I was hoping I would be able to continue the way I had been playing today in a monster field at the Venetain (911 players). My starting table was pretty tough but had some soft spots as well. We started with 12000 chips.
Level 1: 50-100. I opened to 250 from UTG with K9o (there were only 4 people sitting at the table at this point) and got called by the blinds. We checked to the turn on AK4J where I folded to a 250 bet (he had KJ). A player in MP (from seat 4. . .a decent but not great young player) made it 225, I found AQo in the SB and made it 600, and he called. We checked down 775K8 and my AQ was good when he showed A3. I then lost a big pot where I could have lost more. I made it 250 from the button with K4o and both of the blinds called. The flop came KQ2, they checked to me, I bet 325, and the SB called. The turn came a 4 giving me 2 pair, he checked, I bet 650, he made it 1400, and I called. The river came a Q counterfitting, he checked, and I checked behind but mucked when he showed 22 for the set. I made it 250 from UTG +1 with T8ss and everyone folded. Seat 4 limped in EP, I found KK in the cutoff and made it 350, the SB called, the BB made it 1200, the limper folded, I made it 2200, the SB folded, the BB went all in for 5400, and I called. He showed QQ and I held on A432A and was up to 16k or so. I usually would play it differently but since the 3-bettor had so many chips, I just made a really small raise to make it look like I was just isoing the short stack. I limped from MP with K4ss (hmmm), the hijack made it 350, and I was the only caller (hmmm). The flop came 872 2 spades giving me a flush draw, I checked, he bet 400, I made it 1125, and he called. The turn came an offsuit K giving me high pair with my flush draw, I bet 1700, and he called. The river came the As giving me the nuts, I bet 3600, and he folded. See it is profitable to limp/call K4. I limped 95hh from MP behind 1 limper but folded on the turn on K74K. The player on my right opened to 300 UTG, I called from UTG +1 with 88, the BB (who was a very very good young player in seat 6) made it 1100, and we both called. The flop came 642, he lead for 2400, and I folded (I can find better spots than just guessing here). I was at 18800 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. There were 2 limps to my BB and I checked 53o. The flop came A53, I checked, but unfortunately everyone checked behind. The turn came a 2, I bet 250, 1 limper called, and the SB called as well. The river came a J, we checked to the limper, he bet 700, the SB called after some thought, and I decided to overcall with my 2 pair and they were good when the limper mucked and the SB showed A7. It was a somewhat easy call because I know neither of them has a 4 (the limper always reraises the turn with a 4 becuase thats how he was playing and the SB raises the river with a 4). I made it 350 from MP with KQo and the kid in seat 4 called from the BB. The flop came KT4 2 clubs, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came the 6c, he checked, I bet 425, and he called. The river came the Jc putting 4 clubs on board, he lead for 1300, and I folded. I made it 350 from UTG +1 with KQcc and UTG +2 was the only caller. The flop came T42, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a J, I bet 425, and he called. The river came a 9 giving me the nut straight, I lead for 1225, and he folded. I made it 350 from the cutoff with A8o, the SB made it 1225, I folded, and he showed AA. I was up to 21275 and we went to the enxt level.
Level 3: 100-200. I made it 475 from the hijack with A9o and everyone folded. I made it 450 from the cutoff with K5hh and the BB called. We checked down J868K, he bet a massive 1500, and I decided to fold my rivered high pair. I made it 450 from UTG with 44, got 4 calls, and folded a QT5 flop. A new player, a weak new lady sitting in seat 3, opened to 400, I 3-bet her (for the 1st of many times today) from the cutoff with 74o, and everyone folded. I was at 20600 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 100-200 25. I made it 450 from UTG +1 with A8cc and the kid in seat 4 called from the button. We checked to the turn on AQ78 where I bet 700 and he folded (I try to make them put chips in the pot but they refuse). A player UTG made it 525, I made it 1475 from the SB with 76dd, and he called. The flop came KKJ, I checked, I bet 2225, and I folded. The plan initially was to rep the K by checkraising the flop but he bet so much (2225 leaving ~3800 behind) that I couldnt legitmately do it because hes calling with his jack-hands after only leaving himself nothing behind. I made it 450 from the hijack with Q7hh and everyone folded. The player on my right made it 500 in the hijack, I 3-bet to 1350 from the cutoff with 54dd, and he called. The flop came a gorgeous 864 2 diamonds, he checked, I bet 1525, and he folded. I made it 450 from UTG +2 with AJdd and everyone folded. I was at 22100 and we went up a level.
Level 5: 150-300 25. I made it 650 from the button with JThh, the BB (a new aggressive asian kid who played well) made it 1650, and I called. The flop came AK5, he lead for 1300, and I decided to call to see what happened on the turn. The turn came a T, he went all in for 6500 or so, and I folded. I dont hate calling the flop after calling the 3-bet preflop but the play I should have made was the 4-bet all in preflop. I just couldnt pull the trigger. I actually really thought I might have had the best hand on the turn when he shoved but I figured at that point the risk wasnt worth it. This was the only hand I played that level and I was at 17850 going to the next.
Level 6: 200-400 50. The weak lady made it 1025 UTG, the player to my right called in the cutoff, I made it 3200 from the button with A4dd, and everyone folded. I made it 950 in the cutoff with 63o, everyone behind me called, and I folded a T94 flop. I made it 950 from MP with 99 and got called by the button and the BB. The flop came Q96, I bet 1600, and the button was the only caller. The turn came a K, I checked, and he snap checked behind. The river came an 8, I bet 3000, and he folded. Odd hand wish I could get more value when I flop sets. . .I suppose if I want to I should be betting the turn but it just seemed like either a scare card for him or a card that connects with his range so if it was a scare I could set up river value or if it hit him I could let him bluff (also I was a teensie bit worried about JTs so it was a semi-pot control turn check). I made it 950 from UTG +2 with QJo and everyone folded. I was up to 23850 and we went up a level.
level 7: 300-600 50. I made it 1650 from the SB into the BB with AQo and he folded. I made it 1350 from MP with ATcc and everyone folded. A player UTG made it 1500 and I called UTG +2 with 55. We checked down AK66K and he showed QQ for the winner. I suppose I could have tried to take it away from him at some point and it might have worked but it wasnt really the player who I wanted to make this play against nor the time of the tournament I wanted to try it. I was at 22750 and we went to the next level.
Level 8: 400-800 75. A newer player who had been opening quite a bit made it 2100 from MP, I knew that these were the specific spots he was opening light so I 3-bet to 4825 from the cutoff with 73o, and everyone folded. I made it 1725 from MP with K3dd, the kid in seat 4 3-bet me from the SB to 4100, and I decided to 4-bet shove for my ~24k stack which resulted in him quickly folding (I showed the 3. . .weeeee). I was up to 31k or so after this but then I decided to piss a bunch away in the only terrible pot I played today. The weak lady opened to 1900 in MP and I found Q9o in the BB and called. The flop came Q75 2 clubs, I checked, she bet 2000, and I called. The turn came an A, I checked, she bet 3500, and I called. The river came a K, I checked, she bet 6000, and I called but mucked when she showed 55. Booooooo. . .I thought I was done with these calldowns. My biggest mistake, as it always is in these hands, was the preflop play. I should have just 3-bet smashed her again and she would have probably folded again but just calling here had me follow up my read that she had neither an A or K in her hand which forced me to make the terrible calldown when I know I am never good. . .ugh. I was down to 15k or so after this hand but luckily I was able to grind it back up somewhat in the next couple of hands. Very next hand, the lady opened to 2000 from MP, the guy on my right called on the button, and I 3-bet all in from the SB with ATdd causing everyone to fold. I made it 1725 from the hijack with KTo and the lady called from the BB. The flop came a lovely JTT, she checked, I bet 2225, and she folded. I was back up to 24600 and we went on the 3rd break.
Level 9: 500-1000 100. It folded to me on the button and I found AA, made it 2300, and everyone folded. lak;dfsj;aklsfj;lasdfjkl; god dammit I thought I was active enough to get action here. I made it 2300 from MP with J8o, the kid in seat 4 moved all in from the SB for 12k, and I folded. I made it 2300 from UTG +2 with 99, the SB called, the lady in the BB moved all in for 14.8k, I reisoed, and the SB folded. She showed TT which had me pipped by 1 and I wasnt able to bink on KJ57A and was down to 8k or so. I folded until my SB where it folded to me, I moved all in for 6k when I found the monsterous TT, and the BB called showing KJo. The board ran out 86532 and I doubled to 12k. Next hand, a kid in the hijack opened to 2500, I moved all in for 12.5k from the button when I found KTo, and he ended up folding. I made it 2300 from UTG +2 with Q6ss (figuring I would get credit becuase of my stack size and the fact that my last 2 hands I showed down were 99 and TT) and everyone folded. I was back and breathing at 19600 when we went up a level.
Level 10: 600-1200 100. The kid in seat 4 opened to 2500, it folded to my BB and I found QQ and went all in, and he ended up folding after a long long time in the tank. I almost had him calling weak here but he decided to disgustedly fold. Bah. Seat 4 made it 2500 from MP again, the guy on my right called, and I found AA in the cutoff and made it 7100. It folded to the kid and he moved all in for 14k, the guy on my right folded, and I snap called and guess what? He showed AA also. . . .wow pretty rough luck to finally get action with a monster and he has the same hand. He flopped 2 hearts but I faded his freeroll by the turn amd I was at 22k. I opened ot 2600 from MP with QJo and the BB called. The flop came a perfect AKT, he checked, and I decided to not go too crazy and just checked behind. Alot of times I bet the nuts here but I figured it was a good board to trap. The turn came a 7, he bet 2500, and I just called. The river came a 2nd T, he bet 2500 again, I made it 10k, and he quickly folded. I dont know if he had something he would have called the flop with but I feel like I made some extra chips by checking behind. A different lady made it 2600 in MP, I found AQcc in the cutoff and made it 6100, ande everyone folded. The guy who had been raising alot (from the hand where I had 3-bet him with 73) made it 2800 from UTG +1 and I found KQo in the hijack and decided to flat. We checked down AJ549 where he bet 8000 and I folded. I had gotten pretty lucky and turned my 6k in chips all the way up to 32500 and we went to dinner.
Level 11: 800-1600 200. I couldnt really get much going for the 1st 30 minutes or so of the level. The only pot I played was when a player opened to 4000 from UTG +1, another player in MP called, and I found 44 in the BB and decided to call as well. The flop came 975 and I just check/folded. I dropped as low as 20k or so with about 5 minutes left in the level when I went on a nice rush to amass a decent stack. It started when it folded to me in the SB and I found AKo, jammed on the BB, and he folded. This allowed me to take 26300 to the next level.
Level 12: 1000-2000 300. My rush continued as I moved all in from the cutoff with A3ss and everyone folded. I moved all in from UTG +2 with A9ss and everyone folded. 2 hands later, it folded to the button who opened to 5000, I found ATo in the BB and reshipped and he instamucked and I was at my peak for the tournament pushing my stack all the way up to 45k. 2 hands after this, a player UTG +1 opened to 6000, it folded to me on the button and I found 88 and jammed for my 45k hoping to take down the pot there. However, he decided to snap call and showed KQhh and the board ran out KQ9JJ giving him the pot and busting me out of the torunament. . .snap call with KQ there FML akjlsdf;lasdfjlas;fjalsf.
For the first time after busting out this year I felt truly frustrated. I played so well today (other than that Q9 call but I was able to fight past that) and if I can just win that stupid flip I am up over 90k with a massive stack that I could have crushed the increasingly passive table with. I just have to go back tomorrow, equally as focused and play just as well and hopefully good things will happen.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tourney: June 29th 2011 Caesars Megastack Event #62 $240 6-Handed
Todays tournament was a 6-handed tournament allowing me to play many hands. My opening table was really easy and we started with 20000 in chips.
Level 1: 50-100. A player in MP made it 250 and I called from the button with 98o. We checked to the turn on QQ8 where he bet 200 and I caleld. The river came a T, he lead for 500, I called and he showed AQ. A player UTG made it 250, the UTG +1 player called, I found QJdd in the cutoff and 3-bet to 800 and everyone folded. I called a raise to 300 with KJo and position but folded to a bet when I missed the flop. I made it 250 with KThh and got called by the BB. The flop came 642, she checked, I bet 325, she made it 650, and I folded. I made it 250 with 95cc and got 2 callers. The flop came J22, they checked, I bet 325, and one of them called. We checked down 7Q and she showed Q6 for the winner. I was down to 18k or so after this. The dumb lady limped UTG and I made it 300 from UTG +1 with 32ss. She was the only caller and the flop came J73 2 diamonds. She checked, I bet 350, she made it 700, and I called. The turn came the Ad, she checked, I bet 1500, and she folded. A player in MP made it 250, I 3-bet to 725 from the button with 54o, and he called. The flop came K82, he checked, I bet 600, he made it 1200, and I called. The turn came a 6, he bet 1000, I made it 2650, and he folded. I made it 250 from UTG with 64o and got 3 calls. We checked to the turn on Q866 (where I turned trips), the BB lead out for 500, and I called. The turn came a 9, he checked, I bet 1250, and he folded. After these 2 bluffs and the 64 winner, I was up to 23475 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 100-200. I called 400 from the button with 44 and we saw the flop 4-handed. The flop came KQ2 and I folded to a bet. The lady limped UTG and I made it 525 with A8o UTG +1. The BB and lady called and they both check/folded to 850 on a T72 flop. The lady limped the button and I made it 625 from the SB with AJo. The BB and the lady called and on a 432 flop, I check/folded when the BB bet 1100. The lady limped UTG, I made it 475 from UTG +1 with JTo, the player behind me made it 1700, and I folded. I was at 22725 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 150-300. The lady limped UTG +1 and I made it 750 from the cutoff with K9o. The BB and the lady called and the flop came A84 all hearts (I had the Kh). The lady lead for 3500 after the BB checked and I had to fold (she showed Q3hh). A tight player UTG made it 800, I found 93o on the button and 3-bet to 2000, and he called. The flop came J82, he checked, I bet 2500, and he folded. I was taking advantage of his tight/passive play when he misses flops. The lady limped in MP, I made it 725 from the cutoff with 54o, the button called, the BB moved all in for 10k, and I folded. I made it 650 from UTG, UTG +1 made it 2000, I folded, and he showed AQ. The button made it 750 and I called from the BB with 64ss. The flop came 742, I checked, he bet 725, and I called. The turn came a K, I checked, he bet 1200, and I folded. It looked like the turn helped him so I decided to just fold. . .plus I dont really know if this player was capable of firing 2 barrels against the best player at the table. The lady on the button made it 600, I 3-bet from the SB to 1450 with QTo, and everyone folded. I was at 21575 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 200-400. I made it 950 with JTo from UTG and got called by the lady in the BB. The flop came T92 and she check/folded to my 1200 bet. The tight/weak guy limped UTG, I made it 1125 from the SB with 63dd, and he called. The flop came K87, I bet 1500, and he called. The turn came a 5, I bet 2125, and he folded. The player in MP (from the 64 hand. . .decent but not good) made it 1000, I 3-bet to 2125 from the button with QTo, and he called. The flop came Q65, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a T, giving me top 2, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called. The river came a Q giving me top full, he checked, I bet 6600, and he folded. I then made a bad call in a big pot vs a player in seat 1 who was super cally (and bad) but gave me problems for the next couple levels. I opened to 850 with 95ss, seat 1 called from the button, and the BB called. The flop came Kh9x4h giving me middle pair, I bet 1200, and seat 1 called. The turn camet he 8h putting 3 hearts on board, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came another 8, I checked, he bet 3500, I called, and he showed T9hh for the flush (+pair). I just got a bluffy vibe from him on the river but I guess he had it. I made it 950 from UTG with 98o and seat 1 called me from the cutoff. The flop came Q33, I checked, he bet 1000, and I folded. I made it 950 from the button with AJo and seat 1 called from the BB. We checked to the turn on T84T where I bet 1200 and he folded (one of the few times I beat him in a pot). I made it 950 with KQo from UTG +1 and the decent kid called in the BB. The flop came K63 all diamonds, he checked, and I pot control checked behind. The turn came a 5, he bet 1100, and I called. The river came a T, he bet 1000, I made it 3025, and he folded. I made it 950 from UTG with KQo and the kid behind me UTG +1 made it 2700 resulting in a fold by me. The kid (behind me in seat 6) limped UTG, the lady completed the SB, I found JJ in the BB and made it 1400, and they both called. The flop came 722, I bet 1250, and the kid in seat 6 called. The turn came an A, I bet 2000, he made it 4800, and I folded. He later told me he had 77 so it was an excellent turn card for me. I was at 23200 (I was up to 28k or so but the JJ hand lost me some chips) and we went on the 1st break.
Level 5: 300-600. Everyone limped to me on the button and I found QJo and decided to limp as well. The flop came Q94 2 diamonds, everyone checked to me, I bet 2100, and the kid in seat 6 (SB) was the only caller. The turn came an offsuit J giving me top 2, he checked, I bet 5100, and he called. The river came an A, he checked, I bet 3500, and he called but mucked when I showed. My bet size was a little weird on the river but the flush draw missed and the A was a scare card for his pair hands so I tried to make it more valuey to get him to call. I was all the way up to 34k or so after this hand. However, I managed to lose alot of it back immediately to my rival in seat 1. I made it 1400 from the cutoff with K3o and he called from the SB. The flop came 432, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a 7, he bet 2500, and I called. The river came a 9, he bet 3500, I called, and he showed A5 for the wheel. I dont know why I didnt believe him again but I just decided to stupidly pay him off. I made it 1400 from the button with Q9o and the SB called. The flop came Q92, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded lkajdflakjdfs;las. I made it 1400 from UTG with 76hh, the kid in seat 6 made it 3900, I 4-bet to 8500, and he snap folded AQ face up. . .weeeeeee. A new player to the table (old man) made it 1500 in MP, I made it 3300 from the SB wtih A3ss, and everyone folded. I then decided to lost some of my winnings back to the guy in seat 1 again. The lady limped the cutoff and I made it 1400 from the button with T9o. The guy in seat 1 called from the BB and the lady also called. The flop came A82, they checked to me, I bet 1700, and the BB called. The turn came a Q, he checked I bet 4100, he made it 12k, and I folded. Not really much to say here, I tried to rep super strong by going 2 barrels but he obviously had it and came over the top. . .hes never bluffing here. After this up and down level, I was at 29100 and we went to the next.
Level 6: 400-800. I made it 1800 from the cutoff with KJo and the tight guy from before called in the BB. The flop came KQ2, he checked, I bet 2100, he made it 6000, I put him all in for his last 14k or so (total), and he folded. I made it 1800 from UTG with AJo and my archnemesis called from the cutoff. The flop came 522, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 3, I checked, he bet 3000, and I called. The river came another 2, I checked, he bet 4500, and I decided to not pay him off this time and folded. The tight guy limped UTG +1 and I completed my SB with A2o. The flop came AJ2, we checked to the tight guy, he bet 2500, I made it 6000, he went all in for his 7000 (total) and I called. he showed QJ and I faded his 2 outs on 5A. I was all the way up to 40k or so but unfortunately this is as high as my stack would be on the day. I made it 1800 with 53o from UTG, seat 1 3-bet me to 4500 from the button, and I folded. Around this time we got a couple of new players at our table (3. . .2 were very good 1 was rotten). One of the good new players opened to 2100 his 1st hand at the table and I 3-bet to 4500 with KTo from the SB. He called, the flop came A42, I checked, he bet 5500, and I folded. Alot of times I fight harder on these pots but I think that he actually has it here becuase he knows Im likely going into check/call mode with any pair here (which are all in my 3-bet range). I completed K9o from the SB with 2 limpers and we saw a flop of AK8. We checked around any the turn came a 7. I lead out for 1300 and seat 1 (who had limped) called. The river came a 4, I checked, he bet 2400, I called, and he showed A6 for the winner. . .I just couldnt beat him. I made it 1800 with JJ and the SB called. The flop came K95, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a 7, he checked, I bet 2100, and he called. The river came a J, he checked, I bet 3800, and he folded. I then lost a pretty crucial pot. I made it 1800 from UTG with Q5ss and the BB (the new bad player) called from the BB. The flop came J74, he checked, I bet 2100, and he called. The turn came an 8, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came a Q, he lead for 5000, I called with my rivered top pair, but mucked when he showed T9o for the turned straight. . .ugh why did that river have to hit. I was down to 22300 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 500-1000. I tried to nit it up with my 23bbs to look for good resteal spots to increase my stack but it is hard to do in 6 max. I opened to 2300 from UTG +1 with T9o and got 3 calls behind. We checked to the turn on Q525 where I folded to a bet. It folded to me in the SB and I moved all in for about 18k with A7hh causing the BB to fold. I opened to 2300 from UTG with 98o but had to fold when there was a shove and a reshove behind me. I was at 18k or so when the bustout hand occured. It folded to the button who was a good new player with a ton of chips. He opened to 2200, the SB folded, and I found A8o in the BB and jammed. He called showing A6cc and the board ran out AK9J6 for the teaser chop turn but the rivered 2 pair for him busting me out.
I did make some bad calls today but was able to bounce back from every actual bad play I did make. I made some nice bluffs and feel pretty good about the way I played. If my A8 holds I am back to 36k which would have been over 30 bigs so I guess I just have to try again tomorrow.
Level 1: 50-100. A player in MP made it 250 and I called from the button with 98o. We checked to the turn on QQ8 where he bet 200 and I caleld. The river came a T, he lead for 500, I called and he showed AQ. A player UTG made it 250, the UTG +1 player called, I found QJdd in the cutoff and 3-bet to 800 and everyone folded. I called a raise to 300 with KJo and position but folded to a bet when I missed the flop. I made it 250 with KThh and got called by the BB. The flop came 642, she checked, I bet 325, she made it 650, and I folded. I made it 250 with 95cc and got 2 callers. The flop came J22, they checked, I bet 325, and one of them called. We checked down 7Q and she showed Q6 for the winner. I was down to 18k or so after this. The dumb lady limped UTG and I made it 300 from UTG +1 with 32ss. She was the only caller and the flop came J73 2 diamonds. She checked, I bet 350, she made it 700, and I called. The turn came the Ad, she checked, I bet 1500, and she folded. A player in MP made it 250, I 3-bet to 725 from the button with 54o, and he called. The flop came K82, he checked, I bet 600, he made it 1200, and I called. The turn came a 6, he bet 1000, I made it 2650, and he folded. I made it 250 from UTG with 64o and got 3 calls. We checked to the turn on Q866 (where I turned trips), the BB lead out for 500, and I called. The turn came a 9, he checked, I bet 1250, and he folded. After these 2 bluffs and the 64 winner, I was up to 23475 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 100-200. I called 400 from the button with 44 and we saw the flop 4-handed. The flop came KQ2 and I folded to a bet. The lady limped UTG and I made it 525 with A8o UTG +1. The BB and lady called and they both check/folded to 850 on a T72 flop. The lady limped the button and I made it 625 from the SB with AJo. The BB and the lady called and on a 432 flop, I check/folded when the BB bet 1100. The lady limped UTG, I made it 475 from UTG +1 with JTo, the player behind me made it 1700, and I folded. I was at 22725 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 150-300. The lady limped UTG +1 and I made it 750 from the cutoff with K9o. The BB and the lady called and the flop came A84 all hearts (I had the Kh). The lady lead for 3500 after the BB checked and I had to fold (she showed Q3hh). A tight player UTG made it 800, I found 93o on the button and 3-bet to 2000, and he called. The flop came J82, he checked, I bet 2500, and he folded. I was taking advantage of his tight/passive play when he misses flops. The lady limped in MP, I made it 725 from the cutoff with 54o, the button called, the BB moved all in for 10k, and I folded. I made it 650 from UTG, UTG +1 made it 2000, I folded, and he showed AQ. The button made it 750 and I called from the BB with 64ss. The flop came 742, I checked, he bet 725, and I called. The turn came a K, I checked, he bet 1200, and I folded. It looked like the turn helped him so I decided to just fold. . .plus I dont really know if this player was capable of firing 2 barrels against the best player at the table. The lady on the button made it 600, I 3-bet from the SB to 1450 with QTo, and everyone folded. I was at 21575 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 200-400. I made it 950 with JTo from UTG and got called by the lady in the BB. The flop came T92 and she check/folded to my 1200 bet. The tight/weak guy limped UTG, I made it 1125 from the SB with 63dd, and he called. The flop came K87, I bet 1500, and he called. The turn came a 5, I bet 2125, and he folded. The player in MP (from the 64 hand. . .decent but not good) made it 1000, I 3-bet to 2125 from the button with QTo, and he called. The flop came Q65, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a T, giving me top 2, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called. The river came a Q giving me top full, he checked, I bet 6600, and he folded. I then made a bad call in a big pot vs a player in seat 1 who was super cally (and bad) but gave me problems for the next couple levels. I opened to 850 with 95ss, seat 1 called from the button, and the BB called. The flop came Kh9x4h giving me middle pair, I bet 1200, and seat 1 called. The turn camet he 8h putting 3 hearts on board, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came another 8, I checked, he bet 3500, I called, and he showed T9hh for the flush (+pair). I just got a bluffy vibe from him on the river but I guess he had it. I made it 950 from UTG with 98o and seat 1 called me from the cutoff. The flop came Q33, I checked, he bet 1000, and I folded. I made it 950 from the button with AJo and seat 1 called from the BB. We checked to the turn on T84T where I bet 1200 and he folded (one of the few times I beat him in a pot). I made it 950 with KQo from UTG +1 and the decent kid called in the BB. The flop came K63 all diamonds, he checked, and I pot control checked behind. The turn came a 5, he bet 1100, and I called. The river came a T, he bet 1000, I made it 3025, and he folded. I made it 950 from UTG with KQo and the kid behind me UTG +1 made it 2700 resulting in a fold by me. The kid (behind me in seat 6) limped UTG, the lady completed the SB, I found JJ in the BB and made it 1400, and they both called. The flop came 722, I bet 1250, and the kid in seat 6 called. The turn came an A, I bet 2000, he made it 4800, and I folded. He later told me he had 77 so it was an excellent turn card for me. I was at 23200 (I was up to 28k or so but the JJ hand lost me some chips) and we went on the 1st break.
Level 5: 300-600. Everyone limped to me on the button and I found QJo and decided to limp as well. The flop came Q94 2 diamonds, everyone checked to me, I bet 2100, and the kid in seat 6 (SB) was the only caller. The turn came an offsuit J giving me top 2, he checked, I bet 5100, and he called. The river came an A, he checked, I bet 3500, and he called but mucked when I showed. My bet size was a little weird on the river but the flush draw missed and the A was a scare card for his pair hands so I tried to make it more valuey to get him to call. I was all the way up to 34k or so after this hand. However, I managed to lose alot of it back immediately to my rival in seat 1. I made it 1400 from the cutoff with K3o and he called from the SB. The flop came 432, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a 7, he bet 2500, and I called. The river came a 9, he bet 3500, I called, and he showed A5 for the wheel. I dont know why I didnt believe him again but I just decided to stupidly pay him off. I made it 1400 from the button with Q9o and the SB called. The flop came Q92, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded lkajdflakjdfs;las. I made it 1400 from UTG with 76hh, the kid in seat 6 made it 3900, I 4-bet to 8500, and he snap folded AQ face up. . .weeeeeee. A new player to the table (old man) made it 1500 in MP, I made it 3300 from the SB wtih A3ss, and everyone folded. I then decided to lost some of my winnings back to the guy in seat 1 again. The lady limped the cutoff and I made it 1400 from the button with T9o. The guy in seat 1 called from the BB and the lady also called. The flop came A82, they checked to me, I bet 1700, and the BB called. The turn came a Q, he checked I bet 4100, he made it 12k, and I folded. Not really much to say here, I tried to rep super strong by going 2 barrels but he obviously had it and came over the top. . .hes never bluffing here. After this up and down level, I was at 29100 and we went to the next.
Level 6: 400-800. I made it 1800 from the cutoff with KJo and the tight guy from before called in the BB. The flop came KQ2, he checked, I bet 2100, he made it 6000, I put him all in for his last 14k or so (total), and he folded. I made it 1800 from UTG with AJo and my archnemesis called from the cutoff. The flop came 522, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 3, I checked, he bet 3000, and I called. The river came another 2, I checked, he bet 4500, and I decided to not pay him off this time and folded. The tight guy limped UTG +1 and I completed my SB with A2o. The flop came AJ2, we checked to the tight guy, he bet 2500, I made it 6000, he went all in for his 7000 (total) and I called. he showed QJ and I faded his 2 outs on 5A. I was all the way up to 40k or so but unfortunately this is as high as my stack would be on the day. I made it 1800 with 53o from UTG, seat 1 3-bet me to 4500 from the button, and I folded. Around this time we got a couple of new players at our table (3. . .2 were very good 1 was rotten). One of the good new players opened to 2100 his 1st hand at the table and I 3-bet to 4500 with KTo from the SB. He called, the flop came A42, I checked, he bet 5500, and I folded. Alot of times I fight harder on these pots but I think that he actually has it here becuase he knows Im likely going into check/call mode with any pair here (which are all in my 3-bet range). I completed K9o from the SB with 2 limpers and we saw a flop of AK8. We checked around any the turn came a 7. I lead out for 1300 and seat 1 (who had limped) called. The river came a 4, I checked, he bet 2400, I called, and he showed A6 for the winner. . .I just couldnt beat him. I made it 1800 with JJ and the SB called. The flop came K95, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a 7, he checked, I bet 2100, and he called. The river came a J, he checked, I bet 3800, and he folded. I then lost a pretty crucial pot. I made it 1800 from UTG with Q5ss and the BB (the new bad player) called from the BB. The flop came J74, he checked, I bet 2100, and he called. The turn came an 8, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came a Q, he lead for 5000, I called with my rivered top pair, but mucked when he showed T9o for the turned straight. . .ugh why did that river have to hit. I was down to 22300 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 500-1000. I tried to nit it up with my 23bbs to look for good resteal spots to increase my stack but it is hard to do in 6 max. I opened to 2300 from UTG +1 with T9o and got 3 calls behind. We checked to the turn on Q525 where I folded to a bet. It folded to me in the SB and I moved all in for about 18k with A7hh causing the BB to fold. I opened to 2300 from UTG with 98o but had to fold when there was a shove and a reshove behind me. I was at 18k or so when the bustout hand occured. It folded to the button who was a good new player with a ton of chips. He opened to 2200, the SB folded, and I found A8o in the BB and jammed. He called showing A6cc and the board ran out AK9J6 for the teaser chop turn but the rivered 2 pair for him busting me out.
I did make some bad calls today but was able to bounce back from every actual bad play I did make. I made some nice bluffs and feel pretty good about the way I played. If my A8 holds I am back to 36k which would have been over 30 bigs so I guess I just have to try again tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tourney: June 28th 2011 Venetian Deepstack Event #32 $340
Today was another $340 and I went in feeling supremely focused and ready to play. There were 630 or so players and we started with 12000 in chips. My first table was actually pretty difficult overall with only a few weak spots.
Level 1: 50-100. One of the 1st hands of the day, a player who had opened every single pot (about 5 or 6 hands to this point) made it 250, I found AJo in MP and made it 600, and he called. The flop came J74 2 spades, he checked, and I checked behind to pot control. The turn came a 3, he bet 750, and I just called. The river came the 2s, he lead for 1200, and I called. He showed QJ for a lower kicker and I was up to 14.5k on the 1st orbit. However, after this pot I amazingly failed to win a single hand for the next 2 hours. I checked the BB with 1 limper with Jh4x. We checked to the river on 96588 4 hearts, I bet 100, he raised to 300, and I folded. The cutoff made it 250 and I called from the button with QJcc. The flop came 886 2 clubs giving me a flush draw, he bet 375, and I called. The turn came an offsuit 5, he checked, I bet 625, and he called. The river came a 9, he lead for 1225, and I folded. I was at 13125 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. A player in EP made it 300, a MP player called, and I also called in MP with 44. We checked to the turn on AQ68 where I folded to a bet. There were 2 limps to me in the BB and I checked 88. The flop came Q64 and I folded to a 600 bet from one of the limpers. The cutoff made it 325, I called from the SB with A9o, the BB 3-bet to 1325, and I folded. I made it 350 from the hijack with A5dd and the button called. We checked to the turn on 7763 where I checked, he bet 500, and I called. The river came a J, I checked, and he checked behind showing A6cc for the winner. I was down to 11125 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I only played one real hand this level. The cutoff who was a spewdonk that had been playing alot of pots opened to 500, I 3-bet to 1350 from the button with T7cc, and he called. The flop came Q65, he checked, I bet 1200, and he called. The turn came another Q, he checked, and I just checked behind. The river came a K, he lead for 3100, and I folded. Bah. . .tried a 3-bet then c-bet that failed nothing much that I can do and I actually think he did have a Q here. I was down to 7825 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. A UTG shortstack (who had ~1600) limped, a player in MP limped, the button made it 750, and I found AKo in the SB. I decided to just flat because 1) I figured he could have a monster here and I dont necessarily HAVE to play a large pot with AK and 2) It would be a perfect spot for the shortstack limper to limp-allin which would give me the perfect opportunity to re-iso with AKo. However, after I flatted the UTG limper just flatted and the MP player flatted as well. The flop came A95, we checked to the button, he bet 1400, I 3-bet (essentially) all in to 6000, and everyone folded. I was back to 11.5k or so after this. I made it 475 from UTG +2 with T8o, the cutoff 3-bet to 1600, and I folded. Next hand after this, I was able to find a very nice double up. I was UTG +1 and found KK and made it my standard 475. The player UTG +2 3-bet to 1125, the player in the SB (the spewdonk from the T7 hand) flatted the 3-bet, the BB flatted as well, and I moved all in for about 11k. The UTG +2 folded pretty quickly (what he said was TT), the SB (donk) snap called, and the BB folded. He showed 99 and I faded on a 632J3 board and was up all the way to 24k (after only winning 3 hands! pretty good). A player UTG made it 475 and I called from the BB with A7o. We checked to the turn on JT86 and I folded to a bet. I completed the SB with A3o but folded when the BB bet on T85. A semi-active player (he hadnt been raising too often but had showed down some less than premiums when he got to showdown) opened to 525 UTG +2, I found 66 in MP right behind and 3-bet to 1400, it folded him and he 4-bet to 3850, and I folded. I wish I would have just called to try to flop a set but I dont hate this play as I thought he was opening light. . .sometimes I will just flat and sometimes I will 3-bet and in this spot I made the wrong choice. I was at 22075 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 150-300 25. A player UTG made it 800, I found QQ on the button and just flatted, and the BB called as well. The flop came Q64, they checked to me, I bet 1500, and the BB called. The turn came a K, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came an 8, he checked, I bet 3000, and I called but mucked when I showed. There were 2 limps to the hijack and he made it 750. The cutoff called, and I called on the button with 74ss. The SB, BB and one of the limpers called but the other limper decided to jam for 30k so I had to fold. A player in EP limped, I made it 725 from MP with 75cc, the button called, the BB 3-bet to 2500, and I folded (this table was playing pretty sick). A player UTG limped, I completed the SB with Q8, and the BB checked. The flop came AQ8, giving me bottom 2 pair, I checked, but they checked behind me. The turn came a J, I lead for 525, the BB called, the UTG player raised to 2525, I tanked for a while and folded, the BB folded also. The UTG limper showed AA and I was drawing dead on the flop so I made an excellent fold. What is funny is that if UTG bets the flop I am more than likely doubling him up and losing about 1/2 my stack (maybe more) so I am super lucky he decided to trap the flop. The fold is just whatever. . .I felt like it was about 50/50 I was beat (KT, T9, QJ, J8, AJ all get there) but even so with a solid caller behind me and not that much in the pot I could get away from it pretty easily and it was satisfying to see him turn over AA. I was at 24800 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. With the start of this level I moved to a new table. This table was AWESOME. . .my last table sucked and I couldnt wait to get off of it (a ton of 3-betting and 4-betting) and it only took me a couple of hands to realize that the new table was all complete fishes and alot of them had a TON of chips. There were idiots with a ton of chips in seats 6, 7, 9, and 10, I was in seat 1, and there was 1 decent player in seat 8 (another in seat 2 but I never played a hand with him). I knew that they were calling stations so I decided to play tight and wait for a hand. I folded for the 1st couple orbits and I didnt really pick up a hand but I used my image to win a nice pot. The donk in seat 7 made it 1200 from UTG +1, the donk in seat 9 flatted, the donk in seat 10 flatted (this had been standard as they had all been limping/calling in a ton of terrible spots so I knew they were basically ATC here), and I 3-bet from the hijack with 4125 with K9hh and everyone quickly folded (allowing me to pick up 4500 in spare chips). I limped 55 behind one limper, the button made it 1500, the SB 3-bet to 3500, and I folded. I was up to 27000 and we went on the 2nd break.
Level 7: 300-600 50. Early on in this level, I lost a decent sized pot to one of the donks with chips. I made it 1325 from MP with KcJx and the donk in seat 6 called out of the BB. The flop came 9c8c3x, he checked, I c-bet 1500, and he called. The turn came the Tc giving me an open ended straight draw with the 2nd nut flush draw. He checked and I took my free card and checked behind. The river came the 4c giving me the 2nd nut flush, he lead out for 4825, and I called. He showed Ac7x for the nut flush and I took a decently sized hit dropping me to 19k or so. I am glad that I just decided to flat the river here. . .I almost raised but it seemed like a spot where (even though he is a huge donk) if I raise Im only getting punished by the Ac and rarely am getting more value from any other hand. I made it 1325 with AJo from UTG +1 and the donk in seat 6 (same guy from last hand) called in MP. The flop came J44, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came an 8, I bet 2100, and he folded. I was obviously trap-checking the flop but it is a bad play because this guy has already shown that he is calling the flop with A high no draw on my c-bets so I should be betting here. I then ran a successful bluff that allowed me to get some of my chips back. I limped 33 from MP and (amazingly at this cally/terrible table), found myself only against the blinds. The flop came A98 2 hearts, the SB checked, the BB (the decent player in seat 8) bet out 1200, I made it 3200, the SB folded, and he called. The turn came a K, he checked, I bet 5025, and he folded after a little tank. I figured that he at best had an A with a weak kicker here and alot of times has just a flush draw so I figured that I could push him off alot of hands he bet/calls the flop. A player UTG limped, I found QQ UTG +1 and decided to just limp behind. I figured the table was so overraisey/cally that if I raise Im likely to get 4-5 callers and I would force myself to play a bigger pot than I would like. I thought I could limp and hopefully someone would raise so I could 3-bet and take a ton of dead money. However, (amazingly) everyone else folded to the BB who checked. The flop came K95 2 diamonds, they checked to me, I bet 1100, and UTG called. The turn came the 7d (putting a 3-flush), he checked, and I checked behind. The river came a 6, he checked, and I figured the hand didnt really play the way I wanted it to already so I just checked behind and he mucked when I showed QQ. After these 2 pots I was back to 27k again. The donk in seat 9 limped UTG, I found Q7hh from UTG +2 and isoed to 1750, the BB (the donk in seat 7) called, and the UTG player called as well. The flop came JJ9, the checked to me, I bet 2200, and the BB called. The turn came the Th giving me a flush draw and an open ended straight draw, he put me all in for my last 24k, and I folded. Haha . . .why cant I ever have JT or 99 here and just snap his ridiculous shove. I made it 1750 from UTG +1 with 66 and everyone folded. There were 2 limps to me and I completed the SB with 22. The flop came AK9 and I folded to a bet. A player UTG limped, I made it 1750 from the cutoff with T6cc, and he called. We checked to the turn on A54A where he checked, I bet 2100, and he folded. I normally c-bet all flops when I iso here but I like checking behind here because I like to rep aces by playing the turn and river super strong after I checked the flop. He was a competent player so I figured hed give me credit. I was at 26400 and we went on the 3rd break.
Level 9: 500-1000 100. A player in MP made it 2300, a player in LP called, and I called from the BB with 96ss. The flop came K83 and I check folded to a bet from the raiser. I found AQo from UTG +1 and made it 2300, the player UTG +2 went all in for 6400, and I called. He showed KQss and I was able to resuck on him on K33A9 and I was up to 31k or so. The button limped (donk in seat 9), the SB completed (donk in seat 10), and I checked the BB with 96o. The board ran out AT99J, I bet 2500, and everyone folded. I could have bet the turn but I really didnt think I would get action so I tried to let them catch up a little by checking. . .I guess it didnt work. I made it 2300 in the cutoff with AQo and the SB (tighter/more competent new player) was the only caller. The flop came J93, he checked, I bet 2600, and he folded. . .easy c-bet because I knew he would play me straight up overall. I was up to 37300 and went to the next level.
Level 10: 600-1200 100. I took a sick beat right at the start of this level when my super donk table had to break and I moved to a new table. I really think if this table stayed together I would be able to make a massive run on chips as there were so many bad players with so many chips. As it is I wasnt able to make any hands and, while I did chip up some, it wasnt as much as I would have liked. I folded for the 1st orbit at the new table and 1st hand I played, I opened to 2600 UTG +1 with A8ss, a player in MP 3-bet to 8000, and I folded. I folded for another orbit and I was at 34k or so in the BB when a massive pot came up. It folded to the SB and he completed and I found KK in the BB and made it 3000. He called and the flop came JT7. He checked, I bet 3600, and he called. The turn came a 3, he checked, I bet 6100, he put me all in for my last 19k or so behind and I called pretty quickly (this is more or less a "if he has me beat he has me beat spot" especially since I hate folding and leaving myself with 15bbs. He showed 87 for 3rd pair with a gutshot draw. The river came a 9 filling his straight and busting out in a massive 70k pot.
This really sucked because I was feeling so confident today and I was playing really well overall. . .I really thought I was going to make a deep run today. Cant really do anything about it so I guess I will just have to do my best again tomorrow.
Level 1: 50-100. One of the 1st hands of the day, a player who had opened every single pot (about 5 or 6 hands to this point) made it 250, I found AJo in MP and made it 600, and he called. The flop came J74 2 spades, he checked, and I checked behind to pot control. The turn came a 3, he bet 750, and I just called. The river came the 2s, he lead for 1200, and I called. He showed QJ for a lower kicker and I was up to 14.5k on the 1st orbit. However, after this pot I amazingly failed to win a single hand for the next 2 hours. I checked the BB with 1 limper with Jh4x. We checked to the river on 96588 4 hearts, I bet 100, he raised to 300, and I folded. The cutoff made it 250 and I called from the button with QJcc. The flop came 886 2 clubs giving me a flush draw, he bet 375, and I called. The turn came an offsuit 5, he checked, I bet 625, and he called. The river came a 9, he lead for 1225, and I folded. I was at 13125 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. A player in EP made it 300, a MP player called, and I also called in MP with 44. We checked to the turn on AQ68 where I folded to a bet. There were 2 limps to me in the BB and I checked 88. The flop came Q64 and I folded to a 600 bet from one of the limpers. The cutoff made it 325, I called from the SB with A9o, the BB 3-bet to 1325, and I folded. I made it 350 from the hijack with A5dd and the button called. We checked to the turn on 7763 where I checked, he bet 500, and I called. The river came a J, I checked, and he checked behind showing A6cc for the winner. I was down to 11125 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I only played one real hand this level. The cutoff who was a spewdonk that had been playing alot of pots opened to 500, I 3-bet to 1350 from the button with T7cc, and he called. The flop came Q65, he checked, I bet 1200, and he called. The turn came another Q, he checked, and I just checked behind. The river came a K, he lead for 3100, and I folded. Bah. . .tried a 3-bet then c-bet that failed nothing much that I can do and I actually think he did have a Q here. I was down to 7825 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. A UTG shortstack (who had ~1600) limped, a player in MP limped, the button made it 750, and I found AKo in the SB. I decided to just flat because 1) I figured he could have a monster here and I dont necessarily HAVE to play a large pot with AK and 2) It would be a perfect spot for the shortstack limper to limp-allin which would give me the perfect opportunity to re-iso with AKo. However, after I flatted the UTG limper just flatted and the MP player flatted as well. The flop came A95, we checked to the button, he bet 1400, I 3-bet (essentially) all in to 6000, and everyone folded. I was back to 11.5k or so after this. I made it 475 from UTG +2 with T8o, the cutoff 3-bet to 1600, and I folded. Next hand after this, I was able to find a very nice double up. I was UTG +1 and found KK and made it my standard 475. The player UTG +2 3-bet to 1125, the player in the SB (the spewdonk from the T7 hand) flatted the 3-bet, the BB flatted as well, and I moved all in for about 11k. The UTG +2 folded pretty quickly (what he said was TT), the SB (donk) snap called, and the BB folded. He showed 99 and I faded on a 632J3 board and was up all the way to 24k (after only winning 3 hands! pretty good). A player UTG made it 475 and I called from the BB with A7o. We checked to the turn on JT86 and I folded to a bet. I completed the SB with A3o but folded when the BB bet on T85. A semi-active player (he hadnt been raising too often but had showed down some less than premiums when he got to showdown) opened to 525 UTG +2, I found 66 in MP right behind and 3-bet to 1400, it folded him and he 4-bet to 3850, and I folded. I wish I would have just called to try to flop a set but I dont hate this play as I thought he was opening light. . .sometimes I will just flat and sometimes I will 3-bet and in this spot I made the wrong choice. I was at 22075 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 150-300 25. A player UTG made it 800, I found QQ on the button and just flatted, and the BB called as well. The flop came Q64, they checked to me, I bet 1500, and the BB called. The turn came a K, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came an 8, he checked, I bet 3000, and I called but mucked when I showed. There were 2 limps to the hijack and he made it 750. The cutoff called, and I called on the button with 74ss. The SB, BB and one of the limpers called but the other limper decided to jam for 30k so I had to fold. A player in EP limped, I made it 725 from MP with 75cc, the button called, the BB 3-bet to 2500, and I folded (this table was playing pretty sick). A player UTG limped, I completed the SB with Q8, and the BB checked. The flop came AQ8, giving me bottom 2 pair, I checked, but they checked behind me. The turn came a J, I lead for 525, the BB called, the UTG player raised to 2525, I tanked for a while and folded, the BB folded also. The UTG limper showed AA and I was drawing dead on the flop so I made an excellent fold. What is funny is that if UTG bets the flop I am more than likely doubling him up and losing about 1/2 my stack (maybe more) so I am super lucky he decided to trap the flop. The fold is just whatever. . .I felt like it was about 50/50 I was beat (KT, T9, QJ, J8, AJ all get there) but even so with a solid caller behind me and not that much in the pot I could get away from it pretty easily and it was satisfying to see him turn over AA. I was at 24800 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. With the start of this level I moved to a new table. This table was AWESOME. . .my last table sucked and I couldnt wait to get off of it (a ton of 3-betting and 4-betting) and it only took me a couple of hands to realize that the new table was all complete fishes and alot of them had a TON of chips. There were idiots with a ton of chips in seats 6, 7, 9, and 10, I was in seat 1, and there was 1 decent player in seat 8 (another in seat 2 but I never played a hand with him). I knew that they were calling stations so I decided to play tight and wait for a hand. I folded for the 1st couple orbits and I didnt really pick up a hand but I used my image to win a nice pot. The donk in seat 7 made it 1200 from UTG +1, the donk in seat 9 flatted, the donk in seat 10 flatted (this had been standard as they had all been limping/calling in a ton of terrible spots so I knew they were basically ATC here), and I 3-bet from the hijack with 4125 with K9hh and everyone quickly folded (allowing me to pick up 4500 in spare chips). I limped 55 behind one limper, the button made it 1500, the SB 3-bet to 3500, and I folded. I was up to 27000 and we went on the 2nd break.
Level 7: 300-600 50. Early on in this level, I lost a decent sized pot to one of the donks with chips. I made it 1325 from MP with KcJx and the donk in seat 6 called out of the BB. The flop came 9c8c3x, he checked, I c-bet 1500, and he called. The turn came the Tc giving me an open ended straight draw with the 2nd nut flush draw. He checked and I took my free card and checked behind. The river came the 4c giving me the 2nd nut flush, he lead out for 4825, and I called. He showed Ac7x for the nut flush and I took a decently sized hit dropping me to 19k or so. I am glad that I just decided to flat the river here. . .I almost raised but it seemed like a spot where (even though he is a huge donk) if I raise Im only getting punished by the Ac and rarely am getting more value from any other hand. I made it 1325 with AJo from UTG +1 and the donk in seat 6 (same guy from last hand) called in MP. The flop came J44, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came an 8, I bet 2100, and he folded. I was obviously trap-checking the flop but it is a bad play because this guy has already shown that he is calling the flop with A high no draw on my c-bets so I should be betting here. I then ran a successful bluff that allowed me to get some of my chips back. I limped 33 from MP and (amazingly at this cally/terrible table), found myself only against the blinds. The flop came A98 2 hearts, the SB checked, the BB (the decent player in seat 8) bet out 1200, I made it 3200, the SB folded, and he called. The turn came a K, he checked, I bet 5025, and he folded after a little tank. I figured that he at best had an A with a weak kicker here and alot of times has just a flush draw so I figured that I could push him off alot of hands he bet/calls the flop. A player UTG limped, I found QQ UTG +1 and decided to just limp behind. I figured the table was so overraisey/cally that if I raise Im likely to get 4-5 callers and I would force myself to play a bigger pot than I would like. I thought I could limp and hopefully someone would raise so I could 3-bet and take a ton of dead money. However, (amazingly) everyone else folded to the BB who checked. The flop came K95 2 diamonds, they checked to me, I bet 1100, and UTG called. The turn came the 7d (putting a 3-flush), he checked, and I checked behind. The river came a 6, he checked, and I figured the hand didnt really play the way I wanted it to already so I just checked behind and he mucked when I showed QQ. After these 2 pots I was back to 27k again. The donk in seat 9 limped UTG, I found Q7hh from UTG +2 and isoed to 1750, the BB (the donk in seat 7) called, and the UTG player called as well. The flop came JJ9, the checked to me, I bet 2200, and the BB called. The turn came the Th giving me a flush draw and an open ended straight draw, he put me all in for my last 24k, and I folded. Haha . . .why cant I ever have JT or 99 here and just snap his ridiculous shove. I made it 1750 from UTG +1 with 66 and everyone folded. There were 2 limps to me and I completed the SB with 22. The flop came AK9 and I folded to a bet. A player UTG limped, I made it 1750 from the cutoff with T6cc, and he called. We checked to the turn on A54A where he checked, I bet 2100, and he folded. I normally c-bet all flops when I iso here but I like checking behind here because I like to rep aces by playing the turn and river super strong after I checked the flop. He was a competent player so I figured hed give me credit. I was at 26400 and we went on the 3rd break.
Level 9: 500-1000 100. A player in MP made it 2300, a player in LP called, and I called from the BB with 96ss. The flop came K83 and I check folded to a bet from the raiser. I found AQo from UTG +1 and made it 2300, the player UTG +2 went all in for 6400, and I called. He showed KQss and I was able to resuck on him on K33A9 and I was up to 31k or so. The button limped (donk in seat 9), the SB completed (donk in seat 10), and I checked the BB with 96o. The board ran out AT99J, I bet 2500, and everyone folded. I could have bet the turn but I really didnt think I would get action so I tried to let them catch up a little by checking. . .I guess it didnt work. I made it 2300 in the cutoff with AQo and the SB (tighter/more competent new player) was the only caller. The flop came J93, he checked, I bet 2600, and he folded. . .easy c-bet because I knew he would play me straight up overall. I was up to 37300 and went to the next level.
Level 10: 600-1200 100. I took a sick beat right at the start of this level when my super donk table had to break and I moved to a new table. I really think if this table stayed together I would be able to make a massive run on chips as there were so many bad players with so many chips. As it is I wasnt able to make any hands and, while I did chip up some, it wasnt as much as I would have liked. I folded for the 1st orbit at the new table and 1st hand I played, I opened to 2600 UTG +1 with A8ss, a player in MP 3-bet to 8000, and I folded. I folded for another orbit and I was at 34k or so in the BB when a massive pot came up. It folded to the SB and he completed and I found KK in the BB and made it 3000. He called and the flop came JT7. He checked, I bet 3600, and he called. The turn came a 3, he checked, I bet 6100, he put me all in for my last 19k or so behind and I called pretty quickly (this is more or less a "if he has me beat he has me beat spot" especially since I hate folding and leaving myself with 15bbs. He showed 87 for 3rd pair with a gutshot draw. The river came a 9 filling his straight and busting out in a massive 70k pot.
This really sucked because I was feeling so confident today and I was playing really well overall. . .I really thought I was going to make a deep run today. Cant really do anything about it so I guess I will just have to do my best again tomorrow.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tourney: June 27th 2011 Binions Poker Classic Event #28 $160
Today I played a smaller sized tournament at Binions. There were 108 players paying 11 spots with just shy of 4k going to 1st. My 1st table was super soft and we started with 12000 chips.
Level 1: 25-50. 1st hand we played, a player in MP opened to 250 and I called from the SB with AJss. The BB also called and we saw a T64 2 spade flop (I had 2 overs and a flush draw). I checked and everyone else checked behind. The turn came another 6, I bet 325, the BB raised to 900, the initial raiser folded, and I called. The river came an A, I checked, and he checked behind showing 22 and I was good. The very next hand, I lost my winnings back when I had to make a big fold. There were 3 limps to me on the button and I found AA and made it 300. 2 of the limps called and the flop came JT4. They both checked to me, I bet 425, the 1st caller folded, the 2nd caller made it 1350, and I just called. The turn came a K, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came an 8, he lead for 2400, and I folded. I think that I am nearly always behind here. My actions on the flop and turn were just to keep the pot small to set up a showdown call but the amount on the river was just too much to pay off. I called 150 from the BB with KTo and folded when the flop came all low cards. I made it 125 with K7o from the cutoff and the button, SB, and BB called. We checked to the turn on AQJK where I folded to a large bet. I made it 125 from the hijack with AJo and everyone behind me called. The flop came Q97 all spades and I folded to a bet. I made it 125 from MP with JTo and got called by the button and the BB. I c-bet 200, the button raised to 700, and I folded. I was down to 10850 and we went ot the next level.
Level 2: 50-100. I completed the SB with 2 limpers with 99. The board ran out to the turn on Q87Q, I bet 250, and everyone folded. A bad female player in the cutoff made it 300, I called from the button with A4dd, and the BB called as well. The flop came KT7, the BB lead out 800, and I folded. I limped 44 from the cutoff behind 4 limpers but folded the KT7 flop. The bad female player made it 300 from UTG +1, I found KK UTG +2 and made it 1000, and she called. The flop came J62, she checked, and I checked behind to trap the donk. The turn came a T, she checked, I bet 1500, and she folded A8 face up. I was at 11575 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. There were 2 limps to me on the button, I made it 1000 with KJo, and everyone folded. I made it 475 from the hijack with KJo and the cutoff was the only caller. The flop came J96, I lead 600, and he folded. There were 2 limps to me in the SB, I found AQhh and made it 725, and 1 of the limpers called. The flop came QJ2, I lead 1000, and she folded. There was 1 limper, I made it 525 with 74dd, and the blinds and the limper called. The flop came 975 2 spades, the blinds checked, the limper bet 800, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 2s, she bet 2000, I folded, and she showed 43ss for the turned flush. I was up to 12250 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 150-300 25. I made it 650 from UTG +1 with AJhh, 2 players in MP called, the player in the cutoff moved all in for 1200 total, the SB flatted the 1200, the BB flatted the 1200, I moved all in for 12k or so, and everyone folded. The all in flipped KK and I didnt win when the board came out all baby cards. . .funny hand becuase I put 1200 into a ~7.5k pot AIPF. . .how does she wake up with KK there? A player in EP opened to 1100, I found 99 in MP and moved all in (I had 10k or so but he only had ~7k effective) and everyone folded. I made it 650 with K7o from UTG +1 and the button was the only caller. The flop came AKJ, I lead out 800, and he folded. The dumb lady in the cutoff opened to 900, I called on the button with A5ss, but folded when the SB 3-bet to 3000. I was down to a relatively even 11900 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 200-400 50. I then was able to double up in a funny hand. A player UTG limped and he had been limping a ton so I isoed from MP by making it 1500 with T6o. He called and we saw a flop of Ts8x4s. He checked, I bet 1200, and he put me all in for my last 10k. I called after some deliberation and he showed 75ss for a flush draw/gutshot straight draw. The board ran out AxTx and I doubled up to around 24k with the ole T6o. I then lost quite a bit back a couple of hands later. It folded to me on the button and I made it 950 with T8o. The SB called and we saw a Q74 flop. He checked, I c-bet 1125, and he called. The turn came an A, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called. The river came a T, he checked, and I gave up just checking behind. He showed Q9ss for top pair and I lost. I guess I could have barrelled again on the river but as I said in previous situations, I dont like gambling that people who love to call will fold even with a scare card on the board so I figured I could probably find a better spot then this. A lady limped in EP and I made it 950 with AJdd from MP. She called. we checked down 84492 and she showed 77 for the winner. A player in EP made it 1200 and got 4 callers to me in the BB. I decided to call as well with ATo but had to fold on a 985 flop. I was up to 16450 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 300-600 50. Early on in the level, I was able to find another double courtesy of a non-premium hand. I found T3dd in the hijack and decided to open up and make it 1325. The button was the only caller and the flop came T82 2 hearts. I bet 1500, the button put me all in for 15k or so, and I called. He showed K9hh and the board ran out T3 making me a full house and allowing me to dodge another flush draw. He was new to the table and playing pretty reckless overall so I thought my hand was ahead and he had at best a flush draw so I decided to gamble. I was at 32k or so after this hand. A weak player in the hijack limped and I made it 1500 from the button with A9o. He called and the flop came KKQ. He checked, I bet 1800, he raised all in for about 9k, and I folded. I made it 1325 from UTG +1 with K9ss and the SB was the only caller. The flop came Q74, he checked, I bet 1500, and he folded. I made it 1325 with 87ss from UTG and everyone folded. I let the dumb lady on my right see a flop when she completed the SB with K8o. The flop came 977, she checked, I bet 850, and she folded. I made it 1325 from the cutoff with T6o and everyone folded. I was all the way up to 34500 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 400-800 100. I made it 1800 from MP with 64o and everyone folded. I then lost a big pot where I got pretty unlucky. The weak limpy player limped in the hijack again and I found 66 on the button and made it 1800. He was the only caller and we saw a flop of K76 2 clubs. He lead out for 2700, and I just called. Last time he check/raised me with what Im guessing was a good hand so I thought that if he hit the flop he would check, so when he bet I just called to let him hang himself. The turn came an offsuit 5, he went all in for 10.5k, and I snap called. He showed 98hh for the turned straight and I lost the big pot when the river came a 3. Not really too much I can do here I guess. . .the flush didnt even hit the turn so there was no way I could fold. I was down to 20k or so after this pot. I made it 1800 with A4o from MP and everyone folded. I made it 1800 with J7o from UTG +1 and UTG +2 was the only caller. The flop came 853, I c-bet 2000, he made it 7500, and I folded. I limped in the cutoff with A8cc, the button moved all in for 1900, and I called (the limp was obviously to set up a reshove when the button went all in but no one else called so it didnt matter). He showed K8dd and the board ran out T44AJ giving me the pot. There was 1 limp and I made it 1800 in MP with K7o. A player in the cutoff made it 10k and I folded (he showed QQ). My stack had nearly been cut in half as I was down to 17900 after this level.
Level 8: 500-1000 100. I was moved to a new table shortly after the start of this level. One of the 1st hands, I found 88 UTG and made it 2300. It folded to a lady in LP and she moved all in for ~15k. I tanked for a while as I had no reads of knowledge of the people on the table but I ended up folding and she showed KK. . .good fold I guess. It folded to me in the SB and I moved all in with T9o and the BB folded. I found TT in the cutoff, made it 2300, and the BB was the only caller. The flop came A95, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a K, he bet 2200, and I folded. I played this hand so weakly. . .I should have bet the flop. . .poorly played. I made it 10k from EP (effective all in) with QJo and everyone folded. A player in MP made it 2200, if folded to me in the BB and I moved all in with A9dd he folded. I made it 2200 in the cutoff with Q7o, the button 3-bet to 12k, and I folded (he showed AQo). I was at 15800 and we went to the next level.
Level 9: 600-1200 200. I folded for a couple of hands (including my BB) and then when it folded to me in the SB, I moved all in with 96o. The BB called with AT and the board ran out AJ58T busting me out in about 35th place.
I had a decent run today. I wish I could have done more as I was able to fade some flush draws in big pots (which wont always happen) and I wasnt able to make anything of it in the end. . .bummer. Just gotta get back on the bike tomorrow and keep focusing and playing well.
Level 1: 25-50. 1st hand we played, a player in MP opened to 250 and I called from the SB with AJss. The BB also called and we saw a T64 2 spade flop (I had 2 overs and a flush draw). I checked and everyone else checked behind. The turn came another 6, I bet 325, the BB raised to 900, the initial raiser folded, and I called. The river came an A, I checked, and he checked behind showing 22 and I was good. The very next hand, I lost my winnings back when I had to make a big fold. There were 3 limps to me on the button and I found AA and made it 300. 2 of the limps called and the flop came JT4. They both checked to me, I bet 425, the 1st caller folded, the 2nd caller made it 1350, and I just called. The turn came a K, he checked, and I checked behind. The river came an 8, he lead for 2400, and I folded. I think that I am nearly always behind here. My actions on the flop and turn were just to keep the pot small to set up a showdown call but the amount on the river was just too much to pay off. I called 150 from the BB with KTo and folded when the flop came all low cards. I made it 125 with K7o from the cutoff and the button, SB, and BB called. We checked to the turn on AQJK where I folded to a large bet. I made it 125 from the hijack with AJo and everyone behind me called. The flop came Q97 all spades and I folded to a bet. I made it 125 from MP with JTo and got called by the button and the BB. I c-bet 200, the button raised to 700, and I folded. I was down to 10850 and we went ot the next level.
Level 2: 50-100. I completed the SB with 2 limpers with 99. The board ran out to the turn on Q87Q, I bet 250, and everyone folded. A bad female player in the cutoff made it 300, I called from the button with A4dd, and the BB called as well. The flop came KT7, the BB lead out 800, and I folded. I limped 44 from the cutoff behind 4 limpers but folded the KT7 flop. The bad female player made it 300 from UTG +1, I found KK UTG +2 and made it 1000, and she called. The flop came J62, she checked, and I checked behind to trap the donk. The turn came a T, she checked, I bet 1500, and she folded A8 face up. I was at 11575 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. There were 2 limps to me on the button, I made it 1000 with KJo, and everyone folded. I made it 475 from the hijack with KJo and the cutoff was the only caller. The flop came J96, I lead 600, and he folded. There were 2 limps to me in the SB, I found AQhh and made it 725, and 1 of the limpers called. The flop came QJ2, I lead 1000, and she folded. There was 1 limper, I made it 525 with 74dd, and the blinds and the limper called. The flop came 975 2 spades, the blinds checked, the limper bet 800, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 2s, she bet 2000, I folded, and she showed 43ss for the turned flush. I was up to 12250 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 150-300 25. I made it 650 from UTG +1 with AJhh, 2 players in MP called, the player in the cutoff moved all in for 1200 total, the SB flatted the 1200, the BB flatted the 1200, I moved all in for 12k or so, and everyone folded. The all in flipped KK and I didnt win when the board came out all baby cards. . .funny hand becuase I put 1200 into a ~7.5k pot AIPF. . .how does she wake up with KK there? A player in EP opened to 1100, I found 99 in MP and moved all in (I had 10k or so but he only had ~7k effective) and everyone folded. I made it 650 with K7o from UTG +1 and the button was the only caller. The flop came AKJ, I lead out 800, and he folded. The dumb lady in the cutoff opened to 900, I called on the button with A5ss, but folded when the SB 3-bet to 3000. I was down to a relatively even 11900 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 200-400 50. I then was able to double up in a funny hand. A player UTG limped and he had been limping a ton so I isoed from MP by making it 1500 with T6o. He called and we saw a flop of Ts8x4s. He checked, I bet 1200, and he put me all in for my last 10k. I called after some deliberation and he showed 75ss for a flush draw/gutshot straight draw. The board ran out AxTx and I doubled up to around 24k with the ole T6o. I then lost quite a bit back a couple of hands later. It folded to me on the button and I made it 950 with T8o. The SB called and we saw a Q74 flop. He checked, I c-bet 1125, and he called. The turn came an A, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called. The river came a T, he checked, and I gave up just checking behind. He showed Q9ss for top pair and I lost. I guess I could have barrelled again on the river but as I said in previous situations, I dont like gambling that people who love to call will fold even with a scare card on the board so I figured I could probably find a better spot then this. A lady limped in EP and I made it 950 with AJdd from MP. She called. we checked down 84492 and she showed 77 for the winner. A player in EP made it 1200 and got 4 callers to me in the BB. I decided to call as well with ATo but had to fold on a 985 flop. I was up to 16450 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 300-600 50. Early on in the level, I was able to find another double courtesy of a non-premium hand. I found T3dd in the hijack and decided to open up and make it 1325. The button was the only caller and the flop came T82 2 hearts. I bet 1500, the button put me all in for 15k or so, and I called. He showed K9hh and the board ran out T3 making me a full house and allowing me to dodge another flush draw. He was new to the table and playing pretty reckless overall so I thought my hand was ahead and he had at best a flush draw so I decided to gamble. I was at 32k or so after this hand. A weak player in the hijack limped and I made it 1500 from the button with A9o. He called and the flop came KKQ. He checked, I bet 1800, he raised all in for about 9k, and I folded. I made it 1325 from UTG +1 with K9ss and the SB was the only caller. The flop came Q74, he checked, I bet 1500, and he folded. I made it 1325 with 87ss from UTG and everyone folded. I let the dumb lady on my right see a flop when she completed the SB with K8o. The flop came 977, she checked, I bet 850, and she folded. I made it 1325 from the cutoff with T6o and everyone folded. I was all the way up to 34500 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 400-800 100. I made it 1800 from MP with 64o and everyone folded. I then lost a big pot where I got pretty unlucky. The weak limpy player limped in the hijack again and I found 66 on the button and made it 1800. He was the only caller and we saw a flop of K76 2 clubs. He lead out for 2700, and I just called. Last time he check/raised me with what Im guessing was a good hand so I thought that if he hit the flop he would check, so when he bet I just called to let him hang himself. The turn came an offsuit 5, he went all in for 10.5k, and I snap called. He showed 98hh for the turned straight and I lost the big pot when the river came a 3. Not really too much I can do here I guess. . .the flush didnt even hit the turn so there was no way I could fold. I was down to 20k or so after this pot. I made it 1800 with A4o from MP and everyone folded. I made it 1800 with J7o from UTG +1 and UTG +2 was the only caller. The flop came 853, I c-bet 2000, he made it 7500, and I folded. I limped in the cutoff with A8cc, the button moved all in for 1900, and I called (the limp was obviously to set up a reshove when the button went all in but no one else called so it didnt matter). He showed K8dd and the board ran out T44AJ giving me the pot. There was 1 limp and I made it 1800 in MP with K7o. A player in the cutoff made it 10k and I folded (he showed QQ). My stack had nearly been cut in half as I was down to 17900 after this level.
Level 8: 500-1000 100. I was moved to a new table shortly after the start of this level. One of the 1st hands, I found 88 UTG and made it 2300. It folded to a lady in LP and she moved all in for ~15k. I tanked for a while as I had no reads of knowledge of the people on the table but I ended up folding and she showed KK. . .good fold I guess. It folded to me in the SB and I moved all in with T9o and the BB folded. I found TT in the cutoff, made it 2300, and the BB was the only caller. The flop came A95, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a K, he bet 2200, and I folded. I played this hand so weakly. . .I should have bet the flop. . .poorly played. I made it 10k from EP (effective all in) with QJo and everyone folded. A player in MP made it 2200, if folded to me in the BB and I moved all in with A9dd he folded. I made it 2200 in the cutoff with Q7o, the button 3-bet to 12k, and I folded (he showed AQo). I was at 15800 and we went to the next level.
Level 9: 600-1200 200. I folded for a couple of hands (including my BB) and then when it folded to me in the SB, I moved all in with 96o. The BB called with AT and the board ran out AJ58T busting me out in about 35th place.
I had a decent run today. I wish I could have done more as I was able to fade some flush draws in big pots (which wont always happen) and I wasnt able to make anything of it in the end. . .bummer. Just gotta get back on the bike tomorrow and keep focusing and playing well.
Tourney: June 26th 2011 Venetian Deepstack Event #30 $340
Todays field was actually smallish for a $340 getting only 650 players. Unfortunately, I wasnt around even close to long enough to making a dent in the field. We started with 12000 chips today.
Level 1: 50-100. We got to the tournament a little late and because of this, I did not play a hand in this level. With the blinds I dropped down to 11850 for the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. I made it 350 with KQss from UTG +2, the SB called, the BB 3-bet to 600, and we both called. The flop came KT4, the raiser lead for 1000, and I was the only caller. The turn came a 7, he bet 2200 of his remaining 4200, I put him all in for just 2000 more, and he called with AK. The river came a blank and I had lost 1/2 my stack on the 1st hand I played and was down to around 6000. I dont know I guess I could be folding the turn but the 3-bet size preflop really was a strange line for AK. Why is he bloating the pot OOP with a hand that doesnt necessarily flop well? I guess he can hit flops with AK so that is why this raise is profitable. Anyways, after this hand I was able to go on a decent run to get alot of my chips back. A player UTG +1 made it 300 and I called in the BB with 87o. The flop came 754 and I check/called 500. Turn came a T giving me a double gutter, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came a 6, I bet 1000, and he folded. The cutoff opened to 400 and I 3-bet from the button to 1125 with AQo. He called and the flop came Q98. He checked, I bet 1500, and he folded. I made it 350 in MP with A7cc, got 3 callers, and folded on a J87 flop. I limped in MP with A3ss, the button made it 625, and I called. The flop came KT6, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came the 7s giving me the nut flush draw. I blocker bet 400, and he called. The river came an offsuit 5, and I just gave up checked. He checked behind and showed QTcc for 2nd pair that he is never folding. I was at 7050 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I limped UTG +2 with T8dd, several other people limped behind me, the BB made it 1000, and I folded. A player in EP made it 450, got 2 calls from other players, and I moved all in from the SB for 6000 with ATdd resulting in everyone folding. I made it 450 from the cutoff with JJ and the button, SB, and BB called. The flop came 973, the BB lead for 600, I made it 2000, and everyone folded. Just like that I was back up to 10k or so and nearing my starting stack. I limped with 22 from UTG +1, a player in MP made it 700, another player in MP called, the button called, and I called as well. The flop came T82 2 clubs, I checked, the raiser bet 1300, both of the callers called, and I moved all in for my ~9k or so. The raiser tank folded, the first caller super tank folded, and the last caller snap called showing 88 for a higher set. I did not hit my 1 outer and was busted before 1st break for the first time at the venetian this summer. ladkjfla;sjfdsl. I am obviously getting it in no matter what here but how can people call behind with a set there when the board is so ridiculously draw heavy. Just a cooler I guess.
I took some weird lines today, limping to open the action more than I usually do but was never able to get much traction in the tournament after losing a big pot in the 1st hand I played. Hopefully next time will be better.
Level 1: 50-100. We got to the tournament a little late and because of this, I did not play a hand in this level. With the blinds I dropped down to 11850 for the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. I made it 350 with KQss from UTG +2, the SB called, the BB 3-bet to 600, and we both called. The flop came KT4, the raiser lead for 1000, and I was the only caller. The turn came a 7, he bet 2200 of his remaining 4200, I put him all in for just 2000 more, and he called with AK. The river came a blank and I had lost 1/2 my stack on the 1st hand I played and was down to around 6000. I dont know I guess I could be folding the turn but the 3-bet size preflop really was a strange line for AK. Why is he bloating the pot OOP with a hand that doesnt necessarily flop well? I guess he can hit flops with AK so that is why this raise is profitable. Anyways, after this hand I was able to go on a decent run to get alot of my chips back. A player UTG +1 made it 300 and I called in the BB with 87o. The flop came 754 and I check/called 500. Turn came a T giving me a double gutter, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came a 6, I bet 1000, and he folded. The cutoff opened to 400 and I 3-bet from the button to 1125 with AQo. He called and the flop came Q98. He checked, I bet 1500, and he folded. I made it 350 in MP with A7cc, got 3 callers, and folded on a J87 flop. I limped in MP with A3ss, the button made it 625, and I called. The flop came KT6, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came the 7s giving me the nut flush draw. I blocker bet 400, and he called. The river came an offsuit 5, and I just gave up checked. He checked behind and showed QTcc for 2nd pair that he is never folding. I was at 7050 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I limped UTG +2 with T8dd, several other people limped behind me, the BB made it 1000, and I folded. A player in EP made it 450, got 2 calls from other players, and I moved all in from the SB for 6000 with ATdd resulting in everyone folding. I made it 450 from the cutoff with JJ and the button, SB, and BB called. The flop came 973, the BB lead for 600, I made it 2000, and everyone folded. Just like that I was back up to 10k or so and nearing my starting stack. I limped with 22 from UTG +1, a player in MP made it 700, another player in MP called, the button called, and I called as well. The flop came T82 2 clubs, I checked, the raiser bet 1300, both of the callers called, and I moved all in for my ~9k or so. The raiser tank folded, the first caller super tank folded, and the last caller snap called showing 88 for a higher set. I did not hit my 1 outer and was busted before 1st break for the first time at the venetian this summer. ladkjfla;sjfdsl. I am obviously getting it in no matter what here but how can people call behind with a set there when the board is so ridiculously draw heavy. Just a cooler I guess.
I took some weird lines today, limping to open the action more than I usually do but was never able to get much traction in the tournament after losing a big pot in the 1st hand I played. Hopefully next time will be better.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tourney: June 25th 2011 World Series of Poker Event #43 $1500
I actually took the previous day off so I could come in to the WSOP at 110% with a shot at a bracelet. I did the same deal as before with Davids backer with me getting 40% of my action. Todays tournament we started with 4500 in chips.
Level 1: 25-25. My opening table was pretty soft containing zero above average players at the start. I made it 75 from UTG with A3hh and got 2 callers. The flop came K85 and I folded to a bet. A player in MP made it 75, a LP player called, and I called in the BB with 33. The flop came A74 and I check folded to 125. A player in EP limped, I found JJ in the cutoff and made it 100, and the button and limper called. The flop came K72, the limp/caller donked out 200, and I called. The turn came a T, he bet 400, and I folded. I made it 75 from UTG +2 with Q9o and the BB called. The flop came A32, he checked, I bet 125, and he called. The turn came an A, he donked out 425, and I folded. I then was able to get the chips back that I lost in the previous hands. A tight player on my right limped UTG and I found AA UTG +1 and made it 125. A player in MP, the BB, and the limper called and we saw a flop of 732 2 spades. The UTG player lead out for 200, I made it 1000, everyone else folded, and he called. The turn came an offsuit T, he lead out for 1000, I moved all in for 2800, and he folded. I was up to 6500 or so after this hand. I found AQhh UTG and made it 75 and got called from the button, SB, and BB. We checked down to the river on a board of J83KA where I bet 250 and everyone folded. A player in the hijack made it 75 and I called on the button with A8o. The flop came K33, he lead out, and I folded. I made it 75 from MP with 76cc and got 2 callers. The board ran to the turn on QTT7 where I folded to a lead from the BB caller. I made it 75 from UTG with T9o and got 5 callers. The flop came 972, the tight player in the BB lead out for 500, and I just folded my top pair. There were 2 limpers and I checked my SB with A2cc. The flop came a nice looking 543 2 clubs giving me the wheel with a flush draw. I checked, a limper bet 100, another limper called, I made it 800, and everyone folded. I probably misplayed this hand alot, missing gigantic value, but I was playing pretty actively so I was just hoping one of the guys had a hand they could just stick it in with. . .oh well. I made it 75 from MP with 88 and the SB called. The flop came K75 all clubs (I had the 8 of clubs), he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came an offsuit 5, he bet 200, and I called. The river came the Tc, giving me a small flush, he bet 200, I called and was good when he showed 2 red aces. A player UTG limped, the player UTG +1 made it 75, I found 33 UTG +2 and called, a player in MP 3-bet to 275, UTG called, UTG +1 folded, and I called as well closing out the action. We checked the flop of J72 and I folded when the turn came a 6 and the UTG player lead out for 600. I made it 75 from UTG +1 with J8dd and got 4 callers. The flop came K77 2 diamonds giving me a flush draw. I lead 200, a player in MP called, the button 3-bet to 700, and I folded. He had a 7 and I would have missed my flush draw if you were curious. I was at 6575 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 25-50. There were 2 limps to me on the button and I limped behind with 87o. The flop came A96 2 diamonds, they checked to me, I bet 150, and everyone folded. I then lost a big pot that put me back to my starting stack. A new player came in and sat down on my left and he was young, competent, and good. I found QQ from UTG +1 and opened to 150 and he 3-bet to 400 from UTG +2. I did not really know too much about his game. . .he had been playing a few hands but not really on the overly aggressive side. I thought I should 3-bet but I really wanted to keep the pot small so I settled on just calling from out of position. The flop came AT2, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 5, I checked, he bet 500, and I called. I am always calling the turn here especially when he checks behind the flop. The river came a 6, I checked, he bet 1000, and I called. He showed AK and I was no good. This river call is questionable at best but the way I played the hand, I am basically just trying to get to showdown for a cheaper price than all in. I guess I could do a little more adapting from this strategy on the river when he bets but since he was young and good, he could potentially be bluffing here so he gets paid off. Plus, I probably saved my money overall by not 4-betting with QQ preflop here as I would have lost the flip anyways. I was back down to 4500 or so after this and was moved to a new table that seemed more competent than my previous but had weak spots in the 1, 2 and 10 seats (I was in the 8 seat). There was 1 limp to me in the hijack. I found 88 and made it 150 and he was the only caller. The flop came QTT and he check folded to my 175 bet. I then tried to run a 3-barrel bluff that failed costing me some chips. I made it 125 from UTG +1 with KJ0 and UTG +2 and the SB called. UTG +2 was a solid thinking player and up to this point, I had been nothing but tight at this table only opening the 1 hand in 2 orbits. The flop came A94, the SB checked, I bet 175, and UTG +2 was the only caller. The turn came a K, giving me 2nd pair, and I decided to bet again to the tone of 325. He called and the river came a Q. I think he always has AJ-A9 here so I decided to try to take him off of it with a healthy 1100 bet. He made a pretty reluctant call and showed AQ for a rivered 2 pair. He is obviously never folding here but I honestly think that if the river doesnt come a Q, or if he had AJ or AT, he would have folded. I could be wrong but the way I played the hand Im repping massive and I could tell by the way he was playing he was giving me credit for a hand. If he doesnt make 2-pair it is at least a much tougher call. I was down to about 3000 after this. A player in MP made it 125, got 2 calls from LP, and I called from the SB with AJo. The flop came KT5 and I folded to a 400 bet from the initial raiser. I made it 125 from the hijack and the donk in seat 1 called out of the BB. The flop came AQ3, he checked, I c-bet 175, and he called. The turn came a 2, he donked out 400, and I folded. I was all the way down to 2725 and we went on 1st break.
Level 3: 50-100. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a gift double up early on in the level to get my stack back up. The cutoff and button limped into my SB and I made it 400 with QQ. The cutoff was the only caller and the flop came Q63 2 spades. I checked, he bet 600, and I just called. The turn came the Js putting 3 spades on board (but I was hardly worried about the flush). I checked again, he bet 800, I went all in for my last 1625 total, and he called showing 65 no spade and was drawing dead before the river. I was back to 6k or so after this hand. A player in EP opened to 200, I found AKo on the button and made it 650, and everyone folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with J9o and the good player on my left called me from the cutoff. We checked down T6544 4 clubs and he showed KQ and was good. Maybe should have bet in some point in this hand but I can find better spots. I made it 250 from UTG +1 with AQo and everyone folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with K4cc, the donk in seat 10 called from the button, and the donk in seat 1 calld from the SB. The flop came K55, we checked to the button, he bet 425, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 2c, giving me a flush draw with my top pair, I checked, he bet 750, and I called. The river came an A, I checked, and he checked behind showing KTo for the split pot. I guess I got lucky to chop but I played it small after flopping top pair and if I river my flush, I am probably getting paid big. I limped the button with 44 behind other limpers but folded when the BB (seat 10) made it 575. I made it 250 with 66 from UTG +2 and the SB called. The flop came Q84 and he check folded to 275. I was back up to 5725 adn we went to the next level.
Level 4: 75-150. I made it 350 from the hijack with 97hh and everyone folded. I made it 350 from UTG with J8cc, UTG +1 called, and so did the BB. The flop came 922, and I check/folded when UTG +1 (good player in seat 9) bet 650. I made it 350 from UTG +1 with A3cc, the hijack and cutoff called, the SB 3-bet to 1400, and I folded. The donk in seat 2 limped UTG +1 and I isoed from the button to 500 with 96ss. He was the only caller and the flop came Q83 2 clubs. He donked out for 800 (which he had been doing often in his limp/call pots. . .which also happened often), I raised to 1825, and he folded. I was at 6175 and we went on the 2nd break.
Level 5: 100-200. The donk in seat 2 opened to 500 from UTG and I called in the cutoff with 77. We checked down J5454 and I bet 1100 on the river, which he called and mucked when I showed. I was up to 8000 or so after this. Seat 2 limiped in EP and I checked A8o from the BB. We checked down QT737 where he bet 200, I called, but mucked when he showed A2cc for a runner runner flush. There were 2 limps to me in the cutoff and I made it 750 with KK which resulted in everyone folding. I made it 450 with AJo from UTG +2 and everyone folded. The donk in seat 2 opened in EP to 450 and I called from the button with Q3hh (playing a pot in position vs donk). The flop came AK4, he checked, I bet 600, and he folded. I made it 450 from the cutoff with AQdd and everyone folded. I made it 450 from MP with 83cc and everyone folded. I made it 450 with 99 from MP and everyone folded. I was approaching 5 digits with my stack (~9700) but I then tried another bluff which failed and resulted in my stack spiraling downwards. It folded to a competent player on the button and he made it 425. I was in the BB and decided to play a flop with A3o. The flop came 964 2 diamonds, I decided to donk out 600, and he called. Weird spot to donk but I feel like the flop misses his range alot of the time. The turn came a 7, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came the Td putting 3 diamonds on board as well as a 1-card straight. I thought he might have a pair of some sort (maybe even a 10) so I decided to lead large with a 2000 bet (more than the pot). He called with J8 for the nut straight and I was down to 6500 or so. Again, this play would have absolutely worked if he didnt hit hte river. . .damn. Next hand, the button made it 425 and I called from the SB with A9o. The flop came J75, and I check folded to his bet. I was at 6175 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 100-200 25. A LAG young kid made it 500 from UTG and I 3-bet to 1325 from MP with KQss. The BB decided to go all in for his last 1475 at this point, the UTG raiser folded, and I called. He showed AJo and the board ran out 66259 and I was down to 4500 or so. I found 44 UTG and limped and the button limped as well. The flop came Q77, and everyone in the hand was competent so I bet 550 repping a UTG limped monster, causing everyone to fold. A new weak player in seat 4 (the player I doubled with KQ vs AJ) limped LP, the SB completed, and I checked the BB with 43o. The flop came QQ3 and we all checked. The turn came an 8, the SB bet 350, I called, and the limper folded. The river came a K, and we both checked but his A high was no match for my bottom pair. I made it 450 from the button with JTss, the SB moved all in for 4500, and I folded. The donk in seat 4 opened to 1200 (of his 3000 stack) in EP and I found 99 in the hijack and went all in. He called with QQ and the board bricked out 87253 and was down to 2600. This is probably a bad play becuase the guy just idiotically made it 6x preflop and 99 is probably not good vs his range but whatever, its not the worst spot to gamble (well it was this time but overall its probably an equal EV play). . .whatever maybe its worse than I am making it sound but I made the play I have to live with it. I found AJo UTG +1 and made it 1500 (of my 2600) and everoyne folded. The donk in seat 4 limped from LP again (as he had been doing nonstop) and it folded to me in the BB. I made it 2400 (of my 2900) with 96ss and he tanked for about 2 minutes before deciding to just call. The flop came 982, I put my last 500 in, and he called showing JJ, and I was drawing slim despite flopping top pair. However, the turn came a glorious 9 giving me 3 9s and the river blanked with a K doubling me to just shy of 6k. I found 55 UTG and made it 450 but folded when the button 3-bet and the SB 4-bet (they had QQ and AK). I then played a disaster of a hand that dropped me some chips. A LAG player opened to 400 from the cutoff and I found K6 and decided to call in the BB. The flop came AKT, I checked, he bet 500, and I called. The turn came a J, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came a 3, I checked, he bet 825, I called, and he showed A3 for the winner. I dont really hate my calls on the flop or river. . .I got a weak read on him on the river which was wrong. . .but the hand was screwed from jumpstreet when I decided to call out of the BB with K6 vs a competent aggressive player. I was back down to 4k or so after this hand. Very next hand, a player in EP opened to 550, it folded to me in the SB and I found 33 and shipped all in. The BB then insta reshipped all in causing the EP raiser to fold. The BB showed AKhh and I was in the flip I was hoping for after he reshipped. However, the board ran out K high and did not contain a 3 so I busted out of the tournament.
I am not particularily pround of the way I played. I was able to get some chips but I didnt really make too much of my opportunites, especially after I made the big suckout with 96. There were still a few things that didnt go my way (people hitting rivers the only times I attempted to bluff) but I think I played pretty poorly, especially in the final 2 levels. I have 1 more WSOP event left (the $1000 next weekend) so hopefully I can make the most of that and do better than I did today.
Level 1: 25-25. My opening table was pretty soft containing zero above average players at the start. I made it 75 from UTG with A3hh and got 2 callers. The flop came K85 and I folded to a bet. A player in MP made it 75, a LP player called, and I called in the BB with 33. The flop came A74 and I check folded to 125. A player in EP limped, I found JJ in the cutoff and made it 100, and the button and limper called. The flop came K72, the limp/caller donked out 200, and I called. The turn came a T, he bet 400, and I folded. I made it 75 from UTG +2 with Q9o and the BB called. The flop came A32, he checked, I bet 125, and he called. The turn came an A, he donked out 425, and I folded. I then was able to get the chips back that I lost in the previous hands. A tight player on my right limped UTG and I found AA UTG +1 and made it 125. A player in MP, the BB, and the limper called and we saw a flop of 732 2 spades. The UTG player lead out for 200, I made it 1000, everyone else folded, and he called. The turn came an offsuit T, he lead out for 1000, I moved all in for 2800, and he folded. I was up to 6500 or so after this hand. I found AQhh UTG and made it 75 and got called from the button, SB, and BB. We checked down to the river on a board of J83KA where I bet 250 and everyone folded. A player in the hijack made it 75 and I called on the button with A8o. The flop came K33, he lead out, and I folded. I made it 75 from MP with 76cc and got 2 callers. The board ran to the turn on QTT7 where I folded to a lead from the BB caller. I made it 75 from UTG with T9o and got 5 callers. The flop came 972, the tight player in the BB lead out for 500, and I just folded my top pair. There were 2 limpers and I checked my SB with A2cc. The flop came a nice looking 543 2 clubs giving me the wheel with a flush draw. I checked, a limper bet 100, another limper called, I made it 800, and everyone folded. I probably misplayed this hand alot, missing gigantic value, but I was playing pretty actively so I was just hoping one of the guys had a hand they could just stick it in with. . .oh well. I made it 75 from MP with 88 and the SB called. The flop came K75 all clubs (I had the 8 of clubs), he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came an offsuit 5, he bet 200, and I called. The river came the Tc, giving me a small flush, he bet 200, I called and was good when he showed 2 red aces. A player UTG limped, the player UTG +1 made it 75, I found 33 UTG +2 and called, a player in MP 3-bet to 275, UTG called, UTG +1 folded, and I called as well closing out the action. We checked the flop of J72 and I folded when the turn came a 6 and the UTG player lead out for 600. I made it 75 from UTG +1 with J8dd and got 4 callers. The flop came K77 2 diamonds giving me a flush draw. I lead 200, a player in MP called, the button 3-bet to 700, and I folded. He had a 7 and I would have missed my flush draw if you were curious. I was at 6575 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 25-50. There were 2 limps to me on the button and I limped behind with 87o. The flop came A96 2 diamonds, they checked to me, I bet 150, and everyone folded. I then lost a big pot that put me back to my starting stack. A new player came in and sat down on my left and he was young, competent, and good. I found QQ from UTG +1 and opened to 150 and he 3-bet to 400 from UTG +2. I did not really know too much about his game. . .he had been playing a few hands but not really on the overly aggressive side. I thought I should 3-bet but I really wanted to keep the pot small so I settled on just calling from out of position. The flop came AT2, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 5, I checked, he bet 500, and I called. I am always calling the turn here especially when he checks behind the flop. The river came a 6, I checked, he bet 1000, and I called. He showed AK and I was no good. This river call is questionable at best but the way I played the hand, I am basically just trying to get to showdown for a cheaper price than all in. I guess I could do a little more adapting from this strategy on the river when he bets but since he was young and good, he could potentially be bluffing here so he gets paid off. Plus, I probably saved my money overall by not 4-betting with QQ preflop here as I would have lost the flip anyways. I was back down to 4500 or so after this and was moved to a new table that seemed more competent than my previous but had weak spots in the 1, 2 and 10 seats (I was in the 8 seat). There was 1 limp to me in the hijack. I found 88 and made it 150 and he was the only caller. The flop came QTT and he check folded to my 175 bet. I then tried to run a 3-barrel bluff that failed costing me some chips. I made it 125 from UTG +1 with KJ0 and UTG +2 and the SB called. UTG +2 was a solid thinking player and up to this point, I had been nothing but tight at this table only opening the 1 hand in 2 orbits. The flop came A94, the SB checked, I bet 175, and UTG +2 was the only caller. The turn came a K, giving me 2nd pair, and I decided to bet again to the tone of 325. He called and the river came a Q. I think he always has AJ-A9 here so I decided to try to take him off of it with a healthy 1100 bet. He made a pretty reluctant call and showed AQ for a rivered 2 pair. He is obviously never folding here but I honestly think that if the river doesnt come a Q, or if he had AJ or AT, he would have folded. I could be wrong but the way I played the hand Im repping massive and I could tell by the way he was playing he was giving me credit for a hand. If he doesnt make 2-pair it is at least a much tougher call. I was down to about 3000 after this. A player in MP made it 125, got 2 calls from LP, and I called from the SB with AJo. The flop came KT5 and I folded to a 400 bet from the initial raiser. I made it 125 from the hijack and the donk in seat 1 called out of the BB. The flop came AQ3, he checked, I c-bet 175, and he called. The turn came a 2, he donked out 400, and I folded. I was all the way down to 2725 and we went on 1st break.
Level 3: 50-100. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a gift double up early on in the level to get my stack back up. The cutoff and button limped into my SB and I made it 400 with QQ. The cutoff was the only caller and the flop came Q63 2 spades. I checked, he bet 600, and I just called. The turn came the Js putting 3 spades on board (but I was hardly worried about the flush). I checked again, he bet 800, I went all in for my last 1625 total, and he called showing 65 no spade and was drawing dead before the river. I was back to 6k or so after this hand. A player in EP opened to 200, I found AKo on the button and made it 650, and everyone folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with J9o and the good player on my left called me from the cutoff. We checked down T6544 4 clubs and he showed KQ and was good. Maybe should have bet in some point in this hand but I can find better spots. I made it 250 from UTG +1 with AQo and everyone folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with K4cc, the donk in seat 10 called from the button, and the donk in seat 1 calld from the SB. The flop came K55, we checked to the button, he bet 425, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 2c, giving me a flush draw with my top pair, I checked, he bet 750, and I called. The river came an A, I checked, and he checked behind showing KTo for the split pot. I guess I got lucky to chop but I played it small after flopping top pair and if I river my flush, I am probably getting paid big. I limped the button with 44 behind other limpers but folded when the BB (seat 10) made it 575. I made it 250 with 66 from UTG +2 and the SB called. The flop came Q84 and he check folded to 275. I was back up to 5725 adn we went to the next level.
Level 4: 75-150. I made it 350 from the hijack with 97hh and everyone folded. I made it 350 from UTG with J8cc, UTG +1 called, and so did the BB. The flop came 922, and I check/folded when UTG +1 (good player in seat 9) bet 650. I made it 350 from UTG +1 with A3cc, the hijack and cutoff called, the SB 3-bet to 1400, and I folded. The donk in seat 2 limped UTG +1 and I isoed from the button to 500 with 96ss. He was the only caller and the flop came Q83 2 clubs. He donked out for 800 (which he had been doing often in his limp/call pots. . .which also happened often), I raised to 1825, and he folded. I was at 6175 and we went on the 2nd break.
Level 5: 100-200. The donk in seat 2 opened to 500 from UTG and I called in the cutoff with 77. We checked down J5454 and I bet 1100 on the river, which he called and mucked when I showed. I was up to 8000 or so after this. Seat 2 limiped in EP and I checked A8o from the BB. We checked down QT737 where he bet 200, I called, but mucked when he showed A2cc for a runner runner flush. There were 2 limps to me in the cutoff and I made it 750 with KK which resulted in everyone folding. I made it 450 with AJo from UTG +2 and everyone folded. The donk in seat 2 opened in EP to 450 and I called from the button with Q3hh (playing a pot in position vs donk). The flop came AK4, he checked, I bet 600, and he folded. I made it 450 from the cutoff with AQdd and everyone folded. I made it 450 from MP with 83cc and everyone folded. I made it 450 with 99 from MP and everyone folded. I was approaching 5 digits with my stack (~9700) but I then tried another bluff which failed and resulted in my stack spiraling downwards. It folded to a competent player on the button and he made it 425. I was in the BB and decided to play a flop with A3o. The flop came 964 2 diamonds, I decided to donk out 600, and he called. Weird spot to donk but I feel like the flop misses his range alot of the time. The turn came a 7, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came the Td putting 3 diamonds on board as well as a 1-card straight. I thought he might have a pair of some sort (maybe even a 10) so I decided to lead large with a 2000 bet (more than the pot). He called with J8 for the nut straight and I was down to 6500 or so. Again, this play would have absolutely worked if he didnt hit hte river. . .damn. Next hand, the button made it 425 and I called from the SB with A9o. The flop came J75, and I check folded to his bet. I was at 6175 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 100-200 25. A LAG young kid made it 500 from UTG and I 3-bet to 1325 from MP with KQss. The BB decided to go all in for his last 1475 at this point, the UTG raiser folded, and I called. He showed AJo and the board ran out 66259 and I was down to 4500 or so. I found 44 UTG and limped and the button limped as well. The flop came Q77, and everyone in the hand was competent so I bet 550 repping a UTG limped monster, causing everyone to fold. A new weak player in seat 4 (the player I doubled with KQ vs AJ) limped LP, the SB completed, and I checked the BB with 43o. The flop came QQ3 and we all checked. The turn came an 8, the SB bet 350, I called, and the limper folded. The river came a K, and we both checked but his A high was no match for my bottom pair. I made it 450 from the button with JTss, the SB moved all in for 4500, and I folded. The donk in seat 4 opened to 1200 (of his 3000 stack) in EP and I found 99 in the hijack and went all in. He called with QQ and the board bricked out 87253 and was down to 2600. This is probably a bad play becuase the guy just idiotically made it 6x preflop and 99 is probably not good vs his range but whatever, its not the worst spot to gamble (well it was this time but overall its probably an equal EV play). . .whatever maybe its worse than I am making it sound but I made the play I have to live with it. I found AJo UTG +1 and made it 1500 (of my 2600) and everoyne folded. The donk in seat 4 limped from LP again (as he had been doing nonstop) and it folded to me in the BB. I made it 2400 (of my 2900) with 96ss and he tanked for about 2 minutes before deciding to just call. The flop came 982, I put my last 500 in, and he called showing JJ, and I was drawing slim despite flopping top pair. However, the turn came a glorious 9 giving me 3 9s and the river blanked with a K doubling me to just shy of 6k. I found 55 UTG and made it 450 but folded when the button 3-bet and the SB 4-bet (they had QQ and AK). I then played a disaster of a hand that dropped me some chips. A LAG player opened to 400 from the cutoff and I found K6 and decided to call in the BB. The flop came AKT, I checked, he bet 500, and I called. The turn came a J, I checked, and he checked behind. The river came a 3, I checked, he bet 825, I called, and he showed A3 for the winner. I dont really hate my calls on the flop or river. . .I got a weak read on him on the river which was wrong. . .but the hand was screwed from jumpstreet when I decided to call out of the BB with K6 vs a competent aggressive player. I was back down to 4k or so after this hand. Very next hand, a player in EP opened to 550, it folded to me in the SB and I found 33 and shipped all in. The BB then insta reshipped all in causing the EP raiser to fold. The BB showed AKhh and I was in the flip I was hoping for after he reshipped. However, the board ran out K high and did not contain a 3 so I busted out of the tournament.
I am not particularily pround of the way I played. I was able to get some chips but I didnt really make too much of my opportunites, especially after I made the big suckout with 96. There were still a few things that didnt go my way (people hitting rivers the only times I attempted to bluff) but I think I played pretty poorly, especially in the final 2 levels. I have 1 more WSOP event left (the $1000 next weekend) so hopefully I can make the most of that and do better than I did today.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tourney: June 23rd 2011 The Grand Series of Poker $235
Today I feel as if I played some of the best poker that I have played this summer. Even though it didnt really work out in the end, the way I played today instilled a ton of confidence in my game. Todays tournament started with 130 or so players paying 13 spots with 7k going to 1st. We started with 12000 in chips.
Level 1: 25-50. Everything started off well early on. I opened to 125 with KK from the cutoff and the blinds were the only callers. The flop came KJ3, they checked, I bet 150, and they both folded. I raised ATo from MP and got called by the blinds. The flop came A32, the BB lead for 225, and I was the only caller. The turn came another 2, he bet 400, and I called. The river came a K counterfitting my kicker and we both checked. He showed A9 and we chopped. I made it 125 in EP with 65o, a player in MP called, another player in MP made it 400, and we both called. The flop came J74, we checked to the raiser who bet 650, and I was the only caller. The turn came an 8 filling my open ender, I checked but he checked behind. The river came a K and I thought this was a good trap card so I checked but he decided to check behind announcing "I caught a king". . .ugh right intentions wrong result. I then played a huge pot where I got superowned by a big bluff. A player in EP made it 125 and I found QQ in the BB and made it 400. He called adn the flop came 943 2 clubs. I bet 525, he made it 1525, and I called. The turn came a 2, I checked, he bet 2500, and I called. The river came a J, I checked, he went all in for 7500, I ended up folding after a long tank, and he showed A2cc for a missed flush draw. Blah. I really cant believe that he was bluffing here but whatever. I dont particularily hate the fold becuase normally I can beat very little of his range. One thing that I discussed with my friends is that the all in bet here might have been the giveaway. If he wanted value with JJ or 99 he would bet a little smaller to get me to call but the all in is trying to scare me away. Sounds easy enough but in reality it is a tough sell to think he was bluffing here at the table, especially how tight he was before this and how tightly he played the rest of the day. I was down to 9000 or so (instead of the 24000 I could have been at) after getting bluffed here. A player in MP made it 125 and I found JJ in the hijack and made it 400. He called and we saw a flop of K53 where we went check-check. The turn came a 4, he lead for 525, and I called. The river came a 7, he bet 800, I called, and he showed KQ for a flopped top pair better than my JJ. I guess this is a fold on the river but I was still reeling from the bluff so a call here is somewhat excusable as my hand is still strong and can beat some of his range. I was down to 7700 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 50-100. For the next couple levels, I continued to leak chips in a bad way. I opened to 250 from the cutoff with ATdd and the blinds called. The flop came Q43, the BB lead for 500, and I folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with Q2dd and the button and blinds called. The flop came QJ3 2 clubs, the blinds checked, I bet 325, and the button was the only caller. The turn came the 5c (2 clubs on board), I checked, he bet 525, and I called. The river came a 9, I checked and he checked behind but I mucked when he showed KQ. A player in EP made it 325 and got 1 call and I decided to call as well with T7ss in the BB. The flop came 863, the raiser bet 650, and I decided to call with my gutshot and over to try to make something happen on a later street. The turn came the As giving me a flush draw with my gutshot. The raiser in MP checked out of turn so I decided to rep the A by leading out for 900 but he quickly called. The river came another A which is a terrible bluff card for me so I gave up and checked, he bet 3000, and I folded (he later told me he had AJ). I made it 250 from the cutoff with KJo and the BB called. We checked down T6286 and his A2 was good. I made it 250 with A5o from the SB into the BB and she called. The flop came K65 and she folded to my 300 lead. I was down to 4350 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 75-150. I made it 350 from MP with 75o and got 2 callers. The flop came AT6 and I check/folded to a bet. There were 2 limps to me on the button and I steam limped 98o. The flop came 985 all hearts, a limp bet 900, I moved all in for 3400, and he folded. I was at 4400 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. I had been playing somewhat tight and a loose player opened in MP to 500 when there was a dead BB. I found J8o in the hijack and jammed for 4000 or so. He called after a little thought showing KQo but I was lucky to get a double on QJ983. I made it 450 from MP with A5o and everyone folded. There were 2 limpers to me on the button and I found KK and made it 625. One of the limps called but folded to my 600 bet on K93 2 diamonds. I had worked my stack back up to 9925 and we went to the next level.
Level 5; 150-300 25. I then played a pretty frustrating hand but overall pretty lucky that it was against a bad lady player. A player in EP opened to 800 and he wasnt particularily good so I flatted from the hijack with 98cc. The dumb lady in the cutoff and the blinds called as well and we went 4-handed to the flop. The flop came Qx7c6c flopping me a straight flush draw. Everyone checked to me, I bet 1725, and the lady behind me was the only caller. The turn came the Jx (blank for me), I checked, she bet 2500, and I just called. Normally I am just open jamming or maybe even check/raise jamming the turn but because it is against this terrible lady player, I know that she has a Q and is not folding and I know that even if I hit I will still be able to get my last 5k in and have her call so there is no point in raising or going nuts here. I am basically frerolling a double up if I hit and saving my last 5k if I dont. Unfortunately, the turn came a blank 2, I checked, and she checked behind showing AQo and I was back down to 5k. Later, I found 44 in the cutoff and bet 3000 of my effective 4200 or so with 44 and everyone folded. I found AKo in MP and made it 3000 again and everyone folded. A looser player in EP opened to 750 and I knew that he would play his hand more or less face up (betting if he has it, folding if he doesnt) vs a stack size like mine so I called in the BB with Q5dd. The flop came A98 2 diamonds giving me a flush draw, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 6, I bet 3000 (effectively going all in) and he folded. The flush draw is more or less unnecessary here because like I said he would play his hand ABC and when he checks the flop I know I will win on the turn. I was at 6200 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. I made it 1000 from UTG with AKo and everyone folded. The button made it 1200 and I found 33 in the BB and jammed and he folded. He was a tight player but had alot of chips and I know that this raise size is consistent with an ABC standard button raise so it was an easy shove. Around this point, I recoginzed that the table was super tight and playing 100% ABC boring poker decided to ramp up the aggression to an extreme level (and it worked well). I made it 850 from the hijack with J9o but had to fold when the dumb lady in the cutoff 3-bet to 4000. I made it 850 from MP with K7hh and the BB called. The flop came J66, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came the Qh giving me a flush draw, he lead for 1225, I moved all in for about 7500, and he folded. I knew that he had a random A from the BB and I didnt want to bet the flop and have him call me down with A high so I was going to delayed c-bet the turn. His lead was still consistent with him having a weak A so the push was more or less regardless of the flush draw (although it is nice to have some cushion). I made it 850 from UTG +2 with 86cc, got 3 callers, and folded on the turn on a KQ42 board. I made it 850 from the button with 99 and the dumb lady called in the SB. The flop came A82, she lead for 1000, and I called. The turn came another A, she bet 1200, and I called. The river came a Q and we both checked. She showed 84 for a pair of eights and my 99 won the hand. Its possible I could have value bet the river but my line of call call isnt terrible here I think. I was up to 12275 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 300-600 50. I raised an absolutely absurd amount of pots in this level. Im not positive if I have them all because it was hard to write them all down when youre raising every pot but I think I have most. Like I said my table was playing tight so I completely ramped up my aggression to try to increase my stack so I could have a managable amount in future levels. I made it 1325 from the cutoff with K3hh and everyone folded. I made it 1325 with K9o from the hijack and everyone folded. I made it 1325 from UTG +2 with A9o and everyone folded. I made it 1325 from UTG with 74hh and the dumb lady called from UTG +1. The flop came QQ6, I c-bet 2000, and she folded. The cutoff limped and I knew he didnt have much so I just jammed my 20k (I think it was around here at this point) from the SB with J6ss and the BB and limp folded. It folded to me on the button and I made it 1325 without looking and the blinds folded (I held J8o). There was 1 limp to me in the hijack and I found AQcc and made it 1525 and the limper was the only caller. The flop came A76 and he check folded to my 2000 bet. I made it 1325 from UTG +1 with 95dd and the blinds called. The flop came AT6 and they check folded to my 2000 c-bet. I found a real hand with TT from UTG and made it 1325 and the blinds called. The flop came A55 and the BB lead for 2000. I thought this was a little funny but decided to just fold as the stealing was going well at that point. The cutoff made it 1500 and I jammed for about 25k (I think at that point) from the SB with 66 and everyone folded. . .could have just raised I guess but jamming here really reemphasizes my super aggro image and makes people scared to play pots with me as I could jam any time. A player in EP made it 1325 and I found TT in the SB and 3-bet to 4000 resulting in everyone folding. I made it 1325 from the HJ with A8ss and everyone folded. Everyone was getting fed-up with all my raising by this time. I found TT in MP and made it 1325 and the BB jammed for about 9k I called and he showed A5dd and I held on Q6382. It was such a beautiful spot because when someone finally decided to jam into my raise I had the nuts. Plus showing down TT here gives me the ability to steal even more as I showed down a premium. I opened to 1325 from MP with K8o and everyone folded. I finally had to fold when I opened to 1325 from MP with K6cc, got called from the lady behind, and the cutoff moved all in for 10k or so. At the end of this level, my stack had skyrocketed to 36250 (3x just in that level).
Level 8: 400-800 100. It folded to me in the SB, I made it 1725 into the dumb ladys BB with 52o, and she folded. I made it 1725 from the hijack with Q6o, the kid in the SB 3-bet to 3700, and I knew he had been itching to 3-bet me so I 4-bet shipped for his effective ~22k or so and he eventually folded after a little while in the tank. Unfortunately, after this hand the table broke so my easy table and great image had to move onto the next table. Luckily for me, this table was just as bad as the first one so my strategy didnt need to change much. I made it 1725 from the hijack with KQo and the BB called. The flop came QJ7, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded. A player in EP limped, a player in MP opened to the standared 5250, I found QQ in the BB and moved all in for his effective 10k behind (15k total) and he called with TT. The board ran out QJ377 and I won a pretty nice pot to boost my stack even higher. I completed the SB with 1 limper with A7o. I checked the A95 flop but bet 2000 on the J turn and everyone folded. I made it 1725 from the button with KTo and the SB called. The flop came A95, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded. I made it 1800 from the cutoff with K7ss and everyone folded. We went to the next level and I had a massive, tournament chip leading, 73650.
Level 9: 500-1000 100. This level started off as well as the previous couple. I opened to 2300 with J8dd from MP and everyone folded. I made it 2300 from UTG with 88 and everyone folded. A player in EP went all in for 4150, I found A7o on the button and isoed all in (blinds effective stacks were ~20-25k each) and everyone else folded. The EP player showed 64ss and the board ran out A33Ax and I won the pot. Next hand, I made it 2300 from the cutoff with ATo, the button 3-bet to 5600, and I 4-bet him all in for his ~20k stack. He called after a tank with A3dd and the board ran out T88J4 giving me yet another nice sized pot. At this point my stack was at about 97k or so nearly pushing a gaudy 100k. Unfortunately a big hand went wrong and I lost nearly half of it before the end of the level. To understand the big pot, you must understand another pot I played. I made it 2300 from UTG with 66 and a stupid kid in MP who had ~40k or so decided to 3-bet to 20k from MP so I had to fold. The 3-bet half a stack was sweet so I figured if I get a hand and he did this Id be able to crush him. Next orbit, I found TT from UTG +2 and made it 2300 again. It folded to the kid and this time he decided to just jam his 40k stack into the middle. I called after a little big and he showed KK. The board blanked and I went down to 55k or so. Ugh. . .I guess the kid is a genius just open jamming 40 bigs into a standard opening raise knowing he will get called here. . .FFS. I was down to 53800 and we went on dinner break.
Level 10: 600-1200 200. I came back from dinner with the plan to just tighten and maintain my stack at around this amount for a while before making a move closer to the money bubble. However, the cards dictated otherwise and dove right back into the action quickly after dinner. It folded to me on the button and I found 44. The blinds effective stacks were ~20k and ~10k so I just jammed it in and the BB called for his 10k stack. He showed KJo and the board rand out T6356 winning me the flip. Next hand, the player in the hijack jammed in for ~15k, I found 99 in the cutoff and reshipped to iso and everyone else folded. He showed KJo (again. . .ha) and I was able to win another flip on A97J3. I was all the way back to 87k (still a ton of chips at this point in the tournament). I made it 2600 from UTG +1 with JT0 and got 3 callers. The flop came AQ4, we checked to the button who moved all in for ~35k and I folded. A new, young, and seemingly good player opened to 3000 from EP and I found 55 in the SB and called. We checked down JT67Q where he bet 4500 and I folded. I was still on around 80k or so (average was like 35k) when disaster struck in 2 of 3 hands to send me from massive stack to on the rail. The first of these hands, I found AKo UTG +1 and opened to 2600. It folded to the BB and he jammed for 28k or so and I snap called. He showed 98hh and the board ran out J9756. He said "Ive been waiting to rejam on you all day and you wake up with a hand when I finally do it." so haha. I was down to 55k or so and 2 hands later, a bad older man (the guy who jammed 35k on the AQ4 flop) in the hijack opened to 3200. I knew he was opening light and I was planning on 3-betting him from the BB even before I looked at my cards. I found 98hh and made it 8600 and he called after much deliberation. The flop came 986 all diamonds, I checked, he put me all in for my effective ~45k, and I snap called. He showed AxTd for a gutshot with a T high flush draw. The turn came a blank but the river came the Ad giving him a flush and sending me and my massive stack home much earlier than I would have liked.
Bummer. . .the field was so easy and today really did feel like one of those days were I was completely in the zone, knowing exactly what was happening at the table as the tournament got deeper and deeper. If I can hold one of these hands, it is extremely likely that I make the final table and am probably able to cause some damage on it with the shit that would have ended up on it with me. As it is, I went out about 35th or so. The positive side, like I said at the start, I played some absolutely flawless poker today and it really does instill me with confidence when I make so many correct decisions in a tournament. Looking back, I really do wish I could have done better with this opportunity (of a massive stack after I was shortstacked and AI with the worst hand) as it doesnt work like this every day. Hopefully I will have another shot at getting deep in a tournament again this summer and can prove to myself that this is where I need to be.
Level 1: 25-50. Everything started off well early on. I opened to 125 with KK from the cutoff and the blinds were the only callers. The flop came KJ3, they checked, I bet 150, and they both folded. I raised ATo from MP and got called by the blinds. The flop came A32, the BB lead for 225, and I was the only caller. The turn came another 2, he bet 400, and I called. The river came a K counterfitting my kicker and we both checked. He showed A9 and we chopped. I made it 125 in EP with 65o, a player in MP called, another player in MP made it 400, and we both called. The flop came J74, we checked to the raiser who bet 650, and I was the only caller. The turn came an 8 filling my open ender, I checked but he checked behind. The river came a K and I thought this was a good trap card so I checked but he decided to check behind announcing "I caught a king". . .ugh right intentions wrong result. I then played a huge pot where I got superowned by a big bluff. A player in EP made it 125 and I found QQ in the BB and made it 400. He called adn the flop came 943 2 clubs. I bet 525, he made it 1525, and I called. The turn came a 2, I checked, he bet 2500, and I called. The river came a J, I checked, he went all in for 7500, I ended up folding after a long tank, and he showed A2cc for a missed flush draw. Blah. I really cant believe that he was bluffing here but whatever. I dont particularily hate the fold becuase normally I can beat very little of his range. One thing that I discussed with my friends is that the all in bet here might have been the giveaway. If he wanted value with JJ or 99 he would bet a little smaller to get me to call but the all in is trying to scare me away. Sounds easy enough but in reality it is a tough sell to think he was bluffing here at the table, especially how tight he was before this and how tightly he played the rest of the day. I was down to 9000 or so (instead of the 24000 I could have been at) after getting bluffed here. A player in MP made it 125 and I found JJ in the hijack and made it 400. He called and we saw a flop of K53 where we went check-check. The turn came a 4, he lead for 525, and I called. The river came a 7, he bet 800, I called, and he showed KQ for a flopped top pair better than my JJ. I guess this is a fold on the river but I was still reeling from the bluff so a call here is somewhat excusable as my hand is still strong and can beat some of his range. I was down to 7700 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 50-100. For the next couple levels, I continued to leak chips in a bad way. I opened to 250 from the cutoff with ATdd and the blinds called. The flop came Q43, the BB lead for 500, and I folded. I made it 250 from the hijack with Q2dd and the button and blinds called. The flop came QJ3 2 clubs, the blinds checked, I bet 325, and the button was the only caller. The turn came the 5c (2 clubs on board), I checked, he bet 525, and I called. The river came a 9, I checked and he checked behind but I mucked when he showed KQ. A player in EP made it 325 and got 1 call and I decided to call as well with T7ss in the BB. The flop came 863, the raiser bet 650, and I decided to call with my gutshot and over to try to make something happen on a later street. The turn came the As giving me a flush draw with my gutshot. The raiser in MP checked out of turn so I decided to rep the A by leading out for 900 but he quickly called. The river came another A which is a terrible bluff card for me so I gave up and checked, he bet 3000, and I folded (he later told me he had AJ). I made it 250 from the cutoff with KJo and the BB called. We checked down T6286 and his A2 was good. I made it 250 with A5o from the SB into the BB and she called. The flop came K65 and she folded to my 300 lead. I was down to 4350 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 75-150. I made it 350 from MP with 75o and got 2 callers. The flop came AT6 and I check/folded to a bet. There were 2 limps to me on the button and I steam limped 98o. The flop came 985 all hearts, a limp bet 900, I moved all in for 3400, and he folded. I was at 4400 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. I had been playing somewhat tight and a loose player opened in MP to 500 when there was a dead BB. I found J8o in the hijack and jammed for 4000 or so. He called after a little thought showing KQo but I was lucky to get a double on QJ983. I made it 450 from MP with A5o and everyone folded. There were 2 limpers to me on the button and I found KK and made it 625. One of the limps called but folded to my 600 bet on K93 2 diamonds. I had worked my stack back up to 9925 and we went to the next level.
Level 5; 150-300 25. I then played a pretty frustrating hand but overall pretty lucky that it was against a bad lady player. A player in EP opened to 800 and he wasnt particularily good so I flatted from the hijack with 98cc. The dumb lady in the cutoff and the blinds called as well and we went 4-handed to the flop. The flop came Qx7c6c flopping me a straight flush draw. Everyone checked to me, I bet 1725, and the lady behind me was the only caller. The turn came the Jx (blank for me), I checked, she bet 2500, and I just called. Normally I am just open jamming or maybe even check/raise jamming the turn but because it is against this terrible lady player, I know that she has a Q and is not folding and I know that even if I hit I will still be able to get my last 5k in and have her call so there is no point in raising or going nuts here. I am basically frerolling a double up if I hit and saving my last 5k if I dont. Unfortunately, the turn came a blank 2, I checked, and she checked behind showing AQo and I was back down to 5k. Later, I found 44 in the cutoff and bet 3000 of my effective 4200 or so with 44 and everyone folded. I found AKo in MP and made it 3000 again and everyone folded. A looser player in EP opened to 750 and I knew that he would play his hand more or less face up (betting if he has it, folding if he doesnt) vs a stack size like mine so I called in the BB with Q5dd. The flop came A98 2 diamonds giving me a flush draw, I checked, and he checked behind. The turn came a 6, I bet 3000 (effectively going all in) and he folded. The flush draw is more or less unnecessary here because like I said he would play his hand ABC and when he checks the flop I know I will win on the turn. I was at 6200 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. I made it 1000 from UTG with AKo and everyone folded. The button made it 1200 and I found 33 in the BB and jammed and he folded. He was a tight player but had alot of chips and I know that this raise size is consistent with an ABC standard button raise so it was an easy shove. Around this point, I recoginzed that the table was super tight and playing 100% ABC boring poker decided to ramp up the aggression to an extreme level (and it worked well). I made it 850 from the hijack with J9o but had to fold when the dumb lady in the cutoff 3-bet to 4000. I made it 850 from MP with K7hh and the BB called. The flop came J66, he checked, and I checked behind. The turn came the Qh giving me a flush draw, he lead for 1225, I moved all in for about 7500, and he folded. I knew that he had a random A from the BB and I didnt want to bet the flop and have him call me down with A high so I was going to delayed c-bet the turn. His lead was still consistent with him having a weak A so the push was more or less regardless of the flush draw (although it is nice to have some cushion). I made it 850 from UTG +2 with 86cc, got 3 callers, and folded on the turn on a KQ42 board. I made it 850 from the button with 99 and the dumb lady called in the SB. The flop came A82, she lead for 1000, and I called. The turn came another A, she bet 1200, and I called. The river came a Q and we both checked. She showed 84 for a pair of eights and my 99 won the hand. Its possible I could have value bet the river but my line of call call isnt terrible here I think. I was up to 12275 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 300-600 50. I raised an absolutely absurd amount of pots in this level. Im not positive if I have them all because it was hard to write them all down when youre raising every pot but I think I have most. Like I said my table was playing tight so I completely ramped up my aggression to try to increase my stack so I could have a managable amount in future levels. I made it 1325 from the cutoff with K3hh and everyone folded. I made it 1325 with K9o from the hijack and everyone folded. I made it 1325 from UTG +2 with A9o and everyone folded. I made it 1325 from UTG with 74hh and the dumb lady called from UTG +1. The flop came QQ6, I c-bet 2000, and she folded. The cutoff limped and I knew he didnt have much so I just jammed my 20k (I think it was around here at this point) from the SB with J6ss and the BB and limp folded. It folded to me on the button and I made it 1325 without looking and the blinds folded (I held J8o). There was 1 limp to me in the hijack and I found AQcc and made it 1525 and the limper was the only caller. The flop came A76 and he check folded to my 2000 bet. I made it 1325 from UTG +1 with 95dd and the blinds called. The flop came AT6 and they check folded to my 2000 c-bet. I found a real hand with TT from UTG and made it 1325 and the blinds called. The flop came A55 and the BB lead for 2000. I thought this was a little funny but decided to just fold as the stealing was going well at that point. The cutoff made it 1500 and I jammed for about 25k (I think at that point) from the SB with 66 and everyone folded. . .could have just raised I guess but jamming here really reemphasizes my super aggro image and makes people scared to play pots with me as I could jam any time. A player in EP made it 1325 and I found TT in the SB and 3-bet to 4000 resulting in everyone folding. I made it 1325 from the HJ with A8ss and everyone folded. Everyone was getting fed-up with all my raising by this time. I found TT in MP and made it 1325 and the BB jammed for about 9k I called and he showed A5dd and I held on Q6382. It was such a beautiful spot because when someone finally decided to jam into my raise I had the nuts. Plus showing down TT here gives me the ability to steal even more as I showed down a premium. I opened to 1325 from MP with K8o and everyone folded. I finally had to fold when I opened to 1325 from MP with K6cc, got called from the lady behind, and the cutoff moved all in for 10k or so. At the end of this level, my stack had skyrocketed to 36250 (3x just in that level).
Level 8: 400-800 100. It folded to me in the SB, I made it 1725 into the dumb ladys BB with 52o, and she folded. I made it 1725 from the hijack with Q6o, the kid in the SB 3-bet to 3700, and I knew he had been itching to 3-bet me so I 4-bet shipped for his effective ~22k or so and he eventually folded after a little while in the tank. Unfortunately, after this hand the table broke so my easy table and great image had to move onto the next table. Luckily for me, this table was just as bad as the first one so my strategy didnt need to change much. I made it 1725 from the hijack with KQo and the BB called. The flop came QJ7, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded. A player in EP limped, a player in MP opened to the standared 5250, I found QQ in the BB and moved all in for his effective 10k behind (15k total) and he called with TT. The board ran out QJ377 and I won a pretty nice pot to boost my stack even higher. I completed the SB with 1 limper with A7o. I checked the A95 flop but bet 2000 on the J turn and everyone folded. I made it 1725 from the button with KTo and the SB called. The flop came A95, he checked, I bet 2000, and he folded. I made it 1800 from the cutoff with K7ss and everyone folded. We went to the next level and I had a massive, tournament chip leading, 73650.
Level 9: 500-1000 100. This level started off as well as the previous couple. I opened to 2300 with J8dd from MP and everyone folded. I made it 2300 from UTG with 88 and everyone folded. A player in EP went all in for 4150, I found A7o on the button and isoed all in (blinds effective stacks were ~20-25k each) and everyone else folded. The EP player showed 64ss and the board ran out A33Ax and I won the pot. Next hand, I made it 2300 from the cutoff with ATo, the button 3-bet to 5600, and I 4-bet him all in for his ~20k stack. He called after a tank with A3dd and the board ran out T88J4 giving me yet another nice sized pot. At this point my stack was at about 97k or so nearly pushing a gaudy 100k. Unfortunately a big hand went wrong and I lost nearly half of it before the end of the level. To understand the big pot, you must understand another pot I played. I made it 2300 from UTG with 66 and a stupid kid in MP who had ~40k or so decided to 3-bet to 20k from MP so I had to fold. The 3-bet half a stack was sweet so I figured if I get a hand and he did this Id be able to crush him. Next orbit, I found TT from UTG +2 and made it 2300 again. It folded to the kid and this time he decided to just jam his 40k stack into the middle. I called after a little big and he showed KK. The board blanked and I went down to 55k or so. Ugh. . .I guess the kid is a genius just open jamming 40 bigs into a standard opening raise knowing he will get called here. . .FFS. I was down to 53800 and we went on dinner break.
Level 10: 600-1200 200. I came back from dinner with the plan to just tighten and maintain my stack at around this amount for a while before making a move closer to the money bubble. However, the cards dictated otherwise and dove right back into the action quickly after dinner. It folded to me on the button and I found 44. The blinds effective stacks were ~20k and ~10k so I just jammed it in and the BB called for his 10k stack. He showed KJo and the board rand out T6356 winning me the flip. Next hand, the player in the hijack jammed in for ~15k, I found 99 in the cutoff and reshipped to iso and everyone else folded. He showed KJo (again. . .ha) and I was able to win another flip on A97J3. I was all the way back to 87k (still a ton of chips at this point in the tournament). I made it 2600 from UTG +1 with JT0 and got 3 callers. The flop came AQ4, we checked to the button who moved all in for ~35k and I folded. A new, young, and seemingly good player opened to 3000 from EP and I found 55 in the SB and called. We checked down JT67Q where he bet 4500 and I folded. I was still on around 80k or so (average was like 35k) when disaster struck in 2 of 3 hands to send me from massive stack to on the rail. The first of these hands, I found AKo UTG +1 and opened to 2600. It folded to the BB and he jammed for 28k or so and I snap called. He showed 98hh and the board ran out J9756. He said "Ive been waiting to rejam on you all day and you wake up with a hand when I finally do it." so haha. I was down to 55k or so and 2 hands later, a bad older man (the guy who jammed 35k on the AQ4 flop) in the hijack opened to 3200. I knew he was opening light and I was planning on 3-betting him from the BB even before I looked at my cards. I found 98hh and made it 8600 and he called after much deliberation. The flop came 986 all diamonds, I checked, he put me all in for my effective ~45k, and I snap called. He showed AxTd for a gutshot with a T high flush draw. The turn came a blank but the river came the Ad giving him a flush and sending me and my massive stack home much earlier than I would have liked.
Bummer. . .the field was so easy and today really did feel like one of those days were I was completely in the zone, knowing exactly what was happening at the table as the tournament got deeper and deeper. If I can hold one of these hands, it is extremely likely that I make the final table and am probably able to cause some damage on it with the shit that would have ended up on it with me. As it is, I went out about 35th or so. The positive side, like I said at the start, I played some absolutely flawless poker today and it really does instill me with confidence when I make so many correct decisions in a tournament. Looking back, I really do wish I could have done better with this opportunity (of a massive stack after I was shortstacked and AI with the worst hand) as it doesnt work like this every day. Hopefully I will have another shot at getting deep in a tournament again this summer and can prove to myself that this is where I need to be.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tourney: June 22nd 2011 Venetian Deepstack Event #27: $340
Todays Venetian tournament had around 900 players, large for even a $340. My table draw (at least the 2nd table) was pretty easy but unfortunately for me, I wasn’t able to last long enough to abuse it. We started with 12000 chips.
Level 1: 50-100. The cutoff opened to 250 and I found ATo on the button and 3-bet to 600 and everyone folded. A player UTG +1 limped and I found AKo UTG +2 and made it 300. The limper was the only caller and we checked down 8545J and I was good. A good aggressive player in the hijack opened to 300 and I called on the button with A2cc. The flop came K93, he checked, I bet 325, and he folded. I was up to 12900 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. The good aggressive player opened to 400 from UTG and I found AJo in MP and called. The flop came TT5, he lead 700, and I folded. I made it 350 with JTdd from UTG +1 and the button and BB called. The flop came K42, the BB checked, I bet 525, and the button was the only caller. We checked to the river on 24 where he bet 400 and I folded. I then moved off this table to a new, much easier table. I made it 350 from the cutoff with AQo and everyone folded. A player in EP made it 400 and I knew he was opening light here so I decided to 3-bet from MP with 96hh to 1125. It folded to the button who had about 4000 and he thought for a while before deciding to just flat and the original raiser folded. The flop came Kh9x5h flopping me a pair and a flush draw. I instantly went all in for his last ~2800 behind and he called showing AK (at that point I didn’t care what he flatted 3-bets with because the flop was so huge for me). The board blanked out with a Jx7x and I dropped down to about 7500 in chips. However, I was able to play some really nice aggressive poker to get my stack back. An active player made it 350 from UTG +2 and I found A6cc in the cutoff and 3-bet to 900. He called and the flop came T43 2 clubs giving me the nut flush draw. He checked, I bet 1225, and he folded. I found 44 from MP and made it 350, another MP player called behind, the button 3-bet to 1225, and I folded. The button opened to 400 and I found AJcc in the SB and 3-bet to 1050 and he was the only caller. The flop came 985 and we both checked. The turn came a J, I bet 1400, and he folded. I was back to 9475 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I made it 450 from the hijack with A8cc and the BB was the only caller. The flop came 865, he checked, I bet 600, and he called. The turn came a Q, he checked, I bet 1050, and he called. The river came another 8 giving me trips, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called and mucked for a nice 3 streets of value for me. I was back to around 14000 or so after this. A player in EP made it 450 and got 5 calls to my BB where I decided to call with 64cc. The flop came Q83 and I folded. There were 2 limps to my button and I limped 65o. The flop came T63, one of the limpers bet out 600, and I called. The turn came a 7, he bet 1350, I folded, and he showed KK. I was at 12825 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. Unfortunately, after the 1st break I would last exactly 1 hand. 1st hand, I found KhKx UTG and opened to 475. A player in MP called and the BB called as well. The flop came T74 2 hearts, the BB checked, I bet 600, the MP player raised to 1900 and the BB folded. I decided to 3-bet it to 4350 and he moved all in for my effective 12.8k. I was a little worried that he flopped a set and I was crushed but I eventually decided to call anyways. It was a draw heavy board so he could have a draw, and if he did I had the Kh for a blocker. Additionally, I had been playing aggressively with several 3-bets and my thin value bets with A8 so he could feasibly think about stacking with top pair. Finally, after my tank he started to crack a little bit and look weak so I called. He showed J8hh for a flush draw with a gutshot straight draw. The turn was a J that gave him high pair on board and even more outs and I couldn’t dodge those outs on when the river came another J giving him trips and busting me out for an early day.
Not really much I could do today, just will have to get back on the horse again tomorrow and try to ride out a better day.
Level 1: 50-100. The cutoff opened to 250 and I found ATo on the button and 3-bet to 600 and everyone folded. A player UTG +1 limped and I found AKo UTG +2 and made it 300. The limper was the only caller and we checked down 8545J and I was good. A good aggressive player in the hijack opened to 300 and I called on the button with A2cc. The flop came K93, he checked, I bet 325, and he folded. I was up to 12900 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. The good aggressive player opened to 400 from UTG and I found AJo in MP and called. The flop came TT5, he lead 700, and I folded. I made it 350 with JTdd from UTG +1 and the button and BB called. The flop came K42, the BB checked, I bet 525, and the button was the only caller. We checked to the river on 24 where he bet 400 and I folded. I then moved off this table to a new, much easier table. I made it 350 from the cutoff with AQo and everyone folded. A player in EP made it 400 and I knew he was opening light here so I decided to 3-bet from MP with 96hh to 1125. It folded to the button who had about 4000 and he thought for a while before deciding to just flat and the original raiser folded. The flop came Kh9x5h flopping me a pair and a flush draw. I instantly went all in for his last ~2800 behind and he called showing AK (at that point I didn’t care what he flatted 3-bets with because the flop was so huge for me). The board blanked out with a Jx7x and I dropped down to about 7500 in chips. However, I was able to play some really nice aggressive poker to get my stack back. An active player made it 350 from UTG +2 and I found A6cc in the cutoff and 3-bet to 900. He called and the flop came T43 2 clubs giving me the nut flush draw. He checked, I bet 1225, and he folded. I found 44 from MP and made it 350, another MP player called behind, the button 3-bet to 1225, and I folded. The button opened to 400 and I found AJcc in the SB and 3-bet to 1050 and he was the only caller. The flop came 985 and we both checked. The turn came a J, I bet 1400, and he folded. I was back to 9475 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. I made it 450 from the hijack with A8cc and the BB was the only caller. The flop came 865, he checked, I bet 600, and he called. The turn came a Q, he checked, I bet 1050, and he called. The river came another 8 giving me trips, he checked, I bet 2500, and he called and mucked for a nice 3 streets of value for me. I was back to around 14000 or so after this. A player in EP made it 450 and got 5 calls to my BB where I decided to call with 64cc. The flop came Q83 and I folded. There were 2 limps to my button and I limped 65o. The flop came T63, one of the limpers bet out 600, and I called. The turn came a 7, he bet 1350, I folded, and he showed KK. I was at 12825 and we went on the 1st break.
Level 4: 100-200 25. Unfortunately, after the 1st break I would last exactly 1 hand. 1st hand, I found KhKx UTG and opened to 475. A player in MP called and the BB called as well. The flop came T74 2 hearts, the BB checked, I bet 600, the MP player raised to 1900 and the BB folded. I decided to 3-bet it to 4350 and he moved all in for my effective 12.8k. I was a little worried that he flopped a set and I was crushed but I eventually decided to call anyways. It was a draw heavy board so he could have a draw, and if he did I had the Kh for a blocker. Additionally, I had been playing aggressively with several 3-bets and my thin value bets with A8 so he could feasibly think about stacking with top pair. Finally, after my tank he started to crack a little bit and look weak so I called. He showed J8hh for a flush draw with a gutshot straight draw. The turn was a J that gave him high pair on board and even more outs and I couldn’t dodge those outs on when the river came another J giving him trips and busting me out for an early day.
Not really much I could do today, just will have to get back on the horse again tomorrow and try to ride out a better day.
Tourney: June 21st 2011 Venetian Deepstack Event #26: $550
Todays Venetian drew 650 players, an absolutely astounding amount for a $560 tournament. The funny thing is despite this being a $560 tourney, my starting table was as bad as its been throughout the summer. There were really bad players in seat 4, seat 7, and seat 8, a decent player in seat 5, I was in seat 6, and the rest were just average. We started with 15000 in chips today.
Level 1: 25-50. I made it 250 from the button with JTdd and the bad player in seat 8 called from the BB. The flop came Q93 2 hearts and he check called my 325 bet. The turn and river filled out JhTh putting 4 hearts on board and his 5h5x was good. I made it 250 from the cutoff with T9o and got 2 calls. The flop came 993 and I decided to check it behind when it checked to me. The turn came a 4, I bet 325, and they all folded. I then had to make an interesting laydown in a biggish pot. I made it 250 from UTG with 44 and 2 calls from MP and a call from the BB. The flop came Q84 all hearts, the BB lead out for 550, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 3x, the BB lead out for 1250, and I just called. The river came Tx, he bet 8000, and I had to fold my set. Him leading out into 3 people on the flop is massive strength and I am just calling on the flop/turn for pot control and to try to pair the board because its very possible that he has a flush here. The river is an obvious fold because its such a large bet on an all heart flop when he leads 3 streets. I was down to 12575 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. A player UTG made it 450, I called in MP with 66, the donk in seat 7 made it 1000, and we both called. The flop came 984, we checked to the donk, he bet 2000, we both folded, and he showed KK (obviously he had KK here. . .flop a set one time!). I then won a pot against the huge donk in seat 7 where I absolutely missed value. He opened for 300 in EP, got 2 calls to me in the BB, and I found AA and made it 1525 and he was the only caller. The flop came 744, I checked to trap him, but he checked behind. The turn came a third 4, I bet 2000, and he called extremely quickly. The river came an A giving me aces full, I bet 6000, and he folded JJ face up. Ugh. . .I wish I would have bet the flop I guess. He was sooooo spew I cant believe he doesn’t bet the flop or raise the turn and if the A doesn’t come on the river I still get 6000 of value on him. . .weak. I limped behind 1 limper from the button into the 2 donks blinds with Q4dd. The flop came KQ3, they checked to me, I bet 225, and the limper called. We checked down TK and I was good. The donk in seat 4 made it 625, I called in MP with T9cc, the BB made it 3100, and I folded. I was at 15450 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. The donk in seat 7 made it 500 from UTG, got 1 call, and I called in the BB with 98dd. The flop came K64, the donk lead for 5000, and I folded. I completed 88 in the SB with 2 limps but folded on a KQ9. The only decent player on the table made it 525 from the cutoff, I found JJ on the button and called, and both of the blinds called as well. The flop came A76, the blinds checked, the raiser bet 850, I called, and the blinds folded. The turn came a K, the decent player bet out 850 again, and I folded this time. Next hand the donk in seat 4 raised to 550 in MP, I found TT and called in the cutoff, and the BB called as well. The flop came J63, they checked to me, I bet 700, and the raiser called. The turn came another 3, he checked, I bet 1125, and he folded. I was at 15025 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 100-200 25. A player in EP opened to 600, I called in MP with 22, a new decent aggro player behind 3-bet to 2000, and we both folded. I made it 475 from UTG +2 with 88 and the BB called. The flop came K52 2 clubs, he checked, I bet 550, and he called. The turn came the Tc, he checked, and I checked behind this time. The river came a 4, he lead out for 1250, I called, he announced “five” and I showed my 8s that were good. This is actually an interesting call on the river. A lot of times I am not calling here but the thing that made me call was actually something he did on the turn. When the turn came the 3rd club, instead of instantly checking to me he thought about it for a while and then checked. I think that if he actually has made a flush here he instantly checks the turn to show weakness instead of the tank check. One last comment would be the sizing of the river bet. Since we have ruled out that he doesn’t have a flush here because of the timing of the turn check, why cant he have a K and be value betting? The reason is because it is basically faceup that I don’t have a K here so if he does have a K, he has to bet an amount that is going to get called by a hand that is worse than top pair. 1250 is a bit too big for him to credibly have a K so that is why I called here. I made it 475 from the button with Q8ss and the blinds folded. I then played an interesting pot where I lost some chips. I opened to 475 from the cutoff with A7ss and the new aggro player on the button 3-bet to 1175. He had been fairly active so I decided to call and see a flop. The flop came JT5 2 spades giving me the nut flush draw. I checked and he checked behind. The turn came an A giving me top pair with my nut flush draw. I checked, he bet 1650, and I just called. The river came an 8, I checked, he bet 6500, and I folded after a long while in the tank. I deduced that I am almost always beat here on the river. . .the one thing that confused me about this hand is the check behind on the flop. I know he is an aggrotard so I know he will be c-betting most flops after he 3-bets. The hand I actually think he is most likely to have here is KQ. He checks behind the flop because he doesn’t want to get blown off of his draw or have to play a bloated pot and then he bets the turn and river for value. I don’t know if this is his hand for sure but I can say that I am close to positive I was beat. I was down to 12600 after this and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 150-300 25. I then played another larger pot that involved me chasing a draw but missing. I opened to 650 from MP with 43hh and the donk in the 9 seat called from the button. The flop came J65 2 spades giving me a straight draw. I bet out 725, he made it 1500, and I called. The turn came a T, I checked, he bet 2000, and I called. The river came the As, I checked, and he checked behind showing QJ and I mucked. I normally will just fold the turn here but he bet so small compared to the pot and the implied odds (knowing that he is a donk and will pay me with top pair). The river was actually a PERFECT bluff card for me as an over and a flush draw hit and I actually did think about betting big here but its really hard for me to try to justify bluffing into an opponent who is a donk who hates to fold. It is actually likely to work but the chance of him spew/tilt calling is to high of a risk. I was down to about 9500 after this hand. I made it 650 from the cutoff with AQhh, the SB who was a new younger kid 3-bet to 1550, the donk in seat 9 flatted the 3-bet, I made it 8k (of my 9500), and they both folded. I made it 650 from the hijack with 66 and got called by the BB. The flop came KQ2 and he check folded to my 725 bet. I was back up to 14800 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. A player in EP made it 1100, the decent player called in the cutoff, I found AKo on the button, 3-bet to 3200, and they all folded. I made it 950 from UTG +2 with AJo and everyone folded. I was up to 17000 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 300-600 50. The donk in seat 4 opened to 1750 from EP and I found KQo in the cutoff and thought this would be a good time to play a pot with him so I called. The button decided to call as well and the SB went all in for 10k causing me to fold. I then lost my big pot of the tournament. The decent player on my right in seat 5 open shipped 10.9k from MP and I found AQo right behind him and decided to reship my 15k. Everyone folded and he showed 88. The board blanked out and I lost my big race for the day and was down to just 3800. Maybe I could fold here but its hard to pass up this spot. . .I don’t know. As with my 88 hand in the WSOP, I think that he is just raising for value his monster hands so his push means semi-weakness so I think Im at worst a flip and dominating him at least some of the time here. A could of hands later, I found KQo and went all in from UTG +1. It folded to the SB who reshipped to iso and he flipped over AQo. The board ran out KQ4K7 and I absolutely crushed it winning when I was dominating. I folded through the blinds and was down to 5950 when we went to the next level.
Level 8: 400-800 75. It folded to me in the hijack and I found J9o and made it 5000 (of my last 5800 or so). The cutoff called and so did the donk in seat 9. The flop came A62, the donk lead, I put the last of my money in, and the hijack went all in over the top, and the donk called us all. The donk held 66 for a seat, the cutoff held A9, and I was drawing dead before the turn busted out pretty unceremoniously.
It wasn’t as long of a day as Id liked and it basically came down to the one flip that I lost. Kind of a whatever day. I guess I could have played a few more hands in the 200-400 and 1st half of the 300-600 levels to try to get some chips but its likely that even if I tried this I would have still had to won my big flip to remain in the tournament. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it turns out better.
Level 1: 25-50. I made it 250 from the button with JTdd and the bad player in seat 8 called from the BB. The flop came Q93 2 hearts and he check called my 325 bet. The turn and river filled out JhTh putting 4 hearts on board and his 5h5x was good. I made it 250 from the cutoff with T9o and got 2 calls. The flop came 993 and I decided to check it behind when it checked to me. The turn came a 4, I bet 325, and they all folded. I then had to make an interesting laydown in a biggish pot. I made it 250 from UTG with 44 and 2 calls from MP and a call from the BB. The flop came Q84 all hearts, the BB lead out for 550, and I was the only caller. The turn came the 3x, the BB lead out for 1250, and I just called. The river came Tx, he bet 8000, and I had to fold my set. Him leading out into 3 people on the flop is massive strength and I am just calling on the flop/turn for pot control and to try to pair the board because its very possible that he has a flush here. The river is an obvious fold because its such a large bet on an all heart flop when he leads 3 streets. I was down to 12575 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 75-150. A player UTG made it 450, I called in MP with 66, the donk in seat 7 made it 1000, and we both called. The flop came 984, we checked to the donk, he bet 2000, we both folded, and he showed KK (obviously he had KK here. . .flop a set one time!). I then won a pot against the huge donk in seat 7 where I absolutely missed value. He opened for 300 in EP, got 2 calls to me in the BB, and I found AA and made it 1525 and he was the only caller. The flop came 744, I checked to trap him, but he checked behind. The turn came a third 4, I bet 2000, and he called extremely quickly. The river came an A giving me aces full, I bet 6000, and he folded JJ face up. Ugh. . .I wish I would have bet the flop I guess. He was sooooo spew I cant believe he doesn’t bet the flop or raise the turn and if the A doesn’t come on the river I still get 6000 of value on him. . .weak. I limped behind 1 limper from the button into the 2 donks blinds with Q4dd. The flop came KQ3, they checked to me, I bet 225, and the limper called. We checked down TK and I was good. The donk in seat 4 made it 625, I called in MP with T9cc, the BB made it 3100, and I folded. I was at 15450 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 100-200. The donk in seat 7 made it 500 from UTG, got 1 call, and I called in the BB with 98dd. The flop came K64, the donk lead for 5000, and I folded. I completed 88 in the SB with 2 limps but folded on a KQ9. The only decent player on the table made it 525 from the cutoff, I found JJ on the button and called, and both of the blinds called as well. The flop came A76, the blinds checked, the raiser bet 850, I called, and the blinds folded. The turn came a K, the decent player bet out 850 again, and I folded this time. Next hand the donk in seat 4 raised to 550 in MP, I found TT and called in the cutoff, and the BB called as well. The flop came J63, they checked to me, I bet 700, and the raiser called. The turn came another 3, he checked, I bet 1125, and he folded. I was at 15025 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 100-200 25. A player in EP opened to 600, I called in MP with 22, a new decent aggro player behind 3-bet to 2000, and we both folded. I made it 475 from UTG +2 with 88 and the BB called. The flop came K52 2 clubs, he checked, I bet 550, and he called. The turn came the Tc, he checked, and I checked behind this time. The river came a 4, he lead out for 1250, I called, he announced “five” and I showed my 8s that were good. This is actually an interesting call on the river. A lot of times I am not calling here but the thing that made me call was actually something he did on the turn. When the turn came the 3rd club, instead of instantly checking to me he thought about it for a while and then checked. I think that if he actually has made a flush here he instantly checks the turn to show weakness instead of the tank check. One last comment would be the sizing of the river bet. Since we have ruled out that he doesn’t have a flush here because of the timing of the turn check, why cant he have a K and be value betting? The reason is because it is basically faceup that I don’t have a K here so if he does have a K, he has to bet an amount that is going to get called by a hand that is worse than top pair. 1250 is a bit too big for him to credibly have a K so that is why I called here. I made it 475 from the button with Q8ss and the blinds folded. I then played an interesting pot where I lost some chips. I opened to 475 from the cutoff with A7ss and the new aggro player on the button 3-bet to 1175. He had been fairly active so I decided to call and see a flop. The flop came JT5 2 spades giving me the nut flush draw. I checked and he checked behind. The turn came an A giving me top pair with my nut flush draw. I checked, he bet 1650, and I just called. The river came an 8, I checked, he bet 6500, and I folded after a long while in the tank. I deduced that I am almost always beat here on the river. . .the one thing that confused me about this hand is the check behind on the flop. I know he is an aggrotard so I know he will be c-betting most flops after he 3-bets. The hand I actually think he is most likely to have here is KQ. He checks behind the flop because he doesn’t want to get blown off of his draw or have to play a bloated pot and then he bets the turn and river for value. I don’t know if this is his hand for sure but I can say that I am close to positive I was beat. I was down to 12600 after this and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 150-300 25. I then played another larger pot that involved me chasing a draw but missing. I opened to 650 from MP with 43hh and the donk in the 9 seat called from the button. The flop came J65 2 spades giving me a straight draw. I bet out 725, he made it 1500, and I called. The turn came a T, I checked, he bet 2000, and I called. The river came the As, I checked, and he checked behind showing QJ and I mucked. I normally will just fold the turn here but he bet so small compared to the pot and the implied odds (knowing that he is a donk and will pay me with top pair). The river was actually a PERFECT bluff card for me as an over and a flush draw hit and I actually did think about betting big here but its really hard for me to try to justify bluffing into an opponent who is a donk who hates to fold. It is actually likely to work but the chance of him spew/tilt calling is to high of a risk. I was down to about 9500 after this hand. I made it 650 from the cutoff with AQhh, the SB who was a new younger kid 3-bet to 1550, the donk in seat 9 flatted the 3-bet, I made it 8k (of my 9500), and they both folded. I made it 650 from the hijack with 66 and got called by the BB. The flop came KQ2 and he check folded to my 725 bet. I was back up to 14800 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 200-400 50. A player in EP made it 1100, the decent player called in the cutoff, I found AKo on the button, 3-bet to 3200, and they all folded. I made it 950 from UTG +2 with AJo and everyone folded. I was up to 17000 and we went to the next level.
Level 7: 300-600 50. The donk in seat 4 opened to 1750 from EP and I found KQo in the cutoff and thought this would be a good time to play a pot with him so I called. The button decided to call as well and the SB went all in for 10k causing me to fold. I then lost my big pot of the tournament. The decent player on my right in seat 5 open shipped 10.9k from MP and I found AQo right behind him and decided to reship my 15k. Everyone folded and he showed 88. The board blanked out and I lost my big race for the day and was down to just 3800. Maybe I could fold here but its hard to pass up this spot. . .I don’t know. As with my 88 hand in the WSOP, I think that he is just raising for value his monster hands so his push means semi-weakness so I think Im at worst a flip and dominating him at least some of the time here. A could of hands later, I found KQo and went all in from UTG +1. It folded to the SB who reshipped to iso and he flipped over AQo. The board ran out KQ4K7 and I absolutely crushed it winning when I was dominating. I folded through the blinds and was down to 5950 when we went to the next level.
Level 8: 400-800 75. It folded to me in the hijack and I found J9o and made it 5000 (of my last 5800 or so). The cutoff called and so did the donk in seat 9. The flop came A62, the donk lead, I put the last of my money in, and the hijack went all in over the top, and the donk called us all. The donk held 66 for a seat, the cutoff held A9, and I was drawing dead before the turn busted out pretty unceremoniously.
It wasn’t as long of a day as Id liked and it basically came down to the one flip that I lost. Kind of a whatever day. I guess I could have played a few more hands in the 200-400 and 1st half of the 300-600 levels to try to get some chips but its likely that even if I tried this I would have still had to won my big flip to remain in the tournament. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it turns out better.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tourney: June 20th 2011 WSOP Event #34 Day 2: $1000
Today was Day 2 of the WSOP $1000 event. I came in last place of the 323 players returning for day 2 with only 1300 chips, less than half of a starting stack. The blinds were at 500-1000 100 so I had a total of about 1 BB and expected to last approximately one hand. . .
Level 11: 500-1000 100. I was able to last 3 total hands today. . .2 hands longer than I actually expected myself to. I was lucky to find myself on the button when the day started so I could fade the blinds. It didnt really matter though because first hand, everyone folded to me and I found T6o and moved in for 1200 chips. The SB folded but the BB was forced to call the 200 more chips. He showed 83hh and I was in with the best hand! The board ran out K4356 as he flopped a pair of 3s but I rivered a 6 to make the best hand to double to about 3800. I folded the next hand when there was a raise in front of me and I found 72o. On the 3rd hand, there was a raise in front of me and I found K8cc in the hijack and went with it. The button also called all in for just 2500, and the raiser called my all in. The main pot was about 8500 and the side pot still contained ~3000 and I had a shot at both. The button showed A2o and the raiser showed J9dd. The flop came AA4 and had me almost dead for the main but still ahead for the side. The turn came the Jc and I now had a flush draw to win both pots but was behind for now on the side pot as he paired his J. The river did not give me my flush when it came another J and I was out losing both the side and main pot.
I busted in 317th place, cashing for $1895. It was a fun experience to go deep in a WSOP event but I would have loved to get even further. Maybe next time I will be able to do a little bit better and make more money.
Level 11: 500-1000 100. I was able to last 3 total hands today. . .2 hands longer than I actually expected myself to. I was lucky to find myself on the button when the day started so I could fade the blinds. It didnt really matter though because first hand, everyone folded to me and I found T6o and moved in for 1200 chips. The SB folded but the BB was forced to call the 200 more chips. He showed 83hh and I was in with the best hand! The board ran out K4356 as he flopped a pair of 3s but I rivered a 6 to make the best hand to double to about 3800. I folded the next hand when there was a raise in front of me and I found 72o. On the 3rd hand, there was a raise in front of me and I found K8cc in the hijack and went with it. The button also called all in for just 2500, and the raiser called my all in. The main pot was about 8500 and the side pot still contained ~3000 and I had a shot at both. The button showed A2o and the raiser showed J9dd. The flop came AA4 and had me almost dead for the main but still ahead for the side. The turn came the Jc and I now had a flush draw to win both pots but was behind for now on the side pot as he paired his J. The river did not give me my flush when it came another J and I was out losing both the side and main pot.
I busted in 317th place, cashing for $1895. It was a fun experience to go deep in a WSOP event but I would have loved to get even further. Maybe next time I will be able to do a little bit better and make more money.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tourney: June 19th 2011 WSOP Event #34: $1000
I went into today knowing that this would probably be my last chance at a WSOP tournament this summer unless I did something good and this time, I played like I actully meant it. As bad as I played yesterday, I think I played every bit as good today which is exciting for me. Todays tournament had 3100+ players paying out 324 spots. We started with just 3000 chips today (even less than yesterday) so I was really going to have to kick it into high gear in the early stages. My opening table was unnecessarily difficult for a $1000 WSOP event.
Level 1: 25-25. A player in MP opened to 75 and I called from the SB with QJcc. The flop came TT3 and I check/folded. I made it 75 from the cutoff with ATo and got called by the SB. We checked down J83J9 and I was good vs his A7. I made it 75 in the hijack with 98o and the button was the only caller. The flop came T76 rainbow, I bet 125, and he folded. . .oooof. I then played an interesting pot that is up for debate as to how poorly I did or didnt play it. I made it 75 with AQdd from UTG and got 4 callers. The flop came 762 2 diamonds, I check, a caller UTG +1 bet 225, a player in LP made it 700, and I just folded my nut flush draw. The hand went out to turn the Jd and I would have had the nuts. Ugh. I dont know. . .I guess if it was an online tournament it would be a standard bet/get it in vs anyone but because it was the WSOP I nitted it up and just threw it away. I probably should be sticking it in but I cant really hate myself too much for folding. I could have done a small lead then I would have been able to flat a reraise and get it in on the turn. As it is I put in a very small amount of chips in a spot where I could (and probably should have) won a very large amount. A player in MP made it 75 adn I called the cutoff with 77. The flop came J42, he bet 125, and I folded. I call alot of times here but he looked strong so I just folded. I was at 2775 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 25-50. I found JJ UTG and made it 125 and a player in MP and the BB called. The flop came 752, I bet 200, and the MP player was the only caller. The turn came a 2, I checked to him, he bet 300, I put him all in for his last 1100 (total), and he folded. I then was able to take the rest of his short stack. He had about 550 total and he limped UTG, another player limped in MP, and I found KK in the cutoff and made it 175. He went all in for his last 550 and I called. He showed 99 and the board ran out AAQT7 giving me the winner. I made it 125 from the cutoff with ATo, the button called, the SB called, and the BB went all in for 1700 resulting in me folding. I made it 125 from UTG with 74hh and a player in MP called. The flop came AQ3, I checked, he bet 300, and I folded. A player in MP minraised to 100 and I flatted from the button with J8cc. The blinds also called and we saw a flop of T95 2 clubs giving me a huge combo draw. They checked to me, I bet 250, and they all folded. I then was able to pick up my 3rd big hand of the level. I found AA in the cutoff and made it 125, the button called, the SB called, and the BB 3-bet to 525. I opted to flat allowing the button to call as well (the SB folded). The flop caem T74 2 spades, the 3-bettor checked, I bet 1225, and they both folded. The 3-bettor had AK. . .so I guess I missed value by just flatting. I dont hate the play just didnt really pan out this time. Maybe I should just stick it in because I know he is super strong 3-betting into a raise and 2 callers here. I think I might play too scared that my opponents are going to fold at some points and cause myself to miss value. Anyways, after picking up these big pairs, i was up to 5250 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 50-100. I limped UTG +1 with 22, one other player limped, the SB went all in for 1450, and I folded. I made it 225 from UTG with QJo, the SB called, the BB went all in for 1550, I folded, and the SB called. The SB showed down AA (for the trap) and the flop came Q high so Im lucky that the BB woke up with AK or else I probably would have lost a good portion of my stack. Speaking of losing good portions of my stack, a couple of hands later I lost a large pot on a failed bluff attempt. A player in EP made it 225 and I found 66 on the button and called. The flop came Q93 and we both checked. The turn came a 7, he bet 400, and I called. The river came a T, he checked, I put him all in for his last 2000, and he called showing 99. Hmmmm. . .first of all, I want to say that I dont dislike this play at all. In fact, I think its a pretty good play. You may be asking yourself why I would bluff in a spot where I had showdown value. To make a long answer short, the table dynamics were so as he was really tight and I was always showing down monsters. He had played as straightforward as you can get up to this point. When he checks the river I can assume that he rarely if ever has a huge hand on that board, especially when checking the flop. I didnt really have his hand absolutely ranged when I made this play but I knew that he was folding almost anything he had. He even gave it a little thought with the 999 (but not a real thought I guess). Like I said, I didnt know what he had but he is folding any Q, any T, any 9, as well as JJ 88 hands. He is never calling unless he somehow slow played a giant hand (which he did) and I wasnt lead to believe he would slowplay a giant hand becuase of how straightforward he was. Regardless of what his exact range is, I can make this play and get him to fold an extremely large percent of the time however it was unlucky that this time he actually had it. I was down to 2300 or so and went into ubertight mode (and stayed there for the entire rest of the day). A player in EP made it 225 and I found KQo in MP and went all in for 2200 after which everyone folded. I made it 225 with Q9o from MP and everyone folded. I made it 225 with 98cc from MP and the button was the only caller. The flop came QJ3 and we both checked. The turn came the Ac giving me a flush draw, I lead for 300, and he folded. I made it 225 from UTG +1 with 99 and everyone folded. I was at 2800 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 75-150. I folded for the 1st 30 minutes of this level after which I was moved to a new table. First hand at the new table, there was 1 limp to my BB and I checked the T3o. The flop came QT5 2 clubs, the SB checked, I bet 200, and the limper was the only caller. The turn was a 7 (missing all possible draws), I bet 325, and he called. The river was a 5 (another blank), I checked, and he checked behind showing a no good 99. A player UTG made it 350 and got 2 callers to me in the SB and I decided to call with KJss. The flop came AKT and I check/folded to a bet from the initial raiser. I made it 350 from MP with 77 and everyone folded. I made it 350 from UTG +2 with QJhh and everyone folded. I was at 3200 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 100-200. There were 2 weak limpers to me on the button and I made it 2500 (effective all in) with A2o and everyone folded. A LAG on the button made it 700 and I found AKo in the SB and went all in resulting in him folding. I decided to make a loose open with K7o from UTG +1, the button called, the SB 3-bet to 1700, and I had to fold. I then was able to get a nice gift double. I found AA UTG and opened to 450. It folded to the BB (gulp) who decided to just call. The flop came 322, he checked, and I thought this was a lovely board to check behind so I did. The turn came another 3, he checked, I bet 625 (looking as weak as I could), and he put me all in for my last 2500 behind. I quickly called and he showed QJo and was drawing dead and up to 7.5k or so. A player in EP made it 400 and I found A6hh in the BB and decided to call. The flop came J83, I checked, he bet 600, and I decided to give up and fold. I was at 7100 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 100-200 25. Unfortunately, a couple of hands didnt go my way and I lost my double-up with AA back. An aggressive player in EP opened to 475 and I found QTdd in the cutoff and just flatted. Alot of times I like to 3-bet here but I really didnt want him spaz 4-betting so I figured I could see a flop and then potentially make a play. The BB called also and the flop came 552. They both checked to me, I bet out 700, the BB folded, and the aggro reraised to 1750. Weird spot. . .I obviously have nothing but hes probably full of shit a good portion of the time also. I decided against the unnecessary bluff and folded my Q high. I made it 450 from the hijack with AJo and the BB was the only caller. The flop came A92, he checked, I bet 700, and he folded. I then played another interesting pot that caused me to lose some chips. A really really weak-tight older man limped in EP and it folded to me in the SB. I knew that his chips were pretty much dead money on almost any flop with which he didnt hit out of the park and a raise from the SB to iso would look super strong (especially with how tightly I had been playing) so I tried to do this with 82o by raising to an above standard 650. Unluckily for me, the BB decided to come along and the limper called as well. The flop came 766 which looked like a good enough flop to continute repping strength. I lead for 800, the BB raised to 2100, the limp folded, and I folded. The BB later told me he had a huge hand and should have 3-bet preflop but he was scared of the strength of my hand. I am pretty sure think play would have worked if it werent for him. I was back down to 4000 or so after this. There were 3 limpers to my cutoff and I found 44 and limped as well. The flop came A53, it checked to the last limper before me and he bet 550. I had played with the player enough to know that an A is never in his limping range here (and he was competent enough to know that one was rarely in mine as well and every other limper would have lead out if they had an A) and that he has tried to bluff multiway pots before so I figured I could try a float here. I called and everyone else behind folded. The turn came a 5, he checked, and I almost bet but something about that card just didnt sit right with me so I just checked behind hoping for a 4 or 2. The river came a T, he checked, and I had more than enough showdown value to check behind but I had to muck when he showed a sick 33 for threes full of 5s. Wow I dont know how I didnt try to bet the turn when I had the play setup to do so but nice save by me. The LAG in the cutoff opened to 650 and I found A7o in the SB and jammed my last 2800 or so and everyone folded. I was then moved to a new table. One of the first hands at the table, I found QQ and opened to 450 (4500 behind) and the blinds both called. The flop came A93, they checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a K, the SB lead out for 600, and I had to choke back down the vomit in my mouth before folding here. I was down to 3900 and we went on dinner break.
Level 7: 150-300 25. I came back with only 13 bigs so I had to get something going fast. I was moved to another new table and ready to go. I folded for an orbit or 2 then I found 55 UTG +2 and opened to 2500 (effective all in) and everyone folded. I then was able to get very lucky in a pot to double up. There were 2 weak limpers in EP and I was looking to shove an extremely wide range from the cutoff and found a massive AJo. I jammed and the button flatted (oops) and everyone else folded. He showed AKo and the board ran out a lucky J7297 giving me the much needed double up. I guess I was lucky to hit the jack but was actually pretty unlucky that he picked up such a monster hand here. I then won another substantial pot. An active aggro in MP opened to 800, a spewy tighter player flatted right behind, and I found AA in the hijack and 3-bet ot 2125. They both called and the flop came 975. They checked to me, I went all in for my last 6500, and they folded. I could have tried to maybe squeeze more value but it was just nice to take the pot right then and there. I was up to 13k or so. Around this time, known live and online pro James "Croll" Carroll came in and sat down right on my left with a mountian of chips and I knew he would be a pain in my ass (in terms of poker. . .I actually had conversation with him and he is a super duper nice kid). Soon after this, I played a couple of big pots that made my stack rollercoaster a little. First of these hands, I found KJo UTG and decided to open to 650 after I had folded an orbit or 2. A tight old man called from the button and the BB called as well. The flop came K43 with 2 diamonds and we checked to the button who fired 1225. The BB folded and I was legitimately concerned about him having KQ/AK here but im not going to open KJ, flop top pair, and fold so I called. The turn came an offsuit 6, I checked, and he moved all in for 4600. After much thought, I really thought that I had the best hand here a majority of the time. All in seems kind of a spazy way to play KQ/AK especially after I took so long to call the flop (but you never know with old men) plus old men love to spew out with mid-pairs like this alot of the time here as well. I called and he showed me A4dd for a pair/flush draw combo. The river came the 2d completing his flush and sending me back down to 6k in chips. Luckily, 2 hands later I was able to get my stack back up. The cutoff who was a spewy but tight player opened to 900 and I found AKo in the SB and went all in for 6k. He called pretty quickly and showed AQo and I was able to fade a split on 97735 and I doubled back up to 13k. Rollercoaster. I was at 13275 and we went to the next level.
Level 8: 200-400 50. The spewy tight player opened to 1100 in MP and I found 88 in the hijack and called. We checked to the turn on K64T where I bet 1525 and he folded. I then was able to find a good spot wo win a nice pot. The kid on my right had just sat down and looked extremely tilted having only 6000 in black chips with him (usually when someone has a bunch of just low denomination chips they have just lost a big pot and paid out their high ones leaving them with the low scraps). He had moved all in his 1st hand and everyone folded. A couple of hands later, he shoved about 7000 from MP and I found AQo right behind him and came over the top all in. Everyone else folded and he showed A8ss. The board ran out a super sick 8x3x2sJsQh having him flop his kicker and turn a flush draw but having me river my 2 outer to take his stack. I was up to 20k or so after this. Even so, I was trying to be super selective because I had croll on my right waiting to 3-bet (and in addition to him, the kid in the 1 was an online beast as well so I had to worry about him too. . .never got his name though). First time I tried to open since the KJ hand, I made it 950 from UTG +1 with 98dd and Croll obviously snap 3-bets me from UTG +2 to 2350. We were deep enough, my hand can flop pretty well, and I really didnt want to make it that easy for him to 3-bet/fold me every time so I called. The flop of Q74 came nowhere near me and I check folded to his 2600 bet after a long time in the tank, of course. He told me that he had a really big hand and he said he was being honest so I believe him. It folded to me in the SB and I made it 950 with 98o Croll called in the BB. The flop came AA7, I checked, he bet 725, and I folded and he showed a 7. I really want to make a play here but I can choose better spots (just in terms of players on the table) to do so. I know raising from SB to BB when a highly above average player is in the BB is -EV but why I did it is because he knows I know this so when I do it, I have to look super strong. I just hated to try to make a play on that flop so it isnt as bad as it sounds I think. The old man from the KJ vs A4 hand opened to 1200 from EP and I found 77 on the button and called. The BB (who was the internet giant in seat 1) 3-bet to 3075, the old man called, and I only had to put 1800 more in to try to flop a set when theres 7500 in the pot already so I called as well. The flop came KQ9 and I ended up folding when the BB lead for 2050. I was down to 14025 and we went to the next level.
Level 9: 300-600 75. I really struggled to find any spots to put chips in the pot at all during this level. I tried to make a button raise once (again, the thought process that they know that I know that they want to 3-bet button raises so when I actually do raise the button it looks strong) when it folded to me with A3dd. I made it 1325, and Croll insta 3-bet me again to 3100. I folded and he showed AQo. I folded for more or less the rest of the level. I found 66 in MP and made it 5k of my last 9500 or so and everyone folded (effective all in) but that was it. You could argue that I played maybe too tight but I honestly could not find a spot to do anything and Im pretty proud of myself and I didnt force anything and could wait for a better spot. I was down to just 9500 and we went to the next level.
Level 10: 400-800 100. I made it 5k UTG with T9dd and everyone folded. It folded to the SB who was another short stack and he went all in for his last 7500 or so. I found KTo in the BB and called and he showed 86o and the board ran out AQ9K9. It was a nice hold and I was able to get almost a full double to 17.5k. I again had some trouble finding a spot throughout the rest of hte level and was down to about 16k or so when we drew that we were going to have 6 hands remaining for the rest of the day. I folded the 1st 4 and on the 5th, I was in the BB. A player who had been extremely active with his stack over the last 40 minutes (way up and way down) pushed all in from MP for about 14k. It folded to me in the BB and I found 88. I know that he is pushing really wide here and that, because of how he is playing, his push hands are not his premium hands. I am pretty sure he will never turn a pair higher than 88 over (MAYBE 99 once in a while) because he has been so active he will be making small raises for value. Therefore, I am at worst a flip if I call here. I decided to call and he showed me KTo. The board ran out KT4Q3 (I actually turned a spade flush draw but bricked it on the river) and I lost the crucial flip. I was down to just 1300 in chips after this and we were going to play one more hand for the day in which I would undoubtably be moving all in. However, after this hand had finished, the floor called all tables to a halt to do a player count. After 10 minutes or so of sorting things, they determined that we were in the money and that the day was over with the end of the money bubble! Haha! On one hand I am ecstatic that I got my first WSOP cash but on the other it really does suck to go into a day 2 with 1.3 bbs. I guess I cant complain too much as I would rather still be in it with a shot than be out.
Like I said, I am very happy that I now have a WSOP cash on my resume but its too bad it likely wont be for very much. I am also very happy with the way I played overall today. I think I played one of my best games to get where I am, and I am an 88 beating KT away from taking a nice stack into tomorrow. Who knows, maybe the legends of "chip and a chair" are true and I will be able to run my stack back up. You never know in this crazy game. . .
Level 1: 25-25. A player in MP opened to 75 and I called from the SB with QJcc. The flop came TT3 and I check/folded. I made it 75 from the cutoff with ATo and got called by the SB. We checked down J83J9 and I was good vs his A7. I made it 75 in the hijack with 98o and the button was the only caller. The flop came T76 rainbow, I bet 125, and he folded. . .oooof. I then played an interesting pot that is up for debate as to how poorly I did or didnt play it. I made it 75 with AQdd from UTG and got 4 callers. The flop came 762 2 diamonds, I check, a caller UTG +1 bet 225, a player in LP made it 700, and I just folded my nut flush draw. The hand went out to turn the Jd and I would have had the nuts. Ugh. I dont know. . .I guess if it was an online tournament it would be a standard bet/get it in vs anyone but because it was the WSOP I nitted it up and just threw it away. I probably should be sticking it in but I cant really hate myself too much for folding. I could have done a small lead then I would have been able to flat a reraise and get it in on the turn. As it is I put in a very small amount of chips in a spot where I could (and probably should have) won a very large amount. A player in MP made it 75 adn I called the cutoff with 77. The flop came J42, he bet 125, and I folded. I call alot of times here but he looked strong so I just folded. I was at 2775 and we went to the next level.
Level 2: 25-50. I found JJ UTG and made it 125 and a player in MP and the BB called. The flop came 752, I bet 200, and the MP player was the only caller. The turn came a 2, I checked to him, he bet 300, I put him all in for his last 1100 (total), and he folded. I then was able to take the rest of his short stack. He had about 550 total and he limped UTG, another player limped in MP, and I found KK in the cutoff and made it 175. He went all in for his last 550 and I called. He showed 99 and the board ran out AAQT7 giving me the winner. I made it 125 from the cutoff with ATo, the button called, the SB called, and the BB went all in for 1700 resulting in me folding. I made it 125 from UTG with 74hh and a player in MP called. The flop came AQ3, I checked, he bet 300, and I folded. A player in MP minraised to 100 and I flatted from the button with J8cc. The blinds also called and we saw a flop of T95 2 clubs giving me a huge combo draw. They checked to me, I bet 250, and they all folded. I then was able to pick up my 3rd big hand of the level. I found AA in the cutoff and made it 125, the button called, the SB called, and the BB 3-bet to 525. I opted to flat allowing the button to call as well (the SB folded). The flop caem T74 2 spades, the 3-bettor checked, I bet 1225, and they both folded. The 3-bettor had AK. . .so I guess I missed value by just flatting. I dont hate the play just didnt really pan out this time. Maybe I should just stick it in because I know he is super strong 3-betting into a raise and 2 callers here. I think I might play too scared that my opponents are going to fold at some points and cause myself to miss value. Anyways, after picking up these big pairs, i was up to 5250 and we went to the next level.
Level 3: 50-100. I limped UTG +1 with 22, one other player limped, the SB went all in for 1450, and I folded. I made it 225 from UTG with QJo, the SB called, the BB went all in for 1550, I folded, and the SB called. The SB showed down AA (for the trap) and the flop came Q high so Im lucky that the BB woke up with AK or else I probably would have lost a good portion of my stack. Speaking of losing good portions of my stack, a couple of hands later I lost a large pot on a failed bluff attempt. A player in EP made it 225 and I found 66 on the button and called. The flop came Q93 and we both checked. The turn came a 7, he bet 400, and I called. The river came a T, he checked, I put him all in for his last 2000, and he called showing 99. Hmmmm. . .first of all, I want to say that I dont dislike this play at all. In fact, I think its a pretty good play. You may be asking yourself why I would bluff in a spot where I had showdown value. To make a long answer short, the table dynamics were so as he was really tight and I was always showing down monsters. He had played as straightforward as you can get up to this point. When he checks the river I can assume that he rarely if ever has a huge hand on that board, especially when checking the flop. I didnt really have his hand absolutely ranged when I made this play but I knew that he was folding almost anything he had. He even gave it a little thought with the 999 (but not a real thought I guess). Like I said, I didnt know what he had but he is folding any Q, any T, any 9, as well as JJ 88 hands. He is never calling unless he somehow slow played a giant hand (which he did) and I wasnt lead to believe he would slowplay a giant hand becuase of how straightforward he was. Regardless of what his exact range is, I can make this play and get him to fold an extremely large percent of the time however it was unlucky that this time he actually had it. I was down to 2300 or so and went into ubertight mode (and stayed there for the entire rest of the day). A player in EP made it 225 and I found KQo in MP and went all in for 2200 after which everyone folded. I made it 225 with Q9o from MP and everyone folded. I made it 225 with 98cc from MP and the button was the only caller. The flop came QJ3 and we both checked. The turn came the Ac giving me a flush draw, I lead for 300, and he folded. I made it 225 from UTG +1 with 99 and everyone folded. I was at 2800 and we went to the next level.
Level 4: 75-150. I folded for the 1st 30 minutes of this level after which I was moved to a new table. First hand at the new table, there was 1 limp to my BB and I checked the T3o. The flop came QT5 2 clubs, the SB checked, I bet 200, and the limper was the only caller. The turn was a 7 (missing all possible draws), I bet 325, and he called. The river was a 5 (another blank), I checked, and he checked behind showing a no good 99. A player UTG made it 350 and got 2 callers to me in the SB and I decided to call with KJss. The flop came AKT and I check/folded to a bet from the initial raiser. I made it 350 from MP with 77 and everyone folded. I made it 350 from UTG +2 with QJhh and everyone folded. I was at 3200 and we went to the next level.
Level 5: 100-200. There were 2 weak limpers to me on the button and I made it 2500 (effective all in) with A2o and everyone folded. A LAG on the button made it 700 and I found AKo in the SB and went all in resulting in him folding. I decided to make a loose open with K7o from UTG +1, the button called, the SB 3-bet to 1700, and I had to fold. I then was able to get a nice gift double. I found AA UTG and opened to 450. It folded to the BB (gulp) who decided to just call. The flop came 322, he checked, and I thought this was a lovely board to check behind so I did. The turn came another 3, he checked, I bet 625 (looking as weak as I could), and he put me all in for my last 2500 behind. I quickly called and he showed QJo and was drawing dead and up to 7.5k or so. A player in EP made it 400 and I found A6hh in the BB and decided to call. The flop came J83, I checked, he bet 600, and I decided to give up and fold. I was at 7100 and we went to the next level.
Level 6: 100-200 25. Unfortunately, a couple of hands didnt go my way and I lost my double-up with AA back. An aggressive player in EP opened to 475 and I found QTdd in the cutoff and just flatted. Alot of times I like to 3-bet here but I really didnt want him spaz 4-betting so I figured I could see a flop and then potentially make a play. The BB called also and the flop came 552. They both checked to me, I bet out 700, the BB folded, and the aggro reraised to 1750. Weird spot. . .I obviously have nothing but hes probably full of shit a good portion of the time also. I decided against the unnecessary bluff and folded my Q high. I made it 450 from the hijack with AJo and the BB was the only caller. The flop came A92, he checked, I bet 700, and he folded. I then played another interesting pot that caused me to lose some chips. A really really weak-tight older man limped in EP and it folded to me in the SB. I knew that his chips were pretty much dead money on almost any flop with which he didnt hit out of the park and a raise from the SB to iso would look super strong (especially with how tightly I had been playing) so I tried to do this with 82o by raising to an above standard 650. Unluckily for me, the BB decided to come along and the limper called as well. The flop came 766 which looked like a good enough flop to continute repping strength. I lead for 800, the BB raised to 2100, the limp folded, and I folded. The BB later told me he had a huge hand and should have 3-bet preflop but he was scared of the strength of my hand. I am pretty sure think play would have worked if it werent for him. I was back down to 4000 or so after this. There were 3 limpers to my cutoff and I found 44 and limped as well. The flop came A53, it checked to the last limper before me and he bet 550. I had played with the player enough to know that an A is never in his limping range here (and he was competent enough to know that one was rarely in mine as well and every other limper would have lead out if they had an A) and that he has tried to bluff multiway pots before so I figured I could try a float here. I called and everyone else behind folded. The turn came a 5, he checked, and I almost bet but something about that card just didnt sit right with me so I just checked behind hoping for a 4 or 2. The river came a T, he checked, and I had more than enough showdown value to check behind but I had to muck when he showed a sick 33 for threes full of 5s. Wow I dont know how I didnt try to bet the turn when I had the play setup to do so but nice save by me. The LAG in the cutoff opened to 650 and I found A7o in the SB and jammed my last 2800 or so and everyone folded. I was then moved to a new table. One of the first hands at the table, I found QQ and opened to 450 (4500 behind) and the blinds both called. The flop came A93, they checked, and I checked behind. The turn came a K, the SB lead out for 600, and I had to choke back down the vomit in my mouth before folding here. I was down to 3900 and we went on dinner break.
Level 7: 150-300 25. I came back with only 13 bigs so I had to get something going fast. I was moved to another new table and ready to go. I folded for an orbit or 2 then I found 55 UTG +2 and opened to 2500 (effective all in) and everyone folded. I then was able to get very lucky in a pot to double up. There were 2 weak limpers in EP and I was looking to shove an extremely wide range from the cutoff and found a massive AJo. I jammed and the button flatted (oops) and everyone else folded. He showed AKo and the board ran out a lucky J7297 giving me the much needed double up. I guess I was lucky to hit the jack but was actually pretty unlucky that he picked up such a monster hand here. I then won another substantial pot. An active aggro in MP opened to 800, a spewy tighter player flatted right behind, and I found AA in the hijack and 3-bet ot 2125. They both called and the flop came 975. They checked to me, I went all in for my last 6500, and they folded. I could have tried to maybe squeeze more value but it was just nice to take the pot right then and there. I was up to 13k or so. Around this time, known live and online pro James "Croll" Carroll came in and sat down right on my left with a mountian of chips and I knew he would be a pain in my ass (in terms of poker. . .I actually had conversation with him and he is a super duper nice kid). Soon after this, I played a couple of big pots that made my stack rollercoaster a little. First of these hands, I found KJo UTG and decided to open to 650 after I had folded an orbit or 2. A tight old man called from the button and the BB called as well. The flop came K43 with 2 diamonds and we checked to the button who fired 1225. The BB folded and I was legitimately concerned about him having KQ/AK here but im not going to open KJ, flop top pair, and fold so I called. The turn came an offsuit 6, I checked, and he moved all in for 4600. After much thought, I really thought that I had the best hand here a majority of the time. All in seems kind of a spazy way to play KQ/AK especially after I took so long to call the flop (but you never know with old men) plus old men love to spew out with mid-pairs like this alot of the time here as well. I called and he showed me A4dd for a pair/flush draw combo. The river came the 2d completing his flush and sending me back down to 6k in chips. Luckily, 2 hands later I was able to get my stack back up. The cutoff who was a spewy but tight player opened to 900 and I found AKo in the SB and went all in for 6k. He called pretty quickly and showed AQo and I was able to fade a split on 97735 and I doubled back up to 13k. Rollercoaster. I was at 13275 and we went to the next level.
Level 8: 200-400 50. The spewy tight player opened to 1100 in MP and I found 88 in the hijack and called. We checked to the turn on K64T where I bet 1525 and he folded. I then was able to find a good spot wo win a nice pot. The kid on my right had just sat down and looked extremely tilted having only 6000 in black chips with him (usually when someone has a bunch of just low denomination chips they have just lost a big pot and paid out their high ones leaving them with the low scraps). He had moved all in his 1st hand and everyone folded. A couple of hands later, he shoved about 7000 from MP and I found AQo right behind him and came over the top all in. Everyone else folded and he showed A8ss. The board ran out a super sick 8x3x2sJsQh having him flop his kicker and turn a flush draw but having me river my 2 outer to take his stack. I was up to 20k or so after this. Even so, I was trying to be super selective because I had croll on my right waiting to 3-bet (and in addition to him, the kid in the 1 was an online beast as well so I had to worry about him too. . .never got his name though). First time I tried to open since the KJ hand, I made it 950 from UTG +1 with 98dd and Croll obviously snap 3-bets me from UTG +2 to 2350. We were deep enough, my hand can flop pretty well, and I really didnt want to make it that easy for him to 3-bet/fold me every time so I called. The flop of Q74 came nowhere near me and I check folded to his 2600 bet after a long time in the tank, of course. He told me that he had a really big hand and he said he was being honest so I believe him. It folded to me in the SB and I made it 950 with 98o Croll called in the BB. The flop came AA7, I checked, he bet 725, and I folded and he showed a 7. I really want to make a play here but I can choose better spots (just in terms of players on the table) to do so. I know raising from SB to BB when a highly above average player is in the BB is -EV but why I did it is because he knows I know this so when I do it, I have to look super strong. I just hated to try to make a play on that flop so it isnt as bad as it sounds I think. The old man from the KJ vs A4 hand opened to 1200 from EP and I found 77 on the button and called. The BB (who was the internet giant in seat 1) 3-bet to 3075, the old man called, and I only had to put 1800 more in to try to flop a set when theres 7500 in the pot already so I called as well. The flop came KQ9 and I ended up folding when the BB lead for 2050. I was down to 14025 and we went to the next level.
Level 9: 300-600 75. I really struggled to find any spots to put chips in the pot at all during this level. I tried to make a button raise once (again, the thought process that they know that I know that they want to 3-bet button raises so when I actually do raise the button it looks strong) when it folded to me with A3dd. I made it 1325, and Croll insta 3-bet me again to 3100. I folded and he showed AQo. I folded for more or less the rest of the level. I found 66 in MP and made it 5k of my last 9500 or so and everyone folded (effective all in) but that was it. You could argue that I played maybe too tight but I honestly could not find a spot to do anything and Im pretty proud of myself and I didnt force anything and could wait for a better spot. I was down to just 9500 and we went to the next level.
Level 10: 400-800 100. I made it 5k UTG with T9dd and everyone folded. It folded to the SB who was another short stack and he went all in for his last 7500 or so. I found KTo in the BB and called and he showed 86o and the board ran out AQ9K9. It was a nice hold and I was able to get almost a full double to 17.5k. I again had some trouble finding a spot throughout the rest of hte level and was down to about 16k or so when we drew that we were going to have 6 hands remaining for the rest of the day. I folded the 1st 4 and on the 5th, I was in the BB. A player who had been extremely active with his stack over the last 40 minutes (way up and way down) pushed all in from MP for about 14k. It folded to me in the BB and I found 88. I know that he is pushing really wide here and that, because of how he is playing, his push hands are not his premium hands. I am pretty sure he will never turn a pair higher than 88 over (MAYBE 99 once in a while) because he has been so active he will be making small raises for value. Therefore, I am at worst a flip if I call here. I decided to call and he showed me KTo. The board ran out KT4Q3 (I actually turned a spade flush draw but bricked it on the river) and I lost the crucial flip. I was down to just 1300 in chips after this and we were going to play one more hand for the day in which I would undoubtably be moving all in. However, after this hand had finished, the floor called all tables to a halt to do a player count. After 10 minutes or so of sorting things, they determined that we were in the money and that the day was over with the end of the money bubble! Haha! On one hand I am ecstatic that I got my first WSOP cash but on the other it really does suck to go into a day 2 with 1.3 bbs. I guess I cant complain too much as I would rather still be in it with a shot than be out.
Like I said, I am very happy that I now have a WSOP cash on my resume but its too bad it likely wont be for very much. I am also very happy with the way I played overall today. I think I played one of my best games to get where I am, and I am an 88 beating KT away from taking a nice stack into tomorrow. Who knows, maybe the legends of "chip and a chair" are true and I will be able to run my stack back up. You never know in this crazy game. . .
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