PokerVT

I have been waiting for a long time for this. Daniel Negreanu has been putting together a training site since last year. He has signed quite a few top professionals; including Annette_15, Paul Wasicka, JC Alvarado, Adam Junglen, and Kirk Morrison. From what I have read of the early reviews, this is going to be a great teaching tool. Unlike Cardrunners and some of the other sites, this site is going to be more interactive.

With most of the other sites, you are given a selection of videos and you basically get to see what they are doing while they talk about their hand and their opponents. However, with PokerVT, they are going to have quizzes and games that will also teach you different aspects of poker. There will also be ways to determine your personal poker knowledge, and it will then guide you to different sections to teach you what you need to know. I am really excited about taking the site out for a test run and seeing how much it can help my game.

I feel that I am playing well, just unlucky right now. Last night, I donked off quite a few tourneys and am down about 7 buy-ins. I was pretty card dead throughout most of the tourneys, and after taking a beat in an early tourney, I was playing too tight and too timid. The hand came down like this:

I have AA in middle position. A loose passive player limped, like he had been doing with most hands. I raise to 300 with the blinds at 25/50. The player to my left calls, as does the limper. The flop came J-6-7 with two diamonds. I had about 1800 when the hand started and the limper was the chip leader with 2200. He checked the flop, and I bet out 650. The player behind me called and the early limper minimum raised. I pushed in and the limper called. He showed QJ off. A jack hit the river and I was gone. It was a bad play on his part for two reasons. First, by limping out of position, then overvaluing top pair on that flop, there are not many hands you can be beating against two players. The only hand he can really be beating is a bluff or two overs like AK. If I have AK of diamonds he is a big dog, if I have AA or KK he is a big dog. If I have 89 of diamonds, again he is a big dog. The only real hands he can beat are J10 or a flush draw with no other pair or draw. Sounds reasonable, but remember that this is a raised pot from a player who has only shown strong hands and hasn't played back at him. Second, if he misses his hand, he has risked most of his chips on a play out of position. I knew what he had when he checked it to me. I knew he probably had a hand like KJ, QJ, or possibly a flush draw. I would have been happier if he showed at least QJ suited for the top pair and the flush draw. At least then he would have been the favorite to win the pot. But to make this move with QJ off is just stupidity. So that put the wheels in motion for the rest of the night.

For the remainder of the night, I kept getting the money in with second best, which is not like me. I was not three betting like I should and was playing too timid. I kept seeing players call my raises with very marginal hands and started limping too much. In the blink of an eye I was down almost 10 buy-ins. I would get short and push with AQ, AJ, QQ, JJ, and kept running into AK and KK. It was so sick. SO I played one final game and ended up winning that one to be down about $160 for the night. I decided to call it a night. I am still well within my bankroll to be playing at this level, so hopefully tonight will go better. I just have to remember to play position better and stop playing so damn timid if I take a beat. If they want to call my raises with marginal hands, we'll just have to play a flop.

On a final note, I noticed that while I was playing tentative, I was not three betting and shoving like I should have. I had this little voice in the back of my head that kept yelling at me, "You're going to lose." One hand in particular, I have 10's in middle position with 5 players left. UTG raises the pot. I don't know if it was intuition or just stupidity. I decided to fold the hand, figuring the best I could hope for was a race. Nobody called, but I just thought he had AA or KK. I don't know if it was a good fold or not, but the old me would have at least called and seen a flop, possibly would have re-raised or shoved. That's just what last night did to me. I kept getting second best, so I thought it was going to be second best again. So I'll just have to play aggressive and keep watching my opponents.

Antonius versus Brunson

This is going to be the most interesting story throughout the summer. In case you haven't heard, Patrik did an interview with Card Player magazine late last year. During the interview, somebody told him that Doyle had said he would swim across the sea to play him heads up. Basically saying that he thinks Patrik is a fish. So Patrik shot back in the interview, which then got published, by saying he would play him any game for any stakes. Big mistake Patrik.
Patrik Antonius is one of the great players on the planet. He is without a doubt one of the most talented and feared players. However, he is letting Doyle pick the games and the stakes. Patrik is a no-limit hold'em and pot limit omaha player. He can play the other games well, but not to the level that Doyle can. If you saw the WPT tourney that Doyle won, he had a hell of a call against Patrik. The hand came down like this:
Three handed, Doyle is the short stack. He has a little over 4 million, and Patrik has about 6 million. The blinds are 150,000/300,000 with a 50,000 ante. The button folds and Doyle limps with 33. Patrik takes a second, then declares all-in. It appears that Doyle snap calls him with 33. Patrik has this look on his face like somebody shot his dog. He then whines about the call. He even goes so far as to say, "How can you make that call with threes?" He says it over and over and is almost indignant. Finally, Doyle quips back, "We're playing poker son, not solitare." Classic Doyle comeback. The flop and turn brick, but on the turn the board pairs, giving Patrik 6 more outs. He bricks the river and is still befuddled by the call. I'm sure there were a couple of factors that influenced the call by Doyle. The first of which is that he knew Patrik is a maniac, loose player and he was probably in a race situation. The second factor was that he was sick and tired of Patrik trying to run him over. If you have read Supersystem, you will know that if you push on Doyle, he will push back. He'll let you get away with it once or twice, but he is coming if you keep it up.
So, they are working on a heads up match. Rumors are floating around that they will be playing for a minimum of $1 million, and some have even speculated that it will be a series of 7-10 games for $1 million each. In his blog, Doyle said that it will be a cash game and not a freeze out. So that is another big plus in Doyle's corner. He plays the biggest game in the world on a regular basis and I'm sure he will not pick Omaha or Hold'em. So that is another big plus for Doyle. So it will be interesting to see if they televise this landmark event and who wins. Doyle has also stated that if Patrik beats him, he will retire from poker. He said that he will move to Montana and live the rest of his days on his 110 acre ranch. That will be a sad day. But the new guard has to take over someday. I personally think a match between Ivey and Brunson would be more fitting.
I just read tonight, that the Antonius-Brunson feud is also spilling over onto the golf course. Brunson challenged Antonius to a round of golf for $100,000 a hole. He told Patrik he has from now until the end of August to accept the challenge. The verbal sparring going on between these two is very fascinating. You should read both of their blogs. It is quite good reading.

Ironman Freerolls

I just got done playing the Ironman freerolls. I played in the Bronze Ironman and the One-a-day. In the one-a-day freeroll, not many players actually played. The total field was almost 1,000; however, about 70% of the field didn't even sit in. The same went for the bronze ironman. If you pull up the hand history, it will tell you who is sitting out. 6 of the 9 people at the table were sitting out. So it made the opening stages of both tournaments kind of hairy.
In the one-a-day, I slowly built a decent sized stack and was doing well. I sat at the same table for most of the tournament and built my stack to over 6,000. We got down to the money bubble and I just sat out for about 10 minutes waiting for all of the people who were sitting out to get blinded out. Once that was over, I got back to business as ususal. I ended up running my JJ into A10 and losing. I cashed for a whole $3....woohoo. I am never going to play this tourney again. The prize structure is not worth the time or effort. First place was about $200, and they paid out way too many places.
The Bronze Ironman went a little better. I final tabled the ironman. I was playing really well, especially for not getting many hands. I got a few premium starting hands, but got most of my chips from playing position and from 3-betting before the flop against weak opens and making timely c-bets. I don't know how many times I saw somebody open the pot, then check the flop. Suddenly they bet the turn when a rag falls. They would eventually show down a decent ace but no pair or just two big cards. You have to tell a story with your bets. Don't check the flop, then suddenly try to portray strength with a rag. I had to two barrel a guy who floated me. I had AJ suited. He limped on the button, and I raised him from the BB. He limped for 1,000, so I raised it to 3,600. The effective stacks were about 125,000. He called, the flop came K-6-6 rainbow. I bet out 6,400, he flat calls. I knew that if he had a king or pair, he would have raised me on that flop. So I bet out 12,500 on the turn, he thought about it and folded. SO I was cruising along a doing well.
Until, I ran into a LAG....lol. I had about 150,000 and raised to 28,000 with AK. The blinds were 5,000/10,000 with 1,000 ante. We were 7 handed, and he shoved for 92,000+. I called, he showed 44 and I had AK. I lost the race and was crippled. I shoved the next hand with KJ suited and lost to AJ...I hate it when you are playing well. Lose a race and then out within a hand or two. I can understand his play with 44 but I think it's a little too risky for his effective stack size. The best he could hope for was a race. I know that might sound a little too tight, but seriously. If I'm raising with 77+, or any two cards bigger than a 5. But, you have to win those races to win tournaments. I could have folded and waited for a better spot, but I knew the range of hands he had, and knew that you have to win the 60/40's and 50/50's from time to time.
So I cashed for a whopping $3 in the one-a-day and $175 in the bronze ironman. SO hopefully I'll do better in the next one. Like I said though, I am not playing in the one-a-day ever again. That was such a joke of a freeroll. Anyway, good luck at the tables.

So Funny

It's so funny, everytime I have written about the success I have had, variance has started the very next game I played. Yesterday was no different. I had been running well for about a week. I decided to blog about my successes so far, and wouldn't you know it. I got cold decked in a couple of tourneys, and just couldn't win the others. I was getting short and pushed with AK, wouldn't you know it, the SB wakes up with AA. 4 handed and I run into AA. The sheer likelihood that somebody has AA when you have AK is pretty unlikely, much more so when you are 4 handed. But those are the breaks.
In the other tourneys, I lost QQ vs. 88, KK vs. QJ off, AA vs. K10 suited, and QQ vs. A5. So I kept getting my money in good, it just wasn't holding up. Unlike the last downswing, I decided to call it a night and not press my luck. Last time I dropped a little more than 10 buy-ins. I'm only down about 3 right now. So I'm going to get back at it tonight and see what happens. Hopefully all will go well.

New Books

I just ordered some new books through Amazon. I have read so many books, and I know that a lot of people would say that it's not constructive, or maybe even counterintuitive. However, one of the things I take from each book is something that will add to the style I play. I also try to understand the way some other people approach the game. My philosophy is that if I understand how other players approach the game, then it will be easier for me to understand why they play the way they do.

So I bought some books on various topics. I pre-ordered Daniel Negreanu's new book Power Hold'em. I have a feeling this will be the new version of Supersystem. He has gathered some young guns and some very prestigious pros to help write the book. I have enjoyed reading his articles, his blog, and have utilized a lot of advice he has given. In fact, because of Negreanu I play a lot of small ball poker. To me, Negreanu is definitely in the top 5 of the best poker players on the planet. Of course, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, and Allen Cunningham are in that list as well. You may not agree, but I would put Joseph Hachem in the top 5 right now as well. I love the way he approaches the game and his style. He will be one of the greats in no time.

I bought a couple of books on tournament strategy. I got Gus Hansen's book Every Hand Revealed. I think this will be the most interesting read of all the books. Gus details every single hand he played and why he played from the 2007 Aussie Millions. He won the tourney and this book will give a great insight into one of the great poker minds. The funny thing about Gus is that everybody has him pegged as super loose/aggressive. However, what they don't realize is that he is a mathematical wizard and strategist. Everything he does he has a reason for doing. He has won 3 WPT titles and the Aussie Millions. I think he knows what he is doing. Not only that, but he is also a backgammon master. The other tournament book I got was the classic Sklansky on Tournament Hold'em. I have heard that this is the ultimate tournament book. So again, it will be a great book to read. Especially since I will be playing a lot more tournaments.

I bought a couple of books that relate to cash games as well. I loved the Harrington on Hold'em series. So, I decided to buy his series on cash games. It's a new series of books, so I am very interested to see what he has to say. Harrington is a great player, especially in tournaments. So I am intersted to see how he approaches a cash game and how it differs from his tournament strategy.

Finally, I bought the book How to Think Like a Poker Pro. I have read a couple of different reviews on the book and love the psychological aspect of the game. I feel that if you can get a good grasp on the psychology, especially your personal psychology, you will have a huge advantage over your opponents. Controlling your emotions and keeping yourself calm in a difficult situation is a big key to success. So I am interested to read this book and see what other peoples thoughts on the subject are.

So that is what I will be up to over the next few weeks. I'm going to try to up the number of tourneys I play and try to get into the FTOPS. Other than that, it's business as usual. Good luck at the tables.

Hell of a Run

I don't want to jinx myself, but I am on one hell of a run right now. I have cashed in a little over 60% of the sit and go's I've played in, and have run well at the cash tables. I have 4 days completed so far in the new Ironman challenge, only 16 more days for the silver level, and 21 more days for the gold level. I'll just have to make sure I stay on top of my points and get enough everyday I can. About a week ago, I had a horrible night and dropped a little over 10 buy-ins. However, over the past few days, I have won all the buy-ins back plus some. I have added quite a bit to my bankroll, and if I really wanted to, I could probably jump stakes again. However, I am going to stay at the current level, in case variance strikes over the next few days. It's inevitable and it will happen sometime. No matter how good you are, or think you are, variance will get you.
I am going to take a couple of shots at some FTOPS satelites and see if I can win entry. Hopefully all will go well. I will also be playing more token and tournament satelites. One of my goals in poker has been to play in the FTOPS series. Now that my bankroll is getting healthy, I am going to take some shots at winning an entry. I think if I get into the FTOPS I will do well.
A brief note about the tournaments I just played in. I played 4 sit and go's and cashed in three of them. In fact, I won all three. The one I didn't cash in, I went out 7th, and it was pretty horrible too. I had AA and came in for a raise of 340 with the blinds at 60/120. The button called, and the flop came J-10-9 with three spades. I only had about 1500 left, and led out for 600 into a pot of 860. The button shoved in, and I took my time. I only had 900 left, so I really couldn't fold at this point. I called, and he showed 77, but he had the 7 of spades. I had A of hearts and the A of clubs....of course a spade hit the river and I was gone. What can you do.
In the other tourneys though, I played brilliantly. I was short stacked when we got to 5 handed in two of the tourneys. Mainly because the tables were playing incredibly insane. It's unbelievable how bad some of the players online are. But I'm not going to say anything to them, because I want them to continue to play badly. If they improve their game, it will only make the games tougher. I would rather play against LAG's than very solid TAG's. I made a couple of moves late in the tourneys to get my hands on some chips, and stole the blinds when I could. I made a great play against a late position raiser. I was in the BB with 97 suited, and the button raised. He was extremely loose and had a very specific betting pattern that I discovered. He would minimum raise with trash and very marginal hands. He would raise 3 times with a decent ace, two big suited cards, and pairs. And he would raise 4 times the blind with premium hands. At least that was my observation. So anyway, I called his min raise, and the flop came J-6-3. I checked it to him with no pair and no draw. He bet the pot on the flop. Another observation I had on him, was that his c-bets were always the pot. I saw him bet half the pot with a big hand, but now he is c-betting the size of the pot. So I check-raised him from 400 to 1100. He folded...I think it was a good play against an overly aggressive player. The key is to stay alert to your opponents, and watch for any patterns you might find.
That is a huge key to success in poker. Noting players tendencies and patterns. Betting patterns are an incredible tell. That is why I don't adjust my bets and raises by much. I never minimum raise with aces and I am very rarely the first open limper. I change my raises by position, that is all. I do not change the size of my raise by strength of hand. If I'm in early position, I will raise from 2.5-2.7X's the BB. If I'm in middle position, I will raise from 2.7-3X's the BB. From late position I will raise from 2.7-3.5X's the blind. The only reason I vary my raise by position is because of position. When I am in early position, I am usually opening with some pretty strong hands. If I raise 3-4 times the blind from early, I usually won't get any action. However, if I open for a smaller raise, I tend to get a little more action. I don't mind that because I'm starting with a better hand than the callers, and can play after the flop. From middle position I make a little bigger raise because of fewer opponents behind me and to get a little more money in the pot. Pretty much the same reason from late position, only now I have the added strength of being able to act on my hand last after the flop. So with the added strength of having position on my opponents, and more money in the pot, it makes raising from late position even more powerful.
One thing you have to take note of, is the players who have acted in front of you and what they have done. If there is an open limper with a couple of callers, I will try to evaluate the strength of my hand in relation to the limpers. I don't like raising limpers from middle position, because of a couple reasons. First, a late player or one of the blinds may make a play at you and you won't get to see a flop. Second, if you raise from middle position with a marginal hand, players that call your raise are likely to be starting with the better hand. In my opinion, it is better to limp along with the others with a hand that plays well hot and cold, and is unlikely to be dominated. Just my thought.

Brief Update

I played a few sit and go's today, and cashed in a majority of them. Over the past few days, I erased the deficit I was in and have added to my bankroll. I've played well, played with patience, but at the same time I've played aggressively. I have found that when I play too passive, my results are abysmal. I have played some hands extemely well, and outside of losing the coin flips and other races, I have stayed out of trouble for the most part. Of course I ran into quite a few weak players and calling stations. Luckily, they didn't draw out with weak hands and draws. So it's been very encouraging over the last few days. I am going to start playing more satelite tournaments, multi-table tournaments, and token tournaments. Satelite tournaments are great. You win entry to a tournament, and if you cash, it's more than just a little more than your buy-in. If you satelite into a $26 tournament for $8, when you cash you win about $20 right off the bat. They give you a little more leverage to be aggressive around the bubble and just after the bubble bursts. Mainly because you have already doubled your entry and have nothing to lose. Players that have bought directly into the tournament only win a minimal amount and will usually tighten up to try and get a little deeper in the tournament. You need to know which players are looking to move up the ladder and which ones are willing to be aggressive to try and get their hands on some chips.
So it's business as usual. I have to stay agressive and pick my spots. I've been 3-betting a little more often and have been branching out and raising with a lot more hands. Of course, whenever you raise, you should have position on your opponents. One final thing, don't be the first to open limp, unless you have a preset plan. If you open limp, you should know what you are going to do if other players limp, another player raises, and you should have a basic gameplan together before you open limp. Just a thought.

Funny Side Note

I think it's hilarious when you open a pot early in a tournament and players overbet the pot. Here's an example. I open with AK suited for 100 when the blinds are 15/30. The player right behind me shoves in for 1500. A real poker player, if they have a hand, would re-raise to 250-350. Not players online. They go with a hand and just donkey shove before the flop. I see it all the time and it makes me laugh everytime. I folded the hand. I'm not going to risk my tourney with AK suited that early. I still had 1400 with the blinds small. Early in a tournament, there is no need to race off chips. I'm sure he had a small pair. Probably 99+, maybe even AK as well. Oh well, I'll find a better spot.

Tournament Update

The last couple of days have gone much better than the previous. I dropped about 10 buy-ins a few days ago, and decided to slowly get my head back in the game. I was playing well, I just kept getting unlucky and my hands were not holding up. So I took it slow over the next two days. The results were good. I cashed in a majority of the tourneys I played in. Over the past two days, I've played in 20 tourneys. I cashed in 12 of them, giving me a 60% in the money percentage. My normal percentage is about 44% so I'm running well right now. I won back the buy-ins I dropped, so I can get back to business as usual. I'm still planning on implementing my new strategy within the next couple of days and start taking some shots at multi-table tournaments. I'll also be branching out to play more cash games. I used to play cash games from time to time.
I qualified for the Bronze Ironman freeroll this month. So I'll be playing in that next Saturday. I also qualified for the One-a-day freeroll. I don't know how many people will be in that freeroll, so I may just take the bonus medals. There will be about 1,000 people in the Ironman freeroll. My experience with them is that about 2/3 of the field actually play the event. The rest sit out or just shove for the first few levels. First place will be about $1,200, so that would be a big boost to the bankroll. So I'll give them my best shot and whatever happens, happens.
My mind is really focused on poker right now. I feel like I'm playing really well right now. I've made some good laydowns and have upped the aggression a couple of notches. I found a minor leak in my game. When I get short, I tend to play a little too passive. I've made the mistake of trying to set mine with small pairs when I didn't really have the implied odds or the right situation to do it. So I need to stay alert and aggressive if I start to get short. Of course, from time to time, you have to win the 50/50, 60/40 races. That's just a part of the game. In one of the games tonight, I was getting short and we were 5 handed. I had about 8 big blinds. I shoved in the cutoff with 89 suited. The big blind called with AJ off and I caught an 8. The turn and river bricked and I doubled up. If I had shoved with a marginal ace or king, I would have been gone. That's why I always advocate shoving with pairs and hands that are not likely to be dominated. On a side note, I find it funny that players are willing to call off their stack and put their tournament on the line with some very questionable hands. It's one thing to be the one raising. It's totally different if you are the one calling. I've seen players call all ins for more than 75% of their stack with hands like; K7 off, Q8 suited, A4 off, 64 suited, and J9.
I've done some things really well over the past few days. The first of which is playing patiently at the beginning of a tournament. I've raised and three bet people with some hands, but have gotten away from hands when I should. Early in the tournament, I'm looking to make a big hand or hit a big draw. I try to stay out of marginal situations. I want to play small pots with small hands, and big pots with big hands. If I get some big hands, then usually I can grab the chip lead early and use those chips to pressure players later. If I don't get any kind of big hand or hit a big draw, then usually I'm in the middle of the pack and start to play position and move chips when I can. I don't look to push small edges early. That's just the way I play. I'll change gears and I'll make moves, but I'm not going to push with small hands, especially with small pairs.

On the Rise

So I dropped a little over 10 buy-ins the other night. I took it easy yesterday, and only played in 6 sit and go's. I cashed in 3 of them, and finished the night by winning one and taking second in the other. Tonight, I wanted to continue to take it easy and not overdo it. I only played in 3 tournaments, but cashed in all 3. 2 third place finishes and 1 second place finish. So I'm getting back to where I started. The main reason I'm not trying to overdo it, and play my usual amount, is to get my mind back on track. The other day really shook me, and I started to question whether my winning streaks and profit up to this point has just been luck or if I am a good player. I feel that the last two days have shown me that I am a good player and that it's no fluke that I've won and cashed in a lot of tournaments.
I just need to remember to not try and push against certain players, and play patient and wait for the right spots. I need to start 3 betting against certain players more often and not be afraid to play flops against overly aggressive loose players. That was one thing I was trying to focus on tonight. If I had position on a loose player, I would usually call in position with a pretty wide range of hands and try to outplay them on the flop. I was in late position with 97 suited. An early player raised, he had been raising a lot of hands. Most of the hands he showed were pretty marginal. He also varied his raises by the strength of his hand, from the hands I saw. He would raise the pot with premium hands, and raised less than 3X's the BB with marginal hands. So he raised about 2.5X's the blind, and I called with one other player in between. The flop came 8-6-3. The early player bet half the pot, and the player in the middle called. I had to ask myself, what did the early player have, and what did the middle player have to float a dry flop like this? There was no flush draw, and I had the best draw. I figured the early player probably had ace high or two big cards and was just c-betting the flop. I thought the player in the middle might have two overs and was just making a loose play to try and steal it on the turn, maybe had second pair. If he had top pair, I'm sure he would have raised, he was the kind of player that overvalued top pair. I wanted to find out who liked their hand and if anyone really had anything. So I raised 3.5X's the initial bet. The early player called, the middle player dropped out. So now I had the early player on A8, or just two big cards hoping to hit the turn. Again, I knew that if he had a hand or an overpair, he would have raised. The turn brought a 5, GIN!!! The early player now bet the pot into me. Do we have the same hand? It sucks when you have the same hand and have to chop the blinds and any calls with someone else. Did he really raise with 97 in early position? With this player, it's possible. I thought he was just posturing and was trying to steal the pot now. If I had a weak pair or just a draw, I would probably have to fold now. I smooth called the turn, after taking some time. He shoved the river, and I snap called when a 10 hit. He had A10, and I crippled him with the nut sraight.
So in the tourneys I've played, I didn't really see many hands OOP, but I did see some pretty good hands IP. That is one of the big keys to success in No Limit Hold'em. If you have position, you can really open up your starting standards and start to play the player and not your hand. I had some small pairs that I was trying to set mine with, but never really hit. The most frustrating hand, that almost tilted me was when I had 22 on the button. A tight passive player limped UTG. A loose player in middle position raised 4 times the blind. I was getting kind of short. I thought the early player was limping to raise. I folded, the early player called and the flop came K-2-2...UGH!!! But I just played patiently and waited for the right opportunity. I doubled through the chip leader, when he shoved on the button with A6 into my 99 that held. From there I just chipped away.
The lesson to learn, is that you need to stay patient and not shove with a weak or marginal hand. Don't get me wrong, you need to stay aggressive and try to steal blinds whenever possible. But at the same time, if you find yourself getting short, you have to wait for the right opportunity. Sometimes it just doesn't come, or you just can't seem to win. But you have to stay patient and find the right time. Once you get past the red M zone, you can open up a little more. But make sure you know what your stack is in relation to the other players and the blinds. Don't get blinded out, but don't shove into certain players without a hand that plays well hot and cold. I've been trying to stay away from shoving, when short, with weak aces and kings. I would rather shove with a pair or suited connector than A5. So many times I see a player call an all-in with A8+, and K8+. So if you shove with a weak king or ace, you may be dominated. If they call you with a pocket pair, you're a 2:1 dog. So make sure to try and shove with a hand that is not easily dominated and a hand you feel is live.
Anyway, just a quick update. It's late and I don't think I'm making sense right now. I'll try to get a lesson plan started. Almost back to square from the other night, so all is looking good right now.

Brutal

I'm on a really brutal run right now. Not in the good way either. Over the past 13 sit and go's, I've cashed in 2. One second place, and one third place. I've dropped around 10 buy-ins so far. What has been so brutal, is that I'm just not getting there on big draws, my big hands are not holding up, and I've been getting called by some really loose players. Some of the plays that were made against me, nothing could be done. Here's an example. I'm on the button with AA. A LAG makes a minimum raise in middle position and gets two callers. With so many players in the pot, I re-raised the pot. The small blind calls, as does the LAG. The flop comes 2-2-7 with two spades. The small blind bets out about 1/4th the pot. I re-raise all in, he calls. He has KK, I have AA....sweet. NO. He gets runner runner to catch the flush and I'm out. So nothing I could really do. Could he fold KK in that spot? Probably not. I'm sure he put me on a pretty big range, like 88+, AQ+.
I've had JJ 4 times and didn't win one pot with them. QQ 5 times, again didn't win one pot. AK suited and off about 22 times and won with it about 40% of the time. AA 6 times and only won 3 times with them. However, I did have KK 5 times and won 100% of the time. So, I kept getting my money in good and pounced on weakness a ton of times, but was up against some really loose calls.
The tournament I just played was another example of some pretty loose play. When we got to 5 handed, one guy kept pushing in for about 20 times the blind. I know he's not that strong most of the time, but knowing my luck when I made a move at him he would have AA or KK. I had made my standard small ball raise a few times and got re-raised in by the same player. So I finally pick up AA and make the exact same raise. He pushes in again. I call, of course. He has KJ suited. He catches a jack and bricks the rest. So now I'm sitting second, and he's short. The next hand I have A9 off and he pushes in again. I call, knowing I'm probably ahead. He has K6 off. He bricks out and is gone. The same types of plays pretty much go the rest of the way, I finished second.
It's just amazing how many times I saw people raise with nothing and get there on the end with all kinds of funky runner, runner combinations. Here's another example. I'm in the BB with KJ off and 5 limpers. It's early in the tourney with the blinds at 20/40 so there's no need to get crazy. The flop comes K-Q-10 rainbow. Top pair and open ended, I probably have the best hand or at least a draw to it. So I bet 2/3 of the pot. The player right behind me raises the minimum. Everyone else folds, I just call. The 7 of spades comes on the turn, putting two spades on board. I check, he bets the pot, I check-raise all in. He calls and shows A6 of spades. A spade hit the river and I was crippled. Little analysis on this hand. On the flop, when he raised, he only had 3 outs. So he was about 12% when he raised. I knew he didn't have two pair or the straight, I had been watching the hands he had been showing down. Plus he had been playing just about every hand. When the spade came on the turn, I thought he might have had a flush draw. So if I put him on the nut flush draw, he would have 11 outs. About 20% in the hand. Not bad, but I'll take a 3:1 advantage with one card to come every day of the week. He got there, but I eventually came back to get a respectable stack. I was eliminated in 4th in this tourney when my A10 went down to KQ. I pushed in for about 8 times the blind, and the BB who only had about 200 more than me called and flopped two pair. Oh well, kept getting it in good, but just couldn't do anything.
So hopefully this dry run will end soon. Maybe the cards will start cooperating and I can finally stop getting drawn out on by some pretty loose calls. Just have to stick to my mantra, get it in with the best and that's all you can do.