You got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them and Flopped Straights

Flopped Straights, are they ever good? Below is a flopped straight with some pretty crappy turn and river cards. The question is what to do on the river?

Villain is a 24/8/1.5 over 1.1K hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/296005
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $104.25
UTG+1: $117.65
MP1: $23.70
MP2: $38.50
CO: $121.20
BTN: $104.00
SB: $100.00
Hero (BB): $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with 2c 3d
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $1, 5 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($2.50) 5h 4c As (2 players)
Hero bets $1.25, UTG+1 calls $1.25

Turn: ($5.00) 5s (2 players)
Hero bets $3, UTG+1 calls $3

River: ($11.00) Ts (2 players)
Hero ???

So not a real big pot; but the board pairs and the flush gets there. What do you do?

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

If you are betting, what amount are you betting?

You have to know when to Hold them and know when to fold them. What is them? In this case it is Pocket Kings. Last night happened to be one of those nights when I should have always played ABC poker; but in those hands that you don't, it is super important to know when you are beat. Here are two pocket Kings hands from last night.

Hand #1

SB is 18/13/3.9 over 10K hands
UTG+1 is 34/7/3.3 over 30 hands


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/296007
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $188.40
MP2: $191.70
CO: $125.95
BTN: $386.45
SB: $100.00
Hero (BB): $100.00
UTG: $96.95
UTG+1: $269.70

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Kd Kh
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $1, 4 folds, SB raises to $6, Hero calls $5, UTG+1 calls $5

I've got position on the raiser and a bad player on my left. I want that bad player in the pot so I just called. Again, I am not ALWAYS doing this, it is hand specific and certainly don't want to polarize my 3bets and cold calls.

Flop: ($18.00) 7s 6d 3h (3 players)
SB bets $11, Hero calls $11, UTG+1 calls $11

This is where I made the mistake as I should have turned up the heat here.

Turn: ($51.00) Ah (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $5, SB calls $5, Hero folds

At some point, you need to give up when there is a big chance that you are beat. With such a small bet, folding here is probably wrong; but not wanting to take a chance on a two outer, I took the wimpy way out.

River: ($61.00) 4d (2 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 bets $15, SB calls $15

Final Pot: $91.00
SB mucks 9c 9d
UTG+1 shows As 6s (two pair, Aces and Sixes)
UTG+1 wins $88.00
(Rake: $3.00)

As it turns out, a raise preflop or on the flop probably gets the weak ace out of there. It's hard to say though.

Hand #2

Villain is a 13/4/0.3 guy over 23 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/296008
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $108.60
BTN: $52.15
Hero (SB): $158.40
BB: $59.40
UTG: $20.00
UTG+1: $20.00
UTG+2: $50.10
MP1: $100.00
MP2: $29.70

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Ks Kc
7 folds, Hero raises to $3, BB raises to $5, Hero raises to $15, BB raises to $59.40 all in, Hero calls $44.40

Flop: ($118.80) 5d 2d Qh

Turn: ($118.80) Ts

River: ($118.80) 4s

Final Pot: $118.80
Hero shows Ks Kc (a pair of Kings)
BB shows Th As (a pair of Tens)
Hero wins $115.80
(Rake: $3.00)

http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/296007-296008

OK, maybe ABC poker is better.

You want another example of why at my limits ABC poker is better. Here is a bonus hand.

Villain is a 64/0/3.2 over 14 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/296011
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $21.00
UTG: $101.50
Hero (UTG+1): $110.20
UTG+2: $25.45
MP1: $20.00
MP2: $95.50
CO: $82.20
BTN: $144.00
SB: $97.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+1 with Ac Jh
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, 3 folds, CO calls $3.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($8.50) As Ah 4s (2 players)
Hero bets $8, CO calls $8

Turn: ($24.50) 3h (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Trying to induce a bet to check raise.

River: ($24.50) 2d (2 players)
Hero bets $18, CO raises to $36, Hero calls $18

Final Pot: $96.50
Hero mucks Ac Jh
CO shows 2h 2c (a full house, Twos full of Aces)
CO wins $93.50
(Rake: $3.00)


Have a nice day!!!

Whew Hand and thoughts on Button Hand

Nothing special last night as there was really no hands over 20bb which is OK by me. If I can keep a 14.31bb/100 rate and not win or lose big hands, I won't complain too much.

Here is a hand where I was sad that I missed because I timed out; but ending being a good thing. I most likely would have lost a bunch.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/294292
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $102.60
CO: $37.25
BTN: $66.15
Hero (SB): $118.30
BB: $38.00
UTG: $113.80
UTG+1: $100.00
UTG+2: $157.35
MP1: $18.50

CO posts a big blind ($1)

Pre Flop: ($2.50) Hero is SB with 7s 7d
4 folds, MP2 raises to $4, CO calls $3, 3 folds

Flop: ($9.50) Qc 7h 3h (2 players)
MP2 bets $7, CO calls $7

Turn: ($23.50) Qs (2 players)
MP2 checks, CO checks

River: ($23.50) Qd (2 players)
MP2 bets $23.50, CO calls $23.50

Final Pot: $70.50
MP2 shows Ah Ac (a full house, Queens full of Aces)
CO mucks Jd Jh
MP2 wins $67.50
(Rake: $3.00)

And the next hand is where I just want to get general thoughts. Maybe not so much on the hand itself but the thoughts behind it. One thing I do at these levels is pretty much play the cards. Of course, position is a big factor in the cards I do play; but here is a hand based solely on position. Again, give me your thoughts on the hand and/or the theory behind it.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/294295
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $16.00
MP1: $185.90
MP2: $60.15
CO: $34.45
Hero (BTN): $94.85
SB: $47.75
BB: $53.90
UTG: $25.40

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BTN with 3c 5c
UTG calls $0.50, UTG+1 calls $0.50, 3 folds, Hero raises to $2.75, 2 folds, UTG calls $2.25, UTG+1 calls $2.25

Punishing the limpers...

Flop: ($9.00) Jd Th 4h (3 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $6, UTG folds, UTG+1 folds

Pretty bad flop; but I think I have to cbet.

Final Pot: $9.00
Hero wins $8.55
(Rake: $0.45)

Have a nice day!!!

What does he have?

A lot of the fun of poker even when multi tabling is putting your opponent on a range of hands. Does the line that he is taking make sense. Does the turn check raise make sense? Does the lead on the flop make sense or like in the hand below, does the River bet make sense?

The villain is a 39/3/1.3 guy over 40 hands.


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/293219
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $100.00
MP2: $105.10
CO: $87.40
BTN: $30.00
SB: $19.00
BB: $123.90
Hero (UTG): $255.50
UTG+1: $67.15

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG with 7c 6c
Hero raises to $3.50, UTG+1 calls $3.50, 2 folds, CO calls $3.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($12.00) 6h 7h 3d (3 players)
Hero bets $7, UTG+1 folds, CO calls $7

Turn: ($26.00) Kc (2 players)
Hero bets $17, CO calls $17

River: ($60.00) 5d (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $30, Hero ??

What hand or should I say what range of hands do you put him on and does this 1/2 pot bet mean perceived strength or weakness?

Have a nice day!!!

Well, it WAS a good weekend

Isn't it funny how things can be going fine for the weekend until your team loses it's football game and it sours the whole weekend. The Cowboys losing last night just ruined my whole weekend which pokerwise, it went pretty well online and bad again live.

I played my monthly poker league and again was taken out early. I had steadily moved up in chips for the first hour and then I switched tables. My very first hand, I am in late position and somebody raises in MP. I look down to QQ. In position and my first hand at table, I just call. Flop comes, KQTr. Raiser checks. I've only played with this guy a few times; but this check seemed weird. Effective stacks are around 4 or 5K. Blinds were 50/100. There is like 1100 in pot and I decide to bet out and bet 825 and he immediately goes all in. It certainly smelled like a monster; but at the end of the day, I couldn't fold my set and the board didn't pair up and I was out early. Does anybody fold here?

As far as online goes, Friday was just one of those days where things went the right way and had a pretty big day. Saturday, on the other hand, started the exact opposite until this hand.





I didn't get too much for it; but it turned things around from being a 2 buyin loser to a 1/2 buyin winner by the end of the day. Sunday was an up day as well so I certainly can't complain for the weekend as I had a 31.39 bb/100 winning rate.

No realy interesting hands. Just the usual call on the river hand.

Villain is 50/7/2.4 over 100 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/291660
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $144.70
BB: $182.35
UTG: $347.75
UTG+1: $102.50
UTG+2: $52.50
MP1: $140.70
MP2: $212.90
CO: $120.85
BTN: $158.30

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Jd Kc
UTG calls $1, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $1, MP1 calls $1, 1 fold, CO calls $1, BTN calls $1, Hero calls $0.50, BB checks

Flop: ($7.00) 5h Tc Js (7 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets $3, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls $3, CO folds, BTN folds, Hero raises to $11, BB folds, UTG folds, MP1 calls $8

Turn: ($32.00) Ks (2 players)
Hero bets $12, MP1 calls $12

I don't remember why the low bet. As I recall, I was trying to induce this guy to raise.

River: ($56.00) 4d (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $56, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???

With AQ really being the only thing I fear, can I really fold this?

Have a nice day!!

Nothing too exciting and achilles heel pops up again

So, I'm playing along yesterday at a clip where I feel I am playing break even. I've continued to NOT look at my stats as I play. Sometimes when I get up to 100 pts, I'll take a look and see where I am at to see if there are any blatant adjustments that I need to do. Last night, I really didn't do that until I was almost done. Again, it just felt like break even poker.

I was kind of surprised to see that I had a steady down swing for the night which at one point I was down 2 buyins. How could that be? I had not lost many big pots and I knew I hadn't won any big pots (which is quite the opposite of how things had been going in recent days as it was up and down).

The short answer. The Big Blind. Now, of course, we most always are a net loser from the bb. For example, I am losing 34 bb/100 from the big blind which is actually pretty good. Yesterday... down 179.22/bb. I'll show one hand (either my biggest winner or biggest loser of the night)

My Achilles heel popped up last night. After poker, I decided to check my balance on AP to see if rakeback had been added to my account. It had. It wasn't much as I didn't play very much there last month so I just took that amount and opened up a blackjack table. Suffice it to say that it didn't start off very well and before I knew it my bet size had increased from $2 to $25. Not a good idea and BJ is definitely one of my biggest weaknesses. Some how, this has a happy ending as I made back the money I had lost and ended up with a $30 profit (after being down close to $300). I HAVE to stay away from those tables.

OK, onto the hand of the day from the BB.

Villain is 43/19/15 over 50 hands who has stolen blind 100% which of course in this sample size is only twice.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/287656
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $202.00
MP1: $98.50
MP2: $103.65
CO: $107.85
BTN: $117.75
SB: $103.05
Hero (BB): $100.00
UTG: $105.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Qh Jh
2 folds, MP1 raises to $3, 3 folds, SB calls $2.50, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($9.00) 6h 9d Ts (3 players)
SB bets $6, Hero calls $6, MP1 raises to $12, SB folds, Hero calls $6

Turn: ($39.00) Js (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $19.50, Hero calls $19.50

River: ($78.00) 3d (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $64 all in, Hero ???

Obviously, my decision has to be made on the turn; but what is your decision process on the hand even starting with preflop.

Have a nice day!!!

It's always better to be lucky than good, or is it?

Now, I don't mean to be lucky as far as sucking out on hands. That is never good to get your chips in behind. Even in cooler situations, it's not good.

Anyway, other than getting stacked on one of my first hands (are flopped straights ever good? Not last night when running queens came to fill the guy up.. at least I got my money in good).

Last night in 593 hands in about an hour, I ran 57.66 bb/100. I hit sets almost 18%. I had pocket aces 7 times (and won all of them). Kings once, queens 5 times, jacks 4 times and won all of them except for a queens hand where I folded post flop.

I had nine all in hands and won 6 of them. 7 of those times, I got my money in good. I lost twice when getting in good and I did win once on a 40/60 hand.

Another AQ hand OOP. When will I ever learn?

CO is 56/14/1.4 over 464 hands
BTN is 59/15/2.4 over 42 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/286299
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP: $52.75
CO: $35.95
BTN: $115.25
SB: $239.90
Hero (BB): $100.00
UTG: $113.65
UTG+1: $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Ac Qc
3 folds, CO raises to $2, BTN raises to $4.75, 1 fold, Hero calls $3.75, CO calls $2.75

OK.. I'm not folding against these two. In fact, raising might be better? thoughts?

Flop: ($14.75) 9d Kc Kh (3 players)
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN checks

You gotta fishy players. Looks like air or monster at this point.

Turn: ($14.75) Jc (3 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $4, BTN raises to $8, Hero calls $8, CO calls $4

Royal flush draw, I can't fold, can I?


River: ($38.75) 7c (3 players)
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN bets $38.75, Hero ???

So, I do think there is anyway I'm folding; but should I be calling or raising? If raising, how much? I have about $50 behind after the call and he has me covered.

Have a nice day!!!

Sometimes it doesn't matter what your cards are and Another early Decision

I am very guilty of making plays based solely on stats. Here is one of my first hands of the night.

Hand #1

Villain was 18/13/3.7 over 226 hands
steals blinds 75% and Cbet 81%


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/284826
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $385.40
MP1: $100.00
MP2: $103.50
CO: $103.15
BTN: $20.00
SB: $166.25
Hero (BB): $100.00
UTG: $179.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with 8d Th
4 folds, CO raises to $3, 2 folds, Hero calls $2

Flop: ($6.50) 5s Ah 9h (2 players)
Hero checks, CO requests TIME, CO bets $4, Hero raises to $13, CO folds

One could argue that I should just 3 bet; but I often like to pick up the extra bet on his flop Continuation bet.


Hand #2

Villain is 50/50/inf over 2 hand.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/284827
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $384.40
BB: $100.00
UTG: $103.50
UTG+1: $99.00
UTG+2: $100.00
MP1: $20.00
MP2: $165.75
Hero (CO): $108.80
BTN: $179.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with 5s As
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $2, 2 folds, MP2 calls $2, Hero calls $2, 1 fold, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($9.00) 5d 3c 2s (4 players)
SB checks, UTG+1 bets $9, MP2 folds, Hero calls $9, SB folds

Turn: ($27.00) 4s (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $27, Hero calls $27

River: ($81.00) 3h (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $61 all in, Hero ??

Have a nice day!!!

Tom Terrific

No poker last night as I continue to work tons of hours. I'm not complaining as I feel blessed to have a job.

Is there any doubt that Tom Brady is the best quarterback ever. I have said it for at least 3 or 4 years now. There is Tom Brady and then there is the rest.

I didn't get to watch the games last night; but luckily, I do work at a cable company so I was able to find some TVs to watch the end of both games last night. Boy, I love this time of year.

Disturbing Trend and Bad Weekend

I watched at least 5 or 6 full football games this weekend and have watched a few more before that. I am seeing an alarming trend of officials deciding games instead of the players. In football, I'm not usually that guy that cries foul on officiating (now college basketball may be a different story); but calling a taunting personal foul at the end of the game for telling the crowd to be quiet by putting your finger to your mouth is utterly ridiculous. If he does it to a Michigan player, then by all means throw the flag. Anyway, loving football season. How 'bout them Cowboys!!!!

Running short on time so here are a few hands (two from 1/2 and one from 50c/1) from the weekend that pretty much went terribly losing 18.7 bb/100 over 3200 hands.

Hand #1

Hero is 25/13/1.8 over 90 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/280829
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $226.00
UTG+1: $200.00
MP1: $291.35
MP2: $280.10
CO: $113.40
BTN: $202.00
Hero (SB): $200.00
BB: $100.60

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is SB with 7s 7c
2 folds, MP1 raises to $7, 3 folds, Hero calls $6, 1 fold

Flop: ($16.00) Kh 7h Ks (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $12, Hero calls $12

Turn: ($40.00) Qs (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $20, Hero raises to $60, MP1 calls $40

River: ($160.00) Ah (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $70, Hero ??


Hand #2

Villain is 24/14/5.4 over 300 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/280830
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $165.45
MP: $167.00
CO: $40.00
BTN: $195.80
Hero (SB): $218.55
BB: $220.50

CO posts a big blind ($2)

Pre Flop: ($5.00) Hero is SB with As Qs
UTG raises to $4, MP calls $4, CO calls $2, 1 fold, Hero calls $3, BB raises to $24, 3 folds, Hero calls $20

Flop: ($60.00) Ac 2c Td (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: ($60.00) Tc (2 players)
Hero bets $34, BB calls $34

River: ($128.00) Jc (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $40, Hero ??


Hand #3

Villain is 13/8/4.1 over 1.2K hands

Note; This was one of the first hands of the day's session.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/280831
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $120.85
Hero (SB): $100.50
BB: $100.00
UTG: $48.00
MP: $106.05
CO: $109.55

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Js Ks
1 fold, MP raises to $3.50, 2 folds, Hero calls $3, 1 fold

Flop: ($8.00) 6s 3s Jh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $5, Hero raises to $14, MP calls $9

Turn: ($36.00) 8h (2 players)
Hero bets $20, MP raises to $88.55 all in, Hero ???

Have a nice day!!

Losing Streak and Great Flop, Bad Turn and Terrible River

Boy, was it nice to see football on again last night even if my hated Steelers somehow pulled it out in overtime. I bet Rob Bironas isn't feeling to well today. Darn kickers!!!!

I've now had 3 losing sessions in a row now on Full Tilt. While none of them were bad losing sessions, it still messes with you. I really just need to stick to the plan of how I play and hopefully things will work out.

I have two hands today. One fairly standard; but another river decision and one hand that started good; but kept on getting worse and worse.

Hand #1

Villain is a 25/2/1.2 over 260 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/276381
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $78.65
UTG: $33.00
UTG+1: $52.05
MP1: $57.25
MP2: $63.20
CO: $18.50
BTN: $25.45
Hero (SB): $50.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Kc Ac
3 folds, MP2 raises to $1.50, CO calls $1.50, BTN calls $1.50, Hero calls $1.25, 1 fold

Suspect call (as opposed to raising); but multi way, I just wanted to see a flop first. I believe this is wrong; but I'm OK with it.

Flop: ($6.50) Tc Jh 5c (4 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $1.50, CO calls $1.50, BTN folds, Hero raises to $7, MP2 calls $5.50, CO folds

Love the flop and now will show strength. I suppose I could have / should have led out.

Turn: ($22.00) 8s (2 players)
Hero bets $16, MP2 raises to $54.70 all in, Hero ??

OOps... standard call at this point, right?

Hand #2

This is a little more tricky.

Villain is 24/13/1.0 over 50 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/276382
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $198.95
BTN: $108.50
SB: $112.80
BB: $108.90
UTG: $103.00
UTG+1: $66.45
Hero (MP1): $100.00
MP2: $100.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP1 with 7c 7h
2 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 1 fold, CO calls $3.50, 1 fold, SB calls $3, 1 fold

Flop: ($11.50) 2s 2d 7s (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, CO bets $7, SB raises to $18, Hero calls $18, CO folds

Sure I could lead out; but with a monster, I'm playing this one a little slower to perhaps let someone get a flush. With people showing strength, I don't think I need to re-raise which would definitely polarize my range; but might get some big overpairs to call. Thoughts?



Turn: ($54.50) 2c (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! This is where I had a non thinking moment. I have to lead out here, I think.

River: ($54.50) Ac (2 players)
SB checks, Hero ???

In retrospect, I see my mistake on this hand. Thoughts?

Have a nice day!!!

Fantasy Draft and Dealing with Blind Stealer

OK, one of the days I look forward to the most in the year. And, as usual, it kind of ends up disappointing. Yesterday was our Fantasy Football draft. We have a 12 team league and this is unbelievably our 15th year together. We don't really do a standard scoring system so positions like QB are a little more valuable. We start 1 QB, 2RB, 3WR/TE, 1K and 1 DF. My goal when I set up this league was for each position to be equally valuable. In other words, the 1QB would equal the 2 RBs which would equal the 3 WRs. Kickers and Defense would be a little less valuable; but something you just can't ignore. Anyway, here is how it went. I had the #3 pick.

Round1
Adrian Peterson went #1 and then #2 went to Drew Brees. That left me with the MJD/Turner/Forte decision. I had even thought about LT in this spot. It was a pretty quick decision and I went with Forte. I think this season is one of those potential seasons. On the surface, I don't look real strong, but some of my guys have some pretty big upside.

Round 2
By now, 9 RBs, 5QBs, and 6WR had gone. I decided to go QB and homer with Tony Romo (I'm a big Cowboys Fan). Obviously, some question without the name WR corps at Dallas; but with Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Jason Witten, Martellus Bennet and the RBs, there will be plenty of passing.

Round 3
After my pick, 2RB and 2WR went. I decided to take a gamble and go with Bryant Westbrook and hope that he can stay healthy. This is one of those picks that has some upside potential.

Round 4
By the time it got back to me, 21 RBs, 16 WR, and 8 QBs had gone. I needed a receiver and went with Dwayne Bowe. Again, upside potential

Round 5
Now we are getting down to the important picks that make or break a season. I decided to go another RB and took Thomas Jones as the 22nd RB.

Round 6
It's gets a little dicey from here. We do NOT have a TE position in our league. They are treated the same as WR and part of the 3 WR/TE that you need to start. I decided to take a TE here anyway and took Dallas Clark. Jason Witten had already been taken. I thought about Gates as well.

The Rest:
Round 7: Braylon Edwards as WR #26
Round 8: Fred Jackson as RB #33. Gamble here. Again upside if he impresses while Lynch is out.
Round 9: Derrick Mason as WR #36. This is somebody I planned on drafting from the beginning. Again, a gamble; but with some upsdie
Round 10: Nick Folk as #6 Kicker. Solid Kicker. Again, our point structure dictates taking K/DEF sooner than other leagues.
Round 11: Seahawks as #12 DF
Round 12: Patrick Crayton as #51 WR
Round 13: Kyle Orton as #22 QB. Solid Backup I feel.
Round 14: Matt Prater as #18 K
Round 15: Cardinals Defense as #17 Defense
Round 16: Sammy Morris as #53 RB. Our wildcard draft pick.

Thoughts?

This hand deals with a habitual blind stealer.

Villain is a 19/13/1.8 over 171 hands
Steals from Button 47% and Cbets only 43%

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 6 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/273884
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $100.00
SB: $99.00
Hero (BB): $100.00
UTG: $87.50
MP: $112.00
CO: $112.85

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with 5s 6c
3 folds, BTN raises to $2, 1 fold, Hero calls $1

I'm calling here with any suited, connector or 2 broadway cards here against big blind stealer. I'm re-raising with an even wider range.

Flop: ($4.50) 3s 7h 2s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $3, Hero calls $3

He doesn't fire a lot on flop; but I'm floating here alot.

Turn: ($10.50) 6s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN requests TIME, BTN checks

River: ($10.50) 8d (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $8, Hero ??

Do I give up? Call? Raise? What kind of hand do we put Villain on?


Have a nice day!!!

I'm OK with Losing Value here and going with Feelings/Reads

Not such a fun holiday weekend as I had to work both Saturday and Monday. I'm not complaining as I knew about the busy times going in when I took this job. I'm still enjoying it... well as much as anybody can enjoy an office job.

My fantasy football draft is tonight. I have the #3 pick. I have a few options. We'll see how it goes.

Fortunately, I ran a little hot this weekend finishing up $350 while my EV adjusted number was $189. It does feel good to have good fortune every once in a while.

Even playing online and playing multiple tables (usually 10-15 tables), I still can go with reads. Now, most of them are stats reads; but it also accounts to how a player has been playing previously. I have two hands to show the illustrates this.

Hand #1

Villain berated me on this one and it is partly justified. I'm going to show the whole hand on this one. I just go with my reads sometimes. Am I losing value in the long run. Absolutely; but if I feel something is strange, I'll play it weak passively.

Villain is a solid 14/9/2.1 player over 2.3K hands.
3bets 3.6%

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/272680
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $223.80
Hero (MP2): $100.00
CO: $100.00
BTN: $110.15
SB: $156.00
BB: $51.90
UTG: $211.25
UTG+1: $50.00
UTG+2: $167.75

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with Ad Ks
4 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, SB raises to $12, 1 fold, Hero calls $8.50

Flop: ($25.00) Kh 9h 4c (2 players)
SB bets $15, Hero calls $15

Turn: ($55.00) Ac (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($55.00) 2h (2 players)
SB bets $25, Hero calls $25

Final Pot: $105.00
Hero mucks Ad Ks
SB shows Ah As (three of a kind, Aces)
SB wins $102.00
(Rake: $3.00)

So, yes, probably should have gotten stacked there and losing overall value; but truthfully, I felt good after the hand and was able to move on whereas, I may have tilted a little bit if I had got stacked. I know if tilted is the right word; but certainly would have dwelled on it.

The next hand was again read dependent. This was a 1/2 game so I tend to give a little more credit... well sometimes. Thoughts?

Read #1: stats
Villain is 39/5/6.7 over 44 hands

Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/272681
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $200.00
MP: $84.30
CO: $231.35
BTN: $62.00
Hero (SB): $215.60
BB: $83.70
UTG: $266.95

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is SB with Td Kc
4 folds, BTN calls $2, Hero calls $1, BB checks

Read #2 limps from button

Flop: ($6.00) 4s Qh Th (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, BTN bets $4, Hero calls $4, BB calls $4

Read #3 High AF so I expect bet when checked to.

Turn: ($18.00) 3d (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, BTN bets $16, Hero calls $16, BB folds

Read #4 bet sizing. Is he just trying to buy it?

River: ($50.00) 7c (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $40 all in, Hero ??

Do I have to give up now? Even when getting over 2 to 1?

Have a nice day!!!

Another Bubble and another Top Pair Hand

Nothing like playing 5 hours for nothing. I played my monthly poker club tourney last night. 36 players. 6 pays. I finished 7th. That's all I have to say about that.

As for the hand of the day, can we really talk about top pair hands too much? This is where our bread and butter is right? Playing these hands well can make a huge difference. That means raising some times, calling sometimes and even folding.

Villain in this hand is 25/14/6.3 over 106 hands
cbets 63%.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/265600
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $23.70
Hero (MP2): $103.00
CO: $20.90
BTN: $144.95
SB: $118.50
BB: $85.10
UTG: $118.80
UTG+1: $99.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with Ac Tc
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $3, 1 fold, Hero calls $3, 1 fold, BTN calls $3, 2 folds

Flop: ($10.50) As 5d 5h (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $5, Hero calls $5, BTN folds

Turn: ($20.50) 6s (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $12, Hero calls $12

River: ($44.50) 7s (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $25, Hero ??

Half potting almost every street (a little more than half). What does that mean to you? Almost 3 to 1 to call here.

Have a nice day!!!

Blog List Addition and is this Standard?

I have a couple of blogs to add to my top 15 which now turns into my top 17. I've always said that if you are one of my top 10 commenters, I will link you up.

The first one, I'm not sure how or why I missed it so long. It is none other than Memphis MoJo. He is a poker playing / bridge playing Mid Westerner. He just recently visited our fine city of St Louis to watch the Birds. I hope they won for you.

The second one really needs no introduction. Hoyazo writes mini posts that take about 4 hours to read. ;-) He writes some really in depth stuff and is definitely worth taking a look.

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to comment on blog. My top 10 commenter list is on the right side. You just need to scroll down a bit.

I started off my night running Queens into Aces against a known loose player. Minus one stack right on the very first hand. That leaves a mark for sure.

I believe this next hand is standard; but wanted to make sure.

Villain is 34/10/1.3 over 30 hands.

Absolute Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/264137
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP: $82.69
CO: $48.75
BTN: $149.66
Hero (SB): $48.75
BB: $226.85
UTG: $27.50
UTG+1: $54.50

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Kd 7d
4 folds, BTN calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.25, BB checks

Flop: ($1.50) 4d 6h 5d (3 players)
Hero bets $1, BB raises to $4.50, BTN folds, Hero raises to $13, BB raises to $40.50, Hero raises to $48.25 all in, BB calls $7.75


Opened ended and flush draw, I'm always happy to get it in? Agree or disagree? What do you expect Villain to have here?

Have a nice day!!!

Setless and Facing pressure from a Rock with one pair

Yesterday was one of those days. It's the last day of the month so you don't want ruin a good month. And then it happens. Your kings run into Aces, Your two pair runs into higher two pairs a couple of times. I didn't hit a set for the first 763 hands last night. All in all, I was able to battle back just to lose $36 which was actually .08 bb/100. I'm not sure how all that works playing the different levels.

Here is a hand from a strong winning player. I've been trying not to get too attached to my top pair hands. After all, they are just one pair; but it is sometimes hard to let them go.

Villain is 14/6/1.8 over 405 hands.
Key stat here is his AF is 3.8 on turn.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/260240
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $129.50
UTG: $58.25
UTG+1: $21.30
Hero (UTG+2): $109.30
MP1: $35.35
MP2: $252.95
CO: $274.85
BTN: $50.00
SB: $172.75

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+2 with Ks As
2 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, CO calls $3.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($8.50) Qh 4d Ah (2 players)
Hero bets $6, CO calls $6

Turn: ($20.50) 2s (2 players)
Hero bets $12, CO raises to $37, Hero ???

What kind of range are we putting him on? What's your action? Did my bet sizing induce anyting on turn?


Have a nice day!!!!

No Longer a Hobby? Check call it down or fold on river?

Terrible weekend. I lost 12 cents. Ok, that was from poker playing; but from my rakeback payment and a little Blackjack, I was up about $75. Not real good; but a winning weekend from a dollars perspective.

Well, for the first time in my 5 year online poker career, I have decided to start withdrawing money. I've always stated that this is just a hobby and didn't want to withdraw to change that; but I've decided to change that. Part of the reason is just to show Mrs Wonka that something tangible is coming from all of my poker playing which is again only about 1 hour a day. The second thing is we bought a new car and how cool would it be to have poker monies pay for a new car. Don't get me wrong, I don't have enough money online to pay for a new car; but I have enough to help with payments. Speaking of payments, how said it is to have a car payment. I've gotten used to not having one.

I am really getting the football itch as opening day is only a couple of weeks away. Fantasy drafts are happening so the fever is getting high. I still have to wait until a week from tomorrow until we have our draft. I'm going to have to start looking at the preseason stuff at some point. I've really on watched the Cowboys who are ready for their Super Bowl Run!!!

OK, for the hand of the day.

Villain is 32/29/6.0 over just 30 hands. Steals 100%.

Absolute Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/258477
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $19.50
MP1: $28.65
MP2: $53.50
CO: $97.05
BTN: $37.00
Hero (SB): $52.90
BB: $52.20
UTG: $28.50
UTG+1: $43.80

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Th Kh
5 folds, CO raises to $1.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $1.25, 1 fold

Flop: ($3.50) Jd Tc 3c (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2, Hero calls $2

Turn: ($7.50) 9c (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $5.50, Hero calls $5.50

River: ($18.50) 5s (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $16.50, Hero ??

My plan was to check call this down. Should I be giving up by the river? Should I be raising somewhere along the line (including preflop)?

Have a nice day!!!

non nut straight on flush board and C-Betting

A couple of things before I get to the hand.

I get to play golf tomorrow which is a rare occasion these days. I'm really looking forward to it. It's a scramble; but that is probably best for somebody who has only played a couple of times this year.

My 9 day winning session streak came to an end last night; albeit, it was only a $6 loss. Once I got my 200 pts, I went to watch some TV with Mrs Wonka with the plan of coming back to the tables after that; but as usual, fell asleep and didn't make it up. I still sit in the top 10 of the PL50 players according to Poker Table Ratings.

One quasi theme lately has been my propensity to NOT continuation bet. Looking at this month which is about 16500 hands, I am c-betting at a 54% clip. On the surface, that is probably a little low. One thing I have adopted; especially after my big losing streak towards the beginning of the year is a lower variance style of play. While it may not be optimal, it seems to work at these limits. At some point, I will need to get a little more aggression back into my game. Currently my Aggression Factor for the month is 2.02 which again is on the low side.

Also one reminder. I always go back to the previous days hands and put what my action was so in case you don't go back and look and was wandering how the hand played out, you can look at the comments from the previous day.

Now onto today's hand.

Villain is a 56/0/2.3 guy over only 32 hands (which was probably less than that during this hand).


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/255308
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $22.00
BTN: $89.25
SB: $53.45
BB: $15.00
UTG: $107.35
UTG+1: $20.90
Hero (UTG+2): $147.50
MP1: $100.00
MP2: $118.95

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+2 with Th 9h
2 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 1 fold, MP2 calls $3.50, 4 folds

Flop: ($8.50) Ad 8d Jh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 checks

Turn: ($8.50) Qd (2 players)
Hero bets $5, MP2 calls $5

River: ($18.50) 5c (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $5, Hero ??

Again, no C-bet. I really have no idea why here. I then bet when the flush comes up and only get called. Now a harmless 5c comes on river. My first thought was to bet; but was trying to figure out what was going to call me that I beat. I decided to go the check/call route depending on the bet sizing. So he puts a small bet on the river. I'm obviously not folding to that bet; but does anybody put a raise in here? If so, what is your raise size? Do you fold to re-raise?

Have a good weekend!!!

What a difference an opponent makes

What a difference an opponent makes. In the hand below (which was one of my first ones of the night, by the way). I couldn't wait to get it all in.

He was a 89/56/3.4 guy over 37 hands.


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/253746
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $149.60
Hero (SB): $100.00
BB: $100.00
UTG: $290.95
UTG+1: $195.50
UTG+2: $54.00
MP1: $55.10
MP2: $50.00
CO: $113.40

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with 2d Ac
6 folds, BTN raises to $3, Hero raises to $10, 1 fold, BTN calls $7

Flop: ($21.00) 5h 4s As (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $7, Hero calls $7

Turn: ($35.00) Th (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $35, Hero calls $35

River: ($105.00) 9h (2 players)
Hero bets $48 all in, BTN calls $48

Of course, it didn't actually turn out the way that I wanted it to. The good news is that I got my stack back and more a few hands later when I hit a flush on the river and he hit a straight and he called the huge overbet. Sometimes, I really love No limit (as opposed to Pot Limit). I'll stick with PL though.

Now, on the other hand, I played the below hand with a good player.

He is a 14/6/3.4 over 9.6K hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/253750
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (MP2): $100.00
CO: $142.75
BTN: $93.75
SB: $100.00
BB: $120.15
UTG: $105.45
UTG+1: $23.00
MP1: $80.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with As Ks
3 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 3 folds, BB raises to $10, Hero calls $6.50

Flop: ($20.50) Kh Qs 7d (2 players)
BB bets $12, Hero calls $12

Turn: ($44.50) 5d (2 players)
BB bets $26, Hero ???

Now, this hand, I'm not so eager to stick it in. His range here has to be pretty tight when he fires a second bullet. What do you do? Also give me your thoughts on preflop. Obviously, I could have re-reaised; but I often opt with calling with position.

Have a nice day?

Tim Hawkins and

No real interesting hands last night. I started off bad with set over set and lost a few more; but ending getting my own set over set and came back and won 20.58 bb/100 over 589 hands so we have a happy ending.

As I believe I mentioned before, I had a really busy weekend. The last thing we did was get a babysitter and went out for dinner and a comedy show. The guy we saw was Tim Hakwins . I'm not one to really roll over laugh; but I had tears from laughing so hard. The opening guy was funny as well. One of the things he does is redo songs ala Weird Al. This video below just came out yesterday and is pretty good. I was surprised to see that is was on the "what's being watched" list on YouTube.




I have not intent getting all political on here, I just thought it was funny.

Have a nice day!!!

Losing value on limiting losses

I finished up $8 yesterday. Wahoo!!!


Villain was 22/13/2.8 guy over 28K hands. Regular winning player.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/251205
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $123.55
CO: $129.05
BTN: $105.50
Hero (SB): $138.80
BB: $66.00
UTG: $100.00
UTG+1: $91.65
MP1: $229.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with Ad Ks
UTG raises to $3.50, 1 fold, MP1 calls $3.50, 3 folds, Hero raises to $15, 2 folds, MP1 requests TIME, MP1 calls $11.50

Flop: ($34.50) 6h Kd Qc (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks

Turn: ($34.50) 7c (2 players)
Hero bets $19, MP1 calls $19

River: ($72.50) 8c (2 players)
Hero ????

I really have no idea where I'm at on this one. What's your play here and how much if you are betting?

Have a nice day!!!

Thanks for not stacking me and Hit my set, now what do I do?

I had a so so weekend pokerwise. Otherwise, it was on of my busiest weekends on record. Nothing real exciting, just constant stuff. Pokerwise, it was a winning weekend online so I can be thankful for that. A 4.99 bb/100 is always better than a negative bb/100.

This first hand idea is stolen from Bruechips Thanks for not Stacking Me, Bro! (Part xx). Brue, if I owe you and copyright royalties, let me know.


Villain in this hand is a 13/2/1.5 guy over 45 hands.

Absolute Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/250072
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $57.15
BTN: $25.55
SB: $88.30
Hero (BB): $60.40
UTG: $19.40
UTG+1: $67.15
MP: $96.36

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with Ac Qc
2 folds, MP raises to $1.75, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.25

Flop: ($3.75) Kh 7s Qd (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $2, Hero calls $2

Turn: ($7.75) Qh (2 players)
Hero checks, MP checks

River: ($7.75) 3c (2 players)
Hero bets $5.75, MP raises to $16, Hero calls $10.25

Final Pot: $39.75
Hero mucks Ac Qc
MP shows Kc Ks (Full house, kings full of queens)
MP wins $37.30
(Rake: $2.45)

I'm not positive; but I probably would have got it in; especially on the turn.

This next hand, I was a little confused on what to do after hitting my set.

Villain is a 27/15/2.5 guy over 74 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/250073
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $51.25
BB: $50.25
UTG: $49.50
UTG+1: $39.80
MP: $10.50
CO: $9.25
BTN: $67.45

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Qh Qc
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $1.75, 3 folds, Hero raises to $5.75, BB raises to $9.75, 1 fold, Hero calls $4

Flop: ($21.25) Tc Qd Js (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

Turn: ($21.25) 4s (2 players)
Hero checks, BB checks

River: ($21.25) 7s (2 players)
Hero ??

OK. I hit my set. AK is obviously a huge part of villains range so I check and checks behind. Of course AK might check behind. So I check again and he checks again. OK, my set is probably good. How much do you bet? If you are betting? Is everybody betting here? Does anybody donk out on flop? If so, if he raises or pushes, am I forced to fold?

Have a nice day!!1

Oh well Fold and Nice Flop, Not so nice Turn

I've been having disconnect issues on Full Tilt again. I just wish I knew if it was my connections or issues with the software again. It stinks, I will tell you that.

Two hands today.

MP1 is 71/33/2.0 over 22 hands
MP2 is a 14/7/3.1 over 21K hands He 3 bets 2.1%, CBets 71% Folds to 4 bet 33%


Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/246991
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $54.25
SB: $100.00
BB: $183.25
Hero (UTG): $100.00
UTG+1: $60.50
UTG+2: $18.10
MP1: $122.35
MP2: $106.00
CO: $102.65

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG with Qh Qd
Hero raises to $3.50, 2 folds, MP1 raises to $6, MP2 raises to $23, Hero??

Is this an obvious isolation move by steady regular against a loose player?

What's best here, call? raise? fold? What's better than what?


Villain is 71/14/3.5 over 7 whole hands.

Hand #2
Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/246992
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $70.25
Hero (CO): $50.50
BTN: $50.00
SB: $28.25
BB: $10.00
UTG: $86.80
UTG+1: $48.60
MP1: $52.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with Qs Js
4 folds, Hero raises to $1.75, 1 fold, SB calls $1.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($4.00) Kh Ah Tc (2 players)
SB bets $0.50, Hero raises to $3, SB calls $2.50

Turn: ($10.00) Th (2 players)
SB bets $3, Hero calls $3

River: ($16.00) 9s (2 players)
SB bets $16, Hero ??

SB only has $4 more after this bet. Do I just raise and cross my fingers? Call? Fold?

What about turn?

Have a good weekend!!

Inauspicious Start to League and an Aces Hand

Well, Well. A rather inauspicious start to my Monthly Poker League. I'm not really sure what that means; but I used to always hear Al Michaels say it on Monday Night Football and it was never a good thing for the team that he was talking about. Of of 36 Players, I finished 25th for the 2nd straight time. Last night, I did the old fold when I should be calling and calling when I should be folding. That never bodes well for your results.

I did play with Mike Eise last night. He is the guy from the league who won a bracelet in Vegas this year. At the end it was losing another big coin toss that did me in. I only had KT; but I was against Mike Eise's poket 8s and somebody elses mid pocket pair. Mike, being the expert player that he was flopped a set. I picked up a straight draw on the turn; but Mike rivered quads to send me home.

Anyway, here is a quick aces hand. What to do on river?

Villain is a fishy 73/3/0.9 over 73 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/246058
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $45.45
CO: $39.70
BTN: $7.25
Hero (SB): $59.30
BB: $15.60
UTG: $135.05
UTG+1: $50.00
MP1: $65.65

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is SB with Ah Ad
1 fold, UTG+1 requests TIME, 3 folds, CO calls $0.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $2, 1 fold, CO calls $1.50

Flop: ($4.50) 4s 6d 3h (2 players)
Hero bets $4, CO calls $4

Turn: ($12.50) 4c (2 players)
Hero bets $10, CO calls $10

River: ($32.50) 5h (2 players)
Hero ???

I don't think I'm ever folding against this guy; but do I go the check/call route for a possible cheap showdown or bet out route for thin value?

Have a nice day

winning Perspective and a couple of 200PL hands

OK, so I think I am having a pretty good month; but then I look at Poker Table Ratings and see that Durrrr won almost 2 Million dollars yesterday and the guy he was playing lost around 2.5 Million. I can't remember his name; but something like maturnas. Yep, that puts things in perspective a bit.

Like I have mentioned before, I am play a little 200PL as they are available. They aren't going very often; but when they I do, I am playing. This first hand I misclicked and open limped from the cutoff (Yikes!!! can you say fish?). Anyway, a solid regular raises from sb. Here's the hand.

BTW, his stats are 22/13/2.9 over 3.6K hands.
He squeezes (even this isn't a squeeze situation) 3% and CBets 77%
There is a stat called Fold CB to Raise which is 47%. Is this him folding to a raise after he cbets?

Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/240710
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $143.00
MP1: $353.60
MP2: $171.50
Hero (CO): $372.20
BTN: $309.10
SB: $200.00
BB: $209.15
UTG: $408.00
UTG+1: $205.00

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is CO with 6s 6h
5 folds, Hero calls $2, BTN calls $2, SB raises to $10, 1 fold, Hero calls $8, BTN calls $8

Flop: ($32.00) 9s Td 9c (3 players)
SB bets $21, Hero calls $21, BTN folds

Turn: ($74.00) Kh (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($74.00) Js (2 players)
SB checks, Hero ???

I'm ok with the preflop call. Flop is up for discussion? Do I bet here on the river?

Hand #2

This hand played somewhat standardly if it were lower limits; but give me your thoughts.

Villain stats are 26/7/2.5 over 42 hands.
Goes to showdown 42% over this small sample and wins 60% at showdown


Full Tilt Poker $1/$2 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/240711
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $158.20
UTG+2: $163.00
MP1: $197.20
Hero (MP2): $200.00
CO: $52.10
BTN: $181.80
SB: $188.20
BB: $500.70
UTG: $200.00

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is MP2 with Qh Qs
UTG raises to $7, UTG+1 calls $7, 2 folds, Hero raises to $31, 4 folds, UTG calls $24, UTG+1 calls $24

Flop: ($96.00) 2d 5h 7c (3 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $60, UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $60

Turn: ($216.00) 9h (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $67.20 all in, Hero ???

It seems like our 3 choices are (not necessarily in any order):

A) Set
B) Bluff
C) Smaller Pair

I didn't put AA or KK on here as I was thinking during the hand that most likely (especially at the higher limits than I usually play), that anybody would play aces or kings this way.
Anyway, pot is pretty big, do you have to call?

Have a nice day!!!

I guess you can't win everybday and is Villan being tricky?

Unfortunately, you just can't win everyday. It does seem that I have a losing day everytime I mention have a winning day or days. Coincidence? I think not.

Anybody watch 2 Months, 2 Million? I wouldn't say it was great; but it was a good first show and set a few things. I'm looking forward to watching.

One thing I failed to mention yesterday maybe even more amazing than Tiger losing was Bolt breaking the world record again in the 100 meters shaving .11 seconds off of the record. Amazing.

Here is a spot from yesterday where I was check raised from a rockish type player. He then checks to me. What do you do?

The villain's stats are 13/7/2.4 over 12K hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/237408
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $9.25
BTN: $67.40
SB: $9.95
BB: $59.30
UTG: $19.50
UTG+1: $50.00
UTG+2: $13.10
Hero (MP1): $50.95
MP2: $10.50

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP1 with Jd Jh
UTG calls $0.50, 2 folds, Hero raises to $2.25, 2 folds, BTN calls $2.25, 1 fold, BB calls $1.75, 1 fold

Flop: ($7.50) 8c 9h 5h (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $4.50, BTN folds, BB raises to $12.50, Hero calls $8

Turn: ($32.50) 2d (2 players)
BB checks, Hero ??

Do we check behind here? Bet? If so, how much? What hands to we put him on? Flush or straight draw?

Have a nice day!!!

Shocked, profitable weekend and another OBFV call?

Is anybody else shocked that Tiger lost the PGA Championship? I know I am. Even after Yang chipped in for Eagle, I was still pretty confident that Tiger would make the big shot or putt. Instead, it was Yang making the big shots. Oh well, the streak had to end sometime. I'm sure that Tiger will somehow get by.

A rare profitable weekend for me. I mixed in some 200PL this weekend when it was running. So far, it doesn't seem too much different. Of course, I have gotten lucky so far. I hit a set once against AK on an Ace high board. I flopped top two pair against a guy that flopped top and bottom. I made a hero call against a LAGgy type guy. I don't expect my 58.9 bb/100 win rate to continue at that level, LOL.

This one goes into the better to be lucky than good category.

I was intending to raise on another table when this table gained focus on me and it raised on this table. One bad thing with Absolute Poker is that don't auto load your table to 100 big blinds so sometimes I'm a little behind on changing the amount I'm sitting with.

Absolute Poker $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/236510
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+1: $48.70
MP1: $20.20
Hero (MP2): $38.35
CO: $31.68
BTN: $20.50
SB: $11.80
BB: $53.58
UTG: $98.75

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is MP2 with 5c 6c
UTG calls $0.50, 1 fold, MP1 raises to $2.25, Hero raises to $10, 5 folds, MP1 calls $7.75

Flop: ($21.25) 5h 2s Tc (2 players)
MP1 checks, Hero bets $21.25, MP1 calls $10.20 all in

Turn: ($41.65) 6s (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($41.65) Jc (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $41.65
MP1 shows Kh Kd (One pair, kings)
Hero shows 5c 6c (Two Pair, sixes and fives)
Hero wins $39.10
(Rake: $2.55)


And finally a hand against a bad player.

He was a 69/15/2.7 over just 13 hands. This is probably a an easy call; but just wanted to check. It's a big bet some I have to at least take some time and think about it.

Absolute Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/236520
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $100.50
MP1: $111.75
Hero (MP2): $86.75
CO: $197.05
BTN: $155.50
SB: $207.02
BB: $135.61
UTG: $41.80
UTG+1: $64.68

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with Ac Kc
1 fold, UTG+1 calls $1, 2 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, 1 fold, BTN raises to $9, 3 folds, Hero calls $4.50

Flop: ($20.50) 3d Ah 7d (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($20.50) 2c (2 players)
Hero bets $12, BTN raises to $146.50 all in, Hero ??

Have a nice day!!

Playing Bonusless and too tricky on river

Thanks to Full tilt for the $800 of bonuses this month. Every time I think about starting to play on other sites, FTP comes out with some promotion to keep me grinding there. One of the only reasons that I look to play on other sites is the rewards store. PokerStars is better than FTP. Absolute Poker is better than both. Now, I only get rakeback on AP. Speaking of rakeback and bonus, I can't tell that the $600 Affected MGR at all so it may have been a TRUE $600 bonus. It looks like the "best bonus ever" did count towards MGR. These are just guesses looking at my rakeback stats.

It seems strange not playing with bonuses now.


Here is a hand that I tried to get tricky on the river.

Villain is a 14/7/3.2 guy over 21K hands. He is a regular and a winning player.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/232852
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (MP2): $100.00
CO: $103.75
BTN: $199.45
SB: $18.45
BB: $163.80
UTG: $100.00
UTG+1: $39.60
MP1: $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP2 with Qd Ac
2 folds, MP1 raises to $3.50, Hero calls $3.50, CO calls $3.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($12.00) 6c Td Jc (3 players)
MP1 checks, Hero checks, CO bets $8, MP1 folds, Hero calls $8

Turn: ($28.00) Kh (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $18, Hero raises to $45, CO calls $27

River: ($118.00) 2c (2 players)
Hero checks, CO ???

I won't say what the CO does right at the moment. What is CO calling on the turn with? My thoughts on the hand was that the flush got there so two things could happen. He would bet with the flush and I would have to decide based on bet amount; but the plan was to check/call or it gives him the opportunity to bluff and represent the flush. Again, this guy is a regular and capable of doing this. If I push on the river, what kind of hands are calling me? Certainly a flopped set. A flush obviously calls me. 2 pair is not likely. Anyway, give me your thoughts.

Have a nice day!!!

More explanation to Hand #1, Odds call? OBFV?

Yesterday, I posted this hand:


Villain is 23/14/inf over 44 hands.

Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/229516
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $126.95
BTN: $111.55
Hero (SB): $178.00
BB: $201.15
UTG: $74.55
UTG+1: $100.00
MP1: $41.35
MP2: $102.30

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with 9d 9h
5 folds, BTN raises to $3, Hero calls $2.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($7.00) Ad Qd 9s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4, Hero calls $4

Turn: ($15.00) Td (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $7, Hero calls $7

River: ($29.00) 6s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $20, Hero folds

I don't remember where I read it, it might have been Gnome; but the gist is why get the chips in as a 60/40 fav when you can get them in as a 75% fav. As it turned out, one of the scare cards that I didn't want to see turned up. Now, of course, all the chips weren't going in a this point.
I don't know. It just seemed closer than everybody is saying.

The next hand is a small inconsequential hand; but since I'm not really a math guy is this an easy call getting 2 to 1? Villain is a 45/20/3.3 guy over just 56 hands. 3bets 5.3%

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/230933
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $19.50
UTG+1: $100.00
UTG+2: $222.90
MP1: $60.00
MP2: $100.00
Hero (CO): $116.80
BTN: $110.00
SB: $19.00
BB: $14.60

MP2 posts a big blind ($1)

Pre Flop: ($2.50) Hero is CO with Th Qh
4 folds, MP2 checks, Hero raises to $4.50, 2 folds, BB raises to $14.60 all in, 1 fold, Hero ??


And finally, this hand.

One thing for sure when you are playing 12 tables, you don't always play hands optimally and can be put into some tough spots. This is against the same guy as above.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/230934
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $100.00
CO: $231.70
BTN: $62.75
SB: $94.50
Hero (BB): $112.30
UTG: $106.50
UTG+1: $15.50
MP1: $28.25

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Kh 9d
2 folds, MP1 calls $1, 3 folds, SB calls $0.50, Hero checks

Flop: ($3.00) Kd 7c 9c (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2, MP1 calls $2, SB folds

Turn: ($7.00) Th (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $4, Hero calls $4

River: ($15.00) 5s (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets $21.25 all in, Hero ??

I meant to c/r the turn; but since I didn't do you call against this apparent meaningless river card?

Have a nice day!!!

Two Tough Folds and I just can't fold anymore

Yet another roller coaster ride ending up with me winning a little bit under one buyin (17.90 bb/100) over 839 hands in 1.3 hours.

For some reason, I was finding the fold button last night which is never terrible. It may not always be the best or right play; but psychologically, it can certainly help. Losing a little is a whole better than losing a lot and "maybe" winning a lot. Sometimes the maybe isn't worth it.

First, I'm going to show the 1st two folds and then the last one where I couldn't do it. Please note that all 3 of these hands happened within 5 minutes of each other.

Villain is 23/14/inf over 44 hands.

Hand #1
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/229516
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

CO: $126.95
BTN: $111.55
Hero (SB): $178.00
BB: $201.15
UTG: $74.55
UTG+1: $100.00
MP1: $41.35
MP2: $102.30

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is SB with 9d 9h
5 folds, BTN raises to $3, Hero calls $2.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($7.00) Ad Qd 9s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4, Hero calls $4

Turn: ($15.00) Td (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $7, Hero calls $7

River: ($29.00) 6s (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $20, Hero folds

Why the call on the flop? I wanted to see the turn before I decide on getting the chips in the middle. The scary turn card sealed my deal.

Same villain as above.

Hand #2
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/229517
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $125.45
MP1: $123.85
MP2: $97.65
Hero (CO): $127.00
BTN: $201.15
SB: $65.00
BB: $100.00
UTG: $42.85
UTG+1: $78.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with Ad Ac
4 folds, MP2 raises to $3, Hero raises to $10.50, 3 folds, MP2 calls $7.50

Flop: ($22.50) 6d 4s Jh (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $15, MP2 raises to $35, Hero requests TIME, Hero folds

This one just didn't smell right. I'm not real sure why I am giving this villain so much credit.

Villain in this hand is 29/6/4.5 over 64 hands.

Hand #3
Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/229518
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $125.45
UTG+1: $123.85
UTG+2: $113.05
Hero (MP1): $101.50
MP2: $201.15
CO: $74.55
BTN: $100.00
SB: $41.85
BB: $78.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP1 with As Ad
3 folds, Hero raises to $3.50, 4 folds, BB raises to $10, Hero calls $6.50

Flop: ($20.50) Jh 8d Jd (2 players)
BB bets $13, Hero raises to $46, BB raises to $68.50 all in, Hero calls $22.50

Turn: ($157.50) Tc (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($157.50) Qd (2 players - 1 is all in)

I don't always 4 bet with Aces... especially in position against an aggressive guy. He cbet 100%

Thoughts?

Have a nice day!!

Bet Sizing on the End

So I watched the 2nd Face the Ace. Truthfully, I think the show has some potential; but something has to change. Watching that guy "lose" 200K was pretty sad to see. I felt bad for him.

I also watched Inside Deal on Espn.com. They interviewed Chris Moneymaker. It was put together pretty good and it worth a watch.

Well, I guess tight passive can work sometimes.

My stats last night were:

16.6/8.5/1.13 over 584 hands
I won 20.19 bb/100
3 bet 3.8%
Flop Cbet only 39%
Hitting sets 16.7% didn't hurt.

In this hands, I have the nuts and I am getting bet into. How much do you raise? Would a shove really get called? This was a No Limit game as opposed to my usual Pot Limit.

Villain is 43/15/2.9 over 357 hands


Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/227695
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $241.15
UTG+1: $255.50
MP: $293.55
CO: $98.50
Hero (BTN): $121.40
SB: $134.80
BB: $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BTN with Js As
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $2, 2 folds, Hero raises to $7.50, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls $5.50

Flop: ($16.50) 3s Ts 2s (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $10, UTG+1 calls $10

Turn: ($36.50) 4h (2 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero bets $23, UTG+1 calls $23

River: ($82.50) Qd (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $10, Hero raises ??

Have a nice day!!!!

Did I get what I deserverd or did I get lucky?

Up and down weekend that actually ended up on the positive side so I have that going for me.

Did I get what I deserved on this hand. Calling on button with KQo is hardly ever a winning proposition. The decision here was to take my losses and fold the river and call the river and see if I got lucky.

The villain in this hand is a 20/2/.7 guy over 566 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/226481
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $100.00
SB: $90.30
BB: $124.45
UTG: $42.10
UTG+1: $114.10
UTG+2: $96.80
MP1: $112.65
MP2: $100.00
CO: $111.20

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BTN with Ks Qd
4 folds, MP2 raises to $3.50, 1 fold, Hero calls $3.50, SB calls $3, BB calls $2.50

Flop: ($14.00) 6s 5c Kh (4 players)
SB bets $7, BB folds, MP2 folds, Hero calls $7

Turn: ($28.00) 6c (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $16, SB calls $16

River: ($60.00) Jd (2 players)
SB bets $16, Hero ??

Is this a big value bet or little bluff?

Coolers and Bad Beats, such joy.. Turn Decision

I just always follow the same pattern. Win 3 or 4 buyins over the course of a couple of days and then blow it all in one day on various types of beats. Coolers, Bad Beats and Bad Plays.. Dang

Here was a turn decision against a good player.

Villain is 15/12/9.5 over 325 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/222659
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $30.45
UTG+1: $100.40
MP1: $25.00
MP2: $80.80
CO: $53.75
Hero (BTN): $55.50
SB: $25.00
BB: $130.00

MP1 posts a big blind ($0.50)

Pre Flop: ($1.00) Hero is BTN with Kc Jc
3 folds, MP1 checks, MP2 raises to $2, 1 fold, Hero calls $2, 2 folds

What about the call her on BTN? Is raising better? MP2 folds to 3bets 80%.

Flop: ($5.00) Jd Td 2h (2 players)
MP2 bets $3, Hero calls $3

Turn: ($11.00) 3s (2 players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets $6, MP2 raises to $16, Hero ???

One stat I didn't see until now is this villain check raises 50% on turn (only 3 times out of 6 opportunities). Does that change your decision?

Have a good weekend!!!

Pick another day to fight?

I never know which way to go while playing a hand with a crazy guy.

Villain was 29/13/25 over 84 hands.

Part of me says go to the felt with this hand and part of me says to wait for better spots. What do you do?



Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/221252
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BB: $138.90
UTG: $83.25
UTG+1: $47.05
Hero (MP1): $116.15
MP2: $54.70
CO: $110.85
BTN: $125.50
SB: $18.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP1 with As Ad
UTG calls $1, 1 fold, Hero raises to $4.50, 5 folds, UTG calls $3.50

Flop: ($10.50) 9c 9h 8h (2 players)
UTG bets $10.50, Hero calls $10.50

Turn: ($31.50) 6d (2 players)
UTG bets $31.50, Hero ???


One note.. this was his first and only donk bet that I had recorded on him. Very easily could be a draw.

Have a nice day!!

Cheap Showdown?

I fell asleep during the WSOP last night so it must not have been too exciting.

Just a note about the hands I have been posting. I do always go back to the comments at the end of the day to tell what I did and how the hand ended up.

Here's another hand that I massacred. I know everybody hates seeing overcards get flopped when you have a high pair; but at some point, you probably need to push until pushed back.

Here is the hand:

Villain is 62/17/1.0 over 30 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/219551
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $22.25
MP2: $82.75
CO: $206.70
BTN: $100.00
SB: $128.30
BB: $179.70
Hero (UTG): $104.55
UTG+1: $100.00

CO posts a big blind ($1)

Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is UTG with Qd Qc
Hero raises to $5, 5 folds, SB calls $4.50, 1 fold

Flop: ($12.50) 8s 6c Kh (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($12.50) 5h (2 players)
SB bets $6.25, Hero calls $6.25

River: ($25.00) 2s (2 players)
SB bets $5, Hero calls $5

Thoughts? Obviously the flop is the problem. Let me know what your flop plans would be and what your turn plans would be if he flat called a 2/3 bet on flop.

Have a nice day!!

Pot Control?

I decided to play pot control on this one. Agree or Disagree?

Villain was 35/19/5.4 over 880 hands

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 7 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/218189
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

Hero (UTG): $142.85
UTG+1: $118.35
MP: $99.00
CO: $108.85
BTN: $20.00
SB: $32.50
BB: $18.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG with Ts As
Hero raises to $3.50, 4 folds, SB raises to $6, 1 fold, Hero calls $2.50

Flop: ($13.00) Jd 7c Ac (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

Turn: ($13.00) 3s (2 players)
SB bets $3, Hero calls $3

River: ($19.00) 4s (2 players)
SB checks, Hero ??

Have a nice day!!

Face the Ace and Multi Street Problem

So I watched the first Face the Ace. While I love the concept of the show, the host was terrible. Why not make Ali Nejad the host instead of him just coming out every once in a while to describe the answer. I'll keep watching; but I don't think the show will on very long.

What a terrible weekend. The cards just didn't fall and when they did fall, it wasn't good enough. I did have some winning big hands; but for the most part, things could have been better. Thankfully for you, I won't go into details. I even got to play golf this weekend and it rained the back nine. Dang!!!!

Here is a hand from the weekend where there where multi street options

Stats for villains are below

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/217075
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $237.40
UTG+1: $125.10 16/13/4.5 1.7K hands
UTG+2: $21.70
Hero (MP1): $102.60
MP2: $48.65 29/14/2.1 805 hands
CO: $19.85
BTN: $79.15 31/11/1.7 491 hands
SB: $157.55
BB: $39.00 17/4/inf 54 hands

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is MP1 with 8c 9c
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $3, 1 fold, Hero calls $3, MP2 calls $3, 1 fold, BTN calls $3, 1 fold, BB calls $2

Problem #1:

This was a pretty loose call. As I recall, the table was fairly passive. Ultimately, I decided to call and hope to get other people to come along. The problem here was there were 3 people that followed that had "squeezy" tendencies. Well, I guess it worked out as it ended up 5 handed.


Flop: ($15.50) Tc Qh Jd (5 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero checks, MP2 checks, BTN checks

Problem #2:

Shazam. What to do? Is anybody afraid of AK? Pot Control? The pot is probably big enough to bet out? Thoughts?

Turn: ($15.50) 2c (5 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 bets $8, Hero calls $8, MP2 calls $8, BTN folds, BB folds

Problem #3:

Ok.. Now I get my flush draw. I'm still wondering about AK; but should I be raising here? No way I'm folding obviously.

River: ($39.50) Qc (3 players)
UTG+1 checks, Hero checks, MP2 bets $37.65 all in, UTG+1 folds, Hero requests TIME, Hero ??

Problem #4:

Great!! I hit my flush. I checked? Should I be betting? Now, MP2 pushes, should I be calling?

I played this hand pretty bad. Perhaps I got lucky at the end to hit my flush or maybe not. I'll post results later in the day in the comments.

Have a nice day!!!

Sometimes you just have to wonder about the RNG

Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/213978
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $24.25
SB: $34.15
BB: $14.15
UTG: $50.00
Hero (UTG+1): $50.75
UTG+2: $50.00
MP1: $24.15
MP2: $0.50
CO: $50.00

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is UTG+1 with 2d 3h
UTG raises to $1.75, 5 folds, BTN raises to $3, 2 folds, UTG raises to $9.75, BTN calls $6.75

Flop: ($20.25) Td Ah Th (2 players)
UTG bets $20.25, BTN calls $14.50 all in

Turn: ($49.25) Ad (2 players - 1 is all in)

River: ($49.25) Ac (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $49.25
BTN shows Ts Tc (four of a kind, Tens)
UTG shows Kc As (four of a kind, Aces)
UTG wins $46.80
(Rake: $2.45)



No comment as I wear my TFH

Full tilt Update and AK Multiway

Two huge thumbs up so far with the new Full Tilt Update. The long awaited game filters have arrived and arrived in a big way. There are so many ways to show your tables for selecting including saving different configurations. Nice!!

I also like the Full Tilt Points Counter Widget that you can add on the right sidebar. Now, I could always get this information from my Holdem Manager; but I like seeing how many points I have received without looking at HEM which also makes me look at results.

Here is a hand from yesterday with AK in late position after a raiser and 3 callers. What do you do with AK from Cutoff?

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/212506
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

SB: $19.00
BB: $270.40
UTG: $63.80 22/5/1.7 306 hands
UTG+1: $100.00 40/10/.8 30 hands
MP1: $88.80 30/12/2.7 258 hands
MP2: $38.25 21/14/inf 14 hands
Hero (CO): $101.50
BTN: $149.25

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with Ad Kc
UTG raises to $3.50, UTG+1 calls $3.50, MP1 calls $3.50, MP2 calls $3.50, Hero ??

I can see doing any of the three calling, folding or raising. Stats for the players are above in case you missed it. Also , rank the actions in order that you think. In other words just using that order from above it would say... calling greater than folding greater than raising.

Also remember this is a Pot Limit table.

Have a nice day!!!

Nothing to see here.

Frustrating day to say the least. It started off by flopping nut flush only to lose to runner, runner full house. I should have know not to mention having a good day in my last post.

To top it all off, I just quit to go watch the WSOP on my DVR and they didn't record for some reason. I went and looked on my DVR and it said cancelled which usually means that there was some kind of conflict with other recordings. No big deal right, ESPN must show it 100 more times, right? Nope, they are only showing one of the episodes over the entire next week and not until Saturday. HUH? What's up with that? Is there a place to watch these online?

Just one of those days, I guess.

No hands today as nobody likes to see bad beats.

But while we are on the topic, I want to think everyone for making comments in the past few days. It is definitely nice to see what others think on hands.

Have a nice day!!!

Stats nice for the day and ReSqueeze the Squeezer?

Granted, I only play to get my 200 pts a day which is about an hour a day (a little less yesterday).. but here are my stats from last night...

Hands: 521
VPIP: 14.9
PFR: 10.2
3bet: 7.1
WTSD: 21.5
W$SD: 64.3
AF: 2.86
bb/100: 39.60

Now, this was play a mix of 50PL, 100PL and 100NL; but I find it hard to find too much wrong with those stats. The really nice thing (or maybe bad thing) is that I didn't play a pot over 25bbs.

Here is a hand from the other day that I tried something different... Thoughts?


The Villain in this hand is a 22/16/1.8 guy over 1.5K hands. He DOES squeeze 3% and loves to play/steal in position as witnessed by his 65% steal rate. Now, he only 3bets 2.8% In other words, looks like a solid player who loves to play position.


Full Tilt Poker $0.25/$0.50 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/206287
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $29.40
MP2: $77.95
Hero (CO): $50.00
BTN: $50.00
SB: $59.60
BB: $16.60
UTG: $80.50
UTG+1: $10.00
UTG+2: $28.50

Pre Flop: ($0.75) Hero is CO with Qd Ad
3 folds, MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $2.25, Hero calls $2.25, BTN raises to $10.25, 4 folds, Hero raises to $34.25,

Anybody like the re squeeze here (if that is even the right terminology)? Raise size?

Have a nice day!!!

Hurt Locker and Maniacs Have Hands too, or do they?

Mrs Wonka and I actually had a kidless Friday night. After trying to figure out what to do, we settled on the traditional dinner and movie. We decided to see a movie called "The Hurt Locker". It was one of those low budget movies with a bunch of fairly big stars (Jeremy Renner, David Morse, Guy Pearce). The basic gist is that it is about a bomb squad team in Iraq and their daily dealings with dismantling bombs. I highly recommend it.

OK, this happens every single time. I just can't figure it out. I have one of those breakdown days. Yesterday was one of those days losing nearly 5 buyins at 100PL. You know those days, you hit sets and get runner, runnered to lose. Oh well... back to the drawing board.

I played this hand against a maniac. I'm still not sure what to do on this hand.

The villain was a 56/44/7.0 over just 56 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/202853
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP2: $100.00
CO: $55.90
BTN: $131.20
SB: $37.45
BB: $14.50
UTG: $18.50
Hero (UTG+1): $104.35
MP1: $17.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG+1 with As 9s
1 fold, Hero raises to $3.50, 3 folds, BTN calls $3.50, 2 folds

Flop: ($8.50) Ah 4d 3h (2 players)
Hero bets $6, BTN calls $6

Turn: ($20.50) Tc (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $20.50, Hero calls $20.50

River: ($61.50) Ac (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $101.20 all in, Hero requests TIME, Hero ???

Have a nice day!!!

Wii and Better to be Lucky than good

OK, so I just bought my first video game system since Intellevision. You could say I'm a little behind the times. Anyway, we opened it up and played Wii bowling. I almost had to east some humble pie as my 5 year daughter almost beat me twice in bowling. We didn't get the Wii fit; but upon further review we ordered it last night. Perhaps that will make it better for my wife and kids.

Sometimes, in poker, it is just better to be lucky than good. The hand below will show this. The session just went from bad to worse last night finding myself down a couple hundred dollars; but then this hand came up.

The villain was your typical fishy type opponent with stats of 47/21/2.8 over 155 hands.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/198144
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $102.70
SB: $166.35
Hero (BB): $112.30
UTG: $162.35
UTG+1: $216.45
MP1: $122.25
MP2: $184.80
CO: $183.50

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Jh Ah
3 folds, MP2 raises to $3.50, 2 folds, SB calls $3, Hero calls $2.50

Flop: ($10.50) 2s Js As (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $6, MP2 raises to $14, SB folds, Hero calls $8

Turn: ($38.50) Ac (2 players)
Hero checks, MP2 bets $12, Hero raises to $32, MP2 raises to $117, Hero calls $62.80 all in

River: ($228.10) Tc (2 players - 1 is all in)

Final Pot: $228.10
Hero shows Jh Ah (a full house, Aces full of Jacks)
MP2 shows Jd Jc (a full house, Jacks full of Aces)
Hero wins $225.10
(Rake: $3.00)

I guess preflop you could argue folding or raising; but against this opponent, I just want to see the flop.

Any thoughts?

Have a nice weekend!!!

How to play every street bad.

I bombed out of tourney last night early. For the most part didn't hit flops with hands like AQ and AK. I didn't hit my flushes at all and ultimately got it in with pocket 10s twice and lost both of them. Once to pocket Jacks and once to KQs when K came on the flop. Overall, the play was pretty weak at my table; but I was just getting to know people so I stayed pretty conservative (which is my game anyway).

Here is a hand that I played badly on every street.

Let me know what you would have done differently; especially on the river.

Villain was a 28/8/2.2 over 6K hands who I show losing over $1,500.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/196475
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

MP1: $55.20
MP2: $38.35
CO: $20.00
BTN: $34.50
SB: $110.15
BB: $54.60
UTG: $126.60
UTG+1: $96.00
Hero (UTG+2): $144.85

CO posts a big blind ($1)

Pre Flop: ($2.50) Hero is UTG+2 with 4d 4c
2 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, 5 folds, BB calls $3.50

Flop: ($10.50) 4h 7h 5d (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $5.25, BB calls $5.25

Turn: ($21.00) 8d (2 players)
BB bets $10.50, Hero calls $10.50

River: ($42.00) Qs (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Final Pot: $42.00
BB shows 9h 9d (a pair of Nines)
Hero shows 4d 4c (three of a kind, Fours)
Hero wins $39.90
(Rake: $2.10)

Have a nice day!!!

Gotta Represent what you representing, right?

Today, I am starting a monthly poker league. It's a WSOP poker league. The nice thing about this one is that it awards 8 of the 32 league members to the WSOP. A couple Main Events and 6 $1500 ones. I'm probably in over my head; but we will see how it goes.

Here's a hand that I didn't like the turn card; but probably don't have any choice but to represent strength.

Villain is a 37/9/1.7 over just 40 hands.

So does this make the fact that he has calling station like stats factor into turn decision?

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 No Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/194582
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG+2: $64.10
MP1: $55.60
MP2: $96.30
CO: $100.00
BTN: $76.20
SB: $98.15
BB: $241.40
Hero (UTG): $100.00
UTG+1: $91.85

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is UTG with Qh Kh
Hero raises to $3.50, 1 fold, UTG+2 calls $3.50, 6 folds

Flop: ($8.50) 2h 9h Qc (2 players)
Hero bets $5, UTG+2 raises to $10, Hero raises to $32, UTG+2 calls $22

Turn: ($72.50) Ac (2 players)
Hero bets $64.50 all in, UTG+2 calls $28.60 all in


Thoughts?

Have a nice day!!!

River Decision

Here is the hand that I meant to post yesterday.

The villain is the same guy as yesterday.

35/0/.3 over 17 hands.

Instead of showing decisions, I'm going to show what I did without results. Give me thoughts on river play.

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 8 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/193479
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

BTN: $186.80
SB: $71.15
BB: $111.00
UTG: $78.70
UTG+1: $143.80
MP1: $54.35
MP2: $100.00
Hero (CO): $116.20

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is CO with Kc Ad
UTG calls $1, 3 folds, Hero raises to $4.50, 3 folds, UTG calls $3.50

Flop: ($10.50) 4s 4c Kd (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $7, UTG calls $7

Turn: ($24.50) 2s (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $15, UTG calls $15

River: ($54.50) As (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $54.50, UTG calls $52.20 all in


Have a nice day!!

Flop Decision?

EDIT!!! I meant to paste in a different hand so I have changed the title of this post to Flop Decision. I'll put in the other hand tomorrow or tonight.


I'm a little sad (OK, a lot sad) that Tom Watson couldn't find a way to win this weekend. If he could have only parred the final hole. He was my dad's favorite player so I was really hoping for him to pull it off. Pretty amazing anyway that he did what he did.

Full Tilt Bonus. I didn't know that you had 2 months to get the needed points to get the full bonus. What a relief. I won't have any problems now getting the needed 12000 points.

I started off this hand bad and then it got worse. I accidentally checked from the big blind with AK. Is this an obvious fold? Or do you assume that you are behind knowing that you have outs?

I only have 17 hands on this guy. He was a 35/0/0.3 guy

Full Tilt Poker $0.50/$1 Pot Limit Hold'em - 9 players - http://www.thehandconverter.com/hands/191431
The Official DeucesCracked.com Hand History Converter

UTG: $186.95
UTG+1: $62.25
UTG+2: $110.00
MP1: $45.65
MP2: $144.30
CO: $33.85
BTN: $100.00
SB: $98.00
Hero (BB): $100.00

Pre Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BB with Ah Ks
3 folds, MP1 calls $1, 4 folds, Hero checks

Flop: ($2.50) Kc Ts Ac (2 players)
Hero bets $1.25, MP1 raises to $6.25, Hero raises to $21.25, MP1 raises to $36.25, Hero ??

Have a nice day!!!

More Thoughts

• Who thinks Phil Ivey can win? This final table has to be great for poker. I'll be interested to see how they spin everything
• How many "Still Here" posts have you seen lately? Definitely a busy time of the year.
• Half way through July and I'm NOT halfway through working off my Full Tilt Bonus; but I have at least made it back to postive territory for the month.
• How much of a can of shaving cream is actually used versus washed/rinsed off your hands. 50%?
• I'm still having issues with Full Tilt updates. Now, more so with disconnecting and reconnecting. I get disconnected from FTP; but my internet is still working.
• Having recently switched to Cable from Direct TV, I miss all my HD channels (although I haven't completely gotten rid of DTV yet)
• Has anybody listened to the B Team on Poker Road Radio podcasts. They are much better than the "A" team. Stapes/Seebock/Gavin I think are kind of cashing it in and Cort/Gobbo Boy/ and I can't remember the last one are much better on all counts.... Poker Strategy / Comedy and everything in general. I know Seebock has tons going on running the thing.

Have a nice day.