Anchovies and capers are incredible for adding flavour when used as seasonings in food, sauces in particular. Who knew! This revelation has really lent an air of 'art' about cooking in my eyes. I find it incredible that I can add two ingredients that I dislike the taste of individually - especially robust anchovy - to my cooking to really lift the whole end product.
I imagine lots of people miss out on experimenting with strong flavours because they're worried about tainting their food. All I can say is softly, softly, gently, gently. Don't go overboard just keep yourself on your toes. A little of something here and there to push your boundaries and learning.


On the poker front things have continued in an upwards fashion. I'm incredibly proud of my control and patience at the table. A benefit of not trying to force things is that my general feel for the game has improved exponentially. This has allowed me to make a couple of timely 'moves' outside of the realm of 'straightforward' play required to beat the micros.

A couple of tasty tidbits for the fiends out there :-

I genuinely laughed out loud. That's what consistently winning can do for your mental stability...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958696

Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958665

Would he have raised the flop c-bet w/ TP? He can't like his hand but I guess that's why there's so much money to be made...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958668

Villain is a TAG reg. I hate getting raised ott and I always see better when I shove - sigh. Just don't know if I'm being results-orientated when I say I think I advocate a fold because the only hand I see him raising w/ that I'm not beat by is also KQ...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958670

I really like this line vs a winning reg who gets suspicious post-flop...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958676

Vs a reg who's a bit play happy. We'd clashed a few times over the course of a session. I'd been iso'ing from the blinds and x/folding bad boards. The cards fell perfectly and he bit too hard post-flop...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958694

K10s is quickly going up in my estimations...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5958700


More musings soon peoples.

Cheers,

Andrew

When (haha) I make these entries it takes me ages; I'm ill-disciplined and impatient.

With regards to getting anything done, ironically two of my other personality flaws save me. 'Fortunately' having an addictive personality and being stubborn allows me to get things done - occasionally worthwhile but more often than not frivolous and gratifying in the short-term. I need to motivate myself, force myself into awkward spots and take risks, force myself to excel, go out on a limb and be challenged.

In general I'm a bit lost but I feel good AFTER I write. Although its a maddening process of mental self-flagellation - I wish prose just flowed out of me alla James Frey - I think i need it. Right now re-reading the sports pages really does seem the pinnacle of entertainment when faced w/ the prospect of penning such an unweighty tome. I need the stimulation and for someone with such a laissez-faire attitude I need the structure. My girlfriend hates that I don't use the diary that she got me. That I'm not a more organised person is almost the only strain on our relationship, but I like it that way. So while I like leaving things a bit up in the air writing is my attempt to improve, a compromise if you will. Getting my thoughts down will allow me to refocus and assess my progress, at least in the mid to long-term.

I need to do big things, I will do big things.

So I haven't played too much poker in the last couple of years. An enforced hiatus you could say, a product of growing up and getting a job. After a couple of years working in the insurance industry I recently decided I needed to do a master's degree. Actuarial work wasn't really for me and with my lack of relevant experience, i.e. my lack of a maths degree, I didn't feel I had enough of a comparative advantage in relation to my peers to justify continuing down a professional road I just wasn't excited about.

Although things didn't work out I did thoroughly enjoy my time in the city and feel that is the place I want to be. I enjoy the buzz and culture of it. My plan is to get back there but with a few more strings to my bow. I read history as an undergraduate and plan on doing a master's in economics. Unlike other post-grad students I need to earn my stripes so to speak and that brings us to the present day.

Currently I'm working independently towards a couple of qualifications that will determine my eligibility for the master's courses I'm interested in. I took 4 exams the week before last and my final set of exams are in June - fingers crossed!

Now that I'm not working full-time I have more time for poker. As will happen with things I enjoy I've really been putting in the hours. Over 30k hands this month.

As this blog is hosted on CR something poker-related is a must. Mind set is just so important for poker, it really can't be overstated. So anything that helps you maintain your mental equilibrium is as valuable to your winrate as your skill set. So (drum roll please) my lucky charm is... Rush. I read a comment on Verneer's blog about how 25NL Rush probably doesn't make you a better player but is easy to beat. With that little gem on board I've adopted a strategy of using 2 tables of Rush to buffer my more swingy sessions of regular 6 max.

Honestly when I'm playing my A game I should be playing limits higher than I currently do. As mentioned earlier I'm an impatient person. This doesn't cost me more than when I'm playing. Up until recently I've battled with this long-term, assuming it was just a question of experience driven learning, something it might very well be. Unfortunately I just can't seem to learn and prolonged tilt has led me to donate my roll numerous times.

If my experiment continues in the same vein w/ about 70k hands worth of back up I'll post some results at the end of next month.

On a separate note here's a quick hh illustrating a spot where I think players lose value when auto-piloting vs a loose and aggressive fish :-

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5945125

I imagine a lot of micro-stakes players would bet this turn, but I think even fish will x/f the ultimate scare card ott. Not sure whether s/he's bluffing or value-betting otr - not sure s/he even knows. Whatever his/her thought process I think I got max value in a spot where a lot of regs just get the one street.

I doubt many if any of my future posts will be this long but here's to hoping that, no matter how short, they do happen, and more regularly.

Cheers,

Andrew

I don't want to come off as too much of a fan-boy but I do owe INTERNETPOKER's a debt of gratitude and I'd like to thank him for his thoughts and this one in particular, taken from one of his blog posts - 'So what are we entitled to? Well, simple - whatever our average winning per hand is.' This idea has had a calming influence on me and my approach to poker. It has allowed me to avoid tilt for over a month and has contributed to the dramatic upswing I'm currently enjoying.
Like many CR members I feel like I have decently solid fundamentals, however my results did not support this assumption. An actively patient approach has done wonders for my confidence in general and in particular when facing looser opponents.
The acronym KISS is key but it hasn't been my motto since killing it at 10NL. In fact all the 'experience' and 'learning' I've done since those heady days has actually forced straight forward play to the back of my mind. I feel like my thoughts have been cluttered with set/standard moves/plays - "Oh I saw this spot in a video, it's perfect for a squeeze - it only has to work some%blahblahblah...".
Play the player that's all and try and make sure you're playing the majority of your pots vs the weak spots at the table, they'll make so many mistakes that playing straight forward IS the most profitable strategy. After learning to exploit the weakest you KNOW you can turn a profit AND you understand how the regulars are trying to turn a profit. A clearer understanding of the game dynamics lets you successfully exploit the donks and regulars because of the accurate overview you've developed. You know how people view you and then you know what you can get away with and against whom.
Anyway if you're a donk and you're reading this then don't mind me, I'll be biding my time and winning all the big pots because always/never getting to showdown and/or seeing my cards is tilting you.

So I'm down after 2 hours and then...

http://www.pokerhand.org/?3998497

http://www.pokerhand.org/?3998507


Boom - book that session.


Andrew

If I'm not going to blog that's fine but I feel seriously guilty if I claim to be committed but stop-start regularly. Here's to hoping (making sure) this time it sticks.

I don't get to play as much as I'd like these days but when I do play I'm buzzing, motivated and more often than not busting out the 'A' game. I'm very fortunate to have met some great people through poker and all of them have contributed in some way or another towards the success I'm currently enjoying at the microstakes.

As things stand I'm rolled for and, more importantly, ready to tackle 100NL.

A few ideas have struck particular chords for me since the beginning of the year:
1.) I had to play without a HUD for a period. While I value the info a HUD provides, and I do play consistently better when using one, my time without proved to me how important it is to be SURE of your read. Playing without a HUD forced me to play much more straight forwardly until I developed a RELIABLE idea of how my opponents were playing. A straight forward game plan is seriously profitable especially if you're game-selecting well.

2.) The effect of stack-sizes on the lines you should be taking - w/ particular reference to isolating pre-flop, pot-control and getting max-value. So many decisions are governed by stack-sizes that often there is really only one best option available. Realising how stack-sizes affect certain situations has really simplified my thought process in a lot of spots and has allowed me to avoid making as many tough decisions as I used to.

3.) Before entering the pot I have an idea of the players left to act and those I'm targeting. I know how I expect them to play almost any flop and can thus play my hand optimally. Does villain: donk-call flops (never bluff), fire any/every turn if the flop is checked through (slow-play made hands to capture double-barrel bluffs), call down and bluff missed draws (bet, bet, check/call line), call down regardless (3-streets of value with a made hand). More often than not a check/fold line is best oop. Your stats will allow you to categorise a specific opponent as loose/passive or maniacal but each opponent is loose/passive or maniacal in his/her own way. A little thought and you can pin-point individual weaknesses and pick them off with an array of different lines.

If you read this please hold me accountable - I really want to maintain a decent blog.

All the best,

Andrew

First off I want to apologise for the language used in my last post. I lost the plot and spewed after a couple too many beers.

I'm similarly drunk right now but I'm happy.

I just wrote a long post about combatting auto-piloting by incorporating a 'system' into one's game. Unfortunately my computer crashed so I'll re-write that post when I have a bit more time. Suffice it to say that I'm on a 10 buy-in upswing since ammending my poker 'routine'.

I want to write down a couple of ideas that have been brought to my attention recently. Both have improved my game. The first is stealing on boards that miss a villain's range. The second is overcalling in spots, as opposed to 3-betting, to keep a 'sub-standard' player in the pot. This idea of keeping poor players in the pot despite being in profitable 3-betting situations is explained succinctly in the latest videos produced by Fonkey and Six Peppers. Both videos were great - much love to both instructors.

I hope I follow through on my promise to re-write the 'system' post.

Andrew

Yeah no doubt.

I'm running as dry as my friend sahara - and even this circumstance couldn't be considered good/funny by any of my friends, the majority of whom would piss themselves laughing - without having lived through the experience.

I'm ~break even over 5674 hands. The following exemplify my current situation and make me wonder whether a rakeback account = fuck you for taking advantage. Obviously not - but probably/definitely...

Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

Seat 1: Villain 1 ($24)
Seat 2: Villain 2 ($14.45)
Seat 3: Hero ($10) -
Seat 4: Villain 3 ($5.05) -
Seat 5: Villain 4 ($3.75) -
Seat 6: Villain 5 ($11.80)


PRE-FLOP:

Villain 3 posts small blind $0.05
Villain 4 posts BIG blind $0.10
Dealt To: Hero


RAISE Villain 5 ($0.35)
RAISE Villain 1 ($1.20)
FOLD Villain 2
RAISE Hero ($2.90)
FOLD Villain 3
FOLD Villain 4
CALL Villain 5 ($2.55)
CALL Villain 1 ($1.70)


FLOP:

Pot: $8.85


CHECK Villain 5
BET Villain 1 ($1.10)
CALL Hero ($1.10)
RAISE Villain 5 ($8.90)
CALL Villain 1 ($7.80)
CALL Hero ($6)


TURN:

Pot: $33.75




RIVER:

Pot: $33.75




SHOWDOWN:
Villain 5:

Villain 1:

Hero:


Villain 1 collected $3.6 from side pot 1 with a full house, Nines full of FivesVillain 1 collected $28.15 from main pot with a full house, Nines full of Fives

SUMMARY:
Total pot: $33Main pot: $30
Side pot: $3
Rake: $2

Final Board:


Seat 1: Villain 1 showed [9h 9d] and won 31.75 with a full house, Nines full of Fives - Net Gain/Loss: ($19.95)

Seat 2: Villain 2 didnt bet folded - Net Gain/Loss: ($0)
Seat 3: Hero button showed [As Ah] and lost with two pair, Aces and Fives - Net Gain/Loss: ($-10)
Seat 4: Villain 3 small blind folded before the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.05)
Seat 5: Villain 4 big blind folded before the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.1)
Seat 6: Villain 5 showed [Kc Ac] and lost with a pair of Fives - Net Gain/Loss: ($-11.8)



Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

Seat 1: Villain 1 ($3.90) -
Seat 2: Villain 2 ($3.40) -
Seat 3: Villain 3 ($10.15)
Seat 4: Villain 4 ($41.80)
Seat 5: Villain 5 ($10)
Seat 6: Hero ($10) -


PRE-FLOP:

Villain 1 posts small blind $0.05
Villain 2 posts BIG blind $0.10
Dealt To: Hero


RAISE Villain 3 ($0.30)
CALL Villain 4 ($0.30)
FOLD Villain 5
RAISE Hero ($1.45)
FOLD Villain 1
FOLD Villain 2
FOLD Villain 3
CALL Villain 4 ($1.15)


FLOP:

Pot: $3.35


BET Villain 4 ($40.35)
CALL Hero ($8.55)
UNCALLED Villain 4 ($31.80)


TURN:

Pot: $20.45




RIVER:

Pot: $20.45




SHOWDOWN:
Villain 4:

Hero:


Villain 4 collected $18.45 from main pot with a full house, Tens full of Nines

SUMMARY:
Total pot: $20 Rake: $2

Final Board:


Seat 1: Villain 1 small blind folded before the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.05)
Seat 2: Villain 2 big blind folded before the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.1)
Seat 3: Villain 3 folded before the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.3)
Seat 4: Villain 4 showed [Tc Ah] and won 18.45 with a full house, Tens full of Nines - Net Gain/Loss: ($8.45)

Seat 5: Villain 5 didnt bet folded - Net Gain/Loss: ($0)
Seat 6: Hero button showed [Ad As] and lost with two pair, Aces and Tens - Net Gain/Loss: ($-10)


Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

Seat 1: Villain 1 ($10.65)
Seat 2: Hero ($10)
Seat 3: Villain 2 ($8.10)
Seat 4: Villain 3 ($15.05) -
Seat 5: Villain 4 ($6.85) -
Seat 6: Villain 5 ($2.30) -


PRE-FLOP:

Villain 4 posts small blind $0.05
Villain 5 posts BIG blind $0.10
Dealt To: Hero


RAISE Villain 1 ($0.20)
CALL Hero ($0.20)
FOLD Villain 2
CALL Villain 3 ($0.20)
CALL Villain 4 ($0.15)
CALL Villain 5 ($0.10)


FLOP:

Pot: $1


CHECK Villain 4
CHECK Villain 5
CHECK Villain 1
BET Hero ($0.75)
FOLD Villain 3
CALL Villain 4 ($0.75)
FOLD Villain 5
FOLD Villain 1


TURN:

Pot: $2.5


CHECK Villain 4
BET Hero ($1)
RAISE Villain 4 ($2)
RAISE Hero ($8.50)
CALL Villain 4 ($3.90)
UNCALLED Hero ($2.60)


RIVER:

Pot: $14.3




SHOWDOWN:
Hero:

Villain 4:


Villain 4 collected $12.9 from main pot with a full house, Nines full of Jacks

SUMMARY:
Total pot: $14 Rake: $1.40

Final Board:


Seat 1: Villain 1 folded on the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.2)
Seat 2: Hero showed [9h Ah] and lost with three of a kind, Nines - Net Gain/Loss: ($-6.85)
Seat 3: Villain 2 didnt bet folded - Net Gain/Loss: ($0)
Seat 4: Villain 3 button folded on the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.2)
Seat 5: Villain 4 small blind showed [9c Jc] and won 12.90 with a full house, Nines full of Jacks - Net Gain/Loss: ($6.05)

Seat 6: Villain 5 big blind folded on the Flop - Net Gain/Loss: ($-0.2)

Free hand converter brought to you by CardRunners

These are just the tip of the berg.

Amazingly I feel like I'm playing very well. I'm especially pleased with my efforts to get max value in any given situation. I'm value-betting very thin and in the majority I'm correct to do so.

Run better than me,

Andrew

By far the most important difference in my approach towards poker is my realisation that developing a group of 'poker' friends is important. Previously my appreciation of the necessity for poker discussion extended as far as posting on the forums. A recent turn of good fortune has made me realise the error of my ways.

A chance reply to a blog post has allowed me the pleasure of developing relationships with Pawel Nazarewicz, aka Verneer, and Rhys Davies, aka Celt81. Verneer is a great teacher and Rhys, as an ambitous player in a similar boat to mine, makes an excellent study partner. As enthusiastic as one another and at a similar stage of development I hope Rhys and I can both progress as far in the game as I feel our desire and work-rate deserve - Rhys is always on call for a review or sweat session. I want to thank these guys for their combined influence on my game.

I never quite appreciated the importance of live poker debate. I felt that because poker posts were considered you got the best of people's opinions without dealing with bs idea development. Since meeting the aforementioned people I've realised the importance of the discussion that precedes the establishment of explicit opinions. There are too many relavent tangents related to each and every poker topic discussion. The presence of multiple enteties fleshes out subjects more fully. Group discussion has opened my eyes and expanded my understanding exponentially. Individual study pales in comparison as a means for 'pushing boundaries'. The fact is that a lot of the ideas explored in depth in a group are considered trivial and go unmentioned whilst trying to put thoughts on paper as an individual. An audible dialogue allows the flexibility to explore so much more in a shorter period of time.

Andrew

Basically I'm an addict and I need to confess.

This game isn't fading anytime soon and therefore I've decided to make a conscious effort to take my addiction seriously and at least turn my poker experience into an enjoyable one. Don't get me wrong I love poker but I love poker more when I'm in control.

The mental strength/control required to be a success at any sport/game/job that demands decision making under pressure is something I'm in awe of and definitley something I hope to gain over time. Ice cold.

Over the last year and a half or so I've fluctuated between 50NL and 10NL with some success. As of the beggining of July 2008 though I've started from scratch and I'm aiming to do things right this time. I'm taking a considered, academic approach. This blog will be my way of leaving markers along this path. By explicitly acknwledging and expressing those aha moments I'll be able to jog my memory in the future when the wheels come off. This is something I've been far too lazy to do in the past and something I feel will be oh so important for my development. Additionally this blog should provide a cathartic vehicle. I want to be a more bearable person when things aren't going so well.

July 2008 will hopefully be my last incarnation as a poker donk.

My second post will outline how my approach to poker has change this time around and why I'm confident about succeeding.

Andrew