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Monday, June 29, 2009

Week 26-2009 First half of the year

This week was slow, and makes me wonder if I'm entering a longer 'card dead' period. I played 34 hours including one tournament at "The Red Mouse", and scored negative $95. Tuesday night I stayed till closing at Ho-Chunk. About 2am I was even after playing 8 hours, but decided to leave with a win. Well .... I left with a lose of $400. Weekend was a killer. After 17 hours I left home even. I spent Sunday playing online tournaments.

This week also ends the first half of the year. I played 24 weeks, and had a 2 weeks vacation in Serbia. I had 15 positive weeks, and lost in 9 weeks. My goal was to manage the amounts I lose. The first week in June was the worst of all, and I ended even in next three weeks, so June ended as my first negative month this year. In 117 sessions I played about 800 hours. I won in 75 sessions and lost 42, making a little over $10 per hour. My rate per hour is getting worst, and I spend a lot of hours at the poker table. But what else can I do with my free time?

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Online Sunday

I woke up about noon, checked my email and ... instead going to a coffee shop I decided to try luck online.
I played a $25 satellite for Ultimate Bet Sunday $200K tournament.
I made it into the main tournament but only with some luck.

About 5 minutes before the break I made a raise UTG. Guy with a pair of eights went all in, followed by a call. I won a nice pot and decided I don't need an add on. After the add on period I was a chip leader with $8000. Just before this hand I decided to steal the blinds with A,6 and ran into a pocket pair and lost half of my stack. I was down to about $2500. A,J was good enough for all-in, and got the cal lfrom Q,Q .... but there always is a river. A few hands later top 11 advanced to a main tournament played at 4:30pm. I'll go now to a coffee shop and relax.
Update: $200K tournament.
It started good. We had $3000 in chips. I had some good cards AK, AQ, pocket tens .. but no flop.
In my last hand I raised pre flop with A,10 suited. Flop was A,5,5, turn 5.
My opponent had A,5 and I was out.

Depressed I entered one $20 Aruba satellite.
I'm card dead and bound for re buy. Poker (luck) is a weird game. I was down to $590, in BB $300. Someone raised. I had $290 chips left and said to my self "OK I'll re buy, at least I'm suited." Next hand I had AA. Three players all in so I end up fifth in chips with $4900. Blinds were going up every 5 minutes. I'm getting no cards, so I finished seventh, and didn't make it to a $500 Aruba Super Satellite. There are still three months to play satellites.
It was 6:30pm and I thought to go out since the weather is so nice, or ... how about another online game.
I picked up $20 PLO tournament.
There was only 31 player, and 5 spots paid, but I thought it's a good opportunity to practice the game.

After first few bad hands I made a nut flush with two nines on the board. There was to much checking so I decided to gamble and went all in. I got one call and the chip lead.I folded this one pre flop, and missed a huge pot. This was was PLO game, but this hand is perfect to scoop the Hi/Low pot. After a bunch of non playable hands I finished 9th with a bad beat on the river.

Aruba Poker Classic Satelites

October 3rd - 10th
This is one poker vacation you're going to want to dive right into. The 2009 Aruba Poker Classic is a week long poker experience featuring a multi-million dollar poker tourney, amazing parties, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and more crazy-amazing stuff that you'll be talking about for decades to come. And it all takes place on an incredible island surrounded by warm waters and soft sand stocked with sun worshiping beach bodies who can't wait to party with poker champions like you.

•Win your $8,500 prize package for 10 cents at Ultimate Bet - Conquer STEP 10 of our STEP tournaments and we'll hand you an $8,500 prize package that includes the $5,500 Main Event buy-in and $3,000 for travel and accommodations.
Click here for our full satellites tournament schedule.

Play in paradise. Stay in paradise.
The Aruba Poker Classic takes place at the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa. Ultimate Bet reserved a block of room at a special rate of $209 + tax (20%). Internet is included.

Everything else you need to know
For complete details on the Main Event, additional tournaments, the hotel, past winners, and more, visit http://www.arubaclassic.com/ or Email customer support at info@arubaclassic.com and they'll take care of everything.

Check Photos from 2008 Aruba Poker Classic

Friday, June 26, 2009

When you don't have The Nuts!

I thought I'm the only one losing with the second best hand, but ...

Here is the sample from the game I was watching on Poker Stars. It was PLO with blinds $10/$20, and the table had only two seats.

Players were almost even in chips before this hand. The pot was $22,597.50. After this hand DONKEY1965 had over $26,000 and mikeyG16 about $4,000.

I watched the game about 15 minutes. Most hands were raised and folded pre flop. mikeyG16 had a few nice pots and got back into a game and the chips stacks were even. Than DONKEY1965 won five big pots in a row, and the game was over.

Last hand, pot was $19,999.50 and dte Donkey was out.
LIST AND ACTION FOR LAST 50 HANDS
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows a full house, Nines full of Jacks
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows a full house, Tens full of Nines
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($22,597.50) with a full house, Tens full of Nines
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows [Js Qc Ad 4d]
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows [9c Kc 7c 5s]
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows a full house, Aces full of Queens
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows two pair, Aces and Kings
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($891.50) with a full house, Aces full of Queens
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,799.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows a pair of Nines
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($399.50) with a pair of Nines
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($1,599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,799.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows two pair, Jacks and Sixes
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows a flush, Queen high
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,199.50) with a flush, Queen high
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows two pair, Aces and Sevens
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($1,399.50) with two pair, Aces and Sevens
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,799.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($1,799.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows a straight, Ace high
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($4,599.50) with a straight, Ace high
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows a straight, Seven high
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows a straight, Seven high
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- ties for the pot ($1,699.75) with a straight, Seven high
Dealer: mikeyG16 ties for the pot ($1,699.75) with a straight, Seven high
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,626)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($10,199.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($3,849.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($1,499.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($199.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows three of a kind, Queens
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($3,449.50) with three of a kind, Queens
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,799.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows a flush, Jack high
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($3,699.50) with a flush, Jack high
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($100)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($600)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($599.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($200)
Dealer: mikeyG16 wins the pot ($1,649.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($4,199.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($10,149.50)
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($4,449.50)
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows [4h 9c 7c 6c]
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows [9s 8d 6d Th]
Dealer: mikeyG16 shows two pair, Nines and Fours
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- shows two pair, Tens and Nines
Dealer: --DONKEY1965-- wins the pot ($19,999.50) with two pair, Tens and Nines

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Online win

Wednesday night at home. While doing my laundry I decided to play one little online tournament. Buy in was $5.50 with 111 players. It was with six players at the table and lasted 3 hours. I played my usual game betting with bad cards but got lucky, and didn't run into a big hand. With three tables left I was low stack and I almost gave up. The blinds were high and I started to go all-in. It worked fine and I made the final table third in chips. In the second hand I doubled up, and one more time 10 minutes later. Heads up battle lasted 20 hands till I decided to trap him with the king.

It was a small tournament, but it felt good to win one after three years.

Final table second handOne more double up.Final hand

Monday, June 22, 2009

Heartland Poker Tour

Majestic Star Casinos
Gary, Indiana
July 3 - August 3, 2009
http://www.heartlandpokertour.com/eventinfo.php?yid=2009&eid=10

For more information call 219-977-7444
You must be 21 or older to participate.
Players must have a "Club Majestic" card and a valid ID to register and play.
Pre-registration is available only at Majestic Star Casinos.
Click here for lodging, travel, and further casino information.

Satelites
July 3-31 All Day
$90 - 3 player advance Single Table Satellites into $250 Qualifiers
July 24-31
$110+20 HPT Main Event SUPER Quailifer 10% advance to Main Event
$220+30 HPT Main Event Qualifier 20% advance to Main Event
----------------------------------------------
Main Event
July 31, 08:00pm $1,000+100 HPT Main Event - Day 1/Flight A
August 1, 9:00am $1,000+100 HPT Main Event - Day 1/Flight B
August 1, 7:00pm $1,000+100 HPT Main Event - Day 1/Flight C
August 2, 10:00am HPT Main Event - Day 2 (Play to Final 6 players)
August 3, 10:30am Televised Final Table
----------------------------------------------
» Download the Complete Event Listing «

Upcoming Heartland Poker Tour Events in the area.
September 13-20, 2009 Grand Casino Mille Lacs - Onamia, Minnesota
October 26 - November 1, 2009 Shooting Star Casino - Mahnomen, Minnesota
November 1-8, 2009 Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel - Tama, Iowa

Check payouts for previous events.
For a list of completed events, Click Here.

Twin Cities Tournaments

TWIN CITIES POKER OPEN
August 19-23, 2009

No-Limit Texas Hold’em
Buy your way into the finals or win your way through one of the qualifying heats.

Finals: Sunday, August 23 10:30 AM
$1,500 Buy In + $120 Entry Fee

Qualifying Heats* August 19-22 $300 Buy-In + $40 Entry Fee

Wednesday, August 19 7:30 PM
Thursday,   August 20 7:30 PM
Friday,   August 21 10:30 AM
Saturday,  August 22 10:30 AM

*Top 20% from each heat win a non-transferable seat in the Finals with no additional entry fee.

One-table satellites begin Monday, August 17.
http://www.canterburypark.com/Poker/PokerPromotions/TwinCitiesPokerOpen/tabid/215/Default.aspx

2009 FALL POKER CLASSIC SCHEDULE

http://www.canterburypark.com/Poker/FallPokerClassic/tabid/146/Default.aspx

Saturday, June 20, 2009

All In

Common All-in Hand
Match Ups
Approximate
Probability
AK vs 76 suitedAK wins 60%
AK vs QJAK wins 64%
AK vs 22 22 wins 51%
AK vs KQAK wins 73%
AK vs AAAA wins 87%
AK vs KKKK wins 66%
AQ vs KQAQ wins 70%
AQ vs QJAQ wins 70%
AQ vs KJAQ wins 60%
AT vs KQAT wins 58%
AA vs KKAA wins 80%
AA vs 22AA wins 80%
AA vs 76 suitedAA wins 77%
A2 vs JTA2 wins 55%
KK vs K2KK wins 94%

Friday, June 19, 2009

Mr. Wegas Banned From LVD Casino, Watersmeet MI.


You probably want to know why, so would I?
Sunday after the tournament we played in the cash game for three hours. I was getting to leave when the woman across the table made some comments about my play. I told her that she talks a lot for a bad player. I repeated that twice. Comes poker room manager and orders me to stop talking???? and he puts his hand over my mouth???? I asked him if is he insane, cashed out and left.
This morning I received this letter in the mail. The pathetic little casino employee must feel better about them self after "protecting" the locals.
WTF.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Big pocket pairs


Funny hand at Ho-Chunk.
I was on the Big Blind. The Asian Guy raised $15. I saw aces and 3 callers, so I pushed all in for $135. UTG called fast, followed by another call. I was wondering what are they calling with, and why is there no respect for my raise. But we all had big pairs. Other two players folded.
Set of queens on the flop, got beaten by the straight on the turn(Asian Guy went all in for the side pot). On the river nine of dimonds made Ace and King high flushes, but the board paired for the full house, and Queens scoop the pot.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Week 24-2009

Just came back from Watersmeet poker tournament. I finished 17th of 89 players.
I called all-in with Kh suited, against AcQh. Flop was QQ4 and I was out. First place prize was $10,000.

At the tournament there were many of my poker buddys from Madison area including Steve "The Chip Trick" and his wife Melissa. They just came back from WSOP where Steve took 27th place and $22K in event #15 Texas Holdem' $5000 buy-in. There was 655 players including pros like David "Dragon" Pham(10), Nenad medic(29), Hasan Habib(31) ... Melissa was 82nd of 1060 players in Ladies NL Hold’em World Championship (Event 17) beatign many famous ladies like Maria Ho ...
Nice job guys, and good luck in your future games.

This week I didn't play any games except at Watersmeet tournament. Buy in was $330, and I played one satelite for $80. I lost $30 in cash the game.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Watersmeet tournament

I'm on my way to Watersmeet, MI for The No Limit Texas Hold'em LVD Poker Challenge. This is a quarterly tournament with $330 buy in I played a few times. My best result was 19th place, just two spots short from the money. There is usually 150-200 players and the first place prize is $15,000.

Lac Vieux Desert Casino. For information call 800.583.3599
www.lvdcasino.com

Poker Room is open Thursday-Sunday 5pm-2am. They have bonus hand payouts for Royal Flush, Straight Flush, and 4-of-a-kind, and the Bad Beat Jackpot. For every hour you play in the poker room you'll receive 50 points on your Superior Club card!
Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments every Sunday starting at 2 p.m. (goes till about 6:00pm) CT. The tournament buy-in is $60, and pays the first five places, with first place receiving a seat in the Quarterly $330 tournament, plus a cash prize ranging between $800-$1,000.

I recommend to everyone to visit local attractions Bond Falls, and Paulding Lights.


Bond Falls located just 10 miles north from the casino.
www.westernup.com/bondfalls (Location B on the map)


View Larger Map

The Paulding lights of Michigan (Location C on the map)
The myths and legends behind the ghost light frequently sited between Watersmeet and Paulding, Michigan remain a mystery to many witnesses. What are the Paulding Lights? Because no exact science has determined its origin this spectrum is a witnessed phenomenon. Seen on almost every clear night the lights illuminate the skies between Watersmeet and Paulding.

Consistent reports of colors ranging from red, white, green, and yellow are common among witnesses. Other colors that have been seen within the Paulding Lights are blue and purple. It is said the light takes many forms from stars to diamond shaped, to circular or beams are the most frequent recalled. However, claims of a campfire amber or just radiant glows are not uncommon. It is said the Paulding Lights have been overbearingly bright to flickering dim. The longevity has been reported to vary as well. Some have claimed to observe the light for a quarter of an hour while others only seeing it for seconds.

There is no definite conclusion on the Paulding Lights. No one really knows when the lights first came into existence. One factor that is certain, the Paulding Lights do exist. Many people have tried to uncover the mystery behind the lights. The simple explanations by skeptics that swamp gas or headlights are the foundation have been ruled out by most who have witnessed the light. Trickery or human manipulation are also abandoned theories because the light has existed this long. The area where the Paulding Lights can be seen is a welcome mat to the public. The Michigan Forest Service has placed signs around the area to direct spectators to the best viewing spots. Robins Pond Road is four miles north Watersmeet off U.S. 45 south of Paulding. The lights can be seen all year around.
Address: Robbins Pond Rd, Watersmeet - Paulding, MI
Directions: Western upper peninsula on the edge of Wisconsin. Go North on US Hwy 45 towards Paulding. It is 4.5 miles out of Watersmeet (past the casino). Watch for a road on the left side of 45 named "Robbins Pond Road" (old state hwy 45), there is usually a brown park sign right before. Turn left on Robbins Pond Road. Follow the gravel road down about 3/8 mile until you see the dead end/barricade. At night there are usually people there -- otherwise just sit and wait.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Week 23-2009

The worst week of the year. After loosing on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, on Sunday I won $120 and it felt like it's ten thousand.
Another example with JJ
Just don't overplay that junk. Here is the hand from Saturday night at Ho-Chunk Casino. Some kid raised $20 pre-flop, and I called. On the flop he bet $10. I made a comment and raised $20. Turn card he checked, and I bet $100 followed by his all in.

This one I folded pre flop. It's a re-buy tournament but I was trying to play it only with my initial buy in, so I decided to fold jacks even it makes no sence.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Kings vs Jacks

I played today my first satelite on Ultimate Bet for the Aruba Poker Classic. Click for info on Aruba tournament, or go to www.arubaclassic.com. There are $8 re-buy satelites that lead into Aruba Super Satelite, or you can buy in for $215. At one moment I had a pocket kings two hands in a row. Lost the first one to an ace on the flop, but won the second one. I finished fifth when my pair of Jacks lost to a pair of Kings.

Later I decided to play my favorite $3 re-buy (50K guarantied) on Poker Stars. After the re buy period I had over 10,000 in chips. Tournament continued with a series of bad cards. I was patient and decided to wait for the right moment and blinds to start making moves. Than came this hand. On the flop I went all in and ...


A few hands later I had pocket Jacks and just called the pre flop raise being affraid of pocket kings.
I gotut lucky on the flop, and went all in, but ...

I finished at 1028th place.

Tribute Jay Ose Gambling Excellent Magician

Great clip. As an aside....for those SF genre fans... the announcer is none other than Dick Tufeld, probably best known as the voice of the original Lost in Space robot.

Week 22-2009

I played total of 34 hours for $170, an average of $5 per hour.
Before the weekend I was up $490.
Friday night at Ho-Chunk was the set back. It started good and I was up $550 after one hour. Than the cards stopped and by 3:30am I was down $670.
This spoiled also my May total that was promising to be the best month of the year. Still, I have to be satisfied that all four weeks this month were positive. This month I played 133 hours averaging $20 per hour. In last 9 weeks I made money in 8, and 11 times in last 13 weeks.
Saturday was the long day at Ho-Chunk. I was down $300, when about 3am I flopped the straight, against two pair. That hand gave me my money back and I left after playing 10 hours with the profit of $45.
Sunday was similar. I was in the command of the table and up $350 when cards just stopped. Re buy $300, and one more, so I was in for $700. At the end I got this hand in the small blind. I almost folded pre flop, but got lucky to flop two pair. When my $10 bet was raised to $60 I didn't know what to put him on. Is it set of threes or A,10? This guy was playing loose for the last two hours. Usually in moments like this tin cup in side me screams "All in". I got the call and $950 pot. I played four hours, I was up $300 so I decided to go home and get some sleep.

Quote Edvard G. Robionson in The Cincinnati Kid as Lancey Howard:
Gets down to what it's all about, doesn't it? Making the wrong move at the right time.