Bankroll Management Saves the Day

Recently, I have suffered a series of losses that have made me appreciate the bankroll management rules I have been following.   In the past, I probably would have gone broke by now.  Chris Ferguson's bankroll mangement tools have allowed me to keep playing as I am not risking a large portion of my bankroll on any given tournament. Recently, I have bubbled quite a few tournaments.  I have had a few small wins, but overall I am down over the last week or so.  My bankroll is now at $112.51.  I will admit, my focus lately has not been that good.  My mind has been elsewhere.  My wife and I recently found out that she is pregnant with our second child, so we have both been preoccupied with that.  Going forward, I will try to take it one hand at a time and make the best decision I can with each hand I am dealt.

$140!!

I have been playing 18 and 27 player SNG's like crazy.  I was on a bad losing streak, but I just took 2 first place finishes and 1 second place finish.  My bankroll is now at $141.98.   This is my highest my bankroll has been since I started this experiment.   I am approaching $150.  There is a $3 SNG I have been wanting to play, when I get to $150, I will be able to take a couple of  shots at it.  It is a knockout tournament, meaning you win cash for each player you eliminate, which in this tournament, is $.50. 
I have not played many large field tournaments as I have  been pretty tired when it comes time for them to start.  Last week was a crazy one, but hopefully this week wont be as hectic and I will be able to focus on my blog and my game.

Slowly But Surely

I apologize to my readers for lack of posts.  It has been pretty hectic at work this last week.  By the time my daughter goes to bed and I play for a couple hours, I am too tired to put anything together.  Hopefully next week will be easier. 

I have broken the $130 mark.  After failing to cash in a couple of multitable $2 tournaments, I tried my luck at some single table $5 SNG's.  According to Ferguson's rules, I can play a 1 table SNG for up to 5% of my bankroll.  I lost a couple and had a 1st and a 2nd place finich to push me up to $136. 

Today, on my lunch break,   I was reading the Full Tilt Strategy Guide.  In the chapter written by Chris Ferguson, he talked about having a purpose when you bet.  The reasons for betting are threefold:  to get a better hand to fold, to get a worse hand to call, and to protect your hand against draws.  He also talks about many reasons not to bet.   If the board is KQ936 and you have 88, the only hands that can call are hands that beat you.  Why would you bet in this spot?  On the other hand, if you check and your opponent bets, maybe you have him beaten.  He could have a hand like AJ or maybe he missed his straight for flush draw.  This is a good spot to check to induce a bluff.  If he bets and you have put him on a straight draw or flush draw, you can call and win a bet that you otherwise wouldn't have.  If you had bet and he had nothing, he would most likely fold and you win a smaller pot.  If you bet and he calls, he has you beaten.  I found this to be a very interesting approach and will try to incorporate it into my game.  This is just a small portion of what he talked about in his chapter.  I hope to be able to discuss more of Ferguson's poker theory in future posts as I find it very interesting. 

In the mean time, I will keep plugging away at my $10,000 goal.  Only $9,870 more to go!!

Holding Steady

The last couple days have been pretty neutral as far as results.  I failed to cash in several tournaments, but took down second in a 27 player SNG.  My bankroll is holding steady at just under $129. 

I played a large field tournament last night, but failed to cash.  For the most part, I tried to keep the pots small unless I had a very strong hand.  There is one hand I am particularly proud of.  I was 2 behind the BB.  The player UTG raised to 3 times the BB.  I had AK suited and reraised about 2.5X his bet.  He repopped me for all of my chips.  I had been watching this player for quite a while and he had been quite aggressive.  He been bullying other players with large preflop bets.  I thought for a couple minutes and finally decided he was making a move on me.  I called his all in and he showed K4 offsuit.  Nice call!!  He didn't improve his hand and I doubled up. 
Late in the tournament, the following hand came up.  I had AA in middle position.  I raised to 2.5X the BB.   The button, who was the tournament chip leader,  reraised 3X my bet.  I four bet and the button moved all in.  Of course, I called.  He turned over Q5 of spades!!!  On the flop he flopped a 5 and a spade.  The turn and river were both spades and I was eliminated in 97th place.  Oh well, there is always next time.  I got my money in good and thats all I can do.  I am happy with how patiently I have been playing.  I know it is just a matter of time to my first big win.

Cashing Small....... Again.....

Last night, I cashed in a $2.25 large field tournament, but only made the 2nd level of pay.  When I cash, I seem to be stuck in the lower levels of pay outs.  Its my curse.   I just  can't seem to get to the upper levels of pay.  I seem to do well in the 45 or 27 player tournaments, but the large field cashes elude me. 

I play well enough to cash almost every time I enter a large field tournament.  You would think that I could play well enough, or at least get lucky enough to move up the pay ladder at least a little bit.  Take last night for example:  out of over 600 players, I was knocked out in 50th place.  Once we made the money, I just couldn't win a hand.  JJ no good, QQ no good, AQ no good.  Frustration is setting in.  I hope it doesn't affect my play.

On a good note, I took 2nd in a 27 man SNG.  My bankroll is now just over $129.  I am increasing it slowly, but steadily.

Uneventful Week So Far

As the title to this post would suggest, this week has been uneventful.  I have played a few $2.25 large field tournaments, but have not cashed in any of them.  It looks like the 8 PM Pacific time $2.25 tournament averages about 600 players.  I have been close to the money, but just haven't quite made it.  I need to find a way to accumulate more chips early on.  I feel I have been playing pretty well.  It is rare that I put my entire stack in danger.  I have been patient and wait for good spots to get my chips in.  It is just a matter of time before I have a good finish in one of these.  I am consistently getting through most of the field, but keep finishing just outside the money.  Tonight, I finished 71st out of 609 and 63 places are paid.  When it got close to the money I was short stacked and I was trying to find spots where I could steal blinds or double up. On my last hand I was on the button with Q9 of spades.  I moved all in and the BB called with KQ.  A K fell on the flop and my tournament was over.  I will keep at it until I have a strong finish.  First place tonight paid almost $300.  That would be a nice boost to my bankroll experiment.  My bankroll is now at $110.06.

Good, But Not Good Enough

This evening I played in a $2.25 large field tournament.  There were 569 players.  This is the first night I haven't played "The Ferguson" in a couple of weeks.  The $2.25 tournament starts much earlier and the field is not as large, so it works out much better for me.  I am not up as late as I would be in "The Ferguson", which was starting to be a problem beacause when I made it deeep, I was getting really tired and barely staying awake.  I am looking forward to playing more of this tournament.

  It took a long time for me to accumulate any chips.  In the beginning of the tournament, I limped in position with a lot of suited connectors, small pairs, etc...  I was unable to hit with any of them.  I didn't pick up any other playable hands for quite some time.  The failure to hit a flop along with the blinds whittled my stack down to 1000 from the original 1500.  By the time the blinds reached 40/80, I was down to 860.  I finally picked up a couple of good hands and had my stack up to 1200 by the time the 50/100 level came.  This hand is where I finally turned things around and started to accumulate chips.  I had 22 in the hijack.  I limped hoping to see a cheap flop.  The SB who had been pushing the table around, raised to put me all in.  I was 100% sure he didn't have a pair.  At this point, with the blinds getting higher, I didn't mind a coin flip.  I called and he showed J9.  He failed to improve and I doubled up to almost 2700.  Now I had some chips to play with!  I continued my patient play and picked my spots carefully.  I played position and tried to control the size of the pots I played.  I made a couple of good calls and one huge laydown.  The following is my big laydown.  The blinds were 100/200.  I had TT in middle position.  I raised to 550.  The cutoff reraised to 1800 and the button smooth cold called.  Something about his call screamed AA or KK.  I decided to fold.  The flop was 963.  The cutoff moved all in and the button called.  The cutoff showed 88 and the button showed AA.  If I had called the reraise, I'm sure I would have been all in on the flop and would have been eliminated. 
After this hand, not much happened, I slowly and steadily built up my stack by taking stabs at small pots and taking down blinds and antes.  As the money bubble approached, play slowed down quite a bit.  Most players at my table had me covered, so I wasn't able to be too active as far as attacking the blinds.  I did pick up a couple of hands and took down some small pots.  The money bubble finally burst and one player at my table snuck into the money with only 54 chips left and the ante was 75. 
After the bubble burst, play picked up again.  I was able to take down a few good pots and moved up to 9th in chips out of the remaining 50 players.  I was hoping to make a deep run, but the following hand came up.  I had JJ in late position. I had about 39K in chips.  The bliknds were 500/1000 with a 125 ante.  I raised to 3000.  The button reraised to 10K.  I wanted to see a flop before I decided if my hand was good, so I called.  The pot was now over 21K.  The flop was KKT.  Not a good flop, but not a bad one either for my hand.  The only hands I am afraid of are AA, AK or QQ.  I move in for my remaining 19K.  The button called and showed AA.    I was eliminated in 42nd place for a cash of $3.70. 
I am kicking myself for not getting away from this hand before the flop.  I was out of position in what was going to be a big pot.  If I had gotten away from this hand and continued my patient play, I am sure I could have made it to the final table.  First place paid almost $300.  That would have been a bankroll booster.  Oh well, there is always next time.
My bankroll after this tournament is at $116.81

Bad Play

My results yesterday and today are below average.  Overall, I am down about $5.00 for the last couple days.
Last night, I played in a couple of large field $2 tournaments.  I failed to cash in either one. 

Today, I was in good position to make a final table, but made a bad play that killed my momentum and my chance to make the money. 
I had picked up a few big hands and had about 7500 in chips.  I was the chip leader.  Blinds were 60/120.  I had AQ 2 off the BB.  I raised to 300.  The player to my immediate left moved in for 2700.  I had played with this player before and had seen him make similar plays.  I put him on an AJ or AT or an under pair.  For some idiotic reason, I decide I dont mind playing a coin flip.  He had 77 and I failed to improve.  He doubled up and I went from chip leader to 5th in chips.  After this hand, I was tilting.  I made the final table with a small stack.  On my final hand, I had A6 and pused allin for 900.  The blinds were 120/240.  The BB called with KQ and spiked a K on the flop.  I was eliminated in 6th place.
Looking back at the AQ vs 77 hand, I don't know why I called.  If I had stopped to analyze my situation, I would have realized the following:
1.  If I fold, I will still be the chip leader.
2.  If I call and lose, I will move from 1st in chips to 4th in chips.
3.  If I call and lose, I will be giving a large amount of chips to a dangerous player in a marginal situation at best. 
4.  Folding in this spot is not a bad play, the blinds are still low enough that I can wait for better spots to pick up chips.
5.  At best, I am a coin flip.  I could very easily be up against AK in this spot.
All of these reasons should make for an easy fold.  I really have no idea what possessed me to make the call in this spot.   If we had made the money already and I was just trying to move up the pay ladder, I would be ok with this play, but it was still early in the tournament.  I am very unhappy with how I played this hand, and will definately try to avoid these situations in the future.

After this tournament, my bankroll is at $105.19.

Asleep at the Wheel

I played 2 tournaments last night.  I played a 27 player $2.25 SNG and "The Ferguson" $1 tournament.

I was able to take 2nd in the $2.25 tournament for a cash of $12.42.  I should have won this one, but had some bad luck.  Going into head up, had a 3:2 chip lead.  A few hands in, the following hand came up.  I had AJ in the BB.  My opponent limped and I raised.  My opponent called.  The flop was A92.  My opponent had been pretty aggressive, so I decided to check and give him a chance to hang himself and to diguise my hand.  The turn was a Q.  I bet hoping that he had hit something on the board.  He came over the top for all his chips.  I called and he showed Q7 for 2nd pair.  I was in great shape to win the tournament, but a Q came on the river and he doubled up.  I was never able to recover after this hand.
I made another good run in "The Ferguson".  I went out in 116th place out of 1690.  I cashed for $2.20.  It is emberassing how I was eliminated. After we made it to the money, I was very tired and kept falling asleep.  Usually, it would beep when it was my turn, and I would wake up and play my hand.  The next thing I knew, I woke up and looked at the screen and it said I had been eliminated.  I had blinded off all of my chips!!!   I must have been asleep for over an hour. With the blinds as high as they were, I figure it took about 14 orbits to grind my stack down to oblivion.  How emberassing!!  I have to find a way to stay awake when I am deep in these tournaments.

Over $100/First $2 Tournament

I finally broke the $100 mark today.  I took 3rd in a 27 player $2.25 tournament and it pushed my bankroll to $100.85.  I like the 27 player tournaments for $2.  You are playing for similar prize money as in the $1 45 player tournies, but you don't have to get through as many players. 
Hopefully, I can continue at this pace and keep adding to my bankroll.  I still have a long way to go to get to $10,000, but I am happy with my results so far.
To help me track my progress, I have started a spreadsheet that keeps track of my percentage of cashes, my average profit per tournament, and my return on investment.  I was surprised at the numbers.
This is how the #'s look so far for the 45 tournaments I have entered into the spreadsheet.
I cash in 33.33% of tournaments I play.
I profit $.98 per tournament.
My return on investment is $44.29 profit on $56.06 worth of buy-ins for 79.02%
My average cash is $6.69.
This is the first time I have analyzed my results from a statistical standpoint.  I believe it gives me better insight into how successful or unsuccessful my play has been.  If anyone has any other ideas on how to analyze my results, I would love to hear them.

$98!!!

It's my day off and I am alone in the house.  It is so peaceful and quiet.  My plans for the day are to take lots of naps and play poker.  I may see a movie later. 
I just finished a 45 player SNG and was able to take down 1st place.  Once play was short handed with 5 players, I was able to accumulate a lot of chips.  Whenever, it was blind vs. blind, I would make a minimum bet after the flop, regardless of what I had.  75% of the time, the other player would fold.  By the time it was heads up, I had a substantial chip lead, and it didnt take long to eliminate my heads up opponent.

 This brings my bankroll up to $98.96.  It looks like I can take a couple shots at some $2 tournaments.  If I drop below $90, I will go back to the $1 tournaments.  Unfortunately, there are no 45 player SNG's at the $2 level, so I will probably have to play 27 player or 90 players.  The 90 player payout seems rather flat though.  18 players are paid and top prize is only $22 in a $1 tournament, whereas in a 45 player $1 tournament, top prize is $17.10. 

On a good note, it looks like Full Tilt reduced the rake on a $1 tournament.  Previously it was $.25, now it is only $.10.  However, it looks like they time for each level from 10 minutes to 6 minutes.  The last tournament I played lasted for 18 levels, so the 4 minute difference on the levels is definately going to affect the way people play.  Hopefully it will make them less patient and they will stack off with marginal hands.

So far, following Chris Ferguson's bankroll management rules is paying off.  I think the biggest advantage of the system is that you are never playing "scared" money because you are risking just a small portion of your bankroll.  This gives you the confidence to make big plays when they are warranted.  The best players are able to make big plays without fear.  This bankroll management system gives you the ability to do that.

I Have Finally Reached the $80 Mark!!

Well, I have finally passed the $80 mark.  Hopefully, I will reach $100 soon, so I can start taking some shots at $2 tournaments.  I took 2nd in a 45 man SNG last night for $11.25.  I also played in "The Ferguson" again, but didn't finish well, I went out in 500th place out of over 1400.  My bankroll is now $83.16.  I will be playing a couple of 45 player SNG's tonight as well as a single table razz SNG (if there are enough players to get it going).   If I am not too tired, I may play in "The Ferguson".  Tonight, it will be a HORSE tournament. 
On another subject, I have been watching quite a bit of video on CardPlayer TV's site.  I have been watching old episodes of Mike Matusow's show.   He talks a lot about PL Omaha and says that is where the money in poker is right now.  His point of view is that most poker players are able to play NL Hold'em pretty well these days and that the profit is not what it used to be because the players are so much more informed than they were a few years ago.  This is where PL Omaha comes in.  Not a lot of people know how to play PL Omaha well, so there is more money to be made.  There isn't a lot of instruction out there on Omaha, there are next to no books available on the subject, and most poker discussions revolve around NL Hold'em.  I am thinking of taking some shots in single table SNG's to try to learn the game.  I did play in an Omaha SNG the other night, although it was completely by accident.  I thought I had clicked on a single table Hold'em SNG, but it was an Omaha game and I didn't realize it until the game started (it's a good thing that I am only playing in $1 tournaments right now!!).  I ended up taking 2nd place.  The entire time I was playing, I was just listening to Matusow's show, trying to pick up any bits of advice I could.  Most of his advice was just to play tight and wait until you have  a big hand or a big draw to get involved.  He believes that most of the Omaha players are pretty weak and will get their money in with as weak as top pair.
That is all for now.  See you at the tables!!

Razz Tournament

Last night, I played in "The Ferguson" again.  This time it was a razz tournament.  If you aren't familiar with razz, it is a variation of seven card stud where you try to make the lowest hand.  A2345 is the best possible hand.  I did quite well considering I am not really a razz player.  I finished 63rd out of 475 players.  I didn't make the money, but I was excruciatingly close.  On my final hand, I was heads up with a player who had a slightly larger stack than me.  On 4th street, I had A234 and my opponent had J7 showing.  We raised and reraised until I was all in.  All I needed was for one of the next 3 cards to  be a J or lower.  Seems easy, right?  Well, my next 3 cards were KKQ in that order.  So much for my double up, and so much for making the money.  If I had won this hand, I would have cruised into the money with plenty of chips to maneuver with. 
I have found that I really enjoy razz and I believe that I could be quite good at it.  I hope to play more razz tournaments in the future, maybe some single table SNG's. 
It would seem that the secret to razz is just to play tight and wait until you get a A2, A3, or A4.  If you have low cards showing, there are many opportunities to bluff.  Example:  you have KQ in the hole and an A showing.  On 4th street you pick up a deuce.  Your opponent has a 9 showing.  This is a perfect opportunity to bluff even though you have the worst hand.  If you bet, your opponent will have a tough time calling unless he specifically has A2 in the hole and another low card showing.
I think razz is a very interesting game, as it has a totally different dynamic than other poker games.  I did watch a razz tournament on ESPN once, it was very slow, and not very exciting to watch.  Playing, however, is a totally different experience.
My bankroll after this tournament and a couple of SNG's is at $77.91

Best Finish Yet!!

Today I played a $1 tournament on Full Tilt.  There were 1376 players.  The payouts in this tournament are not as flat as in "The Ferguson" meaning you need to finish higher to cash.  I busted out in 43rd place.  Prior to going broke, I was 6th in chips of the remaining players. I had built up my stack by making large raises in position when other players had shown weakness.  Here is an example.  I was at one table where the hijack seat would always limp into a pot when it was folded to him.  I would raise to 5 or 6 times the BB, everyone would fold, and I would take down the pot.  I was also able to make this same play from the SB when a single late position player limped.  The other wasy I was accumulating chips was to see a lot of flops in position when it was a small field.  At one table the player 2 to my right would constantly try to take down the pot with incredibly small bets (the minimum bet or 2x the minimum bet)  I could reraise him with air and he would fold.   I don't know if he was betting a draw and trying to see another card cheaply, or if he was bluffing. 

  This is the hand that led to my undoing.  I had AK 2 behind the BB.  I raised 3.5 times the BB.  A middle position player who had about 2/3 of my stack thought for a long time before calling.  I put him on possibly a middle pair.  The flop was a Q42.  I bet 2/3 the pot hoping that if he had a middle pair the Q would scare him away.  He thought for a while and finally moved all in.  It wasn't that much more for me to call, so I did.  He showed QQ for top set.  I was very surprised.  This was one of the last hands I would put him on.  I thought he would have reraised me preflop.  I made a couple of mistakes in this hand:  I didn't pay attention to his stack size, if he wins the pot, my stack will be substantially smaller.  Also, I didn't have position and probably should have been able to check-fold the flop when I missed.  After this hand, I only had about 10 BB's left I was losing almost 20% of my stack per orbit with the blinds and antes as high as they were.  I finally had to make a stand with A4 suited from the cutoff.  The BB called with AJ and I was eliminated.  I finished 43rd out of 1376 players.  Overall I am happy with my play.   I constantly put pressure on the small stacks and the only time I was all in for my tournament life was the last hand.  I was paid $3.48, but I think if I had gotten away from AK when I should have, I could have made the final table where I would have made at least $20.  First place was paid just over $300.
My bankroll is now at $79.11.  I am hoping to make it over the $100 mark this week and then I can start taking some shots at $2 tournaments (following the rule of not buying into a tournament for more than 2% of your bankroll). 

Small Cashes are Becoming My Specialty

I cashed in "The Ferguson" again.  This time it was for a whopping $2.17.  I am happy that I can consistently make the money, but I need to find a way to move up the pay ladder.  I could have tried moving up the pay scale by not playing any hands, but I was losing almost 20% of my stack with every orbit.  On my final hand, I moved in with TT and was called by AK.  A king fell on the flop and that was that.  If I would have won the hand and doubled up, I would have been able move up at least 2 more spots on the pay ladder.  Once I make the money, the blinds are really high.  It looks like I am going to have to win a lot of coin flips to make it up the ladder, unless I can make it to the money with a sizeable stack. 
After this cash and losing a buy in for a 45 player SNG, my bankroll is $77.78

By the way, thanks to everyone who is following my blog.  It is encouraging to know that someone other than myself is interested in my experiment.  Today I acquired my 10th follower.  Not bad for less than a month of blogging!! 

Cashing in "The Ferguson".... Again

Well, I cashed in "The Ferguson" again.  I am getting consistent on making the money in this tourney.  Now if I can just move up the pay ladder.  I only cashed for $1.48.  I am reaching the money by playing extremely tight and not getting involved in very many hands, but when I reach the money, I don't have a lot of chips to maneuver with.  I need to learn how to accumulate more chips before reaching the money, so that I can make a deeper run. Maybe I can pick up my aggressiveness near the bubble by attacking the short stacks who are just trying to survive.  At least I am past my downswing and I am starting to rebuild my bankroll which is now at $77.86.  I am going to play in "The Ferguson" again later tonight, as well as a couple of 45 player SNG's.  See you at the tables!!

First Place Finish!!

I just finished a 45 player SNG and was able to take down 1st place.  I tried to play pots in position as much as possible to give myself the best chance to win them.  I also tried not to risk a large portion of my stack on any given hand unless I was very strong.  At the final table, I didn't get involved with any of the big stacks until we were in the money.  Overall, I am very happy with how I played.  I was rewarded $17.10 for first place and my bankroll is now at $77.38.

Bad Beat in Heads Up

I finally cashed in a 45 player SNG.  I made it all the way to heads up play.  I had a slight  chip lead and had AT on the button.  I raised and my opponent called.  The flop was TT4.  He bet and I raised.  He moved all in and I called.  He showed 88.  I am in good shape to take down the tournament until the river hits.  An 8!!
He makes a full house and doubles up.  I am crippled.  I moved all in a few hands later with A7.  He called and showed AK.  Oh well... what can I do?  I took down 2nd place for $11.25.  My bankroll is now at $64.48. 
I believe that my tournament play is improving and I have found myself folding hands that I previously would have played.  Tournament play is all about protecting your chips and I am very careful about which hands I am willing to risk my chips with.

Dry Spell

Last night, I played five 45 player SNG's and failed to cash in any of them.  I made one final table, but with a short stack. 
I also played in the $1 Ferguson tournament.  Last night it was a HORSE tournament.  Considering I haven't played much HORSE, I did quite well.  I went out in 72nd place out of  539 players.  56 places were paid.  I did well in the Razz levels.  It seems like it would be a hard game to learn, but it is quite simple.  A lot of the player didn't understand it and I was able to accumulate a lot of chips on the Razz levels.  A lof of the pots I took down were complete bluffs.  I just played my opponents cards and knew when they wouldn't be able to call.  I busted out during a Stud Hi level, which was my own fault.  I had enough chips that I probaly could have folded all of my stud hands and made the money.  I should have just stuck to Razz and Hold'em.  Overall, I was happy with my performance in this tournament.
After these losses, my bankroll is now at $54.48.

Another Deep Run

Last night I played "The Ferguson" again.  I busted out in 63rd place out of 1,489 entries.  Not bad!!  I never had a big stack, but I picked good spots to get my money in.  Quite often, I found myself nursing a short stack, but I was patient and just waited for the right time to put my money in the pot.  I tried not to get involved in spots that would put my whole stack at risk unless I was very strong.  Overall, I am happy with my performance.  I cashed $3.27 for my efforts.  I'm going to keep trying this tournie until I get a final table finish. My bankroll is now at $61.73.
Today I started a spreadsheet to track my tournament performance.  I will keep track of my profit and my percentage of cashes.  Also, I am going to be avoiding cash games for awhile to focus on my tournament play. 

Bubble Boy Again

I was the bubble boy again in a 45 player SNG.  I busted out 7th and 6 places were paid.   Overall, I think I played well.  I outlasted most of the field even though I was pretty card dead the whole tournament.  In the 45 player tournaments, I am consistently at the final table.  If I can translate this success to the large field tournaments, I should do well.
Speaking of large field tournaments, I am currently playing in "The Ferguson".  Most of the time, I bust out pretty early in this tournament. Hopefully, this time I can go deep.

3rd Place Finish

Tonight, I played in 2 45 player SNG's.  I was knocked out quickly in the first, but managed to take down 3rd place in the second for just over $7.   My bankroll is now at $60.21. 
I have adjusted my strategy in the 45 player SNG's.  I have been not been playing anything but premium hands until the BB is at least 100.  This seems to be the level when my opponents seem more willing to let me take down the blinds uncontested.  If it is folded to me in late position, I will raise with A8 or better, any pocket pair, or any 2 cards higher than a J.  I typically raise 3-4 times the BB.  If I take down the blinds, fine.  If the blinds choose to defend, I play carefully after the flop, trying not to put a large percentage of my stack at risk unless I flop big.  At this point in the tournament, the strategy is to build up a stack without getting involved in too many big pots.  Try to pick up small pots uncontested whenever possible.
In the later levels when the blinds are huge, if I have enough chips to wait out the other players, I will just wait for them to knock each other out.  As we approach the money, I try not to get involved with any opponent who can bust me.  During this middle stage of the tournament, the strategy is survival.  Avoid playing any pots with the middle and larger stacks unless you are short stacked.
Once we reach the money, the game changes entirely.  I will take  more risks and try to find spots to steal.  I will put pressure on the smaller stacks and force them to have a hand if they want to get involved.  At this point in the tournament, the goal is to move up the pay ladder.  Gaining chips however you can so that you will have a decent stack when it reaches heads up is key to giving yourself a chance at first place.  I have found myself using the "stop and go" play quite often at this late stage of play. 
If you are unfamiliar with the "stop and go"  play, it goes like this:  You are in one of the blinds. A player raises your blind. You have a hand you want to play, but your stack is such that if you reraise, the raiser will be pot committed and forced to call.  In this case, you just call the raise and push in after the flop NO MATTER WHAT COMES on the flop.  More often than not, the flop will be unfavorable to the original raiser and he will fold.   Example:  You have 12 BB's left and you are in the BB with 88.  A middle position player raises to 4 times the BB.  If you reraise him and move all in, he will getting 2:1 and will correctly call.  He will get to see all 5 board cards.  If you just call and then push in after the flop, many times he will have missed the flop and he only gets to see the 3 flop cards instead of all 5 board cards.  What if the board is unfavorable to your pocket 8's (Example: J93)?  It doesn't matter.  Push all in no matter what the flop looks like.  Most of the time, your opponent will have missed.  Think about his range of raising hands:  AK, AQ, KQ, TT, etc.  This flop is unfavorable to most the hands he would raise with.  What if the flop is AK3?  PUSH IN ANYWAY!!  Maybe he has QJ, TT, KQ,  or a weak Ace.  He is not going to like your push on the flop with any of these hands.  Of course, if he hits the flop, he will call, but in the long term, making this play will push him off of more hands than he will hit with.  The "stop and go" is an effective tool that any serious tournament player should have in his arsenal.

Bubble Finish

I just finished another 45 player SNG.  I was the bubble boy.  I reached the bubble as the short stack.  I had 2700 in chips and the BB was 300.  I moved in from the cutoff with K9. The button had 77 and called.  The flop brought a 7 and I was eliminated.  The bankroll is now at $57.26. 

Pro Bounty

I am playing in a $1.25  45 player SNG.  Marco Liesy and Lynette Chan, 2 Full Tilt pros, are at my table.  I was able to knock out Liesy.  I got a $1 bounty for busting a pro.  Every little bit helps.  Maybe I can knock out Lynette Chan and double up on my buy-in!! A couple of years ago, I knocked out JJ Lieu and recieved a nice t-shirt in the mail. 
I am currently 5th in chips with 3800.  There are 27 players remaining.  The chip leader is to my immediate left, so I will need to be careful. 
I just lost a lot of chips.  I am down to 2200.  I got involved in a big pot with the chip leader and lost.  I have to be more careful.  I raised from the cutoff with JT suited after it was folded to me.  He smooth called from the button.  The flop had a J on board, so of course I bet.  He smooth calls again.  I check the turn and he checks the turn.  Wierd.  River is a blank.  I bet half the pot and he raises me.  I call and he shows QQ.  He is tricky.  I need to avoid playing many pots with him.
On a side note: I have not seen Lynette Chan play a single hand yet.  If she enters a pot, I am folding unless I have the nuts.
The chip leader was just moved to a different table. That should make things a little easier. 
I have QQ in the cutoff.  Blinds are 100/200.  I raise to 550 and take down the blinds.  I now have 2500 in chips.
I have K3 offsuit in the SB.  Blinds are still 100/200. There is one limper.  I limp and the BB checks.  The flop brings a 3 and 2 other small cards.  I bet 200 and take down the pot.  I now have 2900 in chips. 
Lynette Chan has been blinded down to 640 in chips and I have not seen her play a hand.  I wonder if her strategy is to fold her way to the final table?  I would expect something better from a "pro".
Blinds are now 150/300 and I have 2500 in chips.  The rest of the tournament should go quickly now.  I will try to play in position and if it is folded to me, steal the blinds.  At this point, I have only 2 options, all-in or fold.
I move all in from middle position with 44 and triple up to 7100 in chips.  If I stay out of trouble, I should make the final table without any problem.
I am # 2 in chips with 9700 and 12 players remaining.
Blinds are now at 250/500.  I have over 10,000 after picking up a couple sets of blinds.  Things should move pretty quickly now.  The short and middle stacks are going to start shoving with any reasonable hand.  I am going to stay as uninvolved as possible until we reach the money, unless I have a big hand.
A player moved all in with QJ and I called with 77.  I flopped a set and he was eliminated.  We are now at the final table.  I am #2 in chips with 12,500, but the BB is now 600.
2 players were just eliminated in one hand and we are now on the money bubble.  I am going to play a minimal amount of hands until the bubble bursts.  After that, I will just try to pick my spots well and move up the money ladder. 
The BB is now 800 and the short stack at the table only has 3500 remaining.  I don't think the bubble will last much longer.  I am now the chip leader after a couple of the big stacks had their blinds stolen a couple of times.
I am down to 11,000 after I shoved on one of the short stacks with 22.  They called with KT and doubled up when a K came on the flop.
The bubble has burst and we are in the money and I am 3rd in chips.  I will try to do my best to get my chips in good. I will avoid getting involved in too many pots with the players who have me outchipped.  My plan is to raise in position with anything QJ or better.  Hopefully, I can take down the blinds uncontested a few times and hang on to move up the money ladder.
The BB is now 1,000.  The chip leader has about 19k, so there is going to be a lot of shoving soon. 
We are now 5 handed.  I have moved up at least one spot in the money. 
One of the big stacks just had a blow up with the chip leader and was eliminated.  We are now 4 handed.
I am down to 7600.  I will be either moving in or folding.  If I am the first action,  I will be moving in with any A, any pair or any 2 cards above a J.
After a couple of shoves, I am up to 13k in chips.  The BB is now 1200. 
We are now 3 handed.  I moved in with A6, the chip leader called with KQ.  He hit a Q on the flop and I am eliminated in 3rd place.  I won just over $7 for my efforts.  My bankroll is now at $58.51

Deep in "The Ferguson"

It has been a few days since I have posted.   Myself and my wife have not been feeling well the last couple of days and we have a 3 year old daughter, just to make things interesting.   Between work and being ill, I have been too exhausted to post much.   I did manage to squeeze in a few short cash sessions, but I did not do very well.  I guess its not a good idea to play when you are sick.  It is very difficult to keep your full concentration.
Once I was feeling  a little better, I played "The Ferguson"  a $1 tournament on Full Tilt.  Out of over 1600 players, I was able to finish in 23rd place.  I recieved a whopping $5 for my efforts.  It took over 4 hours, so I made appx. $1/hour after the buy in.  At one point, I was even the chip leader in the tournament after a couple of big pots.  I made one huge donkey move though that depleted my stack.  I was in the cutoff with 47 suited and it was folded around to me.   I thought maybe I could steal the blinds and antes with a good raise as I had not played a pot for the last couple of rounds..  I raised about  4 times the BB and the BB called.  The SB folded.  The flop was 35K, giving me a gutshot, not bad, but not great either. The BB checked and  I bet 2/3 the pot and hoped my opponent would fold.  He called.  Not good.  The turn was another 3. He makes bets an amount that looks like he is begging for a call.  I am sure he has a 3, but the bet was only about 1/8th the size of the pot.  Thinking I can stack him if I hit my 6, I call.  The river is another 5 putting 2 pair on board. He thinks for a long time and finally puts out a bet of about 1/4 of the pot.  I am still sure he has a 3 and it feels like he is just hoping I will call, but not raise.  I decide that I may be able to move him off of his hand  if I size the bet right.  I raise to about 3/4 the size of the pot, trying to represent the 5.  I feel this was an appropriate bet size as if he called and was wrong, he would be crippled.  He thinks for a long time and finally makes the call.  He shows A3 for 3's full of 5's and wins the pot.  After this hand, I had about 12 BB's left and just couldn't ever get back in it.  On my final hand, a middle position player raised.  I had AQ in the BB and pushed in.  He called with 77.  I didn't get any help on the board and I finished in 23rd place for just over $5 (1st place paid $299!)
I am not sure what to think of my play on the 47 hand.  On one hand, if I had taken the pot, I would have been an overwhelming chip leader and would have sailed to the final table.  This would have been a huge boost to my bankroll.   On the other hand, losing the pot put me among the short stacks.  I think my bet on the river was a good one, but I am not sure of my play on previous streets.  I wish I could remember the bet sizes, stack sizes, etc, but it was a couple days ago. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. 
My bankroll is now at $53.41.  I am up slightly from my original deposit.

A Much Needed Cash

I finally cashed after a long dry spell and I did it while dealing with a screaming 3 year old and a nasty head cold.  Not bad!!  I placed 2nd in a 45 player SNG.  I was agonizingly close to 1st place.  I had a slight chip lead during heads up play and was in the BB with  67 offsuit. My opponent limped and I checked.  The flop was 589 rainbow.  I flopped a straight!!!  I made small bet and was raised for more than 1/2 of my opponents stack, so I reraised all in.  He called with Q9 for top pair.  The turn and river were both 9's giving him quads.  After this hand, I was crippled and didn't last much longer.  I busted out in 2nd place and recieved just over $11 for my efforts.
  I was unable to post last night, due to the aforementioned head cold and 3 year old screaming.  My bankroll is now $59.97.  Hopefully, the slump is over.  I will be playing a 45 player SNG shortly.  Stay tuned for updates!!

Playing While Blogging

Tonight, I am going to type up my post while I am playing.  In the past when I have done this, I seem to have had better results.  I think that it helps keep me focused on my game because I am writing about it while I am playing.  Also, it helps keep me from getting bored and playing things I shouldn't.

Lets see how this goes!! I am waiting for a 45 player SNG to start.

Shuffle up and deal!!
The first hand I get involved in,  I have Q3 offsuit in the BB.  there were a couple of limpers and the button min raised.  The flop was 245, I flopped open ended.  there was 300 in the pot, everyone checked to the button who bet the pot, the SB called and I called.  Turn was a blank and it was checked around.  River was also a blank, button bet half pot and I had to fold.
Next hand I had AQ offsuit in SB.  There were 2 limpers, I raised size of pot and both limpers called.  Flop was KT3 with 2 clubs.  I was out of position, no pair, no draw, so I checked.  First player bet 2/3 pot, second player called.  I folded but am down to 330 in chips after missing horribly.
A few hands later, I have KJ offsuit in middle position, I move all in and get 2 callers.  Flop is JT2.  First position bets all in, the other player folds.  The bettor shows QJ.  I have him outkicked!!  He doenst improve and I triple up.  I now have 1340 in chips. 
I have AQ offsuit UTG.  I just limp.  I wanted to keep the pot small as I have had several bad things happen with AQ in a big pot.  After I limp, one other player limps and middle position player raises the pot to 360.  I decide to call and see what happens.  The flop is AKJ.  I have top pair and gut shot draw.  I shove in and hope he doesn't have AK.  Of course, he does have AK and I am eliminated.  I am really starting to hate AQ.  I am thinking of not even playing AQ unless I have position. 

On to the next SNG!!  Try, try again!
This tournament, the first hand I get inolved with, I am on the button.  There is one limper in front of me.  I limp with 67 offsuit.  SB calls and BB checks, the flop is K4T.  If everyone checks to me, I may bet.  The first limper thinks a long time and checks.  I decide to check also.  The river is an A.  The first limper bets 60 into a pot of 140 and I fold.
The player to my immediate right has been making big preflop raises literally everyhand.  If I get anything playable, I plan on coming over the top.
Scratch that plan.  He just moved in with 9T and was called by QQ and eliminated.
I have 68 suited in middle position, there is one limper in front of me.  The blinds are 25/50.  I raise to 225, everyone folds and I take the pot. 
The next hand, I have KQ offsuit in late position.  The same limper is in the pot again.  I raise to 225 again and this time the limper calls.  He checks, and I bet 300 into a pot of 500.  He moves all in for 580 more.  There is 1700 in the pot. I am getting better than 3 to 1.  I figure I am against a pair of some type, hopefully not bigger than JJ.  Unless he has a 2 in his hand, I am getting the right price.  I call and he shows A6 for top pair.  I fail to improve and I now have 385 chips left.  I move in with QT a few hands later.  I am called by QJ and am eliminated.
This session is not going well so far. 
I am going to enter on more 45 player SNG.  If I do not cash in this one, I am done for the evening.  Wish me luck.
The first 2 hands I am in the blinds with trash, it is raised preflop both times and I am forced to fold.
I have 55 in middle position.  It is min raised to 60 from UTG.  There are 2 callers in front of me.  I call and the player to my left calls.  The flop is 6A2.  Nothing for me.  The player to my right bets and I fold.
I have A2 spades in late position.  Blinds are 20/40.  I raise to 140 after it is folded around to me. The BB calls.  The flop is A58 , all diamonds.  BB checks and I bet the 360 into 500 chip pot.  BB calls.  Feels like he has a big hand.  Turn is another diamond.  He checks and I check.  Turn is a black Q.  BB bets and I fold.
I have 455 chips left.  I am in the SB with 88.  I move all in after it is folded to me.  The BB calls with KT suited.  The flop is TTK and I am drawing dead.  I am eliminated.

This session was definately not one of my better ones.  My bankroll is down to $51.22. I hope things turn around soon.  I think I will give up on SNGs for awhile and focus on grinding it out in some cash games.

Downward Spiral....

If you are new to this blog, welcome!!  The purpose of this blog is to keep my readers updated as I try to replicate the Chris Ferguson Bankroll Challenge.  I started with $50 and my goal is to build it up to $10,000.  I must follow some basic guidelines as far as percentage of my bankroll that I can risk in any given game.  These rules are outlined in a previous post.
My losing streak continues.  Last night, I tried multitabling, which proved to be a bad move.  I lost several buy ins.  I also failed to cash in any tournaments the last couple of days.  I did finish  in 295th place out of 1100 in "The Ferguson" tournament.  Only 180 players were paid in that tournament, but it is my deepest finish yet. I know that if I keep pounding away at this tournament that I will be able to finish at the final table.
My bankroll is now at $54.97.  I have lost almost $30 in the last week.
 I have been working on a squeeze play that has served me well several times.  When there are several late position limpers and I am in SB or BB, I am often able to make a large bet (6-8 times the BB) and take down the pot.  My logic behind this is that none of the late position limpers is very strong.  They did limp after all.    This has been most effective after the blinds reach 50/100.  You must proceed with caution, however, if you get any callers.  You are out of position and you have just built a sizeable pot.   I have made this play many times and have only been called a couple of times. 
I have also been able to resteal a few pots from the SB when the cutoff or button raises to steal the blinds.  I have found that with the bankroll rules in place, I am better able to make these kinds of plays, because the downside is not a large percentage of my bankroll.
Hopefully, with focus and good decision making, my slump will end soon.

Mine Field

Sometimes these micro buy in tournaments are a mine field for the first few levels.  Tonight, I was in the SB with KK.  The button raised big.  I reraised and he pushed in.  I instacalled and he showed the 69 offsuit.  The flop came 78T.  He flops the straight and I am one of the first eliminated.  What could I do?  Oh well, I will try again tomorrow night.

I Am Up Slightly

I just finished a long .01/.02 cash session.  I am up $1.61 after a couple hours of play.  BIG MONEY!!
I am registered for "The Ferguson" $1 tournament scheduled to start in about an hour.   My game plan is to keep pots small, see flops in position for as cheaply as possible, and not get involved in too many pots with big stacks.  Last night I finished 300th and 216 were paid.  I almost made it to the money!  I know that I can finish deep in this tournament if I keep trying and keep my focus.

Final Table

I made it to the final table in a 45 player $1.25 SNG.  I busted out in 8th place.  I was in the BB with KK.  There was one limper and the SB min raised.  I reraised the min hoping he would thing I was raising weak and move over the top of me.  He just called.  The flop was 665.  He min bet, I raised and he moved all in.  I called and he showed A6 for trips.  I fell short again.  I should have had plenty of chips to make it to the money.  I made several mistakes in this hand:  I should have reraised more, I didn't pay attention to the size of my opponents stack, and falling in love with my hand when I could have been able to fold and wait for a better spot.
After this loss, my bankroll is at $63.15.

First Big Down Swing

Last night I had my first big downswing.  I lost 8 consecutive buy ins at various .02/.05 NL tables.  Also, I failed to cash in any of the SNG's I played in.  My bankroll is now at $65.39.  I am not really sure what happened.  It could have been that I was very tired and not focused on the task at hand.  From now on, if I am as tired as I was last night, I will wait until I am rested and ready to focus.  I am disappointed at my loss last night, but I am determined to press forward.  This is the first point in my Bankroll Challenge journey that I have truly realized the importance of the bankroll management rules.  If this had happened to me just a few weeks ago, I would probably have gone broke already.  I am about to start another session.  I am determined to stay focused and make the best decisions I can.  Wish me luck!!

Matrix Tournament

I just finished playing a "Matrix" tournament on Full Tilt, to my dissappointment, Keanu Reeves was nowhere to be found.  I wonder if Neo would know what my cards are before I do? Maybe an interesting scene would be a heads up poker match between Neo and Morpheus instead of the kung fu scene.

Anyway, a Matrix Tournament is a very interesting game, although it doesn't seem very profitable.  It is played with 9 players and 4 tables.  You play 4 different single table SNG's at the same time versus your 8 opponents.  You get points for lasting longer than other players and knocking players out.  You win your share of the prize pool by placing in the money at each table and by scoring more points than the other players.  I think it would be good training to learn to multitable, but I just dont't think there is enough money in it to make it worth while.  Also, there arent many players looking for these tournaments, it took quite awhile for a 9 player tournament to fill up.  I may play these from time to time for an interesting challenge, but for the most part I will stick to cash games and multitable tournaments.

I played a $1.25 Matrix.   I placed 1st at 2 of my tables for $1.80 and 2nd in points for another $.54 for a total of $2.34.  A profit of  $1.09.  My new bankroll balance is $83.20. 

Good Read, Unlucky Turn

Tonight I played a 45 Player $1.25 SNG.  I was playing well and was the chip leader when the following 2 hands came up:
I had appx 11000 in chips, blinds were 150/300.  I raised to 1050 from middle position with 66.  The BB moved all in for appx 5000.  My initial instinct was that I had him beat.  His bet told me he didn't want to see a flop, maybe AT to AK?  As I had him covered, I called.  He showed AK and hit a K on the turn to double through me.  Did I make a good call? You be the judge.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this hand.  On one hand, I made a correct read and trusted my judgement.  On the other hand, I placed 1/2 of my stack at risk on what was most likely a coin flip. 

A couple hands later, I had 88 in early position, I had Appx 4500 chips, and limped in.  The button limped, the SB and BB limped and checked, respectively.  The flop was K8T.  I flopped a set, I had appx 4200 left in chips and the pot was already 1200.  SB and BB both check, I check and the button bets the pot (appx 1200), SB and BB both fold, I reraise to 3000 and the button moved all in.  I call and the button shows K9.  I am in great shape to double up!!!  Well, the turn was a 9 and the river was another 9.  Running 9's unbelievable!!.  I bust out in 13th place.  I went from chip leader to busting out within 3 hands. 

I believe that I played the 66 vs AK correctly.  I didn't play it for my tournament life as I had my opponent covered by 2:1 and I would still have enough chips to maneuver with if I lost.  If I had won the hand, I would have been the overwhelming chip leader and would have easily been able to make it to heads up without even playing a hand.  Your thoughts?

Cash Game Session

I was unable to post last night as my daughter was having difficulties falling asleep.  I did manage to sneak in a short cash session.  I continued my strategy of buying in short, doubling up, and leaving the table.  It still seems to be an effective method of building my bankroll.  My current balance is $83.36.  I hope to make it to $100 in the next few days.  Once I do make it to $100, I will be able to buy into a few $2 tournies where the prizes will be bigger. 
I do feel that I am playing better using this bankroll management method.  I am more focused, and I am not playing scared as I am not risking a large percentage of my bankroll on any one buy in.  I have no idea how long it will take to reach my goal of $10,000, but I am determined to do it, no matter how long it takes.

2nd Place Finish

I just finished a 45 player $1.25 SNG.  I was 8th in chips when we reached the final table.  I picked up a few big hands and was soon running with the 3 chip leaders.  I made a few big bluffs and a few reraises in position and soon had a healthy chip lead.  When we got to heads up,  I had a 2.5:1 chip lead.  My opponent was playing very aggressively and making big all in bets everytime he had the button.  I picked up KQ suited in the BB.  As expected, my opponent moved all in.  I tanked for quite awhile, I was sure I had the best hand, but didnt want him to double up.  I finally called and he showed 93 of clubs.  The flop was KK2 with one club.  I was patting myself on the back when the turn brought another club.  The river was, you guessed it a 3rd club on the board giving him a flush.  After this hand, I just couldn't get any momentum.  I was picking up some small pots, but couldnt win the big ones.  On the final hand 77 fell to AT and I was eliminated in 2nd place for a cash of just over $11.  My bankroll is now $80.84.  This is the first time it has been over $80. 

Bankroll update

My bankroll is down to $69.59 after failing to cash in any of the 4 SNG's I played today.  I also lost a little in a cash .02/.05 NL game.  I have bought into one more 45 player $1.25 SNG for the evening.  This will be my last tournament for the evening.  Hopefully, I can do better.

Another AQ disaster.

I am in another 45 player 1.25 SNG.  The action has been fast and furious in the first couple rounds.  I pick up AQ in early position.  I raise the pot and get 2 callers.  The flop is TJ2.  I miss, but have 2 overs and a gutshot.  I check and the player in latest position bets 360, the size of the pot.  I call and the player between us folds.  The turn brings an A.  Perfect!!! Or so I think.  I bet the pot and the other player calls.  Turn is a blank.  I move all in.  Other play calls and shows AK.  Once again, I am busted with AQ.  Doyle Brunson once said "Never go broke with a queen in your hand."  I am starting to see the wisdom in that.

First SNG Session After Extended Weekend

I am sitting in my first SNG session after returning from the holiday weekend.   So far,  I am pleases with the results of my bankroll experiement.  I have been steadily increasing it, and haven't suffered any big losses (the beauty of this bankroll system is that if you stick to it, none of your losses will be devastating, as they will be a small percentage of your total bankroll.
I am currently in the early levels of a 45 player $1.25 SNG.  The 5th hand of the tournament, and early position player moved all in for almost 1500.  I was in the small blind and had AA.  Naturally, I called and was able to nearly double up to about 2900.
A few hands later, I am under the gun with AT suited, blinds are at 25/50.  I raised to 175, one player called behind me, and the button made it 600 to go.  Easy decision.  I don't have position, and I don't want to play a big pot with AT.  I fold.
A couple of hands later, blinds still at 25/50, I have 79 offsuit in the BB.  An early position player min raises to 100.  He gets 3 callers, so I decide to call too, since I am getting 8.5:1.  Maybe I can hit a lucky flop and stack someone.  No such luck.  I have a gutshot draw on the flop, but I am bet out of the pot.  I have about 2500 in chips remaining.  I am in the middle of the pack, but there is still a lot of play left.
Blinds are at 30/60.  I have 34 suited in late position.  A middle position player raises to 180.  I call hoping to catch a good flop, but totally miss.  I have about 2200 remaining. 
Blinds are now at 40/80.  I haven't been able to play a hand for the last few rounds. Once blinds reach 50/100, I am going to try to ramp up my aggression for a while and see if I can chip up.
Blinds are still at 40/80, I have JT offsuit in the middle position, I raise the pot to see if I can pick up the blinds.  The SB calls and the BB calls.  The flop is Q99 with a possible flush draw.  I have a straight draw.  Not a great flop, but not a horrible one either.  SB and BB both check.  I check to keep the pot small and to take a free card.  SB and BB both check the turn.  I decide to make a small bet to see if I can take the pot.  The pot is appx 800 and I bet 300. I win the pot and now have appx 2700 in chips.
Blinds are now 50/100.  MirzaK18 has been very aggressive the last few rounds raising more than half of the hands dealt preflop.  I have 22 on the button.  MirzaK18 is in middle position and as expected raises to 300.  I call, planning to move in on him if the flop doenst have an cards over a 10.  The flop hits me better than expected:  52T with 2 clubs.  I have a set of deuces and MirzaK18 bets into me, I move all in. and he calls.  He shows K5 offsuit. and I take down a big pot.  I now have appx 4200 in chips.
Blinds are now at 60/120.  Mirza is still being pretty aggressive, although the table is starting to play back at him.  He raises from UTG to  480.  I reraise to 1500 with AK in middle position.  He moves all in for 425 more.  He shows AT offsuit and I am in great shape to stack him.  The poker gods see it otherwise and the flop comes 22AA7, giving us both the same full house.  We split the pot.
MirzaK18 just got moved to another table, so maybe I will finally be able to start taking the initiative on steamrolling the table. 
Blinds are now at 80/160.  I have KQ offsuit in middle position, I raise the pot and take down the blinds.
Very next hand I have AT in middle position.  I raise the pot again and take down another set of blinds.  I have appx 3900 in chips.  I am in 8th place out of 18 remaining players.
I am at a new table.  Blinds are at 100/200.  This table seems pretty passive, so I raise with 67 suited from middle position and take down another set of blinds. 
I have QJ offsuit in the SB.  There are 4 limpers, so I limp also and the BB checks.  Flop is 69J with 2 diamonds.  I have top pair, but worst position.  There are 3 players to act behind me and the pot is already big, so I just check.  Everyone else checks.  The turn is an offsuit 5.  I bet 2/3 of the pot and take it down.
A couple hands later a middle position player makes a pot sized raise from middle position.  I am on the button with AJ suited.  I call.  The flop misses me completely, but the initial raiser checks.  I make a bet of about 1/2 the pot and he moves all in.  I have to fold and have about 3200 remaining.  I would like to try to steal the blinds, but 3 players to the left of me are all severely short stacked and I am sure they will call with almost anything higher than a J. 
Blinds are now 120/240.  I pick up JJ in early position.  I raise the pot and player 2 to the left of me moves all in for 400 more.  I call and run into AA.  I have appx 1100 remaining.
The next hand I pick up AA UTG.  I just call.  the button and BB are the only players that stay in the pot with me.  The flop is A99.  I flop the nut full house.  The BB and I both check.  The button bets 240.  Button folds and I smooth call.  Turn is a J.  I check again and the button bets.  I move all in, the button calls.  He shows 97 for trips.  The river is a blank and I double up to just over 2200.
The very next hand I am in the BB with AQ.  Late position player  raises the pot.  I call and the flop brings a Q and 2 small cards.  I check, the preflop raiser makes the minimum bet.  I raise to 900 and the preflop raiser calls.  The turn is another small card, I move all in with top pair, top kicker.  Preflop raiser calls and shows KK. I fail to improve and am eliminated in 13 place.  I hate AQ!!!

Back From Long Weekend

I am back from my long weekend and it was a blast!!!  We are back in Vegas now and everyone is taking a nap after a long trip , so  I am able to type up a quick update. We went to the Iron County Fair in my hometown of Parowan.  We took my daughter on lots of rides, visited the grandparents, and I was able to catch up with some old friends. 
I was also able to sneak in a few SNG's in the hotel room after everyone was asleep. I was able to cash in a couple of them, increasing my bankroll to $75.84.  I was experimenting with a very loose aggressive style similar to that of Gus Hansen.  This worked out particularly well in one tournament.  At the final table, I had a 4:1 chip lead on the next closest player.   At the final table a couple of players picked up on my aggressiveness and were making it difficult, so I had to tighten up.  I made it to heads up with a 2.5:1 chip lead, but got unlucky a couple of times and finished second.  That is all for now, I hope to resume my regular posting later tonight or tomorrow night.

Day Off!!!

Its my day off.  Well, not really.  I did have to work for a few hours this morning.  But I am off now.  I spent the first hour off setting up a new wireless printer that we purchased last weekend.  After hooking up the printer, I went to In-n-Out burger for lunch and now I am at Barnes & Noble playing poker online. 

I am on a great winning streak!!  I started out my session with a bankroll of $59.55.  So far, I have increased it by more than $10.  I have been buying into a $5 max buy in .02..05 NL game with $2.  When I double my buy in, I leave the table and move to another one.  Seems to be working pretty well so far.  I am not at a table long enough for my opponents to figure out my style.  My bankroll is over $70 now.  I will play again tonight, but I will be taking a break for a few days for the holiday weekend. 
My wife and I both have a 4 day weekend for Labor Day, so we are taking the little one and heading up to beautiful Utah for the weekend.  We are taking my daughter to see Grandma, Grandpa, and the dogs.  Also, we will be going to the Iron County Fair to play some games, go on rides, and eat junk food.  Should be fun!

I am at home now and am playing .02/.05 NL again.  It isnt going so well this time, I have made some good reads on preflop all ins, and just cant win a race.  I had 77 vs AK, 66 vs AJ, and 99 vs 88.  I lost all three all ins.  I did however take 3rd in a 45 payer SNG for just over $7.  My bankroll balance is now at $66.43.  That is all for the next few days.  I will be in Utah enjoying the nice weather. 

Short Stacked

I just finished a cash session.  I tried a different strategy today.  Instead of playing the usual .01/.02 NL with a $2.00 max buy in, I played .02/.05 NL and bough in for the same $2.00.  I got stacked within the first few minutes, but I rebought and was able to win a few nice size pots.  The last pot was a monster.  As per the rules of the challenge, I left the table when my stack reached the size of 10% of my total bankroll. 
My bankroll balance is now $59.55, up $.19 from yesterday. I will try the same strategy again tomorrow.  Buying in short against larger stacks seems to give me an advantage.  I do have to pick my spots better than with a larger stack, but I am not risking as much in case I run into a monster hand and am pot committed.
I do feel that I am becoming a better player by recording my notes and thoughts on each session.  Prior to this experiment, I would just keep things in my head, but once I see them on paper, they seem more clear.

$1 HORSE

Tonight I am playing in "The Ferguson" again, but tonight it is a HORSE tournament.  HORSE is Hold'em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and stud Eight or better.  It is a limit game.  It should be interesting, but I will not be able to put as much detail into each hand as it is going to take me extra time to read the cards.  I have played each of the games, but not much.  I don't expect to do well, but maybe I will get lucky.  I will update my chip count as we change to each game.
At the end of the first Hold'em level, I have 1410 in chips.  I was down to appx 1100, but took down a pot just before we changed games.
In the second hand of Omaha H/L, I picked up AJ25 double suited, a nice starting hand.  I flopped middle pair and the nut flush draw.  I turned 2 pair, with a wheel draw and straight draw.  I couldnt hit any of my draws and my opponent had flopped top 2 pair.  I lose a big pot and am down to 930.
I got slaughtered atOmaha and finish the level with 360.  Next up is Razz, which is the same structure as stud, but you try to make the low hand.  Pairs are no good, flushes dont count and the best possible hand is A2345.  Should be interesting.
We are at the break and I am down to 220.  Blinds are at 50/100, so its not looking good for this donkey.
I just busted out.  I have to admit, I have no idea what I am doing in that game.  It was entertaining though.
Down another dollar.  I cannot update my bankroll balance yet, as I am in the middle of a .02/.05 cash game.  As soon as I cash out of that game, I will update the balance.

"The Ferguson" Tournament

Last night, I played in "The Ferguson," which is a $1 tournament named after Chris Ferguson and his bankroll challenge.  200 out of the appx 1200 players were paid.  I  believe  top prize was over $100.  This tournament is a good way to get some tournament experience and have a chance of getting some money back.  Unfortunately, there isn't much to tell about this tournament as far as my play goes. I only played 2 hands. I got all the money in on the flop with AA and somebody called me with a gutshot which they hit on the river.  
Early in this tournament it looks like the play is pretty wild and fast.  I think if I was able to survive the first few levels, that play would return to a more normal pace.  I will keep attempting this tournament.  I know that if I am patient enough, I can finish near the top. 
After this tournie, my account balance is $59.36.  I am up $9.36 from my original bankroll.

Another 45 Player SNG

Last nights session didn't go so well. My chip stack was up and down with some wild swings, so I am going to tighten up early on and try to pick my spots better.

First hand of the tournament and I pick up KQ clubs in the SB.  A player in early position and the button both limp.  I make a pot sized raise, the BB folds and both limpers call.  The flop is K94 with 2 hearts.  I bet and both players call.  The turn is the J spades.  I check, early position bets and button moves in. AK, KJ, K9, a set or a straight all beat me not to mention there are 2 flush draws on board.  I fold, early position shows straight and the button shows 2 pair.  Good Fold!!  I still have 1290 in chips.

Blinds are at 25/50.  I have K2 spades in BB.  The action is limped around to me and I check.  The flop is KQ7.  The SB bets 40 into a pot of 160.  I raise to 160 to try to figure out where I stand with top pair.  The button calls and the SB reraises.  I figure I have to be beat and I fold.  Both players end up all in.   The small blind shows K8 and the button shows QT for middle pair.  It is interesting that the SB would reraise with K8. I will keep that in mind for future pots.  I have 1040 chips left.  Hopefully I can improve my situation soon. 

The blinds are still 25/50 and I have QT diamonds in the SB.  Action is limped around and I limp, the BB checks.  Flop is 85J with 2 spades.  There is 200 in the pot and the BB bets 50.  One player calls and I call with and inside straight draw.  I hit my 9 on the turn and bet the pot (350).  The BB calls and the river is a low spade making a possible flush.  I check and the BB checks, I have a straight and the BB shows a flopped set.  I guess I missed a bet although im not sure he would have called on the river.  I now have 1690 in chips.  I have finally made a step in the right direction.
I have managed to steal the blinds 2 out the last 3 rounds and now have 1930 in chips.  Blinds are at 40/80.

I have AJ clubs in late position.  A middle position player limps and I raise to 360.  BB calls and middle position moves in for 1055 total.  He is either very weak or very strong, so I have a big decision.  There is 1815 in the pot and it is just under 700 to call.  I am getting better than 2 to 1.  He has recently seen me raising a lot of pots, so he may be making a move.  It is possible, however that he was slow playing a big hand.  Based on the pot odds and my read that he is making a move, I call.  He shows A4 of spades.  I am in great shape to take him out!!  The river had other plans for me though.  He spiked a 4 on the river and took a huge chunk of my stack.  I have 875 left.
The very next hand, the blinds increase to 50/100 and I pick up QJ.  I only have 6 rounds left, so I move in.  The BB calls with AA.   The flop brings a J and the turn brings a Q.  LUCKY!!  I double up.

The blinds are now at 60/120.  I have been blinded down to 1660.  I need to get some chips quickly if I want to make the final table.
Blinds are now at 100/200.  I am down to 1420.  I have had no playable hands at all and have been unable to steal the blinds due to action behind me.  I am going to have to make a move with the first reasonable hand I get.  I am officially the short stack of the entire field and the blinds are about to hit me.
99 in the BB.  Here we go!!  Banzai!!  The button moved in and I insta called.  He shows AT and fails to improve.  I double up, he is crippled and eliminated the next hand.  I have 2750 in chips and finally have a little breathing room.
Blinds are now 120/240 and there are 13 players left, 4 more to the final table!!  Hopefully, I can hold on.  After 2 more players are out, I may get more aggressive on the bubble and see if I can chip up.
Play is now 5 handed at my table and the blinds are coming around fast!!  I am the short stack, so I need to tread carefully to avoid elimination.  I will try to find a spot to make a big play.
So far I have been holding my own at this 5 handed table.  My chip stack is holding steady and I have been able to take down as many blinds as I have had taken from me.  However, I am still the short stack.
One player left to the final table.
Its official, I am the final table BUBBLE BOY!!  I was in SB with AT spades with blinds at 150/300.  I had 2750 left, so I shoved.  BB called me with Q2 and he spiked a 2 on the flop.  I am eliminated in 9th place.
On a more positive note, I was playing .01/.02 NL at the same time as the tournie and was able to make $1.98.  So I am up  $.73 on the day.  My account balance is now $60.36. I am up $10.36 from where I started.  Another day, but not quite another dollar.

Chris Ferguson Interview

Here is a Chris Ferguson interview from Poker Player Magazine.   If you are a new reader, I am attempting to replicate Chris Ferguson's bankroll challenge using some simple bankroll management rules.  This interview points out the advantages of using this bankroll management system:

1. Comprehensive poker education
2. The rules motivate you to play well
3. Anyone can do it
4. Prevents you from playing too big and going broke

Sit N Go

I am about to start a 45 player $1.25 SNG on Full Tilt.

The first hand of the tournament I pick up 77.  I raised the pot but got 3 callers.  All over cards on the flop, so I had to ditch it.
I just picked up AA with 2 limpers in front of me and blinds at 20/40.  I raised the pot and got one caller.  I flopped top set and took down a pot of 500.
Blinds are at 20/40. I have Q9 suited and raise from middle position.  The button reraises to 960 and I have to fold.  My stack is down to 1100.  I am a middle stack at my table, but there is still plenty of play with the blinds at this level.
Blinds are now at 25/50.  I have KJ clubs in SB.  There is one limper.  I raise to 200. The big blind folds and the limper calls.  Flop is Q95.  I flopped open ended.  I bet the pot and my opponent moves all in.  I  figure that I have 11 outs and call. Opponent shows Q8 for top pair, but I hit my straight on the turn.  I double up to just over 2200.
I have 34 clubs in BB.  The cut off raises 3 times big blind and I call.  The flop misses me completely and I have to fold.
I have 8T Spades in middle position.  I raise to 175.  The button and BB both call.  The flop is AJK rainbow.  The BB bets the pot and I fold.
Blinds are now at 30/60.  I have been aggressive but this table seems to be tougher than usual. I think I am going to switch gears and tighte up.
I had Q7 diamonds on the button.  there were 4 limpers, so I called hoping to get lucky.  The flop brought 2 diamonds.  All checked to me.  I bet about 1/2 the pot.  and get one caller.  The turn is a K.  Check, Check. River is a blank.  Opponent checks and I bluff about 1/3 the pot and he folds.  I now have about 2100 in chips. 
The table is very unbalanced at the moment.  Chip leader has 6800 chips, I am 2nd with 2100 and everyone else has under 1000.  Should make for an interesting table dynamic.
The unbalanced table didnt last long.  We just got 2 new players with average stacks.  Blinds are now 40/80.
I havent picked up a playable hand for a few rounds now and my stack has been blinded down to 1900.  I am going to have to chip up soon to avoid getting too short as the blinds are now at 50/100.
I just had 66 on the button with 3 limpers ahead of me.  I limp also and the flop brings no help.  I had to fold.  Maybe I should have raised big and punished the limpers preflop.
One hand later, I pick up 89 suited in the cutoff.  I raise this time and take down the pot.  I now have 2000 in chips, I am holding steady, but need to increase my stack before the blinds get too big.  They are now at 60/120. 
I am in the BB and have QQ.  I decide that if I get raised I am just moving in.  The button raises to 500 (as he has done my last 3 BB's) and I move in.  He shows KQ.  I am in great shape to double up.  He fails to improve and I now have 4000 in chips.
I have AQ and there is one limper (the opponent from  previous hand).  I raise to 720 and he calls.  Flop is 256.  I bet the pot and he calls.  Check, check on the turn.  He moves all in on the river.  I think about calling as I am sure he is steaming from the last hand.  I finally decide to fold as he had me covered and he showed his bluff, K9.  I now have about 2400 in chips.
I just changed tables.  Maybe I will be able to push this table around a little more than the last.  I pick up K9 my first hand at this table in middle position with one limper ahead of me.  I decide to just move in and take down the pot.
Blinds are now at 100/200, so I need to chip up VERY SOON!! I have about 2700 in chips, so only about 9 rounds.  This table loves to limp, so maybe I can make some big raises in position.
I am in the cutoff with A5 suited.  one limper ahead of me.  I raise to 700 and take it down.  I am now at 3000 in chips.
I just made a move with A8 suited and was called by the BB with QQ.  He doubled up and I now have 1300 in chips.  I am in big trouble.  Blinds are at 120/240. 
Any A or any 2 face cards and I am moving in.
The last 3 hands were 25, 26, 28.  Things areen't looking too good.  I have been blinded down to 1000.
I moved in on the button with T5 and took it down.  Next hand I picked up 44.  I moved in and was called by KJ.  44 held up and I now have a little breathing room with 3100 in chips. 
Blinds are now 150/300 and players are dropping fast.   
I was in BB with T7 spades.  Button limped, SB folded.  Flop was J6K with 2 spades.  I moved in for 2700.  Button tanked and finally called with J9 for a pair of J's. I failed to improve and busted out in 15th place.  I think it was the right move to put the decision on him, it just didn't work out this time.
My account balance is now $59.63.  I am up $9.63 from my starting balance.

Lost a little, but I'm still ahead.

Last night I played in "The Ferguson" on Full Tilt.  It is a $1 tournament that usually attracts over 1200 players.   I had AA vs JJ.  We got all the money in preflop and my opponent flopped a set.  I was eliminated in 1027th place.  I also played in another 45 player $1.25 SNG.  I made the final table, but was a short stack and it didn't take long to bust out.  I wasn't able to post as many details on these 2 tournies as usual due to trying to get a 3 year old to sleep between hands.
I also played a little .01/.02 NL last night. 
My account balance is at $60.63, down a little from my prior sessions, but still up from my starting balance.

$1.25 SNG 45 Players

I am about to start a $1.25 SNG at Full Tilt. I will update my notes here as the action happens. Wish me luck!!



The table is fairly tight so far. The blinds are at 15/30. I made pot sized raises preflop with K9 and KT and been able to pick up the blinds. In the big blind I had 93 suited. The pot was limped around, I checked and I flopped bottom 2 pair with 2 spades on board. I made pot sized bets all the way and was able to pick up a nice pot.



With blinds at 20/40, I picked up JJ on the button, no callers in front of me. I made a pot sized raise and took down the blinds. I thought about slow playing it, but thought better of it. I hate JJ.

Blinds are still at 20/40 and I have 66 in middle position. No callers in front of me, so I made pot sized raise. SB and BB both called. Of course the flop brought three over cards. SB bet, BB called, and I folded.

Blinds are at 25/50 and I have been successful in taking down several small pots that nobody else seemed interested in. Hopefully the table will keep allowing me to do this. I am chip leader at the table and would like to stay that way. At the break, I have 3320 in chips. Next closest at my table has 2930.

The tables were just balanced and I had to move. I was hoping to stay at that table, but so be it. I will have to feel the new one out. Hopefully it is as weak as the last. At least I am still table chip leader, so at the moment I am comfortable.

So far, I am not dissappointed with my new table. I have managed to take down a couple of healthy pots with complete air. I think I will tighten up a bit for a couple of rounds so that they dont catch on.

The player to my immediat left just took down a huge pot and is now ahead of me in chips, appx. 4800 to 4300. I will have to be careful of her as she has position on me.

Nevermind, she just donked off her chips to another player. He has a huge chip lead on the table. I will not get involved in any big pots with him.

Blinds are 40/80. I am in the cutoff and raise with JT. The BB goes all in, I am getting 2:1, so I call. BB shows 22, the board comes 449KK. I take down the pot and eliminate a player.

I have the table pretty much under control. Everyone seems to fear when I am in a pot. I hope this continues.

Blinds just moved up to 50/100. I expect to see some desparation plays from some of the mid and low stacks.

My prediction has come true. A couple of the small stacks have doubled up with inferior hands that got lucky. It may be a lucky break for me though, as I think I can steal a lot of their new found chips when they are in the blinds.

Blinds are now at 60/120 and the table chip leader has been doing a lot of preflop min raising. I am going to try to slow him down with the first reasonable hand I get.

I just lost a sizable pot. I raised to 420 with 88 from the cutoff. The button called. Flop came K42 with 2 clubs. I moved in and the button called with AJ clubs. He hit a J on the turn and doubled up. I still have appx 3700 in chip, but I am not as comfortable as I was a few minutes ago. Most of the players at the table are close in chips except for the chip leader who is up 2:1 on everybody.

Player to my left has moved all in last 3 hands in a row for bets of 20X the BB or more. I hope to pick up a hand and take him out.

With blinds at 100/200, I just took down 2 monter pots. I had 2 full houses in a row and managed to get the money in with both of them. I eliminated a player and we are now at the final table. I am 3rd in chips with appx 13000.

Small stacks at the final table are playing scared. I am still able to steal their blinds. I think they are waiting for the 3 big stacks to hurt each other. I plan to stay out of the way of the other 2 chip leaders unless I have the nuts.

Blinds are now 150/300 and I am 2nd in chips. Play is still 9 handed.

Chip leader just gave away a bunch of chips, making me the new leader.

I am now massive chip leader. I flopped a set and got AA to move in on me. I have over 23000and next closest is 15500. Play is now 7 handed. 6 places pay, so we are on the bubble.

3 of the players have over 10000, so I will try to keep the pots small against them.

We are in the money now. Blinds are 200/400 so I think the rest of the tourney will be quick. The small stacks seem content to be blinded to death.

Play is now 4 handed and the remaining players are all tough. I may have to wait for a good hand as they are quite capable of pushing back.

All of the 4 remaining are like cockroaches. None of us will go out. We just keep swapping chips back and forth.

We have finally reached 3 handed play. It took JJ vs QQ to get here. Blinds are 400/800. We are all close in chips, so it should be interesting.

We are finally heads up. I am outchipped by 2.5:1. My opponent doesnt seem to want to play small pots, so I am going to have to take the lead in the aggression. He is moving all in about half of his buttons. Any A and I am going to call him.

Blinds are now 500/1000 and he has slowed down for the moment. I have been able to get almost even in chips with him. I picked up AK against his A7 and he shoved on me. I now have 10:1 chip lead. He shoved on me from the button. I had K9 and called. He showes K6 and doesnt improve. I win the tournament!! My account balance is now $64.12. I am up $14.12 from my starting deposit. Not bad for the 2nd day of this experiment.

Small Loss in Cash Game

I just played a short session of .01/.02 NL cash game at Full Tilt. I lost $.93. This was the first cash game I have played for these small of stakes. The players were surprisingly tight for a low stakes game. Most of the loss was making a play at a pot and I was check raised out. I look forward to playing more sessions at these limits. I am down $1.73 from my original deposit.

27 Player SNG $1.25

I just finished 7th in a 27 player SNG at Full Tilt. Payouts started at 5th place. I played very aggressive picking up a lot of orphan pots. I should have tightened up near the end though, as I believe most of the players had picked up on my aggressiveness. My account balance is now $49.20 down 80 cents from my original deposit.

45 Player SNG at Full Tilt

I am currently sitting at a 45 player $1.25 SNG at Full Tilt. I have managed to take down more than my fair share of pots. I am sitting 2 to the left of Hesler. He is wild and has been pushing in with weak hands and getting lucky. He is currently the tournament chip leader. I am currently in 5th place. I do have position on him, but he likes to make very big preflop raises. Hopefully, I can pick up a hand and take advantage of his large raises.

I just make my first donkey move in this experiment. The blinds are 40/80. Player in middle position has appx 1100 in chips and raises to 280. I am on button with 57 suited and I think I may be able to steal the pot. I reraise to 960, MP player moves all in for the rest of his chips. I am pot committed and call. MP player shows KK and I don't improve. I lose appx 1/3 of my chips. A few hands later I am in SB with 93offsuit and blinds of 50/100. A couple of players limp, and I limp. I flop 2 pair, but there are 2 clubs on board. I am in early position and check waiting to see what develops. Player in last position bets 200 into pot of 500. I raise all in to appx 1900 and other player calls. other player has nut flush draw and hits flush on turn, but I fill up on river. After this hand, I have 4200 in chips and blinds are 50/100. Blinds are now at 80/160. I have 99 in the SB. My arch nemesis Huselr raises to 640. I have not played many pots with Huselr, but I believe they perceive me as pretty tight as I have not made any moves without a hand from out of position. I reraise to 2200 and I am able to pick up the blinds, one limp and the raise from Huselr. This hand puts me in the top 5 chip stacks.

I am now at the final table of this 45 player $1.25 SNG. I am 5th in chips with 8150. Blinds are 150/300. Huselr is still chip leader with appx 15,000. So far, I have managed to get my money in good against him, I will continue to pick my spots against him. I will try not get involved in large pots with him as he is easily able to knock me out if he gets lucky. Blinds are now at 200/400 and I was able to eliminate a player. I now have 11000 in chips and am 3rd in chips out of 7. We are now on the bubble.

We are now in the money. I have appx 9400 and blinds are 250/500, so I expect the rest of the tournament to go quickly.

I am 5th in chips out of 6. The chip leaders seem to want to play big pots with each other, so I will try to either wait them out and hope they hurt each other, or hopefully pick up a big hand against one of them and double up.

My wish just came true (almost)!! I picked up QQ against Huselr and got all the money in. He had K8 and spiked a K on the flop. I am eliminated and win $2.70. Not a big win, but it's not bad for my first night at this wonderful experiment.

After this tourney my account balance is $50.45. I am up 45 cents from when I began.

Just busted out of $1 tourney

I just busted out of a $1 tourney at Full Tilt. I was in SB with 8s4s. The pot had 5 limpers, I limped, BB checked. I flopped bottom 2 pair. There were 5 players, so I bet the pot. Everyone folded to the button, who moved all in. I called. He held a straight draw and a flush draw. He hit his flush on the turn and I couldn't fill up on the river. Unlucky.

First Deposit

Tonight, I made my first deposit at Full Tilt. I am starting off with $50.00. The goal of this experiment is to take this intitial deposit and attempt to replicate the Chris Ferguson challenge. I am registered for one 45 player SNG at $1.25 and one MTT for $1.00. I will post key hands as they happen.

Rules of the Chris Ferguson Challenge

In case you are unfamiliar with the Chris Ferguson challenge, Full Tilt pro, Chris Ferguson attempted to turn $0 into $10,000. He started with freerolls and following some bankroll management rules, he was able to turn his freeroll winnings into $10,000. The total time to acheive this was about 16 months. The bankroll management rules he used are as follows:

1. He never bought into a cash game or a Sit & Go for more than 5 percent of his total bankroll; the only exception was at the lowest limits: he was allowed to buy into any game with a buy-in of $2.50 or less
2. 
   He didn’t buy into any multi-table tournaments for more than 2 percent of his total bankroll; the only exception was $1 MTTs
3. 
   If at any time during a No-Limit or Pot-Limit cash-game session the money on the table represented more than 10 percent of his total bankroll, he had to leave the game when the blinds reached him

I am going to attempt to replicate his achievement with the exception of the freerolls. With my schedule it is hard to get registered for the freerolls before they start. Instead, I will start with the minimum deposit Full Tilt allows, $50. For more details of the Chris Ferguson challenge visit Full Tilt and look at Chris Ferguson's bio.

Replicating the Chris Ferguson challenge

The main site I play on is Full Tilt. I occasionally play on Pokerstars, but I prefer the tournaments on Full Tilt. I am going to attempt to work my bankroll up from a minimum deposit to $10,000 using the rules from the Chris Ferguson challenge at Full Tilt. I will keep you updated after I finish each session. I invite you to follow along as I either fail miserably or take my first step to poker greatness.

Introduction

The goal of this blog is to chronicle my progress in the poker world from Donkey to Poker Master(hopefully). This will serve as my poker diary and contain notes from each session. Through this blog, my readers will relive every victory, defeat, and agonizing suck-out. I hope to entertain and educate both my readers and myself. I invite all to give advice, leave comments, and contribute.