Mind Games

or "when blockers are just not enough"
888Poker, Hold'em No Limit - 150/300 (30 ante) - 9 players

UTG: 626 (2 bb)
UTG+1: 556 (2 bb)
MP: 4,858 (16 bb)
MP+1: 3,235 (11 bb)
LP: 6,838 (23 bb)
CO: 6,254 (21 bb)
BU: 3,285 (11 bb)
SB: 421 (1 bb)
BB (Hero): 4,146 (14 bb)

Pre-Flop: (720) Hero is BB with T♦:K♦:
2 players fold, MP calls 300, 5 players fold, Hero checks

Flop: (1,020) Q♦:8♣:3♦: (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets 600, Hero calls 600

Turn: (2,220) J♦: (2 players)
Hero bets 732, MP calls 732

River: (3,684) 9♣: (2 players)
Hero bets 2,484 (all-in), MP calls 2,484

Total pot: 8,652

Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows T♦:K♦: (a flush, King high)
MP shows A♦:5♣: (high card, Ace)
BB (Hero) wins 8,652

I would like to have a confidence of this guy.

And they cracked aces besides
Playing NL 2 just to qualify for a ticket by winning 80 cash hands. I already had a bunch, and there was no PLO8 running.

888Poker, Hold'em No Limit - $0.01/$0.02 - 6 players

UTG: $0.57 (29 bb)
MP: $1.33 (67 bb)
CO: $1.69 (85 bb)
BU: $2.20 (110 bb)
SB: $1.42 (71 bb)
BB (Hero): $3.39 (170 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.03) Hero is BB with Q♥:Q♣:
UTG calls $0.02, 3 players fold, SB calls $0.01, Hero raises to $0.16, UTG 3-bets to $0.57 (all-in), 1 fold, Hero calls $0.41

Flop: ($1.16) Q♦:K♣:Q♠: (2 players, 1 all-in)

Turn: ($1.16) 2♠: (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($1.16) 7♣: (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $1.16 (Rake: $0.07)

Showdown:
UTG shows A♥:A♠: (two pair, Aces and Queens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 82%, Flop: <1%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)

BB (Hero) shows Q♥:Q♣: (four of a kind, Queens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 18%, Flop: >99%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)

BB (Hero) wins $1.09

Here's the giraffe — see if you can spot the quads

Not a very good end to the session, but it coulda been waaay worse

We're going to assume that MP had quads from the start

PokerStars, 5 Card Draw No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players

UTG: $38.48 (154 bb)
MP: $29.14 (117 bb)
CO: $24.37 (97 bb)
BU: $18.41 (74 bb)
SB (Hero): $23.43 (94 bb)
BB: $12.83 (51 bb)

Deal: ($0.35) Hero is SB with 4♥:6♦:5♦:4♦:4♣:
1 fold, MP raises to $0.50, CO calls $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, Hero 3-bets to $2.80, BB 4-bets to $5.75, MP 5-bets to $14.75, 2 players fold, SB (Hero) folds, BB calls $7.08 (all-in)

Draw One: ($31.38) 4♥:6♦:5♦:4♦:4♣: (2 players, 1 all-in)
BB draws 2, MP draws 1

Total pot: $29.46 (Rake: $1.33)

Showdown:
MP shows 7♠:7♦:7♣:7♥:A♣: (four of a kind, Sevens)
BB shows 8♠:8♥:8♦:3♣:6♥: (three of a kind, Eights)
MP wins $28.13

I was goofing around early this morning, and entered an 888 "freebuy" satellite, and while playing that notice a PLO8 table had opened...

This might have been https://forums.pokerstrategy.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=190428&goto=firstnew except that the day has a lot left to go

888Poker, Omaha H/L Pot Limit - $0.02/$0.05 - 6 players

UTG: $3.00 (60 bb)
MP: $2.22 (44 bb)
CO: $2.07 (41 bb)
BU: $5.00 (100 bb)
SB: $1.09 (22 bb)
BB (Hero): $5.40 (108 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.07) Hero is BB with A♠:2♦:4♥:7♥:
1 fold, MP calls $0.05, 2 players fold, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5♥:2♣:9♦: (3 players)
SB bets $0.05, Hero calls $0.05, MP folds

Turn: ($0.25) 6♥: (2 players)
SB bets $0.25, Hero calls $0.25

River: ($0.75) 8♥: (2 players)
SB bets $0.49, Hero raises to $2.22, SB calls $0.25 (all-in)

Total pot: $2.23 (Rake: $0.14)

Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows A♠:2♦:4♥:7♥: (HI: a straight flush, Eight high; LO: 6-5-4-2-A)
SB shows 4♣:7♦:8♣:K♣: (HI: a straight, Five to Nine; LO: 7-6-5-4-2)
BB (Hero) wins $2.09

Originally posted by VorpalF2F

Dodging Bullets/Folding Trips

Not a very good end to the session, but it coulda been waaay worse

We're going to assume that MP had quads from the start

PokerStars, 5 Card Draw No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 6 players

UTG: $38.48 (154 bb)
MP: $29.14 (117 bb)
CO: $24.37 (97 bb)
BU: $18.41 (74 bb)
SB (Hero): $23.43 (94 bb)
BB: $12.83 (51 bb)

Deal: ($0.35) Hero is SB with 4♥:6♦:5♦:4♦:4♣:
1 fold, MP raises to $0.50, CO calls $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, Hero 3-bets to $2.80, BB 4-bets to $5.75, MP 5-bets to $14.75, 2 players fold, SB (Hero) folds, BB calls $7.08 (all-in)

Draw One: ($31.38) 4♥:6♦:5♦:4♦:4♣: (2 players, 1 all-in)
BB draws 2, MP draws 1

Total pot: $29.46 (Rake: $1.33)

Showdown:
MP shows 7♠:7♦:7♣:7♥:A♣: (four of a kind, Sevens)
BB shows 8♠:8♥:8♦:3♣:6♥: (three of a kind, Eights)
MP wins $28.13

I'd imagine this is super rare - drawing a boat and running into quads!

I think if that happened in a session I'd laugh it off and just quit the session.

That or break stuff!

Originally posted by UPAY4DINNER
I'd imagine this is super rare - drawing a boat and running into quads!

I think if that happened in a session I'd laugh it off and just quit the session.

That or break stuff!

I think the worst beat I ever got in 5CD so far was running quads into quads... from a player drawing three cards, no less.

Originally posted by Harrier88

Originally posted by UPAY4DINNER
I'd imagine this is super rare - drawing a boat and running into quads!

I think if that happened in a session I'd laugh it off and just quit the session.

That or break stuff!

I think the worst beat I ever got in 5CD so far was running quads into quads... from a player drawing three cards, no less.

Lol fairytale stuff for villain. Nightmare stuff for you.

Early on I lost with a straight flush vs another straight flush, but that might have been in hold'em

Really short session. Either these guys were getting way better hands, hitting their draw way more often or they were totally full of shit.(or bluffed my ass off)
I felt lucky to get out with my hide intact

The hand:
PokerStars, 2-7 Triple Draw Limit - $2/$4 - 5 players

UTG: $114.10 (57 bb)
CO (Hero): $50.00 (25 bb)
BU: $96.16 (48 bb)
SB: $72.25 (36 bb)
BB: $24.10 (12 bb)

Deal: ($3) Hero is CO with Q♣:T♦:3♦:6♦:2♠:
1 fold, Hero raises to $4, BTN 3-bets to $6, 1 fold, BB calls $4, Hero calls $2

Draw One: ($19) 3♦:6♦:2♠:3♥:Q♥: (3 players)
BB draws 2, CO (Hero) draws Q♣:T♦:, BU draws 2
BB bets $2, Hero calls $2, BTN calls $2

Draw Two: ($25) 3♦:6♦:2♠:4♠:K♦: (3 players)
BB stands pat, CO (Hero) draws 3♥:Q♥:, BU draws 1
BB bets $4, Hero calls $4, BTN calls $4

Draw Three: ($37) 3♦:6♦:2♠:4♠:7♥: (3 players)
BB stands pat, CO (Hero) draws K♦:, BU draws 1
BB checks, Hero bets $4, BU folds, BB calls $4

Total pot: $45 (Rake: $1.25)

Showdown:
CO (Hero) shows 3♦:6♦:2♠:4♠:7♥: (7-6-4-3-2)
BB mucks 3♠:6♥:4♣:2♣:T♥: (T-6-4-3-2)
CO (Hero) wins $43.75

The Giraffe:

and even that didn't help

Two buy-ins down in PLO8 5, and only up $3.68 at NL 10.
It seems goofy to be making up my PLO8 shortfall by playing NLHE

888Poker, Omaha H/L Pot Limit - $0.02/$0.05 - 5 players
Replay this hand on Pokeit

UTG: $7.47 (149 bb)
CO (Hero): $7.70 (154 bb)
BU: $0.79 (16 bb)
SB: $4.46 (89 bb)
BB: $3.00 (60 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.07) Hero is CO with T♥ 3♥ K♥ K♠
UTG calls $0.05, Hero raises to $0.10, BTN calls $0.10, SB 3-bets to $0.50, BB calls $0.45, UTG calls $0.45, Hero calls $0.40, BTN calls $0.40

Flop: ($2.50) K♦ K♣ 6♠ (5 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($2.50) 2♦ (5 players)
SB bets $0.82, 2 players fold, Hero calls $0.82, BTN calls $0.29 (all-in)

River: ($4.43) 4♦ (3 players, 1 all-in)
SB bets $3.14 (all-in), Hero calls $3.14

Total pot: $10.71 (Rake: $0.64)

Showdown:
SB shows 3♦ A♦ Q♣ 7♣ (HI: a flush, Ace high; LO: 6-4-3-2-A)
CO (Hero) shows T♥ 3♥ K♥ K♠ (HI: four of a kind, Kings)
BU shows 4♠ 3♠ 5♥ Q♥ (HI: a straight, Two to Six; LO: 6-5-4-3-2)
SB wins $5.03
CO (Hero) wins $5.04

does it suggest calling btn from BB holding 53s
OK, and I even checked, and my own SHC has it as the bottom of a BB call against a BU 2.5x open raise.
I think BB could have stolen this with a bet on either the turn or river.

PokerStars, Hold'em No Limit - $0.10/$0.25 - 5 players

UTG: $26.25 (105 bb)
CO: $26.22 (105 bb)
BU (Hero): $24.65 (99 bb)
SB: $25.00 (100 bb)
BB: $25.00 (100 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($0.35) Hero is BTN with 9♣:T♠:
2 players fold, Hero raises to $0.60, 1 fold, BB calls $0.35

Flop: ($1.30) J♦:A♥:7♦: (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.64, BB calls $0.64

Turn: ($2.58) 6♣: (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

River: ($2.58) T♣: (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks

Total pot: $2.58 (Rake: $0.12)

Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows 9♣:T♠: (a pair of Tens)
BB shows 5♦:3♦: (high card, Ace)
BU (Hero) wins $2.46

I bubbled today's $2.20 PLO8 with a made straight called by a set that made a boat. Yeach I could have folded into the money, but oh well.
Edit: I finished 21st w/ 19 paid
All my other tournaments came to naught as well.
I should have had my Guinness before playing today
PokerStars, $1.96 + $0.24 - Omaha H/L Pot Limit - 700/1,400 (175 ante) - 5 players

UTG: 7,145 (5 bb)
CO: 8,732 (6 bb)
BU: 23,016 (16 bb)
SB: 43,501 (31 bb)
BB (Hero): 9,096 (6 bb)

Pre-Flop: (2,975) Hero is BB with A♣:T♠:8♥:T♥:
2 players fold, BTN calls 1,400, SB calls 700, Hero checks

Flop: (5,075) K♥:Q♦:J♣: (3 players)
SB bets 2,538, Hero calls 2,538, BU folds

Turn: (10,151) 9♠: (2 players)
SB bets 2,800, Hero raises to 4,983 (all-in), SB calls 2,183

River: (20,117) K♦: (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: 20,117

Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows A♣:T♠:8♥:T♥: (HI: a straight, Ten to Ace)
(Equity - Turn: 75%, River: 0%)

SB shows 8♠:8♣:J♦:J♠: (HI: a full house, Jacks full of Kings)
(Equity - Turn: 25%, River: 100%)

SB wins 20,117

I am intrigued by all the different poker versions you play. I like reading the posted hands in your blog. I have a hard time finding enough time to study just NL at the moment. You must have put ALOT of study time to master all these different versions. Respect

Was thinking that PLO8 could be quite a profitiable format. But you need higher stake and decent rakeback. Break even could be easly achievable task and win from the rakeback i think. Less risk, less tilt and if there are some spewy whales hero could make a decent profit.

The problem occurs that this format could be very challenging in terms of how many things hero could hit in just one hand. I see how my mind block if i am multi tabling

Originally posted by H0witzer
I am intrigued by all the different poker versions you play. I like reading the posted hands in your blog. I have a hard time finding enough time to study just NL at the moment. You must have put ALOT of study time to master all these different versions. Respect

Quite so. Also, don't forget that I've been doing this a long time. For most fixed-limit games, knowing the odds is important, because there are few chanced for decent implied odds. Also, I wouldn't go so far as to say "master all these". There's an old expression "Jack of all trades, master of none".

Originally posted by NapoleonBonaparte135
Was thinking that PLO8 could be quite a profitiable format. But you need higher stake and decent rakeback. Break even could be easly achievable task and win from the rakeback i think. Less risk, less tilt and if there are some spewy whales hero could make a decent profit.

The problem occurs that this format could be very challenging in terms of how many things hero could hit in just one hand. I see how my mind block if i am multi tabling
Yes, that ir precisely why I play it. PokerStars has a thing where if you rake $160 in a month, you get 40% of that back ($64)
You're quite right about the stakes. At FL $1/$2 you take $30 to the table, and PL $0.10/$0.25 you take 25 to the table, but at PLO8 25 if two players split a checked-down pot they both lose money (assuming neither of them were in the blinds). At FL $1/$2 they both win even if it is a pittance.
Two tables max for me at PLO8 whatever the stakes. I can do 3 or even 4 of 5-Card Draw but only ever one table of stud or razz since it is vital to know all the players' up-cards In all the games, extensive notes are important.

Double Knockout!
(no bounties though)

I had to settle for 2nd place in this one — I lost patience at one point, and tried to put ICM pressure on the BB when SB was v short. BB woke up with a hand, called and took half my stack.

I love PLO8 or better.... it's like a printing machine... as you said you have to be patient cause the porcentages are very very close and people by not knowing end up "knowing" that they have a "decent" hand...

What sites do you play?
I used to play STTsngs and 18 men PLO8 sngs some time ago, maybe we have played together.

cheers ang gl

Originally posted by chaparrito77
I love PLO8 or better.... it's like a printing machine... as you said you have to be patient cause the porcentages are very very close and people by not knowing end up "knowing" that they have a "decent" hand...

What sites do you play?
I used to play STTsngs and 18 men PLO8 sngs some time ago, maybe we have played together.

cheers ang gl

I play PLO8 25 on PokerStars, and FL $1/$2 and FL $2/$4 there also.
on 888 the only cash game they have is PLO8 5, and that runs frequently.
There is a site run by the British Columbia Lottery corporation that is open only to members of certain provinces. They have frequent PLO8 10 that I play.
888 once had PLO8 tournaments, but they seem to be gone. PokerStars has as well, and I play them frequently

"A good fold is a good fold, no matter what comes later"
But was this a good fold?

You decide...
Bah! This is the wrong hand — I'll fix it later if I find it

PokerStars, Omaha H/L Limit - $1/$2 - 6 players

UTG: $25.06 (25 bb)
MP: $49.97 (50 bb)
CO: $17.49 (17 bb)
BU (Hero): $34.68 (35 bb)
SB: $31.24 (31 bb)
BB: $38.39 (38 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($1.50) Hero is BTN with Q♠:A♦:J♣:4♥:
UTG calls $1, 1 fold, CO raises to $2, BU (Hero) folds, 1 fold, BB calls $1, UTG calls $1 <<< broadway values, and a weak low, but no suit.

Flop: ($6.50) 6♠:6♣:T♠: (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, CO checks

Turn: ($6.50) 2♣: (3 players)
BB bets $2, UTG raises to $4, CO calls $4, BB folds

River: ($16.50) A♥: (2 players)
UTG bets $2, CO calls $2

Total pot: $20.50 (Rake: $0.80)

Showdown:
UTG shows 6♥:6♦:T♥:T♣: (HI: four of a kind, Sixes)
CO shows A♣:5♥:7♣:8♦: (HI: two pair, Aces and Sixes; LO: 7-6-5-2-A)
UTG wins $9.85
CO wins $9.85