Grrrrr.........

I really need to just let downsiwings roll off my back...

Its not really the "downswings".....its the sharp swings downward (drop 2+ buyin in 5-10 min)

It only slightly affects my game (been alot better lately not make back to back to back Huge mistakes)

Like right now....I should be playing....but I am doing the "right thing" and chilling out....Got a little aggrivated....was crushing the regulars in spots (playing excellent I might add for the 2nd time)....but the Super Fish were....well....NE 2cards....No pair, No draw on flop....call....runner runner trips (btw, no overcards)....It only happen exactly 5 times in 10 minutes....thank goodness they are idiots and love to check the river.

I am up 4000 BBfor the past Month...and still I question that I am playing decent at times.....

Hmm....I guess its just when I lose the "big Pots" when it bothers me.....

Blah blah blah blah....sometimes I just need to shut up.

Grinding is good.....Homeruns are bad (well unless ya do it while ya grind)

Okay enough poker....I'm still gonna play another 3 hours and need to clear my mind

Mariners....

Jose Guillen-- Looks like he's gonna get suspended for 15 games.....still doesnt make any send for the Mariners to pass up the sandwich pick.....
This is gonna bug me all offseason....especially if some team picks up a stud...and in 2009 crushes the mariners.

Mariners free agent signings

NONE....

Rumors abound...
Kuroda is the most likely....
Beyond that....who knows....

Rumor that Tejada May be headed for the Angels....I totally forgot about the Baltimore fire sale....

Sigh....it will probably lead to Bavasi trading the farm for another Ho-Ram.

I am starting to get this feeling Bavasi is gonna do something real stupid (last year I wasnt expecting it....this year I am)

Go Seahawks (this sunday is the end of the division race)
Go Mariners
Go Thunderbirds (even though they cant win in overtime)

Tuesday....cont....

Okay, I was going to call it a day...then....

News Flash!!!

Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers for the Tigers Farm system.

Not that I care about the Tiger or Marlins....
But I do care about the Mariners.....

The Baseball gods have answered my prayers to not let the Anahiem Anal Angels aquire Cabrera. All-Praise Detroit for Keeping him out of the West Division.

With A-Rod, Miguel and Lowell all wrapped up.....The Angels hopes of getting that all-star to hit behind Vlad...aint gonna happen.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tori Hunter makes them better....but in the long run is gonna hold them back
(Ichiro contract for Hunter??? LOLOLOLOLOLOL)

I am soooooo happy....

Winning poker....
And a near guarentee that the Angels wont get significantly better this offseason.

Go Mariners

From the Pits of Dispair, to Feeling Hunkie Dorie.....

Before I get into the Title....

Mariners Update....

Jose Guillen signs with KC.....
Bavasi deserves an anal probing for this one.....
No arbitration, no extra 1st round draft pick for the Mariners
I thought the Ho-Ram trade was bad last year.....this was just plain stupidity on Bill's part.
Hmmmm....as I am writing this someone just told me we did offer him arbitration....
Hmmmm....gawd I hope so.


Mariners still the front runner for Hiroki Kuroda
I hope he isnt the next Igawa.....dont think so...but I do worry.

Rumor is Erik Bedard is on the Mariners Radar.....
Now he's not Santana (btw the Mariners wont be getting him)
I dunno....He's high quality....but the big question is what we give up for him.
IMHO get him, but dont give up the farm.

No if we can just dump richie (love ya Big Rich, but unless you can get back to form from 2+ years ago.....cant afford what you've done the last 2 years)


Okay.....

Now for the ups and downs of poker.....

Yesterday was probably the 2nd worst I have ever felt after playing poker.
In a matter of 15 minutes I dropped 7 full buy-ins
Ironically only one of them I can partially attribute to Tilting (my play was questionable, but not horrific by any means....-EV but not by too much)

So today, I started a little later than normal....datamined a bit longer than I normally do, just to get more meaningful numbers......

My plan was to make sure I wasnt too aggressive (which I tend to do when I start any session for some reason....its not maniac at all....its just me thinking...
"aggression is the key to being a winning player".....
Its true....but you can blow people off the hand when they have the mortal nuts.

Played about 5 hours straight (playing so well I even held off going to the bathroom for a while)
No huge hands.....several situations in which I "WISHED" I had the hand to call.
(complete Donk on my right shoving all in all day....80BB into a 5 BB pot)
The Biggest pot I scooped all day was maybe 40 BB total....

BUT....

Talk about grinding.....
Near perfect poker.....
The only bad hand played was letting a flush draw get there at the river (completely screwed up by not betting the turn...cost me 10BB)

Won back all 7 buy ins from yesterday.....

Ironically I should be happier.....
With the exception of a few days.....I cant remember a more successful day BB/100 where I played over 2k in hands....

I know what this means....means I need to stay at this level for at least the rest of the week.....sigh.....at least I am regonizing the right moves.

Go Hawks!!!!
Go Mariners!!!
Go T-birds!!!
Go.....
Well...
Stay Sonics!!!!

Seattle Seahawks.....better than everyone thinks....

Are people watching the same games I am?
I swear all the people in Seattle have no clue about football.....several people this week have said....and I quote..."The seahawks are aweful this year, they can barely win games, and Alexander sucks"

Okay...as far as Alexander...ya he has been over-rated for a while....Glad to see Holmgren has gone with a Pass-1st offense....
I have to say....his sub=par preformance this year are from the O-line not nearly as good as it once was in the Super Bowl year

Seattle Fans...get over it...Sean is over paid and an average running back...but he is definately not the worst....and if Mo Morris gets more carries...I personally think Alexamnders per rush numbers will increase.

As far as the idiot fans...
8-4

and the Seahawks are 2 plays from being
10-2

(A botched Handoff in the Arizona Game, and giving the Game to cleveland)


IMHO
The Seahawks have an excellent chance at getting to the superbowl
(you can quote me on that)

We match up well with Dallas.
We Match up even better against Green Bay.

I am actually more concerned about the 1st round Wild card team (I hope its the giants)....the rest kinda scare ya.

I could rant for hours...but some fans are Pathetic.

Go HAwks!!!!!!

Finally 6-Max and Sleeping Mariners

End of Week Update

Hands 12,865
Profit +$400.60
BB/100 +10.66 (5.33 PTBB/100)
Attitude: 4 days =Feeling like a Stud 3 days Feeling like a Nit
$11.92 per hour (I cant wait till I let myself move up)
33.62 Hours (about 8 hours of it was playing 1-2 tables while Tv/Study)

Seattle Mariners update:

Zero
Zero
Zero

Wait a Minute....

Winter Baseball Meetings....

Zero
Zero
Zero

And the word is that The M's arent gonna offer Jose Guillen arbitration.....

Now granted I am not that upset Jose wont be back (especially with the steroid rumor)
Adam Jones needs a home in the Outfield....and though I love what Jose did for the MAriners, and will consider him a Mariner always (its funny how every player who plays 1 game in the uniform...in my mind will always be an M)
But 10 mil PER/Year for 3+ years....sorry...No-way-jose

BUT.....

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No arbitration (which Jose will pass on anyways)?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

THAT MEANS NO SANDWICH PICK IN THE DRAFT!!!!!!!! 1st Round pick...BYE BYE

Unbelievable.

Jose is a Type B Free agent, and that gets us a Sandwich pick in next years draft,
By not offering A-b-tration, the Mariners lose out on the draft pick (2 1st rounders instead of ONE)

I dont get it....it wont hurt next year....but it hurts the farm system.

Kuroda news....
Nothing....

Pitching news...
Nothing...
(okay, with the exception of on the Mariners website JJ Putz doing charity stuff)

Mariners needs:
Starting pitching

Secondary needs
Move Richie Raul or Turbo trade to say goodbye to one (free up LF for a free agent who can play defence and left handed)

My suggestions

Kuroda.....BUT NOT for huge money 7 Mil per and Max 3 years
Bartolo Colon ...yeah he sucked last year....but a 1 year for cheap....
If he comes back...thats a bargain....
If not....dump him after 5+ starts and Morrow has starts under his Belt at tacoma, or RRS (ryan rowland smith) or Baek can take his slot

Basically get pitching...but dont ruin the franchise for 5 years doing it.
Carlos Silva is NOT the answer.

As far as the 2ndy need
Geoff Jenkins would be good and the right price

Whether its Richie or Turbo...I wouldnt really care that much who got traded for salary relief and line-up/defense relief.
Its more about Defense than anything else...and of course another left handed bat in the lineup would be nice

Okay enough Mariners...

Poker....

Mid week after moving up to 25/50c I realized its mainly a matter of confidence to move up and make huge $$$ .....My game tighens up WAY to much....I should Half/half it when moving up.

Mid week as well....I finally started learning 6-max.....3 years in the waiting.
My intiall reasoning was "All the good players are flocking to 6-max to take advatage, so I will Full ring and be the best there to profit"

Honestly...I was right.....the Players are Full Ring, are either Really good...or they are 10 times worse than 6-max players.
But....My BB/100 at 6-max (even though I dont feel like a pro yet) its higher, simply for the factr of being able to take advatange of 1-2 bad players, TWICE as much per 100 hands (in Full ring...ya take on the Bad player 2 times in 2 orbits....in the same amount of hands in 6-max....you take on the bad player 4 times)
DUH!!!!!!

I must say though...have to be a bit more careful against the good players....
And its definately teaching me to play in position more (not because I need position on bad players as much....but because I need to make sure I dont get in situation out of position against the good players)

I think the next 20-40K in hands are going to improve my game 10 fold....just the last 3 days (6k hands)I can see the difference in how I approach each hand relative to position.

My BB/100 should have been 3 times what it was....but lost 4 huge hands (one hand was 200 BB deep)
77 in the CO
I open for 4BB
SB calls, BB calls
Flop K72 rainbow
SB near pots
BB calls
I of course Raise (even though when I think of it now...no draws with the excpetion of a gutshot at worst, I might have just called and slowplayer...naw...pump it is better this deep)
SB and BB call (
Turn is an Ace completing the rainbow.
SB leads out....BB calls again

To be honest I actually though about just calling here...I mean....there is no way I am behind 99% of the time.....draws???? Are there any???

But I raised, because I like money (I left enough for a comfortable shove where is he does have 2 pair he's gonna call.....cause KK is the only thing I am worried about....and with the read I have on both....they would have pumped preflop

SB calls....BB fold (who knows what he had)
River is 2

SB checks
With my perfectly sized Turn bet....it leaves me a shove that he has to call with 2 pair (I'm hoping he has AK, Ax, or some crazy Kx)

He insta calls with Quad Dueces

The more I think about it....I cant find check on the river....
He doesnt have KK or AA (I would bet everything I have, just cause those 2 dont slow play anything)

I dunno...I hate bad beat stories....but it was such a cooler (being exremely deeo over 200BB really hurt)

Okay enough of that.

Things to work on....

Steal more from the CO, and stealing a little from the Hi-jack (blind specific)
3Bet more on the Button and CO
Find info on 3Bet from blinds (do's and don'ts)
(I think of doing it a bunch, but dont pull the trigger....well...because they "seem" -EV...even though it kinda feels like I am giving up money....
Dunno...I think I am missing out on money ops

I started 6-max to play better around the button...Need to work hard....
Its gonna pay off big time.

Oh, and if anyone read this far....

click on the Stoxpoker banner and signup....its more than worth it (its already paid for itself)

I think.....

I think what I am going to try to do on a regular basis, is to post a weekly summary of how poker is going....mainly to motivate myself in various way.

To start off:

Last 7 days
9952 hands
+$315.35
+6.34 PTBB/100
+12.68 BB/100
$12.55 per hour
25.15 Hours for the week

How I felt I played over all
5 days like a pro (3 of the days I played the best I have ever played...and thats saying alot)
2 days...I played like a complete donkey (one of those days I actually broke even, but should have up 5 buy-ins from the donators)

Overall it was a good week....realized a few situations that have really killed my win-rate in the past.

StoxPoker videos are definately helping....not really on "how to play"....but more along the lines of "How not to play".

I mean....tncrease in the win-rate over the last 40k of hands....its been mainly from not "hating money"

Example....reducing 2nd and 3rd barrel bluffs on certain boards has saved me several buy ins already (one buyin isnt much every couple days....but its significant)

Since I've been Playing Full Ring this month
Been running 16 Vpip 10 pfr and 2.52 ToTAF

I still need to work a little on certain situations of Not calling (raise or fold),
But all in all....I've definately improved on recognizing the best course of actions.


As I was saying though.....The Stox Videos are definately helping me look at specific profitable situations (as well as avoiding one that is just Spewing Chips)

Basically....been about a month and My confidence playing is coming back slowly.

Plan for Next week

15K hands
Watch 1+ video per day
POker Tracker evaluation and review EVERY SINGLE SESSION (I need to make sure I do this more often)
Have Fun :-)

Pray the Mariners dont screw up at the winter meetings

Almost forgot to mention the Mariners

The Angels are making move like crazy this offseason.....and the Mariners not much at all so far.

Angels
Tori-Hunter (imporves their defense, but if you ask me....he's good offensively BUT at Ichiro 5 year money....The Angels are getting hosed)
Garland trade??? Why? Makes no sense to me....Pitching is not the Angels problem...and a #5 starter doesnt get them over the hump....its a break even trade for the Angels if ya ask me (unless they play on shipping pitching talent to improve SS or 3B with a bat)

Mariners.
My guess is they will sign Hiroki Kuroda.....
My only concern is paying to much for 3+ years...if he flames out like Igawa....well...then we are screwed.....I dont mind it....because...HEY, there is zero free agent starting pitching that is worht anything....$12 mil per for Silva??? If that happens...shoot me.

As far as Sexson and Lopez......
I think its unlikely the Mariners will be able to move sexson because of the salary....Lopez on the other hand...I think the front offfice is just about to give up on him (with Chen doing well)....I just hope any trade is something that will benifit the Mariners long term or short term.....not a Carlos Guillen type of trade.

Winter Meetings are coming up.....fireworks should start flying for the Mariners.

Short brief New beggining

About 3 weeks ago I completed my Cake Poker promo for Poker Source Online (I pretty cool promo.....play 600 points at Cake, and Get a year paid Premium membership at Stox Poker.

Initially...I thought "What the heck" Its free...I am gonna play anyways...and I wanted to check out the videos.....But of course I am a cheapskate to spend the money unless I know its gonna be a benefit.

So far after 3 weeks...I can say its definately helped....not for 80% of my game (which has always been exceptional)...but the 20% or so that I bleed or donk of money that I dont realize, or do realize but it happens anyways.

One of the biggest things was wanting to win every pot I put money in (well okay...not every).....its the 20% of the time when ya have AKs...pfr 4XBB...flop comes rags....Fire a 2/3+ pot CB....then they call....In stead of shutting it down on the blank turn, when the villian has 10% chance of folding...I fire again 80% of the time......even when I know its for nothing.
After watching Leatherass9 fold....well...what must have been 10 in a row times on the turn when he was convinced the villian might have something...or even if he didnt...just not wanting to spew money....
I dunno....just made me thing "dude, If I fold half the time, my profit sky rockets"

Ironically...that was all I change the first week....reducing 2nd Barrel by 70%.
My variance over the next 10K hads was dramatiocally reduced.

BLah Blah Blah Blah

Its been a little over 3 weeks......
My aggression is up (when I dont go too nuts, I am unbeatable) preflop
My post flop decisions are better (still workin on specific situations in which I know I dont read as well)

What I need to work on:
Pull the trigger on more squeezes
Analyze which squeezes are good or bad situations better.
(improved but needs more) Dont call....raise or fold (apply this 89% of the time)

Back to the Tables

FYI....Join stox with the link to the right...definately worth it

2007 Mariners, the craziest ride.

I have to say, this years team does things in the most abstract way.

Tonight.....

Weaver>> "Sorry guys, I think I am going to give up a huge lead in the 1st two innings"
The Team>> "Thats okay Weav, the fans are use to it"

At the secret team meeting in the dugout in the 6th inning
Johnny Mac>> "Okay guys....how should we win this one?"
Adam Jones "If you dont mind Coach, I'll sit on the bench, even though I should be playing"
Johnny Mac "Good Idea Adam, you'll be starting next year, so no need to use you this year"
Yuni "Coach, would ya mind if I get a key hit tonight?"
Johnny Mac "Sounds Good Yuni, Make it a double. Adrian, since people havent really appreciated all that you have done this year. Maybe they will take there nose out of their Lattes and praise the AL's best 3rd baseman"

Beltre "Sound good coach, I'll just single home the winning run...no need for a HR...I'll just hit 40 next season"

Rowland-Smith>> "Coach, I volunteer to share Ho-Rams spot in the Rotation with Campy"
Johnny Mac>> "Ryan, shut up and just dont let them score"
Ichiro "Coach, If we win this one, you're buying everyone some "Ichi-Rolls" from the sushi-bar behind homeplate"


I wont jinx the team and suggest the craziest comeback ever to make the playoffs...the last time I even mention the word....the death-streak happen.

I love the Mariners...and I hope the last 2 wins (heart-attack kind) are a huge win streak.....

BTW...Attention Johnny Mac....More Adam Jones, and please yank Ho-Ram and Weaver from the rotation....at least see where we stand with Campillo and other potential #5 starters next year.

KING FELIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank Goodness,

King Felix comes through and ends the dreaded losing streak...and finally allows me to post something.
Watching a 2 game leads in the wild card and only 1 game behind the Anal-Angels, plummet into 7 games behind the angels and 2 games BEHIND THE YANKEES has to be the worst week and a half of my life.

This Mariner team is 2 Starting pitchers from being "playoff good"...
The Mariners offense is good, but far from potent of the elite teams....

BUT....

They are in the still Playoff hunt...

I've had this feeling since the beginning of the year they would make the playoffs, and have felt it was going to be in dramatic fashion....but I never expected the heart-attack methods they are using.....Four 6+ game losing streaks? No other team has done it before and made the playoffs.

I'd give anything for the Mariners to pull this out.....

Man this feels sooooooo good......

Its so much fun watching the ups, downs and developement of a great pitcher.

I know the Mariners...When they make the playoffs....Its probably gonna be the Wild Card.....

But....It would be another story book playoff run to win the division....I know its a pipe dream...I will definatley take the wild card....but If the do win the division...at least I will be down as believing they would overtake the angles (because if there is a team that can do it, its the mariners...they have the potential of winning 20 out of 22)


GO MARINERS!!!!!

This close to ...........

...Suicide.

I wasnt going to post until the Mariners snapped their losing streak.....

Well that didnt work out to well....

I cant remember the last time I have been so sad and mad at the same time.

Winning the division is now a pipe dream.....
The Yankees are now ahead by a game in the Wild Card....

The Mariners cant hit now....
And when they can....
The crew of "veteran" relievers Bavasi keeps bring in....
I CANT FUCKING PITCH BETTER THAN THEY CAN!!!!!

I am all for getting guys to round out the back of the bullpen...
BUT USE THE GOOD GUYS FOR THE KEY SITUATIONS!!!!!!

I love Johnny Mac....but I am starting to think he might not have the knowledge for the job.....it doesnt take a rocket scientist. I've be a supporter since his first game as manager (before that...I actually thought bring him in as bench coach was the best offseason signing for the Mariners)

I know we have to use Rick White, John Parrish and whatever "I've been through the wars with experience" relievers.....but sheeeeesh.....
How about giving them a shot to succeed....how about showing the guys who have been there all year some respect.

I am sorry....but Rick white in the Aug 25 game...what in the world was he even doing in the game????? He should have pitched in the game on the 23 to get his feet wet...(pick any of the last 3 innings)....5+ run lead.....JJ pitched that day in a non-save? and ya cant use Rick white? Save Green for the next game? save EOF for the next game? ETC ETC ETC

WAKE UP AND Smell the pinetar.

I'm just mad...instead of cheering the Mariners, hoping to make the playoffs (think we could) but for EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE TEAM TAKE THE WEEK OFF (Pitching, defence, hitting, managing).....I have never been so dissapointed in a team....its not losing that bothers me (I loved the 77 mariners...and talentwise...honestly....they sucked...but I loved just watching them....guys like Julio cruz giving everything to get a ball etc etc etc).

I am Rambling soo much I am not making any sense.....

I hope this is just a bog set up.....
Where they go on one of the several losing streaks...and then down the stretch squeek into the playoffs.

Today is the Biggest series of the year.....

Its Monday...and its Game 1 of the Angels @ Mariners series.....
The Mariners MUST take at least 1 game.
It would be good to take 2 games (especially if the yankees lose 2 of 3)
A sweep? Going down the stretch on top of the division....definately better than hoping the Angels drop a couple and the yankees dont catch up.....

Its a huge serirs for the Mariners....for the Angels....as long as they dont get swept, its not that big to them.

I cant remember the last time I was so excited this late in the year....the next week and half or so will make the playoff race clear....
Angels, Yankees, Tigers.....

The Mariners need to maintain their lead over new york in the wild card while New york has the easier schedule...if they can make it to the last 2 weeks of the regular season a haed or at least tied....The Mariners will pull it out on my opinion...but New york has such a cupcake schedule.....
If the Mariners has Baltimore and Tampa in the division....the yankees would be 10 games behind....We've got Texas and thats it....those extra 18 games against the worst sure do help the spankies....great for padding the record....Unbalanced scheduling sure helps several teams.

Welp.....I would love an early x-mas present from the Mariners....and I am hoping for Mariners on Thursday being in 1st

Another Day, another Mariners win....

The King Delivers.....

Felix was the Man tonight in Texas....retiring 13 straight tonight in Texas, Even in 99 degree humidity weather.

20 games over 500, half game out of first....2 and a half up in the Wildcard.

I just have this feeling this is the year.

In 1995 Everyone knew we werent gonna win the world series....No one cared either....
Edgar squuezing the life out of the Yankees in the Divisional series, The excitement hang=over never wore off....The Indians could have swept us in the ALCS....we didnt care, We did the Impossible at the time.....

2001, Even though we set the record with 116 Wins, I still had the feeling we werent gonna win it all....That team was one of the greatest "team" of all time....but you could just feel that the Yankees were gonna win before game 1 even started....
It was great, but I just knew there would be a year that would build up even great.

2007...this is the year.....
all the pundits predicted the Mariners as cellar dwellars...
Picked us to finish behind Texas....
Predicted Mike Hargroves Firing in May....

Well....With the Exception of Texas (I actually picked them to finish 3rd ahead of Oakland this year)....I have been spot on with my predictions so far.

This is the year that Mariners fans in the Year 2030 will always talk about....

Its weird....I just know it....
The Mariners have an Offense that is perfect for the playoffs...It can score up and down the line-up, It doesnt count on the 3 and 4 guys to score the majority of the runs.

I am just Rambling...and not making much sense

I've been saying it all year that they were gonna make the playoffs.....

But now the King is coming around.....He's not there like he was for the 1st 3 starts....but when the playoffs get here.....you can count on this....Game 1 and 4 will be victories by King Felix

I need some sleep...

But one last thought.....

ATTENTION GOLD GLOVE VOTERS
At 3B there is only one choice:
Adrian Beltre !!!!!!!!!

There is not a better defensive 3B in the Majors.

ATTENTION MVP VOTERS
At the Top of the Ballot
Ichiro

Go MARINERS !!!!!!!
Forever Blue

Its been a While....

I havent post in a long time.....Got so busy completely forgot....

To get back up to speed....

Killing the Sngs this week...some crazy ROI of almost 40% for over 300 SnGs.


The Mariners....Oh yeah Baby....This is the year...

95 got seattle excited about Baseball

2001 got seattle to Love baseball, and provided for a fanbase that could weather 3 horrible years of bad teams.

2007 is going to be the year the Mariners Make the World Series....I say it every year at the beggining of the season....but this year is soooooooo different....

Our starting Staff is amazingly average....Our line-up is good...but it doesnt scream "scoring machine".....they just score when needed, and when it counts.....I lost count of all the come behind victories this year.

Adrian Beltre.....This is the year he finally gets rewared....if Chavez by some freak miracle wins the gold glove...the Mariners should hire someone to steal it back.
Adrian Beltre is the Best Player over all in the division.....PERIOD.....There are better hitters....but as a whole...with the bat and glove....Beltre could be MVP
(its like poetry watching him barehand and throw them out with ease.

Ichiro....5 more years...and the best 90 Million ever spent.

Jose Guillen....Mr Fire....for a guy everyone wondered if he would be the source of the team to implode in the locker room at the begining of the year....Bavasi deserves a standing ovation for taking the risk.

Raul....I hope ya end up being full time DH.....

The doubleMint twins Yuni (Mr "I can cover all of the area of SS and 2B at the same time") and Mr Lopez....giving us good D up the middle.

Richie.....As Mac to sit ya please....either that or hit 10 HRs in the playoffs

Kenji and Jamie....the best catching Duo in the AL

JJ and the Power Company.....the best Bullpen in the Majors hands down

Mike Hargrove...thanks grover....Seattle loves ya.

Johny Mac....psst...adjust the lineup for lefties please.

Adam Jones (not the pac man...the stud mariner of the future)......get use to LF....you're gonna be there for years to come.

I am just so frigging excited about this team....there is somethign special...
1 Game out of 1st in the West
2 games in front in the Wild card...

The Biggest series in a long long time coming on the 27th.

A world series for My Mariners would be a great early X-mas present

Go M's

This Sucks Big ones

I havent posted in a while.....

the Last 500 tournies.....

I've ran them through SNGWiz SNGPT SNGEGT etc etc

My missed pushes and calls are virtually nothing.....
ROI -10.20% for those tournies.

I know...small sample and all...but....

I think those idiots in the STTP are lieing through their asses...the more I read of their crap (the supposed ones who are good...well...."forum buddies" proclaiming each other and SNG gods and how everyone else sucks)

I'm still profitable overall....variance sucks....but there has to be something.

I mean...I am folding stuff I know is a must fold (it kills me to do it...but I have been)...and its not making any difference in the bottom line...

and I cant figure out what I was doing for the first 4000 tournies that games me 3 times the ROI

No one reads this anyway...I have no idea why I am writing it.

Pretty decent evening

Yesterday I was up a little....today I am playing really well...

The results of the day so far....

Well I am slightly ahead with 4 tables still open....

Results have been okay....I have been playing much better than the results indicate.

Diet is going real well....and the exercise (kinda look forward to going to the gym)

Stephi is doing real well....this is going to help her out soooooo much....
its going to be a long road to get to the weight she needs to...but she can do it.

I love my daughter so much....

Being a single dad sucks....

But....being a dad has a lot of cool times too (single sucks, but of course ya cant trust most people anyways)

Well...better get back to playing....kinda a semi update of the day.

Havent played much.

Note to self: PLAY MORE POKER!!!!!!

I haven't posted for a while

I really havent played much in the last week...

I am just about even on the ones I have played.

My daughter and I started a diet last week...as well as going to the gym on a regular basis....

It pretty cool.....well...I am a very closed person...with everyone.
For me I really do enjoy doing things with my daughter....


some days are harder than others....essentially...I wish people didnt lie...I wish people werent evil...I wish I could read minds....

I am just rambling.


time for bed

SnG Results for the day

I got a late start on the SnGs, but I go a bunch in

I didnt play any in the morning...and just played MTT all afternoon and evening.

After the MTTs, watch a movie and went to KFC...came back with a full belly...and getting a serious caffeine high (I normally get decaf diet coke, but the shop and rob didnt have any so I got regular)

So My heads a bit fuzzy playing.

I've been practicing playing 12-24 tables at a time at the $6.50...that way when I do the $27s I'll be comfortable doing 9-16 tables...I can do 9 pretty well....but the 16 tabling is definately making me focus more....I am missing reads...but thats from the volume....it is making me play tighter, which is good.

Results for the evening:

3 total hours (of course the first and last 25 mintues only played about 4-6 tables so it really was only a little over 2 hours)

43 tornaments
$125.50
44.90% ROI
60.47 ITM
4 1st 11 2nd 11 3rd
Average place 3.57

Was pretty pleased overall...couple of the 2nds were just bad luck of the villan sucking out horribly.

A couple of the 3rds were bad plays on my part....thats the one good thing about a bad play...LOL...other guys who multitable, or players who take notes....
LOL...the put in their notes "He's a Donkey"...lol....


Probably just grind out the $6.50 and 20+ table them for the next week and play the WCOOP events....as well as the satellites....bankroll is fine for the $60s...but I think I am just gonna plow the $16s and $27s and just play more ABC poker....
If I am just playing 4 tables...$60s are great....but those swings and seeing $2k in 2-3 days...just kills me mentally (funny...I can drop tons and it doesnt effect me...but lose 8 out of 10 SnGs in a set...it just puts me off my game slighlty -EV.

Its funny...thats how well I am starting to play...I can feel...and then see little things that are effecting my game in situations....
ITS GREAT!!!!
And..of course...one of the things I noticed....is that I just want to play the $530s because I have a roll for it....mentally...on the surface....conscious...I feel right at home...BUT...its that 1 or 2 hands that I play too aggro or dont play the obvious and play too passive....
I mean...if ya look at the HH...ya might see it...but in general...just the boarderline plays, but just enough to make me -EV for the week.
Of course at the higher limits, less margin for error.

Okay...lol....ramble ramble ramble.

I was just going to experiment with the 150 tournies a day...but I think I can make the volume make up for any loss in ROI, the extra tables are actually fixing the one or two leaks of folding spots I should fold, so it evens out.
(LOL...ROI is actually higher at the low limits when I play even more tables)

Okay...need to set the fantasy teams and goto bed.

Craig

Another Fine day.....MTT Satellite results

Well....Pretty stoked for the WCOOP events the next 8-9 days....

Today I played a couple Satellites (One, fpp PLHE $530, One FPP NLHE $1050, and One Moneymaker Millionaire freeroll)

The pot linit....LOL...I actually dont remember how or why I busted out...the only thing I remember is I was playing decent...but didnt place....definately gonna have to review that one.

The MM freeroll....I dunno what is about those damn things...I kick ass on them for 3-4 hours...get to the final 200 or so (50 qualify) and I brainfart...I need to remember its a damn satellite...1st doesnt pay more than 50th

(very weird...cause I do play the regular satellites (non-turbo) very very very well...I mean...I should have at least 5 or 6 of those round 2 tickets...I definately need to concentrate on not letting the fatigue get to me and not thinking before I move.

Last but not least...the $1050...I played like a superstar...I was reading the table like I knew everyones cards.

If I keep playing better and better like this....I got a great shot at winning a bracelet...if not two.

I mean...example...

In a hand...I wasnt even in (i'd already folded)
About 20+ people left....pays 18.
a 2+2er ( ryanghall ) in the single tournament forums pushed on the button (or it might have been the CO highjack seat)...he was medium stack (on the small side of medium)...
I thought to myself "He's got Ten or Jack high"...
Sure enough...SB calls and he turns up Ten Five offsuit.

The real scary part is...I called the bottom end of the SB rage to call it.

And I really wasnt paying that close of attention at that point (bad leak, I was watching a movie at the same time)

For WCOOP sats this week I am 50% ITM.
I wish I would have started playing these things earlier...I could have converted all my FPPs to $W ...LOL...I am averaging about $1100 a day in W$ this week.

Still need about $1500 more I think (enough to play the PLHE, 6p PLHE, $1050 NLHE and the MAin event $2600, limit even and maybe the stud)

I dunno...I'm not a great stud player...and its been a while since I even touch a limit table.

Damit...I should have played the Damn Razz tourny...probably my 2nd best game, I wish there was more volume on the SnGs for Razz, I would make a bundle...most of the people are just dumb and dont have a clue.

Okay...gonna make two post...this one for run down about MTT and next about SnGs

Craig

Long Day

Afternoon and evening I played MTTs...(4 total, 1 FPP 3 cheapy ones) bombed on all of them...made astupid move...really cost me.

After that...LOL....I gave a try at 20+ tabling....(dropped down to the $6.50 to do it)
went pretty well...played 107 and have a 57 ITM and 46% ROI.

I think the more tables I play...definately need to cascade them...dont have to go looking for the active table....but of course ya lose all reads on players....
But...quantity can offset the quality...it does make me play tighter...but I do have to be careful

Okay...sleep time

Craig

Hmmm...Maybe I should play more Multi Tables MTT

Well...

Played a coupld Sngs in the last two days....should have played more cause I was on fire....the slump a while ago, starting to seem like a distant memory.

Definately an up month....up alot considering the low level stakes I have been playing.

Pokerstars has the WCOOP ( WOrld championship of online poker) this and next week.

Decided this week to play a bunch of FPP and VIP FPP satellietes.
(would have done it in the last couple weeks...but been focusing on building the bucks with SnGs...its poker...but the games are strategically very different.

Part of the reason I decided to play some of the FPP sats..because they had discounted the buy ins for some of the sats (such as the $215 cost 13500 in FPP to purchase...the sat give 1 seat for 6750 fpps)
Basically...instead of break even as 1 in 10....break even with the points is 1 in 5.

Essentially 1/2 buy ins....so decided to play a couple yesterday and today.

and...I am glad I did...and gonna play a BUNCH more of the next couple of days.

Entered:

5 Tournies (4 $215 and 1 $1050)
FPP cost total to me 5900
3 tourny wins (2 $215 and 1 $1050)
$1480 W$
FPP point value 93000

Not a bad day....Definately need to play as many as I can before sunday...that way I can determine which WCOOP events I will play...wish I would done this earlier...
Wasnt playing brilliantly...but playing good satellite strategy (LOL...one guy went from chip leader to out in 3 hands...ON THE BUBBLE?!?!?!?!?! LOLOLOLOL)

The Funny thing was, that the first hand he lost was over a 3000 chip pot on the river....they both check all the way to the river...then the moron pushed trying to steal the pot...the other guy had flopped Top Boat and slowplayed it....
What a Moron...Big Stack poker against other big stacks in a satellite...stoopid.

Welp...hope tommorrow turns out similar...I think I have about 45000 FPP left after I bought all that crap (still need a new monitor...almost held out to buy it instead of playing the sats...glad I didnt...I could sell the W$ and buy 2 monitors)

Good poker day....time to go play some SnGs

Variance sucks....but at least I ended the day up.

Well...its been a rollercoaster ride last night and today.

I had a horrible start....dont remember the exact number...

But was down 15 buyins almost immediately...

Started with a couple really bad beats...
Then...honestly...I played like crap.

LOL...almost had a panic attack...flashbacks of the downswing that made me skip dropping down to the $27s all the way to the $6.50s cause my confidence was shot.

I printed out a bunch of numbers off pokertracker....compared them to winning and losing data.

Realized when I do hit a downswing...need to play less hands...especially until I am playing the $114s....remember that I dont need to outplay the villians...they will hang themselves at the $27 and under.

Dont remember who told me....but...

"When you're uncertain on how you're playing....take the 'marginal' out of marginal hands and fold them"

Well...considering I was down a huge amount for the last 24 hours...I musta made a huge comeback...

Thats right folks....down 15 buyings with an hour+ and down over 20 buyins....and...Presto...
Start paying attention to my play, and folding marginal spots even if it felt like I was on the + side...sure enough....watching 10 different hands were the range said call, but the villian was insanely strong....

Its funny...3 of those hands I would have sucked out on...5 of them I would have just chalked it up to bad luck....

Making "big descisions" for small pots doesnt make sense.

I ended up $23 for the day....a friggin miracle.

played good...but got unlucky from suckouts once heads up, or would have been really insane comeback.

Fantasy Baseball news...

Two leagues I am in...
In the championship game in one (blew the guy out in the semis 12-1)
The other one...I think I am in the Champ game...its gonna be close...gonna come down to the whip...I'll know in the morning

Fantasy football...
Both leagues, still undefeated....I rock when it comes to targeting guys who dont get drafted.


Bedtime

Mid month report card

Well....

Definately playing solid compared to last month...I still feel slightly off...especially when I start the day....feel great mentally and physically...but its those first 6 tournaments that I have trouble getting into a groove (I still manage to lose more than I win starting off.....essentially out fo 30-40 in a day...I suck for the for 10..and play catch up...then break even or catch on fire)

This is the problem I was having before...but to a greater extent....now I am aware of it...pretty much have to emotionally will myself to play even tighter.

Playing the $27 again....its basically a mixture of the $55 and $16 players (1/2 loosey goosey and half solid 2+2er )

I think I am just gonna grind the $27s twice as long and not move up immediately...I figure a couple weeks of making solid $$ and still tweeking some minor bad habits would be best.

I am very concerned though...that playing more tables is gonna have the same result (I jumped upto 9 tables from 6...had success for a month or so...played tighter...and looser.....i.e. tight at the wrong times...loose at the wrong time...opposite of what they should have been.)

I think maybe what I will do...is in a week or so.....an hour or two a day...I will practice 9 tabling at the $6 or the $15

I dunno...I just dont want to dump $3000 in two weeks (29% ITM sucks)...I mean...nothing specific I did...just way to many boarderline calls/pushes.....

Need to remember...let them make the mistake....I cant force them to make it.

Thinking about playing the Razz WCCOOP #1 tournament tommorrow...I am pretty damn good at the razz SnGs...but I dunno about the MTT Razz.... I dunno...My MTT game is pretty out of whack with all the SnGs....I mean...I use to be 5 times better at Multi TAble than Sit and Gos ...but lately I cant even make the money or whatever....well...thats not true...I final tabled the Gold and Platinum VIP tourny a little while back....

Maybe I should play some...I do, do better with deeper stacks...last year bubbled in 4 WCCOOP events (lol...I forgot about that....3 of the ultimate suckouts...I need to relive the one...

2.5 mil guarenteed WCCOOP Main event....

Full table....
10 positions from the money and $3000
I'm MP1....
I have JcJh...

I raise 3.5 BB PFR
BB calls
Flop...10d 10h Js

I flopped top boat (if he flopped quads more power to him)

BB bets 1/2 pot...

I pause...( I aint folding of course)

I reraise a little more than the minimum...thought about flat calling..but I felt he would come along and stack me on the turn..just need a litle more to get him pot committed....

He pauses...then pushes all in...I think "Quads? no way"...and I call...
He turns up 7d6d
YEAH....7d6d I almost died laughing....then...the miracle....
Only 1 way he can split the pot....
Runner runner Tens (less that .5%)
Only way he can win is:
8d 9d
for the straight flush...

Lets just say....I thought I was gonna be chip leader heading into the money....
Instead he hits the .2% miracle and gets the straight flush....

Best part was....when he said "You should have folded when I raised the flop"

LOL...Top Boat and he thinks I should have folded...I had him crushed.

I am getting all worked up about it again....Every1 has a bad beat story...but damn....I was top 10% in chips...and so was he....normally I dont mess with other big stacks...but I hit the flop hard...I might have thrown a set away at that point...but not a Boat...I would have been chip leader with more chips than spots 10-3.

Okay...enough...bedtime

Mid month graph

A day early...but here is the graph for this month....

Sure took a huge hit because I dropped down in buyins....end of the month should be double at least...and I'll play at least 200 more than I played in the first half.

Good and bad poker day...Mariners didnt play

First...Mariners had the day off...

I just realized something today...

Mariners are above 500 against the following

AL East (over .600 win perc)
AL Central
Interleague (something rediculous like .800 win perc)

The only place they lose...is within the division.

14-34 ...20 games below 500...

If they didnt play the west and were in the east...they would actually be tied with the yankees.

Poker today...

Played alot...

something like 55 tournies....
35+ ROI
56.14% ITM

But....I donked into alot of 2nds today...and even more 3rds than 1st...
Thankj goodness I made ITM alot today...kept the ROI up.

Pokerstars had the deposit bonus today...
I wish more of the sites had more traffic on the turbos that had monthly bonuses...

Wish bodog was pokertracker compatible...or absolute poker would change the points toward the bonus on SnGs

Whine whine whine....funny how I had a good "results" day and I am whining.

I need to get a new computer or split screen for more tables.

Craig

Seattle Mariners and Poker...both went well yesterday, but not today....

Missed posting yesterday....

I got on a roll...couldnt lose...78% ITM..needless to say my ROI was on the positive side.

I spent the rest of evening reading and catching up on SMGPT of the past tournaments
(that reminds me, I have to do that tonight)

So....Tuesday was awesome...Mariners won...and won at Poker...and it was Edgar Martinez photograph giveaway (unfortunately I didnt make it to the game to get one, gonna have to get one off of ebay)

Today...

Poker I lost $3 (it felt like alot more...played exremely poorly most of the day, but the times I did play well...I was on fire, it was like I they were playing with their cards face up....extremely weird...I played like crap at times...and..like I said...unbeatable.

The Mariners...well...they got whooped tonight...10-0...
So much for Cha Seung Baek making the rotation next year....
Well...he might..but he got pounded tonight...I actually turned the game off.

Hmmm...I know watching the game and playing poker is -EV...but I wonder when I was playing well...hmmmm...I'll have to check that out.

Lately...I dunno why...but I have been craving pies like crazy...Makes ya wonder...poker leads to pie cravings...beware.

I really should play some WCOOP sats...spending lot of time with my SnG game and totally neglecting MTTs....Really wish I wouldnt have had that downswing.

Welp...gotta get some sleep

Craig

Its late and writing to motivate...

Pretty much just read alot today..played a little

I think I have come to the conclusion that I have been just using too much Donk aggression...need to play solid hands and quite trying to steal with Ace rag.

I dunno..hard to tell.

probably finished up a couple bucks...

Right now In the Moneymaker millions qualifier...
98 people left...
I have a meager stack...not critical stack...but hanging around like most of the others...
have a a couple 30k stacks at the table...but funny thing is...leader at the table is only 40th over all...
I hope they either leave the table together or break it soon.

Well...
Wish me luck.
Craig

Short post tonight

Pretty much broke even fore the night

About 20 tournies
0% ROI

I am tired as hell.

Probably going to the Seattle Mariners Game tommorrow against the Texas Ranger at Safeco field.

"Accidently" didnt sell the pair of Diamond Club tickets.

I love those seats...If I ever get the money cranking....I want season ticket in the Diamond Club.

Free food, free drinks...everything delivered to your seat...free everything.

Big price difference though to my regular season tickets.

Quick Mariners Rundown...

Kenji--- What an great signing...I love Jo...a catcher that can hit
Ichiro--- He's Ichiro and we love him
Beltre--- ...Hot..cold...hot..cold and least hes got Defense
Sexon--- Its either a HR or a K...need people to get on for him...2007 will be big
Y-bet--I love his Defense...great to watch
Lopez--- I have high hopes, but I have a bad feeling he's gonna be average
Raul---...he's a real good hitter... very underrated.
Snelling--- I hope he can stay healthy...exactly what the mariners need as #2 hitter
Reed---I dont know why he cant hit...hopefully when his thumb heals he fixes it

Felix---Next year will be a break out year.
Washburn---still think we overpayed to get him...9 Mil was way to much...but he;s a lefty
Meche--I dunno if the Mariners will resign him...really depends on the young guys and who they target in the ofseason
Piniero---he's gone unless he wants to sign for bullpen and less money
Woods, Lowe, and Baek---Hopefully one or 2 will emerge as a middle rotation startter

Soriano---I love this guy...got his strength back this year...lights out next
Putz---Gotta love JJ...hope he can repeat next year
Mateo---I actually hope they dont resign him...heart skips a beat everytime he pitches

MARINERS MANAGEMENT< PLEASE READ>
Go and bid/sign
Daisuke Matsuzaka
and another good pitcher (Schmidt for less or Zito)

Okay bed time...have to remind myself not ramble on about the M's...

Go MARINERS!!!!

I couldnt take it any more

I really couldnt take it any more....if I see someone call an allin with 42os with 25BB and 25/50 blinds I think I will go crazy.

I moved back up today

Results for the day.

21 tournies
47.62 ITM
40.63 ROI

4 1st
3 2nd
3 3rd

Started offf slow with my traditional losing 3 straight.

I played well on a couple....
but to be honest...I felt like I played too tight once it got down to 5 or less....
several times in the SB had it folded to me and I didnt steal when I should have.

decent results consider I feel like I played like crap.

I'm up and thats what matters....

Bedtime

Am I playing good, or the competition is horrible?

Well...I played pretty good today...results...were even better...could have played a little better (sounds condisending when ya look at the numbers for the day)

Todays Numbers

24 Buy ins

83.33% ITM
135.38% ROI

8 1st
4 2nd
8 3rd

(donked a couple times and got 3rd because I was being stupid)

I am definately just gonna move up either tommorrow or thrusday....
Got plenty of bankroll...and its time to step up and get back where I am suppose to be.

The $55+$5 are where I know I can play easily....lol....I hate it when I tell myself something...and I have to do it.
Probably shouldnt have gone down so far....cause I have to get use to the nuances of each level of buyin.

But yeah, 70% of the players are horrible...at the $60 there is about 20% of the REAL horrible players..but at least there is about 30% that know whats up in a Sit and Go.


Note to Self:

Remember other level will not be as loose and wild.
Gonna need to play more to win.

Okay, May I will change my plan

Well...I had planned to play about 250+ $6.50 (funny thing is...with the exception of some joke SnGs that I palyed...i.e. playing one where I just went all in every hand for 20 hands straight (lol....just remembered that...I finished 2nd and played 85% of the hands)

But 57& ITM I know its small sample, but dang...I can beat these guys with my eyes closed.

(keep trying to talk myself out of it)

Pretty much decided I will play about 50 more and then move up....seems kinda pointless and a waste of time...but...just doing this experiment...definately seeing some of the mistakes I was making.

Today went like this.

28 tournaments
57.14 ITM
72.09 ROI

6 1st
8 2nd
1 3rd

The sad thing though...couple of those heads up I played really crappy...I mean...I could have easily been 12-2 in headsup...realistacally it should have been 10-4...

I really do need to reign it in a little once it gets to the money....I realized I am in the habit of shoving too much 3 handed...well...okay..shoving in the wrong spots...
As well I need to own the table a little more if I am the middle stack....especially if the big stack is giving me the control...

Need to read and react....
When I am focused....honestley I cant be beat...
Example:

3way...One guy thinks he's owning the table he's got me by 1500 chips...but were at 100/200 25 ante...we both have 25BB+...letting him have 3% of the chips ever 3rd orbit...he can knock himself out...I knew there was about a minute or two till the blinds went up...and when they did...Bam...Boom...shorty is making diamonds in his butt...and Mr IamGonnaSteal200BlindsWith5000chipAllinBet...well..
Kinda funny when ya push...they fold...you push again...they fold...then since ya have the chip lead now...ya show them 63os...it rattles them...so 2 hands later when ya push...they call with J6s and ya turn over KK....
Normally I never show cards...but I just knew it would set him over the edge....
The more I think about it...probably shouldnt have show till I got part of his stack...If I went total card dead...lost some fold equity.

Hmmm..for the situation it was 95% right

Okay...I am Rambling....

The players are definately loose with their calls....got called with the J6 and 75s today...for no reasons...well...bad reasons.

Man are the $6.50 tables full of bad players

I cant wait until I've played enough to move up (got tons of bankroll and can kill them, but I told myself I wouldnt move up until I played a certain amount at each level)

I understand there are alot of people who are just starting...but DANG....

People bluffing at a coordinated board with 7 people seeing the flop...I mean...
LOL....doesnt take a genius.

If anything, I am playing tighter, but more aggressive when I do....

Which is surprising....cause it would be real easy to be tempted to play marginal hands in bad spots, because the people are that bad.

didnt check exactly the numbers today...
but approx

58% ITM
ROI around 55%

Decent day, even though I started stone cold

I wonder if playing with the bad players will through off my game?
Just means I will have to focus in and adjust more to each level....
LOL...there are some bad players at the $60s...but dang...7-8 people each tourny

Okay...time for some more reading and stuff.

Shuffle up and deal

Craig

The Retraining conitnues

Well...overall I feel better than I have about my game....

Still need more aggression in the middle stages (need to watch out though, so I dont get hyper aggressive in blind stealing)
Also need to push less....
look for spots to 2.5BB to 4BB pfr

Definatley need to make a list of daily things to do.

played about half my games on pokerstars...and the other half on Bodog (I sure wish Bodog was pokertacker compatible...I pwn Bodog when I play there....
I'm up about 500 over the last couple days...and its not because of running good...the players are sooo predictable....really soft less than average players.

PS
60 Ts
+$182.40 profit
46.77 % ROI
53.33 % ITM (and if I wouldnt have donked a couple...alot higher)

I'm gonna play another 140 at the $6.50 and then move up
(was gonna make myself play 500 and at least 20% ROI....
BUT..I am reading and doing other things to help and playing less for the time being...and knowing that the $6.50t are no actual challenge....well...500 is excessive considering I use to ROI over 10% in the $27 and $60s (well at least 5000 tournaments)

I still dont get it..maybe I pulled the plug to soon...but a 70 buyin downswing, it had to mean something....I know variance...but -12% ROI over 500 tournies...
REALLY hard to swallow..and if it was "just" variance...well..so be it..because it did kick the ass of my confidence.

We Will rebuild me....
Bigger...
Badder...
Dominant...

LOL...

Definately need to start reviewing with SNGPT more....I definatley need to make a list of TO DO things...

Over all Good day....

Playing less and reading more....

I need to be mor selective in "situations"...not card selection (well okay...both)

I saw a couple hands today...I definately should have bumped the pot...good position...dead money in the pot...practically begging me to take it...but I didnt

I dont know if reading strategy stuff is gonna help...I seem to "read" it..understand...but...doesnt seem to get lodged in my brain...
What I mean is...when I see the situation occur...I recognize it afterwards and the "whys".

I am the verge of being unstoppable again...I can feel it...
but I am still not there...I mean...I know there are some things I definately need to do.

Search Craig...search....2+2 searches....its soooo boring though....weeding thru 100 post to find one that has good info.

I actually seached so much today...I was reading posts from 2004

Okay...back to reading.

Oh...

Up for the day...$4.50
didnt play much

Random playing

At the Moment, on break in the MoneyMaker Millon round 1 qualifier...

121 people left...I'm on the short stack (lol..and so is half of the field)

Hopefully I can catch a couple hands right after the break...the HUGE stack of course is directly on my left...so I really cant get too crazy...he's been calling quite a bit of people...he's 2 or 3 in chips and can crush me like a bug...hopefully he'll triple me up or more.

Rest of the day...

play 10 on Bodog...down about $30...
played all the VIP pokerstars free rolls.

I placed in one of them, but I dont remember which one...was less than $100 so I didnt note.

The Month 100k...when from 10th in chips...to out in 3 hands...2 bad beats in a row on 3 outers (one was a 1 outter)..pathetic players...I was Donking it up a little today as well...

Well...break is about to end...hopefully...same thing will happen the last time I posted her during the last MTT I played during break...I think I came up 4th...
Fourth works...just need top 50

Craig

And the MARINERS WON!!!!!....4 out of 5...if the didnt have to play the AL West...they would go undefeated (12 games over 500 vs the AL east)

Just messing around

I really need to get out of my own head....

I know exactly (well, not a specific thing) what I am doing wrong...

Too agressive (over playing several types of hands)
Too passive on other types of hands...

I was messing around at the $3.40 tables (playing 12 tables at the same time)
And 80% of the players there are loose Donks...

Flop: A K 6

Me 66

Guy leads into me....its a $3 table....

I call?!?!?!?! what am I doing....reraise and get him committed with TP

Soooo...thats when I realized I gotta get out of my own head....I mean...double slowplaying is kinda dumb.

So...went over to Bodog for a while....I love the blind structure over there... just wish it was poker tracker compatible....with the deposit bonus, increases the ROI by 10% and the games are pretty soft...well...a little...but not alot of $50s available...

Play about 20 at the $22s at bodog...the software is kinda weird...came out $240 ahead.....woulda been alot more...but the last 3...oh my...call me Mr Bubble.
and Mr Unlucky...lol...me...top set..then..turn..river...straight for villian...
TPTK with flush draw....then...turn...river...lol...his pair ends up being a Full boat (btw I hit my flush on the river)...

I keep reading and tweeking...I still feel off...I know I am not being aggressive enough...but dont want to be overly agressive like I use to be....I just cant seem to put people on cards....might be dropping down to work things out with the villians...well...lol...I saw the best hand today...

Villian #1 raises 4x bb pfr
Villian #2 Calls a 4x bb pfr

Flop comes Ks 6c 9c

villian #1 pot raise
Villian #2 calls....

Turn.....As
Villian #1 2/3 pot raise
dumb villian #2...calls....

River... Jd
Villian #1 raises enough to put the dumb villian #2 all in.

dumb villian #2 calls

villian #1 shows AA
villian had: 4d 2h

LOLLOLOLOLOL...The Board was his hand....LOLOLOL

Hillarious...

Time to review the damn hands....I need to figure a way to review some of the hands I fold preflop...without taking forever.

LOL...forgot I am not Craigsmagic tonight...I am E_Martinez11 lol

Day 3.56 Last tournament of the night

I just played a flawless tournament (well, there was one hand...but I layed down TPMK to an all in on about the 10th hand....all Read...no logic...
I either had the best hand...or he had a set.
When I SUPER TIGHT player comes over the top...its either All bluff, or the nuts.

95% sure it was the nuts...either way...Huge laydown that set up the rest of the tournament

I ROCK....

2 hands later...one of the Aggro guys...decides he's gonna steal my blind (ya see someone lay down a hand to a reraise...I dunno what it is...even if its a very strong fold...people see ya fold to a raise like that...they think they can shove ya around...

So...know that he's LAG..he comes at my blind from good table steal position...
I come over the top of him....
He Folds like a little girl
(2 perfect reads...like I said...both...I felt like I was 99% right before I did them....95% sure afterwards...both times...thought before I moved.

I need to play more like this...this is what made me all that money for 4 months.

After that...

I PWNED THE TABLE.

Pushing every perfect spot...patient....and the BAM!!!!
I FRIGGIN saw the chip distribution....it click....
I went on a stone cold steal not in a good position....I only need to get by one person (from the chip stacks and reads)....and BOOM...took them down...and with that 700 chips...put me in position to shove everyone around the table.

It was sooooo perfect...
Last week..I would have folded in that spot...and wouldnt have thought twice about it...because all it shows up in PT is -50 chips for ante...and unless I review every hand...hell I would have missed it anyways.

IT WAS PERFECT...over 30 hands...I folded 6 times...thats insane 80% VIP...and the villians didnt have a clue...
LOL....I fold AT....lol...I ROCK...I mean...I could see the delay in folding...could sense that he had a Spite call coming real quick...so what do I do....?!?!?!?!?!

I Fold AT on his Big Blind...he keeps his chips that round...the next time I raise...he just gives it up.....4 in row without a fight after that.
Man....I PWN him...he needs to change his last name to mine.

and the funny Part....

I FINISHED 2nd....lol...Friggin awesome...not the 2nd...but he had to suck out from hell to beat me...he got first...but I pwn him...

Perfect...except the end result of 2nd

BUT

IF I play like that or 90% of that all the Time....ROI and ITM will be insane.

I ROCK...time to call it a night.

I ROCK...only one tournament...but damn...I read everything incredibly

Night Time

Good Night John Boy

Day 3.5 a New Begining

Okay...

Didnt play much today...but what I did play...play well and at about 90% of what I should (I was noticing mistakes afterwards....nothing big...just the standard
"Dang I really shoulda pushed there to steal the blinds"....
But thats good too...I really have to find the balance I had month ago

Lately...been to wimpy...before that..pushing with too much junk in bad spots
(UTG all-in with T4s with 6 left...not so smart with 10X BB)

Things need to do...
Little more Aggro on a hand or two when the 50/100...open up a little more
nothing major..just pick a spot or two....and 75/150 and 100/200 look to ramp up as the donks drop.

Attack the medium stacks....
conscious of the small stacks and FE with them
Be aware of the Big Stacks....steal if they will fold and can afford to lose
PAY ATTENTION TO THE BIG PICTURE of each tourney...and dont fold into oblivion.

PUNISH people for being tight.

Fold Equity is meant to be used...not saved.

Went to the Mariners Game.

Mariners beat the Yankees in the Bottom of the 9th

I love wqalk off homeruns....

YO ADRIAN BELTRE!!!!!!
Two Homeruns in one game.

Next year will be the Year of the Mariners.....

World Series 2007

Day 2: Today sucks

I dont get it....I really dont

I know they suck...
I stay out of way...
Play tight as hell...

call my push with JJ+ or AK+...

The Idiots...call with something like A2os 22 J4s (yes, J4s for all his chips and not short stacked....3 way pot)

I am just going to have to abbandon Tight play early...because if ya dont gather chips on these idiots...well....one of the millions will bust ya with 73s.

Maybe I dont know how to play...maybe those 2500 tournaments that I won tons of money...just pure luck.....I dont fucking get it...

I am sooooo fucking frustrated.

I mean..overall I played crappy today....I mean..I donked of bunches of chips here and there, but was smart enough not to go bust on those hands.
I need to start playing with crap...

I really do need to learn to play LAG better.

Fuck Poker....and Fuck the Mariners...friggin 11 game losing streak...14 games out of 1st place....2 weeks ago I had high hopes of the playoffs (yeah, might not have happen, but hope)...Now....Makes me wonder how they will be next year...

Cant score runs....None of the players can draw a walk
(Whats up with that Mr Bavasi? Did ya frigging try to build a team of free swingers who cant go deep into the count?

Do the Math Mariners Management...

Harder to have big innings when guys cant get on base with a walk...means ya have to string 4 or 5 hits together....plunk 2 walks in there with another team...well...ya score 5 instead of 3.

.270 with .310 OBP SUCKS!!!!!!! Who cares if they hit 20 HRS?!?!?!?!?!?
I'll take a guy who hits .300 and .390 OBP with 14 HRs any day.

Jarrod Washburn...How much money did we spend this offseason for him...
Dont get me wrong...he is a Great AVERAGE pitcher....I woulda rather saved the dough and picked up 2 premium pitchers this coming offseason...let me see...Zito or Washburn at Safeco? Hmmmm....Zito 100 votes to ZERO...for the same price.

Sick...

I hate poker...I hate everything...I hate Nancy Sue Chase.....

Its amazing how cruel and cold hearted people can be in this world....
Its always the ones that ya believe in...that ya truley think has a heart.

But...they dont...

I still cant understand how heartless she is..."I promise Craig"....and less than 24 hrs after I leave, setting up a date with others....

I am sooo Mad....I am soo Mad because this is something that will never go away.

I look at every single person like they are going to rip my balls off if I am not looking...

Fo Gawd fucking sake...My Mom asked me if stephi could help her after her surgery...
And my first frigging thought is "What is she up to? how is she trying to get me?"

ITS MY FUCKING MOM!!!!!

I am never gonna be the same....
Life sucks....
Dont want to be alone....
But I will...
Because...I cant tell who will lie to me...
I cant tell who the evil people are.

WHY?

I hurt so much....
I wish she would have just gone away....
I am so stupid to have believed her....
I believed every friggin word
FUCK....
I was pissed at myself for thoughts of doubt..I mean...Her I am appologizing to her about doubt thoughts, because IU felt deep inside she was true and honest

I hate it, I know now I should have never ever let me get to me again....

My god...she is so evil...I mean...I fucking layed it out there....

I hope she dies....and Someone lets me know to come and get Gindy and Jake

Day 1 of Re-training

This sucks....necessary but sucks.

LOL...I feel like such a loser at the $6.50 tables....dunno why...there are a few good players....guess its just dropping down so far....well...its kinda like being a Major league baseball player...and voluntarily go back to little league....it seeems silly

Welp.

Recap of the day.
Havent reviewed the tournies yet....BUT

First part of the day...just like I have been doing...not being patient enough...or being tooooo patient and missing the critical times I need to force something (i.e 4-5BB and blinds are going up within the next minute...essentially losing any FE Fold equity)

and...add in the insane beats....I dropped 7 of the first 8 Ts...

After a Break, and some forum reading at 2+2 (I think that might be a problem as well....I went on the downswing when I started reading more of the forums....always have browsed...but really started reading posts...and...well...might just be a coincidence...but it is weird that...READ...HUGE DOWNSWING of $3000

2nd Half of the day went alot better....no first at all...but I actually finished even for the day (not bad with no first and dropping 7 straight)

HU is always a rollercoaster...buteven against the best at worst in the long run in SnGs I am 50/50 HU...and most havent a clue how to play HU....I mean...you can tell someone who has no clue heads up when they comment about pushing 95s when alls ya have is 4BB on the button....I mean...fold...then what?....If ya have a little fold equity short stacked...ya HAVE to use it HU....

Okay...

This I need to work on....

Keep working on trimming some of the spots I push....
and
Pushing more in some spots (I was such a Donk on one hand...lucky no one called...pushing A2os with 6 people left when I had 13BB...and the two big stacks in the blinds...and near maniac callers....I actually would have derserve to bust for that one....

I need to think more....take time....I need to stop going...Think, decide, move all in a split second....
At least now I am seeing it right after I do it....

Bad Habits suck...

I know I'll break it sooner or later....Even when I do...something definately gonna have to watch.

I need to make a list

1) Push less in spots (cut back on the moves that a maniac makes)
2) Push more in spots (increase +EV pushes to be in position to pwn the table)
3) Take More time before making a decsision (dont just pick the first thing...1st thought is only right 90% of the time....means 10% it puts ya on the rail)
4) Take Time to think (writing it twice, because....some bad habits have become instinctual...all in with 22 in the SB with a Bigger stack, is different that UTG full table going all in with 22....
Situation, Chip stack, reads, cards, etc etc etc...I need to consider ALL....ALL info..not just most important....
Just considering the important stuff...makes ya a break even player at best...its the little things that make me a winning player.
5)Fold more and bet more often on the flop depending on the situation
(playing to passively at times with certain boards)
I REALLY REALLY need to work on that....at least I am noticing how some people are picking up on it so I can adjust
6) look for more spots to steal blinds from 50/100 to 100/200...not because of cards...but optimal player type and position and wont put me in a hole.
7) THINK THINK THINK....

Results for the day...

26 tournies -$7.00 Net -4.14% ROI 46.15 ITM
0 1st, 6 2nd, 6 3rds, 8 4ths, and 6 5ths

(gonna need to take a look at those 4th and 5ths...I know 2 of them I screwed up, but might be more)

The ITM placings...got unlucky on a bunch of the 2nds....REALLY unlucky...like Cracked AA unlucky...
Not worried about that...I was actually playing HU pretty good...shoulda been 4 and 2 easy.

Most of the 3rds were good 3rds...going for the win and came up short (60/40 favs and coming up short...it will balance in time)

Now I am really wondering about the 4th and 5ths...I thought I would have busted earlier on a couple...but I didnt....hmmm...LOL...I'm pissed because I didnt ITM more today...lol...typical me....

ANOTHER THING TO WORK ON

8) DONT GET DOWN ON THE GOOD...46% ITM is decent...dont need to rag on myself..I mean...the part of no 1st...that would be the spot to rag...but I cant because I was good....if I keep it up...ROI will naturally go up...I mean...if things would have averaged out today the way I played...50% ROI...Just gotta see what I did when I dumped those first ones....I "feel" it was something I was actually doing or not doing...

BUT, just like with the downswing...cant find it or put my finger on it.

All right..enough rambling...

I'll analyze the things tommorrow

EDGAR POWER!!!!!! #11 stands for AA ..the Power of Edgar is in every Poker Hand

Re-Training Myself

I am going back to the Basics

I have a Bankroll for the $60 easy (more like the $114s)

I'm dropping to the $16s and playing Max two at a time (staggered)

and concentrating on Reads (its so hard...mentally thinking...$16s...I can crush these guys...and makes ya laxidazical and I space to much...I mean...play 5 already...ITM 3 times...but I was reading the forums while playing 1/2 the time

(half the time with great reads.....made me think...I really should play a couple MTT once I get back to Reading the single table at a time....one of the reason I stopped MTT because I wouldnt concentrate enough because lack of 6 tabel stim.

Pretty much...starting from the beggining (well not really)
All ready read:
Some of the FAQ articals in SSHL and MSHL
Reread half of Harrington on Holdem vol 1
Just Got HoH vol 2 today (meant to read it along time ago...but when things started to dive...figured I better use some VIP points....End Game seemed good choice...Maybe I should order HOH 3....hmmm...I dunno...gonna be 3 weeks and I better be back to the $60s by then.

Thats the other thing I have to change....I have to one step at a time....like a Bluff....have to figure a range....get a read...if he's a total calling station...doesnt matter how my bluff is...it will fail....

Think first....think some more...then Do what the thinking process deducted.

I really should write down a plan...I mean...if I have 80%ROI over 20 torunies..I still should stay and focus...

Make sure its good habits....not impulsive pushes in marginal situations (yeah, I might be +EV...but a slightly -EV fold, can be a huge +EV on the next 2 hands...thus over all even more +EV
(plan the battles to win the war....how you win each battle can make the next one +EV easier)

Okay...have to run and get Steph...

FCCLA Vice President....gotta love school activities and Taxi-cab-dad

Craig

I Really Dont get it.....Starting over and Relearning

Okay....I know I am not the Best in the World....
I know I am not the Worst in the World....

So how in the world do I go from 44%+ ITM and ROI of 14%+ at the PS $60s
Over 2500+ Tounries...

to

35% ITM -12% ROI at those same $60s?!?!?!?!

I know all about variance....and the natural swings...but geez.....Thank goodness I didnt cash out part of my bankroll.

Its Still hefty enough to support the $60s ( If it needs to 100 buy ins...then okay, I would be a little short....but 30,40,50 buyins...I could be playing the $114s)

I mean...I drop $3000+ over about 500 tournies....

Some pretty bad beats....tons of ones to write home about....

I mean I actually had ITM of only 15% for a 100 tounry Range (I was practically crying...it sucked, but it was almost rediculous....I mean.....)

Example....I was tourny leader....(I'd just dropped 9 straight....but had my anti-tilt goggles on tight)

BIG BUbble leader...
I had around 8 1/2k
Villians had about 2200, 1500, and 900 respectively (approx)

Line to destruction:

I Pfr the shortie all in with AQs....he's 400 in the BB and calls the $500 more with
J7os

FLOP Ac Qd 9h
Turn 8d
River Ts

Okay...fine...I'm still 7.6 K
Next Hand

Me: AA
Same villian AQos
We're all in preflop

You guess it 4 card flush (turn and river complete it)

that stung a little...
5.8K in chips..and still the leader...

Me and the 2200 guy...(he's SB I'm BB)
I am wary when he completes (he is pretty much raising..only time he didnt raise coming in, was a limp reraise)

(found out later, he limped just for that fact, he saw me crush others limping into me)

So I am cautions and actually just thinking of dumping this hand on the flop no matter what.

I have 77....I check

Flop T 7 2 (rb)

I am thinking...Cool... and then I really start thinking...I want his money....
I have to check I think...because he couldnt have hit anything...and he is a little aggro in spots...he probe bets $250...The only thing I can think is he hopes it completely missed me and I have no draws . (either that or he was making so he could ...actually I have no clue...maybe I should find the actual hand and post that one...
it was pretty confusing and I kow I didnt play it perfectly...but a set...rainbow weak board that can barely help anyone....lol
I was so happy with the extra $250.

I actually push here...wasnt exactly sure if he would bet the turn if the wrong card came up...

He calls and shows 55....

Thats right folks....Turn 5....River 5 I lose to quads...losing the hand that ya cant lose


Thats enough hand stuff....friggin insane...next hand lost with KK raising...called by A4s.....and the Busto Hand...flop Top 2 and he sucks the straight on the river.

The ironic thing about all of those and that tourny...the worst I was at anytime...was a 70% favorite...on every hand when the money went in

Okay enough bitching...new post

The Day of having my big hands crushed

First of all....Pocket Aces just once today (most of the premium hands today..had very little of them, it will balance out though)

But I REALLY hate KK and QQ....
and AK too....

A5os T2os A3os K7s A3os A6os 53s 44 22

These are the hands people "CALLED WITH" and cracked my hands....

NOT JUST A RAISE....BUT ALL IN?!?!?!?!?!?!

MORONS...Ax and not in the blind...calling 3600 all in and they have 2200
IDIOTS.

I know in the long run it pays off...but geeze...I understand a spite call if someone has been shoving all day long...

Who calls with pocket 2s?!?!?! At BEST its a coinflip for all his chips (not even shortstack or big stack)

Rant Rant Rant...

Somehow I only lost a couple hundred today....felt like a WHOLE LOT more

Craig

HOLY COW!!!

I was just getting ready to sign off...when I actually look at the numbers at the beggining of this month.

Holy Cow....

I lost 18 of the first 19 tournaments this month. and 23 of 26
(I knew It was a bad downswing...but forgot how bad it was and how severe.

Man...lol...I think I better review that day again....see if it was as I thought it was...couple bad plays and just not winning the ones I was suppose to (AA vs 32os and lose)

Enjoy the nasty graph....

Decent Day for Poker, Horrible Day in Life

Pokerwise...not bad all things considering.....

Actually...with how I felt inside today....its a mircale that I played as well as I did.

My worst possible nightmare became my reality...
I hate people...I hate people who get close, and cant be truthful....
Its the only thing I ever wanted...just one person.

Today sucks....

today is officially the worst day of my life

I am not sure what is worse....

The Pain that I feel inside (which is the worst feeling I have ever felt)
or
Knowing that every day from now on....there is no hope for real happiness...
Just fear....and that every day will be the same crappy day.

Groundhog day...with the fun stuff.

Life SUCKS!!!!

Okay...since this is a poker Blog....

20 tournies +$235.50 profit 19.63% ROI

Only 2 tournies in which I made horrible superDonk plays.

Overall played above average.....

Hands of the Night

Hand #1
Worst starting Hand that I won with today
(I didnt fire at the pot, because villian loves to call and has a habit of hitting one outters regularly)

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (4 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)

UTG (t1435)
Button (t2008)
SB (t7172)
Hero (t2885)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 2s, 3d.
2 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: (t375) Ts, Js, 5s (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: (t375) Qh (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

River: (t375) 2c (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: t375

Results below:
SB has 6d 4c (high card, queen).
Hero has 2s 3d (one pair, twos).
Outcome: Hero wins t375.

Hand #2
Hand I won the Biggest Pot of the Night with (3 players or more)


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t400 (4 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)

UTG (t3415)
Hero (t5100)
SB (t1660)
BB (t3325)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 6d, Ac.
1 fold, Hero raises to t1200, 1 fold, BB calls t800.

Flop: (t2075) 6h, 6s, 2c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks.

Turn: (t2075) 6c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets t400, BB calls t400.

River: (t2875) As (2 players)
BB bets t1000, Hero raises to t2000, BB folds.

Final Pot: t5875

Results below:
Hero has 6d Ac (four of a kind, sixes).
Outcome: Hero wins t5875.


Once again...

Life Sucks...
But at least the day was on the profit side

Craig

Something New to do...

I had this hair brain idea.....

To remind me...

Yes, I suck out on others (not as much as they do me, but when pushing with SNGPT obviously I'll have something pathetic like J7os and suck out a straight on JJ+

So I am going to post (or at least try to remember) 2 hands a day (not the best, weirdest or anything special).

I'll post the worst starting hand that I won with (most likely will be a blind hand that I got lucky and flopped quads)....Even if I only win 40 chips.

And...

2nd hand will be a hand at least 4 handed or more...that I won the most amount of chips in the session.

I figure since both of these are positives for me...just a fun way of keeping things positive for the day

Hand #1 (62s is a Great hand)

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t400 (4 handed)


Hero (t1130)
UTG (t3785)
Button (t6030)
SB (t2555)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 2c, 6c.

UTG raises to t1200, 2 folds, Hero calls t705 (All-In).

Flop: (t1980) 2h, Js, 8d (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (t1980) 8s (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (t1980) Ks (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: t1980


Hand #2 (I love winning lots of chips

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (3 handed)

Hero (t2895)
BB (t7146)
Button (t3459)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Kc, Ac.
Button raises to t800, Hero raises to t2870, 1 fold, Button calls t2070.

Flop: (t5765) 8h, 9h, Js (2 players)
Turn: (t5765) 2s (2 players)
River: (t5765) 2h (2 players)

Final Pot: t5765

Player Better...but cant seem to play long

I know I am playing better.....playing more agressive in spots...

I really need to watch who I push with junk....Not a good idea to push on someone who will call with any 2 sooted cards.

I really need to play more...alot more....

It seems lately that everytime I start...something else comes up and distracts me and I haveto finish up the set I am playing...like today....

from 11 am until 8 pm...had a couple things to do..but I have only played about 20 STTs

Welp...I better call the woman and get something to eat.

Up $500 since I tweeked myplay...still down $400 for the month in STT play (I am even if ya include the freerolls)

Craig

The Poker Gods hate me.....

Okay...

1st.... I need to be a little more aggro at 75/150 and 100/200 levels...not a a ton..but I missing some spots...I click "fold" and think "what am I doing?!?!?"

2nd..this goes with the 1st thing...no more speed clicking...let the rest of the table f-ing wait....If I can change my habit of playing fast...and just take 10 seconds to think...Good play...will be great play.

I am this close to being back where I was playing...fixing the little leaks.

Now...Poker Gods...give me a break.....

I just reviewed the tournies today.....SHEEEESH.

on the hands I busted on...favorite in 78% of them...and yes...won 45% of them.
the Hands I was behind...of course lost 71% of those.

How I only lost $150 for the day...its a miracle

Plan B....

Screw the world....its Brain burning Rock music time....

Gonna get pumped and play some more....

on the Play list

KORN
STP
DISTURBED
TOOL
NIRVANA
Young MC (lol, okay not brain burning...gotta bust a move though)

with a little Rush and Pearl Jam.

Poker Gods....ya cant keep me down.

Graphs

FYI, CraigsMagic from Pokerstars



Here are the Graphs...

June and July (end of July Sucked)

and August Graph (well most of august..doesnt include the first day..because its sucked

Started Good...ended Lame

Played about 50 Sngs today...first couple didnt do so well...but got on a serious roll...up around $600...and then tanked it the last 6 tournies..and ended up a little over $300 for the day.

I think I am playing a little to tight/weak...okay...more just too tight once it gets down to 5 or less...find myself wanting to blind itm too much....

I definately need to get a little bit aggro more around the bubble when I have a +hand to the read...I folded A8os on the button at the 200/400...especially since I had them covered

Feeling better than I did a couple weeks ago on the HUGE downswing.....

Played decent...I can play alot better....only 1 hand today that I won from behind (good and bad sign)...wasnt behind much today....but I didnt suck out at all.....
good and bad...good that I wasnt behind alot...but I didnt even suck out the natural 25%++

Enough Rambling...it was an Up Session so thats good.

The Mariners Keep Teasing me...

Just when I think the Mariners are on the Verge of being a real contender this year in the Division.....

They Play oakland.....

1-13 Vs the A's this year.....

Sheesh.....

MLB needs to Give the M's a Mulligan against the A's.....
If they did...the Mariners woul be leading the Division by 8 games right now.

Enough Venting....

I love the M's....and Yes.....

World Series 2006 for the M's

The Energy of Edgar will lead them (ya know you're good, when you're retired and ya help the team win)

Oh,

And Edgar Martinez....Hall of Fame...Cooperstown....2010
I'm gonna be there!!!!

Greatest Right Handed Hitter of all time!!!!

You gotta love this Guy!!!!

More Downs....and an Up

In Short...the last 2 days....Lost 10 55s in a row....so I dropped down for the hell of it...played 4 27s won the first two...then just as I was about to open two more....I probably did the stupidest play I have ever made....so I called it a night...and did some reading.

Today....I busted stupidly in the Gold VIP after getting some chips......
Currently Chip leader in the Platinum tourny with 27 people left.....

and I better get back to paying attention....

Craig

Edit:
If I dont make the final table...I am a moron.
1/5 of the chips in play with 18 people left

Edit:
Okay, The poker gods at testing me....(its the break)...best hand the last 40 hands was J7s (I am not kidding)....and any of the times I was thinking about taking advatage of a situation....yup...some short-medium stack beats me into the pot....Calling 10% of my chips and not in the blind with 83os is not something I think a smart person who do....so I havent.

I am Half Tempted to blind my way to the final table...if I knew I could get there and be mid pack with chips, I'd definately do it....only 1 guy at my table that I would be worried about...the rest...hey short table like a SnG...most of these guys are cash game players ( a few tourny guys)

Welp back to the action...16 people left and still chip leader....but still card dead.

Edit:
Welp....Lucky and unlucky...

Lucky...that I donked off my chip lead with 11 people left and squeeked into the final table and the short stack

Unlucky...that I picked my spots....worked my way back into having a chance....
Getting to the Final 4.....and then getting sucked out when I had him dominated.

Who calls 80% of their chips with with QJos?!?!?!

Well I finished 4th in the Platinum freeoll and won almost $500.00

Not bad.....I only played 3 hands pretty bad (not good, but like Phil Ivey said "No one plays every hand perfect")
But at least I wasnt the one all in on those.....I could have definately done more damage at the final table if I would have screwed up.

THats the other thing I need to do....

99% of the time before a couple weeks ago...even when I lost...I was always confident..and didnt pick apart my game....lately...like above....I am thinking more negatively....I need to stop that.

I mean....because of 2 bad plays....I almost just won $50 in 11th place....but instead...I regained my composure....observed and planned out getting back into it...couple good reads and laydowns....and I did just that....and just a 3 outer of getting 1st or second.....

The $1700 sure would have been nice though :)

Okay....I am going to remind myself, I just won something for nothing...played 96% Great and take care of other business....then play later.

Craig

Went on Vacation

Took a weeklong Vacation to Colorado....

Gonna hit the Tables hard this week