Phil Galfond's Blog

Canada is Good Luck

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:39:15 -0500

Hey Guys,

So I've been in full grind mode since I've gotten setup in Vancouver. Some might say I should go out and experience the city, but those people don't understand how much I enjoy being inside and playing poker.

I've been running pretty hot, which has been a nice welcome back to online poker. I actually think this is the first period of time I've run well above EV since at least a couple of years ago (according to HEM AIev, which isn't that meaningful).

I've put in a pretty good amount of hands, especially considering that HEM doesn't track 2-7 or any of the stud games. I wouldn't say games have been great (and definitely not often very big), but there's at least been something to play most days since I've been here.

I think I'm on the wrong sleep schedule to get a lot of action. People seem to be playing from 3am to noon my time, and that's mostly when I've been sleeping. I've considered trying to adjust my schedule, but so far, I haven't pulled the trigger.

Some friends are coming to visit this week (tonight actually), so I probably won't play as much in the next couple days. I guess I'll finally get out of the house.

Not much else is going on, so I'll leave you with that. Good luck, guys.

-Phil

Finally Back!

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:03:36 -0500

Hey Guys,

Long long time. I spent 3 extremely hectic months in Vegas, and just this last week I got to Vancouver. I've been settling into my new place with my friends who came with me.

I finally got my Stars account working again and have been playing the last two days. I missed online poker so much, for so many reasons.

I'm still really busy trying to get everything in order here, but soon enough I'll be around BFP more again. AND I'll have some new footage for videos. Just wanted to say hi, and that I'm back in action.

People have been bugging me for a 6max PLO video, and now I finally can deliver.

Talk to you guys soon.

Take care.

-Phil

What do we do now?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:48:36 -0500

Hey Guys,

This is my first blog post since black friday. A lot of people have come to me for answers, and the truth is, I don't know any better than most of you.

I think your decision about what to do next is very dependant on your situation. If you can afford to, I think the best course of action is to just relax for a month or two (maybe coach or do something else productive), and see if anything becomes more clear.

To the people considering leaving the country... I think it's a very viable option, and one I'm considering myself. Make sure you do your research with regards to immigration laws, bank laws, rent, casinos (if you want to play live), etc. One thing that is an important question I've been asking myself is: Do I want to move somewhere and do nothing but work for maybe 6 months, or do I want to move somewhere (that might be more expensive) and have a life and a great experience to look back on. I'm leaning towards the latter, if I do end up moving, but like I said before, the decision depends on your situation. It is still tempting to me to have a 4-6 month work only trip and no life outside of it. It's definitely not a good long term plan, but for a short time period, it's not so bad.

Personally, my plan for now: Head to Vegas early this summer. Play a bunch of live poker all the way through the Series. After that, see how things are looking and make a decision then. I'm trying not to stress too much about it now.

What will we learn in 2 months? I don't really know. Worst case, you could at least hear some stories of how it's going in various countries from other players in the poker community.

One thing that is very important: Do not bank on online poker becoming legal soon.

1) You shouldn't ever be unprepared for the negative outcome. Make sure you keep savings, find new work, whatever it is that you would do if you knew online poker would be impossible to play from the US for 6 years. If you're wrong, and it's legal in 1 year, it's a lot better than assuming it's coming sooner and being unprepared when it doesn't.

2) From what I understand, it probably will take a long time, if it does end up happening (which I think it will). Even if lots of people in the government want online poker to be legal, it's just a slow process.

Hope you guys are doing ok, and planning well. Please post any ideas you've had or questions or anything like that. Maybe I could even make a video on Pokerstatic answering some of them.

Take care.

-Phil

Downswing Back in Effect

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:49:06 -0500

Hey Guys,

So after my largest downswing ever, I had the (I think) biggest winning month of my career in March. I recovered pretty much everything I lost in the two months prior.

In the first few days of April, I'd dropped about 40% of what I made back last month. The especially discouraging part is that I had come from being a 2m loser at 2-7 Triple Draw to getting almost even. I thought I'd become competent and maybe even good at the game. This week, I've won maybe 300ish at PLO and lost over 1m at Triple Draw (and my confidence, of course)

I can definitely deal with the financial aspects of a large downswing. I've been doing it for many years. The hard part is losing confidence in your game, especially a game that you very easily could be playing as an underdog. I thought after last month that I was over 80% likely to be a favorite in the Triple Draw games I was playing, but now I am remembering how much variance there is, and how little my temporary recovery actually meant.

I may take some time off from 1500/3k Triple Draw. I'd really like to not have to though. It's especially disappointing because it's such a fun game to play.

Anyways, last time I whined about a downswing in my blog, I went on the biggest heater of my life, so I thought I'd try again.

Not a whole lot else is going on. I'm still excited about poker, and I'll continue to work hard and play as much as I can. Hopefully I can turn things around quickly again.

Talk to you soon.

-Phil

Hello

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:25:54 -0500

Hey BFP,

Long time, no blog.

I've been grinding nonstop this month. I have had a lot of motivation to rebuild my roll after my massive downswing.

Fortunately it's worked! I'd like to think it's because I've improved so much and played so well, but it's likely just the opposite side of variance.

I've definitely rediscovered my passion for poker, which is always great for results. I am really focused on working on my game and playing as much as possible.

I still need a lot of work on my 2-7 game (I find myself lost/confused way too often still), and a ton of work on my Stud games, but I think everything's coming along well.

I've also been sleeping very little, due to my obsession with poker and my regular life activities. I've been getting maybe 4-7 hours a night, which is not normal for me at all. I've become addicted to coffee, so I'm functioning well. I guess this is more +EV until I get sick?

Got games again. Talk to you soon.

Take care.

-Phil

The Downswing and Patrik's Interview

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:19:02 -0600

Hey Guys,

As many of you know, I've been on a pretty big downswing. Actually, it's the biggest of my career. I believe it's currently at about 1.7 (though it started directly after a +400 day, so I'm not sure it fully counts)

I talk a little bit about it during this interview I did the other day: http://www.pokerstatic.com/hot-seat/interview-with-phil-galfond/

I'll expand on it a little bit here.

The majority of my downswing has come at 1500/3000 2-7 TD, a game that I am new to. I know it seems very dumb on the surface, but I have had many reasons to try playing and learning at those stakes (and I'll likely continue to again one day). If you look up HORSE results on HSDB, you'll notice that I'm the 2nd biggest lifetime loser over the hands they've tracked. I'm sure when they come out with 2-7 results, it will look similar.

I think it's extremely important to my career that I learn every game as best I can. At nosebleed stakes, ESPECIALLY live, it's hugely beneficial to be able to play a variety of games. The price I've paid to begin learning these games has been pretty steep, so I'm not entirely sure it will end up being worth it... especially since I'm not really "there" yet in any of the limit games I've tried learning.

The main reason I play so big is to learn. It may be surprising to some of you, but I don't learn the way many other pros do. I don't spend hours combing through HEM looking for leaks. I don't run spend very much time running equities, though I know I should, especially in new games. I just get too bored and distracted when I try to do work like that. I start looking through hands and almost immediately zone out and think about something else.

When I play poker for high stakes, I think about every hand I play as overall strategies, what I would do with a different hand, what my opponent is doing differently and whether I think it's good or bad, or if I can see the merit in either the way he played a specific hand or more general strategies... basically everything possible. And more importantly, I continue to think about those things throughout the day or week. Even if I don't want to think about it, I do, to the point where I often am not listening when people talk to me and I consistently have trouble falling asleep because I can't quiet my mind.

That's how I do the majority of my learning, for better or worse. If I play smaller stakes, I won't care enough to think hard, either at the table or afterwards. So, I guess for now, I'll keep trying to learn and just have to be willing to pay the costs accociated with it. I also should say, that I think I've run pretty poorly. I still have been an underdog, but I don't think I've been as big an underdog as my results suggest. Hopefully I'm right, and the EV I'm paying isn't toooooo expensive.

That said, if I lose a little bit more at 2-7, I'm going to seriously consider taking an extended break from it, or attempting to learn at lower stakes. We'll see.

I watched this interview of Patrik Antonius today after reading about it on 2p2: http://www.cardplayer.com/cptv/channels/13-poker-news/poker-videos/4575-patrik-antonius-on-high-stakes-action

He talked about how he plays people in games that they specialize in, even when he expects to be at a disadvantage, and how he wishes more people would do that.

I completely agree with him, and I respect him so much for taking on anyone and everyone in any game. Very few players do it, and fewer do it with as much success as he's had. It's awesome.

That said, I think he's not taking into account that for most players, especially online players, it's a very different situation. Very few people are in a position to do what he does.

When Patrik plays IHJ in LHE... let's assume IHJ is #1 in the world. Patrik probably still is top 5 in the world *(I'm not at all qualified to make that assesment, but it seems likely). Point is, they aren't that far apart. IF IHJ even has an edge in the first place, Patrik has a very legitimate chance to make up the difference quickly, and he won't be losing much EV in the process.

Most online players, because of the nature of online games, and because of the short length of their careers, are specialists. I've actually branched out into other games more than the majority of succesful online players, but I still can't do what Patrik does.

If I sat with a top 3 8game player... I'm maybe top 70 in the world? In specifically HORSE and 2-7, I probably don't even break the top 100. Sitting with him HU, I would start out with a MASSIVE disadvantage (-8k per hour maybe?), and even if I learned fast, maybe I'd work my way up to top 30. I'd still be getting blown out.

I can't think of many succesful players that don't fall in the same category as me. They have a chance against the best in the world in their 1-2 specialties, and would get beaten up in the other games.

If I had a legitimate shot, I'd try it. I've played everyone at NL and PLO hu... not always, but I have often, when I've been rolled. As you can see above, I'm even willing to chunk of 7 figures in a game I just started learning (mostly 6 handed though... rarely HU against someone obviously better than me).

I guess my point is, I agree 100% with Patrik that more players (that have a shot) should give action and try to get better, especially in mixed games. I just don't know who he expects to do it. I can't think of almost anyone qualified.

Hopefully 2-3 years from now, I'll feel good enough to step up and take a shot at him in 8game. For now I guess we can just try to start PLO games together.

Talk to you guys later.

-PhilHey Guys,

I talk a little bit about it during this interview I did the other day: http://www.pokerstatic.com/hot-seat/interview-with-phil-galfond/

I'll expand on it a little bit here.

That said, if I lose a little bit more at 2-7, I'm going to seriously consider taking an extended break from it, or attempting to learn at lower stakes. We'll see.

In other news, I watched this interview of Patrik Antonius today after reading about it on 2p2: http://www.cardplayer.com/cptv/channels/13-poker-news/poker-videos/4575-patrik-antonius-on-high-stakes-action

He talked about how he plays people in games that they specialize in, even when he expects to be at a disadvantage, and how he wishes more people would do that.

I completely agree with him (especially the part about wishing HS PLO games ran more often obviously), and I respect him so much for taking on anyone and everyone in any game. Very few players do it, and fewer do it with as much success as he's had. It's awesome.

That said, I think he's not taking into account that for most players, especially online players, it's a very different situation. Very few people are in a position to do what he does.

Hopefully 2-3 years from now, I'll feel good enough to step up and take a shot at him in 8game. For now I guess we can just try to start PLO games together.

Talk to you guys later.

-Phil

Finally Back

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:11:22 -0600

Hey Guys,

I got back yesterday after being gone for 3 weeks. Wow. I know some people leave home for that long, but I guarantee none of them love home as much as I do.

Vacation and family stuff was all good, but I''m excited to get back to work. Leaving poker for a couple weeks lately has been almost impossible for me. I''m really glad I''m so into it again. Between 1 and 2 years ago, my motivation was pretty low... I was playing just to make money. For whatever reason I really love the game again. It''s definitely a good thing.

I''ve been playing since I woke up 10 hours ago. So far it''s going okay, but it''s been a swingy day. I missed this.

I''ll update you on more stuff when I''m not playing sometime.

For those who didn''t see on my Twitter, my first week of PAD is on now. It''s on late night/early morning on NBC. The first episode was last night and you can watch it here: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/40903712#40903712

SPOILER: my proudest moment from this week was bluffing Tom off of bottom pair.

Talk to you soon. Oh, Happy New Year! Hope you all had a great holiday season with friends or family.

Take care.

-Phil

So much Stuff

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:23:14 -0600

Hey Guys,

A lot has been going on lately, and will continue to be going on.

I played on HSP a couple days ago. It was a lot of fun, but I can''t discuss results. They filmed it this year in 3D, which is gonna be… I don''t know, weird? Maybe it''ll be cool. I''m excited to see.

Bluefire relaunched, finally. It was such a long process, but that''s just how it always seems to be. When anyone gives you a date that they will be finished building something, add on about 50% to the total time.

Anyways, I''m really happy we finally relaunched. The forums are a lot nicer, we fixed a bug that was giving a lot of subscribers a headache, and there are just lots of improvements all around. I know it was long overdue.

Hmmmm. What else?

I played a long HU match with Isildur last week. I almost busted my Stars roll at the beginning, which was actually stressing me out a lot since I wanted to be able to last for what I knew would be a long and swingy match. I ended up running good at the right times and booked a big win. He''s a complete sicko…. so fearless and aggressive. It leads to a ton of variance, and you just have to be willing to stick it in with much weaker hands than usual in order to not get run over. I feel that I have an edge (just like every other poker player), but I was very lucky during the session. I can admit that.

I''m going to be out of town for two weeks (out of the country for one), and won''t have much computer access. I''ve already made my videos for the following weeks, but I likely won''t be blogging much or playing at all until I get back.

Hope you all have a good holiday season and a happy new year if I don''t blog before then.

Take care.

-Phil

Thanksgiving

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:59:19 -0600

Hey Guys,

I spent Thanksgiving with my extended family down in MD, as usual. Just got back to NYC on Sunday and back to work yesterday. I had a slightly losing day yesterday and I'm slightly losing again today. There has been a lot of action lately, so I'll probably have a good chance to turn it around.

My friend/coach, Tommy Angelo's book, Elements of Poker, just was released as an eBook. If you haven't read it, I suggest that you do. I don't recommend reading many poker books, but Tommy's is different than all the other poker books out there. His blog post about it is here: www.tommyangelo.com/blog/2010/11/30/omg-the-eop-ebook-is-finally-here/

Gonna get back to the tables. Not going so hot. Blogging is bad luck.

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Take care.

-Phil

Video Review

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:18:53 -0600

Hey Guys,

I was hoping some of you would submit some video footage for me to use for videos. I've never done video reviews, except of Don's play, and I think it could be very educational.

I'm looking for huNL and huPLO only... I have trouble getting good hu footage, so I think this will be a good way to provide more HU content.

If you have some footage, could you please send it (or a dl link) to videoreview@bluefirepoker.com with the title: 'Phil- NL Review' or 'Phil- PLO review'

Thanks guys! Sorry in advance for not getting to use many of them. I'll likely just use the first few I get, and I'll post a new blog if I receive too many.

Take care.

-Phil

Vegas

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:52:47 -0600

Hey Guys,

On my way back form Vegas after a very productive week. I played on Poker After Dark twice, in two of the biggest/sickest games they've ever recorded. The first was a 6 handed 100k sit n go… winner take all, with me, Tom, Ivey, Lindgren, Seed, and Juanda. The second was 300/600plo w 100k min buy. The first 5 seats were Me, Tom, Ivey, Patrik, Hastings. The 6th was Brandon Adams for half the day, and Harrington10 for the 2nd half.

I can't discuss any results, but I think it goes without saying that it should make for some very interesting TV.

I spent Saturday sweating my good friend and fellow BFP pro, Jason Senti, at the ME final table. Stop reading if you don't want any spoilers.

He got off to such a good start. I think he was playing great and he managed to win two all-ins and chipped up to almost an average stack 7 handed. He got it in with AK v TT and the board ran off KKQJ9 and he busted in 7th. I can't explain how bummed out I was. I never get too sad when I lose a lot, so I was surprised this one hurt so much, especially since it wasn't me.

I did have a small piece of his action, but not large enough that I was sweating every card for my own financial reasons. I just felt so bad for Jason. He's such an awesome guy and phenomenal player. It's hard to say anyone really "deserves" to bink the main event and be set for life, but if anyone does, it's him.

He actually seemed to take the loss much better than I did, so hopefully he moves forward and keeps crushing.

All for now, as I have some games. Got more to talk about later.

Later.

-Phil

Family and Friends

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:44:17 -0500

Hey Guys,

I haven't been playing much poker lately. I've had someone in town at least every weekend this month, including some long weekends. Currently, my grandparents are in town for the week.

I'll be heading to Vegas in a week to sweat my man, Jason Senti at the final table. I'm super excited. Going into the FT as the short stack (or rooting for the short stack) is kind of cool, because expectations of you are so low. It feels like he "should" get 9th, even though his EV is much much higher than 9th place $. There's no where to go, emotionally, but up.

I also might get to play on some Poker After Dark while I'm out in Vegas, which would be lots of fun. I'll keep you posted (as much as I'm allowed to) on all of that.

Talk to you guys soon.

-Phil

No Poker

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:42:49 -0500

Hey Guys,

I've been getting sick the last couple days. Gonna take a few days off of poker. My head is cloudy and I'm not really in the mood to play anyways.

I've been having people in town the last couple weekends, and my Dad is in town this weekend, followed by a friend next weekend and my Grandparents the week after that. I've loved spending time with everyone so far, and I'm looking forward to more friends and family coming to hang out.

This might mean a little more time away from the tables this month, but I'll still be playing when I find time to.

I'm going to Vegas early next month to sweat fellow BFP pro and good friend, Jason Senti at the ME final table. I'm pumped for that.

All for now. Talk to you soon. Good luck.

-Phil

Lose at Nosebleeds, Win at 25/50

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:07:37 -0500

Hey Guys,

Title says it all. I had a really rough day two days ago playing Cadillac at 500/1k HU PLO. I was up 3 buyins for a while, lost a little back, then all of a sudden, lost 5-6 buyins in the span of 10-15 hands. It was sickening, but I'll survive.

Today I grinded some 25/50 and some 1/2plo and 4/8mix. I did pretty well, but it didn't really dent the losses from a couple days ago. Still nice though to book a winning day and regain some confidence.

All for now. Talk to you guys soon.

-Phil

WSOP and Phil Needs a Favor

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:15:52 -0500

Hey guys,

So, the WSOP broadcast turned out to be okay for me. I was worried I'd look stupid, but actually two of the biggest pots that I was positive I was bluffed out of, they actually had legit hands (sorta). I have no idea what Candio was doing with T2 on that flop, but I guess it wasn't a bluff? And when I got showed a J after getting 4bet, I didn't think he'd have less than KK for value in that spot, so I was sure it was J9o or something. Bad read me.

I'm taking a little bit of time away from poker to work on some other projects lately. I went on a bit of a downswing and stuff has been piling up, so it seemed like a good time.

On a seperate and unusual note, I was hoping I could ask a favor of you guys. My very good friend is looking for a new job in NYC. I was hoping I could find someone who may have an in for him. Any help would be very appreciated, and I'd be glad to throw in a little coaching or a few rides on the slide for anyone who can hook it up.

He is looking for something in the film/tv/radio realm. He's interested mostly with editing, casting, research, or production assistant type stuff.

He can work with Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Flash, as well as all the standard computer stuff, and of course, he can learn anything else they'd need him to.

Though I'm not an employer (well, I guess I kinda am), I give him the highest possible reccomendation. He's quite possibly the single best guy/nicest person I know, would be enjoyable to work with, and I trust him 100%.

If you might have a lead on something, email this new account I setup ( galfond28@gmail.com ) and I can put you in touch with him and exchange more details.

Thanks guys.

-Phil

Hello Again

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:41:55 -0500

Hey Guys,

I didn't realize how long it's been since I updated... I think because I've been working on videos and things for bfp and pokerstatic, it felt like I'd been keeping everyone up to date.

Poker has been ok lately. It was going well, but the last week I've been on a small downswing. The games have been sporadic. I've been sitting in some 7game and 8game games that I'm definitely not a favorite in when the action has been slow. Maybe that's to blame for my downswing, but I enjoy playing and learning the new games.

It looks like they're going to be showing my WSOP feature table appearance on ESPN tomorrow. I'm nervous about how I'll be protrayed. I think I played some hands well and some hands poorly, and my interviews went okay, but it really is in their hands to make me look however they want.

GL me. Take care guys.

-Phil

Not Much

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:53:31 -0500

Hey Guys,

I went to visit my parents over Labor Day weekend. It was fun, but nothing that you guys would care to hear about.

I've been playing much more as of late and having a lot of fun doing it. I think that I was kind've bored with poker for a while, but the time off was great for me. I'm really enjoying playing, probably more than I have anytime in the last few years. I don't know why exactly, but I find the game really interesting again, and I'm much more focused than I have been lately.

Hopefully this will translate into lots of winning sessions, but even if it doesn't, at this point in my career it's almost more important that I'm enjoying playing than consistently winning. (though the two are correlated)

I've been taking on tough competition, and I plan on continuing to do so. Games have been kind of dead lately so I don't have much of a choice.

Hope you are all doing well. Talk to you soon.

-Phil

WorkWork

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:29:44 -0500

Hey Guys,

Hope you all are doing well. I've been putting in a lot of hours this week, either playing, working on my game, or making content for BFP and PokerStatic.

I played a really tough match yesterday against URnotIndanger2 at 100/200. Two tables of nl, two tables of PLO. I started up a couple buyins, then down a couple, but managed to heater my way up to +200ish (10 buyins). I ran really well in a couple of monster pots, and that was the main difference.

Today I played Patrik HU at 300/600plo. We only played about an hour and a half, but I managed to win another 190 or so. It's nice to string a couple of wins together.

In between those sessions, I've been playing some 25/50plo, and some 400/800 7game and 8game. I'm still terrible but I'm trying.

That's all for now I guess.

Talk to you guys soon.

-Phil

HU Action

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:17:05 -0500

Hey Guys,

I played about 4 hours HU against GordyLamb again. This time at 50/100nl, 200bb deep. He was tougher than I expected in NL (for some reason I assumed he was a PLO specialist). That, combined with running bad, and myself being fairly rusty in NL, was a recipe for a 10 buyin loss (5 deep buyins).

Definitely not too bad. I'm disappointed in myself for a few plays, but overall I think I played pretty well considering the cards I had.

Losing for a few days in a row is discouraging, but I'm having a lot of fun playing some tough, deep games. Waiting for 200/400 cap PLO is boring, and playing it is almost as boring.

I'll be back again tomorrow around the same time. Hopefully I can catch Gordy for a rematch, or find some deep PLO or NL running on stars or FTP.

Talk to you soon.

-Phil

Back in Action

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:19:15 -0500

Hey Guys,

I've been playing a bunch lately and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Two days ago I had a big day at 200/400cap and 200/400a uncapped. I won a massive pot where I got in 1/3 stacks 3 way with AAxx ds v Ziigmund and Patrik, and flopped 6% equity after a 3 way allin on Q96ddc. I backdoored a flush for the massive suckout. That pot was about 180k, and I finished up 280ish on the day.

Yesterday, I played a bunch of 2/4 cap and lost around 100. Then sat with Patrik at 300/600a. He won 100ish and quit to go to bed. Then I played some 25/50 deeeep on stars. I am really proud of myself for being able to keep my focus at lower stakes even after losing at the nosebleeds. I think if I can keep that up, I should have a very good year, in terms of EV at least.

I played HU v Gordylamb for a while, but the games filled up. It was 4-6 handed and 200-800bb deep. I started up a lot, then there were a ton of swings back and forth. I actually lost almost all of the massive allins for 30-40k pots, and I had good equity. I ran good in the smaller pots and managed to win around 50k while actually running under allin EV (obv not the whole story). I used some of the hands from this sesh for this weeks video.

Today I go to play in the Pokerstars Big Game. I'm really looking forward to it. I played a little bit of deepstack nl yesterday to warm up. It's honestly been SO long since I've played NL seriously, so I do feel very rusty. I think I'll find my groove after and hour or two of play, and then be fine.

That's all for now. Gotta get ready and head over there. Sorry for the not so in depth post.

Talk to you soon.

-Phil