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I decided to give some $24 + 2 games a shot on FTP today. So I entered a 90 man bounty sng as well as a $75 token 9 person sit n go.

I wanted third in the 9 man and got that.-- $66

and then came in third in the 90 man.-- $252 plus bounties.

This is a good score for me. Good luck Everyone!

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/dbeda.Cash.jpg


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has anyone here gone on a crazy monkey tilt after losing like 2-3 buy ins at a given stake? im just wondering if im the only one. in your opinions...does this mean im not cut out for poker? or it just takes some time to develop the discipline to take your losses? i am a profitable player when i actually control myself...but the minute i lose it, i can potentially tilt off my entire roll. it is a shame to let my emotions get in the way of doing good in poker. thoughts are appreciated!

gl


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So i havent played anything on Poker Stars for years but i recently noticed they got the coolest stuffed animal ever in their store for 1300 fpp and i really want it! In fact i want two if possible (2600 fpp). I dont know how hard it is on PS, at ftp you can type in a new adress when you order stuff from their shop but at PS it seems like you have to use your registered adress?

If anyone would be nice enough to go thru the hassle to change it and order 2 stuffed animal sharks for me and then change it back i would be very gratefull, i guess if you live in Sweden you could order home and then send me without it costing to much... Oh well it would be a great xmas gift for me if anyone is up for it, im not sure but i googled some and it seemed like 1 fpp is worth 1.5 cent? So it would be $39 for 2600 fpp, i will give the one going thru the hassle $50, not sure if i can send it on PS after their new transaction limits since i pretty much never play there (but i have the money there) otherwise i can for sure send it on FTP.

Anyone?

http://www.pokerstars.com/vip/store/images/large/shark_plush_toy.jpg


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weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/58b67.31122009047.JPG

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/28549.31122009046.jpg

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/23bc8.31122009045.jpg


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I've lurked here for awhile reading mostly hand histories, but wanted to create a blog at some point to post videos of myself playing and talking about what I'm doing. Sort of a way to receive help from other players and at the same time be able to contribute to the site and give back to players who are stuck or just in need of watching someone else play for a confidence boost.

So with that said, I'm going to be making the videos anywhere from 25NL up to 100NL (my current limit). I'll probably be making a few a week or maybe more if it's really helping anyone, with the first one coming out in a couple of days or so. I would like to know if there's anything that players would prefer I do differently than say coaches at Leggo or CR do; for example, are the poker site sounds better to be off or on? Avatars off or on? 4 tables or 6 tables? As far as live or pausing to talk, I don't expect to have a hard time talking about hands in real time at all, but if anything warrants more discussion obviously that's easily done in comments. The only other thing I can think about is quality which I'm happy to change... they should be about the same size as coaching vids though (something like 200mb for 1hr).

If this blog helps even 1 person and improves me in only 1 spot - it will be worth it. So that's all for now until the first vid.

Haaaaaapy new year ^_^_^_^


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Well at beginning of november i needed 72k vpps to get the 200k milestone and i made it~ so thats a nice $2k added to my BR.

Ran pretty bad overall these two months however i'm pretty pleased i put in decent volume and netted some profit too.

November: +$1961

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/bd694.november09.jpg

December: +$2562

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/06bdc.december09.jpg


Not massive profit months but good volume equates to decent rakeback anyway and bonus too so im happy!


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Hi guys. I have $25 left on my UB account which I released AFTER I withdrew from there stupidly so I want to exchange that for $25 on either Stars or FTP. I'd be ok with paypal or neteller exchange if there's no interest. PM me please!


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Hey guys,
So December is in the books and I have some good news to report.
At the end of November I made a blog post about playing 175k+ hands of 100nl and making it to 200k vpps, in order to buy the 2k bonus on Stars. It was going to be hard, but I am super pleased that I managed to make it. It ended up taking slightly more hands than I anticipated, but I was still able to get there.

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/b0d81.200k vpps.jpg


http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/04558.dec 09.jpg

I ended up taking a shot at 200nl for the last 8k vpps, and playing around 20k hands there. My overall impression of the limit over that sample was that it was definitely a step up from 100nl in terms of the skill of the average regular, but I still think I have an edge over most regulars, and should be able to grind out some nice profits. So starting January, I will keep playing 200nl and see how I go.

Overall I'm so happy with December, it was by far my biggest month volume-wise, I was able to grind out some nice profits, got a taste of 200nl, and got a nice boost to my bankroll in the form of the 2k milestone bonus, as well as a shitload of FPPs, lawl. Hopefully January will be just as successful.

Thanks for reading, good luck in January, and Happy New Years!
Dean



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Enjoy the rest of your year cus starting tomorrow morning, the grind begins! again.

http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/6b965.SN09.jpg


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i started to take poker more and more seriously this year, started at 6m 25nl in june and gradually grinded my way up to 100nl

results:
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4202/2009rw.jpg

total profit for year including tourneys, bonuses and money made on cakepoker = about 12k

2010 goals:

1. become a winning 200nl reg
2. make average 2k per month (24k)
3. be taking shots at 400nl by end of year

4. get to c+ on iccup

happy new year and gl at the tables this year lp!




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ring ding dong ring ding dong
ringidingidingidingi

happy new years


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Started watching Tommy Angelo's video's after recommendations from a fellow lp'er.
Was really interesting and cool to watch.

Here are my notes


Right view: (Anything that isn't wrong view)

- Seeing things as they are, having no delusions.

- Example of wrong view: When we are result orientated (When we base an alayzis of a decision on how things turn out, rather than basing it on the decision itself.) Happens when we analyze a betting decision, quitting decision etc.

- Right view: Not being results orientated (result orientated just an example)

Tilt

- "Tilt is any non A-game performance." (Tired, under bankrolled, emotional unstable, etc.)
- Anything that changes your good decisions, to making bad decisions, is tilt.


Being results orientated effects our evaluation

Example: We make a play, it didn't work out, and we think we made a horrible play, and can easily put ourself on tilt, even if the play might have been pretty good.


The professional:

- The little Angel/voice on your shoulder
- What if there was a guy, who had to make money of poker, or die

*All of his decisions will be based on his poker, what he eats, when he sleeps, what he thinks, anything in his controle, it's all metagame for this fictional character*

- What if all "my" decisions were based on maximizing my poker profits?

* Will influence on how I will behave (wouldn't badmouth the casino, want people to be happy, and come there, want players to come there and play. So last thing would be, say something bad about the Casino).

- What if all my decisions including what I say, were based on profit, what would I say, what would I do (How you can use "The professional" as a guide).


More examples of wrong view

- The whole idea by being bugged all day by a hand is something you want to let go
- Any time you think "I finally got a hand, I finally won a pot etc" let it go
- "There was this total fish at the table" (There's no fish/donk/at the table, wrong view) let it go (Look at them as trees instead lol)
- Having a big pair, waiting for an Ace to come (terrible view)
- Hating anything a fish(tree) /regular does is wrong view


Look at things for what it is, there's no room for fear


The gray area

That part of poker strategy evaluation, when you just don't know what the right play is or was, and you never will. And it's built in the nature of the game.

"The decisions that bother us the most matter the least."

(Decisions where your EV was 50% wether you would have bet or folded).

In our mind we're latched to take one side or another

- You don't want anything in/around the grey area to cloud/bother you mind. Don't get stuck in the quagmire of the grey area. All it does it bring us down

Belive and accept that a lot of decisions are very close, and neither would make a diffrence

- Suggestion: Recognize when you've come upon one of those, analyze them, and think what you should have done, then move on. FAST!

(Usually these decisions who get loooong threads on the forum, with a myriads of opinions who's right and wrong, and people fight to the death about it. When you find these, move along).


Interessting fact: 75% of all poker players think they play better than the other 75%.

The grey area is so huge, allows any of us to over evaluate our own play.


More on right view

- A good poker player wants to put himself in +EV spots, by evaluating profitable situations

- A guy who finds a table which looks really juicy, might say: Wow, a table full of fishes(trees) who sucks ass, I'm better than all of these isn't evaluating, he's juding

Judge versus evaluate

Judging is when you bring in type of words which move towards wrong thinking. When you attatch to those words, it detracts from your ability to evaluate.


Improving from the top up and the bottom up

A diffrent approach to how you spend the energy that you put toward improving your score.

- Improve not only your A game, but your C game aswell

- Conciously spend 50% of your energy improving your C game, so when you're losing/playing bad, you don't lose that much, and can get faster back to your A game.


Example of C game:
- You get stuck, and you start playing looser, chasing your losses
(A lot has to do with awareness)

Be honest with yourself, say to yourself (When Im stuck i play to loose, i need to keep tight).

- Bad beats
- When you play bad (compounding tilt)

(When I play bad, I'm very harsh on myself, and go on tilt)

- When too tired, when drunk, berating the fish, so on so on.

(Monster leak to critizise other players.)

Ungracious, un generous way to treat another human being. If your motive is purely profit, there's a much higher road to take.


Summary of Right View

Myself:

- To look at yourself with no delustions, no distortions. It means to be able to step out of ourself and observe ourself in a situation, and be able to objectively evaluate what we are doing without emotional entanglement. This is the rightest view of all, that can help us at the poker table, and anywhere we are. Especially if we find ourself struggling with strong emotions we wish we didn't have.

Example:
Driving, it's one of the most irritating thing we do. People who might be calm and compassionate, lose their cool when driving.

(Right view does not say, you should be good all the time, you should improve yourself. Right view is just the act of being able to view yourself, and being able to say "I am angry now" Without saying "there's something wrong with me for being angry"

- Better off if you can label your emotions


My opponents:

- They're an obstacle, in the way (Look at them as just tree on a golf course). And not hold them accountable, or be emotionally evolved with them. And will let you properly evaluate things.


My play:

- Be constantly aware that you have different levels of preformance. A B C game. What right view does, doesn't pretend your in ur A game all the time, opens your eyes when you're in their C game. Everyone has them.

- Being aware of the diffrent level you preform at, and being aware of which ones your in.

- Knowing your actual weaknesses and strengths within the betting strategy. (Calling big bet to bluff, not being comfortable being the one who bluff etc)

- With no delusions or distortions, step outside yourself to give a good evaluation


End thought

What makes something right view, is the lack of wrong view. (The lack of judgement, the lack of emotional attachment.) The thing added on to a "story". Just tell it honestly.



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$3,160

Thats my bankroll as I enter the new year.

Goal: $13,160

Happy New Year everyone!


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Is anyone's expected line EVER below their actual?

It's like mine is always destined to soar way above my actual, in fact I've never seen it noticeably under my actual... ever.

17 bi under expectation for cember. At least I have a pretty red line.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/ilovecatsmorethanyoulovecats/g2-2.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/ilovecatsmorethanyoulovecats/g1-3.jpg

All hands are HU.

Happy new years.


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In my goals for December I wanted to train 12 times this month, I ended up on 7 times. But I'm fairly happy about that, because I've been struggling a lot with my illness, and hasn't been able to train.

When it comes to pokerstudy, I'm happy. I've seen around 15 vods and done quite a bit of reading, only problem is I keep reading 40 pages into something, then stopping, finding something else to start on, then something else. I really should finish a book.

I wanted to try and play 80 hours of actual poker this month (On the table)and ended up with 84 hours, so that's really cool.

For my winrate, not so cool. I really want it higher, and just wanting it isn't enough. Need to put more effort into it.

38,159 hands on 20nl (euro) with a winrate of 1,76BB/100 269e = 13,5 buy ins up.

But I I raked quite a bit, and I'll get around 480e in rakeback, so total profit = 749e

So next month I'll start with taking shot at 50nl, and if I drop down 5bi I'll move down to 20nl.

My final stats:

VP$IP 22.38 / PFR 17.85 / WTSD 26,7 / AF 3.0 / 3B 6,7 / Fold 3B 68 / Fold BB to Steal 76 / Fold SB to steal 85


When I look at positions it looks fine, I think, vip on the button is 30% and utg is 17%. I'm winning from cash from the last 3 positions, and losing tons of SB and BB (But those are blinds, can I avoid that?)

And the graph looks weird as always, the blue one in a straight consistent line up, green one goes vertical, slightly up, and the red goes down down down.



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Longterm Goal - To be come a better poker player

1. To continually push myself to develop my poker skills
2. To beat a level consistently and have complete confidence in my game when moving up limits
3. To increase my physical activities and keep my body in good shape


Poker Related Goals

- Completely rid myself of monetary value when playing poker. Money does not matter. I will do this by playing very low limits, and having a very large bankroll. Aiming for 50-70 BI's. Sounds alot, but I feel it will work for me.

- Play no more than 6 tables, and ideally 4 table.

- Review each session. Spend a good 30 minutes each day, going over hands and putting reasoning as to why such and such was played, and asking if it was played good or bad.

- Watch, study and learn from Poker Videos on various websites. Goal is to watch 3 videos a week, taking notes and paying full attention

- Not to be short term results orientated. Always think about the longterm. Not too check any graphs during sessions, and ideally not to check inbetween sessions if having short breaks.

- Work on my mental strength and how to train brain to learn efficiently

- Not to waste valuable time browsing the internet for no apparent reason.

- Work my ass off.


Non-Poker Related

- Go for a run at least two times a week. I am taking part in a Marathon relay in May. I need to be in good shape to achieve a good time.

- Spend more time with my fiancee

- Get my wedding plans finalized

- Keep a record of all the hours I work (in my FT job). I get a set salary each month, however the hours are erratic and sometimes very long. Work out my actual hourly rate and contest it if I believe it to be inadequate.

- Not to waste money on takeaways at lunch. Always prepare by making lunches before work. Spice it up by bringing different things.



Dream Goal

This is just a dream goal that is very unrealistic, but I want to put it here. It is not a 2010 goal, it is more of a life dream goal. If it takes me 20 years, then so be it. It is something I want to achieve.

+ Show Spoiler +

I am determined to make 2010 the year that made a difference in my life. I am getting married this year and its about time I grew up and started really working my ass off!


Happy New Year!


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I was a tourist in vegas last summer. I also went to LA in my epicly long trip. (by long i meant i drove. wtf) no particular order...except alphabetical as to how i saved them enjoy.
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/db70f.649 half inch.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/ac29c.atrium.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/9790b.atrium2.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/68168.big hat.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/62059.building.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/505a2.casino.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/68f13.ceasars.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/28e30.chicken and waffles.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/64065.nom nom nom.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/7c77e.driving.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/aff1e.fat chick.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/c5fc6.hotel room.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/ebcc7.nick adenhart.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/bb1ed.stadium.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/7ce64.stadium2.jpg
http://www.liquidpoker.net/user_pictures/5f1ab.the stripe.jpg



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Happy New Year LP from Hong Kong! Good luck and run good (except against me =D)


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So... I haven't blogged in a while.

cliffnotes on life

-quit working out because i played a vicious game of bloody knuckles that made my hand swell up humongous (damn pride, ego and long island ice tea)
-confused as ever about the girl in whatever blog it is below
-took a very cute girls vcard
-got in a fight because of said girl
-lost 5ish lbs?

Most excitingly though, I decided to pick up poker again. I've been playing mostly hu 2 tabling trying to turn around my horrible PTR stats that are embarassing(-2k). I think im only down 750 or so now, score!

I hate my job and its literally the best job i could ever ask for locally. I think if i get 6 months of payments saved up from poker I'm gonna quit and play poker for a living again. Like a 5k br and 6 months of payments would be a pretty good padding and in 6 months if i fail then I go to school or something, not back to being a lowlife scrub with no degree.


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I'm reading through his well, and found it to be a siiick read. So started collecting things/notes, quotes and stuff for myself.
(That means everything here except the questions is from Phil).


- There can be a thing as too much aggression, does something to your range, so you have to fold to raises a lot. Just have it in the back of your head. For balancing purposes too

- Forcing yourself to play is always a bad idea, both financially and emotionally.

- No monetary goals, and try to work out regularly and keep friends in ur life.

- Moving with peopel who play/study/love the game, watching them play, and discuss talk about diffrent lines is something that made me grow sooooo much

- (Quote from a discussion with Durrr on a hand) he had something like weak top pair and was facing a big river bet. He was like, 'I think a call is better than a fold' and I thought to myself, 'yeah I agree' and then he said 'but I would shove' and I exploded. I realized that you should think of every possible option you have in nlhe. You usually have a ton of them.

- If you are near someone who plays poker and is smart, spend as much time around them as you can if you want to improve your game.

- realize that you have more options than you think you do. Thinking outside the box, turning made hands that are good enough to call into bluffraises that turn out to be even more profitable, cbetting 1/3 pot in a rr pot, etc.

* Ephipanies (or how you spell it)

- how to use your style/image and balance your range accordingly. I started out being pretty nitty before realizing that I could use my image to bluff. Then I started to get called down. I got angry, like 'I'm so tight, how can they call!?!' before figuring out what my ranges really consisted of in certain spots.

- every time the action is to you, it's an opportunity for you to make the perfect play. Thinking about poker that way is great for your game.

- I've realized that working out regularly helps your game more than you might think. I highly recommend it.

- I think the three most important areas of intelligence in regards to poker are logic, probability, psychology. They actually are pretty close in order of importance, and change depending on game structure.

- one of my strengths is that I'm self aware.


- Smart to get a coach early on, for a slight boost in your horly win rate is really significant in the long run

- Tommy didn't teach me the things I wanted to learn, but he taught me the things I needed to learn.

- A lot of people don't get the most out of coaching because they ask the wrong questions.


In poker, every player has personal motivations.

* Through watching their play, you can get a general feel for what they want, what they fear or worry about, what they are comfortable/uncomfortable with. Most importantly, you get a feel for what they want, at their core.

* These are generalizations, but are true for most people who play these ways. You can find out more specific details about a player's personality by paying attention.

* a nit is afraid of losing a lot of money with the worst hand. They're uncomfortable in big pots with marginal hands. They often fear coin-flipping for a lot of money.

* The loose passive player usually plays for fun. He wants to see flops and wants to showdown his hand. He wants to see if the cards in his hand can match up with the cards on the board, or if they're good enough to rake in a pot. He wants to see your hand.

* The Bad LAG wants to win THIS POT. RIGHT NOW. Anytime he gives up on a pot it's because he's holding himself back. He likes to gamble, and usually doesn't mind getting his money in without proper odds.

(He often (but not always) has pride issues, meaning he wants to show you how big of a man he is. If he trash talks, you can be especially confident that he has pride issues. This means that he very badly doesn't want to be bluffed off of a pot or miss an opportunity to bluff himself. It also means that if you have any history with him, whether you won a big pot, showed a bluff, got bluffed by him, really anything, he's more likely to bluff you or call you down light.)

* So those are his main character traits. What else does he do differently?

Phil's old Stats:

21/16 preflop, 2.4 total AF

W$WSF 45.45%, Went to SD 28.88% , W$@SD 55.56%

Flop AF 2.6 Turn 2.0 Riv 2.5

Q: Everyone always asks this, but what do you think are the biggest differences between the really good nosebleed players and your average 25/50 regular? Is it just small details?

Phil's A: Intelligence, time (different point in career), Being able to play shorthanded and adjust to players.

A lot of it though is honestly variance and being in the right place at the right time. There are a top players who aren't any better than some 25/50 players. They just ran good at good times, and have the roll and the risk taking ability to play in great games. It's not that rare that a 200/400nl or plo game is softer than a 25/50 game going on at the same time.


Q: Do you agree with the idea that 1 or 2 tabling higher stakes will help your growth as a player better than multi-tabling medium/lower stakes?

Phil's A: Yes, less tables definitely. Especially with another smart player watching you and discussing concepts. And especially HU tables.

Higher stakes, not really. It might make you a bit more interested, and the competition will be a bit tougher, but you might not play your best. You can learn a lot about the game 2 tabling fish hu though.


Q: What dictates your decision to quit/go on with any given session?

Phil's A: The one thing I learned most from Tommy Angelo, is how awesome quitting is.

You should pride yourself in making a good quit. I really mean that. When I'm playing and make the decision to quit, I'm very happy with myself.

The two real reasons to quit are if playing is -EV financially or -EV emotionally. I know the latter isn't a real thing, but I use it all the time.

Basically, if for whatever reason I think I'm not a favorite (or a very small favorite), I'll quit (Ideally).

Or if I'm unhappy or stressed out by playing, or would be much happier doing something else, I quit (Ideally).

Reasons you become -$EV should be obvious, and you should realize when you are unhappy.


- Phil Quotes:
"Think of what your opponent wants you to do, and then do the opposite"
"Saying position is important in poker is like saying distance and direction are important in golf."
"It can never be that wrong to not play"

'Approach every decision as if it were tomorrow and you were looking back upon it'


Phil's thoughts on going through rough downswings; confidence issues, tilt, emotional effects, etc.

* It's easy to play when things are going well. How a player deals with a bad run is what defines him as a poker player.

* The most important thing is the be honest with yourself. Admit when you aren't focused or playing your best. Take breaks all the time. Get outdoors if you can. All the time means every 90 minutes or less.

* If you're afraid of losing your seats, take 3 minutes and walk into another room, do 20 pushups, go to the bathroom/grab some food, and come back.

* Taking time off when on a downswing is always a better idea than you want to admit. Getting away from poker for some reason usually helps you get your confidence back.

* Be willing to quit games when you find yourself tilting at all. Most people tilt by going on autopilot and don't realize they're tilting.

* I think it's probably possible to stop most of your tilting. It's very difficult though. Understanding that you tilt, and being able to identify it and quit is your best bet by far.

* Also don't play tired, unless there's a very big fish in the game.


Q: in playing the highest stakes, aside from the rare and egregrious fish, what are some subtle distinctions between winning/marginal/losing players?

Phil's A: think that a lot of medium-good but not great players probably undervalue betsize/timing tells. Especially against weaker opposition.

Q: Also, do you believe that some inherently winning players (that is, with the skills to win) end up losing longterm, and vice versa?

Phil's A: Some players are smart enough and work hard enough to win, but lose because of 'soft skill' leaks. Things like game selection, BR management and tilt control.

Q: Looking back what are some things you would change or stress for someone looking to get to your level to do or not to do? Any mistakes you made a lot that took you a few times to learn?

A: The best thing I ever did for my poker game was meet other people who played poker. My poker friends and coaches helped me move up 3x faster than I would've on my own.

I'd also recommend trying to eliminate autopiloting. Too many players can't make the jump into bigger games because they don't know how to think for themselves. They just play a TAG cookie cutter style and think it will continue working because they crushed the lower limits with it.


Some rant about goals: I think it is very important to identify your goals as a poker player so that you can act in a way to achieve them.

Do you just want to have fun playing? What’s fun for you? What would keep you from having fun? Do you want to make money? How much? When? In the next two weeks? For the next 10 years of your life? Can the big money wait? Do you want to keep getting better? At what game? Why?


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