tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9283238344655191262024-02-19T17:39:46.910+11:00Custo's Poker Blog - A true Aussie BattlerCusto's Poker Blog - A true Aussie BattlerCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-80502746339663729462011-04-29T14:33:00.001+10:002011-04-29T14:33:47.234+10:00I simply can’t complain.To any US readers that have been affected by black Friday, you have my sincerest condolences. Whilst this has, at this stage, had no negative impacts on me or non US players this atrocity has been felt globally. I wish you all the best and ask you to stay strong, we are all hoping this matter gets sorted out; it truly is the most disgusting thing I’ve witnessed regarding anything I’ve seen with online gaming. <br /><br />On a personal note, this has given me the wake call I’ve needed for some time now. I’ve whinged and moaned about the game for too long, yet it’s always available for me to play when and where I want. I simply couldn’t fathom the thought of this luxury being taken away from me. <br /><br />I took my final “shot” at abandoning a bankroll management structure about a month ago and no surprise, busted my role again. I’ve lost count as to how many times this happened over the past 12 months<br /><br />Given the recent changes I’ve started over with a stringent bankroll management system, basically the same as my original one, but I’m sticking to it. I’ll also be keeping the absolute minimum online to play with, just in case I wake up and Australia loses their rights too. <br /><br />There will be no reporting on big scores as I’m playing nano stakes, but at least I’m able to play. Growth over the past week has been consistent and I’m very happy with it.<br /><br />Again, if you have been blocked from playing, I am deeply for you and hope you are able to come to a personal resolution. <br /><br />For those of us that haven’t been affected, never take for granted what we have and do what you can to help others. No one deserves to have this happen to them!<br /><br />Sincerest regards,<br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-20593338899778539322011-03-02T20:35:00.003+11:002011-03-02T20:38:51.715+11:00Quick modest brag.I thought I’d go back to ‘old school’ poker playing and play my 9player turbo STT SnGs, the games I cut my teeth in years ago.<br /><br />Pic below says it all <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHpKgfU-1a-qQcRQjK6ZAOOJQLb6rjQguUlGam1YquFnzA9drLoEeV-datMEhAbwJ2SgnwVXWpvbcWb-NqR1LpD2sywDA3DHqs3mgV6eNzkj74syFt_pupVdVb6g5UaeLPT6WDOfxSQ/s1600/8for8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHpKgfU-1a-qQcRQjK6ZAOOJQLb6rjQguUlGam1YquFnzA9drLoEeV-datMEhAbwJ2SgnwVXWpvbcWb-NqR1LpD2sywDA3DHqs3mgV6eNzkj74syFt_pupVdVb6g5UaeLPT6WDOfxSQ/s320/8for8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579414677516200562" /></a><br /><br />8 games 8 cashes. Can’t ask for much more.<br />I’ve only played 2 sets 4tabling them, like I used to and feel my game is quite strong there. The only question is will I continue to play SnGs or focus on something else?<br /><br />I also only have a BR of ~$160 which is a little over 20 buy-ins for this limit, this could be potential BR suicide.<br /><br />But for the time being I just wanted to brag, I mean I haven’t had the opportunity to do that for a while.<br /><br />I am meeting with a good friend and well respected live cash player tomorrow to hopefully construct a specific and dedicated path so I can get back on tracks and actually try to establish a career, one step at a time. <br /><br />Will post thoughts on that shortly <br /><br />Cheers all<br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-80892627842947146362011-02-20T19:45:00.007+11:002011-02-20T22:06:26.360+11:00Had my break and ready to rock the micros all over again.This post well be, as the children of the internet would say, tl;dr. If you're unfamiliar with that acronym, I’ve discovered a fantastic tool that can decipher any acronym known to man. Select the link below to use it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com.au/">Custo’s Super Fantastic Internet Acronym Deciphering Tool</a><br /><br /><br />I was reading over previous entries in my blog and surprised as to how many times I’ve tried to “start over”. <br /><br />I’ll start off by re-capping where I’ve been for the past four months. <br /><br />I was seriously losing motivation to blog, results wise, nothing exciting was happening. I’d play a tonne, pull some cash out, buy some stuff, and try to grind it back up. I hovered around $100 - $1000 for quite some time, but there was no long term plan or solid goals in mind.<br /><br />Around September last year I took some part time work writing site news articles for <a href="http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/">Poker News Daily</a>. I thoroughly enjoyed doing these pieces and had 4 uploaded per week. Aside from the extra pocket money, sometimes it really took up more time than I anticipated. As you may have noticed in the past, being a personal blog, I’m not too fussed with things like correct punctuation and lean towards using a lot of acronyms, tendencies that I had to completely abandon when writing professional articles. This in turn took away a lot of time for me at the tables because when I wasn’t writing, I was researching trying to come up with the most relevant and comprehensive work I could do whilst trying to learn correct writing techniques. <br /><br />If you are interest in seeing my work they can be found via the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/articles/site-news/">My Poker News Daily Articles</a><br /><br />That aside, playing poker I was all over the place. I did everything from 24 tabling 2NL to playing 1KNL heads up (Yes, I played $5/$10 with a bankroll of less than $500)! My breaking point of insane gambling came on Christmas day last year where, once again, I flushed 95% of my net bankroll away on blackjack at Party Poker. It was around December 11th I transferred $225 to Party Poker and started playing $5/hand on blackjack. I managed to run that $225 to over $2,500, then I donked it all off betting up to $500/hand. The almost out of body experience broke me for the final time and I haven’t done anything like it since. <br /><br />For fun, I spent January doing the most accurate reconciliation of all of my gambling money to see what my net worth currently is at this stage. The numbers are rough but since I started playing online I am up a little over $7,000 from poker but down near $8,000 from blackjack. If only I never fell for the trap who knows what my bankroll would be today, easy 5 figures I have no doubt!<br /><br />I remember where it all went sour, it was mid 2009, and I’d spent the last 18 months running $1 into $2200. Within a matter of weeks I ran that $2200 into $6000 playing Blackjack at Titan Poker. Thinking I was the luckiest man on the planet I thought I was invincible, until I flushed away almost every cent of it at $500/hand and even one hand betting $1000. I obviously can’t help to think where I would be poker wise if that never happened. I’d graduated from the PokerStars $3.40 SnGs, to the $6.50s and the $16s, beating them for around 12% over thousands of games, I was about to make the jump to their $27s but I decided to flip coins for my net worth. <br /><br />As dumb as my past actions have been it reminds me of the most important factor, not only can it be done, but I have done it. I know far more that what I did in the past, and with the same amount of discipline and structure, I can do it again. <br /><br />Bad money management aside, another massive mistake I made was abandoning all of my spreadsheet work once I purchased Poker Tracker & Holdem Manager. I relied on these programs to continue to track my bankroll and in turn lost so much discipline I used to have. I reviewed myself as a player from when I was at my peak and I came up with the following tendencies I need to re-implement in order to become successful again, I need to:<br />--Play with a solid amount of Buy-ins to determine a level of play<br />--Manually document every result<br />--Decrease the amount of tables I play.<br /><br />The first two will be easy, it’s the last one that concerns me. As of late I’d become somewhat of an action junkie playing the maximum amount of tables I could handle. At my peak as far as multi-tabling is concerned I played 60 tables at the same time of PokerStars Double or Nothing Tournaments, 45 minutes of ~90% folding everything and the rest jamming it in!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Poker as a Parent.</span><br />Something I don’t talk about that often but will touch on for a while as it obviously plays a massive factor. For those of you that know me, I work a 40 hour per week job and have 4 amazing children. Time for me is basically a thing of the past. I’ve spent too much time trying to play as something I’m not. Getting inspired by internet kids that grind 10 hours per day. 7 days per week and always come up trumps at the end of the month. I simply haven’t got time to play like that. So I need to approach the game that will suit me and my limited schedule. <br />There are a few blogs I read of other parents, will fathers only, that grind professionally and I have the upmost respect for them as they all appear to fulfil their parental responsibilities as well as kill the games they are playing. Playing online poker as a parent is a lot harder than it sounds. I can’t sit at my computer for hours on end and grind, frankly I’d rather play Super Mario Galaxy with the kids while they are awake then spend no time with them. So my only time to play is a few hours per night, without driving the misses insane aswell. Really is a juggling act. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where to now?</span><br />Before I get into that I want to touch on one last point. I believe it was late November –early December last year. I had a little over $100, I think around $120, and I was in the process of watching a Dusty “Leatherass” Schmidt training video where he was 2 tabling 6max 50NL. I remember about 15 minutes in I thought to myself this is so easy and I understood everything he said and did right away, so I decided to give it a shot. I opened 2 tables of 50NL buying in for 100bb’s with auto top-up turned on and started playing. I spent around 3 weeks doing this, only 2 tables at a time, played over 5,000 hands and won around $500, but as far as enjoying playing poker was concerned, it was one of my highlights. I also played another 5,000 hands of Heads Up 50NL and beat that for a few hundred as well. But the 6max game was where I really enjoyed myself. I look forward to getting back there, but I’ll need a lot more than 2 buy-ins until I try that again. Oh, and if you’re wondering why that successful run came to an end, it was after a few weeks I decided to go from 50NL HU, straight to 1KNL HU, as any intelligent person does.<br /><br />So, at the moment I have completely busted my Stars account, have $30 bonus dollars at Titan Poker, and $50 at Full Tilt. I’ll take my bankroll as $50 only as I don’t know why I’ve got $30 in my Titan cashier, it might be mine but contingent on some BS rules they decide to throw at me.<br /><br />I’ve dug up all my old spreadsheet and am in the process of testing all my old formulas to see if they will still work. If you want to see an example of how detailed they were I posted a screen shot when I did my 2008 year in review post which can be found below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nZtB8-ZbvD4w21EEd6AmLU6qohHgrEoMwNxc_lZ83bKQ8Q7GxzKGWFgdBhIblw7iiHOYBGwqTybc7c8MNlBlo7VPkMA_WZ80snAz3xSVcVlUUpQRswuvWSMMD2CP-MvSvBOjfogXncM/s1600-h/best+sng.JPG">Example of my spread sheet.</a><br /><br />I’m planning on playing 1 table of .02/.05 RUSH poker for the main reason it will help me drop my tables and focus on hands, yet still give me the feeling of playing faster than usual. I know 10Buy-ins is risky, but think I’ll be able to grind that back up without too much risk of ruin. I’ll also dabble once again in their micro STT SnGs and micro MTTs.<br /><br />If you’re still here, well done, and thanks for reading. This is what happens when I leave a blog unattended for 4 months, I ramble on in 1 big brain fart, yet feel I’ve only said 10% of what I’ve wanted to!<br /><br />Promise to get back into blogging and keep myself accountable playing wise and growing wise, but for now I’m going to bed, I suggest you get yourself a bourbon, because you’ve done good to stick with me for this long, and for that, I thank you.<br /><br />Night all and be back soon.<br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-84383867944073874922011-02-16T13:27:00.000+11:002011-02-16T13:32:00.561+11:00Comment if you’re still reading this!I’ll be doing a big return post to revamp the blog this weekend but for the time being am interested if anyone is actually still reading this. So if you’ve enjoyed it in the past I’m keen to know if you’re still reading. Regular updates and news will be coming shortly.<br /><br />Cheers<br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-84128458170242954292010-10-14T21:24:00.001+11:002010-10-14T21:25:51.822+11:00Thanks again PokerStarsAnother invite to a WBCOOP event. Good luck to all bloggers taking part but over the years I've competed I'm way overdue, this one's mine!<br /><br />Thanks PokerStars!!!Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-63987921319831806422010-10-01T10:38:00.001+10:002010-10-01T10:40:33.012+10:00Beginning of the end of online poker?NEWSFLASH! I fail on after 2 days from my last post of putting this blog offline! I thought, whilst I won’t be playing, maybe I can still share important news with readers in order to keep active, after all it wont take that long. <br /><br />I read this last night and found it quite interesting. To me this seems like the biggest impact on the US market since the introduction of the UIEGA and one can only wonder where online poker goes from here? <br /><br />Here is the article:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/washington/">PokerStars bans players from Washington State.</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/washington/faq/">Washington State FAQs</a><br /><br />Lets hope this isn't a sign of more to come and a permanent move.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-70567747393815767262010-09-29T12:00:00.001+10:002010-09-29T12:04:13.534+10:00Blog offline until early December.Not a goodbye, just a pre-emptive message so I don’t get “update comments” after I miss posting for a few weeks. I have a rather important but very time fulfilling “real job” coming up for the next 2 months and by the looks of the workload I’ll be playing barley any poker at all. Perhaps this 2 month break will rejuvenate me? But this is defiantly a +EV life move for me so I’ll see you all in December.<br /><br />Good luck to everyone at the tables.<br /><br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-11056347339400883402010-09-12T19:41:00.005+10:002010-09-12T21:55:12.874+10:0030 and 0Here I go again. <br /><br />Pulled all the previous money out and spent it. I thought how can I start the bankroll? I decided to play the 6max 280FPP games and see how much T$ I can accumulate. <br /><br />So here it is the before and after shots of a once again, but hopefully final restart of the bankroll.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyouXd4bL_FSpZuZEypxVbz-ftDCqI1JZhPcjfC16LeN_bdXGJWRUY7zz4WNiivEocBw-Qg2Yf_5jLotEyLrDMdjiApqISGeMLm7yG4_jAZi0dxqXOk7P6qhnwNP9ZEXWqvxuPE1RlC4/s1600/untitled.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyouXd4bL_FSpZuZEypxVbz-ftDCqI1JZhPcjfC16LeN_bdXGJWRUY7zz4WNiivEocBw-Qg2Yf_5jLotEyLrDMdjiApqISGeMLm7yG4_jAZi0dxqXOk7P6qhnwNP9ZEXWqvxuPE1RlC4/s320/untitled.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515959956967272354" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzEAEVgoT-L9XqrNU4rpqpHfBvkLYdjelExbXU7ZIJf8fvqWWeUUZRyJIGIdwGv-KldMZCFyrG_sx1UvR6Eam8uPwVIAkXugsB8a9OEHejAvp_5u2BU4CjbORr7GQXberYDc4YnLgbE/s1600/untitled2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzEAEVgoT-L9XqrNU4rpqpHfBvkLYdjelExbXU7ZIJf8fvqWWeUUZRyJIGIdwGv-KldMZCFyrG_sx1UvR6Eam8uPwVIAkXugsB8a9OEHejAvp_5u2BU4CjbORr7GQXberYDc4YnLgbE/s320/untitled2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515960074463767474" /></a><br /><br />I feel I ran like crap in these games but I'm no expert in super-turbos, yet. <br /><br />Wish me luck.<br /><br />PS. I have a little over 3.5K Full Tilt points so if you are aware of I good way I can use them their I’d appreciate hearing from you as I rarely play there but wouldn’t mind getting back into Full Tilt. I’m obviously looking for something similar to the Stars games I just played.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-12845329346774520752010-09-07T22:31:00.002+10:002010-09-07T22:40:53.723+10:00Goodbye twenties.I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed but back in 2008 I added a gadget to this blog called “time left until goal” which has a countdown until midnight tonight. Tomorrow, September 8th, I celebrate my 30th birthday and I had a disillusioned dream of being financially free from playing poker. With 1 hour to go I’m sad to say that this won’t be the case. So is this the end? Of course not, it’s just another chapter.<br /><br />This will be a long post so I’ll be breaking it up into categories. As per usual this is a personal post so don’t expect and professional writing in it, I’m just gonna pout it out like I always do here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Achievements over the past 2 years. </span><br /><br />Well I never had that big score, but I feel I’ve had some damn nice success. In hindsight my best time was when I was a reg in the $16 9player SnG’s. I was beating these games for a little over 7% after 1,000 games. Now I know what any reg will say here (lol, sample size) but nevertheless considering this was done 4tabling I feel it was pretty damn impressive.<br /><br />I’ve never really had any solid success at cash but cash games is really something I never studied or applied myself to like I didn’t SnGs. A cash game for me was more trying to double my buy-in then GTFO. <br /><br />As far as MTTs are concerned, as mentioned I can’t brag about anything to big as I really never played anything over an $11 game. My best run was coming 159th out of 18,875 players which was in event #1 at the MiniFTOPS XVI. I’ve one win at the smallest tournament ion PokerStars, yes the 10c 360 player, had a few final tables at games from $2.20-$5.50 but nothing massive. GG Custo!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">My faults and downfalls.</span> <br /><br />If I had to be brutally honest with myself, and I’m sure my friends will agree with this and possibly add more, I’d say I change my strategy WAY TO MUCH. I’ve had tendencies to try to re-invent the wheel the second something goes wrong or I start losing. “Oh, I’ve just lost 10 buy-ins at SnGs so I better go to cash”. “Opps I just lost money at cash so I’ll try double or nothing’s” “Wow double or nothings are poisoned with Chinese bots so I’ll go play super turbos” over and over and over again. I just can’t seem to stick to one format and learn to dominate it, which I am capable of if I just apply myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">No more shot taking. </span><br /><br />This isn’t as much as a permanent problem more just a recent problem. For the past maybe 3-4 months I’ve literally done almost everything a poker player can do. I have:<br />40tabled $1 DoNs<br />30tabled $5 DoNs<br />16tabled $10 DoNs<br />Single tabled $20 DoNs<br />16 tables 1c/2c NLHE<br />Single tabled $2/$4<br />Played all forms of Mtts from freerolls up to $100s<br /><br />You name it I’ve done it and all this was done with a BR varying between $50 & $500. I’ve had multiple times where I’ve had my entire BR on a single table. Smart moves yeah?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The dumbest thing I ever did.<br /></span><br />Well at least this isn’t poker related but it tells a good story. <br /><br />When I was playing exclusively at Titan Poker I feel into the trap of being addicted to blackjack! (Yes, that bloody little icon on the bottom corner of the poker table just looked too sexy not to click). I can’t remember if I admitted this publicly but at one stage I was up over $1500 just from $5 & $10 per hand. I thought I was indestructible, until the obvious variance showed its ugly arse. I lost a few hundred in the span of 15 minutes and was furious so I did what any degenerate gambler would do; I tried to get it back in one hand. The table limit was $500 and that is what I placed. I remember the feeling like it just happened a minute ago. I get $500 and hit deal. BANG! KK against dealers 6! I was ecstatic, here I am about to double down and double up! I split as fast as I could move my mouse to see my dreams almost come true, dealt a 10 10. Holy Jesus, I have $1000 on the table with 2 20s against dealers 6. From there, my heart stopped, it happened in slow motion the dealer peeled his 2nd card for the 5, I knew I was fucked! We’ve all seen bad beats coming in poker and I knew it was about to happen to me. I stood up and literally screamed at the top of my lungs NOOOOOOOOOO right as the fucking K feel. $1,000 gone, in a single hand. There I was one of the nittiest players with an over protected bankroll management system to throw 25% of it on a single hand of blackjack. GG Custo?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Much more confidence in the game. </span><br /><br />Because the majority of my playing has been at the micro’s and low’s I’ve always had this strange fear on more expensive games. The only good thing I can take about playing games like $2/$4 or $100 mtts is there is still a massive level of retardation at those levels. Obviously less than the micros I play but I really expected the overall game-play to be totally different, when aside from a few key-factors, there really is still an amazing amount of retarded plays there. I remember telling my coach when I was under Team Moshman I wasn’t beating the $5s for a big enough ROI so I should move to the $10s because they will “respect my raises more”. I also remember him politely trying to get the message to me that this thought process is totally wrong. I really think he had to bite his tongue out of fear of bursting out and telling me to STFU and not think like that. Thanks Rob, I now understand. With an adequate bankroll I’ll play any stakes, I actually feel that good about poker. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Personal.</span><br /><br />Poker aside, I actually have a bloody amazing life. I’ve been blessed with the girl of my dreams who is my wife of coming on 9 years and 4 perfect children. I have an amazing bunch of friends that would give up there left nut (or nipple for the gals) just to make sure I am happy. I live in a great house and overall have a very prosperous future ahead of me. Life in general I am probably one of the luckiest SOBs you’ll ever meet. I always try my upmost to do the right and honourable thing and hold myself with a high level of integrity. Conquering poker is really the only last thing I want. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tournament Staking.</span><br /><br />I have an idea of how many loyal readers I have and new visitors I get so I’ll put this out now. I know the majority of fellow poker players reading this have BRs of 4 and 5 figures and in 2 cases I’m aware of, 6 figures. To all you guys I’d like to propose this. If you ever want a horse in a small mtt, let me be that horse. Weekends may come and I feel like playing a 1000+player tournament, you buy me in. I lose, you lose. I cash then buy-in back plus 50/50 net profits. I’ll even say the first 3 cashes I have I’ll pay 60/40 net. I’m doing and asking this because I know to a lot of you putting me into a $2.20 tournament wouldn’t even show as a dint in your cashier page but could make so much difference for me if I ran well. I’m also doing this to further gain respect and trust from players I respect. No pressure but I am available and hope to make something good out of it. I’ve already spoken with a couple colleagues and they feel it’s a good idea, because the games they stake me in are less than half the rake they pay in a mtt. If you wish to discuss this further please ether comment on this post or email <a href="nick@custo.com.au">nick@custo.com.au</a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where to from here?</span><br /><br />Am I suddenly going to change dramatically over night just because my body clock ticks over another year? Or course not. <br />Will the poker gods give me some insta run good now? Highly unlikely. <br />Am I suddenly going to bink a massive MTT and boost the BR so I can play levels I want to? Don’t think so.<br /><br />The reality is I’m just going to have to suck it up and re-build like I’ve done before. I’ll be taking a little time of from the tables, I’ve already cashed out from PokerStars and I’m just going to chill for a week or so. I’ve basically played every day for 4 years now so I think I small break will do me well. I will periodically be adding to the BR with any surplus income I may stumble upon, but I’m going back to the good old basics of 100 buy-ins for a game. <br /><br />I’ve abandoned the dream that poker will inevitability set me free in x amount of time but because I have such a passion for the game, I’m just going back to have fun, play my best and enjoy life. <br /><br />Overall I’m still going to be the same Aussie Battler, just a little but older and hopefully, a little bit wiser. <br /><br />Happy birthday ME!<br /><br />Thanks for reading, all you guys & gals rock and are my reason I continue to blog.<br /><br />Peace<br />Custo.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-37396983855795903202010-09-04T11:31:00.004+10:002010-09-04T11:39:03.179+10:00Quick bankroll update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxW8gfU5xror6dqZuD6mfXUZ78zwwfm_nyNKDnDgUvnT52kqODOjV3_dX4opZhYiD7yUOlF_qehi-YrtNQ3JQvWgq_uYjKqvxiRi_5FgYo2kETB0k64Kd9FKayo8dzAoJUSx40WfQILE/s1600/br.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxW8gfU5xror6dqZuD6mfXUZ78zwwfm_nyNKDnDgUvnT52kqODOjV3_dX4opZhYiD7yUOlF_qehi-YrtNQ3JQvWgq_uYjKqvxiRi_5FgYo2kETB0k64Kd9FKayo8dzAoJUSx40WfQILE/s320/br.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512866514488987314" /></a><br /><br />Have been feeling good about my game recently but not playing with any form of BRM the past few weeks. Is this what happens when one abandons a complete disregard of money? Possibly, but I won't keep it up because I'm literally shitting myself every hand I play. <br /><br />With $500 I can begin to build again a lot easier than with $100, the only burning question I still have to answer is what am I going to play? <br /><br />I have a personal post I'll be making in the next couple days where I'll go a little deeper into what I think is the right move for me.<br /><br />But for the time being I'm pretty happy about going from $100-$500 in a relatively short time frame.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-25631631754153411302010-08-31T09:59:00.002+10:002010-08-31T10:04:27.321+10:00Daleroxxu’s player interviews; GET ON IT!Just a quick post to plug a player I have huge respect for <a href="http://daleroxxu.blogspot.com/">Daleroxxu</a>. <br /><br />Dale has been kind enough to interview some of the best online poker players in the world and made these available for anyone to listen to.<br /><br />In my opinion these are the best interviews I’ve heard because they are real, no bullshit to any of them. Dale asks the most down to earth and relevant questions any aspiring online player would want to hear. <br /><br />Dales interviews to date are:<br />Jhub3000<br />Jonathan Little<br />MI Turtle<br />Spacegravy<br />TheLipoFund<br />Wazz.<br /><br />I won’t offer the links here, go and check out <a href="http://daleroxxu.blogspot.com/">his blog</a> and you’ll be find links to all of them on the right hand side under “Daleroxxu Interviews”.<br /><br />Dale has been in the online circuit for some time and his achievments include a winning the main event of the 2006 WBCOOP and he has been crushing SnGs for years now. He is currently ranked 19th for all Double or Nothing SnGs with buy-ins ranging from $36-$100 but I’m sure if he played more he’d easily be higher than that.<br /><br />If you’ve not heard them get over there and download, they are an awesome listen. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing Dale.<br /><br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-51236683699802293132010-08-26T20:40:00.000+10:002010-08-26T20:41:26.036+10:00Thanks again Anonymous!Well yet again I have failed to update regularly enough and been reminded to do so. I’d love to know who you are Mr or Mrs Anonymous, but thank you again for reminding me and please note my update is up less than 24 hours of your comment.<br /><br />Unfortunately I haven’t got a lot to report on at least not for another month or so. <br /><br />I’ve double up the BR since I last posted so yay for me! I’ve done this via micro stakes cash & HU SnGs, really enjoying the HU SnGs but not so much the cash, I really think I’ve engrained tournament forms of poker on myself. I don’t know what it is I just cant seem to get down with cash and the only success I had was short-stacking which is hardly a long term prospect I wish to pursue.<br /><br />Been flat out with work (non poker realted) and a few poker related projects which I’ll be sharing shortly, hopefully be the end of next month. But since my last post which was a little over 2 weeks ago I’ve probably played less than 5 hours. <br /><br />I know this is a sucky update so bear with me. Will have some good and longer news to report early-mid September. Really just making this post so you all know I’m still here <br /><br />Cheers<br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-83338084924761761272010-08-10T21:19:00.006+10:002010-08-10T21:40:28.753+10:00Bookmark this post (Aug 10 2010)I have me a plan. Going into details of it shortly but really wanted to use this post as a bookmark.<br /><br />Here's the updated BR. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHqdbTqv5WPiDJSJrVsTBy4qdSmqzsDTFvzMN77pYXsW1apR3Md4azvrGrdBzYZYpuC7ZTXKdt8F7g9I9RCtnpTps9lamelwk-xP7YzgcskiqyvcOoxSdt-Exu7ntRWOw04qV2rVDAjA/s1600/BR.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHqdbTqv5WPiDJSJrVsTBy4qdSmqzsDTFvzMN77pYXsW1apR3Md4azvrGrdBzYZYpuC7ZTXKdt8F7g9I9RCtnpTps9lamelwk-xP7YzgcskiqyvcOoxSdt-Exu7ntRWOw04qV2rVDAjA/s320/BR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503742331021119378" /></a><br /><br />Don't ask how it came about.<br /><br />Pretty baller huh!<br /><br />I'm quite down on myself for the lack of updates but with this (plan) being put into effect within the next 5 minutes after I hit publish post, I will be updating more regularly like I used to.<br /><br />I have a tonne to talk about, but not tonight. Just use this post as a bookmark for a turning point.<br /><br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-79565434577129175262010-07-18T22:21:00.004+10:002010-07-21T15:37:23.279+10:00Starting over.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawBJMlLvEU8mOnnq4tASKTuVwQM8jTQAeEUFCb7wXQIgN3vj6M5vZSMmGYcUSdVUXNj65zeh7oy3a9HHH1RQi4ZKSCMWaxfYPjw9nh6hHTswGfAQBizsAU0APGtUcvrHnTirp-nlMMhk/s1600/cashier.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawBJMlLvEU8mOnnq4tASKTuVwQM8jTQAeEUFCb7wXQIgN3vj6M5vZSMmGYcUSdVUXNj65zeh7oy3a9HHH1RQi4ZKSCMWaxfYPjw9nh6hHTswGfAQBizsAU0APGtUcvrHnTirp-nlMMhk/s320/cashier.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495221469718595650" /></a><br /><br />I’m going to grind the 210FPP 20 player satellites to earn as much T$ as I can then sell it off to start a bankroll. <br /><br />I haven’t got much to say at the moment. <br /><br />But will do in the next couple of days. <br /><br />I’ve made many decisions and uncovered many truths about my game and I look forward to sharing them with you shortly.<br /><br />But for now, bookmark this post, it may be worth looking back on in times to come because aside from the FPPs, this time I start with nothing except my will to win. <br /><br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-38617480393404124812010-07-14T23:00:00.002+10:002010-07-14T23:03:31.517+10:00No poker depression posts today, let's just lol together.Since the past 2 posts have been rather depressing, well at least that's what I'm finding after re-reading them, I thought I'd share a video with you that made my laugh. Not the funniest thing on youtube, but certainly worth the watch if you've not seen it.<br /><br /><br />I have some poker news, but we'll talk about that tommorow. For now enjoy the vid.<br /><br />I have to give the youtube link, for some reason when I use the embed code on the blog I only get about half the screen in. (Any computer techy people reading this care to tell my why?)<br /><br />Spoiler @Dr.G, you sent me this.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Custo<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mMRY2N6s2I">High Five Etiquette </a>Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-80857460301795575112010-07-13T21:37:00.000+10:002010-07-13T21:38:05.943+10:00Break starts now! I’ve hit rock bottom!You suggested it, so I’m doing it. I’m taking my first break from poker in I don’t know how long it’s been, 2 years, 3 years, I really don’t know?<br /><br />Since the last post I felt like such a degenerate player it’s absurd and I’ve lost all respect for myself, it really sucks. This is so hard to admit and I hope I grow from it but I am at the lowest of lows right now. Poker actually hurts, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, I can not think of I positive reason why I should open a game after posting this. <br /><br />Feels like everything I touch goes wrong. I won’t even talk about bad beats because frankly I’m sick of saying them, and people are sick of hearing them. Unless I flop a straight flush and lose to a runner runner royal I’ll just shut up. Really now one gives a fuck anymore about your nut flush losing to that river 1 outer. <br /><br />3 days after the last post I 16 tabled 5NL, got up about 3 buy-ins in 15 minutes, then lost I hand which was set over set, and from that moment in the next 10 minutes dropped 13 buy-ins. From there I went straight to 200NL and shortstacked until I went broke. That 1 hand of set over set threw me over the bridge. That’s my state of mind, I’ll lose 1 good hand to a genuine unavoidable cooler, then blow 100% of my roll. <br /><br />I have just over 8,500 VPPs on Stars and just over $100 in an online gateway account. <br /><br />I have an idea of what I’m going to do, but I need to walk away from playing at the moment. <br /><br />Poker is just a massive drop-kick to the guts for me right now. If I could turn around time I would never have drawn my entire roll 18 months ago when I built to over 4K from $1. It would have been better for me to get a credit card or loan than pull my bankroll. It is so hard on my ego to go back to playing for pennies. But with bankroll management and $100 I will have no choice. <br /><br />What also hurts and makes it so hard for me to play an A game is seeing friends at levels miles beyond me, reading other blogs about people playing/making hundreds or thousands per day while I’m playing the lowest games around. Envy really is one of the 7 deadly sins! I will clarify immediately by saying I am happy for every single friend/blogger I have that plays big games and makes good, very good money, so if you are reading this, which I know some of you are please excuse me, you know me well enough that I wish you all the good fortune in the world. I just wish I had a little. <br /><br />The only other thing I will say is this is not the end and it is not an admission of quitting. I just need to immerse myself back into work, which starts shortly, leave poker alone, collect my thoughts, and come back motivated and happy.<br /><br />If you have one of those brainwave ideas I’m all ears, I don’t know when I’ll post again, but I won’t leave it as long as I did last time. <br /><br />Thank you to all people that commented on the last post and thank you again for reading.<br /><br />I will be back…….<br /><br />But for now, I’m off.<br /><br />Peace <br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-60626516476240264412010-07-06T00:46:00.003+10:002010-07-06T00:51:19.992+10:00Last night I played 400NL with a BR of $150!What? 3/8ths of 1 buy-in isn’t enough to take a shot you say?<br /><br />The title may give you an idea where I’m at right now. <br /><br />Fuck it! Might as well be honest. <br /><br />Everything has been going downhill from the moment I decided to grind Double or Nothing SnGs. This was inspired by a professional Double or Nothing grinder I respected and thought I hadn’t paid enough attention to this format of game type. I also thought it would be the easiest and quickest way to re-build a bankroll to around 5K where I can play a little more freely. <br /><br />Below is the graph of games played this year. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VNnDv5HCydP-Zq1ToKDBMzxjaE0WKVHbsX0lHEZFOM6fd5t1AFSyP8UM4X_WoaTAdbuYfXFkObTVxuz13gz7qnjjuE2o7lvOz51i_g5y6JyzpQ8r6nDxwdaIHj915CUfWH8jxr_arZ8/s1600/dons.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VNnDv5HCydP-Zq1ToKDBMzxjaE0WKVHbsX0lHEZFOM6fd5t1AFSyP8UM4X_WoaTAdbuYfXFkObTVxuz13gz7qnjjuE2o7lvOz51i_g5y6JyzpQ8r6nDxwdaIHj915CUfWH8jxr_arZ8/s320/dons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490434318567780258" /></a><br /><br />First few games played some $20s HU, smart move right.<br /><br />From about games 50 – 1000 I was 16 tabling $5 DoNs. No help or coaching just using common sense. <br /><br />Approx. game #1000 was an mtt score courtesy of time with <a href="http://buffyslayer1.blogspot.com/">BuffySlayer</a>. <br /><br />From games 1000 – 2500 joined Team Moshman. Hindsight, biggest mistake I’ve made this year. Not to say anything bad about them, nor say anything bad about getting coaching in general but I was on track and doing fine. I basically tried to re-invent the wheel. All I ended up doing was abandoning everything I was doing and went on an emotional downswing the whole time.<br /><br />From about games 2500-2600, against my coaches advice and truthfully common sense I stopped playing the $5s & started playing the $10s. Playing the way I used to before I started coaching. Of course I had success doing that.<br /><br />From about games 2600-3800, played a mix of $5s $ $10s under Team Moshman. Anywhere from 10-30tables per session. <br /><br />From game 3800-5000, 30-40 tabled the $1s, yes the $1s. Why $1s? Well I’ve been drawing on the bankroll a few times this year, around 8 I think since January. $500 out here and $250 out there. For what its worth, prior to starting the $1s I had terminated the agreement with Team Moshman. I didn’t think they would see benefit in me playing 100s of these games per day, even at +10% ROI. <br /><br />So why did I stop the $1s, aside from the obvious I mean. About 10 weeks ago I got a random email from PokerStars. <br /><br />The email, which I have received in the past, was informing me that I’ve been a victim of collusion and they have refunded my buy-in for the tournament that this took place in. Thanks PokerStars.<br /><br />What not only made me sick to my stomach and also confused the absolute fuck out of me is that this took place in a $1 Double or Nothing tournament! Really? Are you fucking serious? There are people in the world that need to conspire to beat other people out of ONE FUCKING DOLLAR. What the fuck is going on? I totally understand cheaters at high levels, screwing people over for tens of thousands of dollars, that makes sense, nothing I’d ever dream of doing but at least it makes sense. But seriously, there are people out there that are cheating in $1 games. It was after that email I was simply left scratching my head wondering what is happening in the world of online poker. <br /><br />To add salt to the wound, these games, honestly, they’re not poker,<br /><br />FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD FOLD<br />Shove 5 big blinds at 100/200 blind vs blind and hope opponent isn’t holding a 20% calling range. <br /><br />It was only a year ago or so where I was playing the 9player $16s quite successfully, playing 4 tables and actually making good decisions. <br /><br />I’ll admit it, DoNs poisoned my brain and have made me somewhat forget how to play poker. It is possibly one of my biggest mistakes I’ve ever made. <br /><br />All this leads to my next point, what have I been doing the past 10 weeks. Well, this is my most degenerate story to date as far as a poker career is concerned. There is pretty much nothing I haven’t been doing. I have lost all sense of direction as far as what I am trying to do. <br /><br />Primarily I’ve been short-stacking 25nl, and funnily enough, really successfully. For those of you that follow this blog you know I rarely play cash games. Below is the graph of recent results taken from PTR. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiZZWiNRbIhMDNFmC9PU3zRWSXSHbGT9F7i8XJMGZx6kTOXKhYVWxJ_U55kU6ZNs66d3e5vZkqDTufABVOVUEVvo21_8U2XAhXo3CC68iIjyO2jXK44qVAn0eNsHo8sA1snN5hzmjaf4/s1600/timeline-stars.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiZZWiNRbIhMDNFmC9PU3zRWSXSHbGT9F7i8XJMGZx6kTOXKhYVWxJ_U55kU6ZNs66d3e5vZkqDTufABVOVUEVvo21_8U2XAhXo3CC68iIjyO2jXK44qVAn0eNsHo8sA1snN5hzmjaf4/s320/timeline-stars.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490433932883534994" /></a><br /><br />So I’m making some money yeah, but I’m really not enjoying it. Over the past 10 weeks I’ve been:<br />24 tabling 2nl<br />4 tabling 5nl<br />Single tabling 10nl – 200nl (and of course 400nl last night)<br />Single tabling plo 2 – plo 100<br />Playing any form of mtt low buyin of course. <br />But basically I have been playing anything and anytime and on any site.<br /><br />I feel I’ve lost all sense of direction, no routine, no purpose, nothing. <br /><br />So this begs the question, where to from here? <br /><br />From here, I’m reviewing my blog, I’m going back to read over when I was not only successful but happy, because short-stacking 25nl and mass tabling DoNs is no fucking poker life for me, I’ll quit before I do that. <br /><br />I apologise if this post has been full of rambles, but I suppose the content matches the current mood. <br /><br />I am proud that through all this I still can say I’ve not gone broke nor done something ridiculously stupid, actually, playing 400nl last night was pretty dumb so I’ll re-phrase with I haven’t done anything really ridiculously stupid : ) <br /><br />Oh and for what is worth, I lost around $80 in 15 minutes, then shortstacked 200nl for 30 minutes and got like $45 back. <br /><br />Comment people, talk to me.<br /><br />Lastly from this point forward, anonymous comments without a name left will be deleted. If you don’t have a Google account and wish to comment then either<br />A ) get a Google account or<br />B ) leave your name when you comment. <br /><br />Thanks for reading, and I look forward to bringing some more uplifting posts shortly<br /><br />CustoCustohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-6104347039178730992010-07-03T22:40:00.000+10:002010-07-03T22:41:19.629+10:00Updating in 48 hours!Well it’s been a good 6 weeks or so since my last update and in that time I’ve now been asked on PokerStars tables, Email, AIM, Skype, Mobile and in person about when I’m updating (Mr. Popular or what) lol.<br /><br />Anyways, to my readers, friends and fellow players I do apologise for the lack of content recently. <br /><br />I’m only posting this now because I actually have a ****load to say. Some good and some bad but by posting this now I am committing to updating within the next 2 days<br /><br />Oh and it will be quite long to so be prepared for quite a read. <br /><br />I will share one thing with you now…….actually stuff it! You can wait another 48 hours. :)Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-60079897707806865572010-05-16T22:36:00.000+10:002010-05-16T22:37:12.956+10:00Good luck me!Well, the low main event of the SCOOP starts in a little over 8 hours so I’m off to bed now.<br /><br />I’ve decided given all the advice given to treat this game like any other and just play it. Forget the buy-in! If I bust, I lose nothing. If I min-cash, I’m up a couple hundred, if I win, I turn my life around for the better.<br /><br />Wish me luck because I reckon I’ll need it.<br /><br />I’ve been saving my “1 time” the past week and I hope that pays off.<br /><br />If I can just run good in this event, oh please, let me run good!Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-9742271511711688052010-05-08T12:46:00.002+10:002010-05-08T13:11:53.225+10:00The reason I’ll always stay at PokerStars.Recently <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> held a competition for all bloggers to write specific articles for them and in return all bloggers that did this got a $22 ticket into a <a href="http://scoop.pokerstars.com/">SCOOP</a> event and the best 50 bloggers got a $109 ticket.<br /><br />My first article was this one <br /><br /><a href="http://custo80.blogspot.com/2010/03/brag-consecutive-180-player-tournaments.html">Consecutive 180 player tournaments, both ITM!</a><br /><br />I worked quite hard on this and followed all the required guidelines that were set out. <br /><br />Through an unfortunate problem with communications there was an error between me and <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> and the article was never noticed. <br /><br />A few days before the <a href="http://scoop.pokerstars.com/">SCOOP</a> started I sent a follow up email asking what the next step was and it was discovered that my original notification of the email sent was overlooked. <br /><br />Through no-ones intentional fault <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> immediately rectified the problem by issuing me the $22 ticket for completing the article and a $109 ticket for writing one of the better posts. <br /><br />I was quite upset when I found out that my original article was never seen but due to the overwhelmingly superb reputation <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> have they fixed everything with 24 hours of the issue being raised.<br /><br />It is reasons like this that I have been and will continue to be a loyal player/customer with them.<br /><br />I’ve had similar problems like this in the past with other networks and it ALWAYS has fallen of deaf ears. <br /><br />I sincerely thank <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> for fixing this so fast and with that I am finally taking my shot at a big game.<br /><br />As I’ve been issued a ticket and not tournament dollars I have no choice to play a game so I’ve entered into the <a href="http://scoop.pokerstars.com/tournaments/2010/scoop-38/">low game of the SCOOP main event</a>. <br /><br />Finally after so many years of grinding micro stakes tournaments’ I am able to play a huge game and ‘take that shot’ I’ve been waiting for.<br /><br />I’ll be spending every day leading to this event playing micro stakes mtts just to practice my play. The only problem I’m finding is playing for example a 50c mtt with 2000 people I get into spots where I ask myself “Would these people plat like this if it was a $100 game?” and I keep answering no. However I haven’t played a game so big for several years now so I really don’t know. Maybe there is a heap of donks that play and make moves as bad as they would in micro games? <br /><br />I can already assume that a large portion of the field will be satellite qualifiers but I also assume there will be some serious solid grinders that are leaps and bounds ahead of me. <br /><br />I am undecided on my approach towards the game at this stage. It’s either super-conservative trying to make the money then climb levels, or do I just take this opportunity to go for it all, which is statistically very difficult. With my current bankroll after a few withdrawals the buy-in alone represents over 20% of my money so even just cashing in this instance would help tremendously. On the flip side of that I can’t see myself having an opportunity to play in a $1 million prize pool again too soon. So you can see how I am quite torn on which approach to take.<br /><br />One thing I swear, should I run good in this game I’ll never whinge about bad beats and suck outs again lol. Hell I’ll take 4 years of crap just to run well in this game. <br /><br />Interested in your feedback and welcome to any advice if you are experienced in these types of games.<br /><br />To the poker gods if you are reading this all I have to say is……. ONE TIME! <br />(Promise I’ll never say it again :) )<br /><br />Thanks for reading and again thank you to <a href="http://www.pokerstars.com/">PokerStars</a> for giving me this opportunity to play and finally have the chance to take down something big.<br /><br /><br />Custo.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-88751870679411866702010-05-05T17:50:00.001+10:002010-05-05T17:52:14.989+10:00Results for SCOOP Event 8 low.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1CBaUeUAB9ICoC9hM7KIregGhpBIBFFUGhErX4EJc5EqmN9AgH0w1brNchq8OEU5fJbQRxytjA-636CDO6WMqNjT_Jx_bG7HUCzbE3-Z0mjLKfhCQVJzDqHcqKi3jZOIVD8fQs4ZphI/s1600/scoop+8+low.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1CBaUeUAB9ICoC9hM7KIregGhpBIBFFUGhErX4EJc5EqmN9AgH0w1brNchq8OEU5fJbQRxytjA-636CDO6WMqNjT_Jx_bG7HUCzbE3-Z0mjLKfhCQVJzDqHcqKi3jZOIVD8fQs4ZphI/s320/scoop+8+low.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467690414427188738" /></a><br /><br />Should be happy, but I’m not. Another min-cash and the standard bullshit hand occurred. <br /><br />This happened about 15 minutes after the money bubble burst.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="267"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1888772"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /></param><param name="quality" value="high" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><param name="scale" value="Exactfit"></param><embed src="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1888772" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowScriptAccess="always" scale="Exactfit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" allowFullScreen="true" height="267"></embed></object><br /><br />Don’t blame the opponent at all for the move just so disappointed to get it in as a 80%+ favourite and lose this far into the game. Had I have held up I would have been in the top 100 of over 2500 players left.<br /><br />That hand aside, I felt I played great and am proud to have made it so far. Just wish KK held for me because it would have been a damn big run and maybe given me the opportunity to finally play some decent stakes whilst still using bankroll management.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-36516346895885232362010-05-02T15:19:00.004+10:002010-05-02T15:32:13.478+10:00PUMA HARD CHORUS UNITED KINGDOMHappy Valentines love. Bit late but this is pure gold. <br /><br />Well done boys<br /><br /><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mo2wFptAX3k&hl=en_GB&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mo2wFptAX3k&hl=en_GB&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object>Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-42660488799699314462010-04-26T15:46:00.000+10:002010-04-26T15:48:47.043+10:00I must be rusty at STT SnGs or the gods just aren’t smiling down at me today.Not to sure why but I decided to 4table some STT SnGs today. <br /><br />Been a while since I played them as I’ve been playing thousands of DoNs recently. That updated report will come soon but for now I just want to whinge.<br /><br />So bask in the glory of what it’s like to be f***ed over in 4 consecutive games. <br /><br /><object width="400" height="240"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838859"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /></param><param name="quality" value="high" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><param name="scale" value="Exactfit"></param><embed src="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838859" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowScriptAccess="always" scale="Exactfit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" allowFullScreen="true" height="240"></embed></object><br />Obvious top set no good<br /><br /><object width="400" height="240"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838860"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /></param><param name="quality" value="high" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><param name="scale" value="Exactfit"></param><embed src="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838860" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowScriptAccess="always" scale="Exactfit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" allowFullScreen="true" height="240"></embed></object><br />Naturally run into aces against a person who’s 100/60 after 5<br /><br /><object width="400" height="240"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838861"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /></param><param name="quality" value="high" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><param name="scale" value="Exactfit"></param><embed src="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838861" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowScriptAccess="always" scale="Exactfit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" allowFullScreen="true" height="240"></embed></object><br />Another donk who’s min-raised every pot wakes up with an over pair BVB<br /><br /><object width="400" height="240"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838863"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /></param><param name="quality" value="high" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><param name="scale" value="Exactfit"></param><embed src="http://www.pokerhandreplays.com/flash/replayer.swf?pokerhandid=1838863" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" allowScriptAccess="always" scale="Exactfit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" allowFullScreen="true" height="240"></embed></object><br />3 outer me, yeah sure, why not?<br /><br />I’ve suddenly remembered why I 16 table and pay no attention to this constant shit.<br /><br />Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.<br /><br />Will come back with GOOD NEWS soon about the Team Moshman progress and DoN grinding.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-44929176729268235262010-04-10T14:08:00.001+10:002010-04-10T14:09:51.785+10:00Why can’t the better hand just hold up?I suppose I was only like 57% favourite but why let the flop hit me and then take it away. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXj2ytFGHHZTpuejlZ0wGGNJ_7NWGhadeF9_9qbMndRIrbw2WEOPxscZExfvVCVaNSRKkC9GWUrMwbrb8bPdbwHEfYyxp9FtWrGbrutM7fgN_R37ofQkHMInsTSqcjYffqVO5D23fIqU/s1600/180.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXj2ytFGHHZTpuejlZ0wGGNJ_7NWGhadeF9_9qbMndRIrbw2WEOPxscZExfvVCVaNSRKkC9GWUrMwbrb8bPdbwHEfYyxp9FtWrGbrutM7fgN_R37ofQkHMInsTSqcjYffqVO5D23fIqU/s320/180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458355913678866706" /></a><br /><br />Meh, least it’s a nice ROI for the morning. <br /><br />Maybe this post is just a small brag for the morning :p <br /><br />Interpret however you wish, but I’m happy & sad at the same time.Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928323834465519126.post-51018997294701694442010-04-08T23:07:00.006+10:002010-04-08T23:26:44.071+10:00I’m officially banned from all cash games at PokerStars.After 3 weeks of just taking an absolute battering at the $5 Double or Nothing games and spiralling into an uncontrollable depression about it I did what any degenerate dumb gambler would do and started playing cash games, smart move Custo.<br /><br />I won’t bore you with the details but I went from +$200 in cash in less than a week to I think a negative figure, I’m not sure, I don’t want to look at it but it probably is. I ran hotter than ever when I started then once it went to my head I started believing I can stack off 80bb deep with bottom pair against anyone cause I am better and they are just making a move…..then they call me with queens full. <br /><br />I’ve not blatantly spewed of so much money like this for a while and it just sucks. So what’s the solution? No more cash games. <br /><br />I saw PokerStars have an option for a “self-ban” from certain game types so I have banned myself from logging into any form of cash game there is. To be honest, it feels great. I’ve only spewed of cash coming of the back of a bad run in tourneys. If I didn’t run bad I would never have played cash. By doing this I have no option but to focus only on what I want to get better at.<br /><br />Now granted the self ban can be lifted after 24 hours by emailing support but honestly if I go on uber monkey tilt its not like I’m going to email Stars, sit at the computer for 24 hours and then spew more money. So it stops me from jumping ship immediately and losing so much more. <br /><br />Anyways here’s my proof, although I’m not really posting this for proof, more as my own bookmark so I can remember in years to come when I’m one of the worlds best tournament players and remember that it all happened because I finally said “no more” to cash games and started to pay attention to 1 form of poker.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2-6vOJoHLX3rsmd1a_vsIjphUHBUWJ0J95cyOdcnzz5gSr_e4w7ejc9B1nSZ7av8bhzt7ffN4gAs2IpBJ4WcjSIge-Zp1ylKTvsWoAwVo7y60crZqfIgE0Hjz_SnxYgF1l3il0UJ7w0/s1600/ban1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2-6vOJoHLX3rsmd1a_vsIjphUHBUWJ0J95cyOdcnzz5gSr_e4w7ejc9B1nSZ7av8bhzt7ffN4gAs2IpBJ4WcjSIge-Zp1ylKTvsWoAwVo7y60crZqfIgE0Hjz_SnxYgF1l3il0UJ7w0/s320/ban1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457757317803583810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20LuZGYQg6g5uOTo6qwQxScN1IL8rgLr8ytCgkqaf6T7QJZjzFYmUA4IQX-e02_tq355WHd7YsTS-VA1Ul-3Dvatl738KjizwIoHC5Du4qZGR-j6seGeP63irJnlOAmQ8j-74GZe2fM4/s1600/ban2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20LuZGYQg6g5uOTo6qwQxScN1IL8rgLr8ytCgkqaf6T7QJZjzFYmUA4IQX-e02_tq355WHd7YsTS-VA1Ul-3Dvatl738KjizwIoHC5Du4qZGR-j6seGeP63irJnlOAmQ8j-74GZe2fM4/s320/ban2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457757423168081138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN9jTrfFnb9MvnDyBsc_72gwzF2X4tFJRMnyQxrDUFcGx2LMkOFe-YY3DPWNMcd1pJQR-GLEumEHnajNK1nZBr458u_VIcHdFENzs2FnjOiHif8gNd1VkAG1qeG41PuZbSHn9UYCJMzA/s1600/ban3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN9jTrfFnb9MvnDyBsc_72gwzF2X4tFJRMnyQxrDUFcGx2LMkOFe-YY3DPWNMcd1pJQR-GLEumEHnajNK1nZBr458u_VIcHdFENzs2FnjOiHif8gNd1VkAG1qeG41PuZbSHn9UYCJMzA/s320/ban3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457756559477756610" /></a><br /><br />So too all you cash sharks out there, you can no longer have my money :) <br /><br />To all your tournament grinders, I’m coming!Custohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386115972306227307noreply@blogger.com2