290 PLO MTT at Rivers

$290 PLO MTT.

20k starting chips. Blinds start at 25/50.

Tournament was started 15 minutes late.
Hero showed up as the 3rd registrant, and we eventually started with 6 people.
It eventually filled up to 22 entries by the time late registration was over.
30 min blind structure.
The structure sheet was not differentiated from the 30 min NLHE structure.
Instead of having 2 100/200 levels, they removed 100/200/25 level and readded 500/1000 instead.

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1st table:
No useful observations in first 5-10 hands.

Hero limped and check/folded in some small pots.
Also, hero lost some chips after giving up as PFR in MW pot after not connecting with the board.

As soon as there were > 10 entries, a 2nd table was formed for late registration. Hero was moved to this table.

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2nd table:
1 reentry (larger guy)
2 hero
3 African American person who appeared to be a little cross eyed
4 older Caucasian male (50s), eventually read as tight
5 "Bryce"
8 older person with glasses, made some comments about various people's ranges, & who ended up winning the MTT
9 "loose" Dave - seemed to call river bets when curiosu a ton (seat 1 of 2nd table)

Hero had suited ace and bet 2 streets for value. Hero check/folded to river bet when villain bet on top pairing river (example: Js 7s 5s 3d Jh).

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Hero's stack at first break: 18025

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blinds: 50/100
players are about 20k effective stacks

Hero dealt in HJ: QJT9 DS

2 players limp
Hero raised to 400 with QJT9 DS
blinds fold
limpers call

(3 players - 1400 in pot)
A72 two tone (hero has no FD)
2 players check
hero bets ~1000
both players call

(3 players - 4400 in pot)
A72T (two tone * 2, hero has no FD)
2 players check
hero bets ~4000
first player raises
2nd player goes all in
hero folds

Analysis:
Preflop and flop seem ok as hero's image is tight + it doesn't hit too many of open limpers' ranges and can double barrel brickish turns
Turn: This is 50/50 bet/fold or check/fold. It is more questionable as more flush draws are out there and hero has marginal equity at best (generously speaking).

---------------
Effective stacks: ~10000 @ 200/400
Hero dealt in BB: QT93 (Q9)(T3) DS
folds to SB
SB: raises to 1000
Hero: calls

(2 players - 2000 in pot)
Flop: J87 two tone (hero has Q high flush draw)
Villain bets 1500
Hero raises 6000
Villain raises all in
Hero calls

Villain shows JJxx

Hero: doubles up to 21150 @ 200/400

Analysis:
Preflop: This could be a loose call, but hero's heads up in position in SB/BB battle with 3 broadway cards and 2 suits.

---------------
In MW pot, hero was in BB with naked 98xx on JT7 two tone board.
Hero checked it down multiway (6 people) because hand was very vulnerable to higher wraps, flush draws, etc...
JT73 with flush came on turn and checked around.
River was a blank and hero c/f to a bet.

Analysis: As a reminder, hero has a very weak hand/little equity and will likely never be ahead by the river. If turn was a brick, value bets could occur.
Villain could be betting a weak flush on river.

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300/600 blinds
Effective stacks: 20000
Hero dealt in HJ: KKxx (no flush draw)

2 limps
hero limps behind
2 players limp behind
BB checks

(6 players - 3600 in pot)
Flop: KQ3 two tone (hero has no FD)
3 checks
Hero bets 3000
4 (CO): calls
9 (BB): calls

(3 players - 9600 in pot)
Turn: KQ3T two tone
9 (BB): checks
Hero: bets 9000
4: calls
9: folds

(2 players - 27600 in pot)
River: KQ3T3 two tone
Hero: bets 7000 (AI)
4: calls

Villain: Shows AJ with nut flush draw
Hero doubles up to ~40k

Analysis:
Preflop: limping KKxx is fine for set value
Flop: With many players in the hand, hero decides to bet. An argument could be made for checking and seeing a safe turn though. In a limped pot, people could just check behind here...
Turn: This wasn't a very great turn card as it completes broadway wrap draws. Hero decides to bet for "protection" and hero does have redraw outs...
River: Although not much of a justification, hero was willing to gamble since reentry was still open and hero's stack was not very huge at the time.

---------------
Blinds: 400/800

Hero dealt in MP: AAxx (Ax suited) SS
folds to hero
Hero (MP): raises to 2000
BB: calls (seemingly a NLHE player as villain was a bit loose)

(2 players - 4400 in pot)
Flop: T85 (two tone, hero has FD)
BB: checks
Hero: bets 3000
BB: calls

(2 players - 10400 in pot)
Turn: T853 (flush completes, hero has nut flush draw)
BB: checks
Hero: thinks, then checks behind

(2 players - 10400 in pot)
River: T8537 (3 flush)
BB: checks
Hero: thinks tries to give off fake tells, then bets ~6000
BB: tanks for a while, possibly sees hero make some random movements to "avoid giving tells", then folds.

Analysis:
Preflop/Flop: Standard HU
Turn/River: This is a little more of a "live setting feel" which I may not have perfected.
BB really did think a while on river before folding...
Hero's unsure if it's b/c hero's perceived image is tight...

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Hero's stack at break: 50400 @ 500/1000

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Eventually, enough people busted to form 10 handed final table shortly after the break.
1 older person with beard and wearing Pittsburgh Steelers hoodie
2 younger person
3 younger guy
4 "Bryce"
5 hero
6 younger guy
7 middle aged person
8 lady with headphones; didn't seem to have played much PLO
9 NLHE MTT player (had a stogie)
10 older person with glasses and slightly crosseyed

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Various hands at final table:

Hero tried to make some bluffs in small pots, but was forced to give up on various runouts.
33100 @ 500/1000

Hero then limped into pot with AJ63 (suited ace), but it got pot raised from behind.
Hero had to fold.
~16000 @ 800/1600

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Hero pot raised with AAxx DS
2 players end up calling (1 IP to hero)

(3 players - 21000 in pot)
Flop: 332 with hero flush draw
1 player checks
Hero bets 12000
2 players fold

Hero's stack: 24k
Hero won a couple smaller pots as well...

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7 handed; 3 places pay out
Blinds: 1000/2000

Hero in CO: dealt KKQ7 (KQ)(K7) DS
Reads:
10 (100k) older person; likely PLO player
9 (50k/bb) older man; seemed to be a NLHE MTT player
1 (40k) tighter player, seemed to understand PLO/likely cash gamer
4 (100k) Looser player and realized hero was tighter; competent at PLO
5 (31.5k/button) Hero had been fairly tight
7 (60k/sb) younger player, seemed to have normal VPIP, no hands to showdown
8 (60k/bb) woman

10: folds
1: raises to 4500
3: folds
4: calls
5 (hero): tanks/calls
7: folds
8 (SB): calls
10 (BB): calls

(5 players - 18000 in pot)
Hero: folds to bet on T74 two tone flop (hero has no flush draw)

Analysis:
Preflop: Seat 1 had opened a couple other pots earlier, so hero should have strongly considered a squeeze here. Seat 1 may even fold sometimes too...
Maybe this was too nitty and hero should have gambled as many of the players likely would have respected the squeeze.
Hero's edge against the rest of the field was about neutral at this point too...

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Hero's stack at break: 24000 @ 1.5k/3k

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2nd hand after break:

Hero dealt in UTG+1 7 handed: QQ82 (Q82) ss

Hero raises to 9k
(folds)
7: calls
10 (BB): reraises all in
Hero: reluctantly calls
7: calls

7: shows T987
10: AAxx ss (not hero's suit)

Board: Q427T
Hero triples up, seat 7 eliminated

Analysis:
Preflop: QQxx is a good hand to raise/reluctantly call. The reraise was not a good sign from a competent PLO player :(

Hero's stack: 72k @ 1.5k/3k (24BB)

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Eventually, seat 3 is eliminated.

5 handed:
Hero steals one pot when raised in unopened pot and cbet a dry board (like T77 rainbow)
Hero steals a 2nd small pot against seat 8 as hero is PFR in CO and bets on 773 flop against seat 8 in BB.

Hero dealt UTG: AKT5 (A5)ss
folds to hero
Hero raises to 10k
8 (100k/button): calls

(2 players - 20k in pot)
Flop: AK5 (two tone) - hero has no FD
Hero checks
8: bets ~15k
Hero: calls

(2 players - 50k in pot)
Turn: AK5Q (two tone) - hero has no FD
Hero donks 40k (20k behind)
8: tanks for a while - says "I let you get there", then folds

Analysis:
Preflop: This seems fine 5 handed.
Flop: check/call can work, but maybe hero should have c/r and tried to get villain to bet/call with worser hand.
Turn: Apparently, hero abandons plan and "turns hand into bluff". TBH, this play doesn't seem that great either. Hero doesn't think villain bets draws too often, so this could be a spew as no worse hand is calling...
Villain may have bet worser hands AI...

---------------
Talks resumed about paying bubble person.
Eventaully, deal was given for $300 for bubble person ($100 from each person)
Analysis: Honestly, this was a mistake for hero to have even started talking about discussions for a deal earlier when 5 handed. Hero thought a 4th name would be added to the list of "registered cashers", but it was not the case. It may have loosened up the NLHE player to spew kinda badly though...

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Pivotal 4 handed situation:
Hand between Bryce (seat 4) and NLHE MTT player (seat 8)
Blinds: 2000/4000
approximate stack sizes:
4: 180k
8: 200k
Bryce (seat 4): raised in CO to 12000
hero: folds
8: 3bets to 40000
10: folds
4: calls

(2 players - 82000 in pot)
Flop: 966 two tone
8: villain leads near pot (80k)
4: jams all in (60k more)
8: villain tanks for a long time, starts talking to Bryce, then folds

Analysis:
This is great move for Bryce (seat 4). Bryce later mentions he just had a naked flush draw and overs.
Seat 8 mentioned that he had naked AAxx and folded...
TBH, if hero was in seat 8 and played that way preflop, hero's bet/call on this flop (although not super happily).

Eventually, seat 8 busts and hero's ITM!

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Stack sizes 3 handed (ITM) @ 3000/6000
4: 120k
hero: 100k
10: 240k

Once in the money, the other 2 players were active. seat 4 (Bryce) was the most active, while hero was playing TAG for 3 handed (maybe playing ~30% of hands).
Bryce eventually got crippled in a couple pots in somewhat cooler situations and eventually got to the point where he had 1 PSB left on the button.
He blind raised on button, BB calls, and Bryce was out.

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Hero's HU!
75000 - 12.5BB stack @ 3000/6000 blinds

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Hero folded on button in 1st hand in HU
10 limped in 2nd hand in HU and won pot with bet.
3rd hand:

Hero dealt: KKxx double suited

Hero's stack: 66000
Hero raises to 20k
Villain: reraises all in
Hero: calls

Villain: shows AAxx ss (but dominates 1 of hero's flush draws)

Hero bricks on the runout (no flush draw sweats either).
Board was similar to: J7452 (two tone on flop, but no flush draw for either player)

Analysis: On a side note, hero should have raised to ~15k to give stack depth...
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Hero: 2/22 for $1597.
Cash paid at the cage for the first time (versus just getting casino chips)

Winner said that hero's "tight play" even though hero's physical image is gambly can help, especially in limit games.

Overall analysis: Hero actually didn't play well in most spots throughout the tournament. LOL tournament poker.
Hopefully, a live MTT win will come sometime soon :)

1-3 PLO PLO8 mix cash game at Commerce

1-3 blinds. 300 max buyin.
The game changed from PLO to PLO8 every 8 hands.
The dealer button had a "Hi" and "Lo" side that flipped over when the game changed.

Additionally, small blind is taken immediately for rake, even if there is no drop.

Hero started playing soon after busting from the tournament.

Eventually, 3 games (with 2 must moves) were running! It was likely people busting out from MTT and playing.
[Hero also debated about going to Bicycle to play 20/40 OE. Unfortunately, hero left and went to the bicycle around midnight and the game had just broke.]

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player reads:

1
2 hero
3 old guy (eventualy just noticed he called a ton with 2nd/2nd draws MW)
4 younger player
5 nittier, older guy who seemed to have a general idea about game
6 [eventually - guy with broken nose - complimented Erica (floor)
7
8
9 guy who mentioned he played some of the mixed games at Hawaiian Gardens

---------------
PLO
Villain in hand seemed to be a bit aggressive/spewy.

Hero in BB: Dealt JJT6 (J6) suited.

(5 players - $15 pot)
Flop: AJ9T
Hero: leads for about pot ($12)
Villain: raises to $30
Hero: calls

(2 players - $75 pot)
Turn: AJ9T
Hero: checks
Villain: bets 50
Hero: tanks/folds

Analysis:
Flop: This seems ok. Hero's not really thinking about game plan for hand though other than pot control.
Turn: This seems like a really bad fold.
In hindsight, this is still a check/call spot on turn and call any non-broadway river. Hero could consider value betting pairing rivers.
In theory, villain could have raised with [AA, 99, AJ, wraps), and the "bad wrap card" completed on the turn (which only completes the Q8 gutshot).

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PLO8
Hero dealt: AA82 (A2) suited
Hero raised in MP
Hero ended up in MW pot (4 players?)
Hero folded to villain donk bet on Qc 6c 2x board

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PLO8
versus youngish guy in seat 4
aa86 two tone
Hero dealt: AA86 (A6)(A8) double suited.

(4 limpers)
Hero: raises to $25
2 limpers fold
BB (seat 4): calls

(3 players - ~$80 in pot)
Flop: AT489 (rainbow)
2 players check
Hero: bets $60
BB: calls
other players fold

(2 players - ~$200 in pot)
Turn: AT489 (two tone)
BB: checks
Hero: bets $150
BB: calls

(2 players - ~$500 in pot)
River: AT489 (two tone)
BB: bets all in on river ($50)
Hero: reluctantly calls.
Villain shows: JT32 and scoops

Analysis:
Preflop: These are not great aces, but hero hopes to lessen the field and get value from worse hands
Flop: Betting this flop for value against low draws, etc...
Turn: Hero is not sure if betting turn is smart. Hero could be getting freerolled here. But, villains could also be calling with worse hi only hands. I think most of range is low draws though...so a check could be prudent.
River: Is a bad card and hero can't really fold getting great price for half the pot. The pot got bloated though...and maybe it's a tougher call if hero had 1 PSB left and potted the river.

125 PLO with Rebuys MTT at Commerce

$125 PLO MTT with $100 rebuys.
2500 starting chips with 2500 chip rebuys when stack <= 2500. 5000 chip add on after 4 levels.
Blinds start at 25/50.

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Player reads:

1 "youngish guy originally from Shaker Heights high school"
2 older guy with glasses; possibly British (ended up running deep possibly)
3 hero
4 guy with glasses; seemed to talk about folded hands sometimes
5 "London" person; also played some cash games
6
7 middle aged guy; very nitty (opened few hands)
8 guy with a small card protector, initally bought in for double stack
9 guy with blonde, slicked back hair

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Table initially started 5 handed
Only 2 players bought in for a double stack (hero & seat 8)
Hero's stack: 5000

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Hero chopped an early limped pot at 25/50 level with AQxx on Qxxxx board.

Blinds: 50/100
Hero dealt on button: AKT7 (AK) (T7) ds

4 limpers
Hero reraises to 400
BB: 3b to 1700
other players fold
Hero: reraises AI

AKT7 ds < AJT3 ss
Hero is out of chips and double rebuys (4 entries)

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Hero dealt in CO: AJ96 (AJ) ss

(4 players - 400 in pot)
Flop: J64 two tone (hero has no FD)
4 checks

(4 players - 400 in pot)
Turn: J64Q two tone
2 checks
Hero: bets 300
Vil: raises to 1200
2 folds
hero: folds

Analysis:
Preflop: Limping with suited ace seems ok.
Flop: Many hands are calling with 4 players in. Hero should have thought about bet/calling here.
Turn: Hero waited for "blank turn". This didn't complete any draws, but hero got raised by a hand that backed into something.

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Hero dealt in EP: AA52 (A2) suited
1 limp:
Hero raised
limper: calls

(2 players - 900 in pot)
KQJ two tone (hero has BDFD)
limper: donks near PSB
hero: folds

Analysis:
Flop: Hero doesn't have enough to get villain to fold as a "nut blocker play" plus this really hits villain's limp/call range as villain didn't seem too crazy.

Hero adds chips for 2500 as hero lost some chips in the smaller pots and fell below 2500.
Hero's rebuy count: 5

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Hero's stack: 4800
Hero dealt in MP: KKxx ss

Hero raises to 900.
Short stack: reraises AI for 2500 total.
Hero: calls

Short stack (seat 9): Shows QQ76 and rivers straight.

KKxx < QQ76 on J4258.
Hero rebuys 1x.

Hero's rebuy count: 6

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Blinds: 100/200
At one of the other tables, 5 people ended up all in preflop (given their stacks are between 10-25BB).

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Hero dealt in MP: KK65 rainbow

7 (EP): raises to 700
folds to hero
Hero: 3-bets to 2000
6 (2500 in chips): goes all in
7: reraises all in
Hero: calls.

7: shows AA85 ss
6: shows AT98 ds

KK65 r > aa85 ss > at98 ds on qt423 no flush draw

Analysis:
Preflop: Over 50-60 hands, player had few VPIP and first time villain had raised....Maybe it's too small of a sample size to jam preflop...

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Hero's stack at break:
13800 200 400 after 5000 addon

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Shortly after break:

Hero dealt in UTG+1: AAK5 rainbow

1 fold
Hero: limps
3 folds
6: raises pot
Hero: reraises pot (leaving ~2000 chips behind)
6: tanks for a while, then calls

AAK5 r < JT98 ss on J728T.

Analysis:
Preflop: TBH, this should have been a small raise preflop and more effectively jam.
Hero's thought process on limp/reraise is some live villiains will fold (incorrectly) knowing they are putting their money in badly.

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Blinds: 200/400
Hero's stack: 1000

blinds pass as hero had bad hands for a 3-4 way pot.
hero with 400 in chips

Hero limped all in with suited ace and flopped BDFD. Hero bricks and is out in 40.

Hero out: 40/58 (122 rebuys)

1-3 PLO PLO8 mix cash game at Commerce

1-3 blinds. 300 max buyin.
The game changed from PLO to PLO8 every 8 hands.
The dealer button had a "Hi" and "Lo" side that flipped over when the game changed.

Additionally, small blind is taken immediately for rake, even if there is no drop.

There were 1-2 tables running during my session.

---------------
player reads: none really

1
2
3
4
5 hero?
6
7
8
9

---------------
No reads on villain in hand.

40BB effective ($120) for villain.

Hero dealt: AT42 double suited

folds to hero
hero raises to $15
villain: calls in BB

(2 players - $20 in pot)
Flop: AT6 (rainbow, hero has BDFD)
villain: checks
hero: bets $15
villain: calls

(2 players - $50 in pot)
Turn: AT68 (brings hero NFD on turn)
villain: checks
hero: bets $40
villain: calls

(2 players - $130 in pot)
AT689
villain: checks
hero: checks

Hero chops pot as villain shows 23xx.

Analysis:
Preflop/Flop/Turn: This seems ok.
River: There's thin value to bet as worse hands like A25x may call a river bet.

350 NLHE Bounties MTT at Best Bet Jacksonville

$350 NLHE MTT with Bounties
10k starting chips. Blinds start at 25/50.

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Late Registrant Table

1 woman who was in the HORSE MTT (shortish hair)
2
3 man
4 African American guy
5
6
7 guy who took bounty card - Hero didn't realize seat card = bounty
8 older woman
9 older woman with glasses?
10 Hero

Hero jumps into his first NLHE MTT with bounties. (Also, this is the first live NLHE MTT in 2+ years.)

---------------
Blinds: 100/200
Hero played some small pots early after limping behind, but folded to action.
Hero also played raised pots, but couldn't win any showdowns.

Effective stacks: ~8000

Hero dealt in SB: 75ss
folds to hero in SB
Hero raises to 500
BB: calls

(2 players - 1000 in pot)
Flop: 7h 7d 5d
hero: bets 700
BB: calls

(2 players - 2400 in pot)
Turn: 7h 7d 5d Tc
hero: checks
BB: bets 1500
hero: calls

(2 players - 5400 in pot)
River: 7h 7d 5d Tc Qd
hero shoves river for ~8000
BB: calls

BB shows Queen high flush and is out of MTT.
Hero picks up bounty and almost doubles up.

Analysis:
Hero raised against an unknown and guessed that she could be an MTT random as she also played HORSE and busted quickly.
Villain seemed to be very exploitably aggressive in the 4-5 hands before this hand played out.
Preflop: This seems ok as long as hero doesn't just give up.
Flop: Most of hero's range should cbet here.
Turn: Hero emulates missing and allows aggressive villain to bet for hero.
River: This card is great as it looks like a bluff on a scare card. Hero may get hands as weak as 2 pair to call.

---------------
Hero's stack: 17800 @ 150/300/25

Hero received a black card. Not realizing it was a bounty card, hero almost gave it away by accident before receiving black chip for bounty :(

---------------
Hero dealt UTG: JJ

Hero (seat 7) - raised UTG to 750
3 (or 4): called
10 (button) - called
blinds fold

(3 players - 2925 in pot)
Flop: J63 rainbow
Hero: bets 1500
3: calls
10: calls

(3 players - 7425 in pot)
Turn: J635 two tone
Hero: bets 3500
3: calls
10: calls

(3 players - 17925 in pot)
River: J6355 two tone
Hero: checks
3: checks
10: checks

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Standard, but argument to check and slowplay.
Turn: Standard to setup river shove...and wose hands like pair+straight draw call but argument to check and slowplay.
River: Hero had no reason to check river back in hopes someone tries to steal. Are villains really going to bet as a bluff here? More likely, they may call with worse...so, this seems like a missed value bet.

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Second Table
1 20s African american man
2
3 middle aged Caucasian
4 [Indian person; 20s]
5 African American woman who was looking to bust; eventually younger white guy replaces him (20s)
6 Hero
7 older, bigger guy
8 middle aged guy?
9 ? younger guy?
10 african american guy with long hair

---------------
Short stack was tilted in big blind with 10bb. Hero iso folded kqs against limp reshove.

Blinds: 200/400/50

BB (seat 8): ~4k (10 BB)
UTG (seat 1): ~20k (50 BB)
Hero (seat 6): ~28k (60BB)

UTG (1): limps
folds to hero
Hero: raises with KQs
BB: reraises all in
1: reraises all in
Hero: sighs/folds

Analysis:
Hero thought limper would fold instead of reraise all in. Hero had no real reads on any of the players.

FWIW, a number of people were telling me "we knew this person was going all in...". My guess is it's the same group of regs that play these tournaments...

---------------
Blinds: 200/400/50

Hero dealt in CO: 97s
Hero's image (outside of preflop raise/fold) - TAG.
No real reads on villain (seat 7)

folds to hero
hero: raises to 1000
7: calls
all other players fold

(2 players - 2950 in pot)
Flop: 833 (rainbow)
hero: bets 1500
7: calls

(2 players - 5950 in pot)
Turn: 8335 (hero picks up BDFD)
hero: bets 3500
7: calls

(2 players - 12950 in pot)
River: 83355 (rainbow)
hero: checks
7: checks

Villain called with pair.
Hero folds.

Analysis:
Preflop/Flop: The overall line (preflop/flop) seem very standard.
Turn: This seems like a good spot to 2 barrel. Hero picks up some backdoor equity as well.
River: Hero could 3 barrel, but it's hard to know if villain can fold a pair to 3 barrels...

Hero's stack: 22425 @ 200/400

---------------
Blinds: 300/600/75
No reads:
Hero's dealt AKo. 9k stack reraises behind hero.

AK > KQ

Hero's stack: 32900

---------------
Observation: In these small stakes MTTs, people make lots of blocking bets with flush draws.
Unsure of true accuracy given that hero hasn't played a live NLHE MTT in years, and hero rarely plays live NLHE cash games.

Another observation: A rookie dealer (who had been chip runner in past) was dealing to my table. It's a horrible spot for a rookie dealer b/c they have to collect antes (which is another step that is more complicated...). Dealer should have came in prior to antes starting.

---------------
Hero dealt: TT

20BB stack in earlier position raised to 2400.
Hero 3b.
20BB stack folds.

Hero's stack: 32800 400 800 100.

---------------
Hero dealt: AKo
Short stack with about ~10k raises to ~2000.
Hero reraised all in with AKo

AKo > ATs when hero rivers broadway.

Hero's stack: 46300 @ 500 1000 100

---------------
At break: 43600 800 1600.
Guy with small stack called hero raise and folded with <10bb .="" br="">32 remaining. 16 pay.

Hero gets moved to another table.

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Third Table
1 middle aged guy/no reads
2 middle aged guy/no reads
3 [Kevin]
4 middle aged guy/no reads
5 woman initially before middle aged person
6 [Derek]
7 old guy with a really big stack; turned out to be fish
8 young guy; "folded 8s instead of squeezing; folded Ts when Derek & hero jammed with AK]
9 Hero
10 ["Keith"] - his girlfriend was railing and helping out getting gum/food, etc...

---------------
Hero dealt in MP: QQ

1 limp
5 (lady): raises
Hero: raises AI
5: calls

QQ > AKo
89600 @ 800/1600/200

Observation: There has been a lot of open limping.

---------------
Hero dealt: AQo
Player's stacks are about 40BB deep.
UTG (tighter player): raises
CO: calls
Hero: calls?

Analysis: Hero feels like it's a spew to jam if tighter player is really tight. Or is hero wrong and not squeezing here is bad?

---------------
Blinds: 1000/2000/300
Hero: dealt AA

7/cutoff (80k, old man): raises to 6500
8/Button (40k, middle aged man): calls
9/SB (younger 20-ish guy): calls
hero: raises to 30k
7: reraises AI
8: folds
9: tanks for a while, then folds
hero: calls

7: shows AK
9: says he folded 88

board runs 87J53 (flopping set for seat 9) and hero scoops big pot.

Hero's stack: 175k, as 7 had hero covered by 6k.

Analysis:
Hero doesn't know right size to raise here. 20k? 30k? AI?
Squeeze seems to be best even with a medium strength hand (and not just top of range).

---------------
Hero raised to 5k with 88.
Hero was raised all in on by a short stack (without reads) for 10k.
88 < JJ for 19.5k

Hero's on the bbuble. There was a 2 table bubble as 16 places were paid out.

---------------
preflop squeeze size raising:
Blinds: 1000/2000/200
UTG: raises to 6k
2 callers
Big Stack squeezes to 25k in position.
other players fold

Perhaps hero's raise sizing in a NLHE MTT setting is too big. Maybe it should be closer to 3/4 pot sized raise to "risk less chips and generate same amount of fold equity".

---------------
As hero sat at this table, some dynamics were forming.
1. 3-bet dynamic was forming as hero noticed seat 6 was raising often as PFR. Hero began to notice and start 3-betting light. It had succeeded 2x.
2. Against seat 10, it had folded to hero in SB. 2 times, hero folded junk OOP. Both seat 10 and hero were relatively deep (ranging from 40-60+BB deep)
3. Hero talked with seat 3 [Kevin] on break regarding 3-bet/4-bet note about 1 hand.

---------------
Hero: dealt 66

6: raised to 5k
folds to hero
hero (button): raised to 15k
6: villain folds
Hero wins preflop.

Analysis: Hero forgot to think about is this a 3b/jam or 3b/f spot.

---------------
Blinds: 1500/3000/500

This is the last hand before break. Currently, MTT is still on the bubble. Table had been playing fairly tight overall.

Hero dealt in HJ: 5s 4s

folds to hero
hero (CO): raises to 7000
10 (But - 200k): calls
1 (SB - 100k): calls

(3 players - ~23k)
Flop: Qc 2c 6s
SB: checks
Hero: bets 12k
But/10: calls
SB: folds

(2 players - ~47k)
Turn: Qc 2c 6s 5c
Hero: Thinks, then bets 25k
But/10 (200k): reraised small to 60k
Hero: Thinks for a couple minutes, then folds.

Analysis:
Preflop: This seems ok to open at a tighter table.
Flop: Hero's betting gut shot as it likely misses villain's ranges (consisting of broadway cards). Small pairs could call as could flush draws.
Turn: What is villain's range on flop? Does it consist more of pairs that will call? Will they fold to 2nd barrel? Hero thought they would so hero was going to "turn hand into bluff" and bet/fold his low equity hand...
Should hero be check/folding here? bet calling?

---------------
Hero's stack at break: 127k 2000 4000 500

---------------
AI situation involving 3 players (including seat 6):
6: raised preflop and got 2 callers

6: checks
second shortest stack: bets
short stack: calls AI
6: check raises AI
second stack: calls

Short stack ships and big stack check raises on 76t monotone.
shortest stack had JTo
second shortest stack had 76o
6 (large stack) had Kx Kd (2nd nut flush draw)

Board: 76TT7 (3 flush on flop/turn/river)

Analysis:
Not sure how accurate this is, but the check raise by seat 6 seems fine on a monotone board as some players may easily bet worse hands and then seat 6 can reraise all in (bad pairs, naked nut flush draw, etc...)

---------------
Hero eventually gets ITM after nearly 2 levels of actually being in the bubble (maybe 20 hands).

Read: After the bubble burst, Hero noticed seat 4 3-bet and fold as UTG.

---------------
Hero was PFR (raising broadway range in LP) and is called by BB.
Flop: AA7 two tone
Villain seemed to hesitate before checking to hero.
Hero: bets
Villain check raises about 3/4 pot.
Hero folds.

Analysis: Hero needs to be paying more attention to physical reads especially in live MTT. Hero could have easily made a delayed cbet with most of range, giving villain chance to reveal hand strength by acting first on turn.

---------------
Hero dealt in SB: AKo

folds to seat 4
4: raises to 9k
folds to seat 8
8: calls
folds to hero
Hero: raises to 30k
4: reraises all in to 60k
8: thinks/folds
Hero: calls

8 - shows AKo
Board: TTJ32

Chopped pot
Analysis: Villain didn't seem like total nit, so I think this is fine as worse hands like AQ might be jamming here.

---------------
blinds: 2000/4000/500
Hero dealt in BB: QQ
folds to CO
CO: limps
But: limps
SB: folds
Hero: raises to 14k
CO: folds
But: calls

Hero bets dry flop (like T33r?) and wins pot.

Analysis: Hero raised too small preflop. Hero could probably have made the raise to 20k and gotten same caller.

---------------
Hero didn't c/r shove random late position PFR on 929 board. Hero wasn't sure why...
Hero's stack: 90k at 2500 5000 500

Hero dealt: AKo
(folds to SB)
SB: reraises AI for 40k (8bb)
Hero: calls

AK > T8.
136k at 2500 5000 500

---------------
Hero lost some chips by raise/folding preflop.
Hero's stack at break: 100000 @ 3000/6000/1000

11 or 12 players remained on 2 tables.

---------------
Just after the break: Seat 6 continued to be opening fairly regularly. Hero decided to take a stand.

Hero dealt: JTs
6: raises to 15k
Hero: raises all in for 99k
6: thinks for a little bit, then calls.

6: shows 88.

JTs > 88.
Hero flops a J (doesn't remember full board run out).

Analysis:
Hero's not sure if this is really a good hand (equity wise) to jam here. Hero's rarely behind, but not usually ahead either...
There was likely a good amount of fold equity though.

Eventually, final table bubble bursts and seats are redrawn for final table. The floor also gave us Best Bet Jacksonville T-shirts for making the final table (although they didn't have enough of the bigger sizes...)

---------------
Final Table
1 ["Keith"] - tighter player who folded JJ face up
2 [Derek]
3 Hero
4 quiet, older man
5
6 guy who seemed to push for "getting bounty chips paid out for each player]
7 Guy with glasses who I briefly mentioned that I was 3b/fold (he 3 bet a ton)
8 younger guy in 20s-30s?
9 ?
10 maniac lady

---------------
(against seat 1)
Blinds: 3k/6k/1k1's stack size:
Reads:
Seat 1 was player who had seen me play very tight early on as we played a couple hours together.

Hero: Dealt T8s

(folds to seat 1)
1 (HJ - 200k): raises to 18k
2: folds
3 (hero/Button - 200k): raises to 60k
other players fold
1: tanks for a while, then folds JJ face up

Seat 1 said he wouldn't know what to do on various flops (like low flops such as 752r)
I have been so nitty to guy as big blind against another guy. I got him to fold jj.

---------------
Hero and seat 7 were 200k+ deep (35BB).
Hero was PFR in late position raising to 15k at 3k/6k/1k, but seat 7 3-bet me twice. First when villain was the SB; then 2nd time as CO.

Hero raise/folded J9s.
Hero flatted second time with KQs and c/f on T66 rainbow board.

Analysis: Maybe hero should have 4 bet. Maybe hero should have floated 2 streets...
Villain knew hero was likely competent and sometimes opening wide. Hero's very unsure of 3b/4b ranges and needs to review these spots.

---------------
Hero was more active at final table, opening 3 pots in 12-13 hands at the final table.
Hero noticed seat 2 was opening wide.

Hero dealt on button: JJ
folds to seat 2
2: reraises all in
hero: raises all in

JJ > T9o
Hero's stack: 245k

---------------
blinds: 4k/8k/1k
Seat 10 (lady) seemed to be kind of crazy and was opening a lot of pots in a couple orbits.
10's stack: ~170k
Hero's stack: 240k

Hero dealt in LP: A4s
10: raises to 24k
folds to hero
hero: raises to 55k
10: calls

(2 players - 122k)
Flop: J85 two tone (hero has nut flush draw)

10: bets all in (115k)
Hero: calls

10 shows: ATo

Turn/River: J8536 (2-flush, flush never completes.

Analysis:
Preflop: Hero thinks villain might raise/fold, but this was likely a mistake for live villain. Villain is raising fairly wide based on hero's perception of range, but this is a thin value raise.
Flop: Hero also doesn't have position and is forced to call it off with right price + possibly best hand sometimes.

---------------
Hero's stack: 60k @ 4k/8k/1k
Hero dealt in SB: Q4s
folds to hero in SB
Hero: raises all in
BB: thinks for a while, then folds.

---------------
A couple hands later:
Blinds: 5k/10k/1k

Hero dealt in MP: AJs
10: raises to 30k
Hero: reraises all in for 75k
10: calls

10: shows T9s (same flush draw)
Board: 9839A (no flush draw).
Hero out in 7th.

Analysis:
Preflop: With such wide villain preflop range, this is a shove for value.

---------------
7/140 for $980.
6 bounties + got last 1 back when 7 handed = 7 bounties @ $100 = $700
Hero crippled two players to M less than 1 (3 bb) but no bounty.
Total: $1680

Stack mid-way through MTT

 Bounty Card

Winnings + 7 bounties

Overall Analysis: Hero felt that he played horribly and was making very bad decisions in 10-30 BB poker. Hero's adding "pushbot poker" to the eventual to do list hopefully soon.

240 HORSE MTT at Best Bet Jacksonville

$240 HORSE

10k starting chips. Limits start at 50/100.
Hero late registered and was the youngest player by at least 20 years.
As I sat down, dealer said "are you sure you want to enter this tournament?" which I responded yes.

Table Reads:
1 Hero
2 older guy
3 older guy, but seemed to "look" aggressive
4 guy with glasses
5
6 "40ish" old person
7 "guy with glasses"?
8 oldish woman; not petite

10k starting chips. Level 3 limits are 200/400.

---------------
Stud Hi:
Hero went on a heater early in the stud hi rounds after first sitting down.

Late register just before level 3. 10475 from 10000 starting

---------------
LO8:
limits: 400/800
Hero dealt in BB: AK42 (K2) ss

3: raised UTG
folds to seat 8
8: calls
BB (Hero): calls

(3 players - 6.5 small bets)
Flop: A7Q rainbow
hero: checks
3: bets
8: calls
hero: raises
3: calls
8: calls

(3 players - 6.25 big bets)
Turn: A7q9 rainbow
hero: bets
3: calls
8: calls

(3 players - 9.25 big bets)
River: A7Q9T rainbow
Hero: bets
3: folds
8: thinks for a while, then calls

8: shows Q7xx (no low) and scoops.

Analysis:
Preflop: An argument could be made to 3b, but suits are non-nut.
Flop: Hero had a great 2 way hand, flopped tptk + 2nd nut low draw. Hero decides to check raise field to get more bets and/or possibly give chance to bluff someone off better hand by river. Maybe this was too optimistic given no reads...
Turn: Hero was semi-bluffing by trying to push out one or both villains to increase scoop chances. (There is preference that villain has low hand).
River: Hero continues bluff and almost got it to work...

Hero's stack: 5275 600 1200 limits

---------------
Razz:
Hero had to call 3 completes with completely live razz hands, then fold on 4th street brick 3 way...

Hero's stack: 1850 @ 800 1600 limits.

---------------
Razz:
Bust. Had good hand as partial bring in a52.

Hero was partial bring in with (A5)2, but bricked on 4th and was already all in.

Hero out: ~48/52

PLO8 cash gaming at Best Bet Jacksonville

1-2, $100 min, no max
Hero bought in for $700 to cover table

Reads:
1 seemed like an LO8 player; older player
2 no reads
3 hero
4 woman, seemed kinda spewy
5 older male?
6 older male?
7 older male?
8 tighter player
9 "NLHE" Player - seemed to be betting often

Overall, there were many fishy players. This seemed to include a woman who seemed to be an opposite player and not understand PLO8 too much.

---------------
Notes:
Hero missed some value when turning a wheel and not check raising villain on 3 straight board (where A2 was naked wheel only).
J54K3 (two tone on flop/turn/river)

Villain (woman in seat 4) bet small on flop/turn to allow hero to continue with naked gutshot + nut low.

---------------
Woman had bet small relative to size of pot; hero had NFD + wrap on 3 low board
hero dealt in HJ: KJT9 (KJ)(T9) ds

1 player raised preflop
5 callers

(6 players - $70 in pot)
Flop: Q4A (two tone on flop, no hero flush draw)
all players check

(6 players - $70 in pot)
Turn: Q4A6 (two tone on flop, no hero flush draw)
3 checks
hero checks
woman (betting after me) - bets 50% pot
2 other players call
hero: tanks/calls

(4 players - $210 in pot)
River: Q4A6T (two tone on flop, no hero flush draw)
9: checks
hero: bets $210
woman jams all in
1 other player folds
9: folds

woman shows 32xx for nut low

Analysis:
Hero should have went for check/raise and raised a little less than pot. Hero would have easily trapped other players for bets instead of woman reraising over hero and others folding.

---------------
Overall, hero won some pots with bluffs, and was able to value bet to show a profit. Sadly, there were some missed spots where hero could have increased win rate.

River Rock Poker Room Notes

Notes about River Rock poker room:

Tournament in the theater, but poker room is across the screet from main casino.

1. Wait lists were 20+ deep for all PLO.
2. (1-2 PLO, 1-2/2-5 NLHE were in main poker room, 5-10 PLO, 10-25 PLO and 5-10+ NLHE were at 4 tables in bar near tournament area).
3. You can exchange and get same bills back on US exchange.

580 PLO MTT at River Rock Casino

$580 PLO MTT
12k starting chips. Blinds start at 25/50.
Hero late registered about 30-40 minutes (starting at 50/100 level) since hero had to exchange USD -> CAD first, then walk over to register. In addition, players were given a $5 food voucher + River Rock water bottle. Finally, players also had to sign a full WSOP press release form.

---------------
Initial Table Reads:
1 older Canadian person
2 older Canadian person
3 hero
4 older person who busted, then "EPT FT" person (younger guy) who says that it's only his 2nd PLO MTT
5 older person who busted, then "BoDogAri"
6 Greg E.
7 older live person
8 "likely online pro" - ~25-30
9 middle aged person; eventually "Venetian guy who said he gambled a ton and was very talkative" said he was dead money

---------------
Hero's not involved with this hand, but 2 tougher villains (including friend of hero: GE):

GE raised in CO
BB called

(2 players)
Flop: J65 (two tone)
BB checks
GE bets ~2/3 pot
BB raises ~2/3 pot
GE calls

(2 players)
Turn: J659 (two tone)
BB: bets 1/2 stack
GE: raises all in
BB: folds

Analysis:
Flop: GE bet/call strongly represents a wrap on flop.
Turn: Nut wrap hits so repped it perfectly.
Villain's range seems like sets or air, maybe some 2 pairs sometimes too.

---------------
blinds: 100/200
villain? - raises to 500
hero had been tight
flatted qj98r

(5 players - ~2500 in pot)
Flop: AQQ two tone (hero has no flush draw)
(1 player checks)
vil8: bets 800
(2 folds)
hero flat calls
(other villains fold)

Turn: AQQ7 two tone (hero has no flush draw)
vil8: checks
hero: checks

river: AQQ74 two tone (hero has no flush draw)
vil8: checks
hero: bets 2500
vil8: folds

---------------
blinds: 200/400
Effective stacks: around 12k

Hero dealt UTG+1: AAQJ (AQ)(AJ) ds
1 player limp
UTG (hero): limps behind

nit bets q44 two tone board
hero folds to bet from nit on flop

Analysis:
Preflop: Hero should have isoed player with premium aces. Hero decided to keep pot small (which is a mistake as hero's on par with other player's skill at minimum.

---------------
blinds: 200/400

Effective stacks around 12k
hero dealt in HJ: AJ98 (A98)

(folds to hero)
hero: raises
folds
SB: calls
BB: calls

(3 players - 3000 in pot)
Flop: 984 rainbow
SB: checks
BB: checks
Hero: bets 2000
SB: calls
BB: calls

(3 players - 9000 in pot)
Turn: 9844 rainbow
all check

(3 players - 9000 in pot)
River: 98445 river (offsuit)
SB: leads for 3k
BB: folds
Hero: tanks/folds

Analysis:
Preflop/Flop: This is standard for value.
Turn: This is kind of a tight fold, but hero has no redraws other than 2 pairing up to a boat.
Only the bad wrap (765) completes.

---------------
3b pot not involving hero
sb reraised open
11k in pot
effective stacks: 10k

(2 players)
Flop: TT5 rainbow
original PFR villain bets 2200
reraiser calls

(2 players)
Turn: TT5J rainbow
original PFR villain bets 2600
PFR gets checkraised by reraiser AI

---------------
blinds: 250/500
hero dealt: AA65 rainbow
villain (tight player) raises to 1500
Hero: flat calls

(2 players - 3750 in pot)
flop: 653 two tone (hero has BDFD)
vill: checks
hero bets 2200
vill: folds

---------------
hero dealt: AK97 (AK suited)
Hero raised in CO
Button calls

(2 players - ~3750 in pot)
Flop: 864 two tone (hero - no flush draw)
Hero: checks
Villain bets 2/3 pot
Hero: folds
Hero c/f 864 two tone w/o hero flush draw

Analysis:
Flop: Hero's draw is weak on flop (OESD/no flush draw). Standard c/f.

---------------
hero dealt: 8765 (75 suited)
hero raise UTG + 2: 1700
BB calls

(effective stacks: 9900, hero has less chips)
(3 players - 5350 in pot)
Flop: T62 rainbow
vil1: checks
hero: checks
vil2: checks

(effective stacks: 9900, hero has less chips)
(3 players - 5350 in pot)
Turn: T629 (two tone, hero has no FD)
vil1: checks
hero: bets 2200
vil2: folds
vil1: calls

(2 players - 9750 in pot)
River: T629T (no flush completes)
vil1: checks
hero: checks behind

[villain shows bad nut boat - AT52ss)
Hero folds

Hero's stack: 3900 @ 400/800

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard
Flop: Hero has gutter and checks back.
Turn: Hero goes for value.
River: Hero isn't really getting value from much except maybe ATxx on river...many of which would not be calling flop.
Villain's range is heavily consisting of 2 pairs/sets that likely became boats on river.

---------------
Hero in BB: reraised/all in with KKQTss > 9976r
Hero's stack: 5800 @ 500/1000

Hero then limp/folded on flop.
Hero's stack: 4800 @ 500/1000

KQJ8 > AKJ7
11000 @ 500/1000

---------------
Hero's stack: ~11k
hero dealt: AKQ3 (A3)(KQ) double suited

Hero limped in UTG+1
7 (short stack/15k): raises pot
Hero: calls

(2 players - 10500 in pot)
Flop: J64 (two tone; hero has nut flush draw)
Hero checks
7: bets pot/AI
Hero: calls for less

Villain: Shows KT75 with 2nd nut flush draw

Analysis:
Table still had some limping even at this stage of the tournament.
Preflop: Hero should have raised 2.2x like everyone else
Flop: As played, Hero should have just donked flop.

---------------
Hero out 52/159 (18 pay)

Poker Maximus 6 Roundup, Cash Game Downswing/Leak Busting, and Upcoming Live MTTs

I took a number of shots at a lot of non-NLHE MTTs during Poker Maximus 6.

$215 HORSE
$60 Stud8
$60 Stud
$60/$33 PLO
$60/$33 PLO8

Unfortunately, I only cashed in 2 of the smaller $33 4 card game MTTS (deep run in PLO, min-cash in PLO8).
It was a great experience, and i actually felt at least 0EV in many of the events.
I'm hopeful to review the HHs, as there were a lot of NLHE regs that really didn't understand the games, especially in Stud and HORSE. I kinda messed up a bit in stud/8, but it's ok and I can try to learn from my experiences.

I regret not playing any NLHE MTTs during the series, even though I may not have been +EV.

Unfortunately, I have been in the midst of a downswing within cash games, likely to recurring leaks and/or lack of adjustment to regs that need to be fixed.

Also, cash games are dying on Merge in general, so I'm looking to deposit onto Bovada soon.


Within the live world, I actually put in my first live poker session (NLHE...meh) in 3 months. Life has been busy + trip report writing.
I'm looking to travel for some non-NLHE MTTs by the end of the year.

Poker Maximus 6 - Halfway

I'm halfway through the schedule for Poker Maximus 6.
It's pretty LOL that you can reenter with 4 bets (PLO8/PLO) or ~2 big bets (limit). They're meeting their guarantees...

Hopefully, my focus can get better as I continue to go through these MTTs.

365 LO8 MTT at Foxwoods

10k starting chips

Hero bought into MTT, but was blinded off starting at level 4.

After commotion with finding hero's seat, hero was skipped for SB with stack of 8725.

Blinds 150/300, Limits 300/600 and 6 minutes left in level.

Hero saw 2 hands before break.

Chip color up and hero was down to 8600.

1     short stack, wanting to get all in and gamble to bust

2     male player of India descent with star tatoos

3     hero

4     middle aged male

5     senior citizen aged male

6     senior citizen aged male

7     older Asian woman

8     older player?

9     senior citizen aged male with VDS cap from ~5-7 years ago

10    middle-aged Caucasian, after 5th hand, saw he had Lock Poker hoodie on

Blinds: 200/400

Limits: 400/800

Seat 1 had 700 chips

Hero dealt in CO: AJ32 (A3 suited)

7: raises AI

1 fold

3: hero calls

(folds)

10: calls

(3 players, 1 all in - 2300 in pot)

Flop: A83 rainbow

10: checks

hero: checks

Turn: A838 quad-tone (rainbow)

10: thinks for 15 sec, then bet

hero: calls

Turn: A838J

10: thinks for 5 sec, then bet

hero: calls

Villain: shows AAT2

hero: shows a couple pairs, then folds

7: shows a bad low to get half

Analysis:

River bet by villain after turn bet into dry side pot indicates super strong hand.

Some players will fall under the "eliminate player philosophy" and will check it down, but this really seemed like for value.

Hero probably made bad river call b/c it's (800) to win (2850). The turn bet could just be a quick attempt to pick up pot...

Hero's stack: 6500

---------------

A couple hands later:

Hero dealt: AT92 (A2) (T9) double suited in UTG+3

2 folds

Hero: raises

(6 folds)

(9) SB: calls

(10) BB: calls

(3 players - 2400 in pot)

Flop: Kh Qh 6c (hero has no flush draw)

3 checks

(3 players - 2400 in pot)

Turn: Kh Qh 6c 4d (hero has no flush draw)

9: checks

10: bets

hero: folds

9: folds

Analysis:

Preflop: Standard.

Flop: Flop cbet can work sometimes especially against 3 players, but hero looked to keep pot smaller.

Turn: This could be a call, even though high draw is to non-nuts. Hero played risk averse and wasn't really thinking/looking to make move...

This was bad considering hero was IP and can bluff a bunch of rivers (flushing by raising, some broadways, some lows (578)

Hero's stack: 5700

---------------

Blinds: 300/500

Limits: 500/1000

Hero: dealt A532 (A2) in UTG+2

(2 folds)

2: raises

3 (hero): 3 bets

(7 folds)

2: calls

(2 players - 2800 in pot)

Flop: 53Q rainbow (hero has back door nut flush draw)

2: checks

hero: bets

2: calls

(2 players - 3600 in pot)

Turn: 53QQ (2 flush, hero does not have flush)

2: checks

hero: bets

2: calls

(2 players - 5200 in pot)

River: 53QQJ (3 flush, hero does not have flush and hero did not realize flush completed via backdoor)

2: checks

hero: bets

2: calls

Analysis:

Preflop: Some merit to isolating versus letting other players in with strong MW hand. Player 2 had been kind of active (limping 3 of 6 hands in ~20 hands around table)

Flop: Completely normal for value.

Turn: Hero is strongly "pseudo over-representing" Q here as larger part of range + GS potential, although naked nut lows may bet as well for fold equity.

River: Hero did not see BDFD complete on the river!

No reason to bet here. There's not many hands (except naked low draws) that would fold to river bet.

Villain had also led a couple times with NFD + NLD draw on A95 with K832 (K8 suited).

Hero's stack: 1700

Short stack in seat 1 eventually busts and new player comes in from broken table.

---------------

Hero folded: AKJ7 (AKJ suited) UTG with 1700 @ 500/1000 limits.

Analysis: This may have been a raise UTG due to high card strength.

Hero's BB hand was trash (J727 rainbow)

Hero's SB hand was KKQ9 (K9) suited and completed for 200 with 4 other players already in pot

      Hero did not get a favorable flop and folded.

Hero folded junk on Button (with raise from seat 2 in CO)

---------------

Hero's stack: 700

Hero dealt in CO: A965 (A5) (96) double suited

(6 folds)

Hero: raises all in

button: folds

SB: folds

BB: sees hero's stack, then calls with QQT3 (no suit)

Board: JT89A (no flush draw)

Analysis: completely standard, but hero could have been results oriented and waited for a stronger high value hand with 6 hands to go...

Hero: busted around 108 of 137 runners.

---------------

Overall Analysis:

Mentally, hero played very poorly, TBH. Hero did not think about ranges too much at all.
Also, some of the leaks (specifically trying to go for very thin river value) in earlier online LO8 cash game sessions likely expedited departure.

Finally, there are definitely LO8 strategy items that need to be addressed in general. Specifically, this regarding river betting (but also flop cbets and when to double barrel with little equity in various situations (player types/board textures, etc...)

Horseshoe Cincinnati PLO Cash Gaming

7-1-2013
1-2 PLO Hi Cash Gaming at Horseshoe Cincinnati

The floor was nice enough to start the game short handed. Although it started 4 handed, it eventually became 6 handed before hero's brief 1.5 hour session ended.

Cincinnati's 1-2 PLO game has 5 bring in. 100-500 min-max buyin.

---------------
Hero dealt: Axxx suited (like A974)
Hero on the button

CO: limps
Hero: raises to $25
SB: calls
BB: calls

(4 players - $100 in pot)
Flop: 3J6 (two tone)
all players check

(4 players - $100 in pot)
Turn: 3J62 (two tone)
all players check

(4 players - $100 in pot)
River: 3J624 (flush draw misses)
checks to hero
Hero bets 55
SB: folds
BB: calls
CO: folds

Villain shows A5xx and wins the pot.

Analysis:
River: Board is now 4 straight and villains have shown large amounts of passiveness. This seems like a good spot to steal for a small bet.

---------------
Same player who called down in previous hand is the BB in this hand.

5 handed
Hero dealt: 7543 (5h 3h)

UTG+1: folds
Hero: raises
Button: folds
SB: calls
BB: calls

(3 players - 75 in pot)
Flop: 826 two tone (hero no fd)
SB: checks
BB: checks
Hero: Bets 45
SB: folds
BB: calls

(2 players - 165 in pot)
Turn: 8265 (two tone)
BB: checks
Hero: bets 85
BB: calls
BB says - "I'll check and let you control size of pot"

(2 players - 335 in pot)
River: 8265Q (flush draw misses)
(BB checks blind)
Hero: thinks, bets 100
BB: quickly calls

Hero shows 8 high straight.
BB: mucks

Analysis:
Preflop: This is a decent open, even though the run down cards are somewhat weak (gap at top, low rank)
Flop: Although hero actually has bad end of OESD, hero should cbet as a semi bluff. In short handed spot, it's likely to take the pot down.
Turn: Hero should bet 2nd nuts for value, but fold to any raises. There's a possibility of making turn bet sizing a little bigger since villain is likely calling with range.
River: Same as turn. Villain's range seems more like missed draws (flush draws) or 2p/set hands that want to get to showdown. Hero may be able to bet a bit bigger, but villain is likely looking at absolute bet size amount. Thus, hero may have picked right river bet size given villain's type.

Horseshoe Southern Indiana Stud Hi Cash Gaming

6-30-2013
30-60 Stud Hi Cash Gaming at Horseshoe Southern Indiana

Choices were 1-2 NLHE or 30-60 Stud Hi.
The table was 6 handed. Apparently, the game had run for 2.5 days straight and one person (seat 6) had been there since the start. He was dozing off periodically.

---------------
1 guy had open limped (2 from BI)
Dead Cards: No dead diamonds

(6 players)
3rd:
(folds to hero)
Hero: (7d 8d) Td__Hero completes
Vil5: (Xx Xx) 4h__Vil5 brings in__Vil5 folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 8h__Vil8 calls

(2 players)
4th:
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 8h 8s__Vil8 double bets
Hero: (7d 8d) Td Kh__Hero tanks/folds
villain bets double
hero folds

Analysis:
4th: This is a call/fold spot when villain bets double. Since hero bricked flush draw, this is an easy fold.
If hero didn't brick flush draw, it's closer to a call due to implied odds of hitting flush. Villain is also less likely to have a set since hero also holds an 8.

---------------
Reads:
Seat 6: 1 villain seemed to completely play face up (said he was super tired) - kept betting repeatedly and/or check/calling and folding 7th if bricked draw

A somewhat dead flush. And maybe broadway gutter.

Dead Cards: (3 clubs dead, at most 1 door card is dead)
3rd:
Vil2: (Xx Xx) Xx__Vil2 calls
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Jc__Vil3 calls
Hero: (8x 8x) 3x__Hero brings in___Hero calls
Vil5: (Xx Xx) Xx__Vil5 limps_______Vil5 calls
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Xx__Vil6 completes

(5 players)
4th:
Vil 6 completed 3rd
Vil2: (Xx Xx) Kx Jx__Vil2 checks__vil2 calls
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Jc 7h__Vil3 checks__vil3 calls
Hero: (8x 8x) 3x 8x__hero checks__hero calls
Vil5: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx__Vil5 checks__vil5 calls
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Tx 6x__Vil6 bets
4th: Vil 6 bet
5th: Vil 6 bet

(5 players)
5th:
Vil2: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx__Vil2 checks__vil2 calls___vil2 folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Jc 7h Ac__Vil3 checks__vil3 calls___vil3 calls
Hero: (8x 8x) 3x 8x Tx__hero checks__hero raises
Vil5: (Xx Xx) Qx 9x Js__Vil5 checks__vil5 folds
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Xx XX Xx__Vil6 bets____vil6 calls
Vil 6 called raise

(3 players)
6th:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Jc 7h Ac Ts__vil3 checks__vil3 calls
Hero: (8x 8x) 3x 8x Tx Js__hero bets
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx Xx__vil6 folds

(2 players)
7th:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Jc 7h Ac Ts (Xx)__vil3 checks__vil3 calls
Hero: (8x 8x) 3d 8h Tx Js (Ks)__hero bets

Analysis:
4th: Normally, it's best to get in as many bets as possible, even on smaller bet streets. But, since Seat 6 was so predictable, hero decides to slow play and grab bets later since the table wasn't jamming every pot.
5th: Hero decides to check/raise now. There's probably some merit for waiting for 6th street, but hero decides to go after bets now. Additionally, Seat 3's board is becoming a little more dangerous.
6th/7th: At ths point, villain's board is not scary enough to not bet when checked to.

Twitter: Binked set of 8 w 38t rainbow on 4th in 5 way pot. Check raised 5th aggressive straight forward player and kept 1 guy to end drawing to

---------------
Hero books first ever live winning stud hi session (+5 big bets at 30/60)!
Player field seemed fairly straightforward.

WSOP 1500 Stud8 MTT Day 2

4500 starting stack with 75 button (no ante), 50 completion, and 50/100 limits

---------------
Day 2 Table Draws:
Brandon Shack-Harris CHICAGO, IL, US 16,000 Amazon / 413 / 1
"Hero" "Hero's City, State, US" 9,800 Amazon / 413 / 2
Harry Thomas Fort Lauderdale, FL, US 21,000 Amazon / 413 / 3
Lee Grove SUPERIOR, NE, US 12,900 Amazon / 413 / 4
Jeet Shetty PELHAM, NY, US 12,700 Amazon / 413 / 6
Matt Vengrin HENDERSON, NV, US 31,600 Amazon / 413 / 7
Scott Clements Mount Vernon, WA, US 9,000 Amazon / 413 / 8

Day 2 Table Reads:
[copy from handwritten sheets]
1 $1500 Stud/8 WSOP FT, met earlier in social game night
2 [empty to start]
3 (had Cincinnati Reds cap)
old guy, stud hi player
may overvalue high only hands
talked about music related things
4 no stud background
5
6 1 NLHE ME cash
About 8 hands in, realized he shows aggression/overplays any A door
aggro fish - contains with OESD
7 PLO8 background/mixed 8 game cash
8 PLO background (live)

---------------
Hero's stack upon restart at level 9:
9800 @ 100/200/600/1200. (100 ante, 200 completion, 600/1200 limits).

Day 2 table draws were posted by the time hero woke up. Hero researched all the players at the table.

Research Algorithm:
1. Hero looked at each player's Hendon Mob (and other live MTT database records) to assess their previous cashes.
A. Do they have any stud/8 cashes?
B. Do they have any mixed game cashes?
C. Do they have any WSOP cashes?
D. How much MTT winnings do they have?
[If they have no mixed game cashes, they could be overly aggressive. If they have no WSOP cashes, they might be trying to squeak into the money and be nitty at the bubble.]
2. Do they have a twitter account?
3. Do they have any online screennames to gather info about their style of play or online MTT/cash game records?

---------------
Tweets:
222p Restart. Same three of a kind door in first 8 hands and hero had 3 bring in already :(

---------------
Dead Cards: Don't remember (likely neutral - 2 high and 2 low)
Hero completed with 6
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 3c __BI
[3 players fold]
Hero: (Xx Xx) 6x __Completes
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Kh __Vil3 Folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Jc __Vil4 Folds
Vil5: (Xx Xx) Qd __Vil5 Folds

Analysis:
3rd: With 3 high cards between hero and bring in, this is a mandatory steal with anything resembling a hand (even possibly 2 bricks in the hole). If there was a lowish card between hero and bring in and it becomes more marginal.

---------------
Hero and Scott Clements were heads up in a pot (hero was not bring in, but in late position and seat 8 was likely on a steal with a high door card (which is most likely a split pair).
Villain was first to act with high cards and bet 4th/5th.
Hero called 4th, then raised 5th since board was somewhat connected and flushing.
Scott Clements bet into hero's 3 low board (hero had some chance of scooping as board was connected), hero raised and started betting when checked to.

Dead Cards: Unknown
Vil8: [high hand]
Hero: [low hand freeroll on 5th]

Analysis:
4th: Hero has a chance to scoop and should continue to call.
5th: stud/8 101: Seat 8 was betting his high hand and hoping hero paired. While an aggressive strategy, villain could be wasting a bet depending on other player's board (up cards).
If board has little chance of scoop, then it's ok. But if board is connected somewhat (like 4c 6h 7s), then it's actually a really bad spot to be betting.

---------------
Dead Cards: 665
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 4x __Vil7 brings in
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Jd
Hero: (Kx 8x) Kx
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6x
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 6x
(no seat 5)
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Ax
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 5h

Analysis:
3rd: Hero made correct fold with an ace door behind with split kings. It could also be a limp/fold to reraise.
If there was no Ace behind, hero should consider limping/calling 3rd street if not in steal position (hand is face up and hero is in EP and OOP the rest of the hand).
Hero should donk bet when villains brick (high cards or sometimes offsuit unconnected low 4th street cards).
It was likely leak with best hand and may have gotten extra chips for hero.

---------------
Hero's stack at level 10:
4700 @ 200/200/800/1600 (200 ante, 200 completion, 800/1600 limits).

---------------
Tweet:
307p Sigh. Buddy to right was rolled up 999 then had to play huge pot. 4700 200 800 1600
This referred to seat 1

---------------
Shortly after start of new level.
Note: Hero doesn't remember all up cards

7 handed
3rd street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Xx _______________Vil1 Reraises AI (1.75 bets)
Hero: (Ac 7c) 5d __Brings In____Hero calls_______Hero calls
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Xx __Vil3 Raises__Vil3 reraises
(2 folds)
?Vi6: (Xx Xx) Xx __Vil6 Calls___Vil6 calls 2 bets

4th street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 7h 4d _____All In____
Hero: (Ac 7c) 5d Ts __Hero check___Hero folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 4h 6h __Vil3 bets
(2 folds)
?Vi6: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx __Vil6 calls

Vil1 chops to stay in MTT while Vil3 wins a big pot with Vil6 staying in through 6th street before folding.

(Ac 7c) 5d Ts - hero folds
hero gets high offsuit brick on 4th and is forced to fold

Analysis:
3rd: Ugh, not a great spot with a hand that could be way behind. Immediate odds to call, but definitely unhappy about it.
4th: Even though there's a huge pot on 4th, hero has very few chips left (2-3 big bets) and can't just waste more chips to try to catch running cards in a multiway pot. If it was HU, it could be a different story.

Hero's stack: about 3300

---------------
(320p, but tweet was delayed):
Hero has 3000 chips at 800/1600 limits (level 10).
Action:

Vil1: (5d 8x) 7d Jd Qh Kh 6d
Hero: (Ac 6c) 6h Qs Ad 5h 7s

Dealer actually forgot to burn a card before dealing 5th street, so I was supposed to have a Q (and seat 1 had a high brick). The floor had to be called over (b/c hero was already all in), and they said redeal the card.
Seat 1 said hero should get Qs anyway, but hero noted it actually helped hero's hand.
At least hero was redrawing live on 7th street.

Vil1: (5d 8x) 7d Jd Qh Kh 6d
Hero: (Ac 6c) 6h Qs Ad 5h 7s

Tweets:
354p (delayed) Bust around 120 56 pay 3000 800 1600. Friend in 1 had 587 two flush in diamonds. Jd Qh 7d Kh 6d.
356p I had Ac 6c 6h no dead clubs. Qs Ad 5h 7s.

---------------
Busto around 120 (56 pay)

---------------
Summary:
1. Hero's first time bagging chips and getting to day 2! Sure, it would have been nice to cash, but at least that hurdle's been passed.
2. Three people with identical door cards happened way too often. Not like 1x or 2x, but double digit times over 10 levels! (9-12 times on day 1, 3 times on day 2.)
3. Hero ran very well through most of the MTT. There were some mistakes towards the end of day 1, but hero's play was actually really good throughout the tournament.
4. The table draws were tough. My redraw table at end of day 1 had all strong players (sans 1 player who tilted, but seemed competent up until that point). People were raising with middle low cards (4-6) on steals and pots were contested mainly by middle low cards. There weren't any whales by any stretch, but there were definitely a couple players who didn't really understand stud8 and were playing it like stud hi (overplaying hi hands).
5. Hero also needs to think about ranges a little more in stud8. Hero may have been getting a little bit anxious and not always thinking about ranges on later hands towards the end of day 1. It also may have been a lack of mental endurance.

WSOP 1500 Stud8 MTT

4500 starting stack with 75 button (no ante), 50 completion, and 50/100 limits
*Analysis - HHs were best recollection, but may be improved.

Table Reads:
1 Juan Carlos Mortensen
2 Hero
3 older guy w/ many card player/poker tatoos
reminded hero of "they don't know what you have" after seeing me check 5th/7th with 4 to royal flush
4 middle aged, friendly person, mistakened me for someone who was in the WSOP $1500 LO8 event/final table
5 older person, but Asian?
6 Tim Burt, a player who hero first met in NOLA in 2010. Mixed game player.
7 older player? larger? seemed tight?
8 person with LAPC XX (20th anniversary)
Roland Israelashvili per http://www.wsop.com/players/playerprofile.asp?playerID=3453

---------------
Hero mistimed the commute to the Rio. Hero also didn't realize that pre-purchased seat would be put in play immediately.
Thus, hero only had 4250 instead of 4500 because of misplanning :(

536p - About halfway through the level (~2 rotations), hero had played 1-2 hands and won a small pot.
(1 spade dead)
Hero dealt: (Ts 7s) 5s

Hero eventually got flush on 6th street and scooped pot.
Hero's stack: 4600

---------------
548p

Hero lost a couple bets as there was some aggression by vil6 (Tim) on 5th/6th street.
Hero: (Ax Ax) Qx Td 8x 9d
vil3: (Xx Xx) 5x 8x 9d 4d
vil6: (2c 3d) 3h Jc 3d 7s

vil6 showed trip 3s
vil3 eventually showed low

Hero's stack: 3825

Hero won another small pot before end of the level.

---------------
Hero's stack at start of level 2: 3950 - 25 ante, 25 complete, 75/150 limits

---------------
Twitter (623p):
Ugh surrounded by 2 maniacs. Almost got trapped for 5 bets on third :(
In this example, Hero called 1 bet, but folded to reraise (seat 3) and 3b (seat 1) to have to face 2 bets cold
In this particular spot, villain likely had (QQ)Q (rolled up queens).

Unfortunately, this happened about 2-3 more times in this level!

---------------
Hero's chip count at first break (going into level 3):
3250 @ 25/25/100/200 (25 ante, 25 completion, 100/200 limits)

---------------
Twitter (724p): Scooped three way pot on accidental reraise with ace door. 4800

Hero doesn't remember third villain in hand, but likely seats 4 or 5.

Dead cards: 8TJ
(Some other player is BI).
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac 4x 7c Jx (Xx)
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax 6x 9x Ax (3d)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x 4x 8x (Xx)
(other players?)

3rd:
BrIn: (Xx Xx) Xx __Bring In__folds
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac __Vil1 completes___Vil1 calls
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax __Hero *_reraises _Hero calls
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx __Vil4 reraises

* Dialogue:
First ace completes in front
Hero threw in too many chips (150 because previous limits were 75/150, not limits of 100/200) and was going to announce nothing, but it was misdone.
Floor was going to be called, but hero just said make it a reraise.
Hero throws 150 - announcing re-raise
K reraises to 300
Vil1: calls
Hero: calls

(Hero is fairly sure only 3 people were in pot, but not 100% sure.)
4th Street:
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac 4x ____Vil1 calls
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax 6x __Hero bets
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x __Vil4 calls

5th Street:
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac 4x 7c ___Vil1 checks
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax 6x 9x __Hero checks
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x 4x __Vil4 checks

6th Street:
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac 4x 7c Jx ___Vil1 calls
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax 6x 9x Ax __Hero bets
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x 4x 8x __Vil4 calls

7th Street:
Vill: (Xx Xx) Ac 4x 7c Jx (Xx) ___Vil1 calls
Hero: (5x 4x) Ax 6x 9x Ax (3d) __Hero bets
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x 4x 8x (Xx) __Vil4 calls

Hero shows pair of aces + 6 low
Both villains muck.

Analysis:
3rd: The live misclick on 3rd works out! Normally, it's much better to call behind, but hero would find out pretty quickly if A had split aces by a 3rd street reraise.
4th: Hero's hand + board is actually decently connected. Seat 1 didn't bet offsuit 4, so hero decided to build the pot.
5th: Vil 1's board looks strong with 3 low cards. Hero bricked 5th and it checks through.
6th: Hero has a decently strong high board and could back into low/scooping scenario. Thus, hero decides to lead.
7th: Hero is very likely best in low direction with 6 low, and may be able to scoop.

---------------
Twitter (743p): Mis played atqj all diamonds and probably lost at least bet on 6 or 7 when villain checks.

Dead Cards: Unknown
Bring In: Unknown
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 3c __Vil8 limps_____Vil8 calls
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Lx __Vil1 limps_____Vil1 calls
Hero: (Xx Xx) Ad __Hero completes

(3 players in pot, hero doesn't remember seat 1's hand, but guesses 2 wheel/low cards on 3rd/4th)
4th Street:
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 3c Js ___Vil8 checks
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Lx Lx ___Vil1 checks
Hero: (Xx Xx) Ad Qd __Hero checks
Hero: checks
Vil1: checks
Vil8: checks

5th Street:
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 3c Js 3d __Vil8 checks
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Lx Lx Bx __Vil1 checks
Hero: (Xx Xx) Ad Qd Jd __Hero checks
Vil8: checks
Vil1: checks
Hero: checks

6th Street:
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 3c Js 3d 5s __Vil8 checks__Vil8 calls
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Lx Lx Bx Bx __Vil1 checks
Hero: (Xx Xx) Ad Qd Jd Td __Hero tosses bet

7th Street:
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 3c Js 3d 5s (Xx) __Vil8 checks
Hero: (Xx Xx) Ad Qd Jd Td (Ah) __Hero checks

Seat 8 shows pair of 3s and hero wins pot.

Starting on 6th street, seat 8 had confused look on face for most of the hand.

Analysis:
Hero's board isn't really that strong on 5th. Seat 1 may have had 2 low cards on 4th, but bricked 5th/6th.
Hero could represent a 4 flush/3 low on 5th by betting....
6th: Hero is now trying to rep 4 flush on 6th. Seat 8 probably has pair of 3s + low draw.
7th: Hero could bet for thin value, but will villain call with any worse hands? Lows would call or possibly raise and hero would be possibly forced to fold the best hand.

Post-Mortem:
After the hand, seat 3 reminded me that people can only see your board, they can't see your hole cards.
This was very true. However, because this is stud hi/low, how really true is this? The board is definitely super strong in stud hi, but is it really as strong in stud/8?

---------------
(read on villain)
Twitter (754p): One villain who likely raises high only hands had a65k two clubs on fifth with not lot of clubs dead and limped in early position.
(Xx Xx) Ac 6x 5c Kx

---------------
Twitter (821p): AA Q A66 7 binked chop of huge pot had dead q jj and capping large number of streets. 8000 100 200
Dead Cards: QJJ
Hero doesn't remember exact boards.

Vil1: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx Xx <--- 6th="" br="" folded="" street="">Hero: (Ax Ax) Qy Ax 6x 6x (7x)
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Kx Xx Xx Xx (Xx)? [maybe kings up?]
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Wx Wx Wx Wx (Xx)

Betting History:
Capped betting b/w Vil1 and Vil3 on 3rd/4th.
Hero was betting and jamming pot on 5th/6th street.

*Analysis:
Hero wishes he had a better memory of everyone's boards as this was a very clean concept of jamming pot when at least 1 player has locked up high and low.
In such a big pot, Seat 1 eventually folds after hero shows aggression on 6th street.
was hero "trapped" between seats 1 & 3, then started showing aggression on 6th?

---------------
Twitter (825p) - Prior had 32 7 suited. Backed into low on 6 and binked 7 to scoop small pot.
Hero's likely board: (3s 2s) 7s Wx Bs Wx (Bs)
Hero doesn't remember villain's board.

Betting action:
Hero showed aggression on multiple streets, even with brick on 5th since there's huge chance to scoop.
Hero completed low on 6th street (freerolling).
Hero gets flush on 7th to scoop.

---------------
Player in seat 3 quietly mentioned to me after 4 or 5 caps on 3rd (or later streets) that he was trying to bust by end of level 4.
He got all in a couple times even though he started fairly deep, but he actually met his goal and busted just before level 4. He seemed like a tough player, but one that was impatient and just wanted to build a stack or go home.

Hero also saw some of the "mainstream" poker personalities playing the game they like, stud/8.
Matt Savage
Norman Chad

Midway through level 4, hero figured out it was Juan Carlos Mortensen in seat 1.

---------------
Hero's stack at 2nd break (going into level 5):
8250 @ 50/50/200/400. (50 ante, 50 completion, 200/400 limits).

---------------
Twitter (1002p): Kudos to Tim. Low straight flush 7 high against aces full.

Player in seat 6 scooped a really huge pot against seat 7 with low straight flush (76543) versus boat of aces full!
There was capped betting action on possibly 5th and definitely on 6th (and maybe 7th. Hero doesn't quite remember if straight flush potential was already on board on 6th.

---------------
Twitter (1039p): 7000 new table. Three identical doors has happened at least 7 times and first hand at new table.

---------------
Table 2 Reads:
1 Tom Koral - he was playing Chinese Poker on his iPad all throughout the MTT.
2 hero
3 Filipino person
4 youngish guy from Venetian 600 PLO8
5 balding older man who seemed to think a bit between actions
6 Ali Eslami - http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=25316
7 older, smart thinking s/8 reg
8 middle aged African American who eventually got "tilted" and went along for ride

---------------
Twitter (1105p): Almost made huge mistake. Bet two streets against possible freeroll with aces up. Then some ante stealing.

After just moving to this table a couple hands earlier, hero got involved in pot.

Dead Cards: Unknown
Bring In: Unknown
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 5d?
Hero: (Ax Ah) 8h 8c 9d Tc (5d)
Vil3: (Xx Xx) As Qx 4s 7s (3h?)
?Vi6: (Xx Xx) 7h?

4th Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 5d Js? _____Vil1 folds
Hero: (Ax Ah) 8h 8c __Hero bets
Vil3: (Xx Xx) As Qx ____Vil3 calls
?Vi6: (Xx Xx) 7h Th? ___Vil6 folds

5th Street:
Hero: (Ax Ah) 8h 8c 9d __Hero bets
Vil3: (Xx Xx) As Qx 4s __Vil3 calls

6th Street:
Hero: (Ax Ah) 8h 8c 9d Tc __Hero bets
Vil3: (Xx Xx) As Qx 4s 7s __Vil3 calls

7th Street:
Hero: (Ax Ah) 8h 8c 9d Tc (5d) __Hero checks___Hero calls
Vil3: (Xx Xx) As Qx 4s 7s (3h?) __Vil3 bets

Analysis:
3rd/4th: Betting for value.
5th: It seems better to lead out and price out low draw then try to go for check raise. Villain had bricked on 4th.
6th: Hero should have slowed down and not bet 6th? Villain had 3 flush + 3 low on board, even though villain likely didn't have aces up. Hero could be getting freerolled easily unless there's small chance villain paired up.
Villain was glad hero kept betting in this spot. Looking back both then and now, villain is exactly right and hero was spewing on 6th.
7th: Hero check/called as villain has 3 low on board and may have a chance at scooping.

---------------
Dead cards: Hero thinks it was 3 high cards, 1 low card
(folds to seat 7)
(many folds)
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 5c ____Vil7 completed
Vil8: folded (high brick)
Vil1: folded (high brick)
Hero: (7c 4s) 3h __Hero brings in___Hero called

4th Street:
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 5c 7h 3s __Vil7 checks___Vil7 calls
Hero: (7c 4s) 3h 6h 2h __Hero bet

5th Street:
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 5c 7h 3s __Vil7 checks___Vil7 folds
Hero: (7c 4s) 3h 6h 2h __Hero bet

Villain says "your board looks really scary" and folds.

Analysis:
3rd: Hero is calling late position possible steal with 3 low cards and possibly some scoop potential.
4th: Hero starts betting board strength.
5th: Same as 4th.

Villain is a smart villain by realizing RIO are huge (3-flush on board for high, probably better low draw).

---------------
Hero's stack at break (going into level 7):
6900 at 100/100/400/800

---------------
Twitter (1224a): Two bring in specials. Queens up on 5 and 7. 8100

Dead Cards: No dead diamonds, few low cards (based on hero's recollection)

Vil1: (Xx Xx) Xx
Hero: (Qd 5d) 4d __Hero brings in__Hero calls
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx

(1 player completed and 4-5 way to 4th street; hand history assumes 5 players)

4th
Vil1: (Xx Xx)
Hero: (Qd 5d) 4d Qx
Vil?: (Xx Xx)
Vil?: (Xx Xx)
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx __Vil? folds

5th
Vil1: (Xx 5?) Xx Xx Xx ____Vil1 folds
Hero: (Qd 5d) 4d Qx 5x __Hero bets
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx __Vil? folds
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx __Vil? folds
Vil?: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx __Vil? folds

hero acts first and bets
other players fold
seat 1 thinks for a while, then folds. Seat 1 (Tom) said "you've been patient and i'll let you have this one" and folds.
After the hand, he said he had a 5 in his hand which made it more suspicious.

Analysis:
4th street: Hero doesn't really know what to do
5th street: It's a small pot and hero has 2 pair (very disguised). Since hero's table image was pretty tight, it led to a lot of folds.

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Twitter (1236a): Chopping pots doesn't have to occur between a high and low hand in stud/8.
Two players had 88ak9 for a chop. Hero doesn't remember board run outs but it was a small pot. lol

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Twitter (100a): With low behind raised qq3 binked suited queen and you check raise on 4 and 3 streets of value.
Note: Hero doesn't remember exact villain board
villain had low door on 3rd/4th (not connected board)

3rd:
Hero: (Qc Qs) 3s__Hero brings in__Hero calls
folds to Vil5 with 3 left to act
Vil5: (Xx Xx) 5c__Vil5 completes

4th
Hero: (Qc Qs) 3s Qh __Hero checks___Hero raises
Vil5: (Xx Xx) 5c Th __Vil5 bets_____Vil5 calls

Analysis:
4th: Hero's board bricked on 4th. Even though villain got a somewhat connected low card, it's not really that connected and there's little chance of scooping.
Since hero flat calls turns hand face up, hero decides to get check raise in now.

Unfortunately, hero doesn't remember board run out, but hero scoops pot. Villain may have been chasing low or thought hero was just betting best high hand.

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Hero regrets not being able to remember action as this hand was 1-2 hands after the previous hand.

Twitter (101a): Made open ace trips and binked boat on river. Got check raise against trip queens.
Hero doesn't remember board run out, but got river check raise against villain.
Likely boards:
Hero: (Ax Xx) Ax Xx Ax Xx (7x)
Vil5: (Xx Qx) Qx Xx Qx Xx (Xx)

*Analysis: Hero wishes he remembered this HH (and betting action) too for analysis :(

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Hero's stack at end of level 7:
15200 @ 100/200/500/1000 (100 ante, 200 complete, 500/1000 limits)

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HH question/theory: Even though hero had (7c 5c) 3c, 3 dead flush cards might make it a fold.

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Twitter (122a): Sigh tt2 bring in with many low dead 6 completes. Hero folds to offsuit 65.

Dead: Many low cards
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 6x ____Vil6 completes
Hero: (Tx Tx) 2c __Hero brings in__Hero calls

4th Street:
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 6x 5x (not suited)
Hero: (Tx Tx) 2c Jd

Analysis:
3rd: This is an OK bring in defense as hero has some deception with buried overpair. If hero had a slightly higher door card (or sometimes in general), hero could reraise the completion.
4th: Hero would have continued on a non-brick (high card). Villain also got a strong card, although the villain had been very aggressive in past. A tighter villain with at 65o board is more dangerous b/c a 4 straight is more likely.
Unfortunately, hero has great reverse implied odds.

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Twitter (122a): Brick 23 6 7 three clubs on 4 multi.
Hero doesn't remember if got aggressive on 4th w/ just 3 flush & not really connected low cards, or was just check/call line until river on fold b/c other players are in pot.

Twitter (140a): Maybe bad fold multiway with short stack all in. K door 59 and hero had three flush 5j 3 and offsuit j.

Dead cards: none of note
Villain 7 is newer player as older, tighter stud8 player had busted.
Vil7: (Xx Xx) Kx 5x 9x
Vil?: (Xx Xx) 7d Lh?XX?
Hero: (5c Jc) 3c Jd

Hero called on 3rd, but Hero folded on 4th.

Analysis:
MW situation. Villain was short stacked, so is villain's range super wide here and just "playing K door" like stud hi, even though equity isn't great?
Hero had no read on villain per se.
3rd villain backed into low and chopped with king high.

If hero was HU:
Stud Hi/Lo Simulation ?
600,000 trials (Randomized) Hand Equity Scoops Wins Hi Ties Hi Wins Lo Ties Lo
3c jc 5c jd 40.11% 215,061 225,740 5 54,251 17
K $B Kh 5s 59.89% 333,772 374,255 5 17,752 17

Stud Hi/Lo Simulation ?
600,000 trials (Randomized) Hand Equity Scoops Wins Hi Ties Hi Wins Lo Ties Lo
3c jc 5c jd 52.20% 287,087 307,508 50 52,242 33
$B $B Kh 5s 47.80% 260,660 292,442 50 26,054 33

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A big multiway hand occurred towards the end of level 10.
MW situation

Note: Players 1 & 6 are likely very tough, aggressive limit players based on how they have played numerous pots.
Hero is fairly confident there were at least 4 people in the pot. There may have been 5 players (both 4 and 5 were in). Thus, Villain 4 or 5 may be interchanged as hero doesn't quite remember.

3rd:
Dead Cards: Unknown
Vil1: (Wx Ax) Wx // just pair of aces, likely low board (aces + 4 low)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Xx // ?
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 5x // had betting lead on 5th-7th
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bh // 3-flush, not lots of lows
// lots of bets, but not sure of bet sequence of if capped betting

4th:
Vil1: (Wx Ax) Wx Ax // just pair of aces, likely low board (aces + 4 low)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx // ?
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 5x 3x // had betting lead on 5th-7th
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bh Wh // 3-flush, not lots of lows
// lots of bets, but not sure of bet sequence of if capped betting

5th:
Vil1: (Wx Ax) Wx Ax Wx // just pair of aces, likely low board (aces + 4 low)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx // ?
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 5x 3x 5x // had betting lead on 5th-7th
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bh Wh Bh // 3-flush, not lots of lows
// not sure if betting was capped on this street, but very likely

6th:
Vil1: (Wx Ax) Wx Ax Wx Wx // just pair of aces, likely low board (aces + 4 low)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx Xx // ?
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 5x 3x 5x 3x // had betting lead on 5th-7th
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bh Wh Bh Xx // 3-flush, not lots of lows
// betting was capped by seats 1 + 6

7th:
Vil1: (Wx Ax) Wx Ax Wx Wx (Bx)___________Vil1 calls____________Vil1 4-bets_____Vil1 calls // just pair of aces, likely low board (aces + 4 low)
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Xx Xx Xx Xx (Xx)___________Vil4 raises___________Vil4 folds // likely had better than 5s up (more likely - flush?)
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 5x 3x 5x 3x (Xx)__Vil6 bets___________Vil6 3-bets___________Vil6 caps // had betting lead on 5th-7th
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bh Wh Bh Xx (Xx)__Vil8 calls__________Vil8 calls____________Vil8 calls // 3-flush, not lots of lows

Vil1 (Tom) Tom said he only had a pair of Aces, but still has decent stack.
Vil6 scoops a huge pot
Vil8 is almost out of tournament.

Tom was saying that seat 8 was likely tilted and the objective was to invoke gaspipe between him and seat 6 to get as many bets in the pot as possible. He suspects that seat 8 was chasing flush draw.

*Analysis: Hero was guaranteed outleveled by Seat 1's play on 7th. Hero wishes he remembered all the betting action exactly as it would have been great analysis :(

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Hero's stack at end of day 1:
9800 @ 100/200/600/1200 (100 ante, 200 completion, 600/1200 limits).