new ring game

Well a poker buddy of mine introduced me to a new cash game on Sunday nights. It's not a weekly game. It's like every 3 Sundays or so.

So I came down to check it out.

The first game I was in, I lost to a girl who flopped quad jacks. The game was 0.50/1.00 limit. The cap buy-in was $100...pretty standard. Anyway, this girl limped in for a $1 with pocket Jacks. That practically made it impossible for me to put her on a couple jacks. So when the flop came out with two jacks and a Ten, with 8s9s I had an open ended straight. The turn, another spade, brought me more outs that were in reality all dead. She gave me the right odds to call and when I hit my flush, I thought I was good. She value bet her quads and I had paid her off. I definitely put her on a Jack but not quads. Oh well, a hand like that should get paid off. I don't think I played that one bad but I just ran into some bad luck.

As the night progressed, I was down to my last $22 but made a comeback with pocket 5s on a scare board that showed all clubs. I knew if I got called, I was losing. But nobody called.

Next all-in moment came when I called a raise with 4 others in the pot with AJo. I flopped top pair and went all-in with $38 and got no callers. I was on my way back to getting back to even.

Then two hands later, I got priced in with J9o in the small blind and made the call with 6 players. I flopped the absolute nuts(8TQ-rainbow). Being in the small blind along with my tight image, I checked. This guy to my right is quite aggressive with any type of hand, so I got another reason to check. So UTG guy bets out and got two callers, including the guy to my right. Awesome...I'm getting more dead money into the pot. Turn - 3c. No help and no flush draws either. I'm still sitting pretty with my straight. I check. The UTG bets out and chases out the other two bettors and it comes back to me. I examine my stack and wondered if I should go all-in or just call. So I posture a little and count out my stack and also take a look at how much I'd have left to potentially call on the river. I call. A 9 comes out on the river which pretty much was a scare card for my opponent. Now all kinds of hands I could have been check calling would have made it and I knew if I checked, he'd check behind me. So I had to bet first. I didn't have much left but I felt the right amount had to be a little less than an all-in. I bet $25 into about $95 pot. I felt it was about right. I'm giving him almost 5:1 on his money to call. He smiled figuring I had the Jack and called. I showed him my cards and I slow played the nuts the entire time.

That hand catapulted me into the black by about $40 - which coincidentally was for the most part contributed to the dead money with two callers on the flop.

Of course all my profits and stack went to shit about 30 minutes later. I was in late middle position with AJo. It was min-raised and min-re-raised to $4. I called and the small blind raised it up to $6. He wanted to see how strong his hand was. I noticed that everyone who called the min-raise called. Action was back to me. There was already about $40 in the pot with nobody showing any kind of real strength. So my only options were to fold or go all-in. IMO, I considered the dead $40 just waiting for an owner. So I took the rest of my chips and went all in which was around $140 more. Everyone, like I expected, dropped out like flies. Until it got to the host. He sat there trying to figure out what kind of hand I had. He pondered for a good minute thinking he felt lucky and ultimately made the call. He showed A8 and I turned up AJ. Apparently, I made other people fold 99 and JJ due to my tight image. Well, the flop came out Ax8. Well, at that point I wanted to puke but with two jacks gone, I'm drawing to one jack in the deck and of course I didn't get there. But I shrugged it off and said, 'That's poker.' I didn't feel like re-loading for another $100. The host apologized and honestly, I was fine with it. I mean it was a bad call but to get mad about it doesn't do anything but get other people in a bad mood and it doesn't change a damn thing. The last thing I want is to discourage people playing poorly. In a cash game, the good thing is you're never out. You can buy back in with more money and in the long run make it all back. Part of playing poker is making the best decisions and poker all the time. The money will take care of itself in the end. I think I made the right decision in the pot, I could have folded but it was against my intuitions. I would have made my Aces on the flop against the JJ and the 99 and took down the pot anyway. It would have been a coin flip against those pairs and I thought they wouldn't want to gamble the rest of their chips. A couple of those guys already had to re-buy a couple of times already. I didn't think they wanted to tangle with me for all their chips.

So, the thing that I found pretty remarkable was I wasn't as pissed off on the inside as much as I thought I'd be. I'm much better with taking bad beats. I know I with this crew, I'm going to be a long-term winner. Anyway, I think a large part of my attitude was reading the book on being a pro. Bad beats are good for poker. It keeps the poor players keep playing poorly.

cooler magnet

Well, I've been on a general losing streak. After two months without a refill, I finally had to last night. Since I've been playing at the $50+ sng, I had to put in for $200.

Anyway, lately, I've been getting more aggressive with a short stack. Normally, when the blinds are at $50/$100, I used to play the same tight game. However, if I'm at below $1500 mark, I only have 15 BB left. Now I wouldn't panic yet, but the next level is $75/$150. So I need to start stealing and if unsuccessful, I'm in all-in/fold mode.

Well, so when I find myself short stacked, I've been going all in with any ace usually. Depending on the table, I'd also go in with suited connectors and hands I feel that would call and dominate me. So hands like K4 or K8 are hands I avoid.

Anyway, I end up going all in a lot more now and I find myself constantly running into coolers - meaning Aces, Kings or Queens. I don't know why I find myself running into these hands. I feel it shouldn't happen as often as it has.

10:18 PM:

Well, I just layed down a monster pot with QQ. Someone in early position raised and I called. I was reading about how not to telegraph your hands by re-raising pre-flop. So I just flat called the initial raiser. However, the seat to my left re-raised (from 60 to 220). So the initial raiser folded. I called as well. So the flop comes out K-K-7. I pause and check. Raiser checks behind me. Turn card - 4. I bet about 300 into the 600 pot. The raiser now goes over the top and goes all in.

I figure my Queens are beat by either A-K or Aces. I doubt if he flopped quads, he'd go all in. But I feel he didn't have A-K because he'd flop trips and I'd be drawing to two outs - why scare me out? I think he had Aces. I think he'd was willing to go broke with that hand had I had A-K. Aces make the most sense because he raised so much pre-flop and then went all in on the turn.

10:46 PM
Well, got knocked out by another donkey. I had about 1300 in chips and the blinds at 50/100. The donkey on the button raised with Ad3d. I had AcKc. He raised it to 300 and after thinking about it, I went all in. He insta-called. I was in great shape to double up after seeing his 3d being dominated. However, the flop brought 2 diamonds. Of COURSE!!! The turn brought the Kd. Pokerstars had to make it painful.

That was the end of me. It's exactly those kinds of hands that make me really wonder if online poker isn't fixed.

Oh well, I should go to bed now.

making the jump

Well, I've been trying the higher limits lately at pokerstars. I've been playing either the $50 or $100 sit-n-gos lately. I've had moderate success so far.

Last night, I should have placed in the money in the $50 game. I was on the comeback from being the short stack. I've employed a "fold or all-in" method when I 10 BB or less. Which means I would have to go all in at around $1000 in chips when the blinds are at $50 and $100. Sounds a little early to do such things but hey, it's correct tournament play.

Anyway, back to the $50 game. I was doubling up a few times and was up there in chips now. Second in chips - 4 handed. I got dealt pocket Queens. A very strong hand. One of the players goes all in and the chip leader also goes all-in. I call his all-in with my ladies. The chip leader shows pocket Jacks and I'm looking real good to double up and be the massive chip leader but he ends up spiking a Jack on the river to knock me out at 4th place. I'm wondering if I should have called his all in. I can't imagine folding the queens being the correct play. If any professionals reading this can comment please do so....lol

Okay, so I play the $100 and again go out on the bubble. So I drop down to the $30 and take first place. So now I recoup my loss at the $100 games.

I just got an email last night from pokerstars that my account has elevated to SilverStar status. Not too sure what that means yet but that's due to having played a bunch of 50 and 100 dollar sit-n-gos. I'd be interested in what kinds of benefits I get now.

That's it for now. Btw-I think I'm going to pass on the $1500 game (Event #3 at the WSOP). I'm going to spend more time on the Double shootouts online for the main event. I'm planning on buying an iMac this summer when the new line gets released. However, pokerstars hasn't created a mac compatible version yet.

hiatus and vacation

Well, it has been a very long while since I last posted. I spent a week's worth of time in Austria for my friend's wedding (actually, they were already married for well over a year but no friends or family attended so this Austria trip was intended to serve that purpose). So I was the best man and didn't really start until I had some quiet time on the flight over - we had 3 connections to make. A word of advice, don't do it!

Anyway, back to poker. Besides feeling a bit lazy to blog - which is probably the real reason, if I had to give another reason - I'd say things haven't changed much in a larger sense. Sure, I've been playing a little streaky here and there and I've maintained my account size for the most part (still hovering around $700) but I haven't really encountered much learning experience lately. A couple of live cash games dried up for me in that my schedule has been conflicting with what's available.

However, in the last few days, I have been on a bit of a losing streak. I did break my rule of losing 2 games in a row, I'd stop for the day. That happened twice so far and I did sort of go on tilt. I think some of my problem was I tend to pay off bad plays. Once I made a bet to make it a bad call for a flush draw on the flop. I think I overbet the pot (around 120% the pot) with a flush possibility. However, when they called and hit, I'd pay them off. I have to stop doing that.

Anyway, I do have some news to report. Due to the tilting, I decided to play some $100 sit-n-gos. Now, I placed 4th in one and didn't get paid out. Then I played another one and took 3rd - $80. Not too bad but still I wanted to take at least a 2nd. So after my mother's day dinner, I came back and played another $100 sit-n-go.

This time not only did I make it into the money, I was heads up and suddenly the other guy suggested we chop. We were bantering pleasantly the entire game and we did respect each other's game. So he suggested that we chop and what we'd have to do is both sit out and he'd send me the difference and once I verified the transfer, I'd continue to sit out as he sat back in.

I'm not exactly sure how it is a guarantee that in the future someone can't screw me over but I suppose that situation wouldn't really happen unless both players were about even in chips. Having both players sit out, keeps the chip count the same and even if someone were to sit back in at the right time and raise, they'd only gain a small blind. But I guess if the person transferring the money didn't really transfer, then no email would get sent. So after about 10 minutes, if no email arrived, then no chop. But if the sender did send and the receiver is claiming that they didn't get the email, then the sender would get screwed. I guess that's why he asked me to type agree in the chat box so he could at least have some type of proof to put up to pokerstars.

Anyway, splitting first and second was a nice $360. It definitely made up for some bad beats.

Well, my PS3 has finished downloading Gran Turismo 4 HD. Later.

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%.