45 runners in the $500 PLO8 today, and yours truly managed to final table it, finishing 8th (we were playing 8-handed) for a whopping $875. Also at the final table was my friend and fellow Poker Savvy Plus instructor Tom Chambers, who finished 4th after a series of gross suckouts … Read full post
100/200, very young kid in CO opens to 450, I call with Js 9s in SB, relatively bad German calls in the BB. Flop Q c Tc 5s. I consider leading out but decide to check, and we check it through. Turn is a blank, I bet 750, BB raises … Read full post
Playing in a pretty nitty 10/25 NL. UTG straddles for $50, gets two calls, I make it $275 to go with 7s 5s on my BB. Straddle folds, other two call. I’m playing about 7K, they both cover. Flop Qs 5d 5h. I bet $750, first player folds, the other … Read full post
After two hours of 5/10 NL this evening, I was up about $800. By my rough count, I’d voluntarily put money into the pot 16 times, won 13 of those pots, and saw exactly 1 showdown. I was going to leave at the next time collection, but then I played … Read full post
Ever since reading Tommy Angelo’s excellent Elements of Poker, I’ve been working on keeping calm and focused while playing live poker. This is no mean feat: the pace is glacial and the company grating. There are a million reasons to zone out, wander around, or get annoyed with someone. … Read full post
First hand of the day, I raise to 2500 UTG+2 with AKs. Older guy in the CO takes a minute to eye up my stack and think, then shoves some ridiculous amount like 35K. I’m pretty sure he has AQ, because of the hands he would monkey-ship, it’s the only … Read full post
Phil Fucking Ivey
Paul Carrillo
Stephen Baines
Lars Graf
Alan Complainsaw Kessler
Aaron Szerencses
Daniel Walter
Nam Le
Andrew Brokos
That’s right, I’ve got Phil Ivey on my immediate left. To be honest, I’m pretty excited to play with the guy, though I wish it weren’t in a 10K. At … Read full post
We started with 30K, I was up around 50K at my peak, had 30K with two hands left to go in the day. Got into a three-way all in holding 66 on a 5h6c8c vs. 74 and AcJc. The straight held, but I won a small sidepot against the flush … Read full post
I’ve always been impressed with the customer service at Poker Stars: the seed with which they respond to issues, the frequency with which they solicit and act upon player input from sites like 2+2, and their general willingness and creativity in addressing customer concerns. I don’t think their support has … Read full post
I’ve got myself a nice little room at the Atlantis Resort and Casino. I’m only on the third floor, so the view sucks, but I’ve got a little patio that’s large enough for a table and chairs, whichis kinda cool. The higher rooms just have a very tiny balcony.
I … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (3 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
BB ($500)
Button ($2080)
Hero (SB) ($2060)
Preflop: Hero is SB with 3
, 5
1 fold, Hero bets $40, BB raises to $100, Hero calls $60
Flop: ($200) 6, … Read full post
I’ve been writing a lot lately about the importance of understanding how much equity your hand has against your opponent’s range, and a lot of people have quite reasonably asked how to figure that out at the table, when Poker Stove is unavailable or impractical. Thus, my January article for… Read full post
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves responsibly last night (and last year, for that matter), and that you are striding confidently forward into a new year.
Yesterday, I revisited my 2009 poker resolutions. Now, it’s time to make some new resolutions and set some new
Resolution One: Keep Grinding NLHE Cash Games
This is my bread and butter game, and even if I don’t do anything to improve,
The more I think about it, the more I feel like this is one of the worst calls I’ve made in a long time:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (5 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
SB ($4423.50)
BB ($2026)
UTG ($2477)
MP ($2168.50)
Hero (Button) ($2000)
Preflop… Read full post
Feels like a good spot to me because it’s plausible that I’m giving up with some trash that I 3-bet, most of the hands that I could stack with a bet-bet-bet line will value bet for me anyway, and there’s a very plausible way for lesser hands to make something … Read full post
There was a rarity on Poker Stars on Sunday: substantial overlay in one of their major tournaments. They ended up contributing nearly $100,000 in overlay to reach the 40-seat guaranteed in the $700 PCA satellite. This hand occurred with 114 players remaining. The average stack was 20K, and I figured … Read full post
Let me say up front that I don’t think I played this particularly well. Nevertheless, I think there’s some interesting discussion to be had here.
This hand was from the Poker Stars $500 weekly. Villain is Roothlus, a very successful MTT pro who teaches at Poker X Factor and is … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (BB) ($5124.50)
SB ($6237.50)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 7, 6
SB bets $60, Hero calls $40
Flop: ($120) 6
, 7, 10
(2 players)
Hero checks, SB bets $80… Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (5 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Button ($1753)
SB ($1534)
Hero (BB) ($2003.25)
UTG ($1058.75)
MP ($1060)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 6, K
2 folds, Button bets $25, SB calls $20, Hero raises to $123, Button … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
CO ($2441)
Button ($2814)
SB ($4000)
Hero (BB) ($6186)
UTG ($2278.70)
MP ($630)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 3, K
4 folds, SB bets $40, Hero calls $20
Flop: ($80) 5… Read full post
This is a rare situation, so I can’t promise you’ll get a chance to use it, but it’s a fun brag:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
MP ($1000)
Hero (CO) ($1272)
Button ($1000)
SB ($1090.30)
BB ($1479)
UTG ($2129.15)
Preflop: … Read full post
A recent study finding tremendous academic gains for students participating in urban debate leagues has meant great things for the Boston Debate League, not only because of the impressive findings themselves, but because of the opportunity for publicity. Here’s a recent local news piece featuring compelling interviews with some … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (SB) ($7800.50)
BB ($4029.50)
Preflop: Hero is SB with A, K
Hero bets $60, BB raises to $220, Hero raises to $499, BB calls $279
Flop: ($998) 2, … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (4 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
UTG ($594.25)
Button ($375)
SB ($711.25)
Hero (BB) ($2190)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 9, 8
1 fold, Button bets $25, SB calls $20, Hero calls $15
Flop: ($75) K, … Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (SB) ($5294)
BB ($4588)
Preflop: Hero is SB with 7, 5
Hero bets $60, BB calls $40
Flop: ($120) 9, 8, 6 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $77… Read full post
We were looking for a place to stay last night in Estes Park, a resort town just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer, the place is apparently over run with tourist families, but in December it’s a ghost town and lodging prices plummet. After walking out on … Read full post
Happy Thanksgiving! I know I’m a few days late, but I do want to thank all of my readers, especially those of you who read and comment regularly. I generally enjoy blogging and am pretty sure that reviewing my thought processes publicly is helpful to my bottom line as well. … Read full post
As “The Poker Philosopher”, and in honor of one of my favorite non-poker blogs, I occasionally consider the ethical dimensions of a high-profile controversy in the poker community. In September, I discussed Joe Sebok’s decision to join Team Ultimate Bet. This month, I examine a $50,000 deal gone … Read full post
I feel like it’s been happening a lot recently (though sometimes it’s ended well.)
PokerStars No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (6 handed) – Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
CO ($2000)
Button ($1189.50)
SB ($2014)
Hero (BB) ($2030)
UTG ($2429.50)
MP ($5521.95)
Preflop: Hero is BB with A, A… Read full post
This time on FTP, and there were only 110 runners. I busted in 7th on a kinda dumb shove:
Full Tilt Pot-Limit Omaha Tournament, 800/1600 Blinds (7 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
BB (t145518)
UTG (t15658)
MP1 (t38832)
MP2 (t32782)
CO (t31976)
Hero (Button) (t31765)
SB (t33469)
Hero’s … Read full post
There’s a $600 cap at this table, which is why there’s not betting after the flop.
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (5 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Button ($1591)
SB ($1561)
BB ($3733)
UTG ($5231.95)
Hero (MP) ($4163)
Preflop: Hero is MP with K, A… Read full post
I played a pretty long session at 40/80 over the weekend, definitely one of the longest I’ve played at such high stakes. It was a surprisingly tight game, with one guy who was not a fish but was noticeably weaker than the rest of us. But there really wasn’t a … Read full post
Edit: Fixed the title. Was thinking this was 3/6, not 4/8.
First, the appetizer:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $8.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
SB ($780)
Hero (BB) ($2215.50)
Preflop: Hero is BB with 10, 9
SB bets $24, Hero calls $16
Flop… Read full post
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (3 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (Button) ($1082)
SB ($1982.50)
BB ($1084.25)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 7, 7
Hero bets $25, SB raises to $90, 1 fold, Hero calls $65
Flop: ($190) K, … Read full post
So I kind of have a second blog, though so far it’s mostly been my girlfriend posting to it so I haven’t really been promoting it as much as I should have. It’s nothing to do with poker but about our road trip/nomadic existence we’ve been living since August. Anyway, … Read full post
Unfortunately, they were both in PLO8 events with fewer than 200 runners. But I was 5/135 in the $100 and 2/180 in the $200, so not too shabby, and it was fun. The heads up was interesting in the $200, the guy was playing $10/$20 PLO8 cash at the same … Read full post
My tournaments results have been pretty good the last few months, culminating most recently in two PCA seats and a win in the FTP $300 Saturday 6-Max. I attribute this improvement to a disciplined effort to avoid bringing the aggressive play needed to win in high-stakes cash games over to … Read full post
Cardplayer recently published a strategy interview with me that they titled “Folding Out Draws”. I think that title is actually a bit misleading, because it’s more about hand reading and going for thin value with a turn check-raise. But I think it’s a neat hand and I encourage you to … Read full post
The whole idea of betting for protection is one that I feel I am really only now starting to understand. Most people, when they first start playing, are way too concerned about protecting their hands. You see them overbetting and moving all in with one pair hands in spots where … Read full post
I’ve been spending most of my time these last few weeks camping, most recently at an amazing site in Arches National Park, and emerging only occasionally to play poker and catch up with the outside world. Annoyingly, this means I’m often at the mercy of either a hotel internet connection … Read full post
What is it with me losing three-way pre-flop all ins with Aces on the bubble of the final table of big Full Tilt tournaments? This is with 20 people left in the $300 6-max Saturday tournament.
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em Tournament, 1000/2000 Blinds 250 Ante (5 handed) – Full-Tilt… Read full post
PokerStars No-Limit Hold’em, $6.00 BB (3 handed) – Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (Button) ($618)
SB ($1774.20)
BB ($690)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 6, K
Hero bets $15, SB calls $12, 1 fold
Flop: ($36) 2, A, 9 (2 players)
SB checks, … Read full post
The final part of my WSOP trip report is now appearing in the November issue of 2+2 Magazine. It perhaps goes without saying that one’s bust-out day from the WSOP main event is usually a frustrating one, and mine was no exception:
“Since he did call, does that mean … Read full post
… Read full post“Super Satellite
Buy-In: $665.00/$35.00 USD
585 players
Total Prize Pool: $389025.00 USD
Target Tournament #201001051 Buy-In: $14130.00 USD
25 tickets to the target tournamentTournament started 2009/11/01 18:00:00 ET
Dear foucault82,
Congratulations – You have won a package for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) 2010 Main Event. The PCA is
A comment on a recent post about the squeeze play observed that a pretty intense dynamic can arise in situations where more than one player recognizes a good squeezing opportunity. I think this is a good example:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (9 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from … Read full post
I overheard a pretty funny conversation today that reminded me of another funny Halloween incident from some years ago.
A Critical Difference
The child in this story is roughly 9 years old.
Father: How was your Halloween party today at school.
Son: Ummm, this girl Matilda, it looked like she … Read full post
I like old poker books. It’s fun to see how people played, and talked about, the game decades ago. In “The Old School”, I share the best and worst from these antiquated tomes. Sometimes the strategy is laughable, sometimes it is surprisingly astute, but it always provides a unique insight … Read full post
…because sometimes, you aren’t bluffing:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
BB ($14268.50)
Hero (SB) ($4179.50)
Preflop: Hero is SB with 7, Q
Hero bets $60, BB calls $40
Flop: ($120) K, J, J (2 players)… Read full post
Driving through Topeka this morning, we stopped at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Landmark. Unlike the iconic Central High School in Little Rock, which we visited on a previous road trip, the physical location of the Brown landmark was not particularly significant. It was simply on the … Read full post
This isn’t going to work against a lot of opponents, but against very tough opponents, it’s essential:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (MP) ($4429.50)
CO ($7120)
Button ($2587)
SB ($4449.30)
BB ($4169)
UTG ($712.40)
Preflop: Hero is MP with … Read full post
$5/$10 NLHE 6-handed game. Villains have about $1000 each, I cover. MP opens to $35, BTN calls, I call 9h 7h in the BB.
Flop Ks 6h 2d. I check, MP bets $70 into $105 pot, BTN calls, I raise to $190, both fold. Why?
The logic here is very … Read full post
I posted an admittedly under-explained bit of advice last night. I was cryptic for a reason: if I’m too specific here, anyone who reads this blog could exploit the hell out of a very common spot. But here’s a pretty simple example that I don’t think is giving away too … Read full post
Most players handle the turn far worse than any other street. In particular, when the pot is getting large, even very good players tend to revert to level two thinking on the turn. They are making the play that they think is best given their hand versus your range, with … Read full post
The Boston M
arathon is the most prestigious and oldest continuously-run marathon in the entire world. Many people dream of running it, but participation is extremely limited and exclusive. The only way to get a spot is either to qualify with a world-class time in a different marathon or to … Read full post
This one jumped out at me just because it’s kind of a paradigmatic case. I call a relatively innocuous flop against a guy who I don’t think will multi-barrel bluff well (against a good barreler folding flop is probably best). Turn and river bring two cards that may well give … Read full post
I got a very good comment/question from Christoph on a recent post about a huge bluff that I averted when I rivered a pair:
“I’ve been thinking a bit about this hand and I’m wondering about how you’d play it if you were the player holding the aces. It sure … Read full post
I just published what I think is a very interesting instructional video with Poker Savvy Plus. It’s actually the second in a series (I hesitate to call it that since it’s been months since the first part) called The Parable of Tighty McNuts.
I have no delusions of … Read full post
Robert Wright’s Nonzero is not a poker book. I picked it up because it claimed to apply game theory to human evolution, both biological and cultural, and to offer a sweeping and prophetic account of humanity’s history and future. Yes, that’s a pretty ambitious goal, and the author acknowledges as … Read full post
If I don’t pick up showdown value on this river, I shove it. I doubt he calls 250BB on the river, but I’ve been wrong about such things before:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (2 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (SB) ($8365.25)
BB ($3787.25)
Preflop: … Read full post
You might not know it from reading this blog, but I make some big folds. The key for me is thinking about my whole range. If I can think of a few hands that I could have in this same spot, that I would have played the same way up … Read full post
Edit: My girlfriend has just pointed out to me that, as a self-styled poker journalist, Sebok might well be held to a standard of journalistic ethics as well. In that light, endorsing a particular internet poker site might not be appropriate. But that’s beyond the scope of this article, as … Read full post
You may have seen David “Viffer” Peat on High Stakes Poker. He just sat down at one of my tables tonight and wrote this in the chat:
richreich: checks 
Viffer said, “omg”
joe E scar: bets $120
Viffer said, “just anyone in london”
foucault82: folds
loosefer: folds
richreich: calls $120… Read full post
I really did not expect this guy to be capable of something like this. I’d been pounding on him a lot, on multiple tables, in and out of position, and he’d been backing down a lot. “Trapping” by slowplaying a big hand is exactly how I’d expect a guy like … Read full post
Note to the inevitable idiot who finds this post via google: I’m not serious about online poker being rigged. But you can bet that this hand, which busted me in 18th in the FTP $1 Million Guarantee, got the rail speculating:
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em Tournament, 10000/20000 Blinds 2500 Ante … Read full post
Villain here is pokerjamers, a pretty standard Pocket Fives donkamenteur hero:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold’em, 530 Tournament, 350/700 Blinds 85 Ante (6 handed) – Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
CO (t40190)
Hero (Button) (t65575)
SB (t25644)
BB (t66189)
UTG (t192484)
MP (t67199)
Hero’s M: 42.04
Preflop: Hero is Button … Read full post