The road to a Main Event score! Starting BR £252. Now £984 (£1.36k banked)

shakinaces

lol I know that feeling, have seen AA cracked a lot in the last few days by some very random hands... always going to be high variance vs the maniac gamblers (albeit more profitable in the longer term)... good that you have 170 NL10 BIs to weather the inevitable suck outs.

It'll definitely turn around and the £100 cash reward arriving in a fortnight's time will help ease the pain!

CraigSG1

Thanks Mrs duck and Shakin.

I really dont want to sound like a stuck record but another frustrating night again. Still cant dodge anything and had a couple of real bad ones, the worst in the Main Event when I was sitting comfortably about 12th with 150 left and I raise the serial limper, flop a set and lose to running cards for a huge top 3 stack pot after getting allin with one card to come and he needs a 4 outer and hits.

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
longman912	Small blind		300.00	300.00	9905.00
PP_GBH_Win	Big blind		600.00	900.00	14842.50
	Your hole cards	9 9
brookert05	Fold
PhilAny2_Q	Fold
bubbleboy5	Call		600.00	1500.00	14540.00
CraigSG1	Raise		1800.00	3300.00	14655.00
longman912	Fold
PP_GBH_Win	Fold
bubbleboy5	Call		1200.00	4500.00	13340.00
Flop
		4 9 10
bubbleboy5	Bet		1200.00	5700.00	12140.00
CraigSG1	Raise		3000.00	8700.00	11655.00
bubbleboy5	Call		1800.00	10500.00	10340.00
Turn
		J
bubbleboy5	All-in		10340.00	20840.00	0.00
CraigSG1	All-in		11655.00	32495.00	0.00
CraigSG1	Unmatched bet		1315.00	31180.00	1315.00
bubbleboy5	Show	K 9
CraigSG1	Show	9 9
River
		Q
bubbleboy5	Win	Straight to the King	31180.00		31180.00

As I said, the maniacs keep getting there. Heres another crazy runner runner

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
spinace	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£22.46
LJHAlmight	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£15.30
	Your hole cards	A A
Mowtown	Call		£0.10	£0.25	£26.40
Lawson1987	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		£0.50	£0.75	£11.55
spinace	Fold
LJHAlmight	Fold
Mowtown	Call		£0.40	£1.15	£26.00
Flop
		J Q 4
Mowtown	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		£0.86	£2.01	£10.69
Mowtown	Call		£0.86	£2.87	£25.14
Turn
		5
Mowtown	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		£2.15	£5.02	£8.54
Mowtown	Call		£2.15	£7.17	£22.99
River
		2
Mowtown	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		£2.10	£9.27	£6.44
Mowtown	Call		£2.10	£11.37	£20.89
CraigSG1	Show	A A
Mowtown	Show	6 3
Mowtown	Win	Straight to the 6	£10.51		£31.40

Its just laughable how often these are happening. One more, although I have others. The amount of times ive had sets that lost to flushes/straights and ive not housed up I get allin with the nuts against a set and of course they house up.

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
royalhell	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£20.71
CraigSG1	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£8.65
	Your hole cards	7 9
onthemoon	Fold
VINEY73	Fold
GJ555	Fold
jack100	Call		£0.10	£0.25	£8.17
royalhell	Call		£0.05	£0.30	£20.66
CraigSG1	Check
Flop
		A 6 8
royalhell	Check
CraigSG1	Check
jack100	Bet		£0.30	£0.60	£7.87
royalhell	Fold
CraigSG1	Call		£0.30	£0.90	£8.35
Turn
		10
CraigSG1	Bet		£0.30	£1.20	£8.05
jack100	Raise		£1.80	£3.00	£6.07
CraigSG1	Raise		£4.88	£7.88	£3.17
jack100	All-in		£6.07	£13.95	£0.00
CraigSG1	Call		£2.69	£16.64	£0.48
CraigSG1	Show	7 9
jack100	Show	6 6
River
		10
jack100	Win	Full House, 6s and 10s	£15.39		£15.39

Its getting soul destroying, especially the ME one that could have set me up for a very deep run but things cant stop going wrong. Its not as if i've made many mistakes in these hands. Forgive me, i'll shut up now.


PP4201

CraigSG1

So in the interest of balance I can heartfully include some hands that actually went well for me! I had a quick and profitable lunch session of half hour and took over 3 BI's which is a huge boost and fingers crossed for a late surge to the end of the month.

This is what happens when the river card was feeling in a better mood towards me.

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
frizzybulu	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£29.25
bigbert123	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£10.55
	Your hole cards	5 5
yuranASSet	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£11.48
CraigSG1	Call		£0.30	£0.75	£13.75
PokerKinga	Fold
frizzybulu	Fold
bigbert123	Raise		£0.80	£1.55	£9.75
yuranASSet	Fold
CraigSG1	Call		£0.60	£2.15	£13.15
Flop
		7 10 5
bigbert123	Bet		£1.08	£3.23	£8.67
CraigSG1	Call		£1.08	£4.31	£12.07
Turn
		8
bigbert123	Bet		£2.16	£6.47	£6.51
CraigSG1	All-in		£12.07	£18.54	£0.00
bigbert123	All-in		£6.51	£25.05	£0.00
CraigSG1	Unmatched bet		£3.40	£21.65	£3.40
bigbert123	Show	9 9
CraigSG1	Show	5 5
River
		Q
CraigSG1	Win	Three 5s	£20.25		£23.65

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
JimmyVegas	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£8.43
frizzybulu	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£19.90
	Your hole cards	4 4
VK41	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£22.97
CraigSG1	Call		£0.30	£0.75	£18.95
mia81	Call		£0.30	£1.05	£17.55
yuranASSet	Fold
JimmyVegas	Call		£0.25	£1.30	£8.18
frizzybulu	Call		£0.20	£1.50	£19.70
Flop
		4 5 Q
JimmyVegas	Check
frizzybulu	Check
VK41	Bet		£1.13	£2.63	£21.84
CraigSG1	Raise		£3.01	£5.64	£15.94
mia81	Fold
JimmyVegas	Fold
frizzybulu	Fold
VK41	Call		£1.88	£7.52	£19.96
Turn
		9
VK41	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		£5.64	£13.16	£10.30
VK41	Call		£5.64	£18.80	£14.32
River
		K
VK41	Check
CraigSG1	All-in		£10.30	£29.10	£0.00
VK41	Call		£10.30	£39.40	£4.02
VK41	Show	K Q
CraigSG1	Show	4 4
CraigSG1	Win	Three 4s	£38.00		£38.00

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
MrMatthew	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£3.92
seeflop86	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£8.33
	Your hole cards	Q 10
slimbo	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£11.78
arnott09	Call		£0.30	£0.75	£7.56
MrMatthew	Fold
seeflop86	Call		£0.20	£0.95	£8.13
Flop
		8 A 7
seeflop86	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		£0.71	£1.66	£11.07
arnott09	Call		£0.71	£2.37	£6.85
seeflop86	Fold
Turn
		J
CraigSG1	Bet		£1.78	£4.15	£9.29
arnott09	All-in		£6.85	£11.00	£0.00
CraigSG1	All-in		£9.29	£20.29	£0.00
CraigSG1	Unmatched bet		£4.22	£16.07	£4.22
CraigSG1	Show	Q 10
arnott09	Show	A 9
River
		2
CraigSG1	Win	Flush to the Ace	£14.86		£19.08

PP4236

shakinaces

Fix!! 

I saw this posted on a poker twitter feed and thought it apt for the recent posts on here...



Good luck with the 800-odd point grind through the double point end to the week!

CraigSG1

Lol, thanks Shakey. Seen a few of those on different themes and most are funny. I like this one.

Im not sure how to write this as I cant really spin it any other way than im still running like a petrol car on deisel. My session started with two coolers in the first two minutes. AQ v AK on a AKQxA board and set over set. Had plenty of others again, was going to put them up but why bother. So many worse hands like KQ v K5 on a K high board and river 5 getting two pairs and trips like QQ v A2s on a 2247J board. Just variations on a theme.

Ive looked back over my hands yet again and im either getting coolered or outdrawn like me QQ v QJ on a JxxxJ board or there worse kicker hands/ PP's are getting there when most of the money is in. Yes there are hands ive played badly or not gotten enough value but those are way, WAY, behind the bad ones. Surely it has to turn soon?

Sigh.

PP4466

CraigSG1

So glad that this grind is almost over. I've never played so much cash, probably ever, in one month and its been a 'grinding' affair. Im exstatic to proclaim a winning day, dispite some of the usual suffering.

A quick lunch time session saw me make a few quid which I was very happy with as I thought I would be down, especially after running KK v AA very early on. The guy flopped quads so no real comeback after that! Its been a torrid affair with KK's over an 8/9 month period as I have run them into AA's on a fair few occassions and not once won. Surely variance had to of given me a win but no and ive lost AA v KK on a few occasions. Just one of those things I guess.

The evening session didnt start much better, with 1010 v AJ losing to a gutshot straight on a Q102r board, QQ v A4, KK v A3 and a few others. Did well to just play and not worry and managed a little run good towards the end of the night, taking a nice pot - on the river unbelievably - when my flopped set actually housed up against the flopped but flush and anothers very loose call.

In the interest of balance here is that good hand;

ayer	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
showoff1	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£12.18
sleckie90	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£2.90
	Your hole cards	8 8
CraigSG1	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£15.93
KP03	Fold
Ryan1971	Call		£0.30	£0.75	£7.27
chippy373	Raise		£1.00	£1.75	£19.93
showoff1	Fold
sleckie90	Fold
CraigSG1	Call		£0.70	£2.45	£15.23
Ryan1971	Call		£0.70	£3.15	£6.57
Flop
		Q 5 8
CraigSG1	Check
Ryan1971	All-in		£6.57	£9.72	£0.00
chippy373	Call		£6.57	£16.29	£13.36
CraigSG1	All-in		£15.23	£31.52	£0.00
chippy373	Call		£8.66	£40.18	£4.70
CraigSG1	Show	8 8
Ryan1971	Show	A 2
chippy373	Show	Q 10
Turn
		4
River
		5
CraigSG1	Win	Full House, 8s and 5s	£38.78		£38.78

One more day to go and 5000PPs as good as in the bag!

PP4718

CraigSG1

And that is it!! Grind over!!

5000PP's done and it looks ace to have that much bonus due to me. £100 just for playing as (almost) usual!! What will suck will be tomorrow when that counter resets to zero!

Its been a hard slog and I'm glad I put a lot of volume in early as I stepped off the hours towards the end. if I had continued at my starting pace I could easily have touched 6500PPs but I focused on quality more than quantity.

So to reflect this month I have had a hard time the past week or so but im happy with how I handled it. A few months ago I would have chased the losses and moved to 50nl and had a punt and definatley tilted away a lot more of my BR by going silly aggressive. Yes ive had a little moan but its mainly to vent and I appologise as its not great reading but in my defence I channelled it in a better way and didnt tilt as much. The next step is being able to do that without venting in that way. Baby steps and im going in the right direction. Some of which is to do with this diary as I have accountability, which is the main reason I include my BR in the title.

Onto today and its been a nice profitable one, had an ok morning and decent afternoon and an above break even evening sessions.

I had this hand come up and I will post it in the clinic but I was wondering if I made the right laydown? I figured all I can beat is a bluff and I didnt think he was bluffing. The best I am doing is chopping I think and I figure another AK will raise pre?

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
2HODGE2	Small blind		£0.05	£0.05	£6.50
supercrazy	Big blind		£0.10	£0.15	£20.58
	Your hole cards	K A
CraigSG1	Raise		£0.30	£0.45	£25.70
AK472010	Call		£0.30	£0.75	£6.75
xkjaguar8	Call		£0.30	£1.05	£13.17
2HODGE2	Fold
supercrazy	Fold
Flop
		4 A K
CraigSG1	Bet		£0.79	£1.84	£24.91
AK472010	Fold
xkjaguar8	Call		£0.79	£2.63	£12.38
Turn
		3
CraigSG1	Bet		£1.32	£3.95	£23.59
xkjaguar8	Raise		£2.64	£6.59	£9.74
CraigSG1	Call		£1.32	£7.91	£22.27
River
		J
CraigSG1	Check
xkjaguar8	All-in		£9.74	£17.65	£0.00
CraigSG1	Fold
xkjaguar8	Muck
xkjaguar8	Win		£7.31		£7.31
xkjaguar8	Return		£9.74	£0.60	£17.05

And I cant not show this, after moaning of a few bad beats I inflicted my first horrible beat in a long time. I think that makes it 1-19 or something!

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
CraigSG1	Small blind		£0.04	£0.04	£7.89
diggerboy	Big blind		£0.08	£0.12	£9.55
	Your hole cards	J 10
JrTeng	Raise		£0.28	£0.40	£6.54
jacko307	Fold
RoyalBear	Fold
2win	Fold
CraigSG1	Call		£0.24	£0.64	£7.65
diggerboy	Fold
Flop
		J A 10
CraigSG1	Check
JrTeng	Bet		£0.48	£1.12	£6.06
CraigSG1	Raise		£1.28	£2.40	£6.37
JrTeng	Raise		£4.00	£6.40	£2.06
CraigSG1	All-in		£6.37	£12.77	£0.00
JrTeng	All-in		£2.06	£14.83	£0.00
CraigSG1	Unmatched bet		£1.11	£13.72	£1.11
CraigSG1	Show	J 10
JrTeng	Show	A A
Turn
		4
River
		7
CraigSG1	Win	Flush to the Ace	£12.69		£13.80

PP5019

So time for another monthly review. I started with a BR of £1584 and finished with £1848 which is +£264 and considering I started with a target of +£250-£300 I am within that so im so pleased but I do have thanks for a nice spurt over the weekend that has saw me add £130. If you add that cash isnt my strong suit and that I had 7/8 bad days in a row I have to say I am extremely pleased. On top of that as well I met my PP target so I succeeded in that too AND qualified for all three promotion FR's.

All in all I sit here very pleased and content with my progress and now have to come up with some aims for next month which will be MTT based. My volume will be a lot lower, especially the next few days as I take a breather. Any suggestions for an MTT target would be great. I aim to play a lot of £5-£10 tournaments as well as sats for ME's and a few £22 BH's if I can.

So its time to kick back and watch England bat against Sri-Lanka until I either fall asleep or they collapse! Im not taking any bets on what will happen first!

zendiiiin1

AK - super standard river fold

JT - ck/r getting it in on that flop is terrible, like really bad, has has every better two pair, set and the straight and likely only calls with AK, AQ.

CraigSG1

In Response to Re: The road to a Main Event score! Starting BR £252. Now £1848:

AK - super standard river fold JT - ck/r getting it in on that flop is terrible, like really bad, has has every better two pair, set and the straight and likely only calls with AK, AQ.
Posted by zendiiiin1

I agree that the call isnt the greatest but I do disagree that is really bad as I have notes on this player and know they over value top pair and have seen them bet/call off worse.

So, had a few days off and came back tonight. Played a little cash which more than paid for the MTTs I played. Only played four, the two Vegas FR's but busted them. Played the main £5 BH. Never got going, was shallow most of the way and every decent pot went against me and then busted with my first real hand KK v 99 to flopped set. Also played the ME, again I went deep and hovered around average or below for most of the way. Did get a decent stack with flush over flush but then lost a big hand to same player when my trips lost to rivered straight. Stole a few blinds but couldnt win that good pot. The final nail was when Shuvmonkey shoved 14BBs in with A9o and I called in BB with AJ and for an above average stack he flopped the nine and gg me.

Cant catch a break in this tourny.

Onwards I go.

CraigSG1

A bit of cash for the points to play the Vegas FRs saw me make a few quid, could have been more when I got AK v AQ allin on turn on A high board only to lose to rivered Q. Also had KK which I had to lay down and I made a set in a big pot but lost to a straight. That hand made the TV and at least Channing said I had played it well.

The first FR I was allin first hand against A6o (that 4 bet allin!) v 1010 with KK. Safe flop only to lose to running straight cards to the A6. Second went OK, went deep (last 40odd) but busted for a big pot with a better Ace. Meant to play a BH HU shuffle but forgot as I was going well in the main £5 BH. I took four heads and cashed before going out 22/305 when on a very aggressive table I took a stand with A5s on the button but ran into A10s which held. 

MTT tally;

FR's: 4 (best 44/266)

ME's: 1 (best 150odd/500+)

BH's: 2 (best 22/305)

Sats: -

Other: -

CraigSG1

Im finding the transition back to MTTs a tough one at the moment. The nuances of this and the structure and time invested are a lot different to cash. Ive been used to being able to play until I felt I was dipping in concentration and then be able to take breaks but you cant in MTTs. My mindset is a little out at the moment.

Played OK and Ive added a little more aggression to my play. I think I was a little unlucky in my BH exit when I made a very creditable bluff on the river as I read my opponent with a vulnerable hand and he very nearly folded but he had made a set on the river as I repped the rivered flush. Nearly got to the last four in the HU BH but lost that allin to a rivered straight.

Seat bubbled the ME sat but got the extra money. I was definatley unlucky there as I was OK right at the end but a run of 12 hands no higher than a 7 and with action in front left with me little room to move.

MTT tally; FR's: 6 (best 44/266) ME's: 1 (best 150odd/500+) BH's: 3 (best 22/305) Sats: 1 (22 (seat bubble/£19.40)) Other:  £5 HU/BH  1 (7/22)

CraigSG1

My BR seems to have taken a bump only because I thought I had correctly added the £100 I got back from my PPs on Friday but I have rectified that now.

Still suffering from not being able to properly swap mentality from cash to MTT's. Played a couple of Sats but no luck, lost a big pot in the 6pm Sat when my AKs lost to AA against an active player. Always the way. Couldnt get going in the others. Have an aim of as close to 100 MTTs as possible this month so theres time yet to get that MTT mind going again.

Played some cash for a small £7 profit as well. Probably not helping the mind but needed something to do when down to one MTT!

MTT tally;

FR's: 8 (best 44/266 + £2 cash in Vegas Sat FR)

ME's: 1 (best 150odd/500+)

BH's: 5 (best 22/305)

Sats: 3 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH  1 (7/22)

Pokerstars:  3 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 21

CraigSG1

No good today MTT wise, got off to good starts in both FR's but got coolered in both. Lowlight being in the £10k FR I had AKs allin on turn with two overs, a straight draw and nut flush draw but bricked river for a huge pot. Another massive chip leader pot went against me in the £5BH when my AK v AJ v 99 lost. Took a gamble with what could have been best hand just because it was for the chip lead. Go for the win and all that.

A few small cash sessions totalling less than half hour made me almost 3 BIs.

I'm aproaching a nice milestone, the £2k mark. Once I get beyond this pyscological barrier I hope to open up my MTT BIs. But what I mainly need to do is find some form first! Thats obviously more important.

MTT tally;

FR's: 10 (best 44/266 + £2 cash in Vegas Sat FR)

ME's: 1 (best 150odd/500+)

BH's: 6 (best 22/305)

Sats: 3 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH  1 (7/22)

Pokerstars:  4 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 25

CraigSG1

Ive been mentioning that I have not quite got back into MTTs yet but I can say tonight wasnt anything to do with me, in fact I think I was playing well but everything conspired to go against me. The two FR's; first hand of first one had JJ v 55 v 1010 and lost to set of fives. Second one had 77 v 54s aipf and lost to flopped trips. £5BH; Numerous outdraws in small to mid pots with PP's losing or dominating hands losing and then final hand had AA with Ac and with two callers hit a nice Qc8c2c board but got c/r allin and called but guy had flopped flush and no redraw came. Played £2rebuy; was chipping up nicely and then had AK 3 times in a few hands that missed flop and had to give up and then finally top two lost to a rivered better 2pr. Played a £3 timed; that was going ok then lost JJ v AK to rivered A. 

Im dissapointed obviously but I know that this happens, and it will happen a lot. I just want to get going, a few deep runs and final tables. At least I played better and my thinking was better also.

A bit of cash now to fill the rest of the evening. Update this bit later.

**EDIT** Played about half hour or so and made a nice £15 to more than cover my BI's for tonight. Without trying to call on the wrath of the poker gods I feel like i'm playing a decent cash game when switched on and I feel thats a lot to do with last month. Its nice to improve and I felt I have learnt a lot from that experiance. Now, MTT's...

MTT tally;

FR's: 12 (best 44/266 + £2 cash in Vegas Sat FR)

ME's: 1 (best 150odd/500+)

BH's: 7 (best 22/305)

Sats: 3 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  1 (7/22)

£2 Rebuy:   1 (-)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  4 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 30

CraigSG1

Played four MTTs today and again I felt I played very well. Went deep in the 2nd (and best) FR, finishing 40th when my PP lost to a set aipf. Went OK in the £2 rebuy but not much went my way, cant remember exactly what happened but I eventually busted when ahead I know that.

£5BH went well also, not much early but hung in and then got a couple of heads and a very good stack. Played well but got unlucky in a couple of good pots before working up thanks to this bizare fold! Folded for 384 chips in a 14k pot!

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
CraigSG1	Small blind		300.00	300.00	7283.74
Thorhannam	Big blind		600.00	900.00	18195.00
	Your hole cards	K 7
spinky6108	Fold
thetram	Fold
Fredin	Fold
GSmith13	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		900.00	1800.00	6383.74
Thorhannam	Call		600.00	2400.00	17595.00
Flop
		2 K 6
CraigSG1	Bet		1200.00	3600.00	5183.74
Thorhannam	Raise		6000.00	9600.00	11595.00
CraigSG1	All-in		5183.74	14783.74	0.00
Thorhannam	Fold
CraigSG1	Muck
CraigSG1	Win		14400.00		14400.00
CraigSG1	Return		383.74	0.00	14783.74

But then this hand happened when down to last three tables:

layer	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
RossMc	Small blind		600.00	600.00	41640.00
KopKing74	Big blind		1200.00	1800.00	29827.37
	Your hole cards	K K
Fredin	Call		1200.00	3000.00	17552.50
GSmith13	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		3600.00	6600.00	13833.74
Thorhannam	Fold
RossMc	All-in		41640.00	48240.00	0.00
KopKing74	All-in		29827.37	78067.37	0.00
Fredin	All-in		17552.50	95619.87	0.00
CraigSG1	All-in		13833.74	109453.61	0.00
RossMc	Unmatched bet		11212.63	98240.98	11212.63
RossMc	Show	9 9
KopKing74	Show	K J
Fredin	Show	A A
CraigSG1	Show	K K
Flop
		Q 2 4
Turn
		2
River
		2
Fredin	Win	Full House, 2s and Aces	73691.24		73691.24
RossMc	Win	Full House, 2s and 9s	24549.74		35762.37

Pretty brutal cooler in a four way allin against two of the three loose agg players too!

Made my first ever ME cash tonight! Its a step in the right direction. Pretty cruel table to start the ME on, had Andrew1947 on my left and Chickenmelt on my right. Played with them for over an hour and more than held my own. Got very deep before a cruel beat with 88 v 66 to a flopped 10106 to leave me short but I grinded and nicked blinds to be back up before a few extremely tricky spots left me just under average then I ran AQ v KK and was left with half a BB 18 away from the money. Doubled up with A2 v KQ and decided to just try and fold my way to the money with 4 BB's mainly because I wanted my first cash and secondly felt it was odds against making a comeback.

Ive done well in this MTT and know that I can definatley take this down one day. Feeling i'm also getting back into the MTT grove, just need to hold when ahead more!

My ME challenge is on.

MTT tally;

FR's: 14 (best 40/266 + £2 cash in Vegas Sat FR)

ME's: 2 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 8 (best 17/297)

Sats: 3 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  1 (7/22)

£2 Rebuy:   2 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  4 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 35

shakinaces

Congrats on the ME cash... I think I have to go back over 5 years to remember what that feels like!

Are you going to add all of the ME games into your schedule now or will it just be the £11 TT? 

Am sure you'll get big results at some point, but the higher short-term variance of MTT games must be tough for a fellow bankroll nit to cope with?

CraigSG1

Hi Shakin,

Thanks. No, I intend to play as many as I can but entry mainly through sats for the time being with maybe the odd direct BI.

The winning of an MTT is like no other, so obviously the downside is the variance which I am having a lot of. Some real big pots have gone against me dispite being ahead and mostly ahead by a lot (see below for an example) so it has to come soon surely?


Tonight has been a godd night dispite one horendous important beat. Started off with a ME sat that went bad when I got it in KQ v QJ on a Qxx dry board against a loose guy. Sadly the J came straight away on the turn and was left with fumes so no joy there.

Played about 20-30 mins of cash to gain some points for the FR's and did really well, making +£35 thanks to one big hand against two loose players AK v KQ v 89 all in on a K910 board and dispite a very scary turn 7 a nice A river gave me a great pot. Result!

Went well in one FR, played very aggressive in places and then got a little luck right at the end when putting pressure on with 10 left and 6 paid. Rivered trips when I was about to go out so some return good fortune I have to admit too. Ended up finishing fourth and taking the £17 as this was my last MTT running and want an early night.

The bad news was I was doing great in the £5 BH, top 8 stack with two heads when this hand happened. Was for the chip lead with over an hour gone and would have set me up for a great run. One day these will go my way!

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
JETA	Small blind		75.00	75.00	8955.00
CEJ	Big blind		150.00	225.00	1680.00
	Your hole cards	10 10
shirley02	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		300.00	525.00	8445.01
tinytellah	Call		300.00	825.00	7265.00
TheBench1	Fold
JETA	Call		225.00	1050.00	8730.00
CEJ	Fold
Flop
		10 A A
JETA	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		300.00	1350.00	8145.01
tinytellah	Call		300.00	1650.00	6965.00
JETA	Call		300.00	1950.00	8430.00
Turn
		Q
JETA	Check
CraigSG1	Bet		1050.00	3000.00	7095.01
tinytellah	Call		1050.00	4050.00	5915.00
JETA	All-in		8430.00	12480.00	0.00
CraigSG1	All-in		7095.01	19575.01	0.00
tinytellah	Fold
JETA	Unmatched bet		284.99	19290.02	284.99
JETA	Show	A J
CraigSG1	Show	10 10
River
		J
JETA	Win	Full House, Aces and Jacks	19290.02		19575.01

MTT tally;

FR's: 16 (best 4/297 £17)

ME's: 2 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 9 (best 17/297)

Sats: 4 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  1 (7/22)

£2 Rebuy:   2 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  4 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 39

CraigSG1

Very pleasing to smash past the £2k mark! My BR's never looked so good.

I do promise to include a few big BI's soon as I feel I have got my MTT game going again, just need the run to rub my way.

mrsduck

Well done 2K wootwoot!

CraigSG1

Thanks Mrs Duck!!

Was hoping to play longer tonight but was a bit tired early doors and my play suffered for it. Didnt play that well and made a few mistakes dispite getting coolered a couple of times. I feel I could have lost less playing better. Ran deep in the 2nd FR but busted out around 30th.

But I did manage to save my night and gain a nice little MTT victory in the £5 HU/BH. I have said before I have a good record in this and need to play it more and I added to that success tonight by taking it down for almost £55. Played well throughout and won 5 HU matches to take it down. I had one suckout with A9 v A10 and ran well when my most of my hands that went in ahead stayed that way. A nice confidence boost and hopefully can add to that in my March MTT challenge!

CraigSG1

65000

1

£32.50 + £22.39 Head Prizes

5

£7.45

Was intending to play the two £10 MTTs tonight but as I said im tired and not feeling it so will retire with a good memory! Try the grind tomorrow night!

MTT tally;

FR's: 18 (best 4/297 £17)

ME's: 2 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 10 (best 17/297)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  2 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   3 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  6 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 47

CraigSG1

WHAT A DAY!!!!!

Been such a brilliant day today, one of my best in a long while. Made over £200 and played and ran really well. Very pleasing.

To start off I played a £3BH; Have to say I played really well. Quiet to start and picked my spots early, didnt get disheartened when after doubling up I lost half my stack to 63s after making top 2 pr and guy calling down for running flush. Was very low at one point but was patient, got a trebble up and two heads with KK and went from there. Played a great TAG style and quietly made my way through the bubble (where I picked up a few chips by stealing and with controlled aggression - a big leap in my game recently) and then when on to the final table and I was again patient. Got lucky to take a head and go 5 handed with JJ v QQ. 5 handed lasted a while but when that went I ran over the table from there, especially three handed where I just pummelled the 2nd in chips stack and then took them both out to finish!

I must say I am indebted to playing cash and reading a few books as I read hands/situations and controlled my bets and aggression to coast to victory!! Picking on the mid stack and not the small was key as I built up a huge advantage and was never in trouble.

Happy!!!!

CraigSG1

226000

1

£47.38 + £36.91 Head Prizes

12

£10.34

In the early stages I played a little cash for 20/30 mins and managed to add another £35+ profit so a great morning.

Came back this evening and first tourny was the £5 BH which was yet another success of the day. Almost made it three wins from three but (rather apt) I finished 3rd out of 320 for a +£100 score. Really dissapointing exit hand. Three handed villian had beat my KK with 54o after calling flop with a gutshot and hitting turn 5 and river 4. Ten mins later again 3 handed I had KK and we get it all in pre and after flopping a Q he turns one too so gg me. That was for chip lead and a real crack at winning it after coming into the final table 5/6 after going card/situation dead. 

Ran well to start and coasted again and nothing was going wrong, it went dead at 12 and I did very well to get to third so I have to be happy with that. 

CraigSG1

0

3

£72.80 + £36.53 Head Prizes

12

Tried a few allin sats but to no avail. Never do well in these, best was tonight when I got a 2nd but that paid nothing! Other games where the two Vegas FR's. No good in one and an almost in the Vegas sat, finishing 13/367 when 4 paid. KK no good again in the rebuy when went out to A6o. The other saide of vairence. Played a £5 HU/BH but went out first round when against a very aggressive opponent my AK lost to QJ.

I'm back in the MTT groove and it feels great to have had that MTT winning feeling again today, nearly twice! I'm going to treat myself to a couple of direct ME buyins as soon as I can. Feeling it now!!

MTT tally;

FR's: 20 (best 4/297 £17 + 13/367)

ME's: 2 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 12 (best 1/113 + 3/320)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  3 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   4 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  6 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 53  (3 wins from 4 FT's)

CraigSG1

Small night tonight mainly to play the Up Your Game FR. Did pretty well, was a top 50 stack for most of the way then lost a few close spots and eventually bust 271/1883 for £20. All good for nothing, hope my main cash is the last one next weekend!

No good in a £5 BH, couldnt get anything going on a very, very loose fishy table.

Still, had a great weekend and a nice little end to it tonight.

MTT tally;

FR's: 22 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20)

ME's: 2 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 13 (best 1/113 + 3/320)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  3 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   4 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  6 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 56  (3 wins from 4 FT's)

CraigSG1

After a break yesterday I returned to play the ME and three other MTT's. Played 2 £5BH's but couldnt get anything going at all, busted both when flopping top pair allin pre against pairs but both times they hit sets on the flop too. FR went out first hand I late reg with a PP in a 4 way allin after I had 3 bet jammed.

ME started great, doubled early with AA when someone c/r allin on turn with a bluff. Won a few others and was comfortable. 2nd hour not so great, blinded down to average stack through no spots then managed to get above with a nice pot against a loose guy then next hand this happens;

Player	Action	Cards	Amount	Pot	Balance
Joey898	Small blind		150.00	150.00	6735.00
adamu13	Big blind		300.00	450.00	9930.00
	Your hole cards	Q Q
jdsallstar	Fold
ranger04	Fold
CraigSG1	Raise		600.00	1050.00	7250.00
WIG23	Call		600.00	1650.00	12482.50
Joey898	Fold
adamu13	Fold
Flop
		9 10 4
CraigSG1	Bet		1237.50	2887.50	6012.50
WIG23	All-in		12482.50	15370.00	0.00
CraigSG1	All-in		6012.50	21382.50	0.00
WIG23	Unmatched bet		5232.50	16150.00	5232.50
CraigSG1	Show	Q Q
WIG23	Show	K Q
Turn
		2
River
		J
WIG23	Win	Straight to the King	16150.00		21382.50

I have had this so many times and I just can never dodge it, and 3 times in this MTT it has happened. Was for a top 10 stack easily and a good springboard.

Played some cash also, played OK but ran into a few coolers and strange slow plays that worked out for them even though I had tons of equity. Didnt get paid on many hands either but all in all finished -£5 down which is a result considering!

Yet again no luck in three all in sats. Must be 0-20 or something like.

MTT tally;

FR's: 23 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20)

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 15 (best 1/113 + 3/320)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  3 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   4 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  6 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 60  (3 wins from 4 FT's)

CraigSG1

Very gutted at the moment to have gone out in the main £5 BH, went out to quads would you believe when I made a call on a KKK99 board but should have folded as was 2nd but just quickly called with no thought!

Still, have to be happy to finish 3/333. Especially as I’ve won 2/4 final tables in the past week! I wanted that first place buzz though! Won an MTT on Sat for £80 and felt ace, won £130 and feel not as good! 

Played decent if not great, just patient and won some important hands. Four handed was strange and we all fluctuated stacks but need to do better when faced with constant aggression from a player.

Played the two FR's, nothing in those. Also tried a £5BH/HU but again lost quickly first round with AK v A7 on a A87 flop. What can you do HU? Also played a £2 HU SnG for fun and won that.

Played some cash early doors, first hand on a NL20 table get AA allin v 55 on a 234r flop after 4 betting pre. 6 river. Managed a £15 profit on other tables so only £5 down in the end.

Still, a great night and hopefully still more to come this month.

MTT tally;

FR's: 25 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20)

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 16 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  4 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   4 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

Pokerstars:  7 (best - ? Cant include anything yet as pretty bad so far!)

MTT total: 65  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

One of those nights that just dont pan out. No joy in 3 (2 FR's and rebuy) MTTs.

The main £5 BH started well, took two heads and was nicely chipped then lost a couple of pots to knock me below average then got it allin on a A high board with top pair against a player who I know was light as he was very active. He had KJo for K high no draw but hit J then K to knock me out. 

Played the £11BH for the first time, started well again by reading a bluff allin and held on the river, took a bounty late on but lost with AK when had to give up and on button with 55 I get three bet by active player reraising most hands so shove. He lets bar go down to near the end to make me think I'm ahead or he may fold but he then calls and shows AA! Disapointing. On a side note the level of play is very poor, i've seen a lot better at the £2 level.

Ah, well. Theres always tomorrow. SKY MTT tally; FR's: 27 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20) ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93) BH's: 18 (best 1/113 + 3/333) Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40)) Other:  £5 HU/BH:  4 (1/26) £2 Rebuy:   5 (39/83) £3 timed:    1 (-) MTT total: 63  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

Had a deep run in a mornign £3BH but only had one head to show for it, pretty unlucky bust out hand. Had a little cash too, finished £10 up dispite losing with AA twice to gutshot straights.

The evening saw a very, very deep run in the Vegas FR. Finished 30/660 for £20, again pretty unlucky to go out. Very shallow stacks, got no action with back to back KKs then had a utg limper and I saw flop with 86s and with a 6h 2 flushing board I jammed but get snapped by 33 who had bottom set and no redraw. 

Also ran deep again in the main £5BH, took four heads and finsihed 20/290 but again another unlucky bustout. 

Tried the £11BH again, had a harder table with three very knowable and decent players but again very silly/gambly play ensued with the others. Only managed one head (a very small pot) and was card dead after. Busting when losing a race, dead on the flop to a set. Also had a £5 HU/BH. Went passed first stage but lost 2nd to Ax v QJ to running straight.

Strange night, ran deep in a few dispite not having much luck but made a profit so it shows i'm doing better with less. All good.

SKY MTT tally;

FR's: 29 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20)

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 21 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  5 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   5 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

MTT total: 69  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

SKY MTT tally;

FR's: 31 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20) - FR cash total £74

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 22 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  5 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   5 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

MTT total: 72  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

No update for a while for numerous reasons. One is ive had a very quiet wek on the MTT front, a few deep runs but mainly suffering from a lot of negatives. A combination of a lot of suckouts, mostly with dominating hands against 3 outs, and not playing very well because of low confidence and tilt. Tilt. A word I have not used a lot lately as I have managed to negate it (obviously not 100% but very low levels).

Played quite a few £11 BH's and I must say the standard is bad with a lot of gamblers. Only had one deep run and that ended with another of those 3 outers for a top 3 stack spot. A bit of normal run and I will definatley score in those so thats a MTT I will add. 

Cash has gone OK, had a couple of losing sessions in a row but done well at 20/30/50nl. 50nl on a Saturday was eye opening. If I had a better head for the swings I would definatley make that a staple session. I'll probably stick to when confidence is up.

Another reason for no updates is I feel that im only talking to myself. The forum has gone quieter and quieter over the last 12 months and with the recent Sky TV changes thats not going to improve. 

Hopefully things can change again for the better on the poker front, especially during UKOPS whcih I am looking forward to. Aim to play as many as I can and have a proper go.

Away from poker I have banked 1k of my winnings and had my first go at laying laminate flooring. Whole job cost under £100 and took a day. Must say it looks great and i'm pleased, only problem is with my bad back I now ache like a 90yo and can hardly walk! Hope it improves or I will have to take a day off unpaid.

Bring on Easter!

SKY MTT tally;

FR's: 42 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20) - FR cash total £74

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 33 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  8 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   8 (39/83)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

MTT total: 102  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

No work today as I had to take a sick day (and again tomorrow) because I cant walk properly, still acting like a 90yo.

I had a successful cash day, but a bad MTT day. Couldnt get anything going, only ran deep in 2 (a £11) and the rebuy, making it to 15th, a few off a cash. Probably spent about £45 and made about £7 back in head prizes so -£38 there. But cash wise had numerous winning sessions through the day and made almost £70. Ran decent and played well too, making informed decisions. Strange as I was making decent cash decisions but bad MTT ones. Too passive which is annoying as I mean to improve on that and my successes two weeks ago was when I was being controlled aggressive.

Still no luck at all in allin sats. I will be buyin in direct to ME's as soon as get some MTT confidece.

SKY MTT tally;

FR's: 44 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20) - FR cash total £74

ME's: 3 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 38 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  9 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   9 (15/88)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

MTT total: 109  (3 wins from 5 FT's)

CraigSG1

Gutted, wrote a decent post and then lost it just as I was about to hit post. Arghh!!!

Breif summary, didnt play great today in MTTs. Two deep runs, one in ME but two suck outs in a row put paid to that. Four heads in a £11 BH was scant consolation for a deep run that ended in a cooler. Cash was OK dispite losing £40 in two MC pots in coolers. One set over set.

Been a great +£418 month. Not sure what I will do next month for goals, we will see what, if any, promotions Sky run.

Not even sure if I'll carry this on, undecided.

**EDIT**

Just withdrew some money to round off my BR to £1k.

SKY MTT tally;

FR's: 46 (best 4/297 £17 + 271/1883 £20) - FR cash total £74

ME's: 4 (best 65/597 £22.93)

BH's: 43 (best 1/113 + 3/333)

Sats: 5 (best 22/110 (seat bubble/£19.40))

Other: 

£5 HU/BH:  9 (1/26)

£2 Rebuy:   9 (15/88)

£3 timed:    1 (-)

MTT total: 117  (3 wins from 5 FT's)