Swog's Diary

Swog · March 2014

Okay, about me. I'm a 20 year old Mathematics student approaching the end of my 3rd year at The University of Manchester. My 3rd year finishes on the 3rd of June so in terms of playing poker in the next two months it might be quite limited, given the amount of revision i'm going to need to crack on with. I have a two week holiday in August to Las Vegas, which will be the focus of my challenge, see below.

So, I plan to deposit $1,000 (~£620) on here and will be playing NL10, NL20 and the occasional tournaments (most likely the mini events run daily). This £620 should be seen as my "Las Vegas gambling bankroll", I will be withdrawing every penny from my account just before I go to Las Vegas, in August, where I will then either come back to England a millionaire or a broke fish. Note, that i'm going with my girlfriend so playing poker in Vegas will be quite limited, but i'll try and play over there as much as i can and then report back to this thread.

From now till June i don't expect to be playing too much poker, but I will try to post any updates on here, anything from poker to how my revision is going.

Thanks for looking.

liamboi11 · March 2014

gl with your challenge and when you go to vegas,I went to vegas in summer 2012 and it was awesome and met some big pro players got pictures etc on my last day of the holiday

also I hope your 21 before august for vegas

unknown_username · March 2014

HI Swog

Im a maths graduate too but at te other end of the age scale after 23 years teaching it. Poker is a skillful game and a mathematical side to your thinking can help but lets not be rash eh? Enjoy your game but you will need to study it too. Get on with your maths studies as poker will always be there. As for emptying your account why not find some reasonably priced games in vegas and play to get a feel for live poker. It is a different beast. also enjoy some shows with your girlfriend. I'm not trying to spoil your fun , just trying to get you to ease into the game. Bankroll management is a key aspect for successful players and one you must accept and take on too.

All the best anyway. Just make sure that you get your degree then allow yourself to focus on poker with a disciplined approach

Why not join a team on here and get some friendly advice from more experienced players on the site. Cheers...

shakinaces · March 2014

Hi Swog,

Look forward to reading this, Vegas is high on my 'to do' list - very jealous that you are going to get to live the dream!

Fingers crossed you run the roll up to a decent sum that lets you go properly nuts while you are out there without having to worry about how it'll paid for.

And more so good luck with the final exams, not as exciting as the pokers or the holiday but obviously far more important to the long game. How are the studies going, are you expecting to be shooting for a first?

hhyftrftdr · March 2014

In Response to Swog's Diary:

Okay, about me. I'm a 20 year old Mathematics student approaching the end of my 3rd year at The University of Manchester. My 3rd year finishes on the 3rd of June so in terms of playing poker in the next two months it might be quite limited, given the amount of revision i'm going to need to crack on with. I have a two week holiday in August to Las Vegas, which will be the focus of my challenge, see below. So, I plan to deposit $1,000 (~£620) on here and will be playing NL10, NL20 and the occasional tournaments (most likely the mini events run daily). This £620 should be seen as my "Las Vegas gambling bankroll", I will be withdrawing every penny from my account just before I go to Las Vegas, in August, where I will then either come back to England a millionaire or a broke fish. Note, that i'm going with my girlfriend so playing poker in Vegas will be quite limited, but i'll try and play over there as much as i can and then report back to this thread. From now till June i don't expect to be playing too much poker, but I will try to post any updates on here, anything from poker to how my revision is going. Thanks for looking.
Posted by Swog

Hope for your sake you turn 21 before August

Slipwater · March 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

In Response to Swog's Diary : Hope for your sake you turn 21 before August
Posted by hhyftrftdr

Haha - what he said.

Swog · April 2014

Ok guys, the challenge is officially under way. I've deposited £625 which is $1,000 (using a 1.60 exchange rate), I'm going to try and play as much as possible in the month of April, not sure if i'll be able to play much in the month of May, due to exams.

In terms of my studies i'm currently on an average of 80%, so well on the way to get a first class degree and I have 3 weeks off starting next week and yes i'm 21 in June

I'm going to have an evening session tonight playing NL10 and possibly one or two tournaments, I will update this thread later. Remember lads my short term goal is to raise cash for playing some casual poker/general gambling in Las Vegas in August. Then upon my return i will reassess.

alex1229 · April 2014

Good luck, im off to Vegas end of August to, so running a similar challenge for myself. Have you sorted out any accom there ?

Swog · April 2014

Tournaments I will be entering 02/04/2014: (subject to change)

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 19:15

£100 Deep Stack (£1.10 buy in) 19:45

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 21:15

Hopefully i'm going to try and play the £5.50 tournaments daily, i.e the mini and the £200 guarenteeds, but given it's my first day of the challenge i'm going to just stick to the £1.10's and the £2.20's for now.

Then of course i'll be on the NL10 cash tables inbetween tournaments.

Wish me luck and i'll be reporting back just after midnight tonight.

Swog · April 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

Good luck, im off to Vegas end of August to, so running a similar challenge for myself. Have you sorted out any accom there ?
Posted by alex1229

Yes i got a package deal, flights and accomodation, i'm staying at the Venetian. What dates are you going and where are you staying?

Swog · April 2014

Anyone have any opinions on the £300 Mega Stack? Might make that and the mini my daily tournaments (after tonight). Also anyone got a full breakdown of the daily Mini tournaments, tonight is a Rebuy, any advice in terms of how many rebuys/add ons for that too?

alex1229 · April 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary : Yes i got a package deal, flights and accomodation, i'm staying at the Venetian. What dates are you going and where are you staying?
Posted by Swog

Going 27th Aug to 4th Sept, been once before love the place.

We've just booked flights, not looked at Accom yet heard it gets cheaper closer to the time, possibily planet hollywood, need somewhere with a nice pool

You should also try SNG's theyre a consistant way to increase your balance if your half decent at them, as MTTs are obvs high variance

hhyftrftdr · April 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

Anyone have any opinions on the £300 Mega Stack? Might make that and the mini my daily tournaments (after tonight). Also anyone got a full breakdown of the daily Mini tournaments, tonight is a Rebuy, any advice in terms of how many rebuys/add ons for that too?
Posted by Swog

Terrible structure (or lack of it) towards the end, but its a popular MTT and you get plenty of chips to splash about with.

The mini rebuy (IMO) is a £15 mtt minimum, immediate rebuy plus the add on. But can easily have an accident early doors and need to rebuy again, so I'd factor in at least an extra rebuy.

Swog · April 2014

Played my first session and it was a session 1 tabling NL10 for ~3 hours. Very happy with the way i played and my discipline, however i ended up down £12.67. (Bankroll now £612.33, not including the £5.50 in tournament entires for tonight)

I lost three big pots, two were very much identical were I was value betting a bit of a fish, only for the board to run out horribly, both times the opponent had the card that gave them a straight on a 4 to the straight turn. Quite pleased that i didn't lose full stacks in both scenarios and knew when to slow down, also helped by the fact that both times the opponent didn't value bet his straight. The other big losing hand was for effective stacks ~£6 I had a set and he turned a flush pretty standard stuff.

I did revive the session however, by taking the £5 off a calling station on an all in on the flop, i had AA he had 33, i held. I also got it in AA v JJ on a low flop and took another ~£5 pot another standard situation.

I'm off to a lecture now and will be back on in the evening to try my hand at the following tournaments:

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 19:15

£100 Deep Stack (£1.10 buy in) 19:45

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 21:15

Good luck and i hope to see some familiar faces on the tables.

Swog · April 2014

Only ended up playing

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 19:15

£100 Deep Stack (£1.10 buy in) 19:45

and I 3-tabled some NL10 all evening (~6hours), going to have to look at a few hands, as i again had a losing session. £33.12 down on the cash tables in this session and I ended up £3.30 down from the tournaments, i did however come close to a cash in the £2.20 Deep Stack where i came 17th.

Back to the tables today, wish me look. I will be playing NL10 for the majority of the day and I will be playing the following tournaments:

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20 buy in) 19:15

£2,000 Mini B/H (£5.50 buy in) 20:30

Any other tournament reccomendations would be much appreciated (preferably in the £1-£5 buy in), anyone playing in the 21:05 £200 Guarenteed £5.50 buyin?

GaryLaud · April 2014

Any other tournament reccomendations would be much appreciated (preferably in the £1-£5 buy in), anyone playing in the 21:05 £200 Guarenteed £5.50 buyin?

I would echo this sentiment - Later tonight you may well find me playing some 30p DYM's. The timing of these (IE When Im going to be playing) I'm unsure of. However I won't be able to enter the £5.50 at the moment as I haven't got the budget, and Im yet to score a major result in a tournament since my £5 prize in a £500 GTD freeroll for new players.

Swog · April 2014

Okay had an afternoon session grinding NL10 for 3 tables and for 4 hours, ended up just shy of a buy in down, but still learning and sticking at it. Hopefully I will have a good session one day

Current Bankroll £558.21 ($893.16) So as it stands i've lost $100 of my Las Vegas gambling funds. I do however have 193 points (£1.93) so hopefully i can sneak into the draw for an Ipad this week and the other weeks of April.

I would post my biggest losing hands below for discussion, but the biggest pot i lost all session was £2.40 lol. I will be back on in the evening to play the Mini B/H and some more cash, until then i'll be doing some studying for my degree and get a bite to eat.

Swog · April 2014

Having trouble posting my hands, can anyone help? It either doesn't show the Amounts on the right or just doesn't show in the correct form.

shakinaces · April 2014

Hi Swog - I have the same problem if I use any browswer other than Internet Explorer (Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera all incorrectly format the hands in different ways) - so if you are using anything other than IE it could be an easy fix to the issue?

Swog · April 2014

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
buddha69	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£23.70
flamingo	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£9.90
	Your hole cards	Q Q
rk1990	Fold
Swog	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£10.98
habbin	Fold
Brett2211	Raise		£1.05	£1.50	£8.61
buddha69	Fold
flamingo	Call		£0.95	£2.45	£8.95
Swog	Call		£0.75	£3.20	£10.23
Flop
		6 5 Q
flamingo	Check
Swog	Check
Brett2211	Bet		£1.60	£4.80	£7.01
flamingo	Call		£1.60	£6.40	£7.35
Swog	Call		£1.60	£8.00	£8.63
Turn
		2
flamingo	Check
Swog	Check
Brett2211	Check
River
		3
flamingo	Check
Swog	Bet		£2.00	£10.00	£6.63
Brett2211	Call		£2.00	£12.00	£5.01
flamingo	Call		£2.00	£14.00	£5.35
Swog	Show	Q Q
Brett2211	Muck	J J
flamingo	Muck	Q K
Swog	Win	Three Queens	£12.95

One hand I might have not got maximum value, any advice?

Swog · April 2014

Yes I switched to IE and it works now thanks.

Do you guys think I have enough of a bankroll to play the MINI £5.50 events daily?

I think I'm going to play the Mini every day, probably only play lesser buy in events other than that.

CraigSG1 · April 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

Player Action Cards Amount Pot Balance buddha69 Small blind £0.05 £0.05 £23.70 flamingo Big blind £0.10 £0.15 £9.90 Your hole cards Q Q rk1990 Fold Swog Raise £0.30 £0.45 £10.98 habbin Fold Brett2211 Raise £1.05 £1.50 £8.61 buddha69 Fold flamingo Call £0.95 £2.45 £8.95 Swog Call £0.75 £3.20 £10.23 Flop 6 5 Q flamingo Check Swog Check Brett2211 Bet £1.60 £4.80 £7.01 flamingo Call £1.60 £6.40 £7.35 Swog Call £1.60 £8.00 £8.63 Turn 2 flamingo Check Swog Check Brett2211 Check River 3 flamingo Check Swog Bet £2.00 £10.00 £6.63 Brett2211 Call £2.00 £12.00 £5.01 flamingo Call £2.00 £14.00 £5.35 Swog Show Q Q Brett2211 Muck J J flamingo Muck Q K Swog Win Three Queens £12.95 One hand I might have not got maximum value, any advice?
Posted by Swog

You could raise again pre but being OOP calling isn't the worst to pot control.

Flop fine. So dry and happy days with the nuts.

I'm betting turn, about half pot for pure value and to make it easier to get stacks in.

River. Have to bet more. Even allin. Chances are good we get called at least in one spot.

Swog · April 2014

Came 156th in the Mini BH, and came 2nd in the £200 deep stack, bit gutted not to win it, but ahh well. Heres a few hands from the HU, any advice would be welcome.

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
Swog	Small blind		4000.00	4000.00	357754.00
steelrod	Big blind		8000.00	12000.00	285246.00
	Your hole cards	K 2
Swog	Raise		12000.00	24000.00	345754.00
steelrod	Raise		24000.00	48000.00	261246.00
Swog	Call		16000.00	64000.00	329754.00
Flop
		9 9 5
steelrod	Bet		16000.00	80000.00	245246.00
Swog	Call		16000.00	96000.00	313754.00
Turn
		5
steelrod	Bet		32000.00	128000.00	213246.00
Swog	Call		32000.00	160000.00	281754.00
River
		5
steelrod	Check
Swog	All-in		281754.00	441754.00	0.00
steelrod	Fold
Swog	Muck
Swog	Win		160000.00		160000.00
Swog	Return

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
Swog	Small blind		4000.00	4000.00	429754.00
steelrod	Big blind		8000.00	12000.00	213246.00
	Your hole cards	J A
Swog	Raise		12000.00	24000.00	417754.00
steelrod	Call		8000.00	32000.00	205246.00
Flop
		A 4 9
steelrod	Check
Swog	Bet		20000.00	52000.00	397754.00
steelrod	Raise		48000.00	100000.00	157246.00
Swog	All-in		397754.00	497754.00	0.00
steelrod	All-in		157246.00	655000.00	0.00
Swog	Unmatched bet		212508.00	442492.00	212508.00
Swog	Show	J A
steelrod	Show	9 A
Turn
		2
River
		6
steelrod	Win	T

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
steelrod	Small blind		4000.00	4000.00	450492.00
Swog	Big blind		8000.00	12000.00	192508.00
	Your hole cards	9 A
steelrod	Raise		28000.00	40000.00	422492.00
Swog	All-in		192508.00	232508.00	0.00
steelrod	Raise		337016.00	569524.00	85476.00
steelrod	Unmatched bet		168508.00	401016.00	253984.00
steelrod	Show	A Q
Swog	Show	9 A
Flop
		J K Q
Turn
		4
River
		6
steelrod	Win

Swog · April 2014

+£43.49 in the Deep Stack, current bankroll £595.52. Now to play some NL10 for an hour or so...

Swog · April 2014

Had ANOTHER losing session on the cash tables, yet to have a winning session since started this thread. However, on my last hand of the night (~4am) where I was literally just waiting to sit out the big blind this hand came up....

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
Swog	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£21.30
SG25	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£23.77
	Your hole cards	6 5
Swog	Raise		£0.25	£0.40	£21.05
SG25	Call		£0.20	£0.60	£23.57
Flop
		5 7 6
SG25	Bet		£0.60	£1.20	£22.97
Swog	Raise		£1.90	£3.10	£19.15
SG25	Call		£1.30	£4.40	£21.67
Turn
		5
SG25	Bet		£2.20	£6.60	£19.47
Swog	Raise		£6.60	£13.20	£12.55
SG25	Call		£4.40	£17.60	£15.07
River
		2
SG25	Check
Swog	All-in		£12.55	£30.15	£0.00
SG25	Call		£12.55	£42.70	£2.52
Swog	Show	6 5
SG25	Show	7 4
Swog	Win	Full House, 5s and 6s	£42.00		£42.00

Swog · April 2014

Current bankroll £572.50. Poker Points 305.

I will be having a look at what tournaments I fancy tonight, most likely the Orfordable and the £2.20 DS (which I've came 17th and 2nd in consecutive days). Then i'll be most likely be playing the Mini BH, I'm going to try and play the Mini as many days as possible. Maybe not the Rebuy on a Wednesday or the Roller on a Sunday as I think they're just a little out of my bankroll.

Swog · April 2014

I've mad my final decision. The tournaments for tonight are:

Orfordable Deep Stack (£3.30) 19:10

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20) 19:15 [hoping to maybe make it 3rd time lucky and win it]

£2,000 Mini BH (£5.50) 20:30

Swog · April 2014

For now, it's to the cash tables.

alex1229 · April 2014

In Response to Re: Swog's Diary:

Player Action Cards Amount Pot Balance buddha69 Small blind £0.05 £0.05 £23.70 flamingo Big blind £0.10 £0.15 £9.90 Your hole cards Q Q rk1990 Fold Swog Raise £0.30 £0.45 £10.98 habbin Fold Brett2211 Raise £1.05 £1.50 £8.61 buddha69 Fold flamingo Call £0.95 £2.45 £8.95 Swog Call £0.75 £3.20 £10.23 Flop 6 5 Q flamingo Check Swog Check Brett2211 Bet £1.60 £4.80 £7.01 flamingo Call £1.60 £6.40 £7.35 Swog Call £1.60 £8.00 £8.63 Turn 2 flamingo Check Swog Check Brett2211 Check River 3 flamingo Check Swog Bet £2.00 £10.00 £6.63 Brett2211 Call £2.00 £12.00 £5.01 flamingo Call £2.00 £14.00 £5.35 Swog Show Q Q Brett2211 Muck J J flamingo Muck Q K Swog Win Three Queens £12.95 One hand I might have not got maximum value, any advice?
Posted by Swog

Pre Flop - Good opportunity to re raise

Flop - Call is fine

Turn - Need to bet

Swog · April 2014

Tournaments now finished and this is how it went.....

Orfordable Deep Stack (£3.30) 19:10 9/149 (won £12.74)

£100 Deep Stack (£2.20) 19:15 21/90 (just shy of a cash)

£2,000 Mini BH (£5.50) 20:30 (didn't last all that long but managed to take a bounty to offset some of the cost of entry)

Current Bankroll: £591.61 (~$946)
Poker Point: 421 (£4.21)

Swog · April 2014

My final hand in the Orfordable:

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
Swog	Small blind		2000.00	2000.00	29300.00
jjjach	Big blind		4000.00	6000.00	21010.00
	Your hole cards	A 7
mrs_balti	Fold
Coops25	Fold
crassh	Fold
joe759017	Fold
mickym3515	Fold
rawhand	Fold
Muppet1	Raise		8000.00	14000.00	33418.21
Swog	All-in		29300.00	43300.00	0.00
jjjach	Fold
Muppet1	Call		23300.00	66600.00	10118.21
Swog	Show	A 7
Muppet1	Show	A 6
Flop
		6 2 Q
Turn
		9
River
		3
Muppet1	Win	Pair of 6s	66600.00

Swog's Diary

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