All Things Poker

Despite session 5’s losses, session 4 showed me that if I could be disciplined enough with the proper focus, I could make the correct decisions and stop some major gaps in my game. So I entered the poker room with a calm confidence. within minutes of sitting down at seat 7 I could tell that both players in seats 3 and 4 would call almost anything to the river and that both of them were seeing the flop 80% of the time. Seat 3 was a woman who sat down with $200 and because she could not miss a flop and consistently had at least two-pair by the river made her way to $600 within the first hour. The man in seat 4 was a slightly better player in that he seemed to know he was playing loose but was looking to get paid for the action he brought to the table. He too was sitting with a large stack, seemingly because he was willing to make the hero calls and improve by the river for the draws he had. So began my decision making: They are going to bleed out all of that money. I need to play ABC poker, raise with good hands, value bet, value bet, value bet. Well I did that two times before I lost my initial $200, primarily because seat 3 was on fire and kept getting her 2nd pair hit. No problem thought I. I am making good decisions, I am not upset about the loss of the first buy-in, I can make tones of money here.

Well my second buy-in shrank to 80 before I was able to triple up with kings. One of the people that helped pay me off left the table and I took the seat change to seat 5 just to the left of the giant stacks. I was able to count at least five people at this table with less discipline and confidence that I seemed to be exhibiting that night so I felt I was making a good decision to stay. I seemed to be winning most of the large pots and getting out of the way when I was behind. I had gotten my stack to $600 as seat 3’s luck was fading and seat 4 although doing better than his female counterpart was waning as well.

About this time I am texting with a poker player friend of mine who knew that I had given up KQ for lent. The rough text conversation went this way:
me: I am doing well here and have folded KQ three times. They all would have lost by the river.
him: You aren’t playing them in any position?!
me: Hell no! I hate hate that hand.
him: You don’t even play it on the button?!
Ok, I guess I saw his point. loosen up in later position and be willing to entertain KQ and play it with position. Wouldn’t you know that as the button got to me here shows KQ of spades (they knew I was talking about them and they came to mock me). I raise, get the standard 3 or 4 callers. Oh look, the flop is K, 5, 2. They all check to me, I bet $30. The Big Blind calls. The turn is a 7. He bets, but bets weak. Hmmmm… I really hate this hand, I call. The river is a blank, he bets weak, I *really* hate this hand, I call. He turns over K7 for the two pair, I muck and curse my friend for talking me into playing this lame hand. He owes me $75. He’ll give it to me one way or another!

Despite losing with “The Ugly” I proceed to soak up some more cash before it’s time to go to bed. It was a good evening filled with good decisions and calm resolve.

Stats:
P/L: $340
Hourly Rate: $58.32

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