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
| Bankroll | PKR Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Start of Day | $129.12 | 19,658 |
| End of Day | $128.52 | 19,498 |
| Change | −$0.60 (−0.5%) | −160 (−0.8%) |