Closer, but no cigar

Out in 3rd place this time. This was a real roller-coaster of a tourney, where I made some sick runs and got hit with the deck and at other times lost a plethora of races and ran into some monster hands. I set a personal record by hitting three consecutive sets with pocket nines and getting a full double-up once vs. a lower set of threes.


------------------
HAND #10
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 15/30 Blinds, 9 Players

SB: 2,985
BB: 3,015
Hero (UTG): 2,380
UTG+1: 2,850
UTG+2: 2,910
MP1: 3,495
MP2: 3,855
CO: 2,940
BTN: 2,570

Pre-Flop: (45) J K dealt to Hero (UTG)
Hero raises to 120, UTG+1 raises to 330, 7 folds, Hero calls 210

Flop: (705) 7 7 5 (2 Players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 bets 540, Hero raises to 2,050 and is All-In, UTG+1 folds

Results: 1,785 Pot
Hero mucked J K and WON 1,785 (+915 NET)

I decided on a check-raise, whilst riskier, was more likely to work than a c-bet on this paired board. I don't mind taking this gamble here with a lot of fold equity and a flush draw. I had little interest in hanging around with half a stack in level one so it's make-or-break time.

------------------
HAND #11
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 15/30 Blinds, 9 Players

BTN: 2,970
SB: 2,985
Hero (BB): 3,295
UTG: 1,980
UTG+1: 2,910
UTG+2: 3,495
MP1: 3,855
MP2: 2,940
CO: 2,570

Pre-Flop: (45) 9 9 dealt to Hero (BB)
3 folds, MP1 raises to 75, 4 folds, Hero calls 45

Flop: (165) 5 A 9 (2 Players)
Hero checks, MP1 bets 110, Hero raises to 495, MP1 folds

Results: 385 Pot
Hero mucked 9 9 and WON 385 (+200 NET)

------------------
HAND #17
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 20/40 Blinds, 9 Players

UTG: 3,760
UTG+1: 2,970
Hero (UTG+2): 3,315
MP1: 1,740
MP2: 2,710
CO: 3,575
BTN: 1,960
SB: 2,900
BB: 4,070

Pre-Flop: (60) 6 7 dealt to Hero (UTG+2)
UTG folds, Hero raises to 160, MP2 calls 160

Flop: (380) Q K 6 (2 Players)
Hero bets 200, MP2 raises to 500, Hero raises to 900, MP2 calls 400

Turn: (2,180) T (2 Players)
Hero bets 555, MP2 raises to 1,650 and is All-In, Hero folds

Results: 3,290 Pot
MP2 mucked and WON 3,290 (+1,675 NET)

I bluffed Bayne and got spanked.

------------------
HAND #19
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 20/40 Blinds, 9 Players

SB: 3,720
BB: 2,970
Hero (UTG): 1,760
UTG+1: 1,740
UTG+2: 4,385
MP1: 3,575
MP2: 1,960
CO: 2,880
BTN: 4,010

Pre-Flop: (60) 9 9 dealt to Hero (UTG)
Hero raises to 160, 7 folds, BB calls 120

Flop: (340) 9 J 3 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (340) A (2 Players)
BB bets 340, Hero raises to 1,600 and is All-In, BB calls 1,260

River: (3,540) 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 3,540 Pot
BB showed 3 3 (three of a kind, Threes) and LOST (-1,760 NET)
Hero showed 9 9 (three of a kind, Nines) and WON 3,540 (+1,780 NET)

Ho-hum, another set of nines and action from bottom set of threes.

------------------
HAND #35
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 25/50 Blinds, 8 Players

BB: 3,955
Hero (UTG): 3,480
UTG+1: 1,650
MP1: 4,835
MP2: 3,800
CO: 3,100
BTN: 2,610
SB: 3,570

Pre-Flop: (75) 9 9 dealt to Hero (UTG)
Hero raises to 200, 2 folds, MP2 calls 200, 4 folds

Flop: (475) K 9 8 (2 Players)
Hero bets 250, MP2 calls 250

Turn: (975) 7 (2 Players)
Hero bets 550, MP2 raises to 1,100, Hero raises to 3,030 and is All-In, MP2 folds

Results: 3,175 Pot
Hero mucked 9 9 and WON 3,175 (+1,625 NET)

I wish columbo had called with his claimed two pair hand. Yes, another set of nines, whee!

------------------
HAND #53
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 40/80 Blinds, 8 Players

BTN: 3,395
Hero (SB): 5,105
BB: 1,530
UTG: 4,925
UTG+1: 2,190
MP1: 3,580
MP2: 2,610
CO: 3,665

Pre-Flop: (120) A 4 dealt to Hero (SB)
UTG+1 calls 80, Hero calls 40, BB checks

Flop: (240) 7 5 K (3 Players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks

Turn: (240) 8 (3 Players)
Hero bets 150, 2 folds

Results: 240 Pot (240 Rake)
Hero showed A 4 (a flush, Ace high) and WON (+160 NET)

Sadly just couldn't generate any action with the flopped nut flush.

------------------
HAND #54
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 40/80 Blinds, 8 Players

CO: 3,395
Hero (BTN): 5,265
SB: 1,450
BB: 4,925
UTG: 2,110
UTG+1: 3,580
MP1: 2,610
MP2: 3,665

Pre-Flop: (120) J A dealt to Hero (BTN)
UTG raises to 240, Hero calls 240

Flop: (600) A 5 9 (2 Players)
UTG bets 320, Hero raises to 880, UTG raises to 1,870 and is All-In, Hero calls 990

Turn: (4,340) J (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (4,340) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 4,340 Pot
Hero showed J A (two pair, Aces and Jacks) and WON 4,340 (+2,230 NET)
UTG showed K A (a pair of Aces) and LOST (-2,110 NET)

I trapped myself but got my first big suckout of the tourney.


I get moved to a new table.

I see yet another pair of nines but get no action.

------------------
HAND #10
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 40/80 Blinds, 9 Players

UTG: 5,295
UTG+1: 4,150
UTG+2: 3,305
MP1: 2,940
MP2: 4,180
CO: 3,915
BTN: 3,210
SB: 2,810
Hero (BB): 7,735

Pre-Flop: (120) J Q dealt to Hero (BB)
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls 80, 3 folds, BTN raises to 320, Hero calls 240

Flop: (760) A Q 4 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN bets 380, Hero calls 380

Turn: (1,520) 9 (2 Players)
Hero bets 220, BTN calls 220

River: (1,960) 5 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Results: 1,960 Pot
BTN showed K A (a pair of Aces) and WON 1,960 (+1,040 NET)
Hero showed J Q (a pair of Queens) and LOST (-920 NET)

I bought myself a cheap river card in hopes of drawing out but lost an acceptable amount with middle pair.

------------------
HAND #13
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 50/100 Blinds, 9 Players

BTN: 5,175
SB: 3,990
BB: 3,305
UTG: 2,700
UTG+1: 4,180
UTG+2: 4,275
MP1: 4,250
MP2: 2,890
Hero (CO): 6,775

Pre-Flop: (150) 7 8 dealt to Hero (CO)
4 folds, MP2 raises to 300, Hero raises to 600, 2 folds, MP2 calls 300

Flop: (1,350) 5 9 5 (2 Players)
MP2 checks, Hero bets 800, MP2 folds

Results: 1,350 Pot
Hero mucked 7 8 and WON 1,350 (+750 NET)

Standard aggression with a gutterball since I re-raised preflop and can represent a big pair.

------------------
HAND #25
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 60/120 Blinds, 9 Players

MP1: 4,920
MP2: 3,270
CO: 3,105
BTN: 1,840
SB: 5,110
BB: 4,325
UTG: 4,905
UTG+1: 2,040
Hero (UTG+2): 8,025

Pre-Flop: (180) J K dealt to Hero (UTG+2)
2 folds, Hero raises to 330, 5 folds, BB calls 210

Flop: (720) K 9 J (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Turn: (720) 3 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets 620, BB folds

Results: 720 Pot
Hero mucked J K and WON 720 (+390 NET)

Ironically this was an uneasy flop for top two pair but when it's checked to me twice I'm ready to bet and take it down.

------------------
HAND #32
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 60/120 Blinds, 8 Players

CO: 1,650
BTN: 6,300
SB: 2,985
BB: 5,670
UTG: 6,075
UTG+1: 5,265
MP1: 1,860
Hero (MP2): 7,735

Pre-Flop: (180) T J dealt to Hero (MP2)
Hero raises to 330, 4 folds, BB calls 210

Flop: (720) 7 K 9 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets 500

Results: 720 Pot
Hero mucked T J and WON 720 (+390 NET)

I keep hitting flops and this time a double-gutter is simple to bet in position. This preflop aggression is really paying off.

------------------
HAND #33
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 60/120 Blinds, 8 Players

MP2: 1,650
CO: 6,300
BTN: 2,925
SB: 5,340
BB: 6,075
UTG: 5,265
UTG+1: 1,860
Hero (MP1): 8,125

Pre-Flop: (180) 8 9 dealt to Hero (MP1)
2 folds, Hero raises to 240, 3 folds, SB calls 180, BB calls 120

Flop: (720) 9 A 6 (3 Players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets 420, SB calls 420, BB folds

Turn: (1,560) T (2 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: (1,560) 7 (2 Players)
SB checks, Hero bets 2,547, SB calls 2,547

Results: 6,654 Pot
SB showed A J (a pair of Aces) and LOST (-3,207 NET)
Hero showed 8 9 (a straight, Ten high) and WON 6,654 (+3,447 NET)

A classic overbet for value getting paid off by one pair. One of the best hands I played the whole tournament, I do believe. The c-bet in position on the flop made me believe that I was behind to top pair, and I was able to take the free card on the turn for a gin! outcome on the river.

I get moved again to a new table.

I re-raise with AK and win a decent pot.

I fold with A8 unimproved to a stop'n'go from the SB on a ragged ten-high flop.

I then spew with AQs into AA and don't hit a gutterball.

------------------
HAND #26
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 9 Players

MP2: 3,560
CO: 1,000
BTN: 8,045
SB: 4,940
BB: 3,950
UTG: 8,461
UTG+1: 7,040
Hero (UTG+2): 11,282
MP1: 7,295

Pre-Flop: (300) Q A dealt to Hero (UTG+2)
UTG folds, Hero raises to 700, SB raises to 2,000, Hero calls 1,300

Flop: (4,200) K 5 J (2 Players)
SB bets 2,940 and is All-In, Hero calls 2,940

Turn: (10,080) 5 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (10,080) 2 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 10,080 Pot
SB showed A A (two pair, Aces and Fives) and WON 10,080 (+5,140 NET)
Hero showed Q A (a pair of Fives) and LOST (-4,940 NET)

This was pretty indefensible. My instincts were to dump preflop and I absolutely should have done so on the flop, if not before.

------------------
HAND #28
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 9 Players

UTG+2: 3,560
MP1: 1,000
MP2: 8,345
CO: 10,080
BTN: 3,650
SB: 8,261
BB: 7,040
Hero (UTG): 6,342
UTG+1: 7,295

Pre-Flop: (300) Q Q dealt to Hero (UTG)
Hero raises to 700, 5 folds

Results: 500 Pot
Hero mucked Q Q and WON 500 (+300 NET)

No action here much to my chagrin. I was hoping my spewage two hands earlier would generate some interest.

------------------
HAND #31
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 9 Players

BB: 3,860
UTG: 1,000
UTG+1: 8,345
UTG+2: 10,080
MP1: 3,950
MP2: 8,161
CO: 6,740
Hero (BTN): 6,342
SB: 7,095

Pre-Flop: (300) A J dealt to Hero (BTN)
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to 800, 4 folds, Hero raises to 2,100, 2 folds, UTG+1 calls 1,300

Flop: (4,500) J 8 2 (2 Players)
UTG+1 bets 4,500, Hero calls 4,242 and is All-In

Turn: (12,984) 8 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (12,984) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 12,984 Pot
UTG+1 showed T T (two pair, Tens and Eights) and LOST (-6,342 NET)
Hero showed A J (a flush, Ace high) and WON 12,984 (+6,642 NET)

I stick with my gameplan of playing very aggressively preflop on the button and I won a key race on the flop, improving to the nut flush by the river.

------------------
HAND #38
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 120/240 Blinds, 25 Ante, 8 Players

UTG: 4,080
UTG+1: 490
MP1: 1,493
MP2: 9,570
CO: 5,065
BTN: 6,790
Hero (SB): 12,594
BB: 7,430

Pre-Flop: (560) 8 8 dealt to Hero (SB)
2 folds, MP1 raises to 1,400, 3 folds, Hero raises to 2,560, BB folds, MP1 calls 68 and is All-In

Flop: (3,376) 8 7 Q (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (3,376) Q (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (3,376) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 3,376 Pot
MP1 showed Q T (three of a kind, Queens) and LOST (-1,493 NET)
Hero showed 8 8 (a full house, Eights full of Queens) and WON 3,376 (+1,883 NET)

I improve yet again with a middle pair and bust a player who was overly anxious with his short stack.

------------------
HAND #40
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 120/240 Blinds, 25 Ante, 7 Players

SB: 3,790
BB: 440
UTG: 9,520
UTG+1: 5,015
MP: 6,020
Hero (CO): 14,452
BTN: 8,275

Pre-Flop: (535) K A dealt to Hero (CO)
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to 539, MP calls 539, Hero raises to 14,427 and is All-In, 4 folds, MP calls 5,456 and is All-In

Flop: (13,064) K A 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (13,064) 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (13,064) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 13,064 Pot
MP showed 9 9 (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-6,020 NET)
Hero showed K A (two pair, Aces and Kings) and WON 13,064 (+7,044 NET)

I stuck with my gameplan of playing big hands fast preflop and made a big re-raise with a lot of dead money sitting in the pot. I got called and won another race.

I get moved to yet another new table.

------------------
HAND #6
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 25 Ante, 9 Players

Hero (BB): 21,296
UTG: 12,580
UTG+1: 8,350
UTG+2: 3,030
MP1: 7,172
MP2: 8,980
CO: 3,580
BTN: 1,680
SB: 5,270

Pre-Flop: (675) Q Q dealt to Hero (BB)
2 folds, UTG+2 raises to 3,005 and is All-In, 5 folds, Hero calls 2,705

Flop: (6,385) 6 T A (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (6,385) 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (6,385) 8 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 6,385 Pot
Hero showed Q Q (a pair of Queens) and WON 6,385 (+3,355 NET)
UTG+2 showed J J (a pair of Jacks) and LOST (-3,030 NET)

Bayne ran into a slightly better pocket pair and didn't improve. At this point I'm wishing this was a KO tourney.

------------------
HAND #11
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 25 Ante, 8 Players

Hero (MP1): 24,401
MP2: 12,655
CO: 8,425
BTN: 7,247
SB: 8,555
BB: 4,105
UTG: 1,555
UTG+1: 4,995

Pre-Flop: (650) 8 8 dealt to Hero (MP1)
2 folds, Hero raises to 1,100, 2 folds, BTN calls 1,100, 2 folds

Flop: (2,850) 2 3 K (2 Players)
Hero bets 1,400, BTN folds

Results: 2,850 Pot
Hero mucked 8 8 and WON 2,850 (+1,725 NET)

Standard c-bet with second pair to the board takes it down.

------------------
HAND #14
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 25 Ante, 7 Players

Hero (BB): 26,076
UTG: 10,180
UTG+1: 8,050
MP: 8,227
CO: 8,330
BTN: 6,455
SB: 4,620

Pre-Flop: (625) Q 7 dealt to Hero (BB)
4 folds, BTN calls 300, SB calls 150, Hero checks

Flop: (1,075) T 9 Q (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero bets 300, BTN calls 300, SB calls 300

Turn: (1,975) 2 (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, BTN bets 1,200, SB folds, Hero calls 1,200

River: (4,375) 6 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Results: 4,375 Pot
Hero showed Q 7 (a pair of Queens) and WON 4,375 (+2,550 NET)
BTN showed A 9 (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-1,825 NET)

In retrospect I wish I had made a value bet on the river but it was a very scary board for top pair, no kicker. Just the same, I tried to play this as carefully as possible from out of position.

------------------
HAND #17
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 50 Ante, 7 Players

Hero (CO): 29,276
BTN: 9,455
SB: 7,525
BB: 8,102
UTG: 8,205
UTG+1: 4,530
MP: 4,845

Pre-Flop: (950) K K dealt to Hero (CO)
2 folds, MP raises to 1,250, Hero raises to 6,000, 4 folds

Results: 3,450 Pot
Hero mucked K K and WON 3,450 (+2,150 NET)

I was really hoping the shorty would call, obviously. He claimed to have ace-rag.

------------------
HAND #32
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 250/500 Blinds, 50 Ante, 8 Players

Hero (SB): 30,626
BB: 10,105
UTG: 7,845
UTG+1: 6,152
MP1: 3,665
MP2: 5,280
CO: 16,850
BTN: 12,330

Pre-Flop: (1,150) 8 8 dealt to Hero (SB)
6 folds, Hero raises to 2,000, BB raises to 3,500, Hero raises to 10,900, BB calls 6,555 and is All-In

Flop: (20,510) Q 5 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (20,510) 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (20,510) 9 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 20,510 Pot
Hero showed 8 8 (two pair, Eights and Threes) and LOST (-10,105 NET)
BB showed A Q (two pair, Queens and Threes) and WON 20,510 (+10,405 NET)

Apparently AQo is so strong that you should call a 4-bet preflop and be lucky to be in a race. And proceed to outdraw the made hand that just happened not to be QQ+.

------------------
HAND #33
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 250/500 Blinds, 50 Ante, 8 Players

Hero (BTN): 20,521
SB: 20,510
BB: 7,795
UTG: 6,102
UTG+1: 3,615
MP1: 5,230
MP2: 16,800
CO: 12,280

Pre-Flop: (1,150) 6 6 dealt to Hero (BTN)
MP1 raises to 1,500, 3 folds, Hero calls 1,500, 2 folds

Flop: (4,150) A Q Q (2 Players)
MP1 bets 3,680 and is All-In, Hero folds

Results: 4,150 Pot
MP1 mucked and WON 4,150 (+2,600 NET)

Back-to-back middle pairs that cost me chips. I erred in calling here preflop because I didn't realize he was so short-stacked.

------------------
HAND #42
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 250/500 Blinds, 50 Ante, 7 Players

Hero (MP): 22,521
CO: 10,830
BTN: 5,845
SB: 9,167
BB: 11,660
UTG: 19,800
UTG+1: 13,030

Pre-Flop: (1,100) 7 2 dealt to Hero (MP)
2 folds, Hero raises to 2,200, 3 folds, BB calls 1,700

Flop: (5,000) 4 K Q (2 Players)
BB bets 9,410 and is All-In, Hero folds

Results: 5,000 Pot
BB mucked and WON 5,000 (+2,750 NET)

A hammer play gone wrong. My image is so loose-aggressive by now that I'm just praying for a real hand so that I can get paid off with a lot of action.

I get some Broadway hands and steal some blinds.

------------------
HAND #54
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 300/600 Blinds, 75 Ante, 9 Players

Hero (BB): 19,846
UTG: 9,105
UTG+1: 22,060
UTG+2: 6,795
MP1: 6,347
MP2: 4,110
CO: 9,665
BTN: 17,325
SB: 12,380

Pre-Flop: (1,575) 9 7 dealt to Hero (BB)
5 folds, CO raises to 2,400, 2 folds, Hero calls 1,800

Flop: (5,775) 6 8 6 (2 Players)
Hero bets 4,000, CO folds

Results: 5,775 Pot
Hero mucked 9 7 and WON 5,775 (+3,300 NET)

It's my turn for a stop'n'go on this ideal flop with a paired board and an OESD.

------------------
HAND #55
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 300/600 Blinds, 75 Ante, 9 Players

Hero (SB): 23,146
BB: 9,030
UTG: 21,985
UTG+1: 6,720
UTG+2: 6,272
MP1: 4,035
MP2: 7,190
CO: 17,250
BTN: 12,005

Pre-Flop: (1,575) A Q dealt to Hero (SB)
5 folds, CO raises to 1,800, BTN folds, Hero raises to 4,000, BB folds, CO calls 2,200

Flop: (9,275) K T Q (2 Players)
Hero bets 6,000, CO raises to 13,175 and is All-In, Hero calls 7,175

Turn: (35,625) 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (35,625) 5 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 35,625 Pot
Hero showed A Q (a pair of Queens) and WON 35,625 (+18,375 NET)
CO showed T J (a pair of Tens) and LOST (-17,250 NET)

I dodge a lot of outs!

------------------
HAND #56
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 300/600 Blinds, 75 Ante, 8 Players

Hero (BTN): 41,521
SB: 8,355
BB: 21,910
UTG: 6,645
UTG+1: 6,197
MP1: 3,960
MP2: 7,115
CO: 11,930

Pre-Flop: (1,500) J A dealt to Hero (BTN)
MP2 raises to 2,400, Hero raises to 8,700, MP2 calls 4,640 and is All-In

Flop: (15,580) 4 8 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (15,580) 2 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (15,580) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 15,580 Pot
Hero showed J A (a flush, Ace high) and WON 15,580 (+8,465 NET)
MP2 showed K K (a pair of Kings) and LOST (-7,115 NET)

I manage to suckout for the second time in the tourney with AJ.

------------------
HAND #57
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 300/600 Blinds, 75 Ante, 7 Players

Hero (CO): 49,986
BTN: 7,980
SB: 21,235
BB: 6,570
UTG: 6,122
UTG+1: 3,885
MP: 11,855

Pre-Flop: (1,425) Q A dealt to Hero (CO)
UTG raises to 6,047 and is All-In, Hero calls 6,047

Flop: (13,519) 6 7 9 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (13,519) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (13,519) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 13,519 Pot
Hero showed Q A (a pair of Tens) and WON 13,519 (+7,397 NET)
UTG showed A J (a pair of Tens) and LOST (-6,122 NET)

Have I mentioned I wish this was a KO tourney? Third hand in a row I bust someone, this time with a dominating hand.

------------------
HAND #63
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 400/800 Blinds, 100 Ante, 6 Players

Hero (BTN): 51,758
SB: 15,405
BB: 7,070
UTG: 21,074
MP: 2,485
CO: 10,355

Pre-Flop: (1,800) A J dealt to Hero (BTN)
UTG raises to 2,400, 2 folds, Hero calls 2,400, SB folds, BB raises to 6,970 and is All-In, UTG calls 4,570, Hero calls 4,570

Flop: (21,910) K 6 2 (3 Players - 1 is All-In)
UTG bets 14,004 and is All-In, Hero folds

Turn: (21,910) 3 (2 Players - 2 are All-In)


River: (21,910) 7 (2 Players - 2 are All-In)


Results: 21,910 Pot
BB showed Q Q (a pair of Queens) and LOST (-7,070 NET)
UTG showed 6 6 (three of a kind, Sixes) and WON 21,910 (+14,840 NET)

I'm priced in to call the squeeze and can easily fold when Evy35 jams the flop.

I get to move to another new table, yet again, as we near the late stages of the tournament.

------------------
HAND #3
------------------

Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 400/800 Blinds, 100 Ante, 9 Players

BB: 17,867
UTG: 4,970
UTG+1: 11,262
UTG+2: 18,828
MP1: 5,275
MP2: 10,155
CO: 2,612
BTN: 23,181
Hero (SB): 45,788

Pre-Flop: (2,100) 9 A dealt to Hero (SB)
3 folds, MP1 raises to 5,175 and is All-In, 3 folds, Hero calls 4,775, BB folds

Flop: (12,050) 5 K 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (12,050) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (12,050) T (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 12,050 Pot
MP1 showed Q K (a pair of Kings) and WON 12,050 (+6,775 NET)
Hero showed 9 A (Ace King high) and LOST (-5,275 NET)

I lose a 60/40 confrontation as the underdog outflops me.

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HAND #7
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 400/800 Blinds, 100 Ante, 9 Players

MP2: 16,267
CO: 3,370
BTN: 9,662
SB: 17,316
BB: 11,750
UTG: 9,755
UTG+1: 8,824
UTG+2: 22,781
Hero (MP1): 40,213

Pre-Flop: (2,100) A A dealt to Hero (MP1)
3 folds, Hero raises to 2,000, 5 folds

Results: 2,900 Pot
Hero mucked A A and WON 2,900 (+2,000 NET)

I curse as I fail to get action on a monster hand despite my loose table image.

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HAND #10
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 400/800 Blinds, 100 Ante, 9 Players

UTG+1: 15,967
UTG+2: 3,070
MP1: 9,362
MP2: 16,616
CO: 12,350
BTN: 8,255
SB: 7,724
BB: 22,481
Hero (UTG): 44,113

Pre-Flop: (2,100) J A dealt to Hero (UTG)
Hero raises to 2,600, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 raises to 2,970 and is All-In, 6 folds, Hero calls 370

Flop: (8,040) K 7 K (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (8,040) 5 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (8,040) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 8,040 Pot
UTG+2 showed 4 4 (two pair, Kings and Fours) and WON 8,040 (+4,970 NET)
Hero showed J A (a pair of Kings) and LOST (-3,070 NET)

Of course I get a small PP shoved on me when I have AJ unimproved rather than AA. I lose a race.

Then I keep up the preflop aggression and am the one to run into AA and can't hit my set when it counts:

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HAND #14
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 500/1,000 Blinds, 125 Ante, 9 Players

BTN: 14,242
SB: 6,715
BB: 8,937
UTG: 18,691
UTG+1: 11,925
UTG+2: 7,830
MP1: 6,899
MP2: 23,081
Hero (CO): 41,618

Pre-Flop: (2,625) 7 7 dealt to Hero (CO)
4 folds, MP2 raises to 4,625, Hero raises to 41,493 and is All-In, 3 folds, MP2 calls 18,331 and is All-In

Flop: (48,537) K 4 J (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (48,537) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (48,537) 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 48,537 Pot
MP2 showed A A (two pair, Aces and Sixes) and WON 48,537 (+25,456 NET)
Hero showed 7 7 (two pair, Sevens and Sixes) and LOST (-23,081 NET)

I steal some blinds with KQ, AT, and KQ as I attempt to recover some lost ground.

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HAND #27
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 500/1,000 Blinds, 125 Ante, 9 Players

UTG+2: 5,152
MP1: 10,680
MP2: 9,062
CO: 17,191
BTN: 9,925
SB: 5,830
BB: 10,524
UTG: 48,162
Hero (UTG+1): 23,412

Pre-Flop: (2,625) J J dealt to Hero (UTG+1)
UTG folds, Hero raises to 23,287 and is All-In, 7 folds

Results: 3,625 Pot
Hero mucked J J and WON 3,625 (+2,500 NET)

I tried a shove in hopes someone would look me up with a marginal holding.

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HAND #31
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 600/1,200 Blinds, 150 Ante, 8 Players

SB: 9,180
BB: 8,562
UTG: 16,691
UTG+1: 12,050
MP1: 7,455
MP2: 11,024
CO: 46,162
Hero (BTN): 24,037

Pre-Flop: (3,000) J A dealt to Hero (BTN)
2 folds, MP1 raises to 5,000, 2 folds, Hero raises to 23,887 and is All-In, 2 folds, MP1 calls 2,305 and is All-In

Flop: (17,610) T 9 2 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (17,610) 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (17,610) 3 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 17,610 Pot
MP1 showed K A (Ace King high) and WON 17,610 (+10,155 NET)
Hero showed J A (Ace Jack high) and LOST (-7,455 NET)

AJ is surely a double-edged sword and I lose to Big Slick this time.

Frustrated, I tilt off yet more chips with low suited connectors in a wonderful lapse of discipline.

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HAND #32
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 600/1,200 Blinds, 150 Ante, 8 Players

BTN: 8,430
SB: 7,212
BB: 16,541
UTG: 11,900
UTG+1: 17,610
MP1: 10,874
MP2: 46,012
Hero (CO): 16,582

Pre-Flop: (3,000) 6 7 dealt to Hero (CO)
4 folds, Hero raises to 2,400, BTN folds, SB raises to 7,062 and is All-In, BB folds, Hero calls 4,662

Flop: (16,524) 8 J 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (16,524) 8 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (16,524) 2 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 16,524 Pot
SB showed Q Q (two pair, Queens and Eights) and WON 16,524 (+9,312 NET)
Hero showed 6 7 (two pair, Eights and Sevens) and LOST (-7,212 NET)

I shove TT and A8s preflop and get no action.

I shove the Hammer and show it to general acclaim.

I shove AJs and get no action.

I win a huge race when my PP holds up:

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HAND #46
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 600/1,200 Blinds, 150 Ante, 7 Players

BB: 13,530
UTG: 18,774
UTG+1: 24,715
MP: 6,200
CO: 14,910
BTN: 37,912
Hero (SB): 19,120

Pre-Flop: (2,850) 6 6 dealt to Hero (SB)
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to 5,250, 3 folds, Hero raises to 18,970 and is All-In, BB folds, UTG+1 calls 13,720

Flop: (40,190) 4 J 9 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (40,190) J (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (40,190) 4 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 40,190 Pot
UTG+1 showed Q A (two pair, Jacks and Fours) and LOST (-19,120 NET)
Hero showed 6 6 (two pair, Jacks and Sixes) and WON 40,190 (+21,070 NET)

This catapulted me right back up the tournament leaderboard.

I get AJ for the umpteenth time and take down the blinds uncontested. Ditto with AQs.

This hand was memorable for obvious reasons:



It's pretty easy to represent AJ given my image:

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HAND #64
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 800/1,600 Blinds, 200 Ante, 5 Players

UTG: 16,960
CO: 15,934
BTN: 11,160
SB: 20,727
Hero (BB): 62,390

Pre-Flop: (3,400) 7 7 dealt to Hero (BB)
UTG raises to 4,800, 3 folds, Hero calls 3,200

Flop: (11,400) 8 4 J (2 Players)
Hero checks, UTG bets 4,800, Hero raises to 25,800, UTG folds

Results: 21,000 Pot
Hero mucked 7 7 and WON 21,000 (+11,200 NET)


I double up a shorty's QQ and recover with more blind steals with AT etc. and the bubble finally bursts and we're at the final table.

I am able to bust a shorty with AKs:

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HAND #4
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 1,000/2,000 Blinds, 250 Ante, 9 Players

BB: 6,760
UTG: 17,954
UTG+1: 9,190
Hero (UTG+2): 62,530
MP1: 23,272
MP2: 31,791
CO: 50,161
BTN: 73,872
SB: 9,470

Pre-Flop: (5,250) A K dealt to Hero (UTG+2)
2 folds, Hero raises to 7,000, MP1 folds, BB calls 4,510 and is All-In

Flop: (16,270) 8 7 7 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (16,270) 8 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (16,270) K (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 16,270 Pot
BB showed T J (two pair, Eights and Sevens) and LOST (-6,760 NET)
Hero showed A K (two pair, Kings and Eights) and WON 16,270 (+9,510 NET)

It helped that I had his suit, too.

I then picked up KK and raised to isolate a shorty who fortunately didn't outdraw me:

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HAND #17
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 1,200/2,400 Blinds, 300 Ante, 7 Players

MP: 16,904
CO: 20,798
Hero (BTN): 81,608
SB: 36,937
BB: 37,711
UTG: 89,222
UTG+1: 1,820

Pre-Flop: (5,700) K K dealt to Hero (BTN)
UTG calls 2,400, UTG+1 calls 1,520 and is All-In, 2 folds, Hero raises to 7,900, 3 folds

Flop: (12,020) A T 6 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Turn: (12,020) 5 (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


River: (12,020) J (2 Players - 1 is All-In)


Results: 12,020 Pot
Hero showed K K (a pair of Kings) and WON 12,020 (+9,320 NET)
UTG+1 showed 9 T (a pair of Tens) and LOST (-1,820 NET)

We lose two more players and it's now five-handed.

I get QQ and can't get any action.

I lose a bunch of chips when I semi-bluff a draw and my opponents turns trip eights.

I try an overbet for value but jecimed refuses to bite:

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HAND #47
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 1,500/3,000 Blinds, 400 Ante, 5 Players

BTN: 48,908
Hero (SB): 65,428
BB: 34,637
UTG: 39,509
CO: 96,518

Pre-Flop: (6,500) 5 J dealt to Hero (SB)
3 folds, Hero calls 1,500, BB checks

Flop: (8,000) 4 J A (2 Players)
Hero bets 62,028 and is All-In, BB folds

Results: 8,000 Pot
Hero mucked 5 J and WON 8,000 (+4,600 NET)

I take a big hit to my stack -- I knew better than to c-bet this flop and paid the price when I didn't listen to my instincts -- on this hand where I flopped bottom pair on a very scary board:

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HAND #49
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Full Tilt Poker, NL Hold'em Tournament, 1,500/3,000 Blinds, 400 Ante, 5 Players

UTG: 56,108
Hero (CO): 69,628
BTN: 27,837
SB: 35,709
BB: 95,718

Pre-Flop: (6,500) 7 A dealt to Hero (CO)
UTG folds, Hero raises to 10,800, BTN folds, BB calls 7,800

Flop: (25,100) J 7 K (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets 15,000, BB raises to 84,518 and is All-In, Hero folds

Results: 55,100 Pot
BB mucked and WON 55,100 (+28,900 NET)

Fortunately for me, 77 runs into KK and we're down to 4 players but I'm now the short stack. I get aggressive and take down 3 consecutive pots -- with TT, KQ, and a flopped bottom two pair where I again try an overbet for value without a customer -- to get back to 50K, which is half of what the co-leaders have.

The short stack then runs 44 into 99 and busts out, so I'm a distant third and need to double up.

Sadly, I don't manage to do so when I 3-bet all in with T9s (Evy was getting about 2:1 to call) and I was up against ATs and didn't improve.


Hopefully I can get another final table appearance in Sunday's Big Game. If I can get hit in the face again with the deck like this and keep asking myself "what would lucko do?" I should be A-OK.