The year that was: 2008

2008 was a very mixed year in so many respects. From a poker perspective I would call it average to somewhat disappointing. From a larger "life" perspective I wouldn't have any idea how to class it. It's such an odd mix of nothingness and yet so much happened but this is a poker blog so I will concentrate mainly on that.

http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~cooker3/400nl08.jpg

The main headline of 2008 is my inability to beat 400nl(graph is above). The simple fact is I am a fairly big loser at 400nl. It's not a huge sample (20k hands) but the fact is if I had the same bb/100 but in the positive over that sample I'd be delighted and think I am the greatest that ever lived. I have been trying to pinpoint what is happening and there is definitely some spewy stuff in there. 5betting, raising all in over cbets with not much and such like. I don't think it accounts for everything or even a big amount of it.

So either I am running bad or I am just being outclassed and I amn't good enough to recognise it. There is evidence to support the former but there is always a danger of a confirmation bias effect. Fgators being the best exponent of that mindset. Although having JJ, QQ, AKs, KQ, 33, ATs in the top 15 biggest losing hands seems somewhat unlucky. If it's the latter then I am never going to realise it unless I get better or just keep losing and eventually realise that sample size is just too big to use variance as a legitimate excuse. I am still going to plug away. The great thing is 2009 is a blank canvas and I am break even from this point. I should have a pretty good idea where I stand at the end of the year. I honestly feel I can be a comfortable winner at the stakes this year.

As for 200nl, I started there, I primarily finished there which is not exactly inspiring. My winrate there is reasonable without being spectacular. It's hard to get an exact figure as I think I am missing some hands and HM doesn't take currency stuff into account but including rb I estimate I made over $20k.

Finally there are my rare live outings. That went pretty well. I can think of 5 tournaments I played, got 2nd in student Jackpot tournament in January out of around 40, got nowhere in an SE tournament. I finished 8th out of 120 roughly in DCU inter varsity tournament. I came 160 something in IPO and split the LEPO. I can't argue with those results. I think I am running hot a little bit overall.

From a non results perspective. I think I am a far far better player then I was this day last year. In fact it's not even close. I hope to be able to say that again next year. There is so so much I need to improve on. It's actually pretty daunting to realise how little I actually know but there is a certain comfort element to it. I mean if I felt I was as good as I could get then that wouldn't say much considering how low a stakes I am playing comparatively speaking.

For 2009, I first and foremost want to beat 400nl. From this goal all other plans and ideas come from it. If it comes to pass it establishes a base amount of money which I would be happy with, it's also a high enough level that I feel suggests I have what it takes to be good at this.

If I beat 400nl I want to extend my range of games. I would like to learn either or maybe both HU cash and Omaha. There is the obvious logic the more games I can play the better my game selection can be. It also could give me something different to concentrate on when I am running bad, bored with 6 max Holdem or whatever.

I also plan to play more live tournaments and more sats to tournaments. I did well live in 2008 and there is no reason not to continue on. I doubt I will play many outside Dublin as I don't like the extra costs like getting hotel rooms, being stuck there for a few days after being knocked out, playing side events and so on. It potentially could turn into a very costly weekend. When I get knocked out of a tournament I just want to leave and go home. So I am thinking of JP's tournaments especially the one in May and obviously the IO if Leprechaun come through. In terms of satelites, I just want to excuse to go abroad basically. What I said above does not apply when your in the Caribbean or Australia and so on. If I get knocked out I can just explore those places. In all due respect to Galway or Killarney there is a bit less to explore.

Underpinning my goals for poker is a change of lifestyle. I am not selfish enough to not realise I am very lucky to have what I have and I recognise I am better off then the majority of people currently alive but I need to do more. I need a change of lifestyle. My life is too centred towards poker. I need to get fitter, get more exercise. This will help me be a better poker player. It would be pretty handy if I knew what to do with myself from a long term pov but I am not going to hold my breathe on that one. I also want to travel, not decided where but somewhere!

If I get all this. I'd consider it a pretty good year :)