Great to have you back. Brave post. VWP on the pledge and I hope you continue to run good. If you fancy a challenge to keep you motivated in poker I am sure we can find something worthy and other worthy companions. PS Agree with you on the cricket - I picked the best 3 days to have off last week. So who would have in on a spinning wicket? Who to replace Jimmy at Trent Bridge? Posted by Phantom66
Thanks Phantom.
Challenges seem to have worked so far so I'm happy to take on board any suggestions!
I see going back to posting session reports here under new circumstances as abit of a challenge, recently I've been wimping out of playing above 4nl and playing half heartedly in the sessions I do play, with inevitably poor results.
Now I have a daily blog to maintain I wont be able to do that as easily.
re the cricket....
The best swing bowler in country cricket (ainec) is Ryan Sidebottom.
He can still bowl at Jimmys pace, and offers the left arm option as well as being an ex player at Trent Bridge which is traditionally a 'swinging ground' for Notts.
As a 1 off pick in what is Englands biggest test match for years, I think we could do worse than throw him in there.
I don't think we will though. (in fact we wont, the squad has been announced, doh)
Of the other options, I guess we have to go with Wood.
I am a big fan of Plunkett but with Finn and Broad providing the 'hit the pitch' options I don't think we can play Plunkett as well. We took a battery of tall pacemen down under last time and look how that ended up.
I wouldn't be too disappointed to see Footit given his debut. Another tall bowler with pace but he offers the left arm option and is something the Aussies wont have seen before.
But Wood is a solid option, bowled very well at Cardiff. Was totally ineffective at Lords, but who in an England shirt wasn't.
Will just add that imo Ben Stokes is very much a 4th seamer though. He doesn't pose anywhere near the threat of the other 3, and I hope the selectors aren't relying on him to be a potential 15-20 over a day type bowler because when the deck isn't offering much, he's cannon fodder.
Cook
Lyth
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Ali
Wood
Broad
Finn
Looks decent enough to me
Would you make any changes?
Really couldn't argue with swapping Lyth out for Hales at his home ground.
----
re the spinner, I think we ballsed up big time in the West Indies.
As preperation for the Ashes we had 2 real problem areas, the frontline spinning option and the opening batsmen.
We took 2 very conservatives lines, firstly picking Tredwell and then bringing back a 90% fit Moeen, both of whom we know exactly what they can do...
Then to a lesser extent playing Trott over Lyth at the top of the order.
Lyth and Rashid should've been given those 3 tests and potentially the NZ series to give us a better idea about how ready they are for international cricket.
Theres no way we can change it now, but come the winter we must (and I'm sure we will) pick Rashid as the front-line spinner with Moeen and Root in support.
Wow ranted abit there, big excitement for the test on Thursday, I think the Aussies are there for the taking and unless we get some bad weather, there will be 2 results in the remaining 2 tests so hopefully we can finish it before the Oval!
Defo like to see Rashid get a chance and indeed should have had that before now.
Only worry is can he exert control if needed?
Shame that put in Kerrigan too soon last time round.
I remember the last Trent Bridge ashes test well, Jimmy was brilliant but I think Cook overbowled him and k-nackered him for the later games.
Would like to see a swing specialist in there for Trent Bridge but keeping Wood makes sense if fit.
Hayles for Lyth would have made sense but then I guess we also need to give people a chance to get established and find a solid partner for Cook and he looked good against NZ.
In terms of a poker challenge, have you tried the spin up tables? 20nl plays soft quite a lot of the time and the action comes fast and furious. Obviously high variance - I am currently up but very early days. I believe AJS is offering £1k to anyone who can make a profit over 100,000 hands. Ready made for a diary name change - Spin and Dooohh.
Great to have you back and posting. That is a fantastic achievement with the drinking too. Looking forward to your progress on the poker tables, (until you reach 30nl again)
Defo like to see Rashid get a chance and indeed should have had that before now. Only worry is can he exert control if needed? Shame that put in Kerrigan too soon last time round. I remember the last Trent Bridge ashes test well, Jimmy was brilliant but I think Cook overbowled him and k-nackered him for the later games. Would like to see a swing specialist in there for Trent Bridge but keeping Wood makes sense if fit. Hayles for Lyth would have made sense but then I guess we also need to give people a chance to get established and find a solid partner for Cook and he looked good against NZ. In terms of a poker challenge, have you tried the spin up tables? 20nl plays soft quite a lot of the time and the action comes fast and furious. Obviously high variance - I am currently up but very early days. I believe AJS is offering £1k to anyone who can make a profit over 100,000 hands. Ready made for a diary name change - Spin and Dooohh. Posted by Phantom66
is he the high stakes cash reg on sky? or was that just a rumour?
Best of luck with the poker Dohhhhh, will be reading with interest
Thanks chaps, really nackered after a 3 hour session just now so will stick to results and get to other stuff tomorrow.
Was a good first day back!
nl8 tables were running and were playing good. I stuck to just 4 tables as the last 10 days have been rubbish and I didn't want to go timing out and spewing everywhere like I have been.
+ £36 and + €7 on unibet earlier makes the total for the day + £41.
One of the best days since starting this thing, and takes the roll up to it's peak / \ of £762.
I was really struggling around 9pm chilling on the bed watching cricket on the TV and twitch on the laptop, but I knew I had to play some hands so I had something to update here, so I guess re-booting this thing has worked already.
See what happens tomorrow.
gn & gl to Lambooooooooooooooooooo and Master Bates currently battling it out in the main. 1-2 plz
I wonder why the picture of my computer didn't make it past the mods?
---------------
Phantom, spin up tables do look fun but a mate of mine who I ask everytime anything maths related comes up in poker tells me they aren't beatable.
It's a shame sky aren't more flexible with their rake, at the very least I think every game on the site should be beatable even if it's just tiny expected ROI's but at the lower stake spin tables unfortunately I have to agree with AJs, there's only 1 winner and that is the site.
Higher up may be different but they are scary amounts of £ atm!
Unibet is a site new to me, and the big positive over there (as well as the exemplary software) is that the rake at the lower levels is much lower than at the upper levels.
1% at the €4nl games, compared to 7.5% here.
It makes a huge difference, they advertise themselves as a 'rec' friendly site and that rake set-up is a great place to start when trying to achieve that type of environment imo.
A rec breaking even, losing a little or even winning small amounts is a happier rec than a rec who logs in and stands literally no chance of winning over-time. Might as well play roulette or something.
There are 1/2 other weird/unique things about unibet I might mention later, but first a hand .......
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
DOHHHHHHH
Small blind
£0.04
£0.04
£15.69
sprrn
Big blind
£0.08
£0.12
£5.54
Your hole cards
A
J
player 1
Raise
£0.28
£0.40
£6.91
player 2
Call
£0.28
£0.68
£28.31
Jasee
Fold
DOHHHHHHH
Call
£0.24
£0.92
£15.45
sprrn
Fold
Flop
4
K
4
DOHHHHHHH
Check
player 1
Check
player 2
Check
Turn
9
DOHHHHHHH
Bet
£0.56
£1.48
£14.89
player 1
Call
£0.56
£2.04
£6.35
player 2
Fold
River
5
DOHHHHHHH
Check
player 1
Bet
£2.04
£4.08
£4.31
DOHHHHHHH
Call
£2.04
£6.12
£12.85
player 1
DOHHHHHHH
This is from last night, I think it's a close spot.
The opponent always strikes me as an 'enthusiastic' player.
He plays in a way that's quite different from most at the lower stakes in that he likes to get involved a lot but often in aggressive ways.
Normally bluff catching in these games is just pointless. It's not going to work.
But against this guy it's really tempting to call down sometimes.
The only actual note I've made is he flatted an open whilst in the sb with K7s. The BB squeezed off a 45xbb stack, and this guy backraise shoved and got it all in.
So once the flop checks through I think it's highly unlikely anyone has a single Kx. Both players would imo bet Kx hands, player 1 as the pre flop raiser, and player 2 having seen the pre flop raiser check.
I've flopped well and decide to lead out on what appears to be a blank turn. I expect I just win the pot sometimes and if called I have decent equity, the aggressive lead and potentially some decent showdown value too.
Big brick otr.
I don't see any point in betting here, I just get called (or raised) by almost every hand that beats me and fold out 100% of hands that don't.
I plan to check and probably call depending on his bet sizing, expecting him to bet only a value range of KK/99 and Quads, and potentially have enough missed flush draws to make the call profitable (even though I block some).
His bet sizing is really big, pretty much representing the polarized range that I assigned him when I considered what he may bet on the river given the action/board texture.
I decided to go through with my plan and make the call.
Anyone have any thoughts on it?
The big problem (and it's my own fault for being lazy) is I don't have any specific notes on how or even if this guy bluffs post flop.
All I have is a 'feel' for his game, and it 'felt' like he could have some bluffs here.
Yes I believe the high stakes player rosiedog09 (?) is the Lancashire and England cricketer Simon Kerrigan.
I think it's a big handicap for him and any other potential England cricketer to be playing in division 2 of the county championship nowardays. The standard seems much worse, and the jump from there to test cricket is huge.
Hopefully Lancs complete their promotion and he can return to div 1.
That or sign for YCCC to cover for when Adil is a full time England player nxt year
Pleased to hear about the change of lifestyle, well done you, & I hope you keep it up.
You are not the first to face those demons, & won't be the last.
I quit alcohol when I was 21, & it made my life immeasurably better. And I'm not on any high horse here, I've smoked most of my life which is arguably even worse.
Thanks chaps, really nackered after a 3 hour session just now so will stick to results and get to other stuff tomorrow. Was a good first day back! nl8 tables were running and were playing good. I stuck to just 4 tables as the last 10 days have been rubbish and I didn't want to go timing out and spewing everywhere like I have been. + £36 and + €7 on unibet earlier makes the total for the day + £41. One of the best days since starting this thing, and takes the roll up to it's peak / \ of £762. I was really struggling around 9pm chilling on the bed watching cricket on the TV and twitch on the laptop, but I knew I had to play some hands so I had something to update here, so I guess re-booting this thing has worked already. See what happens tomorrow. gn & gl to Lambooooooooooooooooooo and Master Bates currently battling it out in the main. 1-2 plz Posted by DOHHHHHHH
Well, we both made top 5, sadly neither of us made top 3!
Spinups are mathemeatically unbeatable in theory- probably. In practice that depends on the standard of play, which at 20nl I consider beatable but way to early to tell if that's sustainable (whether due to them getting tougher in the future or me just being on positive variance at the moment).
In that hand I'm not calling oop with AJs - raising pre and betting that flop too but then I'm rubbish and probably thinking like a SNG player. Cant say I'd call that river bet, too big and the preflop action suggests some strength and the post flop does too, even extreme strength KK etc.
Good feel if it was a bluff but long term with no notes cant see it being correct.
ty for the kind words tk, Harry, Rik,Splashman et al.
@ Harry, I have glanced up at the 10nl tables once or twice and seen you playing them. You have been in pretty illustrious company with people like Offshoot, Kyzersauze6, borinloaner, dtm, bagpuss etc.
It looks an intimidating place to be!
Never used to be like that in the old days. Some of those names are playing at 1/200th of the stakes they used to.
I've only had 1 bet on football so far. I was surprised to see Luis Suarez at 33/1 to win the golden boot (or whatever they call it over there) in Spain.
I know he's up against the 2 greatest players of my lifetime, possibly of all time, but he's a special player in his own right, 1 or both may get injured for a month or so, and it offers each way value anyway.
I looked today and that 33/1 is long gone, the best currently available is 16/1.
I've mentioned Don a few times lately, I do have a bet with him involving your team.
He seems to think that LVG will depart from United before Pelligrini leaves City. (no time limit on the bet)
I think unless something really strange happens that is an easy tenner for me.
Aside from those 2, i'll also be 'keeping my powder dry' for the weekly price boosts on sky.
They're a recreational mug punters perfect spot.
Looks too good to be true, always gives enough of a sweat and enough occasional wins to keep me coming back, yet shows a long term loss whilst making me think I'm unlucky not to be winning more.
So yeh, I'm in.
-----
@ Bonk. haha. I shA t myself when I read your comment. Rushed to zoom in on the picture before realising. vwp.
@ Bates. More comedy. He will never play for England again.
Unless, he does the right thing and gets himself into division 1 also.
YCCC have most things but they don't have a T20 specialist batting all rounder called Ravinder so I'm sure he'd be welcome up north too.
@ any1 who cares, I did make the call and got shown flopped quads. 2nd funniest result behind AQ I spose
-----
Hoping to get a few more hours in tonight.
Struggling with real extreme tiredness recently, it's a constant battle to find any sort of energy to do anyting. I've changed my diet alot to try and improve things, completely cutting out sugar (well actual sugar like on cereal/in tea and coffee etc) and stopped eating biscuits/cake/choc.
Doesn't seem to make any difference at all tho. yawwwwwn.
Comments
Keep well old bean!
I see going back to posting session reports here under new circumstances as abit of a challenge, recently I've been wimping out of playing above 4nl and playing half heartedly in the sessions I do play, with inevitably poor results.
Really couldn't argue with swapping Lyth out for Hales at his home ground.
Only worry is can he exert control if needed?
Shame that put in Kerrigan too soon last time round.
I remember the last Trent Bridge ashes test well, Jimmy was brilliant but I think Cook overbowled him and k-nackered him for the later games.
Would like to see a swing specialist in there for Trent Bridge but keeping Wood makes sense if fit.
Hayles for Lyth would have made sense but then I guess we also need to give people a chance to get established and find a solid partner for Cook and he looked good against NZ.
In terms of a poker challenge, have you tried the spin up tables? 20nl plays soft quite a lot of the time and the action comes fast and furious. Obviously high variance - I am currently up but very early days. I believe AJS is offering £1k to anyone who can make a profit over 100,000 hands. Ready made for a diary name change - Spin and Dooohh.
The opponent always strikes me as an 'enthusiastic' player.
He plays in a way that's quite different from most at the lower stakes in that he likes to get involved a lot but often in aggressive ways.
Normally bluff catching in these games is just pointless. It's not going to work.
But against this guy it's really tempting to call down sometimes.
The only actual note I've made is he flatted an open whilst in the sb with K7s. The BB squeezed off a 45xbb stack, and this guy backraise shoved and got it all in.
So once the flop checks through I think it's highly unlikely anyone has a single Kx. Both players would imo bet Kx hands, player 1 as the pre flop raiser, and player 2 having seen the pre flop raiser check.
I've flopped well and decide to lead out on what appears to be a blank turn. I expect I just win the pot sometimes and if called I have decent equity, the aggressive lead and potentially some decent showdown value too.
Big brick otr.
I don't see any point in betting here, I just get called (or raised) by almost every hand that beats me and fold out 100% of hands that don't.
I plan to check and probably call depending on his bet sizing, expecting him to bet only a value range of KK/99 and Quads, and potentially have enough missed flush draws to make the call profitable (even though I block some).
His bet sizing is really big, pretty much representing the polarized range that I assigned him when I considered what he may bet on the river given the action/board texture.
I decided to go through with my plan and make the call.
Anyone have any thoughts on it?
The big problem (and it's my own fault for being lazy) is I don't have any specific notes on how or even if this guy bluffs post flop.
All I have is a 'feel' for his game, and it 'felt' like he could have some bluffs here.
But who knows
-------
@jordz
Yes I believe the high stakes player rosiedog09 (?) is the Lancashire and England cricketer Simon Kerrigan.
I think it's a big handicap for him and any other potential England cricketer to be playing in division 2 of the county championship nowardays. The standard seems much worse, and the jump from there to test cricket is huge.
Hopefully Lancs complete their promotion and he can return to div 1.
That or sign for YCCC to cover for when Adil is a full time England player nxt year
--------
gl all grindingggg today.
Yo Dohhhhhhh,
Pleased to hear about the change of lifestyle, well done you, & I hope you keep it up.
You are not the first to face those demons, & won't be the last.
I quit alcohol when I was 21, & it made my life immeasurably better. And I'm not on any high horse here, I've smoked most of my life which is arguably even worse.
Good luck, seriously.
Good to see the diary back mate.
Might be joining you at 4nl soon, go easy on me
Thoughts on the new season? Got many bets on? I can't wait to get shunted by the Skybet special every Saturday, fml.
I hope he has AQ in that hand for ultimate pwnage.
Fair play to you on the booze front, that's a great effort. Keep it up.
All the best on and off the tables
@ Bonk. haha. I shA t myself when I read your comment. Rushed to zoom in on the picture before realising. vwp.
Doesn't seem to make any difference at all tho. yawwwwwn.
Even more pleased to see you've managed to pull yourself out of that unhealthy situation.
I wouldn't surprised if you're soon posting your best results in years. Good luck.