Intervertion made late is still better than never.
My Dad, a guy I look to as my chief role model as a father and a physician, passed out while exercising Sunday.
Scary, scary stuff, agreed, but when you happen to make a living preventing sudden cardiac death, it's the kind of fear that goes all the way through you. I feel a lot of guilt too, some of which is irrational but a good chunk of which is well earned. I go far, far out of my way for perfect strangers who need my help, my services or my advice. But for my Dad I have been lulled into complacency for the last three years and have not served him well as an eldest son, or as an expert opinion. No one needs to tell me not to beat myself up, because I won't listen. I'm just incredibly thankful he was okay because I know if I lost him it would leave a crater in the middle of my sense of self. I have learned my lesson, and I have resolved to do a better job for him. God knows he deserves it. He's the finest Man I have ever known.
Angiography tomorrow and we'll know more, but it's been a frankly harrowing week in that I've been wrestling with the uncertain outcome of a very challenging case for the better part of five days. I sometimes feel I have got to be more selective about who I will take to the lab, but sometimes there's nothing to be done about it - the work needs to be done. Yeeesh.
Thus it is, I am running on near-empty emotionally today, and without the wife and kids to provide some much needed perspective. Why can't I find a nice, relaxing job as a nanny to my kids?
But this is a pokah blog...
So I have dropped back to between 1-4 MTTs per week and it is killing me. I miss the game a lot, and I truly appreciate how much better you play and see the game when you are playing 20 MTTs/week vs. 2/week. It's frustrating to know you can do better, but just aren't able to devote the attention or focus that is required.
Still on this limited schedule I've cashed the Mansion 100k once (28th/522) for 650. This was back when it was in the evening; I busted largely because I fell asleep twice. Too tired to continue = New Occupational Hazard. Fuck that biotch is soft... I was also looking excellent a couple of days ago on a rare afternoon off: very deep right near the bubble when I got distracted by a phone call and called off 2/3 of my stack preflop when I meant to fold while two others were trying to fight it out. Flop came AAX and I just happen to hold an X. What to do? I'm crippled anyway, so I push. Re-Raiser is of course holding AK and I go from looking great to bubbleboy in record time. Two months ago there is NO WAY I make that kind of error.
Yucko.
I also had a decent run in the $75 18k deep stack on FT the other night. I ran in the top 20 nearly the entire time I was in it, trying a bunch of different things that I normally don't do. Which brings me to our recurring segment here at Flights: Where's The Error?
I'm not sure there is one in this hand to be truthful. But I want to get some thoughts on my play. I am not so interested in how this worked out, just what you think of my play and what considerations I should be taking into account that I might not have. And, of course, what you might have done differently. Since MTTing is receding in terms of hours I can dedicate to it, I am using my limited time to try new things in order to grow my game. Some work, some don't and figuring it out is tougher without the many repetitions that playing a bunch offers you. Thus any help appreciated.
[Aside: I will say that for those of you who play 5 MTTs per week with a sound strategy - the beats are seemingly unbearable because the N is so small. You really don't become inured until up around 20/week. At least that's what I'm finding. I'm not surprised the UltraTablers don't really even register the beats from a signal-to-noise vantage point.]
I don't have tracker on the laptop, so this is reconstructed from memory as best I can:
I am small blind and wake to find QQ. No peace of mind...
I am second in chips with 200+ remaining (16k ish)
Chipleader for some idiotic reason is also at my table (18k ish). He is solid, but aggressive and likes to raise on the blinds when it gets to him unopened. Nonetheless he's shown the goods at showdown twice and bet smartly through
No one else at the table is even close to us.
I have raised frequently in position when folded to me, I have fired two bullets at this table more than once, but shown no bluffs. I have lost at showdown twice with secondbests. I think I'm perceived to be playing loosely.
He open-raises from the cutoff to 700 (blinds were 100/200).
Folded over to me.
I reraise to 2100. [You like? Why/Why Not/Other Options?]
BB folds, Leader calls.
Flop J52 rainbow. Ball's In My Court.
I near pot it for 4k. [You like? W/WN/OO?] I also considered C/R All-In but didn't want to risk giving him a free card in case he was playing a big A. Is this reasoning sound?
He calls my bet.
Turn 9c.
About 12k in the pot. I have about 10k and change behind.
I push. [You like? W/WN/OO?]
Again, I just want to hear what you think about the play, and whether you think this is a +EV move over the long haul. I would also be curious to know how you would characterize my play here (Loose, Maniacal, DimWitted etc.). This is not how I would have played this hand three months ago, and I am not sure this adjustment is sensible. If it isn't be a pal and lemme know.
Laytah.
Scary, scary stuff, agreed, but when you happen to make a living preventing sudden cardiac death, it's the kind of fear that goes all the way through you. I feel a lot of guilt too, some of which is irrational but a good chunk of which is well earned. I go far, far out of my way for perfect strangers who need my help, my services or my advice. But for my Dad I have been lulled into complacency for the last three years and have not served him well as an eldest son, or as an expert opinion. No one needs to tell me not to beat myself up, because I won't listen. I'm just incredibly thankful he was okay because I know if I lost him it would leave a crater in the middle of my sense of self. I have learned my lesson, and I have resolved to do a better job for him. God knows he deserves it. He's the finest Man I have ever known.
Angiography tomorrow and we'll know more, but it's been a frankly harrowing week in that I've been wrestling with the uncertain outcome of a very challenging case for the better part of five days. I sometimes feel I have got to be more selective about who I will take to the lab, but sometimes there's nothing to be done about it - the work needs to be done. Yeeesh.
Thus it is, I am running on near-empty emotionally today, and without the wife and kids to provide some much needed perspective. Why can't I find a nice, relaxing job as a nanny to my kids?
But this is a pokah blog...
So I have dropped back to between 1-4 MTTs per week and it is killing me. I miss the game a lot, and I truly appreciate how much better you play and see the game when you are playing 20 MTTs/week vs. 2/week. It's frustrating to know you can do better, but just aren't able to devote the attention or focus that is required.
Still on this limited schedule I've cashed the Mansion 100k once (28th/522) for 650. This was back when it was in the evening; I busted largely because I fell asleep twice. Too tired to continue = New Occupational Hazard. Fuck that biotch is soft... I was also looking excellent a couple of days ago on a rare afternoon off: very deep right near the bubble when I got distracted by a phone call and called off 2/3 of my stack preflop when I meant to fold while two others were trying to fight it out. Flop came AAX and I just happen to hold an X. What to do? I'm crippled anyway, so I push. Re-Raiser is of course holding AK and I go from looking great to bubbleboy in record time. Two months ago there is NO WAY I make that kind of error.
Yucko.
I also had a decent run in the $75 18k deep stack on FT the other night. I ran in the top 20 nearly the entire time I was in it, trying a bunch of different things that I normally don't do. Which brings me to our recurring segment here at Flights: Where's The Error?
I'm not sure there is one in this hand to be truthful. But I want to get some thoughts on my play. I am not so interested in how this worked out, just what you think of my play and what considerations I should be taking into account that I might not have. And, of course, what you might have done differently. Since MTTing is receding in terms of hours I can dedicate to it, I am using my limited time to try new things in order to grow my game. Some work, some don't and figuring it out is tougher without the many repetitions that playing a bunch offers you. Thus any help appreciated.
[Aside: I will say that for those of you who play 5 MTTs per week with a sound strategy - the beats are seemingly unbearable because the N is so small. You really don't become inured until up around 20/week. At least that's what I'm finding. I'm not surprised the UltraTablers don't really even register the beats from a signal-to-noise vantage point.]
I don't have tracker on the laptop, so this is reconstructed from memory as best I can:
I am small blind and wake to find QQ. No peace of mind...
I am second in chips with 200+ remaining (16k ish)
Chipleader for some idiotic reason is also at my table (18k ish). He is solid, but aggressive and likes to raise on the blinds when it gets to him unopened. Nonetheless he's shown the goods at showdown twice and bet smartly through
No one else at the table is even close to us.
I have raised frequently in position when folded to me, I have fired two bullets at this table more than once, but shown no bluffs. I have lost at showdown twice with secondbests. I think I'm perceived to be playing loosely.
He open-raises from the cutoff to 700 (blinds were 100/200).
Folded over to me.
I reraise to 2100. [You like? Why/Why Not/Other Options?]
BB folds, Leader calls.
Flop J52 rainbow. Ball's In My Court.
I near pot it for 4k. [You like? W/WN/OO?] I also considered C/R All-In but didn't want to risk giving him a free card in case he was playing a big A. Is this reasoning sound?
He calls my bet.
Turn 9c.
About 12k in the pot. I have about 10k and change behind.
I push. [You like? W/WN/OO?]
Again, I just want to hear what you think about the play, and whether you think this is a +EV move over the long haul. I would also be curious to know how you would characterize my play here (Loose, Maniacal, DimWitted etc.). This is not how I would have played this hand three months ago, and I am not sure this adjustment is sensible. If it isn't be a pal and lemme know.
Laytah.
posted by Iakaris aka I.A.K. at 10:20 PM
14 Comments:
Family first. Overpairs to the board second. The Mrs. and I are thinking good thoughts for your family.
hey man its late for me and just reading all that was tough. Just wanted to say hope all goes well with family they come first like fuel said. So I wish your dad all the best, as to the poker I'll Reread it tomorrow and get back to you. Good to see your still posting
Seconded absolutely, but you did ask.
I'm with you as far as the turn (perhaps a slightly smaller bet on the flop, but it's a matter of style I think).
I'm worried that only hands that call the turn push are the ones that are crushing you. Ideally you'd like AK, AQ, AJ to come along (without the correct odds). On the other hand, the pot is already pretty big, so tournament considerations may suggest simply taking it down here.
The hands that you would like to call have at most 6 outs. But realistically, any sensible bet pot commits you here.
I think I'm leaning towards checking, having decided in advance that I'm calling any bet. If I give a free card, and the A or K comes on the river, so be it.
But what do I know?
Sorry to hear about your Dad, Iak. I hope everything goes okay.
As for your QQ:
I like the re-raise to defend your blinds. Smart move. When the flop arrives, I'd play it about as strongly as you did. The C/R is not a bad idea, but I'd worry more about the set of Jacks than a big Ace. Having him call me there, I'd put him on something really strong, but wouldn't ignore a pair of Jacks. I can't see getting away from the all-in on the turn either, especially if he thinks your loose.
Hope your Dad is okay, please keep us updated.
I call the preflop raise and look for a C/R on the flop if it's J-high or better. That gives me better information about whether I'm looking at JJ/99/J9/Ax/KK/AA depending on the response. I think your moves are all pretty good, textbook even, but there might be a better way to find out more information and then get as many chips as possible.
Sorry to hear about your dad, here's to good news from the test results.
I'm glad to read another post from you, sad it's under these circumstances.
Take care man.
Get the fam better...poker and us readers will be here when you are ready.
I like your preflop action. On the flop, I think I bet 1/2 to 3/4 the pot hoping he trys to push me off the hand with a min or medium size raise. If he does, then I push and the action ends there. If he folds, I pick up a decent pot. If he calls, I've, in essence, given him a cheap card, but I'm willing to do so in this instance. I've limited my chips going into the pot to that point and can re-evaluate the situation when the turn card hits.
The turn is where I pot bet it to take down the hand and no longer give any cards. If he calls, I have to be wary of future action. iver card.
I probably do what you did on the river and push. After the fact, I'll either feel like a donk with no chips or the king of the world with a monster stack...
I don't play many tournaments...
I often call preflop there, check-raise flop, and lead turn (if it's a good card and I felt I was ahead based on opponents reaction on the flop)
I think that way provides you with the most information, whereas the way you played it, it's hard to know if he's giving you action solely because of your loose image.
You don't beat too much... a lot of the times, I think the Leader folds on the turn or has a better hand.
I hope your dad is well.
Lots of love for your Dad. The poker doesn't matter.
Hope to see you in a couple of weeks hon.
Good luck with your dad Ick.. Its great that you have such a good relationship with him as alot of people do not. I am glad it was not serious (it seems from the post) and wish you both the best.
Ick,
The Dad stuff is indeed scary. I went through it with my pops when he had not one, but TWO hospital stays because of heart attacks.
Hang in there. You in my thoughts (in a non-ghey way).
Good luck man. I'll be thinking of you. And not to be a selfish prick, but did you see my news? It's much happier and yet, in a small way, nearly as scary, too, and please don't think I'm being extremely self serving for saying that (only nearly too, let me emphasize that).
Here's a Princess Bride analysis.
OK, your hand. Jesus. Toughie. I have no problem with the re-raise, no problem with the bet on the flop, either.
This is where it gets tough:
• His call could mean many things. If he's smart, he probably didn't call you with 5,5 or 2,2, although he also could have given that he was the chip leader, is one of those blind aggressors/defenders and could afford it at the time.
The board also isn't dangerous. He knows you aren't re-raising him with A,4 or 2s or 5s. So he probably puts you on a large pocket pair. AND he's thinking a call, just a call, doesn't hurt, given that it's almost certain you won't draw out on him.
So my hand range is AA, KK, JJ, 10,10, 5,5, 2,2, A,K or A,J. Maybe K,J or Q,J soooted but I don't think so if he's solid as you say.
I think we rule out AA or KK, given that he would raise you all in. He probably doesn't call your flop bet with 10,10 or the others.
I would put him on A,J, KK (maybe, there's a chance) or JJ.
Lastly, he may also be thinking, "Jesus, I'm chip leader, do I really want to get into a confrontation with the other chip leader here?" He may be hoping for a cheap confrontation with J,A, which is why he only called, hoping for a turn.
SO...I ask myself can I fold. It's a pair. So yes. But if I check, I show weakness, and he may pounce.
I check on the turn and hope he doesn't bet. If he does, I may just have to call, unless I think I'm one of the better players and can chip up again. If you think that, let it go. You have 10K in chips. If you think this is your chance to be huge chip leader, then I push after his bet.
But I doubt he's going broke with A,J. Right? So a lot beats you.
Check and either call given the bet size or fold. And I probably fold.
I'm sorry to hear about your father. I'll be thinking of you!
My bet wishes and thoughts for your dad. You need to get the family unit to re-unite and soon. Really, i would be lost without mine.
As for the hand, its a land mine and it comes up alot (big pair against big stack). Look at what Doyle says about over playing queens, especially when you consider its against the big stack, very little to gain, but you need balence to defend blinds. No matter what way you look at it, its a no win situation.
I would just cold call the pre-flop raise to "try" to control the pot size. Your re-raise portrays a strong hand, the fact they he re-rasies after the flop says i have more than you regardless. He is either overplaying jack ace, or has a set.
most disagree with me, but I feel a big pair pre-flop just isn't a strong hand after the flop, and its not worth banging heads with the only guy that can end your night. I hope he had ace jack and you made him pay, but my fear is he hit a set.
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