The Curse of the Backer?

It's been a while since I updated the blog and I can't blame myself. From July to December is was just one long struggle, never getting any traction and slowly bleeding away the $200 stake I was playing with.

I ended the staking deal with $100 and returned it with thanks to my backer. I attempt to regain some confidence I dropped backed to 10NL, although I have kept 20NL tables running as well so I've actually increased my multi-tabling from 4 to 6. I'm surprised at how easily I can manage it actually. It must just be that, after three years of online experience, a lot of the decision I make are second nature and require a simple and immediate click.

The problem has been more with the software. Ipoker doesn't always tell you when you've got to make a decision on a different screen so I occasionally drop some hands which can be quite frustrating. I could cascade the windows but if I did that my HEM settings wouldn't work and I like them the way they are.So for the past two weeks I have been playing 10NL and 20NL and I have been crushing.... 10NL. Anyway. In 2.5k 10NL hands I've made $107 (that's 40bb/100). I'm definately running hot, there's no question of that. But if I look at my 10NL stats back in June, just before I moved up, I won $166 in 8k hands. Again I was running hot then but I also think I've simply got 10NL nailed down and have done for quite a while.I know I'm running well because my KQ is busting AA when we get it all in preflop for 10bb (short stacks shoving) and when I have KK on a K236 board and I call a raise, the board pairs on the river and we get it all in and the oppo has 45.Switch to 20NL though, and things instantly turn the other way. I've played 1k hands since New Year's day and I'm up $3. My aces ran into a set of threes yesterday. What is going on?

I'm starting to think that the difference in quality between 10NL and 20NL is significant and that hoardes of micro-grinders roam around that limit on ipoker. The answer is, I guess, to radically change my game at 20NL. I'm playing 17/13/3 at 10NL which is quite tight and cagey (aggression is probably a bit high because I'm running hot). At 20NL maybe I need to have that range up to 20/18 with a lot higher aggression on the flop and turn to win hands without showdown.So lots of stats there but the bottom line is that I've wiped out all the losses I made over the past six months (although it strictly my bankroll anyway) and ponder again how to make fundemental changes to my game in order to move up the limits. Videos I guess.

Final note, the MAD series has started at raise the river. I played in the first event and I think I was second in chips going into the final table. Top three got paid so I was still looking to build a stack for the bubble as the blinds were pretty silly. Got 60% of my chips in with JJ v 55 and a 5 popped on the river. Next hand shoved a raise with AJ and got called by AK. Nice.Get on over to RTR though, every tourney has an overlay and we have a superb loyalty deal with Cardoza.

Couple of cash sessions.

So, Although I had a nightmare with cash lsat year, I have decided to have another crack at it. All be it a bit half-heartedly and when i am in the mood only. I have only managed 3 sessions so far, playiong in total about 2.7k hands. Not a lot, but remember it is full ring.
I have been messing around multi-tabling and the highest I have gotten so far, with it still being mostly comfortable is 17 tables. It’s miles easier than with SnG’s because you rarely get short-handed at any point. So the games are steady away and basically I am just nut peddling. Waiting around for good hands and then playing them hard. I am not doing to bad, with all three sessions being winners so far. My only gripe is that I have had aces cracked twice in two different sessions, both by smaller pairs flopping sets. Bastards! It’s different though. If i couldn;t multi-table there is no way on this planet I could sit there and grind one table! hahah. Not a chance. As it stands the multi-tabling is what keeps me going. I like the rush of making fast decisions, under pressure.
So, like I say, so far , so good. lets hope the run continues!
I played teh Bloggerment for the first time in ages Friday night and was really dissapointed to see only 5 players. it’s not easy setting games up, more people should play or these things will stoip, thats myself included! It was a fun game although I played quite well and aggro until the heads up play vs Cloud, where I went into Super-donk mode and just donated all my chips to him thinking he was bluffing!! (Yeah right, the cloud bluff… NEVER!!!)Sop well done cloud!
Sorry, i haven;t got much else to write about!
GL at the Felt.
BM

Lack up updates

Got no idea wtf i am going to write in this post, i just feel the need to blog.... Been plodding along for the last few days, nothing that exciting goin on. Still undecided as to whether to go to Thailand or not. Thing is it will only be for one week now and im not sure if its worth going all that way for just 7 days, its a fucking mission especially as i have to go via Bangkok. I feel like i need a month in Thailand tbh. Thats what i need a month abroad with a few mates going crazy. Just read on the Blonde forum that a bunch of the lads are going to Vegas for a month or so in June, fair fucking play. I wish i knew more people who were in a position to do that, i would love it.
Just randomly had a chat with my ex bird Kelly which was abit strange. We were chatting shit for over 2 hrs on fb chat which was nice. She is a top bird and is off to Lanzerote tomorrow and actually invited me out there to join her, im pretty sure she was serious aswell lol. We'll meet up when she gets back anyways and who knows. We used to get on great but kinda split up a few yrs ago mainly because of poker back when i was abit of an addict on the cash tarbs and also had a full time job. Its abit different now though, fuck knows what the future holds for Mr Amatay.
Had a good night on the lash on Saturday, met up with all the boys at Nicks birthday/house warming partay, it was good to catch up. Also brought a knew motor aswell, part exchanging my current car for a black Peugeot Sport 1.4, vrrooom, vrrrooooooom. I've always been a complete spastic with cars, they dont interest me at all.
Poker going shit atm. When i can be bothered to play im basically breaking even which sucks massive cock, I need a new plan for Feb. Actually i have a plan i just need to stick to it. Booked my trip to Newcastle the other day which is good and im looking forward to it. Gonna drive upto Oxford and then get a lift from Scouse and go out on the lash Friday night, then its the team poker tourn all day Sat and Sun. Most of us are staying in the same gaff for only £45, its prob gonna be messy. The full team is... me, Cogs, Snake-eyes, BurnleyMik, Knightmarenick, dD, Hammerheid, Scouse, Ant and Bullmeister, should be a good crack. Laters.