Anatomy Of A 7 Card Stud SNG

First of all, I want to thank Instant Tragedy for railing me during the $26k last night. I finshed in 140th place for a small amount of cash. I can't say I played my best poker. I got lucky in the spots that I picked (except for 2) and I played about as well as I could given the cards that I had. So, in 4 of these donkfests, I've cashed two, and would've cashed three if I didn't blow my stack in the second one. I'm confident that I can final table one of these, if not take it down completely, in just a matter of time.
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Anyways, I got a couple of responses from others interested in some 7 Card Stud strategy. I want to preface this by saying definitely take this with a grain of salt. I don't think strategy is the right word, because I'm sure some would argue that some of these plays don't make sense. But, nevertheless, I'm going to dissect my most recent 7 Card Stud victory for everyone to see. Wish me luck.


This first hand is an example of where I may have chased my hand too much, but I had a reason for doing it the whole time.

Full Tilt Poker Game #2532138422: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 50/100 Ante 10 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 20:57:08 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 1: bailey3 (1,297)
Seat 2: PUNKART (622)
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (1,559)
Seat 4: mclarich (1,853)
Seat 5: touty37 (2,113)
Seat 6: Cambo71 (1,647)
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat (1,262)
Seat 8: GMAN10465 (1,647)
bailey3 antes 10
PUNKART antes 10
MAINTGUY antes 10
mclarich antes 10
touty37 antes 10
Cambo71 antes 10
Jr Pokerbrat antes 10
GMAN10465 antes 10
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bailey3 [Qh]
Dealt to PUNKART [Ks]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Jc]
Dealt to mclarich [2s 4c] [3c]
Dealt to touty37 [As]
Dealt to Cambo71 [6c]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ts]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [9s]
mclarich is low with [3c]
mclarich brings in for 15
touty37 calls 15
PUNKART calls 15
MAINTGUY calls 15
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [Ks] [Ac]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Jc] [2c]
Dealt to mclarich [2s 4c 3c] [3s]
Dealt to touty37 [As] [3d]
mclarich checks
touty37 bets 50
PUNKART calls 50
MAINTGUY calls 50
mclarich calls 50

So I check call this with just a pair of threes because I'm not convinced that I'm beat. Touty37 bets out when he gets a 3, and he can see that I've got threes as well. Unless someone is slowplaying a big pair, there's a chance I'm ahead with just 3s. Plus, I have some straight draws, and I'm getting odds to call.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [Ks Ac] [6d]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Jc 2c] [Ah]
Dealt to mclarich [2s 4c 3c 3s] [6s]
Dealt to touty37 [As 3d] [9d]
mclarich checks
touty37 checks
PUNKART checks
MAINTGUY bets 100
mclarich calls 100
touty37 folds
PUNKART calls 100

Another check call? The 6 is a good card for me, but I'm controlling pot size by check-calling. It gives me a gutshot or runner-runner for a flush. Plus, MAINYGUY decides to bet when the A hits? When two other Aces were showing? I'm not buying it, and I'm willing to see another card.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [Ks Ac 6d] [Kd]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Jc 2c Ah] [7d]
Dealt to mclarich [2s 4c 3c 3s 6s] [4d]
PUNKART bets 100
MAINTGUY calls 100
mclarich calls 100

PUNKART bets out with his pair of Kings showing, but I have to think that I'm still good here with my two pair, especially considering MAINTGUY doesn't reraise here.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [2s 4c 3c 3s 6s 4d] [5c]
PUNKART bets 100
MAINTGUY calls 100
mclarich raises to 200
PUNKART has 15 seconds left to act
PUNKART folds
MAINTGUY calls 100

Booyah! I'm sure I have the best hand here unless someone three bets me. The only thing that will beat me if is someone makes a full house on 7th st.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
mclarich shows [5c 4c 3c 3s 6s 4d 2s] (a straight, Six high)
MAINTGUY shows [Ad 7h Jc 2c Ah 7d 2h] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)

IMO, MAINTGUY plays this horribly the entire way. First, he calls with just A high, no straight or flush possibilities, then calls the bet on 4th st when two of his Aces are showing. He miraculously pairs his A on 5th, but when he makes two pair on 6th st, he doesn't reraise. Yes, I admit, I chased pretty much the whole way, but at no point was I convinced that I was that far behind, if at all, and I was getting odds to stay in the hand.


This next hand is an example of where I call a reraise on third street that I normally wouldn't call. I do this because one of the bettors is all in before 3rd st, so I know I'll be able to control the pot and not see any two or three bets.

Full Tilt Poker Game #2532212607: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 80/160 Ante 15 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:06:37 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 1: bailey3 (1,152)
Seat 2: PUNKART (589)
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (2,774)
Seat 4: mclarich (2,603)
Seat 5: touty37 (183)
Seat 6: Cambo71 (1,522)
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat (1,635)
Seat 8: GMAN10465 (1,542)
bailey3 antes 15
PUNKART antes 15
MAINTGUY antes 15
mclarich antes 15
touty37 antes 15
Cambo71 antes 15
Jr Pokerbrat antes 15
GMAN10465 antes 15
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bailey3 [7c]
Dealt to PUNKART [6s]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Qd]
Dealt to mclarich [Ts 3c] [Tc]
Dealt to touty37 [Ac]
Dealt to Cambo71 [8s]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [5h]
GMAN10465 is low with [5h]
GMAN10465 brings in for 25
MAINTGUY calls 25
mclarich calls 25
touty37 completes it to 80
Jr Pokerbrat raises to 160
mclarich calls 135
touty37 raises to 168, and is all in
Jr Pokerbrat calls 8
mclarich calls 8

With a raise and a reraise in front of me, and the other two showing overcards, I'm usually more than willing to throw way a pair like TT, but like I mentioned above, since I'm going to be heads up from here on out, I'm willing to make the call.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Ts 3c Tc] [Th]
Dealt to touty37 [Ac] [Kc]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah] [Qh]
mclarich checks
Jr Pokerbrat bets 160
mclarich calls 160

I know I'm ahead here, so I'm going to give Jr Pokerbrat a chance to hang himself.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Ts 3c Tc Th] [3d]
Dealt to touty37 [Ac Kc] [Jc]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah Qh] [4h]
mclarich checks
Jr Pokerbrat bets 160
mclarich calls 160

I don't go for the two bet here because I don't want to risk a check-fold on 6th St.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Ts 3c Tc Th 3d] [Js]
Dealt to touty37 [Ac Kc Jc] [4s]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah Qh 4h] [Td]
mclarich checks
Jr Pokerbrat bets 160
mclarich raises to 320
Jr Pokerbrat calls 160

With one card to come, and the case T in his hand, I go for the checkraise here, hoping he might three bet it against me.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Ts 3c Tc Th 3d Js] [6h]
mclarich bets 160
Jr Pokerbrat calls 160

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 4: mclarich showed [Ts 6h Tc Th 3d Js 3c] and won (2,274) with a full house, Tens full of Threes
Seat 5: touty37 mucked [9c 6c Ac Kc Jc 4s 2s] - a flush, Ace high
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat mucked [As Ks Ah Qh 4h Td Qc] - two pair, Aces and Queens

One thing I will admit is that I'm not always able to maximize my bets. I probably lost 1-2 bets on this hand. Although Pokerbrat's reraise on 3rd St should have signaled he had Aces, I lost sight of that during the hand, and probably could have milked a couple more bets out if I was paying attention.

Here's a hand where I get a little too aggressive against a shortstack and ultimately pay for it.

Full Tilt Poker Game #2532281621: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 100/200 Ante 15 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:15:12 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 1: bailey3 (1,495)
Seat 2: PUNKART (874)
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (3,394)
Seat 4: mclarich (3,689)
Seat 6: Cambo71 (797)
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat (504)
Seat 8: GMAN10465 (1,247)
bailey3 antes 15
PUNKART antes 15
MAINTGUY antes 15
mclarich antes 15
Cambo71 antes 15
Jr Pokerbrat antes 15
GMAN10465 antes 15
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bailey3 [9d]
Dealt to PUNKART [3s]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [4c]
Dealt to mclarich [Th 8s] [Td]
Dealt to Cambo71 [6d]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [5d]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [Ks]
PUNKART is low with [3s]
PUNKART brings in for 30
mclarich completes it to 100
Jr Pokerbrat calls 100
GMAN10465 calls 100
PUNKART raises to 200
mclarich raises to 300
Jr Pokerbrat folds
GMAN10465 calls 200
PUNKART raises to 400
mclarich calls 100
GMAN10465 calls 100

I came with the threebet for two reasons. One, I was hoping to isolate the shortstack and go heads up. Two, he pulls the sneaky reraise after the bring in, and I'm curious to know where I'm at. It looks like I'm pretty far behind.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [3s] [2h]
Dealt to mclarich [Th 8s Td] [9h]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [Ks] [Js]
GMAN10465 checks
PUNKART bets 100
mclarich calls 100
GMAN10465 calls 100

The 9 gives me some potential straight draw possibilities, but more importantly, I'm getting odds to call.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [3s 2h] [Kd]
Dealt to mclarich [Th 8s Td 9h] [4s]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [Ks Js] [Jh]
GMAN10465 bets 200
PUNKART calls 200
mclarich calls 200

GMAN leads out when the J hits. This is the point where I should have folded. I think I kept calling because of the pot odds, but I should have thrown this away and saved a bet or two.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [3s 2h Kd] [7s]
Dealt to mclarich [Th 8s Td 9h 4s] [Qs]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [Ks Js Jh] [7d]
GMAN10465 bets 200
PUNKART calls 159, and is all in
mclarich calls 200

Again, can't throw away a chance at a 3k pot for 200. I made my bed, I'll lie in it.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Th 8s Td 9h 4s Qs] [Qh]
GMAN10465 checks
mclarich checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
GMAN10465 shows [As Kh Ks Js Jh 7d Qc] (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
mclarich mucks
GMAN10465 wins the side pot (82) with two pair, Kings and Jacks
PUNKART shows [Ah Ac 3s 2h Kd 7s 3h] (two pair, Aces and Threes)
PUNKART wins the main pot (2,782) with two pair, Aces and Threes
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,864 Main pot 2,782. Side pot 82. | Rake 0
Seat 2: PUNKART showed [Ah Ac 3s 2h Kd 7s 3h] and won (2,782) with two pair, Aces and Threes
Seat 4: mclarich mucked [Qh Th Td 9h 4s Qs 8s] - two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 8: GMAN10465 showed [As Kh Ks Js Jh 7d Qc] and won (82) with two pair, Kings and Jacks

Sometimes I try to be too aggressive and it comes back to bite me. But, I have no problem showing my mistakes, so there ya go. In fact, this hand sets up the next one nicely:



Full Tilt Poker Game #2532333459: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:21:38 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 1: bailey3 (1,321)
Seat 2: PUNKART (3,612)
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (3,114)
Seat 4: mclarich (2,499)
Seat 6: Cambo71 (607)
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat (648)
Seat 8: GMAN10465 (199)
bailey3 antes 20
PUNKART antes 20
MAINTGUY antes 20
mclarich antes 20
Cambo71 antes 20
Jr Pokerbrat antes 20
GMAN10465 antes 20
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bailey3 [6c]
Dealt to PUNKART [Qc]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6h]
Dealt to mclarich [7s 5c] [5h]
Dealt to Cambo71 [4h]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [4s]
Cambo71 is low with [4h]
Cambo71 brings in for 40
Jr Pokerbrat calls 40
GMAN10465 folds
bailey3 folds
PUNKART calls 40
MAINTGUY folds
mclarich calls 40

If no one is going to complete, I will always call with any pair.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PUNKART [Qc] [5s]
Dealt to mclarich [7s 5c 5h] [6s]
Dealt to Cambo71 [4h] [8c]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [Ah] [9d]
Jr Pokerbrat checks
PUNKART checks
mclarich checks
Cambo71 bets 120
Jr Pokerbrat folds
PUNKART folds
mclarich calls 120

I'm not convinced that my 5s are behind, plus I pick up some straight possibilites.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [7s 5c 5h 6s] [9c]
Dealt to Cambo71 [4h 8c] [7c]
mclarich checks
Cambo71 bets 240
mclarich calls 240

So now I'm a little worried. The second bet means I'm probably behind, and maybe even up against someone with a pair of 8s. Because he completed, I really don't know where I stand against this guy. At the same time, he may just be on some kind of draw himself. I pick up another card for my straight possibilities.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [7s 5c 5h 6s 9c] [5d]
Dealt to Cambo71 [4h 8c 7c] [Kh]
mclarich checks
Cambo71 bets 187, and is all in
mclarich calls 187
Cambo71 shows [Qs Qh 4h 8c 7c Kh]
mclarich shows [7s 5c 5h 6s 9c 5d]

So it looks like I was behind the whole time after all. In this guys position, I'm not just bringing in, I'm completing. He probably has the best hand prior to 4th St, and with only one A showing on third street, there's no guarantee he'll get a chance to repop. Plus, he's shortstacked, and in his position, I'd rather win a small pot than get 3-4 people involved with drawing hands.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [7s 5c 5h 6s 9c 5d] [Jd]
Dealt to Cambo71 [Qs Qh 4h 8c 7c Kh] [9s]
Cambo71 shows [Qs Qh 4h 8c 7c Kh 9s] (a pair of Queens)
mclarich shows [7s 5c 5h 6s 9c 5d Jd] (three of a kind, Fives)
mclarich wins the pot (1,394) with three of a kind, Fives
Cambo71 stands up

In fact, a couple of hands later, I'm in his same position:


Full Tilt Poker Game #2532355260: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:24:22 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 1: bailey3 (3,056)
Seat 2: PUNKART (2,257)
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (2,699)
Seat 4: mclarich (3,191)
Seat 7: Jr Pokerbrat (503)
Seat 8: GMAN10465 (294)
bailey3 antes 25
PUNKART antes 25
MAINTGUY antes 25
mclarich antes 25
Jr Pokerbrat antes 25
GMAN10465 antes 25
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to bailey3 [Th]
Dealt to PUNKART [Ts]
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6d]
Dealt to mclarich [Qh Qc] [2h]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [6h]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [7d]
mclarich is low with [2h]
mclarich brings in for 50
Jr Pokerbrat calls 50
PUNKART: nh
GMAN10465 calls 50
bailey3 folds
PUNKART folds
MAINTGUY calls 50

Now, why do I criticize the other guy for limping, but do it myself? One, I've got the stack to do it. Two, I have an easier time getting away from big pairs if I'm pretty sure I'm behind.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6d] [Kh]
Dealt to mclarich [Qh Qc 2h] [2s]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [6h] [Jc]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [7d] [4s]
mclarich checks
Jr Pokerbrat checks
GMAN10465 checks
MAINTGUY checks

With a pretty well concealed two pair, and without any scary hands showing, I'm ok with checking and trying to induce a bet from someone.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6d Kh] [6c]
Dealt to mclarich [Qh Qc 2h 2s] [8c]
Dealt to Jr Pokerbrat [6h Jc] [Kd]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [7d 4s] [5s]
MAINTGUY bets 300
mclarich calls 300
Jr Pokerbrat folds
GMAN10465 calls 219, and is all in

MAINTGUY pairs his 6s and takes a stab at the pot. I still think I'm pretty far ahead of anyone. GMAN may be on a big draw, but with his low stack, there's nothing more I can do about him. I might have been able to two bet it here, but I'm willing to wait one more hand for that.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6d Kh 6c] [Tc]
Dealt to mclarich [Qh Qc 2h 2s 8c] [Js]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [7d 4s 5s] [Qd]
MAINTGUY checks
mclarich bets 300
MAINTGUY folds
mclarich shows [Qh Qc 2h 2s 8c Js]
GMAN10465 shows [7h As 7d 4s 5s Qd]
Uncalled bet of 300 returned to mclarich

I bet out here because this I won't be as sure on 7th St that I'm ahead. MAINTGUY realizes his 6s are no good and folds.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Qh Qc 2h 2s 8c Js] [9h]
Dealt to GMAN10465 [7h As 7d 4s 5s Qd] [Jd]
mclarich wins the side pot (162)
mclarich shows [Qh Qc 2h 2s 8c Js 9h] (two pair, Queens and Twos)
GMAN10465 shows [7h As 7d 4s 5s Qd Jd] (a pair of Sevens)
mclarich wins the main pot (1,007) with two pair, Queens and Twos
GMAN10465 stands up



Fast forward to two handed play. I must have donked it up some, because I lose some of my stack. MAINTGUY, on the other hand, has run into some big hands and takes out the other two players. I've got a huge defecit to overcome, and I start with this hand.


Full Tilt Poker Game #2532598428: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 400/800 Ante 75 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:53:33 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (9,145)
Seat 4: mclarich (2,855)
MAINTGUY antes 75
mclarich antes 75
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ad]
Dealt to mclarich [Jh Qd] [Qh]
mclarich is low with [Qh]
mclarich brings in for 100
PUNKART (Observer): gg
MAINTGUY calls 100

Not to be hypocritical, but the difference in my limping here is that A) unless he's got an A underneath or KK, I'm very much ahead and B) I need to give this guy a chance to catch up if I'm going to make a comeback.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ad] [8h]
Dealt to mclarich [Jh Qd Qh] [3c]
MAINTGUY bets 400
mclarich calls 400

Still being deceptive. He could have paired his 8, he could be betting with air.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ad 8h] [8c]
Dealt to mclarich [Jh Qd Qh 3c] [2s]
MAINTGUY bets 800
mclarich has 15 seconds left to act
mclarich calls 800

I don't like that second 8, and based on the way he's played before, I very well could be up against trips or two pair. But, there's also a good chance my Queens are still ahead. At this point, it's all or nothing, but I'm going to give him a chance to put me all in.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ad 8h 8c] [6s]
Dealt to mclarich [Jh Qd Qh 3c 2s] [7c]
MAINTGUY bets 800
mclarich raises to 1,480, and is all in
MAINTGUY calls 680
mclarich shows [Jh Qd Qh 3c 2s 7c]
MAINTGUY shows [3d 7h Ad 8h 8c 6s]

Sure enough, he had nothing but A high until 5th St. When I call on 4th St with nothing but a Q and a 3 unsuited showing, he should have been cautious, even when he pairs hit 8.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [3d 7h Ad 8h 8c 6s] [8d]
Dealt to mclarich [Jh Qd Qh 3c 2s 7c] [Qc]
mclarich shows [Jh Qd Qh 3c 2s 7c Qc] (three of a kind, Queens)
MAINTGUY shows [3d 7h Ad 8h 8c 6s 8d] (three of a kind, Eights)
mclarich wins the pot (5,710) with three of a kind, Queens

Good thing we BOTH tripped up on 7th St, or I would've been on mega tilt. I think there's an argument to be made about reraising to find out just where I'm at, but I went with a read that he had nothing and tried to give myself the best opportunity to double up.

So now, I finally get Aces. Again, I could complete and take the pot down now, or play it out and see what happens. Note: I don't always slow play my pairs, even big ones heads up. It's definitely important to mix it up.


Full Tilt Poker Game #2532625037: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 500/1000 Ante 100 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:56:40 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (7,765)
Seat 4: mclarich (4,235)
MAINTGUY antes 100
mclarich antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ts]
Dealt to mclarich [5h As] [Ac]
MAINTGUY is low with [Ts]
MAINTGUY brings in for 150
mclarich calls 150

He probably can't suspect that I have Aces, so let's see what happens.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ts] [9c]
Dealt to mclarich [5h As Ac] [Qh]
mclarich checks
MAINTGUY checks

When the 9 hits, it could possibly give him some draws, but I check to maintain the image that I have nothing.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ts 9c] [3h]
Dealt to mclarich [5h As Ac Qh] [7h]
mclarich checks
MAINTGUY checks

More deception. At best, the 3 pairs him up but he's still way behind.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Ts 9c 3h] [8s]
Dealt to mclarich [5h As Ac Qh 7h] [Jd]
mclarich bets 1,000
MAINTGUY calls 1,000

My last chance to get some chips. With T98 showing, he could have a decent draw. Even if I make two pair or trips, I won't be able to bet 7th st. He just calls, leading me to believe he's on a draw.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [5h As Ac Qh 7h Jd] [3d]
mclarich checks
MAINTGUY checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 3: MAINTGUY mucked [Ah Js Ts 9c 3h 8s 6s] - Ace Jack high
Seat 4: mclarich showed [As 5h Ac Qh 7h Jd 3d] and won (2,500) with a pair of Aces


On this hand, I elect to go for a two bet when I normally wouldn't, only because we are heads up and I've got a semi made hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #2532652642: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 500/1000 Ante 100 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 21:59:54 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (5,315)
Seat 4: mclarich (6,685)
MAINTGUY antes 100
mclarich antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6s]
Dealt to mclarich [8c 9s] [Ts]
MAINTGUY is low with [6s]
MAINTGUY brings in for 150
mclarich calls 150

My rule for calling with drawing hands is simple. If I'm going for a flush, I either have to have three of the suit, or if I have two, I have to at least be paired. Only having two to the flush by 3rd St will probably make your chase very expensive. If I'm chasing a straight, then I either have to be open ended, like in this case, or a one gapper with some high cards (AKJ, JT8, etc.)

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6s] [Ah]
Dealt to mclarich [8c 9s Ts] [8s]
MAINTGUY bets 500
mclarich raises to 1,000
MAINTGUY folds
Uncalled bet of 500 returned to mclarich
mclarich mucks
mclarich wins the pot (1,500)

So I come with the two bet here because, not only am I paired with some monster draws, but I'm also relatively vulnerable. At a full table, I'd just call, but based on this guy's previous play, I have every reason to believe I have the best hand.


Here's an example of a slowplay that was probably misplayed, but at the time my justification made sense. I'll let you be the judge.


Full Tilt Poker Game #2532679486: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 600/1200 Ante 100 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 22:03:01 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (5,880)
Seat 4: mclarich (6,120)
MAINTGUY antes 100
mclarich antes 100
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [3s]
Dealt to mclarich [Ad 2h] [As]
MAINTGUY is low with [3s]
MAINTGUY brings in for 200
mclarich calls 200

Again, the reason why I'll slowplay my big pairs yet criticize my opponent for doing the same is this: I can get away from my pairs when I think I'm beat, yet I don't think this guy can. Simply put, he doesn't know HOW to slowplay his pairs. However, I will admit that at somepoint in this hand, I should have reraised to find out where I'm at.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [3s] [6c]
Dealt to mclarich [Ad 2h As] [3c]
mclarich checks
MAINTGUY checks
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [3s 6c] [6s]
Dealt to mclarich [Ad 2h As 3c] [Qd]
MAINTGUY bets 1,200
mclarich calls 1,200
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [3s 6c 6s] [7d]
Dealt to mclarich [Ad 2h As 3c Qd] [Kh]
MAINTGUY bets 1,200
mclarich calls 1,200
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to mclarich [Ad 2h As 3c Qd Kh] [9s]
MAINTGUY bets 1,200
mclarich calls 1,200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
MAINTGUY shows [9h 4d 3s 6c 6s 7d 2s] (a pair of Sixes)
mclarich shows [Ad 9s As 3c Qd Kh 2h] (a pair of Aces)
mclarich wins the pot (7,800) with a pair of Aces

This is not my proudest moment. However, my rationale behind the weak calls is this: 1. I'm not folding my Aces at any point, even on 7th St. 2. At the time, I thought this was the best way to extract more chips, as he's shown a tendency to fold to my reraises. Did I play this right? Admittedly, no. But he also played this horribly by betting out on every street with nothing but a pair of 6s, especially when he's seen me slowplay a big pair on him on at least two occasions.


At this point he's pretty well shortstacked, yet he finds an odd hand to take a stand with:

Full Tilt Poker Game #2532759584: $5 + $0.50 Sit & Go (19136651), Table 1 - 800/1600 Ante 150 - Limit Seven Card Stud - 22:12:20 ET - 2007/05/28
Seat 3: MAINTGUY (1,860)
Seat 4: mclarich (10,140)
MAINTGUY antes 150
mclarich antes 150
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6h]
Dealt to mclarich [Qd Ks] [7c]
MAINTGUY is low with [6h]
MAINTGUY brings in for 250
mclarich calls 250
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [6h] [2h]
Dealt to mclarich [Qd Ks 7c] [Kc]
mclarich checks
MAINTGUY bets 800
mclarich raises to 1,600
MAINTGUY calls 660, and is all in
mclarich shows [Qd Ks 7c Kc]
MAINTGUY shows [Kh Td 6h 2h]
Uncalled bet of 140 returned to mclarich
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Kh Td 6h 2h] [6d]
Dealt to mclarich [Qd Ks 7c Kc] [2d]
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Kh Td 6h 2h 6d] [4s]
Dealt to mclarich [Qd Ks 7c Kc 2d] [Qs]
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to MAINTGUY [Kh Td 6h 2h 6d 4s] [9c]
Dealt to mclarich [Qd Ks 7c Kc 2d Qs] [5s]
mclarich shows [Qd Ks 7c Kc 2d Qs 5s] (two pair, Kings and Queens)
MAINTGUY shows [Kh Td 6h 2h 6d 4s 9c] (a pair of Sixes)
mclarich wins the pot (3,720) with two pair, Kings and Queens

He must have decided to give up, because I can't understand betting out with a 6 and a 2 showing against a K7. I expected to see at least a pair of twos there.

So it's not much of a strategy post as it is more of an SNG analysis. I like to think that I'm good at Stud, but it may also be that I'm just not as bad as those that I play. Maybe at some point I'll try to make a post that's more strategy based, but for now, I'd love to hear some feedback from anyone (that is, if you've made it this far).

Rockin' The Stud

I'm back. Back to online poker, that is.

I accidentally made a deposit back into Full Tilt. I was testing out the credit card option on ePassporte to see what fees I was up against. I clicked "Continue", thinking that I was going to get to a confirmation page. Instead, it just started processing. Well, since I had money in ePassporte, I figured "what the hell" and sent it to FTP.

I'm pleased to say that things have been going fairly well. I've increased my initial deposit by 50%, but if you include the token I won, I've doubled it. The first couple of games I was still working out the bugs, but I've been on a decent run lately:

$11 SNG - cashed 1\1 (1st)
$5.50 SNG (NL) - cashed 3\5 (1 1st, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
$5.50 SNG (7stud) - cashed 1\1 (1st)

I bumped up my stakes, because frankly, I know I'm good enough to take these down consistently. I don't need to be fucking around at the microstakes SnGs. Am I going to hit some downswings? Sure. But my recent results show that I can build my bankroll at these stakes.
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Speaking of 7 Card Stud...does anyone else play this? It seems to be pretty unpopular, apparent by how long it takes just 1 SnG to fill up. I started playing around with other games, like Stud & Omaha, about a year ago, and I've seemed to do fairly well in 7 Stud (as exhibited by my takedown of The Dookie a couple of months ago). I might get around to posting some of my strategy thoughts on 7 Stud, but first, I'm curious to know if I'm the only one playing this anymore.
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Tonight is the Mookie. Again, I won't be playing it, just live blogging it. I might try to play next week, or sometime soon. It also looks like fellow blogger Buddydank is putting up a live, streaming broadcast of The Mookie from his point of view. Perhaps a little competition? I'm bringin my A game tonight.

My Second One

Both times I've had a royal flush, it's been with diamonds, and both times the 9 was in my hand too. The first time I had A9d and on the board came the K-T of diamonds. And then this one while I'm donking around in some heads up PLO.

And, as I'm writing this, this happens:



















Poker is easy.

Fuel's Not The Only One To Witness This

This is a hand that occurred when I was donking it up on a micro $2.25 SnG.
















What's even crazier is that it occured after a unbelievable first hand (didn't get a chance to screen shot it though):

Full Tilt Poker Game #2443914007: $2 + $0.25 Sit & Go (Turbo) (18524300), Table 1 - 15/30 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:37:21 ET - 2007/05/17
mclarich posts the small blind of 15
me_flasha posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to mclarich [9h Ts]
lipscitz calls 30
printer30 has 15 seconds left to act
printer30 raises to 60
wokka folds
Carnifexs calls 60
bungo99 folds
jay22mvp folds
lindAAAA raises to 250
mclarich folds
me_flasha raises to 1,500, and is all in
lipscitz calls 1,470, and is all in
printer30 folds
Carnifexs folds
lindAAAA folds
me_flasha shows [Ah As]
lipscitz shows [Kc Kd]


And the flop?












*** FLOP *** [Jh Kh Ks]
*** TURN *** [Jh Kh Ks] [3d]
me_flasha: mh
*** RIVER *** [Jh Kh Ks 3d] [5c]
me_flasha shows two pair, Aces and Kings
lipscitz shows four of a kind, Kings
lipscitz wins the pot (3,385) with four of a kind, Kings
me_flasha stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,385 | Rake 0
Board: [Jh Kh Ks 3d 5c]
Seat 1: mclarich (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: me_flasha (big blind) showed [Ah As] and lost with two pair, Aces and Kings
Seat 3: lipscitz showed [Kc Kd] and won (3,385) with four of a kind, Kings
Seat 4: printer30 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: wokka didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Carnifexs folded before the Flop
Seat 7: bungo99 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: jay22mvp didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: lindAAAA (button) folded before the Flop

Online poker is SO rigged.

Home Game No. 4

We played our 4th home game last night - a whopping 4 players showed up, two of which lived there (my girlfriend and I). But, our poker games are intended to be social events, and even with 4 players, we were all able to have a good time. I had a good time of course, since I took 1st and the big $40 prize pool (although I did allow my girlfriend to keep her buyin). I even flopped four aces at one point - I've done that online but I think that was a first in a live game for me.

I think the live games will pick up once the weather improves and we can actually run two tables out on the patio. I know that sounds funny, considering we can't even fill one table, but I think people will be more apt to come out to play poker on a sunny Sunday afternoon than they would on a dreary Sunday evening.

One byproduct of our home games has been my girlfriend's growing interest in poker. Not only has she improved her poker skills (in only three games), but she seems actually enjoy it too. I don't feel as guilty anymore when I try to change the channel to watch poker on TV because she likes watching it sometimes too. And although I can't see her wanting to play online or at a cardroom here, I'm thrilled that she wants to play the home games. Plus, I do feel like her shared interest in poker helps me feel better about my playing habits. I do still try to play during times when she has something else going on, but it also helps to know that she can understand the enjoyment I take from playing poker.

I know, this is a pretty sappy post, but I don't have much else to report. I've been cranking out some of the micro SnGs, with not much success or failure, just breakeven. One thing that I found rediculous is that in one of the SnGs, a $2.25 one, there was a player at the table named Saint_AA. Overall, his Sharkscope statistics were less than impressive, and he was a total douchebag at the table. From his first comment of "Who wants to go all in 1st hand?", you could tell this guy was a donkey & a half. He was playing rediculous cards out of position, and got some lucky flops, but when he proudly showed his K7o from UTG, which won a pot on a K high flop, I knew I could take this guy out. Sure enough, I doubled through him when I pushed KTo when he lead out on a K67 flop. He ended up calling with K8o from the BB, then calls me "lucky". I try to explain how dominated he was on that hand, but he fails to see how a T over an 8 was "dominating" (I guess three outs is still a lot in his mind). Anyways, I mention this because, as I was watching Hoy during the FTOPS Main Event, who do I see finished in 150th-ish place? Sure enough, the same donk.

Man, the things I could do if only I had enough funds!

Anyways, I might try to grab a token and play the MATH tonight. I seem to have decent success at the $6.60 6-max token SnGs. I think I've scored a token in about 25-30% of the ones I've played, and at least cash 2nd in about 50-55%. I do have some crazy hands to post, from the same game, which I'll probably do when I get home.

Live Poker!

Yesterday marked my first venture into a Seattle card room after living here for almost two years. I'm mostly a tournament player, and most of the card rooms here cater almost only to cash games. I really didn't feel like investing any money into tournaments that only gave you 1500 chips and had 12 minute levels. But, I was able to find a place, Roxbury Lanes (it also serves as a bowling alley\bar\restaurant) that was running a $30 tournament with 5000 chips. They only had three tables for the tournament, but allowed alternates to buyin I think within the first two levels.

Unfortunately, I didn't cash in the game, but here's the recap anyways:

I started out playing pretty conservative. The first hand I played was AQc, and I limped UTG. No one raised, and 5 people saw the 246 flop, two clubs. SB bets the pot, I call with the nut flush draw, and someone in LP calls. Turn is a 9, and SB goes all in. I fold, LP calls with K9c, SB shows trip 6s. River is a 4. Would've been a huge pot if that turn was a club.
Raised JJ from the button against 4 limpers, they all call plus the SB and BB. Flop is A9x and I have to throw it away when the SB and UTG battle it out. It's A9 vs AK and SB goes home.

Limp 44, nothing happens.

Try to steal some blinds with K5o but I forget to call "raise", so my bet is considered a limp. Fold when the BB overbets the pot on an 8 high board. He shows two pair, and I tell him I had 55.

Drop down to about 4000 when I get AQ in MP. Raise 5x to 1000, and a EP limper calls. Flop comes QJ9 and he bets out 1000. I push for 2000 more and he folds. Up around 6500, this is my high point for the day.

Get moved to another table, raise in MP with TT, no callers.

Checks to me in the BB at the 200-400 level with 56. Flop comes 852, I bet my pair, two callers. Turn is a 9, checks around. River is a 7 and SB bets 2000. I push for 2900 more, and he calls with 76. Should've bet the turn, dude.

Later, I limp in with AJo UTG at 400-800 level. Some guy in MP raises it to 2200, and I've got every intention of pushing when it comes back to me. Earlier, another regular was calling him out on how he likes to raise with nothing against limpers. However, the CO reraises and puts him all in. MP shows KT, CO shows AK, and the A on the flop seals the deal.

From there I go card dead. I try to make a move on a 3J36 board when it checks to me on the turn in the BB, but a caller and a check-raiser ruin that play. Down to about 4xBB at this point.

Next hand, I fold in the SB with T4 and the flop comes 464. Balls!

Finally, I push with A5o and get called with AK.

It was a fairly easy tournament, I just couldn't get anything going. For the most part, bluffing wasn't going to work without making a big raise. When I got shortstacked, I was looking for anything to push with, but hands like T4, J3, and Q6 just weren't cutting it. I had a couple big stacks at my table who were loose, and I even willing to push with something like 56, anything connected or suited, but it just didn't happen.

I'm hoping to make a trip to the card rooms once a month, but for the next one, I'll probably head to Treasure Casino. Same 5000 chips to start, but they have 20 minute levels, and I think they have some intermediate levels, so it's not always doubling the blinds. Anyways, although I didn't cash, I felt like I was playing much better than my last live experience in September, and I expect to be doing another recap soon, talking about some kind of monetary victory instead.

Tagged

So I guess the latest ghey internet thing is to "tag" someone, which means that person has to post 7 facts about themselves. It's my turn now, courtesy of Schaubs. I'm at work, so I've got nothing better to do. Here goes:

1. I was born with Athelia, which means I only have one nipple.

2. I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Business Mgmt.

3. Over the past couple of years, some of my Halloween costumes have been: Maggie Simpson, Lil' Jon (the rapper), Tobias Funke (from Arrested Development), and a pervert.

4. In my sophomore year of high school, I sat across from a girl who would go on to be a Playboy Playmate.

5. When I was younger, I used to collect autographs. My collection of over 1300 autographs includes autographs from Wilt Chamberlain, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Charles Barkley, Marcus Allen, Reggie White, and a slew of other but less notable athletes.

6. As part of my autograph hobby, I once met Kathy Ireland at a Super Bowl party. After getting her autograph, I accidentally drew a big blue line down the sleeve of her dress.

7. My cat's name is Pablo, named after Radiohead's first album, Pablo Honey.

I'm not tagging anyone though.

If You Don't Play Poker, But Have A Poker Blog..

Does anyone really care what you have to say?

I actually did play some poker last week, when a buddy was kind enough to transfer me some money. Didn't do so well. Lost both SnGs that I played to BS hands, like when I pushed A4 in the BB to a limped SB (blinds 200\400, my stack 2100), who calls with K3. I flop a 4, but that's no match for runner-runner 3s. GG me.

So, I take the rest of my measly bankroll to the PLO tables. First hand, I'm already in for the BB with 6644, and the flop comes AA6. Can't really get away from this, can I? I'm sure someone's got an A, so I have to dodge about 10 outs. Chips go in on the turn (I think it was an 8). Other dude has AK73. OK, I can handle a split pot. River is a K and I'm left with 50 cents. Awesome. I'm back to zero.

It dawned on me even moreso today, as I was going through my daily read, just how much of a broke-ass I am compared to most else. In a sea of lawyers and software engineers and whatever Fuel does to be rolling around in a Mercedes, this here 28 year-old HR Systems Admin sure feels small.

Anyways, after running through that transfer so quickly, the idea of building my bankroll from scratch is becoming less and less appealing, so I might have to go with another deposit and play from that. Unlike most of you though, that sadly involves me having to do some savings here and there, so it might be a while before I play again. My vacation wiped me dry, and with other things coming up, like car-repair and dental work, that deposit might have to wait.
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I had to take a break from live-blogging the Mookie while Lost is still going. It doesn't start here in Seattle until the final table is usually underway, and I can't afford to miss any more of that show. I'll be back in a couple of weeks though. I think the screenshots were a success, although I wouldn't mind trying to find a way to make them better quality.

Between not actually having any bankroll to play online, and being Mookie's bitch live blogger, I'm reminded of the time when I was a freshman in high school. I tried out for the basketball team, and made it all the way to final cuts SOLELY on my jump shot. I've never been the athletic type, and I didn't really do anything else well (although I must admit, I was a pretty decent passer for a while), but I had a killer jump shot for a while. I got along with the coach really well, but even that wasn't enough to keep me on the team. But I wanted to be part of that team so much that I volunteered to be the stat-boy\waterboy for the team, just so I could hang around (and earn an athletic letter, even though I wasn't doing anything) and be part of the team. We ended up going 17-0 and winning the city championship, and I still proudly have that athletic letter.

OK, maybe not proudly.

Anyways, being the blogger for Mookie's game reminds me of that. I'm not really part of the poker blogger community in the sense that I'm taking down tourney after tourney, or playing hundreds of dollars per pot, or contributing with thought-provoking strategy posts. But I've gained a lot of knowledge and entertainment from the various blogs I keep up with, and until I'm ready to step back in and hang with everyone, I figure "why not step in and contribute elsewhere?" So I do the dirty work and act as the live blogger, because it's one of the few ways I can contribute right now.

Yes, that's me in a nutshell, the poker-blogger waterboy.
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Added a couple more to the blogroll today. Instant Tragedy and RecessRampage are a couple of bloggers I just found out about. They've both been doing pretty well in the Mookie. Instant Tragedy admitted that he was a Browns and a Mavs fan, so at least we can share in a bit of a rivalry (me being a Steelers and Suns fan). Dr. Chako was also added; gotta represent the Seattle poker players (even though I've still yet to make it to a card room). And at Hoy's advice, I've added Julius Goat to the blogroll for his highly entertaining Lost recaps.

Till next time, folks.....

Live Bloggin, Bankrollin, & More

Just got back from vacation - a whirlwind of a trip that took us through Seaside & Bend, Oregon, and San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Napa Valley, California. For anyone interested, I'm doing a recap of the trip on my other, more personal blog "Nothing Special, Really".

I've been almost three weeks away from anything that resembles poker (except for the US Poker Championship episodes I caught while on vacation), and it's been very refreshing. I've taken breaks before, but even during the breaks, I was still thinking about poker, still trying to scratch that poker itch with something else, but nothing was working. This time, I didn't start thinking about poker until the drive back to Seattle yesterday.

So now it's time to start getting back into poker. I haven't really thought about how I'm going to go about this, but my emphasis will be on building an online bankroll. That itself is kind of tricky since the state of online poker is still shaky at best, so I'm not looking to build some massive bankroll, just something that's enough to keep me playing. Of course, this means that I'll be starting at the micro levels SnGs, but I still intend to squeeze in a couple of tournaments and a couple of blogger games too.

Finally, starting with tonight's game, I'll be handling the live blogging duties for Mookie for the next several weeks. Of course, I'd rather be playing instead of live blogging, but since I'm trying to build a bankroll from scratch, I won't really have an opportunity to play. The Mookie is the only blogger game I've every played (aside from the Hammer Day event) because it's been the most convenient for me, but any time I've played it's been a great time. Plus, I blogged the game once before, and knowing how hard it can be to keep up, I viewed this as an opportunity to help out a fellow blogger (although I consider myself to be more of a fringe blogger at best) and still somehow contribute to this blogging community, since I'm sure my blog itself is hardly exciting.

I am trying to look for ways to spice up the live blog, so if anyone has any ideas, let me know. I'll try to incorporate some screenshots and maybe change the format a little bit, but I'm open to ideas.