Mike's Blog: December 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

Poker: 2011 - end of year results

It’s funny when you read back your own end of year musings for last year and actually remember what you had set out to achieve for the current year…. maybe this time I’ll print it out so I don’t forget Smile

I have been trying to treat my Poker like a business this year, so have been doing monthly summaries so lets take a look at my overall financial results for 2011…..

Overall results for the year 2011 are:

Pokerstars : -$634.98 (-£411.86)
Black Belt Poker : -$1499.14 (-£972.37)
Live Play : +£2974.67

Total £1590.44 profit for the year :)

The live games were obviously great for me this year. I played 15 tournaments and 3 live cash game session. The tournaments included UKIPT Brighton where I cashed, but also cashed in 4 other events and made profit in all 3 cash sessions. Biggest single cash was winning a £50 rebuy at my local casino.

PokerStars results

Until the last couple of months, Pokerstars was really just being used for "fun" small stakes, mostly 8 game STT. In September I started experimenting with 8 Game cash, but then started taking it seriously from November.

Cash results (-$56.00 overall)

8 Game +$153.30
NL HE -$206.30
Razz -$ 3.00

Tournament Results (-$578.98 loss overall)

5x MTT -$9.80
8x SCOOP events or Satellites -$59.89
58x 8 Game STT +$12.84
18x NL HE STT -$52.67

UKIPT Brighton Satellites -£106.50 loss (-$164.20)
EPT London Satellites -£198.00 loss (-$305.26)

The cash results are pretty pleasing, especially as I'm still a beginner at the 8 Game cash tables... Ignoring the Satellites, my tournament results are pretty OK as well. I managed to cash in one of my SCOOP attempts as well (http://sceaga.blogspot.com/2011/05/poker-scoop-29-8-game-low-stakes-report.html)

Black Belt Poker results

Black Belt Poker has been my main focus this year.

Cash Results (-£1233.75 loss overall)

NLHE ($0.50) 11187 hands (143 hours)      -£331.11
PL HE ($0.50) 283 hands (3 hours)         -£ 37.62
NLHE ($1.00) 867 hands (14 hours)         -£223.48
PL Omaha ($0.20) 5685 hands (95 hours)    -£212.42
PL Omaha ($0.50) 2996 hands (46 hours)    -£ 43.61
PL Omaha HL ($0.20) 1510 hands (25 hours) -£116.34
PL Omaha HL ($0.50) 710 hands (11 hours) -£110.94
PL Omaha HL ($1.00) 304 hands (5 hours)   -£158.23

Compared to last year there is an improvement, albeit with a lot less hours of play and different emphasis this year. In the NLHE 50, I've gone from -£2.75 loss per hour last year to -£2.30 loss per hour this year :)

The cash results are not really a surprise, but do feel my NLHE 50 and PLO 50 are heading in the right direction now. PLO8 definitely needs more work but can accept the losses for longer term enjoyment of the game.

For the last three months, my cash results are:
NLHE 50 +£0.074 per hand
PLO 50 -£0.006 per hand
PLO8 50 -£0.163 per hand

Tournament Results (+£261.36 profit overall)

95x MTT +£277.12
84x 2 seat STT -£88.73
98x 6 seat STT +£60.79
89x 10 seat STT +£51.28
3 x other STT -£39.10

My tournament results are overall pleasing, but slightly surprising as I thought my 2 seat game was about break even. Checking in more detail, I found I had won 43 and lost 42 with the monetary difference being due to the different stakes I've played (i.e. I was losing more games at higher stakes and winning more at lower level) Obviously need to review my 2 seat STT strategies and try to improve my results there.

Its interesting that compared to last year, there is a huge difference in profit for 6 seater STT (was +£314 last year) but 10 seat STT and MTT are comparable to last year.

Here is my Sharkscope chart for BBP STT only.

For the last three months, my tournament ROI results are:
MTT : 45%
2 Seat STT : 72%
6 seat STT : 138%
10 seat STT: 72%

Achieving my goals for this year

My “business” objectives for 2011 were to:
* Keep to my Poker Plan
The plan did change, but have more or less achieved what I set out to do

* Continue with my tournament play as is
More or less did this, although my volume was a little lower than hoped for.

* Play max of two cash tables for NL HE $0.50/0.25 and aim for break even month on month
I am playing 2 tables of NLHE 50 but not yet breaking even month on month. Having said that, the last few months have been OK so hope this is achievable

* Use learning tools and other resources to learn and improve my Omaha and O8 cash games, aiming to break even by end of 2011 at $0.20/0.10 level (also max of two tables)
I am playing 2 tables PLO 50 and one table PLO8 50 as well now. PLO is looking good the last few months, but PLO8 is not there yet.

* Avoid entering any BBP grading process !
It was tempting but managed to avoid the mini-grading this year :)

* Win a BBP league :-)
Came close once, but not done it yet

2012 objectives

Looking forward to Poker in 2012, what do I want to achieve ?
* Keep to my revised Poker Plan
* Play BBP London Live and UKIPT Brighton tournaments
* Aim for break even month on month on all cash tables
* Use learning tools and resources to learn and improve my NLHE, Omaha and PLO8 cash and tournament play
* Avoid entering any BBP grading process !
* Win a BBP league :-)

So that’s it for another Poker year, but I’m keen to get started on the next one. Happy New Year to everyone and hope you have a good 2012.

Poker: Financial Results for December 2011

November saw an upturn in results for me which was pleasing, but wanted to continue the good work this month.

Plan

My monthly targets are:
- Play 700 hands of cash on NLHE $0.50 Full Ring, 700 cash hands on PLO $0.50 6-max and 350 hands PLO8 $0.50 6-max, all with profit target of 2 BB per hour.
- Play 20 STT hoping for 10% ROI (around $20 per month)

Monitor

Overall results for the month are:

Pokerstars : -$121.80 (£79.00)
Black Belt Poker : +$31.22 (£20.64)
Live Play : +£570.00

PokerStars I had 4x 8 game cash sessions, winning in two of them, but still posted a loss of -$29.20 I also played 4x 8 Game STT, cashing two of them so ended with profit of +$7.40 The big loss came from a NL HE cash session where I dropped $100. This was a special one-off where I played super aggresively and although I learned a lot, it didn't work out financially for me :)

For Black Belt Poker, the results were:

Cash Results (-£5.33 loss overall)

NLHE ($0.50) 412 hands +£54.12
PL Omaha ($0.50) 199 hands -£51.46
PL Omaha HL ($0.50) 204 hands -£7.99

Tournament Results (+£25.97 profit overall)

4x MTT -£14.09
4x 6 seat STT -£9.38
2x 10 seat STT +£49.44

Reflect

I didn't get that many sessions in December, so the volume is pretty low making it difficult to come to much of a conclusion.

Overall (setting the $100 one off to one side) my Pokerstars and BBP worked out break-even, which is a bit disappointing overall but for a small sample isn't actually a bad result. My live cash was fantastic and obviously very welcome. I am putting most of the winnings to my UKIPT Brighton fund, so will be playing that in 2012 for sure :)

Adjust

December was an OK month, with only small pluses and minuses (apart from my big win) so nothing new to aim for next month. Need to keep up my concentration on NLHE cash, get more consistancy to my PLO cash and simply just improve my PLO8 Cash game.

I need to take stock on my overall 2011 performance and decide where to aim for 2012, so will do a seperate write up about my 2012 direction.

References

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Poker: Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure–the conclusion

The final 4 rounds of the PCA are running one after the other tonight, so whatever happens will know the outcome of my attempt to qualify for free soon Smile

As with the previous rounds, this is a turbo format – with 5 minute rounds and 1000 chips – so will definitely be getting lucky or knocked out pretty quickly….

Of course each round sends through less and less of a percentage of the players, making it trickier and trickier to get anywhere.

Round 5 is sending through 1 in 3 players to the next round. 736 players started out, so just need to survive to finish in the top 245….

Had a couple of decent hands early on but flops weren’t good enough to continue. Ended up in level 3 finding A-Th in late position and a serial limper calling before me, so shoved and he called with Q-7d The two diamonds on the flop gave me a sense of foreboding, but the black A on the turn gave me hope, only to see my optimism smashed by the 7d river and I’m out in 668th place

Oh well, better than getting through to round 8 and getting knocked out Smile

If was worth a pop as it was a freeroll and was surprised to get as far as I did in many ways, so although I’m not going to the Caribbean to play Poker, had some fun.

General: Fitness Review 2011

As with last year’s review, decided to take a look at how I’ve done for the year before the Xmas excesses Smile

I have managed to get back to more regular exercising than last year, but still was a little sporadic and haven’t quite got back to normal. On the other hand, I have managed to slightly increase some of exercises, so am doing a little bit more work when I get into the gym.

Monday (Running)

Run at 6.5mph for 25 minutes, then 8mph for 5 mins, plus 5 minutes cool down.

My heart rate peak at 172 bpm and average 146

Tuesday (Rowing and Weights)

My rowing target is 20 minutes at 30 strokes per minute plus 2 minutes cool down

Heart rate peak at 159 bpm and average 147

I still find rowing the toughest discipline and will probably leave it at 20 mins going forward.

Then do one cycle of weights (about 7 mins)

20 x 2 reps of Chest Fly (1 weight)
20 x 2 Chest Press (2)
20 x 2 Lat Pull Down (4)

Heart rate peak at 140 bpm and average 116

Wednesday (Cycling)

Pedal at around 14mph at level 11 resistance for 20 minutes, then 10 minutes at 16mph at level 13. Then do 5 minutes cool down. Cover 7.5 miles

Heart rate peak at 167 bpm and average 139

Thursday (Cross Trainer and Weights)

6 minutes on the Cross Trainer at level 2 plus 3 minutes backward peddling (or whatever it is you do on a Cross Trainer!) Then 9 mins at level 4 plus 3 minutes backwards. 21 minutes in total, covering 1.8 miles

Heart rate peak at 168 bpm and average 142

Then do one cycle of weights (same as Tuesday)

Heart rate peak at 134 bpm and average 117

Friday (Running)

Same as Monday. My heart rate peak at 176 bpm and average 152

My current body weight is 75kg (11 stone 8 pounds) so still very consistent

I’m still maintaining my no cakes, chocolate or biscuits from Monday-Thursday, but am still working on reducing my intake Fri-Sun. 2012 may be the year I finally break my biscuit habit but not sure I’ll ever wean of cakes and chocolate Smile

Overall I have been feeling less fit than normal this year, but the results seem to be indicating better than last year and comparable to previous years, so looks like I’m doing OK after all.

Looking forward to 2012, I think I’m likely to keep the same regime as this year, as I am feeling like I am doing all I can in the time available now. I will need to be more disciplined and make sure I do my exercises every day (most days anyway Smile ) as that has been a weakness this year.

Friday, December 09, 2011

Poker–Home Tourney December 2011

Earlier in the day it seemed the last game of the season would be 10 players, but in the end 14 turned up and was a riotous occasion, definite “end of term” feel to the game Smile

It was tight in the top 3 spots, but realistically it was Alexs’ to lose. The fickle hand of fate put the top three players on the same table as well (myself, Alex and Derek) so we could all keep a close eye on each other.

The game started quietly enough for me, I didn’t play many hands as wasn’t getting any cards ! Janice seemed to be getting the cards early on, but then Sean gave Derek a load of chips who was then joint table chip lead with Janice.

After the break Sean soon got very short, so when he raised on my SB it was worth taking a gamble with A-2h but with Alex on my left had to raise it up. Luckily Alex folded, but unlucky for me Sean showed A-8. The gods were smiling on me though, as my 2 came on the flop and I took Sean out, putting me back to just over starting stack.

With the blinds increasing, and a couple of big stacks on our table, it seemed our table was doing all the work…

I get T-T and raise it up. Alex 3 bets, then Jock in the BB 4 bets all-in. I dwell up but decide they both will have a legit hand and could easily be facing an over pair so decide to fold. Alex duly calls and shows A-K against Jocks' A-Q The board runs out all low cards, which was a bit annoying for me, but still think I made the right decision… but its worse news for Jock who is out.

Daniel got moved to our table, won the first pot uncontested but then Derek busted him out in a couple of hands soon after !

Seems ages since my last playable hand, but at last I find a good hand with K-Qd, and raise it up but get called by Bill and Derek. The Kxx flop (2 spades) looks a bit iffy for me against two players but Derek checks and I decide to shove my remaining 5k into the 3k pot. Bill thinks for a while but decides to fold, Derek insta folds and I take the pot. Bill rabbit hunts and would’ve hit his flush on the river, so glad I didn’t slow play that one!

A little later Alex is somehow pretty short and shoves, but gets called by both Janice and Derek. Derek manages to take both them out, so Alex gets no points! This is great news for both Derek and me, but more so for Derek who is chip leader now.

I need to get busy but am just not getting the cards nor the opportunity. An opportunity does present itself a couple of hands later, when Bill sees a flop with me. I hit my A-x on A-Q-x flop and Bill decides to call with 5-5 (he knew I had A or Q but felt lucky) Lucky for me Bill’s luck seems to have deserted him and the board runs out safe for me so I take out Bill and we're down to the final table !

The blinds are just going up, but I’m just over average stack but probably 2nd in chips, Derek is quite substantial chip lead, but not big enough to relax just yet. Martin is the short stack, with everyone else had a reasonable amount of chips.

With a cash game up and running, Martin decides to commit with A-6 against Derek’s K-J but Derek hits the flop and Martin is free to join the cash game Smile

I haven’t had any cards again for a long time, so decide to raise my 3-2h (well they are suited Winking smile ) Andy calls in the SB and we see a flop of K-Q-x (2 hearts) Andy min bets so I min raise and Andy shoves all-in ! I decide the best I can hope for is that my flush draw is good, but even that isn’t sure, so have to fold. This distraction cost about 1/3 my stack although still have a playable stack, but is only 8 blinds. Everyone is shallow (except Derek) at this stage.

Steve W is now the short stack and gets it in with J-J but Andy hits the flop and Steve is also gone to the cash table

The blinds are now up to 2k and I’m looking for a good spot to shove my 7k stack Decide Karen’s big blind is the best spot, so shove Q-4 from middle position. Sadly Andy wakes up with K-K on the button, Derek shows a Q and Andy hit’s another K on the flop… leaving me drawing dead already so I’m out in 6th! It also means I drop to 3rd in the League as Derek will overtake me even with 5th place finish.

From a league perspective, Derek still has to finish first this game, else Alex will take the title. He still has a big chip lead though, so every chance.

Andy is next to fall by Lee, who now has a decent chip stack. He keeps his work rate up though and manages to get in as slight favourite against Karen a couple of times and against Jon once, in quick succession, but got outdrawn each time and so the other three all have similar stacks as we get to the last three hands of the game.

Derek takes a shot against Jon’s short stack, but Jon doubles up. The next hand sees Derek take a small pot, so can afford to fold the last hand to guarantee first place in the game and take the league title. Karen ended up the bubble girl, giving Lee 2nd place, leaving Jon (who would’ve won the last hand had he played it!) in 3rd

Congratulations to Derek for a well fought game under immense pressure. He went for the win and played a blinder to take it down.

The whole season this year has been fantastic and have been some real ding dong battles and interesting games

Well done to everyone, have a lovely Christmas and New Year, then come back refreshed for even more Poker fun and frolics next year Smile

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Poker: Financial results for November 2011

Last month wasn’t all that great financially, and was hoping for steady progress this month.

Plan

Monitor

Overall results for the month are:

Pokerstars : +$50.99 (£32.46)
Black Belt Poker : +$273.22 (£173.95)
Live Play : -£40.00

PokerStars I had 4x 8 game cash sessions, winning in three of them for profit of $52.85. I also played 6x 8 Game STT, but only cashed two of them so ended with loss of -$1.86

For Black Belt Poker, the results were:

Cash Results (+£160.50 profit overall)

NLHE ($0.50) 619 hands +£104.27
PL Omaha ($0.50) 617 hands +£57.77
PL Omaha HL ($0.50) 236 hands –£1.54

Tournament Results (+£13.45 profit overall)

8x MTT -£37.85
10x 2 seat STT -£10.24
9x 6 seat STT +£137.64
7x 10 seat STT –£76.10

Reflect

My Pokerstars results are pretty solid, so am still content with how I’m going there. It was a shame to post my first 8 game cash session loss in three months but can’t complain overall Smile Having said that, I did have one hand in NLHE cash where there was a +$160 in my favour, having got my stack in bad, but have had my fair share of bad beats in the past!

For BBP, the cash results are fantastic but more importantly I have really felt I have been playing my ‘A’ game for these sessions. I can’t get complacent as I still need to improve and get more consistent, but overall am happy.

The MTT are a little disappointing but are always going to be a bit swingy. The 2 and 6 seat STT are pretty OK but for some reason my 10 seat STT are not all that good. From my notes, I haven't felt like I was playing my best game with these either, so need to re-focus and concentrate this area in particular for next month. I’m not going to beat myself up too much though, as I’m still not getting in much volume to get representative picture.