CARDRUNNERS

Here's how raising a lot can pay off. For all of you guys that don't play $1000 hu sngs...my entire hand history for this hu sit n go.


Full Tilt Poker Game #1165761653: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:29:37 ET - 2006/10/29
JGip82 is feeling angry LOL @ this.
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Kh Jh] Obvious raise.
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) collected (40), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165762329: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:29:49 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,480)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,520)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [As Qs] Obvious raise.
JGip82 raises to 40
Spudt24 raises to 120
JGip82 calls 80
*** FLOP *** [Ac 5d 8s]
Spudt24 bets 180 Obvious lead out.
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 180 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (240)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 | Rake 0
Board: [Ac 5d 8s]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) collected (240), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165763424: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:30:10 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,360)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,640)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Jh Qd] More obvious raising.
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 calls 40
*** FLOP *** [5h Th Qs]
JGip82 checks
Spudt24 bets 80 More obvious continuation betting.
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (120)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 120 | Rake 0
Board: [5h Th Qs]
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) collected (120), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165764620: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:30:31 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,300)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,700)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [5d 6h] Definite check OOP.
JGip82 calls 10
Spudt24 checks
*** FLOP *** [4s 2c 4c]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks
*** TURN *** [4s 2c 4c] [Td]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 bets 20
Spudt24 folds
Uncalled bet of 20 returned to JGip82
JGip82 mucks
JGip82 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board: [4s 2c 4c Td]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) folded on the Turn



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165765916: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:30:55 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,320)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,680)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Kd 2s] Just not playable.
Spudt24 folds
Uncalled bet of 10 returned to JGip82
JGip82 mucks
JGip82 wins the pot (20)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 20 | Rake 0
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) collected (20), mucked
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) folded before the Flop



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165766395: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:31:04 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,330)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,670)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [4s Ks] Continue the loose image with OOP raise.
JGip82 calls 10
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 calls 40
*** FLOP *** [4h 6c 9h]
Spudt24 bets 80 Highly unlikely he has a piece of this board.
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (120)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 120 | Rake 0
Board: [4h 6c 9h]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) collected (120), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165767551: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:31:25 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,270)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,730)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [7s Th] More loose raises.
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 calls 40
*** FLOP *** [2s 7c 4s]
JGip82 bets 40 A horrible attempt to play back at me.
Spudt24 raises to 180 I'm good here I'm sure.
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 140 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (200)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board: [2s 7c 4s]
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) collected (200), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165768894: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:31:50 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (1,170)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (1,830)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [9h Th] Another loose OOP raise.
JGip82 calls 10
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 raises to 100
Spudt24 calls 40 Obvious call.
*** FLOP *** [Ah 3h 8d]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 bets 160
Spudt24 calls 160 Thought about re raising here, but opted to see a turn.
*** TURN *** [Ah 3h 8d] [4s]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks Obvious he doesnt have an ace.
*** RIVER *** [Ah 3h 8d 4s] [8c]
Spudt24 bets 350 Thx.
JGip82 folds
Uncalled bet of 350 returned to Spudt24
Spudt24 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (520)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 520 | Rake 0
Board: [Ah 3h 8d 4s 8c]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) collected (520), mucked



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165770976: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:32:29 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (910)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (2,090)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Jc Kd] Getting good cards.
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 calls 40
*** FLOP *** [Kh As 9c]
JGip82 checks
Spudt24 checks
*** TURN *** [Kh As 9c] [4c]
JGip82 checks
Spudt24 bets 40 Wanted to look very weak and induce a bluff.
JGip82 calls 40
*** RIVER *** [Kh As 9c 4c] [Th]
JGip82 bets 60
Spudt24 calls 60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
JGip82 shows [8d Qc] (Ace King high)
Spudt24 shows [Jc Kd] (a pair of Kings)
Spudt24 wins the pot (320) with a pair of Kings
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 320 | Rake 0
Board: [Kh As 9c 4c Th]
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) showed [8d Qc] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) showed [Jc Kd] and won (320) with a pair of Kings



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165772930: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:33:05 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (750)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (2,250)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Kd 3h] Just going to check this weak hand.
JGip82 calls 10
Spudt24 checks
*** FLOP *** [2c Qh Jh]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks
*** TURN *** [2c Qh Jh] [4h]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks
*** RIVER *** [2c Qh Jh 4h] [Ah]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Spudt24 shows [Kd 3h] (a flush, Ace high)
JGip82 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot (40) with a flush, Ace high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board: [2c Qh Jh 4h Ah]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) mucked [9d 8s] - Ace Queen high
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) showed [Kd 3h] and won (40) with a flush, Ace high



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165774162: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:33:29 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (730)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (2,270)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Kd 4c] My first call on the button?
Spudt24 calls 10
JGip82 checks
*** FLOP *** [5c 2d Tc]
JGip82 bets 20
Spudt24 folds
Uncalled bet of 20 returned to JGip82
JGip82 mucks
JGip82 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board: [5c 2d Tc]
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) collected (40), mucked
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) folded on the Flop



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165774917: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:33:42 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (750)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (2,250)
JGip82 posts the small blind of 10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Qd 8h] I guess I'm tightening up.
JGip82 calls 10
Spudt24 checks
*** FLOP *** [Ad 4d Qs]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 checks
*** TURN *** [Ad 4d Qs] [Tc]
Spudt24 bets 20
JGip82 calls 20
*** RIVER *** [Ad 4d Qs Tc] [Ks]
Spudt24 checks
JGip82 bets 80
Spudt24 folds
Uncalled bet of 80 returned to JGip82
JGip82 mucks
JGip82 wins the pot (80)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 80 | Rake 0
Board: [Ad 4d Qs Tc Ks]
Seat 1: JGip82 (small blind) collected (80), mucked
Seat 2: Spudt24 (big blind) folded on the River



Full Tilt Poker Game #1165776268: $20 + $1 Heads Up Sit & Go (7989881), Table 1 - 10/20 - No Limit Hold'em - 11:34:07 ET - 2006/10/29
Seat 1: JGip82 (790)
Seat 2: Spudt24 (2,210)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of 10
JGip82 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ah As] Guess he got tired of me raising so much.
Spudt24 raises to 60
JGip82 raises to 790, and is all in
Spudt24 calls 730
JGip82 shows [Ad Td]
Spudt24 shows [Ah As]
*** FLOP *** [8c 9s 7s]
*** TURN *** [8c 9s 7s] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [8c 9s 7s Tc] [Qc]
JGip82 shows a pair of Tens
Spudt24 shows a pair of Aces
Spudt24 wins the pot (1,580) with a pair of Aces
JGip82 stands up
Spudt24 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,580 | Rake 0
Board: [8c 9s 7s Tc Qc]
Seat 1: JGip82 (big blind) showed [Ad Td] and lost with a pair of Tens
Seat 2: Spudt24 (small blind) showed [Ah As] and won (1,580) with a pair of Aces

Here are 2 hands of 2/4 limit i just played, then left. I got tired and didn't wanna play anything less than my A game.

Full Tilt Poker Game #1360936894: Table Wyoming (6 max) - $2/$4 - Limit Hold'em - 0:14:37 ET - 2006/12/06
Seat 1: lukeduke1369 ($40)
Seat 2: Geeoff_az ($100)
Seat 3: longstocking23 ($3)
Seat 4: leeting ($0), is sitting out
Seat 5: pdxowl ($60.50)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($40)
pdxowl posts the small blind of $1
Spudt24 posts the big blind of $2
lukeduke1369 posts $2
5 seconds left to act
Geeoff_az posts $2
The button is in seat #3
leeting stands up
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [9c Jh]
lukeduke1369 checks
Geeoff_az checks
longstocking23 adds $24
longstocking23 folds
pdxowl calls $1
Spudt24 checks
*** FLOP *** [8h 4s Js]
pdxowl bets $2
Spudt24 raises to $4
lukeduke1369 folds
Geeoff_az folds
pdxowl calls $2
*** TURN *** [8h 4s Js] [Kd]
pdxowl checks
Spudt24 bets $4
pdxowl calls $4
*** RIVER *** [8h 4s Js Kd] [2h]
pdxowl checks
Spudt24 bets $4
pdxowl calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Spudt24 shows [9c Jh] (a pair of Jacks)
pdxowl mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot ($31) with a pair of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $32 | Rake $1
Board: [8h 4s Js Kd 2h]
Seat 1: lukeduke1369 folded on the Flop
Seat 2: Geeoff_az folded on the Flop
Seat 3: longstocking23 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: leeting is sitting out
Seat 5: pdxowl (small blind) mucked [8s 3d] - a pair of Eights
Seat 6: Spudt24 (big blind) showed [9c Jh] and won ($31) with a pair of Jacks



Full Tilt Poker Game #1360941584: Table Wyoming (6 max) - $2/$4 - Limit Hold'em - 0:15:27 ET - 2006/12/06
Seat 1: lukeduke1369 ($38)
Seat 2: Geeoff_az ($98)
Seat 3: longstocking23 ($27)
Seat 5: pdxowl ($46.50)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($57)
Spudt24 posts the small blind of $1
lukeduke1369 posts the big blind of $2
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Kh Ks]
Geeoff_az folds
longstocking23 folds
pdxowl folds
Spudt24 calls $1
lukeduke1369 checks
*** FLOP *** [Jc Ts 5d]
Spudt24 bets $2
lukeduke1369 raises to $4
Spudt24 raises to $6
lukeduke1369 calls $2
*** TURN *** [Jc Ts 5d] [Ac]
Spudt24 checks
lukeduke1369 bets $4
Spudt24 calls $4
*** RIVER *** [Jc Ts 5d Ac] [As]
Spudt24 checks
lukeduke1369 bets $4
Spudt24 raises to $8
lukeduke1369 calls $4
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Spudt24 shows [Kh Ks] (two pair, Aces and Kings)
lukeduke1369 mucks
Spudt24 wins the pot ($38) with two pair, Aces and Kings
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $40 | Rake $2
Board: [Jc Ts 5d Ac As]
Seat 1: lukeduke1369 (big blind) mucked [Tc 9s] - two pair, Aces and Tens
Seat 2: Geeoff_az didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: longstocking23 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: pdxowl (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: Spudt24 (small blind) showed [Kh Ks] and won ($38) with two pair, Aces and Kings

Players seem pretty damn awful at this limit thing.

I recently went broke playing wayyyyyyy out of my roll (2/4nl) and tilting. These individually are bad; these aggregately are death to a bankroll. Fortunately I'm friends with some very successful internet players and one of them has loaned me $500 on full tilt poker. Originally I had no idea what I wanted to do with this, but I knew it was going to be small stakes.

I decided to fuck the ego and sit at 6handed 25NL games. I'd like to keep a 30 buyin rule, which is $625, but I know that $500 is more than enough for me at this level. In fact I've played much higher relative to my roll, compared to this. After about 5000 hands of 4-6 tabling this level I'm at $900. The first 2500 hands or so I crushed at around 40bb/100 got to $950, then I took a bunch of beats, dropped down to about $700, and then the last two nights didn't have bad luck happen and got it back up to $900. Truthfully, the only way I lose at this level is if I get sucked out on, or if a huge cooler happens. Other than that, this level (which I've never played before) is hysterically easy. In 4 buy ins, when I hit $1000, I'm going to return the $500 I owe, then grind this level back up to $1250. Once I get there I'm going to move to 50NL.

For the first time in my life, I respect money. Playing this low will do that to you. Since it's essentially someone else's money I'm playing with, I also am playing less careless and better. I only once have moved up prematurely and of course lost AQ vs K9 when he rivered two pair vs my top pair. I haven't attempted to move up since. I'm very content grinding profit, and honestly love the fact that I'm so much better than nearly everyone at the table. It's a great feeling.

I've been sweating a few CR members who play these stakes and giving advice where I see necessary. I'm still trying to figure out what the optimal method of teaching is, because it's hard for me to comment on aim on the fly, for someone who is playing 4 tables. I think I can definitely help these players, but am trying to figure out the best way to do so. Sending me incomplete hand histories seems like a great method.

Despite the hands below I still managed to win nearly 2 buy ins +$47

12/21/06

Big Losing Hands

Seat 2: atomicandydog ($16.25)
Seat 5: Spudt24 ($30.65)

Aces2323 posts the small blind of $0.10
SeldomSeen31 posts the big blind of $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ah Ad]
Spudt24 raises to $0.85, darth_bozo folds, coronito calls $0.85, atomicandydog calls $0.85, Aces2323 folds, SeldomSeen31 calls $0.60
*** FLOP *** [Kh 6d 5d]
SeldomSeen31 checks, Spudt24 bets $2, coronito folds, atomicandydog calls $2, SeldomSeen31 folds
*** TURN *** [Kh 6d 5d] [2d]
Spudt24 bets $3, atomicandydog raises to $13.40, and is all in, Spudt24 calls $10.40
atomicandydog shows [6c 6h]
Spudt24 shows [Ah Ad]
*** RIVER *** [Kh 6d 5d 2d] [5h]
atomicandydog shows a full house, Sixes full of Fives, Spudt24 shows two pair, Aces and Fives
atomicandydog wins the pot ($32.60) with a full house, Sixes full of Fives

Pretty standard IMO. At this level I'll go broke here every time.




Seat 1: coronito ($12.90)
Seat 5: Spudt24 ($28.45)

Aces2323 posts the small blind of $0.10
SeldomSeen31 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ks Ad]
Spudt24 raises to $0.85, darth_bozo folds, coronito calls $0.85, Gab81 folds, Aces2323 folds, SeldomSeen31 folds
*** FLOP *** [8h Jd Kc]
Spudt24 bets $0.50, coronito calls $0.50
*** TURN *** [8h Jd Kc] [Qc]
Spudt24 checks, coronito bets $2, Spudt24 raises to $27.10, and is all in, coronito calls $9.55, and is all in
Spudt24 shows [Ks Ad]
coronito shows [Kh Jc]
Uncalled bet of $15.55 returned to Spudt24
*** RIVER *** [8h Jd Kc Qc] [8c]
Spudt24 shows two pair, Kings and Eights, coronito shows two pair, Kings and Jacks, coronito wins the pot ($24.85) with two pair, Kings and Jacks

I played this hand poorly looking back. The reason I pushed is to make myself look really strong, since he only had $9 behind him. I'm not beating much and probably should have just called the turn, and check/called or check/folded the river. Either way, with the board pairing, I probably would've gotten it in regardless. I'd love some input on this hand, especially dealing with the short stack.


Seat 4: SeldomSeen31 ($26.35)
Seat 5: Spudt24 ($32.05)

darth_bozo posts the small blind of $0.10
coronito posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ah As]
Gab81 folds, Aces2323 folds, SeldomSeen31 raises to $1, Spudt24 raises to $3, darth_bozo folds, coronito folds, SeldomSeen31 calls $2
*** FLOP *** [9s Th Js]
SeldomSeen31 checks, Spudt24 bets $5, SeldomSeen31 raises to $12, Spudt24 raises to $29.05, and is all in, SeldomSeen31 calls $11.35, and is all in
Spudt24 shows [Ah As]
SeldomSeen31 shows [7d 8d]
Uncalled bet of $5.70 returned to Spudt24
*** TURN *** [9s Th Js] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [9s Th Js 2c] [Tc]
Spudt24 shows two pair, Aces and Tens, SeldomSeen31 shows a straight, Jack high
SeldomSeen31 wins the pot ($50.40) with a straight, Jack high


Should have folded to the re raise. I definitely fall in love with Aces at this level because of the fact that so many bad players will play for it all with top pair any kicker. I think at this level unless it's +EV to get it in with AA the majority of the time. However, I should have at least thought 99, 1010, or JJ. 88, QQ, KQ and AQ are also possibilities. I never would've thought 78 though. That's 4 hands that dominate me and 3 that have a bunch of outs. Compared to really only KK that I'm hugely favored against, should have been an easy fold.


Seat 5: cadams237 ($16.30)
Seat 6: dave26gar ($12.30)

MatheusBR posts the small blind of $0.10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ad 7c]
cadams237 calls $0.25, dave26gar folds, KeyzMaster folds, MF28 folds, MatheusBR folds, Spudt24 checks
*** FLOP *** [Jc As Kh]
Spudt24 checks, cadams237 bets $0.60, Spudt24 calls $0.60
*** TURN *** [Jc As Kh] [7h]
Spudt24 checks, cadams237 bets $1.80, Spudt24 raises to $7.20, cadams237 has 15 seconds left to act, cadams237 raises to $15.45, and is all in, Spudt24 calls $8.25
cadams237 shows [Tc Js]
Spudt24 shows [Ad 7c]
*** RIVER *** [Jc As Kh 7h] [Jd]
cadams237 shows three of a kind, Jacks, Spudt24 shows two pair, Aces and Jacks
cadams237 wins the pot ($31.10) with three of a kind, Jacks

No reason to not think I'm ahead here. He hits one of his 6 outs. Bad beat.



Seat 5: harribola ($9.20)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($24.55)

harribola posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Jh Ah]
Spudt24 raises to $0.75, Gab81 folds, Ryanrizice folds, kleon folds, harribola calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [6d 2s 4d]
harribola checks, Spudt24 bets $1.50, harribola calls $1.50
*** TURN *** [6d 2s 4d] [Ad]
harribola checks, Spudt24 bets $2.25, harribola raises to $6.95, and is all in, Spudt24 has 15 seconds left to act, Spudt24 calls $4.70
harribola shows [6s 6h]
Spudt24 shows [Jh Ah]
*** RIVER *** [6d 2s 4d Ad] [5d]
harribola shows three of a kind, Sixes, Spudt24 shows a pair of Aces
harribola wins the pot ($17.50) with three of a kind, Sixes

Nothing I can do here.



Seat 4: monstermagic ($9.65)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($28.35)

monstermagic posts the small blind of $0.10
harribola posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Qc Qs]
Spudt24 raises to $1, Gab81 folds, Ryanrizice folds, mattyb126 folds, monstermagic calls $0.90, harribola calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [5h Ts 4d]
monstermagic bets $3, harribola folds, Spudt24 raises to $6, monstermagic raises to $8.65, and is all in, Spudt24 calls $2.65
monstermagic shows [As 9s]
Spudt24 shows [Qc Qs]
*** TURN *** [5h Ts 4d] [6s]
*** RIVER *** [5h Ts 4d 6s] [7s]
monstermagic shows a flush, Ace high, Spudt24 shows a pair of Queens
monstermagic wins the pot ($19.30) with a flush, Ace high

Hilarious. Bad beat.



Seat 2: everything_nice ($25.45)
Seat 5: Spudt24 ($32.25)

jvans posts the small blind of $0.10
everything_nice posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [7c 5c]
Spudt24 raises to $0.85, jvans folds, everything_nice calls $0.60
*** FLOP *** [6d Qd Jd]
everything_nice checks, Spudt24 checks
*** TURN *** [6d Qd Jd] [7h]
everything_nice checks, Spudt24 bets $1.50, everything_nice calls $1.50
*** RIVER *** [6d Qd Jd 7h] [Ah]
everything_nice checks, Spudt24 bets $5, everything_nice calls $5
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Spudt24 shows [7c 5c] (a pair of Sevens), everything_nice shows [Ad 4c] (a pair of Aces)
everything_nice wins the pot ($14.10) with a pair of Aces

I didn't know too much about this opponent at this point, so I felt like I could represent a big hand on a scary board. Even if he hit a J I'm thinking a strong bet could get him to fold. I guess not.


Seat 2: everything_nice ($11.90)
Seat 5: Spudt24 ($24.55)

jvans posts the small blind of $0.10
everything_nice posts the big blind of $0.25
the spark dog posts $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Jd Ad]
the spark dog checks, Spudt24 raises to $1.10, jvans folds, everything_nice raises to $2.25, the spark dog folds, Spudt24 raises to $24.55, and is all in, everything_nice calls $9.65, and is all in
Spudt24 shows [Jd Ad]
everything_nice shows [5c 5h]
Uncalled bet of $12.65 returned to Spudt24
*** FLOP *** [6h 3c Td]
*** TURN *** [6h 3c Td] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [6h 3c Td 2c] [3d]
Spudt24 shows a pair of Threes, everything_nice shows two pair, Fives and Threes
everything_nice wins the pot ($22.95) with two pair, Fives and Threes

After 30 minutes of playing with above moron, and seeing some very loose stats, I figured he wasn't strong on this re raise, so I pushed his small stack. Lost a race, but I'm actually happy with my play and new he would be pretty light.





Some good hands from the session on 12/20 where I took 6 buy ins +$149. Pretty sick especially since the biggest hand I lost was for $11. Hands held, and I just played ABC poker.

Seat 1: booty818 ($25)
Seat 2: Spudt24 ($45.30)

TonyRomo88 posts the small blind of $0.10
booty818 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [4s 4h]
Spudt24 calls $0.25, GOB31 folds, oilerfan1 calls $0.25, bravo69 folds, TonyRomo88 folds, booty818 checks
*** FLOP *** [Jh Qd 4d]
booty818 bets $0.85, Spudt24 raises to $3.40, oilerfan1 folds, booty818 raises to $11.05, Spudt24 raises to $45.05, and is all in, booty818 calls $13.70, and is all in
Spudt24 shows [4s 4h]
booty818 shows [Qc 8d]
Uncalled bet of $20.30 returned to Spudt24
*** TURN *** [Jh Qd 4d] [Td]
*** RIVER *** [Jh Qd 4d Td] [7s]
Spudt24 shows three of a kind, Fours, booty818 shows a pair of Queens
Spudt24 wins the pot ($47.85) with three of a kind, Fours

I've played quite a few hands with Booty and he hates me. He commented that I'm always raising and what not. This hand shows why I'll play AA to the felt at this level. Standard push on the flop. I don't want to see a turn card with this board.


Seat 2: Spudt24 ($32.20)
Seat 4: LouiDeBrusk ($15)

Spudt24 posts the small blind of $0.10
GOB31 posts the big blind of $0.25
LouiDeBrusk posts $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Qd As]
LouiDeBrusk raises to $0.85, TonyRomo88 folds, Spudt24 raises to $2.80, GOB31 folds, LouiDeBrusk calls $1.95
*** FLOP *** [Ac 7h 2d]
Spudt24 checks, LouiDeBrusk checks
*** TURN *** [Ac 7h 2d] [2h]
Spudt24 checks, LouiDeBrusk checks
*** RIVER *** [Ac 7h 2d 2h] [6h]
Spudt24 bets $2, LouiDeBrusk raises to $11.85, Spudt24 calls $9.85
*** SHOW DOWN ***
LouiDeBrusk shows [9s Th] (a pair of Twos), Spudt24 shows [Qd As] (two pair, Aces and Twos)
Spudt24 wins the pot ($28.10) with two pair, Aces and Twos

I played this hand much much differently than I typically play it. I took into consideration the ideal flop and his small stack. Since I figured to be ahead, I checked both the flop and the turn hoping to induce a bluff. I wasn't too concerned with the flush possibility and was willing to call.



Seat 3: tbeev11 ($23.90)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($38.50)

FristYou posts the small blind of $0.10
DrewBlows is sitting out
Spudt24 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Tc 7c]
booty818 folds, got_tone raises to $1, tbeev11 calls $1, FristYou folds, Spudt24 calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [Kc 5c Ac]
Spudt24 bets $1.25, got_tone raises to $5, tbeev11 raises to $22.90, and is all in, Spudt24 raises to $37.50, and is all in, got_tone folds
Spudt24 shows [Tc 7c]
tbeev11 shows [As Qc]
Uncalled bet of $14.60 returned to Spudt24
*** TURN *** [Kc 5c Ac] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [Kc 5c Ac 5h] [6s]
Spudt24 shows a flush, Ace high, tbeev11 shows two pair, Aces and Fives
Spudt24 wins the pot ($51.25) with a flush, Ace high

Got lucky here. I love hands like this because you typically know if you're ahead or behind. There is typically no marginal situation, as shown on this flop. One thing I do love to do at this level is play things fast. Some might check the flop, I might as well just bet out, knowing he likely has an A or K and won't let it go. He had an A and didn't let it go.



Seat 1: booty818 ($59.60)
Seat 6: Spudt24 ($24.40)

booty818 posts the small blind of $0.10
MikoHot posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ad 8d]
tbeev11 folds, KingKong30 folds, DrewBlows folds, Spudt24 raises to $0.85, booty818 calls $0.75, MikoHot folds
*** FLOP *** [Js Th Ac]
booty818 checks, Spudt24 bets $1, booty818 calls $1
*** TURN *** [Js Th Ac] [8c]
booty818 checks, Spudt24 bets $3, booty818 raises to $8, Spudt24 calls $5
*** RIVER *** [Js Th Ac 8c] [4d]
booty818 bets $15, Spudt24 calls $14.55, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $0.45 returned to booty818
*** SHOW DOWN ***
booty818 shows [Jh 8h] (two pair, Jacks and Eights), Spudt24 shows [Ad 8d] (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Spudt24 wins the pot ($46.60) with two pair, Aces and Eights
booty818: unreal

My favorite ftp player booty. On the button pretty standard raise with A8 sooted. Decent flop for me so I lead out to see where I am. His call didn't mean a whole lot as he could have been floating me with anything. This player hated me and was giving me action. I make 2 pair which is like the nuts at these stakes. I definitely think I'm ahead, but keep betting out as I want to build the pot big enough to get it all in, on a favorable river card. 4d comes and I'm going to play for it all. He puts me in and I happily call.


Seat 1: booty818 ($34.55)
Seat 2: Spudt24 ($99.85)

SpicyBait posts the small blind of $0.10
DEFJUXIE posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ah Jh]
pokerstars67 folds, Otis the Great folds, booty818 calls $0.25, Spudt24 raises to $1.10, SpicyBait folds, DEFJUXIE folds, booty818 calls $0.85
*** FLOP *** [2d 9h Kc]
booty818 checks, Spudt24 bets $1.80, booty818 calls $1.80
*** TURN *** [2d 9h Kc] [5h]
booty818 checks, Spudt24 bets $2.50, booty818 calls $2.50
*** RIVER *** [2d 9h Kc 5h] [Qh]
booty818 checks, Spudt24 bets $4, booty818 raises to $29.15, and is all in, Spudt24 calls $25.15
*** SHOW DOWN ***
booty818 shows [Ks Th] (a pair of Kings), Spudt24 shows [Ah Jh] (a flush, Ace high)
Spudt24 wins the pot ($66.45) with a flush, Ace high
booty818 is sitting out

Hey look, it's booty. Typical hand against a very weak player. Raise in position with AJ sooted. Cbet on a favorable board. He continues to play very passively on the turn, so I bet again having picked up a flush draw. The river brings the money card. Booty does the work for me.


Seat 2: Spudt24 ($71.05)
Seat 6: Otis the Great ($23.55)

booty818 posts the small blind of $0.10
Spudt24 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [Ks Kh]
SpicyBait folds, DEFJUXIE folds, Otis the Great raises to $0.75, booty818 calls $0.65, Spudt24 raises to $3, Otis the Great has 15 seconds left to act, Otis the Great calls $2.25, booty818 folds
*** FLOP *** [8d Qc Th]
Spudt24 bets $6.75, Otis the Great calls $6.75
*** TURN *** [8d Qc Th] [6s]
Spudt24 bets $61.30, and is all in, Otis the Great calls $13.80, and is all in, Spudt24 shows [Ks Kh], Otis the Great shows [Ah Qh]
Uncalled bet of $47.50 returned to Spudt24
*** RIVER *** [8d Qc Th 6s] [Td]
Spudt24 shows two pair, Kings and Tens, Otis the Great shows two pair, Queens and Tens
Spudt24 wins the pot ($45.50) with two pair, Kings and Tens

Pretty nice starting hand here. I always raise with KK at this level. Always. I want to build the pot and hopefully get any ace rag to fold. Great flop for me, as anyone with a Q is going to the felt. Once again I bet out strong, hoping he caught, and to build. I want to get it allin. Since he calls such a big bet on the flop, he clearly has something, so on the turn I just put him allin. I don't know if it helps, but I like to push here in hopes he thinks it's weakness. By pushing it might seem like I'm trying to buy the pot. If I simply bet $14, he might think I truly have him beat. I don't know if this is actually true, but damnit I think so. Hand held, ship it!



Seat 1: poundcake1 ($130.70)
Seat 3: Spudt24 ($31)

madmilk posts the small blind of $0.10
change100 posts the big blind of $0.25

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Spudt24 [As Jd]
borq123 folds, poundcake1 calls $0.25, Spudt24 calls $0.25, madmilk folds, change100 checks
*** FLOP *** [Kh Ts Ac]
change100 checks, poundcake1 bets $0.85, Spudt24 calls $0.85, madmilk adds $0.35, change100 folds
*** TURN *** [Kh Ts Ac] [2s]
poundcake1 bets $2.55, Spudt24 calls $2.55
*** RIVER *** [Kh Ts Ac 2s] [Kd]
poundcake1 bets $7.65, Spudt24 calls $7.65
*** SHOW DOWN ***
poundcake1 shows [Ks Td] (a full house, Kings full of Tens)
Spudt24 mucks
poundcake1 wins the pot ($21.85) with a full house, Kings full of Tens

This was my biggest loss of the 840 hand session from 12/20, only $11. Sometimes I do reraise here, but chose to mix it up and flat call. Flop is pretty good for me, I definitely think I'm ahead top pair good kicker , with a possible straight. I still think I'm good on the turn, but am trying to play a small pot, so I just call. The K comes and I think I'm still ahead. The call was a little loose and careless, but one thing I do like about the way I played the hand is controlling the pot size.



Some main points I'd like to mention. CTS wrote in his blog the concept of building a big pot, in preparation of pushing the river and it making sense, mathematically. I've applied this into my game and seen great payoffs. Before I'd be too concerned with slow playing, small feeler bets or small value bets. I now play nearly everything fast. My logic at this level is simple, if they have even just a piece, they're not letting go. Build the pot and hopefully play for it all when you're strong. Conversely, controlling the pot in marginal situations is crucial. The thing I see players do horribly at this level is play a huge pot with marginal holdings. I might make bad calls with marginal holdings, but I'm rarely going to stack off.

Spudt24, long time CR friend, is coming into Portland Friday night. He has been working at Spirit Mountain casino on their digital surveillance needs and will be passing through Portland for the night on his way up to Seattle for the weekend. I'll be taking him out to dinner and show him around some. I need to figure out which restaurant to go to? I'm not sure which to take him to so I'll list several that might be fun or different and see if readers prefer one.

I guess having a little background on Spudt24 might help. He is in his mid 20's, of italian descent, and lives in Santa Barbara. He travels a lot for his job and frequents all kinds of restaurants when he travels. I figure something a little different from his usual fare might be good.

http://www.torobravopdx.com/ - community tabled tapas

http://www.saucebox.com/ - trendy pan-asian

http://www.jacegace.com/ - beer, waffles and art

http://www.vindalho.com/ - indian

http://www.castagnarestaurant.com/index.php?section=cafe - Northwest influenced Italian

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/41846227/portland_or/pok_pok_restaurant_whiskey_soda_lounge.html - Thai

There are so many good restaurants to choose from, so I'm presenting a wide selection to be narrowed by feedback. This is just a start, if you think I'm not on the right track for spuddy let me know.

Several months ago, when I was in my reading phase and out of books one day, I picked up The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.  I had tried reading it a couple years ago when it was given to me, but I didn't find it that interesting.  This time I vowed to plow through it regardless.  I still don't feel it's his best work, but it had some interesting points. 

The one idea I want to talk about today is the concept behind six degrees of separation.  It has become ingrained in pop culture from the Kevin Bacon six degrees of separation game.  But it all started by a study in the late 1960's by Stanley Milgram who wanted to better understand how people are connected.  What was remarkable about the study was that although most people aren't widely connected, they were able to socially connect with any random person in the US within 5 to 6 levels of separation. 

How was this possible?  Most of us don't have particularly broad and diverse groups of friends.  We tend to associate with those in close proximity to ourselves.  When asked, we'll say we associate with those who we share similar attitudes, but the reality is often that it is more a factor of convenience, proximity and shared activities than of similar attitudes.  As Malcom stated "We're friends with the people we do things with, as much as we are with the people we resemble.  We don't seek out friends, in other words.  We associate with the people who occupy the same small, physical  spaces that we do."  The key issue in making these connections is that all degrees are not equal.  Most of us still do have a small number of associations, but there are special people that he calls 'connectors' that accelerate the wide connection process.

The perfect person that I can use to illustrate this point of being a connector is CR's very own Spudt24.  He is but one member of over ten thousand, but I would argue that in a six degrees of separation game that he would connect more people than most others within CR.  He holds all the classic qualities that Gladwell attributes super connectors.  He is affable and easy to get along with.  He naturally connects with many people easily.  He likes exploring and trying new things.  His job has him traveling the country regularly interacting with many different people.  He makes an effort to reach out to people.  He is is part of that rare group that would be the ideal connectors to accelerate connections with many random groups of people within 5 or 6 steps.

The one element that Gladwell doesn't deal with in The Tipping Point is the internet.  In the internet age, the physical proximity issue is almost mute.  At the flick of a key or mouse, we can connect with almost anyone anywhere.  We can maintain contact with a much wider range of people.  In some ways, it could be argued that I have more friends and acquaintances online than off.  Granted that I am older, settled with family, and more homebound than someone in their early 20's, but I think the point is still valid.  We can support and nurture these online connections by 'real world' get togethers, but the main mode of communication and interaction is the internet.  The geographical distances prevent regular physical interactions, but allow us to connect online easily.  Over time this will probably revolutionize the six degrees of separation paradigm into being able to connect with anyone anywhere in the world in fewer connections, maybe as little as 3-4 degrees.