So Bad They're.... Good?

The games this month have been really bad in terms of total fish count, and as a result how many decent tables are available. On Friday the games were worse than I have ever seen on a Friday, and this is by no means rose colored goggles for the past or exaggeration. We need a poker mini-boom soon.

The good news is, despite game quality forcing lower volume, my winrate this month has been exceptional thus far. This is partially due to positive variance, but I imagine it is also a result of being forced to play less tables and playing a lot more shorthanded.

It also doesn't hurt to be put in spots where you can get stacks in with 100% equity (see first hand below) or when you can stack fish with K high (second hand):

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed)
UTG+1 ($112.75)
MP1 ($158.60)
MP2 ($95.50)
MP3 ($79.15)
CO ($92)
Button ($100)
Hero (SB) ($100.50)
BB ($117.55)
UTG ($100)

Preflop: Hero is SB with 9♦, 10♦
5 folds, CO bets $2, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($5) J♦, K♦, Q♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3, Hero raises to $12, CO calls $9

Turn: ($29) 6♣ (2 players)
Hero bets $22.50, CO raises to $78 (All-In), Hero calls $55.50

River: ($185) K♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $185 | Rake: $3

Results:
Hero had 9♦, 10♦ (straight flush, King high).
CO had 5♦, 7♦ (flush, King high).
Outcome: Hero won $182

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (9 handed)
SB ($206)
BB ($379.05)
UTG ($412.40)
UTG+1 ($200)
MP1 ($74)
Hero (MP2) ($213.70)
MP3 ($115.80)
CO ($289.45)
Button ($270.35)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Q♠, K♠
2 folds, MP1 bets $6, Hero calls $6, 5 folds

Flop: ($15) 6♠, 7♠, 6♥ (2 players)
MP1 bets $22, Hero raises to $80, MP1 calls $46 (All-In)

Turn: ($151) 4♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($151) J♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $151 | Rake: $3

Results:
MP1 had Q♦, 10♦ (one pair, sixes).
Hero had Q♠, K♠ (one pair, sixes).
Outcome: Hero won $148


I finished up my Suikoden 2 replay a few days ago, and as expected from one of the greatest console RPGs ever it was spectacular. I'm now debating whether or not to give Suikoden 3 a go next.