A Riverchasers Report

Finished third.

Here are the only two screenshots that I took throughout the tournament; they are pretty self-explanatory:



Here are some notable HHs and some accompanying analysis.

I play very TAG-ish at the beginning of the tournament and basically tread water in the first couple of levels. I 3-bet preflop with nines, AQs and so forth to take down some pots with minimal risk to chip up a bit. I raise with AK but get no action. I lose some chips when I have to fold JJ to a 4-bet.

I win a couple of decent pots where I outflop everyone. I don't have to go to showdown, which is a good sign that I'm getting respect. Consequently, I start mixing in a few pure steals preflop as I am mostly card dead and need to stay afloat as far as blinds (and now antes) are concerned. I raise with AKs and 83o alike and take down pots with no risk preflop.

I then get this beauty but am unable to get paid off:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [5d 5c] - presto!
Astin raises to 720
PirateLawyer calls 720
*** FLOP *** [4h 6d 5h] - improved presto!
Astin checks
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act
PirateLawyer bets 550 - it's too suspicious to check behind, so I make a small bet in hopes Astin will CRAI
Astin folds
Uncalled bet of 550 returned to PirateLawyer
PirateLawyer mucks
PirateLawyer wins the pot (2,000)

Soon afterwards I get KK, but don't generate any action.

As my M shrinks below 10 I shove A2s UTG, and happily get no action.

Then just as we are reaching the second break, I am able to crack Kat's KK in a hand that really played itself:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Ad Qh]
katitude raises to 1,800
PirateLawyer raises to 7,485, and is all in
katitude calls 5,685
PirateLawyer shows [Ad Qh]
katitude shows [Kd Kc] - yikes!
*** FLOP *** [5h Ac 4h] - I get lucky!
*** TURN *** [5h Ac 4h] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [5h Ac 4h 5c] [Jc]
PirateLawyer shows two pair, Aces and Fives
katitude shows two pair, Kings and Fives
PirateLawyer wins the pot (15,770) with two pair, Aces and Fives

And soon after the break, I am able to play a suited connector in position vs. an obvious overpair and I get there on the turn!

Rake Feeder posts the small blind of 250
pushmonkey72 posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [9c 7c]
PirateLawyer calls 500
Rake Feeder has 15 seconds left to act
Rake Feeder raises to 2,000 -- 3-bet from the small blind usually means strong PP
PirateLawyer calls 1,500 -- I have a good hand to speculate with from the buttton and the stacks are deep
*** FLOP *** [2c Tc Ks]
Rake Feeder has 15 seconds left to act
Rake Feeder bets 5,000
PirateLawyer calls 5,000 - I definitely have to see one more card here. I have no fold equity so a call is warranted.
*** TURN *** [2c Tc Ks] [5c] - GIN!
Rake Feeder bets 7,619
PirateLawyer raises to 7,620, and is all in
Rake Feeder calls 1
PirateLawyer shows [9c 7c]
Rake Feeder shows [Ac As] - ouch, a nut flush redraw
*** RIVER *** [2c Tc Ks 5c] [Ad]
PirateLawyer shows a flush, Ten high
Rake Feeder shows three of a kind, Aces
PirateLawyer wins the pot (30,090) with a flush, Ten high

The reverse Hoy doesn't work on me; but I have to sweat the nut flush redraw! Phew. This got me to the top of the leaderboard.

I get KK again, but get no action.

I then make a crying call and spew some chips to a very TAG-ish player, but with my stack size I do want to see a flop with JTs from the big blind:

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Td Jd]
scottc25 raises to 1,800
PirateLawyer calls 1,200
*** FLOP *** [Kh Kc 8h]
PirateLawyer checks
scottc25 checks
*** TURN *** [Kh Kc 8h] [3c]
PirateLawyer bets 1,800
scottc25 calls 1,800
*** RIVER *** [Kh Kc 8h 3c] [Th]
PirateLawyer checks
scottc25 bets 4,000
PirateLawyer calls 4,000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
scottc25 shows [Qh Jh] a flush, King high
PirateLawyer mucks
scottc25 wins the pot (16,100) with a flush, King high

I lose a pretty large pot on a sick river card. He made a brave call on the turn when I bluff on a scary board and he got the card he needed on the river.

I get back to taking down pots preflop and avoiding risky confrontations as I build up my stack. I am getting a fair amount of respect and I am happy to take down pots uncontested.

I 3-bet AK from the blinds and take it down.

I chip up again by busting a shorty who donk-bets into my top pair hand with 12 outs twice and amazingly doesn't improve.

And now we're at the final table bubble and I am completely card dead. I tread water, unable to chip up too much.

Fortunately, I dodged a bullet here:

Full Tilt Poker Game #6526784471: Riverchasers Online Tour (49262698), Table 8 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:44:43 ET - 2008/05/22
Seat 2: SirFWALGMan (13,919)
Seat 3: scottc25 (28,762)
Seat 6: NCDeaton (20,675)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (38,550), is sitting out
Seat 9: lightning36 (5,453)
SirFWALGMan antes 125
scottc25 antes 125
NCDeaton antes 125
PirateLawyer antes 125
lightning36 antes 125
SirFWALGMan posts the small blind of 500
scottc25 posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Ah Qd]
lightning36 raises to 5,328, and is all in
PirateLawyer has returned
scottc25 calls 4,328
lightning36 shows [Jh Ac]
scottc25 shows [Qs 7s]
*** FLOP *** [Jd 7c 9s]
*** TURN *** [Jd 7c 9s] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [Jd 7c 9s 9h] [Ts]
lightning36 shows two pair, Jacks and Nines
scottc25 shows two pair, Nines and Sevens
lightning36 wins the pot (11,781) with two pair, Jacks and Nines
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,781 | Rake 0
Board: [Jd 7c 9s 9h Ts]
Seat 2: SirFWALGMan (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: scottc25 (big blind) showed [Qs 7s] and lost with two pair, Nines and Sevens
Seat 6: NCDeaton folded before the Flop
Seat 8: PirateLawyer folded before the Flop
Seat 9: lightning36 (button) showed [Jh Ac] and won (11,781) with two pair, Jacks and Nines

I dislike AQ but honestly I would have opened here but for the simple fact that I seized the moment for a bathroom break ...

The bubble bursts! Final table time.

Full Tilt Poker Game #6526794100: Riverchasers Online Tour (49262698), Table 8 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:45:30 ET - 2008/05/22
Seat 1: NumbBono (10,075)
Seat 2: SirFWALGMan (13,294)
Seat 3: scottc25 (23,309)
Seat 4: wwonka69 (49,872)
Seat 5: dwal78 (74,710)
Seat 6: NCDeaton (20,550)
Seat 7: Astin (21,984)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (38,425)
Seat 9: lightning36 (11,781)

I continue to be card dead and sit back and watch the explosions as players bust right and left; frankly the play at this final table was often rather hilarious; any Ace-x hand was being pushed AND called with; and any pair was gold preflop.

I make a couple of tight folds (like dumping ATs vs. Scott, who is playing like a rock) when he re-raised and I was out of position with a trouble hand against his range to avoid a sticky situation. With enough bets in my stack, I was willing and able to wait for good spots to get my money in as a strong favourite.

I get it in with a big race situation and finally hit:

Full Tilt Poker Game #6526965231: Riverchasers Online Tour (49262698), Table 8 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:59:25 ET - 2008/05/22
Seat 1: NumbBono (14,550)
Seat 3: scottc25 (50,118)
Seat 4: wwonka69 (39,659)
Seat 5: dwal78 (105,898)
Seat 6: NCDeaton (20,600)
Seat 7: Astin (4,200)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (28,975)
NumbBono antes 150
scottc25 antes 150
wwonka69 antes 150
dwal78 antes 150
NCDeaton antes 150
Astin antes 150
PirateLawyer antes 150
scottc25 posts the small blind of 600
wwonka69 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [As Kc]
dwal78 folds
NCDeaton folds
Astin folds
PirateLawyer raises to 4,000
NumbBono folds
scottc25 folds
wwonka69 raises to 39,509, and is all in
PirateLawyer calls 24,825, and is all in
wwonka69 shows [7d 7h] -- he's putting most of his stack at risk with a low pair seven-handed
PirateLawyer shows [As Kc] -- no way I am folding AK preflop in this situation
wwonka69 is feeling angry
Uncalled bet of 10,684 returned to wwonka69
*** FLOP *** [Jd Qc 9s]
*** TURN *** [Jd Qc 9s] [4c]
*** RIVER *** [Jd Qc 9s 4c] [Kd]
wwonka69 shows a pair of Sevens
PirateLawyer shows a pair of Kings
PirateLawyer wins the pot (59,300) with a pair of Kings

And just like that I am in second place.

I get no action with QQ.

Astin begins a miraculous comeback hitting all sorts of longshot outs (going runner-runner trips, rivered 2 pair, etc.). The painful one for me:

Riverchasers Online Tour, Table 8 - 1000/2000 Ante 250
Seat 1: NumbBono (24,900)
Seat 3: scottc25 (48,268)
Seat 5: dwal78 (80,764)
Seat 6: NCDeaton (47,018)
Seat 7: Astin (8,900)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (54,150)
NumbBono posts the small blind of 1,000
scottc25 posts the big blind of 2,000
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Jc Jh]
Astin raises to 8,650, and is all in
PirateLawyer raises to 53,900, and is all in
PirateLawyer shows [Jc Jh]
Astin shows [Ad 3s]
Uncalled bet of 45,250 returned to PirateLawyer
*** FLOP *** [6h Qd 5s]
*** TURN *** [6h Qd 5s] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [6h Qd 5s 8c] [Ac]
PirateLawyer shows a pair of Jacks
Astin shows a pair of Aces
Astin wins the pot (21,800) with a pair of Aces

What can I say, I was a 94% favourite with one card to come. That was painful.

I start mixing in 3-bets preflop (55, AQ, etc.) and wider open-raises in good spots as I shift gears to take advantage of my tight table image as I have only been showing down premium hands (such as AK or JJ).

I begin to mix in some postflop moves, where I feel I have an advantage and make a profitable flop CRAI vs. dwal when I hit a piece of the flop.

Like so:

Riverchasers Online Tour (49262698), Table 8 - 1200/2400 Ante 300
Seat 3: scottc25 (38,618)
Seat 5: dwal78 (91,282)
Seat 7: Astin (76,850)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (57,250)
Astin posts the small blind of 1,200
PirateLawyer posts the big blind of 2,400
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Qh 4h]
scottc25 folds
dwal78 raises to 6,500
Astin folds
PirateLawyer calls 4,100
*** FLOP *** [6s Kh 4d]
PirateLawyer checks
dwal78 bets 10,400
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act -- time to let the clock tick as I choose my bet size
PirateLawyer raises to 28,800
dwal78 folds
Uncalled bet of 18,400 returned to PirateLawyer
PirateLawyer mucks
PirateLawyer wins the pot (36,200)

Unfortunately I give some of those profits back on a dangerous flop where I don't think I have fold equity and my draw is dangerous:

Riverchasers Online Tour Table 8 - 1200/2400 Ante 300
Seat 3: scottc25 (38,618)
Seat 5: dwal78 (63,082)
Seat 7: Astin (88,150)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (74,150)
Astin posts the small blind of 1,200
PirateLawyer posts the big blind of 2,400
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Th Qh]
scottc25 folds
dwal78 raises to 6,500
Astin folds
PirateLawyer calls 4,100
*** FLOP *** [8d 9d Ac]
PirateLawyer checks
dwal78 bets 11,100
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act
PirateLawyer folds
Uncalled bet of 11,100 returned to dwal78
dwal78 mucks
dwal78 wins the pot (15,400)

A few hands later I 3-bet shove AK over an open-raise by dwal but don't get any action; still I'm happy with the pot as it stands:

Riverchasers Online Tour, Table 8 - 1500/3000 Ante 400
Seat 3: scottc25 (38,318)
Seat 5: dwal78 (71,682)
Seat 7: Astin (86,650)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (67,350)
PirateLawyer posts the small blind of 1,500
scottc25 posts the big blind of 3,000
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Ad Kh]
dwal78 raises to 8,000
Astin folds
PirateLawyer raises to 66,950, and is all in
scottc25 folds
dwal78 folds
Uncalled bet of 58,950 returned to PirateLawyer
PirateLawyer mucks
PirateLawyer wins the pot (20,600)

Then I lose a key race that would have set me up in a very strong position 3-handed:

Riverchasers Online Tour, Table 8 - 1500/3000 Ante 400
Seat 3: scottc25 (28,818)
Seat 5: dwal78 (54,982)
Seat 7: Astin (94,550)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (85,650)
scottc25 posts the small blind of 1,500
dwal78 posts the big blind of 3,000
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Js As]
PirateLawyer raises to 9,500
scottc25 raises to 28,418, and is all in
dwal78 folds
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act
PirateLawyer has requested TIME
PirateLawyer calls 18,918 - I know Scott is tight but I figure to be racing at least and I have a potential flush draw
scottc25 shows [9s 9d]
PirateLawyer shows [Js As]
*** FLOP *** [Tc 4c 2s]
*** TURN *** [Tc 4c 2s] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [Tc 4c 2s 2h] [8s]
scottc25 shows two pair, Nines and Twos
Fuel55 (Observer): jackace!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PirateLawyer shows a pair of Twos
scottc25 wins the pot (61,436) with two pair, Nines and Twos

I 3-bet Astin from the blinds with A8s.

And then, well, we get a classic setup 4-handed as pictured at the beginning of this report and there's no way I can fold getting these pot odds:

Full Tilt Poker Game #6527499377: Riverchasers Online Tour (49262698), Table 8 - 1500/3000 Ante 400 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:45:43 ET - 2008/05/23
Seat 3: scottc25 (65,236)
Seat 5: dwal78 (39,782)
Seat 7: Astin (97,750)
Seat 8: PirateLawyer (61,232)
scottc25 antes 400
dwal78 antes 400
Astin antes 400
PirateLawyer antes 400
scottc25 posts the small blind of 1,500
dwal78 posts the big blind of 3,000
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to PirateLawyer [Kc Ad]
Astin raises to 12,100
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act
PirateLawyer raises to 29,200 -- I put half my stack in, so I am screaming a monster here
scottc25 folds
dwal78 raises to 39,382, and is all in
Astin raises to 97,350, and is all in
PirateLawyer has 15 seconds left to act
PirateLawyer has requested TIME -- two all-ins ... I don't figure to be best, but I am playing to win and the pot odds are ridiculous
PirateLawyer calls 31,632, and is all in
Astin shows [Qs Qh] -- okay I'm racing against the big stack
PirateLawyer shows [Kc Ad]
dwal78 shows [As Qd] -- now there is a misguided shove against my range here
Uncalled bet of 36,518 returned to Astin
*** FLOP *** [5h Jd 4d]
*** TURN *** [5h Jd 4d] [9h]
*** RIVER *** [5h Jd 4d 9h] [Jc]
Astin shows two pair, Queens and Jacks
PirateLawyer shows a pair of Jacks
Astin wins the side pot (42,900) with two pair, Queens and Jacks
dwal78 shows a pair of Jacks
Astin wins the main pot (121,246) with two pair, Queens and Jacks
dwal78 stands up
PirateLawyer stands up

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.


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HAND #10
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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.

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HAND #11
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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)

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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.

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HAND #19
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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.

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HAND #35
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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!

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HAND #53
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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.

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HAND #54
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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.

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HAND #10
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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.

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HAND #13
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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.

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HAND #25
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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.

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HAND #32
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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.

------------------
HAND #7
------------------

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.

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

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:

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

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.

------------------
HAND #27
------------------

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.

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

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.

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

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:

------------------
HAND #46
------------------

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:

------------------
HAND #64
------------------

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:

------------------
HAND #4
------------------

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.