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

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.