Two days Jax

Changed it up this weekend w/ a trip to Jacksonvilles summer series. Looking over my stat-sheet it's amazing that last summer during this same series I cashed in every single event I played. 1/1 this series also and I need to continue to just play play play and put myself into big money making situations.

I was fortunate to finish top 20 out of 650 players this tournament but I do believe I need to make some adjustments with 15-20 bb's and not allow myself to fall into the 'red' territory. I'd rather bluff off 15-20 bb then give myself card equity at the lower BB amount? **is this right?**

Came up short in the tournament playing for $42,000 *sigh*.

Jumped in a cash game afterwards (Was exhausted) as I just didn't knwo what else to do. I should have gotten directly in my car and COME HOME. What the fuck? Was a bit frustrated from the deep run and wanted to let loose a bit. Unfortunately no one around to really let loose w/ as it was Sunday and no one I was buddies w/ ran deep in the same tournament. Jumped in a cash game where it went open limp, limp behind -- I pick up AA from CO w/ $550 stack and fish in BB had $25 loaded up already in his right hand that I thought he was going to toss in.

He doesn't. Limped 4 ways plus blinds take flop 6 ways of:

Q/10/3 two-tone diamonds (We have A of Diamonds)

Old man red shirt weird vibe bets $25, asian guy with $300 stack total calls we pop it to $60 to protect our hand and see where we're at.

Original bettor flats and asian guy calls bringing pot size up to $205ish 3-way to turn of 5o.

Now -- there's so many draws out there: KJo, Flush draws, gutters. Lots of one pair hands and I felt like my opponent would raise 3/3, Q/10 and all two pair hands as the board was so wet.

Checked to me and I just over-bet slam. Better tank calls asian guy folds and river is 3. Giving me two pair. He shows 3/3 for quads.

Shit.

He out played the shit out of me.

Upset at giving back what little tournament money I had profited I tuck tailed out of there.

Day off. Kill on Tuesday.

adjustments

Poker is a skill game.

Poker is a skill game.

The more I play the more I will win.

The more I play the more I will win.

That is if my attitude is neutral and I'm not being a spazzy-bitch cry baby.

Few hands recently I played poorly:

AA attempting a 2005 limp-raise and I get caught up with North Eastern Joe Sal on a Q/J/9 board where I bet flop fish called in between and joe-sal raised I insta pitched (as I already mis-played the hand pre-flop) and Joe-Sal took advantage of my passive tendencies.

I pitch Joe shows me bluff.

I need to find the big fold button and stop allowing my ego to take over in these spots. Making big folds at the end of the day/week/month truly adds up to a shit load of money. I made bad calls here:

J/8o against Pappas on the 4-board straight where he called with a gut-shot and hit it. They make bad over-priced calls and get there at times. You know it before you call and they show their hand but continue to do it. Stop it. They are bad and that's how I make a living. Make the read and go with it. He fire $200 (I also think Pappas has a tell where he values $200 despite pot-size) I called and Pappas showed J/6o.

Set of 4s against the old quiet new black man who just has that 'duh' look on his face. I also leveled myself into this one as the first time we encountered each other it was a limped pot (villian limps from SB) I squeeze from BB to $40 and get two callers. Flop: 6/6/2 dry chk I fire $60 (half pot) get a fold and then he re-pops to $120. I didn't believe he was a good enough player to take advantage of my continuation tendencies here and click-back w/ anything less than a 6. I counted out the money to call, went half way and then pitched it instead. I gave him a speech by saying, ,"You're not good enough to raise me" YOURE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

He said, "Fuck you're supposed to call me there".

Next day. Open with 44. Flop: Q/4/7 two-tone clubs. I fire 2/3rds. He calls. Turn X. I fire 2/3rds he calls. River puts up 4 straight Q:4/7/5/6 I fire $75 for value/blocker and he makes it $175. He's like NEVER bluffing here and I just don't think he's valuing two-pair. Felt like A/8cc or A/3cc. I called as I had to see it and he shows me 3/5ss for a straight. Yes, I got un-lucky. Still a spot that I could perhaps find a fold.

I'm playing a bit passive-scared and not playing 'real poker'. More so a grindey type style as money is so tight.

Took two days off and may start heading out to Tampa as there's more games there, perhaps some new walls/faces and my ego / my craziness of thinking that these bad players are taking advantage of my tighter than normal tendencies won't effect my decisions.

I must remember it's a skill game and I am a skilled player. I must find my confidence and my passion and love for the game. Poker is so much better and the money truly flows when I'm having a good time.

Soon enough.  One day at a time.



Few adjustments:

Lower my C-bet continuation bet w/ one pairs/bluffs to 25/30%. I was doing this before and stopped. Half pot is to much especially when stacks are short.

Don't be afraid to just size up pot against fish whom you know are going to call any amount and are playing their hand and not the pot-size. Players such as Chuck or the villian explained w/ the 44 hand.

I must work on my attitude and not show any weakness while losing. I cannot be a grumpy fuck-face while at the tables. Think long-term. Having the respect of the people and not being a twat is important. Remember your first trip to Vegas playing against, "stone face killer" the old man in the $4$8 game and telling Matty how you'd 'NEVER BECOME THAT GUY'. Well I am well on my way.

Stop it.

Poker is a blessing and a dream. Poker is a blessing and a dream. Poker is a blessing and a dream.

Poker is also a lot more fun when you are working on your game and working on new strategies etc. Poker is a lot more fun when learning / advancing and not just focused on the money aspect.

Soon enough.