The all-elusive perfect tourney

[michael1123]

I read an article by Mike Sexton once, in which he said that Stu Unger excitedly told him after his last WSOP win that he had played a perfect tournament. Bet what he should, called when he should, raised the right amount at the right time, and made no mistakes at all. I've never known what that really felt like until tonight.

While I'm obviously not comparing myself to Unger, or a $100 online PL MTT(one of my first times playing PL) to the WSOP main event, I really don't think it would've been possible to play this tournament much better. I had complete command of the table and held the chip lead (or was very close to it) for about 90% of the tournament (and I was in the top 10 in chips for nearly 99% of it). My reads were spot on, knowing when to steal, when to lay off, when my mediocre hands were good, etc. I never gave a bad beat in the tournament, and never lost much on a bluff or got myself into much trouble in any hand. I honestly don't believe I made one clear mistake on any single street for the entire tournament, let alone played any hand poorly.

Unfortunately, luck was not on my side and I got knocked out 1 spot out of the money (the tournament had 99 players which paid out 9 spots, so the tournamentt was also one player short of paying out 18 spots), after two very bad beats at the 2nd to last table.

But still, I feel like I've accomplished something greater in this tournament than winning money. I've won MTTs with many more players and much bigger payouts without playing half as well as I felt I played in this one. Regardless of the result, I think this is the best tournament I've ever played.

ON WITH THE HAND HISTORY!
CARDSON
(only posting the interesting hands as usual, key hands bolded)

*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #1232653303: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level I
(10/20) - 2005/02/18 - 01:01:04 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (980 in chips)
Seat 3: mizmeck (1480 in chips)
Seat 4: Trips (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: SFCellman (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (1440 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2100 in chips)
mizmeck: posts small blind 10
Trips: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [7s 8s]
SFCellman: folds
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: raises 40 to 60
Barny Rubul: folds
mizmeck: folds
Trips: calls 40
*** FLOP *** [Ad Kh Th]
Trips: checks
michael1123: bets 130
Trips: calls 130
*** TURN *** [Ad Kh Th] [7c]
Trips: checks
michael1123: checks
*** RIVER *** [Ad Kh Th 7c] [3s]
Trips: bets 280
michael1123: folds
Trips collected 390 from pot
Trips: shows [8h Jc] (high card Ace)

- Possibly my worst played hand in the tournament was the 2nd one! Clearly nothing damaging though, and the bluff didn't bother me at all, as Trips was clearly advertising in this hand. My most iffy decision in this one was the preflop raise. I figured I'd take it down for sure on the flop (and would've if he wasn't going to show off a crazy play), as that's about the last flop that a normal BB hand that'll call a raise for speculation wants to see, and I figured he'd fold anything worse than a strong ace immediately. Once he called, I was done with the hand.

*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #1232656934: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level I
(10/20) - 2005/02/18 - 01:01:55 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (1310 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (980 in chips)
Seat 3: mizmeck (1470 in chips)
Seat 4: Trips (1700 in chips)
Seat 5: SFCellman (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (1440 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2100 in chips)
Trips: posts small blind 10
SFCellman: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Td Kc]
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 20
Barny Rubul: folds
mizmeck: calls 20
Trips: folds
SFCellman: checks
*** FLOP *** [Th 9c Ts]
SFCellman: checks
michael1123: checks
mizmeck: bets 70
SFCellman: folds
michael1123: raises 130 to 200
mizmeck: raises 130 to 330
michael1123: calls 130
*** TURN *** [Th 9c Ts] [8h]
michael1123: checks
mizmeck: bets 730
michael1123: raises 230 to 960 and is all-in
mizmeck: calls 230
*** RIVER *** [Th 9c Ts 8h] [2s]
mizmeck said, "n1"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [Td Kc] (three of a kind, Tens)
mizmeck: shows [Qd 9s] (two pair, Tens and Nines)
michael1123 collected 2650 from pot

I raised on the flop for the sole reason of disguising my hand, as typically you don't raise on a flop like this, because its unlikely that anyone will have a good enough hand to call if they believe your bets (i.e. the other ten). I thought I did a nice job here of representing the 9 on the flop, leading to the other player making a big bluff on the turn while representing a ten, and then being pot commited.

*********** # 7 **************
PokerStars Game #1232671441: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level I
(10/20) - 2005/02/18 - 01:05:22 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (2650 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (980 in chips)
Seat 3: mizmeck (380 in chips)
Seat 4: Trips (1720 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1410 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (1470 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (1490 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2100 in chips)
G6Dragon: posts small blind 10
jucifer: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Ah Qd]
michael1123: raises 40 to 60
Barny Rubul: calls 60
mizmeck: folds
Trips: folds
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
*** FLOP *** [2s 6c 6h]
michael1123: bets 100
Barny Rubul: raises 350 to 450
michael1123: folds
Barny Rubul collected 350 from pot
Barny Rubul: doesn't show hand

*********** # 9 **************
PokerStars Game #1232680933: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level I
(10/20) - 2005/02/18 - 01:07:37 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (2450 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1170 in chips)
Seat 3: mizmeck (190 in chips)
Seat 4: Trips (1700 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1410 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (1730 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (1480 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2070 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 10
Barny Rubul: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [4s Ah]
mizmeck: calls 20
Trips: folds
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 10
Barny Rubul: checks
*** FLOP *** [4c Td 9h]
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul: checks
mizmeck: bets 20
michael1123: calls 20
Barny Rubul: folds
*** TURN *** [4c Td 9h] [3h]
michael1123: checks
mizmeck: bets 20
michael1123: calls 20
*** RIVER *** [4c Td 9h 3h] [Ks]
michael1123: checks
mizmeck: bets 130 and is all-in
michael1123: calls 130
*** SHOW DOWN ***
mizmeck: shows [Qc Js] (a straight, Nine to King)
michael1123: shows [4s Ah] (a pair of Fours)
mizmeck collected 400 from pot

- I didn't think my hand was good at the river, but a little bit of advertising that you're not one to be bluffed, because you may call with a mediocre hand, never hurts.

*********** # 16 **************
PokerStars Game #1232707930: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level I
(10/20) - 2005/02/18 - 01:14:12 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (2200 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1140 in chips)
Seat 4: Trips (1740 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (1630 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1190 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (2240 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (1570 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2050 in chips)
jucifer: posts small blind 10
michael1123: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [9h 8h]
Barny Rubul: raises 40 to 60
Trips: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 40
*** FLOP *** [6d 9c As]
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul: bets 80
michael1123: raises 290 to 370
Barny Rubul: folds
michael1123 collected 290 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Had a strong feeling that Barny had a pocket pair and would lay it down here.

*********** # 28 **************
PokerStars Game #1232758427: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level II
(15/30) - 2005/02/18 - 01:26:48 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (1995 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1330 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (540 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3705 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3405 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (4435 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (725 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (380 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2205 in chips)
darrell77: posts small blind 15
TKAPP: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Jc Qh]
tensor: folds
monader: folds
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 30
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman: calls 30
darrell77: calls 15
TKAPP: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ad Js 6s]
darrell77: checks
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
Bushman: checks
*** TURN *** [Ad Js 6s] [7c]
darrell77: checks
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: bets 120
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
michael1123 collected 120 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 29 **************
PokerStars Game #1232762918: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level II
(15/30) - 2005/02/18 - 01:28:02 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (2085 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1330 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (510 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3675 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3375 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (4435 in chips)
Seat 7: monader (725 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (380 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2205 in chips)
TKAPP: posts small blind 15
tensor: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Td Kc]
monader: calls 30
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 30
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks Kd Jc]
tensor: checks
monader: bets 30
michael1123: calls 30
tensor: folds
*** TURN *** [Ks Kd Jc] [4d]
monader: bets 165
michael1123: calls 165
*** RIVER *** [Ks Kd Jc 4d] [8d]
monader: bets 495
michael1123: calls 495
*** SHOW DOWN ***
monader: shows [6c 7c] (a pair of Kings)
michael1123: shows [Td Kc] (three of a kind, Kings)
michael1123 collected 1485 from pot

Loved this hand. If I bet / raised anything at all at any point in the hand, this guy would've folded immediately. I played my 2nd flopped set with a board pair 100% differently than I did in Hand 2, which may have lead this guy into believing that I was on a straight draw.

*********** # 32 **************
PokerStars Game #1232775990: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:31:27 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (2850 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1330 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (585 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3740 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3330 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (4375 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (355 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2155 in chips)
jucifer: posts small blind 25
michael1123: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [2s Ac]
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: calls 50
G6Dragon: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: checks
*** FLOP *** [7h As 2h]
michael1123: checks
tensor: bets 100
michael1123: raises 150 to 250
taffaardah is connected
tensor: calls 150
*** TURN *** [7h As 2h] [9d]
michael1123: bets 400
tensor: calls 400
*** RIVER *** [7h As 2h 9d] [6s]
michael1123: bets 800
tensor: calls 800
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [2s Ac] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
tensor: mucks hand
michael1123 collected 3025 from pot
Seat 6: tensor mucked [Ts 9h]

Here's where I started to really feel like I was in the zone, as I was regularly getting people to call / bet into me with much worse hands, and get them to showdowns for big pots, while my weaker hands weren't reaching near as many showdowns. He must've put me on a flush draw here.

*********** # 33 **************
PokerStars Game #1232782400: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:33:10 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4375 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1330 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (585 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3740 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3330 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (2875 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4421 in chips)
Seat 8: G6Dragon (355 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2130 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 25
Barny Rubul: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3c Ac]
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
G6Dragon: raises 125 to 175
jucifer: folds
michael1123: raises 325 to 500
Barny Rubul: folds
G6Dragon: calls 180 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [7d Tc 2d]
*** TURN *** [7d Tc 2d] [Td]
*** RIVER *** [7d Tc 2d Td] [5s]
michael1123 said, "good game"
G6Dragon [observer] said, "gl"
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [3c Ac] (a pair of Tens)
G6Dragon: shows [Jc 9h] (a pair of Tens - lower kicker)
michael1123 collected 760 from pot

- This decision was relatively easy, because of a previous hand G6 had doubled up off of, and experience playing with players that have a similar small stack strategy (look for a hand that's unlikely to be dominated in good position and shove). Therefore I thought I was much more likely to be a favorite than be dominated, which is rather rare for a hand like A3.

*********** # 35 **************
PokerStars Game #1232789919: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:35:10 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4780 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1230 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (535 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3740 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3430 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (2875 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4421 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2130 in chips)
Bushman: posts small blind 25
darrell77: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Ad 2s]
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: calls 50
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 50
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman: calls 25
darrell77: checks
*** FLOP *** [2h 9c 4h]
Bushman: checks
darrell77: checks
taffaardah: checks
michael1123: bets 200
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
taffaardah: folds
michael1123 collected 200 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 37 **************
PokerStars Game #1232797343: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:37:09 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4930 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1080 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (710 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3665 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3380 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (2875 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4371 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2130 in chips)
TKAPP: posts small blind 25
tensor: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3d 3c]
taffaardah: folds
jucifer: folds
Barny Rubul said, "gh bush"
michael1123: calls 50
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman said, "i dont think it would be"
Bushman said, ""
Bushman: folds
darrell77: raises 175 to 225
TKAPP: calls 200
tensor: folds
Barny Rubul said, "don't worry bush"
michael1123: calls 175
*** FLOP *** [8c 7d Jd]
Barny Rubul said, "it's obv it not"
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul said, "i just dont get discount bets"
darrell77: checks
*** TURN *** [8c 7d Jd] [Kc]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
darrell77: checks
*** RIVER *** [8c 7d Jd Kc] [9c]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul said, "manager's special"
darrell77: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TKAPP: shows [8s Ts] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
michael1123: mucks hand
darrell77: mucks hand
TKAPP collected 725 from pot

*********** # 40 **************
PokerStars Game #1232808535: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:40:11 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4705 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1080 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (710 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4840 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (2655 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (2775 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4296 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2080 in chips)
jucifer: posts small blind 25
michael1123: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3h 5c]
Barny Rubul: folds
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: calls 50
tensor: folds
taffaardah: calls 50
jucifer: folds
michael1123: checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 9d Jh]
michael1123: checks
TKAPP: checks
taffaardah: checks
*** TURN *** [5d 9d Jh] [7c]
teecoy [observer] said, "HI IM LOOKING FOR RAY FINKLE"
michael1123: bets 175
TKAPP: calls 175
taffaardah: folds
*** RIVER *** [5d 9d Jh 7c] [Jc]
Barny Rubul said, "and a clean pair of shorts"
michael1123: checks
TKAPP: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [3h 5c] (two pair, Jacks and Fives)
TKAPP: mucks hand
michael1123 collected 525 from pot
Seat 5: TKAPP mucked [Th Kd]


- I would've actually called a bluff here on the river, even with this shitty hand. I was pretty sure he was on some crazy draw again, and checked the river to try and enduce a small bluff.

*********** # 41 **************
PokerStars Game #1232811328: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:40:56 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (5005 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (1080 in chips)
Seat 3: Bushman (710 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4840 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (2430 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (2775 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4246 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2055 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 25
Barny Rubul: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [9h 5h]
Bushman: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: calls 50
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 25
Barny Rubul: checks
*** FLOP *** [9c 6h 4h]
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul: checks
taffaardah: checks
*** TURN *** [9c 6h 4h] [Ad]
michael1123: checks
Barny Rubul: checks
taffaardah: checks
*** RIVER *** [9c 6h 4h Ad] [2d]
michael1123: bets 150
Barny Rubul: folds
taffaardah: calls 150
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [9h 5h] (a pair of Nines)
taffaardah: shows [Qd Ah] (a pair of Aces)
taffaardah collected 450 from pot

- Attempted to check raise the flop.

*********** # 43 **************
PokerStars Game #1232818628: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level III
(25/50) - 2005/02/18 - 01:42:58 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4605 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (2970 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4840 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (2430 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1745 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4496 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (2055 in chips)
darrell77: posts small blind 25
TKAPP: posts big blind 50
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [7h 8h]
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: calls 50
Barny Rubul: folds
gressy bear is connected
darrell77: calls 25
TKAPP: checks
*** FLOP *** [Jh 9h 4d]
darrell77: checks
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: bets 150
darrell77: calls 150
TKAPP: folds
*** TURN *** [Jh 9h 4d] [Kc]
darrell77: checks
michael1123: bets 300
darrell77: folds
michael1123 collected 450 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 50 **************
PokerStars Game #1232839094: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IV
(50/100) - 2005/02/18 - 01:48:37 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4855 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (2870 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2895 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4640 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (2830 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (1970 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4196 in chips)
Seat 9: jucifer (1905 in chips)
Barny Rubul: posts small blind 50
swedenyes: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [2d Ad]
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: calls 100
taffaardah: folds
jucifer: folds
michael1123: raises 300 to 400
Barny Rubul: raises 1000 to 1400
swedenyes: folds
tensor: raises 570 to 1970 and is all-in
michael1123: folds
Barny Rubul: calls 570
*** FLOP *** [9s Th 9d]
michael1123 said, "holy cow"
*** TURN *** [9s Th 9d] [9h]
Barny Rubul said, "lolooooooooooooooooooooooooooool"
*** RIVER *** [9s Th 9d 9h] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Barny Rubul: shows [6d 6s] (a full house, Nines full of Sixes)
tensor: shows [Ts Js] (a full house, Nines full of Tens)
tensor collected 4440 from pot

- insane action

*********** # 56 **************
PokerStars Game #1232854712: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IV
(50/100) - 2005/02/18 - 01:53:02 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4455 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (900 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2545 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4040 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (4235 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (6040 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4046 in chips)
Seat 8: abacus LOX (955 in chips) is sitting out
abacus LOX: posts small blind 50
michael1123: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Kh 4h]
Barny Rubul: folds
swedenyes: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: raises 200 to 300
taffaardah: folds
abacus LOX: folds
michael1123: calls 200
*** FLOP *** [5h 2h 8s]
michael1123: checks
tensor: bets 600
michael1123: raises 1850 to 2450
tensor: folds
michael1123 collected 1850 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- I figured he just had two overs here. If I thought he had a big pocket pair I would've just called, but I figured I could take it down right there.

*********** # 61 **************
PokerStars Game #1232865172: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IV
(50/100) - 2005/02/18 - 01:56:06 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (5355 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (800 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2545 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4240 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (4285 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (5140 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (3946 in chips)
Seat 8: abacus LOX (905 in chips) is sitting out
TKAPP: posts small blind 50
tensor: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3d 3c]
taffaardah: folds
abacus LOX: folds
michael1123: calls 100
Barny Rubul: folds
swedenyes: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: calls 50
tensor: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ts 5c Qd]
TKAPP: checks
tensor: checks
michael1123: checks
*** TURN *** [Ts 5c Qd] [9s]
TKAPP: checks
tensor: checks
michael1123: bets 200
TKAPP: calls 200
tensor: folds
*** RIVER *** [Ts 5c Qd 9s] [7c]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TKAPP: shows [2s 6s] (high card Queen)
michael1123: shows [3d 3c] (a pair of Threes)
michael1123 collected 700 from pot

*********** # 70 **************
PokerStars Game #1232909114: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:09:22 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (5105 in chips)
Seat 2: Barny Rubul (575 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2320 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (3865 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (6935 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (4215 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (5996 in chips)
Seat 9: mutty (720 in chips)
TKAPP: posts small blind 75
tensor: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Qd Qs]
taffaardah: folds
mutty: raises 375 to 525
michael1123: calls 525
Barny Rubul: folds
swedenyes: calls 525
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
*** FLOP *** [3s 6d Ks]
mutty: bets 195 and is all-in
michael1123: raises 305 to 500
swedenyes: folds
*** TURN *** [3s 6d Ks] [Th]
*** RIVER *** [3s 6d Ks Th] [3d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
mutty: shows [6c 8d] (two pair, Sixes and Threes)
michael1123: shows [Qd Qs] (two pair, Queens and Threes)
michael1123 collected 2190 from pot

*********** # 73 **************
PokerStars Game #1232917642: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:12:01 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (6575 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (1495 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4665 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (5310 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (3990 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (9246 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (6025 in chips)
Notso Brite: posts small blind 75
michael1123: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [7d 5s]
gyndok is connected
swedenyes: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Notso Brite: raises 150 to 300
michael1123: calls 150
*** FLOP *** [Qd 7h Ac]
Notso Brite: checks
michael1123: checks
*** TURN *** [Qd 7h Ac] [2d]
Notso Brite: bets 450
michael1123: calls 450
*** RIVER *** [Qd 7h Ac 2d] [8h]
Notso Brite: checks
michael1123: bets 1000
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123 collected 1500 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Figured I had him, but just in case he had a weak Q or 99 or something, I threw in the river bet. I knew he didn't like his hand here and would fold.

*********** # 75 **************
PokerStars Game #1232922276: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:13:31 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (7250 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (7575 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2170 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4665 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (4860 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (3990 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (9246 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (5275 in chips)
gyndok: posts small blind 75
swedenyes: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [As Jd]
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: calls 150
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 300 to 450
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
TKAPP: calls 300
*** FLOP *** [Th Jc 7c]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: bets 600
TKAPP: calls 600
*** TURN *** [Th Jc 7c] [2h]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: bets 1400
TKAPP: calls 1400
*** RIVER *** [Th Jc 7c 2h] [Qd]
TKAPP: checks
michael1123: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TKAPP: shows [6h 8h] (high card Queen)
michael1123: shows [As Jd] (a pair of Jacks)
michael1123 collected 5125 from pot

Again I knew he was on a draw and that he couldn't call anything on the river, so I tried to gave him a chance to bluff, but he was too loose passive. Clearly a horrid player.

*********** # 77 **************
PokerStars Game #1232928818: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:15:36 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (9775 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (7500 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (1945 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4515 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3610 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (3990 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (8421 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (5275 in chips)
darrell77: posts small blind 75
TKAPP: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Th As]
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 300 to 450
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: raises 1125 to 1575
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
michael1123: raises 1125 to 2700
swedenyes: calls 370 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [4d Qc Td]
*** TURN *** [4d Qc Td] [Jd]
*** RIVER *** [4d Qc Td Jd] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [Th As] (a pair of Tens)
swedenyes: shows [9h 9s] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
swedenyes collected 4115 from pot

Was a tough call preflop, that I probably wouldn't usually make, but my reads were spot on in this tournament, and the more I thought about it, the more confident I was that I wasn't dominated. Blinds are going up and he's getting close to being a small stack, max raise preflop (no attempt to try and lure me in or anything). With the dead money in the pot, I made the right call here. Got a nice flop, but an unlucky turn and river. This pot would've given me a pretty commanding lead of the tournament, but I ended up getting there anyway.

*********** # 78 **************
PokerStars Game #1232931528: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:16:28 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (7830 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (7500 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (4115 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4440 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (3460 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (3990 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (8421 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (5275 in chips)
TKAPP: posts small blind 75
tensor: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Kd Ks]
taffaardah: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 300 to 450
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
michael1123 collected 375 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Doh!

*********** # 81 **************
PokerStars Game #1232939055: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level V
(75/150) - 2005/02/18 - 02:18:56 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (8055 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (7350 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (4115 in chips)
Seat 4: darrell77 (4440 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (610 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (6765 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (9171 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (4525 in chips)
Notso Brite: posts small blind 75
michael1123: posts big blind 150
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Qc Js]
gyndok: raises 300 to 450
swedenyes: folds
darrell77: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: calls 450
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: calls 300
*** FLOP *** [2s Qd 2c]
darrell77 said, "looks similar to me"
michael1123: checks
gyndok: checks
taffaardah: checks
*** TURN *** [2s Qd 2c] [3h]
michael1123: bets 450
gyndok: calls 450
taffaardah: folds
*** RIVER *** [2s Qd 2c 3h] [6s]
michael1123: checks
gyndok: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [Qc Js] (two pair, Queens and Deuces)
gyndok: mucks hand
Riley1 is connected
michael1123 collected 2325 from pot
Seat 2: gyndok mucked [Ts Tc]


*********** # 90 **************
PokerStars Game #1232961198: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VI
(100/200) - 2005/02/18 - 02:26:16 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (9630 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5740 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2445 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (4040 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (6265 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (7421 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (4630 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (3650 in chips)
Notso Brite: posts small blind 100
michael1123: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Tc Ad]
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
TKAPP: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: calls 200
Riley1: folds
Notso Brite: calls 100
michael1123: raises 600 to 800
taffaardah: calls 600
Notso Brite: folds
*** FLOP *** [Ah 2s 6s]
michael1123: bets 800
taffaardah: calls 800
*** TURN *** [Ah 2s 6s] [Jd]
michael1123: bets 800
taffaardah: calls 800
*** RIVER *** [Ah 2s 6s Jd] [Ts]
michael1123: bets 800
taffaardah: calls 800
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [Tc Ad] (two pair, Aces and Tens)
taffaardah: mucks hand
michael1123 collected 6600 from pot
Seat 7: taffaardah mucked [9c 9h]

Was real surprised to see what he called down with, after checking the hand history during the tournament, as he had been really tight (and passive - as shown by his silly limp with 99 in late position) up until this point. Must've confused him with rather weak bets on every street, but man, did they add up.

[HeavyP]

Well I've read that much. You need to post the rest of the hand history

Your reads always flabbergast me.

Nice history there Michael.

[michael1123]

*********** # 93 **************
PokerStars Game #1232969526: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VI
(100/200) - 2005/02/18 - 02:29:06 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (12930 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5040 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (1445 in chips)
Seat 5: TKAPP (4540 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (6265 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4221 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (4630 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (4750 in chips)
swedenyes: posts small blind 100
TKAPP: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Kc Ac]
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 400 to 600
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: raises 845 to 1445 and is all-in
TKAPP: folds
michael1123: calls 845
*** FLOP *** [4c Jh Ah]
*** TURN *** [4c Jh Ah] [2d]
*** RIVER *** [4c Jh Ah 2d] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
swedenyes: shows [Kh Ad] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
michael1123: shows [Kc Ac] (two pair, Aces and Deuces)
swedenyes collected 1545 from pot
michael1123 collected 1545 from pot

*********** # 102 **************
PokerStars Game #1232987729: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VI
(100/200) - 2005/02/18 - 02:35:27 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13130 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6035 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2990 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (5965 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (5521 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (5030 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (5150 in chips)
tensor: posts small blind 100
taffaardah: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [9c Qc]
Riley1: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 400 to 600
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
michael1123 collected 500 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Wee, I think this was my first preflop steal from midposition, now that the blinds went up. Now the hurt begins.

*********** # 107 **************
PokerStars Game #1232995791: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:38:20 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (12980 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5735 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (6180 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (4965 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (2781 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (6030 in chips)
Seat 9: Notso Brite (5150 in chips)
gyndok: posts small blind 150
swedenyes: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [8h Qd]
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
Notso Brite: folds
michael1123: raises 600 to 900
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
michael1123 collected 750 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Next. Took a few hands off in between steals, paying attention to who is in the BB (never tried to steal from the loose players), how long its been since I've raised preflop, whether the BB may be tilting after a tough loss, the BB's stack size (are they ready to take a stand?), etc. I was much more entirely in tune with the table in this tournament.

*********** # 114 **************
PokerStars Game #1233009247: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:43:19 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (12830 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (8185 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5430 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3270 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (1680 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (5415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (8031 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (3480 in chips)
swedenyes: posts small blind 150
loonatwok: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [4c Jc]
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
michael1123: raises 600 to 900
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
michael1123 collected 750 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Another round, another steal without any resistance. I'm sure its helped that almost every time I've shown down I've had a real hand as well.

*********** # 115 **************
PokerStars Game #1233010617: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:43:50 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13280 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (8185 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5280 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (2970 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (1680 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (5415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (8031 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (3480 in chips)
loonatwok: posts small blind 150
MikeG5: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Th Jc]
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5 collected 300 from pot
MikeG5: doesn't show hand

- An example of a better hand the next hand, but not stealing again to keep my image up.

*********** # 116 **************
PokerStars Game #1233011902: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:44:19 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13280 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (8185 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5280 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (2820 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (1830 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (5415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (8031 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (3480 in chips)
MikeG5: posts small blind 150
tensor: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Ts Kh]
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok: raises 600 to 900
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: raises 930 to 1830 and is all-in
tensor: folds
gyndok: calls 930
*** FLOP *** [6d Th Ac]
*** TURN *** [6d Th Ac] [5d]
*** RIVER *** [6d Th Ac 5d] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MikeG5: shows [Ad Ah] (three of a kind, Aces)
gyndok: shows [Qs Jc] (high card Ace)
gyndok said, "nhj"
MikeG5 collected 3960 from pot

- I so nearly raised this hand preflop, but I had a feeling that one of the small stacks was about to take a stand. AA is a nice hand to take a stand with!

*********** # 120 **************
PokerStars Game #1233018593: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:46:49 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13430 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6805 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5280 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (2820 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3960 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (8415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4581 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (3030 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 150
gyndok: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Jh As]
swedenyes: raises 600 to 900
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok: folds
swedenyes collected 750 from pot

- Patience. No reason to risk anything here, especially out of position.

*********** # 122 **************
PokerStars Game #1233020815: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:47:41 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13280 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6355 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5880 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (2820 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3960 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (8415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4581 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (3030 in chips)
swedenyes: posts small blind 150
loonatwok: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [5h 5d]
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: raises 750 to 1050
michael1123: calls 1050
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
*** FLOP *** [4c 7d 8d]
Riley1: checks
michael1123: bets 2000
Riley1: folds
michael1123 collected 2550 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 124 **************
PokerStars Game #1233026026: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:49:38 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (14780 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6355 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5730 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (2370 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3660 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (8415 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4581 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (2430 in chips)
MikeG5: posts small blind 150
tensor: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [4h As]
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: folds
michael1123: raises 300 to 600
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: raises 1650 to 2250
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
michael1123: folds
loonatwok collected 1650 from pot
loonatwok: doesn't show hand

- First time a steal was picked off, but I'm sure they had a real hand here. Very tight player outside of the blinds, I was surely dominated.

*********** # 126 **************
PokerStars Game #1233028528: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VII
(150/300) - 2005/02/18 - 02:50:39 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (14180 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6355 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (6180 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3510 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (7965 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (4281 in chips)
Seat 8: Riley1 (2430 in chips)
taffaardah: posts small blind 150
Riley1: posts big blind 300
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [9c 9d]
michael1123: raises 600 to 900
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
taffaardah: folds
Riley1: raises 1530 to 2430 and is all-in
michael1123: calls 1530
*** FLOP *** [7d 9s 7c]
*** TURN *** [7d 9s 7c] [Jc]
loonatwok said, "gg"
*** RIVER *** [7d 9s 7c Jc] [5h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Riley1: shows [As Kc] (a pair of Sevens)
michael1123: shows [9c 9d] (a full house, Nines full of Sevens)
michael1123 collected 5010 from pot

*********** # 131 **************
PokerStars Game #1233039609: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VIII
(200/400) - 2005/02/18 - 02:54:55 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (16560 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (4155 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (8780 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3110 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (7965 in chips)
Seat 7: taffaardah (3731 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4505 in chips)
MikeG5: posts small blind 200
tensor: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3d 3h]
taffaardah: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 800 to 1200
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
michael1123 collected 1000 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 134 **************
PokerStars Game #1233046033: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VIII
(200/400) - 2005/02/18 - 02:57:27 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (16760 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (4155 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (8780 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (2910 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (12096 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4105 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 200
gyndok: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [5s 9h]
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: calls 400
DC168: folds
michael1123: calls 200
gyndok: checks
*** FLOP *** [4h 9d Td]
michael1123: bets 800
gyndok: raises 2800 to 3600
tensor: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok collected 2800 from pot
gyndok: doesn't show hand

- was just testing the waters with my bet. The waters are not safe!

*********** # 136 **************
PokerStars Game #1233049942: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VIII
(200/400) - 2005/02/18 - 02:59:03 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (15560 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5555 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (8380 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (2910 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (11696 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4705 in chips)
swedenyes: posts small blind 200
loonatwok: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Td Qd]
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 800 to 1200
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
michael1123 collected 1000 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 140 **************
PokerStars Game #1233057934: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VIII
(200/400) - 2005/02/18 - 03:01:55 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (16160 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5555 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (8180 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3710 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (10896 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4305 in chips)
DC168: posts small blind 200
michael1123: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [6s 9d]
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123 collected 400 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- The blinds fold around to me. This was becoming a regular occurance. Respect = good.

*********** # 141 **************
PokerStars Game #1233058952: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level VIII
(200/400) - 2005/02/18 - 03:02:20 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (16360 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5555 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (8180 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3710 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (10896 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4105 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 200
gyndok: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [2c 9s]
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 800 to 1200
gyndok: folds
michael1123 collected 800 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 151 **************
PokerStars Game #1233088632: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IX
(300/600) - 2005/02/18 - 03:13:41 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (15860 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6155 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (6980 in chips)
Seat 4: loonatwok (1820 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (4710 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (12696 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4005 in chips)
loonatwok: posts small blind 300
MikeG5: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [8d 7d]
tensor: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 1200 to 1800
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
loonatwok: folds
MikeG5: folds
michael1123 collected 1500 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- real long delay from the SB before they folded. Still got the respect.

*********** # 154 **************
PokerStars Game #1233097102: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IX
(300/600) - 2005/02/18 - 03:17:05 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (16760 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6155 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (9680 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3810 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (9996 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (10500 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (8625 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4005 in chips)
thirteen: posts small blind 300
bigslick789: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3h Ac]
DC168: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: calls 300
bigslick789: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks Jc Jd]
thirteen: checks
bigslick789: checks
*** TURN *** [Ks Jc Jd] [8d]
thirteen: bets 600
bigslick789: folds
thirteen collected 1200 from pot
thirteen: doesn't show hand

- Keeping position in mind

*********** # 157 **************
PokerStars Game #1233102595: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IX
(300/600) - 2005/02/18 - 03:19:15 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (15860 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (6155 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (11780 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3810 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (9996 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (11100 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (7725 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (3105 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 300
gyndok: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [3s 3d]
swedenyes: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: raises 900 to 1500
bigslick789: folds
DC168: folds
bigslick789 is sitting out
bigslick789 has returned
bigslick789 is sitting out
bigslick789 has returned
michael1123: calls 1200
gyndok: folds
*** FLOP *** [4h 2d 6c]
bigslick789 is sitting out
bigslick789 has returned
michael1123: checks
thirteen: bets 2000
michael1123: calls 2000
*** TURN *** [4h 2d 6c] [Ts]
michael1123: checks
thirteen: bets 4000
michael1123: folds
thirteen collected 7600 from pot
thirteen: doesn't show hand

My play in this hand is probably the most borderline of all the plays I made with big blinds in this tournament, but I think my logic was sound here. I read big pocket pair preflop, which meant super implied odds against a fellow big stack. I don't hit a set on the flop, but I do get a gutshot. Will fold to a big bet. But then thirteen, who wasn't the tightest player at the table, only bets 2k. Now I'm thinking that AK is a good possibility as well, and if I call this and the turn is not an A or a K, he'd probably check the turn, letting me know my hand is good. If he does have a high pocket pair, I also still have 6 outs (2 3s, 4 5s) which'd probably give me his stack, as he surely won't be putting me on a 3 or a 5 here (so the straight possibility wouldn't be a threat to him). I call, don't hit the turn, check and he bets half his stack now. Now I know its a big pocket pair for sure, easy fold now. I could've lost less here by not playing the hand all together, but I think my thinking here was clear, and was risking the loss of a couple thousand chips to try and win 10 thousand more.


*********** # 166 **************
PokerStars Game #1233118132: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level IX
(300/600) - 2005/02/18 - 03:25:41 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (11460 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (4955 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (11480 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (5610 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (9096 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (14300 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (8625 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (4005 in chips)
gyndok: posts small blind 300
swedenyes: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [9s Kh]
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 1200 to 1800
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: calls 1200
*** FLOP *** [7s Td Th]
swedenyes: checks
michael1123: bets 1800
swedenyes: folds
michael1123 collected 3900 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

- Wee, someone stood up to me preflop only to fold at the flop. I love it when this happens.

*********** # 173 **************
PokerStars Game #1233130477: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level X
(400/800) - 2005/02/18 - 03:31:01 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13960 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (5855 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (5780 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (4610 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (7896 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (13200 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (15425 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (2805 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 400
gyndok: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Js Ac]
swedenyes: raises 800 to 1600
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: calls 1600
DC168: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok: folds
*** FLOP *** [5s 8s 4d]
swedenyes: bets 800
bigslick789: raises 6000 to 6800
swedenyes: folds
bigslick789 collected 6000 from pot
bigslick789: doesn't show hand

- Wasn't scared of swede, here, as he was starting to minraise from UTG quite often. Was scared of bigslick's cold call, although I'm sure he would've done it with what I had too. Just no reason to risk it here.

*********** # 176 **************
PokerStars Game #1233134587: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level X
(400/800) - 2005/02/18 - 03:32:51 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (13560 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (4655 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2180 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3810 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (9096 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (10395 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (19025 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (6810 in chips)
MikeG5: posts small blind 400
tensor: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [6h Ah]
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 1600 to 2400
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
michael1123 collected 2000 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand

*********** # 180 **************
PokerStars Game #1233138985: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level X
(400/800) - 2005/02/18 - 03:34:49 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (14760 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (4655 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (2180 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (4610 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (7896 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (9195 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (19025 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (7210 in chips)
DC168: posts small blind 400
michael1123: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [5h Qc]
gyndok: folds
swedenyes: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: folds
DC168: calls 400
michael1123: checks
*** FLOP *** [5c Th Qd]
DC168: checks
michael1123: checks
*** TURN *** [5c Th Qd] [3d]
DC168: bets 1600
michael1123: raises 1600 to 3200
DC168: raises 3210 to 6410 and is all-in
michael1123: calls 3210
*** RIVER *** [5c Th Qd 3d] [Tc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DC168: shows [Qh 9h] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
michael1123: shows [5h Qc] (two pair, Queens and Tens - lower kicker)
michael1123 said, "ouch ..."
DC168 collected 14420 from pot

- I think this is possibly my best played hand of the tournament. Shame it had to be such a cruel one. I'm sure this was by far the biggest pot of the tournament at this point, and we were down to the final two tables.

*********** # 185 **************
PokerStars Game #1233145669: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level X
(400/800) - 2005/02/18 - 03:37:53 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (6750 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (7055 in chips)
Seat 3: swedenyes (980 in chips)
Seat 5: MikeG5 (3410 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (7096 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (11595 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (18225 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (14420 in chips)
tensor: posts small blind 400
thirteen: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [6s Ac]
bigslick789: folds
DC168: folds
michael1123: raises 1600 to 2400
gyndok: raises 4655 to 7055 and is all-in
swedenyes: folds
MikeG5: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
michael1123: folds
gyndok collected 6000 from pot
gyndok: doesn't show hand

- If I did make a mistep in the tournament, this was probably it. Failed to adjust to my new stack size quickly enough, as of course I wouldn't be able to steal much anymore. ... Or maybe gyndok caught a real big hand here, or more likely a combination of both. Should've waited for a better hand in a better spot, though. But all was not lost, and I didn't make some silly call on the raise here.

*********** # 189 **************
PokerStars Game #1233152943: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level X
(400/800) - 2005/02/18 - 03:41:20 (ET)
Table '5286024 6' Seat #3 is the button
Seat 2: realdave (22093 in chips)
Seat 3: Purr Of Aces (4330 in chips)
Seat 4: michael1123 (3550 in chips)
Seat 6: otown420 (18003 in chips)
Seat 7: foxplayer (7820 in chips)
Seat 8: TheBudak (12351 in chips)
Seat 9: yellowsub86 (15172 in chips)
michael1123: posts small blind 400
otown420: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [5c As]
foxplayer: folds
TheBudak: folds
yellowsub86: folds
realdave: folds
Purr Of Aces: folds
michael1123: raises 1600 to 2400
otown420: folds
michael1123 collected 1600 from pot
michael1123: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1600 | Rake 0
Seat 2: realdave folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Purr Of Aces (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: michael1123 (small blind) collected (1600)
Seat 6: otown420 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: foxplayer folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: TheBudak folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: yellowsub86 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Taking a stand here, in a much better spot. Funny thing is I was moved over to this different table for like 3 hands, then I was moved back to my old table, into the exact same position!

*********** # 194 **************
PokerStars Game #1233158942: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level XI
(600/1200) - 2005/02/18 - 03:44:15 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (4350 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (11055 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (22012 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (8595 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (4539 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (18980 in chips)
bigslick789: posts small blind 600
DC168: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [4d 4c]
michael1123: raises 3000 to 4200
gyndok: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: raises 339 to 4539 and is all-in
DC168: folds
michael1123: calls 150 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8h 7d 3d]
*** TURN *** [8h 7d 3d] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [8h 7d 3d 4s] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
bigslick789: shows [Ah Jc] (high card Ace)
michael1123: shows [4d 4c] (three of a kind, Fours)
michael1123 collected 9900 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9900 | Rake 0
Board [8h 7d 3d 4s Th]
Seat 1: michael1123 showed [4d 4c] and won (9900) with three of a kind, Fours
Seat 2: gyndok folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: tensor folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: thirteen (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (small blind) showed [Ah Jc] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 9: DC168 (big blind) folded before Flop

Taking my stand, part two, with bigger blinds now and the BB coming.

*********** # 195 **************
PokerStars Game #1233160472: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level XI
(600/1200) - 2005/02/18 - 03:45:00 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (9900 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (11055 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (22012 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (8595 in chips)
Seat 8: bigslick789 (189 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (17780 in chips)
DC168: posts small blind 600
michael1123: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [6c 6s]
gyndok: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
bigslick789: calls 189 and is all-in
DC168: calls 600
michael1123: raises 2589 to 3789
DC168: folds
*** FLOP *** [Td Qh Qc]
*** TURN *** [Td Qh Qc] [7c]
*** RIVER *** [Td Qh Qc 7c] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
michael1123: shows [6c 6s] (two pair, Queens and Sixes)
michael1123 collected 2022 from side pot
bigslick789: shows [7s Jc] (two pair, Queens and Sevens)
bigslick789 collected 567 from main pot

- Nice little move here by me. The main pot was nothing anyway.

*********** # 200 **************
PokerStars Game #1233168250: Tournament #5286024, Hold'em Pot Limit - Level XI
(600/1200) - 2005/02/18 - 03:48:51 (ET)
Table '5286024 5' Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: michael1123 (10122 in chips)
Seat 2: gyndok (11721 in chips)
Seat 6: tensor (16612 in chips)
Seat 7: thirteen (10296 in chips)
Seat 9: DC168 (20780 in chips)
DC168: posts small blind 600
michael1123: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to michael1123 [Qd Kd]
gyndok: folds
tensor: folds
thirteen: folds
DC168: raises 2400 to 3600
michael1123: calls 2400
*** FLOP *** [9h Kh 7s]
DC168: bets 7200
michael1123: calls 6522 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [9h Kh 7s] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [9h Kh 7s 6c] [3h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DC168: shows [3s 9c] (two pair, Nines and Threes)
michael1123: shows [Qd Kd] (a pair of Kings)
DC168 collected 20244 from pot

- DC delayed a long time before raising preflop here, just like he delayed a long time before just calling preflop on the Q9 bad beat hand. I was playing to win, so I wasn't folding to be safe, but I figured I'd see a flop before shoving, to make sure I hit something. When he shoved on the flop I called within half a second, as I knew I had him in bad shape. But alas, yet another bad beat on the river to DC168.

But ah well. Don't think I could've done much better in this one. If either of the big hands against DC went my way, I think I could've dispelled the myth that you can't win a MTT without giving a bad beat here and there.

[DavSimon]

Very nice Michael, I suppose this was a sub-satellite to a larger WSOP satellite? How long did it take to play out with only 99 participants? I have only played 1 PL tourney and it seemed very Laggy...what was your experience? Is there a reason you chose PL over a NL satellite...simply convienence...or was there another strategy behind it?
Again..beautiful job, It is too bad you didn't win the seat....but there are plenty more satellites to come. Perhaps I will see you in one

[Corey]

seemed you have the patience and the position to fold pretty nice but marginal hands of AJ.

I see that you played that very well. Early on with the the sb and bb being 15/30 and less there isnt much blind stealing correct? Also if you were to get a big hand what kind of preflop bet would you choose? I know its PL so the max of the pot? But if it was NL standards?

great job and enjoyed the reading. I say great job becuase you folded when you needed to and to bad beats to beat you.

[michael1123]

Very nice Michael, I suppose this was a sub-satellite to a larger WSOP satellite? How long did it take to play out with only 99 participants? I have only played 1 PL tourney and it seemed very Laggy...what was your experience? Is there a reason you chose PL over a NL satellite...simply convienence...or was there another strategy behind it?
Again..beautiful job, It is too bad you didn't win the seat....but there are plenty more satellites to come. Perhaps I will see you in one

??? It wasn't a satelliete, nor was it related to the WSOP at all. It took 3 hours to play, and the final table seemed like it lasted 10 minutes. For the most part though, as you can tell in this hand history, MOST of the players were pretty tight, with a couple very loose players thrown in, and it didn't feel as aggressive as most NL tournies do deep into them.

I just chose to play PL because its what was available at the time, but its not that different of a game for me. The only big difference for my play is when you're short stacked and you're looking to go all in preflop. Post flop I very rarely bet more than the pot size.

[michael1123]

Wee, followed this up with a final table in my next tournament. $50 freezeout, 451 entrants, 6th place for over $1k. Gave at least one bad beat in this one, though.

[michael1123]

This one is kind of nostalgic to me, even though it wasn't that long ago and I didn't even make the money.

Apparently this was the tourney where my MTT game (and probably Holdem game all around) took a leap forward, and from this point on I went from occasionally making final tables to regularly making final tables.

I mistook this feeling of my game taking a leap as playing a perfect tournament. I've played better tournaments since, but this was the highest level I had played at, up until this point.

The level of play in this is kind of standard for me now, so it makes the title and introduction seem a bit silly to me now, but it was at a much higher level than I was use to, making no real misteps, and taking a ton of the luck out of the game, by not getting into any big coinflips, never going in with a dominated hand, etc.

Amazingly I haven't posted a history since this one. I'll start working on that soon.

[Bmxicle]

hmm so you start gathering chips with a pretty loose style right off the bat. Would you still use this strategy at like 10 dollar and 20 dollar MTT's?

Also, as a short stack do you like to still make raises to steal blinds that commit you because they give your raises a bit more meaning than just a run of the mill all in steal?

[michael1123]

Starting off is the weakest area of my game (with the most variance), outside of rebuy tournaments. I'm not really the best person to ask for advice on that, especially in lower buyin tournies that I never play in. (Although I'd generally think that the worse the players, the better it is to take more flops with

As a short stack (less than 10xBB), I'm all in every time I play a hand, whether its a blind steal or not. This was PL though, so that's why I couldn't just shove all in preflop in most cases.

[Legendash]

Were all your reads based on observations from this tournament alone or did you have any stats on the table from pokertracker etc?

My task in June is to get good at MTT's 20 days to go, can't wait!

[michael1123]

I don't use pokertracker or anything like that. All my reads are based on observations from the tournament, any past notes I had taken on the players (usually just what style the player plays and notes of strange plays), and mostly reading what the player is trying to accomplish with their bets.

[ender555]

very impressive, keep em comin'

[Surf_Thug]

Nice playing..

Definetely deserved some money out of that tourney..

[ender555]

Just browsing the old tournaments and I have a few questions michael. When you are on a blind steal with a weaker hand and someone calls behind you, how do you play the hand? If the flop is of a safe texture how big of a bet do you fire out? Also, if you check fold the flop to a bet do you think it's safe to keep raising preflop with people after they have stood up to you? I find myself mid tournament with a good stack just getting the feeling that people are going to come over the top of me with any two. Do you get this feeling too and continue stealing or do you tighten up and wait till you have the goods again? If you go card dead when you're in this zone for me it really can end my tournament...

either that or i get some silly commitment to my steal and let someone double through me.

[card4]

I dont think I've ever led a tournament wire to wire. I like to get out to an early chip lead so I have room to play in the middle stages and can survive a bad beat or two late but I have never been perfect throughout.

I think its amusing that Ungar thought he played his last WSOP perfect since although he won and played excellent, you have to admit he got lucky on the last hand sucking out when he was a big underdog.

[michael1123]

[quote]I think its amusing that Ungar thought he played his last WSOP perfect since although he won and played excellent, you have to admit he got lucky on the last hand sucking out when he was a big underdog./quote]

Sexton commented on that. Ungar told him that he was dead on on his read on that last hand, but he thought the player would lay that hand down. If they didn't fold, Ungar still had 7 outs, so he thought the play was worth the risk.

Endor, sorry, but most of your questions have "it depends" answers. I also mix things up a lot, so there's no real one answer to most of them.

Also, if you check fold the flop to a bet do you think it's safe to keep raising preflop with people after they have stood up to you?

Yes. Often I'm also not even automatically check folding, but checking and seeing what they'll do. I could bluff on the turn or river if I believe that they'll believe that my flop check was slowplaying a hand, or the turn or river likely helped me. Occasionally I'm willing to checkraise or check call with the intent of bluffing later in the hand, or the belief that my mediocre hand is in the lead.

You can't lead at every single flop you miss, as it just becomes too obvious. You also can't stop raising just because you didn't win a pot after the flop. I don't even consider that really relevant. I'd only stop raising as much if I'm often being reraised preflop. I really don't mind calls too much, as post flop play is my strength.

I find myself mid tournament with a good stack just getting the feeling that people are going to come over the top of me with any two. Do you get this feeling too and continue stealing or do you tighten up and wait till you have the goods again?

Um, I don't get this feeling randomly, like you kind of imply that you do. I get this feeling when I raise a bunch of hands in a row because its typically true, but I just slow down for a while, until people have realized that I've toned down the aggression a bit, or I surprise them with a real hand and possibly take their stack with it.

If you go card dead when you're in this zone for me it really can end my tournament...

Not really for me. You can't go completely card dead and stay that way for the rest of the tournament and still expect to win, but through well timed aggression I can usually maintain my stack while I'm card dead. As long as you had previously built a stack large enough so you don't become short stacked, keeping your stack at its current level and waiting for big hands (either preflop or flopped hands) before you try to win big pots is typically sufficient.