Poker Swings

I have a feeling this may become a reoccurring issue. While I haven't been doing fantastically well it's not like I've been losing money either. But this has led me to not push myself as hard as I could have. It is punishing but I think with a little support from my girlfriend and others I get my head back down and aim for my goals.

Poker Challenge: Day 19

So the past few weeks have yielded little results. I have a few bad beats and some bad behaviour I need to work on. But study has been my main focus asking questions on poker forums and trying to understand how people get through the variance in the micro stakes.

The answer is, it's not easy and most would say it's a waste of time. But that isn't the spirit of this challenge! So essentially I need to press on with the freerolls. I got my bankroll up to the dizzy heights of $6 but now I'm currently crawling at $3.99.

The Donkey Test Revisted

Picture this, you have a problem. But for a sum of money we can tell you what they are (they? you started with 'a problem' now it's multiple?). Ha! I laugh in the face of your selling technique. Then paranoia and curiosity got the better of me, I handed over the money. I was told I wasn't brilliant at poker, charming. Yes I bought the extensive explanation of the donkey test. Apparently I'm not awful at tournaments or position play. My downfall is bluffing, recognising when they're being used against me and my timing of using them. All in all I thought it was worth the money to understand where my leaks are. I suppose that's not quite true. I have leaks everywhere, but it's good to have constructive criticism.

Poker Challenge: Day 7

Ok so at the end of day 7 I think the Donkey test got to me. I made some pretty questionable calls. But I will have to review the hand histories to try and gather some information from the wreckage that was today. I only played one SNG. I get knocked out 8th when my AA against KQ rivers the straight. It was all in before the flop so of course the aces are bound to be cracked.

So back to the drawing board. Think about going back to basics and getting these thing right. Relearning poker theory again.

But this is only a week in this isn't a sprint it's a marathon. So I'm gonna go and load up on carbs. I'll meet you guys tomorrow at the beach.

725 Days

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The Boy Who Cried Donkey!

So I have been thinking a lot about who at these freerolls are donkeys and how soon can I spot them. While doing some brief research on this subject I came across a test. The donkey test is a test which puts you in difficult spots and gives you a range of options you can choose. At first I read the testimonials which were brilliant, so many people nerd raging at how the test was stupid and they were the next (insert good poker player here). My favourite being: "Ur test is bullshit iq yaa right fu." Then again the guys who got amazing scores were hardly being modest.

So I wanted to be one of the big headed epic winners so I took the test. It took about 30 minutes to complete and I took my time thinking over the questions and tried to answer as best I could.

Poker Challenge: Day 5

Since thursday I have been unable to sit and play the Freerolls available to me on PKR. But Tuesday beautiful Tuesday I have the day off. So before I have to head out and plan a nice one legged evening with my girlfriend, I play some poker. Using my ABC poker style I don't do very well on the Freerolls. But without stressing I put some of my bankroll on the line and play in a Sit & Go (SNG). I have to fork over a whole $0.60 just over 20% of my overall bankroll.

But by sitting tight and playing ABC poker I'm able to get up to the last 4. Only the last 3 get paid in a SNG so I come out guns blazing. Being aggressive pre flop enabled me to take advantage of the guys who were afraid to get put out at the bubble.

Learning my ABCs

So having started this challenge I began reading my extensive poker library, again. Now the problem that happens when I do this is I want to try all the tricks, big plays, fancy moves and some awesome deep thinks. But this just seems to clutter my poor little poker logic. So I have gone back to basics.

ABC poker is the type of simplistic game which advocates only playing strong hands preflop with position. Bet/Raise when you have a good hand (I recommend raising if you are the first one to do so). Check/fold when you have a weak hand. Don't bluff. Don't slow play. Now this seems ridiculously straightforward, simple even. But surprisingly in the Freerolls I've been playing it gets you through the first hour or so which is where all the crazies play fast and loose.