Poker Stars $55k Tournament1st break $8,035.
This is where the real poker begins, I am a bit below average stack, over a thousandpeople still in. I gonna be very focused this hour...Ive played LAG lately, and I have decided to play a tigher this mtt. AQ someone in mp has made it $600, I was thinking to just shove all in and risk a raceor pick up the pot, but if someone in button or blinds has me crushed, its a shit way to bust out.So I just call, as does the chip leader who is loose. Flop coes, js5h6h,raiser checks, I decide this pot is worth taking a stabb at and lead or $1050 into $2025...the chippy calls,the raiser pushes, i pass they have 10 10 and Q-J.I would have turned a Q,if i push there that guy has similar stack to me and will call 10 10. Opportunity missed?.$6.2Ac10c , one limper , i call aswell, flop i bet out on a A 5 8 flop and take it down $6,790.5-5- lp, 2 limpers, i call, flop 2 3 J, someone bets strong and someone calls, i pass.$6,640.K 10 utg, I know textbook is to fold here probably in a full table, but i like to see alot of flops this hour and try to get chips. Anyway, chip leader limps, guy after him makes it $600to play.So $450 for $1,125, maybe chip leader will call too? OOp with K 10 though- fold.QcJc in bb, utg chip leeader min riases, alot of calls, so i call flop 8d9d2s, i check,he bets $450, 2 calls, $450 forlike $2.8 i think, but i fold. turn 10d...maybe a guy has aflush anyway....raises and re riases If there wasnt a flush draw I could call there.$6,190.K-K SB- utg limps,i make it $525 bb and limper call, A 5 8 flop, i check, they check. Turn Js, I lead for $400 into like $1,500 they fold.$7,100Ah7h , i riase to $400 on the dolly, bb calls.Flop 10c9c7s, he checks, i check behind, turn 6h.He leads for $450, and I begin to think. Does he a bet a 10 or 9 here? I dont think so, I decide to just call.River As, he checks, I decide no hand i beat is calling and check conservatively maybe. He has KQ, i win.$8,100.9-9 mp, guy in front of me makes it $800 , bb $200, I dont have the stack to just call here really,and im not in a position torace, i folded...Hes a tight guy even for a rebuy period..Turns out he had A-A. some freak doubled him up with A-6-.KdJd utg +1, i just call.I know people say raise or fold, but why riase and have to fold to a re raise.One other limps, sb min riases.He doesnt have many chips, dont really know what he has, but i certainly not fold. J82 comes he pushes i call he has 10 10.BB-K K!!!. one limper, i make it $600. he calls. Flop J 7 6 , i check, ( hes got 4k i expect him to push if hes paired)He checks, turn 8 , i lead for only $425. he calls, river 2, I lead for $525 , he calls. he has 4-4-. i win.A-9- sb , i make some money off the bb when i hit A and bet small. $15,04010-J- LP, 5 of us see a 923 flop and i fold to a bet. $14,840.bb,2-2-,tight 6k stack makes it 800 from mp, $600 for $1,100 but hes not even deep. and hu oop. fold.$14,640.sb, K-Q- (card rack eh?), mp limped, i call, bb checks. Flop J 7 2, i bet $325 to pick up the pot. They pass.$15,040.WOW...K K!, ep makes it $600, one caller, i make it $2,200. Raiser just calls leaving $2,000. Flop JQ2,I really not sucha fan of this flop but i gotta stick him in anyway. HE calls with Ac10c, i win. $20,115. lol I should do hand histories moreoften, I never KK let alone twice in an hour lol....Just so you know, this isnt the norm for me picking up KK,KK and AQ etcin the same hour. I am used to scraping minoscule pots playing hundreds of flops for 2 chips.Still long may it continue.3d6d , utg +1, i make it $525, and get 3 calls from ppl in position. I neglect the chance to bet altho i often would heads upor even with 2, on a Q 10 8 flop and let 2 other guys fight it out.$19,590.7c9c, ep, i limp.5 of us see a J 9 2 flop, i passively check.someone leads at a pot sized bet and again position has costme some chips there. I can take a stab , but with 3 behind me and the blinds , I think its likely im getting called or raised.$19,340.bb,J-9-,heads up vs sb, flop comes 10 9 2, he checks, i check, I am lookin for value on antother street here. Turn 6, he checksI cant give another free and fire $250 into $625, he calls. River A, He checks i value bet $325 into $1,100 but he folds.sb- Q5 fold to a riase.$19,865.4h6h, button, heres a scenario where USUALLY Id riase a bit, but both bb and sb , are a little short , we are not near the moneyso they will gamble here, so i only call looking to play a small pot. BB pushes for $4,400 though and i pass.$19,590.Althoughit was passive only calling I think i did the right thing, if there was big stacks or medium stacks in the blinds , a riaseis fine, but in this spot I think a call or fold is correct imo.utg +1, Ac10c, i make it $525 to go.one guy in position calls. hes deep. Flop is nice 10s6s3c, I bet $725 he calls.Turn Ks,that is really nasty , i check as does he, river 9, I still dont feel comfortable value betting oop and we both check.I checked historyhe had 5-5.$21,240.bb, 3s4s,2 limps and a huge 5xbb riase. Man!!! I really wanna see a flop there , but when its gets to me im laid only 2-1,and that oop with 4 hi isnt enough.Q10 sb, fold to ep riase.$20,890.Blinds up to $200/$400 $25 Ante.So now theres chips in the pot worth taking, raising rather then limping marginal will be moreprevalent.3-3 mp, i make it $1,000 and take it down pre flop.$21,590.bb,7-9-,i go heads up vs a limper, flop QQ7,i check, (im check calling here), he checks, turn 9, i lead for $400 into $1.1he calls, river 2, check check. I win.$22,715.I could have bet, but no draws etc came, so If he bets im paying him off.But if i bet, im likelygetting re raised or he ll fold. If that makes any sense.Sb, A-6- fold to a riase pre flop.$22,515.10djd, mp, i call after 2 ep limps,flop 3 3 5, and a bet from the blinds is made. I fold.$22,040. (someone had 3-3 wow)Kc9c mp, i make it 1k,button calls.Flop comes J 8 7 (2h) I lead $1,600 into $2,800 and take it down.$23,790.bb,10d-Jd,short stack pushes or 3.5k,one caller, i fold Qs vs 9s.$23,315.sb,AdKd,i limp into the new bb (who has alot of chips), i am just mixin it up here. If he raises pre im 100% re raising though.He checks, Flop is like 365, I check fold, I could accept criticism here cos its not a usual way to play AK, but I will oftenjust call with AK against the bb, for a few reasons - deception mainly but also he may think im making a move when i push overthe top once hes raised and get action from a weaker hand. But also if i hit a big flop, its less likely he ll put me on A or K.Since I didnt raise pre.7s8s, mp,i make it 1k and take it down.$23,640.
2nd Break, $23,640. 542 left, Average Stack $18,204. That hour went quite well I almost quadrupled my stack and I felt I played relatively well.A few pots I could have been more agressive but I didn't feel my stack could take a hit hence the passiveness.Also, I wasnt so short that I had to be a loony. Last 2 hours, my stats are higher then what I would have 36% of the time i saw the flop.I am playing more tighter then usual however, I am getting alotmore nicer hands which explains the high %.10 pots without showdown and 8/9 pots won at showdown.I will reset the stats now, cos i dont want it to include first rebuy hour.
$300/$600 Ante $50
BB,5-7-,utg min riases, button calls , so I do too. Flop Q33 , I nearly bet, but check fold.Min raise utg is often a big pair I have noticed.sb,4-5- fold to pre riase.$21,890.I am beggining to notice people are getting more agressive pre flop now , players will tighten up closer to the money but now, Everyone is tryin to get chips obviously.I am seeing some donkey plays still and am hopin I can capitalise on it soon, right now im not gettin any hands and people are raising before me so I am not gettin the chance to.bb,22, 4 of us see a Q 10 9 flop, I just check fold.$20,890.sb,Q-8-,i limp into bb , who riases heavy. (why couldnt he do taht the AK hand )$20,190.Since the break , I haven't volountarily got involved yet, I just got to sit on my hands while everyones raising pre flop and wait for an oppurtune moment to double up.This is a part of the game I dont like, cos I want to get involved in pots and play poker, but when I am drew a table like this. I got to be smart really.co, J-J- I make it 1,600,bb calls. Flop Q 9 7, He bets modest $1,200, I make it $3,400 he calls. turn 6, check check. river 5, he bets min $600 I call. $26,440.He had 10 J.AQ ep, I make it $1,600.one caller in co, flop K 4 3, I lead for $2,200 he pushes, foldio. $22,490.
$400/$800 Ante 50
Ah4h, UTG yuck. Really nh, but I cant play it especially not on this table.bb,Jd-5d,utg min raises, i call gettin laid 4-1. Flop A 10 K (2d), I check, he bets min, I decide I dont wanna call and hope, hes layin QQ- so i push (and im never in terrible shape on this flop) Surprisingly he calls with A8 but i get there.$37k.sb,22,5 of us see a 775 flop, I bet $2000 and they fold.$41,406.rags, rags, rags, no worries i can wait a little for the moment.bb,10-2,fold to ep raise.$40,306.sb,Ah-8h,ep limps, I call, and passively check fold Q-9-3 flop.This is a pot Id usually take a stab at , but 2 clubs aswell,I decide to give it up.$39,406.mp,Q-J, I make it $2,100.sb pushes, and bb calls.they both had AK, I woulda made a straight.I couldnt call $9k more there.$37,156.
$600/$1,200 $75 Ante
bb,Q-10, ep min riases (why they alwaus do this?), I call, and fold post flop.$34,600.sb,A-6-,limper and a raise, I pass.$33,800. Things not going so well just now, but im not short stacked or anything.button,A-8-, I make it 3k, they fold.$36,206.K 10 ,mp, I make it $3k they fold. $38,531.bb,2-8-,fold to ep riase.$37,031.sb,2-7-,i call bb. And bet $2k on a J 10 5 flop. $38,756.AQ. Mp,i make it $3k.one caller in pos. I fold on 10 7 2flop.Many times i bet this flop, but my opponent was a POW, and i feel strongly hes coming with me with something as weak as a small pair like 5s etc. So i let him have this one,little annoying that majority of pots im playing are oop, but eh. $35,381
$800/$1,600 Ante $75
bb,83 fold to pre riasing war.sb,26,i call bb and lead $2,100 on J 7 5 flop.$35,756.Co,A-9-,i make it $4,200. Same guy calls from sb. flop 764, He leads for $8k, I noticed earlier he bets small with strong, so i went with it and pushed allin.He passed.$50,125.utg +1,AdJd i make it $4k. $52,925.bb,A 10, they all fold. $54,200.sb,A8h,i limp into bb, (small bet poker), i hit an A check, he checks, So I lead turn he folds.$56,380.I showed him , so he doesnt think i am a bluffer.mp,8d9d, i make it 4k, one caller to my left, I check a A 10 8 flop, he checks, turn K, I should lead here but check fold to a sizeable bet. I think I played this hand poorly, so i deserve to lose it.$52,156. Again a hand oop.AQ , bb, mid min bets , I call. Flop 442, (2s) i had As, I check call 3.2k , just to see if he shuts down the turn, He checks turn 10, river 9. I usually check here,but i bet $5k just for the times he has small pairs like 3s-6s, or AK. He calls with 66 and im down like 10k from that pot.
3rd Break $39,506. Average $46k , 212 players remain.
pretty shit losing on that last hand , I have a habit of losing just before the break often, I think the best thing to do is just fold on the flop. I mean I read him for weakness,but didnt want to have to put over 10k in hence the call but really I dont have much, and I coulda saved 5k on river. ah well.21% view flop stat this hr. I gonna need to work hard next hour cos the money spots are comin up and people will play tighter, Cue pre flop agression.
$1,000/$2,000 $100 Ante.
bb,8-4-, fold to freak all in by sb lol.$36,000.sb,6-7-, fold to ep raise. $35,700
mp, AQ, $5,500.$39,300.
mp,AK,raise to $5,500.$43,000. Would have liked some action taht hand. I prefer no action when im stealing not when i got it .eh eh eh.BB,A-9-,fold to mp riase.$40,706.Sb, 3-6-,i limp, flop JJ6, i check call $4k, turn K, check check, rive rJ, i check call $6k. $53,300. ( he had 2-5-)BB,3-5-,fold to an all in.$50,706.
$1,500/$3,000 $150 Ante
sb, Q-9-, I limp after 2 limpers and fold K 10 x flop.$47,556.mp,8-8 i make it $7,500 they pass. $52,806.Q-J , sigh utg, fold.BB,6-9,fold to ep riase.$49,200.SB,9-2,fold to mp riase.$47,556.
CO,A-Q,make it $7,500.$53,000.
BB,Q-2,fold to ep riase.$49,200
SB,2-6,fold to all in. $47,556.Really card dead just now, and people are in there before me so i cant raise freely. Tougher table then usual this one.Could do with AA vs KK about now.
BB,Q-5,new table. Just cashed , 135 left. I check 3 way on a 10 82 flop and fold on turn.SB,10-6,call then pass to bb chipleader raise.$40,206. by looks of it , limping is frequent on this new table despite bb being $3k , pretty weird.
$2,000/$4,000 Ante $200
co, A-7-, Raise to $11k.Chppy thinks for ages folds.$47,606.See, those Kings twice in that hour post rebuy was like a miracle I aint seen any other huge pairs really. Eh, Things aint a catastrophe still.
Moved table,BB-3-3,fold to ep raise.$42,800.
SB,2-4-,fold to mp raise.$40,600.
A-8-, button, limper then huge raise, Fold I guess.
Moved table ( they keep puttin me in BB!!!)
UTG+1, 6-6, This is a tough spot, If i had 30k I think id have to push but 40k I have fold equity still when im in lp.Tough spot, I am not entirely sure what is most+ev, I mean $7,600 out there in blinds and antes. I ll leave that for you lot to assess.
BB,10-J,fold to mp riase, any hand i re raise with , im gettingg a call. So I cant be too creative with this stack.$35,206.
$3,000/$6,000 Ante $300 (Made next jump in cash)
Gamble time then lol.Sb,Qs3s, 2 allins in front of me.$31,906.
I am gonna be involved in a showdown very soon, so heres hoping i hold up or get lucky.Man everyones getting QQ+ on this table but me.3-4, 2-3, 3-5, the last 3 hands just so you know. I really dont want to have to gamble in bb.
UTG +! , KhQh pushed , co re raised all with A10s. I wasnt at all annoyed really , I mean I could have been crushed . Obviously I lost though, and busted in 87th place.$94 for my efforts. I spent $20 this mtt, but its useless cash I mean 5 hrs work for $50 isnt very good.
I got to say I am very happy I wrote this mtt down cos it summises pretty much the last month or 2 for me, I work hard the first few hours to get chips( this time I wasnt ever huge ) but albeit I bob and weave to get far then at the last hurdle I really cant get hands, get lucky , hold up whatever. If i push as a steal im called by AA in bb etc.Its very frustrating but I have a pretty thick spine with poker. I think the 6-6 hand I could have pushed with maybe, but no other hands late on could I see playing any different. Note I only type hands that are of any signficance, every pot I was invovlved in is in this long long post.I didnt think it was necesary to type every handI play. If I get lucky there I am sittin with around $80,000 with the blinds and the call which isnt great but If i get a hand or a couple of steals I am on my way again.I think usually I would have been more creative and either busted earlier or been sitting with more chips, but its at your peril to be too crazy in a 1,400 man mtt.You are going to run into a big hand one time. Anyway to sum up, quality of cards and moving tables etc really affected me negatively this mtt.
Well I hope this gave some insight into how I play a mtt. If you have read all this , then Phuff I am impressed... If you just scrolled to the bottom shame on you! lol.
Narciso Baldo.
