tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14745325311507233192024-03-21T05:49:48.931-07:00Kartajana Poker 2024 - Pokerstars Sit N Go ChallengesMy original aim in poker was to win a Sit N Go Jackpot on the ipoker network. By 2015, after ten years playing, I had generated a solid $26,000 in poker profit, but without Jackpot success. Seven years on I am back on Pokerstars playing and blogging about no limit Texas holdem. The original jackpot sit n gos and most of my previous regular opponents are long gone. However, my above average poker ability, apparently, is not. Now, at fifty-three years old, I am ready for a new poker challenge!Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-30105097211719549502024-03-21T05:46:00.000-07:002024-03-21T05:46:42.263-07:00Liberating My Thinking<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9shd3m7JstH3_zF8LKNXufMD-cAKIzIhd8AvVQ2RFg3MC82hFWZJlW4yBWVykWMWHMPOgxeTGlzMtixL9uH6GyJoegQeAQ3LmmfzaPYXdHji5xuRB81G36BNjjj4v4UYejk0OV7eMFIjf7f8EddLzN1wd0bDlj4XbShU9tC-9ZolrK0y8GHue2rVdoI0/s251/Liberator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="251" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9shd3m7JstH3_zF8LKNXufMD-cAKIzIhd8AvVQ2RFg3MC82hFWZJlW4yBWVykWMWHMPOgxeTGlzMtixL9uH6GyJoegQeAQ3LmmfzaPYXdHji5xuRB81G36BNjjj4v4UYejk0OV7eMFIjf7f8EddLzN1wd0bDlj4XbShU9tC-9ZolrK0y8GHue2rVdoI0/w400-h308/Liberator.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I have made a good start to March 2024 after
some inconsistent form. Firstly, I have qualified again for the Sunday Million
via the freeroll Power Path route. I will be playing late March or early April
and will be thrilled to repeat my cashing performance from last November. I
then enjoyed a decent win on 11<sup>th</sup> March, my wife’s fiftieth
birthday! I came 1<sup>st</sup> of 275 in a $3 progressive bounty tournament
including a whopping 18 eliminations! The total return of $173. A week later I
came second in the same tournament. 2<sup>nd</sup> of 270 with a return of $89
including a more modest 6 eliminations. Understandably I am playing this
tournament as often as I can, perhaps 5 or 6 times a week. During the victory I
made good use of big stack, using controlled aggression. However, in truth, the
key factor was good fortune, winning more than my fair share of coin-flips,
allowing me to keep wielding my big stack.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I love
getting these winning e-mails like this from Pokerstars: </span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Dear Kartajana,</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">You finished the tournament in 1st place.
Congratulations!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">A $2.87 USD award was credited to your Stars
Account upon reaching the money, and the remaining $63.24 USD award was
credited when you finished the tourney.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">You have also received USD 106.53 in Knockout
Bounties for this tournament. You won bounties for the following players:
slimJD245, wagnerjsilva, AlisRagnar, momola1970, Nr.1_Serg, MWWW18,
bk_odnodnevka, thaabest, Luck3y_8, Slim8r, biglolANGEL, MAFIAAZUL338, dyna140,
stellalouise, elchapohani, G. Costa12, OOIngo, KOWJAIMAI, Kartajana</span><br />
</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Note: As you won the tournament, you also won
your own bounty.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 106%;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I have been focusing
on some new thinking recently prompted by the teachings of BlackRain79 – Essentially
focusing on good play, maximising returns in my good poker sessions and
minimising losses in my bad ones. When I am playing confidently and well I now
play for longer and perhaps at higher stakes. When I am a little tired or
frustrated and not playing good poker I stop firing up new games and wind down
the session or play at lower stakes. It’s not rocket science but it seems to be
working even though I am not implementing it consistently. However, the effect
is to feel more positive about both winning and in particular losing sessions.
OK I lost but it could and should have been worse. This has genuinely been a
liberating approach for my poker.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Good Luck</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jason (Kartajana)</span></p><br /><p></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-85124651534059556762023-11-15T06:48:00.000-08:002023-11-15T06:48:48.792-08:00Sunday Million Result<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8B0Ay9O8pkYtuSW_GOBF7PPWBogJDUHEo3IrVw_iKo1843dABWW3lp7wjqqowM7skaTh59DGU-L6zzvAUOC-ZBq3PMyntoWBJ_RWdwbYHCcwsxIRY2qrPC2NrhDcBPIexmNAd8FKn5WiqKS3oV1HmwoQBQutyGKAZHJPjWhazFx4GA_Y1_MEGUI-z8Q/s754/sunday-million.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="754" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8B0Ay9O8pkYtuSW_GOBF7PPWBogJDUHEo3IrVw_iKo1843dABWW3lp7wjqqowM7skaTh59DGU-L6zzvAUOC-ZBq3PMyntoWBJ_RWdwbYHCcwsxIRY2qrPC2NrhDcBPIexmNAd8FKn5WiqKS3oV1HmwoQBQutyGKAZHJPjWhazFx4GA_Y1_MEGUI-z8Q/w400-h225/sunday-million.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Remember,
remember the fifth of November. This has nothing to do with the gunpowder plot
of 1605. No this was the day in 2023 that I played the Sunday Million, the most
famous weekly online poker tournament. Over ten thousand players, no doubt
including plenty of pros, playing/battling for the $1 million dollar prize
pool. Not only did I play, but I played well, enjoyed it and landed my largest
haul since my return to poker. What a result!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Rewind a
couple of weeks before the tournament, I had absolutely no plans to play it. However,
via a series of satellite qualifiers, initially using a free 50 cent entry I
built this up to $1.50, then $10, then the $109 required for bigger
tournaments. I could have used it for the chance to win entry to some of the
Pokerstars regional live tournaments in the UK. I have never played live though
so realising that I could use my token to play the Sunday Million and also
seeing that the following Sunday worked well for me in terms of timing and
family commitments, a plan was made to play. I was also very attracted to the
fact the Sunday Million is now a progressive bounty tournament, meaning that
even if I didn’t make the final 15% of players to cash I had a chance of
winning at least $25 for any player I knocked out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The early
stages of the tournament went well, especially given I am not used to playing
so deep, with 50,000 chips initially and thus plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Quite soon I hit a significant hand, my Jacks catching another Jack on the flop
against Aces. My opponent could not let them go as I pressed my advantage and
so I had an early double up and the boost of a $25 knockout. A perfect start
for an inexperienced player at this level. It meant I had a lot more chips than
most and I had already achieved one of my goals, to turn my entry into real
cash. The next few hours I progressed cautiously but confidently in the right
moments and managed to build up my stack, keeping above the average and taking
out another couple of players. There were only a couple of small setbacks where
I tried but failed to take out a couple of short stacked players. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As we closed
in on the bubble I did tighten up a little as we neared a massive personal
poker objective – to cash in the Sunday Million. In truth I have only played
twice before and had never really come close to cashing so I was thrilled at
this growing realisation. Not only that I had a competitive stack. More
importantly, I was playing well, relaxed and enjoying myself, determined to
press on once the bubble burst. Despite the presence of more experienced high
level players this is ultimately the same game for all and at times I can play
it well. Having played for four or five hours I made the final 1500 or so
players and cashed for $87.48. I had a workable stack and had already made a
further $193.75 in knockout bonuses. Having already achieved my initial goals
and more my new aim now was to push on try to qualify for day two of the
tournament. At around 2am UK time the game is paused and the final c150 players
return at 6pm Monday to fight for the big cash prizes. At this point I got aces
for the first time and was able to achieve a significant double up. I now had
around 900,000 chips and was in the top one hundred players!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately,
that would be my peak position. The blinds were now starting to get much bigger
and I had less wiggle room. Soon the game was largely all-in or fold which
simplifies things a little but also makes you more dependent on getting good
cards. Better, more experienced players than me would not need them and simply
pick spots to push or put pressure on others. I survived a bit longer winning a
99 v AJ race but soon after my 77 lost to AQ and I was out in 301<sup>st</sup>
place (out of 10262), an hour or so too early to make day two. I got a further
$129.92 for my finishing position giving me over $400 in total plus a massive
boost to my poker confidence. My bankroll is now over $1600 and I will try more
concertedly to qualify for the big one again. In the results e-mail Pokerstars
send they always say we hope you had fun. Most importantly, I really did. I am looking
forward to the next one. </span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Take care <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jason
(Kartajana)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-67050940991222635502023-10-20T04:47:00.001-07:002023-10-20T04:47:58.041-07:00High Lights<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfQGPF0pCe1Pv7HEPelAMMyFbfm7DO4wppivbjDd7gzylpuds1dK7vGt6J-JWVgeG_v3gRRPTZUYoPuT2qv1fCAYVXDeLDOvHpiaAvm_BmfnjliQbtHRRR0eXBRq6wglvAVDv1UUg_4Oo4oTnfZf7fMh-WtoTRcMry6Am4rF1SGscmFbar3W5-BtngY/s1000/High%20Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzfQGPF0pCe1Pv7HEPelAMMyFbfm7DO4wppivbjDd7gzylpuds1dK7vGt6J-JWVgeG_v3gRRPTZUYoPuT2qv1fCAYVXDeLDOvHpiaAvm_BmfnjliQbtHRRR0eXBRq6wglvAVDv1UUg_4Oo4oTnfZf7fMh-WtoTRcMry6Am4rF1SGscmFbar3W5-BtngY/w400-h255/High%20Lights.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">In the last
month or so I have won a couple of multi-table tournaments as my return to
poker continues. Both are regular games that I play almost daily. The results
were as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">1<sup>st</sup>
of 256 players, $3 buy in. $140 return<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">1<sup>st</sup>
of 307 players, $1 buy in. $58 return<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Nothing life
changing but when you are first out of three hundred or so players at anything it
naturally feels good and is a boost to confidence. It is also a boost to my
bankroll as my return winnings now surges past $1000. I have also played in a few
higher buy in games without making an impact. I will keep pushing forward
though in my search for more highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Good luck at
the tables.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Jason<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-55909653318491118132023-03-03T06:45:00.000-08:002023-03-03T06:45:18.465-08:00Poker Zone<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq11oznbtnjbdPGgqmSc9yT5xeHJTKdcmVNGzkJv900_RSe34fZuC7ESGxpGrZJVyQWk3Q4qbADFCsQ4ry-laVa2f1OIh4kOsMx-i3hMLv2OxLJJS1W7qjzmKImKFO_s2DN2SF8YKT-oXfI3AONT7G2M2n7yOl2yv-jx88v6_xygF9bZLgXjdUc-u4/s478/In%20The%20Zone%20Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq11oznbtnjbdPGgqmSc9yT5xeHJTKdcmVNGzkJv900_RSe34fZuC7ESGxpGrZJVyQWk3Q4qbADFCsQ4ry-laVa2f1OIh4kOsMx-i3hMLv2OxLJJS1W7qjzmKImKFO_s2DN2SF8YKT-oXfI3AONT7G2M2n7yOl2yv-jx88v6_xygF9bZLgXjdUc-u4/s320/In%20The%20Zone%20Image.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">A year into
my return to poker I finally pushed through the $500 profit level that had
eluded me thus far. A fourth place in a $3 tournament featuring 290 players
snagged me just short of $50 dollars and that feeling of satisfaction from
achieving a medium term goal. The journey over the year has been far from
constant progress though and it was only really in the last couple of months
that my form has been particularly strong. I have struggled with variance, confidence,
fatigue and my ability to reach the zone – that mystical place of optimum poker
playing. Lately I have found it quite often with success leading to further
success. A good mind set is so important to playing poker well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">In the $3
tournament above one of many key hands demonstrates my improved zone like
approach. With the final table now active I was one of the shortest stacks, even
though I had just doubled up. I was trying to sneak up the ladder a spot or two
but now maybe I could push for more. I was dealt 88 in first position with
eight players remaining. Given the stack sizes and blinds an all in shove was a
completely legitimate move, perhaps the only and obvious move. Usually aggression
pays. However, I now maybe had more time to take a more cautious approach. I
folded and what occurred in the hand without me showed I would have been out in
eighth place. Something inside me, some weird combination of intuition, math,
patience and control told me to fold. This is the zone my friends. Buoyed by
this significant fold I was able to progress much further and secure fourth
place and a satisfying score. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">The key
question, a year on, is what now? More of the same steady progress or do I push
on to try to achieve more at slightly higher levels. I can’t devote much more
time to poker but I could test myself at the next level up and see if my return
is greater. Of course, I have the solid option here of dropping down a level
during a bad run. I will progressively give it a go and see where I can take my
poker in 2023 and beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Play well and
good luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Cheers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Jason<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-88746632561165894242022-08-12T01:46:00.003-07:002022-08-12T01:50:15.405-07:00Not Raking It In!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MqvDwT0Mq5N-FTKRoy1wuTV780QL9qH5qlJw5Qxgc_-BaxWsqX2llzsW15LV_b1NweRzQU01W4bDk3p511szK3kfiVP1jFgDlcr_IIBCfPbx0k7DvPxGCV9kWdGbdRvBFEntIGLiJWWH3O4JNNZ3O-gpGWJIb0vHAdhNNVdXZYqhnBxM8UvJWwZi/s4032/Holiday%20Picture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MqvDwT0Mq5N-FTKRoy1wuTV780QL9qH5qlJw5Qxgc_-BaxWsqX2llzsW15LV_b1NweRzQU01W4bDk3p511szK3kfiVP1jFgDlcr_IIBCfPbx0k7DvPxGCV9kWdGbdRvBFEntIGLiJWWH3O4JNNZ3O-gpGWJIb0vHAdhNNVdXZYqhnBxM8UvJWwZi/w300-h400/Holiday%20Picture.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">The
definition of the phrase raking it in means to earn a lot of money.
Unfortunately this is not what I am doing following my return to poker. Sure I
am making some progress (and still playing with other people’s money) but
ironically it is partly the Pokerstars fees (the rake) that is holding me back.
I can’t seem to hit the $200 level which is my current target and where I feel
I could step up confidently to playing $5 games as standard. Over the summer I
have re-engaged with my old friend’s variance and tilt. Ultimately re-reading
some of Jared Tendler’s work has helped me back on track somewhat. In life and
in poker I am a big fan of injecting logic. As such it felt a good point to
evaluate my game, to assess what is good and where I can improve. Why do I play
and why does it matter so much that I win. Indeed, at times I am trying so hard
to win these low stakes games that I forget to enjoy them. A week’s family
holiday (me pictured at Zafiro Cala Mesquida, Majorca) facilitated a natural
break from my online poker and an honest analysis of my game. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">This
traditional swot analysis of my game revealed some interesting points. The key
one being that just because I am an above average player I can’t just turn up
unfocused or tired and expect to win, even low stakes games. I also need to be
as focused as possible, constantly gravitating towards the mythical “in the
zone” state. I need to remember this is when I am playing well and with
confidence not just when I am winning coin flips! I need to work on my game,
checking ICM push/calls I am unsure on before and after sessions. Just using
feel is not enough and weakens my confidence when things don’t go my way. I
need to be clear on my aims, on why I play and have a plan in terms of types
the games and levels I play at. I really need to embrace warm up games at lower
levels rather than jumping in to tougher action. I also need to spread the
timings of my games to balance intensity and restrict the potential impact of
internet drop outs. Most difficult of all I need to focus on playing well above
all else – if I lose but played well I should be happy! If I play badly but get
lucky I should be disappointed in myself! Like I said, most difficult of all. If
I can stay focused and make progress my next blog post should feature a
roller-coaster style chart heading higher. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Take care and
good luck. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-84583805670266708592022-05-04T02:37:00.000-07:002022-05-04T02:37:02.855-07:00One Hundred And Eighty<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieamkdN1gNiZ2CqiOfJpHrOxr3uXJPeladMhMWgJX2nkd8C6VfBHZWCLmjBXnMrlsSN8s1xLTrYemn_UCV8txXawnp6hMOJvGzjANeFJPAU1VH68JhaPvA66Ip2mxWgPziOuO5DvQFO41s6wz0QXSmK4gQ0YToDXJSXyoYKwGwIXAUCm3Q8aaFGw9W/s592/IMG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="592" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieamkdN1gNiZ2CqiOfJpHrOxr3uXJPeladMhMWgJX2nkd8C6VfBHZWCLmjBXnMrlsSN8s1xLTrYemn_UCV8txXawnp6hMOJvGzjANeFJPAU1VH68JhaPvA66Ip2mxWgPziOuO5DvQFO41s6wz0QXSmK4gQ0YToDXJSXyoYKwGwIXAUCm3Q8aaFGw9W/w400-h299/IMG_4090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Poker is fun, fascinating and frustrating, usually all at the same time!
I have been back playing for a couple for months now and generally I am loving
it. I certainly look forward to every session. However, performance and profit
wise I am not consistently achieving my goals and this very fact is probably
impacting on my performance and profit at times. Welcome back to poker Kartajana, 2022
style!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The experience of playing in 2022 is somewhat different from when I
played the game between 2005 and 2015. There is very little in the way of
friendly conversation or respectful acknowledgements. I have had a total of one
such interaction, so long gone are the days of nh (nice hand) and gg (good
game). Instead the Pokerstars software allows us to virtually attack/wind up
our opponents by the use of throwable virtual objects. At the age of fifty one
I am past launching a virtual rocket or fried egg at one of my rivals. Also
it is clear that in this ironically mature phase of poker that many of its
players, usually the worst ones, are convinced the game is rigged. Despite this,
they play. Indeed it would seem a good 20% of the players don’t trust the
software. The other 90% think statistics are subject to both error and
manipulation! In truth, variance can be very tough at times, but I genuinely do trust the software, in the sense that over infinite time we would all get our fair
share of the good and bad luck that inevitably is out there. I have, in addition, researched the performance of a
lot of the regulars I now play. Some are good, some are not but I have concluded,
especially at this level, none of them are to be avoided at all costs. It is they that
should avoid me, he writes confidently! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In terms of my challenge to play $2 sit n gos in April things started
well. Then things stagnated to leave me with only small progress. By the end of
April I had played 180 of the $2 nine man sit n gos so far this year allowing
me to neatly examine my performance from a finishing position point of view. If
the game was purely random a player should finish in each place 20 times. I am
thus using my skill and managing my luck the best I can to secure the top three
spots, paying out 50%, 30% and 20% of the entry fees. The chart makes
interesting reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN9NLzsJCIo3v_DLtJxfxdZU4zk9-eaMnaCawxJaXODzWGw7B0z0u1JA1bj-k_BqSdeeMNOO4DqwVon3mtEpBAayuoiURNZwFn2rn1qq7mJfFhtZtJY-CvMEX_Z31ktSylG82d0adbsR3XgRYoTDE9Vph7gWM5jlZxaF7F4dqfvqPXMGTbatq8nxv/s1200/SharkScopeChart%20180.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN9NLzsJCIo3v_DLtJxfxdZU4zk9-eaMnaCawxJaXODzWGw7B0z0u1JA1bj-k_BqSdeeMNOO4DqwVon3mtEpBAayuoiURNZwFn2rn1qq7mJfFhtZtJY-CvMEX_Z31ktSylG82d0adbsR3XgRYoTDE9Vph7gWM5jlZxaF7F4dqfvqPXMGTbatq8nxv/w400-h266/SharkScopeChart%20180.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My highest finishing positions are the top five spots which is encouraging but I definitely need more first places. I showed my son the chart and he asked an interesting question. Do you
not get frustrated when you come ninth, knowing that you are one of the better
players? My answer was no, unless I had made a mistake in my decision that saw me exit the game. I
explained not being frustrated at losing was a key to my success playing poker.
I made maybe a modest $40 playing these games which is way below where I feel I
should be. I should maybe play another 180 to prove it, to both myself and
anyone else that cares! How to make progress in future is certainly a key
thought. How do I turn lower positions into cashes and thirds into wins.
Probably I need to be more cautious early and more aggressive late on. Being
more patient in my heads up matches could also help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My return to poker so far has been very encouraging though. Every
session I see players making obvious mistakes. I am making the odd one or two
but am hopefully learning from them. I am having fun making an average of $2
per session. So it looks like I am saying good bye to Fortnite for now – Taxi
please to the nearest poker game! I ended April with a nice win of $25, first in a forty-five player $2 sit n go. I still enjoy the thrill of a final table so mixing
in some of these games helps keep me balanced when I am playing lots of single table games. One familiar poker nemesis has returned though. Internet connection
problems still exist all these years later. My connection seems to occasionally
reboot at 11pm which has cost me on a couple of occasions now. I have now withdrawn
my initial deposit so I am playing with other players money. My profit balance
moving into May is $115 and the new month has started well. I am back reading
my old poker books which hopefully remain extremely relevant in 2022. If this return to poker is to be worthwhile I
need to move my bankroll up much further. I intend to stick at the $2 level for now
though, build my confidence and funds to get ready to move up a level or two. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch this space. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cheers</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jason (Kartajana)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-89391884016887222292022-03-31T05:55:00.002-07:002022-03-31T05:55:50.869-07:00Challenging Times - Kartajana Poker Is Back For 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKnkk_qknTOfaP7_XmhcA-ul-_C0qiAhznAb93Lhsq99j-3XQeQZfsG0aVxXZ4ZZwG3GnARLOzwl9cjwzIMsO15p6M9JzNOoJu3GA-A_3wPsz9i0Y7I_rqDqZDHmosKqBUEI4R6FcbVlyeQKswdz4hXc-mEMkbjpn1vi1UJ7TgwDCqGJj3fd_neSy/s720/Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKnkk_qknTOfaP7_XmhcA-ul-_C0qiAhznAb93Lhsq99j-3XQeQZfsG0aVxXZ4ZZwG3GnARLOzwl9cjwzIMsO15p6M9JzNOoJu3GA-A_3wPsz9i0Y7I_rqDqZDHmosKqBUEI4R6FcbVlyeQKswdz4hXc-mEMkbjpn1vi1UJ7TgwDCqGJj3fd_neSy/s320/Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The first challenge was to jump through various Pokerstars hoops, at
least twice, to be even allowed to play. It too me six weeks, off and on, just
to prove I was me! Even allowing for the significant time gap, the fact that I
was using a new laptop and growing security concerns online, this was far from
ideal. I nearly lost patience and fell at the first hurdle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So why am I back playing poker? The main reason is a practical one. My
son has moved rooms in our house and as a consequence I cannot play Fortnite on
his X-Box when he has gone to bed. I need an alternative diversion. In truth I
have been planning to return to poker for a while. The time was right, my
initial ID challenge has been completed and I am ready to play. I deposited $25
with the aim of quickly turning that into more. I was fascinated to see if,
after many years, I could still play. The answer was yes, it all quickly came
back to me and in a good way. It was like meeting an old friend. It was great
remembering to be disciplined, both patient and aggressive in the right
moments, trying to embrace the devil that is variance but most of all to enjoy
playing whilst zig-zagging your way to profit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So what has changed on Pokerstars since I have been away? Not a lot
really, some of the sit n go games are structured differently and there are
less players overall but I can still get quick action at my chosen levels.
Significantly, there are Brazilians everywhere on Pokerstars. Poker has taken
off there in a big way and that is great news as it means new players. New
players learning the game at my chosen lower levels means only one thing –
poker profits potential. Now at the age of fifty, can I turn this new poker adventure
into ongoing profit, making a steady profit each month on my chosen games whilst
having fun? Generally I plan to play a regular game say ninety percent of the
time but also mix in a few higher level sit n gos plus a few MTTs. In April I
am challenging myself to play 100 $2 sit n gos and see what I can achieve. Then,
if successful, I will perhaps move up to the $5 level and test the difference. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have been playing again for a few weeks now prior to my April
challenge and am enjoying the action and have made a modest $50 profit playing some
low stakes games. The only negative so far has been an upsurge in back pain as I
spend extra time now hunched over a laptop. I will report again in early May
about my progress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Take care and be lucky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jason (Kartajana)<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-22386225499766295722015-12-14T15:20:00.001-08:002015-12-24T16:09:51.137-08:00One More Year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwGNN5K0zA2lq-4nT4Wgs7_J2X3Y6nIfuxZcbPeve6XQYEbboIkQ9h8jZcDhWuX9YJFFqp6dR9BwrD8VhRWjavk0qHhSuG_88FHRox6VlpYSsL_o0sG8aHk9nBzljeHmjiRTFfXpXZNo/s1600/one-year-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwGNN5K0zA2lq-4nT4Wgs7_J2X3Y6nIfuxZcbPeve6XQYEbboIkQ9h8jZcDhWuX9YJFFqp6dR9BwrD8VhRWjavk0qHhSuG_88FHRox6VlpYSsL_o0sG8aHk9nBzljeHmjiRTFfXpXZNo/s400/one-year-on.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first started playing poker in 2005 the initial experience was nothing short of awesome. In my first tentative game with play money I was completely out of my depth and shocked at how quickly hands progressed and decisions had to be made. Soon though I got to grips with this new on-line experience and began to learn about the game of no limit holdem via books, magazines, on TV and on-line. Quite quickly it became apparent that there was money to be made here whilst having fun. Ten years on I have amassed around $27000 based on doing something I enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In truth over the last five years the games have got tougher, new players are in less abundance and profit potential has been reduced. Since I moved to my current house five years ago I have made $10,000 but I had made that amount in the two years before. Over the last few years I have recorded my progress in this blog, this being my one hundred and forty ninth entry. I intend only to write one more, should the situation arise, entitled "Jackpot". It is a great disappointment that I have not won a sit n go Jackpot and despite the money I have earned through poker I certainly feel I have left some winnings at the table, so to speak. Not that I am giving up hope. No way. In fact the poker I do play next year will be entirely Jackpot focused which can’t do my chances any harm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the end of 2016 I plan wind down my poker activity focusing instead on my horse racing blog and the historical material that relates to it. If horse racing is of interest to you please follow the link and take a look. Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who has taken an interest in my blog over the last five years and good luck at the tables for 2016 and beyond. For now my Jackpot quest continues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason (Kartajana)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A week or so later I received big news from Betfred Poker:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1a458e; font-family: 'Myriad Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>We are sorry to inform you that iPoker will be fading out the jackpot tournaments from the Poker Lobby as each jackpot is won.</strong><br />
<br />
All four Jackpot games:<br />
</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #1a458e; font-family: 'Myriad Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;">
<li> Dirty Dozen</li>
<li> Maui</li>
<li> Rio</li>
<li> Fort Knox</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a458e; font-family: 'Myriad Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;">…Can only be won one more time!</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways I am fine with this. A natural conclusion to my ten years in Poker. Certainly I am not totally surprised by this news. If anything it will spur me on to try even harder now the clock is ticking. Good luck to all during this final Jackpot period, especially to me. Based on the last ten years I will need it!</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-60726056309534546962015-09-18T16:12:00.000-07:002015-12-24T16:00:16.797-08:00Countdown To Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGr0n812dg465m46bMFcgZIFmCCz_z4TeDAmF71tDKwof9uzxMWcHg591Ub1iwfLPGXn9zlLxKVtDqTFw7iBIrVNuPwe7nlJGKQM9fgRwpaXktasumYS9Guk94ZyPA3MvXOQzorSW6mY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGr0n812dg465m46bMFcgZIFmCCz_z4TeDAmF71tDKwof9uzxMWcHg591Ub1iwfLPGXn9zlLxKVtDqTFw7iBIrVNuPwe7nlJGKQM9fgRwpaXktasumYS9Guk94ZyPA3MvXOQzorSW6mY/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following a family holiday in Portugal at the end of August I am largely re-focused on poker and my Jackpot goals. I am playing both the Maui (Currently 58000 Euro Jackpot for 5 consecutive wins) and Dirty Dozen (Always 2000 Euros for 4 consecutive wins) versions. This mix helps me fit more games into my busy schedule and gives me a more realistic Jackpot possibility. From September until Christmas I aim to maximise my win percentage in these two games to provide a very special Tomlinson Christmas. In both games I will challenge myself to hit a 15% win rate - t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ough but attainable. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My long terms average rates are 13% and 12%. As a minimum I hope to earn enough to buy a new laptop over the holiday season. I will update my progress as I go along:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>MAUI WIN RATE: 14% </b>(Including sequences of 1-7-1-3-1 and 1-5-1-1-5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>DIRTY DOZEN WIN RATE: 11% </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Including a sequence of 1-8-1-1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good Luck</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-80836044151860791492015-08-05T14:37:00.000-07:002015-08-05T14:37:57.425-07:00Fantastic Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwaUWOEFt1VNQmRUs9i599zVQiFji4L2SjOUL8GdxVX8kFuKg-nUsprOuaGjSiqviQt1WlVnFyqzSo65u0UWTz2iYdZgPpO97LT3Mrn_3qMTu3a9wCQ33AmAK1o1ddWAY6lMX5wzdAGM/s1600/2015_fantastic_four-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwaUWOEFt1VNQmRUs9i599zVQiFji4L2SjOUL8GdxVX8kFuKg-nUsprOuaGjSiqviQt1WlVnFyqzSo65u0UWTz2iYdZgPpO97LT3Mrn_3qMTu3a9wCQ33AmAK1o1ddWAY6lMX5wzdAGM/s400/2015_fantastic_four-wide.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have started the month on a high having managed to bag my fourth Maui Jackpot sit n go consolation prize of the year. Five consecutive games finished in the first two positions wins the prize. At 150 Euros a pop this really is a Fantastic Four. Indeed, this 600 Euros represents around 25% of my year to date profit so these opportunities are not to be taken lightly. It also massively helps cover the additional rake paid for these type of games. I am fighting back from a recent slump and in the main playing well and running good too. Even my consolation claim went well and I was paid out in less than 48 hours, a new record. All in all this is a confidence boost and an indicator that the main Jackpot for five wins in a row, now standing at 47000 Euros, is genuinely within reach. A realistic dream at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile I am recording the different ways I am able to double up early in the Maui games. By assessing my success in each category I intend to adapt/improve my early style based on the findings. It really does make a big difference to your winning chance sitting with a double stack from early, but only when the risk associated with getting it is manageable. More on this in a future post if my analysis proves fruitful.</span></div>
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-23172278264053242042015-07-25T16:19:00.001-07:002015-07-25T16:19:54.795-07:00Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA7Rqv593R1Lw1tAI6K8g1iEPmZ-ZSx27BMcR71QVgVH2fB-cS1ShyUOFVfntlHjkmezV9kouAx-74SsNYkYUyj75VkK10A5SUnTBVynlm-zNiLKI4Okhc0TpndSo751YfWiiOwUd-DE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA7Rqv593R1Lw1tAI6K8g1iEPmZ-ZSx27BMcR71QVgVH2fB-cS1ShyUOFVfntlHjkmezV9kouAx-74SsNYkYUyj75VkK10A5SUnTBVynlm-zNiLKI4Okhc0TpndSo751YfWiiOwUd-DE/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the hardest things to do in poker <span style="text-align: justify;">is stop a losing run. Bad luck can lead to bad play. Bad play can lead to frustration which itself leads to worse play. Then, even good luck can't help! Okay, so things have not got quite so bad for me of late but I am on a losing run. Good luck has deserted me in my Maui Jackpot games and I am not playing my best poker. It is a while since I have won on consecutive nights and I am getting a little frustrated</span><span style="text-align: justify;">. The graph below shows good progress over the first eight hundred games this year followed by a shocking run over the next two hundred. Is this really the same player and what the hell is he doing?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More importantly what can I do to turn the tide back in my favour? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of things for sure:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly writing this blog should help get some of the frustration out of my system. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also need to get some perspective about how big a problem this really is and why I really play. I am so lucky in many ways even before I log on to play poker and I need to remember what is truly important. For example my kids (pictured above) have started their summer holidays this week with a big focus on fun. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite this bad run I am still having a winning month anyway in July based on some good form and good fortune on Pokerstars and Full Tilt.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I play these Jackpot games to give myself a chance at the Jackpot itself, currently running at 45000 Euros. Over the next one thousand games I will get myself in a position to do just that whether I win a $100 or $1000 along the way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mainly need to focus on my game, the way I am playing and a little less on the influence of luck. I will analyse my end game push fold actions a bit more often to promote further understanding and confidence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I am playing well I plan to extend my session. When I am too tired I will not play at all.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another way forward is to look at my results in a more positive way (see below). Am I really playing that badly? When you remove the rake from my results during my 'poor' run I am still holding my own against my opponents which is reassuring to some extent.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXFjh894CZk0cTWpP6l8pHuejivzaamfE0yF5Q66GpJVPNE2vfD1xhMxf28ZmV6RGbAMe1gPm8xkTKShDm7vgO-PqZd83nx91ibDLot5zRPhHkOD8yo-XtlRqT6HA1yoZfpKG5nanVQw/s1600/SharkScopeChart+%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXFjh894CZk0cTWpP6l8pHuejivzaamfE0yF5Q66GpJVPNE2vfD1xhMxf28ZmV6RGbAMe1gPm8xkTKShDm7vgO-PqZd83nx91ibDLot5zRPhHkOD8yo-XtlRqT6HA1yoZfpKG5nanVQw/s400/SharkScopeChart+%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to turn a corner. Signalling left. </span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck.</span></span><br />
<br />Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-1273676401996413072015-06-20T16:18:00.000-07:002015-06-20T16:18:52.560-07:00Being Patient Like Alex Fitzgerald<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt, sans-serif;">Quite often in poker you come across a tricky situation where you are unsure how to act but perhaps feel obliged to act in a certain way. This regularly occurs in my usual jackpot sit n go games. For example when you are dealt a good pocket pair during the mid to late stages of a sit n go you are ready to get involved. But what happens when there is significant action before you. That pair of nines doesn't look quite so attractive, but it might still be the best hand. </span><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt', sans-serif;">I recently read a good related article in the final WPT Poker magazine published last December. In it Poker Pro Alex Fitzgerald responded to a question about such a scenario during a multi table tournament. </span><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt', sans-serif;">The player asking the question had felt obligated to get involved in a hand based on his chip position and the cards he held even though he did not feel comfortable doing so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt', sans-serif;">The thing that interested me here was that Alex encouraged the player to avoid the obvious and mathematically optimum strategy in this situation. Instead he was encouraged to follow his instinct and wait for a better spot. Based on my related experiences in the world of sit n gos I agree with this advice for two important reasons. You may be giving up a small amount of equity by following this path. However you are avoiding sacrificing all future potentially clear cut opportunities. As Alex concluded "Making a slightly tight fold is much better than putting in all of your chips without a clear idea as to what's going on." There is possibly a more important second reason, for me at least. Being in control and being mistake free is key to my focused A-game. If I make a mistake or take a path I doubted in this kind of scenario and my actions backfire it can affect my play across all the games I am playing. Suddenly my A game becomes my C game and I take on every opportunity to gamble and flip for chips. Patience is still key especially in the middle stages of a sit and go. So dump the pair of nines, follow instinct not obligation, stay in control and wait for a better spot. See you there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeueLT Std Lt', sans-serif;">Thanks Alex</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-91022104652037627462015-06-02T06:33:00.000-07:002015-06-02T06:39:51.504-07:00Top Twenty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My main focus this year has been on the Maui Jackpot Sit N Gos. My successful journey so far has seen me play around seven hundred games and achieve two top twenty Sharkscope rankings and win three consolation bonuses for 150 Euros. I am currently ranked seventh for the best 100 streak average profit at this level this year and ranked eleventh for the best 500 streak average profit. The former has a good chance to see the year out and become permanent but the latter could be close to call. I am very pleased with my efforts especially as there are an increasing number of regulars playing these games. Overall I am up $1713 year to date and intend to continue my Maui mission playing perhaps another thousand games this year whilst mixing in some other action on Full Tilt and Pokerstars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most recently my form has been somewhat patchy but I ended May on a very high note, a sequence of 12211 leading to a consolation win and a near thing on the 37000 Euro Jackpot. In both second place games I had a chip lead during heads up play but could not quite take them down. I played the final four games simultaneously and having won one must have been at least 25% to win it all when heads up in the other three. A great effort but also massively frustrating. I could recount the hands that would have clinched it for me in these games but I won't. To be fair </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had plenty of luck along the way in the five games so I can't get too hung up about the final outcomes.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have to take forward the positives from this. <b>Once again I have got myself into a great situation. When there I was relaxed and playing well despite the huge potential jackpot. </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I made no mistakes when it really mattered.</b> The key for me now is to get there again soon and hope luck and skill can take me just a little further, finally to Jackpot glory!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Luck.</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-2518417086511086532015-04-09T16:21:00.001-07:002015-04-09T16:21:49.843-07:00One Dollar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkRUdtL4fa0kJqyfTa3Aowqy1aiF8-9K4SitzPdytNzcxbnR2mr9DytMqZwfT3u7o9XXQCH-OQPsmReMNx6b_hC_02PTKdt60OyTt4UM7N-Eq5IUJi9nzBgLbnhzmVM0I7RnpUizhem0/s1600/Free-One-Dollar-Bill-1024x424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkRUdtL4fa0kJqyfTa3Aowqy1aiF8-9K4SitzPdytNzcxbnR2mr9DytMqZwfT3u7o9XXQCH-OQPsmReMNx6b_hC_02PTKdt60OyTt4UM7N-Eq5IUJi9nzBgLbnhzmVM0I7RnpUizhem0/s1600/Free-One-Dollar-Bill-1024x424.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The outcome of my challenge over the lent period was in a sense a failure. I did not hit forty wins in the Maui games I played and I failed to achieve a 15% win rate. I came close but I failed. However in many ways the period was a great success. It was a pretty profitable period, an enjoyable poker experience and a significant period of my life. I managed to amass over $450 profit via the 267 Maui games I played. Exactly $1 profit per game plus 150 Euros for a consolation bonus, plus a little rakeback. I also managed to achieve a Sharkscope ranking for a 100 game hotstreak. I am currently in fourth place and it should last the year out in the top ten. If I can play well over the next month or two I could also add a 500 game streak to my repertoire.</span></div>
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I<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nterestingly, in the initial period of my challenge, when I set the one hundred game performance marker I was off work following an appendix operation. For the most part in this period I was relaxed, well rested and playing my A-Game. My previous response to the solid advice "don't play tired" has always been that if I didn't I would never play. I am always tired in truth, trying to jemmy in far too much each day - squeezing in some leisure time around my work and my family. In this week or two however things were different. I was compounded to rest. You could argue that this was just a coincidence but suddenly my poker skill was elevated, my patience increased, my confidence boosted. Throughout this period I was also not drinking alcohol, which I usually would have been whilst playing poker. Again a positive no doubt. I genuinely wonder what I could achieve in such ongoing circumstances. However, as I write I am back at work, way too tired to be doing this and should be in bed. Nevertheless my quest for more dollars continues.....</span></div>
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<br />Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-82991130869300151362015-02-17T16:16:00.001-08:002015-04-04T16:31:30.430-07:00Giving Up - Mini Maui Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My wife recently ran a Sunday School session on giving things up for the upcoming lent period and the importance of self discipline. Inspired by Jesus and by her I have resolved to give up some bad habits over the next forty days or so. The aim here is not centred on Christian belief or on a noble desire to better myself though. I am simply intending to win more money playing poker by adjusting my lifestyle. For this period I will no longer go to bed way too late, drink too much or be distracted whilst playing. Instead I will play focused poker, specifically trying to win the jackpot sit n go games I have built my poker existence around. Between <b>18th February and 5th April</b> I will challenge myself to win forty </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maui Jackpot Sit N Go games with an overall win rate of 15%.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of this will be easy but I certainly play my best when well rested, focused and working to specific aims. For anyone who cares (mainly me) I will update the number of wins and my win percentage as I go along:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Final number of wins: 38 (out of 267 games)</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My recent activity has been hindered by an unexpected surgery (had appendicitis!) causing me to miss a good few days play. It may be few more days before I am fully operational poker wise. On a plus note I am way ahead of schedule in terms of drinking less and sleeping more!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A week later I have been boosted by a consolation win. One hundred and fifty Euros for a sequence of 11221. I am playing well and running good, so good that I have now established a best 100 streak average profit top twenty leader board ranking on Sharkscope. Currently placed seventh, it may not be good enough to last the year on the leader board but it is very encouraging and I am now aiming to develop this into a best 500 streak ranking. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>As I approach the end of my challenge I am struggling for a win. A couple of poor sessions have been followed by a really good one, but with four seconds and no wins. My win rate is down to the magic 15% now which is still really good overall but I am starting to run out of time to hit my target number of wins.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>With one session remaining I need two more wins to hit forty in total. I am running just below the 15% win rate mark. Whatever happens it has been a solid, profitable effort with elements of really good play by me. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>No win in my final session so thirty eight Maui wins in total at just over a 14% win rate. A shame not to hit my target having come so close but a really good effort. More reaction and statistics in a few days.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take care, good luck to you and when it arrives Happy Easter!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason (Kartajana)</span><br />
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-43051239715770086732015-01-07T16:30:00.000-08:002015-01-07T16:30:15.289-08:00It's a Trap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd82RBg3ndOC7HG209j_OyNQNP0bbAxKzi1iMR0Y9ChUTZDH_bYhbDV7q3gZ6RMGJD-_2OQprV-bS9nyKvgsXFC1qTdDBGw9s-AvZyNPvFV8dKwlOGmDdqT0aVywjV_49MgIfzfXcJ7s/s1600/Trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd82RBg3ndOC7HG209j_OyNQNP0bbAxKzi1iMR0Y9ChUTZDH_bYhbDV7q3gZ6RMGJD-_2OQprV-bS9nyKvgsXFC1qTdDBGw9s-AvZyNPvFV8dKwlOGmDdqT0aVywjV_49MgIfzfXcJ7s/s1600/Trap.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A long time ago in a galaxy far far away Admiral Ackbar uttered the classic "It's a trap!" line as the Rebel Alliance attacked a fully operational Death Star. As a kid I loved these movies and I have enjoyed watching them again with my own kids thirty years later. The joy of setting a trap is not just for those prone to the dark side. In poker one of the greatest feelings comes from executing a successful trap move. When I started playing this involved slow playing a set. These days I trap mainly using my old friends aces and kings. In early position at most stages of a sit n go or tournament I regularly limp with super premium hands. Often faced with a raise I then exploit my confused opponents by re-raising big style. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a mixed start to the year I have had one notable success on Pokerstars which developed out of this trapping with kings and aces strategy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">PokerStars Tournament #1099432314, No Limit Hold'em</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Buy-In: $13.78/$1.22 USD </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">45 players </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Total Prize Pool: $620.10 USD </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Tournament started 2015/01/04 17:56:20 ET </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Tournament finished 2015/01/04 19:11:50 ET </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> <b>1: Kartajana (United Kingdom), $192.26 (31.004%) </b></span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 2: pipiki (Greece), $133.32 (21.499%) </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 3: Matheeeew (Slovenia), $102.31 (16.498%) </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 4: Leviathan74 (Greece), $77.51 (12.499%) </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 5: DrTee28 (United Kingdom), $55.80 (8.998%) </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 6: wondras3005 (Czech Republic), $37.20 (5.999%) </span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 7: cockneyboy19 (United Kingdom), $21.70 (3.499%) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if you do come across me at the tables limp, three betting you don't need to be a Jedi to work out what I have. Cheers and may the force be with you in 2015.</span>Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-39409479111500013362014-12-31T16:59:00.001-08:002014-12-31T16:59:46.908-08:002014 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihBDyWxurq50vAUC5C6a8sDtDEqAbQX14W4_8PR0RPqQXpGqj8zt7WMy8tRlK94d3k41Fm-m6V2KtVFJYiL2J86Eib5Y4KL96LRgkev1jl5WaW7nI7pFCTxPeX-KKykqrLORyJyxQkPo/s1600/2014+Jackpot+Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihBDyWxurq50vAUC5C6a8sDtDEqAbQX14W4_8PR0RPqQXpGqj8zt7WMy8tRlK94d3k41Fm-m6V2KtVFJYiL2J86Eib5Y4KL96LRgkev1jl5WaW7nI7pFCTxPeX-KKykqrLORyJyxQkPo/s1600/2014+Jackpot+Games.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2014 was a decent year for me poker wise. An overall profit of around $2300 is nothing to get too excited about but it represents progress and a period when I made money on all the three poker sites I play on. I also made a profit in all the different Jackpot Sit N Go formats. Above is the combined position on Betfred for the year (95% jackpot sit n go games), which overall I am pleased with. I definitely gave myself a chance to win big whilst making a modest profit. Not a bad scenario when you are having fun. Timing wise I am on a bad run, so the year end is helpful in a way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For 2015 my approach is to start off by concentrating on what I am good at. On Full Tilt I will continue with the Flipout Tournaments, on Betfred the Maui Jackpot Sit N Gos where the jackpot is currently 50,000 Euros and on Pokerstars my old favourite the $7 45 man games. I will work on my sit n go strategy via Nick Wealthall's on-line course which I need to spend further time reviewing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ideally I will make twice as much profit in 2015 and make twice as many blog posts which I have neglected a little last year. The two are not mutually exclusive. If I get the chance at a big win again all the better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck at the tables in 2015.</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-40531027535356477902014-11-15T15:01:00.000-08:002014-11-15T15:01:41.482-08:00Focus On Fish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUyB_DuON3y_7RSrmhi0Y554wwHZXeUYCfm51QfU_52tEAh0O6oH1-hAfFkp5G-QBS7TP8uM_TDTOUstXGR9PXo48Jq-rqb57OZ8yHoaqEH4J_h-QRDBcw87iJGd77LacyyD4_DkFW-M/s1600/fish-open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUyB_DuON3y_7RSrmhi0Y554wwHZXeUYCfm51QfU_52tEAh0O6oH1-hAfFkp5G-QBS7TP8uM_TDTOUstXGR9PXo48Jq-rqb57OZ8yHoaqEH4J_h-QRDBcw87iJGd77LacyyD4_DkFW-M/s400/fish-open.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to progress in sit n gos you need to focus on fish. That was the message from Nick Wealthalls latest marketing campaign for his new online training course <b>Sit N Go Shortcuts</b>. The solid premise being it is easier to win more from poor players than improve against the good ones. Sounds good. Count me in. For me this is a chance to update my game, review my strategy and focus once more on maximising my win rate in the jackpot games. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks into the course I am happy with my decision. The material is interesting, useful and sometimes quite amusing. I tend to listen/watch the videos whilst playing which is probably sub-optimal in lots of ways but I am enjoying them and my game is improving. I have definitely already made a couple of adjustments. I am changing the way I deal with a specific tricky spot and have an improved heads up approach. I still though have a long way to go to entrench this material and work through all the action steps. Most of all my general confidence has improved because I am working on my game and enjoying it and as a result my results have progressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have had a couple of near miss sequences on the Jackpot trail. The Maui games saw a sequence of 11151 when playing for 41000 Euros and in the Rio games I played a run of 151111 for 110000 Euros. In both cases I was a coin flip or two away from the big one. Having won four Rios I had a realistic shot at a big pay day, perhaps one in twenty-five to win £100,000! Normally my fifth place in the next game would be a source of great frustration but not following my recent work with Nick and some personalised feedback relating to the jackpot games. I had e-mailed him a very specific question about the adjusting your approach/game once closing in on a jackpot winning sequence. This is part of the deal for the first sixty days after sign up. My response was in short excellent. I consider myself a bit of an expert in this sphere having played around 15,000 jackpot games and I liked/agreed with what he had to say - but it also meant quite a lot to hear another point of view on this specialist area. Without giving it all away there was three key aspects to his advice that I empathised with most:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.Having won three or four games jackpot games on the bounce you will probably lose the next one - that's just the maths. Very true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.Keeping the jackpot situation out of your mind is very important. Agreed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.When in the later stages of sequence be absolutely playing your best poker, disciplined, focused and always aggressive. Good stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers Nick.</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-29162364204002386872014-10-11T10:22:00.000-07:002014-10-11T10:22:55.382-07:00Flipin Obvious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier this year, following the end of the Daily Double promotion on Full Tilt I was looking for some new action to satisfy my multi table tendencies. I found two options that complied with both my time frame and my bankroll:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. As a sit n go player who really loves an MTT but hasn't really got the time the new Flipout Tournaments are great. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;">The tournament begins with a</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;"> shootout </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;">round, which features a flip tournament</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;">format. In this round, all players go all-in automatically on every hand and one player per table progresses to the next round. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bubble bursts at the end of the first round and all players who reach the second round in a Flipout Tournament will share in the prize pool. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are effectively a sit n go disguised as a MTT - but with an added bonus - random players not the best players make it to the latter stages. My results are as below. A higher than normal win rate with super time efficiency built in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8AxVlmysNVIxXKgXeMcAQKttVHEUOCUDT_RT-zRhA76nhnOkAVN1MvGBlvBS4zBdPQ9CParE5qihlF-DDiJ2e9wxV_jxMl1jgoke5hSFh-pSPt-SJG3wVULB3Nqtqd6yhReJjmO8k70/s1600/Flipout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8AxVlmysNVIxXKgXeMcAQKttVHEUOCUDT_RT-zRhA76nhnOkAVN1MvGBlvBS4zBdPQ9CParE5qihlF-DDiJ2e9wxV_jxMl1jgoke5hSFh-pSPt-SJG3wVULB3Nqtqd6yhReJjmO8k70/s1600/Flipout.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I also identified a knock-out tournament which fitted perfectly into my poker evening. OK so its turbo structure was a bit on the fast side for my patient MTT game and at $24 was a little pricey but surely I could adapt and get stuck in when needed. Or perhaps not! See below. A series of min cashes has done nothing for my overall result. In these tournaments the money is at the final table and I have only made one brief guest appearance finishing ninth. Whilst the graph does ignore probably $200 worth of bounty prizes there can be do denying my poor run playing this game. Certainly whilst luck plays a bigger role in this type of turbo structure I probably played bad as much as ran bad.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incredibly, given the charts above, this is the same player, playing the same site, the same variant of poker at the same time. I wonder which game I should focus on - Flipin obvious really. I have removed the knock-out game from my options. See you at the flipout tables soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the sit n go front I have just embarked on a new learning chapter designed to give me the best chance possible to improve my Jackpot game win rate. More next time. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I continue to play the Maui games and this new information should help me maximise my return whilst working on improving my game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Luck.</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-26448636928048425042014-08-23T16:15:00.000-07:002014-08-23T16:15:33.583-07:00Five A Day<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am introducing a shift of strategy which I think will be good for me. So far this year I have enjoyed some solid progress and profit. However, my good run in the dirty dozen games has waned of late. I have become a little unfocused and also distracted by other less profitable games. I have also not been enjoying my poker as much. Ultimately I think I am a little unmotivated by the goal of winning a 2000 Euro Jackpot. Sure it is a decent amount of money but great as it would be, it would not really be a big step forward forward in poker or in life. To play at my best I need to be fully motivated so I am shifting back to the Maui games which conveniently has a current jackpot total of 31000 Euros. Enough to help me exceed my overall poker target of $50,000 and also enough to impact on my non poker world. As a family we could do something really significant with that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my first five Maui games for a long time I managed a win which gives me some encouragement. So I plan to play five a day to focus me back on the jackpot goal. If it also reminds to eat more fruit and vegetables that can't be a bad thing for my poker either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck.</span></div>
Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-73493033758953308922014-07-16T14:53:00.000-07:002014-07-16T14:53:13.359-07:00World Cup Winners And Losers<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fC4vgqgtrw4BZ7CInb_tVw6kj5-z_WkGtppYRdHGau3e_wi4qP6Jc2o9gQpAID3yH5oi-BqpsUfFftiZdUnvXkU-vBddR4VQCnDvE745TQQmejM9hEgWDGsPdlA7a5P8f10MzvGpZCo/s1600/Germany.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fC4vgqgtrw4BZ7CInb_tVw6kj5-z_WkGtppYRdHGau3e_wi4qP6Jc2o9gQpAID3yH5oi-BqpsUfFftiZdUnvXkU-vBddR4VQCnDvE745TQQmejM9hEgWDGsPdlA7a5P8f10MzvGpZCo/s1600/Germany.jpeg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations to Germany on winning the World Cup. Can't say I'm happy about it but there can be no doubt about their quality. They are one of only a few teams who would have been deserving winners. A great winning goal for Germany and a superb tournament. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantastically this World Cup showed us that teams who are hard-working, organised and perhaps lacking in overall quality can mix it with the best countries in the world. Some of those collections of individuals who are better players just don't have the same discipline, desire and focus. The USA and Costa Rica demonstrated this more than any other. Very few, if any of their team would have made it into the England squad. As I prepare for a season watching Burnley in the Premier League this gives me great heart. Also a decent bet on Burnley to finish in the top ten at 16-1 should help pull me out of my World Cup betting hole!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> During the final I questioned my son Jake, now seven about England's potential in the next World Cup in 2018. Could we win it? "Don't be an idiot Dad, quarter-finals at best." Slowly but surely my unjustified optimism is starting to rub off on him! I still believe and one day he will too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poker wise the World Cup has been something of a negative losing period for me as I tried to fit poker games around football games, played different games to my normal schedule and dealt with reduced leisure time combined with increased tiredness levels. My initial aim to scale down my activity and take a break never really happened. I am a creature of habit and need my daily poker fix. With the tournament over though I am ready to re-focus and get back on track with the good 2014 I am having. As long as I don't get too distracted by The Tour De France and the upcoming British Open Golf!</span><br />
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-1164054746606127322014-06-11T14:58:00.001-07:002014-06-11T14:58:06.534-07:00Five Hundred Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2014 so far I have played five hundred twelve player jackpot sit n gos. My progress is charted above and below. I am particularly pleased with the positions chart and the fact that I am winning thirteen percent of games.Good, but still open to improvement. Interestingly first and fourth are my joint top results followed by second then sixth. Obviously these are all key targets - winning, getting heads up, cashing in fourth and reaching the final table of six. My ROI is 18% which equates to fifty cents per game. Following a break for the World Cup I intend to literally double my efforts, playing a thousand jackpot games over the rest of 2014, at least maintaining the win rate described but whilst playing more games simultaneously. These will be played alongside some MTT games on Full Tilt where I continue to prosper despite the cancellation of my favourite games.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst playing the jackpot sit n gos I also intend to develop a strategy document showing how to best beat this game, a process which in itself will help me progress. It will keep me focused on the correct approach and minimize my mistakes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck to England and lets hope its a great tournament.</span></span><br />
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-29803367252295254742014-05-28T16:20:00.001-07:002014-05-28T16:20:18.917-07:00Winding Down For The World Cup<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY61riNliQKHYnj3YMbiI0AhMze5nEvxoHHYnJ1iOtFcVWftOLhgJ3-hUM3tAfpc607I3sKmAChC9FJklsx_PJc_t7dIqCB4xH0_9gyEH_S2RLRRiHM5nG6Rnbz2fKtl_xZp_B-Odi7Qx/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY61riNliQKHYnj3YMbiI0AhMze5nEvxoHHYnJ1iOtFcVWftOLhgJ3-hUM3tAfpc607I3sKmAChC9FJklsx_PJc_t7dIqCB4xH0_9gyEH_S2RLRRiHM5nG6Rnbz2fKtl_xZp_B-Odi7Qx/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The upcoming World Cup should provide a much needed mid year break from my 2014 poker exploits. As good as the year has been (currently up around $2000) I am currently somewhat frustrated. In their wisdom Full Tilt have recently cancelled the Daily Double tournaments which have been the source of two-thirds of my profits over the last six months! Over the next two weeks I intend to wind down my poker activity, playing only the Dirty Dozen jackpot sit n go games to complete five hundred for the year just before the start of the tournament.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">England are 33-1 to win the World Cup. The biggest price they have been in my lifetime. They are third favourites in their group and should get no further than the group stage. Ironically I strongly believe this really improves their chances. Unburdened by expectation this newer England squad, filled with young talent, yet bolstered with experience have a real chance to make an impact on this years tournament. Anyone who has watched the likes of Sturridge, Lallana, Barkley, Sterling and Shaw shine in the Premier League this year will know they can offer both real quality and a significant threat to any opponent. Sterling in particular excites me. The composure he showed in front of goal late in the season (especially the goal against Manchester City) tells me he is ready. I can only hope Roy Hodgson feels the same and gives these fearless youngsters some significant playing time. My optimism however was brought back down to earth the other day by my six year old son Jake (above) who is currently obsessed with football. I asked how far will England progress in the tournament. He considered the three group fixtures and after significant thought concluded we probably won't beat Italy, we will lose to Uruguay and beating Costa Rica won't matter. "Group Stages Dad!" I was really impressed and saddened at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He might be right. Certainly England's chance can seem exciting until you look at the squads of the leading competitors. Holders Spain have more options than current GCSE students while Belgium have a quality squad and an easy group. I see both putting in strong tournaments but neither will be able to touch the quality of the hosts Brazil. Whilst I have had a small bet on England and Belgium, I am currently in the process of re-mortgaging my house to secure a decent bet on Brazil. Hosts have a great record and all tournaments held in the Americas have been won by a South American team! In Hulk they even have a genuine superhero on their team. So confident are the hosts that they are currently protesting against the tournament, presumably because the opposition is so weak. They are even taunting their rivals by naming their players after my dads bowling team-mates William, Bernard, Oscar and Fred. The main danger to Brazilian victory is possibly their over confidence or perhaps massive domestic political revolution!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my next post I will review the five hundred Dirty Dozen Sit N Go games I have played this year. I am currently winning around 50 cents per game and have a win rate of 13%. Pretty good but I am aspiring to do better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come on England.</span></div>
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-84703217585955693572014-05-05T15:32:00.000-07:002014-05-05T15:32:07.964-07:00Stars Align - Finally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkqrcTLlQjtmY84K8zEuglCapKIBnBcg1pew43K6mR4kX_F05SJla3y2B2HR2bWYnmwkSoUqjgfzUuBZX_olnMLUbb6gndJlMjWQYHeFojac4eS5-ZPSJhY0ooHNahfukxO7PiGt1GYs/s1600/December-3rd-2012_Planets-Align-With-Giza-Pyramids-For-The-1st-Time-in-2737-YearsWorldmysteries-tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkqrcTLlQjtmY84K8zEuglCapKIBnBcg1pew43K6mR4kX_F05SJla3y2B2HR2bWYnmwkSoUqjgfzUuBZX_olnMLUbb6gndJlMjWQYHeFojac4eS5-ZPSJhY0ooHNahfukxO7PiGt1GYs/s1600/December-3rd-2012_Planets-Align-With-Giza-Pyramids-For-The-1st-Time-in-2737-YearsWorldmysteries-tv.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For at least a year things have not gone well for me on Pokerstars. My confidence has been affected when playing which in effect kept the bad run going. This year I took the slightly cowardly approach of not playing very much on Pokerstars, concentrating instead on Ipoker and Full Tilt where things were going well. When I have played as almost expected the losses have continued...........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until the other day when something changed. Things went well and kept going well. Finally success. A tentative entry into my old stomping ground, the $7 forty five man sit n go ended in victory. A truly international final table below looked on in shock as one of the worst players on the site over recent times recorded a win and a $90 cash, almost wiping out my year to date losses. Whether it was cosmic forces, probability just catching up with itself or my lucky underpants I really don't care. I just needed a win to get me back on track. Over the next week or three I will see if I can build on this progress.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">PokerStars Tournament #904915668, No Limit Hold'em</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Buy-In: $6.42/$0.58 USD</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">45 players</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Total Prize Pool: $288.90 USD </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Tournament started 2014/05/03 17:42:14 ET</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Tournament finished 2014/05/03 19:01:23 ET</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 1: Kartajana (United Kingdom), $89.58 (31.007%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 2: gyumo34 (Hungary), $62.11 (21.498%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 3: edge_n (Norway), $47.66 (16.497%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 4: Japoska2 (Russia), $36.11 (12.499%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 5: Guzman092 (Mexico), $26.00 (8.999%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 6: tdenhamer (Canada), $17.33 (5.998%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 7: tiaguafonsu (Portugal), $10.11 (3.499%)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 8: mephi54 (Germany), </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"> 9: LaBanda014 (Argentina) </span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two days and two tournaments later I won another forty five man sit n go for $90!</span></div>
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474532531150723319.post-10265287652783532232014-04-04T16:37:00.000-07:002014-04-06T14:24:39.903-07:00A-Game Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have recently started to re-read Jared Tendler's The Mental Game Of Poker 2 which largely focuses on positive elements of the mental game such as playing in the zone consistently. Part of his approach is to write down in an <b>A-Game Journal</b> the conditions that exist when your A game is achieved and learn from this information. Last night was such a night. I was really focused, playing instinctively and using what Jared describes as intangible competence and conceptual competence. Here are my notes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These conditions existed as I played my usual set of evening poker games in a year where I am playing well and running better than Usian Bolt in a pair of turbo trainers. I failed to cash in my two Full Tilt Daily Double games but was happy with my play and am feeling good about my 30% cashing record in 2014. I also played five dirty dozen jackpot sit n gos following a good set of games the previous night. The result was more than impressive with a sequence of first, second, first, third and second. Whilst playing I was never in tune with the order of games but was focused in all the games on winning, though I never really felt I had a shot at winning four in a row. If I had known my last game the previous day was a win I might have felt/acted differently! Upon checking afterwards my sequence of 1121 is as close as it gets to the two thousand Euro jackpot, though I never had more than 20% of the chips in the heads up battle I lost. A really encouraging night which I should learn from and be encouraged by. It is clear I need to put in a little more volume to ensure a jackpot win is inevitable rather than likely.</span></div>
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Kartajanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15934795552075753618noreply@blogger.com0