Sadly, I never recovered from losing the aforementioned flip and crashed out of the 11pm rather early.
Better news from the 11:30 Turbo, where a slippery play with Ace-King suited led to an early double up.
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
Jeni82
Small blind
15.00
15.00
4235.00
MattBates
Big blind
30.00
45.00
1595.00
Your hole cards
A
K
Thoid
Fold
BOTB
Fold
mushroom1
Call
30.00
75.00
2235.00
Jeni82
All-in
4235.00
4310.00
0.00
MattBates
Fold
mushroom1
All-in
2235.00
6545.00
0.00
Jeni82
Unmatched bet
1985.00
4560.00
1985.00
Jeni82
Show
A
Q
mushroom1
Show
A
K
Flop
8
3
K
Turn
5
River
9
mushroom1
Win
Pair of Kings
4560.00
4560.00
I decided to gamble with the button-limp as the player to my immediate left had been overly aggressive and there was always a chance that Matt would try and squeeze some tax from the limpers.
So, there's a lesson for all here; if I limp, it's probably best to let me see a cheap flop, every time. Much obliged.
It feels like I've lost every big pot I've played over the past three evenings.
Despite my earlier heroics, I can only finish 14th in the 11:30. Again, I finish runner-up in a race (AQ v 99 five-handed), in a pot worth 50 big blinds.
The Mid Ex appears my last chance, but I wager only a slim one. I'm currently 27/44 but rapidly losing focus due to PTSD.
Despite failing to claim a bounty, or have any kind of stack for most of the tournament, I somehow manage to cash in the Mid Ex.
Unfortunately, I was the final-table bubble due to losing the all-important race, again (sigh)...
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
mushroom1
Small blind
800.00
800.00
24024.00
kalin68
Big blind
1600.00
2400.00
52802.50
Your hole cards
A
Q
FINGERSNIN
Fold
Baba_TJs
All-in
19165.00
21565.00
0.00
mushroom1
All-in
24024.00
45589.00
0.00
kalin68
Fold
mushroom1
Unmatched bet
5659.00
39930.00
5659.00
mushroom1
Show
A
Q
Baba_TJs
Show
9
9
Flop
K
2
9
Turn
10
River
7
Baba_TJs
Win
Three 9s
39930.00
39930.00
After doubling my bowl of rice (44 > A3), I ran AJ into AQ the following hand (four-handed, with 7-bigs, one of which already in the pot) and 7th place beckoned.
Tonight's first business came in the form of a satellite for tonight's 6k at 19:30.
Due to the timing of my registration, I decided to play it fast, in hope to either build a stack quickly, or bust and register directly before the start of the Main (rather than late-reg).
One of those requests was answered two hands in. I bought in directly at 19:29
I've started well, thanks to a slice of luck in this crazy hand...
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
SzaryPolak
Small blind
20.00
20.00
4410.00
DannyJP
Big blind
40.00
60.00
4995.00
Your hole cards
K
A
RobRenzi
Raise
160.00
220.00
4630.00
mushroom1
Raise
640.00
860.00
6682.50
reidza25
Fold
monkey07
Fold
SzaryPolak
Fold
DannyJP
Fold
RobRenzi
Raise
1820.00
2680.00
2810.00
mushroom1
All-in
6682.50
9362.50
0.00
RobRenzi
All-in
2810.00
12172.50
0.00
mushroom1
Unmatched bet
2532.50
9640.00
2532.50
RobRenzi
Show
K
K
mushroom1
Show
K
A
Flop
J
3
A
Turn
A
River
K
mushroom1
Win
Full House, Aces and Kings
9640.00
12172.50
All three options went through my mind prior to hitting the all-in button and, where this a non-bounty freezeout, I would fold a fair percentage of the time in a similar spot. However, given this is a bounty-hunter, a rebuy, and the fact that I would still be left with a 50bb stack should I lose the hand, I think my play is defendable? Input appreciated.
Just found myself in a tricky spot in the aforementioned tournament and would, again, welcome any thoughts and opinions regarding the final stage of the hand.
As played, I would normally call off in this type of coup; my half-pot bet on the turn can easily be called by Ace-King or Ace-Ten, after all. That said, I would expect a player of SzaryPolak's ability to c-bet with either of those hands.
On this occasion, my coin came down on the side of 'fold'.
It was, at the very least, a good bet from my opponent.
My second tournament of the evening will be the Mini, which, on a Sunday, comes in the form of a tournament of yesteryear; no rebuys, no re-entries (taxed rebuys), no bounties.
Really takes me back. Back to a golden age. I had hair, pot-limit reigned, and both policemen and Wagon Wheels were definitely bigger.
My second tournament of the evening will be the Mini, which, on a Sunday, comes in the form of a tournament of yesteryear; no rebuys, no re-entries (taxed rebuys), no bounties.
Really takes me back. Back to a golden age. I had hair, pot-limit reigned, and both policemen and Wagon Wheels were definitely bigger.
I manage to spew 80% of my starting stack inside ten minutes.
I am never getting out of this, not in this tournament. Had I checked the turn, I am calling any bet, more so on the river, obviously.
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
mushroom1
Small blind
20.00
20.00
4610.00
BazookaJoe
Big blind
40.00
60.00
6140.00
Your hole cards
K
A
adunne
Raise
80.00
140.00
5170.00
fowksey612
Fold
luke941
Call
80.00
220.00
3580.00
malla76
Fold
mushroom1
Raise
420.00
640.00
4190.00
BazookaJoe
Fold
adunne
Fold
luke941
Call
360.00
1000.00
3220.00
Flop
5
5
A
mushroom1
Bet
1000.00
2000.00
3190.00
luke941
Call
1000.00
3000.00
2220.00
Turn
3
mushroom1
All-in
3190.00
6190.00
0.00
luke941
All-in
2220.00
8410.00
0.00
mushroom1
Unmatched bet
970.00
7440.00
970.00
mushroom1
Show
K
A
luke941
Show
Q
8
River
K
luke941
Win
Flush to the Ace
7440.00
7440.00
Why are there no rebuys in this particular Mini? Such a ridiculously archaic tournament.
Despite that earlier crippling blow in the Mini, where I found myself down to sub-1000 chip stack, I managed to grind back up to 2,300 - just a double up away from a starting stack!
Unfortunately, while in search of that rewarding, and arguably deserved opportunity, I found myself playing the supporting role in this truly harrowing tale...
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
malla76
Small blind
40.00
40.00
3980.00
mushroom1
Big blind
80.00
120.00
2310.00
Your hole cards
10
10
BazookaJoe
Fold
adunne
Fold
Jimmington
Fold
luke941
Fold
malla76
Call
40.00
160.00
3940.00
mushroom1
Raise
320.00
480.00
1990.00
malla76
Call
320.00
800.00
3620.00
Flop
7
K
8
malla76
Check
mushroom1
Bet
400.00
1200.00
1590.00
malla76
Call
400.00
1600.00
3220.00
Turn
10
malla76
Check
mushroom1
All-in
1590.00
3190.00
0.00
malla76
Call
1590.00
4780.00
1630.00
malla76
Show
9
J
mushroom1
Show
10
10
River
9
malla76
Win
Straight to the Jack
4780.00
6410.00
Still, such things are sent to test us. One day, I'll pass with flying colours.
One of the great ironies of poker is that we mostly love to hit a set. But sometimes the last thing we want is to set up, as it gives Villain his straight. And we seem to do that so often. I sort of scream at the screen NO SET NO ******* SET.
My third tournament of the session was the Mega-stack where, I believe, I was the first player to hit the skids - a demise all of my own doing.
I called a re-raise with QJs, out of position, against Matt. I'm not going to be too hard on myself for this alone, as dying with top-pair isn't something I see as a problem within my game (when deep), however, my post-flop play was a little rash.
Ultimately, this hand is a great example of the important of position as, after flopping a flush draw, I have a difficult decision to make. I made a quick decision to play my hand past, betting the pot (25% of my stack) into the raiser - a questionable but definitely announcement that I am now committed to my hand.
Matt shoved, leaving me with a decision of whether or not to gamble my remaining chips, at odds of (exactly 2/1).
So, I've already invested 4k of my 14k stack and I am getting adequate odds - at this point, I can only reap what I've sown. The opponent is question is arguably a factor too - by which I mean; should I (all but) knock-out Matt (or any good player), my subsequent time at that table becomes less difficult, as a matter of course.
To simplify; should I find myself heads-up with Negreanu, with us both sitting with 100bb stacks, I should obviously accept the first opportunity to get it all-in pre in an AK v 99 coup. If I am playing my mum, however, accepting such would be counter-productive. Don't worry, I realise this far from enlightening to most.
That said, the previous two paragraphs are not enough to get me off the hook here, as, all things considered, at this stage in a mega-stack, my play is questionable, at best.
I failed to cash in the £33 BH (19:30), also, finishing someway off the money in 50th place - 20bb stack, blind v blind, Ace v Ace, top-pair v top-pair. £50 in bounties softened the blow.
One of the great ironies of poker is that we mostly love to hit a set. But sometimes the last thing we want is to set up, as it gives Villain his straight. And we seem to do that so often. I sort of scream at the screen NO SET NO ******* SET.
Hitting a set probably produces the highest rushes we experience in-play. It's possibly safer to hit smaller ones, however, as, like you say, in big pots, where others hold big cards, hitting trips can prove an ironic stab in the back.
And yes, the mind is a huge factor in poker, gambling and all forms of competition.
I ended the night with this little gem in the Mid Ex...
Player
Action
Cards
Amount
Pot
Balance
mushroom1
Small blind
200.00
200.00
2503.00
MZS
Big blind
400.00
600.00
8470.00
Your hole cards
Q
K
loosecamel
Fold
wemjay
Fold
mushroom1
All-in
2503.00
3103.00
0.00
MZS
Call
2303.00
5406.00
6167.00
mushroom1
Show
Q
K
MZS
Show
5
J
Flop
Q
8
3
Turn
9
River
10
MZS
Win
Straight to the Queen
5406.00
11573.00
I don't believe I was at my best this evening. Maybe the relentless frustrations of the last few nights took their toll, after all, the mind is in a constant state of flux during competition.
Played only on the Mini last night, lasting just a few hands (firstly losing a race and 70% of my stack, before spewing the remainder on a busted flush draw). So, in effect, Monday was almost a complete evening off.
Normal service resumes tonight.
I have decided to mix it up a little this evening, to start with at least, with an attempt to land a DYM streak. Something that suddenly becomes impossible, to me, during Streak Weeks.
After a promising start, my DYM mini-session form-line read WWWLW (with the L coming in the form of a bubble) - it's the hope that kills you.
Back to the comfort of MTT's now, starting with the Gold Rush, where I hope to turn the clock back seven days.
The Mini will be my second throw of the dice, where I hope to make it to the second level - then we reassess.
My performance level plummets when tackling more than two tables simultaneously, therefore, the decision behind a third tournament relates directly to the timing of my Mini/Main exits - with this in mind, the Mid Ex would be my ideal choice.
Enjoying the ride mushroom..nothing left in the dark, the good, bad & ugly all there to see. Nice write-ups, hh's and only the requisite number of commas. I feel you are due a bink soon...karma is a wondrous thing....
Enjoying the ride mushroom..nothing left in the dark, the good, bad & ugly all there to see. Nice write-ups, hh's and only the requisite number of commas. I feel you are due a bink soon...karma is a wondrous thing....
Many thanks, @Glenelg, appreciate the comments. I hope you're right.
Comments
Had some time off earlier, but have decided to attempt a late-night assault.
I'll be tacking just three MTT's in total; the £11 which started at 11pm, the Turbo at 11:30pm, and the Midnight Express.
Despite taking an early bounty in the 11pm, I am in now in a critical condition after finishing second in a race between Ace-King and Jacks.
Better news from the 11:30 Turbo, where a slippery play with Ace-King suited led to an early double up.
So, there's a lesson for all here; if I limp, it's probably best to let me see a cheap flop, every time. Much obliged.
Despite my earlier heroics, I can only finish 14th in the 11:30. Again, I finish runner-up in a race (AQ v 99 five-handed), in a pot worth 50 big blinds.
The Mid Ex appears my last chance, but I wager only a slim one. I'm currently 27/44 but rapidly losing focus due to PTSD.
Unfortunately, I was the final-table bubble due to losing the all-important race, again (sigh)...
Due to the timing of my registration, I decided to play it fast, in hope to either build a stack quickly, or bust and register directly before the start of the Main (rather than late-reg).
One of those requests was answered two hands in. I bought in directly at 19:29
I've started well, thanks to a slice of luck in this crazy hand...
As played, I would normally call off in this type of coup; my half-pot bet on the turn can easily be called by Ace-King or Ace-Ten, after all. That said, I would expect a player of SzaryPolak's ability to c-bet with either of those hands.
On this occasion, my coin came down on the side of 'fold'.
It was, at the very least, a good bet from my opponent.
Really takes me back. Back to a golden age. I had hair, pot-limit reigned, and both policemen and Wagon Wheels were definitely bigger.
I am never getting out of this, not in this tournament. Had I checked the turn, I am calling any bet, more so on the river, obviously.
Unfortunately, while in search of that rewarding, and arguably deserved opportunity, I found myself playing the supporting role in this truly harrowing tale...
So much of poker is in our minds.
I called a re-raise with QJs, out of position, against Matt. I'm not going to be too hard on myself for this alone, as dying with top-pair isn't something I see as a problem within my game (when deep), however, my post-flop play was a little rash.
Ultimately, this hand is a great example of the important of position as, after flopping a flush draw, I have a difficult decision to make. I made a quick decision to play my hand past, betting the pot (25% of my stack) into the raiser - a questionable but definitely announcement that I am now committed to my hand.
Matt shoved, leaving me with a decision of whether or not to gamble my remaining chips, at odds of (exactly 2/1).
So, I've already invested 4k of my 14k stack and I am getting adequate odds - at this point, I can only reap what I've sown. The opponent is question is arguably a factor too - by which I mean; should I (all but) knock-out Matt (or any good player), my subsequent time at that table becomes less difficult, as a matter of course.
To simplify; should I find myself heads-up with Negreanu, with us both sitting with 100bb stacks, I should obviously accept the first opportunity to get it all-in pre in an AK v 99 coup. If I am playing my mum, however, accepting such would be counter-productive. Don't worry, I realise this far from enlightening to most.
That said, the previous two paragraphs are not enough to get me off the hook here, as, all things considered, at this stage in a mega-stack, my play is questionable, at best.
I failed to cash in the £33 BH (19:30), also, finishing someway off the money in 50th place - 20bb stack, blind v blind, Ace v Ace, top-pair v top-pair. £50 in bounties softened the blow.
Hitting a set probably produces the highest rushes we experience in-play. It's possibly safer to hit smaller ones, however, as, like you say, in big pots, where others hold big cards, hitting trips can prove an ironic stab in the back.
And yes, the mind is a huge factor in poker, gambling and all forms of competition.
Normal service resumes tonight.
I have decided to mix it up a little this evening, to start with at least, with an attempt to land a DYM streak. Something that suddenly becomes impossible, to me, during Streak Weeks.
Back to the comfort of MTT's now, starting with the Gold Rush, where I hope to turn the clock back seven days.
The Mini will be my second throw of the dice, where I hope to make it to the second level - then we reassess.
My performance level plummets when tackling more than two tables simultaneously, therefore, the decision behind a third tournament relates directly to the timing of my Mini/Main exits - with this in mind, the Mid Ex would be my ideal choice.
After an initial bright start in the Main, I suffered a long period of dry cards, where any moves or steals were immediately looked up.
Down to a stack of just 12-bigs, I thought I had found an excellent opportunity to triple-up...
One can only imagine what horrors are in store.