Back to Playing

My recent “poker break” has ended prematurely. I didn't exactly adhere to my original rules of not doing anything poker related for a week, nor my “only freerolls” rule.

I did, however, cut down on my poker playing considerably during this time. I think playing less helped me go back to appreciating the game again.

My recent "poker break" has ended prematurely. I didn't exactly adhere to my original rules of not doing anything poker related for a week, nor my "only freerolls" rule. I did, however, cut down on my poker playing considerably during this time. I think playing less helped me go back to appreciating the game again.

On the topic of gambling and side-games, play money at PKR Casino is enough - I think - for my gambling urges. Blowing $6,200 in play chips is a lot less stressful than $285 of my poker bankroll. I've also noticed that after playing casino hold'em, blackjack, or slots for a while I go on auto-pilot and take more and more unnecessary risks. Thus I will stay away from those games permanently except for play money. Lesson learnt, the house always wins.

My first game of the day was a PLO Tournament. Finished 488/1360. Lost one hand because I forgot about having to use two of my hole cards, and my last hand my opponent hit their broadway straight on the river (I had a lower OESD that didn't hit). I need to learn to let go of draws that don't have multiple ways of completing.

Next up, a PKR Points tournament. Finished 25/134. Last hand was all-in with KQo against QJo. Guy hit a jack on the river. Had I not been aiming for 1st I would have folded. Oh well.

Time for some SNGs.

  • First SNG finished 5th. Lost a coin-flip (AKo against QQ).
  • Second SNG finished 6th. Lost another coin-flip (QQ against AKs).
  • Third SNG finished 2nd.
  • Forth SNG finished 2nd.
  • Fifth SNG finished 6th.

$1 Multi-Table Tournament

Whilst playing the second SNG I registered and started playing a $1 MTT with a total of 114 entrants. One thing I know is that I usually have a better chance of getting ITM in a tournament when there are 1,000+ entrants.

On the 5th hand though, I was dealt AA and it held up against JJ and AKo. I trebled up making me chip-leader in the tournament (for a few hands anyway). I've never cashed in one of these tournaments even though I've played a few of them. I think that's the reason I usually avoid them and only play MTTs that are freerolls and for points.

At the half way point, I was ranked 12/58 (top 15 pay). I hadn't had many hands since the AA hand and since I play TAG my chips were starting to whittle down - had approximately 20BB left with blinds at the 100/200 point. I won a hand with AKo against 64o, but that was a short-stack so didn't gain that many chips. Maybe I should think of these situations as narrowing the field. More chance of cashing because I knocked out someone else and got his chips instead of another medium stack.

After the first break I was looking at QQ with one all-in in front of me (6BB raise). I pushed and another short-stack (2BB) called. Originally raiser had QTo. Other guy had A2o. Flop was 722 rainbow, turn A and river 5. Small stack won but I got the side pot which pushed me back up to 13/34.

In the end finished 23rd. A6o in the BB against KQo in the SB. Was ahead until he hit a straight on the turn. Still haven't cashed in one of these tournaments.

Upcoming Tournaments

I've pre-registered for the Pokerstrategy Titan freeroll for Sunday and need to remember to register for it once registration is open - and remember what time it starts. Also on Sunday is the PKR Member freeroll for which registration isn't open yet.

There's a $10,000 Pokerstrategy Titan freeroll on April 5th (also a Sunday) that's restricted to those that make a deposit in March. Although I haven't planned on adding any more funds to my Titan account, I'll probably add some just to be eligible for the freeroll.

Today's Progress

Progress Made Today in Poker
BankrollPKR Points
Start of Day$129.1219,658
End of Day$128.5219,498
Change−$0.60 (−0.5%)−160 (−0.8%)