BIGBAMBOOM POKER

BREAKING THE HUNDO BARRIE

2008-02-04T22:01:00.001-05:00

Well, its been a long time but my account officially has cracked the 100 barrier. I am not sure when, but I believe around Christmas, my poker brother CTOWN loaned me $10.00 to reestablish my bank roll.

I am proud to say that a few SNG video's later and some help by Bax...my account has cracked the barrier. Most importantly is the 2 for 2 in the $5.00 rebuy for $55.00 which has yielded a nice return. I think this is a tournament that I can excel at.

Finally, with my account healthy, I am going to move up from 1$ SNG's to 3.25$ SNG's. I wonder what the competition is like at the next level and look forward to some positive returns. Let's see what happens.

Check out www.officialpokerrankings.com for info on the big wins.

Making my Move

2008-01-31T12:51:00.000-05:00

First, on a personal level, I had an interesting situation arise in my chosen career path as a hockey coach. It came down to a decision to pack up and close down my resume after a LONG 25 years of work. That's not a small decision. It took me a long time and a dedicated focus to reach the upper echelon of the hockey world, and upon reaching my destination, realized that something was wrong with this picture.

I could never explain how helpless I felt, and instead of feeling helpless, wanted to feel empowered. I took matters into my own hands rather than be a victim. I decided to resign my position, and trust me I have never felt a greater sense of "That was the right thing to do."

Now my focus is my family, and I'll keep that in mind next time an offer comes my way to travel the world.

More importantly I have to focus my on line efforts to turn playing poker into a part time gig. The money will continue to flow thanks to a fall back job, but considering the amount of free time I will have - I can't spend it just playing around at poker - it needs to be time well spent.

Last night I did well enough on the poker circuit finishing 23rd in a rather large MTT. You can read about the interesting hands at www.pokersift.com

Right now I have entered the 1 pm 5.50 rebuy to the 55k guarantee. I find it a relatively easy way to build a bank roll as the 15.00 I invest can turn into 55 pretty easily.

We'll see what happens but I anticipate my poker career will be taking off. I continue to watch poker x factor and learn about this game.

I've decided to focus on winning larger MTT's with buyin's of either 3$ rebuy or 5$. The time spent on these tournaments needs to be justified and I don't find a great satisfaction in playing for 2$ and lasting 5 hours to win 15$.

I understand bankroll require's me to be prudent but find I can do some work to put $100.00 in my account and win from there. The first step was capturing a $55.00 tournament entry fee, by playing in a $5.50 rebuy tournament. This to me is one of the hidden gems of Poker Stars. Every day at 1 p.m. they offer a tournament with 9 seats added to anyone who wants a crack at a $5.50 event. So far so good. The bank roll has increased due to this win....

I think you'll see my results will be taking off....

Keep tabs on me over at www.pokersift.com

Kicking some Ass

2008-01-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

I went all in twice yesterday on hands that maybe I misplayed. In one situation I was all in with a flush draw on a K 8 3 board. The blinds were 3k/6k and I figured at 15 big blinds the time was right. In hindsight it maybe wasn't the right play to make.

In the other tournament - I did what I do best - I shoved with a less than stellar AKs vs. 88 hand. The race was not to be and I dropped out of that tournament in race style.

Here is my bust out...

PokerStars Game #14533693120: Tournament #72644304, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVIII (3000/6000) - 2008/01/13 - 15:49:44 (ET)Table '72644304 327' 9-max Seat #6 is the buttonSeat 1: littleginny (239690 in chips) Seat 2: Blues69222 (198451 in chips) Seat 3: FlanJan (57468 in chips) Seat 4: Squidyc (298614 in chips) Seat 5: KeepItShort (248118 in chips) Seat 6: snowrider343 (190118 in chips) Seat 7: BubbaBooey (285329 in chips) Seat 8: bigbamboom (113210 in chips) Seat 9: perquin (62664 in chips) littleginny: posts the ante 600Blues69222: posts the ante 600FlanJan: posts the ante 600Squidyc: posts the ante 600KeepItShort: posts the ante 600snowrider343: posts the ante 600BubbaBooey: posts the ante 600bigbamboom: posts the ante 600perquin: posts the ante 600BubbaBooey: posts small blind 3000

bigbamboom: posts big blind 6000*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to bigbamboom [4c Tc]

perquin: folds littleginny: calls 6000Blues69222: folds FlanJan: folds Squidyc: calls 6000KeepItShort: calls 6000snowrider343: folds BubbaBooey: calls 3000bigbamboom: checks *** FLOP *** [Kh 2c 8c]BubbaBooey: checks

bigbamboom: bets 106610 and is all-in

littleginny: folds Squidyc: folds KeepItShort: calls 106610BubbaBooey: folds *** TURN

*** [Kh 2c 8c] [Jd]*** RIVER *** [Kh 2c 8c Jd] [6s]*** SHOW DOWN

***bigbamboom: shows [4c Tc] (high card King)KeepItShort: shows [Jc Kd] (two pair, Kings and Jacks)KeepItShort collected 248620 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 248620 | Rake 0 Board [Kh 2c 8c Jd 6s]Seat 1: littleginny folded on the FlopSeat 2: Blues69222 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 3: FlanJan folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 4: Squidyc folded on the FlopSeat 5: KeepItShort showed [Jc Kd] and won (248620) with two pair, Kings and JacksSeat 6: snowrider343 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 7: BubbaBooey (small blind) folded on the FlopSeat 8: bigbamboom (big blind) showed [4c Tc] and lost with high card KingSeat 9: perquin folded before Flop (didn't bet)

The Enlightenment

2008-01-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

Ah yes, the thrill of victory.

Interesting week. So I finally decided with the prodding of my room mate - that poker has become an addiction. A good one. I never read, now I read poker books. I never work out...now I can only play poker if I work out (are you reading this honey).

I invested in Poker X Factor. It took a long time to decide on which service to subscribe too. The cost is prohibitive..but I figured my casino winnings should be "invested" rather than spent. The fee will pay for itself in the short term...its that good an experience.

First, I watched a MTT 5$ tournament. Sheets Haber commentated through out the tournament about each hand, his moves, amounts and incredible SHOVES. It was cool to watch. His plays were very sharp and limited to strong hands. No 6-4 gappers or suited connectors. I learned a ton from the first video.

Since that I watched a few SNG (4 6$ tournaments - he was always in the money). The shoves were cool to watch especially as he got down to the bubble play.

The other noticeable play was to never enter a pot as a limp/call or min raise against aggression...almost any aggression. They would rather fold their hands then play against someone who has shown aggression. The comment made was people will protect their investments. The only time they would play against aggression - was against all in shoves. Then he would make some sick calls or reads on players to fold.

All in all the first few days of "lectures" has been solid. Its changed the way I look at the game and I am excited to keep learning more. The books I have bought will now make more sense because I'll either be able to visualize the aggression they speak about - or refute the cautious plays they refer too.

I can't say I fully endorse the site just yet - but so far so good. We'll see what happens.

I was talking to Mason Malmuth and he said...

2008-01-04T07:34:00.000-05:00

Extraordinary results - thats what I am after.

I don't like average. I think average is a waste of time and as you can see my pay outs do not reflect a good use of time. Average sucks. I want to be a B I G winner - and I know if I work on my game I will be.

One resolution this year is to get knocked out of tournaments with strong hands, strong plays. I will not call down a hand and be taken out. So I am proud to say both take outs were by NH's and cards coming on the river. I was listening to the Two plus Two poker podcast, and Mason Malmuth, who I am sure you all know was talking about playing Aces. His comment was not to raise to strongly with it - build equity in the hand. Let's see what happens...

I got knocked out EARLY in the 180 man SNG was with a set of Aces (AA preflop, AQ10 on board) and my opponent had J9. He hit an 8 on the river and was chip leader with about 17k in chips. That is a huge sum for that particular tournament - lesson learned.

I still thought about it and my Set was fairly strong. I anticipated I was either set over set, or up against 2 pair and at worst a straight draw. Oh well this happens.

I wouldn't change the way I played the hand...except I raise 3X the BB to keep him in the hand. Had I of pushed to 5-6X the BB MAYBE he folds preflop and I am still alive.

So was I impressed with Mason's strategy tip - NOT REALLY. I think at Lower Level MTT's this strategy is not sound. Instead of facing 1 caller now I had 2 and regardless of what they have my percentages to win DROP.

The other early drop out was a AA vs. 77 preflop hand. I knew he had small pair with small raise and a called bet preflop - it was my turn and I knew that one of the two would have a small pair.

I anticipated a call when I pushed to take out the AK I had in the hand. He calls, and its off to the races as a 4-1 favourite.

The other tournament knock outs were in the late stages as chips dwindle and antes/blinds rise. I lost one all in on AQ and another shortstacked with KJ. Probably the one area (push-fold EQ hands) where my game really needs to improve. All in all I was happy with cash in those 180 Man SNG.

I have adopted a little more conservative approach as I get close to the money. I need to win to build my bankroll, and can't afford those speculative chip collecting moves (ALL IN preflop) to try and move up the ladder. My win will come when I catch that hand near the bubble and am able to make a move with it.

I have started the Relearn phase of my poker - with a big move into PXF coming this Sunday. I think its time I learned how to win at this game.

Ctown my partner in crime - continues to smash the 1$ SNG with tight agressive play. He comments that I am a better teacher than player and I believe that to be so.

Removed from the hand - I can offer sane advice with a dose of aggressiveness and a view of discipline. It helps to have clarity and think hands through. Maybe if I applied the same "outsiders" approach - I'd be writing about wins rather than cashes.

The bank roll is up ... I always have craps to fall back on.

It would be nice to give my wife/daugther a check for 10k soon....she'd love me for that.

I put spot remover on my dog and he disappeared

2008-01-02T21:46:00.000-05:00

Okay so the New Year. What's with that....simply on fire.

Since 2008 hit my game has improved big time on the poker tables. Had a hot run playing the first 10 hands in a 4$ 180 man SNG and was Chip leader after 10 hands. Some interesting cards came my way and I think I played them to maximize my profit.

Okay, so I got lucky but I thought I played the hands very well. Here is an interesting hand from that tournament.

I had K10 of spades on the button and had called a limper. The BB also calls so its three of us on the flop. I hit the 2 spades I needed for four to a flush but best of all the JQ of spades come on the flop so I have an open ended straight flush draw.

I made a soft call on a bet for the pot. It left me alone with one caller. Hmm...Could he have a higher flush.

The next card hits and its a J. I decided my caller is either playing a flush draw or is on a straight draw. Little did I realize he has a jack in his hand.

So many possibilities.

I make a solid bet at the turn card leaving my caller with a 3-1 odds call.

He makes the call and a 9 of spades hits on the river. Okay so now a J10 is looking straightish....J with a Q is also a boat and since I have both beat I go all in.

I figure if my opponent has the A of spades he has to call with that board. Any Full house is also calling. For sure he has got to be interested. I thought I drew him in with my check on the flop and just under pot sized bet on the turn. Anyways...the ALL IN worked - he called and might of been a bit peeved that his JJJ99 hand was second best.

I find the low limits people will call when a four card flush hits even if they have a low spade. OVER BETTING is key in the right situation and this was a great situation to make a huge bet. He couldn't get away from the hand - no doubt either could I.

That double up lasted until a few tight aggressive hands put me up to 16k in chips and top ten finish.

In the end - I was pushing with KJ and called by the big blind with AJ. Bad luck to run into the AJ but it happens. I needed chips to keep moving up and the blinds were up to 1000-2000 with large antes so it was now or never.

All in all a well played tournament (if I don't say so myself) and a second 10th place finish in a row.....consistent...the goal for 2008. If there is one thing I really need to work on is short stack play and push or fold equity hands.

My bank roll has doubled since Monday and with a nice profit at the Craps tables I start off 2008 on a roll.

Hats off to CTOWN pro who took down an 18 man SNG with some great small stack play to begin the domination by the Freeland Duo.

My next blog will address "local" cheating and the threat it poses to the game....

The Take Down

2008-01-01T21:35:00.000-05:00

Okay so I went to a casino on New Years Day...about 3 in the morning. It was a road trip night out in Windsor and I was feeling the champagne buzz at the midnight hour. I actually was a pretty good boy, but at midnight they were handing out Spamante Bambino like no tomorrow.

Now if you went to high school and are about my age, Spumante was readily available at the Dominion Grocery Store and was your only chance at getting liquoured.

So memories - but I digress. So here we are walking into the Windsor Casino. With me a good friend who had one New Years Goal. God Bless em he wanted to learn how to play Craps. Well...he had high hopes to make some money and had with him 20$...nice bank roll. I took him under my wing and we became partners. My action plus his 20 bucks...where he became basically a 10% partner.

The bankroll we had about 220 bucks went quickly - very quickly. By no time we were down to our last 20 bucks. And then it happened. The magic. That one roller that you wait for and hope for to ride to riches. He hit his points, first a 10 then an 8, then a 6. Then he hit some Naturals and then some points again. Before you knew it he had made about 800.00 dollars for us. The eight paid us big as he hammered the place bet time and time again.

I still owe it to the Dice Doctor who taught me everything I know about Craps. Read more about that at www.pokersift.com

I just took down a little 4$ 180 Man SNG finishing 10th on a AJs vs. 77. I did manage to hit a set of aces on the flop but it was in tough against a full boat.

I stuck to a plan, and executed and all in all begin 2008 on a happy gambling note.

Working hard to make my tournament strong and smart. I won't play unless I know what I am doing and have a good amount of time to commit.

There is always Craps to fall back on.

Happy New Year all....we'll be big winners in 2008.

What I am gunning for

2007-12-25T10:35:00.001-05:00

The prize money...

To get from 20 - 50 dollars as per my bank roll requirements....In the next 15 games I need

5 x 1st place = 36.00

3x 2nd place = 17.00

Meaning I need to cash in 8 out of 15 games....hard to do yes, but even if I can just finish top four every other time, I should be okay.

5 First place finishes out of 15 attempts, that one out of three. Can be done.....

Figured out the Bankroll Management

2007-12-25T10:25:00.000-05:00

So first off ... here is the plan.

1. No new Deposits in Poker Account. Must either win via Free Roll or other Poker renumeration (sell off books, ebay etc.) Meaning I cannot go to the credit card or borrow money to make a deposit. NO MORE - FINITO.

2. $20.00 in account currently...can only play 1 game at a time with buy in of $1.20 or less. I am going to focus on 18 man SNG and 45 man SNG my speciality.

LEVELS

Bank Roll 20$ Buy In $1.20 Max Out 50$ Can only play in 1$ SNG limited, no cash games. STOP LOSS 10$ Limited to .10c and .50c tournament play only till I am above 20$
Bank Roll 50$ Buy In $2.00 Max Out 100$ Can play 2 table NL Cash game 1$ buy ins. Stop Loss 20$ Drop down one level
Bank Roll 100$ Buy In 5$ Tournaments 200$ Can only play one tournament a day until my winnings hit 200$. NO CASH GAMES ALLOWED. Stop loss 20$ drop to level one
Bank Roll 200$ Buy In 4$ 180 Man SNG 500$ Can only play 4$ SNG cause I think focusing on one game will make me a better player and I have had success at this. Again, limited to one a day. Stop loss 100$ drop down to 20$ level.

Bank Roll 500$ Buy In 3$ Rebuy (max 15$) 2500$ At this level I'lll withdraw 750.00$ and move up to 5$ rebuys, limited to 25$ a session. Stop loss 200$ drop to 100$ bank roll.

Okay so - I think I have a pretty good plan...now its time to get it off the ground.

BANKROLL MANAGEMENT

2007-12-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

First, if you're reading this on Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas you miserable fool. If you're reading it after Christmas, I hope you had a great one. Poker should be put on hold on Christmas.

I've had a great Christmas. Incredible Christmas.

First, I did a dumb thing this year. I followed a "dream" - sort of like me dreaming that I am going to win at Poker....thats funny.

I've been following my dream of being an NHL hockey coach since I was 15. Most Canadians dream of playing in the NHL - but not me. I was captivated by Roger Nielson when he coached the Leafs, Red Kelly vs. Kate Smith and the Pyramids under the bench was a turning point.

Most of all I got so much out of coaching - I got to travel the world, lets see, eight years in California, working for the Disney Company, Mexico coaching the National Team, up and down the East Coast in every small hockey town from Stamford to Florida. All of it. Winning Championships, graduating players to the NHL and university careers. Money - lots of it, (more teaching then coaching) but its taken a toll. Lots of failure when winning a hockey game is your only solace. When you lose you feel guilty - responsible - punched in the gut. Anyways back to the story. So I left town this year...

I decided to chase my dream to Saginaw Michigan. Why - it was my last chance. My career upended...fired by my so called "best friends" in the game...so I took a job 6 hours away from my wife and 1 year old daughter. And my god what an Angel she is.

She is everything to me. So beautiful...So precious. So back to why I tell you all this story. Because missing her as I have has made me so thankful for every minute I spend with my family.

I spent the last 90 days away from her - on and off. And will spend the next 90 away - on and off. I might see her once or twice a month. My wife is pregnant. So this Christmas break was the most incredible in my life.

To spend those warm precious moments with my Angel was incredible. It made me appreciate all she is to me. And my wife too - she was so amazing. They support me and I hope to support them.

So this Christmas was special for so many reasons. My mom on her death bed. My dad on his death bed. To see them one last time before they expire.

To read, to relax, and to play poker.

Poker is very much an escape, I love it so much. When they go to bed I play. I love how it makes me think. I love the challenge and the intricacies. I love reading about it - I live it. This next 90 days while I have some freedom otherwise not afforded. I can attack the game. Learn from it - studied it. And master it.

I will master it. I have the make up. I always win -sooner or later. I am committed to getting back my money (about 2k with all the books, buyins and poker table I built:-))

But its more than that. Its being on top of the game. Mastering something that has been baffling. Winning back to back 4$ SNG and then finishing dead last 10 straight times.

So I am pumped. I am focused. I am willing. I am obsessed. The next year will be pretty incredible for me....and you.

I hope you had a Great Christmas.

Suffering at the Hands of the Feet

2007-12-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

Of course I get cocky and try to hammer out some wins.

I played four tables, 3 of them 1$ SNG and 1 - 5$ tournament. The results are staggering...I mean like staggering like I was drunk.

IN most cases I hit those hands like 88 vs. 33 and a 3 hits the board. Or AJ and the board reads J39, with my opponent holding JJ. Of course that was a little unlucky. But in each case I did a few things wrong. Either or when all the chips went in - none came my way. Which sucks really cause if you read my previous post - I was on top of the world. This isn't even a case of running bad - more so a case of playing bad.

1st. I was monkeying around with putting my games on a bigger screen, which caused me to be all frazzled. Damn - need an IT department

2nd. I went for four games, which is probably too many in my case. 3 was working well - but when it works well I always want more. Who wrote Poker was like life...

3rd. I tried to play hurry up 1cent 2 cent cash game poker - with a few all ins and shoves at inopportune times....only problem was I was in a tournament. Funny how playing cash games in a tournament setting doesn't work to well.

4th. Too much tinking. Here's a good one for you - French Canadian Hockey coach says to the ref :-) "Hey ref can I get 2 minutes for tinking" ... (he's french eh) and the ref says "NO" so the french canadian coach says "cause I am tinking you are a fucking asshole".....;-(

Okay.....so I like that joke.

Bottom line is a night to forget. Tomorrow morning I might play a 4$ SNG....looking forward to it. Night all. We all have our reasons for playing...Evangeline is mine....I tried to upload her pic...she is beautiful.

Oh my God I could of had a V8

2007-12-21T17:26:00.000-05:00

MULTI MULTI MULTI TABLING IS ALRIGHT BY ME!!!

Okay so what the hell have I been doing. I play well enough - get a little bored and then do dumb shit...and lose. Not anymore. Recently I have discovered that I am one of those rare birds that actually does better when I am busy - yes PATIENCE is not necessary when you are playing a hand every 3 seconds. So just now I multi tabled at a .01cent/.02cent NL game - 3 tables and low and behold...I kicked ass.

HOW...first I was patient with the starting hands, then I folded to strength, and finally when I had a decent hand, I pushed and guess what - THEY CALLED. They called straights - they called pairs, sets, flushes. It didn't matter - WHY - cause they stink. They are playing in a 1c,2c game and they want action. THEY GAVE ME THEIR MONEY. So how much did they give me...put it this way - 20 minutes of playing. 1$ buy in at each table. 1 table = 3.23 1 table = 1.18 and 1 table = 3.53.... you do the math. This after 20 minutes. I am so stoked. I am RICH. I made 5 bucks in under 20 minutes.

Okay, so now I am starting to realize - even if I am playing micro stakes, I am WAY better off Multi Tabling so I don't get bored. Thats it - thats all folks. The account which dropped to 6 bucks yesterday...is a whopping 26 again. Right back where I started. And now I feel rejuvenated. Like I drank fine wine and smoked some cigars and had an ephiphany. Okay so you're reading this and your saying - LOSER - its only 1cent2cent poker - but my friends...its not the stakes. Its about winning. And now I feel like a WINNER.

So lets recap - 5 45 man SNG - placed in the money in all. One Freeroll - cashed. On 50cent tournament lost AA to KK. And now 3 table NL....on FIRE. Can you say EN FUEGO.

Okay so tonight its off to the lovely wifes Christmas party - but when I return...more Multi tabling Madness.....

ZEN RULES OF POKER - CLICK TO ENLARGE

2007-12-21T15:25:00.000-05:00

1$ Turbo 45 sng

2007-12-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Another Day another Dollar. Starting to believe that Multi-tabling helps my concentration as I play in 2 SNGs. In both I am in the money. Losing K10 vs. A3 all in SB vs. BB.....I think these are situations that I struggle with. I felt like K10 was a pretty good hand and with the blinds 600/1200 that with 10k in chips (even though I was 2nd) it was a good opportunity to go all in. Hats off to the BB for calling all my chips with A3.

The next hand I got it all in with A2 but lost to AJ for a 7th place score. Not bad considering it was a turbo tournament.

One more on the go - at the final table. I was thinking about it last night and if I could make 25$ A DAY - for 30 days, thats great side income for me. And its doable. If I play four SNG's a night, plus one decent sized tournament - I think its very doable.

Bankroll managment is my next project, and working on rereading Harrington.

On another note - www.pokersift.com has asked me to be one of their guest bloggers...I think thats pretty cool. Look for the first post next week sometime....

Just did the math

2007-12-20T23:02:00.000-05:00

With Ak its a 45-55 race, and when the board hit - to any over pair I am 22%...maybe in hindsight I could of let it go??

The Bust Out

2007-12-20T22:56:00.000-05:00

I feel pretty good about my game today. I busted out in style in all my tournaments and got a little cash in each but one. I lost AA vs. KK (rivered) and just busted out on AK with a board 4 5 6. I came in for 3x the BB (1800_ with a stack of 10k) and decided to push regardless of the flop. When it hit 4 5 6 I felt like it was the right play. My push was answered with a call - and each of us had about 10k in chips so this was a 24k pot, and chance at a top 30 finish.

The opponent had 88 and no K or A hit to help me out. In this tournament I lost most my chips on Big Slick hands, getting it all in twice with AK and missing both times, once to the 88 and the other time dropping about 10k to AA.

Maybe I better review the AK - but I know you have to be aggressive if you want to get in the money. With blinds 400/800 and a stack of 10k I was getting short, so I think pushing here was a good EQ move. I'll have to check it out.

I felt like my game was pretty good tonight - and the focus was there that was obviously missing last night. I am looking forward to a night off from poker and hope to bounce back with an early morning Saturday Tournament.

Tomorrow I am rereading the Harrington on Hold Em book 1....the bible as far as I am concerned.

Final Table and Counting

2007-12-20T21:34:00.000-05:00

Okay - so the results are better today. First my 7th in the 45 SNG then I followed that up with a 5th. Next I had some good play in a 1$ tournament out of CTOWNPRO my hommie. He busted 70th something but played well. It is a learning curve at that point of the tournament, when to go balls out - when to sit back and wait. Either or - he'll be making his mark on the low level MTT's soon. Lastly, I am in the top 50 of the 2$ Stars MTT...about an hour in and half the field thinned out. We'll see what happens.

7th place in a 1$ 45 SNG

2007-12-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

Kept the baby at bay by teaching her the value of reading opponents. One interesting hand came up - not sure I'd call again but here it is....

PokerStars Game #13987440421: Tournament #70997734, $1.00+$0.20 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2007/12/20 - 15:48:07 (ET)Table '70997734 2' 9-max Seat #6 is the buttonSeat 1: 08BOSS15 (1615 in chips) Seat 2: Cetem (970 in chips) Seat 3: antique1932 (1110 in chips) Seat 4: Tomte75 (5808 in chips) Seat 5: Bloemptje (1303 in chips) Seat 6: m4rr5 (1734 in chips) Seat 7: tootsie1419 (1410 in chips) Seat 8: BWS66 (290 in chips) Seat 9: bigbamboom (3560 in chips) tootsie1419: posts small blind 15BWS66: posts big blind 30*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to bigbamboom [3s 2s]bigbamboom: raises 60 to 9008BOSS15: folds Cetem: folds antique1932: folds Tomte75: calls 90Bloemptje: folds m4rr5: folds tootsie1419: calls 75BWS66 is disconnected BWS66 has timed out while disconnectedBWS66: folds *** FLOP *** [2h Kd Qh]BWS66 is sitting outtootsie1419: checks bigbamboom: bets 90Tomte75: raises 240 to 330tootsie1419: folds bigbamboom: calls 240*** TURN *** [2h Kd Qh] [Qs]bigbamboom: checks Tomte75: bets 1620bigbamboom: raises 1520 to 3140 and is all-inBWS66 is connected Tomte75: calls 1520BWS66 has returned*** RIVER *** [2h Kd Qh Qs] [9s]*** SHOW DOWN ***bigbamboom: shows [3s 2s] (two pair, Queens and Deuces)Tomte75: shows [7h 5h] (a pair of Queens)bigbamboom collected 7240 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 7240 Rake 0 Board [2h Kd Qh Qs 9s]Seat 1: 08BOSS15 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 2: Cetem folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 3: antique1932 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 4: Tomte75 showed [7h 5h] and lost with a pair of QueensSeat 5: Bloemptje folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 6: m4rr5 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 7: tootsie1419 (small blind) folded on the FlopSeat 8: BWS66 (big blind) folded before FlopSeat 9: bigbamboom showed [3s 2s] and won (7240) with two pair, Queens and Deuces

That call put me in pretty good position - then me and baby snacked away on Doritos (Salt and Lime flavour) and I finished 7th. I got beat out on A8s with two spades on board. Another hand came that kicked my ass was my pocket QQ vs a limper with AQ. I made a decent raise 5xbb to let him know I meant business. He called - an ace hit on the flop and I took two shots at it. I guess I should have checked to him, but I had too much pride in my QQ. In the end he took about half my chips. Leaving me in 8th. Someone busted out in 8 so 7 gets some money. Finally a win....

My next step is to create a PLAN. BANK ROLL MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO THAT PLAN. I'll do a little research and let you know what I come up with. Might be off to the casino tonight - to do a little gambling....

Okay how bad was that....

2007-12-19T21:53:00.000-05:00

Oh my...what a terrible start to the blog. My first tournament and I go out with a bone headed call all in with 9-8 unsuited. Right now you must be wondering what the hell am I reading. This retard knows squat about poker. You might be right.

But if not for an endless credit card and time on my hands. One more chance at redemption..decided to enter a 4$ 180 man SNG. I can do it.

Just focus and play my game.

Okay fuck it....Focus is gone...note to self. After getting knocked out of a rebuy tournament by making a complete boneheaded move - SHUT IT DOWN......needless to say the 4$ 180 SNG was not a success as I bust out - I went on a 4-3hearts hand that looked beautiful, on a AK10 board, made a continuation bet (bad bet) and was called, that dropped me to 450 chips. I went all in on A4 vs. limper who called with QJ and siyanara senor.

Oh well lesson learned. For some reason making this error has been a real painful experience. My 26 bucks is down to 9. Okay so - I'll go for a 5$ tournament one day soon and take my shot at it again, either that or a few 1$ 45 SNG's.

The next step is to READ and REREAD Harrington on Hold em, both 1 and 2. I think I'll hammer those back these next few days.

Still have to hammer out some Christmas shopping. I hope the wife likes the Sony Vaio I bought her.

3.00 REBUY EVENT ON STAR

2007-12-19T20:55:00.000-05:00

Okay so off to a new tournament. Started by the double rebuy - 3000k in chips built it up to over 3800k and then came the clutch 10-9 suited. Had someone bump my 3x BB bet to 5x BB bet, then another and so on. All of a sudden I am in a 4 handed pot with 2 diamonds on board. I go all in - with two callers, sure enough - someone has AQdiamonds to take the pot at the end.

Bad bet, just trying to rationalize my initial wager. Either or - its a rebuy - so here I am another 6 bucks I just raised 3x the BB with 4-5c and hit a flop of KJ5. Initial Contiuation bet of 400 and a call. Then next card a nice fat 4. Two pair with a flush draw. I bet 60% of the pot (900) because I was playing a LAG player and I was hoping he'd represent a flush. Knowing how he plays was key here. I knew he would call me with anything initially - so my hopes were up he had nothing. Now I have a nice stack for round one at 4300.

PokerStars Game #13972737668: Tournament #70445445, $3.00+$0.30 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/12/19 - 20:57:00 (ET)Table '70445445 263' 9-max Seat #9 is the buttonSeat 1: Schnook (7615 in chips) Seat 2: yinyam (3505 in chips) Seat 3: AB10691069 (12800 in chips) Seat 4: Rendall 11 (5160 in chips) Seat 5: zaratusa (18420 in chips) Seat 6: RicNPam (15020 in chips) Seat 7: bigbamboom (3550 in chips) Seat 8: wally1137 (2445 in chips) Seat 9: 1Great Bluff (4125 in chips) Schnook: posts small blind 50yinyam: posts big blind 100*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to bigbamboom [4c 5c]AB10691069: folds Rendall 11: folds zaratusa: folds RicNPam: folds bigbamboom: raises 200 to 300wally1137: folds 1Great Bluff: calls 300Schnook: folds yinyam: folds *** FLOP *** [Jc Ks 4s]bigbamboom: bets 3001Great Bluff: calls 300*** TURN *** [Jc Ks 4s] [5s]bigbamboom: bets 9001Great Bluff: folds bigbamboom collected 1350 from potbigbamboom: shows [4c 5c] (two pair, Fives and Fours)*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1350 Rake 0 Board [Jc Ks 4s 5s]Seat 1: Schnook (small blind) folded before FlopSeat 2: yinyam (big blind) folded before FlopSeat 3: AB10691069 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 4: Rendall 11 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 5: zaratusa folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 6: RicNPam folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 7: bigbamboom collected (1350)Seat 8: wally1137 folded before Flop (didn't bet)Seat 9: 1Great Bluff (button) folded on the Turn

My goal is to get to 5000k after round one - add on for 2k and see where it takes me. Playing very well - Tight Aggressive. I am in the poker playing mood. After Round one - one double rebuy (6$) plus my initial buy in (6$) plus Add on for ($3.00) puts me 15$ into it with 6300 chips. Round One break on now...sort of crazy - but Johnnybax is playing in a 100$ rebuy on the other table...interesting to watch. He was playing very LAG in the first hour and has 7300 chips...slight lead on me. lol. I decided to stop watching his table and shut the TV down. Just me and you and the rebuy tournament...;-)

Folded A9s vs a RR...good move. A8 in fifth position vs. Limper FOLD. At this point - I have yet to play a hand in round two but my POKEROFFICE has labeled me a "wizard" its highest ranking. LOL.

Little bit card dead through Round two. One solid Tight Aggressive play at my table, one LAG player - sees a lot of flops. Have a little strategy against each. Otherwise just some general play - strikes me as a table a real aggressive player would have a field day at. Maybe that should be me...not enough chips at this point - but one double up and it would be my strategy.

As I go card dead - I tell myself to play it by the book...what would Harrington do...not to get too excited. I am in a good spot right now - playing Tight Aggressive - reading the other players - getting to read their betting patterns. One player YinYam is starting to play aggressive RR vs. Blind Steals etc. I think if I have a big hand I could slow play it and let YinYam bet it out for me and then drop the HAMMER on the turn or River.

At one point my blinds are attacked and I have A4...I contemplate going all in to shut it down, but since I have waited so long - I need better to shove here with. Maybe a call there....who knows. I steal on the button with J10diamonds...looks like a nice hand. Currently 5400 chips half way through round 2. Once again J10 Early position 3x BB for a steal. Fold 77 in BB vs. Raise and RR. Still stuck at 5500 chips, not much going at this point. Need to stay focused on the game plan. I am hoping this table breaks up soon, as not much is happening and there are no stand out weak players to hammer on...okay so my plan just went to shit. I had 98unsuited in middle position, and I raise to 900. A tight aggressive player - perhaps the best at the table - goes all in for 20k. My read initially is that he is so strong that he doesn't have squat but instead wants to push me off the hand...which by the way is terrible. I call. WHY DID I CALL..after sitting here for 1 hour and 49 minutes I guess I thought I could win a coin flip. What a terrible call. Needless to say he flips over QQ and hits a third Q to make me feel like an ass. Okay - so that is the start of my blog...things can only improve from here. What the hell just happened.

New and Improved Rise to Meteoric Stardom

2007-12-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

Okay whatever... so its my first post. It will get better.

First, about the pokersift.com site...cool. I love Rounders the poker show and am reallyexcited that I made the big time. I am guessing the podcast draws all sorts, and now with the migration to two plus two - the premier site in the world for on line poker - we'll I guess I am big time. So the posts there resemble the posts here - but not necessarily the same. I'll have to go a little more professional on that blog and a little more down and dirty here. Bottom line is I just want to entertain and hopefully share some mistakes so others don't make them along the way.

Now on to my online personna. His new years goals....So I am making a commitment to be a "complete" poker player. Starting this blog is one way to track my progress and analyze my game. First and foremost, I am setting some goals for the 2008 season. Basically to:

1. Play my best at all times. No longer log on when I don't feel like it. I often come on and think I can rip through a tournament - lose all patience and my chips when I realize I am not in it for seven hours. I compare it to going golfing for 18 holes when all you have is an hour. Mentally you just can't compete if you are not into it for the long haul.

2. Analyze my game, hands, losses and wins..and try and find my leaks. I use Pokeroffice, and really find that it is a simple mistake that I make that takes me out. From now on I am going to blog what that mistake is - and how I lost my chips.

3. Read all those damn books I keep buying and put those "book reports" on line. Seriously I think I have them all - and its time I started to dive into those books and hammer on key points. Super System, Harrington on Holdem and Killer poker are my first reads, and I am looking forward to then tackling Sklansky and Malmouth. Part and Parcel of that reading is to learn all the games. I often found that Horse and Omaha break up the NL Hold em quite nicely.

4. Learn from http://www.tiltboy.ca/ and make it a worthwhile endeavour...seriously - I want to learn so I have a poker mentor.... Warning*** the site is a project in progress and part of that means its not done all the way. So take what you can out of it and hopefully you'll enjoy it.

5. Focus and study Pokerxfactor and all its infinite wisdom. Last night was watching the Super Tuesday on PS and saw johnnybax and Annette_15's name in the top 12 (for the record Annette was 7th and Bax 12th) But watching a little made me realize TIGHT AGGRESSIVE is the way of the Pro.

6. Win a MTT worth more than 2500k. This one will happen as I slowly am starting to get some results. I find although the http://www.officialpokerrankings.com/ is fairly accurate - it fails to sometimes have all my results on there.

7. Practice a form of Bankroll management...although I feel like if I can win a few early Tournaments then this will become more important when I start to enter the larger entry fee tournaments. Right now is 5$ and under or at least the 3$ rebuy.

Okay so - there it is....my first post. It starts tonight with a 3.00$ rebuy on Stars...Guaranteed Win night.....I mean its the new me isn't it.

Shout out to my Freeland Roomie - you're probably the only one reading this....