Opening day is upon us - actually, almost over as I write this. It was an interesting day of baseball games.
Side note - I have been crushing hockey. I went 7 days without losing a contest. Any contest. Plus 13 of my last 15 NASCAR contests. March started out as my worst month and finishes as my best month to date. Good variance is waaaaaaaay better than the bad kind.
I'm super hyped to play fantasy baseball. I was a little disappointed the contests were not filling until early Monday morning. I joined as many as I could, until I noticed that a server issue was making things crawl to a standstill. Filling out a single roster was taking over 30 minutes.
As 1pm approached, I knew I was running out of time to fill rosters. I didn't make it. Fortunately, everyone else was having the same problem. I had 3 contests where I was short a player, but I also had 3 contests where I was up a player - basically a wash.
(Note to self - sign up for one contest, fill the roster, then repeat.)
I planned very carefully for the weather, avoiding any games with 50% chance of rain. While this hurt me on the Phillies game, it definitely helped on the Yankees and the Cards. So many rosters had Pujols or Arod/Jeter/Cano.
I will be pissed if there are scoring issues with the postponed games. It states very clearly those players receive zero points.
As the last game finishes up it looks very much like a winning day. Baseball seems to have 4x (or more) the traffic of hockey. This could mean that fantasy will become my primary activity.
I'm still playing poker, but I'm ratcheting down the hands until my learning curve is over in baseball.
UPDATE: Adrian Gonzalez struck out in the 8th... costing me 5 contests (where I was tied). Sigh. Even with that downswing, I'm 23 for 35 on the day with a 19.93% ROI. March finishes with a 19.85% ROI (2nd best), but best $$$ winnings to date.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Different Styles of Tilt
One of the amazing revelations I've had this spring is that there are different styles (levels) of tilt. I've been pokering for five years and now just realize that tilt can affect me in different ways.
Interestingly enough, this realization came to me while playing fantasy hockey. I went through a rough patch and lost a few contests on injuries, bad calls or empty net goals.
Wait a minute... what is this feeling of calmness? I took the proverbial bad beat - yet I wasn't tilted. I knew I put together the best team and it would win the majority of contests. Wow, I still have confidence. Am I tilt free? Probably not. Let's just call fantasy tilt my mildest level of tilt, or french vanilla tilt.
With poker, I haven't been able to master french vanilla tilt. I now realize I'm somehow emotionally connected to the cards, even though the randomness (or lack thereof) is beyond my control.
I play mostly PLO8 these days. Some people like to call this bingo poker. You do see some crazy suck outs and re-sucks. Since the bad beats occur often, it's hard to reach heavy tilt. If I lose a bunch in a row, I usually hit medium tilt or Listerine tilt. (Because it stings a little and leaves a bad taste in your mouth.)
On Listerine tilt, I usually shut it down for the day and I'm good to go tomorrow.
I still play NLHE - I'm still trying to qualify for the WSOP. I also get a bunch of bonus added freerolls thrown my way. Although I've had my biggest cashes in NLHE tournaments, I think it's the most "luck influenced" poker game. (a.k.a. highest variance for the math geeks.)
Since one turn of the card can put your 75/25 favorite into a 20/80 underdog, NLHE still puts me on heavy tilt. I call this Blind Fury tilt (or Rutger Hauer tilt). You're so pissed off you can hardly see straight and you want to break shit or kick people's asses. (Samurai sword optional.)
Blind Fury tilt usually causes me to stay away from poker for a few days. I wait until the hunger to play returns.
Even though fantasy results and river cards are both beyond my control, one tilts me hard and the other doesn't. I hope I can translate this revelation into an improvement of my poker skills.
We're constantly on a voyage of self discovery, where we learn about ourselves and what pushes our tilt buttons.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Needless to say, my satellite play has me on Blind Fury tilt:
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 9
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 2500
Total cash spent: $15.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Interestingly enough, this realization came to me while playing fantasy hockey. I went through a rough patch and lost a few contests on injuries, bad calls or empty net goals.
Wait a minute... what is this feeling of calmness? I took the proverbial bad beat - yet I wasn't tilted. I knew I put together the best team and it would win the majority of contests. Wow, I still have confidence. Am I tilt free? Probably not. Let's just call fantasy tilt my mildest level of tilt, or french vanilla tilt.
With poker, I haven't been able to master french vanilla tilt. I now realize I'm somehow emotionally connected to the cards, even though the randomness (or lack thereof) is beyond my control.
I play mostly PLO8 these days. Some people like to call this bingo poker. You do see some crazy suck outs and re-sucks. Since the bad beats occur often, it's hard to reach heavy tilt. If I lose a bunch in a row, I usually hit medium tilt or Listerine tilt. (Because it stings a little and leaves a bad taste in your mouth.)
On Listerine tilt, I usually shut it down for the day and I'm good to go tomorrow.
I still play NLHE - I'm still trying to qualify for the WSOP. I also get a bunch of bonus added freerolls thrown my way. Although I've had my biggest cashes in NLHE tournaments, I think it's the most "luck influenced" poker game. (a.k.a. highest variance for the math geeks.)
Since one turn of the card can put your 75/25 favorite into a 20/80 underdog, NLHE still puts me on heavy tilt. I call this Blind Fury tilt (or Rutger Hauer tilt). You're so pissed off you can hardly see straight and you want to break shit or kick people's asses. (Samurai sword optional.)
Blind Fury tilt usually causes me to stay away from poker for a few days. I wait until the hunger to play returns.
Even though fantasy results and river cards are both beyond my control, one tilts me hard and the other doesn't. I hope I can translate this revelation into an improvement of my poker skills.
We're constantly on a voyage of self discovery, where we learn about ourselves and what pushes our tilt buttons.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Needless to say, my satellite play has me on Blind Fury tilt:
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 9
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 2500
Total cash spent: $15.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Lord Geznikor: Dead or Alive?
Remember that show, Remote Control? With Colin Quinn and some young dude named Adam Sandler?
They used to play "(Is this celebrity) dead or alive". It appears we now have a "DoA" poker blogger mystery on our hands.
Lord Geznikor is an original poker blogger. He is a G-Lister, as in O.G. LG always told it like it was and often it wasn't pretty. He took a shot at Vegas and failed miserably.
He was often busto and still blogged about the game even though he was on the rail. He was brutally honest about his losses. Most people who commented on his blog were ruthless and mean spirited. (Tangent: Mean people suck.)
I always thought he was quite eloquent for a verbose math geek.
I've checked his blog every week for an update but there has been none. However, I recently realized there were numerous new comments referring to the possibility (or claims) that LG has died (or committed suicide). If this turns out to be true, I find it incredibly sad.
We had exchanged IM's in the past and he hasn't been online in quite awhile.
Perhaps it is false, it wouldn't be the first time a poker blogger pulled a publicity stunt in bad taste. I always thought LG would find success if he just discovered a little self-confidence from within.
In a perfect world, LG hopefully found his happiness outside of poker and perhaps is thriving today as I type this.
Whatever has happened, his dedication to poker helped sustain my passion for the game. Thank you for that gift.
They used to play "(Is this celebrity) dead or alive". It appears we now have a "DoA" poker blogger mystery on our hands.
Lord Geznikor is an original poker blogger. He is a G-Lister, as in O.G. LG always told it like it was and often it wasn't pretty. He took a shot at Vegas and failed miserably.
He was often busto and still blogged about the game even though he was on the rail. He was brutally honest about his losses. Most people who commented on his blog were ruthless and mean spirited. (Tangent: Mean people suck.)
I always thought he was quite eloquent for a verbose math geek.
I've checked his blog every week for an update but there has been none. However, I recently realized there were numerous new comments referring to the possibility (or claims) that LG has died (or committed suicide). If this turns out to be true, I find it incredibly sad.
We had exchanged IM's in the past and he hasn't been online in quite awhile.
Perhaps it is false, it wouldn't be the first time a poker blogger pulled a publicity stunt in bad taste. I always thought LG would find success if he just discovered a little self-confidence from within.
In a perfect world, LG hopefully found his happiness outside of poker and perhaps is thriving today as I type this.
Whatever has happened, his dedication to poker helped sustain my passion for the game. Thank you for that gift.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Today I didn't even hafta use my AK....
Finally, a couple of good days after a tepid week.
Poker is still treating me like a stepchild. I played a bunch of NLHE on Saturday without sniffing a cash. I burned through almost all of my FPP's on WSOP sats.
However, I've actually won my last three PLO8 SNG's. I just haven't felt like playing much this week.
I had a good NASCAR week, winning 5 of 6 contests. Too bad qualifying was cancelled, I might have done better.
But ultimately, I'm crushing hockey. I had a great week and it's turning out to be a great month. Winning over 67% of all contests (all sports).
Baseball starts in less than 2 weeks. Expecting heavy volume, I might win fewer overall contests but more cash.
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 7
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 2500
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Poker is still treating me like a stepchild. I played a bunch of NLHE on Saturday without sniffing a cash. I burned through almost all of my FPP's on WSOP sats.
However, I've actually won my last three PLO8 SNG's. I just haven't felt like playing much this week.
I had a good NASCAR week, winning 5 of 6 contests. Too bad qualifying was cancelled, I might have done better.
But ultimately, I'm crushing hockey. I had a great week and it's turning out to be a great month. Winning over 67% of all contests (all sports).
Baseball starts in less than 2 weeks. Expecting heavy volume, I might win fewer overall contests but more cash.
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 7
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 2500
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I'm Angry At Poker
I'm definitely a little steamed with my play at the tables. I feel I'm playing good but not getting any reward for my play.
I've bubbled A LOT over the last week. Enough to make me take a few days off (also to solve my Dad's TV problem).
I study, I take my play seriously, I play only when well rested. I cash 10% more often than the average player. How long do I have to wait before I finally earn some serious coin? I'm beginning to think there is some form of karmic retribution going on here. (Pass the tin foil hat. Seriously. Size XL.)
I'm even on a downswing in fantasy for 2008 - most due to the last two NASCAR races. But I consistently win 60+% of my contests. I have won in the past, I have an expectation of winning and have never fell below my initial deposit bankroll. Others player avoid me, obviously recognizing me as quality opponent.
The beauty of poker is that the bad players win sometimes, and that keeps them coming back. I don't consider myself a bad player. Right now I'm not winning enough to keep coming back. It's no fun playing "for playing's sake" when you rarely win.
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 4
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 1000
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
I've bubbled A LOT over the last week. Enough to make me take a few days off (also to solve my Dad's TV problem).
I study, I take my play seriously, I play only when well rested. I cash 10% more often than the average player. How long do I have to wait before I finally earn some serious coin? I'm beginning to think there is some form of karmic retribution going on here. (Pass the tin foil hat. Seriously. Size XL.)
I'm even on a downswing in fantasy for 2008 - most due to the last two NASCAR races. But I consistently win 60+% of my contests. I have won in the past, I have an expectation of winning and have never fell below my initial deposit bankroll. Others player avoid me, obviously recognizing me as quality opponent.
The beauty of poker is that the bad players win sometimes, and that keeps them coming back. I don't consider myself a bad player. Right now I'm not winning enough to keep coming back. It's no fun playing "for playing's sake" when you rarely win.
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 4
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 1000
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Friday, March 07, 2008
Stepping Out
I continue to NOT run good. The NLO8 play has produced four consecutive losing days, with my ROI still positive but crashing to 9%. I'm still a winner this week in hockey but only slightly (ROI 10%).
Stars has finally started their WSOP satellites and has instituted a steps program to the main event. I really can't see an easier way of playing your way there. Win six 9-man SNG's, not even consecutively.
So, I'm making at least one attempt every day. Needless to say, I've gone out on beats after getting in with the best of it. I'm almost starting to cringe when I see KK now. Anyhoo, I'm keeping a tab on my attempts to qualify for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy:
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 3
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 1000
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Stars has finally started their WSOP satellites and has instituted a steps program to the main event. I really can't see an easier way of playing your way there. Win six 9-man SNG's, not even consecutively.
So, I'm making at least one attempt every day. Needless to say, I've gone out on beats after getting in with the best of it. I'm almost starting to cringe when I see KK now. Anyhoo, I'm keeping a tab on my attempts to qualify for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy:
2008 WSOP satellite results:
Total SNG's entered: 3
Highest step reached: Step 1
Total FPP's spent: 1000
Total cash spent: $0.00
Total prize money won: $0.00*
(*ME seats valued at $12,500.)
Monday, March 03, 2008
Hitting On One Cylinder
One of these days I'll run good on all fronts.
I jinxed myself good in the last post. Fantasy-wise, I finished the month with two straight losing days, resulting in my first losing month ever. A whopping -$2.10 while winning 58+% of my contests.
I completed my lousy week with a Sunday which pretty much tied my worst day ever. I won only one NASCAR contest. Tony Stewart crashing, (3-time defending champ) Jimmie Johnson on cruise control while two laps down and Jeffypoo Gordon taking out Matt Kenseth AGAIN killed me across the board. Stewart finished 40th or worse for only the 4th time in almost 300 cup starts.
I haven't been exactly lighting it up in fantasy hockey, but I've been winning.
Poker has been my redemption. The NLO8 contests continue to be soft. In the 18-man SNG's, the top 4 pay, making 5th place the bubble. I reach 5th or better 50% of the time.
I bubble a little more than I'd like, it happened 3 times in a row today. It makes me tilty for sure. However, after spouting off in the chat a bit, I followed up with 2 consecutive wins.
After one week of playing these, I'm in the money 36.71%, with an ROI of 45.31%. (FYI, these don't track on OPR, so I keep stats on a spreadsheet.)
I jinxed myself good in the last post. Fantasy-wise, I finished the month with two straight losing days, resulting in my first losing month ever. A whopping -$2.10 while winning 58+% of my contests.
I completed my lousy week with a Sunday which pretty much tied my worst day ever. I won only one NASCAR contest. Tony Stewart crashing, (3-time defending champ) Jimmie Johnson on cruise control while two laps down and Jeffypoo Gordon taking out Matt Kenseth AGAIN killed me across the board. Stewart finished 40th or worse for only the 4th time in almost 300 cup starts.
I haven't been exactly lighting it up in fantasy hockey, but I've been winning.
Poker has been my redemption. The NLO8 contests continue to be soft. In the 18-man SNG's, the top 4 pay, making 5th place the bubble. I reach 5th or better 50% of the time.
I bubble a little more than I'd like, it happened 3 times in a row today. It makes me tilty for sure. However, after spouting off in the chat a bit, I followed up with 2 consecutive wins.
After one week of playing these, I'm in the money 36.71%, with an ROI of 45.31%. (FYI, these don't track on OPR, so I keep stats on a spreadsheet.)
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