So, I decided to play in a 50FPP $1000 freeroll today. It was a limit hold'em tourney so I figured there would be a smaller field so bigger final table payout. Not that I'm the greatest at limit, but I can hold my own.
I was hitting the deck huge. If I was able to see a flop with pocket pairs, I would flop a set. There were only a couple times I didn't and it was usually when I had AA and QQ, so I didn't mind not getting the set with those hands. Also, as is typically with a lot of limit players, I was getting called down a lot with middle pair or worse.
So I grinded my way through the field, hovering around average stack until I made it to the money. Then I actually started picking up speed. My stack grew and grew and I stayed around top 10. As people were eliminated, final table looked easier and easier to get to. And I did. It's been a while for me to final table a tourney so it was a nice feeling. And people continued to be eliminated. It was finally head's up. But I had a third of his stack. I tried, but he was hitting the deck harder than me, so I finished second. I'm not complaining though, second paid $132.50. Not bad for 4 hours play and 50FPPs.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
KQ is EVIL!
Another great home game last night. There were about 12 of us for the tournament. So smaller than usual but still a great turnout. I got lucky early against Mooney. I pushed with ATo on the flop with TP against him. I figured it was the only way to get him to fold the crap he usually has. When he called and flipped over his cards, he actually had me beat with two pair, A2! There was a 2 of course on the flop. Luckily by the river, a ten came. After that I basically spewed chips. I was able to make it to the final table, but I points bubbled. I really need to make some more points, I'm not in a spot to win any league money now.
I drank too much last night, so I don't really remember a lot of the details clearly, but again, the cash game was more prosperous than the tournament. I was hesitant to join the game as I had an early shift at work the next day and I kinda wanted to sleep. My gambling problem got the better of me though and I bought in for $5. I'm glad I did, I was able to walk away with $20 after everyone left for the night. I was getting card lucky though. But I'm not complaining, that doesn't happen enough for my liking anyway.
There were a couple of big hands that I remember clearly. First one, I was in the SB and I call dark. The whole table had limped in before me, so I had odds to call with pretty much any two cards. I was also playing a little loose and reckless since it was just a friendly home game. Then Mike in the big blind raises to $2. I'm like crap, now I have to look at my cards. Everyone folds and I look down and see JJ. Well, I had to push. I do and Mike calls and shows 22! Of course, he was pretty drunk too. My hand held to boost my stack a lot.
The other big hand was when I was UTG, I have AQo so I raise to 80cents. Two positions down, Brent raises all-in. Now one thing to note, is the whole table had decided this would be the last orbit for the night; we were actually on the second last hand to be played, so I figured Brent was just feeling ready to GAMBOOOL! And with the way the players play at our game, AQo was a strong hand. Anyway, I call and he flips KQo. I've got him dominated, so of course what come on the flop? A freaking Queen AND a King. Goddammit, I'm beginning to hate that hand, busting me last tournament and now this. Well, I pull the patented resuck and catch runner, runner Ten then Jack to have a straight and keep my money and take Brent's.
Next poker night is also our BBQ, so it should be a great event and hopefully it brings out more people.
I drank too much last night, so I don't really remember a lot of the details clearly, but again, the cash game was more prosperous than the tournament. I was hesitant to join the game as I had an early shift at work the next day and I kinda wanted to sleep. My gambling problem got the better of me though and I bought in for $5. I'm glad I did, I was able to walk away with $20 after everyone left for the night. I was getting card lucky though. But I'm not complaining, that doesn't happen enough for my liking anyway.
There were a couple of big hands that I remember clearly. First one, I was in the SB and I call dark. The whole table had limped in before me, so I had odds to call with pretty much any two cards. I was also playing a little loose and reckless since it was just a friendly home game. Then Mike in the big blind raises to $2. I'm like crap, now I have to look at my cards. Everyone folds and I look down and see JJ. Well, I had to push. I do and Mike calls and shows 22! Of course, he was pretty drunk too. My hand held to boost my stack a lot.
The other big hand was when I was UTG, I have AQo so I raise to 80cents. Two positions down, Brent raises all-in. Now one thing to note, is the whole table had decided this would be the last orbit for the night; we were actually on the second last hand to be played, so I figured Brent was just feeling ready to GAMBOOOL! And with the way the players play at our game, AQo was a strong hand. Anyway, I call and he flips KQo. I've got him dominated, so of course what come on the flop? A freaking Queen AND a King. Goddammit, I'm beginning to hate that hand, busting me last tournament and now this. Well, I pull the patented resuck and catch runner, runner Ten then Jack to have a straight and keep my money and take Brent's.
Next poker night is also our BBQ, so it should be a great event and hopefully it brings out more people.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Needed a Change
So, I've not been enjoying hold'em too much lately. So I decided to switch games for a bit. I tried Omaha for a bit and failed miserably, then I tried Razz. I'm not great at the game, but can easily break even. I think I might hang out at the low limit razz games for a while. It was quite fun. Especially when I won a hand with 9 high against a person who kept raising me every street and had a hand of JJxxx at showdown. Gotta love people who sit at a table and don't know the rules.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Silver Star
Woohoo! First time I've ever made it to Silver Star status on Pokerstars. I was just able to squeak in the the last few points at about 10 o'clock tonight. Not that I'm going to do anything extra with the new status, but it's cool to make it one level up either way.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Big Slick Suited
So another home game at Robbie Robb's and my place last night. Rob was worried we'd have a poor turnout, but we ended up have about the same as any other night.
My tournament didn't last long. During the 30/60 blind levels, Mike to my right raises all in for about 900 chips, I look down and see AcKc, so I re-raise all in for about 2500 total. Then Jason to my left starts to think. You can tell he really wants to call, but he's hesitant. Unfortunately, he makes the call and has me covered. We flip our cards, Mike has QJo (I forget which suits), and Jason had KdQd. I have them both dominated...so what comes on the flop? A Queen and a Jack! I catch a flush draw on the turn, but the river is a blank and I'm out.
The rest of the night, was filled with waiting, the cash game didn't get started until about only 2 or 3 people left in the tournament. Although, that ended up us having our first full table for the cash game, usually we play short-handed.
I started off well. First hand I'm dealt QQ, there's a limp, so I raise to 50 cents, a bunch of people fold, Mike raises it to $1, Mooney calls and I decide to push, both players are fairly loose and I figure I'm good here. Both call and we reveal. Mike has 88 and Mooney has JJ. No one improves with the board, so right away, I'm sitting with $15 in front of me. Live poker is so rigged!
My tournament didn't last long. During the 30/60 blind levels, Mike to my right raises all in for about 900 chips, I look down and see AcKc, so I re-raise all in for about 2500 total. Then Jason to my left starts to think. You can tell he really wants to call, but he's hesitant. Unfortunately, he makes the call and has me covered. We flip our cards, Mike has QJo (I forget which suits), and Jason had KdQd. I have them both dominated...so what comes on the flop? A Queen and a Jack! I catch a flush draw on the turn, but the river is a blank and I'm out.
The rest of the night, was filled with waiting, the cash game didn't get started until about only 2 or 3 people left in the tournament. Although, that ended up us having our first full table for the cash game, usually we play short-handed.
I started off well. First hand I'm dealt QQ, there's a limp, so I raise to 50 cents, a bunch of people fold, Mike raises it to $1, Mooney calls and I decide to push, both players are fairly loose and I figure I'm good here. Both call and we reveal. Mike has 88 and Mooney has JJ. No one improves with the board, so right away, I'm sitting with $15 in front of me. Live poker is so rigged!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
FPP Satellites
So, I did use those FPPs I won to try and win entry to the Sunday million. I first tried the 1800 FPP 30 man turbo. Four places won entry. I ended up busting out 7th on that one. This was about a week ago so I don't remember how I busted, but I was getting short so I was in push or fold mode and my hand just didn't hold when I was called.
Today, I tried the 2700 FPP 20 man turbo. Again, four places paid entry. The deck was hitting me nicely throughout the tournament. Pocket queens a couple times, both times I was able to get all in and they held. Jacks held up when I called an all in. Pocket tens eliminated another opponent. Even AKs won a couple hands. I was chip leader for most of the tournament. It only took about 40 minutes to play. So quick is nice, especially when you never know when the little one is going to need your attention.
I think I like the second satellite better of the two (and not just because, I won). Sure, it costs more, but more places pay per entry. But since the two satellites combined work out to 4500 FPPs (fortunately, I had earned a few at the $50NL tables), it will be a while before I can play this one again.
I've already unregistered from the tourney. I really want to play, but I don't think it's a good idea. One, it's in the middle of the afternoon when I have to worry about getting supper ready for Alex and two, there's no guarantee I will make it to the money. I will probably sell the T$, but I might wait a bit. I told Rob if I could win two Satellites, I'd play the Sunday million with one and sell the T$ I get from the other.
Today, I tried the 2700 FPP 20 man turbo. Again, four places paid entry. The deck was hitting me nicely throughout the tournament. Pocket queens a couple times, both times I was able to get all in and they held. Jacks held up when I called an all in. Pocket tens eliminated another opponent. Even AKs won a couple hands. I was chip leader for most of the tournament. It only took about 40 minutes to play. So quick is nice, especially when you never know when the little one is going to need your attention.
I think I like the second satellite better of the two (and not just because, I won). Sure, it costs more, but more places pay per entry. But since the two satellites combined work out to 4500 FPPs (fortunately, I had earned a few at the $50NL tables), it will be a while before I can play this one again.
I've already unregistered from the tourney. I really want to play, but I don't think it's a good idea. One, it's in the middle of the afternoon when I have to worry about getting supper ready for Alex and two, there's no guarantee I will make it to the money. I will probably sell the T$, but I might wait a bit. I told Rob if I could win two Satellites, I'd play the Sunday million with one and sell the T$ I get from the other.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Bored
I was bored tonight and didn't feel like playing serious poker, so I first decided to join a 400 FPP WSOP qualifer. That turned out ot be a crapshoot with people going all in with marginal hands. I raised with AQs and was raised all in. Since I know I was probably a favorite based on previous hands he shown down, I quickly called. I soon learned that A9o>AQs, he had flopped his nine and I caught nothing.
Still bored, I then joined a 40FPP rebuy WSOP qualifier. I think I had to rebuy something like 7 times. I was just not getting lucky tonight...maybe a carry over from yesterday? There were actually a couple people yelling at some of the players for going all in preflop. I guess they had never played rebuys before since that is the basic strategy for the game. After rebuys were over, I folded alot. I did try to suck out on someone when I called with A3 versus their 55, I was already in the BB and it was not much more for me to call.
My luck finally turned though. On the button, I have KQo and it's folded to me. I move all in which isn't even enough to cover the BB and pray (it was a turbo, blinds were hurting everyone at this point). The flop comes 4Q4 and I win a much needed pot. After that hand, although I wasn't getting too many hands preflop, if I did see the flop, I was hitting. I was able to coast my way through the rest of the tournament and was able to qualify.
I've actually unregistered from the other tournament. I'm working when it starts, but it was worth 4000FPPs. Not too bad, but I have no idea what I'm going to use them for. Nothing I'm too interested in in the store right now. Maybe I'll use them for Sunday Million qualifiers.
Still bored, I then joined a 40FPP rebuy WSOP qualifier. I think I had to rebuy something like 7 times. I was just not getting lucky tonight...maybe a carry over from yesterday? There were actually a couple people yelling at some of the players for going all in preflop. I guess they had never played rebuys before since that is the basic strategy for the game. After rebuys were over, I folded alot. I did try to suck out on someone when I called with A3 versus their 55, I was already in the BB and it was not much more for me to call.
My luck finally turned though. On the button, I have KQo and it's folded to me. I move all in which isn't even enough to cover the BB and pray (it was a turbo, blinds were hurting everyone at this point). The flop comes 4Q4 and I win a much needed pot. After that hand, although I wasn't getting too many hands preflop, if I did see the flop, I was hitting. I was able to coast my way through the rest of the tournament and was able to qualify.
I've actually unregistered from the other tournament. I'm working when it starts, but it was worth 4000FPPs. Not too bad, but I have no idea what I'm going to use them for. Nothing I'm too interested in in the store right now. Maybe I'll use them for Sunday Million qualifiers.
Major Downswing
I'm either getting hit hard by the variance stick or I just plain suck at poker. No matter what I did yesterday, I just could not win a hand. I was dealt KK several times and every time an A flopped and I was up against major aggression. I had AA not cracked by AJo, but a split pot when the board showed a seven high straight. I later caught a couple more straights and got my opponents all in, only to find they had the exact same hand so more spit pots. So I was either losing or splitting the pot, either way, because of rake, I was losing money. Grrr....It was a very frustrating day.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Extra Traffic
I've noticed some extra traffic to my site lately, which is really cool. Most are from google searches, but I'm sure they are searches intended to find my page. At least I like to think they are specifically to search for my page. But a search for "micro poker grinding blog" and "nikita poker" proves I'm not being too egotistical. I'm so glad you guys are searching for and finding me.
The funny thing is, the traffic has seemed to increase the most this month and I think the is the month I've posted the least. I've just haven't had much to say. I've been grinding the $25NL tables but not as much. I've played a few SNGs, but nothing substantial. I think I've maybe averaged an hour of poker a night.
I guess I will update my poker exploits a little for everyone. It's not that exciting though. My grinding is barely break even right now. I'm sure I've got a few leaks that are causing issues. I've posted a hand or two at TalkingPoker.com. I need to post more. I've been running decent at the SNGs. For the month of April, I have an ROI of 25% with a finish in the money of 43%. I doubt this is sustainable, but I'm willing to ride the rush.
If you have been searching for my site, feel free to comment. I'd like to know who you are. Any suggestions are welcome too.
The funny thing is, the traffic has seemed to increase the most this month and I think the is the month I've posted the least. I've just haven't had much to say. I've been grinding the $25NL tables but not as much. I've played a few SNGs, but nothing substantial. I think I've maybe averaged an hour of poker a night.
I guess I will update my poker exploits a little for everyone. It's not that exciting though. My grinding is barely break even right now. I'm sure I've got a few leaks that are causing issues. I've posted a hand or two at TalkingPoker.com. I need to post more. I've been running decent at the SNGs. For the month of April, I have an ROI of 25% with a finish in the money of 43%. I doubt this is sustainable, but I'm willing to ride the rush.
If you have been searching for my site, feel free to comment. I'd like to know who you are. Any suggestions are welcome too.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
WWdN Final Table!
Rob and I decided to play a tournament together tonight and since it was Tuesday, we joined the Wil Wheaton dot Net invitational. I've played a few of them, but have usually been quite unsuccessful at them. Although I did knock out Wil once.
Well, tonight was the night. I finally made it to the final table. Made it to the money! Woo hoo! Ended up 6/51 for a cool $33.15 payout. I would have done better but AK is no good against AJ.
Well, tonight was the night. I finally made it to the final table. Made it to the money! Woo hoo! Ended up 6/51 for a cool $33.15 payout. I would have done better but AK is no good against AJ.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Poker Graph
Here is a graph of my month of March. A little up and down, but overall up for the month. It's amusing to see the huge dips at the end of the month. I started out playing $10NL and then switched to $25NL. I'm fumbling around at the limit a bit, but I think I can beat it overall.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Royal Flush
Second one ever.
PokerStars Cash game, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit, 6 players
Hand History Converted at http://www.talkingpoker.com/hh
SB: $28.40
BB: $28.55
HERO (UTG): $23.30
MP: $5.50
CO: $15.45
Button: $37.10
SB posts Small Blind $0.1
BB posts Big Blind $0.25
Pre-flop: Ad Jd ($0.35)
HERO raises to $0.95
MP folds
CO calls $1
Button calls $1
SB folds
BB folds
Flop: Qd As Td ($3.3)
HERO bets $2.2
CO calls $2.2
Button folds
Turn: Qd As Td Kd ($7.7)
HERO checks
CO checks
River: Qd As Td Kd 4c ($7.7)
HERO bets $4.7
CO calls $4.7
CO shows Ks Js
HERO wins $16.50 with a Royal Flush
PokerStars Cash game, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit, 6 players
Hand History Converted at http://www.talkingpoker.com/hh
SB: $28.40
BB: $28.55
HERO (UTG): $23.30
MP: $5.50
CO: $15.45
Button: $37.10
SB posts Small Blind $0.1
BB posts Big Blind $0.25
Pre-flop: Ad Jd ($0.35)
HERO raises to $0.95
MP folds
CO calls $1
Button calls $1
SB folds
BB folds
Flop: Qd As Td ($3.3)
HERO bets $2.2
CO calls $2.2
Button folds
Turn: Qd As Td Kd ($7.7)
HERO checks
CO checks
River: Qd As Td Kd 4c ($7.7)
HERO bets $4.7
CO calls $4.7
CO shows Ks Js
HERO wins $16.50 with a Royal Flush
Monday, March 26, 2007
Neteller News
Well, this article was just posted on the Talking Poker forum. It looks like Canadians will no longer be able to use Neteller to fund gambling sites.
It sucks a little. I had pulled all my money out of Neteller (because of the US issue), but I kept them around as they were the easiest way to move money from site to site. I doubt I will play anywhere but Pokerstars now, but the hard part is how do I withdraw my money and put it back into my bank account? Ok, maybe this sucks more than a little.
It sucks a little. I had pulled all my money out of Neteller (because of the US issue), but I kept them around as they were the easiest way to move money from site to site. I doubt I will play anywhere but Pokerstars now, but the hard part is how do I withdraw my money and put it back into my bank account? Ok, maybe this sucks more than a little.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Good Cash Game
Rob and I hosted our monthly home game today. Unfortunately, I was scheduled to work until midnight, so I wasn't in for the tournament, but the cash game was still running so I joined that.
I was quite surprised by the play this month. Typically, it's just call, call, call, min bet, min bet, min bet and then showdown. This time, there were quite a few hefty raises and actual laydowns. I decided to donk it up a bit since it was just a $10NL game, and was calling with any suited cards or any paint. I got all in with a weak hand and knew I was behind and ended up with only 40 cents left. I then push with K2s and catch a flush and triple my stack. I get short again, and go all in dark for 60 cents total. I didn't look at my cards until the river when all of us still in showed. Surprisingly, I had ended up with a pretty decent hand--I had A5o and had caught two pair. I built my stack up and get all in on the flop with a pair of Kings, Jack kicker. Brett calls me with a 7 high flush draw--he too was donking it up and he usually does for the cash games. He doesn't complete his flush but catches his two pair instead--sevens and threes. Yuck. Anyway, the game doesn't last too much longer and I end up only down about a buck. It seems Jeff made the best of the cash game and he walked away with over $20.
I was quite surprised by the play this month. Typically, it's just call, call, call, min bet, min bet, min bet and then showdown. This time, there were quite a few hefty raises and actual laydowns. I decided to donk it up a bit since it was just a $10NL game, and was calling with any suited cards or any paint. I got all in with a weak hand and knew I was behind and ended up with only 40 cents left. I then push with K2s and catch a flush and triple my stack. I get short again, and go all in dark for 60 cents total. I didn't look at my cards until the river when all of us still in showed. Surprisingly, I had ended up with a pretty decent hand--I had A5o and had caught two pair. I built my stack up and get all in on the flop with a pair of Kings, Jack kicker. Brett calls me with a 7 high flush draw--he too was donking it up and he usually does for the cash games. He doesn't complete his flush but catches his two pair instead--sevens and threes. Yuck. Anyway, the game doesn't last too much longer and I end up only down about a buck. It seems Jeff made the best of the cash game and he walked away with over $20.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I'm out.
Out in 384th. My AA was no good against 47s--he was of course defending his blind and hit. Bah! Well, I paid a total of $15.30 for the tournament and 384 was good for $27.58. So a small profit.
Sick Hand
Ok, I had to post this. It's from the tournament.
PokerStars Tournament game, buy-in $3.00+0.30, Level XIII $1000/$2000 No Limit, 9 players
Hand History Converted at http://www.talkingpoker.com/hh
SB: T$17930
BB: T$21115
UTG: T$60514
UTG+1: T$25518
MP1: T$37745
MP2: T$91635
HERO (MP3): T$73945
CO: T$39936
Button: T$38870
Players post T$100 ante
SB posts Small Blind T$1000
BB posts Big Blind T$2000
Pre-flop: 5c 3d (T$3900)
UTG raises to T$6000
UTG+1 calls T$6000
MP1 folds
MP2 folds
HERO folds
CO raises to T$39836
Button folds
SB folds
BB folds
UTG raises to T$60414
UTG+1 calls T$19418
Flop: Qd Kh Js ($129568)
Turn: Qd Kh Js Qh (T$129568)
River: Qd Kh Js Qh Jd (T$129568)
CO shows Kc Ac
UTG shows Ad Jh
UTG+1 shows Qc As
UTG wins T$28836 with a full house Jacks full of Queens
UTG+1 wins T$80154 with a full house Queens full of Jacks
PokerStars Tournament game, buy-in $3.00+0.30, Level XIII $1000/$2000 No Limit, 9 players
Hand History Converted at http://www.talkingpoker.com/hh
SB: T$17930
BB: T$21115
UTG: T$60514
UTG+1: T$25518
MP1: T$37745
MP2: T$91635
HERO (MP3): T$73945
CO: T$39936
Button: T$38870
Players post T$100 ante
SB posts Small Blind T$1000
BB posts Big Blind T$2000
Pre-flop: 5c 3d (T$3900)
UTG raises to T$6000
UTG+1 calls T$6000
MP1 folds
MP2 folds
HERO folds
CO raises to T$39836
Button folds
SB folds
BB folds
UTG raises to T$60414
UTG+1 calls T$19418
Flop: Qd Kh Js ($129568)
Turn: Qd Kh Js Qh (T$129568)
River: Qd Kh Js Qh Jd (T$129568)
CO shows Kc Ac
UTG shows Ad Jh
UTG+1 shows Qc As
UTG wins T$28836 with a full house Jacks full of Queens
UTG+1 wins T$80154 with a full house Queens full of Jacks
$3.30R $10000 Guaranteed
First attempt at a serious rebuy. I just made it to the money at the $10k guaranteed at Pokerstars. I'm sitting in 47/588 right now. I will update once the tourney is done on how I did, I just don't want to jinx it.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Bonus Cleared
I actually cleared the bonus at UB. It was long and tedious and the play at $2 and $10NL is awful, but that helped me make a few bucks along the way as well. I've withdrawn all my money from there and will be putting it on Stars, I don't plan on doing much more bonus whoring, I have a decent enough 'roll now and grinding has been getting to me the last little bit. Maybe I should take some more money out of my account and find a few more Wii games to buy and focus on playing those instead.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
LOL at Paranoia
I recently stumbled on this article about online poker being rigged. Wow. I have no background on how legitimate this site is for "learning" poker, but seriously how paranoid can you get?
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Trip Report
So last night Rob, Adam and Jason and I headed towards Strathroy for a NL hold'em tournament that Adam heard about. After about a 40 minute drive it was clear it wasn't quite in strathroy and to be honest, I have no idea where we were. It was definitely an out of the way town especially since I had never heard of the place before.
We took two cars, Rob and I followed Adam and Jason. Jason was the cellphone contact as Adam was the only one who knew how to get there. And when we pulling into the drive of what was probably a farm, I said to Rob, "You know, if Adam is actually a serial killer, this is the perfect place to lead us to." We park and Adam leads us into a barn/shed. It probably at one point held a lot of farm equipment but was mostly cleared out except for the tables and chairs for all who were going to play.
The buy-in is $26+4 (we think). From what I gathered from Adam, it was a "charity" tournament for the local Optimus Club. It really wasn't clearly advertised what the rake was, so we have no idea how much the real buy-in was. In fact, it wasn't a very organized tournament; it was more like a very big home game.
The blind structure and chip counts kinda sucked. They started the blinds and 1/2 and then doubled them every 20 minutes(for the most part, there were a couple stages where it wasn't a double). And we only started with 150 chips. Definitely not a structure I'm used to. There were 30 players and 4 ended up paying out. First was a cool $312.
It was slow for the game to start. Everyone seemed to know everyone else--if they weren't related--so there was a lot of chatting and catching up on news before everyone was ready to play. When we did get going, Jason and I ended up at the same table and Rob and Adam were at two others. The best way to describe the play is "LOL, donkaments!"
It was bad; it was worse than the play at our home game. Everyone at the table would limp in. Although, if there were raises, it still didn't thin the field, it just sweetened the pot. The betting typically consisted of min bets, ocassionally someone would bet 2XBB but that was rare. And if they had an Ace in their hand, that was good enough to call down to the river. So, my strategy was to wait. I didn't want to get into to many pots with so many players. It was tough though, because of the blinds, waiting also meant worrying about being short stacked. As well, if I was in the BB or SB and I hit TP or better, I was staying until the river as my hand was likely good.
I really didn't have a choice about waiting for hands, though. I was not getting very good cards either way. So I folded and folded and folded. Blinds are about 5/10 and I look down and see TT. My stack is so-so, so I decide to make a hefty raise and re-evaluate on the flop. I get two callers and the flop is 34Q rainbow. The only thing I am afraid of is a queen so I push and hope neither player has one. One calls and one folds. When she flips her cards I'm happy to see A7o. The turn is a 5 and I'm now dreading a 6 on the river, but I hold up when it's just a seven. I scoop the pot and I'm good for a couple more blind increases.
My friend, Jason, is eliminated shortly after that and as he is busted he says to me "I hate the Mooney tables." Mooney is the worst player at our home game. I nod to Jason in agreement as I'm a little frustrated as well.
Part way into the 10/20 blind stage, I looked down to see KK in the BB. Time to make a move, I need to get more chips if I want to get to the final table let alone to the money. The whole table limps in, so I push. Everyone folds except for one caller. He flips A6o. I laugh and just feel an ace coming since I do have the kiss of death. Amazingly, my hand holds up.
Later, I double up a short stack when my TT ran into her QQ. Then next hand I call another all in with AKo and he flips QQ again. I'm beginning to hate the ladies. I end up lucking out and the two of us split the pot when the board made a straight.
During these hands, Adam goes broke and then later I see Rob come by my table so he's out as well. It's up to me now to represent.
Finally, the "tournament director" yells out that we will be going on break and after break we will be at final table! Blinds will also start at 20/40. I count my chips and I'm hurting. I have just under 200 chips. Once the game was one again, I check the chip stacks at the table there are 8 of us and only one other player is as desperate as I am. I was definitely going to have to push with any type of good holdings.
First hand is dealt and I'm UTG. I check and see QQ. Perfect, I'm sure to get a caller with this hand, so I push my stack in. Nope, everyone folds. Okay, the ladies really are a crappy hand for me tonight. In the BB I check and see 94 both spades. Sigh, with 60 chips coming off my stack this and the next hand, I'm not likely the looks of how things are going. So before the flop is dealt, everyone but one person limps in. As the cards are dealt, I see spade, then spade and finally a third spade. I flopped a flush. Not a great one, but it's all I have, when it's my turn to act, I push my stack to the center again. I get one caller again and when he flips his cards, my tournament is over. His K3 of spades, makes his King high flush better than mine. My only hope is a runner runner for a straight flush. It doesn't happen and I end out in 8th place.
I head over to where Rob and Jason are and the three of us wait until Adam finishes playing a Sit and Go that had started up. His game ends and he tells us he finished in first, so at least one of us were able to leave with a small profit.
We took two cars, Rob and I followed Adam and Jason. Jason was the cellphone contact as Adam was the only one who knew how to get there. And when we pulling into the drive of what was probably a farm, I said to Rob, "You know, if Adam is actually a serial killer, this is the perfect place to lead us to." We park and Adam leads us into a barn/shed. It probably at one point held a lot of farm equipment but was mostly cleared out except for the tables and chairs for all who were going to play.
The buy-in is $26+4 (we think). From what I gathered from Adam, it was a "charity" tournament for the local Optimus Club. It really wasn't clearly advertised what the rake was, so we have no idea how much the real buy-in was. In fact, it wasn't a very organized tournament; it was more like a very big home game.
The blind structure and chip counts kinda sucked. They started the blinds and 1/2 and then doubled them every 20 minutes(for the most part, there were a couple stages where it wasn't a double). And we only started with 150 chips. Definitely not a structure I'm used to. There were 30 players and 4 ended up paying out. First was a cool $312.
It was slow for the game to start. Everyone seemed to know everyone else--if they weren't related--so there was a lot of chatting and catching up on news before everyone was ready to play. When we did get going, Jason and I ended up at the same table and Rob and Adam were at two others. The best way to describe the play is "LOL, donkaments!"
It was bad; it was worse than the play at our home game. Everyone at the table would limp in. Although, if there were raises, it still didn't thin the field, it just sweetened the pot. The betting typically consisted of min bets, ocassionally someone would bet 2XBB but that was rare. And if they had an Ace in their hand, that was good enough to call down to the river. So, my strategy was to wait. I didn't want to get into to many pots with so many players. It was tough though, because of the blinds, waiting also meant worrying about being short stacked. As well, if I was in the BB or SB and I hit TP or better, I was staying until the river as my hand was likely good.
I really didn't have a choice about waiting for hands, though. I was not getting very good cards either way. So I folded and folded and folded. Blinds are about 5/10 and I look down and see TT. My stack is so-so, so I decide to make a hefty raise and re-evaluate on the flop. I get two callers and the flop is 34Q rainbow. The only thing I am afraid of is a queen so I push and hope neither player has one. One calls and one folds. When she flips her cards I'm happy to see A7o. The turn is a 5 and I'm now dreading a 6 on the river, but I hold up when it's just a seven. I scoop the pot and I'm good for a couple more blind increases.
My friend, Jason, is eliminated shortly after that and as he is busted he says to me "I hate the Mooney tables." Mooney is the worst player at our home game. I nod to Jason in agreement as I'm a little frustrated as well.
Part way into the 10/20 blind stage, I looked down to see KK in the BB. Time to make a move, I need to get more chips if I want to get to the final table let alone to the money. The whole table limps in, so I push. Everyone folds except for one caller. He flips A6o. I laugh and just feel an ace coming since I do have the kiss of death. Amazingly, my hand holds up.
Later, I double up a short stack when my TT ran into her QQ. Then next hand I call another all in with AKo and he flips QQ again. I'm beginning to hate the ladies. I end up lucking out and the two of us split the pot when the board made a straight.
During these hands, Adam goes broke and then later I see Rob come by my table so he's out as well. It's up to me now to represent.
Finally, the "tournament director" yells out that we will be going on break and after break we will be at final table! Blinds will also start at 20/40. I count my chips and I'm hurting. I have just under 200 chips. Once the game was one again, I check the chip stacks at the table there are 8 of us and only one other player is as desperate as I am. I was definitely going to have to push with any type of good holdings.
First hand is dealt and I'm UTG. I check and see QQ. Perfect, I'm sure to get a caller with this hand, so I push my stack in. Nope, everyone folds. Okay, the ladies really are a crappy hand for me tonight. In the BB I check and see 94 both spades. Sigh, with 60 chips coming off my stack this and the next hand, I'm not likely the looks of how things are going. So before the flop is dealt, everyone but one person limps in. As the cards are dealt, I see spade, then spade and finally a third spade. I flopped a flush. Not a great one, but it's all I have, when it's my turn to act, I push my stack to the center again. I get one caller again and when he flips his cards, my tournament is over. His K3 of spades, makes his King high flush better than mine. My only hope is a runner runner for a straight flush. It doesn't happen and I end out in 8th place.
I head over to where Rob and Jason are and the three of us wait until Adam finishes playing a Sit and Go that had started up. His game ends and he tells us he finished in first, so at least one of us were able to leave with a small profit.
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