Poker Blogs

Intro:
+ Show Spoiler +

'The reason most people never reach
their goals is that they don't define
them or ever consider them as believable
or achievable.

Winners can tell you where they are going,
what they plan to do along the way and who
will be sharing the adventure with them'
-Denis Waitley


What is a goal?
Definition: 1. The result/achievement towards which effort is directed; aim; end.
In poker if you have a clear goal you can start directing efforts toward that goal.

Example from fitness
Goal: I WANT TO GET IN SHAPE
This very common goal is not a good one, because it is not specific and does not include any measures.

Refined goal: I WANT TO LOSE FAT (as a proxy for losing weight).
This is a much better goal. It gives you a specific direction and you can e.g. focus on resources for fat loss. It still lacks specificity though and doesn't give much information.

Re-refined goal: I WANT TO LOSE 20lbs in 8 WEEKS
This is a big step forward. It is a specific and measurable goal. Without measurably you will not know how much closer you are towards achieving your goal.
This goal also provides a deadline, and gives you a sense of urgency. If you fail then your goal was either
A) Unrealistic
B) Your strategy has been infective/not as effective as it should have been

Re-refined goal: I WANT TO LOSE 20LBS OF FAT IN 8 WEEKS BY DECREASING MY CALORIE INTAKE AND INCREASING THE INTENSITY AND DURATION OF MY REGULAR EXCERCISE.
I'LL BE DOING CARDIO 4X PER WEEK AND ENGAGING IN RESISTANCE TRAINING AFTER EACH SESSION. I'LL BE FOLLOWING A PROGRAM LAID BY A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL.
Here you have broken down your goal into specific and measurable targets that that you can include in your to-do list, it will be much easier to track progress and feel achievement. You have also decided to swallow your ego and set out to find professional help.
In poker this would mean Watching vids, letting Talented Tom tell you that you hate money.

You can break everything down even further, and break down your goal into steps. You can then introduce these steps into your every day routine and that way you can easily take the steps, each day, and eventually reach your goal.

http://thejetpacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/stairway-to-heaven.jpg

Application to Poker
Setting results-oriented goals in poker in goal can backfire. Instead you should set task oriented goals.

MOVING UP AND TASK SPECIFIC GOALS
Say you play NL100. A good goal would be to e.g. read like 2 books and take notes, to have 10 coaching sessions or watch 20 videos along with BR requirement before you move up to NL200. You have to achieve these things before moving up even if you have the BR earlier.
By doing this you move up when your skill has increased, rather than when you just ran hot. If you allow your level of improvement to be independent of your bankroll you will become a better player faster.

It is important to break your goal to smaller steps like 1 chapter per day, coaching session every Tuesday or a video every 2 days.


SURROUNDED BY SUCCESS
http://blog.danshamptons.com/entertai...nt/uploads/2008/04/rowing_picture.png
-Means aligning yourself with people with similar goals and similar/higher level of commitment and drive to succeed.
An active group of people can hold you accountable and improve your motivation.
Although beware of getting into a group with negative attitude that might infect your mind. Try to get involved with even more ambitious and more devoted people that you are yourself.

ENDNOTE/CLIFFS
Setting goals is very important and will help you in achieving whatever you want to achieve tremendously.
Don't set goals just to set goals. Break down your goals (Make them task oriented in poker if possible) so that you can use them in your daily routine. One day at a time baby.

Don't forget to check out LP people's general goals Here and post yours. In order to break down and refine a goal, you need to have an overall general goal in the first place and that is where you can go look for some inspiration.

http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/06/large_RedWingsTopPhoto.jpg

Source:
http://www.deucescracked.com/videos/7021-Episode-Four

http://www.liquidpoker.net/userpoll/draw.php?poll_id=1132
Poll: Nutrition and poker from same author-would my notes be useful to you?
(Vote): Yes, post your notes after you watch it dude!
(Vote): TL,DR, whatever
(Vote): Useless



Comments (0)       read entire blog

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/d3fd47e0582492f7e057a8f29cc3d3bf.jpg

Ok, am I still not playing tight enough lol? Maybe reduce my range in half again, play 5/5/3? All the 3betting is coming from blatant blind stealers with like 50% steal rates, or hands like AJs/AQo OTB vs utg/MP raises. I usually get a shit ton of folds so I'm pretty sure a lot of people are just opening 22+ and random suited connectors from any position.


Comments (16)       read entire blog

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9442/50k.png
inb4 downswing

And I just hit the 40 mark like 2 weeks ago, so sweet And I'm about to win HOTW finally, so its a double brag!!
Really close to the 6 digits now, considering rakeback+live poker.

Last 4 days:
+ Show Spoiler +

Moved up kinda, playing a lot more 115s now, was getting too bored. Have changed my cbetsize a bit lately:
+ Show Spoiler +

+ Show Spoiler +

+ Show Spoiler +

Also took one day to play MTTs because of HU boredom too. Lost flips for the CL to bust 11th in 2 tourneys, but got 2nd in another one to finish up at least. Still wasn't happy cause I lost to the biggest idiot ever at HU, the guy would call down any pair at the FT and raise any air 100% of the time. So first hand of HU he c/r me on the flop and I say to my friend on msn: "oh he's gonna donate on 1st hand already, he prob has J2o". Then on the turn I say "gg unless he hits his gutshot".

+ Show Spoiler +

And then at even stacks he open shoves next 5 hands, I get 99 he has AA gg, fuck tournaments.

+ Show Spoiler +

103k VPPs in 74 days now, 7k away from the bonus


Comments (10)       read entire blog

Hey, guys, I just created an event on chipmeup and i want to promote it here since nobody has bought a share from me yet . here is the link: http://chipmeup.pokernews.com/custom_...-saturday-challenge-50k-gtd-sunday-ch
here are some graphs:
http://imgur.com/QSAuB.jpg

http://imgur.com/iCDv0.jpg

First one is from Cake (Spermonium), 2nd from Pacific (LoLmart). Check my profile on chipmeup for more info. If you want to win some money along with me, chip me up!
Reserved 35 of the 45% i'm selling. 10% to go!
All sold.


Comments (0)       read entire blog

... My leaks, that is. Or is it even a leak? Maybe just bad luck.

Hi, I'm trying to learn to not suck, so I've been playing a lot. There's this one thing I keep losing to over and over. It's when I have overpair or top pair top kicker on a seemingly blank board.

I'm just going to post a couple of examples, there's 10+ of these over ~7k hands, I don't know if I'm supposed to be a master hand-reader or if I should just play the odds... Or something in between I don't know.

Maybe I just bet too weakly to maximize gain when I should be trying to protect my hand?

Anyways here you go, feel free to call me terrible etc.

Submitted by : adeny

PokerStars Game #53032978137: Holdem No Limit ($0.01/$0.02 USD) - 2010/11/21 12:00:44 CET [2010/11/21 6:00:44 ET]
Table Zerlina 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: Mctwist09 ($2.79 in chips)
Seat 3: willsonnn ($0.83 in chips)
Seat 4: fucanto ($2.98 in chips)
Seat 6: Mix3rr ($1.09 in chips)
Seat 7: Valega :-D ($6.27 in chips)
Seat 8: HamsterXL ($2 in chips)
Seat 9: Hero ($1.51 in chips)
Mctwist09: posts small blind $0.01
willsonnn: posts big blind $0.02

Holecards(Odds)
Dealt to Hero
MihoRedd joins the table at seat #2
fucanto: raises $0.06 to $0.08
Mix3rr: folds
Valega :-D: folds
HamsterXL: folds
Hero: calls $0.08
Mctwist09: folds
willsonnn: folds

Flop(Odds) (Pot : $0.19)

   
willsonnn leaves the table
fucanto: bets $0.16
Denis Riv joins the table at seat #3
Hero: calls $0.16

Turn(Odds) (Pot : $0.51)

   
fucanto: checks
Hero: bets $0.10
fucanto: calls $0.10

River (Pot : $0.71)

   
fucanto: bets $0.64
Hero: raises $0.53 to $1.17 and is all-in
fucanto: calls $0.53

Showdown
Hero: shows (two pair, Kings and Eights)
fucanto: shows (a full house, Sixes full of Eights)
fucanto collected $2.90 from pot

Summary
Total pot $3.05 | Rake $0.15
Board  
Seat 1: Mctwist09 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: willsonnn (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: fucanto showed and won ($2.90) with a full house, Sixes full of Eights
Seat 6: Mix3rr folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 7: Valega :-D folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 8: HamsterXL folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 9: Hero (button) showed and lost with two pair, Kings and Eights

PokerStars Game #53029850267: Holdem No Limit ($0.01/$0.02 USD) - 2010/11/21 9:33:44 CET [2010/11/21 3:33:44 ET]
Table Fredegundis V 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: twocut ($3.04 in chips)
Seat 2: bazsanszki ($0.82 in chips)
Seat 4: nammax ($2 in chips)
Seat 5: BratWu ($5 in chips)
Seat 6: dodge321 ($3.94 in chips)
Seat 7: NaDTriNa ($6.13 in chips)
Seat 8: Hero ($1.70 in chips)
Seat 9: kslacker2 ($1.84 in chips)
BratWu: posts small blind $0.01
dodge321: posts big blind $0.02
Yahan588: sits out

Holecards(Odds)
Dealt to Hero
NaDTriNa: folds
Hero: raises $0.06 to $0.08
kslacker2: folds
twocut: calls $0.08
bazsanszki: calls $0.08
nammax: folds
BratWu: folds
dodge321: folds

Flop(Odds) (Pot : $0.27)

   
Hero: bets $0.06
twocut: raises $0.26 to $0.32
bazsanszki: folds
Hero: calls $0.26

Turn(Odds) (Pot : $0.91)

   
Hero: bets $0.30
twocut: raises $1.34 to $1.64
Hero: calls $1 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($0.34) returned to twocut

River (Pot : $3.51)

   

Showdown
Hero: shows (a pair of Aces)
twocut: shows (two pair, Queens and Nines)
twocut collected $3.34 from pot

Summary
Total pot $3.51 | Rake $0.17
Board  
Seat 1: twocut showed and won ($3.34) with two pair, Queens and Nines
Seat 2: bazsanszki folded on the Flop
Seat 4: nammax (button) folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 5: BratWu (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: dodge321 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: NaDTriNa folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 8: Hero showed and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 9: kslacker2 folded before Flop (didnt bet)

PokerStars Game #53029759976: Holdem No Limit ($0.01/$0.02 USD) - 2010/11/21 9:29:00 CET [2010/11/21 3:29:00 ET]
Table Kalypso II 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: MillieMutt ($1.85 in chips)
Seat 4: Emby59 ($4.96 in chips)
Seat 5: ktire1982 ($1.87 in chips)
Seat 6: Hero ($1.52 in chips)
Seat 7: TheBigChees1 ($0.87 in chips)
Seat 8: O`Capuchina ($2 in chips)
Hero: posts small blind $0.01
TheBigChees1: posts big blind $0.02

Holecards(Odds)
Dealt to Hero
O`Capuchina: folds
MillieMutt: folds
Emby59: folds
Trader820 joins the table at seat #2
ktire1982: raises $0.08 to $0.10
Hero: calls $0.09
TheBigChees1: calls $0.08

Flop(Odds) (Pot : $0.30)

   
Hero: bets $0.10
TheBigChees1: folds
ktire1982: raises $0.18 to $0.28
Hero: calls $0.18

Turn(Odds) (Pot : $0.86)

   
Hero: bets $0.20
ktire1982: raises $0.78 to $0.98
Hero: raises $0.16 to $1.14 and is all-in
ktire1982: calls $0.16

River (Pot : $3.14)

   

Showdown
Hero: shows (a pair of Queens)
ktire1982: shows (a pair of Kings)
ktire1982 collected $2.99 from pot

Summary
Total pot $3.14 | Rake $0.15
Board  
Seat 1: MillieMutt folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 4: Emby59 folded before Flop (didnt bet)
Seat 5: ktire1982 (button) showed and won ($2.99) with a pair of Kings
Seat 6: Hero (small blind) showed and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 7: TheBigChees1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: O`Capuchina folded before Flop (didnt bet)

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/9a285df2753840e3939463d61aa08ff4.jpg

and rabbits
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/cd44da726648cde9ae9a3a53f8fba7cd.jpg

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/ee336031101e5f004ec3168e3c13b3e3.jpg

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/3eade1388f28271c14757b2ef56af3b9.jpg

butt squeezin at http://babyshow.me/luv006/


Comments (4)       read entire blog

http://i56.tinypic.com/6r4ifb.jpg


i left nl100 feeling extremely comfortable with playing in position with a wide range against any player and any range. i played around 30/20 vpip/pfr.

@ nl200 i'm getting 3 bet to hell. getting 3 bet by the button when you are utg is such a tough spot.

alot of these pots are now 3 bet pots and i guess it will take time before i grow completely comfortable in 3 bet pots.

a weird spot that keeps coming to me is when BU or CO opens and the SB 3bets and I have like TT/JJ/AQ in the bb. i remember 4 bet bluffing somewhat regularly at nl100 but it seems as though these hands are a little to strong to 4 bet bluff but not strong enough to just flat and play oop. just wondering what you guys do here.

also i'm getting 3 bet alot when i open utg from certain buttons and it is hard to keep track and identify a range for them. i mean i know it's their right as they have position on me but is there no other adjustment than to narrow my range? i feel like incorporating 4 bet bluffs is the only answer but it is some what difficult to play enough hands and have solid enough reads to 4 bet bluff without getting reshipped by the nuts.


Comments (2)       read entire blog

Cardistry, also known as XCM (xtreme card manipulation) is the "extreme" manipulation of cards. This involves intense moves and flashy displays. It can also be incorporated into magic routines.
Since poker is played with cards, and this is a poker community, I think cardistry is an art which may interest some of you. I have found it to be very useful for relieving stress. It's something very fun to switch to when you're trying to enforce a stop-loss. Just a few minutes of practice will make you forget about the downswing you just had.

Here are some demonstrations:





Some magic applications:





A downside to Cardistry is that it can be difficult hobby to start up, let alone knowing where to start. It's very easy to get discouraged early on when you can't do anything and you're dropping cards all over the place. But with the right guidance, and if you talk to people with more experience / use the internet, you can build up your foundation relatively quickly and perform some pretty impressive moves.
I've been doing cardistry for about a month and this is an awesomely visual yet easy cut that I just learned. (the cut itself took 4 hours)




That said, I'd encourage everyone who's stayed interested enough to watch all those videos and gotten through my post to give cardistry a try. If you're lost on where to start, you can PM me and I'll direct you to some resources. When you get better, don't show off too much in public if you still want to be invited to poker games


Comments (1)       read entire blog

NVM


Comments (0)       read entire blog

A couple days ago before falling asleep I had this idea to go on a spontaneous trip by myself to some random city in Europe for a few days or maybe a week. I would turn off my mobile phone, not say anyone where I'd go and just spend the whole time on a whim doing whatever I want without any worries. And now here's the question: Who would put me up for a night or two and hang out together, show me around and just chill ?? If you'd be willing to do so, just write where you live so that I can make a list of places I could visit It's not that you'd have to be with me all the time. I even think that going to a city where I don't know anyone would make the trip more interesting but it'd be great if any of you wanted to meet up if there was such option.

Mike


Comments (19)       read entire blog

2.5% still available, read my last entry for info. I will be playing these tournaments guaranteed now, thanks everyone.

mastaes - 5%
gehennas - 5%
exalted - 10%
huhu - 10%
panorama - 25%
yomer - 10%
stinker - 5%
player999 - 2.5%
bigbobm - 2.5%

3 ko's


Comments (12)       read entire blog

Hey guys,

I need $100 in Pokerstars, can send in Full Tilt. I will send first to known posters. I am in kind of a hurry. Thanks a lot.


Comments (1)       read entire blog

read andrew songs blog.

leave the same info, and i'll dole out 3-4 free 1 hr sweats. i'll PM the people i choose.

need karma bad, worst run of career.

p.s.

i'm a selfish asshole and only doing it for the karma so no kind words plz.


Comments (51)       read entire blog

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6291/amountwoninusdoverhands.png

Small sample, but take a guess when my first coaching session was


Comments (6)       read entire blog

Comments (4)       read entire blog

Can't believe NBA trolled this so hard

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/...The_Awkward_Handshake_2010_11_14.html




Comments (3)       read entire blog

I don't give much of anything back to this community, so here's a little something that may benefit those of you who take it to heart.

First of all, let's look at the obvious: we're seated for hours on end. What does that lead to? Think about it: your knees are flexed, so your hamstrings are in a shortened position and they, inevitably, will shorten. Your hips are flexed, shortening your hip flexors and your rectus femoris (one of your quadriceps; the only one that crosses the hip joint). This tightness will lead to changes in the kinematics (movement) at the hip, knee, and ankle (Kinetic Chain).

Your arm or arms are stretched out in front of you, probably mostly just the side you use for your mouse. At the shoulder, this is called protraction. This changes the kinematics at the glenohumeral joint (shoulder). Depending on how bad it is, how long you've been like this, etc. it can lead to impingement at the shoulder. A quick test for this is to take your hand and place it on your opposite shoulder, leave it there, now bring your elbow to the ceiling. You feel a pinch? You may also notice it in overhead exercises like military press, incline bench press, skull crushers, etc.
Scapular Protraction: http://figureathlete.t-nation.com/img.../2008/08-FIG131-training/image009.jpg
vs
Scapular Retraction: http://figureathlete.t-nation.com/img.../2008/08-FIG131-training/image007.jpg

Shoulder impingement Test:
http://www.t-nation.com/img/photos/2009/09-135-training/05b.jpg

So, if your shoulders are constantly protracted, then the muscles on the posterior (rear) side will be put in a lengthened and essentially weakened position (Length-tension curve), namely your rhomboids, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius. This leads to winging and tipping of the scapulae (your shoulder blades). Winging and tipping essentially lead to instability/pain at that joint. This also puts the muscles on the anterior (front) side in a shortened position, which usually then become more dominant. This is often referred to as pec or pectoral-dominance as the muscles generally affected are the pec major and minor.

Winging and Tipping:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/neurosurgery/pns/images/Fig37.jpg

Let's talk posture. I can pretty much guarantee that your posture sucks. No big deal, right? Wrong. Maintaining crappy posture throughout the day has a variety of long term effects. Depending on how much time you put in on your computer, having your mouse at a different height than your keyboard may lead to a functional scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine). Additionally, flat back and forward-head posture are common among people who spend a lot of time at their computers. As you can imagine these lead to neck and back problems.

Thoracic kyphosis + forward head posture:
http://backexercisedoctor.squarespace...QUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1282110051797

Scoliosis:
http://drjoed.com/images/scoliosis.jpg

This is really just the tip of the iceberg to be honest. If there's a significant amount of interest in this, I may post some follow up stretches/exercises prescribed with the internet poker player in mind. If not much interest is shown, you can always google exercises, or go pay for physical therapy (chiropractors can't help you, don't burn your money).


Comments (16)       read entire blog

Oh ... My ... God!! Yes!! If I could post graphs I would but I'm a noob and can't get it to work. Anyways so I was hanging out with my buddies last night till about 1 am and decided I feel good enough to play a NL 100 session. I usually use a 3 buy in stop loss but I looked at my cashier 25 minutes into the session and I was down $500. HOw? I don't even know... All I could remember was getting sucked out on for 2 of my stacks and where the other 3 went? So naturally I keep playing and a little over a hour later I'm down $1100 (Although this was my fault as I can remember I called off a 175 bb flop shove with a double gutter). So I go to sleep dreadfully. I wake up today and having a day off of work I decide to recover. Started off rough going up $200 and then down $300. And then I started shitting on people over and over and over again. I didn't really start making hands till the last couple hours of my 9 hour session today - Mainly just rebluffed a lot of regs and played solid against the fish and random. I just finished about 20 minutes ago and I made $1250 plus about $150 in rakeback. I can't believe I got out of this nightmare so easily... Ship it!!! So from last night and today's session stats are: 8.6k hands, $600 below EV, 20/15/4.5, and made $270 including rakeback.


Comments (6)       read entire blog

http://i56.tinypic.com/255klt0.jpg


Comments (3)       read entire blog

Comments (4)       read entire blog