Mega Mega Tournament Post

“Reward. That is the key.” –Day of the Dead.

As promised, I have another big post. But this one is a rollercoaster ride of fun. Come on along. (Taking that ride to nowhere, we’ll take that ride. –Talking Heads). I promised you a treat if you go (hint, hint).

I decided to change back to my old favorite site. I like PS because the blinds go up at a reasonabe rate and you have more time to maneuver. I decided that a MTT would be better than a SnG for this test, so I am playing the 4 table, 45 player MTT. I played only 1 tournament, so this is it. (If you feel the post is too long, skip ahead to the middle of the tournament by searching for “*=*”.)

And, for all you loyal readers (collect all 12!) I am going to introduce a new concept. There is the:
• Gap concept (you better know this or you’re more of a wannabe than me)
• Value Bet – mostly a limit concept, but it involves increasing the pot size for odds
• Folding Equity – I learned this via Phil Gordon, but it’s the increase in winning percentage you get based on the odds your opponent will fold after you bet. Only really works vs. one opponent.
• Inflection points (now with more M and Q) – Harrington’s concept of “zones” help guide your tournament decisions.
• Continuation and probe bets – Harrington (post flop bets)
• Pressure points – coined recently by doubleas, this is the idea that there is a point in every hand where the final decision is made, and it’s rarely on the river.
• BLOw – Aka Big – Little Offsuit. Only losing players play BLO for anything but deception value at a full table.
• And now “Opportunity Cost”. The COST of folding a marginal decision. More on this later, but it REALLY helps to have watched Gus Hanson play.



Level I (10/20) - 2005/06/29 – 1500 in chips to start, 45 players
Dealt to Columbo777 [3s Jc] FOLDED
jeremieadk: shows [7h Ts] (a pair of Sevens)
knuckles1972: shows [8d As] (a pair of Aces)
Already we see that some players are going to overplay Ax and 77. Good

Dealt to Columbo777 [5c 7h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [7c Kc]
Dealt to Columbo777 [8c Ac] in the BB. I am not a big fan of BLO* and thus check. I fold on the missed flop.
Dealt to Columbo777 [2c 6d] fold to a raise pre-flop
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qc 2h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [4h 7d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Th Js] (its early, lets limp and see)
Fold to a POT bet on a *** FLOP *** [Ac 9h 5s]

Dealt to Columbo777 [2h 7c] This is not the time for the hammer, yet.
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ts 8h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks 4c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jd 3h] in the BB, but folded after the flop
Dealt to Columbo777 [5c Jc] called in the SB to just limpers, hit nada
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jd 3h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9h 8d] limped from the cutoff. 6 see the flop including the button. POT is $180.
*** FLOP *** [6s 8c 2h] Hmm. A weak TP. 4 players fold to me. I figure I can take this pot down with little risk. I make a ½ pot size bet. I get a single caller. *** TURN *** [6s 8c 2h] [Ah] and he checks. Since there are no obvious draws, I figure that this looser player made a loose call on the flop and now wants to see if I will fire a second barrel. I won’t disappoint him. I don’t think that the size of the bet is going to matter, I think he already made up his mind. So, I make a smallish bet of ¼ of the pot $90. He folds.

Level II (15/30)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (1570 in chips)
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qh 4s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks 7s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kd Kc] Let the excitement begin.
Seat 3: jeremieadk (2130 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (1220 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (1570 in chips)
I am UtG+1 and I decide to raise from 30 to 60. Why just 2xBB? Well, the limpers had gotten very weary of calling any raises and I figure to weed out most of them with this bet. As it turns out, I am right and only the blinds call. Good stuff. Pot is $180.
*** FLOP *** [6s 6h 2s] Not a bad flop. I figure I am only worried about the 6. Who calls a raise with K6? Or 67o?
jeremieadk: bets 90 (I really figure this to be a probe bet)
mtwalkers: calls 90 (really?)
Columbo777: raises 120 to 210 (I need to know if one of these players flopped a set. I am determined to raise and see what they will do) The pot is $360 and I raise it another $90. This was too small of a raise, but I don’t want to get pot committed here. So, I pass on the opportunity to create a pressure point here. I THINK its because I feel they are chasing.
jeremieadk: calls 120
mtwalkers: calls 120
*** TURN *** [6s 6h 2s] [Ah] OH NO! Did I blow this hand?
jeremieadk: checks
mtwalkers: checks
They both checked. After all that betting on the FLOP, they CHECK the Ace. I HAVE THEM!!! Not only do I have the overpair, I can REP the ACE. I just can’t see a trap here after the turn of events on the flop. I decide that this will be the pressure point. It may be a smallish bet in comparison to the pot size of $800, but it’s large based on their stack sizes. Plus I am firing a second barrel after a raise.
Columbo777: bets 300
jeremieadk: folds
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777 collected 810 from pot
Columbo777: doesn't show hand

I waited only 17 hands to get a hand better than ALL my hands last night. And I made it payoff. I enjoy not being a zombie anymore.

Dealt to Columbo777 [4s Tc]

Columbo777: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kh Ad]
Bmannn: calls 30
knuckles1972: calls 30
jjclanto: folds
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 30
jeremieadk: calls 30
mtwalkers: folds
hotdarn: folds
4 limpers already. Here is something I learned from Hitman and Hazyone at PSO. You can’t raise ?xBB here, you need to raise based on the money out on the table. There is $120 out there and I want to give LOUSY odds to play with my AK.
Columbo777: raises 270 to 300
Bmannn: calls 65 and is all-in Big Deal
knuckles1972: folds
SDSU_ALUM: folds
jeremieadk: folds So I take back all of the raise except $65.
*** FLOP *** [6s 2h 3h]
*** TURN *** [6s 2h 3h] [As]
*** RIVER *** [6s 2h 3h As] [9s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Kh Ad] (a pair of Aces)
Bmannn: shows [Ac 3d] (two pair, Aces and Threes)
A classic suckout. But really, I was only a 3-1 favorite here. I was pleased that I played the hand right. I paid it off and moved on.

Dealt to Columbo777 [6s 4s] 4xBB raise eliminates me even thinking it…
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ac 5c] I wonder if the table is stable enough now that I can make a move? Let’s try one.
Columbo777: raises 100 to 150
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
jeremieadk: calls 100
hotdarn: calls 100
*** FLOP *** [Tc Js 2s]
SDSU_ALUM: checks
jeremieadk: bets 100
hotdarn: calls 100
Columbo777: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
*** TURN *** [Tc Js 2s] [4d]
SDSU_ALUM: checks
jeremieadk: bets 150
hotdarn: calls 150
SDSU_ALUM: calls 150
*** RIVER *** [Tc Js 2s 4d] [Ks]
SDSU_ALUM: checks
jeremieadk: bets 1160 and is all-in
hotdarn: calls 180 and is all-in
SDSU_ALUM: folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jeremieadk: shows [3d Jd] (a pair of Jacks)
hotdarn: shows [Kc Th] (two pair, Kings and Tens)
So they called a 3xBB bet with J3s and KTo. I think I got the answer to my question. Must play tight still…

Dealt to Columbo777 [6h Ac] I call this hand, “the prisoner”. I never play it.
Dealt to Columbo777 [4s Ac]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ac 2s]
Note I am not playing Axo. And I won’t.

Level III (25/50)
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ah Ts]
hotdarn: folds
Columbo777: raises 50 to 100 Not thrilled about this hand. Wanted to fold it.
knuckles1972: calls 100
jjclanto: folds
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
jeremieadk: calls 75
mtwalkers: calls 50
*** FLOP *** [Jc Qs Js] Pot is $400
jeremieadk: bets 100 Weak Bet.
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777: folds Weak fold. But that is ok. What I need to do is REALIZE I made a weak fold and remember that next time this happens he will bet out and I can come over the top. You are going to make mistakes. But you can take advantage of them (or the memory of them) in future hands. Sometimes.

Seat 1: Capp1945 (1860 in chips)
Seat 2: SDSU_ALUM (1745 in chips)
Seat 3: jeremieadk (630 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (735 in chips)
Seat 5: hotdarn (1785 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (1740 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (3120 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (2705 in chips)
mtwalkers: posts small blind 25
hotdarn: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [4c 4h]
Columbo777: raises 50 to 100 Its still early and I am UtG, which should give me some credibility.
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: calls 100
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: folds
jeremieadk: folds
mtwalkers: folds
hotdarn: calls 50
*** FLOP *** [6d 6c 8s] pot is $300 only
hotdarn: checks
Columbo777: bets 150 continuation bet, even though I am assuming I am ahead here.
jjclanto: folds
hotdarn: folds
Columbo777 collected 325 from pot
simple enough

Dealt to Columbo777 [6c Th]

Level III (25/50)
Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Capp1945 (1860 in chips)
Seat 2: SDSU_ALUM (1745 in chips)
Seat 3: jeremieadk (955 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (710 in chips)
Seat 5: hotdarn (1660 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (1915 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (2920 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (2555 in chips)
Columbo777: posts small blind 25
knuckles1972: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [7c 3h]
jjclanto: raises 150 to 200
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 200
jeremieadk: calls 200
mtwalkers: folds
hotdarn: folds
Columbo777: folds
knuckles1972: folds
*** FLOP *** [6c 2d 9h]
jjclanto: checks
SDSU_ALUM: checks
jeremieadk: bets 150
jjclanto: calls 150
SDSU_ALUM: calls 150
*** TURN *** [6c 2d 9h] [9c]
jjclanto: checks
SDSU_ALUM: checks
jeremieadk: bets 605 and is all-in
jjclanto: raises 605 to 1210
SDSU_ALUM: folds
*** RIVER *** [6c 2d 9h 9c] [2h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jjclanto: shows [9d 9s] (four of a kind, Nines)
jeremieadk: shows [As Qd] (two pair, Nines and Deuces)
jjclanto collected 2335 from pot
Columbo777 said, "oops"
Our loose player just hit a monster quads.

Dealt to Columbo777 [Js 6s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2s Kc]
Dealt to Columbo777 [As 4d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [7s Tc] I find it hard to believe that Daniel pays this hand when he is not on TV.
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qh 5d
Dealt to Columbo777 [Tc 3h]

Columbo777: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ts 2c] UGH
sfennui: calls 100
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: folds
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
wes4$79: folds
mtwalkers: folds
hotdarn: folds
Columbo777: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qd Jh Kc] UGH a lame open straight draw
Columbo777: checks
sfennui: bets 100
SDSU_ALUM: folds
Columbo777: calls 100 He only has $190 left and if I hit the st8 I can’t not win anything of significance. This was a BAD CALL.
*** TURN *** [Qd Jh Kc] [8d]
Columbo777: checks
sfennui: bets 90 and is all-in
Columbo777: calls 90 This was a good call as once I got this far, I had to call on odds.
*** RIVER *** [Qd Jh Kc 8d] [6s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Ts 2c] (high card King)
sfennui: shows [Kd As] (a pair of Kings)
sfennui collected 730 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [4s 4c] second time
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
Columbo777: raises 200 to 300 drive out the blinds.
SDSU_ALUM: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [As 2d 3h] heads up, $750 in the pot.
SDSU_ALUM: checks
Columbo777: bets 300 I have a pair here and a draw. I want to see if he has an Ace.
SDSU_ALUM: calls 300 Call? Does he have Ax with a bad kicker?
*** TURN *** [As 2d 3h] [5c] THE NEW PHONE BOOKS HERE! THE NEW PHONE BOOKS HERE!!! – Steve Martin in The Jerk.
SDSU_ALUM: checks
Columbo777: checks Playing columbo style. Trying to entice a river bet.
*** RIVER *** [As 2d 3h 5c] [Kd]
SDSU_ALUM: checks
Columbo777: bets 300 I want him to think I am making a stab with a weak hand.
SDSU_ALUM: raises 1145 to 1445 and is all-in two pair? Who cares?!
Columbo777: calls 700 and is all-in
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SDSU_ALUM: shows [8h Ac] (a pair of Aces)
Columbo777: shows [4s 4c] (a straight, Ace to Five)
Columbo777 collected 3350 from pot
A monster. This worked out well, eh? This puts me well into the Green Zone and allows me to continue to play solid without worrying about where I am or what my M is for a while.

The very next hand…
Level IV (50/100)
Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Capp1945 (5310 in chips)
Seat 2: SDSU_ALUM (445 in chips)
Seat 3: wes4$79 (3415 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (510 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (3350 in chips) not even the table leader, much less chip leader. I am not playing loose and play fewer pots than the others. That is ok with me.
Seat 7: sfennui (680 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (2470 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (2535 in chips)
knuckles1972: posts small blind 50
jjclanto: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Tc 9s]
Capp1945: folds
SDSU_ALUM: calls 100
wes4$79: folds
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777: raises 100 to 200
sfennui: folds
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: calls 100
SDSU_ALUM: raises 245 to 445 and is all-in
Columbo777: calls 245
jjclanto: folds
*** FLOP *** [4d 3c Ac]
*** TURN *** [4d 3c Ac] [7s]
*** RIVER *** [4d 3c Ac 7s] [Td]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
SDSU_ALUM: shows [Kd 3d] (a pair of Threes)
Columbo777: shows [Tc 9s] (a pair of Tens)
Columbo777 collected 1140 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1140 | Rake 0
Board [4d 3c Ac 7s Td]
Seat 1: Capp1945 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: SDSU_ALUM showed [Kd 3d] and lost with a pair of Threes
Seat 3: wes4$79 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: mtwalkers folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Columbo777 showed [Tc 9s] and won (1140) with a pair of Tens
Seat 7: sfennui (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: jjclanto (big blind) folded before Flop

And the very next hand after that… THIS IS A GREAT ONE! *=*
Level V (75/150)
Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Capp1945 (5310 in chips)
Seat 3: wes4$79 (3415 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (510 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (4045 in chips)
Seat 7: sfennui (680 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (2420 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (2335 in chips)
jjclanto: posts small blind 75
Capp1945: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [8s 9d]
wes4$79: folds
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777: calls 150 limper!
sfennui: folds
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: calls 75
Capp1945: checks
*** FLOP *** [3h 9h 6c] 3 players, pot of $450. Small pot.
I hit TP with a very weak kicker. But TP is a 9, so I might be ahead here. Still, I don’t think…
jjclanto: bets 450 WHAT? Ok ,think. Why would I have done that. He bet a POT sized bet. That means he is protecting against a draw. There are 2 hearts out there. I BET HE HAS A 9 ALSO! And he has a BETTER 9 than me. So what are my options? Well, I could be wrong about the 9 he has, in which case he has two overs. But better yet, lets put him on the nine and REPRESENT a flush draw.
Columbo777 said, "hmmm" just to sell it.
Capp1945: folds
Capp1945 is sitting out
Columbo777: calls 450 as if on the draw. If I miss it, I may still have the best hand.
*** TURN *** [3h 9h 6c] [2h] A HEART!
jjclanto: bets 300 Note the bet size. He just bet 300 into $1350. It is a probe bet on the TURN! I bet I can apply a PRESSURE POINT here and get him to lay down the best hand. The pot is $1650 so I really need to sell the flush so I don’t get a crying call.
Columbo777: raises 3145 to 3445 and is all-in
jjclanto: folds It worked!!!
Columbo777 collected 1950 from pot
I feel like a genius. This is the first time I have ever done this with such CLARITY. I feel based on this hand alone, I may finally be making progress in understanding poker! Joy.


Dealt to Columbo777 [Kc 4d] rush or not, don’t do BLo.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Td Js] limp(I am the big stack. Fear my limp)
Columbo777: calls 150
sfennui: folds
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: folds
Capp1945: folds
wes4$79: calls 75
mtwalkers: checks
*** FLOP *** [4c 4d Ac]just the blinds
wes4$79: checks
mtwalkers: checks and they check, so this is already mine.
Columbo777: bets 300
wes4$79: folds
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777 collected 450 from pot free money here. But I may have won the same pre-flop with a raise, so no accolades here.

Level V (75/150) Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Capp1945 (5460 in chips)
Seat 3: wes4$79 (2965 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (360 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (5395 in chips)
Seat 7: sfennui (680 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (2420 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (1435 in chips)
mtwalkers: posts small blind 75
Columbo777: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kd Jh]
sfennui: folds
knuckles1972: calls 150
jjclanto: calls 150
Capp1945: folds
wes4$79: folds
mtwalkers: calls 75
Columbo777: checks KJo is not a favorite hand of mine, but a limp here and forcing myself to play out of position was just plain WRONG.
*** FLOP *** [5d Qd 9s]
mtwalkers: checks
Columbo777: bets 150 I bet this just to see if I could pick it up cheap. If I get a call, I am DONE with the hand. But with 4 players, it is unlikely this will work. This is a dark tunnel bet and I wasted my money. BUT, I did get a free turn card to see if I hit the inside straight draw.
knuckles1972: folds
jjclanto: calls 150
mtwalkers: folds
*** TURN *** [5d Qd 9s] [4s]
Columbo777: checks
jjclanto: checks
*** RIVER *** [5d Qd 9s 4s] [3s]
Columbo777: checks
jjclanto: bets 750
Columbo777: folds
jjclanto collected 900 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [3h Qs]
Level V (75/150)
Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Capp1945 (5460 in chips)
Seat 3: wes4$79 (2965 in chips)
Seat 4: mtwalkers (352 in chips)
Seat 6: Columbo777 (5020 in chips)
Seat 7: sfennui (823 in chips)
Seat 8: knuckles1972 (2270 in chips)
Seat 9: jjclanto (1825 in chips)
sfennui: posts small blind 75
knuckles1972: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [5h 5c]
jjclanto: folds
Capp1945: folds
wes4$79: raises 150 to 300
mtwalkers: folds
Columbo777: calls 300 only a 2xBB raise. Ok, I’ll bite and see. Loose to say the least with a baby pocket pair.
sfennui: folds
knuckles1972: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qs 4c Jh] UGH.
wes4$79: checks
Columbo777: checks I am not falling for this. The pot is too small to chase.
*** TURN *** [Qs 4c Jh] [Qd] double ugh.
wes4$79: bets 450 looks like he panic’d and is trying too hard to build a pot now.
Columbo777: folds
wes4$79 collected 825 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [7c 5d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2d 2h] limp from MP to see a flop. Missed.

The following is about learning when you are beat and a good example of a squeeze play.

Level V (75/150) -
Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: knuckles1972 (2045 in chips)
Seat 2: dawgbox (4985 in chips)
Seat 3: lildickiek (1645 in chips)
Seat 4: yellowrtca (2415 in chips)
Seat 5: dipdip87 (3635 in chips)
Seat 6: Capp1945 (5460 in chips)
Seat 7: sigarms229 (4945 in chips)
Seat 8: Columbo777 (4570 in chips)
Seat 9: Stangino (11640 in chips)
yellowrtca: posts small blind 75
dipdip87: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Td Tc]
Capp1945: folds
sigarms229: folds
Columbo777: raises 300 to 450 3xBB raise. Std.
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
dawgbox: folds
lildickiek: raises 300 to 750 REALLY? This is trouble
yellowrtca: folds
dipdip87: calls 600 WTF? Calling 600 COLD? From the BB?
Columbo777: calls 300 Now I think I am WAY beat here. But folding is a MISTAKE. Why? Because I need to call 300 for a pot of $1800 or 6 to 1. Could I fold TT at 6 to 1?! The implied odds on the set alone would pay about 10 to 1.
*** FLOP *** [2h Qh 7d]
dipdip87: bets 2885 and is all-in Now the trouble begins. I missed my 7.5 to 1 set is the good news. The bad news is I now have a “grey hand” (a hand that requires a decision) and I am stuck in a SQUEEZE PLAY. I can not justify this call on odds because I can not figure to have the best hand. Its now $2885 to call a pot of $4000 or less than 2 to 1. I have got to be a bigger dog than that now.
Columbo777: folds
lildickiek: calls 895 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [2h Qh 7d] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [2h Qh 7d 7h] [Jc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dipdip87: shows [5s 5h] (two pair, Sevens and Fives) wtf again?! He “stacked off” on an underpair?
lildickiek: shows [Jh Js] (a full house, Jacks full of Sevens) ah, now that’s what I expected. (actually, I expected QQ).
lildickiek collected 4115 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [9s 3d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2s 8c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2d Qh]
Dealt to Columbo777 [4s Kd] Note: My M is 35… until the blinds go up.
Dealt to Columbo777 [8d 2s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [5s 2h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qd 6c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qs 7s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9c 2d]
Columbo777: posts big blind 200
Dealt to Columbo777 [6d 7c] missed by a mile
Dealt to Columbo777 [6c 3c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [3h 8h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jh 6h]

Level VII (100/200) 25 ante
Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: knuckles1972 (2045 in chips)
Seat 3: lildickiek (8115 in chips)
Seat 4: yellowrtca (1540 in chips)
Seat 6: Capp1945 (3060 in chips)
Seat 7: sigarms229 (8535 in chips)
Seat 8: Columbo777 (3220 in chips)
Seat 9: Stangino (11340 in chips)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [7d 7h]
Capp1945: folds
sigarms229: raises 200 to 400
Columbo777: calls 400 middle pairs. Getting in for 2xBB is good here I think. I don’t need to win this pre-flop, I can wait and see who plays.
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
lildickiek: folds
yellowrtca: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [9d Jd Jh] pretty good flop for a pair. Just have to watch for a JACK.
yellowrtca: checks
sigarms229: bets 600 He bets $600 in $1200 or a continuation bet. In light of my call, this seems as expected. But I need to know if I should get out and I want to know it now.
Columbo777: raises 600 to 1200 Am I against a J or is he worried about a Jack?
yellowrtca: calls 1115 and is all-in He has a Jack and I am beat. FATAL MISTAKE? I did not appreciate what the $600 represented. He was in effect, already all in. He was milking me. STOOPID that I missed that.
sigarms229: folds
*** TURN *** [9d Jd Jh] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [9d Jd Jh 3c] [5c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
yellowrtca: shows [Td Jc] (three of a kind, Jacks)
Columbo777: shows [7d 7h] (two pair, Jacks and Sevens)
Another non-fatal mistake.

I get to use this on the next hand…
Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: knuckles1972 (2020 in chips)
Seat 3: lildickiek (7990 in chips)
Seat 4: yellowrtca (4305 in chips)
Seat 6: Capp1945 (3035 in chips)
Seat 7: sigarms229 (7510 in chips)
Seat 8: Columbo777 (1680 in chips)
Seat 9: Stangino (11315 in chips)
yellowrtca: posts small blind 100
Capp1945: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [2c 2h]
sigarms229: folds
Columbo777: raises 200 to 400 just to intimidate the blinds.
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
lildickiek: calls 400 only ONE caller?
yellowrtca: folds
Capp1945: folds
*** FLOP *** [6s 7c 6h] nice flop for me. I read him as over cards because of the call preflop. KJ?
Columbo777: bets 1255 and is all-in Pressure bet should get a fold.
lildickiek: calls 1255 danger? No, a loose call!
*** TURN *** [6s 7c 6h] [3d]
*** RIVER *** [6s 7c 6h 3d] [6c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [2c 2h] (a full house, Sixes full of Deuces)
lildickiek: shows [Kd Ac] (three of a kind, Sixes)

Dealt to Columbo777 [7c 5d]
*=*
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jd Ah] in the BB. ARGH. Hard to play out of position.
sigarms229: calls 100
Columbo777: raises 1000 to 1200 I want to end this right now. I don’t want to play this out of position. This raise was too big though. Should have been about $500.
sigarms229: raises 6810 to 8010 and is all-in oh man, I am beat. But I only have $2500 more (not $6800). So I am in effect calling $2500 into $2500 or 2 to 1. So what do I do?? If I fold, I leave $1500 of my stack behind and my M goes down to 22. My Q, however, would drop below 1. I would like to say I made this call for the right reasons. But in effect, I was beat, I knew it, and I should fold here. Instead I gamble because the limp raise seemed like an act of desperation with a marginal hand like KQ.
Columbo777: calls 2535 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [3h 6c 7d]
*** TURN *** [3h 6c 7d] [3d]
*** RIVER *** [3h 6c 7d 3d] [Js]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sigarms229: shows [Kd As] (a pair of Threes)
Columbo777: shows [Jd Ah] (two pair, Jacks and Threes)
sigarms229 said, "LOL"
Columbo777 collected 7645 from pot
Luck be a lady tonight. I sucked out on someone. I must have been due. But the important thing to note here is that I just had what in screenwriting they call a “pivot point”. I must use this and these chips to my advantage, regardless of the nature of the windfall. Drop the hand mentally and pretend you just plain beat him. Remember though, he did not have a pair, so this was gambling with a drawing hand on his part also.

Columbo777 said, "ouch"
sigarms229 said, "sheet happens"
Columbo777 said, "it was that limp raise. I thought you had junk"

Dealt to Columbo777 [Jh 3s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9s 5d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Td 7s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [3h 5s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [4d Qs]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2d 8d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [8c 4d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks 8c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [3d 8s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [5s 2s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9h Qd]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qh 9s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kh 5h]

Columbo777: posts small blind 200
Stangino: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ts Jc]
knuckles1972: calls 400
lildickiek: calls 400
yellowrtca: calls 400
sigarms229: folds
Columbo777: calls 200 half a bet with a connector and 4 players? Ok.
Stangino: checks
*** FLOP *** [6h Qd Jh] hey, not bad.
Columbo777: bets 800 ½ the pot.
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
lildickiek: folds
yellowrtca: folds
Columbo777 collected 2150 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [7c Ac]
Columbo777: raises 600 to 1000 button vs. blinds
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Columbo777 collected 1150 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [5d Jd]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jh 5d]
Columbo777: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qc 7h]
lildickiek: calls 400
sigarms229: calls 200
Columbo777: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ad Qd Kd]
sigarms229: checks
Columbo777: bets 400 beat?
lildickiek: calls 400 probably
sigarms229: folds
*** TURN *** [Ad Qd Kd] [6c]
Columbo777: checks
lildickiek: bets 400
Columbo777: calls 400 why call here?
*** RIVER *** [Ad Qd Kd 6c] [Td]
Columbo777: checks
lildickiek: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Qc 7h] (a pair of Queens)
lildickiek: shows [9c Kh] (a pair of Kings)
lildickiek collected 2950 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [4d Qc]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks 3s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [5h 6s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [6s 5s] see a flop, fold.
Dealt to Columbo777 [3s 5c]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ac 4s] (AA cracked by JJ when a flush is made)
Dealt to Columbo777 [6d 9h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jh Qc]
5 folds to me
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1200
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
lildickiek: folds
Columbo777 collected 1125 from pot

Level VIII (200/400) 25 ante
Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: knuckles1972 (6235 in chips)
Seat 3: lildickiek (2755 in chips)
Seat 4: yellowrtca (11130 in chips)
Seat 8: Columbo777 (6095 in chips)
Seat 9: Stangino (11640 in chips)
lildickiek: posts small blind 200
yellowrtca: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks Jd]
Columbo777: raises 400 to 800 Pot is $1400
Stangino: folds
knuckles1972: folds
lildickiek: raises 1930 to 2730 and is all-in big re-raise to win it here? Why? Needs to chips and is afraid is my guess.
yellowrtca: folds
Columbo777: calls 1930 Opportunity. How often do you get into a situation where winning a hand would put you in a big favorable position, you can make the call and not be crippled, and you think he is making a move with just an Ax? It was that last part that really got me. I am SO sure he has Ax here. I figure AQ, AT or A9. If its AQ, then it’s a loose call. But if its AT or A9, then I am only a 3 to 2 underdog! I on the spot invent the concept (at least invented to me) opportunity costs. I have an opportunity to change my position in the tournament and at only a 3 to 2 dog (Assuming I am correct on the read). After much thinking, I make this call knowing I am a slight dog.
*** FLOP *** [7h Kd Ad]
*** TURN *** [7h Kd Ad] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [7h Kd Ad Qd] [8d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
lildickiek: shows [Ac Ts] (a pair of Aces) I nailed it.
Columbo777: shows [Ks Jd] (a flush, Ace high) and with a bit of luck…
Columbo777 collected 5985 from pot I change my tournament outlook.

TABLE CHANGE
And now for something completely different… new table, first hand. [cue music]
Level IX (300/600)
Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: wes4$79 (1728 in chips)
Seat 2: knuckles1972 (6210 in chips)
Seat 3: Stangino (11615 in chips)
Seat 4: Columbo777 (9325 in chips)
Seat 5: jjclanto (5675 in chips)
Seat 6: Iluvmath (5281 in chips)
Seat 7: PussSon (7716 in chips)
Seat 8: dawgbox (9295 in chips)
Seat 9: yellowrtca (10655 in chips)
Iluvmath: posts small blind 300
PussSon: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [2s 7s] HAMMER (close enough)
dawgbox: folds
yellowrtca: folds
wes4$79: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: raises 600 to 1200 favorable conditions.
jjclanto: folds
Iluvmath: folds
PussSon: folds
Columbo777 collected 1950 from pot
Columbo777: shows [2s 7s] (high card Seven)
Columbo777 said, "hammer"
what fun the hammer is. Why did I show? Watch the next hand.

5' Seat #6 is the button
PussSon: posts small blind 300
dawgbox: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qs Kc]
Iluvmath said, "lol" (hammer)
yellowrtca: folds
wes4$79: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: calls 600
Columbo777: raises 1200 to 1800 punish the limper
jjclanto: calls 1800
Iluvmath: calls 1800 <=remember this.
PussSon: folds
dawgbox: folds
Stangino: calls 1200
4 players see a pot of $7200!!!
*** FLOP *** [Kd 2s Kh] Who’s your daddy!!!???
Stangino: checks
Columbo777: checks columbo style. Slow play…
jjclanto: bets 3775 and is all-in pocket pair?
Iluvmath: calls 3081 and is all-in wtf??
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: calls 3775 EASY CALL. There is only ONE hand better AK. And we can’t be afraid of “monsters in the dark”.
*** TURN *** [Kd 2s Kh] [Jh]
*** RIVER *** [Kd 2s Kh Jh] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Qs Kc] (three of a kind, Kings)
jjclanto: shows [6s 6h] (two pair, Kings and Sixes) yup, pp.
Columbo777 collected 1388 from side pot
Iluvmath: shows [4s Ks] (three of a kind, Kings - lower kicker) gets what he deserves!!!
Columbo777 collected 17793 from main pot
It’s going to be quite some time (never) that I watch my M in this tournament from this point forward.

Dealt to Columbo777 [Jh Qs]
wes4$79: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: calls 600
Columbo777: calls 600
PussSon: folds
dawgbox: folds
yellowrtca: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ts Td 3h]
yellowrtca: checks
Stangino: bets 1200
Columbo777: folds
TIGHT FOLD.

Dealt to Columbo777 [8h 5h]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Jc 3c]
Columbo777: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [4h 5s]
PussSon: folds
dawgbox: folds
yellowrtca: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: calls 300
Columbo777: checks
*** FLOP *** [8h Ks Js]
Stangino: checks
Columbo777: bets 600
Stangino: folds
Columbo777 collected 1500 from pot
I probably fold this if anyone else plays. This is the classic “Phil Gordon” just bet out and see if you win for free, otherwise I am done with the hand.

Dealt to Columbo777 [5h Qd]
Dealt to Columbo777 [As Ks]
yellowrtca: folds
knuckles1972: calls 600
Stangino: raises 1200 to 1800 3xBB
Columbo777: raises 1200 to 3000 I think I can win this.
PussSon: folds
dawgbox: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: calls 1200
*** FLOP *** [6c Qs 5c]
Stangino: checks
Columbo777: checks
*** TURN *** [6c Qs 5c] [Th]
Stangino: checks
Columbo777: checks
*** RIVER *** [6c Qs 5c Th] [Td]
Stangino: checks
Columbo777: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Stangino: shows [Ad Js] (a pair of Tens)
Columbo777: shows [As Ks] (a pair of Tens - King kicker)
Columbo777 collected 7800 from pot
He applied no pressure and I was happy to make no value bets. Good or bad?

Dealt to Columbo777 [6c Kh]
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kc Ac] and again. Not a zombie tonight.
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: raises 1200 to 1800 3xBB.
PussSon: raises 2416 to 4216 and is all-in seems desperate.
dawgbox: folds
yellowrtca: folds
knuckles1972: folds
Columbo777: calls 2416 sure, I’ll race you. Why? Opportunity Costs are good. Just $2400 to bust a player and create a fear factor.
*** FLOP *** [8c 3s 4d]
*** TURN *** [8c 3s 4d] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [8c 3s 4d Qd] [Kd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Kc Ac] (a pair of Kings)
PussSon: shows [Js Jh] (a pair of Jacks)
Columbo777 collected 9632 from pot I won a second race. Now everyone should be afraid to race me.

Dealt to Columbo777 [5d 6d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [2s Ts]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9c 6s]
Dealt to Columbo777 [6s 8h]

Dealt to Columbo777 [Qh Jc]
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: raises 600 to 1200 wimpy…
dawgbox: folds
yellowrtca: calls 900
knuckles1972: calls 600
*** FLOP *** [Th 4h Qc]
yellowrtca: checks
knuckles1972: checks
Columbo777: bets 2400 the power of position.
yellowrtca: calls 2282 and is all-in
knuckles1972: folds
*** TURN *** [Th 4h Qc] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [Th 4h Qc 6h] [4d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
yellowrtca: shows [Ac 9d] (a pair of Fours)
Columbo777: shows [Qh Jc] (two pair, Queens and Fours)
Columbo777 collected 8414 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Qh Ts]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9c Kc] the final table
Dealt to Columbo777 [3h 5d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [6h 4d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [9h Kc] in the BB, all fold to me.
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks 4h] I play this based on image and being shorthanded and that I am in the SB.
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: calls 400
dawgbox: checks
*** FLOP *** [5d Tc 4c]
Columbo777: bets 800
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 1800 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Td 3c]

Dealt to Columbo777 [9h Ac]
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1600 a decent hand.
dawgbox: folds
knuckles1972: raises 2810 to 4410 and is all-in oops.
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: calls 2810 figuring to pay it off, but this shorthanded, he could make this move with any Ace-x.
*** FLOP *** [5c Ks 4s]
*** TURN *** [5c Ks 4s] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [5c Ks 4s Qs] [Kc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
knuckles1972: shows [Ah Qd] (two pair, Kings and Queens)
Columbo777: shows [9h Ac] (a pair of Kings)
knuckles1972 collected 9820 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Ah 4d]

Dealt to Columbo777 [Js Ac]
knuckles1972: folds
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1600 same raise.
dawgbox: raises 16946 to 18546 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds don’t want to race anymore. I feel I am playing too loose with my big stack.
dawgbox collected 3400 from pot
dawgbox: shows [8h 8c] (a pair of Eights)
Columbo777 said, "AJ" just to be courteous.

Dealt to Columbo777 [Ah 4d]
Dealt to Columbo777 [7h Js]
Dealt to Columbo777 [3c Ac]

Dealt to Columbo777 [Td Qs]
dawgbox: calls 800 too few players to limp now.
knuckles1972: raises 8970 to 9770 and is all-in see
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: folds
dawgbox: calls 8970
*** FLOP *** [2d 8s 3c]
*** TURN *** [2d 8s 3c] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [2d 8s 3c 7c] [3h]
Columbo777 said, "had to know it was coming, eh" sarcasm
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dawgbox: shows [Tc Ac] (a pair of Threes)
knuckles1972: shows [Js Ts] (a pair of Threes - lower kicker)
dawgbox collected 20940 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Qs Kd]
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: calls 400 wait for the raise.
dawgbox: raises 800 to 1600
Columbo777: calls 800 easy call.
*** FLOP *** [7h Qc 5d]
Columbo777: bets 800 I am ahead and decide to milk. Never do this unless you’re at the final table or on TV.
dawgbox: calls 800
*** TURN *** [7h Qc 5d] [8h]
Columbo777: bets 4000
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 4950 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Th 6c] I am being VERY patient in waiting for the two short stacks to go away. The first is gone and one is left. I refuse to get involved with the other stack until he is gone.

Columbo777: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [2s 4d]
dawgbox: folds
Stangino: raises 3615 to 4415 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds

Level X (400/800)
Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Stangino (5365 in chips)
Seat 4: Columbo777 (31369 in chips)
Seat 8: dawgbox (30766 in chips)
Stangino: posts the ante 50
Columbo777: posts the ante 50
dawgbox: posts the ante 50
Columbo777: posts small blind 400
dawgbox: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ad Kd]
Stangino: folds
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1600 weak raise, but I want action.
dawgbox: calls 800
*** FLOP *** [Th Kh 8c]
Columbo777: bets 1600 continuation
dawgbox: calls 1600
*** TURN *** [Th Kh 8c] [2h]
Columbo777: bets 1600 fire 2
dawgbox: raises 1600 to 3200 hmmm… still, the raise GIVES me odds to call instead of chasing me away. This is a classic underbet mistake on his part.
Columbo777: calls 1600
*** RIVER *** [Th Kh 8c 2h] [8d]
Columbo777: checks
dawgbox: bets 800
Columbo777: calls 800
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dawgbox: shows [2c Kc] (two pair, Kings and Eights)
Columbo777: shows [Ad Kd] (two pair, Kings and Eights - Ace kicker)
Columbo777 collected 14550 from pot

Dealt to Columbo777 [Qd 5h] other short stack now gone, heads up.

Columbo777: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Qs 9h]
dawgbox: raises 28031 to 28831 and is all-in panic move. He is not good heads up. I am going to break him.
Columbo777: folds

Columbo777: posts small blind 400
dawgbox: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Js Kh]
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1600
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 1700 from pot
He risked $28k to win this much, I risked $800

dawgbox: posts small blind 400
Columbo777: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Tc Kc]
dawgbox: calls 400
Columbo777: raises 2400 to 3200
dawgbox: calls 2400
*** FLOP *** [7h 9s 2c]
Columbo777: bets 5600
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 6500 from pot

Columbo777: posts small blind 400
dawgbox: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [8s Ah]
Columbo777: raises 800 to 1600
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 1700 from pot
pecking away at him…

dawgbox: posts small blind 400
Columbo777: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [6s Qc]
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 900 from pot
hopefully frustrating him…

Columbo777: posts small blind 400
dawgbox: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [6c Td]
Columbo777: calls 400
dawgbox: raises 23481 to 24281 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds
easy fold. He cant win this way.

dawgbox: posts small blind 600
Columbo777: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [8d 7h]
dawgbox: calls 600
Columbo777: checks
*** FLOP *** [Kd Ts 9s]
Columbo777: bets 2400
dawgbox: calls 2400 ???
*** TURN *** [Kd Ts 9s] [8s]
Columbo777: bets 3600
dawgbox: folds
Columbo777 collected 7350 from pot
now he is just playing awful.

Columbo777: posts small blind 600
dawgbox: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [2h 6s]
Columbo777: calls 600
dawgbox: checks
*** FLOP *** [7h 8h 8s]
dawgbox: bets 20231 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds easy fold

dawgbox: posts small blind 600
Columbo777: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [2h Ac]
dawgbox: raises 21506 to 22706 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds
dawgbox collected 2550 from pot
it is not hurting me to let these go…

Seat 4: Columbo777 (43444 in chips)
Seat 8: dawgbox (24056 in chips)
Columbo777: posts the ante 75
dawgbox: posts the ante 75
Columbo777: posts small blind 600
dawgbox: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks Jh]
Columbo777: calls 600
dawgbox: checks
*** FLOP *** [6h 4h Ad]
dawgbox: checks
Columbo777: bets 1200
dawgbox: calls 1200
*** TURN *** [6h 4h Ad] [8d]
dawgbox: checks
Columbo777: checks
*** RIVER *** [6h 4h Ad 8d] [5h]
dawgbox: bets 21581 and is all-in
Columbo777: folds easy fold again…
dawgbox collected 4950 from pot

And now its time to end this…
Seat 4: Columbo777 (40969 in chips)
Seat 8: dawgbox (26531 in chips)
Columbo777: posts the ante 75
dawgbox: posts the ante 75
dawgbox: posts small blind 600
Columbo777: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [9s 4d]
dawgbox: calls 600 no raise head up. Very poor.
Columbo777: checks ok…
*** FLOP *** [9d 4h 4c]
Columbo777: checks [cue swelling music]
dawgbox: bets 1200
Columbo777: calls 1200
*** TURN *** [9d 4h 4c] [Tc]
Columbo777: checks columbo style…
dawgbox: bets 6000 he is ALMOST committed.
Columbo777: raises 6000 to 12000 just enough that he thinks I am bullying.
dawgbox: calls 6000
*** RIVER *** [9d 4h 4c Tc] [3s]
Columbo777: bets 6000 He has 12k left, so we go for half of it and hope he goes all in.
dawgbox: raises 6056 to 12056 and is all-in
Columbo777: calls 6056
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dawgbox: shows [7s 9h] (two pair, Nines and Fours)
Columbo777: shows [9s 4d] (a full house, Fours full of Nines)
Columbo777 collected 53062 from pot
Game, set, match.

The Stats:
AK : a couple of times
Pairs: a reasonable amount of times
Suck outs: 1 Sucked out on someone : 1
Chased when behind and won : 1 (the KJ was a calculated opportunity risk)
Races : 3, races won : 2

Overall, I felt pretty good about all of this except the one hand that could have broke me. (The misread on the limp re-raise where I had to suck out to stay alive.)

I feel very good about the flush draw hand. I really read that well and made an advanced move. I feel like this was the most important had I ever played. (I hope that its trivial months from now...)

Well, I hope you enjoyed this journey… Even more importantly, I hope I know what I am talking about!

I was a middle aged Zombie

I decided to play 2 $5 Sit N Go’s and track (in grave detail) my play. I thought it would be interesting to the reader. I thought it would show my improvement. I thought it would demonstrate how much I had learned from Harrington. Instead, I became a card dead zombie. Eeeerrrrr, brains... (Please comment if you disagree with any of the following.)

WARNING: The cards dealt are disturbing. Do not try this at home. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.

First SnG. Starting stack 1000, blinds 5/10. 10 handed tables. (M:100, Q:avg.)

First hand. AQs in the cutoff. Couple of limpers. I raise to 4xBB. I expect the limpers to call most any raise. They did. The flop is 958 rainbow and the betting and raising begins. Against 4+ players I can not hope to win this pot with 2 overcards. But I did not really even have to think about it as a player goes all in before it even gets to me. I lost the hand and that’s the good news. The bad news consists of the next two hours. Avert your eyes. I wont see a hand this good until... well, never.

I collected all sorts of stats, notes and commentary over the next two hours. I would love to type it all out, really I would. But instead, I am going to list my starting hands…

Ready? Let’s begin: 69o, 57s, 4To, K2o, 35o, 23o, 45o, 78o (could not get in cheap AND out of position), Q6s, 97o, 85o, JQo.

Hey, wait a second. JQo? That’s playable. From MP I call like everyone else (this hand can not stand a reraise). The flop is 223 and there are 5 players seeing the flop. All check. The turn is a 3. I am so done here. Ends up someone played 34o.

A9s – all in before it even GETS to me pre-flop. Fold.

32o, A5o, Q8o, 83o, 9To (flop A6A, turn K), 57o*, A9o

Played the A9o out of frustration. Ended up in a showdown with AJ and got lucky when we split on two pair. I had figured the time was good for a move. I ALMOST tried it with 57o because I thought the timing was good. I decided to wait one more hand. The A9 runs into AJ of course.

J3o, J2o, 89o (BIG raise from the right before my turn to act), K9o

Tried to play K9o because UtG folded and I was first to act. I made a move here and got called by the BB. The flop is 692 and he checked. I made a continuation bet and he moved all in. It was $450 more into a pot of like $800 and I had top pair. I think and decide I have to call here as an overpair would not be played this way. He turns over 77 and I win. I have $1720 now. This was my first showdown. I have won ONE hand.

Get this. I am the chip leader. But not a single player is out. Money is moving from K7o to 57o (i.e. from stupid player to stupid player). I have only played ONE hand to a showdown, and my M* is 17. (M is the number of rotations you can play before you are blinded out). If MY M is 17, everyone else is firmly in the Orange Zone and has to think about making a move. Let the volatility begin!

K4o, 62s, K6s, 32s, ATo

I decide to play ATo since I am on the button. (Play is consistent with Orange Zone play as everyone folds to me when I am the big blind and the very next hand a player is all-in.) I raise 2.5xBB. I scaled it down a little as the blinds as so high and I am only against the blinds. Plus, I have position. The BB can’t wait to get all in and I am forced to call $365 more on odds alone. He flips KK. Plus a K on the flop. This hands costs my the tournament.

I am at $855 now and my M is 4.5. I am a zombie again. Plus, I wont see a hand as good as ATo for the rest of the night.

J7o, 42o, 97o, A8o.

The blinds are so huge and I firmly in the Red zone. I get ideal conditions. First to act after some folds, only 3 players to act after me, and I have an ace at least. I go all in and get a call from JJ. I am out 8th out of 10. And get this. The blinds are now 100/200 and most players still have less than 2000 chips.

SnG II (Return of the zombie)

69s, JTs utg. Dangerous, but I know I can get in the second hand just limping.

Flop is Ts8sAc and I am first to act. I ASSUME someone played Ax, so I check. Ok, this was probably a mistake that cost me this hand. But I am out one BB only. The pot is small and I have middle pair against a probable Ace holding with 5 callers and I am first to act. Everyone checked. The turn is a 4d and everyone checks again. The river is a 9 and a player make a pot size bet. I assume he had the Ace. Since I blew the hand, I decided not to make a crying call. I probably SHOULD have. Lesson Learned. I just was zombied I guess.

9To. In the BB no less. But when a player raises 6xBB I fold it. The flop was 99T. This was the lotto hand I missed out on.

AJo, but a player is ALL IN before it gets to me.

J4o, 64o, 68o, K7s, 64o, 83o, J5o. At this time I have FOLDED my way to third place with $955 of my starting $1000.

I call with 54s, but an AK gets 68s all in. How does that happen?

JTs in the BB. I make a raise to 2x and someone is all in but its only 3xBB. 393Q4. Lost that one. I raised with JTs for deception value and realize in retrospec that it was wasted effort that cost me an extra two bets.

7To, Q7o, A3o, QJo (two players start a raising war), 36o, 43o, T2o, A3o in the BB and cant get away from it due to lack of chips. My M is below 10 and I have only one opponent. He flips over AJo and I suck out on him when a 3 hits. My M is now 20.

42o, 48o, 56o (I win a tiny pot here when I limp and the flop is 578)
45o and again I limp. I let bottom pair go and decided that I am done limping. I am either folding or raising from this point on. The blinds are too high.

K6o, J4o, KJo in the BB. Someone raises to 2xBB and I reraise to 4xBB. I do this because I am out of position and I want to win it right here. I could have bet more. As it is, I get TWO callers. I get pushed out on the turn and 55 hits a straight and takes out KTs. What we he doing there? There was no K, no J and no draws. I may have challenged harder if KJo did not call my 4xBB re-raise and I was heads up with one opponent.

KTs and I call a short stacks desperate all-in expecting Ax. I get to stare at AK and now I am crippled down to $400.

34o (someone with life in them please aim a shotgun at my zombie head)

A8s. All fold to me on the button, just the blinds left to act. I go all in and they BOTH call. They have AK and QQ.

My very best hand of the night: AQs. Pocket pairs: ZERO. Ace-King: ZERO. Flopped top pair : ONCE. Two pair: ZERO Straight or flush DRAW (not even made, just a DRAW): One Only the 9To that I folded to the 6xBB raise would have hit hard the entire night.

So, what did I learn from all of this? That you can be playing smart and losing because of it. A reckless LAG (loose aggressive player) may have been able to at least get lucky on a hand. Me, I couldn’t move at all. Even when I tried to make a move, I would constantly run into AK, KK or QQ or JJ. Yet I never saw a starting pair the entire night much less JJ. Not even AK.

Even so, I will try this again. I would like to hear comment from anyone who thinks they could have turned these cards into a winning situation. Meanwhile, I am going to rent Day of the Dead before the new zombie movie is released next week and commiserate with my zombie friends.

lack of updates

I was out of the country.
An old friend came in from out of town.
My suit didn't come back from the cleaners.
I ran out of gas.
I had a flat tire.
Someone stole my car.
There was an earthquake, a terrible flood,
It wasn't my fault.

ok, the first on is true. Plus, I decided to "take stock" and review my play. I fell back to PSO and have been practicing. I think I has worked through my blockage.

The new Harrington book is out. Excellent. Really first rate. But can you apply it? I don't worry because most people can't or won't. Too lazy. I will continue to study, practice, and improve... they will not. At least that is the theory that people who were not jocks in high school cling to.

Better results in ring games so far, and next I'll return to large field tournaments. But the BIG think is guessing hands based on betting patterns. Need more "real time" practice. I think I will do some more "watching".

am I an idiot, part III

1/2 NL. Pre-flop raises are ridiculous with players calling a raise of like $25.

I get AQ and make a pre-flop raise of POT. There were 3 limpers already and one of them reraises my 4xPOT. I fold.

10 minutes later I have not played a single hand. I get AK and raise it POT. Once again, I get RERAISED and another player calls BEFORE it even gets back to me. This is ridiculous. I re-raise all in and they BOTH call with 55 and QQ.

Now notice something here. This is actually GOOD. I get 2-1 on all of this and only need the AK for which I am 50%.

I of course, get nothing and once AGAIN bust in a ring game. WHAT DOES IT TAKE PEOPLE?!

Singing the Blues

Hosted my monthly tournament, and only had 12 people. So we are playing short handed. When you play short handed, it is like being at a final table only the blinds are cheap. I saw a alot of flops that went nowhere and bleed like a pig. I was dealt about 25 connectors and did not hit on a single one. I finished the night in 6th. Get this. I had AA hit a SET and I had to lay it down to a made flush (and I was correct). Then I had JJ and had to lay it down to... QQ. Again, great lay down. Score card: Flushes: ZERO, straights: ZERO. sets: 1 loser. 2 pair: ONCE from the BB with 95. The rest was just gumption and bleeding. There was another pot stabber at the table who liked to fire out at pots post flop from early position and fold if they got played back at. Did not get more than one opportunity. Swore I would do it and when I looked at my 52o I lost my nerve. But I should have done it. No matter. In the end, the blinds were high and I had about a stack of 8xBB. I get A7o on the button and everyone folds to me. With just the blinds to contend with, I push and the SB has AK. My WIFE, however, kicked major ass and won the tournament. She may play for play money on party poker, but she plays 1000 hands a week and it adds up.

Tonight, I am not taking my beats well. I caught a guy with a straight draw pushing and I set him all in with the upper half of his straight cheated (his straight made me a straight). So he has FOUR outs with 1 card to come. A 6 seals my fate.

Earlier I got JJ pants by QQ and in the final hand had AQ... I cant even describe it. Here, see for yourself:

Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) (we both have $2400 ish which is just avg.)
Seat #3 is the button
ECALL: posts small blind 100
RamsLaw: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to Columbo777 [Qs Ac]
TarkZ: folds
Columbo777: raises 400 to 600
TheMadEph: folds
ShakeXXX: calls 600
cypruskid: folds
ECALL: calls 500
RamsLaw: folds
2callers for a 3xBB raise. $1800 pot.
*** FLOP *** [8h 2d 3s]
ECALL: checks I should bet here.
Columbo777: bets 600 just a stab to see who plays. BUT, it puts half my chips in the pot. I figure he needs something to do the same.
ShakeXXX: calls 600 why?
ECALL: folds
*** TURN *** [8h 2d 3s] [8s]
Columbo777: checks turns out, here AGAIN is the fatal mistake. Not firing the second barrel on the turn (or making a wimpy bet here too). HINDSIGHT, I can go all in here. but I HAD NOTHING.
ShakeXXX: checks
*** RIVER *** [8h 2d 3s 8s] [As] By all counts, I think I am ahead here.
Columbo777: bets 800
ShakeXXX: raises 370 to 1170 and is all-in
Columbo777: calls 370
*** SHOW DOWN ***ShakeXXX: shows [Kd Ad] (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Columbo777: shows [Qs Ac] (two pair, Aces and Eights - lower kicker)
ShakeXXX collected 5540 from pot
Chased the flop with AK. I just didn't think someone would do that. So, I gave him credit for a pocket pair. Did I underbet the pot, but gez. Was very surprised to get beat here. And poof, another MTT wasted.

Bloggers be warned

I have taught my wife "da hammer" and she is merciless. Scary.

Why do I torture myself?

I decided to play a 2 table SnG at PS just so I can feel like I can play cards again. I took second. Had first sewn up, until back to back suck outs. Still, 2nd. So, back to the cash tables. Up a few bucks at PS, then I lose two $10 hands at Noble where I paid off a big river bet. Some people never learn. Me that is. Gez. I need my head beat in. Oh, nevermind. Just did that. Ouch.

Why am I SO much better at tournaments?

Whatever you do, don't play at Noble poker. SO many times I am hearing complaints on hanging games folding your hands when you have the nuts. I've had it happen to me on two occasions before, but I figured they fixed it. Well, this time the entire app CRASHES. I had it happen to me twice TONIGHT. Just a few minutes ago the entire java app crashed for the SECOND time when I have AA on the button. I raised a dollar and it crashed AFTER the raise and it still folded me. Gez. Just don't play there. Screw their bonus, I am done with them.

Shattered

"I'm in tatters... I'm Shattered. " -Mic and the boys

No matter how much I learn, I still can't crack the most basic of ring games. Namely, the PS $.50/$1 game. Lame. Here are the THREE hands that broke me.

Please, please, please help me understand what is going on!
Hand #1

PokerStars Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - FULL TABLE
Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Columbo777 ($42.85 in chips)
Seat 4: Saxbo ($47.75 in chips)
Seat 5: Wiggy1 ($37 in chips)
Seat 6: rty7aho ($49.60 in chips)
Wiggy1: posts small blind $0.25
rty7aho: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Ks Qs]
airallnite: folds
Risingers: folds
ppj800: folds
Columbo777: raises $0.50 to $1 A micro raise just to weed out junk. I dont raise more because its a drawing hand. I should have made my std 3xBB raise though.
thangseller: folds
mb2808: folds
Saxbo: calls $1 heads up. So, it achieved the goal.
Wiggy1: folds
rty7aho: folds
POT is $2.50
*** FLOP *** [9h Kh 7h] Need to be careful here as 3 heart flop. I have just TP.
Columbo777: bets $1 So this probably should have been about $1.25, but close enough.
Saxbo: raises $1.50 to $2.50 wants to represent something. But he would only raise here if he does NOT have a flush. otherwise, he would smooth call. He may have a heart and a pair.
Columbo777: calls $1.50 based on the above, I call.
Pot is $5.50
*** TURN *** [9h Kh 7h] [7d]
Columbo777: bets $2 Now the 7 pairs. I figure I can reasonably represent a hand that could beat a flush now. K7, K9, or even just a 7 if he needs a fourth diamond. I bet $2 into $5.50 figuring to see if he is drawing. Probably too small? But I am AFRAID (bad) that he already has the flush.
Saxbo: calls $2 So, now I figure he is looking for the fourth heart.
Pot is $9.50
*** RIVER *** [9h Kh 7h 7d] [Ts]
Columbo777: bets $3 I try to make it look like I want the call as I figure him now for a 9 and a heart. This bet is too small, but the sin was on the turn.
Saxbo: calls $3 CRAP. He would only call here with a hand better than top pair.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Columbo777: shows [Ks Qs] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
Saxbo: shows [As Kc] (two pair, Kings and Sevens - Ace kicker) Saxbo collected $16.90 from pot OMFG, I lost on the kicker. I missed the real inflection point on the turn and it was fatal. I bet $5 on the turn and he folds. But I was afraid of getting my money in dead. So I put in a lame bet. FATAL. Either bet to win, or CHECK.
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $17.75 Rake $0.85
Board [9h Kh 7h 7d Ts]
Being out of position cost me this hand as I was unwilling to put the pressure on his necessary to get him to throw away his better hand.

HAND #2
PokerStars Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) - 8 players at table.
Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: Columbo777 ($38.65 in chips)
Seat 6: rty7aho ($47.35 in chips)
mb2808: posts small blind $0.25
Saxbo: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kc Kd] FINALLY a hand.
Wiggy1: folds
rty7aho: raises $1 to $1.50 alright...
superman2121: folds
Risingers: folds
ppj800: folds
Columbo777: raises $1 to $2.50 good raise???
thangseller: folds
mb2808: folds
Saxbo: folds
rty7aho: calls $1
pot is $5.75
*** FLOP *** [7s 9h Qd] pretty good flop for me. Overpair. No flush draw. Can have a straight draw, but not a made straight.
rty7aho: checks Probably not TP.
Columbo777: bets $3.50 Bet more than 1/2 the pot here. Could of bet as high as $6. So why $3.50? Probably because I am figuring him for a lesser pair. probably A7 or A9 or even AQ. JT is also possible, not expected based on the pre-flop raise. I figure A9.
rty7aho: calls $3.50
pot is $12.75
*** TURN *** [7s 9h Qd] [4c] This looks like a blank to me.
rty7aho: checks I really think A7 or A9 now. (maybe even AK?)
Columbo777: bets $8 Now, I figure he is going to fold and I put some pressure on him to make a bad call here.
rty7aho: calls $8 Excellent, I think I got him. No reraise to me means no set.
*** RIVER *** [7s 9h Qd 4c] [Ac] No.............
rty7aho: bets $30 I put him on the Ace X, the Ace falls, and he is all in. Can I really make this call?
Columbo777: folds nope.
rty7aho collected $27.35 from pot
rty7aho: doesn't show hand
That sucked. I had not laid down a hand yet and there was no reason to believe I could be bluffed. No matter what the river card was though, I can't see calling a $30 bet with just a pair. At these micro NL tables, people go for the throat when they make a hand because they often get called. Despite losing almost $15 bucks here, I think I made the right fold.

Hand #3:

PokerStars Game Hold'em No Limit ($0.25/$0.50) -9 handed
Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Columbo777 ($25.30 in chips) started with $50. Ugh.
Seat 9: ppj800 ($53.35 in chips)
Risingers: posts small blind $0.25
ppj800: posts big blind $0.50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Columbo777 [Kh Ad] Utg, but a decent hand.
Columbo777: raises $0.50 to $1 should have raised to $1.50
thangseller: folds
Saxbo: folds
BeeSharp: folds
rty7aho: folds
superman2121: folds
Risingers: folds
ppj800: calls $0.50 but, heads up, so I am looking good.
pot is $2.25
*** FLOP *** [Th As Js] tough flop. I have TP, yet there are draws a plenty. So many hands can play here.
ppj800: checks
Columbo777: bets $1 I take a stab here to see if he is just going to fold.
ppj800: calls $1 nope.
pot is now $4.25
*** TURN *** [Th As Js] [2s] Ugh. spades a plenty.
ppj800: checks why?
Columbo777: bets $2.50 I try and represent better.
ppj800: calls $2.50 not gonna fly eh?
Pot is now $9.25 and is now attractive. But am I ahead?
*** RIVER *** [Th As Js 2s] [2h]
ppj800: checks
Columbo777: bets $3 man, was that a lame bet.
ppj800: raises $7 to $10 did he do this because of my lame bet or because he has something?
Columbo777: calls $7 I think he is bluffing? Man, this is a lame call after a lame bet.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ppj800: shows [Td Tc] (a full house, Tens full of Deuces)
Columbo777: mucks hand TPTK.
ppj800 collected $27.85 from pot
Here is yet another case where if I raise more on the turn and get called, I know I am beat. Lets look at the numbers. I bet $2.25 (pot) on the flop instead of $1. Then I bet $7 on the turn instead of $2.50 and he called or raises. I can figure I am beat and fold or check the river. What is the cost difference? Well, I spend $1.25+$4.50= $5.75 more to save $10 on the river.

You can see from this WHY I AM AN IDIOT. Seems obvious now, doesn't it.

In summary, Why amateurs lose money:

• Call too much (be a better, not a caller. I did not have this problem for the most part)
• underbet the pot (now we know why this is important. I do this! and it probably cost me ALL THREE of the above hands)
• play "decision hands" out of position
• overvalue hands (I rarely do this)
• play too many hands (I dont do this)

In the imortal words of Danny Noonan to Judge Smales, "Oh, I wanna be good".

But for now... I still suck.

know your game

remember I said I wanted to play a couple of $1, 5 table PS tourneys for practice. Well, I played one and finished 2nd. Why, because I knew how I needed to play to finish and played that way. I have been practicing at these level and these blinds and improving. Then, on Wed, I attend a 45 person tourney and I blow it big time. Why? Well, because the game was different and I was not. There were 8 at the table and not 9 or 10. Blinds were going up rapidly, almost every 3 rotations. So I should have started playing more aggressively in round 3 instead of 5. I played too tight and bled off my chips. Bad josh? Well, I made the right decision each time. I never continued with a hand that would have lost. But that is not good enough when the blinds are rocketing upwards. You have to win some hands regardless of the cards. 3 times I made a move, all three ran into big big hands. Not my night. But I still played too tight in rounds 3 & 4.

Know the game you are in.

detroit poker group represents!!!!

From poker player newspaper online…

Standings from WSOP event #3
9th Place – Tony Ma plays a short-stack as well as anyone in poker. He came in desperately hoping to double up, and did better than that. He tripled up. Twenty minutes into the finale, Ma moved ‘all in’ with K-K. Arash Ghaneian had A-Q and a third player, Ernest Patrick had 8-8. The flop came K-J-J – good for a full-house -- which catapulted Ma back into the game. Meanwhile, Patrick was down to the felt and exited in 9th place. Ernest Patrick, a 56-year-old builder from Birmingham, MI, collected $29,560.

Ernie “the captain” Patrick plays with us in the Detroit Motown poker group!!! He cashed, final table, in the Event #3 pot limit Hold ‘em event! Woot!

Read some of his hand history and the full artictle via this link
http://www.pokerplayernewspaper.com/viewarticle.php?id=353

Not all Donalds are created equal

Everyone in a while, I have to do something that is not related to poker. Albeit it briefly. This time it was a trip to Chicago to pitch our latest board game designs to the publisher. Glenn, who owns Eagle Games, suggested that we meet at Trump’s on Friday on the outskirts of Chicago. Another boring business trip saved by poker. Not surprisingly, I agreed.

Now Trump’s is not actually in Chicago, but just over the border into Gary Indiana. For those of you not as familiar, Indiana is a state, at least from the waste down. This was never more evident than when we arrived in the very northern Gary and their welcome sign which read, “Welcome to Gary, home of that sulphur smell”. We headed over to the pier, where permanently docked river boats, designed to skirt the letter of the law, allowed gambling. Trumps from the outside looked like nothing special. This in itself should have been a warning, as Trump is not known for his properties being nothing special. In this case, it was actually foreshadowing.

We found the poker room and got a seat pretty quickly as it was 5:15 on a Friday. It was $200 max buy in, $2/$5. Now believe it or not, the $5 through me a bit. It technically would be the biggest game I played at now and I began a little concerned. This thought quickly faded as I started playing hands. As always, I waited for the BB in order to get a bearing on my players. To my left would sit down the “regular” that played average, uninspired poker. He, of course, knew everyone. I would play my Columbo image to the hilt with him, acting the rube and asking him about how time was paid and what a straddle bet was. The player to his left wore a burnt orange hat and would push all in on the turn if he was ahead. He got beat on the river numerous times, each he declared a bad beat and reach for another $200. To his left was the rotating seat. Every player who sat there was a crackpot player. One guy got pissed that he lost a hand on middle pair and stormed away from the table. To his left was Glenn. I tried to stay away from him because he likes to raise big chunks like $100 and if you only have a pair it’s a hard call. With such bad players at the must move table, I never want to have to play marginal decision hands for large stacks of chips. To his left was a poker jerk. Glenn told me he would make fun of the players under his breathe. He was tight, but non-threatening. The player to his left, all three of them in fact, were rocks.

We are a few hands in and I get As6s in late position. Now, I call this hand the “prisoner” after the old Patrick McGoohan series from the sixties (“Who is number 1?” ; “You are number 6”) http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/the-prisoner.shtml
I have a rule to never play this hand unsuited, and only suited for a flush draw. This time, I get to call the min raise and there are 3 players for a pot of $32. The flop is Ace spade spade and our villain bets 10. This is a wimpy bet, and he probably has an Ace. Now it seems to me with this bet that he is playing weak. I can not call here though, this is a clear raise. Why? Well, 1 I am probably behind, BUT he does not know that. His kicker may be marginal at best. 2: If I raise here, he should throw his Ace weak kicker away as he knows he is beat. 3: I have the flush draw to fall back on and this could pay off handsomely if he continues. 4: He might have second pair. So, I raise it to 60. I figure this is very intimidating to someone who bet 10 twice and sees a pot of only 50 out there. He re-raises all in for $60 more. Now a call here is mandatory as even if he has two pair, I am getting 3 to 1 on the call and am only 2.2 to 1 to hit the flush. I call and he flips over AJo. He put his entire stack on TP Jack kicker. Surprised? I know I was. Two non spades come and I am down 130 of my 200. This would be the last hand I lose for a while though.

It’s important to note something here. Players watching this hand made a major error which would cost them about $500 in the next hour. They pegged me as a chaser. This, of course, is VERY incorrect here. I was not chasing the flush, I was putting my player on a decision that was the correct move to make.

Later on I have J8 in the blind and eventually a board reads 9765A and I double up against two pair. How many times do I have to say it? If you play connectors and hit 2 pair, you are in dangerous territory. The natives are digging the pit and covering them with leaves. I also win some less climactic hands, never having to show my cards. .

A brief aside (digression/rant) now about “Trumps”. This place was a pit. Does The Donald know what you are doing to his good name? The chips where so dirty, that they would stick together like children’s half finished lollipops. Literally!!! This is NOT an exaggeration. In order to bet, you could not put chips in your hand and count them out, no, you had to handle them like KGB opening an Oreo. During one hand, I am using one hand to SCRAPE off this graying goo off another chip. Is it so hard to throw the chips in some soap once a year? And the table. Part of it no longer hand felt. It had worn off to where it looked like one of those overhead topography maps of a pond in a field. How much effort is it to re-felt when the felt is gone? The room was run well enough, but jez. This isn’t “Bubba Gumps” poker room, its TRUMPS. TRUMPS. One does not expect this type of lameness after watching the Apprentice for 3 seasons.

Dear Mr. Trump,

I am a 40 year old technology executive that has enjoyed a successful career. I own three companies and I am obsessive about being successful when I take something on. I am interested in the job posting of “Quality Assurance Manager for Trump Properties”, a job which I just invented for you. I will travel to all you properties and correct the things that tarnish the Trump brand in a professional manner, while inspiring higher standard and teamwork at every location I visit. My first order of business would be a brief stop in Gary Indiana and the Trump casino there. I think we can save it without a fire.

Ok, enough schilling. Now its time to play everyone’s favorite poker game show, “What would you do genius?”

Our first hand is one that seems simple to play. In MP you are dealt JJ and the pot has not been entered yet. I raise to 3xBB as is my standard to disguise my hands. I only get one caller from late position as the blinds fold. The flop is J72 rainbow. What do you bet here?

Me, I made an incorrect decision. I made a weak, ½ pot bet. Stoopid. Why? There is no way he can be ahead on this hand. NO WAY. I have top set with no draws. This is one of those RARE times where it is correct to give a free card and I did not do it. If he had a set, he was going to lose his chips later on anyways. If he had nothing, I give him a chance to catch something… anything. Disappointed myself there. Saved him some money.

Next hand: You are in the BB with 99. There are 4 players in the pot who limped. Option is to you. What do you do?

This was the hardest question of the night for me. In this type of bottom end cash game, my raise was either going to create the wrong number of callers or simple build a pot. Neither of which was my desired result. I decided that I would check the 99 and play a non-set very cautiously. Did I do the right thing?

The flop is J95 rainbow. Hey!

Ok, now here again is where I prefer to play my Columbo image. I check. The player to my left, who obviously hit the flop, bets $40 (into a $60 pot). Everyone folds to me. Option number two, what do you do here?

Wanna know what I did? Huh? Do you? I smooth called. Am dinning my own grave here?

The turn is an 8. Action is to you, What do you do?

Me, I started the hand with the intent of letting him hang himself and I was going to continue it. This is the thing about behavior. It needs to be consistent. If I do anything other than check, he is going to figure out something. So, I check. Without even looking at me, he says all-in. He has me covered, and I take a few seconds to think. (I am beat here by QT remember.) What do you do?

Well, it’s an easier call than you think. Why did he put me all in? Think about that. If he made the QT straight, his hand is a since and he is in no hurry. No, he made one pair, maybe two and because I was checking down, he puts ME on the draw. This was a huge error on his part. Not from misreading me mind you, I definitely projected draw. No, for putting me on a hand I can’t possibly have!!! In order to call his flop bet, I would have had to have a perfect fit on that flop of J9. Would I call with QT? Sure, but then he bet all-in into a hand where he is already beat. That would be very dumb. If I had a drawing hand and did not make it with the 8, that means I called a pot size bet with nothing looking to get lucky. This is not how decent players play. He did not give me credit for knowing what I was doing? Why, because I checked twice. Mistake.

I took my time, stretched my hands and said “well, unless he has QT I am ahead” all the time looking at him. He was very stiff and not moving, trying not to give anything away. I made the call and he turned over KT for a semi-bluff. The river was a blank and he paid me off. He was polite, he did not make any comments, and he showed no signs to the table. But between the two of us, I could see he was seething. He still thinks today that some total rube got a lucky hand and did not play it right. But when you are at these small limit NL tables, trapping is the norm. You need to be VERY weary of them.

This is one of those hands where everyone is thinking you are going to tell them a sob story about how you lost a hand and they finish reading it and low and behold you won it. They can’t all be sob stories!

Many players do not even dig traps. Why? Because they have been taught by every poker book that only a fool plays around with traps. Don’t believe it.

And now, the fun was over. The must move kicked in and I got moved to the new table with about $450. This table was much harder, but it did have one player that was weak and I had the privilege of running into him not once but twice.

Another interesting hand.

Jd5d in the big blind. Flop is AdTd4d. I bet ½ pot and HE CALLS. Worried? Hmmm, a bit. The flop is a non diamond that does not pair the board. What do you do?

Me, I bet again. He called again. I was worried that he had a pair with a diamond.

The river was an Ace of hearts and I felt good about my hand. But I still checked down on the river because I got afraid of him having QdXd. In order to understand that fear, you had to have been me this year. One 3 occasions in tournaments I have flopped a flush and in ALL THREE I ended up behind to a higher flush. Oh, and I never had it worse than the Ten in my hand. So, I actually played scared on that river. Lame. Wife agrees. Lame. I should take my punches and forget them. Forget your scars.

This second table had two VERY large stacks. The bigger one sported a guy behind it with a WPT hat and a fake loose image. He would pretend to be loose, occasionally straddle and do other things to looks loose. I only had one run in with him…

I am dealt 88 and call the 2xBB raise from late position. 3 players. Flop is 223.. UTG checks, he checks, I bet $40 (2/3 pot). They BOTH call. The turn is a 4. They both check. What do you do?

Me, I took this opportunity to SCREW UP. I underbet the pot. FATAL. I bet $40 and they both called again.

The river is an ACE and the first guy (who it turns out has TT) checks, and the second guy goes all-in while yelling, “give me the money”. He was always trying to look loose when he hit a hand, so it was an easy fold. The TT folded too. That hand cost me chips and it did not need to. But, what would you have done? Especially on the turn.

Just before I left, I watched the other big stack betray his true poker behavior. On almost back to back hands, he pushed a guy all in on the turn with only TP and got the worst of it BOTH times (a SET and a made two pair). HE lost $500 on two hands on TP. Lame.

So, I left up about $100 bucks. Considering I paid $7/30 minutes for a total of $49 bucks to the house for Time, I can hardly call it a great session. But I learned more. Mostly, I am not replaying the sequences in my head DURING the hand to make the best decision possible and I must work on this or suffer the consequences. I feel especially lame as I have been practicing that for the last 2-3 weeks.

Ok, one more thing. What is the point of a straddle bet? WHY would I WANT to put in EXTRA money in EARLY position blind? What is the point here? What why I want to introduce more volatility into a hand? Answer: Either because I am a gambler (And a good player is going to take his chips), or you’re a good player trying to loosen up the table. I don’t agree with either.

Glenn likes micro raises. Those 2xBB raises that build a pot before the flop. I always challenge him on this logic, asking him how he can justify this in a non-limit game. There is never a reason to build a pot in NL. It’s always one bet away. Plus, you don’t want to give people reasons to stay in and suck out on you. But he does it all the time with a suited connector and I think he is crazy. Am I wrong here?

Listen to your own advice

So I've been talking about the first 4 levels of a tournament. I have been haunting the new PS $1 MTT because they offer endless practice of rounds 1-4. So in round 3, with a stack of around $1850 (started at $1500) I am right where I should be. I get dealt TT and I make my standard 3xBB raise. The tables had gone from loose the first hand, to tight when a bunch of players got a smack in the face, and now back to loose again. A 3xBB raise, however, would narrow the field. I was in MP and no callers as of yet when I made the bet. All fold to the button who re-raises me to 10xBB. What should I do here?

Well, this is a discussion of VOLATILITY. This guy was one of those guys looking to accumulate chips early at whatever cost. Because I should be good enough to cash in this situation, I should AVOID volatility, especailly in rounds 1-4. As Phil Hellmuth says, "early on, flop a monster and let the fish bet into you." Is TT a monster. Hardly.

So, unable to resist, I pushed my stack in on TT absolutely sure he was raising with a marginal hand. I was so right. He flipped over KcJc. For a split second I patted myself on the back for my read. Then, I lamented my fatal mistake. I had called off all my chips on a coin flip in round 1-4 when I was not even a short stack. Now I felt ashamed. And deservedly so.

I guess it really doesn't matter if he hit the board and won the hand or not. What difference is a $1 tournament with a first prize of $14 bucks gonna matter in the scheme of things? Nope, what matters is WHY I was playing. To practice my game. And I acted the fool.