Something Like Poker

The trials an tribulations of an aspiring poker professional.

I just finished up another 2 hour session of 4-tabling .5/1 LHE on Full Tilt. Just like my first session from yesterday, this one started on a quick upswing, followed by a bit of a downswing. I eventually worked my way back up though — not quite to the point I was during my first upswing, but still up for the day — and I ended the session up $19.50 (2.65 BB/100 hands). Nothing phenomenal, but I’m certainly not one to scoff at booking a win!

I tried to focus a little harder on reducing the number of questionable raises I made preflop with marginal holdings, especially with regards to position. I made fewer raises with suited connectors and weak suited aces UTG and UTG+1. Although I can’t say whether or not it improved my results in the short run, I certainly think this will prove to increase my long term potential winnings.

Over 737 hands, I had a VPIP of 28%, attempted to steal blinds 35%, won at showdown 48%, and an aggression factor 2.05. The aggression factor and attempt to steal blinds are significantly lower than yesterday’s stats. While I will continue my effort to be the aggressor when putting my money into the pot (when appropriate), I think trying to steal fewer blinds will benefit me in the long run, as I’ll more likely get a higher level of respect from competent players when I raise on the button.

My account balance now sits at about $589, a bit more than 11 BB’s short of having a solid 300 BB bankroll for the next higher stakes. Again, I still may shoot for about $650-700 before I move up, but I’ll still feel much more accomplished once I reach the point where I could comfortably move up should I decide to.

Below is a graph of my day so far.

Update: Just a quick update. I managed to get another 30 minutes in before going to see the new Harold & Kumar movie, and I had a very nice run. Over 137 hands, I won another $36.65 (an unsustainable 26.75 BB/100 hands). Combining this with my earlier play from today, I averaged 6.42 BB/100 hands.

As a result, my Full Tilt bankroll is now a little more than $625. In other words, I now have enough to give some $1/2 LHE a shot next time I play (later tonight or tomorrow most likely).

Also, as always, here’s an updated graph for the day.