Could I have dreamed of it any better...

So my title is in reference to the action I got on my bustout hand from a tourney that NBA and I played in. It was a crazy maniacal tournament this past weekend at a local casino in AZ. It was a 10k guaranteed with $60buy-in and 2 optional $30 rebuys which you could do at anytime regardless of stack size. That was news to me but I liked the idea. For some reason I decided to both my rebuys before the tourney started....which is bad strategy imo. I started with 15k in chips. I'll save you boring hands like my 99 being cracked by 22 on a 8 high flop or other crazy play by complete donkeys. I have never seen such ridiculous, horrible play in my life. Anyways onto the hand that crippled me.

I am UTG and have 2 black aces (NBA's favorite hand). Blinds at 200/400 (they started at 100/200 w/30min levels). I have 13.5k in chips. I limp with my aces knowing I will get action. 2nd position limps (horrific player). 4th position limps (decent player who thought he was better than he was)5th position than raises to 2k. She was the tightest woman in the world and this was only her 2nd hand she had played the whole tournament. She played the previous hand and showed QQ. I immediately put her on KK or AK or maybe QQ again. I thought aces were unlikely since I have 2 of them. Then 6th position goes all infor 3400 total. 7 position (SB) instantly calls the 3400. BB folds and I proceed to go all in raising another 10k. 2nd position insta calls for over 8k, 4th position hims and haws for a minute stating he has a hand that is strong and can beat a lot of things with the right flop(WTF) but finally folds. The tight woman in seat 5 actually takes about another minute to decide and then calls. The SB thinks for another minute and finally folds after I tell her she doesn't need to call. I didn't want more people in the hand. We turn over the hands. I have aces, 2nd position has Q4 of clubs (no joke), the tight lady has KK and the all in lady had 66. The guy who took forever to decide said he had QJ and the lady who I talked down from calling had 44.

Flop comes 753 rainbow. Turn a 8 and river a K...I lose the biggest pot of the tourney up to that point and am left with 300 in chips. I am all in on the next hand with J2 (I was in the BB). 2 guys are in the hand. Flop comes J high and another bets and other guy folds. Guy has AK. Of course I get greensteined with an ''Ace on the River'' and I bust out. Congrats to NBA who lasted longer but eventually the donks caught up to him. I probably won't play as I wasn't a fan of the play (even though really juicy) nor the environment. I like other casinos I have played at in the area better.

My First Blogger Tourney

So I finally got the chance to play in one of the Blogger tourneys hosted by AlCantHang, Otis, and Dr. Pauly. It was the $69+6 Blogger Big Game this past Sunday. 51 runners with 1st place a nice $1300+. I started out with Otis and emptyman at my table. We started with 5k in chips and 10 or 15 minute levels, I can't remember. Not much going on at first. Win a few, lose a few and I'm down to 4300 and I decide to raise my first pot and hit the flop.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222322622: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:41:40 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (4,850)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,310)
Seat 3: garthmeister (7,850)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (5,005)
Seat 5: OtisDart (5,540)
Seat 6: Zeem (5,000)
Seat 7: willwonka (5,030)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,415)
Zeem posts the small blind of 20
willwonka posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [7c 6c]
Mike_Maloney folds
emptyman folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 100
garthmeister folds
Zeem: add some duct tape
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
OtisDart: One step ahead of you there
willwonka calls 60
*** FLOP *** [6d 7h Td]
willwonka checks
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 200
garthmeister: Mine is run by a gerbil in a wheel, stuck together with baling wire and chewing gum.
willwonka calls 200
*** TURN *** [6d 7h Td] [2c]
garthmeister: And I think the gerbil is dead.
willwonka checks
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 400
willwonka has 15 seconds left to act
willwonka folds
Uncalled bet of 400 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (620)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 620 | Rake 0
Board: [6d 7h Td 2c]
Seat 1: emptyman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (620), mucked
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Zeem (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: willwonka (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney didn't bet (folded)

I proceed to keep getting dealt Ace small or tempting hands like 107 or 86 but fold pretty much everything. Playing tight and the table itself is kinda tight with one guy raising a lot but showing down hands. I finally get JJ and everyone folds

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222380589: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 20/40 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:46:46 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (5,110)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,905)
Seat 3: garthmeister (7,495)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (4,945)
Seat 5: OtisDart (5,440)
Seat 6: Zeem (4,980)
Seat 7: willwonka (4,770)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,355)
OtisDart posts the small blind of 20
Zeem posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Jh Jd]
garthmeister: Great, guess it's time to branch our to the West Coast
willwonka has 15 seconds left to act
OtisDart: Sorry, Garth.
willwonka folds
Mike_Maloney folds
Zeem: they never think to check the gerbil for contraband
emptyman folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 150
garthmeister folds
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart has 15 seconds left to act
garthmeister: It's a neat trick, especially when the gerbil _is_ the contraband.
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
Uncalled bet of 110 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
OtisDart: It's part of my job as a writer to cover the story inside and out...in this case,the story is moostly inside
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Jh Jd] a pair of Jacks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (100)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 100 | Rake 0
Seat 1: emptyman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (100)
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Zeem (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: willwonka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney didn't bet (folded)

This was how tight I was playing

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222463043: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:54:03 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (5,175)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,760)
Seat 3: garthmeister (7,785)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (5,010)
Seat 5: OtisDart (5,405)
Seat 6: Zeem (4,395)
Seat 7: willwonka (4,580)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,890)
willwonka posts the small blind of 25
Mike_Maloney posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ad 8h]
emptyman folds
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
garthmeister folds
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
willwonka folds
Uncalled bet of 25 returned to Mike_Maloney
Mike_Maloney mucks
Mike_Maloney wins the pot (50)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 50 | Rake 0
Seat 1: emptyman didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Zeem (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: willwonka (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (big blind) collected (50), mucked

Plan to reraise raiser but SB beats me to it and I call his reraise and fold to C-Bet
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222479478: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 25/50 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:55:31 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (5,600)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,760)
Seat 3: garthmeister (7,785)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (5,010)
Seat 5: OtisDart (5,405)
Seat 6: Zeem (3,995)
Seat 7: willwonka (4,555)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,890)
emptyman posts the small blind of 25
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the big blind of 50
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [6h 6s]
garthmeister folds
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
willwonka folds
Mike_Maloney raises to 175
emptyman raises to 550
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 500
Mike_Maloney has 15 seconds left to act
Mike_Maloney: well, damn
Mike_Maloney folds
*** FLOP *** [8d 3s Ks]
emptyman bets 800
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 800 returned to emptyman
emptyman mucks
emptyman wins the pot (1,275)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,275 | Rake 0
Board: [8d 3s Ks]
Seat 1: emptyman (small blind) collected (1,275), mucked
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Zeem didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: willwonka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (button) folded before the Flop


Now my first key hand of the night comes up. Not sure if I played properly but the board had str8 opportunities so that is why I raised on the flop. Otis claims to have had AQ and emptyman states he had AK...I don't believe Emptyman!!!

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222692915: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:14:37 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (5,975)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,100)
Seat 3: garthmeister (6,760)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (5,170)
Seat 5: OtisDart (7,245)
Seat 6: Zeem (3,890)
Seat 7: willwonka (4,035)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,825)
OtisDart posts the small blind of 40
Zeem posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [9h 9c]
willwonka folds
Mike_Maloney folds
emptyman raises to 240
AZ DonkeyHerder has 15 seconds left to act
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 240
garthmeister folds
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart calls 200
Zeem calls 160
*** FLOP *** [9s Ah Jd]
OtisDart checks
Zeem checks
emptyman bets 640
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 1,500
OtisDart has 15 seconds left to act
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
emptyman has 15 seconds left to act
emptyman folds
Uncalled bet of 860 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (2,240)
OtisDart: Boooooooooooooooo
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,240 | Rake 0
Board: [9s Ah Jd]
Seat 1: emptyman folded on the Flop
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (2,240), mucked
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: Zeem (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: willwonka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney didn't bet (folded)

5 hands later, the hand that propelled me into the chip lead...I reraised Maloney because he had been opening pots with garbage especially in late position and didn't expect a reraise from the BB. I thought about folding but felt I had enough chips for a call. NBA may disagree and rightly so. Garthmeister had been solid and I seriously thought about folding...I guess I'm not that good yet :)

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222729591: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:17:53 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (4,975)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (5,380)
Seat 3: garthmeister (6,760)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (5,170)
Seat 5: OtisDart (7,125)
Seat 6: Zeem (3,730)
Seat 7: willwonka (4,155)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,705)
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the small blind of 40
garthmeister posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Th Tc]
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
willwonka folds
Mike_Maloney raises to 280
emptyman folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 1,000
garthmeister has 15 seconds left to act
garthmeister raises to 2,800
Mike_Maloney has 15 seconds left to act
Mike_Maloney: Awesome, I'll go back to folding now
Mike_Maloney folds
AZ DonkeyHerder has 15 seconds left to act
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 1,800
*** FLOP *** [8h Qc Ts]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
garthmeister bets 3,960, and is all in
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 2,580, and is all in
garthmeister shows [Ac Kd]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Th Tc]
Uncalled bet of 1,380 returned to garthmeister
*** TURN *** [8h Qc Ts] [Ah]
garthmeister: Whups
*** RIVER *** [8h Qc Ts Ah] [7s]
garthmeister shows a pair of Aces
AZ DonkeyHerder shows three of a kind, Tens
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (11,040) with three of a kind, Tens
garthmeister: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,040 | Rake 0
Board: [8h Qc Ts Ah 7s]
Seat 1: emptyman (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (small blind) showed [Th Tc] and won (11,040) with three of a kind, Tens
Seat 3: garthmeister (big blind) showed [Ac Kd] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 4: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Zeem didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: willwonka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney folded before the Flop

Thsi hand propels me to the CL!!!




Another example of Maloney opening up late and me defending...my table image is so good at this point.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222792066: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 2 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:23:29 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: emptyman (9,150)
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (11,040)
Seat 3: garthmeister (1,490)
Seat 4: pvanharibo (4,540)
Seat 5: OtisDart (7,775)
Seat 6: Zeem (3,580)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (2,425)
emptyman posts the small blind of 50
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [9c Ts]
garthmeister folds
pvanharibo folds
OtisDart folds
Zeem folds
Mike_Maloney raises to 350
emptyman folds
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 250
*** FLOP *** [6d 7h 2s]
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 400
Mike_Maloney has 15 seconds left to act
Mike_Maloney folds
Uncalled bet of 400 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (750)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 750 | Rake 0
Board: [6d 7h 2s]
Seat 1: emptyman (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: AZ DonkeyHerder (big blind) collected (750), mucked
Seat 3: garthmeister didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: pvanharibo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: OtisDart didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Zeem didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Mike_Maloney (button) folded on the Flop

Then they rebalance the tables and I get moved to a table with the 3 other chip leaders. What are the odds that the top 4 chip leaders are at the same table.

First pot I play I lose
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222846241: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:28:20 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (3,320)
Seat 2: VinNay (1,880)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (7,730)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,451)
Seat 5: chitwood (11,015)
Seat 6: columbo (11,085)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (10,459)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (11,390)
Seat 9: Zeem (3,480)
chitwood posts the small blind of 50
columbo posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [3h 3s]
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 325
Zeem folds
TFG folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 calls 325
riggstad folds
chitwood has 15 seconds left to act
chitwood folds
columbo folds
*** FLOP *** [As Qc 9s]
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 450
TheCloserX5 calls 450
*** TURN *** [As Qc 9s] [Js]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
TheCloserX5 checks
*** RIVER *** [As Qc 9s Js] [Kh]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
TheCloserX5 bets 955
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 955 returned to TheCloserX5
TheCloserX5 mucks
TheCloserX5 wins the pot (1,700)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,700 | Rake 0
Board: [As Qc 9s Js Kh]
Seat 1: TFG didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: VinNay didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 collected (1,700), mucked
Seat 4: riggstad (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder folded on the River
Seat 9: Zeem didn't bet (folded)

2nd hand I play

Full Tilt Poker Game #4222860589: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 50/100 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:29:40 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (3,320)
Seat 2: VinNay (1,880)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (8,655)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,451)
Seat 5: chitwood (10,965)
Seat 6: columbo (10,985)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (10,459)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (10,615)
Seat 9: Zeem (3,480)
columbo posts the small blind of 50
XxMagiciaNxX posts the big blind of 100
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ks Ac]
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 350
Zeem calls 350
TFG folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad has 15 seconds left to act
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX folds
*** FLOP *** [5c 2h 6s]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
Zeem bets 600
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 2,500
Zeem has 15 seconds left to act
Zeem is feeling confused
Zeem has requested TIME
Zeem folds
Uncalled bet of 1,900 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (2,050)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,050 | Rake 0
Board: [5c 2h 6s]
Seat 1: TFG didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: VinNay didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: riggstad didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: columbo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (2,050), mucked
Seat 9: Zeem folded on the Flop

Then I play a hand poorly from pre flop all the way through...this will come back to haunt me later.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222951056: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:37:54 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (3,320)
Seat 2: VinNay (1,760)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (8,655)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,451)
Seat 5: chitwood (10,965)
Seat 6: columbo (10,935)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (10,599)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (11,595)
Seat 9: Zeem (2,530)
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the small blind of 60
Zeem posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ah Tc]
TFG folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX raises to 299
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 239
Zeem folds
*** FLOP *** [8c 7c 4c]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
XxMagiciaNxX checks
*** TURN *** [8c 7c 4c] [Jh]
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 350
XxMagiciaNxX calls 350
*** RIVER *** [8c 7c 4c Jh] [Qs]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
XxMagiciaNxX checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Ah Tc] Ace Queen high
XxMagiciaNxX shows [5s 8s] a pair of Eights
XxMagiciaNxX wins the pot (1,418) with a pair of Eights
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,418 | Rake 0
Board: [8c 7c 4c Jh Qs]
Seat 1: TFG didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: VinNay didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: riggstad didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: columbo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (button) showed [5s 8s] and won (1,418) with a pair of Eights
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (small blind) showed [Ah Tc] and lost with Ace Queen high
Seat 9: Zeem (big blind) folded before the Flop

Continue picking my spots
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222977777: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:40:21 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (3,140)
Seat 2: VinNay (1,640)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (8,655)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,451)
Seat 5: chitwood (11,505)
Seat 6: columbo (11,115)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (11,368)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (10,586)
Seat 9: Zeem (2,350)
VinNay posts the small blind of 60
TheCloserX5 posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [8d 7d]
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 350
Zeem folds
TFG folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
Uncalled bet of 230 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (300)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 300 | Rake 0
Seat 1: TFG (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: VinNay (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: columbo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (300), mucked
Seat 9: Zeem didn't bet (folded)

Then this hand that literally chnaged the rest of the tournament...a very fortuitous double up for VinNay...I know I'm beat because this guy is uber tight but I have to call and it wasn't as bad as I thought even though it was a race I could afford the hit to my stack.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4222999000: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:42:18 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (3,140)
Seat 2: VinNay (1,580)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (8,475)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,271)
Seat 5: chitwood (11,325)
Seat 6: columbo (11,175)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (11,368)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (10,946)
Seat 9: Zeem (2,530)
columbo posts the small blind of 60
XxMagiciaNxX posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [As Kc]
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 400
Zeem folds
TFG folds
VinNay has 15 seconds left to act
VinNay raises to 1,580, and is all in
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 1,180
VinNay shows [5s 5c]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [As Kc]
*** FLOP *** [5h 7d Ks]
*** TURN *** [5h 7d Ks] [Jd]
AZ DonkeyHerder: nh
*** RIVER *** [5h 7d Ks Jd] [8d]
VinNay shows three of a kind, Fives
AZ DonkeyHerder shows a pair of Kings
VinNay wins the pot (3,340) with three of a kind, Fives
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,340 | Rake 0
Board: [5h 7d Ks Jd 8d]
Seat 1: TFG didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: VinNay showed [5s 5c] and won (3,340) with three of a kind, Fives
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: riggstad didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: columbo (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder showed [As Kc] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 9: Zeem didn't bet (folded)

Chips dwindling a little till this donkey donates to me. He lost the previous hand when he reraised all in with 77 and was called by original raiser with JJ.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223067760: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 22:48:34 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: TFG (610)
Seat 2: VinNay (2,921)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (7,855)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,031)
Seat 5: chitwood (11,097)
Seat 6: columbo (11,355)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (12,815)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (9,186)
Seat 9: Zeem (4,940)
chitwood posts the small blind of 80
columbo posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Qh Ah]
XxMagiciaNxX folds
TFG: gl all
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 500
Zeem folds
TFG raises to 610, and is all in
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 110
TFG shows [9h 2s]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Qh Ah]
*** FLOP *** [Ad Js Kh]
*** TURN *** [Ad Js Kh] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [Ad Js Kh 8c] [7h]
TFG shows Ace King high
AZ DonkeyHerder shows a pair of Aces
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (1,460) with a pair of Aces
TFG stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,460 | Rake 0
Board: [Ad Js Kh 8c 7h]
Seat 1: TFG showed [9h 2s] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 2: VinNay didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: riggstad (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder showed [Qh Ah] and won (1,460) with a pair of Aces
Seat 9: Zeem didn't bet (folded)

I proceed to fold most of my next 20 hands or so. Raise once with 99 and win uncontested and then steal this pot

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223233216: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:03:46 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 2: VinNay (5,602)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (15,535)
Seat 4: riggstad (4,551)
Seat 5: chitwood (6,493)
Seat 6: columbo (5,775)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (13,477)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (9,617)
Seat 9: Zeem (4,760)
XxMagiciaNxX posts the small blind of 100
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #6
chitwood: nh
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Qh Kd]
Zeem folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5: ty
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo raises to 600
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 400
*** FLOP *** [3h 8d 3c]
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
columbo checks
*** TURN *** [3h 8d 3c] [9d]
chitwood: think I missed that one , but oh well
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 750
columbo folds
Uncalled bet of 750 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (1,300)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,300 | Rake 0
Board: [3h 8d 3c 9d]
Seat 2: VinNay didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: riggstad didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: chitwood didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: columbo (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (big blind) collected (1,300), mucked
Seat 9: Zeem didn't bet (folded)

I raise more pots and don't see flops. My table image is solid. Still hovering between 10k-11k in chips, top 5 stack. Then the man known as Dr Pauly moved to my table. We exchanged pleasantries and then this hand happened. I made a huge mistake but to my defense, these guys had been raising with garbage in late position or on the button. I over played my semi-strong hand and it cost me. I guess I could have folded when he re-raised me but I felt I was pot-committed. Looking back on it, I might not have been as much as I thought at first. Another example where I need to take my time and didn't. Live poker I do, on-line not as much as I should.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223282657: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:08:20 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: DrPauly (2,900)
Seat 2: VinNay (4,953)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (15,185)
Seat 4: riggstad (4,761)
Seat 5: chitwood (6,123)
Seat 6: columbo (5,365)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (13,986)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (11,027)
Seat 9: Zeem (4,410)
DrPauly antes 25
VinNay antes 25
TheCloserX5 antes 25
riggstad antes 25
chitwood antes 25
columbo antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX antes 25
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 25
Zeem antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX posts the small blind of 120
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Tc Ah]
Zeem folds
DrPauly folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
AZ DonkeyHerder: howdy pauly
chitwood folds
columbo raises to 720
chitwood: hey
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 2,500
columbo raises to 5,340, and is all in
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 2,840
columbo shows [7c 7s]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Tc Ah]
*** FLOP *** [7h Kh Kd]
*** TURN *** [7h Kh Kd] [9s]
*** RIVER *** [7h Kh Kd 9s] [8d]
XxMagiciaNxX: gh
columbo shows a full house, Sevens full of Kings
AZ DonkeyHerder shows a pair of Kings
columbo wins the pot (11,025) with a full house, Sevens full of Kings
AZ DonkeyHerder: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,025 | Rake 0
Board: [7h Kh Kd 9s 8d]
Seat 1: DrPauly folded before the Flop
Seat 2: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad folded before the Flop
Seat 5: chitwood folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo (button) showed [7c 7s] and won (11,025) with a full house, Sevens full of Kings
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (big blind) showed [Tc Ah] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 9: Zeem folded before the Flop

I play one hadn with Pauly and again this is atrociuos play by me all-around
Full Tilt Poker Game #4223297980: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:09:45 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: DrPauly (3,555)
Seat 2: VinNay (4,903)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (15,135)
Seat 4: riggstad (4,711)
Seat 5: chitwood (6,073)
Seat 6: columbo (11,000)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (13,816)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (5,397)
Seat 9: Zeem (4,120)
DrPauly antes 25
VinNay antes 25
TheCloserX5 antes 25
riggstad antes 25
chitwood antes 25
columbo antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX antes 25
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 25
Zeem antes 25
Zeem posts the small blind of 120
DrPauly posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Qc 7c]
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 240
Zeem folds
DrPauly checks
*** FLOP *** [3c Jd As]
DrPauly checks
AZ DonkeyHerder checks
*** TURN *** [3c Jd As] [7h]
DrPauly bets 825
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 825
*** RIVER *** [3c Jd As 7h] [3s]
DrPauly bets 2,465, and is all in
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 2,465 returned to DrPauly
DrPauly mucks
DrPauly wins the pot (2,475)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,475 | Rake 0
Board: [3c Jd As 7h 3s]
Seat 1: DrPauly (big blind) collected (2,475), mucked
Seat 2: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad folded before the Flop
Seat 5: chitwood folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (button) folded on the River
Seat 9: Zeem (small blind) folded before the Flop

I wasn't the only one playing bad. The Tao of Poker played this hand poorly. Probably thought the guy was stealing

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223372928: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 120/240 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:16:48 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: DrPauly (3,756)
Seat 2: VinNay (9,731)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (15,110)
Seat 4: riggstad (6,441)
Seat 5: chitwood (5,463)
Seat 6: columbo (10,975)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (8,192)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (5,652)
Seat 9: Zeem (3,390)
DrPauly antes 25
VinNay antes 25
TheCloserX5 antes 25
riggstad antes 25
chitwood antes 25
columbo antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX antes 25
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 25
Zeem antes 25
DrPauly posts the small blind of 120
VinNay posts the big blind of 240
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [4h Qc]
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX folds
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Zeem raises to 720
DrPauly raises to 3,731, and is all in
VinNay folds
Zeem calls 2,645, and is all in
DrPauly shows [Ac 5c]
Zeem shows [Kh As]
Uncalled bet of 366 returned to DrPauly
*** FLOP *** [3h Jh Js]
*** TURN *** [3h Jh Js] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [3h Jh Js 8h] [9h]
DrPauly shows a pair of Jacks
Zeem shows a flush, King high
Zeem wins the pot (7,195) with a flush, King high
The blinds are now 150/300 with an ante of 25
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,195 | Rake 0
Board: [3h Jh Js 8h 9h]
Seat 1: DrPauly (small blind) showed [Ac 5c] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: VinNay (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad folded before the Flop
Seat 5: chitwood folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX folded before the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder folded before the Flop
Seat 9: Zeem (button) showed [Kh As] and won (7,195) with a flush, King high



I proceed to chip back up by raising preflop and not seeing flops.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223407670: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:20:07 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 2: VinNay (11,024)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (14,993)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,841)
Seat 5: chitwood (4,863)
Seat 6: columbo (10,375)
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (7,742)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (6,802)
Seat 9: Zeem (7,070)
VinNay antes 25
TheCloserX5 antes 25
riggstad antes 25
chitwood antes 25
columbo antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX antes 25
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 25
Zeem antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX posts the small blind of 150
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [As 8s]
Zeem folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
columbo folds
XxMagiciaNxX raises to 799
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 499
*** FLOP *** [8h 7d 9c]
XxMagiciaNxX checks
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 1,000
XxMagiciaNxX folds
Uncalled bet of 1,000 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [As 8s] a pair of Eights
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (1,798)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,798 | Rake 0
Board: [8h 7d 9c]
Seat 2: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad folded before the Flop
Seat 5: chitwood folded before the Flop
Seat 6: columbo (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (big blind) collected (1,798)
Seat 9: Zeem folded before the Flop

I had been abusing xMagicaNxX and was hoping he hit the flop, that is why I bet the pot. Oh Well.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223457977: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 6 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:24:57 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 2: VinNay (11,074)
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 (15,043)
Seat 4: riggstad (5,891)
Seat 5: chitwood (4,413), is sitting out
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (6,793)
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder (8,151)
Seat 9: Zeem (6,470)
VinNay antes 25
TheCloserX5 antes 25
riggstad antes 25
chitwood antes 25
XxMagiciaNxX antes 25
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 25
Zeem antes 25
chitwood posts the small blind of 150
XxMagiciaNxX posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [4s 4d]
AZ DonkeyHerder calls 300
Zeem folds
VinNay folds
TheCloserX5 folds
riggstad folds
chitwood folds
XxMagiciaNxX checks
*** FLOP *** [Jd 9c 4c]
XxMagiciaNxX checks
AZ DonkeyHerder bets 925
XxMagiciaNxX folds
Uncalled bet of 925 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (925)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 925 | Rake 0
Board: [Jd 9c 4c]
Seat 2: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 3: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: riggstad (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: chitwood (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: XxMagiciaNxX (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: AZ DonkeyHerder collected (925), mucked
Seat 9: Zeem folded before the Flop

I proceed to hang around betwen 7k-9k and then this hand happens.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223656928: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:44:39 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (23,130)
Seat 2: jjok (3,335)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (6,741)
Seat 5: VinNay (15,324)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (7,101)
Seat 7: lucko21 (14,396)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (14,168)
Seat 9: pvanharibo (10,758)
cemfredmd antes 50
jjok antes 50
smizmiatch antes 50
VinNay antes 50
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 50
lucko21 antes 50
TheCloserX5 antes 50
pvanharibo antes 50
smizmiatch posts the small blind of 250
VinNay posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ah Tc]
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 1,750
lucko21 folds
TheCloserX5 folds
pvanharibo folds
cemfredmd raises to 6,400
jjok folds
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 4,650 returned to cemfredmd
cemfredmd shows [Kd Kh] a pair of Kings
cemfredmd wins the pot (4,650)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,650 | Rake 0
Seat 1: cemfredmd collected (4,650)
Seat 2: jjok folded before the Flop
Seat 4: smizmiatch (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder folded before the Flop
Seat 7: lucko21 folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 9: pvanharibo folded before the Flop

Then get rejuvenated with this hand
Full Tilt Poker Game #4223689294: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:47:56 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (25,830)
Seat 2: jjok (4,285)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (6,291)
Seat 5: VinNay (24,032)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (4,401)
Seat 7: lucko21 (13,446)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (16,668)
cemfredmd antes 50
jjok antes 50
smizmiatch antes 50
VinNay antes 50
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 50
lucko21 antes 50
TheCloserX5 antes 50
TheCloserX5 posts the small blind of 250
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ah Qd]
jjok raises to 4,235, and is all in
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 4,351, and is all in
lucko21 folds
TheCloserX5 folds
cemfredmd folds
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [Ah Qd]
jjok shows [Kh Jc]
jjok: gg me
Uncalled bet of 116 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
*** FLOP *** [2d 5s Th]
*** TURN *** [2d 5s Th] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [2d 5s Th Qs] [6d]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows a pair of Queens
jjok shows King Queen high
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (9,570) with a pair of Queens
jjok stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9,570 | Rake 0
Board: [2d 5s Th Qs 6d]
Seat 1: cemfredmd (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: jjok showed [Kh Jc] and lost with King Queen high
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder showed [Ah Qd] and won (9,570) with a pair of Queens
Seat 7: lucko21 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (small blind) folded before the Flop

More hands
Full Tilt Poker Game #4223719689: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:51:04 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (24,780)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (11,582)
Seat 5: VinNay (18,241)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (9,736)
Seat 7: lucko21 (12,696)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (17,918)
cemfredmd antes 50
smizmiatch antes 50
VinNay antes 50
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 50
lucko21 antes 50
TheCloserX5 antes 50
TheCloserX5 posts the small blind of 250
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [8c Ah]
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 1,300
lucko21 folds
TheCloserX5 folds
cemfredmd calls 800
*** FLOP *** [Kc Ts Tc]
cemfredmd bets 1,500
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 1,500 returned to cemfredmd
cemfredmd mucks
cemfredmd wins the pot (3,150)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,150 | Rake 0
Board: [Kc Ts Tc]
Seat 1: cemfredmd (big blind) collected (3,150), mucked
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder folded on the Flop
Seat 7: lucko21 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (small blind) folded before the Flop

I try and be aggresive in the SB and it backfires

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223740913: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:53:14 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (27,705)
Seat 2: DDionysus (10,490)
Seat 3: jeciimd (15,232)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (12,907)
Seat 5: VinNay (16,716)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (7,611)
Seat 7: lucko21 (11,221)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (17,443)
Seat 9: emptyman (10,093)
cemfredmd antes 75
DDionysus antes 75
jeciimd antes 75
smizmiatch antes 75
VinNay antes 75
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 75
lucko21 antes 75
TheCloserX5 antes 75
emptyman antes 75
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the small blind of 300
lucko21 posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [8s Ks]
InstantTragedy (Observer): It's Donktastic!
TheCloserX5 folds
emptyman folds
cemfredmd folds
DDionysus folds
jeciimd folds
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 2,000
lucko21 raises to 11,146, and is all in
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
Uncalled bet of 9,146 returned to lucko21
lucko21 mucks
lucko21 wins the pot (4,675)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,675 | Rake 0
Seat 1: cemfredmd folded before the Flop
Seat 2: DDionysus folded before the Flop
Seat 3: jeciimd folded before the Flop
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: lucko21 (big blind) collected (4,675), mucked
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 9: emptyman folded before the Flop

Next hand
Full Tilt Poker Game #4223746636: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:53:49 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (27,630)
Seat 2: DDionysus (10,415)
Seat 3: jeciimd (15,157)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (12,832)
Seat 5: VinNay (16,641)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (5,536)
Seat 7: lucko21 (13,821)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (17,368)
Seat 9: emptyman (10,018)
cemfredmd antes 75
DDionysus antes 75
jeciimd antes 75
smizmiatch antes 75
VinNay antes 75
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 75
lucko21 antes 75
TheCloserX5 antes 75
emptyman antes 75
lucko21 posts the small blind of 300
TheCloserX5 posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Ts Kh]
lightning36 (Observer): Kind of like being in the stands for the Derby
emptyman folds
cemfredmd folds
DDionysus folds
jeciimd folds
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 5,461, and is all in
lucko21 folds
TheCloserX5 folds
Uncalled bet of 4,861 returned to AZ DonkeyHerder
AZ DonkeyHerder mucks
AZ DonkeyHerder wins the pot (2,175)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,175 | Rake 0
Seat 1: cemfredmd folded before the Flop
Seat 2: DDionysus folded before the Flop
Seat 3: jeciimd folded before the Flop
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (button) collected (2,175), mucked
Seat 7: lucko21 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: emptyman folded before the Flop

Not sure what I was thinking here...but maybe my curse of A10 in tyhis tourney saved me some money, who knows.
Full Tilt Poker Game #4223757485: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:54:54 ET - 2007/11/18
Seat 1: cemfredmd (27,480)
Seat 2: DDionysus (10,265)
Seat 3: jeciimd (15,007)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (14,257)
Seat 5: VinNay (16,491)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (6,961)
Seat 7: lucko21 (13,371)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (16,318)
Seat 9: emptyman (9,268)
cemfredmd antes 75
DDionysus antes 75
jeciimd antes 75
smizmiatch antes 75
VinNay antes 75
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 75
lucko21 antes 75
TheCloserX5 antes 75
emptyman antes 75
emptyman posts the small blind of 300
cemfredmd posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [Tc As]
DDionysus folds
jeciimd raises to 2,000
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder folds
lucko21 folds
TheCloserX5 folds
emptyman folds
cemfredmd calls 1,400
*** FLOP *** [2d Ac 9h]
cemfredmd bets 1,800
jeciimd has 15 seconds left to act
jeciimd raises to 3,600
cemfredmd folds
Uncalled bet of 1,800 returned to jeciimd
jeciimd mucks
jeciimd wins the pot (8,575)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 8,575 | Rake 0
Board: [2d Ac 9h]
Seat 1: cemfredmd (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DDionysus folded before the Flop
Seat 3: jeciimd collected (8,575), mucked
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder folded before the Flop
Seat 7: lucko21 folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: emptyman (small blind) folded before the Flop

Well final hand happens. I was being blinded down and not catching any cards for last 15 hands or so. I see my pocket pair and I know I'm good and hope I can win the race...and of course I don't.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4223881943: Blogger Big Game (31592875), Table 5 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:07:49 ET - 2007/11/19
Seat 1: Zeem (21,214)
Seat 4: smizmiatch (9,682)
Seat 5: VinNay (49,661)
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (5,361)
Seat 7: lucko21 (23,971)
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 (14,018)
Seat 9: emptyman (7,293)
Zeem antes 100
smizmiatch antes 100
VinNay antes 100
AZ DonkeyHerder antes 100
lucko21 antes 100
TheCloserX5 antes 100
emptyman antes 100
AZ DonkeyHerder posts the small blind of 400
lucko21 posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AZ DonkeyHerder [4s 4h]
TheCloserX5 folds
emptyman folds
Zeem raises to 2,400
smizmiatch folds
VinNay folds
AZ DonkeyHerder raises to 5,261, and is all in
lucko21 folds
Zeem calls 2,861
AZ DonkeyHerder shows [4s 4h]
Zeem shows [Js Ad]
*** FLOP *** [6c Kc 7s]
*** TURN *** [6c Kc 7s] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [6c Kc 7s Jc] [6d]
AZ DonkeyHerder shows two pair, Sixes and Fours
Zeem shows two pair, Jacks and Sixes
Zeem wins the pot (12,022) with two pair, Jacks and Sixes
AZ DonkeyHerder stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 12,022 | Rake 0
Board: [6c Kc 7s Jc 6d]
Seat 1: Zeem showed [Js Ad] and won (12,022) with two pair, Jacks and Sixes
Seat 4: smizmiatch folded before the Flop
Seat 5: VinNay (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: AZ DonkeyHerder (small blind) showed [4s 4h] and lost with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Seat 7: lucko21 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: TheCloserX5 folded before the Flop
Seat 9: emptyman folded before the Flop


I busted 14th out of 51 with top 6 getting paid. It was a fun tourney and I want to play in more of these but my work and school schedule doesn't allow me during the times they play. Congrats to VinNay who took it down.

Sick Beats

So after dominating 6-man sngs cashing in 9 out of 10, I didn't cash in 4 straight getting my money in as a favorite in 3 of the 4. Now I'm busto and probably done with PS for the year besides some free rolls I can use my FPP's for. I might try FTP's Aussie Millions 25 seat guarantee in December but we shall see. Price might be too much for me.


PokerStars Game #13069722064: Tournament #66326447, $6.00+$0.60 Hold'em No
Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2007/11/06 - 00:47:08 (ET)
Table '66326447 1' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: joco66 (1480 in chips)
Seat 2: Stewman20 (1540 in chips)
Seat 3: tim1902 (1180 in chips)
Seat 4: GoldMonkey88 (1180 in chips)
Seat 5: shartmachine (1860 in chips)
Seat 6: Deloittes (1760 in chips)
shartmachine: posts small blind 10
Deloittes: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Stewman20 [Ad Ah]
joco66: folds
Stewman20: raises 60 to 80
tim1902: folds
GoldMonkey88: calls 80
shartmachine: calls 70
Deloittes: raises 1680 to 1760 and is all-in
Stewman20: calls 1460 and is all-in
GoldMonkey88: calls 1100 and is all-in
shartmachine: folds
*** FLOP *** [8c Jd Kc]
*** TURN *** [8c Jd Kc] [Qs]
*** RIVER *** [8c Jd Kc Qs] [9s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Deloittes: shows [Td Th] (a straight, Nine to King)
Stewman20: shows [Ad Ah] (a pair of Aces)
Deloittes collected 720 from side pot
GoldMonkey88: shows [Kh Kd] (three of a kind, Kings)
Deloittes collected 3620 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4340 Main pot 3620. Side pot 720. | Rake 0
Board [8c Jd Kc Qs 9s]
Seat 1: joco66 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Stewman20 showed [Ad Ah] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 3: tim1902 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: GoldMonkey88 (button) showed [Kh Kd] and lost with three of a kind,
Kings
Seat 5: shartmachine (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Deloittes (big blind) showed [Td Th] and won (4340) with a
straight, Nine to King


PokerStars Game #13069936132: Tournament #66327129, $3.00+$0.40 Hold'em No
Limit - Level III (25/50) - 2007/11/06 - 01:04:52 (ET)
Table '66327129 1' 10-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: ded29 (1535 in chips)
Seat 2: threeouts (1625 in chips)
Seat 3: thsisrEtaded (2050 in chips)
Seat 5: gs8727 (1530 in chips)
Seat 6: Stewman20 (810 in chips)
Seat 7: SummerOf83 (1220 in chips)
Seat 8: soapsuds (1465 in chips)
Seat 9: Darzy (1820 in chips)
Seat 10: man-is1 (2945 in chips)
Darzy: posts small blind 25
man-is1: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Stewman20 [As 3s]
ded29: folds
threeouts: folds
thsisrEtaded: folds
gs8727: calls 50
Stewman20: calls 50
SummerOf83: folds
soapsuds: calls 50
Darzy: calls 25
man-is1: checks
*** FLOP *** [9s 7s Kh]
Darzy: checks
man-is1: checks
gs8727: bets 150
Stewman20: raises 610 to 760 and is all-in
soapsuds: folds
Darzy: folds
man-is1: folds
gs8727: calls 610
*** TURN *** [9s 7s Kh] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [9s 7s Kh 8s] [9d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gs8727: shows [Js Ts] (a straight flush, Seven to Jack)
Stewman20: shows [As 3s] (a flush, Ace high)
gs8727 collected 1770 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1770 | Rake 0
Board [9s 7s Kh 8s 9d]
Seat 1: ded29 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: threeouts folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: thsisrEtaded folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: gs8727 showed [Js Ts] and won (1770) with a straight flush, Seven
to Jack
Seat 6: Stewman20 showed [As 3s] and lost with a flush, Ace high
Seat 7: SummerOf83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: soapsuds (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: Darzy (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 10: man-is1 (big blind) folded on the Fl

Double Shootout Success

So I got a phonecall from fellow Grinders, Inc member Stewman last week telling me he had won a double shootout on Pokerstars to the Sunday Million tournament.

I was happy for him, but immediately starting asking him about the difficulty of the tournament. He told me that it was relatively soft and could see easily cashing in another one.
I have had some success playing in the double shootouts before. I won a seat in the 2006 WCOOP Event #1 via a double shootout and decided to give it a try.

And I won. The very first one I played.




The tournament was soft, and it was relatively easy. I could see myself taking another one down with relative ease, and decided to play more.

And I did.

I have grown very frustrated lately in the 6-handed SNGs that I had been playing with regularity, and found these double shootouts give me much better EV. So, for the time being, I will continue to play these.