upcoming events...

Leaderboard is up!!! Missing screennames for a few who were on the finals table. Email me and we'll get it fixed, otherwise the points are "dead." Everyone who joins must put in a screenname in order to get credit for tourney wins. Nuff said on old business, now onto new biz...

Both the Shark and I are busy nailing down events for everyone. Six days, six events over three sites, four pokerrooms, and over $1000 in FREE MONEY!!!

Wednesday 11 Jan 9pm EST, Shark Poker Tour freeroll at Absolute Poker - $200 added.

Thursday 12 Jan 9pm EST, CheckRayz Leaderboard Freeroll at Celeb Poker - $100 added. Swag to those who download, deposit, and play 250 hands .50/1 and up.

Friday 13 Jan 8.15 EST, Online Shark Event at Sun Poker - $200 added Freeroll.

Saturday 14 Jan 4pm EST, CheckRayz Leaderboard Heads-up Tourney $150 added. $5+.50 entry. Celeb Poker --- Swag to all who download deposit and enter.

Sunday 15 Jan 9pm EST, Online Shark freeroll at Titan --- $200 added.

Monday 16 Jan 8.15pm EST, Online Shark $100 Added Event at Sun Poker - $5+.50.

Busy stretch for those of us who follow all three tours. No need to go anywhere else to play... (there's other places to play? --- not really... all others tied for last). I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 1 event a day in the near future from one of the Shark Network Sites. Each one has seperate registration, so make sure you're booked at all of them.

Sign up is here for those who want in:

Shark Poker Tour - flagship site for the Shark Powered Network.

CheckRayz Leaderboard Tour - Specializes in smaller freeroll and money added tourneys, home of the Leaderboard (player of the year honors) and the Heads up tourney.

Online Shark Tour - Freerolls, money added tourneys, and satellite events.

Casino site - Fortune River, for those enthusists who crave non-poker gambling.

As you can see, there's nothing the Shark Powered Network doesn't cover in the gambling realm. More to come.



CheckRayz Announcements
Poker Tournaments

Misc.n random thoughts early in the tourney...

So, I'm playin the 40K Guaranteed *rebuy/addon at Pokerroom right now... Still early in the tourney (just began lvl 2). 1186 began, 1100 remain. Its painful seeing 2-5s played utg (limp then called a raise) winning with a flush vs. AKs, AK and 10-10. I've got about 3800 chips, which is good for 100th place at the time of this entry.

I must say, two times now the card gods have tested me. I sat late position with 88 and 44. When I had the 8s, AQx hit the board. I folded to an overbet, only to see an 8 hit the turn. Holding the fours, I had a raise and a reraise in front of me. I correctly dumped the fours preflop, and would have nailed the set on the flop. Both were correct plays, but as I said, the poker gods are trying to get me to donk... "Not this drunken fool," I say! Speaking of drunken things, the CheckRayz "sponsored" soccer team, Beer F.C. (the Beer Football Club) begins their Winter II season this week.

As for Rayz business, it appears as if Kiwi wants us to come back (wow, we didn't even clean up after ourselves --- clay left shotgun shells all over the grass as he gunned down all his opposition in his march to victory, I left Beer cans all over the place, CT threw bottle upon bottle of nyquil on the ground, missing the garbage can cuz she was a bit disoriented from all the meds she was on). Anyways, I'm corresponding with the Kiwi rep, and details about another tourney or two will be released shortly. As will tourneys at a few additional sites. Remember, Next week is Celeb (Freeroll on Thurs, Heads up buy-in on Sat). CR Tees, or Celeb Tees or hats to anyone either depositing and playing 250 hands .50/1 or higher... or enters the heads up tourney. No pw for these events, however, you MUST download through the checkrayz site to be eligable to enter.

"Lil bro" (screenname Steveman on the Checkrayz Leaderboard Tour) will be perfecting the Leaderboard on the Rayz site real soon. Speaking of, you must have a screenname entered with the rayz database, otherwise I can't credit ya points. Anyone scoring leaderboard points (top 9 finishers) must check to ensure they enter a sn. (As i type this, the card gods "do" me again... I raise, only to be reraised twice... My 10s utg vs AA vs AK, I folded preflop so as to live to play another day... However, yet another set woulda hit... Grrr). Gods however have rewarded such discipline on my part, as they've allowed me to set with sevens in a seven-way pot and blessed me with a higher kicker when queen-shit (x2) hit the board. I'm now sitting in 150th place with 4800 chippies, blinds 50-100 and 925 peeps remaining, damn, just got a table change... I'm no longer the old bag with the old looking bag. I'm the cowboy dude now and dealt queens in the hole first hand... 1 caller late (the fat ass). And of course, he draws on me... calling with J10offsuit. He gets the "tool" label, i lose about 1000 chippies and we move on... Few other hands play out, mostly me tilting over top fat bastard... I get to the break with 4900 chips and sit in 285th place, 839 peeps remain...

I've rambled for an hour... put out some important thoughts, distracted myself, played "link whore" and lasted the hour without rebuying or donking out. Go me!!! More to come later...

update: end of hour 2, I sit with 6500 and in 240th of 336th place. "Mr. My pocket pairs have been hitting all night" got mixed up with my AA and paid me. I donated back to "Mr. I love to see every flop, regardless of cost." Blinds now 300-600, 7500 chipstack for me after stealing with JJ in the cuttoff.

update: end of hour number 3, other than jj, i've not had a playable hand in position. Down to 3699 with blinds now going to 800-1600. Button just passed me, 126th out of 132... top 130 get paid, so yes... I'm on the bubble. Looking for something to offer up to the poker gods here.

Final update: Bubble bursts, poker gods don't like my offering... "Mr. My pp have been hittin all night" resurfaces, gets mixed up in a pot with me. I'm shortstacked and on the BB, so of course I move all in, he calls with a 6-8s from mid position (give me a break here)... Flop hits him hard, the same way a greese monkey would hit an unlocked tool room as his shop is goin out of business. He takes my chips, crushing my AQ, knocking me out in 127th place. Overall, not a bad showing... I'm outie.


Mike



Thoughts on Poker
Poker Tournament Strategy

More Blog Surfin'...

I wrote before on the development or evolution of a bad poker player. I came across a poker blog where someone discusses the evolution/development of a good player. I found this article to be a very accurate assessment of where one begins and how he/she evolves as a player. You can read the article here - great, quick read.

Additionally, while surfing through his blog, I came across another article of interest to me. This, in turn, is a shout out to all you donks... or as nrg still calls them, "fish." Pay attention to how your 8-7s may not be a wise all-in bet when you flop middle pair, flush draw in a multi-way pot. The article, from Cardplayer Magazine, discusses drawing hands, specifically combination hands... Good read, written by Matt Lessinger.

Here's yet another link from the same blog to another blogger, ten random rants about online poker (yet another one I can relate to).

And finally, perhaps the best write up I've come across today, "The best worst hand." This entry details the author's 45 "playable" hands, and he filters out/assesses his "problem hands." Great read, once again donks take note both at how your Q2o is not on his list, and how certain hands spell trouble.

Good quick reading... Enjoy. Next post will be something original...

Mike



Poker Strategy

Thoughts on Poker

First Tourney a Success...

Our first tourney was a success. We had a nice, as opposed to monsterous sized field for the CheckRayz tourney at Kiwi Poker. I sat at a great table to start things off, with SPT regular CT and a local friend of mine, who also plays Shark events, John (help me out one more time on the pronounciation of your sn again, if you would). The one thing I have to say (from my observation), there was very little donk playing in this tourney. Most freeroll poker tourneys feature donk after donk after donk. This one was different, for some reason.

Right around the first break, I stepped up and begin accumulating chips, sitting in 10th. John was not too far behind... And Clayshooter, yet another Shark standout, was running on or near the "lead lap" from pretty much start to finish. He and I ended up on the same table later on in the tourney, where he "floated me a loan" (said another way, he raised from the button, I had a pocket pair and believed him to be attempting a steal --- I figured if he had a monster he would be more likely to trap against me). Needless to say, he doubled me up and though he "counts" the three way hand on the finals table as repayment (I lost the hand, but not to him), I am certain I still owe him chippies.

One can deduce by that last statement that we both made the finals table. This finals table was an excellent one. Several conversations and stories being told. Relaxed "feel" to it. I always enjoy the friendly feel of tables such as this one. I dropped off in ninth place. Clay went on to win the event (guess he didn't "need" my chips after all). Great showing by him and everyone else in the first CheckRayz event.

In case you've never played at Kiwi, the software is quite similar in nature to Titan, however, it appears as if we're playing in the grass of the outback. I think my chair, on the first table, was on some uneven land and my beer cooler kept rolling away from me, but that could have been BMC (sitting to my right) tryin to steal a beer or two. Overall, great tourney.

Next stop for the CheckRayz Leaderboard Tour is CelebPoker, home of the "loosest tables on the net." Their short tables are five deep, as opposed to the traditional six seaters. To me, this is the NL Ring Player's dream scenerio. I've cracked many a donk at Celeb. Great deposit bonus goin on right now at Celeb (200%). Deposit and play 250 hands at .50/1 or higher and get yourself a CheckRayz first edition Tee. Email me through the Rayz site when you complete.

Upcoming Celeb Tourneys are as follows: Thurs 1/12/06 at 9pm for the CheckRayz Leaderboard Freeroll. Then we return to Celeb on Sat 1/14/06 at 4pm for the $5+.50 First Ever CheckRayz Heads-up Tourney!!! All who enter the tourney will get either a CheckRayz first edition Tee, a Celeb Tee, or a Celeb Hat. Celeb was nice enough to throw in some "swag" for our players and an additional $150 to sweeten the prize pool.

Look for more events to be added to the calendar very soon.

Mike



Thoughts on Poker
CheckRayz Announcements
Poker Tournament Strategy

Kiwi Freeroll Begins 2006 Tour...

CheckRayz begins its 2006 Leaderboard Tour tonight at 9pm with a Freeroll Poker Tourney at KiwiPoker. Kiwi's software can be downloaded here. Look for the actual Leaderboard to be online at the Rayz site shortly after the Heads up tourney at Celeb next week.



CheckRayz Announcements

Personallity on and off the Tables

So, last night the kids and I went to Chuck E. Cheese for my nephew's birthday party (my kids are 5 - twins - Abby and Zack, and the nephew is turning 11). In any event, its often stated how well behaved and mannered my children are. They often take my "rules" and hold true to them, even if I am not present and another authoritative adult figure has contradicted something I said. My step-sister's kids are definitely not that well "conditioned." Don't get me wrong, I'm not going so far as to call them "bad," however, they surely fall short of the "industry standard" my children and I have established (then again, most children do not listen and aren't nearly as disciplined as mine are --- not to toot my own horn or anything, but I've done a damn good job).

Anyways, my daughter and I were in line to get a prize due to the tickets we won. My son was at the table with my mother. The nephew was also standing in line with us, he'd already received his prizes, among which was a pack of 2 gummy gators. He dropped one on the floor, and then tried to feed it to my daughter, then offered it to me. I told him to throw it out, as it was dirty (a few different times). He disappears after I tell him the third time to throw it out. He comes back laughing and whispers to my daughter that he fed it to my son.

The girl child of mine proclaims, "Daddy, he gave it (the Gator) to Zacky!" One can never tell when the nephew is serious or not, as he loves saying/doing "stuff" in hopes of getting a reaction out of people. So, Abby and I leave the line and return to the table. I ask my son if his cousin gave it to him. He confirms it, as does my mother.

I proceed to speak very firmly and intensely to my nephew, who by this time is on the other side of the table, well out of reach (I'd not hit HIM, I should note - would I spank my own children, definitely... not someone else's though). His Grandfather (my brother-in-law's father) hops in the middle of this telling me that "No one talks to his Grandson like that." (I stated out loud in my 'disciplinarian tone' "Son of a bitch, didn't I tell you to throw that out? Didn't I? And you fed it to Zack? That's wrong... that's straight up wrong"). This of course, is an act of war, so I proceed to speak to this moron who just butted into my family business (replying that when it comes to my children I'll speak to anyone any damn way I please and then inserted some other carefully chosen confrontational one-liners). I was very aggressive in my tone and posture and shot down every one of his claims. I stopped very very short of assulting him, though trust me he'd have been "gentally removed" from my personal space had he invaded it. I was steaming and rightfully so, IMHO.

I even pondered knocking sense into the Grandfather (who is a short, but not small man --- retired firefighter or cop, not sure which), which would then send the message that my nephew caused this and that there were excuses for the nephew's behavior (the kid made an honest mistake and didn't mean anything by it, according to gramps). The situation was defused by my step-father before it got too far out of hand...

Now, anyone who knows me knows all too well that once I am engaged or have made a statement, it is very rare that I back down. I made the statement at the restuarant that his behavior was bullshit and unacceptable... Gramps entered the picture and contradicted me, basically saying it was ok for his grandson, my nephew to feed something to my son that was on the floor (unknown to Zack) despite my order to throw it out. I went to war. Pretty much the way any situation goes where I have fully, verbally, or egotistically engaged. I enter the hand, anyone gets in my way, I take action to run em over, so to speak.

Now, how does this apply to poker? Well, given my personallity above and adding in there that it does indeed take a lot to actually get me to fully engage in that manner (i am generally easy going, patient and understanding... however not tolerant of bullshit), I do exactly this on the table.

I patiently wait and watch... Waiting for something to make a statement with (AA, AK, AQ, KK... you know, quality hands). Once I enter the picture, I psychologically do not expect to be called, questioned, contested, or beat for that matter (it might have helped if my ass would have been kicked when i was younger, but i somehow doubt that... I rarely lose when it comes to confrontation).

To me, if someone is calling me, betting into me, they're questioning me or confronting me. And of course, just like Pavloff's dogs, the bell rings, my mouth waters... er... they look for a reaction from me (reraising, allin'in, etc... and i give it to em). I never once consider that I am capable of being beat --- unless I have a coach stepping in and telling me to stand down and fight another day... or to choose a different battle... or that its unlikely that anything productive will come of anything further I said - point made, nuff said.

I guess I "am" myself on the table. I obviously have to mix it up, sometimes not "reacting" when someone is trying to spawn a reaction from me. There's a guy in my live games that I enjoy playing, but everytime he and I are in a pot together (could be first hand, the bubble, head's up, etc), its all out war --- and he knows this. If I look at the table from his eyes, he knows I have a solid hand. He knows I think he's got nothing or less than what I've got. He also knows I'm gonna move into him aggressively if he tries to overbet. Thus, I'm very predictable to him. He knows I know this, but can't seem to smartly stand down when I might be beat. So, he could clearly use this to his advantage. He knows that when I "go to war" its gonna be a costly battle if he loses and that I never once think it possible that I'm going to be beat when I enter "the arena."

Bottom line: Its good to be myself on the table, as I am comfortable with who I am. However, its also good to break character every once in a while and not give people the reaction they're trying to envoke "all the time." Who knows, changing it up a bit and standing down from time to time... or even feigning weakness from time to time as opposed to constant balls out attack may help me break the curse of the bubble sometime... We'll see.



Thoughts on Poker
Poker Strategy

2006 Checkrayz Leaderboard Tour Begins...

Quick Tourney updates... Our first few CheckRayz.com hold'em tournaments will kick off in January. Two poker rooms have committed $$$ and swag for these opening tourneys. Kiwi Poker will be our first stop on 1/4/06 for freeroll action. We'll then head to Celeb Poker, 1/12/06 for a freeroll and again on the 14th for a $5+.50 Heads up tourney ($150 added as well)!!!

Download and play 250 raked hands (.50/1 or higher) and email me with your screenname to claim your Swag. We're offering "First Edition" CheckRayz shirts, Celeb Hats, and Celeb Tees. More tourneys and prizes to be announced soon. Have a room you want to deposit with and want swag for doin so? Drop me a line... Stay tuned, more great "stuff" to come...

Mike



CheckRayz Announcements
Poker News

Great Reading...

In addition to this blog and the Shark's Blog, I've compiled a short list of "must reads" on the nets (blogs, forums, articles, and the like...):

1. Bill's blog --- This is an open letter to "Mr. Online Poker is Rigged." In addition to his open letter, the material he posts is priceless! Check it out, as its worth a daily visit!

2. Daniel Negreanu's Poker Journal --- The best in the business shares his thoughts.

3. Card Squad --- Compilation of news from the world of poker.

4. Two+Two Internet Magazine --- Collection of articles from some of the most technically sound playaz in the game.

5. Two+Two Forums --- Best minds of poker gather here to discuss the game.

6. Pokertracker tips --- Offers a brief overview as to how one can/should use pokertracker to improve his/her game and tag some donks.

7. Cardplayer Magazine --- Collection of articles, stories, reports, and interviews from the professional poker circuits.

Enjoy... off to the Burgh for the day to see the Bro.

Mike



Thoughts on Poker

Christmas Joy...

First of all, I'd like to wish every one of my readers, all CheckRayz members, and the souljas of the Shark Army Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and (insert pleasentry of choice here) (insert celebritory name of day/occasion here) --- there, I covered it all.

I have here a list of presents I'd like to present to the poker world. Actually, its more like... if I had my way, this is what I'd get them. (Please note my continuing effort to make the poker world a better place).

The Call Station --- A visible, working fold button.

(insert poker site here)'s Tech Support --- A work order referencing the non-functioning Fold button for the Call Stations of the world.

Donkeys --- A memo written in "Donkese" stating that other players at the table do have two hole cards, of which are capable of beating the hole cards possessed by said Donk.

The "Expert " (playing .01/.02 limit, fully equipped with the resume, 20 million years experience, and a book on conspiracy theories) --- A clue

The Delusional --- A starting hand guide clearly written so that the so called "bad beat" stories cannot begin with "so i was in the big blind, facing a raise with Q-3s... I reraised and he called me!" ...and ending with, "I am a tight player."

Members of CheckRayz and the Shark Army --- The insight and ability to download, try, and buy PokerTracker.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Mike



Thoughts on Poker

First CheckRayz.com Tourneys...

Quick Tourney updates... Our first few CheckRayz.com hold'em tournaments will kick off in January. Two poker rooms have committed $$$ and swag for these opening tourneys. Kiwi Poker and Celeb Poker will be among the hosts of our first few tourneys. One of these events very well may be the long awaited Heads Up Tourney. Details and more announcements to come.

Download and play 250 raked hands (.50/1 or higher) and email me with your screenname to claim your Swag. We're offering "First Edition" CheckRayz shirts, Celeb Hats, and Celeb Tees.

More tourneys and prizes to be announced soon. Stay tuned...




Poker News
CheckRayz Announcements

angry the Card Gods must be...

So, I had reflected a bit on my last post topic (end-game strategy) and decided to make a slight adjustment. I entered the $5+.50 at Full Tilt, hosted by The Shark Poker Tour. And, once again, I maintained my Tight Aggressive Image. With twelve people remaining in the tourney, I was sitting in 4th place with a sizable stack. I got correctly caught up in a big hand that dropped me by about 2/3rds. Then the "Card Gods" got angry.

I was in the Cutoff with A4s. The table folds around to me (ten people remaining - five on each table). I raise for a steal, which is called by the button. Flop completely misses me, K, something something. My intention was to check and fold, as the button was likely to have nailed the king (not beyond him to call with k-4offsuit, according to pokertracker).

In any event, I move to push the fold button, as he had bet. However, I was catipulted into the final table mid hand and mid click. The tables didn't line up properly, and I end up allin, losing the hand to his pocket twos.

So, I've of course concluded, the poker gods must be angry with me for some reason. I'll have to go find something (a stuffed donkey, perhaps?) to "offer up" as a tithing, in hopes of gettin' back on their good side.

CheckRayz update: Tourneys will be scheduled (expected to begin in January) and announced this week. Stay tuned here, and visit the CheckRayz site regularly for details.




CheckRayz Announcements
Thoughts on Poker

Stamina...

Site update number 50: Database is now installed and the books are open. CheckRayz.com are now accepting members for freeroll and money added poker tournament play. Click the link and sign up. Site is still having finishing touches put on it, but it seems as if we can accept members and host tourneys. Details to follow, stay tuned to the blog, the checkrayz site, and the Shark Forum.

Stamina

I'm constantly evaluating and re-evaluating my game, regularly identifying opportunity to improve. My most recent "issue" appears to be later in tourneys. I do a very good job of establishing that Tight Aggressive image I seek. I rarely play "junk." However, early in the money or on the bubble, I have been getting nailed. And I'm not quite sure why. My hand selection is usually such that I'm the favorite (be it slightly or heavily) preflop, yet, I'm bustin. Why is this?

The first thought that comes to mind is that I end up goin' to far with the hand - but who can blame me? Take one beat as an example. Aces UTG, so I raise hard. I get 1 taker (in the blinds of course), he's holding king shit unsuited. He reraises, which I gladly call. Flop comes in a klan-like manner KKK, thus knocking me out two from the money.

That was an extreme example. Others, such as AKs v 10-10 or AQ vs KQ, one last night AKs vs Q2s, the list goes on and on and on and on lately.

This is something though that I'm not certain how to fix. Should I avoid being all-in on these hands when someone comes over top of me (thus moving to a tight weak posture)? Should I throw the cards away when the flop misses me (yet another tight weak position)? This is something I'm not really sure how to fix. Actually, is there a fix, for that matter? I'd be inclined to say that I'm playing these critical hands right, for the most part. Yet, its happening so consistantly, that its hard to think there's nothing "wrong" with my play near or just beyond the bubble.

One thought I had, is that I'm so tight prior to these hands, that I become bored and have forgotten all hands I've played prior. Or maybe its that I've not participated in a hand for any longer than "these people's" attention span (5 minutes), thus they've forgot that they might be calling into a monster.

Bottom line is that I'm not real sure how I can fix this "issue." Feedback is helpful and I'll be pondering it for a while. I'll keep everyone updated as I think things through.

Poker Strategy

Out of Position...

In light of the upcoming Beer F.C. vs. Beer F.C. International Match this week, I wanted to write an article that is both Soccer and Poker related. Instead, I came across one that was written in the beginning of November by yours truely on soccer and poker. The article addresses position, which is ever so important on both the felt and the pitch. Hope ya enjoy. New material coming soon.

Quick CheckRayz update: Database is in, still undergoin' final modifications. I'm revising guidance on tourneys to late December-early January, where we'll be pumpin out some awesome tourneys and givin away some free "stuff." Stay tuned...

08 November 2005

Out of Position...

One of my pet peeves is position. I believe that every playable combo. in poker has an appropriate position to be played. And again, played differently based on position. Position is PARAMOUNT to long term success.Poker is not the only place position is to be considered. Take my soccer franchise, for example (http://beerfc.com). Our Club won three Indoor Championships in a row. Everyone had a defined role and complimented one another. Then of course, our collective heads became too large and we signed "the world," as we had to expand the roster moving from indoor to outdoor. On paper, we were phenominal. On the field, we had a shortage of footballs to go around, too many scorers, not enough defense. Thus we were not successful in our summer campaign.

One would think that everyone in the organization would have learned their lesson. I split my top squad into two groups, one headed by your's truely, and the other by my ever so famous friend "that guy." I left virtually everyone to him, and formed a brand new squad, so building successful franchises is my specialty. Kyle ("that guy") had very little building to do, as he already had the real deal. He had a spot or two to fill, but nothing that had any urgency. The spot was defensive in nature, of course. So, he runs up to one of the most offensive minded people in the league (Rick) and asks him to come play. Kyle somehow convinces himself that Rick is a phenominal defender, forgetting that Rick put four in on him just a few short weeks ago (that would be my first clue that dude's not a defender).

This decision was unpopular amongst the team, and resulted in one defection to my new squad (i didn't offer anyone but wouldn't turn em away if it fit my system). So, he once again has too much O and not enough D, and catches his squad out of position for about 1/2 the game. When everyone was in position, Beer controlled the match.With four minutes to go, Kyle initiates a sub from the field, pulling Capt. Steve (all around player, very aware defensively, brilliant soccer mind) to bring Rick the Defender in. Kyle shouts out for Rick to come in on Defense.

Now, kyle was trying to secure at least a draw, if not a win. With four minutes left, that's about 8% of the game left over. If the score is 5-6, in my mind, the game is still within reach. Especially considering the momentum shifted to the Beer Squad's favor. There was no urgency to rush forward, which is what Rick does. So, Kyle makes a save... And instead of bringing the ball out in a slow, controlled manner, he plays it swiftly to Rick and tells him to go with it. Rick carries down the field, gets a shot off, the ball comes back the other way... no defenders in sight and Bam goal.

Then a minute later, same thing, attack, counter, goal. Kyle's team loses a winnable 8-5 in the final 8% of the game.

Which, this positional mistake brings me back to poker and expected value. When one builds a successful arsenal of poker hands, he or she must consider position. You can't play crap out of position. You cannot be the first to act with a shady hand. One doesn't want to act UTG with a jack-9. That's simply not the position for that hand in most games. I see someone do that, I expect them to lose more often than win, thus giving it a negative expected value primarily based on position. Save those hands for loose games when you're in the BB or sometimes on the button, don't attack with it when you have no clue what anyone else has.

If someone throws an all-star attacker on their football squad and calls them a defender, I expect them to lose as well. Position is important. More important than the cards in the hole. Respect position, do what makes sense. Don't concern yourself with the last flop coming jack three three and you tossed jack three offsuit preflop. Don't worry about signing an attacker to prevent someone else from doin so, when you're not in the market for an attacker. Do things that have positive expected value. Things that make sense. Things that are proven to work within the system.

Haiku of the day:
Act in postion,
If you don't, you will go broke,
Cryin all the way.

Poker Strategy

Beer Pong...

As I had wrote yesterday, I had a Beer Pong Tourney to play in at "The Stone", which the jury is still out as to whether or not I'm still drunk from said event (9.30am the morning after). My partner and I were at a distinct disadvantage in this tourney, as we were the only "non college student" participants in the event. And of course, we were appropriately eliminated in the second round of the double elimination match. Regardless of our early exit, the Beer Guy and company managed to drink our weight in beer and had an absolute blast (from what I remember). Fortunately, I took some pictures of the day to help my memory lapse, they can be viewed here.

Rumour has it that I missed one hell of a battle yesterday between Tim and Matt for the Shark Tour Championship. Both of them, from my understanding brought their "A-Game" with Tim being crowned the Champ for 2005. Mad props to ya. The newly crowned champ didn't stop there though. He went on to defeat Shark Heads up right after, which is quite a task, let alone doing so right after the title match. Shark pushed to seven games though, with Tim winning the decisive game seven of the series.

Once again, Congrats to the Champ and Matt. And thanx to the Shark-dude for putting together one hell of a 2005 season.



Thoughts on Poker

quick CheckRayz update...

Well, I am glad I used the word "SHOULD" (in quotes) in my last post, regarding the CheckRayz site. The database was obviously not hooked up last weekend, as expected. So, I offer my sincere appologies to those who tried to register but could not. I received email and/or instant messages from several of you regarding this. All I can say is hang in there and thanks in advance for understanding. These things often do not go off as planned. Hopefully, the database will be connected soon and we can begin taking on members and startin' some chip slingin' check rayz'n action as planned. I'm still holding onto the guidance of our first tourney starting mid December. This is of course subject to change, pending the Db. However, I continue to have faith that all will be resolved soon and we can begin as scheduled (just a bit under the gun from a timing standpoint).

Speaking of chip slingin' and check rayz'n action; the Championships for the 2005 Shark Poker Tour are slated for today at 2pm EST. Heads up, best of seven series between Matt and Tim (sweetness and tgreer). The Championship Venue is Ultimate Bet. Sweetness813 and tgreer61 are the names to put in the Ultimate Buddy.

Just keep in mind, for those of you who do not know any better... When you're watching this today, it is "Heads up," not your full table. Consequently, you have to play much more loosely than you would at a full table. Hands such as 3-5s are playable in Heads up, and not even close to being playable in a full table. So if you see one of the two combatants playing a hand of this nature brilliantly, I offer you the warning "Don't try this at home, "pros" train for this and are able to pull off such feats and are not fit for amateurs without receivin the donk title."

That bein said, good luck & see ya soon... off to the Beer Pong Tourney.



Thoughts on Poker

Launching this week...

After some delay, it looks like the newest member of the Shark Powered Network is set to launch. The new site, CheckRayz is complete, less some minor cosmetic adjustments and the implementation of the database. Database "SHOULD" be up and running by the end of the week. With that said, we will have the "books open" this week, taking on new members and I anticipate holding our first tourneys in mid-december.

Speaking of launching, I just launched two peeps in a R-A satellite on poker.com. I was sitting 10x blinds with KK utg. I raised her up preflop, betting half my stack. Cutoff re-raised to allin, BB called. I too called, having them both barely covered. They both turn over AA. So, they have me beat preflop... And then the flop comes K-5-3 rainbowed. To add insult to injury, the fourth king comes on the river after the board pairs threes on the turn.

Needless to say, they each (on cue) regergitated their favorite "this site is rigged" commentary and left on tilt. Not that I blame them for being irritated... Oh well...

More details to follow here in the next few days regarding the poker league.



CheckRayz Announcements

Anatomy of a Bad Player in the Making...

In talking to a friend ("That Guy") a few days ago, we were engaging in poker talk. Of course, I'm always trying to help in out, in a similar manner that Shark often helps me out (we talk poker, and he shoots me out helpful nuggets of information, which I later see how they are both relivant and imperative to improving my game).

"That guy" was describing a hand he was in a few nights earlier during one of our tourneys. And of course, I stop him, asking what he had, where the blinds were, how was his stack relative to other people's stacks, where were the loose players, the weak players, etc. Pretty much typical information that one needs when getting the context of a hand. Unfortunately, I had to stop him when he answered the "what he had," asking him what the hell he was doing playing the 3-6 UTG. His response "they were suited and I was sick of seeing my folded hand hit the flop hard."

I'm not sure why people cannot divorce themselves from their hand once they lay it down. Yet, so many people tease themselves (and later trick themselves) by rabbit hunting or mentally continue in the hand after they've folded. I told him, of course, that if he's trying to do more playing and less fishing, he cannot play shit like that, first of all. Second, he cannot worry himself with what he correctly threw away after the flop comes. This is a primary reason a knowledgable player turns into a bad player (there are a few, but this is a biggie for the newbie).

When the flop comes, and you've thrown your hand away, DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF AFTER THE FLOP. Don't remember that 3-6-6 came down when you discarded your 3-6 preflop UTG. The cards don't remember, so neither should you. Instead, focus on more important and profitable things, such as who does this flop help? How do those still in the hand act? Try to anticipate everyone's actions, guess their hands, break down their play, figure out who is weak, who is aggressive, who is tight and who is loose in their play. Study the things that matter to improve your game, as oppose to corrupting it via "card memory inclusion." Remember, when you're not busy sweatin' yourself, there are lots to learn from others. You profit most from people making mistakes after the flop. Don't enter making a mistake, as you'll start off in the red. Nuff said...




Poker Stories
SuperDonk, Poker Idiot Saga
Horrible Poker Play

domino effect...

Its amazing how 1 small change can produce such different results. I have two examples to demonstrate what I mean. The two examples, of course, fall into my favorite catigories (soccer and poker).

On the soccer pitch, my Soccer Club Struggled in the beginning of the season. Growing pains were partially to blame for our struggle, as we went from having two squads (1 in the A-League and another in the B-League) to having three squads total within our organization (now 2 A-League squads and 1 B-League side). So yes, we had 2 squads competing with one another in the A League.

The A-side that I affiliated myself more closely with had a significant amount of fire power, yet it lacked a proven goalkeeper. In fact, we'd adopted the goalkeeper by committee approach. The result was that we were unable to totally trust our keeper, thus we'd have to concentrate that firepower on ensuring the defense was a bit more solid in numbers (read: we'd drop everyone back on defense as opposed to leaving two up top when we were defending). Our record throughout this keeperless era was no wins, one draw, and two losses. We knew what the problem was and had been "in" every game played (both losses were by a single goal).

On Match Day, I was sitting at the local watering hole, The Cornerstone, watching the Champion's League Match up between Manchester United and Villareal. I began conversing with the Bartender, who hinted that she played soccer as well. Knowing that in addition to being short a solid keeper, we were also short female players (our leagues are co-ed), I quickly made her an offer to play for us. She accepted and got a cool ass CheckRayz.com endorsed Beer F.C. Jersey. Upon further conversation, she mentioned she has a friend who plays Goalkeeper. At this point, I'm wanting to marry this girl... Not only does she enjoy and play soccer, but she also knows a Keeper. This is awesome, I'm thinking. So, we contact him and he agrees in principle to play for us.

Long story short, the Beer Side were victorious. The addition of a fundimentally sound keeper allowed us the luxery of not having to constantly track our attackers back to defend. End result was a victory in which we defended better and were able to keep a solid attack, which in turn caused their defenders to not cheat forward as much in fear of a counter-attack from us. So, one small defensive change solidified our team as a whole and took us from losing by a goal to winning convincingly by five.

Yesterday, while mentally preparing for a session of 6-seated 1/2 NL, I went over my pokertracker stats. I had discovered the Filter Button and began manipulating the data. First I ran the "No Blinds" filter and discovered I was probably playing the blinds a bit much. Created another filter in which I called "Quality hands" where I filtered out all the mediocre and shit hands that pokertracker had accused me of playing. My win-rate snowballed significantly when I filtered out the garbage. Next, I took a look at what i called Mediocre hands. This was about break even, which meant I had been playing a bit more shit than I had previously believed. So, finally, I made a shit hands filter (containing any hand not in the Quality or Mediocre hand family). No surprise that this was an unprofitable dataset. However, what was surprising is the amount of times I played with shit and bet into the pot. Wow.

So, as an experiment... "just to see," I committed to only play the hands on my "Quality Hand" Section if the pots been opened before me and to open with select mediocre hands or better. Additionally, if I had something in the junk catigory and the pot was raised with me being on the blind, I committed to not playing the hand no matter how favorable the odds were. Once again, as an experiment. My theory was that my attack would be more profitable by having a stronger core of a starting hand.

My theory, for this session at least, was sound. I had a very profitable day in a very short period of time. I showed down my strong hands, mostly to victory. When I raised the pot, people took notice. When I entered the pot, people played with caution. I had the presence that I had wanted and played what I believe to be a successful and sound session. I'm going to continue this experiment.

1 change... adding a goalkeeper... filtering out shit hands, can be the difference between a winner and a loser.

Poker Haiku of the Day:

"Lose the Junk"

Quit Playing Shit Hands

Bankroll Inflating like Mad

Takin' Donks to Bank

Happy holidays to all...

Poker Strategy

Follow Thru...

Originally written 09 November 2005 - decided a repost was in order...


Whether shooting a football, working on a task, telling a story, or playing poker; follow through is imperative. If I am shooting on goal in a match, I can go through my shot mechanics flawlessly "pre-shot," meaning I can line up on the ball, lean into it, draw my leg back, keep balance, etc. I can strike the ball perfectly as well, hitting the exact thread on the ball that I'm intending to strike. However, even more important is how well I follow thru on my shot. If I don't rotate my hips, let the leg swing forward the way it is supposed to, I'm not going to put forth an effective shot. I'm not optimizing the momentum I have goin for me through my motions. I'm not going to get the job done. If I do this often, I'm certainly not going to sell the opposing keeper that I'm capable of delivering a shot that he can respect. This pretty much takes me out of the game, as I'm not effectively convincing anyone I can hurt them with my shot. Thus, I lose the effectiveness of faking a shot, as the goalie will not bite. When I do shoot, I'm not going to have defenders flocking to me, or the keeper scrambling, worrying that I'm gonna beat him. My image is flawed significantly.

Same thing applies with poker. I'm dealt AKs UTG, I raise it (winding up for my shot, suggesting I might have some power behind that which is about to happen). Of course, some idiot always refuses to believe me. Flop comes down and misses me. Here's where follow through comes into play. If I've got the proper table image, I can issue a continuation bet, causing my opposition to either panic (respecting my shot and folding), or he'll begin to worry if he has any common sense (given that my image is correct). Turn comes, still missing me. I check, he bets into me to "see where he is." I raise his ass, letting him know that I'm gonna beat him. Given correct image, he will usually fold --- because I follow through on my betting. I put forth the image that I am not a cheap date, I do not play shit hands. When you're dancing with me, you're going to be paying for a very expensive dinner, fully equipped with appitizer, top of the line entree, and lots of drinks fo my beer guzzlin arse.

By comparison, if I raise preflop in the exact same circumstances, get the idiot caller and miss the flop and I get weak in my follow through, he's going to believe he can walk all over me. My "fake" or "bluff" will not be effective or respected. You cannot put forth a weak shot. The most important part of your play comes post flop. A monkey can be trained to play pre-flop. But it takes a cereberal assassin to play effectively once the cards hit. You're telling a story pre-flop by raising (i have a kickass hand which you're not going to beat). That flop comes, continue telling the story. Show no mercy. Follow through. Make the weak pay to catch up to you. Work on your betting and "strategerie" to help you sell the fake. Make people "dive" all around the table to stay the hell out yo way. Act like a monster, look like a monster, bet like a monster (do it smartly though).

"Follow thru"

Raisin up A-K,
Get the hell out of my way!
U don't, you will pay

Poker Strategy

70K Guaranteed...

Well, last night I won my way into the Saturday 16.30 $70K Guarantee at AbsolutePoker.com. Field of 500 or so to in the satellite to win my spot. It seems that there is going to be a Guaranteed Freezeout every Saturday at 4.30PM Eastern time. Today's tourney has a HUGE $8000 overlay ($62,000 in entry fees collected, $70,000 in tourney prizes awarded). Top prize, a kewl 17.5G, remainder paid out through 63rd place. I write this entry as I sit at the table 591 remaining from a field of 620 --- spanned over 66 tables. Kids are nappin on the couch, so all is quiet on the homefront, except for the sounds of chips flyin' and my pokertracker printouts rustlin. I'll update my progress and some key hands as I go...

4.58 pm - blinds 20/40 1,250 chipcount --- tens in the pocket. Fish to right limps in, I raise standard 4x, blinds and limper fold. Here comes the table moves... Of course, I'm thrusted into early position, relative to the blinds on the move. Notice a calling station on my immediate left (thank you pokertracker notes). Ironically, his sn is shldbfishing. Ma stats suggest you've been doing so for ages. Change your name to IMFISHIN, pal.

5.05pm - blinds 30/60 1350 chipcount 498 players remain --- "Allowed" a free play against four players in the big blind holding QJoffsuit. Flop comes J - 8- 3 (8-3 coordinated). I bet out, one caller. He calls to the river, most likely chasing a flush unsuccessfully. Apparantly, he took callstation's screenname for a direct lawful order. Chips to 1920.

5.14pm - blinds 40/80 1800 chipcount --- Flush chaser bows out, raisin up with a 10-8 suited. Limper to his right correctly calls the preflop all in with AKs, nails down a boat knockin turd chaser out.

5.18pm - battle of the screennames I --- Mr. Meat vs. Flowerboy. Dude with the hotdog cartoon character stomps all over girly-man's top pair with a flush.

5.24pm - blinds 50/100 1500 chipcount --- Guy limps in cutoff, I raise from the small holding A-10suited. Fishin reraises short stacked to allin. Cutoff folds. I make the small call, he turns over QQ and catches his set on the flop. Mowed down to 840 and now sittin slightly shortstacked with 417 remaining.

5.28pm - blinds 50/100 840 chipcount --- Pocket 8s. I push allin. 2 callers. Fishin dude turns over pocket tens, Hot dog man, to my ever-so-unpleasant surprise, turns over pocket 8s. The board teased a possible straight for me, bailin me out... but no such luck.

My tourney ends, 399th place... Onto the smaller field for the 6pm Shark event at:

But first, off to grab dinner for the kids, who are now awake...





Poker Tournaments

Playing "Not to Lose"...

This afternoon I was going through my weekly football readings (Yes, first of all the Beer God reads, second he reads on things other than poker, and third he means American Football this time). I came across a little blurb that got me thinking, which also tied into the valuable phone time spent with the Shark today.

Shark and I were discussing moving up limits in general and how one must get their respecitve games ready at the lower levels to move into the "bigger" games. I'll be back to that in a second.

Marty Schottenheimer, head coach of the Chargers - former head coach of the god awful Cleveland Browns (Steelers fans by rule must hate the Browns) has historically been a very good "regular season" coach. Generally speaking, he does exactly what he needs to in order to win games. He sports a relatively decent regular season winning percentage (.602 lifetime with 177-117-1 in the reg. season). Its safe to assume that over his coaching history, he's done what it takes to get to the next level from the regular season. Now, looking at his record when he's "moved up" to said next level (playoffs), his record is horrible (5-12 --- .294 winning percentage --- he made the playoffs twelve of his 20 years coaching).

Is this the same coach? Is something different going on here with him? What the hell went wrong? In further analyzing his stats, it seems to me that while he's playing "to win" in the regular season, when he elevates his game, he plays to "not lose." Skeptics halt right there. There is indeed a difference. This isn't a "half full vs half empty" problem at all. This is a real problem that both haunts and taunts Marty. When he's playing to win, he's making the right play calls in the proper situations. He's being aggressive when appropriate, getting conservative when the situation calls for it. He's doing what works and losing what does not, until he can make it work (generally speaking) when playing to win. He's mixing it up, with respect to risk-reward when he's trying to win, and refusing to take on necessary risk when he's playing to lose. You see, there is a difference. Run left for 5, Run middle no gain, pass short for a first down, run middle 2 yds, play action for the end zone, Score! vs. Run middle lose yards, run middle lose yards, run middle no gain, punt. You see the difference? He appropriately mixes it up when he's tryin to win, he sticks with the most conservative plays when he's tryin to not lose.

In poker, I've seen many a person KILL the lower limit games, KILL I tell ya! Playing in position, throwing a standard raise (4x blinds) out there, no cold calling, being tight-aggressive. They're playing to win!!!

Then, they decide they're ready to move up the ladder to higher limits and "try their luck." However, something changes in their mentallity. They still play hands in position. However, they begin throwing a weak 'standard raise' out there (2x blinds, as opposed to 4x), which gets walked all over. They suddenly add "cold calling" to their game. Instantaniously, this monster in the lower limits is a mouse in the higher limits. Easily scared, not betting and raising with confidence, bluffed off hands they should be in. Next comes frustration and more fear. Next thing ya know, you're back down to your previous limits.

What could possibly have caused this? How could a brotha go from bein a chip slingin, check-rayzn, money making machine to being nothing more than a mouse who only occasionally can nibble at chips and pots, scared to act, scared to not act. Could it be that you begin playin to not lose?

Make sure when you're looking to move up the limits that in addition to forming good habbits now, you also are revisiting those good habbits. One must adjust those habbits to reflect the level of play, not change them or abandon them. Standard 4x raise in .10/.25 games is $1. $1 is only 2x blinds in .50/1. Know that. Force yourself to think along the lines of # of bets, not dollars and cents. Go with what has been working (after slightly adjusting the gameplan to reflect the higher numbers). You playing tight aggressive now and killin the lower levels, keep with it!!! Don't ever stop playing to win. Never play to not lose.



Poker Strategy

Heads up hold'em tourney...

Well, tonight I hit the shark tourney at RV tonight (the flop hit me hard a few times too, luckily), got bumped by AnyMouse (good job there on your finish --- same to CT). Got nailed by a free card I gave a few hands earlier. Didn't expect the card to hurt me at all, guessed wrong obviously. Went down swinging on the button with 4 people in ahead of me (limp utg, raise, reraise... i went allin). Figured great odds to make that move, hoping I had more outs than the rest (assuming they had at least one, if not two cards in the A thru J range), had a decent multi-way hand (suited connector), so why not. Mouse hit the hand, I hit the rail... which led me to Celeb Poker.

In case I haven't mentioned it, I love this poker room! Lots of Dispense only ATM's. One of the things I like in this room, is that their short tables are 5 seated, as opposed to the normal 6 seaters. Its nearly impossible to have a playa nibbled to death by a school of fish, as there's not enough volume to occur consistantly, in my opinion. I've done VERY well on this site.

I noticed a head's up hold'em tourney was coming up. So, considering I intended to host one of our first CheckRayz tourneys there (thinking a head's up money added tourney would put asses in seats there), I decided to try it out myself. Top four placed in this event. Faced call station after call station, so I provided unfavorable odds when I felt as if i was ahead. Lots of preflop raising too by yer hero. Finals table wasn't the traditional call station though.

Fortunately, I figured this out early. Unfortunately, I forgot it during a critical hand. My opponent was tight, passive, from what I could assess. So, I toned down my bets, as I didn't necessarily need to throw a 4x bet out there to win the pot outright. She would fold for the min. I figured no sense in risking more than necessary, unless I hit it hard. So, I bet every round. Worked well for a while, til I was dealt the KJs. She bet into me (should have told me she had a hand), I nailed the check raise, challenging her bet. She called it smoothly. Flop was garbage. I figured it didn't help her at all. She pushed her remaining chips allin. The flop didn't help either of us, but her A-7s held. She had about a 7-5 lead at this time. Nothing too bad, but I had her against the wall, I should have picked my spot better.

So, a few hands later, I'm dealt AKo in the big. She completes, I raise, she calls. Flop missed, Q-6-2. I check, she bets, I push allin, she calls, turning over 7-7... jack-6 turns and rivers... Game set match. Yer hero goes out in second place.

Twas a fun tourney though. I'm confident in the set-up on the site. And I have to say, I've not experienced such customer service since Poker.com, home of the seemingly endless freerolls. Both places have great software, great support, and can be potentially profitable for the typical shark soulja. Lots of free money there too. Take a moment to check em out if you've not been there yet.



Poker

CheckRayz has their own football club...

Its funny, the CheckRayz site has not even launched yet, but we have two soccer teams. I threw the CheckRayz name on the jerseys for two of my three soccer teams. The jerseys look SWEET! Not only are we the hottest team in soccer, but now the best dressed as well. I'll upload pics tommorrow to the Pub, as we have games tonight.

Speaking of the site, I'm really excited to get this thing up and running. We're working with a few great new sites to bring the best to the best. Short post (by my normal standards), as I'm swamped today with behind the scenes stuff... Also, no Poker Haiku today. Perhaps I'll do a doubleheader tommorrow to make up for it.




Poker

fun on tourney day...

First of all, gotta give a shout out("u da man") to the greatest tourney director on da net... The check Rayz'n, chip slingin', poker playin' roadwarrior and leader of the Shark Army (not to mention my mentor and business partner) Steve Hathaway. Of course, he gets mad props for his incredible event he put on yesterday known as "Sharkfest I". If you missed out, I really believe you missed something special. A Trifecta of prize-infested tourneys spanning the globe with a bunch of Shark Souljas throwin down. This event was huge in my mind. But it is merely the beginning. Not that I'm a gambling man (lmao), but I'd bet Sharkfest II dwarves the first. Keep your eye on the calendar for the next. Bigger and better to come...

On a side note, we had our monthly tourney on the home-front. I was only able to play the first Sharkfest event and "donated" entry fee to the final Sharkfest event of the evening, due to this prior committment. The group I play with monthly, I must say I absolutely love. Great, fun loving poker playing peeps. My career began online, but anytime I can get face to face n play, especially with quality people such as them, I'll take it in half a heartbeat.

By the way, yer hero recaptured his role as "Bubble Boy," finishing fifth and just out of the money (broke through in the main event last month, taking third after several bubble finishes prior). I'm actually quite surprised I made it to the bubble. I got there, had a tough draw, and didn't have the cards to support play, given said tough draw.

I did get the opportunity though, to sit with one of my favorite "characters" in the group who we'll refer to as "chip slinger." One of my favorite moments in our monthly game took place where he was the main character 2 months ago. "Chip slinger" is hyper-aggressive, and he brings one hell of a game, fully equipped and trained in pressin both chipstack and psyche. The story two months ago was when he pushed and pushed and pushed, and talked one of our players into setting down his set of queens, which I do believe had "slinger" beat. It was hilarious watching him just totally knock my friend off his set.

So, since that day, when I sit down with the slinger, I make sure I make it just as expensive and as cereberal for him as he makes it for everyone else. I really enjoy goin at it with him. Very entertaining! He likes raisin me in my big blind too, which places us both in "any two card" territory when I choose to play along. One hand, featured three way action, slinger, SB, and yer hero. Slinger calls uncharacteristically, SB completes, I'm sittin with J-10s, so I raise it up. Blinds were hefty at this point on the table, so I raised 3x. Slinger calls, SB folds. Flop comes Q-10-x. I check, pretty certain a bet is gonna be rained in on my "bombs over baghdad" style. He bets 1/2 the pot. I quickly think it over, get a chip count (he has me covered at this point), and I raise to all-in, putting the thinkin to him. He ponders out loud (knowin he's gonna call me), he calls. I love seeing what he's playin, as I am always surprised. He flips over J-10 also. Thus, we push. I ended up goin out in a blaze of glory, KQs shortstackin on the big blind to an allin vs the SB's A-7 off. I'd have blinded/ante'd out within a hand or two if I didn't push.

Second game, the chip slinger was three to my right and on the SB. I limped with Qc-10c, he raises, I call. Flop comes Jc-9c-xs. He throws out his standard bet with 2-4 blinds ($200), I think it over, carefully counting outs. Needless to say, I couldn't place him on a hand, as its damn near impossible to get a read out of him (unless he checks to me). I do feel though I am either ahead, or will be before the hand is over. Counting outs, I have 9 clubs, 3 Ks, 3 8s, possibly 3 more queens or tens... I've got lots of outs. I can either push allin here (300 more on top of the call), or I can call his bet. It would have been out of character here to simply call. We had the spotlight, and I prefer to rise up in this situation. So, yer hero pushes all-in. Chip Slinger once again ponder out loud, thinking over what my hand is. He caught a piece of the flop, top piece actually, which equates to a call, flipping over J-4 of spades. Turn comes 5 of diamonds, river four of hearts, giving him two pair and the pot, knocking your hero out. Had the outs, the odds, but not the finishing cards. Loved the rush of buttin heads with him and lookin forward to our next epic battle.

Poker Haiku of the day:

"Slinga Props"

Slinger throwin chips,

Knockin me out of tourney

Mad props to ya bro!

Poker

Day @ the Reservation...

So today "that guy" and I went to the reservation for some live chip slingin action. It was an "experience," needless to say. Here are the highlights/lowlights of the session.

Second hand in, I'm dealt AA, first to act, I raise my standard 4xBlind. Button reraises 8x, I make it 16x, he calls. Flop comes down KQx. He checks it to me, I bet the pot, he calls (he's all in). Kx suited in his hand and he takes it down. Yer hero is a bit irritated, but not tilting... yet.

Hour or so later, I'm in the big blind with five limpers, holding Kxsuited. Flop comes Kx something (yes, my X). I check, some old dude bets, I raise, knock everyone out other than old dude. Turn comes another X (boat now). Check from me, bet from him, RR to pot, he calls. River's a blank. I bet out, he calls. Yes, my shit hand wins cuz he limped preflop with AA. This hand dug me out so I could at least see light from my hole.

Had numerous other hands, nothing significant though. Things out of position that were thrown out and what have you... And then there was the JJ UTG. I raise 6x blinds (figuring out 4x is not respected on this table). I get 1 caller in the late position (Ace Buster - dude who nailed me with Kx). So I'm assuming he has a suspect hand. He should believe I have a monster, of course. Flop comes A-8-8. I check, he bets into me. I thought about this for a second. He checked when he had a made hand. So, I'm thinking he is trying to knock me off my hand, so I raise. He calls. Turn comes a six. I check, he bets, i raise to allin. He flips over AQs. Ouch...

Yep, your hero is officially on tilt. I get up from the table and walk around to blow off steam. In walking around, I manage to find a black jack table, where I sit down and proceed to win all but a small portion of my money back. By the way, the motion for check means "hit."

"All hail 21"

Blackjack saved the day

Took the Hold'em beats away

Saved was my bankroll.

Poker

Monopoly Money vs. the Green Back...

King of the Ocean Shark spoke recently (I believe in his forum - http://sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/index.php ) on the topic of play money and poker games. He claimed there is nothing worse for one's game than play money. I couldn't agree more and here's why.

1. We're all naturally creatures of habbit. Play money creates bad habbits. Nothing "real" at risk. You lose, no big deal. You win, you feel like a genius. The real world of poker ain't the way you see it in the play rooms.

2. Our brains are wired in such a manner that when we put effort into something and get "desired result," we repeat said actions thinking we will get the same desired results. Consequently, when we evolve to cash tables, because we're geniuses of the play $$$ (endless refills), we think it is OK to call down a 10x raise in the BB with 2-5, 2-6, or 2-7. I assure you, this is NOT ok. We fall into this trap because we never truely got "burned" the first time we did it, playing with monopoly $$$.

3. We see other people who have a million plus play chips throwin them around like no one's biness. We therefore relate the stack to his skill level and thus try to duplicate his play, which then becomes habbit and transfers to the cash tables.

4. THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING YOU CAN DO WHEN ON A LOSING STREAK IS TRY TO FIX YO GAME ON A MONEY TABLE. During this time, a string of bad cards, its natural to want to move to play $$$ to "fix your game." A lot of times, its bad cards! I went 27 consecutive pocket pairs without settin' on the flop. Bad streaks come, even to Drunken Gods. When this happened, I did not change a thing. I played through it. I knew it wasn't me (pokertracker verified this).

For these reasons, we really only want to use the play money to try out the software. I will say I do not even use play chips for that. I'm comfortable enough with the eye to determine whether or not I'd deposit based on what I see and read. I'd be more inclined to drop a fitty into a room that I wanted to try, thus "trying" things out on real tables, not risking to much principle. Last thing I wanna do is risk corrupting my focus on a day at the monopoly tables.

For me, Play $$$ is off limits. I'd rather lose $50 than corrupt my style. So, in closing, stay away from Uncle McBucks or whatever his name is... Deposit today. If you're uncertain of the room you play in, try one of my rooms, or one of shark's rooms (we each have links on our blogs). These are sites we're comfortable puttin money in. Any questions on a poker room, give me a holla, I'll be glad to screen for ya or give ya my opinion.

Poker Haiku of the day: "Play money sux"

No play chips for me,

Real money the way to be,

Corruption no more.

Thoughts on Poker

On Tilt...

So anytime I wake up at 4am with a "creative rush," its either a GREAT day or a HORRIBLE day. Today was on the South side of the spectrum. (Fast forward) I decided I was going to do the VOIP thing, so I bought all the necessary equipment, hooked it up correctly, and proceeded to register. For starters, I LOVE it when the database of the company you're doing business with deceives you. I go to register my info, only to discover via a telephone call that the database is down for maintainance, please try again in thirty minutes. GRRRRR

I go pick up the kids from school, come home, finally get registered, only to find out that the damn thing isn't working, EVEN THOUGH THE EMAIL I JUST RECEIVED TELLS ME EVERYTHING IS FINE!!! Yet another database lying to me!

So, I call the toll free number and I get "the lady"... You know, the one with the deep deep accent. She proceeds to have me chasin my tail for an hour and a half. Seriously, I checked the connection between the router and the "box" ten thousand times. Finally, she concludes (thanx to the degree in rocket science) that the box is defective. "I'm curious though, which of the ten thousand reps of "checking connection" told you that? And furthermore, why did we not check the connection that was really the issue? It was the fact that the box wasn't acknowledging the phone. The box to router connection was just fine, as per your lighting scheme and troubleshooting manual sitting right here in front of me!!! Why yes, I'd love to return your defective equipment and get another one! What? Sure! I'll call you tommorrow. I've never had so much fun plugging and unplugging chords from my router for no apparant reason!!! Its a date!!!!!!!"

That was the jist of my entire day. Many other things today that seemed just like that eventful phone call. So, of course to relieve some stress, I decided to check me out a new poker room (details soon, perhaps). I found it to my liking, bunch of donks bowin down to the checkrayz'n I was throwin at their collective asses. Nothing like short tables with a bunch of weaklings. Although, this did not make me feel better. I needed more. I'm bullyin around a bunch of donks and not feeling any better. There has to be something that will help... Wait, its coming... Yes, got it!!!

Off to AbsolutePoker.com . Playin head's up is the best tilt therapy money can buy. Three tablin' and playing good hands knockin donks around is one thing. But, to really dig down into the tilt, you have to play the shit hands. No better place to do that (and not get burned) than head's up. Mowed down 4 unfortunate souls with the drunken checkrayz aggression. Now THAT made me feel better. Imma remember that more often (bad day ='s Beer Guy's heads up challenge).

Still accomplished nothing, couldn't make my voip work, but man could I make that 2-7 pay me a grand in chips!!!

Poker Haiku of the day:

"Ode to the 2-7off, tiltin heads up"

On tilt and head's up

Rayzen n reraizin all

Gimme all yo chips

Thoughts on Poker

Follow thru...

Whether shooting a football, working on a task, telling a story, or playing poker; follow through is imperative. If I am shooting on goal in a match, I can go through my shot mechanics flawlessly "pre-shot," meaning I can line up on the ball, lean into it, draw my leg back, keep balance, etc. I can strike the ball perfectly as well, hitting the exact thread on the ball that I'm intending to strike. However, even more important is how well I follow thru on my shot. If I don't rotate my hips, let the leg swing forward the way it is supposed to, I'm not going to put forth an effective shot. I'm not optimizing the momentum I have goin for me through my motions. I'm not going to get the job done. If I do this often, I'm certainly not going to sell the opposing keeper that I'm capable of delivering a shot that he can respect. This pretty much takes me out of the game, as I'm not effectively convincing anyone I can hurt them with my shot. Thus, I lose the effectiveness of faking a shot, as the goalie will not bite. When I do shoot, I'm not going to have defenders flocking to me, or the keeper scrambling, worrying that I'm gonna beat him. My image is flawed significantly.

Same thing applies with poker. I'm dealt AKs UTG, I raise it (winding up for my shot, suggesting I might have some power behind that which is about to happen). Of course, some idiot always refuses to believe me. Flop comes down and misses me. Here's where follow through comes into play. If I've got the proper table image, I can issue a continuation bet, causing my opposition to either panic (respecting my shot and folding), or he'll begin to worry if he has any common sense (given that my image is correct). Turn comes, still missing me. I check, he bets into me to "see where he is." I raise his ass, letting him know that I'm gonna beat him. Given correct image, he will usually fold --- because I follow through on my betting. I put forth the image that I am not a cheap date, I do not play shit hands. When you're dancing with me, you're going to be paying for a very expensive dinner, fully equipped with appitizer, top of the line entree, and lots of drinks fo my beer guzzlin arse.

By comparison, if I raise preflop in the exact same circumstances, get the idiot caller and miss the flop and I get weak in my follow through, he's going to believe he can walk all over me. My "fake" or "bluff" will not be effective or respected. You cannot put forth a weak shot. The most important part of your play comes post flop. A monkey can be trained to play pre-flop. But it takes a cereberal assassin to play effectively once the cards hit. You're telling a story pre-flop by raising (i have a kickass hand which you're not going to beat). That flop comes, continue telling the story. Show no mercy. Follow through. Make the weak pay to catch up to you. Work on your betting and "strategerie" to help you sell the fake. Make people "dive" all around the table to stay the hell out yo way. Act like a monster, look like a monster, bet like a monster (do it smartly though).

On a side note, I have just received word that the 1 toothed monster from the pacific ocean - the Shark himself (www.pokerroadwarrior.blogspot.com) has issued a challenge to top notch professional poker playa Scott Fischmann. Shark proposes a best 4 of seven format $50 heads up in a Lights Out Aquarium of Death Match. The fish may be no shark, but he took 5th"ish" in the world heads up championship which Hellmuth won. Scotty ain't no small fish, that's "fo sho." I would suspect that Scotty will rise up and accept the challenge of the "one toofed wonder." We'll keep you updated. On that note, onto the poker haiku of the day...

"Follow thru"

Raisin up A-K,

Get the hell out of my way!

U don't, you will pay

wow, not only a haiku, but it even rhymed... lol

Poker Strategy

Out of Position...

One of my pet peeves is position. I believe that every playable combo. in poker has an appropriate position to be played. And again, played differently based on position. Position is PARAMOUNT to long term success.

Poker is not the only place position is to be considered. Take my soccer franchise, for example (http://beerfc.com). Our Club won three Indoor Championships in a row. Everyone had a defined role and complimented one another. Then of course, our collective heads became too large and we signed "the world," as we had to expand the roster moving from indoor to outdoor. On paper, we were phenominal. On the field, we had a shortage of footballs to go around, too many scorers, not enough defense. Thus we were not successful in our summer campaign.

One would think that everyone in the organization would have learned their lesson. I split my top squad into two groups, one headed by your's truely, and the other by my ever so famous friend "that guy." I left virtually everyone to him, and formed a brand new squad, so building successful franchises is my specialty. Kyle ("that guy") had very little building to do, as he already had the real deal. He had a spot or two to fill, but nothing that had any urgency. The spot was defensive in nature, of course. So, he runs up to one of the most offensive minded people in the league (Rick) and asks him to come play. Kyle somehow convinces himself that Rick is a phenominal defender, forgetting that Rick put four in on him just a few short weeks ago (that would be my first clue that dude's not a defender).

This decision was unpopular amongst the team, and resulted in one defection to my new squad (i didn't offer anyone but wouldn't turn em away if it fit my system). So, he once again has too much O and not enough D, and catches his squad out of position for about 1/2 the game. When everyone was in position, Beer controlled the match.With four minutes to go, Kyle initiates a sub from the field, pulling Capt. Steve (all around player, very aware defensively, brilliant soccer mind) to bring Rick the Defender in. Kyle shouts out for Rick to come in on Defense.

Now, kyle was trying to secure at least a draw, if not a win. With four minutes left, that's about 8% of the game left over. If the score is 5-6, in my mind, the game is still within reach. Especially considering the momentum shifted to the Beer Squad's favor. There was no urgency to rush forward, which is what Rick does. So, Kyle makes a save... And instead of bringing the ball out in a slow, controlled manner, he plays it swiftly to Rick and tells him to go with it. Rick carries down the field, gets a shot off, the ball comes back the other way... no defenders in sight and Bam goal. Then a minute later, same thing, attack, counter, goal. Kyle's team loses a winnable 8-5 in the final 8% of the game.

Which, this positional mistake brings me back to poker and expected value. When one builds a successful arsenal of poker hands, he or she must consider position. You can't play crap out of position. You cannot be the first to act with a shady hand. One doesn't want to act UTG with a jack-9. That's simply not the position for that hand in most games. I see someone do that, I expect them to lose more often than win, thus giving it a negative expected value primarily based on position. Save those hands for loose games when you're in the BB or sometimes on the button, don't attack with it when you have no clue what anyone else has.

If someone throws an all-star attacker on their football squad and calls them a defender, I expect them to lose as well. Position is important. More important than the cards in the hole. Respect position, do what makes sense. Don't concern yourself with the last flop coming jack three three and you tossed jack three offsuit preflop. Don't worry about signing an attacker to prevent someone else from doin so, when you're not in the market for an attacker. Do things that have positive expected value. Things that make sense. Things that are proven to work within the system.

Haiku of the day:

Act in postion,

If you don't, you will go broke,

Cryin all the way.

Poker Stories
SuperDonk, Poker Idiot Saga
Horrible Poker Play

Craftsman vs. tool...

After having the "Sunday Game" cancelled, my friend (the "that guy" of my group of runnin budz) and I decided to head to the local watering hole to watch some football and take in the scenery. Unfortunately, the scenic view was horrible (read - more tool boxes than one would encounter in Home Depot of choice). I'm very observant, but its horrible when "that guy" is pointing out idiot after idiot in a given establishment. There was one moron who had the word "Bitch" written in perminant ink on his forehead. Of course he lived up to his label.

"Bitch" was stumbling all over the place, buying drinks for all his buds, who were all laughing at him and shaking their head. "Bitch" was aware he had "said word" on his forehead, and seemed OK with it. However, I think the ink was somehow affecting his hearing, as he was speaking in a manner similar to how an old person that's losing his/her hearing talks. Said another way, dude was yelling cuz he couldn't hear himself think... Maybe in thinking this one through better, perhaps the idiot couldn't hear himself think because he straight up wasn't thinking? hmmm... After we had our fun with him, he walked down to the end of the bar and was most certainly talking to a set of larger than life "Victoria's Secret Models" (this dude thinks he was surprised to look in the mirror and see "Bitch" on his forehead, he's certainly gonna be surprised when he sees who he is really talkin to, if you catch my drift). I'm not bustin on anyone who might be gravitationally challenged, its moreso that this dude's perception was way off.

Which brings me to my main points. Wouldn't it be nice if the people you sit down at the poker table with all had tattoos on their forehead telling you who they are? "Monster," "Sucker," "Moron," "ATM," "On Tilt," "Fish," and "Lucky Bastard" are a few of the many tags I'd LOVE to see on my opposition's foreheads. That would certainly make life easier for all of us if everyone had these accurate and descriptive terms on their foreheads.

But in reality, I'd propose these tattoos are already there in most of us, if not all. "What?" u ask? "How can you expect me to believe everyone goes to the tat parlor down the street and has their stats on their forehead?" Well, no... they don't go have it placed on their forehead. But if you look hard enough, you can see it.

One of the differences between "That Guy" and a true "craftsman" in the game of poker; even the game of life for that matter is that the craftsman is aware that there are other people playing the game, while "that guy" thinks he is the only game in town. The craftsman knows the opposition has a hand, possibly even almost exactly what that hand is. "That guy" can't see past his own cards. The craftsman studies his opposition and picks his spot, examines risk-reward relative to his chances of success. "That guy" looks no further than the tool box he's in --- unless its spelled out for him in the form of a tattoo on one's forehead. Often, when I am playing against one of "those guys," I raise preflop, we go to the showdown and I turn over a monster of a hand and "they" look surprised every time. I'm not sure why, as I've not been caught "accidentally" raising preflop with garbage. When I'm in a hand, I have quality material; something with positive expected value. I'm no Fred Sanford... I'm not in the junk business, yet everytime the "that guy" at the table seems shocked I have a great starting hand. I think it would help if he was aware I had two cards in front of me. I think that my forehead marking is just as invisible to him as my hole cards are.

When playing poker, you can't stop at your cards. U have to be acutely aware of what your opponent may have... asking yourself (among other things) what hands this guy could play in this manner, is he bluff capable, will he cave to pressure? You want to strive to be the craftsman of your trade, not the tool. A craftsman is a master of his profession and/or hobbies. He people watches when he's not in a hand, looking for the hidden forehead markings, taking in the scenery no matter how ugly it may be. He knows what is around him, the dangers and opportunities each present. And he knows how to utilize his own strengths and is aware of his weaknesses, working to constantly improve and add to his skillsets.

Poker Haiku of the day, dedicated to the idiot who called my 4x raise on my pocket aces...

What a "tool" you are,

Callin me down with five-nine.

What you think I had?

Poker Stories
SuperDonk, Poker Idiot Saga
Horrible Poker Play

Launch Week...

Well, anyone who's been following the storyline, be it in the shark forum (http://sharkpokertour.com/phpbb2/index.php), or the Beer Man's "Bar talk," this week is the launch of the "website." http://CheckRayz.com goin live this week. To give you a little background, this website is going is gonna be a joint venture between myself and the shark man himself, http://pokerroadwarrior.blogspot.com.

Expect lots of bad azz things from CheckRayz and the entire Shark Powered Network. In fact, I hear sharky is relaunching his flagship site this week too http://onlineshark.com. Big Launch week. Having said that, I'm gonna talk to the shark man to see if we can get some launch bonuses in the tourneys this week to celebrate launch week.

On the CheckRayz site, I'm lookin to get a few heads up tourneys goin real soon. We've not done that, from my understanding. Looks like a real demand there. Also, by year's end, I plan to have a Leaderboard goin, possibly even a player of the year award coming from the Leaderboard. So many ideas, so many possible directions. Sky's the limit here! Feel free to post me any ideas, either here, the forum, or via email (mikeatbeerfcdotcom).

Well, back to work. "Nuff sed" for now.



CheckRayz Announcements

What a hectic month (New Beginnings)...

Wow, October was such a busy month. Played less poka than normal, due to several other committments (family, business, etc.). Nov has been just as busy for starters, but it is really looking like things are going to fall into place and slow down. Its chaos, getting things started that consumes the most time. Once everything is rolling, everything is organized... life will be far more managable.

Kids are organized with school, I've got direction in the biz, launching 2 new soccer teams, and moving poker rooms...

As for "the biz," I've been looking at goin in a different direction for a while now. Been researchin, studyin, preparin... Along came the Sharkman himself. It is a done deal... The Shark and the Beer Man are starting an online venture. The site will be www.checkrayz.com , part of the Shark Powered Network www.onlineshark.com .

Shark has been in the biz for over a year and doin a kickass job. Hardest working man in the biz, as a matter of fact. Little Brotherz doin the website for me. It'll be a sharp lookin one, unlike my www.beerfc.com site that I just merely play around with for entertainment purposes. This one will be the real dealio.

This timeframe marks a new era for the Beerman. One of new beginnings. I've spent some time recently righting the wrongs I've committed in the past with friends, fam. and so on... Other than saying a close friend of mine and my kids inspire me to be a better person, I'm not really sure what's brought this on. I do know I like the results and intend to stay on track (sigh of relief noted from the Beer hatas out there). My life shall remain consumed with focus. Focus on friendship, success, and cherishing that which I have. Striving for things I desire, and for perhaps the first time in a long time, a state of zen. I'm at peace with who I am, what I'm doing, and where I'm goin. And I like it. God help those who try to derail this new found focus.

Anyways, enough philosophical rambling for the moment (I'm known to go this route for hours). The new www.checkrayz.com is expected to be up and runnin by next week. You'll find on this site links to free poker tourneys, chances to get free $$$, a Leaderboard, poker links, and all things poker, for that matter.

Check back soon for updates regarding the site...

All for now... Beer Man



CheckRayz Announcements