Poker Games Diary

February 2004

February 24
I went to the Commerce to watch the taping of the WPT final table. I had a great time. After the event, I made sure I congratulated Antonio Esfandiari and then talked to Gus Hansen for a couple of minutes. I have only met him twice, but he has been extremely nice on both occasions. After the event and talking to a few more people, I went downstairs to the high limit poker area and saw Phil Ivey. I haven't seen him in awhile and tried to talk to him for a few minutes, but he didn't pay me much mind. He was playing on a table with Barry Greenstein and Gus Hansen and a few other big name players. I talked to Barry about the profile I am working on and he was friendly and helpful. After being ignored by Phil, I am now going to have to replace him as my favorite tournament player in the world. Gus Hansen was my second favorite, but has now officially moved to number one.

February 22
I mentioned that I did not win my seat into the WPT event because I sold my satellite certificate. After hearing about the turnout, I was a little disappointed in myself again. There were 382 entries into the event for a first prize of $1,389,000. A nice chunk of change. Unlike Paul Phillips, this money would definitely change my life! Not only would this be a good chance to win a huge amount of money, but I would have also had the chance to compete with many of the best players in the world. I am going to focus on my No Limit game more and next season, I will compete with these players.

Since I missed playing for a million, I decided to play some online single table No Limit sit-and-go's. I also played in a $50 multi-table tourney in between and only made it through half the field. I won the first sit-and-go I played. I won the second one as well, and it turned out to be interesting. We got to four people and I was the shortest stack at the table. I was only playing one game at the time and it made it easy for me to focus on each player and what they were capable of. All three of them very seldom raised the blinds and when they played they bet every street to the river. I figured my best way to beat them would be to raise as much as I could and never see a flop. I did this and, one blind at a time, put myself into the lead. It was very easy to dominate the table because all players were afraid to call any raises. I raised with hands from AA to 72 (literally). When we got to three people, there was a hand that took place where I eliminated an opponent when he held a superior hand. He held AK and I held QJ (queen of diamonds). I was in the big blind ($200) and he raised four times the amount of the blind. I had him outchipped and knew I was capable of overcoming the loss because of his inability to steal blinds, and I also knew he'd probably go to the river if I had him beat, so I decided to see a flop. The flop was KT6 (two diamonds). I led out with a $1000 bet. I figured I would try and take the pot right then and there. He only doubled my raise giving me about 4-1 on my call. I called the $1000 and turned the A diamonds. There was a possible flush out there and I held the nut flush draw with the made straight. I checked, knowing that he was going to commit suicide on the hand. He moved all-in on the turn for $2550 and it was a no-brainer call for me. When we turned our hand over, I realized I was in good shape because his AK only had four outs in the deck. After he was eliminated, he bitched and complained about how I had made a horrible play, etc. I found myself engaging in conversation with this clown who had no clue as to why I played my hand the way I did. If he had moved all-in on the flop, I would have folded. Instead he made a cheap bet I could call, and then bet all his chips when it came a bad card for his hand. He could not have played his hand worse. I thanked him while he was cussing me out in the chat box. There is nothing worse than a sore loser. I finally told him to cry somewhere else.

After I eliminated the other player, I looked in the lobby to see what sit-and-go I was going to sign up for next and there was his name (as well as the second place finisher). I jumped right in. Most of the game was uneventful, but the end of it finished in a fury. By the way, the crybaby was eliminated in sixth place. When the tournament got to be four handed, I was second in chips in the small blind with QQ. The first player to act moved all-in, the second player called all-in and I also called. The first player held AK, the second had 55. The board was JT976 and my queens held up. The first hand of heads up play, I folded my small blind. On the second hand the tournament was over. I held JT clubs and called his raise. The flop was KT4 with two clubs on board. I checkraised him all-in. I was very surprised at the hand he turned over. He held 77 with no clubs in his hand. He called off 3/4 of his chips with just a draw to the one offsuit seven.

I was very pleased with my play on all the tournaments tonight. I was three for three in the sit-and-go's and made it through half the field on the multi-table. I am going to keep on playing and next year, I will be ready to play on at least one of the World Poker Tour events.

February 20
I have been at Commerce a lot during their L.A. Poker Classic and was very disappointed I did not see my favorite tournament player, Phil Ivey, enter one of these events. I am sure he is going to enter the WPT event, but I love watching him play. I have heard he is doing very well in cash game play and that may be a reason he is not attending as many events. If a player is able to win or lose a quater million dollars in one day in a live game, it would be difficult to play in a tournament for a first prize of $150,000. Many of the big names in poker were not present until the last few days of the tournament. I saw Humberto Brenes, Gus Hansen, Erik Seidel and Jose Rosenkratz last night. None of these players played in the first twenty events.

February 19
Today was a terrific day all around. I started the day at work where I sat in five different games and won in all five. After work I went to the Commerce to try a satellite for an entry in the World Poker Tour event there this weekend. They offered a $120 buy-in to win a $1060 entry into another satellite. If you win the second satellite, you win your way into the WPT event. I tried the $120 satellite and told myself I wouldn't make any deals. I ended up getting heads up with a pretty good chip lead and the guy asked if I wanted to make a save deal. I told him "sure" and immediately after, I wanted to kick my own ass for agreeing to it. I won, but was $240 out of pocket. I got blocked out of the next satellite and then T.J. Cloutier asked if I wanted to sell my certificate. I accepted his offer so I would have cash profit in my pocket. I tried two more $120 satellites and came in third in both. In the first one I came over the top of the raiser and moved all-in with my A9, he called with QJ. He rivered the jack and I left with nothing. On the second one, we got to three players and a save deal was suggested. I was the shortest stack on the table and agreed to the deal. I left with my buy-in. I was pleased with my play on the No Limit satellites because it is a fairly new game to me. I was disappointed I made the deal on the first one and felt like a chicken because I sold my certificate instead of playing the bigger satellite. I went there specifically to win my way into the WPT and left without a seat.

February 18
I had an uneventful day at work today, but remembered something that happened a couple of days ago. I was playing $6-12 Omaha and a player came in that I have played with in tournaments. He is a young guy who thinks he is the world's greatest player. I figured I could capitalize on his ego and I did. I had A45J and came in raising, he called and we went heads up. The flop was T52, I bet and he called. The turn was a three giving me the wheel. I bet and he called again. The river was a blank and again he called. He said he "had to see it" because he held two aces which he showed. He then proceeded to tell the player next to him about how I raised with a semi-weak hand. This player who flat called my raise when he held two aces was going to comment about the way I played my hand... please.

By the way, if you like reading my poker journal, take a look at, Guinness and Poker.

February 17
I played in the $1500 Omaha Hi Lo event at the Commerce Casino today and was not pleased when I saw my starting table. I was going up against some of the top names in poker, T.J. Cloutier, Kevin Song, Chris Bjorin, Young Phan, Stan Goldstein and the Best All-Around Points leader for this year's tournament, Van Pham. It didn't take me long to figure out that while I would not want to go against any of them in No Limit today (considering my inexperience) going against them in an Omaha event was not a bad thing. All of these players are terrific at tournament strategy, but not necessarily outstanding in all games. There were a couple of them that impressed me for one reason or another. Stan Goldstein is a terrific Omaha tournament player and made a comment about how I made a great play on one of my hands. The hand and move he commented on probably escaped many players at the table. The way T.J. paid attention to details amazed me. One of my hands was turned up as I scooped the pot. He noted I had the gutshot straight draw and nut flush draw on the flop, turned two pair and rivered the flush. Many of the poker players I have played with probably wouldn't have been able to tell you two cards in my hand (considering the hand was only turned up a short time), let alone go into an analysis of every bet. I was finally moved to another table where one opponent beat me a couple of times with subpar hands. Both times I had the best of it and both times he got the best of me. Oh well, life as a poker player. I will get him on another day.

The next table I was moved to, I had the pleasure of playing with Paul Phillips. He is a fountain of knowledge to any player willing to listen. On one particular hand, a player put his last two chips in (without looking at his cards) one hand before his blind. Paul explained why it was not a correct move. I knew that already but sucked up every bit of information he was willing to give about the scenario. That is one more benefit I have encountered by paying more attention at the table.

I have to admit there were a couple of times I got lucky where I was involved in hands where I drew to half the pot. Normally this is not something I do. I try to get involved in hands with the potential to scoop. One of these hands, I held AA66 with a flop of 443. I got caught in the middle of a raising war and called four bets. I turned the case ace and had to thank the poker gods for that hand. I had to remind myself to play my best game at all times. After surviving three all-ins, I was eliminated. I had a great time playing, learned a little more about my ability in my Omaha game, and played with some world class players. All of them were a pleasure playing with and each taught me something. I learned I need to stay focused and pay attention, play the players as well as the cards and I should never fear a player based on their reputation especially in my game.

February 15
I went to the Commerce to do a couple of errands. I didn't play in the event today ($1500 No Limit), but was there when it started. I was talking to Warren Karp while he was getting registering (a little late). We got called to the table directly next to us to see a hand that was going down. It was the second hand in the tournament and T.J. Cloutier and David Plastik had moved all there chips in. T.J. had pocket kings and David pocket aces. T.J. flopped the king and rivered the full house and David walked away mumbling something about how that kind of thing always happened to him.

February 14
I played in the tag team Valentine's event at The Bike tonight. My partner was one of my co-workers, a prop player too. It was a small event, but I had a great time. The two of us worked well together. I got there a little late, so he was the first person to play which meant he played mostly against the ladies. I went to battle with the men. The beginning of the play was uneventful except for the suckout I put on a guy. I held A9 in the big blind with the ace of diamonds. All players folded and the button raised. I protected the blind and flopped two diamonds. I figured if I didn't hit the ace and hit the diamond I would lead out and represent diamonds. I hit the diamond, led out and got raised. The river was another diamond giving me the nut flush. I left the guy with only one chip and when he lost that he left the table mumbling that he already had the flush on the turn. Oh well, I sucked out, I admit it, but I have been on the other side of that too many times. We got to the final table and now it switched to No Limit. My partner was first to go up, which was kind of a bummer. We were short stacked and I am getting used to playing No Limit short stacked. He didn't play a hand in the twenty minute round and I was left with a whopping $500 in chips with $100 antes and $500-$1000 blinds. The first hand, I moved in with A9 and won the hand. I had about $2000 in chips and didn't play another hand till the big blind. I posted and it was folded to the small blind and he moved all-in for $1100. I had a crap hand, but it was a no-brainer to call the extra $100. I had T5 with the five of spades. When the turn came, the board was A234 all spades. I turned the straight flush giving him no outs. The guy that got knocked out was so nice, as well as his partner. We were not far behind them. I moved in with my pocket threes and after some thought the big blind called the additional $1700 with QT. I told him, I wish you wouldn't have done that. He flopped the queen and we left in eighth place. Our profits were $40 split two ways so I walked with $20. But that was okay. I had a good time and made a final table, which has been too damn long. I am kind of hoping this could be the beginning of a streak.

February 13
I had such an interesting day at work. I sat in my second game for the day, $6/12 Holdem and had one of the best tables I have seen in a long time. The guy sitting on my left had been drinking and was at the table to gamble. He would call or often raise with 72 suited etc. He would call down any flop in hopes to catch a runner runner straight or flush. On one particular hand, I had J9 in the big blind. He raised in first position and there was 4 callers. Normally I wouldn't call with this hand, but considering I had been paying attention and knew how the action was going down, I knew I had a decent hand. The board was 863. The Liveone bet and one player called before it was my turn to act. I knew my two overcards would win if I hit one of them, so I called one off. The turn was a seven. Not bad for my hand. I still had two overcards and now I had a straight draw. He led out again, second player called again and I called another bet. The river was my perfect card, a ten. The only problem was it was a spade making three of them on the board. Liveone bet again, second player folded and I raised. Liveone started talking to himself so I could hear and he said "I don't think she has a flush and I have a straight, so I have to raise it up." I couldn't believe my ears. I now know my hand is good and I can get one more bet out of the guy. I raise again and he called. I turned over my jack high straight and he showed me 92 for the ten high straight. I smiled inside as I stacked my chips and was so proud of myself for paying such attention I was able to reap the rewards.

Another key hand occurred an hour later. Liveone raised again and got four other callers. The flop came A75 (two hearts and one club) and Liveone bet in first position. He got two callers and the third raised making the fourth person fold. The turn was an eight of clubs. Liveone bet out again and all the players called. One player made a comment, "you are still betting out, huh?". The river was a club and he lead out again and got two callers. He turned over the J4 of clubs. He had no pair on the flop and was betting his backdoor flush draw. He managed to get there and I was excited that he won the pot. There was no other person on the table who was going to give me their chips as easily as he was. Then the RETARD next to him said, "you have got to be the worst fucking player I have ever seen." I am sitting there thinking, "no, you are for making that comment." The dealer warned RETARD to watch his language and he got up from the table to walk around. I sat there in total amazement that a player would say such a thing. The point of playing poker is to win chips and find players that give them up with no regard for value. Liveone was my dream opponent and that kind of player only shows up on rare occasions. Normally I have to pound away to get the chips I win.

About a round after that hand, I get asked to move to a $3/6 Omaha because the game was about to break. I was disappointed to leave, but that is life as a prop player. The first hand I was dealt in Omaha was funny. I post my big blind and get AAA8 clubs. Three players call so I check my blind. The flop was 744 two clubs. I bet to see where I am in the hand and get two callers. The turn was another seven. Not a very good card, so I check and both players behind me check as well. The river was an ACE. How the hell did that happen? There were four players that called the flop and nobody had an ace. I take half the pot and the deuce-three player gets the other half. It's just one of those nights where people have lost their minds. On my way out of the casino, as I am stuffing my profits in my purse, I check to see if there is a full moon out. No full moon, it must have something to do with it being Friday the 13th. There can be no other explanation.

February 8
The $1,000 Omaha event was at Commerce Casino today. I showed up a little late and it took me a few minutes to find my groove. After one round, I was ready to kick some butt. I battled and slowly built my stack. The final hand before the dinner break was the hand I had been waiting for. The live player at the table raised, and I three bet with AKT4. Both blinds and the live player called. The KQ4 flop gave me two pair and a straight draw. It was checked to me and I bet from the button. Two callers. The turn was a six (pretty harmless), but the live player bet out, so I called. The river brought another six. I had to call the bettor and he turned over 3467 showing a full house. I couldn't believe it. The only possible way for him to scoop this pot was by making a runner runner straight or runner runner full house. He pulled it off and won a $4600 pot. This hand was pivotal for my success in the tournament. I was left with only $650 in chips at the $200-400 level. I played another round after the break and was eliminated. It has been a long time since I felt as defeated as I do now. I wanted to go home and sulk. On my way out, I was reminded that nothing I did could have changed the way the guy played his hand. He played badly and won. A small consolation I suppose.

February 7
I went to Commerce to play a couple of satellites and bombed out of both. I guess since it is a winner take all, it doesn't matter if I get knocked out in second or fourth place. I talked to a couple of tournament players who I am currently working on profiles for and tried to take some pictures. The security guard came over and yelled at me. I worked at Commerce for thirteen years and know most of the guards (who wouldn't care if I took 100 pics). I just happen to run into the one who won't let me. Just one of those days. This could be a good thing though. I might have used up my quota for things going wrong... winner tomorrow possibly?

February 6
I went to the Commerce Casino tonight to play satellites but ended up not playing. The satellites only offered certificates to enter tomorrow's event which I am not interested in playing. Instead of playing, I had several conversations with players about my website. I talked to Ron Rose, Kenna James and Warren Karp. I will do bios on all three of them. I also talked to Chris Karagulleyan and Mel Judah about their WPT victories and both offered insights some good insight. I will be adding some information they gave me either on their bio page or the WPT summaries. It took me almost three hours to get out of the casino, but it was definitely worth it since I got some great material.