A Good Run ... Hot Players

I was going to post yesterday about the good run I've been on, but didn't have time. Well the run ended with two bubbles last night! Fun.

First the good news: I've moved up 16th on the Extreme Tilt $100+ Leader Board, even though I'm playing less poker than ever before (playing very little from the end of February through most of March). April has been a good month with 5 cashes, including a few final tables. I took 3rd in the $100 on Sunday. Then I had a funny result in the $100 on Monday. I had a big stack most of the tournament, something that is happening a bit more often for me, when I started getting a lot of small pocket pairs in various positions. No matter what I did with them, they cost me chips. I limp, someone went all-in. I raise, someone re-raised allin, or called and beat me to the bet on the flop. I called but then got hammered. So my big stack melted away and there I was 30th with 31 to go -- top 30 paid. I limp into the cash and immediately double up. The very next hand, I'm all-in with A 10 but it loses to a small stack's AA. The ante and blinds hit me and I'm down to 5 chips!

I win that hand with A3 when two threes hit the board. I actually fold a hand, then pick up A3 again. Woot -- that's the nutz. I'm all in and win when two aces flop. I win another hand and now I'm actually a little threat. I ended up going from 30th place with 5 chips to going out 20th on a coin flip.

Last night was rougher but I was still happy with my play -- mostly. I had a big stack in both the $100 8pm and the ecrew. In the $100, I chipped up early to 8000 chips when I get moved to JohnnyBax's table -- and he has 8000 chips too. First off, he wants to know why I'm playing and not editing videos (aha! I was editing -- adding those "tags" to the videos so each one can have a table of contents -- I sure hate those tags). Then, of course, I can't take Bax's chips because it would ruin any chance of a video. ;-)

It didn't matter: after being very active for the first hour I go stone card dead. I win the few hands I play mostly -- but after another hour I'm down to 6500 chips. Bax is out and now we're at the bubble -- 33 to go with 30 paying. I chip up a bit to maybe 8k and I'm in 27th place. I can easily sit and cash.

But the problem is with 30 paying and only 205 entries, the first ten spots pay a profit of just $27. I wanted to win. I pick up 66 in the small blind when a big stack raises. I put him on an average ace and went all-in. I had enough chips where he should really fold A10 or AJ, but he has better than that -- AK and has to call. An ace hits and I'm out.

Ecrew was fun. I had a big stack several times, including at the final table. But I made a horrible call with AQ. I had already raised the BB when a guy went all-in. I certainly could have folded but, with the big stack, was willing to gamble. I also admit I was a bit tired and wanted to move things along. He flips AK and I'm down to 8k. Still in fine shape. With 9 to go, 8 spots paying, I pick up AA. The same guy had raised the BB and only had to call 4k more. He flips 10 10 and trips up. GG me on the bubble.

Players who are running well lately include --kill-bill--, g s x r, anniebets, chiliking, and psp1. Very nice runs -- terrific job. I also see jeffbeesdat is second for the month, but I don't really know the player well.

Congrats to AngryTeeTee who won entry into the WPT 5-Star World Poker Classic and had an excellent first day! Great job!! Bax starts his play today in the tournament. GL to both!