Q&A with MrPillowtalk

MrPillowTalk

smurph wrote:

I know that you hung to the right in 2006 will you be hanging to the left in 2007?

How many Casinos have you been barred from?

Do you now agree that being manky drunk and trying to play in cash games do not mix?

What odds do you give yourself playing in future Charity Heads Up Championships?


What do you think of the standard of poker in Ireland?

Will you being going to Vegas for the WSOP this year?

You play at very high levels online, do you find you get a little bored playing smaller level live tournaments €300 €500 entry levels etc.,

Is there any young player that you see potential in and would like to coach?

1) Lol I think its staying the same way.

2) Em, Scarborough, Merrion (apparently), Callaghan took the brunt of our SE incident so I think Im actually still ok there and there was a close call in the Rio. I think thats them all.

3) Yes it is a bad idea . . . . . . . . most of the time.

4) I would definately be a layer of that action, however I must state I was treated quite poorly during that whole incident.

5) Im not that sure really there are a group of good up and coming players but results havent been what they should really. I think it could be better than it is but the general standard is not as poor as in America.

6) Allmost certainly, but it depends on wheither I can get the time off. I think any serious poker player should do everything they can to play the main event its such good value.

7) No I dont think I get bored by the stakes I think I get bored if the game is boring wheither high or low stakes.

8) I dont think anyone would benefit that much from my coaching Im not very good at verbalising why Im doing something.

MrPillowTalk

handsfree wrote:

i'd like to see pok3rplaya in the well

it sounds to me pillowtalker that you have the same problem as me, when it comes to tilting or playing badly. i find that playing less and only when i'm fresh helps alot. if you find other things that help will you let me know?

I dont tilt much and its only a recent occurence.

If I find the cure for tilt Im telling noboby.

MrPillowTalk

BigCityBanker wrote:

Eoin

I pick up on your point that your tournament game isnt suffering but have you thought through why that is the case? Cos you know your maximum downswing is limited to the tourney buyin allowing your game to be as normal? Conversely, the stigma of a downswing similar in size to that of the GDP of a developing country may be limiting your cash game. You openly talk about your swing prior to your break from the game and when you returned I recall you posting details of a $600 lodgement to FT spinning it to $15k and then losing it again through a succession of sick sick beats. This cant but shatter a mans confidence. I cant help but think that combos of the above are the current drain on your game and your confidence.

Have you considered playing a few of the tournies in town to try and rebuild your confidence in your game. To kinda reconfirm to yourself that you are as good as you are, to make you stop second guessing yourself, calling on the end knowing your beat etc.. I know it would be hard to concentrate on a 100€ event considering that its only a fraction of a continuation bet in your regular game but you are well aware that its a confidence game and simple things can often make the difference.

Anyway best of luck, however it comes about I hope it swings around for you pretty soon. Thanks again for being in the well.

Noel.

EDIT: I hope you dont take any of the above as me being a jumped up little fcker - im only saying it as I see it.

No I generally dont worry about losing.

I think playing the tourneys in town are actually likely to make my cash game worse if Im honest. I know Im a decent player I dont really need to reconfirm it or anything like that. I think Ive probably made more of an issue out of my play lately than it really is, Ive still clawed back from a big downswing and Im playing bad by my own standards which is still better than most people play. I tend to talk about the negative parts of my poker life e.g. my losses and holes in my game way more than I talk about the positive parts.

MrPillowTalk

Russh wrote:

Have just read through this now, very enjoyable and well done Mr PT.

AJ suited or off.... early position.... full table..Fold or Raise ?.....(middle stages of live tourney, average or just below chips..) maybe limp and reraise if raised? Whats your thoughts?

Fold usually.

MrPillowTalk

bops wrote:

Very interesting read Mr PT - good work etc!

you say that you've been playing poorly for a few months now, does that make you a poor player as of late?

If so, is it not advisable to take a break / some other drastic action?

I'm not trying to be a smartass or anything here, we all know that you are an excellent player, but having a bad run at the moment.

What i'm trying to get at is the bad run doesn't appear to be due (in general) to sick beats and/or marginal unluckiness - it appears, by your own ommission, to be due to your poor play.

You (IMO) have spent long enough trying to fight through this rough spot unsuccessfully, should you get out for a while before it's too late and you've blown your roll?

I like Noel's advice about playing live 100€ tourneys etc. Just playing high stakes online appears to be the worst option for you ATM.

You took a break before - was that not a good thing??

I know that me and you are different creatures (lol me donkey you ??) - I get as much of a buzz out of playing 1$ HU as $2,000 - I guess you only play for the $$$ and get no real enjoyment from the game other that the $?

If this is the case, I suppose bringing your game back (temporarily) to the likes of 2/4 is not an option as you will not be capable of taking it seriously?

You (from what i know) appear to be a good solid tourney player - why not focus on those for a while? there are plenty on 100/200$ buy-in games that have juicy prizepools with no risk to your BR

A change is as good as a holiday!

Thanks
bops

1) No Im still a lot better than most, I just have a problem or two with specific portions of my game.

2) No I took a break and when I came back I started winning again, eventually my game will click back into place.

3) Like I said Im not playing as well as I can but still more than good enough to win. The initial downswing of a few months ago was mainly due to running very bad as opposed to a decline in play. I cant see myself blowing my roll anytime in the forseeable future.

4) The break served its purpose, I ran ok when I came back.

5) No I enjoy playing whatever the stakes, if I dropped a good chunk of my roll Id have no problem playing 2/4 for a bit grinding back up.

6) Tournaments take too long and you usually have to get top two for it to be worth your while I dont really have the time or inclanation. I know very good tournament players who struggle to make a decent living playing them.

MrPillowTalk

ocallagh wrote:

Is it possible you don't care about the money as much as you used to? Also, you have proved yourself at the highest levels online, possibly the challenge is somewhat gone?

No I care very very much about money, and I dont really consider myself proven not that that really matters, I still find it very challenging and I would like to get a lot better than I am at the moment. If I stop progressing and feel Im gone as far as I can I will quit I think.

MrPillowTalk

goodluck2me wrote:

i seen a hand at the hgih stakes poker table in Clonmel, There is a raise preflop and its you and fred see it. cant totally remember the action so i wont guess but it resultes in €1200 in the middle and fred pushing all in on a 44T55, what did you have?? what did you put him on? also wp etc.

I had 34.

I opened on the button for 200, fred called then he check called 400 on the flop of T 5 5

Then on the turn it went check check when the 4 hit.

Then the river hit another 4 and he speech played it a bit before moving all in.

I basically wasnt sure where I was in the hand so eventually folded as I knew id get another chance at him without putting my cash in in a spot I was conflicted about.

MrPillowTalk

BigCityBanker wrote:

Another question?

If you had to hand your bankroll to one player to play it for you - who would you give the keys to?

Callaghan without a doubt if its players I know.

Ivey if its out of anyone.

Goodluck2me

MrPillowTalk wrote:

I had 34.

I opened on the button for 200, fred called then he check called 400 on the flop of T 5 5

Then on the turn it went check check when the 4 hit.

Then the river hit another 4 and he speech played it a bit before moving all in.

I basically wasnt sure where I was in the hand so eventually folded as I knew id get another chance at him without putting my cash in in a spot I was conflicted about.

i wasnt sure if you were just speechplaying afterwards or not when you said you had the 4. it was a very disciplined fold i must say especially given the opponent in question, it was also the first time he didnt bet 2K or 5K it was an all-in bet. it also had weird dynamics because i remember someone shouting "all-in" from the rail, and him goin along with that. i think though for some reason he had you beat.

MrPillowTalk

goodluck2me wrote:

i wasnt sure if you were just speechplaying afterwards or not when you said you had the 4. it was a very disciplined fold i must say especially given the opponent in question, it was also the first time he didnt bet 2K or 5K it was an all-in bet. it also had weird dynamics because i remember someone shouting "all-in" from the rail, and him goin along with that. i think though for some reason he had you beat.

Yeah Marty said he would have called but I thought Fred had it on this occasion.

valor

how much did he push for?

MrPillowTalk

valor wrote:

how much did he push for?

he covered I had 5 or 6k back

Goodluck2me

he pushed for about 20K, but obv pillow didnt cover, the whole hand was surreal. he might also have had the 4. reckons he`d 7 high after it, but i i cant remember him once saying he had a hand so id take that with pinch of salt etc...

Hectorjelly

cool thread

carfax

Brilliant thread. How did you find time between work and poker to respond to all those questions?

Nicely done Eoin......Please let it be smurph next week.

MrPillowTalk

carfax wrote:

Brilliant thread. How did you find time between work and poker to respond to all those questions?

Nicely done Eoin......Please let it be smurph next week.

I dont know Ste just did it while playing onlin, surprised by the questions actually there were a few not asked that I thought would be. Think I might have derailed it slightly, anyway an enjoyable enough experience.

a-k-47

quick question from me pillow...

when you make a deposit of lets say 500$...you seem to build it quick...do you ignore all BR management and bring it to 2/4 3/6?..or grind it