I've been running pretty well so far at the 2c/4c micro stakes limit.
hands dealt: 639
win rate (BB per 100 hands): +10.0
Sample size is small I admit. My original plan was to hopefully win 100 BB at this level, then move up to the next level 5c/10c. My bankroll is funded with 300 BB for the next level and 300 BB still in the current 2c/4c level.
I've decided to change that plan. I'm going to try multi tabling. I've never done this before in any way so I'll see how it goes. I'm only going to try 2 tabling to start out. I don't expect as high a win rate with two tables. However if the win rate/100 hands is more than half that of single tabling then it will be profitable. Plus it is a new challenge for me. This 2c/4c is a good level to start out learning to multi table. I've found 2c/4c to be a very straightforward, beatable level - good thing, or I'd have to quit poker or go back to play money :(
I tried out just watching two tables at once. I quickly realized one thing I need to do is get two PokerStars tables to actually display on my monitor so I can see them both. I had to turn up my monitor to the highest resolution to be able to see everything in the space hungry PS windows, but it should be OK. I'll track my (hopefully positive) winrate 2 tabling and see how it compares over the same # of hands as single tabling.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Table selection in micro stakes limit
I've been trying to work out how to pick which table to play in 2c/4c limit on PokerStars. I want to play the tables which are the most profitable. That means lots of loose, passive players. I like to be at tables with at least 3 and better yet 5+ opponents seeing the flop. I of course want nothing to do with this and I like to play tight and fold preflop around 70% of the time. But I want lots of people seeing the flop with me on the premium starting hands in position I do play.
I don't mind loose aggressive players. If they want to splash chips around with reckless raising and reraising that's fine with me. There's just more variance against such players since you generally don't know if they have anything more than bottom pair with their raises and reraises. Plus nobody folds because the pot is large and the raiser is reckless and could be raising with anything. So the opponents will all call capped betting rounds to the river with middle pair hoping for late help, or that it is good enough to take it. With large pots and nobody folding there are even more, and more expensive bad beats. But that's the cost of doing business against bad players so I'm not complaining.
Anyway how to pick a table. I like full 10 player tables since the blinds come around less frequently so cost less. That allows me to play tight and wait for premium starting hands without the blinds eating at my stack.
Usually there are around 2-4 tables on Stars at my level with 9 players. I used to use flop % and pick the one with the highest percentage seeing the flop. However I found that after I sat down the table would often be a lot tighter than the 68% flop percentage from the lobby. I think flop % is skewed by a small number (2-3) of players who see the flop virtually 100% of the time. If 1 or 2 such players leave the table then by the time new players join the flop percentage can plummet. So I don't bother with flop % any more since it is unreliable due to the large amount of players coming and going from the tables at this level.
Then I tried just picking a table at random, like I used to in Yahoo. I wrote a small Python script to select one. That was OK I guess, but then I'd get into unstable tables I didn't really like. In Stars micro stakes limit a table can start out well with 9-10 players but then quickly in about 5 minutes disintegrate down to like 4-5 players.
Unstable tables that may be about to disintegrate can be spotted by the following:
I came up with a new plan to just pick a table manually. What I do now is this.
I don't mind loose aggressive players. If they want to splash chips around with reckless raising and reraising that's fine with me. There's just more variance against such players since you generally don't know if they have anything more than bottom pair with their raises and reraises. Plus nobody folds because the pot is large and the raiser is reckless and could be raising with anything. So the opponents will all call capped betting rounds to the river with middle pair hoping for late help, or that it is good enough to take it. With large pots and nobody folding there are even more, and more expensive bad beats. But that's the cost of doing business against bad players so I'm not complaining.
Anyway how to pick a table. I like full 10 player tables since the blinds come around less frequently so cost less. That allows me to play tight and wait for premium starting hands without the blinds eating at my stack.
Usually there are around 2-4 tables on Stars at my level with 9 players. I used to use flop % and pick the one with the highest percentage seeing the flop. However I found that after I sat down the table would often be a lot tighter than the 68% flop percentage from the lobby. I think flop % is skewed by a small number (2-3) of players who see the flop virtually 100% of the time. If 1 or 2 such players leave the table then by the time new players join the flop percentage can plummet. So I don't bother with flop % any more since it is unreliable due to the large amount of players coming and going from the tables at this level.
Then I tried just picking a table at random, like I used to in Yahoo. I wrote a small Python script to select one. That was OK I guess, but then I'd get into unstable tables I didn't really like. In Stars micro stakes limit a table can start out well with 9-10 players but then quickly in about 5 minutes disintegrate down to like 4-5 players.
Unstable tables that may be about to disintegrate can be spotted by the following:
- Players (even 1, but especially more than 1) who are holding a seat at the table but sitting out, not playing. This is very annoying, as it makes the table look fuller in the lobby than it actually is.
- Players in distress. If someone has less than 10 BB in his stack then that person often goes bust in a few hands then either leaves or sits out. If there is more than one player in distress then the table can be in rapid flux.
I came up with a new plan to just pick a table manually. What I do now is this.
- Open all of the tables with 9 players.
- Eliminate the unstable tables with sitters or people in distress.
- Watch a couple hands in progress on the remaining tables if there is more than one.
- Pick the table with the most people seeing the flop.
- Also I look for players I recognize, have notes on, and are known to be bad players. The occasional known good player is OK to play with since I at least have a read on him. I prefer that to playing unknowns.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Cowboys
Pocket kings is a great starting hand. I will raise, 3bet and cap this preflop from any position. Of course the Achilles of this hand is when an Ace appears on the board, or rarely when an opponent has AA. Many players including myself find it hard to let go of premium starting hands TT-KK when there are multiple players seeing the flop and an overcard appears on the board.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com
Preflop: Hero is BB with Kd, Ks. UTG posts a blind of $0.03.
UTG (poster) checks, UTG+1 raises, UTG+2 calls, 4 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, UTG folds, UTG+1 caps, UTG+2 calls, Button calls, Hero calls.
--> Excellent, 4 people calling a capped preflop and I have Cowboys.
Flop: (18 SB) 3s, 4h, 4c (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, Button bets, Hero raises, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 folds, Button calls.
--> Fortunately no Ace on the flop. I think I'm in the lead. Somebody could have a 4, at this level that is not impossible. AA is also possible. Someone actually folds to my checkraise.
Turn: (12 BB) 8s (3 players)
Hero bets, UTG+1 folds, Button calls.
--> Turn changes nothing I'm guessing. So I bet it out.
River: (14 BB) As (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero calls.
--> Ace on the river, bleh. I'm quite possibly beat since some people at this level will call all the way to the river with just an Ace, but no way I'm folding for one bet to see his cards at showdown. If there is at least a 1/14 chance he's bluffing the Ace then it is profitable for me to call here. Luckily for me by the time the Ace appeared there were just two of us left in the pot. It demonstrates the importance of playing KK aggressively preflop and on the flop to try to drive out people who have just an Ace.
Final Pot: 16 BB
Results below:
Hero has [Kd Ks] (two pair, kings and fours).
Button shows [7h 7d] (two pair, Sevens and Fours).
Outcome: Hero wins 16 BB.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com
Preflop: Hero is BB with Kd, Ks. UTG posts a blind of $0.03.
UTG (poster) checks, UTG+1 raises, UTG+2 calls, 4 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, UTG folds, UTG+1 caps, UTG+2 calls, Button calls, Hero calls.
--> Excellent, 4 people calling a capped preflop and I have Cowboys.
Flop: (18 SB) 3s, 4h, 4c (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 checks, Button bets, Hero raises, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 folds, Button calls.
--> Fortunately no Ace on the flop. I think I'm in the lead. Somebody could have a 4, at this level that is not impossible. AA is also possible. Someone actually folds to my checkraise.
Turn: (12 BB) 8s (3 players)
Hero bets, UTG+1 folds, Button calls.
--> Turn changes nothing I'm guessing. So I bet it out.
River: (14 BB) As (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero calls.
--> Ace on the river, bleh. I'm quite possibly beat since some people at this level will call all the way to the river with just an Ace, but no way I'm folding for one bet to see his cards at showdown. If there is at least a 1/14 chance he's bluffing the Ace then it is profitable for me to call here. Luckily for me by the time the Ace appeared there were just two of us left in the pot. It demonstrates the importance of playing KK aggressively preflop and on the flop to try to drive out people who have just an Ace.
Final Pot: 16 BB
Results below:
Hero has [Kd Ks] (two pair, kings and fours).
Button shows [7h 7d] (two pair, Sevens and Fours).
Outcome: Hero wins 16 BB.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Pocket rockets
I got pocket Aces for the first time at micro stakes limit. I know it won't always turn out this well but this one was very satisfying.
Preflop: Hero is SB with Ac, As.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 1 fold, MP2 raises, CO calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, BB caps, UTG+1 calls, MP2 calls, CO calls, Hero calls.
--> Five people tag along with a capped preflop and I have Aces. yes!
Flop: (20 SB) 9s, Kc, Jc (5 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero 3-bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 caps, CO calls, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.
--> Flop is pretty good. No flush yet, and the two face cards should draw some action. However there is a also straight draw and a chance I'm behind here if someone has KK, JJ, KJ, K9, J9, 99, or QT. With 5 people seeing the flop all of these are possible. Still I like my hand so I lead bet. I really should have check raised to better defend my hand, after all at this point all I have is top pair. Then again with the size of the pot it is unlikely anyone would fold to a check raise bet that wouldn't have folded to the lead bet.
Turn: (20 BB) [9s Kc Jc] [3h] (5 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.
--> Turn looks like a blank. I again lead bet. I'm thinking I'm WA/WB (way ahead or way behind) at this point. I decide not to 3bet the raise since I could be WB with only the pair of Aces.
River: (30 BB) [9s Kc Jc 3h] [Ad] (5 players)
Hero bets, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero 3-bets, MP2 caps, CO calls, Hero calls.
--> Ace on the river is a gift from the electronic dealer. I've just retaken the lead if anyone else has 2 pair or 3 of a kind. I again lead bet, expecting to be raised. Villian complies and I 3bet his raise since I'm much more confident I have this won. The QT straight is still a possibility.
Final Pot: 42 BB
Showdown:
MP2 has Ah Js (two pair, aces and jacks).
CO has 8h Kd (one pair, kings).
Hero has Ac As (three of a kind, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins 42 BB.
--> Showdown and I take down the huge 42 BB pot. Gotta like it.
Preflop: Hero is SB with Ac, As.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 1 fold, MP2 raises, CO calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, BB caps, UTG+1 calls, MP2 calls, CO calls, Hero calls.
--> Five people tag along with a capped preflop and I have Aces. yes!
Flop: (20 SB) 9s, Kc, Jc (5 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero 3-bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 caps, CO calls, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.
--> Flop is pretty good. No flush yet, and the two face cards should draw some action. However there is a also straight draw and a chance I'm behind here if someone has KK, JJ, KJ, K9, J9, 99, or QT. With 5 people seeing the flop all of these are possible. Still I like my hand so I lead bet. I really should have check raised to better defend my hand, after all at this point all I have is top pair. Then again with the size of the pot it is unlikely anyone would fold to a check raise bet that wouldn't have folded to the lead bet.
Turn: (20 BB) [9s Kc Jc] [3h] (5 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero calls, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.
--> Turn looks like a blank. I again lead bet. I'm thinking I'm WA/WB (way ahead or way behind) at this point. I decide not to 3bet the raise since I could be WB with only the pair of Aces.
River: (30 BB) [9s Kc Jc 3h] [Ad] (5 players)
Hero bets, BB folds, UTG+1 folds, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero 3-bets, MP2 caps, CO calls, Hero calls.
--> Ace on the river is a gift from the electronic dealer. I've just retaken the lead if anyone else has 2 pair or 3 of a kind. I again lead bet, expecting to be raised. Villian complies and I 3bet his raise since I'm much more confident I have this won. The QT straight is still a possibility.
Final Pot: 42 BB
Showdown:
MP2 has Ah Js (two pair, aces and jacks).
CO has 8h Kd (one pair, kings).
Hero has Ac As (three of a kind, aces).
Outcome: Hero wins 42 BB.
--> Showdown and I take down the huge 42 BB pot. Gotta like it.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Sit n' go update
These are my results so far at low stakes sit n go.
tournaments: 6
in the $: 1
wins: 0
% in the $: 17%
ROI: -18.2%
I was break even after the first five, then bubbled out in 5th in a 2 table tourney, bleh. The last tournament was disappointing because I doubled up the very first hand and was in the top 4 right until about the final 5 hands. There are about three hands I wish I'd played different plus a horrible bad beat at the very end put me outta the money.
Anyway that's that. I'm only down 1 buy in for my efforts, so that's not exactly embarrasing or anything. I have decided that I'm going to leave off sit n go for a while and concentrate just on limit, which is going well. I'm just not enjoying the sng like I did at play money. Also it takes a lot longer at low stakes to get to the money in the 2-3 table tourneys. When I busted out in my last tournament it was after 1 1/2 hours and something like 140 hands, the blinds were t300/t600. ouch. Back at play money it only took about half that long to get into the money. Often it was heads up by the t100/t200 level, usually t200/t400 at the latest.
No big deal. Low stakes 2-3 table sit n go is just not my thing. I tried it and I didn't really care for it. I'll probably try tournament play again some time in the future, it is a challenge for me. But I need to think it through and come up with a new approach. First of all it won't be the 2-3 table tourneys. They just take way too long.
I'll play either the 1 table sng or big multi table tourneys with hundreds of players. I also need to come up with a new game plan to build up a big stack needed to get to a point where the payoff is worth how long it takes to get there. What I probably should do is go to a different site than PokerStars where the 1 table sng only pay the top two finishers. That would force me to figure out how to be more aggressive to play to win [and very possibly go bust early], instead of trying to coast, protect my stack, win a few hands, push all in short stacked and hope to win a coin flip, hang around folding hoping others will go bust first allowing me to back into the money.
tournaments: 6
in the $: 1
wins: 0
% in the $: 17%
ROI: -18.2%
I was break even after the first five, then bubbled out in 5th in a 2 table tourney, bleh. The last tournament was disappointing because I doubled up the very first hand and was in the top 4 right until about the final 5 hands. There are about three hands I wish I'd played different plus a horrible bad beat at the very end put me outta the money.
Anyway that's that. I'm only down 1 buy in for my efforts, so that's not exactly embarrasing or anything. I have decided that I'm going to leave off sit n go for a while and concentrate just on limit, which is going well. I'm just not enjoying the sng like I did at play money. Also it takes a lot longer at low stakes to get to the money in the 2-3 table tourneys. When I busted out in my last tournament it was after 1 1/2 hours and something like 140 hands, the blinds were t300/t600. ouch. Back at play money it only took about half that long to get into the money. Often it was heads up by the t100/t200 level, usually t200/t400 at the latest.
No big deal. Low stakes 2-3 table sit n go is just not my thing. I tried it and I didn't really care for it. I'll probably try tournament play again some time in the future, it is a challenge for me. But I need to think it through and come up with a new approach. First of all it won't be the 2-3 table tourneys. They just take way too long.
I'll play either the 1 table sng or big multi table tourneys with hundreds of players. I also need to come up with a new game plan to build up a big stack needed to get to a point where the payoff is worth how long it takes to get there. What I probably should do is go to a different site than PokerStars where the 1 table sng only pay the top two finishers. That would force me to figure out how to be more aggressive to play to win [and very possibly go bust early], instead of trying to coast, protect my stack, win a few hands, push all in short stacked and hope to win a coin flip, hang around folding hoping others will go bust first allowing me to back into the money.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Bad blinds steal push
I went bust on a bad play in a three table sit n' go.
It was a three table tournament. There were around 11 people left. Not quite the final table. It was two tables with 5-6 people each. That made it tough because the blinds were coming around fast.
I was playing OK I think, at least not wasting chips. I didn't have much cards to work with. I was in last place with just under 7 BB left. I had been in push/fold mode for a while due to my short stack. I'd been all preflop in a few times and nobody had called yet.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (5 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com
MP (t3435)
Button (t3565)
SB (t3580)
halpgr (t1375)
UTG (t1460)
Preflop: halpgr is BB with 6h, 5d.
3 folds,
SB completes,
halpgr raises to t1375,
SB calls t1175.
--> Opponent limped into the BB. I tried to steal by moving all in with a garbage hand 65. He paused for a moment then called.
Flop: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad] (2 players)
Turn: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad] [2c] (2 players)
River: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad 2c] [Kh] (2 players)
Final Pot: t2750
Showdown:
halpgr has 6h 5d (one pair, kings).
SB has 7s Ac (two pair, aces and kings).
Outcome: SB wins t2750.
He made a good call with A7, and won the hand easily.
I should have just checked to see the flop for free and only pushed if the flop was favorable.
I think this was a bad spot to push all in preflop. With still about 7 BB left, I could wait to push better hands like any Ace, a pocket pair, or two face cards. I think the blinds steal push is a valid play, but I should have waited until I was down to 3-4 BB to try it.
I've now gone bust on bad plays in 2 of the 3 low stakes sng. I wasn't likely to finish in the money anyway on either of the sng where I messed up. Still I have to play better to be successful at sng.
It was a three table tournament. There were around 11 people left. Not quite the final table. It was two tables with 5-6 people each. That made it tough because the blinds were coming around fast.
I was playing OK I think, at least not wasting chips. I didn't have much cards to work with. I was in last place with just under 7 BB left. I had been in push/fold mode for a while due to my short stack. I'd been all preflop in a few times and nobody had called yet.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (5 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com
MP (t3435)
Button (t3565)
SB (t3580)
halpgr (t1375)
UTG (t1460)
Preflop: halpgr is BB with 6h, 5d.
3 folds,
SB completes,
halpgr raises to t1375,
SB calls t1175.
--> Opponent limped into the BB. I tried to steal by moving all in with a garbage hand 65. He paused for a moment then called.
Flop: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad] (2 players)
Turn: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad] [2c] (2 players)
River: (t2750) [Kc 4h Ad 2c] [Kh] (2 players)
Final Pot: t2750
Showdown:
halpgr has 6h 5d (one pair, kings).
SB has 7s Ac (two pair, aces and kings).
Outcome: SB wins t2750.
He made a good call with A7, and won the hand easily.
I should have just checked to see the flop for free and only pushed if the flop was favorable.
I think this was a bad spot to push all in preflop. With still about 7 BB left, I could wait to push better hands like any Ace, a pocket pair, or two face cards. I think the blinds steal push is a valid play, but I should have waited until I was down to 3-4 BB to try it.
I've now gone bust on bad plays in 2 of the 3 low stakes sng. I wasn't likely to finish in the money anyway on either of the sng where I messed up. Still I have to play better to be successful at sng.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Micro stakes limit winning session
I had my first winning session at micro stakes limit. It was a good session. I gained around 38 big bets in a little over an hour. That's a pretty good rate. Hopefully it will continue to be profitable at this level.
A nice thing about loose passive tables is that it can be profitable to play drawing hands. Here is a nice hand that I won.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com (Format: Plain Text)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Ac, 2c.
UTG calls,
1 fold,
MP1 calls,
halpgr calls,
CO calls,
Button raises,
1 fold,
BB calls,
UTG calls,
MP1 calls,
halpgr calls,
CO calls.
--> A2s thru A5s are among my favorite hands. They are great drawing hands. I like to be able to see the flop cheaply with these hands and have pot odds to chase the flush draw. In this hand someone raised but everyone called so felt I had pot odds to call the extra small bet and see the flop.
Flop: (12.50 SB) 8c, 9h, Kc (6 players)
BB checks,
UTG checks,
MP1 checks,
halpgr checks,
CO bets,
Button raises,
BB calls,
UTG folds,
MP1 folds,
halpgr calls,
CO 3-bets,
Button calls,
BB calls,
halpgr calls.
--> I pick up a nine out draw to the nut flush. With relatively late position and others passively calling I have pot odds to call both times and chase.
Turn: (12.25 BB) [8c 9h Kc] [7c] (4 players)
BB checks,
halpgr checks,
CO bets,
Button calls,
BB calls,
halpgr raises,
CO 3-bets,
Button folds,
BB caps,
halpgr calls,
CO calls.
--> Yes! I hit my flush on the turn, taking the lead. The players behind me had been aggressive to this point so I check raised, figuring this would get some extra big bets in and they wouldn't fold. Plus a lead bet from me on a scare card could freeze them into just calling. I got the extra bets I wanted.
River: (25.25 BB) [8c 9h Kc 7c] [Ah] (3 players)
BB bets,
halpgr raises,
CO calls,
BB calls.
--> No board pair on the river. So no full house and my nut flush is good. I raise the lead bet and everyone calls.
Showdown:
BB has Ks 6c (one pair, kings).
halpgr has Ac 2c (flush, ace high).
CO has Th Jd (straight, jack high).
Outcome: halpgr wins 31.25 BB.
Later on I hit another flush draw as well chasing QJs from the small blind, which made up most of the profit in the session. It won't always go this well. Sometimes I'll miss the draws, and sometimes people will beat me on draws.
A nice thing about loose passive tables is that it can be profitable to play drawing hands. Here is a nice hand that I won.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.com (Format: Plain Text)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Ac, 2c.
UTG calls,
1 fold,
MP1 calls,
halpgr calls,
CO calls,
Button raises,
1 fold,
BB calls,
UTG calls,
MP1 calls,
halpgr calls,
CO calls.
--> A2s thru A5s are among my favorite hands. They are great drawing hands. I like to be able to see the flop cheaply with these hands and have pot odds to chase the flush draw. In this hand someone raised but everyone called so felt I had pot odds to call the extra small bet and see the flop.
Flop: (12.50 SB) 8c, 9h, Kc (6 players)
BB checks,
UTG checks,
MP1 checks,
halpgr checks,
CO bets,
Button raises,
BB calls,
UTG folds,
MP1 folds,
halpgr calls,
CO 3-bets,
Button calls,
BB calls,
halpgr calls.
--> I pick up a nine out draw to the nut flush. With relatively late position and others passively calling I have pot odds to call both times and chase.
Turn: (12.25 BB) [8c 9h Kc] [7c] (4 players)
BB checks,
halpgr checks,
CO bets,
Button calls,
BB calls,
halpgr raises,
CO 3-bets,
Button folds,
BB caps,
halpgr calls,
CO calls.
--> Yes! I hit my flush on the turn, taking the lead. The players behind me had been aggressive to this point so I check raised, figuring this would get some extra big bets in and they wouldn't fold. Plus a lead bet from me on a scare card could freeze them into just calling. I got the extra bets I wanted.
River: (25.25 BB) [8c 9h Kc 7c] [Ah] (3 players)
BB bets,
halpgr raises,
CO calls,
BB calls.
--> No board pair on the river. So no full house and my nut flush is good. I raise the lead bet and everyone calls.
Showdown:
BB has Ks 6c (one pair, kings).
halpgr has Ac 2c (flush, ace high).
CO has Th Jd (straight, jack high).
Outcome: halpgr wins 31.25 BB.
Later on I hit another flush draw as well chasing QJs from the small blind, which made up most of the profit in the session. It won't always go this well. Sometimes I'll miss the draws, and sometimes people will beat me on draws.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Micro stakes limit
I changed my mind about the 1 table sit n' go. I didn't like them in the past, so I doubt if I'd like them today. Instead I decided to play a different game for the times when I don't have around 1 1/2 - 2 hours for a 2 or 3 table sng.
I've enjoyed playing limit in the past at play money, so I decided to play some limit hold'em. I started out at the very bottom of the totem pole, the $0.02/$0.04 limit micro stakes on PokerStars. I figured that would be a low cost way to try out very low stakes limit and see what it was like.
I played for a little under an hour. I lost a small amount. I played OK, I just wasn't getting any kind of cards to work with. I only took one hand past the flop, and I won that hand. Most hands I was dealt I just folded bad cards before the flop.
I looked for full tables with 8-10 people. Table selection was based on the percentage seeing the flop. I picked the tables with the highest flop percentage. The tables were not very stable, people kept coming and going. It was not uncommon for a table to go from 10 people to 5 in just a few minutes. If a table fell below 7 people I would leave. I don't care for the shorthanded game.
The play at this level was not very intimidating. It looked about the same skill as the play 200/400 level. The play was very passive. Not much raising on any street. More than half were seeing the flop. People just limping to the blinds, then passively calling postflop if they had any pair, Ace high, or any kind of draw, however remote. So I should be able to be profitable at this level over time. Just play tight. Fold early, fold often, and when I'm strong bet and raise. If I can't beat it then I'm truly not a very good player.
I did manage to win one hand in the session. Here is the fist low stakes limit hand I won. Hopefully the first of many won hands. I promise I won't post them all on this site.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
Preflop: halpgr is MP3 with Ad, 9c.
1 fold,
UTG+1 calls,
3 folds,
halpgr calls,
1 fold,
Button calls,
SB completes,
BB checks.
--> I had A9 in MP3. I don't care much for A9. I will usually just fold it out of position. I considered folding it here but I figured MP3 is late enough for A9 to be playable. Also the table was very passive with little raising preflop or on any street, so I was expecting to be able to see the flop for only the cost of one small bet. As usual lots of people called the blinds and nobody raised.
Flop: (5 SB) 4c, As, Qd (5 players)
SB checks,
BB checks,
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr bets,
Button folds,
SB folds,
BB folds,
UTG+1 calls.
--> This is a favorable flop for me. I hit my Ace on the flop, giving me top pair medium kicker TPMK. Also the board looks pretty safe with no apparent flush or straight draws. It was checked to me so I bet.
My flop bet worked out pretty well. Three opponents went away, leaving their money in the pot. The one caller didn't raise and was out of position.
*** TURN (3.50 BB) *** [4c As Qd] [3d]
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr bets,
UTG+1 calls.
--> The turn looked safe. Villian checked and I bet, hoping to win the pot there. Unfortunately he called.
*** RIVER (5.50 BB) *** [4c As Qd 3d] [7c]
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr checks.
--> The river didn't look too scary. Villian again checked. I considered betting the river but decided not to. I thought he might have me beat with AT or AJ. Plus he might be slowplaying a much better hand and was planning to checkraise me on the river. My TPMK might or might not be good enough to take this pot. If I'm beat I don't want to spend any more money on this hand. I checked and took the free showdown.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
UTG+1: shows [Qs 5s] (a pair of Queens)
halpgr: shows [Ad 9c] (a pair of Aces)
halpgr collected $0.22 from pot
--> Yay, I won the showdown! Turns out he had middle pair and was chasing for another Queen, a five, the backdoor flush draw, or the double gutshot straight draw (which he almost hit). He missed it all and I won the pot.
I've enjoyed playing limit in the past at play money, so I decided to play some limit hold'em. I started out at the very bottom of the totem pole, the $0.02/$0.04 limit micro stakes on PokerStars. I figured that would be a low cost way to try out very low stakes limit and see what it was like.
I played for a little under an hour. I lost a small amount. I played OK, I just wasn't getting any kind of cards to work with. I only took one hand past the flop, and I won that hand. Most hands I was dealt I just folded bad cards before the flop.
I looked for full tables with 8-10 people. Table selection was based on the percentage seeing the flop. I picked the tables with the highest flop percentage. The tables were not very stable, people kept coming and going. It was not uncommon for a table to go from 10 people to 5 in just a few minutes. If a table fell below 7 people I would leave. I don't care for the shorthanded game.
The play at this level was not very intimidating. It looked about the same skill as the play 200/400 level. The play was very passive. Not much raising on any street. More than half were seeing the flop. People just limping to the blinds, then passively calling postflop if they had any pair, Ace high, or any kind of draw, however remote. So I should be able to be profitable at this level over time. Just play tight. Fold early, fold often, and when I'm strong bet and raise. If I can't beat it then I'm truly not a very good player.
I did manage to win one hand in the session. Here is the fist low stakes limit hand I won. Hopefully the first of many won hands. I promise I won't post them all on this site.
PokerStars 0.02/0.04 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
Preflop: halpgr is MP3 with Ad, 9c.
1 fold,
UTG+1 calls,
3 folds,
halpgr calls,
1 fold,
Button calls,
SB completes,
BB checks.
--> I had A9 in MP3. I don't care much for A9. I will usually just fold it out of position. I considered folding it here but I figured MP3 is late enough for A9 to be playable. Also the table was very passive with little raising preflop or on any street, so I was expecting to be able to see the flop for only the cost of one small bet. As usual lots of people called the blinds and nobody raised.
Flop: (5 SB) 4c, As, Qd (5 players)
SB checks,
BB checks,
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr bets,
Button folds,
SB folds,
BB folds,
UTG+1 calls.
--> This is a favorable flop for me. I hit my Ace on the flop, giving me top pair medium kicker TPMK. Also the board looks pretty safe with no apparent flush or straight draws. It was checked to me so I bet.
My flop bet worked out pretty well. Three opponents went away, leaving their money in the pot. The one caller didn't raise and was out of position.
*** TURN (3.50 BB) *** [4c As Qd] [3d]
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr bets,
UTG+1 calls.
--> The turn looked safe. Villian checked and I bet, hoping to win the pot there. Unfortunately he called.
*** RIVER (5.50 BB) *** [4c As Qd 3d] [7c]
UTG+1 checks,
halpgr checks.
--> The river didn't look too scary. Villian again checked. I considered betting the river but decided not to. I thought he might have me beat with AT or AJ. Plus he might be slowplaying a much better hand and was planning to checkraise me on the river. My TPMK might or might not be good enough to take this pot. If I'm beat I don't want to spend any more money on this hand. I checked and took the free showdown.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
UTG+1: shows [Qs 5s] (a pair of Queens)
halpgr: shows [Ad 9c] (a pair of Aces)
halpgr collected $0.22 from pot
--> Yay, I won the showdown! Turns out he had middle pair and was chasing for another Queen, a five, the backdoor flush draw, or the double gutshot straight draw (which he almost hit). He missed it all and I won the pot.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
two table sng tournament
Today I played a two table tournament. My goals were a bit higher than the three tabler from yesterday. I wanted to reach the final table and win more than one hand.
Well I managed to do that and more. I ended up in the money, finishing in second place. I'm happy with how I played and how it turned out.
I also managed to knock out three people in this tournament. Knocking people out is my favorite part of sit n' go. Here's my first low stakes knockout. Sorry if I'm using "knockout" as the incorrect term. If there is a proper term then send it along to me. Is "stack" better to use?
*********** # 7 **************
PokerStars Game #5138633414: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/06/03 - 11:48:41 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
UTG (t1500)
UTG+1 (t1470)
MP1 (t2070)
MP2 (t2260)
halpgr (t1470)
CO (t1320)
Button (t1140)
SB (t970)
BB (t1300)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [Ad Ks]
4 folds,
halpgr raises to t100,
CO calls t100,
2 folds,
BB calls t80
--> This is the first hand I played this tournament. I made a strong 5X BB raise with AKo from MP3.
*** FLOP (t310) *** [8d As Qh]
BB checks,
halpgr bets t160,
CO calls t160,
BB folds.
--> I hit the Ace on the flop, giving me TPTK. I bet t160, hoping to take it there. One guy folds but the other just calls. I put him on an Ace with a lesser kicker.
*** TURN (t630) *** [8d As Qh] [3d]
halpgr checks,
CO bets t1060 (All-In),
halpgr calls t1060
--> The turn looks like a blank. I checked with the intent of check raising. I was hoping that villian would think I didn't have an Ace and put a bet in. He bet more than I expected. I called, hoping my read on him was good.
*** RIVER *** [8d As Qh 3d] [6d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
halpgr has Ad Ks (one pair, aces).
CO has Ah 2c (one pair, aces)
halpgr collected 2750 from pot
--> My read was right on. He had a dominated Ace. I took his stack and vaulted into 2nd place. I stayed near the top of the leaderboard for a while.
A while later I got my second knockout.
*********** # 55 **************
PokerStars Game #5138881592: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/03 - 12:25:25 (ET)
Table '25836502 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
UTG (t4035)
MP (t4965)
halpgr (t1970)
SB (t1065)
BB (t1500)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [Ad Ks]
2 folds,
halpgr raises to t450,
1 fold,
BB raises to t1500,
halpgr calls t1050.
--> I've got AKo again on the button. I've got about 13 BB left so not much room to play. I raise 3X the BB. The BB reraises me and I call. I'll usually call an all in preflop with AK when I have the opponent covered, unless I think the he is an absolute rock who will only push with AA or KK. Villian seemed a bit loose and reckless to me so it was an easy call.
*** FLOP *** [5s 6d Ac]
*** TURN *** [5s 6d Ac] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [5s 6d Ac Kc] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BB: shows [9h Jh] (high card Ace)
halpgr: shows [Ad Ks] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
halpgr collected 3075 from pot
--> Another pretty good read. He was down to 10 BB so he took his chances with J9s. My better hand held up.
Later I got my third and final knockout in the tournament.
*********** # 94 **************
PokerStars Game #5139146331: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/06/03 - 13:01:53 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
SB (t3405)
BB (t5165)
UTG (t5390)
MP (t2790)
halpgr (t2970)
Button (t7280)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [7d 7s]
1 fold,
MP raises to t800,
halpgr raises to t2945,
3 folds,
MP calls t1965 (All-In).
--> I'd been in push/fold mode for a while. I'd been all in preflop around 4 times and nobody called, allowing me to keep my stack viable. On this hand I've got 77 in the CO. Down to a little over 7BB, it was time again to move all in.
The villian had also moved all in preflop a couple of times earlier. I liked that she had only raised on her turn instead of pushing. That suggested she didn't have any pocket pair. I put her on overs and decided to take my chances in the coin flip.
*** FLOP *** [4h Ad 5c]
*** TURN *** [4h Ad 5c] [Jd]
*** RIVER *** [4h Ad 5c Jd] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MP has Kc 7c (high card, ace).
halpgr has 7d 7s (one pair, sevens).
*** SUMMARY ***
halpgr showed [7d 7s] and won (6280) with a pair of Sevens
--> She wasn't as strong as I'd thought. I was glad to see K7s when she called the all in. I was even happier when no K or flush draw appeared on the board.
Going into heads up I was an underdog. Opponent had 22,000 chips and I had around 5,000. I'm not a good heads up player. Back in play money I lost sng at heads up well over half the time. So I just played it pretty loose and put my chips in and hoped for some luck.
I did have some success as opponent was also playing pretty loose. I was able to double up a couple of times with some OK play and some luck and we were about even. Then I went back a bit, bringing up this final hand.
*********** # 122 **************
PokerStars Game #5139260370: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (400/800) - 2006/06/03 - 13:16:51 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
halpgr (t10640)
Button (t16360)
Preflop: halpgr is BB with 6h, Ad.
Button raises to t2400,
halpgr raises to t10590,
Button calls t8190.
--> He opened with a raise. He'd been playing aggressive, so I thought my A6 might be good. I reraised all in and took my chances. Turns out he had me dominated with AK. That held up and he took the tournament.
*** FLOP *** [3c 2c Jd]
*** TURN *** [3c 2c Jd] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [3c 2c Jd 5h] [2h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
halpgr: shows [6h Ad] (a pair of Deuces)
Button: shows [Kd Ah] (a pair of Deuces - Ace+King kicker)
Button collected 21280 from pot
I'm pretty happy with the result. It was a bit of a grind though. 122 hands, 1 hour 38 minutes. I think I'll try the 1 table sng next and see how that goes. I don't know if I have the time or energy to consistently play for that long. I usually play at night after the kids are in bed and the housework is done. I don't know if I can play that long when I don't start until late and have to get up early for work the next day. The 1 table tournament might finish faster.
Now with my second place finish, that puts my bankroll above my initial deposit. So technically I'm currently a winning player, at least for now.
Well I managed to do that and more. I ended up in the money, finishing in second place. I'm happy with how I played and how it turned out.
I also managed to knock out three people in this tournament. Knocking people out is my favorite part of sit n' go. Here's my first low stakes knockout. Sorry if I'm using "knockout" as the incorrect term. If there is a proper term then send it along to me. Is "stack" better to use?
*********** # 7 **************
PokerStars Game #5138633414: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2006/06/03 - 11:48:41 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
UTG (t1500)
UTG+1 (t1470)
MP1 (t2070)
MP2 (t2260)
halpgr (t1470)
CO (t1320)
Button (t1140)
SB (t970)
BB (t1300)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [Ad Ks]
4 folds,
halpgr raises to t100,
CO calls t100,
2 folds,
BB calls t80
--> This is the first hand I played this tournament. I made a strong 5X BB raise with AKo from MP3.
*** FLOP (t310) *** [8d As Qh]
BB checks,
halpgr bets t160,
CO calls t160,
BB folds.
--> I hit the Ace on the flop, giving me TPTK. I bet t160, hoping to take it there. One guy folds but the other just calls. I put him on an Ace with a lesser kicker.
*** TURN (t630) *** [8d As Qh] [3d]
halpgr checks,
CO bets t1060 (All-In),
halpgr calls t1060
--> The turn looks like a blank. I checked with the intent of check raising. I was hoping that villian would think I didn't have an Ace and put a bet in. He bet more than I expected. I called, hoping my read on him was good.
*** RIVER *** [8d As Qh 3d] [6d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
halpgr has Ad Ks (one pair, aces).
CO has Ah 2c (one pair, aces)
halpgr collected 2750 from pot
--> My read was right on. He had a dominated Ace. I took his stack and vaulted into 2nd place. I stayed near the top of the leaderboard for a while.
A while later I got my second knockout.
*********** # 55 **************
PokerStars Game #5138881592: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2006/06/03 - 12:25:25 (ET)
Table '25836502 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
UTG (t4035)
MP (t4965)
halpgr (t1970)
SB (t1065)
BB (t1500)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [Ad Ks]
2 folds,
halpgr raises to t450,
1 fold,
BB raises to t1500,
halpgr calls t1050.
--> I've got AKo again on the button. I've got about 13 BB left so not much room to play. I raise 3X the BB. The BB reraises me and I call. I'll usually call an all in preflop with AK when I have the opponent covered, unless I think the he is an absolute rock who will only push with AA or KK. Villian seemed a bit loose and reckless to me so it was an easy call.
*** FLOP *** [5s 6d Ac]
*** TURN *** [5s 6d Ac] [Kc]
*** RIVER *** [5s 6d Ac Kc] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
BB: shows [9h Jh] (high card Ace)
halpgr: shows [Ad Ks] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
halpgr collected 3075 from pot
--> Another pretty good read. He was down to 10 BB so he took his chances with J9s. My better hand held up.
Later I got my third and final knockout in the tournament.
*********** # 94 **************
PokerStars Game #5139146331: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/06/03 - 13:01:53 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
SB (t3405)
BB (t5165)
UTG (t5390)
MP (t2790)
halpgr (t2970)
Button (t7280)
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to halpgr [7d 7s]
1 fold,
MP raises to t800,
halpgr raises to t2945,
3 folds,
MP calls t1965 (All-In).
--> I'd been in push/fold mode for a while. I'd been all in preflop around 4 times and nobody called, allowing me to keep my stack viable. On this hand I've got 77 in the CO. Down to a little over 7BB, it was time again to move all in.
The villian had also moved all in preflop a couple of times earlier. I liked that she had only raised on her turn instead of pushing. That suggested she didn't have any pocket pair. I put her on overs and decided to take my chances in the coin flip.
*** FLOP *** [4h Ad 5c]
*** TURN *** [4h Ad 5c] [Jd]
*** RIVER *** [4h Ad 5c Jd] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MP has Kc 7c (high card, ace).
halpgr has 7d 7s (one pair, sevens).
*** SUMMARY ***
halpgr showed [7d 7s] and won (6280) with a pair of Sevens
--> She wasn't as strong as I'd thought. I was glad to see K7s when she called the all in. I was even happier when no K or flush draw appeared on the board.
Going into heads up I was an underdog. Opponent had 22,000 chips and I had around 5,000. I'm not a good heads up player. Back in play money I lost sng at heads up well over half the time. So I just played it pretty loose and put my chips in and hoped for some luck.
I did have some success as opponent was also playing pretty loose. I was able to double up a couple of times with some OK play and some luck and we were about even. Then I went back a bit, bringing up this final hand.
*********** # 122 **************
PokerStars Game #5139260370: Tournament #25836502, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (400/800) - 2006/06/03 - 13:16:51 (ET)
Table '25836502 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
halpgr (t10640)
Button (t16360)
Preflop: halpgr is BB with 6h, Ad.
Button raises to t2400,
halpgr raises to t10590,
Button calls t8190.
--> He opened with a raise. He'd been playing aggressive, so I thought my A6 might be good. I reraised all in and took my chances. Turns out he had me dominated with AK. That held up and he took the tournament.
*** FLOP *** [3c 2c Jd]
*** TURN *** [3c 2c Jd] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [3c 2c Jd 5h] [2h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
halpgr: shows [6h Ad] (a pair of Deuces)
Button: shows [Kd Ah] (a pair of Deuces - Ace+King kicker)
Button collected 21280 from pot
I'm pretty happy with the result. It was a bit of a grind though. 122 hands, 1 hour 38 minutes. I think I'll try the 1 table sng next and see how that goes. I don't know if I have the time or energy to consistently play for that long. I usually play at night after the kids are in bed and the housework is done. I don't know if I can play that long when I don't start until late and have to get up early for work the next day. The 1 table tournament might finish faster.
Now with my second place finish, that puts my bankroll above my initial deposit. So technically I'm currently a winning player, at least for now.
Friday, June 02, 2006
first low stakes sng
I played my first low stakes sit n' go.
I wasn't expecting too much. My goals were to not finish last, play well by my standards, win at least one hand. Well I accomplished all that I guess. I like the 2 and 3 table sng, so I joined a 3 table tourney.
I didn't do much the first 12 hands. Then I won my first hand.
*********** # 13 **************
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t30 (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
UTG (t1110)
MP1 (t1045)
halpgr (t1425)
CO (t555)
Button (t3415)
SB (t2280)
BB (t3670)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Ts, Th.
2 folds, halpgr raises to t90, CO calls t90, 3 folds.
-> I like TT. I raised 3X BB raise from MP2 . Unfortunately CO calls so I'm not last to act.
Flop: (t225) 5d, 5s, Kh (2 players)
halpgr checks, CO checks.
-> The K overcard on the flop concerns me. I check but villian also checks.
Turn: (t225) Ks (2 players)
halpgr bets t60, CO calls t60.
-> Another K on the turn. I'm thinking that I'm in the lead so I make a modest bet, hoping to take it. CO calls though.
River: (t345) 2d (2 players)
halpgr checks, CO checks.
Final Pot: t345
Board [5d 5s Kh Ks 2d]
Results below:
halpgr has Ts Th (two pair, kings and tens).
CO mucked [Qc Tc]
Outcome: halpgr wins t345.
So my TT was good enough to win this pot.
I didn't think I was getting very good cards. A few hands I had AQo from UTG+1. I raised 2X the big blind with the blinds t50/t100. I immediately regretted the too weak raise, wishing I'd gone to 2.5X the BB. I got reraised from MP3 to t450 and folded since I was out of position. I'm not sure I played that one very well, I would have won that hand after flopping a Q.
The play wasn't too intimidating. There were usually 3-5 people seeing the flop, so I felt I could do OK if I played well and got good cards.
I was hoping to make the final table but alas I messed up and got knocked out. This was my last hand.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t100 (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
BB (t2105)
UTG (t2975)
MP1 (t2810)
halpgr (t1225)
CO (t2940)
Button (t955)
SB (t2230)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Td, Ah.
1 fold, MP1 calls t100, halpgr raises to t200, 3 folds, BB raises to t300, MP1 folds, halpgr calls t100.
-> I wasn't seeing a lot of flops. Still not in real bad shape. I was in around 12th place, with still a healthy stack of over 12 BB.
I raised 2X the BB. The big blind reraised me. I should have been more wary of that, raising from the blinds often indicates a strong hand. But with position on him and 6.5:1 odds I call to see the flop. I possibly should have folded, ATo is not a great hand when reraised. I was thinking a bit about earlier when I'd folded AQo to a preflop reraise.
Flop: (t750) 9h, 4d, 4s (2 players)
BB checks, halpgr checks.
*** TURN *** [9h 4d 4s] [Tc]
Turn: (t750) Tc (2 players)
BB bets t100, halpgr raises to t400, BB raises to t700, halpgr raises to t925, BB calls t225.
-> On the turn I hit my T, giving me top pair top kicker. Villian lead bets. I've seen a lot of people go bust behind TPTK, so I probably should have just called here and tried to get an inexpensive showdown. Given the preflop reraise, I should be thinking about a high pair over TT. Looking at it now it was silly to put my stack in behind TPTK, especially how villian had played the hand up to that point. I shouldn't expect people to be reraising on the preflop and turn with less than TPTK, which was all I had.
River: (t2600) Jh (2 players)
Final Pot: t2600
Results below:
BB has Th Ts (full house, tens full of fours).
halpgr has Td Ah (two pair, tens and fours).
Outcome: BB wins t2600.
So he had TT, and hit a set on the turn. So I misplayed that hand and it cost me my stack. So it goes. The players are better than at play money. I'll have to play better. Still I'm not down about it, I did everything I wanted to for my first low stakes sng.
I wasn't expecting too much. My goals were to not finish last, play well by my standards, win at least one hand. Well I accomplished all that I guess. I like the 2 and 3 table sng, so I joined a 3 table tourney.
I didn't do much the first 12 hands. Then I won my first hand.
*********** # 13 **************
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t30 (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
UTG (t1110)
MP1 (t1045)
halpgr (t1425)
CO (t555)
Button (t3415)
SB (t2280)
BB (t3670)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Ts, Th.
2 folds, halpgr raises to t90, CO calls t90, 3 folds.
-> I like TT. I raised 3X BB raise from MP2 . Unfortunately CO calls so I'm not last to act.
Flop: (t225) 5d, 5s, Kh (2 players)
halpgr checks, CO checks.
-> The K overcard on the flop concerns me. I check but villian also checks.
Turn: (t225) Ks (2 players)
halpgr bets t60, CO calls t60.
-> Another K on the turn. I'm thinking that I'm in the lead so I make a modest bet, hoping to take it. CO calls though.
River: (t345) 2d (2 players)
halpgr checks, CO checks.
Final Pot: t345
Board [5d 5s Kh Ks 2d]
Results below:
halpgr has Ts Th (two pair, kings and tens).
CO mucked [Qc Tc]
Outcome: halpgr wins t345.
So my TT was good enough to win this pot.
I didn't think I was getting very good cards. A few hands I had AQo from UTG+1. I raised 2X the big blind with the blinds t50/t100. I immediately regretted the too weak raise, wishing I'd gone to 2.5X the BB. I got reraised from MP3 to t450 and folded since I was out of position. I'm not sure I played that one very well, I would have won that hand after flopping a Q.
The play wasn't too intimidating. There were usually 3-5 people seeing the flop, so I felt I could do OK if I played well and got good cards.
I was hoping to make the final table but alas I messed up and got knocked out. This was my last hand.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t100 (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from http://www.flopturnriver.comFlopTurnRiver.com (Format: Plain Text)
BB (t2105)
UTG (t2975)
MP1 (t2810)
halpgr (t1225)
CO (t2940)
Button (t955)
SB (t2230)
Preflop: halpgr is MP2 with Td, Ah.
1 fold, MP1 calls t100, halpgr raises to t200, 3 folds, BB raises to t300, MP1 folds, halpgr calls t100.
-> I wasn't seeing a lot of flops. Still not in real bad shape. I was in around 12th place, with still a healthy stack of over 12 BB.
I raised 2X the BB. The big blind reraised me. I should have been more wary of that, raising from the blinds often indicates a strong hand. But with position on him and 6.5:1 odds I call to see the flop. I possibly should have folded, ATo is not a great hand when reraised. I was thinking a bit about earlier when I'd folded AQo to a preflop reraise.
Flop: (t750) 9h, 4d, 4s (2 players)
BB checks, halpgr checks.
*** TURN *** [9h 4d 4s] [Tc]
Turn: (t750) Tc (2 players)
BB bets t100, halpgr raises to t400, BB raises to t700, halpgr raises to t925, BB calls t225.
-> On the turn I hit my T, giving me top pair top kicker. Villian lead bets. I've seen a lot of people go bust behind TPTK, so I probably should have just called here and tried to get an inexpensive showdown. Given the preflop reraise, I should be thinking about a high pair over TT. Looking at it now it was silly to put my stack in behind TPTK, especially how villian had played the hand up to that point. I shouldn't expect people to be reraising on the preflop and turn with less than TPTK, which was all I had.
River: (t2600) Jh (2 players)
Final Pot: t2600
Results below:
BB has Th Ts (full house, tens full of fours).
halpgr has Td Ah (two pair, tens and fours).
Outcome: BB wins t2600.
So he had TT, and hit a set on the turn. So I misplayed that hand and it cost me my stack. So it goes. The players are better than at play money. I'll have to play better. Still I'm not down about it, I did everything I wanted to for my first low stakes sng.
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