Blazing- Operation stop being rubbish @ poker (6max + HUSNG)

U Cook Socks

Firstly, apologies for starting another bankroll thread, I was going to continue with this on my "Blazing @ the turbos thread" but I felt that thread had taken enough twists and turns, and this warranted a thread of it's own.

New Challenge

After having a chat with Siminitt, I have decided to give 6 max cash games a go. I used to play 6max before I found this site around 2 years ago now. I'd like to thank Ant for the opportunity. I haven't played any cash games at all for over 2 years now, so it is going to be a steep learning curve for sure. I have wanted to get back in to playing 6 max for sometime now, I believe I even mentioned it to Broker over a year ago, when I was originally in the top team. I am still going to continue to play some HUSNG, I really do enjoy them, and after all they have made me something I never thought I would be " A winning poker player"

The Plan

Well, after 2 years of grinding HUSNG, studying HUSNG, eat sleep and drinking HUSNG, am going to have to work hard to get a handle on 6 Max cash games. I don't doubt I have the ability to make it work, I wouldn't be wasting Siminnit's time if I thought that.

To start out with, going to be playing $10 NL games, just two tabling, basically to give me some hands that I can work on with, with Siminnit, and see were we go from there.

Also, read as much "good" 6 max info as I can, have already dug out some of my old 6max reading, which has been very helpful, basically work my ass off to get good at this game. Anyone who wants to point me in the direction of any good 6max info, would be much appreciated.

About my state of mind

After another disheartening day of HUSNG one day last week, I sat down to watch TV with my mrs, and sat there thinking to myself " You know what, you really aren't very good at poker are you?" Yeah I know there are a lot of people on here that would like to have done as well as I have at HUSNG, but seriously, I'm not as good as you think I am, I'm not even as good as I think I am. I think I got to a certain level, and I stopped progressing, maybe I stopped working so hard, stopped being so self critical, or w/e I don't really know, what I do know is, I want to be better.

It's not another, I either make it, or that's it type statement, I reckon I will always play poker of some kind, because I really do enjoy it. What I do want, is to be the best player I possibly can, and right now, I don't think I am anywhere near my potential. So from this moment on, I am completely dedicated to getting better, more focus, drive, and desire are required from myself. Let's make it happen.

Other things of note

I shall update the thread, quite often, as and when I can. For those interested in following my progress, I will be playing exclusively on Ipoker for a while now. USockCooker for the cash games, and as I said I shall still keep my hand in at HUSNG, that will be UCookSocks, also on Ipoker, just a different skin.

I can't justify playing PokerStars, for HUSNG, when I have a wicked RB deal on Ipoker, and I have to play on Ipoker to get my coaching of Siminitt for the cash games.

Think that's about it for now.

Over and out

Blazing.

cdm

gl champ.

i know a couple of guys who either played HUSNG/hu cash full time or did a long stint of HU and said that it greatly aided them when they returned to full ring/6-max. you're much more analytical because you're always alert in HU and always contests pots. 6-max guys (broad sweeping general statement coming) generally autopilot more. you'll smash, i'm certain.

n1ghtah

gl dude

z1s6arn

Best of luck Blazing!

The Little Fish

Good luck mate. Will be following!

kolonel

gogogo GL

couldnt resist it

U Cook Socks

Haven't really got in to this in a big way yet. Played a couple of thousand hands so far.

Observations

- I am a 6 max fish

When I say this, I'm not some drooler that calls off his stack with top pair weak kicker on a board with a million straight and flush combinations on the board, but there is so much I need to learn.

Started off playing to many hands pre flop (I think) Maybe a competant player can play 22/18, but for now I think I am better off aiming for 18/16 or tighter.

- Failure to Adapt (correctly)

Well, have been playing HUSNG for two years now, it has become more like a way of life than anything else. 6 max is obviously very different. Although lots of pots are played HU, so I should have gained some post flop skills from my time playing HU.

POSITION. It's a fundamental of poker, Position is so important, I think everyone who has half a brain, that has played poker understands this. I'm not sure some of us (me included possibly) understands how important. Playing pots oop just sucks balls. It's obv easier to play in position in HUSNG, every other hand you are in position.

On a + side, you can 3 bet in position in 6 max Very Happy

Something I need to learn more about, and how to manipulate opponents using this. I am having some problems with what to do with certain hands v certain opponents, pre/flop out of position, and in particular in the blinds. All things to work on for sure.

- Other things of note

-General observations from my first few thousand hands.

Small (gay) 3bets-4bets are AA. Well this probably isn't true, but it has happened quite a few times, unfortunately two times I had KK. Not sure if I am every supposed to do anything but get it in p/f with KK,but that is what I have done.

If you get raised on the turn (especially min raised) Your one pair hands are worthless, and probably weak 2 pair hands too. Fortunately I have had the good sense to get away from these situations. It's so kind of them to show their cards and let you know you made a good decision Very Happy

Min raises on the flop, have tended to be more draw type hands, than "Made hands" Obviously huge generalisations here, but just some tendancies I have noticed a lot from the population.

The games aren't as bad as they used to be (2 years ago) Suppose this is obvious, but there are far less (Limp/callers) as I call them, than there used to be, and an awful lot of people playing a TAGG style, which is fine, I am sure they are pretty easy to exploit, just have to work on it. Not the fish fest it once was though, even at the $10 games.

Anyway, looking forward to getting my teeth stuck in to this, next month (November) Be back later with my plan for the month.

Over and out Blazing_Saddler.

Pongo

If you're implying that you're rubbish at husngs then god I wish I'll also be rubbish at poker one day Shocked

U Cook Socks

U Cook Socks

Update

Had my first session with Anthony today (Siminitt) Very pleased with how it went. Firstly because he seemed pretty happy with what I had done (considering I am pretty much a begginer) So was quite happy to find I had been doing "Some" Things right.

I asked a lot of questions, which were all answered in depth, in a way that was easy to understand. Got a bit more to work with after this session, so hopefully I can kick on from here.

Have been working hard on my game, both games, 6Max more so as I am trying to focus on getting better than that, but also HUSNG, despite not really playing any of them for a while, once I get in to a routine I will try and schedule some time to still play some (if possible) because I do really enjoy them. I am enjoying the new challenge too though.

I am in a privilaged position really, because I have a fair bit of spare time to focus on Poker, and I don't rely on winnings from poker to pay the bills (for now at least) This isn't all as good as it sounds, there are downsides to it, and reasons which are part of my personal life, why things are this way, which I don't really want to discuss on here, but it seems silly not to make the most of my time, doing something I love, which could potentially make me a living, or at least a nice holiday fund.

One of the main problems I have had really over the past few years, is not having a proper schedule, I have just fit poker in here there and everywhere, in between other things I have to do. Mainly dealing with the kids, or spending quality time with them. I live for my kids, poker wont ever come before my family, but I have been thinking long and hard how I can make a schedule which will work. I have sometimes tried to fit both in, and ended up doing neither in any sort of fashion.

I think I have devised a system where I can devote 35 hours p/w to poker, which is pretty good, almost as many hours as a full time job. Still having time to do the things that need doing with the kids, and spending time with family/friends etc. Obviosuly some of this time needs to be devoted to studying rather than playing, as far as I am concerned, working on my game is still actually making me $.

Anyway, that was a short post that turned in to a long one Very Happy

November Goals

- 20,000 Hands of 6 max (10NL)

This is a volume goal that was part of the deal to get coaching. Having discussed this with Anthony, this isn't actually essential right now, seeing as I am only two tabling, and trying to get a grip on the game, but I am still going to have it as my goal, see how close I can get to it.

-Focused Sessions

Part of my new schedule, is to play short sessions, with breaks to refocus. I have noticed by around 2 hours playing, I am far less focused, far less likely to use my time bank to make decisions, far less likely to be thinking about future streets, and so on. So I am going to play 1 and a half hour sessions, then break. Break lengths will be dependant on my schedule, how I am feeling, and anything else I think may effect how much I am likely to be focused at the tables.

-Session Reviews

Something I am getting more in to now. Reviewing sessions, it is such a vital thing to do in my opinion. I shall do at least 1 review a day, probably 2. I find it works best if I do reviews before I play a session, as it gets my mind in to the poker mindset. Other people may find after a session works best, but this works for me.

My HEM Database is an open book for Anthony to look at , at any time, I have been picking out any hands I feel I played poorly, or didn't know what to do in certain spots. My aim is to improve. Will only do this , by cutting out as many mistakes as possible.

-Coaching

Obviously, complete all the coaching available to me, and make the most of it. As mentioned above, be honest with myself, and my coach.

-$$$$$

I am setting no goals regarding money, I don't feel it is of any benefit. I have no idea if I am a winner, b/e, or losing player right now, best just to focus on making good decisions, and trying to get better for now at least.

Think that's about all for now. Update soon.

BetMagicMoney

so......much....text Razz

So great to see you back grinding Very Happy

i really want to see you crushing and owning it up sooooo much as you've always given so much back to the community that it would be great to see you really crush.

GLGLGL man and if you want a sweat partner or just someone to rage to come find he on skype Very Happy

<3

U Cook Socks

*Update*

At a bit of a crossroads in my poker life right now to be honest. The 6 max thing didn't really work out, no ones fault, just found it difficult to catch up with Anthony (Siminitt) due to very different schedules. Shame really, cos Anthony really is a great guy, pleasure to talk to, very helpful indeed, just the way it goes. My life has been pretty hectic over the past month too, my little lad been a bit poorly, and in hospital for a while, so obviously poker just goes out of the window when sh!t like that happens. He is fine now, but was a real worry for sure.

Have been playing some $10 HUSNG's, and you know what, I don't even know if I can beat them anymore, sounds so ridic, cos I was crushing $30 games not so long back. It is true though, like I am talking mega small sample size here, and I'm not actually losing any money, I'm just not feeling an edge, I don't really know how to describe it, I'm just not feeling it at all.

I don't really ever give up on anything in life, I'm not that kind of person, but I do feel that I am wasting a lot of my time/life on Poker, when there are other ways of making money, not that I ever really played to make money from the off, I just enjoy playing. Am seriously considering a long break, like 6 months or a year, or somet, focus on something entirely different for a while. Shame, cos I really though I could own it, but not to be sadly.

razor25

Hey Blazing. Firstly, sorry to hear about your little boy, but glad he is better now. I too have a son and it's definitely worrying when things happen along those lines.

I feel a little weird replying because, although I visit the site daily, I am an infrequent poster. Not only that, but you have a lot of credibility both with this site and with hu sngs. But because people seem nice here, I'll give some thoughts. Apologies if this is waffly.

I played heavy volume (at various games) over the past few years, did well in terms of a couple of binks, but never stuck to one game long enough to feel I ever honestly mastered a format (for the record, I think mtts were my best game). As my life situations changed, I could play less and less. Plus, there was not enough time for playing, let alone watching vids on training sites etc. I stopped progressing as a player, definitely stopped enjoying poker and I also found it difficult to stop playing, which doesnt make for a happy situation! Very frustrating. I think my confidence dropped, while my expectations about variance fitting nicely into my schedule was entirely unrealistic. It got to the stage about 6 months ago when I doubted my skills and thought I was wasting a lot of time with poker.

I am trying to stick with hu sngs now (see my puny BR thread!), but to get to that stage I not only had a break from poker, but really asked myself if I was happy to play small amounts of games and enjoy it for what it was, rather than expect to make money. I now play when I want and have much more realistic aims. In 2012 I could either rapidly rise up the stakes and play more, or I could tilt and get f*cked off on Jan 2. But if the latter happens, I'll have invested a small amount of time that I feel comfortable with.

I guess what I am trying to say is, maybe take a break (can be a short one) and just decide firstly whether you want to play at all. Then decide how much you would be happy with playing (and enjoy), regardless of results.

If I were you and you decide to stick with poker, I'd stick with hu sngs. Your expertise is there - you sound like me in that you dont have the time or inclination now to learn a new game. Pick a number of games you want to play a week, try and play them whether it is 5 a week or 100.

Hope this doesnt come across as preachy. Some of your comments just resonated with me and I felt like sharing.
Cheers

PS I have played and done ok at various hu sng levels over the past 18 months. Small sample sizes I know. Now I am genuinely still seeking my edge at the 3.50s on stars. I am hoping that is a sample size thing too, lol. But no one seems to be handing me their buy-ins anymore...

U Cook Socks

Thanks for the reply. No need to worry about preaching, very good of you to take the time to make a reply that detailed, thankyou very much for that.

I think I get frustrated for a number of reasons.

(1) The games have got harder, from top to bottom, maybe not that much, but they are without doubt tougher than they were. I still think I should be able to beat $10 games, which may be a problem in itself, I mean I have no right to beat them do I ?

(2) I was on the brink of being a very good player, it's not all about results, I'm actually not doing that bad, but I don't feel it, not like I used to, I used to feel like I soul owned so many players. Even when running bad, I could look back over games and see I had outplayed them, Or pick up on mistakes. Lately, neither is true sadly.

In a way, I think I need to go back to basics if I am to continue. I need to find my fold button a bit more often maybe. I have watched so many videos and see coaches saying " You can't fold that, it's to exploitable" Well guess what, folding those spots when I felt I was beat used to work pretty well for me. That's not the whole story, but you get the picture.

I have worked with some great players, not least Borg, who was the last person I did any real work with. He always seemed to like my game, and I learned so much from him, so sometimes I do wonder where I am going wrong. Maybe it is just a lack of self confidence too, this has always been a problem with me.

Anyway, time to go away and take a long hard think about the future. I have other ways of making money, but they would require me to put a lot of time and effort in, meaning no time to focus on poker.

doodiewiz

Yeah calling too much and getting curious are main reasons I've identified for my own downswings in the past. If you think you're beat, why call? Another leak of mine I developed was min raising my button too much against guys who call every button and are aggro post flop. Funny, but IMO looking at all the hands posted in strategy there is a correct standard way to play many hands but often it's not the correct way because adjusting correctly and making reads on your opponent keeps the money coming in IMO and soul crushing villains.(If I could play poker all day id prob get some coaching off cog dis or maybe Rypac or def broker if he wasn't busy - those guys charge reasonable prices and I think they're very good teachers). I don't think the games are that hard - they've got more aggressive imo and people know to cbet, bluff paired boards etc. I try and make a note and adapt. Anyway man I'm sure you'll get your groove back. I dont know why you aren't crushing right now of course because your advice always seems spot on. I know some people don't think it helps but watching vids always gets me back on my game! One of these days I'd like to have a chat on Skype when I'm not busy. Producing a 6 min animation for a client at the moment and I'd rather be playing pokers!

Edit: disclaimer..certainly not trying to preach mate just help:)

U Cook Socks

I think, what I intend to do, is take the pressure off myself a bit. Go back to basics, and build a solid game from scratch again. No volume goals, especially no money goals. Just do a lot of learning, and play when I feel like I am focused.

I think I have said before, I am in a fortunate position that I don't rely on money from poker to live on, but at the same time, if I am going to take it seriously, I want to make money from it long term, otherwise as I said, there are other avenues to explore.

Thanks for the posts, I have a lot of respect for your post doodiewiz, I actually think you could go a lot further if you so wished.

sausage

I think the answer is to play when you feel like playing & stick to HUSNGs as that is what you know & are really good at. Learning a new variant is pretty time consuming (although you could learn PLO8 in less than a week & print money at low stakes on any site fwiw).

The games have got tougher, but $10 games ? You will crush these for maybe 15% ROI as long a you regain your confidence.

Jakester1288

15% ROI is super unlikely on ipoker cus of the structure tbh. Anyway keep working on your game and you'll crush up, just wait another 200-300 games and re-evaluate.

PittsburghPhil

Hey Blazing, really sorry to hear you are going through such a rough patch at the moment and to be honest I don't really understand why you feel so low about your game at the moment, I mean month ago you were sitting and destroying regs at 15$ games just for fun Shocked

I am definitely not qualified to give you any advice but I have a feeling that part of the problem might be in your low volume goals, I think that if you trained 2tabling and managed to pull 400 + games a month you would soon realize that it is almost impossible to finish the month in red with your skill level and that running like crap and feeling incompetent for 100+ games is completely standard even with roi bigger than 10%.

Sorry for the long rambling and I wish you all the best !

U Cook Socks

Was going to update later actually, ready for the new month.

I just can't do the two tabling, I don't know why, I am all over the place as soon as I add the extra table. I know I need to, but it really does make me a much worse player, which is obviously bad.

Yeah, low volume has been a problem of late. Looks like I am going to get a winning month in just about, but nothing to write home about.

U Cook Socks

*Update*

Been playing HUSNG over the past few weeks, haven't really got in to the 6 max as yet. Still interested in learning and getting better at it, but for now on a limited roll, best to stick to something I know at least a bit about.

December isn't going to be a great month for volume I fear, got several family Birthdays (Including mine yey) + Christmas, kids being off school and so on. So need to be realistic about what I can do this month. Aim for around 250-300 games and I will be happy with that.

Still playing $10 games, feeling a little better about things, although still not quite got my mojo back yet, determined to get back to where I was and beyond. I have no real goals for the rest of this year poker-wise, other than playing the 250-300 games. Plan on setting up a challenge for the start of next year.

Going to post a graph of my total play on Ipoker up to the end of November, then continue from there. The blue line is rakeback, which is going to be pretty important. There are a mix of turbos and reg speeds, I'd say it's 70/30 in favour of turbos at the moment, but when the games are flowing okay in the reg speeds I sit them too. The structure on Ipoker is pretty fast on both, so if there are fish sitting the Reg speeds, I see no reason to bother with the turbos.

Update soon.

U Cook Socks

Things going a little better.

Played 75 games on Ipoker so far this month, running at 8% ish, structure is pretty fast, gonna take a ton of games to get an accurate read of how I am doing on here. Couple of nice rakeback payments too!

Put some money on Stars tonight , played some 7s. First time in ages, I have felt I have owned some players. The feild is obviously weak, so not getting over excited, but it sure felt good to take some aggro tards to bits. Played one guy who rematched me 5 times, and I won all 6 games. He left crying in the end, calling me a fish, it's always more fun when you have their money.

I am really struggling to decide what to do right now to be honest. Plug away on Ipoker, take the rakeback, or stay on Stars. I honestly believe the $7s are easier on Stars, than the $5s on Ipoker, although the speed of the games doesn't help. Probably just play some on both, and come up with a plan after Christmas. Did feel good to own souls, even if they were $7 tard ones. Didn't run all that well either, already ran a full house in to a straight flush !

BetMagicMoney

if you have a good RB deal i'd stay om ipoker, you just need such a high VPP status to get past a BR deal at the low stakes its best staying there imo

WPGL looking forward to you getting back to high stakes Very Happy

U Cook Socks

High stakes are a million miles away.

Rakeback deal is wicked on Ipoker, but those Stars fish sure are tempting. I can two table on Stars comfortably too, I find it difficult on Ipoker, cos the action is so quick, and the time bank is rubbish.

Getting $20s shoved in your account once or twice a week, whilst playing $10 games is probably to good to turn down though.

kolonel

Happy B'day young fella Laughing

blsmur

Hi Blazing
well i been reading your last few posts and thinking you might just be on a bit of a bad run
when your kids are sick you cant think properly about poker

I think now when i have any stress in my life i stop poker until it is over

as for your game I think you must be pretty good at it or you wouldn't still be playing $30 games after 2 years

If you have the money invest in some husng coaching

its shame Broker doesnt continue with some sort of advanced hands on coaching
but there are coaches that do this

hokie greg mesenary cog diss to name a few

if you ever wanted to argue the point on skype with me i would be happy to

any way good luck and family first

U Cook Socks

My little lad is on the mend thank god now, back to his usualy self almost, which is great, such a relief, cos he really has been poorly. However this comes with a downside, as he is back on the rampage now ! But that's okay, it's great to see that smile back on his face.

I have been fortunate enough to have a lot of coaching over the past 2 years, the main problem I have had with poker has been me, and lack of self belief. I am trying to change this, I have been working very hard on my game, without really saying much on here, and I haven't played a whole bunch, but there has been an improvement in my game without doubt. Feeling pretty good about things right now.

Thanks for taking the time to post, much appreciated.

BetMagicMoney

+1

blazing > everyone else

<3

U Cook Socks

*Update*

I would appreciate it if one of the mods could lock this thread, it hasn't exactly worked out how I intended. Never really got going with the 6 max, mainly due to being let down by Siminitt. I don't want to speak to badly about the guy, cos for all I know, something horiffic could have happened. Let's just say I am far from happy with some things that have happened. Seemed like a nice enough guy to me, so I await your return Anthony to explain? I think I have been pretty patient, more than some would have been I can assure you.

Anyway enough of that. I plan on starting a new thread shortly. Been quitely working hard on my game over the past few months.

Would also appreciate it if a mod could do me a username change from Blazing_Saddler, to U Cook Socks please ? I no longer wish to be known as Blazing_Saddler, so it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

kolonel

blsmur

U Cook Socks

blsmur

doodiewiz

new beginnings? Was wondering how your roll rebuild is going....

U Cook Socks

doodiewiz

Cool! They are easy for sure. Although the 15s arent really any harder. Same loosing players and all the regs mostly avoid each other. More so at the 30s i've been finding. Same breakeven/loosing players who may fight a little harder for the buyin. I sit a reg every now and then for a laugh and the challenge and mostly the first thing i get is "chop?". I do usually if they ask because the time before i started all these 30 dollar reg wars lol and it hurt my bankroll. Anyway you were playing them for yonks so you know. 4mans are pretty good for building quick...GL!!

U Cook Socks

doodiewiz

yeah i used to be like that and i have never asked for a chop, but if some reg who plays like 60's, 100s as well does i usually say ok. Also some regs arent really regs or they're not that good. Theyve made like a $1000 over 4000 games. Played 'Jason Kiddo' the other day. Was a good game and worth the buy in to play a decent player(i coolered him though and won). Probably a good attitude mate. Get better at battling regs. Thing is i want to get higher up quick Smile

Also regs hardly ever sit me although they do tend to when you first start sitting i find...they certainly do have big egos!!

U Cook Socks

doodiewiz

wow hard life playing 30s for a living! And yeah totally true they just want to play fish. I'm guessing its similar at the 100s tbh...

U Cook Socks

doodiewiz

lol. Evil. Hmmmmmm. Not sure i know him. There is some 2% roi guy i sit and i just minraise 95% of hands and he folds a lot OOP. Sometimes i feel a bit nasty and he always snap declines..all part of the game though Smile

cdm

hifishys

Have u given up on the 6 max?
The Leak Buster section in HM is top class will tell u everything u need to know.
Basically for 10NL just stay around 22/18 as u mentioned which is fine,playing in position so important in 6 max,no limping or calling,identify the
calling stations.
Try to get used to play at least 4 tables and have proper bankroll like $200 to start is fine.
2 tabling is just too slow and a frustrating way to get the volume in thats needed to stay ahead because no matter how u play it is quite a swingy game.
Gl and hope u dont give up oh 1 last thing i think u would do much better to attempt 25NL is easier to exploit semi good players Laughing

U Cook Socks

YATHINNK

JamEaze

kolonel

YATHINNK

chesslw

U Cook Socks

YATHINNK

U Cook Socks

YATHINNK