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Can A Shark Talk to A Fish?

I wonder how do they communicate....

First of all today is a cold cold day, not weather wise, emotional wise. Love brings you high, and sometimes low too, and sometimes you get misunderstood but you mean well and want the best for your relationship and the person you love but they think you don't love them.... sorry, I got carried away.

I guess that leads very well into my topic today. Imagine talking about relationship problems with a little boy and he will say "girls are ewwww", talk to a teenager and he will start to salivate, (sorry to my homo-sexual readers but this is a general statement), those in puppy love will tell you how great love is, those in long term or had long term relationships will say it is a roller coaster of commitment, sacrifice, compromise and acceptance....etc 

In my regular game there are a few guys, their poker logic is so funny. I tried to talk to a fish about strategy and it was like talking to a toddler! I am not a shark by any means, but I am not a fish either. It is really frustrating, ironic, funny and conflicted when you are talking to them. It's almost like having a twitter war with Donald Trump. The arguments they throw at you is so laughable but you don't want to laugh, so illogical but you don't want to point out their flaws (as we all love fishes just the way they are) but at the same time you're like WTF!!?!?! 

The irony is you love them as they think they are good players, or try to speech play or hollywood the table, but you're also tempted to put them in their spot and send them to the kiddies table. So another key to being a great poker pro is you have to patronize your fishes, feed their ego, bottle up your emotions. 

Sorry just a random rant. Good luck!

Maybe my luck is changing?

Up 660bb early in the session

Last Friday I played a session of poker and I haven't run this good in years. Maybe variance is evening-up itself after my series of run-bads in the past few months.

I hit 6 sets in one session. The only time I didn't see my set hit was when I hit it on the river, where I would have lost to a very hidden straight. So not seeing the set actually saved me money.

TT, pre-flop limp squeeze, 4 callers, flop T66.
QQ, raise pre, one caller, AQx on flop, cbet take down.
66, limp pre, flop T96. Check call flop, reraised by T9, jam, snap call. Ran twice, held twice.
QQ, limp pre, no one reraised, 6 way pot. Flop AQ5, check called flop. Turn 5. Villain had A5, GG for him.
KK, flop J33, turn K, GG

I was running so good even my two big bluffs went through. Preflop I raised with A4hh, flop was KQ5 rainbow. I cbet, two tough players called. Turn was another 5. I bet again, first guy said he folded ace-king (which I doubt it) and the other guy showed a queen and folded.

The second bluff I was on the big blind. Middle position made it 5bb, 4 callers, I made it 30bb, he reraised to 80bb, I 4bet to 210bb and he folded a big pair. I showed my J4 off.

No I didn't play 38o. Just a photo. 

Ended up winning 825 bb in 6 hours or so.

Are you a poker fish? Take the test!

There was one time, I sat down with a fish next to me. I was telling him about this poker site, that it was fishy. So he responded, "oh you mean the site is weird?" (fishy = weird) I paused for a second, then I said YES. I proceeded to take him for about $1500 that night.

So are you a fish? These are some questions for you. If you don't understand any of them then you might be one.

1. What is a fish? 
a. an animal that breathes underwater with gills
b. a bad player also known as a donkey

*Okay freebie question. If you were a fish, I doubt you would read this article.

2. What is the best position? 
a. 69
b. doggie
c. missionary
d. button

*this is debatable but generally speaking, there is one position that is best for most players. If you chose a, b or c, you might be an expert in something else, but maybe not poker. 

3. What is a calling station?
a. a telephone company
b. a telephone booth
c. a telephone
d. none of the above

*A calling station is someone who calls too much without betting or raising for value or bluffs and calls with weak hands

4. Where is the best position to sit?
a. middle of the table so I can see everyone
b. across from the hot girl so I can look at her all night
c. next to the hot girl so I can talk to her all night
d. to the left of the aggressive player and to the right of the tight player

*All 4 answers are good but D makes you a non-fish

5. What is a LAG?
a. the thing that happens when your internet is slow
b. Ladies And Gentlemen
c. A player that plays a wide range of hands aggressively regardless of position

*There are typically 4 playing styles, and LAG is one of them. If you don't know all 4 and which one you are, you are most likely a fish. Do note that for the best players, they are not any of the 4, they may play one style more than the others but great players switch from style to style even on the same session. If you play TP or LP, you are also likely a fish.

6. How is your poker memory?
a. I keep having to look at my cards again because I can't remember what I have
b. I keep asking what's the action because I don't know or don't remember who bet or raised before
c. After I play a hand I forget about it
d. One time, at band camp, September 2009, I had 2c4s on the button and made it 3x, 2 callers, flop was......

*If you have the memory of a fish, then you must be a fish

7. What is Jacking Off?
a. Favourite pastime of young boys
b. A very nice hand
c. An overrated hand that is only good if flop is JJK, KKJ, or AQT

*Fishes often overrate hands, especially if they are suited. QT, KT, KJ, AT may look great but are not great starting hands

The following are also some things fishes typically do, if you do some of these beware, you might be one too!

1. Stack your chips 5 or 10 chips high instead of the standard 20.
2. Pick up their cards off the table to look at them
3. Look at the first card then peek at the second one slowly like playing baccarat
4. Keep asking how much
5. Asking questions before it's your turn
6. Analysing the hand out loud before the river
7. Keep on looking at your hand

Anyway a fish just means the worst player on the table. If you are the 10th best player in the world but you are sitting down with 1st to 9th, then you are the fish. However if you failed the test above, you are most likely the fish in ANY game.

Poker Home Game Etiquette

Got bored and made a chip robot while waiting

I play regularly at a "home game" and sometimes not everyone know's the proper etiquette. So I am going to write an article on how you should behave at a poker game. There is no black and white and most of it is based on house rules, however some things are just common poker courtesy and common sense.

1. Act in turn: 

Acting out of turn breaks all poker room rules. The reason being is that if you act out of turn, it can be an angle or it might affect the action. Say for example there are 3 players left, first guy bets out on the river. I am next to make my decision. I think my hand is good against the bettor but I don't know about the guy behind me. What if he re-raises? What do I do? But now that guy folds out of turn. It makes my decision to call much easier and I successfully caught the bluff of the bettor. The bluffer is not going to be happy about it.

2. Do not show your hand: 

Do not show your hand while the game is in play. Sometimes showing your hand doesn't have to be physically showing it. Showing a reaction to the flop can be just as obvious. For example, flop is QQ2, and you moan like you folded a Queen, or you reach to grab your folded cards, or you show the guy next to you your hand and your face reads "damn why didn't I call preflop". Now those people still in the hand will proceed with the hand knowing there is only one Q left. Maybe you're too dumb to pick up on these things but there are smarter people out there.

3. Dealer deals: 

You see the DEALER button? You know you wait patiently for it every round right? It is called the dealer button because technically whoever holds that needs to deal. That is common courtesy. However if your game is fortunate enough to have someone volunteer to deal, then you should be grateful. Don't be like a dumbfuck and sit there like the king. Help out by pushing the chips to the middle, moving the button, pushing the cards and even offer to deal once in a while. Come on you're not handicapped. Your brain might be but you have hands right? If you are the kind of spoilt brat that I have encountered who thinks money can solve all problems, then TIP the dealer. 

4. Hit and run: 

Just won a big pot, phew, nice little profit, see ya suckers! Well, see ya is right. Don't expect to be invited back to the game. If you are, then maybe you are a big fat fish. Announce when you are planning to leave, that is the best. Just in case you won big between now and then, at least you did say you were leaving at that time. That is fair. I know so many people who used the excuse that they can't stay up late and have to go before 11pm - when they were winning. But will stay until 5am if they are stuck. Again, maybe you're that dumb to buy that excuse but we are not.

Good luck!

The Biggest Secret To Success in Poker

I was in Macau this past weekend, I saw so many pros playing there and there was a few of them camped out on the 300/600 table for 40 hour sessions waiting for a big fish who would come in for a few hours a day, lose and then come back again the next day. In the last 4-5 days the guy must have lost about HKD 6 million (USD 800k) on 300/600.

I had some good sessions as well but still couldn't grind out a decent outcome. I stopped to think about my skill levels, and what I am missing. First of all, I must say I am not as skillful as the top players, but I am playing good solid poker. There were a couple of pros who thought that I was a pro too. I guess that is a sign I am playing well. I still made a couple of mistakes here and there but overall I feel I played well.

Me waiting for a seat on 50/100

I saw a guy cash our HKD 1 million after playing 300/600 when I am grinding for scraps on 50/100. What makes him so much better than I am? Then I realized the key difference is DISCIPLINE: (of course there are other differences like skill, experience, bankroll, but the thing I lack the most compared to him is Discipline)

The discipline.....
... to make big folds when you know you're beat
... to play with decent starting hands
... not to tilt
... to take breaks in between
... to have enough rest, food and exercise
... to stay away from table games
... to pick the right spots
... not to make things personal
... not to get overly smart or creative
... not to get complacent
... not to show off
... to know when to leave / stop

Got this chip and still had a bad weekend

I am going to take a break from Macau for a while. I hope I have the discipline to stay away. 

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code : POKER168

What is Angle Shooting?

What is Angle Shooting?

Using underhand, unfair methods, trickery, speech play, etc to exploit other players or gain information. It is not exactly illegal but it is unethical and ungentleman-like and very much frowned upon and even despised. Yet many people do it.

In the latest WSOP Main Event, the player with the big beard Keating tried to get his opponent to call by saying "good call" while he was in the tank then said that "oh I thought you said call". By doing this he implies that he was bluffing and any call would beat him when in actual fact he had a monster. Check out the video here.

(credit to PokerXpress.net and the WSOP)

A while ago a friend of mine was all in on the river. While the other guy was tanking he said "straight" and then quickly went "opps, you haven't called yet". The other guy folds and he flips over a bluff. I didn't like that move at all. Poker may be mind games and trying to outplay the other guy but it is called bluffing not lying. Lying straight in someone's face is bad enough, he had to show that he was indeed angle shooting!

Here's another example Ivan Freitez (one of the most hated guys in poker) says raise but just put in calling chips and pretends that he made a mistake. It looks like he is forced to raise but in actual fact he has a monster hand and wanted to get extra value by acting this way.

(credit to Pokerstars and EPT)

There's winning and there's winning with integrity. Sports athletes resort to illegal drugs, politicians resort to dirty tactics, dictators resort to killing innocent people and poker players resort to cheating or angle shooting. You might still win in the end, but you lose your integrity, credibility and respect.

What is Poker Leveling?

Let’s simplify what Leveling is. Let’s say you are playing Rock Paper Scissors with your brother. First round both of you showed a Rock. It’s a tie.

1. After years of playing with him, you know that he rarely goes Rock - Rock twice back to back. So you are guessing he will be doing Paper or Scissors.
   
1. If he does Scissors, you need to do Rock
2. If he does Paper, you need to do Scissors
3. But if you do Rock and he does Paper you will lose
4. If you do Scissors and he does Scissors it’s a tie.
5. Since he rarely does Rock after Rock then Scissors has the best chance to win.
   
2. Your brother really wants to win, he knows that you know you know he rarely does the same sign back to back. So he knows you will go Paper or Scissors. Based on the logic above, he thinks you will go for Scissors.
   
1. Since you most likely you will go for Scissors then he will stick with Rock
   
3. But you see a smirk on your brother’s face. It seems like he is up to something cheeky. You know he he knows you know he rarely does the same sign back to back, so he might be trapping you by repeating the Rock to catch your Scissors.
   
1. So you decide to go for Paper

Of course a Rock Paper Scissor game rarely has any huge significance compared to a poker game where money is wagered. Also there is not enough time to level your opponent out on RPS but on poker where you have a few minutes to think, you can out-think and out-wit your opponent.

Run bad continues......

I have been on a sick downswing for about 3 weeks now. Let me share some recent lowlights.

1. On the button I call with 55. Flop K95 two clubs. BB leads out. Mid post flats. I raise small. BB reraises, folded to me, I jam, he calls with K9. Mid post folded a K, another guy said he folded a 9. River K. 2 outs for a HKD 20k pot.

2. Again on the button I have Aces. 20/40 I had a Mississippi straddle going. 3 callers, UTG makes it 400, mid post shoved for 1400, I reraised it to 3k everyone folds. I flip over my AA, mid post guy said he's drawing dead with AK. Flop two spades, turn river spades.

3. A2 suited (hmmm, again on the button). Raised pre, 3 callers. Flop A39 rainbow. Everyone checked. Turn is a 2. Sb leads out 200, I raised it to 700. He tank flats. River black 8. He checks, I shoved for 1600 for value. He tank calls with A3. I guess I was behind, but how good can I run by binking the 2 on the turn?!?

4. AJ of hearts, AQ of hearts (another pattern?) both hands hit top two pairs, lost to 2 straights.

When I hit my cards I couldn't get paid off because of scare cards, or just generally no action.

1. AA on mid position, raised 2.5x, everyone folded.

2. KK on button (hmmm another button hand), aggro guy raises in the cut off, I limp, BB limps. Flop K75 two clubs. He bets, I flat. Turn 3 of clubs. Flush got there. He checks I bet. He calls. River another 3. He checks, I bet he folded a K. Clubs scared him.

3. T9 of clubs on the BB. Called preflop aggro raise. Flop 762 two clubs. Straight and flush draw. He cbets I call, another caller. Turn 8 of diamonds. Hit nuts, two diamonds two clubs. I thought to myself I can get paid big if a bit fat brick hits on the river. He bets, I call, last guy calls. River T of spades. Checked to me, I bet, both folds.

Starting to get sick of poker. Need a break I guess. Anyone got any other advice to halt my downswing?

Self Review : What do I need to Improve on

Recently I had a string of bad results. On PLO, I had top set against a guy who thought he had a wrap. But in actual fact he had only 3 outs. USD 1000 pot, he hit it of course. I had quads over quads, and some sick beats. But overall I think I have been playing well, handling the tilt well enough, and still remain reasonably positive.

I was talking strategy with another player who is kind of just embarking on his poker learning and one thing I suggested to him was to make a list of things he thinks he needs to work on. That got me to thinking of what I need to work on myself. Recently I have been speaking to Alec Torelli about a partnership opportunity and I went through his stuff and it taught me a lot. You can check out his website at www.alectorelli.com

That's me Skyping with Alec. Sorry I am still a bit shy to show my face yet. 

I did the free survey on his site and learned a bit more about my style and what needs to change for me to improve

1. Tighten up my range (it seems I am a bit too loose preflop)
2. Improve my mental game (let it go)
3. Improve my observation (I used to observe every hand and opponent, I have grown complacent and started to switch off at times)
4. Be more consistent (I need a default position for everything and stick to it with discipline)
5. Improve my physical stamina (yes this is a hard one)
6. Watch my session lengths (another problem)
7. Take breaks in during a session
8. Review my hands after a session
9. Manage my money better

Let's see if after a month I have improved or not.

All in or fold? Online debate - post your comments please

I saw this hand on a Facebook group. I hope to get all your feedback and comments on what would you do. I have also sent this hand to Alec Torelli on Ask Alec and hope to get his professional input.

1. It is bubble time
2. On the button we have AKo
3. UTG jams for 7.5bb, middle position calls all in
4. We have both of them covered
5. Should be 3bb dead money
6. We have 10bb

Not factoring in how much min cash is and how much we need or don't need the money, what would you do and why.

Look forward to your comments!

One year anniversary - of being in jail

It was 19th of September 2015, I was running a full poker room of about 30 people, it was a re-entry tournament, a great one at it as well. It was going so well with HKD 15000 first prize. People were having fun, many commented how well organized it was.....

Then suddenly my CCTV feed went off. And there was a loud bang on the door. I peeked out the peep hole and saw 7 angry men with crowbars and what looked like a battering ram yelling OPEN THE DOOR in Malay. I had no choice but to open. I thought they were gangsters but I guess in Malaysia, it's hard to differentiate. OOOOhhh I am soooooo getting in trouble with this comment.

A few hours later, I drove myself and a couple of cops to the police station because they ran out of room on the truck. Me and my buddies were in there for 2 nights and me an extra night by myself with a bunch of drug users and pushers.

One of the most unforgettable experiences I had, there was a young guy in a cell across from me. He was locked up for 2 years. On my last day, he told me, "one day inside, one day outside". What he meant is that everyone has 24 hours a day. While you're spending it outside, he is spending it inside. But the problem is, a lot of people who are "free" are not living their lives. Those who are locked up wished they had the freedom we have. That inspired me to live my life fuller and pursue the things that made sense to me.

One year after I was released, I still think about the guy. He is still in there and has another year to go. While I had a year out doing what I did. This is for you buddy.

Check out the news coverage of our raid.
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/16-nab-gambling-den-raid

And the news video
https://www.facebook.com/8TV.NEWS/videos/1115508888476752/
(you can see me in my signature green hoodie LOL)

One year later, one year wiser, what an unforgettable experience

Macau Billionaire's Poker - Jade Series Tournament

There is a boom of new poker rooms in Macau. A few months ago, the Macau Billionaire's Poker room was started, owned by the famous Lo Shing Fung, who tangos with the best in the world in poker. The likes of Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, all rub shoulders with this man. He is probably most famous for the video with him and Paul Phua where Paul flops top set and Lo flops a straight and the pot was almost $1 million dollars.

Above is the schedule of the series starting on the 7th of October, the main event buy in at HKD 12000 with side events from HKD 2000 to HKD 5000.  One thing they were smart about was to have the main event start on a Saturday as opposed to some other big Macau tourneys that like to start on Friday afternoons. Not good for HK based players who want to pop over after work.

This should be a fun event as Lo rolls with some of the biggest names in poker. There is a special invitational called the SHENZHOU tournament so maybe we might see some big names pop up around.

As a special only for HappyRiver friends, you can get 5% off your event buy-ins through me! Please message me to find out how! 

Run bad lately - how to deal with it

The last two weeks I have been running bad in poker. It puts me on tilt and I chase for pots in bad spots as well.

Recent examples:
1. Fish in Macau with KK, obviously wanted to raise pre, but string raised so was taken back. I looked down at two red Aces, so I said, let me help you to raise. I made it HKD 200 (we were playing 10/25). One person called (my goodness, how can you call after all that), then the guy shoves HKD 4500 and did a hollywood about he is rich and just wants to gamble. I called of course and flop was K55. GG

2. I had 29 suited in the big blind. 5 way limped pot, I checked. Flop 296 with 2 clubs. I checked raised quite big. One caller, turn 8. He had pocket 8s. GG

3. Preflop UTG raised, I was UTG+1 with KK in an aggressive game. I limped expecting a 3 bet somewhere. 6 other players limped. Sb had QQ and he was talking with someone and limped by mistake. Flop 772 flushing board and someone had a 7. GG. I guess I could have folded but for QQ not to 3b into my KK, that's part of my run bad I guess.

4.  I was in a HKD 2000 sng. Top prize HKD 9600. Top 3 gets paid. 5 players left and I was all in with TT vs 77 for the chip lead. GG. 77 end up winning the sng.

5. Preflop UTG I raised with 99, tight player limped behind with JJ. Flop J9x. GG.

6. Preflop I had KK, raised 5x, 6 callers!! Flop K high but three spades. Someone flopped the nut flush against my top set. GG.

7. On the button I had KK, raised 4x, 3 callers. Flop Q92 two spades. Sb leads out big, CO jams for HKD 1500, I called, sb folds. He has AT of spades. GG

Luckily I have been doing well on Natural8. I have been playing 0.50/1 PLO the last 2 weeks and have been consistently winning 100bbs a day. And I have been running hot on Pineapple.

So HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR RUN BAD?

Everyone runs bad once in a while. What makes the difference between a winning player and a losing one is how you deal with it.

1. Play tighter - when you're card dead you are tempted to play bad cards to try to get lucky. Don't. Wait it out.

2. Don't lose your positivity - running bad can hurt your confidence and you start to doubt yourself. Don't let it affect you. Clear your head and keep yourself focused. Take breaks in between.

3. Don't tilt - I wrote an article on how to handle tilt. Tilt leads to bad play and mistakes that will be costly.

4. Take a break - sometimes taking a break can do you some good. Walk around the room or even stop playing poker for a while.

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code : FREEBONUS

Lucky Fish Poker Room - Remington Hotel Manila - REVIEW

Hey it's been a while since I've done another poker room review. This past weekend I was in Manila and checked out the new poker room at the Remington Hotel (just across the street from Resorts World Manila)

First of all I must say this is one of the rare poker rooms that put players first. They didn't pay me to say this, (maybe they should) but they offer free food, free drinks (including alcohol), great host, cozy environment, even free room for long grinders.

Games start from PHP 100/200 (USD 2/4) and up. Action is fun and fast, and the rake is one of the lowest in Manila. 5% capped at PHP 500 (if I am not mistaken).

Location wise it is great, just opposite the Resorts World, so if you feel like playing smaller stakes just cross the street, otherwise it is away from those tempting table games. I will definitely make it back there if I am ever in Manila.

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code : FREEBONUS

If you don't LOSE IT, you don't LOSE

Tilt is something that people rarely put emphasis on in poker. Often we talk about skills and strategy but tilt is something that really separates the pros from the wannabes. I know a poker pro who busted his entire bankroll in 2 sessions because both times he started the session after a fight with his girlfriend.

The key to playing well and consistently is DON'T LOSE IT. Don't lose your cool, don't tilt. I have seen so many great players lose it after a bad beat, a needling comment, a bad call/fold and went on to dump their money like a fish. So how do you do it?

1. Know when you're on tilt

It's like being drunk. Some people don't know that they ARE on tilt. Recognize that you are is a great start to stopping it. If you feel that you are upset, or your face turns red, or sometimes it can be as subtle as losing patience, tempted to play with bad cards.

2. Walk away

If you're a smoker, go light up a cigarette, go to the bathroom, go and punch a punching bag, jump rope, get a cold shower.... whatever you do, just do something else.

3. Let it go

Let it go, let it go..... the cooler never bothered me anyway....
Some players are out there intentionally trying to tilt you so that you don't play your "A" game. Don't let it bother you. I used to host a game everyday and there was a player who would make comments about my mom, my sister, me, my play, my chips, anything to get me pissed off. I was never affected. However I know I get tilted to see fish win from a bad beat even if I am not involved.

4. Know what ticks you off and work on it

You have to find out what affects you, like losing a big hand, or fish play, etc. Once you recognize what affects you, work on it. Can you learn to accept it? Can you not let it affect you? If yes, great. If no, then the next time it happens, do something before it escalates. If you can, stop playing.

5. Recognize tilt in other players

If you see a player who is on tilt, there's an opportunity to pounce on their mistakes. Don't try to bluff a player on tilt. But you can value call pretty thinly sometimes.

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code :POKER168

My Poker Quotes

This is my most recent poker quote. I posted it on Instagram and Josh Beckett (2015 WSOP main event runner up) liked it and followed me. Hahaha. Thanks Josh.

Weekend Excursion to Manila

This past weekend I ventured to Manila for the APT Weekend Series. Didn't do too well with the main event. Felt that I didn't have the mental stamina as before so I stopped all tourneys and just focused on cash games.

 Cash game at City of Dream Manila

Cash game at Manila Pavillion Hotel & Casino

It was a fun trip, fishy cash games, great seafood (no pun intended), won on Pontoon, OFC and craps too. It was raining hard some days but still didn't damper my mood. 

All In Or Fold Strategy - Omaha

Lately some online poker rooms have been offering the new version of poker, ALL IN OR FOLD. It is an interesting concept for those wanting a gamble but I found out that there is quite some skill involved in the Omaha version of it.

First of all how it works is there are four players. Each time you buy in you have to buy in 4bbs and small and big blinds are posted as usual. For the omaha version you get to see the flop. Then you can decide if you want to shove or fold. Every time you balance drops below 4bb it will top up automatically, if you have more than 4bb you can choose to remove some. Rabbit holers will love this game.

My friend turning Royal Flush and earning him a USD 4500 bonus as well!

First of all I must say, it is a "gambly" game, be ready to get some bad beats and dish some out as well. But if you know your strategies and odds, you can be +ev long term. 

1. Beware of the paired board: 

I know nut flush draw or flush and straight draw combos look really nice, but on a paired board, it is worth so much less. You may already be drawing dead or drawing thin if your opponent has trips with 3 open kickers. You may want to shove to take down the pot and you rarely want to see a call. But calling with a flush draw on a paired board is a bad play long term.

2. How high is your flush draw:

For some reason we all love flush draws. But honestly in Holdem, you are likely to be 36% at best and in Omaha, if someone has a set or two pairs, you are not in great shape. Being there are so many possible combos, I would normally fold a J high flush draw and lower, unless I got more equity in the hand like straight outs, or top pair. Calling again is always a bad idea, you will be getting your money in bad. However there are some fishes on Natural8 that would shove a small flush draw so read your opponents carefully, there might be some merit to calling with the nut flush draw late. Also multiway pots then you have the right odds to catch your flush.

3. Position is key

Since this is a 4 handed game and the game is All in or Fold, then late position don't mean anything. If anything the advantage is with UTG. Let's say flop is A82 rainbow, and you have AJxx. I would sometimes fold here because you have three people behind you. You lose to sets, two pairs, better kickers, etc. However if you're on the small blind and it is folded to you, then you can steal the pot. Remember we all start with 4bb, so stealing 1bb without showdown is great value. 

4. Power of the paired board

Let's say the flop is 992. Everyone folded to you and you're in the sb. Only the bb behind you. What are the chances of the guy holding one of the remaining 9s. If you shove there, it would be hard for him to call with Queens or worse. 

5. Wraps are not great

There is no way of betting your opponent out on the turn because the game is All In Or Fold. Wraps are good on PLO but not on this game. You can steal with wraps but I would not recommend calling with them after someone has shoved

6. Watch the stack sizes

Let's say you've won a couple of pots, and you have 20bb instead of 4. No one else on the table has more than 5bb so you're fine. However let's say the guy on your left has you covered, you should be really wary and I would usually remove the rest and drop back to 4bb. Reason being, let's say you're making a move to steal the blinds with a draw, you are now risking 20bb to win 1.5bbs. The guy behind you might just be sitting with a monster to take you down. 

7. Big stack in position

However on the flip side, you have a big stack and so does the guy on your right, then keep it! This is your chance to control that player. Let's say the flop is KK2, even if he has AA he would think twice about shoving a big stack. What if you really had the K? Let's say he has J high flush draw on a unpaired flop, what if you had a bigger flush draw? If he shoves you can always evaluate before deciding what to do. If you flopped a monster you can pick him off. If not you can fold risk free.

8. Bottom two multi way

Against two shoves before you, I might fold bottom two. Chances are you are already beat, or you have to dodge a lot of outs to win. Again taking the initiative to shove first is okay, but otherwise I would say fold your lousy two pairs.

9. Observe the time taken

AIOF is a very fast game. You need to read the board quickly and react just as fast. I tried multi-tabling 4 tables and it is really tiring. A few times I folded a monster because I ran out of time or read the board wrong. Observe your other players. Do they click on auto shove before their turn? Usually that means strength or a big draw. Flopped a nut flush draw, easy decision, click! But there are other players as well who take their time with a monster, pretending to think longer than usual. Observe your opponents and make notes. Do they shove with a small flush draw? wrap? air? Maybe you can call them down with marginal hands. 

10. Always try to have a back up plan

If the flop is TTQ two diamonds, you are holding AAKJ two diamonds, you have some back up plans. In case the guy has a T, you are still in good shape. If he flopped a full house, you got Royal Flush draw and bigger house outs. You hate shoving and seeing the dreaded 0% next to your name.

This is a very fun and addictive game. I would not recommend the hold-em version as it is just pure gamble. But with Omaha you can read the flop and get the money in good and be profitable long term.

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code : FREEBONUS

Grinding Online & Winning - How to win on Natural8.com

I never used to like playing online, until I found www.Natural8.com

So far I have been playing only 0.25/0.50 buying in USD 50 at a time. I have been consistently picking up USD 100~ profit per session.

Me and some of my players having a decent day online

My strategy:
1. Raise pre to thin the field
2. Playing aggressively in late position
3. Check raising with monsters
4. 3b light against loose raisers
5. Cbet dry flops

I am surprised it is so easy to pick up pots. The typical opponents on the site are:

1. Super tight limper (I always punish them by raising 3-5x, sometimes they just give up pre and I pick up 3.5bb from the limpers and blinds)

2. Loose raiser pre (I would make notes if they cbet or not. A lot of them don't so I call these guys more knowing if I don't see a c-bet, leading out turn usually will allow me to take down)

3. Loose raiser pre but doesn't call 3 bet (I 3 bet them light with like T9 suited, 78 suited hands, usually take down by 3 betting or c betting the flop)

4. Loose limpers, cold calling 3x-5x with marginal hands (C betting usually takes it down, or I will slow down if it hits their range. If I hit hard I maximize value 3 streets. Sometimes checking top pair on flop to induce calls on turn and river with worse)

Don't be greedy, once you double up, be prepared to switch tables. Trust me, you will consistently pick up money if you play like this and be disciplined.

Don't forget to SIGN UP on www.natural8.com using the Bonus Code : POKER168

Inquisitive Poker vs Prescriptive Poker by Phil Gordon

Ok, first of all, this article was not written by Phil Gordon. It is from a seminar conducted by Phil Gordon and I am just downloading the key takeaways I got from it to share with you guys.

Who is Phil Gordon? To be honest, he kinds of sounds and looks like Nicholas Cage to me. He is better known for being the author of "The Little Green Book", really revolutionary poker thinker of his time, really good book by the way. He has 5 WSOP bracelets and plenty more other accolades.

So what is Prescriptive Poker?

Do you have that annoying friend that always asks you things like.... if you have AQ under the gun, how much should you raise? If on the button instead, what should I do? Should I c-bet a 7 high flop? What if it is K high?

Prescriptive poker is when you give a solution to a particular situation, generalizing the action you should take without considering anything else. For example, always 3 bet with Queens no matter what. Raise with AK, limp with AJ, etc. Prescribing an action for a certain scenario. However poker is not that simple, nor straight forward. That's why Phil is teaching us to be inquisitive.

Instead of asking what you should do in certain situations, you should be asking yourself more questions in any situation. For example.

- How likely is it that I have the best hand?
- How frequently do the small and big blind defend?
- How many hands have I played recently?
- What hands will my opponents expect me to be playing?
- What will I do if I get re-raised?
- Have any of the remaining players given anything away?
- How much do I need to raise to get the information I need?
- How many players should I want to play against?
- What are the remaining stack sizes?
- Does getting involved in the hand pot-commit me?
- What are the chances of flopping a monster?

For me the key takeaways are

- You need a plan when you play a hand
- You need to put players on a hand range
- You need to know what they can put you on as well
- You need to know what they think you put them on too

I need food. This is giving me a headache. Anyways, if you're one of those annoying guys that keep asking me what to do with certain hands in certain spots, be ready for a bunch of questions I will ask you back.

Galaxy Macau Poker Room - REVIEW

Recently I have been to the Galaxy poker room. Galaxy is a huge complex tailored for Chinese tourists. There are rows of baccarat tables after another and you don't see any blackjack or carribean stud games.

First thing I like about the poker room is it is smack in the middle of the gaming floor. So you have these curious cats that will walk by and check out the game. The staff there should be doing a better job of getting them to try the game. But you seem to see more fishes there than other games. But with fishes there are always regulars that are there to catch them. However I must say the regulars are not as strong there compared to other rooms. So it is a pretty soft game.

The chips are nice and solid. No free food and free drinks are limited. But the wifi is strong and easily accessed. There are bonuses like Bad beat bonus (although lower hand has to be quads or better) and there is the best hand of the day, and aces cracked bonus (you get HKD 500 for getting your aces cracked.

Usually there is one 25/50 game going, and sometimes it goes up to 3 tables or so. The rake is also lower than others, capped at 150 compared to 200-500 with other rooms.

Overall it is a good place to play, much softer than other rooms I feel. Happy hunting!

Finally a big win in Macau

This month I have been doing well in smaller stakes, but I wanted a big win, so I headed to Macau, intending to be a one day trip. I got there at about 11:30am, went straight to the casino. They were playing 25/50 PLO which I can never resist. I don't remember how it went but soon I was in for 30k. Down to my last 5k, someone raised pot pre, so the pot was already big. 

I have been playing pretty snug the whole session so when I had a combo draw on the flop I decided to donk pot it. Some Japanese dude called and the others folded. Turn I was committed so I jammed the blank turn. He called. River a big fat brick. 30k is a lot of money so I thought if I lose this I am going home. I missed but had a pair of 6s in my hand. I turned them over expecting to be crushed, he said the pair was good. 6s on PLO! He had a straight and flush draw too, but smaller flush and no pairs. Got up to 13k. A few hands later I manage to get up to 22k. Don't ask me how, because I grinded for 19 hours straight that day, some things are a blur to me now LOL. 

One pot, another Japanese dude pot it pre. 5 callers. I had T896 double suited in late position. Flop T64 two diamonds. The dude pots it again, 1st player calls. I am in a dilemma. I just grinded my way back to 22k, if I repot here it will be about 7k. I decided to just flat, maybe wrong decision but anyway. Guy behind me calls. Huge pot now. Turn a J, preflop raiser pots it again! 9k this time. 1st player called! Certainly two pairs are no good here!?! I folded, guy behind calls again. River a freaking T. I would have filled up. Preflop raiser jams for like 25k. everyone folded. He showed KKQA, king high flush draw with wrap on turn and overpair. I would have won a 70k pot if I stuck around. So sick.

Later I switched to holdem. AA lost to K7, top pair flush draw made flush on river lost to full house, QK 3b pre, got called by AQ, flop AQK. Dropped back down to my last 5k. Damn. Switched tables and there was a pure fish on it. Genuinely playing poker for the first time. I already prebooked my ticket for 9pm departure, but it was almost 8pm at the time. I decided to stay and try to hook him. Long story short, I took 10k off him and got myself back to about 18k. 

Time flew by and it was about 3am. I grinded back to 34k and was so happy to have a profit. I was about to leave but this lady next to me said you should stay when you're running good. Maybe I am fishy enough for her. I listened and dropped back to 15k! I regretted not leaving so much. Not much choice now, I am stuck again. When I finally left at 7am, my stack was 53015. Such a rollercoaster day!

This goes to show how bankroll management is important. I went there trying to crapshoot with 30k. If I lost it all, I had no way of coming back. If I had a 500k roll then I can take the hit and come back on a good session. 

Life and poker in recent times

I quit my job. Wow, something I didn't think I would do a few months ago. My salary was very good and finally a top man position. Well, in between many things went wrong so I guess it's time to part ways. Again I am at the cross roads.

Every time I have a chance to think about my career I would put poker as a choice. Recently I have been playing well, Overall I am up 400bb in 10 sessions. I mean that's not a whole lot but profits are profits. I am happy to be enjoying them. I am not crushing the game like I used to, maybe I have lost my killer instinct or I have become complacent with my playing style. Lately I try to return to my dominate style and it has brought results.

The thing is I have been spoiled by my last paycheck. It is so good that I find it hard to get the same by grinding. Unless I am grinding a bigger game, which means I need a bigger bankroll. So right now I am considering that. However I am also looking for opportunities to play as a prop player or house player.

WHAT ARE PROP/HOUSE PLAYERS?

In my time of running a poker room, the biggest challenge any room has is to have enough players to start a game. Some rooms in order to combat this will hire prop players to sit and start the game. They play with their own money, but they are also paid an hourly rate to play. Years ago at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila, there was a Korean player that was super tight. A few months later I met him at another room and he was so loose. So I asked him, what changed? He said, I am no longer getting paid to play.

When you know you have an hourly income whether you play hands or not, you tend to tighten up. You are winning as long as you don't lose! But now that he doesn't get paid, he needs to loosen up, play more hands and beat the rake.

This is something I am considering doing and there seems to be some options out there. But anyway, the last 6 months has made me realize AGAIN that playing poker for a living is so much freer. I rather have a bad beat than to face my screaming boss and angry customers. As long as you can manage your bankroll well and play consistently to beat the game, then you're your own boss. I also plan to take better care of myself by exercising and eating well.

Maybe it's time I tried playing pro - again.

Latest update

Recently I had a few problems with work, really hate it. Everytime I have a problem at work, I always dream about playing poker for a living. Then I get back to earth again after I remind myself of how I got beat my last trip to Macau.

AA lost to J9, 9k pot. Ace high flush lost to quads on flop, and river he bet, I said, I put you on quads, tanked for 1 minute then called. He showed quads. River bet was $2000. Recent trip to Macau kind of put things back into perspective. I need like a bankroll of $200k to be able to play well there and I am well far off that number at the moment.

Recently I also realized that I start to play really passively and poorly in my regular game. In the past I can win at the game quite easily. Nowadays I find myself bleeding my chips away and not really knowing how I lost. I have decided next session onwards I need to play my A-game.

I think for any player to be successful, you really need to be constantly reviewing yourself. I guess mine came a bit late, but better late than never. I realized I have been losing lately but can't pin point any specific hands. I must have bled a lot and saw that I limped pre and fold to cbets quite often. I have become a fish.

Was doing great on www.natural8.com for a while, now with work I have less time and energy to grind online. But when I get the chance I want to play more.

How to make money through online poker?

A few friends of mine signed up to the Natural8 site yesterday and all except one are off to a winning start. If you are keen to sign up too, the website is www.natural8.com and remember to use the code FREEBONUS

A lot of players don't do well online is because they don't adjust. Online and live poker are similar and different at the same time:

1. Be more patient: In live poker, it can sometimes get boring. You're waiting around for hands and you're tempted to play 84 suited or 96 and call it your favourite hand, insist you must play it. Online poker you can multi-table and the action is usually much faster, so pick good spots to play, good hands that is worth your time.

2. Lot more bad beats: Statistically the more hands you play, the more bad beats you get. In online poker, you are going through usually around 100-200 hands per hour on one table. If you multi-table then times that by N. In live, you're lucky to play 20 hands per hour. The other thing with online, there are usually more fish. Some players make fish calls like call with top pair and get lucky by hitting their kicker for a two pair. Call a draw with super bad odds and hit, etc. At any given time, any player has like 20-30% equity in the hand. So 20-30% of the time you would get bad beat. So my advice is play small ball, unless you have the absolute nuts.

3. Mentally straining: You don't realize it, but playing online is more energy zapping than live. You rarely get to rest, you are thinking about 4-5 hands at the same time. Making notes about players, and watching your screen. In live poker, you have plenty of downtime where you can eat, drink, chit chat, play on your mobile phone, etc. Keep your sessions shorter than live because we are not robots. When we tire we tend to make mistakes.

4. Don't get too comfortable: Usually when you play online you're at home. You got the dog barking, your girlfriend on the other line, your parents nagging, etc. Never play online poker when you are upset, tired, angry, sad, or emotionally not in the right state. My friend who is a pro now got broke twice because he had a fight with his girlfriend just before both the sessions.

5. Good bankroll management: Play stakes you're comfortable with and you have the bankroll to buy in 10-20 times. The problem with online is once you're stuck, you want to chase it back and end up playing bigger stakes than you should. Your entire bankroll is sitting there in virtual numbers, and you can lose it all in one bad session.

6. Hit and run. I hate hitting and running, and I hate people who does it. So in live games, I usually stay on after I win a big pot. In online poker, nobody cares or can do anything about it. You doubled your buy in? Switch tables! Get up and take a break. Watch TV for a while then come back with a fresh stack. Your objective is not like live poker where if you get up, that's usually the end of your session. With online you can switch to another stake, another table, another game.

Follow my ideas here and you should be able to do well online. Good luck and have fun!

Latest Macau Trip

Macau is always a tough trip because I finish work on Friday, I would rush to the ferry terminal, get there, check in, go to the casino and grind for 8-12 hours, then go back to sleep and repeat until I come back and go back to work.

This trip is especially tough, because I had a brutal day on Saturday.
1. I missed 7 combo draws in a row. Combo draws usually mean I am ahead or flipping. The pots ranged from HKD10k to 40k each time.
2. I ran QQ into KK for my entire stack
3. I got drawn out a few times for majority of my stack
4. I won 4 big pots with 46 and 56 off suit (that's how desperate I got)

Two hands in particular I want to share. One was a hand that I should have folded. Preflop I am UTG with AQ suited. I just doubled up not long ago, winning with a set. Feeling good I thought I lay a trap. Limping and raising. Button raised to 300 and I made it 900. (first mistake, too little) Then he called. Flop comes QT9 rainbow. Villain has a big stack so I proceeded cautiously. I checked my top pair to him. He bets another 900. I must call with top top and a back door flush draw. Turn a rainbow 7. I checked again. He bets 2000. By now I should have been aware something is really wrong. Somehow I keep thinking he has something like JT, QJ, J9. So I called. River blank and he shoves all in 6600. I tanked and called.

I regretted this hand so much that I really hated myself for making such a stupid call. What could he have called my 3b pre with? AQ, JJ, TT, 99, maybe JT, QJ, J9 suited. Flop I checked he bet. Maybe all of the above would have bet. Turn he bet again. Would JT, J9 and JJ continue? I don't think so. River shove. AQ, JJ, JT, QJ, J9 definitely won't shove. So I am left with TT or 99. He flips over 99. What a bad call on turn and river. Could have saved me 8600 and that point I was up 13k for the session. Instead I lost all my profit and ended up losing 5k that session. Key turning point. Bad mistake.

Last day, I thought I might stay away from poker, but then I changed my mind. I was waiting for a seat on 25/50 because I saw the 50/100 was very sharky, but I was tired of waiting so I played, and I bought in 20k! 5 hands in I won a couple of pots and was feeling good. No showdowns yet so I guess they think I might have been bluffing. Some of the players were waiting for bigger tables to open so they were just killing time and was very loose.

Straddle on to 200, 2 players posted blinds for joining the game, 4 limped the straddle so came to me on the cut off with KJ off. I thought I take a stab and made it 1400. Straddler calls, mid-post calls. I didn't like that. Flop 556 two hearts. Both checked. I thought to myself if I cbet somebody will check raise for sure and I can't call. So I played it safe and checked back. Pot was already around 5.5k mind you. Turn J (not heart), bingo! Top pair! Loving it! UTG leads out 2700, not cool. Mid-post calls! What could they have? I just flat. River comes another J! Cha-ching!

Both of them checked to me, and the pot is now 13.5k. I have 3rd nuts, and I doubt anyone can call me anyways. I bet 4700. UTG jams all in 15000!!! mid post folds and comes to me. I lose to 55, J6 and chops with any Jack. I think to myself, I have to call. If I lose, then it's a sick cooler. He flips over T high! Happy birthday to me :) I guess he didn't put me on a Jack when I flat the turn. River bet was so small maybe it looked like I was thin value betting my over pair. So a jam could get me to fold. I guess one of the rare times my passiveness got me a gift!

My poker life lately

Feb 20th-21st I went to Macau to play the baby dragon. One hand I made a mistake. I had 99 and I called three streets on a 8 high 2 card flush board. Villain had JJ and bet all the way. Soon I had JJ and on the cutoff. I raised the normal 2.5x there were 2 callers. Dong Guo the Chinese player that went deep in WSOP 2014 I think (see picture below) who I think is not a great player 3b me with KQ. I shoved and he called. K on the window. GG

Proceeded to play cash game at the Wynn. Got onto a fishy table. Fish #1 calls with anything. Flop K5x. He has K5 and checks. I have 22. Turn the gin card 2! Ok, I ran good. He checked, I bet, he min raised, another guy with K2 just called. I reraised big, fish calls, other player folds. River I jammed he called. Ship it! 11k pot!

Fish #2 calls the river 3/4 pot bet with top pair 9s 8 kicker on a 4 card straight board. He even commented that the bet was "small" so he called. I voiced out loud "WHAT A FISH", but I wasn't even in the hand. Immediately next hand I had AT late position I raised, he called. Flop was QJx rainbow. He donked bet a small bet, so I called. turn was the money card, K! He bet, I raised, he reraised, I shoved, he snapped. River blank and I showed nuts. He said he didn't see the straight. FISH! 25k pot.

Second day I ran bad, anyway this trip I just broke even. I came back and won 4 cash games in a row. Last night being the most fulfilling of all. I was in for 2k. I was down to 170, I grinded my way up to 4195. Nice comeback kid! :) All in all I played good poker and am feeling confident. This weekend I am going to Macau again!

WSOP 2016 Schedule

Every poker player dreams of playing at the WSOP, main event or not, just being there is going to be an experience. I have played in Vegas before but not the WSOP. It is like poker's mecca where all the poker nuts from all over the world flock. The buzz must be amazing. When I go, I will make sure to take videos and post them here for you all to see.

There are decent events to make it an affordable trip like the $1500 Millionaire Maker or the $565 Colossus, Little One Drop $1111, all pretty good events. This year they have also raised the starting chips to non-championship events to 500bbs. That is a great starting stack to play proper poker! Payout structure has been flattened to pay top 15%.

Las Vegas itself is a place you have to visit at least once in your life. The city never sleeps, although hot as hell but indoors you feel like you're walking from one palace to another. By the way, walking from one casino to another seems like a mission, because I am sure it is designed in a way that you are discouraged to go "next door".

I still remember my Vegas trip fondly, staying at the Riviera, playing poker and craps there. I went to the Bellagio where they filmed Ocean's Eleven, Golden Nugget - one of the oldest casinos there, and many more. But I think I just visited 5% of all the casinos around.

So are you interested in going? I would if I wasn't working and had a bigger bankroll. Maybe next year.

http://www.wsop.com/2016/2016-WSOP-Schedule.pdf

Inspiring picture!

I just saw this photo on Facebook and it hit me quite hard. When you're considering whether you want to start your own business, or choosing your career, or play poker full time, look at this. You need a combination of all three. Choosing something you're good at, something you love, and something worth the time.

Venetian Macau Poker Room - REVIEW

Venetian Macau is home to the Poker King Club. Winfred Yu is instrumental in bringing the big names of poker like Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, etc to Macau. It started at the Starworld Casino and now has moved to the Venetian. Poker King can also be credited in helping the poker boom in Macau, with the Poker King movie and early tournaments etc. My friend, fellow Penangnite Sam Nee is also now a Poker King Pro, so there is a tendency for me to support this room as well.

First of all the casino is beautiful, although for me it is weirdly designed, but the interiors are nicely done. I hate that perfume that they blast throughout the casino though. The casino is typical of the Sands group layout. Pretty clumped and tight with some walkways in the middle. So it can get crowded and noisy. Thankfully the poker room is in one corner where there is ample space. 

Games range from 25/50 (typically only one table) to 300/600. The staff there are reasonably okay but the dealers can be quite bad. Some of them don't speak English at all, and if you understand Cantonese or Mandarin, they sometimes make comments about foreign players. The buy in is weird too. They only give you 1000 chips and try not to give small denominations so the game is often delayed for changing chips, breaking big chips etc. The game is slower than the other rooms. 

There are plenty of passer bys though. You will see many players sneaking by to get a peek of the action. Some of them eventually venture onto the tables. However since there is only one 25/50, it is hard to get many brave souls to play. Free drinks are limited and not good. Service staff are scarce and I have a feeling that all of the staff are paid less compared to other casinos because it seems like they really hate their jobs. 

Worst thing of the poker room is the rake. On the 50/100 game, the rake is capped at 500 compared to 200 at other games. (Galaxy is offering a opening special, capped at 100) Some players justify this by saying it drives the grinders away so the game is softer. I still see plenty of grinders, but only when Wynn is full. Yes newbies don't care about the rake, but in my last session alone I think I was raked at least HKD 2000-3000 personally. 

The casino is crowded, the room is noisy. You will hear the sounds of the slot machines, lucky wheel, etc. Chips are heavy and nice to hold, the 1000 chips must be at least 17.5g or heavier. I wouldn't go to this room unless I can't get a good game elsewhere. 

City Of Dreams Macau Poker Room - REVIEW

City of Dreams Macau is home to the Pokerstars LIVE room. It is the place to be if you love tournaments. They have daily tournaments most days, and a cash game area as well. Located on the 1st floor of the casino, it is next to the SOHO food "court". The casino was previously called the Hard Rock casino. The casino itself is spacious and not as crammed as some of the other ones. It feels more modern than most and since it is owned by Crown, it feels similar to Crown Melbourne.

The poker area is away from most of the table games so it is quieter but also less foot traffic. Not many people walk by so not many spectators and I would assume less newbie players. The chips are light and ugly as hell if you ask me. See for yourself.

Cash games are not as strong as the other places. Usually you will see 2 tables or so even at busy periods. I don't remember what the rake is, but on Google, some sites say they have a flat cap of HKD 200 for all games. Which is decent by Asian standards. My few times playing there, I felt the game was pretty nitty but not many pros. 

Other than water and maybe some basic stuff, I think there aren't much choice in terms of free drinks. I remembered having to pay for orange juice. Service is reasonably okay, staff are generally friendly. But this is the place to go if you are looking for tournament action. Their Saturday tournament has a 100k guarantee for a 3k buy in. Although I was a bit disappointed when they said they might cancel the tournament if they don't hit a minimum number of players. Then why guarantee? Everyone wants an overlay! Haha.

The seats are really comfy, nice posh leather seats. It can be quite a nice place to play. However somehow I don't like playing cash games there. I find more action and selection at other rooms but I do recommend the tournaments. I will be playing in the Baby Dragon next Saturday. If anyone wants to hook up do drop me a message.

Wynn Macau Poker Room - REVIEW

Wynn to begin with is a beautiful casino. Classy, nicely spaced, nice uniforms, interiors, thick carpets, decent seats, cool chips. The poker room is kinda towards the end of the casino. But there are clear signs directing people to the poker room. There is also a decent flow of passer-by to attract the occasional curious fish.

The table is a good size, and you can sit 10 players with accompanying friends sitting beside comfortably. Free drinks including juice, wine, and I think beer. Good service compared to Macau standards. Rake is 5% capped at HKD 200 no matter the stakes! Don't tell Wynn this but that is such a great deal for grinders!

Games were hot while I was there, granted it was the Chinese New Year season, but decent daily cash games that run 24/7, always at least 1 or 2 tables going no matter what time it is. While I was there the stakes were from HKD 25/50 to 1000/2000. That's USD 150/300 or so.

The dealers were friendly and polite enough, action was fast and smooth, players usually courteous and well mannered. Free wifi provided and a waiting area for games. It is a very enjoyable poker room to play at.

There are some cons as well. Being the best rake of Macau, they attract a lot of grinders, so the game might be considered tougher than others, however you still get decent number of fish to keep most players happy. The other thing was it got so crowded I was twice on the table that was broken to up the stakes. But I guess good on them to run a good game that a lot of people wanted to play in.

5-day Macau Trip

Historically I have not done well in Macau. All my tournament cashes, I have not cashed once in Macau. This trip I come with a different mindset. 1. I am not playing with scared money 2. I am just there to have fun and play well, profit or loss is secondary. Well, how did it work out?

Right off the bat, first cash game session, I was even all the way. On the button I limped Q4 of clubs. Yes, I shouldn't be playing hands like that. 4 way call and I thought on the button I had a good price. (btw, I played HKD25/50 and 50/100 which is like USD 3/6 and 6/12) Flop three clubs with the King! I flopped second nuts! Cha-ching! Sb leads out, I raised it a bit. He called. Turn he checked I bet and he calls. River he bets, I shove, he tanks. Then calls. I flip over my hand thinking I won the pot. He flipped over the stone cold nuts. WTH. First session already I got slow rolled. HKD 14k pot. (USD 2000+-)

Villain is a TAG from Spain. He and a few friends are playing poker everyday in Macau, if not pro, I take as semi-pro, profitable player. He raises mid-post, I called on button with AT. Flop A5T two diamonds. He bets, I raise, he calls. He is capable of putting me on a flush/combo draw hand. Turn a blank 8. He checks, I bet big. He calls. River non-diamond K. I hate that river. He checks. Do I bet for value? Do I check? I think he will pay me off with AQ, AJ any ace even. QT, KT, JT possible in his range as well. JJ, QQ he might not call, but still within his range. I bet the same bet as the turn, he calls and flips over AK. HKD 15k pot. 6.82% dog...... The curse of Macau continues

Same table, same session, this guy above, his friend, also a solid TAG was the villain. Preflop loose passive player raises, I called on the cut off with QJ, villain calls on the small blind. Flop comes 776. Checked round. Turn 6. Villain checks again, preflop raiser bets almost pot size. Unlikely he did not cbet the flop and suddenly likes the turn. My queen high might be good but I doubt it, so I almost min-raised him to 800. Villain tanks and reraises to 2000, initial raiser folds. For me the hand doesn't make sense. Villain is the most likely to have a 7/6 in his hand, but as a TAG would he call in the sb with that range? I don't think so. Quads seem more believable than a fullhouse, but would he raise there? The board is more likely to hit me than him. So I tanked and min-raised to 4000. He snap folds.

Overall I lost money again on this trip, but I played much better and more solid in the last few sessions. The last 4 sessions I won all of them. I was quite happy with my play in the end. Made 4 or so key mistakes early in the trip, but I cleaned up my play towards the end and it showed in the bottom line. Scored a decent rate at the Sheraton on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year, great room with views of Studio City. Decent trip overall. Too bad still down but I learned a lot in this trip too. Will be doing poker room reviews later!

Weekend Poker Excursion (part 2)

Let me share a few more key hands. Tight player (whom I have known for at least a year and played probably more than a 100 sessions together) raised in early position, a few callers and I was on the button with 65 off. In my previous articles on hand ranges I mentioned that I don't like to play broadway hands against tight players but love low cards. I folded QK suited to a min raise from the same player and he showed me KK.

Back to the hand, flop was 355 two diamonds. Woohoo, cha-ching. Preflop raiser cbet the flop, everyone folded except villain on my right and me. Preflop raiser might have Ace high flush draw or over pair. Villain just called the flop likely have a similar hand but I don't think an over pair like 8s or 9s can call again knowing the raiser's image. He may have 64 for the open ender but I was holding the blocker 6. He may be trapping with a stronger 5. So I decided to just flat. If he has a stronger 5, we are both pretty deep, I want to pot control. If he has a draw, a raise can still price him in. I put the raiser on a strong hand so he is likely to call any raise. If I am the only one with the 5, I am streets ahead and induce some bluffs at the end.

Turn came a 7, not a diamond. 64 got there, 57 I am in deep trouble. Preflop raiser bets again. Now he is a tight player, unlikely he would be barrelling two streets without anything. Villain raises the turn! I didn't like the raise. What is he repping? 64? 6 or 4 with the flush draw? Protecting his strong 5? But I can't fold a 5 there so I just called. Preflop raiser calls again. River is a 3, completing my full house. I still lose to 57 or 77, but I doubt those hands would raise the turn. Both of them check, so I bet a decent amount. Preflop raiser folds, villain check shoves! My goodness, what can he have? If 57 or 77, credit on him for playing tricky, then I just have to pay him off. So I called pretty quickly. He showed a 3. I think he was raising for value. He didn't think I would just call the turn with the 5 given there are straight and flush draws. Huge pot came my way.

Actually I got lots more hands to share but these are old news already. I just came back from a 5-day trip to Macau. More juicy and bigger pots to share!

Weekend Poker Excursion (Part 1)

This past weekend I went home and played poker for two nights. First night I won 235bb and it was one of the bigger stakes in my repertoire. Quite a good trip as I got to see some old friends, make some new friends, make some new rivals, meet my old rivals, rejuvenated an old friendship. Yes bro, I missed you. In this two nights there were a few very interesting hands which I will share with you later. But I made a few good moves that I wouldn't have done before mainly because:

1. I manage my bankroll much better than before: I play no fear poker now, so I don't have to think about the money, what if I'm wrong, etc. I just go with my read and play 100%
2. Combinatorics gave me a new perspective on price and odds.
3. Hand range reading helped me a lot as well.

 First of all I will share with you one of my bluffs:

One hand I had 79 of hearts. Villain is an aggro player in the Button, I was in late position. I limped but villain raised it to 5x. 2 callers to me so I called. Flop was 622 two hearts. I had two over cards and the flush draw. Pretty good flop for me. I checked, Villain bets strong, everyone else folded, I called.

Turn was another 6. I checked again, villain bets again. In the past I would have folded this spot. But I floated the turn. Actually I tanked a bit and called. The reason being is the villain is unlikely to have a 6 nor a 2 in this spot. If he has an over pair, he won't love my turn call. If the river comes a heart, I can bet for value or check raise but unlikely he would bet the river. If the river is not the two outer of his over pair, I can bet and and take it down. By not raising my flush draw on the flop I can represent a 6 in my hand quite easily. So river came a black Q. I tanked and lead out for about 60% of the pot. He folded.

Another hand I played quite tricky was this:

Mid position preflop I had KK. Foo Foo from early position raised (he said he had QQ - fish). I 3bet and sb min raised me. Foo Foo folded. Min raise seem really strong to me but not knowing what Foo Foo raised with, I thought villain may have QQ or AA. I was once told, when you have Kings and you think your opponent may have Aces, then go all in on the flop instead of preflop. That way you might still get him/her to fold. If he has Queens, he is not going to call my 5bet. So I just called. Flop was rainbow Jack high. He leads out again. Jamming was about min raise ++ so I did. He snap called with Jacks for the top set. Turn came the King and I won.

While I am not proud for sucking out on the turn, in the long run I feel I made the right move. What if the flop came 10 high, 8 high, it would be the same result and I would win most of the time. If I 5bet pre I would not have maximised the value.

Another crazy hand:

Preflop I had 68 of hearts, I raised, villain (same guy as the bluff hand I mentioned above) called from the button again. Yes he had position on me. Flop was AdKd7h. I cbet, he called. Turn was 5h I had open ended straight flush draw. I bet quite strong, he called. River was Qh. I made my runner runner flush. How can I extract max value? I over bet the pot, but I did hollywood it a little, make it look like I didn't want to. I bet 500 and had just 400 behind. He snap shoved. Now, let's discuss why did he do that. Obviously his hand either has me beat badly or he missed his draw as well. I looked like bluffing and still had fold equity with the 400 behind. It seems very unlikely I had the flush so I might be able to fold monsters like two pairs. But one fundamental mistake he made was what could I have. I am over betting the river with either close to nuts or nothing at all. If I had nothing, he could actually call off and might be good. If I had close to nuts I am not folding. Anyway I snap called and he had nothing.

To be continued....