Happy Days

It's funny how, when things are going bad, you want to tell everyone about the bad beats and incredible suckouts that seem to be clinging to you at certain periods. I know I do.
But on the other hand, I find good runs harder to talk about. Not sure why, but right now I am in one of my best ever runs since I started playing about 2 years ago.

So, as we approach the end of December, Poker Office shows (for the month of December):

Hands 4578
Won 17.45%
Saw Flop 38.23%
Won per hand 0.19c
Won $860.36
BB/100 hands 22.13
Won flop seen 36.19%
Showdowns won 49.38%

Obviously, I'm delighted at a return of 860$ in 4 weeks, and hope this continues for as long as possible, but I'm going through my stats to pinpoint the cause of the upturn. Not one single tournement entered, not even a SNG, so can't say a final table finish has contributed.

One thing that stands out is that 85% of the above hands have been at the 50$ buy in (50c big blind) rather than the 20$ (20c) buy in that dominated the rest of the year. Maybe this level is a bit less fishy, which helps the stronger hands stand up much more often than at the lower levels where a 5 x bb blind is called (a 5 x raise is only 50c at the lower levels).
I'd like to say that my play has really tightened up, but my flop seen % does not back this up. I am playing at 6 or 8 max tables, and 2 hands of SB and BB make up a big part of this %.
Position doesn't seem to be a problem, as Poker Office shows every starting position in profit, except place 7 (the button is break even, surprsingly).

What I am picking up a lot, is the way my opponents play their hands, and Poker Office excels here. Knowing how your opponents play their open or gutshot str8 draws, flush draws, 2 pair or made str8s/flushes makes a massive difference. Which players slow play their big hands, who likes a check raise and who bluffs when a flush draw is on the table - all this information is at your fingertips, if you take the time to explore.

In all this good news, there are only 2 negative things to report:
AK - I am staggered at how often AK can't stand up against Ax or any two random cards. Poker Office shows AK v Ax will win 36% of times. Love to understand how this works so if anyone can explain, I'd be grateful?
QQ - Another surprising anomally, every time my raise has been called by a lower pocket pair, it has gone on to hit a set. 26 times this has happened, though I have hit a Q on 4 occasions to take the pot.
Strange quirks, but I guess over virtually 4500 hands, there's bound to be the odd few weird things I suppose, and overall, I have no complaints.

Anyway, I'm off to the tables, where I hope I can keep my run going and post similar results for 2007. Good luck, and best wishes for 2007 all.

They think it's all over....

It is now.

The day starts so well, seeing your children excited in ways you couldn't believe possible. The eyes open in such eager joy as they see the presents lined up on the living room floor and can't believe they are all for them. Running after them with camera trying to capture that moment that stays in your head forever, but never really gets caught on print. Then, sharing a few minutes as you exchange presents with your loved one, before the kids want to show you how their newest toy laughs when you squeeze it's tummy or can fly across the living room when they let go.

All that time spent deciding what to buy for our loved ones, and will they like it. Queueing up at Tesco's in those mad few days to get fresh ingredients for the dinner you are cooking for all your family. Slaving over the stove all morning and fretting about whether everything will be ready in time, and at the same time. The potatoes are overdone, and the brussel sprouts need longer.
Then, everyone turns up and the 2 days you spent cleaning your house because you want it to look gret for everyone has been wiped from the memory as 12 pairs of dirty shoes walk through every room in your house.

Then you open up presents from your family and realise, from what some have bought you, that they really don't know you at all. But at least they are here and thought to buy you something at all, quietly thinking, thank God for Ebay.

All that time, and then it is over before you know it. Memories of funny things said and done, especially by the kids, embarrasing their parents, linger. Listening to funny stories that people had heard recently and relayed in true 'comedian' style with bottle of beer in one hand and the other swaying to and fro in descriptive meaning.

Then, the worry and stress that had your hair turning grey at 11am is a distant memory as the last roast spud goes down your uncle's neck (then you worry if you made enough!) at 2.30pm and all the food is gone. All the fuss and it's over before you know it. And did you sit back and take it all in, watching your kids play with their presents (later crying their eyes out when you take them off at bedtime)?
Then, hearing a story on the news and realising just how lucky you are. And how easily things could be so different.

We then grab a coffee and remember that in about 2 hours time, there are another 15 people coming round and it all starts again.

One day, you'll miss moments like this so much, you wish it was Xmas every day.