My card game is embarrassingly poor at the moment.
The last time I played this badly, I didn't know the rules.
If I was playing heads-up snap with Gareth Gates, I would make the Pop Idol runner-up 8/11 jolly.
Totally gone at the game.
As always, I cannot perform without motivation. When it comes to poker, if my back isn't against the wall, I'm laying flat on it - resting on it, and on my laurels.
As a result of not playing regularly, this diary has, sadly, become redundant.
In an effort to inject some life into this moribund thread, I have decided on a challenge (of sorts).
Not any old challenge, I hasten to add, but one that is certain to fail and have little financial motivation.
More a challenge of convenience, where I can easily dip in, and out, without effecting the goals.
So, a meaningless challenge with little structure or responsibility. How apt.
Heads-up streak challenge Starting at the lowest buy-in, I will move on to the next stake-level when successful in a heads-up SnG. If I lose, I have to start again.
Based on what I believe to be my odds at specific levels, I have set par at 7 attempts for a streak of four (£1, £2, £3 and £5 wins) and a par of 18 for a streak of five wins.
My luck runs out at £5 level. Was the wrong side of a 4-to-1 chip difference due to missing and playing poorly, before disconnecting for a few hands. Far from ideal.
In a £1 (Turbo), it all goes in on the second or third hand.
I hold AK, the antagonist has KK.
After the hand I am left with only 40 tournament chips. A solitary stone in comparison to my opponent's chip-Wall of Jericho.
I build up to 500 but, again, run into AK when holding a legitimate shoving hand.
----
Attempt 3 was a rematch against the same player.
Holding a 6-to-1 chip advantage, I get it in pre with a 60/40. I lose.
The next all-in came when I held a 3-to-1 lead. Again, I have a 60%+ chance of success. I lose.
I am back to a 6-to-1 chip leader when the following all-in crops up. This time, it's I who is the wrong side of a 60/40 coup. I lose.
The fourth crucial all-in came post-flop. This time I hold a 2.5-to-one chip advantage, but, once again, I'm the one holding the 40% chance. I lose.
The numbers are 1250/750, in my favour, when the all-in number five reared its ugly head; my Ace was no match for Mr Lucan's 88.
Somehow, I still have 25% of the chips. I am dealt 77 in the hand that followed. I am handed a walk. Cosmic.
My 600 chips left scorch marks on the felt upon my being dealt K3 immediately after, and I was happy to be called by T4. I lose.
So, attempt 2 was short and painful, like ripping off a plaster. Attempt 3 was long and painful, like a toothache. An invincible toothache, immune to Ibuprofen and all-ins.
4 streak attempt 0/3 5 streak attempt 0/3
Someone do the numbers on the above, I'm still scratching my head as to how I lost 5 all-ins in a Turbo, yet still held 25% of the money.
Attempt 4 is on the way. I feel like I cannot lose; a winning steak means financial reward, a losing streak provides a yarn to spin - a priceless reward, if you will.
With the patience of a toddler, I take the chance to join a player already sitting at £2 level. Sadly, it was a Turbo. My stack was decimated early and I was up against a player who a relentless bettor*.
A troublesome coup.
I am getting dangerous close to my "par 7" assessment.
Comments
Ha, brutal.
Finished 12th in a £11 £500 BH (10 paid).
Maybe I will have more luck in the Mini, where I have 35-bigs with around 150 left.
While popping to the toilet I pray I don't miss Aces (as usual) - not the first time I've pray while looking down.
I missed nothing and wait for my first post-relief hand.
Hold tight, I'm all-in. Brace for impact...
Win 45 tournament chips on my first hand - kerrching!
Second hand...
My Shark graph is no longer troughing.
Troughing - have I coined another suitable word? It's been a long time since I was basking in the glory of "carddeadedness/carddeadery".
The last time I played this badly, I didn't know the rules.
If I was playing heads-up snap with Gareth Gates, I would make the Pop Idol runner-up 8/11 jolly.
Totally gone at the game.
As always, I cannot perform without motivation. When it comes to poker, if my back isn't against the wall, I'm laying flat on it - resting on it, and on my laurels.
In an effort to inject some life into this moribund thread, I have decided on a challenge (of sorts).
Not any old challenge, I hasten to add, but one that is certain to fail and have little financial motivation.
More a challenge of convenience, where I can easily dip in, and out, without effecting the goals.
So, a meaningless challenge with little structure or responsibility. How apt.
Heads-up streak challenge
Starting at the lowest buy-in, I will move on to the next stake-level when successful in a heads-up SnG. If I lose, I have to start again.
Based on what I believe to be my odds at specific levels, I have set par at 7 attempts for a streak of four (£1, £2, £3 and £5 wins) and a par of 18 for a streak of five wins.
Must be NLHE, any structure.
Watch this space....
Attempt 1
£1 (Speed)
Managed to land this. Pretty uneventful contest. I hit some cards before holding on in a 66/33 coup at the death.
On to £2 level.
Just realised that £3 level only offers Hypers or Russian Roulettes?
Given my (correct) opinion on The Deer Hunter being one of the most overrated films of all time, it can only select a Hyper.
Sure, they are a bit of a leveler, and it's a no-brainer.
I call "heads".
I am called my KJ but flop top-pair, which holds.
It must be a double-headed coin.
WWW
Onto £5 level.
I never recovered.
WWWL
4 streak attempt 0/1
5 streak attempt 0/1
In a £1 (Turbo), it all goes in on the second or third hand.
I hold AK, the antagonist has KK.
After the hand I am left with only 40 tournament chips. A solitary stone in comparison to my opponent's chip-Wall of Jericho.
I build up to 500 but, again, run into AK when holding a legitimate shoving hand.
----
Attempt 3 was a rematch against the same player.
Holding a 6-to-1 chip advantage, I get it in pre with a 60/40. I lose.
The next all-in came when I held a 3-to-1 lead. Again, I have a 60%+ chance of success. I lose.
I am back to a 6-to-1 chip leader when the following all-in crops up. This time, it's I who is the wrong side of a 60/40 coup. I lose.
The fourth crucial all-in came post-flop. This time I hold a 2.5-to-one chip advantage, but, once again, I'm the one holding the 40% chance. I lose.
The numbers are 1250/750, in my favour, when the all-in number five reared its ugly head; my Ace was no match for Mr Lucan's 88.
Somehow, I still have 25% of the chips. I am dealt 77 in the hand that followed. I am handed a walk. Cosmic.
My 600 chips left scorch marks on the felt upon my being dealt K3 immediately after, and I was happy to be called by T4. I lose.
So, attempt 2 was short and painful, like ripping off a plaster. Attempt 3 was long and painful, like a toothache. An invincible toothache, immune to Ibuprofen and all-ins.
4 streak attempt 0/3
5 streak attempt 0/3
Someone do the numbers on the above, I'm still scratching my head as to how I lost 5 all-ins in a Turbo, yet still held 25% of the money.
Welcome back mushroom, am enjoying your musings & the style in which you write them.
Attempt 4 is on the way. I feel like I cannot lose; a winning steak means financial reward, a losing streak provides a yarn to spin - a priceless reward, if you will.
For the first time in history, the fly could eat the spider.
Those 7 hands were a fair description of the battle, on the whole, with my opponent consistently playing the big hands well and maximising value.
I eventually grind out the win.
On to £2 stakes.
With the patience of a toddler, I take the chance to join a player already sitting at £2 level. Sadly, it was a Turbo. My stack was decimated early and I was up against a player who a relentless bettor*.
A troublesome coup.
I am getting dangerous close to my "par 7" assessment.
*I was outplayed.
Finally, a Turbo option was selected by a player and, after an monumental to and fro, I win the 70/30 when there were just 13.33 big-blinds in play.
Attempt 5 off to a flyer (walker), on to £2 level....
For non-punters; WW.
Bring on the £3 coin-flip.
I'll call once it's in the air.
Probably stick with heads.