Scotty G On Poker

On To A New Month

2010-10-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, I ended up finishing last month with 187 games played & a dismal 0.53% ROI on the month! FML!!! Couple that with the fact that I'm playing on Stars with NO FUCKING RakeBack & it was a pretty brutal month.

However, we're at the start of Oct. & I'm focused once again on putting in a decent volume on a daily basis. The prospect of a job is close so I may end up re-joining the land of the living so to speak but until that time I'll be grinding...

My plan of attack is to try & max my volume in the mornings as I find that is usually when I play my best... Although I'm jobless I'm still up at the crack of dawn each morning so it's pretty easy. Get up, make a pot of coffee, walk the dog, see the wife off I'm in my office at the tables by 8am. Soooo... That's the plan. Now I just have to stick with it & stop wasting my time surfing the net & instead put in some good volume... Wish me luck kids!

On a different note, I just found an old CD that my wife had gotten when she used to work in the music industry a few years ago... The group is called Leroy Smokes. Sweet sweet rhymes!!! They haven't left my cd player (ya ya... I'm soooo passé! I still have cd's! Whateva!!!!) in weeks! If you're looking for something new check em out!

Peace!

Hey... Where'd The Volume Go?!?!?

2010-09-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sooo... I need to get my volume back up as it's fallen off lately. Not for any reason really other than I haven't been as motivated to put in my usual amount of play... I find myself surfing the net or watching vids/listening to music and NOT playing.

My goal has been between 200-300 matches per month... Here we are quickly approaching the end of the month & I sit with 151 games played & a -2% ROI overall on the month. Not what I was hoping for.

So, with that said, I'm really going to pour the coal to it so to speak for the next few days & concentrate on getting a good amount of matches in as well as trying to end the month on the positive side of things...

On a different note, I've been playing solely in Stars for the last couple of months & the lack of RakeBack is definitely starting to show... I think next month I'm going to switch over to Tilt & give it a go there!

Peace

Quick Update

2010-09-18T07:42:00.001-07:00

So, I just finished an early morning session where I played 8 matches vs. the same opponent & went 7-1. I felt REALLY good about my game vs. him & was playing great! Granted, he was a pretty big fish, but it was still a great feeling to make tough decisions every match & feel as though I was making the correct moves.

As for my goal of 5% ROI by the end of Oct. I think I may have been a little over zealous there... I think I'm going to focus on a more realistic goal of 3% ROI by the end of the year. That gives me 3.5months & I'm currently sitting at -3% over a very small sample so I think it's doable.

On a totally different note, Jenn & I are looking for a dog trainer to come to our house & help us out with our dog Bronx. So, if anyone knows of any good local trainers that they can vouche for HOOK ME UP PLEASE!!!!! Those of you who know us and our dog know he's absolutely CRAZY!!!! I think saying, "Ohhh... He's still a puppy. He'll grow out of it" is OVER!!! It's starting to become a very big strain on our life & I'd soooo much rather have a well behaved dog that we can enjoy sooo much more! So, again, if anyone knows of anyone good please let us know. I'm looking for someone to come to the house a couple of times a week for at least 1hr. at a time ASAP!

Ok, time to head outside & enjoy some of the nice weather before it's gone!

Cheers!

What a day, what a day...

2010-09-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

So, I just finished my worst day in a long time & I feel sick! I went o-8 in HU SnG's. Normally I'd continue playing trying to catch my losses on the day but I'm not playing my A game right now so I actually had the self discipline to stop. That's a first! :)

I ran unbelievably below expectation in my session tonight. 6 of my 8 bust hands (or hands that crippled me) I was at least a 60/40 to win or had sick setups like AK vs. 22 flop AK2... Shit like that all day.

I played pretty well for the most part. In my last match a made a 4bet shove bluff with Q high pre that was ill advised and, against the type of player I was playing was just a terrible move.

I have to go & pick up my wife right now at the airport but will be reviewing my HH's later tonight when I get home. I'll post anything interesting.

Cheers!

Really?!?!?!?

2010-09-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, I played a HU SnG match yesterday that lasted 14hands. That in and of itself isn't that crazy as I've seen that (and much worse) before. However, on the 2nd hand of this match I got it AIPF with QQ to win a pot worth 2960 leaving Villain with 40 in chips.

However he went on to win the next 9 hands, doubling on the 1st 3... It was insane... I ended up winning the match when my KK dominated his Q3 on a 633 flop... I lucked out with a K on the river. But, I was happy to have been able to keep my composure, albeit only for 14hands. But tilt is ALWAYS something I've worked hard to control & in the past I would have been seeing nothing but red in that type of a situation & I'm happy to say I saw NO red what so ever! lol

So, I've just recently started playing on Stars again after quite a long time away from it & I must say, my ROI is pretty depressing... My goal is by the end of Oct. to be between 3-5% at the HU SnG's... I'm trying to get in at least 200games/month so I'm confident but I'll keep my fingers crossed none the less!

Anyways, time to get back to sweating the US Open & grinding online!

Peace!

I Have A Blog?!?!?!?

2010-09-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hahahaha... Wow... I had completely forgotten about this blog until recently! I was reading another blog & thought to myself, "Hey... Wait a minute!!"

Sooo... Here I go again!

Since my last post FOREVER ago A LOT has changed once again. I had taken a break from online poker almost 1year ago. Cashed out my roll (JUST BEFORE the site I was playing on filed for bankruptcy... LUCKY me!!!). Since that time I got back in to online poker. I had started a coaching/stake deal with an online HU SnG pro but it didn't go so well. I learnt SOOOOOO much but unfortunately due to my personal/work life I just wasn't able to dedicate enough time to our arrangement.

So, here I am again, with a minimal roll on PStars & I'm grinding the HU SnG's. To be completely honest with you I don't even know how I got the roll on Stars, I think maybe it'd been a payout from a stake that I had previously been involved in (I know, I know... It's brutal that I don't know! lol) but the plan is to run it up! I'll be using the blog again for self-assessment & to keep track of things... If anyone has any comments please feel free... I'm ALWAYS open to criticism!!!

Cheers!

VEGAS BABY!!!!

2008-02-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

So, Rich (RikyRicardo), my boy John, and I arrive in Vegas on Tues at around 1:30pm… We quickly check in to our hotel (Luxor) & decide that we’re going on a little tour to find something to eat & play… We make it as far as Excalibur (lol) & decide to sit down at some 1/2 NL tables… We all get seated at the same table which is full of Canadians & have some fun… We decide quickly after to get out of there & hit up MGM.

Now, this was a nice room & I felt very comfortable there. However, it got incredibly loud with the shows going on. So much so that you could barely hear yourself think. So, I didn’t really enjoy that but we stayed there for quite awhile. I was playing good & sitting on a nice size stack when my 1st mistake of the trip arose.

I’m sitting UTG with 10dJd & raise it to $8. Player to my left was a local & I had a great read on him& KNEW he was in the hand & he called… Folded all the way around & it was him & I to the flop. Flop comes AKQ rainbow! BINGO! I flop broadway! I decide to check it to him & he checks behind. Turn brings a brick & I lead out for about a ¾ pot bet that he flat calls. At this point I put him on a draw or top pair. River pairs the board with another K. Now, here’s my 1st mistake… I lead out for a ½ pot bet… He Hollywoods it for a while & then triples the bet…. Ugh… Me being the payoff wizard I am call & watch him turn over AKos for the boat. Ughh… In retrospect I think I probably saved money by slowplaying the flop & checking to him as if I bet I’m sure we get it all in on the turn… Ohhh well… What are you gonna do. I reload & grind back to a break even session.

Other then that we played at a bunch of different rooms. Harrahs had a great room & I had a great session there cashing out for about +3buyins. Rich sat with me at the table & we had a local 3 to his right that was on a 24+hr. session when we sat down & was going on his 26th beer. He was sitting with around $1K in front of him when we 1st sat down but he bled it away throughout our session & I was able to profit from him & others with some TAG play.

Also had a kick ass session at Ceasars the day we left. I was VERY close to telling Rich & John to hit the road without me & book a later flight as I really didn’t want to leave the table but alas Rich was able to pull me away! Lol… The Deli @ Ceasars was INSANE!!!!! I’ll have to wait to download the pics of the food that we TRIED to consume but let it be known that neither Rich or I were able to come close to finishing anything on that menu!

The most fun I had is a toss up of a day session at Luxor playing a 1-2 session that lasted from about 4am until about 7pm… This table was by far the most fun I’ve ever had playing poker. Rich was there for most of it & there was an insanely good dynamic at the table… Lots of fun being had by everyone there! Prop bets galore… Side action on the ponies during the session (read: Rich making NUMEROUS runs back & forth between the table & the sports book yelling, “DEAL ME IN!!!”)… Super fun!!! However, this was my 2nd mistake of the trip… I had built my stack up to about $800 & decided to go on a diner break with Rich & John. We went to The CatHouse at the Luxor & were very disappointed to find our waitER to be a dude with a Mohawk… NOT a sexy scantily clad chick! Meh… Ohhhh well… So I scarf down my meal, toss some bills on the table & make my way back to the table… When I do I find that most of the people that’d been there for the day had left. I sit down & proceed to bleed off MOST of my stack in about 2hrs. Ughhh…. STUPID ME!!!! Ohhhh well!

The other favorite time was definitely CASINO ROYAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahaha… Man oh man! Talk about a dive! Rich tells us on our last day that we have to hit up this place for their CHEAP AS HELL Roulette/Craps/Blackjack. Ok… Our 1st session there Rich is about +$150 (I think) playing Roulette & I break even after a blackjack session. John is down about $50-$100… So, we get out of there & hit of the CheeseCake Factory (a MUST IMO) for lunch. We then head back to Casino Royal as I’m jonsing for some more Roulette action & action it was! I proceed to build my $50 stack to $200+ in a matter of 45mins. Hitting my straight up #’s time & time again… IT WAS SICK!!!! We had the whole place buzzing & going nuts. Rich & I screaming, “23 ONE TIME BABY… ONE TIME!!!!!!”… Cheap booze flowing & being consumed (mainly by me!!) at an incredible speed! SOOO MUCH FUN!!!!! John & I leave there big winners & Rich was down a little but still ahead on the day so we hit up Ceasars for our last session… John has a sick run (which was MUCH needed for him!!) & we leave there ahead & head back to Luxor to pick up our bags… I’m running on VERY little sleep at this point & decide that I’m going to keep drinking myself into oblivion! Soooo much fun!!!!

We hit the airport bar after dealing with the BITCH at AirCanada to try & change a flight & pull out a deck of cards & start playing some of Rich’s games… Hmmm… Good idea? I think not! Lol… Drink in hand I make it to the gate & hop on the flight home….

All in all I had a SUPER good trip!!! Came home +$12 after it was all said & done! LMAO!!!!!!! I can’t wait to head back there…. I’m thinking Nov.!

Rich... It was a BLAST having you come along on this trip dude... It honestly wouldn't have been as much fun without you dude... I can't wait till we do it again!

Back To Back

2007-06-07T13:07:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm at work and actually working today so this is going to be short.

After my success last week in the J7 Weekly TLB on www.eurolinx.com I decided that I'd play it again this week. If for nothing else to show my support to the team at eurolinx since they really do treat us like gold. If anyone who is reading this hasn't already, get there and sign up! There customer support is the best in the business and they really go out of their way to show their customers how much them mean to them.

So, with that said, I registered with the rest of the degenerates from www.jackseven.ca and went to town and before I knew it I'd won!!

When we got down to 4handed I had a pretty significant chip lead and we had 1guy sitting out. There was a short stack with us (Dwayne I think) and ScooterJess had a pretty good stack. Nobody was showing any mercy to raise/fold to blind out the 4th stack and, after losing 2 back to back pots, I lost the chip lead and started to have images of bubbling (top 4 paid).

However, that wasn't the case. The missing player got blinded out in the bubble and the short stack got felted shortly after.

Then Jesse and I went into a pretty decent heads up battle. It probally only lasted about 3omins. of so but it was back and forth and alot of fun for me.

So, thanks to Shawn and his generous contribution to me last week I've now built my online bankroll back up over $200. I'm going to focus on playing solely on www.eurolinx.com and taking advantage of their amazing rakeback program.

Unfortunately their network, MicroGaming, has terrible structures for tournaments and SnG's so I'll be focusing most of my time in the cash games.

On a side note, I just wanted to give props to Marco (PokerIsLife) for his WSOP performances this year!! Next year you'll be coming home with a bracelet dude! Also, Marc 'Myst' Karam will be heading down to Vegas next week (I think) and we'll all be looking forward to the amazing rails on www.jackseven.ca.

Peace

Rags To Riches

2007-06-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

I'm back baby!!!!!

It's been over a month since I've played poker online or live. I'd talked about it in a previous blog but I just sort of lost the urge. I had been on a losing streak again and toying with the idea of taking a break when it just sort of happened.

I ended up withdrawing my BR from online and using it for non-poker related things which was really great!

Then, about 2weeks ago I started to get the urge again but unfortunately I wasn't in a position to make a deposit. So, I decided that I'd play some free rolls on www.eurolinx.com and see what I could do. I actually ended up playing ANYTHING BUT NLHE. It was great! I was playing again and enjoying the games. I had little to no experience in the games I was playing so it was good that I was playing in FreeRolls.

I made it pretty deep in a few but never ended up cashing. Then, last week, the weekly www.jackseven.ca free roll was being held at www.eurolinx.com (a very gracious host!!!). I told the boys and gals that I wouldn't' be playing and Shawn (kidkob) from J7 staked me fully understanding that I had no money online to re-pay him and that I live in Toronto NOT Ottawa and it would be very hard for me to get him the money back (thanks Shawn... You're the man cool guy!!!)

So, with Shawn behind me I decided that I'd simply have to win to repay him. And win is exactly what I did!!!

I don't have the HH's with me but I felt really good about my play. There was one hand when we were very close to the money bubble where I laid down 22 preflop to an allin that I think I maybe should have played but other then that I was happy with how things went. I played a patient game and was lucky enough to hit a nice heater just at the right time.

So, with that my online bankroll is now back and I'll be playing solely on www.eurolinx.com. Because of the MTT structure there I'll only be playing CashGames and the weekly J7 TLB.

The most important thing is that I once again have that urge to play poker and it doesn't feel like a grind!

Cheers!

Stanlye Cup Finals - Game1 - Here We Go

2007-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

So, tonight's the night. Game1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Unbelievable that the league decided to make such a blatantly wrong decision in their scheduling, but it doesn't matter (I hope!!) as tonight they'll get it underway.

I really hope that the 9day layoff the Ottawa Senators had isn't going to play a factor in the series. Momentum is SO huge and I hope that the layoff didn't get to the boys too much. That coupled with the insane amount of media attention they've been getting could play some serious games with your mind I'm sure.

Ohhh well, I've still got faith! They're gonna come out strong tonight and take it to Anaheim... A split on the road is all we can ask for. Anything more then that is, well, fan-fucking-tastic!!

As for poker, I still haven't made a deposit online OR played in any live games... Crazy I know!

I've been playing some FreeRolls online over the past few days and I was having alot of fun. I was playing 5card draw and 7card stud. Both games that I'd never really played before with any real interest. But, I was having a really good time!

I don't know if it's been the time away or the different games but I actually had a HUGE interest in the games AND I WASN'T PLAYING FOR ANY MONEY!!!

I've never, and I mean NEVER, been able to play serious poker in the past with no money on the line. But I was just really enjoying learning the new games.

So, for now I think I'll keep at that. In all reality I don't really have the money right now to make a deposit online and I'm in the midst of working towards getting my finances back in order. Withdrawing from my BankRoll definitely helped but I need to keep at it for a little while longer before I can feel OK about playing again.

So, until then...

GO SENS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playoff Hockey!!!

2007-05-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

So, it's been close to a month since my last post and I was thinking about that last night. In all honesty, I haven't posted in awhile cause I haven't been playing ANY poker. It's been about 3weeks since I played online and about the same since playing live.

I had once again been toying with the idea of taking a break but I never really settled on the idea. It just sort of happened. I haven't really had the drive to play lately for some reason. I was on another really bad downswing when I stopped and I think that that contributed to my lack of desire to play.

So, since then I've been going over alot of my old HH's reviewing my game and frequenting all the poker boards as I always do. Just over the past couple of days have I again got the itch to get back into it. However, it will be at least another week before I see any cards as I'm insanely busy with work lately and the long weekend is coming up and we'll be hitting up the cottage with friends.

So, instead of concentrating on poker for the past few weeks it's been all about the NHL Playoffs baby!!

My Ottawa Senators are on a tear this year and I'm sooo pumped! The last 3 seasons (or was it 4??) that I was living in Ottawa my father and I would always get playoff tickets for all 4 rounds. We'd frequent Marshy's before each game, usually have a little too much to drink, and have a blast. And wouldn't you know it, the year I move away seems to be the year they're making a solid fun for the the cup! Ohhhh well... Such is life. I guess I'll be getting sick for a week or more pretty soon!! *nudge nudge.. wink wink*

So, that's it. I've been sweating the games and actually working hard. Pfft... What's the world come to? Jenn's back from Europe now for good (woooo hooooo) so we've been hanging out alot too which has been kick ass!

Well folks, that's all for now. Hopefully my next post will be of joy and drunkenness celebrating Lord Stanley's Cup coming back to Ottawa!!!! Woot Woot!!!

Go Sens Go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots Going On But Not Alot Of Poker

2007-04-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted and even longer since I've played any poker.

I took a bit of a break from playing both online and live as I haven't played at all in about 1week. I know, I know. It's not much of a break but for a degenerate like me it definitely is!

It's finally starting to warm up here in Toronto and this past weekend was the pinnacle so far. +23 and SUNNY!!!! It was fan-freakin-tastic!!

Saturday Jenn and I made our way downtown by about 11am. We did some shopping and then decided to hit up a patio for lunch at about 12:30pm. Well, one thing led to another, some friends from England showed up, and we didn't get out of there until about 8pm! Needless to say, we were both pretty burnt from the sun and feeling absolutely NO pain! It was a blast!

Sunday, we did some running around and then decided to once again enjoy the sun. We made good use of our new patio set in the backyard and had some drinks.

Jenn left this afternoon for Berlin Germany for her last trip! Wooo Hooo!!! On the one hand it sucks having her gone for 2weeks, but on the other hand it's nice knowing that after this trip there won't be any more travelling for her job. We're really looking forward to being able to enjoy this summer together as last year with the move to Toronto, her working 24hrs. a day and me trying to find a job, we didn't get to enjoy much of it at all.

So, back to the bachelor life for the next 2weeks. What to do? Well, I think it's time to get back to the tables both online and live. I'll be hitting up my local club at least twice this week and I'm considering heading to Fallsview with some friends this weekend for their weekly tournament. It's been awhile since I've played in it and, in all honesty, I don't even know what they're offering at this time. I'll have to look into it and find out, but I'm sure it'll be a good time as always. So, if the boys (and possibly girl!!) from Ottawa decide not to come up for the weekend, that's the plan. Either way I'm sure I'll end up having a blast! Stealing pots or getting stupid drunk! They both sound like good times to me!

Well, that's all for now. I think I may log on to Stars right now and play a SnG. We'll see...

Cheers!

Pre Flop Devastation (Bubble Boy)

2007-04-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

So, I was playing in the J7 final last night on Eurolinx and I was feeling REALLY good about my game.

We had about 85+ players that showed up and the competition was fierce. I was getting some really good cards (I hit bottom set twice in the first couple of levels and got paid on them both) and by about the 5th level I was closing in on 10,000 chips (we started with 2500 with 10min. levels... damn you MG!!!).

There were a couple of hands that I think I should have played to pre-flop raises but, for the most part, I felt as though I played very well. I was talking to Riky for most of the game (until we ended up on the same table) and we were both really pumped for the tourny feeling as though we could go really deep.

Unfortunately, Riky busted out just before the bubble I think (around 15th maybe??) and I was left on my own at the table. I was sitting with around 20,000 in chips with about 6left at the table. Short stack was around 9,000 and I think Marco had around 30,000.

Anyway, so I'm in MP and I pick up KK. We're hand for hand at this point and everyone is playing pretty tight. Player to my right (who I later found out was Fielder, but I've never really played with him and didn't have a great read on) raises to 2K. Blinds were 400/800 and this was a typical raise. I re-pop it to 6K thinking he'll just fold and I'll pick up the pot. It folds back to him and he insta-pushes for pretty much all my chips.

For whatever reason I couldn't see this as strength and I felt as though he was just trying to put a move on me. I ended up calling and of course he turns over Aces. No K on the board for me and I'm all in next hand and eliminated in 11th place... Bubble Boy...

All in all I was really happy with how I played last night but for whatever reason I just can't seem to get this hand out of my head. Could I have gotten away from the hand? Should I have read his push as strength? I think that I'm way ahead there more times then not and I'm playing for the win so I can't see how I can fold there? In my eyes you can't play scared that the 2nd best starting hand is going to match up against the best hand. It was a cold deck and I took the beat. So be it... Bah... I wish I could believe that.

Ohhhh well... Back to Stars for now I guess. I've been playing the $3.25 Turbo 6max SnG's with really great results over the past week or so. So, I'll see what I can do there!

Cheers

WSOP? Not just yet...

2007-04-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Wow... What a crazy ride the last few days have been in the Ottawa Poker Community!

Our very own Marc 'Myst' Karam placed 2nd in the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Finale netting him a cool $1.7 million! He was obviously disappointed with the outcome of the final hand, but I'm sure the money was ok with him! :)

http://eurolinx.com/en/content.asp?section=myst
http://www.jackseven.ca/forums/index.php?topic=3576.0

Skippy also played in this tournament after winning his way in form a PokerStars satellite. He made it through Day1 and into Day2 but unfortunately no further. Hopefully he knows how proud of him the entire J7 community was and that we ALL know that this was only his 1st of many appearances in this caliber of tournament!

So, back to my run at the WSOP... Not going so good! Hahaha....

As I'd previously mentioned I'd made my way into the 4000FPP Tournament on PokerStars last Sunday where 1st and 2nd were getting WSOP ME Packages. I was running really good for the week before and I was feeling really confident about my game going into the tournament. To my surprise they had a really good structure; 2500 starting chips with 30min. levels.

"Alright! We're actually gonna be able to play some poker here!!"

Or so I thought... 1st hand had 3people All In at my table! lol... So, it was gonna be like this was it? Ok... Not a problem! I'll re-adjust my game and wait for a premium hand!

Well, mid way through the 2nd level I get dealt pocket 10's and I bumped it preflop (I don't have all of the specifics with me here at work). I ended up getting one caller. At the River the board was 8high and ran into bottom set. I didn't lose all my chips but looking back on the hand I really mis-played it and I think this cost me a good run in this one.

After that it was all downhill. I was down to about 1000 chips which was still good considering the blinds but I just couldn't get anything going and I was out by level 4!

Meh... All in all I wasn't really happy with my play at all. I was playing too passively and I really mis-played the hand with the 10's.

So, with that said, I'll be making my way back to that tournament soon and taking a different approach! With Easter coming up this weekend I won't be playing alot (if at all) so next week it will be!

WSOP Here I Come!!!

2007-03-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

So far it's been a pretty bumpy road for me over the past couple of weeks.

I was running pretty good online for awhile playing mostly HU Matches and 1table SNG's and I was building my roll up slowly but surely.

Then, mid last week I made a decision to play in the $22 HU MTT on Stars with Lefty. I knew it was a big portion of my roll and that I shouldn't be putting it all into this MTT but I was feeling really confident with my game and especially my HU game. So I did it.

Lefty and I both got a freebie in the 1st round and sat out waiting for the next match to begin. When the 2nd match came around I started out strong, but then with a bad beat on the river, found myself hovering around 500chips for a 5 to1 chip lead for my opponent. I went into ShortStack Ninja Mode and made a bee line for the win! This brought both Lefty and I to the 3rd match. After my AQ ran into AK and I didn't improve it was all over and I bubbled.

I was still really happy with my play in that tournament and will definitely be playing it again just not until I have the roll that I can comfortably do it with.

So, after that, it all went wrong!! I was almost busto with my online roll, and staying true to "this being my last deposit" took a few days off to re-group.

So, a couple of nights ago I decided to play the 400 FPP Qualifier on Stars to get into their 4000 FPP Satelite into the WSOP. There were around 400players or so and top 34 won their way into the 4000FPP tourny.

It started off pretty slow. There were SOOOOO MANY donkeys it was laughable. I tightened up and was only playing premium hands. In doing so I was getting pretty bored so I decided to sit down at a cash game to keep me busy.

Now, I'd told myself no more cash games online so I decided to sit down at a micro-limit table with a minimum buyin and just have some fun. So I sat down at a 0.01/0.02 table with, get this, $1.25!

At the end of my session, I'd placed in the top 34 of the 400 FPP tourny to win my way into the Satellite this weekend and I left the cash game table with... Are you ready? $22!!!

Hahaha... I was on a SICK run and was getting hit in the face with cards. But, at the same time, I was also playing some great poker. My reads were on and I was able to lay down some pretty big hands to get out of the way. All in all, I was VERY happy with the night.

I'm feeling really good about my game right now and I'm really hoping to do well this weekend in the 4000FPP tourny. I'm not expecting the field to be all that great so I'm hoping to be able to pick up some big hands early on and get paid off on them and then keep building my stack!

I've got a really good feeling about this and I'm really stoked to be playing again! Jenn is coming back from Europe tonight so I probally won't be playing any poker until Sunday so I should be good and rested and in a really good frame of mind!

WSOP ME Here I Come Baby!!!

On a different note, both Marc 'Myst' Karam and Skippy from www.jackseven.ca are playing this week in the EPT Grand Finale in MonteCarole. They both played in Day1a yesterday and both advanced to Day2 with good size stacks!! Check out www.jackseven.ca for the best rail thread EVER and to follow all the action... Take it down boys!!!!

Cheers

Heads Up Matches On Stars

2007-03-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Wow... I can't believe that I forgot about the 4player HU Matches on PokerStars! Unbelievable!!

There was a stint a couple years ago where I used these as virtual ATM's for a few months and, for whatever reason, I've basically forgotten about them ever since.

I played 3 of them last night. $5.25 4player winner takes all. Essentially it's a 400% return which is fantastic! Good return + poor quality of play = ATM To Increase Bankroll!!!

Of the 3 that I played last night, I won 2 of them. I think I could have won the last one as well if I wouldn't have gotten distracted (you know me. it doesn't take much. something shinny? ooohhh... I'm all over that!!).

So, I'm going to continue using these along with the SnG's that I've been having mediocre success at. I've also dabbled briefly in the $4.40 180's on PokerStars with absolutely NO success. LOL... It seemed that EVERY SINGLE TIME I got my money in the middle I was at least a 60/40 ahead. Unfortunately, every time the river came, I was way behind and watching my chippies float away from me to another player.

No worries though. I'm really concentrating on the controlled aggression factor in the 180's and I seem to be having some success with this new tactic. This coming weekend should be dedicated mostly to Online Poker as my girlfriend will be heading out to Europe once again. I've decided to take a break from playing live until I go back home to Ottawa for Easter weekend to concentrate on my online game. I haven't played live in 3weeks and although I'm feeling the urge I'm going to hold off.

On a totally different note, there were some really great debates on www.jackseven.ca yesterday about Poker Etiquette which really got me to thinking. Without getting into too much detail (go and read all the banter for yourself you lazy ass!!) I think that each individual should take the same approach at the poker table as they do in every day life.

I'm a big believer in Karma and 'what goes around comes around'. Treat people with respect at the tables. It doesn't make you weak or give you/take away any edges. It simply makes you a stand up guy that people will in turn respect.

That's all for now.

Peace

Frustration At The Tables

2007-03-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

So, I had a shitty day at work yesterday and decided when I got home that I'd try and relax by playing some poker online. I sat down at my computer in my office at home around 8pm or so and was actually feeling pretty confident.

I started out with a 1Table SnG... Nope! After my pocket A's got cracked to a runner runner flush that was all she wrote. I shook it off and signed up for another one. This table was NUTS!!! There were 3people gone within the 1st level. All ins were VERY common as the table was FULL of maniacs. So, I tightened up and waited around. I stabbed at a few pots and stayed about even for the 1st 2 levels. Then, on the button, I pick up AA again!

"Sweet!! This is MY hand" I say to myself.

Blinds are 25/50 and the normal raise preflop is about 200. There are 2limpers and the action comes to me. I'm sitting with just over 1600 in chips and I pop it to 350 (I do this KNOWING that I'll get AT LEAST 1caller at this table). Both blinds fold and the other 2 both call.

Pot is now 1225 & I've got just shy of 1300 left in my stack. Flop comes 8high w/2hearts and it checks to me. I push and end up getting called by buddy w/Ah Kd... Of course, runner runner heart and that's all she wrote.

The rest of my night went pretty much the same way. It was horrible! Just a terrible run. Out of 4 SnG's I didn't cash in a single one. I took down 2 HU matches and placed 53rd in a $4.40 180.

Needless to say, I wasn't very happy last night! :) The only thing that put me in a good mood was my girlfriend Jenn.

As I've mentioned before, she works for Bodog Music. They've offered a series of Freeroll Tourny's to their employees with the winner of the TLB taking a nice prize. Now, Jenn has NEVER played poker Online before and has played in a handful of friendly live games. God love her but she has very little understanding of the game; or so I thought.

I got her all set up and she registered for the Turbo Freeroll. Around 120 entrants with blinds increasing every 5mins.

After she spent 2hrs. yelling at me in the office for advise on what to do with certain hands, she ended up placing 8th for a cash of $18!!!!!

It was great!! She was sooooo excited! It really made me reflect and think about why I play the game that I love so much! Her happiness helped ease the pain of my terrible run last night and put into perspective why I play the game.

GG Babe!

Cheers

Johnny Rotten, Free Booze, And Very Little Poker

2007-03-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

So, this past weekend was a blast!!

Friday night we hit up the Bodog showcase for Canadian Music Week at Healey's. What an event!! My girlfriend works for Bodog Music - Battle Of The Bands so we ended up with VIP Status which entailed free drinks for most of the night. But let me say, these guys go ALL OUT!

They had the place looking like it was a Movie Premier, with Red Carpet and all! It was very chique!!

Now, as for Johnny Rotten... Pfft... I'm all for the Sex Pistols, hell, they were one of my biggest influences for me and my band growing up as kids, but this guy is a huge dick!!!

I'm in the bathroom at one point during the night and in waltzes Rotten accompanied by his bodyguard, Rambo (and just for the record, I thought that to be an actual bodyguard you had to be a big guy? Nope... This guy was all of 5'5 & maybe 175lbs soaking wet).

So, they come up to me WHILE I'M TAKING A PISS and tell me to get the hell out of the washroom and start pushing me around. Now, the thought of simply turning around and pissing all over the both of them quickly entered my mind but I figured who'd be the one getting escorted out of the venue? Them or me? So, I refrained, mumbled something to them in my "semi-drunk" stage and left.

Other then that, the night was a total success! The only thing that I didn't like about the night was how much of an "industry party" it was. I mean, more guys in expensive suits who could care less about the music then I could handle. But, it was what it was, and we made sure to take full advantage of the free-flowing drinks and Bodog Girl!!

Saturday night we hit up friends of Jenn's for a party. Kind of a lame night as I was the DD so that I was able to pick up my buddy and his fiancee from the airport. Jenn had a great night which was totally awsome! And this guys place was the ultimate bachelor pad! Loft! VERY hip and modern! Nice blue lighting throughout the entire place. Kick ass patio! I'm telling you, if this guy had 1/2 a brain he'd be picking up chicks every night of the week! Unfortunately, it didn't look as though he had much game. A really nice guy but you all know what they say about nice guys!

So, Sunday came and went and I played NO poker at all. I was too hung over/tired to even concentrate on getting off the couch. Needless to say, it was a pretty lazy day.

So, now that the week is back, hopefully I'll be playing every night this week after work. I'm feeling very confident about my game right now and really want to get back to it. I'm hoping that this week I'll reach my goal with my Bankroll and I'll start playing the 180 Man's on PokerStars... We'll see what the Poker Gods think about that!

Cheers

Fearlessness At The Tables

2007-03-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article that I found in the www.pocketfives.com archives yesterday that talks about finding your 'Killer Instinct' at the poker table:

http://www.pocketfives.com/773862FD-9871-49F8-A389-E59A2BE469AE.aspx

This is a technique that I've been trying to implement in my game online more recently and seem to be having some good success with.

You HAVE to be fearless in tournaments, whether live or online. You have to play for 1st place. No other place matters!

I often hear people on www.jackseven.ca (the BEST poker forum out there) talking about playing for the win. People talking about either busting early in the tourny or making it deep. There's no grey area. No in between!

For a long time I didn't see it this way. I was one of those "timid" players just happy to get into the money & make a few bucks. But not anymore baby!!! Times are a changin!

I'm now starting to see the light. What's the point in sitting down at the table to play for 3+hrs. to make back my buyin? It makes no sense... It's -EV. I'd much rather either bust early and repeat the process or make it deep for a considerable payoff. Hopefully taking down 1st place!

So, I'm now trying this new formula of "Maniac". Well, not a full fledged maniac as there will be a method to my madness, but maniac none the less. I will no longer be happy with just "hitting the money". I want 1st place! It's all or nothing! Go big or go home! Pfft... Can I come up with anymore cliches?

Anyway, I'm going to be pretty busy this weekend with Canadian Music Week, drinks with friends, and picking up my buddy and his fiance from the airport, so unfortunately I won't get in as much poker as I'd like. I'm hoping that Sunday afternoon I'll be able to hit up some games after everyone has taken off. I'll be sure to bring my "Maniac" style with me and hopefully take down some MTT's.

Cheers!

It's A Small Online World

2007-03-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

So, last night I sit down at a 1table SNG on PokerStars and get read to destroy the table in my normal fashion (pfft... wishful thinking at best). During the minute before the tourny starts I do my usual reflection on the table. Check out everyone's avatars and see where everyone is from.

I get to the guy who's sitting 2 to my left and the picture he has up for his avatar looks eerily familiar. Then I look at his name and I say to myself, "it can't be."

So, I type something into the chat and ask him his name. He's a little apprehensive at first but finally offers it up.

"Mark... What's it to you?"

Well, I'll be a son of a... It turns out it's a guy that I grew up with in the small town where I'm oringinally from. We hadn't seen each other in 6+years!!! It was ridiculous!

We ended up spending most of the tourny chatting and catching up. So and so's married. So and so's expecting their first child. What we're doing in life. You know... The usual. Unfortunately we both ended up spending too much time talking to one and other and both busted out rather early.

No worries though! It was well worth the money! We both promised each other that we'll have to meet up for a drink the next time I'm back there and I'd really like that. This guy and I spent the better part of our teenage years having fun and causing trouble! Who knows what will happen the next time we get together!!

So, although I ended up busting out of the SNG rather early I was very happy with the overall outcome of the game. Who in a million years would think that amogst the hundreds of thousand of players at PokerStars that him and I would sit down at the same table and actually recognize one and other all these years later? It's a small online world indeed!!

Felt Bad About The Win???

2007-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

So, I was playing in a SnG yesterday on PokerStars when the network went down. This had happened the previous day as well, although I wasn't playing at that time.

From the 1st day I'd been informed that the ongoing tournaments had been canceled, the remaining players refunded their buyins & the rest of the prize pool split up according to chip position at the time the network froze. Not ideal, but at least it seemed fair.

So, yesterday when the network goes down again I assume the same thing would happen. I'd get refunded my buyin & simply have the rest of the prize pool divied up. No sir!

After about 15-20 mins. I'm finally able to log back onto the network & take my seat back at the table. There were 6players left and all were still sitting out but me and one other.

Immediately the other player who had come back says in the chat, "Let's blind them off and then play heads up. You take a pot then I'll take a pot and so on until they're gone."

I tell him to hold off for a few minutes & just sit out so that I can try & get ahold of support. Well, after waiting for support for about 5mins. he comes back & says that he's tired of waiting & that he's going to blind people off & if I don't like it too bad!!

Fuck... So what am I supposed to do? Do I take the high road & get blinded off with the rest of them or do I join in his pillaging of blinds and antes?

Well, lacking in a bit of moral fibre myself, I joined in although not before voicing my opinons. We ended up blinding the other 6players off in about 25mins. & I won it in the 2nd hand of HU play. Was I glad that I'd won? Absolutely! But it seemed a little bitter sweet. Almost like I'd cheated to get to the #1 spot and I didn't like the feeling at all.

Either way, I ended the weekend by increasing my bankroll by just over 20%. Not too bad. I played solely 1Table SnG's & HU matches. I think that I'm going to keep on this until I've increased my bankroll by 100% of my original money & then start hitting up the 180's on PokerStars.

A big shoutout goes to Burr & his crew who are hitting up the Canadian Poker Tour this week! Go Team Hun-A-Neh!!!!

My Bumpy Start Back Up The Mountain

2007-03-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

So, I made the decision not to play any live poker this weekend. Partially because my girlfriend had just come back from a week in Europe and partially because I wanted to concentrate on my online game.

So, with my new deposit in hand I went to it. I stayed true to my new policy of "no cash games" online & played STT's & HU tourny's. I don't have my stats with me as I'm on my laptop but here's a rough estimate of the weekend.

Friday I did pretty good. I placed 1st & 2nd in the STT's & didn't money in 2others. I played a bunch of HU tourny's & won more then I lost. I ended the day by increasing my bankroll by just over 50%.

Ok, I want to take a moment here to explain something. I've stopped thinking about my online bankroll in terms of money. Let me explain...

Ever since I got drunk & stupid awhile back & threw away my online roll at the $2/$4 game I was pretty depressed. I'd start re-building & look at it in terms of money & think about what I'd blown & how little my new roll was in comparison. Well, no more!!

I've now started looking at it in terms of percentages. If I only have a roll of $10 and sit down at the $0.2/$0.4 tables & end up up $5 then I've just increased my roll by 50% and that ain't so bad. I find that looking at it this way has helped me come to terms with the fact that I got drunk & pissed away my entire roll. Live & learn I guess but this is my way of coping with it! :)

So, back to the weekend. So, Friday ended pretty well. Up about 50%. Saturday however was a different story.

I once again only played STT's & HU tourny's but I just couldn't get anything going. I'd flop top 2 & end up getting called down & end up getting rivered. Or I'd flop 2pair & someone would flop & bigger 2pair. Just shit like that all day. I ended up losing my profit from Friday and I'm now sitting down 15% from my original roll. I didn't cash ONCE on Saturday.

I've been taking time after each game & reviewing my hand histories and I can already see the benefits in doing this. I'm going to continue reviewing my hands from now on & eventually get PokerTracker up & running. Hopefully next weekend.

So, there you have it. I'm now getting ready to sit down for another day at the online tables. I think that while playing the STT's I may also try & sat. my way into the Sunday Million... We'll see how that goes!

Cheers

Another Deposit Another Promise

2007-03-02T09:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, so, I've said it before but this is it! NO MORE DEPOSITS ONLINE!!!

I'm fed up with losing money online. So, I've made my last deposit online as of this morning. Not a substantial one, but one that will allow me the freedom to experiment & try & improve.

Note To Self - STAY AWAY FROM THE CASH GAMES!!!!!

I'm done with the ring games online. I used to use them simply to accumulate buyins for tourny's but lately I have found myself playing no toury's at all. So, I'm now going to concentrate soley on tourny's. I'll probally check out the 180's on PStars. And I find the HU matches on PStars to pretty much be like an ATM so I'll definitely hit them up as well. But, I think for the most part I want to work on my MTT strategies, or lack there of.

So, there you have it. That's the plan stan! I took the day off from work today as it took me 3.5hrs. to get home last night with the ridiculous weather & I didn't feel like fighting that battle again. So, being the degenerate that I am I'm going to go & hit the tables!

Cheers!

I need a fix!!!

2007-02-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

So, it's 1:30 on Monday afternoon & I'm sitting at my office trying to get motivated to actually get some work done. Bah... It's looking pretty bleak!

All last week I had really been looking forward to this past weekend to get in alot of hours playing poker. I'd decided to cancel my live games & concentrate solely on my online game. You see, my girlfriend is over in Europe for business for 1week so I had the place to myself. I was going to turn on some tunes, settle in, focus, and start working at improving my game.

So, how'd it go you ask? It didn't!! I came down with a cold that would kill most people, a fever that had me dilusional for most of the weekend, and figured if I were to play cards I'd just be donating my chips. So, instead I slept!!!

Pretty interesting if I do say so myself!

I'm still feeling pretty crappy but at least I've kicked the fever. So, tonight I'm gonna play some SNG's & see what I can do.

Cheers!

So, I've Started A Blog...

2007-02-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

Yup! That's right!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Great, here's another guy who's jumped on the band wagon and has decided to start a blog and put his heart and soul out there for others to read."

Well, you're not entirely wrong. But, if you don't like it, then don't waste your time reading it!

In all honesty, I've decided to start this blog so that I can try & assess my online poker game and become a winning player.

You see, playing live isn't a problem. I've been playing for about 3years and I've consistently been a winning player. However, online is a completely different story. Plain and simple; I SUCK!!

It's crazy! I think it has alot to do with the fact that I just don't get as motivated as I do when I'm sitting at FallsView or at my local club. I don't get the same high as when I stack someone or when my bluff works or when I get paid off on a monster. On the other hand, I find that when playing online I let Tilt get to my WAY more then I do in my live game.

Going on Tilt is something that I worked really hard at getting out of my game. When I'm playing live I like to think I've done a really good job. I mean, like anyone, it'll rear it's ugly head from time to time. But not nearly as frequently as it used to and I don't let it cost me nearly as much money as I used to. However, when I'm sitting infront of my laptop I don't seem to have a good handle on it. I'll get cleaned out at the cash table on a terrible beat (I hate you Lee Jones) and, more times then not, I really let it effect my play and I don't have the pressence of mind to get up and leave the table.

So, all in all, I'm looking at improving my game. More so my online game, but I'll also be looking to learn and grow in my live games as well. I plan on finaly implementing PokerTracker for my online play & spending ALOT more time reviewing my HH's. Also, I'm open to criticism from any who care to give it. I'm not an egotistical maniac by any means. I'll be the 1st to say that my online game sucks balls and I need to improve it. So, feel free to lend an ear (or anything else for that matter) and throw in your 2cents!

Well, that's all for now. I'm at work & figure I should probally try and get some actual work done today. But, this weekend will mark the beginning of a new era for me and my online poker career. My girlfriend's out of town and I'm not going to the club. I'll be playing poker all weekend, but online only. I'll be sure to update anyone who cares to follow along!

Wish me luck!

Scott