$1 MTT Strategy part 3

$1 MTT Strategy part 3.

Welcome back. After suffering a low M stretch and not many playable hands, we picked up a lot of momentum through doubling up a few times. First to 3k through A-8, to 8k by hitting a straight, 15k by going in on A-J and picking off a bluff, 22k by hitting a flush, 45k by winning a hand on Ace-King, and 60k through another straight. I've really only ran one risky bluff. Here we get to my favorite part of the tournament, the big collection phase. Think of the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. You see players burn up all their lifelines, take some risks, do anything they can to answer the $32,000 Question. This way they are guarnteed to walk with at least that and freeroll for $64,000 and up. I view making the money as that part of the game. Generally after the bubble breaks, you start seeing a lot of people who barely survived to get in get knocked out because they are now out of juice. At this point I have the chip lead. I'm gonna start getting aggressive because 1. I can afford to, and 2. It's more profitable and I've established a tight solid image. The only really bad hands I've shown down was J-6 offsuit and J-2 offsuit, Both times by the river I've held a good hand with it. Here are the standings.

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)

I've got a big chipstack and my biggest competition right now looks like Hey-Eng and dollarmtn. They are a double up away from getting to where I'm at.


The first big hand I've played in this new stage of the game.


Full Tilt Poker Game #609386258: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 19 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:39:30 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Hey_Eng (31,995)
Seat 2: Gear (15,690)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (59,478)
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (14,220)
Seat 5: dollarmtn (30,046)
Seat 6: CottonPatch (18,621)
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts (5,620)
Seat 8: efskydive (10,452)
Seat 9: hellacious (4,700)
Hey_Eng antes 100
Gear antes 100
Bender2006 antes 100
Spankuatpoker antes 100
dollarmtn antes 100
CottonPatch antes 100
mikebagadonuts antes 100
efskydive antes 100
hellacious antes 100
Bender2006 posts the small blind of 400
Spankuatpoker posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ks Kc](I have a giant hand. Only the second time in the tournament I've picked up AA, KK, or QQ)
dollarmtn: ?
dollarmtn calls 800
Spankuatpoker: I had A_J
CottonPatch folds
mikebagadonuts folds
efskydive folds
hellacious raises to 4,600, and is all in(He may be making a desparation raise. I really hope I don't run into AA again like the first time I had KK)
Hey_Eng folds
Gear folds
Bender2006 raises to 59,378, and is all in(I make a huge raise over the top. In order for anyone to contest me in this pot, they are going to have to play for all their money and then beat pocket kings)
Spankuatpoker folds
dollarmtn: grrrr(Clearly would have played for the 5,000 but doesn't want to risk his entire stack)
dollarmtn folds
Bender2006 shows [Ks Kc]
Spankuatpoker: he reraised my raise
CottonPatch: J's
hellacious shows [Kh Js](Was getting desprate and is drawing 10% before the flop)
Uncalled bet of 54,778 returned to Bender2006
*** FLOP *** [8h 3c Ts]
*** TURN *** [8h 3c Ts] [Th]
*** RIVER *** [8h 3c Ts Th] [Ac]
Bender2006 shows two pair, Kings and Tens
hellacious shows a pair of Tens
Bender2006 wins the pot (11,700) with two pair, Kings and Tens
hellacious stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 11,700 | Rake 0
Board: [8h 3c Ts Th Ac]
Seat 1: Hey_Eng folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Gear (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 (small blind) showed [Ks Kc] and won (11,700) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: dollarmtn folded before the Flop
Seat 6: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts folded before the Flop
Seat 8: efskydive folded before the Flop
Seat 9: hellacious showed [Kh Js] and lost with a pair of Tens


Hands like this I like to let the agression run. Dollarmtn disclosed he had 8-8 and had I let him in cheaply I likely would have doubled him up. I wanted to isolate that pot against one player, take him out and collect well rather than leave the door open. It also says to the other players don't screw with me. I will come over the top and make you play for all of it. This is a new table, I want to change gears here from someone who plays tight and close to the vest to a highly aggressive chip building machine. hellacious becomes victim #5. 35 players left.


Another nice pot where I made a great catch.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609391669: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 19 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:41:38 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Hey_Eng (30,995)
Seat 2: Gear (15,490)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (66,378)
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (12,820)
Seat 5: dollarmtn (31,046)
Seat 6: CottonPatch (18,421)
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts (5,420)
Seat 8: efskydive (10,252)
Hey_Eng antes 100
Gear antes 100
Bender2006 antes 100
Spankuatpoker antes 100
dollarmtn antes 100
CottonPatch antes 100
mikebagadonuts antes 100
efskydive antes 100
dollarmtn posts the small blind of 400
CottonPatch posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ad Jc]
mikebagadonuts folds
efskydive folds
Hey_Eng raises to 1,600
Gear folds
Bender2006 calls 1,600(Now I can afford to call and take flops with hands like A-J. I don't need to just shove all my money in and pray to God)
Spankuatpoker folds
dollarmtn folds
CottonPatch folds
*** FLOP *** [Ah Ac Jh](Absolute Nuts!!!)
Hey_Eng checks
Bender2006 checks(Here I elect to slowplay. I have to since the deck is likely killed. If he does have the remaining ace, I collect all his money, otherwise I have to allow him to catch up or make him think that flop missed me)
*** TURN *** [Ah Ac Jh] [Th]
Hey_Eng checks
Bender2006 bets 800(I put out a little tickler trying to see where I'm at)
Hey_Eng calls 800
*** RIVER *** [Ah Ac Jh Th] [2c]
Hey_Eng checks
Bender2006 bets 4,495(Now this looks more like a sneaky raise. I want to represent I've hit a pair of tens. That I had gotten in cheap on T9s or so and buy this pot. Little does he know I've got the nuts)
Hey_Eng calls 4,495
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Bender2006 shows [Ad Jc] (a full house, Aces full of Jacks)
Hey_Eng mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (15,790) with a full house, Aces full of Jacks
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 15,790 | Rake 0
Board: [Ah Ac Jh Th 2c]
Seat 1: Hey_Eng mucked [Qc Qd] - two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 2: Gear folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [Ad Jc] and won (15,790) with a full house, Aces full of Jacks
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: dollarmtn (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: CottonPatch (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts folded before the Flop
Seat 8: efskydive folded before the Flop

Hey_Eng needs to do more than min raise a premium hand. I probably would still call up to about 4,000 with A-J. As we see through me I haven't had AA or QQ yet, KK twice, and AK twice. We are 2 hours 41 minutes into this tournament and I've seen group one hands just 4 times. When these hands come, make the most of them. Jam it up and make pay a lot to see a flop. Don't let me in cheap. Suppose I had a hand I was less sure of like A-3. I call for 1600 more, but certainly not 5000 more.

The next hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #609394956: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 19 - 400/800 Ante 100 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:42:57 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Hey_Eng (24,000)
Seat 2: Gear (15,390)
Seat 3: Bender2006 (75,173)
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker (12,720)
Seat 5: dollarmtn (30,546)
Seat 6: CottonPatch (17,521)
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts (5,320)
Seat 8: efskydive (10,152)
Hey_Eng antes 100
Gear antes 100
Bender2006 antes 100
Spankuatpoker antes 100
dollarmtn antes 100
CottonPatch antes 100
mikebagadonuts antes 100
efskydive antes 100
CottonPatch posts the small blind of 400
mikebagadonuts posts the big blind of 800
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [8s 8d]
efskydive calls 800
Hey_Eng folds
Gear folds
Bender2006 raises to 3,500(I'm playing more aggressive now. I'm going to push pocket pairs, good aces, and KQs)
Spankuatpoker folds
dollarmtn folds
CottonPatch folds
mikebagadonuts folds
efskydive raises to 10,052, and is all in(He raises for all in)
Bender2006 calls 6,552(Now that we are deeper into the tournament, coinflips are now much more common. 8-8 is a good hand and I elect to take it on. My only concern is a larger pocket pair.)
efskydive shows [Ad 9c]
Bender2006 shows [8s 8d]
*** FLOP *** [7c Td 7s](Good flop for me, 2 cards to go)
*** TURN *** [7c Td 7s] [9s](ef takes the lead, however I pick up 8 more outs for 10 total. 8 fills me up, Jack or six for a straight)
*** RIVER *** [7c Td 7s 9s] [6h](I hit the straight and knock out a player)
efskydive shows two pair, Nines and Sevens
Bender2006 shows a straight, Ten high
Bender2006 wins the pot (22,104) with a straight, Ten high
Bender2006: ouch
efskydive stands up
The blinds are now 500/1,000 with an ante of 125
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 22,104 | Rake 0
Board: [7c Td 7s 9s 6h]
Seat 1: Hey_Eng folded before the Flop
Seat 2: Gear folded before the Flop
Seat 3: Bender2006 showed [8s 8d] and won (22,104) with a straight, Ten high
Seat 4: Spankuatpoker folded before the Flop
Seat 5: dollarmtn (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: CottonPatch (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: mikebagadonuts (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: efskydive showed [Ad 9c] and lost with two pair, Nines and Sevens

Basically the cards played this one out. I certainly feel correct to raise with 8-8. efskydive made a play at the pot. You could argue he could have waited but I don't fault him for taking a stand with an Ace-Nine. If I had had my tight image from the other table than yes, but I've switched to an aggressive brand of poker and a lot of my bluffs would be for the same amount. After the money goes in and the cards get flipped up it's all luck. Total mercy of the deck. I don't like racing until about this stage in the tournament. Middle Stacks shouldn't race. Big stacks because they can afford it and because they taste blood and want to go in for a kill. Low stacks because those may be the best odds they can get. This is where you wanna race. efskydive becomes #6 on the knockout chart. I'm up to 87k going into 3 table play. I have a huge chipstack. Going into my new table.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609401069: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 32 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:45:25 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Bender2006 (86,875)
Seat 2: roooy1 (16,311)
Seat 3: stbr0403 (3,440)
Seat 5: Jayel316 (19,690)
Seat 6: ERROR12 (9,235)
Seat 7: DJ Bminus (5,983)
Seat 8: jagerbomb34 (2,134)
Seat 9: tardawduke (60,702)

Here I have an extremely favorable table lineup. Only one player is within 65,000 of me(Yay me :), and even better I hold favorable position. As long as tarda folds, I'm going to storm this table in an attempt to run it over.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609402111: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 32 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:45:50 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Bender2006 (86,750)
Seat 2: roooy1 (16,186)
Seat 3: stbr0403 (2,815)
Seat 5: Jayel316 (18,565)
Seat 6: ERROR12 (11,610)
Seat 7: DJ Bminus (5,858)
Seat 8: jagerbomb34 (2,009)
Seat 9: tardawduke (60,577)
Bender2006 antes 125
roooy1 antes 125
stbr0403 antes 125
Jayel316 antes 125
ERROR12 antes 125
DJ Bminus antes 125
jagerbomb34 antes 125
tardawduke antes 125
Jayel316 posts the small blind of 500
ERROR12 posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [7c Kd]
DJ Bminus folds
jagerbomb34 folds
tardawduke folds(The key point in what I'm going to do in the hand)
Bender2006 raises to 3,500
roooy1 folds
stbr0403 folds
Jayel316 folds
ERROR12 folds
Uncalled bet of 2,500 returned to Bender2006
Bender2006 mucks
Bender2006 wins the pot (3,500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 3,500 | Rake 0
Seat 1: Bender2006 collected (3,500), mucked
Seat 2: roooy1 folded before the Flop
Seat 3: stbr0403 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Jayel316 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ERROR12 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: DJ Bminus folded before the Flop
Seat 8: jagerbomb34 folded before the Flop
Seat 9: tardawduke folded before the Flop

I start playing an extremely aggressive brand of poker. Here I'm trying to thieve a bunch of pots. Think of what the 3500 means to me and the other players. Jayel has the most chips of the players left contesting the pot. This bet represents 20% of his stack. For me this bet represents 4% of my stack. I'm not sure whether or not I'd give action to a player who moved over the top of me, but I continue building up. Can't rest on your laurels. You can't win a tournament until you have all the chips in play. Changing gears works so well here. You randomize. Sometimes you go bluff, bluff, monster, bluff, monster, monster, bluff. Keep them guessing. There's no better feeling than getting a player who can't stand it anymore, takes a stand on a hand like K-T and you turn over pocket aces to beat them.

However you can't let aggression lead to suicide. Controlled aggression is amazing poker. Maniac aggression will only lead to disaster.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609407457: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 32 - 500/1000 Ante 125 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:47:52 ET - 2006/05/02
DJ Bminus: ty
Seat 1: Bender2006 (88,875)
Seat 2: roooy1 (13,246)
Seat 3: ddt7132 (40,867)
Seat 5: Jayel316 (13,207)
Seat 6: ERROR12 (17,365)
Seat 7: DJ Bminus (10,966)
Seat 8: jagerbomb34 (634)
Seat 9: tardawduke (60,202)
Bender2006 antes 125
roooy1 antes 125
ddt7132 antes 125
Jayel316 antes 125
ERROR12 antes 125
DJ Bminus antes 125
jagerbomb34 antes 125
tardawduke antes 125
jagerbomb34 posts the small blind of 500
tardawduke posts the big blind of 1,000
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Ac 8h]
tardawduke: nh
Bender2006 raises to 4,000(Here I elect to pump the pot woth 4k. As I said Aces, Pairs, and KQs and I'm coming)
roooy1 folds
ddt7132 folds
Jayel316 folds
ERROR12 folds
DJ Bminus folds
jagerbomb34 calls 9, and is all in
tardawduke calls 3,000(Here's where my aggression has to get controlled. tarda has 60k in chips and can really wallop me a pot. Remember Big pots with big players only with big hands)
*** FLOP *** [3c 9d 3d]
tardawduke checks
Bender2006 checks(I hit nothing here. It's possible that it also missed tarda, but I don't know that)
*** TURN *** [3c 9d 3d] [4c]
tardawduke bets 9,509
Bender2006 folds(I cant call here. I have no pair no draw and I don't want reraised if I raise and I have no idea where I stand. See ya)
tardawduke shows [3h Jh]
jagerbomb34 shows [Jc 4h]
Uncalled bet of 9,509 returned to tardawduke
*** RIVER *** [3c 9d 3d 4c] [6c]
tardawduke wins the side pot (6,982)
tardawduke shows three of a kind, Threes
jagerbomb34 shows two pair, Fours and Threes
tardawduke wins the main pot (2,527) with three of a kind, Threes
Bender2006: nh
jagerbomb34 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 9,509 Main pot 2,527. Side pot 6,982. | Rake 0
Board: [3c 9d 3d 4c 6c]
Seat 1: Bender2006 folded on the Turn
Seat 2: roooy1 folded before the Flop
Seat 3: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Jayel316 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ERROR12 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: DJ Bminus (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: jagerbomb34 (small blind) showed [Jc 4h] and lost with two pair, Fours and Threes
Seat 9: tardawduke (big blind) showed [3h Jh] and won (9,509) with three of a kind, Threes

As it turns out tarda made a loose call with J-3(Could afford to) and nailed a monster. If I had a hand like KK I would be in huge trouble. Here Tarda made a call with the intent of making something huge and trapping me for all my money. My A-8 was worth a 4,000 shot but not any more. I fold. Even though I'm wanting to break from the pack, I can't contest the other large stacks without a huge hand. It may be okay to bluff, but I definitly don't want to do it in the event they pull the ultimate trump card, the all in.

Here's where I can play an A-8

Full Tilt Poker Game #609428896: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 32 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:56:03 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Bender2006 (88,425)
Seat 3: ddt7132 (34,996)
Seat 5: Jayel316 (16,282)
Seat 6: ERROR12 (10,540)
Seat 7: DJ Bminus (12,241)
Seat 9: tardawduke (82,878)
Bender2006 antes 150
ddt7132 antes 150
Jayel316 antes 150
ERROR12 antes 150
DJ Bminus antes 150
tardawduke antes 150
Jayel316 posts the small blind of 600
ERROR12 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [8s Ad]
DJ Bminus folds
ddt7132: ty
tardawduke folds
Bender2006 raises to 4,000(Again I've kinda made 4,000 my standard raise for bluffs and legit hands. Here I have kind of a borderline hand, but not terrible. Remember Aggression!!)
ddt7132 folds
Jayel316 folds
ERROR12 raises to 10,390, and is all in(Here he's fed up with me and is probably taking a stand.)
Bender2006 calls 6,390(This is a pot odds decision. I've got to call 6400 to win a pot of 16,700. I'm getting 2.5:1 on my money plus the damage if I lose isn't bad. This is a call)
ERROR12 shows [5c 5d]
Bender2006 shows [8s Ad]
*** FLOP *** [6c 8d As]
*** TURN *** [6c 8d As] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [6c 8d As 9d] [6s]
ERROR12 shows two pair, Sixes and Fives
Bender2006 shows two pair, Aces and
Bender2006 wins the pot (22,280) with two pair, Aces and Eights
ERROR12 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 22,280 | Rake 0
Board: [6c 8d As 9d 6s]
Seat 1: Bender2006 showed [8s Ad] and won (22,280) with two pair, Aces and Eights
Seat 3: ddt7132 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: Jayel316 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: ERROR12 (big blind) showed [5c 5d] and lost with two pair, Sixes and Fives
Seat 7: DJ Bminus folded before the Flop
Seat 9: tardawduke folded before the Flop

I won the race and an extra 12k to my stack. I also have probably gained the reputation of an action giver. I don't think many of the shorter stacks are going to want to contest me after I've made a few calls when players move in. Again I can play these races because I can afford to, but even if he turned A-K in that spot I wouldn't be making that bad a call. Continue to build by playing aggressive. This is the mantra of tournament play is changing gears. ERROR12 is the 7th player I knockout and he goes out in 19th place. 2 tables and 18 players remain. The second bubble of trying to reach the final table and the larger payouts will lead to tighter play. I'm going to turn up the aggression even higher. I control the chip lead at over 100,000 or just a little under 20% of all the money in play, and I've got an action image. Perfect for when big hands come.

Heading into 2 tables of play.



Full Tilt Poker Game #609432931: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:57:37 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: Hey_Eng (17,675)
Seat 2: jspeed99 (9,301), is sitting out
Seat 3: ddt7132 (34,846)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (19,154)
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (9,520)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (100,165)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (19,649)
Seat 8: toollman (55,993)
Seat 9: gitana333 (6,771)
Hey_Eng antes 150
jspeed99 antes 150
ddt7132 antes 150
T-N-T 113 antes 150
JonnyP910 antes 150
Bender2006 antes 150
CottonPatch antes 150
toollman antes 150
gitana333 antes 150
toollman posts the small blind of 600
gitana333 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Tc Ts](I've picked up a nice large pocket pair. Probably one of the 5 largest I've seen in the tournament)
Bender2006: had to gamble with ya, wasn't a whole lot more
Hey_Eng calls 1,200
jspeed99 folds
ddt7132 calls 1,200
gadzooks64 (Observer): damn I missed it
T-N-T 113 calls 1,200
ERROR12 (Observer): I understand
JonnyP910 folds
Bender2006 raises to 7,500(I make a bigger than normal raise here I don't want stragglers)
CottonPatch folds
JonnyP910: nh tool
toollman raises to 13,800(Uh-Oh, probably what I didn't want to see. A reraise)
toollman: nice lay down had a 7
gitana333 folds
Hey_Eng calls 12,600
ERROR12 (Observer): I dont blame your call...even though I was expecting a hand more like AK or AQ
ddt7132 folds
T-N-T 113 folds
Bender2006 calls 6,300(Must call it)
*** FLOP *** [Js 9h 2d]
toollman bets 3,725(This is kind of an odd raise. It's just enough to put eng in but no more. He must want him to go all in, but not get raised back)
Hey_Eng calls 3,725, and is all in(He moves in with the tremendous odds)
Bender2006 calls 3,725(I call with my tremendous odds)
*** TURN *** [Js 9h 2d] [7d]
toollman checks
Bender2006 checks(I think we just check it down and try and bust eng)
*** RIVER *** [Js 9h 2d 7d] [Jh]
toollman checks
Bender2006 checks(I don't have a jack, I check and hope that we knockout one more guy. There is no sidepot so there is no reason to bet out here.)
*** SHOW DOWN ***
toollman shows [Kd Ac] (a pair of Jacks)
Hey_Eng shows [Kc Ah] (a pair of Jacks)
Bender2006 shows [Tc Ts] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)(2 players both had AK and my tens hold to win a very large pot.)
Bender2006 wins the pot (57,525) with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Hey_Eng stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 57,525 | Rake 0
Board: [Js 9h 2d 7d Jh]
Seat 1: Hey_Eng showed [Kc Ah] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 2: jspeed99 folded before the Flop
Seat 3: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: JonnyP910 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 showed [Tc Ts] and won (57,525) with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 7: CottonPatch (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman (small blind) showed [Kd Ac] and lost with a pair of Jacks
Seat 9: gitana333 (big blind) folded before the Flop

Here I find Toollman is probably more aggressive than me. Up until this point the only real re-raises I've seen were from players taking a shot at me. Here a player with a lot of chips is committing a lot to the pot. Eng kinda sweetens it. I'm suprised two tens were the best hand here. This was the best spot where two players had AK and I only had to worry about 4 cards coming against 6. I knockout hey_eng in 18th place, the 8th person I've busted. Here Eng should have just put all his money in the middle preflop. No point in leaving 3,000 to put in on the flop. Toollman looks to be a tough customer, but this big pot I took should take the wind out of his sails at least for the time being.

Here starts a little downswing.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609438740: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 600/1200 Ante 150 - No Limit Hold'em - 19:59:51 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: jspeed99 (7,801), is sitting out
Seat 3: ddt7132 (32,146)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (17,654)
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (17,120)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (136,165)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (19,349)
Seat 8: toollman (38,168)
Seat 9: gitana333 (4,671)
jspeed99 antes 150
ddt7132 antes 150
T-N-T 113 antes 150
JonnyP910 antes 150
Bender2006 antes 150
CottonPatch antes 150
toollman antes 150
gitana333 antes 150
Bender2006: flush draw
jspeed99 posts the small blind of 600
ddt7132 posts the big blind of 1,200
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Qc As]
T-N-T 113 folds
JonnyP910 calls 1,200
Bender2006 raises to 7,500(I've selected 7500 as my open. Here I have a big hand, A-Q.)
CottonPatch folds
toollman raises to 38,018, and is all in
gitana333 folds
jspeed99 folds
gitana333: who paid the dealer to slap me with this crap
ddt7132 folds
JonnyP910 folds
Bender2006 calls 30,518(I elect to call here. Winning the huge pot earlier along with knocking out my biggest competion is just too irresistable to lay AQ down here.
toollman shows [4h 4d](Good he doesn't have me dominated)
Bender2006 shows [Qc As]
*** FLOP *** [7h 7c 9h]
*** TURN *** [7h 7c 9h] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [7h 7c 9h 2h] [3c]
toollman shows two pair, Sevens and Fours
Bender2006 shows a pair of Sevens
toollman wins the pot (80,236) with two pair, Sevens and Fours
Bender2006: gh tool
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 80,236 | Rake 0
Board: [7h 7c 9h 2h 3c]
Seat 2: jspeed99 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: ddt7132 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: JonnyP910 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 showed [Qc As] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman showed [4h 4d] and won (80,236) with two pair, Sevens and Fours
Seat 9: gitana333 (button) folded before the Flop

I risked a fair amount of chips here, but didn't poorly get my money in. Here I don't mind taking out my largest threats. I can't take another shot here against Toollman with this same spot, but I've reinforced the image of don't mess with me, because I will call you. Bring the goods.

Another misstep here

Full Tilt Poker Game #609459411: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 800/1600 Ante 200 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:08:05 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: jspeed99 (3,001), is sitting out
Seat 3: ddt7132 (36,375)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (12,454)
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (6,920)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (98,347)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (11,949)
Seat 8: toollman (92,786)
Seat 9: gitana333 (11,242)
jspeed99 antes 200
ddt7132 antes 200
T-N-T 113 antes 200
JonnyP910 antes 200
Bender2006 antes 200
CottonPatch antes 200
toollman antes 200
gitana333 antes 200
T-N-T 113 posts the small blind of 800
JonnyP910 posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [8d Ah]
Bender2006 raises to 4,500
CottonPatch raises to 11,749, and is all in(I imagine it's another typical race spot)
toollman folds
gitana333 folds
jspeed99 folds
ddt7132 folds
T-N-T 113 folds
JonnyP910 folds
Bender2006 calls 7,249(I think I have to call here. 7,000 more or so to win a pot with 20,000 in the middle. Just about 3:1 on my money so I take a shot)
CottonPatch shows [Jd Jc](whoops was not a race)
Bender2006 shows [8d Ah]
*** FLOP *** [5s 5h 7h]
*** TURN *** [5s 5h 7h] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [5s 5h 7h Ks] [8h]
CottonPatch shows two pair, Jacks and Fives
Bender2006 shows two pair, Eights and Fives
CottonPatch wins the pot (27,498) with two pair, Jacks and Fives
Bender2006: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 27,498 | Rake 0
Board: [5s 5h 7h Ks 8h]
Seat 2: jspeed99 folded before the Flop
Seat 3: ddt7132 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 showed [8d Ah] and lost with two pair, Eights and Fives
Seat 7: CottonPatch showed [Jd Jc] and won (27,498) with two pair, Jacks and Fives
Seat 8: toollman folded before the Flop
Seat 9: gitana333 folded before the Flop

Here I made a basic pot odds decision, and that's what I base most of these preflop all in's on. Unless the player has like 2,000 I won't call on just any two cards. Here cotton was observent, but brought a big hand to the table and his Jacks hold against my A8o. A little misstep, but I still have a ton of chips. I slip to 3rd place over all.



Lets take a little break from our own cards and focus on the other players.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609460842: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 800/1600 Ante 200 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:08:39 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: jspeed99 (2,801), is sitting out
Seat 3: ddt7132 (36,175)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (11,454)
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (5,120)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (86,398)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (27,498)
Seat 8: toollman (92,586)
Seat 9: gitana333 (11,042)
jspeed99 antes 200
ddt7132 antes 200
T-N-T 113 antes 200
JonnyP910 antes 200
Bender2006 antes 200
CottonPatch antes 200
toollman antes 200
gitana333 antes 200
JonnyP910 posts the small blind of 800
Bender2006 posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [3c 4s]
Bender2006: no more doubling people up
CottonPatch: ty
CottonPatch folds
toollman raises to 8,000
gitana333 folds
jspeed99 folds
ddt7132 folds
T-N-T 113 folds
JonnyP910 calls 4,120, and is all in
Bender2006 folds(Good a garbage fold and an open, I can fold)
toollman shows [Tc Qc]
JonnyP910 shows [Ks Qh](Has jonny dominated)
Uncalled bet of 3,080 returned to toollman
gitana333: come on you can give me let's say 30 k
*** FLOP *** [Th Qd As](Ouch!)
*** TURN *** [Th Qd As] [7h]
*** RIVER *** [Th Qd As 7h] [6d]
toollman shows two pair, Queens and Tens
JonnyP910 shows a pair of Queens
toollman wins the pot (13,040) with two pair, Queens and Tens
JonnyP910 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 13,040 | Rake 0
Board: [Th Qd As 7h 6d]
Seat 2: jspeed99 folded before the Flop
Seat 3: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: JonnyP910 (small blind) showed [Ks Qh] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 6: Bender2006 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman showed [Tc Qc] and won (13,040) with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 9: gitana333 folded before the Flop

Okay we observe from toollman that he's a very aggressive player, but doesn't always have aces. He makes a lot of plays with less than top tier hands. Lets remember this time for next time. Jonnyp910 busts in 15th and now just 14 players remain with a shot at this tournament.

Another really huge hand late in the touranment

Full Tilt Poker Game #609468849: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 800/1600 Ante 200 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:11:49 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 2: jspeed99 (201), is sitting out
Seat 3: ddt7132 (29,075)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (10,454)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (98,898)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (24,098)
Seat 8: toollman (97,306)
Seat 9: gitana333 (13,042)
jspeed99 antes 200
ddt7132 antes 200
T-N-T 113 antes 200
Bender2006 antes 200
CottonPatch antes 200
toollman antes 200
gitana333 antes 200
jspeed99 posts the small blind of 1, and is all in
ddt7132 posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [7c 6d]
T-N-T 113 folds
Bender2006 folds(No reason for me to get aggreaive in EP with just 7 high. Still trying to go back to basics. I want the next big raise I do to be me holding a big hand)
CottonPatch calls 1,600
toollman raises to 8,000(By far the most active player at the table. If I hold a big holding I'm going to probably take a lot off of him. Just like the TT hand.
gitana333 folds
ddt7132 calls 6,400
CottonPatch raises to 23,898, and is all in(Running a squeeze play. Probably has a huge hand)
toollman calls 15,898(Calls, he has a lot of chips to make this play happen though)
ddt7132 calls 15,898(Pot sweetener)
*** FLOP *** [Jc Td 8h]
ddt7132 checks
toollman checks
*** TURN *** [Jc Td 8h] [6c]
ddt7132 checks
toollman checks
*** RIVER *** [Jc Td 8h 6c] [3h](Basically they check it down to see if one of them can knock out the low guy. Again no sidepot, so no reason to knock anyone out. Unless someone makes a huge hand like flopping a straight, there is no reason to bet here.)
ddt7132 checks
toollman checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CottonPatch shows [Kh Kd] (a pair of Kings)(Shows a huge hand)
toollman mucks
ddt7132 mucks
CottonPatch wins the side pot (71,691) with a pair of Kings
jspeed99 mucks
CottonPatch wins the main pot (1,404) with a pair of Kings
jspeed99 stands up (Busted in 14th place)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 73,095 Main pot 1,404. Side pot 71,691. | Rake 0
Board: [Jc Td 8h 6c 3h]
Seat 2: jspeed99 (small blind) mucked [Js 4c] - a pair of Jacks
Seat 3: ddt7132 (big blind) mucked [Ks 9s] - King Jack high
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: CottonPatch showed [Kh Kd] and won (73,095) with a pair of Kings
Seat 8: toollman mucked [Kc As] - Ace King high
Seat 9: gitana333 (button) folded before the Flop

Here it goes to show how you should only play the big pots with big hands. Cotton picked up kings, waited for the right spot and was able to get his money all in the pot. Toollman is correct to call here with AK. DDT made too loose a call with K9s. Even though it's King-Ning of Spades and that's my favorite hand, I'd have to say no thanks and put it down. Someone has a huge hand and K9 can't take that kind of heat. Even though it looks enticing, it's too much to risk and you won't win often enough to compensate. 13 players left. It's nitty gritty to the final 9.

The next hand

Full Tilt Poker Game #609471665: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 800/1600 Ante 200 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:12:55 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 3: ddt7132 (4,977)
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (10,254)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (98,698)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (73,095)
Seat 8: toollman (73,208)
Seat 9: gitana333 (12,842)
ddt7132 antes 200
T-N-T 113 antes 200
Bender2006 antes 200
CottonPatch antes 200
toollman antes 200
gitana333 antes 200
ddt7132 posts the small blind of 800
T-N-T 113 posts the big blind of 1,600
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [9d Ks]
Bender2006 calls 1,600 I limp with my K9o
CottonPatch calls 1,600 Cotton just calls
toollman folds
gitana333 folds
ddt7132 folds
Bender2006: why did i have to double u up cotton
T-N-T 113 has 15 seconds left to act
T-N-T 113 raises to 10,054, and is all in(I suspect hree TNT is making a play. He hasn't seen much and with the warfare he just wants to play a pot.)
Bender2006 calls 8,454(Pot odds are laying me 2:1. I go ahead and call because a loss doesn't hurt that much.)
gitana333: lol
CottonPatch folds
T-N-T 113 shows [7h 7d]
Bender2006 shows [9d Ks]
*** FLOP *** [As Kd 5s]
*** TURN *** [As Kd 5s] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [As Kd 5s 6d] [Jh]
T-N-T 113 shows a pair of Sevens
Bender2006 shows a pair of Kings
Bender2006 wins the pot (23,708) with a pair of Kings
Bender2006: gg tnt
T-N-T 113 stands up
press 48 sits down
press 48 adds 29,746
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 23,708 | Rake 0
Board: [As Kd 5s 6d Jh]
Seat 3: ddt7132 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 4: T-N-T 113 (big blind) showed [7h 7d] and lost with a pair of Sevens
Seat 6: Bender2006 showed [9d Ks] and won (23,708) with a pair of Kings
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman folded before the Flop
Seat 9: gitana333 folded before the Flop

It turns out to be a race situation and my K-9 comes from behind to win. TNT goes out in 13th place. He's the 9th player I eliminate. Again Pot Odds controlled this whole decision. On the other table Jerm Warrior goes out in 12th place. 11 players and just 2 players left before Final Table.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609487673: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 1000/2000 Ante 250 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:19:28 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 3: ddt7132 (8,954)
Seat 5: press 48 (25,769)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (111,902)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (71,045)
Seat 8: toollman (72,758)
Seat 9: gitana333 (12,392)
ddt7132 antes 250
press 48 antes 250
Bender2006 antes 250
CottonPatch antes 250
toollman antes 250
gitana333 antes 250
press 48 posts the small blind of 1,000
Bender2006 posts the big blind of 2,000
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Qh Qs](Here we go, finally another big pair)
gitana333: AA on the button rotten dealer
gitana333: lol
gitana333: nh
CottonPatch folds
toollman folds
ddt7132: ty
gitana333 folds
ddt7132 folds
press 48 calls 1,000
Bender2006 raises to 8,000(I pop in 4xBB.)
press 48 folds
Uncalled bet of 6,000 returned to Bender2006
Bender2006 shows [Qh Qs] (a pair of Queens)(I show the hand to try and look like I'm back to tight, grind to the final table style)
Bender2006 wins the pot (5,500)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5,500 | Rake 0
Seat 3: ddt7132 folded before the Flop
Seat 5: press 48 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 (big blind) collected (5,500)
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman folded before the Flop
Seat 9: gitana333 folded before the Flop

I want to look like one of the guys just cruising, I've picked up QQ, and that's about the range I'll play. It's not true, but getting my opponents to think that helps.

Okay here is the second stupid gamble I made in the tournament

Full Tilt Poker Game #609495416: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 1000/2000 Ante 250 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:22:42 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 3: ddt7132 (4,454)
Seat 5: press 48 (26,769)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (117,402)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (69,045)
Seat 8: toollman (72,758)
Seat 9: gitana333 (12,392)
ddt7132 antes 250
press 48 antes 250
Bender2006 antes 250
CottonPatch antes 250
toollman antes 250
gitana333 antes 250
press 48 posts the small blind of 1,000
Bender2006 posts the big blind of 2,000
The button is in seat #3
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [4h Kc]
CottonPatch folds
toollman folds
gitana333 raises to 12,142, and is all in(Gitana has been pushing all her money in the middle. I have 2k in there already so only 10k more to call. A loss isn't bad, but not the smartest gamble)
ddt7132 folds
press 48 folds
Bender2006 calls 10,142(I go ahead and call thinking I've got 2 live cards. If I do it's one step closer to the final table.)
gitana333 shows [Ac Ks](I don't have 2 live cards. Drawing to a 4 or a bunch of hearts.)
Bender2006 shows [4h Kc]
*** FLOP *** [2h Ad Tc]
gitana333: oh no
*** TURN *** [2h Ad Tc] [Js]
gitana333: 4
gitana333: 4
*** RIVER *** [2h Ad Tc Js] [6c]
gitana333 shows a pair of Aces
Bender2006 shows Ace King high
gitana333 wins the pot (26,784) with a pair of Aces
Bender2006: nh
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 26,784 | Rake 0
Board: [2h Ad Tc Js 6c]
Seat 3: ddt7132 (button) folded before the Flop
Seat 5: press 48 (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 (big blind) showed [4h Kc] and lost with Ace King high
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman folded before the Flop
Seat 9: gitana333 showed [Ac Ks] and won (26,784) with a pair of Aces

Here I got careless. You can't think that you'll win with any 2 cards. You're a poker player, not a psychic. Just because I have a large stack doesn't mean I can will a K-4 off to victory. Bad play on my part but at least it's a lesson learned.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609501653: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 33 - 1000/2000 Ante 250 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:25:13 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 3: ddt7132 (3,454)
Seat 5: press 48 (31,269)
Seat 6: Bender2006 (105,760)
Seat 7: CottonPatch (63,045)
Seat 8: toollman (68,758)
Seat 9: gitana333 (30,534)
ddt7132 antes 250
press 48 antes 250
Bender2006 antes 250
CottonPatch antes 250
toollman antes 250
gitana333 antes 250
gitana333 posts the small blind of 1,000
ddt7132 posts the big blind of 2,000
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Bender2006 [Th Qh]
Bender2006: i was just gambling it up
gitana333: lol
press 48 folds
Bender2006 calls 2,000
CottonPatch folds
toollman raises to 18,000
gitana333 folds
ddt7132 calls 1,204, and is all in
Bender2006 folds
toollman shows [Ac Jc]
ddt7132 shows [9s As]
Uncalled bet of 14,796 returned to toollman
*** FLOP *** [2d Qd 4d]
gitana333: i woudl have gone bananas if you had outdrawn or drawn to a split
*** TURN *** [2d Qd 4d] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [2d Qd 4d 6h] [Tc]
toollman shows Ace Queen high
ddt7132 shows Ace Queen high
toollman wins the pot (10,908) with Ace Queen high
gitana333: gg
ddt7132 stands up
Bender2006: nothin wrong w/ a split
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 10,908 | Rake 0
Board: [2d Qd 4d 6h Tc]
Seat 3: ddt7132 (big blind) showed [9s As] and lost with Ace Queen high
Seat 5: press 48 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: Bender2006 folded before the Flop
Seat 7: CottonPatch folded before the Flop
Seat 8: toollman (button) showed [Ac Jc] and won (10,908) with Ace Queen high
Seat 9: gitana333 (small blind) folded before the Flop

Here ddt gets very low and makes a play. Toollman picks up a hand. Nothing really either man can do. ddt goes broke in 11th place.

The player who ends up going broke in 10th place just one hand short of the final table is Press 48. We end up going in after the board comes K-J-2. He has J-8, I've got 2-2 and flop a set. I don't have a hand history. So we go to the final nine players. Press 48 becomes the 10th player I bust. Great accomplishment and I've got the chip lead. Nice accomplishment but 8 players separate me from the win so I gotta separate them from their chips. Here are the standings.

Full Tilt Poker Game #609511392: $1 Tournament (3888267), Table 22 - 1200/2400 Ante 300 - No Limit Hold'em - 20:29:12 ET - 2006/05/02
Seat 1: dollarmtn (46,759)
Seat 2: ytownst (31,514)
Seat 3: Donovon1677 (37,428)
Seat 4: Jayel316 (20,084)
Seat 5: tardawduke (129,895)
Seat 6: CottonPatch (62,795)
Seat 7: gitana333 (26,034)
Seat 8: Bender2006 (142,029)
Seat 9: toollman (71,962)