Recently, I got a message from Full Tilt informing me that I was granted a $75 bonus for being a special player blah blah blah. Yippee ... then I read the rest of the message and it says that I have 10 days to clear it.
Fool's gold was a nickname used by miners to describe the mineral pyrite which has the same metallic luster and yellow hue as real gold. This caused many miners to mistake it for the real thing and whoop prematurely in joy when they discovered it in the mines.
I am pretty sure that Full Tilt knows my playing history. I play an average of 2 to 3 SNGs a night and my playing is also somewhat erratic depending on my schedule. At my current rate, it would take me approximately 2 months to clear the $75 bonus and they generously give me 10 days.
FTP Bonus = Fool's Gold
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Poker Table for Sale
Been extremely busy lately as my wife and I are moving to a new townhouse hence the lack of poker updates. We've had this planned for a long time and it looks like its finally pushing through. The thing is, we've realized that the house will not be as big as it was initially intended and some of the things we wanted in there will not be possible.
One of the things that needed to be sacrificed is a planned poker/game room. Argh !! But its ok, I've accepted the fact that my family is growing and the space can be better used if we convert it a den/study room for the kids.
So my loss is probably somebody's gain. Because you see last year, I purchased one of those poker tables from Kustom Kowboys in anticipation of the "sniff sniff" poker room and I am now forced to sell it. It is one of those 8 seater oval tables with 2 wooden pedestals. I've kept it wrapped in plastic and stored. So it is practically brand new as it is unused. You can check the website at www.kustomkowboys.com if you want to get an idea of how it looks.
OK, let's talk about price. How does 10K sound ? The original price of the table is certainly worth much much more than this so please no more haggling. You can call their office and check if you don't believe what I'm saying. I will also offer free delivery if you live in Metro Manila as I know how hard it is to lug this big thing around. So if you're interested, just drop me a message at 0920-953-8615. Thanks.
One of the things that needed to be sacrificed is a planned poker/game room. Argh !! But its ok, I've accepted the fact that my family is growing and the space can be better used if we convert it a den/study room for the kids.
So my loss is probably somebody's gain. Because you see last year, I purchased one of those poker tables from Kustom Kowboys in anticipation of the "sniff sniff" poker room and I am now forced to sell it. It is one of those 8 seater oval tables with 2 wooden pedestals. I've kept it wrapped in plastic and stored. So it is practically brand new as it is unused. You can check the website at www.kustomkowboys.com if you want to get an idea of how it looks.
OK, let's talk about price. How does 10K sound ? The original price of the table is certainly worth much much more than this so please no more haggling. You can call their office and check if you don't believe what I'm saying. I will also offer free delivery if you live in Metro Manila as I know how hard it is to lug this big thing around. So if you're interested, just drop me a message at 0920-953-8615. Thanks.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Year in Review
It's that time of the year again when every poker blogger looks back at his achievements for the past year and tries to give an honest summary of how he did.
As for me, I think I did OK. I didn't really cash in any major MTT like in 2006. But I honestly think that my game has improved as evidenced by my growing bankroll and the fact that my average ROI in SNGs has jumped up quite a bit especially during the 2nd half of 2007. I'm beginning to understand better the ins and outs of SNG play and added a lot of stuff to my knowledge. Probe bets, continuation bets, implied odds, inflection points are all concepts that I am only beginning to absorb fully this past year.
There were also some small MTT cashes here and there. I think the largest was a $900 win. And I also got a hater as manila grind put it. Heheh...
I achieved shark status as per Sharkscope in the Merge network. But I don't really think this reflects anything other than I got lucky a few times in this particular site. My stats in the other sites are probably a much more accurate representation of my skill hovering in the 10++% range in the low limit tables.
No live tourneys for me at all due to a hectic work schedule which included trips everywhere. 2007 saw me fly to Hongkong, Malaysia, Palawan, Cebu, and countless trips to China.
For 2008, the only big change would be a slight increase in my playing limits. Otherwise my time really just allows me the same as what I have been doing so far. A couple of SNGs a night, some low buy in MTTs here and there with the occasional stab at a big Tourney.
I think 2007 also showed that poker, NLHE in particular, is now a worldwide phenomenon and that it is here to stay. Even with the restrictions imposed by the UIGEA, US players still abound in most sites and I've seen a big increase in the number of different nationalities at the online tables especially from Asia. The poker sites notably Pokerstars has been much more aggressive in marketing to countries outside the USA and this is certainly a good thing for everyone in this side of the world.
I am excitedly looking forward to 2008 and what it will bring, not only to myself but to the
game of poker in general. Wishing everyone a prosperous 2008!!
As for me, I think I did OK. I didn't really cash in any major MTT like in 2006. But I honestly think that my game has improved as evidenced by my growing bankroll and the fact that my average ROI in SNGs has jumped up quite a bit especially during the 2nd half of 2007. I'm beginning to understand better the ins and outs of SNG play and added a lot of stuff to my knowledge. Probe bets, continuation bets, implied odds, inflection points are all concepts that I am only beginning to absorb fully this past year.
There were also some small MTT cashes here and there. I think the largest was a $900 win. And I also got a hater as manila grind put it. Heheh...
I achieved shark status as per Sharkscope in the Merge network. But I don't really think this reflects anything other than I got lucky a few times in this particular site. My stats in the other sites are probably a much more accurate representation of my skill hovering in the 10++% range in the low limit tables.
No live tourneys for me at all due to a hectic work schedule which included trips everywhere. 2007 saw me fly to Hongkong, Malaysia, Palawan, Cebu, and countless trips to China.
For 2008, the only big change would be a slight increase in my playing limits. Otherwise my time really just allows me the same as what I have been doing so far. A couple of SNGs a night, some low buy in MTTs here and there with the occasional stab at a big Tourney.
I think 2007 also showed that poker, NLHE in particular, is now a worldwide phenomenon and that it is here to stay. Even with the restrictions imposed by the UIGEA, US players still abound in most sites and I've seen a big increase in the number of different nationalities at the online tables especially from Asia. The poker sites notably Pokerstars has been much more aggressive in marketing to countries outside the USA and this is certainly a good thing for everyone in this side of the world.
I am excitedly looking forward to 2008 and what it will bring, not only to myself but to the
game of poker in general. Wishing everyone a prosperous 2008!!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Holiday Greetings!
Just wanted to take this chance to greet everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you encounter more sets, straights, flushes and boats in the coming year.
For a bit of poker news, started playing some MTTs again and results are mixed. Busted out early in the holiday freeroll and one other tourney but finished 5th in a 2.5K GTD. So that's quite encouraging. Looking forward to the next ones.
For a bit of poker news, started playing some MTTs again and results are mixed. Busted out early in the holiday freeroll and one other tourney but finished 5th in a 2.5K GTD. So that's quite encouraging. Looking forward to the next ones.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
When tilting is good...
I was playing an $11 Turbo SNG the other night. Everything was going well, we were down to 4 and I had the 2nd largest stack. I just finished 2nd in the other SNG that I was playing so I was confident and playing solid. I was gonna call it a night after this table planning to end on a good note.
That is until I flopped a set against the large stack who then proceeded to call 3/4 pot bets on the flop and turn. He was a conservative player and he pushes all-in after the river card when I checked after a 3rd heart showed.
If I had folded, I would have lost some chips but would still have enough left to be comfortably ahead of the short stack. The thing is I knew he made the flush. But I couldn't let go of the set and he eventually shows the King high flush to bust me out in 4th.
Serves me right. I had already analyzed the hand/moves and knew his probable holding but still couldn't let go. Normally, I take SNG losses quite well knowing its part of the deal. But the way I busted out on this one puts me on massive tilt.
So I immediately register for a $22 Turbo. I normally don't play at these stakes. But I was fuming about the loss and I wanted to make back the profit ASAP. Well, if the poker gods were going to teach me a lesson about bankroll management, this looks to be the best time to do it. We were down to 5 and I had the shortest stack when suddenly I go on a massive heater. I get AQ twice in a row for some nice pots. Then when we were down to 4, short stack goes all in with AQ. Lo and behold, I get AK for the automatic call. Dominated hand and I bust him out for the ITM.
Now I'm confident and solid 3 handed play with some nice bluffs thrown in gives me 1st place. So I not only make up the loss, I get a significant profit to end the day. Wahahah. I know, its a dumb and dumber moment and I wouldn't recommend what I did to serious poker players everywhere.
But to answer the question. When is tilting good ? When you're lucky. =)
That is until I flopped a set against the large stack who then proceeded to call 3/4 pot bets on the flop and turn. He was a conservative player and he pushes all-in after the river card when I checked after a 3rd heart showed.
If I had folded, I would have lost some chips but would still have enough left to be comfortably ahead of the short stack. The thing is I knew he made the flush. But I couldn't let go of the set and he eventually shows the King high flush to bust me out in 4th.
Serves me right. I had already analyzed the hand/moves and knew his probable holding but still couldn't let go. Normally, I take SNG losses quite well knowing its part of the deal. But the way I busted out on this one puts me on massive tilt.
So I immediately register for a $22 Turbo. I normally don't play at these stakes. But I was fuming about the loss and I wanted to make back the profit ASAP. Well, if the poker gods were going to teach me a lesson about bankroll management, this looks to be the best time to do it. We were down to 5 and I had the shortest stack when suddenly I go on a massive heater. I get AQ twice in a row for some nice pots. Then when we were down to 4, short stack goes all in with AQ. Lo and behold, I get AK for the automatic call. Dominated hand and I bust him out for the ITM.
Now I'm confident and solid 3 handed play with some nice bluffs thrown in gives me 1st place. So I not only make up the loss, I get a significant profit to end the day. Wahahah. I know, its a dumb and dumber moment and I wouldn't recommend what I did to serious poker players everywhere.
But to answer the question. When is tilting good ? When you're lucky. =)
Friday, December 14, 2007
Challenge Accepted
Whenever I post an update on what's been happening with my poker playing, I usually just put down some generalities on how I did and don't really list the actual numbers. Why do I do this ?
To be honest, I don't really know. I guess it's part of my upbringing wherein I was always reminded by my mom that some monetary things are meant to be private. Because no matter how we put it, online poker is still gambling. And as I noted in a previous post, my dad before he passed away suffered from some serious gambling issues. So there is some hesitancy on my part to talk about gambling wins or losses. It's also part strategy as you don't really want to give your opponents any idea on how strong or weak you may be.
Suddenly during my last post, somebody (a disgruntled reader, office colleague with a grudge or fellow online player?) accuses me of exaggerating my results. Although I do not need to make any kind of reply to these kinds of posts. I am somewhat insulted by this accusation as I've always tried to maintain a low key & honest approach to my playing & blog-posting. So just to shut him up. I am posting below my results in 4 major sites as per sharkscope. Although this is not complete (MTT results are not all included), this should give you a fairly good idea of my stats. Let the other readers decide if I have exaggerated my stats or results in any of my previous posts.
To be honest, I don't really know. I guess it's part of my upbringing wherein I was always reminded by my mom that some monetary things are meant to be private. Because no matter how we put it, online poker is still gambling. And as I noted in a previous post, my dad before he passed away suffered from some serious gambling issues. So there is some hesitancy on my part to talk about gambling wins or losses. It's also part strategy as you don't really want to give your opponents any idea on how strong or weak you may be.
Suddenly during my last post, somebody (a disgruntled reader, office colleague with a grudge or fellow online player?) accuses me of exaggerating my results. Although I do not need to make any kind of reply to these kinds of posts. I am somewhat insulted by this accusation as I've always tried to maintain a low key & honest approach to my playing & blog-posting. So just to shut him up. I am posting below my results in 4 major sites as per sharkscope. Although this is not complete (MTT results are not all included), this should give you a fairly good idea of my stats. Let the other readers decide if I have exaggerated my stats or results in any of my previous posts.
So now I'm giving back the floor to you. If you're as good as you claim to be and not just an anonymous coward. Then feel free to make a comment. Better yet, show me your own stats.
I may not play that many games nor do I play in the higher stakes. But I think my game can stand on its own.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Going Up
Just to give an update. I recently moved up to playing $11 turbos in various sites and so far so good. My average ROI on the 11s has been in the 20+ % range. This is higher than my normal ROI in the $6.50s so that's kind of strange. But I've played a small number of games so far so its most probably a temporary upswing. I did finish reading Harrington on Holdem vol 1 and that could have had a positive effect on my game.
Also qualified for the $20K Holiday Freeroll over at Pokerroom and the $50K Month-end freeroll at Poker.com. So those are some tourneys to look forward to near the end of the year.
I am quite realistic with my chances in these kinds of promotional tourneys as players will usually number more than a thousand with huge variance due to the number of fishes. But then again, its next to free so nothing to lose but your time and you get the chance to win significant money if you get deep. The only thing I hate is the waking up part as they would usually start early morning.
Well, that's about everything that's happening in the poker front. I did notice one thing though, how come pokerstars doesn't have 11+1 Turbo SNGs? It's weird. From the $6.50s, it immediately goes up to the 16s. Although its better value for money in term of rake, its a bit too rich for my blood right now. Full Tilt on the other hands skips to the $22 after the $11s. So if I'm after gradual increases in my SNG games, I'm going to have to go back and forth between the 2 sites. =)
Also qualified for the $20K Holiday Freeroll over at Pokerroom and the $50K Month-end freeroll at Poker.com. So those are some tourneys to look forward to near the end of the year.
I am quite realistic with my chances in these kinds of promotional tourneys as players will usually number more than a thousand with huge variance due to the number of fishes. But then again, its next to free so nothing to lose but your time and you get the chance to win significant money if you get deep. The only thing I hate is the waking up part as they would usually start early morning.
Well, that's about everything that's happening in the poker front. I did notice one thing though, how come pokerstars doesn't have 11+1 Turbo SNGs? It's weird. From the $6.50s, it immediately goes up to the 16s. Although its better value for money in term of rake, its a bit too rich for my blood right now. Full Tilt on the other hands skips to the $22 after the $11s. So if I'm after gradual increases in my SNG games, I'm going to have to go back and forth between the 2 sites. =)
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