Thank you Collin, appreciate it!
Short session today as I had to start late. Only fired the bigs (late reg in the $1.10 an hour after it started) and a couple 180-mans
One of the 180-mans was a true rollercoaster. Some nice stack building along the way:
* First I defended big blind with A3o, flopped trips on AAJ board, and got full value from a J
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 10/20 (3 ante) - 9 players
UTG: 1,597 (80 bb)
UTG+1: 1,538 (77 bb)
MP: 1,757 (88 bb)
MP+1: 1,530 (77 bb)
LP: 1,500 (75 bb)
CO: 2,095 (105 bb)
BU: 885 (44 bb)
SB: 1,443 (72 bb)
BB (Hero): 1,155 (58 bb)
Pre-Flop: (57) Hero is BB with 3♥ A♣
3 players fold, MP+1 raises to 40, 1 fold, CO calls 40, 2 players fold, Hero calls 20
Flop: (157) A♦ A♠ J♥ (3 players)
Hero checks, MP+1 checks, CO bets 94, Hero calls 94, MP+1 calls 94
Turn: (439) 6♥ (3 players)
Hero checks, MP+1 checks, CO bets 263, Hero calls 263, MP+1 calls 263
River: (1,228) T♠ (3 players)
Hero bets 755 (all-in), MP+1 folds, CO calls 755
Total pot: 2,738
Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows 3♥ A♣ (three of a kind, Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 58%, Flop: 98%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)
CO shows J♠ K♣ (two pair, Aces and Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 42%, Flop: 2%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)
BB (Hero) wins 2,738
* Then a guy with A-high decided to bluff on the river - unfotunately for him I rivered a set.
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 25/50 (6 ante) - 9 players
UTG: 850 (17 bb)
UTG+1: 792 (16 bb)
MP: 2,202 (44 bb)
MP+1 (Hero): 2,743 (55 bb)
LP: 1,675 (34 bb)
CO: 1,198 (24 bb)
BU: 1,935 (39 bb)
SB: 1,273 (25 bb)
BB: 1,762 (35 bb)
Pre-Flop: (129) Hero is MP+1 with 8♠ 8♦
3 players fold, Hero raises to 125, 2 players fold, BTN calls 125, 2 players fold
Flop: (379) Q♣ K♥ 7♠ (2 players)
Hero bets 133, BTN calls 133
Turn: (645) 4♠ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
River: (645) 8♣ (2 players)
Hero bets 400, BTN raises to 1,671 (all-in), Hero calls 1,271
Total pot: 3,987
Showdown:
BU shows J♠ A♦ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 45%, Flop: 40%, Turn: 23%, River: 0%)
MP+1 (Hero) shows 8♠ 8♦ (three of a kind, Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 55%, Flop: 60%, Turn: 77%, River: 100%)
MP+1 (Hero) wins 3,987
* Then a guy shoved 17bb from the button with AT and ran into my AQ
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 75/150 (15 ante) - 8 players
UTG: 6,257 (42 bb)
UTG+1: 1,145 (8 bb)
MP: 3,880 (26 bb)
MP+1: 5,678 (38 bb)
CO: 392 (3 bb)
BU: 2,551 (17 bb)
SB (Hero): 5,412 (36 bb)
BB: 3,402 (23 bb)
Pre-Flop: (345) Hero is SB with Q♠ A♦
5 players fold, BTN raises to 2,536 (all-in), Hero 3-bets to 5,397 (all-in), 1 fold
Flop: (5,342) A♠ 7♠ 5♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (5,342) 8♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (5,342) 6♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 5,342
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows Q♠ A♦ (a flush, Ace high)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 74%, Flop: 92%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
BU shows A♣ T♦ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 26%, Flop: 8%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) wins 5,342
This made me firmly a top10 stack in the tournament, and I was able to keep the stack until we were down to 4 tables (last 3 tables, 27 players, get paid). As we were approaching the bubble, I shoved A8s from the button (pretty sure it's correct) and ran into AJ. A sign of thing to come?
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 150/300 (25 ante) - 8 players
UTG: 19,861 (66 bb)
UTG+1: 13,098 (44 bb)
MP: 11,060 (37 bb)
MP+1: 18,882 (63 bb)
CO: 3,066 (10 bb)
BU (Hero): 8,339 (28 bb)
SB: 4,915 (16 bb)
BB: 3,558 (12 bb)
Pre-Flop: (650) Hero is BTN with A♥ 8♥
5 players fold, Hero raises to 8,314 (all-in), 1 fold, BB calls 3,233 (all-in)
Flop: (7,416) 7♣ 9♠ T♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (7,416) A♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (7,416) K♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 7,416
Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows A♥ 8♥ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 32%, Flop: 28%, Turn: 14%, River: 0%)
BB shows A♦ J♠ (a pair of Aces - higher kicker)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 68%, Flop: 72%, Turn: 86%, River: 100%)
BB wins 7,416
With 10bb left, had to fold a bunch to get in the money. Then as soon as the bubble burst, I immediatebly was able to shove two hands in a row, KQo and ATs. The latter was called by A8o for a much needed double up
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 300/600 (50 ante) - 9 players
UTG (Hero): 4,006 (7 bb)
UTG+1: 7,330 (12 bb)
MP: 5,636 (9 bb)
MP+1: 19,343 (32 bb)
LP: 30,496 (51 bb)
CO: 8,960 (15 bb)
BU: 7,708 (13 bb)
SB: 4,486 (7 bb)
BB: 13,545 (23 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1,350) Hero is UTG with T♦ A♦
Hero raises to 3,956 (all-in), 4 players fold, CO 3-bets to 8,910 (all-in), 3 players fold
Flop: (9,262) T♣ 6♥ Q♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (9,262) 2♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (9,262) 5♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 9,262
Showdown:
CO shows A♣ 8♥ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 27%, Flop: 4%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)
UTG (Hero) shows T♦ A♦ (a pair of Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 73%, Flop: 96%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)
UTG (Hero) wins 9,262
Literally the next hand, another big blind defence, and I managed to stack off a loose player with two pair
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 300/600 (50 ante) - 9 players
UTG: 7,280 (12 bb)
UTG+1: 5,586 (9 bb)
MP: 19,293 (32 bb)
MP+1: 30,446 (51 bb)
LP: 4,954 (8 bb)
CO: 7,658 (13 bb)
BU: 4,136 (7 bb)
SB: 12,895 (21 bb)
BB (Hero): 9,262 (15 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1,350) Hero is BB with T♠ 7♠
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to 1,302, 1 fold, MP+1 calls 1,302, 1 fold, CO calls 1,302, 2 players fold, Hero calls 702
Flop: (5,958) 7♦ 8♥ 3♠ (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG+1 checks, MP+1 checks, CO bets 1,200, Hero calls 1,200, 2 players fold
Turn: (8,358) T♥ (2 players)
Hero bets 6,710 (all-in), CO calls 5,106 (all-in)
River: (18,570) 3♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 18,570
Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows T♠ 7♠ (two pair, Tens and Sevens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 31%, Flop: 73%, Turn: 77%, River: 100%)
CO shows J♥ T♦ (two pair, Tens and Threes)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 69%, Flop: 27%, Turn: 23%, River: 0%)
BB (Hero) wins 18,570
Back to 2nd biggest stack in the tournament - the comeback was complete. Wish it could last. The hand after, the rollercoaster went in the other direction, as I pushed K7s blind vs blind, and got snap called by KTo
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 300/600 (50 ante) - 8 players
Hand delivered by Upswing Poker
UTG: 4,234 (7 bb)
UTG+1: 19,243 (32 bb)
MP: 29,094 (48 bb)
MP+1: 4,904 (8 bb)
CO: 4,086 (7 bb)
BU: 12,545 (21 bb)
SB (Hero): 20,174 (34 bb)
BB: 7,230 (12 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1,300) Hero is SB with 7♥ K♥
6 players fold, Hero raises to 20,124 (all-in), BB calls 6,580 (all-in)
Flop: (14,760) A♣ 6♦ Q♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (14,760) 2♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (14,760) 9♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 14,760
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows 7♥ K♥ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 33%, Flop: 19%, Turn: 11%, River: 0%)
BB shows T♠ K♦ (high card, Ace - higher kicker)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 67%, Flop: 81%, Turn: 89%, River: 100%)
BB wins 14,760
Looking back, maybe the shove was loose. Fairly certain it would be in HRC pushing range, but I shoved into this guy a lot, he said "fo" in the chat after one of the shoves, and his stats weren't stellar (23 VPIP, 12 PFR). Think I should've tightened up. It's just always so painful to give people walks ![]()
Anyway, I won a bit of the stack back the next hand as I flopped a set, but couldn't get value on a 246 board (the same guy showed AQ and folded). Still was in fine shape wth 25bb. Then the crippling hand happened
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 300/600 (50 ante) - 8 players
UTG: 6,054 (10 bb)
UTG+1: 3,936 (7 bb)
MP: 12,395 (21 bb)
MP+1 (Hero): 15,824 (26 bb)
CO: 12,680 (21 bb)
BU: 3,184 (5 bb)
SB: 18,493 (31 bb)
BB: 28,944 (48 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1,300) Hero is MP+1 with 9♠ 9♦
2 players fold, MP raises to 1,242, Hero 3-bets to 15,774 (all-in), 4 players fold, MP calls 11,103 (all-in)
Flop: (25,990) 8♠ 5♣ Q♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (25,990) 5♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (25,990) 3♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 25,990
Showdown:
MP+1 (Hero) shows 9♠ 9♦ (two pair, Nines and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 18%, Flop: 10%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
MP shows T♠ T♥ (two pair, Tens and Fives)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 82%, Flop: 90%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
MP wins 25,990
The guy was playing 27/13 stats, don't think I was getting away from 99 for 20bb
With only a small pile of chips remaining, I found a pushing spot with 76o, got called by the nemesis guy, found myself in a flip (about as good as I could hope with this hand), but couldn't win it
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.91 + $0.09 - Hold'em No Limit - 300/600 (50 ante) - 7 players
UTG: 25,894 (43 bb)
MP: 10,958 (18 bb)
MP+1: 27,022 (45 bb)
CO (Hero): 2,229 (4 bb)
BU: 14,030 (23 bb)
SB: 3,534 (6 bb)
BB: 17,843 (30 bb)
Pre-Flop: (1,250) Hero is CO with 7♠ 6♦
3 players fold, Hero raises to 2,179 (all-in), BTN calls 2,179, 2 players fold
Flop: (5,608) 8♠ T♠ A♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (5,608) J♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (5,608) 4♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 5,608
Showdown:
CO (Hero) shows 7♠ 6♦ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 51%, Flop: 44%, Turn: 23%, River: 0%)
BU shows 2♣ 2♥ (a pair of Twos)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 49%, Flop: 56%, Turn: 77%, River: 100%)
BU wins 5,608
Just a mincash in the end, somewhat disappointing after the post-bubble comeback, but don't think I could've done much differently (apart from the K7s suited hand I pointed out), and the rollercoaster was fun (although the bankroll didn't appreciate it)
The other 180-man I busted early. as well as the big $0.55, The big $1.10 however... that one was a different story. Being short-stacked from the start after late reg, I was looking for an early double up - and got it, shoving TT from SB against 77 in the BU. The set me on the way - I was getting hands, winning key flips, and keeping up with the average stack. Until this hand, in which I feel I lost a lot more than I had to. Once again, I managed fold into the money, and won a couple of shoves thereafter
One more of those key flips (only the 3rd of the tournament, it's not like I was crushing flips left and right)
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.98 + $0.12 - Hold'em No Limit - 900/1,800 (150 ante) - 9 players
UTG: 76,545 (43 bb)
UTG+1: 68,182 (38 bb)
MP: 97,654 (54 bb)
MP+1: 57,002 (32 bb)
LP (Hero): 16,871 (9 bb)
CO: 95,801 (53 bb)
BU: 66,477 (37 bb)
SB: 21,353 (12 bb)
BB: 14,948 (8 bb)
Pre-Flop: (4,050) Hero is LP with A♣ K♦
2 players fold, MP raises to 3,600, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to 16,721 (all-in), 4 players fold, MP calls 13,121
Flop: (37,492) K♠ J♠ 8♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (37,492) 2♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (37,492) 7♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 37,492
Showdown:
LP (Hero) shows A♣ K♦ (a pair of Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 43%, Flop: 88%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
MP shows T♦ T♣ (a pair of Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 57%, Flop: 12%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
LP (Hero) wins 37,492
Then somehow found myself a 2:1 favourite with pocket fours after a guy decided to call my shove with A2s
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.98 + $0.12 - Hold'em No Limit - 1,000/2,000 (175 ante) - 8 players
UTG: 29,252 (15 bb)
UTG+1: 97,907 (49 bb)
MP: 135,421 (68 bb)
MP+1: 60,640 (30 bb)
CO: 52,802 (26 bb)
BU (Hero): 33,442 (17 bb)
SB: 40,092 (20 bb)
BB: 65,277 (33 bb)
Pre-Flop: (4,400) Hero is BTN with 4♣ 4♠
2 players fold, MP raises to 4,400, MP+1 calls 4,400, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets to 33,267 (all-in), 3 players fold, MP+1 calls 28,867
Flop: (75,334) 3♠ Q♣ 5♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (75,334) 9♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (75,334) 8♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 75,334
Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows 4♣ 4♠ (a pair of Fours)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 66%, Flop: 81%, Turn: 89%, River: 100%)
MP+1 shows 2♦ A♦ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 34%, Flop: 19%, Turn: 11%, River: 0%)
BU (Hero) wins 75,334
And just like that, I was back on track
With 150 remaining, I was closing in on being a top10 stack, and once again was having high hopes. Unfortunately, a run of unplayable hands saw me drop back towards the average stack. Lost half of it in this hand after missing an open ender and trying to bluff an A on the river
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.98 + $0.12 - Hold'em No Limit - 4,000/8,000 (750 ante) - 8 players
UTG: 211,262 (26 bb)
UTG+1: 213,547 (27 bb)
MP: 140,338 (18 bb)
MP+1: 222,313 (28 bb)
CO: 579,497 (72 bb)
BU (Hero): 222,528 (28 bb)
SB: 24,900 (3 bb)
BB: 157,619 (20 bb)
Pre-Flop: (18,000) Hero is BTN with T♣ J♣
5 players fold, Hero raises to 17,200, 1 fold, BB calls 9,200
Flop: (44,400) 9♦ 5♥ Q♠ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets 16,250, BB calls 16,250
Turn: (76,900) 7♥ (2 players)
BB bets 24,000, Hero calls 24,000
River: (124,900) A♠ (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets 35,000, BB calls 35,000
Total pot: 194,900
Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows T♣ J♣ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 31%, Flop: 32%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)
BB shows Q♥ T♠ (a pair of Queens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 69%, Flop: 68%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)
BB wins 194,900
Perhaps too small a bet of the river, but I thought that's about what I would've bet if I did have an A, trying to get a call from Q. Well, I did get a call from Q - except I couldn't beat it ![]()
A few hands later, the run ended after I missed another open ender
Spoiler
PokerStars, $0.98 + $0.12 - Hold'em No Limit - 5,000/10,000 (875 ante) - 9 players
UTG: 15,275 (2 bb)
UTG+1: 210,444 (21 bb)
MP: 208,387 (21 bb)
MP+1: 386,170 (39 bb)
LP: 240,797 (24 bb)
CO: 119,713 (12 bb)
BU: 283,313 (28 bb)
SB: 563,747 (56 bb)
BB (Hero): 124,453 (12 bb)
Pre-Flop: (22,875) Hero is BB with 8♣ J♣
3 players fold, MP+1 calls 10,000, 4 players fold, Hero checks
Flop: (32,875) 3♠ T♥ 9♥ (2 players)
Hero bets 113,578 (all-in), MP+1 calls 113,578
Turn: (260,031) K♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (260,031) 4♦ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 260,031
Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows 8♣ J♣ (high card, King)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 60%, Flop: 32%, Turn: 18%, River: 0%)
MP+1 shows 9♣ T♦ (two pair, Tens and Nines)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 40%, Flop: 68%, Turn: 82%, River: 100%)
MP+1 wins 260,031
Should I have pushed pre? Maybe. The guy was just moved to the table, and considering it was deep into the tournament, I couldn't help but feel worried about his limp being a trap. Thought my hand allowed me to evaluate on the flop. Pity he flopped 2 pair - of course he wasn't going anywhere. And after seeing his hand, he would've almost certainly folded to a preflop shove. But who knew....
In any case, finished 64th for another deep run, $5.13 cash, and finally a profitable session! Can't complain too much







