Not Getting Run Over

Usually, I would consider folding pocket 9's to a big re-raise (the book says KK/AA). But, at this level, on this site I read a weak A, and a strong A. Besides feeling that I had the best hand, and that the SB was trying to push me out, I hoped my pair would hold up with only 2 A's left in the deck (I felt this was confirmed when SB did not insta-call my all-in).

CakePoker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.20 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

CO ($20.40)
Button (Hero) ($12.50)
SB ($48.32)
BB ($11.35)
UTG ($34)
MP ($5.35)

Preflop:

UTG calls $0.20, MP bets $0.90, 1 fold,
Button (Hero) raises to $3
SB raises to $9.40, 2 folds
MP calls $4.45 (All-In)
Button (Hero) raises to $12.50 (All-In)
SB calls $3.10

Flop: ($30.75) J, 10, 7 (3 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: ($30.75) 2 (3 players, 2 all-in)
River: ($30.75) 7 (3 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: $30.75 | Rake: $1.50

Results:
Button (Hero) had 9, 9 (two pair, nines and sevens).
SB mucked A, K (one pair, sevens).
MP mucked A, 4 (one pair, sevens).
Outcome: Button won $29.25

People Just Don't Know How To Play Deep Stack

Preflop.
Hero: $6.50 - Q,Q Limp
Villan: $12.40 - 6,6 raise $1.10
Hero: reraise - All in.
Villan: call

I did win the pot, but either way - win or lose - this was a bad call on his part; if this was a tournament then I could justify the risk under certain situations, but this is a cash game for christ's sakes! If not that, most people just don't know how to play deep stacks. They call way too much when they are clearly beat, but don't care because they have their opponent 'covered'.

A couple hands later:
Villan: Maybe I shouldn't of called you on that hand
Villan: but, I had the big stack and was playing deep.
Me: no, good call.
Villan: LOL

Multiple Site Accounts

Thankfully, I saw the benefit of having accounts spread across multiple sites. My new sweetheart - CakePoker - has been a fickle thing as of late, so I went over to Bodog for awhile to get a better game.

Wicked Chops Freeroll

Good thing: I am registered (you can too). Prize = $3,200 seat to the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Bad thing: It's 9pm EST and already 95 people are registered (max 3,ooo sumthin').

While tournaments are not currently 'my thing,' as I prefer cash games better, an opportunity like this I cannot pass up. I remember my other tournament adventure, but 1st was only $100 - I will have to get plenty of rest beforehand.

Going Down, But Not Out Of The Show

"I thought you were dead" - MRFOXWOODS (a player who hadn't seen me for awhile).

I have to admit that I am very happy with my ability to 'dip' down a level (or two) when things are not going right. Some bad play and a ton of bad luck can jeopardize anyone's bankroll. And minus the tilt factor + bankroll management one will survive to flop quads another day.

It's happened to me again, that is I went on a huge cooler this past weekend and lost a ton. And again, I managed to make most of it back putting me in rebuild mode for this past week.

While playing around three different levels for several weeks, I can't say that I will be committed to any one level: I've played hands that can barely pay for a newspaper and others that can buy an iPod; I've run hot and cold; been in a good mood and bad; played against fish and sharks. What is trying to be said here is that my level is fluctual depending on myself and the game (i.e., table selection). Why pigeon hole myself to one game at one level, when there may be something juicer above or below?

Next entry: Goals.

Hardships With Moving Up

Ever since I've moved up on Bodog to .25NL, I've suffered some huge coolers. What would happen is that I would lose 30, make 1o back, and then lose 20 again. My trips would lose to a fullhouse maybe 3 times for some huge hands and I've suffered some bad coolers as well ever since I tried to move up levels. My play has been very good, but unfortunately bad luck is over-riding my play (conversely, my play at the same level on PokerStars has been huge).

It's been a very frustrating experience, but I remain untilted. If I lose the $$$, I've allocated for this level I will move back down and rebuild. By the end of this weekend I should know where I stand.

UB Gives Pot To Hellmuth Who Mucked!

Go read how UB gave Phil Hellmuth a pot who mucked his hand to a player who had 3 of a kind, with Phil acting casually. Epic.

Stage #XXXXXXX: Holdem (1 on 1) Normal $200/$400 - 2008-12-20 04:15:23 (ET)
Table: FIR AVE (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 - PHILHELLMUTH ($4495 in chips)
Seat 6 - DOUBLEBALLER ($7494 in chips)
PHILHELLMUTH - Posts small blind $100
DOUBLEBALLER - Posts big blind $200
*** POCKET CARDS ***
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $300 to $400
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $600
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $400 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Calls $200
*** FLOP *** [Js Kc Kh]
DOUBLEBALLER - Checks
PHILHELLMUTH - Bets $200
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $400 to $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $200
*** TURN *** [Js Kc Kh] [2h]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Raises $800 to $800
DOUBLEBALLER - Raises $800 to $1200
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** RIVER *** [Js Kc Kh 2h] [9c]
DOUBLEBALLER - Bets $400
PHILHELLMUTH - Calls $400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DOUBLEBALLER - Shows [Kd Qh] (Three of a kind, kings)
PHILHELLMUTH - Mucks
PHILHELLMUTH Collects $5599 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($5600) | Rake ($1)
Board [Js Kc Kh 2h 9c]
Seat 4: PHILHELLMUTH (dealer) (small blind) won Total ($5599) HI: ($5599) [Mucked] [2s 10s]
Seat 6: DOUBLEBALLER (big blind) HI:lost with Three of a kind, kings [Kd Qh - B:Kh,P:Kd,B:Kc,P:Qh,B:Js]

Unbelievable. I would like to play there b/c the play is so bad, but in light of tihs and the whole superuser scandal, I'll play elsewhere (looks like I don't have to look so far as there are much more worse play at PokerStars lately - former UB'ers?).

Soft Is Hard; Hard Is Soft

Poker is not a static game. It is always evolving and changing; the cards can't be relied on, nor the players...all you can do is look at what is being offered and play your best game.

Lately, the play over at PokerStars is a donkey-hunter's dream. The texture of the games is soft, soft, soft. And the players just really play horrible lately by playing almost any two suited cards, chasing straights, and getting married to any Ace. I am not doing any necessary table selection, but just targeting the players via their stack sizes. I may be playing a little earlier than usual, so maybe that has a little to do with it, but my evening games fair just about the same.

Not having to think much, not worry about being played back, and seeing right through some moves is why I am logging into PokerStars more lately. Ironically, Bodog got a little harder. I'm playing some really soft cash games at PS right now.

Later...

See you at the felt tonight at the Blogger's Tournament.