I've been busy on new books. Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time Volume II was released a couple of months ago. It has reached the #1 poker book spot at Amazon on several occasions and has consistently been in the top 3. In fact, one one day, Volumes I and II held the #1 and #2 spot.
In a couple of months we'll be releasing our next book, Peak Performance Poker by Travis Steffen. I've very excited about this book. It discusses the impact of fitness and nutrition on your stamina, energy level, cognitive processes, etc. The author also interviewed Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and others for some great quotes throughout the book. In a way, it is for the body like The Poker Mindset was for your mind.
I'm taking a summer vacation to Colombia this year so will only be playing in the main event at the WSOP. I plan on playing a lot online while in Colombia.
Big debate going on in the poker world about the use of sunglasses. Daniel Negreanu argues that some televised events should ban them. I agree. I think there are a few rules which should be implemented for TV tables:
1 - Any player to leave the table during a hand will have his hand folded. Otherwise, every player could stand up and hide somewhere so that their opponent can't get a read.
2 - Eliminate hoodies, sunglasses, etc. If everyone covers themselves up, the viewing is obviously not as interesting.
Be sure to join the Dimat Poker Books group at Facebook.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Won at Cake
I won the 20K guarantee last night good for $4,700.
I feel really, really good about how I played. I made the money with one of the short stacks and was short-stacked at the final table for quite some time. Actually, I think I started chipping up with around 5 to 6 players remaining. Made good laydowns, timely bluffs, learned my opponents well (1 guy always min-raised with weakish hands so I 3-bet the heck out of him), and was patient.
One tough hand - I believe we were 4-handed and I was 2nd in chips. I raised the button with A-Q and SB - the chip leader - was overbet and put me all-in. I put him on a middle pair and likely would call in normal situation. But, there was a short-stack at the table so I risked going out 4th when 3rd was very likely, and I felt like I was in control at the table with a great structure. No need to gamble so I folded.
There was another hand where I had Ax, flopped an ace, and I put my opponent exactly on KK and was able to get good value on both flop and river (I checked behind the turn to gain a bet on the river) - I liked that hand.
Feels good to get back in the win column.
I feel really, really good about how I played. I made the money with one of the short stacks and was short-stacked at the final table for quite some time. Actually, I think I started chipping up with around 5 to 6 players remaining. Made good laydowns, timely bluffs, learned my opponents well (1 guy always min-raised with weakish hands so I 3-bet the heck out of him), and was patient.
One tough hand - I believe we were 4-handed and I was 2nd in chips. I raised the button with A-Q and SB - the chip leader - was overbet and put me all-in. I put him on a middle pair and likely would call in normal situation. But, there was a short-stack at the table so I risked going out 4th when 3rd was very likely, and I felt like I was in control at the table with a great structure. No need to gamble so I folded.
There was another hand where I had Ax, flopped an ace, and I put my opponent exactly on KK and was able to get good value on both flop and river (I checked behind the turn to gain a bet on the river) - I liked that hand.
Feels good to get back in the win column.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Winning Poker Tournaments Volume II is #1 poker book at Amazon
Winning Poker Tournaments Volume II off to a good start.
The World Poker Travel Guide was also released in January.
I've been signing new book deals lately it seems like every month. I have signed a Brazilian company to the Portuguese rights of seven Dimat Books.
Upcoming releases:
Winning Poker Tournaments Volume III
Advanced Pot-Limit Omaha Volume II
Tournament Endgame Strategy
Untitled book on impact of fitness and diet on poker results
NL Tournament Strategy by Rizen - 2011
Meeting later today to discuss another potential project with an author
The World Poker Travel Guide was also released in January.
I've been signing new book deals lately it seems like every month. I have signed a Brazilian company to the Portuguese rights of seven Dimat Books.
Upcoming releases:
Winning Poker Tournaments Volume III
Advanced Pot-Limit Omaha Volume II
Tournament Endgame Strategy
Untitled book on impact of fitness and diet on poker results
NL Tournament Strategy by Rizen - 2011
Meeting later today to discuss another potential project with an author
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
IP Poker Classic - Biloxi
I've been busy working on books so I haven't been playing much lately. I did have a nice Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago with a 2nd and 4th place finishing netting me about 13K.
This past weekend I decided to go to Biloxi for a live tournament. As I've blogged before, there is nothing better than the excitement of a live tournament. The main event was a $3k event and had 43 entrants. It's not a big turnout, but it's Biloxi, :).
I had a tough starting table as I bought in late with the other "good" players who show up late. I think most of the satellite winners were at other tables. The tournament paid 4 players with $56K going to first. 14k starting stack, 50 minutes levels, we started at 25-50. Six players were knocked out before level 2 was over giving you an indication of the quality of play of some of the players. At the 100-200 level, I saw a guy with a 20K stack get all-in with AJ, after being check-raised on an AxxQ board. Having said that, there were also some very good players there. I would guess about 10 very good player, 10 more good player, 10 amatuerish players, and 10 players who had no business being there.
There were three key hands.
- Very early, limper, I limp 6-5 CO, button limps. 50-100. 4 players see the flop. K87. I bet 250, button raises to 700, I call. Turn is a 4x (putting two clubs on the board). Button bets 800, I CR to 2400, button calls. River is a Tc. I bet 4000, button calls with J-9.
- I fought my way back to a stack of about 13-14K. 200-400-25. UTG, loose player raises (he could have lots of hands here). Old-looking amatuer player who I was sitting with for about 15 minutes calls. I have JJ in Middle position. Taking the pot would increase my stack over 20%. I am way ahead of UTG range and I don't think the older guy is capable of slowplaying a big pair. I decide to raise, and to commite myself as I don't want UTG to 4-bet me and put me on a difficult decision. I raise to about 6 or 7 K. UTG folds and to my surprise, older guys goes all-in. In my mind, I had intentionally committed myself (to the UTG player), so I called. In hindsight, this was a mistake. I should have reevaluated the situation. It was obvious that my read on the older guy was wrong, and it only made sense with AA. I still had enough chips to make a comeback. I called. UTG player said he had a J. I hit a one-outer!
- Final table. 8 players left. As soon as we arrived at final table I started dominating play. I took my 30K stack up to 55-60K without showing a hand. 75K was the average stack. I 3-bet a few times and was raising more than my share preflop - I had a very loose image and the players were commenting about it.
I decided to switch gears and start playing tight. But I got dealt KK UTG so I raise again. I get two callers and take down the pot. A few hands later in hijack I get A-K. I raise to 5,500 and the big blind pushes all-in (he has about 80-90K. The BB was my biggest worry at the table. He was a very good player, loose, aggressive, with a lot of advanced plays in his arsenal. I insta-called and he shows T-7s and I'm out of the tournament when 7 flops.
Really a bummer as I was in control at the final table, would finally of had a healthy chip stack, and would have crippled my main opponent.
Nevertheless, was a fun trip and worthwhile. If I compare Biloxi and Tunica, it isn't even close...Biloxi is waaaay better. FYI - the Beau Rivage is like a mini-Bellagio. Seriously, it is a nice surprise.
This past weekend I decided to go to Biloxi for a live tournament. As I've blogged before, there is nothing better than the excitement of a live tournament. The main event was a $3k event and had 43 entrants. It's not a big turnout, but it's Biloxi, :).
I had a tough starting table as I bought in late with the other "good" players who show up late. I think most of the satellite winners were at other tables. The tournament paid 4 players with $56K going to first. 14k starting stack, 50 minutes levels, we started at 25-50. Six players were knocked out before level 2 was over giving you an indication of the quality of play of some of the players. At the 100-200 level, I saw a guy with a 20K stack get all-in with AJ, after being check-raised on an AxxQ board. Having said that, there were also some very good players there. I would guess about 10 very good player, 10 more good player, 10 amatuerish players, and 10 players who had no business being there.
There were three key hands.
- Very early, limper, I limp 6-5 CO, button limps. 50-100. 4 players see the flop. K87. I bet 250, button raises to 700, I call. Turn is a 4x (putting two clubs on the board). Button bets 800, I CR to 2400, button calls. River is a Tc. I bet 4000, button calls with J-9.
- I fought my way back to a stack of about 13-14K. 200-400-25. UTG, loose player raises (he could have lots of hands here). Old-looking amatuer player who I was sitting with for about 15 minutes calls. I have JJ in Middle position. Taking the pot would increase my stack over 20%. I am way ahead of UTG range and I don't think the older guy is capable of slowplaying a big pair. I decide to raise, and to commite myself as I don't want UTG to 4-bet me and put me on a difficult decision. I raise to about 6 or 7 K. UTG folds and to my surprise, older guys goes all-in. In my mind, I had intentionally committed myself (to the UTG player), so I called. In hindsight, this was a mistake. I should have reevaluated the situation. It was obvious that my read on the older guy was wrong, and it only made sense with AA. I still had enough chips to make a comeback. I called. UTG player said he had a J. I hit a one-outer!
- Final table. 8 players left. As soon as we arrived at final table I started dominating play. I took my 30K stack up to 55-60K without showing a hand. 75K was the average stack. I 3-bet a few times and was raising more than my share preflop - I had a very loose image and the players were commenting about it.
I decided to switch gears and start playing tight. But I got dealt KK UTG so I raise again. I get two callers and take down the pot. A few hands later in hijack I get A-K. I raise to 5,500 and the big blind pushes all-in (he has about 80-90K. The BB was my biggest worry at the table. He was a very good player, loose, aggressive, with a lot of advanced plays in his arsenal. I insta-called and he shows T-7s and I'm out of the tournament when 7 flops.
Really a bummer as I was in control at the final table, would finally of had a healthy chip stack, and would have crippled my main opponent.
Nevertheless, was a fun trip and worthwhile. If I compare Biloxi and Tunica, it isn't even close...Biloxi is waaaay better. FYI - the Beau Rivage is like a mini-Bellagio. Seriously, it is a nice surprise.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Little blurbs on poker and life
- My first-born started Kindergarten last week. Quite exciting seeing the little one go off on his own.
- We're very close to having Spanish translation of Dimat books ready. We should be offering those in the Fall.
- Diana and I are going on a cruise next week. Very excited for some time away from the kids and some true R&R!
- The cruise has PokerPro electronic tables on it. Can't wait to eat up the tourists at the tables! I believe they play $1-$2 NL.
- I'm finally getting back to productive mode. The month after the WSOP is always a little lazy for me.
- I have been playing more poker. I am going to try and play Wednesday and Sunday tournaments, with a little PLO cash games mixed in for a few hours each week. But in reality, I usually only end up playing about 50% of the time on Sundays as family things often come up.
- Go Dawgs!
- We're very close to having Spanish translation of Dimat books ready. We should be offering those in the Fall.
- Diana and I are going on a cruise next week. Very excited for some time away from the kids and some true R&R!
- The cruise has PokerPro electronic tables on it. Can't wait to eat up the tourists at the tables! I believe they play $1-$2 NL.
- I'm finally getting back to productive mode. The month after the WSOP is always a little lazy for me.
- I have been playing more poker. I am going to try and play Wednesday and Sunday tournaments, with a little PLO cash games mixed in for a few hours each week. But in reality, I usually only end up playing about 50% of the time on Sundays as family things often come up.
- Go Dawgs!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Kids in need
Some of you may or may not know, but I am board member of a non-profit organization called Colombianitos (little Colombians) based here in Atlanta, and due to the economic situation we have been facing we are struggling to keep these kids in school, off the streets and out of trouble. Currently, we are at risk of having to shut down one of our programs due to lack of funds.
Colombianitos recently won the first Unicef award of Beyond Sports, a true Global competition of how sport can be used for a social cause. The award was handed over by Lord Puttnam here his words: "On July 9th in London, Lord Puttnam, Ambassador for UNICEF UK, presented the first UNICEF Children’s Rights Award to "Goals for a Better Life" run by COLOMBIANITOS as part of the Beyond Sport Summit. The award recognizes the importance of sports as a tool for positive social change. Lord Puttnam proudly presented the award recognizing "Play is a right and sport is a fantastic tool for promoting and fulfilling children’s rights, as demonstrated by COLOMBIANITOS. We have seen sport lead to real change." Read more here: http://www.unicef.org, also here: http://www.beyondsport.org/the-summit/live/view.php?Id=16
If you would be so kind to adopt/sponsor a child, it would help us tremendously while changing a kid's life. You can click on https://www.colombianitos.org/en/sponsor_child.asp, it's only $25/mo to sponsor a kid!
Thanks! Matthew
PS. You can watch a short video on Colombianitos down below . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWBOgvdC7ZA
Colombianitos recently won the first Unicef award of Beyond Sports, a true Global competition of how sport can be used for a social cause. The award was handed over by Lord Puttnam here his words: "On July 9th in London, Lord Puttnam, Ambassador for UNICEF UK, presented the first UNICEF Children’s Rights Award to "Goals for a Better Life" run by COLOMBIANITOS as part of the Beyond Sport Summit. The award recognizes the importance of sports as a tool for positive social change. Lord Puttnam proudly presented the award recognizing "Play is a right and sport is a fantastic tool for promoting and fulfilling children’s rights, as demonstrated by COLOMBIANITOS. We have seen sport lead to real change." Read more here: http://www.unicef.org, also here: http://www.beyondsport.org/the-summit/live/view.php?Id=16
If you would be so kind to adopt/sponsor a child, it would help us tremendously while changing a kid's life. You can click on https://www.colombianitos.org/en/sponsor_child.asp, it's only $25/mo to sponsor a kid!
Thanks! Matthew
PS. You can watch a short video on Colombianitos down below . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWBOgvdC7ZA
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Main Event time!
I leave today to play the main event of the WSOP. This is the time of year that I get really excited about poker. This is it - nothing beats the excitement of the main event. I always have a good bit of confidence going into this event. I've cashed 3 of 5 years, including a 33rd place finish. I know what it takes to cash in this event which gives me a big "experience" advantage. It also helps that I've been there, done that, so my concern is not on cashing but doing deep which helps me when other players become much more conservative and tentative. In the past, if I've survived Day 1, I cash. The first double up is always the most important.
However, the structure of the tourney is different this year. First, we are only playing 8 hours instead of 10. We also get 30,000 in chips to start rather than 20,000. About 5 in 6 players are surviving Day 1 this year compared to a little over half in previous years.
Over the first two days of the main event this year, the average stack at end of day is 37,000. So basically, this year more than any other, nothing is won on Day 1. I basically want to survive and would be perfectly content with a stack between 30 and 40K going into Day 2.
So I fly out today and arrive in Vegas around 2:30. I play tomorrow starting at noon Vegas time. I will be giving updates at www.twitter.com/mchilger.
i've cashed 3 times in this event - there are only two things missing - a final table and a win!
However, the structure of the tourney is different this year. First, we are only playing 8 hours instead of 10. We also get 30,000 in chips to start rather than 20,000. About 5 in 6 players are surviving Day 1 this year compared to a little over half in previous years.
Over the first two days of the main event this year, the average stack at end of day is 37,000. So basically, this year more than any other, nothing is won on Day 1. I basically want to survive and would be perfectly content with a stack between 30 and 40K going into Day 2.
So I fly out today and arrive in Vegas around 2:30. I play tomorrow starting at noon Vegas time. I will be giving updates at www.twitter.com/mchilger.
i've cashed 3 times in this event - there are only two things missing - a final table and a win!
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