Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Recess "Golden Glove" Rampage defeats Fuel55!

Well... the title should I guess say, Dirty "Golden Glove" Vizzer since we played on Pokerstars and my pokerstars account name is Dirty Vizzer.

Well, before I go into the hands and such, here was the deal between me and Fuel.
1) We will play at pokerstars, static blinds (ie blinds stay at 15-30 the whole match)
2) We will play at $20 stakes.
3) We will have a side bet of $400.
4) If either one of us go 3-0 (best of 5), the side bet will double.

Basically, all of the above ideas were by Fuel who brilliantly stated that instead of playing a $100 match and paying a lot of rake to PS, we can just do a side bet with no rake.

Well, around 9:30pm last night, our first match kicked off. 3 hours later, I would come out victorious. As a matter of fact, I didn't lose a single match and as such, I ended up winning $800 and advance to the HUC finals in back to back HUC events. But I'm not one to really gloat on my victory or anything. I am also not one to try to justify the moves I made or what not. I am generally not an insecure person. As such, I don't need to justify luck or anything for that matter. Plus, it's poker. Luck is obviously a factor so denying that winning all 3 yesterday was all skill would just be silly. Having said that, I shoulda known that last night was my night when this was the very first hand of our heads up match.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1500 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Jh Qs]
Fuel55: raises 60 to 90
Dirty Vizzer: calls 60

*** FLOP *** [Tc 7s 9c]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 120
Dirty Vizzer: calls 120

*** TURN *** [Tc 7s 9c] [2d]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: checks

*** RIVER *** [Tc 7s 9c 2d] [Kc]
Dirty Vizzer: bets 260
Fuel55: calls 260

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Jh Qs] (a straight, Nine to King)
Fuel55: mucks [8c 8s]
Dirty Vizzer collected 940 from pot
Fuel55 said, "nice catch" <--- at this point, he had no idea how significant that phrase would be.

15 hands later, same match.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1150 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1850 in chips)
Dirty Vizzer: posts small blind 15
Fuel55: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [9d Tc]
Dirty Vizzer: raises 60 to 90
Fuel55: raises 90 to 180
Dirty Vizzer: calls 90

*** FLOP *** [Kc 4c Qh]
Fuel55: bets 60
Dirty Vizzer: raises 180 to 240
Fuel55: calls 180

Just to give a quick background here - Fuel hardly ever reraises preflop. The fact that he did and the reraise was so small (it was a minraise), I figured he must have a fairly strong hand. When he came out betting a small amount on the flop, I've seen him do it with flopped sets but it's a HU match and I thought it's possible he had a hand like JJ so I figured I'd make one raise to see what he does. I also felt (believe it or not, Fuel) that by me raising, if he just calls and I actually catch my 4 outer, it would be impossible for him to figure me for a straight.

*** TURN *** [Kc 4c Qh] [Jh] <--- golden glove baby!
Fuel55: bets 270
Dirty Vizzer: raises 1160 to 1430 and is all-in <--- overbet a la Fuel
Fuel55: calls 460 and is all-in

He instacalled and so I knew he had a set. I was almost certain the board will pair. But this was gonna be my night.

*** RIVER *** [Kc 4c Qh Jh] [Th]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55: shows [Kh Kd] (three of a kind, Kings)
Dirty Vizzer: shows [9d Tc] (a straight, Nine to King)
Dirty Vizzer collected 2300 from pot

DV 1 - 0 Fuel

One thing I noticed about Fuel is that he really tries to keep the pot small unless he's got some semblance of a hand. So, I tried to keep up the pressure on him. On the same token, I knew that I had to control my aggression because he would be setting up a trap at the right time. But, keep in mind that he and I think alike in terms of the way we try to get all the money in the middle. I lost the hand count but the second match took a lot longer (maybe like 180+ hands?). In the end though, I had a 2:1 chip lead and then this happened:

Seat 1: Dirty Vizzer (2115 in chips)
Seat 2: Fuel55 (885 in chips)
Dirty Vizzer: posts small blind 15
Fuel55: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Ks Ah]
Dirty Vizzer: raises 60 to 90 <--- for the umpteenth time
Fuel55: raises 795 to 885 and is all-in
Dirty Vizzer said, "I pray that I don't get unlucky"
Dirty Vizzer: calls 795

*** FLOP *** [4c 6s 6h]
*** TURN *** [4c 6s 6h] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [4c 6s 6h 2d] [8d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55: shows [As Jc] (a pair of Sixes)
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Ks Ah] (a pair of Sixes - Ace+King kicker)
Dirty Vizzer collected 1770 from pot

Again, I was raising a fair amount so against my range, Fuel probably thought AJ was ahead. More often than not, it probably is and considering his stack size, he was hoping that I would call off that much with a hand like KQ, KJ, QJ or a smaller pocket pair for a race. But again, another indication that this was to be my night. I had a dominating AK.

DV 2 - 0 Fuel

At this point, Fuel complained that he wasn't getting chit in cards so he suggested we move up to the $30 level for karma. I'm freerolling at this point so I figured why not. Also, the time was fairly early (10:30pm) and I told him that I don't want to play/start a new game after 11pm because I was going to wake up early to play basketball. Well, this was not meant to be. The game we started at 10:30 will be an epic match that will last 2 hrs... 344 hands I think (maybe more).

Well, match 3 started off interesting. Either he started catching hands or he turned up his aggression (I have his HH also so I could check but I'm too lazy). Either way, I found myself in a hole early. I clawed my way back to even and then I decided to get cute which hurt me pretty bad.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1545 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1455 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Ac 5d]
Fuel55: raises 60 to 90
Dirty Vizzer: raises 150 to 240
Fuel55: calls 150

I felt that he was starting to raise more so I figured I'd reraise.

*** FLOP *** [3s 8h 4s]
Dirty Vizzer: bets 330
Fuel55: raises 720 to 1050
Dirty Vizzer: folds
Fuel55 collected 1140 from pot

I caught my gutter draw so I bet out. Fuel was not gonna have any of that and he raises me, basically committing me and obviously, I'm not gonna call off with a 4 outer so I fold. This brings my chip count down to <900. Not good. But not bad if you're a gold glover.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (2040 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (960 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Kh Td]
Fuel55: calls 15
Dirty Vizzer: checks

*** FLOP *** [9c 8h Qd]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 30
Dirty Vizzer: calls 30 <--- gutterball baby, how do I not call???

*** TURN *** [9c 8h Qd] [Js] <--- Torii Hunter is proud of the catches I make
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 60
Dirty Vizzer: raises 120 to 180
Fuel55 said, "you hit a gutter?" <--- he sees right through me
Fuel55: calls 120 <--- but calls because...

*** RIVER *** [9c 8h Qd Js] [Ac]
Dirty Vizzer: bets 380
Fuel55: calls 380

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Kh Td] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
Fuel55: mucks [7s Tc] <--- it turns out he did too
Dirty Vizzer said, "I did"
Dirty Vizzer collected 1240 from pot
Dirty Vizzer said, ":)"
Fuel55 said, "i knew it"

Stupid PS hand history shit, you actually have to look it up so obv, in the chat, I didn't know... until few seconds later, I went to check the HH, found out he caught his straight... I was pissed that I didn't end the match here. To his credit, instead of raising me on the river, he opted to call and kept his loss to a minimum. Now THAT's impressive.

After that, we once again, trade blows but I am starting to spew a little and at one point, my chips are down to 705. However, I keep clawing and trying to stay alive until this key hand happens:

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1860 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1140 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [3h 3c]
Fuel55 said, "fawking irver rat" <--- yes, just caught a 3 outer in the previous hand. Shoulda bet at one point Fuel. Don't complain if you're checking it down.

Fuel55: calls 15
Dirty Vizzer said, "<--- golden gloves"
Dirty Vizzer: checks

*** FLOP *** [3d Jd 9h]
Dirty Vizzer: bets 60 <--- bet my set
Fuel55: raises 180 to 240
Dirty Vizzer: calls 180

I obviously debated whether I should shove here or not. But I opted to call just to switch gears and also, I didn't want to give him two cards if he's on a diamond draw. So I called, praying for a nondiamond turn.

*** TURN *** [3d Jd 9h] [Ah]
Dirty Vizzer: bets 870 and is all-in
Fuel55 said, "at least 12 outs"
Fuel55: folds
Dirty Vizzer collected 540 from pot
Dirty Vizzer: doesn't show hand

Though I was fairly down in chips, I didn't want to gamble. I felt like I had a good chance to beat him if I didn't get all my chips in a near coinflip situation so I was happy to take down pots without going to showdown. When the A comes on the turn, it's so draw heavy so I elect to shove and try to take down a decent sized pot that would bring me back to even if Fuel folds and will cripple him if he calls and loses this pot.

Well, once again, we are back to even and once again, I find myself in a 2:1 chip deficit after a while. At this point, I am aggressively stealing but also trying to find a spot where Fuel is willing to commit a lot of his stack because one thing that's very difficult with Fuel is getting chips out of him. Extracting those extra chips are extremely hard so I knew that I had to try to trap him. Always helps when you're running good.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1890 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1110 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [9c 7c]
Fuel55: raises 60 to 90
Dirty Vizzer: calls 60

*** FLOP *** [5d 7h 6s]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 90
Dirty Vizzer: calls 90

This wasn't necessarily the kinda board that I want to go crazy with. Since he's seen me float his flop bets a few times, I figured this was a easy hand to get away from without much improvement but unless he had something, it would be a hard hand for him to keep betting on as well.

*** TURN *** [5d 7h 6s] [8h] <--- Didn't I tell you???? Gold glove lives here.
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 1710 and is all-in
Dirty Vizzer: calls 930 and is all-in

This is the first time I thought he lost control of his overbet for value. This is an extremely dangerous board and it's one thing if he had a 9 or had T9. But the only call he would get if he did this would be if I had a 9 or two pair. What did he shove with?

*** RIVER *** [5d 7h 6s 8h] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [9c 7c] (a straight, Five to Nine)
Fuel55: shows [Ts 8s] (a pair of Eights)
Fuel55 said, "of course" <--- dude, you had to know that was a bad shove
Dirty Vizzer collected 2220 from pot

This was very key. For the first time in Match 3, I had a 2:1 chip lead. I was determined to not let this one go. And yet once again, 15 minutes later, our chips are back to even. This looked like a match that will never end. But I'll stick with the theme of how I caught everything.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1155 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1845 in chips)
Fuel55: posts small blind 15
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Tc Jh]
Fuel55 said, "might not be a race"
Fuel55: calls 15
Dirty Vizzer said, "it woulda been a race. I was just far ahead of the race though"
Dirty Vizzer: checks

Conversation is where Fuel revealed he had 22 when I had repopped him and he folded. I said I wish he shoved for a race. (I had AA).

*** FLOP *** [Kc 8d Qh]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: bets 60
Dirty Vizzer: calls 60

*** TURN *** [Kc 8d Qh] [4h]
Dirty Vizzer: checks
Fuel55: checks

Free card Fuel?

*** RIVER *** [Kc 8d Qh 4h] [9h] <--- another one!!!
Dirty Vizzer: bets 120
Fuel55: calls 120

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Tc Jh] (a straight, Nine to King)
Fuel55: mucks [Qd 7d]
Dirty Vizzer said, "lol"
Dirty Vizzer collected 420 from pot
Fuel55 said, "jesus christ"

And then finally... after nearly 2 hrs of intense back and forth battle... I get dealt like my 5th AA for the night.

Seat 1: Fuel55 (1185 in chips)
Seat 2: Dirty Vizzer (1815 in chips)
Dirty Vizzer: posts small blind 15
Fuel55: posts big blind 30

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Ah Ad]
Dirty Vizzer: raises 60 to 90
Fuel55: raises 150 to 240
Dirty Vizzer: raises 1575 to 1815 and is all-in
Fuel55 said, "please be good" <--- no way it's good
Fuel55: calls 945 and is all-in

*** FLOP *** [3s Kc 9s]
Fuel55 said, "come on"
Dirty Vizzer said, "no suckout"

*** TURN *** [3s Kc 9s] [7h]
Dirty Vizzer said, "hold"
Dirty Vizzer said, "hold"

*** RIVER *** [3s Kc 9s 7h] [Td]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Fuel55: shows [Js Jd] (a pair of Jacks)
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Ah Ad] (a pair of Aces)
Dirty Vizzer collected 2370 from pot

And that's all she wrote. DV 3 - 0 Fuel

One thing to note here. On the last hand, I don't think many could get away from JJ in a HU match. However, I did put in the 4th raise for an overbet all in. I hadn't done that all night, he should know that I knew it was impossibly hard for me to get his chips, he hasn't been reraising much so I had to give him credit for a hand and yet I came over the top all in. The only hand, and I mean the ONLY hand, I could have that he has me beat is AK. Not TT, not 99, not KQ, not AQ. Believe it or not, I am not a spew monkey even in HU match against an opponent like this. The only hands I woulda done that in this spot is AA, KK, QQ, JJ, or AK. And I would say JJ is a maybe and an AK is a maybe. But again, after 2 hrs of grueling HU match and if he was really not getting anything to work with, I don't blame his call here.

Either way, this put an end to our intense battle and I am back in the HUC finals baby!

7 comments:

SubZero said...

Nice work Al!

Congratulations, the money won't be half as good as the bragging rights though....

kurokitty said...

Golden Glove? Golden Broom! Congrats!

Shrike said...

Congrats, man.

Take the whole thing down!

(I love the side bet score. Sweet $$$)

SirFWALGMan said...

Fools Gold vs Golden Gloves way to go man! Take it down for the East!

Mike Maloney said...

Golden Gloves is right. Nice job!

lj said...

wtg alan. too bad you didn't take fuel's initial offer of a 5k bet...

Gnome said...

Congrats on the win. I feel vicariously avenged for my $500 loss to Fuel when we played heads-up.