August results posted in August thread.

Targets for September

75 SNG games for the month
Get more comfortable with 4-6 games at a time
Look for spots to allow opponents to bluff or induce shoves
Reduce my bubble busts by 25%

Make a video

My three-step plan for this month:

Step 1: Play lots
Step 2: *shrug*
Step 3: Profit!

Though if I could end the month by moving up to $2 SnGs full time that'd be nice.

Today's results so far:

8 $1 STTs: 3 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 third and 2 bubbles.
2 $2 HU SnGs: 1 win 1 loss.

Making a tidy $10.40 profit for the day - yay for the positive side of variance. Yesterday was a -$6.05 day over 17 games though

mine on september:
1st: go to my first live poker tournament on 6th of september
2st: get in cash on 13th september 5k$ sit-n-learn freeroll and start my sng rush
3st: probleably make new 50$ deposit if i dont make cash in anywhere else
4st: get in CC freeroll club, (denied already becouse infraction)

I think my goals this month will be to practice proper BR management to start.
Control the tilt-monster with-in.
And play a fixed number of games a day.

My main Goal for September is to get out of playing the 30c Daily Dollar satalites. I can't stand all these back back bad beats. I know I shouldn't expect any better but Im running rough and there's only so many times where I can say "at least I made the correct move".

Anyways Variance owes me big so I should be alright, $1 SNGS here I come! lol

I am contemplating starting a trial run with sng's this month - have been playing some at FT already. But I need to find some strategy somewhere - will probably look at Stox for some videos next week.

Might see me in here a little bit!

Have a very small br at starts so months goals are-

Try build it up playing one table at a time.
If I go busto use my fpps to play 3 sats to the quarter mill and maybe get some t$.

There is a slight possability I can deposit some at ft and try for the bonus and try make the 50$ for making a point a day, though I could only deposit 20$ maybe 30 but I dont know yet.

Biggest goal concentrate on the game I play instead of being a fool and surf the net.

A few goals for the month, first time i've made any.

1. Keep grinding my bonus at pokerstars and hopefully gather enough cash to withdraw to bonus whore the extra $550 i have available

2. Earn the $50 take2 bonus on FT.

3. Stop trying the big bluff post flop, at 5NL it doesn't work

Keeping it simple and without expectations, should be easy enough

Oh and get a job lol.

I cannot take these 30c sngs no more. I dont expect them to be full of pros im fully aware of this, but thats not really the problem. I'm constantly playing perfect ICM and getting it in good, maybe the odd cooler but thats fine, I can handle that, It's just the constant bad beats. They're seriously getting to me im on a mega downswing where it just seems like every card they need comes, be 3 outter, 2 outter, 1 outter, whether when i have them to 40% 30% 20% it just doesn't go my way. AA vs 22 on a board of AK62, All in on the turn boom 2 river. That one was the final straw lol.

Got about $4 left, that bonus thingy should give me $12 so I think im just going to leave it until I can grind out some freeroll wins until about $30 so I can play the $1 games. I Know the play will be about equal but im sick of the 30c, far too swingy.

My goals this month are.


1. Practice proper bankroll management.

2. Read moshmans sng strategy that came yesterday and see how I can implement it into my game.

3.Learn to stop when I am losing (before I tilt) and evaluate my play and see where I can improve.

I am on downswing today and yesterday 5 straight losses after coming off 11 wins in 14 games. Realized working 84 hours and switching days to nightshift had me playing exhausted.

Getting ready now to play in tonites cc roll on tilt(placed 2nd last week) hopefully can boost the roll a little good luck everyone.....

my goals for september.

1. play atleast 500 sngs in the month.
2. spend more time reviewing past SNGs looking for leaks
3. study some ICM everyday.
4. take more notes on players weaknesses
5. change my HUD to find more useful stats.
6. learn more about unexploitable shoves(especailly in resteal spots)
7. find a reasonable BR management policy.

Alright I have a few goals for september.

1. Start my new job tonight
2. Get paid
3. Deposit $50 to Stars
4. Buy Holdem Manager
5. Order Moshmans Strategy guide
6. Play as many $1 sitngos as I possibly can to get experience and to get used to playing with the HUD

Originally Posted by dakota-xx

I am contemplating starting a trial run with sng's this month - have been playing some at FT already. But I need to find some strategy somewhere - will probably look at Stox for some videos next week.

Might see me in here a little bit!

if you play 45/90/180 mans i have a cool pushbot chart if needed

$0.25/$1.25= 20% rake
$0.25/$2.25= 11% rake

so if you can i would try to skip the $1.25 SNGs all together. that 9% is a big difference. just a thought for all of you staring out. also matrix SNGs might even be a safer option as you really only need 1/5th the BR you need for a regular SNG.

Originally Posted by cardplayer52

also matrix SNGs might even be a safer option as you really only need 1/5th the BR you need for a regular SNG.

Sorry what do you mean by matrix sitngos? When you say you only need 1/5th the bankroll this makes me think you mean the double or nothing sitngos?

Since I last posted:

7 $1 STTs: 2 firsts, rest 6-7-8 finishes.
1 $2 HU SnG: 1 first

$2.10 profit woo.

Came across one marginal situation that I'd like some input on. I'm in the cutoff six-handed with about 6.5 big blinds but there's two limpers already in the pot. No out of the ordinary reads on them. What do people do in this spot?

Full Tilt Poker Game #14434824173: $1 + 0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (106175741), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:49:13 ET - 2009/09/02
Seat 1: customchopper1 (2,165)
Seat 2: DGates91360 (3,380)
Seat 3: OzExorcist (1,030)
Seat 5: Scott Terp (2,250)
Seat 7: coachburg (1,540)
Seat 8: makavelizz (3,135)
coachburg posts the small blind of 80
makavelizz posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to OzExorcist [7d Ac]
customchopper1 has 15 seconds left to act
customchopper1 calls 160
DGates91360 calls 160
OzExorcist... ?

Originally Posted by switch0723

if you play 45/90/180 mans i have a cool pushbot chart if needed

I need it.

Originally Posted by OzExorcist

Since I last posted:

7 $1 STTs: 2 firsts, rest 6-7-8 finishes.
1 $2 HU SnG: 1 first

$2.10 profit woo.

Came across one marginal situation that I'd like some input on. I'm in the cutoff six-handed with about 6.5 big blinds but there's two limpers already in the pot. No out of the ordinary reads on them. What do people do in this spot?

Full Tilt Poker Game #14434824173: $1 + 0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (106175741), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:49:13 ET - 2009/09/02
Seat 1: customchopper1 (2,165)
Seat 2: DGates91360 (3,380)
Seat 3: OzExorcist (1,030)
Seat 5: Scott Terp (2,250)
Seat 7: coachburg (1,540)
Seat 8: makavelizz (3,135)
coachburg posts the small blind of 80
makavelizz posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to OzExorcist [7d Ac]
customchopper1 has 15 seconds left to act
customchopper1 calls 160
DGates91360 calls 160
OzExorcist... ?

The blinds are different than I am used too and you could limp here but you might not get a better oppotunity than this too get back in the game.
Coachburg can get away easy losing half a bb, custom chopper needs a good reason for calling half his chipstack, the other two have a nice cushion. In this spot there would be a high temptation to push seeing the blinds are coming your way soon.

Trying to revive my megre bankroll and its exhausting got from 12 to 14$ in two days was unlucky not be up more.

4 9 man sngs

2 2nds
1 4th
1 7th

I may play another game but probally not.

Originally Posted by dakota-xx

I need it.

pm me your email address.

I know i have it but that would involve logging into msn

I pm'd it before you ever posted that - I am sooo fast.

Originally Posted by stubzy11

Sorry what do you mean by matrix sitngos? When you say you only need 1/5th the bankroll this makes me think you mean the double or nothing sitngos?

fulltilt had what they call a marix SNG. you got to play 4 SNGs at once. but with all the same players at each table. there are places paid for 1st 2nd 3rd at each table then there is another prize pool based on KO's place finished on each of the 4 tables etc. so there is actaully 5 prize pools in each. which would be like playing 4 or 5 SNGs of a lesser buyin. As for the DON's i've not played these but would think you would actually need a bigger BR for these as the swings would be more violent.

Originally Posted by OzExorcist

Since I last posted:

7 $1 STTs: 2 firsts, rest 6-7-8 finishes.
1 $2 HU SnG: 1 first

$2.10 profit woo.

Came across one marginal situation that I'd like some input on. I'm in the cutoff six-handed with about 6.5 big blinds but there's two limpers already in the pot. No out of the ordinary reads on them. What do people do in this spot?

Full Tilt Poker Game #14434824173: $1 + 0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (106175741), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:49:13 ET - 2009/09/02
Seat 1: customchopper1 (2,165)
Seat 2: DGates91360 (3,380)
Seat 3: OzExorcist (1,030)
Seat 5: Scott Terp (2,250)
Seat 7: coachburg (1,540)
Seat 8: makavelizz (3,135)
coachburg posts the small blind of 80
makavelizz posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to OzExorcist [7d Ac]
customchopper1 has 15 seconds left to act
customchopper1 calls 160
DGates91360 calls 160
OzExorcist... ?

at first i said shove easy. but i missed the fact there were 2 limpers. this is an easy fold with limpers. there are a few reasons i think this is so. one you have little FE if you shove. IMO shoving or folding are the only options for you. limping here is weak. there are very few flops you would like to see to stack off in. a 7 high flop you got to worry about an over pair an A you might be out kicked. A7o doesn't even figure to be ahead of there limping range. another reason to fold is this is most likely to be a multiway pot. which increases the chances of someone being KO'ed. you still got some FE with this stack and will have some left even after the blinds hit. i'm looking to shove an unopened pot. unless i really have something strong. here I think you need atleast 99+ AK to shove. maybe AQ too.

Originally Posted by cardplayer52

at first i said shove easy. but i missed the fact there were 2 limpers. this is an easy fold with limpers. there are a few reasons i think this is so. one you have little FE if you shove. IMO shoving or folding are the only options for you. limping here is weak. there are very few flops you would like to see to stack off in. a 7 high flop you got to worry about an over pair an A you might be out kicked. A7o doesn't even figure to be ahead of there limping range. another reason to fold is this is most likely to be a multiway pot. which increases the chances of someone being KO'ed. you still got some FE with this stack and will have some left even after the blinds hit. i'm looking to shove an unopened pot. unless i really have something strong. here I think you need atleast 99+ AK to shove. maybe AQ too.

Something to consider at least a 160 blind and an 80 blind is coming his way, possibly more if the level increases and its a turbo or he calls the 80 to complete the bind. If he shoves he can get close to doubling his stack if every one folds, if he folds he might not not get a better chance and after the blinds pass it will be much easier for anyone to call an all in. I agree a limp is no good here there are too many already limping and its not a hand I would want to have in a 4 or 5 person hand, also if you limp then the blinds may raise and then your stuck down at least 160 chips.

Edit to add- I do not play turbos, but from what I have read , your range had to be wider in the hands that you play, and me playing my normal non turbo nine mans could find a fold here quite easy. Knowing that A7o is not a power hand by any means and dodgy kicker is not the best but it might be the best chance you get we have all been there and your blinds get raised and you have the worst cards to be able to fight back with a chipstack that isnt going to get people of there hand after they have raised.

there's 600 in the pot now a shove of 1030 makes it 1630. so its only another 850 to call. thats about 1.9 to 1 odds. those are some good odds being offered to 3 different people. i still think there is very little chance of taking it down with out being called. you would still have 5BB after the blinds hit still enough to persuade someone to fold. with this stack if it gets folded to me in the SB i shove any two.

Originally Posted by cardplayer52

there's 600 in the pot now a shove of 1030 makes it 1630. so its only another 850 to call. thats about 1.9 to 1 odds. those are some good odds being offered to 3 different people. i still think there is very little chance of taking it down with out being called. you would still have 5BB after the blinds hit still enough to persuade someone to fold. with this stack if it gets folded to me in the SB i shove any two.

Thats true, but what if it doesnt get folded to you in the small blind? If anyone wants to try attack the short stack and raise it 3 or 2.5x the bb if you put the rest or your chips in your getting called anyway with possibly a worse holding.

Food for thought here, even if I put the two limpers on Very loose and the remaining players on Very Tight its still 66+ AJ+ ATs+

ICM isn't everything I know, but I'm folding here. Shoves like this one have often tended to get me eliminated. Players at these stakes call far to lightly.

I can see the point you guys are making, if I was playing my normal 9 mans on pokerstars (non-turbo) I know I would insta-fold this hand the turbo aspect is turning my head a little though, would be intresting to know how long untill the next level. If players call with anything at this level (which yeah most do) then your just as likely to get called in your blind if someone has limped behind you.

How did it play out Oz?

Originally Posted by Mr McCluskey

I can see the point you guys are making, if I was playing my normal 9 mans on pokerstars (non-turbo) I know I would insta-fold this hand the turbo aspect is turning my head a little though, would be intresting to know how long untill the next level. If players call with anything at this level (which yeah most do) then your just as likely to get called in your blind if someone has limped behind you.

How did it play out Oz?

turbo's or non-turbo's really shouldn't effect your ranges. what should be of concern is your "m". yes in turbo your "m" drops quicker which widens your range quicker. but your range should still be governed by your "m". there are times you night know the blinds are going up and you'll be in them when they do. then you may shove a little wider when you still have fold equity. this effect is increased at pokerstars as there blinds jump in money steeper than fulltilt. but IMO people open a lot wider and call a shove alot tighter than they should.

Originally Posted by cardplayer52

turbo's or non-turbo's really shouldn't effect your ranges. what should be of concern is your "m". yes in turbo your "m" drops quicker which widens your range quicker. but your range should still be governed by your "m". there are times you night know the blinds are going up and you'll be in them when they do. then you may shove a little wider when you still have fold equity. this effect is increased at pokerstars as there blinds jump in money steeper than fulltilt. but IMO people open a lot wider and call a shove alot tighter than they should.

Sure, and in this case his M says shove as its below 10 big blinds? Is there such things as implied M :P where you know your chipstack will be lower in the next few hands

I dont play turbos at all and my game isnt the best so this discussion has been fruitfull for me, I have to collect my poker books and start reading them I left them in a friends after my flat got robbed, I have Moshmans book waiting there for me.

What blind system do people think is best for the format FT or PS?

Originally Posted by dakota-xx

But I need to find some strategy somewhere - will probably look at Stox for some videos next week.

moshman's book is great and unless you're particularly fond of video-related learning or averse to reading it's probably more worthwhile than watching SNG videos, seeing as 80% of SNG videos are foldfoldfoldfdlfdofd until mid blinds while the 'commentator' basically rambles on about foldfoldfolddlfdofdoing, 10% is fun shove/fold stuff and the other 10% is reviewing the fun shove/fold stuff in SNGWiz or whatever (which you can obv do yourself - SNGWiz has a month's free trial last time i looked and is incredibly easy to use).

I have a very hard time reading. I finished my first book in several years just this week - "Elements of Poker".

I have been reading HOH Vol 1 for well over a year.

Videos seem to be easier for me to focus on than books. I am looking for help in 2009 - not 2011 lol.

Originally Posted by Mr McCluskey

Sure, and in this case his M says shove as its below 10 big blinds?

It definitely says to shove an unopened pot - the limpers make a big difference here though.

I figured it was a close decision but ended up shoving it. I was two-tabling and this was the table I'd been paying less attention to (ITM on the other one) but I'd been playing nitty so I was hoping maybe that was going to count for something, or that I'd get called by just one of them with KJ or something. No dice - got called by both limpers holding 44 and TT.

Very interesting to see the ICM calculation on the hand, thanks heaps for that Maxi and to the rest of you guys for the discussion too. Much appreciated

I'll make sure I report back after my next decent session and see if I can't come up with another hand or two for discussion.

Ok I see with the unopened pot with M, I think I need to post some hands espically in the late stages and bubble play, I think you guys could help out alot there.

Originally Posted by OzExorcist

Full Tilt Poker Game #14434824173: $1 + 0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (106175741), Table 1 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 16:49:13 ET - 2009/09/02
Seat 1: customchopper1 (2,165)
Seat 2: DGates91360 (3,380)
Seat 3: OzExorcist (1,030)
Seat 5: Scott Terp (2,250)
Seat 7: coachburg (1,540)
Seat 8: makavelizz (3,135)
coachburg posts the small blind of 80
makavelizz posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to OzExorcist [7d Ac]
customchopper1 has 15 seconds left to act
customchopper1 calls 160
DGates91360 calls 160
OzExorcist... ?

This is a fold and it's not close (the range that wiz gives looks about right). Even if you have to go through the blinds, you still have 790 chips which is enough for fold equity.

You essentially want everyone to fold which is a tall task given that two people have limped. If you do get called, your hand has poor equity against any range that calls because you are either slightly ahead or way behind. You want domination if called but your equity against even A6o is not that high.

This scenario closely mirrors an UTG A rag hand which is a fold a majority of the time. The situation here is even worse because an open limp at least suggests that they have some interest in their hand making this a clear fold.

Anybody playing exclusively HU Sitngo's?

The $2 ones on pokerstars seem to be pretty easy if you play good solid poker.