Riverchasers Final Table Run

Alright, I'm gonna try to keep the hand histories to a minimum... Believe it or not, I don't try to clutter up my blog with bunch of hand histories but I guess I will give you some examples of how I played the final table.

If I had to describe how I played early in the final table, there's one word for it.

UberTIGHT

My stack was fairly short so I did have to gamble in key spots. However, one thing I really wanted to make sure I did was that I was the one doing the shoving and not the one calling the shove or a raise. And if there was a raise, I wanted to make sure I had fold equity. Some of the examples below will probably seem weaktight to most of you. But I was convinced there'd be better spots so I waited. I'm not results oriented so I don't know if in the grand scheme of things if it's the right thing to do or not but it certainly worked out for me last night. First example...

Stack sizes were as follows:

Seat 1: stl_phily (71,407)
Seat 2: NumbBono (41,900)
Seat 4: Wadzilla (16,850)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (44,439)
Seat 7: hoyazo (72,344)
Seat 8: bayne_s (16,080)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (21,980)

Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Jc]
stl_phily folds
NumbBono folds
Wadzilla raises to 5,200
pushmonkey72 folds
hoyazo folds
bayne_s folds
RecessRampage folds
Uncalled bet of 3,600 returned to Wadzilla

Again, I think a lot of people would have pushed here but my impression of Wadzilla at the time was that he was fairly tight. But I also wasn't sure if that meant he's capable of folding hands like AJ. Anything better and he's priced in to call, esp because he already has a 3rd of his stack out with that raise. I felt I hardly had any fold equity so I chose to fold.

In the next few hands, I fold A7 to an open raise, I fold 22 in EP, I fold A5s UTG. I jam K9 when it's folded to me and I'm in the SB. Stl_philly folds. My stack is clearly dwindling but I didn't want to panic. And then this hand happened:

Blinds 800/1600 ante 200, stack sizes

Seat 1: stl_phily (65,607)
Seat 2: NumbBono (37,700)
Seat 4: Wadzilla (24,050)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (56,239)
Seat 7: hoyazo (54,264)
Seat 8: bayne_s (27,960)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (19,180)

Dealt to RecessRampage [Jd Ks]
Wadzilla raises to 5,200
pushmonkey72 folds
hoyazo folds
bayne_s folds
RecessRampage folds
stl_phily has 15 seconds left to act
stl_phily calls 4,400
NumbBono folds
*** FLOP *** [Kh Ts Tc]
stl_phily checks
Wadzilla bets 18,650, and is all in
stl_phily calls 18,650
Wadzilla shows [Ad As]
stl_phily shows [Ah Ac]
*** TURN *** [Kh Ts Tc] [Qd]
*** RIVER *** [Kh Ts Tc Qd] [7c]

Good thing I didn't come over the top. I think a lot of people with my stack size may have but again, I felt I didn't have much fold equity, I felt Wazilla was fairly tight with his opening range and based on that, I just didn't want to shove KJ. Again, remember, I wanted to open raise, not reraise unless I had the cards or fold equity or both.

My stack keeps dwindling down to 15k and I am dealt A8o in the SB but I also fold that to NumbBono's UTG raise. No brainer there. No sense in shoving A-x against a guy who raised. I told you. TIGHT. I even toss a pair...

Seat 1: stl_phily (72,207)
Seat 2: NumbBono (42,950)
Seat 4: Wadzilla (26,050)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (51,589)
Seat 7: hoyazo (54,364)
Seat 8: bayne_s (23,310)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (14,530)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [2h 2s]
Wadzilla folds
pushmonkey72 folds
hoyazo folds
bayne_s raises to 23,060, and is all in
RecessRampage folds
stl_phily raises to 71,957, and is all in
NumbBono folds
stl_phily shows [Kh As]
bayne_s shows [9s Ac]
Uncalled bet of 48,897 returned to stl_phily
*** FLOP *** [3h Ad Kd]
*** TURN *** [3h Ad Kd] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [3h Ad Kd 6c] [2d] <--- DAMMIT!!!
stl_phily shows two pair, Aces and Kings
bayne_s shows a pair of Aces
stl_phily wins the pot (49,870) with two pair, Aces and Kings

Again, I didn't want to CALL an all in from Bayne who I think also falls on the tighter side. Even with his stack, he's not shoving ATC and I just didn't want to go to war there like that. However, when it was folded to me, I did open shove with K4. At this point though, I am ok with shoving with K4 rather than a suited connector because then if someone decides to call with QJ or something, I am actually ahead because of my one high card. I somehow manage to keep myself afloat by pretty much shoving about once per orbit but really not getting out of line. I'm clearly not building a stack. I'm just playing survival poker at this point, trying to wait for the opportune moment. And then it came... and I think this might be the most weak tight thing I've ever done and you guys might be shocked... but I folded KQs to a UTG+1 raise. That was probably a mistake... even if I didn't want to CALL, KQs was the best hand I've seen since I got to the final table... ah well... at least I'm still alive...

More folding and my stack is dwindling. I am UTG, blinds are about to come around so I shove my K4s... to get called by Hoy's 77, but I fortunately suckout my 3 outer on the flop and my pair of kings hold. I get my critical double up. The very next hand, I am in the BB with A7, everyone folds to Hoy who limps from the SB. I thought he might be getting tricky by limp calling from the SB but he's done that earlier against Bayne and then didn't have a hand. So, I shoved. Hoy called with 59o but his two live cards were basically dead when I flop 7-Q-7. Turn seals the deal and Hoy's fate when another Q comes for a boat. All of a sudden, I am up to 45k after one big suckout and a nice hold by A7.

Now it's down to 5 players and my stack is now healthy.
Seat 1: stl_phily (78,017)
Seat 2: NumbBono (46,350)
Seat 4: Wadzilla (71,750)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (38,989)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (49,894)

I am knocked down to 30k in chips when I raise with 88, get smooth called by Pushmonkey in the BB and on a QJx board, he checks to me, I fire a cbet, and he shoves. I fold. I am down to fairly desperate levels again and so I shove with A5. I don't like it when I get called but I am ahead of NumbBono's KQ. Flop gives me a good scare coming JTx, giving him two live cards and OESD but some how, my A5 holds. I guess it was my night.

Few hands later, I raise UTG with QJs (it is 5 handed after all), then Stl_philly shoves. Fortunately, pushmonkey makes my decision easy when he also shoves. Push's KK > Stl_philly's 99 and we are down to 4 players.

Seat 2: NumbBono (20,756)
Seat 4: Wadzilla (84,450)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (135,706)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (44,088)

I was concerned about Pushmonkey's huge stack. But I knew that amongst these 4, I had to have the most shorthanded experience and LJ reiterated that to me.

"Just play your game."

That was gonna be my mantra for the evening at this point. Well, that and WWRD.

I was surprised with the amount of calls I got on my raises and then folds to my cbets. Nonetheless, that kept me alive (blinds were coming so fast so that's the only way to survive) and then pushmonkey busts NumbBono, adding to his stack even more as we were down to 3.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (74,250)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (166,362)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (44,388)

Pushmonkey was starting to bully with his stack so I knew I had to make a stand with a marginal hand and double up. Then this hand came:

Dealt to RecessRampage [3c Ah]
pushmonkey72 raises to 11,700
RecessRampage raises to 40,188, and is all in
Wadzilla folds
pushmonkey72 calls 28,488
RecessRampage shows [3c Ah]
pushmonkey72 shows [Ts Jd]
*** FLOP *** [2s 8s 3d]
*** TURN *** [2s 8s 3d] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [2s 8s 3d 6d] [Kh]
RecessRampage shows a pair of Threes
pushmonkey72 shows King Jack high
RecessRampage wins the pot (84,576) with a pair of Threes

I knew I really didn't have much fold equity but I had to take a stand and A high 3 handed was good enough for me. Once again, a sick hold by my A-x hand and I get a crucial double up, even more so because it puts a slight dent to the big stack.

At this point, stealing is critical:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [2c Jc]
pushmonkey72 folds
RecessRampage raises to 9,000
Wadzilla calls 6,000
*** FLOP *** [8s Kd 7h]
RecessRampage bets 14,000
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 14,000 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (19,200)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qh 5s]
RecessRampage raises to 9,000
Wadzilla folds
pushmonkey72 calls 6,000
*** FLOP *** [Tc 4s 2s]
pushmonkey72 checks
RecessRampage bets 14,000
pushmonkey72 folds
Uncalled bet of 14,000 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (20,700)

Again, I was surprised with the amount of call/folds I was getting but that helps even more than just picking up the blinds. Thanks to that, my stack is slowly growing and then this gem happens:

Seat 4: Wadzilla (65,950)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (127,774)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (91,276)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [As Ac]
pushmonkey72 raises to 11,700
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to 33,000
Wadzilla folds
pushmonkey72 calls 21,300
*** FLOP *** [Qc Qs 2c]
RecessRampage bets 57,876, and is all in
pushmonkey72 folds
Uncalled bet of 57,876 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (70,200)

Taking a big pot off pushmonkey is huge at this point. This obviously propels me to be the chipleader. I continue to apply pressure and I continue to get calls on my raises preflop but folds to my cbets.

Maybe it was all the raising/cbetting that I was doing but pushmonkey finally decides to make a stand. Unfortunately for him, this time, I had a real hand.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (65,950)
Seat 5: pushmonkey72 (83,074)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (135,976)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kc Kd]
pushmonkey72 calls 3,000 <--- from the button
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to 12,000
Wadzilla folds
pushmonkey72 calls 9,000
*** FLOP *** [7s 7h 5c]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage bets 19,000
pushmonkey72 raises to 70,674, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 51,674
pushmonkey72 shows [Jh Th]
RecessRampage shows [Kc Kd]
*** TURN *** [7s 7h 5c] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [7s 7h 5c 2d] [Ad]
pushmonkey72 shows a pair of Sevens
RecessRampage shows two pair, Kings and Sevens
RecessRampage wins the pot (169,548) with two pair, Kings and Sevens

At this point, I have a commanding chip lead over Wadzilla in what I figured to be a match that I should be able to end quickly. Unfortunately, Wadzilla was gonna have none of that. I was raising A LOT from the button. Almost every time. And yet, even when I had a hand, he wouldn't bite. So, once in a while, I had to make some moves:

Seat 4: Wadzilla (90,050)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (194,950)
Wadzilla antes 500
RecessRampage antes 500
RecessRampage posts the small blind of 2,000
Wadzilla posts the big blind of 4,000
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ah 9d]
RecessRampage raises to 11,000
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla calls 7,000
*** FLOP *** [8c 3s Th]
Wadzilla bets 14,000
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage raises to 183,450, and is all in
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla folds

I felt that his bet out indicated he caught a piece but wasn't so strong (if he had a T, I felt he would checkraise me, so I shoved, indicating strength based on my preflop action as well). He's patient the whole time and then I make an illadvised move by shoving over the top of Wadzilla's raise with 44 and he calls with 88. Big double up for Wadzilla. All of a sudden, my 200k+ stack was now down to 155k and he now has 125k.

I still continue to play aggressive and god dammit, I am HUC5 and HUC6 runner up. I should be above average in heads up play right!?

Seat 4: Wadzilla (125,500)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (159,500)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [9d Td]
Wadzilla calls 2,500
RecessRampage checks
*** FLOP *** [4d Tc As]
RecessRampage checks
Wadzilla bets 7,500
RecessRampage calls 7,500

With no raise, I Wadzilla didn't have an A. I thought about checkraise here but I figured I'll peel one more card and fire out if it's a blank.

*** TURN *** [4d Tc As] [6c] <--- blank
RecessRampage bets 22,000
Astin (Observer): aggression never won anythng <--- I disagree
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 22,000 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (26,200)

I tried overbetting for value here but I guess he didn't have any piece of this board.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (112,400)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (172,600)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Js Jd]
RecessRampage raises to 13,000
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla calls 8,000
*** FLOP *** [Jc Qc Kd] <--- he called my raise, I figured this had to hit him
Wadzilla checks
RecessRampage bets 159,000, and is all in
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 159,000 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (27,200)

I flop a set and heads up, if he has a K, it would be very hard to get away for him, I thought so hence, the shove. Didn't work this time.

Wadzilla then ramps up his aggression (or started getting cards) and all of a sudden, I see my stack dwindling. I check my 77 from the BB and fold to his bet on a KQ9 (all heart) board. We still keep going back and forth and I even fold a pair here.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (114,400)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (170,600)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [5s 5h]
RecessRampage raises to 15,000
Wadzilla raises to 45,000
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage folds
Uncalled bet of 30,000 returned to Wadzilla
Wadzilla mucks
Wadzilla wins the pot (31,500)

I obviously considered shoving. But with my stack size, I didn't feel the need to race here. He's been playing very tight/passive up till this point so his reraise for more than a 3rd of his stack seemed extreme strength. At best, I was a slight favorite in a coin flip and I felt there was a better spot.

Same sequence as above happens when I have 22.

And based on that, all of a sudden, I am starting to see a lot of reraises from him preflop and I am laying down after a raise which is starting to really hurt my stack.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (205,150)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (79,850)

So, I need to start picking more marginal spots as well, like this:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [4s 5c]
Wadzilla calls 3,000
RecessRampage checks
*** FLOP *** [Kd 6h 3s]
RecessRampage checks
Wadzilla bets 7,500
RecessRampage raises to 73,100, and is all in
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 65,600 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (28,500)

Seat 4: Wadzilla (204,400)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (80,600)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jd 3d]
RecessRampage calls 4,000 <--- Bad Recess!!! Brain fart...
Wadzilla checks
*** FLOP *** [2c Ad 4s]
Wadzilla bets 12,000 <--- weird... something's not right
RecessRampage raises to 71,600, and is all in
Wadzilla has 15 seconds left to act
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 59,600 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (42,000)

That was bad but at least I was able to steal from him post flop...

I then runner runner a straight with JJ and get paid off for a fair amount and I regain the chip lead. This heads up match is taking forever. The blinds are starting to really increase too so I figured I need to ramp up my aggression even more. I start raising more, reraising some and where I can steal on the flop, I do.

Seat 4: Wadzilla (77,400)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (207,600)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [5c 4c]
Wadzilla calls 4,000
RecessRampage checks

*** FLOP *** [As 6h 3c]
RecessRampage checks
Wadzilla bets 12,000
RecessRampage raises to 54,000
Wadzilla folds
Uncalled bet of 42,000 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot (42,000)

At this stage, taking these pots are huge. After the above hand, Wadzilla is down to 50k in chips and I feel that I am so close. And then after a few more back and forth, the final hand:

Seat 4: Wadzilla (70,400)
Seat 9: RecessRampage (214,600)
Wadzilla antes 1,000
RecessRampage antes 1,000
RecessRampage posts the small blind of 4,000
Wadzilla posts the big blind of 8,000

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [7c As]
RecessRampage raises to 20,000
Wadzilla raises to 69,400, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 49,400
Wadzilla shows [3h Ac]
RecessRampage: gl me <--- SHAMELESS
RecessRampage shows [7c As]
*** FLOP *** [2c 9c Tc]
Wadzilla: ahh
*** TURN *** [2c 9c Tc] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [2c 9c Tc 6d] [Th]
Wadzilla shows a pair of Tens
RecessRampage shows a pair of Tens
RecessRampage wins the pot (140,800) with a pair of Tens
Wadzilla: gg
Wadzilla stands up
RecessRampage stands up

It was a tough, tough heads up match. Again, thanks to everyone railing!

And this post got much much longer than expected...