donk the turn

its that time again, bloggers tournament

2007-10-07T12:54:00.000-04:00

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.

Registration code: 1770013

By nuggetz

2006-07-04T23:50:00.000-04:00

k so

2006-07-03T23:43:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to play 4 tables of 27s whenever I have the urge to. I tried playing 12 4.40s today, I didn't money in any of them.

hopefully I can get 30 SNGs in / day.

wish me luck.

hhs...

2006-07-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.teamareola.com/rwa/HH.rar

if anyone could take a look at any of these (there are 10) and email comments to o2@teamareola.com , that'd be great.

i have no idea what to do.

SNG Guide part 3

2006-07-02T13:50:00.000-04:00

Beating the 6.50 Turbos on Stars

Part Three : The Mid Game

The mid-game is quite possibly the hardest part of the game to play, just because so many people miss chip steals. While in the early game you’re mostly playing your cards, you’re mostly playing your position in the mid-game. Your most frequent pushes will be from the button and small blind. We’ll see later on that your SB vs BB range will be huge.

I define the mid-game as 50/100 – 75/150.

Here are my preflop raises for 6.50s:

50/100 – t300
75/150 – t450
100/200 – t550

A lot of the hands I play depend on my chip stack. If I have a large stack, I might raise 88 in EP, but I’ve gotta feel I can outplay a lot of the table. If I have a smaller stack, I’ll often just push. I never want to put myself in a position where I’ll have less than 10BB when the hand is over if I had more than 10BB at the beginning of the hand.

The real ICM stuff with push/call ranges starts at 100/200, but some funny stuff happens at 75/150.

50/100

The main thing about this level is that you open up some new hands. You’ll usually be down to 7-handed if not less, and therefore you can start raising stuff like AJ from early position.

Hypothetically:

50/100, 7-handed
UTG 2200
UTG+1 1600
Hero 1700
LP 2000
BT 1500
SB 3000
BB 1500

Hero raises to t300.

Here is a nice place to open-raise ace-jack suited, for example. I would fold to a push from any of the players, because even though this is a 6.50, you’re rarely ahead. I would call with AK, for example, though.

You can also raise pairs like 99-TT UTG with a bigstack.

Hypothetically:

50/100, 6-handed
Hero 3500
MP 1100
CO 2000
BT 4000
SB 900
BB 1000

Hero raises to t300.
I would call a push from the SB or BB if no one else were in the hand. Also, it’s important to continuation-bet often, even if an ace comes on the flop. C-bets are sooooo good at the lower stakes. It’s only later on that players start making moves on you. I think until the 114s you’re fairly safe.

It’s important to still remain fairly tight, though. Don’t go around raising KJ in middle position. Also, if I want to steal from the BT, I’m rarely going to raise if I don’t have a 14BB+ stack.

Hypothetically:

50/100, 6-handed
Folded around to Hero
Hero 1150
SB 1200
BB 1350

Hero is BT with ATs, Hero pushes.

That’s more or less how I’d play this kind of hand. I’d raise to about 300 if I had something like 1500 chips, but here you can’t really call a re-push and if you raise to 300 it’s hard to c-bet anything on the flop.

This level is fairly straightforward. It’s somewhat like the 25/50 level where you’re raising AQ UTG for example. You want to remain fairly tight, but still like picking up the blinds since they now represent over 5% of your stack usually.

Here’s a situation that was asked on the LP.net forums. I’m pretty sure I like my new answer.

50/100, 9-handed

UTG (Hero) – 1490
UTG+1 – 1415
MP1 – 2175
MP2 – 1750
LP – 1640
CO – 1520
BT – 805
SB – 1240
BB – 1465

Hero is UTG with AQo. Hero limps. MP limps. SB raises to t400. Hero?

Situation #1
At this point, I fold. Nothing is raising you that you’re really ahead of. Donks will usually check hands like KJ, KQ, AT, pairs and whatnot. I’d say AK-AJ, JJ-AA. You’re ahead of AJ, tied with JJ and AQ, and behind to everything else. This makes it a fold. Donks will usually check hands like KJ, KQ, AT, pairs and whatnot.

Situations #2
However, had Hero raised, MP probably wouldn’t have called. Let’s say SB pushes. Now there’s money for him to steal, so pushing might be worth it for him if you’re tight. I think he’s got a bigger range there, because he knows it’s pretty much push/fold, and he’ll be folding a lot larger range. Pairs, most kings, queens, sometimes JT and shit like that, which makes this a fair call at a 6.50.

I think Villain (SB) shows a lot more strength by raising in situation 1 than by pushing over in situation 2, that’s why I advocate calling in situation #2 and folding in situation #1.

75/150

This is where the fun begins. I’m rarely raising at this level without a 2k++ stack.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 7-handed
UTG 1500
MP 2000
LP 1000
Hero 2000
BT 2000
SB 3000
BB 3000

Hero is CO with JJ.

UTG calls, MP calls, LP raises to t600. Hero pushes faster than he ever thought possible.

In this hand, you’ve got a solid starting hand and tons of money in the pot. t1125 with 400 left behind for LP. You’ve basically gotta call 1000 into a 1525 pot, which is 3:2 odds. You’re 2:1 over most aces and even if he has AK or AQ, it’s a great call. Besides, even if you lose, you still have 1k, which is a ton. Also, if no one had raised, I’d probably just open-push. At a 25+2 or 55+5, I’ll raise for value, but at a 6.50 you’ll get called by A9o frequently which makes this a solid +EV push, especially if you get some limpers in front of you.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 5-handed
Hero 1400
CO 4000
BT 3600
SB 2500
BB 2000

Hero is UTG with A9o

You’re first to act and have less than ten big blinds, and the blinds are hitting you next hand. Many beginners think to themselves – shit, I’ve gotta get in there and gambol. Wrong. You can steal on the SB/BB. This is a very marginal holding and a very bad push. There are virtually no calling ranges for all these players that would make this a valuable push. Unless they’re all folding AQ offsuit, or they just don’t feel their pocket nines are good, this is a losing play. I would want something like ATs if not AJo. I’m definitely pushing 88.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 6-handed
UTG 900
MP 7000
LP 1000
CO 500
SB 1000
Hero 3100

MP has donked his way into a huge stack, doubling up with flop trips when he cold-called a 10BB raise and reraise preflop at 15/30 with JTs, hitting trip jacks on the flop and getting it all-in versus the other two guys in the pot, both of whom had high pocket pairs (Queens and Aces). He has been pushing a ton of hands and he has taken down five hands in a row uncontested, just pushing all-in.

Hero is BB with AKs. Once again, MP pushes allin, and it is folded to you. What do you do?

Answer: you fold. And, friggin’ happily. Take a look at it this way : you have a huge stack compared to the other players. The MP is showing no signs of backing down, and therefore sooner or later he’s gonna knock someone out. You’re not on the bubble, but UTG has 900 chips and CO has only 500. Get rid of these two guys and you’re on the bubble with two shortstacks. You much prefer to be pushing than calling here, and if you do the math, calling is bad. Hell, if a genie showed you that MP has 72o or 32o here, you’d fold.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 6-handed

UTG-BT between 1k and 3k.
SB – 1600
BB (Hero) – 1300

Hero is BB with X X. SB limps, Hero pushes.

I’ll do this fairly often, especially if I have two likely live cards.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 7-handed
UTG (Hero) – 1400
MP – 1600
LP – 1500
CO – 3500
BT – 2000
SB – 2000
BB – 1500

Hero is UTG with 99. Hero pushes.

This is standard. I probably push 88 as well and muck the rest of the lower pairs.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 7-handed
UTG (Hero) – 1100
MP – 1900
LP – 1500
CO – 3500
BT – 2000
SB – 2000
BB – 1500

Here I’ll definitely push 88, possibly 77 if I feel the table is tight enough. AJo of course is an auto-push.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 6-handed
UTG – 1100
MP (Hero) – 2000
CO – 3000
BT – 2000
SB – 1400
BB – 4000

Here, I’m rarely raising… maybe if I have kings or aces, but generally, I’ll just push. I fold AJo. AQ is an instant push, as are TT+. 99 is generally not. This is mostly because of nearly behind you covering you.

Let’s take a look at how this changes simply by switching BB with UTG, and Hero with CO.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 6-handed
UTG – 4000
MP – 3000
CO (Hero) – 2000
BT – 2000
SB – 1400
BB – 1100

Now I’m usually pushing 88, AJo+, and probably ATs. After checking SNGPT, that’s actually one of the exact ranges I got. Heh, no, I didn’t cheat.

Hypothetically:

75/150, 6-handed
UTG – 3000
MP – 3000
CO – 2600
BT (Hero) – 900
SB – 2000
BB – 2000

Hero is BT with X, Y. Hero pushes nearly any two. If Hero were in SB, it’d easily be any two pretty much regardless of the calling ranges.

100/200

I kind of dislike this level. You get the bigger blinds, but no antes, and pushing without antes seems kinda weak. Dunno, maybe it’s just me.

Here, I’m pretty much always pushing. You have to be pretty tight UTG though.

Hypothetically:

100/200, 6-handed
UTG (Hero) – 2200
MP – 3000
CO – 2600
BT – 1100
SB – 2100
BB – 2500

Hero is UTG with AJo. Hero folds.

Pushing here is pretty bad regardless of calling ranges. Under extreme circumstances, it can be really +EV, but that doesn’t happen all that often. I fold this.

Hypothetically:

100/200, 6-handed
UTG – 2200
MP – 3000
CO – 2600
BT – 1100
SB (Hero) – 2100
BB – 2500

Here, Hero has switched places and is now in the SB. Unless the BB is calling a very wide range (any pair, any ace, and then some), I’m pushing any two here. If there were an ante, it’d be a no-brainer.

Hypothetically:

100/200, 6-handed
UTG – 2200
MP – 3000
CO – 2600
BT (Hero) – 1100
SB– 2100
BB – 2500

Again, we use the same stack situation, except with Hero on the button. Here also, Hero should push pretty much any two cards. His stack is shrinking rapidly, and even though the small blind and the big blind might be calling a very wide range, this is the last chance Hero will have to steal the blinds with any fold equity. Once the blinds pass again, he’s screwed. If you think Hero will have fold equity against the blinds with a t800 chip stack, then that means the blinds are fairly tight, making this a +EV push. Either way, it works out. You gotta take this push, even if sometimes it may be marginal.

Hypothetically:

100/200, 6-handed
UTG – 2200
MP – 3000
CO – 2600
BT – 1100
SB– 2100
BB (Hero) – 2500

UTG & MP fold. CO limps. BT folds. SB completes. Hero is BB with AJo.

Same stack situation, different position. We’re on the big blind here, and there’s now a substantial amount in the pot. Personally, I push here, unless I have some amazing read on the CO that he only limps aces and kings in that situation. You can pick up a nice 600-chip pot, and you have a fairly strong hand. I would also do this with 88 and 99.

Hypothetically:

100/200, 5-handed
UTG – 3065
CO – 3320
BT – 3130
SB – 2440
BB (Hero) – 1545

Hero is BB with 54o. UTG folds, CO calls t200, Button folds, SB folds, Hero checks

Flop: A, A, 7, rainbow.
Hero checks, CO checks.

Turn: A, A, 7, T, rainbow.
Hero checks, CO minbets (t200), Hero folds.

This is from the 2+2 forums. I fold this hand because you’re not so desperate for chips. You still have fold equity, and antes should be coming soon so you’ll have plenty of spots to push. If the SB had limped, though, I would’ve pushed preflop.

In general, I just play 100/200 similarly to 75/150, except there are more pushing opportunities. I’d like to get this posted and forget about this because it’s taking up too much time :] 10 pages long so far, that’s enough for me. If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

Donk the turn!

For your viewing pleasure

2006-07-01T22:38:00.000-04:00

The shortest and brutalest SnG in living memory

Transcript for tournament #27354435 requested by oznol
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #5419008751: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/07/01 - 03:21:32 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: hobbystock14 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1500 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1500 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1500 in chips)
SgtKyle: posts small blind 10
oznol: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Qh 2c]
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: calls 20
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
hobbystock14: calls 20
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: checks
*** FLOP *** [2d 7s Kh]
oznol: checks
danricketts: checks
hobbystock14: bets 100
oznol: folds
danricketts: calls 100
*** TURN *** [2d 7s Kh] [5h]
danricketts: checks
hobbystock14: checks
*** RIVER *** [2d 7s Kh 5h] [8d]
danricketts: checks
hobbystock14: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [4s 2s] (a pair of Deuces)
hobbystock14: shows [5d As] (a pair of Fives)
hobbystock14 collected 270 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 270 | Rake 0
Board [2d 7s Kh 5h 8d]
Seat 1: hobbystock14 (button) showed [5d As] and won (270) with a pair of Fives
Seat 2: SgtKyle (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: oznol (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts showed [4s 2s] and lost with a pair of Deuces
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #5419014042: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/07/01 - 03:22:32 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: hobbystock14 (1650 in chips)
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1480 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1380 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1500 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 10
TNTDoak: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Js Td]
Bodtker: calls 20
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: calls 20
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: calls 20
hobbystock14: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: calls 10
TNTDoak: checks
*** FLOP *** [6s Ks 3c]
oznol: checks
TNTDoak: checks
Bodtker: checks
danricketts: checks
xsakox: checks
*** TURN *** [6s Ks 3c] [4s]
oznol: checks
TNTDoak: checks
Bodtker: bets 20
danricketts: folds
xsakox: calls 20
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: calls 20
*** RIVER *** [6s Ks 3c 4s] [2d]
TNTDoak: bets 40
Bodtker: folds
xsakox: calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TNTDoak: shows [Ad 5h] (a straight, Deuce to Six)
xsakox: mucks hand
TNTDoak collected 240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 | Rake 0
Board [6s Ks 3c 4s 2d]
Seat 1: hobbystock14 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: SgtKyle (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 4: TNTDoak (big blind) showed [Ad 5h] and won (240) with a straight, Deuce to Six
Seat 5: Bodtker folded on the River
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded on the Turn
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox mucked [Ah 6c]

*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #5419025197: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/07/01 - 03:24:41 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: hobbystock14 (1650 in chips)
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (1660 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1460 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1360 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1420 in chips)
TNTDoak: posts small blind 10
Bodtker: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [8d 4d]
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
hobbystock14: raises 1340 to 1360
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: calls 1350
Bodtker: folds
*** FLOP *** [3c Ac 5s]
TNTDoak: bets 280
hobbystock14: calls 280
*** TURN *** [3c Ac 5s] [2s]
TNTDoak: bets 20 and is all-in
hobbystock14: calls 10 and is all-in
*** RIVER *** [3c Ac 5s 2s] [Qh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TNTDoak: shows [Kc Ks] (a pair of Kings)
hobbystock14: shows [Js Jd] (a pair of Jacks)
TNTDoak collected 3320 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3320 | Rake 0
Board [3c Ac 5s 2s Qh]
Seat 1: hobbystock14 showed [Js Jd] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (small blind) showed [Kc Ks] and won (3320) with a pair of Kings
Seat 5: Bodtker (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #5419031176: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/07/01 - 03:25:52 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3330 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1440 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1360 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1420 in chips)
Bodtker: posts small blind 10
gothejack22: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Ts Ks]
danricketts: calls 20
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: raises 40 to 60
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: calls 40
*** FLOP *** [9c 9d 6d]
danricketts: checks
TNTDoak: bets 60
danricketts: calls 60
*** TURN *** [9c 9d 6d] [9h]
danricketts: checks
TNTDoak: bets 100
danricketts: calls 100
*** RIVER *** [9c 9d 6d 9h] [3h]
danricketts: checks
TNTDoak: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [Qs Jd] (three of a kind, Nines)
TNTDoak: shows [Qh Jc] (three of a kind, Nines)
danricketts collected 235 from pot
TNTDoak collected 235 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 470 | Rake 0
Board [9c 9d 6d 9h 3h]
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (button) showed [Qh Jc] and won (235) with three of a kind, Nines
Seat 5: Bodtker (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: gothejack22 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: danricketts showed [Qs Jd] and won (235) with three of a kind, Nines
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 5 **************
PokerStars Game #5419036917: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:26:59 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3345 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1430 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1480 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1375 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1420 in chips)
gothejack22: posts small blind 15
danricketts: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Ks 8h]
shizz girl: raises 120 to 150
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl collected 75 from pot
shizz girl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 75 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: danricketts (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: shizz girl collected (75)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 6 **************
PokerStars Game #5419039230: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:27:27 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3345 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1430 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1465 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1345 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1545 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1420 in chips)
danricketts: posts small blind 15
shizz girl: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [3s Jd]
xsakox: raises 60 to 90
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: calls 90
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qc Ad Tc]
xsakox: checks
gothejack22: checks
*** TURN *** [Qc Ad Tc] [Qs]
xsakox: checks
gothejack22: bets 150
xsakox: calls 150
*** RIVER *** [Qc Ad Tc Qs] [9h]
xsakox: checks
gothejack22: bets 360
xsakox: folds
gothejack22 collected 525 from pot
gothejack22: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 525 | Rake 0
Board [Qc Ad Tc Qs 9h]
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (button) collected (525)
Seat 7: danricketts (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: shizz girl (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: xsakox folded on the River

*********** # 7 **************
PokerStars Game #5419045285: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:28:39 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3345 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1430 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1750 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1330 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1515 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1180 in chips)
shizz girl: posts small blind 15
xsakox: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [3h Qh]
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: raises 30 to 60
Bodtker: calls 60
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: raises 1270 to 1330 and is all-in
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
danricketts collected 225 from pot
danricketts: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 225 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts (button) collected (225)
Seat 8: shizz girl (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: xsakox (big blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 8 **************
PokerStars Game #5419048526: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:29:18 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3285 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1370 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1750 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1495 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1150 in chips)
xsakox: posts small blind 15
SgtKyle: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [3d 5h]
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: calls 30
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: calls 15
SgtKyle: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs Js 5s]
xsakox: checks
SgtKyle: checks
gothejack22: checks
*** TURN *** [Qs Js 5s] [Td]
xsakox: bets 30
SgtKyle: folds
gothejack22: calls 30
*** RIVER *** [Qs Js 5s Td] [9s]
xsakox: checks
gothejack22: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
xsakox: shows [6h Th] (a pair of Tens)
gothejack22: shows [3c 3s] (a flush, Queen high)
gothejack22 collected 150 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 150 | Rake 0
Board [Qs Js 5s Td 9s]
Seat 2: SgtKyle (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 showed [3c 3s] and won (150) with a flush, Queen high
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox (small blind) showed [6h Th] and lost with a pair of Tens

*********** # 9 **************
PokerStars Game #5419053264: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:30:16 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1460 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1460 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3285 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1370 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1840 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1495 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1090 in chips)
SgtKyle: posts small blind 15
oznol: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [5h 6c]
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: calls 30
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ah 3c 4h]
oznol: checks
xsakox: checks
*** TURN *** [Ah 3c 4h] [As]
oznol: checks
xsakox: bets 30
oznol: calls 30
*** RIVER *** [Ah 3c 4h As] [4d]
oznol: checks
xsakox: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
oznol: shows [5h 6c] (two pair, Aces and Fours)
xsakox: shows [Kd 2d] (two pair, Aces and Fours - King kicker)
xsakox collected 135 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 135 | Rake 0
Board [Ah 3c 4h As 4d]
Seat 2: SgtKyle (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: oznol (big blind) showed [5h 6c] and lost with two pair, Aces and Fours
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox (button) showed [Kd 2d] and won (135) with two pair, Aces and Fours

*********** # 10 **************
PokerStars Game #5419057937: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/07/01 - 03:31:13 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1400 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3285 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1370 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1840 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1495 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1165 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 15
TNTDoak: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [As Ac]
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: calls 30
shizz girl: calls 30
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: raises 150 to 180
TNTDoak: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: calls 150
*** FLOP *** [Kc 4h 7h]
oznol: bets 300
shizz girl: folds
oznol collected 420 from pot
oznol: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 420 | Rake 0
Board [Kc 4h 7h]
Seat 2: SgtKyle (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol (small blind) collected (420)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop
Seat 8: shizz girl folded on the Flop
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 11 **************
PokerStars Game #5419062902: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:32:13 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3255 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1370 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1840 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1465 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1320 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1165 in chips)
TNTDoak: posts small blind 25
Bodtker: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [2c 2s]
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: calls 50
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: calls 25
Bodtker: checks
*** FLOP *** [4h Kc Jc]
TNTDoak: bets 100
Bodtker: folds
xsakox: folds
TNTDoak collected 150 from pot
TNTDoak: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 150 | Rake 0
Board [4h Kc Jc]
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (small blind) collected (150)
Seat 5: Bodtker (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: gothejack22 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded on the Flop

*********** # 12 **************
PokerStars Game #5419066581: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:32:58 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3355 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1320 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1840 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1465 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1320 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1115 in chips)
Bodtker: posts small blind 25
gothejack22: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Qc Ad]
danricketts is connected
danricketts: raises 1415 to 1465 and is all-in
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts collected 125 from pot
danricketts: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 125 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: gothejack22 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: danricketts collected (125)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 13 **************
PokerStars Game #5419071394: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:33:57 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3355 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1295 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (1790 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (1540 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1320 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1115 in chips)
gothejack22: posts small blind 25
danricketts: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Qc Jd]
shizz girl: raises 100 to 150
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: calls 125
danricketts: raises 1390 to 1540 and is all-in
shizz girl: folds
gothejack22: calls 1390
*** FLOP *** [5c Ks Tc]
*** TURN *** [5c Ks Tc] [7s]
*** RIVER *** [5c Ks Tc 7s] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gothejack22: shows [3c 3s] (two pair, Tens and Threes)
danricketts: shows [Kh Jc] (two pair, Kings and Tens)
danricketts collected 3230 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3230 | Rake 0
Board [5c Ks Tc 7s Th]
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (small blind) showed [3c 3s] and lost with two pair, Tens and Threes
Seat 7: danricketts (big blind) showed [Kh Jc] and won (3230) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 14 **************
PokerStars Game #5419076364: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:34:57 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3355 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1295 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (250 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (3230 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1170 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1115 in chips)
danricketts: posts small blind 25
shizz girl: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [5h 4d]
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: folds
danricketts: raises 3180 to 3230 and is all-in
shizz girl: folds
danricketts collected 100 from pot
danricketts: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts (small blind) collected (100)
Seat 8: shizz girl (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 15 **************
PokerStars Game #5419078290: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:35:22 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3355 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1295 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (250 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (3280 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1120 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1115 in chips)
shizz girl: posts small blind 25
xsakox: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Qc 8s]
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
gothejack22: raises 200 to 250 and is all-in
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
gothejack22 collected 125 from pot
gothejack22: shows [As Jh] (high card Ace)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 125 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: gothejack22 collected (125)
Seat 7: danricketts (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: xsakox (big blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 16 **************
PokerStars Game #5419080489: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/07/01 - 03:35:49 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1445 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3355 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1295 in chips)
Seat 6: gothejack22 (325 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (3280 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1065 in chips)
xsakox: posts small blind 25
SgtKyle: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Js 4h]
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: raises 100 to 150
Bodtker: calls 150
gothejack22: raises 175 to 325 and is all-in
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
TNTDoak: calls 175
Bodtker: calls 175
*** FLOP *** [8s Ks Ts]
TNTDoak: checks
Bodtker: checks
*** TURN *** [8s Ks Ts] [Tc]
TNTDoak: checks
Bodtker: bets 200
TNTDoak: folds
*** RIVER *** [8s Ks Ts Tc] [2d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bodtker: shows [Qd Qs] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
gothejack22: shows [7d As] (a pair of Tens)
Bodtker collected 1050 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1050 | Rake 0
Board [8s Ks Ts Tc 2d]
Seat 2: SgtKyle (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded on the Turn
Seat 5: Bodtker showed [Qd Qs] and won (1050) with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 6: gothejack22 showed [7d As] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 17 **************
PokerStars Game #5419085421: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:36:50 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1395 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1640 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3030 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (2020 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (3280 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1040 in chips)
SgtKyle: posts small blind 50
oznol: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [3s 4d]
TNTDoak: raises 200 to 300
Bodtker: folds
danricketts: calls 300
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: folds
oznol: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 5c Js]
TNTDoak: bets 500
danricketts: folds
TNTDoak collected 750 from pot
TNTDoak: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 750 | Rake 0
Board [Kd 5c Js]
Seat 2: SgtKyle (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: oznol (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak collected (750)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded on the Flop
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 18 **************
PokerStars Game #5419089440: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:37:40 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1345 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1540 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3480 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (2020 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (2980 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1040 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 50
TNTDoak: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Jd 6d]
Bodtker: folds
danricketts: folds
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: raises 200 to 300
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
SgtKyle collected 250 from pot
SgtKyle: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 250 | Rake 0
Seat 2: SgtKyle (button) collected (250)
Seat 3: oznol (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 19 **************
PokerStars Game #5419091827: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:38:10 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: SgtKyle (1495 in chips)
Seat 3: oznol (1490 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3380 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (2020 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (2980 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1040 in chips)
TNTDoak: posts small blind 50
Bodtker: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Td Ac]
danricketts: raises 2880 to 2980 and is all-in
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
SgtKyle: calls 1495 and is all-in
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
*** FLOP *** [4d Kc 9d]
*** TURN *** [4d Kc 9d] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [4d Kc 9d 8c] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [8h Kd] (two pair, Kings and Eights)
SgtKyle: shows [Qh Ad] (high card Ace)
danricketts collected 3140 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3140 | Rake 0
Board [4d Kc 9d 8c 5c]
Seat 2: SgtKyle showed [Qh Ad] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 3: oznol (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: danricketts showed [8h Kd] and won (3140) with two pair, Kings and Eights
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 20 **************
PokerStars Game #5419095986: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:39:02 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1490 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3330 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1920 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (4625 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1040 in chips)
Bodtker: posts small blind 50
danricketts: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Ah 6s]
shizz girl: folds
xsakox: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
danricketts collected 100 from pot
danricketts: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 | Rake 0
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: danricketts (big blind) collected (100)
Seat 8: shizz girl folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 21 **************
PokerStars Game #5419097423: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:39:20 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1490 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3330 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1870 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (4675 in chips)
Seat 8: shizz girl (1095 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (1040 in chips)
danricketts: posts small blind 50
shizz girl: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Tc Jd]
xsakox: calls 100
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
danricketts: raises 4575 to 4675 and is all-in
shizz girl: calls 995 and is all-in
xsakox: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ts 5h Kc]
*** TURN *** [Ts 5h Kc] [As]
*** RIVER *** [Ts 5h Kc As] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [Kh 6c] (a pair of Kings)
shizz girl: shows [7s 7d] (a pair of Sevens)
danricketts collected 2290 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2290 | Rake 0
Board [Ts 5h Kc As 2c]
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts (small blind) showed [Kh 6c] and won (2290) with a pair of Kings
Seat 8: shizz girl (big blind) showed [7s 7d] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 9: xsakox folded before Flop

*********** # 22 **************
PokerStars Game #5419100705: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:40:03 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1490 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3330 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1870 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (5870 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (940 in chips)
xsakox: posts small blind 50
oznol: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Jd 2h]
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: folds
danricketts: raises 5770 to 5870 and is all-in
xsakox: folds
oznol: folds
danricketts collected 250 from pot
danricketts: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 250 | Rake 0
Seat 3: oznol (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts (button) collected (250)
Seat 9: xsakox (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 23 **************
PokerStars Game #5419102700: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:40:27 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1390 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3330 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1870 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (6020 in chips)
Seat 9: xsakox (890 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 50
TNTDoak: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [5h 3d]
Bodtker: folds
danricketts: raises 5920 to 6020 and is all-in
xsakox: calls 890 and is all-in
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: folds
*** FLOP *** [8d 6c Js]
Bodtker said, "shows what a fuucking joke this site is....."
*** TURN *** [8d 6c Js] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [8d 6c Js 2c] [7d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [Qc 6h] (a pair of Sixes)
xsakox: shows [Qh Kc] (high card King)
danricketts collected 1930 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1930 | Rake 0
Board [8d 6c Js 2c 7d]
Seat 3: oznol (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: danricketts showed [Qc 6h] and won (1930) with a pair of Sixes
Seat 9: xsakox (button) showed [Qh Kc] and lost with high card King

*********** # 24 **************
PokerStars Game #5419107156: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/07/01 - 03:41:25 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1340 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (3230 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (1870 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (7060 in chips)
TNTDoak: posts small blind 50
Bodtker: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Kd 6s]
danricketts: folds
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: calls 50
Bodtker: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qd 2d 7c]
TNTDoak: bets 200
Bodtker: calls 200
*** TURN *** [Qd 2d 7c] [Js]
TNTDoak: checks
Bodtker: bets 200
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker collected 600 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 600 | Rake 0
Board [Qd 2d 7c Js]
Seat 3: oznol (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 5: Bodtker (big blind) collected (600)
Seat 7: danricketts folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 25 **************
PokerStars Game #5419110716: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/07/01 - 03:42:11 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1340 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (2930 in chips)
Seat 5: Bodtker (2170 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (7060 in chips)
Bodtker: posts small blind 75
danricketts: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [2d Js]
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: raises 300 to 450
Bodtker: calls 375
danricketts: raises 6610 to 7060 and is all-in
TNTDoak: folds
Bodtker: calls 1720 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [Qs 9h 9s]
*** TURN *** [Qs 9h 9s] [Kd]
Bodtker said, "well played moron"
*** RIVER *** [Qs 9h 9s Kd] [Td]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bodtker: shows [Ah Qc] (two pair, Queens and Nines)
danricketts: shows [9d 8d] (three of a kind, Nines)
danricketts collected 4790 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4790 | Rake 0
Board [Qs 9h 9s Kd Td]
Seat 3: oznol folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (button) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Bodtker (small blind) showed [Ah Qc] and lost with two pair, Queens and Nines
Seat 7: danricketts (big blind) showed [9d 8d] and won (4790) with three of a kind, Nines

*********** # 26 **************
PokerStars Game #5419115049: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/07/01 - 03:43:06 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1340 in chips)
Seat 4: TNTDoak (2480 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (9680 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 75
TNTDoak: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Qc 8d]
danricketts: raises 9530 to 9680 and is all-in
oznol: folds
TNTDoak: calls 2330 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8c 4h Jc]
*** TURN *** [8c 4h Jc] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [8c 4h Jc 8s] [Js]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TNTDoak: shows [4s 4c] (a full house, Fours full of Jacks)
danricketts: shows [Jh Ks] (a full house, Jacks full of Eights)
danricketts collected 5035 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5035 | Rake 0
Board [8c 4h Jc 8s Js]
Seat 3: oznol (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: TNTDoak (big blind) showed [4s 4c] and lost with a full house, Fours full of Jacks
Seat 7: danricketts (button) showed [Jh Ks] and won (5035) with a full house, Jacks full of Eights

*********** # 27 **************
PokerStars Game #5419118076: Tournament #27354435, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/07/01 - 03:43:45 (ET)
Table '27354435 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: oznol (1265 in chips)
Seat 7: danricketts (12235 in chips)
oznol: posts small blind 75
danricketts: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to oznol [Kh 5d]
oznol: raises 1115 to 1265 and is all-in
danricketts: calls 1115
*** FLOP *** [Ah As 5h]
*** TURN *** [Ah As 5h] [Js]
*** RIVER *** [Ah As 5h Js] [Ks]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
danricketts: shows [3h Ac] (three of a kind, Aces)
oznol: shows [Kh 5d] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
danricketts collected 2530 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2530 | Rake 0
Board [Ah As 5h Js Ks]
Seat 3: oznol (button) (small blind) showed [Kh 5d] and lost with two pair, Aces and Kings
Seat 7: danricketts (big blind) showed [3h Ac] and won (2530) with three of a kind, Aces

If you have any questions, please contact us at support@pokerstars.com

Trip Report - Live MTT

2006-07-01T11:20:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, I haven't been playing many tournaments online (except for dropping $100 in a $2 speed rebuy on Party yesterday, but other than that), but I did play in a live tournament last night, as did the rest of my family.

We started with 925 chips (weird number? I didn't understand either), and blinds were 5/10. First hand I got involved in was a hand in my blind, I had K7o and I checked. Flop was K69 rainbow, and I bet out, got one caller. Turn was an 8c, putting two clubs on board, and we both checked. River was the 10c, giving me the straight, and I bet small, she called and flipped K9 for two pair. (t1500 [These are all estimates, but they're relatively close])

I folded for a while, and picked up Ah6h on the button at 20/40 blinds, and raised it up to 120. Got one caller, flop came Ad8s9s, he checked, I bet and he called. Turn was the 10s, and we both checked. River was Jc, he bet and I folded. (t1300)

One orbit later, I pick up Kh5h and decide I'm going broke on this hand. Three limpers before me, so I limp along in the cutoff. Both blinds come in and we have a 6-way pot. Flop is Ah8c6h, and the big blind bet small, like 50, I figured he was protecting his draw or something. The three limpers folded and I raised to 250, and without hesitation he says he's all-in. I only had 350 more chips or something, and he had me covered. I made a crying call, and he flipped A6o. Turn was a 7c, no help there. But the river brought a beautiful 4s for my backdoor straight. (t2500)

I made it through the first break with about 2300 in chips, and was sitting pretty good, and then they brought in this guy with a stack that was roughly 5000. I didn't play too many hands, I stole blinds to keep myself afloat and the next hand I got was A7o in small blind when the cutoff pushed for 150 more chips at the 50/100 level. I raised to isolate and she flipped K4o. She flopped her K and I lost a few chips. (t2050)

Folded for a few more hands, and then next orbit on my big blind, I had KQo, and again the shortstack pushed. I called and she flipped KJ, turned her J and I was down more chips. (t1600)

After that, I picked up AdQd in the cutoff in the same orbit, I raised to 300, and the big blind pushed for 200 more. Folded to me and I called, he flipped 33. Things were looking good, as I was racing pretty well, until the flop came 332. (t1000)

Then, my step-dad got moved to my table and he had 900 chips or so, I just had him covered. His first hand, he raised, and I put him all-in with JJ. He flipped AcQc and I held up to knock him out. I felt bad, but oh well, it's poker. (t2000)

Soon after, I got moved into my mom's old chair after she got taken out. I had position on the guy that took her out and I vowed to bust him. My first orbit, I got 22 and pushed all-in, blinds were 100/200 or 200/400, I can't remember for sure, but I was UTG and the guy's sister called me. She had maybe 1200 chips, so I had her covered, and she flipped K8. BB showed me the deuce that he folded, and she flopped her K. He said something about his family busting all of my family or something, turn was a blank and river was the case deuce, I told him to shut the hell up and play some cards. (t3500)

The next hand, it folded around to the SB, who completed. I pushed all-in, he folded, and I showed 32o. (t3700)

UTG again, I find 66, and raise it up to 1500, commiting myself. I told dickhead to my right that I was raising his BB intentionally, and UTG+1 called my raise, but only had 900 or so, and he flipped K3o. I outdrew krablar like a champ and chipped up a little more. (t5000)

We got moved to the final table, and there were 7 left. The top 5 got paid and I managed to chip up just playing aggressively because they all wanted to money. I don't think I showed down a hand until we were 5-handed, because they were all so passive. (t6500)

I was approximately tied for chiplead, the woman across from me had maybe 500 more chips than me. We were all in the money, when I picked up AJo UTG. I raised to 3000, blinds were 500/1000, and the guy that busted my mom called, which put him all-in. His sister, that I busted with the case deuce was dealing for us. He flipped 66 and said "Oh boy it's a race, I haven't lost all night!" or something to that effect. Flop 575, turn 4, river A, and he was done. I looked over and smiled at my mom and stuff. (t8500)

Very next hand, I get QQ in the big blind, and the button moves all-in for about 9000, and small blind moves all-in for about 8500, and I put my last 8500 in. Button flips KK, and SB flips JJ. Board was 2345A and we split. Whew. (t8500)

After that, I don't quite remember what hands happened, but the woman across from me busted, and then the guy to my left busted, and I was HU with the guy to my rightl; we had about even stacks, something like 25000 apiece. Blinds were up to 1000/2000 now. I bluffed the first hand and got a small lead. (t27000)

Picked up AJo and raised to 6000, he flat called. On a flop of 442, he checked, I bet 6000 again, and he comes over the top for another 9k. I just kinda sat back, looked at him and was like "wtf dude". He looked at me real stone-faced, and the guy that busted my mom was like "Call him, call him!" I said to him "No, he doesn't bluff, he's gotta have a hand to be doing this." I looked straight at the guy and he was nodding his head really fast, like he was trying to get me to believe he had a hand. I called instantly after I saw that and flipped it. He had K7o. Turn and river were blanks and I finally won my first live tournament.

Some things about the tourney:
Buyin - $10
Entrants - 38
1st place prize - $200

Sidenote: This is great, now I get to put money back into my Stars account and I can play some MTTs again. I don't know who knows, but I quit my job recently and have been living off of my bankroll. I just withdrew $400 to pay for all my bills this month and it left me pretty short, running breakeven for 7500 hands sucks. :(

I'm going golfing, taking most of the day off, will be on tonight possibly!

Trey

July starts with a bang

2006-07-01T06:04:00.000-04:00

Couldn't play as much as I'd like because my father's birthday was today, but I still reached my (reduced) quota of 50 tournaments. And boy did I ever run hot. I played (mostly) good too, I think.

WARNING: Following numbers may put Oxy on life tilt.

50 tournaments

ROI 46.7%

ITM 54%

Total winnings $630

Big plans for July

2006-06-29T06:51:00.000-04:00

Gonna try to get to 2000 27s (10-tabling) in July. ROI target is 15%, although anything above 10 is fine.

My one problem is motivation; it's kinda dreary playing so much. If anyone has some tips getting through the grind, I'm all ears.

will take a few days off poker

2006-06-29T00:53:00.000-04:00

I'm going to play 30 more sngs so that I can reach platinumstar, and then I'm going to take 3 days off until monday.

see you guys then.

wooooooooooooo

2006-06-28T20:45:00.000-04:00

tournies: 86
total profit: 40$
roi: 1.7%

weee

obv

2006-06-28T19:43:00.000-04:00

standard

Oxy meets variance

2006-06-27T20:29:00.000-04:00

Hey guys,

So today's my biggest losing day ever. I've dropped a quarter of my bankroll, and I'm not too sparkling about it. It's currently at 4.7k. I've reviewed a lot of my hand histories and they're mostly fine, so I guess it's just variance. I've dropped 1700$ since yesterday, which hurts.

Honestly, I don't quite know what to say. I remember Raszi saying once on LP.net, 'i dont know man... its like... fuck poker? fuck it right in the ass?' Yeah, Raszi said it well.

Right now my bankroll is getting dangerously low. I've lost most of my profit for June (so basically let's just wipe out the past 500 SNGs). I don't want to lose all the hard work I've put in, so if I go below 4k, I'm cashing out 3500 very fast. Unless I lose another 25 buyins at the 27s (I've already lost 20) I'm going to grind back up to 5500, hopefully fast, and then go back to trying the 60s again.

Every fucking blog writes about variance and how it sucks and I've always been like 'yeah I'm ready to take that shit' so I'm going to stop my fucking moaning, man the fuck up and lose KK to QQ eight more times. Go fuck yourselves you fucking cuntbags, I'm going to get to 10K by August.

yeah seriously

2006-06-27T15:06:00.000-04:00

alright so I'm going to move back down to the 27s... I've lost 1600$ in the past two days and my BR is below 5k. so much for the poker job. I expect to be back at the 60s in mid-July.

haha

2006-06-27T13:05:00.000-04:00

I spammed LP.net with a bunch of bad beats that I got, and Arya posted this:

I FEEL HOW WEAK AND FRUITLESS MUST BE ANY WORDS OF MINE WHICH SHOULD ATTEMPT TO BEGUILE YOU FROM THE GRIEF OF A LOSS SO OVERWHELMING. I PRAY THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER MAY ASSUAGE THE ANGUISH OF YOUR BEREAVEMENT, AND LEAVE YOU ONLY THE CHERISED MEMORY OF THE HANDS LOVED AND LOST, AND THE SOLEMN PRIDE THAT MUST BE YOURS TO HAVE LAID SO COSTLY A SACRIFICE UPON THE ALTAR OF FREEDOM. ALLOW MY CAPSLOCK KEY TO EXPRESS BUT A FRACTION OF MY CONDOLENCES.

moving down to the 27s

2006-06-27T11:58:00.000-04:00

http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42952
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42950
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42948
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42947
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42935
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42943
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42808
http://www.liquidpoker.net/h/42807

here are some sample hands

2006-06-27T00:37:00.000-04:00

one
two
three

riding out the downswing

2006-06-26T23:30:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I just rode my bike around a bit, and even though I didn't have much concern about today's session, I'm pretty calm about it now. I just know that I'm a winning player, and I know that whatever happens (barring God coming over and just making me lose every single race), I'll end up making money at this game.

That felt good - I know that I'm a winning player. Took me a while to learn to say that. I'll stop sucking my own dick.

At any rate, Part 3 is underway. Fuck it's long. Wish me luck tomorrow! :D

First day on the job!

2006-06-26T22:38:00.000-04:00

So my first day on the job started off okay. I played 32 sngs in the morning, banking 400$, solid profit. I saw Australia lose to Italy, kicked the couch, and continued to play some more. I checked back in the evening to play some more tournaments, and ended up losing all my profits for the 60s. 7OOTM then 8OOTM and another 7 OOTM, so about two placings in 24 SNGs. Grinded it back a bit and I'm only down 200$ for the day, although down 600$ from 'what could have been'.

# tournies : 74
ROI : -4.1%
ITM : 35.1%
Total profit : -183$
Total rake paid : 370$

Total # : 136
ROI : 4.9%
Overall profit : 403.50$

woah... scary day

2006-06-24T23:32:00.000-04:00

so I played 24 sngs today, not very much, but it's still the weekend so I'm taking some time off before really getting into the grind on monday.

so anyway, got onto the patio, fired up 8 60s and started playing in the nice sun with a beer next to me on a nice comfortable chair.

good thing the surroundings were so nice because I lost most of my tournaments. the next set, one I played about two hours ago, was a set of 27s. I busted out of every single one. so now I'm like 15 OOTM. I'm not too mad, surprisingly. thank god for this amazing bankroll. anyway, I feel I'm on my A-game and I want to play the 60s. if I lose all of them, I drop down to the 27s no questions asked.

and I have my biggest winning session ever. went from like 5200$ to 6082$. big winnar :D

so i'm gonna call it quits for the night, maybe play some more tomorrow, and start THE GRIND on monday!

wish luck plz! NO BAD VARIANCE GDDAMNIT STEADY PROFIT PLEASE!

lol

2006-06-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

8 ootm

bankroll, meet last week

work schedule

2006-06-23T23:45:00.000-04:00

so I've gotta rework what I posted last week, I don't think it's gonna work. I start work on Monday.

I don't think I'm going to be biking before I play poker, I feel relaxed in the morning. however, I want to get a good number of hours in in the morning, 'cause I find I play really well in the morning. not beacuse of easier opposition or anything, I just like the idea of getting out of bed, making breakfast, and playing. probably because no one is home during that time :]

9AM - wake up
10AM - start playing
3PM - go to the pool or sth
4PM - come back, make lunch, clean up the house.
11PM - 1AM play a bit more

mostly I want to play whenever I'm alone at home.

How to improve

2006-06-23T23:07:00.000-04:00

a lot of people have been asking me how to get better. here are the five key elements that have helped me improve:

NUMBER FIVE
sngpt. simply put, it's improved my pushes. I now don't think twice about pushing 96o on the SB with 1k chips at 75/150 when it's folded to me. it's as automatic as raising to t80 with AK or whatever. love to this great program, though i think a tad expensive.

NUMBER FOUR
reviewing my hand histories. going over them with friends and having them say 'I limp these pocket pairs preflop even UTG+1' or 'that's probably a fold on the turn'. little things like that that add up over the ages. even when i'm not losing i'll just talk to a friend that I know is better and ask, "hey, wanna go over some HHs with me?'

NUMBER THREE
2+2. great forum, it's like your personal coach if you take the time to post the hand properly. the people may not be the funniest or most laid back people on earth, but they're certainly helpful
and have helped my game a lot.

NUMBER TWO
I keep a .txt that is saved on my desktop open at all times whenever I play. whenever I play a hand I'm unsure about, whether it be an early game draw or a bubble button push, I post it in there and check it out or run it in SNGPT.

NUMBER ONE!!111ONEONE
form a circle of friends. this is the thing that helped me the most. I've tried to include as many people on my contact list that play poker, especially the people that play my stake. for example, I'll send a hand to Oznol and he'll write back when he gets back, say 'standard' or 'push turn' and then if I disagree we talk about it, debate it, and come up with a conclusion. if not, we post it on 2+2.

now run free and pwn my little kumquats!

hey hey hey

2006-06-23T01:45:00.000-04:00

my ROI at the 27s is 18.2% over 1k

not too shabby

running good!

now at the 60s, ROI is 13.1% over 50 :P

BIG SAMPLE SIZES YA~

time to play 3k sngs

http://www.tourneymanager.net

PRO RVG LOVE YU

Super-tabling

2006-06-22T23:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, I've been on a nasty downswing and I'm sick of it. I just wanna make some freakin money. So I'm going on oznol-style tilt and I'm gonna 20-table the 16s for the rest of the month. Hopefully I can get about 1000 games in. At 10% ROI that adds up to a decent profit. Might make up for my disasterous month.

Wish me luck :D

teh oxygian job

2006-06-22T22:29:00.000-04:00

right, so my 'job' was supposed to start tomorrow (23rd). however, fuck that. I've got a bit to do and a party to attend, not to mention a present to buy. I'll play tomorrow of course, but I'm only gonna play whenever I feel like it. I also think I gotta rework my schedule, but we'll see.

so yeah the real job starts on monday. 8-tabling the 60s, which are going decent. no big downswings, but not winning as much as I should be either.

Temporarily Handicapped, Yet Playing Poker.

2006-06-22T18:25:00.000-04:00

I'm gonna make this short as I only have 1 hand to type with. (My other one is in a cast after surgery... good thing it only takes 1 hand to play poka.) So for this past month I've moved up to $114/$225 turbos and $555 turbos if there are people registered (However this is very rare). Ive been in sort of a limbo, maybe making $3k in 3 weeks (2hr/day 10 tabling)off of SNGs. I was having pretty consistent bad luck and sort of forgot what it was like winning coinflips. Not to say I didn't win any, but I definitely lost more than I won.

The higher buyin SNG games on stars aren't as tough as I thought they would be. There's still a reasonable amount of fish who limp with K7o utg and call 15BB allins with J7sooted and complain about a Q9 v KJ suckout at 300/600 blinds after folding their last 12 hands. Definitely a beatable game. Past 2 days the good run came back to me, and my profits mainly came from my last four $555 SNGs in which I got 2 3rds and 2 1sts.

I plan on playing a reasonable amount (2-4 sessions/day) the next week and a half and see how I do. However, I will be gone the month of July as I am going on vacation.

In other news, I am 4k vpp away from being supernova! =]

one for the freaks

2006-06-22T00:16:00.000-04:00

EDIT: WHOOPS, FORGOT TEH BLINDZS
300/600
UTG (t4230)
UTG+1 (t1760)
CO (t1180)
Button (t5220)
SB (t5930)
Hero (t1680)

Preflop: Hero is in BB with 3 2
UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, CO raises to t1180 (All-in), Button folds, SB folds, HERO suicides

-_-;~!

2006-06-19T23:20:00.000-04:00

Oxy: support
Bob: ?
Oxy: suppor - t
Oxy: as in sup
Bob: oh
Bob: lol
Bob: im like wtf? email pokerstars

also, a situation that I've included in part 3 of the SNG 6.50 guide, but that I feel is important enough to include now to prevent other people from making this DUMBASS mistake

Hypothetically:

75/150, 5-handed
Hero 1400
CO 4000
BT 3600
SB 2500
BB 2000

Hero is UTG with A9s

You’re first to act and have less than ten big blinds, and the blinds are hitting you next hand. Many beginners think to themselves – shit, I’ve gotta get in there and gambol. Wrong. You can steal on the SB/BB. This is a very marginal holding and a very bad push. There are virtually no calling ranges for all these players that would make this a valuable push. Unless they’re all folding AQ offsuit, or they just don’t feel their pocket nines are good, this is a losing play. I would want something like ATs if not AJo. I’m definitely pushing 88 though.

hey check this shit out

2006-06-19T00:06:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone.

2006-06-18T23:59:00.000-04:00

New blogger here. I'm FeNeF, live in Sydney, Australia, mostly play the 27 turbos, and post a bit on 2+2. I really have nothing interesting to blog about, but Oxy wouldn't stop pestering me to join so.. here I am.

Im busy plugging leaks in my game in preparation for playing a whole crapload of games in July and seeing how much money I can really make at this game. Im up for HH swapping/chatting about poker on AIM if any of you guys want, just leave a comment.

really weird unexploitable push i just found

2006-06-18T22:49:00.000-04:00

alright check this out

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t100/t200
(Ante: t25)
5 players

Stack sizes:
Hero: t1880
CO: t4155
Button: t1042
SB: t3212
BB: t3211

Pre-flop: (5 players) Hero is UTG with 6h 6d

I mucked this and it was a pretty big mistake. I thought it'd be marginal because most UTG pushes are, but shit, I found out this push is unexploitable.

what I mean by unexploitable is that regardless of what the others are calling, absolutely regardless (they could be calling 100%) it's a +EV push.

In fact, it's +EV for all of the following: Push hands: 55+,ATo+,A9s+,KQs (10%)

weee

2006-06-18T16:48:00.000-04:00

there is nothing freakin' better than drinking a dr.pepper with fans all around you listening to pink floyd and 8 tabling sngs

My lack of updates

2006-06-18T02:59:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to learn how to play cashgames to make my game more well-rounded. I've only played a couple MTTs this month, and I've bubbled all but one $5r/a, and I only made maybe a $100 profit on that.

After this month, I'll put more time into MTTs, maybe one a day. But for this month, my updates are gonna be few and far between - even though I can say right now that I am averaging $125/day playing NL25 and have moved up to NL50. Turned $300 I put into Party into a $2000 profit (have cashed some out, transferred some, etc - so my roll is only $1500).

That's my update, happier Oxy? :)

Trey

2 things to help you not suck

2006-06-18T00:27:00.000-04:00

maybe a worthwhile post once in a while

you're bb and the sb faglimps

suppose you're at 100/200 with a 1600 stack after posting the blinds, and the sb is anything higher than 1100 or so. you can pretty much push anything and it'll be profitable. seriously kids limp the blinds with anything. even when you've done it a few times in a row, keep doing it; show them who's boss. you mean fucking business, don't fuck with you. and even if they tell you they're calling the next time you push - fuck it, push again. this is especially good at 200/400. you'll get folded to honestly 85% of the time. the other 15% of the time all you gotta do is win a race.

you're sb and you're below 10BB

say 100/200
you have 1950 on sb, bb is 2400 you can honestly push a shitload. i could just tell you you should probably push, but here's another example

100/200/25, you are 2400 he is 2600

other stacks between 1000 and 3000

if he is calling any 22+, A2+, KTs+, KJo+, QJs+,

you are pushing:

22+,A2+,K4o+,K2s+,Q6o+,Q2s+,J7o+,J2s+,T6o+,T2s+,96o+,93s+,86o+,84s+,75o+,73s+,65o,63s+,53s+,43s

huge eh?

Past few days

2006-06-18T00:07:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been pretty bad. I had a considerable downswing (nothing huge) over the last 300 SNGs, remaining nearly entirely breakeven. The past 24 or so however have netted me 700$ in profit, so the roll is currently at 4700. The summer plans are back on, screw the previous post. I'm moving to the 60s sometime next week barring something terrible happening tomorrow.

I've played a 142 SNGs since yesterday, and I'm probably going to play 60 or so more tomorrow. I think I'll also take a shot at a few 4$ 180-man tournaments, since I want to practice for that MTT thing this summer. Goldstar in 1k vpp and Platinum by the end of the month.

I was also talking to a friend about how I can spend so many hours playing poker during the summer. like, what do I usually do all day during the school year? I sit at a desk and study. replace study with make money and bingo

Sigh...

2006-06-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

scrap the 60s.

If you live in Canada...

2006-06-16T12:29:00.000-04:00

don't ever use Videotron as an ISP. They suck at customer support, they suck at providing steady internet, they suck at sending over technical support and fixing their fucking problems, and they rock at losing me a probably 300$ because of busting on 4 fucking bubbles and ufcking folding aces. Fuck I hate videotron. Fuck them. Fuck them.

THE PLAN

2006-06-16T01:01:00.000-04:00

Now hear this.

I’m going to be finishing my last exam on June 21st. Once I do that, I’ll be free for about two months. During this time, I plan to make the most amount of money possible, treating poker as much like a job as possible, setting myself hours and a sleep schedule, while still getting in as much partying as I can (without damaging my liver).

I’m not going to set up a ‘challenge’ type thing, but I will try and maintain daily stats. I don’t want ‘10K in 10 days’ or anything Bill Ivey-style, ‘cause I probably can’t do that. Frankly, playing poker ten hours a day for ten days straight isn’t something that sounds too appealing.

I’m going to try and make 50$/hr playing SNGs. I’m also gonna try that MTT SNG thing, but right now I’ve gotta get my bankroll on-track. I’ve not made much profit at all on this new account – I’m at 1% ROI – and therefore it’s time to start playing solely SNGs.

The plan is to play at least five hours of poker a day. I’m going to make a schedule for myself right now.

9AM – wake up

Make breakfast, drink coffee, check out 2+2, update blog on last night’s happenings

10AM – go to the pool, go out biking

11AM – get back from biking/pool, clean up the house a bit and make lunch

12PM – sit down and play some POKAR!!

4PM – go to the pool for 30 minutes

4:30PM – Take a break, review some poker stuff, check out some websites, eat lunch

Have fun and party. Do whatever.

10PM (or whenever I get back) – play some more POKAR!!

Rinse and repeat.

Right now it’s 1 am and I’ve gotta wake up in about five hours to take an exam, but I’m liking this plan. The roll is at 4200 after some gayness, and I’m going to have to spend another 70$ on Team Areola-related things. A lot of how my roll will look like will depend on this weekend, where I’ll probably get another 100 SNGs in. That’s 400$ profit at 15% ROI, which is very acceptable. Hopefully it’ll be at 4500 to start off my ‘career’ on the 23rd, my first day of work (I will take the 22nd off this schedule I have made up for myself because there’ll be a big party on the 21st probably).

I want to move up to the 60s as fast as possible, when I hit over 5000$. Until then, nothing doing. I don’t like moving down, so I’ll possibly even get to 5480 to have enough for an entire set. We’ll see. Still, I want to be at the 60s by July for sure, if not much sooner.

WISH ME LUCK PLZ!

Damn :-/

2006-06-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

Currently in my last SNG. The past 60 have been bad. Breaking even, again. The problem isn't that this is happening. The problem is that this is happening way too often. There'll be a tool for Stars released soon that'll calculate my true ROI (my Excel sheet isn't very good) and then I'll be able to see where I'm at. The ROI on my new acc is like 1% over 200 SNGs.

Crazy

2006-06-15T07:39:00.000-04:00

35k 10r, second place on monday for $5600
55k 10r, first place on wednesday for $14000.

Why did i think of playing cashgames again?

Why can't cashgames be 10bb deeep?

2006-06-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

Ok so its offical, i really suck at cashgames.

Since ket makes $8394058349058 an hour playing 3/6, and he sucks at poker, i figured i'd give cashgames a go. WOW it was just me losing money. I have no idea whats up with mu cashgame play, most of the times i got stacked ket said he'd play the same as me, but jesus he runs sooooo much better than me.

In other news i came 2nd in the 35k 10r last night, lost HU pushing 20bb vs a button limper with 55 (terrible i know...) and QTh looked me up for 1/3 of her stack? LOL I race good and obv lose and come 2nd.... covers my cashgame loses tho.

I really don't know what to do with poker right now. I rape sngs so badly, my tournament game is pretty good (im a proven winner at both) but i suck so bad at cashgames. I guess it would make sense to not play cashgames, but meh all the money is there.

I move house 29th june, and the plan is to get a 3rd monitor and start playing a bit more seriously. Whether that means 10 tabling sngs alongside 4 mtts, or whether i can actually get good at cashgames, who knows.

PS - OXY HOW CAN YOU NOT BE PWNING SNGS ALREADY?! EVEN ASTROMECH DONKEY CAN WIN AT THEM (i kid!)

Stars beta...

2006-06-13T00:27:00.000-04:00

... can be found here.

Beyond busy

2006-06-10T23:58:00.000-04:00

Hey folks,

I've been really busy studying for finals these past few days. V'got a ton of things to do. I've also recently cashed out some money, not to mention switched accounts (thanks to pro Stars support - how can anyone say this isn't the best site in the universe?). I've entirely blocked off chat, but it doesn't matter anyway now, not since I'm going to be 9-tabling and the chat window will be amazingly small with this setup:

I've also started on Part 3 of the guide.

I have been playing a game called Grim Fandango, though (the one my avatar is based on), re-playing it actually, and I must say it's as good as ever. I'll post a short desc in the future hopefully.

(my new sig)

DONK THE TURN!!

Lee Jones

2006-06-04T21:02:00.000-04:00

Jon: Lee hates me, astromech teach me how to get back into his good books please

Barry: How the hell should I know?
But heres what I do:
1. When I wake up every day, I pray to lee for 1 minute minimum.
2. Think of Lee, and only Lee, when I drive to school.
3. In art class, when everyone does a portrait of someone famous, I do 6 portraits of Lee, each in a different pose, including one of Lee bitchslapping Elky.
4. I eat Lee Jones Brand Cereal for breakfast, Leetuss and BrocoLee for lunch, and SpaghetLee for dinner every day.
5. Recite Ket's Lee Poem every day after naptime.
6. Convert at least 3 fish into Lee worshipers every day.
7. Rape rekrul.

MTT day

2006-06-04T12:19:00.000-04:00

I'm going to be playing a ton of MTTs today, hopefully. There's the LP.net tournament at 3 PM EST, and there'll be a ton of 20+2s to be played. I'll fire off a 20+2 and the LP.net and 6 SNGs, then join another 2-3 20+2s as soon as possible. Hopefully I place 1st in all four!

Search me on Stars and give me support, yo. o]O2[o is the account.

Hopefully SNGs go well and support my MTT spending. Will give any FT reports if possible.

ITM play

2006-06-03T00:46:00.000-04:00

The big problem with my ROI is that although I may be running fairly hot in the early game (although today I busted out of 5 tourneys within twenty minutes... still managed to salvage the set though!) I keep getting screwed over ITM. I'm not winning enough headsup matches and if only I hadn't gotten screwed over on three seperate tables, my ROI would be fairly cool and my BR would be at 4300. Instead, it's at 4000. Fuck, I hate this. ROI @ 12% over 900 SNGs. At least I'm not losing money.

5 min later...

Alright, I'm no longer mad. I guess I just have to focus on improving my ITM play. I was particularly mad about being the chip leader in three tournaments by a large margin (9k total chipstack) and getting only 1st, 2nd and 3rd. One of the problems was that I lost three allins in a row who considered my push with KTo on the BT 3-handed with 2/4h blinds 'trash'. He continued to call me with miracle hands (he found A6 and then KJ after his original call with AT) and I basically lost three allins in a row and I was out in third.

On another table, I screwed up trying to be cute (although it was a +EV play) by keeping the shortstack alive and stealing the midstack's blinds. Long story short, shortstack came back to beat me when it got headsup. I did push all the right hands though, folded once to gain some equity right before the next blind level, and then continued pushing. 54ss ran into QTss and lost.

Total profit: 20$. wee.

No more screwing around ITM. Time to buckle down and start making all the right pushes.

Another JewDonkey Joins The Club

2006-06-02T18:45:00.000-04:00

One very important aspect of poker is timing... for example, I post this now to take light away from Trey's first post.

Hey all, this is Barry - Pacifist on LP and AstroMech on PS, and I've been invited by Oxy to start donking teh turn! A little bit about me… I’m primarily a SNG and sometimes MTT player who has a very tight schedule for poker, meaning I can’t play for hours on end and anytime I want. My main game right now is $60 and $114 turbo SNGs on stars, and any MTTs that look fun. The majority of the two people posting on this forum talk strategy, so since I’m a big donkey and they are already doing it, I’d like to use my god-given posting rights to talk about other poker related things instead.

First of all, a little bit about me. I was introduced to poker 1.5 years ago by a classmate, and got into it with three other friends, Fira(ApocalypsPLZ), Hiddink88, and Muck21 (LP screennames). One day, Fira found this website called PokerStars and started playing on it for play money. He made a substantial amount of play money and then sold it to someone for $5 real money. Then, he made the $5 into a few hundred and decided to give his best friend, aka me, $5. I stated by playing 2c/4c limit and gradually worked my way up. The first two months I played online, I made $30! Then I decided to try SNGS ($5 27man ones) and did ok in them, cashing a few times. I worked my BR up to over $1k but then was destroyed at some games I shouldn’t have been in, at one point losing all the way down to $200. I slowly made it back up and was hovering at between $1k and $2k BR, not really getting anywhere.

Around February this year, I realized that I am not getting anywhere playing Limit and No Limit ring games, and decided to try SNGs instead. I got lucky and went on a good run, getting to $5k in a short period of time. Moved up limits to $60 turbos, and started making money. After that point, I never looked back. Recently, I found an unusually big luckbox on the ground and decided to open it while playing the PokerStars Sunday tournament. I netted fifth for $46k.

I treat poker like a job. A very well paying job, certainly way better than my friends working at minimum wage. I truly believe that poker will be the best job I’ve ever had in my life, because it’s fun, easy, and the money is excellent. I’m still a student with no (other) income, so I feel very fortunate playing this game.

I feel honored to be part of the donktheturn club and look forward to posting more often.

PS. I gave Oxy $10 back in the day so all the BR he has is a direct result of my kindness (95%), dumb luck (4%), and extreme skill (1%). Oxy owes me BIG! ;)

"What were they thinking...?"

2006-06-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, it's Trey, making my first post on Donk Teh Turn. Just got an invite from Oxy to help share some MTT thoughts and strategies.

I haven't played much recently, and when I have, I haven't gotten deep, except for last night in a Party $33 MTT. I was around top 10 stack the whole way through, until I got crippled around the bubble. Which leads me to my first "Hand of the Day" post.

52 people remaining, 50 get paid. I believe I'm somewhere around 40-45th place right now, looking for a double-up.

***** Hand History for Game 4420429472 *****
NL Texas Hold'em
Trny:24388402
Level:10 Blinds-Antes(800/1600-50) -
Friday, June 02, 01:35:47 ET 2006

Table Regular(715677) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 8
Seat 2: FenwayPark ( $24250 )
Seat 3: asdf9987 ( $11235 )
Seat 4: DALECITY ( $23091 )
Seat 6: doubledz555 ( $13668 )
Seat 8: DrSues ( $27378 )
Seat 9: dazor23 ( $10160 )
Seat 1: strongpower ( $41190 )
Seat 5: guinnessz ( $21124 )
Trny:24388402
Level:10
Blinds-Antes(800/1600-50)
strongpower posts ante [50].
FenwayPark posts ante [50].
asdf9987 posts ante [50].
DALECITY posts ante [50].
guinnessz posts ante [50].
doubledz555 posts ante [50].
DrSues posts ante [50].
dazor23 posts ante [50].

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to asdf9987 [ Js Jd ]

Okay, pretty much a dream starting hand for me, JJ on the button.

doubledz555 is all-In.

Until a guy with just barely more chips than me goes all-in. But - he's desperate, he's UTG and blinds will knock him down to t10000, so he could be doing this with anything.

DrSues folds.
dazor23 folds.
strongpower folds.
FenwayPark folds.
asdf9987 is all-In.

Well, good luck to me.

DALECITY folds.
guinnessz folds.

** Dealing Flop ** [ Kd, 7d, 5h ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Kc ]
** Dealing River ** [ Tc ]

doubledz555 shows [ Ac, Ks ] three of a kind, kings.
asdf9987 shows [ Js, Jd ] two pairs, kings and jacks.

doubledz555 wins 2433 chips from side pot #1 with three of a kind, kings.
doubledz555 wins 25170 chips from the main pot with three of a kind, kings.

Player asdf9987 finished in 52 place.

Okay, he picked up a hand. That'll happen from time to time. I put his range on QJ+, K8+, A8+, 55+. That may be a little loose, but as stated above, blinds were hitting him next hand, so he's almost gone if he folds those hands.

What would you do?

The inevitable downswing

2006-06-01T23:36:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it's happening. I'm not down much, but not advancing at all. I'm beginning to fear my real ROI is actually 12%, which would be terrible. I gotta improve! BR @ 3600, was at 3750, then I went 7 OOTM. Not a biggie. Playing overrolled rules.

Anyway, here's a chat transcript with the hands discussed for one of my histories.

AimIsTotallyCrap: PokerStars Game #5124087966: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/01 - 22:41:18 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (1555 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (1925 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1520 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (1285 in chips)
Seat 5: sliv (1660 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1995 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (3560 in chips)
Raising Me: posts small blind 75
Skyward_br: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [5h 5d]
o]O2[o: folds
sliv: calls 150
Carnagal: folds
toiletbowl83: folds
Munster89: folds
Raising Me: calls 75
Skyward_br: raises 1370 to 1520 and is all-in
sliv: folds
Raising Me: folds
Skyward_br collected 450 from pot
Skyward_br: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 450 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Munster89 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Raising Me (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Skyward_br (big blind) collected (450)
Seat 4: o]O2[o folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: sliv folded before Flop
Seat 8: Carnagal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
AimIsTotallyCrap: you push this?
Oznol: not a chance..
AimIsTotallyCrap: PokerStars Game #5124112591: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/01 - 22:43:09 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (3290 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (1775 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1745 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (1285 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1845 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (3560 in chips)
Carnagal: posts small blind 75
toiletbowl83: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [Ac Jd]
Munster89: raises 150 to 300
Raising Me: folds
Skyward_br: folds
o]O2[o: raises 985 to 1285 and is all-in
Carnagal: folds
toiletbowl83: calls 1135
Munster89: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qh Jh 7d]
*** TURN *** [Qh Jh 7d] [7s]
*** RIVER *** [Qh Jh 7d 7s] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
toiletbowl83: shows [9s 9c] (two pair, Nines and Sevens)
o]O2[o: shows [Ac Jd] (two pair, Aces and Jacks)
toiletbowl83 said, "nh"
o]O2[o collected 2945 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2945 | Rake 0
Board [Qh Jh 7d 7s As]
Seat 1: Munster89 folded before Flop
Seat 2: Raising Me folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Skyward_br folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (button) showed [Ac Jd] and won (2945) with two pair, Aces and Jacks
Seat 8: Carnagal (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (big blind) showed [9s 9c] and lost with two pair, Nines and Sevens

AimIsTotallyCrap: i think i'm greatly underestimating 55-88 lategame
AimIsTotallyCrap: well more like 55-77
Oznol: psh
Oznol: they're good hands
Oznol: but pushing 9bb into 6 people?
Oznol: no thanks
AimIsTotallyCrap: :]
AimIsTotallyCrap: anyway, the AJ hand?
AimIsTotallyCrap: standardo?
Oznol: thats good
Oznol: yeah
AimIsTotallyCrap:
PokerStars Game #5124157178: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/06/01 - 22:46:29 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (2990 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (3775 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1520 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (1170 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1620 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (2425 in chips)
Carnagal: posts small blind 100
toiletbowl83: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [Td Kh]
Munster89: raises 200 to 400
Raising Me: folds
Skyward_br: folds
o]O2[o: folds
Carnagal: folds
toiletbowl83: folds
Munster89 collected 500 from pot
Munster89: shows [As Jh] (high card Ace)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Munster89 collected (500)
Seat 2: Raising Me folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Skyward_br folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Carnagal (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (big blind) folded before Flop

AimIsTotallyCrap: you push here?
Oznol: unless you have a note on munsters minraising
Oznol: no thats a fold.
AimIsTotallyCrap: yeppo
Oznol: heh
AimIsTotallyCrap: oh
AimIsTotallyCrap: didn't see the raise
AimIsTotallyCrap: and i thought I was
AimIsTotallyCrap: UTG+1
Oznol: hmm
Oznol: the QJo is sorta close
Oznol: id probably fold
AimIsTotallyCrap: post it?
AimIsTotallyCrap: can't find
Oznol: PokerStars Game #5124130039: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/01 - 22:44:27 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (2840 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (3775 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1745 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (1170 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1770 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (2200 in chips)
Munster89: posts small blind 75
Raising Me: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [Qc Js]
Skyward_br: folds
o]O2[o: folds
Carnagal: folds
toiletbowl83: raises 300 to 450
Munster89: folds
Raising Me: folds
toiletbowl83 collected 375 from pot
toiletbowl83: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 375 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Munster89 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: Raising Me (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Skyward_br folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: o]O2[o folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Carnagal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (button) collected (375)
Oznol: nah i think its a fold
AimIsTotallyCrap: yeah it's like a pocket pair
AimIsTotallyCrap: it's barely breakeven i bet
AimIsTotallyCrap: hey you know what's good to have?
Oznol: what calling ranges would you put the other guys on?
Oznol: um. AA?
AimIsTotallyCrap: no
AimIsTotallyCrap: I have a small notepad file on my desktop
AimIsTotallyCrap: and while I'm playing
AimIsTotallyCrap: I copy-paste hands that I'm unsure about
AimIsTotallyCrap: pushes, plays, anything
AimIsTotallyCrap: and at the end of the session I run sngpt on all of it
Oznol: wow
AimIsTotallyCrap: it's a great habit
Oznol: thats an awesome idea
Oznol: thanks :-D:-D
AimIsTotallyCrap: haha np
Oznol: wow
AimIsTotallyCrap: i end up with 5-20 hands
Oznol: those AIM smileys are so gimpy
AimIsTotallyCrap: and post some on 2+2
AimIsTotallyCrap: rofl
AimIsTotallyCrap: I don't have them on
AimIsTotallyCrap: well, I have them disabled for everything on trillian
AimIsTotallyCrap: *for all chat mediums
AimIsTotallyCrap:
PokerStars Game #5124122440: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/01 - 22:43:53 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (2990 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (1775 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1745 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (2945 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1770 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (2275 in chips)
toiletbowl83: posts small blind 75
Munster89: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [Qc Qh]
Raising Me: raises 1625 to 1775 and is all-in
Skyward_br: folds
o]O2[o: raises 1170 to 2945 and is all-in
Carnagal: folds
toiletbowl83: folds
Munster89: folds
*** FLOP *** [9c 8h Ks]
*** TURN *** [9c 8h Ks] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [9c 8h Ks 8s] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Raising Me: shows [4d Ad] (two pair, Aces and Eights)
o]O2[o: shows [Qc Qh] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
toiletbowl83 said, "lol i just folded quads.. sheesh"
Raising Me collected 3775 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3775 | Rake 0
Board [9c 8h Ks 8s Ah]
Seat 1: Munster89 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: Raising Me showed [4d Ad] and won (3775) with two pair, Aces and Eights
Seat 3: Skyward_br folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: o]O2[o showed [Qc Qh] and lost with two pair, Queens and Eights
Seat 8: Carnagal (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (small blind) folded before Flop you fold this?
Oznol: BBV
AimIsTotallyCrap: haha
Oznol: grrr
Oznol: i could post the 10 pair-over-pairs i lost yesterday
Oznol: but its counterproductive
AimIsTotallyCrap: ^_^
AimIsTotallyCrap: as long as I'm playing well
AimIsTotallyCrap: I don't mind
AimIsTotallyCrap: but what's really disappointing is I have 12% ROI over 800 sngs
AimIsTotallyCrap: at the 15s and 25s
AimIsTotallyCrap: and if I'm at 12% ROI, that's pretty bad
AimIsTotallyCrap: this is a pretty marginal push, do you make it?

PokerStars Game #5124192500: Tournament #25756936, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/06/01 - 22:49:12 (ET)
Table '25756936 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Munster89 (3290 in chips)
Seat 2: Raising Me (4375 in chips)
Seat 3: Skyward_br (1220 in chips)
Seat 4: o]O2[o (1170 in chips)
Seat 8: Carnagal (1520 in chips)
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (1925 in chips)
toiletbowl83: posts small blind 100
Munster89: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [3c 6c]
Raising Me: folds
Skyward_br: folds
o]O2[o: folds
Carnagal: raises 1320 to 1520 and is all-in
toiletbowl83: raises 405 to 1925 and is all-in
Munster89: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qd Kh 4s]
*** TURN *** [Qd Kh 4s] [Qc]
*** RIVER *** [Qd Kh 4s Qc] [7h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
toiletbowl83: shows [Ks Kc] (a full house, Kings full of Queens)
Carnagal: shows [9c Th] (a pair of Queens)
toiletbowl83 collected 3240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3240 | Rake 0
Board [Qd Kh 4s Qc 7h]
Seat 1: Munster89 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: Raising Me folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Skyward_br folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: o]O2[o folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Carnagal (button) showed [9c Th] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 9: toiletbowl83 (small blind) showed [Ks Kc] and won (3240) with a full house, Kings full of Queens

Oznol: close
Oznol: i dunno ^_^
Oznol: id probably push, but I'm starting to think i push too much
AimIsTotallyCrap: yeah
Oznol: certainly a good push from carnagal
AimIsTotallyCrap: a lot of my recent CO-BT pushes with rags have been bad
AimIsTotallyCrap: yeppo
AimIsTotallyCrap: anyway
AimIsTotallyCrap: that pretty much concludes it

Am I good or what?

2006-06-01T19:52:00.000-04:00

Check this hand out. Never seen this guy before; he's not a regular.

BLOG WARS

2006-06-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

Shared blog, hopefully is still ok weeeeeeee

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.

Registration code: 2780337

Blogger Championship!

2006-05-31T23:38:00.000-04:00

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.

Registration code: 2619031

My run at the 20+2s

2006-05-28T22:07:00.000-04:00

So, today was a mediocre day. I didn't really make much, but that's because I spent like 140$ on tournament fees. Didn't ITM in any of the 5 20+2 180s I tried.

I was doing okay in some of the 4$ ones I played, and now I've more or less got the structure of the tournament down. I think the best way to play these is to just play solid hands throughout the entire thing and hope for the best. It's like one long SNG where you're at 75/150 for the entire thing. At least, that's what I feel my hand selection should be at. There's a ton of things I don't understand about MTTs, but these things look like cake, especially based on the play I saw today. Some kid called my allin on an A42 flop with 33. I had kings. He caught a three.

I think the best way to play these will be to 2-table them, while 6-tabling 27s. I plan to include that in my play any time I know I'll be able to complete the tournament. Once I have the bankroll, I also want to check out the 55$ 90-man sngs. Those look good. I'm planning to have something like a MTT week somewhere in the summer. Hopefully it'll work out.

I'm starting to write part 3 of the 6.50 guide. We'll see how tha goes.

BR @ 3500.

Breakeven week

2006-05-28T01:13:00.000-04:00

Been pretty breakeven. Banked an okay day. At 3400, ROI @ 12%. I hate it. 8-tabling. Gotta go to bed, night!

Plan for upcoming week

2006-05-24T16:33:00.000-04:00

Got a lot of things going right now. Since I don't really have time to play poker, and since I also want to solidify my game, I'm going to go through all 50 of my past tournaments with someone else. Hopefully I'll find enough people so that no one will have to do all 50 with me. Still, I'm sure this will help my game tons.

So far, I need to improve:

Limping more PPs early on in more positions
Being more aggressive on the CO/BT
Being less aggressive and more selective of hands ITM on the BT

If you guys want, I'll post my discussions with other players on this blog, along with the hand histories we're discussing.

Meh,

2006-05-22T21:43:00.000-04:00

Pretty bad day. Played for five hours straight and ended up pretty much breakeven (down a few bucks). At least I'm not stuck any real money, I guess. Finally got 16k points and ordered an iPod for my mom.

Right now, I fear a really bad run. I've been reading so much about variance and how much of a bitch it can be. Apparantly, it can run much, much worse than you think it can possibly get.

I am pushing the right hands, though (see below). I think my low ROI can be attributed to HU - I'm just not winning them recently.

PokerStars Game #5022364899: Tournament #25206834, $25+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/22 - 21:19:44 (ET)
Table '25206834 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: ghett0taztic (1870 in chips)
Seat 2: pickles24 (4185 in chips)
Seat 5: zooming111 (330 in chips)
Seat 6: Omoneyman0 (1730 in chips)
Seat 7: coryg27 (3285 in chips)
Seat 8: DARNI´S (720 in chips)
Seat 9: o]O2[o (1380 in chips)
ghett0taztic: posts the ante 25
pickles24: posts the ante 25
zooming111: posts the ante 25
Omoneyman0: posts the ante 25
coryg27: posts the ante 25
DARNI´S: posts the ante 25
o]O2[o: posts the ante 25
ghett0taztic: posts small blind 100
pickles24: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to o]O2[o [5h 2c]
zooming111: folds
Omoneyman0: folds
coryg27: folds
DARNI´S: folds
o]O2[o: raises 1155 to 1355 and is all-in
ghett0taztic: folds
pickles24: calls 1155
*** FLOP *** [3d 4c Th]
*** TURN *** [3d 4c Th] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [3d 4c Th 2d] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
pickles24: shows [Qs Kc] (high card Ace)
o]O2[o: shows [5h 2c] (a straight, Ace to Five)
o]O2[o collected 2985 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2985 | Rake 0
Board [3d 4c Th 2d Ah]
Seat 1: ghett0taztic (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: pickles24 (big blind) showed [Qs Kc] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 5: zooming111 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Omoneyman0 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: coryg27 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: DARNI´S folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: o]O2[o (button) showed [5h 2c] and won (2985) with a straight, Ace to Five

Part two

2006-05-22T01:38:00.000-04:00

Beating the 6.50 Turbos on Stars

Part Two : The Early Game

Today, I’m going to outline a fairly straightforward plan of attack for the early game of a PokerStars 6+0.5 9-handed Turbo SNG. I define the early game as blinds 10/20 through 25/50. At 50/100, we hit the mid-game, and that’ll be Part 3.

Hand selection

At a 6.5, you can get away with raising quite a few hands. I raise the following hands in any position: AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, AQ.

I also limp TT – 22 in mid-position and hope to flop a set, unless there’s a raise greater than t60 in front of me. I wouldn’t want to call a raise with 22 – 55. I’ll also play JTs with favorable odds (3+ limpers in front of me), just because it’s such a versatile hand.

I sometimes raise with tens in late position when I know I won’t mind laying the hand down to a minraise on the flop (if there are overcards).

I would like to comment on AQ as a starting hand in SNGs. I muck AQ in a lot of situations at 25+2s in the early game. It’s not a strong hand. Don’t even fool yourself into raising with AJ. You really want to make sure your early game is tight; don’t give any chips away. They will be indispensable when doubling up later on. That being said, I play AQ just like I play AK at the 6.50s.

I’m going to look at these hands case-by-case. Hopefully, you’ll get an idea how to play them. Mind you, I play queens differently than a lot of people at these stakes. I don’t believe you want to get into a coin flip preflop at these early levels. A lot of people will disagree with me on the way I play them, but oh well.

Raises

Before I get into discussing the hands, I want to take a look at what size raises you’ll be making. I always make the same raise for every hand I play if I’m opening the pot; if there are limpers, I’ll increase my raise accordingly. Here’s my raising chart for 6.50s – I pretty much never, ever vary my raises. Harrington says to vary your bets so that your opponents can’t get a read on you; I say don’t for the same reason.

(the t stands for total)
10/20 – t80
15/30 – t120
25/50 – t150

Note that I also raise most of the time I enter a pot. The only exclusion is lower pocket pairs, where I’m hoping to flop a set. In the mid-game, though, I limp only in very rare occasions. We’ll see that in part three.

First up, the pairs:

Aces

I’ll go broke on aces every time on a non-scary flop to a set or a freak two-pair at a 6.50. You’re just ahead so often that it’s not worth it folding on the flop. Mind, if I see a lot of action on a straightable, monotone board with many mid-high cards, it can be an easy laydown.

So let’s take a look at a generic aces hand:

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t15/t30
9 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
Hero: t1500
UTG+1: t1550
MP1: t1470
MP2: t1470
MP3: t1290
CO: t1490
Button: t1640
SB: t1340
BB: t1750

Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is UTG with :ad :ac
Hero raises to t100, 3 folds, MP3 calls t100 (pot was t145), 3 folds, BB calls t70 (pot was t245).

Flop: 2h 4d 7s (t315, 3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets t230, MP3 calls t230 (pot was t545), BB folds.

Turn: Qs (t775, 2 players)
Hero bets t360, MP3 folds.
Uncalled bets: t360 returned to Hero.

Results:
Final pot: t775

Usually, your flop bet won’t get called, but here it did. This board is damn safe, though. If he’s got 77, ‘grats to him. I’m going broke on this hand if he raises me; you are ahead of so many hands, you can’t lay this down, especially not at this stake. A small note here: I only raised to t100 preflop. This is due to the stake; the raises get smaller preflop as you move up.

Here’s another hand. I don’t have the HH for it, but I posted it on lp.net, so I have a copy.

2nd hand of the tournament, so even stacks. Link to the hand.

10/20

Hero is SB with AA. Folded around to CO who raises to t100. BT folds, and Hero is now to act. I’m putting Villain on 88-KK, AJ+, KQ. I don’t think BB is loose enough to call with a crappy hand, so if I call, I’m quite sure I’ll be heads-up on the flop.

Hero calls.

Flop: Ks, 7d, Jc.

Hero checks, villain bets 100 (pot is 220), Hero raises to t320, Villain pushes, Hero calls.

Lots of action. After Villain pushed, I had to think of all the hands he’d be doing this with. 88-TT are out; AQ is out; AK, KQ, KK and JJ are all plausible. I’m beating the first two; I’m behind to the other two. I’m going to call because I’ve invested nearly a third of my stack and I don’t think I can lay down an overpair to an unknown. Villain shows JJ and takes it down.

I got a lot of flack on LP.net for this hand, and yet, I’m going broke on it pretty much regardless if I reraise preflop or not. A lot of people will call the reraise for set value. However, consider a flop like:

2d, 7c, Ts

Villain will often go broke here. A 3k stack in the early game is quite valuable at a 25+2. I think my play was wholly correct. I don’t usually slowplay aces, but here is a good place to do it. I don’t advocate doing this too often at a 6.50, though, because doubling-up early on isn’t anywhere near worth as much as doing so at a 27.

A third and last hypothetical hand:

Even stacks, 15/30. Hero is UTG+1 with Ac As.

Hero raises to t120. UTG+2 calls, CO calls, BT calls.

Flop: Td, Qd, Kc

Hero bets 280 (pot is 500), UTG+2 calls, CO pushes, BT folds, Hero folds.

Here’s what I would call an easy fold. There’s just too many ways you can be beat. TT, QQ, KQ, AJ… I’m also worried about the CO’s cold-call. This is a very draw-heavy board, and the few times we are ahead, we might only be a flip. If the BT pushed, this would be an even easier laydown.

Kings

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t15/t30
8 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: t2060
UTG+1: t2030
MP1: t1470
MP2: t1470
CO: t1530
Button: t1470
SB: t1970
Hero: t1500

Pre-flop: (8 players) Hero is BB with Kh Kd
UTG calls t30 (pot was t45), 2 folds, MP2 calls t30 (pot was t75), CO calls t30 (pot was t105), Button folds, SB calls t15 (pot was t135), Hero raises to t150, UTG calls t150 (pot was t270), 3 folds.

Flop: Jd Jh 7d (t390, 2 players)
Hero bets t300, UTG raises to t800, Hero raises all-in t1320, UTG calls t520 (pot was t2510).

Results:
Final pot: t3030

This is a fairly normal KK hand. Notice I raised to 150 because of the amount of limpers. I pushed because I didn’t think Villain would play a jack so fast; he would likely call and push the turn. If I got called, I’d check the turn. At a 6.50, I’d probably just push it though; there’s so much you’re ahead of. Donks can’t differentiate deuces from 54o.

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t25/t50
8 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: t2710
Hero: t1395
MP1: t1385
MP2: t1490
CO: t1580
Button: t1550
SB: t1815
BB: t1575

Pre-flop: (8 players) Hero is UTG+1 with Kc Ks
UTG folds, Hero raises to t150, MP1 calls t150 (pot was t225), 5 folds.

Flop: Td 9h 8d(t375, 2 players)
Hero bets t300, MP1 raises all-in t1235, Hero calls t935 (pot was t1910).

This hand is a bit more risky. I think we’re ahead half the time here. What I’m mainly afraid of is a set; TT-88 are fairly likely. However, because of the fact that donks love to play draws and TPTK (AT for example), this is an easy call. Notice my flop bet; I’m shutting down all draws with the odds I’m giving. We’ve also got some outs against a two-pair.

Queens

Queens are a bit different than kings and aces because they’re a coinflip with AK, and so they’re only really beating jacks. They’re also behind to kings and aces, whereas kings are only behind to aces whilst being ahead of queens, jacks and AK. I don’t like taking a flip at a 6.50 because I think if you have any amount of skill (and you probably by the end part four of this guide) you can get into a much better position than 50/50. I don’t like to get in preflop with Queens, and I don’t like to call with them intending to see if an ace or king hits. I much prefer to define my hand preflop.

Here’s a pair of queens I recently played:

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t10/t20
9 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: t1500
UTG+1: t1500
MP1: t1500
MP2: t1500
Hero: t1500
CO: t1500
Button: t1500
SB: t1500
BB: t1500

Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is MP3 with :qs :qh
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to t60, 2 folds, Hero raises to t200, CO folds, Button calls t200 (pot was t290), 2 folds, UTG+1 raises all-in t1500, Hero folds.

I find this fold easy; in time, you will too. While the push might indicate weakness, it really doesn’t. Often, players will want to get their money in as soon as possible once they see someone is playing back at them.

I’m especially wary of minraises. Here’s a hypothetical queens situation I’d fold:

Even stacks, 10/20.

Hero is MP1 with QQ.

UTG raises to t80. Folds to Hero who reraises to 250. BT minraises to t500. UTG calls, Hero folds.

I find this fold very easy. Donks have a tendency to expose their cards to you; take advantage of this. BT is showing extreme strength. UTG would push AK. Just fold this, you’ve got ~1200 left.

Kings/Queens with A-high flop

Hypothetical situation.

Even stacks, 15/30.

Hero is MP1 with KK or QQ.

Folds to Hero who raises to t120. MP2 calls. Rest fold.

Flop: A, T, 5

Hero fires out with ½ pot. MP2 :

1) Minraises; Hero folds
2) Reraises; Hero folds
3) Calls; Hero check/folds the turn and/or river

AK/AQ

Hypothetically:

Even stacks, 10/20.

Hero is UTG with AK.

Hero raises to t80, MP1 calls, BB calls.

Flop: A, J, 7 r (r : rainbow)

BB checks, Hero fires 150 (~1/2 pot), MP1 reraises to 400, Hero pushes.

At a 6.50, this is definitely how I’d play AK/AQ. I don’t think you’re behind to AJ/A7 enough to justify folding or just check/calling to the river. If BB had pushed instead of checked, I might have folded depending on my read, and probably would have at a 25+2. At a 6.50, pushing is just as good though.

I won’t write an article on c-betting with AK/AQ because Curtains from 2+2 did a great job with that already, and I want to get a move-on with this thing already. It’s way too long. You can read Curtains’s article here. I will say though that I always c-bet ½ pot against one opponent and nearly never against more than two, in position or out. I always give up after some resistance; just not worth it at this stake.

Jacks

Jacks are a little different. I’ll play them kind of like I play AK. If there are overcards and I’m the preflop raiser OOP against a single player, I’ll c-bet and fold to any action (raise or call). If I’m in position and it’s checked to me, I’ll bet and once again shut down to any action.

Hypothetically:

7-handed, 25/50, Hero with 1500 stack, Villain with 1400 stack.

Hero is MP1 with JJ, raises to 150, Villain calls on BT.

Flop: K, 9, 5 rainbow

I’ll bet out something like 225 and then check/fold most likely. I’ll call a fair river bet (<1/3 pot) if it’s checked down on the turn.

I’ll also play jacks about as safely as queens; I don’t want any big pots preflop with them.

Pocket pairs

These are fairly straightforward. Call something like a 3BB raise preflop with them, but if you see lots of action, lay them down. Get in for cheap when you can. Once you hit, if you are OOP against a preflop raiser, I often check/raise. If you are in position, I either call if the board shows no flushes or straights, or I raise right there if I want to isolate a single player. If the board is safe and you have a good set (mid pocketpair) and you think you can get more callers, coldcalling is fine.

Hitting a set with your AA-JJ

Hitting a set with aces is a bitch; you usually won’t get any action because there’s only one more ace out there in the deck, and no other pair will give you any action because of the presence of the ace. You’re pretty much reduced to hoping someone else has a set or two pair and wants to tango. I just lead out if I’m the preflop raiser. Don’t check or check/raise or do anything fishy. Just play it like you always do.

Conclusion

This kind of concludes part two. It’s two in the morning, and I never thought for the life of me this would be this long. Shit. Anyway, questions welcome. Donk the turn! Part three coming in maybe a week or two.

Update

2006-05-21T00:51:00.000-04:00

Hey,

I'm currently doing okay at the 25+2s. ROI is at 11% over 494 SNGs, although I think I can beat the 25+2s for at least 15%. My goal over the summer is to solidify everything about my 25+2 game. I'm also having a great time talking to some nice folks I met in the games from 2+2. We chat while playing our games and discuss hands. I think this is a great thing, and everyone should find regulars at their stakes that they can sit at the same table at and chat with.

I'll post part two soon.

See ya,

Donk the turn!

Guide Part One

2006-05-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

Beating the 6.50 Turbos on Stars

Part One : Introduction to SNGs and SNGPT

Hi there,

I’m a fairly experienced SNG player. I currently play the 25+2s on Stars, but have played all the stakes up ‘til there. I’m going to be writing a 4-part article on playing and beating the low-stake turbos, specifically the 6.50s on Stars. I’m not sure how much this’ll apply for Party because of the structure difference.

The first part, this one, will explain the various elements of a SNG, along with a rather indispensable tool - SNGPT - whose functions I will explain later on.

What is a SNG?

A SNG, or Sit’N’Go, is a type of tournament. They’re usually single-table tournaments, and they start as soon as they fill up. The difference between a tournament and a cash game is that in a tournament, the blinds go up as you go along. Turbo, or "speed" SNGs, have blinds that advance rapidly. On Stars, they advance every five minutes. This has a major effect on how the game is played. In essence, a SNG is all about blind-stealing and pushbotting (see 'SNGPT and pushbotting'). We'll see this in the middle and late stages, or parts 3 and 4.

SNGs vs Cash

The main difference between SNG and cash games is simple: cash games are poker; SNGs are not. There's a big difference between deciding whether or not to value bet on the river, or push (donk) the turn, and figuring out whether or not to push with your 2.5BB stack. SNGs are a hundred times easier to make money at in the lower-stakes. Once you hit 50-60$ buyins, cash games become much more profitable.

Roughly:

3.40s - 5/10NL
6.50s - 25NL
15+1s - 50NL
25+2s - 100NL
55+5s - 400NL

Why I play SNGs

I play SNGs for a very simple reason: they're easy. They're easy to learn and make money at. As TwistedEcho once said, 'It's like printing money.' The same could be said for 100NL, of course, but even that requires a greater amount of thought. Another thing I like about SNGs is the greater amount of donks there. Even winning cash-game players will be losing turbo SNG players if they don't know what they're doing. I like the fact that there is a beginning, a middle, and an end; this helps me end a session. You are much less susceptible to tilt while playing SNGs.

Finally, there's something cool about playing at 1000/2000. Go laugh at your friends and their pathetic 10/20NL.

SNGPT and pushbotting

SNGPT is an acronym for Sit'N'Go Poer Tools. It is a program that, based on information such as the blinds, your hand, and calling ranges of your opponents, will tell you whether or not a push or preflop all-in move is profitable. Reducing most of your pre-flop moves to folding or going allin is called pushbotting. When you've pretty got no other option to going allin, you're pushbotting. We'll see this especially in the late stages of a SNG.
You can get it here.

That's it for Part One. Part Two will be up shortly.

25+2s... beats over beats :(

2006-05-14T22:40:00.000-04:00

I started 25+2 with some money a friend asked me to hold for him. At first, it went alright, but then I just ended up fucking it up. Continued the session in the night, and I was kind of breaking even. I'm down a whole bunch now. Oh well. Funny beats going on, really. The FPPs are amazing right now, however, so I'm going to keep playing and trying to break even.

A funny hand came up, though.

Also, I'll get around to writing that article some time soon. Basic outline for turbos.

Weee

2006-05-12T23:28:00.000-04:00

Well, things aren't going so bad. I hit a nice run of placements today, and I'm up to 1500$. I hope to play somewhere around 50 SNGs tomorrow and rack up some VPPs to get to goldstar with PokerStars' 5 Billionth hand celebration. 50 * 5 * 2 = 500VPPs, which would advance me nicely through the 2400 more VPPs I have to move.

By my calculations, I've gotta play something like 24 SNGs per day for the duration of the promotion, and then still play quite a bit during the rest of May. I don't know if I'll have time for all that, but we'll see.

I also played a crazy bubble today. Got to 600/1200 blinds. The weirdest and hugest suckouts. I'll post it tomorrow, it's the craziest bubble I've ever played.

ROI now at 10%!

Mmm

2006-05-11T22:16:00.000-04:00

Meh, BR @ 1260. ROI @ 6%.

PokerStars has a 5 Billionth hand thing going on. Read about it here.

First annotation is up. Enjoy. Thanks to TwistedEcho for help with it. Comments from both of us. Jon (Echo) is a really good STT/MTT player.

It's in two parts; early game and mid/late game. There is another line at the beginning of 50/100 blinds.

PokerStars Game #4874670070: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:21:11 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1500 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1500 in chips)
Seat 4: smkspl (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (1500 in chips)
CAsunglitz: posts small blind 10
Ms.Diamonds: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ad Jc]
smkspl: raises 60 to 80
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

AJo is a fold this early anyway. In front of a raise, drop it like it's hotttttt.

PokerStars Game #4874681855: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:22:16 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1480 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3030 in chips)
Ms.Diamonds: posts small blind 10
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Jh 3h]
cravin41: calls 20
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874691765: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:23:10 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1510 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1460 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1520 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1480 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3030 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 10
cravin41: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ac Tc]
Oxy: folds

Beyond easy fold. [twistedecho: but its so pretty!!!]

PokerStars Game #4874701498: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:24:03 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1510 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1460 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1510 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (960 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3560 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 10
Oxy: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [5d 8d]
Leonxx: folds
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz: calls 20
Ms.Diamonds: folds
PRP Rookie: raises 60 to 80
cravin41: calls 70
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874708230: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:24:39 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1430 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1460 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1690 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (880 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1480 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3560 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 10
Leonxx: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6c Tc]
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz: calls 20
Ms.Diamonds: calls 20
PRP Rookie: calls 20
cravin41: calls 20
Oxy: calls 10
Leonxx: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qc 8h 2c]
Oxy: checks
Leonxx: checks
CAsunglitz: checks
Ms.Diamonds: checks
PRP Rookie: checks
cravin41: checks
*** TURN *** [Qc 8h 2c] [Qh]
Oxy: checks
Leonxx: checks
CAsunglitz: checks
Ms.Diamonds: checks
PRP Rookie: checks
cravin41: bets 60
Oxy: folds

Hmm. I don't usually limp stuff like this, but I've been reading Harrington a lot lately and he says to really look at the pot odds preflop. Meh. I don't know, I was using a PStars mod at the time and the cards just looked so cool, I had to call. I won't do it next time without at least a suited onegapper. [twistedecho: i hate being oop despite getting nice odds. I fold here]

PokerStars Game #4874719618: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/05/08 - 20:25:42 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1410 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1440 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1670 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (980 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1480 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3560 in chips)
Leonxx: posts small blind 10
alex245: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ad 8s]
phat240: calls 20
CAsunglitz: folds
Ms.Diamonds: folds
PRP Rookie: raises 60 to 80
cravin41: calls 80
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874730197: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:26:40 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1690 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1410 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (1440 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1590 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (900 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3540 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 15
phat240: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2d 4d]
CAsunglitz: folds
Ms.Diamonds: raises 60 to 90
PRP Rookie: raises 60 to 150
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874740524: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:27:38 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1660 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1410 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (330 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2745 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (900 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3525 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 15
CAsunglitz: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [5h 4d]
Ms.Diamonds: folds
PRP Rookie: calls 30
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874754282: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:28:53 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1645 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1380 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (330 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2625 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (900 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
CAsunglitz: posts small blind 15
Ms.Diamonds: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [7d 6h]
PRP Rookie: raises 90 to 120
cravin41: calls 120
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874760390: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:29:26 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1645 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1365 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (300 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2790 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (780 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
Ms.Diamonds: posts small blind 15
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [7d Qh]
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874765788: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:29:55 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1645 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1365 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (270 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2820 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (780 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 15
cravin41: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Th 7s]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874774701: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2006/05/08 - 20:30:44 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1645 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1365 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (270 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2040 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1560 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 15
Oxy: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4c Qd]
cravin41 said, "ty"
Leonxx: folds
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz: folds
Ms.Diamonds: folds
PRP Rookie: raises 90 to 120
cravin41: calls 105
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874782962: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:31:28 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1645 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1365 in chips)
Seat 3: Ms.Diamonds (270 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2370 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1260 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1430 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 25
Leonxx: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Jd Qs]
alex245: folds
phat240: calls 50
CAsunglitz: calls 50
Ms.Diamonds: raises 220 to 270 and is all-in
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874791045: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:32:12 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (2260 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1095 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2370 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1260 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1405 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1420 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3690 in chips)
Leonxx: posts small blind 25
alex245: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [5d Qd]
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz: folds
PRP Rookie: calls 50
cravin41: raises 100 to 150
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874798442: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:32:53 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (2260 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1095 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2720 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1110 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1405 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1270 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3640 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 25
phat240: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [9c 5d]
CAsunglitz: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: calls 50
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874807238: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:33:40 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (2560 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1095 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2720 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (860 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1405 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1270 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3590 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 25
CAsunglitz: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [7d 3s]
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: calls 50
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874815835: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:34:28 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (2210 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1045 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2720 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1310 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (1405 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1270 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3540 in chips)
CAsunglitz: posts small blind 25
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ad Ac]
cravin41: folds
Oxy: raises 100 to 150
Leonxx: folds
alex245: folds
phat240: calls 150
CAsunglitz: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
*** FLOP *** [9s Kh 6h]
Oxy: bets 200
phat240: calls 200
*** TURN *** [9s Kh 6h] [Jc]
Oxy: bets 450
phat240: calls 450
*** RIVER *** [9s Kh 6h Jc] [6d]
Oxy: bets 605 and is all-in

Pot on the flop was 375, and I bet 200. I think I should've bet something like 250-275, but I have a tendancy to underbet flops when I hit them. I think it's fine since that's pretty much how much I bet when I contbet. Money was going in either way. [twistedecho: looks fine, i tend to bet 250 on flop, and 500 or so on turn, but it doesn't really matter]

PokerStars Game #4874825790: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2006/05/08 - 20:35:22 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (805 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1020 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2670 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1310 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2885 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1270 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3540 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 25
cravin41: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Kd 6s]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874840666: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:36:45 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (805 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1020 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2020 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (660 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2885 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2620 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3490 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 50
Oxy: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ks 5s]
Leonxx: folds
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz is connected
CAsunglitz: folds
PRP Rookie: calls 100
cravin41: raises 560 to 660 and is all-in
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

blinds 50/100

PokerStars Game #4874846123: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:37:15 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (805 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1020 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (860 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2785 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2620 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3490 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 50
Leonxx: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [9h 5d]
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
CAsunglitz: calls 100
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874852440: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:37:50 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (805 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (1170 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (860 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2735 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2520 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3490 in chips)
Leonxx: posts small blind 50
alex245: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [8h Ks]
phat240: raises 705 to 805 and is all-in
CAsunglitz: calls 805
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874862455: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:38:46 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1760 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (365 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (860 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2735 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3390 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 50
phat240: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2s 3s]
CAsunglitz: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: raises 200 to 300
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874868610: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:39:19 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1460 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (365 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1210 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2735 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3340 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 50
CAsunglitz: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Tc 9h]
PRP Rookie: raises 500 to 600
cravin41: raises 610 to 1210 and is all-in
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874877877: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:40:11 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1410 in chips)
Seat 2: CAsunglitz (265 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (710 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2570 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2735 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2470 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3340 in chips)
CAsunglitz: posts small blind 50
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ac 2s]
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874887134: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2006/05/08 - 20:41:02 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1410 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1785 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2570 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2735 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2370 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2630 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 50
Oxy: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Tc 3s]
Leonxx: folds
alex245: raises 200 to 300
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874892097: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:41:30 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1410 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1785 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2520 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2635 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2370 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2780 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 75
Leonxx: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ad 3d]
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: raises 450 to 600
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874896393: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:41:53 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1410 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1785 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2745 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2560 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2220 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2780 in chips)
Leonxx: posts small blind 75
alex245: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [8s 2c]
phat240: calls 150
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: calls 150
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874903213: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:42:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1785 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2595 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2560 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2145 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3155 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 75
phat240: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [3h 5s]
PRP Rookie: raises 150 to 300
cravin41: calls 300
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874911937: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:43:19 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1110 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2760 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1845 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2560 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2145 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3080 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 75
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Ts Ac]
cravin41 said, "a 9 c"
cravin41: calls 150
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold. Raising is terrible. I've a healthy chipstack even for the next blind level. Raising will only hurt me. Easy fold.

PokerStars Game #4874917538: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:43:49 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1035 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2610 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2070 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2560 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2145 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3080 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 75
cravin41: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6s Tc]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874925260: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:44:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1035 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3360 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1320 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2560 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2145 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3080 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 75
Oxy: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Th Ah]
Leonxx: folds
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: raises 450 to 600
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

I wouldn't like a re-push here for the same reasons stated a few hands ago. I fold. [twistedecho: read dependant, hes raising on the button so could have anything. 4bb raises often are weak from button, but can he fold 66 if you repush?, without reads i fold here]

PokerStars Game #4874928978: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:44:52 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1035 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3585 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1245 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2410 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (2145 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (3080 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 75
Leonxx: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4s Jd]
alex245: raises 150 to 300
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: calls 300
cravin41: calls 300
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874935368: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:45:27 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1035 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (4560 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (945 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2335 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1995 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2630 in chips)
Leonxx: posts small blind 75
alex245: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [3c 2h]
phat240: raises 885 to 1035 and is all-in
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874939191: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:45:48 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (4560 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (945 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2335 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2480 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 75
phat240: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [9c Th]
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874943451: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/05/08 - 20:46:11 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1335 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (4560 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (945 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2335 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2405 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 75
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2s Qs]
cravin41: calls 150
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874954012: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:47:10 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3615 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1965 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2335 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2405 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 100
cravin41: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [3s 9d]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874957900: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:47:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3515 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1765 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (2335 in chips)
Seat 8: Leonxx (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2705 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 100
Oxy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Qc Qs]
Leonxx: raises 400 to 600
alex245: folds
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: raises 1735 to 2335 and is all-in

This is an easy push. Good hand, time to double up.

PokerStars Game #4874965208: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:48:11 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3515 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1665 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4355 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2705 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 100
alex245: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6h 5d]
phat240: folds
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Some might advocate a raise; I wouldn't want one here. No need. Losing 500 chips here will hurt me a lot more than winning 200 will help me.

PokerStars Game #4874968087: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:48:27 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1260 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3515 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1665 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4255 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2805 in chips)
alex245: posts small blind 100
phat240: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [8s 2s]
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874974776: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:49:04 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1860 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3515 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (1665 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4255 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2205 in chips)
phat240: posts small blind 100
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [9s Qh]
cravin41: raises 400 to 600
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874980371: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:49:35 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1760 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2915 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2365 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4255 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2205 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 100
cravin41: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [3d As]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874985160: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:50:01 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: phat240 (1760 in chips)
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2715 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (2565 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4255 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2205 in chips)
cravin41: posts small blind 100
Oxy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2c Qh]
alex245: folds
phat240: calls 200
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: calls 100
Oxy: checks
*** FLOP *** [7s Js 3h]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: checks
phat240: bets 200
cravin41: calls 200
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4874997914: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:51:12 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (2715 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (4525 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4055 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2205 in chips)
Oxy: posts small blind 100
alex245: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6d 8s]
PRP Rookie: raises 800 to 1000
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875002260: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:51:35 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (3015 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (4525 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (3955 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (2005 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts small blind 100
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4c 6h]
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875008480: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:52:09 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (1010 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (4500 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (3930 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4060 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
PRP Rookie: posts small blind 100
cravin41: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6s 5d]
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875012622: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:52:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (885 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (4275 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (3905 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4435 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 100
Oxy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4d Jc]
alex245: folds
PRP Rookie: calls 200
cravin41: calls 100
Oxy: checks
*** FLOP *** [Jd 2h Ad]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: checks
PRP Rookie: checks
*** TURN *** [Jd 2h Ad] [2s]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: bets 400
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: folds
Oxy collected 700 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 700 | Rake 0
Board [Jd 2h Ad 2s]
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 6: cravin41 (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) collected (700)
Seat 9: alex245 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I checked the flop because of the ace and my terrible kicker. The turn, however, gave me two pair with top kicker (an ace) and I'm pretty sure an ace would have bet. I therefore have pretty much the best hand, bar a deuce. I'll find out soon enough if that's the case, though, and betting here with my nice chipstack is a good thing. Pot is 600, I like my bet of 400.

PokerStars Game #4875017834: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:53:00 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (660 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (4050 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4380 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4410 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 100
alex245: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Qc As]
PRP Rookie: folds
cravin41: raises 200 to 400
Oxy: calls 300
alex245: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kc 8d 8s]
Oxy: checks
cravin41: checks
*** TURN *** [Kc 8d 8s] [7c]
Oxy: bets 700
cravin41: calls 700
*** RIVER *** [Kc 8d 8s 7c] [3d]
Oxy: checks
cravin41: bets 1000
Oxy: folds

I donked the turn. I didn't reraise pre, because we are both pretty deep, and I didn't want to be playing an unmade hand with such a shortie; I didn't want to build a huge pot and commit myself. I thought maybe I could take it away on the turn, but it proved to be a bad idea. I think my play might be kinda bad there, but meh. I think a bet of 550 would've done just as good and would've saved me some chips.
[twistedecho: i raise preflop, he minraised which means nothing. Make it 1600 and he prob folds preflop, if he pushes you can fold and still have tons more chips than the shorty.]

PokerStars Game #4875027481: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:53:52 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 5: PRP Rookie (635 in chips)
Seat 6: cravin41 (5425 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (3255 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4185 in chips)
PRP Rookie: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts small blind 100
PRP Rookie: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6h Jd]
cravin41: folds
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875034680: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:54:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5400 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (3230 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4870 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 100
Oxy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4h 4s]
alex245: folds
cravin41: raises 400 to 600
Oxy: raises 2605 to 3205 and is all-in
cravin41: calls 2605
*** FLOP *** [Td 2d 2c]
*** TURN *** [Td 2d 2c] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [Td 2d 2c 7h] [9d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cravin41: shows [Kh Jc] (a pair of Deuces)
Oxy: shows [4h 4s] (two pair, Fours and Deuces)
Oxy collected 6485 from pot
cravin41 said, "gh"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6485 | Rake 0
Board [Td 2d 2c 7h 9d]
Seat 6: cravin41 (small blind) showed [Kh Jc] and lost with a pair of Deuces
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) showed [4h 4s] and won (6485) with two pair, Fours and Deuces
Seat 9: alex245 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I don't know about this hand. Alex was fairly loose, but I still had the feeling he was just stealing. I'm also the shortest stack. I figured he couldn't really call a re-push without at least ace high. I was wrong.

PokerStars Game #4875040989: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:55:06 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (2170 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (6485 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4845 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 100
alex245: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Jd 5c]
cravin41: raises 400 to 600
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875043799: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:55:21 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (2520 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (6360 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4620 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts small blind 100
cravin41: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [6s Ac]
Oxy: raises 300 to 500
alex245: folds
cravin41: calls 300
*** FLOP *** [Th Ks Kc]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: checks
*** TURN *** [Th Ks Kc] [3s]
cravin41: bets 200
Oxy: calls 200
*** RIVER *** [Th Ks Kc 3s] [6c]
cravin41: bets 1000
Oxy: folds
cravin41 collected 1575 from pot
cravin41: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1575 | Rake 0
Board [Th Ks Kc 3s 6c]
Seat 6: cravin41 (big blind) collected (1575)
Seat 7: Oxy (button) folded on the River
Seat 9: alex245 (small blind) folded before Flop

I think I played this one okay. I like the check behind I made. Thoughts? [twistedecho: eh, i cbet here like always. good flop for you and two kings makes one less likely for him. If he calls, you can check behind turn and get a free river]

PokerStars Game #4875050558: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/05/08 - 20:55:58 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (3370 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (5635 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (4495 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 100
Oxy: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Td 6d]
alex245: raises 200 to 400
cravin41: calls 300
Oxy: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [9d Ac 8s]
cravin41: bets 800
Oxy: folds
alex245: raises 3270 to 4070 and is all-in
cravin41: calls 2145 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [9d Ac 8s] [4h]
*** RIVER *** [9d Ac 8s 4h] [7h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cravin41: shows [As Tc] (a pair of Aces)
alex245: shows [7c 6c] (a pair of Sevens)
cravin41 collected 7165 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7165 | Rake 0
Board [9d Ac 8s 4h 7h]
Seat 6: cravin41 (small blind) showed [As Tc] and won (7165) with a pair of Aces
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: alex245 (button) showed [7c 6c] and lost with a pair of Sevens

Everyone in, I'll join in too. Suited T6 cool beans. Gotta bounce on the flop though. [twistedecho: preflop is baaaad, fold it!]
[Oxy again: oh crap, for some reason, I didn't see the minraise. Shit, I thought I was calling from the SB. My bad, my bad.]

PokerStars Game #4875060836: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:56:55 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (7165 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (5210 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (1125 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 200
alex245: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [5s 6s]
cravin41: raises 400 to 800
Oxy: folds

Obvious fold.

PokerStars Game #4875065007: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:57:18 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (7815 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4985 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (700 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts small blind 200
cravin41: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [4c 6d]
Oxy: folds

I wouldn't want to push this hand with cravin and the shortie.

PokerStars Game #4875067147: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:57:30 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (8065 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4960 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (475 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 200
Oxy: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Kc 9h]
alex245: raises 50 to 450 and is all-in
cravin41: calls 250
Oxy: calls 50
*** FLOP *** [3s Ac 3h]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: checks
*** TURN *** [3s Ac 3h] [7d]
cravin41: checks
Oxy: bets 800
cravin41: folds
*** RIVER *** [3s Ac 3h 7d] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Oxy: shows [Kc 9h] (a pair of Threes)
alex245: shows [8d Qh] (two pair, Eights and Threes)
alex245 collected 1425 from pot
alex245 said, "lol thanks"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1425 | Rake 0
Board [3s Ac 3h 7d 8c]
Seat 6: cravin41 (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) showed [Kc 9h] and lost with a pair of Threes
Seat 9: alex245 (button) showed [8d Qh] and won (1425) with two pair, Eights and Threes

Some people will look at this hand and think my bet is retarded on the turn; "always check it down". However, in this case, my play was correct. It was likely that my king high was best, and that the other guy didn't have anything, so I could push him out of the flop. Some dead money in the middle; definitely go for it. He got lucky. Sucks, but that's life. [twistedecho: dead money where? postflop just check it down. Preflop i don't hate a push to isolate the allin with an overlay tho. Bluffing postflop is retarded here with Khi]
[oxy again: hmm, I read about this on 2+2. Basically, my hand is most likely better than Alex's any-2. whatever, I'll check it out and post it on 2+2 or sth. I still think my play was g00t.

PokerStars Game #4875074072: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:58:08 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (7590 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4485 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (1425 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 200
alex245: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Kc 3d]
cravin41: raises 400 to 800
Oxy: folds
alex245: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [Jh Ac Th]
alex245: checks
cravin41: bets 800
alex245: folds
cravin41 collected 1875 from pot
cravin41: shows [As 9s] (a pair of Aces)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1875 | Rake 0
Board [Jh Ac Th]
Seat 6: cravin41 (button) collected (1875)
Seat 7: Oxy (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: alex245 (big blind) folded on the Flop

I want to let alex eliminate himself; he's a donk.

PokerStars Game #4875078527: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:58:32 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (8640 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4260 in chips)
Seat 9: alex245 (600 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts the ante 25
alex245: posts small blind 200
cravin41: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2h 3h]
Oxy: folds
alex245: calls 200
cravin41: raises 400 to 800
alex245: calls 175 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [3d 8c As]
*** TURN *** [3d 8c As] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [3d 8c As 4s] [Qh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
alex245: shows [6s 8s] (a pair of Eights)
cravin41: shows [8d 7h] (a pair of Eights - Seven kicker)
cravin41 collected 1225 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1225 | Rake 0
Board [3d 8c As 4s Qh]
Seat 6: cravin41 (big blind) showed [8d 7h] and won (1225) with a pair of Eights
Seat 7: Oxy (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: alex245 (small blind) showed [6s 8s] and lost with a pair of Eights

Again, shortie and biggie in front of me; I'll pass.

PokerStars Game #4875084646: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:59:05 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (9265 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (4235 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 200
Oxy: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Jh Js]
cravin41: raises 1200 to 1600
Oxy: raises 2610 to 4210 and is all-in
cravin41: calls 2610
*** FLOP *** [7d 5d 6s]
*** TURN *** [7d 5d 6s] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [7d 5d 6s 2d] [3s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Oxy: shows [Jh Js] (a pair of Jacks)
cravin41: shows [Qc Ad] (high card Ace)
Oxy collected 8470 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 8470 | Rake 0
Board [7d 5d 6s 2d 3s]
Seat 6: cravin41 (button) (small blind) showed [Qc Ad] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) showed [Jh Js] and won (8470) with a pair of Jacks

Prestopush!

PokerStars Game #4875090138: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:59:35 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5030 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (8470 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 200
cravin41: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2c 8s]
Oxy: folds
cravin41 collected 450 from pot
cravin41: shows [4h Kh] (high card King)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 450 | Rake 0
Seat 6: cravin41 (big blind) collected (450)
Seat 7: Oxy (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

Don't wanna push with absolutely nothing and the chip lead.

PokerStars Game #4875092487: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 20:59:48 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5255 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (8245 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 200
Oxy: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [2h 9d]
cravin41: raises 400 to 800
Oxy: folds
cravin41 collected 850 from pot
cravin41: shows [7c 9h] (high card Nine)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 850 | Rake 0
Seat 6: cravin41 (button) (small blind) collected (850)
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) folded before Flop

s'okay.

PokerStars Game #4875094634: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 21:00:00 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5680 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (7820 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 200
cravin41: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [5s 3s]
Oxy: folds
cravin41 collected 450 from pot
cravin41: shows [7c 5d] (high card Seven)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 450 | Rake 0
Seat 6: cravin41 (big blind) collected (450)
Seat 7: Oxy (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

Same as two hands ago.

PokerStars Game #4875096712: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 21:00:11 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5905 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (7595 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
cravin41: posts small blind 200
Oxy: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [9h 9d]
cravin41: raises 400 to 800
Oxy: raises 5600 to 6400
cravin41: folds
Oxy collected 1650 from pot
cravin41 said, "23"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1650 | Rake 0
Seat 6: cravin41 (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Oxy (big blind) collected (1650)

Good for him, I haev chat blocked.

PokerStars Game #4875100398: Tournament #24420703, $15+$1 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/05/08 - 21:00:31 (ET)
Table '24420703 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 6: cravin41 (5080 in chips)
Seat 7: Oxy (8420 in chips)
cravin41: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts the ante 25
Oxy: posts small blind 200
cravin41: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [8d Kc]
Oxy: raises 7995 to 8395 and is all-in
cravin41: calls 4655 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8h Td 6h]
*** TURN *** [8h Td 6h] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [8h Td 6h Qs] [Qh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cravin41: shows [3c As] (a pair of Queens)
Oxy: shows [8d Kc] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
Oxy collected 10160 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 10160 | Rake 0
Board [8h Td 6h Qs Qh]
Seat 6: cravin41 (big blind) showed [3c As] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 7: Oxy (button) (small blind) showed [8d Kc] and won (10160) with two pair, Queens and Eights

Easy push. He got lucky finding an ace, but I out-lucked him and hit my kicker.

Gonna be posting some content

2006-05-09T23:06:00.000-04:00

Hey all,

I'll be posting some nice content soon. Getting together with some other players and we'll be annotating seven SNGs I recently played. Hopefully will give some decent insight. I'll include all the hands in the SNG, and only decisions up to where I'm last to act. I'll cut the hand off from there.

Didn't play today; didn't have time. Will be playing this weekend, though. It is mother's day apparantly however, so I might not have too much time on Sunday.

Donk the turn.

12+1 6 max on Stars...

2006-05-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

...have the worst players in the universe. I haven't seen such a donkfest in ages. Unfortunately, there are two problems with them:

- 10 minute blinds,
- I placed in none out of eight,

which means that my bankroll has once again dropped below 1k$.

I think I caught the worst run of cards I've had in a while. Winning an underset with quads vs an overset (money went in when I had quads) and winning AQ vs KK on a Qxx board were some of my greatest bad beat feats and they both happened today though.

Still, fucked up shit today. Oh well, back to the 15s. If those go bad, back to the 6.50s.

C-betting

2006-05-08T00:06:00.000-04:00

By Curtains.

Joke

2006-05-07T21:43:00.000-04:00

And on the sixth day, the Lord turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said to
him "Today, I'm going to create a land called Canada. It will be a land of
outstanding natural beauty, with tall majestic mountains, full of mountain
goats and eagles, beautifully sparkly lakes bountiful with carp and trout,
forests full of elk and moose, high cliffs overlooking sandy beaches and with
an abundance of sea life in the oceans off the coasts,and powerful rivers
stocked with salmon."

And the Lord continued "I shall also make the land rich in oil and gas, and in
gold, silver, copper and other ores so to make the inhabitants prosper. I shall
name these inhabitants 'Canadians', and they shall be forever known as the
friendliest people on the face of the Earth."

"But Lord," asked Gabriel, "don't you think you're being too generous to these
Canadians?" "Not really", replied the Lord, "just wait and see the neighbours
I'm going to give them."

Update

2006-05-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

Oxy: haha
Oxy: this has to be my worst set ever
Oxy: i don't think I've run into more hands than today
Pacifist: =[
Oxy: haha nah it's fine :)
Oxy: 0-1-0-7
Pacifist: haha
Pacifist: ive had
Pacifist: 0-0-0-10
Oxy: ^^
Oxy: yeah
Pacifist: followed by 0-0-2-8
Oxy: haha that sucks
Pacifist: ya
Pacifist: fucking lee
Oxy: ^^
Oxy: just sucks right nwo cause
Oxy: i'm supposed to be making money
Oxy: and my friends are like
Oxy: "so how much'd you make?"
Oxy: and i'm like "uh"
Oxy: "nothing"
Oxy: and they're like "didn't you play like 15 hours this weekend?"
Oxy: and i'm like
Oxy: "uh, yeah"
Oxy: "haha you must suck, yeah?"
Pacifist: ROFL
Pacifist: owned

got 2% ROI over the past 200 sngs. could be negative!

Oh well. Still running bad. I push and everyone suddenly finds AK. Just gotta keep playin', could be a lot worse!

What am I headed for?

2006-05-06T15:02:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to write something that will hopefully direct me to my goals. I want poker to help me make a living and to allow me to treat my girlfriend(s) to nice things. I don't want to become a professional poker player. I would like to 8-table the 25+2s at 15% ROI (feasible) this summer, and I don't think I'll be going to the 60s any time soon, just 'cause they seem tough. I think I can 8-table 4-5 hours a day, in sets. I played 50 SNGs on Thursday, which was a lot for me. Played something like 20-30 on Friday, and I'm going to continue playing a bunch today. It's a rainy day and I'm reading some book, though (01-01-00 by R.J. Pineiro). I've also got one big chunk of work to do that might take me something like two hours.

I'd just like to mention something that I think a lot of us neglect at the lower buyins: remember t pick up small pots. Make tiny bets when you have a mediocre hand like top pair on a 7-high board.

5 minutes after writing this

I'm extremely fucking mad. Fucking tourney luckboxes keep catching aces on the bubble. One fucking retard thought for twenty seconds before calling my A2o allin with 86o for a third of his bigstack. Naturally, I bubbled. Same thing with a retard that goes AFK for the bubble and comes back to catch aces, ace-9, kings, and busts me out. On a third table, I bust because of some retard that called an allin of mine with 97o (my KQo), and I bubbled there too. I could've made profit today, for the first time this week, but nooo.

Losin' baby

2006-05-05T20:23:00.000-04:00

Mmm. I was supposed to post something long, but I honestly don't really feel like it. I don't know whether or not it's the fact that I have to move down to the 6.50s (again) or whether I'm just lazy, but it doesn't float my boat. I've got a ton of work to do this weekend, too, and I don't feel like spending an hour and a half writing something that few people will read.

I am going to talk about one thing, however. Wonder how you can turn your losing session into a winning one? Wondering what went wrong? What part of our game is the most importnat? I'll tell you. It's the one and only bubble. When the blinds are at 200/400 - 300/600 and you don't know which hand to push, that's when it's all decided. Most of your results will depend on that bubble. If you have a tool like SNGPT, you can learn to play the bubble well, and you should. Learn to play it flawlessly. I remember once I got ITM I used to relax and just push any two, lose, and think, 'Whatever.' Bad attitude. Once you're ITM is when you should really start concentrating and making the right decisions. If you are looking to improve, you must learn to play the bubble flawlessly. Move on to the 75/150-100/200/25 levels and learn to play this well. Your early game should be fairly straightforward; this isn't a high-stakes cash game.

Donk that turn.

Post comin' up

2006-05-03T22:41:00.000-04:00

Don't have much time to write tomorrow since I have to sit a four hour exam tomorrow, but basically I had a nice set of 15+1s today, and I'm pretty sure I'll be making a big post tomorrow, with a lot of hands and analysis. Also, someone from LP.net asked me to write an article on how to play turbos, so I'll probably do that this weekend. I'll probably be playing tons of poker this weekend, so get ready.

SNG report

2006-05-01T20:39:00.000-04:00

15+1 SNG at stars.

Donks at the table with me:
do09 - boobhead
buhda50 - spiritual donkey
blego151 - dipshit
Phantomtt - retard
crusher327 - fatass
Jayyyyyyyy - cool pink floyd tightass
Faideth - fag hellokitty user
mikeettl - noob

I don't know anything about the players, pretty much. I played with Jayyyy earlier in the day, and he's really bad with push/folding. He's really tight, and luckily, he's right in front of me. I won't be getting pushed too much in this SNG.

So, first hand of matter. Spiritual donkey raises preflop, the noob reraises and they get it allin. Noob shows AKs and Spiritual donkey shows jacks. Spiritual donkey takes it home, and the noob is out of the game. I'm at 1345 chips, having taken a few flops with pocket pairs.

A few hands later, I pick up K8o UTG. I fold it. Surprise.

Jay is still keeping quiet, although he has 1660 chips. I do hope to take them away from him.

On my other tables, I catch kings, and have someone allin on my blind at 10/20. I double up.

On our feature table, I catch Q6o in the BB, and the BT raises. I fold. Man, I am disciplined.

Blinds are now 50/100 and I have 1345 chips. Still nothing happening. I roll my thumbs, nothing going on. Pink Floyd is good.

On one of my other tables, one of the guy's avatars is ZeeJustin; I die a little inside and return to observing our feature table. These newbs are still donkin' it up.

At blinds 50/100 and 1195 chips, I pick up A4o on the BT. Everyone else has folded, and I decide to pull a move on the two donks behind me; I push. At the moment of writing this, I see some fucking retard call me with A9s; he's got me covered. I get no respect at these stakes. I'm deciding what to do with this fucking writeup now. Should I switch to one of my other tables? He's got A9hh and the flop comes with two hearts. By some miraculous chance, I catch a four on the turn, and dodge a 9 and a heart on the river. I now have 2440 chips at 75/150 blinds. I rock.

For the record, the push wasn't great. However, it wasn't bad. I was kind of counting on the blinds being tight, and since their stacks were relatively average, I didn't think they'd be willing to take a flip.

Karma is a bitch, though, and a few hands later I pick KK up UTG. Blinds 75/150 with a 2400 stack. I raise it up to 400. Fatass, right behind me, goes allin. I installcall once everyone folds. Fatass shows AQ catches an ace on the river. I'm back down to where I was.

Blinds now 100/200 and I miss a push because of a misclick. The push I missed was QTo in CO with 1200 at blinds 100/200.

Everyone is raising around me, and I can't catch a push. Same thing on all my other tables. I'm down to like 5BB everywhere at 100/200. Can't catch a push for the life of me.

Blinds 100/200, and I can't find a pushable hand. I've got 900 UTG+1, and basically one more round to find a pushable hand. 92o doesn't fit the criteria. 32s neither. I find myself on the BB with 56s and 660 in chips. I have to call a push from an UTG+1 pusher. I lose the race vs AK, and I'm out.

Back to another table. It's three-handed, and I pushed some hand into aces, and won with a straight.

Hand of importance #1: I have Q4o in the BB. BT calls, and flop comes 356 with two diamonds. I push, and take down the pot. I didn't push preflop because he was kinda loose, and I have much more fold equity on the flop.

#2: I'm on the BT and find myself with K7o and 2400 chips. I gotta push this.

The guy to my right is very aggressive, always raising my blind. I'll find a nice hand against him one day. Blinds are tiny, though, and so I don't really need to worry myself yet. I've got 2500 chips at 100/200/25.

#3: I find 99 on the BT with 2400 chips. I can't really take a flop with this: prestopush.

Blinds 200/400 finally come. Let the pushing begin.

First hand on the BT at 200/400, I find jacks. Some guy calls me with A3s. Flop is 379, turn Q, river T. I'm safe, and now have a 5k stack. Immediately the next hand, I find AJo on the BB, and the SB (aggro guy to my right) raises me. I push it in, and he instamucks.

Hand after that, I find xx on the SB vs the shortie's t1400. Gotta push with any two.

I push again next hand with KJs and the shortie calls me with Q9o. He catches a 9, and he is back again. We've got fairly even stacks.

The aggro player to the right me keeps pushing. It's annoying, but that's usually what I do, so I can't complain. I'm pushing any two against the shortie. I push 34o and get called by K7o. Flop is 469, turn Q and river J. I come out the victor. This was a prestoeasypush, if anyone is wondering.

First hand of the HU, I push Q9o against the aggro player. Unfortunately, he finds K8o, calls me, and wins. I've now got 2k left, which ain't no good.

Blinds now 300/600. I've got 1400 after posting the BB. I find J7, aggro pushes into me, I instacall (you gotta), and I'm up against 64s. He catches a 4 and I'm out 2nd.

May update

2006-05-01T16:56:00.000-04:00

Haven't had much time to post recently. Had to do some schoolwork and such. I've got a French final this Thursday, which I'm not too thrilled about.

I recently took 2nd in a 180-man 4$ SNG, which helped me break even for the weekend. Right now, the BR is over 1000$, and should be over 2000$ by the beginning of July (assuming I don't have too much work to do).

I was writing a final table report for the 4$ SNG, but stopped halfway to get some reads. Here is what I wrote up 'til then, though.

The table had been playing somewhat loose preflop, and very tight on the flop. A small, 1/3 pot c-bet usually won the hand. I got KJo in MP1, and with blinds 600/1200/75, I raised it up to t3000. Flop came Qx9 with two spades. I was OOP against two preflop callers, and a total pot of 11k, but I bet out 5.2k anyway. These guys had been folding to a lot of small bets, this had to be worth a try. Naturally, both players call. The turn, however, brought a Tc, giving me the nut straight and nut hand. There was a flush draw out there, which I was afraid of. I bet 11k, and the first limper promptly folded. The second, however, pushed his remaining stack in. Decisions, decisions. Should I value call my nuts? I decided I should. I stood up, took my pants off, and whammed my dick on my left mouse button and clicked okay. Villain flipped over QT for top two, but he failed to make a FH on the river. He was out, and I was up to 73k.

I was a little bit card-dead during the entire tournament. AK once or twice, queens once, and that's about it.

About twenty hands later, I pick up KJo on the BB. This guy, whom I have been having a blind war for the past few rounds, minraises UTG+1. He's a real donk. He kept stop'n'going me with something like 30BB, and made me lay down my AK to his 93o on a QTx flop. I couldn't call it, obviously. I had been raising to 4000 at blinds 800/1600 from BT, with him being BB, and he always called and pushed, regardless of the flop. Again, I couldn't trap him with anything, since I wasn't hitting any pairs. What a faggot.

Anyway, he minraises, and I call. Flop comes QJx, two clubs, and he fires out for 3/4 pot. I insta-allin. He thinks for something like three hours and folds. As if he had anything beating 8 high.

I wanna start writing nice stories like Jon (TwistedEcho) did for his final tables. Again, during the summer, I plan to play a ton of 20+2 180 SNGs.

I'm just going to write one thing that I think a lot of people have a problem with. I know I did, anyway.

Say it's the 3rd hand of a Stars tournament, you are MP and you raise with AQs to t80 at 10/20 blinds and a 1500 stack. Assume CO calls you and the rest fold (weaklings). The flop comes K92 and you lead for t120. CO, being the fucking asshole he is, minraises you. You grow hot under the collar and think: he minraised me; only donks minraise me; this guy is a donk; he probably has A2; what a fucking retard, how could he call me with A2o preflop; I hate these fucking donks; I'll show him; allin.

The truth is that not only do I abuse the semi-colon, bets usually mean what they represent. If you're getting minraised, a likely hand is KQ or 99 or AK or 22. Just fold, don't try to chase your hand out. A lot of people think that all the donks are just trying to gang up on them and bluff 'em out of every pot. Keep your head and push them in when you have that AK, but let it go with your AQ.

1G!

2006-04-28T23:50:00.000-04:00

Well, finally hit the 1 grand mark again. Nice to see a four-figure number. Hopefully I can get the 'ol BR up nicely in May.

I'm quite sick right now, actually, so I think I'll be playing a substantial amount of poker this weekend, nicely curled up with a blanky on my chair. As I have previously mentioned, though, I have a ton of things to get done, so that might prove to be a difficulty.

At any rate, I'm finally playing the 15+1s. I do surprisingly well at the 6.50s, and I'm on a great run there, but I played a set of 4 *15+1s, and busted 9th in two of them simultaneously. One of those hands I posted on 2+2 for revision. I came back, though, and won the other two, albeit with some errors.

My computer has been niggerbucketting it up today. Tons of stuff isn't working, and I'm afraid I might have to reformat at least one of the partitions (C drive/Windows installation). I'll try just repairing it, but tomorrow.

I've also been thinking about something I've been wanting to do in a while; I'd like to win an MTT. I never have; not even a small 45-player one. I've never been at a final table.

I'm thinking rebuys are a bit unrealistic for me, I dislike the idea of spending 30$ on a 3$ entry tournament, so I'm probably going to try and win a 20+2 180man SNG. When the 'ol BR permits, of course. I'm thinking once I have at least 2Gs in the bank, I'll be able to comfortably play four of these at a time. I don't know when I'm planning to move up to the 25+2s, but I definitely want 8-tabling them to be my main game for the summer. I also emailed stars about adding 35+3 full ring turbos. Hopefully they will.

On a final note, the second part of sheets's SNG guide is out on msn/foxsports. Sheets, for the uninitiated, is a really really good SNG player - one of the best in the world. In the words of another 2+2'er, 'he looks at the 225s as you do at the 6.50s'. Kinda puts things in perspective. Anyway, clicky.

Damn variance

2006-04-27T20:05:00.000-04:00

Man, it really sucks when I try to move up for what seems like the hundreth time, and I get shot down again. Yeah, went down about 140$ on 15+1s, which is ~8 buyins. Played like 20 sngs. Oh well. I'm back up again, after some playing. I will have to cut down on poker-time this week and next week, though, because I've got schoolwork and things to get done, not to mention finals coming up soon.

Anyway, here's a nice hand from the 2+2 forums. Check it out.

Don't really have time to post. GL.

15+1s in sight!

2006-04-23T23:12:00.000-04:00

Arr, good run today again. Up about 60$ today, for a total BR of 850. Still playing the 6.50s, I'm gonna wait for Jon (TwistedEcho) to help me with the 15+1s, just because of the mental block I might have with my previous limit-moveups this month.

Anyway, April has been decent (graph below). I'll probably be doing three sets of four tables every weekday for the first half of May, then 6-8 tables in the second half. Depends on how much schoolwork I'll have.

So, graph:

I'll take a look at a hand I played today.

Hand #1
Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t100/t200
(Ante: t25)
4 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: t2305
Button: t1510
SB: t6240
Hero: t3445

Pre-flop: (4 players) Hero is BB with
2 folds, SB calls t100 (pot was t300), Hero checks.

He's got a bigger stack then me; if he wants to, he can push me around, especially with two substantially smaller stacks then me on the bubble. In short, I've absolutely no reason to try and steal this away pre-flop with the hand I have.

Flop: (t500, 2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets t325, SB calls t325 (pot was t825).

I've got a pair and a gut straight, and he's shown nothing but weakness. Let's bet.

Turn: (t1150, 2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Okay, so now I put him on either a jack, ten, a flush draw or a made 89 straight. There is a slight possibility he's on complete bullshit. He would probably raise me with a jack, so it's kind of unlikely, but it's still there. Anyway, the flush just came, if he's got any of the likely hands I put him on, he's beating me.

River: (t1150, 2 players)
SB bets t800, Hero calls t800 (pot was t1950).

So I just got a flush. I'm now beating everything but a flush caught on the turn, or a higher heart. The pot is now 1150, and he bets 800 at me. Would he bet that much with a flush? He wouldn't be getting any value out of it. I think he's trying to scare me out of it, and I don't think he has the flush. With something like an ace-high flush, he would bet half the pot, to at least get some value out of the hand. I call and take it down. He shows rags.

Results:
Final pot: t2750

Hotter than Hades

2006-04-23T11:54:00.000-04:00

For the uninitiated, the title is derived from a great school paper.

On to the poker meaning of it. I ran tremendously good last night. Over about thirty sngs, I had a ROI of 80%+ Ended up close to 800$, playing the 6.50s. I'm going to continue playing the 6.50s until 850-1000$, depending on how good I'm feeling and how well it goes. I hate moving down, so I want to have a good amount of buyins for the 15+1s. A friend of mine uses the 100 buyin rule for turbos, but ain't no way I'm getting to 1600 on 6.50s, no matter how well I run. I think I'll start the 15+1s in May.

I've also been thinking about the purpose of this blog. It started out as a thing among friends, and we posted about it on liquidpoker.net. It was kinda funny with Jon and Ket and Serge still here, but they all kinda abandonned this blog after I did. Jon still posted something once in a blue moon, though, so kudos to him.

But anyways, as much as I'd like to write about fire-breathing dragons, dangerous escapades at 5000/10000 NL, and Grim Reapers, I can't do that. Unless I lie.

There is one blog that singles itself out from all the other ones - The Law School Dropout's Poker Blog. He plays fairly high-stake LHE. He dropped out of law school to do it, too. It's a good read. I'd start from the beginning, but it's long, so it would take you about 10 hours total to read it through. If you've got time, though, go for it.

Still, I don't play 225 turbos, or go to live tournaments and crack Phil Ivey's aces. My writing skill is classified as 'Is this supposed to be a joke?' by my English teacher, and my funnyness levels, although generally high in real life, go below 0 online. My poker insight, deep as it may seem to me, pretty much stops at 'push pre'. So, where to go from here? The first thing to do might be to get some readers. I have a feeling this is kind of like that time I was shoutcasting some TANL matches (online StarCraft tournament) and when I popped into the console to check how many listeners there were, I saw there was one. Better than none, you might say, but that listener was me. I forgot to turn off the stream on winamp (though that was muted, so I didn't hear myself in my headphones).

So yeah, time to start publicizing this thing. You can help out by telling your friends.

Keep on donking the turn,
Mike

Often misplayed situation

2006-04-22T01:18:00.000-04:00

Here's a situation I see a lot of beginners misplay. Let's derive it from this situation:

7-handed blinds: 100/200
BB: 2200
Hero: 1100
BT: 3000
CO: 2000
LP1: 3000
LP2: 1200
LP3: 1000

You are pushing any two here, obviously, even if the BB will call with the top 20% of hands.

Now, let's say your chipstack and the BB's are inversed.

7-handed blinds: 100/200
BB: 1100
Hero: 2200
BT: 3000
CO: 2000
LP1: 3000
LP2: 1200
LP3: 1000

With the same calling range for the BB, you also push any two. This may seem like a waste of a decent chipstack, but adding that 200-300 to your stack is important.

Now let's add about 1000 to both stacks, with the same calling range.

7-handed blinds: 100/200
BB: 1900
Hero: 3300
BT: 2000
CO: 1000
LP1: 3200
LP2: 1000
LP3: 1000

Here you are the bigstack and are in a great position. Pushing any two would be a very bad play, simply because of your chip stacks. If you push and lose, you are in a terrible position. If you push and win, you are in no better a position than you were before.

If you're trying to decide whether to push or not and don't have time to open SNGPT, just ask yourself - how much will winning these chips help me? Do I have a real shot at getting ITM if I don't win these chips, without catching aces or kings or some other good hand and doubling off of it?

Post by Rekrul

2006-04-20T21:56:00.000-04:00

Nice story by Rekrul from teamliquid.net / liquidpoker.net.

"RAISE!" Shouts some cocky kid as he throws 12$ into the pot as if he's a badass and God's gift to poker. Sitting there with his monster stack of 400$ that he just managed to get from doubling up his previous hand with aces in the hole. No 5/10 games or bigger running tonight thats for sure. Why the fuck was I even bothering sitting at this low stakes table with a bunch of grinders who think they are the shit because they can make a couple bucks playing cards? But hell...I went all the way to the casino and I got nothing better to do tonight so whatever...I'll continue to waste my time.

"DAN come to my bar 10/20 game 8 people good game...W Bar." The text message from an insane girl that I had met playing poker in the past. Yesterday I got that exact same message from her and went there because she said seven people were playing...only to arrive and theres no game and even she already had went home. Thats what casino managers do here...they usually lie and exaggerate about the games to ploy people into coming who would otherwise not have come. Once the degenerates come even if they were lied to and there is no game they usually will stick around and wait for one to form. This girl is the works. Not your typical korean girl by any means. She's about 30 years old, attractive though she has an insane look to her face. She uses fucked up korean slang and fucked up english slang all the times. Has a very very dirty mouth cussing all the time and never uses the respectful way of speaking korean to anyone. Don't go all-in on her with a draw and hope to hit without getting a "YOU WANNA DIE MAN? FUCKING SHIT YOU SHIT FUCK WHAT THE FUCK GOOOOOOOODDDDDDD!!!! *combined with her bashing her head into the table*" Anyways, I think she's a cool person and her and I were kinda friends from casino'ing so I decided to go check this place out because hell, if I can up the stakes by 10x i'll take that chance because even if it's not open again I can just go home instead of wasting my time on a 1/2 table.

I stroll up to the door of W bar at 1:00 AM. It was a very windy night and the wet was damp from the on and off raining all day. This place is in a different area from all the other casinos and there was not a soul in sight outside the bar other than some taxi's waiting outside the hotel across the street. But the door to the W Bar was a huge steel door with a locking mechanism. No doorbell, just a keypad to enter the password for the door to open. I didn't feel too safe being there alone and the mood of the night wasn't helping me too much. But nothing could prepare me for what lay inside.

*CLICK CLICK SLAM SLAM* Two car doors immediately open and shut as two guys get out from cars parked next to the bar on both sides of the bar. They are both wearing ear-peices that you'd think special agents wear. They walked up asking who I was and I said I was invited here by the girl whom I'll call Jesse. They asked if I came to play games and I said yeah and they immediately punched in the code and I walked in while they got back into their cars. I strolled through a semi-lit hallway, turned a corner, went down some stairs, turned another corner, walked down some more stairs, and then into the main room. I saw Jesse at the only table running and walked up to her and said hi. I hadn't really scanned the room with my eyes yet but then I stood tall and looked all around and saw things that I never expected to see. In korea the underground poker casinos generally attract the same people always nowadays. I did not recognize a single person aside from two dealers that I knew a long time ago who were dealing at the places I first playing live poker at. The table had a range of characters at it. Some young muscular guys with scars on their faces, some 40ish year old guys who just look completely dumb as hell and talk complete shit, some harsh looking old guys in suits, and one very slick looking dude with sunglasses on over his intense beady eyes. All around the table were small normal tables with more harsh looking guys in suits drinking alcohol or talking business together. There was also a main bar and several doors leading into back rooms. Sitting in seat three at the table was The Boss. This guy was atleast in his 70's, very short, long slick shiney grey hair with a pair of multi colored young-gun sunglasses resting atop of it. His face wasn't extremely harsh or scary looking, but this guy was scary as hell. He wore a purple and blue colored jump-suit and was covered in bling bling. Everyone in this casino acted abnormally too. Usually koreans use respectful tone and dialect and rarely curse...but these for these guys yelling "SHIPPAL KAE SEKKI YA" was completely normal and they didn't often speak up to eachother as "hyung" (respectful way to speak to a man older than you thats your friend). But with this guy, The Boss, not only did they use manner speak, they used the super respectful way of speaking in Korean every time they addressed him. This guy even had three young girls sitting next to him, behind him. The girls were young and extremely beautiful paying attention to everything he did and said but never speaking for themselves. They occasionally massaged him too. The game was 10/20 and the minimum buyin was 2000$. I got 2000$ in chips and took a seat. As I scanned the room some more I realized there were hired whores everywhere with these suited gangsters at the outside normal tables. This place put every casino I had ever been to to complete shame. All those 'gangsters' at the other casinos are wannabe's. I was in the midst of the Korean mafia.

"HI, WHATS YOUR NAME?" Says a cocky young one sitting two seats to my left. Him and the guy to my immediate left and right were the three jokesters at the table. I was in for a ride. "Dan." I replied. "IM MICHAEL," he responded and instant laughter burst all over the table letting me know that his name is not actually Michael but its some fucked up Korean humor.

"WHEH AH YU FRUM?"..."America."

"DO YOU HAVE GUN?" Asked the stupid looking yet crazy guy to my immediate left. "Yeah I got one but only in America."

"CAN YOU IMPORT IT FOR ME? I WANT GUN. KOREA SO HARD TO GET GUN." he says as the Michael chimes in pointing at the crazy one "he's korean mafia, real mafia man."

"Uhhh I don't think that's such a good idea, not only dangerous for me but I wouldn't really trust you with a gun." I say as the two of them begin cackling like crazy fuckers. Then the one to my left says "HAHAHAHA TRUE IF I HAD A GUN AND WE ALLIN AND YOU WIN ALL MY CHIP MAYBE I SHOOT YOU" as he put his hand in the figure of a gun up to my head. Laughter ensued on the whole table. And lets be honest here. Rekrul was scared as fuck.

This table was loose as hell. It was normal for 300 preflop to get 4-5 callers and it was a 99% chance that there was a bet of atleast 700$ on every single flop. Slow play and check-raise was the name of the game for me. Can't really play tricky poker here when the best chances of winning money in such a game is playing only premium hands that hit flops. Everyone was going wild and I was getting extremely cold decked. One guy explained in korean to the table that in America the games don't play like this at all, that everyone folds like crazy all the time to any bet preflop or on the flop, and on the flop it's usually 1on1. They kept making fun of me and calling me American style. I felt kinda pathetic on that table with 2000$ folding every single hand. But what could I do the EV+ was there and I only had 2k more in my wallet at the time. I'll sacrifice the fun I get from buying in huge and bullying tables full of tight asses for the money that was to be earned in this game.

AsQc in the big blind. Finally a "MONSTER!" hand! Everyone limps in for 20 and I make it 420 to go I had about 1400 behind at that point. The Boss calls me and the flop lands down AK3 all clubs giving me top pair queen kicker and the nut flush draw. The Boss does not take shit and bets a lot of flops and bets big. I check he fires out 700 and I go allin for 700 on top of that. He instantly calls and flips over 8c6c for a flush. I put out my cigarette that I was smoking just to fit in with these guys and flip over my hand. "I need a club."

The crazy stupid guy to my immediate left grabs another cigarette and sticks it in my mouth and lights it. "CLUB CIGARETTE LUCKY CIGARETTE CLUB CLUB CLUB!!!" as he pounds the table like a gorilla. Not that he wanted to defy The Boss, but sucking out on people and seeing people suck out on people brought this guy extreme pleasure. Then the other psycho guy with Waldo glasses to my right took out another cigarette and goes "TWO CLUB CIGARETTES CLUB CLUB CLUB, CLUB FOR DAN!!!!" as he sticks it in my mouth and lights it too. I'm sitting there puffing on two cigarettes as the turn and river land red as blood. No club for Dan. The Boss rakes in the 4000$ pot as I calmly say "nice hand" and put out my cigarettes. The Boss tries to throw me back 200$ in chips because he felt bad I guess and I said in Korean "No, no, no, that's okay really I don't need that."

The Boss finally speaks and says in Korean, "Dan, I insist."

The room went silent and all eyes were on me. I could feel the heat of the power that this guy commanded over all these mafia dogs. I really didn't want the money cause normally its my rule to not give and to not take but there was nothing do. "Well then, thank you very much sir."

I bought 2k more and the game resumed. I continued to fold and they continued to make fun of me for it. I felt like "the white guy" as I have explained that phenomenon in my previous articles. The short stacked grinder. I continued to get terrible cards Until finally I limped in the SB with all limpers I had AsJs and the psycho guy in the big blind made it 300 to go. He got four callers and I knew BB had shit so I moved allin for 1600 on top of his bet. He instantly called and everyone else folded. I flipped my hand over and he flipped over QcTs. I tell him good luck and he goes "GAMBBBBLLEEEEE" and shakes his head crazily as he high fives me. He lands his ten on the flop and the turn and river bring me no help. 4K down now.

I look in my wallet and there's barely any money left and the psycho to my right sees it and lets the whole table know. "AMERICAN BOY IS BROKE HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" I said I'll be right back guys gunna get more cash. I left the place and got in a cab and started to think.

'Man...these guys want to hound me, they don't like me at all, I'm sitting there like a bitch folding and they all just want to stack me. This is the best game ever. If I want to stay in it I'm going to make these guys like me.' The plan was set.

I went and got 10k and came back and bought in the full 10k. The average stack at the table at this time was probably 5000$. Everyone was like whoa where'd you get that cash? What do you do for a living? I reply "I don't care about money, I won the lottery in Ohio 1.3 million. POWERBALL BABY!" Everyone was excited..I think they thought I wasn't going to come back. I ordered a beer, smoked some nasty cigarettes, and began to play poker. Finally I started getting decent cards. I got AA and raised to 200 UTG and got 5 callers and flopped drilled A86. I checked and the next to act bets 600 and gets two callers and I checkraise to 2000$. First bettor on the flop calls and everyone else folds. Turn comes a king and I put him all-in for 2000$ more and he calls with AQo and I win a nice pot. I gave the guy back 400$ of what I took from him and everyone commented about how much of a gentleman I was and good player I was and that they liked me. Though I can recall countless times when people walked by behind me I imagined the back of my neck getting sliced open by a knife.

After some more poker I continued to go up and down up and down but my stack was slowly growing. I gained lots of confidence and was playing well. At the start of the night not only could I win a pot, but I was SCARED to win a pot off these guys. Eventually I was even bantering back and forth with some of the younger ones in hands joking around getting comfortable. Though, no matter how comfortable I got I was still scared as hell.

Assorted looking freaks, goons, thugs, along with very slick looking gangsterish types were all over the room, probably about 4x as many people watching as playing. At one point in the back room you could hear a guy cursing out another guy and slamming him into the wall but no one seemed to react at all as if it was a normal occurance. More young beautiful girls being ushered into the the smoke filled room as psycho eyed crazy men in racing jump suits that didn't even know them instantly go up to them and half-molest them and in general joke around and go crazy with them. Countless times throughout the night the whores would slap one of the guys in the face really hard and he'd back off and everyone would start to laugh at him. It was a zoo. This is how the mafia plays. Gambling and whores.

AA in the big blind everyone limps in I make it 420$ to go. Two of the limpers call everyone else folds. Flop lands 743 rainbow and I bet out 800$. One guy calls. I had been watching this guy a lot when he calls and raises. Obviously I have AA on that flop I'm ahead of him but his call secured that feeling. The guy just hated to give up pots. Turn hits Js making it impossible for a flush to come on the river and I bet out 1500$. He calls instantly and the river comes a 2. I could have sworn on the flop he had a three or a four only, or maybe even a seven. Regardless if I push all-in here he's probably going to fold. So I value-bet 1000$ into a pot of 5500$. Without hesitation he pushes all-in, 2000$ more on top of my 1000$.

In hind sight, the pot odds were far too great and the board was damn good to ever fold no matter what my read was. But I hesistated because this guy had never made a bluff like this no matter how crappy of a calling station he was in other hands. The guy to my immediate right then stood up and started yelling like a crazy hyena. "COME ON COME ON COME ON IN CALL CALL, BIG POT BOY COME ON CALL CALL GAMBLEE HAHAHAHAHAH CALL COME ON MAN CALL CALL CALL!!!!!!" spit was flying from his crazy mouth and some hit me in the face. I look up at him like "What the fuck?" and then The Boss clears his throat and says calmly in Korean. "Shut the fuck up."

The goon instantly bows to him and sits down very quickly and clasps his hands and stares at the floor.

"Call, I got aces."

"TWO PAIR!" he says as my vision blurs a little bit. Losing a 12k pot in a live game feels bad especially when you get sucked out on. Online it's not that big of a deal but seeing a guy rake in that mountain of 100$ chips hurts.

"FUCK NICE HAND!!!" I say as he flips over his cards. I take a peek to see what two pair he had and if he rivered it and the blurred vision wears off and I see his 25o, one pair of deuces. I give a fucked up expression and everyone at the table starts laughing at me again including the guy who just lost the pot to me because he obviously did not give a shit. One younger guy says "I told you we play dirty," as they all kept laughing (except The Boss). But hell, I was happy and raked in the pot. I gave that guy 400$ back and said you can have this but please don't try that again. Everyone started laughing again and he smiled at me.

Whew. I sat there with a monster stack, having everyone at the table covered and some people saying "Wow this guy is good." But most of them kept saying I'm just a lucky fucker who gets good cards and only bets good cards. The game then slowly began to die and it got down to 4 handed at which time they raised the stakes to 20/50 NL without my approval. It was me, The Boss, the guy who had just tried to bluff me, and one slick guy who spoke english pretty well and while being scary as hell looking was one of the rather nicer guys at the table. Everyone was tired as it was now 7 A.M. but we continued to play short handed. I was on the button, The Boss limped in for 50 and I made it 200 with K6 diamonds. All three of them called and the flop landed 982 with one diamond. Everyone checked and the turn was the 5 of diamonds. The Boss bet out 600$ and I knew he was weak. I was going to go for my draw (seven, diamond, or king) and if I failed to hit it try to bluff him out anyways. River came a queen no diamond and The Boss checked. I bluffed 1600$ and The Boss thought forever and ever talking about how I only had good cards every time I bet. But The Boss is the ultimate calling station, I'm proud to make him think for so long before calling with his pair of eights haha. I flipped over my hand and said in Korean looking directly at him "I have nothing sir, very very nice call" confidently as if I didn't give a shit (actually I didn't give a shit, I was still up 10k on the night.) The Boss then spoke up in Korean. "WOW I didn't know you are capable of bluffing, you are a real poker player, I am impressed, your manner is good too, very nice" as other people watching seconded his opinion. I'm in. I have secured my spot and safety in the worst 10/20 and 20/50 poker game in the existance of humanity. $ $ $ $ $

The game shortly there after died and we all cashed out. The Boss stood up grabbed my hand and shook it and said "Dan please come back often." I replied "Of course this was a lot of fun." After saying good-bye to everyone I walked out of that place with about 25k on my body. Thank god it was daylight by then.

The moments I walked out of that place and got in the cab were the most paranoid moments of my life, I was looking behind my back every two seconds.

Thank you for reading,
Rekrul

Decent day

2006-04-20T21:42:00.000-04:00

Today was a decent day. I'm back up to 630$, which isn't much, but at least I'm on my way. I want to get to 1000$ at least by the time school is out, which is June 20th. I don't see how I would fail at this, but let's just hope I don't.

I need about 315 more VPPs. That's 2 x 6-tabling sets a day.

Anyway, I'd like to discuss a hand I misplayed horribly today.

I don't have the HH anymore, but I did post it on another site, so click here to see it.

Anyway, this hand comes up surprisingly often in SNGs, and I made a post about this recently on this blog. I still don't know exactly what to do, but I think that:

I should raise to 225-250 preflop, depending on the tightness/looseness of the table
The pot will the be something like 600 on the flop. I can then bet 275-300. At best, I can save up to 225 chips. That would give me something like 8BB to play with, which I can easily push with the right position.

I'd like anyone else's thoughts on this hand. Comment.

Improve your SNG play in 1hr

2006-04-19T20:46:00.000-04:00

If you want to improve your SNG play dramatically in under an hour (took me two, though), here's how. Just gonna quote my post on LP.net

This was all taken from 2+2, STT forum.

Below is a hand-history of a 20+2 played on Party. The link goes to a replayer, so you can see the action hand-for-hand without having to go through text-version.

Again, this is the work of Indy/Indiana (and a bunch of other guys) over at 2+2. Thanks very much to everyone who helped on this project.

The entire SNG is commentated by some of the best online SNGers in the world. These guys dominate the high-stakes SNGs. Learn from this.

Enjoy.
(note: Must be viewed in IE.)

You can also get the hand history and copy/paste in PT.

6.5t

2006-04-18T23:05:00.000-04:00

Hey guys,

Gonna put on the poker for a while, at least until May, because I need to get to at least SilverStar. I only have 400 VPPs to go or so, but still, at 3VPPs/sng, it takes a while. 500 SNGs a month is a lot for me. Amounts to 16 SNGs a day, or 2 hours of playing while 8-tabling, which isn't good for my game - yet.

When you are learning, you have to reduce the amount of tables. You should only start adding tables when you are making break-even plays at worst. A professional SNG player suggested 2-tabling. It's much better to move up to higher stakes 4-tabling rather than 8-table a lower stake. Of course, you should have the bankroll for it.

Today, I'll look at a hand history of a friend of mine, Verbloten, and his 6.50 SNG.

Hand #1

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t10/t20
9 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (9 players) Hero is SB with :tc :qc
UTG calls t20 (pot was t30), 4 folds, CO calls t20 (pot was t50), Button folds, Hero calls t10 (pot was t70), BB checks.

Flop: (t80) :3c :kd :5c (4 players)
Hero bets t80, 2 folds, CO calls t80 (pot was t160).

Turn: (t240) :6h (2 players)
Hero bets t120, CO calls t120 (pot was t360).

River: (t480) :9c (2 players)
Hero bets t160, CO calls t160 (pot was t640).

Results:
Final pot: t800

I dislike this hand very much. The preflop call is okay, I guess. Getting nice odds on the call with two suited broadways.

There are t4 players on the flop, so I really dislike this bet. The chances that someone has a K - especially UTG - are large. Betting here will only get a call. You are OOP so you can't bet it or raise it on the flop and then check behind on the turn. Remember, when you are drawing, your goal is to draw for the least amount possible while maintaining good odds.

On the turn, Hero fires again. CO has said that he has a king, and a half-pot bet isn't going to scare him away if he called the flop. Hell, he might even raise you. After that bad bet on the flop, this is an even worse bet.

On ther river, Hero caught his flush, bet 1/3rd of the pot, and those odds were much too good for CO. Bad play by both players if CO had a K with a good kicker. CO should've raised on the turn at least, preferably on the flop. Hero shouldn't of bet flop, should've check/called to the river with proper odds. First hand, you have no reads, no point in getting frisky.

Hand #2
Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t25/t50
8 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (8 players) Hero is MP2 with :kh :kc
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls t50 (pot was t75), MP1 folds, Hero raises to t200, 4 folds, UTG+1 calls t150 (pot was t325).

Flop: (t475) :9s :tc :jh (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets t200, UTG+1 raises all-in t925, Hero calls t725 (pot was t1600).

Turn: (t2325) :qd (1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t2325)

River: (t2325) :9c (1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: t2325)

Results:
Final pot: t2325

Overall good hand. I don't like the flop bet, it entices draws to call and push you. I would bet 300 since you're calling an allin anyway at these stakes. At 25+2, I would bet 300 and fold, in all honesty.

Hand #3

Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t50/t100
7 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (7 players) Hero is SB with :ac :4c
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls t100 (pot was t150), 3 folds, Hero raises all-in t585, BB raises to t970, UTG+1 folds.
Uncalled bets: t385 returned to BB.

Results:
Final pot: t1270

I'm actually unsure about this hand. You obviously have no FE with the limper, and two people left to act behind you. I'll post it on 2+2 and see what they come up with. Your tournament life is by no means over!

Those were the three main hands of the tournament. Overall game was decent, though I think there are some leaks postflop. Didn't get to see the push/folding at 1/200 and 2/400.

Circle of friends

2006-04-17T21:19:00.000-04:00

Someone mentioned this on 2+2 in one of their Pooh-bah posts (long post people make when they achieve a certain amount of posts/certain rank).

The most important thing to have when you're trying to improve your game is a group of poker buddies you surround yourself with. They will improve your game, help you deal with bad beats and bad runs. Discussing hands, strategies, metagame, and poker in general.

So, on that note, if anyone plays SNGs at any level and would like to help me with my game or vice-versa, my MSN is o2xy@hotmail.com, and my AIM is AimIsTotallyCrap .

Keep on donking that turn,
Mike

-300$

2006-04-17T20:20:00.000-04:00

Hey, guys. I'm going to try to start this blog back up. Jon and Ket are off making mucho moneys, while I'm back at the 6.50 SNGs trying to build a BR. My original goal back on Thursday for Tuesday was to get my roll to 1000$ through massive playing during the Easter weekend. Unfortunately, I did one of two things:

1) I went on a bad run,
2) I donked the turn

No idea which one it was, but according to a lot of people and 2+2ers, it was the former. I hope it is.

I started off the weekend with some 15+1 with a roll of 700$. That's over 40 buyins for the stake, and that might seem like a lot to some people, but others - such as Pacifist - often go to the next stake with over 100 buyins. I'm beginning to think that's not such a bad idea.

As soon as I played four sets, I had to drop down. Meh. This time, I only built up to 650$ before hitting them again. I busted down again, and then got mad and fired up 16 tables of 6.50. I used to actually have a positive ROI at the 15+1s while 16-tabling, but that was when I was on a heater of a run.

Anyway, my roll is at 500$ now. I'm going to run it up to at least 860$ before I try my hand at the 15+1s. Not only that, but I want to be sure all the decisions I'm making while 4-tabling the 6.50s are break-even at worst.

I've taken up some good habits in the past days. Namely, whenever I play a hand which I'm not sure about, I get the hand history for it and copy-paste it into a notepad file on my desktop. After the end of a set, or a few sets, I take a look at the hands and run them through SNGPT. I'm going to start doing that with hands that aren't push/fold and run them through 2+2 forums.

Take this hand for example:

PokerStars Tournament, Big Blind is t400 with t25 antes (6 handed) Converter on pregopoker.com

UTG (t1225)
Hero (t3210)
CO (t2180)
Button (t4382)
SB (t1409)
BB (t1094)

Preflop: Hero is in UTG+1 with As Ts
UTG raises to t1200 (All-in), Hero raises to t3185 (All-in)

This was a bad play. I should be really wary of the people behind me. I also should be hesitant to call because I'd be risking 1/3rd of my stack. This also points out another important point; my stack is very nice. Yes, it is below 10BB. However, the relevant stack is of importance.

I also strongly recommend you read this thread. It regards playing mediocre hands with 12-15BB.

Conservatism

2006-03-20T00:06:00.000-05:00

Wee, I'm finally back to playing poker. Just off a session from 4-5 freezouts and about half a dozen SNGs. I'm going to try and play and final table some micro tourneys for now, seeing as my BR is so low and freezeouts are so easy to money in.

I'm going to be working on my play. I'm reading Harrington on Hold'em, and man, I'm beginning to realize more and more how bad I suck postflop. Maybe it's not that I suck - I usually know the right move. I am just hyper-aggressive like you wouldn't believe. It's like: "What? You're gonna fucking call my contbet when I have complete air? What? Fuck you, allin on turn." I bet I win half my pots postflop with the worst holding. It's really bad the way it's going though. I read a guy prefectly for jacks and was hoping I could get him to lay it down, but no such luck. So right now, I'm trying to go into Action Dan Mode. I won't contbet in SNGs with 2+ opponents OOP with nothing. I'll still have to go in with TPTK and lose to sets and twopair and things like that, because the people at 6.50s are total donks, and my BR is still at like 200, but I'll try to be a lot more conservative postflop and allow myself to check/fold when contbetting would mean putting myself allin.

That's another thing I have to stop doing. Contbetting then folding when I've put in 3/4 of my stack. I used to do that before I took a break. I'd be being the maniac at the table, then I'd lose three quarters of my stack (after being the bigstack), then I'd win three allins with runner runner trips or straights or flushes to come back and win the tourney. Man, I thought I was the shit.

One last thing I have to mention about my hyper-aggressivism. I need to stop bluffing allin when I miss my draws. I check/call my flush draw with 8-1 pot odds on the flop, then check/call again on turn with the same odds. Then, if I miss my flush: all-in. Can I play any dumber?

Where were you this time last year?

2006-03-18T04:30:00.002-05:00

So i was going through the random junk i keep on my computer, and stumbled across this image.

When i first started to play tournaments, i would screenshot any final table results. Im fairly sure at the time i was really happy with this result, how the times have changed....

SNG = Printing money

2006-03-16T20:01:00.000-05:00

Ok, so now you've read my first update, and are possibly wondering how sngs are so profitable. Obviously there is more money in cashgames, but who cares. Cashgames require you to actually play poker, and be semi good - anyone can play sngs! The whole point of sngs are they not just mini tournaments, but they play totally different. In a tournament, payouts are so top heavy that its good to gamble early to win chips, as the aim isn't to fold into the first payout structure but to final table and hopefully come top 2 (where all the money is). However, sngs have a much flater payout structure, so in some sense you no longer are playing for first, but playing to come in the top 3, THEN playing for first.

Ok firstly stats. If i use this blog to keep track of my stats, then its possible i will update it more. Over the last few days i have played 110 $60 turbos (i play in sets of 10). My ROI (return on investment) is 23% and ITM 45%. I'm pretty sure 20% is about the best you can hope for longterm in these, personally my goal is 15% roi. This works out at about +$1500 so far

So rather than just posting how much i rule (or suck when downswing hits) at these, i guess i could be nice and post some useful hands. Because these are turbos, for the beginning i play really tight. Raising AJ from MP might seem a good idea, but with blinds 10-20 your usually either going to win the blinds, a small pot, or lose a big pot. There really is no reason to get involved too heavily early on without a big hand. This being said, once you get down to the bubble you can play much more hands, but instead of standard raising its often best to push/fold till the sng ends.

So for me, it goes TIGHT->fairly tight ->pushbot maniac as the blinds increase, and more people get knocked out. For anyone playing sngs, the main software that you really should own is called sng powertools. This lets you plugin the stacks of all the players along with the blinds, and lets you see what hand you should push in different situations.

One final note, Heads up at the end of sngs is often played wrong by most people. By the time you get HU in a turbo, the blinds will often be pretty big, and one of you will have about 10bb stacks. If either of you or your opponent has 10bb, then you should be pushing or folding preflop - not raising 3bb or anything. This is an easy way to play HU, and profitable too.

With 10bb the hands you should push are 54s, 65s, 75s+, 86s+, 96s+, T7s+, T9, J7s+, J9+, Q3s+, Q8+, K2+, A2+, 22+. (This assumes a calling range of 22+, A2+, K2+, Q7+, J8+, T9s for the villian). Onbviously peoples calling range is different, but as a standard this one isn't bad (but possibly a touch too loose).

If you were to play against a mirror image of yourself, you should be calling with JTs, Q9s+, QT+, K5s+, K8o+, A2+, 22+.

If you use ICM, you can plug in ranges for opponents, and work out what range you should be pushing in such a situation. Heads up isn't hard, its about what range will he call, and then you have a defined set of hands which are profitable to push. There is no grey areas, if the calling range is correct, then so is the pushing range.

Hopefully thats helpful, its a few thoughts kinda thrown together. Over my next few posts i will show some HH where i play the bubble (correctly or incorrectly), i'll show some pushes and the sngPT stats that accompany the push, and show some 3 handed/HU play

F Cashgames (and F 82o)

2006-03-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so no update for a while means not many final tables... haha. I made the final table of the 3r since my last post, but the HH was so boring i wasn't in the mood to write a report for it. Alongide mtts i have been playing cashgames.... well F CASHGAMES. I have no idea why, but i just bleed money in these. Almost all my 200bb pots i have lost with a 60/40 edge getting allin, but they keep sucking out. Ok variance sucks and im running bad etc etc, but i can't be bothered with this.

This is one thing i don't get, why kids keep struggling along with cashgames and breaking even for long periods of time, when there is other ways to make money. So having decided cashgames are from the devil, i have moved back to my roots and started up sngs again.

For those of you unsure about sngs, they are like printing money. I used to play on partypoker with rakeback, but recently partypoker has changed its structure and i personally dislike the new format. So back to stars for me for pretty much everything, except the occasional limit play on party.

So now i am 10 tabling the $60 turbo sngs on stars, and aim to play about 50 a day along with the 55k rebuy tournament. This seems like a decent daily pattern, and im not yet bored of sngs. I will attempt to update this blog much more often (im sure ive said this before....) but not having to wait for final tables means i should have much more content to post.

Oh, and as a final touch, F 82o. This hand was from the stars 55k last night, 46 people left.

Dealt to TwistedEcho [8s Ad]
KDCho: folds
The Subhuman: folds
Steke: folds
falkeye: folds
cosmoba: folds
dyspnea4you: raises 60000 to 72000
crackem: folds
TwistedEcho: raises 34172 to 106172 and is all-in
dyspnea4you: calls 34172
*** FLOP *** [4d 5h Kc]
*** TURN *** [4d 5h Kc] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [4d 5h Kc 2h] [7s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TwistedEcho: shows [8s Ad] (high card Ace)
dyspnea4you: shows [2s 8h] (a pair of Deuces)
dyspnea4you collected 223144 from pot

That would have put me at ave stack with 46 left. I run good in this tournament for sure....

Another $5r Tournament Report

2006-02-09T06:58:00.000-05:00

Ok guys, sorry for the lack of updates, but i've been fairly busy due to various things and haven't played that much poker recently. I'm going to do another $5r report, and this time i'll attempt to explain my thinking in various pots that are less straight forward. The first half of this tournament was really boring, basically i got AK vs AQ early on an AKQ board, then AA vs KK. I'm going to skip to blinds of 400/800, where i have a 21 stack.

UTG+1 (29k) limps for 800, MP2 (48k) also limps, and its folded to me on the button. The UTG+1 player limps quite a bit, and the MP2 is a solid player. I have 52o on the button and raise to 3200. This is something i will do if there are people with bigger stacks who i know can fold. Obviously i aim to take this down preflop, but lots of flops i will fire out and take it down.

The flop comes J T 2 with two spades, and he bets 4000 into me. Now some people might giveup here, but people know me as a fairly agressive player, so if he has a premium had (set, two pair etc) why wouldn't he checkraise me. Obviously you can argue if i'm agressive its good to bet into me with a premium hoping i push, but generally players love to checkraise, so his 4000 bet to me seems like he either has a mid PP and wants to see where hes at, or he has nothing and hoping i have AK (For some reason, everyone assumes you have AK when you raise...). I push for 18k and he quickly folds. This play is something i will do rarely, but with two fairly ABC solid players in the pot, i was pretty sure i could take it down preflop, or on many flops.

The next hand i got involved with, was raising AA utg to 3600 (blinds 600/1200/100a). The big blind calls, and the flop comes J 4 2 rainbow. He has 18k left, and checks. I fire for 4800 and he just calls. The turn is a 7 and he checks. Now here i can fire again, or just push - but if he has some mid pair or A4/A2 etc he might be able to find a fold. However if i check behind he might read for AK or something, and fire on the river, or call a small bet. The board is pretty draw free, and im not too scared about giving a free card. The river is a 10. Obviously JT just got there, but i beat everything else. He leads into me for 4800 and im pretty sure i have the best hand. I push and he folds for his last 7000. I think enough hands pay me off here to make it worth a push, if he has a set im pretty sure i get checkraised on the flop, so only JT would now be beating me, and plenty of other hands might pay off a push.

A good solid player limps UTG+1 and i check Q8o in the BB. The flop comes KQ8r. I check, he bets the pot (3000) and i raise to 8k. This type of flop will hit a limper hand quite often, and i was hoping she would push over my checkraise. I think maybe leading into her would have been best if she raised preflop, but there is a fair chance she has 22-77 or something, and im not going to get anything off her if i lead. She folds to the checkraise. I show my Q8 to help solidify my image, but also it doesn't give that much information away, but next time i checkraise her limp with air, she'll likely remember this hand.

We are now exactly on the bubble, one more player to bust and we make money. Two small stacks at my table are chatting about making the money. One of them (12k) limps for 1200 on the button, and i push 44 in the big blind for 50k. If he calls i'm not all that bothered, but unless he has a huge hand hes going to be folding here, and there is nearly 4k in the pot to pickup. He folds.

Its folded round to the button who minraises to 4000 at (1k/2k.150a) blinds. Last time he did this both the SB and myself called, and it got checked to the river where the button/sb chopped it up with KJ. Basically i have little respect for his minraises, and hey, its my blind! He also has a 48k stack, so i can afford to raise it up, and fold to his push if that happens. I reraise to 14k (50k behind) with 83o and he folds. Here my cards don't matter at all - some people think you need something like A8, 55 to make a stand here, but i don't want to be pushing my 25k stack with them as im only getting called by dominating hands, and if i get 3bet from the button, i have to fold these hands anyway. So if im not pushing, and im folding most things to a 3bet, there are two types of hands i can reraise with - those im calling a push, and those im not. So in this instant, A9 = 83o as far as im concerned, because i don't think this player would smooth call here, hes going to fold of push (and im pretty sure his minraise = marginal hand).

Two hands later the big stack at the table minraises UTG+1(62k) to 4k and MP1 (38k) smooth calls. I am on the button with AKo, and shove for 54k. There are several ways i can play my hand. Obviously, we aren't folding here. AK is way too good 7 handed to consider folded, especially given the action. Big stack minraises - this could be lots of hands, and a fairly solid but weak player smooth calls. This could be something as big as JJ, or something like 45s. I don't really expect him to call or have a monster. So with 12k in the pot, pushing is a nice option as it increases our FE (fold equity) and puts them to the decision, and if they both fold i pickup a nice pot. If we reraise, its going to need to be somewhere around the 15-20k mark for it to be meaningful, and thats a good amount of my stack. It also sucks if the first raiser folds, and the second one calls with 99-JJ and pushes the The T63 flop, as the pot will be about 40k+ and he'd be pushing 18k into it. I decided im happy with the pot as it is, and shove. The first player calls pretty fast with QQ and its off to the races for the chipleader. K96 flop, and we double up to 117k, and the chiplead.

I then tighten up a bit, making loose LP steals with J7s, A7 etc, but generally keeping it tight from EP. Then with blinds 2k/4k/200a i pickup AQo utg (135k). The table is still 7 handed, but i have 40k more than everyone else. I raise it up to 12k, and a tight quiet player (64k) smooth calls. This worries me, and i think his range is AQ+, 88+. Great... Then a solid player in MP pushes for 54k. He can get pretty tricky, and im aware he knows how to squeezeplay, so his range here is huge. If the smooth caller was someone else, i probably repush to isolate, but im worried if i push i'm going to run into a big hand from the smooth caller. I fold, and the smooth caller timebanks and folds, claiming TT.

Few hands later i raise on the button with A4o to 12k, and the big blind calls, and instantly shoves the 8s7s5h flop for 50k. The stop n' go worked fine here, as there is no way i can call here. I fold.

Down to 6, and UTG (63k) minraises to 8k. MP (71k) calls, and i also call in the BB (104k). There are few times where i will fold my BB to a minraise, and i'm never folding K5c here. Flop comes Ac 9s 7h and i check, and UTG bets 4k. Folded back to me, and i call planning on stealing on the turn. The turn comes 7c, pairing the 7 and giving me the nut flush draw. I plan to checkraise here, but he checks behind. The river is Ad, and i fire out 18k having the nut no pair, and possibly he has nothing (hard for him to call here with 88-KK). He things and pushes for 50k... oops. I fold.

Im now a touch upset my 150k stack is down to 73k, but its still plenty for me, and im confident im the best player still in this, despite a few tricky players still being in also.

Now comes a hand which really confuses me.... The blinds just went up to 2500/5000/250a, and we are 6 handed with 12 left in the tournament. I pickup 44 UTG+1 and raise to 15k, and the big blind defends. The flop comes T 7 3 and he donk bets into me for 5k. I smooth call planning on pushing any facecard turn. The turn is a 2 completing the rainbow, and again he donk bets me. I'm a bit worried he might not be able to fold a 7, but i think most of the time he is weak here, and shove for 50k. He instantly calls off his last 33k with A2, and the river blanks. I have no idea what he put me on to call here, when he called i really didn't expect to be ahead lol

At this point the other table goes nuts, and two people get knocked out so the final table begins with blinds 2500/5000/250a.

Seat 1 - BMORGAN ($104735 in chips
Seat 2 - EQUANIMITY ($92915 in chips)
Seat 3 - FLASHBOMB ($56165 in chips)
Seat 4 - DOITDEALER82 ($70431.68 in chips)
Seat 5 - POKERQUEST ($98685.82 in chips)
Seat 6 - JRC1953 ($71020 in chips)
Seat 7 - MONSTERHAND3 ($50550 in chips)
Seat 8 - CARDIACKIDD ($66745 in chips)
Seat 9 - EDDIE12345 ($128252.50 in chips)

Seat 2 and 3 are both solid tricky players, and both recognise me. Seat 4 and 5 i have some random notes on, and i see playing often, the rest are unknowns other than the reads i picked up during this tournament. Seat 9 is the best player at the table (its me obv!)

My plan at this table was to calm down, and play pretty tight for the first few orbits. Final tables do strange things to people, generally they either tighten up when they realise each person that busts = more $$$ so they aim to stick around as long as possible, and those who go nuts trying to get chips to get a high payout spot. Then there are the better players who can adapt to the table dynamics. I like to chill out and see how the table is going to play before i raise lots, or play overly tight while everyone goes nuts.

Well, the table has a few players who are mass raising. I stay out of the way for the first few orbits, only raising myyself with KK and TT which take down the blinds. The first pot i get involved is when the SB (65k) completes for 3k (3k/6k/300a) and i check with 63o Flop comes A25 and it goes check check. Turn is a 7 and he bets 6k. I call, and he checks the 9 river. I fire out 15k and he folds. I was planning on betting any river if he checked, and obviously if he has anything and i make my straight, im going to win a nice pot.

We are down to 7 now, and the table has started to settle. Preflop raises are generally taking down the blinds and no one is going too mad. With blinds 4k/8k/400a UTG (117k) raises to 32k. I shove for 137k with AK and he timebanks. Obviously i want him to fold pairs, but he calls with AK and we chop it up. Shame i couldn't make him fold AK :(

Blinds are now 5k/10k/500a and UTG pushesfor 31k. His range here is huge, as he wants to push before the blinds hit him while he has some FE. I smooth call in MP with KJd planning to fold to a bigstack shove behind. Everyone folds and i beat his Q9o.

The next hand someone goes bust and we are 5 handed, with a bigstack decent player on 365k, 176k for myself and three players under 100k. Pretty fast we get three handed, and i am now the shortstack on 170k vs 214k and 354k. I still have 17BB so not all that worried, if i double through someone i become chipleader.

JQ UTG = raise three handed, everyone folds.

A8 sb = raise, bb folds and i show.

96o in the sb, i complete planning on betting any flop. Sadly the chipleader BB moves allin. I guess he doesn't like me limping!

The next sb i limp with A8o, but he checks. I fire 24k on the Jhi flop and he folds.

AJo on the button, and i raise it up to 36k (blinds 6k/12k/600a) SB instantly moves allin for 300k, he has me covered. I think his range here is pretty big, including most aces and KQ, KJ possibly - im ahead of his range. I call and he shows AT. The flop comes Jhi all dimonds, and i have Ad. BOOOM I double up and take the chiplead.

Next button i have QJs and raise to 36k, and he shoves for 131k. Its 95k more for me to call and the pot is 181k. Im getting close to 91k, and if i win this i have a big chiplead HU. I finally decide to gamble and call, and he has A5. Flop comes K88, but i spike a Q on the turn and the river blanks. Im now HU with 495k vs 244k. Blinds 6k/12k/600a. I will cover all the hands HU.

He raises to 36k, i fold Q3o.

QQ on the button and i limp. He's been pretty agressive and im hoping he raises/pushes. He checks (DAMN!) Flop comes K63 two spades and he bets 24k. I call. Turn is 4d and he bets 48k. I think for a bit, and decide hes betting lots of hands here, not just Kx. I push and he folds. I think i prefer a smooth call/fold on the turn, if i think im good i should just call and let him bluff river, and i can also bluff push the flush if he has a king and it gets there and he checks. I don't really like how i played this hand.

45o in the BB, he folds.

J4s on the SB (573k) i complete and he checks (165k) I bet 20k on the Q42 flop, he folds.

82o in the BB, he folds. This should be over quick, hes so passive!

A6o on the SB, i make it 36k and he shoves for 145k I call and he shows K4s. Board comes 832J4, and he gets saved on the river to double up.

He raises from the SB to 36k, i shove for 445k with AQ. He folds.

I limp yet again on the SB with 67o, and he shoves for 255k. I fold

He limps in the sb and i check my KT. Flop comes 973 two spades, and goes check check. Turn is 2s, and i have the Ks. I check call his 24k bet. River is a red Q and i bet 48k. He thinks and calls with KQo. Bad river for me :(

We are about even now. I raise on the button with T9h. He pushes and i fold. He takes a slight chiplead.

A7 in the BB, he folds and i show.

84o in the SB, i raise because i don't want him to start winning and gaining momentum. He folds.

Blinds are now 8k/16k/800a. He raises to 48k and i fold 83o.

T6o in the sb and i fold for the first time (i think?)

82o in the BB. He completes and i check. Flop comes 832 and goes check check. Turn is a 3 and goes check check. River is a 9 which i should check, but i bet 32k annoyed at how passively this hand went. He folds.

I complete the SB with 63o. Flop comes AQ2 and goes check check. He checks the 8c turn and i bet 32k. He folds.

I now have a 30k lead. He completes in the SB and i raise to 64k with KQo. He calls 48k. Flop comes QQ7 and i check and he moves allin for 294k. I instantly call and hes drawing to two outs with 22. The turn/river are blanks and i win.

Nothing too technical or advanced, but hopefully thats kinda helpful. I have three more final tables to report, i will get them up sometime soon over the next few days. Everything has settled down for me now, so i'll be playing more poker again so will have more content and final tables to report coming soon (hopefully i can final table the damn 45k on stars finally!)

PokerStars $3r Tournament + Final Table Report

2006-01-23T12:48:00.000-05:00

Again, i'll be skipping the rebuy period because its not interesting - basically tripled up the first hand with QJc, and then picked up some smaller pots along the way. I was playing in other tournaments at the time so paying little attention to the rebuy period.

The second hour starts after the addon, and at 75/150 blinds i have 18k chips, over 100BB to play with.

Hand 1 - Pickup AJo in MP and i limp behind a limper. Usually i'll raise here, but the guy next to act was a maniac and i was a touch worried about playing a big hand with him out of position, he folds and the sb completes. Flop comes A73 and the SB checks, BB bets 150 and i call along with the SB. Turn is a 5 and BB bets 500, we both call. Im pretty sure i have the best hand, and then river 5 is checked to me, and i bet 1200. Both blinds call and the SB shows a passively played AQ, which the BB mucks his smaller A (15k)

Hand 2 - I raise KK from EP to 450 and the button calls. Flop comes QsTs7h, not the best flop ever. I be 900 and he quickly calls. The turn is the 6d. I probably have the best hand still, but i don't want him drawing for free - and i still don't know what card is a bad river card for me (me could have 9T,9J,KQ,QT,77,spades etc) I fire out 1800 and he calls. Then river is a fun card, Jd. Im not totally sure i have the best hand - QJ/TJ/QT beat me (as does a wierd AK). I check, and he instantly pushes in his last 3000. I quickly call and beat his A8s. When he has so little left, its often best to check/call the river - donks often think they have invested so much they can shove their missed draws to pickup the pot, and this way i get 3k more chips than i would have from betting. (T22K)

Hand 3 - SB completes and i check A4d in the BB. Flop comes 325 with two hearts. Flop goes check check and turn is Th. He check folds to my bet. When im heads up, im less worried about flushes, but obviously with three hearts on the board i don't want him catching a free 4 flush.

Hand 4 - Few limps and i complete with 64d in the SB. Flop comes AdTd7c and i check call a minbet from one limper, turn comes 5c and i check and he bets 1200. I hate drawing like this, but i now have lots of outs, and if the straight gets there he won't see that. River sadly is an ace, and i check fold when he moves allin. (T19k)

Hand 5 - UTG raises to 600 and utg+1 calls, i call in MP with JJ deciding to play it for set value or possibly overpair on nice boards. Both blinds call and the AK7 flop is checked around, and i fold on the turn. (T19k)

Hand 6 - I pickup 88 in MP. UTG+1 minraises to 400, MP1 calls, i call on the button and both blinds call. Flop comes 9d 8c 2d. The original raiser bets 1000 and i raise up to 3000 hoping he comes over the top. The big blind now checkraises allin for 7500 and the original raiser smooth calls. I don't notice he has 2000 left and also call. Turn is Tc and i put him allin, which he calls and the river is a nice blank, 4h. UTG+1 shows QQ, BB who checkraised allin had TJ for open ended, and i scoop the pot (T37k) Deepstack poker - sets are your friend.

Hand 7 - Most of my table has much less chips than me, around 10k so im just waiting for good spots. Folded to the SB who has 6800 and he raises my 200 blind to 1200. I fold 66.

Hand 8 - Two MP limpers at 200/400 and i limp with 77. BB checks. Flop comes 553 and the BB bets out 2000. I call and the 8 turn goes check check. River 2 and he bets 2000 and i call expecting to beat his 3, oops he has 99. (T32k)

Hand 9 - Blinds now 300/600, ive just been holding on to my chips, a new player moved to the table with 48k, but i have everyone else nicely covered. I pickup AA UTG+1 and raise to 1800, and the 48k stack reraises to 3801 (he likes these random numbers) I 3bet to 8400 to build up the pot, and he calls. Flop comes J62 and he checks, i check behind. Turn is a 5 and he bets 11k, and i move allin for 23k total. He calls with KK and the river black, doubling me up (T64k)

Hand 10 - Blinds are now 400/800/40a and i have 61k. I pickup AK and raise to 2400, two callers. Flop comes AT4 and i bet 6400 and get one caller. Turn is a K and i check. He bets 4800 and i put him allin for his last 7600, which he calls with AJ. River J and i kill him (T87k)

Hand 11 - With the blinds at 600/1200/75a i have 83k. One guy has been splashing around lots and basically sucks, he has 17k left and raises to 4800. I have 99 and reraises to 15k to isolate, and hopefully be against A7, 44 or something. The SB moves allin for 25k and i have to call 10k into a 48k pot (5:1 odds im not folding!) He turns over KK and i lose. (T58k)

Hand 12 - Guy who i crippled with AA vs KK has rebuilt and has nearly as many chips as me. He keeps doing his dodgy raises, and raises my blind to 2765. I don't nice and assume its a small stack going allin (who bets enough so i have to call 1565 more!). I realise he has lots of chips and check/fold when my J8 misses.

Hand 13 - I pickup AJh in EP and bored of folding, make it 4800. I get minraised to 8000 and then the BB moves allin for 24k. I get out the way of the BB AA and the minraise KQ? lol... (T48k)

Hand 14 - My huge stack has been destroyed, down to 44k at 800/1600/75a. I raise A3d in LP to pickup the blinds (T47k). I need to start getting some hands.

Hand 15 - I raise KK in MP to 4800 and get one caller. I lead the 753 flop for 8000, but he folds. (T55k)

Hand 16 - Very interesting hand here. Folded around to the button, who was been fairly active with raising, and he opens for 4800 (with 26k). The SB moves allin for 31k, and i have pocket tens in the BB and 55k. I think for ages, and eventually fold. The sb has a huge range here, as its vs a button 'steal' but it also hurts lots if i lose. The button calls and its AJ vs KQc. I think having ran some numbers vs possible ranges i should repush, but i dont think folding is that horrible.

Hand 17 - UTG limps and i complete KJo in the sb. Flop comes QT4 and i check call his 8k bet. Turn is an A giving me the nuts. I check and he bets 10k. I move allin for 37k and he quickly folds. Doh. (T70k)

Hand 18 - This one is ugly, please skip it and ignore! Folded to the SB (42k) who completes and i check J4 (63K). Flop comes KJ3 and he checks (I SHOULD BET HERE) I check behind 'trapping' him. Turn Q and he suddenly bets 15k. WTF. At this point im totally confused, and decide to call. River is a 5 and he moves allin. wow. Obviously he didn't hit the flop, because he would bet (i dont think he just calls with KK/JJ/33) Why did he wake up on the Q? He either has a straight 9T or nothing. Im really confused, does he really do this with nothing? I call and obviously get shown the straight. I worked it out fine, but then decided he had nothing half the time.... geez what a horrible call. (T21k)

Hand 19 - Blinds 1500/3000/150 I now have 21k. Guy limps for 3000 and i shove A7s. He folds (T28k)

Hand 20 - A6o in the CO i shove, all fold (T33k). Table talk is all about 10 more people to money, nearly there etc. I plan to steal lots.

Hans 21- Next hand 55, i push all fold (T39k)

Hand 22 - Next hand AQo. Guy raisse 12k, i shove and he calls with JJ. Board comes KKQ25 and i double up (86k) From 21k to 86k in one orbit. Nice!

Hand 23 - We hit the money, so i tighten up a touch. The two stacks behind me are pretty tight tho so i button raise with QT at take down the blinds (T87k)

Hand 24 - Blinds are now 3000/6000 and i raise AQ in EP to take the blinds. Table is moaning all i do is raise... oh well (T98k). Im raising decent hands now, so if they want to play back at me, let them.

Hand 25 - Nutjob from the 9T hand before has used my chips well (lol..) raising to 60k preflop at 4k/8k/400a blinds. He opens for 64k this time, and i shove QQ. He has to call with JTh and flop comes Qh6h6s. Biiiingo. (T181k)

Hand 26 - I raise JJ UTG+1 to 24k and the BB shoves for 40k. I call the last 16k and its off to the race with AK. Board comes 3528J (i race good!) (T229k)

Hand 27 - 60k stack moves allin and i push for 215k with AK. He has AK too sadly and we chop up the blinds/antes. (T223k)

Hand 28 - I raise T9d to 20k and a 60k stack moves allin. I have to call 40k to win 90k, so pot odds dictate i call this unless im sure he has a monster. I decide to gambool! He has 88 and the board comes A44TK. I win yet another race... (T299k)

Hand 29 - Another big stack at my table (287k) raises to 24k, and i reraise with QQ to 64k. He calls. Flop comes J64 and i bet 70k, he calls. Turn is 9 and i shove putting him allin. He thinks and calls with AJ, but the river is a Q and i double up and knock him out (T595k)

Hand 30 - Blinds now 6k/12k/600a i raise ATc to 30k, all fold (T615k)

Hand 31 - UTG+1 minraises, MP calls and i call on button with 66, sb calls also. Flop comes T65 and utg+1 bets 80k. I call. Turn comes 4 and it goes check check, river 4 and he checks, i move allin and he folds. Any overpair is calling me here, and any none pair hand folds, so might as well push. Shame he he AK/AQ not an overpair really (T773k)

Hand 32 - MP raises to 48k with 400k stack, and i put him allin with AK. He thinks and folds (T851k)

Hand 33 - MP limps and i check in the BB with Q3o. Flop comes KJ3 and it goes check check. Turn is a 3 and he bets 32k, i raise to 100k and he folds (T909k)

Hand 34 - Q8 in the SB, i put the 141k BB allin with blinds 8k/16k/800a. He folds (T931k)

Hand 35 - Next hand i push KT on the button vs small blinds, they fold (961k). With a big stack like this, i can afford to push over smaller stacks, because even if they find a hand it hardly hurts me, and they are mostly playing fairly tight to make more money.

Hand 36 - QJo in CO, again i move allin, they all fold (pushing into 150k stacks) (T989k). Want 1 million!

Hand 37 - Another ugly blind hand.... 484k stack raises my blinds to 60k. Hes annoying so i call with A2. Flp comes 357 and i check, he bets 100k and i call, planning to steal on the turn. Turn comes 9 and i bet 200k, he moves allin and i have to fold even getting nice odds. (T596k) That one hurt.

Hand 38 - 81k stack moves allin at 10k/20k/1000a blinds and i repush with AK. He has A5 and AK holds up (T702k)

Hand 39 - We are down to the last two tables now. Time to play tight till about 13-14 left, then abuse the bubble. I get J7 in the sb and limp, he checks. Flop 459 and i bet the pot, he folds. Its really easy to win blinds with your junk hands like this. Instead of folding 23o, limp and bet anyflop. They fold so often its worth it. (T742k)

Hand 40 - KT in MP i raise to 60k and take down the blinds (T813k)

Hand 41 - AQ i raise to 60k, someone at the table asks why i have to be a bully. I take down the blinds and show AQ (T851k)

Hand 42 - Third hand in a row i raised, this time AK. Same guy comments "Stopit Twisted! lol" "unless you getting AK AQ everytime then kudos to ya." I show when everyone folds. I have a nice image again finally! (T889k)

Hand 43 - A 600k stack has been raising lots from LP and annoying me, he raise to 90k from the CO, i move allin for 850k with AT. He folds (T1000k ONE MILLION!)

Hand 44 - Blinds are 15k/30k/1500a now, I raise 92o in MP vs the guy who comments about my raises. He thinks for a bit and folds (T999k)

Hand 45 - I limp in sb with A4, he checks. Flop comes 944, no need to steal this one. We both check and turn comes T, we check again and i bet 60k on the 2 river, which he calls with 62. (T1062k)

Hand 46 - QT in MP, i raise to 80k and take the blinds (T1113K)

Hand 47 - UTG moves allin for 230k And i have to call 200k more. I call with 44 but he has QQ and i lose (T878k)

Hand 48 - I raise 44 to 100k (blinds now 20k/40k/200a) and get a caller. Flop comes 833 and i check raise allin when he bets 80k. He folds (T1109k) We are now 7 handed, with 14 people left.

Hand 49 - I pickup 88 in the CO and raise to 120k, they fold and i show (T113k)

Hand 50 - I raise AA UTG to 100k, another 1mil+ stack calls. Flop comes KT7 and he checks, i bet 190k and he calls. Turn is 8 and he checks. I move allin for 815k and he folds (T1.4mil)

Hand 51 - I raise KTc to 120k and SB calls. Flop comes KJ4 and it goes check check. Turn J and i bet 120k and he calls. River is a 4 and it goes check check, he has 55 (T1.5mil)

Hand 52 - I raise Q2c on the button, they fold (T1.5mil)

Hand 53 - I raise A9o to 120k in MP, all fold (T1.6mil)

Hand 54 - a 700k stack raises in MP1 to 160k with blinds 20k/40k/2000a. We are 6 handed. I reraise JJ to 520k and he pushes. I call the 185k and racing AQc. Board comes J2582 and i win a big pot. (T2.3mil)

Hand 55 - a 900k stack raises to 160k, and i make it 1mil to go with AK. He calls with JJ, and we race again! Board comes A7432 and i win another race (T3.3mil)

The table now looks like this:

Seat 1: GIJOE187 (876772 in chips)
Seat 4: Jenkins44 (1052097 in chips)
Seat 6: TwistedEcho (3335864 in chips)
Seat 7: LuckyCards74 (670348 in chips)
Seat 8: DyersEve88 (673912 in chips)

With 10 players left, and so many chips, its time to abuse the bubble to get as many chips possible for the final table.

Hand 56 - K6d, raise to 120k. Everyone folds.

Hand 57 - KQ raise to 120k. Everyone folds.

Hand 58 - A2c in SB, raise to 120k. BB folds.

Hand 59 - 82o in SB. Raise to 120k. BB folds.

Hand 60 - 89h on button. Raise to 120k BB calls. Flop comes KK3 and he checks, he has 350k left so i put him allin. He folds (T3.5mil)

Hand 61 - 88 on button. Raise to 120k and everyone folds.

Hand 62 - Blinds go up to 30k/60k/3000a. I raise 77 UTG to 180k. Everyone folds (T3.5mil)

Hand 63 - 62o in MP i raise to 180k Everyone folds

Hand 64 - 500k stack raises to 120k, as if he can have blinds?! I push in the BB with AT, and he folds (T3.7mil)

Hand 65 - J9o in SB. I limp and bet the K32h flop, he folds

Hand 66 - A4 i raise to 120k. All fold (bubble play is eaaaaaaaasy!)

Sadly, someone on the other table goes bust. A great TLB player, pearljam1012 was owning the other table, pretty much same as me, which makes the FT more exciting.

Seat 1: GIJOE187 (446772 in chips)

Seat 2: Foldeeny (255528 in chips)

Seat 3: pearljam1012 (3627361 in chips)

Seat 4: Jenkins44 (441185 in chips)

Seat 5: flopjunkie (575404 in chips)

Seat 6: TwistedEcho (3685864 in chips)

Seat 7: LuckyCards74 (1607524 in chips)

Seat 8: DyersEve88 (427648 in chips)

Seat 9: baghaven (1229214 in chips)

As you can see, both myself and pearl abused the bubble to get similar stacks, the plan now is to play fairly tight till we get 5 handed or so, as the shortstacks will be looking to get chips now they made it past the FT bubble.

Hand 67 - I raise 66 in MP to 180k One caller. Flop comes A82 and i bet 300k. He moves allin and i fold (T3.1Mil)

Hand 68 - I fold for a long time, pearl is hitting hands and busted two people so far. I pickup QQ on the button, and raise to 180. The SB raises to 480k with 1.8mil behind. I call. Flop comes T87 and he checks, and i move allin. He folds (T3.5mil)

Hand 69 - Small stack in the SB, i raise AT in MP. He moves allin with A2 and AT holds (T3.6mil)

Hand 70- Pearl is pretty aggresive, but staying away from my blind, im happy with this. Sadly hes killing the rest of the table, and has a decent chipleader with 5mil. SB completes and i check 56. Flop comes K86 and he bets 60k, i raise to 200k and he folds (T3.7mil)

Hand 71 - 5 handed now, i raise A7o to 180k on the button, blinds fold (T3.8Mil)

Hand 72 - I raise ATs UTG+1 and SB calls. He donk bets the 874 flop and i fold.

Hand 73 - I raise ATo on the button, both blinds fold (T3.7mil)

Hand 74 - I limp in the SB with 56. BB has 780k. Flop comes 349 and i check, he bets 80k and i move allin. He folds (T3.7mil)

Hand 75 - Blinds are now 40k/80k/4000a. Button moes allin for 655k I call in the SB with AJs and BB moves allin for 200k move. I call. Button has KJ, but BB has KK. Kings hold and he triples up. (T2.7MIL) That one hurt. 4 handed now, and its pretty close.

Hand 76 - I raise AKo to 240k, both blinds fold (T2.8mil)

Hand 77 - Pearl limps in the SB, i check Ks7c. Flop comes JT4 two spades, and goes check check. Turn is 2s and he bets 80k i call. River 7h and he bets 160k. I call and beat his Q4. (T3mil)

Hand 78 - I raise A2 on the SB and BB calls. Flop comes Q73 and i bet 240k, he folds (T3.3mil)

Hand 79 - 3 handed now, Pearl killed AA with KQ. I raise A7 UTG to 240k and pearl makes it 544k. I fold (T2mil)

Seat 3: pearljam1012 (7603048 in chips)

Seat 6: TwistedEcho (2057024 in chips)

Seat 9: baghaven (2636428 in chips)

Hand 80 - pearl limps in SB i raise to 320k with 55. He folds

Hand 81 - Pearl raises my blind to 240k. I call with K9h. Flop comes J32 two hearts and goes check check. Turn 6h and he bets 240k, i call. River is 9h and he check folds to my 400k bet (T2.5mil)

Hand 82- Pearl raises to 240k on the button, i instantly shove for 2.5mil with KQ. He folds. Can't let him keep raising ! (T2.9mil)

Hand 83 - Pearl limps and i check K7h. Flop 442 goes check check. Turn is Ah putting two hearts out, he bets 80k and i call. Rvier is Jh and he bets 320k, i raise to 960k and he folds. (T3.3mil)

Hand 84 - I raise J8s utg all fold (T3.3mil) Pearl just doubled up the other kid, so its much closer now Pearl has 5mil and 3.7mil for the other kid.

Hand 85 - I raise QQ to 240k, all fold (T3.2mil)

Hand 86 - Pearl raises my blind to 240k and i call with JQ. Flop comes K92 and he bets 320k, i call hoping to hit my miracle, implied odds and all. Turn goes check check and he bets 500k on a blank river, i fold (T2.6mil)

Hand 87 - UTG minraises, i call with 35h in the BB. Flop comes A64 and he bets 400k. I call. Turn is K and it goes check check, i bet 720k on the 6 river and he thinks and folds. Phew! (T3.1mil)

Hand 88 - i get KQ in sb and raise to 240k BB pushes for 3.3mil and i fold (T2.9mil)

Hand 89 - I raise A4 utg to 240k, pearl calls. Flop comes ATT and goes check check. Turn is 8h putting three hearts out. He checks, i bet 320k and he mins raises. I call. River is 3d and he puts me allin. I think for ages and fold. (He later tells me he had A9, 9h) (T2mil)

Hand 90 - I raise utg with 77, all fold (T2.1mil)

Hand 91 - Random kid has 3.4mil, pearl 6.7mil and i have 2.1mil. Random raises to 320k utg, first time hes raised 4BB. I have 99 in the BB and think hes weak, so rather than play a big pot OOP i push planning to take down the pot. He timebanks and calls with A9o (WTF?!) Flop comes 475, turn 7, river.... AAAAAAAAAAA FUCK. He takes the 4.3mil pot and i bust out in third place winning $2k. This would have put Pearl at 6.7mil, me at 4.3mil and him at 1.2mil if they had held. Annoying.

I have final tabled three of the 180 man $20 sngs (getting HU each time) so i will blog those later. These reports take longer than they should to write! Hope you enjoyed it and maybe learnt something.

Early Game SNG thoughts

2006-01-20T21:19:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm going to take a look at early game Turbo SNG play. I'll take a look at playing queens preflop, important notes to take early on, and the importance of keeping your chips, based on my experience at the 15+1 Turbos in the past three weeks. I'm currently up 650$, over about 150 SNGs (27% ROI), which is quite good. A nice goal would be to maintain 20% ROI at the 25+2 while 8 tabling. Might be hard to achieve, sure, but hopefully I'll get to it :)

How I play queens

I play queens differently depending on the preflop raise, really. It's the cutoff for me for big pocket pairs. I don't know if this goes for higher stakes at all, I doubt it. At the 5$-25$ level, though, it holds quite true.

I argue myself that minraising is strength. True, yes, but not early game preflop. Early game and preflop I think that this usually signifies a hand like KJ, KQ, AJ or something like that, and these hand will either raise to 40 or 60 total at 10/20 or 15/30 blinds. Reraise this without a doubt, to something like 120, and you will either find a fold or a call. I'd call an allin and fold to a T400 raise or so.

A raise from aces or kings will be something like 80-120, or 100-150. I have to reraise, though. I'll raise it to 300-400, and fold to any raise.

A raise like 200-270-300 is usually AK, as far as I've seen. Yeah, 250 preflop raises at 15/30 happen. I'll push it.

Here's a hand I would've usually laid down quite easily, but I called anyway just to see how right I was, and use the information for this post.

PokerStars Game #3690747382: Tournament #18326355, Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/01/19 - 19:46:52 (ET)
Table '18326355 1' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: Rock4403 (1480 in chips)
Seat 2: mdrobis (1480 in chips)
Seat 3: cariver (1600 in chips)
Seat 4: alex vincent (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: ans3lmo (1480 in chips)
Seat 6: Oxy (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: ThaProdigy (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: pegstar (1480 in chips)
Seat 9: Wired Fives (1480 in chips) is sitting out
cariver: posts small blind 10
alex vincent: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Oxy [Qs Qd]
ans3lmo: raises 60 to 80
Oxy: raises 120 to 200
ThaProdigy: folds
pegstar: folds
Wired Fives: folds
Rock4403: calls 200
mdrobis: folds
cariver: folds
cariver is sitting out
alex vincent: folds
ans3lmo: raises 380 to 580
Oxy: raises 920 to 1500 and is all-in
Rock4403: folds
ans3lmo: calls 900 and is all-in
Oxy said, "thought so"
Oxy said, "nh"
*** FLOP *** [2d Th As]
Oxy said, "gg"
ans3lmo said, "gg"
*** TURN *** [2d Th As] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [2d Th As 8s] [6s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ans3lmo: shows [Ad Ac] (three of a kind, Aces)
Oxy: shows [Qs Qd] (a pair of Queens)
ans3lmo collected 3190 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3190 | Rake 0
Board [2d Th As 8s 6s]
Seat 1: Rock4403 folded before Flop
Seat 2: mdrobis (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: cariver (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: alex vincent (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: ans3lmo showed [Ad Ac] and won (3190) with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 6: Oxy showed [Qs Qd] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 7: ThaProdigy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: pegstar folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Wired Fives folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Queens are an easy push later on, obviously. Still, you don't want to start going out on them.

Next up is note-taking in SNGs. When I eight-table, I don't have much time for taking notes, but one thing I make it of utmost importance to mark down is what their minraise is. A minbet on the flop can be a suckerin bet (stupid, if you ask me) or a very weak bet, and knowing which one it is is very important when blinds are 100/200 and you've got 2k chips. This brings me to my last point - being cheap with your chips. I don't want to give anything I don't have to in the early game. I find this is extremely important, because the blinds increase so fast, having that extra BB can mean a lot of difference. Not to mention, when you get your double-up, you've gained even more chips, so the 30 or 60 chips you lose early on are actually 60 and 120. For these reasons, I don't enter pots that have been raised to something like 4-5BB with small pocket pairs. I make my cont bets half the pot + one BB, usually. Cont betting is very important, and I always do it OOP against two or less opponents, and always do it if it has been checked to me, but it is also important to realize that if you haven't hit, and get called or raised, it's time to check/fold. Too many people think that they've invested 200-300 chips so they have to push or something like that. Not true at all. You can easily play at 50/100 with 1000 chips.

These are just some thoughts to keep in mind for the early game of the SNG.

Absolute Poker $5r Tournament Report - How to give away your chips, and comeback from the dead.

2006-01-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

So seeing as i mainly have been playing rebuys, i decided to stick some money onto Absolute poker again, as well as party and stars. They have loads of rebuys tournaments, the main problem being the fields are much smaller, so much smaller prizepools. However, the level of play is pretty poor, with most people being really weak tight late game, and the bigger guarantees can be worth it. My debut tournament since returning was the 100k guarantee $150, which i managed to finish 23rd/500. Annoyingly, some kid on my left doubled through me three times to finally bust me, picking up slightly better hands EVERYTIME i raised. It was sick! I won $600, but it was nothing like the $22k i envisioned. So i decided to chill out and play a $5r, which a huge 150 field, and about $800 for first.

I'm going to skip the rebuy period for this rebuy, as is isn't too interesting. I lost a 15k pot with AA vs 27s and TT (27s flops a flush draw and i don't resuckout with the As) And pretty much pushed every hand - no one wanted to play till i sucked out, and lost my 6k stack to AA with TT. I was in for about $90 or so, and had 10k after the addon (on AP you can double addon, so $4k chips for $10. This is great as most people don't addon, or only addon once, so even if you have a terrible or average rebuy period you can get to 7k whatever, which is plenty).

The blinds on AP are slightly different to standard, so the starting level out of the rebuy period is $60/$120 blinds.

Hand 1 - SB limps and i check K9o. Flop comes KsTh2s and it goes check check. Im less worried about flush draws HU, and my image is horrible right now, so i want him betting into me. Turn is a 3h and he bets 600, i call and he check/calls my 720 bet on the blank river. He had T8. (T11500)

Hand 2- Same guy from hand one limps, and i raise to 600 with AA, he calls and check folds to my bet on the 852r board. (T12300)

Hand 3 - I pickup 9Tc and limp after an EP limper, and check fold the AJ6 flop. These hands are great to play if you can play postflop poker.

Hand 4 - This hand doesn't involve me, but sets me up for another hand later. Guy A raises 3bb preflop, Guy B calls. The flop comes 975 and A bets, and B minraises. A calls and they get allin on the J turn. Guy A has AJ and B has A8, the 6 river gives B the straight - he minraises draws!

Hand 5 - Blinds are now 100/200 and i get AK in MP and make it 600. Donkey from hand 4 calls and its folded around. Flop comes Kh4d2d - i have Ad. I bet out 800 and he raises to 1600 - AHA! minraising his draw huh! I smooth call and the turn comes 6s. I check, he bets 1400. I very nearly check/raise here, but i think he will fire on the river if he misses anyway. River is the 8s. I check, he moves allin - YES I GOT HIM! He has 2k less than me, and i instantly call.

Fuck FUCK FUCK. He doesn't have a diamond draw, he has 53h and was minraising the straight draw..... FUCK. I hate this kid! (T2140)

ok.... so i have 2000 chips at 100/200 blinds after rebuying a million times, im pretty pissed off. I consider firing up some more tournaments as this one is clearly dead, but as im chatting on AIM to a friend i guess i can donk myself out quick.

Hand 6 - UTG+1 is a donkey and limps, i push KQo from the button, and he calls with QJ. I double up. (T3980)

Hand 7 - utg limps (same donkey) and MP1 raises to 600. I shove for 3980 with AKo, and a small stack with 1000 goes allin. MP1 calls. MP1 shows JJ, small stack K7s and the board comes AT595 and suddenly i have chips again. (T9390)

Hand 8 - MP minraises - hes a good player, by good i mean standard ABC, but hes not going to have K7 here. I assume a minraise for him is AA/KK. Two callers and i call with 83d in the BB. This is an easy call, its so cheap to see a flop, and with a 'read' of AA/KK its easy to play postflop too. Flop comes 862 and i check call a 600 bet from the minraiser and the sb called too. Massive odds here, but i'm not playing it much further unless i hit. If the 3 hits on the turn i expect AA to double me up. Turn blanks and i check fold to his overbet. (T8340)

Hand 9 - UTG+1 limps, i limp with 99. Sometimes i like to raise here, sometimes i like to limp. I was in the limping mood. Guy behind makes it 1400, and guy behind him makes it 2800. This is an easy fold when it gets back to me. 99 is Junk here. They both get allin preflop, and KK gets owned when JJ makes quads.

Hand 10 - This one was interesting. I used to play on Absolute a while back, and have notes on lots of the players. My notes on this one said 'solid, but calls too much with TP. Anyway, blinds 150/300 and 4 people limp, and i check J6s in the BB. Flop comes TJQ and is checked around, turn is 6 and the SB who i have notes on makes it 600. This is a scary board, so i fire it up to 1500. He is the only caller. The river is a K and he checks. Well.... My two pair doesnt look so hot here, but im pretty sure he doesn't have two pair, and he almost never has an ace. I think its possible he has a naked king the way the action went and shoved. He folded. (T10500). BTW i think a check behind is the best play here pretty much always.

Hand 11 - Time to count those outs! UTG (T26k) limps, UTG+1 limps, MP+1 (4K) limps, i complete in the SB (T10k) with 86d and the BB (8K) checks. Blinds are 150/300/25a

The flop comes Td 7d 4h. How many outs?! Thats right, 15! flop gets checked to MP1 who minbets to 300. I call, BB calls, UTG raises to 2400, MP calls 2100 (he has 1500 left) and the action is back to me. Well.... If UTG has a set, and MP has TPTK, i have 43% to win this hand. If UTG limped to slow play an overpair, and has AA, im 58% to win, and there are various other combos. Basically i assume im a favourite here quite often, and with the dead money i want this pot. Even if MP1 bets me, there will still be a reasonable sidepot. I move allin for 9700, UTG calls, MP1 calls.

UTG flips over KTh (lol!) and MP1 has Q4d (pair and flush draw - nice preflop limp!). This gives me 25% to win the main pot, and with two diamonds dead im 54% for the sidepot. The turn is the wonderful 9d, river Tc and i scoop the pot with my straight flush! - Checkraising allin with 8hi gets some WONDERFUL comments from the other players - along with the chorus of 'nh' for the straight flush, KT gave me some serious bashing for getting allin with 8hi... lol (T25400)

My table is pretty nutty right now, lots of people raising and massively overbetting preflop, so im just chilling out, waiting for some cards.

Hand 12 - Raise AQh utg to 1500 (blinds 250/500) And button calls me with 20k stack. Flop comes Th 2c 2h. I bet out 2500 planning on pushing if he raises. He folds. (T26k)

Hand 13- utg limps, i limp in MP with 89c, SB completes. Flop comes A97 and its checked to me, i bet out and take it down (T27k)

Hand 14 - I blinds 400/800 i raise AA to 2400 and a 1000 chip shortstack goes allin, i win the pot. (T29k). My image is pretty decent now, i look tight and haven't shown down any 86soooted donkey hands at this table :)

Hand 15 - Blinds 1k/2k/75a Button pushes for 2590 which is an easy call in the BB with 33. He has 86o and i win the race (T30k)

Hand 16 - I raise im MP to 3000 with QQ, and guy next to act shoves for 16k. I call and he shows AK. Board comes Q8462 (T47832)

Hand 17 - MP limps and i raise KK to 4000. He folds and i show. I plan to start stealing and trying to run over the table soon. Sadly they keep limping/raising and i can't get into any pots!

Hand 18 - UTG+1, MP1 limp at 800/1600 and i make it 7k to go with AK. Guy next to act smooth calls, my notes say hes solid... fun! He has 10k less than me. Flop comes TT2 and i put him allin. He timebanks, claims 88 and folds. My super tight image (only shown down QQ/KK/AA/33 in bb to shorty helped here) (T57k)

Hand 19 - AQ in the BB and i get minraised. I call and check/fold the 962 flop. He shows me AK for some reason. I guess its obv he minraises good hands.

Hand 20 - BOY I PLAYED THIS BAD! Same guy minraises to 4000 utg+1 (he has 57k) I call in the SB with 22, and BB folds. Flop comes Q82. I SHOULD BET INTO HIM!. I check, he minbets 2000, i call. Turn comes 3 i check he bets 4000 i call. River is a 7. So much for his AK hitting, i fire 14k and he calls with KK. The problem with AP is most players have no idea how to bet. I needed to bet the flop, let him raise me, and get allin on the flop. I missed out on lots of value here, purely because i decided he has AK. If i bet out and he smooth calls, i assume AK and check the turn, but if he raises he probably has AA/KK. Should have doubled up through him. (T80k)

Hand 21- blinds 1k/2k/150a. I raise AJ utg as the table is tight and 7 handed now (we are down to 3 tables) SB calls. Flop comes 872 and he donk bets into me, i call. Turn 7 check check, river 3 and he bets big. I consider calling with Ahi, but fold (T67k)

Hand 22 - utg limps, UTG+1 (54k) raises to 6k. I move allin for 67k with AK. He folds (T76K)

Hand 23 - Player from the last hand who raised limped in MP for 2400. I check in the BB with 77. Flop comes T65 and i check call his 4800. I think he has overcards, but want to get more value out of his. Turn comes an 8 and i check, he bets 4800 and i move allin. OESD and my hand might be good. He asks if i have 97 and folds. Such tight weak mentality! I show and he claims i was behind. Oh well (T89k)

Hand 24 - Blinds 1500/3000/200a and we are down to 17 players. I raise 77 in MP to 9k and take the blinds and antes (T93K)

Hand 25 - I raise 33 in MP to 9k and take blinds and antes (93k). There are 7 at our table now.

Hand 26 - Blinds are now 2k/4k/200a. MP2 moves allin for 20k. I push over the top for 86k with JJ. He has 88 and i knock him out. (T112k) 6 Handed now.

Hand 27 - I hate shortstacks that play weak. Folded to the SB who has 20k. Rather than move allin he completes. I have 63o and check. Flop comes Q73 and he bets 8k, i put him allin and he calls with KJ. Turn is a J and he doubles up. Why can't he just push preflop and save me chips. (T92k)

Hand 28 - JQ in the SB. Same smallstack limps on the button, i complete and bb checks. FLop Q93 and it gets checked around. I bet 8k on the 2 turn and take it down. (T101k)

Hand 29 - Moron donkey limps utg, he does this with random broadway. I raise A9o in MP to 16k and small stack goes allin with QJ. I take down the pot with Ahi (114k) 5 handed now.

Hand 30 - blinds 2500/5000/250a. I get J4o on the button and make it 12k betting into an 80k and 70k stack. They both fold (T123k)

Hand 31 - I get AQh in the BB and they all fold. I show

Hand 32- KQ in the sb and complete with an UTg limper. Flop comes 974 and i check fold to the BB bet.

Hand 33 - guy who likes to limp big cards limps for 5k. I check T3o in the BB. Flop comes 9JK check check. Turn Q check check. River K i over bet to 18k. He thinks and folds (T128k)

Hand 34 - I get J8 on the button and raise to 15k. BB calls and pushes for 33k on the 763 flop. I fold (T101k)

Hand 35 - I get A3d utg and raise to 18k as the blinds went up to 6k/12k/300a. They all fold (T111K)

Hand 36 - I raise from the SB with A2h to 18k, BB calls. I bet out 18k on the K72 flop and he folds (T124k)

Hand 37 - I get KQ in the SB and button minraises. I call and check fold the AQx flop. I should have bet out (T110k)

Someone goes bust on the other table, and the final table begins. I have 103k and in fairly good shape. The blinds are 4k/8k/400a

Seat 1 - MASTER572 ($26975 in chips)
Seat 2 - JOKY ($48158 in chips)
Seat 3 - ROBTHESHARK ($101819.50 in chips)
Seat 4 - EDDIE12345 ($103467.50 in chips)
Seat 5 - RHETTBUTLER ($147617.50 in chips)
Seat 6 - CLOGDANCER ($184230 in chips)
Seat 7 - ZERANIX ($84150 in chips)
Seat 8 - TYLER346 ($47895 in chips)
Seat 9 - CATCHCAR ($119687.50 in chips)

Hand 38 - UTG raises to 24k, i shove for 94k in the SB with KK. BB with 146k timebanks and calls, UTG folds. BB shows AQ. Board comes AK7T3 and i double up (T216k) Chipleader!

Hand 39 - Im not involved, but AA, AK and TT all get allin preflop and AA holds. Down to 7 people.

Hand 40 - I raise KQs in MP to 24k, everyone folds. (T229k)

Hand 41 - Button raises to 16k (minraise) and has 195k behind. He is the other big stack. I make it 48k with 99 from the SB and he folds (T246k)

Hand 42 - Someone goes bust, down to 6. Blinds increase to 5k/10k/500a. UTG with 122k raises to 30k, hes been pretty active. I shove AQ from the SB with 234k behind. He folds. I don't know how much i like this (T276k)

Hand 43- UTG minraise my blind, small stack allin, i call with Q8. Flop comes J66 and he bets half his stack. I fold. He has KJ and beats the small stack A8 (T254k)

5 handed now, it looks like this

Seat 3 - ROBTHESHARK ($190152.50 in chips)
Seat 4 - EDDIE12345 ($254335 in chips)
Seat 6 - CLOGDANCER ($199875 in chips)
Seat 7 - ZERANIX ($110350 in chips)
Seat 9 - CATCHCAR ($109287.50 in chips)

Seat 3 raises too much, and folds pretty much always if you reraise, clog seems a bit wild, 7 is too passive, and 9 is solid. I want 9 to busto next.

Hand 44 - I raise KQ on the SB, BB folds (T266k)

Hand 45- I raise T7 on the SB, BB folds (T268K)

Hand 46 - I fold for a while, because everyone else is raising LOTS. blinds now 6k/12k/600a. I raise AK utg+1 and show when they fold (T267k)

Hand 47 - I raise KQ on the button, all fold (T268k)

Hand 48 - I raise T9s utg+1, all fold. Table is TIGHT its all raise preflop, everyone folds (T267k). Blinds up to 8k/16k/800a

Hand 49 - UTG+1 moves allin for 95k. Im in the BB with 266k. I think his range here is pretty huge, and call with KQ. He shows JQ and the board comes T65A9. (T373k) 4 handed now.

Hand 50 - I raise UTG to 48k with A6o. BB with 182k calls. Flop comes 888 and he bets 32k. I put him allin and he quickly folds (T462k)

Hand 51- Folded to me in the SB, BB has 167k and is tight. I put him allin with K8. He folds (T464k)

Hand 52 - I have 463k, the others have 120k-145k. If i raise to 48k and they push, im pretty much commited, so i just shove 55 UTG to increase FE. They all fold. (T489k)

Hand 53 - I move allin on the button with 87h. They fold (T517k) This is easy!!

Seat 3 - ROBTHESHARK ($91952.50 in chips)
Seat 4 - EDDIE12345 ($517885 in chips)
Seat 6 - CLOGDANCER ($135875 in chips)
Seat 9 - CATCHCAR ($118287.50 in chips)

Hand 54- Clog raises to 48k and catch minraises to 96k. I move allin with AK and clog folds. Catch has 66 and the board comes T33Q2 and he wins the 276k I win this hand, and i have pretty much all the chips 3 handed vs two really short stacks (T407k)

Hand 55- JJ utg and i raise to 48k All fold (T424k)

Hand 56 - Catch raises to 48k and i call in the BB with 86d. He has 325k behind. Flop comes 9TQ and it goes check check. Turn is a 9 and i bet 80k. He moves allin and i fold. (T295k)

Seat 3 - ROBTHESHARK ($67905 in chips)
Seat 4 - EDDIE12345 ($295597.50 in chips)
Seat 6 - CLOGDANCER ($36722.50 in chips)
Seat 9 - CATCHCAR ($463775 in chips)

It looks like its going to be me vs catch.

Hand 57 - Folded to me in the SB, i have T8o but clog doesnt have many chips left. I put him allin and he calls with T5d. Board comes QA285 and i knock him out (T333k) Now its 462k vs 333k vs 67 at 8k/16k blinds. Should be HU soon.

Hand 58 - Blinds increase to 10k/20k/1000a. I raise 22 utg to 60k, and smallstack BB is allin for 6k more. He has Ad7s and the board comes Qs8c6s9s (HOW MANY OUTS!?) river is 5s and he doubles up. The game is back on! Curse that AK for not winning vs 66 - thats the same hand that killed me in the 500k, i hate AK vs 66 !

Seat 3 - ROBTHESHARK ($145210 in chips)
Seat 4 - EDDIE12345 ($266815 in chips)
Seat 9 - CATCHCAR ($451975 in chips)

Hand 59 - Button with 237k raises to 60k. I shove in the SB with KTh for 244k. He folds. I think i would have shoved any two here, the chances he has a marginal hand, and the stack sizes make it perfect. (T327k)

Hand 60 - Folded to me on the SB, i move allin with J2o. BB folds (T294k)

Hand 61 - This is the important one. With 295k, i raise JTh utg to 60k. SB (392K) calls, and BB(176k) calls. Flop comes KQ2r and SB donk bets 40k. I call. Turn is a lovely, lovely 9. He bets 80k and i have a decision. I have 113k left, do i raise here, or wait till the river. I make it look like im thinking, and finally call. The river is 9, and he instantly shoves. I call just as fast, and he shows AJ. (T600k)

Hand 62 - After than loss he pushes the next hand UTg for 95k. I call in the BB with A2o and he shows 55. Board comes 74K9T and he doubles up (T552k)

Hand 63 - Its now 552k vs 240k vs 71k. The shortstack folds the button and i raise K7o to 60k. I hate this now, i should have put him allin and not giving any chance for him to resteal. Thankfully he folds (T574k)

Hand 64 - The other two stacks get allin with KT vs 77, and the small stack doubles up.

Hand 65 - folded to me in the SB i push A8o for 580k BB has 148k and folds.

Hand 66 - Everyone folds to my BB, i show QQ. WHY DIDNT THEY PUSH! The next BB they all fold, i show ATo. Grrrr

Hand 67 - I have 600k vs 160k vs 96k. Blinds went up to 12k/24k/1000a. I push 77 UTG they fold (T645k)

Hand 68- SB pushes for 70k into me. Its 46k to call, 97k in the pot. I have K7o, which possible is the best hand. I call and he shows Q4o. Board comes T92J7 and we are HU.

Hand 69 - I have 717k vs 146k HU. I get K3o first hand, and move allin. He calls with A3 but the board comes K64JT. I win.

If anyone has any questions about this, feel free to use the comments box. Also, if there is anything specific you want me to write about in this blog, just ask. For now im going to stick to tournament reports of mtts/sngs that i feel are interesting or that i do well in, and post various hands i found interesting from ones that don't merit full reports. Hopefully you find these interesting (although long) and if so i will continue winning and blogging

500k Tournament Report

2006-01-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

I decided to start of this blog with a tournament report from my 500k final table, which i finished 7th for $17k. This will give you some indication of how i used to play only 2 months ago, and you'll see from my newer posts how much more LAG/aggressive my game has become.

The tournament had 3332 entrants paying $200+15 each, and the starting stack is 2500, with 15 minute blinds.

Level One – T2500, 10/20 blinds

Early on I tend to play pretty tight, and watch to see who at my table give action, who is tight, etc.

Hand 1 – UTG+1 makes it 160, and I smooth call in MP with JJ. Flop comes 9 6 2 and he check folds to my 180 bet. (T2660)

Hand 2 – I get 8d9d UTG and fold. Not sure what people think of this, but several good players who looked at the HH for me said they would limp here as it’s so cheap. I personally prefer to play these hands when I know I have opponents, so dislike it EP.

Hand 3 – UTG raises to 60, and I smooth call in MP with AQs, BB also calls. Flop comes Ah Qh 7d and UTG leads for 120, I smooth call and BB folds. Turn comes 7s and utg check folds to my 240 bet. I have no idea why I bet here, I should have checked behind and hoped a smaller pair pays off a value bet on the river. I guess I saw top two and got carried away. I dislike my bet in hindsight. (T2880)

Level Two – T2880, 15/30 blinds

I move to a new table, with jsup. The rest I don’t know. I don’t play a hand this level.

Level Three – T2835, blinds 25/50

Hand 4 – I fold for an orbit or two, and then pickup 45d when it’s folded to me in the SB. I complete, and lead the A J 4 flop which the bb folds. Probably should have just raised preflop if I was going to play this. (T2760)

Level Four – T2760, blinds 50/100

It appears I’m playing pretty tight, but I got some awful hands and there was a fair amount of raising in pots before me when I was getting marginal hands. I don’t mind being this tight this early, as although it means it’s harder to get paid off on big hands, these tables will usually break pretty quickly, so my image won’t matter.

Hand 5 – I pickup TT in MP and make it 300, everyone folds (T2760)

Hand 6 – It’s folded to the button who is playing really aggressive, he minraises to 200, and I smooth call from the SB with KTs, BB folds. The flop comes Qh 3s 2s and I check. Button makes it 200 and I raise to 850. He folds. (T3310)

Level Five – T3160, blinds 75/150

Hand 7 – MP (3965) makes it 600, and I pickup AKo. I shove for 2935 and he timebanks, before calling with 66. Board comes 2K78T and I double up to T6095.

Hand 8 – I get KQo in MP and make it 450, everyone folds (T6320)

Level Six – T6245, blinds 100/200

Hand 9 – Jsup raises from MP to 600 with 3k behind, I reraise him to 1800 with AK, and he folds. (T6845)

Level Seven – T6545, blinds 100/200/25a

Hand 10 – I get KJo in MP, and make it 600, everyone folds. (T6970)

Hand 11 – Folded round to CO who pushes for 2945. He did this during level 6 for a similar overbet with KTs. I shove in the SB with AQs, and BB folds. He shows T4d, and board comes AdKdQh!!! But the turn and river blank and I win the pot (T10015)

Hand 12 – Folded to me in MP, I minraise AJ to 400 (meant to raise to 600, but misclicked). Everyone folds. (T9940)

Level Eight – T9915, blinds 200/400/25a

Hand 13 – New player at the table minraises UTG+1 to 800, he has 7000 chips. I have AA in the BB, and make it 2000. HE raises to 5200 and I put him allin. He tables KK and the board comes AQ9T6 winning me a big pot (T17250)

Hand 14 – Folded to me in the SB, I raise K7 to 1200, BB folds. (T17025)

Hand 15 – This hand was very interesting. I moved to a new table about an orbit ago, and haven’t played a hand. I raise JJ UTG to 1200, and the button (T17958) makes it 3600. I smooth call, and the flop comes Tc 9h 3h. I think for 10seconds, and really don’t know what to do. I check, and he bets 6000. I’m totally lost, so I shove for T13275. He timebanks, and eventually folds, claiming QQ. (T27300)

Level Nine – T27300, blinds 300/600/50a

Hand 16 – I fold for a while, and pickup 77 on the button. The CO pushes for 2547, and the blinds have 8800 and 8900. I push for 22k and the board comes J57Q9 and I beat A4. (T26397)

Level Ten – T25097, blinds 400/800/50a

Hand 17 – It’s folded to me in MP and I raise 52c to 2400 having not played a hand for ages. The SB shoves for 9380 and I fold, he shows QQ. (22597)

Hand 18 – I raise 88 to 2400 in MP1 and the CO shoves for 8600. I call and lose to AA (T12197)

Level Eleven – T11597, blinds 600/1200/75a

So I went from a nice big stack, to 10bb, wonderful. I think I could have been a bit more aggressive to pickup chips, but that 88 vs AA really hurt.

Hand 19 – I pickup AQh in MP and push, everyone folds (T13772)

Hand 20 – I get J6s in the BB, and the button pushes for 2945. I call for 1795 more, and the board comes 84JT6 and I beat AT (T17767)

Level Twelve – T14392, blinds 800-1600/75a

The table I’m at has three very LAG aggressive players with 30-40k stacks. It’s really hard to get into pots, and right now I’m just waiting for some cards, expecting to catch one of them. The pot is pretty much always raised preflop by one of the three.

Hand 21 – One of the aggressive players ‘squidzz’ folds, and the BB in this hand comments ‘squidzz that’s the first time you didn’t raise my blind, can you see my cards?’ Its folds round to me in the SB and I push A6d. He folds; I guess his cards weren’t so great after all (T17692)

Hand 22 – I pickup AQo in MP, and push for 17467, the LAG SB(T64787) calls, as does the LAG BB(49021) great…Flop comes Qh Ts 3d and the SB check calls a 14400 bet. The turn comes 4s and the SB checks, and BB shoves with QJ, the SB folds and I triple up on the blank river. (T53076)

At this point we are close to the money, about 350 people left, 324 paid.

Hand 23 – I raise KK from UTG+1 to 4800, and everyone folds. Sucks to pickup a big hand vs all these aggressive openers when I’m in EP! (T55926)

Level Thirteen – T55851, blinds 1000/2000/100a

Hand 24 - I raise AJo in MP to 6000, and pickup the blinds and antes (T56151)

Hand 25 – I raise A4o on the CO to 6000, and pickup blinds and antes (T56351)

Hand 26 – MP pushes for 17650, and I have KQd in the BB. There is 21550 in the pot, and I have to call 15650. I have T55851, and I fold.

Level Fourteen – T52651, blinds 1500/3000/150a

Hand 27 – I raise AQo in MP to 9k, everyone folds (T57601)

Hand 28 – MP pushes for 13316, and I move over the top with AJo for 55k from the SB. Board comes 49QT7 and I beat A2. (T71817)

Hand 29 – UTG+1 (T31709) minraises to 6000, MP2 moves allin for 56472, and I have JJ in MP3. I timebank and fold. Thoughts?

Level Fifteen – T71367, blinds 2000/4000/200a

Hand 30 – I pickup KK in MP and raise to 12k, BB moves allin for 29k with A9o. Board comes 6K693 (T96989)

Level Sixteen – T89189, blinds 3000/6000/300a

Hand 31 – First hand of the level, I pickup AKc MP1. I raise to 18k, and MP3(134k) makes it 42k. I instantly shove, and he calls with KK. Board comes AT52Q and I double up with my first major suckout. (T189478)

Hand 32 – UTG+1(83k) minraises to 12k. I have KK in the BB and make it 30k. He folds (T206278)

Hand 33 – MP shoves for 27k, and I fold AT in the CO. There was a 100k, 78k and 25k stack behind me, and didn’t really want to reraise to isolate. Who calls/raises here?

Hand 34 – UTG+1 I raise AJo, pickup blinds and antes (T212878)

Hand 35 – I raise AT from MP to 18k, and the SB moves in for 49k. I call and lose to JJ on the board 4KT5Q. (T153604)

Level Seventeen – T153604, blinds 4000/8000/400a

Hand 36 – Folded for a long time, and got blinded down to 138k. UTG+1 pushes for 35k, and I repush with TT. Board comes 5A982 and I lose to A2.(T101738)

Hand 37 - UTG pushes for 22k, and I call 14k in the BB with 87o. Board comes 979T5 and I beat A6o (T130232)

Level Eighteen – T130232, blinds 6k/12k/600a

Hand 38 – Smallstack pushes for 35k, and I am the BB(T98432) and fold 75o. Probably should have called.

Hand 39 – card dead, and blinds are killing me, I push A4o EP for 77k, and everyone folds. (T99632)

Level Nineteen – T97832, blinds 8k/16/800a

Hand 40 – These blinds hurt even more when I’m playing like a pussy! I push UTG for 67k with A2o, and MP calls with AQ. Board comes 5327J and I double up (T165264)

Hand 41 – UTG raises to 48k, MP raises to 112k, and I move allin with QQ for 147k. UTG folds but MP calls with 99. Board comes 8JJKA and I win a big pot considering I was nearly dead two hands ago. (T366528)

Hand 42 – I raise 77 UTG+1 to 40K. MP1 moves in for 85k, and the BB calls allin for 25k. I call and the board comes 589K8 and MP1 wins the lot with AA (BB had KQ) (T277146)

Level Twenty – T250746), blinds 10k/20k/1000a

Hand 43 – The most aggressive player at the table (320k) raises UTG+1. I call in the BB with A8d, and check fold to his allin on the Tc3h2h board. (T184746)

Hand 44 – I raise 98h on the button to 60k. I should have just pushed. Blinds both fold (T210746)

Hand 45 – Fold for a few orbits, and get blinded down to 168k Pickup AA in MP and open push, everyone folds (T206746)

Level Twenty One – T204746, blinds 15k/30k/1500a

Hand 46 – Folded around to the SB who makes it 90k. I realise I have no FE, but I have been so tight, I must get some credit if I push? I shove with QTo assuming he puts me on a monster, and he thinks and calls with T2o. Flop comes QJQxx and I double up (T418492)

Hand 47 – The big blind is allin for 15444, basically the same as the SB. I raise ATo to 90k from MP, and the aggressive stack on the button shoves for 454k covering me. I think for AGES basically using up most of my timebank, because this is a great spot for him to do this. I curse myself for not shoving preflop, and eventually fold. He shows KK and win the pot.

Hand 48 – I shove AK in MP for 248k, and the button moves in for 40k with A9. Board comes K3546 and I win the pot (T346394)

Level Twenty Two – T342894, blinds 20k/40k/2000a

Hand 49- Folded to SB(T288k) who completes, I shove ATo (T394894)

Hand 50 – I’m playing horribly tight, and fold for ages till I pickup A9 in MP. I push for 286k and pickup the blinds and antes (T362894)

Level Twenty Three – T360894, blinds 25k/50k/2500a

Hand 51 – Folded for a while to go down to 200k, where I push 63d from the SB, BB folds (T273394)

Hand 52 – UTG raises to 200k, and I push JJ for 268k in MP. UTG calls showing AJ, and the board comes 9KKK4. (T629288)

Hand 53 – Button pushes for 138k, and I call in the BB with A9o, and the board comes AQ4J6, and I beat K8 (T800748)

Level Twenty Four – T710748, blinds 30k/60k/3000a

Hand 54 – Folded to me on the button, I push with KQh and pickup the blinds (T812748)

FINAL TABLE STARTS

Seat 1: Beardie (541120 in chips)
Seat 2: Foxman (1238245 in chips)
Seat 3: guayana14 (779574 in chips)
Seat 4: Joseba (985880 in chips)
Seat 5: oscartotti (400868 in chips)
Seat 6: TwistedEcho (806748 in chips)
Seat 7: NoxirE (573592 in chips)
Seat 8: Oswaldo (1192692 in chips)
Seat 9: rndee8 (1811281 in chips)

Hand 55 – Folded round to the button who raises to 660k !!, and the SB calls allin for 361k I have 800k and AJo in the BB and fold. Board comes 66J8T and the button shows 99, and the SB QJ. I still think this is a fold, but would have been huge to win this one.

Hand 56 – Raise 55 on the button to 180k, everyone folds (T845748)

Hand 57 – Pickup AKo utg, and raise to 180k (725k behind) The BB thinks for a while, and pushes for 1.1m which I instantly call, to find he has 66.The board comes Q5979, and I finish in 7th place for $17k.

I played horribly tight at times, and relied on having cards pretty much all tournament. The buyin did affect me, when it was apparently I was going to win 4000+ I tightened up, partly because the money meant quite a bit, but also because I didn’t want to blow my best chance with T3o pushing vs some aggro. I hope that helps some people, and is an interesting read. My game is much more aggressive now, i resteal when i think opponents are weak, i push more liberally and im not afraid to go bust pushing with 25o when i think i have a good chance to win the blinds.

I'll be posting some more tournament reports/hands soon

Ket goes whale hunting

2006-01-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

So there I was. Minding my own business in 50nl, playing so many tables at once i have no idea wtf is going on anywhere, which is why I can't tell you the precise point in time at which I noticed something a little bit off. Something that wasn't quite right, weird things that kept repeating. The first time I dismissed it as, wtf that happens sometimes. Maybe it even passed another couple times without registering in my brain as a recurring pattern, but after not long, I noticed this very untoward occurrence that I had only previously subconsciously acknowledged... holy shit there's a complete maniac on this table with a stack comfortably in excess of 200$. He's raising preflop amounts that range from fairly over the top to plain ridiculous. wow, he must have luckboxed it up to get such a monster stack, I think to myself. Maybe it's time to leave a few of my other tables so I can give this one more attention?? I load up the Instant Hand History for the table to see if I can check how the maniac got his chips. And sure enough, it reveals I have infact found a potential goldmine in this pipnez fellow:

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213766 62o LOL!!!! (other guy was a bit crazy too, or maybe just thought ace high being good against the maniac is likely?)

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213771 weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

all right, looks like he's gambooling it up, frequently making overbets to steal and showing all bluffs, many of which are stone cold bluffs with no draw. He's especially going crazy with any pocket pair preflop. Juicy. Obviously I won't be leaving this table until he does! Also I have position on him, which is fantastic. Just as I turn my full attention to this table and start hoping for goot hands, i get 77! ohhh potential, let me see a flop please. My stack right now is just 50$, having not won any pots at this table yet. okay it folds to him in mid pos, he opens for 10$ - 20xbb. holy shit, okay I can wait for a better spot than 77. clear fold. Some donk 6$ stack calls our friend's overbet for his whole stack with QTo and loses to pipnez's 66. omfg 66?!?! but i folded 77 :{ Actually he turned trip sixes, so I don't really have THAT much of a feeling of "shit wouldve won big". Unless you're a philosophically minded zen buddhist poker player who considers it a moral victory to get the money in with the best hand regardless of result. Fuck that, my interest is winning real money not spiritual money :} Well okay, good hand, I'm not happy about the small stack busting and leaving the table, as this means a full stack could potentially join and dent our friend's stack and willingness to gambool. But on the other hand he'll continue to be gamboolhappy as all he's doing is winning so far (someone should tell him to play mtts).

Our friend wins about 4 pots in a row after the last huge luckout while i fold it up and keep my fingers crossed for a hand. Finally, KK in sb!! yessss!!! come onnnn! folds to our friend on the button who just limps. dammit, i guess i know i can get him allin with any pair or draw on the flop, but i'm too chickenshit to risk giving him and a 50$ deep bb a free flop, so i raise 5xbb to juice it. our friend of course calls. i attempt to induce bluffs, get some action but he folds river. 18$ pot. Not what I hoped for when i first saw KK, but doesn't look like he's going anywhere so there's hope yet.

The hand after this, pipnez...... FOLDS PREFLOP! WTF?? what did i do, i upset him or something? nope it's cool, he opens for his standard raise next hand (10xbb) and proceeds to win 5 out of the next 6 pots with similar maniaccery (what's a synonym for maniaccery that's actually a word that exists? anyone?).

NEXT HAND: one of my favourite hands, jack-9 soooooooooooooooooooted! not that it matters, rambo is charging us at least 1/5th of our stack to see a flop with it... or is he?!?! once again fold preflop, alright i raise, get 1 caller, miss flop but bet anyway and take it. Pretty much how most hands i play go normally. I'm liking these small steals to build up my stack in anticipation for the big double, it's like my equity is double the net gain from pots I win. I can smell it already. Next hand, 42sooooted UTG. My strategy is to see as many cheap flops I can with what I figure are astronomical implied odds. So my sooted cards are an instalimp, fuck position, i'll call any sensible raise as long as rambo is in the hand. And here's how this particular hand went:

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213803 yeAh! fun stuff, his weak 2nd pair was an instacall lolz. I think i'm staying for more here. I'm up to 115$ after this double, he's down to 165$. I'm still sticking around for one more big hand. At this point I am somewhat concerned at what I see in the chat window:
pipnez: I'M GIVING MONEY AWAY
My hope is that he hasn't had a sudden revelation here, and will henceforth stop playing, I have my fingers crossed that he typed this purely as an observation, that he'll do nothing about.

Next hand I steal the blinds, uh oh.. has he started playing sensibly? hand after, once again! he folds preflop... doh? Anyway this hand i find AQs, and decide to play it:

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213811 <- donking the turn™ on a bluff. i'm not without style. Can't remember now what made me confident to make this play here, I somehow interpreted the guy's minraise as weakness (even though these gay moves from typical donks normally mean extreme strength). The show was to try and let my best friend think I'm not just nut peddling, and inviting him to retstart gambooling with me. Here is the very next hand after I show this bluff:
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213815

Notice especially the chat. He has expressed approval of my play. Clearly my showing of bluffs has been successful in bringing back his inner Scotty Nguyen on crack. Also gotta love his 60$ bet to steal 3$ here.

Next hand, a big hand happens between 2 other donks that sees one of them being nearly stacked while the other doubles to just over 100. At this point I'm at 126, free willy is at 166 and we have a new contender for a potential huge pot in this doubling donkey.

next few hands; few small pots happen. pipnez steals 2 bbs with a 20$ preflop raise (nice)

And then FIREWORKS! he found a hand! http://www.pokerhand.org/?213822 sucks to be that other guy, but all good news for me. The more money he wins the better, as long as none of it is mine. Next hand he wins a 40$ pot making a flush with big slick s00ted (wow, he's lethal on a good run of cards with his image lol!). Hand after, another silly overbet takes down the blinds for him.

A few boring hands later, this -> http://www.pokerhand.org/?213824
oh my, he IS on a good run! thank pokergods i didn't really have anything here, he played his flopped monster really well i think. i'd be suspicious if he played it slower, but i expect this sort of play from him and might have been "fooled" into paying him off big had i had something.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213828 looks like his postflop is beginning to tighten up. Am I too late? I don't like where this is going, he knows what im trying to do, waiting for a hand to kill him with and stuff. At least that's what I thought before this happened like 3 hands later:

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213832
Dammit! The sword of Damocles hangs ever more perilously above his head. Just can't find those scissors to cut the thread suspending it (hit a flop good)

Next 6 hands after this one:
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213839
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213842
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213843
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213844 was tempted to play this one
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213845
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213848

yarrggghh come onnnnn

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213849 - in an interesting reversal, i take a pot off him with air. Hopefully this enrages him once again into extreme gambooling with me.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213851 - yep, it certainly does lol! now he's telling what cards he has before every preflop raise. This is the third or fourth time in a row he's done this, and showed it too after everyone folds to show he wasnt lying.

after this he proceeds to win the next 8 hands in a row for small pots.
pipnez: IS THIS HOW U PLAY RIGHT?

http://www.pokerhand.org/?213854 lol
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213857 this is happening every hand now haha, i love this guy

And then... something awful happens. i start spamming swearwords to twistedecho on AIM.
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213858 so not only does he lose a big pot, he says he'll stop playing after next hand??!

Well he said that, but didn't really go anywhere. And a couple hands later, OH YES. HERE IT IS. FINALLLLY LIGHTS OUT!
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213862
NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
i bang my head on my desk for not flatcalling the flop. He calls me a "bluffer" here after the hand is over too. god dammit, couldve got a huge overbet out of him maybe if i flatcalled. oh well at least he's not leaving yet.

and then fiiiinally. 2 hands later:
http://www.pokerhand.org/?213863 ding ding ding! KNOCKOUT! i had nEVER seen him MINreraise preflop, so something dodgy was up. i promised myself i'd keep the pot as small as possible if i hit top pair before the flop came, even folding if necessary. well dammit, this is what i was potentially afraid of, a flop which i should like, but dont feel good about. he bets small enough for me to call. sounds easy to say now but i honestly planned to check/fold the flop or checkcall if he continues to bet so small. But that was before i saw the turn card. his minreraise was a bit scary. if he has AT fine he has AT, but this has to be my spot. his range is a HELL OF A LOT wider than just AT here, he's doing this with bottom 2 or maybe just the wrap draw? in any case, i like my hand. pooooooooooooooosh! BOOOOOOOOOM!

pipnez: NICE
potnoodle13: ty
even he is impressed

yay !

I stick around for his last 55$, figuring he'll lose it extremely easily any hand now, but alas, can't win em all. Someone else gets it: http://www.pokerhand.org/?213871

pipnez: ITS BEEN FUN SEE YA GUYS
It certainly has..... Until next time, keep donking those turns my fellows! good night

-- Ket

Turbos

2006-01-10T22:39:00.000-05:00

Ah, well, since all these other faggots don't know how to create posts, I'll go ahead and try to start this off. I haven't played much at all in the past days, and I only played five turbos today, 15+1's. Yes, that is proper punctuation, by the way.

Anyway, I have a hard time with turbos. My pushbotting skills are pathetic, I can't bring myself to push hands I should, perhaps. On the other hand, regular SNGs take way too long. If I fire up eight of them, they're bound to last at least an hour and a half. I'm moving up to the 20+2's soon, just need to get properly rolled. Made a small deal with Freak, and I should be up another 150$ quite soon :)

I'm also tempted to give ring another try. Last time I did that, I got the shit kicked out of me - see this hand for details. However, I think I can make more profit at 100NL than at the 30+3s. I'll try 25NL and then move up to 50NL as fast as possible, and try to play at least ten thousand hands there.

From a third point of view, I could just start playing MTTs and try to hit it big time, like Jon. I don't have a fucking clue, though.

Soon, I hope, I'll start playing again. However, with school, and work, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up.

Opening post!

2006-01-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

Welcome to donk the turn! We are coolest shit to hit the poker world since Rekrul quit progaming. We'll be teaching you, our adoring fans, the tricks and kicks of poker, and how to kick the typical donk's ass. Hopefully, you'll enjoy our rants and ramblings. Before we get started (and before Jon starts posting his ridiculous 50NL adventures), we shall present ourselves.

Jon / TwistedEcho - Mid-stake Rebuy MTT player
HHi, my name is Jon. I have a big bankroll. Seeing as im a first year student, and do no work, i play lots of poker. Recently i have ventured into the wonderful world of rebuys. The rebuy period lets you gambool it up good. Here is a picture of me (donkey). After I get a big stack, i can LAG it up even better, and try to donk everyone and get more chips. Hopefully my posts will help you become a LAG, and donk the weak tight players like KET. Have fun at the tables, and remember, don't fold sooted cards!

Ketul / Ket - Low-stake L/NL Tourney/Cash game player
Hello, my name is Ket. I started playing poker a few months ago with 15$, I've built up the beginnings of a bankroll playing small sngs, mtts and limit, but now I've started playing some 6max nl because it's the most fun. I like winning pots and try to win as many as possible, usually every one I enter regardless of flop turn river. My aim in poker is to one day be able to win every pot I decide to play where my opponents don't have the nuts or near nuts. Until then feel free to sit at my tables and have me donk off some cash to you.

Mike / Oxy - Low-stake STT SNG player
Hi, my name is Mike. I started playing poker back in September with ten bucks. I have 700$ now, and I am crushing these 10+1$ SNG fishies. I don't just win, I pulverize and rub it in. Over the course of this blog, I will teach you how to rock these donks. Remember: if they're calling you down, you're not betting hard enough. Take this hand for example. Fucking fish.

Serge / radiaL - pretty much anything except higher-stake limit player
Entaro Adun! I just didn't want to repeat the other guys especially since I've already stated my name and thus this will be repetition and is oh no, for we must vary our play! I try to make perfect sense in my sentences but end up making almost none. Anyhow, I started poker in June 2005, and 'till about September did absolutely nothing with it (full time job). In September though something clicked in my head and I blew from 50$NL to 400$NL in about a week, and stayed there 'till I, being my stubborn self, went to 1000$NL and of course got my bags packed for me (i.e. got raped). In October alone I made 10$K from mostly 200$NL and 400$NL full ring (some 55 / 109 SNG STTs in between). Then variance hit me like a bag of metallic peanuts and I lost pretty much all of it in the next month (HA-HA!). Now I’m handing people’s asses to themselves at Eurobet whilst clearing the 600$ deposit bonus (100$NL+ SH; 2/4+ sh limit when I feel like getting bad beat) and hanging my head in shame for the tilting that I have done.

Remember kids, friends don't let friends tilt!