Not only is your journey inspiring, it proves to me that there are some good guys out there playing poker. Toast to 100K+ years and beyond bro!

Although I primarily play online here in the US, my few experiences in real card rooms (tournys only) haven't been too bad (other than suffering from dealer mistakes and listening to a few rude people who didn't like how I played a set once). It's a real catch-22 for me because although I tend to be uber sensitive, which allows me to get solid reads on people, I feel the "sting" from comments/abuse perhaps to a higher degree than others do. For years, people told me, "Yo, just do give a blank!" If it was only that simple...

Considering your long hours at the tables, how have you personally dealt with players looking for a confrontation?

Thank you for your time.

I don't think I want to be flipping in level 5 with 60 bb's....I think you're lucky to have even had a flip in that spot as JJ was probably the worst he was 5 betting with unless he was on complete air which I can't see there.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using 2+2 Forums

Havent had many confrontations, but I usually don't acknowledge any drama at the tables. I just keep to myself, and try to stay on the high road. Thanks for the encouraging words.

More hand 2 analysis...
I agree w @mela. Prob shd hv just called his 3bet. But not totally convinced its the right play.
@Boilref agree. this is totally not me to b flipping for this much, this early in tournament. I just got caught up n this hand, and still not sure about it.
I was raising the button a lot, so my gut feel was that Villain (30k) was 3 betting a hand he thought was superior to mine, and didnt think I actually had a hand like AQ. My read was 100% villain didnt hv aces or kings. I was just hoping it wasn't AK, but to me it look like he had something like pocket 9s, 10s, or what exactly what he had-Jacks. To b homest, i was a bit surprised w HIS play! shoving w JJ after i 4bet half my stack!! I typically don't like flipping for this much, but wanted to 4 bet preflop and try to get him off 9s,10s, or jacks. I just knew I wasn't folding this hand, and i had a great read it was a flip. At that point, if he was wanting to shove, I was willing to flip for it (Call me crazy). But, I dont get HIS shove. actually, i can see a player mayb even folding Jacks after i 4 bet here! 2bet450/villain 3bet 1600/4bet 5600. After i make it 5600 (from 12k) Villain has to know if he wants to continue on w the hand he's looking at 12k. IMO, i think calling 40% of ur stack w jacks is also a big gamble!! Villain cd b crushed here a lot of times too!!

hindsight mayb just call the 3bet (instead of 4 betting) is better w position. Play it more cautious. Still not sure tho. Been wavering over this hand today.

I mean, if you think his play with JJ was bad, what exactly were you trying to accomplish when 4betting AQs? If we can rule out JJ- from his 5bet shoving range, we are in a very bad shape.

I guess you can argue that you wanted to fold out JJ- and maybe AQ, but you're also folding out a lot of mediocre hands. And if he 5bet jams this deep we are rarely in a good shape, and essentially we have turned a good hand into a total bluff that we might have to fold now.

Just wondering, where are you playing online in the US and is it still just about impossible to get paid in any reasonable amount of time?

I'm not in love with the play, but he was obviously playing back at a guy who he perceived as a frequent 3-better. Hence the 4-bet with AQ.

I know you have your heart set on playing the Hammond Main, but I personally think you are better taking that 1675+fuel+expenses and playing one friday 5-10nl session that runs at HSI every week. I know it breaks the initial premise, but I really think were taking a high variance route with a solid chuck of our annual winnings by playing these wsop main events. HSI wsop main was a little different because you were able to get the seats at such a discount so I completely understand playing that one.

My two cents on the two hands:

J8 soooted.....when you get 3 bet...just dump it and move on...good play opening it when folded to you....but when it's raised behind you..bleh...I just muck and move on.

on the AQ ....it depends on the table/player dynamic....if you felt he was 3 betting you light because you were very active....then a 4 bet is fine. I think the best line...as discussed is flatting his 3 bet 60bb's deep and take a flop. Stuffing it in there that deep seems a bit much....best case scenario you are flipping and worst case you are in dire shape.

I live in Nevada, so we have had Ultimate Poker running since May. WSOP opened last month here, but I mainly play on UP.

Cashouts? I put in a request which is normally cleared within an hour or two and pick up my cash directly from a Stations Casino location. They have to go 100% by the book since they are licensed by the State of Nevada.

You don't need to be a resident to play, so next time ur in Vegas check it out. Bring a computer and cell phone (cell needed for geo location purposes).

1st hand. I think you're deep enough to call his 3bet in position. As played, why are you turning your hand into a bluff when you have showdown value? Check back the river all day

2nd hand. I dunno if that's standard or not, but you gotta be happy you were flipping.

I must be playing a different game. I like the fact that I am taking unconventional lines. After hearing some feedback on hands 1 and 2, I just need to tweek a few things. Imo, im so close to playing perfectly in my OWN style.
I understand a lot of people disagree w my play in hands 1 and 2, but I knew exactly where I was in both hands. Standard is safe, but also easy to read. Weird lines is a bit risky, but more valuable if can manage them properly. My play is usually dictated by my opponent. In hands 1 and 2, I wd most def play them differently against dif villains. In hand 1, I shd bet 3/4 (instead of 1/2) otr and I most likely get a fold. Or check flop, and continue to play it safe. Hand 2, I knew where I was from the jump, and may not hv changed anything. Or just play it safe and call 3bet and take a flop.

Appreciate the feedback. U guys r helping me elevate my game. Much appreciated.

I just don't see the need to take the risk in hand 2 in a main event structure with that many bb's remaining. I know you need to accumulate chips but you're certainly not going to win the tournament because of a double up on a flip in level 5. If you're willing to flip that early how lucky are you going to need to get to win a deep stacked tourney?

I would rather take the chance later on when the blinds, antes, and limpers money is worth stealing.

Also, how did you go out of the main in Cincy? I think it was about the same level. Was it on a similar play?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using 2+2 Forums

I agree w u @boileref, i don't like to b flipping that early for that many bigs in tourney. But i was thinking he wd fold JJ to my 4bet, for I knew where I was n the hand. He didnt, and from there it played itself-flipping.

What crippled me in Ciny tourney was player aliot w set vs. my nut straight. Board pair river.
My last hand. action preflop 2.5x 4 callers until i call w Q 9s in the big blind. 5 to Flop of 9 hi dry. I check, and last to act bets half pot. I call. Head up to turn. Turn is 9, I check, he bets, I raise all in (20big more). He calls w K9s. River is salt in the wound, King.

Makes sense...thanks for the quick answer.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using 2+2 Forums

Keep doing it well. Don't let THE MAN bring you down. Stick to cash and play higher!!

No prob @boilref. Thanks @23straight.


Today they had a promo where at noon they splash all tables w a daily tourney voucher ($50t). So I'm otb durin the splash hand and decide to straddle $8 (for voucher purposes only). 3calls until I raise my straddle to $40 total w k10 off. No callers, and I win the voucher into the daily. I played cash until level 4 of tourney, then took my seat. Made it to the final table of the daily and busted in 8th for no pay. Aipf w AJoff w 10ish big blinds. All in behind me w KK and large blind goes all in also w 44. KK>AJ>44. KK had both players covered. I lose. My gd buddy @junejoel took it down.

+$102 in cash today
+$213 yesterday.

So they run a promotion which forces players to either quit the high rake cash game or sell the tourney ticket to someone else at a discount.

Can they get any dumber?

It's possible.

Donutz for 3 on holding KK twice and AA once today. It can't b a gd sesh if cowboys twice and aces aren't holding up. Today = a loss of -50,000 pennies. Sounds better in terms of pennies.
Kk<AJ aipf for $85. I raise, short stack shoves 85 total w AJ. Ace ball in the window.
KK lost again after i raised pre, then call one bet on flop of AJQ. Releases turn. -$60
My Aces lost to set of Kings otr for $400. After this hand I left, and punished myself at Planet Fitness w a vigorous workout.

Screw it! Im heading to Hammond tomorrow to play in the $500k gaurantee. Gonna see if i can break my record of flipping for more than 60 big blinds.
Not sure how long ill b there. Winging it. #karatekid

You already know! We're all rooting for ya buddy!

GL in the 500k at Hammond. We all want to see you get a big score!

I've been gone offline for awhile, I was burnt out after the series and just started playing again and getting on here. Also have had 2 exams that past couple of weeks.

From what I saw about the two hands you posted from the ME at HSI:

Hand #1: standard spot to raise in the cut-off when folded to. I don't hate you calling the 3-bet in position, though I play it post-flop slightly different. I was assuming your betting the river as a bluff and I agree that 3100 would have been a better bet. I am more than likely checking flop--though I'm shocked AA does not bet the flop there. And I probably just give up on river and check behind.

Hand #2: I 100% prefer a flat here to his 3bet. I can't really see a scenario where we should 4-bet here. Getting 5-bet in this spot is pretty much disaster for AQ. Since we have position, we want to see a flop and it's still very early in tournament. 60 bigs is still a lot of room to work with.

Sorry to be late in the discussion!

@moaurlawn I agree.

I'm looking to hit n run on the $15 free bet today! Then the plan is to pick up a stranger (gd for 2) and try out the buffet.

Sitting on 38k at dinner break of event 1 Wsop Horseshoe Hammond. Made a little unconventional play during last level before dinner. 200-600-1200. One limp in middle, I (20bbs) limp w AA from HJ-1. The reason being was cutoff and button were both pretty active, and Sb (10bigs) was short. I was almost certain one of them was going to make a play. Well button shoves for 25bigs. Folded to a snap call by me. AA >J7
Been all in just one other time w (14bbs) 42in the Sb after a 2.25x from middle followed by 3 calls. Luckily, no callers on the shove.
Hopefully I can run this up. It's a very tough table.
Btw- 400 alternates today in 1b. Last alternate took his seat during level 7. 2,496 players total.
Appreciate the support!

Awesome buddy, play your A game and don't doubt your self, RUN GOOD ,GL

Run good!

I was alternate number 285