Tournament Poker Tracker/Discussion

[ManU918]

I play a good amount of tournaments and was wondering if anyone would be interested in following along with my results, discussing hands, etc. I currently keep all of my results in a book (I know that's old school) but I figured it might be interesting to track them on here and discuss hands, certain spots, tournaments, etc with fellow PA poker players. Is this something anyone would be interested in reading and chiming in with their two cents?

[Robert Goren]

I was never much of a tournament player, but I played a lot of cash games on line. I am willing to throw in my opinion for what it is worth on hands.

[andicap]

I was never much of a tournament player, but I played a lot of cash games on line. I am willing to throw in my opinion for what it is worth on hands.

Ugh..took a beating last nite in our (thankfully) low-stakes hi-low game. Ever have one of those nights where you just do everything wrong AND you're not getting much in the way of cards? Tried to bluff a guy with a 9-high low (usually takes no more than 8 to win) and got bluffed myself by a pair! Another pot I could have stayed in for another few bucks but folded and would have won a decent pot Pot odds!! :bang:

[thaskalos]

I play a good amount of tournaments and was wondering if anyone would be interested in following along with my results, discussing hands, etc. I currently keep all of my results in a book (I know that's old school) but I figured it might be interesting to track them on here and discuss hands, certain spots, tournaments, etc with fellow PA poker players. Is this something anyone would be interested in reading and chiming in with their two cents?

I'd love it! :ThmbUp:

I enjoy talking poker and analyzing hands.

[DeltaLover]

I play a good amount of tournaments and was wondering if anyone would be interested in following along with my results, discussing hands, etc. I currently keep all of my results in a book (I know that's old school) but I figured it might be interesting to track them on here and discuss hands, certain spots, tournaments, etc with fellow PA poker players. Is this something anyone would be interested in reading and chiming in with their two cents?

Go ahead..

[ManU918]

Harrah's Philly 8/30
Buy-in: $175
Starting Stack:20,000
Blinds:25 minutes

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a532/Oxbow13/Tournament8_30_zpscb57b23c.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/Oxbow13/media/Tournament8_30_zpscb57b23c.jpg.html)

Usually I don't play on Friday's but I was in the mood today and since Miss ManU gets done work at 3 and has a mani/pedi appointment at 4:45 I figured even if I lasted to the later stages/final tabled, I could still get home before her (She wont be around tomorrow so we will most likely chill or grab something to eat tonight).

It's weird around here... Parx or Sands don't run Friday tournaments. I understand why, but I still disagree with it. I didn't feel like fighting the shore traffic to get to the Boragta for their $300 Friday 25K guaranteed daily tournament, so I kept it local and went to Harrah's for the their $175 double green chip bounty tournament. I'm not big on bounty's but I didn't feel like driving to Delaware Park for a $65 buy-in.

Obviously it didn't turn out to well or I would still be there... Here are the key hands...

Blinds: 25/50 - Position: UG - Hand: AcAs
Early in the tournament 7 handed...I raise to 275 and get four callers.... Flop comes Kd-7h-2s rainbow... I bet 1k... folds around to the button who calls... Turn is 3c... I bet 3k... button calls... river is 9d.... I bet 7K.... Button tanks and says, "I really hope you didn't just hit two pair"... I start to think to myself, he has AK this pot is mine.... about a minute later he calls and flips over 2-3 off-suit.... Down to 9500 after four hands...

Blinds:150/300/25 - Position: Button - Hand: KdJd
9 handed... UG raises it to 1k... by the time it gets to me 3 people have called... This is the best hand I have seen since the AA hand and my stack is heading south at 7500 so I call... SB and BB both call...6225 in the pot pre-flop.... Flop comes Kh-9h-5s... checks to raiser who bets 3k.... folds around to cutoff who ships it for about 30K...I think about it for about 30 seconds and decide to ship it for my remaining stack of 6500.... everyone else folds and I'm all-in with 22,225 in the middle... cutoff turns over 8-9... My hand holds up.

Blinds:200/400/50 - Position: Button - Hand: AsKc
8 handed... 4 callers by the time it gets to me...I play AK weird, sometimes I raise sometimes I just call to try to throw people off... I just call with a stack of 23K... SB raises it to 1600... 3 players fold 1 caller (hijack).. I call... If I miss I can get away as the BB has a nice stack and the hijack has us both covered. Flop comes Ks-8d-3d... SB bets 5k with 12k behind.... hijack folds....I ship it hoping to get a call and take his $50 bounty.... He calls but unfortunately he turns over AA... I don't catch up and now down to 4400....

Blinds: 300/600/75 - Position: Cutoff - Hand: AsQs
8 handed... UG+2 raised it to 2k....Folds around to me... AQ suited is the best hand that I have seen in a few orbits... I shipped it for 4400... The button asks for a count...I look at him and say give me some protection... He flat calls... folds to the original raiser who ships it for 28K.... I look at the button and say I told you, you should have protected me... He tanks for 3 minutes.... He calls 28k of his remaining 31K with Ad10d.... Original raiser has KdKc.... Flop comes three diamonds and that's all she wrote.

Today: -$175 Overall: -$175

[wiffleball whizz]

Why not rename this thread "the war stories" thread......?!?!?!

[Robert Goren]

Hand one. Raising UTG in a 7 handed game even with AA is a mistake especially early in fast tournament. You should limp and look for any excuse to fold unless you hit the flop. If one of the blind (or the button) pulls one of those big raises pre flop in an attempt to steal the pot after a bunch of limpers, you should re-raise all in.

[tucker6]

Hand one. Raising UTG in a 7 handed game even with AA is a mistake especially early in fast tournament. You should limp and look for any excuse to fold unless you hit the flop. If one of the blind (or the button) pulls one of those big raises pre flop in an attempt to steal the pot after a bunch of limpers, you should re-raise all in.
I disagree somewhat in that I don't believe that was the major issue. A stronger bet on the flop would have pushed a pair of deuces to the sidelines. You have AAK in your hand with no apparent straight or flush, then bet them. A grand bet allowed the guy to limp into the turn and pull off two pair.

[tucker6]

Hand #3 was played by the SB exactly as I believe you should have played hand #1 after the flop. A strong raise by the SB of $5k with AAK. Don't mess around at tables with 7-9 guys playing. Too much can go wrong. Get in and get out. I might have called him too, so I think you made the right play in that hand otherwise.

[Robert Goren]

I disagree somewhat in that I don't believe that was the major issue. A stronger bet on the flop would have pushed a pair of deuces to the sidelines. You have AAK in your hand with no apparent straight or flush, then bet them. A grand bet allowed the guy to limp into the turn and pull off two pair. A 2.5 K bet on would probably chase any pairs outs. The problem is with 4 callers pre flop, there is some chance a set is out there. In which case you will be out the tournament. The key is avoid situations where if you win a little , but if you lose, you lose a lot. AA out of position is just asking for trouble. Try very hard to avoid as much trouble as possible with it.

[thaskalos]

Hand #3 was played by the SB exactly as I believe you should have played hand #1 after the flop. A strong raise by the SB of $5k with AAK. Don't mess around at tables with 7-9 guys playing. Too much can go wrong. Get in and get out. I might have called him too, so I think you made the right play in that hand otherwise.
Didn't the SB fold in hand #3?

[thaskalos]

A 2.5 K bet on would probably chase any pairs outs. The problem is with 4 callers pre flop, there is some chance a set is out there. In which case you will be out the tournament. The key is avoid situations where if you win a little , but if you lose, you lose a lot. AA out of position is just asking for trouble. Try very hard to avoid as much trouble as possible with it.
There was $1,450 in the pot...so the $2,500 bet is uncalled for, IMO. I might bet $1,200 there...but that's about it. You got aces and there is a king out there...so you are looking for some kind of action from a guy who might be holding a king. That flop was the best you could hope for with pocket aces.

Once the hand gets heads up, you are a big favorite...and you are very unlucky to lose the pot to two pairs.

I think he played the hand fine. You can't get paranoid with pocket aces when the board is non-threatening and there are no raises. He could have made a smaller bet on the river...but that wouldn't have made much difference.

Bad luck...

[Robert Goren]

Hand #3 was played by the SB exactly as I believe you should have played hand #1 after the flop. A strong raise by the SB of $5k with AAK. Don't mess around at tables with 7-9 guys playing. Too much can go wrong. Get in and get out. I might have called him too, so I think you made the right play in that hand otherwise.The pot is 3k by the time it gets to the small blind pre flop. With AA there, I(SB) raise at least 15k or this case all in. I want at most one other caller pre flop. The button with AK is on the spot whether one of the limpers calls or not.

[Robert Goren]

There was $1,450 in the pot...so the $2,500 bet is uncalled for, IMO. I might bet $1,200 there...but that's about it. You got aces and there is a king out there...so you are looking for some kind of action from a guy who might be holding a king. That flop was the best you could hope for with pocket aces.

Once the hand gets heads up, you are a big favorite...and you are very unlucky to lose the pot to two pairs.

I think he played the hand fine. You can't get paranoid with pocket aces when the board is non-threatening and there are no raises. He could have made a smaller bet on the river...but that wouldn't have made much difference.

Bad luck...$1200 is not going to chase out all the pairs post flop. I wouldn't get into that mess to start with. In the hand as played, while 2.5k bet chases the pairs, I check call and pray. With AA, I want to get heads up pre flop. other wise I am looking for a way out as cheap as possible.. I have been nailed by too many players who "setted" on the flop and then played possum.

[newtothegame]

Blinds: 25/50 - Position: UG - Hand: AcAs
Early in the tournament 7 handed...I raise to 275 and get four callers.... Flop comes Kd-7h-2s rainbow... I bet 1k... folds around to the button who calls... Turn is 3c... I bet 3k... button calls... river is 9d.... I bet 7K.... Button tanks and says, "I really hope you didn't just hit two pair"... I start to think to myself, he has AK this pot is mine.... about a minute later he calls and flips over 2-3 off-suit.... Down to 9500 after four hands...



I dont think you could of done much different here. You caught the perfect flop, you bet the pot, causing all to fold except a guy who is stubborn with a pair of 2's.
I would take this hand and this scenario 100 times and played them exactly the same way HOPING like hell I could get a jackass with a pair of two post flop to call. Your heads up AA vs 22 with no kicker and no flush draws, no straight draws. Nothing to question there....

[newtothegame]

Blinds:200/400/50 - Position: Button - Hand: AsKc
8 handed... 4 callers by the time it gets to me...I play AK weird, sometimes I raise sometimes I just call to try to throw people off... I just call with a stack of 23K... SB raises it to 1600... 3 players fold 1 caller (hijack).. I call... If I miss I can get away as the BB has a nice stack and the hijack has us both covered. Flop comes Ks-8d-3d... SB bets 5k with 12k behind.... hijack folds....I ship it hoping to get a call and take his $50 bounty.... He calls but unfortunately he turns over AA... I don't catch up and now down to 4400....



I would have to see the guy who bet 5k with a stack of 12k behind to see how he had been playing prior to this hand. If he was a strong player (playing semi to conservative), I fold when he raises indicating he has top pair beat. Size of his bet to me at least, indicated he could beat k's up. And, if I read this right, he rauied 1600 preflop.
His play, again how you perceived him, would of indicated a fold in this scenario. Just my thougts.

[newtothegame]

Blinds: 300/600/75 - Position: Cutoff - Hand: AsQs
8 handed... UG+2 raised it to 2k....Folds around to me... AQ suited is the best hand that I have seen in a few orbits... I shipped it for 4400... The button asks for a count...I look at him and say give me some protection... He flat calls... folds to the original raiser who ships it for 28K.... I look at the button and say I told you, you should have protected me... He tanks for 3 minutes.... He calls 28k of his remaining 31K with Ad10d.... Original raiser has KdKc.... Flop comes three diamonds and that's all she wrote.

I see nothing wrong with getting your chips in in this spot. Strong hand, suited, and folds in front of you.
All in all, I like your play except for the hand where I noted the possible fold of AK weird. Seems like it just wasnt meant to be. The one other question I would ask Manu is you showed and discussed the power hands (AA, AK, AQ, KJ).
Do you try and stay with the premiums or do you vary your play given different scenarios? I know that seems like a silly question but I have played in plenty of tourney where time and time again I see guys who only play premiums get pounded right out of the tourney in no time flat. I love playing against those guys as I can almost always tell you what they have, they know what they have, yet they have no idea where I am at. Please dont take it as a jab at your play because I have already mentioned I like the way you played those hands. Then again, with those hands, there is not a ton of creativity you can play.
The reason I asked is the guy in the first hand you mentioned where you had AA cracked may have seen you as a premium only player and figured if he caught, he could take a significant part of your stack. In your own summation, you never gave him credit for the 2,3. I wouldnt of eaither and as I said would love to be in that position 100 out of a 100xs. But, that doesnt mean I will win 100 out of 100 times :)

[wiffleball whizz]

Who needs 2+2.......seriously.....there just a bunch of hot air blowing assholes...all they do is lie lie lie....

Working in the Connecticut casino im supervising and see a guy on his iPad putting up a post on 2+2.....so I discreetly walk behind to see what he was typing....I see 4600.....

I go on break check my phone and see this ass posts that he's at the sun and up 4600.......make a long story short I go back in the room and see his stack of $112........total jag.....

That site is the biggest bunch of lying assjoles you will ever meet....that's why I don't post there cus all they do is lie...

So keep this up on this thread!!!

Kind of seeing a new tell I never saw but now i can't see how I never picked up on this....

1/2 nl today clowns are heads up and into a 47 post flop pot....bet 65 call.....river comes there's about 175 in the pot....7 seat has about $450 in green and reaches for 4 green....then reaches back and grabs 3 more...I know he has air at this point.....as when u got it you know to the penny what ur betting...reaching back is just being wreck less when coming up with a dollar amout and is always a obvious bluff

[ManU918]

Blinds: 300/600/75 - Position: Cutoff - Hand: AsQs
8 handed... UG+2 raised it to 2k....Folds around to me... AQ suited is the best hand that I have seen in a few orbits... I shipped it for 4400... The button asks for a count...I look at him and say give me some protection... He flat calls... folds to the original raiser who ships it for 28K.... I look at the button and say I told you, you should have protected me... He tanks for 3 minutes.... He calls 28k of his remaining 31K with Ad10d.... Original raiser has KdKc.... Flop comes three diamonds and that's all she wrote.

I see nothing wrong with getting your chips in in this spot. Strong hand, suited, and folds in front of you.
All in all, I like your play except for the hand where I noted the possible fold of AK weird. Seems like it just wasnt meant to be. The one other question I would ask Manu is you showed and discussed the power hands (AA, AK, AQ, KJ).
Do you try and stay with the premiums or do you vary your play given different scenarios? I know that seems like a silly question but I have played in plenty of tourney where time and time again I see guys who only play premiums get pounded right out of the tourney in no time flat. I love playing against those guys as I can almost always tell you what they have, they know what they have, yet they have no idea where I am at. Please dont take it as a jab at your play because I have already mentioned I like the way you played those hands. Then again, with those hands, there is not a ton of creativity you can play.
The reason I asked is the guy in the first hand you mentioned where you had AA cracked may have seen you as a premium only player and figured if he caught, he could take a significant part of your stack. In your own summation, you never gave him credit for the 2,3. I wouldnt of eaither and as I said would love to be in that position 100 out of a 100xs. But, that doesnt mean I will win 100 out of 100 times :)

hahaha.... I figured someone would ask this and I am glad you did. I am someone who adjusts to my table... Sometimes I am the aggressor and I make tons of moves pre and post flop but today the table was full of donks (as you can see from the AA vs 2-3 hand). There was no pushing anyone off of second pair. So I had to play pretty tight. I made some minor moves but nothing big enough to make note of.

The AA vs 2-3 hand was only the 4th hand of the entire tournament so it was impossible at that point for someone to have a read on me.

When I had KJ and I ended up all in vs 8-9... The person with the 8-9 was the guy who earlier held 2-3 vs me. I knew he was making a move on the original raiser who bet 3k after the flop. Once no one called his huge bet behind me I knew I was good before we flipped over our cards. If he was that big no way he forces everyone out with an oversized bet like that.

[newtothegame]

Thanks for the clarification of your play.
As I mentioned earlier, I think you played it as well as you could given the circumstances. Sometimes it just isnt meant to be.

[ManU918]

Harrah's Philly 8/31
Buy-in: $250
Starting Stack:20,000
Blinds: 25 minutes/30 minutes after level 8
Entries: 148

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a532/Oxbow13/Tournament8_31_zps4eef580c.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/Oxbow13/media/Tournament8_31_zps4eef580c.jpg.html)

Miss ManU had a family party to go to today and we are very lenient with each other when it comes to that shit. If I don't want to go to a party on her families side shes cool with it and the same works on my end. We come from two different walks of life, so its sometimes better if we go solo to shit like that.

I just got home from playing for 7.5 hours...Was a very tough day...I am mentally exhausted.... The key hands are listed below along with a few words at the end.

Blinds: 75/150 - Position: BB - Hand: Ad8d
Third level of the tournament 9 handed and at this point this is the best hand I have seen. MP1 calls and MP3 calls... Folds around to me and I make it 600... MP1 folds and MP3 calls... Flop comes 8h-7h-2c... I bet 1k... MP3 calls... Turn is Ah...I check...He checks behind me.... River is a 3s... I check again... MP3 bets 2K... I look at him and say "you slow played the flush but I am going to call you to see what you called my raise with". He flips over Kh3h..... SMH... Not only does he call the original 150 but he calls my raise with that garbage and also calls the bet after the flop.... Down to 14K.

Blinds: 100/200 - Position: BB - Hand: 8h9h
9 handed... Folds around to the cutoff who makes it 800...folds to me and I call... Flop comes 10h-jh-4d.... I bet 1200... cutoff calls... Turn is 2c...I check... cutoff checks behind me....River is As... I check and surprisingly the nit behind me checks and flips over AJ and says, "I thought you might of had QK".....Down to 8K.

Blinds:150/300/25 - Position: UTG - Hand: 8d8h
At the start of this hand I was down to 3600... I called some raises with middle pairs after the 8h-9h hand and the flops kept coming up wet and I didn't hit any sets so I lost a portion of my stack... Now I am UTG with 88 and ship it (If I lose I can still re-enter)...folds around to MP1 who calls and MP2 also calls... Everyone else folds... Flop comes Jh-6d-4c... They both check... Turn is Qs... They both check... River is 6h.... Somehow my 88 held up and I am up to 11,025.

Blinds: 200/400/50 - Position: UTG - Hand: QdQh
9 handed... I smooth call hoping to see a raise and jam on them... Unfortunately no one raises... Four people are in the hand... Flop comes Jd-6d-9s... I check... Instantly MP1 ships it for 7K... folds around to me and I insta-call... He turns over Jh-10s.... board runs out 9d-4d... So I end up winning with the Queen high flush and now have a stack of 16,000

Blinds: 250/500/50 - Position: SB - Hand: 6h10c
9 handed...My stack is at 12,000 and it folds around to me.... I make it 2300 to go and BB calls. Flop comes 4s-4c-2s... I check... He checks... Turn is 7h...I bet 3k and he calls (shit I should of Cbet the flop)... River is a 6c... I ship it for 6700... He thinks about it for 2 minutes and folds...Up to 17,750... Played the hand horribly but got away with it.

This is when it gets ugly.... I go card dead for hours. I don't play a hand and can't make any moves as every hand is raised,three bet, etc pre-flop and I am getting Q-3,J-2, 7-2, etc over and over again. It was disgusting. I am very patient so it is what it is but it wasn't fun at all. At one point I wanted to ask the dealer to rewash the cards because I got J3 three hands in a row...I didn't because I'm not a dick.... My stack dwindles down to 7200....

Blinds: 600/1200/200 - Position: BB - Hand: JhQd
10 handed...This is the best hand I have seen in ages.... folds around to MP3 who has about 100K and makes it 5k to go... folds to me and I jam my 7K... He calls and turns over 8d10d (FML here we go).... Board runs out J-6-Q-4-Q... No sweat at all.... I am up to 16,000....And then two hands later...

Blinds:600/1200/200 - Position: Button - Hand:Ad8d
Folds around to the cutoff who makes it 5k to go... I think about it for like two seconds as this kid has been super aggro... I jam my remaining stack hoping that the blinds have nothing... Both blinds fold as does the cutoff.... Up to 23,000

Over the next hour or so I shove twice but no callers... My stack is at 24,000 when this happens...

Blinds:1000/2000/300 - Position: BB - Hand: AsQs
An older gentleman that has sucked out on numerous hands to stay alive in MP2 calls the 2k with a stack of 33k... It folds around to the SB super agro kid and he makes it 5K.... I think about it for about 30 seconds and ship it... The older guy says, "Ahhhhh what the hell" and ships it for 33K. The super agro kid with about 60k calls... I say to myself I'm done.... But wait I'm not ... I look at the super agro kids hand and he flips over Ac10c... I shoot a glance at the older guys hand and he has Kd10d.... Wait, what???? He just snap called my all in with Kd10d... Somehow I have the best hand....Then the flop comes Kh-8c-Kd.. Board ends up finishing off 6h-Js.... Instantly I think to myself WTF? If the old guy folds I double up and I'm over 50K... Instead he ships it with Kd10d without hesitation? Not only that but what the hell was the super agro kid doing calling? 7.5 hours and if my hand holds up I am over 70k but instead the donks prevail again.

I'm home now and even though things didn't work out, I think I played the best I possibly could of today. I was super patient and that's a tough thing to do when your stack is going south for orbits at a time. There were tons of donks and I never had the chips or any type of cards to make many moves... That is except for the 6-10 hand... It sucks because 17 people were getting paid... Min pay was $535... First was over 8 dimes... Out of 148 entries I finished 38th... If I win the last hand I put myself into position to make the money. It was 50%/26%17%... I was the 50% but unfortunately the 26% won the hand. Tough one.

Today: -$250 Overall: -$425

[tucker6]

I think you played generally very well. Patience is the best attribute in poker. I'll say it again though. In your first two hands, you slow played and guys who should have bowed if you had made a larger bet stayed in the game when you checked, etc. I don't like slow playing a good hand when you have 8-10 guys in it. It allows one too many poor hands to stay in the game and hit their cards.

[thaskalos]

I think you played generally very well. Patience is the best attribute in poker. I'll say it again though. In your first two hands, you slow played and guys who should have bowed if you had made a larger bet stayed in the game when you checked, etc. I don't like slow playing a good hand when you have 8-10 guys in it. It allows one too many poor hands to stay in the game and hit their cards.

What you are describing is the very reason why I have given up the tournaments and I've been playing the cash games exclusively for about two years now.

Yes, the tournaments can get super-exciting -- especially as you get close to the final table -- but the luck factor is a little too strong for my taste.

Do you play the cash games much?

[ManU918]

What you are describing is the very reason why I have given up the tournaments and I've been playing the cash games exclusively for about two years now.

Yes, the tournaments can get super-exciting -- especially as you get close to the final table -- but the luck factor is a little too strong for my taste.

Do you play the cash games much?

I am pretty much a tournament player. I have spent most of my time over the years studying tournament play. Cash IMO is almost a completely different game.... Although I will play it from time to time and if you go to MD I will definitely play it then.

[thaskalos]

I am pretty much a tournament player. I have spent most of my time over the years studying tournament play. Cash IMO is almost a completely different game.... Although I will play it from time to time and if you go to MD I will definitely play it then.
Cash play is definitely a different game...and it's a pretty big adjustment for the player who has started off by getting established in tournament play. But I think most players would agree that the cash games are where most of the profit lies long-term.

And me coming to MD is a sure thing. I just have to decide on the most convenient date.

I'll be sure to let you know well in advance. Meeting you and Whizz would be a thrill. :ThmbUp:

[wiffleball whizz]

Cash play is definitely a different game...and it's a pretty big adjustment for the player who has started off by getting established in tournament play. But I think most players would agree that the cash games are where most of the profit lies long-term.

And me coming to MD is a sure thing. I just have to decide on the most convenient date.

I'll be sure to let you know well in advance. Meeting you and Whizz would be a thrill. :ThmbUp:

Whizz manu and thaskalos would be off the ****ing hook!!!

Dinner is on me and maybe I can find a Greek club with crazy board games

[ManU918]

Dinner is on me and maybe I can find a Greek club with crazy board games

I don't even know what that means... I'm 100% Irish...

[barn32]

Ahhhh tournaments. An aquired taste.

ZtvTC0RvtmQ

[wiffleball whizz]

I don't even know what that means... I'm 100% Irish...

You should know this since your a well seasoned gambler...

Greek board games: 2 or 3 rows of 5 card Omaha

The cross, 8 card stud etc etc etc

[sammy the sage]

most casino/track/ect cash games have raised their "rake/take" for me to even set foot in the door...

what do ya'll consider a fair hosting %...

anything beats horse's take how-ever :mad: ...

[ManU918]

I think I'm heading to Parx tonight for their Tuesday night double stack... IMO its the best weeknight daily tournament around.

[Robert Goren]

I think I'm heading to Parx tonight for their Tuesday night double stack... IMO its the best weeknight daily tournament around.Good luck

[ManU918]

Good luck

Thank You Sir... Hopefully I can come back with a positive report.

[wiffleball whizz]

Cash play is definitely a different game...and it's a pretty big adjustment for the player who has started off by getting established in tournament play. But I think most players would agree that the cash games are where most of the profit lies long-term.

And me coming to MD is a sure thing. I just have to decide on the most convenient date.

I'll be sure to let you know well in advance. Meeting you and Whizz would be a thrill. :ThmbUp:

Was thinking of this.....when u come here it will be non stop action....I'm foaming out of the mouth to play high cards.......I'll be well healed by next Friday...my off days are sat and Sunday so a Friday night trip is best for me:...the logistics will be worked out though I'm free every night after 6 now

I'm sure u like playing big but we've had a 15/30 holdem game on the weekends...next Friday I may play 5/10nl and buy in for a dime though prob gonna sit at 2/5.....haven't played high stakes in a while

[thaskalos]

Thank You Sir... Hopefully I can come back with a positive report.

No report yet from ManU. Could he still be playing? :)

[wiffleball whizz]

most casino/track/ect cash games have raised their "rake/take" for me to even set foot in the door...

what do ya'll consider a fair hosting %...

anything beats horse's take how-ever :mad: ...

Sorry Sammy I didn't see this post....

As a poker room employee I'd say the fair percentage for the host casino or "rake" is 10 percent to a $5 max,...this is becoming the standard number

Now Delaware is $4 i believe along with Atlantic city which $4 has been the staple since 1997......

4 or 5 Is fair although it's only fair on no limit games...this rake in a limit game would bust it

There are places that charge 6,7 plus a bad beat dollar

I heard this morning that the exhibition in Toronto is raking $14 a hand and it's All limit......thieves!!

Hope this helps....any other questions feel free to ask

[wiffleball whizz]

No report yet from ManU. Could he still be playing? :)


Hopefully ManU went on a heater and won 4k!!!!!

We don't wanna hear no losing stories

9:42am this morning I'm opening a 2/5nl games and right away guy tried tellin me about a hand he lost but before he could get started I said if this is a bad beat story I got my own problems.....this ended that!!

[tucker6]

Hopefully ManU went on a heater and won 4k!!!!!

We don't wanna hear no losing stories

9:42am this morning I'm opening a 2/5nl games and right away guy tried tellin me about a hand he lost but before he could get started I said if this is a bad beat story I got my own problems.....this ended that!!
I agree. I had a queens over kings full boat once and lost to four tens. Pre-flop, I had K/Q, and the flop had K/Q/10. Turn was a Q. We both go all in with full houses, but I obviously had him covered. And then the river is another 10. The guy had pocket tens. That SUCKED!!

The only saving grace is that it was a friendly game where seven of us brought $100 each to the table. So loss was small.

[ManU918]

Parx Double Stack 9/3
Buy-in: $120
Starting Stack:20,000
Blinds: 20 minutes
Entries: 88

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a532/Oxbow13/Parx9_3_zps61d39677.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/Oxbow13/media/Parx9_3_zps61d39677.jpg.html)

I was really surprised with the turnout on Tuesday. I thought with The Borgata holding their opening WPT Borgata Open $2 million guarantee event on Tuesday and Wednesday that the number would be around 50... But 88 showed up.

I'll first start off by saying early in the tournament I got hit with the deck... AA, KK, QQ, AK, and JJ al in the first 40 minutes of play. Unfortunately I raised preflop and bet the flop in every hand and got no action at all.



Blinds: 200/400/50- Position: SB - Hand: JdQh
Fifth level of the tournament 9 handed and at this point I am at 25K from a starting stack of 20K. MP1, MP2, and the Button cal... it gets to me, I call and the BB checks. Flop comes Kc-Qc-Qs. I lead out with 2k.. Folds to MP2 who calls...Everyone else folds. Turn is 9h... I bet 4K... He calls....River is 4d... I bet 5k... He calls and turns over Qd-9c.... Down to 15,600... Just to give you a little more information. MP2 was a complete donk. I knew the entire way that he didn't have KQ... I put him on a flush draw or a hand like Qx as he turned over some ridiculous hands throughout the night. Unfortunately he spiked his only winning out on the turn. I could have slowed down on the turn but I feel if I checked the river and he goes all in... I am going to put him on a flush draw and possibly call off on my stack... This player would of definitely raised with K-Q pre so there was no way he ever was going to have that hand.

Blinds: 300/600/75 - Position: SB - Hand: 7c8s
9 handed I have 12K...UTG, MP1, MP3, and CO call... I call and BB checks... Flop comes 2c-4d-8h.... I ship it... Knowing that there is a chance I am out-kicked I am taking a shot because the blinds are creeping up and there is already 4275 in the pot... Everyone folds and my stack is up to 16,275.

Blinds: 400/800/100 - Position: UTG - Hand: JsJc
At the start of this hand I was down to 13,000... I raised to 3000... Three people called... Flop came As-Kd-9h.....I check someone bet...Then there was a raise... By the time it got back to my I mucked. Down to 10K

Blinds: 400/800/100 - Position: SB - Hand: 6h2c
It gets to me and there are 4 callers... I have 9400 and I ship it hoping to pick up the pot... If I get caught I get caught but there is so much extra in the middle that at this point its worth taking a shot... Button, SB and BB all fold.... And so do the 4 callers... I pick up 5200.... Up to 14,600

Blinds: 800/1600/200 - Position: SB - Hand: 10h10d
8 handed...My stack is at 9,000 and it folds around to the SB... He ships it for his last 12K... I'm never folding this hand in this spot so I ship it and hope that he has Ax.... Unfortunately he has KK... I never catch up... That was it for me...

In April/May of this year I went to the flop with pocket pairs something around 120 hands straight without flopping a set. I am in a similar type of slump now... I can not tell you the last time I have flopped a set. It's pretty annoying.


Today: -$120 Overall: -$545

[tucker6]

Manu,


On that 1st hand, I think you played it well. You weren't going to bluff him after the flop, and three Q's was going to beat just about anything showing on the board except three K's. Since no one bet three K's, I would have thought going to river that I was high hand unless someone caught a card, which they did. You were lucky you didn't get sucked into a re-raise or all-in situation and have to either fold or lose more of your stack.

[ManU918]

Heading down the Boragta today... Day 1B of Event ....


11AM: Event 8B - $500 + $60 Deeper Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
$500,000 GUARANTEED


Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips
Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11-20: will last 40 minutes each
Levels 21+: will last 50 minutes each
Players that bust within the first 9 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
2-Day event with two starting days. Day 2 starts on Tuesday at 12PM
$2,000 will be awarded to the chipleader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B
$1,000 will be awarded to the player finishing second behind the chipleader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B

[RunForTheRoses]

Heading down the Boragta today... Day 1B of Event ....


11AM: Event 8B - $500 + $60 Deeper Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
$500,000 GUARANTEED


Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips
Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11-20: will last 40 minutes each
Levels 21+: will last 50 minutes each
Players that bust within the first 9 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
2-Day event with two starting days. Day 2 starts on Tuesday at 12PM
$2,000 will be awarded to the chipleader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B
$1,000 will be awarded to the player finishing second behind the chipleader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B


Good Luck!

That is real big stacks. Anyone have any strategy in such a game? Be patient, be ready to be there a long time?

[ManU918]

Borgata Poker Open Event 8
Buy-in: $500+60
Starting Stack: 30,000
Blinds: 30/40/50
Entries: 1056
Places Paid:100

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a532/Oxbow13/Borgata9_9_zps47ca3423.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/Oxbow13/media/Borgata9_9_zps47ca3423.jpg.html)

I always enjoy driving down to the Borgata for big tournaments. The entire drive I try to get in best possible mindset before arrival and walk to my seat/table as confident as anyone in the room. The thought of walking into my place and showing Miss ManU a trophy and 100K is something I would thoroughly enjoy. Not to mention returning to the house I grew up in, in South Philadelphia where my parents still live with such a thing would be awesome... But as Ellis Boyd Redding once said. "Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Well it didn't take long for the dream to end today.

Entries: 88Blinds: 50/100- Position: Button - Hand: 4d7d
At the start of this hand I had around 34K... UTG raises it to 400.... Two people call by the time it gets to me and I call with 4d7d.... both blinds fold... Flop comes 5d-6h-Ad... UTG bets 750...MP2 calls MP3 folds... I raise it to 1800.... They both call.... Turn is a Jc.... UTG checks... MP checks.... I bet 2800.... They both call... River is a Qh.... UTG checks... MP checks... I bet 6k.... UTG folds immediately.... Mp thought about it for 5 minutes... and called and turned over A-8 off..... Not sure how he calls there with A-8 off after I raise the flop and fire big bets after the turn and river... I thought that was a horrible call... I'll say when people make good calls but that was a bad one... In all reality what can he beat there? He cant beat any Ace... I could have been on a flush draw and back doored a straight... Flopped a set... two pair...ETC... Horrible call but maybe someone else will see it differently.

Blinds: 75/150 - Position: SB - Hand: 3h3s
This could have been a big one for me... Unfortunately it wasn't. Everyone folds... Button raises it to 500... I call with 3h3s... BB calls.... Flop comes A-2-3....Yes! I finally hit a set on the flop! I bet 800.... BB folds... Button calls.... Turn is a 4.... I bet 2000.... Button calls.... River is a 5.... ARE YOU ****ING KIDDING ME.... JESUS **** **** ****.... Knowing full well he has A-K... I jam just to see if I can get him to fold... He doesn't and flips over A-K for the chop...This guy was calling any river bet regardless of the card. Going into this hand I had 20K and there's no doubt he wasn't getting away from A-K... Oh yea and btw that's the first time I have hit a set on a flop in a very long time... And look what happens... Unreal.... But wait....There's more.

Blinds: 75/150 - Position: Button - Hand: AsAc
The very next hand... MP raises to 600...folds around to me I raise it to 2000 with AsAc.... He calls.... Flop comes 4-4-A.... He jammed.... I insta-call... He says "sorry man I have quads and was hoping you had AK".... I literally almost puked. I was going to fire a second bullet but I was tilting really bad and got out of there. This one really made me sick.

So another losing story from ManU... You will never get anything but the truth from me. I am not running good at all right now. Just as a side note last Thursday I played at Harrah's Chester in a $85 tournament and didn't do shit there either. So I will update the overall below accordingly.

Today: -$560 and last weeks Harrah's -$85 Overall: -$1190

[tucker6]

Blinds: 75/150 - Position: Button - Hand: AsAc
The very next hand... MP raises to 600...folds around to me I raise it to 2000 with AsAc.... He calls.... Flop comes 4-4-A.... He jammed.... I insta-call... He says "sorry man I have quads and was hoping you had AK".... I literally almost puked. I was going to fire a second bullet but I was tilting really bad and got out of there. This one really made me sick.


That hurt reading it. Reminded me of the time I had a full boat and someone flipped quads.

As for that first hand, that's the problem with amateurs sitting at the table. It only takes one guy to think his AA is a winner. Hard to bluff.

[RunForTheRoses]

I played Friday in a $75 NL Tourney at Delaware Park (I was there to bet football-with the Texans covering +6.5 I hit a $40 Super Teaser which returns $104, I had bet $127, hadn't cashed anything up until then, I feel like I broke even).

At one time I thought Tournaments are exciting, sometimes they still are, but there are some negatives. You have to play a long time to cash, it can get boring and there can be boorish people at the table as well.

I did good early had pocket 3s, called decent size raise (I was button) caudght the set on flop, original raiser made it $1K (which I thought was pretty high for so early in the game) one caller, I made it $2K, raiser called, other folded, bet $2K turn and River and won.
Then I just drew dead for the longest of time (got 59 off at least 8 times), I played Sir Folds Alot mostly but I did get sucked into playing some marginal hands like 67 suited and 7 10 suited.With the latter the flop was 8 J rag, checked player after me made decent size bet, I called, no help Turn, check, player to left makes decent bet times 2, I folded, not sure if a) I should have not called to begin with b) called his bet c) raise or bet instead of checking.
Finally, I didn't lose all on this hand but was mortally wounded. As I said was drawing dead, finaly got AK off in BB, button raised, SB goes all in, I should have thought about it but I was already set on going all in so called, he turns over A4 suited, he prays for Flush, I say just no damn 4s, flop was A4x. Oh well. Blinds were 1200/100 at that time I had about $15-16K in chips at the time, had about $4K after.
One of Whiffs tells did pan out, this joker who was a maniac, bought in twice and lost early both times, did the follow through when he bet, I wasn't involved, but I thought he's bluffing and sure enough he was. One of Caro's observations also panned out, that is on whether a person is going to fold or call a big bet, same maniac guess he got caught, is thinking it over, lining up chips, looking at his cards again and again and sure enough he folds.
Finally, have an ettiquette question. I wasn't involved but two people were all in with two who had them covered plus a little side pot pre-flop. First person starts going check check likes he's going to check it out (which I thoughtwas propr play-that is you want people to leave game at that point not cannibalize) guy to his left bets $7K which was very big at that stage, he folds showing his pockets Js, raiser had pocket 10s. Is there any ettiquette or dog eat dog?

[ManU918]

Harrah's Philly 9/10
Buy-in: $85 Green Chip Bounty
Starting Stack:10,000
Blinds: 20 minutes
Entries: 50

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a532/Oxbow13/Harrahs9_10_zps3d154f15.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/Oxbow13/media/Harrahs9_10_zps3d154f15.jpg.html)


Tuesday I was motivated to play after the ridiculousness that went on at the Borgata. Down $1190 since starting this blog/tracker I needed a positive performance to give myself a confidence boost.

Blinds: 50/100- Position: UTG Hand: AcAs
At the start of this hand I had around 13K as I took down a couple small pots. I make it $450 to go and get two callers. Flop comes 3c-5s-7h.... I bet 1K... Next to act goes all in for 4500... Folds around to me and hoping that he didn't hit a set I called.... He flipped over pocket 2s... $25 bounty for me and my stack is now up to $18,400.

Blinds: 200/400 - Position: MP1 - Hand: AhKh
Starting the hand with around 22K... UTG+1 ships his stack for 6k... I look at AhKh and figure I'm shipping it and if someone wakes up with AA or KK then oh well... At this point from playing with UTG+1 I am pretty sure he has Ax... Folds around to the BB who has about 50K and he tanks for awhile and then shows AQ and folds. Goes on to tell me my play was horrible... If it was that bad then he should of re-shoved he obviously thought he had the best hand or atleast I made him think he did with me going all in. He said he couldn't believe I made that move with ACE high... I laughed out loud and said you mean AK suited and you just thought about calling my all in with 3 outs in the deck.... Some people are real donks... Anyways UTG +1 turns over 2-3 offsuit.... Flops a 2 and I never catch up.... Wow...Down to 16K.

Blinds: 300/600 - Position: SB - Hand: Qd3d
Starting the hand I have 20k... It folds around to me so I say wtf I am calling and maybe I can steal after the flop... BB raises it to 1800... ****... I call... Flop comes Qs-Qc-Jd.... wow okay now I'm in good shape... Hopefully he has AJ.... I check to try to induce a bet... Nothing he checks behind. Next card is an Ah.... I bet 3500.... He ships it for more then I have and I call... He turns over KQ....I just shake my head... River is a J... Chop Chop.... wow I finally sucked out on someone.

Blinds: 500/1000 - Position: SB - Hand: AsKs
Starting the hand I have 25k... By the time it gets to me there are 5 callers and I would be happy with taking down the 6K at this point and moving on. So I ship it... A guy who I am somewhat friendly with who is last to act folds and shows 10-10..... Up to 31K.... He knew what I had and said he didn't want to race for all of his chips...

Blinds: 600/1200 - Position: Button - Hand: AhKs
At this point 9 people are left and the top 5 get paid....Starting the hand I have 35K..Folds to MP2 who jams his last 12K... Folds around to me and I jam my 35k.... SB Insta-jams with about 20K... BB Folds... MP2 turns over 88.... Sb turns over A9off... WTF? Flop is wait for wait for it.... As-2c-9h.... Unbelievable.... Turn... a K... River blanks out.... I pick up two bounties and now have 68,200.... How does someone go all in after two people have already done so with A-9 off... He's never good in that spot.

Blinds: 1000/2000 - Position: BB- Hand: Ac10c
7 People are still left when CO raises to 6K I call and just the two of us see the flop. Flop comes 10s-4s-2c... I check to the CO because this lady has been ultra tight and I want to see what she does. If she doesn't jam and just bets them I am jamming... If she jams then I have a decision to make... She jams for about 50K.... I am sitting with about 70K.... After about 2-3 minutes I fold face up and say... Your aces are good... She flips over Aces.... Sheeesh... That was a tough lay down but the entire time my gut was saying let it go.

Blinds: 3000/6000 - Position: Button- Hand: KhKd
6 people are now left and the remaining 6 all threw up $10 for the bubble boy... Folds around to the CO who ships his entire stack of 50K... I insta-shove my 60K... SB and BB both fold... He turns over Q-3 off and says, "you caught me I was trying to steal the blinds".... You really cant make this stuff up... flop comes 3-3-Q.... When I seen the 3 in my window I thought to myself they are going to make me sweat it... But less then a tenth of a second later I seen the rest of the flop and instead of being the monster chip leader I am left with 10K. That was a tough one.

Blinds: 4000/8000 - Position: BB- Hand: KsKc
I work my stack back up to 40K by winning an all-in and getting people to fold from my all-ins pre-flop. There is now only 5 players left so I am in the money. It folds around to the SB who says all-in... He is sitting on about a 90k stack.... I call he turns over AQ.... My KK holds up and now I am at 80k.....

Blinds: 4000/8000 - Position: Button- Hand: Ac9c
The very next hand..... It folds around to me... SB is the chip leader with about 120K.... BB is short at around 35K.... I announce all in from the button.... SB snap calls me... I think oh shit he probably has AK... BB folds... This guy turns over J-10 off.... I look at him and say are you serious? I am second in chips at the table with 80K and he calls me with that shit... Flop comes Q-9-2 rainbow.... Turn is an A... Okay now he is drawing dead to an 8 or a K..... ****ing river is a K.... How does he call my all-in pre-flop with J-10 off... Come on... Donks will be Donks but that was beyond horrible... He is behind on any pair or Q high or better.... so ridiculous.... When all said and done I made a $215 profit...Not what I wanted but its better then losing... Just tough to go out like that. 99 out of 100 people fold there.... He was the exception...

Today: +215 Overall: -$975

[wiffleball whizz]

I played Friday in a $75 NL Tourney at Delaware Park (I was there to bet football-with the Texans covering +6.5 I hit a $40 Super Teaser which returns $104, I had bet $127, hadn't cashed anything up until then, I feel like I broke even).

At one time I thought Tournaments are exciting, sometimes they still are, but there are some negatives. You have to play a long time to cash, it can get boring and there can be boorish people at the table as well.

I did good early had pocket 3s, called decent size raise (I was button) caudght the set on flop, original raiser made it $1K (which I thought was pretty high for so early in the game) one caller, I made it $2K, raiser called, other folded, bet $2K turn and River and won.
Then I just drew dead for the longest of time (got 59 off at least 8 times), I played Sir Folds Alot mostly but I did get sucked into playing some marginal hands like 67 suited and 7 10 suited.With the latter the flop was 8 J rag, checked player after me made decent size bet, I called, no help Turn, check, player to left makes decent bet times 2, I folded, not sure if a) I should have not called to begin with b) called his bet c) raise or bet instead of checking.
Finally, I didn't lose all on this hand but was mortally wounded. As I said was drawing dead, finaly got AK off in BB, button raised, SB goes all in, I should have thought about it but I was already set on going all in so called, he turns over A4 suited, he prays for Flush, I say just no damn 4s, flop was A4x. Oh well. Blinds were 1200/100 at that time I had about $15-16K in chips at the time, had about $4K after.
One of Whiffs tells did pan out, this joker who was a maniac, bought in twice and lost early both times, did the follow through when he bet, I wasn't involved, but I thought he's bluffing and sure enough he was. One of Caro's observations also panned out, that is on whether a person is going to fold or call a big bet, same maniac guess he got caught, is thinking it over, lining up chips, looking at his cards again and again and sure enough he folds.
Finally, have an ettiquette question. I wasn't involved but two people were all in with two who had them covered plus a little side pot pre-flop. First person starts going check check likes he's going to check it out (which I thoughtwas propr play-that is you want people to leave game at that point not cannibalize) guy to his left bets $7K which was very big at that stage, he folds showing his pockets Js, raiser had pocket 10s. Is there any ettiquette or dog eat dog?


Glad the tell was accurate.......

I don't play tourneys but the check it down is vastly over hyped........if there is 5 people left I can see it......

But in a 120 player tourney I see this done with 75 left I shake my head......what the guy with JJ did is a scumbag move (but would do it myself) I also think integrity lacks when guys openly go out of their way to get the person to check it down

The 1 casino tourney I played it was like 7 players left I didn't check it down in a all in situation and guy said something to me which I immediately buried him with absolute verbal abuse it was great!!!

Where do you live I may meet up with u and Manu one day to play some cards

[RunForTheRoses]

[
Where do you live I may meet up with u and Manu one day to play some cards[/QUOTE]

I live in Jersey, I'm off every other Friday, now that it is football season may go down there on either a Friday or Saturday. Also have relatives in Annapolis so may hit up MD Live or Harrahs if you cant play there when that opens. I don't play poker much and am no expert but it can be fun.

[wiffleball whizz]

Breaking news from the poker community......ManU is booking cashes in tourneys hahahahaha must be easy pickins at these thouroughbred racetracks poker rooms!!!!!

[proximity]

manu918, have you been playing lately??

not much of a tournament player but i've been having a lot of success lately in cash. had a streak where i was winning hundreds a night at the racino before my +$21 trip to a.c. came home and blew a $150 lead at pen to hang on and win $20 last thursday and made a quick $211 on saturday before the streak finally came to an end with a very frustrating $120 loss to a table of donkeys on sunday.

bowed out sunday all in for about the pot with top pair and a flush draw. (10-9 diamonds) two callers to the all in bet with j-rag and k-rag diamond draws. final diamond hit on river.

played some questionable hands earlier. i was showing good discipline folding stuff like j-10, k-j, q-10.... from early position and was folding almost every big blind to a villain who was raising about 90% of her buttons. finally cracked and called one of her $7 button raises with k-j of diamonds and led out for 2/3 on an 8-8-x flop with 2 diamonds. she called, small blind called. a smelled a rat and checked the turn and everybody checked. diamond fell on river and small blind led out for $25. i called, and button called. small blind had like a straight and i thought i was a winner with the bb call but she flipped over the ace high flush. i've been beating myself up a little over the hand, but her range was almost any two cards from the button. idk?

another hand a decent player came in the game to my right and raised one hand to $13 and i called with a-k off. two big donkeys to my left called. flop comes k-q-j. the preflop raiser checked and i went all in for about the pot. the two donks folded (saw one's hand, it was k-9 off, lol) and the o.r. went in the tank, but eventually called with queens and took a lot of my remaining money.... neither of us were too deep at this point. thought he woulda bet that flop hard with the set so i kinda leaned towards a-q and decided to bet the king. probably should have reraised pre?

anyhow some of these situations are hard to reconstruct but maybe since this section isn't getting a lot of activity i'll try to post some of my experiences here for 2014??

[wiffleball whizz]

manu918, have you been playing lately??

not much of a tournament player but i've been having a lot of success lately in cash. had a streak where i was winning hundreds a night at the racino before my +$21 trip to a.c. came home and blew a $150 lead at pen to hang on and win $20 last thursday and made a quick $211 on saturday before the streak finally came to an end with a very frustrating $120 loss to a table of donkeys on sunday.

bowed out sunday all in for about the pot with top pair and a flush draw. (10-9 diamonds) two callers to the all in bet with j-rag and k-rag diamond draws. final diamond hit on river.

played some questionable hands earlier. i was showing good discipline folding stuff like j-10, k-j, q-10.... from early position and was folding almost every big blind to a villain who was raising about 90% of her buttons. finally cracked and called one of her $7 button raises with k-j of diamonds and led out for 2/3 on an 8-8-x flop with 2 diamonds. she called, small blind called. a smelled a rat and checked the turn and everybody checked. diamond fell on river and small blind led out for $25. i called, and button called. small blind had like a straight and i thought i was a winner with the bb call but she flipped over the ace high flush. i've been beating myself up a little over the hand, but her range was almost any two cards from the button. idk?

another hand a decent player came in the game to my right and raised one hand to $13 and i called with a-k off. two big donkeys to my left called. flop comes k-q-j. the preflop raiser checked and i went all in for about the pot. the two donks folded (saw one's hand, it was k-9 off, lol) and the o.r. went in the tank, but eventually called with queens and took a lot of my remaining money.... neither of us were too deep at this point. thought he woulda bet that flop hard with the set so i kinda leaned towards a-q and decided to bet the king. probably should have reraised pre?

anyhow some of these situations are hard to reconstruct but maybe since this section isn't getting a lot of activity i'll try to post some of my experiences here for 2014??

Was "she" hot?

Was "she" asain?

Must be nice booking wins in cards as I'm on the presaface(sp) of going 0-7 in ncaab



At 11:27pm on 12/17 the whizz is done with sports till march madness.......sad dAy as I'll be playing pocket pool during bowl season

[thaskalos]

manu918, have you been playing lately??

not much of a tournament player but i've been having a lot of success lately in cash. had a streak where i was winning hundreds a night at the racino before my +$21 trip to a.c. came home and blew a $150 lead at pen to hang on and win $20 last thursday and made a quick $211 on saturday before the streak finally came to an end with a very frustrating $120 loss to a table of donkeys on sunday.

bowed out sunday all in for about the pot with top pair and a flush draw. (10-9 diamonds) two callers to the all in bet with j-rag and k-rag diamond draws. final diamond hit on river.

played some questionable hands earlier. i was showing good discipline folding stuff like j-10, k-j, q-10.... from early position and was folding almost every big blind to a villain who was raising about 90% of her buttons. finally cracked and called one of her $7 button raises with k-j of diamonds and led out for 2/3 on an 8-8-x flop with 2 diamonds. she called, small blind called. a smelled a rat and checked the turn and everybody checked. diamond fell on river and small blind led out for $25. i called, and button called. small blind had like a straight and i thought i was a winner with the bb call but she flipped over the ace high flush. i've been beating myself up a little over the hand, but her range was almost any two cards from the button. idk?

another hand a decent player came in the game to my right and raised one hand to $13 and i called with a-k off. two big donkeys to my left called. flop comes k-q-j. the preflop raiser checked and i went all in for about the pot. the two donks folded (saw one's hand, it was k-9 off, lol) and the o.r. went in the tank, but eventually called with queens and took a lot of my remaining money.... neither of us were too deep at this point. thought he woulda bet that flop hard with the set so i kinda leaned towards a-q and decided to bet the king. probably should have reraised pre?

anyhow some of these situations are hard to reconstruct but maybe since this section isn't getting a lot of activity i'll try to post some of my experiences here for 2014??

How does the button just call there with an ace-high flush?

[proximity]

my experiences are pretty much all live poker here in the mid-atlantic/east.

some random thoughts from my recent big racino win streak, a.c. trip, and return to the racino where the streak finally ended sunday:

*a lot of time i'll play in smaller casinos like say pen or bally's where sometimes there may only be a table or two going. sometimes you'll be like 7th on the list and get in a new game and this can be a tough situation because (1) it'll take a little while for your opponents to lose their discipline,get drunk... and (2) and more importantly you can be playing with multiple opponents who are friends, relatives, or even spouses. a lot of time you'll quickly be able to determine any relationships among the other players, but you are still at a disadvantage in these situations. in one a.c. game i faced four relatives sitting in a row!! in another new game at the racino there were multiple groups of friends and more people at the table knew another person than didn't!! i'm not saying anyone is blatantly out to cheat you, but my record simply isn't as good in these spots.

* i hear a lot about selecting the right table, but at the casinos i go to you go to the table with the next open seat. maybe more important is just selecting the general time/casino you play? in some ways i was maybe lucky because my initial no limit experience in the racino was later on the weeknights when fewer fish and inexperienced players were around. same casino on a friday 6pm or saturday all day and i'm seeing hands flipped over that you'll never see at midnight on wednesday. a friend who was driving to the sands several days a week and having success was a seemed a little taken aback by what i thought was a pretty average game at showboat.

*finally i think my racing experience as a disciplined player is helping a lot. some nights at racing, i'll find a lot of bets, but more common are the nights where maybe i'll get one bet a track if that. when you've passed a zillion races over the decades, folding rags all night and then finally getting an overpair and having to fold it isn't that big of a deal.

[proximity]

Was "she" hot?

Was "she" asain?

Must be nice booking wins in cards as I'm on the presaface(sp) of going 0-7 in ncaab



At 11:27pm on 12/17 the whizz is done with sports till march madness.......sad dAy as I'll be playing pocket pool during bowl season

unfortunately she wasn't a hot asian.

you gotta start using your experience at ct and maybe perryville. delaware might be tougher. you might find ct too easy so you might want to avoid getting too fancy there. if a neophyte like me can win down there it'll be a walk in the park for you.

[proximity]

How does the button just call there with an ace-high flush?

yeah, when i saw i had the small blind beat i was sure i was best, but she "thought i had the 8." :rolleyes:

[proximity]

another observation (mostly for your regular racino):

*just basic, but it's such a great sign that i'll say it anyhow: the best racino situation is when it's real busy and you get sent to a table where you don't recognize more than one player. this will usually be at least a decent sized win!!

also if it's real busy and they try to send me to a table where i recognize 4-5 players as late night grinders.... they might not be barry greenstein, but i might decline and go play some slots or walk around the casino if there isn't a big list. half the time you'll get "forgotten about" if you request a table change and i don't like to make such a spectacle of myself anyhow. worst case scenario i'll sit for a bit and if i get up a couple dollars, leave for an hour and try and come back to another table if it isn't too late.

[proximity]

one more, probably pretty controversial, and of course depends on the specifics of the situation but sometimes at these "easier" tables with inexperienced players i haven't seen around the casino too much.... i'll make a hard fold face up, especially if the villain is sitting close to me.... ie i'm not making a huge spectacle of myself by throwing aces across the table.

several weeks ago i bought short and over night and into the next afternoon built my stacks tall when a new player sat down on my right and started having some success. i reraised him pre with aces and he called. he check raised me on a draw heavy king high flop. i (as it turns out i was probably still best) folded aces face up. maybe he bluffed me, maybe he didn't but fast forward not even an hour later he raises to $20 with ace-king off. i get aces again and reraise to $80. he goes all in (!!!) and i double an already nice stack through him. earlier hand totally set this hand up.

another game, new table and i get a-k on the very first hand. kid to my right raises, i reraise, he goes all in. folded the a-k face up. within an hour i have most of his chips.

probably shouldn't even have posted this one, but just a general rambling about games where i'm not playing doyle, barry, and phil i.

[thaskalos]

one more, probably pretty controversial, and of course depends on the specifics of the situation but sometimes at these "easier" tables with inexperienced players i haven't seen around the casino too much.... i'll make a hard fold face up, especially if the villain is sitting close to me.... ie i'm not making a huge spectacle of myself by throwing aces across the table.

several weeks ago i bought short and over night and into the next afternoon built my stacks tall when a new player sat down on my right and started having some success. i reraised him pre with aces and he called. he check raised me on a draw heavy king high flop. i (as it turns out i was probably still best) folded aces face up. maybe he bluffed me, maybe he didn't but fast forward not even an hour later he raises to $20 with ace-king off. i get aces again and reraise to $80. he goes all in (!!!) and i double an already nice stack through him. earlier hand totally set this hand up.

another game, new table and i get a-k on the very first hand. kid to my right raises, i reraise, he goes all in. folded the a-k face up. within an hour i have most of his chips.

probably shouldn't even have posted this one, but just a general rambling about games where i'm not playing doyle, barry, and phil i.

If you are playing a short stack and you fold to my raise on a king-high flop, and you show me wired aces...there is no chance in hell that I will ever reraise you all-in after you raise my $20 to $80, unless I have a monster. If you were so quick to fold pocket aces...how could that moron not give major respect to your $80 reraise?

Where have these players been all my life? :)

[proximity]

If you are playing a short stack and you fold to my raise on a king-high flop, and you show me wired aces...there is no chance in hell that I will ever reraise you all-in after you raise my $20 to $80, unless I have a monster. If you were so quick to fold pocket aces...how could that moron not give major respect to your $80 reraise?

Where have these players been all my life? :)

no, at that point i'd been there (overnight) like 13 hours and was quite deep.
villain bought in for the max and was getting hit with the deck.

but there are definitely bad players around, sometimes i'll recognize one, but usually it's just the potential of the situation: "i play here a lot and don't recognize anyone at this table."

[proximity]

thaskalos, i'm pretty much a neophyte 1-2 player, so for advice on the best situations for bigger games in the region you'll need to consult the whizz.

for limit games and 1-2 nl though my general rule is the closer to the beach, the harder the game. 3-6 limit at taj will be much harder than 3-6 at charles town and 4-8 at mdlive! is basically 3-6 at charles town. 4-8 at parx might be a little tougher. i find boardwalk no limit games harder than borgata games (it is a vacation though and i like staying on the boardwalk) although whizz may disagree. sands and charles town are usually pretty loose games. penn national is smaller and can vary. haven't played any no limit at pocono or mt airy. thought 1-3 at rivers (pittsburgh) was pretty soft, especially since i was there on a weekday with not may games going.

[thaskalos]

thaskalos, i'm pretty much a neophyte 1-2 player, so for advice on the best situations for bigger games in the region you'll need to consult the whizz.

for limit games and 1-2 nl though my general rule is the closer to the beach, the harder the game. 3-6 limit at taj will be much harder than 3-6 at charles town and 4-8 at mdlive! is basically 3-6 at charles town. 4-8 at parx might be a little tougher. i find boardwalk no limit games harder than borgata games (it is a vacation though and i like staying on the boardwalk) although whizz may disagree. sands and charles town are usually pretty loose games. penn national is smaller and can vary. haven't played any no limit at pocono or mt airy. thought 1-3 at rivers (pittsburgh) was pretty soft, especially since i was there on a weekday with not may games going.

I like the cash games too, proximity...and I have, for the last year or so, been playing in the best-organized private poker game that I have ever known or have even heard of.

The players are mostly Russian...and two professional dealers are employed to do the dealing. Each player is charged a flat fee to cover the pay of the dealers and the food that we eat...and there is no other rake. The game is 5-10 no-limit holdem...but it's much more aggressive than your normal 5-10 game. The guy who raises the blinds usually brings it in for $100. We play with chips...and no one in the game carries any cash at all on his person. The game is played strictly on credit...and the players settle within a day or two after the game is over.

Amazingly...the game has been going on twice a week for over five years now -- with no unpleasantries at all.

I hope it goes on forever...

[proximity]

Was "she" hot?

Was "she" asain?


off topic, but since we aren't getting many posts here in poker.....

I wouldn't exactly say I have yellow fever or anything but i'd probably rate a 5 Asian as about a 7 just because they tend to be in decent shape and you don't see many 200 pound plus Asian warpigs around.

one time I saw an absolutely gorgeous Asian girl playing slots alone at the casino and i'm usually pretty shy but she was so great that I HAD to whip out the proximity super secret casino pick up line:

"are you winning any money??"

"yes," she said looking at the machine excitedly... "I just won THAT."

the machine is going haywire and finally stops at like 180,000 nickels or some obscene amount.

unfortunately she was married but it still ended up being one of the biggest slots scores I witnessed live!!:faint:

[proximity]

I like the cash games too, proximity...and I have, for the last year or so, been playing in the best-organized private poker game that I have ever known or have even heard of.

The players are mostly Russian...and two professional dealers are employed to do the dealing. Each player is charged a flat fee to cover the pay of the dealers and the food that we eat...and there is no other rake. The game is 5-10 no-limit holdem...but it's much more aggressive than your normal 5-10 game. The guy who raises the blinds usually brings it in for $100. We play with chips...and no one in the game carries any cash at all on his person. The game is played strictly on credit...and the players settle within a day or two after the game is over.

Amazingly...the game has been going on twice a week for over five years now -- with no unpleasantries at all.

I hope it goes on forever...

that game sounds incredible!!:eek: :eek:

now the only Omaha I know about is in Nebraska, but some of the craziest stories around here were about plo at Charles town. ladies buying in for 2k, losing it on the first hand and going right back in the "little" purse for another 2k. game probably moved to mdlive! though.

[Robert Goren]

that game sounds incredible!!:eek: :eek:

now the only Omaha I know about is in Nebraska, but some of the craziest stories around here were about plo at Charles town. ladies buying in for 2k, losing it on the first hand and going right back in the "little" purse for another 2k. game probably moved to mdlive! though.PLO is pretty much a "solved" game for those who are willing to do the research. I still love it anyway. I need to move.:D

[thaskalos]

PLO is pretty much a "solved" game for those who are willing to do the research. I still love it anyway. I need to move.:D
Wait...PLO, where you are dealt four cards, is a "solved game"...but NLHE is not?

[wiffleball whizz]

PLO is pretty much a "solved" game for those who are willing to do the research. I still love it anyway. I need to move.:D


Take a trip to Baltimore.....it's the home of PLO......it's as violent of a game as there is....

Anytime u wanna come to Baltimore there is plenty of action here and feel free to stay at my place....

Thaskalos has been dangling a trip here we could even fire up a house game!!!! I'm sure proximity would ship in for the festivities

[wiffleball whizz]

that game sounds incredible!!:eek: :eek:

now the only Omaha I know about is in Nebraska, but some of the craziest stories around here were about plo at Charles town. ladies buying in for 2k, losing it on the first hand and going right back in the "little" purse for another 2k. game probably moved to mdlive! though.


Yes it has.......

And so have the cute players......I see sessions that are just riducouls.....58 hour sessions 71 hour sessions......it's amazing the heart these players have

Saw a 6700 stack last week in 1/2......ALL IN RED!!!!! It was absolutely stunning

[barn32]

PLO is pretty much a "solved" game for those who are willing to do the research. Just exactly what kind of drugs are you taking?

[proximity]

drop 253 tonight in one of my worst sessions in quite awhile.

only really had like 4 good hands over the 10+ hours and did get in good on all 4 but got sucked out on in the first two.

many players who came into the game would have dropped 4 digits with my cards in the time I played, but i'm a discipline player who is good at minimizing losses. of course that's a big key to the game, but for 2014 i'm going to have to concentrate on maximizing my winnings too, when i'm running good.

need sleep bad, now. :) :sleeping: :sleeping: :sleeping:

[Robert Goren]

Wait...PLO, where you are dealt four cards, is a "solved game"...but NLHE is not?There are some of the "young teachers" will if you get them drunk enough will say NLHE is a "solved" game. A "solved" game is a game theory term meaning that optimum strategy has been figured out. It may take a computer or a bank of computers to actually play the optimum strategy.
.

[Robert Goren]

Take a trip to Baltimore.....it's the home of PLO......it's as violent of a game as there is....

Anytime u wanna come to Baltimore there is plenty of action here and feel free to stay at my place....

Thaskalos has been dangling a trip here we could even fire up a house game!!!! I'm sure proximity would ship in for the festivities I wish I could, but it is not the cards for a while if ever.

[Robert Goren]

Just exactly what kind of drugs are you taking? I just ready for morning dose of Cipro, want some?

[proximity]

another 121 down yesterday in a 10 1/2 hour fold fest. coulda been worse but I finally get in bad (although I wasn't going anywhere, lol) with kings vs aces and hit the flop.

overall though another very frustrating session where many, if not most of the players I was going against would have dropped four digits with my cards. but this broken record sounding thought is of very little consolation as the winning streak and its accompanying confidence fades further and further in my rear view mirror.

one thing that's so much better at poker is that so many times you can see one or several players right at your table that are probably going to go broke and unlike racing barry meadow, ernie dahlman, the north Dakota whale, and many of you can't sweep in at the last second and correct the odds. on the flip side it's most frustrating to sit there and watch one donkey take another's money....

from a recent game: "donkey" stacks off his first $300 buy in pretty light (but he seems to be a better player than "fish" who is getting incredibly lucky) and in his 2nd buy in raises 9s and hits a set on a j-9-8 flop vs "fish" ... who (yes called a raise) w/j-8 hits his third jack on the turn and later reminds us all of just how much of a donkey, "donkey" really was. :rolleyes:

[proximity]

here is some video of me in a game. (2:10-5:30) i'm wearing the tan jacket and glasses. shoulda wore my reggie wayne jersey. folded 8c 6c pre flop. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Ygj_lITvg


btw, i thought it was very nice of eddie to let half the table draw to a full house. :rolleyes:

[proximity]

another $200 loss last night, my 4th no limit loss in a row.

9 hour session and was pretty card dead yet again.

had a couple chances to rally late but went 0-1-1. queens vs a new player who has been frequenting the card room and seems to think he's a lot better than he is. led him the whole way on a board of low cards that finally makes a straight on the board on the river. he just had a dominated hand of overs. :rolleyes:

finally bowed out with kings. limped early in a straddled pot that i knew would be raised. it was and i went all in. everyone folds until one guy snap calls with ace-queen. :rolleyes: ace on flop.

still debating whether to document 2014 manu918 style on here or not. there doesn't seem to be too much interest, but this section of the board could use the activity. idk???

[thaskalos]

another $200 loss last night, my 4th no limit loss in a row.

9 hour session and was pretty card dead yet again.

had a couple chances to rally late but went 0-1-1. queens vs a new player who has been frequenting the card room and seems to think he's a lot better than he is. led him the whole way on a board of low cards that finally makes a straight on the board on the river. he just had a dominated hand of overs. :rolleyes:

finally bowed out with kings. limped early in a straddled pot that i knew would be raised. it was and i went all in. everyone folds until one guy snap calls with ace-queen. :rolleyes: ace on flop.

still debating whether to document 2014 manu918 style on here or not. there doesn't seem to be too much interest, but this section of the board could use the activity. idk???

Keep documenting your results whether there is interest here or not. I find this kind of narration very interesting...and I would have documented my own exploits here as well...but the action in my game is so crazy...I am afraid that people are going to accuse me of making things up when I write about it here.

I am on my way to the game now...

[wiffleball whizz]

Always document results......

Sports is totally depleting any poker winning

Booked another win at track today for 270 which means I'm only down like 3400 for the month of December/ ga ga tech game

Plan on playing tons of poker in upcoming weeks

Mentally I'm not there though too worried about football and horses

[proximity]

I am on my way to the game now...

i'm getting excited just reading this!!

good luck!!

[proximity]

...I am afraid that people are going to accuse me of making things up when I write about it here.
...

i wouldn't worry too much about that. i was telling whizz about a recent limit hand at his casino (mdlive!) where a guy called 3 bets cold with 9s4s and then 2 bets cold pre flop (4-8, capped at 20) and ended up winning the pot with a 9 high flush. it's just as bad at nl. love the $5 straddlers at the racino. $6 rake + $1 bb with zero comps and you want to pay $8 of blinds? :D

[proximity]

one final $60 no limit loss to end the year. fifth consecutive loss at no limit.

was getting ground down early (again) and was all in with a set of sevens on the flop. three players called and one bet the river when both a flush and straight card hit. the other two players folded and the bettor took down the side pot and you'd think certainly had my set beat, but of course we're at the racino and his ace high :rolleyes: wasn't good enough to keep me from scooping the main.

after this humble win however it was back to folding with the exception of one hand where i picked up 10c 9c on the button and flopped a king high straight. it checked around and i bet the pot with only the player directly to my right calling. one note: at this low level, i'm basically a bettor, meaning i tend not to get cute with made hands. usually i'll get a call or two anyhow.

back to the hand: ace comes on the turn and we chop when the villain is also holding a ten. and that would be my final chance of 2013.

happy new year and good luck to all paceadvantage players in 2014!!