Sunday, September 30, 2007
FTP 750K
I finished 38th out of more than 3700 in the weekly $215 on Full Tilt, which was good but not good enough. I was 11th with 77 to go, then I raised 33 on the button, called a shove from the BB, and lost the flip with QTo for half my stack. After that I short stacked it for a while and eventually shoved T5s from the SB into ATs in the BB. I may post some hands, but I think there were actually more interesting ones from other tournaments I played. We'll see, I don't feel like thinking any more about it tonight.
Stumble It!
Labels: poker, session review
Stumble It!
WCOOP Main Event Results
Out in 1189th. I was on a roller coaster the whole time, doubled up with set versus top pair that turned a flush draw, then lost half my stack when I raise AQ from middle position and BB calls. Flop was KhQh9d, we both check. Turn 7d, he checks, I bet he check-raises, and I felt that if he had a strong hand he would have led out on such a drawy board. I shoved, and he called with K8s.
I waffled for a while with about half the average stack, finally got KK, raised and got three callers, the had to give up when an Ace flopped. Eventually I got real short stacked when a kind of aggressive player raised (at 400/800) to 2200. I had 99 and about 25K, so I couldn't really do anything but call. The BB, who had about 14K, also called. Flop was 885, they checked to me, I bet, the BB check-raised, and I put him all in. He called with Q6s for a flush draw that got there on the turn and had me drawing to 4 outs. He's 50/50 on the flop, but with his stack, that's a pretty weak overcall pre-flop.
Eventually I doubled up with AQs > JJ all in pre-flop, then made a kind of questionable raise pre-flop with QJs. I got all in on a T85 flop, thinking I'd have overcards and a gutshot, but I was up against a slowplayed AA, and that was the end of me.
I also had a sidebet going w/ some people from 2+2 that depends on the combined results of my 5-person team. Unfortunately, only one of us is still in, so it's not looking promising for Team Superusers.
Stumble It!
I waffled for a while with about half the average stack, finally got KK, raised and got three callers, the had to give up when an Ace flopped. Eventually I got real short stacked when a kind of aggressive player raised (at 400/800) to 2200. I had 99 and about 25K, so I couldn't really do anything but call. The BB, who had about 14K, also called. Flop was 885, they checked to me, I bet, the BB check-raised, and I put him all in. He called with Q6s for a flush draw that got there on the turn and had me drawing to 4 outs. He's 50/50 on the flop, but with his stack, that's a pretty weak overcall pre-flop.
Eventually I doubled up with AQs > JJ all in pre-flop, then made a kind of questionable raise pre-flop with QJs. I got all in on a T85 flop, thinking I'd have overcards and a gutshot, but I was up against a slowplayed AA, and that was the end of me.
I also had a sidebet going w/ some people from 2+2 that depends on the combined results of my 5-person team. Unfortunately, only one of us is still in, so it's not looking promising for Team Superusers.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
WCOOP Main Event
Today is the third annual World Championship of Online Poker on Poker Stars. We're just shy of 3000 runners, and the $7.5 million prize pool makes it the largest internet tournament history.
The first hour was a roller coaster for me. I lost 2/3 of my stack 20 minutes in with set under set:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (9 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP2 (t17475)
MP3 (t19150)
CO (t19575)
Button (t27091)
SB (t23950)
BB (t20725)
UTG (t18450)
Hero (t20275)
MP1 (t13334)
Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with 4s, 4d.
1 fold, Hero calls t50, MP1 calls t50, MP2 calls t50, MP3 calls t50, 1 fold, Button calls t50, 1 fold, BB checks.
Flop: (t325) Td, 8d, 4c (6 players)
BB checks, Hero bets t225, MP1 calls t225, MP2 calls t225, MP3 raises to t1050, Button folds, BB folds, Hero calls t825, MP1 folds, MP2 calls t825.
Turn: (t3700) Kh (3 players)
Hero bets t1675, MP2 folds, MP3 raises to t5375, Hero calls t3700.
River: (t14450) Jc (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets t6500, Hero calls t6500.
Final Pot: t27450
He won with 88.
The guy was pretty solid, and I really think I could have folded flop. I had a bad feeling right away and did consider it. Leading the turn was very bad. I was concerned about knocking out the draw, but that was just the wrong thing to be thinking about. If I do lead, I should probably fold to the raise. I was going to fold the river, but the bet was small enough that I felt I had to call. Wasn't happy about that at all.
My buddy Diego gave me a quick pep talk, reminding me of the deep structure and how easily I could recover. Sure enough, I doubled up twice in the next forty minutes, once with KK versus QJ on Q83K5 board (yeah, that guy was awful) and once with 55 versus AT on a A95T5 board (also pretty bad stack off by the guy, he really could have folded easily to my flop check-raise).
So despite the early cold deck, I've increased my starting stack by about 10% and am above average coming into the first break.
If you're in the mood for a trip down memory lane, check out this hilarious interview with Jordan Berkowitz, former Magic card champion and winner of the first WCOOP. The video in the upper right hand corner is particularly amusing.
Stumble It!
The first hour was a roller coaster for me. I lost 2/3 of my stack 20 minutes in with set under set:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (9 handed) Hand History converter, Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP2 (t17475)
MP3 (t19150)
CO (t19575)
Button (t27091)
SB (t23950)
BB (t20725)
UTG (t18450)
Hero (t20275)
MP1 (t13334)
Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with 4s, 4d.
1 fold, Hero calls t50, MP1 calls t50, MP2 calls t50, MP3 calls t50, 1 fold, Button calls t50, 1 fold, BB checks.
Flop: (t325) Td, 8d, 4c (6 players)
BB checks, Hero bets t225, MP1 calls t225, MP2 calls t225, MP3 raises to t1050, Button folds, BB folds, Hero calls t825, MP1 folds, MP2 calls t825.
Turn: (t3700) Kh (3 players)
Hero bets t1675, MP2 folds, MP3 raises to t5375, Hero calls t3700.
River: (t14450) Jc (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets t6500, Hero calls t6500.
Final Pot: t27450
He won with 88.
The guy was pretty solid, and I really think I could have folded flop. I had a bad feeling right away and did consider it. Leading the turn was very bad. I was concerned about knocking out the draw, but that was just the wrong thing to be thinking about. If I do lead, I should probably fold to the raise. I was going to fold the river, but the bet was small enough that I felt I had to call. Wasn't happy about that at all.
My buddy Diego gave me a quick pep talk, reminding me of the deep structure and how easily I could recover. Sure enough, I doubled up twice in the next forty minutes, once with KK versus QJ on Q83K5 board (yeah, that guy was awful) and once with 55 versus AT on a A95T5 board (also pretty bad stack off by the guy, he really could have folded easily to my flop check-raise).
So despite the early cold deck, I've increased my starting stack by about 10% and am above average coming into the first break.
If you're in the mood for a trip down memory lane, check out this hilarious interview with Jordan Berkowitz, former Magic card champion and winner of the first WCOOP. The video in the upper right hand corner is particularly amusing.
Labels: poker, session review
Stumble It!
Bubble Boy
I made a nice run in the FTP $322 6-max yesterday only to have my dreams crushed on the bubble. With 25 players left, I was in 5th place. Everyone at my table was shorter than I and had been playing pretty straight-forward except for Imperium, who was sitting directly to my left. He was probably 1st or 2nd overall and was correctly making life difficult for me. Seeing as how it was the bubble, I was looking to raise aggressively and steal from the shorter and weaker players at the table. Of course, Imperium wanted to do the same thing, so he was doing his damnedest to interfere with my plans. In the hand prior to this one, I'd opened QTo on the button and folded to a 3-bet from Imperium in the SB. I thought about shoving, because I think this is often a bluff, but I had an awkward stack for it and I'm pretty sure he knew that I knew what he was up to, which means he can call kinda light in that spot.
Anyway, I unfortunately don't have the HH for this, but here's what happened. The very next hand, I was in the CO and came in for a raise with Kc7s. After a moment's hesitation, Imperium called on his button. I immediately got the feeling that he was doing this in lieu of 3-betting, since he'd just done that the hand before, and was going to give me trouble on any flop. So when the board came Js7d6d, I knew I was going to have to felt my middle pair strong kicker and hope for the best. I made a continuation bet of about 60% of the pot, he raised a little more than 3x my bet, I shoved, and he called with 8d5d. Unfortunately, the river was a 4, and I lost a huge pot to go out on the bubble. The different between winning and losing that pot was probably $10-12K in equity. Bummer.
Still, I'm happy with myself for reading the dynamic correctly. He was clearly calling pre-flop with the intention of messing with me on the flop and just got lucky enough to flop a huge draw. In fact, with an open-ended straight draw, a flush draw, and an overcard to my pair, he was the favorite when most of the money went in. But I imagine he would play it the same with just the flush or open-ended draw, and might even raise the flop if he missed completely, so I'm happy with the way things went down, even though it resulted in my untimely elimination.
Stumble It!
Anyway, I unfortunately don't have the HH for this, but here's what happened. The very next hand, I was in the CO and came in for a raise with Kc7s. After a moment's hesitation, Imperium called on his button. I immediately got the feeling that he was doing this in lieu of 3-betting, since he'd just done that the hand before, and was going to give me trouble on any flop. So when the board came Js7d6d, I knew I was going to have to felt my middle pair strong kicker and hope for the best. I made a continuation bet of about 60% of the pot, he raised a little more than 3x my bet, I shoved, and he called with 8d5d. Unfortunately, the river was a 4, and I lost a huge pot to go out on the bubble. The different between winning and losing that pot was probably $10-12K in equity. Bummer.
Still, I'm happy with myself for reading the dynamic correctly. He was clearly calling pre-flop with the intention of messing with me on the flop and just got lucky enough to flop a huge draw. In fact, with an open-ended straight draw, a flush draw, and an overcard to my pair, he was the favorite when most of the money went in. But I imagine he would play it the same with just the flush or open-ended draw, and might even raise the flop if he missed completely, so I'm happy with the way things went down, even though it resulted in my untimely elimination.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Stud/8 WCOOP 2nd Chance Part 1
As many of you know already, I final tabled the WCOOP Stud/8 Second Chance event. This isn't really that impressive, since there were only 64 entrants, but I haven't made a final table in a while and was really looking forward to this event. I'm going to post as many of the key hands as I can find, probably with less commentary than I usually give. I'd really like to discuss these further, though, so please feel free to post questions, comments, and criticism.
Hand 9: As you can see, I've got two strong players at my starting table. To my immediate left is Thayer, who unlike many of the well-known NLHE players in this tournament, is also quite good at Stud games. Also here is Bill Chen, co-author of The Mathematics of Poker. I've never played him, but I've heard great things about the book.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($10/$20), Ante $2
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,102
goswami (Seat 2): $3,072
rotay (Seat 3): $2,892
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,014
eich (Seat 5): $2,974
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,081
foucault82 (Seat 7): $2,981
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,884
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 2s___brings in___folds
goswami: xx xx Jh___folds
rotay: xx xx 6d___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ks___folds
eich: xx xx 5s___calls___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 4d___folds
foucault82: 2c 3h As___raises
THAY3R: xx xx Tc___folds
*4th Street* - (4.90 SB)
rotay: xx xx 6d 9s___calls
eich: xx xx 5s Ts___calls
foucault82: 2c 3h As 8h___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.95 BB)
rotay: xx xx 6d 9s 2d___folds
eich: xx xx 5s Ts 5h___*checks*___folds
foucault82: 2c 3h As 8h 9h___bets
*Total pot:* (3.95 BB)
Tiny pot but it illustrates a point about the importance of aggression in multi-way pots. The nut low draw is a clear raise on 3rd, but on 4th I'm betting mostly to get everyone to fold. Although I'm probaly still be the favorite, that could change quickly on 5th, and I'd rather win the pot here or at least get it heads up and improve my odds of winning at least half the pot.
No such luck, and now on 5th I catch bad while my opponents both improve their hands. But I bet again because my hand is probably still too strong to fold, and if I'm going to put a bet in anyway, I'd rather do it myself and have a chance of folding out small pairs. Since the A was my door card, I could have AA, and clearly, my bet put a lot of pressure on Eich. It's great for me to get him out, because even if rotay now has a better low draw than mine, my A-high could be good for half the pot. But rotay must have either paired or started garbage, because he got out too.
Hand 13:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($10/$20), Ante $2
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,224
goswami (Seat 2): $3,083
rotay (Seat 3): $2,896
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,003
eich (Seat 5): $2,826
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,070
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,022
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,876
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 8d___folds
goswami: xx xx 4h___brings in___calls
rotay: xx xx 5d___calls___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 5s___folds
eich: 7d 3c 5c___calls___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 6d___raises___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc___raises
THAY3R: xx xx Qs___folds
*4th Street* - (9.90 SB)
goswami: xx xx 4h Qd___calls___calls
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c___raises
WB123456789: xx xx 6d Kh___*checks*___folds
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (7.95 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4h Qd 9d___folds
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks___*bets*
*6th Street* - (9.95 BB)
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td___*bets*
*River* - (11.95 BB)
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts 4d___checks
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td 8c___*checks*
*Total pot:* (11.95 BB)
Results:
Total pot 239 | Rake 0
eich: [7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts 4d] (HI: a pair of Sevens)
foucault82: [As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td 8c] (HI: a pair of Aces)
I was really surprised to see this turn into a scoop. Eich's cold call on 3rd is questionable, but he does have some straight possibilities. Calling for one bet would be fine, but two is a little much. His check-raise on 4th is interesting. I figured he had four to a low and was trying to clear out the competition, which would be a strong play. I guess it's still good for him to get them out so he can play heads up with a pair and 3-low against my likely overpair. Once he bricks 5th and especially 6th, though, it's time for him to get out. If my A were in the door, there would at least be a chance I didn't have a pair, but when I 2-bet 3rd with a Q in the door, I almost always have QQ or better.
Hand 33:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($20/$40), Ante $4
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,075
goswami (Seat 2): $3,152
rotay (Seat 3): $3,356
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,891
eich (Seat 5): $2,683
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $2,951
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,059
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,833
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Qs___folds
goswami: xx xx 4s___folds
rotay: 7h 3c 6d___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ks___folds
eich: xx xx 3d___calls
WB123456789: xx xx Js___folds
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h___raises
THAY3R: xx xx 6c___folds
*4th Street* - (4.60 SB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s___calls
eich: xx xx 3d Qc___folds
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h___bets
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c___*checks*___calls
*6th Street* - (5.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c___bets
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c___*checks*___calls
*River* - (7.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c Jh___bets___raises
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c Th___*checks*___raises___calls
*Total pot:* (13.30 BB)
Results:
Total pot 532 | Rake 0
rotay: [7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c Jh] (HI: a straight, Three to Seven; LO: 6,5,4,3,2)
foucault82: [7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c Th] (HI: a straight, Six to Ten)
Sorry I just realized I had the converter set to show my opponent's hole cards on all streets. I'm going to turn that off.
Hand 39:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($40/$80), Ante $8
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,309
goswami (Seat 2): $3,120
rotay (Seat 3): $2,984
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,841
eich (Seat 5): $2,670
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,310
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,053
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,713
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d___raises___raises
goswami: xx xx Qd___folds
rotay: xx xx 6d___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 9h___folds
eich: xx xx Jh___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kc___folds
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h___raises___calls
THAY3R: xx xx Tc___folds
*4th Street* - (7.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah___*bets*
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh___calls
*5th Street* - (4.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s___*bets*
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c___calls
*6th Street* - (6.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s 3h___bets
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d___*checks*___calls
*River* - (8.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s 3h xx___bets
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d 5d___*checks*___calls
*Total pot:* (10.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 864 | Rake 0
KESHA_D: [2s 6h 3d Ah 4s 3h Ac] (HI: two pair, Aces and Threes; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)
foucault82: [7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d 5d] (HI: three of a kind, Fours)
Hand 40:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($40/$80), Ante $8
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,333
goswami (Seat 2): $3,112
rotay (Seat 3): $2,976
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,833
eich (Seat 5): $2,662
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,302
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,077
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,705
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Js___folds
goswami: xx xx 4c___calls___calls
rotay: xx xx Qs___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Qh___folds
eich: xx xx 9s___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kd___raises
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 6h___folds
*4th Street* - (5.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d___raises
rotay: xx xx Qs Kh___*checks*___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kd 6c___checks___folds
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (4.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac___*bets*
*6th Street* - (6.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d 9h___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c___*bets*
*River* - (8.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d 9h xx___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c 7c___*bets*
*Total pot:* (10.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 864 | Rake 0
goswami: [2c 3h 4c 8d 7d 9h 3c]
foucault82: [4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c 7c] (HI: a pair of Sevens; LO: 7,4,3,2,A)
Three suited babies on 3rd is certainly strong enough to warrant a re-raise, but it's also a hand that likes to play multi-way, so I didn't want to chase out any of the limpers. Pretty poor call-down by swami with 8-7 low when I'm showing A23. You see a lot of people who just cannot fold a made low no matter how clear it is that they are beat.
Hand 67:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($60/$120), Ante $12
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,137
goswami (Seat 2): $3,410
rotay (Seat 3): $3,128
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,759
eich (Seat 5): $2,586
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,696
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,139
THAY3R (Seat 8): $1,145
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3h___folds
goswami: xx xx Ad___calls___calls
rotay: xx xx 5c___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ts___folds
eich: xx xx Tc___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 9d___folds
foucault82: Td Ah Ac___raises
THAY3R: xx xx 2d___calls
*4th Street* - (5.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s___raises
rotay: xx xx 5c Kc___folds
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (5.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th___calls
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s___bets
*6th Street* - (8.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th 7c___calls
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s 7h___bets
*River* - (11.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th 7c xx___checks
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc Kd___*checks*
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s 7h xx___checks
*Total pot:* (11.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1416 | Rake 0
goswami: [3s 6d Ad 5s Th 7c Jh] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 7,6,5,3,A)
foucault82: [Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc Kd] (HI: two pair, Aces and Nines)
Aces are tricky to play in a multi-way pot. Once several low hands catch well on 4th, you're looking for a cheap showdown and may even need to fold if someone starts flushing or straighting. If I hadn't made the two pair on 5th, I may have gotten out there.
Hand 84
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $1,747
goswami (Seat 2): $3,812
rotay (Seat 3): $5,670
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,259
eich (Seat 5): $3,504
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $2,939
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,069
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Th___folds
goswami: xx xx Qh___folds
rotay: xx xx Qd___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 3d___folds
eich: xx xx 7h___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Ah___raises___raises
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s___raises___calls
*4th Street* - (7.40 SB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h___*bets*
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s___calls
*5th Street* - (4.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s___*bets*
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h___calls
*6th Street* - (6.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s 8d___*bets*___calls
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d___raises
*River* - (10.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s 8d xx___*checks*___calls
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d Kh___bets
*Total pot:* (12.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 2032 | Rake 0
WB123456789: [6c 3c Ah 5h 4s 8d Jc] (HI: high card Ace - lower kicker; LO: 6,5,4,3,A)
foucault82: [Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d Kh] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,5,4,2,A)
I know I posted before about not jacking the pot with strong low draws on 3rd, but this is different because here the raise came from a steal position. I was the bring-in, so everyone had folded except for me and the guy showing the Ace. He should be raising almost anything there, so I'm reraising both for value and to discourage him from stealing liberally against my bring-ins in the future. I don't think I need to 4-bet him, though.
By this point, the pot's pretty large, hence my call on 5th. By 6th, I've got a great low plus a gut shot and, as it turns out, the best high hand unimproved.
Hand 92: This was probably my favorite hand of the tournament.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $1,091
goswami (Seat 2): $3,396
rotay (Seat 3): $5,982
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,483
eich (Seat 5): $4,792
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $1,403
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,853
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 8h___folds
goswami: xx xx 2s
rotay: xx xx 4s___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 5d___folds
eich: xx xx 3s___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 7s___folds
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac___calls
*4th Street* - (2.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx 2s 2d___*checks*___folds
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd___checks___calls
eich: xx xx 3s 9c___checks___folds
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c___bets
*5th Street* - (2.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h___*checks*
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d___checks
*6th Street* - (2.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h Qh___*bets*
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c___calls
*River* - (4.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h Qh xx___*bets*___raises___calls
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c Ad___raises___raises
*Total pot:* (12.30 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1968 | Rake 0
rotay: [4d Jh 4s Kd 4h Qh Qs] (HI: a full house, Fours full of Queens)
foucault82: [Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c Ad] (HI: a full house, Aces full of Nines)
Aces just aren't the monster they are in NLHE. With three players already in and showing low cards, I want to keep the pot small until I see what happens on 4th. It looks like they call catch bad (though I'm watching closely to see how the 22 guy responds), so I bet. To my surprise, the guy showing K4 calls. Most people in a limped pot will just give up on a low draw if they brick 4th, so I started to think he might have a pair. And if he did, it was most likely a pair of 4's, which is why I slowed down on 5th even though I made Aces up. And I'm glad I did, because by 7th I've got a well-concealed monster and manage to get in 4 big bets with Aces full!
Hand 95
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Tc___folds
goswami: xx xx Kc___folds
rotay: xx xx Th___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c___raises___calls
eich: xx xx 8c___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 8s___folds
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d___raises
*4th Street* - (5.40 SB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h___*bets*
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c___calls
*5th Street* - (3.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h 3s___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad___*bets*
*River* - (7.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h 3s xx___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad 7s___*bets*
*Total pot:* (9.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1552 | Rake 0
Bill Chen: [6d As 7c 4h 9h 3s 2c] (HI: high card Ace - lower kicker; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)
foucault82: [5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad 7s] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 7,5,4,2,A)
Hand 96:
Hand #12306823493
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 9d___folds
goswami: xx xx 7c___folds
rotay: xx xx 3d___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 4d___folds
eich: xx xx Jd___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 3h___folds
foucault82: As Ad 9c___raises
*4th Street* - (3.40 SB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s___bets___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h___*checks*___raises
*5th Street* - (3.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s 2h___*checks*___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc___bets
*River* - (7.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s 2h xx___*checks*___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc Qd___bets
*Total pot:* (9.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1552 | Rake 0
rotay: [9h 3s 3d 2s 9s 2h Ah]
foucault82: [As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc Qd] (HI: two pair, Aces and Queens)
I bet 6th because I figured him for a low draw rather than two pair, but even against his small two pair, I've got a ton of outs. 339 is really too weak to play. Small pairs in general are not good hands, but with a little kicker that gives them low potential, they can be playable, especially if there are also flush or staight possibilities. But 9 is the worst card in Stud/8, and 339 is garbage.
Hand 131:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 8c___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Th___folds
eich: xx xx 9d___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Ad___folds
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s___calls
*4th Street* - (5.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h___checks
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c___checks
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d 5s___checks
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s Qc___*checks*
*5th Street* - (2.70 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td___raises___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks___*bets*___raises
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d 5s Jc___raises___folds
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s Qc 2s___folds
*6th Street* - (12.70 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td 6s___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks 5d___*bets 210 and is all-in*
*River* - (14.10 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td 6s xx
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks 5d xx___all-in
*Total pot:* (14.10 BB)
Results:
Total pot 4230 | Rake 0
goswami: [8d 6c 8c 7h Td 6s 6h] (HI: a full house, Sixes full of Eights)
rotay: [3s 9s 4s 7c Ks 5d As] (HI: a flush, Ace high; LO: 7,5,4,3,A)
This is why it's so tough to play big pairs in this game. A lot of later streets get capped, especially in multi-way pots, and it is very difficult to play marginal one-way hands correctly. I tried to keep the pot small and ended up under-representing my hand and getting raised off of it by an inferior pair. I still don't know whether I played this well or not.
Hand 135:
Hand #12307549363
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 5c___raises___calls
rotay: xx xx 8c___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 6d___folds
eich: xx xx 9c___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 6s___folds
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 3s___folds
*4th Street* - (5.70 SB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h Td___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d As___*bets*
*River* - (7.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h Td xx___folds
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d As 5s___*bets*
*Total pot:* (7.85 BB)
Results:
Total pot 2355 | Rake 0
Hand 168:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx Jd___folds
rotay: xx xx 4h___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 9d___folds
eich: xx xx Js___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Qh___folds
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 8c___folds
*4th Street* - (3.40 SB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc___*checks*___calls
*5th Street* - (2.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc___*bets*___calls
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s___raises
*6th Street* - (6.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc 5d___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks___*checks*___calls
*River* - (8.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc 5d xx___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks 6h___*checks*___calls
*Total pot:* (10.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 3210 | Rake 0
rotay: [As 7s 4h 3h Kc 5d 5c] (HI: a pair of Fives; LO: 7,5,4,3,A)
foucault82: [6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks 6h] (HI: two pair, Sevens and Sixes)
Hand 195: This one's painful for me to think about again.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($200/$400), Ante $40
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
Jorj95: xx xx 6d___folds
SirWatts: xx xx 3s___folds
XCappucinoX1: xx xx 8d___calls___folds
bennyboy76: xx xx 4c___calls___calls
kesha69: xx xx Jh___raises___calls
ATCDerby: xx xx 9h___folds
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd___raises
*4th Street* - (8.00 SB)
bennyboy76: xx xx 4c Qh___folds
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c___*bets*
*5th Street* - (5.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh___*bets*
*6th Street* - (7.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd 9d___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts___*bets*
*River* - (9.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd 9d xx___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts 2d___*bets*
*Total pot:* (11.00 BB)
Results:
Total pot 4400 | Rake 0
kesha69: [Jc 7d Jh 2h Jd 9d Ah] (HI: three of a kind, Jacks)
foucault82: [Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts 2d] (HI: two pair, Kings and Queens)
This might just look like a cold deck where I had two pair and he had trips. But I'm upset about it because I knew he had trips and I was trying to bluff him off by representing better trips. I feel retarded just typing that. In Stud/8, someone raising with a face card showing almost always has the pair. There's just no reason to play a hand with a J in it unless you have a pair.
So I'm assuming he has JJ, and my reraise is representing KK, even though I actually had buried QQ. So when he caught the J, I expected him to have trips. But I also knew he'd have to be worried that I'd also made trips, and in fact 90% of the time I will trips in this spot. But if he were going to make a good fold, he would have done it on 3rd when reraised. It's just bad poker to try to bluff some random guy off of trips, and I paid for it.
Hand 202:
Hand #12308195282
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($300/$600), Ante $60
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
Jorj95: xx xx Jh___folds
SirWatts: xx xx 2s___calls
XCappucinoX1: xx xx 6c___folds
bennyboy76: xx xx Jd___folds
kesha69: xx xx 6h___raises
ATCDerby: xx xx 3s___folds
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h___calls
*4th Street* - (4.40 SB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c___bets___raises
kesha69: xx xx 6h Kc___calls___folds
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac___*checks*___raises___calls 131 and is all-in
*5th Street* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c___all-in
*6th Street* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h 5h
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js___all-in
*River* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h 5h xx
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js 2c___all-in
*Total pot:* (5.42 BB)
Results:
Total pot 3082 | Rake 0
SirWatts: [Ad 7c 2s 4c 8h 5h As] (HI: a pair of Aces; LO: 7,5,4,2,A)
foucault82: [4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js 2c] (HI: two pair, Aces and Fours)
I'm only about halfway through the tournament, so I'm going to take a break here and post more hands later.
Stumble It!
Hand 9: As you can see, I've got two strong players at my starting table. To my immediate left is Thayer, who unlike many of the well-known NLHE players in this tournament, is also quite good at Stud games. Also here is Bill Chen, co-author of The Mathematics of Poker. I've never played him, but I've heard great things about the book.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($10/$20), Ante $2
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,102
goswami (Seat 2): $3,072
rotay (Seat 3): $2,892
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,014
eich (Seat 5): $2,974
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,081
foucault82 (Seat 7): $2,981
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,884
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 2s___brings in___folds
goswami: xx xx Jh___folds
rotay: xx xx 6d___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ks___folds
eich: xx xx 5s___calls___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 4d___folds
foucault82: 2c 3h As___raises
THAY3R: xx xx Tc___folds
*4th Street* - (4.90 SB)
rotay: xx xx 6d 9s___calls
eich: xx xx 5s Ts___calls
foucault82: 2c 3h As 8h___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.95 BB)
rotay: xx xx 6d 9s 2d___folds
eich: xx xx 5s Ts 5h___*checks*___folds
foucault82: 2c 3h As 8h 9h___bets
*Total pot:* (3.95 BB)
Tiny pot but it illustrates a point about the importance of aggression in multi-way pots. The nut low draw is a clear raise on 3rd, but on 4th I'm betting mostly to get everyone to fold. Although I'm probaly still be the favorite, that could change quickly on 5th, and I'd rather win the pot here or at least get it heads up and improve my odds of winning at least half the pot.
No such luck, and now on 5th I catch bad while my opponents both improve their hands. But I bet again because my hand is probably still too strong to fold, and if I'm going to put a bet in anyway, I'd rather do it myself and have a chance of folding out small pairs. Since the A was my door card, I could have AA, and clearly, my bet put a lot of pressure on Eich. It's great for me to get him out, because even if rotay now has a better low draw than mine, my A-high could be good for half the pot. But rotay must have either paired or started garbage, because he got out too.
Hand 13:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($10/$20), Ante $2
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,224
goswami (Seat 2): $3,083
rotay (Seat 3): $2,896
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,003
eich (Seat 5): $2,826
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,070
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,022
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,876
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 8d___folds
goswami: xx xx 4h___brings in___calls
rotay: xx xx 5d___calls___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 5s___folds
eich: 7d 3c 5c___calls___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 6d___raises___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc___raises
THAY3R: xx xx Qs___folds
*4th Street* - (9.90 SB)
goswami: xx xx 4h Qd___calls___calls
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c___raises
WB123456789: xx xx 6d Kh___*checks*___folds
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (7.95 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4h Qd 9d___folds
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks___*bets*
*6th Street* - (9.95 BB)
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts___calls
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td___*bets*
*River* - (11.95 BB)
eich: 7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts 4d___checks
foucault82: As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td 8c___*checks*
*Total pot:* (11.95 BB)
Results:
Total pot 239 | Rake 0
eich: [7d 3c 5c 7c 9s Ts 4d] (HI: a pair of Sevens)
foucault82: [As Ah Qc 4s Ks Td 8c] (HI: a pair of Aces)
I was really surprised to see this turn into a scoop. Eich's cold call on 3rd is questionable, but he does have some straight possibilities. Calling for one bet would be fine, but two is a little much. His check-raise on 4th is interesting. I figured he had four to a low and was trying to clear out the competition, which would be a strong play. I guess it's still good for him to get them out so he can play heads up with a pair and 3-low against my likely overpair. Once he bricks 5th and especially 6th, though, it's time for him to get out. If my A were in the door, there would at least be a chance I didn't have a pair, but when I 2-bet 3rd with a Q in the door, I almost always have QQ or better.
Hand 33:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($20/$40), Ante $4
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,075
goswami (Seat 2): $3,152
rotay (Seat 3): $3,356
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,891
eich (Seat 5): $2,683
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $2,951
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,059
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,833
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Qs___folds
goswami: xx xx 4s___folds
rotay: 7h 3c 6d___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ks___folds
eich: xx xx 3d___calls
WB123456789: xx xx Js___folds
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h___raises
THAY3R: xx xx 6c___folds
*4th Street* - (4.60 SB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s___calls
eich: xx xx 3d Qc___folds
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h___bets
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c___*checks*___calls
*6th Street* - (5.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c___bets
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c___*checks*___calls
*River* - (7.30 BB)
rotay: 7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c Jh___bets___raises
foucault82: 7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c Th___*checks*___raises___calls
*Total pot:* (13.30 BB)
Results:
Total pot 532 | Rake 0
rotay: [7h 3c 6d 5s 4h 2c Jh] (HI: a straight, Three to Seven; LO: 6,5,4,3,2)
foucault82: [7s 6h 8h 8d 9c 8c Th] (HI: a straight, Six to Ten)
Sorry I just realized I had the converter set to show my opponent's hole cards on all streets. I'm going to turn that off.
Hand 39:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($40/$80), Ante $8
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,309
goswami (Seat 2): $3,120
rotay (Seat 3): $2,984
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,841
eich (Seat 5): $2,670
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,310
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,053
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,713
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d___raises___raises
goswami: xx xx Qd___folds
rotay: xx xx 6d___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 9h___folds
eich: xx xx Jh___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kc___folds
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h___raises___calls
THAY3R: xx xx Tc___folds
*4th Street* - (7.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah___*bets*
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh___calls
*5th Street* - (4.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s___*bets*
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c___calls
*6th Street* - (6.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s 3h___bets
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d___*checks*___calls
*River* - (8.80 BB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3d Ah 4s 3h xx___bets
foucault82: 7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d 5d___*checks*___calls
*Total pot:* (10.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 864 | Rake 0
KESHA_D: [2s 6h 3d Ah 4s 3h Ac] (HI: two pair, Aces and Threes; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)
foucault82: [7h 4h 2h Kh 4c 4d 5d] (HI: three of a kind, Fours)
Hand 40:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($40/$80), Ante $8
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,333
goswami (Seat 2): $3,112
rotay (Seat 3): $2,976
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $2,833
eich (Seat 5): $2,662
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,302
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,077
THAY3R (Seat 8): $2,705
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Js___folds
goswami: xx xx 4c___calls___calls
rotay: xx xx Qs___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Qh___folds
eich: xx xx 9s___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kd___raises
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 6h___folds
*4th Street* - (5.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d___raises
rotay: xx xx Qs Kh___*checks*___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Kd 6c___checks___folds
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (4.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac___*bets*
*6th Street* - (6.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d 9h___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c___*bets*
*River* - (8.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx 4c 8d 7d 9h xx___calls
foucault82: 4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c 7c___*bets*
*Total pot:* (10.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 864 | Rake 0
goswami: [2c 3h 4c 8d 7d 9h 3c]
foucault82: [4h 7h 2h 3s Ac 9c 7c] (HI: a pair of Sevens; LO: 7,4,3,2,A)
Three suited babies on 3rd is certainly strong enough to warrant a re-raise, but it's also a hand that likes to play multi-way, so I didn't want to chase out any of the limpers. Pretty poor call-down by swami with 8-7 low when I'm showing A23. You see a lot of people who just cannot fold a made low no matter how clear it is that they are beat.
Hand 67:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($60/$120), Ante $12
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $3,137
goswami (Seat 2): $3,410
rotay (Seat 3): $3,128
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,759
eich (Seat 5): $2,586
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $3,696
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,139
THAY3R (Seat 8): $1,145
*3rd Street* - (1.60 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 3h___folds
goswami: xx xx Ad___calls___calls
rotay: xx xx 5c___calls___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Ts___folds
eich: xx xx Tc___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 9d___folds
foucault82: Td Ah Ac___raises
THAY3R: xx xx 2d___calls
*4th Street* - (5.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s___raises
rotay: xx xx 5c Kc___folds
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h___bets___calls
*5th Street* - (5.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th___calls
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s___bets
*6th Street* - (8.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th 7c___calls
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc___*checks*___calls
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s 7h___bets
*River* - (11.80 BB)
goswami: xx xx Ad 5s Th 7c xx___checks
foucault82: Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc Kd___*checks*
THAY3R: xx xx 2d 6h 4s 7h xx___checks
*Total pot:* (11.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1416 | Rake 0
goswami: [3s 6d Ad 5s Th 7c Jh] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 7,6,5,3,A)
foucault82: [Td Ah Ac 9s 9c Qc Kd] (HI: two pair, Aces and Nines)
Aces are tricky to play in a multi-way pot. Once several low hands catch well on 4th, you're looking for a cheap showdown and may even need to fold if someone starts flushing or straighting. If I hadn't made the two pair on 5th, I may have gotten out there.
Hand 84
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $1,747
goswami (Seat 2): $3,812
rotay (Seat 3): $5,670
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,259
eich (Seat 5): $3,504
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $2,939
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,069
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Th___folds
goswami: xx xx Qh___folds
rotay: xx xx Qd___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 3d___folds
eich: xx xx 7h___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Ah___raises___raises
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s___raises___calls
*4th Street* - (7.40 SB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h___*bets*
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s___calls
*5th Street* - (4.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s___*bets*
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h___calls
*6th Street* - (6.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s 8d___*bets*___calls
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d___raises
*River* - (10.70 BB)
WB123456789: xx xx Ah 5h 4s 8d xx___*checks*___calls
foucault82: Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d Kh___bets
*Total pot:* (12.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 2032 | Rake 0
WB123456789: [6c 3c Ah 5h 4s 8d Jc] (HI: high card Ace - lower kicker; LO: 6,5,4,3,A)
foucault82: [Ad 5d 2s 6s 9h 4d Kh] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,5,4,2,A)
I know I posted before about not jacking the pot with strong low draws on 3rd, but this is different because here the raise came from a steal position. I was the bring-in, so everyone had folded except for me and the guy showing the Ace. He should be raising almost anything there, so I'm reraising both for value and to discourage him from stealing liberally against my bring-ins in the future. I don't think I need to 4-bet him, though.
By this point, the pot's pretty large, hence my call on 5th. By 6th, I've got a great low plus a gut shot and, as it turns out, the best high hand unimproved.
Hand 92: This was probably my favorite hand of the tournament.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
KESHA_D (Seat 1): $1,091
goswami (Seat 2): $3,396
rotay (Seat 3): $5,982
Bill Chen (Seat 4): $3,483
eich (Seat 5): $4,792
WB123456789 (Seat 6): $1,403
foucault82 (Seat 7): $3,853
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 8h___folds
goswami: xx xx 2s
rotay: xx xx 4s___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 5d___folds
eich: xx xx 3s___calls
WB123456789: xx xx 7s___folds
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac___calls
*4th Street* - (2.60 SB)
goswami: xx xx 2s 2d___*checks*___folds
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd___checks___calls
eich: xx xx 3s 9c___checks___folds
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c___bets
*5th Street* - (2.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h___*checks*
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d___checks
*6th Street* - (2.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h Qh___*bets*
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c___calls
*River* - (4.30 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4s Kd 4h Qh xx___*bets*___raises___calls
foucault82: Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c Ad___raises___raises
*Total pot:* (12.30 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1968 | Rake 0
rotay: [4d Jh 4s Kd 4h Qh Qs] (HI: a full house, Fours full of Queens)
foucault82: [Ah 9h Ac 8c 9d 6c Ad] (HI: a full house, Aces full of Nines)
Aces just aren't the monster they are in NLHE. With three players already in and showing low cards, I want to keep the pot small until I see what happens on 4th. It looks like they call catch bad (though I'm watching closely to see how the 22 guy responds), so I bet. To my surprise, the guy showing K4 calls. Most people in a limped pot will just give up on a low draw if they brick 4th, so I started to think he might have a pair. And if he did, it was most likely a pair of 4's, which is why I slowed down on 5th even though I made Aces up. And I'm glad I did, because by 7th I've got a well-concealed monster and manage to get in 4 big bets with Aces full!
Hand 95
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx Tc___folds
goswami: xx xx Kc___folds
rotay: xx xx Th___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c___raises___calls
eich: xx xx 8c___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 8s___folds
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d___raises
*4th Street* - (5.40 SB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h___*bets*
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c___calls
*5th Street* - (3.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h 3s___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad___*bets*
*River* - (7.70 BB)
Bill Chen: xx xx 7c 4h 9h 3s xx___calls
foucault82: 5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad 7s___*bets*
*Total pot:* (9.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1552 | Rake 0
Bill Chen: [6d As 7c 4h 9h 3s 2c] (HI: high card Ace - lower kicker; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)
foucault82: [5d 8d 2d 4c Qh Ad 7s] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 7,5,4,2,A)
Hand 96:
Hand #12306823493
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($80/$160), Ante $16
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
KESHA_D: xx xx 9d___folds
goswami: xx xx 7c___folds
rotay: xx xx 3d___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 4d___folds
eich: xx xx Jd___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 3h___folds
foucault82: As Ad 9c___raises
*4th Street* - (3.40 SB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s___bets___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h___*checks*___raises
*5th Street* - (3.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s 2h___*checks*___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc___bets
*River* - (7.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 3d 2s 9s 2h xx___*checks*___calls
foucault82: As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc Qd___bets
*Total pot:* (9.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 1552 | Rake 0
rotay: [9h 3s 3d 2s 9s 2h Ah]
foucault82: [As Ad 9c 6h 5c Qc Qd] (HI: two pair, Aces and Queens)
I bet 6th because I figured him for a low draw rather than two pair, but even against his small two pair, I've got a ton of outs. 339 is really too weak to play. Small pairs in general are not good hands, but with a little kicker that gives them low potential, they can be playable, especially if there are also flush or staight possibilities. But 9 is the worst card in Stud/8, and 339 is garbage.
Hand 131:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 8c___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx Th___folds
eich: xx xx 9d___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Ad___folds
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s___calls
*4th Street* - (5.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h___checks
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c___checks
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d 5s___checks
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s Qc___*checks*
*5th Street* - (2.70 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td___raises___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks___*bets*___raises
foucault82: Kh Kc 7d 5s Jc___raises___folds
Kenny Rap: xx xx 7s Qc 2s___folds
*6th Street* - (12.70 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td 6s___calls
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks 5d___*bets 210 and is all-in*
*River* - (14.10 BB)
goswami: xx xx 8c 7h Td 6s xx
rotay: xx xx 4s 7c Ks 5d xx___all-in
*Total pot:* (14.10 BB)
Results:
Total pot 4230 | Rake 0
goswami: [8d 6c 8c 7h Td 6s 6h] (HI: a full house, Sixes full of Eights)
rotay: [3s 9s 4s 7c Ks 5d As] (HI: a flush, Ace high; LO: 7,5,4,3,A)
This is why it's so tough to play big pairs in this game. A lot of later streets get capped, especially in multi-way pots, and it is very difficult to play marginal one-way hands correctly. I tried to keep the pot small and ended up under-representing my hand and getting raised off of it by an inferior pair. I still don't know whether I played this well or not.
Hand 135:
Hand #12307549363
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx 5c___raises___calls
rotay: xx xx 8c___folds
Bill Chen: xx xx 6d___folds
eich: xx xx 9c___folds
WB123456789: xx xx 6s___folds
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 3s___folds
*4th Street* - (5.70 SB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad___*bets*
*5th Street* - (3.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d___*bets*
*6th Street* - (5.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h Td___calls
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d As___*bets*
*River* - (7.85 BB)
goswami: xx xx 5c 7c 9h Td xx___folds
foucault82: Qs Qc Qd Ad 8d As 5s___*bets*
*Total pot:* (7.85 BB)
Results:
Total pot 2355 | Rake 0
Hand 168:
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($150/$300), Ante $30
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
goswami: xx xx Jd___folds
rotay: xx xx 4h___calls
Bill Chen: xx xx 9d___folds
eich: xx xx Js___folds
WB123456789: xx xx Qh___folds
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h___raises
Kenny Rap: xx xx 8c___folds
*4th Street* - (3.40 SB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc___*checks*___calls
*5th Street* - (2.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc___*bets*___calls
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s___raises
*6th Street* - (6.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc 5d___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks___*checks*___calls
*River* - (8.70 BB)
rotay: xx xx 4h 3h Kc 5d xx___bets
foucault82: 6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks 6h___*checks*___calls
*Total pot:* (10.70 BB)
Results:
Total pot 3210 | Rake 0
rotay: [As 7s 4h 3h Kc 5d 5c] (HI: a pair of Fives; LO: 7,5,4,3,A)
foucault82: [6s 7d 7h Qc 9s Ks 6h] (HI: two pair, Sevens and Sixes)
Hand 195: This one's painful for me to think about again.
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($200/$400), Ante $40
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
Jorj95: xx xx 6d___folds
SirWatts: xx xx 3s___folds
XCappucinoX1: xx xx 8d___calls___folds
bennyboy76: xx xx 4c___calls___calls
kesha69: xx xx Jh___raises___calls
ATCDerby: xx xx 9h___folds
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd___raises
*4th Street* - (8.00 SB)
bennyboy76: xx xx 4c Qh___folds
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c___*bets*
*5th Street* - (5.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh___*bets*
*6th Street* - (7.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd 9d___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts___*bets*
*River* - (9.00 BB)
kesha69: xx xx Jh 2h Jd 9d xx___calls
foucault82: Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts 2d___*bets*
*Total pot:* (11.00 BB)
Results:
Total pot 4400 | Rake 0
kesha69: [Jc 7d Jh 2h Jd 9d Ah] (HI: three of a kind, Jacks)
foucault82: [Qc Qs Kd 9c Kh Ts 2d] (HI: two pair, Kings and Queens)
This might just look like a cold deck where I had two pair and he had trips. But I'm upset about it because I knew he had trips and I was trying to bluff him off by representing better trips. I feel retarded just typing that. In Stud/8, someone raising with a face card showing almost always has the pair. There's just no reason to play a hand with a J in it unless you have a pair.
So I'm assuming he has JJ, and my reraise is representing KK, even though I actually had buried QQ. So when he caught the J, I expected him to have trips. But I also knew he'd have to be worried that I'd also made trips, and in fact 90% of the time I will trips in this spot. But if he were going to make a good fold, he would have done it on 3rd when reraised. It's just bad poker to try to bluff some random guy off of trips, and I paid for it.
Hand 202:
Hand #12308195282
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($300/$600), Ante $60
*3rd Street* - (1.40 SB)
Jorj95: xx xx Jh___folds
SirWatts: xx xx 2s___calls
XCappucinoX1: xx xx 6c___folds
bennyboy76: xx xx Jd___folds
kesha69: xx xx 6h___raises
ATCDerby: xx xx 3s___folds
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h___calls
*4th Street* - (4.40 SB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c___bets___raises
kesha69: xx xx 6h Kc___calls___folds
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac___*checks*___raises___calls 131 and is all-in
*5th Street* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c___all-in
*6th Street* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h 5h
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js___all-in
*River* - (5.42 BB)
SirWatts: xx xx 2s 4c 8h 5h xx
foucault82: 4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js 2c___all-in
*Total pot:* (5.42 BB)
Results:
Total pot 3082 | Rake 0
SirWatts: [Ad 7c 2s 4c 8h 5h As] (HI: a pair of Aces; LO: 7,5,4,2,A)
foucault82: [4d Ah 4h Ac 5c Js 2c] (HI: two pair, Aces and Fours)
I'm only about halfway through the tournament, so I'm going to take a break here and post more hands later.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Font Problems
Very sorry for the current, hideous appearance of the blog. I'm not sure how it happened but I'm trying to fix it.
Stumble It!
Stumble It!
WCOOP SCOOP
From the $530 WCOOP:
7 Card Stud High-Low ($40/$80), Ante $8
50outs (Seat 1): $2,650
sunrise100 (Seat 2): $2,395
foucault82 (Seat 3): $3,426
BabyGrand (Seat 4): $3,605
lock (Seat 5): $1,333
Siren (Seat 6): $3,538
bjbwc (Seat 7): $3,972
Islandrob1 (Seat 8): $2,991
3rd Street - (1.60 SB)
50outs: xx xx 9s___folds
sunrise100: xx xx Kd___folds
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c___calls
BabyGrand: xx xx 7d___folds
lock: xx xx 9c___folds
Siren: xx xx 8h___folds
bjbwc: xx xx As___raises
Islandrob1: xx xx 7h___folds
4th Street - (3.60 SB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh___bets
5th Street - (2.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d___bets
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c___calls
6th Street - (4.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s___bets
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c 5h___calls
River - (6.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s Qd___checks
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c 5h xx___checks
Total pot: (6.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 544 | Rake 0
foucault82: [Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s Qd] (HI: three of a kind, Deuces)
bjbwc: [Tc 3d As Jc 6c 5h Td]
This was another nice scoop for me. One thing I noticed, and it's not really a mistake per se, but people were 2-, 3-, and even 4-betting very aggressively on 3rd street. I suppose that makes sense if you are new to the game and are better at starting hand selection than at play on later streets, but I think especially in tournaments this isn't a wise strategy for a strong player.
With a very strong low draw, an Ace, and some straight potential, I could certainly justify a raise rather than a call with this hand. But especially with drawing hands, you really need to have 4th street go your way before you have a monster. There are other reasons why you might raise, such as to drive other players out or represent a hand other than what you have, but when the pot is already heads up and I'm showing a deuce, I don't think a 3rd street raise accomplishes very much.
Even though it was a WCOOP, this tournament had a kind of shallow structure. Because it's a split pot game, Stud/8 often requires playing hands all the way to showdown. That means that almost any pot in which you get involved can become very expensive and/or very profitable. In a tournament, you're working with a limited number of chips, and I'd rather save mine for the better spots that arise on later streets than push small edges on 3rd street.
Besides, once you jack the pot on 3rd, you may force yourself to peel when you brick fourth, which gets expensive. Worse, if your opponent is loose, then you prevent him from making a mistake by peeling after he bricks if you make the pot larger on 3rd.
But enough about that. On 4th, we both brick, and I decide to take another card off. It's possible my opponent had a pair, but it's somewhat less likely since I have one of his Aces, and I almost certainly have the better low draw.
On 5th, I can expect to be a small favorite if my opponent has a four card low. I'm going to call if he bets, so I'd rather just bet myself instead of giving him the option of taking a free card. Plus, it's very difficult for him to raise me, since I could have two pair or even trips.
I've got to bet 6th even though I've got no shot at low because I'm practically a lock for high and my opponent could be paired and not yet have a low, and I need to charge him if he is drawing.
7th is an interesting spot because even though I have half the pot all but locked up, I can't bet for value since my hand is open. I'm showing trip 2's, which means my opponent will never call with a worse high hand. You can imagine a scenario where it would even be correct to check quads if all four of them were showing face up and there was any chance at all that your opponent could have better quads or a straight flush. Since your hand is face-up, you'll only get action when you're beat, so no matter how unlikely that is, you can't bet your hand for value because worse hands never call.
Given what my opponent actually had, not reraising on 3rd turned out to be a pretty substantial mistake. I gave him more credit for raising UTG, but there really were a ton of clueless players in this thing.
Stumble It!
7 Card Stud High-Low ($40/$80), Ante $8
50outs (Seat 1): $2,650
sunrise100 (Seat 2): $2,395
foucault82 (Seat 3): $3,426
BabyGrand (Seat 4): $3,605
lock (Seat 5): $1,333
Siren (Seat 6): $3,538
bjbwc (Seat 7): $3,972
Islandrob1 (Seat 8): $2,991
3rd Street - (1.60 SB)
50outs: xx xx 9s___folds
sunrise100: xx xx Kd___folds
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c___calls
BabyGrand: xx xx 7d___folds
lock: xx xx 9c___folds
Siren: xx xx 8h___folds
bjbwc: xx xx As___raises
Islandrob1: xx xx 7h___folds
4th Street - (3.60 SB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh___bets
5th Street - (2.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d___bets
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c___calls
6th Street - (4.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s___bets
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c 5h___calls
River - (6.80 BB)
foucault82: Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s Qd___checks
bjbwc: xx xx Ac Jh 6c 5h xx___checks
Total pot: (6.80 BB)
Results:
Total pot 544 | Rake 0
foucault82: [Ad 4h 2c Th 2d 2s Qd] (HI: three of a kind, Deuces)
bjbwc: [Tc 3d As Jc 6c 5h Td]
This was another nice scoop for me. One thing I noticed, and it's not really a mistake per se, but people were 2-, 3-, and even 4-betting very aggressively on 3rd street. I suppose that makes sense if you are new to the game and are better at starting hand selection than at play on later streets, but I think especially in tournaments this isn't a wise strategy for a strong player.
With a very strong low draw, an Ace, and some straight potential, I could certainly justify a raise rather than a call with this hand. But especially with drawing hands, you really need to have 4th street go your way before you have a monster. There are other reasons why you might raise, such as to drive other players out or represent a hand other than what you have, but when the pot is already heads up and I'm showing a deuce, I don't think a 3rd street raise accomplishes very much.
Even though it was a WCOOP, this tournament had a kind of shallow structure. Because it's a split pot game, Stud/8 often requires playing hands all the way to showdown. That means that almost any pot in which you get involved can become very expensive and/or very profitable. In a tournament, you're working with a limited number of chips, and I'd rather save mine for the better spots that arise on later streets than push small edges on 3rd street.
Besides, once you jack the pot on 3rd, you may force yourself to peel when you brick fourth, which gets expensive. Worse, if your opponent is loose, then you prevent him from making a mistake by peeling after he bricks if you make the pot larger on 3rd.
But enough about that. On 4th, we both brick, and I decide to take another card off. It's possible my opponent had a pair, but it's somewhat less likely since I have one of his Aces, and I almost certainly have the better low draw.
On 5th, I can expect to be a small favorite if my opponent has a four card low. I'm going to call if he bets, so I'd rather just bet myself instead of giving him the option of taking a free card. Plus, it's very difficult for him to raise me, since I could have two pair or even trips.
I've got to bet 6th even though I've got no shot at low because I'm practically a lock for high and my opponent could be paired and not yet have a low, and I need to charge him if he is drawing.
7th is an interesting spot because even though I have half the pot all but locked up, I can't bet for value since my hand is open. I'm showing trip 2's, which means my opponent will never call with a worse high hand. You can imagine a scenario where it would even be correct to check quads if all four of them were showing face up and there was any chance at all that your opponent could have better quads or a straight flush. Since your hand is face-up, you'll only get action when you're beat, so no matter how unlikely that is, you can't bet your hand for value because worse hands never call.
Given what my opponent actually had, not reraising on 3rd turned out to be a pretty substantial mistake. I gave him more credit for raising UTG, but there really were a ton of clueless players in this thing.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Big Pairs in Stud/8
From the $530 WCOOP event:
7 Card Stud High-Low ($20/$40), Ante $4
50outs (Seat 1): $2,782
sunrise100 (Seat 2): $2,611
foucault82 (Seat 3): $3,260
BabyGrand (Seat 4): $3,078
lock (Seat 5): $2,624
Siren (Seat 6): $2,884
bjbwc (Seat 7): $4,041
Islandrob1 (Seat 8): $2,630
3rd Street - (1.60 SB)
50outs: xx xx 6c___folds
sunrise100: xx xx 3h___folds
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah___raises
BabyGrand: xx xx 2d___brings in___folds
lock: xx xx Ac___raises___calls
Siren: xx xx 8c___folds
bjbwc: xx xx Kc___calls___calls
Islandrob1: xx xx 9d___folds
4th Street - (7.90 SB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d___bets
lock: xx xx Ac 5d___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s___calls
5th Street - (5.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d___bets___calls
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c___raises
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As___checks___calls
6th Street - (11.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc___checks___calls
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c 2c___bets___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As 6s___checks___raises
River - (17.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc Qh___bets
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c 2c xx___folds
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As 6s xx___checks___calls
Total pot: (19.45 BB)
Results:
Total pot 778 | Rake 0
foucault82: [Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc Qh] (HI: two pair, Aces and Sixes)
bjbwc: [Qd Kd Kc 7s As 6s 9h]
Even though you should generally be playing only hands that have a chance to win both high and low, split pots are very common in Stud/8, so when you do have the opportunity to scoop a big pot, it's a great feeling. I may have played this a little too passively with Aces up, but I expected most of my equity to come from the guy showing a K, who probably had a pair of Kings, and I didn't want to scare him out of the pot. By 6th street, both of my opponents were also showing three babies and three suited cards, so I didn't feel it would be to my advantage to jam the pot. That may have been an error, though.
The guy holding KK brings up an important point about the difficulty of playing big pairs in this game. As I mentioned, you usually want to have at least a chance of winning both high and low, which KKx probably can't do. However, KKx is a favorite against 3 babies on 3rd and even against 4 babies on 4th provided the player going low doesn't have a 4-card straight or flush, so you do generally want to play it.
It gets tricky, however, when there are two Aces showing. It's a common misconception that if more Aces are showing, then you are less likely to be up against a pair of Aces. Although it's true that the second Ace makes it less likely that the first raiser has AA, it actually makes it more likely that someone, either the raiser or the player left to act, has AA. In other words, you'd rather be against one player showing an Ace with three Aces left in the deck than against two players showing an Ace with two Aces left in the deck.
Generally, people will play their low hands more aggressively if they have an A in the door, so it can be tempting to call down with KK on the assumption that your opponent probably just has a low. But really, you're better off just throwing away KK if an A raises in front of you or re-raises you. In general, I look for reasons not to play big pairs (except AA, which is special both because it's the best big pair and because it also contributes to your low). You're going to be either a small favorite against something like A65 (remember that in addition to making a low, your opponent has outs to pair his Ace and maybe make a straight or flush) or way behind something like AA8, and it's better to just get out. It certainly cost this guy.
Stumble It!
7 Card Stud High-Low ($20/$40), Ante $4
50outs (Seat 1): $2,782
sunrise100 (Seat 2): $2,611
foucault82 (Seat 3): $3,260
BabyGrand (Seat 4): $3,078
lock (Seat 5): $2,624
Siren (Seat 6): $2,884
bjbwc (Seat 7): $4,041
Islandrob1 (Seat 8): $2,630
3rd Street - (1.60 SB)
50outs: xx xx 6c___folds
sunrise100: xx xx 3h___folds
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah___raises
BabyGrand: xx xx 2d___brings in___folds
lock: xx xx Ac___raises___calls
Siren: xx xx 8c___folds
bjbwc: xx xx Kc___calls___calls
Islandrob1: xx xx 9d___folds
4th Street - (7.90 SB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d___bets
lock: xx xx Ac 5d___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s___calls
5th Street - (5.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d___bets___calls
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c___raises
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As___checks___calls
6th Street - (11.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc___checks___calls
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c 2c___bets___calls
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As 6s___checks___raises
River - (17.45 BB)
foucault82: Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc Qh___bets
lock: xx xx Ac 5d 7c 2c xx___folds
bjbwc: xx xx Kc 7s As 6s xx___checks___calls
Total pot: (19.45 BB)
Results:
Total pot 778 | Rake 0
foucault82: [Ad 6h Ah 7d 6d Jc Qh] (HI: two pair, Aces and Sixes)
bjbwc: [Qd Kd Kc 7s As 6s 9h]
Even though you should generally be playing only hands that have a chance to win both high and low, split pots are very common in Stud/8, so when you do have the opportunity to scoop a big pot, it's a great feeling. I may have played this a little too passively with Aces up, but I expected most of my equity to come from the guy showing a K, who probably had a pair of Kings, and I didn't want to scare him out of the pot. By 6th street, both of my opponents were also showing three babies and three suited cards, so I didn't feel it would be to my advantage to jam the pot. That may have been an error, though.
The guy holding KK brings up an important point about the difficulty of playing big pairs in this game. As I mentioned, you usually want to have at least a chance of winning both high and low, which KKx probably can't do. However, KKx is a favorite against 3 babies on 3rd and even against 4 babies on 4th provided the player going low doesn't have a 4-card straight or flush, so you do generally want to play it.
It gets tricky, however, when there are two Aces showing. It's a common misconception that if more Aces are showing, then you are less likely to be up against a pair of Aces. Although it's true that the second Ace makes it less likely that the first raiser has AA, it actually makes it more likely that someone, either the raiser or the player left to act, has AA. In other words, you'd rather be against one player showing an Ace with three Aces left in the deck than against two players showing an Ace with two Aces left in the deck.
Generally, people will play their low hands more aggressively if they have an A in the door, so it can be tempting to call down with KK on the assumption that your opponent probably just has a low. But really, you're better off just throwing away KK if an A raises in front of you or re-raises you. In general, I look for reasons not to play big pairs (except AA, which is special both because it's the best big pair and because it also contributes to your low). You're going to be either a small favorite against something like A65 (remember that in addition to making a low, your opponent has outs to pair his Ace and maybe make a straight or flush) or way behind something like AA8, and it's better to just get out. It certainly cost this guy.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Two more tools get their comeuppance
Also from the $200 6-max second chance. Here's tool number one:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t150 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP (t21030)
Hero (t11484)
Button (Tool 1) (t3693)
SB (Tool 2) (t4305)
BB (t3862)
UTG (t12388)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Tc, Kd.
UTG raises to t450, 1 fold, Hero raises to t1200, Button (Tool 1) calls t1200, 2 folds, UTG calls t750.
Flop: (t3825) Kh, 3s, 9d (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks, Tool 1 bets t2493 (All-In), UTG folds, Hero folds.
Final Pot: t6318
Results in white below:
No showdown. Tool 1 wins t6318.
What can he possibly have when he cold calls my reraise for half his stack? I'm not paying him off. Oh, and KT is ahead of the opener's range. Seriously.
Anyway, here's Tool Two:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
UTG (t16399)
Hero (t13718)
CO (Tool 1) (t12786)
Button (Tool 2) (t7785)
SB (t6074)
BB (t15382)
Preflop: Hero is MP with 7s, 9s.
1 fold, Hero raises to t568, 1 fold, Button (Tool 2) raises to t1200, 2 folds, Hero calls t632.
Flop: (t2700) 7h, Tc, 8h (2 players)
Hero checks, Tool 2 bets t1600, Hero raises to t12518, Tool 2 calls t4985 (All-In).
Turn: (t21803) As (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (t21803) 8c (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: t21803
Results in white below:
Hero has 7s 9s (two pair, eights and sevens).
Tool 2 has Qc Qd (two pair, queens and eights).
Outcome: Tool 2 wins t15870. Hero wins t5933.
I think pre-flop is OK since I'm getting good immediate + implied odds and I know what he has. I'm in fine shape on the flop.
They both got owned in the same hand:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
BB (t16399)
Hero (t5933)
MP (Tool 1) (t12786)
CO (Tool 2) (t15870)
Button (t5974)
SB (t15182)
Preflop: Hero is UTG with Ad, Qd.
Hero raises to t588, MP (Tool 1) raises to t1500, CO (Tool 2) calls t1500, 2 folds, BB calls t1300, Hero calls t912.
Flop: (t6100) 6s, Tc, 5d (4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, Tool 1 bets t3755, Tool 2 raises to t14370, BB calls t14370, Hero folds, Tool 1 calls t7531 (All-In).
Turn: (t46126) 8d (3 players, 1 all-in)
River: (t46126) 4d (3 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: t46126
Results in white below:
BB has 6c 6h (three of a kind, sixes).
Tool 1 has Ac Ah (one pair, aces).
Tool 2 has Qs Qh (one pair, queens).
Outcome: BB wins t46126.
They both could have gotten away if they weren't morons. The best part is that this pot catapaulted the winner into a huge chiplead, more than twice the guy in 2nd place. I think he may be a reader of my blog (he made a comment about me hating min-raisers) and regardless he seems like a cool guy so I'd love to see him do well.
Stumble It!
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t150 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP (t21030)
Hero (t11484)
Button (Tool 1) (t3693)
SB (Tool 2) (t4305)
BB (t3862)
UTG (t12388)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Tc, Kd.
UTG raises to t450, 1 fold, Hero raises to t1200, Button (Tool 1) calls t1200, 2 folds, UTG calls t750.
Flop: (t3825) Kh, 3s, 9d (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks, Tool 1 bets t2493 (All-In), UTG folds, Hero folds.
Final Pot: t6318
Results in white below:
No showdown. Tool 1 wins t6318.
What can he possibly have when he cold calls my reraise for half his stack? I'm not paying him off. Oh, and KT is ahead of the opener's range. Seriously.
Anyway, here's Tool Two:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
UTG (t16399)
Hero (t13718)
CO (Tool 1) (t12786)
Button (Tool 2) (t7785)
SB (t6074)
BB (t15382)
Preflop: Hero is MP with 7s, 9s.
1 fold, Hero raises to t568, 1 fold, Button (Tool 2) raises to t1200, 2 folds, Hero calls t632.
Flop: (t2700) 7h, Tc, 8h (2 players)
Hero checks, Tool 2 bets t1600, Hero raises to t12518, Tool 2 calls t4985 (All-In).
Turn: (t21803) As (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (t21803) 8c (2 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: t21803
Results in white below:
Hero has 7s 9s (two pair, eights and sevens).
Tool 2 has Qc Qd (two pair, queens and eights).
Outcome: Tool 2 wins t15870. Hero wins t5933.
I think pre-flop is OK since I'm getting good immediate + implied odds and I know what he has. I'm in fine shape on the flop.
They both got owned in the same hand:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
BB (t16399)
Hero (t5933)
MP (Tool 1) (t12786)
CO (Tool 2) (t15870)
Button (t5974)
SB (t15182)
Preflop: Hero is UTG with Ad, Qd.
Hero raises to t588, MP (Tool 1) raises to t1500, CO (Tool 2) calls t1500, 2 folds, BB calls t1300, Hero calls t912.
Flop: (t6100) 6s, Tc, 5d (4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, Tool 1 bets t3755, Tool 2 raises to t14370, BB calls t14370, Hero folds, Tool 1 calls t7531 (All-In).
Turn: (t46126) 8d (3 players, 1 all-in)
River: (t46126) 4d (3 players, 1 all-in)
Final Pot: t46126
Results in white below:
BB has 6c 6h (three of a kind, sixes).
Tool 1 has Ac Ah (one pair, aces).
Tool 2 has Qs Qh (one pair, queens).
Outcome: BB wins t46126.
They both could have gotten away if they weren't morons. The best part is that this pot catapaulted the winner into a huge chiplead, more than twice the guy in 2nd place. I think he may be a reader of my blog (he made a comment about me hating min-raisers) and regardless he seems like a cool guy so I'd love to see him do well.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
I wanted to punch this tool in his face
This is from the $200 6-max WCOOP second chance event. The Villain is a moron, he's shown up with stuff like KJ after making calls like this out of his SB. I had a feeling he was going to bluff off with whatever, and I'm pretty sure I was right, but instead this happened:
PokerStars Game #12288389314: Tournament #70002017, $200+$15 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/09/26 - 20:00:49 (ET)
Table '70002017 25' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: mrbogins (52095 in chips)
Seat 2: foucault82 (3300 in chips)
Seat 3: shivtheking (2589 in chips)
Seat 4: gambler381 (8860 in chips)
Seat 6: going2Auba (11102 in chips)
going2Auba: posts small blind 100
mrbogins: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to foucault82 [Qd As]
foucault82: raises 355 to 555
shivtheking: calls 555
gambler381: folds
going2Auba: folds
mrbogins: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qh 2d 6c]
foucault82: checks
shivtheking: bets 600
foucault82: calls 600
*** TURN *** [Qh 2d 6c] [5s]
foucault82: checks
shivtheking: bets 600
Dealer: foucault82, it's your turn. You have 15 seconds to act
foucault82: raises 1400 to 2000
shivtheking: calls 834 and is all-in
*** RIVER *** [Qh 2d 6c 5s] [9h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [Qd As] (a pair of Queens)
shivtheking: shows [5d 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
shivtheking said, "yeah i turned you"
shivtheking collected 5478 from pot
ole_school is connected
shivtheking said, "shouldve gone all in"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5478 | Rake 0
Board [Qh 2d 6c 5s 9h]
Seat 1: mrbogins (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: foucault82 showed [Qd As] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 3: shivtheking showed [5d 5h] and won (5478) with three of a kind, Fives
Seat 4: gambler381 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: going2Auba (small blind) folded before Flop
Yeah, obviously I should be more concerned about your 2-outer than about letting your dumb ass bluff at it. And sweet pre-flop call for like 15% of my stack. And it's real important to make a tiny bet when you hit, because there are a ton of hands that call 600 with 1400 behind but fold to a shove for 2000. Asshole.
Stumble It!
PokerStars Game #12288389314: Tournament #70002017, $200+$15 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/09/26 - 20:00:49 (ET)
Table '70002017 25' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: mrbogins (52095 in chips)
Seat 2: foucault82 (3300 in chips)
Seat 3: shivtheking (2589 in chips)
Seat 4: gambler381 (8860 in chips)
Seat 6: going2Auba (11102 in chips)
going2Auba: posts small blind 100
mrbogins: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to foucault82 [Qd As]
foucault82: raises 355 to 555
shivtheking: calls 555
gambler381: folds
going2Auba: folds
mrbogins: folds
*** FLOP *** [Qh 2d 6c]
foucault82: checks
shivtheking: bets 600
foucault82: calls 600
*** TURN *** [Qh 2d 6c] [5s]
foucault82: checks
shivtheking: bets 600
Dealer: foucault82, it's your turn. You have 15 seconds to act
foucault82: raises 1400 to 2000
shivtheking: calls 834 and is all-in
*** RIVER *** [Qh 2d 6c 5s] [9h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [Qd As] (a pair of Queens)
shivtheking: shows [5d 5h] (three of a kind, Fives)
shivtheking said, "yeah i turned you"
shivtheking collected 5478 from pot
ole_school is connected
shivtheking said, "shouldve gone all in"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5478 | Rake 0
Board [Qh 2d 6c 5s 9h]
Seat 1: mrbogins (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: foucault82 showed [Qd As] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 3: shivtheking showed [5d 5h] and won (5478) with three of a kind, Fives
Seat 4: gambler381 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: going2Auba (small blind) folded before Flop
Yeah, obviously I should be more concerned about your 2-outer than about letting your dumb ass bluff at it. And sweet pre-flop call for like 15% of my stack. And it's real important to make a tiny bet when you hit, because there are a ton of hands that call 600 with 1400 behind but fold to a shove for 2000. Asshole.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
WCOOP 18
That was quick. Today was the $320 6-max, not the $500 Stud/8, which is actually tomorrow. Mkind was the only named I recognized at the table. Hand 1 I flopped a set of 7's on 678 flop, raised some dude's c-bet, bet the turn, and he folded. Then I called MKind's raise with As8s on my button, called his bet into two players on a 964ss flop. The turn was a 5, they both checked to me, and I figured this board would be sufficiently scary to fire at. The other guy put in a little check-raise, making me think he'd turned the nuts, so I called and folded to a bet on a board-pairing, non-spade river.
There were two overly aggressive players at the table. One of them opened to 60 (still at 10/20 level), Mkind called, I made 280 with AK in my BB, the first guy thought a bit and 4-bet to 1100. I played with this guy a bit in the first WCOOP event I played and thought he was kinda weak and almost certainly a satellite qualifier. His big 4-bet made me discount AA/KK even though I expected him to be playing scared. I shoved with no fold equity, he called with TT and won the flip. Not that his play is awful, but I think calling with TT and our stacks (about 115 BB effective) is much better than 4-betting and committing his whole stack.
Stumble It!
There were two overly aggressive players at the table. One of them opened to 60 (still at 10/20 level), Mkind called, I made 280 with AK in my BB, the first guy thought a bit and 4-bet to 1100. I played with this guy a bit in the first WCOOP event I played and thought he was kinda weak and almost certainly a satellite qualifier. His big 4-bet made me discount AA/KK even though I expected him to be playing scared. I shoved with no fold equity, he called with TT and won the flip. Not that his play is awful, but I think calling with TT and our stacks (about 115 BB effective) is much better than 4-betting and committing his whole stack.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
WCOOP 16
I played the $320 PLO8 today and finished like 180 out of about 1200, good enough for a shallow cash, less than double my money. I was pretty happy with how i played, towards the end it was maybe a little questionable, but with just 10 BB I think you are more likely to made bad folds than bad calls/shoves in PLO8, especially pre-flop, where it's hard to be a big dog.
I ended up busting in a kind of bad spot, I completed AKJJ in the SB against a limper sitting on a 9K stack at 500/1000. The flop was KK4 with two spades I bet a little over half pot, the BB called, and the limper folded. The turn was another 4, and I decided to check (remember, in PLO8, I must use two cards from my hand so I don't have the nuts here- I'm behind 44 and K4). I was going to call a shove and just hope my opponent was dumb enough to show up with a flush draw or a worse K. He checked also, and the river was another 4.
At this point, I had one pot-sized bet left in my stack. I'm far from sure about this, but it seems to me that shoving here is best without a specific read (I was new to the table), since I'm not sure I can check-fold, I may get called by worse (if the guy is bad) or I may fold out a chop (if the guy is good but maybe a little weak). So I shoved, and he beat me into the pot with his quad 4's. He did have K4 on the flop, so he had the nuts the entire time.
I don't have Poker Tracker Omaha right now, but I may purchase it. If I do, then I'll probably do a longer review of this tournament, since there were a few more interesting spots. However, it's tedious to review a raw hand history, so this won't happen unless I do buy PTO.
Tomorrow's Stud/8 is a $500, but I'm going to play it anyway. I think I'm pretty strong at Stud/8, and I expect that there will be both a lot of downright bad poker players and a lot of good NLHE players who don't really know Stud/8. But we'll see.
Stumble It!
I ended up busting in a kind of bad spot, I completed AKJJ in the SB against a limper sitting on a 9K stack at 500/1000. The flop was KK4 with two spades I bet a little over half pot, the BB called, and the limper folded. The turn was another 4, and I decided to check (remember, in PLO8, I must use two cards from my hand so I don't have the nuts here- I'm behind 44 and K4). I was going to call a shove and just hope my opponent was dumb enough to show up with a flush draw or a worse K. He checked also, and the river was another 4.
At this point, I had one pot-sized bet left in my stack. I'm far from sure about this, but it seems to me that shoving here is best without a specific read (I was new to the table), since I'm not sure I can check-fold, I may get called by worse (if the guy is bad) or I may fold out a chop (if the guy is good but maybe a little weak). So I shoved, and he beat me into the pot with his quad 4's. He did have K4 on the flop, so he had the nuts the entire time.
I don't have Poker Tracker Omaha right now, but I may purchase it. If I do, then I'll probably do a longer review of this tournament, since there were a few more interesting spots. However, it's tedious to review a raw hand history, so this won't happen unless I do buy PTO.
Tomorrow's Stud/8 is a $500, but I'm going to play it anyway. I think I'm pretty strong at Stud/8, and I expect that there will be both a lot of downright bad poker players and a lot of good NLHE players who don't really know Stud/8. But we'll see.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Online Poker Documentary
I just heard that Nat Arem is producing an online documentary about four college-aged internet poker players who call themselves Team Domeski. I couldn't get Blogger to upload the video properly, but you can click here to see the trailer. For those who don't know, Nat is the creator of the ThePokerDB and kind of the social hub for the internet poker world. I'm expecting good things.
Stumble It!
Labels: poker
Stumble It!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Folding the Nuts
Turns out today's WCOOP was regular 7-Stud, not Hi/Lo, so I sat it out. But tomorrow is PLO8, which is a game I enjoy a lot, so I'm probably going to play. In anticipation, I played a few tables of 1/2 and 2/4 PLO8 and NLO8, just to practice and warm up a little. In big bet Omaha games, there are occasionally situations where it can be correct to fold the nuts because you strongly suspect that your opponent holds the nuts plus a redraw, thus giving him a significant freeroll against you. I'm not 100% sure this was a good fold, but here's one I made tonight:
One guy, a pretty reasonable player, open limped in middle position, and I called $2 more from the SB with Ac3dKs6s. The flop came As Ad 3s, I potted it for $12, the BB folded, and then the limper re-potted for $48. Effective stacks at this point were $400, and I elected to fold. Against a worse player or someone on a short stack, I'd be more inclined to get in here, since they could be overplaying trips, but I think this guy shows up with A3 plus a low draw quite often.
Since my hand has very little hope of improving, I could well get 100BB's in praying for a chop. For instance, if I'm up against A238, I've got barely 40% equity even though I currently have the nuts. Even if he doesn't have the nuts, something like A45K is still a small favorite against me, and that's really the best case scenario if my read is correct that this guy is not an idiot.
This is mostly something that comes up with deep stacks, so it may not be as much of an issue in tomorrow's tournament, though with the WCOOP structure I guess stacks will be deep for a while.
Stumble It!
One guy, a pretty reasonable player, open limped in middle position, and I called $2 more from the SB with Ac3dKs6s. The flop came As Ad 3s, I potted it for $12, the BB folded, and then the limper re-potted for $48. Effective stacks at this point were $400, and I elected to fold. Against a worse player or someone on a short stack, I'd be more inclined to get in here, since they could be overplaying trips, but I think this guy shows up with A3 plus a low draw quite often.
Since my hand has very little hope of improving, I could well get 100BB's in praying for a chop. For instance, if I'm up against A238, I've got barely 40% equity even though I currently have the nuts. Even if he doesn't have the nuts, something like A45K is still a small favorite against me, and that's really the best case scenario if my read is correct that this guy is not an idiot.
This is mostly something that comes up with deep stacks, so it may not be as much of an issue in tomorrow's tournament, though with the WCOOP structure I guess stacks will be deep for a while.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
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Friday, September 21, 2007
WCOOP 9
I played yesterday's $200 rebuy with disappointing results. It was a sweet structure, with blinds starting at 10/20 and 3000 chips available for $200. Unfortunately, towards the end of the rebuy period, I took a bad beat that left me with like 3800, so I had barely more than one stack but couldn't quite rebuy. The add-on was for 5000 chips, so on the plus side I was in for just $600, but I also had a quite below average stack (though still plenty deep, with almost 200 BB's entering the second hour of the tournament).
I had a weak table but never got anything going. Here was my bustout hand:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t150 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP1 (t2444)
MP2 (t18381)
MP3 (t31132)
Hero (t9000)
Button (t20715)
SB (t13258)
BB (t11780)
UTG (t20271)
UTG+1 (t8918)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Ks, Qh.
UTG calls t150, 1 fold, MP1 calls t150, 2 folds, Hero raises to t750, 2 folds, BB calls t600, UTG calls t600, MP1 folds.
Flop: (t2475) 6c, Kc, Kd (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets t1250, BB folds, UTG calls t1250.
Turn: (t4975) 5s (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets t2500, UTG calls t2500.
River: (t9975) 9h (2 players)
UTG bets t5250, Hero calls t4500 (All-In).
Final Pot: t19725
He had 8c 7c for a flopped flush draw that turned into a running straight. Yes, I'm aware I played this like a complete tool, but the guy was a giant calling station, and I figured I'd just string him along. I wasn't happy with his river shove, because if he was going to bluff with a flush draw, he probably would have done it when he still had outs. But, I did have trips getting almost 3:1 when there was an obvious busted draw on the board. Oh well.
I'm going to New York this weekend so not playing any of the cool WCOOPs this weekend. I think there's a Stud/8 on Monday, so that's probably when you'll hear from me next.
Stumble It!
I had a weak table but never got anything going. Here was my bustout hand:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t150 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP1 (t2444)
MP2 (t18381)
MP3 (t31132)
Hero (t9000)
Button (t20715)
SB (t13258)
BB (t11780)
UTG (t20271)
UTG+1 (t8918)
Preflop: Hero is CO with Ks, Qh.
UTG calls t150, 1 fold, MP1 calls t150, 2 folds, Hero raises to t750, 2 folds, BB calls t600, UTG calls t600, MP1 folds.
Flop: (t2475) 6c, Kc, Kd (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets t1250, BB folds, UTG calls t1250.
Turn: (t4975) 5s (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets t2500, UTG calls t2500.
River: (t9975) 9h (2 players)
UTG bets t5250, Hero calls t4500 (All-In).
Final Pot: t19725
He had 8c 7c for a flopped flush draw that turned into a running straight. Yes, I'm aware I played this like a complete tool, but the guy was a giant calling station, and I figured I'd just string him along. I wasn't happy with his river shove, because if he was going to bluff with a flush draw, he probably would have done it when he still had outs. But, I did have trips getting almost 3:1 when there was an obvious busted draw on the board. Oh well.
I'm going to New York this weekend so not playing any of the cool WCOOPs this weekend. I think there's a Stud/8 on Monday, so that's probably when you'll hear from me next.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
If I'm Going to Play Full Ring...
I need to learn to fold flushes. The games are less aggressive, so people are showing up with stronger hands when all the money goes in. Two examples:
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $844.00
BB: $957.00
UTG: $641.50
UTG+1: $985.00
MP1: $1,107.00
MP2: $1,241.00
MP3: $2,998.00
Hero (CO): $1,820.55
BTN: $700.00
Preflop: Hero is dealt 9
6 (9 Players)
UTG calls $10.00, 4 folds, Hero calls $10.00, BTN calls $10.00, SB calls $5.00, BB checks
Flop: ($50) 5 2 A (5 Players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $50.00, BTN calls $50.00, SB raises to $175.00, 2 folds, Hero raises all-in to $1,810.55, BTN folds, SB calls all-in for $659.00
Turn: ($1768) 5
(2 Players - 2 All-In)
River: ($1768) 4
(2 Players - 2 All-In)
Pot Size: $1,768.00 ($3 Rake)
SB had Q T (a flush, Ace high) and WON (+$921.00)
Hero had 9 6 (a flush, Ace high) and LOST (-$844.00)
This wasn't isn't too bad, because the guy is kind of short, but it is a limped pot. I honestly think I can just fold to the check-raise, as my hand has no chance of improving, and really what could the guy have?
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $971.25
BB: $2,754.15
UTG: $985.00
UTG+1: $946.75
MP1: $925.00
MP2: $354.00
MP3: $1,054.00
CO: $576.00
Hero (BTN): $1,901.50
Preflop: Hero is dealt 9
T (9 Players)
6 folds, Hero raises to $35.00, SB folds, BB calls $25.00
Flop: ($75) 6 4 2 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $66.00, BB raises to $150.00, Hero calls $84.00
Turn: ($375) 9 (2 Players)
BB bets $280.00, Hero raises to $1,016.00, BB raises all-in to $2,569.15, Hero calls all-in for $700.50
Pot Size: $3,808.00 ($3 Rake)
BB had A 7 (a flush, Ace high) and WON (+$1,903.50)
Hero had 9 T (a flush, Ten high) and LOST (-$1,901.50)
This one I definitely played badly. Raising the turn is really bad, especially with the deep effective stacks, and if anything I might even be able to fold the river after just calling the turn. But raising the turn is just going to fold out everything I beat except maybe worse flushes (and there aren't many of those) and get shoved on by better hands.
Stumble It!
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $844.00
BB: $957.00
UTG: $641.50
UTG+1: $985.00
MP1: $1,107.00
MP2: $1,241.00
MP3: $2,998.00
Hero (CO): $1,820.55
BTN: $700.00
Preflop: Hero is dealt 9
6 (9 Players)UTG calls $10.00, 4 folds, Hero calls $10.00, BTN calls $10.00, SB calls $5.00, BB checks
Flop: ($50) 5
2 A (5 Players)SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $50.00, BTN calls $50.00, SB raises to $175.00, 2 folds, Hero raises all-in to $1,810.55, BTN folds, SB calls all-in for $659.00
Turn: ($1768) 5
(2 Players - 2 All-In)River: ($1768) 4
(2 Players - 2 All-In)Pot Size: $1,768.00 ($3 Rake)
SB had Q
T (a flush, Ace high) and WON (+$921.00)Hero had 9
6 (a flush, Ace high) and LOST (-$844.00)This wasn't isn't too bad, because the guy is kind of short, but it is a limped pot. I honestly think I can just fold to the check-raise, as my hand has no chance of improving, and really what could the guy have?
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $971.25
BB: $2,754.15
UTG: $985.00
UTG+1: $946.75
MP1: $925.00
MP2: $354.00
MP3: $1,054.00
CO: $576.00
Hero (BTN): $1,901.50
Preflop: Hero is dealt 9
T (9 Players)6 folds, Hero raises to $35.00, SB folds, BB calls $25.00
Flop: ($75) 6
4 2 (2 Players)BB checks, Hero bets $66.00, BB raises to $150.00, Hero calls $84.00
Turn: ($375) 9
(2 Players)BB bets $280.00, Hero raises to $1,016.00, BB raises all-in to $2,569.15, Hero calls all-in for $700.50
Pot Size: $3,808.00 ($3 Rake)
BB had A
7 (a flush, Ace high) and WON (+$1,903.50)Hero had 9
T (a flush, Ten high) and LOST (-$1,901.50)This one I definitely played badly. Raising the turn is really bad, especially with the deep effective stacks, and if anything I might even be able to fold the river after just calling the turn. But raising the turn is just going to fold out everything I beat except maybe worse flushes (and there aren't many of those) and get shoved on by better hands.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
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You Know It's Going to Be a Good Day When....
Like most people, I get a ton of junk mail. My girlfriend managed to get her name on a ton of catalogue mailing lists, so I get like two of those on an average day, and she doesn't even live here now! Plus, we are both fairly recent college graduates, so we average two or three card offers each per day plus weekly solicitations from our respective universities. When I check the mail these days, the ratio of junk to good stuff is easily 10:1.
So imagine my excitement when I retrieved the mail the other day to find four pieces of mail and FOUR CHECKS! I hit the quadfecta! One was payment for my July 2+2 article, two were from relatives wishing me a happy birthday, and one was courtesy of the donkeys at Full Tilt Poker wishing me a very very happy birthday!
Stumble It!
So imagine my excitement when I retrieved the mail the other day to find four pieces of mail and FOUR CHECKS! I hit the quadfecta! One was payment for my July 2+2 article, two were from relatives wishing me a happy birthday, and one was courtesy of the donkeys at Full Tilt Poker wishing me a very very happy birthday!
Stumble It!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
WCOOP #7
Meh. Played the $215 Fixed Limit Hold 'Em WCOOP event today. Full ring limit hold 'em is a boring and stupid game. I was running pretty well the first few hours, which in limit hold 'em just means your AK or QJ or whatever connects and some other guy has a pair too and he calls you down all the way cuz that's what limit players do. Then I ran into two guys who chased gutshots (which I think isn't that bad in FLHE), one made running trips, the other hit the gutterball, and I was done. I think I screwed this hand up at almost every opportunity:
PokerStars Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind t200 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
UTG+1 (t4990)
MP1 (t4590)
MP2 (t3740)
MP3 (t9770)
CO (t1905)
Hero (t5225)
SB (t6985)
BB (t3875)
UTG (t2790)
Preflop: Hero is Button with Ah, Jc.
UTG calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, 1 fold, CO calls, Hero calls, SB completes, BB checks.
Flop: (6 SB, t1200) As, 2c, Td (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets, MP2 calls, CO calls, Hero calls, SB folds, BB folds.
Turn: (5 BB, t2000) 4h (4 players)
UTG bets, MP2 calls, CO folds, Hero folds.
River: (7 BB, t2800) Js (2 players)
UTG bets, MP2 calls.
Final Pot: 9 BB (t3600)
UTG was a pretty tight player who showed up with AQs the last time he limped UTG. Even with position, AJ is a bad hand for a multiway pot. I'm pretty sure raising and folding are both better than limping along pre-flop.
I can probably fold the flop safely, though I'm getting almost the right odds to chase a 3-outer, especially if you consider implied. But I'm not guaranteed a winner even if the J hits. But I guess flop is OK.
Turn is definitely a fold, but if I'm going to fold turn I should probably just fold flop, and if I'm going to fold flop, I should probably just fold pre-flop. And of course right after I fold the J hits and I would have sucked out on AQ. Bummah.
Stumble It!
PokerStars Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind t200 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
UTG+1 (t4990)
MP1 (t4590)
MP2 (t3740)
MP3 (t9770)
CO (t1905)
Hero (t5225)
SB (t6985)
BB (t3875)
UTG (t2790)
Preflop: Hero is Button with Ah, Jc.
UTG calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, 1 fold, CO calls, Hero calls, SB completes, BB checks.
Flop: (6 SB, t1200) As, 2c, Td (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets, MP2 calls, CO calls, Hero calls, SB folds, BB folds.
Turn: (5 BB, t2000) 4h (4 players)
UTG bets, MP2 calls, CO folds, Hero folds.
River: (7 BB, t2800) Js (2 players)
UTG bets, MP2 calls.
Final Pot: 9 BB (t3600)
UTG was a pretty tight player who showed up with AQs the last time he limped UTG. Even with position, AJ is a bad hand for a multiway pot. I'm pretty sure raising and folding are both better than limping along pre-flop.
I can probably fold the flop safely, though I'm getting almost the right odds to chase a 3-outer, especially if you consider implied. But I'm not guaranteed a winner even if the J hits. But I guess flop is OK.
Turn is definitely a fold, but if I'm going to fold turn I should probably just fold flop, and if I'm going to fold flop, I should probably just fold pre-flop. And of course right after I fold the J hits and I would have sucked out on AQ. Bummah.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Monday, September 17, 2007
WCOOP #5
Unfortunately, Poker Stars' World Championship of Online Poker is timing out badly relative to my travel schedule: I was in Chicago much of this past weekend, missing the first few events, and I'll be in New York this coming weekend and therefore missing the juicier weekend events then as well (including the Razz, HORSE, and 6-Max events!).
However, I did spend a painful 10 hours yesterday playing the $500 NLHE, ultimately finishing 182nd out of 6025 competitors. Usually, getting so close and yet so far is very frustrating for me, but last night I never got my hopes up. Frankly, I can't believe I lasted as long as I did. From the get-go, I couldn't get any traction, and it was only thanks to the very generous 30-minute blind levels that I was able to cling to life. That's how I spent pretty much the entire tournament, never getting up an average-sized stack after the first hour but managing to win a few crucial all-in confrontations and steal blinds often enough to stay afloat.
There honestly were not many interesting hands at all, this is the best I could find:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t5000 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP1 (t184842)
MP2 (t126367)
Hero (t121000)
CO (t192770)
Button (t200256)
SB (t360699)
BB (t199586)
UTG (t243397)
UTG+1 (t633377)
Preflop: Hero is MP3 with Td, Ad.
4 folds, Hero raises to t13500, 2 folds, SB calls t11000, BB calls t8500.
Flop: (t45000) 6d, 8c, 8h (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.
Turn: (t45000) Ac (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.
River: (t45000) 6h (3 players)
SB bets t30000, BB folds, Hero folds.
I was fairly new to this table and didn't have much of a read on the player in the SB. In general, there were a ton of sorta bad/inexperienced players in this event, and it's generally profitable to assume that an unknown meets this description until he does something to suggest otherwise. Most people I think would say that river should be a call after playing the flop and turn so passively, but I really only beat a bluff, and this isn't generally a pot where I expect an unknown player to bluff. He's firing into two players, and he's waiting until the river (the least bluffable street) to do it. Even the bad players in a $500 tournament aren't calling the pre-flop raise with worse Aces in the SB, so I don't think he's value betting a worse hand very often at all. The fact that I don't even chop with AJ moved me towards a fold.
So there you go, 10 hours of play, 620-some hands, and that was the most interesting thing that happened. You can imagine how painful it was to be playing mindless poker for such a long stretch, getting more and more tired and having no room for creative play or hands worth playing and just folding and praying and folding and praying. It was just shy of 2:30 AM when I busted, and I am at least glad that I didn't last another two orbits, as that would have entailed sitting through a 30-minute break! The final table didn't start until like 16 or 17 hours in, so I guess they needed to give people a substantial break at some point, but man it would have been so painful to wait that out on a short stack, knowing that I could easily go out just a few minutes after the break.
There's a $200 FLHE WCOOP tomorrow. That's far from my best game, but I may play it anyway, since I'll have so few opportunities to play WCOOP events.
Stumble It!
However, I did spend a painful 10 hours yesterday playing the $500 NLHE, ultimately finishing 182nd out of 6025 competitors. Usually, getting so close and yet so far is very frustrating for me, but last night I never got my hopes up. Frankly, I can't believe I lasted as long as I did. From the get-go, I couldn't get any traction, and it was only thanks to the very generous 30-minute blind levels that I was able to cling to life. That's how I spent pretty much the entire tournament, never getting up an average-sized stack after the first hour but managing to win a few crucial all-in confrontations and steal blinds often enough to stay afloat.
There honestly were not many interesting hands at all, this is the best I could find:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t5000 (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
MP1 (t184842)
MP2 (t126367)
Hero (t121000)
CO (t192770)
Button (t200256)
SB (t360699)
BB (t199586)
UTG (t243397)
UTG+1 (t633377)
Preflop: Hero is MP3 with Td, Ad.
4 folds, Hero raises to t13500, 2 folds, SB calls t11000, BB calls t8500.
Flop: (t45000) 6d, 8c, 8h (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.
Turn: (t45000) Ac (3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks.
River: (t45000) 6h (3 players)
SB bets t30000, BB folds, Hero folds.
I was fairly new to this table and didn't have much of a read on the player in the SB. In general, there were a ton of sorta bad/inexperienced players in this event, and it's generally profitable to assume that an unknown meets this description until he does something to suggest otherwise. Most people I think would say that river should be a call after playing the flop and turn so passively, but I really only beat a bluff, and this isn't generally a pot where I expect an unknown player to bluff. He's firing into two players, and he's waiting until the river (the least bluffable street) to do it. Even the bad players in a $500 tournament aren't calling the pre-flop raise with worse Aces in the SB, so I don't think he's value betting a worse hand very often at all. The fact that I don't even chop with AJ moved me towards a fold.
So there you go, 10 hours of play, 620-some hands, and that was the most interesting thing that happened. You can imagine how painful it was to be playing mindless poker for such a long stretch, getting more and more tired and having no room for creative play or hands worth playing and just folding and praying and folding and praying. It was just shy of 2:30 AM when I busted, and I am at least glad that I didn't last another two orbits, as that would have entailed sitting through a 30-minute break! The final table didn't start until like 16 or 17 hours in, so I guess they needed to give people a substantial break at some point, but man it would have been so painful to wait that out on a short stack, knowing that I could easily go out just a few minutes after the break.
There's a $200 FLHE WCOOP tomorrow. That's far from my best game, but I may play it anyway, since I'll have so few opportunities to play WCOOP events.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
Stumble It!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Worst Play Ever?
I'm not exaggerating, I really can not think of another hand that I've seen played as badly as this guy played his JJ. The only other contender is when people in tournaments post like half their stack in the BB and then fold getting a bazillion to one because they have like T5 or something. But I still think this is probably worse:
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $1,332.00
BB: $1,467.50
UTG: $950.70
UTG+1: $3,776.40
MP1: $990.00
Hero (MP2): $1,004.00
MP3: $954.00
CO: $526.25
BTN: $4,049.45
Preflop: Hero is dealt A T (9 Players)
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $10.00, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $45.00, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $35.00
Flop: ($105) A 6 9 (2 Players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($105) 9 (2 Players)
UTG+1 bets $360.00, Hero raises all-in to $959.00, UTG+1 calls $599.00
River: ($2023) 6 (2 Players - 1 All-In)
Pot Size: $2,023.00 ($3 Rake)
UTG+1 had J J (two pair, Jacks and Nines) and LOST (-$1,004.00)
Hero had A T (two pair, Aces and Nines) and WON (+$1,016.00)
Open-limping and then just calling my raise is clearly not good. By now, I had the guy pegged as a fish, he was open-limping a lot, and I was raising him a lot. If he had reraised, I'd be ok with it. But that's the least of his problems.
Not that I'd expect this guy to have good hand-reading skills, but really his Jacks are in worse shape when I check this flop than when I bet it. This is a perfect flop to bet no matter what my cards are, so when I don't bet, it can really only mean that my hand has some showdown value but has to be worried by getting too much action on a board like this.
So now he bets three and a half times the pot on the turn?!?! Betting at all sucks, but there is just no reason to bet so much. I guess it was almost a successful bluff, since I considered folding, but the guy was such a monkey, and I just couldn't put believe he had trips (yes, that refusal to believe has been costing me money lately, thanks for asking).
As for shoving, from my perspective, I'm showing a ton of strength by calling that bet anyway. Maybe worse hands won't call my shove, but I can't really call and fold river, and anything that folds to a turn shove folds to a river shove unless it improves, so I might as well shove now rather than create a reverse implied odds situation where I'm giving a free card to hands that won't give more action anyway.
Well, it turns out it was a value shove, because this clown decides his Jacks are still good despite the fact that I'm willing to put in nine times the pot on this board. I'm just more and more stunned the more I contemplate what a tremendous moron this guy was.
In other news, I've got to go to Chicago again this weekend for a conference of Urban Debate League administrators, so I won't be playing again until Sunday and probably won't post again until then either.
Stumble It!
Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $5/$10 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker Hand History Converter)
SB: $1,332.00
BB: $1,467.50
UTG: $950.70
UTG+1: $3,776.40
MP1: $990.00
Hero (MP2): $1,004.00
MP3: $954.00
CO: $526.25
BTN: $4,049.45
Preflop: Hero is dealt A
T (9 Players)UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $10.00, MP1 folds, Hero raises to $45.00, 5 folds, UTG+1 calls $35.00
Flop: ($105) A
6 9 (2 Players)UTG+1 checks, Hero checks
Turn: ($105) 9
(2 Players)UTG+1 bets $360.00, Hero raises all-in to $959.00, UTG+1 calls $599.00
River: ($2023) 6
(2 Players - 1 All-In)Pot Size: $2,023.00 ($3 Rake)
UTG+1 had J
J (two pair, Jacks and Nines) and LOST (-$1,004.00)Hero had A
T (two pair, Aces and Nines) and WON (+$1,016.00)Open-limping and then just calling my raise is clearly not good. By now, I had the guy pegged as a fish, he was open-limping a lot, and I was raising him a lot. If he had reraised, I'd be ok with it. But that's the least of his problems.
Not that I'd expect this guy to have good hand-reading skills, but really his Jacks are in worse shape when I check this flop than when I bet it. This is a perfect flop to bet no matter what my cards are, so when I don't bet, it can really only mean that my hand has some showdown value but has to be worried by getting too much action on a board like this.
So now he bets three and a half times the pot on the turn?!?! Betting at all sucks, but there is just no reason to bet so much. I guess it was almost a successful bluff, since I considered folding, but the guy was such a monkey, and I just couldn't put believe he had trips (yes, that refusal to believe has been costing me money lately, thanks for asking).
As for shoving, from my perspective, I'm showing a ton of strength by calling that bet anyway. Maybe worse hands won't call my shove, but I can't really call and fold river, and anything that folds to a turn shove folds to a river shove unless it improves, so I might as well shove now rather than create a reverse implied odds situation where I'm giving a free card to hands that won't give more action anyway.
Well, it turns out it was a value shove, because this clown decides his Jacks are still good despite the fact that I'm willing to put in nine times the pot on this board. I'm just more and more stunned the more I contemplate what a tremendous moron this guy was.
In other news, I've got to go to Chicago again this weekend for a conference of Urban Debate League administrators, so I won't be playing again until Sunday and probably won't post again until then either.
Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review
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