PE and Me (Jude)

Ugh, I'm starting to get frustrated with my Razz results. Apparently, I'm Queen of the Bubblicious Finishes in the nightly 5.50 mtt. Tuesday I missed the money by 2 spots, tonight by 4. So sick! Just a smidgen more luck (ok maybe a little better play) and I would be 4/7 ITM in this tornament for February instead of 2/7. Blah...

Poker Enthusiast got moved to my table tonight when there were 7 or 8 other perfectly good tables for him to be moved to. I hate being at the same table with him or Surflexus! This hand proves that we surely don't soft play each other, tho...:/

Full Tilt Poker Game #5438091766: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (41359943), Table 4 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 22:52:02 ET - 2008/02/28
Seat 1: jbwhit (2,250)
Seat 2: pokerenthusiast (1,426)
Seat 3: stan4stl (985)
Seat 4: dominoman007 (1,598)
Seat 5: THX2uT00L (4,842)
Seat 6: hitman17190 (1,216)
Seat 7: COOL MAN LUKE (1,808)
Seat 8: JudeSalem (1,574)
jbwhit antes 20
pokerenthusiast antes 20
stan4stl antes 20
dominoman007 antes 20
THX2uT00L antes 20
hitman17190 antes 20
COOL MAN LUKE antes 20
JudeSalem antes 20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to jbwhit [9d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d]
Dealt to stan4stl [9s]
Dealt to dominoman007 [5d]
Dealt to THX2uT00L [8d]
Dealt to hitman17190 [Th]
Dealt to COOL MAN LUKE [Ad]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c Ac] [2c]
hitman17190 is high with [Th]
hitman17190 brings in for 40
COOL MAN LUKE folds
JudeSalem completes it to 120
jbwhit folds
pokerenthusiast raises to 240
stan4stl folds
dominoman007 folds
THX2uT00L folds
hitman17190 folds
JudeSalem calls 120

I groaned when he raised me, as I did not want to play a big pot with him. I thought about reraising here to say, Hold on, PE, don't do it!, instead I did what I do best; called. HeeHaw. Just the 2 of us see 4th.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d] [Tc]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c Ac 2c] [2d]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
JudeSalem calls 120
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d Tc] [As]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c Ac 2c 2d] [8s]
pokerenthusiast bets 240
JudeSalem calls 240

I thought this A paired him, as I didn't think he would reraise on 3rd without one. So I continued on.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d Tc As] [9h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c Ac 2c 2d 8s] [3h]
pokerenthusiast bets 240
JudeSalem calls 240

I am double-freakin paired here, but I have come too far to fold now. With his up cards, I know I have the best draw.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c Ac 2c 2d 8s 3h] [7s] <--Ship it
pokerenthusiast bets 240
JudeSalem raises to 480
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast raises to 566, and is all in
JudeSalem calls 86
*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Kc 2s 4d Tc As 9h Ah] T,9,4,2,A
JudeSalem shows [7s 3c 2c 2d 8s 3h Ac] 8,7,3,2,A
JudeSalem wins the pot (3,012) with 8,7,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast stands up

I felt bad about busting him at first, but then I thought, Wait a minute, he was trying to bust me!! LOL So, this hand helped me to waste another hour + in the tournament before going out 16 of 90 with 12 spots paid....o joy. Perhaps if PE had won that hand instead, he may have been able to pull off a nice little cash, unlike myself. :(

This is a Test...Should I Do It

I'm trying this out to see if maybe I'll do tape of one of my tourneys. Let me know what you think and if you would like me t do it.

Do You Like Waffles?

As always, I put together a little banner for the KORD Champion.

The KORD with Yancy (Jude)

Last night was another edition of the Poker Enthusiast's KORD tournament. I really like that he's made them into Knockouts. Every player has a $2 KO bounty and this definetly helps bring more fun to an otherwise boring limit game. Who doesn't love KOs?? He usually holds it on Friday nights, but was so gracious in changing it to Thursday this month so I could play, as my job has me working Friday nights. Such is the life of a street walker; we have to work Friday nights.....right, PE??? Isn't that what you said on the radio show last night?? Well, thanks for hookin' this hooker up with a date change. Freebie for you, hun. ;)

Anyhoo...While I only collected one bounty for the evening, it was THE bounty I wanted to collect; yancypants. Yes, I know you read this blog, yancy. I will say this to your virtual face: You were a thorn in my side all night! There is no one I wanted to eliminate more. Your constant reraises on 3rd street grate every single nerve in my body. If your plan was to tilt me...it worked! Only problem there is that I will chase to a 9 or worse when on tilt. You cannot make me fold, cannot. If I bust, then I bust, but we will have a showdown.

At first I thought he was only doing it to me, but after going through the hand histories, I realized that may just be his style. Maybe he wasn't just picking on me, but it sure seemed like that at the time. I thought maybe his notes on me said, Thief!! , and he was going to punish every single one my clompletions. He posed a question in the chat once asking, Just how badly are you stealing? The thing is, I really wasn't. I don't steal much early, there's not enough value in it to me. It's unnecessary risk in my opinion.

So, here is just one of many examples of his aggression against me.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5348507701: The Volgon KORD (40008912), Table 2 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 21:56:36 ET - 2008/02/21
Seat 1: Donkette (1,861)
Seat 2: iam23skidoo (749)
Seat 3: pokerenthusiast (1,523)
Seat 4: InstantTragedy (2,083)
Seat 5: JudeSalem (1,582)
Seat 6: yancypants (1,480)
Seat 7: Evy35 (1,222)
Donkette antes 10
iam23skidoo antes 10
pokerenthusiast antes 10
InstantTragedy antes 10
JudeSalem antes 10
yancypants antes 10
Evy35 antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Donkette [6c]
Dealt to iam23skidoo [Td]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9h]
Dealt to InstantTragedy [Ah]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3s 2h] [As]
Dealt to yancypants [4d]
Dealt to Evy35 [7h]
iam23skidoo is high with [Td]
iam23skidoo brings in for 15
pokerenthusiast folds
InstantTragedy folds
JudeSalem completes it to 50
yancypants raises to 100
Evy35 folds
Donkette folds
iam23skidoo folds
JudeSalem calls 50

So, I have the best starting hand possible and I complete. He raises me with his 4 up. Now I should probably reraise here, but I'm a cautious (skeered) player, one who doesn't go nuts without a made hand. This is an area where I probably need improvement, being more aggressive with the better draw.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3s 2h As] [7c]
Dealt to yancypants [4d] [2d]
yancypants bets 50
Evy35: ha!
JudeSalem calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3s 2h As 7c] [Ac]
Dealt to yancypants [4d 2d] [5c]
yancypants bets 100
JudeSalem has 15 seconds left to act
JudeSalem folds
Uncalled bet of 100 returned to yancypants
yancypants mucks
yancypants wins the pot (385)

He looks as though he is out drawing me and I choose to fold. Good fold? Bad fold? I don't know, but it irritated me a little. :)

So after several of those (and now extreme irritation), I took a stand with this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5348932683: The Volgon KORD (40008912), Table 2 - 100/200 Ante 15 - Limit Razz - 22:29:59 ET - 2008/02/21
Seat 2: iam23skidoo (1,264)
Seat 3: pokerenthusiast (1,068)
Seat 4: InstantTragedy (1,488)
Seat 5: JudeSalem (1,162)
Seat 6: yancypants (1,215)
Seat 7: Evy35 (2,517)
iam23skidoo antes 15
pokerenthusiast antes 15
InstantTragedy antes 15
JudeSalem antes 15
yancypants antes 15
Evy35 antes 15
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to iam23skidoo [Qd]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h]
Dealt to InstantTragedy [Qs]
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c 4s] [2h]
Dealt to yancypants [2c]
Dealt to Evy35 [Qh]
InstantTragedy is high with [Qs]
InstantTragedy brings in for 30
JudeSalem completes it to 100
yancypants raises to 200 <---Again with the raise...shocker...
Evy35 folds
iam23skidoo folds
pokerenthusiast folds
InstantTragedy has 15 seconds left to act
InstantTragedy folds
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c 4s 2h] [Td]
Dealt to yancypants [2c] [Js]
JudeSalem bets 100
yancypants calls 100
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c 4s 2h Td] [4d]
Dealt to yancypants [2c Js] [5c]
JudeSalem checks
yancypants checks
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c 4s 2h Td 4d] [9c]
Dealt to yancypants [2c Js 5c] [Ad]
JudeSalem checks
yancypants bets 200
JudeSalem calls 200
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [3c 4s 2h Td 4d 9c] [6h]
JudeSalem checks
yancypants bets 200
JudeSalem calls 200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
yancypants shows [Ts 6c 2c Js 5c Ad Ac] T,6,5,2,A
JudeSalem shows [6h 4s 2h Td 4d 9c 3c] 9,6,4,3,2
JudeSalem wins the pot (1,520) with 9,6,4,3,2

His 6 2 A start went down to my 4 3 2 start. Yay. I check-called my way to a nice pot. HeeHaw. Sorry, yancy, you seem like a nice guy, but I really hate seeing you at my table! :)

I was pretty much card dead at the final table and the bring-in was really chipping away at my stack. No lucky breaks came and I finished in 7th. Oh well, gg all. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Too bad it's not a weekly tournament!

Sirfwalgman is the New KORD

It pains me in ways you can only imagine but not truly empathize with. Sirfwalgman took down the KORD last night in a way that only a true luckbox can do it. His massacre of the field was an endless attack of aggressive Razz with timely cards to run over the helpless rivals for this cherished crown.

In 2nd place was valgon, the past champion, who made a nice come back after having a short stack on the bubble. Taking the last paying spot was Numbono who was beat horrifically by waffles after moving into a sold 2nd place with his aggressive play. Evy was the bubble girl as she fought hard to maintain position but ran into a run of bad cards at the wrong time.

Thanks go to IT for firing up IT radio with special thanks going to buddydank for allowing us to have the show. It was fun to sit with IT and Zeem and discuss the hands as they played out. We will be trying this again hopefully for the next KORD so stay tuned for more information.

I'll have some screen shots either later today or this weekend and a breakdown of the top 10 finishers.

I didn't get very deep as I suffered from card death in combination with over confidence. As we moved later in the tournament I had a short stack and saw waffles complete a bet. bertgwen raised and I was looking at a fairly strong hand considering my short stack. Below is the hand and my thought process.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5349171682: The Volgon KORD (40008912), Table 2 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 22:48:50 ET - 2008/02/21
Seat 1: bertgwen (947)
Seat 2: iam23skidoo (1,759)
Seat 3: pokerenthusiast (643)
Seat 4: InstantTragedy (751)
Seat 5: JudeSalem (2,457)
Seat 7: Evy35 (2,579)
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan (4,355)
bertgwen antes 25
iam23skidoo antes 25
pokerenthusiast antes 25
InstantTragedy antes 25
JudeSalem antes 25
Evy35 antes 25
SirFWALGMan antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bertgwen [6d]
Dealt to iam23skidoo [Jh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [8d 6s] [Ah]
Dealt to InstantTragedy [8h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [Ks]
Dealt to Evy35 [Td]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [3c]
JudeSalem is high with [Ks]
JudeSalem brings in for 50
Evy35 folds
SirFWALGMan completes it to 150
bertgwen raises to 300
SirFWALGMan: someone raised me?
iam23skidoo folds
SirFWALGMan: thats so not cool
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
bertgwen: oops
pokerenthusiast raises to 450
Evy35: lol i'm not a lawyer....i'm a paralegal :)
InstantTragedy folds
JudeSalem folds
SirFWALGMan: wtf
Evy35: i dropped out of law school!
SirFWALGMan calls 300
bertgwen raises to 600
pokerenthusiast calls 150
SirFWALGMan: jesus
SirFWALGMan calls 150

I have a good short stack hand in that I have three cards under an 8 and have a chance to triple up. I don't always like making this move but I need to get lucky and what better time then with two other players in the hand. I figure I am behind a little but I also know that we are killing a lot of each others outs. Time to triple up or go home.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to bertgwen [6d] [Js]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [8d 6s Ah] [Qs]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [3c] [4s]
SirFWALGMan bets 150
bertgwen raises to 300
Zeem (Observer): paralegals ROCK
SirFWALGMan: BOOOM!
pokerenthusiast calls 18, and is all in
Evy35: go waffles lol
SirFWALGMan raises to 450
JudeSalem: gl pe!!!
bertgwen calls 22, and is all in
Evy35: thanks zeem!!
SirFWALGMan shows [6c 7h 3c 4s]
bertgwen shows [Ad 7c 6d Js]
pokerenthusiast shows [8d 6s Ah Qs]
Uncalled bet of 128 returned to SirFWALGMan

And I brick. I was right in believing i was behind and now I am way behind.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to bertgwen [Ad 7c 6d Js] [9d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [8d 6s Ah Qs] [5h]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [6c 7h 3c 4s] [3s]

I have a better draw then bertgwen with me needing a 7, 4, 3 or 2 to gain control. I need waffles to brick.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to bertgwen [Ad 7c 6d Js 9d] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [8d 6s Ah Qs 5h] [Kh]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [6c 7h 3c 4s 3s] [9s]

I brick but still have a good draw. I have eleven good outs if waffles bricks.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to bertgwen [Ad 7c 6d Js 9d Kc] [Ts]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [8d 6s Ah Qs 5h Kh] [9c]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [6c 7h 3c 4s 3s 9s] [3d]
SirFWALGMan shows [6c 7h 3c 4s 3s 9s 3d] 9,7,6,4,3
bertgwen shows [Ad 7c 6d Js 9d Kc Ts] T,9,7,6,A
SirFWALGMan wins the side pot (608) with 9,7,6,4,3
pokerenthusiast shows [8d 6s Ah Qs 5h Kh 9c] 9,8,6,5,A
SirFWALGMan wins the main pot (2,079) with 9,7,6,4,3
SirFWALGMan: BOOOOOOMAH!
pokerenthusiast stands up
bertgwen stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,687 Main pot 2,079. Side pot 608. | Rake 0
Seat 1: bertgwen showed [Ad 7c 6d Js 9d Kc Ts] and lost with T,9,7,6,A
Seat 2: iam23skidoo folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: pokerenthusiast showed [8d 6s Ah Qs 5h Kh 9c] and lost with 9,8,6,5,A
Seat 4: InstantTragedy folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: JudeSalem folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: Evy35 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: SirFWALGMan showed [6c 7h 3c 4s 3s 9s 3d] and won (2,687) with 9,7,6,4,3

I come up short.

I think taking a chance here with the short stack is well worth the risk vs. the reward. I move up to 2K chips if I win.

Thanks for playing everyone and we will see you next month for the KORD.

I AM THE KING

Went deep in Riverfuckers Stud-8. Bubbled the final table. Won the KORD!! I am the King of Razz Donkeys for the month. Wooot! Pissed off Numbono. BONUS! Pissed off IT. BONUS! I am feeling pretty good tonight.

I also want to give props to Volgon. He is a fine Razz Player and it is a testament to his skills that he took second this week. I salute you my friend. I put a nasty suckout on him on the second to last hand. I had a Jack door and two low cards. I figured I had the chips to gamble with a 20K to 6K lead and so I did.. I ended up making a seven and winning the tourney on that.

Remember kids if Waffles can win you should be in that game. Good night and bless you all.

Playing Some Cash and The KORD

I was grinding a little last night and ran into my continued string of crap cards and bricks. I can't tell you how many times I had three under a 5 and had to throw it away after hitting face cards on 4th and 5th street. Anyway, I had just been chased down to lose a big pot when this hand came.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5325109074: Table Tamarus - $3/$6 Ante $0.50 - Limit Razz - 23:04:13 ET - 2008/02/19
Seat 1: Boourgone ($201.50)
Seat 2: Syllent ($195.50)
Seat 3: flop_junk ($98)
Seat 4: trapperman12 ($112.50)
Seat 5: Willyom ($41.50)
Seat 6: sos41 ($19)
Seat 7: 04071953 ($76.50)
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast ($75)
Boourgone antes $0.50
pokerenthusiast antes $0.50
trapperman12 antes $0.50
flop_junk antes $0.50
Syllent antes $0.50
Willyom antes $0.50
sos41 antes $0.50
04071953 antes $0.50
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Boourgone [Kd]
Dealt to Syllent [Ah]
Dealt to flop_junk [Td]
Dealt to trapperman12 [6h]
Dealt to Willyom [8h]
Dealt to sos41 [9d]
Dealt to 04071953 [Qc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4s 3d] [7d] - I will always play this hand.
Boourgone is high with [Kd]
Boourgone brings in for $1
Syllent completes it to $3
flop_junk folds
trapperman12 raises to $6
Willyom has 15 seconds left to act
Willyom calls $6
sos41 folds
04071953 folds
pokerenthusiast calls $6
Boourgone folds
Syllent calls $3

Four players into a raised pot. That means many of the low cards are gone so If I can jump to the lead, I should have a good shot at taking this down.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Syllent [Ah] [5h]
Dealt to trapperman12 [6h] [Js]
Dealt to Willyom [8h] [6c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4s 3d 7d] [As] - I may only be behind one player but may also be ahead.
Syllent bets $3
trapperman12 raises to $6
Willyom has 15 seconds left to act
Willyom raises to $9
pokerenthusiast calls $9
Syllent calls $6
trapperman12 raises to $12
Willyom calls $3
pokerenthusiast calls $3
Syllent calls $3

Why two of the players are re-raising here I don't know but I have to see another card. Both re-raisers are behind so I guess I could have capped it.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Syllent [Ah 5h] [Kc]
Dealt to trapperman12 [6h Js] [Tc]
Dealt to Willyom [8h 6c] [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4s 3d 7d As] [2s] - Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
pokerenthusiast bets $6
Syllent calls $6
trapperman12 calls $6
Willyom calls $6

I am ahead only fear a chase by Syllent. I don't want to slow play here because they will probably check it around.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Syllent [Ah 5h Kc] [8s]
Dealt to trapperman12 [6h Js Tc] [7h]
Dealt to Willyom [8h 6c 6d] [9c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4s 3d 7d As 2s] [4c]
pokerenthusiast bets $6
Syllent calls $6
trapperman12 calls $6
Willyom folds

No slowing down. I clearly have trapperman beat and for some reason he calls with me having A237 up. I have a lock on anyone who makes a 7 so I should be good.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4s 3d 7d As 2s 4c] [Kh]
pokerenthusiast bets $6
Syllent calls $6
trapperman12 calls $6

I continue to fire but truly expect them to fold. I guess with all the money in the pot they figure they have to call.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Kh 4s 7d As 2s 4c 3d] 7,4,3,2,A
Syllent mucks
trapperman12 mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot ($134) with 7,4,3,2,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $137 | Rake $3
Seat 1: Boourgone folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Syllent mucked [7s 7c Ah 5h Kc 8s 3s] - 8,7,5,3,A
Seat 3: flop_junk folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: trapperman12 mucked [8d 2d 6h Js Tc 7h Ad] - 8,7,6,2,A
Seat 5: Willyom folded on 6th St.
Seat 6: sos41 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: 04071953 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast showed [Kh 4s 7d As 2s 4c 3d] and won ($134) with 7,4,3,2,A

It was nice catching a hand like this instead of bricking for a change. I'm not sure what hand either of them thought they could beat but I have seen some crazy aggression at these 3/6 tables.

Come play the KORD on Thursday.

Play The KORD...A Little Money Added

I almost forgot to get the KORD started for this month. It is the same structure as normal with a $7 + .70 buy-in and will continue to have the $2 bounty. I’ve added a little something to the prize pool because I can. I won a last short bet the other night for $25 and thought it would be nice to give this free money away. For a little added fun, Instant Tragedy will be broadcasting the event on IT Radio brought to you by BDR. I will be on live with him giving the play by play. The tourney is on Thursday the 21st and takes off at 21:30. The password is “pokere” as always. Tell all your friends and come out to play this fun event.

PE's FTOPS Razz....part 4

As the 4th hour started I was progressing well. Surflexus is still running well in this at the time so both BTN players in have a chance. 2nd hand after the break I get this.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259903316: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 15 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 0:23:38 ET - 2008/02/15
Seat 2: scewtr (1,899)
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast (5,910)
scewtr antes 75
pokerenthusiast antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to scewtr [9d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d As] [7c]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 400
scewtr calls 400

Another moron calling with a 9. with his stack I think he has to raise if he is willing to place a crap hand like this.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to scewtr [9d] [7s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d As 7c] [8h]
pokerenthusiast bets 400
scewtr calls 400

I am clearly ahead but he calls. I would respect a re-raise considering he has put in half his stack.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to scewtr [9d 7s] [6c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d As 7c 8h] [7d]
scewtr bets 800
pokerenthusiast raises to 1,600
scewtr calls 224, and is all in
pokerenthusiast shows [4d As 7c 8h 7d]
scewtr shows [2s Ac 9d 7s 6c]
Uncalled bet of 576 returned to pokerenthusiast

I brick but have the draw…I can’t fold this…can I?

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to scewtr [2s Ac 9d 7s 6c] [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d As 7c 8h 7d] [Jh]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to scewtr [2s Ac 9d 7s 6c 3h] [Js]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d As 7c 8h 7d Jh] [5h]
pokerenthusiast shows [4d As 7c 8h 7d Jh 5h] 8,7,5,4,A
scewtr shows [2s Ac 9d 7s 6c 3h Js] 7,6,3,2,A
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast showed [4d As 7c 8h 7d Jh 5h] and lost with 8,7,5,4,A

He gets there and I don’t. Bad luck for me.

The next hand I fold this (Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h 6d] [5d]) when there are two raises in front of me…this may be the only time I folded 3 seven and under all tourney.

Then there was this

Dealt to edymalawi [9s]
Dealt to Grumpy696 [8h]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [7d]
Dealt to OLGA BABY [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ks Jc] [Ah]
Dealt to pokeraholic5 [7h]
Dealt to VojFromMars [Ts]
VojFromMars is high with [Ts]

It is folded to me with a 7 left to act. I take a stop and get re-raised…I folded in shame. Do I have to make this steal attempt?

The I brick a couple hands and get back down to 2K and need to win something quick.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5260014056: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 15 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 0:34:28 ET - 2008/02/15
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (13,823)
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast (2,111)
JohnnyGstaks antes 75
pokerenthusiast antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [2h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 8s] [5h]
JohnnyGstaks completes it to 400
pokerenthusiast raises to 800
JohnnyGstaks calls 400

Here…after all this time…I become the raiser. I need the chips and have committed to this hand.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [2h] [9s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 8s 5h] [Td]
JohnnyGstaks bets 400
pokerenthusiast raises to 800
JohnnyGstaks raises to 1,200
pokerenthusiast raises to 1,236, and is all in
JohnnyGstaks calls 36
pokeraholic5 (Observer): gl voj
SirFWALGMan (Observer): GOOO PE!
pokerenthusiast shows [6h 8s 5h Td]
JohnnyGstaks shows [Ac 2d 2h 9s]

Things are better than I thought.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [Ac 2d 2h 9s] [8c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 8s 5h Td] [4s]

Things look great.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [Ac 2d 2h 9s 8c] [3s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 8s 5h Td 4s] [4d]
SirFWALGMan (Observer): PEEEEE EEEEEEE!

Ugh…I need him to brick and me to get 7 or better.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [Ac 2d 2h 9s 8c 3s] [4c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 8s 5h Td 4s 4d] [5c]
pokerenthusiast shows [6h 8s 5h Td 4s 4d 5c] T,8,6,5,4
JohnnyGstaks shows [Ac 2d 2h 9s 8c 3s 4c] 8,4,3,2,A
JohnnyGstaks wins the pot (4,697) with 8,4,3,2,A
SirFWALGMan (Observer): NOOO!
pokerenthusiast stands up


That was my tourney.

I would like to say thanks to everyone railing…surf, waffles, worldpoker05, jude, IT, luv, volgon ohcaptian and anyone else I forgot to put down on here. It was a lot of fun and only a hand or two away from being a better story.

PE's FTOPS Razz.....part 3

At this point in the tourney you have to make some big hands. Winning some big hands and getting a stack can allow you to take advantage of the weak players who are waiting for top hands to play back with. Here is how my 3rd hour went.

I have 3800 chips and want the big hand. Bets are 150/300 and can cripple me or my opponent at any time. Here is what happened.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259175126: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 23:17:26 ET - 2008/02/14
dapalma150 has reconnected
Seat 3: Suicide King007 (2,040)
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (3,820)
Suicide King007 antes 25
pokerenthusiast antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ah 7s] [3d]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 150
Suicide King007 raises to 300
pokerenthusiast calls 150

This guy has turned up the agro play and re-raises me.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [4h] [9h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ah 7s 3d] [8h]
pokerenthusiast bets 150
Suicide King007 calls 150

I am clearly ahead and bet.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [4h 9h] [9s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ah 7s 3d 8h] [4s]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Suicide King007 calls 300

I bet her expecting to take it down. Short of runner-runner I am a lock. I actually want his call.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [4h 9h 9s] [As]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ah 7s 3d 8h 4s] [7h]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Suicide King007 calls 300

Now, even though I don’t improve, I appear to have gotten better. He has now over committed to the hand and must chase.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [Ah 7s 3d 8h 4s 7h] [8d]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Suicide King007 raises to 600
pokerenthusiast calls 300
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Suicide King007 shows [7d 5h 4h 9h 9s As 3c] 7,5,4,3,A
pokerenthusiast mucks
Suicide King007 wins the pot (3,550) with 7,5,4,3,A

He hits his friggin 7 to pull of the chase. I had him tagged all night and he finally caught me on one of his chases. This hand hurt a lot as I had worked into a workable stack. Time to start over.

I need chips bad when I get this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259207146: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 23:20:12 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,095)
Seat 8: Getthecheck (4,096)
pokerenthusiast antes 25
Getthecheck antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5d 2d] [3s]
Dealt to Getthecheck [3h]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 150
Getthecheck raises to 300
pokerenthusiast calls 150

These guy love the re-raise.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5d 2d 3s] [Jd]
Dealt to Getthecheck [3h] [3c]
pokerenthusiast bets 150
Getthecheck calls 150

I bet because I am ahead of a pair.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5d 2d 3s Jd] [6c]
Dealt to Getthecheck [3h 3c] [Th]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Getthecheck calls 300

I am very much ahead now. I just need the last card to seal the deal.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5d 2d 3s Jd 6c] [8h]
Dealt to Getthecheck [3h 3c Th] [8d]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Getthecheck calls 300

I get my card but he has a draw. I have to bet this out and make him pay to see.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5d 2d 3s Jd 6c 8h] [Ks]
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Getthecheck calls 300

I brick and I don’t care. I need the chips or go home.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Ks 5d 3s Jd 6c 8h 2d] 8,6,5,3,2
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (2,950) with 8,6,5,3,2
Seat 8: Getthecheck mucked [9s 4c 3h 3c Th 8d Ac] - 9,8,4,3,A

I should send him a card for giving me his chips.

Now for my possible melt down. I’d really like to get some feedback on this.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259430856: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 200/400 Ante 30 - Limit Razz - 23:39:50 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (3,005)
Seat 8: Getthecheck (2,106)
pokerenthusiast antes 30
Getthecheck antes 30
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4h 2h] [6h]
Dealt to Getthecheck [4c]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 200
Getthecheck raises to 400
pokerenthusiast calls 200

This could be an attempt to try and get his short stack all in.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4h 2h 6h] [9c]
Dealt to Getthecheck [4c] [2s]
Getthecheck bets 200
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast calls 200

I almost fold but his re-raise could mean this bricked.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4h 2h 6h 9c] [5s]
Dealt to Getthecheck [4c 2s] [7h]
Getthecheck bets 400
pokerenthusiast calls 400

If he pricked then I have a great draw and I have outs regardless.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4h 2h 6h 9c 5s] [5d]
Dealt to Getthecheck [4c 2s 7h] [Qc]
Getthecheck bets 400
pokerenthusiast calls 400

Brick

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4h 2h 6h 9c 5s 5d] [Th]
Getthecheck bets 400
pokerenthusiast calls 400

Brick. Call and pray.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Getthecheck shows [6s 6c 4c 2s 7h Qc Ad] 7,6,4,2,A
Getthecheck wins the pot (3,890) with 7,6,4,2,A
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast mucked [Th 4h 6h 9c 5s 5d 2h] - 9,6,5,4,2

This hand hurt…period. Could I have gotten away. Maybe on 4th and 5th but after that I have to call I think. I screwed this up I think.

Anyway, I picked a hand a few hands later and doubled up and did it again to get back to 3.7K. I’m looking for another big hand as the bets are getting very big.

After winning a few small pots I get to 4.7K and then to 5.4K when I hit a nice hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259602001: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 15 - 250/500 Ante 40 - Limit Razz - 23:55:17 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast (5,185)
Seat 7: pokeraholic5 (5,325)
pokerenthusiast antes 40
pokeraholic5 antes 40
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s Ac] [3s]
Dealt to pokeraholic5 [3d]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 250
pokeraholic5 raises to 500
pokerenthusiast calls 250

Maybe I need to start re-raising this a little more because they seem to like to do it.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s Ac 3s] [4h]
Dealt to pokeraholic5 [3d] [8c]
pokerenthusiast bets 250
pokeraholic5 calls 250

I have the nut draw and will go to war with this vs. his 8.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s Ac 3s 4h] [Ah]
Dealt to pokeraholic5 [3d 8c] [9c]
SirFWALGMan (Observer): GOOOO PE!!!! BONNZAIIIIIII!
pokerenthusiast bets 500
pokeraholic5 calls 500

I brick with the ace and he makes what I think is a bad call with his 89. I need to fill my nut.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [5s Ac 3s 4h Ah] [6d]
Dealt to pokeraholic5 [3d 8c 9c] [7s]
SirFWALGMan (Observer): BONZAIIIIIIII!
pokerenthusiast bets 500
pokeraholic5: god darn a23
pokeraholic5 has 15 seconds left to act
SirFWALGMan (Observer): HAHAHAHAHAHA
pokeraholic5 folds
Uncalled bet of 500 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (2,895)

Boooom. Anyway, I hit my 6 and he has to fold. Him re-raising with A23 before having a made hand is why I don’t do it.

*** SUMMARY ***
Seat 6: pokerenthusiast collected (2,895), mucked

Did you notice waffles giving me some railbird action?

After this hand I move up to over 7K and feel good again. I need one more hand to get me into a real comfort zone. Then I brick a few good starting hands and start the 4th hour with 6K.

PE's FTOPS Razz.....part 2

So up to this point in the tourney I have my starting stack. Still being early, this is fine. I’m really trying to accumulate chips at an average rate and wait for the big hand to move me up. Here was a hand that I got away from that could have been very costly.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5258082794: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 21:46:10 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 4: TheBrain (2,943)
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,990)
Seat 6: PAJAY (3,055)
TheBrain antes 10
pokerenthusiast antes 10
PAJAY antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to TheBrain [5h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 7h] [6d]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s]
TheBrain completes it to 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50
PAJAY raises to 100
TheBrain calls 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50

This raise move, as I said in part 1, is a preferred play by PAJAY when he has three very good low cards. I call with three under a 7.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to TheBrain [5h] [4s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 7h 6d] [3d]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s] [6h]
TheBrain bets 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50
PAJAY raises to 100
TheBrain calls 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50

We all hit it hard and PAJAY re-raises again so I have to think he is drawing to a 6. thebrian has been an agro maniac for the most part and thus I want to try and stay involved in a hand with him if I can because he has played a lot of junk…I’m walkinging a thin line.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to TheBrain [5h 4s] [8d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 7h 6d 3d] [Qc]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s 6h] [Tc]
TheBrain bets 100
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast calls 100
PAJAY calls 100

This may have been a little questionable but I did think about the call. I may have a draw to a vulnerable 7 but I do have a solid draw and the implied odds are high.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to TheBrain [5h 4s 8d] [6s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 7h 6d 3d Qc] [6c]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s 6h Tc] [Ah]
TheBrain bets 100
pokerenthusiast folds
PAJAY raises to 200
TheBrain raises to 300
PAJAY raises to 400
TheBrain calls 100

No question I fold here. Either player could have a made 6 so I run.

*** 7TH STREET ***
TheBrain bets 100
PAJAY raises to 200
TheBrain calls 100
*** SHOW DOWN ***
PAJAY shows [Qd 4c 5s 6h Tc Ah 2c] 6,5,4,2,A
TheBrain shows [8h 2s 5h 4s 8d 6s As] 6,5,4,2,A
TheBrain ties for the pot (1,098) with 6,5,4,2,A
PAJAY ties for the pot (1,097) with 6,5,4,2,A

I may have lost 100 more than I should have here.

After losing a few hand I run into an example of position play. Here I have an 8 behind and call the bet from a big stack at the table.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5258500576: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 60/120 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:20:58 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 2: ringjob3 (4,753)
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,620)
ringjob3 antes 10
pokerenthusiast antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [Ad]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 8s] [5c]
ringjob3 completes it to 60
pokerenthusiast calls 60

I make the call with position on his bet.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [Ad] [6c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 8s 5c] [Ah]
pokerenthusiast bets 60
ringjob3 calls 60

I want to see where I am at.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [Ad 6c] [Kh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 8s 5c Ah] [Jh]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
ringjob3 calls 120

I have the lead and want to see if he has bricked the 6.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [Ad 6c Kh] [7s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 8s 5c Ah Jh] [3s]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
ringjob3 folds
Uncalled bet of 120 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (580)

I may or may not have the lead here. I need information and bet out to see his action. He folds and I’m back to even for the tourney.

By this point we are in the moving stage where people are starting to drop and you must gain chips along the way.

I get my biggest hand to date here.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5258645093: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 80/160 Ante 15 - Limit Razz - 22:32:52 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 3: Suicide King007 (3,564)
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,585)
Seat 7: NEONPILS99 (2,938)
Suicide King007 antes 15
pokerenthusiast antes 15
NEONPILS99 antes 15
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 2s] [6c]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [Ah]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 80
NEONPILS99 raises to 160
Suicide King007 calls 160
pokerenthusiast calls 80

No way I fold this and want to catch a hand. NEONPILS99 likes to re raise to isolate also.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [3h] [9h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 2s 6c] [9s]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [Ah] [Ac]
Suicide King007 bets 80
pokerenthusiast calls 80
NEONPILS99 calls 80

Need to see where everyone is. I don’t give free cards when I think I’m ahead.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [3h 9h] [8d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 2s 6c 9s] [7s]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [Ah Ac] [Qs]
pokerenthusiast bets 160
NEONPILS99 folds
Suicide King007 calls 160

I am clearly ahead and bet at the worse 9. He needs runner-runner if I catch a non-brick lower than a seven.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [3h 9h 8d] [5h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 2s 6c 9s 7s] [Ks]
Suicide King007 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 160
Suicide King007 calls 160

He checks and I bet. I need to know where I’m at and his call says chaser.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 2s 6c 9s 7s Ks] [Kd]
Suicide King007 checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I check it down cuz he may have hit.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,505) with 9,7,6,4,2
Seat 3: Suicide King007 mucked [Jh 5d 3h 9h 8d 5h Ad] - 9,8,5,3,A

This was not the last time he chased.

After running my 7 into a better 7 I got involved in a couple of hands with PAJAY that hurt me bad. He was calling many of the hands I bet out and re-raising most of those. I ran into some bricks and I was down to 1300 or so chips. We tangled a few times and I won some of my chips back when I hit another big hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5258968271: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 22:59:43 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 2: ringjob3 (6,428)
Seat 3: Suicide King007 (3,750)
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (1,690)
ringjob3 antes 20
Suicide King007 antes 20
pokerenthusiast antes 20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [2h]
Dealt to Suicide King007 [As]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3c 5s] [4d]
ringjob3 completes it to 120
Suicide King007 raises to 240
pokerenthusiast calls 240
ringjob3 calls 120

This is a standard bet for ringjob. He has been using his stack to scare players so I think it is possible that SK007 is playing back at him. No way I fold here as I need the chips and I could triple up…this may be the end of my game if I hit hard on 4th.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to ringjob3 [2h] [Ks]
Dealt to Suicide King007 [As] [Kh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3c 5s 4d] [8c]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
ringjob3 folds
Suicide King007 calls 120

I am going to war. I am ahead and bet out.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [As Kh] [Qh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3c 5s 4d 8c] [8h]
Suicide King007 bets 240
pokerenthusiast raises to 480
Suicide King007 calls 240

I will re-raise here every time. He needs to go runner-runner to have a chance even if I catch a J.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Suicide King007 [As Kh Qh] [8d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3c 5s 4d 8c 8h] [7h]
Suicide King007 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
Suicide King007 calls 240

I have an 8 and he is drawing to a better 8 I’m sure.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3c 5s 4d 8c 8h 7h] [Qd]
Suicide King007 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
Suicide King007 calls 240

I actually took some time before betting here. I figured I would call any bet from him so I might as well bet. I anly had about 500 left when I threw in this bet so I might as well get as much in as possible.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Qd 5s 4d 8c 8h 7h 3c] 8,7,5,4,3
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (3,080) with 8,7,5,4,3
Seat 3: Suicide King007 mucked [Qs 3s As Kh Qh 8d 2c] - Q,8,3,2,A

He chased again and lost. This seemed to be his move in that he would gain some chips and give them back by chasing. Now he did have a good draw at the end but I think it is a clear fold after 5th street.

The players continued to chase.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5259015550: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 23:03:44 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (3,290)
Seat 7: NEONPILS99 (3,748)
pokerenthusiast antes 20
NEONPILS99 antes 20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 6d] [As]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [4c]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 120
NEONPILS99 calls 120

I was surprised when he didn’t re-raise this hand. I’m thinking he has a stronger hand and is trying to trap me.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 6d As] [4h]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [4c] [Jh]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
NEONPILS99 calls 120

I get hit hard and want to see if he will chase.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 6d As 4h] [Kh]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [4c Jh] [5s]
NEONPILS99 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
NEONPILS99 calls 240

I bet because he checked. I probably bet here regardless because I bet…that’s what I do.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2c 6d As 4h Kh] [5d]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [4c Jh 5s] [Ts]
NEONPILS99 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
NEONPILS99 has 15 seconds left to act
NEONPILS99 folds
Uncalled bet of 240 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,160)

He finally gives it up.

After the first 2 hours I have my above average stack and I’m ready to roll.

PE's FTOPS Razz.....part 1

3 hours, 33 minutes, 28 seconds. That’s the amount of time I put in last night in the FTOPS Razz. It was a game of bitter sweetness as I felt I played well all night except for one hand where I melted down. I have a few hands I’m going to post showing how close I truly was to having a great run instead of being knocked out in the top 30 %.

I can’t complain about the starting cards I had. I played about 21% of the hands and only played non-premium cards a few times based on my opponent. I did run into my share of bricks that kept me from continuing with good starts. But we all have those. This really reflects what I did or didn’t do that could have made a difference.

This first one is early but sets the tone of my game for the night.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5257618335: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 20/40 Ante 3 - Limit Razz - 21:07:38 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (3,124)
Seat 6: PAJAY (2,962)
pokerenthusiast antes 3
PAJAY antes 3
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2s 8h] [5s]
Dealt to PAJAY [8s]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 20
Volgon (Observer): Go Pokerenthusiast!
PAJAY calls 20

I will raise here most times. I was in late position and folded to me. He has an 8 so we are basically tied. Notice past KORD Champion volgon giving me a shout out. Thanks man.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2s 8h 5s] [6s]
Dealt to PAJAY [8s] [4c]
pokerenthusiast: thanks man
pokerenthusiast bets 20
PAJAY calls 20

I have to see where I am at. This card means nothing to either of us.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2s 8h 5s 6s] [2h]
Dealt to PAJAY [8s 4c] [9h]
pokerenthusiast bets 40
PAJAY calls 40

I bet to represent the made 8 and get called.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2s 8h 5s 6s 2h] [Qd]
Dealt to PAJAY [8s 4c 9h] [Kh]
pokerenthusiast bets 40
PAJAY calls 40

I brick again and fire another bullet. He is clearly chasing but I am behind.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2s 8h 5s 6s 2h Qd] [8d]
pokerenthusiast bets 40
PAJAY calls 40

I brick for a 3rd time and fire out because I only win if he folds.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [8h 8d 5s 6s 2h Qd 2s] Q,8,6,5,2
PAJAY wins the pot (349) with 9,8,7,4,3

Not a huge pot but he continued to be a thorn for much of my night.

I get a little back from nemesis a little later with this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5257876757: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 30/60 Ante 5 - Limit Razz - 21:29:01 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,584)
Seat 6: PAJAY (3,141)
pokerenthusiast antes 5
PAJAY antes 5
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4c 7h] [6s]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 30
PAJAY raises to 60
pokerenthusiast calls 30

My read on him at this point is that he will re-raise if he has three cards under your door card. He has done this many times already.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4c 7h 6s] [7c]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s] [Kd]
pokerenthusiast bets 30
PAJAY calls 30

I appear to hit well while he bricks so I bet. This is standard in razz.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4c 7h 6s 7c] [4h]
Dealt to PAJAY [5s Kd] [Jh]
pokerenthusiast bets 60
PAJAY folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (230)

I pair again and fire cuz only a moron calls against my board. He isn’t a moron.

In another early hand, I get involved with a very active player. He was seeing a lot of hands so I am willing to take a chance against him if the time is right.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5257945142: FTOPS Event #14 (35827619), Table 46 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 21:34:41 ET - 2008/02/14
Seat 5: pokerenthusiast (2,738)
Seat 7: NEONPILS99 (2,932)
pokerenthusiast antes 7
NEONPILS99 antes 7
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 2s] [5c]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [As]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 40
NEONPILS99 raises to 80
pokerenthusiast calls 40

Another re-raiser maybe trying to isolate.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 2s 5c] [Ah]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [As] [Qh]
pokerenthusiast bets 40
NEONPILS99 calls 40

I’m willing to go deep with this hand now and fire at his Q…If he has a real good low, he will call.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3d 2s 5c Ah] [Qc]
Dealt to NEONPILS99 [As Qh] [2h]
NEONPILS99 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 80
NEONPILS99 folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (306)

I fire with my Q to see where I’m at. I needed to see if he bricked. He did and he folded.

I will post a bit more of the action later today.

FTOPS Razz

I made a pretty good run in the FTOPS Razz tourney last night but fell a little short of the money. I will post a few hands from the tourney this weekend.

A Sat for FTOPS Razz

It didn’t stat off well. As I left work, I called home to find out that Comcast was throwing me a bad beat. It seems that all of the services that they provide to us were down and that it could be hours before they get it restored. I don’t have a lot of warm fuzzy feelings for the quality of their services and with the satellite for the FTOPS Razz event starting in 3 and ½ hours, I wasn’t sure what to do. I called up surf to see if I could send him the buy-in and have him play it for me. He already has a seat so he could win the cash and send it back to me for my buy-in. In the end everything worked out ok as all services were running well before game time.

The tourney had 156 runners with 24 getting a seat and 25th getting a little something for their effort. As it began I found a tight table with only one player being willing to over play some hands. I missed a lot of flops until I hit this hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5246803727: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 8 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 23:09:01 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: specialfrank (1,551)
Seat 2: Anje (2,754)
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (2,425)
Seat 4: reallySCARYname (4,604)
Seat 5: Piero49 (3,114)
Seat 6: jeciimd (4,140)
Seat 7: AndyGunn (314), is sitting out
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast (1,758)
specialfrank antes 25
Anje antes 25
JohnnyGstaks antes 25
reallySCARYname antes 25
Piero49 antes 25
jeciimd antes 25
AndyGunn antes 25
pokerenthusiast antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [6d]
Dealt to Anje [Jc]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [Jd]
Dealt to reallySCARYname [4s]
Dealt to Piero49 [2s]
Dealt to jeciimd [Qh]
Dealt to AndyGunn [4c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 4d] [7s]
jeciimd is high with [Qh]
jeciimd brings in for 50
AndyGunn folds
pokerenthusiast completes it to 150
specialfrank has 15 seconds left to act
specialfrank folds
Anje folds
JohnnyGstaks folds
reallySCARYname folds
Piero49 raises to 300
jeciimd folds
pokerenthusiast calls 150

This player liked to re-raise hands. Much of the time he had a little something but it didn’t mean I was going to fold a 7.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Piero49 [2s] [7h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 4d 7s] [8s]
Piero49 bets 150
pokerenthusiast calls 150

He continues to be aggressive. I may be a little behind but I’m not sure. With my tight play he may have thought he could buy it.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Piero49 [2s 7h] [7d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 4d 7s 8s] [8c]
Piero49 bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

This was a little questionable by me but I have come this far and neither of us has a made hand yet.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Piero49 [2s 7h 7d] [Kd]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 4d 7s 8s 8c] [Qs]
Piero49 checks
pokerenthusiast bets 300
Piero49 calls 300

He checks here and I smell weakness. Maybe he tripped up his 7. Probably not but didn’t want to bet his vulnerable hand that was behind.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 4d 7s 8s 8c Qs] [Th]
Piero49 checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I will check call a hand that I maybe should have gotten way from.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [Th 4d 7s 8s 8c Qs 2d] T,8,7,4,2
Piero49 mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (2,350) with T,8,7,4,2
Piero49: lol
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,350 | Rake 0
Seat 1: specialfrank folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Anje folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: reallySCARYname folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: Piero49 mucked [Qc 5s 2s 7h 7d Kd 3s] - Q,7,5,3,2
Seat 6: jeciimd folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: AndyGunn folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast showed [Th 4d 7s 8s 8c Qs 2d] and won (2,350) with T,8,7,4,2

He bricked worse than I and I win a big hand.

I stayed around 3300 chips for a long time. I needed a hand but kept in it with a steal here and a walk there. Eventually I found a nice playable hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5247169090: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 1 - 300/600 Ante 50 - Limit Razz - 23:38:21 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 2: spykes00 (7,921)
Seat 3: BigMich08 (5,414)
Seat 4: bmqball (5,253)
Seat 5: payne1 (2,607)
Seat 6: CaneckCaneck (6,235)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (3,343)
Seat 8: drkneenie (3,059)
spykes00 antes 50
BigMich08 antes 50
bmqball antes 50
payne1 antes 50
CaneckCaneck antes 50
pokerenthusiast antes 50
drkneenie antes 50
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to spykes00 [6d]
Dealt to BigMich08 [Qh]
Dealt to bmqball [5h]
Dealt to payne1 [Qc]
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [Td]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [As Ad] [3h]
Dealt to drkneenie [Ks]
drkneenie is high with [Ks]
drkneenie has 15 seconds left to act
hearts2u sits down
hearts2u adds 1,935
drkneenie brings in for 100
spykes00 completes it to 300
BigMich08 folds
bmqball folds
payne1 folds
CaneckCaneck folds
pokerenthusiast calls 300
drkneenie folds

spykes00 bets out in first position in his aggressive way. I have played with him a bit and floated with AA3.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to spykes00 [6d] [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [As Ad 3h] [7d]
spykes00 bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

Standard bet by him here. Doesn’t mean he has anything so I call. I look to have a 7 going.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to spykes00 [6d 4h] [Th]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [As Ad 3h 7d] [8c]
pokerenthusiast bets 600
spykes00 calls 600

I take the lead…kind of and bet it out. I want to show that I like my hand and that his T sucks. He is behind an 8 so I was hoping to take it down.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to spykes00 [6d 4h Th] [Kh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [As Ad 3h 7d 8c] [Qs]
pokerenthusiast bets 600
spykes00 folds
Uncalled bet of 600 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (2,850)

I had to bet now. Calling with his hand is questionable but not out of the question. Playing tight has paid off as I get him to fold.

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,850 | Rake 0
Seat 2: spykes00 folded on 6th St.
Seat 3: BigMich08 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: bmqball folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: payne1 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: CaneckCaneck folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast collected (2,850), mucked
Seat 8: drkneenie folded on 3rd St.

The hand that really got me there was the one that put me in the top 10.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5247296683: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Razz - 23:49:02 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 2: spykes00 (8,146)
Seat 3: BigMich08 (3,639)
Seat 4: bmqball (4,578)
Seat 5: payne1 (2,257)
Seat 6: CaneckCaneck (10,160)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (3,718)
Seat 8: drkneenie (1,684)
spykes00 antes 75
BigMich08 antes 75
bmqball antes 75
payne1 antes 75
CaneckCaneck antes 75
pokerenthusiast antes 75
drkneenie antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to spykes00 [3s]
Dealt to BigMich08 [Ks]
Dealt to bmqball [3c]
Dealt to payne1 [Js]
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [7c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2s] [3h]
Dealt to drkneenie [Jd]
BigMich08 is high with [Ks]
BigMich08 brings in for 100
bmqball folds
payne1 folds
CaneckCaneck calls 100
pokerenthusiast completes it to 400
drkneenie has 15 seconds left to act
ema_aa88 sits down
ema_aa88 adds 9,904
drkneenie folds
spykes00 folds
BigMich08 folds
CaneckCaneck calls 300

With a good starting hand, I will not let players limp.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [7c] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2s 3h] [Ac]
pokerenthusiast bets 400
CaneckCaneck calls 400

I am very happy with this hand and figure he calls my ace figuring I bricked.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [7c Kc] [Ad]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2s 3h Ac] [Td]
pokerenthusiast bets 800
CaneckCaneck calls 800

I am ahead but not by much. He has a big stack and calls me down.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [7c Kc Ad] [Th]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2s 3h Ac Td] [As]
CaneckCaneck bets 800
pokerenthusiast raises to 1,600
CaneckCaneck raises to 2,400
pokerenthusiast calls 443, and is all in
CaneckCaneck shows [4h 3d 7c Kc Ad Th]
pokerenthusiast shows [6c 2s 3h Ac Td As]
Uncalled bet of 357 returned to CaneckCaneck

This might have been a mistake by getting it all in but I was clearly ahead and had the better draw. Time for a double I hope.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to CaneckCaneck [4h 3d 7c Kc Ad Th] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6c 2s 3h Ac Td As] [Tc]
CaneckCaneck shows [4h 3d 7c Kc Ad Th 4d] T,7,4,3,A
pokerenthusiast shows [6c 2s 3h Ac Td As Tc] T,6,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (7,911) with T,6,3,2,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7,911 | Rake 0
Seat 2: spykes00 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: BigMich08 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: bmqball folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: payne1 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: CaneckCaneck showed [4h 3d 7c Kc Ad Th 4d] and lost with T,7,4,3,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [6c 2s 3h Ac Td As Tc] and won (7,911) with T,6,3,2,A
Seat 8: drkneenie folded on 3rd St.


From this point on I chipped up some more and eventually out lasted the field to get a seat. I had the pleasure of sitting with Jude and Jeciimd for part tourney but won’t be playing them today in event 14 unless they win a sat or buy in. Jude never hit a hand and Jeci got hit with a suck out that crippled his nice stack. And even though I won a seat, I hope to play a little more solid tonight.

Also, good luck surf.

FTOPS Event 14 Tonight

I'll be playing in the FTOPS Event #14 tonight on Full Tilt.

Congrats to PokerEnthusiast on winning his seat as well.
I was watching PE and Jude last night in the satellite and pulling for them. Jude ran in to some really tough breaks in the early going. I feel they both played a solid game and made a fantastic showing for the BTN crew.

How I Outlasted 5 Whole People in the FTOPS Sat (Jude)

Yep, 5!

As I sat at the computer scratching my head over my ridiculously early exit from the FTOPS Razz sat, I decided to go through the hands to see if I could've done anything differently. My conclusion? I still don't know. I played few hands, but the ones I did go with burned me. It really came down to these 4 hands. Sometimes the cards just don't fall your way, I guess. So disappointing.....

Full Tilt Poker Game #5245833056: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 8 - 30/60 Ante 5 - Limit Razz - 21:55:49 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: specialfrank (2,190)
Seat 2: Ozzinho (1,780)
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (2,425)
Seat 4: reallySCARYname (2,195)
Seat 5: Piero49 (1,930)
Seat 6: jeciimd (1,655)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (1,825)
specialfrank antes 5
Ozzinho antes 5
JohnnyGstaks antes 5
reallySCARYname antes 5
Piero49 antes 5
jeciimd antes 5
JudeSalem antes 5
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [Th]
Dealt to Ozzinho [6h]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [6d]
Dealt to reallySCARYname [3d]
Dealt to Piero49 [7d]
Dealt to jeciimd [Qd]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2c] [As]
jeciimd is high with [Qd]
JudeSalem: lol
jeciimd has 15 seconds left to act
jeciimd brings in for 10
JudeSalem completes it to 30
specialfrank folds
Ozzinho raises to 60
surflexus (Observer): lol
JohnnyGstaks folds
reallySCARYname folds
Piero49 folds
jeciimd folds
JudeSalem calls 30
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Ozzinho [6h] [4h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2c As] [8d]
Ozzinho bets 30
jeciimd: :)
JudeSalem calls 30
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Ozzinho [6h 4h] [Ad]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2c As 8d] [8c]
Ozzinho bets 60
JudeSalem has 15 seconds left to act
JudeSalem folds
Uncalled bet of 60 returned to Ozzinho
Ozzinho mucks
Ozzinho wins the pot (225)
The limits are now 40/80 with an ante of 7
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 225 Rake 0
Seat 1: specialfrank folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Ozzinho collected (225), mucked
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: reallySCARYname folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: Piero49 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: jeciimd folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: JudeSalem folded on 5th St.


Full Tilt Poker Game #5246067915: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 8 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:13:36 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: specialfrank (2,351)
Seat 2: Ozzinho (1,391)
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (2,435)
Seat 4: reallySCARYname (2,464)
Seat 5: Piero49 (1,629)
Seat 6: jeciimd (2,223)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (1,507)
specialfrank antes 10
Ozzinho antes 10
JohnnyGstaks antes 10
reallySCARYname antes 10
Piero49 antes 10
jeciimd antes 10
JudeSalem antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [3c]
Dealt to Ozzinho [9s]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [7c]
Dealt to reallySCARYname [Qh]
Dealt to Piero49 [Qs]
Dealt to jeciimd [5h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2s] [3h]
Piero49 is high with [Qs]
Piero49 brings in for 15
jeciimd folds
JudeSalem completes it to 50
specialfrank raises to 100
Ozzinho folds
JohnnyGstaks folds
reallySCARYname folds
Piero49 folds
JudeSalem calls 50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [3c] [4s]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2s 3h] [3s]
specialfrank bets 50
JudeSalem calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [3c 4s] [Kd]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2s 3h 3s] [4h]
specialfrank bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [3c 4s Kd] [5c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2s 3h 3s 4h] [Tc]
specialfrank bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [5s 2s 3h 3s 4h Tc] [2h]
specialfrank bets 100
JudeSalem has 15 seconds left to act
JudeSalem folds
Uncalled bet of 100 returned to specialfrank
specialfrank mucks
specialfrank wins the pot (785)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 785 Rake 0
Seat 1: specialfrank collected (785), mucked
Seat 2: Ozzinho folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: reallySCARYname folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: Piero49 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: jeciimd folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: JudeSalem folded on 7th St.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5246082996: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 8 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:14:43 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: specialfrank (2,776)
Seat 2: Ozzinho (1,381)
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (2,425)
Seat 4: reallySCARYname (2,454)
Seat 5: Piero49 (1,604)
Seat 6: jeciimd (2,213)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (1,147)
specialfrank antes 10
Ozzinho antes 10
JohnnyGstaks antes 10
reallySCARYname antes 10
Piero49 antes 10
jeciimd antes 10
JudeSalem antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [9s]
Dealt to Ozzinho [6s]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [4d]
Dealt to reallySCARYname [6d]
Dealt to Piero49 [6c]
Dealt to jeciimd [9c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5d Ad] [6h]
specialfrank is high with [9s]
specialfrank brings in for 15
Ozzinho folds
JohnnyGstaks folds
reallySCARYname completes it to 50
Piero49 raises to 100
jeciimd folds
JudeSalem calls 100
specialfrank folds
reallySCARYname calls 50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to reallySCARYname [6d] [4s]
Dealt to Piero49 [6c] [Kh]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5d Ad 6h] [8h]
reallySCARYname has 15 seconds left to act
reallySCARYname bets 50
Piero49 folds
JudeSalem calls 50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to reallySCARYname [6d 4s] [3h]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5d Ad 6h 8h] [3c]
reallySCARYname bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to reallySCARYname [6d 4s 3h] [4c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [5d Ad 6h 8h 3c] [Ah]
JudeSalem checks
reallySCARYname bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to JudeSalem [5d Ad 6h 8h 3c Ah] [Qd]
JudeSalem checks
reallySCARYname has 15 seconds left to act
reallySCARYname bets 100
JudeSalem calls 100
*** SHOW DOWN ***
reallySCARYname shows [Td 7c 6d 4s 3h 4c As] 7,6,4,3,A
JudeSalem mucks
reallySCARYname wins the pot (1,085) with 7,6,4,3,A
The limits are now 60/120 with an ante of 10
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,085 Rake 0
Seat 1: specialfrank folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Ozzinho folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: reallySCARYname showed [Td 7c 6d 4s 3h 4c As] and won (1,085) with 7,6,4,3,A
Seat 5: Piero49 folded on 4th St.
Seat 6: jeciimd folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: JudeSalem mucked [Qd 5d 6h 8h 3c Ah Ad] - 8,6,5,3,A


Full Tilt Poker Game #5246231481: Satellite to FTOPS Event #14 (37688810), Table 8 - 60/120 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:25:40 ET - 2008/02/13
Seat 1: specialfrank (2,821)
Seat 2: Ozzinho (711)
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks (2,595)
Seat 4: reallySCARYname (3,059)
Seat 5: Piero49 (2,124)
Seat 6: jeciimd (2,193)
Seat 7: JudeSalem (497)
specialfrank antes 10
Ozzinho antes 10
JohnnyGstaks antes 10
reallySCARYname antes 10
Piero49 antes 10
jeciimd antes 10
JudeSalem antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to specialfrank [Tc]
Dealt to Ozzinho [Jc]
Dealt to JohnnyGstaks [Ah]
Dealt to reallySCARYname [7h]
Dealt to Piero49 [Ad]
Dealt to jeciimd [2s]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7d 2c] [6s]
Ozzinho is high with [Jc]
Ozzinho brings in for 20
JohnnyGstaks has 15 seconds left to act
JohnnyGstaks completes it to 60
reallySCARYname folds
Piero49 folds
jeciimd raises to 120
JudeSalem raises to 180
specialfrank folds
Ozzinho folds
pokerenthusiast sits down
pokerenthusiast adds 2,192
JohnnyGstaks has 15 seconds left to act
JohnnyGstaks folds
jeciimd calls 60
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to jeciimd [2s] [Kh]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7d 2c 6s] [Qc]
pokerenthusiast: hey jecii
JudeSalem bets 60
jeciimd calls 60
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to jeciimd [2s Kh] [3c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7d 2c 6s Qc] [2h]
JudeSalem bets 120
jeciimd raises to 240
JudeSalem raises to 247, and is all in
jeciimd calls 7
JudeSalem shows [7d 2c 6s Qc 2h]
jeciimd shows [7s 4s 2s Kh 3c]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to jeciimd [7s 4s 2s Kh 3c] [5c]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7d 2c 6s Qc 2h] [Jd]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to jeciimd [7s 4s 2s Kh 3c 5c] [As]
Dealt to JudeSalem [7d 2c 6s Qc 2h Jd] [9c]
JudeSalem shows [7d 2c 6s Qc 2h Jd 9c] J,9,7,6,2
jeciimd shows [7s 4s 2s Kh 3c 5c As] 5,4,3,2,A
jeciimd wins the pot (1,124) with 5,4,3,2,A
JudeSalem stands up
The limits are now 80/160 with an ante of 15
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,124 Rake 0
Seat 1: specialfrank folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Ozzinho folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: JohnnyGstaks folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: reallySCARYname folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: Piero49 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: jeciimd showed [7s 4s 2s Kh 3c 5c As] and won (1,124) with 5,4,3,2,A
Seat 7: JudeSalem showed [7d 2c 6s Qc 2h Jd 9c] and lost with J,9,7,6,2

Knocked out by none other than Aussie Millions Jeciimd. :) The End.

What is the Right Level to Play in Cash

As I've been playing much more Razz cash games I thought I would talk about staying within your self and finding the right limit for you.

Being kind of new to the cash tables, I have been tracking all of my play at each level to see if there are any indications that could show why I am doing well or sucking it up. What I have found id kind of interesting and shows that I should be playing at a certain level in my honest opinion.

The first thing is Time at the tables. I have the total table time at each level as one of my indicators so I can track rate per hour. But, what I've seen is the majority of my play at .50/1 and 1/2. Well over half of my table time has been spent here with most of it at 1/2. I also have my best rates at these levels so this shows to me that I am comfortable playing here. My average session length is also longer at these two levels then at the others I have played. At .25/.50 My sessions have been very short and I think this is indicative of boredom or indifference. They buy in is such small portion of my bankroll that I feel no desire to stay focused and exploit the bad play. This isn't always the case but I found that watching tv became more important then watching the table. At 2/4 and 3/6 I had some success but because I wasn't in my comfort zone, I would be willing to cut my losses instead of grinding back the profits. The monetary swings are a little more than I'm ready for right now. I will continue to take shots at both of these levels.

So with 2000 plus hands and .50/1 and 1/2, I'm running well at about 3.5 BB/100 hands. I have to play a lot more to see if I can keep this up but I think I can do this with my reads and note taking. There are many players that I have good notes on and they continue to play hands the same way without switching gears.

So how do I change my comfort zone? Like I said, I will take some shots from time to time at some bigger games. I'm trying to stick to playing a level if I have 400 BB so to play 1/2, I will need to have at least 800 dollars. To play 2/4, I will have to have 1600. Deviation to this will be based on open tables and the players at those tables. If there is a good 3/6 table going, I will be more than willing to jump in but maybe at a limited basis. I think I need to be a little more non-caring about the money on the table so these shots will help me get there.

Tilting The Table

In some games, it can be very profitable to tilt the table. I don't think that's so much the case in Razz. One of the ways you can tilt a table is by playing a few hands strongly when you are behind and getting lucky and winning a big pot or two. In hold em this works well because you can then adjust your game to capitalize on your opponents lack of respect for your future holdings. I don't think this works near as well in Razz where the players tend to remain steady and play the game one hand at a time and much less on emotion but it still has a little merit to it. Here are a few examples of me donking it up for your amusement:

Full Tilt Poker Game #5207247735: Table Seven Hills - $1/$2 Ante $0.20 - Limit Razz - 23:01:54 ET - 2008/02/10
Seat 1: CORNCOBBFLOP ($30.35)
Seat 2: Futher Mucker ($18.45)
Seat 3: koldhard ($109.25)
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast ($39.60)
Seat 5: SirFWALGMan ($13.30)
Seat 6: surflexus ($48.50)
Seat 7: Trendkill03 ($9.60)
Seat 8: Ramjet86 ($33.20)
SirFWALGMan antes $0.20
CORNCOBBFLOP antes $0.20
Trendkill03 antes $0.20
Futher Mucker antes $0.20
koldhard antes $0.20
Ramjet86 antes $0.20
surflexus antes $0.20
pokerenthusiast antes $0.20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to CORNCOBBFLOP [8d]
Dealt to Futher Mucker [3s]
Dealt to koldhard [Jc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9d]
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [4h]
Dealt to surflexus [5h Ac] [4s] <--I don't slow play with 3 to a 5.
Dealt to Trendkill03 [5c]
Dealt to Ramjet86 [8s]
koldhard is high with [Jc]
koldhard brings in for $0.25
pokerenthusiast folds
SirFWALGMan completes it to $1 <-- He could be making this move with anything.
surflexus raises to $2 <-- I reraise to let him know I have premium starting cards.
Trendkill03 folds
Ramjet86 folds
CORNCOBBFLOP folds
Futher Mucker folds
koldhard folds
SirFWALGMan raises to $3
surflexus raises to $4 <-- Razz players typically don't like capped pots without a made hand so this is where I make my "Tilt the table" move.
SirFWALGMan calls $1
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [4h] [6s]
Dealt to surflexus [5h Ac 4s] [Qs]
SirFWALGMan bets $1
surflexus calls $1 <-- I can feel the other players licking their chops and making notes.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [4h 6s] [Qd]
Dealt to surflexus [5h Ac 4s Qs] [Ts]
SirFWALGMan bets $2
surflexus calls $2
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to SirFWALGMan [4h 6s Qd] [Qc]
Dealt to surflexus [5h Ac 4s Qs Ts] [As]
surflexus bets $2 <-- I continue to play the role and bet out.
SirFWALGMan calls $2
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [5h Ac 4s Qs Ts As] [Td]
surflexus bets $2 <-- No way do I feel like I'm really ahead here but I make one last stab at the pot for maximum effect.
SirFWALGMan calls $2
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [Td 5h 4s Qs Ts As Ac] Q,T,5,4,A
SirFWALGMan mucks
surflexus wins the pot ($22.85) with Q,T,5,4,A
SirFWALGMan mucked [Jh 6d 4h 6s Qd Qc Ah] - Q,J,6,4,A
The table depletes after this.

Example 2:
Full Tilt Poker Game #5208613714: Table Spring Mountain - $0.50/$1 Ante $0.10 - Limit Razz - 0:57:21 ET - 2008/02/11
Seat 1: surflexus ($29.45)
Seat 2: InstantTragedy ($21.25)
Seat 7: VictoRev ($5.50)
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast ($594.80)
InstantTragedy antes $0.10
VictoRev antes $0.10
surflexus antes $0.10
pokerenthusiast antes $0.10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s 3d] [Qs]
Dealt to InstantTragedy [Jh]
Dealt to VictoRev [6h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9d]
surflexus is high with [Qs]
surflexus brings in for $0.15
InstantTragedy folds
VictoRev completes it to $0.50
pokerenthusiast raises to $1
surflexus raises to $1.50 <-- 3 betting with "The Jordan"
VictoRev calls $1
pokerenthusiast raises to $2
surflexus calls $0.50
VictoRev calls $0.50
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s 3d Qs] [6s]
Dealt to VictoRev [6h] [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9d] [Ks]
VictoRev bets $0.50
pokerenthusiast raises to $1
surflexus raises to $1.50 <-- Again I 3 bet with a queen showing.
VictoRev raises to $2
pokerenthusiast calls $1
surflexus calls $0.50
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s 3d Qs 6s] [Ac]
Dealt to VictoRev [6h 4h] [7d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9d Ks] [6d]
VictoRev bets $1
pokerenthusiast raises to $2
surflexus raises to $3 <-- My hand is getting much better and I have a legitimate draw now. Victo could be ahead but PE is not and there is going to be a side pot.
VictoRev calls $0.40, and is all in
pokerenthusiast calls $1
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s 3d Qs 6s Ac] [8h]
Dealt to VictoRev [6h 4h 7d] [2d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [9d Ks 6d] [5d]
pokerenthusiast bets $1
surflexus raises to $2 <-- I'm ahead in the side pot now but he probably thinks I paired.
pokerenthusiast calls $1
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to surflexus [4s 3d Qs 6s Ac 8h] [6c]
pokerenthusiast checks
surflexus bets $1 He had very few outs to draw out on me so I continue to press even though it's a possibility I'm behind.
pokerenthusiast calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
surflexus shows [6c 4s Qs 6s Ac 8h 3d] 8,6,4,3,A
pokerenthusiast mucks
surflexus wins the side pot ($9.20) with 8,6,4,3,A
VictoRev mucks
surflexus wins the main pot ($16.10) with 8,6,4,3,A
VictoRev is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $25.80 Main pot $16.60. Side pot $9.20.
Rake $0.50
Seat 1: surflexus showed [6c 4s Qs 6s Ac 8h 3d] and won ($25.30) with 8,6,4,3,A
Seat 2: InstantTragedy folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: VictoRev mucked [Kc Ts 6h 4h 7d 2d 9s] - 9,7,6,4,2
Seat 8: pokerenthusiast mucked [8c 5s 9d Ks 6d 5d 3h] - 9,8,6,5,3

Playing this way gives you two advantages in future hands with these opponents. They will probably not bluff against you much knowing you are probably not going to fold. They will pay you off when you have a hand. They will be likely to not give you credit for a great hand. It is critical to know your own table image and use it to your advantage.

The Walls of the Castle Came Down

That’s right folks…after a run of bubble finishes and disappointment I made a nice run and ended in 3rd in the 2K Razz. It started out slowly but I hit a couple of big hands and stayed away from trouble. I had a super donkey at my table that tried to knock me out a couple times but he doubled me up at the right time and put me in 2ndas the bubble broke. I’ll post a hand or two on this later.

I knew I was due with the deepish runs I was getting. As many of you know, tournament razz is a game of being in position to get lucky when it gets late. Survival meets opportunity might be the right way to describe it and that’s what happened this time. I did also play the 1K on Stars but continued my run of made 6s being beat with two more smacking me in the face. I don’t know this can happen so often but it seems to be killing me right now.

I’ll post the hand histories later this weekend.

Gonna Try and Storm the Castle

I've stayed away from the tables most of this week. I did play the $5 Razz tourney on FT but did get any love. I think I played ok but couldn't catch any breaks what so ever. It happens some times and I have to stay focused on playing correctly and letting things happen. I think I fall into the trap of trying to force things sometimes. That is a method of play but not really my style. I honestly think I can go deep in any tournament I play if I play my game so I just have to stay on top of it.

I will probably play a little tonight. I'm looking at the Stars tourney, the 2K on FT and probably the $5 one later on. I may also throw in the daily double for some hold'em action but that depends on how the other events are going.

I did have a high note the other night. I was playing in a HORSE tourney the other night and ended up with Richard Brodie at my table. He had a nice stack while mine was smallish. Anyway, HORSE tourneys can change quickly and it did for me. I hit rolled up kings on a couple of hands during stud and they held up. As the game continued we moved to Omaha h/l and it is fold to me on the button. Richard is in the BB so I raise it up. He is now a short stack and I have a chance at the bounty. So, we get all our money in the middle and my weakish hand holds up vs. his weaker hand. I get a t-shirt.

Thats it for me...Have a great weekend.

Being Vulnerable

I had the bright idea to play the $5 Razz tourney last night. I realized it wasn't to smart after a series of three hands knocked me out. The third one was really just a position of needing chips so I was willing to gamble a little but the other two were both by the same guy and he was a guy who was willing to chase. I really can't blame him in the first one...well I can but...here it is.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5138390357: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (38943996), Table 3 - 40/80 Ante 7 - Limit Razz - 22:05:24 ET - 2008/02/05
Seat 1: 33Kirby33 (3,371)
Seat 2: Krugern (385)
Seat 3: SANDRA615 (1,419)
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast (1,234)
Seat 5: robertshoe (1,641)
Seat 6: CALMJ (759)
Seat 7: DeadRishi (2,054)
Seat 8: all on black (2,275)
33Kirby33 antes 7
Krugern antes 7
SANDRA615 antes 7
pokerenthusiast antes 7
robertshoe antes 7
CALMJ antes 7
DeadRishi antes 7
all on black antes 7
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to 33Kirby33 [3s]
Dealt to Krugern [Kd]
Dealt to SANDRA615 [7c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 7s] [5c]
Dealt to robertshoe [2d]
Dealt to CALMJ [5d]
Dealt to DeadRishi [2h]
Dealt to all on black [4s]
Krugern is high with [Kd]
Krugern brings in for 10
SANDRA615 folds
pokerenthusiast completes it to 40
robertshoe raises to 80
CALMJ has 15 seconds left to act
CALMJ calls 80
DeadRishi folds
all on black raises to 120
33Kirby33 folds
Krugern folds
pokerenthusiast calls 80
robertshoe calls 40
CALMJ calls 40

I really hate this making the pot big so early in a hand but I am going to see a flop. The may be holding my outs but I want to see one.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 7s 5c] [8s]
Dealt to robertshoe [2d] [5h]
Dealt to CALMJ [5d] [Jc]
Dealt to all on black [4s] [Qh]
robertshoe bets 40
CALMJ calls 40
all on black calls 40
pokerenthusiast calls 40

I'm not getting away yet. There is a lot of money in the pot and nobody has a made hand. I don't like reraising the 2nd best hand here so I only call.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 7s 5c 8s] [4c]
Dealt to robertshoe [2d 5h] [9h]
Dealt to CALMJ [5d Jc] [Th]
Dealt to all on black [4s Qh] [Ac]
pokerenthusiast bets 80
robertshoe calls 80
CALMJ calls 80
all on black calls 80

I am in the lead and will always lead out in this situation. I want them to pay to see the next card.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 7s 5c 8s 4c] [7h]
Dealt to robertshoe [2d 5h 9h] [Ts]
Dealt to CALMJ [5d Jc Th] [Tc]
Dealt to all on black [4s Qh Ac] [Qc]
pokerenthusiast bets 80
robertshoe calls 80
CALMJ folds
all on black calls 80

I stay the same but it looks like a actually improve. I bet again and get called down. Both players are chasing good draws better then my 8 and maybe better then my 7 if it hits.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6d 7s 5c 8s 4c 7h] [3c]
pokerenthusiast bets 80
robertshoe raises to 160
all on black folds
pokerenthusiast calls 80

I improve but get reraised. A check call may have been better as the only player that raises me probably has me beat.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
robertshoe shows [7d 4d 2d 5h 9h Ts As] 7,5,4,2,A
pokerenthusiast: n catch
pokerenthusiast mucks
robertshoe wins the pot (1,586) with 7,5,4,2,A
The limits are now 50/100 with an ante of 10
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,586 | Rake 0
Seat 1: 33Kirby33 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Krugern folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: SANDRA615 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast mucked [7s 6d 5c 8s 4c 7h 3c] - 7,6,5,4,3
Seat 5: robertshoe showed [7d 4d 2d 5h 9h Ts As] and won (1,586) with 7,5,4,2,A
Seat 6: CALMJ folded on 6th St.
Seat 7: DeadRishi folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: all on black folded on 7th St.

He hit a better 7 and I lose a nice size pot. I think he had odds to chase here with all that money in the pot. I may also chase here. Nice hand for him and bad luck for me. The chat was interesting after the hand.

pokerenthusiast: n catch (and I meant it. I was vulnerable)
robertshoe: sorry =/
pokerenthusiast: no your not
pokerenthusiast: or you would have folded
pokerenthusiast: :)
robertshoe: to some extent, i don't like dishing out bbs :(

Really wasn't that bad a beat.

Anyway, I had this hand with him later and I think I made one mistake though I don't think he folds. He hadn't folded anything vs. anyone up to this point.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5138476200: $5 + $0.50 Tournament (38943996), Table 3 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Razz - 22:11:41 ET - 2008/02/05
Seat 1: 33Kirby33 (2,599)
Seat 2: Krugern (218)
Seat 3: SANDRA615 (1,012)
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast (682)
Seat 5: robertshoe (2,540)
Seat 7: DeadRishi (2,377)
Seat 8: all on black (3,710)
33Kirby33 antes 10
Krugern antes 10
SANDRA615 antes 10
pokerenthusiast antes 10
robertshoe antes 10
DeadRishi antes 10
all on black antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to 33Kirby33 [9d]
Dealt to Krugern [Td]
Dealt to SANDRA615 [Jd]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 8d] [2c]
Dealt to robertshoe [2h]
Dealt to DeadRishi [Tc]
Dealt to all on black [3h]
SANDRA615 is high with [Jd]
SANDRA615 brings in for 15
pokerenthusiast completes it to 50
robertshoe raises to 100
DeadRishi folds
all on black calls 100
33Kirby33 folds
Krugern has 15 seconds left to act
Krugern folds
SANDRA615 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 50

I bet call here as agro man reraises again. With a shorter stack I was willing to call with my 8 behind and take a chance.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 8d 2c] [7h]
Dealt to robertshoe [2h] [8h]
Dealt to all on black [3h] [6s]
all on black checks
pokerenthusiast bets 50
robertshoe raises to 100
all on black calls 100
pokerenthusiast calls 50

I get reraised my Mr. Agro lucksac.
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 8d 2c 7h] [4c]
Dealt to robertshoe [2h 8h] [6d]
Dealt to all on black [3h 6s] [Qs]
pokerenthusiast checks
robertshoe bets 100
all on black folds
pokerenthusiast calls 100

Here I should have reraised or folded. I think I can make an argument either way. With 724 showing I could represent a made 7 but with my short stack I don't think he folds. He also appears to have a better hand.


*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 8d 2c 7h 4c] [3d]
Dealt to robertshoe [2h 8h 6d] [7c]
pokerenthusiast has 15 seconds left to act
pokerenthusiast bets 100
robertshoe: argg
robertshoe: lol
robertshoe has 15 seconds left to act
robertshoe: 8 outs
robertshoe has requested TIME
robertshoe: prob 6
robertshoe calls 100

I bet out here trying to show the made 7 but without reraising the street before it has no merit.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [4d 8d 2c 7h 4c 3d] [8c]
pokerenthusiast bets 100
robertshoe calls 100

I pray that it holds up.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [8d 8c 2c 7h 4c 3d 4d] 8,7,4,3,2
robertshoe shows [9s 4h 2h 8h 6d 7c 3s] 7,6,4,3,2
robertshoe wins the pot (1,285) with 7,6,4,3,2
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,285 | Rake 0
Seat 1: 33Kirby33 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 2: Krugern folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: SANDRA615 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: pokerenthusiast showed [8d 8c 2c 7h 4c 3d 4d] and lost with 8,7,4,3,2
Seat 5: robertshoe showed [9s 4h 2h 8h 6d 7c 3s] and won (1,285) with 7,6,4,3,2
Seat 7: DeadRishi folded on 3rd St.
Seat 8: all on black folded on 5th St.

By his comments I think he may have already had the 7 but I'm not sure. He had raised with Ts and 9s behind and tried to use aggression to bully people. This was probably a hand I get away from if my stack is bigger.

Grinding...Is It Always Worth The Bonus?

You know its funny...I go around playing tournaments all the time and then I get a bonus offer. I chase a bonus and get lucky to break even. I think the real problem is that I have not used cash games as a way of funding for the most part. I have been playing a lot of Razz cash with mixed results. Most of those mixed results come from a couple of sessions playing way to high and taking a hit. Other than that it has been ok. But playing 3/6 Razz on a short bankroll is stupid.

Last night I three tabled some .50/1 tables and didn't have to much trouble. i missed one hand to a time out when I was involved in a big hand at another table. It was a playable hand but only marginally. The problem with playing .50/1 id that most times it is hard to find a table. Most times there is maybe one table going so I have to move up to 1/2. 1/2 is ok but I shouldn't three table it because of bankroll constraints so I have to drop back to playing two tables. I try to avoid the smaller tables unless I'm just playing around.

I was involved in a few strange hands last night that indicate that I may need to open up my stating hands a bit. I've seen so many players folding early when a call seems to be the right move. Maybe they paired up but you can't always fold to a brick on 4th street. Good players will use that to exploit you. If a player is known to fold easily, a good player will use that tendency to pick up small pots from the opponent.

Playing on Stars and January

No hand history today but I did play a couple of tourneys on Stars over the weekend. I have to say that I like there structure a lot and the players are not all that good overall. That being said I cashed in one tourney and was the bubble in the other. I was actually sitting in a final table spot in the bubble version but could quit get what I needed to finish the deal. I hit a run of medium high cards and when I had something to play with I seemed to brick. I was still sitting ok but the 5 shorties under me all doubled up. When I finally had a chance I didn't hit well enough to win.

I didn't have any money on Stars a few days ago but Surf sent me some to get started so I think I will give these a try. I'm gonna play the $1 ones for a while until I build up the roll a little bit and then try the $10 ones. It should be a lot of fun.

I did my numbers for the month of January and see that I was at +7.7% ROI in Razz MTTs. This ok but I think it should be a better number. I had a bunch of bubble finishes or near bubble and could easily hand a much better return. We will see how the next month goes. It hasn't started very well but I expect that to change.

Wow...3/6 is ...Wow

I had one of those night in that a moronic chaser raced me down when I had a solid 7 on 5th street and he drew out on me. It was a tourney so with no chance to reload I did the next best thing.. I committed more chips into the pot even though I knew i was behind. Not sure it would have made a difference because he knocked me out when I boated 2333445 and he called me down with a Q draw...yes a Q draw...If he pairs his Q I win with a better boat. Funny stuff.

I went to the 3/6 cash tables a little while later and made a small profit by just playing tight and playing my good hand hard.

Full Tilt Poker Game #5074562054: Table Fulton - $3/$6 Ante $0.50 - Limit Razz - 1:04:10 ET - 2008/02/01
Seat 1: trogde ($115.50)
Seat 2: Gerv ($53.50)
Seat 3: RHB111 ($117.50)
Seat 4: CORNCOBBFLOP ($220)
Seat 5: BeenHadStax ($343)
Seat 6: Sospiro ($71.50)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast ($129)
Seat 8: XCrewLeader ($75.50)
trogde antes $0.50
Gerv antes $0.50
BeenHadStax antes $0.50
pokerenthusiast antes $0.50
RHB111 antes $0.50
CORNCOBBFLOP antes $0.50
XCrewLeader antes $0.50
Sospiro antes $0.50
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to trogde [Ac]
Dealt to Gerv [Ad]
Dealt to RHB111 [7h]
Dealt to CORNCOBBFLOP [3d]
Dealt to BeenHadStax [9d]
Dealt to Sospiro [Td]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 7d] [4c]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [Ah]
Sospiro is high with [Td]
Sospiro brings in for $1
pokerenthusiast completes it to $3
XCrewLeader calls $3
trogde calls $3
Gerv folds
RHB111 folds
CORNCOBBFLOP folds
BeenHadStax folds
Sospiro folds

Many of these players will float behind an early caller and try to steal the pot. Any one of these players has the ability to make a call with even two big cards back.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to trogde [Ac] [7s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 7d 4c] [3s]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [Ah] [Th]
pokerenthusiast bets $3
XCrewLeader calls $3
trogde calls $3

I lead out here to find out where I stand. The 7 could be ahead but crew is behind. It is also possible that trogde has an 8 or higher behind.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to trogde [Ac 7s] [Ks]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 7d 4c 3s] [Qc]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [Ah Th] [2s]
XCrewLeader checks
trogde checks
pokerenthusiast bets $6
XCrewLeader calls $6
trogde calls $6

I bet here to see how good xcrewleader is sitting. If he has a nut low type hand H will probably re-raise me. He didn't so I think 7 draw is solid.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to trogde [Ac 7s Ks] [Jd]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6s 7d 4c 3s Qc] [6h]
Dealt to XCrewLeader [Ah Th 2s] [Kd]
pokerenthusiast bets $6
XCrewLeader folds
trogde folds
Uncalled bet of $6 returned to pokerenthusiast
pokerenthusiast mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot ($39)

With this 6 I have to bet. I look to be better even though I pair. I still have a draw to a better hand and they bricked. If they were floating me they have to lay the hand down.

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $41 | Rake $2
Seat 1: trogde folded on 6th St.
Seat 2: Gerv folded on 3rd St.
Seat 3: RHB111 folded on 3rd St.
Seat 4: CORNCOBBFLOP folded on 3rd St.
Seat 5: BeenHadStax folded on 3rd St.
Seat 6: Sospiro folded on 3rd St.
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast collected ($39), mucked
Seat 8: XCrewLeader folded on 6th St.

I have noticed some crazy call downs here as people just don't trust anyones bets. The agro players try hard to push you off hands and will pay you off a lot. I think it is important to mix it up once in a while so that you don't have an image that is overly tight. Just be willing to get away from hands that are less than top notch.