It would seem that I am not the only one struggling this week and I have been stunned, absolutely stunned by some things that I have seen. I was not going to post an update until next week but I need to at least have a little vent just to clear my head and put things into perspective again. Yes this can be thought of as a complete whinge or bad beat post but I'll try to keep it limited and mix it up with some stuff that I have learnt also.
So, last night
- 2nd biggest stack 5 left. Pocket KK board KT2 short stack all in. Call they have AA, turn comes 4, river A.
- Some game about 10 hands later pocket AA, flop 8Q6 push all-in called chip leader with KK, turn Q, river K gone. Finished 4th
- Next game, low stack me v chip leader pocket KTs, board T27 rainbow, I bet about 1/2 my chips they go all-in. They called my pre-flop raise...hhmm. Called, they have AKos, so nothing at this stage, they need their A, the turn is a K that is fine, river A. Now I am not that annoyed as this happens, but it was rubbed in my face the next game I played in as pretty much the exact opposite happened. Low stack KT v AK all in low stack hits KT on turn and river. I just saw there stunned. I didn't need to see that. Finished 4th
- About average chips, 5 left. Short stack has 300 and blinds are 50/100. He goes all-in 6 times and was called each time and won every one of them. He would have Q5os and win, 44 v JJ and hit the 4 on the turn and win. Stunned again. I wait get eaten a bit by blinds, down to 4 players. I get KQs pre-flop raise 4 x BB he calls, board of K5x he goes all in...now I've been watching this guy pull stuff out of his arse all game he has all-ined his way to 2nd chip lead...I call. My KQ v 5T of course...he gets his 5 on the river....I think it was the loudest "Fuck Off" that has ever come out of my mouth. Finished 4th...seeing a trend here yet?
- Right one more game tonight...actually played well and get to 2nd chip lead with 4 left pocket KK v A4os all in against low stack and knock him out. Yay, finally...relief sets in...gee the chip leader is taking time to call the next hand...hang on...hang on...panic..fuck it my internet connection is done. Is it? What is this on Poker Stars "The SnG server will be shut down for maintenance for
A very frustrating night.
I have been reading quite a lot, some books and a quite a few blogs, mostly those on the right side just over there. Good reads. Sherwood has been going through some similar pain, albeit at a much higher level. I can at last sympathise. I've purchased Poker Tracker, lovely great insight into the way you play the game. I have noticed a trend I get into a very good position early in the low level blinds and then struggle once they get to 50/100, hence my overall average of 4th! It does not feel as though I am changing the way I play when the blinds go up so will have to look closely and see what is going on there. A great feature being able to watch any hand back and see mistakes how it played out etc. Millions of features a must have.
I read recently about acting and get people to help you build your stack. I have gotten into a routine that when I am betting I do it quite quickly, if I have top pair on flop no straight or flush draws get that 4 x BB bet in quick. They call, if I still think I have the best had, or at least a very good one, repeat above. ( I am really trying to win on flop or turn which has seen a massive increase of hands won without a showdown - sometimes with nothing and the bet forces people out.) What is great is that a few times I have hit a full house on the river and really slowed it down, as though I am thinking. I will bet 5-6x BB sometimes they call (then muck!) other times they go all-in and I call and knock them out. Previously I would have just bet again straight away. Making them think I am stealing etc is gold and worked well. Now if I can just stop some of my tilts.
So New Years tomorrow, I am heading to a very nice restaurant on
