Been a bit....

Haven't sat in a game in a week, but last Wednesday night was fun. I finished 2nd, but my seat couldn't have been worse for me. To my right, the man known as Klownboxer. I've written about him in the past--he mixes up his game so much, I think he gets lost. Makes him very tough to play against. To my left, Big Vito. One of the best players I know. I managed to get 2nd place, thanks to BV going on ultra-tilt (not steaming tilt, but enough of a roller coaster that had even him laughing), plus catching a few big hands at key moments. Can't say I played spectacular poker by any stretch, I just kinda waited things out.

Anyway, we still have a little time before our next big event, so that in mind, I may try to pull together a game this Sunday. If I do, we may decide on a mixed game thing--H.O.R.S.E. or maybe even S.H.O.E. I have to get a good blind structure for those if we go that route. Otherwise, it will be your straight hold 'em game.

All depends on how many players I can drum up, and their preferences.

Hope you guys like the new configuration for the blog. This being an election year, I wanted to place the PPA banner in a place of prominence, to remind everyone that poker is a game of skill, not a lotto ticket. Poker is NOT the "bad thing" that breaks down the moral fiber of our country. We, as voters, need to remember these things as we head to the polls this November. I'm not telling you who to vote for, just telling you to vote. I have an idea of how I will cast my ballot, but I reserve the right to keep that private.

Hope all of you have a great week, and weekend, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

~M

Workin' the Laundromat

My favorite line of late at the table has been "I feel like I work the laundromat, with as much folding as I'm doing."

That got a chuckle from my bud NY Mike on Saturday, and it was true. I maybe saw 18% of the flops available to me, releasing hands ranging from A-9 on the low end to 77 on the high end. Never saw an AK, and had AQ once--more on that in a minute.

Didn't really have tremendous starting hands (had some, but not a ton), made some nice plays at some pots with less than the nuts, your basic rollercoaster of emotions night. Did manage to have KK against a player's all in, when they had 88 (still waiting for my bounty, Daxamillion). Doubled up on AA, and then survived another all in when my A-9 (short stacked) out ran A-J.

Make it to 4-handed play, blinds are 600-1200, 200 ante. I am the short stack (with 6000 total), in the SB, I pick up As-Qc. UTG folds, button limps, I shove, BB folds. Button thinks about it, and then says, "I am suited."

I instantly think he has K-x or even A-x. He cuts out the 4800 more to call, and drops it in. He then opens up 4c-3c.

Suffice to say, he hit a 4, and busted me.

I am still trying to see the logic in that call. The only saving grace to his call, was he was the chip leader. Still, do you risk doubling up another play with 4-high in a 4 handed game? I don't know. I don't think I could make that kind of a call there.

I was so perturbed by it, that when I woke up Sunday, I took a deck of cards, pulled out the As-Qc and the 4c-3c, set them aside, shuffled the stub, removed the top 4 cards (4 random unseen cards representing the hands that were folded by the BB and UTG players), and ran out flops. I did this 20 times. It ended up that AQ won 11 of the 20 hands. According to Cardplayer.com's calculator, I am a 60%-38% favorite, pre-flop.

These thing happen, I am getting better at fading the beats (it's not lasting as long anymore, anyway). I feel quite good about my play on Saturday night--it was a nice feeling after a rough week of play in Vegas.

Hope to get out Wednesday and sit again, and perhaps this coming Sunday as well. Have to see if Mrs. Chipstack is up for it.

~M

Miss me?

More after Saturday's festivities.

I wish I had more, but I don't. Haven't been playing as much--work has been hectic. Will get back tot eh table on Wednesday of next week--gonna burn a day (provided the bossman ok's it), as I have to work next Saturday night.

For the loyal followers of the blog, I'll tell ya a funny story of who has spied this blog recently.

The key word is "spied."

~M

Back at the table

Irish Jim being out of town for 3 weeks has me taking on the home game in his absence (although Mrs. Chipstack volunteered it before me--how cool). So, a 6 handed game broke out at the homestead, and I was playing fairly well, considering I haven't sat in a game in a while. Nothing out of line, seeing cheap flops with connectors, 1 or 2 gappers, small pairs, and so on. Had KK once, along with 55, and 22, and only saw 2 bully aces (an AK and suited AJ). My hands were holding up, too, so it was enjoyable.

Until....(lol).

Blinds are 100-200 with a 25 ante, I have 4250 (roughly), and in the SB I have 10d-4d, no raises to me, so I simply complete. The BB had a shorter stack than me, so it was all-in or check, I assumed it would be a check, and it was.

Flop:

7d-2d-X

Nice flop for my hand, picking up the flush draw. I check, BB checks, button checks (we are still 6 handed at this point).

Turn:

Ad

Bingo. I hit my flush, and I am fairly sure the ace hit one of my 2 opponents. I decide to slow play this for a couple reasons. I want to build the pot now, and the ace was a perfect card to get someone to make a move at the pot, thinking they have the best hand. I check, SB checks, button shoves for 3900.

I call, roll over the flush, he tables A-7 off, for 2 pair. I'm in the lead, he has 4 outs to win.

River:

7h

Ack.

I'm down to 250 after the hand, and go broke a couple hands later.

Now, while this is a bad way to lose (notice not a bad beat, because I was behind pre-flop, and after the flop, took the lead on the turn, and then lost on the river--I trailed for only a fleeting moment), I really wasn't mad about losing the hand. I executed the hand as well as I could have (and I am open to your thoughts on this too). I made the button believe he had the lead when his ace fell, even though he was trailing big time.

Turns out I was a 90% favorite (see odds calculator above), to win the hand, with him have 4 wins in the deck. That's how it goes sometimes--poker is a beautiful and cruel game all at once. These things happen. Again, though, I was pleased with the way I told the story in the hand to make my opponent feel he had the lead, and I was able to get him to go all-in without the lead.

In the end, it's about correct decisions. I made a lot of them there. I'm happy.

~M

Friday Funnies

Taking the night off of work to check out Lewis Black. Oughta be a riot.

Click this link for a sample--I'm having embed issues with youtube.

No poker this weekend for me, and safe travels to Irish Jim. 3 weeks away--we'll miss ya buddy!

~M