In Vivo Veritas?...aka The Man Comes Around...Eh-Vegas - Fawkin A.
DP, MAH BROTHA: I TOLD YA BEFORETHIS BLOG WILL NEVAH DIE. ME HEART NLHE MTT POKAH. ME HEART ME POKAH BLOG.
From Sunday:
I just woke up.
It's 2:52pm.
So I have to give big kudos (whatever those might actually be) to the girl who got me back up to T.O. for something resembling a normal evening. I had to be up anyway to see my Dad and get his cath films for review by a friend, but this happy coincidence meant getting a chance to play live again (still a single digit occurrence).
Eh-Vegas, in it's original incarnation, was a terrific success, and perennial light-weight that I am I wasn't around for much of it. Frankly, although I see them infrequently, Jules and Kat remind me a lot of my sisters. They have that same indulgent, mildly humoured look in their eyes when listening to me go on about whatever it is passing through my mind and mouth. Both look like the 9 months since I last saw them has treated them well and good. Graham? Also Aces, and took his jetlag like a real man; ie. without complaint. You would never guess the guy had just traversed the globe ne hours before getting down to brass tacks at the table.
I made the scene just after dinner at Milestones had finished with Jules, Kat, Graham, Astin, Kat Numero Dos (who I hadn't met before, but who is pretty funny and solid at the table) and her boyfriend (?fiance/?husband) Gus. Sorry I missed it because I liked the vibe of the place, but the waiter was a piece of work. Arriving at the endgame, I made a simple play for a Ketel One up with olives. Not exactly the most complex order one might place in a nice TO restaurant. Nonetheless, he couldn't understand a word I said. Well okay, busy restaurant, I was tired from a long week, I could have been mumbling as is occasionally my wont...I repeat it. No joy. Finally I spell it out, and let's be clear, I'm no snob on such issues, but a man has preferences and this boy likes the Dutch. He drifts off looking deeply confused and the minute he hits the perimeter of his audible range I am regaled by stories of just how bad our friend is at his job. Nevah a goot sign...He returns with the somewhat surprising news that this upscale establishment does not carry what I think is about as close to a signature brand as there is. I sigh and order up a Goose, certain they will have it. They do.
I think it was Astin who pointed out that there have been multiple surveys that show despite it's popularity, 90% of its fans cannot identify a Goose in a blind taste taste. Very true and evidence of a great marketing campaign at work for a noble but not great product. Nonetheless, I'll smilingly put 500 tickets down against anyone who wants to bet me I can't identify a Ketel One from striking distance. Finding her is more a game of induction than deduction: she is known to me by an absence of any identifying birthmarks and speaks clearly with a silence on the palatte. So yes, her failure to appear was felt. Her smart and funny sister stood in admirably enough, and after a warmth to gird for the brisk of the crisp Toronto streets we were on our way.
Not far thankfully, and to a well-lit establishment I am now quite fond of. In my fourth live outing I finally had a good day at the table.
We played an 8 handed SNG, allowing an amiable fella named Alex to join us for our $70 buyin 3k game. In the interest of full disclosure I warned the dude up front that he would see 27o more than once, but he didn't believe it under he had folded TPTK twice to scary boards and Bloggah Adepts. Strangely I never saw that monster and had to rely on what may be the most enjoyable All-In I've ever been involved in.
Blinds 200/400 My stack is 4400, about average. Folded around to me in MP. Pocket Jacks. Gold no?
Push. Jules to my right mulls and pulls the trigger, and has me covered exactly. Two have busted already (one of them Kitty on a hideous boat vs. quads misery I won't dwell on).
Flop misses her. Turn Kings her. Rivah makes me smile and doubles me into a monster stack compared to the rest.
I get told how lucky I am but my girl is a pro and takes it well. From my vantage I start firing with this stack at everything that moves. Rarely I get called and lose small pots, mostly I start accumulating many, many blinds. By the time we were three handed I had 80% of the chips. I really do feel lucko has had an impact on how I think about the endgame. Just as Hoy changed the whole way I approached MTT poker, I truly feel there's a lot to be learned through the daily apprenticeship that is reading and mulling on the stuff the stronger players post.
And what do you get for stopping here in lieu of pokery wisdom?
The pleasure of my company of course and the ineffable scent of a beautiful mind at work naturally. Although I allow that smell could be my socks...it's a genetic thing and I ask your pardon.
Cash game worked pretty well too (was up 250 playing 1/2 but of course got too loose and only ended up +65...still for me that is a huge improvement).
Yeah and can I still play MTT poker?
14th in the FT 18k last night. Was in third forever and made a steal from LP with 45o. He pushes his 6k. I am third with 33k. I've only got to call 3.5k or so (no tracker on the laptop) but I am obviously a dog here. Do you call this? I wouldn't have 5 months ago, but I do now. What do you think? I lost and it didn't hurt me much dropped to fourth, but it was the beginning of 40 hands where I saw nothing better than 44 UTG which was played back at fiercely. I know it's not productive to say Card Dead, but it was what it was...the shit hands allowed my passive instincts to come to fore [huge leak!] and I basically plummetted. When I finally picked up 68s - literally the best I had in 5 orbits - I pushed and AJ put me down without improving.
Still, for a guy who never gets to play, this was a needed reminder that I can still get it done.
Yay Me!
Okay, bastante...
Viva Los Flights Por Siempre!
From Sunday:
I just woke up.
It's 2:52pm.
So I have to give big kudos (whatever those might actually be) to the girl who got me back up to T.O. for something resembling a normal evening. I had to be up anyway to see my Dad and get his cath films for review by a friend, but this happy coincidence meant getting a chance to play live again (still a single digit occurrence).
Eh-Vegas, in it's original incarnation, was a terrific success, and perennial light-weight that I am I wasn't around for much of it. Frankly, although I see them infrequently, Jules and Kat remind me a lot of my sisters. They have that same indulgent, mildly humoured look in their eyes when listening to me go on about whatever it is passing through my mind and mouth. Both look like the 9 months since I last saw them has treated them well and good. Graham? Also Aces, and took his jetlag like a real man; ie. without complaint. You would never guess the guy had just traversed the globe ne hours before getting down to brass tacks at the table.
I made the scene just after dinner at Milestones had finished with Jules, Kat, Graham, Astin, Kat Numero Dos (who I hadn't met before, but who is pretty funny and solid at the table) and her boyfriend (?fiance/?husband) Gus. Sorry I missed it because I liked the vibe of the place, but the waiter was a piece of work. Arriving at the endgame, I made a simple play for a Ketel One up with olives. Not exactly the most complex order one might place in a nice TO restaurant. Nonetheless, he couldn't understand a word I said. Well okay, busy restaurant, I was tired from a long week, I could have been mumbling as is occasionally my wont...I repeat it. No joy. Finally I spell it out, and let's be clear, I'm no snob on such issues, but a man has preferences and this boy likes the Dutch. He drifts off looking deeply confused and the minute he hits the perimeter of his audible range I am regaled by stories of just how bad our friend is at his job. Nevah a goot sign...He returns with the somewhat surprising news that this upscale establishment does not carry what I think is about as close to a signature brand as there is. I sigh and order up a Goose, certain they will have it. They do.
I think it was Astin who pointed out that there have been multiple surveys that show despite it's popularity, 90% of its fans cannot identify a Goose in a blind taste taste. Very true and evidence of a great marketing campaign at work for a noble but not great product. Nonetheless, I'll smilingly put 500 tickets down against anyone who wants to bet me I can't identify a Ketel One from striking distance. Finding her is more a game of induction than deduction: she is known to me by an absence of any identifying birthmarks and speaks clearly with a silence on the palatte. So yes, her failure to appear was felt. Her smart and funny sister stood in admirably enough, and after a warmth to gird for the brisk of the crisp Toronto streets we were on our way.
Not far thankfully, and to a well-lit establishment I am now quite fond of. In my fourth live outing I finally had a good day at the table.
We played an 8 handed SNG, allowing an amiable fella named Alex to join us for our $70 buyin 3k game. In the interest of full disclosure I warned the dude up front that he would see 27o more than once, but he didn't believe it under he had folded TPTK twice to scary boards and Bloggah Adepts. Strangely I never saw that monster and had to rely on what may be the most enjoyable All-In I've ever been involved in.
Blinds 200/400 My stack is 4400, about average. Folded around to me in MP. Pocket Jacks. Gold no?
Push. Jules to my right mulls and pulls the trigger, and has me covered exactly. Two have busted already (one of them Kitty on a hideous boat vs. quads misery I won't dwell on).
Flop misses her. Turn Kings her. Rivah makes me smile and doubles me into a monster stack compared to the rest.
I get told how lucky I am but my girl is a pro and takes it well. From my vantage I start firing with this stack at everything that moves. Rarely I get called and lose small pots, mostly I start accumulating many, many blinds. By the time we were three handed I had 80% of the chips. I really do feel lucko has had an impact on how I think about the endgame. Just as Hoy changed the whole way I approached MTT poker, I truly feel there's a lot to be learned through the daily apprenticeship that is reading and mulling on the stuff the stronger players post.
And what do you get for stopping here in lieu of pokery wisdom?
The pleasure of my company of course and the ineffable scent of a beautiful mind at work naturally. Although I allow that smell could be my socks...it's a genetic thing and I ask your pardon.
Cash game worked pretty well too (was up 250 playing 1/2 but of course got too loose and only ended up +65...still for me that is a huge improvement).
Yeah and can I still play MTT poker?
14th in the FT 18k last night. Was in third forever and made a steal from LP with 45o. He pushes his 6k. I am third with 33k. I've only got to call 3.5k or so (no tracker on the laptop) but I am obviously a dog here. Do you call this? I wouldn't have 5 months ago, but I do now. What do you think? I lost and it didn't hurt me much dropped to fourth, but it was the beginning of 40 hands where I saw nothing better than 44 UTG which was played back at fiercely. I know it's not productive to say Card Dead, but it was what it was...the shit hands allowed my passive instincts to come to fore [huge leak!] and I basically plummetted. When I finally picked up 68s - literally the best I had in 5 orbits - I pushed and AJ put me down without improving.
Still, for a guy who never gets to play, this was a needed reminder that I can still get it done.
Yay Me!
Okay, bastante...
Viva Los Flights Por Siempre!
posted by Iakaris aka I.A.K. at 2:51 PM
12 Comments:
hey Iak, nice meeting you this weekend. We'll have to do it again sometime.
I can't believe you haven't played live much, it really doesn't show in your game as you destroyed us in the tourney.
And remember, let Kat and I know if you ever make it down near NYC (or Foxwoods or AC).
-gus
Foxwoods baby!!!!! Good job Ick. You luckbox. Sorry I missed ya.
Nice recap of the weekend from your perspective, and super glad to see you back at the blog. We missed ya old buddy!
And no I would not call there in that 18k hand you wrote about. 54 is just such a shitty hand, you basically know you're well behind and to me, why lose another 3500 chips. It's certainly not a terrible call by any means, but you only had the odds to make the call because of the steal-bet you had already put in with nothing. I'm quite sure others will disagree, but for me personally, I say why lose 6500 chips instead of just 3000 chips on a hand that you pretty much know is going to lose? But then, I totally do not subscribe to the Lucko theory of playing big stack poker late in an MTT either, so what do I know?
Nice to have you back brotha.
Errata:
It was, in actuality, Guin who pointed out the fact people can't tell Goose from the middle and bottom-shelf varities. I, however, was the one who agreed with you wholeheartedly in regards to the superiority of Ketel One. I have 4 bottles of Goose sitting in a cabinet, and 1 frozen bottle of Ketel in my freezer. If I run out of the middling to mix with, the Goose is next in line.
And don't make me out to be the villain. My quads didn't knock out Kat, they simply crippled her. They were also completely fair and equitable, nothing ugly about their play at all. Besides, if I hadn't knocked her down so much, you wouldn't have had the opportunity to play the role of Kat Whisperer.
Your absence in Niagara was well-noted, but we managed to alleviate some of the heartache with solid games at the tables. Methinks you would have enjoyed the softness of the players I faced.
As for your call in the MTT - I would have tossed 'em. Not so much for the extra 3k, but because of the image it instantly creates due to the fact your cards will then be exposed. You're willing to call a re-raise push with that detritus? Surely you're a lucky fish. If you could have kept the cards concealed, then perhaps the call could be made. As it is, I would have "thought" long and hard and tossed, and then perhaps follow up with a comment about your pocket pair, or suited connectors, or even KJ. Granted, you didn't know you'd go card dead immediately afterwards, but that hand could have made a difference in your stealing ability.
Welcome back to the blogging world. It was great to meet you. If ever you're in town and hankering for some live action, I think there can be some players rustled up.
Don't listen to these knuckleheads telling you to fold 45s. Did you put your opponent on a pocket pair? If not, then calling is the correct move, because you are not that far behind AK and you have pot odds.
Artificial pot odds only because you already bet 3000 chips with one of the worst possible starting hands. Don't forget that part as you do your analysis the next time you're involved in a situation like this.
Gus it was a real pleasure; you and Kat were great company and you can bet I'll take you up on the Foxwoods offer sooner than laytah...Waffles and I will cab it togethah.
Astin...my bad brotha...you are absolutely right...I blame the lack of sleep for the inconsistencies of memory. BTW how HOT was that Asian dealer Ester? Suh-mokin....Looking forward to Fallsview on semi-regular basis with you and Kitty...will be in touch.
Hoy you hit the nail dead on...I am conflicted about this situation. Jordan and you have both sides of the coin and I'm not sure if I know my strategy going forward. Lucko should come by and tell me what he would do, because if he doesn't call there, then I am certain it was an error since I made the call thinking I was following that style of play.
It could be I am just an idiot.
do you still stack your chips in neat little piles by domination?
So. Much. Fun!
Uh, no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Lucko calls there. I don't even think that's worth asking him.
I still think the "artifical" pot odds argument has some validity. Some day I'll do a post on it when I get up to it. Right now I'm just all (not cashing in the) FTOPS, all the time.
Yah, I have little down that Esther is the reason some people keep coming back to lose money. She knows how to play it too - she's dangerous at the tables (as you saw), and she'll break your heart when she's dealing, but she'll still get tips... most of the time.
Side note - the verification word I have is: jtsgod... really? I mean, sure, I'll play JTs in position, but it's not exactly God.
oops..
down=doubt.
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