Hiatus?

It's been so long since I actually updated from my last blog post and sorry to the few followers I did have. I'm really not sure the to update with since my SNE chase was crushed due to Black Friday. I'll just update with what's been happening over the last two months.

I did receive my funds back from Pokerstars and I can't be more thankful enough, however I did not head to Vegas to play. I decided to head to somewhere more local, Mohegan Sun, which was a way cheaper alternative for me (have bills to pay now :/). I went with my friend Matt and had more fun that expected; I admit I was somewhat nervous and didn't do as well the first day, losing about 100-200ish. I pulled through the next few days, playing way better and ended the trip up a BI playing 200NL the entire time. One of the things that did surprise me was how focused I was during the trip, I didn't even listen to my iTouch once when I was playing! 24 tabling to playing 1 table is quite the adjustment, but without another source of income, I was determined to win.

Yeah, so I had a good time and will be heading back there in two weeks or so to play in their Summer Showdown. Let's see if I can luckbox a donkament ;)

Besides that, I haven't been pokering much. I did deposit to RPM poker, but grinding microstakes is not the same lol. I'm relaxing and enjoying my time off away from poker, but I have to start getting down to business cause I need the income!

Maybe on my next blog post, I'll elaborate more on my first live experience, but for now I'll officially say my blog will have some inactivity. You never know, I might get the blogger's itch again and start updating weekly~ See ya.

Plans

It took me some time to digest what has truly happened this last week or so. I'm not sure what the best word is to describe my emotions about "Black Friday." I am just really disappointed that I would not be achieving SNE this year. However, I will remain optimistic and yes, there is a reason for the optimism. For one, Pokerstars and Full Tilt has made a agreement with the DoJ to return the player funds ASAP. With so much uncertainty of whether we will ever see our funds again, this is truly a blessing.

Let's just hope this is just a setback for online poker and that this will be a push for regulation in the game we love and hate.

So, what our my plans now? Unfortunately I cannot play live until next month when I turn 21, so in the meantime I will be praying I can get my funds ASAP and chilling in my apartment. If I happen to receive my funds before my birthday (May 26), I'll most likely be planning a trip to Vegas to play in the Deep Stack Extravaganza Series at the Venetian. I'll play in a couple of their lowest events ($340) and grind some cash during my time there.

Marching Down

I'm not really sure what to write without this becoming a massive whine post. March was really frustrating to say the least and I think for like the second or third time in my poker career, this was a losing month for me at the cash tables. Thankfully for RB and bonuses, I profited, but in no way am I happy about it. I set goals for myself in the beginning of the year and I didn't want to have one losing month at the tables. There was nothing I can do to climb out of this downer and I tried.



If I posted a EV graph, I guess I have to post it from now on when I do run good :)

Yeah I think at one point I was to 20 BI's below EV and from my older posts, I always reiterate that EV isn't always a true indication of what is really "happening." So yes, there is definitely some tilt and spew in the graph, on the other hand there are also major coolers etc...


Ok so this is in my opinion, my most dreaded portion of the post when I actually discuss my monthly profits, since I didn't have that good of a month.

Cash:-3600 (1200 of it is from 400NL)
Tourneys: -600 (includes a stake to a friend for Sunday Million)
Bonuses/Milestones: +6600

Totals: +2400

So basically, I am back where I started. A bad BE player.

state of the games &

It has been well over a month since the Pokerstars Ring Game changes (FEB 10) and though this maybe won't be the most accurate assessment of the games, I feel since the changes, the games have been better. There is a mix opinion of this and I notice on the 2P2 Pokerstars Regular thread that it's really split in between the middle of this debate. Generally, I would think the poker community leans towards the assessment of the games improving since the changes. However, some really well respected big winners at SSFR think otherwise.

Sometimes Pokerstars fall under huge critique from the whole poker community especially in this last year with not many promotions and questionable changes made in the gameplay. But, recently Pokerstars has been making fantastic progress in my opinion and I must give kudos to them. Listening to the community for the ring game changes, having more promotions like the introduction of Home Games, which is surprisingly bringing more casual players in the game and few days ago, the announcement of the 60 Billion Hand Promotion. To be honest, I am actually surprised they are doing this and I hope I actually hit a milestone!

VPP count : 208K

Also, sitting out on the next big blind is the nuts.

variance :(

I try not to pay attention to EV, but my last two sessions have been brutal. Hopefully it turns around by the end of the month or it will be my first losing month in awhile.

in and out

So I made a fantastic run in the Sunday Million 5th Anniversary.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, 215 Tournament, 25/50 Blinds (9 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Button (t10000)
SB (t10000)
BB (t10000)
UTG (t10000)
UTG+1 (t10000)
MP1 (t10000)
Hero (MP2) (t10000)
MP3 (t10000)
CO (t10000)

Hero's M: 133.33

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with 7, 7
2 folds, MP1 bets t300, Hero calls t300, 4 folds, BB calls t250

Flop: (t925) J, 7, 6 (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 bets t1000, Hero raises to t2200, BB raises to t9700 (All-In), MP1 calls t8700 (All-In), Hero calls t7500 (All-In)

Turn: (t30025) A (3 players, 3 all-in)

River: (t30025) 8 (3 players, 3 all-in)

Total pot: t30025

Results below:
BB had J, J (three of a kind, Jacks).
MP1 had A, A (three of a kind, Aces).
Hero had 7, 7 (three of a kind, sevens).
Outcome: MP1 won t30025

One dream. One hand. And I am out.

Month 2

I'm at 143k vpps and behind for the pace. However, this month I'm going to start really cracking down and get back on pace. February was good, as I did run way much better than January, so it is encouraging. I just hope it continues as long as possible.



So final profits for February is...

Cash: $3810
Tourneys: $0
Bonuses: $4300
----------------
$8110

FPP wise, I lost track and won't even bother to try out how much I earned, too lazy :(