Hey Dan, interesting read mate.
I'm also from Derbyshire, hit me up on skype sometime, name is burgeo29
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I just checked Skype out, thought it was free?
Haven't got it at the moment.
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I'm about to embark on a month long poker education marathon. I've got about 60 ebooks to read, so hopefully I won't over load my brain to much.
Won't be playing poker at all until I recognise all my faults, and anything else I need to fill myself in on. Largely, I think I tilt to much whilst watching what I perceive as bad play from others and trying to capitilise on there errors. Except when I do, generally they're holding the nuts. Which ruins a lot of my hard work when I've played absolutely solid.
Doyle Brunson said "Never bluff a fish" and to just play standard poker against them.
Micro's are full of fish, maybe I am also a fish so I should also just play standard.
When I come back to playing on the 15th of July, I'm going to take a few MTT's down!
Originally posted by Burgeo29
Hey Dan, interesting read mate.I'm also from Derbyshire, hit me up on skype sometime, name is burgeo29
Done!
Hey, nice blog, added to favorites, btw, first one 
What is that Daily Dollars tourney? Im new to FTP, moved just there, so I dont know much what is going out there.
Same problem here with job, I could only get one with minimal wage, which is around 380$ before taxes, so I better play poker. Im at micros SNG MTTs now, bulding my way up slowly
Originally posted by Krist2ps
Hey, nice blog, added to favorites, btw, first one
What is that Daily Dollars tourney? Im new to FTP, moved just there, so I dont know much what is going out there.Same problem here with job, I could only get one with minimal wage, which is around 380$ before taxes, so I better play poker. Im at micros SNG MTTs now, bulding my way up slowly
I am honoured!
Yes, the job thing is sucky but it's offered me a lot of time to think about what I want with my life. I'm very aware I only have one crack at it, and I want to make the most out of it as I possibly can.
Long term goals for me are make the WSOP. Short term I want to grind up a decent bankroll over the next year or so. $10k????? I also want to frequent live poker casino's, and play what I've heard are weak tournaments in Nottingam.
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The Daily Dollar has 2 types of tournaments. If you're from Britain, the rebuy version runs at 20:15pm GMT+0 and the freezeout (meaning you buy in and that's it, no rebuy) runs at 01:15am GMT+0.
When I say GMT that could also mean western European time (WET). I'm guessing you're from Eastern Europe though, Poland? So I think you add 2 hours on? Quite late!
There are a couple of other versions of it, but with an added $0.10 rake. One at 12:15pm WET and one at I think is 16:15pm WET.
All those tournaments attract around 2.5k - 5.5k entrants ranging from 4k - 7.5k guaranteed prize pool. The amount of cash winners ranges from 258 - 750.
Don't hold me to the exact numbers though :P.
Playing aggressive is extremely worth it in the early stages of these tournaments, but make sure you have strong hands if a player shoves pre-flop. Dependent on the opponent, they are likely to shove with any pair early on, and sometimes as wide as QTs, K9s or sometimes with with ridiculous cards like J4o.
I don't recommend this! ♦
If a player shoves pre flop, AA, KK only. Not even QQ's, it's not worth it early on. Unless the player has shown signs of playing loose aggressive and has shoved 2 - 3 times already. Maybe JJ is ok there.
Later on when blinds are heavy, 3bet or shove with 77+, KQs+. Stealing is a massive part of the game when you run deep in an MTT. I underestimated this early on. Don't be afraid to sometimes call with 22+. Don't make a habit of it though.
Deeper in. Say there are 100- left. Tighten it up. Wait for the cards.
That's how I feel about it right now anyway. Having only made the final table once, can't really say much about how to play. But don't shove on the final table with 66 :P.
Certainly don't try to attack LAGtards with marginal hands like KJs, it doesn't work. You'll watch them raising any ace, any king. It's frustrating to watch but leave them to it and wait for the perfect spot! It's horrible when you over shove them and they call with AA, KK or AKs whilst you slap your face thinking WWHHHHHYYYY. 4/5 hours then BOOM.
The glory of taking down the LAGtards (loose aggressive tards btw) with nuts is beautiful. They won't last much longer, and rarely make it deep.
Be prepared to grind it for 9 hours.
Eat omelette before you play! Drink water and treat yourself to a coffee sometimes.
Feel free to pop in and chat any time, I'll still be floating around the forums and blogging when I've learned something I feel is important.
First book I've chosen to read is Dan Harringtons book on hold'em.
Reading volume 1 at the moment. Strategic play. Feeling pleased that my strategy is pretty much the correct way to play, but learning how to choose my cards against loose aggressive players at the moment will help me in the long run.
Need to be wise against those styles.
Normally when I play a tournament, I'll suddenly switch from a TAG approach into the LAG approach which is where i usually pick up my big pots (unless I'm holding a set vrs set) and am encouraged to see a poker pro advise that as a solid tournament poker approach.
I'll do that for about 15 mins then tighten up again. Mostly you'll double or triple your stack, sometimes it won't help at all but it's a worthwhile strategy.
Encouraged by this book, looking forward to winning a few tournaments.
Hey Dan, I'm a cash game player, but I'll follow this blog for sure. I need to learn to play tourneys i think lol.
Played 3 SnG's, I miss playing poker. Don't want to go without playing for a while.
Very first hand after just over a week of no playing was 27o, I took that as a warning.
A player lost half his stack, so tilt shoved AQo. I had AA, so over shoved to isolate and claim his bounty. He hit runner runner spades for a flush. After that, I couldn't get back into the game.
Next game, finished 3rd so got $30. The eventual winner had me dominated every hand when we were down to 3.
Tried a 27 man, QQ < KK cooler, he hit trips on the flop anyway. Was fighting back all the way to the final table but finished 8th, only 5 get paid.
So, bit topsy turvey. Still got a few spots I need to work on, but am pleased with my play so far.
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Here is a hand I played badly. I had a sweat partner for this one, and he explained that a min raise from UTG by the short stack smells of strength. I agree with him, but at the time I felt strong. Ego strong.
I always overplay QJ.
Full Tilt Poker $2 + $0.25 No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t100/t200 Blinds - 6 players - View hand 1350965
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
MP: t1850 9.25 BBs
CO: t2345 11.72 BBs
BTN: t2280 11.40 BBs
Hero (SB): t2620 13.10 BBs
BB: t4370 21.85 BBs
UTG: t1480 7.40 BBs
Pre Flop: (t300) Hero is SB with J 
Q 
UTG raises to t400, 3 folds, Hero raises to t2620 all in, 1 fold, UTG calls t1080 all in
Flop: (t3160) 2 9 5 (2 players - 2 are all in)
Turn: (t3160) T 
(2 players - 2 are all in)
River: (t3160) 5 
(2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: t3160
Hero shows J Q (a pair of Fives)
UTG shows A K (a pair of Fives)
UTG wins t3160
Originally posted by Laggsy
Hey Dan, I'm a cash game player, but I'll follow this blog for sure. I need to learn to play tourneys i think lol.
Hey dude, I've read your blog before. Also watched your video, sick 27o hand!
Strange strategy, was it profitable?
I suck at cash games!
Played in 3 $3 SnG's today, pleased with my overall play but was unlucky in all 3.
Will post hands later for evaluation, going out soon so haven't got time right now.
Seeing some friends I haven't seen for a while so should be nice. I'm an ex pot smoker and we used to meet up every Thursday for a smoke, but I'm on the wagon so have refrained from meeting up with them for a few weeks.
I miss them, miss the childish jokes and the weird cartoons/films we watch. So looking forward to that.
Not worried about the pot smoking though, I look at it as giving them an example as to what someone can do without weed. We were heavy smokers. I think a couple of them could do with a break just to experience life without it, maybe I can turn their minds.
Catch ya laters!
Can't seem to find my SnG hands so I'll just post this strange play by villain. Not totally surprised by the outcome, or the initial call OOP with a marginal hand, and then the even more surprising call after my pre flop raise.
It's a strategy I'm intruiged by, I see this a lot not only in these micro stakes but also by professionals on TV. Ironically, the guy had named himself 'justcallmeLaak'. Laak plays exactly this way.
Full Tilt Poker Daily Dollar No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t40/t80 Blinds - 8 players - View hand 1353150
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
MP1: t2400 30 BBs
MP2: t3600 45 BBs
CO: t6915 86.44 BBs
BTN: t5000 62.50 BBs
SB: t3560 44.50 BBs
BB: t4720 59 BBs
UTG: t10700 133.75 BBs
Hero (UTG+1): t2115 26.44 BBs
Pre Flop: (t120) Hero is UTG+1 with A A
UTG calls t80, Hero raises to t360, 1 fold, MP2 calls t360, 4 folds, UTG calls t280
Flop: (t1200) 9 J 5 (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets t900, MP2 folds, UTG raises to t1800, Hero calls t855 all in
Turn: (t4710) Q (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t4710) K (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t4710
UTG shows 8 T (a straight, King high)
Hero shows A A (a pair of Aces)
UTG wins t4710
I was worried about JJ, not T8s. But I don't think people would just limp in with jacks before my pre flop raise. I certainly knew I was ahead. Guess it's just a bad beat that happens a lot in MTT's, people have wider ranges.
Anybody have any idea's about this kind of wide open range? It's tough to know what people have when you don't see them often on the tables..not that I'm disappointed with my play. Only thing I might change in hindsight, is to shove post flop.
Shortly afterwards..
Full Tilt Poker Daily Dollar No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t60/t120 Blinds - 9 players - View hand 1353160
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
MP1: t9460 78.83 BBs
MP2: t9125 76.04 BBs
CO: t14512 120.93 BBs
BTN: t5700 47.50 BBs
SB: t6460 53.83 BBs
Hero (BB): t6880 57.33 BBs
UTG: t1815 15.12 BBs
UTG+1: t11665 97.21 BBs
UTG+2: t2700 22.50 BBs
Pre Flop: (t180) Hero is BB with 8 8
3 folds, MP1 raises to t300, 1 fold, CO raises to t480, 2 folds, Hero calls t360, MP1 calls t180
Flop: (t1500) A 8 J (3 players)
Hero bets t1125, MP1 calls t1125, CO calls t1125
Turn: (t4875) Q (3 players)
Hero bets t5275 all in, MP1 folds, CO calls t5275
River: (t15425) J (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t15425
CO shows T 9 (a straight, Queen high)
Hero shows 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Jacks)
Hero wins t15425
phew...
Guy got me back shoving AJo pre flop and beating my QQ on the river. Fortunately he was quite low on the stack.
Keep running into this guy. He's basically suicidal and so far, living off me. Every hand I've been involved with hasn't been exactly straight forward. Always a close call.
Full Tilt Poker Daily Dollar No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t120/t240 Blinds + t25 - 9 players - View hand 1353178
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
UTG+1: t16900 M = 28.89
UTG+2: t11560 M = 19.76
MP1: t5572 M = 9.52
MP2: t12875 M = 22.01
CO: t6272 M = 10.72
Hero (BTN): t25184 M = 43.05
SB: t1265 M = 2.16
BB: t9780 M = 16.72
UTG: t9775 M = 16.71
Pre Flop: (t585) Hero is BTN with Q Q
3 folds, MP1 raises to t5547 all in, 2 folds, Hero raises to t10854, 2 folds
Flop: (t11679) 3 5 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t11679) 4 (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t11679) A (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t11679
MP1 shows 9 T (a flush, Ace high)
Hero shows Q Q (a pair of Queens)
MP1 wins t11679
Why when he attempts suicide, he still breathes??
Guy has been pretty solid, not loose at all. Solid TAG approach.
Full Tilt Poker Daily Dollar No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t250/t500 Blinds + t50 - 9 players - View hand 1353195
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
MP1: t10956 M = 9.13
MP2: t5967 M = 4.97
CO: t48108 M = 40.09
BTN: t19250 M = 16.04
SB: t25028 M = 20.86
BB: t9365 M = 7.80
UTG: t12550 M = 10.46
Hero (UTG+1): t31428 M = 26.19
UTG+2: t46880 M = 39.07
Pre Flop: (t1200) Hero is UTG+1 with A K
1 fold, Hero raises to t1250, 3 folds, CO calls t1250, BTN calls t1250, 2 folds
Flop: (t4950) Q A Q (3 players)
Hero checks, CO bets t4950, BTN folds, Hero requests TIME, Hero folds
Final Pot: t4950
CO wins t4950
First win. Playing well lately, i lucked out in one hand versus another suicide player, hands will follow that made me come to a decision to call. I was very lucky though, after that I dominated the final table.
OK, this was a make or break decision I made. A lot of people would slate me for it, my sweat partner didn't like the decision. I was focused on the psychology rather than the strategy. These situations don't always arise, but I do make the same decision a lot of the time. Most of the time I'm ahead, but I do go busto about 25% of the time when I've made this decision.
First this hand...I wasn't involved, but this guy is exhibiting signs of suicide.
Full Tilt Poker $3 + $0.30 KO No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t800/t1600 Blinds + t200 - 6 players - View hand 1353831
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
Hero (BTN): t23108 M = 6.42
SB: t11436 M = 3.18
BB: t18517 M = 5.14
UTG: t13360 M = 3.71
MP: t17960 M = 4.99
CO: t25279 M = 7.02
Pre Flop: (t3600) Hero is BTN with J 6
4 folds, SB raises to t11236 all in, BB calls t9636
Flop: (t23672) Q J K (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t23672) 7 (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t23672) 3 (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t23672
SB shows 7 3 (two pair, Sevens and Threes)
BB shows 7 A (a pair of Sevens)
SB wins t23672
73, either brave or just damn stupid.
Next hand. He immediately shoves all in, he's feeling invincible.
Full Tilt Poker $3 + $0.30 KO No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t800/t1600 Blinds + t200 - 6 players - View hand 1353833
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
Hero (CO): t22908 M = 6.36
BTN: t23672 M = 6.58
SB: t7081 M = 1.97
BB: t13160 M = 3.66
UTG: t17760 M = 4.93
MP: t25079 M = 6.97
Pre Flop: (t3600) Hero is CO with 9 2
3 folds, BTN raises to t23472 all in, SB calls t6081 all in, 1 fold
Flop: (t16562) 7 Q T (2 players - 2 are all in)
Turn: (t16562) K (2 players - 2 are all in)
River: (t16562) 4 (2 players - 2 are all in)
Final Pot: t16562
BTN shows A Q (a pair of Queens)
SB shows T K (two pair, Kings and Tens)
SB wins t16562
Which led me to this, those hands are back to back btw. I thought this guy would just shove any 2. I got lucky though.
Full Tilt Poker $3 + $0.30 KO No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t800/t1600 Blinds + t200 - 6 players - View hand 1353841
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
Hero (MP): t22708 M = 6.31
CO: t16591 M = 4.61
BTN: t16562 M = 4.60
SB: t11360 M = 3.16
BB: t17560 M = 4.88
UTG: t24879 M = 6.91
Pre Flop: (t3600) Hero is MP with Q K
1 fold, Hero raises to t3200, CO raises to t16391 all in, 3 folds, Hero calls t13191
Flop: (t36382) 4 Q 3 (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t36382) J (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t36382) 2 (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t36382
Hero shows Q K (a pair of Queens)
CO shows A K (Ace King high)
Hero wins t36382
3 in a row he's shoving. If I wasn't suited, I'd probably fold.
The above hand, the way I play it is either my biggest strength or biggest weakness.
About 75% of the time, against a suicide player, I'm ahead.
22nd in the Daily Dollar. $26.69
Short stack for 5 hours. Achievement.
Shoved with Q9s for elimination. My only mistake I think, was MP1.
I'd post hands but I'm knackered.
Since joining here I deposited $40 and have since worked that up to $300, $150 of which i have withdrawn.
Lost a little bit after going slightly mental thinking I was invincible and playing outside my roll.
Starting to get it back now and currently on $147.
Mixing in a few games, 90 man SnG's, 6max SnG's and MTT's.
Lots of limping going on, I stayed out the way for the most part.
Villain is big stack bully and involved in every pot, raising every hand pre.
I felt strong with this hand, so had to shove. I'm pretty short and card dead until now. Had kings once, they held against queens. Things had ran as normal up until then, which is where it went pretty crazy. Shortly afterwards a player was eliminated, que the entrance of the large stack who started to push the table around.
Pretty standard suckout. Running bad at the moment. Plenty of coolers but this takes the biscuit.
Full Tilt Poker $3,500 Guarantee (Rebuy) No Limit Hold'em Tournament - t120/t240 Blinds + t25 - 9 players - View hand 1354966
DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter
UTG: t16230 M = 27.74
UTG+1: t19265 M = 32.93
UTG+2: t20123 M = 34.40
MP1: t35760 M = 61.13
MP2: t12222 M = 20.89
CO: t33911 M = 57.97
Hero (BTN): t6405 M = 10.95
SB: t11276 M = 19.28
BB: t1945 M = 3.32
Pre Flop: (t585) Hero is BTN with K A
3 folds, MP1 calls t240, 1 fold, CO raises to t1305, Hero raises to t6380 all in, 3 folds, CO calls t5075
Flop: (t13585) 2 5 8 (2 players - 1 is all in)
Turn: (t13585) 6 (2 players - 1 is all in)
River: (t13585) J (2 players - 1 is all in)
Final Pot: t13585
CO shows Q 6 (a pair of Sixes)
Hero shows K A (Ace King high)
CO wins t13585
Standard elimination.