Online MTT Poker Frustrations
I played 3 Multi-table-tournaments yesterday, simultaneously. I’ve been playing at Full Tilt Poker for a couple weeks now, mostly in the hopes of being able to do some games against the likes of Phil Ivey or Mike The Mouth Matusow — but enjoying the level of play there in general too…
Until yesterday. I don’t mind a bad beat. Honestly, I don’t. I realize how good it feels to be on the other end, so I embrace the fact that every once in a while, you’re the one giving the joy. BUT NOT 3 IN TWO MINUTES IN 3 FREAKING TOURNAMENTS ALRIGHT!
T1: 10$ 180players S&G NLH. Pick up AQs, raise 3BB get called by two people. Flop comes two spades, all unders. I bet 2/3 pot, one fold, one call. Turn makes my nut flush. I bet 1/2 pot, BB shoves, i call — he has made his second pair on the turn. River makes his boat. GRRR.
T2: 24$ Pot Limit Omaha. I’m in second chip position when I pick up AAKJ, two diamonds (AJ). The flop comes Ace and two diamonds. I mean that’s the ultimate flop right there. Turn Q, river Q, woozaaa aces over queens. Opponent takes two queens out of the hole. ASSWHIPE was the only one in 65 people left who had me covered. GO FIGURE.
T3: 10$ KO NLH — 600 players. I pick up KK in the VERY FIRST HAND. I raise, I get re-raised, I re-reraise — he shoves — I call. He shows AA. I don’t suck out.
I mean 
Hi,
I’ve been there a few times myself, and, as you suggest, it does work both ways. My concern is though that, online software seems to produce that kind of scenario more times than would ever appear to happen in ‘real life’. I know a little bit about probablity and statistics, and though I’ve not sat down and worked out the figures for some of the situations that I’ve seen/played in online, intuitively I can sense that the online stats are way out of kilter with ‘reality’. My cynical conclusion is that, whether the games are (small) tournament or money games, it pays the provider to have them played more quickly (more games), or for higher pots (bigger takings).
One wee tip that seems to work for me online is to regularly raise when going for a flush/straight draw, and they appear more times than the stats would otherwise predict.
Enjoyed your piece. May your winning pots be monsters!
Neil, Scotland