What a year!!!

As 08 comes to a close, I can truly reflect on a great year. Not just poker wise, but just life in general.

Just to top of a great year, I took 2nd in a $50k on FTP for $8k today. My biggest cash ever. I really think I should have won the tourney. I had, or was close to, the CL from the end of the first hour right down till there were 5 left, then took 2 beats back 2 back, and was 4/5! I managed to win a couple races, and had reclaimed the CL with 3 left, then with 2 left, but pushed A5s into AJo, and that gave him a big CL. I eventually doubled once, and got within about 3-1, when I pushed A9, and he called with 22, and spiked a 2 on the flop, I did end up with 4 str8 outs on the river, but not, o'well GG.......

I really started taking poker a lot more serious as of late. I've been re-playing my mtt's, although not as much as I should, and I downloaded Holdem Manager. Now I have to go about learning what the heck all the numbers mean. I already have a little grasp on it after just 4 tourneys, but I know that I have only scratched the surface as to what it can help with. So, basically my goal for 09 poker wise is to spend more time studying, and learning. I also want to get myself in the top 10 on the PCS leader board. Although, I consider that a short term goal, as I really think I can do that within the next month! Then I shoot for top 5!!!

I have a snowmobile trip planned for presidents day weekend, in MN, so I'm looking forward to that. I'll spend 10 or so days there, so I get some time with Ashley too.

Happy New Year,
Vikes

Another Vacation Over!!

Yesterday I got back from 20 days in MN, where I did some deer hunting, and spent some time with my daughter. Vacation got to be long, and I was glad to get home, but I did have a great time while there. We managed to go 10 for 10 at the deer shack, so that was great. My dad got the biggest, a 190# 13 pointer. I managed to slay a 120# spiker. A perfect 50 yd shot resulted in a quick clean kill.


I also got to attend one of Ashley's band concerts while in MN. It's the first one I've been to in a while, so it was fun, and she was excited that I got to be there! I also rented a couple rooms at a hotel over one of the weekends, and that was fun too. The hotel had a pool on each floor, and a hot tub on the roof.

Over the last 30 days, before vacation, I played about 600 sng's, and made about $1200 doing it, I'm only running about 6% roi, but was at 8% before I hit a terrible run over the last 100 or so.

Cereus has officially launched, and I really like the new schedule. I played my first set of mtt's today, but didn't do so well, other than a $10r PLO final table, but I was immediately coolered, and only managed 9th.

Now that vacation is over, it's time for me to get back to the grind. I'm going to start playing mostly ultra turbos on FTP, but am also going to be playing some Cereus mtt's.
Happy Turkey Day,
Vikes

Been Too Long!

I've turned into a SnG grinder! The super turbos on FTP is where you will find me now a days. I started out playing the $15,s but have moved up to the $30's, with a $45 or two thrown in just about every session. After about 700 I'm running 7% roi, and I've been on a bad downswing the last 40 or so, nothing has been holding! Amazing how many times I've lost, while having someone dominated, lately anyway. I guess that's part of grinding. I've played a few tourneys here and there with little success. I did cash the 150k on AP last week for $1050, with a free buy-in, so I'm still up a little, mtt wise, on the month.

I'm really excited to be heading back to MN next month. I'll be flying out the 6th-25th. I get to spend some time deer hunting, at the shack, in the north woods, something I haven't done in 3 years. Plus, I'll get to spend time with Ashley, and even be there for a band concert, so she's happy about that too.

I just got PS3, so that's been getting a lot of play the last few days. I've also been doing a lot of fall fishing, for black fish. They are soooo good. Best salt water fish IMHO!!

A good friend of mine passed away, from a heart attack, this week, Steve "Joe Dirt" Quintana, was a selfless guy, who will be sorely missed by many. I wish his family the best during these trying times.

Skol Brother Dirt
Vikes

Back To The Grind?

Daytona was awesome. 5 days of sun and beach, with a lot of alcohol on top, makes for a good time.
Jim and I toured the Speedway, as well as the Kennedy Space Center. I kinda follow NASCAR, but have never been a huge follower, but the Speedway tour was one of the best vacation tours I've ever done. The sheer size of the place is incredible. Sitting on pit row watching the cars zip around was very cool. Lucky for us the Richard Petty Driving School was going on so we got to see the cars zipping around. I can now see why people love this sport. The Space Center was cool to, but it was so damn hot we cut it short. The rockets and shuttles were cool to see close up, and the tiny area they shove the astronauts into is crazy. I can't stand a 4 hour plane ride in them damn small seats, and these guys do it for days.

Monday we had to suffer through Tavaris Jackson, and the Vikes coaching staff. The refs didn't help either. How they got that instant replay wrong is beyond me, even the Packer fans, at the bar, were bitching. It was that bad. How the hell do you have one of the best running backs in the league, and still have more pass attempts, then rushing attempts.

Anyway, instead of the trip home late this month, I decided to wait, and go home the first two weeks of Nov for deer season. Also, decided against the Montana trip, maybe next year I'll get my act together earlier.

Couple pics from the trip.
Victory Lane Daytona Speedway.


Sunup in Daytona.


Break over,
Vikes

Summers Over

Well, Ashley went home yesterday. Tear....First couple days after she leaves, are always hard. Had to call her already today, because I'm already suffering from withdrawals.

We did have a wonderful summer though. Wrapped it up with some school shopping, and a beauty salon session. She's getting to that age. O Boy!!! I'm going to MN the last week of September, so it won't be to long before I see her again.

So, the first day of grinding, without interruptions, was pretty dang good. I only played 4 mtt's, and FT two of them. I managed a 4th in the AP Nooner for $450ish, and 2nd in the 14k 6max on Tilt for $4.4k. I half expected my mind to wander today, but the hour long phone call before I started took care of that.

Looking forward to my Daytona trip on the 5th. Going to try hooking up with People Mover for a round of golf. Then back to MN the last week of Sept, then a possible Montana trip in October/November. Plus all the hunting, and fishing. It's going to be a busy fall!
PokerCrewShip.com
Vikes

Enjoying Summer.

I've been playing a little, but I am really trying to enjoy the last couple weeks I have with Ashley. This friday we are going to Six Flags for the day, so that should be fun. Saturday we are going school shopping. And to get her hair done.LOL

We went out on our return trip whale watching, and were lucky enough to see some. We saw two different species, one was a Fin Whale, and I don't remember the other off hand. It was really cool to watch. We even saw one do a couple rolls, which the captain said was rare. Anyway, I did get some video, but I guess I have to get a firewire card/cable/software package first, so I'll do it when I get it.

Also, went out fishing for some fluke yesterday, but only caught one, and it was 1" short of legal, so I had to throw it back. It was nice getting out on the boat again. I'm also pretty sure I'll be going Tuna fishing the end of August. Then the trip to Mexico has been changed to St Thomas, I think, but Daytona Beach is a possibility too. Anyway we are definitely booking it tomorrow, so I'll let you know where next post.

Go USA,
Vikes

BEST DAY EVER!!!!

I really don't have a whole lot to say, but yesterday was my best MTT day ever, so I had to write something. The train is not only still rolling, it seems to be picking up speed.
Last night in the Big Doubles, I went deep in both of them, A and B. In the B, I had to do a little grinding, as I took a bad beat, for most of my stack, about half way through the tourney. After two doubles with AA and KK I was back in it as we hit the money. At 1 point I was 3 of 15, so I just played super tight knowing I could make the FT, and that I had the chance to do it in both tourneys.
In the A, I started out good right off, and had the chip lead with around 100 people left, and I never dropped out of the top 9. With 16 left, I was sitting in 3rd, and just started folding, because I had already made the Ft in B, and both FT's is worth more than a win. With 10 left, I dropped to 9th place, and only had 15 more chips then 10th place. That scared me for a hot minute, but the very next hand, the guy in 8th place got knocked out, and we hit the FT.
I finished A in 6th place for $668, I finished B in 7th place for $452, I cashed both for $255, I had the best double finish for $511, and I final tabled both for $5110. In total I made $6996, which tops my old record of $6900!



Keep shoveling the coal,
Vikes

Wee Poker

Well, my train just keeps rollin!! I Put $1.4k on Full tilt on the 20th, and as of yesterday it is already up to $5.5k! I had one nice MTT cash for $3k, and won another $1.1k playing $15/30 limit!
The MTT was a 6max $69+6 $14k guaranteed. With 8 to go I took the CL and held it right down till we were 3 handed, at that point I had more chips then both the others combined. I then proceeded to double both of them up. Both flips, 1 ahead, 1 behind, GG ME.

Also showed profit on AP this week, not sure exactly how much, but about $2k. All playing limit.

Went and saw Kung Fu Panda with the youngin today. It was a good movie, but nothing to special.

Ship shipperie, ship shipperie, ship ship sherie,
Vikes

1000 Words?

Just had to take a picture before I cashed it out..

Balla Status?

Now that I have a roll again, I've been playing in the bigger games, and reaping the rewards. I'm absolutely crushing $15/30 limit. It's just sick. I have to look like a superuser. I know that I'm just on a sick run, because while I consider myself to be a good limit player, I don't consider myself a great one. I even sat at $50/100 for an hour and won 11 BB.

Over the past month, my poker BR has exploded. I'm up 10k from limit alone, plus another 3k from PLO.

So, an all-inclusive Cancun golf retreat is in the works. My best bud and I are going for 7 nights in early September. I am so pumped. I can't wait to kick his ass on the golf course. The Palace hotels down there have a great deal where you can use all the facilities in all 8 of their hotels. Free booze in 30 bars, plus on the golf courses. Only $200 a night. I can't wait.....Balla?


Other than that, same old same old. Someone new moved in down the street, and they have a 4 kids, one of which is a 15 year old girl. So, now my daughter has a new best friend, and doesn't seem to have time for dad anymore. LOL

In the end the grind pays off,
Vikes

Vacation is Over!

Well, my mom flew back to Mn today. It was a pretty good week. We did lots of sight seeing, and I spent hours walking around craft fairs and stuff like that, because my mom is into that stuff! My step dad won a few hundred at the casino playing roulette, so he was happy. My mom, as usual, sat at the bar and played her $.25 poker with little success. Spent a day out on the Atlantic whale watching, but never saw a single one. We did get free passed to return whenever we want, so that's nice. After about 30 minutes at sea, my aunt got seasick, and spent the rest of the 4 hour trip yacking off the back of the boat!
Didn't have much time for poker this week, so nothing to report there. I did, however go on a huge blackjack tear! My BR went from 5k to 13k over the last week, so I'm well on my way to getting back into the bigger tourneys. I figure anything $100 and under is fair game now. I may even throw in the AP 75k once or twice a month.
I still have my daughter for 6 more weeks, so I'm not sure how much I'll play.

Good Luck
Vikes

It's Been Too Long!

I haven't played a tourney, or a SnG in ages! I think I may need to spend some time playing Holdem, just so I don't get too rusty! I've been basically playing nothing but PLO! I'm mostly still playing $50 max even though I have around $5k online, and I could probably move up! The games are so soft at the $50 max it's sick! I may have to move up to $100 max, just to keep my platinum status on AP. LOLOL

My mom is coming on the 5th for a week, so next week I don't think I'll have much time for poker at all! Going to Martha's Vineyard, the 1 thing my mom really wanted to do. Yippie! Other than that, I think we are going to hit 6 Flags, and a night in Manhattan!

I went golfing yesterday, and shot a personal best 78. I can't even believe how well I'm hitting the ball. I hit the GIR on 14 of the 18 holes. Too bad my putter failed me!

My daughter is here for the summer, and we go to the movies at least once a week! Don't Mess With The Zohan is fricking hilarious.

Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice!
Vikes

Rollercoaster of Emotions!

As most of you know, Ashley had to have a growth removed from near her ear, just below the hairline. Of the 4 things the doctor told it could be, one of them was melanoma, and that was a little scary. They had to send it out for a biopsy, and I had to wait 4 days for the results.
While waiting, I found it very hard to concentrate. I went golfing and shot 100. I can't remember the last time I was in triple digits. I tried to play a couple tourneys, but made stupid mistakes, because I would let my mind wander. I was however, still able to make a few hundred playing PLO.
I woke up this morning, after just a few hours of sleep, very nervous about finding out the results. Wondering when they would call, figuring I would have to worry all day, but at 8:30am the phone rang, and I got the results. IT'S BENIGN!!! It's some sort of rare hairline cyst.
I'm pretty sure I aged a year in the last 4 days.

Thank You God,
Vikes

Same Same

Not a whole lot to report on the poker front. I haven't played a whole lot as of lately. Basically took a week off from poker. I did win the Thursday game again last night though.

Played another round of golf. I went out on Tuesday, and shot an 89. Pretty consistent round. Only 1 double bogey.

Pretty much spent the week playing Army of Two on Xbox360. It's a fun game. The first time through its pretty easy, but once you get to professional level, it gets pretty hard.

Also got a Wii last night. The shooter games are gonna be wicked cool on Wii. I got The Legend of Zelda free with it. I've never played Zelda before, but I here it is a cool game, so I'll let ya know once I play.

Ashley, my youngin, comes out on the 23 of June till the 28th of August, so I'm pretty pumped for her arrival. She will be turning 14 this summer, and my days as the hip cool dad are limited. I can see the "I'd rather be with my friends" stage coming out already. I normally get her for the whole summer, but told her to stay home for the first month and spend some time with her friends this year. On a bright note, once she turns 14 I don't have to pay an extra $150 minor fee every time she flys out.

Get Healthy Buchs
Vikes

Yay Golf

Well it's Memorial Day, and I finally got out to do some golfing. Last year by this time , I had played about 15 rounds.
I'm really happy with how I played! I'll take an 88 any day. I hit the green on all 4 par 3's, but only got par on all of them! I only 3 putted 1 time, for a bogey! That drives me so nuts when I'm putting for birdie, and end up with a bogey. I bought a new sand wedge, but only ended up in the beach once. I did however hit a beautiful shot and got it up and down for par with it, so I like it so far.

Someone bought the house next to me, so I have a new neighbor. First night, he has a bonfire, and party in the back yard, and they drank till wee hours of the morning. They weren't real loud or anything, and as soon as I saw him the next morning he apologized for being loud. I told him he wasn't loud not to worry, next time I'm coming over for a beer. In our short talk, I found out he used to work with my uncle. I like em already, which is good!

Poker wise, I'm still mopping up the $20 and $50 max PLO. I haven't even played a sng in a week, and the only tourney I played, I got ousted set over set in the first half hour.


Happy Memorial Day all,
Vikes

Still Grinding

I've really come to like playing Omaha. I'm really surprised at how weak the Omaha games are, at least at the micro level. I know I'm still a rookie, but I'm mopping up the $20 max games. A lot of bingo players that like to come sit with $4 and try to get lucky. I like to look em light, and then if the happen to win, and double, they think that you keep playing like that, and they give it all back the next time! It's almost comical!! I constantly find myself sitting at the $20 max with $40-$50.

I've also played some $50 and $100 max, with alright results! I'm just above break even play over about 3000 hands, add rake to that, and I'm up so far. I know it's not even close to enough hands to consider myself a winning player, but its always nice to move up and not lose right away! Confidence builder!

2/3 of the way through my first full month with rake has really opened my eyes as to how much I really play, and pay! Getting back $5 a day, adds up fast, for a micro donk ! So, it was costing me $16 a day, just to play!

Ship the rake,
Vikes

Hunting, Omaha, and Black Jack

Not a whole lot of time for poker lately. Waking up at 3:30am wears a guy out. What little poker I have been playing, has been mostly omaha, or SnG's.

I've been getting out hunting most days, but have yet to stick one with an arrow. I still love just getting out there, and listening to them gobbling away on the roost. Bagging one is just a bonus. Turkey on toast with mayo, lettuce, and cheese makes a great lunch.

I've always liked omaha, but haven't really played it a lot until recently. I even shipped a tourney. The first one I've played in a couple years. It was only a $5.50, but a win is a win!

Table: 1 (Real Money) Seat #9 is the dealer
Seat 5 - VIKESFAN353 ($21392.50 in chips)
Seat 9 - MNFULLTILT ($19107.50 in chips)
MNFULLTILT - Posts small blind $400
VIKESFAN353 - Posts big blind $800
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [As 6c 7s 2d]
MNFULLTILT - Raises $1200 to $1600
VIKESFAN353 - Calls $800
*** FLOP *** [3h 6d 6s]
VIKESFAN353 - Checks
MNFULLTILT - Bets $3200
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $12800 to $12800
MNFULLTILT - All-In(Raise) $14307.50 to $17507.50
VIKESFAN353 - Calls $4707.50
*** TURN *** [3h 6d 6s] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [3h 6d 6s 9c] [10s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
VIKESFAN353 - Shows [As 6c 7s 2d] (Three of a kind, sixes)
MNFULLTILT - Shows [Jd 2s Jh Qc] (Two Pair, jacks and sixes)
VIKESFAN353 Collects $38215 from main pot

I also played another one, and bubbled it. I've really been getting into playing 6 max .05-.10 PL games. I've been doing a lot better than I was playing Holdem ring games, so I think I'll stick with it for now. Play good hands, wait for the nuts, then bet the hell out of it, seems to work pretty well at the micro limits. I'm pretty sure I'm still overrating my hands pre-flop, but I'm working on it.

I've also been playing some of those elimination black jack tourneys on UB. Probably too much. I qualified for the 1.5k guaranteed tonight, so hopefully I can get lucky.

Edit: I got 5th place for $105. Not bad for a free entry!

Keep on truckin on,
Vikes

Redneck Hunter

Yesterday was the first day of spring turkey season, and as luck would have it I was able to bag my first turkey!
The day started early, as the alarm clock went off at 3:30 am. As usual, during hunting season, the adrenaline started to flow just thinking of what was to come, and I had no problem getting out of bed.
Brent and I were in the woods by 4:30 a good 40 minutes before shooting light. It wasn't long before we heard our first gobble, then another, and another. We figured there were at least 5 gobblers in the tree tops. So we find a nice place to set up, and wait for them to fly down, but they end up coming off the roost straight away from us. We tried to work around them to get out in front of them, but didn't have any luck. So, at about 7am, after an hour and a half of chasing them, we gave up on those birds, and headed for the truck to go get some breakfast before the mid morning hunt.
As we were nearing the truck we heard a gobble from a couple hundred yards up the hill. so, we figured we would give them a few hen putts to see what would happen. Well, they heard it, and made a "B" line straight towards us. We never even really had time to get set up. I ducked behind a big rock, and before I knew it there was 3 turkeys standing in front of us at 25yds. They spotted us, because we didn't have time to set up very well, and one made an alarm putt. As they turned to get out of there, one stuck his neck out a little too far and BOOM. There lay my first turkey!
MMMMMMM I'm getting hungry just writing this!




Good shooting all,
Vikes

Qualifiers.

I spent the day yesterday grinding sng's, and trying to qualify for some of AP's bigger tourneys.
The sng's went well, actually really well, I won just shy of 50% of the sng's I played yesterday. The day before was a rough day, so yesterday I only played 4 at a time instead of 6, and I'm sure that had a lot to do with all the wins. I need to get more comfortable with volume. That's what it's all about, right?

Anyway, I started out in a $4 WSOP Bounty stage 1,(8 make it to stage 2). I double the first hand, and it was a pretty easy coast to stage 2.

Stage 2, 37 entrants 4 make it to the main. I had to work a little harder in this one, but picked up AA, with 13 left, and had 2 pushers in front of me. They held, and it was easy from there. With 7 left I had 21k and the next closest was 9k. I sat out until it got to 5 people, then I played a few premium hand to get my stack back up a little. Then I went back to sitting out. I was sitting in my lounger when I look over to the screen, and see QQ. I jump up and run over and hit the I am back button. Just as I get there the shorty pushes 4.9k with AKo, the next guy pushes 5.2k with AJs, and I call. The flop comes KK9, and shorty says sweet, but his excitement was short lived, as the turn brought a Q, and the river bricked. So, I'm in the WSOP Bounty on Saturday night.

I also figured I'd try for the 75k entry by way of the AP Forum tourney. Got lucky a couple times, got beat a couple times, and ended up heads up with Joe Dirt. His game has totally changed since last time I played with him, I was impressed to say the least. In the end, I pushed Q10s over a raise, and he called with K4o and hit a K on the flop. GG Me, Joe wins the 75k ticket.

Also, there was a 250k $30 rebuy that started 10 minutes before the WSOP qualifier, it was a 3 seats guaranteed one, and right at the time it was supposed to start there was only 2 people signed up for it, so I jumped in it. Literally seconds before it starts and ends, because only 3 people were in it, a 4th jumps in it. Within 3 hands it was up to 9 people. Nobody re-bought at first, so I didn't either, as I was really just trying to buy a seat for $30. At the end of the first hour we were down to 7 people, and only 1 guy added on. I still sat 2nd in chips, so I didn't. When it finally got down to 4 people, I was still 2nd in chips, but we were all still really close. At one point shorty was down to 1.5k, I was at 6.5k, and the other 2 were at 12k. Then shorty cracks my AA, but he is still shorty, so I'm thinking I'll just hope the other 2 go after him. Then this hand happened, I don't think I can get away from this ...
Table: 1 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 2 - VIKESFAN353 ($4820 in chips)
Seat 6 - YUYUOPPA72 ($12055 in chips)
Seat 7 - SURLYDUFF ($3265 in chips)
Seat 8 - FLMODESQ21 ($12360 in chips)
VIKESFAN353 - Ante $25
YUYUOPPA72 - Ante $25
SURLYDUFF - Ante $25
FLMODESQ21 - Ante $25
FLMODESQ21 - Posts small blind $100
VIKESFAN353 - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [10d 7c]
YUYUOPPA72 - Folds
SURLYDUFF - Calls $200
FLMODESQ21 - Calls $100
VIKESFAN353 - Checks
*** FLOP *** [8c Jh 9c]
FLMODESQ21 - Checks
VIKESFAN353 - Checks
SURLYDUFF - All-In $3040
FLMODESQ21 - Folds
VIKESFAN353 - Calls $3040
*** TURN *** [8c Jh 9c] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [8c Jh 9c Kc] [9s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
VIKESFAN353 - Shows [10d 7c] (Straight, seven to jack)
SURLYDUFF - Shows [Qc 10s] (Straight, nine to king)
SURLYDUFF Collects $6780 from main pot

Two hands later I shove J3s, and they all call...GG Me....


Anybody even read this?
Vikes

Slow Week

Didn't play much this week, just some micro NL, and some sng's. Same old, same old, take from the sng's and give to the NL! I'm forever winning a bunch of small pots, and then losing it all in 1 big one. Sometimes beats, sometime bad calls, but I cannot win a hand where I have someone dominated pre-flop! I'd post some hands, but it would just be useless whining, so I won't.
The Thursday game got canceled this week, they're all tired of giving me their money. LOL
Spent a lot of time playing Oblivion this week. This is a great RPG for those of you who like gaming. Similar to Diablo, or Boulders Gate. I'm 180 hours into this, and not finished with it yet, I'm getting close with the main plot, but there is so much going on, I can easily see 250+ hours to complete this game, and now there is an expansion pack. I highly recommend it.

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.
Vikes

Bounties

Pretty much spent all day Saturday grinding sng's. I'm back down to playing mostly $11's because NL is getting the best of me. I swear the draw always wins, unless it's me drawing, but anyway.

I figured as long as I was playing, I would try to qualify for the WSOP Bounty tourney, so I started with the stage 1 $2 re-buy, and at the break I was sitting first with a 3k chip lead, so I didn't even add on. Easy coast to stage 2.

I almost shot myself in the foot playing stag 2. I was right about where I needed to be to make it into the show. I was sitting at 13k, figuring I needed 14k to sit out. I even told myself AA and KK only. I then like an idiot play 77 and loose 3k. It almost all went bad from there. At 1 point I was 20th of 20, and 16th of 16. Then the other shorty shoves into my blind, and I have KK. GG him, on to the show for me.

I played really well in the WSOP Bounty. I got very few premium hands, but was lucky enough to get paid when I had them. For some reason, they kept moving me to tables with bigger stack though, that kinda sucked. I was over average stack for most of the tourney, and almost never had more than 2 or 3 people with smaller stacks than me. I did manage to knock out 3 people and collect $300 worth of bounties, but ended up getting knocked out in 27th, when I raised AQs and called a shove by KK.

Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?
Vikes

Work

So, now I'm siding the neighbors house. But the deal is, I'm only going to work 20 hours a week, so it's not that bad! I figure it will only help, so I can get my BR up to where I have no worries. Poker makes it harder and harder to go to work.

I really love what I do, building stuff, has always been my thing, and I'm good at it. I've done everything from changing a door knob, to million dollar remodeling jobs. I've even done some work for a few "famous" people. 1 NHL player, 2 NCAA BB coaches, and 1 actor, who can fix anything with duct tape.(LOL) I just want to do more of it for me, and less of it for others.

I also took down yet another Thursday night home game. Only 6 people showed last night, so I only made $100, but moneys is moneys, right?

I'm sure I'll be playing a bunch this weekend, look for me in the AP minors.

Common sense ain't common,
Vikes

Playing Some NL 4-13-08

I played a handful of SnG's yesterday, along with some NL and 1 MTT.

Same old steady grind in the SnG's, and I cashed the MTT, 31st in the 10k for a whopping $45. I had the chip lead in it for a while, but I got some donk to put in his stack, post flop, from way behind, and the sob hits runner 10's ftw... I still had average stack with 90 left, and managed to catch just enough to keep in until I pooshed QQ into KK...gg me...

Then I didn't feel like playing SnG's, so I decided on some NL. While I feel I'm a decent NL player, I still need to log hands, and work on finding my own mistakes. I know I need to get comfortable with sitting with the table max, because for some reason, I tend to always sit with 50-60 bbs.

First hand, while I shipped the hand, I think I may have over bet here. I even knew this guy was going to lead like this, as he had done it a couple times before on bigger pots. Knowing this guy is going to do this with possibly nothing, I think just calling may have been the right play. Thoughts?

Stage #956236293: Holdem No Limit $0.50 - 2008-04-12 20:47:23 (ET)
Table: PARKGROVE LANE (Real Money) Seat #3 is the dealer
Seat 3 - MR_REFEREE ($16.65 in chips)
Seat 4 - MONEYDAVE42 ($72.57 in chips)
Seat 5 - VIKESFAN353 ($59.95 in chips)
Seat 6 - CCOP22 ($40 in chips)
Seat 1 - FISHTOES ($49 in chips)
Seat 2 - COTRPSHOOTER ($22.40 in chips)
MONEYDAVE42 - Posts small blind $0.25
VIKESFAN353 - Posts big blind $0.50
CCOP22 - Posts $0.50
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [Kh Kc]
CCOP22 - Checks
FISHTOES - Calls $0.50
COTRPSHOOTER - Calls $0.50
MR_REFEREE - Calls $0.50
MONEYDAVE42 - Calls $0.25
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $3 to $3.50
CCOP22 - Calls $3
FISHTOES - Folds
COTRPSHOOTER - Folds
MR_REFEREE - Folds
MONEYDAVE42 - Calls $3
*** FLOP *** [10d 9c 3d]
MONEYDAVE42 - Bets $7.50
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $27.50 to $27.50
CCOP22 - Folds
MONEYDAVE42 - Folds

Second hand, I'm just posting, because it was the very next hand.

Stage #956236908: Holdem No Limit $0.50 - 2008-04-12 20:48:13 (ET)
Table: PARKGROVE LANE (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 - MONEYDAVE42 ($61.57 in chips)
Seat 5 - VIKESFAN353 ($74.10 in chips)
Seat 6 - CCOP22 ($36.50 in chips)
Seat 1 - FISHTOES ($48.50 in chips)
Seat 2 - COTRPSHOOTER ($21.90 in chips)
Seat 3 - MR_REFEREE ($16.15 in chips)
VIKESFAN353 - Posts small blind $0.25
CCOP22 - Posts big blind $0.50
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [Kh Kc]
FISHTOES - Folds
COTRPSHOOTER - Calls $0.50
MR_REFEREE - Folds
MONEYDAVE42 - Calls $0.50
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $2.25 to $2.50
CCOP22 - Folds
COTRPSHOOTER - Folds
MONEYDAVE42 - Calls $2
*** FLOP *** [Js 7c 5d]
VIKESFAN353 - Bets $3.50
MONEYDAVE42 - Folds


Anyway, I sat with $30, and left an hour later with $90, so a good session for me.

Peace and hair grease,
Vikes

SnG's 4-11-08

I've been playing more and more $22 sng's, along with the $11's, and finding pretty much the same play at both levels, so I plan on making the move up to playing mostly$22's, and throwing the occasional $33 into the mix. I don't know what to really expect in the $33's, but I've heard there not much different than the $11's, or $22's. I already have just over 120 buy-ins for the $22's, so with any luck, I'll have a big enough BR to play $33's within a few weeks.

I'm thinking, that from now on, whenever I have 100 buy-ins for any level, I'm going to move up to that level. I'm also thinking that if I'm going to keep playing lots of sng's, like I have been, I may move to Stars. It seems everybody else has, because it's taking longer and longer for sng's to fill at AP.


I'll also add, that I shipped the Thursday home game again this week. WOOT WOOT!!!

Ship it,
Vikes

Lost Bet

Well, my prop bet didn't go near as well this time around. I pretty much gave up about 30 hours into it.
I did learn from the experience though. I would need to move up faster, and take more chances, like I did the first time around, or else, just play mtt's the whole time. I'm still convinced I could do this, so I may try again in the near future.
Even though I lost the bet to my bud, I still made $250 over the weekend, after I paid him the $25. So at least it wasn't all for nothing.

I also went semi-deep in the $10 (5k), but my AA lost to AK (aipf). I would have been the chip leader with 35 left, but instead I was left with 3bb, and sent to the rail shortly after.

Peace out
Vikes

Prop Again.

Here I go again, starting at noon est I have 48 hours to turn $100 into $1000.

Along with SnG's, I'll also be playing some AP multis. I'll at least be playing the 5k and 10k. I may play the 4k too, but we'll see how the first hour goes before I decide if I want to play a re-buy! I'll update at the end of today and let you know how it's going.

GL ME
Vikes

Prop Bet Continued

Well, the bet is over. I WIN. As of 10:10 est I'm up to $101.12.

I'm actually suprised at how easy of a time I had. Granted I ran really well, and only caught a few bad beats through out the whole thing. I ended up with less than 19 hours of actual play time.

I must say this is the most fun I've had playing in quite some time.

My bud is already trying to think up a new prop bet to give himself the chance to win his money back. I offered him the same bet with him playing, but he turned it down instantly.

Good Shippings
Vikes

Prop Bet

The Bet, I have 48 hours to turn $.50 into $100. My buddy gave me 4-1 odds, so I bet $25. If I win I get $100.
I started grinding the .02-.04 yesterday at noon. I turned it into $2.32 in just under 3 hours. I then had enough for 3 $.60 SnG's. My plan is to get enough cash to play 3 at the next level, with a 4th buy in, leftover, so I could move back down if needed.
In my first set of 3, I cashed 2 with a 1st and 3rd, which got me up to $3.67. So, I needed to play more before I could move up. My next set of 3, I only cashed 1, but it was a win, so I was up to $4.12 before I called it a night.
So I wake up this morning, and decide to play 2 $1.20's instead of more $.60's. I cashed both of them, a 2nd and a 3rd. So I'm now up to $6.42. I'm currently playing 3more $1.20's. If I keep running OK, I don't think I'll have much of a problem.
I'll update more later tonight, or tomorrow.

Shipit,
Vikes

Oblivion Elder Scrolls

I've been way too into this game to play poker. I have almost 100 hours, into this game, in the last 2 weeks.

The break, while not badly needed, has refreshed my mind, and now I'm starting to want to play poker again, so I'm pretty sure I'll be back to playing again, this weekend.

Over the holiday weekend I played 2 freerolls with a LL($25)bet against my cousin. We split. The first, he got 2nd and won the LL, and the other I got 54 for $.29 and won the LL.

Freerolls are alot faster then back when I used to play them. A 5000 man freeroll was over in under 5 hours. It used to take 6-7 hours for a 2000 man one.

Good shippings,
Vikes

Numbers

The more I play, and the more I read, the more I realize that I need to learn more about EV, equity, and all the other stuff.

I'll admit that when it comes to playing poker, I don't use numbers other than the basic stuff.(pot odds) And I don't even use them that much. To me, poker is more about situations, than anything!

Yet another goal!! This is getting to be almost worklike.

Thursdays!

Every Thursday I play a live game with my friends. It's usually only 8-10 of us, and its more about the BS than the game, but money is money.

It's a $25 buy in with one $10 rebuy! It's very deep stacked,(50k with the rebuy),but the blinds go up every 10 minutes! It ends up taking around 3 hours usually! Most of the guys are fish, but not clueless!

Last night I was the first one out, as they were all gunning for me, because I had won the previous two weeks! I was doing pretty well, and ended up getting my money in good, but was called, post flop, with an open ended str8 draw, that was caught on the river. GG ME!!

Anyway, I ended up dealing, which was pretty eye opening, as i was able to peak at mucked cards.(he-he)

Not much else to report, as I only played a half dozen SnG's all week. Tomorrow I'll be back at it playing the $5k, $4k, $10k, and $3k on AP.

I suck!!!

I really don't want to turn this blog into a whine session, but I just can't believe how unlucky I am sometimes!! This makes 2 mtt's in a row that I've exited with Aces, and 5 in a row that I've exited after being ahead post flop!!

9th hand of the $5k($10)


Stage #1109039294 Tourney ID 1973558 Holdem Multi Normal Tournament No Limit $30 - 2008-03-02 12:40:40 (ET)
Table: 59 (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 1 - ROUNDCLOWN ($1550 in chips)
Seat 2 - SHANNONBALL ($2270 in chips)
Seat 3 - BLACKICE333 ($1200 in chips)
Seat 4 - JAMES_ROSCOE ($1710 in chips)
Seat 5 - RLESCUE ($1430 in chips)
Seat 6 - SNAKEBITT7 ($1330 in chips)
Seat 7 - IKNOWMYNICK ($880 in chips)
Seat 8 - VIKESFAN353 ($1910 in chips)
Seat 9 - PAULTHEPOKER ($2800 in chips)
VIKESFAN353 - Posts small blind $15
PAULTHEPOKER - Posts big blind $30
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [As Ad]
ROUNDCLOWN - Calls $30
SHANNONBALL - Folds
BLACKICE333 - Raises $120 to $120
JAMES_ROSCOE - Calls $120
RLESCUE - Folds
SNAKEBITT7 - Folds
IKNOWMYNICK - Folds
VIKESFAN353 - Calls $105
PAULTHEPOKER - Calls $90
ROUNDCLOWN - Calls $90
*** FLOP *** [8d 5s 10h]
VIKESFAN353 - All-In $1790
PAULTHEPOKER - All-In(Raise) $2680 to $2680
ROUNDCLOWN - Folds
BLACKICE333 - All-In $1080
JAMES_ROSCOE - Folds
PAULTHEPOKER - returned ($890) : not called
*** TURN *** [8d 5s 10h] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [8d 5s 10h Qd] [Jc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BLACKICE333 - Shows [Ah Kh] (Straight, ten to ace)
VIKESFAN353 - Shows [As Ad] (One pair, aces)
PAULTHEPOKER - Shows [9d 10c] (Straight, eight to queen)
PAULTHEPOKER Collects $1420 from side pot-1
BLACKICE333 Collects $3840 from main pot

Saturdays AP mtt's

I only ended up playing the $5k, $4k, and the $10k. I played good poker for the most part, but all for nothing.

In the $5k($10), I shot myself in the foot with pocket tens, when I didn't give a guy credit for having a seven when the second one hit on the turn. With a 274 flop, I bet 2/3 pot, he called, the turn was a seven, and I pushed, he called and flipped over 79o!! That's what I get for mini raising UTG with 10's!!! Game Over

In the $4k($3 re-buy), I ran into a bully, and again didn't give the guy credit for hitting the turn! The villain has been very agro , he's showed a few bluffs, and is not afraid to put chips in the middle!!! I don't think I could have played it that much different! Here's the hand!


Table: 19 (Real Money) Seat #5 is the dealer
Seat 1 - VIKESFAN353 ($12300 in chips)
Seat 2 - Villain ($24330 in chips)
Seat 3 - BARNETTLP ($20145 in chips)
Seat 4 - MATTAKQJ1O ($11955 in chips)
Seat 5 - SSNAKE77 ($6675 in chips)
Seat 6 - DRDUNG ($4550 in chips)
Seat 7 - KAYLIESDAD ($21845 in chips)
Seat 9 - DAVEJONES ($3470 in chips)
DRDUNG - Posts small blind $60
KAYLIESDAD - Posts big blind $120
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [As Qh]
DAVEJONES - Folds
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $360 to $360
Villain - Calls $360
BARNETTLP - Folds
MATTAKQJ1O - Folds
SSNAKE77 - Folds
DRDUNG - Folds
KAYLIESDAD - Calls $240
*** FLOP *** [10s Jh Qc]
KAYLIESDAD - Checks
VIKESFAN353 - Bets $960
Villain- Calls $960
KAYLIESDAD - Folds
*** TURN *** [10s Jh Qc] [5d]
VIKESFAN353 - Bets $1440
Villain - Raises $2880 to $2880
VIKESFAN353 - All-In(Raise) $9540 to $10980
Villain - Calls $8100
*** RIVER *** [10s Jh Qc 5d] [2s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
VIKESFAN353 - Shows [As Qh] (One pair, queens)
Villain - Shows [Jd 5h] (Two Pair, jacks and fives)
Villain Collects $25020 from main pot


In the $10k($20), I was doing great, and then this, about 45 minutes into it!!

Table: 24 (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 1 - VIKESFAN353 ($2575 in chips)
Seat 2 - GOALIE444 ($1910 in chips)
Seat 3 - JDAWG217 ($2715 in chips)
Seat 4 - SLICKENZ330 ($1015 in chips)
Seat 5 - ROLLLLIN ($2090 in chips)
Seat 6 - FATHEAD3801 ($4250 in chips)
Seat 7 - VGSLIMO1 ($5700 in chips)
Seat 8 - NASLUND19VAN ($1710 in chips)
Seat 9 - ESUOH ($1295 in chips)
VGSLIMO1 - Posts small blind $40
NASLUND19VAN - Posts big blind $80
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to VIKESFAN353 [As Ac]
ESUOH - Folds
VIKESFAN353 - Raises $240 to $240
GOALIE444 - Folds
JDAWG217 - Calls $240
SLICKENZ330 - Folds
ROLLLLIN - Folds
FATHEAD3801 - Folds
VGSLIMO1 - Folds
NASLUND19VAN - Calls $160
*** FLOP *** [7h 5d 3h]
NASLUND19VAN - Checks
VIKESFAN353 - Bets $400
JDAWG217 - All-In(Raise) $2475 to $2475
NASLUND19VAN - Folds
VIKESFAN353 - All-In $1935
JDAWG217 - returned ($140) : not called
*** TURN *** [7h 5d 3h] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [7h 5d 3h 9c] [6h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
VIKESFAN353 - Shows [As Ac] (One pair, aces)
JDAWG217 - Shows [Jh Ah] (Flush, ace high)
JDAWG217 Collects $5430 from main pot

I was so disgusted, I didn't even play the $3k($5)!! I really need to get back to not letting the beats bother me!!

Tilt control

I used to never let beats bother me, but I'm on such a sick downswing, that it makes them so much harder to shake off!! Not that I get all out of hand tilted, but I've noticed it seems to throw off my concentration for a few hands!
Yesterday I played 4 SnG's and the $1 re-buy. I basically got knocked out of all of them because of beats. 3 of the 4 SnG's I got knocked out of from donkeys calling with crap, then catching runners. I know I want the donkey calls, I just want to win once in a while when they do call!

So, another goal I have, is to stop allowing donkeys to tilt me, I play low limits where there are more of them, and I need to remember that!

Anyway, today is a new day, and I love the current AP weekend schedule! My role is still too small to play the big games, but I usually play the $5k, $4k, $10k, and the $3k.

Here we go!

I'm working my way into full time poker, so I figure, if I keep track of everything, it will help!

So to start, I'll admit, that I'm a mere jack of all pokers, master of none. While mtt's, and SnG's are what I'm best at, I feel I could, and should, learn so much more!

I've really been meaning to learn more about using the ICM for SnG's! While my roi on AP for SnG's is just sick, I usually only play $10's, and never more than 3 at a time! I really need to move up, and learn to play more than 3 at a time! So, that along with improving my mtt game are my first goals!!