550 HORSE Dealer's Choice at Portomaso Casino

550 HORSE Dealer's Choice MTT at Portomaso Casino for European Poker Tour.
20000 starting chips at 200/400 limits and 30 min. levels.

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HORSE Dealer's Choice Games:
Limit Hold'em
Limit Omaha Hi/Low
Razz
Stud
Stud Hi/Low

HORSE Dealer's Choice Rules - Players are dealt 3 cards, player on the button looks at his/her cards and picks which 1 of the 5 HORSE games they will play that hand. Game changes every hand.

Rules clarification:
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/65/mttc-live/official-ept12-malta-thread-october-20-31-2015-a-1561980/#post48265666
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showpost.php?p=48297627&postcount=12

Q: Is it "roll your own up card"? Or is it 2 cards dealt separately, then deal 3rd card separately, and let button choose game?

A: DCH - It is roll your own, however it goes from the button around to the left with the cut-off being the last player to roll. All games will be played with blind structures rather than the stud games having antes.

Other rules discussed during the tournament:
Action starts with UTG.
There is no bring in or antes.
Cards are dealt from left of the button (like in a button/blind game).
If there is a missing player for a stud game choice, a random card is picked as player's door card.

This game was previously played at a PCA and was known as Paradise Poker. It may have been the 2011 or 2012 twoplustwo.com player's choice event.

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First Table Reads:
1 old guy w/ beard
2 young guy with glasses (read - bluff capable)
3 young guy
4 young guy
5 mid aged guy with long hair
6 hero
7 young guy with beard
8 young guy with beard and glasses

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Hero late registered, but is unsure of exact registration time (likely in level 1).

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Hero dealt on button: Kh Qh Qc
Hero chooses: LHE
Discard: Kh

Preflop:
(folds to Hero)
Vil1: calls
Vil2: calls
Vil3: folds
Vil4: calls
Vil5: calls
Hero: raises
Vil7: calls
Vil8: calls
Vil1: calls
Vil2: calls
Vil4: calls
Vil5: calls

(7 players - 14 small bets in pot)
Flop: 7h 5c 7d 8d Ks
Vil7: checks
Vil8: checks
Vil1: checks
Vil2: checks
Vil4: checks
Vil5: checks
Hero: bets
Vil7: calls
Vil8: calls
Vil1: calls
Vil2: calls
Vil4: calls
Vil7: folds

(6 players - 10 big bets in pot)
Turn: 7h 5c 7d 8d Ks
Vil7: checks
Vil8: checks
Vil1: checks
Vil2: checks
Vil4: checks
Hero: bets
Vil7: folds
Vil8: folds
Vil1: folds
Vil2: calls
Vil4: calls

(3 players - 13 big bets in pot)
River: 7h 5c 7d 8d Ks
Vil2: checks
Vil4: checks
Hero: checks

Vil4 - says he folded JJ (or maybe QQ).

Analysis:
Game Selection: This is actually a tough decision. It may have been better to actually choose Stud Hi and show the offsuit queen or king.
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Hero can get value from many pairs < K.
Turn: Hero can get value from many pairs < K.
River: At first glance, this is likely an easy bet. Are villains capable of check/raising river after check/call two streets? Many would raise turn in case villain shuts down with non-7 and straights.
Looking back at hand now, this is a super easy value bet since hero discarded a K!

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Game Chosen: LO8
Hero dealt in CO: As Qx 6x 3x

Unfortunately, hero did not write down hand, so hero is unsure of actual preflop/flop action. Since there is no HH, it is likely a flop fold.

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Hero dealt on button: Tc Jd Ks
Hero chooses: Stud Hi
Hero rolls up card: Ks

(Order of up cards may be incorrect.)
3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Jx ____folds
Vil2: (Xx Xx) Jx ____folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Qx ____completes
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Kx ____folds
Hero: (Tc Jd) Kx folds
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 2x __brings in__folds
Vil5: (Xx Xx) 7x __folds

Hero folds.

Analysis:
Game Selection: 3 high boardwday cards is another tough decision. LHE is a bit weaker, so hero decides to make his draw a little better.
Rolled Up Card Selection: Hero prefers to stay OOP and keep betting pressure since all cards are high. Maybe it is better to actually put 10 as door, but others seemed to be rolling higher up cards.
3rd Street: Unfortunately, dead hero cards = fold.

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Dealt to Hero on Button: 2c 7c Jc
Hero chooses: Stud Hi
Hero rolls up card: Jc

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) Lx ____folds
Vil2: (Xx Xx) Lx ____folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Bx ____folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 6x ____calls__calls
Hero: (2c 7c) Jc ____raises
Vil6: (Xx Xx) 9x ____folds
Vil7: (Xx Xx) Lx ____folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Lx __folds

(2 players - 5.5 small bets in pot)
4th Street:
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 6x 9c ____folds
Hero: (2c 7c) Jc 7x __bets

Analysis:
3rd Street: Standard raise to show aggression/initative with likely being OOP (and avoiding cheap play for "BB").
4th Street: Although Vil4 semi-picked up, hero continues to bet with likely the best draw (pair + 3 flush)

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Game Chosen: LHE
Hero dealt in SB: As Js Xx
Hero discards: Xx (5h?)

Preflop:
(folds to Vil2)
Vil2 (UTG+2): raises
(folds to Hero)
Hero (SB): calls
(BB): folds

(2 players - 5 small bets in pot)
Flop: Xx Xx Xx

(Unfortunately, hero does not remember action, but hero likely folded somewhere to villain aggression.)

Analysis:
Discard: Standard
Preflop: Since it is an early position raise, hero does not reraise preflop.
Flop/Turn/River: Unknown since action is unknown.

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Game Chosen: Stud Hi/Low
Hero dealt: Kc Kd 6h (rainbow, not sure of suits)
Hero rolls up card: 6h

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 2x ____folds
Vil2: (Xx Xx) 3x __folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 5x __folds
Hero: (Kc Kd) 6h __raises
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Jx __folds
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 7x __folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 8x __folds

Analysis:
Up Card: Mandatory to have buried overpair. There is a larger chance villains will see a misrepresented hand and hero can scoop.
3rd Street: This is an easy complete. Unfortunately, there is no action.

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Game Chosen: LO8
Hero dealt in BB: Kx Kh Th 2x

Preflop:
(folds to Vil4)
Vil4 (But): raises
Vil5 (SB): calls
Hero (BB): calls

(3 players - 6 small bets in pot)
Flop: Tc 5d 2h
Vil5: checks
Hero: checks
Vil4: bets
Vil5: calls
Hero: folds

Turn: Tc 5d 2h Ks 4h
River: Tc 5d 2h Ks 4h

Analysis:
Preflop: This may be a loose call, but this seems ok to hit set and/or 2nd nut flush.
Flop: This may be a tight fold. Hero has top/bottom no low in MW pot. Perhaps this is a better spot to check/call and continue on high (or 3) turns.

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Dealt to Hero on Button: Ac As 9d
Hero chooses: LHE
Discard: 9d

Preflop:
(folds to Vil3)
Vil2: calls
Vil3: calls
(folds to Hero)
Hero: raises
(other villains fold)
Vil2: calls
Vil3: calls

(3 players - 7.5 small bets in pot)
Flop: 4x Qx Jd
Vil2: checks
Vil3: checks
Hero: bets
Vil2: calls
Vil3: calls

(3 players - 5.25 small bets in pot)
Turn: 4x Qx Jd 4d
Vil2: checks
Vil3: checks
Hero: bets
Vil2: folds
Vil3: folds

Analysis:
Game Selection: AA has better preflop equity than AA9 has 7 card stud equity.
Discard: Standard.
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Standard.
Turn: Standard.

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Hero's stack at Level 6 break: 20500 @ 600/1200 limits.

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Level 6 - Blinds: 300/600, Limits 600/1200
Game Selection: LO8
Hero Dealt in CO: Ah 6c 5c 2c

Preflop:
Vil5: calls
Hero (CO): calls
Vil7: calls
Vil8: calls
Vil1 (BB): checks

(5 players - 5 small bets in pot)
Flop: Kx Qh 6h
(all players check)

(5 players - 2.5 big bets in pot)
Turn: Kx Qh 6h 5h
Vil8: checks
Vil1: checks
Vil5: bets
Hero: calls
Vil7: calls
Vil8: calls
Vil1: calls

(5 players - 7.5 big bets in pot)
River: Kx Qh 6h 5h Jx
Vil8: checks
Vil1: checks
Vil5: bets
Hero: folds
Vil7: folds
Vil8: folds
Vil1: folds

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: One pair and backdoor low draw = check. There may be some fold equity though.
Turn: Could this be a spot to raise? Not really, as hero is rarely getting called by worse and hero has little fold equity multiway. Hero calls to spike boat outs or nut low.
Vil5's bet is a flush.
River: Brick = fold.

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Game Selection: LO8
Hero dealt in SB: Ad Tx 9x 3d

Preflop:
(folds to Vil4?)
Vil4 (CO): raises
Vil5 (But): folds
Hero (SB): calls
Vil7 (BB): folds

(2 players - 3 small bets in pot)
Flop: Jc 7x 3x Tc 5c
Hero: checks
Vil4: checks

(2 players - 1.5 big bets in pot)
Turn: Jc 7x 3x Tc 5c
Hero: bets
Vil4: calls
(Note: Action may have been check/check.)

(2 players - 1.5 big bets in pot)
River: Jc 7x 3x Tc 5c
Hero: checks
Vil4: checks

Hero does not remember Vil4's hand, but it may have been a chop or a hero scoop.

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Hero has bottom pair and a gutshot. Hero check/folds.
Turn: Hero has a bad 2 pair. This is a spot to get value since villain checked flop. Check/check may have been ok too, but likely passive and villain has shown little strength.
River: Hero has bad 2 pair on 3 low board. Hero would likely check/call.

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Game Selection: Stud Hi/Low
Hero dealt in ??: Ad 3d 5d
Rolled Up Card Selection: 5d

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) ?x ____folds
Vil2: (Xx Xx) ?x ____folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6c ____raises
Vil4: (Xx Xx) ?x ____folds
Hero: (Ad 3d) 5d ____calls
Vil6: (Xx Xx) ?x ____folds
Vil7: (Xx Xx) ?x ____folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) ?x __folds

(3 players - 3 small bets in pot)
4th Street:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6c 7h __checks
Hero: (Ad 3d) 5d Qh __checks

(3 players - 1.5 big bets in pot)
5th Street:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6c 7h Ts __checks
Hero: (Ad 3d) 5d Qh Ks __checks

(3 players - 1.5 big bets in pot)
6th Street:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6c 7h Ts Ac __bets
Hero: (Ad 3d) 5d Qh Ks 6x __calls

(3 players - 3.5 big bets in pot)
7th Street:
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 6c 7h Ts Ac (Xx) __bets
Hero: (Ad 3d) 5d Qh Ks 6x (Qx) __calls

Vil3: Shows 6432A and ATxxx high.
Hero chops pot.

Analysis:
3rd Street: This is actually a spot where hero should reraise for value.
4th Street: Hero checks with brick and villain checks behind. Hero put villain on steal range.
5th Street: Same as 4th.
6th Street: Hero could likely have best low draw and high hand. Hero decides to conserve chips and just call. (Hero is rarely getting scooped since villain would have to have either a pair or a low, but not both.)
7th Street: Hero has likely best hand unless villain backed into 2 pair.

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Game Selection: LHE
Hero dealt in BB: 8c 7c 6c
Discard Selection: 6c

Preflop:
Vil7 (UTG): calls
(folds to Vil5)
Vil5 (SB): calls
Hero (BB): checks

Flop: Th 7h 4x
Vil5: checks
Hero: bets
Vil7: folds
Vil5: folds

Analysis:
Discard Selection: Higher cards are better. Sadly, this is not stud hi/low or stud hi.
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Hero bets middle pair to price out broadway overcards.

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Game Selection: Razz
Hero dealt in ??: Td 8c 5d
Rolled Up Card Selection: 5d

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 3x ____checks
Vil2: (Xx Xx) ?x __folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) ?x __folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 5x __calls
Hero: (Tx 8x) 5x __calls
Vil6: (Xx Xx) Bx __folds
Vil7: (Xx Xx) Bx __folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Bx __folds

(3 players - 3.5 small bets in pot)
4th Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 3x Qx ____calls
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 5x 2x __bets
Hero: (Tx 8x) 5x Kx __calls

(3 players - 3.25 big bets in pot)
5th Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 3x Qx 3x 2x ____checks
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 5x 2x 9x Ax __checks
Hero: (Tx 8x) 5x Kx Tx 8x __checks

(3 players - 3.25 big bets in pot)
6th Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 3x Qx 3x 2x ____folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 5x 2x 9x Ax __bets
Hero: (Tx 8x) 5x Kx Tx 8x __folds

Analysis:
3rd Street: Hero decides to peel in LP with limper in front and no big door cards between hero and "BB".
4th Street: This could be a villain steal with best board. Hero decides to peel.
5th Street: Hero bricked and continues to check since opportunity is likely lost to steal pot. Hero would have made a mistake not betting here if checked to with a low door card.
6th Street: Standard.

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Game Selection: Stud
Hero dealt in ??: Ah Kh Th
Rolled Up Card Selection: Th

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 2d ____folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) Qs ____folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Qc ____completes
Hero: (Ah Kh) Th ____calls
Vil7: (Xx Xx) Kc ____folds
Vil8: (Xx Xx) 9d __folds

(2 players - 2.5 small bets in pot)
4th Street:
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Qx Qx ____bets double
Hero: (Ah Kh) Th Td ____calls

(2 players - 3.25 big bets in pot)
5th Street:
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Qx Qx Jx ____bets
Hero: (Ah Kh) Th Td 6x ____calls

(2 players - 5.25 big bets in pot)
6th Street:
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Qx Qx Jx ____bets
Hero: (Ah Kh) Th Td 6x ____calls

(2 players - 7.25 big bets in pot)
7th Street:
Vil4: (Xx Xx) Qx Qx Jx 5s (Kx) ____checks
Hero: (Ah Kh) Th Td 6x 9x (7c) ____checks

Vil4: Says "I have the board".
Hero mucks hand.
Many opponents say "nice hold".

Analysis:
3rd Street: In a likely steal spot, hero defends with AKT suited. This could actually have been a reraise on 3rd street since flush draw is live.
4th Street: Hero continues with pair and 2 overs + 3 flush even to a double bet. Hero has live overs to a hand that is very unlikely trips due to another dead Q.
5th Street: Hero is continuing likely to showdown.
6th Street: Hero is continuing likely to showdown.
7th Street: There is little fold equity if hero bets. Hero checks behind.

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Game Selection: LHE
Hero dealt in UTG: Tx Tx Xx
Discard Selection: Xx

Preflop:
Hero (UTG): raises
(folds to Vil3)
Vil3 (But): calls
Vil4 (SB): folds
Vil5 (BB): calls

(3 players - 6.5 small bets in pot)
Flop: Kc 8c 8d
Vil5: checks
Hero: bets
Vil3: calls
Vil5: calls

(3 players - 4.75 big bets in pot)
Flop: Kc 8c 8d Jd
Vil5: checks
Hero: bets
Vil3: folds
Vil5: folds

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Standard. Hero is likely double barrelling and could probably find a check/fold if raised.
Turn: Standard bet. Even though it is an overcard, hero decides to continue to bet and price out overcard draws. It is likely a river check if any villain calls.

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Game Selection: Razz
Hero dealt in "BB": Jc Ax 5x
Rolled Up Card Selection: 5x

3rd Street:
Vil1: (Xx Xx) 2x ____folds
Vil2: (Xx Xx) 4x ____folds
Vil3: (Xx Xx) 5x ____folds
Vil4: (Xx Xx) 3x ____calls
Vil5: (Xx Xx) Ax ____folds
Hero: (Jx Ax) 5x ____folds
Vil7: (Xx Xx) 5x __raises
Vil8: (Xx Xx) Ax __calls

Analysis:
3rd Street: Equity Simulation needed. With so many hero dead cards, should hero peel closing action?
http://propokertools.com/simulations/show?d=4355AA&g=rz&h1=AJ5&h2=%288-8-%295&h3=%288-8-%293&h4=%288-8-%29A&s=generic
All tight ranges (unrealistic)
Razz Simulation ?
600,000 trials (Randomized)
dead cards: 4355AA
Hand Equity Wins Ties
AJ5 17.53% 105,184 0
(8-8-)5 31.27% 187,610 0
(8-8-)3 17.11% 102,677 0
(8-8-)A 34.09% 204,529 0

EP range is tighter, everyone else is peeling with bricks.
Razz Simulation ?
600,000 trials (Randomized)
dead cards: 4355AA
Hand Equity Wins Ties
AJ5 21.57% 129,407 0
(8-8-)5 36.51% 219,085 0
(T-T-)3 14.86% 89,179 0
(T-T-)A 27.05% 162,329 0

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Level 7 - Blinds: 400/800 and Limits: 800/1600
Hero's stack: 1400

Dealt to Hero on Button: Qx Qd 8d
Hero chooses: LHE
Discard: 8d

Preflop:
Vil3: raises
Vil4: calls
Vil5: calls
Hero (But): calls (all in)
Vil8 (BB): calls

(5 players - 1 player all in - 10.5 small bets in pot)
Flop: Jh 5x 3x 3h 7h
Vil8: bets
Vil3: calls
Vil4: calls
Vil5: folds

(4 players - 1 player all in - 6.75 small bets in pot)
Turn: Jh 5x 3x 3h 7h
(all players check)

(4 players - 1 player all in - 6.75 small bets in pot)
River: Jh 5x 3x 3h 7h
Vil8: bets
Vil3: folds
Vil4: folds

Vil8: shows Ah Qh (nut flush)
Hero: out

Analysis:
Preflop: Standard.
Flop: Hero is likely ahead.
Turn: Hero is ok with turn card.
River: Hero does not like odds of surviving.
Hero is not sure why villain is donking with overs and backdoor flush draw. Sigh.

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There were many interesting decisions regarding game choice. Unlike many of the other Dealer's Choice events, hand selection seemed to be more prevalent in choosing game then assessing villain tendencies.

Hero out: 29/40.