Satelittes

It was a very unproductive day at the tables. After nearly doubling early in the 1020 mega, I was unable to take advantage. With the blinds at 100/200, I re-raised AI with 77 against JJ, but tripled and doubled on the next two hands. With antes kicking in at the following level, I made a thin play at 100/200/25 with A2o. With two early limpers and an AI from middle position, I gambled with the acey-deucey. I was getting laid 2/1, but I would be in late position for the next three hands. Opponent had 88 and held.

Shortly after, I played a 1060 single table. I am not going to even paraphrase. Basically, I played awful. End of story...

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Congratulations, Travesty Fund, for a 1st place finish in the final preliminary event at LAPC!

Commerce

It has been a few days in L.A., but I haven't played very much. After two short sessions of 5/10 NL, I have a profit of $165. The competition is far from competition. Within fifteen minutes in the opening session, I managed to get AI with AA against 45 on a flop of 863. Fatso in suspenders made a straight and scooped $1,500 along the way. It was a big pot considering the maximum initial buy-in is $400. As consolation, I received an apology. Lol.

I am playing in the second mega satellite tomorrow evening. Thereafter, I will play in various cash games against clowns, unless I qualify for the main event via satellite.

Sunday Re-cap

After qualifying via 109 sat. in the second attempt, I was in the FTOPS M.E. for less than half of the entry fee. Three hours into the tournament, Toto Leonidas was on a short stack of (4) big blinds on the button. I shoved AI for ~10K from the CO, assuming Toto would call with any two cards, as he would unlikely have another heads-up situation. Toto called with A8 and I held, winning the bounting in addition to the pot. Thereafter, I was unable to gain any momentum. With the blinds at 400/800 and the blinds going up within the next minute, I raised AI for nearly 10K with A2o from the button. I am hesitant making this type of play, as it is very likely being in a dominated situation if an opponent calls. However, I went with the hand otherwise. The big blind called with A8 and that was that.

In the Sunday Million, I doubled early with AK v. AJ. It was a very awkward hand. I limped UTG and the BB minimum raised. Although the AI amount was very large, I went ahead with the original intention. GG, buddy. The next hand of signifigance came as the tournament approached the bubble. I raised 3x with AA and the BB re-raised AI with 99. The flop came A62. Turn 9. River 9!!! It was a little gross. At least I ended up backing into the money.

Doink

Bodog 100K - Washo

Million - Cash (just inside)

2nd Chance - Washo

HU Matches - 1st match

FTOPS - Doinked


I've had better days...

Rollercoaster of Emotions

Over the past two days, I have played GeorgeTheGitbag HU on Poker.com. Basically, he's got no shot. He plays conservative and extremely passive, both uncommon charateristics in HU. In a hand in which I flopped the nut straight, GTG c/r 3x on the flop. Since he only raises on rare occasions, I should have re-raised AI, assuming he held two pair or a set. Instead, I simply called planning on raising AI on the turn. However, the board paired, then double-paired, and GTG won the pot with a full house. I am still confused why it is he checked the river.

Shortly after, on a flop of 3d7s4s I held the 5d6d. (Note: When I mention specific suits, it indicates the obvious.) GTG bet $78 into a $12 pot. I was puzzled. It is not often an opponent bets in excess of 6.5x the size of the pot. I raised AI for $476 and was quickly called. GTG showed 74.

The turn was the 4d. Sigh...

However, the river brought the 7d! Straight flushyyy

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Congratulations, Jon Eaton, who was part of a two-way chop in the $1,500 NL at LAPC for 136K!

River Stars

After a short hiatus from Poker Stars, I played a couple tables of 3/6 NL (FR) this afternoon while grinding on Poker.com. Adaptation to non-Party cash games has certainly been a struggle. However, I have made a few adjustments in full ring cash games, which has resulted in feeling more comfortable in more aggressive online cash games. First of all, I am limping with a wider range of hands and raising less pre-flop, resulting in fewer squeeze situations. Also, I have experimented in limping with the intention on re-raising with AA, KK, AK, etc.

Here is a hand from today's session:

I limp re-raise UTG with AA to 54. Idiot calls 42.

Flop: KT8

Hero bets 70
Idiot calls

Turn: 6

Hero checks
Idiot bets 220
Hero raises all-in ~320
Idiot calls ~100

Hero shows AA
Idiots shows 77

River: 9

Sigh...

Monday Morning Quarterback

With the Indianapolis Colts winning the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning will surely be replaced in the media spotlight. I am not a Colts fanatic or have any financial interest in the Super Bowl, but I was still on the Peyton Manning and Indianapoli Colts bandwagon. I cannot stand the endless banter in questioning an athlete's greatness without having a championship on his/her resume. Thankfully, Manning can now be at peace. Who will replace Manning in the media spotlight?

In other NFL headlines, Brett Favre will be returning for another season. ESPN has been following Favre's retirement for about four years now. However, Favre has never retired or even gave strong indication of doing so during this time period. Therefore, I will have to boycott ESPN programming for another year, as I have already experienced a lifetime dossage of programming containing Brett Favre and retirement.

Tonight will be my last night spent in the condo until March 3rd, as the condo will transformed into a vacation rental for the next couple of weeks. Before leaving for Lawrence on February 13th, I will living at Mom & Pop's. After a week in Lawrence, I will be heading to Los Angeles with Gbecks for the L.A. Poker Classic.

Good tiddings...

Owned

Before the Super Bowl festivities this afternoon, I played 2/4 and 5/10 NL on Poker.com. After making an obvious mistake early on, I was stuck $500. Thereafter, it was all downhill. Golfguy has not missed a flop all week and I have probably lost nearly 4K to him throughout the week. He might as well been looking over my shoulder. I mean the guy cannot miss. On a flop of K65, I lead into him with A8. After which, I fired again on the turn. I had no chance; he turned a flush draw and I gave up on the river. I find it very annoying when an opponent calls with nowhere close to 3 to 1 on the turn with a draw with no intentions of bluffing the river. Especially when I am drawing slim against the marginal holding.

Here is the hand of the day...

After a coupld players limped, I raised to 60 with AsJs. Golfguy came in two seats behind with a call. Suprise, surprise...

The flop came 965 with a lone spade. I bet 120; Golfguy called. The turn brought the 4s. I checked; Golfguy bet 255; I raised to 800 (AI); Golfguy after some deliberation called 545. Golfguy shows 33; I brick; and I am real pissed.

He types, "I knew you had that. Actually, I thought you were stronger." Of course, he was conveniently assumed I held AK. Shortly after on 2/4, I held AK v 66 on a flop of K62. Against who? Golfguy, of course.

...

In other news, Badbeatme finished 2nd in the 1K at Council Bluffs for 32K and Looshle was part of a two-way chop in the 1K Limit Hold'em at Commerce for 52K. Congratulations!!!

...

Super Bowl: Colts

Inadequacy

I have been waiting for nearly 2 weeks for a $2,972 check via FedEx from Poker.com. The $28 fee was a nice little kicker. Here is the e-mail I recieved from them today:

Dear Michael Jensen,

We apologize for the slow processing of your withdrawal check for $2972.

yada, yada, yada

Part of the delay as well is that we have inadvertently sent you a check for $1, instead of the amount that you had asked for. This check should arrive either over the weekend or by Monday. This check is yours to cash. And keep in mind that the check you are waiting for will come to you next week.

Thanks for your patience and understanding in this matter

The check for $1 has been received! I am looking forward to cashing it next week.