... poker Face ... adventures in Full Tilt

I generally love all aspects of poker and one that tends to be overlooked but has just as much strategy involved as hold 'em is Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha (not H/L) to be exact. I dip in and out of PLO tables every now and then just to switch it up and today was apparently a good day to do that. I sat down with $50 to begin with and was getting decent hands but nothing past the flop in terms of hitting then I got two hands that got my table roll up to $120, at which point I immediately cashed out, a hit and run, if you will. Now, I'm no PLO wunderkind but I know how to play the game and for anyone who appreciates the game of poker on a strategic level and skill level should learn to play Omaha, if not by playing .1/.2 cent tables but by watching others play. It's a really entertaining alternative to NLHE.

So, after class today I came home to my computer deciding it was the perfect day for grinding considering the rain outside, the array of programming before me (Greek, Tigers game vs. the Twins [that got postponed bc of the rain] and Mercy re-runs). So, I hopped on Full Tilt and began my quest (mostly for 50 pts because I desperately want an Iron Man chip :) Sat down at some cash tables and was doing pretty well and staying up at both of my tables. Watched my shows and then decided to play a 90 man and the Fifty-Fifty and after playing for about an hour and a half in that, I got dicked over by some dude with AQ vs. my 77, he rivered, as usual. So after realizing that I've been about 1000% more profitable playing the ring games rather than tourneys, decided to sit down at another .50/1 table with my usual $100 (max buy-in). Bauer (the boy) was watching me as well as playing in his own tourney and then the 7th hand at this table comes, and as usual with big hole cards, I announced that I had pocket KK. So here is it ...

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with K

, K

1 fold, Hero bets $3.75, 1 fold, MP2 raises to $12, 5 folds, Hero calls $8.25

Flop: ($25.50) 10

, 10

, 2

(2 players)

Hero bets $12, MP2 calls $12

Turn: ($49.50) 5

(2 players)

Hero checks, MP2 bets $30, Hero raises to $92.20 (All-In), MP2 calls $62.20

River: ($233.90) 7

(2 players, 1 all-in)

Total pot: $233.90

SOOOOOOO, after that, I was clearly miffed and decided to up my ante (haha, poker pun) and grind my money back considering I was now down almost $200 on the night and I was not happy with this. I swear Bauer was afraid to speak on the phone after that hand happened. So I sat down at a 6 handed $1/$2 with the intent of grinding my way back to even on the night. I was playing for probably about 30 or 40 hands, +/- $15 in either direction and then the big one happened. So I originally sat down with $200 at the table and after this hand was sitting at $380. Now, I'll be honest this was a total suckout on my part but at the same time, the guy I was playing against was a total nit and had been raising every single hand regardless of his hole cards so I think of it as payback.

So. Im sitting in the BB with A

off and he raises to $6 and everyone else folds but I call.

The flop comes A

and he's first to act and bets out $12 and seeing as I honestly do think I have him beat at this point I raise to $25 and he flat calls.

The turn comes the 6

which in turn gives me a gut shot straight draw on top on my pair of aces. Now, seeing as this guy will raise anything I know theres a really slim chance he has an ace so I know I'm good there so I can only really put him on mid pair with a draw and possible two pair. Anyway, after the turn, he bets out $62 which leaves him with only $75 left so thinking I've got him beat I shove him all in and he snap calls showing his 8

giving him two pair off the flop (I told you, he's a nit and will raise with anything).

So, obviously at this point I'm def. behind but for whatever reason I knew I was going to win this hand and stick it to him for failing at poker. Then the most glorious thing ever happened and the 6

comes, therefore pairing the board and giving me a better two pair for a pot of $334.45.

I snap called Bauer and told him I was now back to even on the night and we were both very happy :)

So then, I was feeling pretty good and about 3 hands later, I got A

in the BB and figured I'd play at least a few more hands since I was running so well. The guy to my left raises to $7 and gets two callers, myself included.

The flop comes Q

and I'm feeling very confident with my top pair, top kicker, and A

. I figure I'll throw out a feeler/value bet and I'm first to act so I bet out $11 and get both to call making the pot now $55.

The turn then is J

and figure I'll check and show weakness and let the others bet into me, although they were apparently all thinking the same as it gets checked down and then comes the river which is another J

.

Now, at this point, I honestly feel I have the best hand based on what everyone else at the table has done. The only guy at the table I'm possibly worried about is the initial raiser so I bet out $10 to get a feel for where they both are with every intention of calling any raise. My intuition was correct and the original raiser re-raises to $54 and the next guy folds leaving it up to me. Looking at the board, there are about 20 other hands that beat me but I feel like I have him and he's just trying to buy the pot. I make the call (or soul read) and he shows K

and shows me busting his flush draw leaving me with a cool $462.15 and a good close on the night and up over a hundred on the day. Bankroll pic to follow :)

So, after a true day of all of pokers ups and downs, I was reminded in the end what I love about poker and that's that it takes a lot more than luck to win.

End of day Bankroll