Poker of the weekend:

The wife was away so I played WAY too much. I netted about -1 buy in. One thing I noticed, I am not sure it’s the most profitable way to play to get in line on a super loose table, why you ask? Well I will tell you, at least at $50 NL I am the better players get in line at these tables, so you have a table of good players and one bad one, you simply have to wait your turn.

In truth I find the best way to make money is to start a new table and wait for it to fill up. The fish just sit and play anyway, why try to feed on a fish that has others already after it, just open a seat and let them come to you.

Cravings...

I am getting 6 max cravings. It can get boring playing at a 14 or less VPIP, I find myself loosing up to much and getting hammered, then tighten back up and getting it back. All poker is about position and FR it is so important and you spend most of the time out of position, so playing less and less hands. Yes it is easier to play 8 to 12 tables full ring, but I am really wanting to try it again. 

I think I think I am going to take a shot, not a shot at $100 NL but 6 max and see how it goes, I have 40+ buy ins at $50 NL, I think if I play careful I can do ok. If I get my head handed to me, there is no shame in going back to full ring. I may also look for a coach to help the transition.

Why you ask? Since I have been doing so well at Full Ring... well if you have not noticed 6 max is the trend of poker, more action etc, Hell look at the training sites, DC has 1 FR video every 2 weeks, and at least 1 6 max video a day. If we are not careful we are going to be left behind.  Just like anything else its all what you make of it. 

Let me clarify one thing.  I am not planning on switching to 6 max full time.  I just want something to change things up a bit, and focus more.  I am planning on staying at my current level, and playing it for fun.  If it goes very well, I will keep it in my mix of games, if not I won’t.  I stand by Full Ring is the best way to make money, especially in the micros and playing 6 to 9 tables and winning smaller amounts is the best way to go.  I just want to change things up. 

I am not going to play ring PLO8 and tourneys and SNG's SUCK so this is what I came up with. 

I think one thing I am doing is carrying on too many IM conversation via Skype while playing, including sending hand histories back and forth. I propose to you everyone ... Go to a site like WeakTight and open an account, you can post hands there at your connivance on that site, we can become friends on the site and subscribe to the RSS feed, this will put the hands into your Google reader where we can look at the hands at out leisure. If anyone wants to follow the hands I post my account name is jwthoma

For those I chat with via Skype, I will talk via Skype while playing, but I am going to stop typing and playing. I generally play at a table less then an hour or take a break every hour. I will get back to you.

Run Fat Boy Run

I may be one on the dumbest humans on the planet, well Snuffy and I. Who in their right mind enters a weight loss bet the week of Thanksgiving?

Today begins (for me again) another diet / exercise program. Since I am significantly heavier then Snuffy we are going by percent of body weight lost. Starting today and ending in April. Winner gets a 50% piece of the other in a WSOP Circuit event, we plan to play in St. Louis in April.

Fitness and poker… Over the last few weeks I have fallen off the weight loss band wagon. So here is what I am planning.

I have a passion for poker, I pretty sure that most people that read my blog know this. I have a wife that is fine with me playing poker, and she tends to go to bed early so I get to play with out catching any crap.

Since it not probable for me to work out every day, I am going say that if it has been two or more days I will not play poker until I work out again.

Fitness Goals:

• April 2010 run the 5K Race in St. Louis

• By April 2011 run half marathon in St. Louis

I am thinking of hiring a trainer. But we will see.

The New Look Votes Needed

I was searching 2+2 in my on going quest for the perfect Full Tilt poker table.  Many of those who know often make fun of my quest. I think I may have some tables in the running.  If anyone is interested they were free on the forum if you look hard enough, or ask me.  Let me know which ones you like, if any.  Also many do not care, that’s fine but let me know what one you like.  Thanks

  

  

 

Damn I hate when Work Interferes with Fun

This is the busiest week of the year for me in my professional life, as we gear up for Black Friday. I have been dragging when I got home. This has had an impact on my poker playing.

I am still getting my 200 FPP’s a day, (Thursday night 12 tabled for 40 min to get 150 points) I should have Gold status tonight and IRON MAN next week. As far as winning and losing, I think I am down a buy in and a half or so.

Only a few more days of the craziness and it should get back to normal.

Cada In CNN and On Letterman

 

Lottery Poker

First of all let me state I have an issue with short stackers, these players take all the skill out of poker. They either fold or shove, if they are betting they have AA.

Let me make a few definitions:

Short Stacker – some one that buys in for the table min. plays ultra tight. They use a push fold mentality.

Preset buy in players – the table at an online site have a preset buy in amount… like .10 .25 min buy in $5.. preset $15 and max buy in $25. On average these players are newer or playing above their bankroll.

It is relatively easy to play them. You know what you have to have so stay in the hand. If they shove pre they have AK, KK or QQ… if they bet they have AA. $25 and $10 NL the players are weaker but at $50 and above it are that simple.

For me I do not mind have a short stackers at the table. I raise with any hand when they have position on me, they fold 90% of the time. It does not take a big bet to make the fold either. If they play back you know what to do, if they call and you flop 2 pair + you will felt them, if not check fold.

In position is a little uglier they generally fold to you, so you can get a lot of walks, but your not going to be stealing from them.

On a side note I am not sure why anyone would want to use this strategy, seems pretty boring, and long term not a winning proposition.

Update: Night, Month and 100K II

I had the best night I have had in a long time, if not ever playing cash up $257. Woot

Here is my November graph:

And here is my graph since I started the 100K II challenge last Sept.