$4.40 Hand Analysis

Warning - A little long, but isn't too long to read since it is all hand history.

I am back at playing $4.40s and other MTTs after grinding $25NL cash for pretty much 2-3 weeks. It was okay, I really started getting annoyed with barely making any money. I couldn't really get anything going, even though I was in a good rhythm to 8-10 table it but ended up after those 3 weeks up around 6-8 buy ins or so - so back to $4.40s it is which was really boosting my roll in the first place and I missed the excitement of tournys.

This blog is gonna be about my most recent win tonight. I just feel like going through all the hands since I never have before and just to show how well I ran near the end of the tournament. I ran bad all day, I played 25 of them all consecutively and at one point had 17 going at once but didn't get anything going at all. Anyways, feedback is welcome and appreciated, enjoy!

I won’t go through every single hand that I was involved in, I will just go through the ones that were relevant to keep this as short as possible.

Hand #2
We can argue here that I can put in a raise preflop, but I think it's more 50-50 or preference I guess. In 4.40s, especially at the first blind level, you will get so many callers that I just choose not to play this hand out of position against 19 other players. Again sometimes I raise, I just chose not to here.

PokerStars Game #23935308283: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2009/01/15 17:16:14 ET
Table '134247458 12' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: bio12 (2510 in chips)
Seat 2: majstro28 (1490 in chips)
Seat 3: Firaldo87 (1480 in chips)
Seat 4: SENGAG (560 in chips)
Seat 5: fbtmof05 (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: SupCuzz1 (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: biggjayy123 (1460 in chips)
Seat 8: SNOKESTAR (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: oneace1 (1500 in chips)
Firaldo87: posts small blind 10
SENGAG: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Ac Qd]
fbtmof05: folds

Hand #19
I decided to open to 4x here from UTG+1, again like the previous hand, I sometimes fold here. I usually 4-5x at the 10/20 and 15/30 level until 25/50 and up where it is a standard 3x until the antes kick in and I 2.5x. I get action, and make a standard C-bet. A lot of the time I will bet again on the turn here adding more draws but I wanted to see what he was up to and decided I was gonna check raise. I think I got max, but it looks like shoving was too much even though I would normally make it 500 or something, but that basically commits me so I just shoved.

PokerStars Game #23935976514: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level II (15/30) - 2009/01/15 17:38:31 ET
Table '134247458 12' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: bio12 (5245 in chips)
Seat 2: majstro28 (845 in chips)
Seat 3: Firaldo87 (3795 in chips)
Seat 4: Cacowboy45 (1600 in chips)
Seat 5: fbtmof05 (1365 in chips)
Seat 6: SupCuzz1 (1620 in chips)
Seat 8: SNOKESTAR (1305 in chips)
Seat 9: Fipse22 (2425 in chips)
majstro28: posts small blind 15
Firaldo87: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Ah Qd]
Cacowboy45: folds
fbtmof05: raises 90 to 120
SupCuzz1: folds
SNOKESTAR: folds
Fipse22: folds
bio12: calls 120
majstro28: folds
Firaldo87: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 9d Qc]
fbtmof05: bets 180
bio12: calls 180
*** TURN *** [3h 9d Qc] [5d]
fbtmof05: checks
bio12: bets 180
fbtmof05: raises 885 to 1065 and is all-in
bio12: folds

Hand #69
Hadn’t played a hand in 50 hands. I was actually sitting out for I think hand 43 to hand 60. Must have happened while 16 tabling which sucks. Anyways, standard shove no explanation here.

PokerStars Game #23937506277: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level V (75/150) - 2009/01/15 18:30:03 ET
Table '134247458 11' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Jnecco01 (1455 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: slyfox25 (1083 in chips)
Seat 3: Sir Striker (2605 in chips)
Seat 4: Fumanchu70 (3950 in chips)
Seat 5: theozone (4667 in chips)
Seat 6: chriswgsx (5375 in chips)
Seat 7: Sensei Shu (2678 in chips)
Seat 8: trademarke (4570 in chips)
Seat 9: fbtmof05 (1145 in chips)
chriswgsx: posts small blind 75
Sensei Shu: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Ah Ad]
trademarke: folds
fbtmof05: raises 995 to 1145 and is all-in
Jnecco01: folds
slyfox25: folds
Sir Striker: folds
Fumanchu70: folds
theozone: folds
chriswgsx: folds
Sensei Shu: calls 995
*** FLOP *** [8s 3d 6d]
*** TURN *** [8s 3d 6d] *** RIVER *** [8s 3d 6d Td] [4h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Sensei Shu: shows [7d Ac] (high card Ace)
fbtmof05: shows [Ah Ad] (a pair of Aces)

Hand #77
Might take some heat for this one. At this point I know nothing about anybody because of all the tables I am playing. Standard raise with this stack (not sure why 2.5 – misclick perhaps) great flop for me. Not sure why I didn’t play this more standard. We are both deep for the blinds and he is betting almost pot. I wanted to flat to see what he does on the turn, see if he slows down. Obviously he didn’t and I made a very bad call, I even knew before I saw his hand that I should fold. I think what made me call was seeing a lot of bad players at the 4.40 level always leading with bad hands and always check raising with strong ones – that is my only excuse for this hand, I admit, terrible call.

PokerStars Game #23937776165: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2009/01/15 18:38:38 ET
Table '134247458 11' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Jnecco01 (1230 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: slyfox25 (458 in chips)
Seat 4: Fumanchu70 (3750 in chips)
Seat 5: theozone (4467 in chips)
Seat 6: chriswgsx (5650 in chips)
Seat 7: Sensei Shu (1708 in chips)
Seat 8: trademarke (4945 in chips)
Seat 9: fbtmof05 (5320 in chips)
chriswgsx: posts small blind 100
Sensei Shu: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [7d 7c]
trademarke: folds
fbtmof05: raises 300 to 500
Jnecco01: folds
slyfox25: folds
Fumanchu70: folds
theozone: folds
chriswgsx: calls 400
Sensei Shu: folds
*** FLOP *** [4c 2h 3s]
Sensei Shu said, "got aces again?"
chriswgsx: bets 800
fbtmof05: calls 800
*** TURN *** [4c 2h 3s] [8c]
chriswgsx: bets 4350 and is all-in
fbtmof05: calls 4020 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (330) returned to chriswgsx
*** RIVER *** [4c 2h 3s 8c] [7s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
chriswgsx: shows [Tc Td] (a pair of Tens)
fbtmof05: shows [7d 7c] (three of a kind, Sevens)

Hand #98
23 BB stack raising UTG – seemed to be a fairly tight player, a whiner. I was noticing more things as I was busting from tournys. I like flat calling here against him with his stack and how tight he seems to be, see a cheap flop and can easily throw it away if it’s a bad flop and still have a very nice stack. I get a decent flop, the 9 doesn’t scare me, and he leads out just above half the pot on a draw heavy flop. I thought he would bet a little more with an over pair so I stuck it in and obviously was wrong again. Picked up a ton of outs on the turn and blanked. Again, bad read, but felt he had AK which a lot of the time he could have. Took a big hit, back to nit mode.

PokerStars Game #23938370091: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (125/250) - 2009/01/15 18:57:21 ET
Table '134247458 11' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: Jnecco01 (105 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 2: slyfox25 (2797 in chips)
Seat 3: Trotsche84 (440 in chips)
Seat 4: lancien06 (2580 in chips)
Seat 5: theozone (5634 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (15962 in chips)
Seat 8: trademarke (7720 in chips)
Seat 9: fbtmof05 (10015 in chips)
Jnecco01: posts the ante 25
slyfox25: posts the ante 25
Trotsche84: posts the ante 25
lancien06: posts the ante 25
theozone: posts the ante 25
XanderK: posts the ante 25
trademarke: posts the ante 25
fbtmof05: posts the ante 25
Trotsche84: posts small blind 125
lancien06: posts big blind 250
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [8c 8s]
theozone: raises 500 to 750
XanderK: folds
trademarke: folds
fbtmof05: calls 750
Jnecco01: folds
slyfox25: folds
Trotsche84: folds
lancien06: folds
*** FLOP *** [2c 9h 6c]
theozone: bets 1250
fbtmof05: raises 5250 to 6500
theozone: calls 3609 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1641) returned to fbtmof05
*** TURN *** [2c 9h 6c] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [2c 9h 6c 7c] [6h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
theozone: shows [Kd Ks] (two pair, Kings and Sixes)
fbtmof05: shows [8c 8s] (two pair, Eights and Sixes)

Hand #108
The blinds are starting to eat at me and the BB in this hand was a really tight player so I just decided to shove it in and wow another ambush. So much for this being a good hand history review showing how well I play. I wanted to steal and come to think of it, if he’s that tight, he’ll fold to a 3x 90% of the time and shove the other 10%, so why not just risk losing 900 10% of the time rather than risking my whole stack, so bad judgment there. Should just 3x fold every time against a tight player. I get lucky again and get a sick stack.

PokerStars Game #23938659818: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level VIII (150/300) - 2009/01/15 19:06:22 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (5256 in chips)
Seat 3: tosho1 (5935 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (10090 in chips)
Seat 5: Danihugo (5007 in chips)
Seat 6: SPATIANER (15825 in chips)
Seat 7: sharksight (7505 in chips) is sitting out
Seat 8: WillPod (4485 in chips)
Seat 9: kuhln (8545 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 25
tosho1: posts the ante 25
Ricman88: posts the ante 25
Danihugo: posts the ante 25
SPATIANER: posts the ante 25
sharksight: posts the ante 25
WillPod: posts the ante 25
kuhln: posts the ante 25
fbtmof05: posts small blind 150
tosho1: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [8h 6s]
Ricman88: folds
Danihugo: folds
SPATIANER: folds
sharksight: folds
WillPod: folds
kuhln: folds
fbtmof05: raises 4931 to 5231 and is all-in
tosho1: calls 4931
*** FLOP *** [9h 4s 7h]
*** TURN *** [9h 4s 7h] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [9h 4s 7h 6d] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
fbtmof05: shows [8h 6s] (two pair, Eights and Sixes)
tosho1: shows [Kh Ks] (a pair of Kings)

Hand #155
Haven’t played a hand in a while, called a raise pre and missed, and the rest was blinding down to 20 bb. Knew nothing about this player until he called, sick call I guess. More from him later.

PokerStars Game #23939933513: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level X (300/600) - 2009/01/15 19:47:35 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: ralmerk (7806 in chips)
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (6220 in chips)
Seat 3: WAG51 (42523 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (19641 in chips)
Seat 5: Frölunda 666 (15166 in chips)
Seat 6: rednuts (13880 in chips)
Seat 8: WillPod (7579 in chips)
Seat 9: kuhln (8196 in chips)
ralmerk: posts the ante 50
fbtmof05: posts the ante 50
WAG51: posts the ante 50
Ricman88: posts the ante 50
Frölunda 666: posts the ante 50
rednuts: posts the ante 50
WillPod: posts the ante 50
kuhln: posts the ante 50
Ricman88: posts small blind 300
Frölunda 666: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [As Js]
rednuts: folds
WillPod: folds
kuhln: folds
ralmerk: folds
fbtmof05: raises 5570 to 6170 and is all-in
WAG51: folds
Ricman88: folds
Frölunda 666: calls 5570
*** FLOP *** [8d 4h Ks]
*** TURN *** [8d 4h Ks] [5c]
*** RIVER *** [8d 4h Ks 5c] [3d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Frölunda 666: shows [Qs Td] (high card King)
fbtmof05: shows [As Js] (high card Ace)

Hand #169
Short handed and we are on the FT bubble. I have 11k at 400/800 and just shove it in here knowing I pick up the blinds so much or could get a really loose call from my friend Frolunda and give me a nice stack for the FT.

PokerStars Game #23940316310: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (400/800) - 2009/01/15 20:00:20 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (11015 in chips)
Seat 3: WAG51 (43748 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (12916 in chips)
Seat 5: Frölunda 666 (29311 in chips)
Seat 6: rednuts (8205 in chips)
Seat 8: WillPod (5004 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 75
WAG51: posts the ante 75
Ricman88: posts the ante 75
Frölunda 666: posts the ante 75
rednuts: posts the ante 75
WillPod: posts the ante 75
Frölunda 666: posts small blind 400
rednuts: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [9s Qs]
WillPod: folds
fbtmof05: raises 10140 to 10940 and is all-in
WAG51: folds
Ricman88: folds
Frölunda 666: calls 10540
rednuts: folds
*** FLOP *** [9h Ad 4s]
*** TURN *** [9h Ad 4s] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [9h Ad 4s Jc] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Frölunda 666: shows [9d 6h] (two pair, Aces and Nines)
fbtmof05: shows [9s Qs] (two pair, Aces and Nines - Queen kicker)


Hand #174
Standard raise pre on the bubble, but it is tough having frolunda behind me in this position. I am just looking to steal the blinds or get 2 callers and flop middle set. I lead out this flop 3 handed simply because a K is in these players range for sure and because of how loose and terrible Frolunda is. Frolunda can easily raise here with anything. Also, draw heavy flop with 2 other players in the hand. On the turn, I decide to shove. I have about the same amount as the pot, WAG has a big stack and could call off here with a draw and with a K. I think usually a K raises the flop, but who knows in these 4.40s. I could have bet like 8k, but again, I am committing myself so I just shoved and hoped he would call.

PokerStars Game #23940416177: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XI (400/800) - 2009/01/15 20:03:31 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (22030 in chips)
Seat 3: WAG51 (49023 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (10541 in chips)
Seat 5: Frölunda 666 (22375 in chips)
Seat 6: rednuts (6230 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 75
WAG51: posts the ante 75
Ricman88: posts the ante 75
Frölunda 666: posts the ante 75
rednuts: posts the ante 75
Frölunda 666: posts small blind 400
rednuts: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [5h 5c]
fbtmof05: raises 1200 to 2000
WAG51: calls 2000
Ricman88: folds
Frölunda 666: calls 1600
rednuts: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ks 5s 7c]
Frölunda 666: checks
fbtmof05: bets 4550
WAG51: calls 4550
Frölunda 666: folds
*** TURN *** [Ks 5s 7c] [6d]
fbtmof05: bets 15405 and is all-in
WAG51: calls 15405
*** RIVER *** [Ks 5s 7c 6d] [3s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
fbtmof05: shows [5h 5c] (three of a kind, Fives)
WAG51: shows [Jd Kh] (a pair of Kings)

The FT started 3 or 4 hands later. I started the FT 2nd in chips to a huge stack (83k). I was just going to play tight and pick my spots in position and get a feel for how these guys are playing, I didn’t have reads on any of them except Frolunda. However he busted 4 hands in. I just played a very standard TAG while 8 handed. Actually I played tight the whole FT – extremely tight 3 handed.

Hand #197

At this level of play, squeezing is tough to do. However I looked up the buttons stats and see that he was a winning player with a small chunk of profit from micro stakes and realize he can raise here with a huge range. So I squeezed and it worked out

PokerStars Game #23941002061: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XII (500/1000) - 2009/01/15 20:22:18 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: 33racing (39588 in chips)
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (47785 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (13532 in chips)
Seat 6: rednuts (4590 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (116781 in chips)
Seat 8: chrhtn (47724 in chips)
33racing: posts the ante 100
fbtmof05: posts the ante 100
Ricman88: posts the ante 100
rednuts: posts the ante 100
XanderK: posts the ante 100
chrhtn: posts the ante 100
33racing: posts small blind 500
fbtmof05: posts big blind 1000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [8h 4c]
Ricman88: folds
rednuts: folds
XanderK: folds
chrhtn: raises 2000 to 3000
33racing: calls 2500
fbtmof05: raises 9000 to 12000
chrhtn: folds
33racing: folds

Hand #212

I could have 3 bet pre, but I had squeezed him with the 84 and had literally just re popped less than an orbit ago with KK, so I think he might have 4 bet me light here, so I just wanted to see a flop and we were fairly deep stacked. I decide to peel off on the turn to see if he does have the ace, however his range again is fairly wide and I decide to lead and hope to induce a raise.

PokerStars Game #23941441509: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XIII (600/1200) - 2009/01/15 20:36:18 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: 33racing (23863 in chips)
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (52335 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (24484 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (136569 in chips)
Seat 8: chrhtn (32749 in chips)
33racing: posts the ante 125
fbtmof05: posts the ante 125
Ricman88: posts the ante 125
XanderK: posts the ante 125
chrhtn: posts the ante 125
33racing: posts small blind 600
fbtmof05: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [5d 5s]
Ricman88: folds
XanderK: folds
chrhtn: raises 2400 to 3600
33racing: folds
fbtmof05: calls 2400
*** FLOP *** [4h 2h Ad]
fbtmof05: checks
chrhtn: bets 4800
fbtmof05: calls 4800
*** TURN *** [4h 2h Ad] [3c]
fbtmof05: bets 8500
chrhtn: folds

We got down to 3 handed and it was a 140k stack vs. 55k and 66k so I was just playing pretty tight. The two other guys were getting involved in a lot of pots and there was quite a bit of 3 betting pre so I was just sitting back and picking up spots where I thought they were weak. XanderK was raising almost every hand so I found it tough to 3 bet him a lot since I felt he could 4 bet me light a lot too. So knowing I am much better than these players I’d rather play small ball and just chip up slowly especially this deep stacked.

Hand #256

Standard 3 bet pre, I hadn’t done it much, I think only once before so I figured I get away with it a lot of the time here. Kind of a scary flop since he could easily have 68, 97, 55, 77+, draws etc. I have to C bet this as much as I don’t want to since I am going to be betting a big chunk of my stack. I only bet about half the pot just cause these players aren’t smart enough to pick up on the betting patterns that I am weak here a lot. Also, if he’s going to call or raise anyways, what’s the point of risking more chips since 15k is a good amount of chips anyways. 15k is the same as 20 or 22k here.

PokerStars Game #23942054501: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XIV (800/1600) - 2009/01/15 20:57:00 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (54285 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (47633 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (168082 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 150
Ricman88: posts the ante 150
XanderK: posts the ante 150
XanderK: posts small blind 800
fbtmof05: posts big blind 1600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [5h Qh]
Ricman88: folds
XanderK: raises 3200 to 4800
fbtmof05: raises 9600 to 14400
XanderK: calls 9600
*** FLOP *** [7s 5d 9d]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: bets 15500
XanderK: folds

Hand #268

See a cheap flop with a good hand, don’t want to get crazy preflop with my stack and a crazy lag tard. Easy check on the flop, I could have taken a small stab at it and probably taken it down. 6k in the pot and he bets 4k on the turn. I have a gutshot, a flush draw and an over. To me I have plenty of outs and he could also be taking a stab at this pot too. At this point I didn’t put him on much, 34 suited, K5 suited, something like that. On the river he bets out 8k. I think he bets a 7 on the flop, but to me he seemed to have something like KJ, QJ, KT from his limp pre. He had usually raised his button but had been 3 bet a few times, so maybe he was afraid of being 3 bet while holding a paint hand. I also don’t think he bets a 5 or a hand like 33, or a 4x on the river there, and he definitely doesn’t have a 2 (from the preflop limp). I was just sure I had the best hand and did.

PokerStars Game #23942210752: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:02:33 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (43735 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (31483 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (194782 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
Ricman88: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts small blind 1000
fbtmof05: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [4c Ac]
Ricman88: calls 2000
XanderK: calls 1000
fbtmof05: checks
*** FLOP *** [7c 2d 5s]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: checks
Ricman88: checks
*** TURN *** [7c 2d 5s] [2c]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: checks
Ricman88: bets 4000
XanderK: folds
fbtmof05: calls 4000
*** RIVER *** [7c 2d 5s 2c] [4s]
fbtmof05: checks
Ricman88: bets 8000
fbtmof05: calls 8000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Ricman88: shows [Tc 9c] (a pair of Deuces)
fbtmof05: shows [4c Ac] (two pair, Fours and Deuces)

Hand #274

Here I could 3 bet pre, we are deep stacked and he’s raising a ton of hands. I didn’t want to 3 bet and have him fold so much of his range especially being out of position, so I just saw a flop and went from there. Great flop for me. Again, I think his range is so big here that he’s folding so many hands if I raise so I don’t want to scare him away. Same with the turn, the 9 scares me a little bit, but I still think I’m ahead here 100% of the time. The river pairs the board, and he checks, I am still a bit scared of the 9, he could have a 2, but being so positive I’m ahead here he’s never calling here unless I’m beat.

PokerStars Game #23942280044: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:05:03 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (61735 in chips)
Seat 4: Ricman88 (17483 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (190782 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
Ricman88: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts small blind 1000
fbtmof05: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [8s 8h]
Ricman88: folds
XanderK: raises 4000 to 6000
fbtmof05: calls 4000
*** FLOP *** [2s 2d 7c]
XanderK: bets 8000
fbtmof05: calls 8000
*** TURN *** [2s 2d 7c] [9c]
XanderK: bets 16000
fbtmof05: calls 16000
*** RIVER *** [2s 2d 7c 9c] [7d]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
XanderK: shows [8c Kd] (two pair, Sevens and Deuces)
fbtmof05: shows [8s 8h] (two pair, Eights and Sevens)

We got heads up after the next hand, and XanderK stacked Ricman88 and got a much larger stack. We went heads up him 180k and me having 90k. I had a lot of work to do since our stacks were so deep at 1k/2k. I never chop so that didn’t cross my mind, I just knew I was a better player than him and was just going to play small ball and chip away or hope to get lucky and get into a huge pot way ahead.

Hand #278

Scary turn card but I am willing to get all in and have to bet this turn I think every time. I am probably ahead a lot here too, but oh well. Standard bet I think

PokerStars Game #23942350617: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:07:36 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (76535 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (193465 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
fbtmof05: posts small blind 1000
XanderK: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Kd Ks]
fbtmof05: raises 2000 to 4000
XanderK: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [6h Jc 4h]
XanderK: bets 6000
fbtmof05: raises 12000 to 18000
XanderK: calls 12000
*** TURN *** [6h Jc 4h] [Kh]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: bets 30000
XanderK: folds

Hand #279

Very next hand, I run so well…

PokerStars Game #23942384310: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:08:48 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (98735 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (171265 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts small blind 1000
fbtmof05: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Ac Ad]
XanderK: calls 1000
fbtmof05: raises 6000 to 8000
XanderK: folds

Hand #280

Wow I run really well… Standard raise pre by me. I had been re popping his flop bets a lot so I figured this was a perfect spot to do it since he can never put me on a ten here ever. This is his chance to get back at me hoping I am bluffing since he is probably getting sick of his bets being raised.

PokerStars Game #23942392084: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:09:05 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (100935 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (169065 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
fbtmof05: posts small blind 1000
XanderK: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Tc Ks]
fbtmof05: raises 2000 to 4000
XanderK: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [5d Td Ts]
XanderK: bets 6000
fbtmof05: raises 12000 to 18000
XanderK: raises 146865 to 164865 and is all-in
fbtmof05: calls 78735 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (68130) returned to XanderK
*** TURN *** [5d Td Ts] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [5d Td Ts 5h] [Qh]
fishbones11 [observer] said, "nh wp"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
XanderK: shows [6s Qc] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
fbtmof05: shows [Tc Ks] (a full house, Tens full of Fives)

Hand #298
To be honest, he had been leading out at me so much and he was weak every single time, I just thought I had the best hand the whole way. I thought he had air or a 5.

PokerStars Game #23942583635: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XV (1000/2000) - 2009/01/15 21:15:57 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (194870 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (75130 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 200
XanderK: posts the ante 200
fbtmof05: posts small blind 1000
XanderK: posts big blind 2000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [7h 8d]
fbtmof05: raises 2000 to 4000
XanderK: calls 2000
*** FLOP *** [9h 7d 5c]
XanderK: bets 6000
fbtmof05: calls 6000
*** TURN *** [9h 7d 5c] [3d]
XanderK: bets 10000
fbtmof05: calls 10000
*** RIVER *** [9h 7d 5c 3d] [3s]
XanderK: bets 14000
fbtmof05: calls 14000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
XanderK: shows [7c Th] (two pair, Sevens and Threes)

Hand #302

Hand plays itself I think. WP by him.

PokerStars Game #23942646053: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVI (1500/3000) - 2009/01/15 21:18:13 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (167870 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (102130 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 300
XanderK: posts the ante 300
fbtmof05: posts small blind 1500
XanderK: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [5s 7d]
fbtmof05: raises 3000 to 6000
XanderK: calls 3000
*** FLOP *** [5c 5h 2d]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: checks
*** TURN *** [5c 5h 2d] [8s]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: bets 7500
XanderK: calls 7500
*** RIVER *** [5c 5h 2d 8s] [Ah]
XanderK: bets 9000
fbtmof05: raises 18000 to 27000
XanderK: raises 61330 to 88330 and is all-in
fbtmof05: calls 61330
*** SHOW DOWN ***
XanderK: shows [Kd 5d] (three of a kind, Fives)
fbtmof05: shows [5s 7d] (three of a kind, Fives - lower kicker)

Back to a huge chip disadvantage, 200k to 60k

Hand #315

Just decided to shove with this stack it seems huge, but I think if I 3bet to 27k it’s committing me anyways so he’s either shoving over the 27k or folding, and if I shove he’s either calling or folding, so same difference. Huge fade, back in it!

PokerStars Game #23942795196: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVI (1500/3000) - 2009/01/15 21:23:30 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (81940 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (188060 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 300
XanderK: posts the ante 300
XanderK: posts small blind 1500
fbtmof05: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [Qd Ah]
XanderK: raises 6000 to 9000
fbtmof05: raises 72640 to 81640 and is all-in
XanderK: calls 72640
*** FLOP *** [Ac 3s 5s]
*** TURN *** [Ac 3s 5s] [5d]
*** RIVER *** [Ac 3s 5s 5d] [7c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
fbtmof05: shows [Qd Ah] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
XanderK: shows [As Js] (two pair, Aces and Fives - lower kicker)

Hand #318

Standard raise pre, again another lead from him which was always weak, so I raised again hoping for another 3 bet shove against my huge drawing hand. I was happy with the flat and the turn, put him on a J or a T or a baby flush draw since he probably shoves on me on the flop with any K or any Q or any huge combo draw. We get it in here on the turn, and I think it’s a really bad shove by him since I’m almost never folding, so not sure what he was thinking. Even if he did slow play KQ for some reason, I still have 13 outs so, almost 30% to win with one card to come. And that was the last hand, thanks for reading!

PokerStars Game #23942834538: Tournament #134247458, $4.00+$0.40 Hold'em No Limit - Level XVI (1500/3000) - 2009/01/15 21:24:55 ET
Table '134247458 2' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 2: fbtmof05 (151880 in chips)
Seat 7: XanderK (118120 in chips)
fbtmof05: posts the ante 300
XanderK: posts the ante 300
fbtmof05: posts small blind 1500
XanderK: posts big blind 3000
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to fbtmof05 [5h Th]
fbtmof05: raises 3000 to 6000
XanderK: calls 3000
*** FLOP *** [Kh Tc Qh]
XanderK: bets 6000
fbtmof05: raises 12000 to 18000
XanderK: calls 12000
*** TURN *** [Kh Tc Qh] [5d]
XanderK: checks
fbtmof05: bets 28500
XanderK: raises 65320 to 93820 and is all-in
fbtmof05: calls 65320
*** RIVER *** [Kh Tc Qh 5d] [Qd]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
XanderK: shows [3c Jh] (a pair of Queens)
fbtmof05: shows [5h Th] (two pair, Queens and Tens)