DVDTalk Group Daily Poker Journal II

[ElementZ]

Won 2 home games last night. I had a nice run of cards and flopped pretty tricky straights 3 times

[LasVegasMichael]

Took yesteday off, as I can only imagine the depressing mopes at the table on TG day (much like Christmas, I suppose), and it was nice to spend all day with the wife and kids.

However, today is a different story. Plan on calling TI to see if they have a NL going and if so I will head there. If not, I may check out Ballys or possibly (but less likely) Caesars. Trying to veer toward NL games with 1/2 or 1/3 blinds, but max buy ins above $200 (CP and TI is $500 and Ballys is $300).

[LasVegasMichael]

Just got back from TI. This was the busiest I have seen the room in weeks. They had two NL games, two 2/4 games and 2 tournament tables going.

After waiting around for about 25 minutes on the NL list, they opened up a new game. We were five handed for about an hour, but it worked out, as I was able to take one guys $150 buy in rather quickly when his slow played AA ran into my AK and I hit trips (had he been more aggressive, the shoe would have been on the other foot).

Bought in for $440 and left with $887, after playing for about 2.5 hours. Most of my profit came from one poor tourist who just kept trying to take me down over and over again. Gotta love calling stations!

The last hand of the night for me was a great one that I almost didn't play (I was already racked up, but got dealt in for one more hand).

In summary:

Me: AdQd
Tourist 1 (T1)
Tourist 2 (T2)(guy mentioned above).

I was UTG and raised to $16
T1 Called
T2 Called

Flop: Qs3s5c

I lead out for $45
T1 Calls
T2 Calls

Turn: 7d

I bet out $50
T1 Calls All in for $36
T2 Calls the $50

River Ac

I bet out $40
T1 is already all in.
T2 CALLS

Me: AQ two pair
T1 As10s (pair of Aces with flush draw)
T2 KsQc (Pair of queens with K kicker)

T2 was not happy. Virtually drawing dead from the flop. Poor guy.

Edited to correct suit error.

[El Scorcho]

nh

Just out of curiosity, what's your play if a spade drops in the river? One of my huge NL leaks is when the flush draw comes in and I'm out of position.

I just played online today and found the beauty of Bodog 6-max 1/2. Finished +$330 today playing 2 tables most of the afternoon/evening. My best ever 1-day pull online.

[LasVegasMichael]

Good question. My flop read was that T1 had a flush draw all along (probably with an Ace). He was already short stacked, so it was not a major concern of mine, to be honest. The other guy (T2), however, was really steaming, so I really did not put hin in flush cards. I figured him for two big cards, or even one big and one small (i.e. KQ or even Q3s), so my pushing on every street was not designed so much to get T1 but to sweeten the side pot with T2 should T1 draw out. I knew T2 would call all the way down no matter what (unless I pushed), so he became my target in this hand.

Even if a spade fell, short of T2 pushing all in, I would still bet aggressively on the river, as T1 was already all in and I would really only be beat if T2 went all in (something he had never done at the table).

My bet if the flush got there would probably be about $40-$50 or so. If T2 pushed all in (he had about $250 in front at this point), I would have had a tough decision. I might actually have laid it down, since going all in would go against his usual style of play, which he has been rather consistent at. Since I was fairly confident that T1 was the flush draw, I was NOT going to risk checking this hand down if a spade fell. I have been leading this whole hand, and I would still lead on the river, so I could at least win a better then nothing side pot.

[El Scorcho]

Okay, but what if T1 had you covered and had several hundred behind, then what does Hero do?

[LasVegasMichael]

You're talking a hypothetical that would have changed the entire hand.

First of all, my turn bet would would have been completely different. It would have probably been an overbet and not a call my bet, which it was.

If T1 called the oversized bet (more then likely causing T2 to fold), then checking the river (if a spade falls) would be the correct play. I would need to go with my read. Had he rivered the nuts, he would more then likely do a call me bet on the river. It is possible, but doubtful that he would push (even easier fold then). Also, keep in mind that if, and only if, he was truly deepstacked, then I would have yet another weapon in my arsenal: a pot size or all in bet on the river if the spade that falls pairs the board. Even less outs as far as he thinks.

Honestly, though, Scorcho, this is a very hypothetical situation. Stack sizes are so important that like I said, then entire hand play would have changed, and my reads would probably have changed as well.

[LasVegasMichael]

Played a dreadful game at TI last night.

I should have known that Mon evening would not be a good night to hit up a small room like TI. Bunch of mopes at the table, and one mildly insane local that I am friendly with.

They only had two tables going. One short handed 2/4LHE and one 1/3NL, with about 7 players. I joined the NL game and watched my chips dissappear.

One interesting hand, I had QsQc UTG. I raise to $16 and get four callers.

Flop JdQd5d

I bet out $60 and get TWO callers.

Turn: Ac.

I bet out $100 and get one guy to lay down, and the other one calls, all in, for about $45.

River 4c

Me: Set of Q
Villian: K10os for broadway made on turn. What the hell was I supposed to do? I just shook my head and moved on. At least he was short stacked.

I lose a few inconsequential pots here and there, and was down to about $240 from my origjnal $500, and the table was down to five handed.

This mildly insane local who just got sucked out and rebought back in for $500 raised to $30 UTG (purely a tilt raise, considering standard raise in this game was about $12-15). I look down at AA and reraise to $60 even.

We are heads up. He calls the raise.

Flop Q62.

He checks, I go all in and he insta calls with 99.

Turn and river were blanks and I am close to being even again. He left after that hand and so did I (leaving the table 3 handed).

Only played an hour and a half, but sometimes you need to know when it is not your night, and just walk away. I got lucky in that last hand, but I knew if I stayed, it would only be majorly downhill from there.

I am not sure I am going back to TI tonight, but I will definately continue playing there for now. I am really liking their $500 max on the 1/3. We shall see.

[atari2600]

hypothetically speaking, at what point when the flop is all suited, do you believe your opponent actually flopped a flush? i know its rare but it COULD happen, right?

how do you guys play it when the flop is one suit and you arent holding any of that suit?

[El Scorcho]

In low limit, if I flop top pair on a suited board, my play is pretty standard. Most people slow play on the flop then come alive on the turn. If I encounter resistance on the turn, I don't call down to showdown unless I'm holding a strong two-pair or better. If I'm still at one pair, it's an easy fold to resistance on the turn.

If he slowplays a flush to the river, I'm pretty much calling the river raise he puts out because the pot is too big to fold at that point anyway.

[ElementZ]

Great night tonite, took home $210 in 2 games by splitting the 1st game and winning the 2nd game.

1st game, I probably could have taken it down but I had a horrible run of cards. Total chips out were 21k and when HU began, I prob had a lead of 2-1. Couldnt get anything and the other guy offered to split the pot $70/$70. I didn't mind since I kept getting shit and wanted to get a 2nd game going.

2nd game, I had a slow start but then domination with my wall of chips. Don't remember a whole lot of hands, but here are 2 key hands.

3 handed, all pretty much even in chips, I am the BB and get 24. Flop comes A35. Perfect. I end up all in with somebody who had A3 and had a flush draw on the turn but I survived.

Heads up and I had a good lead and was winning and losing a bit. Then, litterally a perfect hand. Dealt 10,7. Flop hits 10,10,7 :O slowplayed it perfectly and took it down. Feels great.

Another interesting hand shows why it is important to raise preflop. Full table, I was in mid postion. Blinds were early, 100/200. 3 limpers came into the pot and I had Pocket 10s. I wanted to win there so I threw in a $1500 raise. One caller behind me, everyone else folded. I ended up losing to pocket Queens, BUT, the point of the hand is, one player had folded pocket 4s due to my big raise, and the flop came out with 44K giving him quads. He was pissed.

[El Scorcho]

Damn I hope one day I get to the point where an opponent would throw $140k into a pot while after I flop quads.

Full Tilt Poker Game #1366814434: Table Bennett (6 max) - $200/$400 - No Limit Hold'em - 1:56:36 ET - 2006/12/07
Seat 1: serb2127 ($28,997)
Seat 2: Urindanger ($8,000), is sitting out
Seat 3: Phil Ivey ($106,515)
Seat 4: sbrugby ($46,044)
Seat 5: Luigi66369 ($185,682)
Seat 6: MyRenovatio ($39,940)
MyRenovatio posts the small blind of $200
serb2127 posts the big blind of $400
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Urindanger has returned
Phil Ivey has 15 seconds left to act
Phil Ivey raises to $1,200
sbrugby folds
Luigi66369 raises to $4,000
MyRenovatio folds
serb2127 folds
Phil Ivey calls $2,800
*** FLOP *** [2d 8h 8d]
Phil Ivey checks
Luigi66369 bets $7,200
Phil Ivey raises to $20,800
Luigi66369 has 15 seconds left to act
Luigi66369 raises to $60,800
Phil Ivey raises to $100,800
Luigi66369 raises to $140,800
Phil Ivey calls $1,715, and is all in
Luigi66369 shows [9d Jd]
Phil Ivey shows [8c 8s]
Uncalled bet of $38,285 returned to Luigi66369
*** TURN *** [2d 8h 8d] [Kd]
*** RIVER *** [2d 8h 8d Kd] [4c]
Luigi66369 shows a flush, King high
Phil Ivey shows four of a kind, Eights
Phil Ivey wins the pot ($213,627) with four of a kind, Eights
*** SUMMARY *** Total pot $213,630 | Rake $3 Board: [2d 8h 8d Kd 4c]
Seat 1: serb2127 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Urindanger is sitting out
Seat 3: Phil Ivey showed [8c 8s] and won ($213,627) with four of a kind, Eights Seat 4: sbrugby didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Luigi66369 (button) showed [9d Jd] and lost with a flush, King high
Seat 6: MyRenovatio (small blind) folded before the Flop

[kvrdave]

Had the perfect Omaha scenario come up. I have 2446 and the flop come 357 all hearts. This was after a guy rased 3x the big blind. I have the 4 and 6 of hearts for the straight flush and he has the A8 of hearts for the nut flush. He bets big, I bet up to all in, he follows. I ended up with both high and low.

Next game it was down to 3 of us with about 5000 chips each. Every once in awhile we all go down to 2000 but end up back at 5000. We are all all in on a hand and I lose, they split. I have 297 left while the blinds are 400/800. A few forced all ins for me from the blinds, and I end up coming back to win it all.

[ElementZ]

This is amazing. In 3 hand, I went from no chance at all to almost being the chip leader. Pure luck.

PokerStars Game #7369867291: Tournament #37689481, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/12/09 - 15:39:04 (ET)
Table '37689481 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: 106106 (1560 in chips)
Seat 3: BILLYSPOPPOP (3390 in chips)
Seat 4: evel p (3290 in chips)
Seat 5: elementz2000 (245 in chips)
Seat 7: luckycraft (2180 in chips)
Seat 8: MsStef (1840 in chips)
Seat 9: DLK5 (995 in chips)
106106: posts small blind 75
BILLYSPOPPOP: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to elementz2000 [Ah 7c]
evel p: folds
elementz2000: raises 95 to 245 and is all-in
luckycraft: folds
MsStef: calls 245
DLK5: calls 245
106106: folds
BILLYSPOPPOP: folds
*** FLOP *** [3c 7d 8h]
MsStef: checks
DLK5: checks
*** TURN *** [3c 7d 8h] [6d]
MsStef: checks
DLK5: checks
*** RIVER *** [3c 7d 8h 6d] [2h]
MsStef: checks
DLK5: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
elementz2000: shows [Ah 7c] (a pair of Sevens)
MsStef: mucks hand
DLK5: mucks hand
elementz2000 collected 960 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 960 | Rake 0
Board [3c 7d 8h 6d 2h]
Seat 2: 106106 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: BILLYSPOPPOP (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: evel p folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: elementz2000 showed [Ah 7c] and won (960) with a pair of Sevens
Seat 7: luckycraft folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: MsStef mucked [Kc Js]
Seat 9: DLK5 (button) mucked [Qc Tc]

PokerStars Game #7369886232: Tournament #37689481, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/12/09 - 15:40:23 (ET)
Table '37689481 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: 106106 (1335 in chips)
Seat 3: BILLYSPOPPOP (3165 in chips)
Seat 4: evel p (3665 in chips)
Seat 5: elementz2000 (960 in chips)
Seat 7: luckycraft (2180 in chips)
Seat 8: MsStef (1445 in chips)
Seat 9: DLK5 (750 in chips)
evel p: posts small blind 75
elementz2000: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to elementz2000 [Ac Ks]
luckycraft: calls 150
MsStef: calls 150
DLK5: raises 600 to 750 and is all-in
106106: folds
BILLYSPOPPOP: calls 750
evel p: folds
elementz2000: raises 210 to 960 and is all-in
luckycraft: folds
MsStef: folds
BILLYSPOPPOP: calls 210
evel p said, "wow"
*** FLOP *** [6d Jc 9s]
*** TURN *** [6d Jc 9s] [2c]
evel p said, "3"
*** RIVER *** [6d Jc 9s 2c] [9c]
evel p said, "3"
evel p said, "3"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
elementz2000: shows [Ac Ks] (a pair of Nines)
BILLYSPOPPOP: shows [As 7s] (a pair of Nines - lower kicker)
elementz2000 collected 420 from side pot
DLK5: shows [Ah 3h] (a pair of Nines - lower kicker)
elementz2000 collected 2625 from main pot
evel p said, "gg"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3045 Main pot 2625. Side pot 420. | Rake 0
Board [6d Jc 9s 2c 9c]
Seat 2: 106106 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: BILLYSPOPPOP (button) showed [As 7s] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 4: evel p (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: elementz2000 (big blind) showed [Ac Ks] and won (3045) with a pair of Nines
Seat 7: luckycraft folded before Flop
Seat 8: MsStef folded before Flop
Seat 9: DLK5 showed [Ah 3h] and lost with a pair of Nines

[Thrush]

I love it when they bluff.


Full Tilt Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.25/$0.50
6 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: $45.90
UTG+1: $55.75
Thrush: $51.55
Button: $49.70
SB: $9.80
BB: $50

Pre-flop: (6 players) Thrush is CO with
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls, Thrush raises to $2.5, 3 folds, UTG+1 calls.

Flop: ($5.75, 2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Thrush bets $4.25, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: ($14.25, 2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Thrush checks.

River: ($14.25, 2 players)
UTG+1 bets $20, Thrush calls.

Results:
Final pot: $54.25
UTG+1 showed 4d Kd
Thrush showed 5s As

[LasVegasMichael]

By nature, I tend to be a wanderer. I go from poker room to poker room and play there exclusively usually for about a month or so, and then move on. I played at TI for about 5 weeks or so, and before them, I was at Excalibur for about a month. Before that, it was Venetian for like 6-7 months (rare occurrance). I was trying someplace "new" last night, so I auditioned Ballys.

Hadn't been to Ballys in quite a while, and figured to go back since A. Easy valet parking with short walk to poker room. B. $300 max buy in NL C. High tourist potention with numerous games likely

The obvious cons are lack of autoshufflers in most tables, high hand jackpots, and its a Harrahs property.

However, despite this I forayed into the poker room around 5PM and got a seat immediately. They had 1/2NL going on 4 tables. I got a seat at the back table (only the front tables have autshufflers), and requested a seat change to an AS table when one opens.

On my second hand, I win a decent pot with a Q high flush, and after only 10 minutes, I felt that I knew players at this table well enough to stay and play profitably. The floor same and said that I could change seats now, but I opted to politely decline.

Won a few pots here and there. Didn't lose any showdowns, so stack stayed comfortably at around $450 for a while. Then, at around 6:45 this hand came up.

Middle Position (MP): Raises to $15
Late Position (LP): Calls the $15
Button (Hero): Calls the $15 with 10hJh
Small Blind: Folds
Big Blind: Calls the $15

My thinking was twofold. I knew that the BB was going to call. He always called pretty much any raises under $20, and always protects his BB. He was one of only two other locals at the table (including myself, which is one of the reasons I choose Ballys). Thus, I was getting 3 to 1 implied odds at this point.

Flop: 10sKc3h

BB: Checks
MP: Bets out $15
LP: Calls
Hero: Calls
BB: Folds

I just wanted to "take one off". I had some splashing chips, so I figured why not. The pot was big enough. This was an ABC tourist. He didn't bet enough to get me off the hand on the flop. When he bet $15 on the flop, there was about $60 in the pot. There was a caller in front of me, so I was calling $15 to win $90 at this point. 6 to 1 with my middle pair, backdoor flush and straight draws.

I didn't put him on a set, as I had a 10, and he would have either bet more or attempted to check raise. He was very straight forward. He ahd either an overpair or AK, in my mind.

Turn: 5d

No flush or straight was coming, and this turn card was a brick. MP bets out $25 into a $105 pot.

MP: Tanks for a while, and looks at his cards again. I was looking at him (he was in the 10 seat and I was in the 1 seat), seeing what he was going to do, and he lifted his cards too high before mucking. I saw K9os.

This put me into the tank. Knowing that he had a K made me really think this one out. This means that there is less a chance that my opponant has AK. At this point, AA is the only hand that makes real sense for him to have in retrospect, (which of course would beat me at this point, but meant I was drawing live). I was getting 4 to 1 on my money, due to the MPs weak non hand protecting bets.

I call the $25

River: Jd

He bets out $30. I raise to $60. He calls.

I show 2 pair. He mucks. MP (who folded on the turn) requests to see his hand. Dealer turned over his cracked AA.

I feel bad as I stack the chips, and throw the dealer a redbird.

+++++++++++

I really did feel bad after that hand. The tourist was a tried and true John Q Tourist. He left after that hand, with about $50 left. He simply didn't protect his hand enough and I was feeling saucy and willing to gamble a little. I wouldn't have felt bad if it was some internet monkey with shades and a full tilt hat, but it was just some older quiet guy.

Anyways, what I did not like about Ballys was the fact that they allow anyone to ask to see hands at showdown, whether involved in the hand or not. MP should not have asked to see his hand. Let him lose with dignity (or let me win with some ( )

However, the dealers there do seem to be having a good time. They allowed rabbit hunting so long as the players agreed, and were friendly and all smiles.

I left around 7PM after playing for about 2 hours. Made some money and had a good time. Ballys passed my audition, so I will be returning.

Edited to add what hand I had. Doh!

[El Scorcho]

Thrush, your bluff-call seems to be read-dependent, no? If it isn't then it's a horrible call, IMO.

[El Scorcho]

I read that whole thing and finally figured out you had TJs at the very end, Michael.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by El Scorcho

I read that whole thing and finally figured out you had TJs at the very end, Michael.

Yeah, I was trying to figure out what he had until I read the end part.

[LasVegasMichael]

WHOOPS! My bad guys. Yes, I had 10hJh.

For some reason, I completely forgot to include that rather important tidbit. I have edited the post and added it.

[Thrush]

Originally Posted by El Scorcho

Thrush, your bluff-call seems to be read-dependent, no? If it isn't then it's a horrible call, IMO.

Of course, Im not making this call if villain is sane or has more than 3 brain cells. He had been doing this a lot. Floating the flop and over betting the river with air.

[El Scorcho]

So I thought i'd give WSEX (rake-free) a shot. I kinda like it. Good mix of weak-tighties that you can push around and sportsbook idiots. I was surprised at how fast the rake rebate adds up. Played 2 tables of short handed for 90 minutes and got $20 saved up already.

[LasVegasMichael]

Played last night at Ballys from 5-7pm again.

Nice short little session. Table was extremely tight passive, except for one internet monkey, who liked to take a long time with easy decisions, and goo all in with 22 preflop to look cool. He lost half his stack by the time I left (unfortunately, not to me).

My biggest hand of the night was flopping a set of 3s (holding 33) against pf raiser (who happened to catch top pair with his montrous Q9os).

Other then that, I had a nice conversation with one of the dealers (I was in the 10 seat) about all kinds of poker and players stuff.

Overall, an entertaining session. Bought in for $300 and left with $401.

Pretty sure I am not playing tonight. Will probably hit Ballys up again either tomorrow or wednesday.

[gimmepilotwings]

Originally Posted by atari2600

hypothetically speaking, at what point when the flop is all suited, do you believe your opponent actually flopped a flush? i know its rare but it COULD happen, right?

how do you guys play it when the flop is one suit and you arent holding any of that suit?

Originally Posted by El Scorcho

In low limit, if I flop top pair on a suited board, my play is pretty standard. Most people slow play on the flop then come alive on the turn. If I encounter resistance on the turn, I don't call down to showdown unless I'm holding a strong two-pair or better. If I'm still at one pair, it's an easy fold to resistance on the turn.

If he slowplays a flush to the river, I'm pretty much calling the river raise he puts out because the pot is too big to fold at that point anyway.

I had this situation happen to me last night. I am playing a $1/$2 NL game full table and I had $40 left. I am in the SB and I look down to see two black kings. Only one limper to me, so I do my standard 3xBB raise to $6. I get two callers. The flop came 3 clubs smaller than 10. I lead out with a pot size bet (half of my chips) and I get a caller. The Turn hit the flush. The villian limped in with A2c. It was hard to get away from this hand. I ended up going broke.

I was hoping that I was against the lone A chasing the flush, and was more upset when I had the 2nd nuts.

[atari2600]

not exactly the same situation since you held a card of the same suit as the entire flop. but thats a tough hand.