I hit a jack high straight flush last night (this morning) to win the high hand for Jack-high straight flushes.
And since it was past 4am, it was double, so I collected $324 plus the pot, which was $140.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Tournament Details
Well it is has been a few days and I finally have enough time to write the whole section about my play in the WSOP. (I did not want to write it in sections)
Before I left for the Rio, I checked my email and posted a blog. I receive a monthly email from Full Tilt, where they have some of the professional players that are sponsored by FTP write columns all about poker life (playing, money mgmt, etc, etc...). The column I received that morning was by Greg "FBT" Mueller (http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/tip-email-108-deposit.php?utm_id=300)
All in all, it was a pretty decent article about small-to-mid pocket pairs.
To be on the safe side, I left to the Rio around 10:30am. I heard the crowds were insane, so I wanted to avoid them at all costs. When we (Erin & I) arrived, it was not as crowded as I thought it would be, but the alternate line was pretty insane. At one point there had to be at least 200 people waiting in it. I would have been scared to be an alternate in this tournament since the person would come over the loudspeaker every few minutes to warn players that once they have paid to be an alternate, you do NOT get your money back if you do not get seated into the tournament. I was very surprised at that, but that did not stop anyone from signing up.
They would not open the doors to the Amazon Room (where all the poker tables are located) until 11:45am, so the waiting area was filling up pretty fast. I was AMAZED at some of the talk that went on around me.
On my left was an older gentleman and a younger guy both reading Cardplayer magazine. The old man turned to the kid and asked him what it meant by being "out of position" and "under the gun". The kid explained it to him, but I was shocked that if you are playing in a tournament for $1500, you did not know this information.
On my right was 2 older gentleman where the one man was explaining that he only plays in cash games, but just wanted to play in this to check it out. I guess the lure of all that money brings out everyone, even if you don't know much about the game.
Once the doors opened, it was a mad dash to get to your table and get situated. I checked out where my table was located a few days ago so I did not spend time wandering around looking like most people. I was at Table 42, Seat 9. This was a good spot since all dealers buttons started at Seat 10.
Right when I sat down, the player in Seat 7 said, "Hey, I played with your father in yesterdays $2000 NL tournament". I told him that was not possible. I was curious so I asked who he thought I was and he mistakened me for Joe Sebok (http://www.cardplayer.com/players/photos/Joe-Sebok/14939), who is Barry Greenstein's son.
As I thought about it, maybe that is why alot of people were giving me the double look while I was waiting to enter the Amazon room that morning....who knows.
As the tournament was about to start, we still had 2 open seats (Seats 5 & 6) and low and behold, who sits down in Seat 6.....Greg "FBT" Mueller. It gave me a good chuckle since I had just read his article not even 3 hours earlier.
And the tournament finally starts!!!!
Each round last an hour. It was a nice slow pace so that you could see some hands.
Check out the link for the Blind structure.
http://www.cardplayer.com/tournaments/blinds/7272
Even though I was not involved in the first hand, it was pretty interesting, so I will describe it.
Folds around to the Dealer, who raises it to 225 (the blinds are 25-50)
The SB folds and the BB makes the call.
Flop comes 4 Q 8 with two spades.
BB checks, Dealer bets 300, BB calls.
The turn is a 10.
BB bets 300 and Dealer calls.
River is another spade and the BB pushes all in.
The guy on the button says I can't believe I am going to lay this down, but I don't want to be that guy who goes out on the first hand and folds Pocket Aces face up.
The BB shows Q 10 of spades for the flush and even had him with two pair on the turn. Greg Mueller was impressed by the laydown saying that the average player would have been sent to the rail on that hand.
I decided to write down my first 16 hands to show people what I was getting. I am sure I played some of these hands wrong, but all I was trying to do was limp in and hopefully trap someone.
1. 6 3 offsuit (fold. 1 behind the button)
2. K 7 offsuit (fold)
3. J 3 diamond (fold)
4. 5 4 offsuit (fold)
5. A 10 diamonds (called the BB then fold to a pre-flop raise. I was able to see the flop and I would have missed)
6. A 4 offsuit (fold)
7. 99 (called a min raise of a 100 and whiffed of the flop of A K 8. Folded to a bet of 200)
8. 93 offsuit (I was the BB. Folded to a raise preflop)
9. Q7 offsuit (I was the SB. Folded to a raise preflop of 150 by Greg)
10. 64 offsuit (I was the dealer. Folded even though I did want to play this hand for Scott McCarron)
11. Q5 offsuit (Folded)
12. 93 offsuit
13. AJ offsuit (called the BB. Had 2 other callers plus the BB, I hit nothing on the flop and folded to a bet of 200)
14. 83 spades (folded)
15.10 3 offsuit (folded)
As you can see, I was not getting the greatest of hands and even when I did, I was not hitting anything on the flop.
In the first hour of play, I did not win a hand at all.
Not long after the 2nd round started, I finally won a hand, I mean I collected the blinds..haha
I was the button and it was folded around to me with pocket 10's. I raised to 600 total. I knew the SB would fold unless he had a monster since he was short stacked after losing a large amount on his first hand with Pocket Aces. He actually thought about calling for about 30 seconds and said this was the 2nd best hand he had seen besides his Aces. He ended up folding as did the BB and collected the chips. The SB asked if AJ was dominated and I told him that he was pretty much dead since I had Jacks.... Sometimes you got to tell them what they want to hear.
We played for 2.5 hours together before our table got broken down. Even though I was not hitting any cards, it was a fun and talkative table. We were all talking about sports and once Greg found out I was from WA (he being from Vancouver), he really chatted me up. He knew of all the bars that I went to in Canada when I was in college. He was especially interested about the law that was passed that made playing poker for real money online a Class C Felony. Overall, Greg seemed like a really good guy and he is one hell of a poker player.
Like most of the pros say, they are all about playing small pot poker and that is exactly what Greg did. He would min raise or make a tab bit over a min raise and collect the blinds or make a continuation bet after the flop of half the pot and pick up the chips. Maybe he had the cards, but I had to believe that was not the case most of the time. I watched him put the old Englishman to my right on Tilt by check raising him, making the old guy fold and within 5 hands, Greg had him all in after the flop and Gregs KQ held up against the Englishman's KJ after a K had hit on the flop.
My next table (table 166, Seat 2) was the total opposite of the other table. Nobody was talking and it was super serious.
I sat down knowing that I needed to make some moves cause folding was not going to get me anywhere since the antes were going to start in the 3rd round.
I was in the BB and the player directly to my left raised it to 600. He got one called and then it was folded back around to me and I looked down at Pocket Jacks. I was scared cause I hate this hand, but I pushed all in for a total of 1525 and the initial raise insta-called. The other player thought for a long time and ended up folding. I flipped over my Jacks and was relieved to see that he had Pocket 10's. I hit a Jack on the flop to give myself trips and the hand held up. I felt good about that.
Not long after that, the 3rd ended and we started with the antes. Up to this point, I had never played with antes and let me tell you, it eats up your stack even if it is just $25 per hand.
I started folding again and let the blinds and the antes start slowing eating away at me until I was able to check down a small pot while I was in the big blind.
I almost pulled the trigger again when I got pocket 9's, but the BB moved all in (which had me covered) and I ended up folding. He showed AA, which made me feel good.
It was hard to see hands without a raise on this table.
I got pocket Kings on the button. 2 other had made the call for the BB so when I got around to me, I bumped it up to 600. The SB called and the 2 other callers ended up folding.
I hit a King on the flop for trips. He bet 400 and I raised all-in because there were 2 diamonds on the board and I did not want to give him a chance to see the turn for cheap in case he was holding 2 diamonds.
I was just starting to like this table and then they break it. There was about 10 minutes left on the clock and I actually contemplated about hanging on the rail with Erin so that I could possibly miss a blind and save some money from the ante's. For some reason my better judgement got to me and I went to sit down at Table 17, Seat 10.
Well I should have waited. #1 - I sat into the BB. #2 - Everyone had monstrous stacks.
The play was super aggressive here and I was very card dead. Unfortunately we ended level four and I would start level 5 with the BB of $300 with a $50 ante.
Level 5 was not any better. The blinds went around and saw jack sh*t for cards.
For this next sequence of events, I would love for people to give me their critique on how I played this hand.
Then on the BB, I get AK. There was 1 limper and the button raised it to 1200. Instead of pushing like I would normally do in this spot, I just called, as did the limper. I knew I was getting 2 callers if I pushed, but if either has a pocket pair or Aces/Kings, I am in a world of hurt.
The flop comes Q Q 10. It is checked around to the button who bets 2000. I fold and then the limper pushes all in for 9500 more. The button thinks for a long time and folds Jacks face up. The limper for some reason shows pocket 10's for the flopped full house.
I am super crippled now and all I am looking for is an Ace or King and I am pushing. Hell, a Queen might even get a push from me at this point.
After folding around, I finally get K8 of diamonds and push it all in for 225 (those antes kill you!!!)
Another guy pushes all in for 650 and the guy who flopped the full house calls. The other all-in has Q10 and the big stack has 55 and board bricks for both all-in guys and the big stack rakes in the pot with his measly pocket 5's.
And there is my 1st WSOP tournament experience. I played for about 5 1/2 hours and I outlasted roughly 1000 other players. All the alternates got sat, so the total field was 3,125 players. It was announced that it was the 4th largest tournament that they had ever had. Payouts started at 324 players. My goal was to get past the first day, but nobody is going to do that if they are not catching cards or is just a maniac and getting super lucky.
By the end of the night, they were down to 168 players, so that tells you how fast people were dropping!!
The final table started today at 2 pm and Greg "FBT" Mueller is 4th in chips. Pretty cool that someone that I sat with at the first table is at the final table.
I definitely want to come back down next year and play.
Before I left for the Rio, I checked my email and posted a blog. I receive a monthly email from Full Tilt, where they have some of the professional players that are sponsored by FTP write columns all about poker life (playing, money mgmt, etc, etc...). The column I received that morning was by Greg "FBT" Mueller (http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/tip-email-108-deposit.php?utm_id=300)
All in all, it was a pretty decent article about small-to-mid pocket pairs.
To be on the safe side, I left to the Rio around 10:30am. I heard the crowds were insane, so I wanted to avoid them at all costs. When we (Erin & I) arrived, it was not as crowded as I thought it would be, but the alternate line was pretty insane. At one point there had to be at least 200 people waiting in it. I would have been scared to be an alternate in this tournament since the person would come over the loudspeaker every few minutes to warn players that once they have paid to be an alternate, you do NOT get your money back if you do not get seated into the tournament. I was very surprised at that, but that did not stop anyone from signing up.
They would not open the doors to the Amazon Room (where all the poker tables are located) until 11:45am, so the waiting area was filling up pretty fast. I was AMAZED at some of the talk that went on around me.
On my left was an older gentleman and a younger guy both reading Cardplayer magazine. The old man turned to the kid and asked him what it meant by being "out of position" and "under the gun". The kid explained it to him, but I was shocked that if you are playing in a tournament for $1500, you did not know this information.
On my right was 2 older gentleman where the one man was explaining that he only plays in cash games, but just wanted to play in this to check it out. I guess the lure of all that money brings out everyone, even if you don't know much about the game.
Once the doors opened, it was a mad dash to get to your table and get situated. I checked out where my table was located a few days ago so I did not spend time wandering around looking like most people. I was at Table 42, Seat 9. This was a good spot since all dealers buttons started at Seat 10.
Right when I sat down, the player in Seat 7 said, "Hey, I played with your father in yesterdays $2000 NL tournament". I told him that was not possible. I was curious so I asked who he thought I was and he mistakened me for Joe Sebok (http://www.cardplayer.com/players/photos/Joe-Sebok/14939), who is Barry Greenstein's son.
As I thought about it, maybe that is why alot of people were giving me the double look while I was waiting to enter the Amazon room that morning....who knows.
As the tournament was about to start, we still had 2 open seats (Seats 5 & 6) and low and behold, who sits down in Seat 6.....Greg "FBT" Mueller. It gave me a good chuckle since I had just read his article not even 3 hours earlier.
And the tournament finally starts!!!!
Each round last an hour. It was a nice slow pace so that you could see some hands.
Check out the link for the Blind structure.
http://www.cardplayer.com/tournaments/blinds/7272
Even though I was not involved in the first hand, it was pretty interesting, so I will describe it.
Folds around to the Dealer, who raises it to 225 (the blinds are 25-50)
The SB folds and the BB makes the call.
Flop comes 4 Q 8 with two spades.
BB checks, Dealer bets 300, BB calls.
The turn is a 10.
BB bets 300 and Dealer calls.
River is another spade and the BB pushes all in.
The guy on the button says I can't believe I am going to lay this down, but I don't want to be that guy who goes out on the first hand and folds Pocket Aces face up.
The BB shows Q 10 of spades for the flush and even had him with two pair on the turn. Greg Mueller was impressed by the laydown saying that the average player would have been sent to the rail on that hand.
I decided to write down my first 16 hands to show people what I was getting. I am sure I played some of these hands wrong, but all I was trying to do was limp in and hopefully trap someone.
1. 6 3 offsuit (fold. 1 behind the button)
2. K 7 offsuit (fold)
3. J 3 diamond (fold)
4. 5 4 offsuit (fold)
5. A 10 diamonds (called the BB then fold to a pre-flop raise. I was able to see the flop and I would have missed)
6. A 4 offsuit (fold)
7. 99 (called a min raise of a 100 and whiffed of the flop of A K 8. Folded to a bet of 200)
8. 93 offsuit (I was the BB. Folded to a raise preflop)
9. Q7 offsuit (I was the SB. Folded to a raise preflop of 150 by Greg)
10. 64 offsuit (I was the dealer. Folded even though I did want to play this hand for Scott McCarron)
11. Q5 offsuit (Folded)
12. 93 offsuit
13. AJ offsuit (called the BB. Had 2 other callers plus the BB, I hit nothing on the flop and folded to a bet of 200)
14. 83 spades (folded)
15.10 3 offsuit (folded)
As you can see, I was not getting the greatest of hands and even when I did, I was not hitting anything on the flop.
In the first hour of play, I did not win a hand at all.
Not long after the 2nd round started, I finally won a hand, I mean I collected the blinds..haha
I was the button and it was folded around to me with pocket 10's. I raised to 600 total. I knew the SB would fold unless he had a monster since he was short stacked after losing a large amount on his first hand with Pocket Aces. He actually thought about calling for about 30 seconds and said this was the 2nd best hand he had seen besides his Aces. He ended up folding as did the BB and collected the chips. The SB asked if AJ was dominated and I told him that he was pretty much dead since I had Jacks.... Sometimes you got to tell them what they want to hear.
We played for 2.5 hours together before our table got broken down. Even though I was not hitting any cards, it was a fun and talkative table. We were all talking about sports and once Greg found out I was from WA (he being from Vancouver), he really chatted me up. He knew of all the bars that I went to in Canada when I was in college. He was especially interested about the law that was passed that made playing poker for real money online a Class C Felony. Overall, Greg seemed like a really good guy and he is one hell of a poker player.
Like most of the pros say, they are all about playing small pot poker and that is exactly what Greg did. He would min raise or make a tab bit over a min raise and collect the blinds or make a continuation bet after the flop of half the pot and pick up the chips. Maybe he had the cards, but I had to believe that was not the case most of the time. I watched him put the old Englishman to my right on Tilt by check raising him, making the old guy fold and within 5 hands, Greg had him all in after the flop and Gregs KQ held up against the Englishman's KJ after a K had hit on the flop.
My next table (table 166, Seat 2) was the total opposite of the other table. Nobody was talking and it was super serious.
I sat down knowing that I needed to make some moves cause folding was not going to get me anywhere since the antes were going to start in the 3rd round.
I was in the BB and the player directly to my left raised it to 600. He got one called and then it was folded back around to me and I looked down at Pocket Jacks. I was scared cause I hate this hand, but I pushed all in for a total of 1525 and the initial raise insta-called. The other player thought for a long time and ended up folding. I flipped over my Jacks and was relieved to see that he had Pocket 10's. I hit a Jack on the flop to give myself trips and the hand held up. I felt good about that.
Not long after that, the 3rd ended and we started with the antes. Up to this point, I had never played with antes and let me tell you, it eats up your stack even if it is just $25 per hand.
I started folding again and let the blinds and the antes start slowing eating away at me until I was able to check down a small pot while I was in the big blind.
I almost pulled the trigger again when I got pocket 9's, but the BB moved all in (which had me covered) and I ended up folding. He showed AA, which made me feel good.
It was hard to see hands without a raise on this table.
I got pocket Kings on the button. 2 other had made the call for the BB so when I got around to me, I bumped it up to 600. The SB called and the 2 other callers ended up folding.
I hit a King on the flop for trips. He bet 400 and I raised all-in because there were 2 diamonds on the board and I did not want to give him a chance to see the turn for cheap in case he was holding 2 diamonds.
I was just starting to like this table and then they break it. There was about 10 minutes left on the clock and I actually contemplated about hanging on the rail with Erin so that I could possibly miss a blind and save some money from the ante's. For some reason my better judgement got to me and I went to sit down at Table 17, Seat 10.
Well I should have waited. #1 - I sat into the BB. #2 - Everyone had monstrous stacks.
The play was super aggressive here and I was very card dead. Unfortunately we ended level four and I would start level 5 with the BB of $300 with a $50 ante.
Level 5 was not any better. The blinds went around and saw jack sh*t for cards.
For this next sequence of events, I would love for people to give me their critique on how I played this hand.
Then on the BB, I get AK. There was 1 limper and the button raised it to 1200. Instead of pushing like I would normally do in this spot, I just called, as did the limper. I knew I was getting 2 callers if I pushed, but if either has a pocket pair or Aces/Kings, I am in a world of hurt.
The flop comes Q Q 10. It is checked around to the button who bets 2000. I fold and then the limper pushes all in for 9500 more. The button thinks for a long time and folds Jacks face up. The limper for some reason shows pocket 10's for the flopped full house.
I am super crippled now and all I am looking for is an Ace or King and I am pushing. Hell, a Queen might even get a push from me at this point.
After folding around, I finally get K8 of diamonds and push it all in for 225 (those antes kill you!!!)
Another guy pushes all in for 650 and the guy who flopped the full house calls. The other all-in has Q10 and the big stack has 55 and board bricks for both all-in guys and the big stack rakes in the pot with his measly pocket 5's.
And there is my 1st WSOP tournament experience. I played for about 5 1/2 hours and I outlasted roughly 1000 other players. All the alternates got sat, so the total field was 3,125 players. It was announced that it was the 4th largest tournament that they had ever had. Payouts started at 324 players. My goal was to get past the first day, but nobody is going to do that if they are not catching cards or is just a maniac and getting super lucky.
By the end of the night, they were down to 168 players, so that tells you how fast people were dropping!!
The final table started today at 2 pm and Greg "FBT" Mueller is 4th in chips. Pretty cool that someone that I sat with at the first table is at the final table.
I definitely want to come back down next year and play.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
I'm Out
I am officially out of the tournament. For right now I will keep this short and sweet, but will go into greater detail later.
I last a littler over 5 hours and within that time outlasted right out around 1000 players.
More to come soon.....
I last a littler over 5 hours and within that time outlasted right out around 1000 players.
More to come soon.....
The Big Day
I got some good rest last night. I made sure that I did not gamble that much yesterday to mess with my head. The last thing that I wanted, was to play poker and have some bad beat that was going to linger in head.
It was a new record for me. I was in my room by 11:30pm last night and asleep by midnight. For anyone that knows me and Vegas, that just DOES NOT HAPPEN!
I set the alarm for 6:30am today and finally rolled out of bed around 8:30, grabbed some yogurt, fruit and coffee and retreated back to the room to relax.
Time for me to clean up and get over to the Rio. I want to get there early in hopes of missing some of the big crowds trying to get into the Amazon room.
I hope not to be writing my next entry until sometime after 2am tomorrow. That will mean I have made it past day 1, since we play for 14 hrs on the 1st day.
It was a new record for me. I was in my room by 11:30pm last night and asleep by midnight. For anyone that knows me and Vegas, that just DOES NOT HAPPEN!
I set the alarm for 6:30am today and finally rolled out of bed around 8:30, grabbed some yogurt, fruit and coffee and retreated back to the room to relax.
Time for me to clean up and get over to the Rio. I want to get there early in hopes of missing some of the big crowds trying to get into the Amazon room.
I hope not to be writing my next entry until sometime after 2am tomorrow. That will mean I have made it past day 1, since we play for 14 hrs on the 1st day.
Friday, June 29, 2007
I LOVE LET IT RIDE!!
After coming back to the Flamingo, I decided to play some Let it Ride.
I bought in for $200 and got absolutely nothing and I was down to my last hand. I told the dealer, if you want me to stay, you have to deal me something good.
I was dealt 774.
I pulled back the 1st bet and the dealer flipped a 7. I tucked my cards and low and behold he flipped another 7 giving me quads (4 of a kind for you non-poker players)
It paid out 50 to 1 with a bonus of 300 for a grand total of $1300!!
Well I did not stick around after that.
Not even 24 hrs and I am up $1100.
I went the poker room and decided to play some $1-$2 NL. I bought in for $300 and honestly, not much happend. I raked in a few pots, but the largest pot was when I had KK and had a raise before me. I pushed all in and he called with AK of clubs. That pot was about $250. Poor guy was actually from Woodinville.
So after some playing for a bit, I cashed out for $400 (winning $100).
So overall for the trip, I am up $1200 so far. Lets hope the good times keep rolling.
Off to get something to eat and go sweat Charles Stewart in a poker tournament. Charles went to the same high school as me and is playing in a tourney at the Venetian. He and his wife were on the same flight as me and Erin.
Ok, I need coffee and food.
I bought in for $200 and got absolutely nothing and I was down to my last hand. I told the dealer, if you want me to stay, you have to deal me something good.
I was dealt 774.
I pulled back the 1st bet and the dealer flipped a 7. I tucked my cards and low and behold he flipped another 7 giving me quads (4 of a kind for you non-poker players)
It paid out 50 to 1 with a bonus of 300 for a grand total of $1300!!
Well I did not stick around after that.
Not even 24 hrs and I am up $1100.
I went the poker room and decided to play some $1-$2 NL. I bought in for $300 and honestly, not much happend. I raked in a few pots, but the largest pot was when I had KK and had a raise before me. I pushed all in and he called with AK of clubs. That pot was about $250. Poor guy was actually from Woodinville.
So after some playing for a bit, I cashed out for $400 (winning $100).
So overall for the trip, I am up $1200 so far. Lets hope the good times keep rolling.
Off to get something to eat and go sweat Charles Stewart in a poker tournament. Charles went to the same high school as me and is playing in a tourney at the Venetian. He and his wife were on the same flight as me and Erin.
Ok, I need coffee and food.
The Rio
We finally got in and after waiting nearly an hour at baggage claim.
After having some "issues" with room, we got put in a suite for the night and we headed over to the Rio.
The walkway to the Amazon room is like the Amazon River. It never ends!!!
On the never ending walk, we passed Isabelle Mercier and Thomas Walroos.
And then we arrived (imagine an intense build up of music hear) to the mecca of poker rooms. It is a SEA of tables. I was literally speechless.
I went ahead and took care of my buy-in to Event #49 ($1500 NL). If anyone cares, I am on table 42, Seat 9.
After the buyin was takin care of, Erin and I decided to watch some of the $50,000 HORSE event. There were 3 players left: Freddy Deeb, Bruno Fitoussi, and some other dude were playing. I just found out that Deeb ended up winning it after they suspended play last night and decided to come back this morning and finish it out.
What was exciting was the NL 6-handed event with a $5,000 buy-in. There were 79 players left and amongst the field were the following:
Jamie Gold
Phil Helmuth (he is a big guy)
Allen Cunningham
Alex Jacob
Men the Master
Sam Grizzle
Tony G
Dutch Boyd
Jeff Madsen
Mark Vos
Putting it lightly, it was a pretty stacked tournament.
The bubble boy burst at 79 and they stopped play shortly thereafter. I saw Scotty Nugyen signing some autographs and honestly, he has the sweetest mullet I have ever seen.
Erin could tell I was about as giddy as schoolgirl watching all these guys. She kept on laughing at me. After watching for awhile, we decided to head back to Flamingo.
After having some "issues" with room, we got put in a suite for the night and we headed over to the Rio.
The walkway to the Amazon room is like the Amazon River. It never ends!!!
On the never ending walk, we passed Isabelle Mercier and Thomas Walroos.
And then we arrived (imagine an intense build up of music hear) to the mecca of poker rooms. It is a SEA of tables. I was literally speechless.
I went ahead and took care of my buy-in to Event #49 ($1500 NL). If anyone cares, I am on table 42, Seat 9.
After the buyin was takin care of, Erin and I decided to watch some of the $50,000 HORSE event. There were 3 players left: Freddy Deeb, Bruno Fitoussi, and some other dude were playing. I just found out that Deeb ended up winning it after they suspended play last night and decided to come back this morning and finish it out.
What was exciting was the NL 6-handed event with a $5,000 buy-in. There were 79 players left and amongst the field were the following:
Jamie Gold
Phil Helmuth (he is a big guy)
Allen Cunningham
Alex Jacob
Men the Master
Sam Grizzle
Tony G
Dutch Boyd
Jeff Madsen
Mark Vos
Putting it lightly, it was a pretty stacked tournament.
The bubble boy burst at 79 and they stopped play shortly thereafter. I saw Scotty Nugyen signing some autographs and honestly, he has the sweetest mullet I have ever seen.
Erin could tell I was about as giddy as schoolgirl watching all these guys. She kept on laughing at me. After watching for awhile, we decided to head back to Flamingo.
At the Seatac – 06/28/07 – 6:05pm
We arrived at the airport only to find the flight delayed about 45 minutes, so it looks like we won’t be taken off until a little bit after 8pm. That is why I enjoy taking the 1st flight out in the morning. Most of the time, you never have a delay.
Up to this point, I haven’t been nervous about playing in the event. Then earlier today, my friend Carlos called to wish me good luck and the talk quickly turned to strategy, table presence, and talking to your opponent while heads’ up in hand. It was the first time I felt the “butterflies”.
Things are back to normal, but I am sure that will change once I get down there and actually see how big the poker room is at the Rio. I just want to start playing!!
I want to thank everyone who called or emailed in the last few days to wish me good luck. It is very much appreciated!
In the words of Trent and Michael from Swingers….VEGAS, BABY, VEEEEGASSSSS!
Up to this point, I haven’t been nervous about playing in the event. Then earlier today, my friend Carlos called to wish me good luck and the talk quickly turned to strategy, table presence, and talking to your opponent while heads’ up in hand. It was the first time I felt the “butterflies”.
Things are back to normal, but I am sure that will change once I get down there and actually see how big the poker room is at the Rio. I just want to start playing!!
I want to thank everyone who called or emailed in the last few days to wish me good luck. It is very much appreciated!
In the words of Trent and Michael from Swingers….VEGAS, BABY, VEEEEGASSSSS!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
H.O.R.S.E.
I have to let it be known that Kelly Hansen is by far the best play chip HORSE player on Full Tilt. He continues to dismantle the competition on a daily basis.
I would love to see what he could do with real money. I am sure he would blow it just like he did the $20 that I transferred him to play some Hold'em.
If you would like to compete against Kelly, you can find him under the screename of UWK9FAN on Full Tilt Poker.
You are welcome Kelly...
I would love to see what he could do with real money. I am sure he would blow it just like he did the $20 that I transferred him to play some Hold'em.
If you would like to compete against Kelly, you can find him under the screename of UWK9FAN on Full Tilt Poker.
You are welcome Kelly...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
M.D.M - Day 2 of Play
Since I had such good results at the Flamingo the night before, I thought I would head back and test my new play again.
I sit down in the 1 seat at the $1-$2 NL game right around 11pm. It is a full table and the chip stacks range, but there was no apparent chip leader, but hopefully that was about to change. It did not take to long to see that the player in seat 7 was aggressive. He was in involved in most hands and he was coming out raising to at least $6 to $15 and sometimes more. Up to this point, I had won a few hands, but nothing significant.
I get dealt KQ offsuit and was the third player to act after the big blind, in which I just called the $2. I decided not to raise in hopes of seeing a flop for cheap, but that changed once the player in seat 7 bumped it up to $12. Myself and one other player called to see a flop a K 8 7 (rainbow). I lead out and bet $15 and the other player folded to seat 7 who went all in for an additional $65. Since he was being Mr. Aggressive up to this point, I had no clue what he had. I put him on a open-ended straight draw or King, rag. So I call and he flips over K8 for two pair. The turn is a 3 and the only way I can win is for a Queen to hit on the river and low and behold I spike a Queen and immediately hear seat 7 say “fucking bullshit. How can you call with that hand and then hit a 3-outter on me!” I asked him if top pair and good kicker is not a good hand to play against someone like him who has been aggressive all night. He did not have much to say after that as he bought in for another $200.
As play continued, my stack increased at a slow pace.
I get dealt KJ in the SB and have 3 callers, one of which is Seat 7. I complete the SB and the BB checks. The flop comes 9 10 Q. Gotta love when you flop the nuts!!! I go ahead and check as well does the BB and the other 2 players. Seat 7 bets out $15 and I call and the 3 other players fold. The turn is a 8d, which is a good card for me since I am hoping Seat 7 has a Jack. Plus with no flush draw on the board, I am sitting pretty. I check and seat 7 bets out $40 and I smooth call again. The board brings a 3h and I look seat 7 has about $70 left so I bet $100 to make sure I put him all in. He thinks about it for about 20 seconds and then makes the call and when I flip over the flopped straight, he threw his hand into the much and started cussing under his breath as he was re-buying.
Not to long after that, I get the dream situation any player would love to have.
I am the button and a player raises to $30 and then good ole Seat 7 re-raises it to $70. It is folded around to me and I look down at Pocket Aces. Do I smooth call in hopes to get a re-re-raise or do go ahead and push right here knowing most likely that I am going to get at least one caller?? I decide to push all-in. I don't want to let anyone crack my Aces. Action goes back to the initial raiser and he goes into the tank for a few few minutes because I have both him and Seat 7 covered in chips. He tries talking to me, but I am not saying a word. He finally makes the call and Seat 7 throws his hand away. I flip over the Aces and watch as he cringes. He doesn't flip over his hand, but tells me he has Pocket Kings. Honestly, I don't care what he has as long as I am dragging in the pot after the hand is over with.
Yet again things are going well for me tonight.
In the SB I get dealt A7 offsuit and I complete the hand to have 3 people in the pot (me, the BB and yes, Seat 7). The flop comes A K 4 and it is checked to Seat 7 who bets $10. I call and the BB folds. The turn is another Ace and I go ahead and check. He fires out $20 and I call. The River...another Ace. Yet again he is short stacked so I bet $70 which would put him all in. He thinks for a few and finally calls. When I flip over the fourth Ace, he just shakes his head and gets up and calls it a night. I almost felt sorry for the kid. ha ha
I go card dead for a bit and finally pick up pocket 5's in middle position. A nice older gentleman, who I had been talking with back and forth most of the night raises it to $12. I call. I had noticed that he would over bet the pot at times when there was not much to win, so I was hoping to get trips and get paid off big time.
Just like I ask for the flop is A 5 8. I am first to act, so I check. He bets $12 and I call. Turn is a Jack. I check and he bets $20. I just call. River is a 7. I lead out and bet $60 and he immediately re-raises another $100. He put me in the tank with the bet. No flush draw on the board, but he could have a straight. So I start talking it out in front on him ala Negraneau style.
"I doubt that you would come into this hand out of position with raise if you were holding 69. Maybe Ace Queen, possible Ace Jack? Ok, I call."
He flips over A7 for two pair and was shocked to see my trips. He actually shook my hand and said very nicely played. He said he put me on a A with a high kicker.
Well it is 5:00 am, they are trying to break our table and I am up $750. Time to get some sleep before I head back home.
Funny thing was when I was racking my chips, the dealer goes, "you won more last night, right?" I thought that was funny since it seems like some of those dealers never seem to pay much attention.
I sit down in the 1 seat at the $1-$2 NL game right around 11pm. It is a full table and the chip stacks range, but there was no apparent chip leader, but hopefully that was about to change. It did not take to long to see that the player in seat 7 was aggressive. He was in involved in most hands and he was coming out raising to at least $6 to $15 and sometimes more. Up to this point, I had won a few hands, but nothing significant.
I get dealt KQ offsuit and was the third player to act after the big blind, in which I just called the $2. I decided not to raise in hopes of seeing a flop for cheap, but that changed once the player in seat 7 bumped it up to $12. Myself and one other player called to see a flop a K 8 7 (rainbow). I lead out and bet $15 and the other player folded to seat 7 who went all in for an additional $65. Since he was being Mr. Aggressive up to this point, I had no clue what he had. I put him on a open-ended straight draw or King, rag. So I call and he flips over K8 for two pair. The turn is a 3 and the only way I can win is for a Queen to hit on the river and low and behold I spike a Queen and immediately hear seat 7 say “fucking bullshit. How can you call with that hand and then hit a 3-outter on me!” I asked him if top pair and good kicker is not a good hand to play against someone like him who has been aggressive all night. He did not have much to say after that as he bought in for another $200.
As play continued, my stack increased at a slow pace.
I get dealt KJ in the SB and have 3 callers, one of which is Seat 7. I complete the SB and the BB checks. The flop comes 9 10 Q. Gotta love when you flop the nuts!!! I go ahead and check as well does the BB and the other 2 players. Seat 7 bets out $15 and I call and the 3 other players fold. The turn is a 8d, which is a good card for me since I am hoping Seat 7 has a Jack. Plus with no flush draw on the board, I am sitting pretty. I check and seat 7 bets out $40 and I smooth call again. The board brings a 3h and I look seat 7 has about $70 left so I bet $100 to make sure I put him all in. He thinks about it for about 20 seconds and then makes the call and when I flip over the flopped straight, he threw his hand into the much and started cussing under his breath as he was re-buying.
Not to long after that, I get the dream situation any player would love to have.
I am the button and a player raises to $30 and then good ole Seat 7 re-raises it to $70. It is folded around to me and I look down at Pocket Aces. Do I smooth call in hopes to get a re-re-raise or do go ahead and push right here knowing most likely that I am going to get at least one caller?? I decide to push all-in. I don't want to let anyone crack my Aces. Action goes back to the initial raiser and he goes into the tank for a few few minutes because I have both him and Seat 7 covered in chips. He tries talking to me, but I am not saying a word. He finally makes the call and Seat 7 throws his hand away. I flip over the Aces and watch as he cringes. He doesn't flip over his hand, but tells me he has Pocket Kings. Honestly, I don't care what he has as long as I am dragging in the pot after the hand is over with.
Yet again things are going well for me tonight.
In the SB I get dealt A7 offsuit and I complete the hand to have 3 people in the pot (me, the BB and yes, Seat 7). The flop comes A K 4 and it is checked to Seat 7 who bets $10. I call and the BB folds. The turn is another Ace and I go ahead and check. He fires out $20 and I call. The River...another Ace. Yet again he is short stacked so I bet $70 which would put him all in. He thinks for a few and finally calls. When I flip over the fourth Ace, he just shakes his head and gets up and calls it a night. I almost felt sorry for the kid. ha ha
I go card dead for a bit and finally pick up pocket 5's in middle position. A nice older gentleman, who I had been talking with back and forth most of the night raises it to $12. I call. I had noticed that he would over bet the pot at times when there was not much to win, so I was hoping to get trips and get paid off big time.
Just like I ask for the flop is A 5 8. I am first to act, so I check. He bets $12 and I call. Turn is a Jack. I check and he bets $20. I just call. River is a 7. I lead out and bet $60 and he immediately re-raises another $100. He put me in the tank with the bet. No flush draw on the board, but he could have a straight. So I start talking it out in front on him ala Negraneau style.
"I doubt that you would come into this hand out of position with raise if you were holding 69. Maybe Ace Queen, possible Ace Jack? Ok, I call."
He flips over A7 for two pair and was shocked to see my trips. He actually shook my hand and said very nicely played. He said he put me on a A with a high kicker.
Well it is 5:00 am, they are trying to break our table and I am up $750. Time to get some sleep before I head back home.
Funny thing was when I was racking my chips, the dealer goes, "you won more last night, right?" I thought that was funny since it seems like some of those dealers never seem to pay much attention.
M.D.M - Day 1 of Play
Before I decided to play on Saturday, I made a promise to myself to play a lot more loose than what my regular game is like. This means limping in and calling small raises (no more than $17) with suited and unsuited connectors and other random hands. For anyone that knows my game, understands how hard this was going to be, but I was determined and willing to spend some cash and put myself to the test.
The waiting list for the $2-$5 NL game at Bellagio is insane so I decide to walk across the street and see how the Flamingo is. I have played there before and the game and play is fairly decent. I sign up for the only NL game they have, $1-$2. I am sixth on the waiting list and shortly after I sign up, they open up a new table for us. I decide to cozy up next to the dealer, so I take seat 10. A girl about my age sits down next to me (seat 9). I had watched as she signed up shortly after I did. Before signing up, her husband and their friends were all hyping her up and you could tell she was scared shitless. I figured that she probably plays back home with her friends and this is her first time to ever sit down in a casino. Not long after she sits down, she turns and asks me what the blinds were and if they ever went up. I informed her that the blinds were $1-$2 and that they don’t go up in a cash game. My suspicions were correct. After talking with her some more, this was her first time playing in a casino, but back home in Detroit, she always plays with her friends and does fairly well. I am starting to salivate.
Everyone is buying into the game, so I go ahead and buy-in for the max, which at the Flamingo for $1-$2 NL is $300. After all the players had purchased their chips, I noticed I was already at an advantage since most of them bought in for $100, while a few got in for $200.
Cards finally get into the air around 10:45 pm and I decided to fold the first 5 hands (unless I got a monster) to get a feel of the players at the table. It was nice to see that there was nobody that was hyper-aggressive. Just a bunch of your standard limpers and pre-flop raises’ who would bump it up to $6, $12, $17, and sometimes to $22.
Not to long after I was checking out the table, I pick up Kd 9h in the SB and a few people limp in to see a flop of A74 of diamonds. Having the nut flush draw, I go ahead and check to let the BB lead out with a $10. The button bumps it up to $20 and I obviously call while the initial better and one caller fold. The turn is a blank and I check again and the button bets out $15 and I call. The turn is a diamond and I hit the nut flush. There is roughly $80 in the pot and I all I want to do is get paid off at this point, so I under bet the pot with $30 and the button starts trying to talk to me and keeps on saying how I under bet the pot and how he can’t really fold at this point. He ends up calling and I show the nuts and he said “I knew you had that King, but just could not fold to that bet”. Remember the girl from Detroit?? She claimed to know what I had the whole time. Good work Annie Duke.
That is next hour is pretty basic. I pick up a few pots here and there and miss some flops, but overall I am still up.
Then I get dealt 36 offsuit WAY out of position. I think I am 4th to act after the big blind and by the time it gets to me, it has been raised to $12 with two callers. At this point, I have had a few drinks and I am going to really test myself since this is a hand that most people would fold regardless what position they are in. We get one more caller while the SB & BB also make the call. Six players are going to the flop with $72 in the pot. The flop comes 6 Q 3 with two clubs. The BB fires out a bet of $20 and gets myself and one other to call. The turn is a 3, giving me a full house. Another $20 bet from the BB, while I just call and the other player folds. The river is another club and I can only hope this gives him the flush. He bets $60 and I honestly think the players around me could feel the table move. I push in another $100, making it $160 and he insta calls me showing the AJ of clubs for the flush but he was not happy to see my 63 and proceeded to ask how in the hell could I call a $12 raise with that. I told him that if he would have made it $20 pre-lop, I would have folded. He shakes his head in disgust.
This is pretty much how the night went. Catching 2 pair or trips with hands like 86, K4, & 82. You would also be surprised how many people bet out with 2 high cards and get pissed when you call them down with low or middle pair and take down the pot.
We had cycled through a few players and a player finally sat down who came in raising most of the time and showing a lot of bluffs. By this time it was about 7am on Sunday morning and I had $900 (give or take) in chips. I was up roughly $600 and I thought this would be a good time to call it a night or a morning (however you want to look at it) and catch some sleep. I was in the process of racking my chips and I get dealt AK on the button. It is folded around to me and I decide to just limp in hoping that Mr. Aggressive would raise since he was the BB. The SB bumps it up to $30 and the BB pushes all in for $122. Mind you this is pre-flop. I quickly go into the tank and think there is no way he is going to do this with AA, KK, QQ or possibly other high suited cards and even if I lose this hand I am still going to be up overall for the night, so I call. The small blind makes the call as well. Going to the flop there is $366 in the pot. The flop shows 3 J 8 rainbow and myself and the SB check. The turns brings a 2, we both check, and then like clockwork the river brings an Ace. We both check and I am shocked to see that my AK takes it down!! The BB starts going off on me asking me how could I make a call like that with AK. I explain that there is no way he makes that kind of bet with a high pocket pair and even if I lost, I still would have been up for the night. Plus I added that he had been showing bluffs all night so it would be nice to take all your chips. He really did not like that and tried to get me to sit back down to play. I told him that I think it would be best that I hold onto his money for him, but if he wanted to he could come back tomorrow night for another chance at it. Unfortunately I did not see him the next night.
So after about 8.5 hours of play, I was up $950.
Playing like this gave me a new found respect for a player like my friend Aaron Hughes, who is constantly going to the flop with the worst hand..
Off to bed for some much needed rest.
The waiting list for the $2-$5 NL game at Bellagio is insane so I decide to walk across the street and see how the Flamingo is. I have played there before and the game and play is fairly decent. I sign up for the only NL game they have, $1-$2. I am sixth on the waiting list and shortly after I sign up, they open up a new table for us. I decide to cozy up next to the dealer, so I take seat 10. A girl about my age sits down next to me (seat 9). I had watched as she signed up shortly after I did. Before signing up, her husband and their friends were all hyping her up and you could tell she was scared shitless. I figured that she probably plays back home with her friends and this is her first time to ever sit down in a casino. Not long after she sits down, she turns and asks me what the blinds were and if they ever went up. I informed her that the blinds were $1-$2 and that they don’t go up in a cash game. My suspicions were correct. After talking with her some more, this was her first time playing in a casino, but back home in Detroit, she always plays with her friends and does fairly well. I am starting to salivate.
Everyone is buying into the game, so I go ahead and buy-in for the max, which at the Flamingo for $1-$2 NL is $300. After all the players had purchased their chips, I noticed I was already at an advantage since most of them bought in for $100, while a few got in for $200.
Cards finally get into the air around 10:45 pm and I decided to fold the first 5 hands (unless I got a monster) to get a feel of the players at the table. It was nice to see that there was nobody that was hyper-aggressive. Just a bunch of your standard limpers and pre-flop raises’ who would bump it up to $6, $12, $17, and sometimes to $22.
Not to long after I was checking out the table, I pick up Kd 9h in the SB and a few people limp in to see a flop of A74 of diamonds. Having the nut flush draw, I go ahead and check to let the BB lead out with a $10. The button bumps it up to $20 and I obviously call while the initial better and one caller fold. The turn is a blank and I check again and the button bets out $15 and I call. The turn is a diamond and I hit the nut flush. There is roughly $80 in the pot and I all I want to do is get paid off at this point, so I under bet the pot with $30 and the button starts trying to talk to me and keeps on saying how I under bet the pot and how he can’t really fold at this point. He ends up calling and I show the nuts and he said “I knew you had that King, but just could not fold to that bet”. Remember the girl from Detroit?? She claimed to know what I had the whole time. Good work Annie Duke.
That is next hour is pretty basic. I pick up a few pots here and there and miss some flops, but overall I am still up.
Then I get dealt 36 offsuit WAY out of position. I think I am 4th to act after the big blind and by the time it gets to me, it has been raised to $12 with two callers. At this point, I have had a few drinks and I am going to really test myself since this is a hand that most people would fold regardless what position they are in. We get one more caller while the SB & BB also make the call. Six players are going to the flop with $72 in the pot. The flop comes 6 Q 3 with two clubs. The BB fires out a bet of $20 and gets myself and one other to call. The turn is a 3, giving me a full house. Another $20 bet from the BB, while I just call and the other player folds. The river is another club and I can only hope this gives him the flush. He bets $60 and I honestly think the players around me could feel the table move. I push in another $100, making it $160 and he insta calls me showing the AJ of clubs for the flush but he was not happy to see my 63 and proceeded to ask how in the hell could I call a $12 raise with that. I told him that if he would have made it $20 pre-lop, I would have folded. He shakes his head in disgust.
This is pretty much how the night went. Catching 2 pair or trips with hands like 86, K4, & 82. You would also be surprised how many people bet out with 2 high cards and get pissed when you call them down with low or middle pair and take down the pot.
We had cycled through a few players and a player finally sat down who came in raising most of the time and showing a lot of bluffs. By this time it was about 7am on Sunday morning and I had $900 (give or take) in chips. I was up roughly $600 and I thought this would be a good time to call it a night or a morning (however you want to look at it) and catch some sleep. I was in the process of racking my chips and I get dealt AK on the button. It is folded around to me and I decide to just limp in hoping that Mr. Aggressive would raise since he was the BB. The SB bumps it up to $30 and the BB pushes all in for $122. Mind you this is pre-flop. I quickly go into the tank and think there is no way he is going to do this with AA, KK, QQ or possibly other high suited cards and even if I lose this hand I am still going to be up overall for the night, so I call. The small blind makes the call as well. Going to the flop there is $366 in the pot. The flop shows 3 J 8 rainbow and myself and the SB check. The turns brings a 2, we both check, and then like clockwork the river brings an Ace. We both check and I am shocked to see that my AK takes it down!! The BB starts going off on me asking me how could I make a call like that with AK. I explain that there is no way he makes that kind of bet with a high pocket pair and even if I lost, I still would have been up for the night. Plus I added that he had been showing bluffs all night so it would be nice to take all your chips. He really did not like that and tried to get me to sit back down to play. I told him that I think it would be best that I hold onto his money for him, but if he wanted to he could come back tomorrow night for another chance at it. Unfortunately I did not see him the next night.
So after about 8.5 hours of play, I was up $950.
Playing like this gave me a new found respect for a player like my friend Aaron Hughes, who is constantly going to the flop with the worst hand..
Off to bed for some much needed rest.
Mothers Day Massacre - Arrival
For some reason I find it necessary to take the 6am flight to Vegas every time I go. I like getting there when everyone is just waking up or in my case just going to bed. Plus you don’t have to fight the crowds at the airport or hotel.
C-Dawg (my mom’s gangsta name) and I touch down in Vegas at 8:24am on Saturday, May 12th. I am dragging ass because I played in our home league the night before and was stupid enough to stick around for the second game. I did not get to my mom’s until 1am. I get 2 hours of sleep before I am waking up to catch the Shuttle Express. As we are descending into Vegas, I start to get my second wind. I am not sure if it is the latte at the airport and 2 cups of coffee on the plane that I had or that I am see the strip and I know massive amounts of poker and meeting a 5 time WSOP bracelet winner are in my near future?
We get to the Bellagio a little after 9am and to our surprise, our room is ready for us. This is a nice surprise since we are use to checking are bags and waiting until later in the day to get our room. We are hardly in the room and I am ready to hit the casino floor.
First stop, the poker room. Nobody is playing in Bobby’s Room this morning and it looks like there are only limit games being played. I walk around the corner by the sportsbook to check out the other Higher stakes area and I see Sam Grizzle (you are a degenerate if you know who Sam Grizzle is just by seeing him)http://www.cardplayer.com/players/results/Sam_Grizzle/443
playing heads up with this younger lady who is hot. They both had massive amounts of chips.
Not much else is going on so I decide to play some Let it Ride with my mom and take it easy and rest up since I prefer playing poker in the evening.
C-Dawg (my mom’s gangsta name) and I touch down in Vegas at 8:24am on Saturday, May 12th. I am dragging ass because I played in our home league the night before and was stupid enough to stick around for the second game. I did not get to my mom’s until 1am. I get 2 hours of sleep before I am waking up to catch the Shuttle Express. As we are descending into Vegas, I start to get my second wind. I am not sure if it is the latte at the airport and 2 cups of coffee on the plane that I had or that I am see the strip and I know massive amounts of poker and meeting a 5 time WSOP bracelet winner are in my near future?
We get to the Bellagio a little after 9am and to our surprise, our room is ready for us. This is a nice surprise since we are use to checking are bags and waiting until later in the day to get our room. We are hardly in the room and I am ready to hit the casino floor.
First stop, the poker room. Nobody is playing in Bobby’s Room this morning and it looks like there are only limit games being played. I walk around the corner by the sportsbook to check out the other Higher stakes area and I see Sam Grizzle (you are a degenerate if you know who Sam Grizzle is just by seeing him)http://www.cardplayer.com/players/results/Sam_Grizzle/443
playing heads up with this younger lady who is hot. They both had massive amounts of chips.
Not much else is going on so I decide to play some Let it Ride with my mom and take it easy and rest up since I prefer playing poker in the evening.
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