Live Grind: How to Fall Asleep at the Table (Without Getting Caught)
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
For the Cherokee one, it overlaps with the MSPT at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. So if I play anything it'd probably be that. Great structure, soft field, and no airfare. Tough to see a small tourney trip being profitable if I have to fly. But they haven't posted the schedule yet so it's possible.
I could conceivably do the Bally's stop and play several events toward the beginning, or just come out for the main. I can't really take the whole week off since I'll need that time later in the year for the series.
I could conceivably do the Bally's stop and play several events toward the beginning, or just come out for the main. I can't really take the whole week off since I'll need that time later in the year for the series.
vinylspiros
PIRANHA-------->< (((º>
Silver Level
Yep, you can watch the final table I was on here: http://msptpoker.com/pages/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=121
Just click the blue link. I was in seat 10. It kind of sucks because they had technical issues with the commentary and it only lasts for like 30 minutes or so. I think it was the first time they ever streamed it on Twitch, so they had a lot of problems with it.
But they still have the full video, and left the table mic on, and there's at least SOME banter and stuff.
hehehe. thanks man. watched some of it. gonna watch a bit more at some point.
doesnt playing on cam make you more nervous?
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
It's funny, people have asked that in the context of that final table a lot, but it just really didn't make me nervous or play different. The fact that I was on the biggest final table I had made to date was definitely a big deal for me, but that also didn't really make me nervous so much as determined to play my A game.
I think a lot of people who get to that point of the tournament end up being a little psyched out by the fact that they are being live streamed, but I guess for me I am just more focused on making profitable decisions. And maybe I have just enough narcissism to be excited about getting filmed, instead of nervous.
Who knows, either way I really enjoyed that final table, and I can't wait to get back there. With over 10 MSPT's tentatively on my schedule for next year, I think I've got a pretty reasonable shot at doing it again soon.
vinylspiros
PIRANHA-------->< (((º>
Silver Level
It's funny, people have asked that in the context of that final table a lot, but it just really didn't make me nervous or play different. The fact that I was on the biggest final table I had made to date was definitely a big deal for me, but that also didn't really make me nervous so much as determined to play my A game.
I think a lot of people who get to that point of the tournament end up being a little psyched out by the fact that they are being live streamed, but I guess for me I am just more focused on making profitable decisions. And maybe I have just enough narcissism to be excited about getting filmed, instead of nervous.
Who knows, either way I really enjoyed that final table, and I can't wait to get back there. With over 10 MSPT's tentatively on my schedule for next year, I think I've got a pretty reasonable shot at doing it again soon.
i hear you man. I've never played a hand of live poker in my life. Played a gazillion online but never been to a casino for poker.
That might sound so WTF DUDE, but thats just how it is. Every time i think of going to play live at the local casino ,my hands get sweaty just from the thought of sitting at a table with another 8-9 people and having to go through the initial staredown( thats how i imagine it).
Also some friends of mine have told me that the first time is always kinda wierd and at first.
thanks for replying.
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
Well, there's definitely an adjustment period. If you're ever considering playing live, just keep in mind that you won't be playing your best - you'll have to pay attention to a ton of stuff: the dealer, the players, the pot size, your stack and topping up, and a hundred other things. You'll just be getting used to it, so it will ofc feel weird at first. There are some great guides on CC about playing live for the first time though, so check those out first if you decide to go play sometime.
Some people recommend playing with friends at home first, but imo that does very little to prepare you for casino. Tendencies of villains and rules can vary greatly between these. Plus it's just a very different atmosphere.
Obv no pressure to go play, but if you're thinking about it, don't let the newness/weirdness stop you and just go ahead and try it out.
JOEBOB69
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Shity Bud Light. Though i've been tring to keep in touch with the thread when i can.
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
Live Donkaments: How to Dust Off Your Stack
Not been much to report, since my volume has been lower than it's been in a long time. I've only played 1 session so far in 2016, as well as a few of the big new year tournaments on BV (all of which I bricked), so I'm like $1,300 in the hole to start the year lol.
But my year of live donkaments is just beginning. This weekend I'm playing my first MSPT of the season: a $350 regional event with a $50,000 guarantee. It should smash that guarantee though - I'm expecting them to break 900 entries. Their last couple $1,100 events broke 600, so I think that's a reasonable estimate, and it'll lead to a prize pool of well over $250,000, meaning a top prize of $50,000 at the absolute minimum. Certainly worth playing for.
Only downer about this tournament is that it's slightly faster than the 1,100 ones. Levels are 30 minutes long, instead of 40, which means we'll play 16 levels on Day 1 instead of just 12. However, this also means that the money bubble will burst before Day 2, which might mean the huge nit fest that normally is the beginning of Day 2 will be non-existent.
You might think that the difference between 40 and 30 min levels isn't huge, but it means that especially in the later levels on Day 1, and especially on Day 2, you better be moving your arse to chip up if you ever get short. I've had good fortune to mostly accumulate big stacks when I get to Day 2 in these things, but I'll basically have less time to do it than normal so we'll see. There are only two regionals I'm planning to play this year, so it's not a huge considerations compared to the MSPT mains, but I'd like to play the best I can in whatever structure I'm in.
Should be fun regardless. I've been itching to get back to the MSPT, now that I've got my last two tournaments putting me at the final three tables and not closing. Frustrating, but I'm more than ready to get back to it.
Not been much to report, since my volume has been lower than it's been in a long time. I've only played 1 session so far in 2016, as well as a few of the big new year tournaments on BV (all of which I bricked), so I'm like $1,300 in the hole to start the year lol.
But my year of live donkaments is just beginning. This weekend I'm playing my first MSPT of the season: a $350 regional event with a $50,000 guarantee. It should smash that guarantee though - I'm expecting them to break 900 entries. Their last couple $1,100 events broke 600, so I think that's a reasonable estimate, and it'll lead to a prize pool of well over $250,000, meaning a top prize of $50,000 at the absolute minimum. Certainly worth playing for.
Only downer about this tournament is that it's slightly faster than the 1,100 ones. Levels are 30 minutes long, instead of 40, which means we'll play 16 levels on Day 1 instead of just 12. However, this also means that the money bubble will burst before Day 2, which might mean the huge nit fest that normally is the beginning of Day 2 will be non-existent.
You might think that the difference between 40 and 30 min levels isn't huge, but it means that especially in the later levels on Day 1, and especially on Day 2, you better be moving your arse to chip up if you ever get short. I've had good fortune to mostly accumulate big stacks when I get to Day 2 in these things, but I'll basically have less time to do it than normal so we'll see. There are only two regionals I'm planning to play this year, so it's not a huge considerations compared to the MSPT mains, but I'd like to play the best I can in whatever structure I'm in.
Should be fun regardless. I've been itching to get back to the MSPT, now that I've got my last two tournaments putting me at the final three tables and not closing. Frustrating, but I'm more than ready to get back to it.
or3o1990
Legend
Silver Level
Not been much to report, since my volume has been lower than it's been in a long time. I've only played 1 session so far in 2016, as well as a few of the big new year tournaments on BV (all of which I bricked), so I'm like $1,300 in the hole to start the year lol.
But my year of live donkaments is just beginning. This weekend I'm playing my first MSPT of the season: a $350 regional event with a $50,000 guarantee. It should smash that guarantee though - I'm expecting them to break 900 entries. Their last couple $1,100 events broke 600, so I think that's a reasonable estimate, and it'll lead to a prize pool of well over $250,000, meaning a top prize of $50,000 at the absolute minimum. Certainly worth playing for.
.
Good luck this weekend. It's cool that the MSPT is offering some smaller buy ins tournaments. If you find yourself in need bloody mary with a burger and cheese curds on top of it try Sobleman's. It's only a couple of blocks away from the casino.
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
Hey thanks, oreo! You live or used to live in the area I take it?
Thanks everyone, appreciate it. I'm definitely looking forward to playing. I wish I could play more often in general, but I certainly enjoy and play well in tournaments the most. Cash is theoretically where I can achieve a better hourly, but in reality, I think maybe I make too many big mistakes in cash that I'm able to avoid in tournaments, such that that may not be true for me.
In any case, it's fun to shoot for the MSPT final tables in particular because it's exciting to get there, and obviously it's pretty cool to be able to have your family and friends watch you play.
Thanks everyone, appreciate it. I'm definitely looking forward to playing. I wish I could play more often in general, but I certainly enjoy and play well in tournaments the most. Cash is theoretically where I can achieve a better hourly, but in reality, I think maybe I make too many big mistakes in cash that I'm able to avoid in tournaments, such that that may not be true for me.
In any case, it's fun to shoot for the MSPT final tables in particular because it's exciting to get there, and obviously it's pretty cool to be able to have your family and friends watch you play.
or3o1990
Legend
Silver Level
Yw! Yeah I spent most of my life in a medium sized, mostly Italian city that's about 40 minutes south of Milwaukee called Kenosha. I recently relocated to the south and damn do I miss the food up there!
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
I have a customer in Appleton, so I've been there a couple times.
Well, I fired two bullets and busted the MSPT. The faster structure was a little annoying, but all in all I think most of what happened was pretty standard. Had an annoying spot early where I had a 35k in level 3 (over 150bb) and floped an OESFD on J96ccs, made a massive raise over cbet and cold call. I got cold called by a fourth player and the others folded. Turn was a T, and I just shipped, which was like 70bb effective. I got called by 87o and I obviously bricked the river. Just such a ridiculous call from the guy on the flop, but w/e. Couple other coolers and such but again, most of it entirely standard.
Might play cash tomorrow, but tonight I'm tired and can't focus.
Well, I fired two bullets and busted the MSPT. The faster structure was a little annoying, but all in all I think most of what happened was pretty standard. Had an annoying spot early where I had a 35k in level 3 (over 150bb) and floped an OESFD on J96ccs, made a massive raise over cbet and cold call. I got cold called by a fourth player and the others folded. Turn was a T, and I just shipped, which was like 70bb effective. I got called by 87o and I obviously bricked the river. Just such a ridiculous call from the guy on the flop, but w/e. Couple other coolers and such but again, most of it entirely standard.
Might play cash tomorrow, but tonight I'm tired and can't focus.
Matt Vaughan
King of Moody Rants
Bronze Level
Welp, CC telling me that my thread is over a month old, and I should consider starting a new thread. Which actually makes sense, given how much this has turned into a donkament thread.
In any case, figured I'd give a little bump here. I played a $250 satty last weekend for the MSPT this coming weekend. On first bullet I played a little too fast and loose pre, but also kind of got boned. There was a guy on my left who knew me, and announced to the table that he knew me and that I normally take all his chips.
I was down to about 6k (60bb at 100/100) in the first level from a 12k starting stack, and looked down at OTB, facing a limp from MP. I make it 400, and proceed to get 3 callers - SB, BB, and the MP limper.
Flop (1,600)
SB, the guy who knows me, leads for 700 and it folds to me. He's a fairly straightforward player. Generally tight-ish pre, doesn't get out of line post. Betting into 3 players like this he's literally never bluffing. But he's usually not going to be super strong either. In the moment I mostly put him on mediocre one pair Ax hands.
At this point I have 5.6k, and I figure most raise sizes are pretty awkward and potentially could get him to fold a hand I'm crushing as well, when he might bet or call a bet OTT. I deliberately take some time with it so I look like I'm thinking about folding much more than I am, and call.
Turn (3,000) :7sh:
The turn card is a relative brick and completes the badugi. SB pretty quickly leads again, this time for 1,700. It's a slightly bigger bet compared to the pot, but I don't think it really indicates any change in his hand strength, so I'm thinking the same way I thought on the flop. I now have 4.9k in front of me, and I'm thinking that he very well may just stick the money in with any Ax now because he managed to put so much into the pot and can't fold. There are also a few cards that may slow the action to some degree so I figure it might behoove me to get more money in now.
I think about raising super small, but in these satellites, people aren't that sizing aware anyway, so I don't think it would shoot his calling frequency way up or anything. I end up shipping.
The pot is now 9.6k, and he has to call an additional 3.2k. He hems and haws for a few seconds, then says, "well, I think I have to call now... just too much out there." He tosses in the call, and tables QTo.
Now, before I tell you what the river is, you need to understand something about this hand. We are playing in the Ho Chunk casino in the Wisconsin Dells. In the poker room here, QT is a sacred hand, and known only as the "Ho Chunk nuts." Shockingly, no one announced the hand's name or made any comments on the likelihood of it sucking out.
But when the T came on the river, I was far from surprised. I shook the SB's hand, cause he's actually a pretty terrific guy, if not the best player in the world.
In any case, my second bullet went much better. I had some swings in the early game, and was down to about 4k at one point. I got a super loose guy to double me up though with KJo > QJs, and from there on out I couldn't lose. It was true sun-running: picking up cards, picking up spots, making good reads and actually holding as a 60-80% favorite on multiple occasions. It was pretty nice, though I was very aware of how sick I was running.
The satellite had 151 runners, and 30 would get the seat. With about 80 players left, I had over 50bb, and a huge chip lead at my table. With 60 players left, I had over 60bb, and was easily the chip leader of the tournament.
It continued this way all the way down to the final 38 or so, and we were all making jokes about how many hands I was still playing - I kept contending that I needed to bring those chips with me to "day 2," and that I needed to be the chip leader if I wanted to win the thing.
Unsurprisingly, there ended up being several very short stacks on my table. On the bubble in hand for hand play, UTG+1 blind limped out of turn with an 80k stack. He had been limping in almost every hand for the last orbit. With a big blind of 4k, the UTG player open limped all in with his last 2.3k. His shove involved a total of 5 chips.
UTG+1 had already called. Somehow, it folded ALL the way around to me in the BB, and I looked down... at aces.
I couldn't help myself - I tried to suppress it but a little smile leaked out and turned into a bit of a smirk. I checked.
We checked the whole way of course, and the board ran out K98 4 7. I immediately turned over my hand, and it was good.
So with the chip lead, with aces, and checking it down the whole way, I knocked out the bubble boy in the satellite. It took me 2 bullets, but I'm finally playing my first fully paid for MSPT next weekend. Look for me in Pokernews, and hopefully on the MSPT live stream. It's about time I started sun-running.
In any case, figured I'd give a little bump here. I played a $250 satty last weekend for the MSPT this coming weekend. On first bullet I played a little too fast and loose pre, but also kind of got boned. There was a guy on my left who knew me, and announced to the table that he knew me and that I normally take all his chips.
I was down to about 6k (60bb at 100/100) in the first level from a 12k starting stack, and looked down at
OTB, facing a limp from MP. I make it 400, and proceed to get 3 callers - SB, BB, and the MP limper.Flop (1,600)
SB, the guy who knows me, leads for 700 and it folds to me. He's a fairly straightforward player. Generally tight-ish pre, doesn't get out of line post. Betting into 3 players like this he's literally never bluffing. But he's usually not going to be super strong either. In the moment I mostly put him on mediocre one pair Ax hands.
At this point I have 5.6k, and I figure most raise sizes are pretty awkward and potentially could get him to fold a hand I'm crushing as well, when he might bet or call a bet OTT. I deliberately take some time with it so I look like I'm thinking about folding much more than I am, and call.
Turn (3,000) :7sh:
The turn card is a relative brick and completes the badugi. SB pretty quickly leads again, this time for 1,700. It's a slightly bigger bet compared to the pot, but I don't think it really indicates any change in his hand strength, so I'm thinking the same way I thought on the flop. I now have 4.9k in front of me, and I'm thinking that he very well may just stick the money in with any Ax now because he managed to put so much into the pot and can't fold. There are also a few cards that may slow the action to some degree so I figure it might behoove me to get more money in now.
I think about raising super small, but in these satellites, people aren't that sizing aware anyway, so I don't think it would shoot his calling frequency way up or anything. I end up shipping.
The pot is now 9.6k, and he has to call an additional 3.2k. He hems and haws for a few seconds, then says, "well, I think I have to call now... just too much out there." He tosses in the call, and tables QTo.
Now, before I tell you what the river is, you need to understand something about this hand. We are playing in the Ho Chunk casino in the Wisconsin Dells. In the poker room here, QT is a sacred hand, and known only as the "Ho Chunk nuts." Shockingly, no one announced the hand's name or made any comments on the likelihood of it sucking out.
But when the T came on the river, I was far from surprised. I shook the SB's hand, cause he's actually a pretty terrific guy, if not the best player in the world.
In any case, my second bullet went much better. I had some swings in the early game, and was down to about 4k at one point. I got a super loose guy to double me up though with KJo > QJs, and from there on out I couldn't lose. It was true sun-running: picking up cards, picking up spots, making good reads and actually holding as a 60-80% favorite on multiple occasions. It was pretty nice, though I was very aware of how sick I was running.
The satellite had 151 runners, and 30 would get the seat. With about 80 players left, I had over 50bb, and a huge chip lead at my table. With 60 players left, I had over 60bb, and was easily the chip leader of the tournament.
It continued this way all the way down to the final 38 or so, and we were all making jokes about how many hands I was still playing - I kept contending that I needed to bring those chips with me to "day 2," and that I needed to be the chip leader if I wanted to win the thing.
Unsurprisingly, there ended up being several very short stacks on my table. On the bubble in hand for hand play, UTG+1 blind limped out of turn with an 80k stack. He had been limping in almost every hand for the last orbit. With a big blind of 4k, the UTG player open limped all in with his last 2.3k. His shove involved a total of 5 chips.
UTG+1 had already called. Somehow, it folded ALL the way around to me in the BB, and I looked down... at aces.
I couldn't help myself - I tried to suppress it but a little smile leaked out and turned into a bit of a smirk. I checked.
We checked the whole way of course, and the board ran out K98 4 7. I immediately turned over my hand, and it was good.
So with the chip lead, with aces, and checking it down the whole way, I knocked out the bubble boy in the satellite. It took me 2 bullets, but I'm finally playing my first fully paid for MSPT next weekend. Look for me in Pokernews, and hopefully on the MSPT live stream. It's about time I started sun-running.
vinylspiros
PIRANHA-------->< (((º>
Silver Level
very good news scourge. Unlucky that he hit that ten on the river. Its also really bad how he played the hand with you 3betting pre in a 4way pot. He must have been scarred of someone having the ace in that spot. ( he must have been a pretty bad player)
Thankfully you made it to the entrees and your bullets didnt go to waste.
Your posts are really nice to read and i wish you the best of luck in the tournament. TID bud.
Thankfully you made it to the entrees and your bullets didnt go to waste.
Your posts are really nice to read and i wish you the best of luck in the tournament. TID bud.
or3o1990
Legend
Silver Level
The Hochunk nuts strike again!
iPoker - $1 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
UTG: 79.41 BB (VPIP: 38.24, PFR: 8.82, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 34)
Hero (UTG+1): 138.4 BB
MP: 61.85 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
MP+1: 146.36 BB (VPIP: 29.63, PFR: 14.81, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 81)
CO: 99 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 22.22, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
BTN: 97 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 6)
SB: 95 BB (VPIP: 34.78, PFR: 17.39, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
BB: 93.28 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 13.33, 3Bet Preflop: 6.67, Hands: 30)
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A:heart: A:spade:
fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, MP calls 3 BB, MP+1 calls 3 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, fold
Flop: (13 BB, 4 players) 3:heart: J:diamond: K:club:
SB checks, Hero bets 7 BB, MP calls 7 BB, fold, fold
Turn: (27 BB, 2 players) A:diamond:
Hero bets 15.5 BB, MP raises to 51.85 BB, Hero calls 36.35 BB
River: (130.7 BB, 2 players) 4:club:
Hero mucks A:heart: A:spade: (Three of a Kind, Aces)
(Pre 84%, Flop 76%, Turn 23%)
MP shows Q:diamond: T:club: (Straight, Ace High)
(Pre 16%, Flop 24%, Turn 77%)
MP wins 127.7 BB
iPoker - $1 NL - Holdem - 8 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
UTG: 79.41 BB (VPIP: 38.24, PFR: 8.82, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 34)
Hero (UTG+1): 138.4 BB
MP: 61.85 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 1)
MP+1: 146.36 BB (VPIP: 29.63, PFR: 14.81, 3Bet Preflop: 9.09, Hands: 81)
CO: 99 BB (VPIP: 33.33, PFR: 22.22, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 9)
BTN: 97 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 6)
SB: 95 BB (VPIP: 34.78, PFR: 17.39, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 23)
BB: 93.28 BB (VPIP: 20.00, PFR: 13.33, 3Bet Preflop: 6.67, Hands: 30)
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has A:heart: A:spade:
fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, MP calls 3 BB, MP+1 calls 3 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, fold
Flop: (13 BB, 4 players) 3:heart: J:diamond: K:club:
SB checks, Hero bets 7 BB, MP calls 7 BB, fold, fold
Turn: (27 BB, 2 players) A:diamond:
Hero bets 15.5 BB, MP raises to 51.85 BB, Hero calls 36.35 BB
River: (130.7 BB, 2 players) 4:club:
Hero mucks A:heart: A:spade: (Three of a Kind, Aces)
(Pre 84%, Flop 76%, Turn 23%)
MP shows Q:diamond: T:club: (Straight, Ace High)
(Pre 16%, Flop 24%, Turn 77%)
MP wins 127.7 BB
