$1 MTT Strategy Part 2

$1 MTT strategy part 2

Welcome back. This section of notes is what led me from 150 players(appx.) to the 36 who make the money. In this section I want to go over some more hands. Here I show a little volatility. The aggression factor for me goes up a little bit. Here's how we look after an hour of play

Full Tilt Poker Game #609178988: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:07:36 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (5,560)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (7,060)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (4,070)
Seat 4: Crazy Jimmy 24 (2,028)
Seat 5: drewkinga (10,060)
Seat 6: rwestover (2,810)
Seat 8: ytownst (3,930)
Seat 9: matisse (2,150)

We still haven't hit the antes yet. When the antes start coming into play I tend to play more aggressively as there is more money to be made. No sense risking a good part of your stack to gain 180 chips here in just the blinds. Lets go into the action.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609195925: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 60/120 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:15:26 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (5,380)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (7,360)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (3,890)
Seat 4: Crazy Jimmy 24 (1,188)
Seat 5: drewkinga (10,660)
Seat 6: rwestover (3,050)
Seat 7: nikipg (6,180)
Seat 8: ytownst (4,410)
Seat 9: matisse (1,970)
rwestover posts the small blind of 60
nikipg posts the big blind of 120
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ks Qc](Here I have a nice hand in middle position. KQs is very much playable)
ytownst calls 120
matisse folds
RMoC folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 raises to 400(I elect to raise a little more than 3xBB, I really want to end the hand here, but a call would give me a shot. A raise and I dump)
Crazy Jimmy 24 folds
drewkinga folds
rwestover folds
nikipg calls 280
ytownst folds
*** FLOP *** [Jh 8c 7s](This board missed me but I elect to play it aggressive)
nikipg checks
Bender2006 bets 1,000
nikipg calls 1,000(He calls, however I suspect he has a drawing hand or small pair)
*** TURN *** [Jh 8c 7s] [4d]
nikipg checks
Bender2006 bets 2,490, and is all in(I elect to get really risky. I don't think he's going to put in his entire stack on a small pair after I made 3 raises on him. He may even throw away Jacks here)
nikipg folds
Uncalled bet of 2,490 returned to Bender2006
Bender2006 mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (2,980)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,980 | Rake 0
Board: [Jh 8c 7s 4d]
Seat 1: RMoC didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Casey Finn didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Bender2006 collected (2,980), mucked
Seat 4: Crazy Jimmy 24 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: drewkinga (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: rwestover (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: nikipg (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 8: ytownst folded before the Flop
Seat 9: matisse didn't bet (folded)

Here is where playing tight pays off. I hadn't played that hardcore on anyone yet. It gave me the ability make a move on this pot. My read was that he had a drawing hand most likely a Weak Ace with a pair. It takes a lot of courage to fire 3 consecutive shells here. If I get called I'm beat, but this is the key to tight play. This can lead to aggression later. It's a very risky move especially when all your money goes into the center, but I felt that I could execute this bluff based on my tight play.




Okay here's where I was wrong. First off I lost a few pots when I played a few hands I missed. Hands like A-T, K-J that kind of deal. Not overly in trouble, but starting to slide.


Full Tilt Poker Game #609218483: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 80/160 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:26:02 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (5,140)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (7,680)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (3,300)
Seat 4: Crazy Jimmy 24 (1,816)
Seat 5: drewkinga (10,702)
Seat 6: rwestover (3,010)
Seat 7: nikipg (5,360)
Seat 8: ytownst (6,250)
Seat 9: twosmallpair (8,500)
ytownst posts the small blind of 80
twosmallpair posts the big blind of 160
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Qc Jc]
RMoC folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 raises to 400(I've started to change gears and played more aggressive)
Crazy Jimmy 24 raises to 1,816, and is all in
drewkinga folds
rwestover folds
nikipg folds
ytownst folds
twosmallpair folds
Bender2006 calls 1,416(Here I should have folded. At best I'm in a race. Tilt factor has set in though and I make too loose a call.)
Crazy Jimmy 24 shows [Jh Js](I'm a 2:1 Dog)
Bender2006 shows [Qc Jc]
*** FLOP *** [7s 7h 6h]
*** TURN *** [7s 7h 6h] [8s]
*** RIVER *** [7s 7h 6h 8s] [2h]
Crazy Jimmy 24 shows two pair, Jacks and Sevens
Bender2006 shows a pair of Sevens
Crazy Jimmy 24 wins the pot (3,872) with two pair, Jacks and Sevens
Bender2006: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,872 | Rake 0
Board: [7s 7h 6h 8s 2h]
Seat 1: RMoC didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Casey Finn didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [Qc Jc] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 4: Crazy Jimmy 24 showed [Jh Js] and won (3,872) with two pair, Jacks and Sevens
Seat 5: drewkinga didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: rwestover didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: nikipg (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: ytownst (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: twosmallpair (big blind) folded before the Flop

I made a mistake in this pot. QJs isn't a horrible hand, but I shouldn't have charged. I needed to play this like 76s and taken a cheap flop. If I got raised I was beat and should have dumped. While I felt that Crazy Jimmy could have been in desprate mode and pushed on 5-5, it's too big a risk. I misplayed this hand and now I'm beginning to get low. Not a good spot with the increasing chip stacks and levels. Even if a player is getting low and feeling desprate, you must exercise caution. If you have a huge chipstack at this point say 15k-20k calling here isn't bad, but since I've got 3k, I made a poor play.



Later on in the tournament after I took that blow. Basically my strategy now with the blinds the way they are is to find some kind of hand and move all in before the flop. This is the only solution since right now my M(Refer to harrington on holdem) is only 4 at best. This puts me into the red zone. I want that first in vigorish that could win me the blinds or double up. I'm not going to commit suicide and move in on a random holding, but right now just about any ace, any pocket pair, and KQ I would be willing to move in on. This hand I fold my K-3 but goes to show another point about tournament play.


Full Tilt Poker Game #609231911: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:32:16 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (6,900)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (6,940)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (1,184)
Seat 4: supdanno (5,945)
Seat 5: drewkinga (8,722)
Seat 6: rwestover (2,310)
Seat 7: nikipg (5,360)
Seat 8: ytownst (9,282)
Seat 9: twosmallpair (11,060)
rwestover posts the small blind of 100
nikipg posts the big blind of 200
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ks 3h]
drewkinga: good hand
ytownst calls 200
twosmallpair: thanx guess i have your number lately
twosmallpair folds
RMoC folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 folds
supdanno folds
drewkinga calls 200
rwestover calls 100
nikipg checks
*** FLOP *** [Ts 5d Ad]
rwestover checks
nikipg checks
drewkinga: you have been killing me lately
drewkinga: nice job
Bender2006: this whole table has been killing me
ytownst bets 800(This is an unusally big raise for this pot. Probably a defensive bet of an ace)
drewkinga calls 800(Might have the flush draw)
rwestover folds
nikipg folds
*** TURN *** [Ts 5d Ad] [4d]
ytownst checks(I would probe bet here and find out where I stand if I have an ace.)
drewkinga bets 1,500(Good bet here, most of the time this will take the pot down)
ytownst calls 1,500(Risky call. Unless there is a read you may still be ahead)
*** RIVER *** [Ts 5d Ad 4d] [Qs]
ytownst bets 2,800(This is a very tricky raise. Could ytownst have semi-bluffed a flush, made it and is now forcing drew to a decision_
drewkinga raises to 6,222, and is all in(Extremly risky bluff, if drew doesn't have a flush, he's certainly beaten but it's a bold play)
ytownst calls 3,422(Likely has to call as long as he doesn't believe drew has an flush)
*** SHOW DOWN ***
drewkinga shows [Qh Kh] (a pair of Queens)
ytownst shows [As 2h] (a pair of Aces)(Very gutsy play)
ytownst wins the pot (17,844) with a pair of Aces
drewkinga stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 17,844 | Rake 0
Board: [Ts 5d Ad 4d Qs]
Seat 1: RMoC didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Casey Finn didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Bender2006 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: supdanno didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: drewkinga (button) showed [Qh Kh] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 6: rwestover (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: nikipg (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst showed [As 2h] and won (17,844) with a pair of Aces
Seat 9: twosmallpair didn't bet (folded)

ytownst and drew went pretty hard at this pot. It was filled with a very big drama and very risky plays. I think the main reason ytownst believed his aces were the best hand was drew's table image. drew was the most aggressive player at the table making a lot of plays. The key mistake was drew moving in on his KQ. ytownst may have made his flush already or what he represented up front a pair of aces. He could have called it and saved a few chips. I don't take on a big stack here without a big hand. Drew probably should have dumped his hand on the flop as he had a gutshot only. Aces make sense here. If he was going to setup ytownst he should have bet larger say 4,000. ytownst has been playing aggressive too but not stupid. He probably would fold the way the cards lied. The moral of the story, don't run up against large stacked opponents, even if you have a lot of ammo, without the goods.

The very next hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609235485: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 100/200 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:33:56 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (6,900)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (6,940)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (1,184)
Seat 4: supdanno (5,945)
Seat 6: rwestover (2,110)
Seat 7: nikipg (5,160)
Seat 8: ytownst (18,404)
Seat 9: twosmallpair (11,060)
nikipg posts the small blind of 100
ytownst posts the big blind of 200
Bender2006: wow
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [6s Ac]
twosmallpair folds
Bender2006: gg drew
ytownst: knew id get him
RMoC folds
Casey Finn folds
drewkinga (Observer): had to try it one time
Bender2006 raises to 1,184, and is all in
supdanno folds
rwestover folds
drewkinga (Observer): I didn't think you had me covered
roooy1 sits down
roooy1 adds 7,575
Casey Finn: just awfulllllllllllllllllllllllll
nikipg: nh
nikipg folds
ytownst: and very lucky
Casey Finn: but it is the big buck
ytownst folds
Uncalled bet of 984 returned to Bender2006
Bender2006 mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 500 | Rake 0
Seat 1: RMoC didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: Casey Finn didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: Bender2006 collected (500), mucked
Seat 4: supdanno didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: rwestover (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: nikipg (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: twosmallpair didn't bet (folded)

I find Ace-Six and move it all in. I'm not going to limp, invite callers, and fold later leaving myself just 600-800 chips left. First in vig is big here. Also I can't get bluffed out of this hand. Here everyone folds. The 300 in blinds is very critical to my stack. I get to buy myself one more round where I may pickup a large hand and double through.


For the last 15 minutes in the game I've played all in or fold. I've picked up a few other pots holding A5s, 66, and ATo I've won them all uncontested.


Full Tilt Poker Game #609269812: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:49:42 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: RMoC (5,250)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (8,430)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (2,062)
Seat 4: supdanno (7,640)
Seat 5: hellacious (6,015)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (8,820)
Seat 7: nikipg (4,580)
Seat 8: ytownst (19,249)
Seat 9: twosmallpair (9,935)
RMoC antes 25
Casey Finn antes 25
Bender2006 antes 25
supdanno antes 25
hellacious antes 25
ddt7132 antes 25
nikipg antes 25
ytownst antes 25
twosmallpair antes 25
Casey Finn posts the small blind of 150
Bender2006 posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [8s Ah]
supdanno folds
ddt7132: gh
hellacious folds
ddt7132 folds
nikipg calls 300
ytownst raises to 600
twosmallpair folds
RMoC folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 raises to 2,037, and is all in(I elect to put it all in. First in vigorish. With antes I must play some pots for any chance to continue)
nikipg folds
ytownst calls 1,437(He has a large stack. It's costing him less than 10% of his stack and if he's live it's a correct call)
Bender2006 shows [8s Ah]
ytownst shows [Kc 7c](He has 2 live cards and clubs. Here there's nothing left to do here but pray.)
*** FLOP *** [4s 4c 5d]
*** TURN *** [4s 4c 5d] [Jd]
*** RIVER *** [4s 4c 5d Jd] [2s](My ace high held up and I've more than doubled up. Back up to 4700 and a moderate threat again)
Bender2006 shows a pair of Fours
ytownst shows a pair of Fours
Bender2006 wins the pot (4,749) with a pair of Fours
Bender2006: phew
ytownst: nh
Casey Finn: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4,749 | Rake 0
Board: [4s 4c 5d Jd 2s]
Seat 1: RMoC (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Casey Finn (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 (big blind) showed [8s Ah] and won (4,749) with a pair of Fours
Seat 4: supdanno folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: nikipg folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst showed [Kc 7c] and lost with a pair of Fours
Seat 9: twosmallpair folded before the Flop

Here I was glad that ytownst called and not nikipg. ytownst called a marginal hand, but could more than afford to. nikipg would only like call the 2000 I had left with a hand likely larger than A8o. I have a little more money and can last a little longer. While I can get away from the risky all in or fold I'm still sitting with an M of 7 which makes me in the orange zone. I can't really play tricky poker, just straight forward play. This hand turned the tide in my favor.

Here I notice that the table is becoming much more aggressive. At this point 75 players left or as Squib says "Double the Bubble". Half the players left cash, half won't. Even though in Rounders they say pirhannas don't attack each other, in this case they do.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609275846: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 150/300 Ante 25 - No Limit Hold'em - 18:52:25 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: Casey Finn (8,205)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (4,549)
Seat 4: supdanno (7,115)
Seat 5: hellacious (12,490)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (8,745)
Seat 7: nikipg (5,155)
Seat 8: ytownst (17,137)
Seat 9: twosmallpair (8,585)
Casey Finn antes 25
Bender2006 antes 25
supdanno antes 25
hellacious antes 25
ddt7132 antes 25
nikipg antes 25
ytownst antes 25
twosmallpair antes 25
hellacious posts the small blind of 150
ddt7132 posts the big blind of 300
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [3h 7h]
nikipg folds
ytownst folds
twosmallpair raises to 900(Standard raise 3xBB.)
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 folds
supdanno folds
hellacious raises to 12,465, and is all in(An overly crazy raise)
ddt7132 folds
twosmallpair calls 7,660, and is all in(A crazy call)
hellacious shows [9s 9c]
twosmallpair shows [Kd Qd]
Uncalled bet of 3,905 returned to hellacious
*** FLOP *** [6c Ad Tc]
*** TURN *** [6c Ad Tc] [2s]
*** RIVER *** [6c Ad Tc 2s] [8s]
hellacious shows a pair of Nines
twosmallpair shows Ace King high
hellacious wins the pot (17,620) with a pair of Nines
twosmallpair stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 17,620 | Rake 0
Board: [6c Ad Tc 2s 8s]
Seat 2: Casey Finn folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: supdanno (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious (small blind) showed [9s 9c] and won (17,620) with a pair of Nines
Seat 6: ddt7132 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: nikipg folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst folded before the Flop
Seat 9: twosmallpair showed [Kd Qd] and lost with Ace King high

Both players were really looking to gamble. Hell and two played the hand very very crazy. First off I don't really like either play. hell has 9-9 which is more than good enough to call the raise. However with a bet that large, most players won't gamble their entire stack on hands other than say AA, KK, QQ or AK. Though he only has two to deal with, DDT and two basically have the action should they wake up with one of these 4 hands. He's risking more than 8,000 of his stack to pick up a meager 1500. He may pick up the pots most of the time, but when he gets called he's smoked. If he's got a huge hand like that, he's gonna get zero value on it. Two needs to dump here. Two suited paint cards are a good hand, but not worth shoving in when you have only 900 invested. You want to get all your money in on large edges, not risky coinflips. It's not worth risking your life on. As it turns out it was a coinflip and hell won, but both played too insane here. As stated before don't rumble with huge stacks unless you have a large edge in the hand 55% favorite is not good enough. Even though you are ahead slightly, it's not nearly worth it. You aren't here to gamble, you're here to play with the odds in your favor. Save your money, the second 8,000 you gain is not nearly worth the same as the 8,000 total you have now.


Antes and blinds raised. Almost 2 hours in. I revert back to all in or fold.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609294867: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 200/400 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:01:10 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: Casey Finn (7,555)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (4,024)
Seat 4: supdanno (5,298)
Seat 5: hellacious (21,250)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (11,246)
Seat 7: lodoe (6,219)
Seat 8: ytownst (19,075)
Seat 9: MG10 (8,250)
Casey Finn antes 50
Bender2006 antes 50
supdanno antes 50
hellacious antes 50
ddt7132 antes 50
lodoe antes 50
ytownst antes 50
MG10 antes 50
MG10 posts the small blind of 200
Casey Finn posts the big blind of 400
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ac Kh]
Bender2006 raises to 3,974, and is all in
supdanno folds
Bender2006: saw KK and 99 once, just about it
hellacious has 15 seconds left to act
hellacious folds
ddt7132 folds
lodoe folds
ytownst folds
hellacious: not a pair
MG10 has 15 seconds left to act
MG10 folds
Casey Finn folds
Uncalled bet of 3,574 returned to Bender2006
Bender2006 shows [Ac Kh] (Ace King high)
Bender2006 wins the pot (1,400)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,400 | Rake 0
Seat 2: Casey Finn (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 collected (1,400)
Seat 4: supdanno folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: lodoe folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: MG10 (small blind) folded before the Flop

I havent really gotten dealt that much. AK I want to push in. It's a big hand but drawing. I don't want someone sticking around and me not flopping an Ace or King. First in vig. With the antes on top of the blinds taking a pot down helps much much more to the effort. I take home a 1400 chip pot. I'm actually happier the hand ended there. I add 25% to my stack at no risk if everyone folds. I show the AK to reinforce my tight close to the vest play.

A few hands later I switch gears and actually get a very lucky break

Full Tilt Poker Game #609298475: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 200/400 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:02:48 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: Casey Finn (7,855)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (4,524)
Seat 4: supdanno (5,198)
Seat 5: hellacious (21,150)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (11,146)
Seat 7: lodoe (6,119)
Seat 8: ytownst (18,975)
Seat 9: MG10 (7,950)
Casey Finn antes 50
Bender2006 antes 50
supdanno antes 50
hellacious antes 50
ddt7132 antes 50
lodoe antes 50
ytownst antes 50
MG10 antes 50
Bender2006 posts the small blind of 200
supdanno posts the big blind of 400
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [6c Jh]
hellacious folds
ddt7132 calls 400
lodoe folds
ytownst folds
MG10 folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 calls 200(I'm getting a huge price on this hand. J-6 isn't very strong, but for 200 more I can see a flop, hopefully hit a monster, and gain a lot of chips. If I miss it's an easy fold )
supdanno raises to 800
ddt7132 calls 400
Bender2006 calls 400(It's 400 more to see a pot with 2650 in it. Getting over 6:1 I make the call, the pot odds are just too tempting)
*** FLOP *** [2c 9d 8d](Complete miss any action and I'm done)
Bender2006 checks
supdanno checks
ddt7132 checks
*** TURN *** [2c 9d 8d] [Ts](I've now picked up an open ended straight draw. 8 outs. If someone minimum bets I call. I'm 4:1 against making it but there is a lot of money in this pot.)
Bender2006 checks
supdanno checks
ddt7132 checks
*** RIVER *** [2c 9d 8d Ts] [7d](Another free card. I've caught a great break and made a backdoor straight)
Bender2006 bets 1,500(I bet something I think is gonna get called. I'm positive I have the best hand. Can't go in, but gotta disguise it as a bluff)
supdanno calls 1,500
ddt7132 folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bender2006 shows [6c Jh] (a straight, Jack high)
supdanno mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (5,800) with a straight, Jack high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,800 | Rake 0
Board: [2c 9d 8d Ts 7d]
Seat 2: Casey Finn (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 (small blind) showed [6c Jh] and won (5,800) with a straight, Jack high
Seat 4: supdanno (big blind) mucked [Kc Ah] - Ace King high
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 folded on the River
Seat 7: lodoe folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst folded before the Flop
Seat 9: MG10 folded before the Flop

Two concepts here. Pot odds and free cards. Danno made a mistake not betting his AK stronger. Yes it may have been answered by a big raise, but his 2 opponents checked the flop twice. Making a nice continuation bet here as this flop is not very likely to hit anyone strongly would knock out me for sure and likely ddt. Also you can afford to loosen up with tremendous pot odds. I like playing hands such as suited connects for good prices. There are very few hands I will fold getting over 6:1 on my call. The risk/reward in that spot was too great. Very lucky break here but could have been avoided by danno.
I'm now up to 8,000 and can contend with some of the other stacks.


Okay there are about 45 players left in the tournament. I have a below average stack at 8k. I'm not desprate and don't need to play all in or fold, but I do need to make something happen before I revert back to that. With antes your stack disapppears more quickly than just blinds.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609327331: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:15:46 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Interrante (39,014)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (6,155)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (7,724)
Seat 4: supdanno (2,198)
Seat 5: hellacious (21,850)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (9,246)
Seat 7: lodoe (5,169)
Seat 8: ytownst (16,925)
Seat 9: MG10 (7,150)
Interrante antes 50
Casey Finn antes 50
Bender2006 antes 50
supdanno antes 50
hellacious antes 50
ddt7132 antes 50
lodoe antes 50
ytownst antes 50
MG10 antes 50
MG10 posts the small blind of 250
Interrante posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Js Ad]
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 raises to 2,500(I raise this hand. Its a fine hand. 2,500 is a bit large but I've started to mix up my play a little)
supdanno folds
hellacious folds
ddt7132 folds
lodoe folds
ytownst folds
Interrante: lets go surfer
MG10 calls 2,250(One caller. Optimal for A-J)
Interrante folds
*** FLOP *** [Jc 9s 7d]
MG10 bets 4,600, and is all in(This really looks like making a play. A pair of 9's or 7's is probably a fold. I have top pair top kicker. MG10 looks like an action guy. I very likely have the best hand here and if he flopped a straight or set then I go crippled)
Interrante: ill let the puppy take u out
Bender2006 calls 4,600
MG10 shows [Qc Ks](He was making a play, I'm a 3:1 Favorite)
Bender2006 shows [Js Ad]
*** TURN *** [Jc 9s 7d] [Jd](Great break. MG10 is drawing dead)
*** RIVER *** [Jc 9s 7d Jd] [2d]
MG10 shows a pair of Jacks
Interrante: smart move
Bender2006 shows three of a kind, Jacks
Bender2006 wins the pot (15,150) with three of a kind, Jacks
MG10 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15,150 | Rake 0
Board: [Jc 9s 7d Jd 2d]
Seat 1: Interrante (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Casey Finn folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [Js Ad] and won (15,150) with three of a kind, Jacks
Seat 4: supdanno folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: lodoe folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: MG10 (small blind) showed [Qc Ks] and lost with a pair of Jacks

I'm more fearful of small deadly raises for value than those who shove in. Odds are I had the best of it there. I imagine he reraises me with AA, KK, AK. I originally put him on bluff or jack smaller kicker. In this case my hand holds and I knock out a player and pretty much double up to 15k. I can now play poker instead of risking on any one given hand.

Now that I can play poker, I can open up a little more.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609338573: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 250/500 Ante 50 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:20:22 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Interrante (44,008)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (5,055)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (14,824)
Seat 5: hellacious (19,250)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (11,796)
Seat 7: lodoe (3,221)
Seat 8: ytownst (17,277)
Interrante antes 50
Casey Finn antes 50
Bender2006 antes 50
hellacious antes 50
ddt7132 antes 50
lodoe antes 50
ytownst antes 50
Bender2006: gg
lodoe posts the small blind of 250
ytownst posts the big blind of 500
The button is in seat #6
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [7s Js]
TheAcademic sits down
TheAcademic adds 6,948
DJ Bminus sits down
DJ Bminus adds 8,010
Interrante folds
Casey Finn folds
Bender2006 calls 500(I limp with 2 suited cards. I hope to hit a monster. My pot odds and postion along with cheapness allow me to play here)
hellacious folds
ddt7132 calls 500
lodoe folds
ytownst checks
*** FLOP *** [5s 4s 8h](I flop a spade draw and a gutshot. A Jack may win me the pot)
ytownst bets 2,100
Bender2006 calls 2,100(I elect to call here, I'm hoping to hit my draw while at the same time ytownst has 2 pair or maybe top pair. I want to win a big pot if I make this draw)
ddt7132 folds
*** TURN *** [5s 4s 8h] [Ks](Bingo, and better yet it's a high spade. I'm pretty sure I have the best hand here)
ytownst bets 1,500
Bender2006 raises to 5,000(I bet out, but not too much. I feel I have the best of this hand. I want this to smell of bluff. Remember the hand between ytownst and drew)
Casey Finn is sitting out
ytownst calls 3,500
Casey Finn has returned
*** RIVER *** [5s 4s 8h Ks] [6s](Now I must play with caution. While it is unlikely that he's got the naked ace or queen of spades and has now outdrawn me, I can't risk the small chance he's got it)
ytownst checks
Bender2006 checks(I check right behind him just in case. If I bet 5,000 and get reraised for my entire stack I probably have to call and likely I go broke)
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bender2006 shows [7s Js] (a flush, King high)
ytownst mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (16,300) with a flush, King high
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 16,300 | Rake 0
Board: [5s 4s 8h Ks 6s]
Seat 1: Interrante folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Casey Finn folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [7s Js] and won (16,300) with a flush, King high
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: lodoe (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst (big blind) mucked [3s Ts] - a flush, King high(He ended up semi-bluffing and hit his hand. Unfortunatly he ran into a bigger flush which doesn't really happen that much. I take a nice pot and pump myself up amongst the chip leaders. I've had great momentum in the last 30 minutes.)



Remember how I said don't play huge stacks without huge hands. Here's a good example

Full Tilt Poker Game #609361634: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:29:38 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Interrante (37,904)
Seat 2: Casey Finn (2,680)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (22,849)
Seat 4: DJ Bminus (11,108)
Seat 5: hellacious (17,575)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (17,171)
Seat 7: jagerbomb34 (6,659)
Seat 8: ytownst (21,252)
Interrante antes 75
Casey Finn antes 75
Bender2006 antes 75
DJ Bminus antes 75
hellacious antes 75
ddt7132 antes 75
jagerbomb34 antes 75
ytownst antes 75
Casey Finn posts the small blind of 300
Bender2006 posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [As Kh]
Interrante: really
DJ Bminus folds
Casey Finn: yup
Interrante: dont think so
hellacious folds
ddt7132 calls 600
jagerbomb34 folds
ytownst: with them pearly whites ?????
Interrante: ak
ytownst folds
Interrante raises to 3,000(Okay Interrante is the chip leader at this point in the tournament. Right now he's bullying the table)
Casey Finn: sure
Casey Finn calls 2,305, and is all in
Bender2006 calls 2,400(I elect to call. I'm not conserned with casey since his action is over. AK is a great hand, but I don't want to shove in and race this close to a cash. There's about 40 players left. Tight play amongst low stacks and hardcore play amongst large stacks happens_
ddt7132 folds
*** FLOP *** [Ad Qh 9c]
Interrante: tried to show
Bender2006 checks
Casey Finn: sure
Interrante bets 34,829, and is all in(This is a very large bet. He definitly wants me out of the pot. I have a very tough call here. Chances are I have the best hand. He certainly could have A-Q in this spot. QQ is possible, he could also be bullying. I think for a few seconds. Take a deep breath, cross my fingers and call.)
Bender2006 calls 19,774, and is all in
Interrante shows [8s Ac](YES!!! He's got a weaker ace and I'm a big favorite. I just need to hold off an 8 and I'm on my way to the chip lead)
Casey Finn shows [5d 5c]
Bender2006 shows [As Kh]
Uncalled bet of 15,055 returned to Interrante
*** TURN *** [Ad Qh 9c] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [Ad Qh 9c 2c] [3d](My AK holds up and I scoop a massive pot. With this pot I become the chip leader.)
Interrante shows a pair of Aces
Bender2006 shows a pair of Aces
Bender2006 wins the side pot (40,338) with a pair of Aces
Casey Finn shows a pair of Fives(Casey ends up getting knocked out. The 4th victim of this tournament.)
Bender2006 wins the main pot (9,015) with a pair of Aces
ytownst: he can be in one ofthem old pearl drops commercials lol
Casey Finn stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 49,353 Main pot 9,015. Side pot 40,338. | Rake 0
Board: [Ad Qh 9c 2c 3d]
Seat 1: Interrante (button) showed [8s Ac] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 2: Casey Finn (small blind) showed [5d 5c] and lost with a pair of Fives
Seat 3: Bender2006 (big blind) showed [As Kh] and won (49,353) with a pair of Aces
Seat 4: DJ Bminus folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: jagerbomb34 folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst folded before the Flop

I didn't want to race interrante with my AK in the event he had a pocket pair. Casey I wouldn't mind calling his all in at all. I'm risking just a small amount of my stack with my AK in a race. Also if Interrante had a hand weaker than mine I wouldn't get any action on it. As it turns out I used the chip leaders aggression against him and was lucky. It may have looked like an easy call but really wasn't. I'm now 1st overall with almost 50k in chips thanks to a fortunate break.

Now that I have a massive stack I can play poker. I can play many more hands and play tricky poker. Interrante still had about 20k in chips but lost most of them after moving in on a straight on the turn but getting rivered when an opponent hit a full house.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609370043: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 11 - 300/600 Ante 75 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:33:02 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Interrante (1,109)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (48,228)
Seat 4: DJ Bminus (9,308)
Seat 5: hellacious (16,075)
Seat 6: ddt7132 (36,067)
Seat 7: jagerbomb34 (6,359)
Seat 8: ytownst (20,052)
Interrante antes 75
Bender2006 antes 75
DJ Bminus antes 75
hellacious antes 75
ddt7132 antes 75
jagerbomb34 antes 75
ytownst antes 75
ddt7132 posts the small blind of 300
jagerbomb34 posts the big blind of 600
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Jc Td]
ytownst folds
DJ Bminus: almost in the money
Interrante folds
Bender2006 raises to 1,500( I can now loosen up, play more pots and gamble a little more. I'm going to play table bully now. I still can't commit suicide but I can play aggressive poker, the way I like to)
DJ Bminus folds
Bender2006: 2 more players
hellacious calls 1,500
ddt7132 folds
jagerbomb34 folds
*** FLOP *** [9s 2d 7d]
ytownst: hell u been real quiet ... get ready for the rush lol
Bender2006 checks
hellacious bets 600(Not a big bet, but I call thinking I have 10 outs twice. Also if I hit my hand I can score)
Bender2006 calls 600
*** TURN *** [9s 2d 7d] [8h]
Bender2006 checks
hellacious bets 600
Bender2006 raises to 2,500(Jackpot. I make a value bet. I have the nuts)
hellacious calls 1,900
*** RIVER *** [9s 2d 7d 8h] [Qh]
Bender2006 bets 6,400(I've got the nuts. Another value bet)
hellacious calls 6,400
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bender2006 shows [Jc Td] (a straight, Queen high)
hellacious mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (23,425) with a straight, Queen high
The blinds are now 400/800 with an ante of 100
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 23,425 | Rake 0
Board: [9s 2d 7d 8h Qh]
Seat 1: Interrante folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [Jc Td] and won (23,425) with a straight, Queen high
Seat 4: DJ Bminus folded before the Flop
Seat 5: hellacious (button) mucked [8d 8s] - three of a kind, Eights
Seat 6: ddt7132 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: jagerbomb34 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: ytownst folded before the Flop

Quite suprised hellacious didn't put his entire stack here. With a set the only hand that really beats him is the hand I had J-T. Now that I can play an aggressive brand of poker, I have all options open to me. You can loosen up(Not suicidal), but punish the table a little more. Make them respect you. And for the most part I haven't really shown down a terrible hand yet. Since I have my tight image in place I can now steal more pots, since they are more valuable.

So that about sums up getting to the money. Interrante on the next hand went broke in 37th place thus bursting the bubble. I was able to seize the chip lead by picking good spots, keeping my cool, maintaining a tight image, and catching a few good breaks. After Interrante went broke, the table broke up and I was moved to a new table with some new and old opponents. Here are the standings with 36 players remaining.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609382518: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 19 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:38:02 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Hey_Eng (32,095)
Seat 2: Gear (16,190)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (60,378)
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (18,320)
Seat 5: dollarmtn (30,146)
Seat 6: CottonPatch (12,621)
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts (5,720)
Seat 8: efskydive (10,552)
Seat 9: hellacious (4,800)

Part 3 will focus on my favorite part of the tournament, getting from in the money to the final table of nine. Also the knockout count is now 4. The two players I busted earlier in the day with J-2, MG10, and Casey Finn.