I have been reading a lot of poker books this year - mostly by respected winners such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, David Slansky, and Dan Harrington.
I thought I had decided my goal for 2010 was to be a model of consistency - and strive for first quartile results in all tournaments I enter. Surely in so doing, I will stumble into cashing and placing high occasionally.
I have been scanning the results of many successful online players - seems to me cashing 15% of the time is the minimum I should strive for, and some players are a touch north of 20%.
Top quartile play is something I have been striving for in live tournaments for the past few months - and it seems to be working.
However, this is a grinding game - I am rarely in a dominant chip position at the table - seems that is best left for the looser, more aggressive players.
I just finished Doyle Brunson's new autobiography called "The Godfather of Poker" - an enjoyable read to be sure.
Doyle is in his mid seventies. He seems to have an incredibly high opinion of his abilities (I say this with respect since I believe it has served him well) and he also espouses on the need for relentless aggression and fearlessness at the table. And his results certainly speak for themselves.
Funny how he and Bobby Wolff and Bob Hamman (renowned world champion bridge players) are all from Texas and of the same generation. Must be something in the chili.
So now I am rethinking my goal. Maybe I should conduct an experiment for one or two months. I could start two online accounts with identical stacks and enter the same tournaments on the same days. One account would be played according to my chosen style (top quartile objective then see what happens) and the other could be played far looser. I would expect the loose playing account to cash far less times, but perhaps the overall results will be better if this account goes very deep on occasion.
Maybe I can use this experiment to formulate my player profile for the future. To be sure, regardless of how you begin a tournament, you have to modify and adapt your style to the changing size of field and playing conditions, so I guess I am mostly talking about the early stages of tournaments.
One edge I may have is that I am not afraid to play with aggression. Not afraid to lose. The money doesn't scare me - you have to be immune to the money (in the moment) since to play with fear is a losing game.
And I am not an old dog who cannot learn new tricks. (Well I am oldish, but I pride myself on my willingness to learn)
This is gonna be a great year. I feel it. At the same time as Svetlana and I are adapting our business to new realities (more on that later) I plan to write lots, play lots, and develop a winning aura about myself.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday's online report
Sunday Poker update
Not so much to report today because I was playing bridge with Keith at Hazel’s club – first round qualifying for the Canadian Championships.
But I did enter two online tournaments this evening and by accident one of them was a Hi Lo limit stud poker game – which I have never ever played before. I got the hang of it pretty quickly; seemed like people were reluctant to hit the fold button – so lots of calling stations. The original field of around 170 was down to 90 or so when my internet connection to FTP went down. Dead. Down. Can’t get it back. And I was chip leader at my table too!
Same time I was in a KO tournament with around 1500 entrants and there were 400 or so left when the connection went dead. I was not in such a strong position, but I was about to triple up (maybe I did?) when the connection went dead.
I still had internet – just no connection to FTP. Quite frustrating. Could have been worse I suppose – I had just missed qualifying for the $750,000 guarantee which began at 6 pm EST this evening. This morning before I left the house I took two cracks at qualifying.
I suffered a sad bad beat to be eliminated from one of them. Got all our chips in the middle when I began with K10o and the flop was K106.
The villain made a continuation bet which I raised, and he shoved all in. I called and he turned over 76 suited in diamonds (none of which were on the board)
The turn was a 6 and the river a 7 for good measure (he didn’t need the full house – the set already had me beaten)
The villain was playing at 18 tables at the time he beat me – so I cannot credit him with too much forethought to his plays. How do people do that???
Anyway, I am on the sidelines, my stacks being blinded and ante’d away in the two events I was in when FTP went offline for me.
Not so much to report today because I was playing bridge with Keith at Hazel’s club – first round qualifying for the Canadian Championships.
But I did enter two online tournaments this evening and by accident one of them was a Hi Lo limit stud poker game – which I have never ever played before. I got the hang of it pretty quickly; seemed like people were reluctant to hit the fold button – so lots of calling stations. The original field of around 170 was down to 90 or so when my internet connection to FTP went down. Dead. Down. Can’t get it back. And I was chip leader at my table too!
Same time I was in a KO tournament with around 1500 entrants and there were 400 or so left when the connection went dead. I was not in such a strong position, but I was about to triple up (maybe I did?) when the connection went dead.
I still had internet – just no connection to FTP. Quite frustrating. Could have been worse I suppose – I had just missed qualifying for the $750,000 guarantee which began at 6 pm EST this evening. This morning before I left the house I took two cracks at qualifying.
I suffered a sad bad beat to be eliminated from one of them. Got all our chips in the middle when I began with K10o and the flop was K106.
The villain made a continuation bet which I raised, and he shoved all in. I called and he turned over 76 suited in diamonds (none of which were on the board)
The turn was a 6 and the river a 7 for good measure (he didn’t need the full house – the set already had me beaten)
The villain was playing at 18 tables at the time he beat me – so I cannot credit him with too much forethought to his plays. How do people do that???
Anyway, I am on the sidelines, my stacks being blinded and ante’d away in the two events I was in when FTP went offline for me.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Never give up on a hand
Playing in the daily Deep Stack event at The Venetian (home of the city's best poker room), we were in the early stages with the blinds at $50/$100 when a young player with spiky hair and a completely tatooed right arm (henceforth Spike) picked up 82 offsuit in the small blind.
He had suffered a few knocks early on, and was already short stacked with around $1,800.
A total of six players were in this pot, no raises from anyone.
The flop was 4 5 7 with two clubs.
Spike decided to make a play for the pot. He shoved all his chips into the middle of the table.
Young John, to the right of the button, called - holding 88. The button himself had begun life with 74 offsuit so he was excited about this hand too! The button raised all-in himself.
Young John made a good lay down with his 88 and now it was heads up between the dealer's flopped two pairs and Spike's 82 (basically his only chance was an inside straight draw completed with a 6)
Spike got up and put his coat on and said, "cheesh I don't even want to show this hand."
Everyone laughed as both hands were tabled face up.
The turn was a 3, and the river was a 6.
Spike's 82 (the second worse starting hand in NL Hold 'em Poker, had made a straight on the river. Staying Alive!
He had suffered a few knocks early on, and was already short stacked with around $1,800.
A total of six players were in this pot, no raises from anyone.
The flop was 4 5 7 with two clubs.
Spike decided to make a play for the pot. He shoved all his chips into the middle of the table.
Young John, to the right of the button, called - holding 88. The button himself had begun life with 74 offsuit so he was excited about this hand too! The button raised all-in himself.
Young John made a good lay down with his 88 and now it was heads up between the dealer's flopped two pairs and Spike's 82 (basically his only chance was an inside straight draw completed with a 6)
Spike got up and put his coat on and said, "cheesh I don't even want to show this hand."
Everyone laughed as both hands were tabled face up.
The turn was a 3, and the river was a 6.
Spike's 82 (the second worse starting hand in NL Hold 'em Poker, had made a straight on the river. Staying Alive!
Aces busted by kings in Venetian daily deep stack
Another enjoyable, but too brief, run in the daily Venetian deep stack event. A smallish field of 87 players paying $150 each.
My stack size was always on the wrong side of average, but I was playing pretty well without great cards. I was moved to the General's table (Texas pro Joseph Davis, who I remarked about in an earlier blog - he reminded me of General Custer) with around 30 players left.
Initially improved my stack with an all-in versus an even smaller stack, when I had KK and he had AQ suited.
Not long later, with the blinds at 75/400/800 and a stack size of around $17,000 (average would be $22,000 or so), my right hand opponent (young John)in second position opened for $2,600 . I think there had been a limper before him. I was looking at two red Aces. I had not seen a high pair all day, and now I had been dealt kings then aces within minutes of each other. I like this dealer !
I could call or raise, but I went for the max with an all-in re raise. At this stage, young John would be hard pressed to lay down what was clearly a real starting hand, as he had even fewer chips than I did.
Everyone else got out of the way, and as he exposed his kings, John said, "I know you have Aces, but I am committed to my hand, I have to call".
Lucky for John and Jocelyn (his cheering section) his agony was short lived, as the flop included a sadistic looking king of clubs.
Nothing else of interest popped up on the board and for the second time in two days, my red Aces have been cracked in key situations. In fact, since I have been in Vegas (8 days now) I have had Aces twice only - once online yesterday in late stages of a big event) and now today. Last night I lost to a starting hand of AK when the turn AND river were BOTH Kings.
John had the good grace to be apologetic, and commiserated that it should be me sitting there with an above average stack in excess of $30,000, rather than the $2,700 or so I was left with.
Had I simply re-raised, it is unlikely John would lay down his hand. And calling would make no sense. I believe he would have re-re raised, and all our chips would have ended up in the middle regardless.
Ah such is poker. As great as AA or KK are as starting hands; neither comes with any guarantees.
Special hellos to Nicholas from Atlantic City, Clint, James (pronounced Jame - es) and John who were at my table today and who all went deep.
My stack size was always on the wrong side of average, but I was playing pretty well without great cards. I was moved to the General's table (Texas pro Joseph Davis, who I remarked about in an earlier blog - he reminded me of General Custer) with around 30 players left.
Initially improved my stack with an all-in versus an even smaller stack, when I had KK and he had AQ suited.
Not long later, with the blinds at 75/400/800 and a stack size of around $17,000 (average would be $22,000 or so), my right hand opponent (young John)in second position opened for $2,600 . I think there had been a limper before him. I was looking at two red Aces. I had not seen a high pair all day, and now I had been dealt kings then aces within minutes of each other. I like this dealer !
I could call or raise, but I went for the max with an all-in re raise. At this stage, young John would be hard pressed to lay down what was clearly a real starting hand, as he had even fewer chips than I did.
Everyone else got out of the way, and as he exposed his kings, John said, "I know you have Aces, but I am committed to my hand, I have to call".
Lucky for John and Jocelyn (his cheering section) his agony was short lived, as the flop included a sadistic looking king of clubs.
Nothing else of interest popped up on the board and for the second time in two days, my red Aces have been cracked in key situations. In fact, since I have been in Vegas (8 days now) I have had Aces twice only - once online yesterday in late stages of a big event) and now today. Last night I lost to a starting hand of AK when the turn AND river were BOTH Kings.
John had the good grace to be apologetic, and commiserated that it should be me sitting there with an above average stack in excess of $30,000, rather than the $2,700 or so I was left with.
Had I simply re-raised, it is unlikely John would lay down his hand. And calling would make no sense. I believe he would have re-re raised, and all our chips would have ended up in the middle regardless.
Ah such is poker. As great as AA or KK are as starting hands; neither comes with any guarantees.
Special hellos to Nicholas from Atlantic City, Clint, James (pronounced Jame - es) and John who were at my table today and who all went deep.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday is online poker day
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. So I decided not to enter any live poker tournaments today. (At least not so far!)
I got up early to do battle in the DD blackjack pit. Yesterday had been a real struggle – I lost small, six times out of seven tables. Whereas the prior night, after fuming over my pulled muscle and untimely poker tournament exit, I had won significantly in four of six sessions.
Overall, my BJ play has been profitable this trip, though the winning session percentage has been very low, at around 55%.
I have not been able to catch a rhythm.
This morning was particularly annoying as this Asian kid beside me was winning money at a clip of $300 per hand or more, while my spot treaded water. And he was asking me for advice on many of his hands.
Most of my time has been organizing my notes from the week’s adventures and playing online poker tournaments concurrently. Sunday is usually a big day for online events at all the major poker sites. My site of favor is FTP – known as Full Tilt Poker.
I love the word “ tilt”
It is so apropos for what I see at the card tables almost every day.
I have suffered ‘bad beats’ in every online tournament I have played in so far today, so I am bit bummed out.
The one that mattered most to me had 118 entrants, with the top 15 winning entries into today’s $1 million guarantee – which starts in a few minutes, and presently has an enrolled field of close to 1,900 players.
The entry fee is a healthy $535 – which, to this point in time, is more than I have ever spent on an online poker tournament entry.
I was nursing my chips, being patient, as we got down to only 17 players – just about ‘on the bubble.’
If I had owned a huge stack, I would simply have folded all hands until I won my entry – taking no risks. But I was always hovering between 12th and 16th, so I could not sit quietly.
I picked up the two red Aces on the dealer’s button. The big stack was in the small blind. He should be folding his way to the end.
I opened with a three bet (3 times the BB) and he decided to shove me all in. Of course, I called.
He turned over the Ace of spades and the King of hearts.
The flop was the 1098 all of hearts. Good – if the winning hand is a flush, it’ll be mine.
The turn was the King of Spades, giving him a pair of kings to go up against my Aces. But the river was a damned king of clubs, and that was NOT amusing.
I mean come on !
“Runner runner” kings to beat me, and to ensure I do NOT play in the million dollar guarantee which is starting right now.
Anyway, as consolation, I won a smaller tournament which qualified me into the FTOPS main event which began at 5 pm. Just under 16,000 players are in this thing, with a prize pool of $799,000.
And concurrent with that, I am playing in a $15,000 tournament. around 2,300entrants, and 250 remaining as I write. I am presently in 89th place.
I got up early to do battle in the DD blackjack pit. Yesterday had been a real struggle – I lost small, six times out of seven tables. Whereas the prior night, after fuming over my pulled muscle and untimely poker tournament exit, I had won significantly in four of six sessions.
Overall, my BJ play has been profitable this trip, though the winning session percentage has been very low, at around 55%.
I have not been able to catch a rhythm.
This morning was particularly annoying as this Asian kid beside me was winning money at a clip of $300 per hand or more, while my spot treaded water. And he was asking me for advice on many of his hands.
Most of my time has been organizing my notes from the week’s adventures and playing online poker tournaments concurrently. Sunday is usually a big day for online events at all the major poker sites. My site of favor is FTP – known as Full Tilt Poker.
I love the word “ tilt”
It is so apropos for what I see at the card tables almost every day.
I have suffered ‘bad beats’ in every online tournament I have played in so far today, so I am bit bummed out.
The one that mattered most to me had 118 entrants, with the top 15 winning entries into today’s $1 million guarantee – which starts in a few minutes, and presently has an enrolled field of close to 1,900 players.
The entry fee is a healthy $535 – which, to this point in time, is more than I have ever spent on an online poker tournament entry.
I was nursing my chips, being patient, as we got down to only 17 players – just about ‘on the bubble.’
If I had owned a huge stack, I would simply have folded all hands until I won my entry – taking no risks. But I was always hovering between 12th and 16th, so I could not sit quietly.
I picked up the two red Aces on the dealer’s button. The big stack was in the small blind. He should be folding his way to the end.
I opened with a three bet (3 times the BB) and he decided to shove me all in. Of course, I called.
He turned over the Ace of spades and the King of hearts.
The flop was the 1098 all of hearts. Good – if the winning hand is a flush, it’ll be mine.
The turn was the King of Spades, giving him a pair of kings to go up against my Aces. But the river was a damned king of clubs, and that was NOT amusing.
I mean come on !
“Runner runner” kings to beat me, and to ensure I do NOT play in the million dollar guarantee which is starting right now.
Anyway, as consolation, I won a smaller tournament which qualified me into the FTOPS main event which began at 5 pm. Just under 16,000 players are in this thing, with a prize pool of $799,000.
And concurrent with that, I am playing in a $15,000 tournament. around 2,300entrants, and 250 remaining as I write. I am presently in 89th place.
Taken out with three strikes
I played in the big stack $340 entry event at the Venetian Saturday. It's my favorite event of the week. You receive $12,000 in starting chips (versus the normal $7,500); the blind levels increase more slowly; and the field is far stronger than the rest of the week.
Today there were 112 players, with prizes paying down to 13th. First place a cool $9,800 - and a chop of the first four places would be around $5,000.
It took me a while to find my footing. On my left was General Custer - a very nice man who looked like he has been playing poker more than 30 years in every casino in Nevada. He had long flowing grey hair with a beard and mustache that would do Custer proud, and a hat that looked vintage cavalry from the 19th century. A dark vintage blazer, blue jeans, and high heeled cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
He played with panache and mixed his style very well. In the beginning he was a virtual patsy, folding his button, limping into the pot, and giving up his blinds - but then he began to make some moves.
Within a couple of hours, if anyone wanted to see a flop at our table, they were going to pay dearly for it. Raises were met with re-raises, and re-raises were met with all-ins.
I am beginning to recognize the local regulars - good tough cash game players who look down at the rest of the poker world, and who feel they have nothing new to learn. I can feel their eyes smirking knowingly at some of the stuff I do. One of them caught a big pot off me in the early stages – it saved his tournament life in fact.
I held 99 in mid position, and opened for $300. (blinds were only $50/$100). He called as dealer, and we were heads up.
The flop came 752 rainbow. I bet $350, and he called. The next card was an 8. I bet $800, and he called again. The river was another deuce, and the action was on me.
I had seen him play two hands down to a showdown already. He was a typical cash game player who believes in milking a hand till the end. Which is fine in a cash game, where you theoretically have an unlimited supply of chips, but in tournaments, you live in the short run – and you better be right most of the time if that is how you play.
He had lost almost half his stack already. On one of these two occasions, when he had a sizeable investment in the pot, he had made a big bluff bet on the river, and had been called. He mucked without even showing.
Meanwhile, his buddy beside him had busted early. These guys get demoralized if they lose a hand they should have won. His buddy had picked up AA in first position. A short stack in mid position had gone all in with 63 suited in clubs. (Yes you read correctly)
Everyone else got out of the way, and the old timer was happy to call the bet for about 1/3 of his stack. When the flop came 63x, the short stack was well on his way to doubling up.
Now with a large starting stack and blinds still small, there is plenty of time to regroup and play small ball poker, waiting for the right hand to make a move. But a guy came very late to the table (a full hour and a half after we began) and ended up in an all-in encounter on his very first hand of the day. Old timer had QQ and newbie had AK. The old timer saw a flop of K9x and shoved all in - for no good reason that I could see. Newbie called and quickly doubled up.
I say all this because I want you to know the context and the table vibe when my 99 hand came up.
After the river 2, I felt I had to make a bet. I had been uncomfortably out of position this whole pot, forced to make betting decisions before my guy. So I bet $2,000 (the pot was around $3,300 at this point. He thought for a long time and shoved all his chips all in.
I had conflicting information. Was this a last gasp attempt to win a hand he was doomed to lose (say with A7 or something), or had he flopped a set, or made quad two’s ??
I decided to call, and he showed a starting pair of sevens, giving him a full house of 7’s and 2’s, and more than 1/3 of my stack. (I had been doing well to that point)
Ach, I felt I had been outsmarted. Which is true. The guy put on his dark glasses, after several verbal high fives with his buddies at his end of the table, and he settled back into a long run, content that his tournament life was no longer in immediate jeopardy.
Anyhow, back to the grind for me. I played my normal game and watched the monitor for updates on the size of the field.
As time goes by, the average stack size increases, and the number of survivors decreases, and the number of active tables in play consolidates down. They try to keep 9-10 players at all tables all the time (until they get down to 20 or less). So as a result, you can find yourself moved around from time to time.
At 7 pm, after seven hours of play, we were down to 31 players, and I had an above average mid size stack of around $55,000. I was moved to a table where the lady at the opposite end had a stack that would choke a large horse. Her raises were usually monstrous, so that if you played a hand with her, there was a risk you were going to be all-in whether or not you wanted to be.
As a result, she was running roughshod over everyone.
She was guzzling beers straight from the bottle, and sounded like she had had a few too many. Loud and in form. Deadly.
I decided I would keep a low profile for a couple of orbits, and size up whose stacks I could go gunning for. Conveniently, three of the four players on my left were very tight, and their blinds were ripe for the picking. The dominatrix would have to commit to a hand in early position whenever their blinds were in play. So I had an edge there.
I picked off several pots, and my stack increased to $80,000 or so. Doing well, all things considered. I picked up QQ in late position. The blinds were $2,000, $4,000 with a $500 ante. Dominatrix made it $17,000 to go from first position, which meant (even she) had some kind of hand.
I decided to call, not raise, and everyone else folded. The flop was A102 and she instantly said all in, and just as quickly my cards hit the muck. Strike one.
A while later, I held AS 6C on the dealer button. My RHO limped in to the pot and I flat called. It was a three player pot, as the small blind folded. The flop was AC 7C 3D.
The BB and my RHO checked and I bet $13,500. The BB folded, and RHO called. The turn card was a scary ten of clubs, and we both checked. The river was a red king, which I felt had not changed anything.
RHO now bet $20,000 and I called. He turned over A8 unsuited. We both had a pair of Aces, but his 8 out kickered my 6, and he took down a pretty big pot. Strike two.
In retrespect, I might have taken down the pot pre flop with a big bet - maybe even an all-in. Ironically, it seems to play small ball you often have to put your whole stack at risk when you judge weakness everywhere else.
I suppose I also could have folded to his river bet, but that seems too tough to figure out.
I was down to $30,000 or so, definitely below average. Not long after I picked up JJ in mid position, the boozy lady was in the big blind. I needed a double up, and she was usually a willing customer when someone else tried an all in move.
"All in" I announced, and everyone folded to her. Finally, after an unusually long wait, she called and turned over 32 suited in hearts !!
Everyone at the table gasped. Even she had gone too far. We had seen her call all-ins with 109, K3, Q7 even, but 32 !!
The flop was an unsuited but still highly toxic 654.
Can you believe this??
Nothing else came on the turn or the river, and I was busted when my all in bet with a pair of jacks was called by 32 suited and the lady flopped a straight!
Strike 3 - tough game. I was busted just before we got down to two tables.
The lady was playing like a drunken pork chop, and she was crushing everyone. (She won the whole event by the way)
Today there were 112 players, with prizes paying down to 13th. First place a cool $9,800 - and a chop of the first four places would be around $5,000.
It took me a while to find my footing. On my left was General Custer - a very nice man who looked like he has been playing poker more than 30 years in every casino in Nevada. He had long flowing grey hair with a beard and mustache that would do Custer proud, and a hat that looked vintage cavalry from the 19th century. A dark vintage blazer, blue jeans, and high heeled cowboy boots completed the ensemble.
He played with panache and mixed his style very well. In the beginning he was a virtual patsy, folding his button, limping into the pot, and giving up his blinds - but then he began to make some moves.
Within a couple of hours, if anyone wanted to see a flop at our table, they were going to pay dearly for it. Raises were met with re-raises, and re-raises were met with all-ins.
I am beginning to recognize the local regulars - good tough cash game players who look down at the rest of the poker world, and who feel they have nothing new to learn. I can feel their eyes smirking knowingly at some of the stuff I do. One of them caught a big pot off me in the early stages – it saved his tournament life in fact.
I held 99 in mid position, and opened for $300. (blinds were only $50/$100). He called as dealer, and we were heads up.
The flop came 752 rainbow. I bet $350, and he called. The next card was an 8. I bet $800, and he called again. The river was another deuce, and the action was on me.
I had seen him play two hands down to a showdown already. He was a typical cash game player who believes in milking a hand till the end. Which is fine in a cash game, where you theoretically have an unlimited supply of chips, but in tournaments, you live in the short run – and you better be right most of the time if that is how you play.
He had lost almost half his stack already. On one of these two occasions, when he had a sizeable investment in the pot, he had made a big bluff bet on the river, and had been called. He mucked without even showing.
Meanwhile, his buddy beside him had busted early. These guys get demoralized if they lose a hand they should have won. His buddy had picked up AA in first position. A short stack in mid position had gone all in with 63 suited in clubs. (Yes you read correctly)
Everyone else got out of the way, and the old timer was happy to call the bet for about 1/3 of his stack. When the flop came 63x, the short stack was well on his way to doubling up.
Now with a large starting stack and blinds still small, there is plenty of time to regroup and play small ball poker, waiting for the right hand to make a move. But a guy came very late to the table (a full hour and a half after we began) and ended up in an all-in encounter on his very first hand of the day. Old timer had QQ and newbie had AK. The old timer saw a flop of K9x and shoved all in - for no good reason that I could see. Newbie called and quickly doubled up.
I say all this because I want you to know the context and the table vibe when my 99 hand came up.
After the river 2, I felt I had to make a bet. I had been uncomfortably out of position this whole pot, forced to make betting decisions before my guy. So I bet $2,000 (the pot was around $3,300 at this point. He thought for a long time and shoved all his chips all in.
I had conflicting information. Was this a last gasp attempt to win a hand he was doomed to lose (say with A7 or something), or had he flopped a set, or made quad two’s ??
I decided to call, and he showed a starting pair of sevens, giving him a full house of 7’s and 2’s, and more than 1/3 of my stack. (I had been doing well to that point)
Ach, I felt I had been outsmarted. Which is true. The guy put on his dark glasses, after several verbal high fives with his buddies at his end of the table, and he settled back into a long run, content that his tournament life was no longer in immediate jeopardy.
Anyhow, back to the grind for me. I played my normal game and watched the monitor for updates on the size of the field.
As time goes by, the average stack size increases, and the number of survivors decreases, and the number of active tables in play consolidates down. They try to keep 9-10 players at all tables all the time (until they get down to 20 or less). So as a result, you can find yourself moved around from time to time.
At 7 pm, after seven hours of play, we were down to 31 players, and I had an above average mid size stack of around $55,000. I was moved to a table where the lady at the opposite end had a stack that would choke a large horse. Her raises were usually monstrous, so that if you played a hand with her, there was a risk you were going to be all-in whether or not you wanted to be.
As a result, she was running roughshod over everyone.
She was guzzling beers straight from the bottle, and sounded like she had had a few too many. Loud and in form. Deadly.
I decided I would keep a low profile for a couple of orbits, and size up whose stacks I could go gunning for. Conveniently, three of the four players on my left were very tight, and their blinds were ripe for the picking. The dominatrix would have to commit to a hand in early position whenever their blinds were in play. So I had an edge there.
I picked off several pots, and my stack increased to $80,000 or so. Doing well, all things considered. I picked up QQ in late position. The blinds were $2,000, $4,000 with a $500 ante. Dominatrix made it $17,000 to go from first position, which meant (even she) had some kind of hand.
I decided to call, not raise, and everyone else folded. The flop was A102 and she instantly said all in, and just as quickly my cards hit the muck. Strike one.
A while later, I held AS 6C on the dealer button. My RHO limped in to the pot and I flat called. It was a three player pot, as the small blind folded. The flop was AC 7C 3D.
The BB and my RHO checked and I bet $13,500. The BB folded, and RHO called. The turn card was a scary ten of clubs, and we both checked. The river was a red king, which I felt had not changed anything.
RHO now bet $20,000 and I called. He turned over A8 unsuited. We both had a pair of Aces, but his 8 out kickered my 6, and he took down a pretty big pot. Strike two.
In retrespect, I might have taken down the pot pre flop with a big bet - maybe even an all-in. Ironically, it seems to play small ball you often have to put your whole stack at risk when you judge weakness everywhere else.
I suppose I also could have folded to his river bet, but that seems too tough to figure out.
I was down to $30,000 or so, definitely below average. Not long after I picked up JJ in mid position, the boozy lady was in the big blind. I needed a double up, and she was usually a willing customer when someone else tried an all in move.
"All in" I announced, and everyone folded to her. Finally, after an unusually long wait, she called and turned over 32 suited in hearts !!
Everyone at the table gasped. Even she had gone too far. We had seen her call all-ins with 109, K3, Q7 even, but 32 !!
The flop was an unsuited but still highly toxic 654.
Can you believe this??
Nothing else came on the turn or the river, and I was busted when my all in bet with a pair of jacks was called by 32 suited and the lady flopped a straight!
Strike 3 - tough game. I was busted just before we got down to two tables.
The lady was playing like a drunken pork chop, and she was crushing everyone. (She won the whole event by the way)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Deja Vu
Back in 1982 I was in between my two University degrees, and I filled my time working for Ted Horning at his fine bridge studio in Thornhill, Ontario. I was a jack of all trades, including game director.
I used to enjoy sitting at the front of a large room filled with earnest bridge players as I waxed eloquently over the microphone about the movement of boards or whatever.
The players used to remark I sounded like an airline pilot.
One day I was directing a very large Olympiad game and was in fine vocal form. In between announcements and rulings I would amuse myself with whatever there was at hand. Certainly not a PC back in those days.
I had the unfortunate habit of swinging on my chair back then. I chose this particular night to lean back a touch too far, and went head over heels into the boxes and debris behind the director's desk!
Well, you can imagine the reaction this ruckus caused among the forty odd tables of bridge players in the room.
And you can certainly imagine the colour of my cheeks as I sprang from the floor like a cat, trying to act as if nothing had happened !
I don't think I pulled a muscle that time though !
I used to enjoy sitting at the front of a large room filled with earnest bridge players as I waxed eloquently over the microphone about the movement of boards or whatever.
The players used to remark I sounded like an airline pilot.
One day I was directing a very large Olympiad game and was in fine vocal form. In between announcements and rulings I would amuse myself with whatever there was at hand. Certainly not a PC back in those days.
I had the unfortunate habit of swinging on my chair back then. I chose this particular night to lean back a touch too far, and went head over heels into the boxes and debris behind the director's desk!
Well, you can imagine the reaction this ruckus caused among the forty odd tables of bridge players in the room.
And you can certainly imagine the colour of my cheeks as I sprang from the floor like a cat, trying to act as if nothing had happened !
I don't think I pulled a muscle that time though !
Rare sports injury incurred at the poker table
How, you may ask, can this happen? Well, we were down to the final two tables and they were kitty corner to each other. I was waiting for a hand to finish at the other end of our table (which I was not involved in) and decided to crane my neck to see what was going on at the table beside me.
I leaned back in my chair at the same time, and all of a sudden I felt my balance rapidly disappearing. In a mild panic, I torqued my body forwards and flailed out my arms, and narrowly averted a personal disaster. Only a slight chest muscle pull spasmed forth from the melee.
Other than the guy at the next table whose head I accidentally clobbered, and my seat mates (who were killing themselves laughing) I don’t think more than a few dozen people saw my little escapade.
Today, Friday, the daytime field was back up in size to 131 players with an entry fee of $150. First place was $4,853. In fact the first thirteen players would cash – plus $10 from each player for the bubble boy who came 14th.
I was pretty pleased with my play most of the day, except towards the end when I found myself in some tough situations with the blinds and raises so high. I would have to guess when it was prudent to lay down some pretty big hands, or when to push aggressively with others.
Each final table I have been at this week, the play has been much tighter than I have seen in my prior final table experiences. Basically, the first crack at a pot usually took it down, as people were almost all trying to move up the money board.
Eleventh through 13th were each paying only $324, and that’s where I finished. I misjudged my final hand completely. I should have cashed higher, but no one to blame but myself for misreading the situation.
I thought my hand was ahead of my opponent’s, and I could put him in a tough situation where he would have to fold rather than risk calling a very large re-raise bet. He saw it otherwise, and he was correct, and I made no miracle draws on the river. (After my re-raise he shoved me all in. I could fold and slink away or call - hoping (a) my original read was correct, or (b) for a minor miracle. I called)
I took my eye off the ball and gambled when I should have been thinking strategically, as I had been all day. It was way too early and I was too comfortable (ie not under an extreme shortage of chip pressure) to pull a stunt like the one I did.
The prize structure was as follows :
Place $ prize money
1st $4,853
2nd $2,912
3rd $1,941
4th $1,432
5th $1,076
6th $890
7th $728
8th $556
9th $445
10th $364
11th through 13th paid $324.
I don’t think the cards I picked up today were so great – best hand I saw all day was 99 and also AQ a few times, but definitely better than two days ago.
I do feel I mixed up my play more, and created a table image which was harder to play against than I had been all week so far.
A guy beside me, Craig, never really got his stack size going, and as a result found himself going all-in all day an inordinate number of times. He knew the law of averages were going to catch up to him. But at last count, he had done so successfully 18 times. Either he had won a showdown, or the other players had all folded and he had taken down the blinds and antes. Craig finally exited around 17th.
Craig’s father’s name is Russ, but they call him Ross. My father’s name is Craik, but most people have never heard of that spelling, and refer to him as Craig.
Neat coincidence I thought.
I am kinda bummed out about my mistake at the end, so I will not dwell any further here on this tournament. Other than it was a painful, but useful lesson.
I leaned back in my chair at the same time, and all of a sudden I felt my balance rapidly disappearing. In a mild panic, I torqued my body forwards and flailed out my arms, and narrowly averted a personal disaster. Only a slight chest muscle pull spasmed forth from the melee.
Other than the guy at the next table whose head I accidentally clobbered, and my seat mates (who were killing themselves laughing) I don’t think more than a few dozen people saw my little escapade.
Today, Friday, the daytime field was back up in size to 131 players with an entry fee of $150. First place was $4,853. In fact the first thirteen players would cash – plus $10 from each player for the bubble boy who came 14th.
I was pretty pleased with my play most of the day, except towards the end when I found myself in some tough situations with the blinds and raises so high. I would have to guess when it was prudent to lay down some pretty big hands, or when to push aggressively with others.
Each final table I have been at this week, the play has been much tighter than I have seen in my prior final table experiences. Basically, the first crack at a pot usually took it down, as people were almost all trying to move up the money board.
Eleventh through 13th were each paying only $324, and that’s where I finished. I misjudged my final hand completely. I should have cashed higher, but no one to blame but myself for misreading the situation.
I thought my hand was ahead of my opponent’s, and I could put him in a tough situation where he would have to fold rather than risk calling a very large re-raise bet. He saw it otherwise, and he was correct, and I made no miracle draws on the river. (After my re-raise he shoved me all in. I could fold and slink away or call - hoping (a) my original read was correct, or (b) for a minor miracle. I called)
I took my eye off the ball and gambled when I should have been thinking strategically, as I had been all day. It was way too early and I was too comfortable (ie not under an extreme shortage of chip pressure) to pull a stunt like the one I did.
The prize structure was as follows :
Place $ prize money
1st $4,853
2nd $2,912
3rd $1,941
4th $1,432
5th $1,076
6th $890
7th $728
8th $556
9th $445
10th $364
11th through 13th paid $324.
I don’t think the cards I picked up today were so great – best hand I saw all day was 99 and also AQ a few times, but definitely better than two days ago.
I do feel I mixed up my play more, and created a table image which was harder to play against than I had been all week so far.
A guy beside me, Craig, never really got his stack size going, and as a result found himself going all-in all day an inordinate number of times. He knew the law of averages were going to catch up to him. But at last count, he had done so successfully 18 times. Either he had won a showdown, or the other players had all folded and he had taken down the blinds and antes. Craig finally exited around 17th.
Craig’s father’s name is Russ, but they call him Ross. My father’s name is Craik, but most people have never heard of that spelling, and refer to him as Craig.
Neat coincidence I thought.
I am kinda bummed out about my mistake at the end, so I will not dwell any further here on this tournament. Other than it was a painful, but useful lesson.
Biding my time
I decided to extend my trip till next Tuesday, rather than check out today. Frankly, I would much rather spend my time here, doing what I do, than be back at our business grinding out mortgages and bankruptcies. (Don't tell our clients that !)
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Last night I played several short sessions of blackjack - all but one of them profitable. I played briefly at the Venetian before dinner, and as new cards were everywhere in the double deck pit, I entered a shoe game at $15 per hand, where I had the table and dealer to myself. This, coupled with an available surrender option, is almost as good as it gets for a shoe game, though I still don't like it.
Because the shoes seem never ending, you can die a slow death, bleeding your chips away, and almost not realize it. Whereas, the finality of frequent new shoes at double deck forces me to take stock (inventory) of my chips each time.
Anyway, twice I realized it was not going so well in this shoe game. Sounds stupid I know but you are playing at a fast clip, varying from one to three hands; managing bet sizes; chatting with the dealer; glaring at newcomers who want to sit down with you; fending off buxom, beautiful cocktail waitresses who are sure NOW you must want a beverage; and dare I say it....ahem....keeping track of the cards. (Between 6 and 8decks). And all the time trying not to look too competent.
Shoe blackjack is very streaky - and trust me, you know when you are on a hot streak or a cold streak - regardless of all the distractions. A hot streak at a shoe game, playing two hands especially; pressing and increasing your bet sizes, is probably for me one of the few times in a casino I feel the adrenalin rush.
Choppy shoes though are insidious, and easy to make mistakes in. This is all a long way of saying my shoes before dinner were choppy and I got stuck just under $300.
Dinner at TAO was pretty good, but not at all in the same league as Sushi Samba at the Palazzo the night before. Only good thing was we scored line passes for the legendary upstairs TAO nightclub for later that evening. Being true degenerates though, neither Svetlana nor I availed ourselves of the rare opportunity to actually get into the club without having to either promise our first-born child, or part with a few hundred dollars.
When we came out of TAO, we sent our new Russian friends (he with a watch you could buy a luxury car with), off to see LOVE at the Mirage - this happens to be my personal favorite show in Vegas.
{The Russian contingent did go to TAO nightclub later, and apparantly made it back to their rooms at the Bellagio by 6 AM.)
Svetlana and I went down to the Venetian to play, but new cards were in the offing. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to leave the table for greener pastures when they are changing the cards. (They do so every two hours in single and double deck games)
But I always regret it, and this trip has been no exception. The floor staff think I am eccentric and irrational when I announce I am leaving, or demonstrate my "newcardphobia" in some other way.
But I have played way more hands than they have, and with respect, I believe I am right.
So we toddled off to the Mirage, since both they and Treasure Island have very good double deck games. I played a few shoes at a $50 minimum, and won $585. They wanted to change the cards so I decided to cash out. Svetlana wanted to play more so she took my spot (good luck trumps necardphobia I guess)
I went to play two types of slot poker where I won a total of $1.40, but killed valuable time that might have been very expensive anywhere else. (Regular readers will know I play to win, however small, at slots poker)
Sveta actually did well with the new cards, so she cashed out and we headed off. She back to the Venetian and me onto Treasure Island.
It was so quiet in Treasure Island I was able to play in their "Hi limit" room at only $25 per hand - which I have not seen ever before anywhere.
I was able to cash small profits at two tables before calling it a night. A quiet day all around in Las Vegas.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Another day, another poker tourney
The truth is not every day is exciting in Las Vegas - at least not when you approach the whole thing as a business, rather than as an escape from reality as many do.
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Yesterday, I woke up a bit bug eyed, and decided to forego poker tournaments. Did a little shopping; pampered myself, and the Blackjack dealers and I played ping pong with my various buy-ins. That is, I won some, lost some; slightly down on the day - due to the extra saki I had at dinner. (Big rookie mistake - never ever drink and gamble)
Today I recovered that loss and a bit more in the morning's blackjack, and then had my stiff neck and shoulders massaged by a 92 pound masseuse who was strong like a bull. It was hard to contain my yelps as she pounded the twists and knots.
Then it was time for the mid day Venetian poker tourney - the $150 buy in. It turned out to be pretty boring.
I played almost five hours, and had no hands nor cards to speak of. I only saw one pair (sevens only) in the first half hour and that was it for the whole session.
Still, I survived, barely, to level 10, and 17th of an original 85 entrants. But I had no chance today. I just got to exercise my patience skills, and ultimately my survival and small stack skills - and even then I did not do much of that.
Svetlana has made some new Russian friends - so she has been giving them her insider's knowledge of Vegas's high end shopping all day. I believe we are all going to TAO for dinner tonight (One of Tiger's old haunts)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It ain't over till it's over
Last night's tournament took an unexpected twist after I busted out in 7th. The monster stack (at least 70 % of the chips in play) got off his game a bit and allowed a few players to double up on him and chip away at his lead. Shortly thereafter they got to five people and the chip stacks were now balanced enough they decided to chop most of the prize pool. They each took $1,500, and left $1,000 available for the actual winner to take home.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
The Vietnamese huge stack actually busted out in 3rd place, and two little guys chopped the remaining $1,000.
If you had seen the big stack - you would know how dramatic this was. The rest of us were so puny in comparison - and yet, he came in third. The Alaskan on my right, who was in worse shape than I was at one point, came all the way back to win - shades of Joe Cada at the WSOP main event.
Another final table
Well my eyes are bone tired right now. I just exited the 7 pm Venetian poker tournament ($120 entry) - at 1.30 AM; after an hour and a half at the final table.
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
The blinds were going up every 20 minutes in this one - putting more pressure on everyone. We made it up to level 15, with blinds of $6,000 and $12,000 with antes of $2,000. (Against a starting stack of only $7,500.)
I came 7th; with the top nine being paid. 95 entries - 7th was worth a paltry $433 - to make more than $1,000 you had to come 3rd and first was worth $2600 or so.
There was one ginormous stack (a very good Vietnamese player and a nice guy to boot) and the rest of us were in survival mode - dodging his stack and hanging on for dear life.
My highlight hands were early in the tournament - at one point I was chip leader with around $45,000 when the average stack was only $15,000. (I was on fire for about an hour)
But I went totally card dead for two, maybe three hours and my stack was whittled away by escalating blinds and lots of heavy betting action before me when I did get half a hand. (ie something borderline playable)
Over that two hours, several players (in the room) caught up to me, and a few overtook me big time.
I also found myself being bullied a bit by not one but two aggressive players on my left who "came over top of me" literally every time I made a move. Must be one of those "leaks" in my game I mentioned.
So all in all, with an adverse playing position, and poor cards, I am actually quite ok with coming seventh - placing ugly, I shall call it. I feel I extracted the most I could from what I was dealt. (At least, from what I know - maybe a better player would not have allowed himself to lose such a strong early position)
Lots of cool hands, but I am saving them for another medium.
And again, someone had a bright idea when we got down to ten players and the final table. As only nine players would technically cash, we each put $20 into a pool - yielding $200, so that "the bubble boy" would not go home empty handed.
Ironically, the second biggest stack at the final table was first to go when he was suckered beautifully into making an all in bet by the big stack.
And it's not really the money (although I do expect to win money at something or other most days). My blackjack play today was also profitable - I played back to back 4 tables in one session this afternoon, squeezing out profits where the cards were favorable, and dodging bullets when they were not.
Three plus tables and one minus helped pad the bankroll somewhat.
I know it's a good trip when I never need to touch my bankroll - I had some cash left over from my last trip which I used to sit down in my first BJ game on Sunday, and I have just been building it ever since in chips and cash.
Again, I emphasize, nothing spectactular, but slow and steady is good. I try to win by taking as little risk as possible and for the shortest time possible. (Poker tournaments fit that - yes they can run a long time, but it's only the entry fee at risk)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Barely time to warm my seat !
I have really enjoyed poker this past week. It feels like my semi regular online play in the past couple of months has improved my overall game. I still have a couple of leaks I am working on (2 that I know about - there may be more)
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Today's tournament at the Venetian I busted out with the blinds only 50-100 !!! I still had $7,425 of my starting chips and was in the BB with 98o. Five players before the flop which was J107 rainbow. I led out with $300; which was folded around to a guy in late position who bumped it to $1,000. I re-raised to $2,500 as everyone got out of the way. He shoved and I called of course.
He turned over J7 suited (only runner runner makes the flush though)
But as the river was a 7, I was out real early from this tournament.
My question is this. Should I second guess my re-raise? Seems to me I want all the chips in the middle here anyway, but pros hate to get busted early - even on bad beats; so should I have simply called his raise and played conservative? My gut says no, you have to put yourself in position to amass chips and this was a pretty good position to be in.
I note that I could easily have won one (maybe two) of the first two events I played in - especially last night - I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it was to be at a final table for almost 3 hours.
It was weird cause an English guy left the other table as soon as the bubble was burst and he had a big stack. Around $140,000. He had to catch a plane. So they blinded him down. His stack came to the final table with around $115,000 - which was like second or third stack at the time.
The supervisor would not allow any chopping while his chips were still here. He eventually finished 5th in absentia. At that time we discussed chopping based on chip count.
I had $208,000; villian had $594,000 and the two small stacks had around $60,000 each.
I would get a few hundred less than second place outright - but before I could veto, one of the small stacks vetoed cause she saw no benefit versus playing. (She was right - the OTHER short stack came second at the end of the day)
Another thing I liked was when we got down to the bubble the two tables had agreed each player would pony up $10 so that bubble person would not walk away empty handed - get like $140; and this would eliminate funky bubble play - which it did.(13players were cashing)
Maybe I should be upset - as I "lost" $800 by failing to place second; or the cards hurt me on the final hand to cost me $2,600, but I don't really mind - I am more upset at not getting the W than the $. (weird, eh!)
Must be all the years of playing bridge for no money - just for the W, that bring out that thinking in me.
Not your typical gambler's profile is it??
Back in the saddle again
I arrived back in Vegas Sunday afternoon to test and improve my skills once again; gather material; and hopefully win some money. My focus this trip is on poker.
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
So far, poker has been terrific. Truly enjoyable. Yesterday, I was in a one day event, $150 entry, which ran for nine hours and got up to Level 14 blinds structure (usually this event finishes after 6 hours or so) Final table play alone was well over two hours. So many hands and stories - but they will be dealt with another time. I ended up third - cashed $1980 or so.
I was a strong second with three players left; gunning for the chip leader who had at one point $700,000 chips of a total in play of a bit over $900,000. Near the end I had around $370,000 and she had $430,000, and the third stack had around $70,000 and he was playing well, but hoping for a miracle. Blinds were $8,000 and $16,000, and antes $3,000. Fo perspective, we had begun the event each with only $7,500.
I picked up QQ on the button. Playing three handed, I was dealer and first to speak. I opened with a raise to $90,000. LHO folded, and villain came over top of me, all-in. That had been her style all day, with a wide range of hands - it's how I had chipped up off her stack. I knew I could fold, and safely wait for second place guaranteed money, but this was my chance to win the tournament right then and there (effectively I would cripple her stack if I win this hand)
I called. It was fun - we had a gallery of interested spectators - people who had been eliminated earlier; spouses and whatevers; poker room staff, etc.
Villain flipped over A10 offsuit, and we were in a race - with the edge being mine of course. Which is how it played out until the river card, when an ace hit the felt.
I took it really well, except I was likely a bit numb - after so much intensity, all of a sudden, I had no more hands to play.
(Second place was worth $800 more, and first place was around $4,500 - so that was a big swing)
The night before, I also went deep in a tournament. We got down to two tables from an original 97 players; entry fee $120, and I was comfortably above average stack size, around $45,000 and playing well. I had a great table placement - I had such a read on everyone and the three players to me left had blinds that were very easy to pick off.
With KJ suited in mid position I opened for $8,500 and the guy opposite me (who I had played at the same table with all night) came over top of me and shoved all in. I folded of course.
Two hands later, I picked up KK and the same thing happened. I was not looking for a fight (his stack had me covered after the prior hand) but I wasn't going to avoid it either. I called, and his face fell as he tabled 1010.
Except it was my face which exited the table when a ten fell on the flop and nothing material came thereafter. I came 15th, and I am sure I would have been top 3 if I had one that hand. (The guy who flopped the set in fact chopped first with two other players)
Only the final table paid in this event, so no cash there.
I have played sporadic short spurts of blackjack - winning four times, losing once.
I have played 8 short, modest sessions of slots - winning 8, losing none. All with a buy in of either $50 or $100. All a form of poker, called Spin Poker (5 cents minimum unit bet, up to nine hands and five units per hand)
Only person not happy is my casino host, as no blackjack play makes it very hard to rate me, and comp stuff like rooms and meals. I don't care - the room is already known to be free, and I don't eat much if I am involved in a tournament.
Apparently there is a big WPT event being held at the Bellagio this week - I might wonder over to check it out. (I highly doubt I will enter anything though)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday's online poker story
I entered a satellite to the $750,000 guarantee on Full Tilt on Sunday. The entry fee was only $8; there were 60 entrants; and the last two players standing won an entry worth $216 to the big event.
I was one of them - having played pretty well the whole event - yes with some luck but not an ungodly amount.
The main event had almost 4400 entrants, with a $3000 starting stack. Just by staying out of trouble and foolishness you can watch the field whittle itself down by 60 - 70% in a few hours.
That's in fact what happened with me. Twice I lost 1000 chips on solid hands, and I had to wait a while to build back up. Just stay patient. So by 8.30, after only 2.5 hours, the field was down to 1700 players and my stack was around $5800 (which was slightly below average size but certainly not alarming.
Sitting in the big blind, with $25 antes, $240 BB and $120 SB I picked up a pair of queens. My LHO opened for a funky $555, and the guy to his left shoved all in with his $2025. The pot was now $2775. Everyone folded back to me.
I could fold (no way !). I could call and throw in another $1785 (keeping around $3600 in my stack for post flop play). Or I could shove all in myself. The guy on my left who had opened for $550 had a slightly bigger stack than I did. If he calls my shove, he has me covered, and I would be in a three way pot to glory. If he folds, I would be heads up with the all-in guy for a $4560 pot.
These are situations I need to learn more about if I am to advance my placings in tournament play. The gambler in me says go for it - it's a good spot to more than double up if I am called ! The conservative, patient player in me says keep it small till I see the flop - be prepared to regroup if I don't like developments post flop.
Anyway, I did shove all in, and my LHO called without much debate. To my delight, he turned over a pair of jacks, and the small stack turned over a pair of sixes. I was clearly ahead in this race. The flop was 9 A 8 with no flush draws possible for any of us.
The next card was a beautiful queen, and I was already high fiving my son Max when the river came a ten. It took a second to realize that the dealer was pushing all the chips from the pot past my avatar to the guy on my left who began with a pair of Jacks, and who had just rivered a straight. Aargh!
His stack zoomed to around $15000 and he was in the top 100 and well placed for a long night at the table. Had I won, my stack would have been just under $14000 and I would have been in around 150th but with a definitely playable stack.
At first my reaction was, oh well, I put myself in a good position and someone sucked out on me - it happens.
But then I went back and looked at the board and the starting hands and began to play out the hand under a different scenario.....
Suppose at my turn I had just called the $2025 bet, and NOT shoved all in. I don't think the JJ guy would then shove all in but if he did for sure I would call and take my chances. So let's assume he would not shove, but rather simply call.
Now the hand plays out totally differently. Villain has JJ with a flop of 9 A 8, and I check to him. What should he do? I dunno !
If he checks too, the turn is my queen, and I would likely shove all in. I believe he would admit defeat on the hand and fold his jacks. I would win a smaller, but still good sized pot, without having jeopardized my whole stack.
If he elected to shove after the flop, I dunno what I would have done. I probably would have folded.
Should I check after the flop? I feel yes, otherwise the hand feels like I will be stack committed very soon.
I would really appreciate some feedback on the play of this hand from expert players - as there were several ways to play my hand and the villain's hand.
Anyway, I am not unhappy. I am on a journey and I feel confident I will get there. I don't play that much compared to many online players and pros - but when I do play, every hand counts, and I learn from every experience. This is exactly how I accelerated my development as a bridge player both back in the day and again now as I reclaim my long lost skills there.
I'm about to book our next trip to Vegas - I feel the tables calling !
Post mortem
The event finished at 4.30 AM. I watched the final three players (again to learn how people play in final table play in these mega events) First place was a cool $154,000, second place $93,000, and third place $61,000.
And Full tilt runs this event every Sunday ! As well as several other pretty big ones! And all the other sites have their own big events too. There is serious coin out there !
I was one of them - having played pretty well the whole event - yes with some luck but not an ungodly amount.
The main event had almost 4400 entrants, with a $3000 starting stack. Just by staying out of trouble and foolishness you can watch the field whittle itself down by 60 - 70% in a few hours.
That's in fact what happened with me. Twice I lost 1000 chips on solid hands, and I had to wait a while to build back up. Just stay patient. So by 8.30, after only 2.5 hours, the field was down to 1700 players and my stack was around $5800 (which was slightly below average size but certainly not alarming.
Sitting in the big blind, with $25 antes, $240 BB and $120 SB I picked up a pair of queens. My LHO opened for a funky $555, and the guy to his left shoved all in with his $2025. The pot was now $2775. Everyone folded back to me.
I could fold (no way !). I could call and throw in another $1785 (keeping around $3600 in my stack for post flop play). Or I could shove all in myself. The guy on my left who had opened for $550 had a slightly bigger stack than I did. If he calls my shove, he has me covered, and I would be in a three way pot to glory. If he folds, I would be heads up with the all-in guy for a $4560 pot.
These are situations I need to learn more about if I am to advance my placings in tournament play. The gambler in me says go for it - it's a good spot to more than double up if I am called ! The conservative, patient player in me says keep it small till I see the flop - be prepared to regroup if I don't like developments post flop.
Anyway, I did shove all in, and my LHO called without much debate. To my delight, he turned over a pair of jacks, and the small stack turned over a pair of sixes. I was clearly ahead in this race. The flop was 9 A 8 with no flush draws possible for any of us.
The next card was a beautiful queen, and I was already high fiving my son Max when the river came a ten. It took a second to realize that the dealer was pushing all the chips from the pot past my avatar to the guy on my left who began with a pair of Jacks, and who had just rivered a straight. Aargh!
His stack zoomed to around $15000 and he was in the top 100 and well placed for a long night at the table. Had I won, my stack would have been just under $14000 and I would have been in around 150th but with a definitely playable stack.
At first my reaction was, oh well, I put myself in a good position and someone sucked out on me - it happens.
But then I went back and looked at the board and the starting hands and began to play out the hand under a different scenario.....
Suppose at my turn I had just called the $2025 bet, and NOT shoved all in. I don't think the JJ guy would then shove all in but if he did for sure I would call and take my chances. So let's assume he would not shove, but rather simply call.
Now the hand plays out totally differently. Villain has JJ with a flop of 9 A 8, and I check to him. What should he do? I dunno !
If he checks too, the turn is my queen, and I would likely shove all in. I believe he would admit defeat on the hand and fold his jacks. I would win a smaller, but still good sized pot, without having jeopardized my whole stack.
If he elected to shove after the flop, I dunno what I would have done. I probably would have folded.
Should I check after the flop? I feel yes, otherwise the hand feels like I will be stack committed very soon.
I would really appreciate some feedback on the play of this hand from expert players - as there were several ways to play my hand and the villain's hand.
Anyway, I am not unhappy. I am on a journey and I feel confident I will get there. I don't play that much compared to many online players and pros - but when I do play, every hand counts, and I learn from every experience. This is exactly how I accelerated my development as a bridge player both back in the day and again now as I reclaim my long lost skills there.
I'm about to book our next trip to Vegas - I feel the tables calling !
Post mortem
The event finished at 4.30 AM. I watched the final three players (again to learn how people play in final table play in these mega events) First place was a cool $154,000, second place $93,000, and third place $61,000.
And Full tilt runs this event every Sunday ! As well as several other pretty big ones! And all the other sites have their own big events too. There is serious coin out there !
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Finally some online poker success
Okay, so it was not exactly a stud event, but last night while chilling with Svetlana, who enjoys heads up confrontations on FTP, I decided to enter a 90 person tournament on Full Tilt. Entry fee was $26. There would be cash prizes ranging from $45 (for ninth) to $576 for first place.
And, the site gave you a $4 bounty every time you eliminated someone from the event.
As is my wont, I was concurrently playing Wordscraper on Facebook, and reviewing my bridge notes with Keith. I find I need other things to occupy me during the early to mid stages of an online tournament, since I am folding a lot.
Many players fill the void by playing several tables simultaneously, and speak of their multi table prowess as if they were comparing penile dimensions in the men's locker room.
But I know me, and if more than two tables I begin to play poorly. Yes, I can play several tables, but I choose not to, and I believe I do better as a result.
Anyway, within 2 or 3 hours, I made it to the final table, comfortably in the money, and now the real fun began. Every player eliminated moves you higher up the money ladder.
As I reflect on the event, I recall several things of note.
1) The final two tables of play pretty much demanded all my attention - especially the final table - you should forget multi tabling when it gets this late in an event.
2) Yes I played well through most of the event - only three decisions I regretted (one of which caused my demise) but I also played with great luck - and it's true most of my poker tournament successes have had that common theme - an excess amount of luck.
I suspect that has to be true for anyone who aspires to go deep in tournaments. At key points you simply have to pull the trigger and shove all in, and if the cards don't favour you, fuggedabout it.
3) On three different occasions I had players use some very nasty words with me which must confirm my luck comment. The most harmless comment was "Nice call, donk."
To which I replied, "If you hadn't tanked like a cheater, I would not have called" i.e. he got what he deserved as he had me dominated with AK and I sucked out on the river with AQ.
Another player said f.u. on her way to the rail. I had three bet with QQ in late position and she had called from the BB. The flop was 10xx, and somehow all the chips ended up in the middle. (early in the event)
The queen on the river seemed to upset my opponent who had flopped trip tens.
And another player said "I don't f.uckin believe you" just because I busted his pocket Aces with Q10 suited in clubs when the board was 8C 7C QD and we got all our chips in the middle. The tidy two of clubs on the river ended his misery.
That guy got a formal warning from the administrator of the tournament for swearing. Not sure what comes after a formal warning - time outs?
Anyway, my luck was pretty good. Another key hand, mid tournament, I busted a shorter stack when he had AA and I had A9 suited, and the turn and river were both in my suit and my nut flush beat his two pairs. No swearing here though.
Back to the final table. It turned out to be a three way battle. I was one of two big stacks with around 110,000 and the third stack had half that.
Earlier I had planned to offer a chop (ie split the prize money) if we got this far, as a three way chop would have netted around $440 or so - better than all but first place.
But you know, I completely forgot, or there was no time or both. It all happened so fast.
It took me a while at the final table to realize how loose people were becoming with their all-in shoves so I laid down a couple of big hands pre flop that in retrospect were probably strong enough to call. (99 and K10s were two)
Small stack shoved from the button and I had AQo, so I called. He had 66 and nothing good came on the board (for once!) and now I was small stack - just like that.
I shoved three hands in a row with hands such as 22, 44, and AJ, and took down the blinds and antes uncontested, trying to build back up and at the same time preparing for a showdown if I were called.
I guess I got carried away with the success of this strategy so with 107o on the button, I tried this four times in a row and was insta-called with K10o by the big stack.
No miracle board, and I went to the rail in third place - still, I did pick up around $280.
Yes, I should have stayed in the zone that last hand. After three successful uncalled shoves, I could easily have afforded a two bet or even a three bet from the button, and if I met resistance, I could have folded and waited for a better spot.
So yes, I blew that hand. But it was a fun way to while away a few hours.
PS Lest I give the impression I am a newbie at this, no I have had online success before , but not much since I began to blog.
And, the site gave you a $4 bounty every time you eliminated someone from the event.
As is my wont, I was concurrently playing Wordscraper on Facebook, and reviewing my bridge notes with Keith. I find I need other things to occupy me during the early to mid stages of an online tournament, since I am folding a lot.
Many players fill the void by playing several tables simultaneously, and speak of their multi table prowess as if they were comparing penile dimensions in the men's locker room.
But I know me, and if more than two tables I begin to play poorly. Yes, I can play several tables, but I choose not to, and I believe I do better as a result.
Anyway, within 2 or 3 hours, I made it to the final table, comfortably in the money, and now the real fun began. Every player eliminated moves you higher up the money ladder.
As I reflect on the event, I recall several things of note.
1) The final two tables of play pretty much demanded all my attention - especially the final table - you should forget multi tabling when it gets this late in an event.
2) Yes I played well through most of the event - only three decisions I regretted (one of which caused my demise) but I also played with great luck - and it's true most of my poker tournament successes have had that common theme - an excess amount of luck.
I suspect that has to be true for anyone who aspires to go deep in tournaments. At key points you simply have to pull the trigger and shove all in, and if the cards don't favour you, fuggedabout it.
3) On three different occasions I had players use some very nasty words with me which must confirm my luck comment. The most harmless comment was "Nice call, donk."
To which I replied, "If you hadn't tanked like a cheater, I would not have called" i.e. he got what he deserved as he had me dominated with AK and I sucked out on the river with AQ.
Another player said f.u. on her way to the rail. I had three bet with QQ in late position and she had called from the BB. The flop was 10xx, and somehow all the chips ended up in the middle. (early in the event)
The queen on the river seemed to upset my opponent who had flopped trip tens.
And another player said "I don't f.uckin believe you" just because I busted his pocket Aces with Q10 suited in clubs when the board was 8C 7C QD and we got all our chips in the middle. The tidy two of clubs on the river ended his misery.
That guy got a formal warning from the administrator of the tournament for swearing. Not sure what comes after a formal warning - time outs?
Anyway, my luck was pretty good. Another key hand, mid tournament, I busted a shorter stack when he had AA and I had A9 suited, and the turn and river were both in my suit and my nut flush beat his two pairs. No swearing here though.
Back to the final table. It turned out to be a three way battle. I was one of two big stacks with around 110,000 and the third stack had half that.
Earlier I had planned to offer a chop (ie split the prize money) if we got this far, as a three way chop would have netted around $440 or so - better than all but first place.
But you know, I completely forgot, or there was no time or both. It all happened so fast.
It took me a while at the final table to realize how loose people were becoming with their all-in shoves so I laid down a couple of big hands pre flop that in retrospect were probably strong enough to call. (99 and K10s were two)
Small stack shoved from the button and I had AQo, so I called. He had 66 and nothing good came on the board (for once!) and now I was small stack - just like that.
I shoved three hands in a row with hands such as 22, 44, and AJ, and took down the blinds and antes uncontested, trying to build back up and at the same time preparing for a showdown if I were called.
I guess I got carried away with the success of this strategy so with 107o on the button, I tried this four times in a row and was insta-called with K10o by the big stack.
No miracle board, and I went to the rail in third place - still, I did pick up around $280.
Yes, I should have stayed in the zone that last hand. After three successful uncalled shoves, I could easily have afforded a two bet or even a three bet from the button, and if I met resistance, I could have folded and waited for a better spot.
So yes, I blew that hand. But it was a fun way to while away a few hours.
PS Lest I give the impression I am a newbie at this, no I have had online success before , but not much since I began to blog.
Over my head in big online poker tournaments
Looks like I forgot to post this draft over a week ago.....
Every few months or so, Full Tilt Poker (one of the best known online poker sites) runs a series of hi stakes poker tournaments - a series called FTOPS.
The entry fees range from a modest $129 or so to a slightly ridiculous $2500.
The prize pools are very large though and the thought of even a modest "cash" drives thousands of players to try to qualify their way into one of these events.
Today is the final day of the current $16 million series. I have won my way into FTOPS #24 which begins at 2 pm EST (so far the entry size is around 3000 players but I expect more than 9000 by the time we begin.)
Prize pool for this one is $800,000.
Later, at 6 pm is the big one - the Main Event - with a $535 entry fee and a first prize of more than $400,000, and a total prize pool of $2.5 million.
I have been trying unsuccessfully to win my way into this event - this can be accomplished by winning a smaller satellite tourney with entry fees ranging from a few dollars to as much as $109.
As I write I am taking likely my last stab at this. The event I am in cost $26 to enter and attracted 175 players. The last seven players standing will win their entry into tonight's main event.
At the moment my stack is around $3500 - and there are 110 players left. (We began with $1500 in chips)
Opps - stack update. I am now down to $2100 - losing 1/3 of my stack to a short stacked player who semi bluffed a flop of 665 (I had 88) - he held 109 suited (with only the potential of a runner runner flush draw or two overcards) and spiked a nine on the turn.
Oops again. Now I lost another $550 in a heads up confrontation between my AK suited and the short stack's JJ. I neither paired nor flushed.
91 players left and in the space of two hands I have dropped precipitously from 16th to 78th.
Better get back to work at the tables........
Update - one hour later....
Ach, I hate this game sometimes. How come when I have AK and I am in a "race" versus a pair - the opponents's pair always stands up or worse, he completes a set (3 of a kind) ?
Yet when I found my tournament life on the line just now, I was in the Big Blind ($200-$100 structure) with around $950 left and a big stack in mid position made it $500 to go.
So I decided now was as good as time as any to take a stand. I popped him all in with my pair of sevens, and of course he had AK.
The kill was swift as the first card on the flop was an Ace, and at that point, only another 7 would save my tournament skin.
No such luck, so I busted out 50th/175
(I find top third and top quartile placements are relatively easy to achieve, but generally they only pay out prizes to the top 10% or so)
OK so that leaves me two hours before FTOPS #24 begins.
Have a great Sunday folks!
Todays FTOPS event #24 at Full Tilt Poker
Cost of entry : $129 USD (comparable)
Number of entrants : 9,832 (more than an ACBL Nationals ?)
Tournament Location : Wherever you happen to be (No travel costs)
Dress Code : Whatever you want, as much or as little as you want
Duration of tournament : between eight and twelve hours (Not 2 weeks !!)
(AFTER SIX HOURS THE FIELD WAS ALREADY DOWN TO 370 PLAYERS)
Prize pool : $983,200 USD (yes there are cash prizes !!)
First place prize : $152,396
Second place prize : $103,236
Third place prize : $72,757
Fourth place prize : $52,306
Fifth place prize $38,345,
90th place prize $1,003
541 st place prize : $295
1350 th place prize : $148 (Yes, they pay up to 1350 th place !!)
Plus, every time you knock someone out you make a $20 bounty; and if you knock out a pro, you get a $120 bounty
Okay, okay.........Don't get me wrong.
I much prefer playing bridge for no money, in fact, at my expense, to a game of No limit Hold 'Em (NLHE) - but there are many who differ.
But NLHE has the attention of the masses; the enthusiastic embrace of the youthful; and it is easy to learn; easy to play; and luck plays more of a part in the final outcome.
I think as bridge aficionados we should be aware of what's going on out there, but don't think of competing with poker - there is no competition.
That's like saying the National Hockey League is going to take on the NFL for supremacy in the TV ratings
Post mortem
After only 2 hours and forty minutes, my avatar met it's fate in 4,216th place (from 9,832) - having fought the last hour bravely with a very small stack
The hand that crippled me was earlier when I held AQ suited in hearts and went head to head vs my LHO. The flop was a scary KH QC KD
Another heart came on the turn and the betting was firm but not overly huge. The river was a little heart giving me the nut flush but pairing my LHO's 8 who now had a full house (filled by his K8 suited)
I went from average stack to 40% of average stack size with that one hand, and could not get my groove back.
But I gotta tell you, it's not a bad way to while away a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Sort of like playing a lottery with better odds and in a hands on fashion.
Every few months or so, Full Tilt Poker (one of the best known online poker sites) runs a series of hi stakes poker tournaments - a series called FTOPS.
The entry fees range from a modest $129 or so to a slightly ridiculous $2500.
The prize pools are very large though and the thought of even a modest "cash" drives thousands of players to try to qualify their way into one of these events.
Today is the final day of the current $16 million series. I have won my way into FTOPS #24 which begins at 2 pm EST (so far the entry size is around 3000 players but I expect more than 9000 by the time we begin.)
Prize pool for this one is $800,000.
Later, at 6 pm is the big one - the Main Event - with a $535 entry fee and a first prize of more than $400,000, and a total prize pool of $2.5 million.
I have been trying unsuccessfully to win my way into this event - this can be accomplished by winning a smaller satellite tourney with entry fees ranging from a few dollars to as much as $109.
As I write I am taking likely my last stab at this. The event I am in cost $26 to enter and attracted 175 players. The last seven players standing will win their entry into tonight's main event.
At the moment my stack is around $3500 - and there are 110 players left. (We began with $1500 in chips)
Opps - stack update. I am now down to $2100 - losing 1/3 of my stack to a short stacked player who semi bluffed a flop of 665 (I had 88) - he held 109 suited (with only the potential of a runner runner flush draw or two overcards) and spiked a nine on the turn.
Oops again. Now I lost another $550 in a heads up confrontation between my AK suited and the short stack's JJ. I neither paired nor flushed.
91 players left and in the space of two hands I have dropped precipitously from 16th to 78th.
Better get back to work at the tables........
Update - one hour later....
Ach, I hate this game sometimes. How come when I have AK and I am in a "race" versus a pair - the opponents's pair always stands up or worse, he completes a set (3 of a kind) ?
Yet when I found my tournament life on the line just now, I was in the Big Blind ($200-$100 structure) with around $950 left and a big stack in mid position made it $500 to go.
So I decided now was as good as time as any to take a stand. I popped him all in with my pair of sevens, and of course he had AK.
The kill was swift as the first card on the flop was an Ace, and at that point, only another 7 would save my tournament skin.
No such luck, so I busted out 50th/175
(I find top third and top quartile placements are relatively easy to achieve, but generally they only pay out prizes to the top 10% or so)
OK so that leaves me two hours before FTOPS #24 begins.
Have a great Sunday folks!
Todays FTOPS event #24 at Full Tilt Poker
Cost of entry : $129 USD (comparable)
Number of entrants : 9,832 (more than an ACBL Nationals ?)
Tournament Location : Wherever you happen to be (No travel costs)
Dress Code : Whatever you want, as much or as little as you want
Duration of tournament : between eight and twelve hours (Not 2 weeks !!)
(AFTER SIX HOURS THE FIELD WAS ALREADY DOWN TO 370 PLAYERS)
Prize pool : $983,200 USD (yes there are cash prizes !!)
First place prize : $152,396
Second place prize : $103,236
Third place prize : $72,757
Fourth place prize : $52,306
Fifth place prize $38,345,
90th place prize $1,003
541 st place prize : $295
1350 th place prize : $148 (Yes, they pay up to 1350 th place !!)
Plus, every time you knock someone out you make a $20 bounty; and if you knock out a pro, you get a $120 bounty
Okay, okay.........Don't get me wrong.
I much prefer playing bridge for no money, in fact, at my expense, to a game of No limit Hold 'Em (NLHE) - but there are many who differ.
But NLHE has the attention of the masses; the enthusiastic embrace of the youthful; and it is easy to learn; easy to play; and luck plays more of a part in the final outcome.
I think as bridge aficionados we should be aware of what's going on out there, but don't think of competing with poker - there is no competition.
That's like saying the National Hockey League is going to take on the NFL for supremacy in the TV ratings
Post mortem
After only 2 hours and forty minutes, my avatar met it's fate in 4,216th place (from 9,832) - having fought the last hour bravely with a very small stack
The hand that crippled me was earlier when I held AQ suited in hearts and went head to head vs my LHO. The flop was a scary KH QC KD
Another heart came on the turn and the betting was firm but not overly huge. The river was a little heart giving me the nut flush but pairing my LHO's 8 who now had a full house (filled by his K8 suited)
I went from average stack to 40% of average stack size with that one hand, and could not get my groove back.
But I gotta tell you, it's not a bad way to while away a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Sort of like playing a lottery with better odds and in a hands on fashion.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tales from the tables - Halloween trip 2009 II
It's now Wednesday and heading back to the real world after a very successful trip. Other than one more foray into tournament poker on Monday, my card play was mostly limited to two deck blackjack at several different locations. I was in a zone the entire time - playing with great discipline and care. Funny, but each time I sat down to play, I was almost reluctant and proceeded with great caution each time.
This actually fits real well with my hit and run strategy at the tables. Other than this morning's 1.5 hours at the Venetian, and last night's two hour struggle at Treasure Island, my average session was well under 30 minutes. I did not actually play that much, but I made a profit in fifteen of my eighteen sessions this trip.
The losing session at Ceasar's on Sunday had been a six deck shoe game, so perhaps no surprise. Last night at Treasure Island, I got stuck $400 really quickly at the DD table in the open area, so I migrated to the "high limit" area to repair the damage. I use quotations, as it is the first casino I have played in here in years where the hi limit table minimum started at only $50. This is great.
Better yet, and almost unbelievably, if I felt like coming down to $25 a hand (one or two spots) the staff just turned a blind eye. Very relaxed, very friendly location. I played there several times this trip - a great haven when the table limits in my "office" at the Venetian are uncomfortably high.
In spite of these amazing conditions, I still ended up down $200 on the night - losing a further $200 in a DD game, and recouping $400 in a shoe game. I was getting tired, and worried I would begin to bet carelessly, so I packed it in.
That left me refreshed this morning so I went down to my favorite place in Las Vegas (the two deck games in the Venetian) and played heads up with several dealers. It was good at first, then I began to slip and slide to a loss position of $600 before pulling it out in the last 20 minutes for a session profit of $700.
The main excitement was when an Asian hi stakes Baccarat player decided to take a break and come play with me with his "last $5000" - at $1000 per hand. He decided I was a good player and so he bet under me - matching my bets and plays completely. If I pressed, he would raise his bets to $2000 or $3000 per hand. If I alternated between one hand and two, he would come along for the ride.
The first two hands we played were blackjacks, so he pulled up a chair and began to take this seriously. In the space of about 60 seconds, my table went from a sleepy, quiet corner game to a game where three supervisors admired our plays and action with great interest, while a bevy of onlooking kibitzers enjoyed the fun.
We got him up $15,000 in 20 minutes or so, and that's where I made most of my profit. He dawdled off happily to the Baccarat room again, while I came down a notch or so.......flight is beckoning........to be continued.
This actually fits real well with my hit and run strategy at the tables. Other than this morning's 1.5 hours at the Venetian, and last night's two hour struggle at Treasure Island, my average session was well under 30 minutes. I did not actually play that much, but I made a profit in fifteen of my eighteen sessions this trip.
The losing session at Ceasar's on Sunday had been a six deck shoe game, so perhaps no surprise. Last night at Treasure Island, I got stuck $400 really quickly at the DD table in the open area, so I migrated to the "high limit" area to repair the damage. I use quotations, as it is the first casino I have played in here in years where the hi limit table minimum started at only $50. This is great.
Better yet, and almost unbelievably, if I felt like coming down to $25 a hand (one or two spots) the staff just turned a blind eye. Very relaxed, very friendly location. I played there several times this trip - a great haven when the table limits in my "office" at the Venetian are uncomfortably high.
In spite of these amazing conditions, I still ended up down $200 on the night - losing a further $200 in a DD game, and recouping $400 in a shoe game. I was getting tired, and worried I would begin to bet carelessly, so I packed it in.
That left me refreshed this morning so I went down to my favorite place in Las Vegas (the two deck games in the Venetian) and played heads up with several dealers. It was good at first, then I began to slip and slide to a loss position of $600 before pulling it out in the last 20 minutes for a session profit of $700.
The main excitement was when an Asian hi stakes Baccarat player decided to take a break and come play with me with his "last $5000" - at $1000 per hand. He decided I was a good player and so he bet under me - matching my bets and plays completely. If I pressed, he would raise his bets to $2000 or $3000 per hand. If I alternated between one hand and two, he would come along for the ride.
The first two hands we played were blackjacks, so he pulled up a chair and began to take this seriously. In the space of about 60 seconds, my table went from a sleepy, quiet corner game to a game where three supervisors admired our plays and action with great interest, while a bevy of onlooking kibitzers enjoyed the fun.
We got him up $15,000 in 20 minutes or so, and that's where I made most of my profit. He dawdled off happily to the Baccarat room again, while I came down a notch or so.......flight is beckoning........to be continued.
Tales from the tables - Halloween trip 2009 III
Wednesday morning continued
The hi rolling Asian could not stand prosperity. He came out of the VIP room ten minutes later with a hang dog expression on his face, and asked me if I could "do it again" for him with his last $3000.
To be honest, much as I like the fun, I felt his action was a bit of a distraction for me and my pittance betting, but of course I agreed nonetheless.
Example, soon he was down to his last chip, and I was playing two hands. He placed his $1000 on the first spot, with my bet nestled on top. The second spot had my bet only. The dealers need to know whose money is on the spot and who will be playing the hand at all times - especially when players are pooling.
So he kinda took over this hand with no one realizing it or objecting. So the dealer looked for his hand signals, not mine. After drawing a card, he thought for a while and asked for another. As soon as he did he balked and said NO NO I don't want it. But the 2 of hearts was already on the felt.
He waived off further cards - I had no idea what had happened as we are not allowed to peek at each other's cards technically - especially when Big Brother and his minions are all around the table like a sherrif's posse. (But it sure felt like he had accidentally hit a "made hand")
Seeing that two on my right fostered a bad feeling about my own hand as I was looking at 6-3, and the two would have been made to feel right at home.
Sure enough the next card was an 8 and I stopped at the death level of 17, noting a 19 was there for me if his deuce had been left in the deck.
All the cards were now exposed. Dealer had 18. I lost. Hi roller had 19, having accidentally hit on 17 and drawn my 2.
So I won $50 on his spot, he won his $1000, but I lost $150 on my own (where I had been pressing stronger cards)
Finally, to get to the point of the story, as soon as he left the table, the supervisor came over to the dealer and told him to give me $100 from his tray - explaining that if I had been playing both spots myself (as I had been till then) I would have lost the first hand and won the second.
Nice touch by the Venetian - I had not complained one word - but they were looking out for me.
Earlier in the day, my travel companion had insisted we go downtown to the legendary Fremont Street - where you can still see those same casinos they flashed in 60's and 70's movies. It's too bad everyone I bring to Vegas wants to do this - I don't think there is much endearing about the area - not when you have been poshed beyond belief at Wynn, Bellagio, Encore, Venetian etc.
So I amused myself for an hour at a saloon/casino called "The Fitz". You know these places are of a different standard when you buy in for $200, and the dealer takes his time inspecting each and every $20 bill to ensure they are not fake !
I ran up my stake to $475 and had serious concerns about their ability to deal with this at the Cashier's Cage when it came time to cash out. Yes, they actually did call down to the blackjack pit to confirm it really was me and I really did win these chips honestly before they released the money to me. LOL.
There was also an ill fated foray into the Deep Stack poker tournament at the Venetian on Monday. A two day event with a strong field of 117 players, and a nuts shrivelling entry fee of $1080. First placed was around $33,000 and thirteen players would cash.
I was flush with my winnings from Sunday's poker tournament and decided to parlay the money into a bigger cash by playing with the big boys and girls. Hah - they kinda had me for breakfast and dinner !
The quality of play in this event was an order of magnitude better than the Sunday tourney at The Wynn - it felt like I was on my heels the whole time - to be sure - a great poker experience and if I want to improve, I have to play in stronger games - but the cost of tuition can be pretty high!
I actually lasted till 9.15 pm - when the field was down to 31 players, and the average stack size was around 60,000 chips. I had always been below average stack size the whole day. T'was much harder to take down decent sized pots when I finally got cards, (can you spell TELLS ?) and in general most of the players were playing small ball poker.
So I had around $47,000 in chips with the blinds at $800 and $1600, and the antes $200 per hand. I picked up A8 suited in hearts in mid position, and opened for $5000 - which was the norm at this table. It usually attracted only one customer per hand, as the pots got large pretty quickly.
All folded to the small blind who made it $10,000 to go. He had my stack well covered. Still, with position, and needing to bet only a further $5000 to stay involved in a $23,400 pot I naturally called and got to see a flop of JH 3H JC.
SB checked. I was not sure of my best move. I could check and look for a free card. I could bet and try to guage where he is at in the hand. I decided to check. Keep it as small as possible. Next card was the heaven sent 8 of hearts, giving me the nut flush, however this was a dangerous board.
SB checked. I bet $15,000 and he insta shoved all in. His stack had me covered, so if I am wrong here I am about to become a railbird. Still, what does he have? Pair of jacks? (I'm dead)
Jack and a high kicker? (I am ahead)
Pair of 3's ? (then he flopped a full house)
Pair of 8's (then the free card I gave him just matured his hand into 8's full of jacks)
Jack 3 or Jack 8? (then he has a full house - but I don't believe he would reraise me pre flop with either hand)
A high heart flush of his own? (Maybe H KQ?)
Anyway, I am told good players always try to define their opponents' range to help them with such decisions. This entails looking far deeper than I just described above. It entails going back to each key moment in the hand and determining what range of hands your opponent could have for those particular actions (and then mapping those hands against the hands that are relevant to the situation at hand)
Fine and dandy - but I have a decision to make, and many of these decisions are made at the end of the day with less than perfect information, and may also rely on a combination of instinct and hope.
Besides, most importantly, I was pretty much pot committed - a fact my opponent must have realized when he shoved me all - in. That is, I was priced in to call almost regardless. To fold would have decimated my stack size down to $22,000 - definitely a step in the wrong direction.
Though I would fold in such a situation if the cards screamed at me to do so - i.e. if I truly believed I was drawing dead - but here I felt I had a shot.
So all in all, I decided to take my last stand here and now and called.
The guy turned over AJ suited in spades, and well whaddaya know - I am ahead with one more card to come.
Of course, Texas Hold ' em is a seven card game - you can't tell the dealer to stop after the turn - just cause your ahead of your opponent.
So out came the river card - the Jack of diamonds - aaaaaaargh ! Busted by quad jacks !
You might think I was sickened by all this. I mean nine hours of play for naught, not to mention my wallet was lighter by $1080. But no. First of all, you have to remember that shit like this is happening all around the room all the time. We do it to others; we see it done to others; and it happens to us.
Maybe there is no such thing as a "bad beat" - it's really just another term for a lower percentage outcome to manifest - he did have his chances on this hand - several outs. An Ace, an 8, a 3 or a jack were all good cards for him. I just needed the river to be anything but those cards.
So I was almost serene as I wandered away from the poker area over to the DD BJ game at the other end of the casino with one goal in mind. Get back my tournament entry fee !
Happy endings ! I cashed $600 before calling it a night (It had been $800 at the end of the penultimate shoe, but the final shoe started off weak and I did not want to dial back to zero profits.)
Next morning, I went down to "the office" again and cashed another $1000 heads up with one of my favorite dealers.
One day I should write an entry about dealers I like and pay me; dealers that kill me seem to enjoy doing so (and so I don't like to play them); and dealers I have become friendly with but cannot play them as they are gifted winners for their bosses.
Anyway, I have no complaints about this trip - other than I really did not play enough sessions of blackjack considering how well I was playing. I took time for long walks, a swim, a hot stone massage, a show - Terry Fator - it's true the guy DOES have talent, and some fantastic meals.
Best of all, I fought the cigarette demons successfully during the entire trip - an important step in my late found journey to better health and common sense.
The hi rolling Asian could not stand prosperity. He came out of the VIP room ten minutes later with a hang dog expression on his face, and asked me if I could "do it again" for him with his last $3000.
To be honest, much as I like the fun, I felt his action was a bit of a distraction for me and my pittance betting, but of course I agreed nonetheless.
Example, soon he was down to his last chip, and I was playing two hands. He placed his $1000 on the first spot, with my bet nestled on top. The second spot had my bet only. The dealers need to know whose money is on the spot and who will be playing the hand at all times - especially when players are pooling.
So he kinda took over this hand with no one realizing it or objecting. So the dealer looked for his hand signals, not mine. After drawing a card, he thought for a while and asked for another. As soon as he did he balked and said NO NO I don't want it. But the 2 of hearts was already on the felt.
He waived off further cards - I had no idea what had happened as we are not allowed to peek at each other's cards technically - especially when Big Brother and his minions are all around the table like a sherrif's posse. (But it sure felt like he had accidentally hit a "made hand")
Seeing that two on my right fostered a bad feeling about my own hand as I was looking at 6-3, and the two would have been made to feel right at home.
Sure enough the next card was an 8 and I stopped at the death level of 17, noting a 19 was there for me if his deuce had been left in the deck.
All the cards were now exposed. Dealer had 18. I lost. Hi roller had 19, having accidentally hit on 17 and drawn my 2.
So I won $50 on his spot, he won his $1000, but I lost $150 on my own (where I had been pressing stronger cards)
Finally, to get to the point of the story, as soon as he left the table, the supervisor came over to the dealer and told him to give me $100 from his tray - explaining that if I had been playing both spots myself (as I had been till then) I would have lost the first hand and won the second.
Nice touch by the Venetian - I had not complained one word - but they were looking out for me.
Earlier in the day, my travel companion had insisted we go downtown to the legendary Fremont Street - where you can still see those same casinos they flashed in 60's and 70's movies. It's too bad everyone I bring to Vegas wants to do this - I don't think there is much endearing about the area - not when you have been poshed beyond belief at Wynn, Bellagio, Encore, Venetian etc.
So I amused myself for an hour at a saloon/casino called "The Fitz". You know these places are of a different standard when you buy in for $200, and the dealer takes his time inspecting each and every $20 bill to ensure they are not fake !
I ran up my stake to $475 and had serious concerns about their ability to deal with this at the Cashier's Cage when it came time to cash out. Yes, they actually did call down to the blackjack pit to confirm it really was me and I really did win these chips honestly before they released the money to me. LOL.
There was also an ill fated foray into the Deep Stack poker tournament at the Venetian on Monday. A two day event with a strong field of 117 players, and a nuts shrivelling entry fee of $1080. First placed was around $33,000 and thirteen players would cash.
I was flush with my winnings from Sunday's poker tournament and decided to parlay the money into a bigger cash by playing with the big boys and girls. Hah - they kinda had me for breakfast and dinner !
The quality of play in this event was an order of magnitude better than the Sunday tourney at The Wynn - it felt like I was on my heels the whole time - to be sure - a great poker experience and if I want to improve, I have to play in stronger games - but the cost of tuition can be pretty high!
I actually lasted till 9.15 pm - when the field was down to 31 players, and the average stack size was around 60,000 chips. I had always been below average stack size the whole day. T'was much harder to take down decent sized pots when I finally got cards, (can you spell TELLS ?) and in general most of the players were playing small ball poker.
So I had around $47,000 in chips with the blinds at $800 and $1600, and the antes $200 per hand. I picked up A8 suited in hearts in mid position, and opened for $5000 - which was the norm at this table. It usually attracted only one customer per hand, as the pots got large pretty quickly.
All folded to the small blind who made it $10,000 to go. He had my stack well covered. Still, with position, and needing to bet only a further $5000 to stay involved in a $23,400 pot I naturally called and got to see a flop of JH 3H JC.
SB checked. I was not sure of my best move. I could check and look for a free card. I could bet and try to guage where he is at in the hand. I decided to check. Keep it as small as possible. Next card was the heaven sent 8 of hearts, giving me the nut flush, however this was a dangerous board.
SB checked. I bet $15,000 and he insta shoved all in. His stack had me covered, so if I am wrong here I am about to become a railbird. Still, what does he have? Pair of jacks? (I'm dead)
Jack and a high kicker? (I am ahead)
Pair of 3's ? (then he flopped a full house)
Pair of 8's (then the free card I gave him just matured his hand into 8's full of jacks)
Jack 3 or Jack 8? (then he has a full house - but I don't believe he would reraise me pre flop with either hand)
A high heart flush of his own? (Maybe H KQ?)
Anyway, I am told good players always try to define their opponents' range to help them with such decisions. This entails looking far deeper than I just described above. It entails going back to each key moment in the hand and determining what range of hands your opponent could have for those particular actions (and then mapping those hands against the hands that are relevant to the situation at hand)
Fine and dandy - but I have a decision to make, and many of these decisions are made at the end of the day with less than perfect information, and may also rely on a combination of instinct and hope.
Besides, most importantly, I was pretty much pot committed - a fact my opponent must have realized when he shoved me all - in. That is, I was priced in to call almost regardless. To fold would have decimated my stack size down to $22,000 - definitely a step in the wrong direction.
Though I would fold in such a situation if the cards screamed at me to do so - i.e. if I truly believed I was drawing dead - but here I felt I had a shot.
So all in all, I decided to take my last stand here and now and called.
The guy turned over AJ suited in spades, and well whaddaya know - I am ahead with one more card to come.
Of course, Texas Hold ' em is a seven card game - you can't tell the dealer to stop after the turn - just cause your ahead of your opponent.
So out came the river card - the Jack of diamonds - aaaaaaargh ! Busted by quad jacks !
You might think I was sickened by all this. I mean nine hours of play for naught, not to mention my wallet was lighter by $1080. But no. First of all, you have to remember that shit like this is happening all around the room all the time. We do it to others; we see it done to others; and it happens to us.
Maybe there is no such thing as a "bad beat" - it's really just another term for a lower percentage outcome to manifest - he did have his chances on this hand - several outs. An Ace, an 8, a 3 or a jack were all good cards for him. I just needed the river to be anything but those cards.
So I was almost serene as I wandered away from the poker area over to the DD BJ game at the other end of the casino with one goal in mind. Get back my tournament entry fee !
Happy endings ! I cashed $600 before calling it a night (It had been $800 at the end of the penultimate shoe, but the final shoe started off weak and I did not want to dial back to zero profits.)
Next morning, I went down to "the office" again and cashed another $1000 heads up with one of my favorite dealers.
One day I should write an entry about dealers I like and pay me; dealers that kill me seem to enjoy doing so (and so I don't like to play them); and dealers I have become friendly with but cannot play them as they are gifted winners for their bosses.
Anyway, I have no complaints about this trip - other than I really did not play enough sessions of blackjack considering how well I was playing. I took time for long walks, a swim, a hot stone massage, a show - Terry Fator - it's true the guy DOES have talent, and some fantastic meals.
Best of all, I fought the cigarette demons successfully during the entire trip - an important step in my late found journey to better health and common sense.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween in Vegas
Arrived last night late and was not prepared to play - great people watching though as Halloween was in full bloom. Lots of underdressed Christine Aguilera look alikes -also French maids, playboy bunnies, Little Bo Peeps, Heidi's, nurses, etc. - all of which kept an old guy like me entertained for a while, but the poor girls must have been freezing !
Has taken a while to get used to not smoking in a casino environment - at first I was craving - then I was grossed out; and it varies from hour to hour.
The poker room is a good place for a reforming smoker and the BJ table is not !
Decided my game was not sharp enough to warrant entry into today's Deep Stack ($550 entry) at Venetian - ended up entering a tourney at the Wynn - their entry fee was $225. Only 33 players but a 20000 chip starting stack though the blinds accelerated real fast.
Five places paid - first $2100 or so ; 4th over $800 and 5th over $400.
The final table as a group were nervous and wanted to chop as soon as we got there - except the chip leader (and I said nothing as he was already against it)
We got down to 6 players slowly and the levels were 4000-8000 and a 500 ante. I was third stack. They all wanted to chop and it was up to me to agree or not.
The new chip leader had about double my stack (he had just won a major suck out with A10 vs AK - on the river) - but at the same time I was 1 hand or so away from taking his place and also rather enjoying myself - but we all knew how unpredictable the outcome could be.
Plus half of them wanted to quit; have dinner; and then enter satellites for tomorrow's $1070 entry at the Venetian.
So who was I to argue? We each took $1080 away and broke up the game just under 6 hours after we started.
I played pretty well - I realized after that I was never all-in for all my chips the whole time.
There were lots of suck outs today - AQ was killed twice by A4o and twice by KQo and KQs.
Aces were not safe either - One hand the button three bet pre flop with his Aces and the BB called with sevens. The flop was 776 and the button shoved !!
I got river-lucky a couple of times on key hands - For example I had AC QS vs a shorter stack JJ all-in. The first four cards were bricks but the flop included two clubs; the turn was a club; and the river a club also causing the Jacks to fall on their swords and exit stage left.
I played some blackjack at the Mirage this morning. Got down $400; bought another $500 and ended up $500 after a 1 shoe rush.
Went for a long walk up the strip tonight and lost $280 playing shoe BJ at Caesars cause I needed a diversion.
Now I head downstairs to my "office" at the Venetian - for my first play here of the trip.
It's all good !
Has taken a while to get used to not smoking in a casino environment - at first I was craving - then I was grossed out; and it varies from hour to hour.
The poker room is a good place for a reforming smoker and the BJ table is not !
Decided my game was not sharp enough to warrant entry into today's Deep Stack ($550 entry) at Venetian - ended up entering a tourney at the Wynn - their entry fee was $225. Only 33 players but a 20000 chip starting stack though the blinds accelerated real fast.
Five places paid - first $2100 or so ; 4th over $800 and 5th over $400.
The final table as a group were nervous and wanted to chop as soon as we got there - except the chip leader (and I said nothing as he was already against it)
We got down to 6 players slowly and the levels were 4000-8000 and a 500 ante. I was third stack. They all wanted to chop and it was up to me to agree or not.
The new chip leader had about double my stack (he had just won a major suck out with A10 vs AK - on the river) - but at the same time I was 1 hand or so away from taking his place and also rather enjoying myself - but we all knew how unpredictable the outcome could be.
Plus half of them wanted to quit; have dinner; and then enter satellites for tomorrow's $1070 entry at the Venetian.
So who was I to argue? We each took $1080 away and broke up the game just under 6 hours after we started.
I played pretty well - I realized after that I was never all-in for all my chips the whole time.
There were lots of suck outs today - AQ was killed twice by A4o and twice by KQo and KQs.
Aces were not safe either - One hand the button three bet pre flop with his Aces and the BB called with sevens. The flop was 776 and the button shoved !!
I got river-lucky a couple of times on key hands - For example I had AC QS vs a shorter stack JJ all-in. The first four cards were bricks but the flop included two clubs; the turn was a club; and the river a club also causing the Jacks to fall on their swords and exit stage left.
I played some blackjack at the Mirage this morning. Got down $400; bought another $500 and ended up $500 after a 1 shoe rush.
Went for a long walk up the strip tonight and lost $280 playing shoe BJ at Caesars cause I needed a diversion.
Now I head downstairs to my "office" at the Venetian - for my first play here of the trip.
It's all good !
Monday, August 31, 2009
Leaving Las Vegas - Always a happy ending
I thought I was done with this particular blog segment, but Vegas has a knack of keeping you involved right to the end. We left the hotel at 10.15 and arrived at the airport in plenty of time for our noon hour flight. More time than we needed, since they advised us our flight had been pushed back to 1.15pm.
Normal people would find a quiet corner to rest in, and wait for their flight. Not us - we inveterates! We walked directly over to the taxi stand; headed back to the Venetian; dumped our luggage in our original room - the keys still worked; and headed downstairs for an hour of blackjack.
In the taxi on the way Svetlana found a penny on the floor. She was really pleased as for sure this meant Lady Luck would smile on us.
She was right. We bought in for $600 at a $25 table; never were down more than $175; and by the end of an hour we were to the good $725.
Subtract $40 for the two extra cab fares, and a happy ending was still had by all !
Normal people would find a quiet corner to rest in, and wait for their flight. Not us - we inveterates! We walked directly over to the taxi stand; headed back to the Venetian; dumped our luggage in our original room - the keys still worked; and headed downstairs for an hour of blackjack.
In the taxi on the way Svetlana found a penny on the floor. She was really pleased as for sure this meant Lady Luck would smile on us.
She was right. We bought in for $600 at a $25 table; never were down more than $175; and by the end of an hour we were to the good $725.
Subtract $40 for the two extra cab fares, and a happy ending was still had by all !
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Vegas in August part 10 - the final day - mostly BJ
This morning I played some DD before my swim and caught $350 more. After swim and lunch and a nap, we just went down to the tables for our last evening in town. I noted the changing of the cards again; gave the new decks a whirl but they were too choppy, so I told Sveta I had to keep distracted for 10 - 15 minutes till the cards got worked in - so here I am working on this blog entry.
Fast forward to 10 PM, and we had another great dinner - this time at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo - though we ate no sushi - unless you count the kobe beef roll. a mix of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Japanese dishes in their three different kitchens. We like to bring guests here - they usually really like it.
The blackjack before dinner was boring and non eventful. We ebbed and flowed (taking turns with the same chips) and unfortunately our playing partners in 4th seat and anchor got tired of hitting their 15's and 16's against the dealer's face cards.
The first time it happened, I stayed in the shoe - against my normal principles - I got lucky to win the next hand with a blackjack, before dealer pulled a 6 card 21 on the other players. Then I remembered why I usually sit out in such situations.
I decided to give them a second chance in the next shoe. It was going to be our last shoe before dinner anyway as the supervisor staff were lurking with freshly minted cards to poison our chip stacks with.
But our playing partners were not up to the task again, and we lost 3 $75 bets in a row; the third happening after another brake-stop on 16 against dealer's 8.
The session ended down a bet or two - nothing to show for our time at the table, but no damage either.
I am assuming I am done for the trip. Although our results have been pretty modest, and I failed to cash in my three poker tourneys, it was still a real good time - as it usually is. Airfares and entry fees covered; food and room comped; and a wee bit extra for the stash. It's all good.
Fast forward to 10 PM, and we had another great dinner - this time at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo - though we ate no sushi - unless you count the kobe beef roll. a mix of Peruvian, Brazilian, and Japanese dishes in their three different kitchens. We like to bring guests here - they usually really like it.
The blackjack before dinner was boring and non eventful. We ebbed and flowed (taking turns with the same chips) and unfortunately our playing partners in 4th seat and anchor got tired of hitting their 15's and 16's against the dealer's face cards.
The first time it happened, I stayed in the shoe - against my normal principles - I got lucky to win the next hand with a blackjack, before dealer pulled a 6 card 21 on the other players. Then I remembered why I usually sit out in such situations.
I decided to give them a second chance in the next shoe. It was going to be our last shoe before dinner anyway as the supervisor staff were lurking with freshly minted cards to poison our chip stacks with.
But our playing partners were not up to the task again, and we lost 3 $75 bets in a row; the third happening after another brake-stop on 16 against dealer's 8.
The session ended down a bet or two - nothing to show for our time at the table, but no damage either.
I am assuming I am done for the trip. Although our results have been pretty modest, and I failed to cash in my three poker tourneys, it was still a real good time - as it usually is. Airfares and entry fees covered; food and room comped; and a wee bit extra for the stash. It's all good.
Vegas in August - part 9 Saturday Blackjack
Well it's Sunday Afternoon - and tomorrow we come home. It's been a great time. Last night we were comped to see Joan Rivers putting on a limited engagement show at the Venetian Showroom. Star gazing saw Louie Anderson, Jerry Springer,(or a look alike), Petula Clark, and David Brenner in the audience.
She was very raunchy and very funny - an awesome performer - and 76 years old !
Why Joan Rivers, you ask? Well, we've seen just about every show we want to see here in the past. Most of the Cirque shows, and a few others. We are not big fans of aging 50's and 60's musicians cashing in on memory lane, so that eliminates half the entertainment.
We had dinner at Valentino's after, which is one of the restaurants we like in the Venetian. Not too fancy, but always good food with a home cooked feel, and a nice vibe in the place.
Problem now was it was early and neither of us wanted to go to bed - especially on a Saturday night in Vegas - but I did not see optimal blackjack table conditions, and did not feel like anymore poker that day.
So I killed time at a 5 cent multi play poker machine while Svetlana did battle at the $50 tables in the double deck pit.
I wondered over a bit later and she had moved tables (usually not a good sign) and this time she was at a $100 table - also not a good sign. I knew she would be uncomfortable if I saw her early in play there - she would already be nervous, so I circled around the room looking for entertainment.
With great reluctance I sat down at a $25 shoe game in a corner of the room that was not so busy. Bought in for $150 and ran it up to $475 in 1/4 of a shoe. Some guy with smelly armpits decided he should get in on the action, and leaned over my shoulder to bet the spot to my right - effectively taking my cards - which were pretty hot.
I did not vent - this is one's lot in the floor, and just another one of the obstacles you have to overcome - like bad players; grumpy dealers; changing cards, streaking cards; etc.
But I pulled in my reins and began to breathe through my mouth. I did make a point of not moving over to allow him comfort to take a seat though - but he was happily flat betting his $25 and winning 4/5 hands.
After ten minutes of this, I understood nothing was going to change, so I finally got up with a $250 profit, and gave my chair to smelly armpits.
I decided it was prudent to check in on Svetlana, and was relieved to find her smiling, and up several hundred. She was equally relieved to see me, as the pressure was getting to her and she wanted me to bet her spot, as she felt it was solid. The guy beside her had just taken out his fourth $5000 marker. He was a liquidator from New Jersey - things, not people, he assured me.
So liquidator and I got into a comfortable setting and began to play. His bets typically ranged from $500 to $1600 and a couple of times $2000 or $2500. I was somewhat lower needless to say.
We began to win right away - especially NJL (New Jersey Liquidator). So they changed the cards and Sveta and I went into the Salon for an upscale bathroom break, and to rub shoulders with incredibly rich Asian gamblers in their private lounge.
We came back to a new dealer, and a new player - a dour Iranian guy sucking on an unlit cigarette in the third seat, with Harry the NJL still on first base. (I was in anchor)
There was no magic with this new confluence of circumstances, and the gains from before were quickly passed back to the dealer's tray.
We switched tables in an effort to stem the tide but that didn't work either. Fortunately, the dealer at the orginal table, Gilbert, returned from his break, so we went back to him to help repair the damage.
This worked out fine. I ground out a win of $970. More importantly, Harry the NJL, my new best friend, won back all but $1500 of his $20,000 - and had the sense to get out before his fortunes reversed.
He was betting heavy and winning more hands than he was losing - which of course we all pray for in a given session, but in the long run simply cannot be.
The dour Iranian took NJL's place, and he was last seen grinding away in flat betting mode while we repaired to our rooms for a good night's sleep.
So for us, a good ending to a tough day (poker wise).
She was very raunchy and very funny - an awesome performer - and 76 years old !
Why Joan Rivers, you ask? Well, we've seen just about every show we want to see here in the past. Most of the Cirque shows, and a few others. We are not big fans of aging 50's and 60's musicians cashing in on memory lane, so that eliminates half the entertainment.
We had dinner at Valentino's after, which is one of the restaurants we like in the Venetian. Not too fancy, but always good food with a home cooked feel, and a nice vibe in the place.
Problem now was it was early and neither of us wanted to go to bed - especially on a Saturday night in Vegas - but I did not see optimal blackjack table conditions, and did not feel like anymore poker that day.
So I killed time at a 5 cent multi play poker machine while Svetlana did battle at the $50 tables in the double deck pit.
I wondered over a bit later and she had moved tables (usually not a good sign) and this time she was at a $100 table - also not a good sign. I knew she would be uncomfortable if I saw her early in play there - she would already be nervous, so I circled around the room looking for entertainment.
With great reluctance I sat down at a $25 shoe game in a corner of the room that was not so busy. Bought in for $150 and ran it up to $475 in 1/4 of a shoe. Some guy with smelly armpits decided he should get in on the action, and leaned over my shoulder to bet the spot to my right - effectively taking my cards - which were pretty hot.
I did not vent - this is one's lot in the floor, and just another one of the obstacles you have to overcome - like bad players; grumpy dealers; changing cards, streaking cards; etc.
But I pulled in my reins and began to breathe through my mouth. I did make a point of not moving over to allow him comfort to take a seat though - but he was happily flat betting his $25 and winning 4/5 hands.
After ten minutes of this, I understood nothing was going to change, so I finally got up with a $250 profit, and gave my chair to smelly armpits.
I decided it was prudent to check in on Svetlana, and was relieved to find her smiling, and up several hundred. She was equally relieved to see me, as the pressure was getting to her and she wanted me to bet her spot, as she felt it was solid. The guy beside her had just taken out his fourth $5000 marker. He was a liquidator from New Jersey - things, not people, he assured me.
So liquidator and I got into a comfortable setting and began to play. His bets typically ranged from $500 to $1600 and a couple of times $2000 or $2500. I was somewhat lower needless to say.
We began to win right away - especially NJL (New Jersey Liquidator). So they changed the cards and Sveta and I went into the Salon for an upscale bathroom break, and to rub shoulders with incredibly rich Asian gamblers in their private lounge.
We came back to a new dealer, and a new player - a dour Iranian guy sucking on an unlit cigarette in the third seat, with Harry the NJL still on first base. (I was in anchor)
There was no magic with this new confluence of circumstances, and the gains from before were quickly passed back to the dealer's tray.
We switched tables in an effort to stem the tide but that didn't work either. Fortunately, the dealer at the orginal table, Gilbert, returned from his break, so we went back to him to help repair the damage.
This worked out fine. I ground out a win of $970. More importantly, Harry the NJL, my new best friend, won back all but $1500 of his $20,000 - and had the sense to get out before his fortunes reversed.
He was betting heavy and winning more hands than he was losing - which of course we all pray for in a given session, but in the long run simply cannot be.
The dour Iranian took NJL's place, and he was last seen grinding away in flat betting mode while we repaired to our rooms for a good night's sleep.
So for us, a good ending to a tough day (poker wise).
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Vegas in August part 8 - Deep Stack Poker Tourney
First I want to say I had the pleasure of sitting beside Tony Korfman, a very funny guy who gave me an autographed copy of his book early in the deep stack tournament. His website link is here http://www.pokergas.com/
Tony chopped the WSOP seniors event in 2007, and had just won the previous day's daily tournament at the Venetian.
Tony looks like Mr. Las Vegas. Wearing a bright red blazer, gold watch, gold bracelet, gold buttons, and a large distinguished man to boot who made me feel small forward on Shaq's team. All the poker room staff know him, but he was actually quite self effacing about his own resume.
What about this tournament? I sure had my chances - but to cut to the chase I did not cash (again!) The entry fee was a steep $550 (specially on Saturdays) and there were only 50 entrants - paying the top 5 - with first place north of $8400.
I had been quiet for 25 minutes, with the blinds still only $25/$50 and original stacks of $15,000. I held K10 of spades in first position. I wanted to play a hand and figured if I came in no one would raise me unless they had a monster as I was already pegged as the table's "nit".
So I put in $150, and a total of six of us went along for the ride.
The flop was S9 S2 5H
I had nothing except the spade flush draw. Nonetheless, I decided to weed a couple of people out and bet $300 after two checks to me. A guy in mid position called, as did FTP cap in the SB.(Full Tilt Poker cap)
Next card was the club 5, and the action was on me after SB checked again. I bet $1000, and this got rid of the guy in the middle, and kept the interest of FTP cap.
The river was the diamond 5, so we have a board that looks like 92555.
I felt I had been representing a pair, and not a bad one at that. SB checked again and I bet $3000 trying to grab this pot once and for all. But he called and flipped over 102 offsuit for the weakest possible full house - but good enough to beat your fool-no-one hero.
Still, although I had immediately lost 1/3 of my stack, it felt like I got some respect from the table for my moves - as they all thought he was nuts to call me - but he was good enough to call me I guess.
A little later the table chip leader had the misfortune of holding pocket Aces and got a walk when not even the SB looked him up - the only walk I saw for the first 4 hours.
The blinds were now up at $50/100 and I held A10 of spades, in first position. I bet $300, and got 2 callers, including Tony Korfman on my immediate right in the BB. The board was A of clubs, 8 and 2 of spades - a pretty great flop for me.
Tony checked and I bet $700. The other guy got out of the way, and Tony called. The next card was the spade 6, and other than straight flush draws I was looking really good. Tony checked and I bet out $1500. He called.
The river was the diamond king, so I finally had the nuts. He checked again and I dithered. He reminded me it was my turn to bet and as I responded he said whatever you bet I am calling you - a bit of gamesmanship to be sure.
Anyway I bet $3500 which he happily called. I don't know what he had but I had gotten back what I had lost the previous orbit.
Shortly after the blinds were at $100/$200 and I had 108 of hearts on the dealer button. The guy three off the BB bet $700 to go, and I called, as did the BB.
The flop was QH 7H 6S.
So I had a heart flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. I hoped the betting would not get too heavy with three players still involved.
The BB checked, and the guy in the middle bet $1000. I dunno what is right - I think I am supposed to call, which I did, as did the BB.
The turn was 5 of clubs - so now I have an open ended straight draw, as well as the flush draw.
BB checked and the guy in the middle stuck in $4000 - now what am I supposed to do - we are not at the river yet and 1/3 of my stack will be in this pot - and I don't know what the guy on my left plans to do yet.
I called as did the BB. The river was a red king - it seems helping no one - we checked down the river and the BB scooped a nice pot with Q6 offsuit.
Meanwhile FTP and the guy in the middle were getting personal. Not with words but with their action. I did not catch all the betting, but suddenly there was a hand where FTP had all his chips in with Q7 of diamonds in his hand and a flop of 952 rainbow.
Middle guy had a far bigger stack and he called with 109 suited. FTP hat spiked a queen on the turn and middle guy was NOT a happy camper - $28000 pot.
Middle guy seemed to be steaming after that. Shortly after I had AK suited in clubs in the hijack seat and FTP bet $700 in first position. I called as did the SB (middle guy)
The flop was J of spades, and 8-5 of hearts. Middle guy shoved right away with his last $8375.
I had about $9500 left. FTP got out of the way and it was up to me. Who knew if middle guy had a made hand or a drawing hand but I did not want to essentially put my tournament on the line so early; so I folded and showed my hand. (something I almost never do)
The first major hand I won was holding 88 in first position. The blinds were 100/200 with a $25 ante. I bet out $400 and I got five callers, including Tony on my right in the BB.
The flop was 346 rainbow and Tony instantly went all-in with around $2200. With this flop I felt I had to stay involved but I really did not want multi way action so I raised all-in myself with my $8775.
Ben two to my left called me and everyone else folded. We turned over.
Tony had flopped a straight - gulp, but I was ahead of Ben with his pair of 5's and a gut shot straight draw.
The turn was an 8 - giving me a set of 8's; but still behind Tony. The river was a 6 - yes - a 6, and my pair of 8's had now converted to a full house and I cleaned up the whole pot. I sheepishly shook Tony's hand and thanked him again for his autographed book.
He signed the inside something to the effect
"To Ross the blogger, whatever the f*** that is !
Best regards, Tony Korfman"
If you visit his website or read his book, you'll understand that this is his schtick -and nothing to take personally.
So now I was in business with a stack of over $20,000 - around average.
I thought I played another hand real well and got lucky a bit later. I had Ace of clubs and nine of spades in early position. The blinds were $200/$400 with a $25 ante.I raised it up to $900, and the BB looked me up, as had another guy in the middle.
The flop was 6 and 4 of clubs, and the ten of hearts. The BB checked and I bet out $2200 with basically nothing to show for my bravado.
The button folded, and the BB called.
Next card was the club 8 - so now I at least had a club flush draw. BB checked to me and I checked too - happy for the free card.
The river was the glorious ten of clubs. BB checked to me and I only had to figure out how much to bet.
I put out $4000; he called, and he put his Queen high flush on the table - so of course I won.
He had the flush at the turn, so he could have squeezed me out of the pot had he bet big after the turn - but the free card he gave me destroyed him. I guess my hand was hard to read, or he was not really sure how best to play - as he knew he had the winning hand after the turn. Still I was not complaining.
Now I was up in the mid to high twenties and feeling ok.
I stayed quiet for a while, and got a sweet extra $18000 when the SB decided I was joking with my Aces in the BB and he put me all in with AQ after a three card rainbow rag flop.
So now I was table chip leader with over $50K. I feel like a putz for not making it to final five. I made the classic mistake of getting involved in a huge pot with the other big stack at the table – FTP cap guy.
I had AQo in the SB, and the blinds were I think $300/$600 with a $75 ante. He bet $1500 in early position, a guy in the middle called and so did I. The flop was Q73 rainbow.
I led out for $5000, and FTP called and middle guy folded. The turn was a three in the fourth suit. I was not sure where I stood in the hand. I checked – the pot was already around $15-$16000. And FTP splashed $25,000 into the pot.
It felt like he did not want me to call – this was an overbet. On the other hand – should I care? Should I not just let this go and wait for another spot against another player? He could have a set (unlikely to be queens) or he could have QJ, KQ, AQ, Q10 even. Yes KK and AA are possible, but with this guy at this time I was sure not. Still with so many possible hands, you can see I was not in a comfortable position - I should have executed a squeeze play pre flop, and maybe raised it up to $4500 or so.
What to do? Well no sense in calling I thought as we are headed towards all the money in so I decided it’s all in or fold. I went all in and he called after much thought and turned over KQ.
You have guessed the outcome – the river was a king and I barfed inwardly as I passed over all but $9000 or so of my chips to the new tournament chip leader.
All you good players out there – tell me I was wrong to call – I must have been – look at the result.
But I was determined not to tilt or steam – although I am sure many were waiting for me to do so. I hung in and rebuilt back to around $25,000.
The blinds were getting pretty high and we were down to two tables. $1000/$2000 with a $300 ante. Each orbit was costing $5400 or so.
I was trying to play poker but my options were limited since to see a hand all the way to the river was costing my stack size it seemed. I got blinded down to around $21,000 until I picked up KK in the BB. OK here is my time.
My LHO (Ben) limped in; as did the next guy, as did a fourth guy – I hoped I could squeeze them all out with an all-in move.
But LHO and his LHO both called ! Well this was a chance to triple up. I was sure I had the best starting hand.
Flop was 10 clubs 8 and 7 of spades. I suppose people might be flushing and straightening, but it still felt I had a chance. The other two guys both got it all in for a separate side pot and now I did not like my chances. If three people like their hands this much, two of us will be wrong!
LHO flipped a pair of sevens to show his set; and his LHO was gunning for the Ace high spade flush.
Neither a spade nor a king came on the turn or river and two of us subsided. 15th and 16th. There were only 50 entrants because of the large entry fee – and only five places paying.
First was $8400 or so and fifth around $1700 with a prize pool of around $24,000 plus.
I came back to watch the ending – six players left with two large stacks - $192000 and $250,000 and four smaller stacks. The big stacks took home $5000 each; two other guys took home $3900; one guy took $3400 and the little guy in sixth still took home $2900. Four of the six were from my original starting table. The guy who put me out with 77 was one $5000 winner and FTP cap guy was a $3900 winner.
Sigh ! Good news is I am not that far off in my game for this sort of thing – but you still need luck even if your game is good enough. But I truly enjoy the grind and battle of a tournament – though many cash players would say I am nuts since I can invest so much time for no return whereas they can be making their average hourly rate at the regular tables.
But until I improve, this milieu is fine for me.
Tony chopped the WSOP seniors event in 2007, and had just won the previous day's daily tournament at the Venetian.
Tony looks like Mr. Las Vegas. Wearing a bright red blazer, gold watch, gold bracelet, gold buttons, and a large distinguished man to boot who made me feel small forward on Shaq's team. All the poker room staff know him, but he was actually quite self effacing about his own resume.
What about this tournament? I sure had my chances - but to cut to the chase I did not cash (again!) The entry fee was a steep $550 (specially on Saturdays) and there were only 50 entrants - paying the top 5 - with first place north of $8400.
I had been quiet for 25 minutes, with the blinds still only $25/$50 and original stacks of $15,000. I held K10 of spades in first position. I wanted to play a hand and figured if I came in no one would raise me unless they had a monster as I was already pegged as the table's "nit".
So I put in $150, and a total of six of us went along for the ride.
The flop was S9 S2 5H
I had nothing except the spade flush draw. Nonetheless, I decided to weed a couple of people out and bet $300 after two checks to me. A guy in mid position called, as did FTP cap in the SB.(Full Tilt Poker cap)
Next card was the club 5, and the action was on me after SB checked again. I bet $1000, and this got rid of the guy in the middle, and kept the interest of FTP cap.
The river was the diamond 5, so we have a board that looks like 92555.
I felt I had been representing a pair, and not a bad one at that. SB checked again and I bet $3000 trying to grab this pot once and for all. But he called and flipped over 102 offsuit for the weakest possible full house - but good enough to beat your fool-no-one hero.
Still, although I had immediately lost 1/3 of my stack, it felt like I got some respect from the table for my moves - as they all thought he was nuts to call me - but he was good enough to call me I guess.
A little later the table chip leader had the misfortune of holding pocket Aces and got a walk when not even the SB looked him up - the only walk I saw for the first 4 hours.
The blinds were now up at $50/100 and I held A10 of spades, in first position. I bet $300, and got 2 callers, including Tony Korfman on my immediate right in the BB. The board was A of clubs, 8 and 2 of spades - a pretty great flop for me.
Tony checked and I bet $700. The other guy got out of the way, and Tony called. The next card was the spade 6, and other than straight flush draws I was looking really good. Tony checked and I bet out $1500. He called.
The river was the diamond king, so I finally had the nuts. He checked again and I dithered. He reminded me it was my turn to bet and as I responded he said whatever you bet I am calling you - a bit of gamesmanship to be sure.
Anyway I bet $3500 which he happily called. I don't know what he had but I had gotten back what I had lost the previous orbit.
Shortly after the blinds were at $100/$200 and I had 108 of hearts on the dealer button. The guy three off the BB bet $700 to go, and I called, as did the BB.
The flop was QH 7H 6S.
So I had a heart flush draw and a gutshot straight draw. I hoped the betting would not get too heavy with three players still involved.
The BB checked, and the guy in the middle bet $1000. I dunno what is right - I think I am supposed to call, which I did, as did the BB.
The turn was 5 of clubs - so now I have an open ended straight draw, as well as the flush draw.
BB checked and the guy in the middle stuck in $4000 - now what am I supposed to do - we are not at the river yet and 1/3 of my stack will be in this pot - and I don't know what the guy on my left plans to do yet.
I called as did the BB. The river was a red king - it seems helping no one - we checked down the river and the BB scooped a nice pot with Q6 offsuit.
Meanwhile FTP and the guy in the middle were getting personal. Not with words but with their action. I did not catch all the betting, but suddenly there was a hand where FTP had all his chips in with Q7 of diamonds in his hand and a flop of 952 rainbow.
Middle guy had a far bigger stack and he called with 109 suited. FTP hat spiked a queen on the turn and middle guy was NOT a happy camper - $28000 pot.
Middle guy seemed to be steaming after that. Shortly after I had AK suited in clubs in the hijack seat and FTP bet $700 in first position. I called as did the SB (middle guy)
The flop was J of spades, and 8-5 of hearts. Middle guy shoved right away with his last $8375.
I had about $9500 left. FTP got out of the way and it was up to me. Who knew if middle guy had a made hand or a drawing hand but I did not want to essentially put my tournament on the line so early; so I folded and showed my hand. (something I almost never do)
The first major hand I won was holding 88 in first position. The blinds were 100/200 with a $25 ante. I bet out $400 and I got five callers, including Tony on my right in the BB.
The flop was 346 rainbow and Tony instantly went all-in with around $2200. With this flop I felt I had to stay involved but I really did not want multi way action so I raised all-in myself with my $8775.
Ben two to my left called me and everyone else folded. We turned over.
Tony had flopped a straight - gulp, but I was ahead of Ben with his pair of 5's and a gut shot straight draw.
The turn was an 8 - giving me a set of 8's; but still behind Tony. The river was a 6 - yes - a 6, and my pair of 8's had now converted to a full house and I cleaned up the whole pot. I sheepishly shook Tony's hand and thanked him again for his autographed book.
He signed the inside something to the effect
"To Ross the blogger, whatever the f*** that is !
Best regards, Tony Korfman"
If you visit his website or read his book, you'll understand that this is his schtick -and nothing to take personally.
So now I was in business with a stack of over $20,000 - around average.
I thought I played another hand real well and got lucky a bit later. I had Ace of clubs and nine of spades in early position. The blinds were $200/$400 with a $25 ante.I raised it up to $900, and the BB looked me up, as had another guy in the middle.
The flop was 6 and 4 of clubs, and the ten of hearts. The BB checked and I bet out $2200 with basically nothing to show for my bravado.
The button folded, and the BB called.
Next card was the club 8 - so now I at least had a club flush draw. BB checked to me and I checked too - happy for the free card.
The river was the glorious ten of clubs. BB checked to me and I only had to figure out how much to bet.
I put out $4000; he called, and he put his Queen high flush on the table - so of course I won.
He had the flush at the turn, so he could have squeezed me out of the pot had he bet big after the turn - but the free card he gave me destroyed him. I guess my hand was hard to read, or he was not really sure how best to play - as he knew he had the winning hand after the turn. Still I was not complaining.
Now I was up in the mid to high twenties and feeling ok.
I stayed quiet for a while, and got a sweet extra $18000 when the SB decided I was joking with my Aces in the BB and he put me all in with AQ after a three card rainbow rag flop.
So now I was table chip leader with over $50K. I feel like a putz for not making it to final five. I made the classic mistake of getting involved in a huge pot with the other big stack at the table – FTP cap guy.
I had AQo in the SB, and the blinds were I think $300/$600 with a $75 ante. He bet $1500 in early position, a guy in the middle called and so did I. The flop was Q73 rainbow.
I led out for $5000, and FTP called and middle guy folded. The turn was a three in the fourth suit. I was not sure where I stood in the hand. I checked – the pot was already around $15-$16000. And FTP splashed $25,000 into the pot.
It felt like he did not want me to call – this was an overbet. On the other hand – should I care? Should I not just let this go and wait for another spot against another player? He could have a set (unlikely to be queens) or he could have QJ, KQ, AQ, Q10 even. Yes KK and AA are possible, but with this guy at this time I was sure not. Still with so many possible hands, you can see I was not in a comfortable position - I should have executed a squeeze play pre flop, and maybe raised it up to $4500 or so.
What to do? Well no sense in calling I thought as we are headed towards all the money in so I decided it’s all in or fold. I went all in and he called after much thought and turned over KQ.
You have guessed the outcome – the river was a king and I barfed inwardly as I passed over all but $9000 or so of my chips to the new tournament chip leader.
All you good players out there – tell me I was wrong to call – I must have been – look at the result.
But I was determined not to tilt or steam – although I am sure many were waiting for me to do so. I hung in and rebuilt back to around $25,000.
The blinds were getting pretty high and we were down to two tables. $1000/$2000 with a $300 ante. Each orbit was costing $5400 or so.
I was trying to play poker but my options were limited since to see a hand all the way to the river was costing my stack size it seemed. I got blinded down to around $21,000 until I picked up KK in the BB. OK here is my time.
My LHO (Ben) limped in; as did the next guy, as did a fourth guy – I hoped I could squeeze them all out with an all-in move.
But LHO and his LHO both called ! Well this was a chance to triple up. I was sure I had the best starting hand.
Flop was 10 clubs 8 and 7 of spades. I suppose people might be flushing and straightening, but it still felt I had a chance. The other two guys both got it all in for a separate side pot and now I did not like my chances. If three people like their hands this much, two of us will be wrong!
LHO flipped a pair of sevens to show his set; and his LHO was gunning for the Ace high spade flush.
Neither a spade nor a king came on the turn or river and two of us subsided. 15th and 16th. There were only 50 entrants because of the large entry fee – and only five places paying.
First was $8400 or so and fifth around $1700 with a prize pool of around $24,000 plus.
I came back to watch the ending – six players left with two large stacks - $192000 and $250,000 and four smaller stacks. The big stacks took home $5000 each; two other guys took home $3900; one guy took $3400 and the little guy in sixth still took home $2900. Four of the six were from my original starting table. The guy who put me out with 77 was one $5000 winner and FTP cap guy was a $3900 winner.
Sigh ! Good news is I am not that far off in my game for this sort of thing – but you still need luck even if your game is good enough. But I truly enjoy the grind and battle of a tournament – though many cash players would say I am nuts since I can invest so much time for no return whereas they can be making their average hourly rate at the regular tables.
But until I improve, this milieu is fine for me.
Vegas in August part 7 - odds n sods
Well I started off this morning with a brisk walk along the Boulevard - already impressed by the wall of heat given off - the air is almost too dry and hot to breathe here. Talked to a couple of guys from Atlanta on their way to play golf - they assured me this is better than 90F in Atlanta - I'll take their word for it.
Next I went to Club Grazie to collect my promotional slot credits of $100. Also redeemed $55 in free slot play accumulated from my last trip. Now I had to cycle the credits through a machine and whatever was left I could keep. Went to a funky 5 cent 3 play jacks or better - where if you bet the max 30 credits, the machine would give you a multiplier payout on every hand. I counted my plays so I would know when the credits were used up and had about 80% of the money left when I was finished my cycle.
Normally I cash out here, but the devil told me to press the button one more time and I was rewarded with 4 fives - before the draw ! It ended up I cashed out around $207 - free money - if you believe in such things in Vegas.
I stayed away from slots on day 2 but yesterday I found time to parlay $20 into $125 eventually. First machine I played I increased it to $28. Later I went to another and increased to $50. Later in the evening I increased it again to $125 and cashed it out.
It may sound lame but I also get pleasure and entertainment from video poker slots even at 1 cent, 5 cents, or 25 cents, as I do from heavier action card games. You cannot play cards for too long I believe - you have to keep yourself busy and distracted. I don't play slots for anything but small stakes - I play to while away time and for the enjoyment.
That's why I usually read a couple of books while I am here, play slots, poker tournaments, swim, walk, girl watch or whatever. I thought I would try this blogging stuff too as it keeps me away from the tables till I feel the time is right.
As for poker slots - it still comes down to the same principles - discipline, money management, and hit and run. And the games I play actually involve my brain - Spin Poker - where I can play 1 to 20 hands and all combinations thereof; 4 level Multi Strike Poker; or occasionally 100 play poker.
Once a trip I play blackjack on cool machines they have at the Palazzo which lets you play all seven spots per hand - these machines can be deadly either way - either they pay well of they kill you - so it's not something I do regularly.
Anyway, today I will enter the daily "Deep Stack" poker tournament at noon. I feel ok - head still a bit dodgy but I think I am fine to play. Hopefully I will have a deep run and enjoy myself.
Next I went to Club Grazie to collect my promotional slot credits of $100. Also redeemed $55 in free slot play accumulated from my last trip. Now I had to cycle the credits through a machine and whatever was left I could keep. Went to a funky 5 cent 3 play jacks or better - where if you bet the max 30 credits, the machine would give you a multiplier payout on every hand. I counted my plays so I would know when the credits were used up and had about 80% of the money left when I was finished my cycle.
Normally I cash out here, but the devil told me to press the button one more time and I was rewarded with 4 fives - before the draw ! It ended up I cashed out around $207 - free money - if you believe in such things in Vegas.
I stayed away from slots on day 2 but yesterday I found time to parlay $20 into $125 eventually. First machine I played I increased it to $28. Later I went to another and increased to $50. Later in the evening I increased it again to $125 and cashed it out.
It may sound lame but I also get pleasure and entertainment from video poker slots even at 1 cent, 5 cents, or 25 cents, as I do from heavier action card games. You cannot play cards for too long I believe - you have to keep yourself busy and distracted. I don't play slots for anything but small stakes - I play to while away time and for the enjoyment.
That's why I usually read a couple of books while I am here, play slots, poker tournaments, swim, walk, girl watch or whatever. I thought I would try this blogging stuff too as it keeps me away from the tables till I feel the time is right.
As for poker slots - it still comes down to the same principles - discipline, money management, and hit and run. And the games I play actually involve my brain - Spin Poker - where I can play 1 to 20 hands and all combinations thereof; 4 level Multi Strike Poker; or occasionally 100 play poker.
Once a trip I play blackjack on cool machines they have at the Palazzo which lets you play all seven spots per hand - these machines can be deadly either way - either they pay well of they kill you - so it's not something I do regularly.
Anyway, today I will enter the daily "Deep Stack" poker tournament at noon. I feel ok - head still a bit dodgy but I think I am fine to play. Hopefully I will have a deep run and enjoy myself.
Vegas in August part 6 - clubbing and BJ
So yesterday was a change of pace for me. The afternoon was mostly a wipe out as I nursed a bad headache in the room. In between pain spasms I got into a pretty interesting historical fiction novel called "Pompeii" describing the tale of the city in the few days leading up to the eruption of Vesuvius. Not bad.
I recovered sufficiently by 6 pm for my evening BBO practise session with Keith, and from there it was onto dinner and dancing.
Earlier I had scored passes to TAO - in the Venetian - but we feared we were too old for Lindsay Lohan and her crowd, so we settled on Tryst at the Wynn. We scouted the club before dinner and met a hostess who was convinced Svetlana was a Chanel model, so was tripping over herself to accomodate us. We did not dispel her impression of course.
I told her we would like to come but (a) we don't want to be out of place (read - too old) and (b) we don't like standing in lines. Angie gave me her business card and promised she would look out for us in the VIP line up. Sure enough later that evening we were whisked into the beautiful club and enjoyed music, a few drinks, and even dancing till 1 AM.
I was surprised how dead the Wynn casino was - it is a gorgeous facility - as is the Encore - but looked like a Monday night - not a Friday night. And they still jacked up their table limits - the DD pit was almost empty with one $100 game and mostly $200 and $300 minimums at the others. Meanwhile the Venetian and the Palazzo are hopping - table limits ratcheted up many times according to ye old supply demand model.
We dined at a fabulous Chinese restaurant in the Wynn called RED - had the best hot and sour souop we have ever had - anywhere. Our entree was steamed Chilean Sea Bass and that was wow too. Red has been added to our list of places we like to eat at in Vegas!
Saw the lead actor from Entourage with a couple of his buddies at the Red - he was dressed very casual in jeans and tee, but no mistaking him. (sorry I don't know his name)
Bigger thrill (?) was walking past and almost into Rod Stewart (or his spitting image) in the walk back from The Wynn to The Venetian.
Back to our hotel and perhaps a blackjack flutter before bed. Found a $50 limit table that was not packed and we agreed I would play and Sveta would cheer. Nothing to cheer about. One of those tables you cannot will to pay you. Counts favorable - you lose. Dealer was so strong with her bust cards showing you almost preferred she show an ace or face.
I tried all my moves - changing the number of hands; judicious sit outs; don't double when I usually would - but after a 15 minute struggle I realised this was not to be and exited to the next table beside us - where everybody's grandfather was quietly sitting one on one with the dealer and had a huge stack of black and green chips in front of him.
He simply started every shoe with $125 bet and increased by $25 if he won a hand - as he was winning 3/5 hands his stack was steadily growing all night. He was so absorbed, and non responsive to anyone or anything, I wondered if he was a permanent fixture at the table - kind of a tourist attraction.
Anyway, my disrupting grandpa's game had no affect on his results, but his luck did not spill over to the anchor position. Started out well, then it turned luke warm - not as bad as the previous table, but playing a higher limit (past my current day comfort point to be honest) I was not really in a zig zagging mood. Caught back half what I lost at the other table and reminded myself that patience is still the key.
These same tables will be empty in the morning and the limits will be $25 and I can be Captain Control and all will be right in the world.
So I grabbed a bunch of free poker mags from the poker room and went to bed, reading about guys I have never heard of and their big scores in tournament poker.
I recovered sufficiently by 6 pm for my evening BBO practise session with Keith, and from there it was onto dinner and dancing.
Earlier I had scored passes to TAO - in the Venetian - but we feared we were too old for Lindsay Lohan and her crowd, so we settled on Tryst at the Wynn. We scouted the club before dinner and met a hostess who was convinced Svetlana was a Chanel model, so was tripping over herself to accomodate us. We did not dispel her impression of course.
I told her we would like to come but (a) we don't want to be out of place (read - too old) and (b) we don't like standing in lines. Angie gave me her business card and promised she would look out for us in the VIP line up. Sure enough later that evening we were whisked into the beautiful club and enjoyed music, a few drinks, and even dancing till 1 AM.
I was surprised how dead the Wynn casino was - it is a gorgeous facility - as is the Encore - but looked like a Monday night - not a Friday night. And they still jacked up their table limits - the DD pit was almost empty with one $100 game and mostly $200 and $300 minimums at the others. Meanwhile the Venetian and the Palazzo are hopping - table limits ratcheted up many times according to ye old supply demand model.
We dined at a fabulous Chinese restaurant in the Wynn called RED - had the best hot and sour souop we have ever had - anywhere. Our entree was steamed Chilean Sea Bass and that was wow too. Red has been added to our list of places we like to eat at in Vegas!
Saw the lead actor from Entourage with a couple of his buddies at the Red - he was dressed very casual in jeans and tee, but no mistaking him. (sorry I don't know his name)
Bigger thrill (?) was walking past and almost into Rod Stewart (or his spitting image) in the walk back from The Wynn to The Venetian.
Back to our hotel and perhaps a blackjack flutter before bed. Found a $50 limit table that was not packed and we agreed I would play and Sveta would cheer. Nothing to cheer about. One of those tables you cannot will to pay you. Counts favorable - you lose. Dealer was so strong with her bust cards showing you almost preferred she show an ace or face.
I tried all my moves - changing the number of hands; judicious sit outs; don't double when I usually would - but after a 15 minute struggle I realised this was not to be and exited to the next table beside us - where everybody's grandfather was quietly sitting one on one with the dealer and had a huge stack of black and green chips in front of him.
He simply started every shoe with $125 bet and increased by $25 if he won a hand - as he was winning 3/5 hands his stack was steadily growing all night. He was so absorbed, and non responsive to anyone or anything, I wondered if he was a permanent fixture at the table - kind of a tourist attraction.
Anyway, my disrupting grandpa's game had no affect on his results, but his luck did not spill over to the anchor position. Started out well, then it turned luke warm - not as bad as the previous table, but playing a higher limit (past my current day comfort point to be honest) I was not really in a zig zagging mood. Caught back half what I lost at the other table and reminded myself that patience is still the key.
These same tables will be empty in the morning and the limits will be $25 and I can be Captain Control and all will be right in the world.
So I grabbed a bunch of free poker mags from the poker room and went to bed, reading about guys I have never heard of and their big scores in tournament poker.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Vegas in August part 5 - Blackjack
So I went down to the BJ pit and found Sveta at a $25 DD table, not really enjoying herself. Last night's dinner was having a delayed negative reaction on her - my reaction had been rather more immediate last night.
So nursing a medicinal glass of Henessey, she asked me to play with her chips till she began to feel better.
I played two spots and got up a bit as the guy on first base got knocked out of the game. Another player watched me for a while and decided he wanted the first hand out of each shoe so he jumped in - but at least not mid shoe.
I experimented with one or two hands till the cards settled down and got up around $690. Then an aging combover with his wife (who looked like someone from That 70's Show with glasses the size of brandy snifters) sat down at first base and majestically placed his $100 bill on the table.
Feeling friendly, as a courtesy I offered the information that I varied from two hands to one. He thanked me and said he was fine with that as he liked to do the same thing. Yikes - never good news when a combover from Missouri wants to control my table with his 4-unit buy-in.
Sure enough, it only took him a few hands to spread to two, and whatever magic I had been enjoying started to ebb from the table.
So we took our $575 profit and looked for a greener pasture. Found an empty $50 table where Sveta charmed the supervisor into lowering the limit for her, and still playing with her chips, I continued heads up against this dealer.
First shoe was a rush as I got up around $300. Next shoe was up $100 when major pressing signals flashed their pretty faces at me. I spread to two hands of $80 and lost both one double down to boot. But the count was still dynamite so I increased to two hands of $120 and promptly lost those too.
In a flash the profit was wiped out from this table, and I started to grind. The casino threw new cards at me (never a great thing) and the hotel convention supplied lots of willing and unlucky playing partners for me - all of whom crashed and burned over the next hour.
It was a tough set. I could not get it going in either direction. So complaining of a headache (which is true) and boredom, L left the table in Svetlana's capable hands, with a profit of a measly $25 for that table session. Still - a win is a win -just take what the cards give you.
So hopefully she can grind it out. I will take it easy now and prepare for our big night out dancing (the things you do to keep a good relationship!) and a nice dinner.
So nursing a medicinal glass of Henessey, she asked me to play with her chips till she began to feel better.
I played two spots and got up a bit as the guy on first base got knocked out of the game. Another player watched me for a while and decided he wanted the first hand out of each shoe so he jumped in - but at least not mid shoe.
I experimented with one or two hands till the cards settled down and got up around $690. Then an aging combover with his wife (who looked like someone from That 70's Show with glasses the size of brandy snifters) sat down at first base and majestically placed his $100 bill on the table.
Feeling friendly, as a courtesy I offered the information that I varied from two hands to one. He thanked me and said he was fine with that as he liked to do the same thing. Yikes - never good news when a combover from Missouri wants to control my table with his 4-unit buy-in.
Sure enough, it only took him a few hands to spread to two, and whatever magic I had been enjoying started to ebb from the table.
So we took our $575 profit and looked for a greener pasture. Found an empty $50 table where Sveta charmed the supervisor into lowering the limit for her, and still playing with her chips, I continued heads up against this dealer.
First shoe was a rush as I got up around $300. Next shoe was up $100 when major pressing signals flashed their pretty faces at me. I spread to two hands of $80 and lost both one double down to boot. But the count was still dynamite so I increased to two hands of $120 and promptly lost those too.
In a flash the profit was wiped out from this table, and I started to grind. The casino threw new cards at me (never a great thing) and the hotel convention supplied lots of willing and unlucky playing partners for me - all of whom crashed and burned over the next hour.
It was a tough set. I could not get it going in either direction. So complaining of a headache (which is true) and boredom, L left the table in Svetlana's capable hands, with a profit of a measly $25 for that table session. Still - a win is a win -just take what the cards give you.
So hopefully she can grind it out. I will take it easy now and prepare for our big night out dancing (the things you do to keep a good relationship!) and a nice dinner.
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