Recap November 2007

As I mentioned in a prior post, I'm training for the upcoming local bracelet event dubbed the Conshohocken Classic. We expect between 32-40 top players from this area. I've been training hard for this event. I'm at a big disadvantage to my younger foes online, as I can only hit the felt when my family's needs are met and in bed, so it means some late-ish nites for me. This week I managed to get some early starts at some MTTs sized about the same as the expected turnout for the Conshohocken Classic, and with good results: 7/8 final tables with 5 ITM finishes (still no wins).
.
11/24/07
Finished 2/27 ITM
Tonight, underdog hands did some real damage. One outcome was in my favor, the other two cost me first place. This beat really hurt because I really wanted to nail down an MTT first place.

A one-outer in my favor: http://www.pokerhand.org/?1736125
I reraise here because the table was playing back at all my standard raises with what seemed like ATC. I knew I was behind after his reraise, so I was clearly lucky here. I overplayed this PP but I was way ahead of the table's range. The flush draw on top made it a one-outer. OP was furious and went on a tirade afterwards. Soon afterwards, I got the best of him with these nice hands
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1736126 (note his chat)
and
http://www.pokerhand.org/?1736128

but down to heads up, this cost me first place: http://www.pokerhand.org/?1736220

and it's over with this: http://www.pokerhand.org/?1736235

I'm not enjoying playing at PokerStars. Rather than gripe about it here, I'll write up a more complete comparison with FullTilt in another post. But in short, I just don't see why so many players like it. That's NOT to say I won't accept an endorsement from them when I'm at the TV table of a WPT event!
.
11/27/07
I feel like I'm playing well - I get my chips in way good, only to lose to significant underdogs. At this point I can only keep plugging away and trying to incorporate my newly refined strategy.
.
11/28/07
Finished 3/45 ITM,
Played reasonably well. Early and middle games were pretty strong, end game was acceptable (which is a big improvement for me). Had two blind steals blow up on me (was played back at very strongly), and passed on two good opportunities to steal, otherwise I may have done better.
11/28/07
Finished 21/162 ITM 5-card draw (limit). I was in 4th pretty deep, but in 9th place, my son got ill in his sleep and I had to attend to him. I sat out until I was down to a couple big blinds. I was surprised I floated ITM. I haven't played this game in 25 years! It's the game I played most as a teen, and I admit I've forgotten how to think strategically. Correct that - I didn't think strategically back then either, so I'm learning now. But after such a long haitus, I'm really enjoying it. Chalk one up for PokerStars! My only issue is that the PL tournament is too early in the evening for me (there is no NL offered), and I don't enjoy limit, but I'm making an exception since I really like 5-card draw.
.
11/29/07
Final tabled 2 45-MTTs but did not place ITM. Very disappointed in this outcome. I played short-stack well (fought back to average) only to bust as the favorite in both tourneys. I lost an unhealthy amount of chips to resteals and OPs playing back at me, which seems to happen more and more as the average player is exposed more and more to teaching that advocates aggression. Players are simply willing to bust out with ATC, as long as they are being aggressive.
.
11/30/07
Finished 6/45 ITM when my AT lost to KJ. If I win that showdown, I'm back in it at a strong 3rd. The significance of this tourney was that I fought back from down to 790 very early. I played the short stack great, and my end game was pretty good. I definitely see some improvement taking place.


this week demonstrates that playing reasonably well still does result in profitability.

11/11 played the Sunday night CP forum private tourney. i was very happy with the quality of play, and i think i played well. one hand i think i should have called all in but i folded. i posted the hand for review by the forum gurus. we'll see what they say. i eventually bubbled at 4th when my AA was cracked by KK. i called the BB UTG knowing LP would raise. i bet out the flop and shoved the turn but was already beat by the flopped K. anyway i don't see a need to continue playing these CP tourneys, as the turnout is really low. i'd rather grind away at the 45s in preparation for the upcoming Conshohocken Classic.

11/8 returned from a Diwali feast in time to play my first CP forum private tournament. i've benefited from reading hand posts from those forums and have even started to follow some of their blogs, so i thought i would join them. it was a 6-max rebuy MTT but turnout seemed very low - i'll have to give it another try. i suppose my expectations were different. stakes were so low that it incentivized everyone to shove with wide ranges the first hour. the structure didn't incentivize anyone to play in the methodical & thoughtful way reflected in their forum posts. i knocked out one of my favorite posters - how ironic. i made it down to heads up and then gave my chips away to a well concealed KK played nicely by villain. i should have rethought that decision a little more, but i was tired and didn't want to agonize over it.

11/5 won 2 out of 3 heads-up matches. wasn't sure how long i would have to play this night so i chose heads up. might stick with this to see if i can make a run. i don't usually play heads up -not even in MTTs !

11/4 busted all five tourneys i entered. not even worth blogging about.

11/2 ITM 5/45

11/2 it looks like the Conshohocken Classic will be Jan 12 2008. More on this to come...