Poker Stars $300+$20 Limit Stud Hi/Lo Tournament – t100/t200 Limit + t20 – 7 players – View hand 2576621

DeucesCracked Poker Videos Hand History Converter

Seat 1: t4010 M = 13.83
Seat 2: t7900 M = 27.24
Seat 3: t6091 M = 21.00
Seat 4: t7605 M = 26.22
Seat 5: t4676 M = 16.12
Hero (): t5651 M = 19.49
Seat 8: t2151 M = 7.42

3rd Street: (1.4 SB)
Seat 1: xx xx 5____Seat 1 completes____Seat 1 calls
Seat 2: xx xx 8____Seat 2 folds
Seat 3: xx xx T____Seat 3 folds
Seat 4: xx xx K____Seat 4 folds
Seat 5: xx xx A____Seat 5 raises
Hero: 4 5 2___Hero brings in for $30___Hero calls
Seat 8: xx xx 8____Seat 8 folds

4th Street: (7.4 SB) (3 players)
Seat 1: xx xx 5 J____Seat 1 folds
Seat 5: xx xx A 6____Seat 5 bets
Hero: 4 5 2 4___Hero calls

5th Street: (4.7 BB) (2 players)
Seat 5: xx xx A 6 3____Seat 5 bets____Seat 5 calls
Hero: 4 5 2 4 3___Hero raises

6th Street: (8.7 BB) (2 players)
Seat 5: xx xx A 6 3 K____Seat 5 checks____Seat 5 calls
Hero: 4 5 2 4 3 9___Hero bets

7th Street: (10.7 BB) (2 players)
Seat 5: 5 5 A 6 3 K xx____Seat 5 checks____Seat 5 calls
Hero: 4 5 2 4 3 9 3___Hero bets

I’m a novice Stud/8 player. I find it interesting, I play it occasionally, I’ve studied it a bit, but I don’t have an expert’s grasp on what is a very nuanced game. So take everything I say with a larger grain of salt than usual.

Third Street – I very rarely open complete. I prefer not to give away anything about my hand before others have acted. There might be a case for three-betting this, but it’s a hand that plays well multi-way, I don’t really think Seat 1 is going to fold anyway, and I’m not going to be more than slight equity favorite. Especially in a tournament, I think it’s best not to bloat the pot on third.

Fourth Street – Now may be the time to raise and drive out Seat 1. However, he may fold anyway, and I’m not eager to shovel in money against Seat 5.

Fifth Street – I’m still not a favorite, but my thinking was that my equity was good enough to start putting pressure on him. In retrospect, I don’t think he’s folding any run out unless maybe I catch an A, in which case he folds correctly. It’s just too hard for me to have him beat on both directions. Even if he has doubts about his low, there’s some chance that he can win the high with no pair in the event that I have a better low.

Sixth Street – See above. I’d be better off taking a free card.

Seventh Street – I think a lot of people may miss this value bet. Hero’s high hand isn’t especially strong, and Villain could easily have a low, so it may seem like you should check. But Villain is definitely going to bet hands that scoop you anyway, and you can’t fold to a bet, so that bet is going in the pot anyway if you’re getting scooped. You might worry about getting raised, but realistically it’s very hard for Villain to raise your bet because it’s so hard for him to have a strong two-way hand, especially since Hero could easily have a wheel. If Villain has a low, it’s tough for him to also have your high beat, so in actuality you have very little to lose by betting, and it gives Villain a chance to call for half when his low draw missed. I think it’s possible to be called here even by AK high (which goes back to why the fifth and sixth street aggression was a mistake).

I think it’s interesting primarily for the 5th street action. I’ve got a small pair, a low draw, and a flush draw, but presumably not yet a winner for anything. Although Villain catches an A, two of the others are dead, it seemed like a good spot for me to try to rep that I had a made Aces up or trip deuces. I doubted he would have better than Kings up. Even that seems unlikely when I end up rivering Kings up myself, but I think his raise on 6th has to be extremely strong. I tanked for a long time before folding the river, and I posted the hand on 2p2 because I’m far from certain I played it correctly.

PokerStars Game #67516570346: Tournament #2011090031, $300+$20 USD 8-Game (7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit) – Level XXII (500/1000) – 2011/09/14 15:53:04 MT [2011/09/14 17:53:04 ET]
Table ‘2011090031 44’ 6-max
Seat 1: AleksS69 (21771 in chips)
Seat 2: foucault82 (17366 in chips)
Seat 3: Ghoyteep (15412 in chips)
Seat 4: DYBYDX (11892 in chips)
Seat 5: ApKTuK (16050 in chips)
Seat 6: DON CASTI (4047 in chips)
Ghoyteep: posts the ante 100
DYBYDX: posts the ante 100
ApKTuK: posts the ante 100
DON CASTI: posts the ante 100
AleksS69: posts the ante 100
foucault82: posts the ante 100
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to AleksS69 [Qd]
Dealt to foucault82 [8c 7c 2h]
Dealt to Ghoyteep [Kd]
Dealt to DYBYDX [Qs]
Dealt to ApKTuK [9h]
Dealt to DON CASTI [As]
foucault82: brings in for 150
Ghoyteep: raises 350 to 500
DYBYDX: folds
ApKTuK: folds
DON CASTI: calls 500
AleksS69: folds
foucault82: calls 350
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [8c 7c 2h] [Ac]
Dealt to Ghoyteep [Kd] [4h]
Dealt to DON CASTI [As] [3c]
DON CASTI: checks
foucault82: bets 500
Ghoyteep: calls 500
DON CASTI: calls 500
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [8c 7c 2h Ac] [2c]
Dealt to Ghoyteep [Kd 4h] [Ad]
Dealt to DON CASTI [As 3c] [Ts]
foucault82: checks
Ghoyteep: bets 1000
DON CASTI: folds
foucault82: raises 1000 to 2000
Ghoyteep: calls 1000
*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [8c 7c 2h Ac 2c] [Kh]
Dealt to Ghoyteep [Kd 4h Ad] [Tc]
foucault82: bets 1000
Ghoyteep: raises 1000 to 2000
foucault82: calls 1000
*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [8c 7c 2h Ac 2c Kh] [Ks]
foucault82: checks
Ghoyteep: bets 1000
foucault82: folds
Uncalled bet (1000) returned to Ghoyteep
Ghoyteep collected 11600 from pot
Ghoyteep: doesn’t show hand

My thanks and apologies to everyone who played in last night’s Triple Stud event. I’ll start on a positive note: I had a great time, and it seemed like many of you did as well. Thanks for playing and for being good sports throughout.

Technical Difficulties

1. Structure. It took over 9 hours for us to play from 30 runners down to the 3 who got paid, and several people understandably chose to abandon their stacks rather than continue to play a $1 tournament for so long. All I can say in my own defense is that I don’t get a lot of information about what various options mean when creating a tournament and am still getting the hang of setting the structure. Obviously this was a huge fail, and I appreciate everyone being so understanding about it.

2. Cancellation. It came down to KeondaFreon and myself playing heads up. I had about a 2:1 chiplead, and (s)he opted to concede and go to sleep rather than play it out. Keonda sat out, and I did as well, thinking that we’d get blinded down and end up taking first and second. Apparently, Stars cancels the tournament if both players are sitting out. It paid us out based on our chip counts, which was fine, but as of now results from this tournament aren’t displayed in the Home Game lobby or on the League Standings. I’ve e-mailed support about this and am going to work with them to make sure this gets resolved. I know that everyone who earned points in this tournament worked hard for them and invested a lot of time in it, and it’s important to me that you get the credit you deserve. I’ll update you when I have more information about how this will be resolved.

Despite these problems, we really did have a lot of fun, and I encourage everyone to play our next event:

Pot Limit Turbo Knockout

This Sunday’s tournament will be a $3 +.75 +.30 6-handed PLH/PLO mix. There’s a $.75 bounty on each player, but otherwise it’s winner take all. Points for league standings will be awarded in the usual fashion, ie they will not be WTA. It’s also a turbo, with the “Turbo” blind structure (whatever that means), 5 minute levels, and 3000 starting stacks. I’m pretty confident this one will finish up in under 3 hours unless we get a huge field.

Fun Chat

To give you just a taste of last night’s antics, I saved some of my favorite moments from the chat box. Here, Mortal Limit, Bond2King, and Cadwallion discuss the merits of having abandoned stacks at the table:

Mortal Limit: woo! Blather is at this table now! EV bonanza!
Cadwallion [observer]: two sit-outs at our table, one at yours
Bond2King: oh yeah it’s like whole entire cents of EV, crazy
Mortal Limit: think of it in bets. it gets more exciting.

And then this occurred after Illiterat 2-bet my steal raise with a K up in Razz, called a 3-bet, and proceeded to snap me off on the river with a T8 when I was bluffing with a Q after making two-pair:

Dealer: foucault82 has Lo: Q,9,5,4,2
Dealer: illiterat has Lo: T,8,6,5,A
Dealer: Game #58784501643: illiterat wins pot (810) with Lo: T,8,6,5,A
foucault82: nice call
foucault82: guessint you didn’t knwo it was razz when you raised me?
illiterat: I didn’t know it was razz on the river
El_dzik: hahahahaa
foucault82: hahahhahahahaah
Bond2King: lol that’s a bad beat
Bond2King: you’re opp calls cause they don’t know what game it is

Apparently my bluff would have worked except that he rivered a pair of Aces and thought we were still playing Stud Hi.

Thanks again to everyone who played. I’ll keep you posted about the results of this tournament, and I hope to see you all on Sunday for the Pot Limit Turbo Knockout.

Thanks to everyone who played in yesterday’s inaugural Thinking Poker Home Game tournament. I had a lot of fun and it seems like everyone else did as well.

Spidurman was our champion, outlasting 15 other competitors, including yours truly, to win first place in the $5+.50 “6-Max and Deep Stacks” event. Bond2King was the runner-up, and Piefarmer bubbled in 3rd place. Also scoring points in the nebulous League Standings were LiPhanOK and QandA201 in 4th and 5th place, respectively. Thus, after one tournament, the current standings look like this:

Don’t ask me how those points are calculated, because I have no idea. As you can see, though, there’s not a huge difference in points between 1st and 5th place, so even if you missed or didn’t do well in yesterday’s tournament, there’s no reason you couldn’t go on to win the season and the grand prize of a Leakfinder review with yours truly.

The next tournament will take place on Sunday, March 6th at 16:30 ET on PokerStars, coinciding with the epic Sunday Five Million. It will be a $1+.10 Triple Stud tournament, meaning that we’ll alternate between 7 Card Stud, Razz, and Stud/8. I deliberately made the buy-in as small as possible so that you can come play and have fun even if you have no idea what you’re doing in those games.

There will also be a Thinking Poker cash game tomorrow night at 20:00 ET. We’ll be playing $.10/$.25 6-max with a 100-250 BB buy-in. The results won’t count towards league standings, but if yesterday’s experience is any guide, it should be a good time.

Early in level 7, the Flying Dutchman joins our table, upside-down sunglasses and all. Almost immediately, he takes half my stack.

Action folds to me in middle position. I’ve got 8(72), hardly a premium hand, but there’s nothing but junk behind me: two Queens, Marcel with a Jack, and an 8 on the bring-in. I raise, Marcel calls with the J, everyone else folds.

On 4th, I catch an A, Marcel catches a 4. I bet, he calls. Odds are good he’s got a pair of Jacks (though maybe I should expect him to 3-bet that more often than call?), but I’ve got outs to both halves of the pot plus the A is a scare card.

On 5th, I brick, and Marcel catches a 3. I bet, he calls.

On 6th, I pair my 8, he catches 2. I bet, he raises. That was unexpected. I think for a while and can’t figure what he has. A5 suited with the Jack seems most likely, or maybe rolled-up Jacks that he’s been slowplaying. Somewhat less likely are 65 suited with the J or a smaller pair in the hole that’s since made trips. I seriously consider folding but decide to call.

Thankfully I brick the river and check-fold. The guy on my right asks Marcel to show the suited A5. Marcel shows A5, but only the 5 is suited to the J. Obviously not a standard call on 3rd, but Marcel’s almost certainly a better S/8 player than I am, so I don’t want to write it off as an error. Possibly he put me on a steal and had a plan to take it away later if he didn’t go runner runner runner perfect.

I could have sworn that they’d said we were only playing 7 levels, but there indeed 8, and I busted about halfway through the last level. I got it in on 5th with four to a low and a pair of Aces against an open pair of 7’s and what turned out to be Kings up. They both made full houses on the river, and I missed my low.

Speaking of Vegas, thanks to everyone who’s asked what my plans are. I’m heading out there on the 27th and plan to play the $1500 Stud/8 tournament on the 28th. Should I somehow manage not to final table that, I’ll play the $5000 6-max NLHE event on the 30th, then Day of the Main Event on July 3. That’s likely to be it for major tournaments, as I do want to play some cash games and maybe a few of those juicy juicy satellites. I also want to meet/hang out with some people, so if you’re going to be in Vegas during that time, by all means let me know (foucault82 (at) yahoo (dot) com) so we can grab a drink or something.

Also, while I’ll continue to post daily updates here, I’m also going to try Tweating my chip counts and such during the tournaments. I know, I know, Twitter is largely a toolish thing to do, but it seems pretty ideal for poker tournament updates. You can follow me on @thinkingpoker.

Wish me luck!

PokerStars Game #26838991298: Tournament #200904122, $200+$15 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit – Level IV (80/160) – 2009/04/07 17:54:53 ET
Table ‘200904122 30’ 8-max
Seat 1: xmrstyle (5557 in chips)
Seat 2: GoodOleBoy (5051 in chips)
Seat 3: foucault82 (3681 in chips)
Seat 4: mrpokejoke (5594 in chips)
Seat 5: JohnnyBax (6949 in chips)
Seat 6: Corrino (3464 in chips)
Seat 7: FODMAND (4741 in chips)
Seat 8: badbeat987 (4963 in chips)

*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to xmrstyle [7s]
Dealt to GoodOleBoy [2s]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ks Jd Kh]
Dealt to mrpokejoke [Jc]
Dealt to JohnnyBax [6d]
Dealt to Corrino [6c]
Dealt to FODMAND [7h]
Dealt to badbeat987 [Kc]

GoodOleBoy: bets 80
foucault82: raises 80 to 160
mrpokejoke: folds
JohnnyBax: folds
Corrino: folds
FODMAND: raises 80 to 240
badbeat987: folds
xmrstyle: folds
GoodOleBoy: calls 160
foucault82: calls 80

*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to GoodOleBoy [2s] [Ac]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ks Jd Kh] [Td]
Dealt to FODMAND [7h] [4c]
GoodOleBoy: bets 80
foucault82: calls 80
FODMAND: calls 80

*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to GoodOleBoy [2s Ac] [As]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ks Jd Kh Td] [Tc]
Dealt to FODMAND [7h 4c] [5h]
GoodOleBoy: bets 160
foucault82: calls 160
FODMAND: calls 160

*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to GoodOleBoy [2s Ac As] [3c]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ks Jd Kh Td Tc] [9d]
Dealt to FODMAND [7h 4c 5h] [7c]
GoodOleBoy: bets 160
foucault82: calls 160
FODMAND: raises 160 to 320
GoodOleBoy: calls 160
foucault82: calls 160

*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [Ks Jd Kh Td Tc 9d] [Th]
GoodOleBoy: bets 160
foucault82: calls 160
FODMAND: raises 160 to 320
GoodOleBoy: calls 160
foucault82: raises 160 to 480
FODMAND: calls 160
GoodOleBoy: calls 160

*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [Ks Jd Kh Td Tc 9d Th] (HI: a full house, Tens full of Kings)
FODMAND: shows [Ah 7d 7h 4c 5h 7c 6h] (HI: three of a kind, Sevens; LO: 7,6,5,4,A)
GoodOleBoy: mucks hand
foucault82 collected 1984 from pot
FODMAND collected 1984 from pot

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3968 | Rake 0
Seat 1: xmrstyle folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 2: GoodOleBoy mucked [3d 5s 2s Ac As 3c 3h]
Seat 3: foucault82 showed [Ks Jd Kh Td Tc 9d Th] and won (1984) with HI: a full house, Tens full of Kings
Seat 4: mrpokejoke folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 5: JohnnyBax folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 6: Corrino folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 7: FODMAND showed [Ah 7d 7h 4c 5h 7c 6h] and won (1984) with HI: three of a kind, Sevens; LO: 7,6,5,4,A
Seat 8: badbeat987 folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)

I’ll say up front that my calls on earlier streets are a little questionable, and obviously I luckboxed the river. But, when Fod 3-bets on 3rd, I’m putting him on either baby suited connectors, buried Aces, or rolled up 7’s, with the former being by far the most likely. Good could have some high hands but almost always has a low, including probably some weaker hands than one probably ought to be raising in first position.

Of course I’m not thrilled to see him catch an A on 4th, but I can’t freak out yet. Then he pairs the A, but he still probably has just one pair and a low, while I’ve now made two pair. Proceeding with caution.

Meanwhile, it’s pretty unlikely Fod had buried Aces, so probably he’s on a low with one pair as well. Raising when he pairs his door card is pretty alarming, but by now the pot is big, I’ve got two pair, and besides did he really 3-bet into a K with just a pair of 7’s?

The river is neat because my value almost certainly needs to come from Fod. I’ve got now low, so putting in an extra bet against Good isn’t worth anything. I don’t want to raise Fod off of a worse high, and it looks like he might put the raise in for me, allowing me to win (half of) two more bets off of him.

In retrospect, Fod’s raise on 3rd isn’t that bad. With the A in his hand, his shot at beating me for high is much improved. If a raise can chase Good out of the pot (a dubious proposition against most amateurs), he greatly increases his odds of taking the low as well.

My bust-out hand is a little neat also:

PokerStars Game #26843304587: Tournament #200904122, $200+$15 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit – Level X (400/800) – 2009/04/07 20:02:19 ET
Table ‘200904122 14’ 8-max
Seat 1: foucault82 (2202 in chips)
Seat 2: tilou4fun (19017 in chips)
Seat 4: get crunk (21744 in chips)
Seat 5: Iteopepe88 (3407 in chips)
Seat 6: Don_Insano (10591 in chips)
Seat 7: Mungy (9593 in chips)
Seat 8: Crisper (6932 in chips)

*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [6h 5d 2c]
Dealt to tilou4fun [Jd]
Dealt to get crunk [8c]
Dealt to Iteopepe88 [Qc]
Dealt to Don_Insano [9h]
Dealt to Mungy [Qh]
Dealt to Crisper [3s]
foucault82: brings in for 120
tilou4fun: raises 280 to 400
get crunk: folds
Iteopepe88: folds
Don_Insano: folds
Mungy: folds
Crisper: folds
foucault82: calls 280

*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [6h 5d 2c] [5h]
Dealt to tilou4fun [Jd] [4h]
tilou4fun: checks
foucault82: checks

*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [6h 5d 2c 5h] [9s]
Dealt to tilou4fun [Jd 4h] [Kh]
tilou4fun: bets 800
somebody is connected
foucault82: calls 800

*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to foucault82 [6h 5d 2c 5h 9s] [Kd]
Dealt to tilou4fun [Jd 4h Kh] [Ac]
tilou4fun: bets 800
foucault82: raises 122 to 922 and is all-in
tilou4fun: calls 122

*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [6h 5d 2c 5h 9s Kd] [7c]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [6h 5d 2c 5h 9s Kd 7c] (HI: a pair of Fives)
tilou4fun: shows [7d Qd Jd 4h Kh Ac Qs] (HI: a pair of Queens)
tilou4fun collected 4804 from pot
No low hand qualified

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4804 | Rake 0
Seat 1: foucault82 showed [6h 5d 2c 5h 9s Kd 7c] and lost with HI: a pair of Fives
Seat 2: tilou4fun showed [7d Qd Jd 4h Kh Ac Qs] and won (4804) with HI: a pair of Queens
Seat 4: get crunk folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 5: Iteopepe88 folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 6: Don_Insano folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 7: Mungy folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 8: Crisper folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)

If I hadn’t been the bring-in, I probably would have just gotten it in on 3rd. As it is, though, I think he has J’s almost always, and I can check-fold a brick on 4th. With the 5, I’m looking to check-get-it-in, but he surprises me by checking it back.

There are a ton of “good enough” cards for me on 5th (anything 8 or lower or higher than his J), but a 9 wasn’t one of them. When he bet, I got to thinking about his check on 4th- maybe he didn’t have J’s after all? He didn’t, but I still couldn’t escape with so much as half.

The 2+2 MTT community is mostly salivating over this, though some are a little concerned that the smaller events will actually discourage people from trying satellite into the bigger events. I don’t think they’re wrong, but I still expect the big events to be plenty soft thanks to tourney donks playing with relatively deep stacks for fairly big money.

The only issue for me is how to get enough money on Stars by April to enable me to play the ones I want without busting the bankroll. I may suck it up and make a wire transfer, which I’ve so far refused to do on principle since Stars makes the depositor pay the wire fees. It’s really preposterous- I pay enough rake in 10 minutes to cover the fees, and it’s clearly in their interest for me to have money on their site.

Anyway, the schedule:

Event 1 – 2 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – NL Hold’em with Rebuys [6-max]

Really looking forward to this one, will probably play the medium and the large.

• 01-L: $5.50 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 01-M: $55 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 01-H: $530 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 2 – 2 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – PL Omaha Hi/Lo

I like PLO8 and will probably play the medium, maybe the large depending on what the field looks like. I’d probably even be willing to play the large if I thought I was slightly -EV.

• 02-L: $11 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 02-M: $109 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 02-H: $1,050 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 3 – 3 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – PL 5-Card Draw

I might play the small or medium for fun, but definitely won’t be playing the large.

• 03-L: $11 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 03-M: $109 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 03-H: $1,050 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 4 – 3 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – NL Hold’em [2X Chance, turbo]

It’s hard to turn down the great value that all of these NLHE tourneys represent, but I really hate turbos. In these, the tourney donks might actually have the edge on me.

• 04-L: $16.50 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 04-M: $162 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 04-H: $1,575 buy-in, $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 5 – 4 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – NL Hold’em Shootout [10-max]

The large will probably be worth playing.

• 05-L: $16.50 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 05-M: $162 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 05-H: $1,575 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 6 – 4 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – PL Omaha [1R1A, 6-max]

I might play the medium, but lately I’ve no interest in PLO.

• 06-L: $22 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 06-M: $215 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 06-H: $2,100 buy-in, $400,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 7 – 5 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – H.O.R.S.E.

Recently I’ve concluded that I may not be as good at HORSE as I thought, and/or everyone else is getting better. If I play, it will probably just be the low.

• 07-L: $109 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 07-M: $1,050 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 07-H: $10,300 buy-in, $750,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 8 – 5 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – NL Hold’em [2-day]

Juicy! The medium will be fine, but it’s probably not a good idea to burn so much time on a $300 tournament. I really want to play the large though.

• 08-L: $33 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 08-M: $320 buy-in, $1,500,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 08-H: $3,150 buy-in, $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 9 – 6 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – FL Triple Draw 2-7

If I play, it would only be the low for fun. Whenever I play this game, I always end up screwing up and getting excited about an Ace or a straight.

• 09-L: $22 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 09-M: $215 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 09-H: $2,100 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 10 – 6 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – NL Hold’em [Heads-Up Match Play]

Nice opportunity for heads up, will probably play medium and large.

• 10-L: $16.50 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 10-M: $162 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 10-H: $1,575 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 11 – 7 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – Mixed Hold’em [6-max]

Meh. I really hate and suck at FLHE. I’ll probably sit this one out.

• 11-L: $33 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 11-M: $320 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 11-H: $3,150 buy-in, $800,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 12 – 7 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo

I like this game, but I’m probably not good enought for the large. I’ll likely play the medium though.

• 12-L: $22 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 12-M: $215 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 12-H: $2,100 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 13 – 8 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – FL Razz

Same as above, only Razz is more frustrating. Maybe the medium, not the large.

• 13-L: $22 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 13-M: $215 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 13-H: $2,100 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 14 – 8 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – NL Hold’em [6-max]

Tight! Medium and large are both high priorities, and I might even play the low.

• 14-L: $55 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 14-M: $530 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 14-H: $5,200 buy-in, $1,250,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 15 – 9 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – 8-Game

I’m probably too bad at too many of these games to warrant playing even the medium.

• 15-L: $44 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 15-M: $425 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 15-H: $4,175 buy-in, $250,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 16 – 9 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – 7-Card Stud

I don’t really like and suck at 7-stud, so I won’t be playing these.

• 16-L: $33 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 16-M: $320 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 16-H: $3,150 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 17 – 10 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – NL Hold’em [1R1A]

I’ll play the medium, and I’d like to play the high, but it’ll stretch the bankroll. We’ll see.

Event 18 – 10 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – PL Omaha

Meh, probably skip all of these.

• 18-L: $55 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 18-M: $530 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 18-H: $5,200 buy-in, $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 19 – 11 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – FL Omaha Hi/Lo

I’m not much on this game, will probably skip it.

• 19-L: $55 buy-in, $50,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 19-M: $530 buy-in, $150,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 19-H: $5,200 buy-in, $400,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 20 – 11 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – FL Hold’em [6-max]

Definitely not playing these.

• 20-L: $55 buy-in, $25,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 20-M: $530 buy-in, $200,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 20-H: $5,200 buy-in, $400,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 21 – 12 April 2009 @ 14:30 ET – NL Hold’em [Heads-Up Match Play]

I’ll play the medium and maybe the low but definitely not the high.

• 21-L: $270 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 21-M: $2,600 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 21-H: $25,500 buy-in, $800,000 guaranteed prize pool

Event 22 – 12 April 2009 @ 16:30 ET – NL Hold’em Main Event [2-day]

I’ll play the medium for sure. I’d really like to play the high, but I don’t know if it’s going to be practical.

• 22-L: $109 buy-in, $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 22-M: $1,050 buy-in, $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
• 22-H: $10,300 buy-in, $5,000,000 guaranteed prize pool

There was a key Stud/8 hand I wanted to talk about, but somehow the HH file seems to have disappeared from my computer. Basically, I was the bring-in with 5(48) a player in middle position open raised with a K in the door, a loose player called with a Q, and I 2-bet. In a cash game this would be a very standard raise since I appear to have the only low hand in a 3-way pot. Arguably in a tournament one ought to be more conservative about pushing small edges early in a hand when stacks are shallow, but I was looking to go balls to the wall. They both called.

On fourth, they both caught non-threatening cards, and I caught a 7. Now I really had a monster, with a gutshot and four to a low against two players going high. The K bet, the Q called, I raised, and they both called.

On fifth, I paired my 4, the K blanked again, and the Q caught a 3. They checked around to me, I bet, the K folded, and the Q called.

Sixth brought a blank for me and an open pair of 3’s for my opponent. He checked, and I bet, which I think is probably a mistake. He almost certainly has Q’s and 3’s, meaning that he isn’t folding while I have only 6 outs for the high and am still drawing at the low as well.

What’s really bad though is that I made two pair on seventh and bet again, without even thinking, into what was clearly two pair. Pretty shitty play on my part that cost me 2 BBs.

There was a key Stud/8 hand I wanted to talk about, but somehow the HH file seems to have disappeared from my computer. Basically, I was the bring-in with 5(48) a player in middle position open raised with a K in the door, a loose player called with a Q, and I 2-bet. In a cash game this would be a very standard raise since I appear to have the only low hand in a 3-way pot. Arguably in a tournament one ought to be more conservative about pushing small edges early in a hand when stacks are shallow, but I was looking to go balls to the wall. They both called.

On fourth, they both caught non-threatening cards, and I caught a 7. Now I really had a monster, with a gutshot and four to a low against two players going high. The K bet, the Q called, I raised, and they both called.

On fifth, I paired my 4, the K blanked again, and the Q caught a 3. They checked around to me, I bet, the K folded, and the Q called.

Sixth brought a blank for me and an open pair of 3’s for my opponent. He checked, and I bet, which I think is probably a mistake. He almost certainly has Q’s and 3’s, meaning that he isn’t folding while I have only 6 outs for the high and am still drawing at the low as well.

What’s really bad though is that I made two pair on seventh and bet again, without even thinking, into what was clearly two pair. Pretty shitty play on my part that cost me 2 BBs.

Resolution 2: Keep Getting Better at Other Games

I played a fair bit of PLO and watched some instructional videos, but I don’t feel I’m much better at it than I was this time last year. Actually, I’m sure I am better, but the opposition has improved more than I have. It’s quickly becoming a much more well-understood game, and I’m getting left behind. I’d like to get better at it, but I have only so much time to play, and the opportunity cost of playing break-even PLO at 2/4 rather than winning at 5/10 and 10/20 NLHE is pretty high.

As for other games, I played some HORSE occasionally and probably got a bit better at Stud/8, I final tabled a PLO8 tournament, but mostly I didn’t do anything of significance.

Goal 4: Play some WSOP preliminary events in other games (PLHE doesn’t count).
(Failed)

I think I would have been good enough to play some of the cheaper PLO and Stud/8 tournaments, but I wasn’t in Vegas for them, and I certainly don’t regret that. I did play some other games in FTOPS and WCOOP and did alright, including a final table in PLO8. Also, I was lucky enough to stake Tom Chambers (LearnedFromTV) on his way to two WSOP final tables in some non-NLHE games, so even though I suck at them I still found a way to profit!

Goal 5: Be a winner in 10/20 PLO by the end of the year. (Failed)

I fell so far short of this one it’s laughable. At the end of 2007, I was breaking even at 2/4 and 3/6 PLO. This year, I was a pretty substantial loser at 2/4, running at -6 BB/100 over 10K hands. I feel like I ran pretty bad, but I also think PLO always feels that way because it’s such a gambly game. Regardless, I’m clearly not very good at it right now.

Goal 6: Be a winner at 30/60 Stud/8 by the end of the year. (Failed)

I’m still pretty comfortable at 10/20 but I haven’t put in much time or attempted to play higher. Actually, I played exactly five hands at 30/60 and lost $600, for a win-rate of -200 BB/100. Sustainable?

Tomorrow, I’ll discuss my progress towards my third resolution for 2008: Diversify My Income Streams.

PokerStars Game #20434591501: Tournament #200800021, $500+$30 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit – Level VI (200/400) – 2008/09/15 17:29:56 ET
Table ‘200800021 20’ 8-max
Seat 1: Tulkaz (6061 in chips)
Seat 2: suspender (2222 in chips)
Seat 3: Bill Chen (8508 in chips)
Seat 4: **SHARX** (5134 in chips)
Seat 5: foucault82 (6384 in chips)
Seat 6: Quackers (6171 in chips)
Seat 7: Ulett_23 (13192 in chips)
Seat 8: traction1 (2721 in chips)
Tulkaz: posts the ante 20
suspender: posts the ante 20
Bill Chen: posts the ante 20
**SHARX**: posts the ante 20
foucault82: posts the ante 20
Quackers: posts the ante 20
Ulett_23: posts the ante 20
traction1: posts the ante 20

*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to Tulkaz [8h]
Dealt to suspender [2h]
Dealt to Bill Chen [Kh]
Dealt to **SHARX** [9d]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ah Td 2d]
Dealt to Quackers [5h]
Dealt to Ulett_23 [8s]
Dealt to traction1 [Qh]
foucault82: brings in for 60
Quackers: folds
Ulett_23: folds
traction1: folds
Tulkaz: folds
suspender: folds
Bill Chen: raises 140 to 200
**SHARX**: folds
foucault82: calls 140

*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to Bill Chen [Kh] [5s]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ah Td 2d] [Ad]
foucault82: checks
Bill Chen: checks

*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to Bill Chen [Kh 5s] [7c]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ah Td 2d Ad] [Th]
foucault82: checks
Bill Chen: checks

*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to Bill Chen [Kh 5s 7c] [Ks]
Dealt to foucault82 [Ah Td 2d Ad Th] [8c]
Bill Chen: bets 400
foucault82: raises 400 to 800
Bill Chen: calls 400

*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [Ah Td 2d Ad Th 8c] [As]
Bill Chen: checks
foucault82: bets 400
Bill Chen: calls 400

*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [Ah Td 2d Ad Th 8c As] (HI: a full house, Aces full of Tens)
Bill Chen mucked [3d 3h Kh 5s 7c Ks Ts]

Bill of course was the rare opponent who actually understands Stud/8 and isn’t going to play like a complete monkey, so I have to play this hand quite differently from the way I would against 90% of the field.

3rd street is kind of close, I actually think raising might be better. Bill’s range is fairly wide there given that there’s only a 9 and a deuce showing behind him. I’m definitely not giving him credit for a pair of K’s, so my A-high may well be best plus I’ve got two to a flush and two to a good low.

I know that the A is going to slow him down on 4th. If he has K’s, he isn’t going to be them, and if I lead out, he’ll probably fold his air and even fold K’s if not immediately than on 5th street. This is one big difference from the majority of the field, who would never consider folding a pair of Kings, even though doing so in such a spot is very basic Stud/8 strategy.

If I hadn’t made two pair on 5th, I would have led out, but I thought at this point he could very well be drawing dead. Against a thinking opponent, you need to use some deception, and I wanted to rep a low hand since I figured him for high anything. In retrospect, he could actually have four to a low at this point, so maybe leading out is better.

But 6th came perfectly, allowing me to rep a low and giving him a second best hand to pay me off.

OK one quick whine. On my bustout hand, I started with three to a low straight flush, which is one of the best possible starting hands. On 4th I had four to a straight, on 5th I had four to a flush, four to a straight, and four to a low, and on 7th… I still had four to a flush, four to a straight, and four to a low.

I’m not sure how I last that long, because I was catching absolute shit and playing about the same. I wasn’t getting much in the way of starting hands, and there were always a few monkeys at the table such that stealing wasn’t really an option. By the same token, the few times that I did get hands, I was generally winning the pot. Still, for the first few hours I barely got above my starting stack, and the only time I passed the average was on this hand:

PokerStars Game #20386595428: Tournament #200800018, $200+$15 HORSE (7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Limit) – Level XX (160/320) – 2008/09/13 20:52:57 ET
Table ‘200800018 52’ 8-max
Seat 1: atactor (3172 in chips)
Seat 2: Joeyhaha (3536 in chips)
Seat 3: eriholer (2275 in chips)
Seat 4: foucault82 (3386 in chips)
Seat 5: noize-boy (5099 in chips)
Seat 6: doudouc (8954 in chips)
Seat 7: GSUSLIVS (8204 in chips)
Seat 8: goldhawk (5072 in chips)
noize-boy: posts the ante 32
doudouc: posts the ante 32
GSUSLIVS: posts the ante 32
goldhawk: posts the ante 32
atactor: posts the ante 32
Joeyhaha: posts the ante 32
eriholer: posts the ante 32
foucault82: posts the ante 32
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to atactor [5s]
Dealt to Joeyhaha [Ts]
Dealt to eriholer [Jc]
Dealt to foucault82 [4s 6h 3c]
Dealt to noize-boy [As]
Dealt to doudouc [9d]
Dealt to GSUSLIVS [5d]
Dealt to goldhawk [5c]

foucault82: brings in for 48
noize-boy: folds
doudouc: folds
GSUSLIVS: calls 48
goldhawk: calls 48
atactor: folds
Joeyhaha: folds
eriholer: raises 112 to 160
foucault82: calls 112
GSUSLIVS: calls 112
goldhawk: calls 112

*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to eriholer [Jc] [8s]
Dealt to foucault82 [4s 6h 3c] [2d]
Dealt to GSUSLIVS [5d] [3s]
Dealt to goldhawk [5c] [Js]
eriholer: bets 160
foucault82: raises 160 to 320
GSUSLIVS: calls 320
goldhawk: folds
eriholer: raises 160 to 480
foucault82: calls 160
GSUSLIVS: calls 160
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to eriholer [Jc 8s] [2h]
Dealt to foucault82 [4s 6h 3c 2d] [4h]
Dealt to GSUSLIVS [5d 3s] [3d]
GSUSLIVS: checks
eriholer: bets 320
foucault82: raises 320 to 640
GSUSLIVS: folds
eriholer: calls 320
*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to eriholer [Jc 8s 2h] [Ah]
Dealt to foucault82 [4s 6h 3c 2d 4h] [8d]
eriholer: checks
foucault82: bets 320
eriholer: calls 320
*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [4s 6h 3c 2d 4h 8d] [4c]
eriholer: checks
foucault82: bets 320
eriholer: calls 320
*** SHOW DOWN ***
foucault82: shows [4s 6h 3c 2d 4h 8d 4c] (HI: three of a kind, Fours; LO: 8,6,4,3,2)
eriholer: mucks hand
foucault82 collected 2448 from pot
foucault82 collected 2448 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4896 | Rake 0
Seat 1: atactor folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 2: Joeyhaha folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 3: eriholer mucked [Jh 8c Jc 8s 2h Ah 3h]
Seat 4: foucault82 showed [4s 6h 3c 2d 4h 8d 4c] and won (4896) with HI: three of a kind, Fours; LO: 8,6,4,3,2
Seat 5: noize-boy folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 6: doudouc folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 7: GSUSLIVS folded on the 5th Street
Seat 8: goldhawk folded on the 4th Street

I had a monster hand on 3rd street. The only problem was that three of my fives were dead, which drastically reduced the high potential of my hand and hurt my ability to make a low as well. I’m still playing it, but I’m not going to raise it just yet. Once I catch good on 4th, though, I’m raising hoping to drive out the low hand behind me. Even though I surely have the better draw, I want to insure that catching an 8 will be enough to lock up half the pot. As I said, my high potential isn’t much, but the fraction of a bet that I lose to the J-8 is compensated if I can get the guy out behind me or at least make him call two bets with a worse low draw.

I couldn’t get him out on 4th, but I caught another scary card on 5th. Now my board is scarier, the bets are bigger, and with my pair my equity against the high hand is better, so I am losing less by raising him.

On 6th, I’m freerolling, and that miracle card on 7th was almost too good to be true.

But I also made a pretty big error in a Stud/8 game, so I guess I’ll be talking about how I suck at Stud/8 (though this is really just a Stud high error). On the river, my opponent was showing 6655, and I had Aces up with both Aces and two high cards showing. My opponent bet, and I raised for value. Like I was saying, no matter how clear I make it that I have Aces up, people will call down with any two pair.

I forgot, however, to think about what my opponent would be value betting. Since his two pair was open, there was no way he could be betting on the strength of that alone. He had to have either a boat or a low, and in either case there was no value in a raise. Sure enough, he had 6’s full.

Despite playing for four and a half hours, I only made it to the top 25% of the field. The hand that really hurt me came in LHE. A guy in MP raised, and I 3-bet with AKo. He called. The flop came Ad 5c 3c. He checked, I bet, he check-raised, and I called. the turn was an off-suit 8, he bet, and I raised. The river was a T, and he check-called with Ac Tc. Unlucky river for me, but there were quite a few of those that could have come.

Frankly, he’s pretty loose in Razz and Stud/8, so I didn’t make too much of the fact that he called two bets cold on 3rd street. His 3-bet out of nowhere on 4th street threw up some red flags, though. At first I was concerned he might have rolled-up 3’s, but obviously 5th street eliminated that possibility. However, his next most likely hand was a buried pair bigger than Q’s.

Even with the pot as big as it was, I wasn’t getting anywhere near the right odds to chase after two pair. For one thing, if my read was correct, Queens up would be no good anyway. And there was only one Queen left in the deck, so my odds of drawing to trips were pretty slim.

FullTiltPoker Game #7320121581: Table Hill (6 max) – $10/$20 Ante $1.50 – Limit Stud H/L – 20:19:34 ET – 2008/07/21
Seat 1: FanProphet ($521)
Seat 2: spadez67 ($89.10)
Seat 3: Berry Johnston ($300.25)
Seat 4: Pink DuffleBag ($2,307)
Seat 6: Foucault ($573.25)

*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Foucault [Ks Qs] [Qh]
Dealt to FanProphet [Qc]
Dealt to spadez67 [Td]
Dealt to Berry Johnston [3c]
Dealt to Pink DuffleBag [5c]
Berry Johnston is low with [3c]
Berry Johnston brings in for $3
Pink DuffleBag completes it to $10
Foucault raises to $20
FanProphet folds
spadez67 folds
Berry Johnston calls $17
Pink DuffleBag calls $10

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Foucault [Ks Qs Qh] [4c]
Dealt to Berry Johnston [3c] [Qd]
Dealt to Pink DuffleBag [5c] [7d]
Foucault checks
Berry Johnston checks
Pink DuffleBag bets $10
Foucault raises to $20
Berry Johnston raises to $30
Pink DuffleBag calls $20
Foucault calls $10

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Foucault [Ks Qs Qh 4c] [3s]
Dealt to Berry Johnston [3c Qd] [3d]
Dealt to Pink DuffleBag [5c 7d] [2h]
Berry Johnston bets $20
Pink DuffleBag calls $20
Foucault has 15 seconds left to act
Foucault folds

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Berry Johnston [3c Qd 3d] [Th]
Dealt to Pink DuffleBag [5c 7d 2h] [4s]
Berry Johnston checks
Pink DuffleBag bets $20
Berry Johnston calls $20

*** 7TH STREET ***
Berry Johnston checks
Pink DuffleBag bets $20
Berry Johnston calls $20

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Pink DuffleBag shows [Ac Kh 5c 7d 2h 4s Ts] Ace King high, for high and 7,5,4,2,A, for low
Berry Johnston shows [Ah Ad 3c Qd 3d Th 8c] two pair, Aces and Threes, for high
Berry Johnston wins the high pot ($137.25) with two pair, Aces and Threes
Pink DuffleBag wins the low pot ($137.25) with 7,5,4,2,A

For what it’s worth, Pink’s play here is pretty awful on 3rd and 4th streets. AK5 is garbage for a starting hand, especially from first position with several babies left to act behind you.

Here’s the final table chip counts according to CardPlayer:

Farzad Rouhani – 513,000
Greg Pappas – 304,000
“Miami” John Cernuto – 285,000
Tom Chambers – 235,000
Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi – 231,000
John Racener – 180,000
Daniel Mowczan – 122,000
Yueqi Zhu – 87,000

At 4 p.m., the eight of them will battle it out for the bracelet and $232,911 first prize. Stakes start at 10K/20K and the average stack is 195K, so Tom’s 235K puts him in pretty good shape.

One time, dealer!

Unfortunately for some reason my HH from this tournament wasn’t recorded, but great example of this came when I opened first to act with an A in the door. This player called the raise with split K’s and then called me down all the way. As it happened, I had just a low and he got half the pot. Even players who don’t play split pot games usually know that you aren’t supposed to play for half the pot, but that’s not my point here.

I feel like anyone who genuinely understands reverse implied odds in NLHE (which I guess a tournament specialist might not) should intuitively recognize how bad this is. His hand is essentially face up at every decision point, and even if I don’t have him crushed already, he knows I’ve got at least three outs to beat him for the high pot plus I’m freerolling for the low.

Anyway in addition to that hand he was doing stuff like calling raises with AQ5 and ending up with a better low and a better pair than mine, etc. I did manage to scoop him once with a five-card baby straight when he actually had a legitimate hand (AA4 or something), but it was small consolation.

The hand that really crippled me came about two hours in. I raised with buried Q’s and a 6 in the door, which is a great deceptive hand because it looks I’m playing low. I got called by the 8h. He caught a big heart on 4th and I caught a third Q, so I check-raised him and managed to get four bets in. On 5th he caught another heart, which I figured was bad news, but at that point he only had like 3 BB left so we put them in. It turns out he actually had a pair, a three-flush, and a three to a low when he 3-bet me on 4th (which is an alright play, because it doesn’t really look like the Q helped me) but he rivered a flush to scoop me for most of my stack.

Today I played the $500 PLO, and I’ll have a report on that tomorrow, but I think I’m going to skip tonight’s $100 rebuy. It’ll probably be one of the better events of the series, but I leave tomorrow for a week-long road trip with the girlfriend, who’s moving back across the country to DC (just in time for me not to have a place to stay for the WSOP!!), and I still have a lot of stuff to get done.

Hand #15452617704
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($10/$20), Ante $1

*3rd Street* – (0.60 SB)

somebody: xx xx Ah___raises___calls
foucault82: 4d 4h 4s___raises
badabang: xx xx Jc___folds
luckymonkey9: xx xx 7c___folds
Jshorts7: xx xx 5d___calls
umhmm: xx xx 3h___folds

*4th Street* – (6.90 SB)

somebody: xx xx Ah Qc___*checks*___calls
foucault82: 4d 4h 4s 2c___bets
Jshorts7: xx xx 5d 9h___calls

*5th Street* – (4.95 BB)

somebody: xx xx Ah Qc Kc___*bets*___calls
foucault82: 4d 4h 4s 2c 9s___raises
Jshorts7: xx xx 5d 9h 7s___calls

*6th Street* – (10.95 BB)

somebody: xx xx Ah Qc Kc Ac___*bets*
foucault82: 4d 4h 4s 2c 9s 8c___calls
Jshorts7: xx xx 5d 9h 7s 2h___calls

*River* – (13.95 BB)

somebody: xx xx Ah Qc Kc Ac xx___*bets*
foucault82: 4d 4h 4s 2c 9s 8c 6h___folds
Jshorts7: xx xx 5d 9h 7s 2h xx___folds

*Total pot:* (13.95 BB)

Results:

Total pot $279 Rake $3

In Stud/8, one of your best opportunities for deception comes in situations like this, where you can play a well-concealed high hand like a low hand. Ideally, you can knock out other players who might have won the half of the pot that it looks like you are trying to win and get it heads up with a player who has every reason to think his hand is best for the half that you actually are winning.

I 2-bet third street here in the hopes of knocking out the limping low hand and getting the pot heads up with a likely pair of Aces. I still make money if the limper comes along, but not as much as if he folds. The same is true when he bricks on fourth (though based on the hand played out, it seems he may have had a small pair in the hole, which clearly should have folded third, rather than a razz hand).

So far, my play is consistent with that of a strong low draw. It’s not until fifth street that I start to tip my hand by raising when I catch a brick and both of my opponents appear to catch well. But by this point the pot is large and the bets are big.

Unfortunately, my opponent catches a disastrous card on 6th, almost certainly giving him better trips than mine. If he did start a pair of Aces, though, his third card could be anything, so I’ve certainly got the odds to draw at a boat even assuming the risk that I’m drawing dead.

When I miss on the river, though, I can safely fold despite getting nearly 14:1. For one thing, I’m about that sure I’m beat. But more importantly, it is very likely that my other opponent will overcall or even raise with a low, cutting my pot odds and half and maybe even creating a situation where I still end up folding. The fact that he folds with three low cards showing when the other guy can’t possibly have a low suggests to me that he started a pair rather than a razz hand, since otherwise he would have either peeled fourth without a pair or a three-low, which is unlikely, or paired one of his hole cards on fifth or sixth, which is possible.

“tnx for the review.

i do believe all players would greatly benefit from the book. advanced or intermediate the most of course. but if you are a decent player of other games your skills can be transfered quickly enough to split.
so even a novice at the game can benefit from the book right away if he is experienced in poker.

a complete novice i think should get his feet wet with limit holem or seven stud first then expand his horizons.

no harm in reading any book once thru and getting a feel for it and then coming back when you can get the greatest use of it. if you havent at least skimmed thru it you wont know when you are reeady to digest its value.”

I don’t really disagree with this. Beginning players could surely find value in the book, and it couldn’t hurt for them to know what’s out there when they’re ready for it. But I do think there are better resources for players new to split-pot games that cover important basics like O/8 starting hands in greater detail.

Stud/8

Though it would be helpful if he came out and said this, Zee’s guiding principle in Stud/8 is that you need to know where you stand. Tough players are aggressive, and pots will often be capped on big bet streets. He advises to play hands that can give action like this and to get out of the way early if you won’t know what to do if your opponents start raising. Thus, rather than pushing small edges on early streets, “It is sometimes good not to play so fast so you can determine where the strength lies.”

In terms of showdown equity, Stud/8 hands often run close in value, particularly on early streets. Thus, how well a hand will play on future streets becomes the true test of its worth. Good players find their edge by recognizing the many conditions that affect whether and how a hand should be played. Will the pot be heads up or multiway? Which cards are live? Is there an opportunity to misrepresent your hand?

Much of Zee’s Stud/8 material is devoted to a street-by-street analysis of how to play. For third street, he offers a comprehensive analysis of the possible starting hands, when to play them, and how they ought to be played. This is one of the highlights of the book. Players make third street decisions on every hand they play, so it’s important to be airtight on the fundamentals, and this text can advance exactly that goal.

The discussions of future streets are good but much less thorough. They read more like a laundry list of possible plays than a full consideration of the situations in which a player may find himself. To be fair, this is not entirely Zee’s fault. Stud/8 is a complex game with a lot of variables, and it would be difficult to write a comprehensive guide to play on later streets. For advanced players who already know how to handle common situations, Zee’s thoughts on tricky spots and expert plays are a treasure trove.

Unsurprisingly, the text becomes even more disorganized in its second-half, where a hodge-podge of ideas is collected as “Miscellaneous Topics”. These include thoughts on slow-playing, bluffing, and random plays that didn’t fit elsewhere in the text. Again, it’s valuable information, but the presentation is a little lacking.

Zee’s sections on types of Stud/8 games (ie tight, loose, short-handed), psychology, and hand-reading fall short of the standard set by the earlier material. They are valuable enough, but rather generic (the Psychology and Hand-Reading sections of both the Stud/8 and O/8 manuals are literally identical, borrowed from Sklansky’s Theory of Poker, save for a few details). Much the same can be said for the Questions and Answers: I suppose there’s no harm in including them, but they introduce no new material and offer little advantage over re-reading the text.

O/8

Although the first section of the O/8 text is devoted to “Basic Play”, it is still not ideal for beginners. Zee does articulate the basic goal of O/8, particularly in weak low-limit games: “your primary edge comes from the fact that you won’t be drawing to less than the nuts.” Unlike the very helpful review of third-street hands in Stud/8, however, this section does not categorize the various types playable O/8 holdings or discuss when and how to play them. Instead, Zee presumes this knowledge on the part of the reader and dives straight into special cases of what not to play and which weak-looking hands could actually be played for a profit.

After this brief discussion of starting hands, the “Basic Play” section consists of a list of disjointed “Concepts” numbered and strung together. They are valuable tidbits, but the lack of any organizing structure prevents the reader from getting a holistic sense of the game and its flow.

Zee devotes the bulk of the O/8 manual to “Advanced Strategy” for higher-limit games. Here, just playing tight and drawing to the nuts will not suffice. Instead, “this is a game of trying to get in cheaply before the flop…. The big decision is to analyze the flop and understand how it relates to your hand and whether you should play on.”

Profitable players in these games make good decisions about how well flops connect with their holdings and how to play for maximum profit against opponent’s likely holdings. The key is “to have the nuts with draws to better hands.” In other words, in a game where most players are tight and only putting in money with the nut low, having counterfeit protection to the second nut low is essential. Outside shots to a gutshot straight or a backdoor flush also contribute important equity. Holding the nuts without any of these is rarely sufficient to withstand heavy action.

Of course, these ideal situations do not arise all that often. In the meantime, Zee explains how to steal pots, how to exercise restraint even with strong hands when there are a lot of draws out, and how to handle tough spots with marginal holdings.

Despite its catch-all name, the “Additional Advanced Concepts” section is actually organized more logically than most of the book. It consists primarily of advice on how to adapt your play to game conditions (i.e. tight, loose, or short-handed). As with the Stud/8 material, the Psychology, Hand Reading, and Questions & Answers sections are largely repetitive and generic.

Ray Zee’s High-Low Split Poker is not, nor does it purport to be, a comprehensive guide to playing Stud/8 and O/8. It reads more like an off-the-cuff brainstorming of all the little things that separate the players in these games from the merely good. But Zee is one such great player, and his musings, however disjointed, are worth many times their cover price.

Forrest starts by laying out an overall framework for approaching tournament Stud/8 play, which I appreciate. He advocates fundamentally tight play, as you are likely to be against skilled competition, split a lot of pots, and feel less pressure from the antes than you would in a cash game. It would be helpful to get a stronger sense of where a winning player finds his edges and what kinds of situations he seeks to create. Still, keeping this framework in mind helps readers to orient themselves towards the rest of his advice and understand its context and motivation.

The reader actually gets a more detailed and helpful framework after Forrest begins his discussion of third street starting hands. We learn that the goal in a split pot game will be to ‘scoop’, or win both the high and the low. When play is loose, this often translates into the occasional scoop with half the pot serving as a consolation prize more frequently. However, in late-game tournament situations, he argues that you are somewhat more likely to scoop a pot through sheer aggression or with a high-only hand when no one makes a low.

This leads into another central Stud/8 concept that Forrest cleverly terms the “push” and “pull” factor. Even moreso than in many other poker games, you cannot play your hand in a vaccuum. From the moment you enter the pot, you must consider others’ possible holdings and decide whether you will be better served by trying to pull them into a multi-way pot where even half could mean a juicy score or push them out and increase the likelihood that you will scoop a smaller pot.

This is such a fundamental decision, in fact, that more time ought to have been devoted to it. Some explication is forthcoming when Forrest examines how to play each type of starting hand, but I would have appreciated even more, particularly with regard to how the actions of others might influence whether you enter the pot with a raise or a call. Still, he summarizes this important difference from NLHE when he says, “aggression plays a different role than in… hold ’em tournaments. I am not looking to be aggressive for the same of aggression. I will be aggressive in two main situations: when I can push out opponents when my hand plays best heads-up, or when I have a hand for which I want to create a big pot and several other playrs have already put in a bet.”

The third street section also hints at the importance of reverse implied odds, which play a far larger role in Stud/8 than in any other fixed limit game. Forrest has much more to say about this later, but he makes clear that big mistakes begin on third street. “For opponents to outplay you, you have to become an accomplice by taking hands into situations where that can happen.”

This segues well into the first point about playing later streets, which is to get away cheaply when you brick. It’s rare to see a pot get capped on a late street in seven card stud or fixed limit hold ’em. Because of Stud/8’s split pots, however, a player who isn’t careful can find himself caught in what Forrest terms ‘the gas pipe’, where the reigning high and low hands trap an unfortunate third player into calling multiple bets to try to hit his draw on the next card.

He goes on to outline the kind of hand you need to take the gas pipe yourself (a strong two-way draw) or to give it to a third player (often trips or better or a made low with at least some gut shot outs to a high). Especially in a tournament, getting the gas pipe can be “excruciatingly expensive” and avoiding it may require some tight folds simply because of the risk that there will be one or more raises behind you.

One of my favorite things about Stud/8 is that it all but requires third-level thinking: what does my opponent think I have? Depending on what your opponent is showing and what you have represented, you may find yourself betting a small pair for value or checking and folding a pair of Aces on the end. Forrest explores how to save and make these extra bets on the river based on your opponent’s possible holdings and his likely perception of your hand. He even brushes on some advanced bluffs and ‘semi-bluffs’ where you attempt to ‘promote’ your weak hand into a winner for half the pot by knocking out a better one with a well-timed raise on the river.

Tournament strategy is clearly in the background of the entire chapter, but it comes to the fore at the conclusion with a dedicated section. Late in a tournament, there will be fewer multi-way pots and more opportunities to steal. Conversely, when a player, especially one on a short stack, does get involved in a pot, you need to back off of your steals quickly. These players are looking to double up or bust.

Forrest provides some helpful guidelines for recognizing when you are short or in danger of becoming short. With 7 BB’s, you can afford to see fourth and maybe fifth streets without tying yourself to the pot, provided you can get there cheaply. He offers a series of questions to help you handle these difficult decisions. With 3-5 BB’s, you’ll almost always be going to showdown and can start valuing medium pairs, ordinarily tricky hands to play, over even some strong low hands.

Playing to scoop and the dangers of the ‘gas pipe’ are such important concepts that they influence almost every decision a Stud/8 player makes and for this reason probably should have been introduced sooner and perhaps even given more explanation. Aside from these largely organizational quibbles, however, I must admit that Ted Forrest’s Stud Eight-or-Better chapter provides a clear and helpful summary of an extraordinarily complicated game. It should help NLHE players to succeed at Stud/8 in its own right and also to access quickly the Stud/8 skills that could end up improving their NLHE games in the long run.

Hand #12887077726
7 Card Stud *High-Low* ($5/$10), Ante $0.50

*3rd Street* – (0.70 SB)

Jshorts7: xx xx Ah___folds
foucault82: Ac 6c 3c___raises___raises
midinf: xx xx 2c___calls___calls
KoolAidKills: xx xx 3s___folds
jcards911: xx xx Qd___calls___raises___calls
Bad Beat Oz: xx xx Kd___calls___raises___calls
risti7: xx xx 7c___folds

*4th Street* – (16.70 SB)

foucault82: Ac 6c 3c 9s___calls___calls___calls
midinf: xx xx 2c 4d___raises___raises
jcards911: xx xx Qd 3h___calls___calls
Bad Beat Oz: xx xx Kd 5s___*bets*___raises___calls

*5th Street* – (16.35 BB)

foucault82: Ac 6c 3c 9s 4s___calls___raises
midinf: xx xx 2c 4d Jh___raises___calls $6.50 and is all-in
jcards911: xx xx Qd 3h 5d___calls $5.50 and is all-in
Bad Beat Oz: xx xx Kd 5s 7d___*bets*___raises___calls

*6th Street* – (27.55 BB)

foucault82: Ac 6c 3c 9s 4s 2s___raises
midinf: xx xx 2c 4d Jh Js___all-in
jcards911: xx xx Qd 3h 5d 2d___all-in
Bad Beat Oz: xx xx Kd 5s 7d 7s___*bets*___calls

*River* – (31.55 BB)

foucault82: Ac 6c 3c 9s 4s 2s Ks___bets
midinf: xx xx 2c 4d Jh Js xx___all-in
jcards911: xx xx Qd 3h 5d 2d xx___all-in
Bad Beat Oz: xx xx Kd 5s 7d 7s xx___*checks*___calls

*Total pot:* (33.55 BB)

Results:

Total pot $335.50 Main pot $182.50. Side pot-1 $63. Side pot-2 $87. | Rake $3

foucault82: [Ac 6c 3c 9s 4s 2s Ks] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)

midinf: [Ad 5h 2c 4d Jh Js 6s]

jcards911: [6d Qs Qd 3h 5d 2d As]

Bad Beat Oz: [Kc 9h Kd 5s 7d 7s 8h] (HI: two pair, Kings and Sevens)

The only thing that’s a little questionable here is my 4th street play, but I still had three to a flush and probably an overcard to the best pair plus a fair shot at low in a large pot. How sweet would a river 5 have been?

*3rd Street* – (0.80 SB)

JRod34: xx xx 5d___folds
foucault82: Jc Jd 3c
360CF: xx xx 8d___calls
KoolAidKills: xx xx 6h___folds
jcards911: xx xx 6s___calls
panther44: xx xx 4d___calls
MR WHOOOPS: xx xx Qd___folds
lajollan: xx xx Jh___folds

*4th Street* – (2.40 SB)

foucault82: Jc Jd 3c 7h___bets
360CF: xx xx 8d Qh___folds
jcards911: xx xx 6s Tc___calls
panther44: xx xx 4d As___*checks*___calls

*5th Street* – (2.70 BB)

foucault82: Jc Jd 3c 7h 4h___bets
jcards911: xx xx 6s Tc 3d___calls
panther44: xx xx 4d As 3h___*checks*___calls

*6th Street* – (5.70 BB)

foucault82: Jc Jd 3c 7h 4h Qc___calls
jcards911: xx xx 6s Tc 3d 8h___folds
panther44: xx xx 4d As 3h 2s___*bets*

*River* – (7.70 BB)

foucault82: Jc Jd 3c 7h 4h Qc 7s___checks
panther44: xx xx 4d As 3h 2s xx___*checks*

*Total pot:* (7.70 BB)

Results:

Total pot $77 | Rake $3
foucault82: [Jc Jd 3c 7h 4h Qc 7s] (HI: two pair, Jacks and Sevens)
panther44: [2d 9d 4d As 3h 2s Ts]

Ordinarily, 6th street would be a fold, and in fact I was ready to give up on 4th street. It’s a small pot, and with two opponents showing low boards and one showing an Ace, there’s just no value in my going to showdown with a pair of Jacks and no shot at low. But the guy showing the Ace didn’t bet it, which he would definitely want to do with a pair (and which any good player would do even without the pair as a semi-bluff).

By 6th street, he was showing A234, which was very scary for me. The pot was still relatively small, and I really couldn’t hope for more than half with four babies showing. If my opponent had an A or a 5 in the hole, I was screwed. But I had already determined the A was unlikely, and I feel like even with a 5 in the hole he would have had such a strong draw earlier than in the hand that he wouldn’t have played it so passively.

Stud/8 is a tricky game to play on a short stack. With 5 BB’s in NLHE, I’m looking to pick a hand and go with it, moving all in and hoping for the best. In Stud/8, though, hand values tend to solidify on 4th or 5th rather than 3rd street, and since it’s a fixed limit game (at least it was in this tournament), you can’t just commit all your chips with a decent starting hand and pray. So I came into a few unraised pots but kept bricking on 4th and folding, managing to lose about half of my already short stack before this hand came up against 2+2’s Sirwatts:

I’m So Short, Even a Chop Will Help

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($300/$600), Ante $60 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx J:heart:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade:___calls
Seat 4: xx xx 6:club:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx J:diamond:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 6:heart:___raises
Seat 7: xx xx 3:spade:___folds
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (4.40 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club:___bets___raises
Seat 6: xx xx 6:heart: K:club:___calls___folds
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club:___[b]checks[/b]___raises___calls 131 and is all-in

[b]5th Street[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart:
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club:___all-in

[b]6th Street[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart: 5:heart:
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club: J:spade:___all-in

[b]River[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart: 5:heart: xx
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club: J:spade: 2:club:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (5.42 BB)

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($300/$600), Ante $60 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx J:heart:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade:___calls
Seat 4: xx xx 6:club:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx J:diamond:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 6:heart:___raises
Seat 7: xx xx 3:spade:___folds
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (4.40 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club:___bets___raises
Seat 6: xx xx 6:heart: K:club:___calls___folds
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club:___[b]checks[/b]___raises___calls 131 and is all-in

[b]5th Street[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart:
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club:___all-in

[b]6th Street[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart: 5:heart:
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club: J:spade:___all-in

[b]River[/b] – (5.42 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade: 4:club: 8:heart: 5:heart: xx
Hero: 4:diamond: A:heart: 4:heart: A:club: 5:club: J:spade: 2:club:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (5.42 BB)

But I’d Rather Scoop

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($300/$600), Ante $60 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $8,379
Seat 3: $5,889
Seat 4: $1,252
Seat 5: $1,462
Seat 6: $11,259
Seat 7: $6,600
Hero: $1,541

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 9:club:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 2:club:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx K:club:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 7:heart:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx J:heart:___raises
Seat 7: xx xx 7:spade:___folds
Hero: 4:diamond: 6:club: 5:diamond:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.70 SB)

Seat 6: xx xx J:heart: 6:diamond:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: 4:diamond: 6:club: 5:diamond: 4:heart:___bets

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.85 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx J:heart: 6:diamond: A:spade:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: 4:diamond: 6:club: 5:diamond: 4:heart: A:diamond:___bets

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.85 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx J:heart: 6:diamond: A:spade: T:diamond:___calls
Hero: 4:diamond: 6:club: 5:diamond: 4:heart: A:diamond: 4:club:___[b]bets 281 and is all-in[/b]

[b]River[/b] – (5.79 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx J:heart: 6:diamond: A:spade: T:diamond: xx
Hero: 4:diamond: 6:club: 5:diamond: 4:heart: A:diamond: 4:club: Q:heart:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (5.79 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 3472 | Rake 0

Seat 6: [Tc Qs Jh 6d As Td 9d] (HI: a pair of Tens)

Hero: [4d 6c 5d 4h Ad 4c Qh] (HI: three of a kind, Fours)

[/color]

Thanks For Limping, Everyone

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($400/$800), Ante $80 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $2,952
Hero: $4,313
Seat 3: $8,291
Seat 4: $2,430
Seat 5: $5,092
Seat 6: $20,920
Seat 7: $16,826
Seat 8: $10,337

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.60 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 6:spade:___calls
Hero: 9:diamond: K:heart: 2:club:
Seat 3: xx xx 9:spade:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx Q:spade:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 2:diamond:___calls
Seat 6: xx xx 7:spade:___calls
Seat 7: xx xx 8:heart:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 4:club:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.40 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 6:spade: Q:diamond:___calls___calls
Hero: 9:diamond: K:heart: 2:club: K:diamond:___raises
Seat 5: xx xx 2:diamond: T:diamond:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 7:spade: T:heart:___folds
Seat 7: xx xx 8:heart: J:diamond:___folds
Seat 8: xx xx 4:club: K:club:___[b]bets[/b]___calls

[b]5th Street[/b] – (4.70 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 6:spade: Q:diamond: 6:heart:___[b]checks[/b]___folds
Hero: 9:diamond: K:heart: 2:club: K:diamond: A:diamond:___bets
Seat 8: xx xx 4:club: K:club: J:heart:___folds

[b]Total pot:[/b] (4.70 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 3760 | Rake 0
[/color]

Bring In Defense

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($400/$800), Ante $80 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Hero: $4,193
Seat 3: $8,371
Seat 4: $2,510
Seat 5: $5,172
Seat 8: $10,217

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Hero: 2:spade: 2:diamond: 3:diamond:___calls
Seat 3: xx xx K:club:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 4:heart:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx T:diamond:___folds
Seat 8: xx xx A:spade:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.00 SB)

Hero: 2:spade: 2:diamond: 3:diamond: 4:spade:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx A:spade: 2:heart:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.50 BB)

Hero: 2:spade: 2:diamond: 3:diamond: 4:spade: 9:diamond:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx A:spade: 2:heart: 7:club:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.50 BB)

Hero: 2:spade: 2:diamond: 3:diamond: 4:spade: 9:diamond: 7:heart:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx A:spade: 2:heart: 7:club: 4:club:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]River[/b] – (6.50 BB)

Hero: 2:spade: 2:diamond: 3:diamond: 4:spade: 9:diamond: 7:heart: 9:club:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx A:spade: 2:heart: 7:club: 4:club: xx___[b]bets[/b]

[b]Total pot:[/b] (8.50 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 6800 | Rake 0

Hero: [2s 2d 3d 4s 9d 7h 9c] (HI: two pair, Nines and Deuces)

Seat 8: [Kh 2c As 2h 7c 4c 6d] (HI: a pair of Deuces; LO: 7,6,4,2,A)

[/color]

Villain is Andy Mcleod, a top-ranked NLHE tournament player. From what I’ve seen, he’s at least decent at Stud/8, and very aggressive. If he were showing a less scary card, I’d 3-bet him on 3rd street. If he weren’t raising from steal position, I’d probably let it go on 5th, but I felt he could have almost any two cards in the hole, such that my pair could be good, and even if it wasn’t, a lot of cards could substantially improve my hand on 6th street. Kind of a lucky river, as it turns out, but really there were quite a few cards that would have given me at least half the pot.

Steal Attempt Gone Wrong

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($400/$800), Ante $80 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Hero: $4,193
Seat 3: $7,851
Seat 4: $2,750
Seat 5: $5,172
Seat 7: $2,020
Seat 8: $8,477

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Hero: 9:club: 7:heart: 8:heart:___raises___calls
Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx T:club:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club:___[b]bets[/b]___raises
Seat 7: xx xx 5:club:___folds
Seat 8: xx xx A:club:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (7.20 SB)

Hero: 9:club: 7:heart: 8:heart: 2:club:___calls
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club: 3:spade:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (4.60 BB)

Hero: 9:club: 7:heart: 8:heart: 2:club: 9:spade:___raises___raises 113 to 2513 and is all-in
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club: 3:spade: 8:spade:___[b]bets[/b]___raises___calls

[b]6th Street[/b] – (10.88 BB)

Hero: 9:club: 7:heart: 8:heart: 2:club: 9:spade: 7:diamond:___all-in
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club: 3:spade: 8:spade: 7:club:

[b]River[/b] – (10.88 BB)

Hero: 9:club: 7:heart: 8:heart: 2:club: 9:spade: 7:diamond: 9:diamond:___all-in
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club: 3:spade: 8:spade: 7:club: xx

[b]Total pot:[/b] (10.88 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 8706 | Rake 0

Hero: [9c 7h 8h 2c 9s 7d 9d] (HI: a full house, Nines full of Sevens)

Seat 5: [4d 5h 3c 3s 8s 7c Jh] (HI: a pair of Threes; LO: 8,7,5,4,3)

[/color]

This player had brought it in for a full bet (pretty much never a good move in Stud/8) the last three times he was in the bring-in, so I wasn’t giving him a lot of credit. Ordinarily I would fold this hand with so many baby cards left to act behind me (it isn’t as strong as it looks, since it can make at best a very weak low and rarely makes a strong high), but I was hoping to steal and thinking that making it two bets to go would chase out all but the strongest hands behind me. When the bring-in 3-bet me, I still wasn’t willing to give too much credit. For all I knew, he was just a psychopath who wanted to bet the most at every opportunity. This worked out alright in the end, but I really think I’m better off just folding 3rd.

Hold!

POKERSTARS GAME #12308594405: TOURNAMENT #70002018, $300+$20 7 CARD STUD HI/LO LIMIT – LEVEL X (400/800) – 2007/09/27 – 21:21:05 (ET)
Table ‘70002018 2’ 8-max
Seat 1: Kenny Rap (3019 in chips)
Seat 2: foucault82 (2902 in chips)
Seat 3: Entropy xx (4974 in chips)
Seat 4: UMEE (3550 in chips)
Seat 5: ATCDerby (4721 in chips)
Seat 7: jms919 (2420 in chips)
Seat 8: Andy McLEOD (8877 in chips)
Kenny Rap: posts the ante 80
foucault82: posts the ante 80
Entropy xx: posts the ante 80
UMEE: posts the ante 80
ATCDerby: posts the ante 80
jms919: posts the ante 80
Andy McLEOD: posts the ante 80
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to Kenny Rap [7s]
Dealt to foucault82 [4c Kh Kc]
Dealt to Entropy xx [5h]
Dealt to UMEE [Th]
Dealt to ATCDerby [2d]
Dealt to jms919 [7h]
Dealt to Andy McLEOD [Qc]
ATCDerby: brings in for 120
jms919: folds
Andy McLEOD: folds
Kenny Rap: raises 280 to 400
foucault82: raises 400 to 800
Entropy xx: folds
UMEE: folds
ATCDerby: calls 680
Kenny Rap: raises 400 to 1200
foucault82: raises 400 to 1600
Betting is capped
ATCDerby: calls 800
Kenny Rap: calls 400
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to Kenny Rap [7s] [Qd]
Dealt to foucault82 [4c Kh Kc] [4h]
Dealt to ATCDerby [2d] [7c]
foucault82: bets 400
Kenny Rap said, “awesome”
ATCDerby: calls 400
Kenny Rap: calls 400
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to Kenny Rap [7s Qd] [4d]
Dealt to foucault82 [4c Kh Kc 4h] [5s]
Dealt to ATCDerby [2d 7c] [3h]
foucault82: bets 800
ATCDerby: calls 800
Kenny Rap: raises 139 to 939 and is all-in
foucault82: calls 22 and is all-in
ATCDerby: calls 139
*** 6th STREET ***
Dealt to Kenny Rap [7s Qd 4d] [Qh]
Dealt to foucault82 [4c Kh Kc 4h 5s] [6d]
Dealt to ATCDerby [2d 7c 3h] [6c]
*** RIVER ***
Dealt to foucault82 [4c Kh Kc 4h 5s 6d] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Kenny Rap: shows [6s As 7s Qd 4d Qh 3c] (HI: a pair of Queens; LO: 7,6,4,3,A)
ATCDerby: shows [9c 5d 2d 7c 3h 6c Ac] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,5,3,2,A)
Kenny Rap collected 117 from side pot
ATCDerby collected 117 from side pot
foucault82: shows [4c Kh Kc 4h 5s 6d Ah] (HI: two pair, Kings and Fours)
foucault82 collected 4513 from main pot
ATCDerby collected 4513 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9260 Main pot 9026. Side pot 234. | Rake 0
Seat 1: Kenny Rap showed [6s As 7s Qd 4d Qh 3c] and won (117) with HI: a pair of Queens; LO: 7,6,4,3,A
Seat 2: foucault82 showed [4c Kh Kc 4h 5s 6d Ah] and won (4513) with HI: two pair, Kings and Fours
Seat 3: Entropy xx folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 4: UMEE folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 5: ATCDerby showed [9c 5d 2d 7c 3h 6c Ac] and won (4630) with HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,5,3,2,A
Seat 7: jms919 folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 8: Andy McLEOD folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)

3rd is a little questionable, because ATC really ought to have a strong hand with two-way potential to call two bets cold, but the way people had been playing in this tournament, it seemed possible both of these guys just had Razz hands with little high potential, so I decided to push my perceived edge. Turns out ATC didn’t even have three to a low, I don’t know what the hell he was thinking.

Right around here, the stakes jumped to 500/1000, and we collapsed to two tables. Only the 8 players at the final table were going to get paid, so this was basically the start of the bubble. At my new table were Pearljammer and AndyMcLEOD, both successful NLHE tournament players whom I expected to play loose and aggressive on the bubble. An early scoop against Andy was helpful:

Rigged:

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($500/$1,000), Ante $100 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $4,064
Hero: $5,633
Seat 5: $4,676
Seat 6: $16,416
Seat 7: $16,054
Seat 8: $13,217

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx K:heart:___folds
Hero: 3:spade: 5:spade: 6:spade:___raises___calls
Seat 5: xx xx J:spade:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx T:spade:___folds
Seat 7: xx xx J:club:___folds
Seat 8: xx xx 3:diamond:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.20 SB)

Hero: 3:spade: 5:spade: 6:spade: Q:heart:___[b]bets[/b]___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 3:diamond: J:heart:___raises

[b]5th Street[/b] – (4.60 BB)

Hero: 3:spade: 5:spade: 6:spade: Q:heart: 6:diamond:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 3:diamond: J:heart: 9:spade:___bets

[b]6th Street[/b] – (6.60 BB)

Hero: 3:spade: 5:spade: 6:spade: Q:heart: 6:diamond: Q:spade:___[b]bets[/b]
Seat 8: xx xx 3:diamond: J:heart: 9:spade: 5:club:___calls

[b]River[/b] – (8.60 BB)

Hero: 3:spade: 5:spade: 6:spade: Q:heart: 6:diamond: Q:spade: 4:club:___[b]checks[/b]
Seat 8: xx xx 3:diamond: J:heart: 9:spade: 5:club: xx___checks

[b]Total pot:[/b] (8.60 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 8600 | Rake 0

Hero: [3s 5s 6s Qh 6d Qs 4c] (HI: two pair, Queens and Sixes)

[/color]

For some reason you can’t see the results here, but he had buried Aces and typed “****ing rigged” in the chat box after losing. I’m not sure if he was joking, but this is pretty standard in Stud/8, where Aces aren’t nearly as big a favorite over a worse pair as they are in NLHE. Plus I had a monster starting hand, with three suited and connected babies.

Profitable Chop

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($500/$1,000), Ante $100 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $22,498
Seat 2: $11,513
Seat 3: $19,767
Seat 5: $17,915
Hero: $13,615
Seat 8: $2,803

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:heart:___calls___calls
Seat 2: xx xx T:diamond:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 2:spade:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx K:spade:___folds
Hero: 5:diamond: 4:diamond: A:spade:___raises
Seat 8: xx xx 2:diamond:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.50 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:heart: Q:spade:___calls
Hero: 5:diamond: 4:diamond: A:spade: 6:heart:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.75 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:heart: Q:spade: 2:club:___calls
Hero: 5:diamond: 4:diamond: A:spade: 6:heart: K:diamond:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.75 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:heart: Q:spade: 2:club: 6:spade:___calls
Hero: 5:diamond: 4:diamond: A:spade: 6:heart: K:diamond: 6:diamond:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]River[/b] – (6.75 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:heart: Q:spade: 2:club: 6:spade: xx___raises
Hero: 5:diamond: 4:diamond: A:spade: 6:heart: K:diamond: 6:diamond: 5:heart:___[b]bets[/b]___calls

[b]Total pot:[/b] (10.75 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 10750 | Rake 0

Seat 1: [8h Ah 3h Qs 2c 6s 4c] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)

Hero: [5d 4d As 6h Kd 6d 5h] (HI: two pair, Sixes and Fives)

[/color]

Big Draw

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($500/$1,000), Ante $100 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $15,248
Seat 2: $4,982
Seat 3: $11,116
Seat 4: $1,634
Seat 5: $14,156
Seat 6: $5,576
Hero: $9,333
Seat 8: $14,453

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.60 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx A:heart:___calls___calls
Seat 2: xx xx A:diamond:___raises
Seat 3: xx xx J:diamond:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 9:diamond:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 3:club:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 5:spade:___folds
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:diamond: 7:club:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 2:spade:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.60 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx A:heart: 5:club:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Seat 2: xx xx A:diamond: 4:club:___bets
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:diamond: 7:club: 4:heart:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 2:spade: 6:spade:___calls

[b]5th Street[/b] – (4.80 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx A:heart: 5:club: T:heart:___calls
Seat 2: xx xx A:diamond: 4:club: K:club:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:diamond: 7:club: 4:heart: J:heart:___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 2:spade: 6:spade: 9:spade:___calls

[b]6th Street[/b] – (8.80 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx A:heart: 5:club: T:heart: 7:diamond:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx A:diamond: 4:club: K:club: 3:heart:___[b]bets[/b]___raises 882 to 2882 and is all-in
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:diamond: 7:club: 4:heart: J:heart: 3:spade:___raises___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 2:spade: 6:spade: 9:spade: T:club:___folds

[b]River[/b] – (14.56 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx A:diamond: 4:club: K:club: 3:heart: xx___all-in
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:diamond: 7:club: 4:heart: J:heart: 3:spade: K:spade:

[b]Total pot:[/b] (14.56 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 14564 | Rake 0

Seat 2: [Ac 9c Ad 4c Kc 3h Ts] (HI: a pair of Aces)

Hero: [5d 6d 7c 4h Jh 3s Ks] (HI: a straight, Three to Seven; LO: 7,6,5,4,3)

[/color]

In retrospect, I think I should raise 4th. I’ve got a huge draw, but others may be drawing at better lows, and I want both to chase them out if possible and build the pot against any one-way hands that stay in. I believe my thinking at the time was that it would be easier to chase them with a raise on 5th, when the bets were bigger, but then I bricked and decided to make my hand first. This is the type of trick multi-way situation that separates good Stud players from great ones, and I fear that although I scooped the pot, I may have failed the test.

Another Steal Gone Wrong

POKERSTARS GAME #12309577604: TOURNAMENT #70002018, $300+$20 7 CARD STUD HI/LO LIMIT – LEVEL XII (750/1500) – 2007/09/27 – 22:16:22 (ET)
Table ‘70002018 8’ 8-max
Seat 1: Striker 10 (9660 in chips)
Seat 2: PearlJammer (28275 in chips)
Seat 3: a_zuzolo (20139 in chips)
Seat 5: somebody (16803 in chips)
Seat 7: foucault82 (13234 in chips)
Striker 10: posts the ante 150
PearlJammer: posts the ante 150
a_zuzolo: posts the ante 150
somebody: posts the ante 150
foucault82: posts the ante 150
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to Striker 10 [Ad]
Dealt to PearlJammer [Ks]
Dealt to a_zuzolo [4h]
Dealt to somebody [6d]
Dealt to foucault82 [2h Qh Ah]
a_zuzolo: brings in for 225
somebody: calls 225
foucault82: raises 525 to 750
Striker 10: folds
PearlJammer: folds
a_zuzolo: calls 525
somebody: calls 525
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to a_zuzolo [4h] [6c]
Dealt to somebody [6d] [4c]
Dealt to foucault82 [2h Qh Ah] [Js]
foucault82: checks
a_zuzolo: checks
somebody: checks
*** 5th STREET ***
Dealt to a_zuzolo [4h 6c] [Ac]
Dealt to somebody [6d 4c] [Td]
Dealt to foucault82 [2h Qh Ah Js] [9d]
foucault82: checks
a_zuzolo: bets 1500
somebody: folds
foucault82: folds
a_zuzolo collected 3000 from pot
a_zuzolo: doesn’t show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3000 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Striker 10 folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 2: PearlJammer folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 3: a_zuzolo collected (3000)
Seat 5: somebody folded on the 5th Street
Seat 7: foucault82 folded on the 5th Street

My plan here was to abuse the bubble a bit by representing a pair of Aces. It definitely matters that I have three to a flush and two babies when I do this. Unfortunately, I got called by two players and caught bad while they caught well on 4th, so I just gave up.

More of the Same

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $10,110
Seat 2: $28,950
Seat 3: $15,339
Seat 5: $14,778
Hero: $18,934

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 9:club:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx T:diamond:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx Q:heart:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 5:club:___calls
Hero: 8:heart: 5:heart: J:heart:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.00 SB)

Seat 5: xx xx 5:club: 3:club:___bets
Hero: 8:heart: 5:heart: J:heart: 7:spade:___[b]checks[/b]___folds

[b]Total pot:[/b] (3.00 SB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 2250 | Rake 0
[/color]

Under Pressure

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $9,810
Seat 2: $28,650
Seat 3: $14,814
Seat 5: $16,953
Hero: $17,884

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 8:diamond:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx 5:heart:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx J:spade:___raises___calls
Seat 5: xx xx 7:diamond:___folds
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:club: A:heart:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.30 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx J:spade: 9:spade:___checks
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:club: A:heart: T:spade:___[b]checks[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.65 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx J:spade: 9:spade: 9:heart:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:club: A:heart: T:spade: 4:spade:___calls

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.65 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx J:spade: 9:spade: 9:heart: K:spade:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:club: A:heart: T:spade: 4:spade: J:diamond:___calls

[b]River[/b] – (6.65 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx J:spade: 9:spade: 9:heart: K:spade: xx___[b]checks[/b]
Hero: 5:diamond: 6:club: A:heart: T:spade: 4:spade: J:diamond: 6:heart:___checks

[b]Total pot:[/b] (6.65 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 9975 | Rake 0

Seat 3: [4c Jh Js 9s 9h Ks 2d] (HI: two pair, Jacks and Nines)

[/color]

This would generally not warrant a raise on 3rd and might even be a fold, but again I was looking to apply pressure on the bubble, and I did have an A showing with my 3-low. I think this was the best of my failed steals, though it cost me the most.

Weak?

POKERSTARS GAME #12309490241: TOURNAMENT #70002018, $300+$20 7 CARD STUD HI/LO LIMIT – LEVEL XII (750/1500) – 2007/09/27 – 22:11:24 (ET)
Table ‘70002018 8’ 8-max
Seat 1: Striker 10 (10598 in chips)
Seat 2: PearlJammer (29925 in chips)
Seat 3: a_zuzolo (12639 in chips)
Seat 5: somebody (15490 in chips)
Seat 7: foucault82 (19459 in chips)
Striker 10: posts the ante 150
PearlJammer: posts the ante 150
a_zuzolo: posts the ante 150
somebody: posts the ante 150
foucault82: posts the ante 150
*** 3rd STREET ***
Dealt to Striker 10 [9h]
Dealt to PearlJammer [8h]
Dealt to a_zuzolo [8d]
Dealt to somebody [2s]
Dealt to foucault82 [5h 6c 4d]
somebody: brings in for 225
foucault82: raises 525 to 750
Striker 10: folds
PearlJammer: folds
Striker 10 said, “change sea”
a_zuzolo: raises 750 to 1500
somebody: folds
Striker 10 said, “t”
foucault82: calls 750
*** 4th STREET ***
Dealt to a_zuzolo [8d] [8c]
Dealt to foucault82 [5h 6c 4d] [Tc]
a_zuzolo: bets 750
Striker 10 said, “right click on another”
foucault82: folds
a_zuzolo collected 3975 from pot
a_zuzolo: doesn’t show hand
Striker 10 said, “and sit ther”
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3975 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Striker 10 folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 2: PearlJammer folded on the 3rd Street (didn’t bet)
Seat 3: a_zuzolo collected (3975)
Seat 5: somebody folded on the 3rd Street
Seat 7: foucault82 folded on the 4th Street

It may be a little weak to fold such a strong starting hand in a raised pot on 4th, but remember that the two 8’s my opponent is showing substantially decrease my odds of making a straight.

Scooooooooop

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $23,498
Seat 2: $21,413
Seat 3: $14,739
Seat 5: $13,465
Hero: $13,790
Seat 8: $1,206

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 5:spade:___calls
Seat 2: xx xx A:heart:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 5:diamond:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 7:club:___folds
Hero: K:diamond: 6:heart: 2:spade:
Seat 8: xx xx 3:club:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (1.80 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 5:spade: 5:heart:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: K:diamond: 6:heart: 2:spade: K:heart:___calls

[b]5th Street[/b] – (1.90 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 5:spade: 5:heart: 4:heart:___calls
Hero: K:diamond: 6:heart: 2:spade: K:heart: K:spade:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]6th Street[/b] – (3.90 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 5:spade: 5:heart: 4:heart: Q:heart:___calls
Hero: K:diamond: 6:heart: 2:spade: K:heart: K:spade: 9:spade:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]River[/b] – (5.90 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx 5:spade: 5:heart: 4:heart: Q:heart: xx___folds
Hero: K:diamond: 6:heart: 2:spade: K:heart: K:spade: 9:spade: A:spade:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]Total pot:[/b] (5.90 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 8850 | Rake 0
[/color]

Good Game

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $19,223
Seat 2: $21,113
Seat 3: $14,439
Seat 5: $13,615
Hero: $18,365
Seat 8: $1,356

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx J:club:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx 9:club:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx K:spade:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 8:diamond:___folds
Hero: 5:diamond: 5:spade: 3:spade:___raises
Seat 8: xx xx 5:heart:___raises___calls 456 and is all-in

[b]4th Street[/b] – (4.81 SB)

Hero: 5:diamond: 5:spade: 3:spade: 2:diamond:
Seat 8: xx xx 5:heart: 3:club:___all-in

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.40 BB)

Hero: 5:diamond: 5:spade: 3:spade: 2:diamond: 9:diamond:
Seat 8: xx xx 5:heart: 3:club: 7:spade:___all-in

[b]6th Street[/b] – (2.40 BB)

Hero: 5:diamond: 5:spade: 3:spade: 2:diamond: 9:diamond: 8:spade:
Seat 8: xx xx 5:heart: 3:club: 7:spade: K:heart:___all-in

[b]River[/b] – (2.40 BB)

Hero: 5:diamond: 5:spade: 3:spade: 2:diamond: 9:diamond: 8:spade: 8:club:
Seat 8: xx xx 5:heart: 3:club: 7:spade: K:heart: xx___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (2.40 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 3312 | Rake 0

Hero: [5d 5s 3s 2d 9d 8s 8c] (HI: two pair, Eights and Fives)

Seat 8: [7h 6s 5h 3c 7s Kh 3d] (HI: two pair, Sevens and Threes)

[/color]

Get Out!

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $11,273
Seat 2: $31,313
Seat 3: $12,714
Seat 5: $10,615
Hero: $22,196

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 6:diamond:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx 8:diamond:___raises___calls
Seat 3: xx xx 7:diamond:___raises___calls
Seat 5: xx xx 7:heart:___folds
Hero: 2:diamond: K:club: K:diamond:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (10.30 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 8:diamond: 2:spade:___raises___calls
Seat 3: xx xx 7:diamond: J:diamond:___folds
Hero: 2:diamond: K:club: K:diamond: 4:diamond:___[b]bets[/b]___raises

[b]5th Street[/b] – (8.15 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 8:diamond: 2:spade: A:spade:___raises
Hero: 2:diamond: K:club: K:diamond: 4:diamond: K:spade:___[b]bets[/b]___calls

[b]6th Street[/b] – (12.15 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 8:diamond: 2:spade: A:spade: Q:club:___bets
Hero: 2:diamond: K:club: K:diamond: 4:diamond: K:spade: T:club:___[b]checks[/b]___calls

[b]River[/b] – (14.15 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 8:diamond: 2:spade: A:spade: Q:club: xx___bets
Hero: 2:diamond: K:club: K:diamond: 4:diamond: K:spade: T:club: A:diamond:___[b]checks[/b]___calls

[b]Total pot:[/b] (16.15 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 24225 | Rake 0

Seat 2: [4c 7s 8d 2s As Qc Kh] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 8,7,4,2,A)

Hero: [2d Kc Kd 4d Ks Tc Ad] (HI: three of a kind, Kings)

[/color]

I wasn’t happy to see Pearljammer pull out a chop here. 874 is pretty thin to raise UTG into so many babies, even at a short-handed table, and he definitely shouldn’t call two more bets cold.

Aggression

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $18,698
Seat 2: $23,063
Seat 3: $14,889
Seat 5: $11,065
Hero: $20,396

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx K:spade:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx J:heart:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 8:diamond:___raises___calls
Seat 5: xx xx Q:club:___folds
Hero: 8:heart: 5:heart: 7:heart:___raises

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.00 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx 8:diamond: 7:club:___[b]checks[/b]___folds
Hero: 8:heart: 5:heart: 7:heart: 5:spade:___bets

[b]Total pot:[/b] (5.00 SB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 3750 | Rake 0
[/color]

I know I said I usually play these draws slower, but here it’s a good spot for the opener to be stealing, and he’s only showing an 8, so I think there’s a lot more value in a 2-bet.

Nice Bluff

These next two pots are against Pearljammer:

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $11,573
Seat 2: $24,825
Seat 3: $18,489
Seat 5: $10,015
Hero: $23,209

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 8:heart:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx A:club:___raises
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx T:diamond:___folds
Hero: 4:heart: 5:club: 6:club:___raises___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.30 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx A:club: J:heart:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 4:heart: 5:club: 6:club: K:spade:___calls

[b]5th Street[/b] – (3.65 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx A:club: J:heart: 8:spade:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 4:heart: 5:club: 6:club: K:spade: Q:heart:___folds

[b]Total pot:[/b] (3.65 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 5475 | Rake 0
[/color]

He showed me that he also had a busted low draw after I folded. Even so, he had both a better low draw and a better high hand than I did. This is one of the disadvantages of my conservative 3rd street strategy with strong drawing hands: since I don’t take the initiative, I can get bluffed out by more aggressive players.

Definitely Weak

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($750/$1,500), Ante $150 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $11,423
Seat 2: $27,900
Seat 3: $18,114
Seat 5: $9,865
Hero: $20,809

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 9:spade:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx 9:heart:___raises
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart:___calls
Seat 5: xx xx 4:spade:___folds
Hero: K:club: A:spade: K:diamond:___raises___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (7.00 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 9:heart: 7:heart:___bets
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart: 7:diamond:___calls
Hero: K:club: A:spade: K:diamond: T:spade:___[b]checks[/b]___folds

[b]5th Street[/b] – (4.50 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 9:heart: 7:heart: A:club:___[b]bets[/b]
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart: 7:diamond: J:diamond:___calls

[b]6th Street[/b] – (6.50 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 9:heart: 7:heart: A:club: 3:diamond:___bets
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart: 7:diamond: J:diamond: 7:club:___[b]checks[/b]___calls

[b]River[/b] – (8.50 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 9:heart: 7:heart: A:club: 3:diamond: xx___bets
Seat 3: xx xx 3:heart: 7:diamond: J:diamond: 7:club: xx___[b]checks[/b]___folds

[b]Total pot:[/b] (8.50 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 12750 | Rake 0
[/color]

I so often have KK when I 2-bet 3rd with a K showing that it’s pretty suicidal for PJ to 3-bet me cold showing a 9 unless he has buried AA or rolled up trips. However, one 9 is dead (I may not have noticed that at the time, since it’s not generally a card one needs to track), and I’m holding an A, so it’s more likely that he’s just being a LAGtard. This is a pretty bad fold on my part.

Meh

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($1,000/$2,000), Ante $200 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 1: $6,935
Seat 2: $22,225
Seat 3: $31,914
Seat 5: $15,553
Hero: $11,484

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx 3:club:___folds
Seat 2: xx xx J:spade:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 6:spade:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 5:club:___raises
Hero: 6:heart: 5:spade: 8:heart:___calls

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.30 SB)

Seat 5: xx xx 5:club: 3:heart:___bets
Hero: 6:heart: 5:spade: 8:heart: 6:club:___[b]checks[/b]___calls

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.65 BB)

Seat 5: xx xx 5:club: 3:heart: A:club:___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 6:heart: 5:spade: 8:heart: 6:club: Q:diamond:___folds

[b]Total pot:[/b] (2.65 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 5300 | Rake 0
[/color]

3rd is questionable here. I’ve got some shot at a high and a weak low against a guy who could be stealing, but it’s going to be tricking to play on later streets. He keeps catching good, and that Ace is a scary card, as it probably either completes a low or gives him a pair with a low draw, both of which will be ahead of me. At this stage in the tournament, I didn’t want to get drawn into a big pot where I might be trailing both ways.

Can’t Complain

This was one of the first pots at the final table. I really thought I’d rivered a monster scoop, but as it turns out, I was a little lucky to river even half the pot.

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($1,000/$2,000), Ante $200 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $29,425
Seat 3: $26,282
Seat 4: $45,845
Seat 5: $22,453
Seat 6: $30,215
Hero: $11,184
Seat 8: $26,596

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 7:diamond:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 4:heart:___raises___calls
Seat 4: xx xx A:club:___raises___raises___calls
Seat 5: xx xx T:spade:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 9:diamond:___folds
Hero: 8:heart: 6:spade: 7:heart:___calls___raises
Seat 8: xx xx 6:diamond:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (13.40 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:heart: T:heart:___calls
Seat 4: xx xx A:club: J:club:___[b]bets[/b]___calls
Hero: 8:heart: 6:spade: 7:heart: 2:diamond:___raises

[b]5th Street[/b] – (9.70 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:heart: T:heart: 9:heart:___calls
Seat 4: xx xx A:club: J:club: 3:diamond:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: 8:heart: 6:spade: 7:heart: 2:diamond: 8:club:___bets

[b]6th Street[/b] – (12.70 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:heart: T:heart: 9:heart: A:diamond:___raises
Seat 4: xx xx A:club: J:club: 3:diamond: 6:heart:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: 8:heart: 6:spade: 7:heart: 2:diamond: 8:club: 4:club:___bets___calls 984 and is all-in

[b]River[/b] – (18.19 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:heart: T:heart: 9:heart: A:diamond: xx___calls
Seat 4: xx xx A:club: J:club: 3:diamond: 6:heart: xx___[b]bets[/b]
Hero: 8:heart: 6:spade: 7:heart: 2:diamond: 8:club: 4:club: 5:club:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (20.19 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 40384 Main pot 34352. Side pot 6032. | Rake 0

Seat 3: [Ah As 4h Th 9h Ad Js] (HI: three of a kind, Aces)

Seat 4: [2c 3s Ac Jc 3d 6h 4s] (HI: a pair of Threes; LO: 6,4,3,2,A)

Hero: [8h 6s 7h 2d 8c 4c 5c] (HI: a straight, Four to Eight; LO: 7,6,5,4,2)

[/color]

Standard

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($1,500/$3,000), Ante $300 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $24,625
Seat 3: $16,898
Seat 4: $50,662
Seat 5: $26,078
Seat 6: $31,940
Hero: $18,976
Seat 8: $22,821

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 4:spade:___calls
Seat 3: xx xx 8:spade:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 8:heart:___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 7:club:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx K:heart:___folds
Hero: 7:spade: 2:diamond: 5:heart:___raises
Seat 8: xx xx T:heart:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.40 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 4:spade: 2:club:___calls
Hero: 7:spade: 2:diamond: 5:heart: 3:heart:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.70 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 4:spade: 2:club: K:spade:___calls
Hero: 7:spade: 2:diamond: 5:heart: 3:heart: 5:spade:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.70 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 4:spade: 2:club: K:spade: 8:diamond:___raises
Hero: 7:spade: 2:diamond: 5:heart: 3:heart: 5:spade: Q:club:___[b]bets[/b]___calls

[b]River[/b] – (8.70 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 4:spade: 2:club: K:spade: 8:diamond: xx___checks
Hero: 7:spade: 2:diamond: 5:heart: 3:heart: 5:spade: Q:club: J:club:___[b]checks[/b]

[b]Total pot:[/b] (8.70 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 26100 | Rake 0

Seat 2: [6d Ad 4s 2c Ks 8d Ts] (HI: high card Ace; LO: 8,6,4,2,A)

Hero: [7s 2d 5h 3h 5s Qc Jc] (HI: a pair of Fives)

[/color]

Valuetown?

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($1,500/$3,000), Ante $300 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $19,225
Seat 3: $18,023
Seat 4: $62,362
Seat 5: $21,203
Seat 6: $29,840
Hero: $25,126
Seat 8: $16,221

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.40 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx T:spade:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx Q:club:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 8:diamond:___calls
Seat 5: xx xx 9:spade:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx K:club:___folds
Hero: 5:heart: K:diamond: K:spade:___raises
Seat 8: xx xx J:diamond:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.40 SB)

Seat 4: xx xx 8:diamond: 9:heart:___calls
Hero: 5:heart: K:diamond: K:spade: 3:heart:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.70 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx 8:diamond: 9:heart: 4:heart:___calls
Hero: 5:heart: K:diamond: K:spade: 3:heart: 4:diamond:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]6th Street[/b] – (4.70 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx 8:diamond: 9:heart: 4:heart: 9:club:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: 5:heart: K:diamond: K:spade: 3:heart: 4:diamond: 3:club:___bets

[b]River[/b] – (6.70 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx 8:diamond: 9:heart: 4:heart: 9:club: xx___[b]checks[/b]
Hero: 5:heart: K:diamond: K:spade: 3:heart: 4:diamond: 3:club: 5:diamond:___checks

[b]Total pot:[/b] (6.70 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 20100 | Rake 0

Seat 4: [2d 2c 8d 9h 4h 9c 7s] (HI: two pair, Nines and Deuces)

Hero: [5h Kd Ks 3h 4d 3c 5d] (HI: two pair, Kings and Fives)

[/color]

I’m not sure why I didn’t bet the river here. Smart players won’t call with a worse high hand, but I had no reason to think this guy was smart.

Brutal

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($2,000/$4,000), Ante $400 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $33,275
Seat 3: $58,466
Seat 4: $28,502
Seat 6: $20,390
Hero: $32,276
Seat 8: $19,091

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 5:diamond:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade:___calls
Seat 4: xx xx K:heart:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx K:spade:___folds
Hero: A:diamond: 2:diamond: 7:heart:___raises
Seat 8: xx xx 8:spade:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (3.20 SB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade: 6:spade:___calls
Hero: A:diamond: 2:diamond: 7:heart: 3:heart:___[b]bets[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.60 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade: 6:spade: A:heart:___[b]checks[/b]
Hero: A:diamond: 2:diamond: 7:heart: 3:heart: 2:heart:___checks

[b]6th Street[/b] – (2.60 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade: 6:spade: A:heart: 6:heart:___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: A:diamond: 2:diamond: 7:heart: 3:heart: 2:heart: A:club:___bets

[b]River[/b] – (4.60 BB)

Seat 3: xx xx 4:spade: 6:spade: A:heart: 6:heart: xx___[b]checks[/b]___calls
Hero: A:diamond: 2:diamond: 7:heart: 3:heart: 2:heart: A:club: T:club:___bets

[b]Total pot:[/b] (6.60 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 26400 | Rake 0

Seat 3: [3s Qs 4s 6s Ah 6h 6c] (HI: three of a kind, Sixes)

Hero: [Ad 2d 7h 3h 2h Ac Tc] (HI: two pair, Aces and Deuces)

[/color]

I figured him for a low draw, but he actually had quite a few outs for high. At least he didn’t raise 7th. At the time I was thinking he clearly should have, but I guess from his perspective, I’m very likely to have a low and could have a straight or flush, so in retrospect, I think his call is better.

One Time, Dealer!

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($2,000/$4,000), Ante $400 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $59,875
Seat 3: $75,466
Seat 4: $15,102
Seat 6: $5,990
Hero: $14,876
Seat 8: $20,691

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx A:spade:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 8:club:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx T:diamond:___raises___raises
Seat 6: xx xx 2:club:___folds
Hero: 5:heart: 4:heart: 2:heart:___raises___raises___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 3:spade:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (9.50 SB)

Seat 4: xx xx T:diamond: 5:club:___raises___raises 702 to 6702 and is all-in
Hero: 5:heart: 4:heart: 2:heart: K:club:___[b]bets[/b]___raises___calls 476 and is all-in

[b]5th Street[/b] – (8.04 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx T:diamond: 5:club: 9:diamond:___all-in
Hero: 5:heart: 4:heart: 2:heart: K:club: 7:club:___all-in

[b]6th Street[/b] – (8.04 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx T:diamond: 5:club: 9:diamond: 8:heart:___all-in
Hero: 5:heart: 4:heart: 2:heart: K:club: 7:club: K:heart:___all-in

[b]River[/b] – (8.04 BB)

Seat 4: xx xx T:diamond: 5:club: 9:diamond: 8:heart: xx___all-in
Hero: 5:heart: 4:heart: 2:heart: K:club: 7:club: K:heart: 3:club:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (8.04 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 31952 | Rake 0

Seat 4: [Ts 4c Td 5c 9d 8h 9s] (HI: two pair, Tens and Nines)

Hero: [5h 4h 2h Kc 7c Kh 3c] (HI: a pair of Kings; LO: 7,5,4,3,2)

[/color]

Pot Odds

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($2,000/$4,000), Ante $400 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $59,475
Seat 3: $75,066
Seat 4: $16,202
Seat 6: $4,990
Hero: $15,976
Seat 8: $20,291

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.20 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 5:club:___folds
Seat 3: xx xx 5:heart:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 7:club:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx 7:heart:___raises___raises 590 to 4590 and is all-in
Hero: K:club: 2:club: 3:spade:___raises___calls
Seat 8: xx xx 9:diamond:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (5.79 SB)

Seat 6: xx xx 7:heart: K:spade:___all-in
Hero: K:club: 2:club: 3:spade: 8:spade:

[b]5th Street[/b] – (2.90 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx 7:heart: K:spade: J:diamond:___all-in
Hero: K:club: 2:club: 3:spade: 8:spade: Q:spade:

[b]6th Street[/b] – (2.90 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx 7:heart: K:spade: J:diamond: 6:heart:___all-in
Hero: K:club: 2:club: 3:spade: 8:spade: Q:spade: 6:diamond:

[b]River[/b] – (2.90 BB)

Seat 6: xx xx 7:heart: K:spade: J:diamond: 6:heart: xx___all-in
Hero: K:club: 2:club: 3:spade: 8:spade: Q:spade: 6:diamond: T:spade:

[b]Total pot:[/b] (2.90 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 11580 | Rake 0

Seat 6: [4d 3c 7h Ks Jd 6h 3d] (HI: a pair of Threes)

Hero: [Kc 2c 3s 8s Qs 6d Ts] (HI: high card King)

[/color]

Busto!

7 Card Stud [b]High-Low[/b] ($2,000/$4,000), Ante $400 ([url=http://www.andyblackwood.com/converter.html]converter[/url])

Seat 2: $58,275
Seat 3: $95,468
Seat 6: $10,380
Hero: $9,186
Seat 8: $18,691

[b]3rd Street[/b] – (1.00 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 3:club:___calls___calls
Seat 3: xx xx Q:spade:___raises___raises___calls
Seat 6: xx xx 3:diamond:___folds
Hero: 4:club: A:spade: 5:spade:___raises___raises
Seat 8: xx xx 3:spade:___folds

[b]4th Street[/b] – (13.00 SB)

Seat 2: xx xx 3:club: 2:heart:___calls
Seat 3: xx xx Q:spade: J:spade:___calls
Hero: 4:club: A:spade: 5:spade: 5:club:___[b]bets 786 and is all-in[/b]

[b]5th Street[/b] – (7.09 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 3:club: 2:heart: Q:heart:___[b]checks[/b]
Seat 3: xx xx Q:spade: J:spade: 2:diamond:___checks
Hero: 4:club: A:spade: 5:spade: 5:club: Q:club:___all-in

[b]6th Street[/b] – (7.09 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 3:club: 2:heart: Q:heart: 7:diamond:___[b]checks[/b]
Seat 3: xx xx Q:spade: J:spade: 2:diamond: 9:heart:___checks
Hero: 4:club: A:spade: 5:spade: 5:club: Q:club: 2:spade:___all-in

[b]River[/b] – (7.09 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx 3:club: 2:heart: Q:heart: 7:diamond: xx___[b]checks[/b]
Seat 3: xx xx Q:spade: J:spade: 2:diamond: 9:heart: xx___checks
Hero: 4:club: A:spade: 5:spade: 5:club: Q:club: 2:spade: T:spade:___all-in

[b]Total pot:[/b] (7.09 BB)

Results (in white):[color:white]

Total pot 28358 | Rake 0

Seat 2: [4s 7h 3c 2h Qh 7d Jd] (HI: a pair of Sevens)

Seat 3: [Qd 4h Qs Js 2d 9h Ks] (HI: a pair of Queens)

Hero: [4c As 5s 5c Qc 2s Ts]

[/color]

A good low draw with an overcard to Villain’s likely pair is a fine time to make a stand, and with my stack and the top-heavy payout structure, I’m definitely looking to double up or go home at this stage of the tournament. I guess it only helped my equity, but Pearljammer’s cold call with 743, when it was very likely that two more bets were going to go in on 3rd, is just awful.

On the whole I ran pretty well and was excited to final table a WCOOP event, even one this small. It was also a lot of fun, because Stud/8 is a great game. Thanks for following along!