Own the Flop

When I first started playing poker about a year ago, I was the only one inside my circle of friends to express any interest whatsoever. I tried to get a few of them to watch the WSOP with me on ESPN, but they laughed and said ESPN had become a joke. I attempted to argue, but two words kept springing to the front of my mind: SPELLING BEE. Yikes.

Anyways, what turned them on to the game was a trip to the casino six months ago. A bunch of us went down there for one friend's birthday, and while some played slots, blackjack, and roulette, I sat down at a 1-2 NL game. Two of my buddies who didn't care to gambool, Billy and TJ, decided to watch me play.

Like most tables there on a Saturday, this one had its fair share of drunks and troglodites, and I managed to make about $375 over two hours. I decided to quit while I was ahead (ugh) and left the game. I think I may have changed their minds about trying out poker.

- Dude, is it always that fucking easy?

No, it really isn't. We tracked down our other friends to find out they'd all lost money on whatever games they had decided to play. Well, all except my friend Caitlyn who's a total luckbox. She won about $100 playing roulette and only guessing red or black.

Anyways, when they were asking me about poker I explained how math comes into play and mentioned how I liked it because it's one of the few forms of gambling where you play against other than the house, and you control your own fate because the best cards don't always win, etc. TJ started watching WPT events on the travel channel and now he plays online all the time. Billy hosts a lot of really soft STT structured home games and I stay in his good graces by occasionally dumping to him if we get heads up, although last time I played he really stepped up the aggression and beat me through his own skill.

Those guys read my blog and they might become guest posters if I decide to keep this going. There aren't that many blogs out there with multiple authors -- or rather, ones I like that have multiple authors.

So, I should probably write something that has to do with the title I entered over an hour ago. I've been running really well lately with my worst sessions being break even, but it seems like every time I say that or think that, I end up on the ass end of variance for a stretch. Last night I managed to be up around $120 and then donk away $50 with a terrible play.

I was on the button with QJ of diamonds and elected to call a raise from the Under the Gun player who I read to be a loose big stack. The flop came down with two diamonds and a queen and I decided not to fast play it when he overbet the flop. I just called. Well, the turn brought a jack and he checked. I pushed all in, thinking he could have TPTK or an overpair and his looseness would bring a call. But my push was a gross overbet and he immediately called with JJ. Maybe a bad beat, but also a bad play on my part. Lesson learned. I'm just really mad at myself because that's a play I never make.

So a quick update on my goals.

I have a little over $700 now so I am almost halfway to my June goal. I've played six $10 SnG's. I won two, and bubbled out of the other four. But these are six handed with only two spots paying, so I am up overall. I think I'll end up with very good results because a lot of players either play way too agressive or way too passive when games are six handed at these limits. I keep seeing players bust out making stupid bluffs when the blinds are still so low, so I can only hope I'll be the one they bluff into.

That's it for now. Good luck and thanks for reading!