Thursday, July 31, 2008

Close!

I had $5 left to clear going into tonight. I underestimated the points needed to clear the last $5. But, being the points whore that I am, I did clear it in time. But I cut it so close... the message did not appear until 5 minutes past the deadline.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

It's 3am I must be lonely

Last quarter, I ended up pulling an all nighter the day before our huge regulatory report was due because I was making some process changes as well. I thought I would never have to do that again and yet, as I sit here in the office at 3am, it is becoming very close to another all nighter (most likely, I will go home shortly for a quick nap). However, I did play in the 2x tourney from Pokerstars that started at 8:30. Unfortunately for me (but fortunate for corporate America), I busted out after playing only two hands... back to back...

*warning - bad beat alert*

pokerStars Game #19207487498: Tournament #95693532, Freeroll Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2008/07/29 - 21:01:36 (ET)
Table '95693532 120' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: bkoto3 (1375 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: bmoney2685 (495 in chips)
Seat 3: vincentkeize (1315 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: StrongBad101 (1315 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 5: Dirty Vizzer (1305 in chips)
Seat 6: bigdawg2250 (2373 in chips)
Seat 7: bjarni86 (1245 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: R0GEREL (3722 in chips)
Seat 9: Euronerd (2300 in chips)
StrongBad101: posts small blind 25
Dirty Vizzer: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Kd Ad]
bigdawg2250: folds
bjarni86: folds
R0GEREL: raises 150 to 200
Euronerd: folds
bkoto3: folds
bmoney2685: calls 200
vincentkeize: folds
StrongBad101: folds
Dirty Vizzer: raises 1105 to 1305 and is all-in
R0GEREL: folds
bmoney2685: calls 295 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (810) returned to Dirty Vizzer
*** FLOP *** [Js 3d 5c]
*** TURN *** [Js 3d 5c] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [Js 3d 5c 4s] [6c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Kd Ad] (high card Ace)
bmoney2685: shows [td Jh] (a pair of Jacks)
bmoney2685 collected 1215 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1215 | Rake 0
Board [Js 3d 5c 4s 6c]
Seat 1: bkoto3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bmoney2685 showed [td Jh] and won (1215) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 3: vincentkeize (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: StrongBad101 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Dirty Vizzer (big blind) showed [Kd Ad] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 6: bigdawg2250 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: bjarni86 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: R0GEREL folded before Flop
Seat 9: Euronerd folded before Flop (didn't bet)


pokerStars Game #19207504912: Tournament #95693532, Freeroll Hold'em No Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2008/07/29 - 21:02:20 (ET)
Table '95693532 120' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: bkoto3 (1375 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: bmoney2685 (1215 in chips)
Seat 3: vincentkeize (1315 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 4: StrongBad101 (1290 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 5: Dirty Vizzer (810 in chips)
Seat 6: bigdawg2250 (2373 in chips)
Seat 7: bjarni86 (1245 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: R0GEREL (3522 in chips)
Seat 9: Euronerd (2300 in chips)
Dirty Vizzer: posts small blind 25
bigdawg2250: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dirty Vizzer [Ts Tc]
bjarni86: folds
bkoto3 has returned
R0GEREL: folds
Euronerd: raises 100 to 150
bkoto3: folds
bmoney2685: calls 150
vincentkeize: folds
StrongBad101: folds
Dirty Vizzer: raises 660 to 810 and is all-in
bigdawg2250: folds
Euronerd: calls 660
bmoney2685: folds
*** FLOP *** [Jc 5c 9h]
*** TURN *** [Jc 5c 9h] [3h]
*** RIVER *** [Jc 5c 9h 3h] [9s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dirty Vizzer: shows [Ts Tc] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
Euronerd: shows [4s Js] (two pair, Jacks and Nines)
Euronerd collected 1820 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1820 | Rake 0
Board [Jc 5c 9h 3h 9s]
Seat 1: bkoto3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bmoney2685 folded before Flop
Seat 3: vincentkeize folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: StrongBad101 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Dirty Vizzer (small blind) showed [Ts Tc] and lost with two pair, Tens and Nines
Seat 6: bigdawg2250 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: bjarni86 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: R0GEREL folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Euronerd showed [4s Js] and won (1820) with two pair, Jacks and Nines

It's not so much the hands themselves that are bad beats as it is the fact that I only played two hands and I was done. Back to back hands even.

Fortunately for me, my nemesis seems to have busted out a few spots off the prize... (couldn't say money, since you win the status, not money).

Now some may say that I shouldn't be whining about bad beats in a freeroll. But the very nature of the tournament where you have to earn enough points to be in a freeroll no longer makes it a freeroll IMO. I had to play enough to achieve Gold status on poker stars while maintaining ironman on fulltilt... or even more important, clearing the $600 bonus which required me to average 400points per day for 30 days (as opposed to the 200pts for 25 days required to qualify for ironman). I am less than $5 from clearing the bonus so that should not be a problem. So, I consider that to be work enough that this tournament was not "free." So, all you haters, SUCK IT!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Pinky update

I feel like I've been talking a lot about my pinky and not much about poker... Work is uber busy and I have not left work before 9pm... wait, have I already mentioned that? Not much time to play poker after 12-13 hr work days...

Well, so be it. On Friday, I went to the doctor so he could take out the stitches. That was the first time I saw my post op pinky.

Just as a warning, the pic is kinda nasty...

you have been warned...



The pinky is still swollen so it looks pretty crooked but the x ray shows that it's back in place. Now, my operation was a joint fusion, which means they join the two bones with the pins. However, the doctor told me that since I left it that way for such a long time, my bones were so fragile that they put in 3 pins as opposed to the normal 2 pins that they use. You can see the pins clearly in this xray...



Here's the view from the side of the pinky. Here's the picture from the side.



I will not be able to use my pinky to play ball for another month or so but besides that, my left hand is now back in commission so I won't have any difficulty with my normal daily tasks (ie cooking, doing dishes, mowing the lawn, etc etc). Not that it mattered last week since I ordered in at work every night. Poor me. :)

BONUS update: I am approximately $30 away from clearing my $600 bonus. I saw that my nemesis has already cleared his... good thing I didn't have a prop bet going this time. Though for a guy who keeps claiming that I'm too busy, I did achieve Gold Star in PS and ironman in FTP... maybe my idea of "not getting to play too much" is different from most people...

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Typing is difficult...

"Operation Pinky" was a success. I get easily knocked out with anesthesia so Friday is kind of a blur but mainly just slept tons. Saturday, I was on vicodin most of the day so I was out for most of the day as well. However, I'm not one to like to stay hopped up on drugs for too long so by Sunday, I stopped taking pain pills. I still feel some pain but nothing too crazy... except typing is a bitch... It doesn't help that it's all bandaged up...



I have an appointment with the doctor this friday to get this all off and I will slowly make my way to recovery... ie damaging my body further by playing basketball.

Work has been busy as well and you know it's bad when the west coasters are leaving work before I am... And I have a "8 to 5" job (I can't recall the last time I only worked 40 hrs). However, these days, I've been strangely motivated so I guess that's a good thing.

At least my left pinky is not needed to play poker. I'm right on course to clear my $600 bonus on fulltilt and I should hit gold level on stars before this weekend so I can play in the gold level tournament instead of the silver level tournament for the 2x status. I have some interesting hands and thoughts that I want to post but I'll wait till my hand is more functional...

wow... for a guy claiming to have a bitched up hand, this post has gotten longer than expected...

Have a good week all!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Blogger cash game

Last night, we had the blogger 1-2NL deep stack cash game which was a blast. For some unknown reason, I thought it was a prerequisite to sign up for the Mookie so I ended up with 6 tables (I was 4 tabling 2-4nl and couldn't close them down because they were extremely juicy, then mookie popped up, then the blogger cash game...). And believe me... my 15" monitor can't handle 6 tables... I have 4 of them set so they fit perfectly next to each other... the other two were basically hidden and I was counting on the thing to start flashing, letting me know it was my turn. Here are some of the hands that I played from the blogger cash. I would delete the chat to make it easier to follow but some of the chats are priceless...

This was like the 3rd or 4th hand in... I get dealt a pretty good hand...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253067894: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:17:39 ET - 2008/07/16
Maniac57 (Observer): multi-account this @!%%!
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($412.80)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($409.85)
Seat 3: cmitch ($412.15)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($390.75)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($447)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($400)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($390)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($397)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($398)
cmitch: Don - no AA vs KK hands today
RecessRampage: and f*cked up pinky
kurokitty has 5 seconds left to act
kurokitty posts the small blind of $1
smizmiatch posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #8

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [As Kd]
MiamiDon folds
cmitch folds
Bone_Daddy84: ugly pinky
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 folds
MiamiDon: especially if it's weak
Mike_Maloney folds
Maniac57 (Observer): no girl will want you even more now
Subzero_666: who is Pinky?
RecessRampage raises to $7 <--- from CO
twoblackaces folds
cmitch: or CK
MiamiDon: and no set under sets for you mitch
kurokitty has 15 seconds left to act
cmitch: :)
kurokitty raises to $23 <--- how dare he... asian cuttin asian
RecessRampage: me of course
smizmiatch has 15 seconds left to act
smizmiatch raises to $55 <--- he knows that kuro knows that my range is wider from the CO/button
Subzero_666: oc!
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to $165 <--- I mean... I got the nuts right???
Subzero_666: action!!!!!!
cmitch: rutrow
kurokitty has 15 seconds left to act
Mike_Maloney: buncha monkeys
PirateLawyer (Observer): whee
kurokitty folds <--- good girl!
smizmiatch adds $42.20
smizmiatch folds <--- good girl!
Uncalled bet of $110 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($133)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $133 | Rake $0
Seat 1: smizmiatch (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: MiamiDon didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: cmitch didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: RecessRampage collected ($133), mucked
Seat 8: twoblackaces (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: kurokitty (small blind) folded before the Flop

This table was a lot of fun because of all the chatter too.

Bone_Daddy84: nah, i'm weak tight
Bone_Daddy84: just like everyone here
RecessRampage: weak tight? he's sitting to my right

Who's to my right? Seat 6 obviously...

I mean, see below... need I say more?

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253547340: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:52:48 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($413.70)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($336.90)
Seat 3: cmitch ($529.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($523.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($400)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($506)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($497)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($380.45)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($797.90)
RecessRampage: weak
cmitch posts the small blind of $1
Bone_Daddy84 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [9c 7c]
Subzero_666 has 15 seconds left to act
Subzero_666 folds
Mike_Maloney raises to $7 <--- UTG+1
RecessRampage raises to $24 <--- easy reraise. They're freakin soooooooted!!
twoblackaces folds
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch folds
MiamiDon folds
cmitch folds
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Mike_Maloney has 15 seconds left to act
Mike_Maloney folds
Uncalled bet of $17 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($17)

Then I got into this fun pot with Don.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253348905: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:38:10 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($400)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($390.85)
Seat 3: cmitch ($532.20)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($417.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($374.85)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($514)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($478.60)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($394)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($810.90)
Bone_Daddy84 posts the small blind of $1
Subzero_666 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ac Jd]
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage raises to $7
cmitch: :)
twoblackaces folds
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch folds
MiamiDon calls $7
cmitch folds
RecessRampage: one of my tables is about to break
Bone_Daddy84: i read this guys blog saying check raise oop was a good move <--- interesting...
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 folds

*** FLOP *** [Td 8c Kd]
RecessRampage: mixed feelings...
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage bets $14 <--- standard cbet with gutterball
MiamiDon calls $14

*** TURN *** [Td 8c Kd] [2d]
RecessRampage checks
MiamiDon bets $26.95
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to $96 <--- what was that about CR OOP???
Bone_Daddy84: waffles i'm done at 11
MiamiDon has 15 seconds left to act
Maniac57 (Observer): k
MiamiDon folds
Uncalled bet of $69.05 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($95.90)

I wish I could say something cool like I had a read on Don and made a play blah blah blah but in reality, I was feeling frisky, my thought was that it would be rare for Don to peel one more card with just a flush draw... figured it might be more like middle pair or a weaker king... like KJ, JT, T9... I figured I could rep a flush and if he calls, I obv give up on the river.

But I couldn't bully the whole table since these guys know that I like to get frisky (read: spewy)...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253479535: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:47:49 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($405.45)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($339.90)
Seat 3: cmitch ($536.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($484.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($374.85)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($506)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($506.45)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($366)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($797.90)
RecessRampage posts the small blind of $1
twoblackaces posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Td Qd]
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch folds
MiamiDon folds
cmitch has 15 seconds left to act
cmitch folds
Bone_Daddy84 raises to $7
Subzero_666 calls $7
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage raises to $30 <--- standard squeeze
twoblackaces folds
Bone_Daddy84 raises to $95 <--- he knows it's a standard squeeze
Subzero_666 folds
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME

I honestly considered shoving here... I mean I know that BD knows that I would have a wide range to be squeezing there... but then my skirt got in the way...

RecessRampage folds
Uncalled bet of $65 returned to Bone_Daddy84
Bone_Daddy84 shows [4h 4c] a pair of Fours
Bone_Daddy84 wins the pot ($69)

But then again, talk about frisky...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253535242: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:51:55 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($420.70)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($337.90)
Seat 3: cmitch ($536.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($523.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($326.85)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($506)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($476.45)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($387.45)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($797.90)
MiamiDon posts the small blind of $1
cmitch posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ks Js]
cmitch: sorry mike
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 folds
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage raises to $7
twoblackaces calls $7
Mike_Maloney: As soon as that 7 hit, I knew it was all over
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch calls $7
cmitch: lol
MiamiDon folds
cmitch has 15 seconds left to act
cmitch calls $5

Cmitch, TBA, and Gnome? Bunch of ballahs = bunch of rag cards probably

*** FLOP *** [Qs Qd Ac]
cmitch checks
RecessRampage bets $22
twoblackaces folds
smizmiatch folds
cmitch folds
Uncalled bet of $22 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage mucks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($27.55)

EASY MONEY!!!

I did get pwned here by Gnome though...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253587332: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:55:43 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($413.70)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($336.90)
Seat 3: cmitch ($528.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($519.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($388)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($496)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($513.20)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($389.55)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($797.90)
RecessRampage posts the small blind of $1
twoblackaces posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ts Td]
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch raises to $7
MiamiDon folds
cmitch folds
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 folds
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage calls $6
twoblackaces folds
*** FLOP *** [2s Ad 2d]
RecessRampage checks
smizmiatch checks
*** TURN *** [2s Ad 2d] [5d]
RecessRampage checks
smizmiatch bets $12
RecessRampage folds
Uncalled bet of $12 returned to smizmiatch
smizmiatch shows [4c 6c] a pair of Twos
smizmiatch wins the pot ($15.20)

I played this about as weak as possible... not sure what I had in mind... Hey, I never said I was perfect.

I got some back the very next hand though against TBA.

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253598922: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:56:34 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($421.90)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($336.90)
Seat 3: cmitch ($528.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($519.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($388)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($496)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($506.20)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($387.55)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($797.90)
twoblackaces posts the small blind of $1
kurokitty posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qh Kh]
smizmiatch folds
MiamiDon folds
RecessRampage: I see
cmitch folds
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 folds
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage raises to $7 <--- button
twoblackaces calls $6
kurokitty folds

*** FLOP *** [6s Qd Jd]
twoblackaces checks
RecessRampage bets $13
twoblackaces calls $13

*** TURN *** [6s Qd Jd] [9c]
twoblackaces checks
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage checks

I didn't care for the call on the flop. I thought about betting here in case he was on a flush draw but if he has a Q, there aren't too many hands I can beat. Plus, if I bet here and I get checkraised, it would make for an awkward spot so I decided to check behind. Since I had position, I figured controlling pot size was better even if that meant I gave up a free card... now that I write this out, it seems like a very flawed thought process... but I'm just telling you what I had in mind at the time... I should get points for honesty.

*** RIVER *** [6s Qd Jd 9c] [5s]
twoblackaces checks
RecessRampage bets $30
twoblackaces calls $30

Once it's checked to me, I'm fairly comfortable I have the best hand. In case he had a piece of the board, I felt compelled to throw out a value bet. He might think I am betting a missed flush draw, esp after the turn check on a draw heavy board.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
RecessRampage shows [Qh Kh] a pair of Queens
twoblackaces mucks [Th Js] - a pair of Jacks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($99) with a pair of Queens

And then I think this was the last interesting hand that occurred. Props to Cmitch for folding the river...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7253677391: Table Ryan (deep) - $1/$2 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:02:25 ET - 2008/07/16
Seat 1: smizmiatch ($401.90)
Seat 2: MiamiDon ($348.50), is sitting out
Seat 3: cmitch ($524.55)
Seat 4: Bone_Daddy84 ($557.95)
Seat 5: Subzero_666 ($400)
Seat 6: Mike_Maloney ($496)
Seat 7: RecessRampage ($555.20)
Seat 8: twoblackaces ($400)
Seat 9: kurokitty ($794.90)
Subzero_666 posts the small blind of $1
Mike_Maloney posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #4

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [4s 4d]
RecessRampage raises to $7
Bone_Daddy84: brue you there?
twoblackaces folds
kurokitty folds
smizmiatch folds
cmitch raises to $24 <--- how dare he??? DYKWTFIA????
Bone_Daddy84 folds
Subzero_666 adds $1
Subzero_666 folds
Mike_Maloney folds
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage calls $17

*** FLOP *** [Jc 4h 6s] <--- woot!
RecessRampage checks
Bone_Daddy84: someone ping brue, gotta run at end of orbit
cmitch checks <--- dirty

*** TURN *** [Jc 4h 6s] [Qd]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage bets $35
cmitch raises to $94
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage calls $59

This was a very close one. On one hand, I thought about reraising. Problem was, if I did, I felt like I would be majorly announcing that I have a monster. Since cmitch and I discuss a lot of hands, thought processes, etc, I just felt like if I'm coming over the top with a raise, he knows I have to have something real solid that would clearly beat one pair.

*** RIVER *** [Jc 4h 6s Qd] [Jd]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage bets $160
cmitch has 15 seconds left to act
cmitch has requested TIME
cmitch: show?
cmitch folds
Uncalled bet of $160 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage shows [4s 4d] a full house, Fours full of Jacks
RecessRampage wins the pot ($236)

Incredible fold by cmitch, IMO. Normally, I wouldn't say that. But here, based on the betting sequence, there's no way he puts me on a boat. When I bet out on the river like that, I'm repping the J really hard. But I wanted to because I felt that cmitch would sniff that out and know that I am looking like I'm repping a J. It's quite possible that I have a hand like KT even though I wouldn't call a preflop reraise with KT. So, there were a lot of things in the hand that didn't make sense based on the sequence that cmitch probably felt it was either I had air or monster. Again, by me betting out trying to rep the J, I thought that would get cmitch to call thinking it's weird that I would rep a J like that. Damn, I thought I was gonna get paid...

So all in all, it was a lot of fun... of course, I also thought chislodc (BRACKCHIPS) who used to torment me at 2-4NL FR games would come and join... but then his blog partner (BRUECHIPS) told us where he was...

RecessRampage: where's chislodc
Fuel55 (Observer): chis is underground
mdemontecristo: he's sitting here at my place
RecessRampage: is this too low stakes for him?
Fuel55 (Observer): giving u a hand job?
mdemontecristo: lol
RecessRampage: lol
RecessRampage: fuel loves him some ghey jokes
mdemontecristo: no he is licking my balls

Yep, we're a classy bunch! It was a lot of fun and mucho thanks to Gnome for setting it up.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Midyear Bonus

I'm stealing this idea from Bayne. I echo his sentiment of being glad that we don't have another points challenge like we did in January. I just don't have the time to devote to poker now between work and my increased social life. Having said that, I have no intention of missing out on my bonus so I have been playing some...



Looking at the calendar, only thing that sucked was that July 3rd, I only had 407pts... Having 400+ points and not hitting 500 for the 2 bonus medals sucks... if you're some sort of a points/medals degenerate.

At least half way through the month (well, sort of... July has 31 days), I am almost half way through my bonus... right on pace.



Unfortunately, I noticed that my lack of concentration on poker is clearly showing at the tables... as of right now, in July, I am up a whopping total of $158... pretty terrible...

Monday, July 14, 2008

Busy busy!

With quarter end reporting in full effect, I really don't have too much time to blog. I'm fairly behind on reading blogs and the content of my blog will be fairly limited unless something significant happens. Last night, I played in a few tourneys... the 50k on Stars (which actually was a 100k due to the 2x promotion they got going) and the 50k on Fulltilt, DDA and DDB. I was doing well in the two Daily Doubles until I got bad beated out of B... I will spare you with the details. In the end, I only cashed in the 50k on Fulltilt and DDA for a combined total of $116. For a combined loss $18... for close to 4 hrs of work... so sad...

I feel obligated to post a hand so here's a fun one... that almost put me on tilt...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7208986901: Table Trails End (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:22:34 ET - 2008/07/13
Seat 1: tke815 ($257.40)
Seat 2: NDRudy46 ($1,224.50)
Seat 3: OOOOBlubbOOOO ($446.80)
Seat 4: glamma ($200)
Seat 5: RecessRampage ($487.50)
Seat 6: BigBadDevil ($431.60)
NDRudy46 posts the small blind of $2
OOOOBlubbOOOO posts the big blind of $4
The button is in seat #1

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [As Ac]
RecessRampage raises to $14
BigBadDevil has 15 seconds left to act
BigBadDevil folds
tke815 folds
NDRudy46 raises to $46
OOOOBlubbOOOO folds
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to $142
NDRudy46 has 15 seconds left to act
NDRudy46 raises to $1,224.50, and is all in
RecessRampage calls $345.50, and is all in
NDRudy46 shows [Js Jd] <--- Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
RecessRampage shows [As Ac]
Uncalled bet of $737 returned to NDRudy46

*** FLOP *** [6c 9c Kh]
*** TURN *** [6c 9c Kh] [Jc] <--- motherf*cker!!!!!!
*** RIVER *** [6c 9c Kh Jc] [Ad]
NDRudy46 shows three of a kind, Jacks
RecessRampage shows three of a kind, Aces
RecessRampage wins the pot ($976) with three of a kind, Aces

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Back to regular programming (ie poker content) and quick clarification

Quick clarification in regards to my previous post about the mortgage rant. I am in no way defending the idiot mortgage companies that did what they did in dishing out loans that every reasonable person could have seen as a bad idea. Nor does that mean that I am calling any of the mortgage brokers or people who work for the mortgage companies idiots either (so Jamyhawk, if you are reading this, please relax). Everyone to an extent were blinded by the crazy growth at the time. The loan officers were generally pushing loans because, well, that's how they make money. The loan companies probably offered incentives where if you sold/closed x amount of loans, you get paid x amount extra. So, they're just doing their jobs. I have no pity for the executives of the companies though that made those decisions who are now going under because like some of you pointed out, you HAD TO KNOW that that was coming. But it didn't matter. It was close now and worry about it later mentality and they're paying the price for it. The rant earlier was based on the article I read and it was not trying to point the blame on any one party because pretty much everyone is in this. But like Willwonka said, where's the reward for people who are being prudent and careful and saving (ie, losing tons of money in the stock market)? I mean... I don't even like to look at my portfolio right now cuz it's so depressing... and I'm well diversified too. Still doesn't help when everything is going down (one or two sectors going up like energy and emerging markets are not offsetting the losses I'm experiencing in other industries).

Ok, now on to poker.

Last night, I played the Mookie for the first time since the BBT3. Tuning into BDR where everyone there were slooooooooooooooooooooooooooowly getting drunk (drinking soco at a snail's pace... I mean come on) made me really wish I was down in Okie Vegas. :) (I jest, of course. After listening to Buddy rap on the karaoke machine, I had to reluctantly go to bed - and thanks for the call IT!) Unfortunately, it was not to be but it sounded like they were having a blast. I'm expecting some dial-a-shots tonight. I'll come through this time.

As for the Mookie itself, I didn't do too well. This was my pretty much bust out hand that I am still kicking myself for not folding because it was such an obvious hand...

Full Tilt Poker Game #7158775480: The Mookie (53696736), Table 1 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:29:03 ET - 2008/07/10
Seat 1: Obie315 (43,903)
Seat 2: HighOnPoker (16,420)
Seat 3: muhctim (9,635)
Seat 4: DrewFours (15,743)
Seat 5: Numbette (6,750)
Seat 6: bdidde (32,780)
Seat 7: PinkyStinky (18,374)
Seat 8: RecessRampage (18,395)
Obie315 antes 75
HighOnPoker antes 75
muhctim antes 75
DrewFours antes 75
Numbette antes 75
bdidde antes 75
PinkyStinky antes 75
RecessRampage antes 75
muhctim posts the small blind of 300
DrewFours posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ac As]
Numbette folds
bdidde folds
PinkyStinky folds
RecessRampage raises to 1,800
Obie315 folds
HighOnPoker calls 1,800
muhctim folds
DrewFours calls 1,200

*** FLOP *** [7d 5c 6s]
DrewFours checks
RecessRampage bets 4,500
HighOnPoker calls 4,500
DrewFours folds

This board sucks for AA. When Jordan called, I knew he had a pretty big hand or a big draw. And I'm not trying to sound cocky about it. Not many hands would smooth call here in this situation so his hands were fairly limited. My initial thought was he either has a set, possibly a straight/two pair, or 88 for an overpair and an OESD. But I have to think with 88, he would raise here. The smooth call scared the shit out of me... nonetheless, Jordan gets paid off... he's lucky I'm such a donk.

*** TURN *** [7d 5c 6s] [2s]
RecessRampage checks
HighOnPoker has 15 seconds left to act
HighOnPoker bets 6,600
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
HighOnPoker: you got a lotta time in that time bank
RecessRampage: I'm not good enough to fold this <--- but my mouse was hovering over "fold"
HighOnPoker: then dont
PirateLawyer (Observer): shoooooove?
RecessRampage: ah hell
RecessRampage raises to 12,020, and is all in
HighOnPoker calls 3,445, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Ac As]
HighOnPoker shows [5h 5d]
Uncalled bet of 1,975 returned to RecessRampage
RecessRampage: nh

This is gonna sound lame but PL making the comment there actually made me think, ah hell. I hate placing the blame there but I kinda wish I had the observer chat off because I am fairly certain I was so close to folding and then when he said shove, I was like, yeah, what the hell, it's only the mookie. Still, it pisses me off that I know I'm good enough to make the laydown and I didn't (and this part is DEFINITELY NOT ON PL). Well, which means I'm NOT good enough to make the laydown. I fuckin suck. Obviously.

*** RIVER *** [7d 5c 6s 2s] [8h]
RecessRampage shows a pair of Aces
HighOnPoker shows three of a kind, Fives
HighOnPoker wins the pot (35,390) with three of a kind, Fives
RecessRampage: so obv <--- well said

I know a lot of MTTers might say that's just a cooler but I disagree. I sniffed it out but I wasn't good enough to listen to my instincts. I mean I am nit after all. See below:

Full Tilt Poker Game : Table Rosy (deep 6) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:42:41 ET - 2008/07/09
Seat 1: Rocker855 ($237.30), is sitting out
Seat 2: sicklol ($1,507)
Seat 3: SaxManMike ($400)
Seat 4: OhYesTGPFA ($1,253)
Seat 5: RecessRampage ($975.10) <--- SB
Seat 6: passtheganja ($1,098.90) <--- BB

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jh As]
sicklol folds
SaxManMike folds
OhYesTGPFA folds
RecessRampage raises to $12
passtheganja has 15 seconds left to act
passtheganja has requested TIME
passtheganja raises to $36.60
RecessRampage calls $24.60

In a deep stack game, I really don't like to 4 bet with a marginal hand like AJ even in a blind v blind battle. Maybe I should. I don't know. Thoughts?

*** FLOP *** [Js 9s 4d]
RecessRampage checks
passtheganja has 15 seconds left to act
passtheganja bets $38.90
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to $155
passtheganja has 15 seconds left to act
passtheganja has requested TIME
passtheganja calls $116.10

I was quite surprised with this call. I thought for sure the hand would end right here.

*** TURN *** [Js 9s 4d] [8s]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage checks
passtheganja has 15 seconds left to act
passtheganja has requested TIME
passtheganja bets $127.50
RecessRampage calls $127.50

I didn't know what to make of this bet but I started getting a bad feeling about it. I have top pair and a nut flush draw but being so deep, I am not sure this is an area that I want to really ship it in. And if you thought, you could check raise again, it's the same as shoving since I'll essentially be committing myself.

*** RIVER *** [Js 9s 4d 8s] [Jc] <--- talk about a set up card
RecessRampage checks
passtheganja has 15 seconds left to act
passtheganja has requested TIME
passtheganja bets $779.80, and is all in
RecessRampage folds
Uncalled bet of $779.80 returned to passtheganja
passtheganja mucks
passtheganja wins the pot ($635.20)

I am fairly certain this is a good fold. There's not a single hand where I can think of where this guy ships it in on the river that I have beat. I think a lot of people will call here and the guy will show a boat and they'll call it a set up or something but I disagree. In a deep stack game, I think pot control is important. If the villain is doing that with a lesser J, that's extremely spewy in my opinion and he just didn't seem like the type. This was an air or monster situation and the overbet made me feel like it was a OBFV instead of a bluff. Anyone see this differently (I'm sure there are plenty)?

Thoughts?

Housing/Mortgage Rant

*Warning* The following is an extremely opinionated post coming against people who borrowed too much money for a house they couldn't afford. If you are one of them, you might not want to read since it might piss you off.

You have been warned.

I am gonna pull an Astin and probably have multiple postings today. But as I was reading some articles online, I saw shit like this that really pisses me off. Go read about this woman who loses her home. This article makes it seem like it was the big bad mortgage company qualifying her for a loan she never shoulda gotten, ultimately leading to her demise.

The basic idea behind this article was that she saved up to eventually purchase a house in New York and was able to put together a $4,100 monthly mortgage. When it bumped up to $4,400 based on the terms of the loan that SHE SIGNED (a whopping three hundred fuckin dollars), she could no longer afford it so her and her whole family walked out. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww poor old lady. (I'm sorry, are you sensing my sarcasm here?)

And the government is talking about bailing out Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae because they have all these mortgage portfolios where the collateral is no longer worth the loan and people like the above article can't afford payments? I mean jesus fuckin christ. Here, take more of my tax money. Go help the irresponsible, stupid, nonthinking idiots who decided to buy something they couldn't afford and now the responsible, hard working individuals have to help pay to bail them out? Such a load of bullshit.

The article makes it seem like we're supposed to feel sorry for this clown who now can't live with her whole family. Well, maybe she never shoulda bought a house like that in NY. I mean... it is New York... one of the most expensive cities in the country. The article goes on to talk about how the people who "loses" their home usually have no place to go. Well, maybe they shoulda thought of that when they bought the house.

Now don't get me wrong. It's one thing if certain extenuating circumstances causes you to not be able to meet the income requirements that you took for granted. Injury, death of the bread winner, job layoff, etc etc. There are things that, though one can argue you should be prepared for, I think are extraordinary enough that being bailed out is not a bad thing. But when you still have your job intact but your payment increases because, I mean, that is the term of the loan that you signed, well, you have no pity from me. I work hard for my money, I save and am careful with my finances (though my "careful" these days means losing money in the stock market) and so I have zero pity for those that are careless, got in way over their heads, and now are walking away from their debts.

And then I see an article about how retail stores are benefiting from the new "tax rebate" check that the GREAT AWESOME PRESIDENT (who thank god will be gone in a few more months) sent to everyone... maybe THAT's the problem. You get a $600 check (or whatever it is... I don't know cuz I didn't get it) and all of a sudden, you run to walmart or target and spend it? Jesus. Some people never learn.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Dead Pinky (nonpoker)

So many nonpoker posts these days (or so I feel like). For those looking for strategy content, sorry.

So for a lot of my friends who know me, it's no surprise that I have this really fucked up finger. My pinky (on both hands actually) are pretty deformed... And it's mainly from playing basketball. I don't even remember the first time I dislocated my pinky, only for me to pull it and pop it right back in. It hurts but not like unbelievably so or anything (certainly not like the pain I experienced when I tore my ACL... that was the worst). Well, over the course of the years, I would jam my finger or dislocate it and it would stay swollen but I never learn my lesson. I would go back out there and start playing hoops again with my fucked up finger and all. Well, sometime last year, I jammed my pinky on my left hand side again pretty bad and it remained swollen. Once the swelling went away, it was totally unstable. It would lock up on me sometimes when I'm typing and stuff so it was obvious that there was something wrong. Nonetheless, I did nothing about it... until I finally went to the doctor last week to get it checked out. The reason? I had a hard time bending it now... and by hard time, I mean I couldn't bend it at will without "helping" it. In other words, if I straighten my left pinky, it would stay locked that way until I would bend it with my other hand. I figured, maybe now, I should get it checked out so I went to the doctor who immediately referred me to a "hand specialist" (he just referred me to an orthopaedic).

Yesterday was my appointment and when they took the xray of my left hand, sure enough, the bone from the second joint was completely dislocated from the joint. I couldn't save the xray photo so instead, I decided to take a picture of my left hand and show you what it looks like when I try to straighten all my fingers.



That's what it looks like when I straighten all my fingers. Compare it to yours and you can see how out of whack it is.

So, anyways, the doctor explained to me that I had two choices. I could either have a joint replacement surgery or I could get a bone fusion. After a conversation about how I jammed/dislocated my finger and how I continued to not only do nothing about it but keep playing ball, he explained to me that he would recommend bone fusion.

"You're young and you're active, right?"

"Well, I did just play basketball this morning also with this messed up finger."

"Right, because you're young and you're active. I recommend the bone fusion. If we do the joint replacement, after excessive use, there's a good chance that the ball and socket would wear out and lead to another surgery. Considering how active you are, it's very likely that you will need to have another surgery. With the bone fusion, we will basically get rid of the joint and fuse the bones together at a slight angle so your other two joints on your pinky would work fine but the middle joint will be at a slight bend forever. For athletes, that's what I always recommend."

"Sounds good to me. So how soon can I play ball after this surgery?"

That was literally the conversation that we had. The doctor's words may not be word for word but it's pretty damn close. He told me that I will be out of commission for about a week to 10 days but after that, I can go back to shooting around. For competitive basketball, he recommended that I stay away for about a month. Considering I don't play for an NBA team nor for any league at this point, I figured a month hiatus won't be such a bad thing. I can still lift and run so it might even be a good time for some "offseason workouts."

The surgery is an outpatient surgery and is tentatively scheduled for next Friday but I am debating if I should push it back because of work... and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the end of this month... possibly my addiction for basketball is greater than poker... possibly...

Oh, and when he asked me why I didn't come to get it checked out sooner?

"I didn't want to be THAT GUY that goes to the doctor for every little jammed finger or a scratch or some minor aches and pains. I mean I figured it's a jammed pinky, no big deal." (so what if it hadn't healed in years)

"You're just a typical young, active guy."

"If by young, you mean stupid, then yes, I am THAT GUY."

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Flipping a coin... and poker wins!

I was torn between going nonpoker content route vs discussion of hand histories... ultimately, since this is a poker blog, the hand history discussion won out. So, for all you degenerates out there, enjoy. For all you nondegenerates, have a nice 4th (or for some of you, I'll see you tomorrow)!

Without further ado, here we go:

1) "No point in betting the river since a worse hand will fold and only a better hand will call you."

That's such a cliche isn't it? So many people tend to lose value on the river because they are afraid to fire out that last bet without a monster. But sometimes, you have to try to read your opponent even if he's not the one putting you to the decision so you can maximize your value there.

FTP 6max 4 handed
Seat 1: Villain ($648.50)
Seat 2: ($432.40), is sitting out
Seat 3: SB ($400)
Seat 4: ($1,018.90), is sitting out
Seat 5: BB ($96)
Seat 6: Hero ($439.80)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Qd As]
Hero raises to $14
Villain calls $14
Both blinds fold

*** FLOP *** [Kh Ac 2h]
Hero bets $23
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain calls $23

The flop is obviously a very good one considering AQ is a very good hand 4 handed and I just hit my top pair. Villain could be calling here with a wide range, including any A, any K, possibly middle pocket pair, or a flush draw. Since it's 4 handed, he would give me less credit for a hand here because I would obviously be raising and cbetting with a wide range.

*** TURN *** [Kh Ac 2h] [6d]
Hero bets $65
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain calls $65

I bet $65 into a pot that has about $75. This call usually means that he doesn't have a flush draw since the villain did not seem like the type to chase with poor odds. As such, I figured that at this point, he either has a A or a K.

*** RIVER *** [Kh Ac 2h 6d] [9s]
Hero bets $145
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain has requested TIME
Villain calls $145

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Hero shows [Qd As] a pair of Aces
Villain mucks [Ah Td] - a pair of Aces
Hero wins the pot ($498) with a pair of Aces

Villain really took his time to call the river bet. He had to know/feel like he was beat but 4 handed, it was really tough for him to fold his A. This was an instance where I wanted to make sure I got value out of my hand. I could have easily checked the river, thinking only a better hand would call me but in this case, I knew that that wouldn't be true. I thought through the sequence, was convinced he had an ace (so be it if he had A9) and so I fired out another bet. Now some of you might say, what would you do if he shoves here? I would probably fold, based on the read I had on this player. The chances of him having air here would be very slim if he shoves over my bet on the river. Of course, if he does, some of you might say that I shoulda just checked but you really need to look at the sequence of the hand and really think through before defaulting to checking on the river. You could be missing a lot of value there. I did consider an OBFV on the turn but I wasn't exactly sure what he had at that point so I didn't want to overbet and kill the hand. It is possible that I would have gotten called but I'd like to think that the villain is not THAT stupid to stack off with top pair ten kicker, even 4 handed, in a cash game.

2) Seemingly thin calls on the river

Here's another hand that illustrates some thought on the river:

FTP 6 max 2-4NL
Seat 1: Villain ($398.40)
Seat 2: SB ($90)
Seat 3: BB ($775.90)
Seat 4: ($392.10)
Seat 5: ($522.90)
Seat 6: Hero ($577)

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Td 8d]
2 folds
Hero raises to $14
Villain calls $14
Both blinds fold

*** FLOP *** [5s 6d 8c]
Hero bets $23
Villain calls $23

This is a pretty good flop for me, obv since I hit top pair. I obv hate that he called...

*** TURN *** [5s 6d 8c] [Ks]
Hero bets $55
Villain calls $55

I thought about checking here but because the flop is so draw heavy, it's quite possible that he was just drawing so I wanted to fire out another bullet to see what he does. Strangely, the villain calls again so I'm starting to wonder if he also has an 8 (like A8 or something). I figured this pot will be going to him at this point.

*** RIVER *** [5s 6d 8c Ks] [Kc]
Hero checks
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain bets $120
Hero has 15 seconds left to act
Hero has requested TIME

This is where it gets interesting. The river is another king and I never thought he had a king to begin with. He smooth calls two streets and I felt that if he had a set, he would have raised on the turn after I fire out my second bullet, hence indicating a pretty strong holding. It just didn't make sense to me that he fires out a bet here. I was worried about A8 but if he had that, wouldn't he just check and be happy with a showdown? I mean value betting A8 here seems like a very very thin line. Also, the no raise on the flop seemed kinda weird. Of course, he could have had an overpair like 99 or TT (surely JJ+ woulda reraised me preflop) but even those hands may not value bet river. All in all, it seemed very fishy and the bet seems more like a bluff with a busted draw than a value bet. So, having said all that...

Hero calls $120

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Villain shows [Qh 7h] a pair of Kings
Hero shows [Td 8d] two pair, Kings and Eights
Hero wins the pot ($427) with two pair, Kings and Eights

Q7... I mean... if you're gonna play shit like that, be aggressive with it... That was just a poor play by the villain. (granted... he was ahead preflop)

Have a nice 4th everyone!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The return of the Points Degenerate

First off, thanks for all the comments on Montreal. I'm not sure I can blame everything on Montreal since it may have just been more like a bad beat vacation weekend. Upon arriving to Richmond, I learned that my luggage didn't make it and that it was stuck in DC (where my layover was). I just laughed and said "of course it is." The United agent looked offended so I quickly added "that's just the type of weekend we've had."

Well, I am back to the grind of things and July will be an extremely busy work month for my group. However, more importantly, July is a very busy month for points degenerate. On Fulltilt, I have to earn 12,000 points this month in order to clear my $600 ironman bonus. Even though I haven't played as much, my "not playing as much" = 200 fulltilt points per day. However, this month, I would have to double my playing time. 30 days of 400 points will clear my $600 bonus. Should not be a problem for me. However, Pokerstars, not to be outdone threw a little wrinkle. During the 1st week of July, they will be awarding 2x VPP. Their VIP program is definitely better than Fulltilt's and so this would be a chance to easily earn gold status. So, I will definitely be trying to get some playing time over at Stars as well. Last night, I believe I was 4 tabling FTP for a while, then 3 tabled FTP and 1 tabled PS. Busy busy.



I have a few hands to discuss but I'll probably break it up over the course of the next few days. It's been a while since I posted hand histories so we'll see how it goes.

This was an interesting hand that came up and even though I won, I'm not sure if I made the right decision or not. I don't even know if I like how I played it. Thoughts are much appreciated.

2-4NL 6 max as usual

Seat 1: ($240) <--- BB
Seat 2: ($406)
Seat 3: Hero ($400)
Seat 4: ($707)
Seat 5: ($458.40)
Seat 6: Villain ($866.45) <--- SB

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Qd Qc]
UTG Fold
Hero raises to $14
2 folds
Villain calls $12
BB folds

*** FLOP *** [5c 6c 9h]
Villain checks
Hero bets $22
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain raises to $68
Hero calls $46

This is my first question here. I raise from UTG+1, I am called by the SB who I have no info on and he makes a raise that's interesting... Interesting because it's not a full pot raise. It's barely 3x my raise so it's almost like he doesn't want me to fold but rather, wants to build the pot. I was a little confused here and since I had no information on the guy, I was wondering what he could possibly have. But at this point, the range is probably pretty wide given the possibility of the flush draw so obviously I called. I also thought 55, 66 or 99 was possible for a set.

*** TURN *** [5c 6c 9h] [6d]
Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain checks
Hero has 15 seconds left to act
Hero bets $120

The 6 was a great card for me. At least that means that if he has a set, it's more likely that he has 55 or 99 only. It also didn't complete any club draw so I figured I'm either already beat (in which case I woulda been beat on the flop which means it doesn't change anything) or it's likely that he was making a play with a hand like A9, TT, JJ (though JJ might have reraised me pre), 77, or 88. Again, if he had 78 or 55 or 99, it really doesn't matter because I was already behind. I thought about checking here but I didn't want him to draw out on me if he's still on a draw so I decided to go ahead and bet.

Villain has 15 seconds left to act
Villain has requested TIME
Villain raises to $784.45, and is all in
Hero has 15 seconds left to act
Hero has requested TIME
Hero calls $198, and is all in
Villain shows [Tc Td]
Hero shows [Qd Qc]
Uncalled bet of $466.45 returned to Villain

*** RIVER *** [5c 6c 9h 6d] [9d]
Villain shows two pair, Tens and Nines
RecessRampage shows two pair, Queens and Nines
RecessRampage wins the pot ($801) with two pair, Queens and Nines

With so much money in the pot, I couldn't fold considering I already decided that I would go with the fact that he's on a draw. It turns out he was massively overplaying the smallest overpair to the board.

The question is, not knowing anything about the villain, is this a profitable play longterm or did I get lucky that this villain overplayed his TT? It easily could have been a set here, right? Or am I fearing the nuts too much? Again, thoughts are appreciated.