On Again With My Love for Razz

I had an interesting night last night as I started off playing razz cash before playing the 2K tourney a little later. Playing 1/2, I like to buy in for 40. This allows for some suckouts and bad play on my part while still have some cash there to make a run. Last night I decided to add $10 after every hand that the RNG screwed me or I got sucked out on. In 20 minutes of play I added $50. Anyway I did ok by breaking even on that table.

In the tourney I had a couple of hand that Really helped me a lot early. Just before the roll began I was down to 800 chips but hit a nice hand to get up to 2Kin chips. The I got this hand.


Full Tilt Poker Game #5059793720: $2,000 Guarantee (37734973), Table 4 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 21:24:54 ET - 2008/01/30
Seat 1: Bobzilla1980 (1,669)
Seat 2: Pokerftp1413 (2,725)
Seat 3: Emilia1 (7,221)
Seat 4: goose-pmg (2,635)
Seat 5: seat0 (2,954)
Seat 6: Gray Fox 17-85 (399)
Seat 7: Halicore (2,602)
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast (1,411)
Bobzilla1980 antes 20
Pokerftp1413 antes 20
Emilia1 antes 20
goose-pmg antes 20
seat0 antes 20
Gray Fox 17-85 antes 20
Halicore antes 20
pokerenthusiast antes 20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Bobzilla1980 [Kh]
Dealt to Pokerftp1413 [8h]
Dealt to Emilia1 [Ad]
Dealt to goose-pmg [8d]
Dealt to seat0 [2s]
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [7s]
Dealt to Halicore [3s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s 2h] [3h]
Bobzilla1980 is high with [Kh]
Bobzilla1980 brings in for 40
Pokerftp1413 folds
Emilia1 calls 40
goose-pmg calls 40
seat0 completes it to 120
Gray Fox 17-85 folds
Halicore folds
pokerenthusiast calls 120
Bobzilla1980 folds
Emilia1 calls 80
goose-pmg calls 80

Standard good starting hand. With these starting hand I like the fact that there is another 5 and 2 showing on the board giving me less chance to pair. I would think they may cover another one of my possible pairing cards.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Emilia1 [Ad] [Qc]
Dealt to goose-pmg [8d] [6s]
Dealt to seat0 [2s] [6h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s 2h 3h] [4s]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
Emilia1 folds
goose-pmg calls 120
seat0 raises to 240
pokerenthusiast calls 120
goose-pmg calls 120

I have a question with this part...Should I have reraised here? I think with both players getting good cards it might be better to conserve chips a little. That is how I played it anyway.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to goose-pmg [8d 6s] [7h]
Dealt to seat0 [2s 6h] [9d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s 2h 3h 4s] [Ah]
pokerenthusiast bets 240
goose-pmg calls 240
seat0 calls 240

I have the nut...They must be thinking I paired or just hoping to get lucky with such good pot odds. I reraise would have been nice.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to goose-pmg [8d 6s 7h] [2c]
Dealt to seat0 [2s 6h 9d] [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s 2h 3h 4s Ah] [As]
goose-pmg checks
seat0 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
goose-pmg calls 240
seat0 calls 240

I pair the ace which is actually good. I hope they stick around think I paired twice.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s 2h 3h 4s Ah As] [5h]
goose-pmg checks
seat0 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
goose-pmg calls 240
seat0 calls 240

They pay me off and I gain a few spots. Easy to play this kind of hand.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [5s 5h 3h 4s Ah As 2h] 5,4,3,2,A
goose-pmg mucks
seat0 mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (3,560) with 5,4,3,2,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,560 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Bobzilla1980 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Pokerftp1413 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: Emilia1 folded on 4th St.
Seat 4: goose-pmg mucked [6c 4d 8d 6s 7h 2c 3d] - 7,6,4,3,2
Seat 5: seat0 mucked [5c 4c 2s 6h 9d 6d 2d] - 9,6,5,4,2
Seat 6: Gray Fox 17-85 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: Halicore folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast showed [5s 5h 3h 4s Ah As 2h] and won (3,560) with 5,4,3,2,A


Then I had this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5059904894: $2,000 Guarantee (37734973), Table 4 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 21:33:47 ET - 2008/01/30
Seat 1: lionizer (5,355)
Seat 2: Pokerftp1413 (2,715)
Seat 3: Emilia1 (7,941)
Seat 4: goose-pmg (595)
Seat 5: seat0 (1,684)
Seat 6: Gray Fox 17-85 (109)
Seat 7: Halicore (2,582)
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast (4,731)
lionizer antes 25
Pokerftp1413 antes 25
Emilia1 antes 25
goose-pmg antes 25
seat0 antes 25
Gray Fox 17-85 antes 25
Halicore antes 25
pokerenthusiast antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to lionizer [4s]
Dealt to Pokerftp1413 [8s]
Dealt to Emilia1 [Kd]
Dealt to goose-pmg [Js]
Dealt to seat0 [Ah]
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [4h]
Dealt to Halicore [5d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2c] [3s]
Emilia1 is high with [Kd]
Emilia1 brings in for 50
goose-pmg folds
seat0 completes it to 150
Gray Fox 17-85 calls 84, and is all in
Halicore folds
pokerenthusiast calls 150
lionizer folds
Pokerftp1413 calls 150
Emilia1 calls 100

Standard stuff here.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Pokerftp1413 [8s] [Ts]
Dealt to Emilia1 [Kd] [2s]
Dealt to seat0 [Ah] [Ac]
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [4h] [4c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2c 3s] [Qc]
Pokerftp1413 checks
Emilia1 checks
seat0 bets 150
pokerenthusiast calls 150
Pokerftp1413 calls 150
Emilia1 calls 150

Dude bets out with a pair with a shorty all-in. My Q is fine as I figure the others will call.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Pokerftp1413 [8s Ts] [8d]
Dealt to Emilia1 [Kd 2s] [Jh]
Dealt to seat0 [Ah Ac] [Qd]
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [4h 4c] [Tc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2c 3s Qc] [4d]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Pokerftp1413 calls 300
Emilia1 folds
seat0 calls 300

I am ahead with the best draw by far. I want there money if they will pay. Side pot was already 900 so well worth betting.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Pokerftp1413 [8s Ts 8d] [Jd]
Dealt to seat0 [Ah Ac Qd] [3h]
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [4h 4c Tc] [9d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2c 3s Qc 4d] [7c]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Pokerftp1413 folds
seat0 folds
pokerenthusiast shows [6c 2c 3s Qc 4d 7c]
Gray Fox 17-85 shows [Kc 8c 4h 4c Tc 9d]
Uncalled bet of 300 returned to pokerenthusiast

I push them out with my made 7 and take down a nice pot. Each player that called on 5th street paid me 300 to see the next card. With both players drawing to T is it a smart move for them to call such a small side pot. They are both drawing thin and should fold in my opinion.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Gray Fox 17-85 [Kc 8c 4h 4c Tc 9d] [Ad]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2c 3s Qc 4d 7c] [6h]
pokerenthusiast wins the side pot (1,764)
pokerenthusiast shows [6c 2c 3s Qc 4d 7c 6h] 7,6,4,3,2
Gray Fox 17-85 shows [Kc 8c 4h 4c Tc 9d Ad] T,9,8,4,A
pokerenthusiast wins the main pot (620) with 7,6,4,3,2
Gray Fox 17-85 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,384 Main pot 620. Side pot 1,764. | Rake 0
Seat 1: lionizer folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Pokerftp1413 folded on 6th St.
Seat 3: Emilia1 folded on 5th St.
Seat 4: goose-pmg folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: seat0 folded on 6th St.
Seat 6: Gray Fox 17-85 showed [Kc 8c 4h 4c Tc 9d Ad] and lost with T,9,8,4,A
Seat 7: Halicore folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast showed [6c 2c 3s Qc 4d 7c 6h] and won (2,384) with 7,6,4,3,2

As we got near the money I stayed a little more selective and got away from some hands that I could have gone broke with. I had enough chips left when the bubble burst that I could move into top final table spot with one nice hand but it wasn't to be. This game really is about survival some times.

The Chasers Win

The chasers won last night. But...I did find one thing out. The chasers play at all levels and will pay you off.

I thought the play at 3/6 would be better but it wasn't. Idiots playing with a Q door card and all I can do is brick. I'm not sure how many times I bricked 5th, 6th and 7th street but the numbers were nuts. And even when I had a nice 7 going on 5th...my opponent would have 2345 showing and there were no aces as up cards. It was just one of those nights.

It seems to me though that players like to float with less than premium hands if the have position. This seemed to be the trend of a few players who bought lots of small pots when the right cards came down. I did it my self a few times vs. players who I knew could make that play and won a few hands. Overall, I think that a sound game can win you some money at this level. It is a little above my bankroll but I thought I would give it a shot last night.

I'm gonna try and play the 2K tonight so come by and say hi if you'd like.

Conserve Your Chips

I blew it last night...We were a couple of spots from the money and I had a safe margin. The this hand came along vs. a big stack.


Full Tilt Poker Game #5037058744: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (38138063), Table 4 - 600/1200 Ante 100 - Limit Razz - 0:12:00 ET - 2008/01/29
Seat 2: pokerenthusiast (7,315)
Seat 3: wwwmcpokerus (3,000), is sitting out
Seat 4: The Main Event (13,348)
Seat 5: SNAPPERFIVE (19,568)
Seat 6: pokergirl0828 (1,886)
Seat 7: Frightenstein (2,878)
Seat 8: pacaveli1 (10,371)
pokerenthusiast antes 100
wwwmcpokerus antes 100
The Main Event antes 100
SNAPPERFIVE antes 100
pokergirl0828 antes 100
Frightenstein antes 100
pacaveli1 antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 2h] [7d]
Dealt to wwwmcpokerus [9h]
Dealt to The Main Event [7s]
Dealt to SNAPPERFIVE [2c]
Dealt to pokergirl0828 [4s]
Dealt to Frightenstein [8d]
Dealt to pacaveli1 [6c]
wwwmcpokerus is high with [9h]
wwwmcpokerus brings in for 200
The Main Event calls 200
SNAPPERFIVE completes it to 600
pokergirl0828 folds
Frightenstein folds
pacaveli1 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 600
wwwmcpokerus folds
The Main Event calls 400

Three players in the hand. Both opponents have show the willingness to mix things up.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 2h 7d] [8s]
Dealt to The Main Event [7s] [Js]
Dealt to SNAPPERFIVE [2c] [6h]
SNAPPERFIVE bets 600
pokerenthusiast calls 600
The Main Event folds

I may be behind but not by much. He could have any two cards back being that he is a big stack and has bought a few.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 2h 7d 8s] [5c]
Dealt to SNAPPERFIVE [2c 6h] [9s]
pokerenthusiast bets 1,200
SNAPPERFIVE calls 1,200

I am ahead with two cards the same. I have to bet and try to take it down. He didn't re-raise so I think I may be better than I thought.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 2h 7d 8s 5c] [Ac]
Dealt to SNAPPERFIVE [2c 6h 9s] [5h]
pokerenthusiast bets 1,200
SNAPPERFIVE raises to 2,400
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast raises to 3,600
SNAPPERFIVE raises to 4,800
pokerenthusiast calls 1,200

I screwed this up big time. I think I am good but his reraise is telling me I'm behind or he is trying to push me off. I took it as him pushing me off for my tourney life.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 2h 7d 8s 5c Ac] [5d]
pokerenthusiast bets 15, and is all in
SNAPPERFIVE calls 15

I bet my last 15 because I can. I have a 7 and hope to be ahead.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [6s 5d 7d 8s 5c Ac 2h] 7,6,5,2,A
SNAPPERFIVE shows [Th 3h 2c 6h 9s 5h Ad] 6,5,3,2,A
SNAPPERFIVE wins the pot (15,930) with 6,5,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast stands up

Not sure if he hit the ace or 3 at the end but he won the hand. He probably had it made already. Anyway, I didn't control the pot size and missed the money. Two hands later they were down to 10 players. If I win this hand I am sitting great but maybe the right move would have been to conserve chips.

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15,930 | Rake 0
Seat 2: pokerenthusiast showed [6s 5d 7d 8s 5c Ac 2h] and lost with 7,6,5,2,A
Seat 3: wwwmcpokerus folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: The Main Event folded on 4th St.
Seat 5: SNAPPERFIVE showed [Th 3h 2c 6h 9s 5h Ad] and won (15,930) with 6,5,3,2,A
Seat 6: pokergirl0828 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: Frightenstein folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pacaveli1 folded on 3rd St.

No FTOPS for Me...Yet

Well I took my first two shots at the Razz FTOPS event. No love for me as I bubbled at least the cash twice. The play in these goes from donkish to super tight and I think I need to be willing to mix it up a little more at the bubble. Stealing is important and I think I played a little to tight in both of these. That being said, One of the big stacks doubled up two shorties twice when he tried to push them off their hands. This guy was a real tool and talked crap the whole time. I so wanted him to bust.

I did play multi table some Razz cash at 1/2. Some of the play here is bad but table selection is important. There are some solid players out there and if you get to a table of these it is better to move up or down to get away. Its not that I can't play with them but when there are 5 good players at the table, it is hard to make a buck.

I made a nice run in the 2K on Friday night. I bubbled the final table after being in 4th with 10 players left. I had one of those hands where you are sitting with four cards under a 7 and your opponent has a 9 and 10 up. He calls yo down with his made 9 and you brick the rest of the way. I'm not going to back down in that situation because I want his chips and I know I will win there more time then I lose. Winning that hand puts me in 1st and I can start stealing a ton. Instead I get double my buy-in.

If anyone has a hand they would like me to post and discuss, feel free to send it to me. you can find my e-mail address on my profile to the right. Just click on The Pokerenthusiast.

FTOPS Super Sat (Jude)

Because all of us poker addicts here at BTN want to play the FTOPS Razz event coming up on Valentine's Day instead of wining and dining (or being wined and dined by) our beloveds, I took a shot at a Super Sat yesterday along with 21 other poker addicts. I believe Surflexus is the only one who already has his seat wrapped up so far...Gooooo, Surf!

I thought with 3 of the 22 getting a seat in the 50 + 5 sat that I might have a chance at getting one, but early on it looked as if I would actually be the first one out! It was ugly.

On this first hand, I really thought I was ahead here. This is something I'm still trying to improve, the Where the Hell Am I in This Hand!?! question. Hopefully it will come with more experience?

Full Tilt Poker Game #5006815426: Super Sat to FTOPS Event #14 (37908046), Table 2 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 18:16:37 ET - 2008/01/26
Seat 1: Mrs Magoo (1,010)
Seat 2: john21703 (2,125)
Seat 3: Makalster (1,365)
Seat 4: JudeSalem (1,280) <---I've only played 2 hands so far and haved bricked both.
Seat 5: steveng2001 (1,755)
Seat 6: carpman42 (1,290)
Seat 7: specialfrank (1,675)
Mrs Magoo antes 7
john21703 antes 7
Makalster antes 7
JudeSalem antes 7
steveng2001 antes 7
carpman42 antes 7
specialfrank antes 7
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Mrs Magoo [6d]
Dealt to john21703 [3c]
Dealt to Makalster [Td]
Dealt to JudeSalem [2c 4c] [7c] <---Not a great starter, but certainly playable, right?
Dealt to steveng2001 [Qs]
Dealt to carpman42 [9s]
Dealt to specialfrank [5c]
steveng2001 is high with [Qs]
steveng2001 has 15 seconds left to act
steveng2001 brings in for 10
carpman42 folds
specialfrank completes it to 40
Mrs Magoo calls 40
john21703 folds
Makalster folds
JudeSalem calls 40
steveng2001 folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Mrs Magoo [6d] [Qc]
Dealt to JudeSalem [2c 4c 7c] [Kd] <---Just like the previous hands...same story.
Dealt to specialfrank [5c] [7d] <---But frank has 7 5 and I have 7 4...I'm calling.
specialfrank bets 40
Mrs Magoo folds
JudeSalem calls 40
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [2c 4c 7c Kd] [Ah] <---I'm thinking this is a great card for me.
Dealt to specialfrank [5c 7d] [4d] <---And I am thinking this is a great card for him, too. :(
specialfrank bets 80
JudeSalem calls 80
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [2c 4c 7c Kd Ah] [6s]
Dealt to specialfrank [5c 7d 4d] [Kh]
specialfrank bets 80
JudeSalem raises to 160 <---I have a made 7 and think I am golden.
specialfrank raises to 240 <---Oh, geez.....
JudeSalem calls 80
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [2c 4c 7c Kd Ah 6s] [Qh]
specialfrank bets 80
JudeSalem calls 80
*** SHOW DOWN ***
specialfrank shows [6c 3s 5c 7d 4d Kh Ac] 6,5,4,3,A <---Omg, no way.....
JudeSalem mucks [Qh 4c 7c Kd Ah 6s 2c] 7,6,4,2,A
specialfrank wins the pot (1,059) with 6,5,4,3,A

So, yea that was a close one. Should I have folded on 4th street? I should've been thinking I was behind, right? Any thoughts?

That hand left me with only 793 in chips, but I stuggled to chip back up without a showdown to 1230 then this happened...

Full Tilt Poker Game #5006941577: Super Sat to FTOPS Event #14 (37908046), Table 2 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 18:27:03 ET - 2008/01/26
Seat 1: Mrs Magoo (813)
Seat 2: john21703 (2,232)
Seat 3: Makalster (1,114)
Seat 4: JudeSalem (1,230)
Seat 5: steveng2001 (1,613)
Seat 6: carpman42 (1,232)
Seat 7: specialfrank (2,266)
Mrs Magoo antes 10
john21703 antes 10
Makalster antes 10
JudeSalem antes 10
steveng2001 antes 10
carpman42 antes 10
specialfrank antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Mrs Magoo [Ac]
Dealt to john21703 [Kh]
Dealt to Makalster [5h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3d 8s] [As] <---It was a pretty tight table and many of my completes were picking up the antes.
Dealt to steveng2001 [2h]
Dealt to carpman42 [3c]
Dealt to specialfrank [Td]
john21703 is high with [Kh]
john21703 brings in for 15
Makalster folds
JudeSalem completes it to 50
steveng2001 folds
carpman42 calls 50 <---Crap.
specialfrank folds
Mrs Magoo folds
john21703 has 15 seconds left to act
john21703 calls 35 <---Huh?
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to john21703 [Kh] [6h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3d 8s As] [4c]
Dealt to carpman42 [3c] [Kd]
JudeSalem bets 50
carpman42 folds
john21703 calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to john21703 [Kh 6h] [7s]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3d 8s As 4c] [9s] <---I am clearly behind, don't know why I'm still in this hand.
JudeSalem checks
john21703 bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to john21703 [Kh 6h 7s] [Ah]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3d 8s As 4c 9s] [5s]
JudeSalem bets 100
john21703 raises to 200
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3d 8s As 4c 9s 5s] [7d] <---I have made a 7, but...
JudeSalem bets 100
john21703 raises to 200
JudeSalem calls 100
*** SHOW DOWN ***
john21703 shows [5c 4h Kh 6h 7s Ah 3s] 6,5,4,3,A
JudeSalem shows [8s 7d As 4c 9s 5s 3d] 7,5,4,3,A <---Again I lose to a 6 thinking I was probably ahead. Ouch! I must be a total donk LOL
john21703 wins the pot (1,320) with 6,5,4,3,A

That hand knocked me down to 620 at 50/100 10. It gets worse. I eventually got down to 325! Luckily though, I finally caught a few breaks. With some patience, picking my battles carefully and one huge suckout, I managed somehow, someway to get one of those 3 seats! Hard to believe, I know. It was definetly a struggle the whole way through. Thanks to Poker Enthusiast and Surflexus for railing me, your encouragement was needed and appreciated! :)

A Couple of Hands (Jude)

As I was going through my hand history file this morning, my husband peered over my shoulder, Why do you do that? I mean, who cares?

He thinks I'm a total dork. :)

It's been a few days since the tournament, but I took a few notes this time to help my memory along. I'll try to do that every tournament, as it helps me wade through all those hands.


Full Tilt Poker Game #4959960306: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (37561665), Table 6 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 22:02:33 ET - 2008/01/22
Seat 1: 12squared (3,462)
Seat 2: mapleleafsfan29 (77), is sitting out
Seat 3: bchgal (1,410)
Seat 4: ElectricBoogalo (1,956)
Seat 5: Talawah (1,060)
Seat 6: shades_10 (1,150)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (1,400)
Seat 8: Miss Dottie (1,485)
12squared antes 7
mapleleafsfan29 antes 7
bchgal antes 7
ElectricBoogalo antes 7
Talawah antes 7
shades_10 antes 7
JudeSalem antes 7
Miss Dottie antes 7
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bchgal [6d]
Dealt to ElectricBoogalo [4d]
Dealt to Talawah [7c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7s Ad] [2s] <---This was my first playable hand.
Dealt to Miss Dottie [Ac]
mapleleafsfan29 is high with [Kd]
mapleleafsfan29 brings in for 10
bchgal folds
ElectricBoogalo calls 10
Talawah completes it to 40
shades_10 folds
JudeSalem calls 40
Miss Dottie calls 40
12squared folds
mapleleafsfan29 folds
ElectricBoogalo has 15 seconds left to act
ElectricBoogalo calls 30
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to ElectricBoogalo [4d] [7h]
Dealt to Talawah [7c] [Ks]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7s Ad 2s] [5h]
Dealt to Miss Dottie [Ac] [4h] <---The 4 concerns me, but she checked it, so that's a good sign she paired.
Miss Dottie checks
ElectricBoogalo checks
Talawah checks
JudeSalem bets 40
Miss Dottie calls 40
ElectricBoogalo folds
Talawah calls 40
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Talawah [7c Ks] [2c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7s Ad 2s 5h] [8c]
Dealt to Miss Dottie [Ac 4h] [Tc]
JudeSalem bets 80 <---I have made an 8, but like I always say, 8 is not great...
Miss Dottie has 15 seconds left to act
Miss Dottie calls 80 <---Since she called with the 10, she must not have paired that 4?
Talawah raises to 160 <---Hmmm
JudeSalem calls 80
Miss Dottie calls 80 <---If she had reraised here, I would more than likely have folded.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Talawah [7c Ks 2c] [9s] <---Great card.
Dealt to JudeSalem [7s Ad 2s 5h 8c] [Td]
Dealt to Miss Dottie [Ac 4h Tc] [6s]
Miss Dottie has 15 seconds left to act
Miss Dottie checks <---I am really concerned about this hand...but again she CHECKS. That says to me she isn't strong even with these upcards.
Talawah has 15 seconds left to act
Talawah checks
JudeSalem checks
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [7s Ad 2s 5h 8c Td] [Js]
Miss Dottie checks <---Still checking...
Talawah bets 80 <---He could have made his 7 here, but I have to call at this point.
JudeSalem calls 80
Miss Dottie calls 80
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Talawah shows [7d 6h 7c Ks 2c 9s 4c] 9,7,6,4,2
JudeSalem shows [Js 7s 2s 5h 8c Td Ad] 8,7,5,2,A
Miss Dottie mucks [Qs Jc Ac 4h Tc 6s 4s] J,T,6,4,A
JudeSalem wins the pot (1,066) with 8,7,5,2,A

Weird hand here. For some reason, even with his raise, I wasn't concerned about Talawah. My concern was Miss Dottie and her 6 4 A...but she actually held the worst hand! I have no idea why she was in this hand or why she called on the end with her J low, but I'm glad she did. :)


Full Tilt Poker Game #4960871731: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (37561665), Table 6 - 200/400 Ante 30 - Limit Razz - 23:16:36 ET - 2008/01/22
Seat 1: Birr83 (6,859)
Seat 2: Anchor Steam (311)
Seat 3: bchgal (2,007)
Seat 4: Anvemada (843)
Seat 5: yank333 (5,106)
Seat 6: shades_10 (1,070)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (4,174)
Seat 8: toddlock1 (11,411)
Birr83 antes 30
Anchor Steam antes 30
bchgal antes 30
Anvemada antes 30
yank333 antes 30
shades_10 antes 30
JudeSalem antes 30
toddlock1 antes 30
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Birr83 [3s]
Dealt to bchgal [3c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [Ad As] [5d]
shades_10 is high with [Kh]
shades_10 brings in for 50
JudeSalem completes it to 200 <---This is obviously a steal attempt. I think I do this a little too much...need to work on that. :)
toddlock1 folds
Birr83 folds
Anchor Steam folds
bchgal calls 200
Anvemada folds
yank333 folds
shades_10 folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to bchgal [3c] [Tc]
Dealt to JudeSalem [Ad As 5d] [Ah] <---Geez, bad card, but with A 5 showing, the 3 10 should really fold here, the bets are large enough now to really do some damage to her already short stack.
JudeSalem bets 200
bchgal calls 200
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to bchgal [3c Tc] [Ac] <---I am in serious trouble here.
Dealt to JudeSalem [Ad As 5d Ah] [6d]
JudeSalem bets 400 <---But I am still trying to pick up the pot.
bchgal calls 400
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to bchgal [3c Tc Ac] [Ks]
Dealt to JudeSalem [Ad As 5d Ah 6d] [7s] <---Great card.
JudeSalem bets 400
bchgal calls 400 <---I guess she is not giving up this hand...
*** 7TH STREET ***Dealt to JudeSalem [Ad As 5d Ah 6d 7s] [Js]
JudeSalem bets 400 <---I have to take one last stab, if it fails it fails, but I don't want it checked down no matter what.
bchgal folds <---Sweet!
Uncalled bet of 400 returned to JudeSalem
JudeSalem mucks
JudeSalem wins the pot (2,690)

This was a really risky play and I got super lucky that not only did my upcards look great, bchgal was able to fold on the end. This could've been ugly, but was actually a turning point in the tournament. When I make this types of plays, I try to get away from them as soon as things go south. My upcards in this one kept me in, though.

Is This Hand Played Well By Both Players?

Long time no post. I have been traveling all week and wanted to post a hand today from the one time I actually played during the week. It was a hand that I’ve seen from both sides and even thought I think I played it correctly, I wonder if my opponent also played it well or not.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4937048075: Table Chip Jett - $1/$2 Ante $0.20 - Limit Razz - 23:50:30 ET - 2008/01/20
Seat 1: thuy270 ($28.45)
Seat 2: spykes00 ($8.60)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast ($35.45)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to thuy270 [3s]
Dealt to spykes00 [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6c] [Ad]
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast completes it to $1
thuy270 has 15 seconds left to act
thuy270 raises to $2
spykes00 calls $2
nookles folds
pokerenthusiast calls $1

We prepare to see the next street. Thuy270 probably raised to isolate but also was called by spyke00. Thuy270 probably has three cards below my 7 which takes away some outs for me.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to thuy270 [3s] [Qc]
Dealt to spykes00 [3h] [Kh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6c Ad] [5c]
pokerenthusiast bets $1
thuy270 calls $1
spykes00 folds

I hit the 5 and take a nice lead. Many players will fold here vs. me because I play a tight game. I don’t see a problem with calling here if I am either player but spyke folds telling me he most likely had an 8 or worse behind.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to thuy270 [3s Qc] [Jh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6c Ad 5c] [5d]
thuy270 checks
pokerenthusiast bets $2
thuy270 calls $2

Now is the time I want to place pressure on my opponent. I am ahead here with my draw vs. his QJ even though I paired. I welcome his call.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to thuy270 [3s Qc Jh] [Jc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6c Ad 5c 5d] [Ac]
spykes00 adds $5
thuy270 checks
pokerenthusiast bets $2
thuy270 calls $2

Now I bricked but still have 24 outs minus two 3s. Other cards in the history were non-affecting to me. With 22 outs, I will raise this every time with 38 unknown cards out there. I am still favored in this hand if I do the math right.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6c Ad 5c 5d Ac] [Td]
SirFWALGMan: I wish I actually knew how to play this game lol
thuy270 checks
pokerenthusiast bets $2
thuy270 calls $2

I hit my T and take the hand. Is this the correct line of thinking for me in the situation? My opponent is getting odds here but should he have gotten out?

I think in this situation I made the right play on all streets but with some minor changes it could be a mistake to use aggression. If he has 89 instead of QJ going into 7th I have to check call based on odds, it looks to be the same because the money equals out but the semantics of the situation are much different.

It really comes down to the question of his call on 5th and 6th street. Will he make money making that play in the long run?

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Td 7h Ad 5c 5d Ac 6c] T,7,6,5,A
pokerenthusiast wins the pot ($20.25) with T,7,6,5,A
SirFWALGMan: I mean I thought QJJ was a bad hand or something

If Waffles made fun of his call he must have done it wrong.

The Nightly 5.50 Razz

Finally cashed again in the nightly 5.50 Razz mtt on Full Tilt last night, finishing 2/72. Yay! I was going through what seemed like an endless dry spell, but after looking it up, I realized that I've only played that tournament 6 times this month. After the total buyins, I'm still showing a $50 profit, so that's not too bad.

I'd like to get into some hands from the tournament, but as usual, I don't have the time. They've just called me to come fill in at work. Boooooo! So, my day off is officially over. :(

I have some posts brewing in my head and plenty of hand histories, just no time to get these posted. Sorry, but I'll get one up as soon as I can! :)

FTOPS Razz: Surflexus

I just won my seat to the FTOPS Razz event. I'll post a few hands later from the qualifier.

Update: Here are a few of the highlights from the qualifier.

I got myself in trouble early with a few hands.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4945636933: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37277699), Table 1 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 18:41:15 ET - 2008/01/21
Seat 1: moishe422 (1,213)
Seat 2: surflexus (1,343)
Seat 3: Ottawa_Boy27 (1,509)
Seat 4: XCrewLeader (1,343)
Seat 5: Gromit05 (1,493)
Seat 6: Bustable (2,253)
Seat 7: cosjoel (1,433)
Seat 8: AmericanGangstr (1,413)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [4s]
Dealt to surflexus [6s 4c] [7c]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [6c]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [7s]
Dealt to Gromit05 [4h]
Dealt to Bustable [4d]
Dealt to cosjoel [8h]
Dealt to AmericanGangstr [7h]
cosjoel is high with [8h]
cosjoel brings in for 10
AmericanGangstr folds
moishe422 calls 10
surflexus completes it to 40
Ottawa_Boy27 folds
XCrewLeader folds
Gromit05 calls 40
Bustable foldscos
joel folds
moishe422 raises to 80
surflexus raises to 120
I was still trying to push for Gromit05 to fold but I think a call would have been much wiser.
Gromit05 calls 80
moishe422 raises to 160
surflexus calls 40
Gromit05 calls 40
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [4s] [3d]
Dealt to surflexus [6s 4c 7c] [Jc]
Dealt to Gromit05 [4h] [8c]
moishe422 bets 40
surflexus calls 40
Gromit05 calls 40
A fold here would have been great.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [4s 3d] [9c]
Dealt to surflexus [6s 4c 7c Jc] [9d]
Dealt to Gromit05 [4h 8c] [2s]
Gromit05 checks
moishe422 checks
surflexus checks
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [4s 3d 9c] [Ad]
Dealt to surflexus [6s 4c 7c Jc 9d] [2d]
Dealt to Gromit05 [4h 8c 2s] [5d]
Gromit05 bets 80
moishe422 folds
surflexus calls 80
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [6s 4c 7c Jc 9d 2d] [2c]
Gromit05 bets 80
surflexus folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to Gromit05
Gromit05 mucks
Gromit05 wins the pot (826)

If that wasn't bad enough, this next hand really knocks me way down.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4945698135: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37277699), Table 1 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 18:46:36 ET - 2008/01/21
Seat 1: moishe422 (954)
Seat 2: surflexus (1,200)
Seat 3: Ottawa_Boy27 (1,592)
Seat 4: XCrewLeader (1,360)
Seat 5: Gromit05 (1,980)
Seat 6: Bustable (2,330)
Seat 7: cosjoel (1,154)
Seat 8: AmericanGangstr (1,430)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [Kd]
Dealt to surflexus [6d 4c] [5c]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2s]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [2h]
Dealt to Gromit05 [Jc]
Dealt to Bustable [Ks]
Dealt to cosjoel [6h]
Dealt to AmericanGangstr [Ts]
Bustable is high with [Ks]Bustable brings in for 15
cosjoel completes it to 50
AmericanGangstr folds
moishe422 folds
surflexus raises to 100
I've got to get better at not raising so much and controlling the size of the pot a little better when I'm not a clear favorite.
Ottawa_Boy27 calls 100
XCrewLeader folds
Gromit05 folds
Bustable folds
cosjoel calls 50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [6d 4c 5c] [Qh]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2s] [3c]
Dealt to cosjoel [6h] [7h]
Ottawa_Boy27 bets 50
cosjoel calls 50
surflexus calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [6d 4c 5c Qh] [3h]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2s 3c] [5h]
Dealt to cosjoel [6h 7h] [Jd]
Ottawa_Boy27 bets 100
cosjoel calls 100
surflexus calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [6d 4c 5c Qh 3h] [7d]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2s 3c 5h] [9s]
Dealt to cosjoel [6h 7h Jd] [7s]
Ottawa_Boy27 checks
cosjoel checkssurflexus bets 100
Ottawa_Boy27 calls 100
cosjoel calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [6d 4c 5c Qh 3h 7d] [Th]
Ottawa_Boy27 checks
cosjoel checks
surflexus bets 100 Bad to bet here, I have a lot of room for improvements in Razz.
Ottawa_Boy27 raises to 200
cosjoel folds
surflexus calls 100
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Ottawa_Boy27 shows [4h 3s 2s 3c 5h 9s Ad] 5,4,3,2,A
surflexus mucks
Ottawa_Boy27 wins the pot (1,545) with 5,4,3,2,A

That knocks me down to 640. I'm in bad shape early. I have to pick my spots now and push to stay alive.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4945753629: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37277699), Table 1 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 18:51:25 ET - 2008/01/21
Seat 1: moishe422 (889)
Seat 2: surflexus (600)
Seat 3: Ottawa_Boy27 (2,537)
Seat 4: XCrewLeader (2,300)
Seat 5: Gromit05 (1,930)
Seat 6: Bustable (1,941)
Seat 7: cosjoel (823)
Seat 8: AmericanGangstr (980)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [As]
Dealt to surflexus [2s 8d] [5h]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [3h]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [9s]
Dealt to Gromit05 [6d]
Dealt to Bustable [8h]
Dealt to cosjoel [Kh]
Dealt to AmericanGangstr [9d]
cosjoel is high with [Kh]cosjoel brings in for 15
AmericanGangstr folds
moishe422 folds
surflexus completes it to 50
Ottawa_Boy27 calls 50
XCrewLeader folds
Gromit05 calls 50
Bustable folds
cosjoel folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2s 8d 5h] [3c]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [3h] [Kd]
Dealt to Gromit05 [6d] [3d]
surflexus bets 50
Ottawa_Boy27 folds
Gromit05 calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2s 8d 5h 3c] [9h]
Dealt to Gromit05 [6d 3d] [5c]
Gromit05 bets 100
surflexus raises to 200
Gromit05 calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2s 8d 5h 3c 9h] [2d]
Dealt to Gromit05 [6d 3d 5c] [7d]
Gromit05 checks
surflexus bets 100
Gromit05 calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2s 8d 5h 3c 9h 2d] [7c]
Gromit05 has 15 seconds left to actGromit05 checks
surflexus checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [8d 7c 5h 3c 9h 2d 2s] 8,7,5,3,2
Gromit05 shows [Th 9c 6d 3d 5c 7d Ad] 7,6,5,3,A
Gromit05 wins the pot (945) with 7,6,5,3,

This leaves me with 190 chips. It's not looking very good. I get a nice double up right after that and then I sit at about 450-500 22 hands. This next hand got me back in the game.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4945960306: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37277699), Table 1 - 100/200 Ante 15 - Limit Razz - 19:09:25 ET - 2008/01/21
Seat 1: moishe422 (1,354)
Seat 2: surflexus (595)
Seat 3: Ottawa_Boy27 (1,540)
Seat 4: XCrewLeader (2,020)
Seat 5: Gromit05 (2,720)
Seat 6: Bustable (1,931)
Seat 8: AmericanGangstr (1,840)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to moishe422 [Ks]
Dealt to surflexus [5c Ah] [6s]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2d]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [7d]
Dealt to Gromit05 [Jd]
Dealt to Bustable [Tc]
Dealt to AmericanGangstr [5h]
moishe422 is high with [Ks]
moishe422 brings in for 30
surflexus calls 30 I need players in the pot here so I can pick some chips up so I'm going to gamble a little and just limp in.
Ottawa_Boy27 completes it to 100
XCrewLeader calls 100
Gromit05 folds
Bustable folds
AmericanGangstr folds
moishe422 folds
surflexus raises to 200
Ottawa_Boy27 calls 100
XCrewLeader calls 100
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5c Ah 6s] [7c]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [2d] [Ac]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [7d] [9c]
Ottawa_Boy27 bets 100
XCrewLeader calls 100
surflexus raises to 200
Ottawa_Boy27 raises to 300
XCrewLeader: ?
XCrewLeader has 15 seconds left to act
XCrewLeader folds
surflexus raises to 380, and is all in
Ottawa_Boy27 calls 80
surflexus shows [5c Ah 6s 7c]
Ottawa_Boy27 shows [6d 3c 2d Ac]
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5c Ah 6s 7c] [2h]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [6d 3c 2d Ac] [7s]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5c Ah 6s 7c 2h] [3d]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [6d 3c 2d Ac 7s] [Kd]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5c Ah 6s 7c 2h 3d] [4s]
Dealt to Ottawa_Boy27 [6d 3c 2d Ac 7s Kd] [2s]
surflexus shows [5c Ah 6s 7c 2h 3d 4s] 5,4,3,2,A
Ottawa_Boy27 shows [6d 3c 2d Ac 7s Kd 2s] 7,6,3,2,A
surflexus wins the pot (1,595)

I got a little luck there but it was enough to get me back in the game where I could tighten my starting criteria a bit and be patient. As players were eliminated I moved in to a strong aggressive short-handed game and picked up a ton of pots. This was the final hand of the game:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4946470104: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37277699), Table 1 - 500/1000 Ante 100 - Limit Razz - 19:53:48 ET - 2008/01/21
Seat 2: surflexus (8,811)
Seat 6: Bustable (3,189)
surflexus antes 100
Bustable antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s Ts] [6h]
Dealt to Bustable [5c]
surflexus is high with [6h]
surflexus brings in for 150
Bustable completes it to 500
surflexus calls 350
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s Ts 6h] [9s]
Dealt to Bustable [5c] [Kd]
surflexus bets 500
Bustable calls 500
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s Ts 6h 9s] [Qd]
Dealt to Bustable [5c Kd] [8s]
surflexus bets 1,000
Bustable raises to 2,000
surflexus calls 1,000
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s Ts 6h 9s Qd] [5s]
Dealt to Bustable [5c Kd 8s] [8c]
surflexus bets 1,000
Bustable calls 89, and is all in
surflexus shows [4s Ts 6h 9s Qd 5s]
Bustable shows [4d 6c 5c Kd 8s 8c]
Uncalled bet of 911 returned to surflexus
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s Ts 6h 9s Qd 5s] [5d]
Dealt to Bustable [4d 6c 5c Kd 8s 8c] [Kh]
surflexus shows [4s Ts 6h 9s Qd 5s 5d] T,9,6,5,4
Bustable shows [4d 6c 5c Kd 8s 8c Kh] K,8,6,5,4
surflexus wins the pot (6,378) with T,9,6,5,4
Bustable stands up
surflexus stands up

I'll be working hard to improve my Razz game and try my best to make a good showing in the FTOPS.

Volgon...The New KORD Champion

Well, other then having the time messed up last night, it was a nice tournament. 21 players showed up for a night of masochistic enjoyment and we all got what we asked for. In the end, Volgon out dueled Surflexus to become the KORD champion this month. Instant Tragedy ended the night in 3rd place while TCGRO was the bubble boy. I want to thank everyone for playing and I truly think we would have a better turn out if I hadn’t messed up the time. Being that this is the first tourney of the year, the writers at BTN are tied with the field at $52.50. with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers being on the writing staff. Here are the bust outs as they happened.


eagleman527 bricked with a short stack to be the first out and give waffles the first bounty of the night.


jacksquat97 was the next out when IT hits a 6 and gets his first bounty.


bayne_s had the tough luck hand of the night as his 6 lost to the perfect 6 of god of war.



TCGRO then knockouts out katitude when he hits a 6.

I missed the next screen shot when the tables combined but IT knocked out memphis00 to get his 2nd bounty.


Dirty_Dog711 was next to go when his draw didn't come in as fullpackages takes him down.


Waffles knocks out God of War and SLB with a Q door card for sickest hand or as we may call "The Jordan". Three bounties for waffles so far.


Volgon takes out Luv2ride00 on his march to the championship.


surflexus takes out mowenemdown for a bounty win.


pushmonkey72 takes down the host in this and wins a bounty.


waffles gets taken out by pushmonkey72.

At some point full packages gets knocked out but I didn't get the hand history.

So the final table looked like this.


IT takes out bugwoman and tanorpheus early at the final table for 2 more bounties.


TCGRO takes out pushmonkey72 after a run of bad cards for push.


Surf takes out sammymorb to get us to the bubble.


Volgon takes out TCGRO to burst a long hard fought bubble.


Volgon takes out IT to get heads up with surflexus.


Volgon takes down past champ surflexus and is now the BTN KING OF RAZZ DONKS.

TCGRO won the random bounty that was placed on pushmonkeys head and earned $10 for his efforts.

I will have information later this month on the nest BTN KORD tourney so stay tuned for the details.

Interesting Hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #4916254818: Table Walnut - $1/$2 Ante $0.20 - Limit Razz - 10:33:49 ET - 2008/01/19
Seat 1: Sushi Time ($16.70)
Seat 2: camusodd ($51.10)
Seat 3: Brousse2B ($25.95)
Seat 4: SirFWALGMan ($20.50)
Seat 5: Anvemada ($25.20)
Seat 6: mick247 ($35.85)
Seat 7: stran ($26.90)
Seat 8: rubbersoul ($44.10), is sitting out
Anvemada antes $0.20
Sushi Time antes $0.20
mick247 antes $0.20
SirFWALGMan antes $0.20
Brousse2B antes $0.20
stran antes $0.20
5 seconds left to act
camusodd antes $0.20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Sushi Time [Td]
Dealt to camusodd [3c]
Dealt to Brousse2B [Ac]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [2c 3h] [5s]
Dealt to Anvemada [4h]
Dealt to mick247 [Qs]
Dealt to stran [4s]
mick247 is high with [Qs]
mick247 brings in for $0.25
stran completes it to $1
Sushi Time folds
camusodd calls $1
Brousse2B calls $1
SirFWALGMan calls $1
Anvemada folds
mick247 folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to camusodd [3c] [Qc]
Dealt to Brousse2B [Ac] [5h]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [2c 3h 5s] [Kc]
Dealt to stran [4s] [8h]
Brousse2B bets $1
SirFWALGMan calls $1
stran raises to $2
camusodd folds
Brousse2B calls $1
SirFWALGMan calls $1

I bricked 4th street here but had good under cards. I felt Brousse was raising all the time even with weaker cards and the eight did not bother met at all. Not sure why he was re-raising.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Brousse2B [Ac 5h] [Jc]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [2c 3h 5s Kc] [6h]
Dealt to stran [4s 8h] [9c]
stran bets $2
Brousse2B calls $2
SirFWALGMan calls $2


Now I have a six draw against a Jack and an 9. Obviously I want to get money in here. Not sure if a raise in in order?

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Brousse2B [Ac 5h Jc] [6c]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [2c 3h 5s Kc 6h] [Ks]
Dealt to stran [4s 8h 9c] [2s]
stran bets $2
Brousse2B raises to $4
SirFWALGMan calls $4
stran folds

Here I have bricked again and have a K low. I think at this point the pot is giving me way to great of odds to fold so I need to see the river. My opponent could have a six if he is perfect underneath. He could also make a five possibly.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [2c 3h 5s Kc 6h Ks] [As]
Brousse2B bets $2
SirFWALGMan raises to $4
Brousse2B raises to $6
SirFWALGMan calls $2

Bingo! I made my hand. Why did I not cap it here? I guess I was afraid he maybe did have a five.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Brousse2B shows [Tc 4d Ac 5h Jc 6c 2d] 6,5,4,2,A
SirFWALGMan shows [3h 2c 5s Kc 6h Ks As] 6,5,3,2,A
SirFWALGMan wins the pot ($38.65) with 6,5,3,2,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $39.65 | Rake $1
Seat 1: Sushi Time folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: camusodd folded on 4th St.
Seat 3: Brousse2B showed [Tc 4d Ac 5h Jc 6c 2d] and lost with 6,5,4,2,A
Seat 4: SirFWALGMan showed [3h 2c 5s Kc 6h Ks As] and won ($38.65) with 6,5,3,2,A
Seat 5: Anvemada folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: mick247 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: stran folded on 6th St.
Seat 8: rubbersoul is sitting out


So I wonder if I should have folded this at any point. Also where did I miss out on good bets. This is where I need to study Razz much better. I should do some homework and figure out what the odds are against the actual hands on each street and also figure out what the odds are against the most likely holdings. I think I missed a bet or two but in general I would think the pot was large enough to play for. Any thoughts?

Playing the KORD, an Interesting Post and a Hand

Edit: The start of the KORD is at 2100 eastern time...not 9 central.


Play the KORD tonight. All the information is on the banner above. And for everyone how doesn't like the banner...It will be changed after this tourney.

I read an interesting post over at highonpoker that got me thinking a little bit about the skills involved in Razz. One of the comments that Jordan made was that Razz isn’t really a tournament game and that the variance involved makes it difficult to be profitable. He also talked about Razz cash games being where the money should be made because solid decision making will earn you a profit over time. And finally he said that the skills needed for Razz are not as deep as the skills needed for other forms of poker.

For the most part, I agree with what he says. I think Cash games can be exploited…especially at the lower levels and I do agree that some of the skills needed for Razz pale in comparison to other games. But I do think that you can earn a profit playing Razz tourneys. The key is, and I’ve written about it before, is identifying specific players and using there flaws to get you in position for success. Yes, when you get deep, everyone is at a critical point in the tourney and one mistake leaves you out of the money. And yes, you don’t have as much control over your destiny but it is about making the right decisions. I’ve done ok in tourneys but maybe it is just variance hitting me for an extended period of time.

I guess the real point is that we should all play the games that give up the best return. Razz just seems to be one of the games that I do well in and because I am more of a tourney player then a cash game player, I have only one side of the argument that I can comment on. I have started playing more cash games and intend to continue to work on that part of my Razz game.

Now, I have an interesting hand from last nights $5 Razz tourney on Full Tilt. It involved me with a great starting hand and possibly not getting away from a hand that I should have folded.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4899955222: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (37103231), Table 3 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 23:04:08 ET - 2008/01/17
Seat 1: Wrangler90 (5,009)
Seat 2: JudeSalem (2,673)
Seat 3: yancypants (2,711)
Seat 4: yank333 (4,397)
Seat 5: pokerjane2 (2,303)
Seat 6: steede302 (4,159)
Seat 7: slider800 (2,695)
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast (1,900)
Wrangler90 antes 25
JudeSalem antes 25
yancypants antes 25
yank333 antes 25
pokerjane2 antes 25
steede302 antes 25
slider800 antes 25
pokerenthusiast antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Wrangler90 [9c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [Kh]
Dealt to yancypants [2c]
Dealt to yank333 [Qh]
Dealt to pokerjane2 [Th]
Dealt to steede302 [Jc]
Dealt to slider800 [Qs]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 4h] [Ac]
JudeSalem is high with [Kh]
JudeSalem brings in for 50
yancypants completes it to 150
yank333 folds
pokerjane2 folds
steede302 has 15 seconds left to act
steede302 is sitting out
steede302 has timed out
steede302 folds
slider800 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 150
Wrangler90 folds
JudeSalem folds

Standard call here. This is almost a spot that I may re-raise to get some chips in the pot but I’m not at push time yet. Looking at the door cards, there are only two players who should play.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to yancypants [2c] [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 4h Ac] [9h]
yancypants bets 150
pokerenthusiast calls 150

This isn’t great for me but I want another card. It is very possible he has bricked here and with only the two of us with playable hand it could have been a semi steal with a high card under.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to yancypants [2c 3h] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 4h Ac 9h] [7h]
yancypants bets 300
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I really don’t like this but I have to think he has paired at least. It is also possible my draw to the 7 is better. As you can see by the time bank I gave this some thought. There was a hand earlier in the night that actually gave me the courage to call here. Yancy and I were involved in a hand where I had 34 showing on 4th and he had 45 and he folded to my bet. Now he could have folded a brick or he might have been folding with a high card behind. This was what caused me to stay in the hand.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to yancypants [2c 3h 4d] [Js]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 4h Ac 9h 7h] [Ts]
pokerenthusiast checks
yancypants bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

You can see that I’m still worried and the passive way I played this hand show the weakness I was feeling and that I was worried he would draw out if he had paired. If I really like my hand I should have re-raised for more information. He actually did a great job of applying pressure.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 4h Ac 9h 7h Ts] [5d]
pokerenthusiast checks
yancypants bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

Now I have a 7 and am to stupid to have let the hand go before. I’m hoping he had an an unimproved 8.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
yancypants shows [Kc Jd 2c 3h 4d Js Tc] J,T,4,3,2
pokerenthusiast shows [5d 4h Ac 9h 7h Ts 3d] 7,5,4,3,A
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (2,650) with 7,5,4,3,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,650 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Wrangler90 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: JudeSalem folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: yancypants showed [Kc Jd 2c 3h 4d Js Tc] and lost with J,T,4,3,2
Seat 4: yank333 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: pokerjane2 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: steede302 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: slider800 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast showed [5d 4h Ac 9h 7h Ts 3d] and won (2,650) with 7,5,4,3,A

Now I got lucky that he didn’t actually have a hand behind. I think he did a good job of keeping the pressure on me. This is a donkish play most of the time and it show how vulnerable I was to my ego and reads from previous plays. I actually made the decision to suck out on yancyonce when we got to 6th street because I thought my draw to the 7 was ahead of his holdings and I hand already committed to much money to the pot on a hand that didn’t look good. Sometimes the cards just fall right.

A Good Tourney Night, Razz Cash and the Kord on Friday

I had a solid night on the Razz tourney tables last night. The highlight was taking 2nd in the $5 tourney but bubbling the 2K hurt a little. This is the 2nd time in a week or so I've done that. Anyway, I had this hand that I really think I screwed the pooch on. Take a look.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4887310743: $2,000 Guarantee (36442525), Table 11 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 22:16:52 ET - 2008/01/16
Seat 2: ab_norml (2,505)
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast (5,596)
ab_norml antes 75
pokerenthusiast antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to ab_norml [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ad 8h] [6c]
ab_norml calls 100
pokerenthusiast completes it to 400
ab_norml calls 300

ab_normal called the bring-in and then called my bet. I put him on an 8 or 9 with a solid starting hand otherwise.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to ab_norml [4h] [3c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ad 8h 6c] [3d]
ab_norml bets 400
pokerenthusiast calls 400

Since he is short I want to put pressure on him. Still think I'm ahead here.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to ab_norml [4h 3c] [2d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ad 8h 6c 3d] [6s]
ab_norml bets 800
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast raises to 1,600
ab_norml raises to 1,630, and is all in
pokerenthusiast calls 30
ab_norml shows [9s As 4h 3c 2d]
pokerenthusiast shows [Ad 8h 6c 3d 6s]

The 6 bricked but I think he has a pair and maybe a 9 behind. It turns out he had the 9 but didn't pair. He has a great draw and the lead. My thought was fold or put him in. I chose not to fold and got for the knockout. I still had a smallish stack if I lose but in hindsight a fold was a better choice because he didn't pair like I thought. What is the right play.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to ab_norml [9s As 4h 3c 2d] [9h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ad 8h 6c 3d 6s] [9c]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to ab_norml [9s As 4h 3c 2d 9h] [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ad 8h 6c 3d 6s 9c] [7d]
ab_norml shows [9s As 4h 3c 2d 9h 6d] 6,4,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast shows [Ad 8h 6c 3d 6s 9c 7d] 8,7,6,3,A
ab_norml wins the pot (5,485) with 6,4,3,2,A

I actually improve but not enough and lose the hand. With 20 players left and 12 getting paid the best line may have been to fold on 5th street.

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,485 | Rake 0
.
Seat 2: ab_norml showed [9s As 4h 3c 2d 9h 6d] and won (5,485) with 6,4,3,2,A
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast showed [Ad 8h 6c 3d 6s 9c 7d] and lost with 8,7,6,3,A

Remember to play the KORD on Friday night and the writers of Brickin The Nutz will be playing some cash at some point around 9:00. I'm not sure if we will all be there but do a search for me and come join us. We are trying to see how high we can build the waiting list.

Good Point

Mark Gritter who probably has more Razz credibility,or at least math skillz, than any of us humble authors tried to show Jordon why his play was wrong. Jordon being short sited and results oriented would not listen. I think this is why poker is lucrative. I have no idea why any of us try to teach anyone a god damn thing since it is severely -EV. Let me know if you prefer a different link Mark I always like to get the right link back for people who seem intelligent.

He did bring up a point slamming yours truly in a good way. He mentioned that my idea of leaving a table after I get up a buyin is ludicrous. If the table conditions are still good why would you leave? I totally agree with you Mark. Essentially in thinking about this I do it more to deal with my short comings in poker in general. I tend to be an emotional player. If I am hitting a table hard and doing well and making money and then I take a downfall it just makes me feel horrible. I always try and stay and win it back. By setting a stopping point and leaving successful I feel good about my game and my session. The underlying problem of being too results oriented needs to change but until it does I will probably stick with it. I was probably wrong to suggest everyone work this way though.

I had another good session at the Razz tables last night though leaving up almost two buyins at 2/4. Guys like Jordon were calling me to the river with tens and nines and everything I played was hitting. It was one of those good nights where you can do no wrong. I intend to write some more about my opinions on Razz but I realize I need to learn more about the game. I am much better than most people I play against but that will change as I move up the ladder. I am good at using position, choosing good starting cards, and being patient for the most part. I am horrible at realizing the effect of the other players cards on my hand and knowing when to let a hand go. I will post more on this later.

I R Genius

I played alright in the "Skillz" game. I got really fucked over when Jordon decided it would be smart to call a complete with two people in the hand with a Queen door card. I would explain how stupid this is but Jordon would not understand. It would go something like this. Jordon would be in his bedroom talking to his full length mirror as he does so often.

Jordon: Good Morning Jordan! You are looking sexy today! Are you ready to go and save the world like Perry Mason you sexy devil!!!
Jordon: Oh what is this. That hatah! I can not believe Waffles could question any play I make. I mean calling a raise against two people with a Queen door card is brilliant, don't you think Jordan? Of course it is! You are soo smart. Come here and give me a kiss.
Jordon: I mean who cares if my hand will not be defined for 3 more expensive bets and over half my stack will be in the middle before I know how my hand is going to play? I am brilliant and I need no stinking math nerds to tell me anything.
Jordon: Hey Kim, get out of the Mirror, you are blocking my view!
Jordon: Now people may call me a Donkey but I am just an AGGRO player! You can not win without that Aggressiveness! Booyah! Kiss Kiss Baby! Not you Kim. Jordan you are so pretty.

Anyways please do not follow Jordon's donkish play and call raises with Queen door cards. That one time it actually works out and your opponent bricks 5 times will NOT pay for all the times you lose. You will lose this hand almost every time.

Razz tourneys are fun but they rely on you catching cards at the end of the MTT not at the beginning. I was near top in chips for most of the game and then could not catch a hand to save my life. Razz can be very streaky and this is exactly why I say to double up and leave the table when playing cash. This has worked very well for me. Obviously in an MTT you do not have this option. Better luck next time I guess.

The KORD Razz Tourney and a Hand Question

Friday night is the KORD, a Razz tourney that I am reunning at regular times. This months version is called SLB's Umbilical KORD named after last months winner. He put a bounty on his head for a buy-in if I remember right and there will be a random bounty placed on another player yet to be determined. The tourney takes place on Full Tilt on Friday the 18th at 9:00 central time with a buy-in of 7.70. It is a knockout tourney with $2 being the bounty on each player. The winner will also get a banner created in their honor placed on Brickin The Nutz so come one and all and enjoy the fun. The password is "pokere".

Last night was the Skills game and I had an interesting hand that I wanted to ask about. I had a solid chip stack at the time and was involved a questionable hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4876153316: Blogger Skill Series (35811771), Table 6 - 300/600 Ante 50 - Limit Razz - 23:18:59 ET - 2008/01/15
Seat 2: schlepp571 (4,304)
Seat 3: corron10 (1,994)
Seat 4: HighOnPoker (8,085)
Seat 5: colddish476 (4,532)
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast (4,388)
Seat 7: NumbBono (3,184)
Seat 8: MiamiDon (4,249)
schlepp571 antes 50
corron10 antes 50
HighOnPoker antes 50
colddish476 antes 50
pokerenthusiast antes 50
NumbBono antes 50
MiamiDon antes 50
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to schlepp571 [Ks]
Dealt to corron10 [Qs]
Dealt to HighOnPoker [3c]
Dealt to colddish476 [6h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d Ad] [7d]
Dealt to NumbBono [3d]
Dealt to MiamiDon [Ac]
schlepp571 is high with [Ks]
schlepp571 brings in for 100
corron10 folds
HighOnPoker completes it to 300
colddish476 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 300
NumbBono folds
MiamiDon calls 300
schlepp571 folds

I will always make this call.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to HighOnPoker [3c] [2c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d Ad 7d] [8h]
Dealt to MiamiDon [Ac] [Th]
HighOnPoker bets 300
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast calls 300
MiamiDon calls 300

I took my time making this call. This player has shown the ability to play aggressive with high cards back so I float a bet. Should I have raised to try and push the T out?

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to HighOnPoker [3c 2c] [8s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d Ad 7d 8h] [3h]
Dealt to MiamiDon [Ac Th] [3s]
HighOnPoker bets 600
pokerenthusiast calls 600
MiamiDon raises to 1,200
HighOnPoker has 15 seconds left to act
HighOnPoker calls 600
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast folds

This was my quandry. I actually think that I'm ahead here. I know I'm ahead of the ten but he has a nut type draw. I also think that I'm ahead of the player with the 8. I took my time calling the first bet but when the other player reraised I may have made a mistake by folding. My mistake could have been calling the original bet. I'm not sure on this except that I wavered and folded with Probably the best hand but a lesser draw.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to HighOnPoker [3c 2c 8s] [7s]
Dealt to MiamiDon [Ac Th 3s] [As]
HighOnPoker bets 600
MiamiDon calls 600
*** 7TH STREET ***
HighOnPoker has 15 seconds left to act
HighOnPoker checks
MiamiDon checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HighOnPoker shows [Js 4s 3c 2c 8s 7s 2s] 8,7,4,3,2
MiamiDon mucks
HighOnPoker wins the pot (6,450) with 8,7,4,3,2
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6,450 | Rake 0
Seat 2: schlepp571 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: corron10 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: HighOnPoker showed [Js 4s 3c 2c 8s 7s 2s] and won (6,450) with 8,7,4,3,2
Seat 5: colddish476 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast folded on 5th St.
Seat 7: NumbBono folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: MiamiDon mucked [5c 4d Ac Th 3s As 4c] - T,5,4,3,A

Who knows if my hand would have held up but it might have been time to go with it.

2/4 Cash Game: Surflexus

I had about 30 minutes before the Blogger Skillz Razz tournament tonight and thought I would take a shot at playing a little 2/4 Razz cash. This is the highest limit I have ever played Razz so far. I think I played a few hands poorly and a few ok. I'm still learning this game so please comment with your advice. I'm very open-minded to try and improve my game. Here's a few hands:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4874396836: Table Winnick - $2/$4 Ante $0.40 - Limit Razz - 20:53:20 ET - 2008/01/15
Seat 1: jlitz17 ($85.60)
Seat 2: pokst ($65.30)
Seat 4: surflexus ($78.80)
Seat 6: sos41 ($32.40)
Seat 7: Could It Be ($27.40)
Seat 8: kubination ($145.40)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c]
Dealt to pokst [3h]
Dealt to surflexus [8h 6d] [5h]
Dealt to sos41 [2c]
Dealt to Could It Be [3c]
Dealt to kubination [4h]
surflexus is high with [5h]surflexus brings in for $0.50
sos41 folds
Could It Be folds
kubination folds
jlitz17 completes it to $2
pokst folds
surflexus calls $1.50
This is one hand I think I'm much better off folding but I played it and here it is. I am watching jlitz17 on a couple of tables and he seems to be aggressive so I'm not giving him a lot of credit for a huge starting hand yet.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c] [2d]
Dealt to surflexus [8h 6d 5h] [8s]
jlitz17 bets $2
surflexus calls $2
If it wasn't bad enough already I called here too. This I think is the worst move I made in the hand; should have been an easy fold.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c 2d] [Qs]
Dealt to surflexus [8h 6d 5h 8s] [Ah]
surflexus bets $4
jlitz17 calls $4
He probably still has a great draw but I improved a little.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c 2d Qs] [4s]
Dealt to surflexus [8h 6d 5h 8s Ah] [Ts]
surflexus bets $4
jlitz17 calls $4
That's a terrible card for him.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [8h 6d 5h 8s Ah Ts] [Ad]
surflexus bets $4
A check call at this point is possibly a better idea. Looking back on this hand I am very disappointed in myself for not folding after the bring-in.
jlitz17 has 15 seconds left to act
jlitz17 folds
Uncalled bet of $4 returned to surflexus
surflexus mucks
surflexus wins the pot ($25.40)

Full Tilt Poker Game #4874472905: Table Winnick - $2/$4 Ante $0.40 - Limit Razz - 20:59:51 ET - 2008/01/15
Seat 1: jlitz17 ($75.90)
Seat 2: pokst ($85.90)
Seat 3: Lazan ($34.80)
Seat 4: surflexus ($79.60)
Seat 5: native_grown ($39.20)
Seat 6: sos41 ($27.80)
Seat 7: Could It Be ($29)
Seat 8: kubination ($141.70)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c]
Dealt to pokst [3s]
Dealt to Lazan [9s]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h] [As]
Dealt to native_grown [6s]
Dealt to sos41 [7d]
Dealt to Could It Be [9d]
Dealt to kubination [Jh]
kubination is high with [Jh]
kubination brings in for $0.50
jlitz17 completes it to $2
pokst folds
Lazan folds
surflexus raises to $4
I decide to reraise here to narrow the field and help define my opponent's hand.
native_grown folds
sos41 folds
Could It Be folds
kubination folds
jlitz17 calls $2
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c] [3h]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h As] [8s]
jlitz17 bets $2
surflexus calls $2
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c 3h] [Ac]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h As 8s] [3c]
jlitz17 bets $4
surflexus calls $4
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [4c 3h Ac] [4d]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h As 8s 3c] [Js]
surflexus checks
jlitz17 bets $4
surflexus calls $4
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h As 8s 3c Js] [Qd]
surflexus checks
jlitz17 checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jlitz17 shows [Qc 8h 4c 3h Ac 4d 5d] 8,5,4,3,A
surflexus shows [Qd 4h As 8s 3c Js 2c] 8,4,3,2,A
surflexus wins the pot ($30.70) with 8,4,3,2,A

This next hand is interesting. I've identified at least one street I think I misplayed.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4874567648: Table Winnick - $2/$4 Ante $0.40 - Limit Razz - 21:07:48 ET - 2008/01/15
Seat 1: jlitz17 ($45.90)
Seat 2: pokst ($70.90)
Seat 3: Lazan ($45.60)
Seat 4: surflexus ($95.70)
Seat 5: native_grown ($40)
Seat 6: MarkTx ($54.55)
Seat 7: Could It Be ($35.50)
Seat 8: kubination ($154.10), is sitting out
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [Qc]
Dealt to pokst [7h]
Dealt to surflexus [7d 5h] [6c]
Dealt to native_grown [7s]
Dealt to MarkTx [Tc]
Dealt to Could It Be [3c]
jlitz17 is high with [Qc]
jlitz17 brings in for $0.50
pokst folds
surflexus completes it to $2
native_grown calls $2
MarkTx folds
Could It Be folds
jlitz17 folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [7d 5h 6c] [8c]
Dealt to native_grown [7s] [6s]
native_grown bets $2
surflexus calls $2
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [7d 5h 6c 8c] [Js]
Dealt to native_grown [7s 6s] [6d]
surflexus bets $4
native_grown calls $4
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [7d 5h 6c 8c Js] [5c]
Dealt to native_grown [7s 6s 6d] [3d]
surflexus bets $4
I think a check call or a check fold here is the way to go as my hand is getting ugly.
native_grown raises to $8
surflexus calls $4
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [7d 5h 6c 8c Js 5c] [4s]
surflexus checks
native_grown bets $4
surflexus calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
native_grown shows [Th 2s 7s 6s 6d 3d As] 7,6,3,2,A
surflexus mucks
native_grown wins the pot ($40.90) with 7,6,3,2,A

I won a few small pots before my last hand at the table:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4874631587: Table Winnick - $2/$4 Ante $0.40 - Limit Razz - 21:12:59 ET - 2008/01/15
Seat 1: jlitz17 ($63.50)
Seat 2: pokst ($77)
Seat 3: MJ88 ($52.20)
Seat 4: surflexus ($77.50)
Seat 7: Could It Be ($35.80)
Seat 8: kubination ($149.30)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jlitz17 [5c]
Dealt to pokst [2c]
Dealt to MJ88 [Ac]
Dealt to surflexus [5h 7h] [2d]
Dealt to Could It Be [5s]
Dealt to kubination [3c]
Could It Be is high with [5s]
Could It Be brings in for $0.50
kubination folds
jlitz17 folds
pokst folds
Could It Be: freeking 5 is the bring in?
MJ88 folds
surflexus completes it to $2
Could It Be calls $1.50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5h 7h 2d] [4c]
Dealt to Could It Be [5s] [6d]
surflexus bets $2
Could It Be calls $2
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5h 7h 2d 4c] [8s]
Dealt to Could It Be [5s 6d] [9c]
surflexus bets $4
Could It Be calls $4
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5h 7h 2d 4c 8s] [4s]
Dealt to Could It Be [5s 6d 9c] [9s]
surflexus bets $4
Could It Be calls $4
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5h 7h 2d 4c 8s 4s] [9h]
surflexus bets $4
Could It Be calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [9h 7h 2d 4c 8s 4s 5h] 8,7,5,4,2
Could It Be mucks
surflexus wins the pot ($33.40) with 8,7,5,4,2
Seat 7: Could It Be mucked [9d 2s 5s 6d 9c 9s Ah] - 9,6,5,2,

This ended my session at $94.50 for a profit of $14.50 in 20 minutes. I have a lot of room for improvements with my Razz game but I am very happy to have survived the 2/4 table.

Slowing Down: Surflexus

Here's an example of a hand where I didn't bet the edge early. If I brick I can get away cheaply. My up cards never really gave my hand away so they were left to wonder:

Full Tilt Poker Game #4860767058: Table Pennwood - $0.25/$0.50 Ante $0.05 - Limit Razz - 18:36:57 ET - 2008/01/14
Seat 1: WHO DEY211 ($5.80)
Seat 2: surflexus ($9.85)
Seat 3: wikidcic ($3.05)
Seat 4: Gallian ($10.85)
Seat 5: rosegroove ($6.40)
Seat 6: dsvw56 ($25.75)
Seat 7: doubletake33 ($4.35)
Seat 8: Texoil1 ($2.70)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to WHO DEY211 [6s]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h] [Ac]
Dealt to wikidcic [9s]
Dealt to Gallian [8s]
Dealt to rosegroove [6h]
Dealt to dsvw56 [4c]
Dealt to doubletake33 [Td]
Dealt to Texoil1 [7s]
doubletake33 is high with [Td]doubletake33 brings in for $0.10
Texoil1 folds
WHO DEY211 calls $0.10
surflexus calls $0.10
I decide to limp in with such a great draw. There was a lot of chasing going on at this table so I didn't have to lead the betting very often.
wikidcic calls $0.10
Gallian folds
rosegroove foldsds
vw56 folds
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to WHO DEY211 [6s] [6c]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h Ac] [Qd]
Dealt to wikidcic [9s] [Th]
Dealt to doubletake33 [Td] [Qc]
wikidcic checks
doubletake33 checks
WHO DEY211 checks
surflexus checks

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to WHO DEY211 [6s 6c] [8c]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h Ac Qd] [3s]
Dealt to wikidcic [9s Th] [2h]
Dealt to doubletake33 [Td Qc] [7d]
wikidcic bets $0.50
doubletake33 folds
WHO DEY211 calls $0.50
surflexus calls $0.50
I've got a great draw but I still don't have a made hand.
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to WHO DEY211 [6s 6c 8c] [2s]
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h Ac Qd 3s] [8h]
Dealt to wikidcic [9s Th 2h] [Jh]
wikidcic checks
WHO DEY211 bets $0.50
surflexus calls $0.50
wikidcic folds
I'm ahead here but WhoDEY could draw out on me. I decide to just call. I'm pretty sure wikidcic is going to call but he surprises me and folds on out of the way.
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [2c 4h Ac Qd 3s 8h] [5s]
I decide not to risk a check raise so I go ahead and bet it out.
surflexus bets $0.50
WHO DEY211 raises to $1
surflexus raises to $1.50
WHO DEY211 folds
Uncalled bet of $0.50 returned to surflexus
surflexus mucks
surflexus wins the pot ($5.05)
I win a nice little pot and don't have to expose the strength of my hand.....nice.

Gaining Value From Information

Playing Razz can be a fruit filled venture for the observant player. I t isn’t any different than other games of limit poker in that sound decision making will earn you a profit over time. But, what is involved in sound decision making and how can you use it to your advantage? My assumptions to this point are that you have a solid understanding Razz as well as understanding starting hands.

When you first sit down at a table look at your notes, and I do suggest that you take notes, to see if there are any players that you have a history with. Use those notes for anyone you know and start determining how the other players at the table play. Play tight with only top hands until you get a feel for the table. At some point you will have a good idea of how players play, who will chase and who will start with less than solid starting hands.

When you have a good feel for the table you can open up your range a little based on who is in the hand. Look for players who limp with less than good cards but raise with premium hands. Identify these opportunities.

Also look for changes in betting. Some players will ramp up aggression when they brick while others look to see if they can still draw on you. Using these changes can make the difference in throwing away a hand that is winning and sticking around and busting them and taking their money.

When you are in a situation that you are unsure of what to do, take a second and replay the hand. Also, look at the hands your opponent has played in the past and look for the sign that leads you to the correct decision.

Another thing you can do is re-raise for information. Most players will raise if you brick and they hit any low up. If you get that brick but dtill have a great drawing hand, consider the re-raise to find out where you are at. Most players will slow down to the return of pressure and may in fact gain you a free card on later streets. Use your strengths to create weakness in your opponent.

Below are some examples of using my opponents tendencies to create a winning hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4850562785: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 80/160 Ante 15 - Limit Razz - 20:59:29 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,823)
Seat 4: Theenigmakmm (2,536)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,471)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c]
Dealt to Theenigmakmm [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d] [5h]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 80
PawelB raises to 160
Theenigmakmm calls 160
pokerenthusiast calls 80

The guy with the worst starting hand raises. I gues this isn’t to bad a play if he is trying to isolate but I question the play. He may feel he holds some of the outs and can afford to bump it up.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c] [6c]
Dealt to Theenigmakmm [3h] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h] [Ad]
pokerenthusiast bets 80
PawelB raises to 160
Theenigmakmm has 15 seconds left to act
Theenigmakmm folds
pokerenthusiast raises to 240
PawelB calls 80

I have the best hand and bet out. He re-raises and I call. I don’t want to over define my hand because I may be ablt to get an extra bet from him later.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c 6c] [Ac]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad] [5s]
PawelB bets 160
pokerenthusiast calls 160

He has been aggressive and I think the ace paired him up. I also paired so I call.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c 6c Ac] [Th]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad 5s] [2h]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast bets 160
PawelB calls 160

Now I appear to have the best hand and he check calls. I this point I have him on a made T and drawing to a 7. Even though I’m behind with 2 pair I thought he could fold.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h] [8c]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I hit my 8 but he was drawing to a 7 so I check.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [8c 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h 2d] 8,6,5,2,A
PawelB mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,745) with 8,6,5,2,A
Seat 2: PawelB mucked [Ts 3c 7c 6c Ac Th Ah] - T,7,6,3,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [8c 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h 2d] and won (1,745) with 8,6,5,2,A

He tried hard to catch his draw and played aggressive with 3 cards seven and under.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4850864568: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 21:24:02 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,223)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,996)
Dealt to PawelB [8h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s] [3d]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 120
PawelB raises to 240
pokerenthusiast calls 120

Here again he raises with the biggest up card. This a trend I’ve seen before and just call because it is to early to build the pot.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h] [Tc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d] [4s]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
PawelB calls 120

Now I am way ahead. Any 7 A or 2 locks it up for me. I have to bet and he calls.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h Tc] [5d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s] [4c]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
PawelB calls 240

Now he knows he is behind but chases and I have a nut type draw so I pet out.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h Tc 5d] [Jh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s 4c] [Jc]
PawelB bets 240
pokerenthusiast calls 240

He was just waiting for me to brick but at this point he has made the pot to big for me to fold. Know way I fold with at least 12 outs.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s 4c Jc] [8s]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I should have maybe bet here but my 8 could be vulnerable so I check.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
PawelB shows [9d 3h 8h Tc 5d Jh 2d] 9,8,5,3,2
pokerenthusiast shows [8s 6h 3d 4s 4c Jc 5s] 8,6,5,4,3
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,880) with 8,6,5,4,3
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,880 | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [9d 3h 8h Tc 5d Jh 2d] and lost with 9,8,5,3,2
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [8s 6h 3d 4s 4c Jc 5s] and won (1,880) with 8,6,5,4,3

I have now won two significant pots off of a guy over playing his hand early.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4851066308: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 21:40:34 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,493)
Seat 3: spykes00 (4,472)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (3,171)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac]
Dealt to spykes00 [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As] [5d]
spykes00 brings in for 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50
PawelB calls 50

I change gears here trying to set up PawelB. I expected him to raise but he didn’t…what does that mean?

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac] [8d]
Dealt to spykes00 [6d] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d] [3d]
pokerenthusiast bets 150
PawelB raises to 300
spykes00 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 150

I am ahead…there is no way I get away from this hand at this point. With no made hand I don’t reraise.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac 8d] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d] [Ts]
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I call because aggressiveness from him has meant some weakness in the past. And I have a solid draw.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac 8d 4d] [4c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d Ts] [Qc]
pokerenthusiast checks
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I am sure he has tripped his 4s. He has the 8 draw and I wont go away.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d Ts Qc] [5h]
pokerenthusiast checks
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I hit a crap card and call because I want to see what he has.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
PawelB shows [7d 6c Ac 8d 4d 4c 4h] 8,7,6,4,A
pokerenthusiast mucks
PawelB wins the pot (2,725) with 8,7,6,4,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,725 | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [7d 6c Ac 8d 4d 4c 4h] and won (2,725) with 8,7,6,4,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast mucked [7h 5h 5d 3d Ts Qc As] - T,7,5,3,A

My information was confirmed. More good information.


Full Tilt Poker Game #4851207675: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 200/400 Ante 30 - Limit Razz - 21:52:10 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (4,763)
Seat 5: samuace (1,918)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,281)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s]
Dealt to samuace [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s] [As]
samuace completes it to 200
tacopizza folds
pokerenthusiast calls 200
PawelB raises to 400
spykes00: wow this pot will be nice
samuace raises to 600
pokerenthusiast: lets go
pokerenthusiast raises to 800
PawelB calls 400
samuace calls 200

Being the donk that he is I go ahead and cap it cuz these two other players will anyway. I really think I’m ahead but it doesn’t matter this early.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s] [Tc]
Dealt to samuace [4h] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As] [2s]
pokerenthusiast bets 200
spykes00: gl poker nthus
PawelB calls 200
samuace raises to 400
pokerenthusiast raises to 600
pokerenthusiast: ty
PawelB has 15 seconds left to act
surflexus (Observer): goooooooooo P E !!!!!!!!!!
PawelB calls 400
samuace raises to 800
pokerenthusiast calls 200
PawelB calls 200

How the hell this guys can think they have a chance at this point. I’m drawing to the super nut and they have paired or have a T. I am more than will to go down with these four cards at this point with a chance to triple up.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s Tc] [5h]
Dealt to samuace [4h 4d] [Qh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s] [6d]
pokerenthusiast bets 400
spykes00: nicee\
PawelB calls 400
samuace calls 288, and is all in

At this point they have to call because they have built the pot. You notice how he slows down when he knows he is behind and wants to suck out.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s Tc 5h] [9c]
Dealt to samuace [4h 4d Qh] [3s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s 6d] [9s]
pokerenthusiast bets 251, and is all in
PawelB calls 251
samuace: sh.it
pokerenthusiast shows [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s]
PawelB shows [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c]
samuace shows [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s]

I really don’t care about the cards now because I have hit the jackpot.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c] [7s]
Dealt to samuace [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s] [Ad]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s] [Jh]
pokerenthusiast shows [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s Jh] 6,5,3,2,A
PawelB shows [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c 7s] 9,7,5,4,3
pokerenthusiast wins the side pot (726) with 6,5,3,2,A
samuace shows [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s Ad] Q,4,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast wins the main pot (6,154) with 6,5,3,2,A
spykes00: nice one!!!
samuace stands up
The limits are now 250/500 with an ante of 40
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6,880 Main pot 6,154. Side pot 726. | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c 7s] and lost with 9,7,5,4,3
Seat 5: samuace showed [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s Ad] and lost with Q,4,3,2,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s Jh] and won (6,880) with 6,5,3,2,A

Again he raised in a similar situation. Building the pot early is fine when you are short stacked but controlling the pot size will get you deeper more often.

Look at this kind of information to improve your own game.