Since I last posted, had the following happen:
- Reached 9 wins last season in WTP, but didn't get the elusive 10th win. Sewed up the tavern points title early, and qualified for Nationals in Atlantic City in June. 3rd in Tavern Championship, but took 1st in the Tournament of Champions - qualifying me for the 2013 National TOC in Vegas next October/November.
- Took over as tournament director at Overtyme this season, and decided that I didn't give a rip this season how I did. When you're in charge of 30+ players and 2 games per evening, the play almost always suffers - but that's cool. Been having a blast running my game, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
- Making my coin in the live charity tournaments - 4 cashes in 5 November events - including a 2nd and a 3rd on consecutive nights for a $600+ profit last weekend. Even with a dry spell for summer and most of fall, ROI still sitting at about 150% for the year, which is not shabby.
- Personal note: Divorce is going relatively smoothly right now, hoping to be done sometime in March...physical custody of kids will be an issue, however, but hopefully Kelley and I are able come to an agreement on the particulars very soon.
Until next time..
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
A small update
Running a game this season has actually been enjoyable, although the small size of the game has been frustrating. Potentially taking over the Overtyme game next season, and it would be great to get back out that way. Based on what happens with my divorce over the next few months, who knows...I could be living closer to there.
7 wins this season, and already clinched a number 1 ranking (well, at least a tie for it) at our tavern, thus qualifying me for the Fall National Championship in Atlantic City next June. More importantly, have stepped up my game a couple of notches the last month at various locations, and that has not gone unnoticed by some of the better players in the league. Doesn't always lead to results (suckouts have a way of doing that), but the reads and decisions have been spot on...trying to get to 10 wins the next 3 weeks is going to be fun, if I can keep this up!
7 wins this season, and already clinched a number 1 ranking (well, at least a tie for it) at our tavern, thus qualifying me for the Fall National Championship in Atlantic City next June. More importantly, have stepped up my game a couple of notches the last month at various locations, and that has not gone unnoticed by some of the better players in the league. Doesn't always lead to results (suckouts have a way of doing that), but the reads and decisions have been spot on...trying to get to 10 wins the next 3 weeks is going to be fun, if I can keep this up!
Monday, August 6, 2012
It's been a while...
Seems like every post lately has been of this variety. Too busy at work, not playing as much poker, so no real need for many posts. Couple of quick updates:
- Running a World Tavern game now over at Total Sports over in Harrison Township. Much closer to home, and a much smaller game - but I do miss the fine fellows and folks over at Overtyme. I think one day next week I will try to head out to the Lodge (Keego Harbor - Wednesday night) or one of the other locations to see some of the Waterford folk.
- Played in a couple small home games at parties. Tourneys and cash still profitable, so that's good.
- Running hot at Total Sports now, and I think I figured out why. Not overthinking things, and remembering the type of players that usually play in our league. Not having 3 or 4 beers a night doesn't hurt, either.
- A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I started the painful divorce process. You know the drill, try to remain civil and make it as amicable as possible...and hope it actually happens that way. We shall see, I suppose. No details will be forthcoming as to why it's happening, since this is not the place for that stuff. Besides, my most important concern are my two boys. Wish my family luck in this whole process.
Hope to be able to get out there to the charity rooms/casinos and play some in the near future, but (obviously) I have other issues that take precedence. Until next time...
- Running a World Tavern game now over at Total Sports over in Harrison Township. Much closer to home, and a much smaller game - but I do miss the fine fellows and folks over at Overtyme. I think one day next week I will try to head out to the Lodge (Keego Harbor - Wednesday night) or one of the other locations to see some of the Waterford folk.
- Played in a couple small home games at parties. Tourneys and cash still profitable, so that's good.
- Running hot at Total Sports now, and I think I figured out why. Not overthinking things, and remembering the type of players that usually play in our league. Not having 3 or 4 beers a night doesn't hurt, either.
- A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I started the painful divorce process. You know the drill, try to remain civil and make it as amicable as possible...and hope it actually happens that way. We shall see, I suppose. No details will be forthcoming as to why it's happening, since this is not the place for that stuff. Besides, my most important concern are my two boys. Wish my family luck in this whole process.
Hope to be able to get out there to the charity rooms/casinos and play some in the near future, but (obviously) I have other issues that take precedence. Until next time...
Friday, June 8, 2012
May...and early June, update
Kind of a rough month for me, poker-wise. Made some nice coin in a couple of home games, but World Tavern was not quite as successful...although I did get a couple of TOC finishes, despite some bad play and plenty of bad luck. Variance is a bitch!
Closed out the season at Overtyme in the same spot I started - atop the tavern rankings, and as such qualified for a 2nd national championship tourney in Vegas this November. The season may not have been as consistent, or as good (1 win the entire season, versus 6 last season), but seeing as I got some hardware and a seat in Nationals, it's still a successful one.
Next week is Tavern Championships, and then TOC event...and then it's off to a new season. May be a 2nd night added in, or a new location...we'll see what happens. July 15 is our State/Regional tournament - might be interesting to see how I play, seeing as I'm already qualified for the National tourney.
Closed out the season at Overtyme in the same spot I started - atop the tavern rankings, and as such qualified for a 2nd national championship tourney in Vegas this November. The season may not have been as consistent, or as good (1 win the entire season, versus 6 last season), but seeing as I got some hardware and a seat in Nationals, it's still a successful one.
Next week is Tavern Championships, and then TOC event...and then it's off to a new season. May be a 2nd night added in, or a new location...we'll see what happens. July 15 is our State/Regional tournament - might be interesting to see how I play, seeing as I'm already qualified for the National tourney.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
April poker update
As usual for April, poker play was a bit sporadic, and cash tourneys were few and far between. Ran pretty bad (for me) in World Tavern the first few games after our regional championship - although I can't really complain about my actual play. That usual "play well, don't get results" syndrome.
Went to a home game a couple of weeks ago, and cashed in 2 of the 3 tourneys (30+ in first 2 games, 13 in 3rd game) for neat little profit of $155. Couple that with more than a few Canadian beers, and it was a good night.
Last week, finally saw a turnaround in my World Tavern results...will detail some below.
First game had 38 players, so a nice little 10.5K for first was in play. Started out the first level a little slow, even semi-open folding J-J pre-flop when faced with raises by both tight UTG and tight button players...mad props to me given for laying it down after players in all-in showed K-K and A-A...but really, wasn't terribly hard to put it down there. Got a nice little BB special when my 6-2 flopped trips, and got paid off 2 streets by 2 people. Soon after, took down a huge pot after my slowly-played A-K flopped trip kings against a PF raiser holding A-J who decided to bet 3 streets at me...nice!
Really took off after Q-Q knocked out a player holding A-Q, then proceeded to knock out 3 more players in the next 4 hands before the break...sat at 74K at the break, which is a ridiculous amount to have in this tourney. Played pretty consistent poker for next few levels, and by time of final table merge, sitting at 125K.
Once down to 9, proceeded to either bust out or cripple 6 of the other 8 players, and after a short heads-up period, I scored my first WTP win of this season...only 9 weeks in, ugh.
Second game, yo-yo'd up and down the first hour, including losing half my chips on an A-Q vs A-K hand where my preflop 3-bet with A-Q was called by a loose player holding A-K. A king on flop with a couple of hearts slowed me down considerably after my continuation bet was smooth-called after the flop. Luckily, check-check on next 2 streets saved me some chips...although this paid off for me on the next hand I'll detail out.
Shortly after the break, got A-A UTG at 500/1000 level, and raised to 3500. Old man William thinks about calling me, Loose Lois calls, and we have a 3-way flop. 9-6-J rainbow doesn't scare me, and a bet of 5500 seems right. Lois folds, William thinks for a minute and shoves to put me at risk. Fairly quick call, and William flips over 7-7. No help on turn or river, and William is crippled. I look at him and say, "I think that A-Q hand I had a while back set that play up, didn't it?", which got a smile and a nod from him. Ability to recall prior hands, no matter how far back, is a great thing to do - didn't work out for him this time, but I liked his thinking.
Got down to another final table, and after another roller-coaster run (including flopping a straight with K-Q and having Big Larry bluff-shove me with 4-2 - real tough to play those hands, heh), was on the short-end of a fairly long HU battle with Andy - but I'll happily take a 2nd to go with my 1st. Can never say that I've clinched anything, but I've certainly strengthened my hold on the season points lead - haven't been below first since the first rankings came out after week 4. 2 national championships to play in during November? We'll see!
Went to a home game a couple of weeks ago, and cashed in 2 of the 3 tourneys (30+ in first 2 games, 13 in 3rd game) for neat little profit of $155. Couple that with more than a few Canadian beers, and it was a good night.
Last week, finally saw a turnaround in my World Tavern results...will detail some below.
First game had 38 players, so a nice little 10.5K for first was in play. Started out the first level a little slow, even semi-open folding J-J pre-flop when faced with raises by both tight UTG and tight button players...mad props to me given for laying it down after players in all-in showed K-K and A-A...but really, wasn't terribly hard to put it down there. Got a nice little BB special when my 6-2 flopped trips, and got paid off 2 streets by 2 people. Soon after, took down a huge pot after my slowly-played A-K flopped trip kings against a PF raiser holding A-J who decided to bet 3 streets at me...nice!
Really took off after Q-Q knocked out a player holding A-Q, then proceeded to knock out 3 more players in the next 4 hands before the break...sat at 74K at the break, which is a ridiculous amount to have in this tourney. Played pretty consistent poker for next few levels, and by time of final table merge, sitting at 125K.
Once down to 9, proceeded to either bust out or cripple 6 of the other 8 players, and after a short heads-up period, I scored my first WTP win of this season...only 9 weeks in, ugh.
Second game, yo-yo'd up and down the first hour, including losing half my chips on an A-Q vs A-K hand where my preflop 3-bet with A-Q was called by a loose player holding A-K. A king on flop with a couple of hearts slowed me down considerably after my continuation bet was smooth-called after the flop. Luckily, check-check on next 2 streets saved me some chips...although this paid off for me on the next hand I'll detail out.
Shortly after the break, got A-A UTG at 500/1000 level, and raised to 3500. Old man William thinks about calling me, Loose Lois calls, and we have a 3-way flop. 9-6-J rainbow doesn't scare me, and a bet of 5500 seems right. Lois folds, William thinks for a minute and shoves to put me at risk. Fairly quick call, and William flips over 7-7. No help on turn or river, and William is crippled. I look at him and say, "I think that A-Q hand I had a while back set that play up, didn't it?", which got a smile and a nod from him. Ability to recall prior hands, no matter how far back, is a great thing to do - didn't work out for him this time, but I liked his thinking.
Got down to another final table, and after another roller-coaster run (including flopping a straight with K-Q and having Big Larry bluff-shove me with 4-2 - real tough to play those hands, heh), was on the short-end of a fairly long HU battle with Andy - but I'll happily take a 2nd to go with my 1st. Can never say that I've clinched anything, but I've certainly strengthened my hold on the season points lead - haven't been below first since the first rankings came out after week 4. 2 national championships to play in during November? We'll see!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Time to plan another trip?
After taking 2nd in Overtyme WTP TOC last month, I've been on fire in the live and online poker arena. First 3 weeks at Overtyme, 3 TOC finishes - even if they were all second-places, meh! The last one stung, only because my opponent is crippled HU if my A-A doesn't get cracked by the ol' runner-runner straight hitting his K-9...but what can ya do?
I'm pretty sure I'm a shoo-in, after 2 more games, of qualifying to defend my Tavern Championship in 3 months...so some great chances of getting more hardware is coming up. This past Sunday was our Winter Regionals at Overtyme, and I was feeling pretty good about my game going into it...and was looking to go on a deeper run than last Regionals, when I busted out less than an hour into the festivities.
143 players for 15 seats to the National Championship in Atlantic City in June - let's go!
Seated at one of the outer tables, I recognize a couple of players from past regionals, but most of my mates were from Western and Central bars. Luckily, there's not much of a minefield, and my opponents help me out by overbetting their made hands - betting 2x the pot with nut flushes, for example.
Started out good on the first level, going up to 16K (10K starting stack) by only showing one hand, but slowly dwindled down to 12K at end 300/600 level, when I got moved to a new table. Again, only 1 or 2 players I recognized, but before the end of the 500/1000 level, I had 19K in chips...all from preflop raises that got no resistance. While this wasn't a great position to be in, with about half the field remaining, I was still at average stack, and I figured that my natural short-stack aggression would pay off for me.
Unfortunately, my juicy new table lost 3 players in no time, and I was moved to another table. 2nd hand in, got K-K in the cutoff (blinds at 1000/2000 now), and with 19K in tow I tried to induce an all-in by making a modest raise to 6K (knowing any shove was being called by me, or any flop with no ace)...which Stacie (regular I know) obliged by shoving over me to 14K. Snap-call, and after the board stays clean, I have over 36K.
Promptly lose 10K over the next orbit, until another table move puts me next to Eve (uber-tight, but very solid player) on my left...and 2 wild cards on my right. A couple of hands in while in the BB, and sitting at 28K (2000/4000), I get J-10 sooooooted, and faced an all-in raise to 10K. Not the kind of hand I want to call off 6K with, but 4-1 odds was an easy, and I find I'm up against my bugaboo, A-9. I tell the player that A-9 is a loser, and when the flop shows a 10, I'm in great shape. Another 10 hits the turn, ending the hand...then the Jack hits the river for further insult. Player gives me good-natured grief about it, and I'm sitting decent shape at about 40K here, with just under 30 players to go.
An orbit or so later, my big hand of the tournament happens. Carolyn, a very solid player in our league, open-shoves the first hand of the 3000/6000 level for 36K, and in the cutoff I look down and see A-K...and have a decision to make for my tournament, in reality. I see we have 26 players at this point, so with 60K or so being the average stack, I figure that we're in a coinflip, so I shove all-in. After the button and blinds fold, I see I'm up against 5-5...and am very happy (but reserved) when a king is the door card. No help for Carolyn, and a big knockout for me takes place.
Build my stack up to 100K, and with the blinds up at 5K/10K, we get down to 2 tables of 9...3 more eliminations to go. 1 player goes out, and then a long 10-minute break takes place before we get down to 15. I scan the room and see 3 uber small-stacks (including 1 who only 1/2 BB left), and the blinds will be hitting them in a couple of hands (10K/20K), so I feel safe at 105K.
Me in zone-mode just before the break when down to 17:
Poor guy on my right (Gray hair and beard in pic above) open shoves UTG with J-J, and is called by one of the shorties...only to see him flop a set, then lose to A-10 on a runner-runner straight...bringing him down to 30K in chips. The very next hand, his 6-5 cannot catch up to A-K, and with another bustout on the other table, we're down to 15 - Atlantic City, here we come! Errrr, that is, if I want to go.
Uneventful few hands later (for me, at least), and we get down to 1 table of 9 - official final table is 8. After Eve busts out, we have another stoppage of play, and the final table receives T-shirts: get a group photo or 2, and then get back to action. Down to 7, open-shoved my last 100K UTG (15K/30K blinds, yikes!) with A-J, where I get called by 9-9. Flop is low, but I hit a Jack on the turn...only to see a 9 hit the river, and I'm out in 7th place. Would have loved a win (or at least top 3, where travel expenses are paid for), but I came to get a seat in Nationals, and I accomplished my main objective.
Good to see my friend, Andy, also get his seat, along with 3-4 other regulars in my Tuesday game. Congrats to Dan Park for winning a $1500 WSOP earlier Sunday, as well!
I'm pretty sure I'm a shoo-in, after 2 more games, of qualifying to defend my Tavern Championship in 3 months...so some great chances of getting more hardware is coming up. This past Sunday was our Winter Regionals at Overtyme, and I was feeling pretty good about my game going into it...and was looking to go on a deeper run than last Regionals, when I busted out less than an hour into the festivities.
143 players for 15 seats to the National Championship in Atlantic City in June - let's go!
Seated at one of the outer tables, I recognize a couple of players from past regionals, but most of my mates were from Western and Central bars. Luckily, there's not much of a minefield, and my opponents help me out by overbetting their made hands - betting 2x the pot with nut flushes, for example.
Started out good on the first level, going up to 16K (10K starting stack) by only showing one hand, but slowly dwindled down to 12K at end 300/600 level, when I got moved to a new table. Again, only 1 or 2 players I recognized, but before the end of the 500/1000 level, I had 19K in chips...all from preflop raises that got no resistance. While this wasn't a great position to be in, with about half the field remaining, I was still at average stack, and I figured that my natural short-stack aggression would pay off for me.
Unfortunately, my juicy new table lost 3 players in no time, and I was moved to another table. 2nd hand in, got K-K in the cutoff (blinds at 1000/2000 now), and with 19K in tow I tried to induce an all-in by making a modest raise to 6K (knowing any shove was being called by me, or any flop with no ace)...which Stacie (regular I know) obliged by shoving over me to 14K. Snap-call, and after the board stays clean, I have over 36K.
Promptly lose 10K over the next orbit, until another table move puts me next to Eve (uber-tight, but very solid player) on my left...and 2 wild cards on my right. A couple of hands in while in the BB, and sitting at 28K (2000/4000), I get J-10 sooooooted, and faced an all-in raise to 10K. Not the kind of hand I want to call off 6K with, but 4-1 odds was an easy, and I find I'm up against my bugaboo, A-9. I tell the player that A-9 is a loser, and when the flop shows a 10, I'm in great shape. Another 10 hits the turn, ending the hand...then the Jack hits the river for further insult. Player gives me good-natured grief about it, and I'm sitting decent shape at about 40K here, with just under 30 players to go.
An orbit or so later, my big hand of the tournament happens. Carolyn, a very solid player in our league, open-shoves the first hand of the 3000/6000 level for 36K, and in the cutoff I look down and see A-K...and have a decision to make for my tournament, in reality. I see we have 26 players at this point, so with 60K or so being the average stack, I figure that we're in a coinflip, so I shove all-in. After the button and blinds fold, I see I'm up against 5-5...and am very happy (but reserved) when a king is the door card. No help for Carolyn, and a big knockout for me takes place.
Build my stack up to 100K, and with the blinds up at 5K/10K, we get down to 2 tables of 9...3 more eliminations to go. 1 player goes out, and then a long 10-minute break takes place before we get down to 15. I scan the room and see 3 uber small-stacks (including 1 who only 1/2 BB left), and the blinds will be hitting them in a couple of hands (10K/20K), so I feel safe at 105K.
Me in zone-mode just before the break when down to 17:
Poor guy on my right (Gray hair and beard in pic above) open shoves UTG with J-J, and is called by one of the shorties...only to see him flop a set, then lose to A-10 on a runner-runner straight...bringing him down to 30K in chips. The very next hand, his 6-5 cannot catch up to A-K, and with another bustout on the other table, we're down to 15 - Atlantic City, here we come! Errrr, that is, if I want to go.
Uneventful few hands later (for me, at least), and we get down to 1 table of 9 - official final table is 8. After Eve busts out, we have another stoppage of play, and the final table receives T-shirts: get a group photo or 2, and then get back to action. Down to 7, open-shoved my last 100K UTG (15K/30K blinds, yikes!) with A-J, where I get called by 9-9. Flop is low, but I hit a Jack on the turn...only to see a 9 hit the river, and I'm out in 7th place. Would have loved a win (or at least top 3, where travel expenses are paid for), but I came to get a seat in Nationals, and I accomplished my main objective.
Good to see my friend, Andy, also get his seat, along with 3-4 other regulars in my Tuesday game. Congrats to Dan Park for winning a $1500 WSOP earlier Sunday, as well!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Time to plan a trip...
Last Tuesday (2/21) I celebrated my 42nd birthday not with my family, but rather spent it at Overtyme in Waterford with the WTP gang for the season TOC championships. If you don't know how it works, you qualify by getting a top-3 finish in any tournament a bar designated as a TOC bar hosts during the season. The more top 3s you get, the more chips you get.
While I finished 2nd in the season points title (top 8 scores count for tavern ranking), I had the most TOCs for the season (8), so I started out with the big stack of 24K in chips (10K minimum, 2K for every additional top-3). Based on my table draw, I decided that I was going to a fairly loose game early and push my chip stack around. Played a solid first level, and built my stack up to 40K after the end of the level by only having to show down a couple of hands.
Got to the break (about 2 hours in) with 70+K in chips, and easily the chip leader at this point. Lost a few chips to get down into the low 60K range when the final table merge happened. Played a steady game, continuing to build my chip stack without getting involved in any big pots, and soon enough we were to the bubble at 4-handed.
Went for a couple of killshots against Jane, but the river was unkind both times, and my stack went from over 170K to about 130K. Audie finally took out Jane when his Q-Q held up against her small pair, and Audie, Mike Shafto, and me were the final 3 standing...and qualified for the National TOC tournament in Vegas this fall.
With only a TOC coin to play for, I managed to soon get to HU against Audie. Promptly got my ass handed to me in this matchup, but that's ok - I came to get no worse than 3rd, and mission accomplished.
Vegas, Baby! Vegas!
While I finished 2nd in the season points title (top 8 scores count for tavern ranking), I had the most TOCs for the season (8), so I started out with the big stack of 24K in chips (10K minimum, 2K for every additional top-3). Based on my table draw, I decided that I was going to a fairly loose game early and push my chip stack around. Played a solid first level, and built my stack up to 40K after the end of the level by only having to show down a couple of hands.
Got to the break (about 2 hours in) with 70+K in chips, and easily the chip leader at this point. Lost a few chips to get down into the low 60K range when the final table merge happened. Played a steady game, continuing to build my chip stack without getting involved in any big pots, and soon enough we were to the bubble at 4-handed.
Went for a couple of killshots against Jane, but the river was unkind both times, and my stack went from over 170K to about 130K. Audie finally took out Jane when his Q-Q held up against her small pair, and Audie, Mike Shafto, and me were the final 3 standing...and qualified for the National TOC tournament in Vegas this fall.
With only a TOC coin to play for, I managed to soon get to HU against Audie. Promptly got my ass handed to me in this matchup, but that's ok - I came to get no worse than 3rd, and mission accomplished.
Vegas, Baby! Vegas!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
First post of 2012?
Really? Has it been that long? Lots been going on with my main job and my seasonal business (taxes), so haven't been doing much of playing poker...or blogging about my play, for that matter.
Went through about a 3-4 week rut recently where I played some shitty poker at various venues for World Tavern. Got away from my general TAG-style, played too many hands, didn't play hands strong enough when I needed to, overplayed top pairs...in other words, played like a total donkey. As a result of this, lost some confidence in my game, which caused a general unwillingness to trust my reads and pull the triggers on moves when I should have been making moves...a vicious cycle.
Changed venues for a couple of weeks, and concentrated on playing more deliberately, trusting with my first instinct and general reads, and then working on tournament endgames. Out of 4 games at Clancy's Pub, had 3 top-3 finishes (including a win), and got in a pretty nice groove over there. Traveled to Overtyme for the late game last Tuesday, and had a solid 3rd place showing in the last game of the regular season.
Gave me confidence to go to Four Aces this week, and while I did not cash (16th out of 84 players - out on a 1-outer, ouch!), felt very confident about my game after leaving, and had a good feeling going into our Tavern Championship last night.
Only 10 of us in the championship, and started at 2 tables. Got my butt kicked around pretty good for one level at 5-handed, but then we get an elimination, and merged to one table of 9. Seemed to work wonders, and built my stack up to 13K (From 10K starting, and 8K at merge), when my first big hand of the night happened.
Raised under the gun (6-handed - 500/1000) with A-A, and snap-called when Wayne 3-bets me with 9-9 - Aces held, and a big double-up for me. After losing about 40% of my stack, was 3-bet all-in again with 10-10, but my K-K held.
Back and forth the chips went between 4 of us, and in my only time where I was all-in with my tourney on the line and behind, my A-9 outflopped 5-5, and after this point I never really looked back...and after this point played pretty much mistake-free poker.
Crippled Rob when his semi-bluff on the turn was met with a check-raise from me...and after watching me play big-stack poker for a couple of orbits too many 3-handed, George made his stand with Q-J...but couldn't catch up after my K-J flopped a king to get down to heads-up. George deserved better - had Aces, kings, and queens cracked after getting the chips in the middle as a heavy favorite.
Luckily for me, none of my big hands got cracked, and after flopping 2-pair with the monster J-6, Wayne's all-in push with J-9 put him on the brink...and with no help on the turn or river, I survive to win the Tavern Championship!
Went through about a 3-4 week rut recently where I played some shitty poker at various venues for World Tavern. Got away from my general TAG-style, played too many hands, didn't play hands strong enough when I needed to, overplayed top pairs...in other words, played like a total donkey. As a result of this, lost some confidence in my game, which caused a general unwillingness to trust my reads and pull the triggers on moves when I should have been making moves...a vicious cycle.
Changed venues for a couple of weeks, and concentrated on playing more deliberately, trusting with my first instinct and general reads, and then working on tournament endgames. Out of 4 games at Clancy's Pub, had 3 top-3 finishes (including a win), and got in a pretty nice groove over there. Traveled to Overtyme for the late game last Tuesday, and had a solid 3rd place showing in the last game of the regular season.
Gave me confidence to go to Four Aces this week, and while I did not cash (16th out of 84 players - out on a 1-outer, ouch!), felt very confident about my game after leaving, and had a good feeling going into our Tavern Championship last night.
Only 10 of us in the championship, and started at 2 tables. Got my butt kicked around pretty good for one level at 5-handed, but then we get an elimination, and merged to one table of 9. Seemed to work wonders, and built my stack up to 13K (From 10K starting, and 8K at merge), when my first big hand of the night happened.
Raised under the gun (6-handed - 500/1000) with A-A, and snap-called when Wayne 3-bets me with 9-9 - Aces held, and a big double-up for me. After losing about 40% of my stack, was 3-bet all-in again with 10-10, but my K-K held.
Back and forth the chips went between 4 of us, and in my only time where I was all-in with my tourney on the line and behind, my A-9 outflopped 5-5, and after this point I never really looked back...and after this point played pretty much mistake-free poker.
Crippled Rob when his semi-bluff on the turn was met with a check-raise from me...and after watching me play big-stack poker for a couple of orbits too many 3-handed, George made his stand with Q-J...but couldn't catch up after my K-J flopped a king to get down to heads-up. George deserved better - had Aces, kings, and queens cracked after getting the chips in the middle as a heavy favorite.
Luckily for me, none of my big hands got cracked, and after flopping 2-pair with the monster J-6, Wayne's all-in push with J-9 put him on the brink...and with no help on the turn or river, I survive to win the Tavern Championship!
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