Payout was 1-3 Entry, 4th - $16.88, 5th -$10.12, 6th - $6.75.
I never got off the ground with this one. I mainly set myself to sit out hands while I was still playing a Six player Step 1 SNG. Occasionally I'd let a few Rush hands go by but with only 3 players left in the SNG I wasn't able to pay much attention to determine decent choices.
Hand 17 I'm SB w/Qd 6s. Action folds to MP2 who limps in w/80, then folds to me and I call and the BB checks. Flop Qh 3s 2s. I pair my Q. At this point, not really being able to pay attention, and knowing if I just keep sitting out I'll be blinded out before I have a chance to do anything, I decide to go all-in w/my last 1075 chips. BB calls and MP2 folds. BB shows Qs 3d, having hit two pair on the flop. I could use a 6 right now! Turn As. River 10c. I'm done, which is just as well.
Moral----don't try & play a RUSH tournament while you are playing a SNG, at least not if you are me. :-) Lesson learned ..... I hope!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
6 SNG $3 + .30 End 2nd 100 hands Step 1
Pay out 1st - Step 2 ticket, 2nd-3rd Step 1 ticket, 4th - $2.70. I won Step 1 ticket.
I'm not going to write up much about this session. I played decently much of the time, however I also want to play a Rush Tournament for MiniFTOPS ME that came up in the middle of this session. I was sort of hoping I'd do something to go out so I could pay better attention to the RUSH, but that didn't happen. It did distract me from here but I bombed in RUSH and was back here for the end.
I'll only cover the last hand where I ran into a monster where I thought I might pick up some chips. Hand 100 I have Ac 8d, am SB, w/2120 chips, BB has 6580 chips. I open rise 2 BB (400) and BB calls. Flop 8h 5d Ks. I pair my 8 with a good kicker, but there is a K out there. BB checks and I decide to go all-in, figuring if he has the K I'm toast. BB calls and shows pocket A's (As Ad). Ooopppsss!!! With his just calling my pre-flop bet and checking on the Flop I didn't expect him to have that kind of monster hand. Turn 10h. River 5s.
Well I accomplished my secondary goal to win a Step 1 ticket.
I'm not going to write up much about this session. I played decently much of the time, however I also want to play a Rush Tournament for MiniFTOPS ME that came up in the middle of this session. I was sort of hoping I'd do something to go out so I could pay better attention to the RUSH, but that didn't happen. It did distract me from here but I bombed in RUSH and was back here for the end.
I'll only cover the last hand where I ran into a monster where I thought I might pick up some chips. Hand 100 I have Ac 8d, am SB, w/2120 chips, BB has 6580 chips. I open rise 2 BB (400) and BB calls. Flop 8h 5d Ks. I pair my 8 with a good kicker, but there is a K out there. BB checks and I decide to go all-in, figuring if he has the K I'm toast. BB calls and shows pocket A's (As Ad). Ooopppsss!!! With his just calling my pre-flop bet and checking on the Flop I didn't expect him to have that kind of monster hand. Turn 10h. River 5s.
Well I accomplished my secondary goal to win a Step 1 ticket.
4 HU $3 + .30 End 4th 29 hands Step 1 HU Shootout
Payout 1- Step 2 ticket, 2- Step 1 ticket.
Not played well by me. I tended to over play weak hands. I had 68o w/a flop of 3h 8s Qd and lost to KQs as an example.
Hand 11 I had 7s 3s. Flop 3d 3c 4h. BB limp bet & I called. Turn Kd. BB limp bets again and I raise to 80, he calls. River Kh. Ouch. I now have a FH but it is 3's full of K's. BB has been betting & calling, might they have a K and a better FH than mine? BB makes another limp bet and I raise to 80 and he calls again. BB shows pocket 5's and my trip 3's hold up.
Hand 28 I had Ac 2d. Flop 10d 3h 4s. If a 5 shows up I have a straight. BB had open raised 2 BB. We both check the flop. Turn Jh. Again we both check. River 3c. I check & BB bets 120, I call. BB shows pocket J's (Jd Jc). I'm down to 830 chips.
Hand 29. I'm SB w/Qd 10s and open raise 120, BB re-raises to 240 and I call. Flop 10d Jd 9c. I have an open ended straight draw and a flush draw. BB bets 120 and I raise all-in w/my last 590 chips. BB calls and shows pocket K's (Kc Kh). Turn 2h. River 3d. I hit nothing and am outta there. :-/
Not played well by me. I tended to over play weak hands. I had 68o w/a flop of 3h 8s Qd and lost to KQs as an example.
Hand 11 I had 7s 3s. Flop 3d 3c 4h. BB limp bet & I called. Turn Kd. BB limp bets again and I raise to 80, he calls. River Kh. Ouch. I now have a FH but it is 3's full of K's. BB has been betting & calling, might they have a K and a better FH than mine? BB makes another limp bet and I raise to 80 and he calls again. BB shows pocket 5's and my trip 3's hold up.
Hand 28 I had Ac 2d. Flop 10d 3h 4s. If a 5 shows up I have a straight. BB had open raised 2 BB. We both check the flop. Turn Jh. Again we both check. River 3c. I check & BB bets 120, I call. BB shows pocket J's (Jd Jc). I'm down to 830 chips.
Hand 29. I'm SB w/Qd 10s and open raise 120, BB re-raises to 240 and I call. Flop 10d Jd 9c. I have an open ended straight draw and a flush draw. BB bets 120 and I raise all-in w/my last 590 chips. BB calls and shows pocket K's (Kc Kh). Turn 2h. River 3d. I hit nothing and am outta there. :-/
9 SNG $3 + .30 End 6th Approx 46 hands Step 1 (Turbo)
This SNG has 3 min blinds. Pay out is 1-2 Step 2 ticket, 3-5 Step 1 ticket.
This was a somewhat wild session and I went a bit on tilt, not because of any of the poker, but because I was disconnected from the internet after the flop had hit a set for my pocket 4's and I was looking to pick up a few chips. Instead, after two modem reboots and 10 minutes I get back and have gone from 1035 chips to 725 and the blinds are now 80/160. Grrrrrr.
I did make somewhat of a comeback and after 18 hands after I got back I had 1770 chips. Seven players left, blinds 120/240. I'm SB w/pocket 10's (10c 10d). UTG+1 open raises 600, action folds to the BTN who goes all-in w/1490 and I decide to take a chance w/my 10's and call, as does UTG+1. Under the circumstances I'd probably have been better off folding. I'm two places from being in the money, and though 10's aren't bad, they aren't that great either against an all-in raiser to a 600 open raise. Flop 7s 9h Ac. I do not like seeing that Ace. UTG+1 bets 480 into the 4710 pot and I put in my last 280 chips. UTG+1 shows pocket 4's (4s 4h) and the BTN shows Ad Kd. They've paired their Ace on the flop. Turn 6d. River 7h. I'm outta there.
Anyway that mess is over and I can regroup for better sessions.
This was a somewhat wild session and I went a bit on tilt, not because of any of the poker, but because I was disconnected from the internet after the flop had hit a set for my pocket 4's and I was looking to pick up a few chips. Instead, after two modem reboots and 10 minutes I get back and have gone from 1035 chips to 725 and the blinds are now 80/160. Grrrrrr.
I did make somewhat of a comeback and after 18 hands after I got back I had 1770 chips. Seven players left, blinds 120/240. I'm SB w/pocket 10's (10c 10d). UTG+1 open raises 600, action folds to the BTN who goes all-in w/1490 and I decide to take a chance w/my 10's and call, as does UTG+1. Under the circumstances I'd probably have been better off folding. I'm two places from being in the money, and though 10's aren't bad, they aren't that great either against an all-in raiser to a 600 open raise. Flop 7s 9h Ac. I do not like seeing that Ace. UTG+1 bets 480 into the 4710 pot and I put in my last 280 chips. UTG+1 shows pocket 4's (4s 4h) and the BTN shows Ad Kd. They've paired their Ace on the flop. Turn 6d. River 7h. I'm outta there.
Anyway that mess is over and I can regroup for better sessions.
Rush 9 player .02/.05 200 Hands Up $18.56 Blinds ate $3.25 Rake $4.23
Well one of my better Rush sessions. I was originally going to do 100 to 150 hands but I started playing well and wining so decided to go to 200. At that point I felt I'm beginning to feel tired so best I stop now as I had pretty much planned! I was up $18.56.
After 50 hands I was up $2.15, 100 hands down $1.45 and it was looking like maybe I should consider stopping, 150 hands up $14.46, and 200 hand up $18.56. It was nice to get up and not give it back!!!
From hand 1 to 100 it was basically a bit of up and down with no major swings either way.
Hand 120 was my 1st big win. I was BB w/pocket Q's (Qh Qd) and $11.16. MP1 w/$29.90 limped in w/a .10 bet, HJ w/$4.81 raised to .40, and the SB w/$8.67 re-raised to .80. I called, MP1 folded, and HJ called. Flop 9d 7h 6s. That looked nice to my Q's but it does hold a possible straight or straight draw. I'm assuming that our two initial raisers were not looking for a straight. SB bets $1,50 into the $2.34 pot, I decide to go all-in, if for no other reason than to hold off straight draws. HJ folds and SB calls showing pocket J's (Js Jd). Phew. I didn't expect him to have AA or KK but he might have a set. Now if my Q's hold up! Turn Kh. River 2s. I now have $19.66.
Hand 122 I'm MP2 w/pocket A's (As Ac). I limp in w .10 bet, HJ folds, and CO w/$10.43 raises to .50. Rest fold to me and I re-raise all-in w/my $19.66 hoping that .50 bet meant he had something worth betting on. Alas he folded. I overbet that hand and should have made a more modest re-raise or just called and seen the flop. though I think more, I side with the modest re-raise. If he has nothing much he'll fold instead of seeing the flop and maybe sucking out on my Ace's.
Hand 127 I picked up a small pot and, in part, was lucky. I had pocket 3's (3s 3d), was on the BTN. I called a .35 open raise from UTG who has $4.33. Everyone else folded and it was only the two of us in the pot. Flop Qh 7h 3h. My 3's hit the set but the flop shows a possible flush or flush draw. UTG bets .60 into the .80 pot and I decide to go all-in to prevent his hanging around for a flush draw. He calls. Uh Oh. Does he already have the flush? He shows Ac Qs, having paired the Q. I only need to worry about a Q where he wins or runner, runner hearts where we chop the pot. Turn 5h. Holding breath on the River. River 5d, red but not a heart!!! I have $24.41 now.
Hand 167. I stay pretty much around that mark until this hand where I win another small pot. I'm the BB w/As 8d and $23.47. Action folds to CO who has $3.40 and open raises w/.35. SB folds and I re-raise to .70 to see if he is serious or just trying to steal the blinds. He calls. Flop 7c Ah 2c. I pair my Ace. I bet the pot of $1.45 and the BTN raises me all-in w/his last $2.70. This can't be good, but I call anyway. He shows Ac Jc. Better Ace kicker then me plus he has the nut flush draw!! Looks like I'll giving a few $$$ back. Turn 3s. River 8h. I get lucky and now have two pair. I have $26.57.
I have some modest wins the rest of the way and no big losses and finish up w/$28.56 feeling pleased with myself.
After 50 hands I was up $2.15, 100 hands down $1.45 and it was looking like maybe I should consider stopping, 150 hands up $14.46, and 200 hand up $18.56. It was nice to get up and not give it back!!!
From hand 1 to 100 it was basically a bit of up and down with no major swings either way.
Hand 120 was my 1st big win. I was BB w/pocket Q's (Qh Qd) and $11.16. MP1 w/$29.90 limped in w/a .10 bet, HJ w/$4.81 raised to .40, and the SB w/$8.67 re-raised to .80. I called, MP1 folded, and HJ called. Flop 9d 7h 6s. That looked nice to my Q's but it does hold a possible straight or straight draw. I'm assuming that our two initial raisers were not looking for a straight. SB bets $1,50 into the $2.34 pot, I decide to go all-in, if for no other reason than to hold off straight draws. HJ folds and SB calls showing pocket J's (Js Jd). Phew. I didn't expect him to have AA or KK but he might have a set. Now if my Q's hold up! Turn Kh. River 2s. I now have $19.66.
Hand 122 I'm MP2 w/pocket A's (As Ac). I limp in w .10 bet, HJ folds, and CO w/$10.43 raises to .50. Rest fold to me and I re-raise all-in w/my $19.66 hoping that .50 bet meant he had something worth betting on. Alas he folded. I overbet that hand and should have made a more modest re-raise or just called and seen the flop. though I think more, I side with the modest re-raise. If he has nothing much he'll fold instead of seeing the flop and maybe sucking out on my Ace's.
Hand 127 I picked up a small pot and, in part, was lucky. I had pocket 3's (3s 3d), was on the BTN. I called a .35 open raise from UTG who has $4.33. Everyone else folded and it was only the two of us in the pot. Flop Qh 7h 3h. My 3's hit the set but the flop shows a possible flush or flush draw. UTG bets .60 into the .80 pot and I decide to go all-in to prevent his hanging around for a flush draw. He calls. Uh Oh. Does he already have the flush? He shows Ac Qs, having paired the Q. I only need to worry about a Q where he wins or runner, runner hearts where we chop the pot. Turn 5h. Holding breath on the River. River 5d, red but not a heart!!! I have $24.41 now.
Hand 167. I stay pretty much around that mark until this hand where I win another small pot. I'm the BB w/As 8d and $23.47. Action folds to CO who has $3.40 and open raises w/.35. SB folds and I re-raise to .70 to see if he is serious or just trying to steal the blinds. He calls. Flop 7c Ah 2c. I pair my Ace. I bet the pot of $1.45 and the BTN raises me all-in w/his last $2.70. This can't be good, but I call anyway. He shows Ac Jc. Better Ace kicker then me plus he has the nut flush draw!! Looks like I'll giving a few $$$ back. Turn 3s. River 8h. I get lucky and now have two pair. I have $26.57.
I have some modest wins the rest of the way and no big losses and finish up w/$28.56 feeling pleased with myself.
9 SNG $5 + .50 End 9th 4 hands
I think the title says it all. I decided to push what would not have even been a nut flush draw, it didn't hit. I can't say the player I was against played that well either though they won.
Hand 4. I'm on the BTN w/Jd 6d. Action folds to me and I decide to try a blind steal and open raise 3 BB (90). SB folds and BB raises to 150. I think about it a bit as I have pretty weak cards but decide I'll take a look at the flop and call. Flop 7d 3d 5s. I have a nice flush draw. BB decided to go all-in at this point. I think about it a bit and decide I'll go for the flush draw and call. BB shows Ah Kd, two overcards to me. They hit nothing on that flop. I have hope. Turn 7s, River As. I'm outta there. :-/
Not the way I should be playing!! Probably been playing too long today but thought I'd take in a nice SNG before I go to bed.
Hand 4. I'm on the BTN w/Jd 6d. Action folds to me and I decide to try a blind steal and open raise 3 BB (90). SB folds and BB raises to 150. I think about it a bit as I have pretty weak cards but decide I'll take a look at the flop and call. Flop 7d 3d 5s. I have a nice flush draw. BB decided to go all-in at this point. I think about it a bit and decide I'll go for the flush draw and call. BB shows Ah Kd, two overcards to me. They hit nothing on that flop. I have hope. Turn 7s, River As. I'm outta there. :-/
Not the way I should be playing!! Probably been playing too long today but thought I'd take in a nice SNG before I go to bed.
RUSH TOUR 80 $2.25 + .25 End 13 111 Hands Sat miniFTOPS ME
Payout was 1-2 Entry, 3- $22.88, 4- $13.72 5- $9.15
Played better this round though I had trouble making much ground chip wise. Early on I hit a couple of flushes that gave me a few extra chips. My high chip count was around 5700.
Hand 96, I'm the BTN w/Ah Jh, 4680 chips. Blinds are 120/240. Six players. UTG folds, CO open raises 2 BB (480), I call, SB folds, and BB calls. Flop 4h 8s 5h. Nice for a draw on my nut flush. BB checks, CO bets 1200 into the 1500 pot. I'd rather not call that much but I'm going for the draw so do. BB folds. The CO has 13,520 chips after that bet, so I'm not sure if I raised him or went all in if he would have folded. In retrospect going all-in to his bet might have been a better choice for me and might have got him off his hand. Turn 8c. That pairs the board and I still don't have my flush. CO checks and I check. River 10s, No flush, no pair, just Ace high. :-/ CO checks & I do too. He shows pocket 3's (3s 3h). With that low of a pair, indeed, if I'd been more aggressive I might have got him off that hand. I don't think I paid close enough attention to his passive play to use that in considering what I should do. I was more happy he wasn't raising so I got an easy way to see if my flush draw would happen, instead of seeing it as possible weakness of his hand that I might exploit.
Hand 111. This looked like a chance to increase my meager chip stack that was at 1650 after I posted the 150 SB. I have Ac Qd. Five players. Action folds to me and I go all-in. BB w/17,660 chips calls and shows 9s 6d. I have two over cards!! Flop Jd 8d Js. So far so good. Turn 6h. BB pairs their 6. River 4s. I'm done!
Played better this round though I had trouble making much ground chip wise. Early on I hit a couple of flushes that gave me a few extra chips. My high chip count was around 5700.
Hand 96, I'm the BTN w/Ah Jh, 4680 chips. Blinds are 120/240. Six players. UTG folds, CO open raises 2 BB (480), I call, SB folds, and BB calls. Flop 4h 8s 5h. Nice for a draw on my nut flush. BB checks, CO bets 1200 into the 1500 pot. I'd rather not call that much but I'm going for the draw so do. BB folds. The CO has 13,520 chips after that bet, so I'm not sure if I raised him or went all in if he would have folded. In retrospect going all-in to his bet might have been a better choice for me and might have got him off his hand. Turn 8c. That pairs the board and I still don't have my flush. CO checks and I check. River 10s, No flush, no pair, just Ace high. :-/ CO checks & I do too. He shows pocket 3's (3s 3h). With that low of a pair, indeed, if I'd been more aggressive I might have got him off that hand. I don't think I paid close enough attention to his passive play to use that in considering what I should do. I was more happy he wasn't raising so I got an easy way to see if my flush draw would happen, instead of seeing it as possible weakness of his hand that I might exploit.
Hand 111. This looked like a chance to increase my meager chip stack that was at 1650 after I posted the 150 SB. I have Ac Qd. Five players. Action folds to me and I go all-in. BB w/17,660 chips calls and shows 9s 6d. I have two over cards!! Flop Jd 8d Js. So far so good. Turn 6h. BB pairs their 6. River 4s. I'm done!
9 SNG Step 1 Ticket End 9th 13 hands Step 1 (Turbo)
Pays out 1-2 Step 2 ticket. 3-5 Step 1 ticket.
Played very poorly, not much else needs to be said.
Hand 11. I'm BTN w/Ah 6c. Action folds to me and I try a blind steal open raising 3 BB (150). SB raises me all-in w/1300 chips. BB folds. I decide I want to check this all-in player out as I'm not certain they have the goods, so I call, which, if I lose leaves me w/135 chips. BB shows pocket 5's (5c 5s). At least I have two overcards. The board plays out: 10d Qd Kd Kc 2h. An Ace would hve been nice. :-) I'm outta here two hands later.
Played very poorly, not much else needs to be said.
Hand 11. I'm BTN w/Ah 6c. Action folds to me and I try a blind steal open raising 3 BB (150). SB raises me all-in w/1300 chips. BB folds. I decide I want to check this all-in player out as I'm not certain they have the goods, so I call, which, if I lose leaves me w/135 chips. BB shows pocket 5's (5c 5s). At least I have two overcards. The board plays out: 10d Qd Kd Kc 2h. An Ace would hve been nice. :-) I'm outta here two hands later.
9 SNG Step 3 Ticket End 7th 42 hands
This SNG pays 1-2 Step 4 ticket, 3-4 Step 3 ticket, 5 - Step 2 ticket, 6-7 Step 1 ticket. I won a Step 1 ticket and get to start working up again. :-)
Step 3 seeems to be a much different game than I found at Step 1 and Step 2. There is a lot of folding and limited min raises. There wasn't a lot of post flop betting if I recall correctly as players often just checked to the Turn. Hand 12 we lost our 1st player in an AA vs KK match with A's wining.
Hand 17 I had Ac Qh UTG, I open raised 2 BB (100), UTG+1 called, MP called, HJ folded, CO called, BTN folded, SB & BB folded. A four way pot. Flop 5s 7d 5h. No help to me. All of us checked. Turn 6s. I decided to bet 175 into the 475 ot and MP & CO called. Maybe I should have bet higher, or just checked again. River 8c. I only have Ace high, I check, MP bets 250 into the 1000 pot, the CO & I fold.
Hand 22. I have pocket 8's (8d 8s) in HJ position. UTG limps in w/50, MP raises to 100, I call, CO, BTN & SB fold, BB & UTG calls. Flop 8c 2d Qh. I hit my set. BB & UTG check, MP bets 100 and I decide to bet the pot of 725. That was probably too big of a bet as everyone folded.
Hand 40 we lose our 2nd person in an AK vs AQ match w/AK winning.
Hand 41. I overplayed my QJ. I'm UTG w/Qs Jc and I open raise 2 BB (200) and I'd be happy if everyone folded. Action folds to the BB who raises me to 300 and I call. Darn. Flop 5h 8d Jc. I pair my J. BB bets 300 and I raise to 600. BB re-raises all-in which when I call leaves me with only 50 chips. I'm reasonably certain they don't have AA, KK, or QQ. My feeling is they have overcards of some sort like AQ. As it turns out they have Kc Jh. I'd not considered that possibility. :-) They had weaker cards than I expected but still better than mine. My error. Turn 10c. River Ah.
Hand 42 I'm blinded in for my 50 chips. I have 8s 4c to the BTN's 7h 4s. I have an overcard. The board plays out: Qs 6h 4d 7c Kc. They hit their 7 and I'm finished.
I did feel very tense playing this session, feeling the players here are probably much better players than I am and wondering if I'll be able to even make it in the top 7. Well I did and maybe next time I'll feel less nervous. What will I feel if I ever make it to Step 4?
Step 3 seeems to be a much different game than I found at Step 1 and Step 2. There is a lot of folding and limited min raises. There wasn't a lot of post flop betting if I recall correctly as players often just checked to the Turn. Hand 12 we lost our 1st player in an AA vs KK match with A's wining.
Hand 17 I had Ac Qh UTG, I open raised 2 BB (100), UTG+1 called, MP called, HJ folded, CO called, BTN folded, SB & BB folded. A four way pot. Flop 5s 7d 5h. No help to me. All of us checked. Turn 6s. I decided to bet 175 into the 475 ot and MP & CO called. Maybe I should have bet higher, or just checked again. River 8c. I only have Ace high, I check, MP bets 250 into the 1000 pot, the CO & I fold.
Hand 22. I have pocket 8's (8d 8s) in HJ position. UTG limps in w/50, MP raises to 100, I call, CO, BTN & SB fold, BB & UTG calls. Flop 8c 2d Qh. I hit my set. BB & UTG check, MP bets 100 and I decide to bet the pot of 725. That was probably too big of a bet as everyone folded.
Hand 40 we lose our 2nd person in an AK vs AQ match w/AK winning.
Hand 41. I overplayed my QJ. I'm UTG w/Qs Jc and I open raise 2 BB (200) and I'd be happy if everyone folded. Action folds to the BB who raises me to 300 and I call. Darn. Flop 5h 8d Jc. I pair my J. BB bets 300 and I raise to 600. BB re-raises all-in which when I call leaves me with only 50 chips. I'm reasonably certain they don't have AA, KK, or QQ. My feeling is they have overcards of some sort like AQ. As it turns out they have Kc Jh. I'd not considered that possibility. :-) They had weaker cards than I expected but still better than mine. My error. Turn 10c. River Ah.
Hand 42 I'm blinded in for my 50 chips. I have 8s 4c to the BTN's 7h 4s. I have an overcard. The board plays out: Qs 6h 4d 7c Kc. They hit their 7 and I'm finished.
I did feel very tense playing this session, feeling the players here are probably much better players than I am and wondering if I'll be able to even make it in the top 7. Well I did and maybe next time I'll feel less nervous. What will I feel if I ever make it to Step 4?
Friday, May 14, 2010
RUSH TOUR 80 $2.25 + .25 End 31 49 Hands Sat miniFTOPS ME
1st & 2nd win Entry, 3rd-5th receive $$$.
Alas this one didn't go well for me. Hand 1 I had As Kh, but missed the flop and had to fold to an all-in better. Hand 6 was another AK, this time suited, but again missed the flop. Small bets were made on the Flop, checks on the Turn, and an all-in on the River had me folding. Down to 1290 chips already.
I had some ups & downs and at hand 35 I had 2110 chips with another AK suited one more time. I missed the flop but bet 240 into the 510 pot and 2 of the 3 other players called. The Turn hit my nut flush suit so I had a draw on the River. Player to my left bet 630 into the 1230 pot, the BTN went all-in w/their last 720 chips and I decided to gamble on my flush draw and called, as did the player on my left. River Qh. I missed my flush and an down to 1030 chips.
Hand 48 I limp in w/Kd Jc and we have a 5 player pot. I miss the flop and bet 200 into the 400 pot and am raised by two of the other players and I fold. I'm down to 890 in chips.
Hand 49, blinds 50/100, I'm in the CO w/10h 2h. Action folds to me and I decide to try a blind steal and go all in w/my 890 in chips. BB calls me and shows Jc Ah, two over cards. The board plays out 4h 5c As Jh 10s. It's over for me.
Likely I needed to play tighter overall and not take some of the gambles I did.
Alas this one didn't go well for me. Hand 1 I had As Kh, but missed the flop and had to fold to an all-in better. Hand 6 was another AK, this time suited, but again missed the flop. Small bets were made on the Flop, checks on the Turn, and an all-in on the River had me folding. Down to 1290 chips already.
I had some ups & downs and at hand 35 I had 2110 chips with another AK suited one more time. I missed the flop but bet 240 into the 510 pot and 2 of the 3 other players called. The Turn hit my nut flush suit so I had a draw on the River. Player to my left bet 630 into the 1230 pot, the BTN went all-in w/their last 720 chips and I decided to gamble on my flush draw and called, as did the player on my left. River Qh. I missed my flush and an down to 1030 chips.
Hand 48 I limp in w/Kd Jc and we have a 5 player pot. I miss the flop and bet 200 into the 400 pot and am raised by two of the other players and I fold. I'm down to 890 in chips.
Hand 49, blinds 50/100, I'm in the CO w/10h 2h. Action folds to me and I decide to try a blind steal and go all in w/my 890 in chips. BB calls me and shows Jc Ah, two over cards. The board plays out 4h 5c As Jh 10s. It's over for me.
Likely I needed to play tighter overall and not take some of the gambles I did.
6 SNG Step 2 ticket End 1st 96 Hands
Pays 5 out of 6 places. 1st - Step 3 ticket, 2nd-3rd Step 2 ticket, 4th Step 1 ticket, 5th - $1.30
Finally was able to win a 6 player SNG. As I said in one other 6 player post, players seem to limp in a lot more than in 9 or 18 player sessions. Not sure if it's the game or lower initial buy-ins. Not sure what size I'll play for Step 3.
I don't know that there is a lot to say about this one as it was mainly a steady slog to get to the finish with some ups & downs. Two of the players were playing at least 4 sessions but in the cards I saw them play they didn't always play premium hands, though their play was slow and they did often fold.
Hand 18 was my 1st decent pickup. We are down to 5 players, so all of us win something. I'm SB w/Ah Jh, blinds 25/50. UTG (one of the players playing 4 sessions) limps in w/50 chips as does the CO, I raise to 150 and all call; a 4 player pot. Flop 2c 5d Jd. I have top pair w/Ace kicker. I bet the 600 pot, BB folds, UTG calls, and CO folds. Turn 2d. That not only pairs the board (a point I think I missed while playing the hand), there is a possible flush out there. I have 460 chips left and go all-in with them. Either I'm dead or have a good chance to win the pot. UTG calls and shows Qd Jc. They have a flush draw and weaker kicker with their J. River 5c. I win and have 2720 chips.
Hand 27 I made another nice gain. I'm BB w/pocket 10's (10h 10s). Five players. SB open raises 2 BB (120), I re-raise to 240 and SB calls. Flop 4h 10c 2h. I hit my set, possible flush. SB bets the pot, 480, and I decide to just call. Turn 2s. I know have a FH and don't hvae to worry about a straight. SB bets 150 into the 1440 pot and I raise to 540, SB calls. Interesting. River 7d. SB goes all-in w/their last 845 in chips. Did I miss something? I call and they show 9h 10d. I win and have 4420 chips. Four of us left and we all win one of the Steps.
Hand 41 I get lucky. I'm SB w/8c 9c and my chips are down to 3415, four players, blinds 50/100. UTG open raises 2 1/2 BB (250), leaving them w/780 chips. BTN folds, I call and BB calls. Flop Ks Ac 4c. I need one card to hit my flush. BB & I check, UTG bets 200 into the 750 pot, BB & I call. Turn 7h. BB & I both check again, UTG goes all-in w/last 580. I decide to gamble on hitting the flush and call, BB folds. UTG shows Kh 7d hitting two pair on the Turn. I need that club!! River Qc. We are down to 3 players and I have 4945 chips.
Hand 82. I've been up and down with chips and now have 4570, blinds are 80/160, I'm SB w/pocket Q's (Qd Qs). BTN folds, I open raise 2 BB (320) and BB calls. Flop Qh As 2d. I hit my set and if BB has an Ace maybe I can pick up a few more chips! I check and BB check's. Turn Ks. I bet 480 into the 640 pot and the BB raises me to 960. WOW, maybe they hit something!!! I decide to go for it and re-raise all-in w/my last 4330 chips, more than double what they have. BB folds. I might have got a few more chips if I'd have bet less, but if they were on a flush draw I'd prefer they not get that chance, or pay a lot for it. I now have 5930 chips.
Hand 85 I get a bit lucky again, mainly because the BB didn't have excellent cards. I'm SB, blinds are 100/200. I have Ac 6h. BTN folds and I limp in w/a 200 bet. BB raises me to 600 leaving them w/790 chips. Since I have an Ace and a decent chip stack I decide to call. Flop 3c 7d 4s. I have a gutshot straight possibility. I check and BB goes all-in w/last 790 chips and I call. They show Qd 8c. They didn't hit the flop either. I have one overcard. Turn Jh. River 6c. I pair my six, but since the River wasn't a Q or 8, I'd win anyway. We are down to 2 players; I have 7600 chips to their 1400. Things are looking up for maybe my making 1st place and getting that Step 3 ticket.
Hand 92, blinds 100/200. I'm SB w/Ad 3d and 7500 in chips. I limp in w/200 bet and BB goes all-in w/last 1400 chips. I'm not real happy about this, but since my Ace is suited I decide to call but don't feel very confident that I'll win. BB shows Ah Qs. I need 3's or diamond!! The board plays out: 2h Jc 2c Ks As. WOW we chop!!! Next best thing to winning that hand for me. :-) I'm sure BB is very disappointed at not doubling up.
Hand 96. I'm SB w/Kc 7s and 7900 after posting, BB has 800 chips left after posting the 200 BB. I open raise 2 BB (400) and BB raises me all-in. I call. BB shows 9h 8d. I have one overcard. Flop Kd Qc 10c. I pair my K. BB has a gutshot straight possible. Turn Kh. River Ad. Neither any help to the BB. I win!! I now have a Step 3 ticket!!
Finally was able to win a 6 player SNG. As I said in one other 6 player post, players seem to limp in a lot more than in 9 or 18 player sessions. Not sure if it's the game or lower initial buy-ins. Not sure what size I'll play for Step 3.
I don't know that there is a lot to say about this one as it was mainly a steady slog to get to the finish with some ups & downs. Two of the players were playing at least 4 sessions but in the cards I saw them play they didn't always play premium hands, though their play was slow and they did often fold.
Hand 18 was my 1st decent pickup. We are down to 5 players, so all of us win something. I'm SB w/Ah Jh, blinds 25/50. UTG (one of the players playing 4 sessions) limps in w/50 chips as does the CO, I raise to 150 and all call; a 4 player pot. Flop 2c 5d Jd. I have top pair w/Ace kicker. I bet the 600 pot, BB folds, UTG calls, and CO folds. Turn 2d. That not only pairs the board (a point I think I missed while playing the hand), there is a possible flush out there. I have 460 chips left and go all-in with them. Either I'm dead or have a good chance to win the pot. UTG calls and shows Qd Jc. They have a flush draw and weaker kicker with their J. River 5c. I win and have 2720 chips.
Hand 27 I made another nice gain. I'm BB w/pocket 10's (10h 10s). Five players. SB open raises 2 BB (120), I re-raise to 240 and SB calls. Flop 4h 10c 2h. I hit my set, possible flush. SB bets the pot, 480, and I decide to just call. Turn 2s. I know have a FH and don't hvae to worry about a straight. SB bets 150 into the 1440 pot and I raise to 540, SB calls. Interesting. River 7d. SB goes all-in w/their last 845 in chips. Did I miss something? I call and they show 9h 10d. I win and have 4420 chips. Four of us left and we all win one of the Steps.
Hand 41 I get lucky. I'm SB w/8c 9c and my chips are down to 3415, four players, blinds 50/100. UTG open raises 2 1/2 BB (250), leaving them w/780 chips. BTN folds, I call and BB calls. Flop Ks Ac 4c. I need one card to hit my flush. BB & I check, UTG bets 200 into the 750 pot, BB & I call. Turn 7h. BB & I both check again, UTG goes all-in w/last 580. I decide to gamble on hitting the flush and call, BB folds. UTG shows Kh 7d hitting two pair on the Turn. I need that club!! River Qc. We are down to 3 players and I have 4945 chips.
Hand 82. I've been up and down with chips and now have 4570, blinds are 80/160, I'm SB w/pocket Q's (Qd Qs). BTN folds, I open raise 2 BB (320) and BB calls. Flop Qh As 2d. I hit my set and if BB has an Ace maybe I can pick up a few more chips! I check and BB check's. Turn Ks. I bet 480 into the 640 pot and the BB raises me to 960. WOW, maybe they hit something!!! I decide to go for it and re-raise all-in w/my last 4330 chips, more than double what they have. BB folds. I might have got a few more chips if I'd have bet less, but if they were on a flush draw I'd prefer they not get that chance, or pay a lot for it. I now have 5930 chips.
Hand 85 I get a bit lucky again, mainly because the BB didn't have excellent cards. I'm SB, blinds are 100/200. I have Ac 6h. BTN folds and I limp in w/a 200 bet. BB raises me to 600 leaving them w/790 chips. Since I have an Ace and a decent chip stack I decide to call. Flop 3c 7d 4s. I have a gutshot straight possibility. I check and BB goes all-in w/last 790 chips and I call. They show Qd 8c. They didn't hit the flop either. I have one overcard. Turn Jh. River 6c. I pair my six, but since the River wasn't a Q or 8, I'd win anyway. We are down to 2 players; I have 7600 chips to their 1400. Things are looking up for maybe my making 1st place and getting that Step 3 ticket.
Hand 92, blinds 100/200. I'm SB w/Ad 3d and 7500 in chips. I limp in w/200 bet and BB goes all-in w/last 1400 chips. I'm not real happy about this, but since my Ace is suited I decide to call but don't feel very confident that I'll win. BB shows Ah Qs. I need 3's or diamond!! The board plays out: 2h Jc 2c Ks As. WOW we chop!!! Next best thing to winning that hand for me. :-) I'm sure BB is very disappointed at not doubling up.
Hand 96. I'm SB w/Kc 7s and 7900 after posting, BB has 800 chips left after posting the 200 BB. I open raise 2 BB (400) and BB raises me all-in. I call. BB shows 9h 8d. I have one overcard. Flop Kd Qc 10c. I pair my K. BB has a gutshot straight possible. Turn Kh. River Ad. Neither any help to the BB. I win!! I now have a Step 3 ticket!!
RUSH TOUR 115 $2.25 + .25 R+T End 4th 211 Hands Sat miniFTOPS ME
This was a Rush tournament with 115 players, top 3 win entry to the MiniFTOPS ME ($70 + $5), 4th - $16.88, 5th - $10.12, & 6th - $6.75. Buy-in is $2.25 + .25. We start w/1500 chips and blinds are 3 minutes.
This is the best I’ve done in a RUSH tournament; you float tables until the final 9, so the last tables have 5 players or so. I was 1st happy I made it to money where I had 26,350 chips and the blinds were now 500/1000 w/125 ante. I was 5th place in stack size, w/small stack having 11,887 & big stack w/42,311.
On the next hand (hand 147) I had pocket A’s (Ac As), as SB. Action folded to CO who open raised 4250, the BTN folded, and I was thinking I can win a LOT OF CHIPS on this hand, and re-raised all-in, BB folded. CO showed pocket Q’s (Qs Qh).. The board didn’t suck out on me: 2c 8d 5h 4d 3s and I was now chip leader w/54,216 chips. I tried playing pretty tight and by hand 163 we were on the ME Entry bubble with the final 4 players. Big stack had 65,314 chips, I was 2nd w/58,163 chips, 3rd had 32,549, and short stack 16,474. It looked like I had a good chance of being one of the top 3 and I did, but in the end I didn’t quite make it. Blinds are 800/1600 w/200 ante.
On hand 168 the short stack doubled up and now had 25,748 chips, I was still 2nd w/55,363. By hand 172 we had a new short stack w/27,691. Blinds were now 1000/2000 w/250 ante. I’m in 2nd place w/48,713 chips. I did do some blind stealing and that helped my chip stack stay about even.
By hand 190 the original short stack was back down again, this time to 15,798, big stack had 72,348 and I was in 2nd w/52,413 chips. Blinds are now 1200/2400 w/300 ante, and once again it looks good for my being in the top 3, but our short stack isn’t about to die. Hand 191 he wins a 6000 pot and hand 193 he wins a 7200 pot and is now up to 20,598 chips. Hand 195 he strikes gold again w/pocket A’s (As Ad) and is up to 38,413 chips and I’ve dropped to 4th w/31,413 chips.
Hand 183 I’d tried a blind steal and the BTN raised me all-in and I had to fold. Same thing happened again on hand 194 where I bet 3 ½ blinds (8400) and the same BTN raises me all-in. In the 1st case I had Kh 2h and the 2nd case Ah 6c, which I wouldn’t have minded playing on a call, but not an all-in on the bubble. Could he have been bluffing? Both times? I doubt it. Other times he’s folded to my steal tries. I’m now the short stack.
Which gets us to the last hand, hand 211. Blinds are now 1500/3000 w/400 ante. I only have 19,713 chips left after posting the BB, I have Ac 6c and have decided, no matter what anyone else does, I’m all-in this hand. The SB has 21,996 chips after posting; he is the original short stack when we got to the bubble. CO & BTN fold and SB goes all-in ahead of me. Hmmm, is my Ac 6c in trouble? Well, no matter, I stay my course and call. He shows Jh 3d. WOW, he has nothing but two good cards. I’d expected more from him. It’s looking again like I’ll be able to make the top three, as if I win he’ll only have 783 chips left. This was the high point of this hand. Flop 6d 5d 7d. I pair my 6, but SB has flush draw, maybe even a straight flush, as well a straight draw. Turn 10d. So much for my winning this hand. Who wants to have a possible nut flush when a 3d is good enough to win a hand????? Well ME!!!! I just want the cards to fall differently. :-) River 2c. FINALLY a club shows, not that it does me any good. :-) On the positive side I did come in 4th and added $16.88 to my account.
Anyway it was fun and I was glad to see I could make some decent plays in a RUSH tournament. My past attempts had been turning out very poorly. Now if I can do this a 2nd time, or something akin to it, I’ll feel pleased that I’m beginning to learn how to play a RUSH tournament. The 2nd good part is having the experience of playing with these high blinds where it is easy to have big swings in your chip count. Overall I feel I played that part decently, even though I didn’t make the bubble in the end.
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From the start of the session to hand 146, just before the big boost I get with pocket Ace's, I had no really big hands to go from 1500 to 26,358 chips. Most hands I won were modest of only a few thousand chips each at best, but over time, those thousands did add it up. It looks like slow and steady worked well for me this round.
This is the best I’ve done in a RUSH tournament; you float tables until the final 9, so the last tables have 5 players or so. I was 1st happy I made it to money where I had 26,350 chips and the blinds were now 500/1000 w/125 ante. I was 5th place in stack size, w/small stack having 11,887 & big stack w/42,311.
On the next hand (hand 147) I had pocket A’s (Ac As), as SB. Action folded to CO who open raised 4250, the BTN folded, and I was thinking I can win a LOT OF CHIPS on this hand, and re-raised all-in, BB folded. CO showed pocket Q’s (Qs Qh).. The board didn’t suck out on me: 2c 8d 5h 4d 3s and I was now chip leader w/54,216 chips. I tried playing pretty tight and by hand 163 we were on the ME Entry bubble with the final 4 players. Big stack had 65,314 chips, I was 2nd w/58,163 chips, 3rd had 32,549, and short stack 16,474. It looked like I had a good chance of being one of the top 3 and I did, but in the end I didn’t quite make it. Blinds are 800/1600 w/200 ante.
On hand 168 the short stack doubled up and now had 25,748 chips, I was still 2nd w/55,363. By hand 172 we had a new short stack w/27,691. Blinds were now 1000/2000 w/250 ante. I’m in 2nd place w/48,713 chips. I did do some blind stealing and that helped my chip stack stay about even.
By hand 190 the original short stack was back down again, this time to 15,798, big stack had 72,348 and I was in 2nd w/52,413 chips. Blinds are now 1200/2400 w/300 ante, and once again it looks good for my being in the top 3, but our short stack isn’t about to die. Hand 191 he wins a 6000 pot and hand 193 he wins a 7200 pot and is now up to 20,598 chips. Hand 195 he strikes gold again w/pocket A’s (As Ad) and is up to 38,413 chips and I’ve dropped to 4th w/31,413 chips.
Hand 183 I’d tried a blind steal and the BTN raised me all-in and I had to fold. Same thing happened again on hand 194 where I bet 3 ½ blinds (8400) and the same BTN raises me all-in. In the 1st case I had Kh 2h and the 2nd case Ah 6c, which I wouldn’t have minded playing on a call, but not an all-in on the bubble. Could he have been bluffing? Both times? I doubt it. Other times he’s folded to my steal tries. I’m now the short stack.
Which gets us to the last hand, hand 211. Blinds are now 1500/3000 w/400 ante. I only have 19,713 chips left after posting the BB, I have Ac 6c and have decided, no matter what anyone else does, I’m all-in this hand. The SB has 21,996 chips after posting; he is the original short stack when we got to the bubble. CO & BTN fold and SB goes all-in ahead of me. Hmmm, is my Ac 6c in trouble? Well, no matter, I stay my course and call. He shows Jh 3d. WOW, he has nothing but two good cards. I’d expected more from him. It’s looking again like I’ll be able to make the top three, as if I win he’ll only have 783 chips left. This was the high point of this hand. Flop 6d 5d 7d. I pair my 6, but SB has flush draw, maybe even a straight flush, as well a straight draw. Turn 10d. So much for my winning this hand. Who wants to have a possible nut flush when a 3d is good enough to win a hand????? Well ME!!!! I just want the cards to fall differently. :-) River 2c. FINALLY a club shows, not that it does me any good. :-) On the positive side I did come in 4th and added $16.88 to my account.
Anyway it was fun and I was glad to see I could make some decent plays in a RUSH tournament. My past attempts had been turning out very poorly. Now if I can do this a 2nd time, or something akin to it, I’ll feel pleased that I’m beginning to learn how to play a RUSH tournament. The 2nd good part is having the experience of playing with these high blinds where it is easy to have big swings in your chip count. Overall I feel I played that part decently, even though I didn’t make the bubble in the end.
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From the start of the session to hand 146, just before the big boost I get with pocket Ace's, I had no really big hands to go from 1500 to 26,358 chips. Most hands I won were modest of only a few thousand chips each at best, but over time, those thousands did add it up. It looks like slow and steady worked well for me this round.
TOUR 36 $0.75 + .15 st6 End 9th 70 hands Sat $200K Double Deuce
Did much better this time and got to HU on the 1st table.
Hand 53 I had him down to 1256 chips, I'm SB w/Jh 10s. I open raise to 500 and he goes all-in. I decide to call. He shows Kh 2d. He has one overcard. Flop 10h Jc Qd. A nice flop for me, giving me two pair. It also gives the BB an open ended straight draw. Turn As. Rats he hits it. Now I need a J or 10 get a FH. River 7s and he doubles up to 2912 chips.
Hand 55 I give him more chips. I'm SB w/Qc 2d and I just limp in and BB calls. Flop 5h Qs 5d. I pair my Q and have top pair. BB check's & I check. Turn 8c. BB bets 240 into the 480 pot and I raise to 480. BB then re-raises me all-in w/his 3472 chips. I wonder if he might have hit a straight but decide to call him anyway. BB shows pocket A's (Ah As). Not good, I can't win this hand. River Kc. I didn't expect to see those A's by the way he had played. I'm down to 1578 chips.
Hand 58 I have pocket 3's and hit my set on the flop. He bets into me and I'm back up to 3632 chips.
Hand 70. I'm BB w/Ah Jc and down to 1492 chips with the blinds 200/400. The SB open raises 2 BB (800) and I raise him all-in and he calls. He has Ad Kh. He has me covered. The board shows 4d 8c Qc 9h 7s and I'm finished.
Hand 53 I had him down to 1256 chips, I'm SB w/Jh 10s. I open raise to 500 and he goes all-in. I decide to call. He shows Kh 2d. He has one overcard. Flop 10h Jc Qd. A nice flop for me, giving me two pair. It also gives the BB an open ended straight draw. Turn As. Rats he hits it. Now I need a J or 10 get a FH. River 7s and he doubles up to 2912 chips.
Hand 55 I give him more chips. I'm SB w/Qc 2d and I just limp in and BB calls. Flop 5h Qs 5d. I pair my Q and have top pair. BB check's & I check. Turn 8c. BB bets 240 into the 480 pot and I raise to 480. BB then re-raises me all-in w/his 3472 chips. I wonder if he might have hit a straight but decide to call him anyway. BB shows pocket A's (Ah As). Not good, I can't win this hand. River Kc. I didn't expect to see those A's by the way he had played. I'm down to 1578 chips.
Hand 58 I have pocket 3's and hit my set on the flop. He bets into me and I'm back up to 3632 chips.
Hand 70. I'm BB w/Ah Jc and down to 1492 chips with the blinds 200/400. The SB open raises 2 BB (800) and I raise him all-in and he calls. He has Ad Kh. He has me covered. The board shows 4d 8c Qc 9h 7s and I'm finished.
RUSH TOUR 107 $1.25 + .15 R+T End 84 20 Hands Sat miniFTOPS #29
This came up just as the 36 Sat to $200K Double Deuce was going on break. I did't realize it was a buy-in when your 1000 chips ran out. It was difficult to play both RUSH & the 36 TOUR. It also ended quickly!
It looks like a hand is missing in the FT Hand History table. Hand 17 I have 1630 chips and hand 18 I'm starting with 195 chips. PT shows the same thing. Maybe PT can't quite hand RUSH tourney yet. Anyway on hand 19 I have 380 chips and pocket K's (Kh Kc). I'm the BB, two players come in for 210 and they are raised 1075 by the BTN, I call as do the other two players who are on the short stack side as well. They have Ad Js & Ac 2c; the BTN has As 10s. Looks like the odds of pairing the Ace's is slim. The board shows: 2s Qd 6c 3c 9c. MP1 w/Ac 2c takes it all and I'm outta there.
It looks like a hand is missing in the FT Hand History table. Hand 17 I have 1630 chips and hand 18 I'm starting with 195 chips. PT shows the same thing. Maybe PT can't quite hand RUSH tourney yet. Anyway on hand 19 I have 380 chips and pocket K's (Kh Kc). I'm the BB, two players come in for 210 and they are raised 1075 by the BTN, I call as do the other two players who are on the short stack side as well. They have Ad Js & Ac 2c; the BTN has As 10s. Looks like the odds of pairing the Ace's is slim. The board shows: 2s Qd 6c 3c 9c. MP1 w/Ac 2c takes it all and I'm outta there.
TOUR 36 $0.75 + .15 st6 End 16 30 hands Sat $200K Double Deuce
Did a bit better this time. Had a break and I started a TOUR RUSH that came up for MiniFTOPS #29, so I was playing both for awhile. I stil find it hard to do well in this format. Final hand ended up being AQ vs KK. No Ace hit the board. Maybe more later.
TOUR 36 $0.75 + .15 st6 End 15 21 hands Sat $200K Double Deuce
Did better this time but still made no ground in gaining chips. :-/ Will consider writing more later. New session coming up.
TOUR 36 $0.75 + .15 st6 End 20 18 hands Sat $200K Double Deuce
This tourney pays 3 places, 1st Entry, 2nd-3rd $$. 3 minute blinds.
I never really got my bearings on this one. Hand 5 I had pocket Q's and open raised 2 BB (80). Three of the six stayed. Flop 7c Ac 9s. I checked as did the next two and the BTN bet 800 into the 380 pot and we all folded.
Hand 18 I had Ac Qc on the BTN. Four players left. UTG folded, I open raised 2 BB (160)and the SB & BB called. Flop 2d 4c 8d. No help to me. SB goes all-in, BB folds, and I call w/my last 995 chips hoping I have two over cards. BB shows 2s 4s having hit two pair on the flop. Turn 10c. River Ad. I'm done.
Compared to most sessions I'm in, the players in this 6 player table format seemed to jump in almost every hand. Now that may be due to the how expensive this is and they just "want to play" and aren't concerned about what cards they have. The SB in that last hand who had 2s 4s called my opening 160 raise with cards that are very likely to lose more often than not. It may be I need to bet much more aggressively when I have decent cards to keep the other players out. With 3 min blinds there isn't a lot of time to wait around.
I never really got my bearings on this one. Hand 5 I had pocket Q's and open raised 2 BB (80). Three of the six stayed. Flop 7c Ac 9s. I checked as did the next two and the BTN bet 800 into the 380 pot and we all folded.
Hand 18 I had Ac Qc on the BTN. Four players left. UTG folded, I open raised 2 BB (160)and the SB & BB called. Flop 2d 4c 8d. No help to me. SB goes all-in, BB folds, and I call w/my last 995 chips hoping I have two over cards. BB shows 2s 4s having hit two pair on the flop. Turn 10c. River Ad. I'm done.
Compared to most sessions I'm in, the players in this 6 player table format seemed to jump in almost every hand. Now that may be due to the how expensive this is and they just "want to play" and aren't concerned about what cards they have. The SB in that last hand who had 2s 4s called my opening 160 raise with cards that are very likely to lose more often than not. It may be I need to bet much more aggressively when I have decent cards to keep the other players out. With 3 min blinds there isn't a lot of time to wait around.
Rush 9 player .05/.10 150 Hands Up $11.02 Blinds ate $2.35 Rake $2.29
Finally a decent 150 hands of RUSH poker. I got an early boost in hand 13.
Hand 13. I have $10.45, MP1, w/Ah Kh. UTG+1 w/$26.56 open raises .30, I call, action folds to the BB who calls. Flop Ad 6h 2h. I have a nut flush draw. BB checks, UTG+1 bets .50 and I raise to $1. BB re-raises to $1.70 and UTG+1 re-raises all-in w/$26.56. This is one of those decisions I don't want to make. I hate to give up and I hate to be out my $10 so early in this RUSH session. I bite the bullet, hope for the nut flush to hit, and call. BB folds; UTG+1 shows pocket 6's (6c 6d), hitting his set on the flop. Turn 8c. River 10h. PHEW!!!! I win and have $21.42.
From that point forward to hand 150, I had minor ups and downs but no more bit pots. I folded a lot of hands and tended to fold even decent hands if I got raised on them and the cards showed they could be beaten. I also didn't worry about the blinds and unless I had decent cards just quick folded rather than see if I could pick up a quick two or five cents. I'd rather spend my energy winning nice pots. Occasionally I'd re-raise a few players who bet 2-3 times the BB just before the blinds; some folded and others just called. All in all it was a decent session and though I didn't make any big gains after that big pot early in the session, I didn't give it all back either!
Hand 13. I have $10.45, MP1, w/Ah Kh. UTG+1 w/$26.56 open raises .30, I call, action folds to the BB who calls. Flop Ad 6h 2h. I have a nut flush draw. BB checks, UTG+1 bets .50 and I raise to $1. BB re-raises to $1.70 and UTG+1 re-raises all-in w/$26.56. This is one of those decisions I don't want to make. I hate to give up and I hate to be out my $10 so early in this RUSH session. I bite the bullet, hope for the nut flush to hit, and call. BB folds; UTG+1 shows pocket 6's (6c 6d), hitting his set on the flop. Turn 8c. River 10h. PHEW!!!! I win and have $21.42.
From that point forward to hand 150, I had minor ups and downs but no more bit pots. I folded a lot of hands and tended to fold even decent hands if I got raised on them and the cards showed they could be beaten. I also didn't worry about the blinds and unless I had decent cards just quick folded rather than see if I could pick up a quick two or five cents. I'd rather spend my energy winning nice pots. Occasionally I'd re-raise a few players who bet 2-3 times the BB just before the blinds; some folded and others just called. All in all it was a decent session and though I didn't make any big gains after that big pot early in the session, I didn't give it all back either!
90 SNG $3 + .30 ktd End 47 39 hands Knock Out SNG
Mixed play. Each KO paied $0.50. I didn't make any. Mixed play. More later maybe.
RUSH TOUR 68 $2.25 + .25 End 13 89 Hands Sat miniFTOPS ME 5/13/10
Finally a RUSH tourney that I did ok in overall, though it did look like I'd get wiped out early on. Maybe more later.
RUSH TOUR 68 $2.25 + .25 End 57 6 Hands Sat miniFTOPS ME 5/13/10
As you can see RUH & I aren't doing well with tourneys. :-) Maybe more later
Thursday, May 13, 2010
18 SNG Step 1 Ticket End 1-4 Won Step 2 ticket 123 hands Step 1
Finally managed to win a Step 2 ticket!
Hand 8 I won my 1st decent pot with As 7s vs 8c 9c. The board ended up 2d 6h Kc Ac Jh. We both checked on the River and I think he stayed for the River hoping to hit his flush. That gave me 2285 chips.
Hand 23 I'm back down to 1400 chips and have pocket J's (Jh Jc) in MP w/ 7 players. I get one caller, SB, to my pre-flop 3 BB open rise. Flop 7c 7s 9d. SB checks and I bet 150 into the 350 pot, SB calls. Turn 2s. Again SB checks and I bet 300 into the 650 pot and they raise me to 600. Shoot, why raise now? Do they already have a set? or trips? Anyway I decide to call. River 6h. They go all-in w/1415 chips. Oh dear. Do they have a straight? All I have left is 500 chips. If my J's are good I pick up a 3265 pot, so I decide to call. They show As 6s, having paired the six on the River. My J's win and I have 2850 chips. Less then I said because the SB had 915 more chips than me.
Hand 75. It's been up and down, and more down as I'm down to 1060 chips after I put in the BB. Blinds are 80/160. I do have pocket J's (Js Jd), there are five players, maybe I can get some chips back. UTG open raises 3 BB (480) and I call. Flop 2c 4h 5d, nice flop for my J's if UTG doesn't have an Ace 3 or something like that. I check and UTG bets 800 which will put me all-in. I go for it and call. UTG has Ad Ks, two overcards and gutshot straight draw. Turn 8h. River 10d. I have 2520 chips! Things are looking up again.
Hand 111. An interesting hand. Seven players left, blinds 200/400. I'm the BTN with pocket 2's (2c 2d), 3150 chips .. not enough to be in the top 4. UTG open raises 3 BB (1200), UTG+1 goes all-in w/1100 chips, rest fold to me. What do I do? The pot is 2900, it will cost me 1200 to see the flop if the SB or BB don't raise. Pot odds are 2.4 to 1, and if I lose I'll still have 1950 chips as well as the Step 1 ticket if I finish out of the top 4. I decide it's worth the call and do. SB & BB fold. Flop 3d 4d 3c. Not bad for my pocket 2's and I even have a diamond flush & straight flush draw, as well straight draws. UTG & I check. Turn Kd. Not sure about that, It helps my flush draw but only if neither of them have a diamond. Again both UTG & I check. River 8s. Not sure if that is causing me any damage or not. UTG checks & I do the same. UTG shows Ac 10c & UTG+1 Ah 9c. My pocket deuces carry the day. :-)
I've been looking a bit more at pot odds to help me make a decision as if I hit it will help my chip stack, but I'm not always consistent in using it yet.
Hand 8 I won my 1st decent pot with As 7s vs 8c 9c. The board ended up 2d 6h Kc Ac Jh. We both checked on the River and I think he stayed for the River hoping to hit his flush. That gave me 2285 chips.
Hand 23 I'm back down to 1400 chips and have pocket J's (Jh Jc) in MP w/ 7 players. I get one caller, SB, to my pre-flop 3 BB open rise. Flop 7c 7s 9d. SB checks and I bet 150 into the 350 pot, SB calls. Turn 2s. Again SB checks and I bet 300 into the 650 pot and they raise me to 600. Shoot, why raise now? Do they already have a set? or trips? Anyway I decide to call. River 6h. They go all-in w/1415 chips. Oh dear. Do they have a straight? All I have left is 500 chips. If my J's are good I pick up a 3265 pot, so I decide to call. They show As 6s, having paired the six on the River. My J's win and I have 2850 chips. Less then I said because the SB had 915 more chips than me.
Hand 75. It's been up and down, and more down as I'm down to 1060 chips after I put in the BB. Blinds are 80/160. I do have pocket J's (Js Jd), there are five players, maybe I can get some chips back. UTG open raises 3 BB (480) and I call. Flop 2c 4h 5d, nice flop for my J's if UTG doesn't have an Ace 3 or something like that. I check and UTG bets 800 which will put me all-in. I go for it and call. UTG has Ad Ks, two overcards and gutshot straight draw. Turn 8h. River 10d. I have 2520 chips! Things are looking up again.
Hand 111. An interesting hand. Seven players left, blinds 200/400. I'm the BTN with pocket 2's (2c 2d), 3150 chips .. not enough to be in the top 4. UTG open raises 3 BB (1200), UTG+1 goes all-in w/1100 chips, rest fold to me. What do I do? The pot is 2900, it will cost me 1200 to see the flop if the SB or BB don't raise. Pot odds are 2.4 to 1, and if I lose I'll still have 1950 chips as well as the Step 1 ticket if I finish out of the top 4. I decide it's worth the call and do. SB & BB fold. Flop 3d 4d 3c. Not bad for my pocket 2's and I even have a diamond flush & straight flush draw, as well straight draws. UTG & I check. Turn Kd. Not sure about that, It helps my flush draw but only if neither of them have a diamond. Again both UTG & I check. River 8s. Not sure if that is causing me any damage or not. UTG checks & I do the same. UTG shows Ac 10c & UTG+1 Ah 9c. My pocket deuces carry the day. :-)
I've been looking a bit more at pot odds to help me make a decision as if I hit it will help my chip stack, but I'm not always consistent in using it yet.
18 SNG Step 1 Ticket End 8th Won Step 1 ticket 47 hands Step 1
Entered w/Step 1 ticket. 1-4 wins Step 2 ticket, 5-10 wins Step 1 ticket.
I did ok and made it to the top 10, but wasn't able to do well enough to make it to the top 4.
Hand 47, I'm BB w/Ac 3c and 1900 chips. Blinds 50/100. Action folds to the HJ & big stack, who open raises 3 BB (300), BTN calls, and I call. If I can hit the nut flush I may be able to push myself into the top 4. Flop 10c 2h 6c. Encouraging!! I check and HJ bets 350 into the 950 pot and BTN folds. I have 9 outs with pot odds of 3.7 to 1, so I call. Turn Ks. I check again and this time the HJ bets 700 into the 1650 pot. My pot odds have reduced to 3.4 to 1, but sill ok, so I call. River 7d. I miss my nut flush. HJ bets 850 and I sure wish I could call him as it is now a 3900 pot, but I can't, so I fold w/740 chips left.
My feeling was there was no real point in my re-raising his raises as I think he would have called anything I could have done and he kept putting chips into the pot for me in case my nut flush hit.
Next hand I'm SB w/5d 6c. Action folds to MP big stack who open raises 2 BB (200) and I decide to re-raise w/my last 690 chips and if I'm lucky I'll have two good cards. BB folds and MP calls showing Ah 8s. I do have two good cards. The board plays out: Kd Kc 10c 3s Ac. I hit nothing.
Now I can use my Step 1 ticket to try another round!
I did ok and made it to the top 10, but wasn't able to do well enough to make it to the top 4.
Hand 47, I'm BB w/Ac 3c and 1900 chips. Blinds 50/100. Action folds to the HJ & big stack, who open raises 3 BB (300), BTN calls, and I call. If I can hit the nut flush I may be able to push myself into the top 4. Flop 10c 2h 6c. Encouraging!! I check and HJ bets 350 into the 950 pot and BTN folds. I have 9 outs with pot odds of 3.7 to 1, so I call. Turn Ks. I check again and this time the HJ bets 700 into the 1650 pot. My pot odds have reduced to 3.4 to 1, but sill ok, so I call. River 7d. I miss my nut flush. HJ bets 850 and I sure wish I could call him as it is now a 3900 pot, but I can't, so I fold w/740 chips left.
My feeling was there was no real point in my re-raising his raises as I think he would have called anything I could have done and he kept putting chips into the pot for me in case my nut flush hit.
Next hand I'm SB w/5d 6c. Action folds to MP big stack who open raises 2 BB (200) and I decide to re-raise w/my last 690 chips and if I'm lucky I'll have two good cards. BB folds and MP calls showing Ah 8s. I do have two good cards. The board plays out: Kd Kc 10c 3s Ac. I hit nothing.
Now I can use my Step 1 ticket to try another round!
Rush Tour116 $2.25 + .25 End 71 3 hands Sat MiniFTOPS ME
Well this one was quick & not so sweet. Hand 3 I'm BB w/pocket Q's (Qc Qd). UTG+1 limps in, MP raises to 90, rest fold to me and I call, UTG+1 calls. Flop 5h 4h Js. Not bad looking for my Q's. I bet 120 into the 285 pot, UTG+1 folds, & MP raises me to 360. I wonder if he might have pocket J's, and re-raise him to 600 and he re-raises me all-in. Phooey. Does he have pocket A's or K's? Well I decide to find out and call. He shows pocket 4's having hit his set on the flop. Turn Ac. River 10d. and I'm done.
Since he was betting so strongly I should have let go of my pocket Q's and I'd still be around to fight the battle another hand, BUT I was not able to do that.
Since he was betting so strongly I should have let go of my pocket Q's and I'd still be around to fight the battle another hand, BUT I was not able to do that.
27 SNG 650 FTP End 5th 80 Hands Sat to MiniFTOPS ME
Pays out top 2 players. 1st - Entry, 2nd - 1050 FTP points. My brain missed that 2nd was just points and I was thinking both 1st & 2nd won entry. Not sure if I'd have played if I'd noticed that, though I did like the idea of a 27 player SNG.
Some poor early play then I did ok and built back up. Then next to last hand & last I just went for luck as my chips were down and didn't suck out.
Hand 79, blinds 400/800, 5 players left. I'm BB w/4,835 chips and 7s Jd. Action folded to the SB who open raised 3 BB (2400). SB only has 3860 chips so my thought is they may be trying to steal my BB and I raise them to 4000, SB re-raises all-in and I decide to call. SB has pocket J's (Jh Js). Uh oh, they have good cards. The board plays out 10s 2s 8c Ks Ah and I'm down to 1275 chips.
Hand 80. I'm SB and only have 975 chips left after I post the SB. I have 4h Qh. UTG goes all-in w/10,850 chips and I decide to call hoping for two good cards and maybe a heart flush draw. UTG shows Ah Kh. So much for my flush draw hopes. The board plays out 8s 6s Jc 6h 3c and I'm done.
Except for a few early hands and these late ones I played decently.
Some poor early play then I did ok and built back up. Then next to last hand & last I just went for luck as my chips were down and didn't suck out.
Hand 79, blinds 400/800, 5 players left. I'm BB w/4,835 chips and 7s Jd. Action folded to the SB who open raised 3 BB (2400). SB only has 3860 chips so my thought is they may be trying to steal my BB and I raise them to 4000, SB re-raises all-in and I decide to call. SB has pocket J's (Jh Js). Uh oh, they have good cards. The board plays out 10s 2s 8c Ks Ah and I'm down to 1275 chips.
Hand 80. I'm SB and only have 975 chips left after I post the SB. I have 4h Qh. UTG goes all-in w/10,850 chips and I decide to call hoping for two good cards and maybe a heart flush draw. UTG shows Ah Kh. So much for my flush draw hopes. The board plays out 8s 6s Jc 6h 3c and I'm done.
Except for a few early hands and these late ones I played decently.
Rush Tour 106 $2.25 + .25 End 76 23 hands Sat MiniFTOPS ME
Poorly played. Didn't seem to be able to get my head into the session and made poor choices all too often.
TOUR 36 $2 +.25 End 20 22 Hands Sat to MiniFTOPS ME
One poor play made early on hurt, did make a comeback, but found myself being distracted by feeling hungry and made some foolish plays. May write about more hands later.
Rush 9 player .02/.05 101 Hands Down $2.53Blinds ate $0.96Rake $0.82
Decided to play 100 hands of .02/.05 Rush starting w/$5. If I lost the $5 I'd stop then. Came close to that but made a comeback to almost 1/2 my starting $5. My high point was hand 14 when I was up to $6.15. A couple hands later I missed an openended straight draw from the flop and fell to $3.67.
I did work myself back up to $5 fluctuating from a little under and a little over, then in hand 85 I hit one of my over betting against a possible flush.
Hand 85. I'm MP w/Ac Kh and $4.56. Action folds to me and I bet .10; action folds to BB who calls. Flop Ad 3h 7h. I pair my Ace. BB bets the pot of .22 and I raise to .44 and BB calls. Turn 2d. BB checks and I bet the pot of $1.10 and BB calls. River 10h. Darn. possible flush out there. BB bets all-in w/$2.36 and I call. That was not a good choice on my part, as BB shows 4h 6h, having hit the flush on the River. I'm down to $.0.56.
I win an all-in and by hand 90 I'm up to $1.09. I'm UTG and have Ac 4c. I limp in with .05, all fold to the BTN who raises to .20, SB & BB fold and I call. Flop 2c 4s Ks. Not too good for a club flush but I pair my 4. I min bet .05 and BTN calls. Turn 8s. Wrong suit is showing flush possibilities! Both I & the BTN check. River As. I now pair my Ace and have two pair, but a spade flush is even more possible. I bet .22 into the .54 pot and the BTN raises to .50 and I reluctantly call. BTN shows pocket 9's (9h 9s), indeed hitting the flush on the River. I'm down to $.0.34.
By winning 3 all-in's I get myself back up to my final amount.
By choice I don't fill my stack back up to max, though I've been told it is a good practice and if I'd been able to go all-in with more $$$ I might have come out ahead, however, some of those all-in's were desperation ones and I got lucky they hit. If I'd had more $$$ available I'd have only gone all-in in one of those situations.
I did work myself back up to $5 fluctuating from a little under and a little over, then in hand 85 I hit one of my over betting against a possible flush.
Hand 85. I'm MP w/Ac Kh and $4.56. Action folds to me and I bet .10; action folds to BB who calls. Flop Ad 3h 7h. I pair my Ace. BB bets the pot of .22 and I raise to .44 and BB calls. Turn 2d. BB checks and I bet the pot of $1.10 and BB calls. River 10h. Darn. possible flush out there. BB bets all-in w/$2.36 and I call. That was not a good choice on my part, as BB shows 4h 6h, having hit the flush on the River. I'm down to $.0.56.
I win an all-in and by hand 90 I'm up to $1.09. I'm UTG and have Ac 4c. I limp in with .05, all fold to the BTN who raises to .20, SB & BB fold and I call. Flop 2c 4s Ks. Not too good for a club flush but I pair my 4. I min bet .05 and BTN calls. Turn 8s. Wrong suit is showing flush possibilities! Both I & the BTN check. River As. I now pair my Ace and have two pair, but a spade flush is even more possible. I bet .22 into the .54 pot and the BTN raises to .50 and I reluctantly call. BTN shows pocket 9's (9h 9s), indeed hitting the flush on the River. I'm down to $.0.34.
By winning 3 all-in's I get myself back up to my final amount.
By choice I don't fill my stack back up to max, though I've been told it is a good practice and if I'd been able to go all-in with more $$$ I might have come out ahead, however, some of those all-in's were desperation ones and I got lucky they hit. If I'd had more $$$ available I'd have only gone all-in in one of those situations.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
18 SNG $3 + .30 end 8th Won Step 1 ticket 75 hands Step 1
Step 1 pays out 1-4 Step 2 ticket & 5-10 Step 1 ticket.
My play was ok. I did get a bit impatient toward the end and called a 1400 open raise with my last 1310 chips w/Ks 10s. Blinds were 200/400. This player had been making large bets to build up from a short stack, so I was hoping he only had marginal cards but he had pocket A's. Bad timing on my part. The board turned out 6d 9c Kc 3s Qc. A 3rd K or a 10 would have been nice. Anyway I did win the Step one ticket.
My play was ok. I did get a bit impatient toward the end and called a 1400 open raise with my last 1310 chips w/Ks 10s. Blinds were 200/400. This player had been making large bets to build up from a short stack, so I was hoping he only had marginal cards but he had pocket A's. Bad timing on my part. The board turned out 6d 9c Kc 3s Qc. A 3rd K or a 10 would have been nice. Anyway I did win the Step one ticket.
4 HU $3 + .30 End 3rd 22 hands Step HU Shootout
This tournament pays 2 places, 1st - Step 2 ticket, 2nd - Step 1 ticket.
Severely hurt myself in hand 2. I was BB w/Ac Jh. SB limped in w/a bet of 30 and I raised to 90, SB called. Flop 6c As 8s. I flop top pair. I bet 90 into the 180 pot and SB calls. Turn 9h. I bet 195 into the 360 pot and SB raises me to 420. I really didn't take time to try and figure out what they might have and call. River 4s which makes a flush possible. I bet 315 into the 1200 pot and the SB calls showing 8d 9d, having hit two pair. I lose and have only 435 chips left. Nothing much else to say. I managed to hang around until hand 22 but never recovered from that initial blow.
Severely hurt myself in hand 2. I was BB w/Ac Jh. SB limped in w/a bet of 30 and I raised to 90, SB called. Flop 6c As 8s. I flop top pair. I bet 90 into the 180 pot and SB calls. Turn 9h. I bet 195 into the 360 pot and SB raises me to 420. I really didn't take time to try and figure out what they might have and call. River 4s which makes a flush possible. I bet 315 into the 1200 pot and the SB calls showing 8d 9d, having hit two pair. I lose and have only 435 chips left. Nothing much else to say. I managed to hang around until hand 22 but never recovered from that initial blow.
Tour 55 $2.25 + .25 End 1st 220 Hands Sat to MiniFTOPS ME
This tourney pays out two entries to the MiniFTOPS Main Event on Sun 5/16 .... $70 + $5.
Phew I don't quite know where to start here. It took around 3 hours to get to the finish. At some point after I started I was wondering to myself why do I enter these inexpensive tournaments with 50 or so players when they only have payouts to the top two players, in this case entry to the Main Event. Although they are fun, the odds of me being 1 or 2 are very slim. I should rethink about the $$$$ I'm wasting here and put them to better use where I can win some $$$$. Well, not too long after that I ran into a bit of a lucky streak where my pocket pairs held up to overcards and I began to have a bit of a chip stack. As that was happening, my mood began to improve. :-)
By hand 25 things were looking a little bleak. I was down to 980 chips but in hand 26 I move back up to 1205 chips. Hand 34 I got lucky on the River when my AKo was up against pocket 10's. I was HJ, UTG+1 limped in w/60; I raised to 210 (3 1/2 BB) and the BB raised me to 660; UTG+1 folded and I called wondering what the BB had. Flop 9c Jh 8s. No help to me. BB bets 420 which puts me all w/my last 395 when I call. I don't that there was any good rationale for calling there, but if I folded I'm left w/only 395 chips, so I felt best to call and hope the cards fall my way. Turn Qh. That gives me a gutshot straight draw along with an Ace or a K for me to win. River 10c. The board has a straight Q high, but I now have a straight AK high. I'm now up to 2200 chips. LUCKY!
Alas only a couple of hands later I give many of them away. Hand 38. I'm UTG w/As 9s. I open raise 2 BB (120) hoping for a cheap entry to see if I can get a nut flush. UTG+1 calls as does the HJ and BB. Flop 3s 7d Js, I need one more spade for my nut flush!! BB checks, I bet 240 into the 510 pot, UTG+1 goes all-in w/their last 1130 chips, HJ & BB fold and I call hoping I get my nut flush. UTG+1 shows pocket Q's (Qh Qs). Turn 6d, River 3d. I miss my nut flush and am down to 890 chips.
I fall as low as 590 chips. Hand 45 I'm UTG w/Qd Jd. I limp in w/an 80 bet, HJ & SB call, BB checks. Flop Qc Qh Jc. VERY NICE for me, I have a FH Q's full of J's. Now can I get any more chips from anyone? We all check. Turn 2s. SB & BB check, I bet 80 into the 320 pot; HJ calls, SB & BB fold. At least I got a few more chips into the pot. River 2h. Does the HJ now have a FH? I bet 200 into the 480 pot and the HJ folds. I have 910 chips.
Hand 49, This may be the 1st of my pocket pairs holding up to overcards. I have pocket 7's (7c 7s) w/790 chips. Action folds to HJ who open raises 280 chips, I raise all-in with my 790 chips, HJ calls and shows Ad Kd. I hold my breath while the board plays out: 3d 8d 5h 5c 9s. I now have 1700 chips and a bit of breathing room.
Hand 51 in UTG+1 I have pocket Q's (Qh Qd). UTG folds, I open raise to 3 BB (240), HJ w/10 chips calls, CO folds, BTN raises all-in w/1275 chips, SB & BB fold. I call. If they have AA or KK I'm toast but I'm willing to take that chance. HJ has Ac 2s, BTN has As Jh, one overcard. The board plays out: 6c 5s 4c 5d 8s. My pocket Q's hold and I have 3105 chips.
Hand 55, I'm UTG+1 w/pocket 10's (10s 10h). UTG folds, I open raise 3 BB (240), all fold to the SB who raises all-in w/3950 chips, BB folds and I decide to call hoping they only have overcards. SB shows As Qd. I hold my breath while the board plays out: 8s 9h 2h 4d 7d. I win again and have 6290 chips.
Hand 61, I'm HJ and have pocket A's (Ac As). MP open raises 3 BB (300), I raise to 500, rest fold and MP re-raises to 1200. I decide now is as good as time as any to go all-in and hope he calls me, so I put my last 5840 chips in. MP thinks about it for a long time and finally folds. Later he ask me if I had A's, but I don't reply. I now have 7690 chips.
Hand 87. I'm back down to 5865 chips, UTG w/Ah 10s. I open raise 2 BB (320), UTG+1 calls, action folds to the BTN who calls, SB & BB fold. Flop 3d 3c 10c. I pair my 10. I bet 640 into the 1200 pot and UTG+1 calls. Turn 2c. I decide to bet the pot of 2480 this time, which if UTG+1 calls will put them all-in. They do call and show pocket 6's (6d 6c). Good, I'm ahead of them! River Qd. I win and have 9150 chips.
By hand 104 I have 12,290 chips. Hand 122 14,665 chips. Hand 132 19,230 chips. It was not all smooth sailing from there as I went up and down and was as low as 12,000 chips.
Hand 180. Five players left. I'm CO w/4h 5h and 21,655 chips. Blinds are 200/400 w/50 ante. UTG folds, I open raise 2 BB (800), BTN & SB fold, BB w/20,515 chips calls. Flop 3s 2s 8d. I have an open ended straight draw. BB checks and I bet 1000 into the 2050 pot, BB calls. Turn 6h. I hit my straight, which isn't obvious by looking at the board. BB checks again and I bet 2400 into the 4050 pot, BB calls. I don't know what they have that keeps them going, but so far, so good for me! River 7c. That makes a straight look possible and I'm hoping they don't have something like 9 10. One more time BB checks. I bet 4800 into the 8850 pot expecting BB might fold now, but they call again making for a 18,450 pot! BB shows Ac Qh. Only an Ace high! Did they think I was bluffing all the way? I now have 31,105 chips. Closest player to me has 25,710 chips. The other three have 11,915, 7,640, and 6130 chips. It's looking like I may be able be 1st or 2nd if I don't do anything stupid!
Hand 185 I get lucky one more time. Four players left, blinds 250/500 w/ante of 50. I'm BB w/Qh 6s and 33,505 chips. Action folds to the SB who limps in w/500 and I check. Flop Qs 2s 9d. I pair my Q with a weak kicker. SB checks and I bet the pot of 1200. SB raises me to 4800 and I decide to go a showdown, going all-in, hoping that pushes him to fold. It doesn't & he calls showing Qd 9h. He hit top two pair on the flop. My Q's don't look so good. At least I'll have 22,500 chips left to fight with. Turn is a 3s. That gives me a glimmer of hope as I now have a flush draw on the River, which is the only way I can beat him. River 5s. Oh my God, I hit it!!! I win and have 45,660 chips, 2nd high is 20,630, and smallest is 16,210. We are now on the bubble and unless I really blow it I should make 1st or 2nd!!!
We went on for another 35 hands and I never let my chip count get below 40,000. Hand 220 I'm on the BTN w/Ac Js. Blinds are 400/800 w/ a 100 ante. 2nd high stack has 30,455 chips and short stack has 8035 chips. He has been going all-in a lot and we've not been calling him but it has let him stay around 10,000 chips, while we wait for a hand that would be worth calling him with. I open raise w/a 2 BB bet (1600) and the SB short stack goes all-in w/8435 chips. BB folds. I feel these cards are at least worth a call and hope I'm not doubling him up as I call. He shows Kd Qs; I have one overcard. Flop 10s 7d 4c. so far so good. Turn 4h. River 3c. It's over!! I have 52,045 chips!! I have a Sunday Tournament to play. :-)
When I review this I see a lot of places where luck played a part in my success. It would be good to review the hand with our expert and get his opinion on my plays.
Phew I don't quite know where to start here. It took around 3 hours to get to the finish. At some point after I started I was wondering to myself why do I enter these inexpensive tournaments with 50 or so players when they only have payouts to the top two players, in this case entry to the Main Event. Although they are fun, the odds of me being 1 or 2 are very slim. I should rethink about the $$$$ I'm wasting here and put them to better use where I can win some $$$$. Well, not too long after that I ran into a bit of a lucky streak where my pocket pairs held up to overcards and I began to have a bit of a chip stack. As that was happening, my mood began to improve. :-)
By hand 25 things were looking a little bleak. I was down to 980 chips but in hand 26 I move back up to 1205 chips. Hand 34 I got lucky on the River when my AKo was up against pocket 10's. I was HJ, UTG+1 limped in w/60; I raised to 210 (3 1/2 BB) and the BB raised me to 660; UTG+1 folded and I called wondering what the BB had. Flop 9c Jh 8s. No help to me. BB bets 420 which puts me all w/my last 395 when I call. I don't that there was any good rationale for calling there, but if I folded I'm left w/only 395 chips, so I felt best to call and hope the cards fall my way. Turn Qh. That gives me a gutshot straight draw along with an Ace or a K for me to win. River 10c. The board has a straight Q high, but I now have a straight AK high. I'm now up to 2200 chips. LUCKY!
Alas only a couple of hands later I give many of them away. Hand 38. I'm UTG w/As 9s. I open raise 2 BB (120) hoping for a cheap entry to see if I can get a nut flush. UTG+1 calls as does the HJ and BB. Flop 3s 7d Js, I need one more spade for my nut flush!! BB checks, I bet 240 into the 510 pot, UTG+1 goes all-in w/their last 1130 chips, HJ & BB fold and I call hoping I get my nut flush. UTG+1 shows pocket Q's (Qh Qs). Turn 6d, River 3d. I miss my nut flush and am down to 890 chips.
I fall as low as 590 chips. Hand 45 I'm UTG w/Qd Jd. I limp in w/an 80 bet, HJ & SB call, BB checks. Flop Qc Qh Jc. VERY NICE for me, I have a FH Q's full of J's. Now can I get any more chips from anyone? We all check. Turn 2s. SB & BB check, I bet 80 into the 320 pot; HJ calls, SB & BB fold. At least I got a few more chips into the pot. River 2h. Does the HJ now have a FH? I bet 200 into the 480 pot and the HJ folds. I have 910 chips.
Hand 49, This may be the 1st of my pocket pairs holding up to overcards. I have pocket 7's (7c 7s) w/790 chips. Action folds to HJ who open raises 280 chips, I raise all-in with my 790 chips, HJ calls and shows Ad Kd. I hold my breath while the board plays out: 3d 8d 5h 5c 9s. I now have 1700 chips and a bit of breathing room.
Hand 51 in UTG+1 I have pocket Q's (Qh Qd). UTG folds, I open raise to 3 BB (240), HJ w/10 chips calls, CO folds, BTN raises all-in w/1275 chips, SB & BB fold. I call. If they have AA or KK I'm toast but I'm willing to take that chance. HJ has Ac 2s, BTN has As Jh, one overcard. The board plays out: 6c 5s 4c 5d 8s. My pocket Q's hold and I have 3105 chips.
Hand 55, I'm UTG+1 w/pocket 10's (10s 10h). UTG folds, I open raise 3 BB (240), all fold to the SB who raises all-in w/3950 chips, BB folds and I decide to call hoping they only have overcards. SB shows As Qd. I hold my breath while the board plays out: 8s 9h 2h 4d 7d. I win again and have 6290 chips.
Hand 61, I'm HJ and have pocket A's (Ac As). MP open raises 3 BB (300), I raise to 500, rest fold and MP re-raises to 1200. I decide now is as good as time as any to go all-in and hope he calls me, so I put my last 5840 chips in. MP thinks about it for a long time and finally folds. Later he ask me if I had A's, but I don't reply. I now have 7690 chips.
Hand 87. I'm back down to 5865 chips, UTG w/Ah 10s. I open raise 2 BB (320), UTG+1 calls, action folds to the BTN who calls, SB & BB fold. Flop 3d 3c 10c. I pair my 10. I bet 640 into the 1200 pot and UTG+1 calls. Turn 2c. I decide to bet the pot of 2480 this time, which if UTG+1 calls will put them all-in. They do call and show pocket 6's (6d 6c). Good, I'm ahead of them! River Qd. I win and have 9150 chips.
By hand 104 I have 12,290 chips. Hand 122 14,665 chips. Hand 132 19,230 chips. It was not all smooth sailing from there as I went up and down and was as low as 12,000 chips.
Hand 180. Five players left. I'm CO w/4h 5h and 21,655 chips. Blinds are 200/400 w/50 ante. UTG folds, I open raise 2 BB (800), BTN & SB fold, BB w/20,515 chips calls. Flop 3s 2s 8d. I have an open ended straight draw. BB checks and I bet 1000 into the 2050 pot, BB calls. Turn 6h. I hit my straight, which isn't obvious by looking at the board. BB checks again and I bet 2400 into the 4050 pot, BB calls. I don't know what they have that keeps them going, but so far, so good for me! River 7c. That makes a straight look possible and I'm hoping they don't have something like 9 10. One more time BB checks. I bet 4800 into the 8850 pot expecting BB might fold now, but they call again making for a 18,450 pot! BB shows Ac Qh. Only an Ace high! Did they think I was bluffing all the way? I now have 31,105 chips. Closest player to me has 25,710 chips. The other three have 11,915, 7,640, and 6130 chips. It's looking like I may be able be 1st or 2nd if I don't do anything stupid!
Hand 185 I get lucky one more time. Four players left, blinds 250/500 w/ante of 50. I'm BB w/Qh 6s and 33,505 chips. Action folds to the SB who limps in w/500 and I check. Flop Qs 2s 9d. I pair my Q with a weak kicker. SB checks and I bet the pot of 1200. SB raises me to 4800 and I decide to go a showdown, going all-in, hoping that pushes him to fold. It doesn't & he calls showing Qd 9h. He hit top two pair on the flop. My Q's don't look so good. At least I'll have 22,500 chips left to fight with. Turn is a 3s. That gives me a glimmer of hope as I now have a flush draw on the River, which is the only way I can beat him. River 5s. Oh my God, I hit it!!! I win and have 45,660 chips, 2nd high is 20,630, and smallest is 16,210. We are now on the bubble and unless I really blow it I should make 1st or 2nd!!!
We went on for another 35 hands and I never let my chip count get below 40,000. Hand 220 I'm on the BTN w/Ac Js. Blinds are 400/800 w/ a 100 ante. 2nd high stack has 30,455 chips and short stack has 8035 chips. He has been going all-in a lot and we've not been calling him but it has let him stay around 10,000 chips, while we wait for a hand that would be worth calling him with. I open raise w/a 2 BB bet (1600) and the SB short stack goes all-in w/8435 chips. BB folds. I feel these cards are at least worth a call and hope I'm not doubling him up as I call. He shows Kd Qs; I have one overcard. Flop 10s 7d 4c. so far so good. Turn 4h. River 3c. It's over!! I have 52,045 chips!! I have a Sunday Tournament to play. :-)
When I review this I see a lot of places where luck played a part in my success. It would be good to review the hand with our expert and get his opinion on my plays.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tour 8635 $1 End 643 214 hands 3+ hours Daily Dollar
Well it is more like the $1/hour session. I won $3. Overall I did ok and got my stack up around 30,000 chips but didn't do much after that.
Last hand I was in HJ position w/Ad 10c and 6199 chips. Blinds were 600/1200 w/ante of 150. Nine players at table. UTG & UTG+1 both limped in w/1200 raise, action folded to me and I went all-in. CO, SB & BB fold, UTG calls and UTG+1 folds. UTG shows Qs Jd. I have an overcard. I'm feeling hopeful and the pot is holding 16,748 chips. Flop 9s 3h Qd. UTG pairs their Q. Turn Jh. Pairs UTG's J. Why weren't any of my cards paired????? If a K shows up on the River I can still win. River 4s. Nope. I'm done.
It was fun and I got pretty far in the tournament. I'm still weak at knowing how to build my stack when we get into those latter stages and big blinds w/ante's.
Last hand I was in HJ position w/Ad 10c and 6199 chips. Blinds were 600/1200 w/ante of 150. Nine players at table. UTG & UTG+1 both limped in w/1200 raise, action folded to me and I went all-in. CO, SB & BB fold, UTG calls and UTG+1 folds. UTG shows Qs Jd. I have an overcard. I'm feeling hopeful and the pot is holding 16,748 chips. Flop 9s 3h Qd. UTG pairs their Q. Turn Jh. Pairs UTG's J. Why weren't any of my cards paired????? If a K shows up on the River I can still win. River 4s. Nope. I'm done.
It was fun and I got pretty far in the tournament. I'm still weak at knowing how to build my stack when we get into those latter stages and big blinds w/ante's.
6 SNG Step 1 ticket End 6th 45 hands
This tournament has 6 players and pays off 4; 1st - Step 2 ticket, 2nd-3rd Step 1 ticket, and 4th $2.70.
I like to think that if I'm in a Step 1 tournament with only 6 players and pays out to 4 of them, that I would be one of the 4. Not only was I not one of the 4 but I went out 1st. :-/ Folks did play pretty tight and there was not a lot of up and down movement. At the point I busted, after 45 hands the original 1500 chips were distributed as follows: 2035, 1690, 1600, 1520, 1515, and me the short stack w/640.
Hand 45, Blinds 50/100. I'm on the BTN w/Ah 3c. Action folds to me and I decide to try and steal the blinds and go all-in, SB folds and BB calls. BB shows Kh Qh. I have two live cards and one overcard. Flop Qc 10d Js, BB pairs their Q, I have a gutshot straight draw. Turn 2s. River 4d. I'm outta there.
I like to think that if I'm in a Step 1 tournament with only 6 players and pays out to 4 of them, that I would be one of the 4. Not only was I not one of the 4 but I went out 1st. :-/ Folks did play pretty tight and there was not a lot of up and down movement. At the point I busted, after 45 hands the original 1500 chips were distributed as follows: 2035, 1690, 1600, 1520, 1515, and me the short stack w/640.
Hand 45, Blinds 50/100. I'm on the BTN w/Ah 3c. Action folds to me and I decide to try and steal the blinds and go all-in, SB folds and BB calls. BB shows Kh Qh. I have two live cards and one overcard. Flop Qc 10d Js, BB pairs their Q, I have a gutshot straight draw. Turn 2s. River 4d. I'm outta there.
Tour 54 $1.25 + .15 KT6 End 15 43 hands Sat MiniFTOPS #28
Well, better than I have been doing. I did lose some chips early taking on a small stack with one other player. Small stack won out. Last hand I probably should have played differently.
Hand 25. Five players, blinds 150/300. I've just got up to a better stack of 2250 chips, am UTG w/Ah Kh. Maybe I can win some chips here. I open raise w/ 3 BB (900) , all fold to SB who calls. Flop 8d 8c 5d. SB checks and I decide to go all-in w/my last 1350 chips. SB calls. SB shows 7c 8h hitting trip 8's on the flop. I don't know why they called my 900 pre-flop raise with only 78o, but they got lucky on the flop. I should have paid more attention to the paired 8's on the board, but I'd assumed when I was called they had face cards or a high pocket pair. Turn 5h. River 10d. One more time I'm gone.
Hand 25. Five players, blinds 150/300. I've just got up to a better stack of 2250 chips, am UTG w/Ah Kh. Maybe I can win some chips here. I open raise w/ 3 BB (900) , all fold to SB who calls. Flop 8d 8c 5d. SB checks and I decide to go all-in w/my last 1350 chips. SB calls. SB shows 7c 8h hitting trip 8's on the flop. I don't know why they called my 900 pre-flop raise with only 78o, but they got lucky on the flop. I should have paid more attention to the paired 8's on the board, but I'd assumed when I was called they had face cards or a high pocket pair. Turn 5h. River 10d. One more time I'm gone.
Tour 54 $1.25 + .15 KT6 End 25 14 hands Sat MiniFTOPS #28
Alas an A4s couldn't beat an A3o. Of course the A3o hit two pair on the flop. I was doing ok up to that point and overplayed my As 4s on the 10c Ad 3h flop. Three of us were in after the flop. BB checked, I bet 210 into the 390 flop and the CO raised me to 540 and I decided to re-raise them to 870, hoping they weren't serious. Yes I know my Ace with a 4 kicker can be beat by LOTS of cards the CO is likely to have. The CO re-raises all-in w/their last 3380 chips and though I should have folded here I called. I was surprised to see their Ac 3s, expecting they had the Ace with a much better kicker rather than having hit two pair on the flop. Turn 6h, River 8c. I didn't suck out and was outta there.
Now, one of the things I forget when I let myself get into these battles is the reason I went in pre-flop in the first place. I have nut high flush if I hit, if I don't hit that, or something very close to a good draw, then I should just fold BUT having hit the Ace on the flop, I let myself forget all that, as well as, that if anything in the flop was to hit, I want the 4 to do something, NOT the ACE. 'nough said.
Now, one of the things I forget when I let myself get into these battles is the reason I went in pre-flop in the first place. I have nut high flush if I hit, if I don't hit that, or something very close to a good draw, then I should just fold BUT having hit the Ace on the flop, I let myself forget all that, as well as, that if anything in the flop was to hit, I want the 4 to do something, NOT the ACE. 'nough said.
Tour 54 $1.25 + .15 KT6 End 38 14 hands Sat MiniFTOPS #28
Decided to try another and did not play well this round. Partly I was distracted by writing up the previous session. I thought I'd have time to do the write-up before the next round started; I was wrong. I don't feel I need to say more about this one.
Tour 54 $1.25 + .15 KT6 End 23 25 hands 1 KO Sat MiniFTOPS #28
This tourney pays 1-2 entry and 3rd $2. You also can win $.25 for each knockout you make.
Irksome ending. after playing well up to and including that point. A new player had entered our table one hand earlier w/3205 chips.
Hand 25. Blinds 50/100. I'm BB w/pocket K's (Kc Kd). Action folds to this new player who is in CO position and he open raises all-in w/3205 chips. BTN & SB fold. I think about it and figure the only thing he might have that would be better than my pocket K's would be pocket A's and decide to gamble he doesn't have them, and if he does, well I took my chance with two very good cards. I call. He shows Jc 9d. Much worse than I would have expected. Things look good at this point. Flop 9c 2d 8d. He pairs his 9. Turn 9h. Bummer he now has trip 9's. :-/ River 6c. I'm gone. :-(
Irksome ending. after playing well up to and including that point. A new player had entered our table one hand earlier w/3205 chips.
Hand 25. Blinds 50/100. I'm BB w/pocket K's (Kc Kd). Action folds to this new player who is in CO position and he open raises all-in w/3205 chips. BTN & SB fold. I think about it and figure the only thing he might have that would be better than my pocket K's would be pocket A's and decide to gamble he doesn't have them, and if he does, well I took my chance with two very good cards. I call. He shows Jc 9d. Much worse than I would have expected. Things look good at this point. Flop 9c 2d 8d. He pairs his 9. Turn 9h. Bummer he now has trip 9's. :-/ River 6c. I'm gone. :-(
2 HU $2 + .15 End 2nd 166 hands
Not well played by me, which I think is pretty well indicated by the fact we went 166 hands. There were various ups & downs between us. There were a few bad beats taken and given. I was probably not aggressive enough overall.
9 SNG $2 + .25 End 4th 75 hands
Mixed play on my part, for now I'm only going to cover two hands, one early on, and the other the last one. If I was a bit more patience I probably would have made it in the money. On the other hand if I'd hit my flush or a 3rd 9 I'd have been in pretty good shape to finish 1st or 2nd.
Hand 13. I'm SB w/Qh 2h. HJ opens w/a limp bet of 50, I call & BB checks. Flop Qc 2s Qs. Now that is interesting. I flopped a FH ... Q's full of 2's. I opt to slow play and just check. BB & HJ do the same. Turn 4d. This time I make a min bet of 50 into the 150 pot, BB & HJ call. River 2d. At this point I figure I have it won. I bet 150 into the 300 pot, BB raises me to 750 and I re-raise him to 1350 which will put him all-in. I'm thinking he may have a two and a smaller FH of 2's full of Q's. He calls his last 150 and shows, uh oh, Qd 4s. He hit a bigger FH on the turn ... Q's full of 4's. Rats. I wasn't expecting that!!! I'm still in pretty good shape though w/2620 chips left.
Hand 75. Four players left, blinds 100/200, I have 2800 chips, am SB w/pocket 9's (9s 9h). UTG open raises w/a bet of 3 BB (600), I call. Flop 2h Jh 7h. Not too bad for my pocket 9's and I have a flush draw, but UTG could also if they hadn't already had one. I bet 800 into the 1400 pot and UTG goes all-in w/3100 chips. I think about it and decide to call. For some reason I didn't feel they had the flush, but could have something that could beat my pocket 9's. They show As Kd. Good, no flush draw and only two over cards. My chances look decent. Turn Ac. Well there go my pocket 9's but I still have the same number of outs. River Js. Phooey. No flush and I'm out of there.
Hand 13. I'm SB w/Qh 2h. HJ opens w/a limp bet of 50, I call & BB checks. Flop Qc 2s Qs. Now that is interesting. I flopped a FH ... Q's full of 2's. I opt to slow play and just check. BB & HJ do the same. Turn 4d. This time I make a min bet of 50 into the 150 pot, BB & HJ call. River 2d. At this point I figure I have it won. I bet 150 into the 300 pot, BB raises me to 750 and I re-raise him to 1350 which will put him all-in. I'm thinking he may have a two and a smaller FH of 2's full of Q's. He calls his last 150 and shows, uh oh, Qd 4s. He hit a bigger FH on the turn ... Q's full of 4's. Rats. I wasn't expecting that!!! I'm still in pretty good shape though w/2620 chips left.
Hand 75. Four players left, blinds 100/200, I have 2800 chips, am SB w/pocket 9's (9s 9h). UTG open raises w/a bet of 3 BB (600), I call. Flop 2h Jh 7h. Not too bad for my pocket 9's and I have a flush draw, but UTG could also if they hadn't already had one. I bet 800 into the 1400 pot and UTG goes all-in w/3100 chips. I think about it and decide to call. For some reason I didn't feel they had the flush, but could have something that could beat my pocket 9's. They show As Kd. Good, no flush draw and only two over cards. My chances look decent. Turn Ac. Well there go my pocket 9's but I still have the same number of outs. River Js. Phooey. No flush and I'm out of there.
2 HU $1 + .10 End 2nd 61 hands
Mainly played this to kill some time while waiting for a phone call. Not well played by me and I was a bit distracted during it, particularly as it went on, worrying that the phone call would come before the match was over.
Hand 40. I'm SB w/1735 chips and 7c 6d. I limp in w/a 40 bet and BB raises me to 80, I call. Flop 6h 8s Ac. I pair my 6. BB bets 40 and I call. Turn 6s. I now have trip 6's. BB checks and I bet 1/2 the 240 pot (120) and BB calls. River 10c. Nothing scary there. BB checks and I bet 260 into the 480 pot and BB calls. BB shows pocket 5's. and is left w/745 chips. This hand may have made me feel a bit over confident as I can't think of any good reason with my betting his calling me with only pocket 5's.
Hand 42. I'm SB w/Qd Jh. I open raise 3 BB (120) and BB raises me to 200, I call. Flop Qs 8d 5h. I have top pair. BB min bets 40 into the 400 pot and I raise to 380 and he re-raises all-in w/his last 545 chips. I call. BB shows Kh 10c, one overcard to me. Turn Kd. Darn! River 7s. We are back to about even again.
Hand 61, I'm BB w/425 in chips and Ah Kc. SB limps in w/a bet of 50 and I raise to 100, he then re-raises me to 500 which will put me all-in and I call. He shows Kh 10c. Looks pretty good for me. Flop Kd 10h Qc. SB hits 2 pair, I have a gutshot straight draw. Turn 3c. River 5s. I'm done and outta there.
Hand 40. I'm SB w/1735 chips and 7c 6d. I limp in w/a 40 bet and BB raises me to 80, I call. Flop 6h 8s Ac. I pair my 6. BB bets 40 and I call. Turn 6s. I now have trip 6's. BB checks and I bet 1/2 the 240 pot (120) and BB calls. River 10c. Nothing scary there. BB checks and I bet 260 into the 480 pot and BB calls. BB shows pocket 5's. and is left w/745 chips. This hand may have made me feel a bit over confident as I can't think of any good reason with my betting his calling me with only pocket 5's.
Hand 42. I'm SB w/Qd Jh. I open raise 3 BB (120) and BB raises me to 200, I call. Flop Qs 8d 5h. I have top pair. BB min bets 40 into the 400 pot and I raise to 380 and he re-raises all-in w/his last 545 chips. I call. BB shows Kh 10c, one overcard to me. Turn Kd. Darn! River 7s. We are back to about even again.
Hand 61, I'm BB w/425 in chips and Ah Kc. SB limps in w/a bet of 50 and I raise to 100, he then re-raises me to 500 which will put me all-in and I call. He shows Kh 10c. Looks pretty good for me. Flop Kd 10h Qc. SB hits 2 pair, I have a gutshot straight draw. Turn 3c. River 5s. I'm done and outta there.
Monday, May 10, 2010
TOUR 71 $1.25 + .15 end 67 7 hands Sat MiniFTOPS #28 KT6
All too short and not so sweet. Sucked out on the river. 5 players at table. I'm BB w/pocket Q's (Qd Qc). UTG open raises 3 BB (90), BTN calls, SB folds and I call. Flop 3d Jh 6d. I bet the pot of 285 and UTG calls, BTN folds. Turn 4h. I check and UTG bets the pot of 855. Hmm, did he hit a set? A straight? I'm assuming not and re-raise him all-in w/my last 1125 chips. He calls and shows pocket 8's (8c 8s). Phew, no set and I definitely have the better pair!! I'm feeling pretty good about it. River 8d. NO!!!! I'm outta there.
All I can say is that I got my chips in with the best of the cards and I can't do more than that. Even if I had just called him on the turn, when I saw the 8 on the River it would still have been hard to fold my Q's if he bet all-in to me.
All I can say is that I got my chips in with the best of the cards and I can't do more than that. Even if I had just called him on the turn, when I saw the 8 on the River it would still have been hard to fold my Q's if he bet all-in to me.
2 HU $5 + .25 End 1st 62 hands
OK play on my part. I wasn't sure which way this one was going to go, then I took a change with paired K's vs possible flush or flush draw and my K's held. Before that it was mostly back and forth with my opponent usually having more chips than me. He almost always open 3 bet the BB when he was the SB. I was generally patience and folded when he made big raises, though one time I re-raised him and he folded.
Hand 41. This was a scary hand. Blinds 20/40. I was SB w/Ah 3c. I limped in w/a 40 bet and BB called. Flop 4c 4h 3s. I paired my 3 and the board paired 4's. BB checked and I bet the pot of 80 and BB called. Turn 3h. I now have trip 3's as well as FH of threes full of fours, however with the board paring 4's and 3's it's possible the BB has a FH of fours full of threes. Grrr. Don't like that. Again the BB checks and I opt to do the same this time. River 7s. BB bets 160 into the 240 pot and I decide that's small enough of a bet to check him out and if he does have the bigger FH I still have chips to work with. BB shows 2c 6s ... NOTHING!! I win. I now have a slight chip edge w/1510 chips.
Hand 54. Blinds 25/50. It's been back and forth and he has a chip lead on me. I'm BB w/1225 chips and Kd 4s. SB open raises to 2 BB (100) and I call. Flop Kc 8c 6c. I pair my K but possible flush is out there. I bet 100 into the 200 pot and the SB raises me to 300. Uh Oh, does he have the flush or just a draw? I decide to test him here and re-raise him to 600. He re-raises me all-in w/his last 1325 chips. Grrr, not the position I want to be in. Well I only have 575 chips left and the total pot is 2425 chips. If he's on a flush draw I have a chance, so I opt to call. SB shows Ac 5h, indeed he has a nut flush draw. I hold my breath. Turn 6h. So far so good. River Qd. Phew!!! I win!! I now have 2550 chips to his 450. Maybe I'll win this one after all.
Hand 60. I'm BB w/pocket 2's (2h 2s), SB has 375 chips left after posting the SB. They open raise all-in, and since I have a pocket pair I call. SB shows pocket 7's (7s 7d). I was hoping they only had a big overpair. The board turns out 5c Ac Kd 9h Qh. SB doubles up and now has 800 chips.
Hand 62. I get a bit lucky here. Blinds 30/60. I'm BB and have 10s 9c. SB open raises 3 BB (180), and I call. Flop Js Qs Jd. Board has paired and I have an open ended straight draw. I bet 150 into the 360 pot and the SB calls, leaving them w/570 chips. Turn As. I now have a flush draw, with only the Ks to worry about that would beat me if SB also has a flush draw or flush and that Ks. FH is possible, but since SB didn't raise me on my flop bet I don't feel they have one. I make a small bet of 180 into the 660 pot and the SB re-raises me going all-in. I call & hold my breath hoping for something. If I lose we're almost back to even again. SB shows pocket 10's (10d 10h). River 2s. PHEW!!! I win!!!!
If I recall correctly I think I had open ended straight draws several times, and in this session they refused to come up for me!! Fortunately for me, in that last hand, the flush draw did!
Hand 41. This was a scary hand. Blinds 20/40. I was SB w/Ah 3c. I limped in w/a 40 bet and BB called. Flop 4c 4h 3s. I paired my 3 and the board paired 4's. BB checked and I bet the pot of 80 and BB called. Turn 3h. I now have trip 3's as well as FH of threes full of fours, however with the board paring 4's and 3's it's possible the BB has a FH of fours full of threes. Grrr. Don't like that. Again the BB checks and I opt to do the same this time. River 7s. BB bets 160 into the 240 pot and I decide that's small enough of a bet to check him out and if he does have the bigger FH I still have chips to work with. BB shows 2c 6s ... NOTHING!! I win. I now have a slight chip edge w/1510 chips.
Hand 54. Blinds 25/50. It's been back and forth and he has a chip lead on me. I'm BB w/1225 chips and Kd 4s. SB open raises to 2 BB (100) and I call. Flop Kc 8c 6c. I pair my K but possible flush is out there. I bet 100 into the 200 pot and the SB raises me to 300. Uh Oh, does he have the flush or just a draw? I decide to test him here and re-raise him to 600. He re-raises me all-in w/his last 1325 chips. Grrr, not the position I want to be in. Well I only have 575 chips left and the total pot is 2425 chips. If he's on a flush draw I have a chance, so I opt to call. SB shows Ac 5h, indeed he has a nut flush draw. I hold my breath. Turn 6h. So far so good. River Qd. Phew!!! I win!! I now have 2550 chips to his 450. Maybe I'll win this one after all.
Hand 60. I'm BB w/pocket 2's (2h 2s), SB has 375 chips left after posting the SB. They open raise all-in, and since I have a pocket pair I call. SB shows pocket 7's (7s 7d). I was hoping they only had a big overpair. The board turns out 5c Ac Kd 9h Qh. SB doubles up and now has 800 chips.
Hand 62. I get a bit lucky here. Blinds 30/60. I'm BB and have 10s 9c. SB open raises 3 BB (180), and I call. Flop Js Qs Jd. Board has paired and I have an open ended straight draw. I bet 150 into the 360 pot and the SB calls, leaving them w/570 chips. Turn As. I now have a flush draw, with only the Ks to worry about that would beat me if SB also has a flush draw or flush and that Ks. FH is possible, but since SB didn't raise me on my flop bet I don't feel they have one. I make a small bet of 180 into the 660 pot and the SB re-raises me going all-in. I call & hold my breath hoping for something. If I lose we're almost back to even again. SB shows pocket 10's (10d 10h). River 2s. PHEW!!! I win!!!!
If I recall correctly I think I had open ended straight draws several times, and in this session they refused to come up for me!! Fortunately for me, in that last hand, the flush draw did!
9 SNG $5 + .50 End 8th 13 hands
Mixed play with poor choice last hand. I'm CO w/Ah 5s. Action folds to me and I open raise 2 1/2 BB (100), rest fold to BB who calls. Flop As 4h 6c. I pair my Ace. BB checks and I bet 120 into the 220 pot. BB raises me all-in w/1535 chips. Here is where it would be best I fold, but instead I call. Odds are he has at least an Ace with a better kicker then me. BB shows Ac 10d. Turn 7c. I have a chance here with an open ended straight. River Qc. Didn't hit and I'm outta there. Just not patience enough tonight!!
9 SNG $2 + .25 End 6th 41 hands
Mixed play. Early on took big hit, then had various ups & downs after that.
Hand 3. Eight players. I'm SB w/3s 5s. MP limps in w/30, folds to me, I call & BB checks. Flop 2h 3h Qh. I pair my 3 but possible flush showing, I bet the pot of 90, BB folds & MP calls. Turn 9s. I take another shot at it and bet 150 into the 270 pot, MP calls. River 3c. I now have trip 3's. It also pairs the board, but I didn't think about that at the time. I decide to bet the pot and hope he doesn't have a flush and will fold, but he calls. MP shows pocket 2's. He'd hit a set on the flop and a FH on the River. I'm down to 630 chips. I'm a little surprised he wasn't worried about my having a flush on the Flop or Turn because of how I bet.
Hand 29. My next big mistake. Six players left, blinds 40/80. I have 1430 chips and pocket 10's (10h 10s), UTG position. I open raise 2 BB (160), HJ folds, CO calls, rest fold to BB who calls. Flop Jc 4c 7d. One card over my 10's. BB checks, I bet 240 into the 520 pot, HJ raises all-in w/last 670 in chips, BB folds and I decide to call. I'm hoping he may just have some over cards or a smaller pair, alas he has pocket A's (Ac As). Not looking good for me. Turn 6d. River Ks. I'm back down to 600 chips.
Hand 41. I've made a small comeback and have 840 chips, UTG w/Ac Jh. Maybe I can pick up a few chips here. I open raise 3 BB (300), all fold to the BB who calls. Flop 8c 6c 7s. No help to my AJ. I didn't really notice that was set up for a possible straight. BB checks and so do I. Turn Qd. BB bets 400 into the 650 pot and I decide to call, leaving me w/140 chips. One reason I called is this player makes odd bets even when they have nothing and/or weak hands. I'm hoping this is one of them and that I hit an Ace or a J on the River. River 7h. BB goes all-in with 1450 chips, which is overkill to my 140. I decide to call anyway as I'll be blinded out the next two hands if I don't hit something. BB shows 9c 10d. They hit the straight on the flop!! I'm gone.
I can't really complain too much about this session. I made a number of poor plays and that is why I was in a bad way early on and then out of there early.
Hand 3. Eight players. I'm SB w/3s 5s. MP limps in w/30, folds to me, I call & BB checks. Flop 2h 3h Qh. I pair my 3 but possible flush showing, I bet the pot of 90, BB folds & MP calls. Turn 9s. I take another shot at it and bet 150 into the 270 pot, MP calls. River 3c. I now have trip 3's. It also pairs the board, but I didn't think about that at the time. I decide to bet the pot and hope he doesn't have a flush and will fold, but he calls. MP shows pocket 2's. He'd hit a set on the flop and a FH on the River. I'm down to 630 chips. I'm a little surprised he wasn't worried about my having a flush on the Flop or Turn because of how I bet.
Hand 29. My next big mistake. Six players left, blinds 40/80. I have 1430 chips and pocket 10's (10h 10s), UTG position. I open raise 2 BB (160), HJ folds, CO calls, rest fold to BB who calls. Flop Jc 4c 7d. One card over my 10's. BB checks, I bet 240 into the 520 pot, HJ raises all-in w/last 670 in chips, BB folds and I decide to call. I'm hoping he may just have some over cards or a smaller pair, alas he has pocket A's (Ac As). Not looking good for me. Turn 6d. River Ks. I'm back down to 600 chips.
Hand 41. I've made a small comeback and have 840 chips, UTG w/Ac Jh. Maybe I can pick up a few chips here. I open raise 3 BB (300), all fold to the BB who calls. Flop 8c 6c 7s. No help to my AJ. I didn't really notice that was set up for a possible straight. BB checks and so do I. Turn Qd. BB bets 400 into the 650 pot and I decide to call, leaving me w/140 chips. One reason I called is this player makes odd bets even when they have nothing and/or weak hands. I'm hoping this is one of them and that I hit an Ace or a J on the River. River 7h. BB goes all-in with 1450 chips, which is overkill to my 140. I decide to call anyway as I'll be blinded out the next two hands if I don't hit something. BB shows 9c 10d. They hit the straight on the flop!! I'm gone.
I can't really complain too much about this session. I made a number of poor plays and that is why I was in a bad way early on and then out of there early.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Tour 35 st6 $1 + .10 End 18th 16 hands Sat to MiniFTOPS #11
This tourney only pays two spots; 1st entry, 2nd $3. Blinds are 3 min but you do get 1500 chips.
I didn't play this one well and was too distracted overall. I'll just cover the last hand.
Hand 16. There are three of us left at the six person table; blinds are 30/60. I'm BTN w/790 chips and decide to try stealing the blinds and open raise all-in. The SB calls me. They show 2c 5c. Looks like a good chance for me to double up! Flop 5d 5s 9h. Not a good flop for me. :-/ Turn 4h. River 6h. Ah if they could only have been diamonds!! I'm outta there.
I didn't play this one well and was too distracted overall. I'll just cover the last hand.
Hand 16. There are three of us left at the six person table; blinds are 30/60. I'm BTN w/790 chips and decide to try stealing the blinds and open raise all-in. The SB calls me. They show 2c 5c. Looks like a good chance for me to double up! Flop 5d 5s 9h. Not a good flop for me. :-/ Turn 4h. River 6h. Ah if they could only have been diamonds!! I'm outta there.
2 HU $2 + .15 End 2nd 14 hands
Overall I played well but the cards going to the River did me in last hand.
Hand 14. I'm BB w/Ad 7c, 1400 chips. SB open raises 3 BB (60), I call. Flop Ac 7s 3h. Nice flop for me, I have top two pair. I bet 1/2 the pot (60) and SB raises me to 120, I re-raise to 250 and SB calls. Turn 6h. Looks good to me and I bet 1/2 the pot (310) and SB calls. River 8c. That does suggest a possible straight, but I decide to go for it with my two pair and bet all-in w/my last 800 chips. SB calls and shows pocket 8's (8d 8s), hitting their set on the river. Session over.
I could have bet less on the River or just checked to see what the SB would do but I'm not sure I'd have folded if he bet big. I might have bet even larger on the Turn, but if he was willing to put in the 310 I feel he'd have put in even more and would not have been willing to give up his pocket 8's.
Hand 14. I'm BB w/Ad 7c, 1400 chips. SB open raises 3 BB (60), I call. Flop Ac 7s 3h. Nice flop for me, I have top two pair. I bet 1/2 the pot (60) and SB raises me to 120, I re-raise to 250 and SB calls. Turn 6h. Looks good to me and I bet 1/2 the pot (310) and SB calls. River 8c. That does suggest a possible straight, but I decide to go for it with my two pair and bet all-in w/my last 800 chips. SB calls and shows pocket 8's (8d 8s), hitting their set on the river. Session over.
I could have bet less on the River or just checked to see what the SB would do but I'm not sure I'd have folded if he bet big. I might have bet even larger on the Turn, but if he was willing to put in the 310 I feel he'd have put in even more and would not have been willing to give up his pocket 8's.
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