Set Under Set... Good Times

Wow, I should not have said anything about being in the top 25 as I got hammered yestereday at PL50 for almost $240. Overall, it was just one of those days as I ended up losing $164 which is about what I made yesterday. Really, it has been one of those months. I guess it hasn't been that bad except for the really painful day last week.

I flopped sets yesterday at a normal 12.5%; but I just couldn't win with them. Two set under sets is really no fun. At least one time, I donated to this fish. At least I think it was him. I flopped a set and his aces turned a set. The things I do for my readers. Turn cards were especially bad for me yesterday; but that is poker. Love it or hate it, that is how it goes sometimes. You just have to come back the next game and start over. Maybe that is why they call it the grind ;-)

Anybody raising the river on this hand?

Villian is 27/9/inf over just 11 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/346440
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $109.45
BB: $85.85
UTG: $88.75
UTG+1: $111.90
UTG+2: $39.00
MP1: $18.50
MP2: $109.80
CO: $99.05
Hero (BTN): $102.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BTN with Ac 4c
2 folds, UTG+2 raises to $2, 2 folds, CO calls $2, Hero calls $2, 2 folds

Flop: ($7.50) Ah 8s 3h (3 players)
UTG+2 bets $3.75, CO folds, Hero calls $3.75

Turn: ($15.00) Kd (2 players)
UTG+2 checks, Hero checks

River: ($15.00) 4h (2 players)
UTG+2 bets $5, Hero ??

Have a nice day!!!

Ace Magnet

We all know that there are nicknames for hole cards. AA is American Airlines, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Rockets. 72o is the Hammer. 95 is the Dolly Parton, Pocket Kings are the Cowboys. Pocket Jacks are hooks.

Well, I have another name for Pocket Kings. Ace Magnet. It is amazing how many times an Ace is flopped when I have pocket kings. While I may be over exaggerating this, last night, I definitely wasn't.

I had pocket Kings 8 times which saw a flop 7 times. Out of those 7 times, an Ace flopped 6 times. Talk about an action killer. I did turn a set on one guy that had an ace which helped things out.

Well, it took awhile this month, but I have finally worked by way to the top 25 in PTR for 50PL. This month has been a struggle.

Speaking of Pocket Kings.

Villain is 13/11/2.7 over 15K hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/344882
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $116.35
MP: $80.60
CO: $31.30
BTN: $104.40
SB: $100.00
Hero (BB): $173.80
UTG: $166.55

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Kh Kd
5 folds, SB requests TIME, SB raises to $3, Hero raises to $9, SB requests TIME, SB raises to $27, Hero calls $18

Flop: ($54.00) Ad 7s 7d (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($54.00) 2s (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($54.00) 5s (2 players)
SB requests TIME, SB checks, Hero ???

By this time, I have to believe that he doesn't have an ace. A solid TAG is going to bet this ace; although perhaps is scared by the river flush possibility. Does anybody bet here. If so, what is your bet amount?

Hand #2

Villain is 34/3/2.8 over just 40 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/344890
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $50.50
UTG+2: $161.85
MP1: $213.00
MP2: $100.00
CO: $103.10
Hero (BTN): $100.00
SB: $137.90
BB: $127.95
UTG: $119.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BTN with Ah Kh
2 folds, UTG+2 calls $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, SB calls $4, 2 folds

Flop: ($11.00) 5d Qh As (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $7, SB calls $7

Turn: ($25.00) 9d (2 players)
SB bets $1, Hero raises to $14, SB raises to $27, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???

Min raise? Gotta be strong? What do you do? What are your plans for River?

Have a nice day!!!

Fighting Through Things and a Bluff until the river

So yesterday, I am still a little tentative over my huge down day from last week; but I can't let that stop me; but having 12 All in Hands and not winning 8 of them doesn't help things. I was a favorite in 9 of them. The good news is that I still had a 33.74 bb/100 win rate over 1000 hands.

This hand I decided to call in position with the thoughts of bluffing my way through this hand against this opponent.

His stats are:

29/17/2.3 over 727 hands
CBets 43% and Folds to CBets 71%

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/343380
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $50.85
UTG: $92.55
UTG+1: $50.00
UTG+2: $12.65
MP1: $4.75
Hero (MP2): $50.00
CO: $32.75
BTN: $9.75
SB: $17.75

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 7s As
UTG raises to $1.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.50, 2 folds, SB calls $1.25, 1 fold

He is kind of a loose type players that only seems to cbet his good hands. His raising from UTG also means that he has something. Whether it is a pair or two high cards, we don't know yet.
So I call with position knowing that I can take away the hand most times; especially if he doesn't cbet.

Flop: ($5.00) 8d 5h Ts (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $2, Hero raises to $6.50, SB folds, UTG calls $4.50


Great Flop for me even though it didn't hit me. It is the kind of hand that would hit somebody cold calling. No flush draw; but there are straight draws and of course pair possibilities against a AQ+ KJs+ KQ type hand. He leads out less than half pot. What do you normally take of this? I took it as possible weakness and raised him. Dang.. he called.

Turn: ($18.00) Jh (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $13.50, UTG calls $13.50


OK.. Jack probably doesn't help him so I keep up my aggression by betting and again he calls. Now, I know he has something. I now have $28 left in this $45 pot.

River: ($45.00) Ah (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero ????

So now I actually have some showdown value. Do you bet or do you take the cheap showdown?

Have a nice day!!!

Returning to the scene of the crime

Yesterday felt like I was returning to the scene up the crime. The apprehensiveness was way up there. I thought to myself, I just need to open some tables and start playing and I will be back in game mode. Then early on this hand happened.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/341906
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $20.25
UTG+1: $26.15
MP1: $21.50
MP2: $15.55
Hero (CO): $54.30
BTN: $60.80
SB: $62.00
BB: $19.25

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with Qc As
2 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, BB raises to $4, 1 fold, Hero raises to $12.75, BB raises to $19.25 all in, Hero calls $6.50

Flop: ($39.25) Qd 4c Qs

Turn: ($39.25) 3h

River: ($39.25) 4h

I sucked out on somebody. I even saw a "luckbox" in the chatbox from some guy at the table. After that, blood pressure back to normal. Maybe things were evening out. I actually hit sets 22% last night as opposed to the other way around over 743 hands. While I felt a lot better, I got my 200 points and got out of Dodge. I will take the small win (30.17 bb/100 over those 700ish hands) and return again hoping for the best.

I really didn't have any hands where I won or loss over 50 bbs. My only real choice last night was how much to bet with the nuts. Let me know what you think.

Villain is a 42/3/3.1 over 156 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/341907
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $50.00
UTG: $35.70
UTG+1: $6.40
MP1: $73.65
MP2: $5.05
CO: $78.15
BTN: $33.45
SB: $66.70

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with 9h Td
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($2.25) 7s 4c 2d (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, MP2 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50


Turn: ($4.25) Jh (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP2 bets $0.50, CO folds, Hero calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50

River: ($5.75) 8c (3 players)
Hero bets $3.50, UTG raises to $7, MP2 calls $3.55 all in, Hero ??

I bet out small on river to put shortie all in and hopefully get some action from the other guy. He min raises. Can I push or do I just put in a raise? Is there really any difference?

Have a nice day!!!

Truly Disastrous, Wonderful Weekend

So, this weekend, Mrs Wonka and I took a weekend trip for our anniversary. While we only went a few miles (downtown St Louis), it was nice to get away for a while. It was tough being away from the kids while at the same time it was nice to be away from the kids. That probably doesn't make any sense to people without kids. We went to a Blues Hockey game on Friday night and they actually won which was nice. There was a group of us there to be with one of our friends who has breast cancer. It was good to see everyone.

The next day, Mrs wonka went for a massage while I'll threw the cards around (more on that later). We then went to see a movie and out to dinner. Again, it was certainly strange doing all of this without kids. We saw Law Abiding Citizen and I definitely reccomend it.

We got to sleep in both days a little. All in all a wonderful weekend celebrating our 9th anniversary. By the way, I killed the over/under on Mrs Wonka putting up with me. I think it was set at 1 1/2 years.

So that was the wonderful part.

The disastrous part starting on Thursday. I played my normal Thursday night poker and had an OK to good night winning $88. It was good considering my Aces got cracked by Kings twice that session. Since I was going to be gone on Friday, I decided to play after midnight to get my 200 points for Friday. Bad idea. I'll keep it short and say that I lost 9 buyins. I've never seen so many people hit sets against me.

Saturday, I played live poker while Mrs Wonka got a massage. $55 Tourney. Out. I laid down two pair early on by the table bully who was knocking people out left and right. I then pushed with AK when the same guy raised and got two callers. Easy push and I lost the race as he had 99. He knocked 2 people out that hand. He had just knocked out 2 people the hand before. Pretty wild. To make things worse, I talked to the guy later and my 2 pair was good. Dang. The flop came all hearts and I didn't have a heart. The turn game me two pair (Ace Ten); but there was also a possilbe straight as well a flush.

I then proceeded to dump $300 in the cash game. The day was going bad and I was down a little over $100 when I flopped a pair, open ended straight draw and flush draw. I check raised and then the board paired on the turn. While I didn't like it, I pushed my final $100 in the pot as the pot was pretty large. Bad idea as the villain turned quads.

So what do I do, I got to the Black Jack table with my remaining $90. I'm sure everybody is expecting me to say that I lost it; but by some twist of fate, I actually made back a little over $200. We had a good dealer and a few good players. Good meaning, friendly. So at least it wasn't a complete loss. I did play a couple of turbo SNGs online at the hotel in the morning. I won one and lost one.

Sunday, I did something I rarely do, if ever. Seeing how the weekend went, I didn't log on to poker at all. I didn't play at all. I can't remember the last day that I haven't played poker. Truthfully, it was kind of nice. Of course there was football to occupy my attention. So, since things were going so bad, I decided to take a break. Hopefully, things will return to normal tonight.

No hands today so I apologize for that. Come back tomorrow and I'm sure that I'll have another hand where I screwed things up.

Have a nice day!!!

Clubs, Clubs, everywhere Clubs

I was looking over stats this month and some some seemingly unusual numbers

Here are some stats over the different game types.

Game Type Hands bb/100 VPIP% PFR%
$1/2 PL 297 28.92 18 8.5
$1/2 NL 224 50.38 21 14.2
$0.5/1 PL 3439 11.65 18 11.3
$0.5/1 NL 1445 7.27 17.1 11.3
$0.25/0.5 NL 1065 -4.21 18 11.8
$0.25/0.5 PL 7016 2.7 18.2 11.9

I couldn't get this where it was easy to read. Sorry about that.

Here it is differently.

50 PL 2.7 bb/100
50 NL -4.21 bb/100
100 NL 7.27 bb/100
100 PL 11.65 bb/100
200 NL 50.38 bb/100
200 PL 28.92 bb/100

Not so good at 50 PL/NL. A little better at 100 NL/PL. Even better at 200 NL/PL. I obviously will not be changing anything; but that it was interesting over this small sample size.

Two hands today vs completely different type of opponents.

Hand #1

This hand is against one of the best players that I face regularly (Sleekest).

He is 15/12/4.3 over 9.5K hands.

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/331908
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $200.00
BB: $42.25
UTG: $200.00
Hero (UTG+1): $329.60
MP: $202.95
CO: $411.15
BTN: $62.70

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is UTG+1 with 8c Ac
1 fold, Hero raises to $7, 1 fold, CO calls $7, 3 folds

Flop: ($17.00) 8s 4d 6c (2 players)
Hero bets $10, CO calls $10

Turn: ($37.00) Jc (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $26, Hero calls $26

I'm not super interested in getting into a big pot with this guy; but at the same time, I don't think I can fold here. Anybody folding?

River: ($89.00) Qc (2 players)
Hero ??

Gin!! I hit my card. Lead out or check?

Hand #2

This next hand was played terribly. Give me thoughts on how you would have played and what decision you make at the end.

Villain is 67/33/1.0 over just 3 hands so this guy is OBVIOUSLY a loose aggressive player. OK, just kidding. No reads.

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/331907
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $172.25
UTG: $37.00
MP: $32.00
Hero (CO): $339.05
BTN: $386.05
SB: $61.70

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is CO with Ac Kc
2 folds, Hero raises to $7, 2 folds, BB raises to $12, Hero calls $5

Against unknown, I will sometimes just call with position. Re-raising is probably better.

Flop: ($25.00) Qh Td Qc (2 players)
BB bets $8, Hero calls $8

Small bet. Again, should I be raising. Folding is also a possibility.


Turn: ($41.00) 5c (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Should I be betting?

River: ($41.00) Kh (2 players)
BB bets $24, Hero ???

OK, I hit my card; but I'm not too excited about it. Call, Fold or Raise?

Have a nice day!!!

Any reason to be tricky on river here?

Eventually nights like this are going to happen and you're not going to run as good(I was about $100 under EV expectation). For example, my kings run into aces and obviously lose. My aces run into Kings and lose. I was up pretty big and gave it all back; but I did get lucky and have my Kings hold up. I was playing fairly loose on a table (around 25/18) and got somebody to call me down with pocket 8s for a 118 bb pot.

I still finished with a 15.69 bb/100 so I can't complain too much.

Here is an Aces hand where I checked the river and the villain goes all in. Is there really any reason to get tricky here?

No real read on Villain (63/13/1.0 over just 8 hands). "Donators" are what I call these type people.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/330627
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $54.65
SB: $50.00
BB: $10.00
UTG: $106.05
UTG+1: $50.75
MP: $50.00
Hero (CO): $60.10

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with As Ah
3 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, BTN calls $1.75, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($5.75) 5c 7d 9h (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $5, BTN calls $5, SB folds

Turn: ($15.75) 4c (2 players)
Hero bets $12, BTN calls $12

River: ($39.75) 4h (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $35.90 all in, Hero ??

Here is my reasoning. No real draws get there unless he flopped a monster. So I think the only way that I am going to extract any more money is to let him bluff at the pot; but he immediately goes all in.

Fold or Call?

Is anybody fearing the monster?

When to take the Aggressive or Passive Line

SNGs brought me down again this weekend as I was only in the money 26% of out 23 tourneys a the $14+1 level. One run ( Play 4 at a time), I was either 1st or 2nd in chips with 5 people left and didn't finish in the money in any of them (3 4ths and a 5th). It's like an addiction, I can't stop playing them until I do better; but truthfully, I need to stick to cash games.

Speaking of cash games, I won at a 31.63 clip this weekend on very limited play (1081 hands).

At my levels (50PL, 100PL and 200PL), I constantly question on when to take the aggressive line vs a more passive line. The problem with taking the passive line is the situations that you put yourself in on later streets. Maybe it is a lower variance type play; but I'm probably giving up equity by doing it.

Here is a hand where I choose passive and was put to a decision on the river. Where, if any, would you have have amped up the aggression on this hand?

Villain is 52/13/2.4 over 50 hands

I was going to give aggression by street; but didn't want to get ridiculed by Brue for the lack of hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/329746
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $137.00
BTN: $127.95
SB: $75.00
Hero (BB): $142.20
UTG: $209.10
UTG+1: $100.00
MP1: $204.20
MP2: $191.80

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Js 8s
UTG raises to $2, 2 folds, MP2 calls $2, 3 folds, Hero calls $1

min raise and a couple of callers. Got to call from bb. Anybody raising?

Flop: ($6.50) 4s 3s 9h (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $6.50, MP2 folds, Hero calls $6.50

Villain cbets only 50%. Fold, Raise or Call?

Turn: ($19.50) Jd (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $19.50, Hero calls $19.50

Villain continues with pot sized bets. Fold, Raise or Call?

River: ($58.50) 2d (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $58.50, Hero calls $58.50

Yet another pot sized bet? Fold, Raise or Call?


Have a nice day!!

Check Raising

No SNGs.

First, a little family controversy. What do you think?

So, I get an email from Mrs Wonka saying that Thanksgiving for her moms side of the family is the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I simply hit the decline button on email and stated that Sunday is the Dallas / Washington Football game and I simply can't make Thanksgiving.

Let's talk reality here. I only see these folks a couple times of the year and they really aren't interested in me or what I have to say. Of course, they want to see Mrs Wonka and the Wonkettes so fine, let them go and I will stay home and watch the game with the Cowboys and the hated Redskins.

Thoughts?

Check Raising. When to do it.

I can think of a couple of reasons.

1. You have raised preflop and missed the flop in this session and have check folded a number of times. I'm not saying that everybody pays attention to this; but the regulars surely do.

2. You are against a villain who Cbets alot. In Full Ring, I would define "alot" as anything over 80%. Anywhere in the 70s and you should take more things into accounts such as board texture, people in the pot and your general image.

3. Generally, you can do it to the regulars as calling stations don't fall for it.

4. Playing monster hands.

5. Playing against aggressive type people that tend to bet upon perceived weakness.

Here are a couple of hands. What are you general thoughts on Check Raising and the hands below?


Hand #1

Villain is a 31/23/inf over just 14 hands

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/326729
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $196.55
BTN: $43.00
SB: $197.95
Hero (BB): $200.00
UTG: $401.65

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is BB with Ks Ah
UTG raises to $7, 2 folds, SB calls $6, Hero raises to $28, UTG calls $21, 1 fold

Flop: ($63.00) 9h 2d Kd (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $30, Hero raises to $98, UTG folds

Hand #2


Villain is a 62/25/3.4 over 70 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/326730
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $131.55
UTG: $110.00
Hero (UTG+1): $100.20
UTG+2: $107.40
MP1: $100.00
MP2: $236.10
CO: $100.70
BTN: $98.50
SB: $20.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+1 with Ac Kc
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, MP2 raises to $7, 4 folds, Hero raises to $22.50, MP2 calls $15.50

Flop: ($46.50) 6h Ks 5d (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $46.50, Hero raises to $77.70 all in, MP2 calls $31.20

Turn: ($201.90) 2d (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($201.90) 3h (2 players - 1 is all in)

http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/326729-326730

Have a nice day!!!

the perfect Squeeze and Easy Fold?

1 for 4 in SNGs with 1 one win. +3 dollars.

One of those nights of poker. Grind away for break even. OK, I actually made $1.85.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the perfect squeeze.

Sorry.. normal hand converter not working.

http://www.holdemmanager.net
NL Holdem $0.50(BB) Replayer Game#15345316318

wphwpi ($98.80)
markinphoenix ($46.65)
Riddik21 ($50)
puckhead23 ($49.50)
Virge ($79.20)
BigDntexas ($50)
SoupNasi ($35.20)
manchman ($27.85)
willwonka ($56.55)

wphwpi posts (SB) $0.25
markinphoenix posts (BB) $0.50

Dealt to willwonka 4d 5d
fold, fold, fold,
BigDntexas raises to $1.75
SoupNasi calls $1.75
fold,
willwonka raises to $7.75
fold,
markinphoenix calls $7.25
fold, fold,

FLOP ($19.25) Kd 5s 5h
markinphoenix bets $9.60
willwonka raises to $48.05
markinphoenix calls $29.30 (AI)

TURN ($97.05) Kd 5s 5h 7c

RIVER ($97.05) Kd 5s 5h 7c Td

willwonka shows 4d 5d
(Pre 23%, Flop 91.1%, Turn 95.5%)

markinphoenix shows Tc Th
(Pre 77%, Flop 8.9%, Turn 4.5%)

markinphoenix wins $94.05

Well, at least until the river it was the perfect squeeze. Dang!!! I don't need to tell you that this guy gave the money back later. Luckily, most of it was back to me.


Next hand.. is this an easy fold?


Villain is 17/6/3.1 over 3.4K hands.

http://www.holdemmanager.net
NL Holdem $0.50(BB) Replayer Game#15344723194

Virge ($50)
willwonka ($64.90)
blackpearl13 ($95.30)
wphwpi ($50)
LadyJackMoM ($32.35)
Zhenya1983 ($30.75)
Valera49 ($97.85)
SoupNasi ($67.70)
Riddik21 ($50)

Virge posts (SB) $0.25
willwonka posts (BB) $0.50

Dealt to willwonka 3d 5c
blackpearl13 calls $0.50
fold, fold, fold, fold, fold,
fold, fold,
willwonka checks

FLOP ($1.25) 3s 5d 4s
willwonka bets $0.60
blackpearl13 raises to $2
willwonka raises to $5
blackpearl13 calls $3

TURN ($11.25) 3s 5d 4s 6d
willwonka bets $8
blackpearl13 raises to $26
willwonka ??

Have a nice day!!

A pair of Pocket Queens hands

0 for 4 on Turbo SNGs again. I fell for the old limp call with Aces trick when I was on button with ATs. Next game... QQ vs AA.. Next!!! AJ vis A8.. of course the 8 comes. and the last one was AJ vs KT.. Of course the T comes. I guess I should just quit.

Two hands today and both are towards the end of good session.

Hand #1

Villain is 13/7/3.5 over 3K hands and I have him down $846 but after looking at PTR he is a break even player.

He squeezes 6% and has done it couple of times this session. Once to me and I folded. I don't this hand technically is a squeeze; but you get the point.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/325232
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $20.00
MP2: $8.55
CO: $214.35
BTN: $52.55
Hero (SB): $146.50
BB: $69.65
UTG: $101.25
UTG+1: $10.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Qh Qc
UTG raises to $3.50, UTG+1 raises to $10.50 all in, 4 folds, Hero calls $10, 1 fold, UTG raises to $43, Hero raises to $140.50, UTG calls $58.25 all in


Thoughts on action?



Hand #2


Lots of villains on this one. I did the old check out of position with the thought process that if I am ahead on flop, I will really be ahead on a non diamond turn. I may be taking this thought out of context again; but things get hairy on turn. Thoughts?

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/325231
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $120.60
UTG+1: $121.50
UTG+2: $100.00
MP1: $73.35
MP2: $111.40
CO: $88.75
BTN: $100.40
SB: $22.00
BB: $76.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG with Qh Qs
Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, MP1 calls $3.50, 1 fold, CO calls $3.50, BTN calls $3.50, 1 fold, BB calls $2.50

Flop: ($18.00) 6d Qd 7d (5 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP1 checks, CO checks, BTN checks

Yikes!!! 5 players. I'm going to wait and see a turn card.

Turn: ($18.00) 4s (5 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $11, MP1 calls $11, CO folds, BTN raises to $30, BB folds, Hero requests TIME, Hero calls $19, MP1 folds

Looking at this, my bet size seems too low? Thoughts? Does anybody call the raise? Getting almost 4-1, I was ok. Stacks are big enough I think to see a river card. Although with somebody behind to act, it makes it a little tougher of a call.

River: ($89.00) Jh (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $66.90 all in, Hero ????

Button is a 19/11/9.3 guy over 202 hands. I won't even say that this guy is really aggressive so Brue, your point has been taken over your last couple "he's aggressive" comments by me.

But wow, this guy seems aggressive. ;-)


Have a nice day!!!!

BTW.. I folded KK preflop this session. Could be wrong; but it felt so right.

Should I fear the monster or does he fear the monster

For me, it typically comes down to one hand that either makes or breaks my session; especially since I play shorter 1 hour type sessions each day. For me a session is anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. As I have said, I play for the 200 pts (and now trying 300 pts) a day and call it quits.

Here is the hand that either made or broke my session and it involved pocket Jacks. Does anybody else hate pocket Jacks? Play them like aces or deuces.. just choose and do it based on the situation. Of course, that is not all true; but that is what it feels like some time.

Villain is a 16/7/3.2 over 5K hands.
Squeeze 2% CB 75% 4bet 10%

All stats of a typical tight aggressive player. Preflop, he doesn't seem to be as aggressive.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/323950
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $114.50
MP1: $51.50
Hero (MP2): $132.60
CO: $113.25
BTN: $173.55
SB: $100.00
BB: $106.05
UTG: $25.35

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with Jc Jd
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $3.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $3.50, 2 folds, SB raises to $15, 2 folds, Hero calls $11.50

I decided to call as I might have the best hand and I have position.

Flop: ($34.50) 5h 8d 2h (2 players)
SB bets $17.25, Hero calls $17.25

Half pot? hmmmm

Turn: ($69.00) 9h (2 players)
SB checks, Hero ???

Now he checks. Should I fear a monster type hand or is he fearing a monster type hand. Either way, should I represent it or try to get to showdown as cheaply as possible? If I check and he bets a blank on the river, what is he plan. What if it is a card over a Jack?

Have a nice day!!

Failed Experiment and Hand against TAG on river

For whatever reason, I decided to try sum Super Turbo SNGs on FTP this weekend. For those of you who don't know what there are; they are SNGs where you start with only 300 chips and pretty much turns into a shove-fest. Of course you know that going in so you try to make the best of it and over time, you hope that you get the best of it. As it turned out, it was a big failed experiment as I threw away $200. I think I ran a little bad as I looked at the stats it was as bas as I thought.

Equity Win%

0-30% 13%
31-50% 43%
50-70% 52%
70-100% 75%

Total 44%

I would hope that my total (with my overall poker experience) would be great than 50%

One game, on the very first hand, I had pocket aces and got called by AK and he hit runner, runner straight. DANG!!!


Here is a hand against a known TAG. He is really tight and makes me wonder what to do on this river.

His stats are 12/8/2.0 over 22K hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/322752
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (MP1): $100.00
MP2: $127.70
CO: $103.40
BTN: $74.50
SB: $104.05
BB: $54.25
UTG: $85.95
UTG+1: $68.90

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP1 with As Ah
2 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 1 fold, CO calls $3.50, 1 fold, SB calls $3, 1 fold

Flop: ($11.50) 4c 6d 7s (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $7, CO calls $7, SB folds

Turn: ($25.50) Jc (2 players)
Hero bets $16, CO calls $16

River: ($57.50) 5d (2 players)
Hero ???

What kind of hands do we put this guy on that he would be calling down the whole way. Other than a set, does he have QQ+. I pretty much know he doesn't have AK. Did he call turn with a Flush Draw (which puts AK suited back in play I guess). Is it possible that he has 33 or 88 for a straight? Against his range, is a bet warranted here? If I do bet, how much do I bet and do I fold to a shove or does a bet commit me?

Have a nice day!!!

Two hands against Virge

I played a couple of hands against a known regular. They were even played at the same time on different tables Sometimes when the player is a bad player, it is easier to play against as putting them on hand ranges is a little easier; but when playing against tougher players. This guy happens to my 4th biggest enemy according to PTR. He was #1 for the longest time.

Here are the hands:

Hand #1

Villain is 15/11/2.4 over 12K hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/318057
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $23.25
UTG+1: $123.95
UTG+2: $114.05
MP1: $34.40
MP2: $16.65
Hero (CO): $100.00
BTN: $101.10
SB: $121.50
BB: $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with Jc Qc
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $3.50, 3 folds, Hero calls $3.50, BTN calls $3.50, 2 folds

I don't mind calling here in position

Flop: ($12.00) Jd Th Ac (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $8, Hero calls $8, BTN folds

I've got some stuff going here. Villain cbets about 61%.

Turn: ($28.00) Ks (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $19, UTG+1 calls $19

OK, I hit my hand. Thoughts on bet size?


River: ($66.00) Jh (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $34, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???

Does he really bluff here? He probably has to know that I have the straight. It definily looks like a value town type bet. Thoughts?

Hand #2

Same villain and the hand is happening at the same time as above.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/318058
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $209.30
CO: $116.95
BTN: $108.10
SB: $108.20
BB: $117.40
UTG: $103.25
Hero (UTG+1): $100.00
MP1: $197.60

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+1 with Qd Qs
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, MP1 raises to $12, 5 folds, Hero calls $8.50

I'm not folding. I don't really see the point of re-raising this player.

Flop: ($25.50) 3c Jd 7s (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $16, Hero calls $16

I've floated a lot of hands recently to this guy and taken away on turn. Obviously, I may have the best hand here. No need to bloat pot.

Turn: ($57.50) Qc (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks

Lead out? Or check raise?

River: ($57.50) 9c (2 players)
Hero ??

backdoor club gets there which I can't be too worried about. I'm certainly betting here. How much? I had two thoughts. Smallish bet around $20 to either get a call or raise (with the intent of calling) or a more standard type bet. Thoughts?

Have a nice day!!

A little payback and hitting your non-nut card on river

Still getting hammered at work which has decreased time to blog. These 11-12 hour days start to get to you after awhile. Oh well, cry me a river.

Yesterday was a litle payback as I ran under expectation. People kept on hitting sets to my overpair and I almost always paid them of. Last night alone, it happened 5 times. I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

Again, due to timing here is a quick hand:

Villain has played every hand; albeit only 6 hands.


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/316267
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP: $114.90
CO: $106.10
BTN: $100.00
Hero (SB): $100.00
BB: $127.30
UTG: $89.15

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with As Kh
UTG calls $1, 2 folds, BTN calls $1, Hero raises to $5, BB calls $4, UTG calls $4, BTN calls $4

Flop: ($20.00) Qs Th 5h (4 players)
Hero bets $14, BB calls $14, UTG folds, BTN folds

Turn: ($48.00) 2h (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

Intent here was to check raise.

River: ($48.00) Jd (2 players)
Hero ???

I'm going to start here. What's best?

Check/Call
Bet/Call
Bet/Fold
Check/Fold

Ok.. let's proceed

River: ($48.00) Jd (2 players)
Hero bets $40, BB raises to $80, Hero ??

Fold?
Put remaining $41 into pot getting over 4-1.

Have a nice day!!

Kind of interesting hand

After being gifted this in one (see below) of the first few hands, I gave it all back and then a lot more only to finish about break even again for the day.

Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/310093
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $42.80
MP1: $18.50
MP2: $140.50
Hero (CO): $100.40
BTN: $101.10
SB: $100.00
BB: $164.80
UTG: $110.05

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with Ad Ac
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, BTN raises to $16, 3 folds, Hero raises to $50.50, BTN calls $34.50

Flop: ($103.50) Js 5d 3h (2 players)
Hero bets $49.90 all in, BTN calls $49.90

Turn: ($203.30) 3d (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($203.30) 8d (2 players - 1 is all in)

This next hand I felt was a little more interesting on all post flop streets.


Villain is 24/11/14.5 over 148 hands

So the total Aggression factor of 14.5 is WAY high. In general how do/should we play against these types?


Hand #2
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/310094
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $63.90
MP2: $31.70
CO: $109.80
BTN: $95.05
Hero (SB): $158.35
BB: $32.50
UTG: $80.65
UTG+1: $167.35
UTG+2: $131.15

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with 6d 5h
UTG calls $1, 6 folds, Hero calls $0.50, BB checks

Flop: ($3.00) 7h 8s 6c (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets $3, Hero calls $3, BB folds

Bottom pair and bottom end of straight draw. I'm not folding; but I can see an argument for raising; but against this type player who might reraise you, it would be a tougher spot.


Turn: ($9.00) 7s (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $4.50, Hero requests TIME, Hero calls $4.50

Board pairing shouldn't hurt me too much. It's may be turning into a way ahead or way behind thing. Only 1/2 pot bet? Thoughts on his bet sizing and how we should react to it?

River: ($18.00) 4s (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $10, Hero ??

OK.. hit my straight and the right end.. what do you do?


Have a nice day!!!