Last night was a pretty fun night even though on the virtual felt, it resulted in some mass spewage. A few things I discovered last night.
1) It's not a good idea to check raise a ace high flop with a gutter ball straight draw.
2) It's almost guaranteed spewage when the turn brings a card that now gives you a double belly buster.
3) If I shove the river after checkraising flop, betting said turn, and the blank falls, can I get AJ to fold? (I guess this is not discovery, this is question).
4) Talking to Fuel on the phone is entertaining.
5) Above results in spewage because I'm not focusing on tables as much as I should.
All told, I think I ended the night down 4 buy ins... So gross. Half my weekend gain. Poof. Gone. Such a cruel game. At least I came in 4th (I think) in the Bodonkey and got me some bonus T$ and much needed points.
Alright, so now back to the AK hand. Here's where we left off yesterday. The situation was that I raised from UTG+1 at a 6 max table and the button who had close to twice the buy-in reraised me. Below are the relevant stacks.
Seat 1: dirtyfolder ($761.90)
Seat 5: RecessRampage ($458.50)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ah Kh]
Doornail8 folds
RecessRampage raises to $14
Billy Lexington folds
dirtyfolder has 15 seconds left to act
dirtyfolder raises to $48 <--- from the button
jiggyji folds
Lvl18Wizard has 15 seconds left to act
Lvl18Wizard folds
RecessRampage calls $34
So basically, this is where I left off and Gnome and Cmitch advocated 4 betting. Well as of right now, 4 betting is really not in my arsenal so that's why you see me call.
*** FLOP *** [5c Tc Kd]
The flop was as good as it gets for my AK given the situation. Here, I asked everyone what their thoughts were and I think pretty much everyone except PokerPeaker decided that going broke here would be inevitable. To his defense, PokerPeaker said that at the levels he plays, anyone hardly 3 bets so a lot of credit is given to the 3 bet. However, I will say this. If you think people are only 3 betting with AA or KK, toss your AK preflop to the reraise. Calling the preflop reraise is the WORST thing you can do if you are gonna fold the K high board to immense pressure.
So, having said that, this is what I did.
RecessRampage checks
dirtyfolder bets $70
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage raises to $210
dirtyfolder has 15 seconds left to act
dirtyfolder raises to $713.90, and is all in
Ok, so now, I'm feeling sick. The problem is, I felt that if he's just cbetting, he'll fold to this checkraise. When he then shoved, I thought "oh shit, he's got AA." If I had gone with what everyone else said which was to check raise all in, I am not putting myself in this spot. But now, the pot is so big. There's $600 in there and it's like $200 more for me to call. I'm getting 3:1. Sure, the guy could have AA or KK but he could also have AK. I feel that I'm more or less pot committed so I make a crying call.
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME <--- I thought about it long and hard though...
RecessRampage calls $200.50, and is all in
dirtyfolder shows [6c 8c] <--- BALLSY
RecessRampage shows [Ah Kh]
Uncalled bet of $303.40 returned to dirtyfolder
*** TURN *** [5c Tc Kd] [Th]
*** RIVER *** [5c Tc Kd Th] [7s]
dirtyfolder shows a pair of Tens
RecessRampage shows two pair, Kings and Tens
RecessRampage wins the pot ($920) with two pair, Kings and Tens
I actually thought this was a very interesting hand. The thing is if we were both deeper, that shove is almost masterful in the sense that it would be really hard for me to call... I checkraise for 3x the cbet and he comes over the top. Because I only had $200 remaining, there was close to zero fold equity at that point from the opponent's standpoint. I mean I am not putting that much money in there and laying down TPTK. If he has AA, I pay him off for sure. Hell, I paid off AA with JJ last night. These are such tough situations you run into, especially with a lot of aggressive players playing 6 max.
The thing is, I'm not too crazy about how I played this hand. I am personally not a big fan of the checkraise because as spritpot mentions in the comment, you don't get much value from worse hands. So by checkraising, you are announcing your hand and so you might have extracted the extra cbet but beyond that you don't get anything unless you are beat (or the guy loves his draws). So, in hindsight, I kinda like the idea of betting into the pot initially. However, I am not a big fan of betting into the pot with the intention of calling a shove. I'm not sure that you get much value out of that either. You either get a guy who may call for one street with QQ but if you bet again on the turn, most likely he'll go away. But if you bet out on the flop and the guy shoves, can you really call? How often are you ahead there? Plus, he'll have a lot more fold equity so in this instance, if I bet out and he shoves, I only have about $100 in there (assuming I bet $70 like he did) and I would have to call off another $300? I don't know that that's a good idea either. Which is why AK is so hard.
So, based on this, I thought about the idea of the 4 bet. I don't mind incorporating 4 bet into my arsenal but I'm somewhat skeptical of the 4 bet. I'm probably skeptical because it's not in my arsenal. But my initial thought is that by 4 betting, don't you just get the worse hands to fold and better hands to stick around? Unless you can 4 bet with a wider range, it really allows the opponent to zero in on what you have. Gnome mentioned that with AK, he would like to 4 bet preflop if he's out of position. Basically though, let's say you just bought in to the table so you have $400. Let's assume your opponent has the same amount. Action comes, you have AK. You are in the CO and you put in a standard raise of $14. The button who you don't have much information on but you know plays a fair amount of 6 max puts in a standard pot sized reraise, bumping it up to $48. Let's say you put in another pot sized raise, bumping it up to approx $150. If the villain calls now what?
Now, the pot is over $300 and you have approximately $250 remaining. Let's say the flop comes Q high, what do you do? Do you shove and play it like AA or KK? Same question with an all low flop. Do you shove anyways? In other words, are you turning AK into AA/KK? Or are you done with the hand if you don't hit an A or K? I feel that 4 betting AK especially OOP would put you in a very tough spot. What would you do?
God, people say they hate playing JJ but AK seems just as hard. So much easier in a tournament where you can just shove and pray with either hand because there's value in stealing blinds unlike a cash game where the blinds are static.
Ah well. Some more stuff to think about. See you at the Mookie tonight!
Oh, and I almost forgot. Congrats to Tilt Away who is a buddy of mine for winning the Skills series last night. Way to take down razz Greg. You suck but at least you now have a TOC seat and I don't. But I'll be there and it's nice to have some dead money in the TOC. :)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
No TOC seat yet and another cash game situation with AK
Came close to a TOC seat last night but I couldn't close it out and instead spewed chips unnecessarily. Thanks to all who railed me. Sorry Jamy for not being able to put your chips to good use. Considering all the sucking out I did, I probably didn't belong at the final table to begin with so as much as it sucks to not be able to win on a night when everything was going my way, it probably serves me right. Aside from the TOC seat, there's a lot of money riding on winning a seat as well as continuing to do well with all the side bets going on. I think the amount in total side bets that could be won is close to $3k. Yeah, we're pretty sick degenerates. It's more than the $2k WSOP package. Good stuff. Oh, and bone-daddy, I believe you owe Corron10 a whole year's worth of beer. He's the one that busted me last night. Stupid bounties.
Alright, so did I say something about not posting hand histories? HA HA HA HA HA... if I stopped posting HH's, I will have nothing to post. I think Gnome said it best...
"I feel like posting strategy advice helps me as much as it helps anyone reading it. Writing out my thoughts solidifies them and improves my game."
So, I think the direction (unless I get specific requests) I would go with is that I would continue to post questions from hand histories and my thoughts in a hand as it pertains to the question. If that helps the reader, great. If not, that's fine too. Again, if you have any specific questions, I will be happy to address it. There is one another topic I'm supposed to get to in regards to collusion and cash game play but it's still a work in process (or more like thought in process). Sorry!
Anyways, here's a hand with AK and I want some thoughts on how you might play it differently.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5771352171: Table Alta (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:05:33 ET - 2008/03/24
Seat 1: dirtyfolder ($761.90)
Seat 2: jiggyji ($469.60) <--- SB
Seat 3: Lvl18Wizard ($578.15) <--- BB
Seat 4: Doornail8 ($591.85)
Seat 5: RecessRampage ($458.50)
Seat 6: Billy Lexington ($891.40)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ah Kh]
Doornail8 folds
RecessRampage raises to $14
Billy Lexington folds
dirtyfolder has 15 seconds left to act
dirtyfolder raises to $48 <--- from the button
jiggyji folds
Lvl18Wizard has 15 seconds left to act
Lvl18Wizard folds
RecessRampage calls $34
Ok, preflop, how often do some of you repop here knowing that you're gonna be OOP? This is one aspect where I think I need to change up my game. One thing that came to my mind was if I had QQ, KK, or AA, it would be very rare for me to repop it here. No particular reason, it's just rare that I do. So, I didn't want to play AK differently. Now that I look at it though, I think I need to incorporate 4 betting into my preflop strategy. Any thoughts? How often do you 4 bet in a full 6 max situation and what range?
*** FLOP *** [5c Tc Kd] <--- obv, great flop for me
I'm actually gonna make this a two part post. I want to know how everyone would play this. The flop is as seen above and the villain just reraised you preflop. However, you did flop TPTK. So the question is, how do you play this? Do you bet out, effectively telling the opponent you have a K? Do you check, with the intention to raise, again, indicating that you have a K? Or did you think check call? Check fold? Of course, I jest. You're not check folding here. If you are, you would be folding AK preflop.
Also, keep in mind, if you bet, how much? And why (not why $x bet but rather, why bet out?). What do you do if you bet and the guy shoves? What do you do if you check raise and the guy shoves?
I know I threw out a lot of questions but I want you to think of the texture of this flop as well as what you would do on the turn and/or the river. I think that thought should always enter your mind when you are playing a hand since in a cash game, it's not always preflop or flop poker.
Oh, and for those of you that said depends on the villain and his stats. I don't have a software so I don't have any stats but I was fairly new to this table so I don't know this guy. But a typical 2-4NL 6 max players are fairly aggressive and squeezes and resteals are generally in most people's arsenal. Considering his stack size, I have no reason to believe any different.
I would love to hear your thoughts. I'll recap the hand tomorrow.
Alright, so did I say something about not posting hand histories? HA HA HA HA HA... if I stopped posting HH's, I will have nothing to post. I think Gnome said it best...
"I feel like posting strategy advice helps me as much as it helps anyone reading it. Writing out my thoughts solidifies them and improves my game."
So, I think the direction (unless I get specific requests) I would go with is that I would continue to post questions from hand histories and my thoughts in a hand as it pertains to the question. If that helps the reader, great. If not, that's fine too. Again, if you have any specific questions, I will be happy to address it. There is one another topic I'm supposed to get to in regards to collusion and cash game play but it's still a work in process (or more like thought in process). Sorry!
Anyways, here's a hand with AK and I want some thoughts on how you might play it differently.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5771352171: Table Alta (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:05:33 ET - 2008/03/24
Seat 1: dirtyfolder ($761.90)
Seat 2: jiggyji ($469.60) <--- SB
Seat 3: Lvl18Wizard ($578.15) <--- BB
Seat 4: Doornail8 ($591.85)
Seat 5: RecessRampage ($458.50)
Seat 6: Billy Lexington ($891.40)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ah Kh]
Doornail8 folds
RecessRampage raises to $14
Billy Lexington folds
dirtyfolder has 15 seconds left to act
dirtyfolder raises to $48 <--- from the button
jiggyji folds
Lvl18Wizard has 15 seconds left to act
Lvl18Wizard folds
RecessRampage calls $34
Ok, preflop, how often do some of you repop here knowing that you're gonna be OOP? This is one aspect where I think I need to change up my game. One thing that came to my mind was if I had QQ, KK, or AA, it would be very rare for me to repop it here. No particular reason, it's just rare that I do. So, I didn't want to play AK differently. Now that I look at it though, I think I need to incorporate 4 betting into my preflop strategy. Any thoughts? How often do you 4 bet in a full 6 max situation and what range?
*** FLOP *** [5c Tc Kd] <--- obv, great flop for me
I'm actually gonna make this a two part post. I want to know how everyone would play this. The flop is as seen above and the villain just reraised you preflop. However, you did flop TPTK. So the question is, how do you play this? Do you bet out, effectively telling the opponent you have a K? Do you check, with the intention to raise, again, indicating that you have a K? Or did you think check call? Check fold? Of course, I jest. You're not check folding here. If you are, you would be folding AK preflop.
Also, keep in mind, if you bet, how much? And why (not why $x bet but rather, why bet out?). What do you do if you bet and the guy shoves? What do you do if you check raise and the guy shoves?
I know I threw out a lot of questions but I want you to think of the texture of this flop as well as what you would do on the turn and/or the river. I think that thought should always enter your mind when you are playing a hand since in a cash game, it's not always preflop or flop poker.
Oh, and for those of you that said depends on the villain and his stats. I don't have a software so I don't have any stats but I was fairly new to this table so I don't know this guy. But a typical 2-4NL 6 max players are fairly aggressive and squeezes and resteals are generally in most people's arsenal. Considering his stack size, I have no reason to believe any different.
I would love to hear your thoughts. I'll recap the hand tomorrow.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Struggling...
I think I'm on work tilt. Fortunately, it's not affecting my poker game (at least not in ways that I'm aware of) but it sucks. Good thing is, I am uberbusy so my day goes by fast. Bad thing is, I am so busy so I have to wait till after hours to blog. And I like to do these things on company time.
Anyways, recently, I've been posting a lot of strategy type of stuff and I hope it's benefited some of you. I think it has since I've gotten comments that say that as well as emails and girly chats that people hit me up on. However, I also started thinking about what lucko had mentioned. Now I know he said it kind of in a half serious/half joke kinda way but he said "Feel free not to keep making good strategy post tho." So that got me to thinking.
Some of us take this game seriously. And then some of us take it way too seriously. You can put me in the way, way too much category. I think part of it is because I have a goal to at least quit my job. I don't know if poker will be full time but I definitely want to a) move out of Richmond, b) take a few months off from work and travel (mainly in Europe but who knows where else), and c) just not work for a little while. And because my goal is there, I noticed a sense of desperation in the way I play. I mean every minute I have, I play. I feel like I should be playing at all times. If I'm not playing, I'm not making money, and therefore it's bad. That's how I find myself thinking. Which is unhealthy. Fortunately, somehow, working out comes in front of poker. I guess I am not deranged yet.
Anyways, so that got me thinking because I thought what exactly is the benefit of me posting hand histories and strategy posts. I mean what good does it do for me? I think there are some hand histories that benefit me when I talk through it but I'm just not sure I want to divulge as much as I have in the past. I mean I have literally posted my exact thought process during the hands and I do wonder if that's costing me some money, esp if there are nonbloggers that read my blog (which I don't know if they do or not but it's possible... if you google RecessRampage, it obv takes you here).
Having said that, I'm sure I'll still post plenty of HH's but I'm not sure if I'll put in as much detail on my thoughts as I have... but then again, I might. I just don't know. Hence, the struggle.
As for this past weekend, I did not go to AC (mainly because I had to work late Fri night when everyone else was drinking and watching basketball). However, I had a few decent cash game sessions so even though I only played maybe 4-5 hrs on Sat and Sun combined, I was up approx $3k for the weekend. I woulda made a bigger deal about it until I saw all the big online scores from LJ, Bayne, and Smokkee. That's the beauty of tournaments right? At least you could say you left a mark. Damn, I wanna get good in tourneys. Maybe one day. But until then, I guess I'll continue to donk around in cash games.
Anyways, recently, I've been posting a lot of strategy type of stuff and I hope it's benefited some of you. I think it has since I've gotten comments that say that as well as emails and girly chats that people hit me up on. However, I also started thinking about what lucko had mentioned. Now I know he said it kind of in a half serious/half joke kinda way but he said "Feel free not to keep making good strategy post tho." So that got me to thinking.
Some of us take this game seriously. And then some of us take it way too seriously. You can put me in the way, way too much category. I think part of it is because I have a goal to at least quit my job. I don't know if poker will be full time but I definitely want to a) move out of Richmond, b) take a few months off from work and travel (mainly in Europe but who knows where else), and c) just not work for a little while. And because my goal is there, I noticed a sense of desperation in the way I play. I mean every minute I have, I play. I feel like I should be playing at all times. If I'm not playing, I'm not making money, and therefore it's bad. That's how I find myself thinking. Which is unhealthy. Fortunately, somehow, working out comes in front of poker. I guess I am not deranged yet.
Anyways, so that got me thinking because I thought what exactly is the benefit of me posting hand histories and strategy posts. I mean what good does it do for me? I think there are some hand histories that benefit me when I talk through it but I'm just not sure I want to divulge as much as I have in the past. I mean I have literally posted my exact thought process during the hands and I do wonder if that's costing me some money, esp if there are nonbloggers that read my blog (which I don't know if they do or not but it's possible... if you google RecessRampage, it obv takes you here).
Having said that, I'm sure I'll still post plenty of HH's but I'm not sure if I'll put in as much detail on my thoughts as I have... but then again, I might. I just don't know. Hence, the struggle.
As for this past weekend, I did not go to AC (mainly because I had to work late Fri night when everyone else was drinking and watching basketball). However, I had a few decent cash game sessions so even though I only played maybe 4-5 hrs on Sat and Sun combined, I was up approx $3k for the weekend. I woulda made a bigger deal about it until I saw all the big online scores from LJ, Bayne, and Smokkee. That's the beauty of tournaments right? At least you could say you left a mark. Damn, I wanna get good in tourneys. Maybe one day. But until then, I guess I'll continue to donk around in cash games.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I've seen a lot of things....
But this had to be the gayest thing I have ever seen. I blame fuel for making me watch this final table... and so I had to witness this disaster which otherwise I may not have noticed or heard about.
Now, I don't care what you choose to do and how you play your cards... but at this point, swimmom had a solid 2:1 chip lead and looked like she was going to win another seat to the TOC. Instead, she chooses to give the seat away AND chop the cash. I had to double check the chip count to see if she was the one that was down but she had the 2:1 chip lead. And yet she suggested to chop cash? And give seat?
Maybe she doesn't operate on killer instincts like I thought we all did. Cuz if it were me, no way in hell I would be letting someone win. I'd make them earn it. But not her. I know ScottMc was gonna quit playing poker after this summer so I'd like to say good for him... but now, I can't even say that. It would be funny though if ScottMc knocks Swimmom out on the bubble in the TOC. Like "Saving Private Ryan" (I think), you let an enemy get away, he could be the one that comes back to kill you later.
What a waste of a tournament. This is why I never watch these final tables anymore. Nothing good could come of it. So gross. I'm going to bed.
Now, I don't care what you choose to do and how you play your cards... but at this point, swimmom had a solid 2:1 chip lead and looked like she was going to win another seat to the TOC. Instead, she chooses to give the seat away AND chop the cash. I had to double check the chip count to see if she was the one that was down but she had the 2:1 chip lead. And yet she suggested to chop cash? And give seat?
Maybe she doesn't operate on killer instincts like I thought we all did. Cuz if it were me, no way in hell I would be letting someone win. I'd make them earn it. But not her. I know ScottMc was gonna quit playing poker after this summer so I'd like to say good for him... but now, I can't even say that. It would be funny though if ScottMc knocks Swimmom out on the bubble in the TOC. Like "Saving Private Ryan" (I think), you let an enemy get away, he could be the one that comes back to kill you later.
What a waste of a tournament. This is why I never watch these final tables anymore. Nothing good could come of it. So gross. I'm going to bed.
Maybe you care, maybe you don't
- TOTALLY NONPOKER CONTENT -
I know I haven't posted much the past few days. Work has been busy during regular work hours and then after that, we've had a company happy hour on Tuesday and Wednesday... so, you probably saw my name at the table... however, I didn't play a single hand in either the Skills game or the Mookie. You're welcome for my $10 donation.
My team/dept has been a lot more lively and fun since I took over this group... which is probably not surprising for those of you that read this who actually worked for/with me before. Nothing like introducing a tray of soco shots to guys/girls who thought this was supposed to be a tame company happy hour... and getting cut off at one of the bars on Tuesday night (Bar Louie for the Richmond locals - so effin ghey... it's probably that family of 7 that complained about us. If you have little kids, don't take them to a bar for dinner and expect the place to be quiet... even on a Tuesday night). That whole thing reminds me of that pink shirt motherf*cker from BW's.
No happy hour tonight so that means I will actually play the Riverchasers. Is it NLHE or something else? Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. See you all tonight!
PS. I'm still debating about the trip up to AC to join the likes of LJ and Lucko. I don't know who else is going but it seemed like a good excuse to go.
I know I haven't posted much the past few days. Work has been busy during regular work hours and then after that, we've had a company happy hour on Tuesday and Wednesday... so, you probably saw my name at the table... however, I didn't play a single hand in either the Skills game or the Mookie. You're welcome for my $10 donation.
My team/dept has been a lot more lively and fun since I took over this group... which is probably not surprising for those of you that read this who actually worked for/with me before. Nothing like introducing a tray of soco shots to guys/girls who thought this was supposed to be a tame company happy hour... and getting cut off at one of the bars on Tuesday night (Bar Louie for the Richmond locals - so effin ghey... it's probably that family of 7 that complained about us. If you have little kids, don't take them to a bar for dinner and expect the place to be quiet... even on a Tuesday night). That whole thing reminds me of that pink shirt motherf*cker from BW's.
No happy hour tonight so that means I will actually play the Riverchasers. Is it NLHE or something else? Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. See you all tonight!
PS. I'm still debating about the trip up to AC to join the likes of LJ and Lucko. I don't know who else is going but it seemed like a good excuse to go.
Monday, March 17, 2008
When you forget to hit the breaks... disaster strikes
First off, I have to thank Bayne... he probably unknowingly untilted me last night when he sat at my 2-4NL table where I was able to win back 2 buy-ins after a pretty treacherous weekend where I felt like everything I did was the wrong thing. Now, for some of you that know me, you're thinking "but you never tilt." (or so I claim). I generally don't... but last night was an exception when I was victim to another shorty all in and he sucks out, that just kinda put me over the edge. Fortunately, I was able to refocus quickly and ended the table that Bayne was at up 2 buy-ins. Thank goodness.
Also, I am psyched to be included in the blogs mentioned here. We all know I'm a shameless fan of lucko right? So yeah, that's freakin awesome. My blog rules!
Ok, so on to the main topic here. Work sucks. Way too busy for the "nonbusy time" that I have to wait till 6:30 (and I'm still at work) to finally get to blog. I just know that if I go home, I'll eat dinner, go work out and start playing poker... so I better blog now or it will be tomorrow before I actually post... and with all the meetings I got tomorrow, who knows when that would happen. So, anyways, here I go.
Part 1 - Blind v Blind
I actually need help here. In blind v blind, 4 handed, should I be playing small ball poker? I obv overplayed AK but I am not convinced it was totally a bad play by me. Part of me is convinced it was bad. The other part is trying to make me feel better by throwing in terms like metagame value...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5652851624: Table Burdell (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:28:09 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: life_v_kife ($533) <--- SB
Seat 2: RecessRampage ($1,702) <--- BB
Seat 3: sharkfish76 ($2,773.50)
Seat 4: philuva ($2,127.50), is sitting out
Seat 5: moi_rhums33 ($1,871.50), is sitting out
Seat 6: surfer of poker ($792.25)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ac Kh]
sharkfish76 folds
surfer of poker folds
life_v_kife has 15 seconds left to act
life_v_kife raises to $30
RecessRampage raises to $90
life_v_kife has 15 seconds left to act
life_v_kife raises to $220
Ok, let's stop here. On a blind v blind situation, you're dealt AK in a 4 handed match. Pretty much a monster. Yeah, yeah, say what you want about how it's a drawing hand but it's ahead of a lot of hands. So, reraising preflop, to me, is a no brainer. But then the guy 3 bets me. So what do you do now? Call? The guy after bumping it to $220 has $310 behind. Do I call and fold if I don't hit A or K on the flop? Isn't the pot now too big to fold? Or do I just fold? Folding here would seem insanely weak. But then now that he 3 bet me, he clearly has a strong hand. What range would do that? I guess now that I think about it, TT+ and maybe AK?
RecessRampage raises to $1,702, and is all in
life_v_kife calls $313, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Ac Kh]
life_v_kife shows [Jd Jh]
Uncalled bet of $1,169 returned to RecessRampage
Reason I shoved was again, I thought this was an instance where I shove or fold. If I just call and I miss the flop, I would have to fold but the pot is too big. AK is a hand where you wanna see all 5 cards (only if you could see 5 cards then the chances are, you are a slight dog to the coinflip). So was this shove inevitable? Should I have folded preflop? Call and fold to his jam? Even as I think about it, I'm not sure what the best thing to do would be. Just curious on what everyone's thoughts are. It was unfortunate that my profits from this table disappeared in this one coinflip...
*** FLOP *** [2h 7c Js] <--- fawk
*** TURN *** [2h 7c Js] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [2h 7c Js 4d] [Ks]
RecessRampage shows a pair of Kings
life_v_kife shows three of a kind, Jacks
life_v_kife wins the pot ($1,064) with three of a kind, Jacks
Part 2 - Overplayed my overpair
As I review this HH, I can only sigh and shake my head. This was clearly a big mistake... such a fine line between stacking off against a set v calling it an overbet for value...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5659645497: Table Evergreen (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 14:52:48 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: DeuceOnTheRive ($610) <--- BB
Seat 2: BleuberryMuffin ($1,015)
Seat 3: RecessRampage ($1,052)
Seat 4: TheTaker ($1,132)
Seat 5: Villain1318 ($2,355)
Seat 6: moi_rhums33 ($1,005) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ks Kc]
BleuberryMuffin folds
RecessRampage raises to $35
TheTaker calls $35
Villain1318 calls $35
moi_rhums33 folds
DeuceOnTheRive calls $25
No respect! UTG+1 raise, people!
*** FLOP *** [5d 9d Qh]
DeuceOnTheRive checks
RecessRampage bets $115
TheTaker calls $115
Villain1318 folds
DeuceOnTheRive folds
I think this smooth call shoulda set off warning bells. I mean if the guy has a Q, with two diamonds and a straight draw possibility with all these limpers, AQ surely woulda raised here right? No way they would smooth call and allow others to draw. Well, I didn't hear the warning bells until now when I'm reviewing this HH.
*** TURN *** [5d 9d Qh] [5h]
RecessRampage checks
TheTaker has 15 seconds left to act
TheTaker bets $250
RecessRampage raises to $902, and is all in
TheTaker calls $652
RecessRampage shows [Ks Kc]
TheTaker shows [9s 9h] <--- of course
As I mentioned above, I didn't hear the warning bells. I figured him for a Q so I went for a trap... little did I know that I was falling into his. So, the question here is, should I have lead out on the turn to see what happens? Or should I have just check called? For those of you advocating check call here, what do you do on the river? The reason I ask that is the pot if I call here would be $875. Do I check fold to his river shove of $652? Some might say that he might not bet his entire stack so I can save a few hundred dollars. Maybe. If I lead out, how much should I have bet? I would still have to bet a fairly decent chunk in case he's on a draw too, no? At what point do I find the fold button?
Or was it just inevitable that I stack off here? Overpairs are so hard to play in a 6 max game... at least for me, this is my biggest leak. Now that I rethink this though, I shoulda called and then check on the river. If he shoves, I'd have to fold because no way AQ would shove on the river. No need to. Showdown would be good enough. I would probably have to call a value bet if he bets like half the pot but either way, I shouldn't have stacked off here.
*** RIVER *** [5d 9d Qh 5h] [Th]
RecessRampage shows two pair, Kings and Fives
TheTaker shows a full house, Nines full of Fives
TheTaker wins the pot ($2,176) with a full house, Nines full of Fives
RecessRampage adds $1,000
My parents are probably gonna puke when they see this... don't worry Mom, I still got plenty of money in my acct. Despite this loss, I'm still doing ok.
Part 3 - If not an overpair, how about TPTK?
Another one... such a thin line between overbet for value and stacking off to a set...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5666083181: Table Marietta (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:02:08 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: LittleDix ($640.30) <--- BB
Seat 2: SexyJoLinda ($395.60)
Seat 3: RecessRampage ($400)
Seat 4: DoAho ($475)
Seat 5: BriFri77 ($474.60)
Seat 6: GiVeMeTheCake ($646.60) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ks As]
SexyJoLinda folds
RecessRampage raises to $14
DoAho folds
BriFri77 calls $14
GiVeMeTheCake folds
LittleDix folds
*** FLOP *** [6c 3h Ah]
RecessRampage bets $24
BriFri77 calls $24
Another instance where the guy just calls when there's a flush draw out there. Maybe he'd raise if he had an A? I don't know. Should I be more wary of smooth calls? I've seen other idiots "smooth call" with worse hands so it's so hard to tell who's smooth calling with a monster and who's calling with a worse hand.
*** TURN *** [6c 3h Ah] [3s]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage bets $72
BriFri77 calls $72
Another smooth call. At this point, I am literally convinced that I am ahead. I'm thinking this guy has AQ and so any safe board and I'm betting, trying to get the most out of this guy.
*** RIVER *** [6c 3h Ah 3s] [4d]
RecessRampage bets $165
BriFri77 raises to $330
RecessRampage calls $125, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $40 returned to BriFri77
This is where it's sick. A fairly harmless card comes so I bet, hoping for a call... instead I get raised. Now I know I'm beat. But with the pot being what it is, I can't fold here... or can I?
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BriFri77 shows [6d 6s] a full house, Sixes full of Threes
RecessRampage mucks
BriFri77 wins the pot ($803) with a full house, Sixes full of Threes
RecessRampage adds $400
For a change, I wanted to show all of you out there the hands where I got stacked off. My buddy JT requested that I post some hands where I lost and maybe write why I lost so much. All three of these hands have one thing in common. I forgot to hit the breaks and I mistakenly read their calls as weakness instead of sensing a trap. In hindsight, I think I was pressing a bit and that's what caused my downfall. Shockingly, the above hands were also mitigated by the other tables where I was actually able to piece together some nice wins. I just feel like it's such a fine line. If my AK beats the JJ or if the guy has AQ instead of a set (in both hands 2 and 3), I woulda been able to post a "I had another unbelievably profitable weekend" post but instead, here I am, barely breaking even (or maybe down a little, not sure) due to these big pots.
I want your input but also keep in mind the context that it happened in (as in 6max table or in that blind v blind instance, 4 handed, etc). I still obviously overplayed some of those hands but just as a general question, against a good opponent who knows how to bet on every street to maximize value, can you not stack off when you have an overpair on a ragged board where the other guy has a set? I don't want to turn into a passive player from fear of stacking off. Where and how do I draw that line? Any thoughts are welcome.
See you all tonight at the MATH.
Also, I am psyched to be included in the blogs mentioned here. We all know I'm a shameless fan of lucko right? So yeah, that's freakin awesome. My blog rules!
Ok, so on to the main topic here. Work sucks. Way too busy for the "nonbusy time" that I have to wait till 6:30 (and I'm still at work) to finally get to blog. I just know that if I go home, I'll eat dinner, go work out and start playing poker... so I better blog now or it will be tomorrow before I actually post... and with all the meetings I got tomorrow, who knows when that would happen. So, anyways, here I go.
Part 1 - Blind v Blind
I actually need help here. In blind v blind, 4 handed, should I be playing small ball poker? I obv overplayed AK but I am not convinced it was totally a bad play by me. Part of me is convinced it was bad. The other part is trying to make me feel better by throwing in terms like metagame value...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5652851624: Table Burdell (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:28:09 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: life_v_kife ($533) <--- SB
Seat 2: RecessRampage ($1,702) <--- BB
Seat 3: sharkfish76 ($2,773.50)
Seat 4: philuva ($2,127.50), is sitting out
Seat 5: moi_rhums33 ($1,871.50), is sitting out
Seat 6: surfer of poker ($792.25)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ac Kh]
sharkfish76 folds
surfer of poker folds
life_v_kife has 15 seconds left to act
life_v_kife raises to $30
RecessRampage raises to $90
life_v_kife has 15 seconds left to act
life_v_kife raises to $220
Ok, let's stop here. On a blind v blind situation, you're dealt AK in a 4 handed match. Pretty much a monster. Yeah, yeah, say what you want about how it's a drawing hand but it's ahead of a lot of hands. So, reraising preflop, to me, is a no brainer. But then the guy 3 bets me. So what do you do now? Call? The guy after bumping it to $220 has $310 behind. Do I call and fold if I don't hit A or K on the flop? Isn't the pot now too big to fold? Or do I just fold? Folding here would seem insanely weak. But then now that he 3 bet me, he clearly has a strong hand. What range would do that? I guess now that I think about it, TT+ and maybe AK?
RecessRampage raises to $1,702, and is all in
life_v_kife calls $313, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Ac Kh]
life_v_kife shows [Jd Jh]
Uncalled bet of $1,169 returned to RecessRampage
Reason I shoved was again, I thought this was an instance where I shove or fold. If I just call and I miss the flop, I would have to fold but the pot is too big. AK is a hand where you wanna see all 5 cards (only if you could see 5 cards then the chances are, you are a slight dog to the coinflip). So was this shove inevitable? Should I have folded preflop? Call and fold to his jam? Even as I think about it, I'm not sure what the best thing to do would be. Just curious on what everyone's thoughts are. It was unfortunate that my profits from this table disappeared in this one coinflip...
*** FLOP *** [2h 7c Js] <--- fawk
*** TURN *** [2h 7c Js] [4d]
*** RIVER *** [2h 7c Js 4d] [Ks]
RecessRampage shows a pair of Kings
life_v_kife shows three of a kind, Jacks
life_v_kife wins the pot ($1,064) with three of a kind, Jacks
Part 2 - Overplayed my overpair
As I review this HH, I can only sigh and shake my head. This was clearly a big mistake... such a fine line between stacking off against a set v calling it an overbet for value...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5659645497: Table Evergreen (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 14:52:48 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: DeuceOnTheRive ($610) <--- BB
Seat 2: BleuberryMuffin ($1,015)
Seat 3: RecessRampage ($1,052)
Seat 4: TheTaker ($1,132)
Seat 5: Villain1318 ($2,355)
Seat 6: moi_rhums33 ($1,005) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ks Kc]
BleuberryMuffin folds
RecessRampage raises to $35
TheTaker calls $35
Villain1318 calls $35
moi_rhums33 folds
DeuceOnTheRive calls $25
No respect! UTG+1 raise, people!
*** FLOP *** [5d 9d Qh]
DeuceOnTheRive checks
RecessRampage bets $115
TheTaker calls $115
Villain1318 folds
DeuceOnTheRive folds
I think this smooth call shoulda set off warning bells. I mean if the guy has a Q, with two diamonds and a straight draw possibility with all these limpers, AQ surely woulda raised here right? No way they would smooth call and allow others to draw. Well, I didn't hear the warning bells until now when I'm reviewing this HH.
*** TURN *** [5d 9d Qh] [5h]
RecessRampage checks
TheTaker has 15 seconds left to act
TheTaker bets $250
RecessRampage raises to $902, and is all in
TheTaker calls $652
RecessRampage shows [Ks Kc]
TheTaker shows [9s 9h] <--- of course
As I mentioned above, I didn't hear the warning bells. I figured him for a Q so I went for a trap... little did I know that I was falling into his. So, the question here is, should I have lead out on the turn to see what happens? Or should I have just check called? For those of you advocating check call here, what do you do on the river? The reason I ask that is the pot if I call here would be $875. Do I check fold to his river shove of $652? Some might say that he might not bet his entire stack so I can save a few hundred dollars. Maybe. If I lead out, how much should I have bet? I would still have to bet a fairly decent chunk in case he's on a draw too, no? At what point do I find the fold button?
Or was it just inevitable that I stack off here? Overpairs are so hard to play in a 6 max game... at least for me, this is my biggest leak. Now that I rethink this though, I shoulda called and then check on the river. If he shoves, I'd have to fold because no way AQ would shove on the river. No need to. Showdown would be good enough. I would probably have to call a value bet if he bets like half the pot but either way, I shouldn't have stacked off here.
*** RIVER *** [5d 9d Qh 5h] [Th]
RecessRampage shows two pair, Kings and Fives
TheTaker shows a full house, Nines full of Fives
TheTaker wins the pot ($2,176) with a full house, Nines full of Fives
RecessRampage adds $1,000
My parents are probably gonna puke when they see this... don't worry Mom, I still got plenty of money in my acct. Despite this loss, I'm still doing ok.
Part 3 - If not an overpair, how about TPTK?
Another one... such a thin line between overbet for value and stacking off to a set...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5666083181: Table Marietta (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:02:08 ET - 2008/03/16
Seat 1: LittleDix ($640.30) <--- BB
Seat 2: SexyJoLinda ($395.60)
Seat 3: RecessRampage ($400)
Seat 4: DoAho ($475)
Seat 5: BriFri77 ($474.60)
Seat 6: GiVeMeTheCake ($646.60) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Ks As]
SexyJoLinda folds
RecessRampage raises to $14
DoAho folds
BriFri77 calls $14
GiVeMeTheCake folds
LittleDix folds
*** FLOP *** [6c 3h Ah]
RecessRampage bets $24
BriFri77 calls $24
Another instance where the guy just calls when there's a flush draw out there. Maybe he'd raise if he had an A? I don't know. Should I be more wary of smooth calls? I've seen other idiots "smooth call" with worse hands so it's so hard to tell who's smooth calling with a monster and who's calling with a worse hand.
*** TURN *** [6c 3h Ah] [3s]
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage bets $72
BriFri77 calls $72
Another smooth call. At this point, I am literally convinced that I am ahead. I'm thinking this guy has AQ and so any safe board and I'm betting, trying to get the most out of this guy.
*** RIVER *** [6c 3h Ah 3s] [4d]
RecessRampage bets $165
BriFri77 raises to $330
RecessRampage calls $125, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $40 returned to BriFri77
This is where it's sick. A fairly harmless card comes so I bet, hoping for a call... instead I get raised. Now I know I'm beat. But with the pot being what it is, I can't fold here... or can I?
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BriFri77 shows [6d 6s] a full house, Sixes full of Threes
RecessRampage mucks
BriFri77 wins the pot ($803) with a full house, Sixes full of Threes
RecessRampage adds $400
For a change, I wanted to show all of you out there the hands where I got stacked off. My buddy JT requested that I post some hands where I lost and maybe write why I lost so much. All three of these hands have one thing in common. I forgot to hit the breaks and I mistakenly read their calls as weakness instead of sensing a trap. In hindsight, I think I was pressing a bit and that's what caused my downfall. Shockingly, the above hands were also mitigated by the other tables where I was actually able to piece together some nice wins. I just feel like it's such a fine line. If my AK beats the JJ or if the guy has AQ instead of a set (in both hands 2 and 3), I woulda been able to post a "I had another unbelievably profitable weekend" post but instead, here I am, barely breaking even (or maybe down a little, not sure) due to these big pots.
I want your input but also keep in mind the context that it happened in (as in 6max table or in that blind v blind instance, 4 handed, etc). I still obviously overplayed some of those hands but just as a general question, against a good opponent who knows how to bet on every street to maximize value, can you not stack off when you have an overpair on a ragged board where the other guy has a set? I don't want to turn into a passive player from fear of stacking off. Where and how do I draw that line? Any thoughts are welcome.
See you all tonight at the MATH.
Friday, March 14, 2008
HUC 6 - Finally complete
Alright, first things first, I final tabled the Riverchasers but one big mistake later, I reraised swimmom all in with KK, only to get it cracked by her TT. She did put those chips to good use and secured a TOC seat. And no, this wasn't intended to be a bad beat story. It was a no brainer call for her considering my short stack and to her credit, it wasn't an instacall. If I didn't have a massive suckout of my own with QTs when I shoved from EP, only to get called by Lucko who had AK, and Lightning36 who had AQ, I wouldn't even be there so it sucks but I can deal with that. I'm more upset about the mistake I made when I incorrectly thought that actyper did not have an A on a A-high flop and so I foolishly put him all in with my AT and he calls with AQ, I double him up and I go from chip lead to short stack.
But I didn't really care. I did but that didn't hurt nearly as much as my loss to Emptyman in the finals of the Heads Up Challenge. Twice. 2nd place both times. I honestly didn't even know what second place prize was. I didn't know and I didn't care. It wasn't even about the money. It was about the glory of winning it. Something to add to my completely blank poker resume. And yet, after last night, I still got nothing.
After our match ended where in the last match, I had a 2:1 chip lead and only to see it disappear in a matter of few hands when my AQ < JT (all in pre) and QQ < K7 (all in on flop of 456), I was devastated. I really wanted to win. This meant a lot to me. For all of you out there, who thinks, dude, you make a good amount of money playing poker, what do you care... well, I care a lot. I have no credentials to back up my "skill." I haven't won any major tournaments, I've never played in the WSOP, I've never really won anything. Hell, even my buddy, Pouringreign, who doesn't take poker nearly as seriously as I do has won a 1000+ person (I think) tourney on PartyPoker back in the day. To say that I have a tourney complex is an understatement. But, again, this is not a please tell me how great I am post. It's just my honest take on how I feel and hence, how much winning the HUC would have meant to me. I listed the hands above just as an example but not as a "Emptyman sucked out on me and that's the only reason he won" type of post. I was probably like a 60% favorite on the first, and a virtual flip on the second. So, it's not even really a suckout. As a matter of fact, I will say this for the record.
I got pwned by Emptyman.
I really did. After the first two games, I felt so lost. I have never felt as confused and worried in a heads up match as I did against him. He played real well, I couldn't tell when he was bluffing, I called his value bets, probably folded to his bluffs, let him catch up when I had hands, and just played poorly overall. I had to keep making adjustments which was fine and I finally felt like I was starting to get into the groove. I really wish I coulda taken down game 4. It woulda been interesting to take the match to game 5 but it wasn't meant to be. Emptyman played great and deserved to win. Honestly, even if I ended up winning a seat to the TOC last night, it really woulda done nothing to how shitty I felt about losing the HUC. I mean a seat to the TOC is great but it's not the end goal. The goal is to win a WSOP seat and TOC is just a means to get that. My goal was never to GET a seat to the TOC. I will get that. My goal is to get a seat to the WSOP. Gotta start somewhere.
GL to all this weekend and again, congrats to Emptyman for taking down the Finals and becoming the latest HUC champion.
Note: I'll link up everyone later. Unfortunately, I gotta get back to work. Busy Fridays blow.
But I didn't really care. I did but that didn't hurt nearly as much as my loss to Emptyman in the finals of the Heads Up Challenge. Twice. 2nd place both times. I honestly didn't even know what second place prize was. I didn't know and I didn't care. It wasn't even about the money. It was about the glory of winning it. Something to add to my completely blank poker resume. And yet, after last night, I still got nothing.
After our match ended where in the last match, I had a 2:1 chip lead and only to see it disappear in a matter of few hands when my AQ < JT (all in pre) and QQ < K7 (all in on flop of 456), I was devastated. I really wanted to win. This meant a lot to me. For all of you out there, who thinks, dude, you make a good amount of money playing poker, what do you care... well, I care a lot. I have no credentials to back up my "skill." I haven't won any major tournaments, I've never played in the WSOP, I've never really won anything. Hell, even my buddy, Pouringreign, who doesn't take poker nearly as seriously as I do has won a 1000+ person (I think) tourney on PartyPoker back in the day. To say that I have a tourney complex is an understatement. But, again, this is not a please tell me how great I am post. It's just my honest take on how I feel and hence, how much winning the HUC would have meant to me. I listed the hands above just as an example but not as a "Emptyman sucked out on me and that's the only reason he won" type of post. I was probably like a 60% favorite on the first, and a virtual flip on the second. So, it's not even really a suckout. As a matter of fact, I will say this for the record.
I got pwned by Emptyman.
I really did. After the first two games, I felt so lost. I have never felt as confused and worried in a heads up match as I did against him. He played real well, I couldn't tell when he was bluffing, I called his value bets, probably folded to his bluffs, let him catch up when I had hands, and just played poorly overall. I had to keep making adjustments which was fine and I finally felt like I was starting to get into the groove. I really wish I coulda taken down game 4. It woulda been interesting to take the match to game 5 but it wasn't meant to be. Emptyman played great and deserved to win. Honestly, even if I ended up winning a seat to the TOC last night, it really woulda done nothing to how shitty I felt about losing the HUC. I mean a seat to the TOC is great but it's not the end goal. The goal is to win a WSOP seat and TOC is just a means to get that. My goal was never to GET a seat to the TOC. I will get that. My goal is to get a seat to the WSOP. Gotta start somewhere.
GL to all this weekend and again, congrats to Emptyman for taking down the Finals and becoming the latest HUC champion.
Note: I'll link up everyone later. Unfortunately, I gotta get back to work. Busy Fridays blow.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Last night, I didn't get home till about 10:45pm but I was still able to play in the Mookie for about 30 minutes before I busted out. I wasn't in the right frame of mind so I couldn't care less about that. However, when I tuned into BDR, Tragedy was talking about some sort of donation so I hit him up on the girly chat to find out what they were talking about. Basically, they were trying to get us, poker degenerates, to do something nice with our cash for once. He told me that Al's friend was doing the 3-day breast cancer walk in Philadelphia. In the past, people very close to me have participated in the one in D.C. and so I know how grueling, nasty, and tough it is to actually do this 3 day walk (they walk 60 miles in 3 days - NOT EASY).
I, so far, have been very fortunate to not know anyone who has had to fight breast cancer. But I'm sure there are quite a few out there that's either a friend of a friend or some sort of a family friend who may have been affected by breast cancer. So, once I heard that, I decided to show my support.
RecessRampage (FTP) and Dirty Vizzer (PS) are both anti-cancer. If you want to join all the cool kids and send a big "F*ck You" to cancer, here's the link to do so.
Oh, and I was in training all day yesterday so didn't get to post this... close but no dice... ok though since I was a PLO rookie. And yet, even I was shocked with some of the plays that I thought were terrible. Admittedly, I had to verify with the Assistant that they were bad and he confirmed. I played tight all tournament, which makes sense since the only thing I know about PLO is from what the Assistant tells me and he is the self proclaimed "tightest Omaha player."
On Bodonkey, Tragedy sucks out on me with a two outer after we get all our money in on a Q-3-3 flop, me with AA, him with KQ. Tragedy, after I reraised you preflop and bet that big on the flop, what did you think I had!? Oh, and btw, I just got your voicemail. Thanks for the phone call. :)
No strategy posts today. I got another busy day ahead of me.
One more thing. Looks like Emptyman and I will be playing the HUC6 finals tonight at 9pm EST. Should be fun. See you all tonight.
I, so far, have been very fortunate to not know anyone who has had to fight breast cancer. But I'm sure there are quite a few out there that's either a friend of a friend or some sort of a family friend who may have been affected by breast cancer. So, once I heard that, I decided to show my support.
RecessRampage (FTP) and Dirty Vizzer (PS) are both anti-cancer. If you want to join all the cool kids and send a big "F*ck You" to cancer, here's the link to do so.
Oh, and I was in training all day yesterday so didn't get to post this... close but no dice... ok though since I was a PLO rookie. And yet, even I was shocked with some of the plays that I thought were terrible. Admittedly, I had to verify with the Assistant that they were bad and he confirmed. I played tight all tournament, which makes sense since the only thing I know about PLO is from what the Assistant tells me and he is the self proclaimed "tightest Omaha player."
On Bodonkey, Tragedy sucks out on me with a two outer after we get all our money in on a Q-3-3 flop, me with AA, him with KQ. Tragedy, after I reraised you preflop and bet that big on the flop, what did you think I had!? Oh, and btw, I just got your voicemail. Thanks for the phone call. :)
No strategy posts today. I got another busy day ahead of me.
One more thing. Looks like Emptyman and I will be playing the HUC6 finals tonight at 9pm EST. Should be fun. See you all tonight.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
When TPTK is NOT a bad thing...
I got some comments regarding top pair top kicker which I thought might be interesting to discuss. Pokerpeaker and Waffles both seemed to be surprised by how almost overly aggressively I played my top pair top kicker (esp after I said I see myself as a weak passive pussy donkey in my previous post). So, I thought I might post one of the hands from yesterday's post and go over in even more detail my thoughts.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5546204828: Table Tuscarora (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:41:00 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: Lvl18Wizard ($1,001.80) <--- BB
Seat 2: Koether ($72)
Seat 3: kobelicious ($86.35)
Seat 4: KyleGass ($426)
Seat 5: pickpocketted ($278.80)
Seat 6: RecessRampage ($408.50) <--- SB
Ok, before the hand even starts, little table dynamics here as well as my thought on the other players. To be honest, I don't really remember the actual dynamics of the table so let's pretend I just sat at this table not too long ago and that I haven't seen anyone show down real hands or anything to base how the players play. Based on the stack sizes above and my past experience, these are my thoughts:
- I know Lvl18Wizard because I've seen him play before. My image of him is that he's aggressive and he open raises fairly light... which is kinda standard for a regular 2-4NL 6 max player
- Koether and kobelicious must be donkeys. Why do I say that? They got $80. At a table where you can buy in for $400. So, they're either the short stack ratholers or they just never rebought in. To me, it's actually one and the same. They can't and don't want to play post flop poker. They just want to hit it quick and get out.
- KyleGlass is also a decent player I think but mainly because I recognize the name.
- pickpocketted must just be a fairly normal player. Understands the basic concepts, won't get too out of line but may not be a great player. In other words, until I see something otherwise, I'm just gonna think that he plays a straightforward poker game. Why do I make that conclusion? Only because I don't see him topping off. I am inclined to give players who top off more credit than those that don't. That's just me. So he's got a medium stack that doesn't top off but not necessarily buying in short.
Again, I could be wrong in my assumptions but you have to start somewhere. So, until I see something that proves me wrong, the above thoughts become my baseline for how I play against these players.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way, let's get to the cards.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jh As]
Koether raises to $14
kobelicious folds
KyleGass folds
pickpocketted calls $14
RecessRampage calls $12
Lvl18Wizard folds
So there was an UTG raiser who is short stacked. If there were no callers, I guess I would call but I could also make a case for folding. Since the chances of me hitting a flop is minimal, I just don't like to get HU against a shorty OOP because his stack is going into the middle 9 times out of 10. If I miss, I pretty much have to fold. So, in my mind, he just doesn't have enough money for me to outplay him post flop. However, with the button calling, now the pot is big enough I call.
*** FLOP *** [9h 5c Jc] <--- TPTK baby!!!
RecessRampage checks
Ok, so this is what I wrote yesterday: I check here KNOWING exactly what's gonna happen. The shorty who initially raised is gonna shove. My assumption for his preflop raising range is two broadway cards or any PP. Either way, a J high flop should seem innocent enough to this guy so he's shoving. My guess is that 3 way, he didn't want to see an A. But even if he did, he might shove. The only way he doesn't shove is if he flops a monster. Other than that, he's shoving. That's what shorties do.
Koether has 15 seconds left to act
Koether bets $58, and is all in <--- as expected
pickpocketted calls $58 <--- interesting call. Draw?
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
Ok, so this is where it gets interesting. I'm assuming no one would question calling the all in here even with pickpocketted calling. But let's just say, if you were HU against the shorty, this is an instacall right? Obviously. I mean if you are folding your top pair here if you were HU against the shorty, then you should have never played AJ out of position to begin with. But of course, I'm sure the thought is, well pickpocketted smooth calling seems shady.
The question is, does it? Let's go back for a second and think about what he might have that he smooth calls here. The board has two clubs and a potential straight draw if he's playing a hand like QT or T8. So, if he has a club draw or a straight draw, it's possible that he's getting 2 free cards because the other player is all in. If he has 9 outs to a flush with a potential over card or two, he's getting the right price to call with 2 cards to come ($58 into a pot that's like $100). Also keep in mind that since I just called preflop and I checked, he might assume that I am just gonna fold, allowing him to see 2 free cards, giving him close to the pot odds he needs to make the call. Or maybe he doesn't even think. Or maybe he also hit the J which he figures is good enough to call a shorty all in but doesn't think to isolate the short stack (because keep in mind, if he does raise, I would have a hard time calling/shoving here).
Now, what would we be worried about here? Of course, if this guy is a tricky player, maybe he's smooth calling with trips. I mean based on the preflop action, he could have flopped trips with 99 or 55 right? Why do I say just 99 or 55 though? Because no way he doesn't repop from the button with JJ against a shorty to a) isolate and to b) just get it all in preflop. Most people hate JJ so if they can get it all in against a shorty and not have to worry about playing post flop, that's what they like to do. And remember my initial assessment of this player? Until I see something that indicates otherwise, I am just putting him as a straightforward player. No need to out think myself until I see some evidence. And this is part of the reason why I want to come up with a baseline for each player, no matter how crude or how little evidence I have. Otherwise, the possibility is endless and I'll just not be able to think through a hand without confusing myself.
Going back to the hand, we see a fairly draw heavy J high hand. We KNOW that pickpocketted at this point doesn't have QQ, KK, or AA. If he does, he's being extremely tricky and in my opinion, playing it very dangerously on a board like this. Normally, QQ+ here would raise to isolate the shorty all in. But again, tricky is not how I view this player at this point so I am tossing out JJ+ as his hand. Set is possible but you really can't just give credit to a set every time there are lower cards than what you have. Especially in 6 max, the way I see it, if you have an overpair to a ragged board and the guy has a set and he knows what he's doing, it's gonna be extremely hard not to get stacked unless you are both very deep. Let me know if you guys want me to discuss that in the next post.
Ok, so now that we thought all that, what do I do?
RecessRampage raises to $278
pickpocketted has 15 seconds left to act
pickpocketted calls $206.80, and is all in
Ok, back to this point. Now why I did I repop and basically put him all in here? Basically, when he called the $58, to me, it's a fold or shove situation unless you want to play this really weak. Why? The pot after pickpocketted smooth called is $158. If I call, the pot will be $216. What do you do on the turn? Check with the hopes of him checking also? That potentially gives him the two free cards that he wants if he's drawing. What if he bets out on the turn? Then what? You call again? What would he bet where you are just calling and not raising? The pot will be $216, the guy has $206 left so if he bets say $120. He's essentially telling you he's committed to the hand. Are you folding then? Again, to me, that's just weak. But that could be a choice. Or maybe you thought, fine, on the turn, when he bets that much, we're both committed so I shove. That's probably the worst line that I can think of. Why? You don't like your hand enough to raise and yet you are still willing to get all your money in the middle? That makes no sense. And obv if you check raise the turn after he fires out $120, he's not folding another $80 at that point. So, your shove on the turn has zero fold equity. In that case, basically, you are saying that you love your hand enough to get it all in. Hopefully, this is making sense.
Seriously, the above paragraph literally spells out why I shoved. It's important to understand the stack size and his potential actions on the later streets. If it almost seems inevitable that you are gonna get your stack in, unless you are trapping him, you want to be the one to make the initiative. Make your opponent decide if he wants to CALL off his stack. Don't give him the opportunity to put you to that decision. If your answer was, if he bets again, I fold, then seriously, you should be folding on the flop unless you are hoping for a 4 outer on the turn (two jacks, two nonclub aces). Which if you are hoping for a 4 outer, that's just a bad call.
So this is what went through my head. I either fold on the flop because I think that the smooth caller has a monster hand or I shove. Before you act out the flop, you have to think about what you are going to do on the turn. The other alternative of course is to shove a blank turn. But there are way too many scare cards out there to let you do that. You basically hate any broadway card that's not a J or an A. You hate any club. You also hate the 9. In other words, you pretty much hate like half the remaining deck. That's not to say that they all hit your opponent. You just don't know and since you are first to act, you are just going to be put in an awkward situation. I can't call the flop and check fold the turn. Again, even if a blank card comes, you check, he bets $120, you most likely call right? Well, the way I see it, if you're gonna call a bet that he's committing his stack to, then I'd rather put him to the decision of calling off his stack rather than him being the one to shove his stack. By me reraising, I'm taking away whatever fold equity he may have had on the turn. If he wants to chase his draws for his entire stack, that's fine but he was gonna have to pay to see the next two cards. Even better for me would be if he's calling with a hand like J-10, QJ, KJ, T9. Those are all possible holdings where he might think is good enough to call the shorty all in and then just become too stubborn to let it go when he sees a checkraise.
RecessRampage shows [Jh As]
Koether shows [4s 4c]
pickpocketted shows [Jd Qh]
Uncalled bet of $13.20 returned to RecessRampage
Again, that was an instance where the guy had QJ and he caught what he needed to win. However, that's really irrelevant. When the money went in, I was a significant favorite.
Does this make sense? I know that we refer to people that go broke with TPTK as donkeys and call them TPTK donks. However, they are all situational. Sometimes, you can't help going the distance with TPTK. Other times, you really want to keep the pot small. But controlling pot size vs applying pressure to opponents is a delicate balance and you really have to get a feel for it. More importantly though, you have to be thinking about the next street and what your action will be there. You have to have a tentative plan/thought on what your opponent might do and what you would do as a result. In this instance, I can't stress enough that on the blank turn, if you are going to call his bet, it's better off shoving. At least you got some fold equity if that's what you are looking for. If you are going to check fold the turn, then there's really no point in you calling another $58 in hopes of hitting a 5 outer on the turn (actually 4 since you would hate the Ac even though you would probably call if you have two pair).
Also keep in mind that the opponents' stack sizes played a huge part in how to play this hand. If the pickpocketted had a deep stack and I had a deep stack, things might be different. So there are many factors that determine when TPTK might be good and when they may not. If you are unsure, then my suggestion is that you toss hands like AJ, KJ, KQ, and obv anything below preflop from early position and just open up your range from later positions. Also keep in mind your position. The above example was 6 max but let's say you are playing full ring. If you raise UTG+1 with AJ and you get a caller, you should probably be wary and play carefully when you hit top pair but start getting a lot of pressure from your opponent's betting. Why? Because a hand that can call a raise is generally better than a hand like AJ or KQ. So if an A comes and you have AJ and you bet from EP and the guy raises you or smooth calls the flop bet but raises you on the turn, I would be very careful about how you play it. Same goes for playing AK on a board like KQx. That's just a shitty board for AK because if someone called your raise and starts playing post flop like he really loves the board, there aren't too many hands that you are ahead of.
Basically, what it comes down to is that when you have TPTK these are things that you should think about:
1) the range of your opponent's hand based on the preflop action
2) the texture of the flop and what range of hands you are ahead of and what range of hands you are behind after the flop
3) what have you represented to the opponent and is he buying it? Is he buying what you are representing and still doesn't care?
4) Based on what you do on the flop, what do you think is going to happen on the turn? The river?
Thinking about those things should help in determining whether to continue playing TPTK beyond the flop or not.
If I missed anything or you disagree or find a flaw in my thinking, let me know that too.
I don't have the HH with me but I also want to show how I couldn't get away from AA in the MATH last night against lucko when I really, honestly, knew with every fiber in my body that I was beat. But I want to go over the HH later to show you why I knew that I was beat and why I shoulda folded. I think it really illustrates the points above and how I didn't follow what I preached. But that's for another post.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5546204828: Table Tuscarora (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:41:00 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: Lvl18Wizard ($1,001.80) <--- BB
Seat 2: Koether ($72)
Seat 3: kobelicious ($86.35)
Seat 4: KyleGass ($426)
Seat 5: pickpocketted ($278.80)
Seat 6: RecessRampage ($408.50) <--- SB
Ok, before the hand even starts, little table dynamics here as well as my thought on the other players. To be honest, I don't really remember the actual dynamics of the table so let's pretend I just sat at this table not too long ago and that I haven't seen anyone show down real hands or anything to base how the players play. Based on the stack sizes above and my past experience, these are my thoughts:
- I know Lvl18Wizard because I've seen him play before. My image of him is that he's aggressive and he open raises fairly light... which is kinda standard for a regular 2-4NL 6 max player
- Koether and kobelicious must be donkeys. Why do I say that? They got $80. At a table where you can buy in for $400. So, they're either the short stack ratholers or they just never rebought in. To me, it's actually one and the same. They can't and don't want to play post flop poker. They just want to hit it quick and get out.
- KyleGlass is also a decent player I think but mainly because I recognize the name.
- pickpocketted must just be a fairly normal player. Understands the basic concepts, won't get too out of line but may not be a great player. In other words, until I see something otherwise, I'm just gonna think that he plays a straightforward poker game. Why do I make that conclusion? Only because I don't see him topping off. I am inclined to give players who top off more credit than those that don't. That's just me. So he's got a medium stack that doesn't top off but not necessarily buying in short.
Again, I could be wrong in my assumptions but you have to start somewhere. So, until I see something that proves me wrong, the above thoughts become my baseline for how I play against these players.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way, let's get to the cards.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jh As]
Koether raises to $14
kobelicious folds
KyleGass folds
pickpocketted calls $14
RecessRampage calls $12
Lvl18Wizard folds
So there was an UTG raiser who is short stacked. If there were no callers, I guess I would call but I could also make a case for folding. Since the chances of me hitting a flop is minimal, I just don't like to get HU against a shorty OOP because his stack is going into the middle 9 times out of 10. If I miss, I pretty much have to fold. So, in my mind, he just doesn't have enough money for me to outplay him post flop. However, with the button calling, now the pot is big enough I call.
*** FLOP *** [9h 5c Jc] <--- TPTK baby!!!
RecessRampage checks
Ok, so this is what I wrote yesterday: I check here KNOWING exactly what's gonna happen. The shorty who initially raised is gonna shove. My assumption for his preflop raising range is two broadway cards or any PP. Either way, a J high flop should seem innocent enough to this guy so he's shoving. My guess is that 3 way, he didn't want to see an A. But even if he did, he might shove. The only way he doesn't shove is if he flops a monster. Other than that, he's shoving. That's what shorties do.
Koether has 15 seconds left to act
Koether bets $58, and is all in <--- as expected
pickpocketted calls $58 <--- interesting call. Draw?
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
Ok, so this is where it gets interesting. I'm assuming no one would question calling the all in here even with pickpocketted calling. But let's just say, if you were HU against the shorty, this is an instacall right? Obviously. I mean if you are folding your top pair here if you were HU against the shorty, then you should have never played AJ out of position to begin with. But of course, I'm sure the thought is, well pickpocketted smooth calling seems shady.
The question is, does it? Let's go back for a second and think about what he might have that he smooth calls here. The board has two clubs and a potential straight draw if he's playing a hand like QT or T8. So, if he has a club draw or a straight draw, it's possible that he's getting 2 free cards because the other player is all in. If he has 9 outs to a flush with a potential over card or two, he's getting the right price to call with 2 cards to come ($58 into a pot that's like $100). Also keep in mind that since I just called preflop and I checked, he might assume that I am just gonna fold, allowing him to see 2 free cards, giving him close to the pot odds he needs to make the call. Or maybe he doesn't even think. Or maybe he also hit the J which he figures is good enough to call a shorty all in but doesn't think to isolate the short stack (because keep in mind, if he does raise, I would have a hard time calling/shoving here).
Now, what would we be worried about here? Of course, if this guy is a tricky player, maybe he's smooth calling with trips. I mean based on the preflop action, he could have flopped trips with 99 or 55 right? Why do I say just 99 or 55 though? Because no way he doesn't repop from the button with JJ against a shorty to a) isolate and to b) just get it all in preflop. Most people hate JJ so if they can get it all in against a shorty and not have to worry about playing post flop, that's what they like to do. And remember my initial assessment of this player? Until I see something that indicates otherwise, I am just putting him as a straightforward player. No need to out think myself until I see some evidence. And this is part of the reason why I want to come up with a baseline for each player, no matter how crude or how little evidence I have. Otherwise, the possibility is endless and I'll just not be able to think through a hand without confusing myself.
Going back to the hand, we see a fairly draw heavy J high hand. We KNOW that pickpocketted at this point doesn't have QQ, KK, or AA. If he does, he's being extremely tricky and in my opinion, playing it very dangerously on a board like this. Normally, QQ+ here would raise to isolate the shorty all in. But again, tricky is not how I view this player at this point so I am tossing out JJ+ as his hand. Set is possible but you really can't just give credit to a set every time there are lower cards than what you have. Especially in 6 max, the way I see it, if you have an overpair to a ragged board and the guy has a set and he knows what he's doing, it's gonna be extremely hard not to get stacked unless you are both very deep. Let me know if you guys want me to discuss that in the next post.
Ok, so now that we thought all that, what do I do?
RecessRampage raises to $278
pickpocketted has 15 seconds left to act
pickpocketted calls $206.80, and is all in
Ok, back to this point. Now why I did I repop and basically put him all in here? Basically, when he called the $58, to me, it's a fold or shove situation unless you want to play this really weak. Why? The pot after pickpocketted smooth called is $158. If I call, the pot will be $216. What do you do on the turn? Check with the hopes of him checking also? That potentially gives him the two free cards that he wants if he's drawing. What if he bets out on the turn? Then what? You call again? What would he bet where you are just calling and not raising? The pot will be $216, the guy has $206 left so if he bets say $120. He's essentially telling you he's committed to the hand. Are you folding then? Again, to me, that's just weak. But that could be a choice. Or maybe you thought, fine, on the turn, when he bets that much, we're both committed so I shove. That's probably the worst line that I can think of. Why? You don't like your hand enough to raise and yet you are still willing to get all your money in the middle? That makes no sense. And obv if you check raise the turn after he fires out $120, he's not folding another $80 at that point. So, your shove on the turn has zero fold equity. In that case, basically, you are saying that you love your hand enough to get it all in. Hopefully, this is making sense.
Seriously, the above paragraph literally spells out why I shoved. It's important to understand the stack size and his potential actions on the later streets. If it almost seems inevitable that you are gonna get your stack in, unless you are trapping him, you want to be the one to make the initiative. Make your opponent decide if he wants to CALL off his stack. Don't give him the opportunity to put you to that decision. If your answer was, if he bets again, I fold, then seriously, you should be folding on the flop unless you are hoping for a 4 outer on the turn (two jacks, two nonclub aces). Which if you are hoping for a 4 outer, that's just a bad call.
So this is what went through my head. I either fold on the flop because I think that the smooth caller has a monster hand or I shove. Before you act out the flop, you have to think about what you are going to do on the turn. The other alternative of course is to shove a blank turn. But there are way too many scare cards out there to let you do that. You basically hate any broadway card that's not a J or an A. You hate any club. You also hate the 9. In other words, you pretty much hate like half the remaining deck. That's not to say that they all hit your opponent. You just don't know and since you are first to act, you are just going to be put in an awkward situation. I can't call the flop and check fold the turn. Again, even if a blank card comes, you check, he bets $120, you most likely call right? Well, the way I see it, if you're gonna call a bet that he's committing his stack to, then I'd rather put him to the decision of calling off his stack rather than him being the one to shove his stack. By me reraising, I'm taking away whatever fold equity he may have had on the turn. If he wants to chase his draws for his entire stack, that's fine but he was gonna have to pay to see the next two cards. Even better for me would be if he's calling with a hand like J-10, QJ, KJ, T9. Those are all possible holdings where he might think is good enough to call the shorty all in and then just become too stubborn to let it go when he sees a checkraise.
RecessRampage shows [Jh As]
Koether shows [4s 4c]
pickpocketted shows [Jd Qh]
Uncalled bet of $13.20 returned to RecessRampage
Again, that was an instance where the guy had QJ and he caught what he needed to win. However, that's really irrelevant. When the money went in, I was a significant favorite.
Does this make sense? I know that we refer to people that go broke with TPTK as donkeys and call them TPTK donks. However, they are all situational. Sometimes, you can't help going the distance with TPTK. Other times, you really want to keep the pot small. But controlling pot size vs applying pressure to opponents is a delicate balance and you really have to get a feel for it. More importantly though, you have to be thinking about the next street and what your action will be there. You have to have a tentative plan/thought on what your opponent might do and what you would do as a result. In this instance, I can't stress enough that on the blank turn, if you are going to call his bet, it's better off shoving. At least you got some fold equity if that's what you are looking for. If you are going to check fold the turn, then there's really no point in you calling another $58 in hopes of hitting a 5 outer on the turn (actually 4 since you would hate the Ac even though you would probably call if you have two pair).
Also keep in mind that the opponents' stack sizes played a huge part in how to play this hand. If the pickpocketted had a deep stack and I had a deep stack, things might be different. So there are many factors that determine when TPTK might be good and when they may not. If you are unsure, then my suggestion is that you toss hands like AJ, KJ, KQ, and obv anything below preflop from early position and just open up your range from later positions. Also keep in mind your position. The above example was 6 max but let's say you are playing full ring. If you raise UTG+1 with AJ and you get a caller, you should probably be wary and play carefully when you hit top pair but start getting a lot of pressure from your opponent's betting. Why? Because a hand that can call a raise is generally better than a hand like AJ or KQ. So if an A comes and you have AJ and you bet from EP and the guy raises you or smooth calls the flop bet but raises you on the turn, I would be very careful about how you play it. Same goes for playing AK on a board like KQx. That's just a shitty board for AK because if someone called your raise and starts playing post flop like he really loves the board, there aren't too many hands that you are ahead of.
Basically, what it comes down to is that when you have TPTK these are things that you should think about:
1) the range of your opponent's hand based on the preflop action
2) the texture of the flop and what range of hands you are ahead of and what range of hands you are behind after the flop
3) what have you represented to the opponent and is he buying it? Is he buying what you are representing and still doesn't care?
4) Based on what you do on the flop, what do you think is going to happen on the turn? The river?
Thinking about those things should help in determining whether to continue playing TPTK beyond the flop or not.
If I missed anything or you disagree or find a flaw in my thinking, let me know that too.
I don't have the HH with me but I also want to show how I couldn't get away from AA in the MATH last night against lucko when I really, honestly, knew with every fiber in my body that I was beat. But I want to go over the HH later to show you why I knew that I was beat and why I shoulda folded. I think it really illustrates the points above and how I didn't follow what I preached. But that's for another post.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Weekends are +EV
I officially love the weekends. Well, who doesn't right? We all get the two day respite from the weekday grind consisting mainly of work, commute, and whatever else your daily routine may be. So needless to say, I really cherish my time on the weekends. Well, I'm quickly finding out a bigger reason to liking the weekend. The donkeys are out in full force. Oh my god. I have never seen a collection of such bad plays but on the weekends, it's like normal. I don't even know where to start. The key is to not let a few bad beats affect you. Because they will be there. With all the chasing that's done, it's bound to happen.
Now why is this so new to me? I mean this is almost like common knowledge that weekend players are atrocious right? I guess I never put in enough time on the weekends before. Now that I put in like 3+ hrs (at least) on the weekends, I finally am seeing the whole slew of bad players. Ok, where should I start?
Let's go with this one.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5546204828: Table Tuscarora (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:41:00 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: Lvl18Wizard ($1,001.80) <--- BB
Seat 2: Koether ($72)
Seat 3: kobelicious ($86.35)
Seat 4: KyleGass ($426)
Seat 5: pickpocketted ($278.80)
Seat 6: RecessRampage ($408.50) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jh As]
Koether raises to $14
kobelicious folds
KyleGass folds
pickpocketted calls $14
RecessRampage calls $12
Lvl18Wizard folds
*** FLOP *** [9h 5c Jc] <--- TPTK baby!!!
RecessRampage checks
I check here KNOWING exactly what's gonna happen. The shorty who initially raised is gonna shove. My assumption for his preflop raising range is two broadway cards or any PP. Either way, a J high flop should seem innocent enough to this guy so he's shoving.
Koether has 15 seconds left to act
Koether bets $58, and is all in <--- as expected
pickpocketted calls $58 <--- interesting call. Draw?
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
Now this is where it gets interesting. I was surprised to see this guy call $58. So, I had two thoughts. Does he have a flush draw? Does he have a set and he's trying to price me in? But if he has a set here, does he really want to price me in with two clubs on the board? Also, would he really call $58 with just a flush draw? If he does, is it only because the shorty is all in so maybe he's hoping for two free cards? Since I have TPTK and I'm fairly certain that if pickpocketted had an overpair, he woulda reraised preflop, the other thought is that he might have hit the J. So, I do this.
RecessRampage raises to $278 <--- trying to price out draws. If he's calling a $58 all in, I'm thinking he might fold the flush draw (maybe not) but maybe not top pair.
pickpocketted has 15 seconds left to act
pickpocketted calls $206.80, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Jh As]
Koether shows [4s 4c] <--- nice shove with 4th pair
pickpocketted shows [Jd Qh] <--- lol wtf did he think I have? I <3 weekend donkeys!
Uncalled bet of $13.20 returned to RecessRampage
*** TURN *** [9h 5c Jc] [Th] <--- uh oh... don't do it to me Fulltilt!
*** RIVER *** [9h 5c Jc Th] [Kh] <--- dammit
RecessRampage shows a pair of Jacks
pickpocketted shows a straight, King high
pickpocketted wins the side pot ($413.60) with a straight, King high
Koether shows a pair of Fours
pickpocketted wins the main pot ($217) with a straight, King high
Koether is sitting out
RecessRampage adds $270.30
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $633.60 Main pot $220. Side pot $413.60. | Rake $3
That was a big pot. Now keep in mind, I didn't post this to cry about bad beats or anything like that. I just wanted to illustrate that I am getting calls like that which is great. Instead of letting this tilt me, I simply added to his notes that he'll call off his stack with top pair after seeing tremendous strength. I've said this before but things like this barely tilts me... well, until this guy then got up and left... that irked me a little (always does) but again, not enough to really tilt. I mean in the end, keep in mind that I WANT calls like that.
Here's another one, though it turns out the guy had a great hand...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5557363314: Table Goldspur (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:22:01 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: gobboboy ($475) <--- BB
Seat 2: Voronin ($400)
Seat 3: go2goal ($216.50)
Seat 4: RecessRampage ($613.90)
Seat 5: figo_legend1 ($1,029.50)
Seat 6: Donkitover ($421) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kh Th]
Voronin folds
go2goal calls $4 <--- UTG+1 limp
RecessRampage raises to $18 <--- RAISE from CO. I would do the same with KQs. :) (nonbloggers will probably not get this joke)
figo_legend1 folds
Donkitover folds
gobboboy folds
go2goal calls $14
*** FLOP *** [Tc 4c 9d]
go2goal checks
RecessRampage bets $25
go2goal raises to $108
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
A guy limp calls preflop and then checkraises me a big amount. Whenever there's a checkraise, my initial reaction is "set?" But what hand here would flop a set that would only limp call preflop? 44? I mean surely 99+ is raising so I can't see him having 99 or TT, esp since I have a ten as well. His raise amount also seemed a little big. Like he wanted a fold from me. Something just didn't smell right. Maybe a flush draw? Maybe a T but since he limped, less likely A-10 and more likely like J-10 or something? I had a feeling I was still ahead based on his preflop actions. So I did what makes the most sense to me.
RecessRampage raises to $366
go2goal calls $90.50, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Kh Th]
go2goal shows [3c 9c]
Uncalled bet of $167.50 returned to RecessRampage
*** TURN *** [Tc 4c 9d] [5c] <--- at least it was quick
*** RIVER *** [Tc 4c 9d 5c] [9h] <--- rubbing it in!
RecessRampage shows two pair, Tens and Nines
go2goal shows a flush, Ten high
go2goal wins the pot ($436) with a flush, Ten high
RecessRampage adds $2.60 <--- woot auto top off!
Sorry, another bad beat. But again, the key to this hand was his preflop call. 93s is good enough to limp EP and then call a raise to be OOP. Once the flop came, the hand played itself out since he flopped a monster with a pair and a flush draw (10 times out of 10, in a 6 max, people are willing to get all their money into the pot with that draw).
Again, no big deal though. 93s was a little shocking though. Also hate losing the entire profit to a hand like that but what can you do? Still illustrates how bad the weekend players are though. 93s is awesome.
Now here's a hand where this guy actually has a great preflop hand... but played it so poorly that I had no idea he had that strong of a hand. To say that he completely fooled me is an understatement.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5557025273: Table Gateway (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:54:20 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: RecessRampage ($614.60)
Seat 2: Donkitover ($844.50) <--- SB
Seat 3: kose16 ($328.20) <--- BB
Seat 4: Dale0221 ($398.30)
Seat 5: AcowSAYMOOO ($445)
Seat 6: vanoo ($307.70)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [5s 6s]
Dale0221 raises to $8 <--- UTG minraise
AcowSAYMOOO folds
vanoo folds
RecessRampage calls $8 <--- I'm on the button, suited connectors, minraise, how do I fold? The answer is, I don't.
Donkitover folds
kose16 folds
*** FLOP *** [3c 4s Td]
Dale0221 checks
RecessRampage bets $16 <--- bet my OESD
Dale0221 calls $16
Here, I was a little confused. The guy minraises then check calls my bet. That actually got me worried but confused. Does he do that with AK? Or middle pocket pair? But why minraise? If he had a strong hand, this would be where he should checkraise me right? This is the beginning of the confusion.
*** TURN *** [3c 4s Td] [2h]
Dale0221 checks
RecessRampage checks
This is probably where I totally misplayed my hand. I shoulda bet. I know I shoulda bet. I do the typical bet flop, check when I hit my hand, bet river sequence which is fine but I wouldn't have checked here if I knew what he had. Damn my donkish tendencies.
*** RIVER *** [3c 4s Td 2h] [3d]
Dale0221 bets $40
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
This is where it gets interesting. All of a sudden, the board pairs and he bets out. Now I'm thoroughly confused. Did he flop a set and just slow played the shit out of it? I mean his betting just didn't seem like he had an overpair. It just didn't seem to make sense. So obviously, I'm not thinking about folding. The question is, did he really have a set and just slowplay? Should I just play it safe and call? If I raise, what range of hands would call me? Would only a better hand call? Can you tell I was really confused? So I decided to put in a feeler raise.
RecessRampage raises to $120
Honestly, if he shoved here, I would have a very tough decision. I don't know anything about this guy so I don't know if some middle pair is in his minraise UTG range and then maybe slowplayed a set which is now a boat. So, if he comes over the top, it would be so fishy that I don't know what I woulda done at that point. Fortunately...
Dale0221 calls $80
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RecessRampage shows [5s 6s] a straight, Six high
Dale0221 shows [As Ah] two pair, Aces and Threes
RecessRampage wins the pot ($291) with a straight, Six high
In hindsight, I guess I coulda seen the AA. My read on this hand was obv poor. Had I known better, I woulda pumped the pot on the turn so that he would have to call on the river. I definitely left chips on the table... However, that was probably the weakest AA I've ever seen played.
Last HH is from last weekend. Just another instance of a weekend donk overvaluing a hand that is raise worthy but not reraise calling worthy unless it's HU against a fairly loose player.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5462114871: Table Juanita (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:35:32 ET - 2008/03/01
Seat 1: EyePwnU ($400)
Seat 2: RecessRampage ($1,290.20) <--- result of weekend donkery
Seat 3: Wittgenstein ($400)
Seat 4: mjj864579 ($476.40)
Seat 5: taking_Names1 ($146)
Seat 6: elan4501 ($420)
RecessRampage posts the small blind of $2
Wittgenstein posts the big blind of $4
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc] <--- I love getting big hands in the blinds or the button!!!!
mjj864579 folds
taking_Names1 raises to $14 <--- UTG+1
elan4501 raises to $48 <--- CO
EyePwnU folds
RecessRampage raises to $162 <--- I do not have the ability to fold QQ here. I'm not good enough.
Wittgenstein folds
taking_Names1 calls $132, and is all in <--- uh oh... this has to mean big PP right?
elan4501 raises to $420, and is all in <--- oh fuck... clearly AA or KK??
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage calls $258
Heads up, I fold here. But the pot was just incredibly big at this point. The pot has like $870. I'm getting better than 3:1. And in 6 max, the big PP is TT+ for most people and AK is also a possibility. Sure, I could be up against AA and KK. But I think JJ, TT is possible. I just couldn't find the fold button here even though I really thought about it long and hard. But then I remembered Gnome's post about when in doubt, it's probably ok to shove QQ. So it's not quite shoving but how can I fold here?
elan4501 shows [As Kd] <--- phew
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc]
taking_Names1 shows [Ah Jh] <--- HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
*** FLOP *** [2h 5s 7h] <--- typical Fulltilt scare/messing with my mind
*** TURN *** [2h 5s 7h] [3s]
*** RIVER *** [2h 5s 7h 3s] [Jc]
elan4501 shows Ace King high
RecessRampage shows a pair of Queens
RecessRampage wins the side pot ($548) with a pair of Queens
taking_Names1 shows a pair of Jacks
RecessRampage wins the main pot ($439) with a pair of Queens
taking_Names1 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $990 Main pot $442. Side pot $548. | Rake $3
I never woulda guessed AJs as one of the holdings. This hand of course coulda ended badly. Instead, I win a $990 pot. But again, the one of them coulda easily had AA or KK (more likely the CO who saw me reraise, a guy CALL OFF his stack and yet still managed to get all his chips in). Considering the action before him though, I'm surprised AK decided to shove there. I put in the 3rd raise from OOP. Doesn't that usually mean AA or KK? Yeesh.
Weekends are great for the bankroll. Just make sure you have enough to ride out the variances that are inevitable and it would be extremely +EV.
I don't have the HH from the 5-10NL 6 max game I was playing Saturday night but that was extremely weak too. It was such a juicy table but I had to leave... I decided that joining my friends for a few beers was probably more important than making money... it was so hard to leave that table though... man, sometimes, friends are -EV... for the bankroll. But if I were to do it all over again, I'd do the same. I still know what's important and friends/family > poker, always.
Now why is this so new to me? I mean this is almost like common knowledge that weekend players are atrocious right? I guess I never put in enough time on the weekends before. Now that I put in like 3+ hrs (at least) on the weekends, I finally am seeing the whole slew of bad players. Ok, where should I start?
Let's go with this one.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5546204828: Table Tuscarora (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:41:00 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: Lvl18Wizard ($1,001.80) <--- BB
Seat 2: Koether ($72)
Seat 3: kobelicious ($86.35)
Seat 4: KyleGass ($426)
Seat 5: pickpocketted ($278.80)
Seat 6: RecessRampage ($408.50) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Jh As]
Koether raises to $14
kobelicious folds
KyleGass folds
pickpocketted calls $14
RecessRampage calls $12
Lvl18Wizard folds
*** FLOP *** [9h 5c Jc] <--- TPTK baby!!!
RecessRampage checks
I check here KNOWING exactly what's gonna happen. The shorty who initially raised is gonna shove. My assumption for his preflop raising range is two broadway cards or any PP. Either way, a J high flop should seem innocent enough to this guy so he's shoving.
Koether has 15 seconds left to act
Koether bets $58, and is all in <--- as expected
pickpocketted calls $58 <--- interesting call. Draw?
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
Now this is where it gets interesting. I was surprised to see this guy call $58. So, I had two thoughts. Does he have a flush draw? Does he have a set and he's trying to price me in? But if he has a set here, does he really want to price me in with two clubs on the board? Also, would he really call $58 with just a flush draw? If he does, is it only because the shorty is all in so maybe he's hoping for two free cards? Since I have TPTK and I'm fairly certain that if pickpocketted had an overpair, he woulda reraised preflop, the other thought is that he might have hit the J. So, I do this.
RecessRampage raises to $278 <--- trying to price out draws. If he's calling a $58 all in, I'm thinking he might fold the flush draw (maybe not) but maybe not top pair.
pickpocketted has 15 seconds left to act
pickpocketted calls $206.80, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Jh As]
Koether shows [4s 4c] <--- nice shove with 4th pair
pickpocketted shows [Jd Qh] <--- lol wtf did he think I have? I <3 weekend donkeys!
Uncalled bet of $13.20 returned to RecessRampage
*** TURN *** [9h 5c Jc] [Th] <--- uh oh... don't do it to me Fulltilt!
*** RIVER *** [9h 5c Jc Th] [Kh] <--- dammit
RecessRampage shows a pair of Jacks
pickpocketted shows a straight, King high
pickpocketted wins the side pot ($413.60) with a straight, King high
Koether shows a pair of Fours
pickpocketted wins the main pot ($217) with a straight, King high
Koether is sitting out
RecessRampage adds $270.30
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $633.60 Main pot $220. Side pot $413.60. | Rake $3
That was a big pot. Now keep in mind, I didn't post this to cry about bad beats or anything like that. I just wanted to illustrate that I am getting calls like that which is great. Instead of letting this tilt me, I simply added to his notes that he'll call off his stack with top pair after seeing tremendous strength. I've said this before but things like this barely tilts me... well, until this guy then got up and left... that irked me a little (always does) but again, not enough to really tilt. I mean in the end, keep in mind that I WANT calls like that.
Here's another one, though it turns out the guy had a great hand...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5557363314: Table Goldspur (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:22:01 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: gobboboy ($475) <--- BB
Seat 2: Voronin ($400)
Seat 3: go2goal ($216.50)
Seat 4: RecessRampage ($613.90)
Seat 5: figo_legend1 ($1,029.50)
Seat 6: Donkitover ($421) <--- SB
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kh Th]
Voronin folds
go2goal calls $4 <--- UTG+1 limp
RecessRampage raises to $18 <--- RAISE from CO. I would do the same with KQs. :) (nonbloggers will probably not get this joke)
figo_legend1 folds
Donkitover folds
gobboboy folds
go2goal calls $14
*** FLOP *** [Tc 4c 9d]
go2goal checks
RecessRampage bets $25
go2goal raises to $108
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
A guy limp calls preflop and then checkraises me a big amount. Whenever there's a checkraise, my initial reaction is "set?" But what hand here would flop a set that would only limp call preflop? 44? I mean surely 99+ is raising so I can't see him having 99 or TT, esp since I have a ten as well. His raise amount also seemed a little big. Like he wanted a fold from me. Something just didn't smell right. Maybe a flush draw? Maybe a T but since he limped, less likely A-10 and more likely like J-10 or something? I had a feeling I was still ahead based on his preflop actions. So I did what makes the most sense to me.
RecessRampage raises to $366
go2goal calls $90.50, and is all in
RecessRampage shows [Kh Th]
go2goal shows [3c 9c]
Uncalled bet of $167.50 returned to RecessRampage
*** TURN *** [Tc 4c 9d] [5c] <--- at least it was quick
*** RIVER *** [Tc 4c 9d 5c] [9h] <--- rubbing it in!
RecessRampage shows two pair, Tens and Nines
go2goal shows a flush, Ten high
go2goal wins the pot ($436) with a flush, Ten high
RecessRampage adds $2.60 <--- woot auto top off!
Sorry, another bad beat. But again, the key to this hand was his preflop call. 93s is good enough to limp EP and then call a raise to be OOP. Once the flop came, the hand played itself out since he flopped a monster with a pair and a flush draw (10 times out of 10, in a 6 max, people are willing to get all their money into the pot with that draw).
Again, no big deal though. 93s was a little shocking though. Also hate losing the entire profit to a hand like that but what can you do? Still illustrates how bad the weekend players are though. 93s is awesome.
Now here's a hand where this guy actually has a great preflop hand... but played it so poorly that I had no idea he had that strong of a hand. To say that he completely fooled me is an understatement.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5557025273: Table Gateway (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:54:20 ET - 2008/03/08
Seat 1: RecessRampage ($614.60)
Seat 2: Donkitover ($844.50) <--- SB
Seat 3: kose16 ($328.20) <--- BB
Seat 4: Dale0221 ($398.30)
Seat 5: AcowSAYMOOO ($445)
Seat 6: vanoo ($307.70)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [5s 6s]
Dale0221 raises to $8 <--- UTG minraise
AcowSAYMOOO folds
vanoo folds
RecessRampage calls $8 <--- I'm on the button, suited connectors, minraise, how do I fold? The answer is, I don't.
Donkitover folds
kose16 folds
*** FLOP *** [3c 4s Td]
Dale0221 checks
RecessRampage bets $16 <--- bet my OESD
Dale0221 calls $16
Here, I was a little confused. The guy minraises then check calls my bet. That actually got me worried but confused. Does he do that with AK? Or middle pocket pair? But why minraise? If he had a strong hand, this would be where he should checkraise me right? This is the beginning of the confusion.
*** TURN *** [3c 4s Td] [2h]
Dale0221 checks
RecessRampage checks
This is probably where I totally misplayed my hand. I shoulda bet. I know I shoulda bet. I do the typical bet flop, check when I hit my hand, bet river sequence which is fine but I wouldn't have checked here if I knew what he had. Damn my donkish tendencies.
*** RIVER *** [3c 4s Td 2h] [3d]
Dale0221 bets $40
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
This is where it gets interesting. All of a sudden, the board pairs and he bets out. Now I'm thoroughly confused. Did he flop a set and just slow played the shit out of it? I mean his betting just didn't seem like he had an overpair. It just didn't seem to make sense. So obviously, I'm not thinking about folding. The question is, did he really have a set and just slowplay? Should I just play it safe and call? If I raise, what range of hands would call me? Would only a better hand call? Can you tell I was really confused? So I decided to put in a feeler raise.
RecessRampage raises to $120
Honestly, if he shoved here, I would have a very tough decision. I don't know anything about this guy so I don't know if some middle pair is in his minraise UTG range and then maybe slowplayed a set which is now a boat. So, if he comes over the top, it would be so fishy that I don't know what I woulda done at that point. Fortunately...
Dale0221 calls $80
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RecessRampage shows [5s 6s] a straight, Six high
Dale0221 shows [As Ah] two pair, Aces and Threes
RecessRampage wins the pot ($291) with a straight, Six high
In hindsight, I guess I coulda seen the AA. My read on this hand was obv poor. Had I known better, I woulda pumped the pot on the turn so that he would have to call on the river. I definitely left chips on the table... However, that was probably the weakest AA I've ever seen played.
Last HH is from last weekend. Just another instance of a weekend donk overvaluing a hand that is raise worthy but not reraise calling worthy unless it's HU against a fairly loose player.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5462114871: Table Juanita (6 max) - $2/$4 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:35:32 ET - 2008/03/01
Seat 1: EyePwnU ($400)
Seat 2: RecessRampage ($1,290.20) <--- result of weekend donkery
Seat 3: Wittgenstein ($400)
Seat 4: mjj864579 ($476.40)
Seat 5: taking_Names1 ($146)
Seat 6: elan4501 ($420)
RecessRampage posts the small blind of $2
Wittgenstein posts the big blind of $4
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc] <--- I love getting big hands in the blinds or the button!!!!
mjj864579 folds
taking_Names1 raises to $14 <--- UTG+1
elan4501 raises to $48 <--- CO
EyePwnU folds
RecessRampage raises to $162 <--- I do not have the ability to fold QQ here. I'm not good enough.
Wittgenstein folds
taking_Names1 calls $132, and is all in <--- uh oh... this has to mean big PP right?
elan4501 raises to $420, and is all in <--- oh fuck... clearly AA or KK??
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage calls $258
Heads up, I fold here. But the pot was just incredibly big at this point. The pot has like $870. I'm getting better than 3:1. And in 6 max, the big PP is TT+ for most people and AK is also a possibility. Sure, I could be up against AA and KK. But I think JJ, TT is possible. I just couldn't find the fold button here even though I really thought about it long and hard. But then I remembered Gnome's post about when in doubt, it's probably ok to shove QQ. So it's not quite shoving but how can I fold here?
elan4501 shows [As Kd] <--- phew
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc]
taking_Names1 shows [Ah Jh] <--- HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
*** FLOP *** [2h 5s 7h] <--- typical Fulltilt scare/messing with my mind
*** TURN *** [2h 5s 7h] [3s]
*** RIVER *** [2h 5s 7h 3s] [Jc]
elan4501 shows Ace King high
RecessRampage shows a pair of Queens
RecessRampage wins the side pot ($548) with a pair of Queens
taking_Names1 shows a pair of Jacks
RecessRampage wins the main pot ($439) with a pair of Queens
taking_Names1 is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $990 Main pot $442. Side pot $548. | Rake $3
I never woulda guessed AJs as one of the holdings. This hand of course coulda ended badly. Instead, I win a $990 pot. But again, the one of them coulda easily had AA or KK (more likely the CO who saw me reraise, a guy CALL OFF his stack and yet still managed to get all his chips in). Considering the action before him though, I'm surprised AK decided to shove there. I put in the 3rd raise from OOP. Doesn't that usually mean AA or KK? Yeesh.
Weekends are great for the bankroll. Just make sure you have enough to ride out the variances that are inevitable and it would be extremely +EV.
I don't have the HH from the 5-10NL 6 max game I was playing Saturday night but that was extremely weak too. It was such a juicy table but I had to leave... I decided that joining my friends for a few beers was probably more important than making money... it was so hard to leave that table though... man, sometimes, friends are -EV... for the bankroll. But if I were to do it all over again, I'd do the same. I still know what's important and friends/family > poker, always.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Looking in the mirror...
Do you know who you are? When you look at yourself in the mirror, who do you see? When you think about who you are, what is your impression of yourself?
I think self reflection is very important. It is important in all aspects of life but since this is mainly a poker blog, that's what I'm gonna tie it into.
Fuel had a very good post that also had a link to a very interesting article. That made me think about my game even more. Is that even possible? I mean every waking moment when I'm not caught up in work or something, I am thinking poker. I am either thinking back to a hand that I played/misplayed, a bet that I made or didn't make, etc etc. My mind is always on poker, always trying to analyze, always trying to get better.
I read a lot of blogs and not just the ones that are on bloglines. The funny thing is, so many players are so confident. I mean, if you read a poker player's blog or a post in a forum like 2+2 or Pocket5s, you would think that everyone is a winning player. Some are just luckier than others. Because the way people talk, it's almost always money going in in a +EV situation but bad beat this, suck out that, set up hand, etc etc. And I thought to myself, do they really believe that they are that good? Do they not see the inherent flaws in some of their plays or the thought processes? If you think this is talking about you in particular, I can tell you that I am and I am not. You are not alone. Actually, I think you are the majority.
Funny thing is, I am a winning player. I've made a good chunk of money and last year, I probably made more than some people do in their real jobs. And yet, when I look at myself in the mirror, I am disgusted with the poker player I see. Now, please note, this is NOT a "I need a pick me up so everyone please comment on how great you think I am" post. Not at all. But in all honesty, I am not kidding when I say that I look at myself and I think I'm a fuckin donkey. A weak tight, passive, one dimensional, totally transparent, predictable donkey. A little harsh? Maybe. But I know what cards I'm playing and I know how I'm betting them, so I am my harshest critic. I mean sometimes, I make certain bets or folds and I think to myself, what the fuck am I doing!? Why am I laying this down? Everything in my body says "Shove! He has nothing. Neither do you but this is a perfect bluff opportunity!" And I see myself folding to the opponents bet... So weak.
I'll never forget this. A month or two ago, there was the blogger's big cash game that Gnome set up. $1600 buy in, 4-8NL deep stack cash game. The usual suspects were there including guys like Fuel, Gnome, Cmitch, Weak, Bonedaddy, Waffles, and a few other bloggers I can't recall off the top of my head. Then there were some nonbloggers that sat... then left... another one... sits down, gets up. Fuel makes a comment. "They're afraid to sit next to me. Or Gnome. Or Cmitch." Believe me, I GOT the message. I didn't say anything but I'm fairly certain that Fuel knew that I got the message. And I did. This was over a month or two ago but that will never leave my head. No, not in a make me tilt to play overly aggressive or spewy. It's just another reminder of me being aware of how I play and how my style lacks the ability to put fear in an opponent. Sure, I get paid off on my big hands. Sure, once in a while I can make moves on certain players. But my game still doesn't have that "x" factor that some players have that literally instills fear in an opponent to play a pot against you. In the past, online, I've seen players like EricBeren and JDJos at the table and I would do what I can to find another table. I hated playing pots against those guys and they probably knew because they would be in almost every pot against me, in or out of position. Fuel's statement and the fact that he intentionally left me off would not go unnoticed... nor forgotten.
Now almost equally amazing is I actually see even worse plays from other players which used to baffle me a lot... these days, I don't even question it. There's something funny in the water they drink and I just let it go. And yet if these were bloggers and you go read their blogs, it's almost like they did everything right and the opponent did everything wrong but got lucky. Doesn't anyone ever question themselves anymore? Because I know I do... almost all the time. Did I get the most out of this pot? Why did I lose this pot? Was it a right fold? If I got sucked out on, did I give this opponent an opportunity to suck out on me? Despite the suckout, was it a good move on my part? When I won a big pot, is it because of the betting/deception or was it just a setup hand for the opponent? These are questions that are constantly on my mind.
The point is, are you a harsh critic of yourself? I mean really. Are you really, honestly, evaluating yourself as a poker player? Because if so, you should see your flaws more clearly than anyone else can. Because you know those two cards that you hold that no one else sees. You know the betting pattern of yourself when you have a hand and when you don't have a hand. You know how uncomfortable you feel when you are bluffing and you have to decide what to do on the turn and the river. You know all these things. It's a matter of putting them into perspective and truly analyzing yourself. If your opponent did the same thing you did, would you call it a great play or would you denounce them as a donkey making stupid move that's surely -EV in the long run?
I think it's important to take a long, hard look at yourself. At that point, you need to determine how you view yourself as a poker player. How you would view yourself if you were playing against you. Do you see a shark? Or do you see a donkey?
Again, please don't bother leaving comments like "dude, you're a great player" or stuff along those lines. I would welcome any thoughts on this post or my weakness/donkishness but this is NOT a "I need some positive comments so please help me" post so I really don't want any morale booster type comments because they will make this post look like a self pity party which is truly not that. I just know that of all the critics out there, I am my harshest critic. I always have been and I'm fairly certain I will always be. That fuels my desire to get better. One day, I will strike fear in my opponents. One day.
I think self reflection is very important. It is important in all aspects of life but since this is mainly a poker blog, that's what I'm gonna tie it into.
Fuel had a very good post that also had a link to a very interesting article. That made me think about my game even more. Is that even possible? I mean every waking moment when I'm not caught up in work or something, I am thinking poker. I am either thinking back to a hand that I played/misplayed, a bet that I made or didn't make, etc etc. My mind is always on poker, always trying to analyze, always trying to get better.
I read a lot of blogs and not just the ones that are on bloglines. The funny thing is, so many players are so confident. I mean, if you read a poker player's blog or a post in a forum like 2+2 or Pocket5s, you would think that everyone is a winning player. Some are just luckier than others. Because the way people talk, it's almost always money going in in a +EV situation but bad beat this, suck out that, set up hand, etc etc. And I thought to myself, do they really believe that they are that good? Do they not see the inherent flaws in some of their plays or the thought processes? If you think this is talking about you in particular, I can tell you that I am and I am not. You are not alone. Actually, I think you are the majority.
Funny thing is, I am a winning player. I've made a good chunk of money and last year, I probably made more than some people do in their real jobs. And yet, when I look at myself in the mirror, I am disgusted with the poker player I see. Now, please note, this is NOT a "I need a pick me up so everyone please comment on how great you think I am" post. Not at all. But in all honesty, I am not kidding when I say that I look at myself and I think I'm a fuckin donkey. A weak tight, passive, one dimensional, totally transparent, predictable donkey. A little harsh? Maybe. But I know what cards I'm playing and I know how I'm betting them, so I am my harshest critic. I mean sometimes, I make certain bets or folds and I think to myself, what the fuck am I doing!? Why am I laying this down? Everything in my body says "Shove! He has nothing. Neither do you but this is a perfect bluff opportunity!" And I see myself folding to the opponents bet... So weak.
I'll never forget this. A month or two ago, there was the blogger's big cash game that Gnome set up. $1600 buy in, 4-8NL deep stack cash game. The usual suspects were there including guys like Fuel, Gnome, Cmitch, Weak, Bonedaddy, Waffles, and a few other bloggers I can't recall off the top of my head. Then there were some nonbloggers that sat... then left... another one... sits down, gets up. Fuel makes a comment. "They're afraid to sit next to me. Or Gnome. Or Cmitch." Believe me, I GOT the message. I didn't say anything but I'm fairly certain that Fuel knew that I got the message. And I did. This was over a month or two ago but that will never leave my head. No, not in a make me tilt to play overly aggressive or spewy. It's just another reminder of me being aware of how I play and how my style lacks the ability to put fear in an opponent. Sure, I get paid off on my big hands. Sure, once in a while I can make moves on certain players. But my game still doesn't have that "x" factor that some players have that literally instills fear in an opponent to play a pot against you. In the past, online, I've seen players like EricBeren and JDJos at the table and I would do what I can to find another table. I hated playing pots against those guys and they probably knew because they would be in almost every pot against me, in or out of position. Fuel's statement and the fact that he intentionally left me off would not go unnoticed... nor forgotten.
Now almost equally amazing is I actually see even worse plays from other players which used to baffle me a lot... these days, I don't even question it. There's something funny in the water they drink and I just let it go. And yet if these were bloggers and you go read their blogs, it's almost like they did everything right and the opponent did everything wrong but got lucky. Doesn't anyone ever question themselves anymore? Because I know I do... almost all the time. Did I get the most out of this pot? Why did I lose this pot? Was it a right fold? If I got sucked out on, did I give this opponent an opportunity to suck out on me? Despite the suckout, was it a good move on my part? When I won a big pot, is it because of the betting/deception or was it just a setup hand for the opponent? These are questions that are constantly on my mind.
The point is, are you a harsh critic of yourself? I mean really. Are you really, honestly, evaluating yourself as a poker player? Because if so, you should see your flaws more clearly than anyone else can. Because you know those two cards that you hold that no one else sees. You know the betting pattern of yourself when you have a hand and when you don't have a hand. You know how uncomfortable you feel when you are bluffing and you have to decide what to do on the turn and the river. You know all these things. It's a matter of putting them into perspective and truly analyzing yourself. If your opponent did the same thing you did, would you call it a great play or would you denounce them as a donkey making stupid move that's surely -EV in the long run?
I think it's important to take a long, hard look at yourself. At that point, you need to determine how you view yourself as a poker player. How you would view yourself if you were playing against you. Do you see a shark? Or do you see a donkey?
Again, please don't bother leaving comments like "dude, you're a great player" or stuff along those lines. I would welcome any thoughts on this post or my weakness/donkishness but this is NOT a "I need some positive comments so please help me" post so I really don't want any morale booster type comments because they will make this post look like a self pity party which is truly not that. I just know that of all the critics out there, I am my harshest critic. I always have been and I'm fairly certain I will always be. That fuels my desire to get better. One day, I will strike fear in my opponents. One day.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
OTP lives here
I am a One Trick Pony. I have no clue strategically, how to play stud... hi or low. Or pot limit omaha... hi or low. So, the game starts... I mean I know how the game works but again, I have no idea what's a good starting hand, etc. Yes, I know AA(A) would be nice but you know, what else are good? So, basically, I just decided to stick with the basic strategy where I looked at my cards, looked at everyone else's and if people had more than 2 of my connecting cards, I would muck. So unless I had a high PP or 3 broadway cards, if they are suited or connected, as long as I didn't see 2 of the same suit out there or 2 of the cards I would need to make a straight out there, I would play.
In the beginning, I needed some answers but no one on my table would accomodate... so I had to pull in the assistant. The following are actual questions I asked:
me: in stud... if your door cards are 99 (door cards are hidden cards right?), but you see a 9 in someone else's exposed card, and before you put any money in, someone with an A completes the bring in, is folding the right move?
or is that retardedly tight?
As evidenced above, in the beginning, I didn't even know proper terminology. (for those that still don't know, you are dealt two hole cards which are the hidden ones and one door card which is the exposed one)
Another question I had to ask:
me: hey, since I'm chatting alone at my table
is the HH all jumbled or are they in order the cards are dealt?
Above is clearly indicative of no one answering my questions.
me: I just folded KK door card after 5th street to a guy showing 10-8-3 but put in a raise
one K was dead
one pair is not so good in stud, right?
In my defense to above question, I believe the action was fairly heavy enough that I didn't think one pair was good enough to continue... granted, I was shocked with the amount of one pair hands that went to showdown. I mean I honestly don't have a clue in stud but if you're getting dealt 7 cards, my instincts already tell me that one pair is not that good... Admittedly, the assistant's response was this:
Bayne: that is weak in against bloggers
me: can't be with 7 cards being dealt
really
Bayne: 1p no good
me: except in blonkaments?
Bayne: but 2 to come
Not sure if Bayne was just yankin my chain or not... I just couldn't see myself calling the raised big bet (the action before it got to me was bet, raise so I'd have to call 2 big bets, assuming the initial bettor doesn't put in 3rd bet), knowing I have to call two more if I don't catch another pair on the 6th street. That just seemed a little too spewy considering I had no other realistic draws. Maybe I think too much...
After a while, I'm getting the hang of it... and I start seeing some incredible things... to which I commented (sorry if you were in this pot... I was really just shocked to see it happen).
me: OH MY GOD
these guys are atrocious
Buddy dank is betting... showing QQ
4 callers until the 7th crd
two of them FOLDS
one of them calls with two pair!
neither pair higher than Q
me: Buddy was betting every street
there was raise, reraise
2000+ pot
buddy shows QQQ
obv
Bayne: obv
I have some HH's saved here that I could post... and maybe it's just me because I'm not used to it but 7 stud HHs are hard to decipher...
In the end though, I busted in 19th place when my QQ(4) was no match to the villain's AA(J). With the J exposed, I thought when I raised and he reraised, he had a J in the hole card. Because I was fairly short stacked and with all the weak hands that actually went to showdown prior to this, I thought I was good... until the cards were flipped over. Reading strength/weakness was definitely hard for me and I did notice that I was giving too much credit to certain players.
One interesting hand also happened against Lucko where I had QQ hidden. There was some preflop action but when all the money went in, lucko was ahead with two pair. I had a monster draw so I put in the 4th raise. Lucko had less than 2 streets worth betting so I wasn't folding at that point based on the cards I had. I get lucky on the river but I can't imagine that I'm too much of a dog here when the money goes in. Here's the actual HH.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5506048290: Skill Series (40521319), Table 5 - 500/1000 Ante 100 - Limit Stud Hi - 23:50:16 ET - 2008/03/04
Seat 1: lucko21 (4,816)
Seat 2: Rob110178 (1,919)
Seat 3: RecessRampage (8,734)
Seat 4: Jestocost (16,796)
Seat 5: BuddyDank (3,081)
Seat 6: IslandBum1 (6,340)
Seat 7: chitwood (4,128)
lucko21 antes 100
Rob110178 antes 100
RecessRampage antes 100
Jestocost antes 100
BuddyDank antes 100
IslandBum1 antes 100
chitwood antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th]
Dealt to Rob110178 [8c]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc] [Js]
Dealt to Jestocost [9s]
Dealt to BuddyDank [3d]
Dealt to IslandBum1 [4d]
Dealt to chitwood [6s]
BuddyDank is low with [3d]
BuddyDank brings in for 150
IslandBum1 folds
chitwood folds
lucko21 completes it to 500
Rob110178 folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Jestocost folds
BuddyDank folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th] [5h]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js] [Ac]
RecessRampage bets 500
lucko21 calls 500
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th 5h] [7d]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac] [Ts]
RecessRampage bets 1,000
lucko21 raises to 2,000
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
At this point, when I am showing that board, and lucko knowing the way I play poker in general, I actually figured him for a fairly strong hand. But since I got the T, I couldn't believe that lucko would have the remaining three 10's. I was a little confused. But if he's raising, he definitely has a better hand than my one pair. Having said that, the pot is so big, and lucko only has enough to bet out on two streets so I figured if all our money is going in anyways, might as well just get it in now (I mean I'm not folding at this point on the 6th or 7th street).
RecessRampage raises to 3,000
lucko21 raises to 3,716, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 716
lucko21 shows [7h Td Th 5h 7d]
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [7h Td Th 5h 7d] [Jd]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts] [3h]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [7h Td Th 5h 7d Jd] [9c]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts 3h] [As]
lucko21 shows [7h Td Th 5h 7d Jd 9c] two pair, Tens and Sevens
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts 3h As] two pair, Aces and Queens
RecessRampage wins the pot (10,282) with two pair, Aces and Queens
lucko21 stands up
I don't know odds and statistics in stud so I have to go by what I remembered. I knew I didn't see any face cards (I obv keep track of stuff like that, naturally) so I was fairly certain I had a fair amount of outs. I am guessing I'm behind but not by much when the money goes in. Who knows, maybe I'm a huge dog but I can't imagine. Oh... and sadly (but true), this is the first time in the whole tournament that I realized this was a KO tourney... seriously, how retarded am I????
This is my final hand where I overvalued my hidden pocket pair.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5506328668: Skill Series (40521319), Table 5 - 1000/2000 Ante 150 - Limit Stud Hi - 0:13:24 ET - 2008/03/05
Seat 1: pkrplr4116 (14,035)
Seat 2: Rob110178 (6,257)
Seat 3: RecessRampage (7,800)
Seat 4: Jestocost (36,274)
Seat 5: lilkimmer77 (7,068)
Seat 6: SirFWALGMan (22,043)
Seat 7: Mean_G (20,152)
pkrplr4116 antes 150
Rob110178 antes 150
RecessRampage antes 150
Jestocost antes 150
lilkimmer77 antes 150
SirFWALGMan antes 150
Mean_G antes 150
Jestocost: wink wink
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pkrplr4116 [6h]
Dealt to Rob110178 [3s]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd] [4s]
Dealt to Jestocost [9h]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Jh]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [Tc]
Dealt to Mean_G [4h]
Rob110178 is low with [3s]
Rob110178 brings in for 300
SirFWALGMan: lol
RecessRampage completes it to 1,000
Jestocost folds
lilkimmer77 raises to 2,000
SirFWALGMan folds
Mean_G folds
pkrplr4116 folds
SirFWALGMan: i had at least 17 outs
Rob110178 folds
SirFWALGMan: lol
RecessRampage raises to 3,000
lilkimmer77 raises to 4,000
SirFWALGMan: maybe more but i cant count
RecessRampage calls 1,000
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s] [2s]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Jh] [Ts]
lilkimmer77 bets 1,000
RecessRampage raises to 2,000
lilkimmer77 raises to 2,918, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 918
lilkimmer77 shows [Ah Ad Jh Ts]
RecessRampage shows [Qc Qd 4s 2s]
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s] [8d]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts] [8h]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d] [7s]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h] [Jc]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d 7s] [3c]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h Jc] [Js]
lilkimmer77 shows [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h Jc Js] a full house, Jacks full of Aces
RecessRampage shows [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d 7s 3c] a pair of Queens
lilkimmer77 wins the pot (15,186) with a full house, Jacks full of Aces
Oh... I just realized this wasn't the hand I busted out on... but this crippled me enough that the next hand was insignificant.
This was fun though. I guess variety is the spice of life.
In the Bodonkey, I came in 12th when I had a ridiculous mental melt down and shoved TT from UTG with a fairly healthy stack (the moment I shoved, I said out loud, holy shit, wtf did I just do!?) Everyone was folding so I was just about to feel relieved when the BB calls with AA... I bust 12th. Honestly, I can't explain why I shoved. I was not in a push shove mode, I could easily have made a standard raise and fold to a shove and still have enough chips to have good fold equity. Kurokitty was there and even though he was nice on gchat, I'm sure his thought was "what the hell just happened to Recess?" And honestly, I have no idea... literally, I clicked on the max button on Bodog, clicked on bet, and within a nanosecond, I said "oh shit!" Literally, a mental meltdown... I have no excuse. This is a good time to pile on Recess "mr I am feeling good about my MTT game/how can you overplay medium pocket pair" Rampage. That was just bad, bad play.
Oh well. I plan on winning the Mookie tonight. See you all there!
In the beginning, I needed some answers but no one on my table would accomodate... so I had to pull in the assistant. The following are actual questions I asked:
me: in stud... if your door cards are 99 (door cards are hidden cards right?), but you see a 9 in someone else's exposed card, and before you put any money in, someone with an A completes the bring in, is folding the right move?
or is that retardedly tight?
As evidenced above, in the beginning, I didn't even know proper terminology. (for those that still don't know, you are dealt two hole cards which are the hidden ones and one door card which is the exposed one)
Another question I had to ask:
me: hey, since I'm chatting alone at my table
is the HH all jumbled or are they in order the cards are dealt?
Above is clearly indicative of no one answering my questions.
me: I just folded KK door card after 5th street to a guy showing 10-8-3 but put in a raise
one K was dead
one pair is not so good in stud, right?
In my defense to above question, I believe the action was fairly heavy enough that I didn't think one pair was good enough to continue... granted, I was shocked with the amount of one pair hands that went to showdown. I mean I honestly don't have a clue in stud but if you're getting dealt 7 cards, my instincts already tell me that one pair is not that good... Admittedly, the assistant's response was this:
Bayne: that is weak in against bloggers
me: can't be with 7 cards being dealt
really
Bayne: 1p no good
me: except in blonkaments?
Bayne: but 2 to come
Not sure if Bayne was just yankin my chain or not... I just couldn't see myself calling the raised big bet (the action before it got to me was bet, raise so I'd have to call 2 big bets, assuming the initial bettor doesn't put in 3rd bet), knowing I have to call two more if I don't catch another pair on the 6th street. That just seemed a little too spewy considering I had no other realistic draws. Maybe I think too much...
After a while, I'm getting the hang of it... and I start seeing some incredible things... to which I commented (sorry if you were in this pot... I was really just shocked to see it happen).
me: OH MY GOD
these guys are atrocious
Buddy dank is betting... showing QQ
4 callers until the 7th crd
two of them FOLDS
one of them calls with two pair!
neither pair higher than Q
me: Buddy was betting every street
there was raise, reraise
2000+ pot
buddy shows QQQ
obv
Bayne: obv
I have some HH's saved here that I could post... and maybe it's just me because I'm not used to it but 7 stud HHs are hard to decipher...
In the end though, I busted in 19th place when my QQ(4) was no match to the villain's AA(J). With the J exposed, I thought when I raised and he reraised, he had a J in the hole card. Because I was fairly short stacked and with all the weak hands that actually went to showdown prior to this, I thought I was good... until the cards were flipped over. Reading strength/weakness was definitely hard for me and I did notice that I was giving too much credit to certain players.
One interesting hand also happened against Lucko where I had QQ hidden. There was some preflop action but when all the money went in, lucko was ahead with two pair. I had a monster draw so I put in the 4th raise. Lucko had less than 2 streets worth betting so I wasn't folding at that point based on the cards I had. I get lucky on the river but I can't imagine that I'm too much of a dog here when the money goes in. Here's the actual HH.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5506048290: Skill Series (40521319), Table 5 - 500/1000 Ante 100 - Limit Stud Hi - 23:50:16 ET - 2008/03/04
Seat 1: lucko21 (4,816)
Seat 2: Rob110178 (1,919)
Seat 3: RecessRampage (8,734)
Seat 4: Jestocost (16,796)
Seat 5: BuddyDank (3,081)
Seat 6: IslandBum1 (6,340)
Seat 7: chitwood (4,128)
lucko21 antes 100
Rob110178 antes 100
RecessRampage antes 100
Jestocost antes 100
BuddyDank antes 100
IslandBum1 antes 100
chitwood antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th]
Dealt to Rob110178 [8c]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc] [Js]
Dealt to Jestocost [9s]
Dealt to BuddyDank [3d]
Dealt to IslandBum1 [4d]
Dealt to chitwood [6s]
BuddyDank is low with [3d]
BuddyDank brings in for 150
IslandBum1 folds
chitwood folds
lucko21 completes it to 500
Rob110178 folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Jestocost folds
BuddyDank folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th] [5h]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js] [Ac]
RecessRampage bets 500
lucko21 calls 500
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [Th 5h] [7d]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac] [Ts]
RecessRampage bets 1,000
lucko21 raises to 2,000
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
At this point, when I am showing that board, and lucko knowing the way I play poker in general, I actually figured him for a fairly strong hand. But since I got the T, I couldn't believe that lucko would have the remaining three 10's. I was a little confused. But if he's raising, he definitely has a better hand than my one pair. Having said that, the pot is so big, and lucko only has enough to bet out on two streets so I figured if all our money is going in anyways, might as well just get it in now (I mean I'm not folding at this point on the 6th or 7th street).
RecessRampage raises to 3,000
lucko21 raises to 3,716, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 716
lucko21 shows [7h Td Th 5h 7d]
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [7h Td Th 5h 7d] [Jd]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts] [3h]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to lucko21 [7h Td Th 5h 7d Jd] [9c]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts 3h] [As]
lucko21 shows [7h Td Th 5h 7d Jd 9c] two pair, Tens and Sevens
RecessRampage shows [Qs Qc Js Ac Ts 3h As] two pair, Aces and Queens
RecessRampage wins the pot (10,282) with two pair, Aces and Queens
lucko21 stands up
I don't know odds and statistics in stud so I have to go by what I remembered. I knew I didn't see any face cards (I obv keep track of stuff like that, naturally) so I was fairly certain I had a fair amount of outs. I am guessing I'm behind but not by much when the money goes in. Who knows, maybe I'm a huge dog but I can't imagine. Oh... and sadly (but true), this is the first time in the whole tournament that I realized this was a KO tourney... seriously, how retarded am I????
This is my final hand where I overvalued my hidden pocket pair.
Full Tilt Poker Game #5506328668: Skill Series (40521319), Table 5 - 1000/2000 Ante 150 - Limit Stud Hi - 0:13:24 ET - 2008/03/05
Seat 1: pkrplr4116 (14,035)
Seat 2: Rob110178 (6,257)
Seat 3: RecessRampage (7,800)
Seat 4: Jestocost (36,274)
Seat 5: lilkimmer77 (7,068)
Seat 6: SirFWALGMan (22,043)
Seat 7: Mean_G (20,152)
pkrplr4116 antes 150
Rob110178 antes 150
RecessRampage antes 150
Jestocost antes 150
lilkimmer77 antes 150
SirFWALGMan antes 150
Mean_G antes 150
Jestocost: wink wink
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pkrplr4116 [6h]
Dealt to Rob110178 [3s]
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd] [4s]
Dealt to Jestocost [9h]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Jh]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [Tc]
Dealt to Mean_G [4h]
Rob110178 is low with [3s]
Rob110178 brings in for 300
SirFWALGMan: lol
RecessRampage completes it to 1,000
Jestocost folds
lilkimmer77 raises to 2,000
SirFWALGMan folds
Mean_G folds
pkrplr4116 folds
SirFWALGMan: i had at least 17 outs
Rob110178 folds
SirFWALGMan: lol
RecessRampage raises to 3,000
lilkimmer77 raises to 4,000
SirFWALGMan: maybe more but i cant count
RecessRampage calls 1,000
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s] [2s]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Jh] [Ts]
lilkimmer77 bets 1,000
RecessRampage raises to 2,000
lilkimmer77 raises to 2,918, and is all in
RecessRampage calls 918
lilkimmer77 shows [Ah Ad Jh Ts]
RecessRampage shows [Qc Qd 4s 2s]
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s] [8d]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts] [8h]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d] [7s]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h] [Jc]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d 7s] [3c]
Dealt to lilkimmer77 [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h Jc] [Js]
lilkimmer77 shows [Ah Ad Jh Ts 8h Jc Js] a full house, Jacks full of Aces
RecessRampage shows [Qc Qd 4s 2s 8d 7s 3c] a pair of Queens
lilkimmer77 wins the pot (15,186) with a full house, Jacks full of Aces
Oh... I just realized this wasn't the hand I busted out on... but this crippled me enough that the next hand was insignificant.
This was fun though. I guess variety is the spice of life.
In the Bodonkey, I came in 12th when I had a ridiculous mental melt down and shoved TT from UTG with a fairly healthy stack (the moment I shoved, I said out loud, holy shit, wtf did I just do!?) Everyone was folding so I was just about to feel relieved when the BB calls with AA... I bust 12th. Honestly, I can't explain why I shoved. I was not in a push shove mode, I could easily have made a standard raise and fold to a shove and still have enough chips to have good fold equity. Kurokitty was there and even though he was nice on gchat, I'm sure his thought was "what the hell just happened to Recess?" And honestly, I have no idea... literally, I clicked on the max button on Bodog, clicked on bet, and within a nanosecond, I said "oh shit!" Literally, a mental meltdown... I have no excuse. This is a good time to pile on Recess "mr I am feeling good about my MTT game/how can you overplay medium pocket pair" Rampage. That was just bad, bad play.
Oh well. I plan on winning the Mookie tonight. See you all there!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Follow up thoughts on the hand against Fischman
Monday night was event #2 of the BBT3 and it was a 6 max format for Mondays at the Hoy (MATH). I have never played in the 6 max tournaments before and admittedly, it was a fairly different beast. I really couldn't get much going and in the end, I lost two showdowns AT < J8 (J8 was a relative short stack shoving from CO), AK < AQ (I was shoving but AQ was almost getting the right price to call based on what probably was my shoving range) and the latter knocked me out. I didn't really get anything and besides a few steals and resteals here and there with questionable holdings, I really couldn't do much... and then I did wonder, are there times when nothing clicks and you just kinda get knocked out of the tournament without ever getting in rhythm or do good players still find ways to make stuff happen? Any thoughts there would be appreciated.
Tonight is the Skill series which I know I am a complete dead money being that I am a one trick pony. I think it's PLO tonight but I'm not sure... it really doesn't matter. The point is it's not NLH and so I'm not sure why I'm playing... I guess just to get lucky cuz you never know how you might get smacked by the deck... though I think even if I get really lucky, I just won't know what to do with it and still lose. Bayne, maybe you should be giving me pointers instead of sharing bad beat stories with me.
Also, thanks for all the comments on my hand from yesterday. Let me address some of that here. To recap, Scott Fischman minraises from UTG+1 and I'm the only caller from the BB with KQs. Flop comes 6-7-3 with two of my suits, giving me two overs and a second nut flush draw. I check, Scott bets 1,500 into a pot containing 2,650. I checkraise to 6,000, he jams and I call the 12,000 more. The call there is no question. With the pot odds, it's a no brainer. Again, my question was, should I have checkraised more?
One guy commented that considering how Scotty was playing, it may not have mattered and that he was jamming no matter what. Maybe so but that's kinda besides the point. I'm not too interested in the results as I am in the process. If I am happy with my thought process, the betting amount, and the strategy itself, I am ok with the ending result being the same, which is I missed my 15 outs twice and I was crippled. Anguila mentioned that my bet sizing needs to be the same if I had flopped a monster, say a set or something so he disagreed with making it bigger. He liked my value bet-ish looking check raise. The only thing is, if I had flopped two pair or a set, I woulda bet bigger. The board is draw heavy so there is no reason for me to value bet there. And that's where I felt my mistake was. Because the board is so draw heavy, if I had a made hand, wouldn't I have bet more? Sure I would. That's what I do. Try to build pots when I have it. Gnome asked what would have been a good amount? 8,000? 9,000? Even before he asked that question, I obviously had some thoughts in mind and yes, I believe around 8500 would have been a good amount. That would clearly send the message that he no longer has fold equity even if he shoves. Again, he might still read me as having a flush draw and shove anyways but again, that's besides the point and at that point, surely I would instacall given the odds.
I think 6,000 looked weakish and drawish... Riggstad mentioned that Fischman did put me on a draw and so he shoved. He also mentioned to me later that Scott was surprised I called there considering my stack size. I actually didn't instacall there and I thought of a few things but the following is what made me call:
1) incredible pot odds considering my potential outs. 2:1 and potentially 15 outs twice, if he's on a ace high flush draw, that sucks but I at least have 6 outs twice. If he has two pair or better on this board, I have 9 outs. So considering the situation, I was getting tremendous pot odds.
2) I didn't want to give up what ended up becoming such a big pot to Scott Fischman. Sure, apparently, he was just donking it up in that one but at the time, I didn't know that. I was moved to the table not too long ago so I knew he was in the pot a lot but I didn't know he was just playing carefree poker. One thing I did notice was that everyone seemed to not want to be in the pot with him, at least at that table.
3) It was a known pro and I had a good chance to bust him. I had him covered, if I win that pot, I am the chip leader with almost twice as many chips as the second place guy, who would be sitting directly to my right. The only other chip stack that would hurt me that was on my left would be gone. It would make for an ideal table situation and give me a very good chance to go deep/win the tourney.
Having said all that, I did consider the other option that I didn't even touch on yesterday. Considering my stack size, I could have played this hand carefully and just smooth called his flop bet. The bet was small, it was giving me good odds to catch something on the turn so I could just call. If he fires out on the turn once the A comes, I could get away from the hand and move on to the next hand. That is certainly another option and maybe a better one considering the situation. I think in my mind, there was also a part of me that wanted to send the message that I wasn't gonna get pushed around by a pro. That maybe everyone might fold to his minraise but that I was gonna fight him for the pots. Maybe that ego got in the way but in looking back, I don't hate my play. I hate the amount still and I still think I shoulda gone bigger, regardless of the results, but check calling flop bet and then check folding on the turn seems a little too weak. I don't know. Interesting hand.
Oh, and btw, it appears that there's a lot of negativity by everyone against Scotty and how he played/lucksacked into the TOC. I also saw some people lament that there goes one WSOP Main Event seat. I am actually shocked to see that. I actually thought this blogger bunch was a lot more resilient than that. A known pro wins a tournament, gets a seat into the TOC and you assume he's got one of the prizes locked up? Why because you don't think you can compete? You don't think you're good enough? Then why the hell are you even playing? It's the WSOP ME seat we're fighting for. I don't give a shit who stands in the way. I know I don't have any MTT successes but I'm trying hard to get better at it and I'm not gonna cry about a pro being in the way of one of the seats. That's just weak and I'm shocked/disappointed with some who appear to be so discouraged by his presence. I actually think it's cool that a known pro is playing and as a matter of fact, if the other known internet pros come out, take down the blogger tourneys, lock up all the seats to the WSOP, as much as it may be a bummer that a blogger can't take it, I think it's nice to know that skill obviously matters and that everyone who cries about their bad luck and how THAT's the reason they're not winning will be put in their place. There's a reason why guys (and girls) like Hoy, Chad, Lucko, LJ etc continue to post big wins (not literally since Lucko and Chad seem to not really post anymore) in MTTs and based on reading their blogs, you know it's not because they get lucky all the time. I'm not bashing anyone in particular here. All I'm saying is, know what's at stake, man up, and play some poker. It's the freakin world series. Pro or no pro, you know you're gonna have to fight hard, play your best poker, and get lucky in key spots to win. We as a group take poker very seriously. It's time to show all the nonbloggers/pros what kinda damage we are capable of doing. I know I'm working hard to do that. I hope you all are too.
Tonight is the Skill series which I know I am a complete dead money being that I am a one trick pony. I think it's PLO tonight but I'm not sure... it really doesn't matter. The point is it's not NLH and so I'm not sure why I'm playing... I guess just to get lucky cuz you never know how you might get smacked by the deck... though I think even if I get really lucky, I just won't know what to do with it and still lose. Bayne, maybe you should be giving me pointers instead of sharing bad beat stories with me.
Also, thanks for all the comments on my hand from yesterday. Let me address some of that here. To recap, Scott Fischman minraises from UTG+1 and I'm the only caller from the BB with KQs. Flop comes 6-7-3 with two of my suits, giving me two overs and a second nut flush draw. I check, Scott bets 1,500 into a pot containing 2,650. I checkraise to 6,000, he jams and I call the 12,000 more. The call there is no question. With the pot odds, it's a no brainer. Again, my question was, should I have checkraised more?
One guy commented that considering how Scotty was playing, it may not have mattered and that he was jamming no matter what. Maybe so but that's kinda besides the point. I'm not too interested in the results as I am in the process. If I am happy with my thought process, the betting amount, and the strategy itself, I am ok with the ending result being the same, which is I missed my 15 outs twice and I was crippled. Anguila mentioned that my bet sizing needs to be the same if I had flopped a monster, say a set or something so he disagreed with making it bigger. He liked my value bet-ish looking check raise. The only thing is, if I had flopped two pair or a set, I woulda bet bigger. The board is draw heavy so there is no reason for me to value bet there. And that's where I felt my mistake was. Because the board is so draw heavy, if I had a made hand, wouldn't I have bet more? Sure I would. That's what I do. Try to build pots when I have it. Gnome asked what would have been a good amount? 8,000? 9,000? Even before he asked that question, I obviously had some thoughts in mind and yes, I believe around 8500 would have been a good amount. That would clearly send the message that he no longer has fold equity even if he shoves. Again, he might still read me as having a flush draw and shove anyways but again, that's besides the point and at that point, surely I would instacall given the odds.
I think 6,000 looked weakish and drawish... Riggstad mentioned that Fischman did put me on a draw and so he shoved. He also mentioned to me later that Scott was surprised I called there considering my stack size. I actually didn't instacall there and I thought of a few things but the following is what made me call:
1) incredible pot odds considering my potential outs. 2:1 and potentially 15 outs twice, if he's on a ace high flush draw, that sucks but I at least have 6 outs twice. If he has two pair or better on this board, I have 9 outs. So considering the situation, I was getting tremendous pot odds.
2) I didn't want to give up what ended up becoming such a big pot to Scott Fischman. Sure, apparently, he was just donking it up in that one but at the time, I didn't know that. I was moved to the table not too long ago so I knew he was in the pot a lot but I didn't know he was just playing carefree poker. One thing I did notice was that everyone seemed to not want to be in the pot with him, at least at that table.
3) It was a known pro and I had a good chance to bust him. I had him covered, if I win that pot, I am the chip leader with almost twice as many chips as the second place guy, who would be sitting directly to my right. The only other chip stack that would hurt me that was on my left would be gone. It would make for an ideal table situation and give me a very good chance to go deep/win the tourney.
Having said all that, I did consider the other option that I didn't even touch on yesterday. Considering my stack size, I could have played this hand carefully and just smooth called his flop bet. The bet was small, it was giving me good odds to catch something on the turn so I could just call. If he fires out on the turn once the A comes, I could get away from the hand and move on to the next hand. That is certainly another option and maybe a better one considering the situation. I think in my mind, there was also a part of me that wanted to send the message that I wasn't gonna get pushed around by a pro. That maybe everyone might fold to his minraise but that I was gonna fight him for the pots. Maybe that ego got in the way but in looking back, I don't hate my play. I hate the amount still and I still think I shoulda gone bigger, regardless of the results, but check calling flop bet and then check folding on the turn seems a little too weak. I don't know. Interesting hand.
Oh, and btw, it appears that there's a lot of negativity by everyone against Scotty and how he played/lucksacked into the TOC. I also saw some people lament that there goes one WSOP Main Event seat. I am actually shocked to see that. I actually thought this blogger bunch was a lot more resilient than that. A known pro wins a tournament, gets a seat into the TOC and you assume he's got one of the prizes locked up? Why because you don't think you can compete? You don't think you're good enough? Then why the hell are you even playing? It's the WSOP ME seat we're fighting for. I don't give a shit who stands in the way. I know I don't have any MTT successes but I'm trying hard to get better at it and I'm not gonna cry about a pro being in the way of one of the seats. That's just weak and I'm shocked/disappointed with some who appear to be so discouraged by his presence. I actually think it's cool that a known pro is playing and as a matter of fact, if the other known internet pros come out, take down the blogger tourneys, lock up all the seats to the WSOP, as much as it may be a bummer that a blogger can't take it, I think it's nice to know that skill obviously matters and that everyone who cries about their bad luck and how THAT's the reason they're not winning will be put in their place. There's a reason why guys (and girls) like Hoy, Chad, Lucko, LJ etc continue to post big wins (not literally since Lucko and Chad seem to not really post anymore) in MTTs and based on reading their blogs, you know it's not because they get lucky all the time. I'm not bashing anyone in particular here. All I'm saying is, know what's at stake, man up, and play some poker. It's the freakin world series. Pro or no pro, you know you're gonna have to fight hard, play your best poker, and get lucky in key spots to win. We as a group take poker very seriously. It's time to show all the nonbloggers/pros what kinda damage we are capable of doing. I know I'm working hard to do that. I hope you all are too.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Sick! (big hand from the Big Game)
As you all know by now (or at least if you're a blogger you know), we had a record breaking 105 entrants into MiamiDon's Big Game. First place prize was just short of $2,000... basically, winning that tournament was like winning the $2k preliminary WSOP package. All weekend, I've been doing everything to prepare for the grueling MTT bloggers series that is the BBT3. Well, everything but playing in an actual MTT.
Well, as the Big Game kicked off, I felt good. I was, for the first time in a long time, single tabling... I can't recall not having multiple tables open for some time... and realized how much of a difference that makes. I was watching everyone play and I was recognizing the good and the bad. I really couldn't get much going in the first hour and eventually the blinds were getting fairly high and my stack was still hovering around 4,500... a little less than the starting stack of 5,000. However, that's when I started catching some cards and more importantly, winning some races. During the second hour, I went from having just 4,500 to 22,000ish by means of AQ > 88, QQ > JJ, JJ > AK. I was catching the cards and winning the races/not getting sucked out on. Very important in these tournaments. Also, I was recognizing situations and I felt good. The only thing I didn't like was that the 2 time WSOP champion Scott Fischman was at my table. What was even worse was that he was clearly splashing the pot around, making it very hard to put him on a hand and since he had a big stack and he played like he didn't care, he was a threat to everyone. Well, then this hand came up...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5479172226: Blogger Big Game (40523592), Table 2 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:45:29 ET - 2008/03/02
Seat 1: Scott Fischman (19,052)
Seat 2: weak_player (8,908)
Seat 3: asphnxma (8,775)
Seat 4: a104l9 (14,400)
Seat 5: JL514 (10,625)
Seat 6: columbo (28,673)
Seat 7: RecessRampage (22,530)
Seat 9: twoblackaces (1,835)
Scott Fischman antes 50
weak_player antes 50
asphnxma antes 50
a104l9 antes 50
JL514 antes 50
columbo antes 50
RecessRampage antes 50
twoblackaces antes 50
columbo posts the small blind of 250
RecessRampage posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kd Qd]
twoblackaces folds
Scott Fischman raises to 1,000
weak_player folds
asphnxma folds
a104l9 folds
JL514 folds
columbo folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Fischman was minraising pretty much everytime. However, I did not want to get into a big confrontation with him out of position so I elected to smooth call with KQs which I knew was ahead of his raising hand range (even from that EP). Plus with the pot odds, it's obv a no brainer call.
*** FLOP *** [6d 7d 3c]
RecessRampage checks
Scott Fischman bets 1,500
RecessRampage raises to 6,000
Scott Fischman raises to 18,002, and is all in
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage calls 12,002
Scott Fischman shows [7c 5c]
RecessRampage shows [Kd Qd]
*** TURN *** [6d 7d 3c] [As]
*** RIVER *** [6d 7d 3c As] [5s]
Scott Fischman shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
RecessRampage shows Ace King high
Scott Fischman wins the pot (38,654) with two pair, Sevens and Fives
This hand obviously crippled me and the very next hand, Scott once again minraises, everyone folds, I shove from the SB with A-10, he has KQ or KJ or something and I'm out. Now before I chalk this one up to bad luck for not catching my 15 outs twice (according to Bayne, I'm a slight favorite on the flop - either way, it's a virtual coinfliop), I naturally, started thinking about this hand. It's not unusual for me to go to bed thinking about poker but I have to admit, I even dreamt about it and this morning when I woke up, this hand was the first thing that came to mind... even sicker when I saw that Scott Fischman ended up taking down this tournament.
Well, ok, back to the main point of this post. I looked over this hand history. And then I realized I made a critical mistake. Where's the mistake? Well, let's revisit the hand history. But before I do that, I want to lay out the table first.
Blinds - 250/500 Ante 50
Seat 1: Scott Fischman (19,052)
Seat 2: weak_player (8,908)
Seat 3: asphnxma (8,775)
Seat 4: a104l9 (14,400)
Seat 5: JL514 (10,625)
Seat 6: columbo (28,673)
Seat 7: RecessRampage (22,530)
Seat 9: twoblackaces (1,835)
As you see here, I am second in chips and even better is that columbo who is the huge chip leader is sitting to my right. I couldn't ask for anything better (unless of course, Fischman is sitting to Columbo's right, then it would be perfect). This is the table where I accumulated most of my chips and the only hands that I've shown down so far were QQ and JJ. So, in other words, I have a good table image and a big stack. With the blinds and antes and 8 players at the table, the pot has T$1,150. With my stack, I am not looking to get into a major confrontation with the two other big stacks without a big hand. Now let's analyze the preflop action.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kd Qd]
twoblackaces folds
Scott Fischman raises to 1,000
weak_player folds
asphnxma folds
a104l9 folds
JL514 folds
columbo folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Scott Fischman minraises from UTG+1. Shockingly, no one gives him action. With the odds that he was laying, a lot of people could have called but I was especially shocked that no one from late position who has an M of around 10 shoved. He's been minraising a lot so that was no indication of him being tricky or any signs of strength. Now it's quite possible that no one had anything playable but again, shocking. Well, with my KQs, I just called. I figured that by just calling, I don't commit too many chips preflop, I thought it's a hand that is generally ahead of his raising range but if I miss, I could get away from it easily and look for a better spot to take his money.
*** FLOP *** [6d 7d 3c]
RecessRampage checks
Scott Fischman bets 1,500
The flop is about as good as it gets for me without actually hitting. All low cards with two diamonds. Fischman leads out with a weakish bet of around 1,500. At this point, I could either fold, call, or checkraise. I think the fold here is ridiculously weak. The pot has T$3,150, Fischman just bet 1,500 into it so I'm getting 3:1 on my money to call. However, at this point, I figured he either completely missed or got a piece of it so I decided to go with the checkraise.
RecessRampage raises to 6,000
Scott Fischman raises to 18,002, and is all in
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
This is where I messed up. No, not the fact that I checkraise. I don't mind that line too much. Except I didn't think this through. Let's go back for a second. Fischman bet 1,500 into a pot that had 3,150. By me raising it to 6,000, what does that do? Now, Fischman is getting close to 2.5:1 odds (for him to call off another 4,500 into a pot that is now 10,650. Even worse is this. My checkraise amount was just the amount that a pro could read as a weak checkraise. I left myself about 14 or 15,000 in chips. It's almost as if I'm saying I'm making this one move but I can still fold. In other words, Scott is getting 2.5:1 odds, he got a piece of it, AND he's got fold equity... or so he thought so he shoves.
The way I analyze hands, I always try to get into the head of another player. If I were Scotty, what do I think Recess has? Well, Recess called the preflop minraise so he obv doesn't have AA-JJ. Maybe AK but also unlikely (keep in mind he doesn't know me so he would have to generalize my play a little). So, the calling range of Recess could be wide but it's obv not a premium hand. Flop comes 7 high. I hit top pair and gut shot straight draw (remember, I'm Scott right now). Recess checkraises me but left himself enough to fold. What does he have? 88-99, maybe TT? Some sort of a draw? Did he hit a piece of this also? A6 or A7? If these are the ranges that Recess has, I have some fold equity if I shove. ALL IN.
Any thoughts? Of course, based on the way Scott was playing, one can argue that he wasn't thinking much but this is how I'm looking at the hand. If I had checkraised a more solid amount whereby indicating to Scott that I'm committed in this hand, I'm not so sure that he wouldn't have folded. Maybe he would have shoved anyways but because my checkraise amount was so weak, I gave him the opportunity to come back over the top to make me make the decision... as opposed to me putting him to the test. He outplayed me, I had a hand that was good enough to call at that point (I was getting 2:1 with two overs and a flush draw) and the hand played itself out. But I can't stop thinking what could have been if I either won that race OR if I had checkraised more and just taken the pot away from him.
RecessRampage calls 12,002
Scott Fischman shows [7c 5c]
RecessRampage shows [Kd Qd]
*** TURN *** [6d 7d 3c] [As]
*** RIVER *** [6d 7d 3c As] [5s]
Scott Fischman shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
RecessRampage shows Ace King high
Scott Fischman wins the pot (38,654) with two pair, Sevens and Fives
I still have so much to learn. But I am seeing the tables and MTT situations in ways I haven't seen before so I am happy about that. And I can only get better. I also have a few sick side bets with Fuel for up to approx $1,000. This BBT is gonna be fun!
Oh, on the cash game side... I think (not 100% sure) this is the biggest pot I've won (which I know is not so big for some of you megafish out there but it's a start).
Full Tilt Poker Game #5473926807: Table Snow Flat (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:07:46 ET - 2008/03/02
Seat 1: peterpan777 ($2,244)
Seat 2: 93TilInfinity ($1,872.75)
Seat 3: Greennday13 ($200)
Seat 4: RecessRampage ($1,292)
Seat 5: Nicolak ($1,000)
Seat 6: FastEddie267 ($990)
FastEddie267 posts the small blind of $5
peterpan777 posts the big blind of $10
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Tc Jc]
93TilInfinity folds
RecessRampage raises to $35
Nicolak folds
FastEddie267 folds
peterpan777 calls $25
*** FLOP *** [Ts 2d 7c]
peterpan777 checks
RecessRampage bets $55
peterpan777 raises to $150
RecessRampage calls $95
*** TURN *** [Ts 2d 7c] [Jd]<--- gin!
peterpan777 checks
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage bets $280
peterpan777 raises to $2,059, and is all in
RecessRampage calls $827, and is all in
peterpan777 shows [Td 8d]
RecessRampage shows [Tc Jc]
Uncalled bet of $952 returned to peterpan777
*** RIVER *** [Ts 2d 7c Jd] [8s]
peterpan777 shows two pair, Tens and Eights
RecessRampage shows two pair, Jacks and Tens
RecessRampage wins the pot ($2,586) with two pair, Jacks and Tens <--- BOOM!!!!
Well, as the Big Game kicked off, I felt good. I was, for the first time in a long time, single tabling... I can't recall not having multiple tables open for some time... and realized how much of a difference that makes. I was watching everyone play and I was recognizing the good and the bad. I really couldn't get much going in the first hour and eventually the blinds were getting fairly high and my stack was still hovering around 4,500... a little less than the starting stack of 5,000. However, that's when I started catching some cards and more importantly, winning some races. During the second hour, I went from having just 4,500 to 22,000ish by means of AQ > 88, QQ > JJ, JJ > AK. I was catching the cards and winning the races/not getting sucked out on. Very important in these tournaments. Also, I was recognizing situations and I felt good. The only thing I didn't like was that the 2 time WSOP champion Scott Fischman was at my table. What was even worse was that he was clearly splashing the pot around, making it very hard to put him on a hand and since he had a big stack and he played like he didn't care, he was a threat to everyone. Well, then this hand came up...
Full Tilt Poker Game #5479172226: Blogger Big Game (40523592), Table 2 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:45:29 ET - 2008/03/02
Seat 1: Scott Fischman (19,052)
Seat 2: weak_player (8,908)
Seat 3: asphnxma (8,775)
Seat 4: a104l9 (14,400)
Seat 5: JL514 (10,625)
Seat 6: columbo (28,673)
Seat 7: RecessRampage (22,530)
Seat 9: twoblackaces (1,835)
Scott Fischman antes 50
weak_player antes 50
asphnxma antes 50
a104l9 antes 50
JL514 antes 50
columbo antes 50
RecessRampage antes 50
twoblackaces antes 50
columbo posts the small blind of 250
RecessRampage posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kd Qd]
twoblackaces folds
Scott Fischman raises to 1,000
weak_player folds
asphnxma folds
a104l9 folds
JL514 folds
columbo folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Fischman was minraising pretty much everytime. However, I did not want to get into a big confrontation with him out of position so I elected to smooth call with KQs which I knew was ahead of his raising hand range (even from that EP). Plus with the pot odds, it's obv a no brainer call.
*** FLOP *** [6d 7d 3c]
RecessRampage checks
Scott Fischman bets 1,500
RecessRampage raises to 6,000
Scott Fischman raises to 18,002, and is all in
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage calls 12,002
Scott Fischman shows [7c 5c]
RecessRampage shows [Kd Qd]
*** TURN *** [6d 7d 3c] [As]
*** RIVER *** [6d 7d 3c As] [5s]
Scott Fischman shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
RecessRampage shows Ace King high
Scott Fischman wins the pot (38,654) with two pair, Sevens and Fives
This hand obviously crippled me and the very next hand, Scott once again minraises, everyone folds, I shove from the SB with A-10, he has KQ or KJ or something and I'm out. Now before I chalk this one up to bad luck for not catching my 15 outs twice (according to Bayne, I'm a slight favorite on the flop - either way, it's a virtual coinfliop), I naturally, started thinking about this hand. It's not unusual for me to go to bed thinking about poker but I have to admit, I even dreamt about it and this morning when I woke up, this hand was the first thing that came to mind... even sicker when I saw that Scott Fischman ended up taking down this tournament.
Well, ok, back to the main point of this post. I looked over this hand history. And then I realized I made a critical mistake. Where's the mistake? Well, let's revisit the hand history. But before I do that, I want to lay out the table first.
Blinds - 250/500 Ante 50
Seat 1: Scott Fischman (19,052)
Seat 2: weak_player (8,908)
Seat 3: asphnxma (8,775)
Seat 4: a104l9 (14,400)
Seat 5: JL514 (10,625)
Seat 6: columbo (28,673)
Seat 7: RecessRampage (22,530)
Seat 9: twoblackaces (1,835)
As you see here, I am second in chips and even better is that columbo who is the huge chip leader is sitting to my right. I couldn't ask for anything better (unless of course, Fischman is sitting to Columbo's right, then it would be perfect). This is the table where I accumulated most of my chips and the only hands that I've shown down so far were QQ and JJ. So, in other words, I have a good table image and a big stack. With the blinds and antes and 8 players at the table, the pot has T$1,150. With my stack, I am not looking to get into a major confrontation with the two other big stacks without a big hand. Now let's analyze the preflop action.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Kd Qd]
twoblackaces folds
Scott Fischman raises to 1,000
weak_player folds
asphnxma folds
a104l9 folds
JL514 folds
columbo folds
RecessRampage calls 500
Scott Fischman minraises from UTG+1. Shockingly, no one gives him action. With the odds that he was laying, a lot of people could have called but I was especially shocked that no one from late position who has an M of around 10 shoved. He's been minraising a lot so that was no indication of him being tricky or any signs of strength. Now it's quite possible that no one had anything playable but again, shocking. Well, with my KQs, I just called. I figured that by just calling, I don't commit too many chips preflop, I thought it's a hand that is generally ahead of his raising range but if I miss, I could get away from it easily and look for a better spot to take his money.
*** FLOP *** [6d 7d 3c]
RecessRampage checks
Scott Fischman bets 1,500
The flop is about as good as it gets for me without actually hitting. All low cards with two diamonds. Fischman leads out with a weakish bet of around 1,500. At this point, I could either fold, call, or checkraise. I think the fold here is ridiculously weak. The pot has T$3,150, Fischman just bet 1,500 into it so I'm getting 3:1 on my money to call. However, at this point, I figured he either completely missed or got a piece of it so I decided to go with the checkraise.
RecessRampage raises to 6,000
Scott Fischman raises to 18,002, and is all in
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
This is where I messed up. No, not the fact that I checkraise. I don't mind that line too much. Except I didn't think this through. Let's go back for a second. Fischman bet 1,500 into a pot that had 3,150. By me raising it to 6,000, what does that do? Now, Fischman is getting close to 2.5:1 odds (for him to call off another 4,500 into a pot that is now 10,650. Even worse is this. My checkraise amount was just the amount that a pro could read as a weak checkraise. I left myself about 14 or 15,000 in chips. It's almost as if I'm saying I'm making this one move but I can still fold. In other words, Scott is getting 2.5:1 odds, he got a piece of it, AND he's got fold equity... or so he thought so he shoves.
The way I analyze hands, I always try to get into the head of another player. If I were Scotty, what do I think Recess has? Well, Recess called the preflop minraise so he obv doesn't have AA-JJ. Maybe AK but also unlikely (keep in mind he doesn't know me so he would have to generalize my play a little). So, the calling range of Recess could be wide but it's obv not a premium hand. Flop comes 7 high. I hit top pair and gut shot straight draw (remember, I'm Scott right now). Recess checkraises me but left himself enough to fold. What does he have? 88-99, maybe TT? Some sort of a draw? Did he hit a piece of this also? A6 or A7? If these are the ranges that Recess has, I have some fold equity if I shove. ALL IN.
Any thoughts? Of course, based on the way Scott was playing, one can argue that he wasn't thinking much but this is how I'm looking at the hand. If I had checkraised a more solid amount whereby indicating to Scott that I'm committed in this hand, I'm not so sure that he wouldn't have folded. Maybe he would have shoved anyways but because my checkraise amount was so weak, I gave him the opportunity to come back over the top to make me make the decision... as opposed to me putting him to the test. He outplayed me, I had a hand that was good enough to call at that point (I was getting 2:1 with two overs and a flush draw) and the hand played itself out. But I can't stop thinking what could have been if I either won that race OR if I had checkraised more and just taken the pot away from him.
RecessRampage calls 12,002
Scott Fischman shows [7c 5c]
RecessRampage shows [Kd Qd]
*** TURN *** [6d 7d 3c] [As]
*** RIVER *** [6d 7d 3c As] [5s]
Scott Fischman shows two pair, Sevens and Fives
RecessRampage shows Ace King high
Scott Fischman wins the pot (38,654) with two pair, Sevens and Fives
I still have so much to learn. But I am seeing the tables and MTT situations in ways I haven't seen before so I am happy about that. And I can only get better. I also have a few sick side bets with Fuel for up to approx $1,000. This BBT is gonna be fun!
Oh, on the cash game side... I think (not 100% sure) this is the biggest pot I've won (which I know is not so big for some of you megafish out there but it's a start).
Full Tilt Poker Game #5473926807: Table Snow Flat (6 max) - $5/$10 - No Limit Hold'em - 17:07:46 ET - 2008/03/02
Seat 1: peterpan777 ($2,244)
Seat 2: 93TilInfinity ($1,872.75)
Seat 3: Greennday13 ($200)
Seat 4: RecessRampage ($1,292)
Seat 5: Nicolak ($1,000)
Seat 6: FastEddie267 ($990)
FastEddie267 posts the small blind of $5
peterpan777 posts the big blind of $10
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RecessRampage [Tc Jc]
93TilInfinity folds
RecessRampage raises to $35
Nicolak folds
FastEddie267 folds
peterpan777 calls $25
*** FLOP *** [Ts 2d 7c]
peterpan777 checks
RecessRampage bets $55
peterpan777 raises to $150
RecessRampage calls $95
*** TURN *** [Ts 2d 7c] [Jd]<--- gin!
peterpan777 checks
RecessRampage has 15 seconds left to act
RecessRampage has requested TIME
RecessRampage bets $280
peterpan777 raises to $2,059, and is all in
RecessRampage calls $827, and is all in
peterpan777 shows [Td 8d]
RecessRampage shows [Tc Jc]
Uncalled bet of $952 returned to peterpan777
*** RIVER *** [Ts 2d 7c Jd] [8s]
peterpan777 shows two pair, Tens and Eights
RecessRampage shows two pair, Jacks and Tens
RecessRampage wins the pot ($2,586) with two pair, Jacks and Tens <--- BOOM!!!!
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