getting short and got all in preflop with AQs vs. AK. No help and I was out.

I don't think I will have a chance to play any of the turbo sats or sngs to the $1k FTP WSOP Super Sat tonight. I will probably set aside certain nights to play satellites, so that it doesn't get in the way of my regular poker games.

It is that time of year again. We all start scrambling, trying to figure out the best way to win our seats to the WSOP Main Event. There are fewer options than last year, but still plenty of options for most.

1. Full Tilt has $1k, $300, and $200 Super Sats - with several smaller sats into the super sats.

2. Pokerstars has $650, $320, and $33rebuy Super Sats and $160 Double Shootouts - with several smaller sats into the super sats.

3. Ultimate Bet has several different sats but are paying you in cash. (I am too lazy to look up the different sats on UB right now). I probably won't play the super sats on UB because the traffic is a lot lighter than the other sites.

I was lucky enough to win two seats to the WSOP last year (both on Full Tilt - with the second one paying cash.)

I need to formulate a plan to get back to LV again. I am going either way, but life would be a lot easier if I win my seat early.

For now, I am going to play some of the $109 satellites to the $1k Thursday Night Super Sat on FTP. I prefer the larger buy-ins that give out more seats/entry. I might try the $650 Super Sat on PS, but I don't get much of chance to play while the kids are awake (Sunday day).

I am going to keep a separate spreadsheet showing how much I spend on trying to win my seat and will post updates.

I know that most people have seen that Al D'Amato has joined the PPA Lobbyist group. Hopefully, this will help us in the future. The NY Times had a good article on his joining the PPA - worth the read.

Link to NY Times Article