Feeling rather snakebit of late as my poker journey begins again after a long hiatus. Playing in the 4/8 high low omaha games at the Jamestown Cardroom in Arlington, WA, just could not win. Besides being too long a drive, 30+ minutes each way, it also featured a huge rake with an added player supported jackpot drop. The payout was just $50 an hour for high hand, so little chance to recover the $2/hand drop. After a few weeks of losses I switched to the Caribbean Casino 10 minutes from home. The oh8 game had no jackpot and a half kill featured. Same results there and even worse as a regular maniac would straddle both utg and on the button. In other positions he would raise preflop, so it becomes a very high variance game. Add to that the loose players who chase to the river and you have a wild game. My back was broken one hand flopping queens full (playing Q/Q, flop was Q/9/9) and the maniac jamming on my raises with another player calling to river which was an ace. 3rd player had A/A and took the $250 pot. I ended up stuck that amount.
So, switching gears, started signing up for the $50 morning tournament instead of cash game. It is a turbo, with 15 minute blinds, 10k starting chips, blinds at 100/200, but big blind ante kicking in round 2. Usually runs about 3 1/2 hours, and enough players for a $1000+ first place, 5 or 6 places paid. I have final tabled all but twice, but not making any money. Worst one was 6 handed we discussed a $250 each chop but one newby college kid would not agree, he didn't understand the randomness of ginormous antes. Sure enough, I was next out for a $75 prize.
Last tournament on Tuesday, I had unbelievable bad luck. Raising preflop with 10/10, I am called by A/6 . Flop is 10 high with a 6, I shove, he calls, and rivers an ace. Undeterred as it was before break, I re-entered. Just after break I have A/10 in small blind which is 400...big is 800/800 ante. I have 4300 behind and with folds to me, I shove. Big blind calls with.....ready for this? A/6. Flop harmless, turn no problem, river......6. I am busted out again by same weak ace hand. If memory serves this hand also got me a couple of weeks ago vs. my Q/Q. Sigh.
So, back in the saddle tomorrow, trying to solve this puzzle and win some money. Will try to get back in the saddle on blogging too.
2 comments:
ouch! reading your blog Phil, I suddenly feel better I've lost going in ahead, to one outers4x this week. Ah but we keep going back for more! To variance...
Well, you certainly haven't had it easy the past few weeks. Yikes. I feel your pain. The Crazy Moose doesn't run tournaments anymore so I'm stuck (and I do mean stuck) with the crappy spread limit game. I'm seriously about to give it up and just play Steve Stark's once-a-month $30 tournament to get my poker fix. He's finally starting it up again this Saturday after a 2-year hiatus.
Better luck my friend!! So glad you're back blogging. :)
Post a Comment