Gotta love the maniacs!!!

Very good session tonight winning $111.20 in 258 hands...Bankroll up to $4728.99.

Again I should get another $120-$140 bonus from Fulltilt tomorrow for the Ironman bonus from last year. This should put me near $4850 total and I hope to start adding some 100nl tables when I play each night. If they run as well as 50nl...I should be playing all 100nl by the middle of next week.

~$850 winner in 9399 hands is very good!!! 9.04bb/100 hands. Best run I've had since July when I ran almost 20bb/100...which included a sick run of PLO at 30bb/100. I was playing mostly 25nl and 50nl and had a tourney cash of $1100 on Pokerstars. Netted about $2400 for the month, by far the best month I've had all year. I pushed my FullTilt bankroll from ~$1900 to over $3000 in one month...took me forever clear the next $1000 to $4000.

Had one very lucky hand tonight against a player that should have never been in the hand with me...


FullTiltPoker Game #5073461696: Table Haley (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:23:27 ET - 2008/01/31
Seat 1: Mr Soprano6969 ($35.50)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($55.55)
Seat 3: RonnieG11 ($16.65)
Seat 4: adhamr48 ($431.90) ....Maniac with a huge stack!!! Yummy!!!
Seat 5: Binimac05 ($50)
Seat 6: ShipITUPS ($76.15)
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
RonnieG11 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [As Ad]
adhamr48 raises to $1
Binimac05 folds
ShipITUPS raises to $3.75
Mr Soprano6969 has 15 seconds left to act
Mr Soprano6969 folds
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $13.50 .......adham48 has to call $12.50 and I only have $42 behind me...maybe he thinks ShipIT is going to play...but flatting $13.50 with another to act behind is not a good play....I guess sitting with $432 allows you to do whatever you wish!!!
RonnieG11 folds
adhamr48 calls $12.50
ShipITUPS folds
*** FLOP *** [7c Kh Jd]
birdiemachine bets $42.05, and is all in ....pretty sure I'm getting called here and I hope he doesnt spike a 2 pair hand or something.
adhamr48 calls $42.05
birdiemachine shows [As Ad]
adhamr48 shows [7s 7h] ...yuck, I'm way behind
*** TURN *** [7c Kh Jd] [Qc] ...turn gives me 4 more outs (10's)
*** RIVER *** [7c Kh Jd Qc] [Th] ....bingo!!!
birdiemachine shows a straight, Ace high
adhamr48 shows three of a kind, Sevens
birdiemachine wins the pot ($112.35) with a straight, Ace high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $115.35 Rake $3
Board: [7c Kh Jd Qc Th]
Seat 1: Mr Soprano6969 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: birdiemachine (small blind) showed [As Ad] and won ($112.35) with a straight, Ace high
Seat 3: RonnieG11 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: adhamr48 showed [7s 7h] and lost with three of a kind, Sevens
Seat 5: Binimac05 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: ShipITUPS folded before the Flop

part of it back...

+$97.15 cash -$24.00 tournaments = +$73.15 for 491 hands of cash game play

Bankroll ...$4617.79





FullTiltPoker Game #5047913340: Table Hualapai (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:03:05 ET - 2008/01/29
Seat 1: BLUECROSS ($36.95), is sitting out
Seat 2: HelloEarth ($82.15)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($50)
Seat 4: GiveUntoCaesar ($116.65)
Seat 5: mav3rikk ($50)
Seat 6: Amb_Kosh ($53.95)
HelloEarth posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine has 5 seconds left to act
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [8c 8s]
GiveUntoCaesar folds
mav3rikk folds
Amb_Kosh raises to $1.75
HelloEarth folds
birdiemachine calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [8d As 9s]
birdiemachine checks
Amb_Kosh bets $3.75
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $11
Amb_Kosh has 15 seconds left to act
Amb_Kosh calls $7.25
*** TURN *** [8d As 9s] [Ac]
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $14
Amb_Kosh raises to $28
birdiemachine raises to $37.25, and is all in
Amb_Kosh calls $9.25
birdiemachine shows [8c 8s]
Amb_Kosh shows [Ad Td]
*** RIVER *** [8d As 9s Ac] [4d]
birdiemachine shows a full house, Eights full of Aces
Amb_Kosh shows three of a kind, Aces
birdiemachine wins the pot ($97.25) with a full house, Eights full of Aces
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $100.25 Rake $3
Board: [8d As 9s Ac 4d]
Seat 1: BLUECROSS is sitting out
Seat 2: HelloEarth (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: birdiemachine (big blind) showed [8c 8s] and won ($97.25) with a full house, Eights full of Aces
Seat 4: GiveUntoCaesar didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: mav3rikk didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Amb_Kosh (button) showed [Ad Td] and lost with three of a kind, Aces




Another light raiser...Usually an AQ or AK hand.



FullTiltPoker Game #5048130921: Table Gerald (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:19:42 ET - 2008/01/29
Seat 1: StreetsOFire ($51.10)
Seat 2: EightyRumble ($55.20)
Seat 3: given1982 ($61.45)
Seat 4: birdiemachine ($51.60)
Seat 5: patrOn 203 ($49.05)
Seat 6: ihavethanutz ($27.50)
EightyRumble posts the small blind of $0.25
given1982 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Td Th]
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
patrOn 203 folds
ihavethanutz raises to $3
StreetsOFire folds
EightyRumble has 15 seconds left to act
EightyRumble folds
given1982 folds
birdiemachine calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [5d 9d Qc]
birdiemachine checks
ihavethanutz bets $4
birdiemachine raises to $18.75
ihavethanutz folds
Uncalled bet of $14.75 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($14.05)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.75 Rake $0.70
Board: [5d 9d Qc]
Seat 1: StreetsOFire (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: EightyRumble (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: given1982 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: birdiemachine collected ($14.05), mucked
Seat 5: patrOn 203 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: ihavethanutz folded on the Flop


going with your reads...this guy was playing very maniacal. So I play pocket 10's like this...


FullTiltPoker Game #5060696156: Table Ellsworth (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:36:32 ET - 2008/01/30
Seat 1: TokyoRush ($57.90)
Seat 2: scottwire ($48.25)
Seat 3: medwom3 ($60.10)
Seat 4: water boat ($52.55), is sitting out
Seat 5: birdiemachine ($45.75)
Seat 6: Karps31 ($50.25)
Karps31 posts the small blind of $0.25
TokyoRush posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Tc Th]
scottwire folds
medwom3 folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
Karps31 raises to $5.75
TokyoRush folds
birdiemachine calls $4
*** FLOP *** [Jc 5c 6d]
Karps31 bets $12
birdiemachine raises to $40, and is all in
Karps31 has 15 seconds left to act
Karps31 folds
Uncalled bet of $28 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($34.20)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $36 Rake $1.80
Board: [Jc 5c 6d]
Seat 1: TokyoRush (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: scottwire didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: medwom3 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: water boat is sitting out
Seat 5: birdiemachine (button) collected ($34.20), mucked
Seat 6: Karps31 (small blind) folded on the Flop


In another situation I play pocket 10's like this....

This player had not bet or raised much..showing very little aggression...his flop check/raise to me was a red flag. That bet tells me he is prepared to play a big pot. 1010 not so good for all the money.

FullTiltPoker Game #5060572737: Table Hartke (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:26:47 ET - 2008/01/30
Seat 1: ereliaesae ($10)
Seat 2: casinomouth ($130.85)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($72.75)
Seat 4: langaan ($49.20)
Seat 5: robinublind ($32.80)
Seat 6: thatunev ($67)
thatunev has 5 seconds left to act
thatunev posts the small blind of $0.25
ereliaesae has 5 seconds left to act
ereliaesae posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Ts Td]
casinomouth folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
langaan folds
robinublind folds
thatunev calls $1.50
ereliaesae folds
*** FLOP *** [9s 2h 8h]
thatunev checks
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $3.25
thatunev raises to $10.50
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine folds
Uncalled bet of $7.25 returned to thatunev
thatunev mucks
thatunev wins the pot ($10)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $10.50 Rake $0.50
Board: [9s 2h 8h]
Seat 1: ereliaesae (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: casinomouth didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: birdiemachine folded on the Flop
Seat 4: langaan didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: robinublind (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: thatunev (small blind) collected ($10), mucked



Another pocket 10's hand situation. I have played 1000+ hands with ArmandoGB...in a heads up situation I would 4 bet him with no problems. He is a good, very aggressive player and likes to squeeze when players flat PF raises in late position. My problem was the last position caller whose statitics were very tight and close to the pocket. My only play was to raise and hopefully shove him out, or fold. I took the conservative route again with 1010. As it turns out, I was behind, but I would hope that a good player could fold JJ to a 4 bet PF. At this level, you just don't know.



FullTiltPoker Game #5060671040: Table Hartke (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:34:32 ET - 2008/01/30
Seat 1: ereliaesae ($11.30)
Seat 2: casinomouth ($130.85)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($99.45)
Seat 4: langaan ($46.20)
Seat 5: robinublind ($0), is sitting out
Seat 6: ArmandoGB ($49.50)
ArmandoGB posts the small blind of $0.25
ereliaesae posts the big blind of $0.50
robinublind stands up
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Tc Ts]
casinomouth folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
langaan calls $1.75
ArmandoGB raises to $7.75
ereliaesae folds
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine has requested TIME
birdiemachine folds
langaan calls $6
*** FLOP *** [4s 5c 6s]
ArmandoGB bets $13
langaan raises to $36
Orcmaniac sits down
ArmandoGB raises to $41.75, and is all in
Orcmaniac adds $50
langaan calls $2.45, and is all in
ArmandoGB shows [8s 8d]
langaan shows [Jc Jh]
Uncalled bet of $3.30 returned to ArmandoGB
*** TURN *** [4s 5c 6s] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [4s 5c 6s Kc] [Qs]
ArmandoGB shows a pair of Eights
langaan shows a pair of Jacks
langaan wins the pot ($91.65) with a pair of Jacks
ArmandoGB adds $46.70
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $94.65 Rake $3
Board: [4s 5c 6s Kc Qs]
Seat 1: ereliaesae (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: casinomouth didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: birdiemachine folded before the Flop
Seat 4: langaan showed [Jc Jh] and won ($91.65) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 5: robinublind (button) is sitting out
Seat 6: ArmandoGB (small blind) showed [8s 8d] and lost with a pair of Eights

Ran poor...played ok

I was really looking forward to playing yesterday, as it was going to be the first time I could sit and put in a long session without interruptions. My desire to play was deflated as I recorded a -$87.45 losing session over 926 hands. My play was fairly good other than a couple of bad calls on the river. Mostly I just ran poor...as you can see with the following hand.

FullTiltPoker Game #5036000952: Table Nyton (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:46:45 ET - 2008/01/28
Seat 1: RenjuLuther ($51.60)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($50.35)
Seat 3: SoNoyshe ($60)
Seat 4: Heineken23 ($62.40)
Seat 5: masaladosa ($96.65)
Seat 6: soyboy1123 ($96.70)
RenjuLuther posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Th Td]
SoNoyshe folds
Heineken23 raises to $1.75
masaladosa folds
soyboy1123 has 15 seconds left to act
soyboy1123 folds
RenjuLuther folds
birdiemachine calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [6d Ts 5s]
birdiemachine checks
Heineken23 bets $3
birdiemachine calls $3
*** TURN *** [6d Ts 5s] [4d]
birdiemachine checks
Heineken23 bets $7
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $22 ...this raise makes his call a mathematically bad play as he is only getting (2.55/1) to call. He is a (3.54/1) dog and long-term I win money with this same play.
Heineken23 calls $15
*** RIVER *** [6d Ts 5s 4d] [Kd]
birdiemachine bets $23.60, and is all in ...Almost impossible to check/fold, as I could have him crushed with a set over set or 2 pair situation.
Heineken23 calls $23.60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
birdiemachine shows [Th Td] three of a kind, Tens
Heineken23 shows [8d 9d] a flush, King high
Heineken23 wins the pot ($97.95) with a flush, King high
birdiemachine adds $50
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $100.95 Rake $3
Board: [6d Ts 5s 4d Kd]
Seat 1: RenjuLuther (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: birdiemachine (big blind) showed [Th Td] and lost with three of a kind, Tens
Seat 3: SoNoyshe didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Heineken23 showed [8d 9d] and won ($97.95) with a flush, King high
Seat 5: masaladosa didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: soyboy1123 (button) didn't bet (folded)



I did have a good read on one particular player who was playing very crazy the entire night. He made this play and I used it against him later in the evening.


FullTiltPoker Game #5036300018: Table El Greco (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:09:39 ET - 2008/01/28
Seat 1: cardura ($30.05)
Seat 2: jfk729 ($50)
Seat 3: wlsdhr ($62.95)
Seat 4: birdiemachine ($47.25)
Seat 5: Replays ($95.90)
Seat 6: sendit7 ($10)
Replays posts the small blind of $0.25
sendit7 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [As Jd]
cardura calls $0.50
wlsdhr folds
birdiemachine raises to $2.25
Replays raises to $4 ...very light reraise.
sendit7 calls $3.50
cardura calls $3.50
birdiemachine calls $1.75 ....probably should have folded, but was pot committed
*** FLOP *** [9h 6h 4c]
Replays bets $16
sendit7 calls $6, and is all in
cardura folds
birdiemachine folds
Replays shows [Ad 6d] .....I made notes on the his Avatar, so when I see this player again I can recall this hand.
sendit7 shows [5h 5s]
Uncalled bet of $10 returned to Replays
*** TURN *** [9h 6h 4c] [5d]
*** RIVER *** [9h 6h 4c 5d] [Jc]
Replays shows a pair of Sixes
sendit7 shows three of a kind, Fives
sendit7 wins the pot ($26.60) with three of a kind, Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $28 Rake $1.40
Board: [9h 6h 4c 5d Jc]
Seat 1: cardura folded on the Flop
Seat 2: jfk729 is sitting out
Seat 3: wlsdhr didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: birdiemachine (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: Replays (small blind) showed [Ad 6d] and lost with a pair of Sixes
Seat 6: sendit7 (big blind) showed [5h 5s] and won ($26.60) with three of a kind, Fives



FullTiltPoker Game #5036747253: Table El Greco (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:45:27 ET - 2008/01/28
Seat 1: cardura ($85.35)
Seat 2: jfk729 ($51.80)
Seat 3: mandira ($8.35)
Seat 4: birdiemachine ($58.85)
Seat 5: Replays ($64.65)
Seat 6: Bad_Boob_Job ($49.25)
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
Replays posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [8s 8h]
Bad_Boob_Job folds
cardura folds
jfk729 folds
mandira folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.50
Replays raises to $4.50 ....again, very light, so I put him on A (5-9) which I'm way ahead of.
birdiemachine calls $3 ...So I call hoping he continues to bet and no A hits the board.
*** FLOP *** [Qd 3c 6c]
birdiemachine checks
Replays has 15 seconds left to act
Replays bets $9 ....I'm ahead of his range
birdiemachine calls $9
*** TURN *** [Qd 3c 6c] [6h]
birdiemachine checks
Replays bets $51.15, and is all in.... went with my read that I was still ahead and called
birdiemachine calls $45.35, and is all in
Replays shows [Ah 2d] ...have him drawing to 3 outs
birdiemachine shows [8s 8h]
Uncalled bet of $5.80 returned to Replays
*** RIVER *** [Qd 3c 6c 6h] [9c] ......donk, I win!
Replays shows a pair of Sixes
birdiemachine shows two pair, Eights and Sixes
birdiemachine wins the pot ($114.70) with two pair, Eights and Sixes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $117.70 Rake $3
Board: [Qd 3c 6c 6h 9c]
Seat 1: cardura didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: jfk729 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: mandira (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: birdiemachine (small blind) showed [8s 8h] and won ($114.70) with two pair, Eights and Sixes
Seat 5: Replays (big blind) showed [Ah 2d] and lost with a pair of Sixes
Seat 6: Bad_Boob_Job didn't bet (folded)



So my bankroll has fallen back to $4544.64


I will probably receive $130-$140 for my Fulltilt Ironman bonus and my rakeback should net me another $130-$140 next month.

The day wasn't an entire loss as I played in a Satellite tournament on UB for the $129 bounty tournament. It was a $5 rebuy and spent $20.50 in fees through the add-on. I didn't make much in the rebuy period, but I wasn't overly concerned as I still had 10k in chips with blinds at 75/150. Plenty of time to catch up.

35 players played the event and as we went to 2 tables I still had about 9.5k in chips. I received KK in middle position and sort of slow played them. I made a light raise (blinds 200/400) to 1050 and get reraised from SB to 2850. I called and flopped a set of Kings and check/called him all in. That doubled me to about 20k and the chip lead. On the next orbit I get JJ UTG and it folds all the way around to the BB who pushes 10k all in and I call against AQo. JJ holds up and I have a commading chip lead. I just raised alot preflop and folded to reraises and ended up with about 100k in chips when we made it to the final four winners. I received the $129 entry and withdrew from the tournament so I can use the tournament $ as I please in the future.

"Birdiemachine"

(PLO)dding along....

Another positive session winning +$62.55 in 110 minutes and 508 hands. Bankroll has increased to $4632.09.

I play (PLO) Pot-Limit Omaha on occasions just to play something other than Hold 'em. I play a level down (25plo) from where I play Hold 'em because I know I'm not as good at this game. Also because of the variance the game can have. Omaha is played with 4 cards in your hand instead of the two used in Hold 'em.

The biggest difference is that 2 cards and only 2 cards must be used from your hand. Having more options of cards to play makes it easier to make quality hands in this game. It is not unheard of to have a different player in the lead after each street or round of bets. It is a game where big draws should be played aggressively, thus resulting in many big pots and nothing being a lock until the river hits the board.

Again, just like in hold 'em, the key is to stay aggressive, but also for me, try to control the size of the pot. In PLO, the most that can ever be bet is the size of the pot. So keeping bets smaller, usually 40%-60%, keeps the pot at a manageable level. Most of my preflop raises are smaller as well, usually 1/2 pot-size.

Another very important part of the game is to fold quality hands when it's fairly obvious you are beat. Generally, the river bets are going to be fairly large in relation to stack sizes, so being able to save that amount is huge in being a profitable player.

FullTiltPoker Game #5022919070: Table Celia (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 21:48:11 ET - 2008/01/27
Seat 1: DMoneyshot ($43.45)
Seat 2: robertlombardo ($9.85)
Seat 3: JCREmoney ($31.55)
Seat 4: jaydub52001 ($14.25)
Seat 5: murraypokerinc ($24.25)
Seat 6: birdiemachine ($28.10)
murraypokerinc posts the small blind of $0.10
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [4s Qd Th Qh]
DMoneyshot folds
robertlombardo folds
JCREmoney raises to $0.85
jaydub52001 calls $0.85
murraypokerinc calls $0.75
birdiemachine calls $0.60
*** FLOP *** [Qc Ac 7d]
murraypokerinc checks
birdiemachine bets $1.70 ...possible other player has AAxx, so I lead to find out where I'm at.
JCREmoney raises to $3.40 ....min raise makes me believe I'm ahead.
jaydub52001 folds
murraypokerinc calls $3.40 ....???
birdiemachine calls $1.70
*** TURN *** [Qc Ac 7d] [As] ....scary card, AQxx and A7xx have me dead, still 1 card to go that may fill their boat.
murraypokerinc checks
birdiemachine checks
JCREmoney bets $13.60
murraypokerinc folds
birdiemachine raises to $23.85, and is all in
JCREmoney calls $10.25
birdiemachine shows [4s Qd Th Qh]
JCREmoney shows [Ad Kd 5h 3c]
*** RIVER *** [Qc Ac 7d As] [8s] ...luckily he misses
birdiemachine shows a full house, Queens full of Aces
JCREmoney shows three of a kind, Aces
birdiemachine wins the pot ($58.30) with a full house, Queens full of Aces
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $61.30 Rake $3
Board: [Qc Ac 7d As 8s]
Seat 1: DMoneyshot didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: robertlombardo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: JCREmoney showed [Ad Kd 5h 3c] and lost with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 4: jaydub52001 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: murraypokerinc (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 6: birdiemachine (big blind) showed [4s Qd Th Qh] and won ($58.30) with a full house, Queens full of Aces




FullTiltPoker Game #5022992037: Table Diazo (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 21:53:41 ET - 2008/01/27
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($28.30)
Seat 2: suktej ($9.80)
Seat 3: shad0r ($31.80)
Seat 4: Capo Di Poker ($17.40)
Seat 6: senordelicioso ($26.25)
Capo Di Poker posts the small blind of $0.10
senordelicioso posts the big blind of $0.25
rocketraney sits down
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Qd 6h 6d Th]
rocketraney adds $17
birdiemachine raises to $0.55
suktej calls $0.55
shad0r calls $0.55
Capo Di Poker calls $0.45
senordelicioso folds
*** FLOP *** [3d 6c Kd]
Capo Di Poker bets $2.45
birdiemachine raises to $9.80...hard to get away from this now...he could have a straight and flush draw or 33xx
suktej folds
shad0r folds
Capo Di Poker raises to $16.85, and is all in
birdiemachine calls $7.05
Capo Di Poker shows [8c Ks 4d Kh]
birdiemachine shows [Qd 6h 6d Th] ... I do have the diamond draw since my 6's are no good. (9 outs)
*** TURN *** [3d 6c Kd] [4c]
*** RIVER *** [3d 6c Kd 4c] [Ac]
Capo Di Poker shows three of a kind, Kings
birdiemachine shows three of a kind, Sixes
Capo Di Poker wins the pot ($34.35) with three of a kind, Kings
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $36.15 Rake $1.80
Board: [3d 6c Kd 4c Ac]
Seat 1: birdiemachine showed [Qd 6h 6d Th] and lost with three of a kind, Sixes
Seat 2: suktej folded on the Flop
Seat 3: shad0r (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: Capo Di Poker (small blind) showed [8c Ks 4d Kh] and won ($34.35) with three of a kind, Kings
Seat 6: senordelicioso (big blind) folded before the Flop

Running a bluff...

Bluffs are very difficult to run when playing low limits such as 50nl. Most of the time it is (+EV) just to stay away from them. To run a good bluff, the other player must be thinking at least on the second level of what cards you may be holding...not just first level thinking where they only are concerned about their own cards. No matter what bet you make or what is playing on the board, they call you down.

FullTiltPoker Game #4990901945: Table Doucette (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:54:01 ET - 2008/01/25
Seat 1: AlexB182 ($80.10)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($50.65)
Seat 4: MMmm Your Chips ($7.55)
Seat 5: NutmilkmouZ ($178.65)
Seat 6: rapper_78 ($47.05)
AlexB182 posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [7h 7c]
MMmm Your Chips folds
NutmilkmouZ folds
rapper_78 raises to $2.20
AlexB182 folds
birdiemachine calls $1.70
*** FLOP *** [5s 3h Jh]
birdiemachine checks
rapper_78 bets $3
birdiemachine calls $3
*** TURN *** [5s 3h Jh] [9h]
birdiemachine bets $8 ....I was trying to steal representing the flush...
rapper_78 has 15 seconds left to act
rapper_78 calls $8 ....he calls, most likely with Ah....no heart and I value bet river...
*** RIVER *** [5s 3h Jh 9h] [4s]
birdiemachine bets $14 .....good looking value bet into $24 pot...no need to bet pot...looks more like a bluff increasing your chances of a call.
rapper_78 folds
Uncalled bet of $14 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($25.35)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $26.65 Rake $1.30
Board: [5s 3h Jh 9h 4s]
Seat 1: AlexB182 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: birdiemachine (big blind) collected ($25.35), mucked
Seat 4: MMmm Your Chips didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: NutmilkmouZ didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: rapper_78 (button) folded on the River

Played 211 hands and won $49.80 in 32 minutes....Bankroll $4569.54

I have played 6647 hands so far this month, when I normally play 10-12k. I might make it to 8k this month. +569.54 = 8.56bb/100 hands including my bonuses.

Just for some perspective...I will start playing some 100nl within my next $200 of profit and make total move to 100nl when my bankroll reaches $5k. If I play 10k hands per month at 100nl and maintain the 8.56bb/100(which would be difficult, at least in the beginning) I make (10000/100*8.56*2)=$1712 of profit.

Optimistic thinking, but staying in your bankroll and proving yourself to be profitable at each level of play is important to building a good bankroll. Again, my goal is to reach 1000nl, but I need other goals along the way to keep me interested and help me feel as though I am improving. My year end goal is to have my FullTilt account up to $16k by year end.

I like to look at this number when I lose some of my interest at the low stakes. 10000 hands/month @ 1000nl = 10000/100*8.56*20=$17120 profit per month. 10000 hands = about 30 hours of play. Even if was to play 200nl for 30,000 hands/month I make...30000/100*8.56*4=$10,272 per month. Most online pros play 50k-100k hands a month and may be multi-tabling up to 12 tables. To get to 50k hands at 12 tables would = 48 hours of play...12 hours a week.

Nice heater!!!

I had my first heater of the month, but I have not played near as many hands as i would in a normal month of cash game play. I won $162.10 for 100 minutes of play. The session started slow, with me losing $30 in the first 100 hands, but the tide changed quickly.


FullTiltPoker Game #4973123111: Table Mello (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:36:28 ET - 2008/01/24
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($49.25)
Seat 2: zekaflush ($34.15)
Seat 3: gr8whyte ($47.45)
Seat 4: Thor3gs ($40.75)
Seat 5: ProudDonkey ($50)
Seat 6: riverpaul ($47.20)
gr8whyte posts the small blind of $0.25
Thor3gs posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Kc Kd]
riverpaul folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
zekaflush calls $1.75
gr8whyte folds
Thor3gs folds
*** FLOP *** [9c Th 8s]
birdiemachine checks
zekaflush bets $3.50 .....I put him on the straight draw with this bet, so I call to see if next card misses.
birdiemachine calls $3.50
*** TURN *** [9c Th 8s] [9h]
birdiemachine checks
zekaflush bets $8.50
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $44, and is all in
zekaflush has 15 seconds left to act .....I put him to a tough decision, but he made a good call...still have 4 outs
zekaflush calls $20.40, and is all in
birdiemachine shows [Kc Kd]
zekaflush shows [Jd Qs]
Uncalled bet of $15.10 returned to birdiemachine
*** RIVER *** [9c Th 8s 9h] [3s]
birdiemachine shows two pair, Kings and Nines
zekaflush shows a straight, Queen high
zekaflush wins the pot ($66.05) with a straight, Queen high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $69.05 Rake $3
Board: [9c Th 8s 9h 3s]
Seat 1: birdiemachine showed [Kc Kd] and lost with two pair, Kings and Nines
Seat 2: zekaflush (button) showed [Jd Qs] and won ($66.05) with a straight, Queen high
Seat 3: gr8whyte (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Thor3gs (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: ProudDonkey is sitting out
Seat 6: riverpaul didn't bet (folded)


Probably overplayed the KK with that flop board, but he was sitting with less than a full buyin. So I don't mind my play as much.

FullTiltPoker Game #4989244302: Table Doucette (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:16:48 ET - 2008/01/24
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($47.85)
Seat 2: RunThaStreets ($49.25)
Seat 3: ArmandoGB ($50)
Seat 4: BodomInFlames ($15.25), is sitting out
Seat 5: NutmilkmouZ ($112.25)
Seat 6: MMmm Your Chips ($14.30)
MMmm Your Chips posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [5h 5s]
RunThaStreets folds
ArmandoGB folds
NutmilkmouZ raises to $1.75
MMmm Your Chips folds
ArmandoGB stands up
birdiemachine raises to $6
NutmilkmouZ has 15 seconds left to act
NutmilkmouZ calls $4.25
*** FLOP *** [3d 2s 4h]
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $9
NutmilkmouZ raises to $21 ....felt as though I was ahead, but I have 8 sure outs maybe 10 if I'm not.
birdiemachine raises to $41.85, and is all in
Turbo112 sits down
NutmilkmouZ calls $20.85
birdiemachine shows [5h 5s]
NutmilkmouZ shows [Jd Qc] .....terrible play here!!!
*** TURN *** [3d 2s 4h] [7s]
Turbo112 adds $50
*** RIVER *** [3d 2s 4h 7s] [Kd]
birdiemachine shows a pair of Fives
NutmilkmouZ shows King Queen high
birdiemachine wins the pot ($92.95) with a pair of Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $95.95 Rake $3
Board: [3d 2s 4h 7s Kd]
Seat 1: birdiemachine (big blind) showed [5h 5s] and won ($92.95) with a pair of Fives
Seat 2: RunThaStreets didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: ArmandoGB didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: BodomInFlames is sitting out
Seat 5: NutmilkmouZ (button) showed [Jd Qc] and lost with King Queen high
Seat 6: MMmm Your Chips (small blind) folded before the Flop


FullTiltPoker Game #4989216647: Table Marina (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:12:29 ET - 2008/01/24
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($55.70)
Seat 2: Cauli83 ($49.50)
Seat 3: Hamertijd ($51.75)
Seat 4: RazzySp00n ($170.85)
Seat 5: Isabel87 ($43.40)
Cauli83 posts the small blind of $0.25
Hamertijd posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Qs Qh]
RazzySp00n raises to $1.75
Isabel87 folds
birdiemachine raises to $6.25
Cauli83 folds
Stumpsew sits down
Stumpsew adds $50
Hamertijd folds
RazzySp00n calls $4.50
*** FLOP *** [Kc 4d Kd]
RazzySp00n checks
birdiemachine checks ....pot control and to help get some calls on later streets
*** TURN *** [Kc 4d Kd] [Ks]
RazzySp00n checks
birdiemachine bets $7 ...I eliminate AK from his possibilities and go to value betting.
RazzySp00n calls $7
*** RIVER *** [Kc 4d Kd Ks] [4c]
RazzySp00n checks
birdiemachine bets $14
RazzySp00n calls $14
*** SHOW DOWN ***
birdiemachine shows [Qs Qh] a full house, Kings full of Queens
RazzySp00n mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($52.50) with a full house, Kings full of Queens
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $55.25 Rake $2.75
Board: [Kc 4d Kd Ks 4c]
Seat 1: birdiemachine (button) showed [Qs Qh] and won ($52.50) with a full house, Kings full of Queens
Seat 2: Cauli83 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Hamertijd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: RazzySp00n mucked [Td Ts] - a full house, Kings full of Tens
Seat 5: Isabel87 didn't bet (folded)




FullTiltPoker Game #4989418614: Table Marina (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:43:18 ET - 2008/01/24
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($68.70)
Seat 2: heka ($50)
Seat 3: Hamertijd ($63.95)
Seat 4: RazzySp00n ($58.50)
Seat 5: torgeir ($163.50)
Seat 6: Stumpsew ($38.75)
RazzySp00n posts the small blind of $0.25
torgeir posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [5d 5s]
Stumpsew folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
heka folds
Hamertijd calls $1.75
RazzySp00n folds
torgeir folds
*** FLOP *** [Qs 5h 3c]
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $3
Hamertijd raises to $10
birdiemachine calls $7
*** TURN *** [Qs 5h 3c] [2d]
birdiemachine checks
Hamertijd bets $18
RazzySp00n stands up
birdiemachine raises to $56.95, and is all in .....probably should have called and value bet the river, but most players will overvalue TPTK and I get a call here.
tom_1983 sits down
tom_1983 adds $50
Hamertijd has 15 seconds left to act
Hamertijd folds
Uncalled bet of $38.95 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($57.25)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $60.25 Rake $3
Board: [Qs 5h 3c 2d]
Seat 1: birdiemachine collected ($57.25), mucked
Seat 2: heka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Hamertijd (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 4: RazzySp00n (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: torgeir (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Stumpsew didn't bet (folded)


Won $162.10....Bankroll...$4519.74

Short session...

I watched UK upset Tennessee last night so I didn't get much play last night. But in the 35 minutes of play I did make a profit and with more play I think it would have been a very good night. I found one aggressive player, that I must made an impression on from my play in an early hand. I used that early play to set up a big hand later on in the session. This is why you never want to get caught up in your short term results...It is difficult to execute, but poker is a game for the long-haul. I may have lost the early battle, but set myself up to win the war later on.

My first hand with this particular player...


FullTiltPoker Game #4960358039: Table Hualapai (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:34:40 ET - 2008/01/22
Seat 1: peimei1 ($64.60)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($50.55)
Seat 3: Chip Stevens ($51.05)
Seat 4: loeki_one ($71.60)
Seat 5: LucyLaPlant ($93.80)
Seat 6: ggblnt ($49.25)
peimei1 posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [6h 6c]
Chip Stevens folds
loeki_one folds
LucyLaPlant raises to $1.75
ggblnt folds
peimei1 folds
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine calls $1.25 ... 2 ways to play...reraise to $6 or call...I elect to call and evalute after flop.
*** FLOP *** [4h Tc Th] ....good flop for Lucy as this flop likely doesnt help my hand. But I know it probably didn't help Lucy either. 3 ways to play...lead for $3,check raise pot or fold. I decide to try to win with check raise and use it to set up future play. Next time I make trips on a flop like this, I will play the same way and hopefully get paid off. If I do lose, I look like a player trying to steal pots.
birdiemachine checks
LucyLaPlant bets $2
birdiemachine raises to $9.75
LucyLaPlant raises to $17.50 ...minimum re-raise is usually extremely strong or weak. I give up and decide a future battle is where I will win. Losing 10bb is a small loss, you need to do this on occasion to get paid on your big hands.
birdiemachine folds
Uncalled bet of $7.75 returned to LucyLaPlant
LucyLaPlant mucks
LucyLaPlant wins the pot ($22.10)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $23.25 Rake $1.15
Board: [4h Tc Th]
Seat 1: peimei1 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: birdiemachine (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: Chip Stevens didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: loeki_one didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: LucyLaPlant collected ($22.10), mucked
Seat 6: ggblnt (button) didn't bet (folded)



Hand #2...


FullTiltPoker Game #4960431235: Table Hualapai (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:40:32 ET - 2008/01/22
Seat 1: peimei1 ($53.85)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($43.30)
Seat 3: Chip Stevens ($49.55)
Seat 4: loeki_one ($58.15)
Seat 5: LucyLaPlant ($115.80)
Seat 6: ggblnt ($66.50)
loeki_one posts the small blind of $0.25
LucyLaPlant posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Js As]
ggblnt folds
peimei1 folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75 ...Normal PF raise
Chip Stevens folds
loeki_one folds
LucyLaPlant has 15 seconds left to act
LucyLaPlant calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [9h 3s Ts]
LucyLaPlant has 15 seconds left to act
LucyLaPlant checks
birdiemachine bets $3
LucyLaPlant raises to $7 ...Minimum reraise...but I'm not going anywhere with nut flush draw...put her on same flush draw with this bet. So i'm ahead and I'm going to let her bet!
birdiemachine calls $4
*** TURN *** [9h 3s Ts] [4s] ....bingo, please have the flush!
LucyLaPlant has 15 seconds left to act
LucyLaPlant bets $8
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine calls $8 ....I have the nuts, so I don't want to scare her away...If I missed the turn, I was going to push all-in here.
*** RIVER *** [9h 3s Ts 4s] [Kh]
LucyLaPlant has 15 seconds left to act
LucyLaPlant bets $27 ...Nice! she thought I was drawing with As.
birdiemachine calls $26.55, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $0.45 returned to LucyLaPlant
*** SHOW DOWN ***
LucyLaPlant shows [6d 6s] a pair of Sixes ....No sense in losing a huge pot with a small pocket pair like this. (-EV)
birdiemachine shows [Js As] a flush, Ace high
birdiemachine wins the pot ($83.85) with a flush, Ace high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $86.85 Rake $3
Board: [9h 3s Ts 4s Kh]
Seat 1: peimei1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: birdiemachine showed [Js As] and won ($83.85) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 3: Chip Stevens (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: loeki_one (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: LucyLaPlant (big blind) showed [6d 6s] and lost with a pair of Sixes
Seat 6: ggblnt didn't bet (folded)



+$11.45 for 200 hands....Bankroll: $4357.64

New games...

I seem to have no interest in playing my 6max 50nl project right now. I have played a bunch of sit-n-gos on Pokerstars to get me going...just something I do on occasion when things are going slow. I have played 866 hands and lost (-$42.80) during that period. Mainly due to my lack of interest and not performing optimally.

I have also played a few tournaments at about break even on UltimateBet and PokerStars(PS). My best shot going deep was last night in the $3rebuy on PS. We were in the money with a little more than 300 players left. (3396 started...money bubble was at 648) The average stack was about 72k and I had almost 128k when I get a few hands that dwindled me to nothing.


Hand #1


POKERSTARS GAME #14734250547: TOURNAMENT #74499124, $3.00+$0.30 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL XV (1500/3000) - 2008/01/21 - 23:57:41 (ET)
Table '74499124 61' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: gibabinan (9126 in chips)
Seat 2: 2cesRwild (79992 in chips)
Seat 3: BoydStreet (60029 in chips)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 (50600 in chips)
Seat 5: CARLAB27 (59360 in chips)
Seat 6: Pocono_Pimp (10795 in chips)
Seat 7: chuckspears (43152 in chips)
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 (95685 in chips)
Seat 9: birdymachine (127848 in chips)
gibabinan: posts the ante 300
2cesRwild: posts the ante 300
BoydStreet: posts the ante 300
Barracuda9: posts the ante 300
CARLAB27: posts the ante 300
Pocono_Pimp: posts the ante 300
chuckspears: posts the ante 300
chefkoch1907: posts the ante 300
birdymachine: posts the ante 300
birdymachine: posts small blind 1500
gibabinan: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdymachine [Ah Ks]
2cesRwild: folds
BoydStreet: folds
Barracuda9: folds
CARLAB27: folds
Pocono_Pimp: folds
chuckspears: folds
chefkoch1907: raises 3000 to 6000
birdymachine: raises 18000 to 24000
gibabinan: calls 5826 and is all-in
chefkoch1907: calls 18000
*** FLOP *** [4d 3h Js]
birdymachine: checks ----not going to bust with air
chefkoch1907: bets 71385 and is all-in
birdymachine: folds
*** TURN *** [4d 3h Js] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [4d 3h Js 5h] [7h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
chefkoch1907: shows [Ad Jh] (a pair of Jacks)
chefkoch1907 collected 30348 from side pot
gibabinan: shows [Tc 9s] (high card Jack)
chefkoch1907 collected 29178 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 59526 Main pot 29178. Side pot 30348. Rake 0
Board [4d 3h Js 5h 7h]
Seat 1: gibabinan (big blind) showed [Tc 9s] and lost with high card Jack
Seat 2: 2cesRwild folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: BoydStreet folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: CARLAB27 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Pocono_Pimp folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: chuckspears folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 (button) showed [Ad Jh] and won (59526) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 9: birdymachine (small blind) folded on the Flop


Hand #2

POKERSTARS GAME #14734400332: TOURNAMENT #74499124, $3.00+$0.30 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL XV (1500/3000) - 2008/01/22 - 00:06:16 (ET)
Table '74499124 61' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: MAAVERIKK757 (136552 in chips)
Seat 2: bigpun195 (36135 in chips)
Seat 3: BoydStreet (62129 in chips)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 (44000 in chips)
Seat 5: CARLAB27 (71575 in chips)
Seat 6: Lobben1 (68902 in chips)
Seat 7: chuckspears (86304 in chips)
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 (207828 in chips)
Seat 9: birdymachine (97248 in chips)
MAAVERIKK757: posts the ante 300
bigpun195: posts the ante 300
BoydStreet: posts the ante 300
Barracuda9: posts the ante 300
CARLAB27: posts the ante 300
Lobben1: posts the ante 300
chuckspears: posts the ante 300
chefkoch1907: posts the ante 300
birdymachine: posts the ante 300
MAAVERIKK757: posts small blind 1500
bigpun195: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdymachine [7d 7h]
BoydStreet: folds
bigpun195 said, "pushin around like crazy"
Barracuda9: folds
CARLAB27: calls 3000
Lobben1: folds
chuckspears: folds
chefkoch1907: folds
chuckspears said, "what was that big"
bigpun195 said, "that was one stupid call I made I need sleep"
birdymachine: raises 9500 to 12500
MAAVERIKK757: folds
bigpun195 said, "a couple 200k plus"
chuckspears said, "woulda worked out if i had 88"
bigpun195: folds
CARLAB27: raises 58775 to 71275 and is all-in (almost 2-1 to call) but I'm almost positive I am way behind...much more than would be 50-50
birdymachine: folds
CARLAB27 collected 32200 from pot
CARLAB27: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 32200 Rake 0
Seat 1: MAAVERIKK757 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: bigpun195 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: BoydStreet folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: CARLAB27 collected (32200)
Seat 6: Lobben1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: chuckspears folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: birdymachine (button) folded before Flop

Hand #3...and this was the sickest!!!

POKERSTARS GAME #14734471476: TOURNAMENT #74499124, $3.00+$0.30 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL XVI (2000/4000) - 2008/01/22 - 00:10:26 (ET)
Table '74499124 61' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: MAAVERIKK757 (124517 in chips)
Seat 2: bigpun195 (95705 in chips)
Seat 3: BoydStreet (55029 in chips)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 (12865 in chips)
Seat 5: CARLAB27 (90175 in chips)
Seat 6: Lobben1 (67802 in chips)
Seat 7: chuckspears (74204 in chips)
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 (206728 in chips)
Seat 9: birdymachine (83648 in chips)
MAAVERIKK757: posts the ante 400
bigpun195: posts the ante 400
BoydStreet: posts the ante 400
Barracuda9: posts the ante 400
CARLAB27: posts the ante 400
Lobben1: posts the ante 400
chuckspears: posts the ante 400
chefkoch1907: posts the ante 400
birdymachine: posts the ante 400
Barracuda9: posts small blind 2000
CARLAB27: posts big blind 4000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdymachine [Ks As]
Lobben1: calls 4000
Barracuda9 said, "urghhhh"
chuckspears: raises 69804 to 73804 and is all-in ...overshove I believed was telling me, I don't want a call...range of AJ-AQ or 66-JJ which gives me 58% equity or chance to win.
chefkoch1907: folds
birdymachine: raises 9444 to 83248 and is all-in
MAAVERIKK757: folds
bigpun195: folds
BoydStreet: folds
Barracuda9: folds
CARLAB27: folds
Lobben1: folds
bigpun195 said, "crazyyyyy"
*** FLOP *** [2h Qh 7s] .......Ugh!!!
*** TURN *** [2h Qh 7s] [Jc]
Lobben1 said, "OMG¨"
*** RIVER *** [2h Qh 7s Jc] [6d]
BoydStreet said, "and they keep on coming"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
chuckspears: shows [Ac Qs] (a pair of Queens)
birdymachine: shows [Ks As] (high card Ace)
Lobben1 said, "i folded AQ"
chuckspears collected 161208 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 161208 Rake 0
Board [2h Qh 7s Jc 6d]
Seat 1: MAAVERIKK757 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bigpun195 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: BoydStreet (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Barracuda9 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: CARLAB27 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Lobben1 folded before Flop
Seat 7: chuckspears showed [Ac Qs] and won (161208) with a pair of Queens
Seat 8: chefkoch1907 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: birdymachine showed [Ks As] and lost with high card Ace

Notice original limper says he folded AQ...giving other player 2 outs...75.57% to win...19.46% to lose and 4.97% to tie. Tournaments are a very high variance way to play which requires a lot of volume to overcome. I just don't have the time to devote to tournaments. I my luck goes the other way on these 3 hands...I probably have over 300k and very near the chip lead. I was in 30th place when I had 128k.

I did win $33 and was only in the tournament for $12.30. $20.70 profit...but that pales to what could be made at the final table...chuckspears went on to cash 5th for $1292. First place paid $6104.

Hee Haw!!!

Birdiemachine


Bankroll: $4346.19

Good night...

Played for 59 minutes (317 hands) at 4 tables on FullTilt. +$83.90 for 26.47bb/100 hands
Bankroll: $4388.96


Writing this blog does help you evaluate your game, and I noticed I have had too many preflop calls, especially out of position in the blinds. Playing out of position is one of the most difficult things, especially in nlhe. I try to avoid playing from early position as much a possible, and if I do, most likely it should be for a raise. I made more pre-flop, three-bet raises tonight than I have the previous two weeks.

Even after the flop, I was much more aggresive with continuation bets post-flop, and re-raising post-flop with air. I received very little opposition most of the night, I wish they all would go like this one. I would have played longer, but us working people must get our sleep!

A few to highlight for tonight....

This was my last hand of the night...

Seat 1: AviL NY ($50.25)
Seat 2: HEKIMA ($99.30)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($47.50)
Seat 4: AltronIV ($69.40)
Seat 5: Jet22 ($81.10)
Seat 6: LOL RIGGED ($108.60)
AviL NY posts the small blind of $0.25
HEKIMA posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [7h 7c]
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
AltronIV folds
Jet22 calls $1.75
LOL RIGGED folds
AviL NY folds
HEKIMA has 15 seconds left to act
HEKIMA folds
*** FLOP *** [9c 7d Qs] ----very draw heavy board as any card between 6 and K that doesnt pair board completes a straight.

birdiemachine bets $3 ---another C-bet
Jet22 raises to $8 ---light raise ususally = draw (he was also tilting)
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $26
Jet22 raises to $79.35, and is all in
birdiemachine calls $19.75, and is all in
Jet22 shows [8h 6h]
birdiemachine shows [7h 7c]
Uncalled bet of $33.60 returned to Jet22
*** TURN *** [9c 7d Qs] [2d] ------donk!
*** RIVER *** [9c 7d Qs 2d] [3c]! ------donk! I win!
Jet22 shows Queen Nine high
birdiemachine shows three of a kind, Sevens
birdiemachine wins the pot ($92.75) with three of a kind, Sevens
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $95.75 Rake $3
Board: [9c 7d Qs 2d 3c]
Seat 1: AviL NY (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: HEKIMA (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: birdiemachine showed [7h 7c] and won ($92.75) with three of a kind, Sevens
Seat 4: AltronIV didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Jet22 showed [8h 6h] and lost with Queen Nine high
Seat 6: LOL RIGGED (button) didn't bet (folded)


I really enjoyed how this played out....good example of why calling can be a bad play...although I didn't hurt him badly...

FullTiltPoker Game #4888251611: Table Gamma (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:33:59 ET - 2008/01/16
Seat 1: Yoink2 ($134)
Seat 2: CHAIMPYO ($31.95)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($65.15)
Seat 4: penguinjones1 ($36.25), is sitting out
Seat 5: lucas4king ($48.50)
Seat 6: ttilllttt ($55.80)
lucas4king posts the small blind of $0.25
ttilllttt posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [2s 3s]
Yoink2 has 15 seconds left to act
Yoink2 folds
CHAIMPYO folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
lucas4king folds
ttilllttt calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [Ks Ad 4h]
ttilllttt checks
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine checks -----no C-bet as I don't want to be raised off my gut-shot draw.
*** TURN *** [Ks Ad 4h] [9h]
ttilllttt checks
birdiemachine bets $3 ----Figured he was giving up with turn check.
ttilllttt calls $3
*** RIVER *** [Ks Ad 4h 9h] [5d] ---Bingo! What bet will he call? Gotta get paid!
ttilllttt checks
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $8 ----good looking heart draw bluff bet.
ttilllttt calls $8
*** SHOW DOWN ***
birdiemachine shows [2s 3s] a straight, Five high
ttilllttt mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($24.50) with a straight, Five high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $25.75 Rake $1.25
Board: [Ks Ad 4h 9h 5d]
Seat 1: Yoink2 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: CHAIMPYO didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: birdiemachine (button) showed [2s 3s] and won ($24.50) with a straight, Five high
Seat 4: penguinjones1 is sitting out
Seat 5: lucas4king (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ttilllttt (big blind) mucked [Qh Kd] - a pair of Kings


Pre-flop 3-bet situation...Player was getting out of line stealing blinds from late position..raising 40% of his hands from Button and Cutoff.

FullTiltPoker Game #4887559585: Table Marrow (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:36:51 ET - 2008/01/16
Seat 1: plzdontsukout ($50)
Seat 2: The New Dude ($81.40)
Seat 3: IEatBrains ($49.20)
Seat 4: vscampos ($120.10)
Seat 5: papeesh ($53.10)
Seat 6: birdiemachine ($48.60)
birdiemachine has 5 seconds left to act
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
plzdontsukout posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [9c Kc]
The New Dude folds
IEatBrains folds
vscampos folds
papeesh raises to $1.75
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $6
plzdontsukout folds
papeesh folds
Uncalled bet of $4.25 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($4)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $4 Rake $0
Seat 1: plzdontsukout (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: The New Dude didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: IEatBrains didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: vscampos didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: papeesh (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: birdiemachine (small blind) collected ($4), mucked


another....

FullTiltPoker Game #4888151274: Table Dartford (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:25:31 ET - 2008/01/16
Seat 1: birdiemachine ($51.35)
Seat 2: Rufus Cash ($94.70)
Seat 3: fnord ($44.25)
Seat 4: ttilllttt ($48.30)
Seat 5: mikey_1627 ($12.95)
Seat 6: Escort_Money ($75.60)
Escort_Money posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Js Th]
Rufus Cash folds
fnord folds
ttilllttt raises to $1.75
mikey_1627 folds
Escort_Money folds
birdiemachine raises to $6
ttilllttt folds
Uncalled bet of $4.25 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($3.75)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $3.75 Rake $0
Seat 1: birdiemachine (big blind) collected ($3.75), mucked
Seat 2: Rufus Cash didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: fnord didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: ttilllttt folded before the Flop
Seat 5: mikey_1627 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Escort_Money (small blind) folded before the Flop

really not much happening.

I have played 1,576 hands since my last post on Thursday. Not really got much going other making a few poor plays causing me be a loser ($65.90)through this period. I did get my rakeback from my FullTilt play in December for $231.31. So my bankroll has grown despite my lackluster play.



Play -$65.90....rakeback +$231.31.....bankroll $4305.06

This should have been an easy fold...


FullTiltPoker Game #4864327416: Table Antigua (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:32:03 ET - 2008/01/14
Seat 1: SayNoToOdds ($50)
Seat 2: LegalRobbery ($49.25)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($52.50)
Seat 4: jazzyjg24 ($55.30)
Seat 5: lankster_009 ($20)
Seat 6: dbstiles ($50)
jazzyjg24 posts the small blind of $0.25
lankster_009 posts the big blind of $0.50
5 seconds left to act
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Ah As]
SayNoToOdds folds
LegalRobbery folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
jazzyjg24 calls $1.50
lankster_009 folds
*** FLOP *** [Qd 2s Jd]
jazzyjg24 bets $4
birdiemachine calls $4
*** TURN *** [Qd 2s Jd] [Ks]
jazzyjg24 bets $12
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $46.75, and is all in ---------What can I beat???K10...Q10...J10...AQ...AK. Its much more likely that Im beat....call is not bad, but fold is optimal play...
jazzyjg24 calls $34.75
birdiemachine shows [Ah As]
jazzyjg24 shows [Kd Jc]
*** RIVER *** [Qd 2s Jd Ks] [6c]
birdiemachine shows a pair of Aces
jazzyjg24 shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
jazzyjg24 wins the pot ($102.50) with two pair, Kings and Jacks
birdiemachine adds $50
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $105.50 Rake $3
Board: [Qd 2s Jd Ks 6c]
Seat 1: SayNoToOdds didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: LegalRobbery didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: birdiemachine (button) showed [Ah As] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 4: jazzyjg24 (small blind) showed [Kd Jc] and won ($102.50) with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 5: lankster_009 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: dbstiles is sitting out


Could have saved $46.75!!!!!!

Back on the saddle...

Just played 66 hands tonight and won $83.65 for a bb/100 of 126.14. Bankroll now stands at: $4139.65.

Anyone playing online poker should notice how much quicker the online game goes than a live game. There is no shuffling of the cards, dealing is almost instantaneous, and online timers give less time than live. Players don't have to handle chips, dealers don't recount chips, players can't play out of turn and conversation is limited to typing chat. However, it feels really slow because there are no distractions to keep your attention while not in a hand. For me, I almost find it a necessity to play more than one table just to keep my mind in the game. Otherwise, I watch TV, check sports scores online, read the news online, etc.

Most new online players are astonished how anyone could keep up with two tables much less the 4-6 tables I normally play. Decisions for me are almost instantaneous because I have played so many hands that I have seen most every situation possible. Most live games have 9-10 players, allowing probably 30-40 hands per hour. When I play online, I usually play on tables with 6 or less players and 4-6 at a time. Each table will see 80-100 hands an hour, so I might play 300-500 in an hour. It can be very intense and distractions will usually cost you money, but my learning curve has been much more sharp because of the quantity I can see in such a short time.

There are many professional online players that will play more hands in one month(+50,000 hands) than any live player could see in a year. Think about that!!! Doyle Brunson has been playing over 50 years and many online players in their early 20's have already played more hands than the legend himself.

The biggest reason players multi-table is to increase their $/hr. At some point, players will see a diminishing return by playing too many tables. So there is some experimentation for everyone to find their optimum play. Start slowly and try to build up how many tables you can play. There is software you can purchase to help you keep track of your play but also the play of your opponents while you are playing. These statistics can be posted on each table, by their respective players and updated every few minutes of play.

The information can be carried over to the next session you have against this player or just for the current session. Statistics such as aggressiveness, looseness, winnings or the lack thereof can be vital on how you play a hand against an opponent. I will show you how this works in a video to post in this blog at a later time.

A great place to watch videos like this is at http://www.cardrunners.com/. Register for a free account and they have a few videos that are free to watch. You can also pay to watch certain other vidoes or register for a monthly membership allowing you access to their entire library of videos, blogs, chat, etc. It is great and certainly well worth the money. Cardrunners is typically known as the best training site for cash game play, another site, http://www.pokerxfactor.com/ , is better known for Tournament and Sit-n-Go play. Check them as they have been the start for may great online players!!!

Going out of town this weekend, and may not play much. If I do, I will post on Monday.



birdiemachine

Tilt!!!!

I was very tired as I started to play last night. I was just looking to get some full tilt points to earn a part of the bonus from last year's Iron Man. Based on my play last year, I qualified for $325 worth of bonus money. How much of the bonus money I receive is based on how many points I accumulate through the month of January. For every point I receive ($.05) Normally, I accumulate between 2500 and 3500 points in a month of play. So I wanted to to play a little extra this month to activate as much of the $325 bonus I am eligible for....

Last night, I knew I should have gone to bed. One thing I am getting better at is recognizing, when the game is bad for me, players are too good, or I am bad on a particular evening. (tired, mind elsewhere, etc.) But because of the bonus, I decide last night to play anyway.

It was going along without much action in either direction until I get QQ in the small blind.

FullTiltPoker Game #4802800103: Table St Rose (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:12:16 ET - 2008/01/09
Seat 1: synmongo ($50)
Seat 2: kew1076 ($53.25)
Seat 3: vegable ($52.80)
Seat 4: umd2512 ($27.55)
Seat 5: 25lbbag ($12.30)
Seat 6: birdiemachine ($52.75)
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
synmongo posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Qs Qc]
kew1076 folds
vegable folds
umd2512 folds
25lbbag folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.50
synmongo calls $1
*** FLOP *** [3c 9c 5c]
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $2.50
synmongo raises to $7.50 ----not a big raise with such a scary board tells me he is not in love with his hand so I call.
birdiemachine calls $5
*** TURN *** [3c 9c 5c] [8d]
birdiemachine checks ----I was going to lead if a club came on turn and evaluate his play. But I'm check raising all in if it blanks clubs.
synmongo bets $15.50
birdiemachine raises to $43.75, and is all in
synmongo calls $25.50, and is all in
birdiemachine shows [Qs Qc]
synmongo shows [5h 9h] -------------I am 36~37% to win....making my play +EV for this hand...-EV if he had a set. I didnt think a straight or a flush was possible
Uncalled bet of $2.75 returned to birdiemachine
*** RIVER *** [3c 9c 5c 8d] [2d] ---- Donk, I lose
birdiemachine shows a pair of Queens
synmongo shows two pair, Nines and Fives
synmongo wins the pot ($97) with two pair, Nines and Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $100 Rake $3
Board: [3c 9c 5c 8d 2d]
Seat 1: synmongo (big blind) showed [5h 9h] and won ($97) with two pair, Nines and Fives
Seat 2: kew1076 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: vegable didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: umd2512 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: 25lbbag (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: birdiemachine (small blind) showed [Qs Qc] and lost with a pair of Queens



As a result I steam the next few hands before eventually clicking the sit out tab on all my tables.

The other player winning the hand made a good play all the way through, maybe his raise post-flop should have been more. With that board, I would want to define my hand to the other player as very strong and willing to commit my chips. That equals a pot-size raise...instead of a $5 raise....probably an $8.50 raise would have been my play. We were 50/50 to win after the flop, but with that type of raise I would have folded. I try not to overplay over pairs or top pair in my normal game.



So..... I lose $89.80 in 185 hands or -48.54bb/100hands



Bankroll....$4056.40

Another quickie...

I played for 48 minutes with just two tables as I was data-mining and watching Allen Cunningham play 5000nl. He is a very good tournament player and just wanted to watch his cash game play. He had a solid session winning $6706 in 44 minutes of play.

Playing 50nl, where I am and playing 5000nl, where he is are two different games requiring an adjustment by the player 5000 nl is a much more aggressive game, especially preflop, with many hands being 3 bet with the occasional 4 bet. 50nl is usually a more passive game, which is good for better or aggressive players. Most 3-bets preflop equal a big hand (AA, AK, KK, QQ)Passive players tend not get any value out of their big hands or good hands, as they continually call not knowing where they stand in the hand. Most of the time they are ahead and miss bets which equals losing money. Aggressive players on the other hand always put pressure on other players by betting and raising...very rarely calling. Betting and raising gives you the extra opportunity of winning by making your oponent fold his hand.

In NLHE raising the proper amount is a vital part of the game. No matter what we hold, before the flop, after the flop or after the turn, players can catch up to our hand by the river. WHich means we must protect our hands by betting/raising giving other players poor odds to chase their hand to the river. This is what we call a (+EV) situation, where players continually put their money in the pot when they don't have proper odds to do so. +EV = positive expected value or longterm we will win money if this situatuion arises and we play it in this manner.

How can we compute our opponents odds...first we must have a range of hands to put our opponent on. This is much easier to do in the low limit games, typically because players again call too much. But using the hand below, I have raised PF (Preflop) with TT and get one caller. I flop a set of tens (3 of a kind) which is a very strong hand, but the board is very draw heavy and I must make opponents pay heavily in order to see the cards yet to come on the turn and river. It is draw heavy because any spade is a scare card, any 7,8,J or Q make a straight which means an opponents odds to possibly win this hand are greatly increased. Again I'm not trying to bet him out, just giving bad odds to play this hand against me...longterm I win money if I play it this way.

He makes a minimum size bet leading out after the flop (please don't do this!!!) which tells me he is drawing probably just to the flush...so I raise it to $8 which mean it will cost him $7.50 to win the $13.75 currently in the pot (1.83/1) or he must win 35.3% of hands in this situation. I know at best he has 8 outs because I have one in my hand if he is on the flush draw. 8 cards ~ 32% to win with the turn and river to come. (His odds are actually lower because I would have a redraw if he were to make his hand on the turn) He is not getting proper odds and should fold unless he believes he has more than 8 outs, and many players would do this, again especially at the lower limits.

If he did hold a hand with a straight and flush draw (QsJs), most good players are going to get all their money in the middle, typically they would be at worst 50/50 and ahead many times. I have one of the few hands where they would be an underdog of 60/40. Again, if they play all their hands with straight and flush draws aggresively, betting/raising and not calling, this is again +EV. Many times our opponent folds which = 100% win rate, they do call and we are 50%+ favorite to win or the few times they are 40/60 dog to a set. All hands combined together long-term in this situation is +EV. Yes, we will lose some big pots...but we will win more than our share too.


FullTiltPoker Game #4362773577: Table Rhoda (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:51:34 ET - 2007/12/01
Seat 1: PlusBank ($59.40)
Seat 2: ted 714 ($69.05)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($112)
Seat 4: Bannana Thief ($49.50)
Seat 5: steven bates ($103.15)
Seat 6: shizzle102 ($44)
Bannana Thief posts the small blind of $0.25
steven bates posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Ts Td]
shizzle102 folds
PlusBank folds
ted 714 calls $0.50
birdiemachine raises to $2.25
Bannana Thief folds
steven bates folds
ted 714 calls $1.75
*** FLOP *** [Th 9s 4s]
ted 714 bets $0.50
birdiemachine raises to $8
ted 714 calls $7.50
*** TURN *** [Th 9s 4s] [7d]
ted 714 checks
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine bets $25
ted 714 folds
Uncalled bet of $25 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($20.20)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $21.25 Rake $1.05
Board: [Th 9s 4s 7d]
Seat 1: PlusBank didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: ted 714 folded on the Turn
Seat 3: birdiemachine (button) collected ($20.20), mucked
Seat 4: Bannana Thief (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: steven bates (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: shizzle102 didn't bet (folded)

Here is an example of a player making a -EV play with a good hand against a draw heavy board:

FullTiltPoker Game #4790221196: Table Posse (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:08:37 ET - 2008/01/08
Seat 1: IJackit ($124)
Seat 2: Hero ln Black ($61.20)
Seat 3: dwbh28 ($58.50)
Seat 4: birdiemachine ($50)
Seat 5: vanGuar ($49.95)
Seat 6: Alarum ($48.75)
IJackit posts the small blind of $0.25
Hero ln Black posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Qh Jh]
dwbh28 folds
birdiemachine raises to $1.75
vanGuar raises to $4 ------ too weak, should be $6-7
Alarum calls $4 -----allows him to call prob with low to mid pocket pair(PP) (22~99)
IJackit folds
Hero ln Black calls $3.50 ------another caller with odds
birdiemachine calls $2.25 ----- I have the odds to call with any two now ($2.25 to win $14)
*** FLOP *** [6h 4h 8s]
Hero ln Black checks
birdiemachine checks
vanGuar bets $8 - awful bet...Pot=$16.25 should have bet $14-16 here
Alarum calls $8 bad bet = call here( prob put original raiser on AK)
Hero ln Black folds
birdiemachine calls $8 ----again $8 to win $32 (just need 20% chance for call)
*** TURN *** [6h 4h 8s] [7h] --------BINGO!!!!
birdiemachine checks
vanGuar bets $37.95, and is all in -----Overbet is not usually a sign of strength...I'm likely ahead
Alarum folds
birdiemachine calls $37.95
vanGuar shows [Kh Ks] ----He has King high flush draw, so I must fade 8 hearts to win
birdiemachine shows [Qh Jh]
*** RIVER *** [6h 4h 8s 7h] [4s] ------- Donk, I win!!!!
Alarum adds $13.25
vanGuar shows two pair, Kings and Fours
birdiemachine shows a flush, Queen high
birdiemachine wins the pot ($113.15) with a flush, Queen high
vanGuar is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $116.15 Rake $3
Board: [6h 4h 8s 7h 4s]
Seat 1: IJackit (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Hero ln Black (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: dwbh28 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: birdiemachine showed [Qh Jh] and won ($113.15) with a flush, Queen high
Seat 5: vanGuar showed [Kh Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Fours
Seat 6: Alarum (button) folded on the Turn





Time for bed....+$59.30 tonight for 138 hands
42.97bb/100 hands --- Bankroll = $4146.20

Quick session!

Quick 34 minute session for another 177 hands +$55.05 or 31.1 bb/100

Bankroll: $4086.90....

Played 4 tables and had a common opponent on 2 tables. The following hands happened at about the same time. Gave him credit for the AK hand, but i couldn't on the KK hand. I wonder if my AK was at least a flip???

FullTiltPoker Game #4778699455: Table Clayton (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:32:50 ET - 2008/01/07
Seat 1: BeeeBack ($50), is sitting out
Seat 2: vegable ($50.85)
Seat 3: ETMprops ($48.25)
Seat 4: Fire Elemental ($51.25)
Seat 5: birdiemachine ($60.55)
Seat 6: Led_NepHiLim ($21.70)
Fire Elemental posts the small blind of $0.25
birdiemachine posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Ks Ac]
Led_NepHiLim calls $0.50
vegable folds
ETMprops folds
Fire Elemental raises to $2
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $7
BeeeBack has returned
Led_NepHiLim folds
Fire Elemental raises to $51.25, and is all in
ETMprops adds $1.75
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine has requested TIME
birdiemachine folds
Uncalled bet of $44.25 returned to Fire Elemental
Fire Elemental mucks
Fire Elemental wins the pot ($14.50)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.50 Rake $0
Seat 1: BeeeBack is sitting out
Seat 2: vegable didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: ETMprops (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Fire Elemental (small blind) collected ($14.50), mucked
Seat 5: birdiemachine (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Led_NepHiLim folded before the Flop





FullTiltPoker Game #4778707410: Table Kennet (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:33:27 ET - 2008/01/07
Seat 1: Fire Elemental ($54.65)
Seat 2: river7card ($60.15)
Seat 3: birdiemachine ($55.50)
Seat 4: a-mo22 ($89.60)
Seat 5: Herr_Doktor1 ($26.70)
Seat 6: Copper Blew ($50)
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
a-mo22 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Kd Kc]
Herr_Doktor1 has 15 seconds left to act
Herr_Doktor1 folds
Fire Elemental raises to $1.75
river7card folds
birdiemachine raises to $6
a-mo22 calls $5.50
Fire Elemental raises to $54.65, and is all in
birdiemachine raises to $55.50, and is all in
a-mo22 folds
birdiemachine shows [Kd Kc]
Fire Elemental shows [Ad Ah]
Uncalled bet of $0.85 returned to birdiemachine
*** FLOP *** [9h 2d Kh]
*** TURN *** [9h 2d Kh] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [9h 2d Kh Qs] [Tc]
birdiemachine shows three of a kind, Kings
Fire Elemental shows a pair of Aces
birdiemachine wins the pot ($112.30) with three of a kind, Kings
Fire Elemental adds $50
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $115.30 Rake $3
Board: [9h 2d Kh Qs Tc]
Seat 1: Fire Elemental showed [Ad Ah] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: river7card (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: birdiemachine (small blind) showed [Kd Kc] and won ($112.30) with three of a kind, Kings
Seat 4: a-mo22 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Herr_Doktor1 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Copper Blew is sitting out


as you can see, I got lucky, which is why we play within our bankroll!!!


I did play in a freeroll tournament trying to qualify for the Poker after Dark TV show on NBC and this is the second I am dealt. I don't give players much credit for hands in these until late...


FullTiltPoker Game #4778394746: Poker After Dark Round 2 (31516087), Table 25 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:08:17 ET - 2008/01/07
Seat 1: chipper669 (1,610)
Seat 2: Fetique (1,970), is sitting out
Seat 3: MYCHAL112 (1,970)
Seat 4: Shivas Irons (2,000)
Seat 5: MurderMan61 (2,000)
Seat 6: birdiemachine (2,000)
Seat 7: simplyjason (2,000), is sitting out
Seat 8: elwackjob (2,450)
Seat 9: xkiddox (2,000)
Fetique posts the small blind of 15
MYCHAL112 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Kd Ks]
Shivas Irons has 15 seconds left to act
Shivas Irons is sitting out
Shivas Irons has timed out
Shivas Irons folds
MurderMan61 calls 30
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to 150
simplyjason folds
elwackjob folds
xkiddox raises to 2,000, and is all in
Fetique has returned
chipper669 folds
Fetique folds
MYCHAL112 calls 1,940, and is all in
MurderMan61 calls 1,970, and is all in
birdiemachine calls 1,850, and is all in
xkiddox shows [Kc Ac]
MYCHAL112 shows [Qs Qh]
MurderMan61 shows [As Ah]
birdiemachine shows [Kd Ks]
*** FLOP *** [Th 9d 6d]
*** TURN *** [Th 9d 6d] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [Th 9d 6d Jh] [7s]
xkiddox shows Ace King high
MurderMan61 shows a pair of Aces
birdiemachine shows a pair of Kings
elwackjob is sitting out
MurderMan61 wins the side pot (90) with a pair of Aces
MYCHAL112 shows a pair of Queens
MurderMan61 wins the main pot (7,895) with a pair of Aces
MYCHAL112 stands up
xkiddox stands up
birdiemachine stands up
chipper669 stands up
Fetique stands up
Shivas Irons stands up
MurderMan61 stands up
simplyjason stands up
elwackjob stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,985 Main pot 7,895. Side pot 90. Rake 0
Board: [Th 9d 6d Jh 7s]
Seat 1: chipper669 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Fetique (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: MYCHAL112 (big blind) showed [Qs Qh] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 4: Shivas Irons didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: MurderMan61 showed [As Ah] and won (7,985) with a pair of Aces
Seat 6: birdiemachine showed [Kd Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 7: simplyjason didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: elwackjob didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: xkiddox showed [Kc Ac] and lost with Ace King high

$4000 to $16000

As stated in my first blog, I have about $7200 in various online poker accounts. Most it is with FullTilt Poker ($4000). My goal is to take this account to $16000 by the end of the year. I had about $750 at the beginning of 2007 and had $4200 at the end. So I know I can make it grow at the micro levels of online poker, but my goal is to play 5-10NLHE at some point in time. If I make it to $16000 by the end of this year, I should be playing 1-2NLHE and 2-4NLHE.

Most of you may ask, why not go ahead and play the higher limit. Good bankroll management is the easy answer, but let me explain it a little better. At whatever level I play, I want to have 50+ buyins for that game. So in the 5-10NLHE game, the maximum buyin is $1000, which means I only have 4 buyins for that game. Just a little bad luck, and I bust all my bankroll and start from scratch. 50+ buyins would be an unprotected bankroll, which means I am not adding money from my day job toward my poker bankroll. If I was doing that I would probably use a 20-25 buyin rule.

Here is an example of a bad luck hand...


FullTiltPoker Game #4672093531: Table Posse (6 max) - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:57:14 ET - 2007/12/30
Seat 1: crazysculler ($52.50)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($47.25)
Seat 3: flop it 1_time ($60.35)
Seat 4: Epic Monolith ($51.70)
Seat 5: jfk729 ($77.85)
Seat 6: quanjinmei ($11)
birdiemachine posts the small blind of $0.25
flop it 1_time posts the big blind of $0.50
5 seconds left to act
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [Js Ad]
Epic Monolith folds
jfk729 folds
crazysculler folds
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $1.50
flop it 1_time calls $1
*** FLOP *** [Qd 4d 2d]
birdiemachine checks
flop it 1_time checks
*** TURN *** [Qd 4d 2d] [3d]
birdiemachine bets $2
flop it 1_time calls $2
*** RIVER *** [Qd 4d 2d 3d] [9s]
birdiemachine bets $5
flop it 1_time raises to $22
birdiemachine has 15 seconds left to act
birdiemachine raises to $43.75, and is all in
flop it 1_time calls $21.75
*** SHOW DOWN ***
birdiemachine shows [Js Ad] a flush, Ace high
flop it 1_time shows [6d 5d] a straight flush, Six high
flop it 1_time wins the pot ($91.50) with a straight flush, Six high
birdiemachine is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $94.50 Rake $3
Board: [Qd 4d 2d 3d 9s]
Seat 1: crazysculler (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: birdiemachine (small blind) showed [Js Ad] and lost with a flush, Ace high
Seat 3: flop it 1_time (big blind) showed [6d 5d] and won ($91.50) with a straight flush, Six high
Seat 4: Epic Monolith didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: jfk729 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: quanjinmei is sitting out

I had the nut (best) flush, but lost to a hand that is very difficult to put someone on, a straight flush.


So with $4000 to work with, I have 40 buyins at the $.50/1 NLHE level and 80 buyins for $.25/.50 level. My slight downswing in profits has kept me in the .25/.50 game until I get closer to $5000.

Actually winning money while playing is where most of your profits are derived, but there is another avenue that can provide some other revenue. It is called Rakeback. If you are not using it, and especially while playing cash games, then you are missing a great source of income. Each poker site rakes a portion of each pot (usually 3% up to $3) At the micro levels this can be significant in relation to stakes being played. At FullTilt I get back 27% of the rake I create for them. Which means about $200 for me every month. A third party site gets a portion of the rake you create when you register for online poker sites thru their website. They in turn pay you a percentage of what they receive. I have a link to the rakeback I use if you plan registering to play online poker. Email or comment any questions you my have about the subject! I will be glad to answer.

I played for about 2.5 hours today getting in 980 hands playing 4 tables at 50nl (.25/.50NLHE) on Fulltilt. Never got much going and won $31.85 for bb/100 of 3.25. bb= 2 x big blind. 4 bb/100 is my longterm target for my play. At 50nl I would win $480 if I play my normal 12k hands each month. Rakeback would equal about $200 for a profit $680 for the month. 12k hands usually takes about 12-15 hours of play if I 4-6 table my play. Yes you can play more than one table at a time.

Monday January 7, 2007 results: +$31.85 Project bankroll: $4031.85


I may get to play some more tonight...but I will probably watch the NCAA football game...geaux tigers!!!

What games to play?

Texas Hold 'em has become the most popular poker game by a wide margin, mainly due to CHris Moneymaker's win of the 2003 WSOP Main Event. In playing Hold 'em there are to different versions to play, limit, (LHE) where the bets are a set amount at various points in each hand. The more popular version is No-Limit Hold 'em (NLHE) which allows you to bet any amount you wish up to the amount of money you have in front of you.



As I started playing playing online, I usually played tournament NLHE or cash games LHE. Now 99.9% of my Hold'em play is NLHE cash and tournaments. It's a very simple game but because you never know what your opponent holds, and for the good players, your opponent doesn't know what you hold, it provides many complexities that takes thousands upon thousands of hands played to understand.


FullTiltPoker Game #3155308957: Table Singing View - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:09:29 ET - 2007/08/04
Seat 1: LivinOffaU ($112)
Seat 2: Bobz2433 ($101.15)
Seat 3: red309 ($54)
Seat 4: GREATMAN222 ($155.15)
Seat 5: hammering ($173.60)
Seat 6: birdiemachine ($97.90)
Seat 7: norajean ($61)
Seat 8: dan13057 ($20.60)
Seat 9: iuorbust ($48.95)
iuorbust posts the small blind of $0.50
LivinOffaU posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [4d 3d]
Bobz2433 raises to $3
red309 folds
GREATMAN222 folds
hammering folds
birdiemachine calls $3
norajean folds
dan13057 calls $3
iuorbust calls $2.50
LivinOffaU calls $2
*** FLOP *** [4s Qd 4c]
uorbust checks
LivinOffaU has 15 seconds left to act
LivinOffaU checks
Bobz2433 bets $11
birdiemachine raises to $22
dan13057 folds
iuorbust folds
LivinOffaU has 15 seconds left to act
LivinOffaU folds
Bobz2433 calls $11
*** TURN ***
[4s Qd 4c] [Ts]
Bobz2433 checks
birdiemachine bets $35
Bobz2433 raises to $76.15, and is all in
birdiemachine calls $37.90, and is all in
Bobz2433 shows [Qc Ac]
birdiemachine shows [4d 3d]
Uncalled bet of $3.25 returned to Bobz2433
*** RIVER ***
[4s Qd 4c Ts] [7d]
Bobz2433 shows two pair, Queens and Fours
birdiemachine shows three of a kind, Fours
birdiemachine wins the pot ($201.80) with three of a kind, Fours
** SUMMARY ***Total pot $204.80 Rake $3
Board: [4s Qd 4c Ts 7d]
Seat 1: LivinOffaU (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Bobz2433 showed [Qc Ac] and lost with two pair, Queens and Fours
Seat 3: red309 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: GREATMAN222 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: hammering didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: birdiemachine showed [4d 3d] and won ($201.80) with three of a kind, Fours
Seat 7: norajean didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: dan13057 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: iuorbust (small blind) folded on the Flop


Any two cards can win in this game as you can see with the hand history listed above. The small or minimum raise I made after the flop was to help make sure we got all our money in before the river. Most players will overplay top pair with a good or even the best kicker. Because I know that, 43 suited becomes a more valuable hand. I know players are willing to ignore what I may have and pay me off with less than premium holdings.


FullTiltPoker Game #3068434958: Table Grand Hills - $0.50/$1 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:30:29 ET - 2007/07/26
Seat 1: flyinghighxxx ($20.70)
Seat 2: birdiemachine ($103.70)
Seat 3: tommy_spun26 ($31.55)
Seat 4: pokebob ($115.25)
Seat 5: theax123 ($192.70)
Seat 6: tcyr19 ($148.25)
Seat 7: sniperpro ($17)
Seat 8: Run You Over 22 ($97.65)
Seat 9: JaRoJr ($100), is sitting out
tommy_spun26 posts the small blind of $0.50
pokebob posts the big blind of $1
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to birdiemachine [7h 5h]
theax123 folds
tcyr19 folds
sniperpro folds
Run You Over 22 folds
flyinghighxxx folds
birdiemachine raises to $3
tommy_spun26 has 15 seconds left to act
tommy_spun26 calls $2.50
pokebob calls $2
*** FLOP *** [6h Th 4h]
tommy_spun26 checks
pokebob bets $8
birdiemachine calls $8
tommy_spun26 folds
*** TURN *** [6h Th 4h] [9s]
pokebob bets $15
birdiemachine raises to $92.70, and is all in
pokebob folds
Uncalled bet of $77.70 returned to birdiemachine
birdiemachine mucks
birdiemachine wins the pot ($52.25)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $55 Rake $2.75
Board: [6h Th 4h 9s]
Seat 1: flyinghighxxx didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: birdiemachine (button) collected ($52.25), mucked
Seat 3: tommy_spun26 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: pokebob (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 5: theax123 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: tcyr19 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: sniperpro didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Run You Over 22 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: JaRoJr is sitting out

See you soon!

Birdiemachine

Where to start?!?!?!

I have been playing online poker for four years, about like most post-moneymaker online players. At the very beginning, I played freeroll tournaments just for the excitement it gave me. Nothing like outlasting 3000 other players to win a tournament. After a few months, it kind of lost its luster and I began to watch tournaments or players playing for real money.



I made my first deposit $25 in Novenber of 2003, and I played on that for probably 2-3 weeks. Finally losing it all in a $5.50 Sit-n-Go at Bugsy's Club. However, our group of poker buddies played a couple of home-game tournaments and I won the second event, netting me a little over $500.



I took that $500 and deposited half at Bugsys and the other half at UltimateBet, and I have never really looked back since. Some of my buddies were interested in playing online and some gave it try while most decided they weren't good enough to play or didn't really want to waste the time. My biggest problem from this point through late 2006 was I was never able to build a bankroll because I always withdrew my winnings by transferring money to other players for cash or withdrawing portions of big scores I would make in tournaments.


That problem was quickly resolved with the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in October of 2006 and the closing of several e-wallet sites that made depositing to online poker sites fairly simple. Since my ability to deposit was pretty much taken away, I now had to cut off my friends from money transfers I would make to them.


For me, this happened to be a great thing for my online bankroll as it would normally fluctuate betweeen $500 and $2500 and never really get any bigger. With my average usually around $1500, I was limited to what size game I could play comfortably without worrying about going busto. This is what most every good poker player adheres to, not playing over your head or your bankroll. I will explain this in greater detail in another post.

Now my bankroll has grown to over $7000 in about 10 months time, but it has twice been as big as $8700 within the last couple of months. Losing is normal part of playing poker, even the best are going to have stretches where nothing goes right. But just like investing, good players in the long-term are going make money. As the size of the game gets bigger, so does the quality of players. That means there will be fewer and fewer winners as we go up the ladder of stakes. I'm sure there will be a point where I will reach my ceiling of profitable play. But hopefully I can make 4-5 more levels before I reach that point.

I will be back with more information and hopefully some poker hand discussions very soon!

My player ID's at each site are:

Birdiemachine-FullTilt
Birdymachine-UltimateBet
Birdymachine-PokerStars

Good luck at the tables!