Last night i went to Gala hoping to make it a hat trick of final tables. Confidence was high and the banter was flowing and i felt like i was in the zone again.
I made a few steals and took down some pots uncontested in the first couple of levels an after adding on i had 15,425 at the break.
My first major hand came in the 400/800 level, after a limper and SB completes i looked down at K 10 off and check my option. The flop comes down 9 J Q and i had flopped the nuts, Jamie Millar checked in the SB and i fired out a bet of 1.2k. Both folded which was not what i was hoping for, i should of checked but i tried mixing it up a bit.
Then at the 500/1000 level the c/o raises to 3.5k, the button passes and i have A K in the SB and decide to flat it and shove any flop. The BB passes and we see a flop of Q X X and i move in as i had decided, the c/o quickly passes and i take down an 18.8k pot showing him the AK.
A couple of hands later i get dealt AA in early position and make it 2.9k to go, the BB comes along steam calling after the AK hand. The flop comes down K X X and he bets out 2.5k, i move all in thinking he cant pass a King but he quickly folds and I'm now up to 23.2k.
I then lost a few chips to a lady on my left after making raises, she moved in both times and i had to pass 6's (she showed K Q suited) and A J off (she showed QQ). I then moved all in with Ad Qd and was called by a short stack after me with JJ. I caught my A on the flop and took down a 3ok pot.
I was then moved tables and stole a few blinds before the final table bubble broke and i made my 3rd consecutive final table at Gala on the trot. I had just under average stack with 48k.
The 7th hand of the final table at 2k/4k level, a lad called Richard raised it up to 11k, i flat called in position with AK off and the flop comes A K 7. He moves in and i insta call him and take down the 84k pot eliminating him.
I then eliminated a player in 6th when he shoved his short stack into my BB, i looked down at AA and snap called him. He flipped 10s Js and after a sweat of a flush draw he bricked out and i was over 100k.
It became 3 handed and i found a new gear and began moving in and taking down some big blinds uncontested. I then had a decision after Peter Leonard(similar stack size) moved in on my BB, i had pocket 4's and didn't want to race as i wanted to be the first into the pot so i folded it. He then moved in again a few hands later and i looked down at 7's. I called this time as his range is huge and he turned over Qd 10d, a 10 on the flop and i was left with shrapnel which i got all in the next hand with 8h 6h, Peter called with 10 8 but i hit my 6 and we were back to the same stage.
We ended up doing a chop at 4am as there was only 30 minutes of play left. The big chip leader took £500 and me and Peter both took £440 each so i was happy after nearly busting in 3rd for £280.
I felt like i played solidly again tonight and i got the big score that i was after so i am now going to head to Blackpool on Saturday for the £100+£10 deep stack.
Buy ins (inc rake): £467
Cashes : £942
Profit/Loss: £475
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Gala £10 triple chance.
Last night i decided to head to Gala as i have recent form there and a guarantee of £1500. With 44 runners there was an overlay and the £1500 was not reached.
I felt in the zone from the off, i felt like i was paying more attention than i usually do and it helps with it being dealer dealt.
My first hand came up in the 50/100 level where i picked up AK in the BB, i raised it up to 600 after 6 limper's and then got 5 callers . I didn't like the Q 2 9 flop and it was checked around, the J on the turn was also checked round. A King on the river was also checked round and my AK was good and my stack was up to 7.3k
Then i call a raise of 300 in late position with 4 4, 2 others call and we see a flop of Q 10 Q, it was checked to the raiser who was to my right and he now bet out 1k, i thought he wouldn't be betting out the Q and i don't think he would make that bet with an A 10 so i thought he had AK/AJ or maybe a mid pair so i decided to flat call and see if i could take it down on the turn. The turn was a 4 which was ideal for my hand and the raiser now checked so i fired out a 1.5k bet, he check raised my bet to 4k i then thought for a few seconds before moving all in for an extra 2k more, he couldn't pass and called with AA and he didn't improve. My initial read was wrong but he over committed himself after the turn. My stack was now up to 15.2k.
I then had Kh Qh on the BB and raised an extra 2k after several limper's, i wanted to take the pot down but one of the limper's move in for an extra 1.5k more and i couldn't pass, he flipped over pocket 4's and it was off to the races where i rivered a straight. I was now up to 20k and added on for a further 5k giving me a nice stack of 25k to come back to after the break.
After the break i was moved tables and i took down the first two pots without showdown, i was then moved again and drop a few chips before picking up AA. I took down a decent pot with a 4k bet on a K Q X board against a short stacked lady as i thought she might have a calling hand but she passed.
I then raise to 3.6k with A 10 off in late position, the button then moves in for 19k ish and i have to pass and he shows AK.
The very next hand i get KK and make the same raise to 3.6k after 2 limper's, I'm called by the 2 limper's one a tight lady with a decent stack and the chip leader idiot. The flop comes X 5 A and the Lady bets out 4k, the chip leader re raises all in and I'm nearly sick on the table before passing my Kings, the lady folds and the idiot turns over A 5. Wp mate. Any none Ace flop and i have a nice pot to take down.
I kept my patience and after another table had broken we were now down to 2 tables and a new player at the table raises my BB to 6k, i have played with this guy a few times and his range is anything from KJ-AA and low pairs. I look down at Ad Qd and i move in for 15.6k total, he tanks then calls the extra 9.6k with A J and my hand holds and I'm up to 35k.
The same player then raises again a few hands later and i have A J this time and move all in, he calls with KK and i manage to suck out the Ace ball on the turn to send him packing. I had got lucky but i now had a stack of over 7ok to make the final table with.
A short stack in the BB announces that hes going to ship it all in regardless and i look down at A 10off so i just raise it up to 20k hoping to isolate him. Jamie Millar on my immediate left then re shoves all in for 45-50k, the short stack calls and i have to lay it down. Jamie shows QQ and wins with a Full House. My mistake in this hand was i should of raised the minimum as it was covering the all in anyway, instead i lost about 8k more than i should and if Jamie was shorter than he was i would of been priced into the call and would of been left crippled.
I made the final table with 52k which was around average. The final table had a very unusual feel about it and contained 5 men and 5 women which i think is rare as only 6 Lady's started the comp. With only 8 being paid we decided to offer a saver for 8th and 9th with everybody paying £5 out of their own pocket with the last 2 places taking £25 each.
I was up and down on the final table, had to steal a few blinds to stay alive whilst having to pass lots of marginal hands due to raises or lack of position.
I was crippled when Joan moved all in on my BB for 23k, i looked down at Ah 9h and decided to gamble to try and get a stack for the win! I called and she flipped Js 10s, flop was A X X 2 spades and i knew i was going to lose the hand. The spade on the river sealed it and i lost a decent pot at the same stage as yesterdays tournament. If i win that race then i think i go on to heads up at minimum.
I had 13.5k left and with the blinds just passed me i waited to try and find a hand. My mum was at the final table to my right so i decided to wait until UTG till i shipped it in, that way she has to call and either takes my chips or i double up. I shipped it in UTG with 6 7 off and she had to call the extra 5.5k after everybody had passed, she had Ah 5h which held up and i was out in 6th winning £60
I thought i played well all tournament, i had to lay down some big hands, i did get lucky against the KK with AJ but i wont grumble about that as it happens to me a lot of the time.
Buy ins (inc rake): £423.50
Cashes : £502
Profit/Loss: £78.50
I felt in the zone from the off, i felt like i was paying more attention than i usually do and it helps with it being dealer dealt.
My first hand came up in the 50/100 level where i picked up AK in the BB, i raised it up to 600 after 6 limper's and then got 5 callers . I didn't like the Q 2 9 flop and it was checked around, the J on the turn was also checked round. A King on the river was also checked round and my AK was good and my stack was up to 7.3k
Then i call a raise of 300 in late position with 4 4, 2 others call and we see a flop of Q 10 Q, it was checked to the raiser who was to my right and he now bet out 1k, i thought he wouldn't be betting out the Q and i don't think he would make that bet with an A 10 so i thought he had AK/AJ or maybe a mid pair so i decided to flat call and see if i could take it down on the turn. The turn was a 4 which was ideal for my hand and the raiser now checked so i fired out a 1.5k bet, he check raised my bet to 4k i then thought for a few seconds before moving all in for an extra 2k more, he couldn't pass and called with AA and he didn't improve. My initial read was wrong but he over committed himself after the turn. My stack was now up to 15.2k.
I then had Kh Qh on the BB and raised an extra 2k after several limper's, i wanted to take the pot down but one of the limper's move in for an extra 1.5k more and i couldn't pass, he flipped over pocket 4's and it was off to the races where i rivered a straight. I was now up to 20k and added on for a further 5k giving me a nice stack of 25k to come back to after the break.
After the break i was moved tables and i took down the first two pots without showdown, i was then moved again and drop a few chips before picking up AA. I took down a decent pot with a 4k bet on a K Q X board against a short stacked lady as i thought she might have a calling hand but she passed.
I then raise to 3.6k with A 10 off in late position, the button then moves in for 19k ish and i have to pass and he shows AK.
The very next hand i get KK and make the same raise to 3.6k after 2 limper's, I'm called by the 2 limper's one a tight lady with a decent stack and the chip leader idiot. The flop comes X 5 A and the Lady bets out 4k, the chip leader re raises all in and I'm nearly sick on the table before passing my Kings, the lady folds and the idiot turns over A 5. Wp mate. Any none Ace flop and i have a nice pot to take down.
I kept my patience and after another table had broken we were now down to 2 tables and a new player at the table raises my BB to 6k, i have played with this guy a few times and his range is anything from KJ-AA and low pairs. I look down at Ad Qd and i move in for 15.6k total, he tanks then calls the extra 9.6k with A J and my hand holds and I'm up to 35k.
The same player then raises again a few hands later and i have A J this time and move all in, he calls with KK and i manage to suck out the Ace ball on the turn to send him packing. I had got lucky but i now had a stack of over 7ok to make the final table with.
A short stack in the BB announces that hes going to ship it all in regardless and i look down at A 10off so i just raise it up to 20k hoping to isolate him. Jamie Millar on my immediate left then re shoves all in for 45-50k, the short stack calls and i have to lay it down. Jamie shows QQ and wins with a Full House. My mistake in this hand was i should of raised the minimum as it was covering the all in anyway, instead i lost about 8k more than i should and if Jamie was shorter than he was i would of been priced into the call and would of been left crippled.
I made the final table with 52k which was around average. The final table had a very unusual feel about it and contained 5 men and 5 women which i think is rare as only 6 Lady's started the comp. With only 8 being paid we decided to offer a saver for 8th and 9th with everybody paying £5 out of their own pocket with the last 2 places taking £25 each.
I was up and down on the final table, had to steal a few blinds to stay alive whilst having to pass lots of marginal hands due to raises or lack of position.
I was crippled when Joan moved all in on my BB for 23k, i looked down at Ah 9h and decided to gamble to try and get a stack for the win! I called and she flipped Js 10s, flop was A X X 2 spades and i knew i was going to lose the hand. The spade on the river sealed it and i lost a decent pot at the same stage as yesterdays tournament. If i win that race then i think i go on to heads up at minimum.
I had 13.5k left and with the blinds just passed me i waited to try and find a hand. My mum was at the final table to my right so i decided to wait until UTG till i shipped it in, that way she has to call and either takes my chips or i double up. I shipped it in UTG with 6 7 off and she had to call the extra 5.5k after everybody had passed, she had Ah 5h which held up and i was out in 6th winning £60
I thought i played well all tournament, i had to lay down some big hands, i did get lucky against the KK with AJ but i wont grumble about that as it happens to me a lot of the time.
Buy ins (inc rake): £423.50
Cashes : £502
Profit/Loss: £78.50
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Alea £15 deep stack freezeout
Last night i played the Alea £15 freeze out. With 50 runners sitting down and 9 alternates, i thought it was a decent turn out as Gala and Grosvenor both had guaranteed tournaments.
So first level of the night (25/50) and i get AK0 in the c/o and flat a raise from the guy on my right, 2 others call and we see a flop of A X Js and its checked round to me so i fire 650 into the pot which is called by the guy to my right. The turn is a Qs and is checked by us both as i thought he could have AQ or AJ here after his check call. The river is the 10s and i bet 1.1k after he checks, he flats it and shows 8 9 for a lower straight.
The very next hand i get JJ and raise it up to 400 after a min raise and a call by the guy on my right, Mama G calls in the BB as do the raiser and caller. Flop comes Q high and is checked to me so i bet out which is smooth called by the guy to my right. Turn is a blank and is checked down, the river is another blank and he value bets and i call paying off the AQ. I should of passed.
An orbit later i get JJ again, i raised in late position which is called by the button and BB, the flop is 6 7 8 and the BB bets out 600 which i raise to 2k and he calls. The turn is a 5 and he checks so i peel off a free card, the river is a blank and we check it down and he shows AQ.
I had added 1350 to my 10k starting stack at the break. After the break i offered to deal for a while.
A big pot unfolded at the 200/400 level, Charles limped UTG and i look down at Ac Qs and raise it up to 1600, its passed round to the SB who calls for 1600 then Charles moves all in for 5.6k total. I decide to call and then the other guy calls so there is about 16k in the main pot. The flop comes down Xc As Jc, the SB fires 1k into a dry side pot so i flat call it. The turn is a Xc and he checks and i now move all in with top pair and the flush draw, he tanks and then calls with 9c 9s and was drawing dead to a 9. Charles turns over Ax Kc and was ahead at present, the river bricked out and Charles took the main pot and i scooped the side pot and showed a slight profit.
Then came my exit hand, a guy to my right who had been opening a lot of pots, raises it up to 3.6k at the 800/1600 level. I look down at Ks Qs and decide to move all in for around 14k as i think he will fold marginal hands like A Q off A J and 7 7 lower and i have a decent image. Its folded around to him and he makes the call for 70% of his stack with A Qoff. The Q hits the flop but no K or spades to help me out and i was dust.
I thought i played ok and could of folded the JJ in the first level, also i think my play with the Ks Qs was fine but i did have enough chips at the time to pass and find a better spot. I am going to work on trying to make folds when i think i am behind because my read is usually right but i find it hard to actually make the fold.
Buy ins (inc rake): £401.50
Cashes : £442
Profit/Loss: £40.50
So first level of the night (25/50) and i get AK0 in the c/o and flat a raise from the guy on my right, 2 others call and we see a flop of A X Js and its checked round to me so i fire 650 into the pot which is called by the guy to my right. The turn is a Qs and is checked by us both as i thought he could have AQ or AJ here after his check call. The river is the 10s and i bet 1.1k after he checks, he flats it and shows 8 9 for a lower straight.
The very next hand i get JJ and raise it up to 400 after a min raise and a call by the guy on my right, Mama G calls in the BB as do the raiser and caller. Flop comes Q high and is checked to me so i bet out which is smooth called by the guy to my right. Turn is a blank and is checked down, the river is another blank and he value bets and i call paying off the AQ. I should of passed.
An orbit later i get JJ again, i raised in late position which is called by the button and BB, the flop is 6 7 8 and the BB bets out 600 which i raise to 2k and he calls. The turn is a 5 and he checks so i peel off a free card, the river is a blank and we check it down and he shows AQ.
I had added 1350 to my 10k starting stack at the break. After the break i offered to deal for a while.
A big pot unfolded at the 200/400 level, Charles limped UTG and i look down at Ac Qs and raise it up to 1600, its passed round to the SB who calls for 1600 then Charles moves all in for 5.6k total. I decide to call and then the other guy calls so there is about 16k in the main pot. The flop comes down Xc As Jc, the SB fires 1k into a dry side pot so i flat call it. The turn is a Xc and he checks and i now move all in with top pair and the flush draw, he tanks and then calls with 9c 9s and was drawing dead to a 9. Charles turns over Ax Kc and was ahead at present, the river bricked out and Charles took the main pot and i scooped the side pot and showed a slight profit.
Then came my exit hand, a guy to my right who had been opening a lot of pots, raises it up to 3.6k at the 800/1600 level. I look down at Ks Qs and decide to move all in for around 14k as i think he will fold marginal hands like A Q off A J and 7 7 lower and i have a decent image. Its folded around to him and he makes the call for 70% of his stack with A Qoff. The Q hits the flop but no K or spades to help me out and i was dust.
I thought i played ok and could of folded the JJ in the first level, also i think my play with the Ks Qs was fine but i did have enough chips at the time to pass and find a better spot. I am going to work on trying to make folds when i think i am behind because my read is usually right but i find it hard to actually make the fold.
Buy ins (inc rake): £401.50
Cashes : £442
Profit/Loss: £40.50
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Gala £15 triple chance.
Another full house at Gala tonight and this tournament is proving to be very popular. With 70 runners it was looking like the £2k guarantee was going to be made.
I started off the tournament pretty well, at the 25/50 level i made it 250 to play in the c/o with pocket 10's, the BB min raises it to 500 so i move all in and he calls an flips QQ. A guy says he has passed a 10 but i manage to bink the one outer on the river to send me up to 9425.
I reached the break with 8.4k and added on another 5k to make it 13.4k. The total prize pool was over £2400 after all the add ons.
After the break at the 200/400 level I'm on the BB with JJ and make it an extra 1.6k to call. I get 1 caller from UTG+1 who had limped in, the flop came 8 8h 2h and i moved all in as i had the player covered. He called with Ah 4h and bricked out so i was up to 22.6k.
Two hands later and i get dealt pocket 8's in the c/o and call a min raise in position. The flop comes 4 3 2 rainbow and the raiser leads out for 2.5k, i have him on AK making a standard raise and decide to flat it to see the turn. Turn comes a 7 and i still think I'm ahead so i call his 3k bet, the river is a Q and he slows down and checks, i now think he has 99-JJ and opt to check behind and showdown my hand and he takes it with JJ.
My table then gets broken up, at the 600/1200 level i get pocket 9's UTG+1. UTG has flat called so i decide to jack it up to 5.2k, a guy in mid position then moves in for 9k and its passed round to UTG who says its time to gamble and moves in for under 9k. I didn't like my spot and didn't want to race 2 players but i was getting the correct odds to call and i was up against UTG's J 10 off and the re-raisers A Q off. The J 10 gets there and makes 2 pair and I'm down to 5.9k.
The very next hand i am in the BB, early position raises up to 5k and then Caroline moves all in for another 13 odd thousand on top of the 5k, its passed to me and i look down at JJ so ship it all in for 5.9k. Its back on the original raiser who tanks and then calls Caroline's all in, they both show AQ and im in good shape and after the board bricks out i treble up to 18.3k.
Were now at the 1500/3000 level and after a limper in mid position the SB completes and i looked down at Ad Kd in the BB. I move all in and the limper folds then the SB calls with J 5 off as he needs to go, this is usually where i write a bad beat story but the AK holds and I'm up to 45k.
I'm moved tables again and at the 2k/4k level a lady with lots of chips makes it 10k to go in early position. Its passed round to me in the SB and i look down at JJ, i know she is probably pretty tight but i decide i need to get chipped up for the final table as i am not taking enough gambles when nearing the bubble. I ship it all in for an extra 25k or so and she calls with As Ks, the flop is a not so nice 10 10s 6s and i have lots of cards to dodge. The turn pairs the 6 which is good for me and a nice blank on the river and i scoop the 79k pot. Jamie Millar said he passed A 10 in the BB so I'm glad i decided to move all in.
I made the final table with 82k and drew seat number 2 so i was SB and in the 3rd best seat.
The first hand was pretty interesting as Jamie doubled up off the chip leader with 77 against KK on a 7 3 2 3 X board. He then began to use his big chip stack well and also had a nice rush of cards until he had a big decision with 10's after a massive all in. He decided it was a flip and called and the guy turned over As Js and hit the flop and doubled up to around 360k and had nearly half the chips in play. Jamie still had 60k left and would probably won the tournament if he wins that coin flip.
I had to pass AJ twice with raises in front of me and managed to get down to the last 4 after stealing the blinds a few times and a double up with Kh Jh against the chip leaders A 10 off.
My exit hand came after the chip leader had raised UTG to about 34k i re raised all in for another 60k more with A Q off and the chip leader called with Qc 10c. A 10 in the door wasn't nice to see and i failed to hit my Ace and i was out. Another big score (£830 FTW) eludes me and i fail to get lucky at the crucial times. I cashed for £217 though which is a boost i needed badly.
Buy ins (inc rake): £385
Cashes : £442
Profit/Loss: £57
I started off the tournament pretty well, at the 25/50 level i made it 250 to play in the c/o with pocket 10's, the BB min raises it to 500 so i move all in and he calls an flips QQ. A guy says he has passed a 10 but i manage to bink the one outer on the river to send me up to 9425.
I reached the break with 8.4k and added on another 5k to make it 13.4k. The total prize pool was over £2400 after all the add ons.
After the break at the 200/400 level I'm on the BB with JJ and make it an extra 1.6k to call. I get 1 caller from UTG+1 who had limped in, the flop came 8 8h 2h and i moved all in as i had the player covered. He called with Ah 4h and bricked out so i was up to 22.6k.
Two hands later and i get dealt pocket 8's in the c/o and call a min raise in position. The flop comes 4 3 2 rainbow and the raiser leads out for 2.5k, i have him on AK making a standard raise and decide to flat it to see the turn. Turn comes a 7 and i still think I'm ahead so i call his 3k bet, the river is a Q and he slows down and checks, i now think he has 99-JJ and opt to check behind and showdown my hand and he takes it with JJ.
My table then gets broken up, at the 600/1200 level i get pocket 9's UTG+1. UTG has flat called so i decide to jack it up to 5.2k, a guy in mid position then moves in for 9k and its passed round to UTG who says its time to gamble and moves in for under 9k. I didn't like my spot and didn't want to race 2 players but i was getting the correct odds to call and i was up against UTG's J 10 off and the re-raisers A Q off. The J 10 gets there and makes 2 pair and I'm down to 5.9k.
The very next hand i am in the BB, early position raises up to 5k and then Caroline moves all in for another 13 odd thousand on top of the 5k, its passed to me and i look down at JJ so ship it all in for 5.9k. Its back on the original raiser who tanks and then calls Caroline's all in, they both show AQ and im in good shape and after the board bricks out i treble up to 18.3k.
Were now at the 1500/3000 level and after a limper in mid position the SB completes and i looked down at Ad Kd in the BB. I move all in and the limper folds then the SB calls with J 5 off as he needs to go, this is usually where i write a bad beat story but the AK holds and I'm up to 45k.
I'm moved tables again and at the 2k/4k level a lady with lots of chips makes it 10k to go in early position. Its passed round to me in the SB and i look down at JJ, i know she is probably pretty tight but i decide i need to get chipped up for the final table as i am not taking enough gambles when nearing the bubble. I ship it all in for an extra 25k or so and she calls with As Ks, the flop is a not so nice 10 10s 6s and i have lots of cards to dodge. The turn pairs the 6 which is good for me and a nice blank on the river and i scoop the 79k pot. Jamie Millar said he passed A 10 in the BB so I'm glad i decided to move all in.
I made the final table with 82k and drew seat number 2 so i was SB and in the 3rd best seat.
The first hand was pretty interesting as Jamie doubled up off the chip leader with 77 against KK on a 7 3 2 3 X board. He then began to use his big chip stack well and also had a nice rush of cards until he had a big decision with 10's after a massive all in. He decided it was a flip and called and the guy turned over As Js and hit the flop and doubled up to around 360k and had nearly half the chips in play. Jamie still had 60k left and would probably won the tournament if he wins that coin flip.
I had to pass AJ twice with raises in front of me and managed to get down to the last 4 after stealing the blinds a few times and a double up with Kh Jh against the chip leaders A 10 off.
My exit hand came after the chip leader had raised UTG to about 34k i re raised all in for another 60k more with A Q off and the chip leader called with Qc 10c. A 10 in the door wasn't nice to see and i failed to hit my Ace and i was out. Another big score (£830 FTW) eludes me and i fail to get lucky at the crucial times. I cashed for £217 though which is a boost i needed badly.
Buy ins (inc rake): £385
Cashes : £442
Profit/Loss: £57
Alea £20 Double Chance
Thursday i went to Alea for the £20 double chance. This tournament was pretty much a non starter for me and was short stack for most of it. I couldnt find a spot to get my chips in good.
Buy ins (inc rake): £352.50
Cashes : £225
Profit/Loss: -£127.50
Buy ins (inc rake): £352.50
Cashes : £225
Profit/Loss: -£127.50
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Gala £25+£15
Last night i decided to try the £25 with 1 re buy of £15 at Gala. With a 7.5k starting stack and a guarantee of £2k i thought it provided better value than the £40 freezeout bounty at Alea.
I managed to spew 2/3 of my stack away in the first level then at the 50/100 level i limp in late position with Ac 5c, the button jacks it up to 350 3 other callers so i call the extra 250. Flop comes down a beautiful Kc Jc 2c, its checked round to the button who fires out 500, everybody folds so i flat it. Turn is a blank and i check again he puts in a bet of 2100 which i have left in front of me. I insta call with the nuts and he turns K 6 and is drawing dead.
I then get 9 9 UTG and raise it up to 400 and get one call. Flop comes A J X and we both check(i know i should fire at this flop to see where i stand), turn is a 5 and i check thinking he is trapping with an Ace, he checks behind. River is a 7 and i check again and he value bets a small amount and i pay him off and he flips 7 5 for runner runner WP mate.
Next hand i tilt call a mini raise on my BB with 9h 2h, flop comes 9 3h X i bet out 500 which is called by the button. Turn is a heart giving me the FD a bet of 1k takes it down without showdown.
At the break i had managed to build my stack back up to 7250 and i added on a further 7.5k taking me up to 14,750.
The first hand after the break (100/200) and I'm dealt AA in the cut off, Stacey makes it 700 in late position, i flat call it and the blinds also call. Flop comes 9 high and the blinds check then Stacey bets out 1.6k, i re-pop it to 4.6k and take it down without showdown. Up to 18.5k.
I then went card dead and moved tables, picked up some blinds with AJ twice. Another table change and after a few orbits at the 800/1600 level UTG moves all in for 10.4k(this is 3rd all in within about 5 hands) it gets passed round to me and i look down at 10 10 i ship it all in and he flips 10c 9c. No miracle and i take down the pot and I'm up to the 30k mark.
Id slipped down to 13.5k and shipped it in UTG+1 with K Qo its folded to Brent Horner who says to me " GG girgy GG, WP mate" then he flat calls my all in. Everybody folds and i flip my K Q Brent slowrolls his AA, a King on the flop gave me some outs but it wasn't looking good until i binked a Q on the river and doubled up to around 33K.
I busted on the Final Table bubble when Brent got his revenge for my suck out against his aces. I moved all in on the button with K J off and Brent found A 10 in the BB and called. No help this time and it was game over. GG Brent.
Buy ins (inc rake): £310.50
I managed to spew 2/3 of my stack away in the first level then at the 50/100 level i limp in late position with Ac 5c, the button jacks it up to 350 3 other callers so i call the extra 250. Flop comes down a beautiful Kc Jc 2c, its checked round to the button who fires out 500, everybody folds so i flat it. Turn is a blank and i check again he puts in a bet of 2100 which i have left in front of me. I insta call with the nuts and he turns K 6 and is drawing dead.
I then get 9 9 UTG and raise it up to 400 and get one call. Flop comes A J X and we both check(i know i should fire at this flop to see where i stand), turn is a 5 and i check thinking he is trapping with an Ace, he checks behind. River is a 7 and i check again and he value bets a small amount and i pay him off and he flips 7 5 for runner runner WP mate.
Next hand i tilt call a mini raise on my BB with 9h 2h, flop comes 9 3h X i bet out 500 which is called by the button. Turn is a heart giving me the FD a bet of 1k takes it down without showdown.
At the break i had managed to build my stack back up to 7250 and i added on a further 7.5k taking me up to 14,750.
The first hand after the break (100/200) and I'm dealt AA in the cut off, Stacey makes it 700 in late position, i flat call it and the blinds also call. Flop comes 9 high and the blinds check then Stacey bets out 1.6k, i re-pop it to 4.6k and take it down without showdown. Up to 18.5k.
I then went card dead and moved tables, picked up some blinds with AJ twice. Another table change and after a few orbits at the 800/1600 level UTG moves all in for 10.4k(this is 3rd all in within about 5 hands) it gets passed round to me and i look down at 10 10 i ship it all in and he flips 10c 9c. No miracle and i take down the pot and I'm up to the 30k mark.
Id slipped down to 13.5k and shipped it in UTG+1 with K Qo its folded to Brent Horner who says to me " GG girgy GG, WP mate" then he flat calls my all in. Everybody folds and i flip my K Q Brent slowrolls his AA, a King on the flop gave me some outs but it wasn't looking good until i binked a Q on the river and doubled up to around 33K.
I busted on the Final Table bubble when Brent got his revenge for my suck out against his aces. I moved all in on the button with K J off and Brent found A 10 in the BB and called. No help this time and it was game over. GG Brent.
Buy ins (inc rake): £310.50
Cashes : £225
Profit/Loss: -£85.50
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Charles Flynn's home game.
So last night i decided to head off to the Chazmeisters home game at his 3 storey mansion in some posh area of Leeds. I arrived late due to other commitments and the game was well under way 6 handed.
The game was a £5 re buy and i bought in for £10 straight away for 2k in chips. I donked about for an hour trying to build a stack and i reached the break with about 3k in chips and i was in for £25.
The only real hand i want to discuss is my exit hand. This came 2 hands after the break. I was on the button and it was passed round to me, i looked down at 9 9 and jacked it up. I received 1 call from Christian Gregg in the BB. The flop came 7 4 2 and Chris checked it to me so i bet 700 into a pot of about 1100, Chris then dumps a big stack into the middle putting me all in, i insta shove Hellmuth style and am pleased to see his shockingly played K 4 off. Bink and there is the King on the turn and i don't hit one of my 2 outs on the river. I couldn't of played this hand any different but was a bit pissed off with the outcome.
I hung around a while before heading off down to Alea to find some cash action. I proceeded to donate £40 to the cash game before calling it a night and heading off home.
The game was a £5 re buy and i bought in for £10 straight away for 2k in chips. I donked about for an hour trying to build a stack and i reached the break with about 3k in chips and i was in for £25.
The only real hand i want to discuss is my exit hand. This came 2 hands after the break. I was on the button and it was passed round to me, i looked down at 9 9 and jacked it up. I received 1 call from Christian Gregg in the BB. The flop came 7 4 2 and Chris checked it to me so i bet 700 into a pot of about 1100, Chris then dumps a big stack into the middle putting me all in, i insta shove Hellmuth style and am pleased to see his shockingly played K 4 off. Bink and there is the King on the turn and i don't hit one of my 2 outs on the river. I couldn't of played this hand any different but was a bit pissed off with the outcome.
I hung around a while before heading off down to Alea to find some cash action. I proceeded to donate £40 to the cash game before calling it a night and heading off home.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Gala £15 triple chance.
So yesterday afternoon i went to Gala for the £15 triple chance. I was expecting another 30-40 player turn out but when i arrived it was quite busy with some good solid players already milling around.
I sit down at my table and have Fran on my right and Justin 2 to my right, i have 2 solid players in the blinds when i am on the button so i have lots of opportunitys to nick their blinds if i get the chance.
We start of at the 25/50 level and a few hands in i am dealt 8 8 UTG+1 and raise it to 200, button and blinds cal and we see a flop of 7 9 K, we all check to see another K on the turn, the BB comes out betting 400 and i decide to give it up and he takes it down.
An intresting hand then arises, im in the BB with Qs 7s after Justin makes it 250 in cut off i decide to call as do 4 others. Folp of 7 6 5 is ok for my hand so i fire out 500, Justin re pops it to 1500 and i flat call deciding to try and take it down the streets, a 5 comes on the turn and i ship it in, Just folds JJ face up and i take it down and blatantly lie to him that he was behind.
Im upto 7675 after taking the blinds and a limp with a button raise with KJ. An orbit later im in the SB with 6s 5x and make up the blind, a flop of 9s 8s Xs is checked round to the cut off who bets 250, i decide to flat call and evaluate on the turn. Another spade on the turn and i check hoping to take it down with the small flush, the CO bets another 250 so i just flat call, a red ace on the turn and again i check with intent to call, the CO bets a 1100 and i dont think he's value betting a flush so i flat call and he show A 8 for 2 pair and my flush is good. Up to 9500.
At the 50/100 level and Justin raises upto 350 in early position, i look down at Ad Kd and jack it upto 1k, its folded round to Justin who says he's going to make a big laydown then folds JJ face up again. I show him my hand and said we would of been racing. I dont know why he is not shipping it in there as he still has a rebuy.
Then comes a MEGA hand, its a multi limped pot and im in the BB with A 9o and decide to check my option, a scary flop of Ad Jd 9d gets dealt and i decide to bet out 350 to see where i am at, i get called by the rock 2 to my left and a short stack guy in the cut off. Turn is an A filling me up and i am no longer scared of the made flush and i check hoping that the flush gets there, the rock then bets out 1k and is followed into the pot by the cut off for around 1.6k, i think before re raising all in and i have the rock covered who says ive gotta call. The rock has 7d 5d and he is drawing dead and the CO has Kd 10d and needs a miracle Qd for a one out Royal Flush, an 8d river is a bit scary but helps neither of them and i scoop the pot and im upto 16.9k.
I then eliminate a player, I raise in early position to 600 with A 10, Chris Walker to my left flat calls and Sean Savage moves all in for 1600, back to me and i call the extra as does Chris an AXXXX board is checked down between me and Chris and i beat Seans A 7 with my 10 kicker.
At the break i added on and im upto 28.9k
Cashes : £225
Profit/Loss: -£42
I sit down at my table and have Fran on my right and Justin 2 to my right, i have 2 solid players in the blinds when i am on the button so i have lots of opportunitys to nick their blinds if i get the chance.
We start of at the 25/50 level and a few hands in i am dealt 8 8 UTG+1 and raise it to 200, button and blinds cal and we see a flop of 7 9 K, we all check to see another K on the turn, the BB comes out betting 400 and i decide to give it up and he takes it down.
An intresting hand then arises, im in the BB with Qs 7s after Justin makes it 250 in cut off i decide to call as do 4 others. Folp of 7 6 5 is ok for my hand so i fire out 500, Justin re pops it to 1500 and i flat call deciding to try and take it down the streets, a 5 comes on the turn and i ship it in, Just folds JJ face up and i take it down and blatantly lie to him that he was behind.
Im upto 7675 after taking the blinds and a limp with a button raise with KJ. An orbit later im in the SB with 6s 5x and make up the blind, a flop of 9s 8s Xs is checked round to the cut off who bets 250, i decide to flat call and evaluate on the turn. Another spade on the turn and i check hoping to take it down with the small flush, the CO bets another 250 so i just flat call, a red ace on the turn and again i check with intent to call, the CO bets a 1100 and i dont think he's value betting a flush so i flat call and he show A 8 for 2 pair and my flush is good. Up to 9500.
At the 50/100 level and Justin raises upto 350 in early position, i look down at Ad Kd and jack it upto 1k, its folded round to Justin who says he's going to make a big laydown then folds JJ face up again. I show him my hand and said we would of been racing. I dont know why he is not shipping it in there as he still has a rebuy.
Then comes a MEGA hand, its a multi limped pot and im in the BB with A 9o and decide to check my option, a scary flop of Ad Jd 9d gets dealt and i decide to bet out 350 to see where i am at, i get called by the rock 2 to my left and a short stack guy in the cut off. Turn is an A filling me up and i am no longer scared of the made flush and i check hoping that the flush gets there, the rock then bets out 1k and is followed into the pot by the cut off for around 1.6k, i think before re raising all in and i have the rock covered who says ive gotta call. The rock has 7d 5d and he is drawing dead and the CO has Kd 10d and needs a miracle Qd for a one out Royal Flush, an 8d river is a bit scary but helps neither of them and i scoop the pot and im upto 16.9k.
I then eliminate a player, I raise in early position to 600 with A 10, Chris Walker to my left flat calls and Sean Savage moves all in for 1600, back to me and i call the extra as does Chris an AXXXX board is checked down between me and Chris and i beat Seans A 7 with my 10 kicker.
At the break i added on and im upto 28.9k
With the blinds at 200/400 i get QQ in early position and make a standard raise to 1200 which gets respected and i take the blinds.
I then went card dead for a few levels until the 800/1600 level where i picked up QQ, UTG limps then the man next to me jacks it upto 6k, i ship it all in for about 24k and its folded back round to him and he calls for about 10-15k more and flips KK, im in bad shape and with no help on the flop im looking like im going to be left with a bowl of rice until the Q binks on the turn, i have to dodge 2 Kings on the river and after the blank comes im upto 51.6k with 2 tables left.
With 870k chips in play and an average final table stack of 87k, im looking in good shape. I float about between the 40k and 60k mark, and should of taken advantage around the bubble but i lost my bottle a bit and was probably playing to cash instead of trying to go for the win!
The bubble burst and i made the final with 48k and i drew seat 4 which wasnt good as i was going to be in the blinds early. I was the second shortest stack as Justin had made the money but was crippled due to a bad beat on the bubble. He was the first one out and we were down to 9. I never picked up a decent hand and the blinds were about to go through me again so i made a stand UTG with 2s 3s, i was looked up by AJ which held and i was out in 9th for £50.
I felt that i played solidly throughout the tournament and was lucky to win the QQ vs KK hand, i think i should of become more aggressive nearer the bubble to try and get upto about 90k but with some people willing to call with marginal hands i didnt want to risk it. Im due a big score soon and i hope its going to be sooner rather than later.
Buy ins (inc rake): £267Cashes : £225
Profit/Loss: -£42
Friday, 16 January 2009
New Alea £20 double chance
So Thursday night i tried the new £20 double chance at Alea. With a disappointing 15 runners i saw a good chance of making the money and some valuable Alea Freeroll league points.
Both tables started 7 handed then a late entry was added to our table making us an 8. Our table was the loosest of the two. Had Christiano and Jonny Salfi at my table who know my game pretty well and also resumed the battle with Mama G.
My first big hand came up in the first level, i picked up KK in mid position and made a raise to 350, i found one caller in Mama G who was in the blinds and cant let a hand go to save her life. I took it down with a bet after she checked the flop.
I then played a 4s 5s on the button in a limped pot, the flop came down K 7 8 and was checked all round, a nice 6 on the turn gave the idiot end of the straight and when Christian bet 600 i decided to jack it up to 1600 to see where i stood, everybody folded and i took down the pot.
I then get JJ in early position, i raise it up and find one call by the loose guy with plenty of chips, I check the flop of K 8 8 as does my opponent, a nice looking J on the turn is checked by us both, a Q on the river fills in a few straights so i check with the intent to c raise him, he fires in 500 as i thought he might and after a little dwell i bumped it up to 2k, he made the call and his Q 10 was no good and i scooped the pot.
I was up to about 12k and then added on another 5k at the break.
After the break i found JJ and took the blinds, and after a few eliminations we were down to the final 9 and i had made the final table with 14.2k after losing a few blinds etc.
I only had 2 real hands on the final table, at the 300/600 level i found AQo UTG and raised it to 2600, i received 1 caller from mid position then an all in from the BB i elected to lay it down and wait for a better spot.
Then came my exit hand, the player that went all in over my 2600 raised it up in early position, i looked down at 7 7 and decided to gamble with my 9500 short stack so i moved all in, it got folded round to the raiser who called an extra 5k or so and flipped 8 8. No miracle 7 or straight and i was eliminated in 7th.
I felt like i played well and was unlucky to run into a higher pair. Still some valuable points towards the Freeroll next month.
Buy ins (inc rake): £234.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: -£59.50
Both tables started 7 handed then a late entry was added to our table making us an 8. Our table was the loosest of the two. Had Christiano and Jonny Salfi at my table who know my game pretty well and also resumed the battle with Mama G.
My first big hand came up in the first level, i picked up KK in mid position and made a raise to 350, i found one caller in Mama G who was in the blinds and cant let a hand go to save her life. I took it down with a bet after she checked the flop.
I then played a 4s 5s on the button in a limped pot, the flop came down K 7 8 and was checked all round, a nice 6 on the turn gave the idiot end of the straight and when Christian bet 600 i decided to jack it up to 1600 to see where i stood, everybody folded and i took down the pot.
I then get JJ in early position, i raise it up and find one call by the loose guy with plenty of chips, I check the flop of K 8 8 as does my opponent, a nice looking J on the turn is checked by us both, a Q on the river fills in a few straights so i check with the intent to c raise him, he fires in 500 as i thought he might and after a little dwell i bumped it up to 2k, he made the call and his Q 10 was no good and i scooped the pot.
I was up to about 12k and then added on another 5k at the break.
After the break i found JJ and took the blinds, and after a few eliminations we were down to the final 9 and i had made the final table with 14.2k after losing a few blinds etc.
I only had 2 real hands on the final table, at the 300/600 level i found AQo UTG and raised it to 2600, i received 1 caller from mid position then an all in from the BB i elected to lay it down and wait for a better spot.
Then came my exit hand, the player that went all in over my 2600 raised it up in early position, i looked down at 7 7 and decided to gamble with my 9500 short stack so i moved all in, it got folded round to the raiser who called an extra 5k or so and flipped 8 8. No miracle 7 or straight and i was eliminated in 7th.
I felt like i played well and was unlucky to run into a higher pair. Still some valuable points towards the Freeroll next month.
Buy ins (inc rake): £234.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: -£59.50
Monday, 12 January 2009
Gala £15 triple chance.
So yesterday i decided to try the new Gala schedule, the £15 triple chance with a £2k guarantee and dealer dealt starting at 5pm seamed like an ideal Sunday tournament.
I had a fairly soft table, but did include the rock that is Mama G. I started off pretty well after being down to 2775 at the 25/50 level I found A 10o on the button, i raised to 275 with the intention of getting an extra 5k if i lost the hand. 5 callers to the flop of A 10 8 all hearts, blinds check to a guy in mid position who bets out 1k, next man folds and i ship it in for 2.5k, SB then tanks and ends up calling with AK no heart, turn was an 8 and river an harmless 5 and I'm up to 7.4k.
50/100 level and I'm dealt Jh 10h in the BB in a limped pot so i just check my option, the flop comes down K 9 8 2 hearts so i fire out a bet of 400 which takes it down without a caller.
Last hand of the buy in period and I'm dealt KK in mid position, i raise it to 375 and all fold.
With less than 40 runners and a guarantee 0f £2000 there was a nice overlay of £800.
100/200 level and i receive Kc Jc on the button and i just flat call as its Mama G's BB. Flop comes down X Xc Xc SB checks, Mama G bets 200, i flat call as does the SB. Turn brings a J and both blinds check so i fire out a 600 bet which i s called by the SB only. The river is a blank and the SB checks so i just check behind happy to take down the pot with a pair of J's. SB missed a double gut buster and im on 14.7k at the break.
Then came my downfall and the first hand after the break i found A Qo in the BB and I'm faced with a 1200 raise from a lady who had sat there pretty tight so i should of proceeded with caution, i called the raise from the BB to see a flop of J J X. I decided to check and see what the lady does, she bets out 1k and i don't think she has a J but i should of maybe put her on AA KK or QQ, i called and a K on the flop gives me a few outs. She again bets out 1k so i just flat call again, i miss everything on the river and she bets out another 1k, the pot is pretty big and i know i can only beat a bluff but i decide to call for information to be shown Kings Full. Lesson learnt.
Then came my elimination hand, at the 300/600 level with a stack of around 10k i limped in late position after 4 limper's with Ad 3d, the SB calls and Mama G in the BB checks her option. The flop comes down 6 K 3 rainbow and is checked by all, the turn is an A and I'm hoping somebody has just hit their Ace, to my surprise Mama G bets out 2100 from the BB, its just less than a pot sized bet and i don't know what to make of this bet, its folded round to me and i decide to flat call hoping that she slows down on the river. We are heads up and the river is a blank and Mama G fires out a 5k bet, I'm left with 8k and decide to ship it as i have put her on a lower 2 pair than me, i don't think she has AK or trips as she would of raised from the button, we both announce 2 pair and she flips A 6 which has my A 3 crushed and I'm out.
Maybe i should of flat called the 5k and saved myself 3k to play on with, or maybe we should have checked down the river as i would of liked. I hate being on the same table as Mama G as this thing is bound to happen sometimes. She eventually went on to come 2nd for a tidy sum of £470 which was nice as i had a share of it so no harm done in the end.
Buy ins (inc rake): £192.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: -£17.50
I had a fairly soft table, but did include the rock that is Mama G. I started off pretty well after being down to 2775 at the 25/50 level I found A 10o on the button, i raised to 275 with the intention of getting an extra 5k if i lost the hand. 5 callers to the flop of A 10 8 all hearts, blinds check to a guy in mid position who bets out 1k, next man folds and i ship it in for 2.5k, SB then tanks and ends up calling with AK no heart, turn was an 8 and river an harmless 5 and I'm up to 7.4k.
50/100 level and I'm dealt Jh 10h in the BB in a limped pot so i just check my option, the flop comes down K 9 8 2 hearts so i fire out a bet of 400 which takes it down without a caller.
Last hand of the buy in period and I'm dealt KK in mid position, i raise it to 375 and all fold.
With less than 40 runners and a guarantee 0f £2000 there was a nice overlay of £800.
100/200 level and i receive Kc Jc on the button and i just flat call as its Mama G's BB. Flop comes down X Xc Xc SB checks, Mama G bets 200, i flat call as does the SB. Turn brings a J and both blinds check so i fire out a 600 bet which i s called by the SB only. The river is a blank and the SB checks so i just check behind happy to take down the pot with a pair of J's. SB missed a double gut buster and im on 14.7k at the break.
Then came my downfall and the first hand after the break i found A Qo in the BB and I'm faced with a 1200 raise from a lady who had sat there pretty tight so i should of proceeded with caution, i called the raise from the BB to see a flop of J J X. I decided to check and see what the lady does, she bets out 1k and i don't think she has a J but i should of maybe put her on AA KK or QQ, i called and a K on the flop gives me a few outs. She again bets out 1k so i just flat call again, i miss everything on the river and she bets out another 1k, the pot is pretty big and i know i can only beat a bluff but i decide to call for information to be shown Kings Full. Lesson learnt.
Then came my elimination hand, at the 300/600 level with a stack of around 10k i limped in late position after 4 limper's with Ad 3d, the SB calls and Mama G in the BB checks her option. The flop comes down 6 K 3 rainbow and is checked by all, the turn is an A and I'm hoping somebody has just hit their Ace, to my surprise Mama G bets out 2100 from the BB, its just less than a pot sized bet and i don't know what to make of this bet, its folded round to me and i decide to flat call hoping that she slows down on the river. We are heads up and the river is a blank and Mama G fires out a 5k bet, I'm left with 8k and decide to ship it as i have put her on a lower 2 pair than me, i don't think she has AK or trips as she would of raised from the button, we both announce 2 pair and she flips A 6 which has my A 3 crushed and I'm out.
Maybe i should of flat called the 5k and saved myself 3k to play on with, or maybe we should have checked down the river as i would of liked. I hate being on the same table as Mama G as this thing is bound to happen sometimes. She eventually went on to come 2nd for a tidy sum of £470 which was nice as i had a share of it so no harm done in the end.
Buy ins (inc rake): £192.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: -£17.50
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Gala Freeroll and Alea £25 Triple Chance
So last night i planned to attend the Gala free roll and set off early in anticipation of having to queue for a while, I got there at 6.20pm and already found a queue in access of 120 waiting for a seat. I decided not to bother and headed off to Alea instead for the £25 triple chance.
I arrived at Alea about 7pm and found 20 already signed up so i thought the backlog from gala would soon follow. The tournament reached its max capacity of 70 with still around 10 alternates waiting to get in.
I had a decent starting table and was drawn in seat 1 so i decided to deal as i think i play better when dealing. I had Justin Sevilla to my right and a few loose players making up the rest of the table.
My first big hand came up when i had 7 7 UTG and decided to limp for 100, I got so see a flop of 7 5 Q rainbow which was beautiful. Blinds checked as did I and a mid position limper bet out 500, which was called by the button and the SB, i just smooth called with no danger out there. The turn was an A which was good for my hand and SB checked as did I, the bettor fired out another 500 which was again called by the button, the SB folded and i decided to re raise to 1500 hoping for one of them to push with 2 pair. The bettor now folded and the button called the extra 1k, the river was a J and i moved all in, after i made this move i thought i was in trouble as now a straight might of got there but the button folded and i took down a nice pot.
I reached the break with around 11k and added on for another 5k. A nice pot of over £3600 had formed with the top 9 being payed and a nice £1400 for the win.
I looked down at pocket 10's and Justin had raised to 1300 so i decided to flat call and see a flop, the flop came A x x, check check, turn was a blank, check check, river was a J and Justin bet out 1500, i tried to work out what he had and thought he might of had an under pair to my 10's and as id checked it down he might of thought he was good so i called only for him to show AA for a flopped set. After the hand i thought i should of layed it down as he could of had and A or even rivered a J.
Justin was moved and then i eliminated a player after i had limped with AQo in early position, he moved all in with a short stack and i made the call, he flipped Ad 7d and my AQ held.
The players were dropping like flies and we eliminated 4 or 5 in quick succession on our table, i eliminated the former chip leader on our table after he had taken 2 big hits to his stack, he moved in his short stack and i looked down at AKo and moved in after him to isolate him, he flipped QJo and my AK held to take down the pot.
We were down to 3 tables and a new player on our table was Lawrence Gosney who started to bully and dominate the shorter stacks, with the blinds at 1000/2000 then 1500/3000 my 20k stack was starting to look venerable as i had become card dead and the blinds had just come to me, i had to let go of my 3k BB to Lawrence's UTG raise as i had rags. I then found A 5o in the SB after it had been folded round to me, i shipped it in hoping to be ahead of Lawrence who had to make the call in the BB with Ac 7c, the flop was Q 2 3 giving me outs but the board bricked out and his 7 kicker played an eliminated me in 21st place.
I felt that i had played a decent game but the cards went dry at the wrong time for me and a decent cash would of set me back on track for the month.
Buy ins (inc rake): £160
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £15
I arrived at Alea about 7pm and found 20 already signed up so i thought the backlog from gala would soon follow. The tournament reached its max capacity of 70 with still around 10 alternates waiting to get in.
I had a decent starting table and was drawn in seat 1 so i decided to deal as i think i play better when dealing. I had Justin Sevilla to my right and a few loose players making up the rest of the table.
My first big hand came up when i had 7 7 UTG and decided to limp for 100, I got so see a flop of 7 5 Q rainbow which was beautiful. Blinds checked as did I and a mid position limper bet out 500, which was called by the button and the SB, i just smooth called with no danger out there. The turn was an A which was good for my hand and SB checked as did I, the bettor fired out another 500 which was again called by the button, the SB folded and i decided to re raise to 1500 hoping for one of them to push with 2 pair. The bettor now folded and the button called the extra 1k, the river was a J and i moved all in, after i made this move i thought i was in trouble as now a straight might of got there but the button folded and i took down a nice pot.
I reached the break with around 11k and added on for another 5k. A nice pot of over £3600 had formed with the top 9 being payed and a nice £1400 for the win.
I looked down at pocket 10's and Justin had raised to 1300 so i decided to flat call and see a flop, the flop came A x x, check check, turn was a blank, check check, river was a J and Justin bet out 1500, i tried to work out what he had and thought he might of had an under pair to my 10's and as id checked it down he might of thought he was good so i called only for him to show AA for a flopped set. After the hand i thought i should of layed it down as he could of had and A or even rivered a J.
Justin was moved and then i eliminated a player after i had limped with AQo in early position, he moved all in with a short stack and i made the call, he flipped Ad 7d and my AQ held.
The players were dropping like flies and we eliminated 4 or 5 in quick succession on our table, i eliminated the former chip leader on our table after he had taken 2 big hits to his stack, he moved in his short stack and i looked down at AKo and moved in after him to isolate him, he flipped QJo and my AK held to take down the pot.
We were down to 3 tables and a new player on our table was Lawrence Gosney who started to bully and dominate the shorter stacks, with the blinds at 1000/2000 then 1500/3000 my 20k stack was starting to look venerable as i had become card dead and the blinds had just come to me, i had to let go of my 3k BB to Lawrence's UTG raise as i had rags. I then found A 5o in the SB after it had been folded round to me, i shipped it in hoping to be ahead of Lawrence who had to make the call in the BB with Ac 7c, the flop was Q 2 3 giving me outs but the board bricked out and his 7 kicker played an eliminated me in 21st place.
I felt that i had played a decent game but the cards went dry at the wrong time for me and a decent cash would of set me back on track for the month.
Buy ins (inc rake): £160
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £15
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Alea £10 double chance
Tuesday night i went to Alea for the £10 double chance, i started of pretty well taking 2 pots off Joan with pocket 6's and QJ against her AK both times. I also made a straight and a flush to build my stack up to the 18k mark after my add on at the break.
After the break my table was broken up and i was moved to another table. After about 10 hands on my new table i was forced to move as i was the next BB and i moved to a table with a few friends on, Jonny Salfi, Mark Oldroyd and Christiano Greggster. I assessed the table for a while before Mark eliminated Chris as Chris had just lost a huge pot, Mark ended up calling Chris's all in with a draw which got there on the river.
Then a hand came up against Mark, he was on my right and he was taking advantage of my button and blinds so i was trying to find an opportunity to play back at him, I found K 10 on the BB in a limped pot and checked my option. The flop came 10 8 5 rainbow and Mark was first to act and bet a strong 4k into a similar sized pot, i had put Mark on top pair with a weakish kicker as i felt he would of made a raise pre with A 10. I thought my only move was all in an i thought the other limper's were going to fold to this move, I thought for 30 seconds then made my all in for around 17.5k. The 2 limper's folded and it was back on Mark in the SB with the decision. As he didn't call instantly i knew i was good and now wanted the call. Mark ended up calling with 10 7 and said after his call i put you on the 8, the turn paired the 5 which was good for me until the river paired the 10 giving us both the same full house and a split pot which tilted me after I had him totally dominated, but i didn't lose any chips which was a plus point.
I was picking up marginal hands and was being beaten into the pot every time so i was in fold mode until our table was split again and we were down to 20. I was moved straight into the BB and was running short on chips, my BB and SB got raised which i couldn't defend.
I found Ad Qd which i folded to a strong raise then i found Ah Qh again in a better position and i open the pot with a raise which was smooth called by the BB with a short stack, he pushed on the 10 J X board and i called the extra to find i had him beat when he flipped K 9 for a straight draw, the board ran out giving me the straight and bumped me up to average chips again.
I then found 7 7 UTG+1 a made a stupid move and limped, the button raised to 6k and after the rest had folded i decided to see a flop of J 8 X, i checked to the raiser who bet 10k leaving himself 4.5k behind, i moved all in and he called with A J and the board bricked for me and i was left with 2k which went in the next hand with 4c 5c i was called by the man to my left and the BB found a genuine hand and moved in only for the caller to move in also. The hands were JJ and KQ i hit a pair and a draw which failed to improve and the river gave the pot to the KQ and that was good night for me. My concentration lapsed and i played a hand horribly and that is something i have to improve next time i play.
Buy ins (inc rake): £107.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £67.50
After the break my table was broken up and i was moved to another table. After about 10 hands on my new table i was forced to move as i was the next BB and i moved to a table with a few friends on, Jonny Salfi, Mark Oldroyd and Christiano Greggster. I assessed the table for a while before Mark eliminated Chris as Chris had just lost a huge pot, Mark ended up calling Chris's all in with a draw which got there on the river.
Then a hand came up against Mark, he was on my right and he was taking advantage of my button and blinds so i was trying to find an opportunity to play back at him, I found K 10 on the BB in a limped pot and checked my option. The flop came 10 8 5 rainbow and Mark was first to act and bet a strong 4k into a similar sized pot, i had put Mark on top pair with a weakish kicker as i felt he would of made a raise pre with A 10. I thought my only move was all in an i thought the other limper's were going to fold to this move, I thought for 30 seconds then made my all in for around 17.5k. The 2 limper's folded and it was back on Mark in the SB with the decision. As he didn't call instantly i knew i was good and now wanted the call. Mark ended up calling with 10 7 and said after his call i put you on the 8, the turn paired the 5 which was good for me until the river paired the 10 giving us both the same full house and a split pot which tilted me after I had him totally dominated, but i didn't lose any chips which was a plus point.
I was picking up marginal hands and was being beaten into the pot every time so i was in fold mode until our table was split again and we were down to 20. I was moved straight into the BB and was running short on chips, my BB and SB got raised which i couldn't defend.
I found Ad Qd which i folded to a strong raise then i found Ah Qh again in a better position and i open the pot with a raise which was smooth called by the BB with a short stack, he pushed on the 10 J X board and i called the extra to find i had him beat when he flipped K 9 for a straight draw, the board ran out giving me the straight and bumped me up to average chips again.
I then found 7 7 UTG+1 a made a stupid move and limped, the button raised to 6k and after the rest had folded i decided to see a flop of J 8 X, i checked to the raiser who bet 10k leaving himself 4.5k behind, i moved all in and he called with A J and the board bricked for me and i was left with 2k which went in the next hand with 4c 5c i was called by the man to my left and the BB found a genuine hand and moved in only for the caller to move in also. The hands were JJ and KQ i hit a pair and a draw which failed to improve and the river gave the pot to the KQ and that was good night for me. My concentration lapsed and i played a hand horribly and that is something i have to improve next time i play.
Buy ins (inc rake): £107.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £67.50
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Alea £30 rebuy
Sunday i played the Alea £30 unlimited re buy. I only decided to play the tourney at the last minute and made the trip to Leeds. With only 26 runners on 3 tables and a fairly tight easy field i thought i would do well in this tournament. A generous 5k starting stack and 2 x 45 minute levels in which you can re buy allows some decent play and not an all in fest.
I started off well and i had built my stack up to 15k thanks to being paid twice with KK in the first 2 levels. I had a slight blip near the end of the re buy period after i had been caught up in a hand with K 7, the board running out K X 8 X 7, facing a bet of 600 on the flop i flat called, i called a bet of 600 on the turn and a 1200 bet on the river after i had made 2 pair only to be shown trip 8's, so i lost around 2500.
I added on 5k in chips for another £30 at the break and was sat with a stack of about 18k. A nice juicy £1740 pot had formed rewarding the top 5 players with payout. After the break i became card dead right until around the final table bubble, at one point i was down to about 10k and with blinds at 500/1k i had to move in a couple of times to steal the blinds in order to survive.
I found A 9 in mid position and moved in and was looked up by pocket 6's, a blank flop and turn was looking bad until the A came on the river saving me and doubling me up to around 28k, soon after we were down to 9 and a final table.
My mum also made the final and started of well taking the blinds with AK. I managed to take the blinds with a hand before my first key hand of the final table, Graham Wilks pushed in the seat next to me for 27k and i looked down at pocket 8's, i felt that my hand was good and decided to move in after him for around 31k and everybody passed and he flipped over pocket 6's so i had him dominated, an 8 on the flop sealed the hand and i was now in contention with a decent stack to play with.
After the next player was eliminated it was agreed that we would take £50 off of 1st and 2nd place and pay the next player out £100 so we were all now in the money. Then came my next key hand, I looked down at AA UTG and decided to limp in hoping that somebody would raise, they player on my left raised to 16k leaving himself with roughly 16k behind, it was folded round to the BB who had a think but folded then it was back to me so i set him all in and he called with pocket 7's, Aces held and we were down to 5.
I then eliminated my Mum in 5th when she pushed her short stack in with Q 10o I had Ah 4h in the BB and had to make the call, I hit 2 pair to seal it and she left £120. I was now the chip leader with 125k out of the 290k in play with 4 left.
Then came my first big hit to my stack, i had 8 9 in the BB and the SB raised it up fairly small so i decided to take a flop, the flop came 8 J X and the SB bet out around the size of the pot, i thought he was trying to steal the pot so i put him all in for the rest of his stack and he called with AA, the turn brought me a straight draw but i failed to improve and doubled him up.
Then after i had blinded down a bit Tim (played against him in Merrion and Charles home game) moved all in for his stack, i had him covered and looked down at KQ suited on the BB and made the call, he had AK which held, i was left with 7k of which i had 5k in the SB next hand when Charles (played in his home game and at Alea and Moortown) moved all in from UTG, I called blind with my 2k and Tim folded the BB, Charles flipped over KK and i asked if i could reveal my hand after all the cards had been dealt which he agreed to. The 4 5 6 7 9 board was quite good for my blind hand and when i turned over the mighty 8 3 off for a 7 card straight Charles was nearly sick LOL.
I then folded the next hand as i was the button, the following hand i shipped my 21k in with Qd 5d and was called by the BB for the extra 11k with 4 5, first card on the flop was a 4 then 2 diamonds, turn gave me a straight draw but i missed all of my outs on the river and was eliminated in 4th place for £175. I was happy with how i had played and was glad to have cashed in 4th for a decent profit. Still a win at Alea eludes me.
Buy ins (inc rake): £86.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £88.50
I started off well and i had built my stack up to 15k thanks to being paid twice with KK in the first 2 levels. I had a slight blip near the end of the re buy period after i had been caught up in a hand with K 7, the board running out K X 8 X 7, facing a bet of 600 on the flop i flat called, i called a bet of 600 on the turn and a 1200 bet on the river after i had made 2 pair only to be shown trip 8's, so i lost around 2500.
I added on 5k in chips for another £30 at the break and was sat with a stack of about 18k. A nice juicy £1740 pot had formed rewarding the top 5 players with payout. After the break i became card dead right until around the final table bubble, at one point i was down to about 10k and with blinds at 500/1k i had to move in a couple of times to steal the blinds in order to survive.
I found A 9 in mid position and moved in and was looked up by pocket 6's, a blank flop and turn was looking bad until the A came on the river saving me and doubling me up to around 28k, soon after we were down to 9 and a final table.
My mum also made the final and started of well taking the blinds with AK. I managed to take the blinds with a hand before my first key hand of the final table, Graham Wilks pushed in the seat next to me for 27k and i looked down at pocket 8's, i felt that my hand was good and decided to move in after him for around 31k and everybody passed and he flipped over pocket 6's so i had him dominated, an 8 on the flop sealed the hand and i was now in contention with a decent stack to play with.
After the next player was eliminated it was agreed that we would take £50 off of 1st and 2nd place and pay the next player out £100 so we were all now in the money. Then came my next key hand, I looked down at AA UTG and decided to limp in hoping that somebody would raise, they player on my left raised to 16k leaving himself with roughly 16k behind, it was folded round to the BB who had a think but folded then it was back to me so i set him all in and he called with pocket 7's, Aces held and we were down to 5.
I then eliminated my Mum in 5th when she pushed her short stack in with Q 10o I had Ah 4h in the BB and had to make the call, I hit 2 pair to seal it and she left £120. I was now the chip leader with 125k out of the 290k in play with 4 left.
Then came my first big hit to my stack, i had 8 9 in the BB and the SB raised it up fairly small so i decided to take a flop, the flop came 8 J X and the SB bet out around the size of the pot, i thought he was trying to steal the pot so i put him all in for the rest of his stack and he called with AA, the turn brought me a straight draw but i failed to improve and doubled him up.
Then after i had blinded down a bit Tim (played against him in Merrion and Charles home game) moved all in for his stack, i had him covered and looked down at KQ suited on the BB and made the call, he had AK which held, i was left with 7k of which i had 5k in the SB next hand when Charles (played in his home game and at Alea and Moortown) moved all in from UTG, I called blind with my 2k and Tim folded the BB, Charles flipped over KK and i asked if i could reveal my hand after all the cards had been dealt which he agreed to. The 4 5 6 7 9 board was quite good for my blind hand and when i turned over the mighty 8 3 off for a 7 card straight Charles was nearly sick LOL.
I then folded the next hand as i was the button, the following hand i shipped my 21k in with Qd 5d and was called by the BB for the extra 11k with 4 5, first card on the flop was a 4 then 2 diamonds, turn gave me a straight draw but i missed all of my outs on the river and was eliminated in 4th place for £175. I was happy with how i had played and was glad to have cashed in 4th for a decent profit. Still a win at Alea eludes me.
Buy ins (inc rake): £86.50
Cashes : £175
Profit/Loss: £88.50
New Year! New Start!
So with 2009 now underway i have decided to start my updating my poker blog again. I have given up online poker and i am trying not to deposit anymore as i don't think that the game is fair and i don't think i have a good online game. I am going to set myself some poker goals for 2009 and i am hoping to stick to them and also improve my game.
Goals for 2009
Goals for 2009
- Play an APAT event
- Play a DTD £300 event
- Attend a Blonde Bash
- Keep a record of results
- Make an overall profit for the year
So i started off the year with a trip to Grosvenor Merrion on New Years Day for the £10 double chance. With the session fee of £3.50, yukky squashed tables, too many starting chips, poor structure which ends in the final table always going to a chip count i have really fallen out with the place but it was the only game in town on the day so i decided to play. Some of the play in this place is absolutely shocking and laughable at times.
I was card dead for most of the tournament and found a half decent hand in KQo so i shipped it in and walked into AQ, the board ran out pretty good and i had a straight draw by the turn and i rivered a K to suck out on the guy. My elimination hand came when we were down to around 14 left, My Mum pushed all in and i moved all in after her with A 10 and was follwed by another player in the BB, Mama G showed QQ and the BB showed AA oooops Flop comes 8 8 Q, turn is a Q giving Mama G the nuts and the river is a meaningless 10, meaning Mama G tripled up and i was eliminated by the AA as he had me covered. So 2009 didn't start of the best but I'm sure its going to be a good year poker wise.
Buy in(inc rake): £23.50
Cashes: £0
Profit/Loss: -£23.50
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