The evolution of Bigbamboom

Posted by bigbamboom

October 11, 2009

There is hope for all of us trust me. Here is a cool story for you….first my history recently.

It’s been a while – been following the posts of all of you and keeping track of the pokersift site. I’ve played quite a bit and continue my evolution as a poker player. For a while, I kept a decent run of SNG’s especially at the 18man Turbo level, slowly moving up in stakes from 1.75 to 3.25 to 6.50.

Unfortunately the 6.50s are a little more of a challenge and I was back down in roll…that’s when I had an amazing experience…one that has made a huge difference in my play. I continue to be a small stakes winning player, I knock off a regular 50-100$ a week grinding and playing a few satellite tournaments where it might cost me 15$ to get into a 55$ tournament….the good news is it keeps my roll honest…not to big to afford to play bigger games…just getting by.

So back to the “Huge” difference in my play. I always been a Harrington disciple, playing my cards first, stack second and opponent third. I don’t think that is really being a poker player, I didn’t splash around in a lot of pots, I preferred to play tight – aggressive poker..and the results were there but I never felt like I was good enough to win a poker tournament. Just another player…so then it happened.

I ran into an old buddy, we had known each other in a professional environment some time ago and we played poker once in a while with a group of about 15 players. For fun, we kept a list of rankings based on a few players opinions…I was mid pack – we ranked him dead last. Mostly in jest because he wasn’t that bad, but he had never won and talked like he knew it all – so sorry to say we had to mark him last. That was four years ago..and how times change.

We had lunch and it was interesting to say the least. We started talking about his new living arrangements..he has it pretty good…and then it came out….everyone (or at least my dream).

He ran into a random guy at a golf tournament – sort of a friend of a friend and low and behold – they become room mates. This “guy” ends up being on the road quite a bit and needs a house sitter – rent free – to walk his dogs. Why is he on the road quite a bit you ask – we’ll he plays poker – and not just anothe player – ranked by Bluff, Card Player and POY rankings in the top ten. Needless to day my buddy signs up – and becomes a disciple of sorts….and he’s results are incredible. Tournament wins, deep runs, some serious play. He is ranked 1000th in the Official Poker Rankings, which means he is profitable. Turns out his new room mate, just learned poker 2 years earlier, got hooked and go winning pretty quick. He quits his job and becomes a tournament grinder, and one of the world best. The story just kept coming and it was one of the most enjoyable lunches I have had. Imagine rooming with the world’s best online poker player and getting daily railing….man incredible.

It was an interesting poker dominated lunch and after – I had the itch to play – so a few SNG’s to the good. The next day I began a two day run – dying to play a tournament after the lunch … I stepped up to a 5th in a 180 man SNG and then followed up with a final table at another…with a donk out shove vs. a 4x button raise I shoved J9s in the big blind…I thought I had him on a steal, but the chip leader turned over QQ and I was done..oh well…made me realize that I wasn’t living with a poker pro..lol.

I know I could of won both tournaments, but I was trying some new strategy thanks to my pal and his advisor….and I was thrilled with the results. It’s been a long time since I gone back to back in a 180 man tournament, and although the talent is not high, I consider it an accomplishment to get deep 2x straight.

Bottom line is I feel like the light has come on. Some key “small ball” tips to keep pots under control … let guys make mistakes against you etc. I’ve been calling a bit more in position, and learning to play better after the flop. I called a few “opponents” and learned to stay away from the sharks and prey on the fish.

Had some good results, I also have a few wilder swings playing, but live and learn. I thought I try a tournament.

The first tournament I entered …. my “new” goal is to accumulate early – so I was splashing in a lot of pots, the cool result is everyone thought I sucked. So they would call with middle pair, flush draws and weak holdings because my range was wide. I got paid off huge. Once I realized everyone thought I was a LAGtard, I switch back to being Dan Harrington, and my stack kept rising. Finally, I bust out in 300th or so with a top 50 stack, all in on a flush draw vs. the chip leader. I had AJh and the board was 10, 9, 4 two hearts…so I figured, he might have a piece and if I can win this all in – I’d be right up in the top 10 with a decent chance to win. I’m alright losing that hand, cause I learned a ton…my game has evolved.

I’ve been playing a lot recently – had some wild runs in the 3$ rebuy – at one point in the top 50 with about 1000 left only to bust out with back to back slaughters KK vs AA and QQ vs AA. It happens.

I’m still trying to learn to get away from losing hands, and to keep switching gears, but that lunch has had an effect on me.

I asked my pal to sweat me, and teach me – and I look forward to becoming a better player and hopefully winning a tournament at some point.

I’ll keep you updated.

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