hot streak, horrible game

Man, did I just self-destruct like NOBODY'S BUSINESS!!!

Lately I've been on a hot streak. I've been stringing along a series of very nice wins at the sit-n-gos. But right now I have to fuckin' vent!!

For Christ's sake. I had over 2/3 of the chip stacks three handed. I felt it was a virtual lock for first place. Then I totally lost it. I have to hand it to this guy, he knew when to call me. Initially, he called my pocket 10 raise with some crap hand like Q3 suited. He didn't believe me when I went all in and he flopped a 3. I initially doubled up and quickly became chip leader. But then I tried to get creative and raise with suited connectors and try to raise him out of pots when he was ahead.

Plus he constantly min-raised on the button. It was annoying as hell. God!!!!!!

I wish I had a time machine to replay those hands and go all in every friggin' hand and bully the shit outta him. I started playing loose and aggressive and started to play his game. FUCK! God..I don't know why I lost control. I was totally on tilt and for the life of me un-tilt. It was impossible at that moment. All I could think about was to fuckin' raise his ass outtava pot. I couldn't do it for the life of me. I think the only thing that could have gotten me to untilt was to take down a big pot with bottom pair. Revenge. It was all I could think about.

I was totally off my game at that point. And some knuckle-head with only 7 big blinds took second place while I barely made any money. God. I have never been put on tilt like that EVER.

It's friggin' midnight and I can't sleep right now. I'm so pissed off at myself and at the same time in awe of HOW it happened. I still can't piece together what happened and what triggered it. I'm gonna need to look at the hand history. God..it will be hard to look at it. To look at all my dumb mistakes.

This is definitely my version of a Mike Matasow blow-up.

Here's the last 29 hands of that tournament...beginning with my pocket 10s double up(which is at the bottom since the very last hand is listed first).

*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #9594339850: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:58:33 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2413 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (1795 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (9292 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [2d 2s]
tl: raises 1400 to 1600
The Boutso: raises 1400 to 3000
Williamson: folds
tl: calls 170 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [Jc Ad 9c]
*** TURN *** [Jc Ad 9c] [8h]
*** RIVER *** [Jc Ad 9c 8h] [6h]
Williamson said, "gg"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
The Boutso: shows [Td Qd] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
tl: shows [2d 2s] (a pair of Deuces)
The Boutso collected 3815 from pot
Williamson said, "nhs"
The Boutso said, "ty"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3815 | Rake 0
Board [Jc Ad 9c 8h 6h]
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) showed [2d 2s] and lost with a pair of Deuces
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) showed [Td Qd] and won (3815) with a straight, Eight to Queen

*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #9594337394: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:58:22 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2438 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (9142 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [2s 8s]
Williamson: folds
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 275 from pot
The Boutso: shows [Jh 6h] (high card Jack)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 275 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (275)

*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #9594334703: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:58:11 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2563 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (1770 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (9167 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Td 9c]
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: folds
tl collected 275 from pot
tl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 275 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) collected (275)
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #9594328102: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:57:43 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2500 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (1708 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (9292 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Kd Jc]
tl: raises 1483 to 1683 and is all-in
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: calls 1483
*** FLOP *** [Qs 7d 7c]
*** TURN *** [Qs 7d 7c] [Kh]
*** RIVER *** [Qs 7d 7c Kh] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Williamson: shows [9d Kc] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
tl: shows [Kd Jc] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
Williamson collected 1771 from pot
tl collected 1770 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3541 | Rake 0
Board [Qs 7d 7c Kh 8c]
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) showed [9d Kc] and won (1771) with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 3: tl (button) showed [Kd Jc] and won (1770) with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 5 **************
PokerStars Game #9594320313: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:57:09 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2525 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (4533 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (6442 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [4h 5h]
Williamson: folds
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [7c Js 4d]
tl: bets 600
The Boutso: raises 600 to 1200
tl: calls 600
*** TURN *** [7c Js 4d] [Ad]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** RIVER *** [7c Js 4d Ad] [Ks]
tl: bets 1000
The Boutso: calls 1000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [4h 5h] (a pair of Fours)
The Boutso: shows [Jc 6c] (a pair of Jacks)
The Boutso collected 5675 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5675 | Rake 0
Board [7c Js 4d Ad Ks]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) showed [4h 5h] and lost with a pair of Fours
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) showed [Jc 6c] and won (5675) with a pair of Jacks

*********** # 6 **************
PokerStars Game #9594312614: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:56:35 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2650 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6858 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (3992 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Qh 8c]
The Boutso: raises 200 to 400
Williamson: folds
tl: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [6d 2h 3s]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 200
tl: calls 200
*** TURN *** [6d 2h 3s] [5h]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 500
tl: calls 500
*** RIVER *** [6d 2h 3s 5h] [9h]
tl: bets 1200
The Boutso: calls 1200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [Qh 8c] (high card Queen)
The Boutso: shows [3c Qs] (a pair of Threes)
The Boutso collected 4775 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4775 | Rake 0
Board [6d 2h 3s 5h 9h]
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) showed [Qh 8c] and lost with high card Queen
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) showed [3c Qs] and won (4775) with a pair of Threes

*********** # 7 **************
PokerStars Game #9594309595: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:56:22 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2875 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6508 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4117 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [As Qd]
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: folds
tl collected 575 from pot
tl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 575 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) collected (575)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 8 **************
PokerStars Game #9594303188: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:55:55 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2900 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6495 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4105 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [5d 4s]
Williamson: folds
tl: calls 100
The Boutso: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs Kh 5h]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** TURN *** [Qs Kh 5h] [5c]
tl: bets 400
The Boutso: raises 400 to 800
tl: raises 5470 to 6270 and is all-in
The Boutso: calls 3080 and is all-in
*** RIVER *** [Qs Kh 5h 5c] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [5d 4s] (a full house, Fives full of Queens)
The Boutso: shows [5s 6h] (a full house, Fives full of Queens)
tl collected 4118 from pot
The Boutso collected 4117 from pot
The Boutso said, "nh"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 8235 | Rake 0
Board [Qs Kh 5h 5c Qd]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) showed [5d 4s] and won (4118) with a full house, Fives full of Queens
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) showed [5s 6h] and won (4117) with a full house, Fives full of Queens

*********** # 9 **************
PokerStars Game #9594295510: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:55:22 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (2050 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6920 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4530 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [7d 4s]
The Boutso: calls 200
Williamson: calls 100
tl: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ad 3s 4c]
Williamson: checks
tl: bets 200
The Boutso: calls 200
Williamson: raises 1625 to 1825 and is all-in
tl: folds
The Boutso: folds
Williamson collected 1275 from pot
The Boutso said, "nice bet"
Williamson: shows [6h As] (a pair of Aces)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1275 | Rake 0
Board [Ad 3s 4c]
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) collected (1275)
Seat 3: tl (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded on the Flop

*********** # 10 **************
PokerStars Game #9594288078: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:54:51 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1400 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7145 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4955 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [6h Ah]
tl: calls 200
The Boutso: calls 100
Williamson: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks Qs 2d]
The Boutso: checks
Williamson: checks
tl: checks
*** TURN *** [Ks Qs 2d] [3s]
The Boutso: bets 200
Williamson: calls 200
tl: folds
*** RIVER *** [Ks Qs 2d 3s] [9d]
The Boutso: checks
Williamson: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
The Boutso: shows [3h As] (a pair of Threes)
Williamson: shows [Kc 4h] (a pair of Kings)
Williamson collected 1075 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1075 | Rake 0
Board [Ks Qs 2d 3s 9d]
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) showed [Kc 4h] and won (1075) with a pair of Kings
Seat 3: tl (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) showed [3h As] and lost with a pair of Threes

*********** # 11 **************
PokerStars Game #9594279832: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:54:16 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1425 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7970 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4105 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [9c As]
Williamson: folds
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [Qs Td 3h]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** TURN *** [Qs Td 3h] [Tc]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 200
tl: calls 200
*** RIVER *** [Qs Td 3h Tc] [Th]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 500
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 1675 from pot
The Boutso: shows [6h 7h] (three of a kind, Tens)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1675 | Rake 0
Board [Qs Td 3h Tc Th]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (1675)

*********** # 12 **************
PokerStars Game #9594276438: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:54:01 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1175 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (8195 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (4130 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [6c 4d]
Williamson said, "n"
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: raises 950 to 1150 and is all-in
tl: folds
Williamson collected 475 from pot
Williamson: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 475 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) collected (475)
Seat 3: tl (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 13 **************
PokerStars Game #9594273109: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:53:47 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1400 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (8220 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (3880 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [3d 9c]
tl: folds
The Boutso: raises 200 to 400
Williamson: folds
The Boutso collected 475 from pot
tl said, "good thing i didn't limp in then!"
The Boutso: shows [Ad 9d] (high card Ace)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 475 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) collected (475)

*********** # 14 **************
PokerStars Game #9594270528: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:53:36 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1425 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (8345 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (3730 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [2d 9h]
Williamson: folds
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 275 from pot
The Boutso: shows [8s Ts] (high card Ten)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 275 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (275)

*********** # 15 **************
PokerStars Game #9594267418: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:53:23 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1550 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (8570 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (3380 in chips)
Williamson: posts the ante 25
tl: posts the ante 25
The Boutso: posts the ante 25
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [6c Qc]
The Boutso: raises 3155 to 3355 and is all-in
Williamson: folds
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 575 from pot
The Boutso: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 575 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) collected (575)

*********** # 16 **************
PokerStars Game #9594262617: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:53:03 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1750 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (9170 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2580 in chips)
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [As 9c]
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: raises 1980 to 2580 and is all-in
Williamson: folds
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 1400 from pot
The Boutso: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1400 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) collected (1400)

*********** # 17 **************
PokerStars Game #9594253673: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:52:26 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1750 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (9370 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2380 in chips)
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [4s 8h]
Williamson: folds
tl: calls 100
The Boutso: checks
*** FLOP *** [6c Jh Jd]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** TURN *** [6c Jh Jd] [7s]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** RIVER *** [6c Jh Jd 7s] [3c]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 1170
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 400 from pot
The Boutso: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 | Rake 0
Board [6c Jh Jd 7s 3c]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (400)

*********** # 18 **************
PokerStars Game #9594251186: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:52:15 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (1850 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (9270 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2380 in chips)
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Ad Qh]
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: folds
tl collected 200 from pot
tl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 19 **************
PokerStars Game #9594245144: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:51:50 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3040 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (9270 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (1190 in chips)
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [3d Jc]
tl: folds
The Boutso: raises 990 to 1190 and is all-in
Williamson: calls 990
*** FLOP *** [6d 6s 8h]
*** TURN *** [6d 6s 8h] [4c]
*** RIVER *** [6d 6s 8h 4c] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
The Boutso: shows [Ac 7s] (two pair, Aces and Sixes)
Williamson: shows [Qc 7c] (a pair of Sixes)
Williamson said, "nh"
The Boutso collected 2380 from pot
The Boutso said, "sorry dude"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2380 | Rake 0
Board [6d 6s 8h 4c As]
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) showed [Qc 7c] and lost with a pair of Sixes
Seat 3: tl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) showed [Ac 7s] and won (2380) with two pair, Aces and Sixes

*********** # 20 **************
PokerStars Game #9594241656: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:51:35 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3040 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (9370 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (1090 in chips)
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [4c Qs]
Williamson: folds
tl: folds
The Boutso said, "nh"
The Boutso collected 200 from pot
The Boutso: shows [7d 2s] (high card Seven)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (200)

*********** # 21 **************
PokerStars Game #9594232241: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:50:56 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3440 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6970 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (3090 in chips)
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [7c Jd]
The Boutso: raises 200 to 400
Williamson: calls 300
tl: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [2c 7s 5h]
Williamson: checks
tl: bets 600
The Boutso: calls 600
Williamson: folds
*** TURN *** [2c 7s 5h] [5d]
tl: bets 1000
The Boutso: calls 1000
*** RIVER *** [2c 7s 5h 5d] [4h]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [7c Jd] (two pair, Sevens and Fives)
The Boutso: mucks hand
tl collected 4400 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4400 | Rake 0
Board [2c 7s 5h 5d 4h]
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) showed [7c Jd] and won (4400) with two pair, Sevens and Fives
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) mucked [6c 4s]

*********** # 22 **************
PokerStars Game #9594226960: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:50:34 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3640 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6970 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2890 in chips)
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [5d 9c]
tl: folds
The Boutso: calls 100
Williamson: checks
*** FLOP *** [6s Jc 4d]
The Boutso: bets 200
Williamson: folds
The Boutso collected 400 from pot
The Boutso: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 | Rake 0
Board [6s Jc 4d]
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) collected (400)

*********** # 23 **************
PokerStars Game #9594221413: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:50:10 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3640 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7170 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2690 in chips)
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Ts 6h]
Williamson: folds
tl: calls 100
The Boutso: checks
*** FLOP *** [9c Ac Qh]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** TURN *** [9c Ac Qh] [2s]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 200
tl: folds
The Boutso collected 400 from pot
The Boutso: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 | Rake 0
Board [9c Ac Qh 2s]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) collected (400)

*********** # 24 **************
PokerStars Game #9594218392: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:49:58 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3740 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7070 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2690 in chips)
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [7s 5d]
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: folds
tl collected 200 from pot
tl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 25 **************
PokerStars Game #9594214515: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:49:42 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3940 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6770 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2790 in chips)
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Qs Ad]
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: folds
tl collected 500 from pot
tl: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: tl (button) collected (500)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 26 **************
PokerStars Game #9594208142: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:49:16 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3940 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (6970 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2590 in chips)
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [3h 2s]
Williamson: folds
tl said, "not every raise means high cards"
tl: calls 100
The Boutso: checks
*** FLOP *** [5s Qh 7c]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** TURN *** [5s Qh 7c] [Jc]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** RIVER *** [5s Qh 7c Jc] [Ah]
tl: checks
The Boutso: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [3h 2s] (high card Ace)
The Boutso: shows [8h 9d] (high card Ace - Queen+Jack+Nine kicker)
The Boutso collected 400 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 | Rake 0
Board [5s Qh 7c Jc Ah]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) showed [3h 2s] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) showed [8h 9d] and won (400) with high card Ace

*********** # 27 **************
PokerStars Game #9594202726: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:48:53 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3740 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7170 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2590 in chips)
Williamson: posts small blind 100
tl: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [5d 8h]
The Boutso: folds
Williamson: calls 100
tl: checks
*** FLOP *** [6s 3h Ks]
Williamson: checks
tl: checks
*** TURN *** [6s 3h Ks] [4d]
Williamson: checks
tl: checks
*** RIVER *** [6s 3h Ks 4d] [Th]
Williamson: checks
tl: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Williamson: shows [Jc Qs] (high card King)
tl: mucks hand
Williamson collected 400 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 400 | Rake 0
Board [6s 3h Ks 4d Th]
Seat 2: Williamson (small blind) showed [Jc Qs] and won (400) with high card King
Seat 3: tl (big blind) mucked [5d 8h]
Seat 9: The Boutso (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)

*********** # 28 **************
PokerStars Game #9594199992: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:48:42 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3640 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (7170 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (2690 in chips)
The Boutso: posts small blind 100
Williamson: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [3h Qd]
The Boutso said, "NH"
tl: folds
The Boutso: folds
Williamson collected 200 from pot
tl said, "ty"
Williamson: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Williamson (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 3: tl (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: The Boutso (small blind) folded before Flop

*********** # 29 **************
PokerStars Game #9594192169: Tournament #48690497, $30+$3 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2007/04/24 - 23:48:09 (ET)
Table '48690497 1' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: Williamson (3640 in chips)
Seat 3: tl (3585 in chips)
Seat 9: The Boutso (6275 in chips)
tl: posts small blind 100
The Boutso: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to tl [Th Td]
Williamson: folds
tl: raises 400 to 600
The Boutso: raises 400 to 1000
tl: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [9d 8c 3d]
tl: checks
The Boutso: bets 5000
tl: calls 2585 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [9d 8c 3d] [9c]
*** RIVER *** [9d 8c 3d 9c] [Js]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
tl: shows [Th Td] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
The Boutso: shows [3c Qc] (two pair, Nines and Threes)
tl collected 7170 from pot
The Boutso said, "ny"
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 7170 | Rake 0
Board [9d 8c 3d 9c Js]
Seat 2: Williamson (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: tl (small blind) showed [Th Td] and won (7170) with two pair, Tens and Nines
Seat 9: The Boutso (big blind) showed [3c Qc] and lost with two pair, Nines and Threes

back with a vengeance

Well, I'm finished my sixth sit-n-go in a row where I've taken either 2nd or 1st place now. According to sharkscope (www.sharkscope.com), I'm 'Super Hot'. That's right baby!

To be perfectly honest, I've been getting some great starting cards. One tournament, I was dealt pocket Aces 5 times. The most recent one, I was dealt Aces 3 times, AQ four times, and AJ at least twice. Like I said in earlier posts, these wins and losses come in streaks. So I'm on a super-hot streak right now. It might be a good time to play a double shootout for the main event.

Anyway, I was reading my last post and thought of how important it is to put your opponents at a disadvantage at all times. What I mean by that is you want to have your opponents make as many mistakes as possible. While you will be making yours, you want your opponents to make more. The only way to do that is to manipulate their perception of you and your playing style at any given moment.

Now, for any seasoned player, this is no big surprise - when they think you're tight, play loose and visa versa. Sure, that's definitely an easy one but how about betting patterns? How about table image? What your opponents think of you might cost them a little up front by making a bad read but what happens if that bad read ends up delivering a bad beat? Here's what I mean:

Let's say you're chip leader and your 5-handed. For 3 hands in a row, you were dealt A-Q, J-J and A-K. Of course, in all those situations, since you're going from late to early position, you'd raise. But you've raised 3 hands in a row though and in all likelihood, your opponents no longer respect your raises despite the legitimacy of those raises. Now you've tarnished your image at no fault of your own. Or is it?

Now, if your next hand is like A-J suited and you raise, you will likely get someone who could go all in with a hand like KQ or even JT. So now you're in a position where you will probably have to call (folding will make you look even more suspicious) and you might be a 3:2 favorite or maybe even in a dominating position. What happens if the JT hits the T on the flop and now you're behind? And the ONLY REASON why that person went all in was because they didn't give you credit for any kind of a hand.

I'm willing to bet anyone who has played cards long enough who have been bullied around in a game decided to go to war with any face card. Happens all the time. And the reasoning goes something like this - "He can't have a hand every time he raises!"

So what that means is, maybe going to war with JT might be a mistake, but it becomes LESS of a mistake to play it when you're being bullied in the long run, that is - because there will be more legitimate bullies than players who seem like they are bullying but are just running hot. And whenever you give your opponents a chance to lessen their mistakes, they gain and you lose.

So instead of consistently raising with good hands as the chip leader when you're running hot, it may be in your favor to actually mix it up and limp in sometimes. Sure you might give up a couple steals here and there, but the trade off is you'll show down a very nice starting hand that you limped in with. That information is will pay off a lot more later in a tournament. Knowing you can now raise or limp with a great starting hand you've handcuffed them from raising because you might limp-call a raise or you might re-raise. This opens the door to more limping with marginal hands and also raising with marginal hands once you've gone cold with cards. And we all know we'd rather not tangle ourselves with the chip leader.

With this approach, they can't label you as a bully and they'll still wait for premium hands before going to war with you. You might have to limp-fold an AK that missed but that might allow you to bet middle pair in position and take down a modest uncontested pot of 3 BBs.

Playing consistently, regardless of your reasons, becomes a liability.

brief hiatus

Okay, so it's been a while. I've been playing more live cash games lately and have been off-line for a while when it came to poker. Add to that a losing streak I've been on. Well, it hasn't been too bad but I've been using some of my winnings to play some double-shootouts to qualify for the WSOP main event.

Speaking of which, I am planning on playing Event #2 ($1500 buy-in) NL Hold Em tournament on June 2nd. Haven't bought the plane tix yet but I plan on it when I get back from my Austria trip.

Well, I've been playing some cash games at a few places and have been playing well and haven't had a losing session yet. I think I'm 5 for 5 in terms of non-losing sessions. Once I completely broke even so besides that, I've made a good profit.

I played at a friend of mine twice so far. They play .10/.25 games. The typical buy in has been $40. So that's like 160 BB worth of play. Very deep stacked. So I usually sit back and wait for cards and get in there with the best of it and get out when I'm in bad situations. These guys are fast and loose so I stuck out like a sore thumb playing tight and conservative. However, on their own admission, they play for fun. While I also enjoy playing, I want to make money and enjoy the competition of collecting chips. I'm extremely competitive and my enjoyment is beating my opponents with good reads, lay downs and making great poker plays.

Anyway, the cash game has been good to me. I think this part of my game has improved and really rewards my style of play which is to play patiently, tight and selectively aggressive.

Last night, I started back on my winning trend on pokerstars. I was down to my last $15 in my account. I played a $10 sng and took second. Then with that money, I played a $20 sng and took second again. Then I played a $30 and took first.

Then this morning I played another $30 and took first again. So I'm definitely on the hot streak and need to ride this out as long as possible. An interesting note in this particular one today was we were three handed and the chip leader had about just over 50% of the chips while I was slightly tied for 2nd with the other guy.

The chip leader started to get really aggressive with his play by going all-in quite a bit. At first I folded my hands as did the third guy. I understood this guy's game. Since his two opponents were close in chips, it was perfect pickings to be aggressive since we'd try to jockey for second place.

So after about the third all-in by this chip leader, I didn't give him credit for a premium hand. I had Td9d and called. He played 3c8c. He flopped his eight. But I backdoored a straight and doubled up. He began to comment on my play. He said he wouldn't have called an all-in with my hand. I replied back saying I know what he's up to with his all-ins. Then two hands later, he went all in again. This time I had AdJd. He had A8. He couldn't catch an eight and got knocked out in 3rd place. Then he started to berate my play back with the Td9d call. He said I had no clue on how to play sit-n-go tournament structure. I told him I think he's got it backward.

The truth is, the payout structure for a typical sit-n-go is 50-30-20. So what is my incentive to play tight 3 handed with a chip leader who has about half the chips and I'm tied with the third player? The 10 percent difference is negligible. On top of that, he's pushing all in too often to give his hands any kind of credit. With Td9d I'm only a 3:2 dog against AK. And that's about as bad it would get. Additionally, there is no way he'd go all in with AK. He'd do a standard raise. The only hands he would go all-in would be low pocket pairs and maybe high suited connectors like JT or JQ suited. I know the chip leader's mentality would be, "Even if one of them calls my 38, I'm only a 3:2 dog" And that's exactly right. Had I called with AQ or AK, his paired 8 would have won. Then I'd be getting the speech, "You need to get lucky to win these. GG." Fuck that.

If I call with Td9d and lose, I win the 20% of the pot. If I win, I'd be chip leader and I'd have a much better shot at winning first place valued at %50 of the pot. In fact, I'd be a slight favorite to take down first place. Is that worth at worst a 40% shot at winning a pot when the alternative is a guaranteed 3rd place finish? My opponent seems to not think so. I think it's worth it.

Now I'm not saying to go ahead and start taking all kinds of chances but given this specific situation where I'm basically tied for second and short stacked, it's better to take chances and double up than trying to fight for a 10% gain. This is all with the chip leader being overly aggressive. This provides a great opportunity to double up and now take a legitimate shot at 50% of the pot instead of 30%.