Head Games

Well I went to Mohegan for the first part of the weekend. I played the 100+25 Bounty event on Saturday Morning at 10 am on 4 hrs of sleep. Yuk! I did well staying even for the first two and a half hours which was frustrating. Start with 8k in chips and after 2.5 hours still 8k in chips.

After that I blasted up to 62k in 30 minutes finally catching hands that consistently held up. I lost a big one to the player to my right who raised my 3k big blind to 6k. I reraised to 15k knowing that he would have to commit all of his 22k total stack if he called. He went all in over the top and after 30 seconds I called with AQ diamonds. He revealed KJ. Flop Q-10d-3 turn was a diamond. river 9 of hearts. He caught the straight. It was a good hand and I think we would have ended up all in regardless as he was open ended after the flop. There were only 18 left in the tourney at this point. We started with 76.

I didnt catch a hand after that and finished eigth for 273 dollars plus two bounties at 25 each

Side Note: On the second hand of the Tourney I was first to act with AA and raised to 125 all folded and the BB called 275 in the pot flop was A-blank blank, check-check, Turn A!!! for quads check check river was a blank 200 raise and he folded. I showed the Quad A's made a whopping 275 on that pot. Definitely a rush whrn the fourth ace hit.

Sunday Morning on double the sleep I played the 120+25 bounty. Win a hand lose a hand.

There was an older pakastani gentleman sitting two seats to my right, I have to give it to him the guy was catching everything. Early he knocked out the gentleman to my right with a set of 10's over a set of 8's to give him an early stack and he got very loose. every time I had a hand he would call down any bet. I pick two pair A's and 9's he turns over trip 7's on the river. I lead with jacks to the river he catches the K on the river. etc etc etc. and he would say every time. Very nice hand....but you lose again! with an old man pakastani accent. He was very polite but I could tell he was having far too much fun letting me know that he won.

At break he told me was playing draws and loosening up because he had the chips. Blah blah blah!

in the end I was very frustrated and went all in pre flop with 10's. Of course he called with Q's and won again with the same statement! Arrrrggghh

Whatever! He played very loose and caught. I guess it happens. We will have to wait until next time. 58 dollars profit. Not going to retire on that!!

Laid back month of struggles

So I won on May 1st this month and thought ..."great start..this could be a breakout month...!" Since then I have lost 2 $50 multi's and 2 $145 Bounty tournaments. Still up $400 for the month but I hate to lose. Last night was a quick one ..out before first break. Chips start at 4K I was down to $3600 when I picked up Ac-9c raised to 400 preflop. Blinds were at 50-100. Two callers and an ace comes on the flop. Bet out $600 and called by one. Blank on the turn. 3's paired the board on the turn. I bet same 600 and called. At this point I knew I was beat. 10 on the river. I checked he checked? Thought for a second I had a chance. He revealed A-J and I lost the hand. Stupid hand to play that aggressive in the first hour. Down to 2k in chips. Four hands later picked up KK in position 3rd position limps 4th raises to 400. with 2 callers. 1300 in the pot I go all in and the blinds fold. the original limper goes all in over the top of me and the others fold. I realized right away he had aces. Sure enough he flips up AA and catches an ace in the Window to lock it up.

I am playing at Mohegan for the weekend ..another 145 bounty. Those are fun tournaments. I also played 1-2 no limit for the first time this month. I Lost $100 the first session and made $260 the second session. I will tell you .. there is nothing like the feeling of having someone bet into when you have the nuts.

Good Luck to all

On a roll but still chicken

Well, I havent posted in a week. I decided not to play in the $600 two day event at Mohegan Sun basically because it seems like alot of money at this point which leads me to call myself a chicken. I am sure I could hold up in the play but losing 600 at this point would turn my stomach a bit. So I figured I would keep playing at my normal limits and move up when I feel comfortable. There's always the fall classic at Foxwoods..we will see.

I hadnt played all week. My wife has tightened the choke collar a little on my playing. I actually think this is helping. When I do play I am much more focused and I am having great results. I think when I would play all the time. I could justify a mistake or a beat easily because I would just register for the next game. Now I am playing about 1-2 times per week and dont want to lose because I may have to think about it for 3-4 days until I play again. I am also more rested. Working full time and then staying up late to get in 25 hours a week of poker takes a toll. All in all she is looking out for my best interest and I am playing more focused, so I will go with it for awhile.

So last week after I decided not to play in the Sunday event and learning that my wife was going to NYC with her sister and neices and nephews. I decided to play in the 150 multi locally at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH. Boy did I get smoked in this one! First hour caught an A high Flush spades ..unfortunately my opponent caught Quad 6's ugh. Quick exit there. I played a short handed sit n go and bubbled out before the money. Pretty disgusting night down 225. Saturday I worked all day and then rushed over to play the 70 multi ... got smoked again. This was my fault though. Far too many bad decisions.. out in the 2nd hour.

So after my wife got back I was on poker lock down until Friday(last evening). I called her at lunchtime and told(alright asked!!) if I could play in the 50 multi. She said no problem ..she just didnt want me playing during the week. At 3:30p she calls back and say " Do you think you should be playing ..ya know with the Swine Flu and all" I said babe there are more people at work that I come in contact with than at poker. So needless to say I told her I was going and got the ok.

125 entrants which was fantastic for the 50. Pretty smooth tourney. ok first hour. I finished up 1300 chips. second hour I got to 25k. I got moved at the beginning of the third hour and woke up with AA first hand and picked about 20k with a set of Aces. proceeded to get a set of 8's two hands later and then a pair of tens that held up to put me at about 70k which I rode to the final table with. Picked off one player at the FT and we chopped 4 ways to all take just under 2nd place money. No Drama in this one just caught good cards that held up.

This does make three Wins out of the last Six tourneys. It's pretty nice when its like this. The flip side is ugly though. I am sure variance will rear its ugly head soon enough.

Good luck to all.