Last night the Beer Guy made his Pokerroom league debut for Team Shark, representing the Shark Powered Network (CheckRayz, Shark Poker Tour, Online Shark, and the SPN Forum) in league play. As expected, we rose to the occasion and took down first place for the night, moving us third overall. Yours truly, despite all going on, won my leg of league play. Teammates Bornsupreme and clayshooter both took second places, and reelcrazy and gary812 took third and fifth respectively in their legs. Great showing by the team!  Speaking of league play, be sure to visit The OPC.

By all fault of my own, I had quite a full plate yesterday, considering I had three tournaments going on at once, with the league, the CheckRayz money added poker tournament at Poker4ever, and the CheckRayz heads up poker challenge at Celeb Poker. CheckRayz standout Lazrus knocked the beer man out of the heads up challenge in the first round, moving on to take down the event. He’s had my number lately, as this is two events in a row Lazrus has knocked me out of. Last person to own me in this manor was TexasDan, though he did so during bounty week, and collected nicely. Ironically, Dan and I had the exact same hands both times he ousted me. He had aces acting behind me, I had the Fillmaff (KJ) and was making a move, only to run smack dab into his aces both times.

As a note/warning to Laz, Dan has not been the same on a poker table full of beer since the two in a row. He’s been haunted by the Beer Guy, raising up over him, hitting the flop hard, knocking him off his hand, affecting his game. Don’t let that happen to ya. Keep playing your game and you’ll do fine. Don’t let the thought of ousting the Beer Guy in three straight CheckRayz tournament nights (that I’ve played) get into your head. Additionally, don’t let it get into your head that I’m putting $20 up if you can make it a third time (special launch bonus exclusive to you). Don’t be shy, rise up and collect the bounty. Third time is a charm!

Is it my imagination or am I trying to stir up a friendly rivalry? Or maybe its that I’m trying to counteract the state of “owned” I’ve been in whenever on the table with Sir Lazrus? A little of both even? One final note, Larry; Don’t just sing it… bring it!

Blogger Poker Tour Talk

As we all probably know, the Beer Guy hosted blogger poker tour event number four, appropriately named “We’re Just Here 4 the Beer.” Yesterday, I received a prize pack for hosting event number four from the BPT and Poker.com. I like receiving free stuff, especially when the free stuff are more than I expected to receive. Two poker.com hats, a poker.com coffee mug, poker.com beer koozie, poker.com keychain, poker.com bracelets, and my personal favorite, a poker.com card holder coin. It could be used as a dealer button, however I’m liking it guarding the Beer Guy’s cards personally.

This weekend, Dutch Boyd is hosting event number five of the Blogger Poker Tour. He has the password on his blog, which can be found here. From the sounds of it, Dutch is ready to play. The fifth event is slated to begin at 4.30pm EDT this Saturday. Top four finishers qualify for the Grand Finals, where the Blogger Poker Tour will send one skillful blogger (the winner) to the World Series of Poker! Don’t miss out on these events. This a great opportunity to win your way to the WSOP. If you’re a blogger and have a blog (there’s more to blogging than merely having a blog, by the way), register for the tour. Registration is accepted on the blogger poker tour website.

Tomorrow marks the triumphant return of the infamous Friday Mailbag. Until then… See you tonight at AP for the weekly Shark Poker Tour buyin. It seems that Sharky sweetened the prize pool by putting more money added to the prize pool in his weekly poker tournament, making it a $200 money added to the prize pool poker tournament.

I actually started a post three different times, all on poker strategy. I wasn’t “feeling it,” so I just deleted the posts (hence destroying the evidence).  I cannot personally give anyone anything I feel is worth reading today. However… I can “pimp” other peeps posts (recent and historical), in hopes of not only giving my regular readers some worthwhile material, but also perhaps putting them on to some quality bloggage.

For starters, if there was one blog post I’ve read that has changed my life both on and off the tables, it is this post by Felicia on Personal Responisibility and Poker. This was one of the few posts I’ve read and had a major shift in overall Philosophy. I’m not going to go into details or summarize her post for her, as she worded it perfectly already – see for yourself. I will say though, that this post marked the day that my ass quit getting chapped when someone such as SuperDonk made a call that was outrageously poor. Both the content and the context of her entry really really hit home. I recommend this article she wrote to everyone, poker players or not. She is “the” must read in my blogger library.

Probably the funniest of blogs I read is the Donkey Manifesto. These bloggers don’t really update often, but when they do post, they make it well worth the wait. I strongly suspect that one cannot possibly come up with priceless material such as this post on the bad play of the day or the defective $20 dollar comp, or the donking time machine on a regular basis. Go through the archives on this one, lots of great… and absolutely hilarious stories, cutting edge interviews asking the tough questions that the Daily Show won’t even ask.

Slipping away from bloggage for a second, I had mentioned that I’d talk playing the AK. Instead of discussing it personally, (my communication skills are lacking today), I’ll link ya to the shark forum, where we discussed playing the AK.

Back to bloggage. Is online poker rigged? Find out here, and here.

Finally, Haley had some quality bloggage on the blogger community both here and here (once again, note the lack of “skills” i use by describing the links as “here and here”… told ya its an off day 4 me). No seriously, I just started reading Haley’s blog this past week, as I had discovered her work through the blogger poker tour. She and I were on the same page regarding some of the “blogs” participating or trying to participate in the tour. Through her writings, and via a brief discussion or two on the table in the BPT event, I strongly suspect she has a lot to offer the poker community. Thus, “shoutin’ out” to her, and sending “mad props”.

Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll feel it a bit more in the creativity department. Until then…

Mike

I dropped my first two matches, first one losing boat vs. flush. This wasn’t much of a match at all. Of course, I didn’t see the boat as a possibility on the board (read: first thing in the morning). Second match was a little better, but not much, as my JJ got donked in favor of the four board card straight (he head A-9off, I pushed preflop, he pushed back into me, ended up all-in preflop).

I decided to play a bit higher stakes, and had things to do. So after putting Daddy’s lil Angels to bed, I fired that bad boy up and went to work, of course this was after playing the Shark Event.

I owned my opposition, only passing chips his way in two hands, and the pots he won were very small in nature. I nailed the figure four in classic Ric Flair fashion, letting him push my KK around with his 7-7 preflop and flop. Turn comes, he bets, I go for the thumb in the eye, raising him to all-in, he calls… chop, chop, suplex, knee, figure four, “whoooo!”

Determined, he asks for (and receives) a rematch. He wins the return match, flushing out my set of Jacks. We go again, classic back and forth battle. Blinds continue to raise and the higher they go, the more of an advantage “the champ” is at. This time, I nail the “figure four” with a boat to his bluff.

Next match (same opponent), this time he’s finished off with “television time remaining,” falling victim to my top pair, open end straight draw vs. his middle pair, garbage kicker.

OK, OK, fine, one more match… this time, its a loser leave town match… (feels like Flair-Rhodes feud of old). Once again, he starts the match out aggressively, as the blinds rise, so does my advantage. The champ “takes him to school” with (ironically) a set of fours he never saw coming.

One thing I noticed was that whenever the blinds went to 50/75, I clearly outplayed him preflop. My mindset was that for $25 tourney dollars, there were few cards that did not offer the odds to call. Consequently, I ended up rayzin up more often than not. This worked for me about 4 out of five times, giving me the pot either pre-flop, or on the continuation bet.

Furthermore, I didn’t like the idea of allowing him the luxury to call me, completing the blinds for only $25T (5:1). So, of course, he completes the blinds, and I raise them 3 out of four times, regardless of my cards. Eventually, he was “beat down” and would fold if he didn’t have what he believed to be a solid starting hand (hell, for 5:1, I’ll see a flop with 2-7offsuit heads up).

I’m really looking forward to the heads up tourney today at Celeb (as I think you can tell). Rayz gear to anyone who enters the tourney today – need an email with shipping info sent to me here. Good luck and see you all on the virtual felt.

Mike

I have here a list of presents I’d like to present to the poker world. Actually, its more like… if I had my way, this is what I’d get them. (Please note my continuing effort to make the poker world a better place).

The Call Station — A visible, working fold button.

(insert poker site here)’s Tech Support — A work order referencing the non-functioning Fold button for the Call Stations of the world.

Donkeys — A memo written in “Donkese” stating that other players at the table do have two hole cards, of which are capable of beating the hole cards possessed by said Donk.

The “Expert “ (playing .01/.02 limit, fully equipped with the resume, 20 million years experience, and a book on conspiracy theories) — A clue

The Delusional — A starting hand guide clearly written so that the so called “bad beat” stories cannot begin with “so i was in the big blind, facing a raise with Q-3s… I reraised and he called me!” …and ending with, “I am a tight player.”

Members of CheckRayz and the Shark Army — The insight and ability to download, try, and buy Pokertracker.

Site is still having finishing touches put on it, but it seems as if we can accept members and host tourneys. Details to follow, stay tuned to the blog, the rayz site, and the Shark Forum.

Stamina

I’m constantly evaluating and re-evaluating my game, regularly identifying opportunity to improve. My most recent “issue” appears to be later in tourneys. I do a very good job of establishing that Tight Aggressive image I seek. I rarely play “junk.” However, early in the money or on the bubble, I have been getting nailed. I’m not quite sure why.

My hand selection is usually such that I’m the favorite (be it slightly or heavily) preflop, yet, I’m busting. Why is this? The first thought that comes to mind is that I end up going too far with the hand – but who can blame me?

Take one beat as an example. Aces UTG, so I raise hard. I get 1 taker (in the blinds of course), he’s holding king shit unsuited. He reraises, which I gladly call. Flop comes in a klan-like manner KKK, thus knocking me out two from the money. That was an extreme example.

Others, such as AKs v 10-10 or AQ vs KQ, one last night AKs vs Q2s, the list goes on and on and on and on lately. This is something though that I’m not certain how to fix. Should I avoid being all-in on these hands when someone comes over top of me (thus moving to a tight weak posture)?

Should I throw the cards away when the flop misses me (yet another tight weak position)? I’m not really sure how to adjust. Actually, is there a fix, for that matter? I’d be inclined to say that I’m playing these critical hands right, for the most part. Yet, its happening so consistently, that its hard to think there’s nothing “wrong” with my play near or just beyond the bubble.

One thought I had, is that I’m so tight prior to these hands, that I become bored and have forgotten all hands I’ve played prior. Or maybe its that I’ve not participated in a hand for any longer than “these people’s” attention span (5 minutes), thus they’ve forgot that they might be calling into a monster.

Bottom line is that I’m not real sure how I can fix this “issue.” Feedback is helpful and I’ll be pondering it for a while. I’ll keep everyone updated as I think things through.

In case I haven’t mentioned it, I love this poker room! Lots of Dispense only ATM’s. One of the things I like in this room, is that their short tables are five-handed, as opposed to the normal six-seaters. Its nearly impossible to have a playa nibbled to death by a school of fish, as there’s not enough volume to occur consistently, in my opinion. I’ve done VERY well on this site.

I noticed a head’s up Hold’em tourney was coming up. So, considering I intended to host one of our first Rayz tourneys there (thinking a head’s up money-added tourney would put asses in seats there), I decided to try it out myself. Top four placed in this event. Faced call station after call station, so I provided unfavorable odds when I felt as if i was ahead. Lots of preflop raising too by your hero. Finals table wasn’t the traditional call station though.

Fortunately, I figured this out early. Unfortunately, I forgot it during a critical hand. My opponent was tight, passive, from what I could assess. So, I toned down my bets, as I didn’t necessarily need to throw a 4x bet out there to win the pot outright. She would fold for the min. I figured no sense in risking more than necessary, unless I hit it hard. So, I bet every round. Worked well for a while, until I was dealt the KJs. She bet into me (should have told me she had a hand), I nailed the check raise, challenging her bet. She called it smoothly. Flop was garbage. I figured it didn’t help her at all. She pushed her remaining chips allin. The flop didn’t help either of us, but her A-7s held. She had about a 7-5 lead at this time. Nothing too bad, but I had her against the wall, I should have picked my spot better.

So, a few hands later, I’m dealt AKo in the big. She completes, I raise, she calls. Flop missed, Q-6-2. I check, she bets, I push allin, she calls, turning over 7-7… jack-6 turns and rivers… Game, set, match. Your hero goes out in second place.

Twas a fun tourney though. I’m confident in the set-up on the site. And I have to say, I’ve not experienced such customer service since Poker.com, home of the seemingly endless freerolls. Both places have great software, great support, and can be potentially profitable for the typical shark soulja. Lots of free money there too. Take a moment to check em out if you’ve not been there yet.

1. We’re all naturally creatures of habit. Play money creates bad habits. Nothing “real” at risk. You lose, no big deal. You win, you feel like a genius. The real world of poker ain’t the way you see it in the play rooms.

2. Our brains are wired in such a manner that when we put effort into something and get “desired result,” we repeat said actions thinking we will get the same desired results.

Consequently, when we evolve to cash tables, because we’re geniuses of the play $$$ (endless refills), we think it is OK to call down a 10x raise in the BB with 2-5, 2-6, or 2-7. I assure you, this is NOT ok (well, if you‘re obsessed with playing the hammer, and believe unconditionally the absolute Truth that it is the strongest hand in poker, than please continue playing the 7-2). We fall into this trap because we never truly got “burned” the first time we did it, playing with monopoly $$$.

3. We see other people who have a million plus play chips throwing them around like no one’s business. We therefore relate the stack to his skill level and thus try to duplicate his play, which then becomes habit and transfers to the cash tables.

4. THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING YOU CAN DO WHEN ON A LOSING STREAK IS TRY TO FIX YO GAME ON A PLAY MONEY TABLE. During this time, a string of bad cards or the board is working against you, its natural to want to move to play $$$ to “fix your game.” A lot of times, its bad cards – the negative end of variance! I went 27 consecutive pocket pairs without setting on the flop. Bad streaks come, even to Drunken Gods. When this happened, I did not change a thing. I played through it. I knew it wasn’t me (pokertracker verified this).

For these reasons, we really only want to use the play money to try out the poker software. I will say I do not even use play chips for that. I’m comfortable enough with the eye to determine whether or not I’d deposit based on what I see and read. I’d be more inclined to drop a fitty into a room that I wanted to try, thus “trying” things out on real tables, not risking too much principle. Last thing I want to do is risk corrupting my focus on a day at the monopoly tables.  For me, Play $$$ is off limits. I’d rather lose $50 than corrupt my style.

So, in closing, stay away from Uncle McBucks or whatever his name is… Deposit today. If you’re uncertain of the room you play in, try one of my rooms. These are sites we’re comfortable putting money in. Any questions on a poker room, give me a holla, I’ll be glad to screen for ya or give offer my opinion.

Poker Haiku of the day:

“Play Money Sux”

No play chips for me,
Real money the way to be,
Corruption no more.

Poker is not the only place position is to be considered. Take my soccer franchise, for example. Our Club won three Indoor Championships in a row. Everyone had a defined role and complimented one another. Then of course, our collective heads became too large and we signed “the world,” as we had to expand the roster moving from indoor to outdoor. On paper, we were phenomenal. On the field, we had a shortage of footballs to go around, too many scorers, not enough defense. We had too many superstars and no longer were we predominantly consisting of “role players.“  As a result, we were not successful in our summer campaign.

One would think that everyone in the organization would have learned their lesson. I split my top squad into two groups, one headed by yours truly, and the other by my ever so famous friend “SuperDonk.” I left virtually everyone to him, and formed a brand new squad, so building successful franchises is my specialty. Kyle (“that guy”) had very little building to do, as he already had the real deal. He had a spot or two to fill, but nothing that had any urgency. The spot was defensive in nature, of course. So, he runs up to one of the most offensive minded people in the league (Rick) and asks him to come play.

Kyle somehow convinces himself that Rick is a phenomenal defender, forgetting that Rick put four in on him just a few short weeks ago (that would be my first clue that dude’s not a defender).

This decision was unpopular amongst the team, and resulted in one defection to my new squad (i didn’t offer anyone but wouldn’t turn them away if it fit my system). So, he once again has too much O and not enough D, and catches his squad out of position for about 1/2 the game. When everyone was in position, Beer controlled the match. With four minutes to go, Kyle initiates a sub from the field, pulling Capt. Steve (all around player, very aware defensively, brilliant soccer mind) to bring Rick the Defender in. Kyle shouts out for Rick to come in on Defense.

Now, Kyle was trying to secure at least a draw, if not a win. With four minutes left, that’s about 8% of the game left over. If the score is 5-6, in my mind, the game is still within reach. Especially considering the momentum shifted to the Beer Squad’s favor. There was no urgency to rush forward, which is what Rick does. So, Kyle makes a save… And instead of bringing the ball out in a slow, controlled manner, he plays it swiftly to Rick and tells him to go with it.

Rick carries down the field, gets a shot off, the ball comes back the other way… no defenders in sight and Bam goal. Then a minute later, same thing, attack, counter, goal. Kyle’s team loses a winnable 8-5 in the final 8% of the game.

This positional mistake brings me back to poker and expected value. When one builds a successful arsenal of poker hands, he or she must consider position. You can’t play crap out of position. You cannot be the first to act with a shady hand. One generally doesn’t want to act UTG with a jack-9 not suited. That’s simply not the position for that hand in most games. I see someone do that, I expect them to lose more often than win, thus giving it a negative expected value primarily based on position. Save those hands for loose games when you’re in the BB or on the button, don’t attack with it when you have no clue what anyone else has or how people will conduct themselves after you.  Why speculate with no information?

If someone throws an all-star attacker on their football squad and calls them a defender, I expect them to lose as well. Position is important. Position is more important than the cards in the hole. Respect position, do what makes sense. Don’t concern yourself with the last flop coming jack three three and you tossed jack three offsuit preflop.

Don’t worry about signing an attacker to prevent someone else from doing so, when you’re not in the market for an attacker. Do things that have positive expected value.  Retain the role players.  Do things that make sense – things that are proven to work within the system.  Do things that fit and have a positive expected value.

Haiku of the day:

Act in position,
If you don’t, you will go broke,
Cryin’ all the way.

Kids are organized with school, I’ve got direction in the biz, launching 2 new soccer teams, and moving poker rooms…

As for “the biz,” I’ve been looking at going in a different direction for a while now. Been researching, studying, preparing… Along came the Sharkman himself. It is a done deal… The Shark and the Beer Man are starting an online venture. The site will be known as Checkrayz, part of the Shark Powered Network.

Shark has been in the biz for over a year and doing a kickass job. Hardest working man in the biz, as a matter of fact. Little Brotherz doing the website for me. It’ll be a sharp looking one, unlike my Beer FC site that I just merely play around with for entertainment purposes. This one will be the real dealio.

This timeframe marks a new era for the Beerman. One of new beginnings. I’ve spent some time recently righting the wrongs I’ve committed in the past with friends, family. and so on… Other than saying a close friend of mine and my kids inspire me to be a better person, I’m not really sure what’s brought this on. I do know I like the results and intend to stay on track (sigh of relief noted from the Beer haters out there). My life shall remain consumed with focus. Focus on friendship, success, and cherishing that which I have and love. Striving for things I desire, and for perhaps the first time in a long time, a state of Zen. I’m at peace with who I am, what I’m doing, and where I’m going. And I like it. God help those who try to derail this new found focus.

Anyways, enough philosophical rambling for the moment (I’m known to go this route for hours). The new rayz site is expected to be up and running by next week. You’ll find on this site offers free poker tourneys, chances to get free $$$, a leaderboard, some imperative poker links, and all things poker.

Check back soon for updates regarding the launch of the rayz site…

All for now…

Beer Man

Obviously, you can expect to read about my daily experiences playing poker. I will try not to bore with play-by-play account of my entire day’s session. Instead, I will “holla” about the high spots, keeping it compelling for my readers. Sometimes, the stories will have the victory cry playing in the background. Other times, idiotic plays of mine. Yet others will focus on bad beats.

Which, the bad beat is something held near and dear to my heart. Not only do I love talking about bad beats I have received or observed. I also LOVE hearing other bad beat stories. In fact, making a regular appearance in this column will be a little piece I like to call “Little Brother’s Bad Beat of the Night.”

To give background to this piece, typically speaking when I wake up, I grab my morning coffee and do my morning reading. This reading consists of getting caught up on the news, checking sports scores, and reviewing the message my little brother sent me about the bad beat he took the previous night. These anecdotes usually consist of the main character known as “That Guy.” That guy historically will play any two cards, no matter the price, as he believes if he has been dealt two cards, he is immediately pot committed and must see the hand through to conclusion. Sometimes, on special occasions, “That Guy” is referred to affectionately as “Some Idiot,” “This Moron,” “The Douche Bag to my Right,” “This Lucky B*$t*rd,” etc… You get the idea. All the pet names are the same “That Guy.”

Most people hate “That Guy.” Almost all home games have at least one of “Those Guys.” The fact is, I love being on the table with “That Guy.” “That Guy” makes the solid player’s session far more profitable over the long haul. Now, on your average six-seater, I prefer to not have more than one or two (at most) on your table at a time. Otherwise, the fish will collectively nibble away at the shark. I would prefer to have no more than three at a standard ten-person table. Their careless, reckless and sometimes perhaps clueless play will reward the solid player over the long haul. Consequently, I absolutely forbid anyone to cause these idiots to realize their idiots verbally. I will always stick up for “That Guy” and deter any attempts at education or besmirching him. After all, when I am on the table, I am fishing. What good is it to fish if the pond is not properly stocked, right?