More No Limit tips

I have been reading the forums at Card Runners and watching more videos. Here is a summary:

1. Poker Tracker stats - I need to be more aggressive preflop. My preflop raise percentage should be much closer to my VPIP. My aggression factor should be above 3. My raise and vpip from the button should be 3-4x as large as when I am UTG.

2. Timing tells - a quick check on the flop after you raise someone before the flop is usually a sign of strength and they want you to bet. A long pause before they check is usually weak and they will fold to a continuation bet. However if you have a medium strength hand, you may want to check behind and induce a bluff to get more value out of the hand.

Beat the Queen

Last Saturday night, my friend Kim decided to host a poker tournament at a friend’s house. Kim is the one who won the WSOP Main Event seat at the Super Bowl Celebrity Poker Tournament that I played in a couple of months ago.

The flyer was pretty funny because they had photo shopped her face into the Queen of Hearts. $20 buy in with free food and drinks. How can I not play?

The structure was a joke, but it’s what I have come to expect from a tournament put together by Jeff. They always want to get it done quick so they can squeeze in another one. There never is another one. 17 of us started with 1000 in chips and the blinds started at 25-50. Ten minute levels. Yes that’s right, 10 minute levels in a live tournament.

Jeff asked me to be a full time dealer to try and move the game along. I think I started UTG+2, and we were in the third level at 100-200 before I had paid the blinds twice. That’s 18 hands in 30 minutes.

Who cares! The food was good and the drinks were free.

Somewhere in the 3rd level, I found pocket fives in early position. Since everyone seemed to be averse to playing for a raise preflop, I raised to 600. I think I started with a little less than 2000. The big stack on my left was the only one to make the call.

I dealt out the flop and it was Q-Q-5. I checked, slow playing my full house. She decided to bet more than half my remaining stack. I moved all in and she called with Ace high. That brought my stack up over 4000.

Since there were only 17,000 chips in play, the eliminations were coming fast. I did not have any hands to play for a while so I was blinded down a bit until we consolidated the table.

For some reason, Jeff decided to consolidate when we had 11 players. The blinds were 400-800 and I was down to 1000 chips. I was lucky enough to have the button, but I was not real interested in being patient since my butt was sore from the metal folding chair and I did not figure I would have much of a chance to win.

So with one early caller and 8-7 offsuit, I decided to put it all in. The big blind called and the limper called and I have a chance to triple up. The flop was 8 high and the turn brought another 8. Both of the other players checked it down and I more than tripled up.

A couple of hands later, I moved all in with Ace Queen and was called by Ace-10. My hand held up and suddenly I had a little room to breathe. The other players started busting at a furious pace and before I knew it, there were four players left and I was the chip leader.

By this time the blinds were 500-1000. This is where my sit and go experience really paid off. That plus an absolute sick run of cards. I think I moved all in 7 of the next 10 hands. Most were won uncontested, and I think I busted one player who decided to make a stand. It looked ridiculous to the other players, but it seemed every hand I was dealt had an Ace or a pocket pair.

We finally made it down to heads up and I had 15,500 in chips and Rob had 1,500. Rob was ready to just give me the first place check, but I convinced him to play it out. (Why I’m so honest, I don’t know). I put him all in and he won. Then he rivered a set of 7’s to win another pot. I was still catching good cards and putting him all in whenever I could, so he was not getting much traction.

I thought I had him beat again, but this time he made a flush on the river and now he had 6000 to my 11,000. Here is the final hand.

I post 1000 in the big blind and Rob posts 500 on the button. He completes the blind and I decide to see a flop with Jack Ten offsuit. The flop is J-7-5 rainbow. I decide to try and slow play my top pair and check the flop. Rob checks behind me.

The turn is a Queen, so now the board is J-7-5-Q. I bet 1,000 and Rob moves all in. Fuck! Did my slow play just bite me in the Ass? Looking back on it, I should have folded. Rob was quiet and not trying to talk me into a call. There’s really nothing I beat except a total bluff. Probably due to my brain being frazzled from doing all the dealing, I called.

Rob said, “How big is your Queen?”

I reply, “I have a Jack”

“Good, I have Jacks and 7’s”, says Rob.

He slowplayed by checking his two pair through on the flop. So now I need a ten.

The river is a Queen to make the board J-7-5-Q-Q. Now Rob has the chip lead. Wait a second! I now have two pair with a 10 kicker and Rob has two pair with the 7 kicker. I win!!!!!!

All Rob could talk about the rest of the night was how lucky I was on the last hand. He keeps forgetting about the times he got lucky to stay alive, but that’s usually how poker players think. You never remember the hands you get lucky on, but you can describe in explicit detail, the bad beats you have taken in your life.

Besides netting $120 in profit, there may be an ancillary benefit from this win. I have told Kim that I am willing to pay $8,000 for her WSOP Main Event seat. She claims that she is not allowed to sell it since the sponsor is buying her in directly. I’m sure there is a way around this once you get to Las Vegas.

This win should be another clue that I am serious about more poker game and that I have a much better chance of making her some money in the tournament than she does playing on her own.

New way to play Ace-Jack?

The latest Card Runners video I studied spoke about timing tells. I don’t quite know if you can classify it as quick bet = good hand and slow bet = bad hand, but it’s definitely something to take notes on while I am playing.

I was impressed on how the instructor was very good at reading the hands of his opponents based on how long they took when it was their turn.

I am also going to try and spend 5 minutes after playing a session and review my hand histories on Poker Tracker. He suggests looking at your biggest wins and losses and looking for ways to improve.

On Monday I did some digging in my Poker Tracker stats and found out that my biggest money losing hand in No Limit is Ace-Jack suited. My first instinct was that maybe I was playing the hand too much and losing to AK or AQ. After reviewing all 60 of the hands on replayer, I discovered that my real problem was that I was not aggressive enough.

Most of my losing hands were from either calling a raise in position and missing the flop, or raising the hand and not making a c-bet on the flop. I now think that AJs in position is a re-raising hand. Take control of the pot and fire at 90% of the flops and I should win a lot more of these hands. If I get resistance and I have nothing, it’s an easy fold. If I flop the Ace or the Jack as top pair and my opponent is still in the hand, betting or raising, then the hand becomes tough to play. Depending on the opponent, it may be a fold on the turn or river if they keep betting.

Sharpening The Saw

The title of this post is from the classic book, "7 Habits of Highly Successful People". I purchased a subscription to Card Runners last week in order to improve my cash game play. It's a little pricey, but hopefully it will pay off and get me to a higher level of play.

I have watched two of their videos now and here are some of the things I picked up:

1. I need to raise more often. Raptor will raise almost any two cards on the button. He also raises almost any suited connector from anywhere. He also 3 bets quite often.

2. Position is even more important than I thought ( I already gave it a lot of credit, but I think I need to double it).

3. It's better to play a small pocket pair against a tight player out of position than a loose aggressive one. If I hit the set against a tight player, the chances are greater that the tight player has a big hand since he raised preflop. If my opponent has the big hand then I will make more money on my set.

If it's a loose aggressive player, then many times I may be folding the best hand to a continuation bet on the flop because the LAG will bet almost any flop and it will be really tough to play the pot out of position. Even when I hit the set, I may not make as much because it's likely the LAG doesn't have any type of hand that can stand up to a raise.

4. When you start to move up and play against some of the same players more than once, it can be very profitable to try and make their lives miserable if you have position on them. Every time they limp, raise them. Every time they raise, try reraising them. Eventually they blow up and lose their stack by calling you down with bottom pair.

My theory is getting better, but my practice still needs work. I dusted off two $50 buy ins last night by running my pair of Aces with King kicker into a set and Aces up into a flopped straight.

I should have gotten away from the AK hand after his 3rd raise on the flop. There was not much I could do about the two pair hand.

On a positve note, the Wednesday game seems to be back on. We played at Greg's the first week back, and Scott's last Wednesday. I bubbled in third place the first week and won last week.

The third place finish was about all I could squeeze out of my terrible cards. I don't think I had a pocket pair higher than 8's and flopped nothing better than one pair the whole night. I was just happy to still be in the game with 3 left.

Last week I accomplished a first for me. We had 6 players and I eliminated everyone one of my opponents at the table. It came down to heads up versus Mike. The heads up part lasted a long time for our game. I had him all in a couple of times with the best hand and he sucked out. Another time I had pocket Kings and he got me to lay it down when an Ace hit the flop. He had ten high on that hand and admitted that I had been so aggressive that he felt he needed to make a stand. Finally I won with bottom pair, Ace kicker when he called with bottom pair, terrible kicker.

I also have won my way into Step 3 on the Poker Stars WSOP Step challenge. I got really lucky when with 13x the blind and 5 players left, I pushed all in with Ace-8 on the button and was snap called by pocket 10's. I spiked an Ace and that gave me a comfortable stack that allowed me to wait until the big stack donkey made a critical mistake. I eventually busted him when I flopped a pair of Aces and he decided to bet all of his chips with second pair.

One little wrinkle that I noticed about the steps tournament is that when you get to the final level 6, there is only 1 WSOP package available. You win $2,500 in addition to the seat. I think 2nd through 5th place win money as well. However, if you don't win the seat, you need to take the money and buy back into step. They don't let you back into level 6 or level 5.

How to go deep in a tournament with only one double up

I tried another Battle of the Bloggers tourney on Monday night. It was frustrating to say the least. I have copied most of the hands I actually played into this blog to show my strategy throughout the tournament. I appreciate any feedback from my handful of readers.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6038387309: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:01:00 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (3,000)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,000)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,000)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,000)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (3,000)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,000)
OMGitsPokerFool posts the small blind of 15
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Jh 9h]
Joanne1111: hola all
twoblackaces has 15 seconds left to act
twoblackaces folds
twoblackaces: hi folks
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 90
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman has 15 seconds left to act
emptyman is sitting out
emptyman has timed out
emptyman folds
OMGitsPokerFool has 15 seconds left to act
OMGitsPokerFool is sitting out
OMGitsPokerFool has timed out
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (75)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 75 Rake 0
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: twoblackaces didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (75), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)


I like to raise the first hand to set the tone and usually half of the players are not paying attention or know that the tournament has started. Now I am table chip leader 



Full Tilt Poker Game #6038429366: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:04:11 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (2,985), is sitting out
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,940)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,075)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,045)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (3,000)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,955), is sitting out
twoblackaces posts the small blind of 15
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ah 8d]
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd folds
twoblackaces raises to 90
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 300
twoblackaces has 15 seconds left to act
twoblackaces folds
Uncalled bet of 210 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (180)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 180 Rake 0
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) collected (180), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

It was folded to the small blind and he raised in a steal attempt. I am still trying to establish my image as someone you don’t fuck with, so I reraise in position. Twoblackaces folds and hopefully he will leave my blind alone when it gets bigger.




Full Tilt Poker Game #6038458895: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:06:24 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (2,985), is sitting out
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,925)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,060)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,120)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (3,000)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,910), is sitting out
twoblackaces posts the small blind of 15
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [2h 3s]
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd folds
twoblackaces folds
Uncalled bet of 15 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (30)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 Rake 0
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) collected (30), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

One rotation later, twoblackaces gives me a walk in the big blind.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6038467394: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:07:04 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (2,985), is sitting out
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,970)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,045)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,120)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (2,970)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,910), is sitting out
Joanne1111 posts the small blind of 15
emptyman posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [3s Ac]
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd folds
twoblackaces folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 90
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (75)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 75 Rake 0
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: twoblackaces didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) collected (75), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman (big blind) folded before the Flop

I steal on the button.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6038477556: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:07:50 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (2,955), is sitting out
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,015)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,045)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,165)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (2,955)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,865), is sitting out
OMGitsPokerFool posts the small blind of 15
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ah Kh]
twoblackaces folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 90
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (75)
OMGitsPokerFool has returned
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 75 Rake 0
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: twoblackaces didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (75), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)

This table seems tight, I get no action with big slick.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6038488156: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:08:38 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool (2,985)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,970)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (3,045)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,180)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (2,955)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,865), is sitting out
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 15
Joanne1111 posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [7s 7d]
emptyman folds
OMGitsPokerFool folds
cemfredmd calls 30
twoblackaces folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 15
Joanne1111 checks
*** FLOP *** [Ah Qd Ad]
Poker_Bully1 checks
Joanne1111 bets 90
cemfredmd calls 90
Poker_Bully1 folds
*** TURN *** [Ah Qd Ad] [Ac]
Joanne1111 checks
cemfredmd checks
*** RIVER *** [Ah Qd Ad Ac] [8c]
Joanne1111 checks
cemfredmd checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Joanne1111 shows [4h Kh] three of a kind, Aces
cemfredmd shows [Ks Ts] three of a kind, Aces
Joanne1111 ties for the pot (135) with three of a kind, Aces
cemfredmd ties for the pot (135) with three of a kind, Aces
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 270 Rake 0
Board: [Ah Qd Ad Ac 8c]
Seat 1: OMGitsPokerFool didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd showed [Ks Ts] and won (135) with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 3: twoblackaces (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (big blind) showed [4h Kh] and won (135) with three of a kind, Aces
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I am set mining with my pocket 7’s in the small blind. The flop looks good as since there are 2 Aces on the board there is less chance that one of them has one. I think about betting the flop, but I wuss out. Since there was a follow up bet and a call, I decide I am hopelessly behind and fold. Bad decision, since I was up against 4hKh and KsTs. I’m sure the 270 was all I could have won, so not a huge mistake.





Full Tilt Poker Game #6038585375: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:15:57 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (3,895)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,035)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (1,075)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,190)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (6,855)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,845)
cemfredmd posts the small blind of 20
twoblackaces posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [3d 3h]
Poker_Bully1 raises to 100
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
cemfredmd folds
twoblackaces folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (100)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory is sitting out
Seat 2: cemfredmd (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: twoblackaces (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (100), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)

Another example of tight table. I like to raise 2.5x the BB utg since I lose less if I get reraised and have to fold. Plus to a lot of people it looks like a stronger play. They think I am raising small because I have a big pocket pair and want action.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6038589997: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:16:18 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (3,895)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,015)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (1,035)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,250)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (6,855)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,845)
twoblackaces posts the small blind of 20
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [6h 6s]
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory raises to 120
cemfredmd folds
twoblackaces folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 80
*** FLOP *** [9s 8c 4c]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 bets 120
hellory raises to 440
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 320 returned to hellory
hellory mucks
hellory wins the pot (500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 Rake 0
Board: [9s 8c 4c]
Seat 1: hellory collected (500), mucked
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

The very next hand I get another pocket pair. Once again I am looking for a set. The flop looks dry, so I decide to lead out and see where I am at. Hellory tells me pretty quick, and I fold.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6038615299: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:18:12 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (4,175)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,015)
Seat 3: twoblackaces (1,075)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,970)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (6,875)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,785)
hellory posts the small blind of 20
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [5d 4d]
twoblackaces folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 120
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (100)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: twoblackaces didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (100), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)

Another successful steal attempt.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6038706812: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:25:05 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (4,955)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,835)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,020)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (7,470)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,615)
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 25
Joanne1111 posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Tc 9h]
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 25
Joanne1111 checks
*** FLOP *** [Th Js 3d]
Poker_Bully1 bets 75
Joanne1111 folds
Uncalled bet of 75 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (100)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 Rake 0
Board: [Th Js 3d]
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (100), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I edited a couple of other hands out, but this is getting ridiculous. There is no action on this table.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6038743994: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:27:53 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (4,605)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,110)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,970)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (7,520)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,690)
Joanne1111 posts the small blind of 25
emptyman posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [9s 9c]
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 150
Joanne1111 calls 125
emptyman folds
*** FLOP *** [2c 8c 7c]
Joanne1111 checks
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 bets 250
Joanne1111 folds
Uncalled bet of 250 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (350)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 350 Rake 0
Board: [2c 8c 7c]
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) collected (350), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman (big blind) folded before the Flop

Still no action


Full Tilt Poker Game #6038776590: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:30:19 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (5,055)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,935)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,195)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (7,370)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,340)
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 25
Joanne1111 posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Jd 9d]
emptyman folds
hellory has 15 seconds left to act
hellory raises to 150
cemfredmd folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 125
Joanne1111 folds
*** FLOP *** [4c Qc 8s]
Poker_Bully1 checks
hellory bets 200
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 650
hellory folds
Uncalled bet of 450 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (750)
The blinds are now 30/60
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 750 Rake 0
Board: [4c Qc 8s]
Seat 1: hellory folded on the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (750), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I am in the small blind and hellory has been pretty active preflop. I call hoping to flop something. The flop is very dry and I decide to throw in the check raise with the inside straight draw. What do you know, it worked!


Full Tilt Poker Game #6038876985: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:37:48 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (5,005)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,455)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,723)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,715)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (6,900)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,280)
cemfredmd posts the small blind of 30
pvanharibo posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [8s 8c]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 150
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman raises to 420
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 270 returned to emptyman
emptyman mucks
emptyman wins the pot (390)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 390 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman collected (390), mucked

I had raised two hands preflop in the previous 10 and won the blinds. Emptyman reraises a little less than 3x my bet. Its 270 to call in a pot of 660 and I am out of position. Emptyman has about 2800 left after his raise. I decide that he doesn’t have enough chips for the implied odds to call. I think it’s raise or fold, so I fold and wait for a better spot. Is this too tight?



Full Tilt Poker Game #6038916651: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:40:44 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (5,335)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,245)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,843)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,445)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (6,810)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,400)
hellory posts the small blind of 30
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [9h Th]
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 60
Joanne1111 raises to 220
emptyman folds
hellory calls 190
cemfredmd folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 calls 160
*** FLOP *** [2d 4h 2h]
hellory checks
Poker_Bully1 checks
Joanne1111 bets 720
hellory has 15 seconds left to act
hellory calls 720
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 calls 720
*** TURN *** [2d 4h 2h] [9d]
hellory checks
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 checks
Joanne1111 bets 5,870, and is all in
hellory calls 4,395, and is all in
Poker_Bully1 folds
Joanne1111 shows [Kd Ks]
hellory shows [4d 4s]
Uncalled bet of 1,475 returned to Joanne1111
*** RIVER *** [2d 4h 2h 9d] [5d]
Joanne1111 shows two pair, Kings and Twos
hellory shows a full house, Fours full of Twos
hellory wins the pot (11,670) with a full house, Fours full of Twos
The blinds are now 40/80
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,670 Rake 0
Board: [2d 4h 2h 9d 5d]
Seat 1: hellory (small blind) showed [4d 4s] and won (11,670) with a full house, Fours full of Twos
Seat 2: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 folded on the Turn
Seat 5: Joanne1111 showed [Kd Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Twos
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)

I try to limp in with suited connectors and call a raise behind me along with one other player. Since I am in bad position and the pot is already a little big, I check the flop hoping to hit my flush cheaply. Instead there is a pot sized bet and a call. The flop is pretty dry, so I am assuming that one or both players have over pairs and I could win a good amount of money if I hit.

I catch my 9 on the turn, but I am not too excited. I check and all hell breaks loose. It’s an easy fold. Avoided disaster on this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6038969412: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:44:41 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,790)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,145)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (6,683)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,385)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,475)
Seat 6: emptyman (4,600)
emptyman posts the small blind of 40
hellory posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ks Ad]
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 240
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman calls 200
hellory folds
*** FLOP *** [2h Kc Jc]
emptyman checks
Poker_Bully1 bets 400
emptyman folds
Uncalled bet of 400 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (560)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 560 Rake 0
Board: [2h Kc Jc]
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (560), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (small blind) folded on the Flop

I get a little action with AK, but not much. I am still below my starting stack.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6039008792: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:47:38 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,790)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,865)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,203)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,705)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,395)
Seat 6: emptyman (4,120)
Joanne1111 posts the small blind of 40
emptyman posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Tc 9c]
hellory has 15 seconds left to act
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo has 15 seconds left to act
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 240
hellory: ugh. nh
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman calls 160
*** FLOP *** [9s 5c Th]
emptyman checks
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 bets 350
hellory: did you just see my JJ < QJo
emptyman folds
Uncalled bet of 350 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (520)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 520 Rake 0
Board: [9s 5c Th]
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) collected (520), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman (big blind) folded on the Flop

I hit my flop and I guess I bet too much. 520 in the pot and I bet $350 on the flop. Maybe I should be extra tricky and try checking it through? Seems a little risky with the straight draw out there. Hmmm.





Full Tilt Poker Game #6039074699: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:52:30 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,760)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,825)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,213)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,035)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,235)
Seat 6: emptyman (4,010)
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 50
Joanne1111 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ah 3c]
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 300
Joanne1111 raises to 1,235, and is all in
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 935 returned to Joanne1111
Joanne1111 mucks
Joanne1111 wins the pot (600)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 600 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (big blind) collected (600), mucked
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I had raised a couple of hands and won the blinds in the previous rotation. Joanne1111 seemed to really be nursing her short stack. I was hoping to win her blind and she came over the top. It’s 900 to win 1235 so I don’t think I had the odds to make the crying call.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039089857: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:53:38 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,760)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,825)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,563)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,735)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,485)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,710)
emptyman posts the small blind of 50
hellory posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [3h 3d]
cemfredmd has 15 seconds left to act
cemfredmd calls 100
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 100
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman calls 50
hellory checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs 8s 6d]
emptyman checks
hellory checks
cemfredmd checks
Poker_Bully1 bets 300
Joanne1111 has been disconnected
emptyman folds
Joanne1111 has reconnected
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
Uncalled bet of 300 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (400)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 Rake 0
Board: [Qs 8s 6d]
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd folded on the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (400), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (small blind) folded on the Flop

I am still waiting to hit my set. Since I was in position I figured a bet would take it down on the flop and I was right.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6039114564: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:55:30 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,760)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,575)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,463)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,035)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,485)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,760)
pvanharibo posts the small blind of 50
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [5c Ah]
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo raises to 300
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 1,000
pvanharibo has 15 seconds left to act
pvanharibo folds
Uncalled bet of 700 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (600)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 600 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) collected (600), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I decide to defend my big blind again, and it works again.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6039185560: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:00:55 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,360)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,425)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,613)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,135)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,085)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,460)
emptyman posts the small blind of 50
hellory posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [8d 8s]
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 300
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman has 15 seconds left to act
emptyman folds
hellory folds
Uncalled bet of 200 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (250)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 250 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (250), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (small blind) folded before the Flop

I have edited a few hands out, but I think this is the 4th time I have picked up this hand. 3 times I win the blinds and one other time, I get reraised and fold preflop.

On a side note, while reviewing this hand history I am noticing that hellory was raising a ton preflop and seemed to be playing quite well.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6039264618: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:06:57 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,380)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,305)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,613)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,285)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,085)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,410)
cemfredmd posts the small blind of 60
pvanharibo posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [5s 6s]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 300
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo raises to 960
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 660 returned to pvanharibo
pvanharibo mucks
pvanharibo wins the pot (660)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 660 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (big blind) collected (660), mucked
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I get caught trying to be a little tricky. Instead of chasing my hand out of position, I decide to fold and wait for a better spot. I am still at my starting stack level.



Full Tilt Poker Game #6039298310: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:09:34 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,350)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,245)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,973)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,805)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,115)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,590)
pvanharibo posts the small blind of 60
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [5s As]
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory raises to 360
cemfredmd has 15 seconds left to act
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 240 returned to hellory
hellory mucks
hellory wins the pot (300)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 300 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory collected (300), mucked
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

This was probably an opportunity to move all in and resteal. I missed it. Probably because “How I Met Your Mother” was on TV and I was laughing my ass off.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039305865: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:10:09 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,530)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (1,245)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,913)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,685)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (1,115)
Seat 6: emptyman (3,590)
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 60
Joanne1111 posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Qc Qh]
emptyman has 15 seconds left to act
pvanharibo has been disconnected
emptyman folds
hellory folds
pvanharibo has reconnected
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 360
Joanne1111 folds
Uncalled bet of 240 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (240)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (240), mucked
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I really need to get action on these hands if I am going to have any chance of winning this tournament.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039365344: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:14:44 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (11,810)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,390)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (7,733)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,045)
Seat 5: Joanne1111 (755)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,345)
hellory posts the small blind of 60
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [6s 6d]
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 360
Joanne1111 folds
emptyman folds
hellory raises to 1,200
cemfredmd folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 840 returned to hellory
hellory mucks
hellory wins the pot (840)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 840 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (small blind) collected (840), mucked
Seat 2: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Joanne1111 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)

Good old hellory is pushing around the table. Should I have pushed all in? I have no fold equity on the reraise. I am not ready to race for my stack yet.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039411545: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:18:19 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,050)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,130)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (9,048)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,505)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,345)
pvanharibo posts the small blind of 80
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ac Jh]
emptyman folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo raises to 480
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 2,505, and is all in
pvanharibo calls 2,025
Poker_Bully1 shows [Ac Jh]
pvanharibo shows [4s 4d]
*** FLOP *** [6h Jc 7h]
*** TURN *** [6h Jc 7h] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [6h Jc 7h Tc] [9s]
Poker_Bully1 shows a pair of Jacks
pvanharibo shows a pair of Fours
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (5,010) with a pair of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,010 Rake 0
Board: [6h Jc 7h Tc 9s]
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (small blind) showed [4s 4d] and lost with a pair of Fours
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) showed [Ac Jh] and won (5,010) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 6: emptyman didn't bet (folded)

I defend my blind again. I would not have put pocket 4’s in pvanharibo’s calling range, but oh well. I get a little lucky and finally have a little breathing room and I am above my starting stack.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039442232: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:20:41 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,050)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,890)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (6,543)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,770)
Seat 6: emptyman (2,825)
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 80
emptyman posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [9h Jh]
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 80
emptyman checks
*** FLOP *** [3h 4h 2s]
Poker_Bully1 checks
emptyman bets 320
Poker_Bully1 calls 320
*** TURN *** [3h 4h 2s] [Jd]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 bets 350
emptyman has 15 seconds left to act
emptyman has requested TIME
emptyman folds
Uncalled bet of 350 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (960)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 960 Rake 0
Board: [3h 4h 2s Jd]
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (960), mucked
Seat 6: emptyman (big blind) folded on the Turn

I limp in the small blind with a decent hand. Usually I would raise, but I wanted to see a flop, since I had seen so few in this tournament. It looks good since I picked up the flush and overcards. Emptyman could have anything when he bets that flop, so I call. I hit the Jack and now I am ready to get my whole stack in if necessary. I lead out trying to build the pot. Emptyman folds.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039489037: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:24:16 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,050)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,730)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (9,288)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (5,010)
Seat 5: willwonka (4,155)
cemfredmd posts the small blind of 80
pvanharibo posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Jd As]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 480
willwonka has 15 seconds left to act
willwonka folds
hellory folds
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Uncalled bet of 320 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (400)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (400), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka didn't bet (folded)


Ace Jack is very good to me this tournament.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039540710: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:28:15 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,410)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (3,000)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (9,548)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,710)
Seat 5: willwonka (3,565)
willwonka posts the small blind of 100
hellory posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [6h 6s]
cemfredmd folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 600
Evy35 sits down
Evy35 adds 3,870
willwonka has 15 seconds left to act
Evy35: hello
willwonka folds
hellory folds
Uncalled bet of 400 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: cemfredmd didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) collected (500), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (small blind) folded before the Flop

No action again.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039569161: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:30:29 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (12,410)
Seat 2: cemfredmd (2,700)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (8,548)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,710)
Seat 5: willwonka (3,265)
Seat 6: Evy35 (5,470)
willwonka posts the small blind of 100
Evy35 posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Ad Qh]
hellory folds
cemfredmd raises to 2,700, and is all in
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
willwonka folds
Evy35 folds
Uncalled bet of 2,500 returned to cemfredmd
cemfredmd mucks
cemfredmd wins the pot (500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: cemfredmd collected (500), mucked
Seat 3: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: willwonka (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Evy35 (big blind) folded before the Flop

Cembredmd pushes 13x the big blind in early position. I had not seen him get out of line yet and he had not been raising too many hands preflop. I decide to let AQ go.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039676261: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:39:00 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (14,950)
Seat 2: ScottMc (6,855)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (11,573)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,975)
Seat 5: willwonka (3,065)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
pvanharibo: evy
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 120
willwonka posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Jc Kh]
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 700
willwonka folds
Uncalled bet of 460 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (605)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 605 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (605), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (big blind) folded before the Flop

I hate KJo but I have to raise it if it’s folded to me in the small blind. No action is good here.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039691327: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:40:12 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,000)
Seat 2: ScottMc (6,030)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (11,498)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (5,265)
Seat 5: willwonka (3,625)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
ScottMc posts the small blind of 120
pvanharibo posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [As Jc]
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 raises to 700
willwonka folds
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo has 15 seconds left to act
pvanharibo raises to 2,222
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 1,522 returned to pvanharibo
pvanharibo mucks
pvanharibo wins the pot (1,645)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,645 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (big blind) collected (1,645), mucked
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: willwonka folded before the Flop

Probably not the best time to raise AJ under the gun. Folded before I make a bigger mistake.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039700333: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:40:56 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (14,975)
Seat 2: ScottMc (5,885)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,418)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,540)
Seat 5: willwonka (3,600)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
pvanharibo posts the small blind of 120
Poker_Bully1 posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Jh Ac]
willwonka folds
riggstad (Observer): should've stayed on the PLO tables Scott
hellory raises to 560
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
ScottMc: you bust it up?
Poker_Bully1 calls 320
*** FLOP *** [3d Qd 9h]
Poker_Bully1 checks
hellory bets 720
riggstad (Observer): well that and this friggin tourny blows
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 720 returned to hellory
hellory mucks
hellory wins the pot (1,365)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,365 Rake 0
Board: [3d Qd 9h]
Seat 1: hellory collected (1,365), mucked
Seat 2: ScottMc (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: willwonka folded before the Flop

OK now I am playing like a pussy. The min raise to 560 concerned me, since he had been raising to 3x the blind all the other hundred times hellory raised. I just call and fold the inside straight draw to his continuation bet.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039723519: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:42:46 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,465)
Seat 2: ScottMc (4,320)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,708)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,785)
Seat 5: willwonka (5,140)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
hellory posts the small blind of 120
ScottMc posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [As Qc]
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 700
willwonka folds
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
Uncalled bet of 460 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (725)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 725 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (725), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (button) folded before the Flop

Raise and everyone folds again, sigh.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039735967: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:43:46 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,270)
Seat 2: ScottMc (3,885)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,758)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (3,955)
Seat 5: willwonka (5,550)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 120
willwonka posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [9s 5s]
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 750
willwonka folds
Uncalled bet of 510 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (605)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 605 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (605), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (big blind) folded before the Flop

Folded to me in small blind and I steal.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039742924: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:44:19 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,465)
Seat 2: ScottMc (3,835)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,708)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,270)
Seat 5: willwonka (5,140)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
hellory posts the small blind of 120
ScottMc posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [As Qh]
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 750
willwonka folds
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
Uncalled bet of 510 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (725)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 725 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 collected (725), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (button) folded before the Flop

Two hands later and I raise again with no callers.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039777850: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:47:06 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,730)
Seat 2: ScottMc (4,920)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,308)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,205)
Seat 5: willwonka (4,255)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
willwonka posts the small blind of 150
hellory posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [5c Ad]
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 900
willwonka folds
hellory folds
Uncalled bet of 600 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (875)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 875 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) collected (875), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (small blind) folded before the Flop

Another steal on the button. Someone will play with me eventually right?


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039805183: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:49:19 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (15,155)
Seat 2: ScottMc (5,495)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (12,308)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (4,205)
Seat 5: willwonka (4,255)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
willwonka posts the small blind of 150
hellory posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [6c 4c]
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 calls 300
willwonka calls 150
hellory checks
*** FLOP *** [9s Kc 3d]
willwonka checks
hellory checks
Poker_Bully1 checks
*** TURN *** [9s Kc 3d] [Ad]
willwonka checks
hellory checks
Poker_Bully1 has 15 seconds left to act
Poker_Bully1 bets 500
Loretta8 sits down
Loretta8 adds 13,865
willwonka raises to 3,930, and is all in
hellory folds
Poker_Bully1 folds
Uncalled bet of 3,430 returned to willwonka
willwonka mucks
willwonka wins the pot (2,025)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,025 Rake 0
Board: [9s Kc 3d Ad]
Seat 1: hellory (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 5: willwonka (small blind) collected (2,025), mucked

I decide to limp on the button, first in the pot because I want to see a flop. The flop is no good. The turn is an Ace and everyone checks to me for the second time. This looks like an orphaned pot so I bet. Willwonka immediately check raises me all in. I have no idea what he had, but I’m sure it was better than 6 high.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6039859039: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:53:44 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (18,330)
Seat 2: ScottMc (5,545)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (11,158)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,405)
Seat 5: willwonka (5,380)
Seat 6: Loretta8 (12,465)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
Loretta8 antes 25
Poker_Bully1 posts the small blind of 150
willwonka posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [4c 3c]
Loretta8 folds
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 2,380, and is all in
willwonka has 15 seconds left to act
willwonka folds
Uncalled bet of 2,080 returned to Poker_Bully1
Poker_Bully1 mucks
Poker_Bully1 wins the pot (750)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 750 Rake 0
Seat 1: hellory folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (small blind) collected (750), mucked
Seat 5: willwonka (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Loretta8 folded before the Flop

I am now below ten big blinds. Hellory has been raising half of the hands every orbit and no one is putting up a fight. I can’t wait until I get blinded down to 5-6 BB because I lose the ability to reraise one of hellory’s raises. It’s folded to me in the small blind and I push and pray.


Full Tilt Poker Game #6039865213: Mondays at the Hoy (45101284), Table 9 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:54:14 ET - 2008/04/14
Seat 1: hellory (18,305)
Seat 2: ScottMc (5,520)
Seat 3: pvanharibo (11,133)
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (2,830)
Seat 5: willwonka (5,055)
Seat 6: Loretta8 (12,440)
hellory antes 25
ScottMc antes 25
pvanharibo antes 25
Poker_Bully1 antes 25
willwonka antes 25
Loretta8 antes 25
willwonka posts the small blind of 150
Loretta8 posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Poker_Bully1 [Kh Ks]
hellory folds
ScottMc folds
pvanharibo folds
Poker_Bully1 raises to 2,805, and is all in
willwonka raises to 5,030, and is all in
Loretta8 folds
willwonka shows [Tc Ac]
Poker_Bully1 shows [Kh Ks]
Uncalled bet of 2,225 returned to willwonka
*** FLOP *** [9c 2h Ad]
*** TURN *** [9c 2h Ad] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [9c 2h Ad 9h] [Ts]
willwonka shows two pair, Aces and Tens
Poker_Bully1 shows two pair, Kings and Nines
willwonka wins the pot (6,060) with two pair, Aces and Tens
Poker_Bully1 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6,060 Rake 0
Board: [9c 2h Ad 9h Ts]
Seat 1: hellory folded before the Flop
Seat 2: ScottMc folded before the Flop
Seat 3: pvanharibo folded before the Flop
Seat 4: Poker_Bully1 (button) showed [Kh Ks] and lost with two pair, Kings and Nines
Seat 5: willwonka (small blind) showed [Tc Ac] and won (6,060) with two pair, Aces and Tens
Seat 6: Loretta8 (big blind) folded before the Flop

My plan is working out perfectly. I pick up KK on the button and it’s folded to me again. I push again and they will think I am getting desperate. I get the loose call with ATs and the bastard sucks out on me. That would have put me back at 20 BB with 18 players left. Top 8 get paid.

This seemed to be one of those tournaments where my bad luck was that no one picked up a second best hand against me where I could make a lot of money. All I did was double up once and win a bunch of small pots to stay even.