http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/beanmo 1327862803 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100760/?t=pxf This is probably a bit odd coming from the guy who's been playing primarily 9/10 player turbo SNGs for 8 years, but I think the point is relevant for all poker players. When I first started playing online, I dabbled (and usually lost) at all sorts of games. I discovered how to play tight in omaha hi low of all games and I started breaking even. After having some actual success in SNGs, I was pretty much hooked and rarely played anything else. I believe 2005 was the year I was going to master limit hold em... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:46:43 -0500 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100731/?t=pxf Here's hoping everyone is enjoying the holiday season. And here's hoping 2012 is kinder to online poker than 2011. In case you missed it, those of us in the U.S. did receive some good news the other day - http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/27/tech/web/online-gambling-legalization-likely/index.html I'm far from an expert on the subject of what the ramifications are here. So I won't even try except to say it's a step in the right direction. And in case you're listening Congress, sooner would be oh so much better than later... Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:38:38 -0500 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100709/?t=pxf I haven't played a ton of live cash games since Black Friday, so it's still a bit of an adjustment for me. I'm still used to early stage SNGs where an overpair = pretty much the nuts when you're 50 BBs or less. Playing twice as deep or more, it's generally not so good to get it in with 1 pair hands. But like everything else in poker, I guess it just depends. Playing a 1/2 game the other day and I hadn't been at the table more than 10 minutes. An older guy raises in middle position to 10, gets 2 callers behind and I look down at KK in the SB... Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:35:29 -0500 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100691/?t=pxf It's been a while and that's partly because many of us in CT were shut down earlier this month. Thanks to a bizarre late October snowstorm that took down zillions of limbs, I was without power for a week. And I was without internet for a day or so on the front end and back end of that. Needless to say, that's no so good for an online poker professional. I guess I can't complain too much as I can't even remember losing power for more than a few hours since turning pro 7 years ago. And we're also fortunate enough to have family (with power) to stay with only a few hours away... Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:29:21 -0500 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100669/?t=pxf So I was recently going through some old folders on my computer and found some of the first hand histories I saved when I started playing online. This hand is from early 2004 on Party Poker and was one of the first $215s I'd ever played.A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I'm guessing I'd read about pot odds or defending your blinds recently.To be fair, this is by far the worst thing I saw in the few tourneys I looked at. But it still makes me cringe a little to think I would be turning pro a few months later... Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:26:50 -0400 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100662/?t=pxf I decided long ago that I would hide the chat at any online table I play. And for the most that's what I've done for several years. But every now and then I can't help myself and take a peek. Usually right after I've sucked out pretty badly. Sure enough a few nights ago, I take a peek and am getting called a @#$% %%#%. Well, you get the picture. I'm not sure whether it's more +EV to hide the chat or not. And it's probably a different answer for everyone. I've reasoned that not much good can come out of it as the "nh" "gl" "gg" stuff was always pretty annoying to me... Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:46:02 -0400 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100649/?t=pxf This is a hand from one of the Foxwoods nightly tourneys last week. The $160 I think. It's 25-50, the first level. Half the table isn't here and it's the 2nd or 3rd hand. Folds to me in the cutoff and I have an 3h. I decide to raise since the big blind isn't at his seat and playing a lot of hands early in these tournaments is definitely a good thing. Plus I don't really even mind 53o being turned over since it may give me an "idiot" image and may help get me paid off on a real hand later... Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:24:37 -0400 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100640/?t=pxf Most of you have probably already read about the Full Tilt Poker fiasco that came out yesterday. Here's a link from CNN if not: http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/20/news/companies/poker_ponzi/index.htm?hpt=hp_c1 Here's another link from subjectpoker who has a pretty strong track record for accuracy in these scandals. It also has a link for the entire DOJ civil complaint. http://www.subjectpoker.com/2011/09/ftp-civil-amended/ I guess I shouldn't be surprised when people disappoint. But I still am sometimes... Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:32:10 -0400 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100638/?t=pxf I'd like some feedback from the PXF video watchers out there. While I think the replayer and live videos are still valuable (and more will still be made), I'd like to branch out a little more and do some other things as well. I've got a few ideas I'm knocking around, but I want to hear your input. What videos would you like to see me doing? This is your site - feel free to chime in and be heard. Would you like to see more vids of different formats (6 max, 18-mans, DONs, superturbos, etc)? More conceptual class-room type stuff? If so, any specific ideas? HEM database analysis? A replayer montage of bad beats? Please let me know here or feel free to PM me... Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:26:45 -0400 http://www.pokerxfactor.com/problog/view/100632/?t=pxf Playing live games more has really made me aware of how much easier it is to focus on specific hands rather than clicking a zillion times a minute playing 10+ tables at once. Had an interesting spot come up in a recent 2/5 game. I ended up making a fold that I can't remember making in an online SNG in maybe forever. Granted, the live cash game plays deeper than any spot that ever comes up in a SNG. Anyway, here's the hand. I've been a little tighter than the average player but not the tightest at the table... Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:37:16 -0400