I ran deep for 4 cashes and 1 bubble but shoulda ran deeper in each one. Was it my fault or just poker?

One post per tourney and I'm listing my final positioning when on the bubble and close to the FT as that may influence your opinion, especially the bubble hand which is a hoot of a hand. In all games I had a solid image - 20-26 VPIP with solid (And usually winning) hands at showdowns.



14 players left and I'm well-placed for a FT slot

GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 6,000/12,000 (1,500 ante) - 7 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat

UTG: 321,082 (27 bb)
MP (Hero): 498,212 (42 bb)
MP+1: 967,761 (81 bb)
CO: 159,842 (13 bb)
BU: 454,788 (38 bb)
SB: 272,097 (23 bb)
BB: 252,968 (21 bb)

Pre-Flop: (28,500) Hero is MP with T♣ T♠
1 fold, Hero raises to 36,000, 2 players fold, BTN 3-bets to 108,000, 2 players fold, Hero calls 72,000

Flop: (244,500) A♦ 5♣ A♥ (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets 61,200, Hero raises to 388,712 (all-in), BTN calls 284,088 (all-in)

Turn: (935,076) 3♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (935,076) 9♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 935,076

Showdown:
MP (Hero) shows T♣ T♠ (two pair, Aces and Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 54%, Flop: 7%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)

BU shows A♠ K♠ (three of a kind, Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 46%, Flop: 93%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)

BU wins 935,076


Then 2 hands later..........


GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 7,000/14,000 (1,750 ante) - 7 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat

UTG: 883,818 (63 bb)
MP: 156,592 (11 bb)
MP+1: 1,047,269 (75 bb)
CO: 262,847 (19 bb)
BU: 230,718 (16 bb)
SB: 303,832 (22 bb)
BB (Hero): 41,674 (3 bb)

Pre-Flop: (33,250) Hero is BB with A♥ A♦
1 fold, MP raises to 28,000, 4 players fold, Hero 3-bets to 39,924 (all-in), MP calls 11,924

Flop: (99,098) 6♣ K♠ 3♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Turn: (99,098) 5♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: (99,098) 9♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: 99,098

Showdown:
BB (Hero) shows A♥ A♦ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 83%, Flop: 63%, Turn: 0%, River: 0%)

MP shows 7♣ Q♣ (a flush, Queen high)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 17%, Flop: 37%, Turn: 100%, River: 100%)

MP wins 99,098

GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante) - 7 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 23,498 (3 bb)
MP: 321,760 (40 bb)
MP+1: 203,988 (25 bb)
CO: 427,200 (53 bb)
BU (Hero): 246,416 (31 bb)
SB: 141,838 (18 bb)
BB: 204,052 (26 bb)

Pre-Flop: (19,000) Hero is BTN with 8♥ 8♣
UTG raises to 22,498 (all-in), 3 players fold, Hero 3-bets to 245,416 (all-in), 1 fold, BB calls 195,052 (all-in)

Flop: (439,602) K♣ 4♦ 6♣ (3 players, 3 all-in)

Turn: (439,602) A♣ (3 players, 3 all-in)

River: (439,602) Q♥ (3 players, 3 all-in)

Total pot: 439,602

Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows 8♥ 8♣ (a pair of Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 42%, Flop: 15%, Turn: 24%, River: 0%)

UTG shows K♥ 3♣ (a pair of Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 22%, Flop: 74%, Turn: 12%, River: 0%)

BB shows 9♠ A♦ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 36%, Flop: 11%, Turn: 64%, River: 100%)

BB wins 439,602


Then 3 hands later.....


GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 5,000/10,000 (1,250 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG (Hero): 39,114 (4 bb)
UTG+1: 133,588 (13 bb)
MP: 432,352 (43 bb)
MP+1: 189,283 (19 bb)
CO: 305,510 (31 bb)
BU: 230,738 (23 bb)
SB: 162,954 (16 bb)
BB: 440,950 (44 bb)

Pre-Flop: (25,000) Hero is UTG with T♥ Q♣
Hero raises to 37,864 (all-in), UTG+1 3-bets to 132,338 (all-in), 6 players fold

Flop: (100,728) 2♦ A♠ 7♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (100,728) J♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (100,728) 8♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 100,728

Showdown:
UTG+1 shows A♦ Q♥ (a pair of Aces)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 73%, Flop: 98%, Turn: 91%, River: 100%)

UTG (Hero) shows T♥ Q♣ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 27%, Flop: 2%, Turn: 9%, River: 0%)

UTG+1 wins 100,728

GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 1,750/3,500 (450 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 92,379 (26 bb)
UTG+1: 54,378 (16 bb)
MP: 162,773 (47 bb)
MP+1: 163,280 (47 bb)
CO (Hero): 72,043 (21 bb)
BU: 24,741 (7 bb)
SB: 87,119 (25 bb)
BB: 161,190 (46 bb)

Pre-Flop: (8,850) Hero is CO with A♦ 8♣
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to 7,000, 2 players fold, Hero 3-bets to 71,593 (all-in), 3 players fold, UTG+1 calls 46,928 (all-in)

Flop: (116,706) 5♦ 6♠ 9♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (116,706) J♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (116,706) 4♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 116,706

Showdown:
CO (Hero) shows A♦ 8♣ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 26%, Flop: 29%, Turn: 16%, River: 0%)

UTG+1 shows A♣ K♦ (high card, Ace - higher kicker)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 74%, Flop: 71%, Turn: 84%, River: 100%)

UTG+1 wins 116,706


Then 2 hands later...........


GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 1,750/3,500 (450 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 161,873 (46 bb)
UTG+1: 154,331 (44 bb)
MP (Hero): 17,215 (5 bb)
MP+1: 23,841 (7 bb)
CO: 84,469 (24 bb)
BU: 171,939 (49 bb)
SB: 87,979 (25 bb)
BB: 116,256 (33 bb)

Pre-Flop: (8,850) Hero is MP with J♦ Q♥
2 players fold, Hero raises to 16,765 (all-in), MP+1 3-bets to 23,391 (all-in), 4 players fold

Flop: (42,380) 2♥ J♥ A♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (42,380) 2♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (42,380) 9♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 42,380

Showdown:
MP+1 shows A♣ 4♣ (two pair, Aces and Twos)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 59%, Flop: 76%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)

MP (Hero) shows J♦ Q♥ (two pair, Jacks and Twos)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 41%, Flop: 24%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)

MP+1 wins 42,380

GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 2,000/4,000 (500 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 133,171 (33 bb)
UTG+1: 113,599 (28 bb)
MP: 128,036 (32 bb)
MP+1: 379,261 (95 bb)
CO: 97,561 (24 bb)
BU (Hero): 152,574 (38 bb)
SB: 129,395 (32 bb)
BB: 82,364 (21 bb)

Pre-Flop: (10,000) Hero is BTN with A♦ 9♠
UTG raises to 12,000, 4 players fold, Hero 3-bets to 152,074 (all-in), 2 players fold, UTG calls 120,671 (all-in)

Flop: (275,342) 7♣ Q♥ 6♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (275,342) 5♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (275,342) J♦ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 275,342

Showdown:
BU (Hero) shows A♦ 9♠ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 43%, Flop: 23%, Turn: 11%, River: 0%)

UTG shows 8♥ 8♠ (a pair of Eights)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 57%, Flop: 77%, Turn: 89%, River: 100%)

UTG wins 275,342


Then two hands later..........


GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 2,500/5,000 (600 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 126,936 (25 bb)
UTG+1: 378,161 (76 bb)
MP: 96,461 (19 bb)
MP+1 (Hero): 18,803 (4 bb)
CO: 126,295 (25 bb)
BU: 74,764 (15 bb)
SB: 282,042 (56 bb)
BB: 112,499 (22 bb)

Pre-Flop: (12,300) Hero is MP+1 with 9♦ 8♣
UTG raises to 11,500, 2 players fold, Hero 3-bets to 18,203 (all-in), CO 4-bets to 125,695 (all-in), 4 players fold

Flop: (60,206) Q♥ K♦ A♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (60,206) T♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (60,206) 3♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 60,206

Showdown:
CO shows A♥ K♣ (two pair, Aces and Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 64%, Flop: 99%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)

MP+1 (Hero) shows 9♦ 8♣ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 36%, Flop: 1%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)

CO wins 60,206

BUBBLE HAND
53 paid. 54 players left.

GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 1,500/3,000 (350 ante) - 8 players
Replay this hand on Upswing Poker

UTG: 88,235 (29 bb)
UTG+1 (Hero): 42,709 (14 bb)
MP: 29,250 (10 bb)
MP+1: 10,770 (4 bb)
CO: 86,760 (29 bb)
BU: 118,680 (40 bb)
SB: 21,591 (7 bb)
BB: 11,600 (4 bb)

Pre-Flop: (7,300) Hero is UTG+1 with A♣ A♦
UTG raises to 6,000, Hero 3-bets to 15,650, 6 players fold, UTG 4-bets to 87,885 (all-in), Hero calls 26,709 (all-in)

Flop: (92,018) K♦ 4♥ K♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Turn: (92,018) Q♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

River: (92,018) 5♥ (2 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: 92,018

Showdown:
UTG shows 9♣ 9♥ (a flush, King high)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 19%, Flop: 12%, Turn: 23%, River: 100%)

UTG+1 (Hero) shows A♣ A♦ (two pair, Aces and Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 81%, Flop: 88%, Turn: 77%, River: 0%)

UTG wins 92,018

Hi
just commenting on the main hands as the exit hands just look like standard shortstack gambles
1. Don't think we should be flatting a 3b out of position here - I think it's a shove or fold spot - read dependent but probably a fold against std V as many players do not have a light 3bet range esp this deep in the tourney - post flop I think its a fold - you're really turning your hand into a bluff here and many people will not let go of their JJ-KK esp if you have an aggressive image
2. looks good - BB call is horrendous
3. fold - hand is too weak against EP range
4. ditto - this is pretty spewy tbh
5. standard bad beat - I would get out of the habit of making a small 3b with monsters when you are shoving everything else - better players will notice
GL

Understood. The thing is, I'd done the shove thing before and kicked myself for donking off 50+bb whenever I'd get busted - especially when the killer overcard didn't arrive until the turn or river - so figured it was safer to flat call and hope all the AJ+ and K10+ hands miss the flop so I can bet and take the pot down or fold to a horror flop. I honestly thought this play was more sensible (plus I factored in the villain could be making a squeeze bluff). That said, the three-barreling on the flop to rep the ace was horrendous and could well be a self-sabotage leak.


Yeah, this was a combination of being card dead for ages that this looked a solid hand and also wanting to shake off UTG+1. On reflection, I see this was a mistake, eve if I suspected UTG was blowing his last 3bb light before the next hand takes away his fold equity, especially as there were several to act after me.


Yeah, I agree. Not trying to justify but between my image (assuming the table was paying attention) and pushing/calling with any ace I assumed it was good to force folds and have a chance if called. OFC, that relies on V not having monsters. Guess it's back to avoiding ace rag even though it always seems to work for the villains.


Thanks. The weird thing is I was trying to avoid an all-in and a bad beat on the bubble. My raise was to show V that I have a monster and am pot-committed and force him to fold. I guess I was destined to get busted no matter how I played in - unless I just flatted but that would be contrary to your response to hand 1.

^ in the last hand you absolutely want to get stacks in - you should be trying to maximise tournament equity ( the $ value of your stack) and it's much better to have an 80% chance of a double up and a 20% chance of busting than just winning a few BBs - remember most of the value of your stack is the chance it gives you to get to the final table.
The only time when you might not want to gii is a satty bubble.

OK for the hands 2/3/4/5
But for the first hand, the deeper in the tourney the lighter are the 3 bet in my experience.
I usually play it as shove or fold spot though, and would be interested to read other comments.
Post flop: fold >>> call >>>>>>> shove

Okay, I'm not going to comment on all of your hands because some of them are purely ICM spots and you can look up how to run those through an ICM computer.

Anyways, the first hand with TT, like you said you are both somewhat deep for an MTT, 14 people left, and you don't need to get invested with a medium-ish pocket pair. With that being said, this is a pretty tough spot and would be easier if you had good reads on villain.. With that being said, as played you're turning your hand into a bluff on that flop and you're not going to get called with worse.. What is calling you? every Ax, even KK, QQ, JJ, but nothing worse will ever be calling you there.. As a bluff, it isn't terrible, but you're essentially turning a good hand into a bluff and I don't like that so much.. Also, it's much easier with reads here..

As for the other MTT hands, you need to stop 3betting an UTG opener with marginal Ax hands.. Most people are opening from UTG with a much tighter range and you should be 3betting them with a tighter range as well. They will end up with a lot of PPs and better Ax than what you're 3b shoving with.. find better spots to 3b shove your Ax hands, like in the SB/BB for example to someone who is raising a lot in his CO/BU.. I would just fold these Ax hands deep in MTTs to early position raisers unless I know for a fact they are opening very loose from UTG or UTG+1...

Just a note, but on your AA hand, you played it completely different than you played your Ax hands you were 3b shoving.. Similar stack sizes, yet you aren't shoving.. It's not a terrible thing but it is something to keep in mind when you are deciding on your 3b sizing.. a good, thinking player will pick up on stuff like that.

You know the TT hand, I think is a mistake to shove over the flop, with an Ace on board. What you're repping is exactly what you have, and they shouldn't be betting, calling unless they got it. You checked the flop for a reason, you can cbet there, and or fold to the donk, check fold should be a valid option when ICM is a concern. Early in the tournament, play whatever, when you get deep, you need to at some point put it in, get lucky even, cause your chips are worth more at the end IMO. You can't fold your way to the final table without a huge stack, so you need to work on your pre, cause you posted those hands with less than ANY 2 CARDS and post-flop. The AA hand where you lost to Q7s to a flush, do you know who Xblink was? did you happen to see him 4 bet Jam Q2s pre for 68k?

We are playing post-Black Friday Poker, they play a lot tighter, when you get your money in good and lose that's the game, but when you opt to flat pre to the 3ball, then burn your equity with less than 10% OTF after he has defined his range, I think is spewy, obviously, you are better than that.

There is a lot of massive spew and punts shown here like the 89o, jamming the TT when villain is uncapped and you don't have AA and villain can and have equal amount of Ax. Like in order for you to think bluffing TT is good you have to think villain is doing that flop play with JJ-KK which seems somewhat unlikely given preflop action.

You also jam A8o for like 20 blinds and that's a punt losing 1bb just using effective stacks, it'll be even more -ev if we put 20 blinds as the stack.

QTo UTG jam for 4bb is slightly above breakeven so it's nbd overall but more fine if you think they overfold (worse if they call too much obv).

I would also jam those final aces instead of doing a wonky 3bet size with 14 blinds. Could also consider flatting a lower frequency but at micro stakes I just go for value typically.

I highly recommend getting some type of shove range app to help study the spots better and use icmizer maybe. You seem to massively overvalue Ax hands offsuit hands somewhat. I used to do this too till I realized shove charts really hate offsuit stuff compared even to a weaker suited hand.