Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The invisible $11,000 ceiling

Well bugger me.... this is starting to really give me the sh@#@!!!

Had a superb start to finally clearing my bonus on party - found 2 juicy tables, and they quickly paid off about 20BBs. One fish had a VPIP of 92% and another on the same table had 88%. They were paying off the table left right and centre, and one of them had a $400 stack in front of them. Not bad for $2/4.

Then all of a sudden it went pear shaped. The suckouts came thick and fast, and within 200 hands I was actually down by 25BBs. It seemed every time I had a hand, a scary river card would hit, and inevitably it had improved my opponent. I'll post a few of the hands here shortly, but it was ugly. I'd gone from winning 65% of showdowns, to by the end of the session only winning 30%. Fish #1 ended up with a VPIP of 85% a went to showdown of 60% and ended up winning 60% of those!! He effectively won a third of all hands assuming every single one went to showdown! Not happy. At least I cleared the $100 party bonus, but the instant that happened and the fish left the table I withdrew all my money from party in disgust.

You'd think that would be the worst of it, but no. I fired up Cake and found a couple juicy $2/4 and $3/6 tables. I thought a W$SD at 30% was running super cold. Try 15% on cake for about 140 hands ... SHEESH. There went another 30BBs mixed between both limits. One table was particularly nasty where I'd consistently get called by stuff like only a gutshot with 8 high. A5o calling from the cut off against my preflop raise with A7s. He called my cbet with air, A hit on the turn, followed by 7 on the river.

Of course there was also the usual flushes hitting on the river against me, none of my pairs hitting trips (although at least one did on party earlier ...), and one nasty hand where I had the flush draw and also had trip kings with a Q kicker but was up against trip kings with an A kicker. Obviously the flush draw missed.

Admittedly I did play a couple shocker hands. I called down with KQs high at one stage which was crazy. Also made some silly value bets on the river when scare cards had hit, got reraised and made a losing crying call. All in all, extremely disappointing.

It seems every time I get close to that $11,000 mark, I had a super cold patch and have to start over again.

Anyways here's a selection of hands and various levels of stupidity by myself:

Hand 1:

Grosik posts small blind [$1 USD].
Hero posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 6s 8s ] (an okay speculative hand)
realchel folds.
payinviter folds.
D00fKopp folds.
Grosik raises [$3 USD]
Hero calls [$2 USD] (not going to fold to a sb steal here)
** Dealing Flop ** [ 5s, Qd, 3s ] (nice fd ..)
Grosik bets [$2 USD] (he's probably c'betting air here i suspect)
Hero raises [$4 USD] (lets see if he'll fold to a reraise)
Grosik raises [$4 USD] (ack .. thats not a good sign ...)
Hero calls [$2 USD] (assuming he's not on the draw .. maybe a big pair? he has been aggro though ...)
** Dealing Turn ** [ Ad ] (blah .. not a good card for me)
Grosik bets [$4 USD]
Hero calls [$4 USD]
** Dealing River ** [ 8h ] (damn .. missed my draw ...)
Grosik bets [$4 USD]
Hero calls [$4 USD] (dunno what i'm thinking here .. exactly what am i beating that bets the flop that hard? a busted flush draw only??)
Grosik shows [ Ac, 7h ]a pair of Aces. (hang on a sec .. he called a reraise on the flop with only one overcard??? ... f off)
Hero doesn't show [ 6s, 8s ]a pair of Eights.
Grosik wins $34.50 USD from the main pot with a pair of Aces.

Hand 2:

Grosik posts small blind [$1 USD].
Hero posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 5c Qs ] (bah .. trash)
realchel folds.
cubix85xl folds.
payinviter folds.
D00fKopp folds.
Grosik calls [$1 USD] (hmm fishy just beat me on another table .. he has been very loose)
Hero checks.
** Dealing Flop ** [ 6d, Qh, Qc ] (hehe nice flop)
Grosik bets [$2 USD]
Hero calls [$2 USD] (might just call here .. planning to reraise the turn. I wonder if I should just be out ...)
** Dealing Turn ** [ 6c ]
Grosik checks. (i guess he missed the Q. wonder if he has a 6?)
Hero bets [$4 USD] (gotta bet out now)
Grosik calls [$4 USD] (bonus)
** Dealing River ** [ 5h ]
Grosik bets [$4 USD] (hmm wonder if we're splitting the pot).
Hero raises [$8 USD] (there's no way he has a pair of 6s in the pocket .. he woulda reraised the turn surely)
Grosik calls [$4 USD]
Hero shows [ 5c, Qs ]a full house, Queens full of Sixes.
Grosik doesn't show [ 6s, 7d ]a full house, Sixes full of Queens.
Hero wins $30.50 USD from the main pot with a full house, Queens full of Sixes. (thanks for that but u still owe me from that last hand muppet).

Hand 3:

Hero posts small blind [$1 USD].
lowey277 posts big blind [$2 USD] (another fish on my 3rd table - he called down a lot with virtually air)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Ks Qh ] (nice!)
Svojak747 folds.
payinviter folds.
barstus folds.
millzy316 folds.
Hero raises [$3 USD] (wont let him in cheap)
lowey277 calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ts, Jc, 5c ] (hmm oesd ..and nothin else)
>You have options at Table 163246 Table!.
Hero bets [$2 USD] (cbet hopin for a fold)
lowey277 calls [$2 USD] (damn)
** Dealing Turn ** [ 3c ]
Hero checks. (that flush hitting is kinda annoying .. but it is heads up).
lowey277 checks.
** Dealing River ** [ 9c ] (4th flush card really sux, but i have the nut straight)
Hero checks.
lowey277 bets [$4 USD] (this isnt a good sign)
Hero calls [$4 USD] (i think i have to crying call here .. but maybe not - pot isnt all that big come to think of it)
lowey277 shows [ 6c, 8h ]a flush, Jack high. (ummm .. nice flop call???)
Hero doesn't show [ Ks, Qh ]a straight Nine to King.
lowey277 wins $19 USD from the main pot with a flush, Jack high.

Hand 4:

Svojak747 posts small blind [$1 USD].
ReactionX posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Kc Qc ] (nice!)
bert1848 folds.
RiverMeNow3 folds.
CapnDobro folds.
Hero raises [$4 USD]
Svojak747 folds.
ReactionX raises [$4 USD] (hmm not good ... although he could think i'm on a steal)
Hero calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Tc, 4d, 7c ] (nice flush draw again .. 2 overs ... i guess at worst i could be up against TT?)
ReactionX bets [$2 USD]
Hero raises [$4 USD] (lets see where i'm at .. did he cbet air?)
ReactionX calls [$2 USD] (hmm he must have something)
** Dealing Turn ** [ Kh ] (okay not bad .. only behind KK or AK .. still have my flush draw)
ReactionX bets [$4 USD]
Hero raises [$8 USD] (lets see if its KK .. although i guess i'm calling down here with the pot this big)
ReactionX calls [$4 USD]
** Dealing River ** [ Kd ]
ReactionX bets [$4 USD] (hmm he's donked into me ... is this a scare card for him and he's hoping i fold? or is he afraid I wont bet into his hand? I'm now in front of a lot of his range AA, QQ-66 .. only behind AK and TT really)
Hero raises [$8 USD] (may as well pop a raise)
ReactionX calls [$4 USD]
Hero shows [ Kc, Qc ]three of a kind, Kings.
ReactionX shows [ Ks, Ah ]three of a kind, Kings with Ace kicker. (damn it! .. maybe i was too aggro with that reraise on the river! put it down to my fishiness .....)
ReactionX wins $50.50 USD from the main pot with three of a kind, Kings with Ace kicker.

Hand 5:

korsar33 posts small blind [$1 USD]. (this was one of the 90% vpip fish)
Hero posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 8s Qd ]
clientNr9 folds.
bert1848 folds.
RiverMeNow3 folds.
korsar33 calls [$1 USD]
Hero checks.
** Dealing Flop ** [ 2d, 4h, 3c ]
korsar33 checks.
Hero bets [$2 USD] (lets see if i can get him to fold)
korsar33 calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 8d ] (top pair .. with his 60% went to showdown i'm fairly sure i'm in front now)
korsar33 checks.
Hero bets [$4 USD]
korsar33 calls [$4 USD]
** Dealing River ** [ 9h ]
korsar33 checks.
Hero bets [$4 USD] (may as well value bet here - surely he doesn't have a 9?)
korsar33 calls [$4 USD]
Hero shows [ 8s, Qd ]a pair of Eights.
korsar33 shows [ 9d, Jd ]a pair of Nines. (umm)
korsar33 wins $23 USD from the main pot with a pair of Nines

Hand 6:

korsar33 posts small blind [$1 USD].
Hero posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 5s 5d ]
clientNr9 raises [$4 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$4 USD]
D00fKopp folds.
RiverMeNow3 folds.
korsar33 folds.
Hero calls [$2 USD] (with one overcaller i'm having a look at the flop when closing the action for one bet)
** Dealing Flop ** [ 5h, Jd, Td ] (omfg .. i've actually hit my pair .. the one and only time today)
Hero checks.
clientNr9 bets [$2 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$2 USD] (another overcall ... this is another fish)
Hero raises [$4 USD] (time for a chek/raise)
clientNr9 raises [$4 USD] (interesting .. top pair? flush draw? worst case he has JJ or TT and i'm drawing virtually dead .. but i guess odds are slim of that)
Jolee1993 calls [$4 USD] (overcall again .. flush draw??)
Hero raises [$4 USD] (i'm going to make the flushes pay)
clientNr9 calls [$2 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2s ]
Hero bets [$4 USD] (lets bet out here ... see where i'm at)
clientNr9 raises [$8 USD] (hmmm ... am I up against JJ/TT? surely not)
Jolee1993 folds.
Hero calls [$4 USD] only called here ... i think its right to call down from here .. but am open to maybe raising?)
** Dealing River ** [ Ac ] (flush draw missed so that's great)
Hero checks. (wonder if i should bet out or check/raise. I think i decided at the turn i was calling down)
clientNr9 bets [$4 USD]
Hero calls [$4 USD]
clientNr9 shows [ Ad, Jh ]two pairs, Aces and Jacks. (hehe .. this guy was a rock)
Hero shows [ 5s, 5d ]three of a kind, Fives.
Hero wins $59 USD from the main pot with three of a kind, Fives

Hand 7:

korsar33 posts small blind [$1 USD].
Hero posts big blind [$2 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Ad Qh ]
WINYALATER calls [$2 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$2 USD] (superfish 1)
D00fKopp calls [$2 USD]
Pokerfox73 folds.
korsar33 calls [$1 USD] (superfish 2)
Hero raises [$2 USD]
WINYALATER calls [$2 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$2 USD]
D00fKopp calls [$2 USD]
korsar33 calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Tc, 9s, Qs ] (not a super brilliant flop .. connected and suited. will want to win this one early if possible with TPTK)
korsar33 bets [$2 USD]
Hero raises [$4 USD] (lets try to get some players out .. dont want those draws coming in and hitting)
WINYALATER calls [$4 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$4 USD]
D00fKopp folds.
korsar33 calls [$2 USD]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Qd ] (okay now trips .. very handy .. now just to avoid those draws ...)
korsar33 checks.
Hero bets [$4 USD]
WINYALATER calls [$4 USD]
Jolee1993 calls [$4 USD]
korsar33 calls [$4 USD]
** Dealing River ** [ 8s ] (ack .. a 3rd spade .. thats not an ideal card for me .. also gives a straight to anyone with a J)
korsar33 bets [$4 USD] (not a good sign)
Hero calls [$4 USD] (i think i have to call here ... although that board is now incredibly ugly for me .. maybe it is a fold)
WINYALATER folds.
Jolee1993 calls [$4 USD]
korsar33 shows [ 5s, 6s ]a flush, Queen high.
Hero doesn't show [ Ad, Qh ]three of a kind, Queens. hmmm last ... but in a big pot ...
Jolee1993 doesn't show [ Js, Td ]a straight Eight to Queen.
korsar33 wins $61 USD from the main pot with a flush, Queen high.

Current bankroll: $10,750

4 comments:

The blindman said...

Hand 1: What's your policy on blind defence? I will normally defend any blind steal from the SB (since I have position in all rounds), while I will require a decent hand to defend a steal from the button (for example).

You played it much as I might have (though I agree it's a crying call on the river), although I won't always raise the flop here.

Hand 2: nice.

Hand 3: Fine, but I'm probably folding the river.

Hand 4: Raise on the river is a mistake IMO. He bet and called raises on the flop and turn. I can't see him doing that with a pair below kings (and certainly not below TT). So you are beating AA, and KJ, and maybe AT, QQ and JJ but losing to AK, KK, KT, TT. Given the PF 3-bet, AK looks pretty likely. IMO you win 1 bet 50% of the time at best but lose 2 bets the rest.

parttimebonuschaser said...

Yeah, can't argue with your comments. Hand 4 was quite silly.

With respect to blind defence I basically follow stox and adjust depending on the stats of villain.

The blindman said...

I guess I better get around to reading Stox (next stop, 2+2 book offer)..

The blindman said...

Hand 5: What can I say? Heeere, fishy fishy fishy.

Hand 6: Nice. Against most guys shorthanded I would be happy enough to cap the turn at least and maybe the river, and just suck it up if it's a set over set. If he's a real rock then bet, call call seems fine. But bear in mind that the preflop rocks sometimes overvalue TPTK.

Hand 7: Nasty. Just nasty. With four players seeing the river, it's a crying call. It's almost certainly -EV, but I will call here nearly every time.