Snuffy's Poker Blog

2008-04-14T21:57:00.004-04:00

My Blog is Moving

2008-03-02T15:10:00.002-05:00

My blog is moving!

http://corporationpoker.blogspot.com

It is a consortium of poker bloggers at one site. Should be entertaining.

Write, Part II

2008-02-17T13:41:00.003-05:00

Two live 1/2 NL sessions i havent posted about. I went to the track after Reece went to bed last week with one bullet. This was the biggest I have ever seen the 1/2 game there. The standard opening raises were $15.

I picked up a pot early and was sitting on around $125 when this hand came up. A tricky player from late position raised to $15 abd I called from the button with A,10. The flop comes A,K,10hhh. He checks. This check from him immedialtely set off red flags in my head. I checked behind. The turn was an off-suit baby and he leads for $25 and I called. Here is where I think I could have gotten away from the hand but didn't. The river was another off-suit baby. He shoves and I tank it. I replay the hand back in my head and I have to put him on A,K or a set. I fold and he shows me A,K. After reviewing it the only way I possible lose less money is if I bet the flop for $20 and see what he does.

I am down to around $70 when I get A,Q in the BB. A loose player raises it up to $15 in middle position. He had been raising to $15 about 4-5 out of 10 hands per lap and had already busted and rebought. He has me covered on this hand. I flat call and we are heads-up. The flop come Q,4,4. I check and he bets out $25. I call here with the intention of CRAI on the turn. The turn is a 10. I check He bets $25 I shove and he calls and shows me A,A. Fuck me! The one time I think I have an aggro player trapped he is holding bullets.

I was felted and left down $100 after about 75 minutes.

Next live session is a good one where I posted my largest profit since the limits changed. I will get this one up tomorrow.

Write, Write, Write

2008-02-17T07:57:00.002-05:00

I think I have enough content for a 10,000 word post. We shall see how long this gets. After a month and a half lets go back and look at my New Years Resolutions to see how I did.

1. Play 30 live cash game sessions in the local card rooms. Well I am already off to a good start on this one. I already have two sessions in.

I am off to a good start in this one already. So far I have played 7 sessions for a $47 profit.

2. Blog more, especially about live play. Over the second half of last year I think I did a good job of this. As long as I do #1 aboce I should be able to keep this resolution.

Fail. I have a ton of content but just can't seem to find the time to post it. I am on the road the next 5 weeks so maybe I will get a chance to post some stuff up.

3. Be a winning live player for the year. I think its pretty safe to say that I have not had a live winning year to date. If I stayed within my roll I think I could do it. Inevatably the WSOP rolls around and I spend around $5k in buy-ins with nothing to show for it and I am pretty much stuck for the year.

Not a good start here either. Tunica definately started me on the wrong track.

4. Not play a big buy-in event unless I am showing a profit for the trip even if I do not cash. Nuff said here. Note: I will probably break this one in about 3 days when I go to Tunica.

As expected, Fail. I was down on the trip and played the $500 Stud/8 event.

5. Log all of my live sessions in a spreadsheet. I am going to maintain three separate pages, one for cash games, one for tournaments and one for single table satellites.

Massive failure. Just to find out how I was doing in the live games at Tampa Bay downs I just now had to go back and read my blog posts.

6. Cash in a big tournament. I am defining big tournament as one with a buy-in for $300 or more.

Mission accomplished! Its good to get this one out of the way early.

More to come when Reece takes a nap today.

Small Win

2008-02-10T18:59:00.000-05:00

I got off of my ass and went to the track today to play some 1/2 NL. When I got my seat card and went t the table I wanted to turn around and run home. I drew "the rock garden" table. They are a bunch of regulars that play fuckin tight as can be. One guy who I consider one of the strongest players in the game is already up a buy-in. The saving grace the the 80 year old two seats to my left who is possible THE worst player at the track. I decide that if I get up $50 I am walking.

I picked up a hand about the third trip around the table with A,Q. I raise it up to $10 and get 3 callers. Flop comes 9,7,3 two spades. One old dude bets out $6 from the blin and I am the only caller. The turn brings the 2s. He leads for $11. I have the Qs and call. The river is the Js. He checks and I fire $25 and he folds. He commented to his octaganarian buddy next to him that he flopped 2 pair. WTF did he call $10 pre-flop with?

The only other winning hand of the session I had 8c2c from the SB and called. The flop cames 8,5,2 with two hearts. I bet two chips in my hand which I thought were red ones. Well they were blue $1 chips. the player in the BB raises to $10 (whew) and its folded back to me and I reraise to $45. H folds showing me a heart. After the hand I am up $46. Damn it, close.

I folded for about the next 1/2 hour only seeimg the turn once. I ended up leaving up $10. Not a lot but a win none the less.

I have been playing some heads-up SNG's in advance of CHIMPS. So far over the last few days I have been 4-0. Just playing these few I think I have learned so much. I need some more points to improve upon my 2nd place finish last week. That was kinda amazing considering I was down to 92 chips and 14 left playing 100/200. I had the 2/1 chip lead heads-up but got scooped when I held a pair and an 8 low.

Congrats goes out to Snarf for cashing in FTOPS Event #1. WTG!!!!

I have been meaning to do a Stud8 strategy post. I wanted to wait till CHIMPS was over. I shoud get to it this week.

On The Upswing???

2008-02-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

I have posted a profit in my last two live sessions, a $60 win and a $55 win playing 1/2 NL. I am going to get another live session in tonight hopefully when Reece goes to bed.

Club One - Day Two

2008-02-05T17:32:00.000-05:00

Since I am in Pittsburgh doing nothing I suppose I could do some catch-up.

On day 2 I decide to play smaller because of the loss from the day before. I got there around 10:30 and the tourney started at 10:00. I could have been added to the waiting list but passed. I signed up for 2/4 limit and got a seat within about 20 minutes. I also threw my name on the list for 2/2 NL. It looks like it usually gets going when the tourney players start busting out.

I sat down with $100. The table was a typical loose passive one, standard for this game. In about 30 minutes at the table I flopped a set and turned a flush to build a nice profit early. My name was called for the 2/2 NL game and I got up with a profit of $82.

I sit in the NL game with the full $100 buy-in. I won a couple of hands early and I had my stack up around $200 actually showing a profit for the trip. I guess I was saying that to myself too soon. Over about two hours the best hand I saw was Q,J. I didn't even get a small pocket pair. I just bled and bled. Before I knew it I was sitting on the same $100 stack. SOme more bleeding insued over the next hour and I was all the way down to $40. I picked up A,Q and after a raise and I call I shipped it only to have both call. I was up against K,K and A,6. Drawing really slim I did not hit and I was down $100.

I was going to get up as it was almost time to go. Me being the money spew machine that I am I break out another $100. Two laps later I had $28 left and finally got the hell out of there. Just not a good start to 2008.

Fresno - Club One

2008-01-31T07:16:00.000-05:00

A weekend ago I made a trip out to California with the family to visit my wife's grandparents in Fresno. I was able to play two days at Club One in downtown Fresno. They offered limit games from 1/2 up to 40/80 which went off the last day I was there. They recently have been approved for no-limit games, 3 tables during the week and 5 tables on the weekend. The NL games they offer are 1/1 with a $40 max, 2/2 with a $100 max, 5/5 with a $500 max and 5/10 with a $2000 max. The most popular game was the 2/2 game.

On Thursday I got to the room around noon. I was seated right away in the 4/8 limit game and I bought in for $200. I hit a couple hands in the first hour and was up to around $250 or so. The game got pretty wild after that and the wheels came off. I ended up busting in around two hours. It was similar to the 4/8 game I played at the Grand where I dumped $200 in about an hour there. Just downright terrible play.

After that disgusting display I put my name on the 2/2 NL list and was called within 1/2 hour. I sat down with $100 and played fairly tight. The game reminded me a lot of the 1/2 NL games here in Florida. Some tight players, some reckless, and a lot of players who might as well show their cards because its obvious what they have. I played for around 4 hours and ended up $48. A total loss of $152 on the day for me.

Day two coming up next.....

Been a Long Time

2008-01-31T07:04:00.000-05:00

Its been a long time since I have blogged. Since Tunica? Wow that went by fast. I will break up the recent happenings into a few posts here.

A week after the Tunica trip I had a home game at Scott's house. I was pu around $40 early with help from Stud8 hands. The downward spiral happened shortly after that and once I was down around $30-$40 I suddenly just didn't give a shit. I started playing almost every hand, and horrible hands at that too. I quickly started to lose chips and before the first NLHE was called (by me) I had to relad for another $100. I was able to make a short rally and had to take off early with a $70 loss. I guess this was the start of my bad cash game play for the month. Not really the start, I think the $500 loss in $1/$2 NL in Tunica started that.

Tunica Day 4 - $300 NLHE

2008-01-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

I played the $300 +$40 tournament at the Grand on Friday. It was an excellent structure. You got 10k in chips to start with blinds at 25/50 with 40 minute levels. There are some levels missing from the early portion but there are a ton of levels added in the middle stages of the tournament.

In the first level I was able to win a couple small pots and was able to chip up to around 12k. I had a very wild table and it was obvious that I wasn’t able to see a lot of flops cheaply. There were 2-3 players in particular who were good targets for getting chips. One busted early in the second level on an interesting hand. The guy to my right re-raised to 1100 pre-flop. The guy to my left throws 5100 in and said that he mistakenly wanted to call. Well it’s a raise. The guy to my right shoves and guy to the left calls. Right guy has A,J and left has A,8. He spikes an 8 and busts the other.

After that hand we asked if it really was a mistake. He said “I play every day. It was not a mistake.” So he basically told us it was an angle shot. Usually if it was an angle shot you are holding top two or a set. Whatever it was it was just a terrible play.

My first big hand I was 12k deep. I limped UTG for 100 in the second level. There was two callers and the button raises to 400. I call and the other two call. The flop come 9,5,4 rainbow. I lead for 600 the two limpers fold and the raiser kicks up to 3k. I shove and he snap calls with A,A. The turn and river brick out and I am up to around 25k.

After level 3 and the first break I had around 22k. In the first three levels the lady in the one seat was very tight and tended to overplay big pairs regardless of the board. She picked up A,A twice in the first level and had over 40k at the break.

In the 4th level playing 200/400/50 I was in mid-late position and raised to 1100 with 10,2. The lady flat called on the button and everyone else folded. Get ready for the flop of the century. The flop rolled out 10,10,2. I check called a 2k bet. The 4 rolled out on the turn and I checked looking for the check raise all-in. She bet 3k, I shoved and she called and showed Q,Q. The river bricks and I knock her out and I am sitting on a 56k stack. I maintained the stack to the end of level six where I had around 75k.

In levels 7-9 I only played one big pot. Most of my hands were raise and take it. I ended up losing around 20k in one pot before dinner break where I raised to 3500 with J,J and was shoved on by a 20k stack. I thought for quite a while and called. He showed A,10. He spiked the ace on the turn and I took a good hit to my stack. I had 58k at the dinner break for an above average stack. There were only 230 of the original 1000 players who made the dinner break. The average stack at the time was 45k. Top 72 made the money.

After dinner in levels 10-12 I played one big hand. I raised pre-flop to 3k in the 500/1k/100 level with A,Q UTG and the BB called. On a Q high flop I put him in for his last 5k and he called with K,Q and I busted him. After the hand I was sitting on a 110k stack. I played a couple hands for a raise and had to fold to 20k shoves. Two hands after being re-popped I picked up A,A UTG and raised to 3500 at the 600/1200/100 level. The BB called leaving him with only around 5k. The flop comes 9 high with two clubs. He shoves and I snap call. He had Kc7c. I fade the flush draw and now sitting on around 107k.

Levels 13-15 were the start of my downfall. I was not able to play a hand for a level and a half and blinded down to 85k. I think I tightened up too much here in trying to preserve my stack. Four hands I remember folding in EP were 6,6 3,3 and A,J twice. The hand that hurt the most I have A,Q in the 2500/5000/500 level. I raise to 15k UTG and the BB shoves for another 20k total. I called and he had K,10. The 10 is the door card and I take a significant hit to my stack. After the hand I was down to around 55k. I didn’t get a single hand to play and when I had something reasonable I was facing a raise and a re-raise and had to fold.

I was all the way down to 22k the last hand of level 15 with the blinds at 3k/6k/500 and 76 people left. The top 72 were paid. UTG+2 I get Q,Q and shove. The monster stack at the table (who had around 400k) called with 7d5d. The flop rolled out 10,6,4. Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!! The turn and river rolled out A,J and I survived the hand with 51k.

At the beginning of level 16 we lost three players fairly quickly. Down to 73 we played round for round. I never played a hand in the round. We lost 4 people in the round and we were in the money. Down to around 4BB’s with 32k I shoved UTG with 2,2. A late position player re-raises and everyone else folds. He tables A,K. The flop is 7 high but the damn A hits on the turn again against me and I am out the door in 68th or 67th. I ended up with $501 for the efforts.

All in all a good tournament for me.

Day Three - Thursday

2008-01-11T01:44:00.000-05:00

I started out at the Grand and played a $65 one winner single table satellite with Fasso. I lost with A,Q vs 7,7 for half my chips early when he turned his set. When I was down I was able to limp in pots way too much. A couple of times I was able to take the pots with 3,3 and 2,2 when the flop was checked around and I fired on the turn. Fasso was not able ot play a single hand until he was all in and was busted out.

When we got to three handed I had around 2200 of the 15k in chips. When I was in the big blind the lady in the small blind let me see flops for free and I was able to check down a number of pots and win. I ended up going from 2200 to 8000 WITHOUT AND ALL-IN. That's how passive this thing was. I ended up getting the chop.

After that one I headed over to the Gold Strike. I lost the first $125 I played in and in the second one I had 8,8 with 1400 behind. I limped and the chip leader raised it up. I end up shoving and he counts his chips out and takes about 15 seconds to call and shows A,A. Nice slow roll fucker. I let him know about it.

After that I sat in a $3/6 Omaha8 game with a full kill for an hour. I hit nut flushes and nut nut hands and cashed out with a $79 profit. I went to the Horseshow and promptly dusted off $100 in the $1-$5 stud game.

I went back to the Gold Strike and played one more $65 satellite. In the middle stages I flopped a straight and was able to get a key double-up. When we were three handed I had the chip leader by 200 and I shoved on his SB with 5,5. He actually calls with A,7. He hits his and I am all but out. If I win that one I am in great shape to win it all.

Overall on the day I lost $141. I am playing in the $300 tournament at the Grand tomorrow with Fasso. Since there is a $500 at the Gold Strike at the same time the number of donks should be good.

Tunica Day 2

2008-01-10T12:55:00.001-05:00

Quick update:

- $125 one winner sat, finished 4th.
- 4/8 LHE - Lost $140
- 4/8 LHE - Won $104
- $550 Stud8, Busted around 60th, paid top 18
- $65 pne winner satellite, chopped it
- $100 Midnight tourney, 3k in chips to start, 20 minute levels. 109 runners and it paid top 9. Busted at 5:15am in 11th. Life sucks.

Day One Sucked

2008-01-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Got to the Gold Strike around 9pm. I signed up for a $125 two winner satellite. I played way too loose and ended up busting out in 9th. In the second one I made some adjustments and made it down to the final four. On my bustout hand I had K,9 from the BB and there were two limpers at 300/600 (I had 3200 with 20k total in play). Flop comes K,J 9 and its checked around. The turn is the A. I shove for my remaining 2600 and get instacalled by the chip leader who has Q,10. Losing that one no matter what happens.

I then played in an $85 Stud8 STT. There was one winner and I ended up chopping it heads-up. I played a super loose image early and took advantage of it later.

I was too late to sign-up for the Midnight tournament and signed-up for $1/$2 NL which cost me dearly. I ended up losing $500. I wish I would have made the tourney. I would have only lost $100 there. Damn it.

On the day I was down $645. I think I am playing the $500 Stud8 event at the Gold Strike today. Zooks will be posting updates I think on CCN (Thanks Zooks!).

Not a good start to '08

2008-01-07T12:14:00.001-05:00

I was able to get a couple sessions and a tournament in at Tampa Bay Downs this weekend.

The first session I was able to sit at a new table and bought in for the max. I pretty much had nothing exciting happen as I lost the first buy-in and the second one till the last hand. On the last hand I called with suited connectors. I ended up flopping the flush and raised the other player all-in. He had top pair and no flush draw. He ended up going runner runner boat and that was the ned of my $200 loss for the session.

I went back later for the $85 tournament. You start with 3000 in chips. I had it up to 1100 when the following hand comes. The villan in the hand had around 7k to start the hand. The villan was the type of player who liked to play tricky but was not a maniac. I am in the BB with 8h6h. There are two limpers including the villan who was on the button. The flop comes K,7,5 with one heart and its checked all the way around. The turn is the 7h pairing the board and bringin in my flush draw along with the straight draw. Its checked to the villan who bets out 700 into the 800 pot. I quickly put him on some kind of flush draw. I don't think he hs a K in this spot as I believe he bets almost 100% of the time on the flop with that board texture. When the 7 hits on the turn his bet seems way too much for him to have caught the 7. If he hits trips here I think he bets no more than 400. The river is a non-heart 8. I check and he bets 2000 into the 2200 pot. This bet really seems fishy to me. IF he has trips he is going to bet less to try and get called and if he has a K I think he bets less in case I slow played a 7. Basically his betting agreed with what I put him on, aheart draw that didn't get there. After about a minute I called. He says "you called be, what do you have." Uh, no. The dealer makes him turn over hs hand, the J,10 for nothing. I table the 8,6 and my pair of 8's is good.

This guy just absolutely goes off. Some of the things he called me were a donkey (twice), a fuckin donkey and an idiot. I told him his betting pattern didnt make sense for a hand that had me beat. Well, that tilted him enough to where he goes all-in the next hand and ends up losing the rest of his chips in about 10 minutes. At the break I was up to 14k with the blinds going to 200/400/25.

After the break I took some flops and missed bringing me don to around 11k. I got into a blind vs blind hand that took a couple thousand from me. The last hand in the 300/600/50 level I have around 7k. I get Ad6d in EP and limp. We are 3 handed to the flop of 10,4,3 all diamonds for the nuts. I check and the other two check. The turn pairs the 3. I check, the next player bets 1000, the next lady raises to 2500 and I shove. Both shove behind me. Shit. One has a straight draw with no diamond, good. The lady flopped a set and boated on the turn. Drawing dead and out of the tournament in 20th. Oh well. the final table streak was stopped at three. I was able to get two $5 bounties to reduce the loss to $75.

After the tourney I played some more $1/$2 NL. Fairly early I busted a player and nearly doubled up. I had it up tp around $265 for a $165 profit before the wheels fell off again. One particular hand vs an agressive player he raises to 15 pre-flop. I call with Ad10d. The flop comes 8 high. Hhe leads for $25 and I min-raise to $50. He shoves and I insta-muck. He flips over the Q,Q. I think it is a good play if he is holding something like A,K or A,Q there. At closing time I was down $57.

Not a good start to '08. I leave tomorrow for 5 days in Tunica. Hopefully I can turn '08 around in a hurry. One time please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Years Thoughts

2008-01-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

Fashionably late with this post I guess. After little thought I am going to come up with some poker new year resolutions on the fly.

1. Play 30 live cash game sessions in the local card rooms. Well I am already off to a good start on this one. I already have two sessions in.

2. Blog more, especially about live play. Over the second half of last year I think I did a good job of this. As long as I do #1 aboce I should be able to keep this resolution.

3. Be a winning live player for the year. I think its pretty safe to say that I have not had a live winning year to date. If I stayed within my roll I think I could do it. Inevatably the WSOP rolls around and I spend around $5k in buy-ins with nothing to show for it and I am pretty much stuck for the year.

4. Not play a big buy-in event unless I am showing a profit for the trip even if I do not cash. Nuff said here. Note: I will probably break this one in about 3 days when I go to Tunica.

5. Log all of my live sessions in a spreadsheet. I am going to maintain three separate pages, one for cash games, one for tournaments and one for single table satellites.

6. Cash in a big tournament. I am defining big tournament as one with a buy-in for $300 or more.

That's about all I can think of right now. IF I come up with more I will post 'em up.

One More Session

2008-01-01T10:02:00.000-05:00

I was able to get one more session in before 2008. Tampa Bay Downs had a high hand promotion going. The best hand between 6p - 9p and 9p to midnight won a 50" Plasma TV. The wife was sick and went ot bed early so I headed over.

I was seated at a new table around 9pm. I never really got many hands the whole time I was there really. The first hand I played I limped for $2 with Ad,Kd in MP. There was a very aggressive player behind me and he didn't dissapoint and raised to $11. It was folded back to me and I raised to $32 and he flat called. I am pretty sure he is weak and I am going to fire for everything if and A or K comes. The flop is JcJdXc. I check and he bets out $15. I think a check raise looks pretty strong here and I raise to $45. He thinks and says he needs a club. HE finally folds and I take down the pot.

The second playable hand I had J,J in EP. I raised to $11 and got one caller. The flop came down A,J,x. I lead for $15 and the other player folded.

The third hand I won was a good value bet. An older gentelman sat where the aggro guy was. I limped with 9,9 along with 3-4 others including the old guy. The flop comes 8 high rainbow. I check, he fires for $9 and I am the only caller. The turn is another small card and I lead for $15 and he calls. The river brings a possible straight on the board. I lead for $15 again and he calls. He had A,8 and I picked up the pot.

The last hand I won (yeah, only four on the night) I had 6,3 off from the BB. It was a 6 way limped pot to the flop of Q,4,2 rainbow. Its checked all the way around. The turn is another 4 bringing a second heart. Checked around again. The river is the 5h giving me the straight. I lead for $10 and get one caller. My hand is good.

I ended up leaving around 11:40 with $190 in front of me good for a $90 profit. I never saw a river which I lost (only two of my hands got that far).

Later today I am going to add-up how I did since the laws changed and try and come up with an hourly rate. I think I am around $15-20 an hour. 7-0-1 on the year, certainly can't complain about that.

One of my 2008 goals is to play 30 live sessions throughout the year at the track.

Happy New Year!

Dream Table

2007-12-30T13:10:00.001-05:00

First off, wow. Three blog entries in < 24 hours.

This week on Poker After Dark one of the freeroll winners got to pick his own table to compete against. That got me to thinking, who would be at my dream table?

Todd Brunson - This is an automatic first pick for me. He has become my favorite professional player. His writing in SS2 and in Card Player are second to none. I guess I just get his humor.

Daniel Negreanu - I tend to talk a lot at the table so I need someone to BS with. Fantasy hockey discussions can be interesting to the rest of the viewing audience, right?

Howard Lederer - Maybe I can impress him with my game so much that I can get a FT sponsorship out of it. I guy can dream at least.

Barry Greenstein - Another one of my favorites. He is always a good interview and is hilarious.

Last spot is a tough one, so many people to choose from. I won't go with the choices other people would make here like Hellmuth or Matusow. I think I have to add some eye candy (um, sorry Kathy Liebert and Annie Duke). I would go with....

Liz Lieu - For obvious reasons. She actually looks 100% better in person too. Plus I don't think she gets enough credit for her tournament game.

Honorable mention:

Gavin Smith
Joe Sebok
Greg FBT Mueller
Doyle Brunson

Chip Reese would have made my top 5. My son was named after him after all (Reece). He won the HORSE event 3 months after my son was born. Both my son and Chip had pneumonia this year too. Eerie.

PLO

2007-12-30T07:24:00.000-05:00

I have been playing PLO more lately. While watching the Patriots rewrite history I decided to sit in a $0.10/$0.25 PLO game on Full Tilt. The first hand from the BB:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4670620297: Table SmBoatDrinks - $0.10/$0.25 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 22:22:41 ET - 2007/12/29
Seat 1: inabunnysuit ($18.90)
Seat 2: plusfour ($18.85)
Seat 3: Platinum Balls ($12.15)
Seat 4: stormmaker ($32.85)
Seat 6: scottc25 ($25)
Seat 8: Rookette ($17.75)
Seat 9: badcat10 ($39.10)
stormmaker posts the small blind of $0.10
scottc25 has 5 seconds left to act
scottc25 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to scottc25 [8c 4d As 8d]
Rookette folds
badcat10 calls $0.25
inabunnysuit foldsplusfour folds
Platinum Balls has 15 seconds left to act
Platinum Balls foldsstormmaker calls $0.15
scottc25 checks
*** FLOP *** [9d 3h 8h]
stormmaker bets $0.25
scottc25 raises to $1.50
badcat10 has 15 seconds left to act
badcat10 calls $1.50
stormmaker folds
*** TURN *** [9d 3h 8h] [7h]
scottc25 bets $2
badcat10 has 15 seconds left to act
badcat10 calls $2
*** RIVER *** [9d 3h 8h 7h] [3d]
scottc25 bets $8
badcat10 raises to $16
scottc25 raises to $21.25, and is all in
badcat10 calls $5.25
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25 shows [8c 4d As 8d] a full house, Eights full of Threes
badcat10 mucks
scottc25 wins the pot ($48) with a full house, Eights full of Threes
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $50.50 Rake $2.50Board: [9d 3h 8h 7h 3d]
Seat 1: inabunnysuit didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: plusfour didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Platinum Balls (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: stormmaker (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: scottc25 (big blind) showed [8c 4d As 8d] and won ($48) with a full house, Eights full of Threes
Seat 8: Rookette didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: badcat10 mucked [7s Qh 7c 6s] - a full house, Sevens full of Threes

Good start. Lets move on to hand #3:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4670645960: Table SmBoatDrinks - $0.10/$0.25 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 22:25:16 ET - 2007/12/29
Seat 1: inabunnysuit ($18.90)
Seat 2: plusfour ($18.85)
Seat 3: Platinum Balls ($11.40)
Seat 4: stormmaker ($33.60)
Seat 6: scottc25 ($47.90)
Seat 7: Bossmanhap ($9.50)
Seat 8: Rookette ($17.75)
Bossmanhap posts the small blind of $0.10
Rookette posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ks Ac 9c Ah]
inabunnysuit folds
inabunnysuit stands up
plusfour folds
Platinum Balls calls $0.25
stormmaker folds
scottc25 raises to $0.65
Bossmanhap folds
Rookette calls $0.40
Platinum Balls calls $0.40
*** FLOP *** [Js Td 3d]
Rookette checks
Platinum Balls checks
scottc25 checks
*** TURN *** [Js Td 3d] [Qs]
Rookette checks
Platinum Balls bets $1
scottc25 raises to $5.05
Rookette has 15 seconds left to act
Bossmanhap: AK
Rookette raises to $17.10, and is all in
Platinum Balls folds
scottc25 calls $12.05
Rookette shows [8h 8s 9s 4h]
scottc25 shows [Ks Ac 9c Ah]
*** RIVER *** [Js Td 3d Qs] [7c]
Rookette shows a straight, Queen high
scottc25 shows a straight, Ace high
scottc25 wins the pot ($35.40) with a straight, Ace high
Rookette is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $37.25 Rake $1.85
Board: [Js Td 3d Qs 7c]
Seat 1: inabunnysuit didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: plusfour didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Platinum Balls folded on the Turn
Seat 4: stormmaker didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: scottc25 (button) showed [Ks Ac 9c Ah] and won ($35.40) with a straight, Ace high
Seat 7: Bossmanhap (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: Rookette (big blind) showed [8h 8s 9s 4h] and lost with a straight, Queen high

So in three hands I went from $25 to $65.55. The table broke two hands later. Kinda remind me on how I ran when I first played 2-7 TD on Stars.

My Biggest Pot in Florida

2007-12-29T21:40:00.001-05:00

I was able to get in most likely my last live session in 2007. I got to Tampa Bay Downs for the start of action. In the first hour or so I played very few hands. I had A,10 once in a limped pot when the flop came 10 high. I bet $7 into the $8 pot and took it down. I won one other hand in the first hour and had $90 left from my original $100 starting stack.

There was one really old guy (he was around 70) at my table. A few of the players at my table knew him, so they have a read on his play. It didn't take me too long to figure out his style. He limped or called almost every hand pre-flop. He would then lead into every pot he could. I was able to see people pick him off left and right with a raise or check-raise on the turn.

I was finally able to get in a pot with him. In a limped pot I get K,5 from the big blind in a multi-way limped pot. The flop comes K,J,9 rainbow. I check and the older gentleman bets $10 into the pot. Everyone folds and I call. The turn is the 5 giving me 2 pair. I check, he bets $15 and I raise to $45 to put him all-in. He call and turns over 10,9. The lovely Q rolls off on the river and hit 12% shot gets there and I lose. Rebuy for $60 more please.

I play another few hands and catch nothing and rebuy for another $40. Not many hands come my way and I blind down to$80. I pick-up Kd,9d from the SB and complete after 3 limpers and the BB raises to $9. Two people call and I call. The flop comes Ad8d5c. I check, the BB bets out $20 and a middle position player flat calls. I decide to shove for my remaining $71. Two reasons I do this. I can win of they fold and I can draw out if they call. The BB thought for a while. In a hand earlier I saw him fold A,J on a J,X,X rainbow board so I know he is capable of making a big fold. He ends up calling with A,K and the other folds. My flush doesn't get there and I am now stuck $200.

After a trip to the ATM I buy in for another $100. I am able to get up to $130 (d0n't remember how) when the big hand arrives.

I am on the button with J,10 off and there are 3-4 limpers to me. I almost fold but decide to call. The SB completes and the BB checks and we are off to a flop of 10d,10c,5d. Nice! Its checked all the way to me and I bet $5. The SB calls and a MP player calls. The turn is an off suit 7. Its checked to me and I throw out a $20 bet and they both call. OK I know one has the flush draw and the other most likely has a 10 but I am not sure how good. The river brings the best card in the deck, the Jd. The SB immediately shoves for $61. The MP player shoves for around $200 and I do my best Phil Hellmuth impersonation and shove my chips in as fast as possible. The SB had 10,5 for the flopped boat. The MP player had the flush and I took down a $371 pot. Just like that I am out of the red and showing a profit on the day.

I played for around another 45 minutes to an hour and had one other playable hand. I had AdKd from under the gun and raised to $9 and got 3 callers. The flop was JdXdXh. I check and a MP player bets $10. It's folded to me and I calls. The turn is a blank and it goes check check. The river is a diamond that pairs the board. I lead for $20 and he folds.

I ended up leaving with $375 in front of me for a $75 profit in about 3 1/2 hours of play. The old dude I saw peel about $500 out when I was there. I did end up trapping him again with top 2 and got him to shove drawing dead. Now that I think of it, that is how I got up to $130 before the big hand. When I left there were 3 others on the table that had at least $300. Amazing how one player at the table can feed so much money into the game.

Saturday Home Game

Scott Long had a home game today. We played 9 handed with out standard set of games along with PLO and PLHE. Stakes. I was able to make a profit of $24 for 4 hours of work. I can't even think of too many interesting hands. The only halfway interesting hand was when me and Gambit held A,Q in a crazy pineapple hand with a flop if K,J,10. It was capped on 4th and 5th streets. When I left Scott was up at least $250. Amazing how someone can do that playing $2/$4 limit primarily.

Next time I get a chance to post I will probably go through my schedule when I go to Tunica January 8th-12th.

The Streak is Over????

2007-12-22T14:28:00.000-05:00

In my five live cash game sessions since the laws changed 7/1 I have shown a profit each session, until Friday. I was able to get in a three hour session. I started at a new table with a full $100 buy-in. On the 4th hand I am UTG with Q,Q. I raise it up to 8 and get 3 callers. The flop comes Q,x,x with two diamonds. The BB leads for 20, I raise to 50 and the BB calls. The turn is a diamond. He shoves for his last 25 and there is way too much money in there to fold top set. I call and he shows 9,9 with one diamond. The river bricks and I am over $200 right away.

After that hand I lose two big pots to the same player. The first hand a tight player raises to 8 before the flop and I am the only caller from the SB with KsQs. I am sure I lose more with this particular hand than any other. The flop come Q,10,x. I check call a $15 bet. The turn is a blank and I check. He shoves for his last $30 and its up to me. Here is where I just need the discipline to fold these hands. I see how much is in the pot and just can't seem to fold here. I call and he shows 10,10 and I'm drawing dead.

The next big hand I get A,J in the SB. Its called in 5 spots and I check my option in the BB. There is something to be said here for raising which I think is the correct play. I decided to call here and just see what the flop brings. The flop comes A,10,7. I lead out for 12 and get 2 callers. The turn is a J giving me top 2. I lead for 20, get raised to 40 and the 3rd player shoves for a total of 65 or so. Now this just has to be an easy fold. With a raise and a reraise how can top 2 be good here? The lady who raised I don't give too much credit to. I can easily put here on two pair based on the crap she has been playing. The solid player I can give credit for a good hand. I decide to re-raise here to get the lady out. At the time I don't give the solid player K,Q as I think he raises pre-flop here. He turns over 9,8 for the straight. I totally didn't see that hand coming. After the hand I had to rebuy to get up to $100 again.

I'm now stuck for $100 in the session. I start playing a ton of pots after playing tight, solid poker. I am quickly down to $60 when I get J,J in late position. Some ahead of me raises to $12 and I repop for $30. He folds and I take it down.

The next hand to bring me bacj I get Ah6h in late position and limp. We go to the flop 5 or 6 handed and it comes 10h9h8h. Its checked to me and I bet $5 and get 2 callers. The turn is a 4h. Its checked to me again and I bet $10 and both call. Huh. The river is an offsuit J. Its checked to me again and I bet $20 and both call again. One shows the Kh and the other has the Qh. I wonder how much the would have both called on the river. I might have made the most on the river there. If I bet $15 on the turn maybe I get more, who knows.

The last big hand of the session I get A,J in middle position and raise to $9. I get 2 callers and the flop comes K,8,x. Its checked all around. The turn is another 8. One check and I lead out for $20 and the player behind me calls. The river is a 9. I think the only way I am winning this hand is with a sizeable bet. I counted all of my chips which was around $125 or so. I decide to throw out $35. He thinks for a second and folds. Whew.

I ended up leaving with $200, exactly what I put in. This was the ? in the title. Is the streak still alive or is it dead. Either way I really need to work on calling those big bets where I can make a strong case for folding, especially when I am holding top pair. Its just hard sometimes to do it when you see these players betting with less than the goods. Oh well, live and learn.

Derby Lane

2007-12-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

I got in a few housr at Derby Lane last night. I was meeting Mike and Scott there around 9:00. i got there a little early and decided to hop into a 1/2 NL game. The play at this table was really, really bad.

I bought in for the full $100 and quickly realized that tihs was a loose passive game. There were tons of limping going on. I was able to limp into a few pots with suited connectors. One early hand I had 7c6d in the SB. It was a 3 way limped pot, I called and the BB checked. The board ran out with 4 clubs and it was checked all the way down. I ended up winning.

The first key hand of the night was when I had just stepped away from the table for a minute to see how the other two were doing. Walking back the dealer just started to deal and I got back just in time. I look down at As,Ad and raise it up to $9 after one limper. ITs called behind me, the button calls and the limper calls. The flop come out JsXsXs. Crap. Its checked to me, I check and the person to my left goes all-in for $19. The button calls, EP folds and now its up to me. The person with chips has around $75 behind (I have him covered). The flat call behind doesn't seem to strong to me so I decide to shove. He thinks for a minute or two and decides to fold saying he folded a flush, more about that in a second. My hand holds and I take a decent sized pot.

I don't believe this guy folded the flush because of some of the horrible call he made with marginal hands (or worse) on the end. Case in point. On a board of Q,10,9,x,x he leads for $15. He gets raised to $62 and decides to call with 7,7!!!!!! What???? The other guy had Q,9 for two pair.

Now the really bad hand of the night. A tight player raises to $10 in MP and I have the hand I lose more money with in the SB, KsQs. I call. The flop comes Q,10,x and I check call a $15 bet. The turn is a blank and I check. He shoves for his last $55. Here is where I am really trying to improve my game. I never want to lose a lot of money with top pair. LIKE A FUCKIN FOOL I CALL! He flopped the set. Based on the table it wouldn't have been a bad call but against this particular player this was just a horrible, horrible call. I was down to my staring stack of $100.

I loosened up considerably after that. I played lots of hands for a limp. I never really hit much was was down to around $90 and decided to get up and see how the other two are doing. When I get back I had just missed my BB. I post behind the button and get 5,4. I check and we go to the flop 5 handed. The flop comes down 6,4,3. Some one in EP makes it $10 to go. I decide to raise here to $25. Everyone folds to the EP player who calls. the turn brings a 7 which also brings out two flush draws. HE checks to me. With both flush draws I just decide to shove here. I have him covered (he has around $40 or so). He thinks for a bit so I know my hand is currently good and he doesn't have a 5. He says "I know you have me beat" and calls. He flips over 10,10. Yikes. He is drawing to a chop. The river is a harmless 7 and I win the pot.

A lap or two later I get Blaz's hand, A,J in MP and raise to $11. One guy calls. Flop comes 8,8,6. I check, he checks. Turn is a 2. I decide to give up on the hand and check and he checks behind. River is a 10 and it goes check check. He flips his cards and has 5,2 and wins. I muck my cards and the douche asks to see them. What a prick..

The next chance I get to see his cards I am asking. I get it on a Q,J,10,10 board he shoves and the guy to my left calls. The river is a K and the guy to my left shows a 10. Douche mucks. I ask to see the cards and the dealer fires them in the bottom of the muck after I ask to see them. WTF!!!!! No more tips for that dealer.

I ended up leving when the BB gets to me with a small $41 profit. Not happy with how I played but happy that I did turn a profit. Could have been much better.

Gambit's December Home Game

2007-12-16T09:47:00.000-05:00

The home game this week was a profitable one for me despite how I did in the tournament portion (more about that in a second). This is going to make an interesting thread on the CCN boards as well.

The first game of the night was LHE. On one of the first hands of the night I picked-up pocket 9's and hit a set on the turn when everyone checked the flop. was ahead the rest of the night after that hand. I also made a set of 9's again on the turn when we were playing NLHE and won a medium sized pot.

Now the two interesting hands of the night.....

The first one comes when we are playing NLHE. It's .25/.25 blinds and the with a cap of $20 per player on the hand. Cosenza makes it $2 to go from the cutoff. I look down at A,A from the BB. I decide to ship in the $20 right here. If he has a reasonable hand he is probably gonna call and if he doesn't he is going to fold if I make it $8 anyway. He takes only about 15 seconds and decides to call with J,J. That's just terrible in my opinion. I want to know what he put me on there. If he is thinking A,K then wow. I would never shove that much in a cash game with nothing. My range is probably A,A K,K any maybe Q,Q.

The second head scratcher of the night came in the tournament. I am in the BB with 1150 in chips and the blinds are at 50/75. Cosensa makes it 200 to go UTG+1. Its folded to me and I look down at 10,10. If I make a raise in this spot I think I am pretty much committing myself for all of my chips. I could have made it 500 and may be able to lay down a hand if a scary board flops. There is also an argument for a call here.

Anyways, I end up shoving for the 1150 and Chris (who has me covered by around 500 or so) says "I'm sick and tired of people coming over the top of my raises. Fuck it, I call." And he shows....................... K,J.

What the fuck was he thinking here!!!!! This is an absolutely brutal call IMO. Does he actually think his K,J is ahead here? When I shove in this spot here are the hands I am going to do it with:

A,A
K,K
Q,Q
J,J
10,10
A,K

That's it. Of those 5 hands he happened to be up against the ONLY hand that he is a coin flip against. As you can guess he ended up turning a Jack and I was busted from the tournament in 7th.

Willhopper, lets hear your thought processes on these hands.

Friday Live Results

2007-12-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

I ended up playing the $40 (with one $40 rebuy) tourney at Tampa Bay Downs. I took the rebuy after the first hand (rules say you can't take it immediately). There were 62 players and 58 rebuys. They paid top 5. You start with 5k in chips and after the first break I had 5025.

I hung about even until we got to the 200/400/25 level. I had around 4000 in chips and decided before a hand was played that I am raising to 1300 regardless of my two cards. Well someone raised ahead of me. I had 9,5 and folded. Flop comes 5,5,x. Meh. So the next hand I raise, get re-raised and had to fold. The next hand I did the same with a suited K and had to fold on the flop when the lone caller bet. Fuck, down to 1350.

Two hands later I pick-up A,A UTG. With only 3 BB's I have to limp and try to get a pot built. There is one MP caller, the SB calls and the BB checks. Flop comes 10,7,4 rainbow. Checked to me and I shove my last 900. Its folded to the BB who calls and he shows 7,4. Damn. The turn is a 5 and the river is an Ace giving me the pot. I am back up to around 5000.

After that hand I was able to build my stack with pre-flop raises and c-bets. The only real siginficant hand was when I had K,K and raised 4x after about 3 callers. The flop came K high and I was able to get one caller to my flop bet. He folded on the turn and I showed him the set. It amazes me that people never bet their sets. I ALMOST ALWAYS bet my sets.

After a bit we got down to the final table and the blinds were at 2000/4000 and I had 15,000 with 4,000 posted in the BB. This was the first hand at the FT. I get K,K. Someone in MP raises to 8,000 and there is one caller. I shove for my 15,000 and both call. I flop a set and they check it down the whole way for a board of K,J,X,10,9. Neither had a Q and I trupled up to a around 48,000. I was now second in chips with 8 BB's at the table. Pretty quickly we drop down to 6 players. We were all pretty even in chips and decide to take $100 from 1st and give it to 6th. That player drops quickly and we are in the money. 1st was $1400 down to $280 for 5th. I made two plays where neither worked and I was a massive short stack. I ended up busting shortly thereafter in 5th for the $280.

When I get a chance (hopefully tonight) I am going to post two hands from Gambit's game last night. This will prove how badly a certain player played them. This will be a good one.

Last Two Weeks

2007-12-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

I haven't really played too much lately. I tend to not blog about online play lately because I thin it reads really boring. Its much better against live donks. I should have something to say soon since I am taking the afternoon off to play in the tourney at the Tampa Bay Downs. I also have Gambit's home game tonight where I have to defend my title.

I did have an interesting day online last week though. I had around $50 left in my Full Tilt account and decided to put it all in a $0.50/$1 NL cash game. I decided I am going to play hyper aggressive. I am going to build it up or lose it all. In the very first hand I get AcQc in the BB. There is a raise to $5 and I shove. He folds. Good start. About a lap later I get Jh6h in MP and limp. To the flop it lands J,6,x. The first player leads for 3, I raise to 9, He reraises to 18 and I shove. He calls with Q,Q. I'm good and Im over 100 right away.

The next hand is just a terrible play. I am going to leave before the BB gets to me happy with the double up. I'm UTG with AcKc and limp. I figure I'm going to lose the minimum. There are 2 limpers and the cutoff makes it $5 to go. I repop to $13 (so much for losing the minimum. He repops it to $45. Now this is where its a clear fold. At the very best I'm a coin flip vs Q,Q and even then he probably is better than that. Like an idiot I shove for $104 and he snap calls with A,A. After the J,X,X 1 club flop I and a 92% dog. That is till it goes running clubs for the win. Wow was he pissed about that one.

I let him go off for about 10 minutes before I finally say something. I typed in French that I didn't know english. That didn't work. I then told him to let it go, its just one hand. After about 5 more minutes of him calling me every name in the book I tell him one more word and I'm leaving. He types in Donkey!!!!!!!!!! When the BB gets to me I leave. I told him I will buy myself something nice with the money.

This week I played a $10 Stud8 tourney on Stars. 92 runners and it paid only top 8. With 18 left I was chip leader. I went on a sick 2 hand run with around 40 left and went from 4000 to 10,50 in chips. I end up losing two massive pots on the river when I was around a 90% favorite to win at least half the pot. I ended up busting in 12th. 3 1/2 hours, ick.

Off to the track soon for the $80 tourney. This is the one where i have two final tables in a row at. Hopefully I can win more this time. No chopping!

Home Game and Some Live Play

2007-12-02T12:47:00.000-05:00

I took Friday afternoon off and played a $1/$2 NL live session at Tampa Bay Downs. I got there right before the cards were in the air and bought in for the full $100. The table was in absolutely gross condition. Something went wrong in the room overnight and the tables felt wet to the touch. It was like someone took a hose to it and let it dry for around 8 hours. The rubber below the felt started to rub off and was all over the cards. We asked to move but they said no. Just terrible. I got up every 1/2 hour or so just to wash my hands.

Nothing too exciting early on. I was up as high as $120 and worked it down to around $55 when I bought in for another $40. I took that down to $60 and bought in for another $40. I have around $85 in front of me when the hand of the day comes up.

I am on the button with Qs9s. There are 4 limpers in front of me. I limp, the SB calls and the BB checks. We take to the flop 7 ways. The flop comes J,9,8 rainbow. The SB leads for $5, 3 people $call and like the odds and call.

With $35 in the pot the K falls on the turn. The SB bets $5 again, two people call and now I love the odds and call.

$53 in to pot to the river when the 10 falls for a final board of k,j,10,9,8. The SB leads for $50!!! A MP player calls and it up to me. I think its pretty safe that neither player has A,Q here. I'm guessing the would have raised before the flop. I am thinking that 905 of the time its gonna be a 3 way chop and the other 10% of the time someone will be holding A,Q. I decide to call and this is when it gets very interesting. The SB shows 8,7 for the idiot end. The MP shows 7,6 for another itiot end. I end-up scooping the $203 pot. Guess I should have shoved on the river.

I ended up posting a $85 profit on the night.

Friday night was the monthly home game at Gambit's house. I think I may have hit a key moment in my game. I actually called Omaha Hi/Lo. I used to despise this game but i have had quite a bit of practice in it lately. In the cash game I ended up losing $3. I played tight most of the time and made some loose calls to post the loss.

We had a full table of 10 people for the tournament. You start with 1500 and blinds at 25/25 with 15 minute levels. In the first 2-3 levels I was able to increase my stack to 2500 without showing down a hand (that I can remember). I dont think I could have played any better considering I didn't have much for cards. I was able to pick off some of the weaker players in the game to increase the stack. After that I played super tight. The first really key hand came up when we were down to 5 people.

I think the blinds were around 75/150 and I was in the BB with Q,6 off. Its folded to the SB who calls. I raise to 700 leaving me with around 1100 and the SB calls. The flop comes A,K,x. Its checked to me and I need to take a stab here. Instead of shoving I decide to bet 600 to make it look like a value bet. He folded and I showed the bluff. He ended up having Q,J so there was no way he could call there.

The next big hand we are still 5 handed and I pick-up 10,10 from the button. I can't remember if the player raised or limped but I shoved for $3400 on the button. After a couple minutes he ends up calling with J,K. The flop gave him a gutter and the turn gave him a flush draw. Everything missed and I crippled him. We get into the money and me and Chris have close stacks with me covering him by a few hundred. He shoved on the button and I called with 9,9 from the BB. He had 7,7 and my hand held.

Goind into heads up I held an 8:1 chip lead and was able to increase it to around 10:1 after about 5 hands and I won it shortly aftert that.

With the bounties and the cash game I ended up $87 on the night. A good day of poker overall.

What Kind of Leader Am I

2007-11-30T11:53:00.001-05:00

Grab the cigars please:

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Macau Trip Report

2007-11-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

1st Post:

Upgraded to Business Class. Leaving in 90 minutes from Chicago. Not looking forward to this flight.

2nd Post:

Flight was good. Not much to see since it was dark out when we landed. Maga satellite starts at Noon (in 12 hours) and I am going to play in that. Quick structure to it. 20 min levels 3k to start and 25/50.

3rd Post:

I'll blog in a bit but.... 89 runners, 9 seats 10 gets cash .... out in 27th. Still up on the trip though.

4th Post:

I am playing in the $2500 event.

Just got back from the welcome party. Free drinks, dozens of dancing asians in next to nothing. I will have pics hopefully before I get back. Other than that pretty boring.

hahahahaha

I will blog days one and two in the morning. I need my rest now.

5th Post:

Day One – Wednesday Not too much to report from day one. I got into Macau around 8:00pm local time. I met a guy and his wife that were on the same flight from Chicago. I told them about the upgrade to Business Class. They bought my ferry ticket to Macau which was pretty nice. I took a look around the casino before I called it a night. They have a ton of Bacarat tables, one Caribbean Stud table and one craps table. I don’t remember seeing any Blackjack tables. They do have one Lightning Poker table which is similar to the Poker Pro tables. More about that on Day 2.

Day 2 – Thursday The first thing I played was the mega satellite at Noon. There were 89 runners for 9 seats and 10th got some cash. I won the first pot on the table so I can say that I won the first pot in tournament poker history in China. You started with 3000 in chips and the levels were 20 minutes. Pretty short for mega satellite standards IMO. I never really got above 6000 the while way. I was very short with 4 tables to go and the blinds at 500/1000 and shoves with Q,10. I ended up sucking out on K,Q with a straight to stay alive. When the blinds went to 1000/1500 I was in deep trouble. I ended up shoving dark for 3500 and was called by the BB. I was actually in a coin flip with 7,5 vs A,4. I flopped a 5 but the turn brought and ace and I was sent to the rail in 27th place.

In the second mega that started at 4:00 I made an effort to gamble it up a little more because in that structure you really need to accumulate chips early and be able to steal at the 100/200 level or so. Like the first mega I chipped down to around 1300. I had 700 in on a bluff and won the pot. I got up to around 4000 when I had 5s6s at the 100/200 level. I limp and someone goes all in for 1100. There was one call and I decided to call figuring this would get checked down. The board ran out 10,7,5,10,4 and my 5 ended up being good. Now I had some chips to work with. I raised quite a few hands after that and the one key hand I raised to 1100 at the 150/300 level with QcJc and got one caller from the blinds which left him with 900. The flop comes out KsJd2c. He checks, I put him all-in and he calls with 9,9!!! WTF is this guy thinking? The turn is the 10c. This leave him with 3 Q’s and one 9 ( I have clubs covered). He hits a Q on the end to win the pot. He couldn’t have played that hand any worse on every single street. He should have shoved pre-flop. Since he didn’t he has to dump on the flop when 2 overs come. Terrible.

After that hand I pretty much dumped off the rest of my chips and ended up busting in around 50th out of 100. I played a $100 SNG after that and was the bubble bitch in 4th.

In the morning I was watching 3 people play the Lightning Poker table. It was 20/40 NL (about 3/6 NL USD). The max buy-in was $4000. After watching a bit I decided to buy in for $2500. A couple of people had been playing for around 12 hours or so. The game was good. I ended up leaving the game with $11,600 in about an 75 minutes. That win gave me a profit on the day. When this city gets live poker it is going to be absolutely insane. Mid-level pros might want to come over here to live for a few months. The tournament starts in a couple hours. Hopefully I see the same donks like Mr. 9,9 at my first table. Should be fun.

6th Post:

I was just busted in Level 5. My high point was around 13,000 in level 1. I lost large pot at the end of level 2 to drop to 9400.

Level 3 was a rollercoaster. Fell to 3500, up to 12,000 and down to 6000 at the end of level 4. I ran into sets a total of 4 times today when I held at least top pair. Kinda suprising that I lasted that long I guess. I had a pocket pair about 12 times or so (no higher than 10,10) and did not flop a set. Not much I can do about that. I could have saved $ in some pots but I still would probably end up bust the way the hands set-up. I'll post more detail (or maybe not) when I can think things through a little more.

7th Post:

After the party the night before I slept really well. I fell asleep around 12:00 and woke uparound 8:30. I went ot the buffet and just watched some TV before the tournament started at noon.

I get to my table and Chris, the guy I met on the plance from Chicago, is at my opening table. Also at the table was a guy Chris met the day before from New Zeland. The guy from NZ (he was called Kiwi) had a buddy at the table as well. Nice table draw! We started with 10k in chips and the levels were 60 minutes long. In the first level I played a number of pots and was able to chip up to 12,000.

There was one big hand at the table where there was a flopped flush vs a set. The flush held-up and we had an alternate sit in place of him. Once I got up to 12k I folded almost every hand in the second level. I played the last hand of the level when I raised it up with 8c5c and got one caller from the blinds (Chris). The flop comes 10,5,2 rainbow. He checks and I cbet and he calls. The turn is another 10. I bet out and get called again. I just know he has a PP 6,6-9,9. The river is a 3 and it gets checked. He shows 9,9. Damn it. I am down to 9400 at the first break.

In the 3rd and 4th levels I was a *beep* yoyo. One of my sets vs an overpair to the board doubled up a short stack and left me with $3500. I ended up getting a double up shortly after that. I had K,Q and raised. I was re-raised and I called. The flop come K high and I called when someone put me all-in. He had A,J. I was able to work my stack up to 12k again when I ran into another set. I had around 3600 when i played my last hand. I had 9d8d. I called a raise to 900 (150/300/25 blinds) Flop comes Q,8,5. I lead for 900 and get called. I shoved on a 7 turn. He called with 8,8 and I was done. *beep* sets. Out in level 5.

I played 3 $100 SNG's and got nothing to show for it. I played some blackjack after the SNG's shut down for the night $200 (US$25) per hand and I bought in for $1000. I ended up leaving with $2k. Woo hoo! Probably going to play the $500 tournament along with some more SNG's Saturday.

8th Post:

Trip Summary:
2 Mega Satellites - (600)
7 $100 SNG's - (700) - Ick
3 $200 SNG's - 600
75 mins on 3/6 NL - 1250 - Woo Hoo
Blackjack - 300
--------------------
Total Profit - $850

Reading Level

2007-11-17T12:51:00.000-05:00

Zooks, looks like I am hitting my core audience:

Get a Cash Advance

This Could Be Long, Could Be Short

2007-11-17T12:21:00.000-05:00

In the last couple of weeks since I have blogged there has been a ton of poker played. Not sure if I have the energy to type everything out. Guess I will go till I get bored.

First up I am leaving for Macau on Tuesday! I am so pumped for this trip. In a way I hope to not see any of the sights. That means that I am in the tournament deep. I have been running pretty god in MTT's lately. My live game has been good as of late so I hope to keep it going. I would be extremely pleased with a cash but I wouldn't consider it a failure at all if I was able to make it to day 2. As of right now I am not sure how many levels are going to be played on day one. When I am there I plan on playing the two scheduled mega satellites the day before and a couple of one table satellites and/or sit-n-go's.

I will post up here at the end of each day. Since it is such a big time difference (13 hours ahead I think) posting live updates might not mean that much. Pokerstars has a live blog and if I can get someone to type up updates they will be on the card clubs forum.

After the satellites for Macau were over on PS I didn't even know I had a step 3 ticket leftover. I played it and won, then one the step 4 and then won the step 5. With the step 6 I had to use it for the Sydney tournament. It was 9 people for two spots. I ended up in 6th for nothing. As in most sng's you have to win some key coin flips. I had AhKh with 4300 behind and made a standard raise. Someone with 10,10 and 2000 called and I lost. I got back only to lose K,Q vs A,7. That one crippled me and I went out in the next hand when A,3 no good vs A,9.

Other online stuff I played the Slut Tour opening event for season 7. I ended up losing heads-up (which has been a trend lately). With 2nd place points I'm going to have to play all of those events this season to make a run at the title. I will have to miss one of the events when I'm in Macau. In CHIMPS I made the final table of the Stud/8 event and had the chip lead. I lost two big pots and was out in 5th place. In AIPS Thursday it was HORSE and I ended up a respectable 28th out of 108. No points but I was just a pot or two from cashing so I can't complain.

I got a chance to play at the horse track for about an hour and a half. I was down to $60 and rebought for another $40, then again, then again. I was in for the full $200 I bought and had $37 left when the following two hands happen.

With $37 left I raise to $15 in EP with A,J. 5 PEOPLE CALL and the flop comes A,Q,4. I shove for my last $22 and I get 3 callers. In the 3 turn another short stack is all in for $8 and the other two call. Ther river is a 2 and both players with chips left check. There is just no way I am good here. The two with chips left roll over Q,10. The all-in has A,7 and I win the main pot. WOW. Riase to $15 and those 3 hands call. Very nice. The very next hand I am UTG and pick-up A,A. I raise to $12 and get 3 callers. The flop comes 9 high rainbow and the short stack BB shoves for $22. I raise to $60 and the other two fold. The BB shows Q,8 for no pair, no draw. He is drawing dead after the turn and I win the pot. I neded up going from $37 to $256 in front of me in two hands! I ended up leaving with $244 for a nice $44 profit after being stuck for $143. These comebacks feel so much more better than a big win.

If anything interesting happens between now and Tuesday I will post it up. If not my next one will be from Macau.

Wish me luck!

LOTS of Poker

2007-10-29T07:59:00.000-04:00

Friday night I played in Gambit's home game. I was up around $25 before I had a string of 2nd best hands and before I knew it I was down $35. I rebought for another $20 before we played some NL before the tournament. I made a nice little comeback and ended up winning a capped pot vs Gambit when I held the nut flush. The next hand I have Q,J and Cosensa raised to $1.25. Next to act calls and I call. Three handed to a Qc,Qx,9c flop. Chris bets out $2, next to act calls and I move in to the cap total of $20. Chris immediately calls and next to act thinks for about 2 minutes before he calls. Chris had K,Q and the other player had 8,8. I ended up down $11 for the cash game.

In the tournament I played tight early (folding A,10; K,Q in EP etc.) I picked up zero hands. When the blinds were 25/50 I decided to take a stab at a hand and raised in EP to 200 with 10,7. There was one caller in MP and the flop came a beautiful looking J,9,8. I lead out for 250 and MP calls. The turn came a K. I shoved and MP calls with K,J. I busted the other player in 8th place. I then end up paying people off and am now down to around 800 with 7 people left. Fasso moves in for 550 playing 50/75 (I think) and I am in the SB with 5,5. I win that hand and and we are down to 6 people.

We are at the 50/100 level and I am in the cutoff with Q,Q and have around $1500 behind. I raise to 350 only to see that Chris had already raised to 300. So now i am only in for a call. Heads-up the flop comes 10,6,2 rianbow. Chris cheks, I shove and Chris calls with 6,6 and I am done in 6th. With the two bounties I ended up losing $20 in the tournament.

Saturday was a marathon session online, 12 hours in total over three sessions. I was determined to get my APPT Macau seat. I played the step tournaments with the following results:

APPT Step 2 - Redo Step 2
APPT Step 2 - Out
APPT Step 2 - Out
PCA Step 4 - out

then the run happens:

APPT Step 1 (usung FPP;s) - Advance to step 2
APPT Step 2 - Advance to step 3
APPT Step 3 - Advance to step 4
APPT Step 4 - Advance to step 5
APPT Step 5 - busto - nooooooooooooooooooooo

Almost got there with $0 invested.

APPT Step 2 - Advance to step 3
APPT Step 3 - Redo step 3
PCA Step 3 - Redo step 3
APPT Step 3 - out
PCA Step 3 - Redo step 3
PCA Step 3 - out
PCA Step 3 - Redo step 3

I then decided to play in the $109 double shootout. There were 46 people in the tournament so 1st place won a seat and 2nd got their money back. My first table was 5 handed and we got to heads-up with me being a 2:1 short stack. In about 5 hands I had flopped top pair and got it in vs 2nd pair and I ended up winning the table.

At the final table I had flopped sets twice early. The second time it happens I call a raise after I limp with 2,2. The flop comes 4,4,2. I check call. On the K turn I check raise and he shoves with A,A. My hand is good and I knock out 9th place. With 8 left I have a slight chip lead with 2600. I took a few flops and missed some draws and i am down to six players when my bustout hand occurs. I am down to around 1500 in chips with 25/50 blinds. The chip leader is around 3600. I get K,K in early position and decide to limp. I want to take a chance and try and win a big pot. The flop comes 8,7,5. I check, the CL bets out, late position player calls and I shove. The CL calls and the late position player calls. CL flopped top 2 and the late position player flopped top pair with a flush draw. The CL turned the boat and I was done in 6th. Damn it!

End of the night.

So Much

2007-10-26T08:15:00.000-04:00

Wow I have so much to say today. I played a ton last night. I decided yesterday that I would much rather make a trip to Macau over the Bahamas. I am going to try hard and qualify for the Macau tournament. One of the things I liks is when you get to step 6 it is a one table SNG and they give away 4 SEATS! Can't beat that. I am also going to qualify for the Bahamas. That would be a fun two months. Here is my step results yesterday:

APPT
Step 1 (FPP) - Advance to Step 2
Step 1 (FPP) - Out
Step 2 - Back to Step 1
Step 1 - Out
Step 1 (FPP) - Advance to Step 2

PCA
Step 2 - Out
Step 1 (FPP) - Advance to Step 2
Step 2 - Advance to Step 3

So here are the tickets I currently have:
APPT Step 2
PCA Step 4
PCA Step 3
PCA Step 3

There were two very interesting occurences that came up during the SNG's.

1) In the APPT Step 1 there was a guy who played virtually every hand. He amasseda ton of chips, pissed them all away and then got a big stack again when this hand comes up. We are down to 6 people playing 50/100 (these are turbos). The big stack limps (with 3500 behind), I call from the SB (2000 behind) and the BB shoves for 130 total. The button calls and I call (I have Kd,4d). The flop comes down Q,Q,5. I check and the button bets 150. If fold and he shows 8,4! WTF!!!! THe BB had a K and wins the hand. So he bet me out of a dry side pot. I typed in: dik. He responds my saying: lol.

Fast ofrward and we are down to 5 people and I am down to 1500 in the 75/150 level. The "dik" was raising almost every hand. I raise to 300 with Ks,Qs he shoves and I snap call. He shows K,K. Fuck me. The flop comes J high and he types in "bye". Poker Karma comes around to kick him in the nuts and the turn and river roll out 10,9 and I get my double-up. I start typing lololololololollolollololololol. No response. We are down to 4 handed and the dick gets his money in with A,Q vs A,10. A 10 rolls off and he is eliminated. I typed in "karma is a bitch". hahahahahhahah! I end up winning my seat.

2) I am in a PCA Step 2 and we are down to 3 people. First and second get seats and 3rd gets a retry. The following hand comes up:

Button - 6500
SB - 2800
BB (me) - 4200

We are at the 100/200 level and the button raises to 600, the SB calls and I look at A,K. The button here could be raising with any two here. the SB calling means he is probably going with his hand. I decide to shove here knowing that the button is folding as high as QQ here. To my suprise the button CALLS and the SB rightfully gets out of the way. He shows down 6,6!!!! WTF is he thinking here? At best he is a coin flip and at worst he is a massive underdog. I have plenty of chips to take a sizeable chunk out of his stack. I hit my K on the turn and 4 flushed on the end for good measure. As it turned out since the other guy was so short he ended up getting his seat. Still don't understand that one though.

CHIMPS and Steps

2007-10-24T10:33:00.000-04:00

Before the CHIMPS event last night I decided to play a step 2. On the very first and I get Q,Q in the BB. Its folded to the SB and he raises to 120. I make it 360 to go and he shoves. I call and he has A,K. He hits the K on the flop and I am done just like that.

I signed up for another and pretty much didn't play that many hands. When the stakes went to 50/100 I get A,A UTG. I have 1100 behind and call. As usual a MP player shoves for 1600 and its folded to me and I call. He has 10,10 which is actually higher than most people shove with. The door card is a 10 and I am done in 7th.

In the CHIMPS event I had an interesting hand in the first level. I bet POT with A,A,x,x single suited. Someone re-pots it and we end up getting it all in. He had A,A single suited as well and we chopped the hand. I didn;t get much after that gettign as high as around 1700. On my last hand I bet pot with K,K,x,x single suited and got raised. I called and the flop came Q,Q,x. I shoved and got called by A,A,x,x and I was out in 19th.

I decided to play one of my step 3 tokens after the bustout. In these 1st-2nd move on the step 4 and 3rd-5th redo step 3. This structure lends itself to playing very tight just trying to get to 5th then you can gamble it up to try and get a top 2. I played tight including folding K,Q suited and A,J off in early position or if I was facing a raise. It just doesn't seem to pay to play these hands.

The tournament started at 9:46. We got down to 5 players at 10:20. Then the marathon started. Numerous short stack doubled up and everyone was pretty even in chips after a while. We didn't drop down to 4 people until 10:51. 31 minutes playing 5-handed!!! We dropped to 3 handed at 10:55 and ended it at 11:05. When we were three handed the chip leader had 1/2 the chips and me and the other were pretty even. The big stack tried to wait it out and soon we were all even in chips. On the last the stacks were as follows:

Button: 5500
SB: 3500
BB (me): 4500

The button folds. This smae scenario happened about 8 times heads-up and the SB shoved into me every time. I decided that if I had Q,9 or better or any K or A I was going to call. I got K,5 this time and decided to call. He had Q,10. The flop comes with a K, turn a K and he is drawing dead.

Right now I have a step 4 and a step 3. My plan is to always have a back-up for each step I play. I won't play the step 3 till I win another step 2 etc. This should be a decent strategy.

I'm An Addict....

2007-10-23T17:33:00.000-04:00

to these step SNG's on Stars. It's so bad I am thinking about how to play them when I run and when I sleep.

I played one after work and limped into the top 4 with around 1200 and shoved right after. Lost it and got the redo. In the redo I was down to 1100 and limped UTG with aces. A late position player shoves and I call He has A,10 and I have to fade the flush om the end. Hang around 2k when I try to win a pot off of leader. Doesn't work and I'd down to 1500. Get to 4 handed and I have 1500. I shove wit A,10 and short stack with 1100 has A,9. I win and am now within 800 of 2nd. I hand tough for about 2 laps before the other two get their money in A,K vs A,J. AK big stack wins and I get a seat.

I now have two Step 3 tickets. I have enough for 5 more step 2's. Finally getting used to playing these.

Slut Tour PLO

2007-10-22T17:19:00.000-04:00

I played to Stut Tour PLO mainly to get some practice in for CHIMPS on Tuesday. 17 runners and it paid top 3. I played pretty tight early on. I limped quite a bit and when I had big pairs with a back-up I came in with a raise. I was able to get my chips up to around 2000 when my first major confrontation came agains my buddy deadmoney5. HE doubles through me and it left me with around 1100. Shortly after that I got a double-up when I flopped a wrap and got there on the turn. Everything after that was prett standard. I don't even remember how I got to 4000.

When we were down to 3 handed (I'm 2nd in chips) I flop a straight against columbo and fade a flush draw giving me a 2:1 chip lead over Zerb. I think heads-up lasted around a dozen hands or so. I have 88xx single suited (I think) and limp for 500. Zerb pots it to 1500 and I call Flop comes 8xx. I 1/2 pot it and Zerb pots it, I shove and he calls with the flush draw. I fade that one as well and I ended up winning, good for $42.50. Who knew I could play PLO, certainly not me. Ask Zerb for the real opinion on my game.

Done with Round 1

2007-10-21T12:25:00.000-04:00

The first 22 step 1's I played was an absolute disaster.

1st-2nd (step 2) - 3
3rd (redo) - 3
4th ($1.50) - 3
5th - 4
7th - 4
9th - 5

I guess I was playin a little too aggressive.

With my three step 2's I was only able to get a single step 1 redo out of it. In one of the step 2's I ran into an unfortunate situation. I doubled up early when I turned a straight and also had a flush draw. All the money went in and the other person had the idiot end of the straight and I got the double-up early. With 7 left I get in a hand with another person who doubled-up. I am in the BB with Qs8s and check. Flop comes Js7s4s. I lead out, other big stack raises and I shove. He calls with 4,4. The J hits on the turn and I'm done. Yuck.

With the one step one I got out of it I played it and ended up winning and getting a step two. I then decided to use my FPP's this morning to play in a step 2 (using 1750 FPP's). I ended up busting out in 4th and getting a redo. I played another and was able to finish top 2 and get a seat to step 3. In the last one there was one massive agro donk who did all of the work. I was 4th in chips when he knocked out 2nd in chips on a bad beat. Three handed I flopped bottom 2 to his top pair to get even with 2nd. Then the other two get it all in. Big stack with 99 and short stack with QQ. Great. Wait, board of 5,6,7,8,x and I win a seat.

Right now I have one step 3 and one step 2. I still have enough FPP's for 3 more step 2's along the way.

Enough about steps. I played some more .25/.50 NL and won around $15 on the night. So far for the month I am up around $170 over 600 hands. I wish that was sustainable.

Upcoming online tourneys:
10/21 - Pokerslut Tour PLO
10/23 - CHIMPS PLO
10/25 - AIPS PLO8

Looks like an Omaha week.

Oh yeah, I also played a little Stud8 last night and lost. I went to razz and won it all back plus some. Then went to HORSE and only played the Stud games at .25/.50 and took $10 to $17 before I left when hold'em came around.

Steps

2007-10-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

Well I should be done with the steps but I am not. #'s 20 and 21 were both 3rd places keeping be alive in the step ones. Whenever I bust out of one or win it I will have details of the (at least) 22 I have played so far. One was a really tough beat. Not a bad beat per se, just a tough beat.

Bye Bye Absolute!!!!

2007-10-19T13:46:00.000-04:00

With everything that's been going on with Absolute I decided to get my money the hell out of there. Granted I know the same people own AP and UB but they are different software platforms so maybe UB is better. Anyways, I go to transfer my $26 and the minimum is $50 to transfer. Damn!!! Time for Plan B.

I sit in a 25c/50c NL game and want to work it up to $50 and leave. First 1/2 hour nothing special. I have AA once and win $2. I am down to $23 when I get A,J in the BB. Folded to the SB who calls and has $9.15 behind. I shove and they call with 5,5. I win and am now up to around $33. Very next hand in the SB I get A,Q. One late caller (who has been shoving $20 into a $1 pot) and I shove. He calls with 8,5 soooted. lololololololol!!!!!! I win and am up to $55 and I am the hell out of that site.

Wonder how long it will take to make the transfer. Its already been submitted.

On a side note I have 3 Tier 1's left in my first batch of 20. I only have 3 Tier 2 tickets. I broke a 8 game losing streak that showed my best finish of only 4th. I should close that off this weekend and start on the Tier 2's.

Why Showing Bluffs Helps

2007-10-18T13:54:00.000-04:00

I forgot to add this to the last post. After I showed that huge bluff I picked-up 5d3d in late position. There is a 3x raise with one caller and I call. Flop comes 10,7,3 with one diamond. Original bettor puts out a 40% pot sized bet and there is one caller and I float a call to see if I can get someone off of their hand on the turn. The turn is a 3. Perfect. Original bettor checks, the next guy bets out about 1/3 the pot. I raise 2 1/2 times his bet and he calls. The river is a 2. He checks, I put him all-in and he calls with 9,9.

That's why showing your bluffs helps you out later in the tournament.

One of My Best Bluffs Ever

2007-10-18T07:52:00.000-04:00

After taking the afternoon off yesterday I started off online playing two Step 1's and finishing 7th in both of them. I really had the urge to go play live. I stepped out the door at 11:55 and was able to get to Tampa Bay Downs to register for their Noon tournament.

The tournament is a $40 buy-in no juice tourney. You start with 2000 in chips and I think the levels were only 10 minutes (maybe 15). I lasted until the 200/400/25 level when I finally busted. I pretty much didn't get any cards and had to pick my spots to stay alive.

While deciding on whether or not to play the 1:30 tournament (which didn't start until 2:00) I signed up to play 1/2 NL and 2/4 limit. I was called first for the 2/4 and sat at a new table. In the first lap UTG I get A,A and raise it up. This is limit so SIX other people called. Flop comes 8,7,2 rainbow. I lead out and about 100 people call. Turn is a 5. I lead again and 3 people call. River is a 6.I check fold to the UTG+1 bet and the other two call. UTG+1 shows 10d4d for the idiot end of the straight which is good. The other two flopped a set of 8's and a set of 2's. WTF is this dude calling a raise with 10d4d after UTG raises. It was sooooted I guess. After playing another 30 minutes or so I decide to take my $65 loss and sign up for the tournament.

The tournament has a $65 buy-in with 4k in starting chips and 20 minute levels. There were 35-40 entrants. The structure is slow in the beginning and speeds up at the end. When the tourney starts there is only 6 people at our table. In the first level (25/50) I get 5s4s in the BB and call a raise to 150. Flop comes 5,4,2s. I lead out for 350 and get 2 callers. The turn is the 3s. I now have top two which is probably no good, a straight draw (maybe to chop) and the flush draw. I check, UTG bets 375, MP calls and I decide to call. The river is a beautiful looking 5. I check, UTG shoves for 1400, MP folds and I instacall. He actually had nothing and I was now on a stack of around 7000 early.

When I get a stack early in these tourneys I splash around a lot in late position and try to take pots away on the flop or the turn. I was able to build up to 12,000 at the 150/300 level when perhaps my greatest bluff ever happened. Here are the players in the hand:

Me - Cutoff with 12k
Button - Girl who is a good player with 12k
MP Raiser - Average player with around 6k.

The MP raises it up to 800 and I look down at Kd2d and decide to play it. The button calls and we take the flop 3 handed. Flop comes QcQs9s. MP checks and I throw in a bet of 1200. The button calls and the MP folds. I really think the button is calling with a flush draw here. The turn is about the worst card in the deck when a 10s rolls off. I check and the button bets 1500. Her bet seemed kinda odd to me and I am not sure where she is at. I decide to raise it to 3600 and she calls. OK I am prettu sure she does not have a flush or a Q since I think she would have come over the top. Maybe she has a boat and is trapping. The river is an off-suit baby. I decide to bet our for 2700. I'm trying to make it look like a value bet. If I lose the pot I have around 10bb's and am not totally dead. She doesn't think for too long and mucks. Since showing bluffs is good for the game I flip over my cards and the whole table is just floored. She said later that she had As9x. I guess she had the perfect hand to run a bluff on.

With that pot I was able to have enough chips to coast to the final table where it paid top 5. I never really hand many hands with action at the final table. I had A,A one in the 400/800/75 level and raised to 2000 with one caller. a bet out on the ragged flop took it down. With the blinds at 500/1000/100 I was really short down to around 9k when in 3 straight hands I get A,K A,10 and A,k again. Standard raises win all three and now I have a decent stack again. When there are 7 left we all agree that when we get down to 6 we will all throw in $10 so 6th gets their money back. I go completely card dead hand have to room to make a move. With the blinds at 2000/4000 I call someones shove of 4300 when I have 9000 (2nd shortest at the table). I have k,10 and he has 5,2. He hits two pair and I am all but done. I bust out on the bubble in 6th shortly after that and get my money back.

I can't complain though. The last two times I have played that tourney I have final tabled with a lot of chips entering the final table play.

Steps So Far

2007-10-17T08:02:00.000-04:00

I have played in a total of 9 Step One tournaments for the Poker Stars Caribbean Adventure so far. I have bought into 8 so far (with one Step One redo). I have two tickets to Step 2, one redo of Step 1, 1 4th, 3 5th, and 2 9th.

My plan is to go though another $100 in buy-ins or so and then move on the Step 2 with the tickets that I have. This is really hurting the old cash game results, which have been really good for the month of October. Here is the cash game graph:

I watced a couple Step 6's yesterday. There were a lot of online prosin those. If I am lucky enough to get one of those I might hold on to it for a bit and see if they offer any better options. There has been some buzz over at 2+2 that they might offer some more types. 18 players, 3 steat and nothing for 4th on down is rough.

Chimps Event #3 was last night. I ended up gettign a buy in the first round and was matched-up against my neighbor in the round of 16. I was able to get a 2:1 chips lead early but then let it slip away and lost the match when I rivered two pair vs a higher two pair. My final table streak ended at two. Next week is PLO, ugh.

Horrible Home Game

2007-10-13T14:42:00.000-04:00

I'll get to the home game in a second.

I played some Nl cah on Thursday night online. Another good 2-table session and I ended up winning around $20. I was looking around on Poker Stars after and I see that they are offering step tournaments for a PCA seat.

http://www.pokerstars.com/caribbean-adventure/2008/qualify/#steps

I played a step one tournament and got a double upin the the first 15 minutes. When we were down to 6 handed I tried to take out the short stack with K,J. He had Q,8 and hit his queen to double-up and dropped me down to 12BB. My last hand I flopped top pair 2nd nut kicker and lost to a flopped set. I'm glad I found these step tournaments. I will most likely invest around $200 or so to try and get a seat. I think the plan is going to be to play around $100 worth of the Step 1's and then go from there. The only concern I have is how fast the SNG's will fill-up near the end of the steps. The last one is a 2 table SNG with 3 seats up for grabs. I hope I get that far to find out.

Friday night I played a home game up in Minneapolis. The host of the game is a good player and the rest of the 6 in the game he mostly works with. I think I wanted to puke. They constantly talked about work all night long. Almost every hand you had to tell them it was their turn to play. Then they would take a minute to finish their story and then look at their cards. At least it was only $20.

In the first one I picked-up the chip lead early. I ended-up letting three people double through me and bubbled in 4th. In the second game I got all my money in early with QQ vs KK and A,K and was knocked out. Fine by me. I used his computer to 3-table some .25/.50 on Full Tilt. I ended up winning a few bucks after an hour. One big hand I had 9,2 in the BB. Only the button called and the flop came 9,x,x rainbow. I checked and the button made a pot $1 bet and I called. The turn was a J and it went check check. The river was a 7. I checked and the button went over 3x pot for $10. I took the time and went through the betting patterns again. Why would he check the turn if he hit the 9? I ended up calling and he had A,K. Nice limp with nobody in the pot when it gets to him on the button. I wish I had the hand history on this one to see if I got everything right. I was going to e-mail it to me but he didn't have "save hand history" checked. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk.

CHIMPS Event #2

2007-10-10T15:47:00.000-04:00

Razz was the game last night. I was really impressed with the Nation that we had 33 people enter the event, 8 more than the hold-em event last week. Very impressive.

I decided to play a much more cautions game last night. I played mainly 7's and 8's with two wheel cards (with the 8 not being the upcard). At the first break I was ablut even in chips with not very memorable pots. In the second hour I was down in chips and got it all-in on 6th I believe vs someone who was drawing extremely thin. I won that pot and was up to around $3k in chips or so.

When we got down to 9 left our 4 handed table had Khan, Zooks, Snarf and myself. Way to pull the easy table Zerb. When we got to the final table I was able to win one really big pot early to give me plenty of chips to play. When we were down to 5-6 handed Khan had the bring-in a gazillion times to my left. I was the only one showing a low card and was able to pick-up a ton of chips as a result.

When were were 5 handed and in the money I gave the CDU (courtesy double-up) to both Khan and Zooks which took about 40% of my chips away from my chip leader stack. I played a couple smaller pots and didn't win and on my last hand I had a better draw on 5th and missed the last two to go out in 5th for around $13. Not exactly what I wanted but I will take another final table. I'm 9th in the standing now and ahead money wise for the first two events played.

Since I was KO'ed close to midmight there was no side games for me.

Next week is a heads-up tournament over on Poker Stars. I will have to shapen up over the next week I haven't played a lot of HU lately.

Monday Online Results

2007-10-09T16:26:00.000-04:00

I played in the $80 satellite to get into the $650 PCA satellite. In the first hand I get 9c8c in EP and limp. There are two other limpers and the SB raises to 80. I call and the others fold. The flops comes 10,9,x rainbow. Both of us check. The turn brings an 8. He leads out for 120. The check on the flop seemed very strange to me. After the bet I am CONVINCED he has j,j or q,q and to a lesser extent k,k. I raise to 360. He instashoves and I just know my read is correct here. I call and oops, I made a mistake. He had 10,10. Nothing like dearing dead and I am out in one hand.

I played some cash games and I think I ended up down $2 or so for the day. So far today I played a $6 turbo SNG and ended up winning it. When we had 8 left I had 10,10 for the second hand in a row. I shoved the hand before after 3 limpers and got no callers. This time I raise to 350 (50/100) UTG and a the chip leader shoves (I'm 2nd in chips). A short stack shoves. I think for a bit and fold. Biggie shoved with A,10 and shortie had 2,2. The deuces win with a 4 flush (I had the 10 and would have won). I picked my spots well and when I had the big stack head-up I called his 2800 shove with 8c7c. He had KcQc. I hit the 8 and it was over.

With my profits I am going to play either a $13 turbo or two $6 turbos before or after the CHIMPS event tonight.

CHIMPS should be fun tonight. I have two goals during CHIMPS:

1) Break even
2) Make EVERY final table.

We'll see.

Shortstacking, The Overshove & Other Chit

2007-10-08T13:50:00.000-04:00

I went back and read some of my old blogs (when I was actually a winning player) around the end of 2005 and found something that I have not done in a long time which is short-buying into a cash game. I decided to give it a try and over three sessions os far it has worked well.

I have been buying into the 0.25/0.50 NL games with a half buy-in of $25. So far after a VERY small sample size of 101 hands I am up $61. One other thing I have been toying with is the overshove. I have tried it twice so far in these sessions with the nuts or near nuts and have been paid off nicely.

FullTiltPoker Game #3754564814: Table Fabian - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 13:48:25 ET - 2007/10/04
Seat 1: scottc25 ($40.30)
Seat 2: edogharris ($18.80)
Seat 3: damioluke ($20)
Seat 4: djgaming ($51.95)
Seat 5: sylverfox ($44.85)
Seat 6: Bigfishie ($21.50)
Seat 7: cocobongo33 ($54.65)
Seat 8: AmpedRL ($99.35)
Seat 9: krijoh ($47.95)
AmpedRL posts the small blind of $0.25
krijoh posts the big blind of $0.50
5 seconds left to act
damioluke posts $0.50
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [6h 6d]
scottc25 calls $0.50
edogharris calls $0.50
damioluke checks
djgaming folds
sylverfox folds
Bigfishie folds
cocobongo33 folds
AmpedRL has 15 seconds left to act
AmpedRL calls $0.25
krijoh checks
*** FLOP *** [Kh 8s 6s]
AmpedRL checks
krijoh checks
scottc25 bets $2
edogharris calls $2
damioluke calls $2
AmpedRL has 15 seconds left to act
AmpedRL folds
krijoh folds
*** TURN *** [Kh 8s 6s] [7c]
scottc25 bets $37.80, and is all in
edogharris folds
damioluke calls $17.50, and is all in
scottc25 shows [6h 6d]
damioluke shows [7s 5s]
Uncalled bet of $20.30 returned to scottc25
*** RIVER *** [Kh 8s 6s 7c] [7h]
scottc25 shows a full house, Sixes full of Sevens
damioluke shows three of a kind, Sevens
scottc25 wins the pot ($41.35) with a full house, Sixes full of Sevens
damioluke is sitting out

This isn't the greatest example but you can get where I am going. With a set here I am most likely getting it all-in on the river unless a space or a 4 straight comes on board. Why not just do the overshove against someone who is holding a straight or flush draw or even a overpair or top pair. People in the loer limits equate overshove to draws or weak hands. Most of these scenarios if they miss on the end you are not going to get a dime out of them. It's worked so far. We will see what the rest of the month brings.

The CHIMPS poker series kicked off last week with good success. Check out the web site at www.chimpspokerseries.com . I lost about 2/3 of my stack in the 20/40 level when I flopped the nut flush. I bet out and was raised and I called. I check called the turn. The river paired the board and I check called to someone who filled-up on the end. I was proud ofmy battle back to make the final table and 9th place finish.

I played Beat The Dead HORSE on Wednesday and finished as the bubble boy in 4th. The Pokerslut tour was a disaster ast night when I finished 13th/14 in the Stud event. After it started I didn't fell like playing and my decisions showed it. I was falling asleep before the event started and I still decided to play.

FTOPS VI is starting in a month or so and they have added a $100 Stud8 tournament to the mix. I definately plan to play in this one. I need more Stud8 tournament practice though. Most of my experience has been in just cash games.

PROP BET

Not really a true prop bet, more liek a freeroll. I have a bet with my wife that I can get down to 180 by WSOP time. I am currently at 197 which is the most I have weighed in about 4 years. My real goal is 175 but I like to set my sights low. IF I lose I am going to give her a $500 shopping spree of her choice. This shouldn't be that much of a challenge since I am less than two years removed from running a 1/2 marathon. I started running Saturday. Anyone else want action on this bet??????

Blogger Championship

2007-10-04T07:36:00.000-04:00

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!

This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Some Online Tourneys

2007-10-04T07:17:00.000-04:00

The last week or so has been spent setting up the CHIMPS Poker Series. This is the resurrection of the Ante-Up Poker night. Setting up the web site takes be back to college a bit. Back then I used to hand type the code for web sites. Figure out how old I am now????

Event #1 for the CHIMPS series was Tuesday night. We ended up getting 25 people. I got two of my friends who don't listen to the podcast to play. One was the first one out and the other finished middle of the pack. My tournament was interesting. Early in the first level this hand happens:

Full Tilt Poker Game #3738875446: CHIMPS Event #1 (27622614), Table 3 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:04:10 ET - 2007/10/02
Seat 1: BigDrop65 (1,530)
Seat 2: Popeye40 (1,455)
Seat 3: Zerbet (1,410)
Seat 4: djm182 (1,710)
Seat 5: yzerman13 (1,350)
Seat 6: SoupNzi (1,500)
Seat 7: Ubring_It_On (1,545)
Seat 8: Joker10690 (1,500)
Seat 9: scottc25 (1,500)
yzerman13 posts the small blind of 15
SoupNzi posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qh Th]
Ubring_It_On calls 30
Joker10690 folds
scottc25 calls 30
BigDrop65 folds
Popeye40 folds
Zerbet calls 30
djm182 calls 30
yzerman13 has 15 seconds left to act
yzerman13 folds
SoupNzi checks
*** FLOP *** [Kh Ah 4h]
SoupNzi checks
Ubring_It_On checks
scottc25 bets 80
yzerman13: i love this game
Zerbet folds
djm182 raises to 200
SoupNzi folds
Ubring_It_On folds
scottc25 calls 120
*** TURN *** [Kh Ah 4h] [Jc]
scottc25 checks
djm182 bets 250
scottc25 calls 250
*** RIVER *** [Kh Ah 4h Jc] [Ad]
scottc25 checks
djm182 bets 400
scottc25 calls 400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
djm182 shows [4s 4c] a full house, Fours full of Aces
scottc25 mucks
djm182 wins the pot (1,865) with a full house, Fours full of Aces

All good plans go in the crapper on the river. This leaves me with 620. I get blinded down a bit and make a couple of shoves, one light and one with cards. I get 2,2 and decide its time to play and I get a double-up.

Full Tilt Poker Game #3739062003: CHIMPS Event #1 (27622614), Table 3 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:21:50 ET - 2007/10/02
scottc25 has been disconnected
Seat 1: BigDrop65 (2,255)
Seat 2: Popeye40 (1,335)
Seat 3: Zerbet (4,220)
Seat 4: djm182 (2,235)
Seat 8: Joker10690 (1,640)
Seat 9: scottc25 (375)
Popeye40 posts the small blind of 25
Zerbet posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [2s 2d]
djm182 calls 50
scottc25 has reconnected
yzerman13 (Observer): how did i play them wrong
Joker10690: i don't have time....i'm playing a game here
Joker10690 has 15 seconds left to act
Joker10690 raises to 200
yzerman13 (Observer): ok, then don't make comments please
scottc25 raises to 375, and is all in
BigDrop65 folds
Popeye40 folds
Zerbet folds
deadmoney5 sits down
deadmoney5 adds 1,265
MadMiracleMatt sits down
MadMiracleMatt adds 4,805
Aquaman H20 sits down
Aquaman H20 adds 3,380
djm182 folds
Joker10690 calls 175
scottc25 shows [2s 2d]
Joker10690 shows [Jd Qd]
*** FLOP *** [7h 9c Kh]
*** TURN *** [7h 9c Kh] [4c]
*** RIVER *** [7h 9c Kh 4c] [3s]
scottc25 shows a pair of Twos
Joker10690 shows King Queen high
scottc25 wins the pot (875) with a pair of Twos

I bounce around a bit getting as high as 1300 and drop as low as 900. I am at 1100 when I get another double-up.

Full Tilt Poker Game #3739457712: CHIMPS Event #1 (27622614), Table 3 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:58:53 ET - 2007/10/02
Seat 1: BigDrop65 (4,100)
Seat 3: Zerbet (3,205)
Seat 4: djm182 (2,520)
Seat 7: Aquaman H20 (6,555)
Seat 9: scottc25 (1,095)
Zerbet posts the small blind of 50
djm182 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qc Qs]
Aquaman H20 folds
scottc25 raises to 350
djm182: you and john?
BigDrop65 calls 350
Zerbet folds
djm182 folds
*** FLOP *** [8s 2d 2c]
scottc25 bets 745, and is all in
BigDrop65 has 15 seconds left to act
BigDrop65 calls 745
scottc25 shows [Qc Qs]
BigDrop65 shows [Ad 7d]
*** TURN *** [8s 2d 2c] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [8s 2d 2c 6s] [8d]
scottc25 shows two pair, Queens and Eights
BigDrop65 shows two pair, Eights and Twos

Down to 10 people and right before the final table sits my key hand of the night comes up.

Full Tilt Poker Game #3739471511: CHIMPS Event #1 (27622614), Table 3 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:00:10 ET - 2007/10/02
Seat 1: BigDrop65 (3,005)
Seat 3: Zerbet (6,360)
Seat 4: djm182 (2,370)
Seat 7: Aquaman H20 (3,400)
Seat 9: scottc25 (2,340)
Aquaman H20 posts the small blind of 50
scottc25 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [9h Qc]
BigDrop65 folds
Zerbet folds
djm182 folds
scottc25: gh
Aquaman H20 calls 50
scottc25 checks
*** FLOP *** [9d 4s 5s]
Zerbet: only been waiting like three, four tourneys to beat you in a hand.
Zerbet: hahahahaha
Aquaman H20 bets 200
scottc25 raises to 700
Aquaman H20 has 15 seconds left to act
Aquaman H20 calls 500
*** TURN *** [9d 4s 5s] [3d]
Aquaman H20 has 15 seconds left to act
Aquaman H20 checks
scottc25 has 15 seconds left to act
scottc25 bets 700
Aquaman H20 has 15 seconds left to act
Aquaman H20 raises to 1,600
scottc25 has 15 seconds left to act
scottc25 has requested TIME
scottc25: show?
scottc25 folds
Uncalled bet of 900 returned to Aquaman H20
Aquaman H20 mucks
Aquaman H20 wins the pot (3,000)

I asked Aqua what he had. He said that he had a 9 and a straight draw. Damn it. Shortly after the final table sits I am a 3:1 dog to 8TH PLACE. I end up busting fairly quickly and earn two points.

Last night I got back early from dinner and signed-up for Squib's Beat the Dead HORSE. There were 9 people. We lost Squib within like 10 minutes and got down to the final table. At the 1 hour break WE STILL HAD 8 people. WTF! I think everyone ended up taking the chip lead. I ended up busting on the bubble in 4th place.

One day I will cash :)

Chop Chop

2007-09-30T08:16:00.000-04:00

.....more about the chopping later.

AIPS was on Thursday. This month the game was limit hold-em. I won the first pot of the night when I raise from late position with K,K. That was the only time I was above 1500 the whole night. My best hands were A,K twice and A,Q once. I missed all three times. I bled chips and busted around 86th/105.

A bunch of us were on Skype for the tournament and as soon as people busted we got in some $0.10/$0.25 NL games. I ended up winning around $2 on the night after a few hours (Thanks zooks for crackin my aces). Should have won more.

Feeling the need to play some live tournament poker (and since I had Friday off to do some yard work) I secided to go over to Tampa BAy Downs to play in their $40 tournament that started at 1pm. I haven't played in this since the year-round poker started 7/1.

The structure was decent in the early levels. You started with 2000 and you had one optional add-on in the first three levels for $40 getting 4000 more chips. You could not take it until after the first hand. Blinds went as follows (20 minute levels: 25/50, 50/100, 100/200 150/300/25, 200/400/50, 300/600/75, 400/800/100, 500/1000/100. After that the structure sped up and doubled every time. There were 36 players and 34 took the add-on.

So on the second hand I get Q,Q in EP and raise to 200. There was just one caller in the BB. Flop comes 9,5,3 rainbow. He leads out for 600. After his pre-flop call he had 1300 left after playing the first hand and he did not take the immediate add-on. I put him all-in and he calls and shows a set of 9's. Nice start.

Later in in the 3rd level with around 5k in chips I pick-up K,Q on EP and limp. There were 4 other limpers to the flop of J,10,9. I lead at the pot and was raised by a player with less chips.. I shoved and he called. He had Q,* for a lower straight. After I bust him I'm up to around 8k in chips.

The next hand was one of the more interesting i have ever played. Blinds are 150/300/25 and I get A,A on the button. There is 3-4 limpers to me. I raise it up to 1600. The SB who had less than my raise shoves. The BB who has less than my raise shoves. Another big stack flat calls. One of the limpers who has less than my raise also calls. The big stacvk says he has 10,7 before the flop. OK. The flop comes 9 high. He checks and I bet 3k to get him out. Its now me vs 3 all-ins. On the river I fade a flush draw, an open ender and a gutter to win the pot. I'm now in really good shape.

I play fairly solid for the next few levels with not too many exciting hands and make the final table with 16k in chips good for around middle of the pack. Blinds started at the FT with 500/1000/100. After the blinds going through me once I picked up J,J in early position. I raised to 3500 and got one caller from a big stack in the BB. The flop comes 9,7,5 rainbow. He checks to me and I decide to shove. He calls with 10,7. He said he thought I had 2 overs. Well I did but they were both jacks and I get the double-up. We lose 2 shorties and then I get A,A UTG. I raise to 4500 to win the blinds and antes.

A couple hands later blinds jump to 1000/2000/200. I have around 37k. The chip leader has 39k and one other has around 37k. The other 5 stacks ranged from 15-27k. One player offered up a 8 way chop. We would all get $300 which was about 3rd place money (tourney paid top 5). I was fine with it sicne my wife and son would be home soon. I suppose I could have negotiated another $40 for the 3 big stacks but I dodn't feel like negotiating over $40. The 39k guy was hesitant and I would have been fine playing it out. I think he felt the peer pressure and gave in and took the chop.

This is the first time I have ever cashed in their tourney there. The structure before sucked ass which has smething to do with it. I kinda wished I would have played it out since I think I had a little bit of an edge over the field bt I will take the $200 profit after tip.

What would you have done?

Gambit's Home Game

2007-09-27T07:27:00.001-04:00

What a disaster. Some of you may have read what happened to me at the home game over on the Ante-Up Blog. If not here is a copy of it.

Chris's post:
This first one came vs. NewScott (a.k.a Snuffy): With the blinds 100-200 it got folded around to me in the SB. I had A♥4♥. I looked at his chips and he was the shortstack with about 800-900 (it might've been a little more but it happened so fast I think this is right). So he has 200 invested and I make it 500 to go. I chose this amount because I thought it'd look a little suspicious and he might think I was trying to get a little more out of him and would fold. Not that I wouldn't take a shot at eliminating him with A♥4♥ because I would -- I was the chipleader at this point with about 3K. But still, if I could just take it down and get him that much closer to elimination that'd be fine with me. At this point we're 5-handed and paying three spots (Fasso's reign came to an end fairly early). Anyway, he thought and thought and then finally just called, which shocked me. With 1K out there, if I hit the flop at all there'd be no way for me to fold since he only had about 500 or so left. The flop came 6-6-4 rainbow. I pushed with my two pair and he instacalled. What does he have? Are we dead? Was he thinking and thinking because he had a HUGE pair? What does he have? Anyone? Bueller?

OK, he had 5♠3♣ (though he may have been suited, which means nothing really). WOW! He called off what I think was about a third of his remaining stack to a raise from the chipleader with 5♠3♣. He's getting 2.3-1 on his money, but I didn't know what to think of this play. He knows I pretty much can't fold and my raise tells him he's crushed. With only 4 or 5 BBs left isn't he in shove or fold mode here? So he was open-ended and I had my two pair. The turn? 7♥, which did nothing for me because there wasn't a heart on the flop and, of course, completed his straight. The guys moaned when that card came, and I was about to start my usual whining, but then I said, "Wait a minute! A six or a four please." And BAM! A 4♦ on the river gave me a boat. Snuffy wasn't happy. He had a rough night and that only punctuated it. He didn't even say goodbye. Sorry for the re-suck Snuff, but you sucked first. 8-)

My Response:

OK let's break down the tournament last night. I was massively hit with the deck early. In the first few levels I got A,A K,K Q,Q 10,10 twice, 9,9 and 8,8 along with A,K twice, A,Q and A,10 twice. With all of those I had my stack up to 2800 from the original 1500.

The s**t that has been happening to me way too much lately is missing losing coin flips, losing when I have a dominating hand and when I do hit a draw I still end up losing.

OK I am at 2800 and get Q,Q in EP. I raise to 225, Gambit shoves for 1300 and I call. He has A,K hits his A and I am down to 1500 again.

I pick my spots to stay afloat and make some really tough folds. I blind down to 875 when the hand in question comes up. I have 5s3s in the BB and 200 of my 875 is in. This is not an all-in or fold situation. It's an all-in situation 100% of the time. With my suited cards I am getting all my $ in every time here. Here is why I only call. Since I am going all-in anyway on this hand, why not pull a version of the stop n go (even though I am not in position to do it). If you happen to miss maybe there is a slight chance of you folding. Probably not but you are gonna call 100% pre-flop.

When we flip the cards over I have 10 or 11 outs twice. Can't get a better spot than that.

I would make this play every time. I am just sick of losing when ahead, even and behind. I could not have played that game any better last night. I have other comments but I will save them for another time.

Chris Again:

Yeah, you had some tough beats, and you even said early on that you were getting hit with the deck and that only meant bad news for you later on.

I think you could have folded preflop though. My raise means you HAVE to hit that flop somehow because with only 300 more to fight with I can't fold to that no matter what comes. A stop-and-go can't work, and yes I'm glad you said you aren't in the position to make that play. You still have 875 and are in the SB on the next hand. Even if you fold that you have 775 and one double up gets you back to your starting stack. I would have waited, but that's just me.

Hope you don't mind that I posted our hand.

and Me Aganin:

If I folded I would have had 675 (instead of 875) with 100 of it going in the SB.

Let me give you some background on the game. In the cash games I always seeme to drop my initial buy-in and have to scratch and claw back. I usually end up breaking even or have a slight profit in the cash portion of the game. This month I decided to tighten up and play a more solid game. I can think of one Stud 8 hand where I played loose but got out on 5th street before the big bets. The typical hand for me was when I had A,2,3,x suited in the ace in O8B. On the turn I had the nut low draw and the nut flush draw. I raised 4th only to brick out on the river. In the cash game I was stuck for as much as $50 I think and ended up coming back and losing $18. One key hand where if I didn't play it was when the board came 8,8,3. Gambit bet $3 I think, I raise to $12 and he caps the pot at $20. I had and 8,2 in this spot and had to let it go. There is no way I am winning there.

The tournament I think was summarized pretty good above. Thats two months in a row where I played decent only to come away with nothing. Last month I had A,Q run into a short stack K,K and then my K,K lose to A,J. Thats how its been rollin lately.

I am currently on a one week self imposed walk away from online and a one month suspension from live play. The online ban is lifted starting tonight with AIPS, limit style. Ick.

Crash Back Down to Earth

2007-09-27T07:25:00.000-04:00

I wrote this last Friday and forgot to post it:

After the early success of yesterday I decided to play in another $4 rebuy tournament for a $56 seat. I was in for 6 buy-ins and was not able to get a big stack going. I busted out in 24th (top 12 got seats). I then signed-up for a $8.80 HORSE satellite. I ended up busting in the 11th level about 6 seats short of getting a $48 (or something like that) seat. I then played the same $4 rebuy from yesterday and was in for a total of 8-9 buy-ins. At one point in the rebuy period I had an open ended straight draw, 2nd nut flush draw and two overcards vs an underpair and missed everything. That’s 18 pulls of the deck twice. I was able to get a stack of around $4k though and right before the break I took a brutal beat. I flopped top top and shoved. Middle pair called and he hit his 5 outer in the turn. I think I lasted about 3 hands after the break when my J,J was up against A,10 and lost. Enough of the satellites.

I decided to play some Stud8 but got bored really fast for some reason. After blowing through a half buy-in at $1/$2 I decided to play some $0.25/$0.50 NL. I slowly built up to around $58 and then picked up AhKh in middle position. I called a raise to $2.50. Someone behind me made it $7.50 and I knew he was light. The original raiser shoves for around $50. Original raiser has K,K and the other has 9,9. Well you know an ace comes but I can’t play that hand. I am happy that I made a good decision. A little later I get Jd,2d in middle position and decide to limp. 4 to the flop of 9d,6d,3d. I bet pot ($2) and get one caller. Turn is a blank and I make a bet of $7.50. River pairs the 6. I bet $10 and get raised to $25. There is no way the 6 helped him. I shoved and he called with 9,6. I ended up going off for another ½ buy-in before I quit. I played a $27 turbo SNG and bubble. Well this day is sure turning to shit.

I think maybe changing sites will do me good. I start-up Full Tilt and decide to play the $24+$2 $28,000 guarantee at 10pm using one of my tokens. There is 1024 runners for a slight overlay. Tournament pays top180. They must have changed the structures of the tournaments lately because it was an awesome structure. 1500 to start, 10 minute levels but it was very slow. I picked-up nothing in the first hour except for J,J and called a short stack of 700’s shove. He had 8,8 a weak ace and I won. At the 1 hour break we were down to around 500 people and I had 2100. In the second hour I get two good hands and that’s it. My 9,9 all-in was better than 7,7 and I also had 9,9 and doubled through a larger stack when I flopped a set. At the second hour break we are 11 from the money and I have around 6000. I played tight in the 3rd hour still and won the blinds a couple of time when I get Q,Q UTG. I have $4500 left playing 300/600. I could shove here but I need to take a chance to get a stack going. The player to my immediate left raises to 2400 leaving 1200 behind. A big stack calls and its folded back to me and I shove for rest of mu chips making it 4500. The shorter stack instantly calls as expected. The big stack though for almost all of his time bank and with those pot odds I don’t blame him for calling with A,3. The shorter stack had KcQc. Flop comes 2 clubs, turn blank and river Ace and I am out in 109th place good for $42. Not bad but could have been so much better. If I win that pot I am up to 13,500 and a top 30 stack. Whatayagonnado. End of the night for me, 5 hours till I have to leave for the airport.

Up and down day. Hopefully tomorrow goes smoother. Gambit’s home game on Friday. I played loose and bad last time. I am gonna tighten up a bit and try and grind out a profit in the cash game. Who knows what the SNG will be like. I need a cash though. My lifetime stats in his SNG’s is a profit/loss of exactly $0.00. I am up in the cash games. The only loss in the cash games I can remember was last time.

A Bigger Satellite

2007-09-20T13:45:00.000-04:00

Done with work early today and no option for getting home early I decide to play in a $72+$5 turbo satellite to get into the WCOOP $215 NLHE rebuy event. One seat for every 3 runners. I likes them odds. 36 people and 12 seats awarded. 13th gets $12.

One hand into the satellite I lose my fuckin internet connection at the hotel. After about 5 minutes I finally get back in. A few hands later I pick-up Q,Q in the big blind. Its folded to the small blind who limps.

PokerStars Game #12166015506: Tournament #61733760, $72+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2007/09/20 - 12:49:41 (ET)
Table '61733760 3' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: KO_PeaceNLuv (1465 in chips)
Seat 2: zz94 (1475 in chips)
Seat 3: pfkp (1620 in chips)
Seat 4: paulie187 (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: bolito (1748 in chips)
Seat 6: Rebuy_Rebuy (1375 in chips)
Seat 7: voigt2006 (1480 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: poker2301 (1367 in chips)
voigt2006: posts small blind 15
scottc25: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qs Qh]
poker2301: folds
KO_PeaceNLuv: folds
zz94: folds
pfkp: folds
paulie187: folds
bolito: folds
Rebuy_Rebuy: folds
voigt2006: calls 15
scottc25: raises 95 to 125
voigt2006: calls 95
*** FLOP *** [Ah 6d Td]
voigt2006: checks
scottc25: checks
*** TURN *** [Ah 6d Td] [4h]
voigt2006: checks
scottc25: bets 250
voigt2006: calls 250
*** RIVER *** [Ah 6d Td 4h] [8c]
voigt2006: checks
scottc25: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
voigt2006: shows [As 2d] (a pair of Aces)
scottc25: mucks hand
voigt2006 collected 750 from pot

Well at least I lost the least amount of money in that hand. I am blinded down to 895 at the 50/100 and in for 100 in the BB. I pick-upa suited queen and shove to a 3x raise and a call. I hoped I could get one of them to dump and get some dead money in the pot. Didn't work.

PokerStars Game #12166129550: Tournament #61733760, $72+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2007/09/20 - 12:58:20 (ET)
Table '61733760 3' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: KO_PeaceNLuv (1365 in chips)
Seat 2: zz94 (1700 in chips)
Seat 4: paulie187 (1575 in chips)
Seat 5: bolito (1798 in chips)
Seat 6: Rebuy_Rebuy (1225 in chips)
Seat 7: voigt2006 (2928 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (895 in chips)
Seat 9: poker2301 (394 in chips)
voigt2006: posts small blind 50
scottc25: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qd 6d]
poker2301: folds
KO_PeaceNLuv: folds
zz94: folds
paulie187: folds
bolito: raises 200 to 300
Rebuy_Rebuy: folds
voigt2006: calls 250
scottc25: raises 595 to 895 and is all-in
bolito: calls 595
voigt2006: calls 595
*** FLOP *** [7d Qc 2d]
voigt2006: checks
bolito: checks
*** TURN *** [7d Qc 2d] [Ad]
voigt2006: checks
bolito: checks
*** RIVER *** [7d Qc 2d Ad] [5c]
voigt2006: checks
bolito: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
voigt2006: shows [6s As] (a pair of Aces)
scottc25: shows [Qd 6d] (a flush, Ace high)
bolito: mucks hand
scottc25 collected 2685 from pot

Its a good thing I flop good. So I luck sack out of this one and get the triple up and it puts me 7th in chips with 24 left.

I blind down forever. I end up having to shove with air in just the right spots and am able to stay afloat but I am still sitting at the bottom. We are on the bubble and I pick-up A,A in the BB.

PokerStars Game #12166494761: Tournament #61733760, $72+$5 Hold'em No Limit - Level IX (300/600) - 2007/09/20 - 13:21:12 (ET)
Table '61733760 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 2: scottc25 (2040 in chips)
Seat 3: lelijk22 (3510 in chips)
Seat 4: viensjent (5280 in chips)
Seat 5: paulie187 (1950 in chips)
Seat 8: alex4ever (2836 in chips)
Seat 9: voigt2006 (11225 in chips)
scottc25: posts the ante 60
lelijk22: posts the ante 60
viensjent: posts the ante 60
paulie187: posts the ante 60
alex4ever: posts the ante 60
voigt2006: posts the ante 60
voigt2006: posts small blind 300
scottc25: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ac Ad]
lelijk22: folds
viensjent: folds
paulie187: folds
alex4ever: folds
voigt2006: raises 2400 to 3000
scottc25: calls 1380 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [6s Ah 9s]
*** TURN *** [6s Ah 9s] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [6s Ah 9s 9h] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
voigt2006: shows [8h 7c] (a pair of Nines)
scottc25: shows [Ac Ad] (a full house, Aces full of Nines)
scottc25 collected 4320 from pot

Wow that was a close one. At least I didn't have to sweat the river. A few hands later it was over and I won the seat. I unregistered and took the W$. No way in hell I am playing in a $215 rebuy event. I now have just over $300 W$. Not bad after having just $115 last night.

Rebuy Satellite

2007-09-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

Its already been two weeks since I have posted something. Time to do some updating.

I have been plaing a lot of Stud 8 lately. I was playing after work today (and badly) I was down 1/2 a buy-in at $0.50/$1. I got it back up to $12.55 when I was dealt a nice hand, rolled up 3's.

PokerStars Game #12152358909: 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit ($0.50/$1.00) - 2007/09/19 - 17:38:23 (ET)
Table 'Deikoon IV' 8-max
Seat 1: AUTOP111 ($18.85 in chips)
Seat 2: scottc25 ($12.55 in chips)
Seat 3: 'andyman ($19.15 in chips)
Seat 4: VeggieMan ($21.20 in chips)
Seat 5: hrvy1 ($9.90 in chips)
Seat 6: TheArrivaL ($38.40 in chips)
Seat 7: Skum ($13.25 in chips)
Seat 8: glove is on ($20.45 in chips)
AUTOP111: posts the ante $0.05
scottc25: posts the ante $0.05
'andyman: posts the ante $0.05
VeggieMan: posts the ante $0.05
hrvy1: posts the ante $0.05
TheArrivaL: posts the ante $0.05
Skum: posts the ante $0.05
glove is on: posts the ante $0.05
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to AUTOP111 [7s]
Dealt to scottc25 [3c 3s 3h]
Dealt to 'andyman [Ks]
Dealt to VeggieMan [6c]
Dealt to hrvy1 [Th]
Dealt to TheArrivaL [7d]
Dealt to Skum [5h]
Dealt to glove is on [8s]
scottc25: brings in for $0.25
'andyman: folds
VeggieMan: folds
hrvy1: folds
TheArrivaL: raises $0.25 to $0.50
Skum: folds
glove is on: folds
AUTOP111: folds
scottc25: raises $0.50 to $1
TheArrivaL: calls $0.50
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to scottc25 [3c 3s 3h] [2c]
Dealt to TheArrivaL [7d] [Ah]
TheArrivaL: checks
scottc25: bets $0.50
TheArrivaL: calls $0.50
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to scottc25 [3c 3s 3h 2c] [Jc]
Dealt to TheArrivaL [7d Ah] [9d]
TheArrivaL: checks
scottc25: bets $1
TheArrivaL: raises $1 to $2
scottc25: raises $1 to $3
TheArrivaL: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
scottc25: calls $1
*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to scottc25 [3c 3s 3h 2c Jc] [8h]
Dealt to TheArrivaL [7d Ah 9d] [4h]
TheArrivaL: bets $1
scottc25: raises $1 to $2
TheArrivaL: raises $1 to $3
scottc25: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
TheArrivaL: calls $1
*** RIVER ***
Dealt to scottc25 [3c 3s 3h 2c Jc 8h] [3d]
TheArrivaL: checks
scottc25: bets $1
TheArrivaL: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25: shows [3c 3s 3h 2c Jc 8h 3d] (HI: four of a kind, Threes)
TheArrivaL: mucks hand
scottc25 collected $20.90 from pot
No low hand qualified
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $21.40 | Rake $0.50
Seat 1: AUTOP111 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 2: scottc25 showed [3c 3s 3h 2c Jc 8h 3d] and won ($20.90) with HI: four of a kind, Threes
Seat 3: 'andyman folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 4: VeggieMan folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 5: hrvy1 folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 6: TheArrivaL mucked [Ac 4s 7d Ah 9d 4h 5s]
Seat 7: Skum folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)
Seat 8: glove is on folded on the 3rd Street (didn't bet)

I was able to cap 5th and 6th street. Too bad he didn't fill up on the end or I could have capped the river as well. I went from a losing session to a winning session just like that.

I have been looking at the WCOOP satellites on Stars and wanted to play some of my $115 W$ that I have. I got in a $4+$0.40 rebuy event. There were 109 runners and a seat was given to the Round 2 satellite for every $82 in the pool.

I was listening to Eric 'Sheets' Haber on the card player interview and although he didn't talk strategy for rebuy events I picked up some tips from what he said. I didn't rebuy immediately since there were only 2 at the table that took the immediate rebuy. After linping and calling small raises with suited junk I was down $100 and ended up taking the rebuy to get up to $1900. I dipped below $1000 again and rebought. I ended up shoving twice and losing and doing the double rebut both times. Now I am in for 7 buy-ins. I finally get a double-up hand and am up to $4600 at the break. After the rebuy period was over I took the add-on and had $5600 coming out of the break.

I played super tight and was able to maintain my stack for a couple laps. I got blinded down to $4500 (about 10 BB's) and was able to get it up to $12,000 without showing a hand. A few hands later I picked-up 10,10 in the SB. It was folded to me and I shoved. I had the BB outchipped by about 3k. He took a while and called with a suited A,Q. HE flopped a flush draw but I faded the turn and river to get up to $21k and I was 2nd in chips with 24 left. I played a few hands from there but not many. I was blinded down to around 14th with 18 left (17th got cash, 16th won a seat), Although I was low I was never really in danger of losing the seat because of where I was in relation to the blinds and where the shorter stacks were. Twice I was getting a little low when the BB came to me but I got walks both times.

I ended up getting the $82 seat. I had a total of $32.40 invested so it was a decent profit. When we were down to 3 tables I didn't even notice Ante-Upper Popeye39 was in the tournament until he busted in 22nd.

No Updates Lately

2007-09-07T12:36:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't blogged lately but i have multiple good reasons.

Here is reason #1:

My son Reece came down with pneumonia. As far as we know he hd it for around 3 weeks and none of the antibiotics worked. HE eventually was admitted to the hospital where he had an antibiotic he has never had before. He was in for one night and it looks like this one worked, knock on wood. He has been without a fever for over a week now and has been off the meds since Tuesday. Which leads me to.........

Reason #2: I got Reece's pneumonia. Since I went ot the doctor on Tuesday (which was a really bad day) I lasted 1/2 day Wednesday, had a good day yerterday and now a below averge day today. This really sucks.

Reason #3: I got called away to a work emergency in Omaha last week (and Reece was admitted to the hospital when I was gone). I have to go back to Omaha next week.

I have lots of good shit to post up. Hopefull I will get some time next week when I am on the road.

Off to Omaha, The City...Not The Game

2007-08-29T12:35:00.001-04:00

I am in the airport right now on my way to Omaha. I am going to get a live session at the Horseshoe tonight. I hope it goes better than AC.

AIPS and Stud/8

2007-08-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

I played the AIPS Stud/8 event on Thursday. I decide to put my money where my mouth is and put a get a last longer with Fasso, Chris and Scott for $5 each. I started with Chris on my table and he as down to $700 at one point when we were at 100/200. He scooped and went on to the final table. I busted in the last hand before the one hour break and lost all three bets. There is an interesting hand that I have posted on the forum and will have to post here when I get a chance.

I played the Pokerslut Tour Stud/8 event Sunday and played much better finishing 4th/16 for the bubble bitch. For the Slut Tour season 5 I neded up in 11th place. Not bad for only playing 3 events.

AC Part 2

2007-08-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

I am a little late in posting this but my son was home sick with me and requred all of my time.

OK at ther 2/5 table at the Taj and I start with $500. You do not have to post at the Taj so I dump my first hand of 9,7 off in EP. The flop comes 10,8,6 rainbow. Oops.

I picked up K,K in the BB on the third hand and called a late position raise and one limper also called. The flop come Q high and I check, limper checks and the PF raiser bets $40. I call and limper folds. The turn brings a second diamond and I lead out for $40 and win the pot there. Up right away.

I miss everything over the next couple of hours and drop myself down to $225 or so before picking up a few hands and getting it back up to $425 when the hand of the night occurs. I am in early position and limp on the button with Ks10s. A new player in the BB makes it $15 to go. This was way too small at this table and 5 other people call along with me. 7 handed to the flop and it comes down 8s5s3h. Its checked all around to the player to my right who bets out $30. I call along with two others and then someine check raises to $150. The original raiser dumps and its up to me. I could easily dump ere and only lose $45 in the hand but when I am losing I tend to play these hands. I decide to call and the two behind be fold. I guess there is a case for shoving there but with two behind me I don't like the play. The turn is the Ad. The other player thinks for a minute stacking up his chips and then thinking again. After about two minutes he shoves for his last $145. This shove just didn't seem to add up to me. With his actions I put him on a lower flush draw. I actually think my K high is good here and even if I am wrong I think my K and 10 is good along with the flush cards so I think I am around a 30% favorite IF I am behind.

I thought for a good 3 minutes before I call and the other player immediately says good call. The river is an off-suit K and now I think my hand is really good. I flip my hand over and then he flips over the 8,3 for a flopped top and bottom pair. I really just didn't see that hand in his range there. I went with my read on the hand and I guess thats all I can do.

For the two sessions and the tournament I lost $600 for the day.

AC Results

2007-08-26T20:24:00.000-04:00

I am a little late in posting this up. Wednesday night went about as well as my last trip to AC in March went. Terrible!

I sat in the $1/$2 NL game at Caesars and bought in for the maximum of $300. Almost immediately I had it up to $420. I had one really good $50 bluff vs an older gentleman on the river who looked like he was willing to dump his hand. I hung around up $60-120 for about 2 hours then the wheels fell off. I got numerous drawing hands and missed every one of them. I was down to $100 when I bought in for another $200.

The downward spiral kept going and i was stuck as much as $350 playing even worse. I was able to win three pots in a row, one of which I had no business being in after the flop) and was able to reduce the loss to $115 before it was time to go.

I made it down to the Showboat for their $60 7pm tournament with Snarf. It was a decent structure. You start with 10k and blinds at 50/100 with 20 minute levels. I bounced around between 8000 and 12000 until the first break. After the break I built it up to 15k before the blinds got expensive. I called two pre-flop raises and missed both blinding me down to 6k. My last hand I shoved with A,10 and was called by A,K and I was out. I walked over to Snarf's table to see him all-in with 10,10 and being called by K,10. The K came on the river and he was out.

After the tournament we decided to walk over to the Taj and play some cash games. I played $2/$5 NL and Snarf got in a $5/$10 O8B game.

I will post part two tomorrow.

Nearly Perfect in Stud/8

2007-08-22T07:48:00.000-04:00

I was bored this morning and decided to play before I go to work. I picked-up a nearly perfect hand in Stud/8. It was against a player with a good looking board too. He ended up folding on 7th. He must have had some serious bricks underneath.

Off to AC tonight. I will post results when I get home tomorrow.

AC Woo Hoo!!!!!!

2007-08-21T08:04:00.000-04:00

Me and my co-worker are going to AC tomorrow after work and meeting Snarf and friends for some poker. Cash games first for me followed by a tournament @ 7pm.

Been playing a little bit online but nothing major. My $300 hits Poker Stars on Friday so I might be playing a little bigger soon.

Satellite Players are Retards

2007-08-15T20:07:00.000-04:00

I played a $2.20 satellite to get into the Sunday Hundred Grand. It just amazes me how bad some of the players in these are. I don't know if it was the small buy-in or if it the fact that they don't know how to play these. There were 121 runners for 22 seats into the $10+1 buy-in event.

My strategy is to try and limp early and hit big. I rarely splash a lot of chips around early unless I get a good hand and I will take a chance to double up early. Its the 3rd hand of the tournament and I pick up Q,Q UTG+1.

POKERSTARS GAME #11498602072: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL I (10/20) - 2007/08/15 - 09:27:27 (ET)
Table '57906358 3' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: jellysticks (1900 in chips)
Seat 3: PokerDBqueeN (1350 in chips)
Seat 4: Supersnorkel (1390 in chips)
Seat 5: kensuro (1460 in chips)
Seat 6: azzo99 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: orangeflame (1440 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: punker71 (1460 in chips)
kensuro: posts small blind 10
azzo99: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qd Qc]
orangeflame: calls 20
scottc25: raises 100 to 120
punker71: folds
jellysticks: folds
PokerDBqueeN: raises 400 to 520
Supersnorkel: folds
kensuro: folds
azzo99: folds
orangeflame: folds
scottc25: raises 980 to 1500 and is all-in
PokerDBqueeN: calls 830 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [2d 7h 5h]
*** TURN *** [2d 7h 5h] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [2d 7h 5h 8h] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25: shows [Qd Qc] (a pair of Queens)
PokerDBqueeN: shows [Kd Ah] (a flush, Ace high)
PokerDBqueeN collected 2750 from pot
grunter1 is connected
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2750 | Rake 0
Board [2d 7h 5h 8h 4h]
Seat 2: jellysticks folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: PokerDBqueeN showed [Kd Ah] and won (2750) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 4: Supersnorkel (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: kensuro (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: azzo99 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: orangeflame folded before Flop
Seat 8: scottc25 showed [Qd Qc] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 9: punker71 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Well that sucks. How I have to pick a hand in the next lap or so and go with it. I get K,10 off on the button with one limper and I shove.

POKERSTARS GAME #11498639237: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL I (10/20) - 2007/08/15 - 09:31:30 (ET)
Table '57906358 3' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: grunter1 (1480 in chips)
Seat 2: jellysticks (1900 in chips)
Seat 3: PokerDBqueeN (2750 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: Supersnorkel (1530 in chips)
Seat 5: kensuro (1420 in chips)
Seat 7: orangeflame (1350 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (120 in chips)
Seat 9: punker71 (2930 in chips)
punker71: posts small blind 10
grunter1: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ks Th]
jellysticks: calls 20
PokerDBqueeN: folds
Supersnorkel: folds
kensuro: folds
orangeflame: folds
scottc25: raises 100 to 120 and is all-in
punker71: folds
grunter1: calls 100
jellysticks: calls 100
*** FLOP *** [Jd 2s Tc]
grunter1: checks
jellysticks: checks
*** TURN *** [Jd 2s Tc] [5c]
grunter1: checks
jellysticks: checks
*** RIVER *** [Jd 2s Tc 5c] [Kh]
grunter1: checks
jellysticks: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
grunter1: shows [Qd 7d] (high card King)
jellysticks: shows [Js Qc] (a pair of Jacks)
scottc25: shows [Ks Th] (two pair, Kings and Tens)
scottc25 collected 370 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 370 | Rake 0
Board [Jd 2s Tc 5c Kh]
Seat 1: grunter1 (big blind) showed [Qd 7d] and lost with high card King
Seat 2: jellysticks showed [Js Qc] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 3: PokerDBqueeN folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Supersnorkel folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: kensuro folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: orangeflame folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: scottc25 (button) showed [Ks Th] and won (370) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Seat 9: punker71 (small blind) folded before Flop

Lucky river there for me. I chip up a little and get 10,10. There is one limper in the pot. I'm still in shove mode here as I have 10 BB's. Time to go with it. If I double here I am in good shape.

POKERSTARS GAME #11498808294: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL III (25/50) - 2007/08/15 - 09:49:24 (ET)
Table '57906358 3' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: grunter1 (2240 in chips)
Seat 2: jellysticks (1615 in chips)
Seat 4: tayls1 (2380 in chips)
Seat 5: Cashius 202 (1825 in chips)
Seat 6: Towerhog (2965 in chips)
Seat 7: xalax (2060 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (505 in chips)
Seat 9: punker71 (2460 in chips)
grunter1: posts small blind 25
jellysticks: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ts Td]
tayls1: calls 50
Cashius 202: folds
Towerhog: folds
xalax: folds
scottc25: raises 455 to 505 and is all-in
punker71: folds
grunter1: folds
jellysticks: folds
tayls1: calls 455
*** FLOP *** [3d 2h Kc]
*** TURN *** [3d 2h Kc] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [3d 2h Kc 9s] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tayls1: shows [8d 8h] (a pair of Eights)
scottc25: shows [Ts Td] (a pair of Tens)
scottc25 collected 1085 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1085 | Rake 0
Board [3d 2h Kc 9s 4h]
Seat 1: grunter1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: jellysticks (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: tayls1 showed [8d 8h] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 5: Cashius 202 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Towerhog folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: xalax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: scottc25 showed [Ts Td] and won (1085) with a pair of Tens
Seat 9: punker71 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

If I don't shove pre-flop I am not going to get anything from the caller after the flop. Good play for me. Blinds are now up to 50/100 and I am back down to <10BB's. I pick-up A,6 off and its folded to me on the button. Standard shove here as I am ahead of a random hand.

POKERSTARS GAME #11498884940: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL IV (50/100) - 2007/08/15 - 09:57:09 (ET)
Table '57906358 3' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: grunter1 (2355 in chips)
Seat 2: jellysticks (1215 in chips)
Seat 3: jimc9 (4045 in chips)
Seat 4: tayls1 (3575 in chips)
Seat 5: Cashius 202 (1750 in chips)
Seat 6: Towerhog (2315 in chips)
Seat 7: xalax (3410 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (935 in chips)
grunter1: posts small blind 50
jellysticks: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ah 6c]
jimc9: folds
tayls1: folds
Cashius 202: folds
Towerhog: folds
xalax: folds
scottc25: raises 835 to 935 and is all-in
grunter1: folds
jellysticks: calls 835
*** FLOP *** [As 5s Th]
Koba dread is connected
*** TURN *** [As 5s Th] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [As 5s Th Qs] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jellysticks: shows [Qd Jh] (two pair, Queens and Fives)
scottc25: shows [Ah 6c] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
scottc25 collected 1920 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1920 | Rake 0
Board [As 5s Th Qs 5c]
Seat 1: grunter1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: jellysticks (big blind) showed [Qd Jh] and lost with two pair, Queens and Fives
Seat 3: jimc9 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: tayls1 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Cashius 202 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Towerhog folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: xalax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: scottc25 (button) showed [Ah 6c] and won (1920) with two pair, Aces and Fives

Now I'm back in business again and can pick my spots. I pop up to the next level of 75/150 and have been dealt a low PP for about the 7th time in this tourney and get to see a flop for cheap.

POKERSTARS GAME #11499025695: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL V (75/150) - 2007/08/15 - 10:11:13 (ET)
Table '57906358 3' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: arctictisek (2345 in chips) out of hand (moved from another table into small blind)
Seat 2: NOA_04/2006 (4440 in chips)
Seat 3: jimc9 (3160 in chips)
Seat 4: tayls1 (2675 in chips)
Seat 5: Cashius 202 (3525 in chips)
Seat 6: rushcezar (6025 in chips)
Seat 7: xalax (5785 in chips)
Seat 8: scottc25 (1245 in chips)
Seat 9: Koba dread (3395 in chips)
NOA_04/2006: posts small blind 75
jimc9: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [4d 4h]
tayls1: calls 150
Cashius 202: folds
rushcezar: folds
xalax: folds
scottc25: calls 150
Koba dread: calls 150
NOA_04/2006: calls 75
jimc9: checks
*** FLOP *** [9c Ac 4s]
NOA_04/2006: checks
jimc9: checks
tayls1: checks
scottc25: bets 400
Koba dread: folds
NOA_04/2006: folds
jimc9: folds
tayls1: calls 400
*** TURN *** [9c Ac 4s] [5s]
tayls1: checks
scottc25: bets 695 and is all-in
tayls1: calls 695
*** RIVER *** [9c Ac 4s 5s] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tayls1: shows [Js Ah] (a pair of Aces)
scottc25: shows [4d 4h] (three of a kind, Fours)
scottc25 collected 2940 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2940 | Rake 0
Board [9c Ac 4s 5s Qd]
Seat 2: NOA_04/2006 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: jimc9 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: tayls1 showed [Js Ah] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: Cashius 202 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: rushcezar folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: xalax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: scottc25 showed [4d 4h] and won (2940) with three of a kind, Fours
Seat 9: Koba dread (button) folded on the Flop

My 400 bet on the flop here I admit is bad. I should check here or shove. It worked out and I am back to 20 BB's. Next level of 100/200 and I'm back down below 10 BB's and I am looking for a hand to shove with. A big stack UTG calls and I shove knowing I'm getting a call.

POKERSTARS GAME #11499135079: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL VI (100/200) - 2007/08/15 - 10:22:07 (ET)
Table '57906358 12' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: nivek200 (3325 in chips)
Seat 2: tikamp (2530 in chips)
Seat 4: skalistair (16030 in chips)
Seat 5: TheFunster (6940 in chips)
Seat 6: xalax (4260 in chips)
Seat 7: PosseSheriff (3785 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: RevGoo (4440 in chips)
Seat 9: scottc25 (1840 in chips)
nivek200: posts small blind 100
tikamp: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ts Tc]
skalistair: calls 200
TheFunster: folds
xalax: folds
PosseSheriff: folds
RevGoo: folds
scottc25: raises 1640 to 1840 and is all-in
nivek200: folds
tikamp: folds
skalistair: calls 1640
*** FLOP *** [2s 9h 5c]
*** TURN *** [2s 9h 5c] [Ad]
*** RIVER *** [2s 9h 5c Ad] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
skalistair: shows [Qs 6s] (a pair of Nines)
scottc25: shows [Ts Tc] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
scottc25 collected 3980 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3980 | Rake 0
Board [2s 9h 5c Ad 9c]
Seat 1: nivek200 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: tikamp (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: skalistair showed [Qs 6s] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 5: TheFunster folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: xalax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: PosseSheriff folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: RevGoo folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: scottc25 (button) showed [Ts Tc] and won (3980) with two pair, Tens and Nines

Hey 10,10 for like the 4th time in this tourney. 100/200/25 level now and I am in the BB. The player in EP min raises which he has been doing a lot and picing up pots. I am going to speculate and call to see what happens.

POKERSTARS GAME #11499248423: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL VII (100/200) - 2007/08/15 - 10:33:15 (ET)
Table '57906358 12' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: nivek200 (5100 in chips)
Seat 2: tikamp (2205 in chips)
Seat 4: skalistair (13865 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 5: TheFunster (8015 in chips)
Seat 6: xalax (3935 in chips)
Seat 7: PosseSheriff (3460 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: RevGoo (2615 in chips)
Seat 9: scottc25 (3955 in chips)
nivek200: posts the ante 25
tikamp: posts the ante 25
skalistair: posts the ante 25
TheFunster: posts the ante 25
xalax: posts the ante 25
PosseSheriff: posts the ante 25
RevGoo: posts the ante 25
scottc25: posts the ante 25
RevGoo: posts small blind 100
scottc25: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [5d Jd]
nivek200: folds
PosseSheriff has returned
tikamp: folds
skalistair: folds
TheFunster: raises 200 to 400
xalax: folds
PosseSheriff: folds
RevGoo: folds
scottc25: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [Jc Js 6s]
scottc25: checks
TheFunster: checks
*** TURN *** [Jc Js 6s] [2c]
scottc25: bets 700
TheFunster: calls 700
*** RIVER *** [Jc Js 6s 2c] [3d]
scottc25: bets 1200
TheFunster: calls 1200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25: shows [5d Jd] (three of a kind, Jacks)
TheFunster: mucks hand
scottc25 collected 4900 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4900 | Rake 0
Board [Jc Js 6s 2c 3d]
Seat 1: nivek200 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: tikamp folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skalistair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: TheFunster mucked [2d Kh]
Seat 6: xalax folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: PosseSheriff (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: RevGoo (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: scottc25 (big blind) showed [5d Jd] and won (4900) with three of a kind, Jacks

Bingo on the flop and I get paid off on the end when the other guy has bottom pair. Wow, thanks. I'm now in good shape here and can basically fold into the seat. Only hand I am playing now is probably A,A with no big stack shoves in front of me. I get A,A UTG and shove showing the other big stacks at my table I have a good hand.

POKERSTARS GAME #11499448990: TOURNAMENT #57906358, $2.00+$0.20 HOLD'EM NO LIMIT - LEVEL IX (300/600) - 2007/08/15 - 10:51:33 (ET)
Table '57906358 12' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: nivek200 (7250 in chips)
Seat 3: Cashius 202 (8450 in chips)
Seat 4: skalistair (14365 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 5: TheFunster (6100 in chips)
Seat 6: xalax (760 in chips)
Seat 7: PosseSheriff (2485 in chips)
Seat 8: pralade (5460 in chips)
Seat 9: scottc25 (6055 in chips)
nivek200: posts the ante 50
Cashius 202: posts the ante 50
skalistair: posts the ante 50
TheFunster: posts the ante 50
xalax: posts the ante 50
PosseSheriff: posts the ante 50
pralade: posts the ante 50
scottc25: posts the ante 50
xalax: posts small blind 300
PosseSheriff: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ad As]
pralade: folds
scottc25: raises 5405 to 6005 and is all-in
nivek200: folds
Cashius 202: folds
skalistair: folds
TheFunster: folds
xalax: calls 410 and is all-in
PosseSheriff: folds
*** FLOP *** [9h 7s 5d]
*** TURN *** [9h 7s 5d] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [9h 7s 5d 6d] [Jc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
xalax: shows [Kc Ts] (high card King)
scottc25: shows [Ad As] (a pair of Aces)
scottc25 collected 2420 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2420 | Rake 0
Board [9h 7s 5d 6d Jc]
Seat 1: nivek200 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Cashius 202 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: skalistair folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: TheFunster (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: xalax (small blind) showed [Kc Ts] and lost with high card King
Seat 7: PosseSheriff (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: pralade folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: scottc25 showed [Ad As] and won (2420) with a pair of Aces

Now I can sit out and win a seat which I do. I followed it just in case something odd happens but I easily win the seat.

Some observations from this tourney really make me laugh and create the title of this entry. Example....

We are down to 35 people or so and ther are two stacks in the top 10. One of them shoves and the other calls. Stacks were 9k vs 6k. 9k has 10,10 and 6k has A,K. 10,10 holds and the other is eliminated. Both the shove and call are horrible with the call the worst of the two.

The last retarded play of the tourmanment was on the bubble. There is a short stack UTG with less than $100 left (playing 400/800). He shoves and the person next to act re-shoves for 6k. WTF is this guy thinking? You call here and let a few other call and make sure the shortie is busted. Not this guy. Retard shows AdKs and the shortie has 7s3s. Flop comes 2 spades, turn is the 3rd spade giving shortie the flush. River is the 4th spade and shortie is eliminated. I bet if you ask the retart he thinks that he made a good play here.

It amazes me how bad people play. Usually it seems the shortie survives and I end up on the bubble. Not this time though.

Paboo's Home Game

2007-08-14T11:56:00.000-04:00

I made my first home game tournament at Paboo's house over the weekend. Wow, what a structure. I'm suprised that the tournament was as short as it was. The levels were 30 minutes and the blinds were 25/50, 50/100, 75/150, 100/200, 150/300, 200/400, 300/600, 400/800. We played 9-handed.

The very first hand of the tournament I am on in the SB and pick up Ad,Kd. There is an early position raiser to $200 and there is 2 callers. I pop it to $700 and everyone folds and I take the first pot of the night. I didn't get much to play the next lap or two and then I get K,7 off in the BB and get a free look at the flop 3 handed. The flop comes K,9,4 rainbow. I check call a $200 bet. The turn is a 5 and I check. The other player bets out $400 and I raise it to $1300 trying to take the pot right there. He calls and now I' going to check the river till the Ace falls. I think this is a great scare card here and I lead out for $1200. He calls and shows K,9. Probably would have worked if he didn't already have 2 pair, D'oh. After that hand I am down to around $2800.

The next couple of levels I tightened up massively and just tried to stay afloat and pick up info on the rest of the players. It seemed to me that most players were playing solid hands and only bluffing if they missed the flop with premium hands. People didn't seem to play junk and try and win. I blinded down to around $2200 or so when I pick up As7s in late position in the 75/150 level. I raised to $400. One of the blinds makes it $900 to go. Tough decision here and I decide to call. If I miss the flop I will dump the hand and still have $1300 to play with where I'm probably in shove mode. I didn't have to think about it after the flop came all spades and I flopped the nuts. I checked and the pther player put me all-in and I got the double-up.

After that hand I had plenty of chips to splash around with playing connectors and 1 gap suited cards. I don't think anyone put me on these hands even though I repeatedly did this. I was able to make a couple of hands and chip up to around $7000 when we got to 5 or 6 handed. In the 100/200 level I picked up A,A and raise to $700 in early position. A short stack shoved for around $3000 and I won the pot vs an unimproved A,Q. This got me up to $10k and I was in good shape. By the time we got down to 4 handed I was a shorter stack with one other player. I had around $3500 with the blinds at 200/400, not really short but short compared to the top 2.

I ended up busting the 4th place player and I was in 3rd with 12k vs 18k and 13k. I asked for a 3-way shop but no dice. One hand that went down 3 handed I turned the straight, rasied a bet and got a call. The board paired on the end and I bet around 1/3 of the pot and the other player folded. He said that he had 2 pair and his 2nd pair was counterfitted on the end. Fuuuuuuuuk. Good lay down.

My bustout hand was 10,9 in the BB and the SB limped. The flop came 10,4,4 and it all went in the middle. He had Q,10 and I couldn't get a chop and I was out in 3rd for a $20 profit. Since the game lasted so long I wasn't able to get in the cash game.

All in all a fun night with one minor complaint: PAT, GET A POKER TABLE!!!! (j/k)

I Finally Win some Donkey Money

2007-08-12T12:49:00.000-04:00

I was able to get a two hour session at Tampa Bay downs a couple days ago. I got there when the room opened at Noon and everyone at the table bought at the max of $100. In the first hour I had two hands. In one hand I had K,K when it all went in on a 10 high flop and the other player had K,K as well. I chopped one other hand with 2 pair when we both had A,10.

The one and only big hand I had was a little over an hour into the session. I had around $120 in front of me. I picked up Ad,Kd UTG and limped. There had been a raise almost every hand leading up to this hand so I thought I would get a chance to re-pop it pre-flop. Of course that doesn't happen and I see the flop 6 handed. The flop comes A,7,6 rainbow. I bet out $15 and get one caller in late position. The turn is a 5 and I bet out $25 and the other player calls leaving $31 behind. The river is a 4. I check planning on calling most bets here. He ends up shoving for $31. I took a minute and replayed the hand. Is there any hand that he limps with pre-flop and calls a $15 bet on the flop that contains an 8 or a 3? I don't think so and I called. He showed Q,Q and my hand was good.

His play in the whole hand was just terrible. He limps into a pot in late position with 3-4 callers in front of him. He then calls $15 on an ace high flop with 6 people seeing the flop. That ace has to hit someone there. Calling on the turn is probably worse than the pre-flop limp. Shoving on the river after I check is not that bad of a play because that is the only chance he has at winning the pot.

This has been such a tough week of decisions for me. Every one that has come up I have taken my time and replayed the hand back in my mind. Just taking more time than usual has really paid off for me lately.

I will try and post-up the home game tournament report in the next day or so. I will not be seeing much live poker room play for a while as I do not have any trip scheduled where there is a room for the next two months. I will have to stick to the horse track here.

Harrahs New Orleans (I Hate Suckouts)

2007-08-10T23:50:00.000-04:00

After getting lost looking for the hotel (post signs on every street please) I checked in and headed right over to Harrahs at 5pm. The poker room is VERY nice with a separate area for higher stakes games, plenty of plasma screens and a plasma for the waiting list. They had 3 1/2 and 1 2/5 NL games going. There were four people on the 2/5 list and there was no list for the 1/2 game. I decided to play 1/2 and got a seat within 10 minutes. In Louisiana you can buy in for $200 or half the largest stack at the table, which was around $750. I sat down with $300.

I played 2 laps with nothing to play with. I finally got bored and raised it to $12 with 7,4 off and $20 c-bet a flop of J,9,2 and took the pot down. About one lap later I was cought bluffing a pot so I guess I will have to earn pots now. I won a couple smallish pots to get back up to $290 when I took a major hit.

There was a straddle in the hand. Why you straddle in a 1/2 game is beyond me. I was in the big blind and 6 people had called before it got back to me. I had already decided I was going to raise this hand with any two cards. I actually picked up a decent hand, A-10 (aka The Cosenza) and raised it up to $25 and got 3 callers. What can you have to limp for $4 and then call $25???? The flop comes A,Q,9 rainbow. I lead out for $35 and get one caller. The caller hesitated for around 10 seconds before he called. I put him on a Q after that delay. The turn is a 7 and I bet $55. The other player shoves for a total of $86 and I call the other $31. He tables Q,J. Sweet. Well, my 90% favorite goes in the shitter when the J falls on the river. After the hand I am down to $125. Nice call sir. After the hand I could just shake my head. I overheard him justify the shove to his neighbor. "I haven;t had noting and this was the best hand I have had in 2 hours." Lovely.

The next interesting hand I played I was on the button. There were 4 callers before me and I called the $2 dark. 7 handed to the flop and it came 9,5,2 rainbow. The BB lead out $15 and its folded to me. I look down at 9,9 and call. The turn is a Jd bringing a second diamond to the board. I call a $20 bet. The river is the Kd and the BB bets out $20. I put her all in for about $40 more and she slams her cards down on the table and folds.

I got in one other hand with her the next lap around the table. I was on the button in a straddle pot. Its limped 4 ways to be and I look down at J,J, show everybody $25 and put it in the pot. The lady in the BB calls and we see a K,x,x flop. She checks to be and I bet out $30 and she slams her cards to the table again and leaves the table. Nice game maam.

What had seemed to be the week of very tough decisions continued. I get 10,10 on the button and after 2 limpers I get 10,10 and make it $15 and get 2 callers. The flop comes QdJs8d. Its checked to me and I bet out $20. One of the checkers shoves for $90. If he has 2 pair or a set there is no way he is shoving here. He must have some kind of a draw here. The lilelyhood of a straight is remote since I hold 2 of the 10's. After a good 2 minutes or so I think I have 10 outs ( the straight draw and both 10's) if I am behind and decide to call. The best words you can here from a player, good call. He tables 10h9h. The turn and river brick off and I win a big pot.

I played a little longer and ended up cashing out up $92 for the short 2 hour session. After dinner I wanted to play some 2/5 but there was still only 1 table and the list was like 7-8 long so I gave up.

Overall a winning trip to Louisiana. When I got back Friday I was able to play some at the horse track and play a tournament at Paboo's house. I will post those up tomorrow.

The Belle of Baton Rouge

2007-08-09T08:34:00.000-04:00

No, its not a chick that goes to LSU. Its a riverboat casino near downtown Baton Rouge. I got a chance to check out this place last night. The web site said they have live poker. Sweet.

When I walked on the 3 deck boat it said that live poker is on the 2nd deck. I look one way on the boat, no luck. I look the other way, no luck. I look amongst the table games and there they are, it the pit with blackjack, craps, etc. They had 4 tables. They had a 4/8 limit game and a 2/5 NL game (100-500 buy-in). There was only one 2/5 table and I signed up and was #3 on the list. I went and grabbed dinner and when I came back I was #1. About 1 1/2 hours later I finally got my seat.

The table had a good mix of stacks. The biggest stack had around $1200 or so and the smallest was around $100. The table for the most part was solid with no real obvious weak spots. The 73 year-old gentleman next to me was telling me about the players, who were mostly locals. It always pays to be friendly at the table.

I played 2 laps around the table with not even a sniff of a good card. After about 3 laps I raise it to $20 with 7,5 off and get 2 callers. The flop comes J high and I let out for $35 with air and won the pot. The second hand I played I had nothing and fired $20 on a flop of j,9,4. The turn was an 8 and I bet $35 the river paired the J and I checked. The guy checked behind me with a pair of 4's. Should have fired the 3rd bullet.

The first decent had I was dealt was A,J in late position. and limped along with 5 others. The flop comes J high and there is a $20 bet in early position and a call. I pot it to $55 and get 1 caller. The turn is a baby and I bet $55 and the player folds.

My hand of the night I get 10,10 UTG and raise it to $20 and get 5 callers. The flop comes Ad10d5c. I lead out for $30 and get 2 callers. The turn pairs the 5 and I bet out $55 and get 1 caller. The river beings and off-suit J and I bet $90 and the other player folds. I wish the 3rd diamond fell on the river. The guy folded on the turn said he folded A,J. If he sticks around for the river I win a monster. He said he would have led out, I would have raised and he would have shoved for around $250 total. Oh well, I'll take the pot I won.

The next interesting hand was the much talked about A,J. I raised to $15 in EP and got around 4 callers. The flop comes A,10,9 rainbow. I lead out for $25 and got one caller. The turn is a 7 and I check. The other player bets out $60. This seems way too high of a bet. I called and we see the 5 on the river. I checked and he bet $90. I took my time and replayed the hand. What could he have? The $60 bet on the turn does not scream 2 pair to me. It seems like he is not proud of his kicker. The $90 bet on the river really seems like he doesn't want a call. I took probably 2 minutes or so and finally decided to call. He showed A,J. Chop chop. I was really proud of the way I took my time and replayed the hand. Every bet tells a story and I was able to figure it out.

After that hand I am probably up around $200 or so. The next interesting hand I have Kc,4d in the sb and limp ino a 7-way pot. The flop somes AcQc10c. I check and the BB bets $20. One person calls and I call. The turn is and off-suit J. I lead out for $50 and both players call. Hmmmmm. The river is a non-club J, I check, BB bets $50, the other player raises to $100. OK I'm done and fold. The BB shoves for $130 total and the other player calls. The BB has 6c4c and the other player tables A,J. Wow. 3rd place for the A,J on the turn and he wins. Glad the board paired on the end cause I probably lose another $100 in the hand.

I played about 2 more laps and got up after around 3 hours and I booked a winning session of $60. Could have been more but I was happy with a win anyway. I have actually never had losing session in Louisiana (5-0). I will be at Harrahs New Orleans later today and should be putting in a marathon session before my flight leaves tomorrow morning for home. I will probably get in a live session at the track Friday before I hit Paboo's home game tournament.

Saturday

2007-08-05T13:26:00.000-04:00

I was able to make it back to Tampa Bay downs yesterday. I sat in a 1/2 NL ($100 cap) game. The bigstack at the table was two to . He had around $700 or so. HE was a solid plyer.Twice he had aces when i ws there, bet $25 pre-flop, got 1-2 callers and got paid off both times. It just amazes me how bad the play is at these games. I am guessing this is waht it was like when CA legalized NL games. I can't wait for the Hard Rock to get their games back.

I blew through the first $100 in about an hour and a half. I had $30 or so in front of me when I got Qh,Jc and raised to $10. The flop cames 9,5,4 all clubs. I shoved for my last $21 and was called by 8s8c. His hand held up and I re-bought.

After I re-buy a younger kid sits in the 3 seat. He played any 2 and was just terrible. He lost his first hondred, did a rebuy and then got it up to over $300, went down to #60 and had it to $300 again all in under an hour. How dies this happen????

I have $90 left when I get AhQh in the SB. There is a raise to $16 and a re-raise to $30. Normally you would thin the A,Q is no good here but not at this table. I was sure I had the best hand. I got to call with $50 chips in my hand. I don't say call so whatever was in my hand was declared a raise. Horrible rule but whatever. I get a cold caller behind, the original raiser calls and the re-raiser calls. Flop comes A,J,6 all diamonds. I shove for $51 and all 2 of them call. The turn is a Q and the river is a blank. My hand is good. The one who made it $30 had A,K. The kid in the 2 seat says nice 3 outer. I said its not as good as the runner runner flush he had a lape earlier when he called an all-in for $40 with 6,2 no pair no draw on the flop. Seriously these people suck that bad.

After the hand I have $340. The next big hand I get Q,Q in ep and raise to $15 and the kid is the only caller. Flop is 9 high rainbow and I bet out $25 and he calls. Turn is the K. I bet $30 and he calls. River is a J and I check call a $40 bet. He rolls over K,Q. Nice 3 outer you say huh kid?

After about another 15 minutes I left with $235 in front of me for a $35 profit. One of these days I have to get there at noon and play all day long. If a couple hands holding up early I could leave with $2k before the day is over.

I played some Stud/8 last night and it didn't go well. Through 200 hads now I am down $0.99 and have $1.40 left. Look like if you guessed busto around hand 250 you would be looking good right now.

After getting killed in Stud/8 I moved over to FTP and 2 tabled, a $0.50/$1 LHE and 1 $0.10/$0/25 NLHE table. I about an hour I won $5 from the limit game and $22 from the NLHE game. Made me feel a little better.

Hmmmmm

2007-08-04T19:38:00.000-04:00

I wonder if I am the only one playing 0.04/0.08 Stud/8 using Poker Tracker. Probably. I will post up how I am doing tomorrow with a graph.

Poker Stars Account

2007-08-03T10:16:00.001-04:00

I logged into my Stars account, which I haven't played at for quite a few months. I have a total of $2.39 left. Can you see why I have't been playing there lately? I was thinking about reloading so I can play some Stud/8. I wanted to look at the tebles and see how many games they spread at any given time. To my suprise I saw they had a $0.04/$0/08 game.

I am going to take my huge roll of $2.39 and see what I can do with it playing Stud/8 only. I will not move up in stakes until I get 10 buy-ins for the next step up in games. Following are the games they offer:

0.04/0.08
0.10/0.20
0.25.0.50
0.50/1.00
1/2
2/4
3/6
5/10

Your challenge, guess how many hands it will take me to make the following levels:

0.10/0.20
0.25/0.50

or if you are not so confident in me:

busto

Guess away!

P.S - I have played 14 hands and have my roll all the way up to $3.57. For some reasn I don't think a 105bb/100 hands is sustainable though.

I Miss The WSOP Already

2007-08-01T10:46:00.000-04:00

I already want my WSOP back. Aside from being there the next best thing is waking up in the morning and checking chip counts, seeing who won a bracelet the night before and checking out all of the videos on the various sites.

I was looking around my office this morning and saw my picture from the '06 Main Event.

Good and bad memories. In the pic I have 15,600. This was right before my double-up. Remembering good things like this, and forgetting the bad, is what the WSOP is all about right? Too bad I can't remember the bad things from the '06 WSOP like needing to cash in the Main Event to break even for the trip. Ick.

I sooooo can't wait till next year..............

A Winning Session At Greektown

2007-07-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

First off let me apologize for the delay in getting this posted. Work has just swamped me over the last couple of days. I guess thats what happens when you are out of town for two weeks straight. Also, I will post up the links to everyones blogs later today.

After lasting three hands in the tournament I went up to the sign-up desk and was able to be put at the top of the list. Telling bad beat tales does work! I got an immediate seat at the 2/5 NL game (300 max buy-in). In the first lap around the table I got involved in one hand where I raised the flop with air to a c-bet from someone to my immediate right. I can't remember the board texture but it did not look like it hit him. I raised his $20 c-bet to $50 on the flop. He check-called a $50 bet on the turn and folded to my $100 bet on the river. Sometimes you follow your reads and it works although I'm not sure this was a great spot since I was only at the table around 5 minutes. Whatever, it worked I guess. After the hand I have $450.

The next couple of hours I didn't get much and hovered around the $400 mark making it down to as low as $290 before I made my run. The player to the right of me was playing fairly tight and kept asking me if I was a pro. Hahahahhaha. I'm not going to tell him otherwise. I swear wearing the Full Tilt hat gets me respect when I'm bluffing and action when I have the goods. This guy took a seat on the opposite side of the table a bit later and became a maniac. Before I knew it he went from $300 to over $1600 in a matter of 2 hours. This guy played top top like it was the nuts. One particular hand he straddled and made it 40 when it got back to him. Flop comes A,x,x and he leads out for $50 and gets one caller. Turn is a blank and he bets out $125 and gets called. River is another blank and he shoves for $300 or so and gets called. He shows A,K and the other guy shows A,Q. That's how you make money huh?

OK back to my hands. There were not a lot of dramatic hands but I chipped up fairly steadily. After getting nothing for 2 hours straight I pick up A,A in late position. A mid-position short stack makes it $30 to go leaving $50 behind and I call. All else fold and he shoves his last $50 dark and I call dark. He has K,K and my hand holds up. About 1/2 hour later I pick-up AhAd in late position again. Another short stacker makes it $25 to go from middle position and I call. Heads-up the flop comes KhJh10h. The short stack shoves for $85 and I call. He flopped a set of Jacks but I hit a heart on the turn and fade a boat on the river for another decent sized pot.

There were two hands where I was fortunate to win. The first hand I have 9,7 in one of the blinds and check my option. The flop comes 9 high and I check. The UTG player makes it $20 to go and I check raise to $60 and he calls. The turn is a 10 and it goes check check. The river is a quessn and it goes check check again. I roll over my hand and he mucks. The next hand I have Q,J in late position and limp. The flop comes 8 high and one of the blinds bets out $25 and I raise to $75 and he calls. OK I'm done with this hand when he calls but a Q comes on the turn. He checks to me and I bet out $100 and he calls. The river is a 9 and it goes check check and my queen is good.

I had K,K twice and was fortunate enough to get away losing the minimum. The first time I raise to $30 and get one caller. The flop comes A,J.x. Its checked to me and I bet out $50 and get raised to $150. I fold and he shows a set of jacks. The next time i get KK in late position and raise to $25 and get 2 callers, one of them being the guy who overvalues top pair. The flop comes A,x,x. Overvalue guy bets out $30 and the next player raises to $75. I fold. Both got all of their money in with A,Q for a chop. Easy folds in both cases.When I folded and showed the KK the first time I think people thought they could steal from me.

The next biggish pot I played I had 8d7d on the BB. Only one player limped and we went heads-up to the flop. The flop came 9,8,6 rainbow. I check called a $20 bet. Turn was an ace and I check called a $25 bet. River was another ace. I checked and the other guy shoves for $250. Wow. This was a tough one. He was a solid player who played some marginal hands but didn't seem to get too out of line for a lot of money. I thought about it for a minute but decided to fold. Later he told me he had the boat with A,9. He thought the over shove on the end may get me to call. It almost did but it was just too much money in that spot.

The last big hand of the night I limped on the button with Kd9d. There were 4-5 to the flop of Ad7d4c. The UTG player who seemed to be playing fairly tight (we had only seen one hand in 2 hours which was two pair which lost) made it $25 to go. All others folded and I called. The turn was the gin card for me, a baby diamond. He bets out $50 and I min raise to $100 and he calls. The river was a brick 2c. He leads out $100 with around $250 behind. The question I was wondering was how to get the rest of his stack or as much of it as possible. I decided to shove. After a few seconds he folded. I wonder if another min-raise or a bet to $225-250 would have worked. Oh well, I was happy with the pot.

After I had built up a decent stack to around $1000 I was able to make $25-$30 rasies with A,K and A,Q, hit top pair, bet out $40 and the 1-2 callers would fold. I had A,A one other time and raised to $30 with no callers.

The guy wondering if I was a pro or not took his $1600 stack and pissed it down to $200 and left. Imagine that.

One other hand I forgot to mention earlier was I had a 7d6d in early position and limped. I flopped the absolute nuts with a 5d4d3d board for the straight flush. It was checked around, damn it. The turn brought a 4th diamond. It gets checked around again. Damn!!! The river is a blank and I bet out $30 and get 1 caller. Why can't anyone have the Ad there?

After playing from 7:15pm till 3:15am and the table getting tougher with the fish now gone I got up with $1258 sitting in front of me for a $958 profit. Thank god I busted from the tourney early.

Next week I will be in Baton Rouge and will be able to get to Harrah's in New Orleans one night before I leave. Its been a long time since I have been there and I'm looking forward to it.

New Look To The Blog

2007-07-28T20:32:00.001-04:00

Let me know what you think. Thanks for the link to the pic Zerb.

Also, post you blog link in the comments and I will add it to my links on the side.

Greektown Part Deux

2007-07-28T20:06:00.000-04:00

I got done with work early and tried to catch an early flight. The change fee was $730 since the only available seats were in First Class. Damn you Northwest. I changes hotels to near the airport. Near the airport to say the least. I swear to god I was about 50 feet from the runway.

I made it down to Greektown around 4:15pm. I signed-up for a multitude of games including 3/6 limit, 1/2 NL and 2/5 NL. I got a seat right away in the 1/2 NL game. The buy-in was $100 max. I really wanted to play limit today so I thought I would play till a seat opened. I posted the first hand and during the first hand my name was called for the 3/6 game. I moved over and the table looked like a rock garden. If you didn't know you would have swore that it was going to be a stud game based on the average age, which was around 65 or so.

I played for around two hours or so. The old lady in the 9 seat was constantly complaining about other playing shitty cards and winning while she plays Q,9 off suit from early position and "getting rivered" by someone in the blind hitting two pair. I played one hand good hand with her. She 2 bets UTG and I am in the SB with 4,5 off. I called and said "this is gonna be a nice suckout". The flop comes 9,5,4 rainbow. Bingo. She leads out and I 2 bet and she calls. Ther turn is a 2, I bet and she calls. The river pairs the 9 and she leads out. Well I just got counterfitted. I fold and she shows A,A. After two hours I made a grand total of ....... $5. Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The tournament started at 7pm. It had a $100+25 buy-in and you started with 3000 in chips. I think the levels were 20 minutes. On the first hand it was folded to the button who limped along with the SB and the BB made it 450 (25/50 blinds to start). The button and SB fold and and he shows 4,4. What a tool. The only time he is getting a call is if he is crushed. On the third hand I am UTG with 4,4 and limp. Its folded to the tool on the button who calls and the blinds call and check. The flop comes 9,9,4. Its checked to me and I bet 250. The button calls and the blinds fold. The turn is an 8. I bet out 550 and the button calls again. The river is a 6 and I bet out 1000. The button min-raises. OK I am probably beat here but I push for a total of $2350 and he call and flips over 9,6. Nice river buddy. Three hands and I am done.

This turned out to be a good thing as my fortuned in the cash games were about to turn around in a big way. After my session Tuesday and the tournament I still ended up quite a bit after the session. I will post it up tomorrow or by Monday at the latest.

One thing about the casino. They do not track your live play but if you go to the podium they will give you a voucher for the snack bar. They have sandwiches and other stuff served with chips and a soda. Not a bad deal at all. Much better than tracking play.

Interesting Hand

2007-07-27T07:59:00.000-04:00

OK I promised one of the hands from the wind 2/5 game, here it is.

There are a few limpers and a late position player raises to $30 and one of the limpers called. The flop comes 8,6,4 rainbow. The caller checks and the other player shoves for around $200. The caller calls off all of his chips with 6,5, Middle pair and a gutter ball. The raiser shows 8,8. The turn, you guessed it, is a 7. The river brought a 5 for a chopped pot.

Yep, it was that bad.

I played an 11 hour session last night including a $125 tournament where I lasted 3 hands. This will be a good one, I promise. I will post it up after my son goes to bed tonight.

Greektown

2007-07-25T08:13:00.001-04:00

I played in the 2/5 game last night. The min and max buy-in was 100/300 for the game. Thats just way too low of a buy-in in my opinion.

I was seated in a new game. About 7 people bought in for the max and a few were short stacking. This was the absolute wildest 2/5 game I have ever played in my life. There were about 6 all-ins in the first lap around the table. This game played like a big 5/10 game. Opening raises were between 30-50 with all of it going in by the turn. I just had to wait and pick my spots.

One hand I had the nut flush draw that missed which knocked me town to 200. I added another 100 to my stack to get back up to 300. PLaying off of my tight image I was able to pick up a couple small pots on bluffs. One hand I had A,J and raised pre-flop to $30 with one caller. The Flop came 9 high, I checked and the other player checked. The turn was a second 9. I check raised a $15 bet to $60 and got the other player to fold. I was at around $350 when by last hand happened.

It was a straddle pot and I pick-up A,Q in middle position. Its folded to me and I make it $50 to go. I get one late position caller and the bib blind. The flop comes Q high rainbow. BB checks, I bet out $75 and get the late position player to call. He has shown down some questionable hands so far. The turn is a blank. I bet out $125 and he goes all-in. I called and he had A,A. Motherfucker. I quit losing $400.

I guess its time to take a break from playing cash games for a while. I just can't seem to string anything together. I always lose the first pot of the night and its downhill from there. Limit hold-em might be a good option for me in the near future just to do something different. I might go down and play Thursday night and give it another shot. I will post one of the more interesting hands I saw later today just to give you an idea of what kind of game this is. Off to work now.

Greektown Tonight

2007-07-24T17:38:00.001-04:00

Headed out to Greektown Casino tonight. I'll probably play some 2/5 NL. I have about $600 on me so 2/5 sounds like a good game. I'll post results when I get back tonight or tomorrow morning.

Recent Happenings, All Not Good

2007-07-23T14:10:00.000-04:00

Its been close to two weeks since I have posted something so I thought I would write what I have played the last two weeks before my flight to Detroit leave in 1/2 hour....and yes I will be playing at Greektown Casino this trip.

I played the O8B Slut Tour event on the 15th. I read the Futt Tilt Tournament Strategy guide before the event since i royally suck at the game. I played very tight early, got no hands, and when I had to play I was down to 1000 with the blinds at around 80/160. Two hands and I was done in 20th/24. I didn't play the razz event last night. My favorite game but I just didn't feel like staying up late.

Last week I was in Niagara Falls on business and played three sessions. The first night I played at Casino Niagara. Thes stakes they offer there are just like Florida with a 1/2 game with a $100 capped buy-in. I had about 3 hours before I had to leave for dinner hwen I got there. Unfortunately I was on the waiting list for about 2 hours of that before I got a seat. Seems pretty standard there. I have always waited a long time there, every time. For my 1 hour of fun I played very few hands and ended up down $40 with nothing interesting to share.

On Wednesday night I played the 5/5 NL with a $500 cap at the Fallsview Casino. There is a really good mix of players there but overall it just seems to be the toughest game that I ever play in. I bought in for $500 and topped off $200 a pop twice so I was in for $900. I ran it all the way down to $50 and then was able to shove in a couple spots and get it up to $165 before my last hand of the night.

I was dealt AsKs UTG. I made it $20 which is not enought for this game but I was short stacked and felt I had no choice. I got 5 callers to the flop of A,3,5 rainbow. The SB bet out $20, I raised to $60 and two players behind me in middle position made it $160. The SB folded, I had $75 left and called. He showed me the lovely 2,4 for the wheel. WHAT THE FUCK? I have no clue how someone can call with that hand two people to my left with the rest of the table to act. I left.

The next day we got done with work early but I got massively sick. Against my better judgement we walked over to the US side and played at Seneca. I put my name of the 1/2 2/5 and 5/10 lists and was ready to play small or big. The 1/2 opened up and I took it (playing small it is). They 1/2 game had a $100 cap as well. After about 2 laps around the table I felt like absolute garbage. I played for about 20 minutes more and then decided that it would be one more lap around the table before I left.

I pick-up 10,10 in early position and raise it up to $11 (standard raise in this game) and got 2 callers. The flop comes 8,7,3 rainbow. I lead out for $15 and get raised to $60. If he flops a set here more power to him cause I am gonna call in this particular game. I have $78 behind and shove. He hums and haws and finally calls. OK I know I have him crushed now. Turn 9 (very nice), river 5. He proudly flips over 5,5 and takes the $184 pot. Wow! How do these fuckers get rewarded for that shit? Needless to say I left and slept for the next 12 hours straight.

The ante-up home game was played on Saturday. We had 7 people this time with one new player. The game is played 2/4 limit and it NL is called its played 1/2 with or without a cap. It was the standard start for me. Omaha and O8B were called first. I played very tight and lost little in these games. After a bit I loosened up and was forn around $45 when NL was called and the following hand occurred. I was dealt Jc9c in late position. There was one limper (Chris), I limped and the BB made a min raise to $4. Chris called and I called. The flop came 7s8cJs. The min bettor bet out $6, Chris raised to $16 and I pushed. The BB thought and finally folded which I correctly guessed as A,A. Chris called with Js9s. Uh oh. Freerollin me. The turn came a club. I wasn't thinking otherwise I would have suggested we chop the pot up right there. I didn't and the spade rolled off on the river and it was re-buy time.

After that hand I started playing really well when Stud 8 and razz were called. I played well in limit hold-em and double flop and ended grinding a profit of $12 from the game. Every time I play this game I seem to lose my first $100 and come back to make a small profit. I tried to tighten up early this time and it worked if not for the cooler hand. Not much I can do there I guess.

This week I think we are hitting Greektown Wednesday night for a $65 tournament and maybe some cash games on Thursday as well. I haven't been there in around 3 years. They have added-on to there room since I was there. I'm looking forward to seeing what they have done.

Bankroll update: I am around $2000 in my $5k challenge after having it up to $3500 when I left Vegas. Some personal expenses were paid out of it but most of it was due to the losses in the Falls.

Tampa Bay Down

2007-07-12T14:12:00.000-04:00

I got a chance to check out the new Tampa Bay Downs room Monday night. I signed-up for 1/2 NL and was #2 on the list. I was in a game within 5 minutes. The first 1/2 hour I am thinking there is no way to beat the $5 per 1/2 hour time charge and the $1 BBJ drop.

After about an hour the table was filled with the worst players in the *beep* world. I got a little aggressive in a hand with A,J pre-flop and dropped down to $65. I called one other raise to $15 pre-flop and before I know it I am down to $25. I pick-up 4,4 in late position and there is one raiser to $10 and I ship the rest of my stack in and the raiser has A,Q. My hand holds up and I am back to $55 or so.

There is one player at the table who is raising to $15 about 3 out of every 4 hands (showing Q,8 Q,10, etc). OK time to find a hand vs this guy. I get J,J UTG and limp. There are four other limpers and the $15 guy doesn't dissapoint and makes it $20. I ship it in for my $70 or so, all else fold and he actually has a hand this time with A,K. My hand holds up and I get the double-up.

I stick around for about an hour more and end up leaving with $113. Overall I think the game can be beat based on the table. This game has quite a high variance. I'm not going to go out of my way to come back but if I am bored one day I will stop by.

Comments:
- The $5 per 1/2 hour time rake sucks ass. I would recommend they go to a rake per hand. Let the winners pay the rake. If that doesn't happen I would do one of the following:

a) Get automatic shufflers.
b) Have the dealers carry their own tray around. This speeds up the time of them counting the tray every time they sit. Plus they count the cards when they sit down. Complete waste of time.
c) More chip runners. The dealers are constantly asking for a fill.

One other thing that absolutely killed me was the players that won a $50 pot ad were tipping the dealers $5. WTF!!!!! I even think $1 is too high in these games. They do have a $0.50 chip but I guess I might look cheap if I tip that much.

The Pokerslut Tour V

2007-07-11T10:23:00.001-04:00

On Sunday night I played in the first tournament of the PokerSlut Tour V. It was a $5+$1 double stack tournament on Full Tilt. The series is put on by the PokerSluts (Gadzooks and Khan). They had 27 people for the first event. I was knocked down to 2200 in the first 15 minutes or so when I picked up the following hand:

Full Tilt Poker Game #2891105343: Pokerslut Tour V (19289917), Table 1 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:25:22 ET - 2007/07/08
Seat 1: scottc25 (2,202)
Seat 2: schoon157 (793)
Seat 3: DeSaxMan13 (2,438)
Seat 4: Pil Sung (2,535)
Seat 5: columbo (5,819)
Seat 6: Aquaman H20 (4,142)
Seat 7: Squib (3,770)
Seat 8: Zerbet (2,510)
Seat 9: predator06 (2,791)
predator06 posts the small blind of 25
scottc25 posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [9s Ts]
schoon157 calls 50
DeSaxMan13 folds
Pil Sung calls 50
columbo has 15 seconds left to act
columbo calls 50
Aquaman H20 folds
Squib folds
Zerbet folds
predator06 folds
scottc25 checks
*** FLOP *** [6d Jc Qc]
scottc25 checks
schoon157 checks
Pil Sung checks
columbo bets 150
scottc25 calls 150
schoon157 folds
Pil Sung folds
*** TURN *** [6d Jc Qc] [Kd]
scottc25 checks
columbo bets 500
scottc25 has 15 seconds left to act
scottc25 raises to 1,400
columbo calls 900
*** RIVER *** [6d Jc Qc Kd] [6s]
scottc25 bets 602, and is all in
columbo calls 602
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25 shows [9s Ts] a straight, King high
columbo mucks
scottc25 wins the pot (4,529) with a straight, King high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,529 | Rake 0
Board: [6d Jc Qc Kd 6s]
Seat 1: scottc25 (big blind) showed [9s Ts] and won (4,529) with a straight, King high
Seat 2: schoon157 folded on the Flop
Seat 3: DeSaxMan13 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Pil Sung folded on the Flop
Seat 5: columbo mucked [Kh Qh] - two pair, Kings and Queens
Seat 6: Aquaman H20 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Squib didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Zerbet (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: predator06 (small blind) folded before the Flop

I got the double-up and had some chips to work with. This next key hand I almost folded for the extra $1k but I was just too committed to fold and my hand was good.

Full Tilt Poker Game #2891193532: Pokerslut Tour V (19289917), Table 1 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:33:39 ET - 2007/07/08
Seat 1: scottc25 (4,452)
Seat 2: schoon157 (883)
Seat 4: Pil Sung (2,290)
Seat 5: columbo (3,444)
Seat 6: Aquaman H20 (3,882)
Seat 7: Squib (3,695)
Seat 8: Zerbet (2,505)
Seat 9: predator06 (3,461)
columbo posts the small blind of 30
Aquaman H20 posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Ad Qh]
Squib folds
Zerbet folds
predator06 raises to 166
scottc25 calls 166
schoon157 folds
Pil Sung has 15 seconds left to act
Pil Sung is sitting out
Pil Sung has timed out
Pil Sung folds
columbo folds
Aquaman H20 raises to 540
predator06 calls 374
scottc25 calls 374
*** FLOP *** [Qd 9c 5s]
Aquaman H20 bets 900
predator06 folds
scottc25 has 15 seconds left to act
scottc25 raises to 2,250
Aquaman H20 has 15 seconds left to act
Aquaman H20 raises to 3,342, and is all in
scottc25: crap
scottc25 has 15 seconds left to act
scottc25 has requested TIME
scottc25 calls 1,092
Aquaman H20 shows [Jd Jc]
scottc25 shows [Ad Qh]
*** TURN *** [Qd 9c 5s] [Kd]
*** RIVER *** [Qd 9c 5s Kd] [Ks]
Aquaman H20 shows two pair, Kings and Jacks
scottc25 shows two pair, Kings and Queens
scottc25 wins the pot (8,334) with two pair, Kings and Queens
Aquaman H20 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 8,334 | Rake 0
Board: [Qd 9c 5s Kd Ks]
Seat 1: scottc25 showed [Ad Qh] and won (8,334) with two pair, Kings and Queens
Seat 2: schoon157 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Pil Sung (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: columbo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Aquaman H20 (big blind) showed [Jd Jc] and lost with two pair, Kings and Jacks
Seat 7: Squib didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Zerbet didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: predator06 folded on the Flop

A couple hands later I get A,J vs A,K on a A,x,x,k board. I just knew he had A,K and yet I called anyway and let him double through me which knocked me down to 5k.

I have about 4k left and am in the BB with A,K. Predator06 was in the SB and it folded all the way to him and he shoves. HE had been playing uber-aggressive (whick I have since found out that is his MO) and instacalled. He had A,8 and I got the double-up. With two tables left I picked-up AA once and was able to win a meduum sized pot.

Once we reached the final table the stacks were as follows:

Seat 1: scottc25 (8,950)
Seat 2: Mr2jt (10,320)
Seat 3: Pokerlusky (11,326)
Seat 4: PostModernBoy (17,397)
Seat 5: columbo (1,900)
Seat 6: Sharkey420 (6,335)
Seat 7: Squib (8,236)
Seat 8: Zerbet (10,690)
Seat 9: predator06 (5,846)

I picked up A,A early in the FT and won a pot to get up to around 12k. Down to 5-handed (pays top 3 ) I get the key double-up:

Full Tilt Poker Game #2892266383: Pokerslut Tour V (19289917), Table 1 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:14:26 ET - 2007/07/08
Seat 1: scottc25 (15,845)
Seat 2: Mr2jt (38,276)
Seat 3: Pokerlusky (8,264)
Seat 4: PostModernBoy (11,020)
Seat 8: Zerbet (7,595)
scottc25 antes 50
Mr2jt antes 50
Pokerlusky antes 50
PostModernBoy antes 50
Zerbet antes 50
Zerbet posts the small blind of 250
scottc25 posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Jh Qh]
Mr2jt raises to 1,750
Pokerlusky folds
PostModernBoy folds
Zerbet folds
scottc25 calls 1,250
*** FLOP *** [4s Jd 5c]
scottc25 checks
Mr2jt bets 3,000
scottc25 raises to 14,045, and is all in
Mr2jt has 15 seconds left to act
Mr2jt: might be bad call
Mr2jt has requested TIME
Mr2jt: i think i have you
Mr2jt calls 11,045
scottc25 shows [Jh Qh]
Mr2jt shows [Tc Th]
*** TURN *** [4s Jd 5c] [2h]
Mr2jt: then again..
*** RIVER *** [4s Jd 5c 2h] [Js]
scottc25 shows three of a kind, Jacks
Mr2jt shows two pair, Jacks and Tens
scottc25 wins the pot (32,090) with three of a kind, Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 32,090 | Rake 0
Board: [4s Jd 5c 2h Js]
Seat 1: scottc25 (big blind) showed [Jh Qh] and won (32,090) with three of a kind, Jacks
Seat 2: Mr2jt showed [Tc Th] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 3: Pokerlusky folded before the Flop
Seat 4: PostModernBoy (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: Zerbet (small blind) folded before the Flop

The very next ahnd I get KdQd and let the short stack double-up taking 25% of my chips.

When we reach the money here are the stacks:

Seat 1: scottc25 (14,551)
Seat 2: Mr2jt (26,539)
Seat 8: Zerbet (39,910)

The hand where double Zerbet is the only time the whole tournament I get my money in bad and suckout:

Full Tilt Poker Game #2892449690: Pokerslut Tour V (19289917), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:32:16 ET - 2007/07/08
Seat 1: scottc25 (20,701)
Seat 2: Mr2jt (27,464)
Seat 8: Zerbet (32,835)
scottc25 antes 100
Mr2jt antes 100
Zerbet antes 100
Mr2jt posts the small blind of 400
Zerbet posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [As 7c]
scottc25 raises to 2,500
Zerbet: except for the video
Mr2jt: wut are u talking about zooks?
Mr2jt has 15 seconds left to act
Mr2jt calls 2,100
Zerbet calls 1,700
*** FLOP *** [5s 7d 6h]
gadzooks64 (Observer): lol
Mr2jt checks
Mr2jt: this could get interesting
Zerbet bets 5,000
gadzooks64 (Observer): I'm sure it'll be on youporn in no time
scottc25 raises to 18,101, and is all in
Mr2jt folds
Zerbet has 15 seconds left to act
Zerbet: odds I guess
Zerbet calls 13,101
scottc25 shows [As 7c]
Zerbet shows [9h 9s]
*** TURN *** [5s 7d 6h] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [5s 7d 6h 7h] [5h]
scottc25 shows a full house, Sevens full of Fives
Zerbet shows two pair, Nines and Sevens
scottc25 wins the pot (44,002) with a full house, Sevens full of Fives
gadzooks64 (Observer): ewwww
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 44,002 | Rake 0
Board: [5s 7d 6h 7h 5h]
Seat 1: scottc25 (button) showed [As 7c] and won (44,002) with a full house, Sevens full of Fives
Seat 2: Mr2jt (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: Zerbet (big blind) showed [9h 9s] and lost with two pair, Nines and Sevens

Heads-up I have a 6:1 chip lead and it lasted all of two hands before I won the tournament good for arouns $67. All in all I think I played prettygood. Only got my money in bad and sucked out once. I could have spewed less chips after my double-ups but what are you gonna do?

Guess I know what I'm doing for the next 7 weeks.

Another Snuffy Vegas Trip Report

2007-07-07T19:55:00.000-04:00

Saturday (6/30)

So I am sitting around reading the blog for updates on how Chris is doing. Hey he is up to 11,000. I tell my wife someone I know is doing well in an event. Her quote is “I don’t care. Why don’t you just go out there and watch.” I told her that she had 2 minutes to take those words back or I am booking the flight. She said go ahead so I booked my flight for Sunday afternoon.

Sunday

All of this planning doesn’t mean shit since Chris doubled-up everyone through his stack and was out Saturday night. I got into town around 2:30pm or so and headed over to the Rio. I jumped in the satellite line and was seated in a $125 in quick order. After I pay I head for the bathroom before it starts and saw Scott and Chris heading for the media room. I stop by before the table starts and say hello.

In the satellite I got absolutely no cards and busted out fairly early. It was almost time for Scott’s SHOE event to start and I was going to play another satellite. Chris says “put me in too and you can have whatever I win. Fine. We played a $175 satellite and we both had a good stack with 4 people left. For sure one if not both of us will get a chop right? Wrong. I went out 4th and Chris busted shortly after.

After dinner we watched Scott win absolutely zero pots. I jumped into a 2/5 NL game which right now I can’t remember how it did. Wait, now I do. I flopped top 2 and lost to bottom set and flopped top and bottom and lost to middle set. I cashed out down around $300 or so. I’m dead tired and call it a night at 10pm.

Monday

I get up bright and early hand head over to the Bellagio to play a satellite to get into the $1500 Bellagio Cup III event. It was a $350 two winner satellite. I think I was the second one out. I lost most of my chips check-raising into the chip leader on a scary looking board with air. Well he must have had it as he pushed and I folded half of my chips away.

I walk over to Planet Ho and was seated into the $60 tourney 1 minute before the first break. Coming back from break I have $4000 and the blinds are at 200/400. Well I didn’t last long in that one. I then sat in a 1 / 2 NL game and dropped another $100. WTF!!! This trip is really starting to be a bad idea.

I give a call to Chris and they are heading over to Monte Carlo to find a game. I walk down and they are already seated in the 1 / 2 NL game. There is an open seat and I sit in to the right of the both of them. I gave them position on me so they can’t have any complaints, lol!

It didn’t take long to find the fish at the table. There was an older guy from Mexico who called almost every single flop and called all bets to the river sometimes showing no pair. I bought in for the table max of $200. I twice dropped to $100 and bought in for another $100 so I am now in the game for $400. I won my first pot 1 ½ hours into the game and won a total of 2 pots in the first 2 hours. I was able to get my stack up to around $350 or so when the hand of the night happens.

Chris and Scott left from the game. One of the people entering the game to replace them was a middle-aged guy who thought he was playing on the WPT. The very first hand I was out of the pot and he was holding his cards for me and the guy on the other side of him to see. He had complete air on the first flop and raises. He bets the turn and river hard and gets the other in the pot to fold. Alright this is the guy I want to target. I told him and so did the dealer to protect his hand from anyone else seeing the cards. I only give a person one warning. IF they do it any more than that I am going to use the information as I see fit.

About ½ hour later I get QcJs and limp including the guy to my right. There is a raise to $10 and I think we take the flop 5-6 handed. The flop comes down 10c9c8c. I bet out $30 to see if there are any flushes out. When I do this the guy to my right is holing his cards up and I see a face card that is a spade. OK I know I have him beat. Its folded to him and he calls. The turn is an off-suit baby and he bets out $75. I raise to $250 and he calls fairly quickly. The river is another off-suit baby and he checks. Just in case I saw his hand wrong I decided to check behind. Why I am not sure. He turns over Qs (like I thought he had) 8h. WTF is this guy thinking betting into me on the turn (OK I guess I can see that) but then insta-calling my raise with bottom pair, a gutter and no club???? I was able to take a few more pots off of the guy and some off of the Mexican guy. When the guy to my right decided to quit I got up shortly after with $850 in front of me for a nice $450 profit. Is this where the trip turns around???? I called Chris and they were over at the Orleans so I headed over there. I got in about 45 minutes of Stud 8 before the game broke and won $30.

Tuesday

I was up by around 8:30 and headed over to Bellagio to see what they were spreading. They had 2/5 going but I didn’t feel like playing it. I walked over to Caesars and they were just opening a 1/3 game. Everyone was buying in for 100-300 so I bought in for the table max of 500. It worked well and the competition wasn’t that strong. I can’t remember any unusual hands at all. I chipped up throughout the session and cashed out with $850 good for a $350 profit.

After Caesars I drove over to the Rio and signed up for the first satellite they were offering which was a $125. There was one guy at the table who I recognized. I knew he played very aggressively and I was actually surprised to see him playing in one that low. He usually plays $500’s and $1,000’s. I was glad to pull the seal directly to his left. I was dealt one pocket pair early (6,6) and called a raise from the aggressive dude. I missed and folded to his $250 c-bet. He had built up a decent stack early until he ran his hand into a monster (can’t remember the details) and he was down to around $700. The key hand of the satellite was when I picked up A,A and called a $150 raise from the aggressive guy waiting to trap him for all of his chips. The current chip leader announces all-in and the aggressive guy goes all-in and I insta-call. The CL had AsKs and the aggressive guy had K,J. I faded a flush draw on the end from the CL and took a nice lead. I played pretty tight after that and when we got to heads up I was behind 56/44 and we chopped it.

After that it was time to head to the Ante-Up! meet-up down at Binions. We played 7-handed and started out playing 2/4 razz. We played it without an ante and a $1 bring-in. I play a lot tighter when its played without the ante. I was down a little when we switched the game to 2-7 triple draw. I did fairly well in this. I think we ended up playing it for around 2 hours or so. We then played Stud-8 and I ran really well. I seemed to never catch a brick (according for Fasso at least). I won a good bit of money. We switched to limit h/e. I played pretty tight and had two big hands which I was paid-off. I got Q,Q and raised pre-flop and was bet and called all the way down on an paired board hitting my boat on the river. The next hand I got J,J and hit a set on the flop. I bet the whole way and my hand was good.

Now its time for an interesting game called Juarez. The dealer explained it to us so we decided to play it. You are dealt 5 cards. There are two flops and turns and one river. The game is played like Omaha as you use two cards from your hand and three from the board. It is a split pot game. The highest and lowest hand regardless of what board it comes from gets half the pot. There was one interesting hand that I scooped. I was dealt A,K,Q,J,9. The boards came out something like this:

Q,Q,J,4,9
K,K,A,8,9

I made like a gazillion high hands and won a sizeable pot. The dealers said that this game is usually played pot limit. I couldn’t imagine that. Just sick. We ended up ending the night with some more Stud 8. Near the end there was a good war of words between Fasso and Chris. I won’t get into the particulars as it will be in their blog or on the podcast soon I imagine. I ended up with a $101 profit good for the big winner of the night.

Wednesday

My first stop of the day was at the Rio. I played a $125 satellite and missed. After the satellite I bought into a newly opened 2/5 NL game. I bought in for the max of $500. I had cards early but missed the flop and I was down to $350 fairly quick. I then started to pick up some hands and within 2 hours or so I had it up to $700 when the hand of the trip comes up.

I am in mid-late position with AQ off. There is a straddle to $10 on the button. There are 3 limpers before me and I pop it to $70. The straddle calls and all else folds. The most beautiful looking Kc,Jh,10c flop comes. I lead into the pot for $75 and he rather quickly says all-in. He has about $690 ($10 less than me). I immediately call and he says he has the nuts. I said you have A,Q too? He turns over Q,9. Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I show him broadway and now he needs and ace to chop. It doesn’t show and I just won a $1400 pot. I played about another 2-3 hours after that. One guy I called Mr. Flush kept hitting them, one against my lower flush but he didn’t raise me with his K high flush. I like that. I won a few more pots and ended up cashing out for $1425 ($925 profit).

After being on a heater the last couple of days and my flight scheduled for 5:15 I called the wife and asked if she would mind me staying another day. She agreed (I might pay for this later) and I ran around and booked another flight and hotel room.

Once I was done I went back over to the Rio and signed up for another $175 satellite. I was hit in the face by the deck repeatedly in this one. In a matter of 5-6 hands I had J,10 and raised to 75. There were six callers. The flop comes A,K,Q. I lead out for 200 and EVERYBODY FOLDS!!!! How can nobody hit that flop? A few hands later I bust someone when my A,A beats his A,K. A few hands later I raised with K,K, flop a set and bust somebody. We are now down to 7 people and I have 4100 of the 10,000 chips in play. We get down to about 5 handed and I am still around 4-handed. The player second in chips has 2200. We are playing 100/200 and he raises from the SB to 500. I look down at 4,4. I decided to put him all-in. There is no chance I think he calls in this spot without a monster, but he decided to call with K,Q. At the turn he is open ended and a flush draw but the river bricks and I now have around 7000 going to 200/400. The other two have 1800 and 1200. The 1200 guy asks if there is a deal to be made. I said that I would give them both their money back. The 1800 guy passes. This would have been a good deal for me as if the 1800 guy busts the 1200 guy I am going to chop it 2/1 “losing” 500 instead of 350 if I give their money back. Two hands later I bust the 1200 guy when I have A,5 and he has a middle pair and I flop an ace. I then up the offer to $200 for the other guy and he passes. I put him in the next hand and he folds and is down to 1200. The next hand he goes all in and I call with Q,8. He has A,J. I hit a Q on the river and its over. Good for $1560 after tip.

I was talking to the dealer and he was from Tampa and dealt at Tampa Bay Downs. The floor person was from Bradenton and dealt at the Downs a few months as well. The dealer was really cool and he said that he was wrote a screenplay called “That Time of Months.” It’s a comedy that is supposed to be shot in Tampa near the end of the year or the beginning of next year. He said that he is trying to get Ryan Reynolds or Eric Bana for the lead. Should be interesting to hear more about this. I will see him again dealing at the Downs after the series is over.

After this I am really feeling good. I played one more $175 and busted 9th. I decided to leave the Rio and went over to Planet Hollywood for their 7pm $60 tournament. I doubled up early when I rivered a flush. After that I ran into K,K vs my J,J. I called a raise pre-flop from another guy who doubled up early. The flop was 8 high, he checked, I bet $425, he raised to $1500, I reraised to $3000 and he shoves. I guess I got the information I was looking for, albeit expensive, and fold leaving me around $3500. I proceed to run into kings two more times in the next 10 minutes and still manage to survive with around $1600. I then made a couple semi-bluffs in multi-way pots with flush draws and get it up to $4000 again without a showdown. There were 84 people in the tourney. We made it down to the final 12 people (pays top 9) when I make the absolute worst play of the trip. We are playing 3000/6000 and I have around 40,000. I am on the button 5 handed with J,K. There is a short stack in the big blind with 6000 of his 8500 posted. I call, the SB calls (who has 50,000) and the BB shoves. I call and the SB shoves. The flop comes j,7,2. The SB checks and I shove. The SB calls and has J,7 and I am busted. There was a bust at the other table at the same time and I am out on the bubble.

What the f*** was I thinking. If I shove or raise to 15,000 before the flop I get the SB to fold and I knock out the BB and we are at the final table 10 handed and I would have about the 3rd best stack. Just an absolutely horrible play by me.

After that debacle I went to Harrah’s where I stayed and got in a new 1 / 2 game. I played for about 2 hours practically falling asleep at the table. I cashed out up $70 and headed to bet.

Thursday

I took it easy on my last day. I walked through the Bellagio again around 9am to see what they were spreading. I just dodn’t feel like playing a 2/5 game so I walked over to Caesars and signed-up for a 1/3 game. It was a new table and I decided to short buy for $300. I think there was only one person who bought-in for the full $500 as everyone else had 200-300.

The first two hands I think took around 10 minutes to play with both pots going to showdown with around $400 in the middle. The first couple of playable hands I lead the betting with top pair only to be raised on the turn or river huge and I had to dump my hand. I just refuse to lose a lot of money with top pair unless I have a good read on my opponents.

I was down to $130 when I picked up A,A. I bet the whole way and it was all-in on the river and my hand was good for the double-up. I then picked-up numerous hands including A,K , A,Q , A,J , A,K , 10,10 and miss every single flop. I am down to $130 again and get J,J , flop a set and get another double-up. I pick-up aces again and win another $50ish pot. After about four hours I ended up cashing out up $80. This was the last gambling done on the trip.

Summary

In cash on me I am up around $1500. If you include all of the food and soda I paid for I was probably up around $1700 for the trip. After being down to $200 in my pocket and $200 on the table Monday afternoon I walked into my house early this morning with $3600 in my pocket. All in all I would call this trip a victory. I’m not sure what my next trip will be. I’ll probably wait till January and make a trip to Tunica.

6/27 Results

2007-06-28T10:05:00.000-04:00

Today was not a good day for me online. I played a total of 60 hands in NL$25 and lost $26. I was tired of no limit and decided to jump over to the razz tables. I promptly lost almost a whole buy-in ($20) at $0.50/$1 before makign a little comeback. I switched over to $1/$2 Stud8 and made a few bucks back. I then jumped up to $1/$2 razz and lost another $20. Grrrrrrrr

Now I say fuck it and jump up to $5/$10 Razz and got most of it back in short order and lost a total of $5 playing Razz and Stud8.

My online roll now sits at $274.

Information cam out yesterday that the Hard Rock in Tampa is going to spread higher limit games. They are planning on spreading $1/$2 NL with a $300 cap, $2/$5 NL with a $500 cap and higher if anyone is interested. WOW! I might have to stop out there on Monday and see how its going. I may have found my new home.

Tuesday, 6/26 Results

2007-06-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

I got in around 500 hands yesterday and losing almost $20 which puts me down $0.80 for the month. I was down $43 almost immediately before I turned a small profit. In the evening session I played I lost my buy-in on two of the first 3 tables I opened. I would flop bottom two and get counterfitted or flop top 2 vs bottom 2 and lose to a rivered 2 outer boat.

Frustrating to say the least. We will see how I dotoday. I would like to get around 1000 hands in today. I doubt it will happen but I'm gonna try.

Saturday 6/23

2007-06-25T13:33:00.000-04:00

I was able to only play 146 hands in three tabling NL$25. I ended up winning $6.00.

FullTiltPoker Game #2746850096: Table Rochelle - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:43:55 ET - 2007/06/23
Seat 1: nomigrace ($22.55)
Seat 2: reporp1 ($19.95)
Seat 3: L1mbB1zkit ($24.70)
Seat 4: scottc25 ($27.10)
Seat 5: SCS ($52.10)
Seat 6: kaellinn18 ($24.70)
Seat 7: villainy ($29.20)
Seat 8: bighouse91 ($8.95)
Seat 9: PocketKing75 ($25), is sitting out
SCS posts the small blind of $0.10
kaellinn18 posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to scottc25 [Qd Qc]
villainy folds
bighouse91 calls $0.25
nomigrace folds
reporp1 calls $0.25
L1mbB1zkit folds
scottc25 raises to $1
SCS folds
kaellinn18 calls $0.75
bighouse91 calls $0.75
reporp1 calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [Jh Td 9c]
kaellinn18 checks
bighouse91 bets $1.75
reporp1 folds
scottc25 raises to $5
kaellinn18 folds
bighouse91 raises to $7.95, and is all in
scottc25 calls $2.95
bighouse91 shows [8c 7h]
scottc25 shows [Qd Qc]
*** TURN *** [Jh Td 9c] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [Jh Td 9c Tc] [Ks]
bighouse91 shows a straight, Jack high
scottc25 shows a straight, King high
scottc25 wins the pot ($19) with a straight, King high
bighouse91 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $20 | Rake $1
Board: [Jh Td 9c Tc Ks]
Seat 1: nomigrace didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: reporp1 folded on the Flop
Seat 3: L1mbB1zkit didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: scottc25 (button) showed [Qd Qc] and won ($19) with a straight, King high
Seat 5: SCS (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: kaellinn18 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: villainy didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: bighouse91 showed [8c 7h] and lost with a straight, Jack high
Seat 9: PocketKing75 is sitting out

I always seem to get these hands against short stacks. I was fortunate enough to win this one though.

I didn't get any time to play on Sunday and hope to play a little today after my son goes to sleep for the night.

Home Game at Gambit's

2007-06-23T11:13:00.000-04:00

I got there right before the cash game started. You start with $40 in chips playing $1/$2 limit games and some quarter quarter NL with a $15 cap. As usual in these games I was instantly down to less than $20. When Fasso called Razz I turned that $20 into aabout $60 in about 5 hands. I just didn't miss. And when I paired it was hidden and I was able to win the pots. At the end of the cash game I was up a whole $3. Yipeeeee!!!!

At the start of the tournament I was just hanging on picking up pots when I could. I had to bluff into a number of pots just to stay afloat. I boult my stack up to around $2100 (from the original $1600). We are down to 5 handed (top 2 get paid) and I am on the button with A,10 and raise to $500. The SB folds and the BB is all in for $475. HE has K,7. He hits a 7 on the turn and lose the pot.

Next major hand we are playing $150/$300. Gambit is shoving his short stack all in every hand (or so it seems). I was very patient waiting to pick-up a hand when he did this. I was in the SB and he shoves for $1400 (I have $1900). I call with A,Q and he flips over A,6. I know how Gambit runs so I am about a 90% dog in this one. The board comes out 5,2,3,4,9 and I am crippled.

Whe whole week I was in Vegas I got my money in good and lost ONLY TWO TIMES (A,K < Q,J and A,J < Q,10) and it happens to be twice in about 12 hands last night. Just too frustrating.

I played a total of 57 hands online yesterday of NL$25 and won $10.15. I'll try and get some more internet play in tonight.

T-Minus 1 week until Tampa Bay Downs re-opens with $1/$2 NL. I can't wait.

WSOP Summary

2007-06-22T12:34:00.002-04:00

OK I added up my results:

WSOP/Binions Tourneys - Lost 5,350
Cash Games - Lost 700
Small Tourneys - Won 806
Satellites - Won 2,555

Next year, now WSOP tourneys I guess. I think I always have to play the razz event. The only other one I think I should play is the shootout event, which is like a satellite.

I was suprised to see I did as badly in the cash games as I did. Granted I didn't play that much in them but I thought I did better.

Day 7

2007-06-22T12:34:00.001-04:00

I'm sitting in the airport right now waiting to go home. Its amazing how fast a week goes here. It will also be great to get home and see my son. Hopefully he still remembers me.

Yesterday I made it to Planet Hollywood for the 10am tournament. I went through my stack in the first hour and did a re-buy for another $60. I picked up 5,5 about 10 minutes before the break and flopped a set to get my chips up to 7000 or so. After the break I went on a heater. I knocked quite a few players out in short order. One example is calling a short stacks all-in with AdJ against AxQx and I flopped the flush. It helps to run good.

I made it to the final table 2nd in chips and the tourney paid top 6. I was never able to pick up a hand and never got a chance to put pressure on anyone else as they were shoving the short stacks in before I got a chance. I ended up busting in 4th for $307. Three final tables, 3 cashes in 3 Planet Ho tournaments. I should have stayed here all week.

After the Ho I drove over to the Rio to play some more satellites. The first one I played was a $125. I ended up chopping it for one lammer and $60. The next one I played in was $225. Down to 3-handed we each took a lammer and played for the last one and the cash. I didn't win so I got just the one lammer. The next one I played in was a $175. We got down to 4-handed but I was unable to come up with a win when I got short and busted out with nothing.

I played the $500 mega satellite at 9pm. I picked up some chips early and got to 3500 (start with 3000). After that I had one ill-timed bluff on a board of k,k,3,2,9. I had 4,5 and the guy with 5,5 called 600 on the end. the table was very passive and I was able to see a lot of flops fir a limp. The guy to my left was absolutely horrible. Twice he called bets on the river with ace high, one of which was good. He would also call down with bottom pair and hit a 2nd pair on the river (he had J,4 and limped UTG). I was down to 1050 when I picked-up A,A in late position. Blinds were at 100/200 and someone in early position made it 600. I shoved and he called with A,Q and my hand was good.

I was sitting on about 2000 in the big blind when someone raised to 700 and there was a caller behind. I pick-up 7,7 and ship it. The original raiser folded and the other called rather quickly with A,J. He flopped an OESD, missed on the turn, but hit the A on the river and I was done. The tourney had 63 people and paid 3 seats. You needed chips and I figured my 7,7 was the hand to go with at that point. As it was I was right and just lost the flip.

When I get back home I will have to go through my trip reports and see what the final tally is. If I didn't play the $2000 NLHE, $1500 Razz, $1k mega and $500 mega I would be plenty ahead. As it is though I lost money on the trip. At least I am going home with money in my pocket thanks to some small tourney cashes and playing the single table sats well.

Later....

Day 6

2007-06-22T12:33:00.004-04:00

I got up late and my first stop was Planet Ho to play some sit n gos. Unfortunately they no longer have them. I walked over to Imperial Palance to play in their 1pm tourney. I signed up and then realized its at 2pm. I sat in the $1/$2 NL cash game and made $50. I skipped the first level of the tourney. I picked up 8,8 and hit a set and then K,K and got it up to 4000 (starting with 1500). I don't think I won another hand after that and busted shortly after the break.

I got over to the Rio for the start of the Razz event. I should have missed the first level like I was planning. I played the first hand all the way down to the river and lost. At the first break I had around 2850 in chips. In the 3rd and 4th levels I maintained the stack having it up to around 4000 but was back down to 3200 at the dinner break. In the 5th level I lost three massive pots within about 10 hands that got down to the river with me losing every one of them. I was a short stack and doubled up two different times in the 6th level before the table busts.

At the new table I have one more all in win in the 7th level. On my bust out hand at the end of the 7th level I had a made 8 on 5th but lost to a rough 7. Done in around 175th. They had around 350 entrants.

During the dinner break I played $2/$5 NL and made around $200. More about one hand when I am able to post about it later. Its a classic.

Day 5

2007-06-22T12:33:00.003-04:00

I woke up around 1pm so the first tourney was the $150 Razz event @ Binions. The structure was good. It doubled over the first three levels then slowed down. Perfect since the early levels of Razz mean nothing. The got a turnout of 206 with 24 spots paid. By the end of the 3rd level I was up to $6000. I didn't win many pots after that and I ended up busting in the 9th level just before dinner break, good for 78th.

I drove over to the Rio after the tourney and I was planning on playing in a satellite or two. To my suprise they were running razz sats. I haven't seen them running other than NL the whole time. Usually they run Omaha if there is an event coming up but I hadn't seen it yet. I signed up for one. At my table were two people who busted out of the Razz event at Binions. We lost two people very quick then were 6 handed for quite a while. When we got to 4 handed it was very slow. The person who knocked out the 4th place finisher had a chip lead and we couldn't get a deal done at that time. I ended up knocking out 3rd and we chopped it up.

I was able to run a couple of bluffs, one against the chip leader when we were 3 handed. That hand almost assured me a chop.

After that I sat into a $225 NL sat. I was dealt a pocket pair 3 times. The last hand I limped with 5,5. I was raised and just shoved. He nad q,q and I am done.

I sat in a 2/5 cash game shortly after that and won about $100 in a couple hours.

I signed up for the razz event @ 5pm tomorrow. If I wake up earlier tomorrow I might try and get in a tournament before my event @ 5pm.

Day 4

2007-06-22T12:33:00.001-04:00

At noon was the WSOP NLHE event. In the first level I picked up smapp pocket pairs three times and limped. Two of the times there was a raise and I called and missed every time.

The first big hand I got QcJc and limped in middle position. The flop comes 10c7c2c. Its checked ahead of me and I check. The turn is the Kc giving me 2nd nut. I bet out 2/3 of the pot and get called. The river pairs the 7. I bet out 600 and get called by the Ac.

I bled down a little more and had $1500 when my last hand came. I am in the blind with two spades in a multi-way limped pot. The flop somes with two spades. I shove and get one caller with top 2 pair. I hit the flush on the river but it makes the other player a boat and I'm done.

After the tourney I jumped in a $175 single table satellite. I spew chips down to $425 at the 25/50 level when i pick up KK from the SB. Its limped 6 ways to me and I shove. I get one caller with A,4 and my hand holds. I picked up a few smapp pots after that then went on a tear busting everybody. Heads-up I had a 74/26 lead. I offered 2nd place double his $ back and he took it.

I then jumped in a $10/$20 razz game that was starting. We started 3-handed and it filled shortly after. Gank (Bret Jungblut) sat in. Tom McEvoy walked by and I tried to get him in the game but he passed. You think if you write a book on razz you are obligated to help start a table right? Guess not. I lost about $100 on the table and left.

I then played some 2/5 NL after I ate and proceeded to drop around $350. One guy at the table was a card rack. The guy on the table said he started with $150. When he left he had about $1600.

I signed-up for the mega satellite and was out 1/2 hour in. I made an ill-timed bluff and got it later with top pair 2nd kicker and lost to the nut kicker.

I really dodn't feel like playing after that but i drove over to Bellagio to see if they were running any sats. They were not so I walked over to Caesars to play in their 11pm tourney. When I walked into the room they had a 4/8 HORSE game going. Wow!

I sat down with $200 at 10:30pm. The second hand I play I chop an absolute monster pot in Stud 8. I think it was 5 handed to the river wuth multiple bets each round. This was such a fun game to play. Something other than NL. One interesting hand during the night when we were playing 4-handed I chopped a Razz pot wuth 7,6,4,2,A. I have never seen a chop before in Razz. I was down to $12 when I won a pot around 5:30 and made a nice comeback to $180. I was successful in getting two rounds of 2-7 in the game. Wow did I clean-up in those games. We also played about 5 hands of blind mans bluff. It was the funniest thing ever.

I think we ended up playing 4 handed for around 3 hours. We finally decided to break the game at 6:30am this morning.

Its already 1:30p now and I am still in bed. Time to get my ass up and go play the $150 razz event down at Binions today @ 4pm. Afther that I am going to try 2-3 single table satellites and if I don't hit I will buy into the WSOP razz event tomorrow.

Day 3 cont

2007-06-22T12:32:00.000-04:00

Other Day 3 Musings:

- Isabelle Mercier looks smoking hot. When she walked by Tony G just stared at her ass for about a minute. I don't blame him.
- Matusow looks nuts.
- I talked to Jen Tilly in line waiting to sign up for tomorrows event. She looks 50 times hotter in person. When her boobs are not out in the open she looks so much better. Nice to talk to. I'm not one to strike up a conversation with the players but she started talking to me, talking about the event she just busted out of. Very personable.
- The whos who was in the Stud8 event. Maybe less pros for tomorrow's event ???

Day 3

2007-06-22T12:31:00.002-04:00

I bought into the $200 NHLE event at Binions. This is the best run room in town, bar none. The blind structures was awesome.

$5000 starting stack
25/50
50/100
75/150
100/200
100/200/25

The first hand I pick-up is A,10 from middle position. I raise to up to 200 and get 1 caller from the blinds. Flop comes j,10,2 rainbow. The blind bets out 300 and I call. Turn is the ace. The blind bets 800 and I call. The river is a blank. The blind checks, I bet out 1300 and he calls with j,10.

Next hand in the first level I get Ad9d from the SB. Its folded to me and I make it $200 and the big blind calls. Flop comes Qd6d4d. I check BB bets $400 and I call. Turn pairs the 4. I bet out $1000 and get called. River pairs the 6. I check he checks. He has K,Q and my hand is good.

The really big hand comes in the third level. I get 4,4 in middle position and limp for 150. The SB makes it $550 to go, the BB smooth calls and I think for a second and call. Flop comes 9s4s2d. The SB bets out something around $1500, the BB shoves all in and I am lovin it. I shove and the SB thinks for a while and finally calls. The BB had A,A and the SB had 10s6s. The turn and river brick and I now have a monster stack. At the first break I am sitting on $26k.

In the 4th-6th levels I open raise 10-12 times and don't get one single caller, ever. At the end of the 6th level I have $25k.

In level 8 starts the downward spiral. Im still around 25k when a short stack raises and I put him all-im for about 8k with A,K. He calls and has Q,J. I flop a K but he turns a straight and I lose. Next hand happens in level 9. There is a raise, a shorter stack shoves, I call and raiser folds. My QQ < AA and I am now a short stack. With the blinds at 600/1200 I have around 6k. Its folded to me in the sb and I complete with 10s6s, bb checks. Flop comes 8s,5x,3s. I shove and the BB calls with 8,5. I river my flush but it makes the BB his boat and I am done in 73rd.

There was 303 entrants, first was $10k. Very fun tourney even though I lost.

I went down to the Rio and decided to play in the cash games. I didn't even last one lap and lost $500. Sick hands. I'll just say I was rivered twice.

I decided to walk over to the board and they had an opening at $15/$30 Razz. It played with a $2 ante and $5 bring-in. I sat down with $600. This was an amazing maniacal game. I bumped up and down so much it was sick. I went from 600 to 400 to 300. I won a massive pot getting me up to 500 then bounced up and down some more. I got it up to $730 and left after about 2-3 hours.

This game was so sick thap people were calling with a jack showing while being whip-sawed. There were more 3,4 and 5 betting going on on 3rd and 4th than I ever saw. I really hated to get up from this one but I need sleep badly.

I signed up for the $2k NLHE event tomorrow.

If anyone wants to post texts of how I am doing PM me your phone #.

Day 2

2007-06-22T12:31:00.001-04:00

I dragged my ass out of bed (I went to sleep @ 2:30) at 8:00 to get to the tourney at the Imperial Palace. I was supposed to meed Gadzooks, Zerbet and crew for the tourney. 9:00 rolled around and nobody was there so I drive down to Planet Hollywood for their 10:00 tourney.

Wow has their tourney structure there changed, for the good. It is a $60 buy-in and you start with $4000, 20 minute levels and blinds starting @ 25/50. If you bust out in the first 3 levels you can rebuy. This tourney doesn't run like a normal wild rebuy fest. There were 45 people and by the end of the 3rd level I am sittlng on $11,000. No real major hands, just a number of medium pots. I maintain over the next few levels and make it down to the final table. They are paying 5 spots and we all agree to chip in $10 to pay 6th. We make it down to the money when I get A,10 from late position and shove my 5x bb stack from late position. The BB woke up with QQ and I was out in 4th for $237.

After the tourney I picked-up Zooks and one other and we went to the Gamblers General Store. This store is like heaven for degenerate gamblers like me. I picked-up the new Full Tilt tourney book cause I want to read the razz section before the tourney Sunday. I think non-razz regulars are going to to read this section and I want to see what thought processes they are creating.

We popped over to the Rio after and I signed up for a $175 satellite. We are down to 7 people playing at $50/$100 and I am in the BB with K,7. There are two limpers, the SB completes and I check. The flop comes down A,K,K. SB checks and I bet $ 200 trying to represent the ace and get called by the other two, sweet. The turn is a 6 bringing a second club. I check, next to act bets $300 other calls. I just shove here for $1100 and the first person thinks for a bit and finally calls with Ac4c. The other folds. The river bricks and I win a good pot.

We are down to 4 handed and I am a slight chip leader with $3500. 2nd and 3rd are close to me and there is one shorter stack with $1800. Blindsare 200/400 and I am in the small blind with A,J. I put the short stack BB all in and he INSTACALLS with Q,10. WTF!!!!!! As you can guess he hits a 10 ball on the river. Not long after that I bust out in 4th. If I win that hand I have half the chips and can coast to a chop or a win.

As we are walking out of the room I go by the cash board and I hear someone call out a razz game. I look back and its Dutch Boyd getting a $10/$20 game starting. If I wasn't walking out to play the 7pm tourney at Planet Hollywood I would have stayed. I almost said screw it and stayed anyway.

We go back over to PH and sign-up for the 7pm tourney. The sctucture is the same as the other tourney. They start with 6 tables. I play like absolute garbage and not feeling well. I bust out with 4 mons left before rebuys end and was deciding whether to buy-in again. Since everyone was still in (Gadzooks, Zerbet, and one other) I bought in again. I have the $4000 to start after the break playing 100/200. I bust someone and increase to 6500 when the first key hand comes up.

I get A,10 in middle position and call a small raise. 4 handed to the flop it comes down Ac2c3d. The small blind bets $300. This screams like a blocking bet to me and he wants to draw cheaply to a flush. He was a good enough player (he was a regular there, as I asked the dealer after) for him to make this play. I make it $1500 to go and he then goes all-in. Maybe I could fold here but I have 1/3 of my stack in and if I do fold I am around 10x bb. I just can't fold here and I call. He has A,2. Oops, wrong read. The river was kind to me this time and it paired the 3 and he is counterfitted. I am now sitting on around $14k.

After that hand I just kinda cruise along picking up samll pots here and there. When we break to 2 tables I have around $21k with the blinds around 300/600 or 500/1000. The first hand at my table I get 9h8h and call a min raise. Three handed to the flop it comes down j,j,8. I check, next to act who has me covered handily bets $4k. Other player folds and action is back to me. I am sure my hand is good. The reason I think this is because he is staring at me when I am thinking. It looks like a classic "you better not call" tactic. I decide to raise to $15k. He thinks for a good 4 minutes. He starts asking questions and I just sit there and stare. He finally folds saying he had A,8. He asked what I had and didn't answer. He asked if I would tell him after and I said sure. About a minute later I told him I had 10,10.

As we are nearing the final table, which is going fast, I have about 12x bb and am one of the big stacks. The tourney is paying top 7. The guy to my immediate left says he just wants to make the final table. We are at 1k/2k and he has something like 7k. Its folded to me and i put him im with 8,5. He folds 4,2. He really made a mistake telling me this. Next lap its folded to me in the bb. I put him in for 5k, he had 2 of it in the bb, AND HE FOLDS, lol. He busts the next hand and we break for the final table.

We start the final table 9 handed. Gadzooks makes it and we are about on equal stacks around $40k or so. We lose one qucks and make a deal for the 8th place person to get $10 from everyone. At the final table 6 handed we are at 2k/4k and I pick up A,A in mid position. I raise to 12k, the guy I got to fold A,8 earlier shoves (he has me covered slightly). Its folded to me and I call. He has j,j and doesn't improve. Now I am on a monster stack. At the next break still 6 handed, me Zooks and one other have around the same stacks. Zooks took down a huge pot with A,A shortly after I did. We get down to 3 handed, I have 100k, Zooks has 86k and other guy and 109k. We talk deal. Me and Zooks wanted a 3 way chop. We ended up agreeing on 1st for $887, 2nd $687, 3rd $487. The was it was listed was something like 1100/550/350, dont check my math here.

A couple hands into 3 handed. The other guy opens for a raise. I actually fold A,5 here. Zooks pushes and other guy calls. Zooks has A,7 and other guy has A,K. Zooks doesnt improve and is out in 3rd. Heads up I am down about 2/1. I would get it back to even but them would keep flopping open enders and flush draws and was getting bled down. We played heads up for around 25 hands or so when he shoves. I call with K,J and he has A,10. I lose the flip and am crippled and bust 2 hands later.

2nd place for $687. I'll take it. Overall a good day 2. I might play the $200 tourney at Binions today at 2pm then head over the Rio for some more satellites.

Cliff notes, I run good at Planet Ho

Day 1

2007-06-22T12:30:00.002-04:00

Got into town around 3:30pm. After getting the car and checking into my hotel I talked to Gadzooks and ElSnarf and they were planning on playing a $65 tournament @ The Flamingo.

Along with Zooks and Snarf, Zerbet, Mrs Snarf, and a few others (sorry if I missed anyone). I busted in the second level. I only had one good hand which was Q,Q in the blind. I raise 3x and both limpers fold. I bust out with 3 or 4 tables still going. Yeah, there was only 4 tables in the tourney.

I sat in a $1/$2 NL game waiting for everyone else to finish. Within a lap I had it from my $300 starting stack to around $450. Aftehr that I hit nothing and bled down to $91 when I cashed out. Not a good start.

The whole crew went to eat after which was a great time. After we ate I drove over to the Rio to get a couple satellites it.

When I walked in they were seating a $175. I jumped in. The first playable hand I get was in the first lap. I pick-up A,10 in MP and raise to $175. I get 2 callers and the flop is j,10,8. I bet out $200 and both call. turn is a 9. I check/fold to a shove. We jump up to $25/$50 and I have around $600. Its limped 5 ways to me in the BB and I look down and see 6,6. I make it $350 and the UTG shoves putting me all in. Hope its a coin flip. Nope, he has q,q and I bust.

Right away they are seating a $125 sat. I play that one. Interesting thing the table was 5 women and 5 men. The thing I didn't like is that 4 of the women knew each other. Something like Naked Poker Dorm or so. Very easy on the eyes but I want some damn lammers!!!

In the first two levels I turn broadway and chip up to around $1700. The girl to my right was a card rack early hitting a set of aces and getting paid along with flopping a straight flush against someones flopped nut flush. We are down to 4 handed pretty fast. I make steals in good position to stay alfoat. When we get to heads up i am down 76/24. I fold the first two hands and am down to $2100. We are playing $100/$200. I ask if she wants to deal and she said she wants to play it out. OK I tried.

The fnext hand I get is A,4 and shove to her raise. She calls with K,10 and my hand holds. After the hand we are 55/45 in favor of her. I ask if she wanted to chop but no go. We agreed to a save so the loser will get their buy-in back. Next hand she shoves and I have A,4. I call again and she has k,j. Door card is an Ace and I am now ahead 90/10. She shoves the next hand and i have A,J and call. She has 7,4, flops a 4 but I river a J and its over. $1k in lammers and $120 cash, less $125 for the save and a $50 tip.

Vegas Trip Reports

2007-06-22T12:30:00.001-04:00

On my way......

KC's "free" internet really sucks. Reminds me of my old 2400 baud dial-up card.

I'm about 5 hours from playing my first tourney or satellite. I have a plan on what I am doing now.

I will play 10 single table satellites over the next two days. I will play in one and two winner satellites up to $225. My goal is to get $4500 in lammers. The events I want to play in are as following in order:

1 - $1500 Razz (Sun)
2 - $1000 Mega Satellite (Fri, Sat, Sun)
3 - $2000 NLHE (Fri)

If I end up sucking at the single tables I will buy into #1 only.

I'm sure I will play other events around town including Binions, Venetian and some smaller tourneys wherever I happen to be. I'll post results daily here.

AC Day 1 Results

2007-03-01T22:42:00.000-05:00

I started off at the Borgata around 3pm. Wow the poker room at the Borgata is awesome. When I sat down I think they are six 2-5 NL games going, on a Thursday! Seats were very comortable, drink girls came by often, etc.

I bought in for $500. The first hand I play about five into the session I get A,K. There is a raise to $15, I pop it to $40 and the original raiser pushes for around $225 and I fold. After watching this guy the rest of the session there is no doubt that my hand was good here but with five hands in there was absolutely no read on his play.

I didn't play many interesting hands and chipped down to around $260. It was a lot a of pre-flop calls of $20 and $25, about 4 times with A,Q, hitting nothing, then folding to a $40 flop bet.

The first good hand of the night is when I had 10d,8d from the small blind in a 5-way limped pot. Flop comes 9d7c4d for an open ender plus a flush draw. I make a pot sized bet and get 2 callers. Turn is an offsuit jack completing the nut straight. Its checked to me and I bet $60 and get to calls. The board pairs the 9 on the river and I lead for $60 and a player min-raises to $120 and the other folds. I call and the other player has a,9 and my hand is good. Other guy who folded said he was on a higher flush draw than mine. Good thing it didn't get there.

The only other big hand I get as 8c7c from early position and limp. There are 4 other callers including the small blind and the bib plind raises to $20 and me along with everyone else calls. Flop comes AcQcJC. I call a $100 bet from the pre-flop raiser and all else fold. The turn comes an offsuit 10. The original bettor makes checks and I bet $200. I am thinking I don't want to see the board pair and I don't want to see another club. The other guy goes into the tank for a minute or two. I start talking saying "your set is no good" and "I will show if you fold". This confuses him a little bit. I pointed at the turn and told hom that the card didn't help me. He ends up folding A,J face-up and I show him the flush. I am happy taking the pot right there. If I am in his position I insta-muck his hand after I bet out the $200.

One other interesting hand was when I was dealt 5,5 in early position. I limped, someone raises to $25 and I called along with 3-4 others. The flop comes A,K,4. I check fold to a $75 bet. The turn came my five and the pre-flop raiser bet out $200 and all folded. I asked him if a set of 5's would have been good and he said yes. I am guessing he had A,K.

I ended up cashing out up $373.

After dinner I went over to the Tropicana. The Trop has always been good to me. I got into a $2/$5 NL game right away. There table was super tight passive and we were playing 6-8 handed most of the hour I was at the table. There was lots of limping and if it was folded to me in late position I would win the pot with a $15 bet. I got out of there after an hour with a $65 profit.

I walked to Caesars who didn't have anything other than $1/$2 NL and $2/$4 limit so I left. I then went to Ballys and there was nothing doing there either. I called it a night around 10:00p.

Total day one profit of $438.

I might spend Friday at the Borgata all day. Lots more tables and better action.

AC

2007-03-01T12:26:00.000-05:00

I just pulled into Atlantic City and will hit the poker room soom. Stay tuned for results.

Winstar

2007-02-23T15:17:00.000-05:00

Now on to the hands......

The first pot I entered was with the A,Q from middle position. I riased before the flop to $20 and got 2 callers. The flop came k,q,q and I lead out for $25. All fold and I win the first pot of the night I play.

One lap later I get A,Q in middle position again and make it $20 to go. I get one caller and the flop comes k,x,x. I cbet $20 and get raised to $60 and I fold.

The first biggish losing hand I have is when I had 4d3d from UTG. ost of the table was playing passive so I took a shot at limping. There were two other limpers plus the small and big blinds and we take the 6d5d10d five handed. I lead out $30 into the $50 pot with my flush and open ended straight flush redraw and get one caller. Turn brings a 4th diamond to the board (jd). I bet $30 and get min-raised to $60. I call hoping for a miracle on the river. River came a blank and I check folded to a $75 bet.

After that pot I chip away and build my stack to around $425 before the next big hand of the night comes around. I get the KcJc in late position and limp. We go to the flop 5 handed when the board comes Js3c2c. A very good flop for my hand. I lead out for a pot sized bet of $25. I get one caller and the next player raises to $75. I call and the other player calls. The flop re-raiser in this hand started with $140 and the caller had around $200. The turn is the certain death card of a 3. The short stack pushes for $60, I reluctantly call and the other player calls. The river is a blank and the two of us with chups left go check check. The short stack flips over 2,2 for a turned boat. I knew I was beat on the turn but couldn't get away from the hand. Back down to around $230 or so after that pot.

I break even for the next 45 minutes or so incliding getting pocket aces with a $20 raise pre-flop and no callers.

Next big hand I get k,k from three off the button in this straddle pot. An early position player makes it $35 to go. I just call along with one other player on the button. The flop comes q,j,x rainbow. Initial raiser checks, I make it $60 to go and the button pushes (he has me covered by $10). Pre-flop raiser folds. The guy who pushes all in I have seen make stabs at pots with little which didn't matter in this hand. The bog thing I saw him doing all night is overplay top pair on several occasions. I have him on A,Q or the less likely k,q. I decide to call. Turn comes another jack and the river is a blank. He tables A,Q (good read) and I take the pot. This was the only hand of the night I was all-in on.

the next hour is a mish mash of hands including winning a small pot with a turned set of 9's and a rivered straight with the 4,4 after a 6,3,2 flop.

I ended up cashing out up a whole $11 ahead. Meh, a winning session.

On to Atlantic City next weekend for three night of pure poker.

Live Session at Winstar

2007-02-22T08:49:00.000-05:00

I am in Dallas on business and decided to drive up to Winstar in Oklahoma for some live action. It was about a 70 minute drive from where I was in Dallas.

A little bit about the room. They have around 15 tables. The room was separate from the rest of the casino so it wasn't that loud. They had five $1/$2 NL tables going, five $4/$8 limit tables going, three $2/$5 NL tables and one $5/$10 NL table.

I got there around 5:30 on Wednesday and put my name on the $2/$5 NL list. I was third on the list and it took a little over 1/2 hour to get on a table. They had three $2/$5 tables going so I was suprised it took that long. The min/max buy-in was $300/$500.

Gotta go to work, I will post part two later today (if the airport has free wireless) or tomorrow.

Rest of Tunica Results

2007-01-16T15:05:00.000-05:00

Internet didn't work too well there....

EDIT: it's more readable on the 2+2 forums as formatting screwed up here.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=8783193&an=0&page=0#Post8783193

Day 2

I started at the Grand around noon and got right into a $2/$5 NL cash game. I never really caught much and don’t remember winning or losing any big pots. I about three hours l end the session down $420.

I then signed-up for the $500 mega super for the WSOPC main event. There were approximately 50 people entered, good for 4 seats and around $3500 cash for 5th. Everyone started with $3000 in chips. Early in the first level I picked up a second nut flush draw and from the BB in a limped pot. I ended up hitting it on the turn and increased my stack to around $4500. I was on the first table to break about 45 minutes in. In level three I have around $4100 in chips playing $50/$100 when I get j,j UTG. I raise to $350, the player next to me reraises to $750 (he is the chip leader at the table with about $8000 or so). I re-pop it all-in and he goes in the tank for around three minutes and he calls with k,k. After he called he said I was wondering if you had the aces or not. That’s what I was trying to represent but it didn’t work. The board didn’t improve me and I was out.

After the mega I drove over to the Gold Strike and played in some single table satellites. Throughout the night I played in 6-7 $125 two winner satellites with a hit on only one. In the 6 that I lost the summary of losses all-in pre flop are as follows:- All-in with the worst of it once, AJ
I played 3 satellites with Ben (2+2’er, still need your 2+2 name). In one interesting hand with him in the first level I get 2,2 in the BB in a 7 way limped pot. I check my option and the flop comes k,2,2. Its checked all the way around. Turn is and A. I check and Ben bets out in middle position for $275 and I am the only caller. Ben says “I guess I need to pair the K on the river.” Well the river comes a king. I lead out for $600, he thinks for ever AND FOLDS!!!!! I show the quads and the table is stunned. I wish I had his chips cause he 2 hands later he gets A,A and gets it all in on the flop and loses to a flopped set. End of the night down a lot of $$$$.

Day 3

I bought into the $1k HORSE event at the Grand. There were 112 runners which paid top 16. I never really had any more than $5300 (started with $5k). I was bounced out in the 9th level about 2 ½ hours in. The key hand that took most of my chips was a three way hand when I started out with (3,2) 5,4. The two others had (x,x) A,4 and (x,x) 6,2. I bricked out on 5th through 7th and lost to a 6,5,4,3,2.

Day 3 Continied.....After I bust out of the HORSE event I go over to the Gold Strick. I sit down in a $125 two winner satellite and lose to another three outer, big suprise.I say [censored] these satellites im going back to the cash games. I go to sign up for $2/$5 and the list is approximately 60 people deep. I guess that's out. I walk over to the Horseshoe and the list there is around 25 deep. Time to come up with a new plan. I decide to kill a few hours and play some Pai Gow. Three hours later and up $150 I go back over to the Gold Strike.

Back at the Gold Strike the list is still a mile long go I play another satellite. They are short on dealers so Johnny Grooms jumps in the box and dealt our satellite, pretty cool. No luck again as we are down to 5 people with an UTG push who has me covered and i get A,K suited and call. Villan has 8,9 suited. board comes out A,9,x,x,8 and I'm done.I decide I'm gonna get this money back so I walk down to the pit, go to the roulette wheel and throw $100 on red. Winner.Now the cash list is only 5 deep as its 2am so I sign up. No movement for 20 minutes so I bolt back over to the Shoe.

I get in a $2/$5 game right away and this table is crazy. Open raises to $60 with 5-6 callers. I didn't play a single hand past the flop in 15 minutes and the table breaks and move into another game. This is where it gets interesting.

I sit down in the 3 seat with around $450 and one of the LAG's from the prior table moves as well. I quickly decipher that I want to be in a big pot with the 8 seat. I get my wish when I pick-up A,Q in early position and call a $15 raise. Three way with seat 8 and the raiser the flop comes q,x,x with two clubs. Seat 8 leads for $50 and I call. Turn is a blank, he bets $50. I think about raising here but I decide to wait till the river as I think he is drawing. If the river comes bad I won't lose as much. Well the river is a third clib. He bets $50 again and I make a crying call and he tables k,q clubs. Down to $300.

The next big pot I play I get a suited A,5 from the BB in a 6 way limped pot and I check. Flop comes a miracle 2,3,4. I check and its checked all the way around. Turn is a 7. I check as I know seat 8 will bet which he makes it $50 to go. I call along with one other. The river is another 7. I bet $75 and get seat 8 to call and my hand is good.

Now the best pot of the night I was in...

I get a suited 5,6 UTG and limp. UTG +1 makes it 25, 3 callers, Seat 8 calls, BB calls and I obviously call. Flop comes 2,3,4 with 2 spades. BB check, I check, originar raiser makes it $40, seat 8 calls and I call. Turn is an off-suit J. I check, original raiser bets $50, Seat 8 asks how much he has to raise to (sweet) and makes it $100. Time to bet now as I know he will call almost anything. I make it $250, original raiser calls and seat 8 calls. River is an off-suit 10. I shove for my last $180 and he folds. I guess straight or flush draw.

The LAG from the other table had tightened up a bit but then there are about 4 limpers including me in a pot with 6,6 and he shoves for $150. All fold to him. I will pick up a hand vs him eventually, and i do....I get A,J suited in early position and I raise to $25 get one caller and the LAG shove for $190. I'm thinking and I can see that the player next to me is going to fold. I decide to call. Flop comes A,Q,x. Turn is the 10d giving me a gutshot and flush draws. River blanks but my hand is good vs 6,6 and I win the pot. I ended the session with around $1200 in front of me for a $700 win after about 2 hours of play. The table broke about 5 minutes after seat 8 left.

One other interesting hand with seat 8 and seat 2 happened. Seat 3 was a solid TAG player.I don't remember the pre-flop action but the flop comes a,a,8. Seat 6 bets $100 and seat 8 and 2 call. turn is another 8, seat 6 bets $100, 8 calls and seat 2 oicks up his cards so I can see. I didn't see and ace and knew they were under 10 but thats it. He raises to $200. Seat 6 folds and 8 calls. River is a blank. Seat 8 bets $100. Seat 2 askes "You have the other ace huh?" who nods and 2 raises to $400. Seat 8 calls. Seat 2 has 8,8 for quads.Me and seat 2 and 4 talk quite a bit about the hand and we came to the conclusion that 8 probably calls an all-in bet on the river. They both had about $1200 behind them on the river.

End of trip report...

Cliff notes:
I suck in tourneys and satellites and rock in cash games.

1/11/07 - A Good First Day

2007-01-11T22:59:00.000-05:00

I got into Tunica around 12:30 or so, stop at Grand Casino, and signed up to play $2/$5 NL. The very first hand I am dealt J,J one off the button and call a $25 raise. Flop comes k,q,x and I fold to a $50 bet.

Most of the hands I played were uneventful and I would up winning $264 in 4+ hours.

I then headed over to the Gold Strike. I got in a $2/$5 NL game right away. This game was a lot looser than over at the Grand. I only played for about 1 1/2 hours and won $272. I had three big winning hands in the session. I had 9,9 and raised to $15 in early position and got 2 callers. flop comes 9,7,2 with two suits. I bet out $25 and get no callers. Next big hand I get j,10 suited. There is a raise to $15 after I limp and I call in a 4-5 handed pot. Flop comes a,8,9 w/ two suits (not mine). PF raiser makes it $50 and I make the call. Pot is heads up and the turn is the queen. I lead out for $100 and win the pot.

Last big hand is with a new player. From the few hands he played he appeared to be very loose passive. I get A,Q and raise pre-flop to $25. I get 2-3 callers and the flop comes q,x,x. I lead out for $50 and the loose passive player calls. Turn is another blank. I bet $100 and he calls. Hmmm. River is the K. He checks and I check. My hand is good. He said he had a worse kicker, Q,j I assume.

I then played in a $125 one table satellite that paid two winners. You start with $2000 in chips and $25/$50 blinds with 15 minute levels. Not too bad. I played a total of three hands. The last one I had A,J suited and raised to $700 when it was 100/200. I was put all-in and I called. Other player had 10,10 and I didn't catch and was out in 7th. I also lost $20 in a last longer bet.

Total profit on the day of $391. I will most likely stick to the cash games tomorrow with a stray one table sat if I am running good.

Tunica Time

2007-01-06T20:13:00.000-05:00

I leave Thursday morning (1/11) for Tunica. I will be playing mostly $2/$5 NL cash games but I think I will try a satellite or two to get into the WSOP Circuit event that starts 1/15. This is a $5k event. If I am running good I may take a shot and satellite into the WPT $10k event that starts 1/21.

I will make updates here between sessions.

Main Event

2006-08-01T02:53:00.000-04:00

I built my stack up to $17,000 at the end of the first break. Nothing dramatic. In the second level I hit a full house to double up to $32,000. In the same lap I turn a full house only to lose to a 3 outer bigger full house on the river. Down to $20,000. After dinner break I have $22,900. I played bad at the beginning of the level and bled muself down to $10,000. Then I get k,k. With blinds at $100/$200 with a $25 ante there is an early raise to $1075. I re-raise to $2800. He goes all in, I call. He shows q,q.

Flop comes a queen and I am done. Lost most of my stack to a 3 outer and a two outer.

Done. Too frustrated to type now. I'll go into greater detail in a few days. I am catching a flight home in 6 hours.

Tampa Tribune Article

2006-07-28T12:59:00.000-04:00

My article is in the paper today:

http://www.tbo.com/life/MGBVKZWM5QE.html