Well, the posts are few and far between. Seems to be only about the local B&M WSOP qualifiers.
So far , I have played 3 of these tournements. Busted out of 1, snagged 4th, and a 7th. So, 2/3 FT finishes. Not bad this year.
My game has changed quite a bit this time around. I am being much more conservative. My normal hyper-aggressive style has just gotten me busted out too many times, either by my own over confidence, or easily being trapped.
In both FT finishes, I felt like I was barely hanging on. No huge wins, no monster pots, no big gambles. Barely staying about 5-10X the BB. I doubted my ability to make it through to the next break. But both times, before I knew it, it was down to 4 tables, then 3, 2, then there I am, Final Table. Almost always with the lowest chip count.
Sitting pretty good at the moment with my point standings, but I need to maintain those points with a few more FT finishes, or taking first.
♥ ♠ ♦ ♣
February 13, 2007
April 17, 2006
WSOP Qualifier
I'm glad rooty got me back into the game. I've posted before about the WSOP satellite qualifiers that one of the local casinos puts on. It's basically a point system, smaller weekly tourney's, and a larger monthly tourney. Higher points to higher place finishes, and on the Monthly tourney, first place is automatically eligible for the WSOP Satellite, and top 45 point holders.
The field was smaller than normal, being it was on Easter Sunday, with about 75 players. Took some bad hits early on, down to as little as 5X the BB on several occasions. But I played smart, stayed out of trouble, and built my stack back up each time.
Retreat to Fight Another Battle
I kept telling myself retreat to fight another battle... Case in point, last hand before 2nd break, I'm in late position with pocket 4's (no clubs), raise 4X BB, usually enough to get the blinds to fold. SB Calls, BB folds. Flop gives me the set, but with 3 clubs. I check, and SB goes all in. This guy has been pretty cordial, and we've played with each other before, and have a tendency just to stay out of each others' way. So I figure he's on the draw. Why call 4X BB, then go all in if you've already got it, I put him on a big club draw. So here I am, I know I've got him beat, but he has me out chipped. Call and he catches, I'm done. I could boat up... maybe quads.. maybe. I lay it down, showing my set of 4's, he turns his Kc rag over. On to fight another battle.
Building the Stack
I keep working on building my stack, and the the field gets smaller and smaller. Before I know it, we are down to 3 tables and play tightens up considerably as top 20 receive points.
Down to 2 table's, 21 players left. Everyone really starts to tighten up their play, they don't want to risk busting out, Only top 8 get paid today. I get more aggressive, and steal blinds, and bluff. I get caught a few times, get lucky a few times, but never risk more than 1/4 of my stack.
Final Table
Finally, down to the final table and play goes quick. A couple double eliminations, and weeding out of the low stacks, and we are down to 4. I play hyper aggressive, 5-7X the blinds, betting the pot on Top pair, flush draws, targeting those that I have out chipped, and calling their desperate all in's in early position before the blinds gobble them up, usually to find they have rags, and I have them dominated, until there is only 2 of us.
Final Two
Heads up, and we are going on 7 hours of play.
This is where I think I'm pretty strong, heads up, but he's got me out chipped by at least 2 to 1. So I do what I do best, and play hyper aggressive. I keep chipping away at his stack, taking more and more, my stack grows, his shrinks.
Pretty slow play, no big pots, and lots of blinds swapping. I raise preflop, he folds, If I call, then bet out the flop, he folds, if he comes out firing I fold. But I'm the aggressor, and the more aggressive player, and I keep taking chips. Thought I had him, but he's apparently got more luck than me. Over and over again, he gets a monster, and we either are back to even, or he's got me out chipped again.
I go for the kill when I'm about 3:1 over his stack, and we actually manage to go all in pre-flop. I have AQ, he's got 10J.
Flop hits us both with 10 J K, and I just smile, as we wish each other luck. Finally, this thing could be over, turn is a rag. River is a 10! A 10! 4 outs, and he nails it on the river for the boat! After an hour straight of heads up, we are right back to square one, even chips.
I start back in, playing aggressively, and building towards a good chip lead, and moving in for the kill, and 2 more times, he ends up coming out on top.
But I have 2 things going for me, aggressiveness, and endurance. I think the later is what finally did it, I was wired and ready to go, much more so than he was I think.
I take a huge pot, and he is is seriously crippled now, I have a mountain of chips in front of me, and a I keep pushing on him. No limping, if he doesn't raise it 4X BB, I make 6X BB. If he doesn't bet the flop, I bet the pot or put him all in. He's getting tired, and cant make anything happen.
Blinds are huge now, 8,000/16,000 w/ 1K ante. Any Face or Pair, and I make it 60K, if he makes a play, I shut him down coming over the top. He cant last long...
He pushes all in shortly before the next blinds level, I look down to A10o, call.
He turns his 78o.
And oh how beautiful the flop was, A 10 rag. He needs runner, runner for a shot, turn is another rag, and the river is the boat Ace.
After over 2 hours of heads up play, I finally take down 1st place, securing my seat into the WSOP Satellite in June.
The field was smaller than normal, being it was on Easter Sunday, with about 75 players. Took some bad hits early on, down to as little as 5X the BB on several occasions. But I played smart, stayed out of trouble, and built my stack back up each time.
Retreat to Fight Another Battle
I kept telling myself retreat to fight another battle... Case in point, last hand before 2nd break, I'm in late position with pocket 4's (no clubs), raise 4X BB, usually enough to get the blinds to fold. SB Calls, BB folds. Flop gives me the set, but with 3 clubs. I check, and SB goes all in. This guy has been pretty cordial, and we've played with each other before, and have a tendency just to stay out of each others' way. So I figure he's on the draw. Why call 4X BB, then go all in if you've already got it, I put him on a big club draw. So here I am, I know I've got him beat, but he has me out chipped. Call and he catches, I'm done. I could boat up... maybe quads.. maybe. I lay it down, showing my set of 4's, he turns his Kc rag over. On to fight another battle.
Building the Stack
I keep working on building my stack, and the the field gets smaller and smaller. Before I know it, we are down to 3 tables and play tightens up considerably as top 20 receive points.
Down to 2 table's, 21 players left. Everyone really starts to tighten up their play, they don't want to risk busting out, Only top 8 get paid today. I get more aggressive, and steal blinds, and bluff. I get caught a few times, get lucky a few times, but never risk more than 1/4 of my stack.
Final Table
Finally, down to the final table and play goes quick. A couple double eliminations, and weeding out of the low stacks, and we are down to 4. I play hyper aggressive, 5-7X the blinds, betting the pot on Top pair, flush draws, targeting those that I have out chipped, and calling their desperate all in's in early position before the blinds gobble them up, usually to find they have rags, and I have them dominated, until there is only 2 of us.
Final Two
Heads up, and we are going on 7 hours of play.
This is where I think I'm pretty strong, heads up, but he's got me out chipped by at least 2 to 1. So I do what I do best, and play hyper aggressive. I keep chipping away at his stack, taking more and more, my stack grows, his shrinks.
Pretty slow play, no big pots, and lots of blinds swapping. I raise preflop, he folds, If I call, then bet out the flop, he folds, if he comes out firing I fold. But I'm the aggressor, and the more aggressive player, and I keep taking chips. Thought I had him, but he's apparently got more luck than me. Over and over again, he gets a monster, and we either are back to even, or he's got me out chipped again.
I go for the kill when I'm about 3:1 over his stack, and we actually manage to go all in pre-flop. I have AQ, he's got 10J.
Flop hits us both with 10 J K, and I just smile, as we wish each other luck. Finally, this thing could be over, turn is a rag. River is a 10! A 10! 4 outs, and he nails it on the river for the boat! After an hour straight of heads up, we are right back to square one, even chips.
I start back in, playing aggressively, and building towards a good chip lead, and moving in for the kill, and 2 more times, he ends up coming out on top.
But I have 2 things going for me, aggressiveness, and endurance. I think the later is what finally did it, I was wired and ready to go, much more so than he was I think.
I take a huge pot, and he is is seriously crippled now, I have a mountain of chips in front of me, and a I keep pushing on him. No limping, if he doesn't raise it 4X BB, I make 6X BB. If he doesn't bet the flop, I bet the pot or put him all in. He's getting tired, and cant make anything happen.
Blinds are huge now, 8,000/16,000 w/ 1K ante. Any Face or Pair, and I make it 60K, if he makes a play, I shut him down coming over the top. He cant last long...
He pushes all in shortly before the next blinds level, I look down to A10o, call.
He turns his 78o.
And oh how beautiful the flop was, A 10 rag. He needs runner, runner for a shot, turn is another rag, and the river is the boat Ace.
After over 2 hours of heads up play, I finally take down 1st place, securing my seat into the WSOP Satellite in June.
Back in the game - Longest Session Yet
Despite some success early last year in ring games and tournements, things turned bad quickly.
I played some online low limit and SNG's online, and some of the local free bar tourneys. Neither of which helped my game. In fact, I believe they further eroded the waning skills I had developed.
I had all but given up for a while, resolving myself to be a casual player. Maybe play a small game with friends, and suffer through those free bar poker games.
But how could I resist when long time poker buddy Rooty IM's me, and gives me a great salesman pitch on how he NEEDS to go play. How can I refuse a friends sincere request for some company on his trip to the B&M.
I usually hit 6/12 when at this particular B&M. I'm comfortable with the stakes and the players, occasionally bumping to 8/16 for a challenge. Rooty just wanted to have a nice easy day, so we both get on the board for 4/8.
Thanks to a new table opening, me and Rooty get on the same table. In my typical play style, I started loose and aggressive, dumping my first $100 within the first hour.
Second rack, I tighten up to tight/passive, then the cards started coming, and moved into tight/aggressive. Along with the cards, the chips came too, soon I was even, then $100 up. As the night went on, my stack grew, players came, busted, and went. Eventually, the influx of fresh fish resulted in our table breaking. We got re-assigned, Rooty and I get the same table again.
It's late, really late, and as I survey the table, there's some young guys, but the majority of them just seem to be those few that are trying (way paste their bed times) to re-claim some of what they have lost. I keep up my tight play, watch for weakness, and push aggressively.
The night drags on, a few more bust out, and finally call it quits, while the fish keep buying rack after rack. This is one of the first times I looked around a table and felt absolutely confident I was the best player there, and had every sucker picked, evaluated, and attack plan orchestrated to take every one of their chips.
They start getting tired, and I'm getting wired. It's like the chum in the water. Night time is my time, always been a night person. I can smell their fatigue, and I push, I get more aggressive, keep the stress on them, let them keep making their mistakes, and pull in the chips.
I didn't want to leave! But the game was drying up, and it was getting early, in the morning. I could get little action, and decided to call it a night, with 4X my buy in to cash out.
It was a 16 hour straight session, and I wanted to go on forever!
Big thanks to Rooty for getting me back in the game.
I played some online low limit and SNG's online, and some of the local free bar tourneys. Neither of which helped my game. In fact, I believe they further eroded the waning skills I had developed.
I had all but given up for a while, resolving myself to be a casual player. Maybe play a small game with friends, and suffer through those free bar poker games.
But how could I resist when long time poker buddy Rooty IM's me, and gives me a great salesman pitch on how he NEEDS to go play. How can I refuse a friends sincere request for some company on his trip to the B&M.
I usually hit 6/12 when at this particular B&M. I'm comfortable with the stakes and the players, occasionally bumping to 8/16 for a challenge. Rooty just wanted to have a nice easy day, so we both get on the board for 4/8.
Thanks to a new table opening, me and Rooty get on the same table. In my typical play style, I started loose and aggressive, dumping my first $100 within the first hour.
Second rack, I tighten up to tight/passive, then the cards started coming, and moved into tight/aggressive. Along with the cards, the chips came too, soon I was even, then $100 up. As the night went on, my stack grew, players came, busted, and went. Eventually, the influx of fresh fish resulted in our table breaking. We got re-assigned, Rooty and I get the same table again.
It's late, really late, and as I survey the table, there's some young guys, but the majority of them just seem to be those few that are trying (way paste their bed times) to re-claim some of what they have lost. I keep up my tight play, watch for weakness, and push aggressively.
The night drags on, a few more bust out, and finally call it quits, while the fish keep buying rack after rack. This is one of the first times I looked around a table and felt absolutely confident I was the best player there, and had every sucker picked, evaluated, and attack plan orchestrated to take every one of their chips.
They start getting tired, and I'm getting wired. It's like the chum in the water. Night time is my time, always been a night person. I can smell their fatigue, and I push, I get more aggressive, keep the stress on them, let them keep making their mistakes, and pull in the chips.
I didn't want to leave! But the game was drying up, and it was getting early, in the morning. I could get little action, and decided to call it a night, with 4X my buy in to cash out.
It was a 16 hour straight session, and I wanted to go on forever!
Big thanks to Rooty for getting me back in the game.
February 17, 2006
Playing Poker online is Illegal...
There seems to be a lot of confusion wether or not playing poker online for real money is legal or not. As this article shows, there's so much confusion in fact, that 2 Politicians are propossing new legislation that makes it very clear, and punishable with up to 5 years in prison.
November 28, 2005
LOL! Fish's Speak
Was just talking to Rooty about sending tells, and came up with this little inner dialouge...
Small Fish1: "Oh no, here comes a shark!"
Small Fish2: "I don't understand, why is he swimming away?"
Starfish: "You dumb fish, don't you know? He's circling to come up behind you and catch you by suprise!"
Now, if someone with some artistic talent could put that to a little comic strip, that would be the Nutz!
Small Fish1: "Oh no, here comes a shark!"
Small Fish2: "I don't understand, why is he swimming away?"
Starfish: "You dumb fish, don't you know? He's circling to come up behind you and catch you by suprise!"
Now, if someone with some artistic talent could put that to a little comic strip, that would be the Nutz!
Behaviour and Lying
A couple of good article's on how peoples behaviour when lying. May come in handy at the Poker table...
How to Detect Lies
Eye Direction and Lying
How to Detect Lies
Eye Direction and Lying
November 13, 2005
TFPL Minnesota Team Tournement Report
Myself, Rooty, and 2 other poker buddies entered the TFPL's Team Tournement.
It was the largest Team Tournement EVER in Minnesota. OK, it was the first, so that automatically made it the largest. 200 player's consisitng of 50 teams of 4 played in Single Table, last man standing, point tourney.
The format was, well, different. The field was cut in half after all tables had only one man standing. The top half teams then went on to the next round, till all tables were completed, then the top half again, rinse, repeat. Until there were only 4 teams left. This made for an incredibly long day.
The final 4 teams broke down to 2 tables, which presented some interesting opportunities for tactics, as you know had 1 of your own team members at the same table. Although table talk was not permitted, chip dumping was.
After 8 hours, the final points were tallied up. Our team missed 2nd place by a mere 2 points (112 vs. 114)!
Well, 8 hours, some decent poker, and 3rd place!
Our prize for the long hours, excellent team play, and proving that we four are some of the best players around??
ZER0!
Not even a friggin' T-Shirt, like "We placed 3rd in the 1st Minnesota Team Poker Tourney! And all we go was this friggin' t-shirt!"
Ah well, I still think free tourney's like the TFPL are spreading the gospel, and are getting new and veteran players involved in a safe, fun, and legal way.
I just won't be doing any more of their team tournements....
It was the largest Team Tournement EVER in Minnesota. OK, it was the first, so that automatically made it the largest. 200 player's consisitng of 50 teams of 4 played in Single Table, last man standing, point tourney.
The format was, well, different. The field was cut in half after all tables had only one man standing. The top half teams then went on to the next round, till all tables were completed, then the top half again, rinse, repeat. Until there were only 4 teams left. This made for an incredibly long day.
The final 4 teams broke down to 2 tables, which presented some interesting opportunities for tactics, as you know had 1 of your own team members at the same table. Although table talk was not permitted, chip dumping was.
After 8 hours, the final points were tallied up. Our team missed 2nd place by a mere 2 points (112 vs. 114)!
Well, 8 hours, some decent poker, and 3rd place!
Our prize for the long hours, excellent team play, and proving that we four are some of the best players around??
ZER0!
Not even a friggin' T-Shirt, like "We placed 3rd in the 1st Minnesota Team Poker Tourney! And all we go was this friggin' t-shirt!"
Ah well, I still think free tourney's like the TFPL are spreading the gospel, and are getting new and veteran players involved in a safe, fun, and legal way.
I just won't be doing any more of their team tournements....
October 04, 2005
Some guys have all the luck....
Although I have not been playing for years, I have read enough to know that everyone run's cold. Sometimes it's short lived, like the morning frost in early fall, that has all melted away with the rising sun.
Then there's the kind of luck people like me have, almost all bad. It's more like the seasons here in Minnesota, it's mostly cold year round, with only a small reprieve that is summer. I run mostly cold, most of the time, and luke warm streaks are the exception. That's how I view my 'luck'. I use the term loosely, because I try to convince myself that there really is no such thing as luck. The cards are coming or they are not, I'm playing well or I'm not, the other players are better than me, or they are not. But those factors just cannot explain some of the horrific beats, at the most crucial times. The only other explanation is that the powers of the universe just don't like me.
In an online game once, someone commented that you need either luck or skill, I promptly replied that I had both! I'm sure everyone was thinking I was a total braggart, but I qualified my statement by following up with; "I have some skill, and a lot of luck, all bad, which makes me a slightly above average player."
I honestly believe that. My level of skill, combined with my runs of bad luck put me just above average, whatever that means.
I will no longer play any limit games, I just can't force people out of hands, and my luck is no match against theres. No Limit is the only game where I can somewhat mitigate the luck factor. I either have it before the flop, or flopped it, and I'm making sure no one catches up to me.
I have the kind of luck that when I flop the full house, the other guy flopped a set, and catches runner runner Kings for the bigger full, or my flopped top 2 pair is up against the flopped set, or my AA's are up against KK's in a WSOP satellite, only to see a King on the flop.
That's the kind of luck I have, that is, if I believed in luck.
Then there's the kind of luck people like me have, almost all bad. It's more like the seasons here in Minnesota, it's mostly cold year round, with only a small reprieve that is summer. I run mostly cold, most of the time, and luke warm streaks are the exception. That's how I view my 'luck'. I use the term loosely, because I try to convince myself that there really is no such thing as luck. The cards are coming or they are not, I'm playing well or I'm not, the other players are better than me, or they are not. But those factors just cannot explain some of the horrific beats, at the most crucial times. The only other explanation is that the powers of the universe just don't like me.
In an online game once, someone commented that you need either luck or skill, I promptly replied that I had both! I'm sure everyone was thinking I was a total braggart, but I qualified my statement by following up with; "I have some skill, and a lot of luck, all bad, which makes me a slightly above average player."
I honestly believe that. My level of skill, combined with my runs of bad luck put me just above average, whatever that means.
I will no longer play any limit games, I just can't force people out of hands, and my luck is no match against theres. No Limit is the only game where I can somewhat mitigate the luck factor. I either have it before the flop, or flopped it, and I'm making sure no one catches up to me.
I have the kind of luck that when I flop the full house, the other guy flopped a set, and catches runner runner Kings for the bigger full, or my flopped top 2 pair is up against the flopped set, or my AA's are up against KK's in a WSOP satellite, only to see a King on the flop.
That's the kind of luck I have, that is, if I believed in luck.
September 02, 2005
PokerStars.com Official Blog
PokerStars has announced a 20% Deposit bonus, as well as Hurricane Katrina Relief Tournements, featuring Wil Wheaton [blog], in which PokerStars will match all entry fees 100%, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross.
I encourage all online players to sign up now! The 20% deposit bonus is just icing.
I encourage all online players to sign up now! The 20% deposit bonus is just icing.
Wired 13.09: On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Bot
Article at Wired about the coming infestation of Poker bots such as WinHoldEm.
July 01, 2005
Fantasy Poker League - 1st Night, 1st Place
The local Bowling Alley/Bar, Jerry Dutler's Bowl has started running Fantasy Poker League Tournements, and I finally got a chance to head down there, get signed up, and play my first tourney.
Quite a different mix of skill levels, from learning to skilled. They host 2 tourneys each day on Thursday and Saturday. Not a bad format, and best of all, it's FREE! Winner takes Dutler's dollars, good for bowling or booze :-D.
And for my first Fantasy Poker League tournement, nothing like taking 1st place, and $30 Duttler's dollars!
Quite a different mix of skill levels, from learning to skilled. They host 2 tourneys each day on Thursday and Saturday. Not a bad format, and best of all, it's FREE! Winner takes Dutler's dollars, good for bowling or booze :-D.
And for my first Fantasy Poker League tournement, nothing like taking 1st place, and $30 Duttler's dollars!
June 16, 2005
Heartland Poker Tour
The first televised event of the Heartland Poker Tour will be occuring at a local casino!
Not my regular B&M place, but they are having a satellite this Saturday to get into next weeks initial event.
And Rooty is going too!
Best of cards to the both of us, hoping we both secure our seats in the qualifier!
Not my regular B&M place, but they are having a satellite this Saturday to get into next weeks initial event.
And Rooty is going too!
Best of cards to the both of us, hoping we both secure our seats in the qualifier!
April 11, 2005
WSOP Tourney - Cruel Poker Gods
The WSOP tournement at a local casino did not go as well as I would have liked.
I had a good chip stack early, and couldn't have asked for better hole cards.
Nothing like sitting down for the first hand and being dealt AA :-D
The cards kept coming, QQ, AK, AK, QQ.
The AK held up nicely as I kept betting into a caller to the river (no A or K on the board), and Ace high was good for the pot. This happened against the same player twice.
Where as AK held up nicely for me, QQ was hurting me terribly. Both times I went Head to Head with a very good player, I folded them both times as each time an Ace fell on the board followed by big opening bets (He says he had AK both times, and Im 99.9% sure he did indeed have it at least one time).
Then, I get AA again in EP. I raise 3x BB, MP raises it to 6X BB (a very good and tight player). I knew he had a good hand. I push all in, he calls without a second thought. We both have about the same amount of chips.
He turns over his KK, and I'm sure Im doubling up here.
I just sank in my chair when a King, 1 of the 2 cards of the 47 remaining that could beat me come on the flop. He now has Trips, and no more help for me.
For any poker gods that may be reading/listening, I am growing very tired of this little joke. Please stop...
Oh, and as for my arch-nemesis Mr. AK who I kept butting heads with, he went on to win it.
Congratulations and Best of Cards to you in the WSOP!
I had a good chip stack early, and couldn't have asked for better hole cards.
Nothing like sitting down for the first hand and being dealt AA :-D
The cards kept coming, QQ, AK, AK, QQ.
The AK held up nicely as I kept betting into a caller to the river (no A or K on the board), and Ace high was good for the pot. This happened against the same player twice.
Where as AK held up nicely for me, QQ was hurting me terribly. Both times I went Head to Head with a very good player, I folded them both times as each time an Ace fell on the board followed by big opening bets (He says he had AK both times, and Im 99.9% sure he did indeed have it at least one time).
Then, I get AA again in EP. I raise 3x BB, MP raises it to 6X BB (a very good and tight player). I knew he had a good hand. I push all in, he calls without a second thought. We both have about the same amount of chips.
He turns over his KK, and I'm sure Im doubling up here.
I just sank in my chair when a King, 1 of the 2 cards of the 47 remaining that could beat me come on the flop. He now has Trips, and no more help for me.
For any poker gods that may be reading/listening, I am growing very tired of this little joke. Please stop...
Oh, and as for my arch-nemesis Mr. AK who I kept butting heads with, he went on to win it.
Congratulations and Best of Cards to you in the WSOP!
April 01, 2005
Hammering the Short Stack and Doublin Up
No more ring games for me, and I'll elaborate in a later post. Basically, for whatever reason, I am just getting killed in ring games.
So its Tourneys and SNG's only for me.
Last night on PP, I did 4 $10 SNG's, finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
SNG Higlight of the Night:
***** Hand History *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) - Fri Apr 01 01:09:06 EST 2005
Table (Real Money) -- Seat 6 is the button
Total number of players : 3
Seat 6: Seat6 (2040)
Seat 9: So_M0ney (790)
Seat 10: Seat10 (5170)
So_M0ney posts small blind (150)
Seat10 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to So_M0ney [ 2d, 7h ]
Seat6 folds.
So_M0ney raises (450) to 600
Seat10 raises (600) to 900
So_M0ney calls (190)
So_M0ney is all-In.
Creating Main Pot with $1580 with So_M0ney all in
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2s, 9h, Ts ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 5d ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 7s ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1580 | Side Pot 1: 110
Board: [ 2s 9h Ts 5d 7s ]
Seat6 balance 2040, didn't bet (folded)
So_M0ney balance 1580, bet 790, collected 1580, net +790 [ 2d 7h ] [ two pairs, sevens and twos -- Ts,7h,7s,2d,2s ]
Seat10 balance 4380, bet 900, collected 110, lost -790 [ Tc 6c ] [ a pair of tens -- Tc,Ts,9h,7s,6c ]
So_M0ney: Hammer Time!
So its Tourneys and SNG's only for me.
Last night on PP, I did 4 $10 SNG's, finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
SNG Higlight of the Night:
***** Hand History *****
300/600 TourneyTexasHTGameTable (NL) - Fri Apr 01 01:09:06 EST 2005
Table (Real Money) -- Seat 6 is the button
Total number of players : 3
Seat 6: Seat6 (2040)
Seat 9: So_M0ney (790)
Seat 10: Seat10 (5170)
So_M0ney posts small blind (150)
Seat10 posts big blind (300)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to So_M0ney [ 2d, 7h ]
Seat6 folds.
So_M0ney raises (450) to 600
Seat10 raises (600) to 900
So_M0ney calls (190)
So_M0ney is all-In.
Creating Main Pot with $1580 with So_M0ney all in
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 2s, 9h, Ts ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 5d ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 7s ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1580 | Side Pot 1: 110
Board: [ 2s 9h Ts 5d 7s ]
Seat6 balance 2040, didn't bet (folded)
So_M0ney balance 1580, bet 790, collected 1580, net +790 [ 2d 7h ] [ two pairs, sevens and twos -- Ts,7h,7s,2d,2s ]
Seat10 balance 4380, bet 900, collected 110, lost -790 [ Tc 6c ] [ a pair of tens -- Tc,Ts,9h,7s,6c ]
So_M0ney: Hammer Time!
March 23, 2005
Another Final Table
I entered another of the WSOP Satellite tourney at a local casino. I had already won my seat into the final tourney in January's satellite, but thought this would be a good chance for some live tourney practice, as well as watch some of the other players I will be up against at the WSOP Final next month. And hey, if I make the final table again, another pay day!
Before I knew it, we were down to 2 tables, then the final. I got some lucky draws and ended up in 4th place with a good payday.
I believe that makes me the only individual to make it to the Sunday WSOP satellite final table twice, and the only person to make it into the final via a Sunday 1st place finish, and on points as well (I should get 2 entries :-).
I Busted out on a terrible play on my part.
Im in late position with 2 limpers, one of them being the chip leader (who had everyone out chipped by at least 10:1).
I look down at A6s, and thought Id make a play at it and call.
Flop comes 678 rainbow, none of my suit.
Chip leader checks (normally a pretty tight player), I go all in figuring he hasn't caught a piece of it and me with a pair with A kicker, Id be in OK shape if he calls. He shows 89, open ended straight with Top pair.
No additional help for either of our hands, and Im out.
It was a bad play, but I wasn't terribly upset. Afterall, i was there to get more live tourney experience under my belt, and I think I learned a valuable lesson.
Before I knew it, we were down to 2 tables, then the final. I got some lucky draws and ended up in 4th place with a good payday.
I believe that makes me the only individual to make it to the Sunday WSOP satellite final table twice, and the only person to make it into the final via a Sunday 1st place finish, and on points as well (I should get 2 entries :-).
I Busted out on a terrible play on my part.
Im in late position with 2 limpers, one of them being the chip leader (who had everyone out chipped by at least 10:1).
I look down at A6s, and thought Id make a play at it and call.
Flop comes 678 rainbow, none of my suit.
Chip leader checks (normally a pretty tight player), I go all in figuring he hasn't caught a piece of it and me with a pair with A kicker, Id be in OK shape if he calls. He shows 89, open ended straight with Top pair.
No additional help for either of our hands, and Im out.
It was a bad play, but I wasn't terribly upset. Afterall, i was there to get more live tourney experience under my belt, and I think I learned a valuable lesson.
February 08, 2005
Thrill Kill in 0.4
Heres was my thought process for the final hand in the PPM IV Super Satellite (see following Post for Hand History);
2 Players in MP Limp in. Im in LP and have position on them. I raise it to 3XBB (90) with KQo.
Both Call.
Flop comes 9s, Kh, 8s
I've flopped Top pair with a strong kicker, but theres 2 spades on the table.
Both MP's check to me...
Theres about 320 in the pot, so I don't want to given any flush/straight draws correct pot odds, so I bet just under 1/2 Pot (125).
Maybe I should have bet more, but I dont think this would have mattered to SlowPlaya_ (not his real screen name BTW).
Early MP who limped in pre-flop then comes wayyy over the top with a raise to 700!
Seat7 folds, and the action is now on me.
I tank. What the hell does this guy have? Limps in pre-flop, and then comes over the top with a huge raise? Theres like 435 in the pot...
I vainly attempt to put him on a hand. I should have this!
I dont think he would limp with AK or KK in MP, and just call my 3XBB raise.
And honestly, Pocket 8's or 9's Never crossed my mind (but should have).
I finally decide hes either got K with a moderate kicker, or is on the Flush or Straight draw if not a total bluff and is trying to bully buy it right there.
Now, If I call, I have a pittance of chips left, not a position I want to be in. So I decide that if Im gonna do this, do it all.
As I hit the Raise (All In) button, I actually think to msyelf for a split second...
"Do you think he would be slow playing Aces?"
I just about fell out of my chair when I see the aces turn!
Mutha F*** slow play!
Im praying for a K or a Q to come up! Please, something save this hand!
No King nor Queen comes to my rescue. Im feeling like the red-headed step prince.
But Wait! Four Spades on the board give me the Queen high Flush!
I backdoor flushed the Rocket Slow Player! I jump out of my chair cheering!
And as the chips slide to SlowPlaya_, what? SlowPlaya_! What the? His Ace high spade flush beats my Queen high.
The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat, in 0.4 seconds.
2 Players in MP Limp in. Im in LP and have position on them. I raise it to 3XBB (90) with KQo.
Both Call.
Flop comes 9s, Kh, 8s
I've flopped Top pair with a strong kicker, but theres 2 spades on the table.
Both MP's check to me...
Theres about 320 in the pot, so I don't want to given any flush/straight draws correct pot odds, so I bet just under 1/2 Pot (125).
Maybe I should have bet more, but I dont think this would have mattered to SlowPlaya_ (not his real screen name BTW).
Early MP who limped in pre-flop then comes wayyy over the top with a raise to 700!
Seat7 folds, and the action is now on me.
I tank. What the hell does this guy have? Limps in pre-flop, and then comes over the top with a huge raise? Theres like 435 in the pot...
I vainly attempt to put him on a hand. I should have this!
I dont think he would limp with AK or KK in MP, and just call my 3XBB raise.
And honestly, Pocket 8's or 9's Never crossed my mind (but should have).
I finally decide hes either got K with a moderate kicker, or is on the Flush or Straight draw if not a total bluff and is trying to bully buy it right there.
Now, If I call, I have a pittance of chips left, not a position I want to be in. So I decide that if Im gonna do this, do it all.
As I hit the Raise (All In) button, I actually think to msyelf for a split second...
"Do you think he would be slow playing Aces?"
I just about fell out of my chair when I see the aces turn!
Mutha F*** slow play!
Im praying for a K or a Q to come up! Please, something save this hand!
No King nor Queen comes to my rescue. Im feeling like the red-headed step prince.
But Wait! Four Spades on the board give me the Queen high Flush!
I backdoor flushed the Rocket Slow Player! I jump out of my chair cheering!
And as the chips slide to SlowPlaya_, what? SlowPlaya_! What the? His Ace high spade flush beats my Queen high.
The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat, in 0.4 seconds.
February 07, 2005
Guess it's just not meant to be
Here's my final hand history from this evening's PPM IV Super Satellite;
This one really hurt...
I took some really hard hits very early on at a very crazy table, knocking me down to just over 200. One Double up, then another put me back to just under 900, then the table change.
This was the very first hand of the new table, and I get plunked down in late position.
I got trapped, and trapped hard. Perhaps that is what is upsetting me the most.
Comments and suggestions on how I should have played this better?
Should I have folded to the 700 raise?
This one really hurt...
Table PPM IV Super Satellite(227188) Table #11 (Real Money)
Seat 9 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: BB_Seat1 ( $850 )
Seat 2: Seat2 ( $950 )
Seat 3: Seat3 ( $1040 )
Seat 4: Seat4 ( $2090 )
Seat 5: SlowPlaya_ ( $1020 )
Seat 6: Seat6 ( $3100 )
Seat 7: Seat7 ( $3100 )
Seat 8: So_M0ney ( $837 )
Seat 9: Button_Seat9 ( $910 )
Seat 10: SB_Seat10 ( $590 )
Trny:9370524 Level:3
Blinds (15/30)
SB_Seat10 posts small blind (15)
BB_Seat1 posts big blind (30)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to So_M0ney [ Qs Kd ]
Seat2 folds.
Seat3 folds.
Seat4 folds.
SlowPlaya_ calls [30].
Seat6 folds.
Seat7 calls [30].
So_M0ney raises [90].
Button_Seat9 folds.
SB_Seat10 folds.
BB_Seat1 folds.
SlowPlaya_ calls [60].
Seat7 calls [60].
** Dealing Flop ** [ 9s, Kh, 8s ]
SlowPlaya_ checks.
Seat7 checks.
So_M0ney bets [125].
SlowPlaya_ raises [700].
Seat7 folds.
So_M0ney is all-In [622]
SlowPlaya_ calls [47].
** Dealing Turn ** [ 6s ]
** Dealing River ** [ 3s ]
SlowPlaya_ shows [ As, Ac ] a flush, ace high.
So_M0ney shows [ Qs, Kd ] a flush, queen high.
Player So_M0ney finished in 196 place
SlowPlaya_ wins 1809 chips from the main pot with a flush, ace high with ace kicker.
So_M0ney has left the table.
I took some really hard hits very early on at a very crazy table, knocking me down to just over 200. One Double up, then another put me back to just under 900, then the table change.
This was the very first hand of the new table, and I get plunked down in late position.
I got trapped, and trapped hard. Perhaps that is what is upsetting me the most.
Comments and suggestions on how I should have played this better?
Should I have folded to the 700 raise?
Day of the Hammer
Tao of Poker has declared today "St. Grubby's Day".
So, drop the hammer, and send him the hand history!
Check his site for details.
So, drop the hammer, and send him the hand history!
Check his site for details.
King of qualifiers
I am seriously considering changing my Poker nickname to QualKing or KingQual or something along those lines. Even Rooty jibes me about my qualifier take downs.
When I want/need to get into a big buy in tourney, I have no difficulties taking top spots in the numerous qualifiers. Either MT or SNG. Where everything falls apart is the actual tourney I parlay my way into.
Why is it I can do so well in these qualifiers?
What is missing in the big game?
I have had a great run this weekend of securing seat's into the PPM IV tournements.
Yesterday afternoons Semi Final, and last nights Super Satellite. Placing in neither.
And once again today, I take down a ST SNG Super Satellite Qualifier.
Tonight's PPM IV Super Satellite is my last shot at the boat, wish me luck...
When I want/need to get into a big buy in tourney, I have no difficulties taking top spots in the numerous qualifiers. Either MT or SNG. Where everything falls apart is the actual tourney I parlay my way into.
What is missing in the big game?
I have had a great run this weekend of securing seat's into the PPM IV tournements.
Yesterday afternoons Semi Final, and last nights Super Satellite. Placing in neither.
And once again today, I take down a ST SNG Super Satellite Qualifier.
Tonight's PPM IV Super Satellite is my last shot at the boat, wish me luck...
February 06, 2005
403 - The Number that will Haunt me
403...
"HTTP Error 403 - Forbidden
The server understood the request, but is refusing to fulfill it."
That pretty much sums it up. No matter what I did, what I had, fate was just not going to fulfill my request.
The final Hand. I'm on the BB AJo with 1 Limper in middle position. I raise 4x BB, BB Calls, MP calls. Flop comes xJx. I got all in with my remaining 800 or so, to get called by the BB, MP folds.
BB Called with the Hooks, giving him the set, and giving me a heartbreak.
I can't let it affect me too much, I WONT let it affect me. I still have tonight...
"HTTP Error 403 - Forbidden
The server understood the request, but is refusing to fulfill it."
That pretty much sums it up. No matter what I did, what I had, fate was just not going to fulfill my request.
The final Hand. I'm on the BB AJo with 1 Limper in middle position. I raise 4x BB, BB Calls, MP calls. Flop comes xJx. I got all in with my remaining 800 or so, to get called by the BB, MP folds.
BB Called with the Hooks, giving him the set, and giving me a heartbreak.
I can't let it affect me too much, I WONT let it affect me. I still have tonight...
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