Monday poker - crazy, crazy table

For the second week in a row, I went to the local bar for their $40 tournament. There were 45 players, and I busted out around 25th... I started well, but I committed too many chips on 22, and A10 and got burned.

The first cash table was full (10 players), but 3 other guys wanted to play, so we sat down with $100 each. I lost it on the first hand, trying to buy a pot with 22, on a J 10 5 board. But Phil had pocket fives, so he wasn't going to fold...

I then lost another $100 when this really agressive player, who kept raising to $25, $50 or $75 pre-flop (we were playing 1/2 NL) raised to $50, and I went all-in with AcJc... he called with 77 and I didn't hit.

About 30 minutes later, I lost another $100 when I called an all-in with 8d8c against a very loose player who was holding Ad4d... cards came J 10 A A 4... just my luck - giving him a full house.

I thought about leaving, but decided to try again with my last $140, since the table was now full, and there were three easy targets. But of the three easy targets, 2 were really annoying - so it was painful to sit there. I knew I couldn't make any moves with such a loose table, I basically had to sit and wait for a hand.

My first big pot of the comeback went like this... I'm under the gun with AcQc, and I just flat call the $2. 4 other players call, and it comes around to the big blind (one of the aforementionned easy targets). He raises to $75, leaving himself about $90. I know his style, and I know he likes to raise mediocre hands. So I re-raise $90 more, everyone else folds, and he calls with AJ. My hand held very well, with the cards coming out Qh 8c 6c Kd 10c - nut flush!

I won a $250 pot when a loose player raised pre-flop to $35, 2nd player called, and I went all-in for $110 total with AcKh. The first player folded, but the second called with Ah10c, and my hand held up.

I then sat through about 2 hours of nothing, until the very last hand of the night.
The same loose player makes it $35, an idiot calls, and a player who had busted out of the tourney right on the bubble (and joined us about 20 minutes earlier) went all-in for $120. I held 9d9h. I knew he was just looking to get all his money in and gamble, but I was afraid of being re-raised by the loose player. I decided to call anyways, and the loose player and the idiot just called too. So now there's $480 in the pot. Flop comes down 4d 4c 2h. Loose player checks, idiot checks, the other guy is already all-in. I push all-in for my last $120... loose player folds (he had 6s7s for a gut shot), idiot also folds. The other shows AhQc, and doesn't hit so I picked up this big pot.

With it, I managed to avoid a losing night, making $165 profit at the cash table, so $125 for the night.

Sunday afternoon PokerStars

I deposited $100 on PokerStars on Sunday, and decided to try and build up a bankroll by playing sit and go tournaments.

I played two 9-player, and one 18-player tourneys, all for $22 each.

I cashed in all three, finishing 3rd in the 18-player, and 2nd & 3rd in the 9-player tourneys.

Here's a summary of how things went down at the end of each:

1st:
This was the 18-player tournament. I made a good call, thinking I had the best hand. But another player called on his open-ended straight draw, and he caught it on the turn.

PokerStars Game #6817642426: Tournament #34723926, $20+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level IX (300/600) - 2006/10/29 - 15:33:22 (ET)
Table '34723926 1' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 2: sec8gambler (4385 in chips)
Seat 3: RockHD (4605 in chips)
Seat 5: Darkeye67 (6400 in chips)
Seat 9: billyv77 (11610 in chips)
sec8gambler: posts the ante 50
RockHD: posts the ante 50
Darkeye67: posts the ante 50
billyv77: posts the ante 50
billyv77: posts small blind 300
sec8gambler: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RockHD [:Ah :8h]
RockHD: calls 600
Darkeye67: folds
billyv77: calls 300
sec8gambler: checks
*** FLOP *** [:Tc :As :9s]
billyv77: checks
sec8gambler: checks
RockHD: bets 600
billyv77: calls 600
sec8gambler: raises 3135 to 3735 and is all-in
RockHD: calls 3135
billyv77: raises 3465 to 7200
RockHD: calls 220 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [:Tc :As :9s] [:Kc]
*** RIVER *** [:Tc :As :9s :Kc] [:6s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
billyv77: shows [:Js :Qd] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
RockHD: shows [:Ah :8h] (a pair of Aces)
billyv77 collected 440 from side pot
sec8gambler: shows [:3d :Ad] (a pair of Aces)
billyv77 collected 13205 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13645 Main pot 13205. Side pot 440. | Rake 0
Board [:Tc :As :9s :Kc :6s]
Seat 2: sec8gambler (big blind) showed [:3d :Ad] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 3: RockHD showed [:Ah :8h] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: Darkeye67 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: billyv77 (small blind) showed [:Js :Qd] and won (13645) with a straight, Ten to Ace

Since I had more chips than the other guy, I finished 3rd for a cashout of $72.00 - profit $50.

2nd:
In this one, back to back hands where I was dominating pre-flop, and the other player caught one of his three outs.

PokerStars Game #6818579376: Tournament #34730423, $20+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/10/29 - 16:51:03 (ET)
Table '34730423 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: 2fast4u7 (2775 in chips)
Seat 4: ovy11 (7045 in chips)
Seat 5: RockHD (3680 in chips)
2fast4u7: posts the ante 25
ovy11: posts the ante 25
RockHD: posts the ante 25
ovy11: posts small blind 200
RockHD: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RockHD [:Jc :Kd]
2fast4u7: raises 2350 to 2750 and is all-in
ovy11: folds
RockHD: calls 2350
*** FLOP *** [:Qc :Tc :8c]
*** TURN *** [:Qc :Tc :8c] [:4s]
*** RIVER *** [:Qc :Tc :8c :4s] [:5d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RockHD: shows [:Jc :Kd] (high card King)
2fast4u7: shows [:Js :Qs] (a pair of Queens)
RockHD said, "joke"
2fast4u7 collected 5775 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5775 | Rake 0
Board [:Qc :Tc :8c :4s :5d]
Seat 3: 2fast4u7 (button) showed [:Js :Qs] and won (5775) with a pair of Queens
Seat 4: ovy11 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: RockHD (big blind) showed [:Jc :Kd] and lost with high card King


PokerStars Game #6818585370: Tournament #34730423, $20+$2 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/10/29 - 16:51:32 (ET)
Table '34730423 1' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 3: 2fast4u7 (5775 in chips)
Seat 4: ovy11 (6820 in chips)
Seat 5: RockHD (905 in chips)
2fast4u7: posts the ante 25
ovy11: posts the ante 25
RockHD: posts the ante 25
RockHD: posts small blind 200
2fast4u7: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RockHD [:Qc :Kh]
ovy11: raises 400 to 800
RockHD: raises 80 to 880 and is all-in
2fast4u7: folds
ovy11: calls 80
*** FLOP *** [:Ah :2h :6c]
*** TURN *** [:Ah :2h :6c] [:9c]
*** RIVER *** [:Ah :2h :6c :9c] [:3c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RockHD: shows [:Qc :Kh] (high card Ace)
ovy11: shows [:Ks :3h] (a pair of Threes)
RockHD said, "another joke"
ovy11 collected 2235 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2235 | Rake 0
Board [:Ah :2h :6c :9c :3c]
Seat 3: 2fast4u7 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: ovy11 (button) showed [:Ks :3h] and won (2235) with a pair of Threes
Seat 5: RockHD (small blind) showed [:Qc :Kh] and lost with high card Ace

Not much I could do about that one... finished 3rd for $36 payout - profit $14.

3rd:
There aren't any real key hands in this one... I want all-in with Q-10, and the other player called with K-8. I hit a 10 on the flop, he rivered a K. Finished 2nd for $54 payout - profit $32.

I ended the afternoon up $96. Not much when you compare with cash game action, but still pretty good. I'm going to continue playing these sit & go tournaments... trying to build up a bank roll to eventually go back to cash games.

Poker Monday

Well, after a two week break, I had the urge to play a little. So I went to the local sports bar for their weekly $40 tournament.

After about 30 minutes, I was out. I went all in with KK and got called by 10-10, and the cards came out Q-9-5-8-J - giving the other guy a straight. That was that.

So I started a cash game, 1/2 NL. I bought in for $100. I managed to leave the table with $620, for a profit of $480.

I played pretty loose, calling $12 to $20 raises with so-so hands, but I played really well after the flop.

Here's an example. A good, but cocky player raises to $12 in early position, telling us he has pocket queens, and showing one. The button calls, and I call from the BB with :4c :6c.
He keeps talking and says he's going all-in if no A or K hits the flop.
Flop comes :8c :8d :4d. I check, he bets $60 (leaving himself about $80 behind). The dealer folds. My read is that he's holding AQ, and he's trying to buy the pot. So I raise it another $100, putting him all-in. He looks at me in pain... and eventually folds.

I did lose a few big pots too... here are two that stand out.

First off, I raised in late position with a bad hand, but I wanted to shake things up.
I have :2c :5c, and make it $12 to go. The dealer, SB and BB all call.
Flop comes :2d :Jc :7c.
The SB goes all-in for $50, BB folds, I call. The dealer goes all-in for another $58. Now I have to call that, figuring I have 13 outs for my flush or two pair or trips...
SB shows :Ah :Jd, Dealer :Kh :Js. I didn't hit any of my outs, so I lost $120 on that one.

The other big one was similar. I called a $15 raise with :Qs :7s because there were already 3 players in, and I was last to talk pre-flop, being on the BB.
Flop came out :Js :7d :9s.
I bet out $50... fold, fold - then the dealer goes all-in for $110, so I call again.
He shows :Ks :6s. So he has a better flush draw, but I'm holding a pair.
Turn :2d, River :Kd - suckout.

With about 15 minutes left, I got QQ. I raised it to $17. The guy next to me calls, the dealer re-raises $40 more. I look and he has $90 left, so I push him all-in, the other guy calls his last $45, and the dealer calls for all his chips. Dealer has AK and other guy JJ - my hand held up and I took down a big pot.

It felt good to get back on the winning side - now if I could only get some luck during the tournament.

Bad play + bad luck = Lost $$

Well, I've had to take a break from online poker for a few weeks... I went and pissed away my whole bankroll in one day. I've never played so poorly, and the bad luck didn't help. I was up to $2700, and now I'm down to zero. How did it happen? I'm still trying to figure it out myself, that's why I'm writing this blog.

Before anyone (including myself) panics, let's look at the facts. I play poker for fun, not as my job. I don't want it to cost me any money either, so I need to have some winnings. Here are my stats for the last two years, including this $2700 debacle.



So, I'm still up for the year, albeit not by much. So one's thing for sure, I'm not going to finish 2006 in the red. My budget for the next three months is $800 - and that's it. If I lose it all in a week, well no more poker until 2007.

Now, back to trying to figure out what happened on that dreadful day.

Things started off pretty badly... this hand came up very early, and it set the tone. I was sure I had the best hand... the other player actually caught quads when I made my full house. I can't be faulted on this one, but that' s about the only one of the day where I didn't play badly.

#Game No : 161678258
***** Hand History for Game 161678258 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 12:47:06 2006
Table Banana Split (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: GITN ($802.50)
Seat 2: FlyingStart ($2217.73)
Seat 3: boxtupp ($555.30)
Seat 4: FISHMENOT ($379.30)
Seat 5: stockis6 ($372.50)
Seat 6: RockHD ($520.70)
RockHD posts small blind [$2.00]
GITN posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :4c :4d ]
FlyingStart raises [$16.00]
boxtupp folds
FISHMENOT calls [$16.00]
stockis6 folds
RockHD calls [$14.00]
GITN folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ :As :4h :3s ] Great flop, I have a set, and an Ace also flopped
RockHD checks
FlyingStart checks
FISHMENOT bets [$28.00]
RockHD raises [$75.00]
FlyingStart folds
FISHMENOT calls [$47.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :3c ]
RockHD bets [$65.00]
FISHMENOT calls [$65.00]
** Dealing River ** [ :6c ]
RockHD is all-In [$364.70]
FISHMENOT is all-In [$223.30]
RockHD is refunded uncalled bet $141.40
RockHD shows [ :4c :4d ] a Full House, Fours full of Threes
FISHMENOT shows [ :3d :3h ] Four of a Kind, Threes I didn't see that coming
FISHMENOT wins $775.60 from main pot

On this hand, I got stubborn with my pocket pair. Raising him on the flop was a good play to figure out where I was in the hand, but once he called, I should have put him on a hand that had me beat.

#Game No : 161695632
***** Hand History for Game 161695632 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 13:20:08 2006
Table Peggy Sue Got Married (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: RockHD ($384.00)
Seat 2: FISHMENOT ($457.80)
Seat 3: znoppoz ($1236.80)
Seat 4: TheKeen ($1018.40)
Seat 5: pipp8 ($388.00)
Seat 6: M4CE ($1010.10)
M4CE posts small blind [$2.00]
RockHD posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :9s :9h ]
FISHMENOT folds
znoppoz folds
TheKeen raises [$16.00]
pipp8 folds
M4CE folds
RockHD calls [$12.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ :6h :Qd :8c ]
RockHD checks
TheKeen bets [$26.00]
RockHD raises [$65.00]
TheKeen calls [$39.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :Qh ]
RockHD checks
TheKeen checks
** Dealing River ** [ :3c ]
RockHD checks
TheKeen bets [$125.00]
RockHD calls [$125.00]
TheKeen shows [ :Ac :Qs ] Three of a Kind, Queens
RockHD does not show cards.
TheKeen wins $411.00 from the main pot

Here's the rundown on the hands that broke me:

On this one, I overplayed my JJ. When he re-raised me pre-flop, I should have just folded it. Or call, and if I don't hit a set, fold. The flop looked like it was good to me, but I should have known my hand wasn't strong enough.

#Game No : 161718746
***** Hand History for Game 161718746 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 14:09:24 2006
Table Peggy Sue Got Married (Real Money)
Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: RockHD ($562.40)
Seat 2: FISHMENOT ($439.30)
Seat 3: znoppoz ($1152.60)
Seat 4: y0 ($428.20)
Seat 5: Mounty15 ($384.00)
Seat 6: M4CE ($1426.00)
znoppoz posts small blind [$2.00]
y0 posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :Jc :Jh ]
Mounty15 folds
M4CE calls [$4.00]
RockHD raises [$16.00]
FISHMENOT folds
znoppoz raises [$58.00]
y0 folds
M4CE folds
RockHD calls [$44.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ :4s :9h :Th ]
znoppoz bets [$78.00]
RockHD raises [$178.00]
znoppoz is all-In [$1014.60]
RockHD is all-In [$324.40]
znoppoz is refunded uncalled bet $590.20
znoppoz shows [ :Ks :Kc ] a Pair, Kings
** Dealing Turn ** [ :As ]
** Dealing River ** [ :9s ]
znoppoz shows [ :Ks :Kc ] Two Pair, Kings and Nines
RockHD shows [ :Jc :Jh ] Two Pair, Jacks and Nines
znoppoz wins $1129.80 from main pot

On this one, I called a pre-flop raise with suited connectors, and I caught two pairs on the flop. When he bet $78 on the turn, I had a feeling I was beat. I didn't put him on AA at all, since he had bet the flop pretty hard. But I thought he could have A10, AJ, JJ,1010 or even KQ - all hands that had me beat. But I still called. The river didn't bring any help (to me, or him I thought), so I pretty much gave up and called. Once again, I didn't trust my instincts, and I called all my money away.

#Game No : 161868331
***** Hand History for Game 161868331 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 18:18:18 2006
Table Pale Rider (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: RockHD ($357.65)
Seat 2: _myst_ ($965.30)
Seat 3: Heddalspoker1 ($396.00)
Seat 4: Yeagasnoor ($416.00)
Seat 5: FISHMENOT ($989.70)
Seat 6: Johan_th ($80.60)
_myst_ posts small blind [$2.00]
Heddalspoker1 posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :9c :Tc ]
Yeagasnoor calls [$4.00]
FISHMENOT raises [$16.00]
Johan_th folds
RockHD calls [$16.00]
_myst_ folds
Heddalspoker1 folds
Yeagasnoor folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ :9s :Ts :Ad ]
FISHMENOT bets [$32.00]
RockHD calls [$32.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :Jh ]
FISHMENOT bets [$78.00]
RockHD calls [$78.00]
** Dealing River ** [ :5c ]
FISHMENOT is all-In [$863.70]
RockHD is all-In [$231.65]
FISHMENOT is refunded uncalled bet $632.05
FISHMENOT shows [ :As :Ah ] Three of a Kind, Aces
RockHD shows [ :9c :Tc ] Two Pair, Tens and Nines
FISHMENOT wins $722.30 from main pot

Here, in a battle of the blinds, I played it well, until the river. I hit my flush, and bet it out. When he re-raised, it should have registered that he had me beat. But I pretty much had to call since I'd been betting the draw, and it finally came.

#Game No : 161780022
***** Hand History for Game 161780022 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 16:02:11 2006
Table Banana Split (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: GITN ($749.50)
Seat 2: 05apa ($389.77)
Seat 3: B3NZ0 ($430.10)
Seat 4: mimmi90 ($408.90)
Seat 5: maa74 ($121.80)
Seat 6: RockHD ($894.05)
RockHD posts small blind [$2.00]
GITN posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :9s :Js ]
05apa folds
B3NZ0 folds
mimmi90 folds
maa74 folds
RockHD raises [$6.00]
GITN calls [$4.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ :2d :6s :Qs ]
RockHD bets [$16.00]
GITN calls [$16.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :Tc ]
RockHD bets [$32.00]
GITN raises [$76.00]
RockHD calls [$44.00]
** Dealing River ** [ :7s ]
RockHD bets [$100.00]
GITN raises [$270.00]
RockHD calls [$170.00]
GITN shows [ :As :Ts ] a Flush
RockHD does not show cards.
GITN wins $737.00 from the main pot

Here I called an all-in pre-flop from someone I knew was pushing any Ace. I had AJ, and looked good after the flop vs his A10. But the turn brought one of his 3 outs, and I lost the pot.

#Game No : 161783387
***** Hand History for Game 161783387 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 16:06:40 2006
Table Banana Split (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: GITN ($1230.50)
Seat 2: 05apa ($421.17)
Seat 3: B3NZ0 ($419.70)
Seat 4: mimmi90 ($404.90)
Seat 5: maa74 ($91.20)
Seat 6: RockHD ($418.05)
mimmi90 posts small blind [$2.00]
maa74 posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :Jh :As ]
RockHD calls [$4.00]
GITN calls [$4.00]
05apa calls [$4.00]
B3NZ0 folds
mimmi90 calls [$2.00]
maa74 is all-In [$87.20]
RockHD calls [$87.20]
GITN folds
05apa folds
mimmi90 folds
maa74 shows [ :Ac :Tc ] High Card, Ace
** Dealing Flop ** [ :8d :Qh :8s ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :Ts ]
** Dealing River ** [ :Ad ]
maa74 shows [ :Ac :Tc ] Two Pair, Aces and Tens
RockHD shows [ :Jh :As ] Two Pair, Aces and Eights
maa74 wins $191.40 from main pot

Here's another hand, where I keep calling instead of raising, and I get burned on the river. I've since noticed that this particular player will raise, then bet and bet and bet. The only way to find out if he has anything is to raise him on the flop.

#Game No : 161867172
***** Hand History for Game 161867172 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 18:16:39 2006
Table Banana Split (Real Money)
Seat 6 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 1: Ernoplayer ($400.10)
Seat 2: RockHD ($539.80)
Seat 3: Feichti ($380.00)
Seat 5: FISHMENOT ($673.80)
Seat 6: Forema ($401.70)
Ernoplayer posts small blind [$2.00]
RockHD posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :9s :6s ]
Feichti folds
FISHMENOT folds
Forema folds
Ernoplayer raises [$6.00]
RockHD calls [$4.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ :2s :5d :6c ]
Ernoplayer bets [$12.00]
RockHD calls [$12.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :4s ]
Ernoplayer bets [$20.00]
RockHD calls [$20.00]
** Dealing River ** [ :Tc ]
Ernoplayer bets [$24.00]
RockHD raises [$60.00]
Ernoplayer calls [$36.00]
RockHD shows [ :9s :6s ] a Pair, Sixes
Ernoplayer shows [ :Jh :Ts ] a Pair, Tens
Ernoplayer wins $198.00 from the main pot

Another big one... I flop top pair, he flops a set. And he got all my money...

#Game No : 161704705
***** Hand History for Game 161704705 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Wed, Oct 04, 13:40:12 2006
Table Personal Best (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: BTranen ($269.66)
Seat 2: znoppoz ($406.00)
Seat 3: pipp8 ($263.00)
Seat 4: y0 ($497.00)
Seat 5: FISHMENOT ($1803.90)
Seat 6: RockHD ($504.10)
y0 posts small blind [$2.00]
FISHMENOT posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :Ac :Kc ]
RockHD calls [$4.00]
BTranen folds
znoppoz raises [$16.00]
pipp8 folds
y0 folds
FISHMENOT calls [$12.00]
RockHD calls [$12.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ :Ah :Jc :2s ]
FISHMENOT checks
RockHD checks
znoppoz bets [$32.00]
FISHMENOT calls [$32.00]
RockHD raises [$72.00]
znoppoz folds
FISHMENOT calls [$40.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ :4c ]
FISHMENOT checks
RockHD bets [$150.00]
FISHMENOT is all-In [$1715.90]
RockHD is all-In [$266.10]
FISHMENOT is refunded uncalled bet $1299.80
FISHMENOT shows [ :Js :Jh ] Three of a Kind, Jacks
** Dealing River ** [ :Qs ]
FISHMENOT shows [ :Js :Jh ] Three of a Kind, Jacks
RockHD shows [ :Ac :Kc ] a Pair, Aces
FISHMENOT wins $1055.20 from main pot

So I was down to just over $350 in my account, and about 5 days later, I tried my luck again. This time, I decided to only play premium cards, since I didn't have any bankroll to fall back on.
I managed to get all my money in with top two pair, only to have the other player draw out on the river.

#Game No : 165171176
***** Hand History for Game 165171176 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Tue, Oct 10, 17:10:52 2006
Table Personal Best (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 1: FISHMENOT ($407.35)
Seat 2: IAmNutz ($1138.05)
Seat 4: RockHD ($324.20)
Seat 5: _myst_ ($860.20)
IAmNutz posts small blind [$2.00]
RockHD posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ :Kd :9s ]
_myst_ folds
FISHMENOT folds
IAmNutz calls [$2.00]
RockHD checks
** Dealing Flop ** [ :9h :4h :Ks ]
IAmNutz bets [$12.00]
RockHD raises [$36.00]
IAmNutz is all-In [$1122.05]
RockHD is all-In [$284.20]
IAmNutz is refunded uncalled bet $813.85
IAmNutz shows [ :7h :Kh ] a Pair, Kings
** Dealing Turn ** [ :3c ]
** Dealing River ** [ :3h ]
IAmNutz shows [ :7h :Kh ] a Flush
RockHD shows [ :Kd :9s ] Two Pair, Kings and Nines
IAmNutz wins $646.40 from main pot

So, did I learn anything from this latest bad run? Here's a summary:

• I definitely overplay a lot of hands. I shouldn't be calling any big all-ins unless I have the nuts, or my gut tells me I have the best hand.
• I need to learn to fold good hands against good players. QQ is a good hand, but no good when an A or a K are on the board. Just fold, and lose only the pre-flop raise.
• I also noticed that I have a tendancy to check the river a lot, even when I have a pretty good idea that I'm leading. This costs me some money, since players who've called bets on the flop and turn, will still call the river bet if they feel their hand is best.
• Stop calling raises with small suited connectors, unless another player also called. The only way I'll make any money playing those hands is if I can trap someone, and it's more likely to happen when I'm not just up against the original raiser.
  
• I can still play multiple tables, but stop topping up to $400 everytime I go below $300. When I keep topping up, I forget how much I've invested in the session. Start with $400, and if you fall below $200, just quit that table instead of re-investing.
  
• Leave a table when I'm up anything over $400. I've often been up $400 to $500, and kept playing and eventually got caught in a big hand to lose it all.
• When it's not your day, it's not your day. Just quit - come back tomorrow. Much better than losing your whole stack in a bad session!!

I also need to start playing more local live games, since that's definitely been my bread and butter.

Stay tuned to see if I can actually follow through on my own recommendations.

Eurolinx Sunday

After not playing on Saturday, I got the chance to go online and play a little on Sunday. I sat for about an hour - I bought in for $400 at 3 tables, all at the same time, 6 handed playing 2/4 NL.

I managed to make over $800 in that hour... one of the best runs I've ever had. I caught some nice cards, and played them well.

Table # 1:

I didn't play this first hand very well... until I caught on the river!

#Game No : 160335892
***** Hand History for Game 160335892 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:13:22 2006
Table Planes Trains and Automobiles (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: big_bert ($521.00)
Seat 2: judaz ($394.00)
Seat 3: SBG80 ($565.50)
Seat 4: y0 ($895.40)
Seat 5: RockHD ($405.00)
Seat 6: Mounty15 ($322.00)
Mounty15 posts small blind [$2.00]
big_bert posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Ah Jc ]
judaz folds
SBG80 raises [$12.00]
y0 folds
RockHD calls [$12.00]
Mounty15 folds
big_bert folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ks 5c Th ]
SBG80 bets [$16.00]
RockHD calls [$16.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Ad ]
SBG80 bets [$32.00]
RockHD calls [$32.00]
** Dealing River ** [ Qc ]
SBG80 bets [$52.00]
RockHD raises [$156.00]
SBG80 calls [$104.00]
RockHD shows [ Ah Jc ] a Straight, Ace high
SBG80 does not show cards.
RockHD wins $435.00 from the main pot

I lost a pretty big pot on this following hand... the key mistake was not raising my hand when I came in the pot. I got beat by a blind hand that wouldn't have been around if I had raised.

#Game No : 160337549
***** Hand History for Game 160337549 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:17:21 2006
Table Planes Trains and Automobiles (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: big_bert ($507.00)
Seat 2: judaz ($383.40)
Seat 3: SBG80 ($346.00)
Seat 4: y0 ($907.40)
Seat 5: RockHD ($618.00)
Seat 6: Mounty15 ($334.50)
judaz posts small blind [$2.00]
SBG80 posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Qs Kd ]
y0 folds
RockHD calls [$4.00]
Mounty15 folds
big_bert folds
judaz calls [$2.00]
SBG80 checks
** Dealing Flop ** [ 2h Qd 4d ]
judaz checks
SBG80 bets [$4.00]
RockHD raises [$15.00]
judaz folds
SBG80 calls [$11.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 6c ]
SBG80 bets [$8.00]
RockHD raises [$32.00]
SBG80 calls [$24.00]
** Dealing River ** [ Qc ]
SBG80 is all-In [$295.00]
RockHD calls [$295.00]
SBG80 shows [ 4s Qh ] a Full House, Queens full of Fours
SBG80 shows [ 4s Qh ] a Full House, Queens full of Fours
RockHD shows [ Qs Kd ] Three of a Kind, Queens
SBG80 wins $693.00 from main pot

Two hands later, I flopped the nut straight, but the board paired on the turn and it slowed me down a little. Still, I won a good pot:

#Game No : 160338005
***** Hand History for Game 160338005 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:18:39 2006
Table Planes Trains and Automobiles (Real Money)
Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 1: big_bert ($513.00)
Seat 2: judaz ($379.40)
Seat 4: y0 ($903.40)
Seat 5: RockHD ($272.00)
Seat 6: Mounty15 ($334.50)
y0 posts small blind [$2.00]
RockHD posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ 9d Ts ]
Mounty15 calls [$4.00]
big_bert folds
judaz folds
y0 calls [$2.00]
RockHD checks
** Dealing Flop ** [ 8c 7h 6d ]
y0 checks
RockHD bets [$8.00]
Mounty15 calls [$8.00]
y0 folds
** Dealing Turn ** [ 7d ]
RockHD bets [$14.00]
kejan has joined the table
Mounty15 raises [$33.00]
RockHD calls [$19.00]
** Dealing River ** [ 2s ]
RockHD checks
Mounty15 bets [$47.00]
RockHD calls [$47.00]
Mounty15 shows [ 7s Js ] Three of a Kind, Sevens
RockHD shows [ 9d Ts ] a Straight, Ten high
RockHD wins $186.00 from the main pot

I quit table #1 down $25.

Table # 2:

I almost doubled up early at this table on this hand. It was a great flop, an open ended straight plus flush draw.

#Game No : 160343344
***** Hand History for Game 160343344 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:32:58 2006
Table Peggy Sue Got Married (Real Money)
Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: PhenomenaL ($204.90)
Seat 2: Dr107suited ($584.50)
Seat 3: Tiltad_Fisk ($442.20)
Seat 4: Mounty15 ($815.90)
Seat 5: GolliGolli ($315.30)
Seat 6: RockHD ($356.00)
Mounty15 posts small blind [$2.00]
GolliGolli posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Js Qs ]
RockHD raises [$12.00] I raised coming in - much better than limping.
PhenomenaL calls [$12.00]
Dr107suited folds
Tiltad_Fisk folds
Mounty15 folds
GolliGolli calls [$8.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ts As 9d ] - Great flop, open ended straight, plus flush draw
GolliGolli checks
RockHD bets [$20.00]
PhenomenaL folds
GolliGolli calls [$20.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 4s ]
GolliGolli checks
RockHD bets [$30.00] A lot of people check when they hit their flush, I bet it out.
GolliGolli raises [$108.00]
RockHD is all-In [$294.00]
GolliGolli is all-In [$175.30]
RockHD is refunded uncalled bet $40.70
GolliGolli shows [ 6s 3s ] a Flush
** Dealing River ** [ 7d ]
GolliGolli shows [ 6s 3s ] a Flush
RockHD shows [ Js Qs ] a Flush
RockHD wins $641.60 from main pot

Then I hit another flush that paid off:

#Game No : 160350463
***** Hand History for Game 160350463 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:55:57 2006
Table Peggy Sue Got Married (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: PhenomenaL ($105.00)
Seat 2: Dr107suited ($577.10)
Seat 3: Tiltad_Fisk ($510.90)
Seat 4: Mounty15 ($793.40)
Seat 5: GolliGolli ($426.10)
Seat 6: RockHD ($666.80)
Dr107suited posts small blind [$2.00]
Tiltad_Fisk posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ 9h Qh ]
Mounty15 calls [$4.00]
GolliGolli folds
RockHD calls [$4.00]
PhenomenaL folds
Dr107suited folds
Tiltad_Fisk raises [$16.00]
Mounty15 calls [$16.00]
RockHD calls [$16.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Jh 8h 7c ]
Tiltad_Fisk bets [$42.00]
Mounty15 raises [$88.00]
RockHD calls [$88.00] I called with gut-shot straight plus flush draw
Tiltad_Fisk folds
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2h ]
Mounty15 checks
RockHD bets [$140.00]
Mounty15 calls [$140.00]
** Dealing River ** [ Tc ]
Mounty15 checks
RockHD checks I don't know why I checked on the river - that was a bad play. I thought that he might have a higher flush - but since I would have called pretty much any bet, I should have bet out.
Mounty15 shows [ 8d Jd ] Two Pair, Jacks and Eights
RockHD shows [ 9h Qh ] a Flush
RockHD wins $557.00 from the main pot

I ended that table up $467.

Table # 3:

On only my 3rd hand, I doubled up...

#Game No : 160341988
***** Hand History for Game 160341988 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Sun, Oct 01, 23:29:15 2006
Table Nothing in Common (Real Money)
Seat 6 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 1: tatata ($114.14)
Seat 2: RockHD ($396.00)
Seat 3: kingkai84 ($394.00)
Seat 4: JJPlay ($503.72)
Seat 6: kejan ($505.00)
tatata posts small blind [$2.00]
RockHD posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Th 9h ]
kingkai84 raises [$12.00]
JJPlay folds
kejan folds
tatata calls [$10.00]
RockHD calls [$8.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 8d Ah 7c ]
tatata checks
RockHD checks
kingkai84 bets [$24.00]
tatata folds
RockHD calls [$24.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 6s ]
RockHD checks
kingkai84 bets [$52.00]
RockHD calls [$52.00]
** Dealing River ** [ Qc ]
RockHD bets [$120.00]
kingkai84 raises [$240.00]
RockHD is all-In [$188.00]
kingkai84 is all-In [$66.00]
RockHD is refunded uncalled bet $2.00
kingkai84 shows [ Qs Ac ] Two Pair, Aces and Queens
RockHD shows [ Th 9h ] a Straight, Ten high
kingkai84 shows [ Qs Ac ] Two Pair, Aces and Queens
RockHD wins $798.00 from main pot

I ended up $350 on that table, after not catching much. But I'm happy!

Eurolinx Friday

I've started playing 3 tables at a time... With all of this action, playing 6 handed tables, it forces me to make some quick decisions. So I often will fold so-so hands, and that's a good thing if you want to win consistently.

I played for about four hours on Friday, and ended up breaking even. I lost a big $775 pot with KK vs a flush draw, but I managed to claw my way back.

Here's the hand:

#Game No : 159037841
***** Hand History for Game 159037841 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Fri, Sep 29, 20:14:07 2006
Table Personal Best (Real Money)
Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: TheHomeless ($417.80)
Seat 2: noroz ($562.30)
Seat 3: Katieh ($436.70)
Seat 4: RockHD ($372.85)
Seat 5: maverick19 ($362.80)
Seat 6: vekafredrik ($464.75)
maverick19 posts small blind [$2.00]
vekafredrik posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Kd Ks ]
TheHomeless folds
noroz raises [$8.00]
Katieh calls [$8.00]
RockHD raises [$24.00]
maverick19 calls [$22.00] - He called a raise, re-raise with 3c6c !
vekafredrik folds
noroz calls [$16.00]
Katieh calls [$16.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Td 9c 7c ]
maverick19 checks
noroz checks
Katieh checks
RockHD bets [$100.00]
maverick19 is all-In [$338.80]
noroz folds
Katieh folds
RockHD calls [$238.80]
maverick19 shows [ 3c 6c ] High Card, Ten
** Dealing Turn ** [ Tc ] - damn turn... cost me $775
** Dealing River ** [ 5d ]
maverick19 shows [ 3c 6c ] a Flush
RockHD shows [ Kd Ks ] Two Pair, Kings and Tens
maverick19 wins $774.60 from main pot

After that big loss, I managed to win a few key hands to get me back in the black...

On this following hand, I used something I learned from myst... having the conviction to trust your read, and calling a good sized bet on the river when I thought the player missed his flush. He was just calling on the flop, and the turn. If he had anything, I figured he would have raised to chase out the flush draw, and if he had just a small piece of the flop, he would have checked behind me on the river. So I called with Ace high, and won a pretty big pot ($279):

#Game No : 159006934
***** Hand History for Game 159006934 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Fri, Sep 29, 19:26:43 2006
Table Banana Boat (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: guldtorsk ($289.10)
Seat 2: aaargh ($133.95)
Seat 3: Katieh ($813.30)
Seat 4: ThinnerJoe ($639.60)
Seat 5: TheHomeless ($349.80)
Seat 6: RockHD ($483.00)
aaargh posts small blind [$2.00]
Katieh posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Ad Jc ]
ThinnerJoe folds
TheHomeless folds
RockHD raises [$12.00]
guldtorsk calls [$12.00]
aaargh folds
Katieh folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ 4c 7h Kh ]
RockHD bets [$20.00]
guldtorsk calls [$20.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 8s ]
RockHD bets [$40.00]
guldtorsk calls [$40.00]
** Dealing River ** [ 2c ]
RockHD checks
guldtorsk bets [$66.00]
RockHD calls [$66.00]
guldtorsk shows [ Th Qh ] High Card, King
RockHD shows [ Ad Jc ] High Card, Ace
RockHD wins $279.00 from the main pot

On this one, I chased a bit too much, but I got lucky on the river. I didn't think the other player had anything, so I called the bet on the flop with my 6 outs (four 9s for a straight, or two 7s for a set). I sometimes call in situations like that because it often gets me a free card on the turn. It did this time, but only because the other guy checked his big hand. When I hit my card on the river, and bet out $150, he hesitated. In the chat box, I wrote: Fold. He didn't!

#Game No : 159043941
***** Hand History for Game 159043941 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Fri, Sep 29, 20:22:13 2006
Table Banana Boat (Real Money)
Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 1: y0 ($488.80)
Seat 2: aaargh ($254.60)
Seat 3: Katieh ($578.00)
Seat 4: ThinnerJoe ($830.10)
Seat 6: RockHD ($553.90)
RockHD posts small blind [$2.00]
y0 posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ 7c 7d ]
aaargh folds
Katieh calls [$4.00]
ThinnerJoe folds
RockHD calls [$2.00]
y0 raises [$16.00]
Katieh calls [$16.00]
RockHD calls [$16.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 6d Ts 8d ]
RockHD checks
y0 bets [$45.00] - I thought I might have the best hand, since this smelled like a pretty big continuation bet
Katieh folds
RockHD calls [$45.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Tc ]
RockHD checks
y0 checks - He checked, giving me a free card
** Dealing River ** [ 7h ]
RockHD bets [$150.00]
y0 calls [$150.00]
RockHD shows [ 7c 7d ] a Full House, Sevens full of Tens
y0 does not show cards.
RockHD wins $448.00 from the main pot

Here's one that I lost, when the other player caught his 2nd pair on the turn, calling a big raise on the flop with middle pair.

#Game No : 158297688
***** Hand History for Game 158297688 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Thu, Sep 28, 17:35:15 2006
Table Personal Best (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 1: Crocc ($437.30)
Seat 3: Pindel ($423.60)
Seat 4: chatblanc ($167.66)
Seat 5: RockHD ($360.00)
Seat 6: jgranathen ($448.20)
Pindel posts small blind [$2.00]
chatblanc posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ Kd As ]
RockHD raises [$16.00]
jgranathen folds
Crocc folds
Pindel folds
chatblanc calls [$12.00]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 2d Kh 9s ]
chatblanc bets [$4.00]
RockHD raises [$30.00]
chatblanc calls [$26.00]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Ts ]
chatblanc is all-In [$121.66]
RockHD calls [$121.66]
chatblanc shows [ Td 9h ] Two Pair, Tens and Nines
** Dealing River ** [ Jc ]
chatblanc shows [ Td 9h ] Two Pair, Tens and Nines
RockHD shows [ Kd As ] a Pair, Kings
chatblanc wins $335.32 from main pot

On this one I managed to get all my money in pre-flop with AA, and the Aces held up:

#Game No : 158982744
***** Hand History for Game 158982744 *****
$2.00/$4.00 NL Texas Hold'em - Fri, Sep 29, 18:46:50 2006
Table Personal Best (Real Money)
Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 6
Seat 1: TheHomeless ($412.00)
Seat 2: noroz ($239.30)
Seat 3: Typhoon ($929.43)
Seat 4: RockHD ($460.00)
Seat 5: maverick19 ($429.20)
Seat 6: 22mavorre ($204.55)
maverick19 posts small blind [$2.00]
22mavorre posts big blind [$4.00]
Typhoon posts small blind [$2.00]
Typhoon posts big blind [$4.00]
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to RockHD [ As Ad ]
TheHomeless folds
noroz raises [$14.00]
Typhoon folds
RockHD raises [$34.00]
maverick19 folds
22mavorre folds
noroz raises [$62.00]
RockHD is all-In [$426.00]
noroz is all-In [$163.30]
RockHD is refunded uncalled bet $220.70
noroz shows [ Jc Jh ] a Pair, Jacks
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ts Th 9s ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 6c ]
** Dealing River ** [ 4s ]
noroz shows [ Jc Jh ] Two Pair, Jacks and Tens
RockHD shows [ As Ad ] Two Pair, Aces and Tens
RockHD wins $487.60 from main pot

That was it for Friday... I didn't play Saturday, and I played for a very profitable hour on Sunday - the post is coming up.