22/18 was profitable in 2006, you have to start playing those suited trashy hands in the BB getting 1:5.5 - you're hopefully playing against players who are bad and thus will give you free cards and let you chase up your equity and calldown in bad spots when you hit good hands etc.
The increase in "variance" should be offset by the increase in winrate and there's no better time to start now.
At the very least try play a 26/19 style according to PS charts with some loose isolations on the CO/BU.
Hi,
I just came to say hi... been a while since I didn't visit the site, so I came too see how's evryone doin' by goin thought the blogs...
I see that u've mastered ur section... I'm happy 4 ya!!!
have a nice day!
Originally posted by 1seednoir1
Hi,
I just came to say hi... been a while since I didn't visit the site, so I came too see how's evryone doin' by goin thought the blogs...
I see that u've mastered ur section... I'm happy 4 ya!!!
have a nice day!
Wow fella.. blast from the past! Good to see you're alive and kicking. 
If I've mislead you somehow into thinking I've mastered anything I can only apologise! 
@ dudes showing the love:
Well, the adjustments I can make immediately are calling any two suited, any two connected offsuits down to 54o getting 5.5:1. I can start using the call from SB in unrasied pots charts from the Bronze charts so I'm in more multiway pots oop with marginal hands, and hope like hell my horrible postflop skills don't screw me.
I do look for opportunities to iso raise more loosely from the CO/BU, but not to the extent of the approx charts - but I'll implement this more and see how it goes. Problem is, I've been 3bet or been given the call flop/raise turn line in those situations so often I've become a bit gun shy, because the cost seems astronomical with even more marginal hands than we'd normally iso raise with. Still, clearly this is has to be mastered so I'll keep trying. Nothing particularly bad can happen as I'm a losing player anyway! 
Anyway, off to the Ellerslie Boxing Day races today, then Sherlock Holmes later (Robert Downey Jr + Jude Law + Guy Ritchie FTW!). Just scooted by home to grab some articles to study and get in my 1 FTP for the one-a-day Iron man bonus.
And tomorrow is an all dayer with gdjonline, hopefully culminating with me losing with AA at the 'tron Casino! YAY!
Catchya soon dudes!
Imo isolate from BU with J6s, J7o, 97s, 76s, Q7o, Q5s, K3s, K6o, any ace, 33+ against a limper with tightish blinds.
Do it.
Thigtness is my main problem to, i have allmost the same vpip/pfr. ok, maybe in last hands got looser (.hu comunity guys said that i'm to tight) but not enough yet to make difference. And old habbits die slow, so need to concentrate much more to play looser.
Ah, and i'm much more agressive after flop, 2.5 AF; seems that on FTP is easier to win a hand without SD, so i'm more agressive.
Originally posted by TerrorBlade
Imo isolate from BU with J6s, J7o, 97s, 76s, Q7o, Q5s, K3s, K6o, any ace, 33+ against a limper with tightish blinds.
Is this the same as your recommended BTN open raising range, wider or tighter?
Hey folks!
Happy New Year!!! I trust everyone made it through relatively unscathed and in fine form (after sobering up obv). I'm just starting to get over my sun burn.. think I'll go for a swim this afternoon - blimmin' sweltering today (for your benefit Nick).
I've had an awesome, no poker week or so - well, mostly. I made the most of my diamond status whilst I could and printed off all of the FL articles Gold+ so I have plenty of material for studying. Now I'm back at Bronze, and will stay there until I go bonus whoring again around April - most likely at Cake but we'll see closer to the time.
Played at least 1 FTP worth each day to get the virtually irrelevant extra 15 medals - managed to lose $15 doing this.. very sick IMO - but clearly par for this course.
I didn't realise the Iron man bonus was a clearable bonus rather than a cash award... so basically meaningless as I won't clear it before the FDB (unless it clears simultaneously - which I haven't checked, but I sincerely doubt it will!).
I'm still mulling over my plan - I'm definitely making some resolutions - not that a New Year should be the impetus for what should be a constant, ongoing process - but what the hell - it's a new year and I need some plans in place. I will post them here when I have a better idea in the next week or so. Probably some trialling of ideas up until then.
I'm getting more and more keen on the idea of playing MTTs one day a week so I think this will be part of the plan. It will be good to get some ICM Trainer time in and to re-read some MTT theory.
Anyway, a short post dragging on. Once again, Happy New Year!! and stay safe and well spokey dokies!
out.
Ya... Happy New year to you too... just for that I am going snowboarding tomorrow It's supposed to only be -18 here so t-shirts it is then 
Anyway all the best for 2010 and good luck for all your poker endeavours and all other things that interefere
Hi Waiboy,
I have question. What can you say about BWIN and their 1k deposit bonus(currently playing 0.5/1 LimitHoldem). How easy it is to clear? How is the traffic and so on. Thanks for answering.
Hey VonSiim
It's been a few months since I played any sort of volume at bwin, but my thoughts from that time are:
- traffic is low, but there is usually one table of FL SH playing most times of the day at either $.25/$.50 or $.50/$1. At peak times (say 20:00 - 0:00 GMT) there can be up to five tables in any given limit. There are virtually no tables at FR at these limits though.
- due to low traffic levels you have to be prepared to play down a limit if you need volume to clear the bonus.
- SH tables are 5-max so it is possible to get through a decent number of hands compared to iPoker. Not sure how it compares for speed to other platforms like FTP (probably slower) or Stars though.
- At the time there were only a couple of regs at those limits, but lots of loose/passive and hyper aggressive LAG/maniac showdown monkey players, so the game is pretty freaky.
- One cool thing about the software is you can add notes to players along with a colour. From the lobby there is a mini view of the table so I made sure I colour coded reg TAGs/good LAGs green, known bad LAGs red and Loose/Passives yellow. Because the 5max tables have all the seats a FR table would have, but just caps the number of players at 5, you can get position on the worse players, and avoid sitting in poor position v regs pretty easily (as opposed to fixed sitting positions at most other sites). This is a definite plus IMO.
- When I played I didn't flat out go for clearing the bonus as I was using the site primarily as a change of scenery from iPoker, however, the bonus was clearing at an okay rate. I didn't clear any of the bonus increments (I wasn't trying to at the time) but from memory I was reasonably close to clearing off the first $100 (say 75% of the way - bit of a guess but shouldn't be too far off) with the following details:
Limit,Hands,Rake,ManagedGrossRake
$.25/$.50 (5max), 3836, $73.68, $95.90
$.50/$1 (5max), 2172, $89.90, $105.69
Combined, 6008, $163.58, $201.59
*EDIT: I played between 10 August and 30 September for a total of 37 hours with a multi table ratio of 1.63.
Note the rake is pretty high, but the players are (were) pretty loose in general so beating the limit for a +VE win rate should be achievable IMO.
- You also clear cash bonuses through the b'inside points store which combines with the bonus so your rakeback starts to get reasonable too. Sorry, I can't be specific with the figures, but gut feel was it worked out okay.
Hope this helps! And good luck. I enjoyed playing at bwin - even if the softare is a little clunky it is generally okay, and has some features I liked.
As I contemplate this landmark post all I can think about is how the hell did I miss another 1k landmark post. 
Right. Another year dawns, a break is taken from the gutter that is my obsession, and I look up to see reason and perspective burn through the dark clouds over my horizons.
Which, in short, is that I think I'm in a good state of mind.
So what's up in the world of Waiboy this week/month/year?
[Warning]I'm half way through typing it up at this point, and can advise the post is getting super uber long - even by my standards. [/Warning] 
Well - how to break this down without going all boldy, font sizie and coloury?
Playing pokah!: (okay, so a little boldy).
Playing at FTP a bit. Clearing the FDB (almost half gone now) and the Iron man bonus ($12 down, $63 to go by 14 Feb).
Fixed Limit Hold'em
Playing with absolutely no pressure for volume. In fact, today was the first substantial session of the year - and not because I need x volume.. because I was enjoying the play, felt I was on top of things and wanted to keep going. Needless to say I ended up getting smashed results wise - and a bit of tilt toward the end of the session (didn't impact the game at all, but was going to start clouding decisions ie -EV). Nice tilt inducing hand posted at the close of this post!
I'm renegging on my resolve to play FR only. TBH the only reason for this is to get away from variance magnified by poor play, but that is a ludicrous assertion. Variance is unavoidable - and for whatever reason, I'm rolled to play at the limit I am due to variance and solid play. So I'll continue with my pre Christmas theory of playing only the best seats at the best tables at whatever limit I'm rolled for. If I get spanked due to variance and poor play, that happens.
I think that not having that pressure to clear anything is reinvigorating! To play or not on any given day is irrelevant. All that matters is improvement.
Looking for Satellites
When I first started playing online poker, it was with the dream of making a big live tournament or a big cash (or any cash at that point, really!). My first two months at PS.com I split my play between 9 man SnGs on Pokerstars, tuning into Chenny8888's Sunday night coaching, and FLHE.
Obviously I had a great start with FL so that became my game and obsession since December 08/January 09.
The introspection that comes with a new year and that a break allows us to indulge in, has me once again wanting to live that dream. I'm too lazy and too wary of sick SnG/MTT variance (and the time restrictions those formats inevitably place on us) to want change game completely and grind out a BR to compete in these tourneys.
So my conclusion is that I will play lots of micro limit satellites/freerolls in an attempt to qualify for something bigger. I'm happy to play on any platform for these, as they're not my main game / form of rake generation so if anyone knows of any good micro steps tourneys on any of the sites please let me know.
I'm aware Bart has played one on a non PS.com tracked site that had the first step at $0.10 so I may investigate this. If anyone knows of something like this on a PS.com affiliate that would be cool - and help me decide on my next platform post FTP!
The only variation from the micro limit MTT/STT satellites is the Titan World Open WSOP qualifiers that I've started playing. They are regionally based, and with 10 spots to the final series of tournaments guaranteed to Australasians, and only 11 people registering for the second of the qualifying tourneys (3 of the top 4 spots to PS.com btw), I'm gonna blow BRM for a bit and play the 5.50 Euro buyin. I figure if I hammer the first ten (well nine, since one was cancelled due to lack of interest) tourneys at 5.50 Euros, I won't need to play all eight of the 11 Euro series.
Of course, if I can ship one like that luckbox AussieIan did first up, then they will hopefully be significantly self funding.
I'm pretty sure this is terrible BRM for such a long shot, but to be honest, almost any satellite I enter is a long shot, and at least I'm confident I should get to make the 200 in the final series. That final series alone will cost around USD 200, but I'm assuming I won't need to play all of them to work out if I can make the top 5 (out of 200). And if I place well in them maybe they will be self funding too. Still, that's all a long way off at them moment!
Poker Platform
Full Tilt suggested I contact their preferred rakeback retracking site to try my luck at getting retracked.
After a almost two months of emailing them I finally got an email in return advising I'd signed up to FTP via an affiliate (which would have been a random link on a random site whilst I was trawling for platforms back in the dark ages of my online poker existance).
So, I've emailed FTP support to find out who the affiliate is so that I may try and negotiate a rakeback deal with them. The guts of it is, if I can't find out, FTP won't contact them on my behalf, or FTP DO contact them on my behalf but they don't or won't contact me or offer a rakeback deal, I'm done with FTP as my main site on or before 31 March '10. This date is when my FDB expires.. if I clear it earlier, then I'll move earlier.
I've been toying with Cake as the next site I play at for no particular reason, but I'll decide closer to the time.
In terms of satellites and MTTs I've been playing at P*s mostly, with the odd other satellite here or there. I'll tend to play these based around weekends, given that is when the major tourneys are running, so if I do satellite in, I don't have all week to think about it.
Study, buh-dy!
Yes, I have been! I am!!! WOOHOO!!!
I'm actually jazzed about studying at the moment. I'm really enjoying it.
I've just come off a weekend of a lot of basic SnG / MTT theory and videos. Because I'm bronze status at PS.com likely 'till at least April, I've been using theory videos at another training site.
As a result, I find it difficult to understand why PS.com don't adjust the style of their videos from straight "this is me playing this random bunch of hands and why" live/session review videos, to more "This is how you play overcards", "This is how you play v moderate LAGs on low stakes" type videos.
I've previously requested this (a long while ago) but so far no new formats have emerged. I appreciate they are more time intensive to produce, then again, they are a LOT more valuable. It really only takes some hand histories and a replayer to start with. A little bit of powerpoint / blackboard study work in between would be great too (eg some equilator calcs worked through and correpsonding EV calcs on a spreadsheet). I'd take one of these videos a month over three or four live/session review only videos any day. Hell, reduce Cornholio's coachings by one a week and get him to spend that time passing on teh wisdom!
Anyway, just a thought.
As for FLHE, I'm working through the printed out Gold articles (reviewed the advanced standard lines article for a second time today). I think I will try out the Anki flashcard software 897 talked about in his blog to help embed the information. It certainly won't be a bad thing!
Christ this is a long post!!!
I'm buggering off, but before I do, here's teh tilting hand as promised! BB is a Loooose passive/aggressive player (60/10/27/1.4 but with the odd spewy play), MP3 is a LAG (something like 33/28/44/1.8). My initial flop call is marginal at best but, as it turns out, better than my turn fold!
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter: Play hand
$0.5/$1 Fixed-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Preflop: Hero is BU with A:h, K:c.
MP2 folds, MP3 raises, CO folds, Hero 3-Bets, SB folds, BB caps, MP3 calls, Hero calls.
Flop: (12.5 SB) 6:d, Q:c, 5:h (3 players)
BB bets, MP3 raises, Hero calls, BB 3-Bets, MP3 calls, Hero calls.
Turn: (10.75 BB) 4:s (3 players)
BB bets, MP3 calls, Hero folds.
River: (12.75 BB) K:h (2 players)
BB bets, MP3 calls.
Final Pot: 14.75 BB.
Results follow:
MP3 shows a pair of sixs(6:h 7:h).
BB shows a pair of kings(9:h K:d).
BB wins with a pair of kings(9:h K:d).
Anyway, cher fellas and bring on the New Year!!! You'll never beat me Mr Poker! NEVVVVVVERRRRR! (insert photoshopped Braveheart snapshot with Waiboy's face weilding K7o here).
out.
Originally posted by Waiboy
(insert photoshopped Braveheart snapshot with Waiboy's face weilding K7o here).
Here you go mate:
AFAIK PS is pushing for video producers to start making series and following suit with other poker education sites.
Originally posted by Berkstajger
Originally posted by Waiboy
(insert photoshopped Braveheart snapshot with Waiboy's face weilding K7o here).Here you go mate:
AWESOMEST POST EVER!!!!
Seriously, seriously, seriously uber cool. ♠_cool:♠_cool:♠_cool:
Button stealing will never be the same.
Originally posted by TerrorBlade
AFAIK PS is pushing for video producers to start making series and following suit with other poker education sites.
Hey man, good to know. I think they have to because other site content is passing them by - well, video content anyway. Articles still look to be leading content from what I've seen.
Good to see you're alive too fella. I was thinking about you a day or two ago 'cause I saw your - I think it was contra tenor? - mate from the Auckland Youth Choir on the news.
How's the pro gig? Re-watching 8thfold path FTW?
BTW Got rakeback from FTP. Weird process. Really weird. GG so will elaborate later.
I'm glad you like it. ♦
When you beat 5/T you might want to upgrade to something like Terminator holding 73o?
Ha, when I beat 5/T I'll be more worried about dodging flying pork based products.
Okay, so now I'm receiving rakeback at FTP. HOOORAAH!!!
Weird, weird path to get there though. For anyone interested:
- I emailed FTP at the end of November asking to be retracked for rakeback, prior to depositing at FTP. They said they had emailed their preferred site to obtain rakeback (Rakebackpros.com) to see if I could be tracked. I include the site here as they have no other advertising, only offer rakeback at FTP, and PS.com can't do the same so I hope I haven't breached any trust here. If I have lemme know and I'll edit it out.
- In order to expedite the process, I forwarded that email to RakebackPros (RBP) and asked them to confirm they'd received the email from FTP. The didn't respond.
- I sent a second email to RBP at the start of December prior to depositing at FTP, forwarding previous correspondence and politely requesting if they could accomodate me. Again no response.
- I figured it was a long shot anyway, so I deposited at FTP and played out the month of December. I re-emailed RBP again at least once in December and again at the start of January to again receive no response.
- I figured, what the hell, and signed up with RBP over the weekend. I checked my inbox on Monday to find two emails from RBP. One said thanks for signing up, the other said I couldn't receive rakeback as I'd signed up through another affiliate.
- A bit bummed, I emailed FTP support asking for details of the affiliate I'd signed up through as I figured I might pester them for some sort of rakeback deal. I have no recollection of my initial FTP signup, although I'm surprised I was tracked to an affiliate as my usual method of signup back then would have been to type www.fulltilt.com into the browser on the off chance that was the website for the pokerroom. Anywhom, I figured I was pretty much screwed at ever getting rakeback at FTP and moved on.
- This morning, I open up my inbox to see an email from FTP advising that I now had been accepted to receive rakeback through RBP! Bizzare didn't begin to describe this about turn. I can only imagine that either the affiliate I signed up through had closed their site or given up on me ever paying rake there (as it had been over two years since my signup), or that several somebodies at either FTP or RBP or both had been less than thorough in checking my account.
So the moral is, don't give up until you exhaust all alternatives. Always being polite and courteous is also, I'm sure, a help.
Victory is mine! Hmm.. I must set up my BraveWaiboy desktop!
