Just finished a little Christmas poker. Should have stuck to the new Wii bowling.
Raised with KQ offsuit on the button, three limp along with my raise. Flop comes out 5JQ all clubs. I am holding the king of clubs. Everyone checks to me. I decide to bet it hard and find out where I am. Everyone folds except one dude who calls my 3/4 pot bet. Turn comes out with another queen. I have a set of queens with a second nut flush draw. He goes all in. I study and think he has a queen as well. Could he have AQ? QJ---Full house? Q5?, JJ for another full house? A made flush? Way too many options but I smell weakness and call. He flips up AJ with only ONE Club. He has two pair QQJJA and I have the set of queens. The river comes out with the 7 of CLUBS. And he takes down a BIG pot on me. No Christmas justice. Sorry to whine. Next time I'll play him in Wii bowling and see who wins..
Surgical Poker
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Ultimate Bet, Best Damn Poker Show
Never played much online. How many tables do most people play at one time, two, three, four?
It is certainly easier to stack up experience with hundreds of hands while online but I miss the ability to physically try to read my opponents. What do the online pros have as tells? Betting time and patterns? How does that translate into live games for the online pros?
Much to think about. Does more online experience lead to better live play?
It is certainly easier to stack up experience with hundreds of hands while online but I miss the ability to physically try to read my opponents. What do the online pros have as tells? Betting time and patterns? How does that translate into live games for the online pros?
Much to think about. Does more online experience lead to better live play?
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Best Damn Poker Show Period
Phil Hellmuth, Sirinda and AM on the Best Damn Poker Show. See all of the Surgical Poker Blog for Best Damn Poker commentary or check out the Surgical Poker Website.
Went all in with my 6-10 offsuit at the Best Damn Poker Show Period. Just kidding. :0
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Back in the Game at the Wynn
I have been WAY too busy with work and haven't played poker in a long time. A last minute trip to Vegas for Thanksgiving gave me the chance to stack up some chips. Before an amazing turkey dinner, I played the 5-10 NL game. I had never played at the Wynn before and when I arrived they were just starting a new game. I thought this was perfect for me because I am used to the Bay 101 rules where everyone buys in for a maximum. At the Wynn there is no max.So, I sat with my usual minimal/moderate stack and then watched as the table filled up. Most guys were in the same zone as me but then two guys came in for about $15,000 each! Talk about intimidating. Well, it actually helped. I wasn't about to mess with them especially early on. I also had Denny Crum the former Louisville basketball coach playing to my left. Was I in over my pay grade? Most likely.
I had amazing cards. AA three times in 90 minutes. And, the Aces held up each time. A set of queens finished an great three hour session and fortunately I had to go to dinner before the Big Stacks could eat me. It was a confidence building session for sure.
Moral of that story: If you are going to play with the private equity big boys, get hit in the face with the deck and get out. Not a bad way to get ready for the Best Damn Poker Show Period
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Chicken Head
The Chicken Head is the result of too much Tequila or perhaps not quite enough. My plan is to wear it at next year's World Series. Absolutely no one will take me seriously at the table......
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Great Cards, Easy Game
Played my typical 2-5 NL game at Bay 101. Sat down and in the BB and the guy under the gun made it 15 to go. Three other guys limped along. I looked down at 7-3 offsuit, close to the worse possible starting hand. With the pot odds of better to 6-1 on my money, I tossed my extra ten bucks into the pot. The flop came out 7-3-Q, with two hearts. I checked my two pair. The guy under the gun made it 25 to go. The two other guys folded. I thought about for a minute and then decided to raise to avoid the flush draw. Could the guy have AK of hearts? I didn't raise enough (50) as he quickly called. The turn brought a black A. He checked. Trapping with AQ? Afraid of the A?
I went all in. He thought for a long time and then called. The river brought another 7 and I filled up. What did he have? Phil Hellmuth--two black nines...
The session was simply amazing, bluffed with Q7 and won; 4-5 offsuit in small blind flops another two pair that holds up. And then finally, KK beats QQ for a BIG pot. I could do no wrong. It was an Everest avalanche of bad cards that connected with the flop and good cards that held up. Easy to love the game when all of that happens in a short session....
Surgical Poker.com
I went all in. He thought for a long time and then called. The river brought another 7 and I filled up. What did he have? Phil Hellmuth--two black nines...
The session was simply amazing, bluffed with Q7 and won; 4-5 offsuit in small blind flops another two pair that holds up. And then finally, KK beats QQ for a BIG pot. I could do no wrong. It was an Everest avalanche of bad cards that connected with the flop and good cards that held up. Easy to love the game when all of that happens in a short session....
Surgical Poker.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Swedish Tells: Tales from Stockholm
I slept for about 2 hours after arriving in Stockholm from San Francisco. I actually tried to play a little poker on the plane with some new fun friends from the city. Unfortunately, playing poker on a plane is not easy. I'll have to work on a portable table or something for next time.
Anyway, after my brief nap and and a shower I caught a cab to the Kroner Bar in the hip district of Stockholm. Danny and his friends were meeting there to watch an important soccer match. The top two teams in Stockholm were playing each other. We had frosty cold Czech beers and they ordered classic Swedish meatballs and potatoes for me. It was an excellent dinner and we had a great table at a sports type bar.
After dinner we headed to the Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm. We sat down at a 50/50 no limit table. I bought in for $800 US about 5,000 Swedish Crona. Early on I won a nice pot and then got AQ suited. The flop came out Q 4 9. I had raised preflop and decided to slow play top pair. The only guy left in the hand, made it 400 to go. I check raised him to 1200. He quickly called. The turn was a K. I cringed a little and weakly checked. He checked. The river was a 7. I was in weak mode. I checked again. He made it 2200 to go. I went into the tank. I didn’t think he had a K. Could he have QJ? Could he have AQ? He called a preflop raise, a check raise and then slowed down. He stuck his tongue out a little and I smelled weakness. I called and he flipped up J10 for a straight! I was crippled. I bought in for another 2000 crona and grinded my way back to about 4000. In the big blind I looked down at 55. Three guys made it 250 to go. I quickly called. The flop was K95 with two hearts. I thought about slow playing my set for a minute and then came to my senses. I put in 400 and two of the three guys folded. I actually just wanted to take the pot down right there. The turn was 8 of HEARTS. I thought for a moment and put in 500, not a big bet into the pot, a true probe bet. The Swedish guy went into the tank. Either he was a great actor or he had the flush. He went all in for about 1500 more and he stuck his tongue slightly out. I again smelled a little weakness. I thought for a long time and then decided I would try to confirm or deny a Swedish tell. I called and he turned over KQ with only one heart. The river was a blank and I won a nice pot. In general, sticking your tongue out is a “weak tell”. The other guy had stuck his tongue out even when he wasn’t in a hand I had noticed earlier or perhaps he WAS weak before the K made him a straight.
Moral: If you are going to play NL poker, you MUST pay attention and be willing to test your theories.
Great time to start my trip. Many thanks to Danny, Martin and their friends. I'll see you guys at next year's WSOP.
AM
Anyway, after my brief nap and and a shower I caught a cab to the Kroner Bar in the hip district of Stockholm. Danny and his friends were meeting there to watch an important soccer match. The top two teams in Stockholm were playing each other. We had frosty cold Czech beers and they ordered classic Swedish meatballs and potatoes for me. It was an excellent dinner and we had a great table at a sports type bar.
After dinner we headed to the Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm. We sat down at a 50/50 no limit table. I bought in for $800 US about 5,000 Swedish Crona. Early on I won a nice pot and then got AQ suited. The flop came out Q 4 9. I had raised preflop and decided to slow play top pair. The only guy left in the hand, made it 400 to go. I check raised him to 1200. He quickly called. The turn was a K. I cringed a little and weakly checked. He checked. The river was a 7. I was in weak mode. I checked again. He made it 2200 to go. I went into the tank. I didn’t think he had a K. Could he have QJ? Could he have AQ? He called a preflop raise, a check raise and then slowed down. He stuck his tongue out a little and I smelled weakness. I called and he flipped up J10 for a straight! I was crippled. I bought in for another 2000 crona and grinded my way back to about 4000. In the big blind I looked down at 55. Three guys made it 250 to go. I quickly called. The flop was K95 with two hearts. I thought about slow playing my set for a minute and then came to my senses. I put in 400 and two of the three guys folded. I actually just wanted to take the pot down right there. The turn was 8 of HEARTS. I thought for a moment and put in 500, not a big bet into the pot, a true probe bet. The Swedish guy went into the tank. Either he was a great actor or he had the flush. He went all in for about 1500 more and he stuck his tongue slightly out. I again smelled a little weakness. I thought for a long time and then decided I would try to confirm or deny a Swedish tell. I called and he turned over KQ with only one heart. The river was a blank and I won a nice pot. In general, sticking your tongue out is a “weak tell”. The other guy had stuck his tongue out even when he wasn’t in a hand I had noticed earlier or perhaps he WAS weak before the K made him a straight.
Moral: If you are going to play NL poker, you MUST pay attention and be willing to test your theories.
Great time to start my trip. Many thanks to Danny, Martin and their friends. I'll see you guys at next year's WSOP.
AM
Monday, July 02, 2007
World Series of Poker Room
It is almost impossible to describe the size of the WSOP poker room. It is a total poker orgy. There are literally hundreds of tables of guys and gals playing every type of poker from low ball to no limit. Cash games. Satellites. The sound of chips clicking and "blinds please" is everywhere. The rush of adrenaline from being that room is clearly potentially additive.
The chairs, bathroom facilities and food however all suck. More later.
AM Surgical Poker
$1500 WSOP Event 49
It was the third largest field EVER at the WSOP--well over 3000 people. My first table had a couple of European pros who were super aggressive. One guy almost went out on the first hand when JJ beat 99. We also had a super hottie dressed in a halter top who kept adjusting it. She busted out in less than an hour. That helped the rest of us who could then focus only on the cards.
I ran my chips up to $10000 by the first break and thought I was in great shape. Right after the first break, I got queens. I made it $800 to go after a couple limpers. The guy in the big blind called and the others folded. The flop came out 10-9-8 with two spades. The big blind checked. With a straight draw and an overpair, I thought I was good but I didn't want the BB to catch a card. So, I made it $2400 honestly just hoping he would fold. Instead of folding he came over the top and raised me. I went into the tank for 5 minutes and folded thinking he might have had pocket 10s. He flipped up pocket 88s and despite losing $3200 I felt okay. I then waited for 20-25 hands folding everything because I had NOTHING. On the button I got, K-7 suited. I was just trying to steal the blinds with an $800 raise when the BB called. The flop came out 447. The big blind checked. I thought I was good when I paired my 7 and wanted to end the hand. So, I made it $1200 to go. The BB reraised me! I thought he might have been slow playing a high pair so I folded. He turned over 8-4 OFFSUIT......CRAZY. He said he likes to play a variety of hands.
I then went into a total tight mode hoping to get a decent hand. Just before the end of the fourth level I looked down at K10 suited. My stack was now back down to $3000 and the blinds were about to go up. One guy called and I was in middle position. So I tried to make a move and went ALL-IN. Everyone else folded around to the first position limper. He studied me for a couple minutes and then called. I knew I was in trouble when he called. He was fairly tight. His AQ sent me to the rail.
I was steamed for several hours and upset that I didn't wait for a better hand. I probably shouldn't have played with K7 or K10 suited. They just aren't very good hands. They were, however, the best I saw and the blinds/antes were brutal with only $3000 in starting chips. I went out somewhere between 2200 and 2400. They don't post the numbers when their that high.
Overall, a great learning experience. I must admit I was fairly nervous and didn't read people well at all. I made one big mistake as well. I was in position 10 in the big blind. I thought everyone had folded over to me and I looked down at KK. I was disgusted to get a walk on such a great hand so I flipped them up. I didn't see the guy under the gun had made a $600 raise. The dealer looked at me and informed me of the raise. I immediately went all in. The guy folded and showed AK. He only had $1500 left at the time but that could have been mine.
Many lessons learned. I will be back next year
Next time how I got amazing cards in a cash game......
AM
I ran my chips up to $10000 by the first break and thought I was in great shape. Right after the first break, I got queens. I made it $800 to go after a couple limpers. The guy in the big blind called and the others folded. The flop came out 10-9-8 with two spades. The big blind checked. With a straight draw and an overpair, I thought I was good but I didn't want the BB to catch a card. So, I made it $2400 honestly just hoping he would fold. Instead of folding he came over the top and raised me. I went into the tank for 5 minutes and folded thinking he might have had pocket 10s. He flipped up pocket 88s and despite losing $3200 I felt okay. I then waited for 20-25 hands folding everything because I had NOTHING. On the button I got, K-7 suited. I was just trying to steal the blinds with an $800 raise when the BB called. The flop came out 447. The big blind checked. I thought I was good when I paired my 7 and wanted to end the hand. So, I made it $1200 to go. The BB reraised me! I thought he might have been slow playing a high pair so I folded. He turned over 8-4 OFFSUIT......CRAZY. He said he likes to play a variety of hands.
I then went into a total tight mode hoping to get a decent hand. Just before the end of the fourth level I looked down at K10 suited. My stack was now back down to $3000 and the blinds were about to go up. One guy called and I was in middle position. So I tried to make a move and went ALL-IN. Everyone else folded around to the first position limper. He studied me for a couple minutes and then called. I knew I was in trouble when he called. He was fairly tight. His AQ sent me to the rail.
I was steamed for several hours and upset that I didn't wait for a better hand. I probably shouldn't have played with K7 or K10 suited. They just aren't very good hands. They were, however, the best I saw and the blinds/antes were brutal with only $3000 in starting chips. I went out somewhere between 2200 and 2400. They don't post the numbers when their that high.
Overall, a great learning experience. I must admit I was fairly nervous and didn't read people well at all. I made one big mistake as well. I was in position 10 in the big blind. I thought everyone had folded over to me and I looked down at KK. I was disgusted to get a walk on such a great hand so I flipped them up. I didn't see the guy under the gun had made a $600 raise. The dealer looked at me and informed me of the raise. I immediately went all in. The guy folded and showed AK. He only had $1500 left at the time but that could have been mine.
Many lessons learned. I will be back next year
Next time how I got amazing cards in a cash game......
AM
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Poker VIP and Royalty Rooms
I arrived at the WSOP on Friday and played a little cash game and then bought in for Event 49, the $1500 buyin. I tried my luck at a sat. game and took third for NO money. Then my luck changed. Phil Hellmuth sent me a text and asked me to dinner.
On the way to dinner he took me to both the Poker VIP room and the Poker Royalty room. They have a high Wii System inside the royalty room and we played a little of the bowling game with Daniel Negreanu watching and Greg Raymer in the next room. That game is addictive....
We then went to the VIP lounge and saw Doyle Brunson playing chinese poker. I tried not to gawk and didn't take any pictures but it was amazing. We then went to dinner at Gaylord's. Not a bad beginning to the WSOP.
Next time: The WSOP's third largest field EVER. I felt like I was at the BIG HOUSE (Michigan's Football Stadium). Also, I met a nice pro from Sweden and a super HOTTIE at my first table.......
AM Surgical Poker
On the way to dinner he took me to both the Poker VIP room and the Poker Royalty room. They have a high Wii System inside the royalty room and we played a little of the bowling game with Daniel Negreanu watching and Greg Raymer in the next room. That game is addictive....
We then went to the VIP lounge and saw Doyle Brunson playing chinese poker. I tried not to gawk and didn't take any pictures but it was amazing. We then went to dinner at Gaylord's. Not a bad beginning to the WSOP.
Next time: The WSOP's third largest field EVER. I felt like I was at the BIG HOUSE (Michigan's Football Stadium). Also, I met a nice pro from Sweden and a super HOTTIE at my first table.......
AM Surgical Poker
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Off the World Series of Poker
I am leaving Friday for Vegas and the World Series of Poker. It should be an amazing time.
My plan is to play in the $1500 no-limit event starting Saturday. Via this blog, I will send in updates. Stay tuned........
AM
My plan is to play in the $1500 no-limit event starting Saturday. Via this blog, I will send in updates. Stay tuned........
AM
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Bubble Boy AGAIN
I just played in the Bay 101 Saturday tourney as a tune up for the WSOP. This time I finished 13/89 players. Please comment on how I played my final two hands. We were down to 15 players and I was in the bottom three at my table with about 20,000 chips. The blinds were 2000/4000 so it was almost desperado time.
I was in the big blind when the guy under the gun went all in with his last 17,000 in chips. A tight and strong player two to his left came over the top for his last 25,000 in chips. All other players folded to me. I look down and see AJ off-suit. Finally, I paused and thought about it for several minutes. I concluded that at least one of those players could/did have AQ or AK or perhaps QQ/KK. With two players going all in before me, I decided reluctantly to fold. I evacuated my bowels when the flop came AJ5 rainbow and one guy flipped up A6 diamonds and the other guy KQ offsuit. The A6 held up and I was disgusted because I could have TRIPLED up and sailed into the final table.
Two hands later, I fortunately got two black nines on the button. One guy put in 15000 before I had to act and I insta went all in. He grinned and insta called with wired queens. His queens were good when no nine, straight or flush hit the board and I was on the rail in 13 place.......
Suggestions>>>>>>>>>>>>
I was in the big blind when the guy under the gun went all in with his last 17,000 in chips. A tight and strong player two to his left came over the top for his last 25,000 in chips. All other players folded to me. I look down and see AJ off-suit. Finally, I paused and thought about it for several minutes. I concluded that at least one of those players could/did have AQ or AK or perhaps QQ/KK. With two players going all in before me, I decided reluctantly to fold. I evacuated my bowels when the flop came AJ5 rainbow and one guy flipped up A6 diamonds and the other guy KQ offsuit. The A6 held up and I was disgusted because I could have TRIPLED up and sailed into the final table.
Two hands later, I fortunately got two black nines on the button. One guy put in 15000 before I had to act and I insta went all in. He grinned and insta called with wired queens. His queens were good when no nine, straight or flush hit the board and I was on the rail in 13 place.......
Suggestions>>>>>>>>>>>>
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Phil Hellmuth with Beatles LOVE Show Cast Member
Cirque du Soleil has a new show in Vegas called LOVE with all Beatles music. It is simply amazing. It is at the Mirage. Check it out if you get a chance......
Surgical Poker
Sunday, May 20, 2007
TAO Beach Party
Saturday in Vegas was CRAZY. Here is one of the several pix from that night. I think these girls will be on Howard Stern next week.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Blue Man Group gets ready for WSOP
Let's see if anyone can read me
if I wear this at the World Series of Poker!
if I wear this at the World Series of Poker!
Friday Tourney at Bay 101
It is about six weeks until I hit Vegas for the WSOP. So, I started my training with the Friday Bay 101 tourney. A field of 94 signed up today.
Early on I hit a couple of nice hands and had 5x the starting chips at the first break. With the add on I was in good shape and decided to cruise for a while. Perhaps I should have pushed it hard with my stack because I went card dead and until there were about 45 people left. I got a little frisky with 56 suited on the button and raised it 3x the big blind. The guy who had called under the gun instantly called me and I knew I was in trouble. That was until the flop came outt 5-5-Q. The guy under the gun then bet with his shirt shaking indicating he had a queen with a big kicker. He went all in because he had only a moderate amount left. Too bad he didn't have more. My trip 5s held up and I was back in the hunt.
The blinds go up every 20 minutes in this gig so my 18,000 that looked so good after the trip fives, was a little thin when the blinds went up to 1500/3000. We were now down to 22 players and I thought I needed to start moving with almost anything decent. In the BB after 6 more players were eliminated with A-7 offsuit I was ready to push when a guy in the middle pushed all in for 20k. I thought about for a while and then folded. The next hand, I again I looked down at A-3 again offsuit. Getting ready to push in, I heard ALL-in from another middle player. I hate not having first mover pressure power so again I folded. Was I being too tight?? Should I have gone in with one or perhaps both of these hands???
The next hand I felt pretty good about my choice to fold when I was on the button and woke up with K6 suited. Everyone folded around to me and pushed in. I was feeling smart until the BB called and had me dominated with A3 suited. No diamonds came for me and an Ace popped up on the turn to send me to the showers. I finished 15/94 out of the money.
Any thoughts on end game short stack management?? I need to improve to get ready for the World Series of Poker
Surgical Poker
Early on I hit a couple of nice hands and had 5x the starting chips at the first break. With the add on I was in good shape and decided to cruise for a while. Perhaps I should have pushed it hard with my stack because I went card dead and until there were about 45 people left. I got a little frisky with 56 suited on the button and raised it 3x the big blind. The guy who had called under the gun instantly called me and I knew I was in trouble. That was until the flop came outt 5-5-Q. The guy under the gun then bet with his shirt shaking indicating he had a queen with a big kicker. He went all in because he had only a moderate amount left. Too bad he didn't have more. My trip 5s held up and I was back in the hunt.
The blinds go up every 20 minutes in this gig so my 18,000 that looked so good after the trip fives, was a little thin when the blinds went up to 1500/3000. We were now down to 22 players and I thought I needed to start moving with almost anything decent. In the BB after 6 more players were eliminated with A-7 offsuit I was ready to push when a guy in the middle pushed all in for 20k. I thought about for a while and then folded. The next hand, I again I looked down at A-3 again offsuit. Getting ready to push in, I heard ALL-in from another middle player. I hate not having first mover pressure power so again I folded. Was I being too tight?? Should I have gone in with one or perhaps both of these hands???
The next hand I felt pretty good about my choice to fold when I was on the button and woke up with K6 suited. Everyone folded around to me and pushed in. I was feeling smart until the BB called and had me dominated with A3 suited. No diamonds came for me and an Ace popped up on the turn to send me to the showers. I finished 15/94 out of the money.
Any thoughts on end game short stack management?? I need to improve to get ready for the World Series of Poker
Surgical Poker
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hole Number 12 at Augusta National
This is the famous hole #12 at the Masters. Part of Amen Corner. Rae's creek is seen in the front. It is a very short hole but played as one of the toughest during the 2007 tourney.
Masters Scoreboard
Here is a look at the famed Masters Scoreboard. In the days ahead, I'll post more pics of the par three course, some of the holes and some North Augusta talent.
Surgical Poker Hits the Masters
Thanks to Surgical Poker correspondent JR, AM landed at the Master Golf Tourney this year. To say it was amazing is an understatement.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Ultimate Bet Tourney
I am very new to the online poker world. Tried my luck at a UB Friday night tourney. A total of 270 players. Played super tight for 2 hours and built my stack with a nice river straight just before the break. Flopped trip sevens to triple up a little later and then put it on cruise control for another hour. I stole several small pots with my new found stack and clawed my way to second place with 50 players left and the top 40 getting paid.
That's when the big cards starting coming. AQ unsuited early. I make it 3x to go and everyone folds except the biggest stack who is seated at my table. The flop comes all low cards. I put in 1/2 pot size bet and the big stack goes over the top. I stall for a while and then fold. There goes 25% of my stack. I stall a little more and decide to again wait for only good cards. The button passes around and again I get AQ unsuited. Again, I make it 3x to go and this time the big stack goes ALL in. There are 44 players left and I am not interested in going broke. So, I fold. The blinds are now rocketing up with the antes. I am not quite desperate but getting close with now 42 players left and me in the small blind. That's when I get 44. Everyone folds except the button who makes it 3x to go. I think for a long while. Do I limp in? Do I reraise? I am not going to fold. Not getting any real world clues, I decide that it isn't enough just to make the money. I want to be in the top 5 or better. My stack is half his so I chose to put him to the test and went all in. The big blind folded and he called in light speed flipping up KK.
I am out before I can spell Bubble....
Any thoughts?
Surgical Poker
That's when the big cards starting coming. AQ unsuited early. I make it 3x to go and everyone folds except the biggest stack who is seated at my table. The flop comes all low cards. I put in 1/2 pot size bet and the big stack goes over the top. I stall for a while and then fold. There goes 25% of my stack. I stall a little more and decide to again wait for only good cards. The button passes around and again I get AQ unsuited. Again, I make it 3x to go and this time the big stack goes ALL in. There are 44 players left and I am not interested in going broke. So, I fold. The blinds are now rocketing up with the antes. I am not quite desperate but getting close with now 42 players left and me in the small blind. That's when I get 44. Everyone folds except the button who makes it 3x to go. I think for a long while. Do I limp in? Do I reraise? I am not going to fold. Not getting any real world clues, I decide that it isn't enough just to make the money. I want to be in the top 5 or better. My stack is half his so I chose to put him to the test and went all in. The big blind folded and he called in light speed flipping up KK.
I am out before I can spell Bubble....
Any thoughts?
Surgical Poker
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Ted Forrest wins Shooting Star
Ted Forrest outlasted the talented field in one of the longest WPT events ever. He took home over a million. In his CardPlayer interview he said he doesn't have any plans for the money. I suggest we start a list of ideas and send it to him. Hey Ted, I am looking for a sponsor to the WSOP main event. Can you spare $10,000?
SurgicalPoker.com
SurgicalPoker.com
Final Table of Shooting Star $2000 Event
This is the final table of the $2000 Bay 101 event. There are mostly pros at this table but can you spot the Bay 101 regular who is mixing it up with the best??
SurgicalPoker.com
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Clonie Gowen at the Bay 101 Main Event
Clonie Gowen, one of Surgical Poker's favorite players at the Shooting Star. She was at the same table as David Williams. Later, on Day 1 she was out. Hopefully, she'll be back.
Bay 101 Shooting Star Day 1A
This is a view from the floor of the Bay 101 Card Room about 2 hours into Day 1A of the Main Event.
Surgical Poker
Phil Hellmuth Playing the Shooting Star
Phil playing in the Shooting Star, Day 1. Unfortunately, much later that day his AK suited got cracked by pocket rockets and he was out.
Surgical Poker
Phil Hellmuth at Bay 101 Shooting Star
AM here with Phil Hellmuth as he enters the Bay 101 Shooting Star in San Jose, California.Surgical Poker
Ms. M makes the Top Ten at Bay 101 $2000 Event
I was one spot away from the WPT Spotlight Link (World Poker Tour) http://www.worldpokertour.com/players/?x=womenplayers&womenplayers=1
As most of you know I fallen on the Poker wagon and have been doing pretty well with it. I mostly play no-limit cash games but wanted to play the WPT-WSOP that San Jose Bay 101 is hosting this week. I occasionally go to Bay 101 and play some cash games where I've also met some new friends.
On Sunday I played my first WPT Event for a buy in of $2000, which half was staked. If I place in the money I would give the sponsor 40%. My current sponsor is a player that I met at Bay 101 who usually plays the $100-$200 limit game. The game started with 250 players and about 40 pro players (Todd Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Gavin Smith, Steve Wong, Miami John etc.) with everyone starting with 10,000 in chips at
I got down to the final table of ten players (seven of the ten were pros) with $70k in chips, with the average chip count at $300k. At this point it was
If I would have been able to make the next day, I would have at least made an additional $2500 or much more, had an article in Mercury News (this writer from Mercury News was preparing this story about me if I made the final table), I would also have been tracked by WPT with my wins on the website.
M
Comment from AM: Next time I am willing to stake Ms. M. Or, perhaps she can give me some lessons!@
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Ultimate Bet No Limit Post
This is a post from Nar PowPow, a Surgical Poker Correspondent who plays online at Ultimate Bet and Full Tilt Poker. This is a recent hand of no limit. Please post any thoughts.
narpowpow posts the small blind of $.50.
rbsx posts the big blind of $1.
narpowpow posts the small blind of $.50.
rbsx posts the big blind of $1.
narpowpow: Qc Qh
Pre-flop:
CompanyBot folds. thefifthman calls. Barthozzz
folds. blackNmild84 folds. narpowpow raises to $4.
rbsx folds. thefifthman calls .
Flop (board: 7c Ts 7h):
narpowpow bets $9. thefifthman raises to $36.
okay...nervous that he caught trips, but, again, donkey...hoping he was bluffing. he'd done it several times and gotten caught, showing crap or folding. so i decide to be aggressive...too aggressive, granted.
narpowpow goes all-in for $83.65. thefifthman goes all-in for $67.25.
OKAY...figured i'm screwed now, and that he had called my pre-flop raise with 2 7 or some such crap and caught trips or 10 7 and flopped a boat.
Turn (board: 7c Ts 7h 9c):
(no action in this round)
River (board: 7c Ts 7h 9c 5h):
(no action in this round)
Showdown:
narpowpow shows Qc Qh.
narpowpow has Qc Qh 7c Ts 7h: two pair, queens and sevens.
thefifthman shows 3d Td. HOLY CRAP...not only did he call my preflop raise with shite, he went all in with top pair/pathetic kicker.
thefifthman has Td 7c Ts 7h 9c: two pair, tens and sevens.
Hand #37041367-186689 Summary:
$3 is raked from a pot of $143.50.
narpowpow wins $140.50 with two pair, queens and sevens. mmm, mmm tasty.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Black Bullets Drag Monster
I was playing at my usual 2-5 spread limit game at Bay 101 and frankly getting beat up by a couple loose aggressive players. I was a little intimidated and slightly on tilt after my AA-99 lost a big pot to trip fives. I bought in again and settled in waiting for a hand to play against one of the very good players.
When I looked down at the black bullets in my hand, I knew it might be my time. Someone ahead of me made it $25 to go and I promptly put it up another $100 hoping at least one but no more than two people would call. Everyone folded except the guy earlier who took $200 from me with the trip fives. He called. The flop came out K97, all clubs. I unfortunately or fortunately had to act first. I knew he might have a made flush but with the Ace of clubs in my hand, I felt like I had to put the pressure on him.
I made it $200 to go and he immediately called. I only had about $55 left so I am not sure why he didn't put me all in. Now, I was convinced he had a flush and that my aces had been cracked. The turn came out with a five of diamonds. I tossed my last chips in and told him I had the flush. He called anyway. The river was a beautiful 2 of clubs giving me the nuts. I flipped it up and he showed his buddy and then mucked. Later I found out he had QQ with the Q of clubs. The pot was juicy and my biggest ever.
I am not sure if I learned anything on this hand but it obviously made my day......
AM SurgicalPoker.com
When I looked down at the black bullets in my hand, I knew it might be my time. Someone ahead of me made it $25 to go and I promptly put it up another $100 hoping at least one but no more than two people would call. Everyone folded except the guy earlier who took $200 from me with the trip fives. He called. The flop came out K97, all clubs. I unfortunately or fortunately had to act first. I knew he might have a made flush but with the Ace of clubs in my hand, I felt like I had to put the pressure on him.
I made it $200 to go and he immediately called. I only had about $55 left so I am not sure why he didn't put me all in. Now, I was convinced he had a flush and that my aces had been cracked. The turn came out with a five of diamonds. I tossed my last chips in and told him I had the flush. He called anyway. The river was a beautiful 2 of clubs giving me the nuts. I flipped it up and he showed his buddy and then mucked. Later I found out he had QQ with the Q of clubs. The pot was juicy and my biggest ever.
I am not sure if I learned anything on this hand but it obviously made my day......
AM SurgicalPoker.com
Monday, February 19, 2007
Bay 101 Super Satellite for the WPT Shooting Star
Sucks outs beat skill. On President's Day, I played in the Bay 101 Super Satellite. The top 6 players received a seat to the $10,000 WPT Shooting Star. My initial table was 3-4 loose aggressive players mixed in with a maniac and 3 rocks. I was simply trying to survive in the middle of the tourney when the button came around to me. At that point, I was a short stack but not THE short stack. I looked down at 2-4 of diamonds. Everyone quickly folded to me. That left the maniac small blind and the super tight big blind. I had a pretty tight image so I went for it and pushed all in simply to steal the blinds. The small folded but the big blind thought FOREVER and then called with pocket eights.
I said "you got me". The flop comes out Q-5-3, no diamonds. Okay, now I am praying for an Ace to make a wheel. The turn is an eight, making my rock friend trips. I start to get up from the table as a six floats on the river giving me my straight and life. The Rock didn't like what I was cooking on that hand. More later on he got back at me....
Surgical Poker.com
I said "you got me". The flop comes out Q-5-3, no diamonds. Okay, now I am praying for an Ace to make a wheel. The turn is an eight, making my rock friend trips. I start to get up from the table as a six floats on the river giving me my straight and life. The Rock didn't like what I was cooking on that hand. More later on he got back at me....
Surgical Poker.com
Sunday, January 21, 2007
World Series of Poker 2007 Schedule
The WSOP just released its WSOP 2007 schedule. Click here to view.
There are a total of 55 events with number 55 being the $10,000 No Limit Championship. Cards for this year's WSOP will be in the air June 1 to July 17th.
Anyone interested in going or participating??
Surgical Poker.com
Friday, January 19, 2007
In a Coma
Played my usual game today but twice mucked my cards when I could have split or won the pot. I was in a daze most of the time and was lucky to come out even for the session. One board was 10-10-K-J-J and I mucked 8-9 when a guy showed his Q. The board would have played and I lost half of the pot. The second was when I had QQ and two guys folded to my raise. Being in position one and being in a coma caused me to miss that one guy had already called the blinds. I mucked my cards and reached for the pot when he said he would call. Thus, the pot was his no matter what he had. A total f- up on my part. He offered to split the pot with me and I took him up on that one.
Keep your head in the game or GET OUT!
AM
Keep your head in the game or GET OUT!
AM
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I was playing my typical 3-5 Spread Limit game at Bay 101 when I looked down at pocket sevens in late position. Several people had limped in and I joined the almost family pot. The flop came out J-4-4. The first three players checked. I made it 25 bucks to go thinking I could just take it down right there with my sevens. The button guy quickly called and everyone else folded. The turn is another 7. What a country! (Insert Borat Accent here).
That gives me a full house so I ponder for a hollywood moment and then check it. The button checks it as well. The river is a queen. So, I tried to look pathetic and bet out 25 bucks into a hundred dollar pot hoping he will call me just to keep me honest.
He thinks for just a second and then raises me all-in for his last $75. Now, I am thinking. Was he slow playing pocket Jacks and has a bigger boat? Did he make the boat on the river queen? Is he bluffing??? My read was he was strong.
I couldn't let go of my boat for $75 so I called and he flipped up 7-4 offsuit for a 44477 boat. Fortunately, my 77744 boat beat his! He had me nailed until the turn.
Should he have bet his trips or checked on the flop?
AM SurgicalPoker
Friday, January 05, 2007
World Series of Poker 2007
Does anyone know the schedule for the 2007 World Series of Poker??I am thinking about entering one of the $1500 events. Can't seem to find a schedule online anywhere.
AM
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