2015 Poker Discussion Thread

[Track Collector]

In absence of anyone else doing so, I thought it was time to open up a dedicated thread for year 2015.

We will miss proximity's session-by-session game descriptions and insights, but hopefully he will still grace us with a periodic report every so often.

All others please chime in when the urge hits you.


...

[wiffleball whizz]

I'll get on the ground floor of this thread.....just a hand at work tonight that makes my jaw drop.....

A table full on NON REGS in a 1/2 game about 6 in the morning on a $88 in the pot on the river to a AQ852 board no flush:

Player A (first to act) bets $70
Player B calls 70
Player C ( on button) calls 70

Player A "I can't win"
Player B "I can't beat 2 callers"
Player C tables a pair of 2s with a Jack to win pot


I almost fell out of the seat, without getting into game theory and or pot odds how do you call that lolololol

(Love the "I can't beat 2 callers" comment when one guy bet lolololo)

[thaskalos]

I'll get on the ground floor of this thread.....just a hand at work tonight that makes my jaw drop.....

A table full on NON REGS in a 1/2 game about 6 in the morning on a $88 in the pot on the river to a AQ852 board no flush:

Player A (first to act) bets $70
Player B calls 70
Player C ( on button) calls 70

Player A "I can't win"
Player B "I can't beat 2 callers"
Player C tables a pair of 2s with a Jack to win pot


I almost fell out of the seat, without getting into game theory and or pot odds how do you call that lolololol

(Love the "I can't beat 2 callers" comment when one guy bet lolololo)
Are you sure you are not just saying this as an advertisement for your card room? :)

[wiffleball whizz]

Are you sure you are not just saying this as an advertisement for your card room? :)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA you would salivate over these players, tons of dc Money and put it in with anything!!!!!

Action rivals most house ganes IMO

[horses4courses]

Are you sure you are not just saying this as an advertisement for your card room? :)

Priceless...... :lol:

[proximity]

We will miss proximity's session-by-session game descriptions and insights, but hopefully he will still grace us with a periodic report every so often.


kicked off 2015 with a trip to horseshoe baltimore to cash all the free slots play i earned in pursuit of diamond status before it expired.

joined a brand new game around 1:00 and was dealt KK in my very first hand!

the cowboys held up and 2015 was off to a +$62 start!!

for the next 14 hours though i just got absolutely rag-dolled. KK lost 3x, AK lost (at least) 8x without a single win, and i connected on one straight out of about 15 good draws. fortunately i was able to flop a couple sets of 6s to avoid the atm line but dropped $156 in the end.

good luck to everyone in 2015!!

game -156
year -156 (0-1) :mad:

[Track Collector]

My return to the poker tables in 2015 took place yesterday (Saturday) at the Charles Town Races.

During my 4-hour session it seemed I was relatively card dead. I had something like 4 wins, of which 2 of them were won using a bluff/aggression. On one of those 2 hands I raised a $20 showdown wager to $60 (pre-raise pot size was something like $40) while I was in position and against a player who ended up missing a straight. Good thing my aggression folded him out, as any pair would have beat my starting AKs + best board cards of Jo,xo,xo!

I have been reading an excellent book lent to me by Thaskalos (Thanks Gus!!!) titled "Poker Plays You Can Use" by D. Hull. It advocates small, incremental changes (improvements) to one's game, which among other things encourages more aggression, particularly in position, against specific-type players. Many of these changes of course take us out of our "comfort" zone, which is exactly why they can move us ahead of the typical 1/2 and even 2/5 No Limit players and improve our current $ success rate.

As can be expected, just a few hands will have a huge impact in the determination of whether an overall session ends up plus or minus. In this session it was a hand that I was dealt JJ from what I think was mid-position. A player on the button who is leans on the tight side raised to $16 pre-flop. I became the only caller in search of set. The flop was dry with no overcards, but I still decided to check and see what was coming. With his $40 bet I made a practical decision to fold. (My session was a plus one and I was likely to leave within the next 15-20 minutes.). To my surprise he ended up showing me his QQ. I was dominated and would have lost a significant amount of chips had I decided to contest this hand further. Not sure if my gain was luck, a good read, or that "practical" decision I mentioned early.

Final tally was + $43.

So much to learn (and change)!


...

[dirty moose]

Played a session at the Borgata 2 weekends ago. 10/20 limit game. In for $400 out with $693. Game is pretty soft but ultra tight. +$293

I had some decent cards so there wasn't a lot of actual poker playing. The table pretty much picked on 2 or 3 guys at the table. I used to play a lot more but don't have the time to.

Back when I first started playing poker, I always played limit. Limit poker faded out in the underground NYC clubs so I had to move to no limit. I recently moved back to limit a couple years ago, and there is no looking back now.

[proximity]

Played a session at the Borgata 2 weekends ago. 10/20 limit game. In for $400 out with $693. Game is pretty soft but ultra tight. +$293


do you get any decent room offers there?

since caesar's is taking away all my free room offers i'm thinking of just playing at borgata and seeing if any free room offers come??

maybe play three long sessions at borgata and stay two nights at a non caesar's property so they don't know i'm in town if the plan fails??

[proximity]

did anyone get the latest total rewards email about the Caesar's bankruptcy??

on april 15 a 50% bonus will be applied to the first 1,000 to 50,000 tier credits tr members earn between jan 1 and mar 31 (daily bonuses not included in calculations) !! :jump:

don't know if that's enough to lure wiffleball whizz out of retirement but it'll definitely help me to get back to diamond for 2016!! :ThmbUp:

[dirty moose]

do you get any decent room offers there?

since caesar's is taking away all my free room offers i'm thinking of just playing at borgata and seeing if any free room offers come??

maybe play three long sessions at borgata and stay two nights at a non caesar's property so they don't know i'm in town if the plan fails??

As of right now, thru Feb, they are offering me one comp room Sunday thru Thursday.

[proximity]

As of right now, thru Feb, they are offering me one comp room Sunday thru Thursday.

sounds nice.

baltimore is starting to comp me at the hyatt and sheraton so idk when i'll be back to a.c.? when i do go back i'll have to remember to concentrate my play at one casino since they are obviously punishing me for jumping around.

[proximity]

did anyone get the latest total rewards email about the Caesar's bankruptcy??



http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/2015/1/17/12734/7293/vegas-travel/Caesars+Entertainment+Wants+You+To+Stop+By%2C+Brin g+Money

ironically just after i changed my avatar to gary busey's "get me two" horseshoe baltimore had some "best i've ever tasted" meatballs the other day on my first trip to the diamond lounge. :D

wish ww could've been there but i guess he's still self-excluded until april? :confused:

[proximity]

kicked off 2015 with a trip to horseshoe baltimore to cash all the free slots play i earned in pursuit of diamond status before it expired.

joined a brand new game around 1:00 and was dealt KK in my very first hand!

the cowboys held up and 2015 was off to a +$62 start!!

for the next 14 hours though i just got absolutely rag-dolled. KK lost 3x, AK lost (at least) 8x without a single win, and i connected on one straight out of about 15 good draws. fortunately i was able to flop a couple sets of 6s to avoid the atm line but dropped $156 in the end.

good luck to everyone in 2015!!

game -156
year -156 (0-1) :mad:

shook off this loss in the opener and went 4-1 the rest of January to post my 4th consecutive winning month. (or at least non-losing month) :)

blew an $82 lead in the one (small) loss at horseshoe Baltimore but came back with a big win there the next week. picked bad seats in two no limit games at pen and my short stack buy in hurt me in one hand there. fortunately I was able to post wins in both games though and continue to look to follow the advice I was given in my "2014" thread about seat selection and increasing buy ins.

hope everyone here is doing well!! :)

month +251 (4-2)
year +251 (4-2)

[proximity]

saw wiffleball whizz last night at horseshoe.

he told me he got a new phone and lost his pa password so that's why he hasn't posted in awhile if anyone is concerned or tried to pm him. I sent a pm to cj and hopefully the authorities here will be able to get him back up and running shortly.

anyhow i'm happy to report that it was a good night for p.a. members!!

whizz crushed a 7.50-15 "pink chip" rotation game of "orse".... which he was lobbying to make "horse"..... but the other players didn't want to add hold 'em.

no hold'em.... no problem for the whizz!!

meanwhile I was able to grind out a $115 win at the 3/6 tables which wouldn't even be worth mentioning if not for the fact that the win pushed my winnings since the beginning of our 2014 poker tour to over $1355 for the first time since game #20 at the Borgata..... a span of 126 games and almost 50 weeks between bankroll peaks!!

it was about time!! :)

game +115 (3/6 lim)
year +475 (7-3)

[Track Collector]

The following is an excerpt of something Thaskalos posted on another thread:

************************************************** ********

In theory, you are right. Poker is a PEOPLE game, played with cards. But that's not how the game is actually played by the vast majority of the people in this country today.

I walk in the poker room, and sit down to play no-limit holdem for 5-7 hours. I recognize no one at the table...and I know from the get-go that I will not see enough of their starting hands to make any accurate determinations about their playing "tendencies". You'd be surprised how rarely a good no-limit player will actually have to show down a starting hand...and there is no way to determine his playing style without seeing a fair number of his starting hands.

So...what do I do upon sitting at the table? I count on the fact that my playing "philosophy" will overcome the general playing philosophy of the players that I usually see. It's not player vs player; it's philosophy vs philosophy. What else can it be? I never played against the players that I am playing against today...and it's unlikely that I'll ever play with them again. Even if I can make some accurate assumptions about their play by the end of today's game...what good will it do me in the future? Will I ever see the same players again?

THAT'S the climate under which most of the players play today...whether they admit it or not. Poker isn't like boxing...or even fencing. It isn't a "personal" thing.

************************************************** ****

I for one would be very interested to hear Thaskalos go into much greater detail on this "philosophy".

[_______]

The following is an excerpt of something Thaskalos posted on another thread:

************************************************** ********

In theory, you are right. Poker is a PEOPLE game, played with cards. But that's not how the game is actually played by the vast majority of the people in this country today.

I walk in the poker room, and sit down to play no-limit holdem for 5-7 hours. I recognize no one at the table...and I know from the get-go that I will not see enough of their starting hands to make any accurate determinations about their playing "tendencies". You'd be surprised how rarely a good no-limit player will actually have to show down a starting hand...and there is no way to determine his playing style without seeing a fair number of his starting hands.

So...what do I do upon sitting at the table? I count on the fact that my playing "philosophy" will overcome the general playing philosophy of the players that I usually see. It's not player vs player; it's philosophy vs philosophy. What else can it be? I never played against the players that I am playing against today...and it's unlikely that I'll ever play with them again. Even if I can make some accurate assumptions about their play by the end of today's game...what good will it do me in the future? Will I ever see the same players again?

THAT'S the climate under which most of the players play today...whether they admit it or not. Poker isn't like boxing...or even fencing. It isn't a "personal" thing.

************************************************** ****

I for one would be very interested to hear Thaskalos go into much greater detail on this "philosophy".

You don't need to see starting hands to make accurate judgements about players. If you sit long enough and never see cards, you still know how often a player voluntarily puts money in the pot and gauge them as tight, neutral, or loose based on that. You can also see how often they start betting or raise after the flop compared to just calling and gauge them as passive, neutral, or aggressive.

If you aren't adjusting your playing philosophy based on those observations as the game progresses, you would be leaving $ on the table in the long run.

[thaskalos]

You don't need to see starting hands to make accurate judgements about players. If you sit long enough and never see cards, you still know how often a player voluntarily puts money in the pot and gauge them as tight, neutral, or loose based on that. You can also see how often they start betting or raise after the flop compared to just calling and gauge them as passive, neutral, or aggressive.

If you aren't adjusting your playing philosophy based on those observations as the game progresses, you would be leaving $ on the table in the long run.

See...that's why I said in another thread that I wished I had these types of discussions face-to-face instead of on the internet. You are playing no-limit holdem with me for 6 hours...and you see my hole cards once. And you are supposed to figure out my poker-playing tendencies just by your interpretation of whether I am tight, neutral or loose? And I am supposed to fit your assumptions? Without seeing my hole cards...you will be able to tell if I am "tight"...or if I am getting dealt shitty cards all night?

[_______]

See...that's why I said in another thread that I wished I had these types of discussions face-to-face instead of on the internet. You are playing no-limit holdem with me for 6 hours...and you see my hole cards once. And you are supposed to figure out my poker-playing tendencies just by your interpretation of whether I am tight, neutral or loose? And I am supposed to fit your assumptions? Without seeing my hole cards...you will be able to tell if I am "tight"...or if I am getting dealt shitty cards all night?

The more hands I see you play, the more confident I would be in my assessment based just on those metrics, yes.

Obviously, there are times when I sit out multiple rotations or come in over 50% of hands dealt for short periods. But once you get over 40 hands dealt, you can start making initial generalizations about style and the larger the sample the better you can feel about those assessments.

The hard part with live play is that I am not actually counting and getting specific % for each player. It's more that I notice someone is seeing a lot of flops and then folding to a bet and thinking to myself "loose starting standards" or never entering a pot and thinking to myself "tight starting standards".

[thaskalos]

The more hands I see you play, the more confident I would be in my assessment based just on those metrics, yes.

Obviously, there are times when I sit out multiple rotations or come in over 50% of hands dealt for short periods. But once you get over 40 hands dealt, you can start making initial generalizations about style and the larger the sample the better you can feel about those assessments.

The hard part with live play is that I am not actually counting and getting specific % for each player. It's more that I notice someone is seeing a lot of flops and then folding to a bet and thinking to myself "loose starting standards" or never entering a pot and thinking to myself "tight starting standards".
I make "assessments' during my play too...but I don't view them with a great deal of "confidence". When you play live, you don't get to choose your competition...and you sometimes end up with players you've never seen before.

I don't trust physical mannerism, nor can I count on conventional "online tools", to tell me what I need to know about my competition at the table. I gather information by CREATING it, through the subtle questions that I ask with my own bets. I don't wait for you to tell me if you are aggressive; I bet INTO you in key situations, and find out for myself. I don't need to see your hole cards to know if you are bluffing in a key spot; I'll show you my OWN hand as I am folding...and I'll watch for your reaction as you are gathering your chips, or soon thereafter. And I'll use the information that I gather next time.

But the time periods are short, and the player pool is too large. And miscalculations are costly in no-limit. That's where experience comes in handy...

[_______]

I don't think we disagree. Or at least not substantially. Tables are fluid. There are a lot of variables that affect play. Someone who is tight may lossen up with fewer players at the table. Someone who is loose may tighten up if they lose a lot of chips. It's a mistake to chisel anything in granite.

Nonetheless, when I sit at a table where I don't know any of the players the most reliable way I know to gather information is observation of their play.

I have been playing in a live 1-3-5 P/L Omaha rotation game on Saturdays the last few weeks. I was sitting next to a woman who volunteered that she liked the H/L rotation better (we were playing high only at the time) because she can play more hands. This told me two things.

One was that she didn't understand the game (there are fewer good starting hands in H/L than in high only). It also told me she liked to play a lot of hands. Great info that turned out to be true on both counts. But I still waited until I had seen her play before putting in the "verified for now" file.

[ronsmac]

I know as much about poker as I do harness racing, which is very little, but I wanted to give a special thanks to Proximity for treating to dinner at Horseshoe casino and to the Whizz for coming out also. It was good to see you guys again.

[newtothegame]

In regards to some of the above post.......
One thing I noticed is the mentioning of several hours of play without seeing a players hand and trying to judge tendencies.

I would say this is wrong in my opinion. I play a lot of local bar room games that last for five to six hours usually. The one constant is that as time passes, so does discipline with most players. The grind as some call it, is very hard mentally. Most players will lose patience and ultimately their discipline (if they came with any to start).
Keep in mind, it only takes one or two good hands to provide the difference between winning and losing.
I can't count the times where I have been either flat or barely plus or minus and wind up a nice winner. Almost always happens late in a game where people are getting tired and impatient.
STAY DISCIPLINED! when you feel you're starting to lose that, it's time to go!
As to reading a person without seeing much from them over hours.....good luck with that! Just as you're trying to adjust, and decent player is also trying to adjust.
Just my two cents!

[SuitedAces]

Greetings All

The WSOP for the first time will be hosting a Super Senior NLHE Tourney. This is for seniors 65 and over. I’ll be 74 for this year’s event. I hope to compete for the first time in my life in the WSOP but am uncertain about this year or next.

My previous plan was to get away from NLHE and into other games, specifically PLO and PLO8 since the only game for me is on Carbon Poker which I like a lot. I’ve been working on PLO8 the past two months and find myself too far away from having developed a good game but may be able to enter a few SNG’s at the WSOP and maybe win an entry. Do they still host SNG’s on the night before the next day's event? Good Luck All.

David

[proximity]

I know as much about poker as I do harness racing, which is very little, but I wanted to give a special thanks to Proximity for treating to dinner at Horseshoe casino and to the Whizz for coming out also. It was good to see you guys again.

another successful maryland trip with wins on thursday and then friday before sitting down for a nice diamond dinner with ronsmac and wiffleball whizz.

as great as this forum is it's always better talking horses in person. wish more of our maryland members could have made it but it was a great evening nonetheless.

whizz followed up last week's 7.50-15 mix win with another win on thursday in the pink chip game. and he was winning again on friday before i left. he still wants to post here if we can get him his password.

game +128 (3/6 lim)
year +680 (9-3)

[proximity]

I know as much about poker as I do harness racing, which is very little........

all i know about harness is to toss scott zeron and camp out by the window...... :D

[Track Collector]

Sorry proximity, but other priorities would have had me arriving at about 10:30 p.m., and I would have had to leave no later than 1:00 a.m. to get up for a Saturday morning commitment. Thanks for the invite though..........it sure would have been nice to meet up with "the gang", since it has been quite a while since we were last able to get together. :(

Great times are had when we can meet and talk horses and poker. :ThmbUp:

(Or should that be poker and horses, given how little I have wagered on the horses the past 4-5 weeks.). ;)

[Track Collector]

So far this year my poker results have been extremely poor. No exact numbers to post at this time (until I update my log), but it seems like an eternity since I have even had a single winning session. :bang: Is it the "sophomore jinx", the temporary down period swings (variance) that all players go through, or perhaps what none of us ever want to believe about ourselves, and that is that we really are not as good as we "think" we are. Only time and critical review will tell.

I play 1/2 no-limit exclusively, with mostly full ring, and 60-min and 300-max buy-ins. I would be interested in knowing what experienced players think should be my starting bankroll, and how many additional bankrolls of the same size, I should have when planning to engage in a session. (My average session is about 5 hours.).

[ronsmac]

So far this year my poker results have been extremely poor. No exact numbers to post at this time (until I update my log), but it seems like an eternity since I have even had a single winning session. :bang: Is it the "sophomore jinx", the temporary down period swings (variance) that all players go through, or perhaps what none of us ever want to believe about ourselves, and that is that we really are not as good as we "think" we are. Only time and critical review will tell.

I play 1/2 no-limit exclusively, with mostly full ring, and 60-min and 300-max buy-ins. I would be interested in knowing what experienced players think should be my starting bankroll, and how many additional bankrolls of the same size, I should have when planning to engage in a session. (My average session is about 5 hours.).
When you whizz and proximity meet up at Timonium this year , I'll need a translator to understand the new language you'll all be speaking.

[proximity]

So far this year my poker results have been extremely poor. No exact numbers to post at this time (until I update my log), but it seems like an eternity since I have even had a single winning session. :bang: Is it the "sophomore jinx", the temporary down period swings (variance) that all players go through, or perhaps what none of us ever want to believe about ourselves, and that is that we really are not as good as we "think" we are. Only time and critical review will tell.

I play 1/2 no-limit exclusively, with mostly full ring, and 60-min and 300-max buy-ins. I would be interested in knowing what experienced players think should be my starting bankroll, and how many additional bankrolls of the same size, I should have when planning to engage in a session. (My average session is about 5 hours.).

what was your session (not $) win-loss record for 2014?

[Track Collector]

what was your session (not $) win-loss record for 2014?

29-22

[Track Collector]

When you whizz and proximity meet up at Timonium this year , I'll need a translator to understand the new language you'll all be speaking.

:D

When Timonium comes, I'll be off-the-wall excited!!

Still about 180 days away though. :)

[thaskalos]

So far this year my poker results have been extremely poor. No exact numbers to post at this time (until I update my log), but it seems like an eternity since I have even had a single winning session. :bang: Is it the "sophomore jinx", the temporary down period swings (variance) that all players go through, or perhaps what none of us ever want to believe about ourselves, and that is that we really are not as good as we "think" we are. Only time and critical review will tell.

I play 1/2 no-limit exclusively, with mostly full ring, and 60-min and 300-max buy-ins. I would be interested in knowing what experienced players think should be my starting bankroll, and how many additional bankrolls of the same size, I should have when planning to engage in a session. (My average session is about 5 hours.).
I think you should sit down with 50 BBs as a buy-in to start...and reload as often as needed. I would say $200 buy-ins to start...but I figure that you'd be a little gun-shy after a steep downturn of luck. The man thing is to be selectively aggressive; wait for a hand...but then attack when you get it. Look for opportunities to get all the money in...preferably pre-river.

I would need 40 buy-ins for a bankroll...and 5 buy-ins for a single session.

[proximity]

speaking of Timonium, the paradise that I've found on Friday nights at the horseshoe diamond lounge is now under attack by a 2+2 dot com poster calling himself TIMONIUM SHIPPER.

apparently not satisfied with only beating the shoe's pink chip game for hundreds a night, this old money atlantic city diamond member is upset because there was a napkin on the floor of the diamond lounge and he is blaming nouveau riche baltimore diamonds like yours truly.

anyhow, as a result of having to avoid a couple napkins and a piece of cheese on his way to the diamond lounge bar, TIMONIUM SHIPPER is calling for an end to free diamond lounge food on Friday and Saturday nights.

as a result of TIMONIUM SHIPPER'S rant a diamond lounge sans meatballs and genetically engineered red raspberries is unfortunately now a distinct possibility.

sorry for the long post.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46184792&postcount=963

[thaskalos]

I think you should sit down with 50 BBs as a buy-in to start...and reload as often as needed. I would say $200 buy-ins to start...but I figure that you'd be a little gun-shy after a steep downturn of luck. The man thing is to be selectively aggressive; wait for a hand...but then attack when you get it. Look for opportunities to get all the money in...preferably pre-river.

I would need 40 buy-ins for a bankroll...and 5 buy-ins for a single session.
I meant "the main thing". I don't want to be accused of questioning anyone's "manhood"... :)

[proximity]

I meant "the main thing". I don't want to be accused of questioning anyone's "manhood"... :)

i was wondering what you meant. i was thinking the man thing was making the wrong move at the right time..... :)

[proximity]

speaking of Timonium, the paradise that I've found on Friday nights at the horseshoe diamond lounge is now under attack by a 2+2 dot com poster calling himself TIMONIUM SHIPPER.

apparently not satisfied with only beating the shoe's pink chip game for hundreds a night, this old money atlantic city diamond member is upset because there was a napkin on the floor of the diamond lounge and he is blaming nouveau riche baltimore diamonds like yours truly.

anyhow, as a result of having to avoid a couple napkins and a piece of cheese on his way to the diamond lounge bar, TIMONIUM SHIPPER is calling for an end to free diamond lounge food on Friday and Saturday nights.

as a result of TIMONIUM SHIPPER'S rant a diamond lounge sans meatballs and genetically engineered red raspberries is unfortunately now a distinct possibility.

sorry for the long post.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46184792&postcount=963

the plot thickens as a wild group of law students, not "these people," apparently messed up the horseshoe baltimore diamond lounge....

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46204137&postcount=971

[dilanesp]

I would point Track Collector in an entirely different direction. Learn lots and lots of math. Of course one should be observant at the tables, but the big reason why so many low stakes players lose so much money, besides rake, is that they leak huge amounts in terms of the basic math of the game-- playing too many hands, not caring enough about position, betting their mediocre hands and checking their good ones, not calculating pot and implied odds, etc.

A player who simply knows all that stuff has a gigantic edge at any 1-2 no limit game in America, even if the player knows nothing about tells or specific exploitative plays against particular opponents. The exploitative play can be picked up later anyway.

[thaskalos]

I would point Track Collector in an entirely different direction. Learn lots and lots of math. Of course one should be observant at the tables, but the big reason why so many low stakes players lose so much money, besides rake, is that they leak huge amounts in terms of the basic math of the game-- playing too many hands, not caring enough about position, betting their mediocre hands and checking their good ones, not calculating pot and implied odds, etc.

A player who simply knows all that stuff has a gigantic edge at any 1-2 no limit game in America, even if the player knows nothing about tells or specific exploitative plays against particular opponents. The exploitative play can be picked up later anyway.
Knowing the math of the game is a given. I only replied the way I did because Track Collector sought answers to specific questions.

[proximity]

I would point Track Collector in an entirely different direction. Learn lots and lots of math. Of course one should be observant at the tables, but the big reason why so many low stakes players lose so much money, besides rake, is that they leak huge amounts in terms of the basic math of the game-- playing too many hands, not caring enough about position, betting their mediocre hands and checking their good ones, not calculating pot and implied odds, etc.

A player who simply knows all that stuff has a gigantic edge at any 1-2 no limit game in America, even if the player knows nothing about tells or specific exploitative plays against particular opponents. The exploitative play can be picked up later anyway.

when i played him he could have been more aggressive preflop on some of the hands but overall he did great for a guy who never played before august.

his river value betting was excellent for a new player which i thought was a good sign.

btw, you never messed up any diamond lounges when you were in law school did you?? :D

[barn32]

A player who simply knows all that stuff has a gigantic edge at any 1-2 no limit game in America, even if the player knows nothing about tells or specific exploitative plays against particular opponents. Edge or no there isn't much money to be made playing 1-2 no limit.

[_______]

Edge or no there isn't much money to be made playing 1-2 no limit.

If you are hitting at 4bb/100 hands dealt you are in the top 5% of all players. So $4-6 hour at a table without a lot of delays.

No one plays low limit for anything other than fun.

PLO and PLO8 you can make a little more as education hasn't penetrated as deeply as it has in hold'em.

[dilanesp]

when i played him he could have been more aggressive preflop on some of the hands but overall he did great for a guy who never played before august.

his river value betting was excellent for a new player which i thought was a good sign.

btw, you never messed up any diamond lounges when you were in law school did you?? :D

Actually, I meant to tell you, there was a Roy Cooke column I actually liked which ran last week, on poker discipline.

[proximity]

Actually, I meant to tell you, there was a Roy Cooke column I actually liked which ran last week, on poker discipline.

thank you dilane, i will check it out although i think even mr cooke could have learned some more about discipline from watching me grind out $9 in a 12 hr session yesterday at horseshoe.

at least a dozen bad beats in a game moving about as fast as a lifetime maiden over a slow polytrack.

finally i'm back w/in $50 when a fast ac dealer enters the box to get this contest moving!!

but AA from the big blind is outflopped by a girl who completed with Q4 from the small blind. then the very next hand i see a king high flop with AK. i can see a player in late position dying to bet and launch a brilliant check raise!! however, a barbie doll that i trapped for two bets still calls and rivers a gutshot and just like that i'm back down three digits.

on the very last hand of the down though, miss borgata deals me a set of 6s (K-8-6 flop)and i go for another check raise against a big field. there is a bet (as expected) but i'm delighted to see that there's a raise behind it. i make it three bets. barbie calls three cold beside me and there are a few other calls.
i bet the turn w/ some calls but then get raised on the river by the villain that raised the flop. in my one sin of the game i say "really, you have 8s?" and just call instead of reraising again.

no higher set and i climb back to w/in $8 but go ice cold, folding almost every hand for the next four dealers.

finally around 1:00 i get AA again. i lose everyone on the turn except one maverick who has been straddling every other hand and seeing almost every showdown. when a seemingly harmless deuce falls on the river i fire out a value bet with authority like i'm doug donkey, lawdude, or one of the other greats on 2+2 dot com!!

"CALL IT BIOTCH!!"

no call :mad: , but the pot finally pushes me over the edge to +$$!!

game +9 (3/6 lim) :jump:
year +544 (10-4)
bonus +375

[dilanesp]

thank you dilane, i will check it out although i think even mr cooke could have learned some more about discipline from watching me grind out $9 in a 12 hr session yesterday at horseshoe.

at least a dozen bad beats in a game moving about as fast as a lifetime maiden over a slow polytrack.

finally i'm back w/in $50 when a fast ac dealer enters the box to get this contest moving!!

but AA from the big blind is outflopped by a girl who completed with Q4 from the small blind. then the very next hand i see a king high flop with AK. i can see a player in late position dying to bet and launch a brilliant check raise!! however, a barbie doll that i trapped for two bets still calls and rivers a gutshot and just like that i'm back down three digits.

on the very last hand of the down though, miss borgata deals me a set of 6s (K-8-6 flop)and i go for another check raise against a big field. there is a bet (as expected) but i'm delighted to see that there's a raise behind it. i make it three bets. barbie calls three cold beside me and there are a few other calls.
i bet the turn w/ some calls but then get raised on the river by the villain that raised the flop. in my one sin of the game i say "really, you have 8s?" and just call instead of reraising again.

no higher set and i climb back to w/in $8 but go ice cold, folding almost every hand for the next four dealers.

finally around 1:00 i get AA again. i lose everyone on the turn except one maverick who has been straddling every other hand and seeing almost every showdown. when a seemingly harmless deuce falls on the river i fire out a value bet with authority like i'm doug donkey, lawdude, or one of the other greats on 2+2 dot com!!

"CALL IT BIOTCH!!"

no call :mad: , but the pot finally pushes me over the edge to +$$!!

game +9 (3/6 lim) :jump:
year +544 (10-4)
bonus +375

An example of me playing like a fish (or maybe not :) ), from last night at an 8-16 game at Hawaiian Gardens:

I win 2 pots in a row and post the kill in the cut-off. It folds around to me. I am raising any two cards in that position and situation-- in this case it's Q4 offsuit.

Guy on the button wakes up with kings and 3-bets me. We're heads up to the flop. Board runs out Q325A. He loses his entire stack and leaves table. :)

Cliffs: Q4 is the nuts, ofc.

[proximity]

An example of me playing like a fish (or maybe not :) ), from last night at an 8-16 game at Hawaiian Gardens:

I win 2 pots in a row and post the kill in the cut-off. It folds around to me. I am raising any two cards in that position and situation-- in this case it's Q4 offsuit.

Guy on the button wakes up with kings and 3-bets me. We're heads up to the flop. Board runs out Q325A. He loses his entire stack and leaves table. :)

Cliffs: Q4 is the nuts, ofc.

dilane, did you ever face any of these 20-40 limit villains from live at the bike??

vickie? coco? ramona? bart? grace??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTHl-sd9aU0

[dilanesp]

dilane, did you ever face any of these 20-40 limit villains from live at the bike??

vickie? coco? ramona? bart? grace??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTHl-sd9aU0

Great video. Grace still plays. She is a regular at Hustler 25 and I have played against her many times.

Vickie plays Commerce 20. I don't play there much so I don't see her that often.

There are some other familiar players in there, but I probably have not seen them in years.

[proximity]

Great video. Grace still plays. She is a regular at Hustler 25 and I have played against her many times.

Vickie plays Commerce 20. I don't play there much so I don't see her that often.

There are some other familiar players in there, but I probably have not seen them in years.

if you're sick like me and watch the whole four hours, ramona wins an all in bet then switches to coco's seat and goes on an amazing run!! :eek:

[proximity]

looks like a 15-30 mix is brewing at horseshoe:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46343987&postcount=1077

just one question?

where is the prince of charm city.... wiffleball whizz??

[ReplayRandall]

looks like a 15-30 mix is brewing at horseshoe:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46343987&postcount=1077

just one question?

where is the prince of charm city.... wiffleball whizz??
Thanks for the link Proxy.......Now that's what I call an AVATAR!!.. :cool:

[proximity]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46374428&postcount=1118

overall though the dealers do a solid job and horseshoe Baltimore is a great place to play!! it does annoy me though that supposedly intelligent 2+2 posters openly talk about the relatively generous comps instead of keeping their mouths shut and collecting. a smart guy like cuserounder even emails the poker director about horseshoe giving more comps than tr casinos in atlantic city. :rolleyes:

first two rules of fight club people.....

[proximity]

looks like a 15-30 mix is brewing at horseshoe:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46343987&postcount=1077

just one question?

where is the prince of charm city.... wiffleball whizz??

was down at horseshoe Friday and didn't see any 15-30 mix games. no charm city shippers. no Timonium wiffleballs. none of that.

overall I've been struggling. going into this week I had five bad games out of my last six. was able to gut out wins in a couple of them though and hit a mini bad beat for $400 ($375 after tip) to even be profitable for the day in the one loss at horseshoe. did lose $131 at the sands though and I was mean to a donkey in the process. (sorry dilanesp)

returned to horseshoe this week and hoped my luck would turn around but it didn't. on Thursday i started ok, but then didn't win a hand for over six hours. i finally survive with kk and appear headed for victory w/A9 suited from the cutoff when i lead the flop and turn betting on a board that runs out AQJxx. i get calls from early position and the button. something doesn't feel "right" and i check the river but the first time starter from the button decides to bet. early position calls and i call. the button flips over A2 but then the early position player tables AT..... stupid newbie from the button basically giving the guy $12 extra dollars..... six of it mine. :mad:

i lose $190, possibly my worst ever loss at horseshoe(?) and return Friday for more punishment. and i do mean punishment.

i don't win a hand for the first four hours and four minutes of the game on Friday (which i believe is a new starting games record for me) and note that I've now won exactly one hand in my last eleven hours of limit hold em at the horseshoe. suddenly though i score with a set of fives and kk on back to back hands and just like that move from -95 to +37!! :jump:

overall though it is another tough month of march for me. but i went back to the ppt thread and read the posts from last march to remind myself that things can always be worse. my five month winning streak is in jeopardy but there is still plenty of time to turn it around.

year +377 (13-6)
bonus +375 (1)

[proximity]

with things going bad i tried some no-limit at penn national in an effort to turn my luck around.

down $2 early i look down at two black 8s from the button. i raise two or three limpers to $12, leaving $51 behind.

the small blind calls with A6 hearts. the big blind calls with KT hearts. and the other limpers call including the cutoff with J9 hearts.

flop: heart-heart-heart.

with AK diamonds i see a flop of A-diamond-diamond. the player to my right bets. i call.

ace on the turn. the player to my right bets. i shove. the villain calls and tables A6.

river: 6.

AK clubs i call a $15 early position raise and see a flop of club-x-club.

one player bets out $10 into a $60+ pot. the pfr raises to $25. i shove $69 and fold out the early player. the pfr calls with a smaller flush draw and an open ended straight draw. (six outs)

of course no clubs come, but he rivers the straight.

i lose again and fall behind in no limit games for 2014-2015. :mad:

now, nine bad games out of my last ten. :mad:

when will the nightmare end?

game -245
year +132 (13-7)

[ReplayRandall]

Looks like you need a "lay-off", as your form has seemly deteriorated and maybe you're running a little bad, luck wise. While you're at it, muck out your stall(mind), and start again with a fresh perspective......Should take about 2-3 weeks and you'll be good to go.. :cool:

[LottaKash]

when will the nightmare end?

game -245
year +132 (13-7)

Cheer up Prox, April- 1st is coming soon.... :)

[charm city whizz]

looks like a 15-30 mix is brewing at horseshoe:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=46343987&postcount=1077

just one question?

where is the prince of charm city.... wiffleball whizz??

Was in Connecticut this past weekend it was pink Friday night at the shoe

Sat no pink game and 15/30 win for 3 hours and broke.....why not just play 7.50-15 and be done with it

[proximity]

Was in Connecticut this past weekend it was pink Friday night at the shoe

Sat no pink game and 15/30 win for 3 hours and broke.....why not just play 7.50-15 and be done with it

went down yesterday and finally had a good game. got ace-king several times and even won a couple of them!!

eventually they got pink chip going. don't know exactly what the mix was. recognized that black girl who thinks you play too tight but no other familiar faces. by reading 2+2 you'd think the game was always the same collection of dealers and internet experts but that doesn't seem to be the case. :confused:

also i don't think i've ever seen you losing in the game so idk who exactly the live! dealers are that the experts are beating all of this $$ out of?? :confused:

game +220
year +352 (14-7)

[charm city whizz]

went down yesterday and finally had a good game. got ace-king several times and even won a couple of them!!

eventually they got pink chip going. don't know exactly what the mix was. recognized that black girl who thinks you play too tight but no other familiar faces. by reading 2+2 you'd think the game was always the same collection of dealers and internet experts but that doesn't seem to be the case. :confused:

also i don't think i've ever seen you losing in the game so idk who exactly the live! dealers are that the experts are beating all of this $$ out of?? :confused:

game +220
year +352 (14-7)



Hagahahahahahahaha yeah the game seams to have its new players trickle in and some regs....in my opinion the regs are horrible

One player deals with me at live! And everybody tells me how good he is but he always raised with a face card in razz.....horrid play

Hope your there this weekend as I plan on going......it's really the worst field ever assembled

[proximity]

Hope your there this weekend as I plan on going......it's really the worst field ever assembled

walked back to see how you were doing and saw the game broke? hope it went well.

two more miserable games for me. was able to make a comeback and win on thursday with a late flush and AA flopping a set. was also lucky enough to get called for a "hot seat" drawing and converted the $250 of promotional chips into $185!!

friday though was yet another miserable game in the month of march. fold almost every hand for the first several orbits before raising AQ. i'm seated to the right of a brand new first ballot inductee into the maryland poker hall of shame who i call the sheriff and the mayor. the sheriff and the mayor doesn't see quite as many rivers as say, aunt hortense, but he rarely misses a turn. the sheriff and the mayor defends his small blind with A5 off.

flop: AA5. :rolleyes:

the game drags on for the next 14 hours. and i do mean drags. i'm facing possibly the slowest field of players in limit poker history. new players, straddlers, chronic blinds raisers, every other hand rebuys,..... five minutes a hand is being generous.

one last chance with AJ from the button against a first time starter in early position with A8.

flop: A77.

turn: blank

river: 8 :mad:

five month winning streak is history. :mad:

game -166
year +236 (15-8)
bonus ytd +560

[charm city whizz]

Looking for feed back here

Horseshoe Baltimore is in the midst of missing a guarantee tourney by a lot, do you guys feel it's unfair for the casino to take that money from the bad beat fund to soften the blow?

Maryland live missed a guarantee and it came from the casinos revenue not the bad beat fund that cash game players support

In my opinion it should be against gaming regulations to take money from one thing that has nothing to do with the other

As an example every hand proximity wins $1 is taken out to pad the "promotional fund" why should his $1 go to something that he doesn't participate in???????????? I think this is bullshit and I don't even contribute to the fund via the 7.50-15 game

[Track Collector]

Looking for feed back here

Horseshoe Baltimore is in the midst of missing a guarantee tourney by a lot, do you guys feel it's unfair for the casino to take that money from the bad beat fund to soften the blow?


Monies collected from winning pots to fund the bad beat jackpot are simply a part of the total casino rake, and as such, the casinos have the right to change what they do with that collected rake at any time.

That said, a casino's reputation and credibility will sink (ultimately costing them customers and future profits) should they take from a fund already promoted and designated for another purpose.

So yeah, doing so is not fair to the players.

[davew]

Looking for feed back here

Horseshoe Baltimore is in the midst of missing a guarantee tourney by a lot, do you guys feel it's unfair for the casino to take that money from the bad beat fund to soften the blow?

Maryland live missed a guarantee and it came from the casinos revenue not the bad beat fund that cash game players support

In my opinion it should be against gaming regulations to take money from one thing that has nothing to do with the other

As an example every hand proximity wins $1 is taken out to pad the "promotional fund" why should his $1 go to something that he doesn't participate in???????????? I think this is bullshit and I don't even contribute to the fund via the 7.50-15 game

It probably is against the rules set by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.

rules here ->
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/getfile.aspx?file=36.05.06.15.htm

If they did take money from the Bad Beat pool to hit guarantee, file a complaint with the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.

[proximity]

Looking for feed back here

Horseshoe Baltimore is in the midst of missing a guarantee tourney by a lot, do you guys feel it's unfair for the casino to take that money from the bad beat fund to soften the blow?

Maryland live missed a guarantee and it came from the casinos revenue not the bad beat fund that cash game players support

In my opinion it should be against gaming regulations to take money from one thing that has nothing to do with the other

As an example every hand proximity wins $1 is taken out to pad the "promotional fund" why should his $1 go to something that he doesn't participate in???????????? I think this is bullshit and I don't even contribute to the fund via the 7.50-15 game

idk enough about the fine print to post with 100% authority, but my instincts tell me you're right.

I believe both caesar's entertainment rooms (bally's ac) and Delaware (where the hs balt room director comes from) have done this sorta thing before (?) so it's not surprising. also note that crickets are chirping on "that other site" as far as any response from the room director.

that being said it doesn't really influence the (unique) bad beat at horseshoe since it rarely gets close to the 150k level where the jackpots rise.

I would like to see promotions that benefit more regulars (like the monthly rakeback) run more consistently but looking at the overall body of work, i can't really complain about this casino.

for example I believe there's a 5-10x reward credit bonus later today!!

hope to see you there!!

[proximity]

Monies collected from winning pots to fund the bad beat jackpot are simply a part of the total casino rake, and as such, the casinos have the right to change what they do with that collected rake at any time.

That said, a casino's reputation and credibility will sink (ultimately costing them customers and future profits) should they take from a fund already promoted and designated for another purpose.

So yeah, doing so is not fair to the players.

again, idk about Maryland but if you look at room closings like revel (ac) this money had to be given back to the poker players before the room closed.

i would hate to see horseshoe's reputation take any kind of hit because overall it is already severely underrated as a live poker venue.

[dilanesp]

Monies collected from winning pots to fund the bad beat jackpot are simply a part of the total casino rake, and as such, the casinos have the right to change what they do with that collected rake at any time.

That said, a casino's reputation and credibility will sink (ultimately costing them customers and future profits) should they take from a fund already promoted and designated for another purpose.

So yeah, doing so is not fair to the players.

In California, the casino definitely has to pay the monies collected from jackpot drops back in jackpots and player promotions, after taking a commission and holding some in reserve. If the reserve fund gets too large, they have to increase the jackpots or give it away in player promotions. This is why you sometimes see casinos substantially increase their jackpots.

But that may not be the rule in every state.

[proximity]

I play 1/2 no-limit exclusively, with mostly full ring, and 60-min and 300-max buy-ins. I would be interested in knowing what experienced players think should be my starting bankroll, and how many additional bankrolls of the same size, I should have when planning to engage in a session. (My average session is about 5 hours.).

belated birthday wishes!!

I thought of you the other day when I read bob ciaffone's article in the april 1st edition of cardplayer. the article dealt with slow playing big pairs pre flop and at the end it mentioned that he has a new NO LIMIT book available for sale. (the upcoming ed miller book on live no limit looks interesting too)

hope all is well!!

[Track Collector]

belated birthday wishes!!

I thought of you the other day when I read bob ciaffone's article in the april 1st edition of cardplayer. the article dealt with slow playing big pairs pre flop and at the end it mentioned that he has a new NO LIMIT book available for sale. (the upcoming ed miller book on live no limit looks interesting too)

hope all is well!!

Thank you for thinking of me, my friend!

I've been away from the tables for more than 2 weeks, and will be for at least 1 more as Marcia and I are driving down to FL tomorrow to help take care of some family matters.

I've been doing some poker study, reading forums, etc. in preparation for a return to the tables soon. I certainly have some leaks in my game which will need to be corrected if I want to be a long-term profitable player. While not on the immediate horizon, I may even go the poker coach route somewhere down the road.

I continue to pray for improving health for your Mom.

Some day in the not too distant future you, I, and charm city whizz will have to converge on the Horseshoe for some profit-making sessions! :)
(I forget, did ronsmac play poker the last time you guys met up?).


Chris

[proximity]

Some day in the not too distant future you, I, and charm city whizz will have to converge on the Horseshoe for some profit-making sessions! :)
(I forget, did ronsmac play poker the last time you guys met up?).


Chris

was down there tonight and got crushed. my second $166 loss in my last three games at horseshoe. i started fast with a flopped full house and trips in my first two big blinds but the next 11 hours was pretty much misery. and to tell the truth, it's been like that too much lately.

safe travels to fla!!

game -166
year +44 :blush: (17-10)

[proximity]

well when it's over three months into the year and you're only +$44 what is your mindset??

the good is that in a couple days Caesar's will apply the tier credit bonus and i'll be diamond again for 2016 and this time i'll make it way, way, way earlier than last year when I just snuck in at the deadline!! i'm also closing in on passing the $1000 mark in unused rewards credits and have snagged an extra $560 from bad beat and promotions!!

the bad news is that from the hands themselves i'm only +$44 for the year and my average month has now fallen below $70..... well below my $200 goal. more bad news is that i'm leaving casinos almost every night "consoling" myself that the droolers i'm playing against would've lost four digits plus with my cards. even more bad news is that I know from the experience of last years tour that this doesn't have to turn around anytime soon.

also, truth be told it was pretty demoralizing driving home from horseshoe after losing that last game. so demoralizing that I almost wanted to quit but I looked at my records to see that i'm still 26-10 and +1162 lifetime at horseshoe and that helps keep me somewhat calm but if I would ever lose the $1162 and fall into the red lifetime at horseshoe against these bad players..... I should probably just quit.

for here and now though free android tablet for diamond members on Friday and weekly diamond gifts on Sunday's too. so the show must go on......

[charm city whizz]

Bump

[proximity]

sorry for the lack of posts.

unfortunately a few weeks ago i was bitten by a tick and got really sick. due to this i ended up missing the rest of april, including free android and foreman grill giveaways at horseshoe. :bang:

saturday i was finally able to make it out to pen for a brief session. i wasn't happy with one hand where i gave a free card that led to a three way chop but otherwise i played well and stayed above water for the year with a $33 win.

it was my 99th win since the start of last year's proximity poker tour thread and i hope to be back this week to get win #100!!

hope everyone is well!!

proximity

[charm city whizz]

sorry for the lack of posts.

unfortunately a few weeks ago i was bitten by a tick and got really sick. due to this i ended up missing the rest of april, including free android and foreman grill giveaways at horseshoe. :bang:

saturday i was finally able to make it out to pen for a brief session. i wasn't happy with one hand where i gave a free card that led to a three way chop but otherwise i played well and stayed above water for the year with a $33 win.

it was my 99th win since the start of last year's proximity poker tour thread and i hope to be back this week to get win #100!!

hope everyone is well!!


proximity

The shoe misses your handle!!

One stop shopping now with the racebook in there, pink game and horses, dream come true!!

[proximity]

The shoe misses your handle!!

One stop shopping now with the racebook in there, pink game and horses, dream come true!!

there's a racebook now???

they're giving me a room on friday and saturday so i might go later this week?? :confused:

[DeltaLover]

sorry for the lack of posts.

unfortunately a few weeks ago i was bitten by a tick and got really sick. due to this i ended up missing the rest of april, including free android and foreman grill giveaways at horseshoe. :bang:

saturday i was finally able to make it out to pen for a brief session. i wasn't happy with one hand where i gave a free card that led to a three way chop but otherwise i played well and stayed above water for the year with a $33 win.

it was my 99th win since the start of last year's proximity poker tour thread and i hope to be back this week to get win #100!!

hope everyone is well!!

proximity


Sorry to hear that you had this health problem.. I was wondering what is going on, since I am a faithful reader of your threads... Anyhow, you seen to be back in shape and start grinding again... Good luck as you are approaching your 100th win!

[charm city whizz]

there's a racebook now???

they're giving me a room on friday and saturday so i might go later this week?? :confused:

Oh there's a racebook alright, and they got a machine that cashes vouchers, love the racebook and the self service machines you can get to bring to your table

[Track Collector]

sorry for the lack of posts.

unfortunately a few weeks ago i was bitten by a tick and got really sick. due to this i ended up missing the rest of april, including free android and foreman grill giveaways at horseshoe. :bang:

Sorry to hear you were out for a while, and hope you are thru that and feeling much better!

[proximity]

set sail for atlantic city this week to try for win #100 since the start of last year's proximity poker tour thread here at paceadvantage.

check in late Wednesday night to possibly the single worst room in any atlantic city casino. my Curtisonthebay tower room does feature two windows but one looks directly into a casino wall and the other into half a wall and the parking garage.

but we weren't in ac to look out hotel windows and after some shopping at the puma outlet I start my bid for win #100 in a 246 limit game at bally's.

after a bit of a slow start I steadily grind my way to about a $40 lead over the first couple hours and things are looking good.

about 3:00 though a new player enters the game and by 3:10 he has cracked my aces.... TWICE.

later in the game I finally do have aces hold up against this villain but by 3:30 my lead is gone and the real pain begins as hand after hand after hand....after hand... i'm beaten on the river.

it wouldn't be a limit game at bally's if another regular I'll call "mamasan" didn't hang in with an underpair to the flop to river a set against me. around 9:00 mamasan delivers this final kick to the crotch and still stuck on 99 wins (and now down for 2015) I retire for the night. :sleeping:

game -123
year -46 (18-11) :mad:

[proximity]

good morning poker fans!!

day number two of our quest for win #100 finds us back in the bally's wild west poker room and staring at a list of four. now my total rewards diamond card can move me up to #2 on this list, but at this time of morning we're really looking at waiting for a new game to be called.

so instead of waiting around and listening to bloody mary and all the other regs asking what the high hand is every five minutes, I decide to take a stroll down to the boardwalk's only other remaining poker room: the Tropicana.

there's a similar situation going at Tropicana but a very professional floor man (mike?) tells me he's going to start a new game with two more players so I decide to relax at the table and wait for this game to start.

while were waiting for the game to start I have a nice baseball talk with an old time Phillies fan who is excited about the big series against the hated mets.

"buddy, we're probably gonna get swept (again)," I tell him, but he doesn't care and tells me he just wants to see cole bean Harvey (due to the mets hitting Utley or someone in the last miserable series) and that it very well could happen because of cole's "barroom mentality."

a couple mets fans in the room avoid a good tongue lashing because my new friend will "just end up punching them" and get kicked outta Tropicana. :cool:

2-4-6 limit hold 'em and the Phillies??? seriously??? "what kind of lives are we living here?" I think to myself.

eventually a poker game kicks off.

as usual the game starts slow for me. eventually though a win a hand and creep back into contention before flopping a straight and a redraw to a straight flush with 76s. the flush comes on the river but I (somehow) survive and drag a nice pot that puts me just dollars away from the +47 needed to be a "winner" again for 2015.

just a few hands later I raise TT and flop top set!!

unfortunately a major donk called my raise cold with k4s and turned a flush. when another flush card comes on the river I anger a Tropicana version of bloody mary by calling time for two seconds before mucking my dimes face up (last to act).

I save six dollars with this move but then the nightmare begins as I lose hand, after hand, after hand..... bloody mary (boardwalk south version) cracks KK twice with rags from the blinds and i'm finally gonna get my revenge with QQ.

four of us see a king high flop and I have to fold here due to the action before me but I call the $2 and see a turn. this is a clue that it's time to go.

bloody mary ends up showing down a king, the donk beside her hits a straight, and the player beside me made a major mistake by just calling my raise with AA. QQ is 4th outta 4 in the hand and I decide to throw in the towel.

win #100 will have to wait. :mad:

game -86
year -132 (18-12)

[proximity]

another miserable session at tropicana ac, but it's a pleasant early evening outside on the boardwalk.

a parade of cowgirls with boots, hats, and little dresses are swarming around boardwalk hall for a florida georgia line concert. i fall in love a couple times, but as a poker loser i dare not look the cowgirls in the eyes.

down at bally's i'm waiting for what will be my final atlantic city trip chance at "career" win #100. on a tv above me, cole hamels plunks a met... not harvey... maybe murphy? somewhere my new friend from the trop must be doing cartwheels.

i, however, am NOT doing cartwheels when i hear that the bad beat hit earlier in the afternoon and i missed out on a $419 room share when i was down at trop. when it rains, it pours in proximity poker.

like every other game on the trip, i start off slow but eventually rally. it's getting late and when i look down at KK i feel like this could be the hand that locks it up.

but KK falls again (i think i was like 0-7 w/this hand on the trip), this time to a set of buffaloes and i fall behind.... this time for good.

eventually our game breaks and i'm playing short handed at another table. one old lady gets up once and i give her a pass but when she gets up again, like five minutes later and leaves us playing like 3 or 4 handed.... it's time to call it.

win #100 will have to wait. :mad:

game -45
year -177 (18-13) :mad:

[Rookies]

Hang in there Proximity! :ThmbUp:

Your story prose is still great. You'll get there.

[proximity]

"buddy, we're probably gonna get swept (again)," I tell him,....

and the cock crows.

i've become as condescending as tom brady.

what has poker done to me, friends?? :bang: :mad: :(

[Track Collector]

I know the feeling.:(

Experiencing long times of being card dead, post-flop times where you never improve beyond a high pair, or finally getting that very good hand only to have your opponent somehow but always make your hand second-best is tough to handle.

The danger here is that we unknowingly allow this bad influence called negativity to move from occasional overnight guest to long-term boarder. In this capacity, he clouds our judgement by causing us to always fear the worst rather than objectively evaluating each decision point. Net result.....we spew even more money than we normally would when the variance is going against us. In my most recent experience with negativity I needed to step away from the tables for a week in order to expel this bad guy.

While unwanted, adversity can have one redeeming quality in that it provides the motivation for improvement to our game via study and hand review.

I think your win #100 is just around the corner! :)

[thaskalos]

Poker is definitely not a smooth ride. And the ride gets even more turbulent as you go up in stakes. You need a strong stomach...

[DeltaLover]

Poker is definitely not a smooth ride. And the ride gets even more turbulent as you go up in stakes. You need a strong stomach...

Correct..

Still, in the lower levels the take out is almost impossible to overcome, especially with a bad beat jackpot take-out..

[thaskalos]

Still, in the lower levels the take out is almost impossible to overcome, especially with a bad beat jackpot take-out..
Yes...but if you can't handle the turbulence of the low limits, should you be stepping up in class?

[DeltaLover]

Yes...but if you can't handle the turbulence of the low limits, should you be stepping up in class?

Obviously no..

Still, there are high limit pros who become fish when they step down..

The most important skills required for high limit are not the same for the lower.

[thaskalos]

Obviously no..

Still, there are high limit pros who become fish when they step down..

The most important skills required for high limit are not the same for the lower.

Well...I'm pretty sure that the high-limit pros got to where they are by beating the lower limits first...so, I don't think they would be out of their element if they decided to move to the low limits again. They lose at the low limits because the small bets bore them...just as you and I would probably lose if we now started to play for loose change again. We wouldn't be losing because we couldn't win; we'd lose because the low stakes would not motivate us enough to play our best game.

I like the chances of a high-limit player moving down a lot better than those of a low-limit player moving up. If a low-limit player thinks that the bad beats are hard to take in the small games...then he is in for a shock if he decides to move to the bigger games.

[DeltaLover]

Well...I'm pretty sure that the high-limit pros got to where they are by beating the lower limits first...

Don't be so sure about it.

Of course, there are some of them who indeed followed this kind of 'organic' progression but there are also a lot who got themselves into the big games after cashing a high stakes tournament, or they are simply rich gamblers who like to play for high stakes.

In the past, I have played in very high games (100-200 or 200-400 limit) that were playing a lot crazier and looser than any 2-4 B&M game I have ever seen... Of course these games where held in Silicon Valley among young internet millionaires who happened to enjoy poker action..

[thaskalos]

Don't be so sure about it.

Of course, there are some of them who indeed followed this kind of 'organic' progression but there are also a lot who got themselves into the big games after cashing a high stakes tournament, or they are simply rich gamblers who like to play for high stakes.

In the past, I have played in very high games (100-200 or 200-400 limit) that were playing a lot crazier and looser than any 2-4 B&M game I have ever seen... Of course these games where held in Silicon Valley among young internet millionaires who happened to enjoy poker action..

This is the rule rather than the exception. The very big games usually begin, or eventually become, short-handed...and the short-handed games are way more aggressive than the full games. But that doesn't make them easier to beat. Far from it...

[thaskalos]

Don't be so sure about it.

Of course, there are some of them who indeed followed this kind of 'organic' progression but there are also a lot who got themselves into the big games after cashing a high stakes tournament, or they are simply rich gamblers who like to play for high stakes.

In the past, I have played in very high games (100-200 or 200-400 limit) that were playing a lot crazier and looser than any 2-4 B&M game I have ever seen... Of course these games where held in Silicon Valley among young internet millionaires who happened to enjoy poker action..
I am convinced that the former greatly outnumber the latter.

[DeltaLover]

I am convinced that the former greatly outnumber the latter.

Again I am not sure..

Big games need more fish than pros in order to keep on going.. The larger limits tend to dry out very quickly and the pros have to move down the ladder in order to find some action. Sharks do not battle among themselves and they need a lot of soft spots in order to keep on winning.. More than this, some of the most consistent and profitable poker players, are very reluctant to move up beyond their comfort levels.

[thaskalos]

Again I am not sure..

Big games need more fish than pros in order to keep on going.. The larger limits tend to dry out very quickly and the pros have to move down the ladder in order to find some action. Sharks do not battle among themselves and they need a lot of soft spots in order to keep on winning.. More than this, some of the most consistent and profitable poker players, are very reluctant to move up beyond their comfort levels.

Delta...you say that you've played poker at the 200-400 limit level...and you also said that it takes a different set of skills to beat the low limits than the high limits. Do you think that you could beat a 5-10 limit game...or would your high-limit experience prevent you from accomplishing such a thing?

[DeltaLover]

Delta...you say that you've played poker at the 200-400 limit level...and you also said that it takes a different set of skills to beat the low limits than the high limits. Do you think that you could beat a 5-10 limit game...or would your high-limit experience prevent you from accomplishing such a thing?

For the moment, I do not think I can beat anything. I gave up long time ago

[thaskalos]

For the moment, I do not think I can beat anything. I gave up long time ago

Take a break from those computer models...before it's too late. :)

[DeltaLover]

Take a break from those computer models...before it's too late. :)

My models are for horse racing, I am happy with them and I am not planning to take a break from them any time soon.

[thaskalos]

My models are for horse racing, I am happy with them and I am not planning to take a break from them any time soon.

Just kidding. We need your money in the pools. :)

[DeltaLover]

Just kidding. We need your money in the pools. :)

We?

I am not sure about using plural in your statement.. I am strictly a one horse win bettor and from what you are saying, you specialize in superfectas where you use 4 horses on top and another six for the other spots. If you really need my money, you probably need to change your betting theories!

[thaskalos]

We?

I am not sure about using plural in your statement.. I am strictly a one horse win bettor and from what you are saying, you specialize in superfectas where you use 4 horses on top and another six for the other spots. If you really need my money, you probably need to change your betting theories!
That's only in the 6 or 7-horse fields. In the bigger fields...I might even spread a little wider. :)

[DeltaLover]

That's only in the 6 or 7-horse fields. In the bigger fields...I might even spread a little wider. :)

Still, I know that you never press the ALL button Thask!

[thaskalos]

Still, I know that you never press the ALL button Thask!

:D

I was going to say that next...but you beat me to it.

[DeltaLover]

:D

I was going to say that next...but you beat me to it.

Τα μεγάλα πνεύματα συναντιούνται (great minds think alike)

[thaskalos]

Τα μεγάλα πνεύματα συναντιούνται (great minds think alike)

I'm not so sure about that "great mind" business.

My son is 16 years-old now...and we are finally starting to get into some rather deep discussions about life, and it's meaning :). We were engaged in a rather philosophical conversation one day, as I was driving him around...and I noticed at one point that I was doing all of the talking. I glanced at him...and saw that he was staring at me with a curious look on his face.

"What's the matter, Niko?"...I asked.

And he replied..."Dad...were you a lot smarter when I was younger"? :D

[charm city whizz]

Looking forward to this Friday trip report a true baltimore triple header

Pimlico->Fred and margies-> horseshoe lolololol

[proximity]

Looking forward to this Friday trip report a true baltimore triple header

Pimlico->Fred and margies-> horseshoe lolololol

game -16
year -193 (18-14)

[Red Knave]

"What's the matter, Niko?"...I asked.

And he replied..."Dad...were you a lot smarter when I was younger"? :D
When he's 21 he will be amazed at how smart you got in the intervening 5 years. (Remember? ;) )

[Track Collector]

Been off a while due to various things, but have been reading and studying all along. Still have not updated my log :bang:, but I'm sure I'm a little bit on the minus though.

Finally went back to the tables, getting in 3 consecutive nights this week. All three were averaged about +$50, which is of course good. One particular hand of interest Thursday night. We are playing 6-7 handed where I am in the 10-seat. A young fellow who joined us rather late is in the 1-seat. He is aggressive and raising about 60% of the time, and you can see he likes to (properly) put on a lot of pressure to steal the blinds and/or to win the hands earlier, particularly since the table is relatively passive. One hand I limp in, knowing that since he is on the button, he is definitely going to raise. On queue, he raises to $9. I've seen enough, so I raise by $30, as I have pocket Kings. (Yet, I limped in, but I knew this was like waving a red towel to Mr. Raise-It.). After acting a little like I "got him", he goes all in. Of course I call. He proudly flips over pocket Aces, after which I turn over my hand. I'm a 4-1 dog and resigned to going home.

Flop --> 10 9 Q
Turn --> 4
River --> J

I had been fixated on looking for a two-out K. Others at the table (who I am sure were rooting for me, or rather rooting against this villian), happily announced that I had made a straight. The reaction of the earlier smug young kid was fun to see.

Seems like we are always the one with the significantly better hand who gets beat out, but, sometimes poker smiles on you with a very unexpected fate.

[proximity]

Been off a while due to various things, but have been reading and studying all along. Still have not updated my log :bang:, but I'm sure I'm a little bit on the minus though.

Finally went back to the tables, getting in 3 consecutive nights this week. All three were averaged about +$50, which is of course good.......

read on "that other site" that horseshoe baltimore will be having $500 high hands every 20 min on all mondays, wednesdays, and fridays in june.

good luck!!

[dilanesp]

Been off a while due to various things, but have been reading and studying all along. Still have not updated my log :bang:, but I'm sure I'm a little bit on the minus though.

Finally went back to the tables, getting in 3 consecutive nights this week. All three were averaged about +$50, which is of course good. One particular hand of interest Thursday night. We are playing 6-7 handed where I am in the 10-seat. A young fellow who joined us rather late is in the 1-seat. He is aggressive and raising about 60% of the time, and you can see he likes to (properly) put on a lot of pressure to steal the blinds and/or to win the hands earlier, particularly since the table is relatively passive. One hand I limp in, knowing that since he is on the button, he is definitely going to raise. On queue, he raises to $9. I've seen enough, so I raise by $30, as I have pocket Kings. (Yet, I limped in, but I knew this was like waving a red towel to Mr. Raise-It.). After acting a little like I "got him", he goes all in. Of course I call. He proudly flips over pocket Aces, after which I turn over my hand. I'm a 4-1 dog and resigned to going home.

Flop --> 10 9 Q
Turn --> 4
River --> J

I had been fixated on looking for a two-out K. Others at the table (who I am sure were rooting for me, or rather rooting against this villian), happily announced that I had made a straight. The reaction of the earlier smug young kid was fun to see.

Seems like we are always the one with the significantly better hand who gets beat out, but, sometimes poker smiles on you with a very unexpected fate.

Hopefully you thought and put your opponent on a range before you called with the kings.

A limp-re-raise in a not-so-deep stack no limit game is a hugely strong move. To a lot of opponents, it's going to look like kings or aces. So coming over the top of that should indicate an incredibly strong hand.

I'm not saying you are wrong to call-- certainly it is standard to call-- but this is a classic example of why ranges, and how people perceive your range in a given situation, is important. There are a number of players for whom the 4-betting range here is KK-AA or even AA alone. You have to really think about the situation and how wide your opponent's 4-betting range is here.

[dilanesp]

good morning poker fans!!

day number two of our quest for win #100 finds us back in the bally's wild west poker room and staring at a list of four. now my total rewards diamond card can move me up to #2 on this list, but at this time of morning we're really looking at waiting for a new game to be called.

so instead of waiting around and listening to bloody mary and all the other regs asking what the high hand is every five minutes, I decide to take a stroll down to the boardwalk's only other remaining poker room: the Tropicana.

there's a similar situation going at Tropicana but a very professional floor man (mike?) tells me he's going to start a new game with two more players so I decide to relax at the table and wait for this game to start.

while were waiting for the game to start I have a nice baseball talk with an old time Phillies fan who is excited about the big series against the hated mets.

"buddy, we're probably gonna get swept (again)," I tell him, but he doesn't care and tells me he just wants to see cole bean Harvey (due to the mets hitting Utley or someone in the last miserable series) and that it very well could happen because of cole's "barroom mentality."

a couple mets fans in the room avoid a good tongue lashing because my new friend will "just end up punching them" and get kicked outta Tropicana. :cool:

2-4-6 limit hold 'em and the Phillies??? seriously??? "what kind of lives are we living here?" I think to myself.

eventually a poker game kicks off.

as usual the game starts slow for me. eventually though a win a hand and creep back into contention before flopping a straight and a redraw to a straight flush with 76s. the flush comes on the river but I (somehow) survive and drag a nice pot that puts me just dollars away from the +47 needed to be a "winner" again for 2015.

just a few hands later I raise TT and flop top set!!

unfortunately a major donk called my raise cold with k4s and turned a flush. when another flush card comes on the river I anger a Tropicana version of bloody mary by calling time for two seconds before mucking my dimes face up (last to act).

I save six dollars with this move but then the nightmare begins as I lose hand, after hand, after hand..... bloody mary (boardwalk south version) cracks KK twice with rags from the blinds and i'm finally gonna get my revenge with QQ.

four of us see a king high flop and I have to fold here due to the action before me but I call the $2 and see a turn. this is a clue that it's time to go.

bloody mary ends up showing down a king, the donk beside her hits a straight, and the player beside me made a major mistake by just calling my raise with AA. QQ is 4th outta 4 in the hand and I decide to throw in the towel.

win #100 will have to wait. :mad:

game -86
year -132 (18-12)

What is your reasoning for folding the TT face up rather than just mucking it? I suspect if you are not going to pay off (the standard play) because your read is clear, the best play from an EV standpoint is to fold them without showing them.

[proximity]

What is your reasoning for folding the TT face up rather than just mucking it?.

frustration.

you caught me.

looking back now, it's a miracle that I even made it down there. last week I couldn't even make it out to penn national to see track collector. hopefully tomorrow I can get out of bed and at least get to penn national, if not horseshoe.

it is doubly frustrating that the diamond benefits are really starting to roll in at horseshoe but I've just been too sick to take advantage of them. june is going to be the best yet and hopefully I can get back to consistent attendance. :confused:

[dilanesp]

frustration.

you caught me.

looking back now, it's a miracle that I even made it down there. last week I couldn't even make it out to penn national to see track collector. hopefully tomorrow I can get out of bed and at least get to penn national, if not horseshoe.

it is doubly frustrating that the diamond benefits are really starting to roll in at horseshoe but I've just been too sick to take advantage of them. june is going to be the best yet and hopefully I can get back to consistent attendance. :confused:

Important to get well. Poker, with its sendentary nature, junk food, dirty cards and chips, and proximity to unwashed people, isn't good for us. So get well soon but take the time to do it before you go back to play.

[Track Collector]

Hopefully you thought and put your opponent on a range before you called with the kings.

A limp-re-raise in a not-so-deep stack no limit game is a hugely strong move. To a lot of opponents, it's going to look like kings or aces. So coming over the top of that should indicate an incredibly strong hand.

I'm not saying you are wrong to call-- certainly it is standard to call-- but this is a classic example of why ranges, and how people perceive your range in a given situation, is important. There are a number of players for whom the 4-betting range here is KK-AA or even AA alone. You have to really think about the situation and how wide your opponent's 4-betting range is here.

Yes, I put him on a wide range based on his much higher than average raising percentage.

I also understand your excellent point about possible 4-betting ranges, which has application in on-line games where players have various tracking tools, or in live games where players have a lot experience competing directly against each other. I think you will agree though, that it has no reliable application for players whose total same-game competition is about 30 minutes max.

IF I am even reasonable close in my assessment that my opponent has a wide range, then surely my all-in decision with pocket kings is +EV over the long haul.

[dilanesp]

Yes, I put him on a wide range based on his much higher than average raising percentage.

I also understand your excellent point about possible 4-betting ranges, which has application in on-line games where players have various tracking tools, or in live games where players have a lot experience competing directly against each other. I think you will agree though, that it has no reliable application for players whose total same-game competition is about 30 minutes max.

IF I am even reasonable close in my assessment that my opponent has a wide range, then surely my all-in decision with pocket kings is +EV over the long haul.

I think you have to call with only 30 minutes experience with the player....

And yet... do you have a range that limp-re-raises and folds to a pre-flop 4-bet? Does anyone in the games you normally play in?

The fact that he has a wide initial raising range isn't really the issue here. You've now announced "hey, I have a gigantic hand", and he has replied "I don't care". He's surely not expecting you to fold, right?

So what's he going to shove with?

I don't think you can put any player with a brain on a wide 4-betting range here. Any 4-bet shove is going to be for value, and what hands get value against your perceived limp-re-raising range?

I have to think this is aces or kings most of the time, or at least would be with typical players.

[Track Collector]

I think you have to call with only 30 minutes experience with the player....

And yet... do you have a range that limp-re-raises and folds to a pre-flop 4-bet? Does anyone in the games you normally play in?
No for me. I'm not that good yet like you. (I say that respectfully, not sarcastically.). I doubt anyone else in the games I play in either, except for any occasional 2/5 NL player who is playing 1/2 NL until a seat opens up in their game.

The fact that he has a wide initial raising range isn't really the issue here. You've now announced "hey, I have a gigantic hand", and he has replied "I don't care". He's surely not expecting you to fold, right? When the pot is $15 and I raise by $30, I don't think that is tantamount to announcing that I have a "Gigantic" hand. (YOU might highly suspect that based on my poker thread postings, but this player has virtually no history on my hand ranges and bluffing tendencies.).

So what's he going to shove with?Perhaps 99 thru AA. I simply did not believe he had Aces, and thus thought the probability was very high that I was ahead pre-flop.


I appreciate your attempt to take one to I higher level of understanding IF the information were available. There is clearly a much harder challenge in live games (particularly where players are not very familiar with each other), where one does not have access to an on-line tracker to more accurately quantify a player's tendencies.

[dilanesp]

No for me. I'm not that good yet like you. (I say that respectfully, not sarcastically.). I doubt anyone else in the games I play in either, except for any occasional 2/5 NL player who is playing 1/2 NL until a seat opens up in their game.

When the pot is $15 and I raise by $30, I don't think that is tantamount to announcing that I have a "Gigantic" hand. (YOU might highly suspect that based on my poker thread postings, but this player has virtually no history on my hand ranges and bluffing tendencies.).

Perhaps 99 thru AA. I simply did not believe he had Aces, and thus thought the probability was very high that I was ahead pre-flop.


I appreciate your attempt to take one to I higher level of understanding IF the information were available. There is clearly a much harder challenge in live games (particularly where players are not very familiar with each other), where one does not have access to an on-line tracker to more accurately quantify a player's tendencies.

We're actually not that far apart. I do think with only 30 minutes experience, you have to call.

But part of the reason I posted is I am recalling my own experience with no limit and players coming over the top of limp re-raises, and I just don't remember it ever being anything other than aces or kings unless the player was a drunk or a drooler.

In other words, for me, this situation is much closer to "I call and expect to lose or chop a lot" rather than "I call because I'm confident I'm ahead of a typical range".

[proximity]

I appreciate your attempt to take one to I higher level of understanding IF the information were available.

I don't even think it's a matter of information availability. dilane is thinking about this at a higher level and is using these examples to show how to think about concepts that are (if not specifically related) generally related to the situation.

in horseracing I used to do this all the time in conversations with pen great "the lion" and recall being frustrated a lot that he couldn't divorce himself from the specifics of the race to add to the conversation about how best to attack similar situations in future races.

here, however, the shoe is on the other foot and I can see that putting the specific race (or hand) on the back burner isn't as easy to do when you have more of a direct stake in the outcome. in the long term though, the posts are still here and I think it can definitely be valuable to look back at the comments from dilane and others to absorb these concepts and improve our games....

[proximity]

was able to make it out to penn national tonight and sit down for a brief session of 1-2 no limit hold em!!

after several failed attempts in atlantic city and Baltimore i was finally able to nail down win #100 since the start of 2014's proximity poker tour thread!!!

unfortunately i remain behind (in game winnings) for 2015, but there's still a lot of poker to be played!

the good news is i'm holding my own overall since the start of last year's tour:

games +745 (100-69)
bonus +775

i also have accumulated over $1000 in unused comp $ at horseshoe and a lot of diamond card perks are starting to roll in!!

a lot of bad things have happened both on and off the felt over these 100 wins and hopefully it will be a smoother ride to win #200.

for tonight though i just wanted to look at the positive!

good luck to everyone!!

[proximity]

continuing to struggle to get out to the poker rooms.

I was able to get to pen tonight and after some racing I had another winning session to get w/in $43 of even for the year (not counting bonuses).

towards the end though I did make a very bad mistake that roy cooke talks about in his may 27 article. while I didn't exactly put the villain on a specific hand, I did give him too much credit for a particular hand and missed some value on the river when a scare card came.

at the moment, the pain of the error was dulled by the win and even the fact that I was "back rounding again" but driving home I would curse my river play.

good luck to everyone on Belmont weekend!!

game +123 (1/2nl)
year -43 (20-14)
bonus ydt +560

[Robert Goren]

A brief word about the limp with KK limp hand. The guy got lucky and AA when you made your move. You have to put the fear of God into these jokers or they will chase people you want to stay from the table. On this hand, however, when he goes all-in though you should fold as he almost certainly has AA this time. I have seen this situation a lot over the years in many different kinds of poker games. In no-limit holdem, I have never seen anyone have anything other AA or AK suited in any game other than a newbie game online. Not once have I ever seen QQ or a worse pair. But you can rest assured he won't have AA next time. After getting you to fold, he is looking for a chance to exploit you with a bluff in a similar situation. This one the areas where too many otherwise decent poker player don't take into account the full ramifications of their actions. To often they think "How does my actions here set up something for a later hand." Even if you think that he might have TT+ or Ax suited or suited connectors, the reward for folding are so great that you should anyway unless the game is about to break up. Unless you have a solid tell and can put him on a stone cold bluff, folding is the way to go on this hand at this time.

[proximity]

I've been to a lot of casinos since the start of the ppt.

I liked something about everyone of them.

even the Tropicana, ac. :confused:

but there's only one city I miss.

now let's play some cards you sun of a beach!!! :)

[proximity]

not much activity lately due to my illness but I was up early yesterday and fired up to play some cards.

horseshoe Baltimore was offering me $70 of comps and $65 of promotional chips. free sara evans concert outside the casino at 4:30 sealed the deal.

would I be born to fly? or would my poker bankroll continue to die?

well, I did flop quads and a set of jacks in the 18 hour session, but overall my trips south.... continued to go south as I couldn't hit a flush draw or open ended straight draw all day, night, and morning long.

however, the outing wasn't a total loss as in addition to the comps and the sara evans concert I got to witness our very own charm city whizz "represent" by nailing a harness simulcast over in the shoe's new racing section!!

good handicapping!!

game -85
year -128 (20-15)

[Overlay]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/minnesota-mans-mistake-leads-to-winning-pokers-top-prize/ar-BBl81PV

According to the story at the link, Christian Pham, who had previously won the World Series of Poker's Main Event in 2014, intended to enter a no-limit Texas Hold 'em event at the Rio in Las Vegas as part of this year's WSOP, but signed up instead (reportedly by accident) for a no-limit deuce-to-seven draw lowball event, which he had never played before. However, with his general poker background, his skill in chip management, a little help from other players, and some intense overnight study between the two days of the tournament, he won the event's top prize of $81,314.

[thaskalos]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/minnesota-mans-mistake-leads-to-winning-pokers-top-prize/ar-BBl81PV

According to the story at the link, Christian Pham, who had previously won the World Series of Poker's Main Event in 2014, intended to enter a no-limit Texas Hold 'em event at the Rio in Las Vegas as part of this year's WSOP, but signed up instead (reportedly by accident) for a no-limit deuce-to-seven draw lowball event, which he had never played before. However, with his general poker background, his skill in chip management, a little help from other players, and some intense overnight study between the two days of the tournament, he won the event's top prize of $81,314.

Where is HORSE RACING'S equivalent to these types of stories? Aren't there any former newspaper deliverymen who are making lucrative livings as professional horseplayers? :)

[ManU918]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/minnesota-mans-mistake-leads-to-winning-pokers-top-prize/ar-BBl81PV

According to the story at the link, Christian Pham, who had previously won the World Series of Poker's Main Event in 2014, intended to enter a no-limit Texas Hold 'em event at the Rio in Las Vegas as part of this year's WSOP, but signed up instead (reportedly by accident) for a no-limit deuce-to-seven draw lowball event, which he had never played before. However, with his general poker background, his skill in chip management, a little help from other players, and some intense overnight study between the two days of the tournament, he won the event's top prize of $81,314.

Pham won the WSOP circuit main event, not the WSOP main event. Big difference.

[proximity]

unfortunately i couldn't get down there, but tonight would've been a great night to play at horseshoe baltimore.

during all orioles home games horseshoe draws hot-seats for every inning the orioles score AND for every home run the orioles hit.

playing my phillies :blush: the orioles score in every inning except the 7th (and the unnecessary bottom of the 9th) and blast a franchise record eight home runs. :faint:

i'm so embarrassed that idk if i'll ever be able to walk into fred and margies again. :D

football can't get here soon enough.

colts power!! :D

[proximity]

well despite another embarrassing loss at horseshoe baltimore, at least i was back rounding again. and after a bad night of racing i decided to try my luck in the no limit wars at penn national.

after a bunch of blinds and several misses with small pairs (flop comes a-j-x every time) i finally wake up with KK in a straddled pot!!!!

and when a player to my right raises the straddle to $30 (!!) i'm going to book a win and maybe (if just for the ride home) start to feel good about life again.

i shove my $40, villain calls with his A8 off, board runs out xxxx..... A. :rolleyes:

my life, last year's $95 KK vs ace-rag charles town shove, and KK going 0 for whatever on the last AC trip flash before my eyes.

i rebuy.

KK beats another one of the seemingly endless parade of bad players who shuffle through the hollywood casino turnstiles but i can't get him to bite on the turn.

other than that, i'm blinded out and actually lose $1 on the rebuy.

winning poker appears to be a distant memory with no reprieve in sight.

game -61 (1/2 nl)
year -189 (20-16)
ytd
bonus +560

[Track Collector]

winning poker appears to be a distant memory with no reprieve in sight.

Boy can I relate to that!

Adversity has the benefit of motivating us to work even harder. Eventually I may find out I am only capable of going so far, but not for want or desire.

Hopefully we see some winning sessions before the bankrolls disappear. :):(

It seems to me you are out and about playing a little bit more.....hopefully a good sign that your previous health problems are getting much better!

[proximity]

Hopefully we see some winning sessions before the bankrolls disappear. :):(


after yet another bad night of racing i tried some 1-2 nl again at pen.

after several rounds of paying blinds and folding i raise with TT and get four calls. i check and fold after a flop of A-J-8, the two high cards keeping me from paying off a set of 8s.

over the next few hours, small wins with TT and AJs keep me in the game and i'm finally going to get back in the win column when i limp in on the button with A4s.

flop: 844 rainbow.

but i guess i'm not totally out of the woods as the big blind bets with calls from the player under the gun and two kids in middle position before the action even gets to me.

i'm not going to fold anyone out here so i just call, planning to shove the turn if necessary.

queen of the 4th suit falls on the turn and the two early position player drop out of the hand.

i'm all in and mp#2 raises out mp #1 on the river.

despite a cruddy jack falling, i'm starting to get concerned.

"you have 8s?" i ask the kid.

well, no.... he doesn't have 8s... but it turns out that it's even worse as the kid has played 8-4 off suit from middle position and flopped the boat. :bang:

not even in the 3-6 games at horseshoe would i expect to lose to such a ridiculous hand from outside the blinds, but yet there it is, 8-4 off suit, laying flat on the felt in front of the kid.

i stare incredulously at the table for a minute before sulking off into the grantville night.

there will be no rebuy as my bankroll... and my life... continue to circle the bottom of the toilet.

game -60 (1/2 nl)
year -249 (20-17) :blush:

[dirty moose]

Just remember, you want people like that guy in the game!!!! It's all come back to the good and patient player. You're one session away from the black. Keep at it.

[thaskalos]

Think of it this way:

You've lost about $7 per session...while getting double that in bonuses. If you took that same $7 to the racetrack...you wouldn't even be able to buy a Racing Form with it.

[Track Collector]

I may have mentioned this before, but I am really surprised that a lot of players (at the Charles Town Races and Slots racino where I play almost exclusively) fail to take advantage of an information gathering opportunity.

Here is an example:

Player 1 is in a position that requires him to be the 1st person to initiate betting for that round, which he does for both the flop and the turn. He ends up heads up with player 2. Both he and player 2 check the river, so by "rule", player 1 (who was the last person to initiate a bet), has to declare his hand 1st. Instead, he delays just enough to get player 2 to declare 1st, and seeing that he is beaten, he mucks his cards.

Although it might only be a few hands over a multi-hour session, IMO player 2 misses a valuable opportunity to see what kind of hand(s) that opponent might play, and what kind of approach they used in their effort to win the hand. Add to this that one tends to see some of the same players over and over again, so eventually one might be able to see enough hands to form a reliable opinion, and subsequently identify a profitable exploit. This is 1/2 No Limit, so chances are much less of encountering a real sharp player who is capable of changing up their strategy from one session to the next.

Unfortunately everyone else at the table is being denied this info as well.

[proximity]

in general I would just flip my hand over at Charles town races and if other players are having trouble putting the villain on a range.... good.

and if I was hell-bent on seeing these cards I'd pretend that I was distracted by the cocktail waitresses or tv so i'm not coming across as a rules expert.

keep it loose and fun!!

[proximity]

against my better judgement I joined a friend from racing for a session at the sands (Bethlehem, pa).

I usually play 3-6 limit at the sands if it's running, and with $300 high hands every hour from 1-9.... it certainly was running, lol.

if slot machines are the crack cocaine of gambling, then high hands are the crack cocaine of poker. personally I don't see the big deal about this promotion, but whatever the reason, there's no denying that mid-atlantic players absolutely LOVE it.

as for my own game, it's basically business as usual at the sands.

KK continues to fail me and 8s continue to kill me.

I go 0-4 with cowboys and one old cowgirl (coulda been a cheerleader from the landry era) crushes me any time an 8 hits the board.

somehow though I hang around and eventually get a dream hand when I turn a full house with AQ and get a lot of action.

AA late seals the deal and, even though it's only a sip, it's good to taste victory again!!

game +45 (3/6 lim)
year -204 (21-17)

[charm city whizz]

In what may be the most aggresive promotion I've seen in a poker room at Maryland live in July from 11am-3am Monday-Friday $500 high hands every 15 minutes for the whole month.....aces full of 2s min qualifier

Pretty nice promo If your a player

[proximity]

In what may be the most aggresive promotion I've seen in a poker room at Maryland live in July from 11am-3am Monday-Friday $500 high hands every 15 minutes for the whole month.....aces full of 2s min qualifier

Pretty nice promo If your a player

do you think horseshoe is really gonna lower the rake.... or is it just talk?

any inside info??

[charm city whizz]

do you think horseshoe is really gonna lower the rake.... or is it just talk?

any inside info??

Just talk....they don't make enough to justify lowering the rake will add business, never seen a casino go down in rake, It would be a first that I know of

[proximity]

:lol:

get an email from horseshoe Baltimore for a special promotional chip offer this weekend with a picture of a guy looking down at, not AA, but of all hands....... KK. :bang:

well played horseshoe!! :)

[Red Knave]

well played horseshoe!! :)
That's just cruel. Good thing you're a bigger man than that.

Or maybe they do read the posts here at PA? :confused:

[proximity]

feeling better I returned to the horseshoe Baltimore for some poker and promotional chip action.

the good news was that I was able to grind out $88 of profits for my 27th career win at the shoe and bat a thousand with my promotional chips.

there was some bad news though as I folded a small pocket pair to a pre flop raise that would've flopped quads and been the winning $500 high hand. :(

to be honest i'm mostly into beating the game straight up and don't go to casinos to hit high hands.... although I could've used the extra $500.

maybe next time!!

game +88(3/6 lim)
year -116 (22-17)

[tucker6]

feeling better I returned to the horseshoe Baltimore for some poker and promotional chip action.

the good news was that I was able to grind out $88 of profits for my 27th career win at the shoe and bat a thousand with my promotional chips.

there was some bad news though as I folded a small pocket pair to a pre flop raise that would've flopped quads and been the winning $500 high hand. :(

to be honest i'm mostly into beating the game straight up and don't go to casinos to hit high hands.... although I could've used the extra $500.

maybe next time!!

game +88(3/6 lim)
year -116 (22-17)
smart man. Any and all distractions have to be eliminated.

[proximity]

back at horseshoe Baltimore for some more poker action!!

$117 profit to move ahead again for the year would be my goal and we'd start out nice winning a monster limit pot with T9 suited rivering the nut straight.

unfortunately though I'd lose with a set of sixes and KK would start the day 0-2 and as the hour got late the issue was still in doubt.

throughout the day and most of the night I would constantly find myself in hands where six of us would see a flop and five would see a turn. :bang:

uhh? are they gonna split this up in the parking garage? :rolleyes:

it appeared that I was in for another beating with KK when my bet following an 8-7-7 flop failed to lose anyone.

however, (an unnecessary :rolleyes: ) king falls on the turn to fill me up and later KK comes back again to take a side pot that dwarfed another lost main pot that was dragged by AX off.

with a win of $134 though, it was mission accomplished and instead of moping around like a loser, we will celebrate the 4th as a poker "winner" again!!

game +134 (3/6 lim)
year +18 (23-17) :jump:

[ManU918]

Parx is holding a pretty cool tournament this week. $180+20 - M-F are all day 1's with 2 day 1 legs on Friday.

20,000 starting stack
30 min levels (1-14) 40 min levels (15-21) 60 min levels (onward)
Total entries through Wednesday: 611
Total people moving on to day 2 through three days: 104

I'll be playing on Friday.... Haven't decided on a leg yet.

[proximity]

after two decent games last week pull us back ahead, i suffer another frustrating loss at horseshoe Baltimore.

despite winning only 8 hands in over ten hours of play, i'm nursing a $12 lead late but drop hands after flopping an overpair with 99 and top pair with AQ. finally a set of 7s falls to a turned flush.

for the most part though i was extremely card dead and folded a ton of hands. and when i would see a flop it would be horseshoe/sands business as usual: me (and occasionally another player) folding and the other five players advancing to the turn/river.

in a nice gesture, horseshoe comps me a room at the Sheraton but in true proximity poker fashion my shortcut is blocked by baseball traffic and i end up out on 95 where i'm finally able to turn around (just slightly) before i reach pedro and south of the border. :mad:

hopefully tomorrow goes better. :)

game -87 (3/6 lim)
year -69 (23-18) :mad:

[proximity]

back for day number two of our Baltimore gambling weekend. special thanks to the beautiful new horseshoe Baltimore for the comp room at Sheraton inner harbor!!

12:35 cards in air.

12:47 KK cracked by a turned gutshot just 12 minutes into the game.

12:50 AA cracked by the exact same villain.

12:52 I raise with KQ suited. same villain calls two bets with 96 and wins.

12:55 flop top pair with AJ and finish distant third. -80 already.

1:10 AT sees a flop of t7x and has to river an ace to beat a donk playing t7. incredibly i'm only -25.

1:17 flop set of twos with other two cards being diamonds. turn: diamond. river: diamond. the set was good, but technically my two of diamonds wins the hand with a flush! :faint: :faint: :faint:

1:22 actually move ahead!!

1:23 36 from big blind. flop j36 rainbow. villain has QT but won't fold to my bets. turn: ten. river: jack. :rolleyes: even again. :faint:

2:17 same villain cracks KK again. :faint: :faint:
he has now cracked my KK twice and AA once in the first 1:45 of the game.

4:11 in a rare three handed pot i'm beaten by yet another gutshot. vintage 'shoe. -28

6:14 lose with AK and move to -88.

6:20 -100 and rebuy for the $30 I have in my pocket. :blush:

6:50 aces cracked again. at least it was by a different player though. :rolleyes:

7:09 even playing short handed AT isn't good on a AJT flop. (villain had AJ)

7:41 QQ cracked by A6 off. big pairs are getting crushed. :bang:

8:42 AK flops top two pair and turns the nut flush draw!! naturally the hand is rundown by two guys chopping a gutterball. no spade. villain A actually had AJ and it was pretty obvious he had the jack when he led out on the river but I was obviously going to call with this big of a pot. however, villain B (who we'll refer to as "overcall") raises to $12 with his jx (no spade) and I toss big slick into the muck. thanks for the $6 overcall.

8:51 the player beside me limps with 62 off from middle position but folds the very next hand. 72 off? :rolleyes:

9:09 AK loses again but for all the heartache i'm really hanging tough at "only" -72.

10:30 raise AQ. flop QJ9. turn: ten. lose to guy playing K6 off. -81

10:40 KJ flops two pair and holds off draws. only -30.

11:40 lose to yet another gutshot. -81 again.

12:33 -101 after paying blinds.

1:17 -130 and have to take the "walk of shame" to the atm. :blush:

2:42 -159 and the game is moving slower than a renpher horse. but with three major donks on my right i'm not going anywhere. I save $4 when one dealer misses my small blind and then the very next orbit, misses my big blind. maybe i'm a bad person, but I don't say anything. but was I always bad? or did horseshoe poker turn me into this evil monster?

3:14 one of the aforementioned donks that we've talked about before in these reports (the sheriff and the mayor) moves seats and this Cameron diaz girl sits beside me. however when a player from the five or six seat leaves senorita diaz takes his seat so she can see better and before a new player can jump in the seat beside me I get (what would've been her hand) KK ON THE VERY NEXT HAND!!!!!!!!!

and it's beautiful as a donk raises to six and I reraise to nine!! mr 62 beside me then repops it to $12!!!! a kid calls $12 cold in late position and five of us see the flop. of course KK falls again as the kid in late position wins with Q8 suited. :rolleyes:

wondering how anyone could call $12 with Q8 I (bad) jokingly ask if the dealer burned a card. the kid cleared the whole mess up though, saying he had to play the hand because it was a suited connector!! :eek:

very nice.

3:18 mini bb is hit and the game slows down even more. just when I didn't think it was possible. :rolleyes:

3:26 win with AK to get back to only -161.

3:41 KK again from small blind. I plan a check raise on after a flop of 972 rainbow but the big blind (mr 62) leads out and I decide to wait until the turn.

turn:7 and yes, I lead out here. of course I don't like it when mr 62 raises me and then mr overcall calls the raise. I call though and believe it or not i'm still winning the hand with my kings until a four falls on the river. YES, I said a FOUR. I check, mr 62 bets with j9, mr overcall raises to 12, I fold, mr 62 raises to 18 with j9, mr overcall calls and wins the hand with POCKET 4s. yes he called $12 on the turn waiting for third four to hit the river. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. :faint: :faint: :faint:

3:54 I beat mr 62 with a set. If he has one specific hand he could have a straight but when he raises my turn bet I repop it to 18. he calls and then raises my river bet? ok? I call. he has a turned pair. :rolleyes: win moves me to -140.

5:25 (yes, a.m.) get KK again but lose to AA. now 0-5 with kings in the game. two hands later I get KK again. I raise but lose to multiple AX off hands. now 0-6 with kings in the game!!!!!! :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint:

5:35 (yes, in the morning) I quickly make a comeback and win like half the chips on the table with a set of jacks. on the river though I make a bad mistake and prematurely table the hand before Cameron diaz can call my bet. I save her $6 but she still hammers me as being just another player not concentrating at the horseshoe. yes, I was guilty but while i'm certainly no doug donkey or lawdude from 2+2, or even roy cooke from cardplayer at the horsehoe I have to be one of the top limit players...... so give it a rest princess.

5:47 win another big pot (they don't like to fold at horseshoe) with AJ turning a boat. one kid takes forever to make a seemingly tough laydown. we'll call him mr laydown.

6:21 :sleeping: Cameron diaz has tapped, mr laydown has tapped and despite going 0-6 with KK, 0-2 with AA, and 0-2 or 0-3 (lost count) with QQ i'm only -45 for the game. still have to drive 90 min home. it's time to quit.

6:30 avoid running over mr laydown who is now panhandling with a cardboard sign on the street outside the casino. again, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. :faint:

game -45 (3/6 lim)
year -114 (23-19)

[tucker6]

wondering how anyone could call $12 with Q8 I (bad) jokingly ask if the dealer burned a card. the kid cleared the whole mess up though, saying he had to play the hand because it was a suited connector!! :eek:

very nice.


:lol: :lol: :lol:

[ManU918]

East Coast grinders are going to be busy over the next few months...

Borgata
July 14 - Borgata $500K Guarantee NLH ($400) Day 1A & 1B
July 15 - Day 1C & 1D
July 16 - Borgata NLH Black Chip Bounty ($500)
July 17 - Borgata $50K Guarantee NLH ($450)
July 17 - Borgata PLO High Six Max ($450)
July 18 - Borgata $100K Guarantee NLH ($400)
July 18 - Borgata Crazy Pineapple ($340)
July 19 - Borgata $200K Guarantee NLH ($300) Day 1A & 1B
July 20 - Day 1C & 1D
July 21 - Borgata $25K Guarantee ($340) Elevator NLH
July 22 - Borgata $100K Guarantee NLH ($300)
July 23 - Borgata 40 Bigs NLH ($560)
July 24 - Borgata 6 Max NLH ($1080)
July 25 - Borgata Turbo NLH ($1060)
July 26 - Borgata $500K Guarantee NLH ($2500) Day 1A
July 27 - Day 1B
July 28 - Borgata Deep Stack NLH ($340)
July 29 - Borgata $75K Guarantee NLH ($300)
July 30 - Borgata Deeper Stack Bounty NLH ($330)
July 31 - Borgata $50K Guarantee NLH ($230)
August 10 - Borgata $200K Guarantee NLH ($180) Day 1A
August 11 - Day 1B
August 12 - Day 1C
August 13 - Day 1D & 1E
August 14 - Day 1F & 1G
August 16 - Borgata Bad Beat on Hunger ($300)
August 23 - Borgata $100K Guarantee ($400) Day 1A
August 24 - Day 1B
August 29 - Borgata Satellite ($1080) 1 in 10 win $3500 entry into WPT Main Event and $6500 Cash

Dover Downs
July 24 - Dover Downs $15K Guarantee ($165)
July 25 - Dover Downs $30K Guarantee ($250)
September 3 - Dover Downs PLO $5K Guarantee ($125)
September 4 - Dover Downs $20K Guarantee ($150)
September 5 - Dover Downs $100K Guarantee ($560)
September 6 - Dover Downs $15K Guarantee ($120)

Parx
July 29 - Parx Big Stax ($330) Day 1A
July 30 - Day 1B
July 31 - Day 1C
August 1 - Day 1D
August 2 - Parx 30 BB Battle ($230)
August 3 - Parx NLH/PLO Mix ($230)
August 4 - Parx Deep Stack Turbo Black Chip Bounty ($330)
August 5 - Parx Black Chip Bounty 6Max ($440)
August 6 - Parx Big Stax ($550) Day 1A
August 7 - Day 1B
August 8 - Day 1C
August 9 - Parx 30 BB Battle ($340)
August 10 - Parx Big Stax Turbo ($175) Day 1A
August 11 - Day 1B
August 12 - Day 1C
August 13 - Day 1D
August 14 - Day 1E & Day 1F
August 14 - Parx Big Stax ($1200) Day 1A
August 15 - Day 1B
August 16 - Parx Purple Chip Bounty ($1060)



Harrah's Chester
July 19 - Harrah's $100K Guarantee ($160) Day 1A & 1B
July 20 - Day 1C & 1D
July 21 - Day 1E & 1F
July 22 - Day 1G & 1H
July 23 - Day 1I & 1J
July 24 - Day 1K
July 25 - Day 1L & 1M

Sands Bethlehem
August 12 - Sands Double Green Bounty $10K Guarantee ($200)
August 13 - Sands $100K Guarantee ($250) Day 1A
August 14 - Day 1B
August 15 - Day 1C

Delaware Park
Mid-Atlantic Poker Championship September 23 - October 5 (Schedule still not released)

Maryland Live
August 24 - Maryland Live $10K Guarantee ($125)
August 25 - Maryland Live Bounty $10K Guarantee ($150)
August 26 - Maryland Live $200K Guarantee ($550)
August 30 - Maryland Live 15K Guarantee ($330)
September 23 - WPT series starts (Schedule still not released)

Horseshoe Baltimore
WSOP Circuit August 20 - August 31 (Schedule still not released)

[Red Knave]

6:21 :sleeping: Cameron diaz has tapped, mr laydown has tapped and despite going 0-6 with KK, 0-2 with AA, and 0-2 or 0-3 (lost count) with QQ i'm only -45 for the game. still have to drive 90 min home. it's time to quit.

6:30 avoid running over mr laydown who is now panhandling with a cardboard sign on the street outside the casino. again, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. :faint:

Your posts in all the poker threads are Gold.

One thing I notice in this particular post is that you beat the rake by a couple miles so take some confidence from that. I know it sounds like faint praise but it's not intended that way.

You rock, your play rocks and your writing rocks so please keep rocking.

:ThmbUp:

[charm city whizz]

Your posts in all the poker threads are Gold.

One thing I notice in this particular post is that you beat the rake by a couple miles so take some confidence from that. I know it sounds like faint praise but it's not intended that way.

You rock, your play rocks and your writing rocks so please keep rocking.

:ThmbUp:

I'm not sure proximity knows how impressive his 3/6 stats really are.....he is undoubtably in the top 5 percent in win/hours played at 3/6 he basically beats what is called an unbeatable game

Hopefully in the next month when I'm healed financially (stuck 2600 playing golf since Preakness) maybe proximity will put up 200 I'll put up 400 and he can go grind this 10/20 into submission at borgata where the play is at best mediocre....I have all the confidence in the world in his limit game


And by the way the weekend warriors been practicing their bad play in 10/20 for years, they love calling that 7-8 suited for $40 cold preflop

[ManU918]

I'm not sure proximity knows how impressive his 3/6 stats really are.....he is undoubtably in the top 5 percent in win/hours played at 3/6 he basically beats what is called an unbeatable game

Hopefully in the next month when I'm healed financially (stuck 2600 playing golf since Preakness) maybe proximity will put up 200 I'll put up 400 and he can go grind this 10/20 into submission at borgata where the play is at best mediocre....I have all the confidence in the world in his limit game


And by the way the weekend warriors been practicing their bad play in 10/20 for years, they love calling that 7-8 suited for $40 cold preflop

That game has improved since you dealt there. If you're going to back him to play, I would suggest the 15/30 game at Parx.

[charm city whizz]

That game has improved since you dealt there. If you're going to back him to play, I would suggest the 15/30 game at Parx.

Does that even go everyday anymore at parx? Game used to be a shootout and the 4 times I've played there lost a thousand each time, can't book wins there lolololl, went for 850 in the 6/12 game, brutal

[ManU918]

Does that even go everyday anymore at parx? Game used to be a shootout and the 4 times I've played there lost a thousand each time, can't book wins there lolololl, went for 850 in the 6/12 game, brutal

It runs a good amount.... Parx and Sugarhouse are the Wild West. You can make a lot of money but you have to be prepared to see a lot of coolers. The quality of play is horrible. They are opening a "Live" casino right down the street from the stadiums and across the street from the off track betting in South Philadelphia. That place is going to be epic.

[charm city whizz]

It runs a good amount.... Parx and Sugarhouse are the Wild West. You can make a lot of money but you have to be prepared to see a lot of coolers. The quality of play is horrible. They are opening a "Live" casino right down the street from the stadiums and across the street from the off track betting in South Philadelphia. That place is going to be epic.


Really you think the new live casino will be busy? Lots of poker rooms in that area

[proximity]

Your posts in all the poker threads are Gold.

One thing I notice in this particular post is that you beat the rake by a couple miles so take some confidence from that. I know it sounds like faint praise but it's not intended that way.

You rock, your play rocks and your writing rocks so please keep rocking.

:ThmbUp:

thanks for the kind words rk and thanks to both you and tucker6 for making it through that long post.

things aren't really going that well either on or off the felt, but i try to keep posting when i can to keep interest in the forum and maybe someday things will turn and i will be able to look back on all the heartache and appreciate my good fortune?

until then we rub some dirt on our wounds and soldier on.

tis but a scratch. ;)

[proximity]

I'm not sure proximity knows how impressive his 3/6 stats really are.....he is undoubtably in the top 5 percent in win/hours played at 3/6 he basically beats what is called an unbeatable game

Hopefully in the next month when I'm healed financially (stuck 2600 playing golf since Preakness) maybe proximity will put up 200 I'll put up 400 and he can go grind this 10/20 into submission at borgata where the play is at best mediocre....I have all the confidence in the world in his limit game


And by the way the weekend warriors been practicing their bad play in 10/20 for years, they love calling that 7-8 suited for $40 cold preflop

lol, next month i have another vacation and really need to just rest and not get stressed out at poker. of course as a compulsive gambler we already know the whole vacation is going to revolve around gambling so why fight it?

i'll probably go to a.c. for a few days for variety but really i'm a slave to horseshoe for the rest of the year. right now i have 21k tier credits so you know i'll have to try and make a run at diamond aspirations 1 (40k) right?

sigh...... :)

[proximity]

That game has improved since you dealt there. If you're going to back him to play, I would suggest the 15/30 game at Parx.

lol, i just get lucky at parx and borgata since 90% of the time i'm more focused on the waitresses than the game.

how are you doing? anything in the tournament friday??

[ManU918]

Really you think the new live casino will be busy? Lots of poker rooms in that area

Busy? Oh God yes.... Good neighborhood, right down the street from the stadiums/Xfinity Live, The Walt Whitman exit for people coming from Jersey is right across the street, and right across from the Parx Off Track Betting Building. I think it will crush Sugarhouse and Harrah's. Especially if the Philadelphia Live follows the path of Maryland Live and establishes a relationship with the WPT.

[ManU918]

lol, i just get lucky at parx and borgata since 90% of the time i'm more focused on the waitresses than the game.

how are you doing? anything in the tournament friday??

I love Parx... Really comfortable there...

I'm good... Thanks for asking... All I can say about the tournament is that I played and lasted about as long as Vic did in the Main....

I'll be playing some of those tournaments on the schedule I posted earlier. Hoping to make a few deep runs.

[proximity]

kicked off 2015 with pocket kings dragging a nice limit pot but since then it's been ALL downhill for the cowboys.

I thought things were bad, but then last week discovered that they could get even worse when KK went an amazing 0-6 in limit hold 'em action with AA and QQ also posting 0-fers at the beautiful new horseshoe Baltimore.

in a key hand of the game a kid called FOUR bets cold pre flop with Q8 suited to crack my kings.

today was a new day though and I was back at horseshoe to get a free blender that i'll probably never use and maybe, just maybe, exacta a little revenge on the local colony of limit hold 'em donkeys.

I got my blender ok, but my normal horseshoe game of 3-6 limit hold 'em was having trouble getting off the ground. so running out of patience (never a good thing in gambling) I finally dipped my toe in the shoe's no limit waters and surfaced with an impressive $2 profit before the 3-6 game was called!!

as it turned out though I probably should've stayed at no limit.

picking up where I've left off in recent games I had QQ cracked early and trailed most of the way.

towards game's end though I closed to within striking distance with a set of 7s and KQ picking up some nice pots.

and a final hand with AK is going to put me over the top!!

perpetually short stacked mr min buy in raises and a short stacked atlantic city kid calls. I raise to $9 and mr Q7 suited calls with a wildcard mr ace-rag raising to $12 from the blinds. mr min buy in caps the betting at $15 and the five of us see a flop:

A-6-4 (two diamonds)

mr ace-rag leads out with mr min buy in and the ac kid going all in. I raise to six, get called by mr Q7 and reraised to $9 by mr ace-rag.

uh-oh. :eek:

I call and the five of us see a turn:

X (diamond)

mr ace-rag leads out again. I call, mr Q7 has hit his flush and raises to $12 but i'm not going to fold a pot this big. mr ace-rag calls and I call.

river:

A

mr ace rag leads out again. it's gotta be quads but again i'm not folding a pot this big and I call. despite the paired board, intense pre flop action, and only having the queen high flush, mr Q7 again raises to $12.

mr ace rag calls and I call.

but mr ace rag doesn't have quads or even a full house. he has ace-five and has basically given mr Q7 an extra $12 of my money by somehow thinking he was good on the turn and river. (even more if you count his ridiculous out of position reraise on the flop).

very nice. :rolleyes:

have you heard about the lonesome loser, beaten by the suited queen (rag) every time?

he's over at the cage with $8. :mad:

game 1 +2 (1-3 nl)
game 2 -92 (36 lim)
year -204 (24-20) :mad:

[proximity]

it had to be a set before the river and then a boat.... never quads. :bang:

it was a long ride home. :sleeping:

[proximity]

today's action finds us on the road to Charles town with hopes that a change of scenery will bring a change of luck.

the Charlie daniels band is the main attraction tonight and our table struggles to name another cd song other than devil went down to Georgia. I can sing part of one but can't come up with the name. :confused:

it's high hand day at Charles town and take my seat for some 3-6 limit action. picking up where we last left off at horseshoe I lose with QQ on my very first hand. :bang: here we go again. :bang:

within the hour I will actually win a hand with QQ but that's the only pot i'll scoop for the first 2-3 hours of the game. AK and AQ are getting me killed. with 6-2 from the bb, I flop bottom pair and turn two pair but get counterfeited on the river.

finally though on my next bb I see a beautiful 987 rainbow flop with jt and win a monster limit pot when a ct regular flops the bottom end and several other players struggle to fold.

the rare win moves me ahead, but it won't last.

I chop a nice pot with AK but overall i'm continuing to struggle with big slick as well as AQ, 55, and 66.

a little over half way through the game track collector arrives at the racino. a big player we knew from the now shuttered chambersburg otw has a horse running and tc plans to watch from the apron and jump into the winner's circle if the horse wins.

fortunately our friend's horse does win and tc, only identifiable by his stylish orange polo :cool: , joins about half the population of Hagerstown in the win photo. :)

it may be party time outside, but back in the card room, it's no fiesta.

I pick up a pot with AA but QQ has lost three more times to go 1 for 5 on the game. then i'll have aces cracked by quad jacks. KK does pick up a small pot short handed, but the damage has been done.

another decent performance considering the cards, but a loss nonetheless.

game -33 (3/6 lim)
year -237 (24-21)

[ManU918]

Horseshoe Baltimore WSOP Circuit Schedule Released

August 20 – Horseshoe WSOP $50K Guarantee Ring Event 1 ($365)

August 21 – Horseshoe WSOP $350K Guarantee Ring Event 2 ($365) Day 1A & 1B

August 22 – Day 1C & 1D

August 23 – Horseshoe WSOP $50K Guarantee Ring Event 3 ($365)

August 24 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 4 ($365)

August 24 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 5 ($365) PLO

August 25 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 6 ($365) NLH 6 Handed

August 25 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 7 ($365) Big-O

August 26 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 8 ($365) Mega Stack and 1st place gets 2016 WSOP Main Event Seat

August 27 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 9 ($365) NLH Turbo

August 28 – Horseshoe WSOP Circuit Main Event Ring Event 10 ($1675) Flight A

August 29 – Flight B

August 30 – Horseshoe WSOP $50K Guarantee Ring Event 10 ($580)

August 31 – Horseshoe WSOP Ring Event 11 ($365) NLH Turbo

[proximity]

greetings poker fans!!

it's paceadvantage's only losing poker player back with yet another lousy game report!! this time from 1-2 no limit action at our favorite juice pit: penn national.

like almost every other game in the last two months, we start out with KK getting cracked by A8 offsuit. ace comes right on the flop.

later AA gets all in vs a (fortunately) short stacked KK.

king right on the flop and then again on the turn for good measure.

that's twice in a row now I've had AA lose to quads. (see last report from ct)

fortunately I catch a bluffer trying to run me off QQ when (as usual) an ace flops, while I succeed with a couple small bluffs of my own to stay afloat.

unfortunately though the damage has been done.

paceadvantage's worst poker player loses again.

game -68 (1/2 nl)
year -305 (24-22)

[charm city whizz]

[QUOTE=proximity]greetings poker fans!!

it's paceadvantage's only losing poker player back with yet another lousy game report!! this time from 1-2 no limit action at our favorite juice pit: penn national.

like almost every other game in the last two months, we start out with KK getting cracked by A8 offsuit. ace comes right on the flop.

later AA gets all in vs a (fortunately) short stacked KK.

king right on the flop and then again on the turn for good measure.

that's twice in a row now I've had AA lose to quads. (see last report from ct)

fortunately I catch a bluffer trying to run me off QQ when (as usual) an ace flops, while I succeed with a couple small bluffs of my own to stay afloat.

unfortunately though the damage has been done.

paceadvantage's worst poker player loses again.

game -68 (1/2 nl)


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm pace advantages worst card player......1/14 in last 15 no limit sessions, spread out over 2 years, as sad as it gets

Don't let my scores in the pink game fool you.....it's just a product of exploiting bad play in mix games, if I wasn't 12-1 or 12/13 however you word it I would ban myself from casino play!!!!!

But yes proximity and whizz are the only 2 losing players in forum, we will be conducting autograph signing and picture taking on 2nd floor simulcast room at timonium fair from 12-4 during live racing days

[Track Collector]

[QUOTE=proximity]greetings poker fans!!

it's paceadvantage's only losing poker player back with yet another lousy game report!! this time from 1-2 no limit action at our favorite juice pit: penn national.

like almost every other game in the last two months, we start out with KK getting cracked by A8 offsuit. ace comes right on the flop.

later AA gets all in vs a (fortunately) short stacked KK.

king right on the flop and then again on the turn for good measure.

that's twice in a row now I've had AA lose to quads. (see last report from ct)

fortunately I catch a bluffer trying to run me off QQ when (as usual) an ace flops, while I succeed with a couple small bluffs of my own to stay afloat.

unfortunately though the damage has been done.

paceadvantage's worst poker player loses again.

game -68 (1/2 nl)


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm pace advantages worst card player......1/14 in last 15 no limit sessions, spread out over 2 years, as sad as it gets

Don't let my scores in the pink game fool you.....it's just a product of exploiting bad play in mix games, if I wasn't 12-1 or 12/13 however you word it I would ban myself from casino play!!!!!

But yes proximity and whizz are the only 2 losing players in forum, we will be conducting autograph signing and picture taking on 2nd floor simulcast room at timonium fair from 12-4 during live racing days

Make that 3 losing players. (sigh.....)

That rising poker star :rolleyes: that proximity touted not too long ago might be more accurately be assessed as a one-time flash in the pan. :blush:

Would be very happy to be at proximity's losing level of 3-digits. As something Chico might say, "Poker been verly verly bad to me". Some variance has been going against me (like loosing post-flop when going all-in and favored to win 88% of the time :faint:), but the major reason for my poor results is that I still have several leaks to fix before I can hope to be reasonably competitive. I neglected to tell proximity that after a 70-minute hit and run session on Saturday night, I turned a starting short-stack of $100 to $200. The breakeven line is too faint to see yet, but a win is a win, and a badly needed addition to the confidence level, especially with so many recent bad sessions.

My night was made by making the most out of only 2 winning hands. In the first one I had JJ, and survived 10-10-K-J-K when my opponent only had a 10. In the second one a straddler had the misfortune of having 99 when I had QQ.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at TIMONIUM. :jump: I guess it's time to start "that" thread. :)

[charm city whizz]

[QUOTE=charm city whizz]

Make that 3 losing players. (sigh.....)

That rising poker star :rolleyes: that proximity touted not too long ago might be more accurately be assessed as a one-time flash in the pan. :blush:

Would be very happy to be at proximity's losing level of 3-digits. As something Chico might say, "Poker been verly verly bad to me". Some variance has been going against me (like loosing post-flop when going all-in and favored to win 88% of the time :faint:), but the major reason for my poor results is that I still have several leaks to fix before I can hope to be reasonably competitive. I neglected to tell proximity that after a 70-minute hit and run session on Saturday night, I turned a starting short-stack of $100 to $200. The breakeven line is too faint to see yet, but a win is a win, and a badly needed addition to the confidence level, especially with so many recent bad sessions.

My night was made by making the most out of only 2 winning hands. In the first one I had JJ, and survived 10-10-K-J-K when my opponent only had a 10. In the second one a straddler had the misfortune of having 99 when I had QQ.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at TIMONIUM. :jump: I guess it's time to start "that" thread. :)

1000000000000% time to start "that" thread

[proximity]

That rising poker star :rolleyes: that proximity touted not too long ago might be more accurately be assessed as a one-time flash in the pan. :blush:


you came right out of the gate with a 29-22 game record in no limit play, so give yourself some credit for that.

[proximity]

Don't let my scores in the pink game fool you.....it's just a product of exploiting bad play in mix games, if I wasn't 12-1 or 12/13 however you word it I would ban myself from casino play!!!!!


how's the pink game going? seems like everyone was too hellbent on having it be exactly the way they wanted and maybe because of that it's starting to die?

at least you were flexible enough to sit in any rotation that they wanted to play.

[dilanesp]

Here's one I played last night.

Table is fishy, every hand is seeing 4-7 players to the flop.

I'm in the small blind with 6d6s.

5 limpers, I complete, big blind checks.

Flop Q85 rainbow

Checks around

Turn 2

Checks to player on button, who has run a couple of bluffs and also value bet thin-- he bets, I raise, everyone folds, he calls.

River 5

I bet....

[proximity]

River 5

I bet....

can you discuss this street more?

[dilanesp]

can you discuss this street more?

The decision seems more important than the result. In general, I think my turn x/r is for value which means I should just barrel any river card because I crush my opponent's range.

On the other hand, the 5 river is, when you think about it, basically the worst possible card, because it definitely improves a significant portion of his range, and further, he might even realize this and decide to bluff-raise it.

So I bet (intending to bet-fold), but I think you can argue that this is the one river I should check-call.

[proximity]

seems like a guy like that woulda definitely bet 77+ on the flop so you were probably almost definitely good on the turn. to me the check raise seemed more like great defense against the rest of the field staying in and spiking something. hopefully you beat him!

[dilanesp]

seems like a guy like that woulda definitely bet 77+ on the flop so you were probably almost definitely good on the turn. to me the check raise seemed more like great defense against the rest of the field staying in and spiking something. hopefully you beat him!

The turn raise is definitely for both value and protection. Actually 77 and 22 are probably the only things i lose to on the turn.

He called and showed down and my hand was good.

[ReplayRandall]

The turn raise is definitely for both value and protection. Actually 77 and 22 are probably the only things i lose to on the turn.

He called and showed down and my hand was good.

He must have showed down either pocket treys or 4's......

[dilanesp]

He must have showed down either pocket treys or 4's......

Not hardly. A4 and A3 should be in his range too.

[ReplayRandall]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReplayRandall
He must have showed down either pocket treys or 4's......
Not hardly. A4 and A3 should be in his range too.

Sorry, but I disagree. Pocket trey's or 4's is the only call-call outcome after you check-raised on the turn.

If he had A4 or A3, he's either 3-betting you on the turn to break you off your hand, or he's mucking it after your re-raise......You did say you were playing 25-50, didn't you?.......Good thing you're not playing any higher.

[dilanesp]

Sorry, but I disagree. Pocket trey's or 4's is the only call-call outcome after you check-raised on the turn.

If he had A4 or A3, he's either 3-betting you on the turn to break you off your hand, or he's mucking it after your re-raise......You did say you were playing 25-50, didn't you?.......Good thing you're not playing any higher.

Ace-3 should be a snap call, FYI. It has tons of showdown value against bluffs.

If he's folding A3, he should fold 33 or 44 as well, because it means he thinks I have no bluffs in my range.

[ReplayRandall]

Ace-3 should be a snap call, FYI. It has tons of showdown value against bluffs.

If he's folding A3, he should fold 33 or 44 as well, because it means he thinks I have no bluffs in my range.

A3 is a snap call?? He bets on the button, you check raise, from the small blind, with 3 players to act behind you, and he's thinking about showdown value because you might be running a bluff?

Bottom-line, your game theory is solid in your past postings, but your game analytical ability is stretched to it's limit, you're putting too much of what your thinking in other players minds, and it simply isn't correct when it comes to read abilities. Trust me, he was hopefully reading you for A2, thus the heads-up call-call with pocket treys or 4's......Just exchanging experienced opinions here, nothing more.

[dilanesp]

A3 is a snap call?? He bets on the button, you check raise, from the small blind, with 3 players to act behind you, and he's thinking about showdown value because you might be running a bluff?

Bottom-line, your game theory is solid in your past postings, but your game analytical ability is stretched to it's limit, you're putting too much of what your thinking in other players minds, and it simply isn't correct when it comes to read abilities. Trust me, he was hopefully reading you for A2, thus the heads-up call-call with pocket treys or 4's......Just exchanging experienced opinions here, nothing more.

Either A3 should be a snap call, or 33 or 44 should be a snap fold.

There's only two possibilities here:

1. I have a range with nothing but value hands in it, which means he should fold basically everything to my x/r except perhaps A3 and A4, which should then fold the river when the straight bricks out and an ace does not hit.

2. I have a polarized range with some bluffs. In that case, A3 and A4 are just as good as 33 and 44, because all those hands beat all my bluffs, and he should bet-call his entire range and call down unimproved.

[ReplayRandall]

Either A3 should be a snap call, or 33 or 44 should be a snap fold.

There's only two possibilities here:

1. I have a range with nothing but value hands in it, which means he should fold basically everything to my x/r except perhaps A3 and A4, which should then fold the river when the straight bricks out and an ace does not hit.

2. I have a polarized range with some bluffs. In that case, A3 and A4 are just as good as 33 and 44, because all those hands beat all my bluffs, and he should bet-call his entire range and call down unimproved.

It looks like we disagree, that's the way this conversation will end.....Good luck in the future at the tables.

[dilanesp]

It looks like we disagree, that's the way this conversation will end.....Good luck in the future at the tables.

I don't see the disagreement from you (other than a flat statement that we disagree).

If you are in the position of the bettor, what range do you put me on when I check-raise, if you assume I am a decent player?

Instead of just saying "33 is a pair and ace 4 isn't", determine where both those hands fall within the original bettor's range, and how they do against my range.

Sometimes a small pair and ace high are effectively the same hand.

I don't think you are doing the work here. It's not enough to "disagree". Work through the hand, put me on a range, and determine what hands should call my turn raise and river bet. I think you will see that 33 and ace 4 are the same hand in terms of the sort of thing they beat here.

[proximity]

Just talk....they don't make enough to justify lowering the rake will add business, never seen a casino go down in rake, It would be a first that I know of

some talk on that other site about horseshoe going to 5+2 on august 1st? :confused:

[proximity]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/house-of-cards-seven-guys-in-a-poker-crash-pad-play-texas-holdem-for-a-living/2015/07/31/c9c4c2a4-3480-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html?hpid=z3

saw this posted on "that other site."

whizz do you know these guys?

not familiar with that dealer karen from horseshoe? maybe she deals table games? :confused:

[proximity]

Hopefully in the next month when I'm healed financially (stuck 2600 playing golf since Preakness) maybe proximity will put up 200 I'll put up 400 and he can go grind this 10/20 into submission at borgata where the play is at best mediocre....I have all the confidence in the world in his limit game


And by the way the weekend warriors been practicing their bad play in 10/20 for years, they love calling that 7-8 suited for $40 cold preflop

going later this week and might try this game friday.... although i think the last friday i tried to do this they didn't have a 10-20 game? :confused:

i'm a little nervous about putting so much bankroll in play since i've been getting hammered so bad but i've always been curious about playing a "bigger" limit game so now's probably as good of a time as any.

hope everyone here is good!!

[proximity]

greetings poker fans!!

when we last left off paceadvantage's worst (and only losing) poker player was at our favorite juice pit (penn national) doing what he does best: losing with kings and aces.

the $68 loss left us with a record of just 24-22 for the year with losses of $305.

for those just joining us, for MONTHS we've been losing with big pairs (especially kk) pretty much every game. ridiculous holdings like QXs are calling 2, 3, and even four bets cold before the flop and sucking out against us.

and off the felt, things aren't going much better.

it's time for a vacation, although last year this didn't prove to be too relaxing as we went 1-5 with $571 of losses.

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1691750&postcount=398

this year we'll extend the vacation, starting out with a trip to America's playground: atlantic city!!

I take off early to get a smoothie for the turnpike before the tropical smoothie café closes for the night. naturally, it doesn't take long for things to go wrong as I run into a traffic jam just three miles out of the gate.

luckily I get through it though and make it to the café just 12 minutes before closing. and in a rare break I have accumulated enough "comps" to get a free smoothie!!!

"you know you don't get the points back?" the cashier asks me. :confused:

"uhh? well that sucks. you mean I can't just drop in and get a free smoothie any day I want for the rest of my life?" :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

things go fine as I peacefully sip my smoothie on the turnpike until I encounter another traffic jam on the infamous Schuylkill expressway and then yet another right over the nj border that goes from four lanes to one and takes forever to get through.

eventually though I make it to atlantic city and park under the howard Johnson (Tennessee and pacific) where mr bigshot diamond member is forced to stay because NONE of my four total rewards room offers are available. :rolleyes:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g29750-d98414-Reviews-Howard_Johnson_Inn_Atlantic_City-Atlantic_City_New_Jersey.html

multiple robberies in recent weeks if you read the above trip advisor report and I do see several pimps and hos strolling the track but I check in fine.

tomorrow: cards in air!! :)

year -305 (24-22)

[proximity]

after taking a relaxing walk around the boardwalk and pacific avenue i return to howard johnson's to watch phillies-dodgers before heading over to the poker room at bally's where i take an open seat in 2-4-6 limit.

i buy the button to enter the game and it's cards in air.

2-5 off suit checks the option and sees a flop of 2-2-x.

i encounter some resistance and my kicker isn't going to play but i pound the river for value and we're off to a positive start when the case deuce is nowhere to be found.

when the big blind comes back around i check the option with t6 and win again after a ten high flop.

things are looking up for once but then just 15 minutes in i lose with a set of sevens.

then about 30 minutes in there is controversy at the table.

apparently it's been a stressful day at bally's and the floor has decided they've had enough of a good-natured (but loud) 2-4-6 "regular" named giuseppe.

banned until saturday is the official decision, but giuseppe refuses to leave.

one lady at the table tries to explain that "he's just a happy guy" but the floor isn't buying it. eventually some other "regs" do convince giuseppe to accept his punishment and not file a complaint about the floor.

eventually the game resumes and when it does i come right back and flop a set with AA.

this time my set holds on but apparently i'm in trouble when i check-raise a flop of A4X with AK of spades and get three bet.

indeed the villain has A4 but running spades fall to give me the winning flush!!

JJ provides the only "cortisol spike" of the game.

i raise pre flop and bet out into a queen high flop but get raised.

i call the raise and check the turn.

when the villain checks back i put him on a heart draw (free card play on the flop) and i bet again when another queen falls on the turn.

he "just calls" but tables A-Q to drag the pot.

tomorrow: triple bounceback at bally's and a big one at borgata??

game +113 (2-4-6lim)
vacation +113 (1-0)
year -192 (25-22)

[proximity]

we're back for day number two of our 2015 poker vacation.

it's "triple bounceback" day at bally's atlantic city. i have no idea what that is, but i give the casino some play in hopes of finding out.

i try some quarter slots (double diamond) but notice that the tier credits are crawling at a snail's pace compared to the great horseshoe baltimore.

and the machine isn't paying off..... at all.

in fact, the machine is so dead that a relaxing morning of "recreational gambling" is starting to become quite uncomfortable. i finally strike with a triple bar-diamond-triple bar but i'm still way behind and next commit a terrible gambling sin in hopes of catching up.

i go to blackjack. :(

this is the wrong thing to do and i should probably call 1-800-gambler or one of those special help numbers but the gamble pays off as i start to win.

as if the ups and downs of the game of blackjack aren't enough, you also have to deal with the other players. one guy, for example, doesn't like it when i hit a twelve against the dealer's two. usually i'm pretty quiet but i'm in a foul mood and tell him to mind his own business.

my critic slinks away and the rest of the table resumes our winning ways. against all odds i rally back to show a $4 profit for my morning of gambling and call it quits.

hopefully the "triple bounceback" will be worth shame of selling my soul to the evil game of blackjack..... but i seriously doubt it.

down in the wild west poker room i again start strong in another game of 2-4-6 limit hold 'em.

i'm hitting top pairs with big hands like AK, AQ, and AT.... and they're holding up.

late in the game i again flop an ace with AT and raise the flop but play the rest of the hand rather tepidly. i win the pot but remark to my neighbor that i actually could've played the hand better.

maybe too much anxiety from the gambling or too much caffeine from the coffee but i'm starting to feel tense and call the game to get some fresh ocean air and a smoothie out on the boardwalk.

tonight: 10-20 at borgata!!

game +57 (246 lim)
vacation +170 (2-0)
year -135 (26-22)

[proximity]

two solid outings in atlantic city so far but i'm not feeling very well and have no room for the night.

sorry to disappoint the paceadvantage forum but my much anticipated battle against Borgata's 10-20 sharks is going to have to wait.

tonight i'm staying in the shallow waters of bally's 2-4-6.

I start off bad, dropping a hand with QQ but eventually rebound to take a lead with AA.

hours pass and i'm pounding spring waters and starting to feel better but my lead vanishes as between folds i'm missing a lot of good draws and get rivered a couple times when I did have a hand.

my andy beyer "hindu holy man discipline" is keeping me in the game and finally at 1:30 am i'm going to pull ahead with AK when a king hits the turn following a flop of A63.

however, a third diamond falls on the river to give the winning flush to yet another player who called 2 bets cold preflop with QX suited.

THAT'S RIGHT: I LOSE AGAIN TO A DONKEY CALLING MULTIPLE BETS PRE FLOP WITH QUEEN-RAG SUITED. :mad:

I storm out of bally's.

out on the ac expressway I listen as the Phillies hit an extra inning homerun to beat the san diego padres. they've now reeled in the marlins in an intense battle for 4th place in the nl east.

at bally's I had a fish of my own on the hook but then one final diamond fell to cut the line.

next: the show must go on??

game -39 (246 lim)
vacation +131 (2-1)
year -174 (26-23)

[ManU918]

two solid outings in atlantic city so far but i'm not feeling very well and have no room for the night.

sorry to disappoint the paceadvantage forum but my much anticipated battle against Borgata's 10-20 sharks is going to have to wait.

tonight i'm staying in the shallow waters of bally's 2-4-6.

I start off bad, dropping a hand with QQ but eventually rebound to take a lead with AA.

hours pass and i'm pounding spring waters and starting to feel better but my lead vanishes as between folds i'm missing a lot of good draws and get rivered a couple times when I did have a hand.

my andy beyer "hindu holy man discipline" is keeping me in the game and finally at 1:30 am i'm going to pull ahead with AK when a king hits the turn following a flop of A63.

however, a third diamond falls on the river to give the winning flush to yet another player who called 2 bets cold preflop with QX suited.

THAT'S RIGHT: I LOSE AGAIN TO A DONKEY CALLING MULTIPLE BETS PRE FLOP WITH QUEEN-RAG SUITED. :mad:

I storm out of bally's.

out on the ac expressway I listen as the Phillies hit an extra inning homerun to beat the san diego padres. they've now reeled in the marlins in an intense battle for 4th place in the nl east.

at bally's I had a fish of my own on the hook but then one final diamond fell to cut the line.

next: the show must go on??

game -39 (246 lim)
vacation +131 (2-1)
year -174 (26-23)

Are you playing in any of the WSOP Circuit events in Baltimore? First one is today.

[Red Knave]

sorry to disappoint the paceadvantage forum but my much anticipated battle against Borgata's 10-20 sharks is going to have to wait.
Never disappointed, always entertained.
THAT'S RIGHT: I LOSE AGAIN TO A DONKEY CALLING MULTIPLE BETS PRE FLOP WITH QUEEN-RAG SUITED. :mad:
That's one of my issues with limit; calling is a lot easier. In no-limit that guy would either be tapped out by now or you could force him to make a seriously hard choice by making, say, a pot sized bet on the turn.
Enjoy the rest of the vacation.

[Track Collector]

I'm glad to see an increase to the frequency of these poker trip reports. While perhaps repeated hear before, your skill in playing poker is significantly above average, which is aided by your excellent memory, and a delight to many thru your detailed recall of your playing sessions.

Wishing you improved health and financial resources, as well as an enjoyable vacation my friend. I'm hoping a Timonium visit or two is agreeable to your upcoming schedule. :)

[proximity]

manu918,

I don't play tournaments. only cash games. i'll probably be at horseshoe next Friday and maybe Thursday night. let me know if you're going.

rk,

we'll have a couple no limit games in the near future. probably should've played some 1-1 at bally's to work on my (relative) deepstack play but in ac it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about such things.

tc,

will probably be at Timonium 2-4 times like last year.

hope everyone is well!!

proximity

[proximity]

after a successful trip to atlantic city, today's game finds us back home at penn national for a game of 1-2 no limit.

i start bad in this one when from the bb i raise a straddle to $15 with JJ and fire out a continuation bet on an ace hi flop. i fold out the aggressive straddle but the small blind check raises me all-in, flashing an ace when i fold.

despite the poor start, however, i quickly rebound.

facing a raise and several callers i shove my remaining $24 with TT from the button. there are (only) like five callers and i reach for my wallet when we see a flop of Q-8-X. however, there's still hope when two low cards fall on tepidly played 4th and 5th streets. when there's hesitation at showdown and you hear "i have an 8" that's a good sign. indeed, TT is good and we move ahead!!

it's Saturday night at pen and there's a live racing card going on just right outside the poker room doors. however, after a seventh race featuring just four betting interests (and no place or show wagering) pen abruptly cancels the remainder of the card. i ask one player who was outside if he heard anything, but he didn't. several players at the table however, did express an overall fondness for racing BUT lamented the (unplayable) short fields that are all too common in recent times at penn national.

back on the felt i'm struggling with QQ, JJ, and most pairs BUT i'm again on fire with TT. with two dimes in the pocket i flop top set and bet out into a flop (T-6-X) with two spades.

a player with T-6 (top two) re-raises me and i shove, ultimately getting a call! only running sixes will save him and i'm pretty unlucky..... but not quite that unlucky.

the win moves me ahead over $200 (and back ahead for the year) BUT unfortunately i drop a couple pots late to finish at only +$151.

next: Maryland, my Maryland??

game +151 (1/2 nl)
vacation +282 (3-1)
year -23 (27-23)

[proximity]

after a brief stop home at penn national, our poker vacation continues on with a Monday game at horseshoe Baltimore.

I arrive at the horseshoe later than usual, but apparently not late enough as my normal horseshoe game of 3/6 limit isn't running. i think of sitting down to challenge my skills against a legendary mid-atlantic 1-2 player named stanky poo but instead take a walk around the casino. i play my promotional chips (thank you horseshoe) and then watch a blackjack game where an older man wearing a denim shirt featuring Winnie the pooh hits a hard 17. a younger player then doubles on a hard 13.

"doubling on a hard 13," i whisper right before the floor man booms out "DOUBLING ON A HARD 13."

fortunately i get a text from the poker room before i break down and dip my toe back into the icy blackjack waters. it's game time.

everyone's at Maryland live! because of the $1000 every 20 minutes high hand promo and i agree to start short handed.

of course no good deed goes unpunished as even short handed i lose despite both AK and AQ flopping top pair, top kicker.

the game quickly fills up but my luck doesn't improve and i'm down almost $60 when i'm dealt AA.

flop: 6-4-3. turn: 4

i'm raised by a loose player but hang in and drag the pot after a king falls on the river.

the win moves me ahead like $2 but the lead doesn't last. with JJ i raise to make the small blind come in for $5 but he makes the call with K5 off and ultimately drags the pot after an A-K-X flop.

meanwhile Winnie the pooh has taken a seat beside me and i notice that his poker isn't any better than his blackjack when i see him draw to a gutshot on a board that was both double suited and paired. if penn national was running he'd probably pull out a ticket on a renpher horse. :rolleyes:

card dead over the hours, i'm behind, but eventually pump up QQ to $9 from the blinds..... folding out the kings. two villains hang in chasing an ace that never comes and i drag the pot to get back in contention. eventually i finish the job with 76 from the bb rivering a straight.

tomorrow: high hand thrills at Arundel mills(!)

game +15 (3/6)
vacation +297 (4-1)
year -8 (28-23)

[tucker6]

stop with the suspense. What did the two blackjack players get for cards?

[proximity]

stop with the suspense. What did the two blackjack players get for cards?

i think winnie busted and i can't remember what happened to the kid?

it was like two weeks ago and i'm just working off a couple notes i wrote down at night after the games and memory. hope everyone is enjoying the reports!

[proximity]

for today's game we head to maryland live! casino at arundel mills mall in hanover, md.

from 2:00 pm to 2:00 am it's going to be $1,000 high hands every twenty minutes so i arrive early and take an open seat in a 4/8 limit game so i'm not stranded on a huge waiting list.

the classic poker movie rounders tells us that if you can't spot the sucker in 30 minutes... then you are the sucker.

well, i can spot the sucker in this game (he's involved in almost every hand) but if he leaves the table i might be the sucker as the rest of the table is filled with pretty solid players.

i'm paying close attention and looking for some possible opportunities to steal the blinds but they never really come. it's another slow start as i win only about one hand an hour for the first four hours. i do pick up a rare win with KK though and in fact finish the game 4-1 with the cowboys despite an ace hitting the board all five times.

eventually i forge to a small lead but then fall behind when AA gets cracked.

late in the contest though A3 from the bb misses a nut flush draw but rivers two pair and AA comes again, this time holding on and moving me ahead for the game AND again for the year!!

tomorrow: what a difference a day makes....

game +30 (4/8 lim)
vacation +327 (5-1)
year +22 (29-23)

[tucker6]

i think winnie busted and i can't remember what happened to the kid?

it was like two weeks ago and i'm just working off a couple notes i wrote down at night after the games and memory. hope everyone is enjoying the reports!
always enjoy the stories.

[proximity]

no high hands in our first game at maryland live! but we did grind out $30 against some tough 4/8 company and in the process (finally) pulled back ahead ($22) for the year!!

today's action finds us back at maryland live! in another game of 4/8 limit hold 'em. cards in air at 12:00, with high hands starting again at 2:00.

1:00 ugly first hour. lose five times with top pair and i'm down $140 before finally turning a straight for my first win.

1:30 in a hand that pretty much sums up our entire 2015 season i raise with KK. novice player to my left calls two cold with Q7. flop: J77. sigh.

1:50 lose with QQ and my first rack of blues ($200) is gone before the high hand even starts. :faint:

2:00 flop four flush and two overs with AQ suited. everything misses.

3:18 lose again with KK. new kid two seats to my left calls two cold with A9 off. flop: AA6. (-254)

3:33 WIN WITH KK!!!!!!!!!! (-210)

3:55 lose with QQ. this time "the kid" calls two cold with 87 to win.

4:04 the great maryland live! dealer sylvia enters the box and i flop an open ended straight flush draw!! complete blanks on the turn and river though and i don't even win the pot, let alone a $1,000 high hand. sigh. (-297)

4:59 this time the kid has limped with 64 off from under the gun and fills up against my ace high flush. sigh. (-339)

5:22 turn set of queens!! move to -284.

5:35 king-jack has flopped top pair, but the kid's in with K3. turn:3 :rolleyes:

(note: never counterfeit these mouth breathers on the river dealer.)

5:50 JJ. robert goren warned me not to play this terrible hand. (-352)

7:00 AA, but (of course) the kid limps utg with 98 to crack them.

8:11 three bet TT to $12 pre flop. :rolleyes: (-381)

8:20 three bet AK to $12 pre flop. ("stones" mr knish says :rolleyes: ) "patty" calls with 93 suited (very nice) and another donkey is "all in."

flop: A54 (2 hearts)
turn: blank
river: 2 of hearts. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

patty scoops side pot with her straight. "all in" drags main pot with rivered flush. (-411)

11:00 stay and try to battle but gain very little ground. still have to drive all the way over to charles town, wv for the final leg of our "vacation."

just yesterday we finally leave maryland live! as a poker "winner" again after months and months and months.... of battling through heartaches on the felt.
but upon reaching this summit we don't even have time to catch our breath before falling over the edge again. and it's a precipitous drop. the largest loss in proximity poker tour HISTORY.

very demoralizing.

what a difference a day made.

24 little hours.

game -367 (4/8 lim) :mad:
vacation -40 (5-2) :mad:
year -345 (29-24) :mad:

[Track Collector]

THAT was a bad session.

It may take a number of sessions, but I know you can "fight" your way back to North of zero!

[proximity]

I fling open my curtains at Hampton inn Charles town (wv).

it's a beautiful morning. the sun is shining. and I have a great view of the historic Charles town bullring.

yesterday had to have been a nightmare?

just a bad dream?

but when I look in my wallet there's a big chunk of bankroll missing.

unfortunately, Maryland live! was no dream and being a poker loser is again my reality.

after all the bad beats over the months, it's incredibly depressing to claw and scratch all the way back and then have the rug pulled out from under me in one terrible game. I try not to focus on the year though, instead noting that i'm only behind $40 for the 2015 vacation. it's salvageable.

it's a quiet afternoon over at the casino and I get on the list for a brand new 1-2 no limit game on table 1.

the game starts fast though and the cards are in the air with heavy action before I can even get to the table with my buy in.

just as I sit down a younger player two seats to my right is already all in. today's version of "the kid" looks like he just stepped off the set of the (now cancelled) starz series magic city.

I can see that "magic city" is an enthusiastic newcomer that's been bitten by the poker bug. (he must not read these reports ;) ) he has an annoying habit of giving American pie-esque "band camp" commentary about every hand. except instead of "this one time, at band camp...." it's "last night I had a XY and the flop came ***." rinse and repeat.

not long into the contest I get dealt (you guessed it) KK and raise a few limpers to $16 ($41 behind). there are three out of position calls and we see a flop of J93.

donkey #1 leads out for $25 with 43 OFF.
donkey #2 calls with "a draw."
magic city calls with J7.

I shove the $41 and everyone calls.

turn:3. river: x. :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:

on a rebuy I fall behind even more but eventually launch a comeback with KT suited flopping top pair and a flush draw from the button. the flush comes in and I actually move ahead $53 when AQ flops top pair and a villain calls my turn shove. (he doesn't show)

soothing elevator music is flowing over into the poker room from 9 dragons restaurant and I joke that I expect jim nantz to pop out and whisper "hello friends, and welcome to the Charles town races and slots. a racino unlike any other....."

it was around this time that a new player named roger joined our table.

like others, roger had picked up poker in an attempt to move away from the evils of blackjack..... a blackjack career on steroids.

"you know that statue outside Caesar's ac? I paid for that," roger (kinda) jokes.

a far cry from magic city's band camp style hand histories, roger is a great guy to play with and really entertains the table with the way he tells his gambling stories.

he masterfully relives the highs and lows of the golden age of atlantic city gambling.

he tells of one game where he was losing for 40 hours straight at Caesar's. dealers clocked out and when they came back, roger was still there.

one well meaning dealer tried to tell him to go to his room and get some sleep, but roger pressed his bets.

and began to win.

and win, and win, and win..... finally cashing out with $335,000!

he gets some sleep and when he finally wakes up there's 14 naked people in his room!! :D

roger had experienced the thrills of blackjack victory, but he'd also endured the agony of 21 defeat; the worst time being when he'd lost all of his own money and tapped markers from like every casino on the boardwalk.
you'd think it can't get worse than that but it does.

depressed, he's sitting on the ground outside of the ac mc Donald's when suddenly a bird flies over head and..... :eek: :eek: :eek:

anyhow, back on the felt I've pulled ahead but i'm completely card dead for the next six hours. 93, 94, 92, 94, 9x...... before it shifts to T3, T6,Tx for a couple orbits. eventually I do hit a set of 2s and fill up on the turn but I also drop a hand with trip jacks that run into a set of 6s. naturally I get no help on the river.

just two nights ago I left Maryland live! as a poker winner who was just cruising along on a relaxing vacation. :mad:

one game to go on our poker vacation.

thank you for reading.

game -110 (1/2 nl)
vacation -150 (5-3)
year -455 (29-25)

[tucker6]

"not long into the contest I get dealt (you guessed it) KK and raise a few limpers to $16 ($41 behind). there are three out of position calls and we see a flop of J93.

donkey #1 leads out for $25 with 43 OFF.
donkey #2 calls with "a draw."
magic city calls with J7.

I shove the $41 and everyone calls.

turn:3. river: x. "

To me, this was a perfect hand to have had more chips in front of you and shoved move into the pot. I bet you might have lost at least 2 of the 3 donkeys with such a bet. Maybe all of them. Many times when I read your stories I have similar thoughts to this. "If only he had a larger stack in front of him". I know, risk/reward...

[proximity]

To me, this was a perfect hand to have had more chips in front of you and shoved move into the pot. I bet you might have lost at least 2 of the 3 donkeys with such a bet. Maybe all of them. Many times when I read your stories I have similar thoughts to this. "If only he had a larger stack in front of him". I know, risk/reward...

I think you are right but it's hard to predict how players who are so compulsive that they even enter no limit pots at all from early position (let alone call a raise) with 43, t8(??), and j7 will react to playing against a bigger stack? maybe donkey 1 still hangs in with his 43 and I lose more? maybe magic city stays with his J7 and I win?

right now it's a miracle that I have any chips at all to put on these tables since I lose with aces, kings, and queens almost EVERY time I go in a poker room. ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME.

[charm city whizz]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/house-of-cards-seven-guys-in-a-poker-crash-pad-play-texas-holdem-for-a-living/2015/07/31/c9c4c2a4-3480-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html?hpid=z3

saw this posted on "that other site."

whizz do you know these guys?

not familiar with that dealer karen from horseshoe? maybe she deals table games? :confused:

Just got my data replenished.....sorry for the no reply yes I do know these people and karen you've seen dealing at the shoe she is an awesome person

[098poi]

I'm watching this poker tournament on TV, Super High Roller Bowl and one guy is getting a massage while at the table! Never saw that before.

[tucker6]

I'm watching this poker tournament on TV, Super High Roller Bowl and one guy is getting a massage while at the table! Never saw that before.
Two different happy endings possible. Decent odds! :D

[098poi]

:ThmbUp: Good one

[proximity]

back at Charles town races and slots for one final game on our 2015 poker vacation.

they need just a couple players for my traditional Charles town game of 3/6 limit so I buy my chips and take a seat. and at 11:45 it's cards in air.

Saratoga was playing on the tv by my table so for this game I did something unique and actually wrote down every hand I played on my track program.

unfortunately for the first two hours, I wasn't doing too much writing. outside of big blinds I only saw three flops and lost all three hands. finally at 1:53 I win my first pot of the day with AK from the big blind.

I kept stats for non big blind hands I played as well as big blind hands where I added extra money to the pot. some key hands:

(6) raise AQ to $9 pre flop but couldn't fold out 44, who called the three bets cold. 2-3-5 flop, J turn, 6 river

(7) see a flop of J73 with AJ but a guy has limped from middle position with J3 off. another 3 on the turn puts me out of my misery.

(8) AQ from small blind. flop: AKx. turn:5 river:5. donkey has K5.

(BB2) A9. flop: ATX. turn:5. river:8. donkey has A5 off. (-123)

(15) AK. raise but (of course) can't fold out Q3 hearts. flop:KKx (2 hearts). river: J (hearts)

(21) raise AT. flop: AKQ. big blind has A2. turn: 2. river: x.

(31) 33. flop: 763. villain has 77.

(38) lose with KK :eek: :rolleyes:

(44) raise TT, AA reraises me and KQ calls $8 from small blind. flop: KJT. turn: 9 river: x.

(47) win with KK!!! :jump:

(49) TT. flop quads!!! :jump:

(51) cap pot with KK against JJ but kid rivers flush.

(57) AT. flop top pair, but lose to another backdoor flush.

finally after 13 hours I was down $63 and threw in the towel. overall I played 64 hands outside of the blinds and went 16-47-1 (chop). in big blind hands where I added extra money to the pot I went 7-5.

what had started as a promising poker vacation quickly turned into a nightmare and just after i'd finally pulled back ahead for the year. at least I had that Tuesday night where I could go to bed a winner again.

game -63 (3/6 lim)
vacation -213 (5-4)
year -518 (29-26)

[dirty moose]

Played a session at the Borgata 2 weekends ago. 10/20 limit game. In for $400 out with $693. Game is pretty soft but ultra tight. +$293

I had some decent cards so there wasn't a lot of actual poker playing. The table pretty much picked on 2 or 3 guys at the table. I used to play a lot more but don't have the time to.

Back when I first started playing poker, I always played limit. Limit poker faded out in the underground NYC clubs so I had to move to no limit. I recently moved back to limit a couple years ago, and there is no looking back now.

Finally played more poker yesterday,

Played a $200+$30 tournament @ The Borgata
We got down to 4 handed me and one other guy had most of the chips. They asked to chop 4 ways for $2900 each, I asked for an extra $100 for a cool $3k.

Heading back next week for a 100k event.

[LottaKash]

Finally played more poker yesterday,

Played a $200+$30 tournament @ The Borgata
We got down to 4 handed me and one other guy had most of the chips. They asked to chop 4 ways for $2900 each, I asked for an extra $100 for a cool $3k.

Heading back next week for a 100k event.

DM, please help me out here...

I understand the game pretty well, just not so much the subtleties of Tournament Poker...,

Question:.. If you and another had most of the chips, then how and/or why would you split "equally" four ways ?...

Was it because of the time ?... For safety's sake ?... Boredom or Fear ?...

I would think that if "all" wanted to quit the tourney at that juncture, the prize money would or should be paid out by % of chips-held vs. the others % of holdings...Otherwise it doesn't seem to make sense to me, to equally splitting the pool all ways...

[ManU918]

DM, please help me out here...

I understand the game pretty well, just not so much the subtleties of Tournament Poker...,

Question:.. If you and another had most of the chips, then how and/or why would you split "equally" four ways ?...

Was it because of the time ?... For safety's sake ?... Boredom or Fear ?...

I would think that if "all" wanted to quit the tourney at that juncture, the prize money would or should be paid out by % of chips-held vs. the others % of holdings...Otherwise it doesn't seem to make sense to me, to equally splitting the pool all ways...

No reason one can ever justify a chop in this scenario. Not even an ICM chop makes sense. This was a gigantic mistake on both of the chip leaders parts.

There is no reason at all to play tournament poker (where the really good players only cash in 15% of the tournaments they play in) if you're going to get 4-handed with a large percentage of the chips and agree to even chops. When given these opportunities you have to maximize your profits.

[dirty moose]

I can't dis agree with either of you guys. But I don't play that often and $3k is a lot of money to me. The blindswere very high and a ddouble up of one of the short stacks would have brought us very close.

First paid $5400 and 2nd was $2900 so the only better I can do at that time is first place money. So I guess you can call it fear. I guess we could have eliminated one or both the short stacks and made a deal?? But like I said, I one double up of the short guys would make them a real threat.

[dirty moose]

Although I don't play with fear. So maybe it's not fear.
I'm not a pro but I don't play just for recreation. I enjoy the shit out of poker but my main reason for playing is to make money.

[tucker6]

Dirty Moose,

I certainly cannot judge you in the situation you found yourself. The circumstances of a deal are always unique to the occasion, the person, and your history. That said, when I read your post early this morning, the first thing I thought was that you probably don't win $3k every day at the tables, and were willing to sacrifice a larger payday to get into the win column. Sounds about what you did. Cheers on the win.

[dirty moose]

That's for sure. There was a time when I played poker to supplement my income. Those days are gone. I took a shot (2 years shot) at the horses and failed miserably. I recently decided to play more poker even tho it's much less convenient. Going to play a couple more events this month and some limit poker cash games.

[Red Knave]

First paid $5400 and 2nd was $2900 so the only better I can do at that time is first place money
That's a big gap from 1st to 2nd. Often 2nd pays 2/3 or more of the win. How many players were there?
I'll guess that 3rd was about $2k so the chop makes sense to me.

[dilanesp]

"not long into the contest I get dealt (you guessed it) KK and raise a few limpers to $16 ($41 behind). there are three out of position calls and we see a flop of J93.

donkey #1 leads out for $25 with 43 OFF.
donkey #2 calls with "a draw."
magic city calls with J7.

I shove the $41 and everyone calls.

turn:3. river: x. "

To me, this was a perfect hand to have had more chips in front of you and shoved move into the pot. I bet you might have lost at least 2 of the 3 donkeys with such a bet. Maybe all of them. Many times when I read your stories I have similar thoughts to this. "If only he had a larger stack in front of him". I know, risk/reward...

In a limit game you should always have at least 12 big bets in front of you, and should rebuy as necessary.

In a no limit, you should rebuy whenever you are short and you are allowed to by the casino, unless you are specifically playing a short stack strategy.

Don't be results oriented. It doesn't matter that they will call and hit their stupid draws. If you are a better player than they are, you want to be able to win as much as possible when you stack off with them. The fact that you will sometimes get killed by variance is irrelevant.

[no breathalyzer]

No reason one can ever justify a chop in this scenario. Not even an ICM chop makes sense. This was a gigantic mistake on both of the chip leaders parts.

There is no reason at all to play tournament poker (where the really good players only cash in 15% of the tournaments they play in) if you're going to get 4-handed with a large percentage of the chips and agree to even chops. When given these opportunities you have to maximize your profits.

maybe they all were just nice guys :D

[proximity]

The fact that you will sometimes get killed by variance is irrelevant.

sometimes? :rolleyes:

[ManU918]

Drove down to the Borgata today to play in the $500+$60 survivor... It was an unsuccessful trip... I'll get into the hand that crippled me but hopefully i'll be reporting back something positive soon as I'm heading back down tomorrow for the $300 ($100K Guarantee).

Blinds: 75/150
Stack $22,500 (From a $20,000 Starting Stack)
Hand: KsKc
Position UTG
Table Image: Tight aggressive

I raise to $550... folds around to a lose cannon in MP who calls... Folds to BB who throws in 4 black chips to make the call...

Flop comes Qc-8h-6h

I put in $1050... Cannon insta-calls... Gets to BB and after about 45 seconds he puts in $3200... After thinking about it I called. BB's range is so wide here. He could literally be raising with anything.. Any queen, Flush/Straight draw combos, set, air, etc. Cannon gives the good ole well I'm already in for $1050 what the hell is another $2050. When he did this I instantly put him on 10-Q, Q-J or at the absolute best K-Q.

Turn is 8d

Not the worst card for me until.... BB goes all-in for a lot. He definitely doesn't have AA because he would of re-popped me pre. So I narrow it down to 66, Ace high flush draw (possibly with the queen) or the open ender (straight flush draw). If he has 66 I have 9% equity, A-Q hearts 70% equity, 5-7 hearts 68% equity. Again at this point I'm not worried at all about the guy in MP. After I thought about it I decided to call...MP folds J-Q face-up LOL.... BB turns over 66.... River bricked...GG... Back tomorrow.

[proximity]

Hand: KsKc


better luck tomorrow. :)

[proximity]

ended august with a pre-Timonium loss at horseshoe Baltimore.

just a couple hands into the game I flopped trip aces with A7 suited from late position.

the flop came out AAJ (two clubs) and I raised an early position bettor.

however, a ten falls on the turn to complete a three out gutshot for the donkey (yes, KQ off) and I never recover in an $87 loss.

my next session was pretty much the same: $55 card dead loss at horseshoe.

there was one memorable hand from the game though. a player before me raised with KK and I folded 43 off. the shuffler was kind of sunken into the table though and when I folded the 4 actually got stuck vertically in the shuffler. everyone could see it, and the dealer announced it but it didn't stop another player from calling the raise with 44 anyhow. :eek:

naturally the case four falls right on the flop but the guy never raises. vintage horseshoe!!

that loss put me down $660 for the year and only one game over 500 in the win-loss column. however, yesterday I would comeback with a $270 win in my best game of the year!!

so there's still hope for a winning year!! :D

year -390 (30-28)

[proximity]

after a nice win last time out gets us (kinda, sorta) back in contention for a winning year we return to the beautiful horseshoe Baltimore for another 3/6 limit hold 'em test.

today's game starts kinda slow. we're an hour in and I haven't won a hand.

but suddenly there's great concern. and not for my declining bankroll.

a woman doesn't want anyone to leave the table because 2014 proximity poker tour LEGEND aunt hortense is circling the table and her name is approaching the top of the waiting list.

I think to myself that this woman must be joking.

I mean who wouldn't want to play one of the worst players in limit hold 'em HISTORY?? :confused:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1715874&postcount=448

but the lady isn't joking. and in fact, five minutes later she's at it again....this time wondering if aunt hortense is ..... get this.... A PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

sure enough, despite this woman's objections a seat opens up.

and when it does the guy on my immediate right moves half way across the table to the open seat where the dealer lets him post his small blind.

THIS MEAN AUNT HORTENSE IS GOING TO BE ON MY IMMEDIATE RIGHT!!!

but wait a second.

after the hand (and before aunt hortense can sit down) his new neighbor (to his right, not even his left) convinces the man to move back to his previous seat. :bang:

really, this is ridiculous if you think about it. you can move to a better position and post your small blind and then move back to be the button after the hand? :rolleyes:

absurd, but karma acts quickly as aunt hortense takes her seat across the table and in one of her very first hands cracks the guy's aces with 2-5 off suit in a capped pot pre-flop!! :lol:

eventually I get on the board myself when I turn an ace high flush to win a big pot and later I quietly make a seat change of my own. towards the end I send aunt hortense packing with 66 before an eleventh hour loss with KK to an all-in straddle reminds me of my place in the universe. ;)

game +112 (3/6)
year -278 (31-28)

[dirty moose]

An up date. I went back the week after chipping for $3 and pretty much gave it all back.

I played a $400 buy in $100k guaranteed. I played the worst hour of poker and was out b4 the hour was up. That was all the poker for the day. I flopped back and forth at the pit games and ended up a couple hondo.

The next day rolled around and it was a disaster. I lost a bunch in the pit games but I played 10/20 limit and dropped close to a grand. I ran really bad but played just as bad.

That's all I'll say about it lol.

Heading back to AC Next week to play that Friday morning tournament. Hopefully it goes as well as it did last time.

[proximity]

Heading back to AC Next week to play that Friday morning tournament. Hopefully it goes as well as it did last time.

i'm about 25% to go this week. will probably hold off until later in October though?

good luck down there dm!!

[proximity]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=48232761&postcount=1692

really?

a seven stars member?

the host didn't intervene????? :confused:

[ManU918]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=48232761&postcount=1692

really?

a seven stars member?

the host didn't intervene????? :confused:

7 stars really doesn't mean much. There are multiple levels of 7 stars and if he's the entry level of that level he isn't going to be begged to come back. What happened to him sucks but look at the bright side.... At least the thief didn't steal the $100 bills he claims to have had in his pocket. His next move should be to call his host. I believe all 7 stars card holders have hosts. At least they did when I was one.

Side note: I have 50% of a horse running in the PLO WPT event at Maryland Live today.

[proximity]

7 stars really doesn't mean much. There are multiple levels of 7 stars and if he's the entry level of that level he isn't going to be begged to come back. What happened to him sucks but look at the bright side.... At least the thief didn't steal the $100 bills he claims to have had in his pocket. His next move should be to call his host. I believe all 7 stars card holders have hosts. At least they did when I was one.

Side note: I have 50% of a horse running in the PLO WPT event at Maryland Live today.

he says he just got seven stars and we still have over 1/4 of the year left. that's over 600 tier credits a day.... EVERY DAY.... without missing one day of gambling for the entire year. struggling horseshoe can't let that action slip away to live! or the new mgm. his host at 'shoe should know as soon as he pulls onto russell st.

overall they treat the players so good at horseshoe that i hate to complain about anything there, although "eye-rolling" situations certainly do arise from time to time.

[charm city whizz]

Speaking of status I've been sitting on 11k tier credits since triple crown trail lololo

[proximity]

Speaking of status I've been sitting on 11k tier credits since triple crown trail lololo


what's going on?? :confused:

[ManU918]

he says he just got seven stars and we still have over 1/4 of the year left. that's over 600 tier credits a day.... EVERY DAY.... without missing one day of gambling for the entire year. struggling horseshoe can't let that action slip away to live! or the new mgm. his host at 'shoe should know as soon as he pulls onto russell st.

overall they treat the players so good at horseshoe that i hate to complain about anything there, although "eye-rolling" situations certainly do arise from time to time.

Some hosts are great some are ****ing terrible. Its going to all depend on who his host is. If it was $16.50 and he was my player I would have taken it out of my pocket, squashed the situation right there and went on with my life. But not everyone uses their brain. They just lost what sounds to be a half descent guy/player over an amount that he loses in probably just gas getting to the casino.

In the casino's defense I'm a bar goer and in Philly when at the bar we leave our money on the bar... In my life I have never had or seen someone steal money from someone at the bar because people are aware of their surroundings. Not for nothing if someone took money from me I'd almost have to blame it on myself... You're at a casino for Christ Sake... Keep your eye on your money if its not going to be in your pocket.

[proximity]

i haven't been playing as much, or as long at horseshoe and finally today see that i'm not getting as much table play for october. :confused:

still a great place to play. :cool:

[ManU918]

i haven't been playing as much, or as long at horseshoe and finally today see that i'm not getting as much table play for october. :confused:

still a great place to play. :cool:

Parx Big Stax XIII starts this week. You should make an appearance.

[proximity]

Parx Big Stax XIII starts this week. You should make an appearance.

i only play cash games. not sure where i'm going to play yet? should probably go to horseshoe since (besides being the best place to play) it's my last thurs-fri where i get table play both days.

any luck with that stakes horse??

[ManU918]

i only play cash games. not sure where i'm going to play yet? should probably go to horseshoe since (besides being the best place to play) it's my last thurs-fri where i get table play both days.

any luck with that stakes horse??

What do you have a new work schedule?

Nah he got stuck in the gate and never caught up to the field.

[proximity]

What do you have a new work schedule?


was getting $65 table play 2x a week. mon-th and then fri-sun but starting Monday i'm just getting $65 once a week (m-sun).

[proximity]

btw, I can only dream of how much table play the shoe must be giving that freshly minted seven stars member. :)

[ManU918]

I played with Asher Coniff yesterday for about 16 hours. He recently won a WPT event. He's 20 something with 1.5 million in career earnings. I'll further elaborate when I decompress. I'm still mentally spent from yesterdays grind.

[PaceAdvantage]

Cool...can't wait to hear a story or two...

[proximity]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29/news-views-gossip-sponsored-online-poker-report/scandal-hialeah-park-casino-miami-fl-1557272/

don't know if anyone read this? the flamingos haven't been so embarrassed since the days of their 20(+) pct wps takeouts. :faint:

[ManU918]

Off to the Borgata today to play in Event 2 of their Deep Stacks Challenge Series... Will give a report when I get back home.

[ManU918]

5 hours later and I'm home... Couldn't get nothing going... It happens.

[proximity]

5 hours later and I'm home... Couldn't get nothing going... It happens.

u playing there Thursday or Friday?

i'm staying at harrah's but might play at borg on Friday?

-68 so far on the trip.

year -320 (32-29)

[proximity]

another $22 loss at harrah's ac. wasn't quite at my best, with two small mistakes costing me the game.

one (or two) more shots tomorrow!! :)

game -22
ac trip -90 (0-2)
year -342 (32-30)

[ManU918]

u playing there Thursday or Friday?

i'm staying at harrah's but might play at borg on Friday?

-68 so far on the trip.

year -320 (32-29)

I don't think so. Probably avoiding AC until the Fall Open in a few weeks.

[proximity]

back in atlantic city where after two consecutive losing nights at harrah's we decide to try our luck at the borgata.

the plan is to win back the $90 of harrah's losses at 4/8 hold 'em and then move to the big one: 10/20 hold 'em!

however, the cards at 4/8 aren't cooperating. QQ is rivered (horseshoe baltimore style) by a 4 that gives someone a set and KK is in position (for once) to win a big pot following a flop of KJT.

villain: TT :cool:

however, in true proximity poker fashion the board runs out Q9 and we chop the straight on the board. :faint:

a frustrating chop, but of course it's better than i usually do with kings. :rolleyes:

unfortunately about three hours in the game breaks.

like always i draw the low card to move to 2/4 limit... but my wait won't be long.


game -18
year -360 (32-31)

[proximity]

back at the borgata in atlantic city where the plan is to play some 2/4 limit and win back the $108 i've lost so far this week before moving to the big one: 10/20 limit!!

however, as usual.... everything's going wrong.

Q9 flops top pair from the big blind but is beaten by running overcards.

AJ and AQ flop aces but donks hit two pair with K8 and 74 off.

around two hours in i get a brief reprieve from the beating when i flop a set of aces against a man with a hand who turns out to be our old friend cc from the sands.

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1576907&postcount=58

sorry to beat a friend, but having just collected a 20k+ bad beat table share a few months (?) back at the borg i think cc will be ok. :)

at one point i'm down over $120 (so much for 10/20) but around 8:30 the tide begins to turn when a new dealer named barb comes to the table and her fingers work absolute magic.

JJ holds off the field, 67s turns a straight, KK turns a set (!!), and TT flops a set to crack a guy's KK!!

forget mr trump.... BARB for president!!

barb's shift has rallied me to back within $40 of even and facing the poker equivalent of the tennessee titans i dig deep and apply the chuck pagano mantra: grit always wins!!

i bide my time and finally around 11:30 i pull to within $2 of even.

the next two hours are a dogfight and i have a great chance at 1:15 when (just $7 behind) i flop an ace high flush draw.

i miss this flush but come back with a king high flush before KJ flops a king to finish the job.

not a good trip overall, but nice to close with a "win."

game +2
year -358 (33-31)

[proximity]

greetings poker fans!!

we return today with a report from west virginia's hollywood casino at charles town races where we battle in a twelve hour session of 3/6 limit hold 'em.

slow starts have plagued us all year, but today starts well.

big hands like AQ and AJ are flopping top pair and holding on and several hours in we've forged to a $120 lead with our sights set on $200 plus.

sure enough though the tide begins to turn as the two and three out gut shots begin rolling in:

(1) after flopping top two with AJ, i'm still leading despite the other flop card pairing on the turn and i'm looking to hold off the two flush draws that are now out. on the river, however, despite the paired board and two flush draws i'm actually run down by a donkey who hits a gut shot with two off suit cards. very nice.

(2) with QT suited i see a flop of J9X rainbow and turn the nuts when an 8 falls. the river, however, brings another queen and i don't even chop when a donkey hits with KT off.

(3) under the gun i raise AA $6 and the action folds to jenny in the cutoff with QQ. she has $12 in her stack.... but just calls. with QQ!! :rolleyes: :faint: :rolleyes: the donkey from hand one calls the raise with Q8 off and the big blind completes with 8x. flop 957. i bet. jenny calls. again. :rolleyes: donkey A calls. donkey B calls. naturally, the six falls on the turn. i check. jenny checks. donkey A bets, donkey B raises. i fold. jenny calls. donkey A calls. of course then they "check it down" on the river. :rolleyes:

after several hours of this my $120 lead has evaporated but i rally back to +$20 around 10:00 when forum member track collector arrives at the poker room.

track collector watches patiently as i fold several hands before limping with 22. about the whole table is prepared to see a flop when suddenly the big blind raises. we all call and see a flop of 532. :jump:

three on the turn fills me up and i (somehow :rolleyes: ) hold off a guy on my right who has the three.

meanwhile the player on my left (seat 4), who had started with a big stack of red and green, is now down to only $11 and when the one seat gets up he makes a seat change that turns out to be lucky for me as i get what would've been his hand: QQ! :cool:

QQ goes on to win and i'm flirting with +$120 again when a guy that looks like a grown up version of matthew mcconaughey's "wooderson" character from the movie dazed and confused arrives in the four seat.

high school girls are the same age and i'm waiting for wooderson to ask me for a joint. i don't have one but it takes just a couple hands for wooderson to experience a different kind of high.... $500 high hand when he hits a straight flush!!

as if my pocket queens weren't enough, the one seat can only seethe in total frustration as wooderson is filling out the tax forms. :D

one final hand for the road: AA :cool:

I raise. wooderson reraises JT suited. flop: QJX. turn: J. :bang:

good night. :sleeping:

game +67
year -291 (34-31)

[proximity]

(2) with QT suited i see a flop of J9X rainbow and turn the nuts when an 8 falls. the river, however, brings another queen and i don't even chop when a donkey hits with KT off.


(3) under the gun i raise AA $6 and the action folds to jenny in the cutoff with QQ. she has $12 in her stack.... but just calls. with QQ!! :rolleyes: :faint: :rolleyes: the donkey from hand one calls the raise with Q8 off and the big blind completes with 8x. flop 957. i bet. jenny calls. again. :rolleyes: donkey A calls. donkey B calls. naturally, the six falls on the turn. i check. jenny checks. donkey A bets, donkey B raises. i fold. jenny calls. donkey A calls. of course then they "check it down" on the river. :rolleyes:



*** before i get hammered here, i do realize #2 had all four queens to draw to before the turn and also some extra (albeit completely dead) outs with a possible seven on the river. i also realize it is somewhat hypocritical of me to mock the boyz for checking it down in #3 when i checked and called the river in #2.

hopefully readers still can enjoy the post without these minor details detracting from the main theme of the section which was low limit hold em FRUSTRATION. :)

---proximity

[Track Collector]

While proximity logs a nice winning session, here is all you need to know about mine:

(a) I have pocket Queens. I'm all in pre-flop and heads up against pocket nines.
Flop comes x-9-x.
(b) I have pocket Aces. I'm all in pre-flop and heads up against pocket Queens.
Flop comes x-x-Q.

The math says that the above happens 4% of the time. I would have rather had the 64% of the time I WIN both. :)

I went thru four short stacks before hoisting the white surrender flag.

My early session tonight recouped about 75% of Friday night's losses. Not sure if I am going back for a "late" session upon the conclusion of the live CT races.

[tucker6]

That final hand would have gone differently in no limit.