A sense of perspective

I haven't played that much so far this year. A recent trip to Auckland, some property-related stuff and, you know, work, have got in the way. But all of those barriers are nothing compared to the loss of my grandmother ten days ago at the age of 89. I was very close to her and although there was no quality of life any more and it is a release that she slipped away, it's still very sad. So a lot of the time I haven't felt like playing (or working, or sorting stuff out for my new flat...) anyway. On the other side of the coin, I feel I can play with a lot more freedom now because whether I win or lose a particular pot doesn't matter as much.

I'm up $171 for the month; my bankroll is $1197, a high point since my last cash-out. Here are a few hands:

Hand 1
This was the hand that led to my demise in this morning's micro single draw tourney. In my experience you're normally shown some kind of eight when you call here, but who knows what he had. It was a shame because I'd had a strong start and a pretty solid middle but after this hand I came to a rather sticky end, later bricking two big draws. I finished in sixth place.

PokerStars Hand #74645562742: Tournament #503373806, $2.00+$0.20 USD Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit - Level XII (400/800) - 2012/01/28 17:25:34 ET
Table '503373806 8' 7-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: alf1963 (17168 in chips)
Seat 2: kalachim (16040 in chips)
Seat 4: SARASAPE1 (38525 in chips)
Seat 5: sergeypcv (6384 in chips)
Seat 6: plutoman20 (21018 in chips)
Seat 7: antoca901 (14865 in chips)
alf1963: posts the ante 200
kalachim: posts the ante 200
SARASAPE1: posts the ante 200
sergeypcv: posts the ante 200
plutoman20: posts the ante 200
antoca901: posts the ante 200
sergeypcv: posts small blind 400
plutoman20: posts big blind 800
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5s 6h 4h 2d Tc]
antoca901: folds
alf1963: folds
kalachim: folds
SARASAPE1: raises 800 to 1600
sergeypcv: folds
plutoman20: raises 3300 to 4900
SARASAPE1: calls 3300
plutoman20: stands pat on [5s 6h 4h 2d Tc]
SARASAPE1: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: bets 6900
SARASAPE1: raises 26525 to 33425 and is all-in
plutoman20: folds
Uncalled bet (26525) returned to SARASAPE1
SARASAPE1 collected 25200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 25200 Rake 0
Seat 1: alf1963 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: kalachim folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: SARASAPE1 (button) collected (25200)
Seat 5: sergeypcv (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: plutoman20 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: antoca901 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 2
I don't make this kind of play enough.

PokerStars Hand #73863049351: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2012/01/14 19:42:23 ET
Table 'Mathilde VI' 7-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: M0FLES.22 ($17.40 in chips)
Seat 2: marcosxativa ($15.70 in chips)
Seat 3: alexxcs ($4.15 in chips)
Seat 4: EmulationX ($15.45 in chips)
Seat 5: MELKII666 ($7.80 in chips)
Seat 6: plutoman20 ($28.55 in chips)
Seat 7: * MDI rus * ($19.30 in chips)
* MDI rus *: posts small blind $0.25
M0FLES.22: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5c 9s 6c 7h 9c]
marcosxativa: folds
alexxcs: folds
EmulationX: folds
MELKII666: folds
plutoman20: raises $1 to $1.50
* MDI rus *: calls $1.25
M0FLES.22: folds
* MDI rus *: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: discards 1 card [9c]
Dealt to plutoman20 [5c 9s 6c 7h] [8s]
* MDI rus *: bets $0.50
plutoman20: raises $3 to $3.50
* MDI rus *: folds
Uncalled bet ($3) returned to plutoman20
plutoman20 collected $4.30 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $4.50 Rake $0.20
Seat 1: M0FLES.22 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: marcosxativa folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: alexxcs folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: EmulationX folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: MELKII666 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: plutoman20 (button) collected ($4.30)
Seat 7: * MDI rus * (small blind) folded on the Flop

Hand 3
My record of picking off bluffs is poor. This one bucked the trend. His three-bet pre was the deciding factor in my call. People are more likely to bluff post when they three-bet a draw pre, and generally get called down lighter (so should therefore value-bet more thinly).

PokerStars Hand #74098818116: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2012/01/19 1:15:25 ET
Table 'Endymion XI' 7-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: vicentziu_99 ($25.45 in chips)
Seat 2: plutoman20 ($31.65 in chips)
Seat 3: TYSKEN69 ($13.05 in chips)
Seat 4: trankibroma ($22.65 in chips)
Seat 5: sasha5555587 ($89.05 in chips)
Seat 6: Proudchief ($20 in chips)
Seat 7: HE YBEPEH ($50 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.25
TYSKEN69: posts big blind $0.50
Proudchief: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [2s 5c 6s Kh 7s]
trankibroma: calls $0.50
sasha5555587: folds
Proudchief: checks
HE YBEPEH: folds
vicentziu_99: calls $0.50
plutoman20: raises $1.25 to $1.75
TYSKEN69: raises $2.75 to $4.50
trankibroma: folds
Proudchief: folds
vicentziu_99: folds
plutoman20: calls $2.75
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Kh]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2s 5c 6s 7s] [Qh]
TYSKEN69: discards 1 card
plutoman20: checks
TYSKEN69: bets $3.50
plutoman20: calls $3.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
TYSKEN69: shows [3s 4s 6d 5s 7c] (Lo: a straight, Three to Seven)
plutoman20: shows [2s 5c 6s Qh 7s] (Lo: Q,7,6,5,2)
plutoman20 collected $16.65 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $17.50 Rake $0.85
Seat 1: vicentziu_99 (button) folded before Flop
Seat 2: plutoman20 (small blind) showed [2s 5c 6s Qh 7s] and won ($16.65) with Lo: Q,7,6,5,2
Seat 3: TYSKEN69 (big blind) showed [3s 4s 6d 5s 7c] and lost with Lo: a straight, Three to Seven
Seat 4: trankibroma folded before Flop
Seat 5: sasha5555587 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Proudchief folded before Flop
Seat 7: HE YBEPEH folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 4
I hate these spots. By four-betting OOP I've announced that my hand is pretty good, so I'm not sure what betting post will achieve (apart from acting as a blocking bet). We're fairly deep here, so do I call a shove if he bets?

PokerStars Hand #74099026860: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2012/01/19 1:28:13 ET
Table 'Endymion XI' 7-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: vicentziu_99 ($32 in chips)
Seat 2: plutoman20 ($43.10 in chips)
Seat 4: trankibroma ($14.05 in chips)
Seat 5: sasha5555587 ($86.90 in chips)
Seat 7: HE YBEPEH ($60.60 in chips)
HE YBEPEH: posts small blind $0.25
vicentziu_99: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [9c 6s 2d 4s 7h]
plutoman20: raises $1 to $1.50
trankibroma: calls $1.50
sasha5555587: raises $2.50 to $4
HE YBEPEH: folds
vicentziu_99: folds
plutoman20: raises $10 to $14
trankibroma: folds
sasha5555587: calls $10
plutoman20: stands pat on [9c 6s 2d 4s 7h]
sasha5555587: discards 1 card
plutoman20: checks
sasha5555587: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [9c 6s 2d 4s 7h] (Lo: 9,7,6,4,2)
sasha5555587: mucks hand
plutoman20 collected $28.75 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $30.25 Rake $1.50
Seat 1: vicentziu_99 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: plutoman20 showed [9c 6s 2d 4s 7h] and won ($28.75) with Lo: 9,7,6,4,2
Seat 4: trankibroma folded before Flop
Seat 5: sasha5555587 (button) mucked [2c 8d 8h 5c 3s]
Seat 7: HE YBEPEH (small blind) folded before Flop

Hand 5
A good example of when to fold a pat ten badugi. Chips were flying around all over the place on the badugi tables last night.

PokerStars Hand #74605284618: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/28 1:53:34 ET
Table 'Hungaria V' 8-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: plutoman20 ($50.70 in chips)
Seat 2: ahjpk ($16.40 in chips)
Seat 3: cdgolfer ($26.50 in chips)
Seat 4: candy1203 ($35.70 in chips)
Seat 5: annlose ($38.20 in chips)
Seat 6: SaveR_DarK ($2.75 in chips)
Seat 7: ninja1004 ($15.20 in chips)
Seat 8: huli2 ($20.55 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.25
ahjpk: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [Ts Ad 8c 3h]
cdgolfer: raises $0.50 to $1
candy1203: raises $0.50 to $1.50
annlose: calls $1.50
SaveR_DarK: folds
ninja1004: calls $1.50
huli2: raises $0.50 to $2
Betting is capped
plutoman20: folds
ahjpk: folds
cdgolfer: calls $1
candy1203: calls $0.50
annlose: calls $0.50
ninja1004: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
cdgolfer: stands pat
candy1203: stands pat
annlose: discards 1 card
ninja1004: discards 1 card
huli2: stands pat
cdgolfer: bets $0.50
candy1203: calls $0.50
annlose: calls $0.50
ninja1004: calls $0.50
huli2: raises $0.50 to $1
cdgolfer: raises $0.50 to $1.50
candy1203: folds
annlose: calls $1
ninja1004: calls $1
huli2: raises $0.50 to $2
Betting is capped
cdgolfer: calls $0.50
annlose: calls $0.50
ninja1004: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
cdgolfer: stands pat
annlose: discards 1 card
ninja1004: discards 1 card
huli2: stands pat
cdgolfer: bets $1
annlose: calls $1
ninja1004: calls $1
huli2: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
cdgolfer: stands pat
annlose: stands pat
ninja1004: discards 1 card
huli2: stands pat
cdgolfer: checks
annlose: checks
ninja1004: checks
huli2: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
cdgolfer: shows [3s 2c Td 5h] (Badugi: T,5,3,2)
annlose: shows [8d 2s 5c 7h] (Badugi: 8,7,5,2)
ninja1004: mucks hand
huli2: mucks hand
annlose collected $22.75 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $23.25 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: plutoman20 (small blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 2: ahjpk (big blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 3: cdgolfer showed [3s 2c Td 5h] and lost with a Badugi: T,5,3,2
Seat 4: candy1203 folded after the 1st Draw
Seat 5: annlose showed [8d 2s 5c 7h] and won ($22.75) with a Badugi: 8,7,5,2
Seat 6: SaveR_DarK folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 7: ninja1004 mucked [6s Ac 4h 6h]
Seat 8: huli2 (button) mucked [9c Th 4d As]

Hand 6
I was obviously extremely lucky to get dealt number two, then I benefit greatly from all the crazy donkery that went on.

PokerStars Hand #74552866230: Badugi Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2012/01/27 4:36:01 ET
Table 'Kochab V' 8-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: feanryhu ($49 in chips)
Seat 3: plutoman20 ($63.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Owschlag ($20.50 in chips)
Seat 5: Rossisxxx ($41.25 in chips)
Seat 6: Chopper42 ($45.25 in chips)
Seat 7: antiFTP ($81.25 in chips)
Chopper42: posts small blind $0.50
antiFTP: posts big blind $1
Breeze747: sits out
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5d 2h Ac 3s]
feanryhu: raises $1 to $2
plutoman20: raises $1 to $3
Owschlag: folds
Rossisxxx: folds
Chopper42: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
antiFTP: calls $3
feanryhu: calls $2
plutoman20: calls $1
*** FIRST DRAW ***
Chopper42: discards 2 cards
antiFTP: discards 1 card
feanryhu: discards 1 card
plutoman20: stands pat on [5d 2h Ac 3s]
Chopper42: checks
antiFTP: bets $1
feanryhu: calls $1
plutoman20: raises $1 to $2
Chopper42: calls $2
antiFTP: calls $1
feanryhu: calls $1
*** SECOND DRAW ***
Chopper42: discards 1 card
antiFTP: stands pat
feanryhu: discards 1 card
plutoman20: stands pat on [5d 2h Ac 3s]
Chopper42: checks
antiFTP: bets $2
feanryhu: folds
plutoman20: raises $2 to $4
Chopper42: calls $4
antiFTP: calls $2
*** THIRD DRAW ***
Chopper42: discards 1 card
antiFTP: discards 1 card
plutoman20: stands pat on [5d 2h Ac 3s]
Chopper42: checks
antiFTP: checks
plutoman20: bets $2
Chopper42: folds
antiFTP: folds
Uncalled bet ($2) returned to plutoman20
plutoman20 collected $35 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $36 Rake $1
Seat 1: feanryhu folded after the 2nd Draw
Seat 3: plutoman20 collected ($35)
Seat 4: Owschlag folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Rossisxxx (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Chopper42 (small blind) folded after the 3rd Draw
Seat 7: antiFTP (big blind) folded after the 3rd Draw

Decent start to 2012

I've made a reasonable start to the year. I'm up $101 having been down about $75 at one stage. My bankroll is $1127 so I'm not far off the 300 BB or so I need to take a serious crack at $2/$4 badugi (I took a shot back in September and lost a quarter of my bankroll in two hours; when you're properly rolled the whole experience is much less stressful and you can play better accordingly).

The highlight so far has been the 69-man KCL tourney I took out yesterday. In terms of number of entrants that's the biggest tournament I've ever actually won. My previous biggest was also my first-ever victory, a 66-man pot-limit badugi when I was still in my twenties, i.e. ages ago. In yesterday's tourney I made a good but unspectacular start, had a very good middle, won a big 50-50 hand which could have left me crippled, then got the speed wobbles but eventually cruised to the win. I got lucky of course, but felt I got full value for my hands and outplayed a lot of my opponents who folded too readily pre-draw.

Hand 1
Somehow I expected to lose this. I've run badly in this sort of situation in the past. There wasn't a lot in it.

PokerStars Game #73404637040: Tournament #493056174, $2.00+$0.20 USD Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit - Level IX (200/400) - 2012/01/06 16:38:33 ET
Table '493056174 6' 7-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: DerDude22 (16069 in chips)
Seat 2: dyadka (11298 in chips)
Seat 3: BloodVisions (4095 in chips)
Seat 4: *V.Danish* (6119 in chips)
Seat 5: daniel1021 (11396 in chips)
Seat 6: plutoman20 (17428 in chips)
Seat 7: LuckyFish628 (10415 in chips)
DerDude22: posts the ante 100
dyadka: posts the ante 100
BloodVisions: posts the ante 100
*V.Danish*: posts the ante 100
daniel1021: posts the ante 100
plutoman20: posts the ante 100
LuckyFish628: posts the ante 100
dyadka: posts small blind 200
BloodVisions: posts big blind 400
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5s 3s 8h 6h 7d]
*V.Danish*: folds
daniel1021: raises 800 to 1200
plutoman20: raises 2400 to 3600
LuckyFish628: folds
DerDude22: folds
dyadka: folds
BloodVisions: folds
daniel1021: raises 7696 to 11296 and is all-in
plutoman20: calls 7696
daniel1021: stands pat
plutoman20: stands pat on [5s 3s 8h 6h 7d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
daniel1021: shows [5h 9c 2h 4c 6c] (Lo: 9,6,5,4,2)
plutoman20: shows [5s 3s 8h 6h 7d] (Lo: 8,7,6,5,3)
plutoman20 collected 23892 from pot
daniel1021 finished the tournament in 13th place
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 23892 Rake 0
Seat 1: DerDude22 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: dyadka (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: BloodVisions (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: *V.Danish* folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: daniel1021 showed [5h 9c 2h 4c 6c] and lost with Lo: 9,6,5,4,2
Seat 6: plutoman20 showed [5s 3s 8h 6h 7d] and won (23892) with Lo: 8,7,6,5,3
Seat 7: LuckyFish628 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 2
I nearly four-bet this myself. I was happy not to see a shove post-draw but I think I would have reluctantly called anyway.

PokerStars Game #73409478459: Tournament #493056174, $2.00+$0.20 USD Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit - Level XIV (600/1200) - 2012/01/06 18:03:08 ET
Table '493056174 6' 7-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: terrypem (18428 in chips)
Seat 5: Lika-Geo (51819 in chips)
Seat 6: plutoman20 (67753 in chips)
terrypem: posts the ante 300
Lika-Geo: posts the ante 300
plutoman20: posts the ante 300
terrypem: posts small blind 600
Lika-Geo: posts big blind 1200
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [9s 4d 8d 6h 5d]
plutoman20: raises 2200 to 3400
terrypem: folds
Lika-Geo: raises 6600 to 10000
plutoman20: calls 6600
Lika-Geo: stands pat
plutoman20: stands pat on [9s 4d 8d 6h 5d]
Lika-Geo: bets 16125
plutoman20: calls 16125
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Lika-Geo: shows [4c 5h Th 5c 4s] (Lo: two pair, Fives and Fours)
plutoman20: shows [9s 4d 8d 6h 5d] (Lo: 9,8,6,5,4)
plutoman20 collected 53750 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 53750 Rake 0
Seat 1: terrypem (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: Lika-Geo (big blind) showed [4c 5h Th 5c 4s] and lost with Lo: two pair, Fives and Fours
Seat 6: plutoman20 (button) showed [9s 4d 8d 6h 5d] and won (53750) with Lo: 9,8,6,5,4

Hand 3
I don't want to get squeezed and Jackal is fairly short-stacked so I can't get a lot of value from him. Three-bets on these tables normally mean a pretty strong hand (though not always this strong!) so reluctantly I let this go.

PokerStars Game #73422276627: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2012/01/06 23:47:31 ET
Table 'Boyce' 7-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Stressin78 ($10.50 in chips)
Seat 2: Ohnawiio ($28.90 in chips)
Seat 3: umjik ($29.90 in chips)
Seat 4: BADIM1965 ($49.40 in chips)
Seat 6: jackal5050 ($20.50 in chips)
Seat 7: plutoman20 ($44.10 in chips)
Ohnawiio: posts small blind $0.25
umjik: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [7h Qc 2h 4h 3c]
BADIM1965: raises $1.50 to $2
jackal5050: raises $3 to $5
plutoman20 said, "yikes"
plutoman20: folds
Stressin78: folds
Ohnawiio: folds
umjik: folds
BADIM1965: calls $3
BADIM1965: discards 1 card
jackal5050: stands pat
BADIM1965: bets $6
jackal5050: raises $9.50 to $15.50 and is all-in
BADIM1965: calls $9.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jackal5050: shows [6c 3d 2c 5h 7s] (Lo: 7,6,5,3,2)
BADIM1965: shows [6h 2s 9h 4s 7d] (Lo: 9,7,6,4,2)
jackal5050 collected $39.70 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $41.75 Rake $2.05
Seat 1: Stressin78 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Ohnawiio (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: umjik (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: BADIM1965 showed [6h 2s 9h 4s 7d] and lost with Lo: 9,7,6,4,2
Seat 6: jackal5050 showed [6c 3d 2c 5h 7s] and won ($39.70) with Lo: 7,6,5,3,2
Seat 7: plutoman20 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 4
Despite the result I'm quite happy with my break here.

PokerStars Game #73189250447: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/02 19:58:05 ET
Table 'Aribeda X' 8-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: rimmo1969 ($18.80 in chips)
Seat 2: plutoman20 ($25.70 in chips)
Seat 4: milenium1 ($17.85 in chips)
Seat 5: patty5050 ($27.40 in chips)
Seat 6: stef456 ($23.15 in chips)
Seat 7: milyang ($10 in chips)
stef456: posts small blind $0.25
milyang: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [As 2s 3c Ad]
rimmo1969: folds
plutoman20 is connected
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
milenium1: raises $0.50 to $1.50
patty5050: folds
stef456: calls $1.25
milyang: folds
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
stef456: stands pat
plutoman20: discards 1 card [7d]
Dealt to plutoman20 [Th]
milenium1: stands pat
stef456: checks
plutoman20: checks
milenium1: bets $0.50
stef456: calls $0.50
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
milenium1: raises $0.50 to $1.50
stef456: calls $1
hockk was removed from the table for failing to post
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
stef456: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Th]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c]
milenium1: stands pat
stef456: checks
inperator34 joins the table at seat #3
plutoman20: checks
milenium1: bets $1
stef456: calls $1
plutoman20: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
stef456: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [5c]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c] [As]
milenium1: stands pat
stef456: checks
plutoman20: checks
milenium1: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
stef456: shows [Tc 4d Ah 7s] (Badugi: T,7,4,A)
plutoman20: mucks hand
milenium1: mucks hand
stef456 collected $12 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $12.50 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: rimmo1969 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 2: plutoman20 mucked [As 2s 3c Ad]
Seat 4: milenium1 mucked [3s 2d Jh Ac]
Seat 5: patty5050 (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: stef456 (small blind) showed [Tc 4d Ah 7s] and won ($12) with a Badugi: T,7,4,A
Seat 7: milyang (big blind) folded before the Draw

Hand 5
Patting 42A on the last draw isn't in my repertoire (yet!). Whether she misclicked or just wants to project a batshit crazy image I don't know. If you snow a lot (and have shown down a few recent snows) then this play sort of makes sense.

PokerStars Game #73420683831: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/06 22:40:20 ET
Table 'Silesia V' 8-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 2: TensiAngel ($7.70 in chips)
Seat 3: pobed58 ($22.90 in chips)
Seat 4: dreamgrl03 ($18.20 in chips)
Seat 5: cheesebal31 ($20.30 in chips)
Seat 6: joaoomachado ($31.20 in chips)
Seat 7: plutoman20 ($15.60 in chips)
Seat 8: Jorgos_Joanu ($18.85 in chips)
TensiAngel: posts small blind $0.25
pobed58: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5h 4s Ad Ks]
dreamgrl03: calls $0.50
cheesebal31: folds
joaoomachado: folds
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
Jorgos_Joanu: folds
TensiAngel: calls $0.75
pobed58: folds
dreamgrl03: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
TensiAngel: discards 1 card
dreamgrl03: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Ks]
Dealt to plutoman20 [5h 4s Ad] [3h]
TensiAngel: checks
dreamgrl03: checks
plutoman20: bets $0.50
TensiAngel: calls $0.50
dreamgrl03: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
TensiAngel: discards 1 card
dreamgrl03: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [5h]
Dealt to plutoman20 [4s Ad 3h] [Qh]
TensiAngel: checks
dreamgrl03: checks
plutoman20: bets $1
TensiAngel: folds
dreamgrl03: raises $1 to $2
plutoman20: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
dreamgrl03: stands pat
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Qh]
Dealt to plutoman20 [4s Ad 3h] [9s]
dreamgrl03: bets $1
plutoman20: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
dreamgrl03: shows [2d Ah 4c 6c] (3-card: 4,2,A)
plutoman20: mucks hand
dreamgrl03 collected $10.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $11 Rake $0.50
Seat 2: TensiAngel (small blind) folded after the 2nd Draw
Seat 3: pobed58 (big blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 4: dreamgrl03 showed [2d Ah 4c 6c] and won ($10.50) with a 3-card: 4,2,A
Seat 5: cheesebal31 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: joaoomachado folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 7: plutoman20 mucked [9s 4s Ad 3h]
Seat 8: Jorgos_Joanu (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)

Hand 6
I made a right pig's ear of this one. Royal Hippy is an aggressive spew-monkey while Fortoviy plays way too many hands so I shouldn't give either of them much credit. OOP on the flop I should have just ditched the jack to make life easier. I plan to pat and call down but when Fortoviy pats I figure my J4 is probably no good. It is indeed behind the median badugi you'll hit on a two-card draw (the median badugi after drawing two is T9, and the median badugi you'll actually pat in that situation - excluding things like K43A - is more like a mid-range ten). But Fortoviy doesn't seem to like his hand too much (judging from his initial flop call) so that wasn't clever thinking. Having thought about this more, given my reads on both players I've got the best hand about 40% of the time here when we're all pat which is a helluva lot more than my equity when I draw. But really I should have drawn one on the second draw.

PokerStars Game #73469822763: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/07 19:15:59 ET
Table 'Tsai IV' 8-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: plutoman20 ($23.90 in chips)
Seat 2: Cwietok ($58.85 in chips)
Seat 4: RoyalHippy ($16.45 in chips)
Seat 5: Barmaley05 ($13.65 in chips)
Seat 6: FELISYO ($22.35 in chips)
Seat 7: Fortoviy1979 ($45.05 in chips)
Seat 8: mb-706492 ($8.25 in chips)
mb-706492: posts small blind $0.25
plutoman20: posts big blind $0.50
ErjaTilhi: sits out
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [Jh 3s Qd 2h]
Cwietok: folds
RoyalHippy: raises $0.50 to $1
Barmaley05: folds
FELISYO: folds
Fortoviy1979: calls $1
mb-706492: folds
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [Jh Qd]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3s 2h] [4d Jc]
RoyalHippy: stands pat
Fortoviy1979: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: checks
RoyalHippy: bets $0.50
Fortoviy1979: calls $0.50
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
RoyalHippy: raises $0.50 to $1.50
Fortoviy1979: calls $1
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [3s 2h 4d Jc]
RoyalHippy: stands pat
Fortoviy1979: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
RoyalHippy: bets $1
Fortoviy1979: calls $1
plutoman20: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Jc]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3s 2h 4d] [6h]
RoyalHippy: stands pat
Fortoviy1979: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
RoyalHippy: checks
Fortoviy1979: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [4d 3s 6h 2h] (3-card: 4,3,2)
RoyalHippy: shows [9s 2d 3c Qh] (Badugi: Q,9,3,2)
Fortoviy1979: mucks hand
RoyalHippy collected $10.25 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $10.75 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: plutoman20 (big blind) showed [4d 3s 6h 2h] and lost with a 3-card: 4,3,2
Seat 2: Cwietok folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 4: RoyalHippy showed [9s 2d 3c Qh] and won ($10.25) with a Badugi: Q,9,3,2
Seat 5: Barmaley05 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: FELISYO folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Fortoviy1979 (button) mucked [Qc Kd 5h 2s]
Seat 8: mb-706492 (small blind) folded before the Draw

Hand 7
Thinking (correctly) that he's got a crappy hand, I decide to bluff-raise the river. But the sort of player who's going to make T9864 isn't the sort of player I should be bluffing anyway I suppose.

PokerStars Game #73418484386: Triple Draw 2-7 Lowball Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/06 21:24:54 ET
Table 'Seraphina II' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: plutoman20 ($16.75 in chips)
Seat 2: DaBro228 ($12.45 in chips)
Seat 3: §ick&Dirty ($53.85 in chips)
Seat 4: Pischi ($10.75 in chips)
Seat 6: Peresvet7 ($42.55 in chips)
DaBro228: posts small blind $0.25
§ick&Dirty: posts big blind $0.50
snowboard789: sits out
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5c 2h 5h 4s 8s]
Pischi: folds
Peresvet7: folds
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
DaBro228: folds
§ick&Dirty: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
§ick&Dirty: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: discards 1 card [5c]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2h 5h 4s 8s] [8h]
§ick&Dirty: checks
plutoman20: bets $0.50
§ick&Dirty: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
§ick&Dirty: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [8h]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2h 5h 4s 8s] [2c]
§ick&Dirty: checks
plutoman20: checks
*** THIRD DRAW ***
§ick&Dirty: stands pat
plutoman20: discards 1 card [2c]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2h 5h 4s 8s] [8c]
§ick&Dirty: bets $1
plutoman20: raises $1 to $2
§ick&Dirty: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [8c 2h 5h 4s 8s] (Lo: a pair of Eights)
§ick&Dirty: shows [6d 8d 9s 4h Ts] (Lo: T,9,8,6,4)
§ick&Dirty collected $6.90 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $7.25 Rake $0.35
Seat 1: plutoman20 (button) showed [8c 2h 5h 4s 8s] and lost with Lo: a pair of Eights
Seat 2: DaBro228 (small blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 3: §ick&Dirty (big blind) showed [6d 8d 9s 4h Ts] and won ($6.90) with Lo: T,9,8,6,4
Seat 4: Pischi folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Peresvet7 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)

Hand 8
I go for a thinnish value bet here, don't expect him to raise and don't expect to win when I call.

PokerStars Game #73419365197: Triple Draw 2-7 Lowball Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2012/01/06 21:52:32 ET
Table 'Seraphina II' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: plutoman20 ($45.15 in chips)
Seat 3: Mistr Kim ($12.20 in chips)
Seat 5: tikmann22 ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 6: Peresvet7 ($40.15 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.25
Mistr Kim: posts big blind $0.50
42llopi: sits out
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [8h 4h As Ah 2c]
tikmann22: folds
Peresvet7: folds
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
Mistr Kim: raises $0.50 to $1.50
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [As Ah]
Dealt to plutoman20 [8h 4h 2c] [7s 6s]
Mistr Kim: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: checks
Mistr Kim: checks
*** SECOND DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [8h 4h 2c 7s 6s]
Mistr Kim: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: bets $1
Mistr Kim: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [8h 4h 2c 7s 6s]
Mistr Kim: stands pat
plutoman20: bets $1
Mistr Kim: raises $1 to $2
plutoman20: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Mistr Kim: shows [8c 2h 7c 3s 9h] (Lo: 9,8,7,3,2)
plutoman20: shows [8h 4h 7s 6s 2c] (Lo: 8,7,6,4,2)
plutoman20 collected $8.60 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $9 Rake $0.40
Seat 1: plutoman20 (small blind) showed [8h 4h 7s 6s 2c] and won ($8.60) with Lo: 8,7,6,4,2
Seat 3: Mistr Kim (big blind) showed [8c 2h 7c 3s 9h] and lost with Lo: 9,8,7,3,2
Seat 5: tikmann22 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Peresvet7 (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)

December monthly report and 2011 annual review

I made $122 in December, playing on just ten days or so (and sometimes only a few hands), to take my bankroll to $1026. In 2011 I made $2439. A few hundred of that was from Full Tilt; I still hope I can get it (and my profits from late 2010 as well as my initial deposit) back. I never scaled the heights I reached in 2010, but I never got a big MTT payout and I had one of them job things to contend with for most of the year. For most of June and July I didn't play at all. Here is a chart showing my month-by-month profit in 2011:

Compare that to 2010. I honestly don't know how much I'll play in 2012. I'd like to say three hours on a Saturday morning and that'll be it, but I find the lure of a 24/7 gaming site, which includes games that I can beat, a little too much to resist, even when the opportunity cost of playing can be high. I'll admit that online poker is a means of relaxation for me. If I plonk $50 down on a poker table the worst that can happen is that I lose $50. In many areas of life that's far from true.

Milestones

I reached three milestones yesterday. My bankroll hit four figures, my all-time profit reached five figures (if you include the Full Tilt money I may or may not get back) and my profit on Poker Stars for 2011 broke through the $2000 barrier. With my recent plunge the shark-infested waters of real estate and everything that involves, I've played my last hand of 2011(I'll do a proper annual report just before year-end).

I made $158 yesterday. Most of that was at 50c/$1 badugi where I won at the rate of one big blind per hand (big blind, not big bet!) in my last 155 hands, showing down 18 winners out of 23, as my personal settings were switched to God mode. In a fairly recent post I bemoaned my bad luck at those stakes - I should complain more often! I capped off a good day with a win in a 30-man limit badugi tournament. We were three-handed for some time until I got heads-up with a guy who I'd coded purple, meaning aggro-spewy. I'd seen him before in the $2/$4 cash games earlier in the year. He routinely three-bet pre-flop and drew two, which is throwing money away because I'm never drawing any more than two when I open. Maybe he had a big bankroll and was just there to gamble. He was a tricky customer though and I had to three-bet my entire draw-one range so as not to turn over my hand. I tried to snow-catch on a few occasions but surprisingly never caught him. I started heads-up play with a 2½-to-one lead, he got back to even, but I pulled away again. I got a good run of cards and on a different day he might have won. His username ended in 1980, clearly a good year for badugi. I think we would both be inside the top third of online poker players by age (however I'd guess badugi has a slightly higher average age - and more females - than say NLHE, but I might be wrong).

Here are two highlights from yesterday's badugi hands:

Hand 1
A pat hand this strong comes up once every 1600 hands; it's a real bonus when you get it paid off in a five-way pot.

PokerStars Game #72272915979: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2011/12/16 15:18:35 ET
Table 'China VIII' 8-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: shoorikch ($16.70 in chips)
Seat 2: Dmetr ($13.65 in chips)
Seat 3: Tryanerror ($24.50 in chips)
Seat 4: Oleg Azmagul ($16.70 in chips)
Seat 5: plutoman20 ($24 in chips)
Seat 7: solano1987 ($15.20 in chips)
Seat 8: XBlackDog81 ($35.25 in chips)
Hoyster87 will be allowed to play after the button
solano1987: posts small blind $0.25
XBlackDog81: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [2c Ah 6d 4s]
shoorikch: calls $0.50
Dmetr: calls $0.50
Tryanerror: folds
Oleg Azmagul: calls $0.50
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
solano1987: raises $0.50 to $1.50
XBlackDog81: folds
shoorikch: calls $1
Dmetr: calls $1
Oleg Azmagul: calls $1
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $2
Betting is capped
solano1987: calls $0.50
shoorikch: calls $0.50
Dmetr: calls $0.50
Oleg Azmagul: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
solano1987: discards 1 card
shoorikch: discards 1 card
Dmetr: discards 2 cards
Oleg Azmagul: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: stands pat on [2c Ah 6d 4s]
solano1987: checks
shoorikch: bets $0.50
Dmetr: calls $0.50
Oleg Azmagul: calls $0.50
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
solano1987: raises $0.50 to $1.50
shoorikch: calls $1
Dmetr: folds
Oleg Azmagul: calls $1
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $2
Betting is capped
solano1987: calls $0.50
shoorikch: calls $0.50
Oleg Azmagul: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
solano1987: discards 1 card
shoorikch: discards 1 card
Oleg Azmagul: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: stands pat on [2c Ah 6d 4s]
solano1987: checks
shoorikch: checks
Oleg Azmagul: checks
plutoman20: bets $1
solano1987: calls $1
shoorikch: calls $1
Oleg Azmagul: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
solano1987: discards 1 card
shoorikch: discards 1 card
Oleg Azmagul: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: stands pat on [2c Ah 6d 4s]
solano1987: checks
shoorikch: checks
Oleg Azmagul: checks
plutoman20: bets $1
solano1987: folds
shoorikch: raises $1 to $2
Oleg Azmagul: folds
plutoman20: raises $1 to $3
shoorikch: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [2c Ah 6d 4s] (Badugi: 6,4,2,A)
shoorikch: mucks hand
plutoman20 collected $28.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $29 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: shoorikch mucked [6s 3h 7d Ac]
Seat 2: Dmetr folded after the 1st Draw
Seat 3: Tryanerror folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Oleg Azmagul folded after the 3rd Draw
Seat 5: plutoman20 (button) showed [2c Ah 6d 4s] and won ($28.50) with a Badugi: 6,4,2,A
Seat 7: solano1987 (small blind) folded after the 3rd Draw
Seat 8: XBlackDog81 (big blind) folded before the Draw

Hand 2
Earlier in the day I ran number four into number three. I was a little hesitant to three-bet the river and when he capped I feared the worst. Putting in eight big bets with a rough seven is a massive overplay on his part.

PokerStars Game #72295046631: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2011/12/17 0:17:46 ET
Table 'Tana VII' 8-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: plutoman20 ($22.20 in chips)
Seat 2: ozziandy ($19 in chips)
Seat 3: brumegmau ($6.85 in chips)
Seat 4: cj.com ($1 in chips)
Seat 6: ddcl ($8.25 in chips)
Seat 7: Miroslav AA ($4.05 in chips)
Seat 8: tweekout ($24.45 in chips)
cj.com: posts small blind $0.25
ddcl: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c 5d Jc As]
Miroslav AA: folds
tweekout: folds
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1
ozziandy: calls $1
brumegmau: folds
cj.com: calls $0.75 and is all-in
ddcl: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
cj.com: discards 1 card
ddcl: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Jc]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c 5d As] [5h]
ozziandy: discards 1 card
ddcl: bets $0.50
plutoman20: calls $0.50
ozziandy: raises $0.50 to $1
ddcl: calls $0.50
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
cj.com: discards 1 card
ddcl: stands pat
plutoman20: discards 1 card [5h]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c 5d As] [4h]
ozziandy: stands pat
ddcl: checks
plutoman20: checks
ozziandy: bets $1
ddcl: calls $1
plutoman20: raises $1 to $2
ozziandy: raises $1 to $3
ddcl: folds
plutoman20: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
ozziandy: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
cj.com: stands pat
plutoman20: stands pat on [3c 5d As 4h]
ozziandy: stands pat
plutoman20: bets $1
ozziandy: raises $1 to $2
plutoman20: raises $1 to $3
ozziandy: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
plutoman20 said, "oh no"
plutoman20: calls $1
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ozziandy: shows [7s 6c 2d 3h] (Badugi: 7,6,3,2)
plutoman20: shows [3c 5d 4h As] (Badugi: 5,4,3,A)
plutoman20 collected $19.70 from side pot
cj.com: mucks hand
plutoman20 collected $3.80 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $24 Main pot $3.80. Side pot $19.70. Rake $0.50
Seat 1: plutoman20 showed [3c 5d 4h As] and won ($23.50) with a Badugi: 5,4,3,A
Seat 2: ozziandy showed [7s 6c 2d 3h] and lost with a Badugi: 7,6,3,2
Seat 3: brumegmau (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 4: cj.com (small blind) mucked [4d 6s Kh Ac]
Seat 6: ddcl (big blind) folded after the 2nd Draw
Seat 7: Miroslav AA folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 8: tweekout folded before the Draw (didn't bet)

That was quick

I just dropped $45 in 56 hands of single draw. That would be my worst session ever in that game. It was like a car crash. OK, I ran terribly there, but I did make one or two seriously spewy plays.

Rule number one of poker: don't play when you're depressed.

The chill-out tables

Tonight I fired up the poker tables as a means of relaxation. That may sound crazy but compared to all the hoops you have to jump through to buy a house, coupled with work which for me is just one big bluff, attempting the occasional snow in badugi is an absolute breeze. My bankroll is currently $939 and has been in a holding pattern between $860 and $960 for some time now. Here are two single draw hands I'm really not proud of:

Hand 1
I really need to bet this. Even out of position (I would say especially out of position) I need to protect against bluffs, and T87 is strong enough to be called by worse hands anyway. I think it would be OK to check a jack or a really rough T9. When I check the decision to call is a tough one.

PokerStars Game #71800564183: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2011/12/08 3:44:57 ET
Table 'Helewalda III' 7-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: DaveBowman ($9.25 in chips)
Seat 2: postnomer1 ($14.25 in chips)
Seat 3: plutoman20 ($34.60 in chips)
Seat 5: EGORSUPER ($5.65 in chips)
Seat 6: Big Baby 38 ($17.15 in chips)
Seat 7: xxemilyxx83 ($16.75 in chips)
postnomer1: posts small blind $0.25
plutoman20: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [3h Td 8s 2d 7h]
EGORSUPER: folds
Big Baby 38: raises $1 to $1.50
xxemilyxx83: folds
Irie Inity joins the table at seat #4
DaveBowman: folds
postnomer1: folds
plutoman20: raises $3 to $4.50
Big Baby 38: calls $3
plutoman20: stands pat on [3h Td 8s 2d 7h]
Big Baby 38: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: checks
Big Baby 38: bets $12.65 and is all-in
plutoman20: calls $12.65
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Big Baby 38: shows [6s 4h 3s 2c 7c] (Lo: 7,6,4,3,2)
plutoman20: shows [3h Td 8s 2d 7h] (Lo: T,8,7,3,2)
Big Baby 38 collected $32.85 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $34.55 Rake $1.70
Seat 1: DaveBowman (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: postnomer1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: plutoman20 (big blind) showed [3h Td 8s 2d 7h] and lost with Lo: T,8,7,3,2
Seat 5: EGORSUPER folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Big Baby 38 showed [6s 4h 3s 2c 7c] and won ($32.85) with Lo: 7,6,4,3,2
Seat 7: xxemilyxx83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 2
I never normally do this. Why the hell didn't I just stick to a proper-size bet? The reraise was perhaps a bit optimistic too.

PokerStars Game #71800811800: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2011/12/08 3:58:17 ET
Table 'Helewalda III' 7-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: DaveBowman ($12.60 in chips)
Seat 2: postnomer1 ($7.70 in chips)
Seat 3: plutoman20 ($18.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Irie Inity ($23.25 in chips)
Seat 5: 888ELVIRA888 ($50 in chips)
Seat 7: xxemilyxx83 ($20.15 in chips)
postnomer1: posts small blind $0.25
plutoman20: posts big blind $0.50
888ELVIRA888: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [8h 4d 7s 5s 3d]
Irie Inity: folds
888ELVIRA888: checks
xxemilyxx83: folds
DaveBowman: folds
postnomer1: calls $0.25
plutoman20: raises $1 to $1.50
888ELVIRA888: calls $1
postnomer1: folds
plutoman20: stands pat on [8h 4d 7s 5s 3d]
888ELVIRA888: discards 1 card
plutoman20: bets $1
888ELVIRA888: raises $1.50 to $2.50
plutoman20: raises $3 to $5.50
888ELVIRA888: calls $3
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [8h 4d 7s 5s 3d] (Lo: 8,7,5,4,3)
888ELVIRA888: shows [6h 2d 3s 8c 4h] (Lo: 8,6,4,3,2)
888ELVIRA888 collected $13.80 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.50 Rake $0.70
Seat 1: DaveBowman (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: postnomer1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: plutoman20 (big blind) showed [8h 4d 7s 5s 3d] and lost with Lo: 8,7,5,4,3
Seat 4: Irie Inity folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: 888ELVIRA888 showed [6h 2d 3s 8c 4h] and won ($13.80) with Lo: 8,6,4,3,2
Seat 7: xxemilyxx83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

Hand 3
I didn't win the pot but a good break all the same. Nine times out of ten I'd pat this.

PokerStars Game #71947106168: Badugi Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2011/12/10 17:08:33 ET
Table 'Rana V' 8-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: CrazyCleargy ($23.95 in chips)
Seat 2: gabrielandi ($8.95 in chips)
Seat 3: TensiAngel ($10 in chips)
Seat 4: youngzzang ($23.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Komondor ($25.65 in chips)
Seat 6: Igive2u2 ($16.80 in chips)
Seat 7: plutoman20 ($55.55 in chips)
Seat 8: beserk007 ($33.50 in chips)
CrazyCleargy: posts small blind $0.25
gabrielandi: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c As 4h Td]
TensiAngel: folds
youngzzang: raises $0.50 to $1
Komondor: folds
Igive2u2: calls $1
plutoman20: raises $0.50 to $1.50
beserk007: folds
CrazyCleargy: folds
gabrielandi: raises $0.50 to $2
Betting is capped
youngzzang: calls $1
Igive2u2: calls $1
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** FIRST DRAW ***
gabrielandi: stands pat
youngzzang: stands pat
Igive2u2: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Td]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c As 4h] [Qh]
gabrielandi: bets $0.50
youngzzang: calls $0.50
Igive2u2: calls $0.50
plutoman20: calls $0.50
*** SECOND DRAW ***
gabrielandi: stands pat
youngzzang: stands pat
Igive2u2: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Qh]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c As 4h] [Kc]
gabrielandi: bets $1
youngzzang: calls $1
Igive2u2: calls $1
plutoman20: calls $1
*** THIRD DRAW ***
gabrielandi: stands pat
youngzzang: stands pat
Igive2u2: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Kc]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3c As 4h] [Ah]
gabrielandi: bets $1
youngzzang: calls $1
Igive2u2: calls $1
plutoman20: folds
*** SHOW DOWN ***
gabrielandi: shows [Kh 5s 8d 2c] (Badugi: K,8,5,2)
youngzzang: shows [2d 7h 9s 4c] (Badugi: 9,7,4,2)
Igive2u2: mucks hand
youngzzang collected $16.75 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $17.25 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: CrazyCleargy (small blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 2: gabrielandi (big blind) showed [Kh 5s 8d 2c] and lost with a Badugi: K,8,5,2
Seat 3: TensiAngel folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 4: youngzzang showed [2d 7h 9s 4c] and won ($16.75) with a Badugi: 9,7,4,2
Seat 5: Komondor folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Igive2u2 mucked [9h 6s 7d 5c]
Seat 7: plutoman20 folded after the 3rd Draw
Seat 8: beserk007 (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)

Hand 4
I got caught out here. Komar's check on the flop after it went 2:1:2 fooled me into thinking his draw wasn't great (I don't think he was trying to fool us but that's what happened). I bet the turn thinking he might well check his hand again; when he raised I put him on a rough seven to a nine, something probably good enough to bet the river but beaten by my smooth seven, hence the check-raise.

PokerStars Game #71894624381: Badugi Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2011/12/09 18:24:42 ET
Table 'Ilioneus X' 8-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: dragnet944 ($104.50 in chips)
Seat 2: Catchtheflax ($16.75 in chips)
Seat 3: huli2 ($22 in chips)
Seat 4: plutoman20 ($52.25 in chips)
Seat 5: wiessrut ($21.50 in chips)
Seat 6: redskinfox ($11 in chips)
Seat 8: KomaR ($39.75 in chips)
huli2: posts small blind $0.50
plutoman20: posts big blind $1
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [2d Qd 5h 7d]
wiessrut: folds
redskinfox: folds
KomaR: raises $1 to $2
dragnet944: folds
Catchtheflax: calls $2
huli2: folds
plutoman20: calls $1
*** FIRST DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [Qd 7d]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2d 5h] [Jh Qs]
KomaR: discards 1 card
Catchtheflax: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: checks
KomaR: checks
Catchtheflax: checks
*** SECOND DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [Jh Qs]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2d 5h] [4s Ah]
KomaR: discards 1 card
Catchtheflax: discards 2 cards
plutoman20: bets $2
KomaR: raises $2 to $4
Joker Funch joins the table at seat #7
Catchtheflax: folds
plutoman20: calls $2
*** THIRD DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 1 card [5h]
Dealt to plutoman20 [2d 4s Ah] [7c]
KomaR: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
KomaR: bets $2
plutoman20: raises $2 to $4
KomaR: raises $2 to $6
plutoman20 said, "ugh"
plutoman20: calls $2
*** SHOW DOWN ***
KomaR: shows [3h 2s Ad 6c] (Badugi: 6,3,2,A)
plutoman20: mucks hand
plutoman20 said, "nh"
KomaR collected $25.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $26.50 Rake $1
Seat 1: dragnet944 folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Catchtheflax (button) folded after the 2nd Draw
Seat 3: huli2 (small blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 4: plutoman20 (big blind) mucked [2d 4s 7c Ah]
Seat 5: wiessrut folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 6: redskinfox folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 8: KomaR showed [3h 2s Ad 6c] and won ($25.50) with a Badugi: 6,3,2,A

Hand 5
I've learnt not to Respect this guy's bets and raises. I wouldn't choose to snow this kind of hand off the bat.

PokerStars Game #71891612190: Badugi Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2011/12/09 17:29:04 ET
Table 'Ilioneus X' 8-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: joca_batista ($36 in chips)
Seat 2: Catchtheflax ($28.50 in chips)
Seat 3: huli2 ($26 in chips)
Seat 4: plutoman20 ($36 in chips)
Seat 5: vlsdlek ($11.50 in chips)
Seat 6: redskinfox ($37.50 in chips)
Seat 7: MokkaCuka ($99.25 in chips)
Seat 8: Respect ($30.25 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.50
vlsdlek: posts big blind $1
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [5c 4s Ad Th]
redskinfox: folds
MokkaCuka: folds
MokkaCuka leaves the table
Respect: raises $1 to $2
joca_batista: folds
Catchtheflax: folds
huli2: folds
plutoman20: raises $1 to $3
vlsdlek: folds
Respect: raises $1 to $4
Betting is capped
plutoman20: calls $1
*** FIRST DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [5c 4s Ad Th]
Respect: stands pat
plutoman20: bets $1
Respect: raises $1 to $2
plutoman20: calls $1
*** SECOND DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [5c 4s Ad Th]
Respect: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
Respect: bets $2
plutoman20: calls $2
*** THIRD DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [5c 4s Ad Th]
MokkaCuka joins the table at seat #7
Respect: discards 1 card
plutoman20: checks
Respect: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [5c 4s Ad Th] (Badugi: T,5,4,A)
Respect: mucks hand
plutoman20 collected $16.25 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $17 Rake $0.75
Seat 1: joca_batista folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Catchtheflax folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 3: huli2 (button) folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 4: plutoman20 (small blind) showed [5c 4s Ad Th] and won ($16.25) with a Badugi: T,5,4,A
Seat 5: vlsdlek (big blind) folded before the Draw
Seat 6: redskinfox folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 7: MokkaCuka folded before the Draw (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Respect mucked [6s 8h 9h 2d]

November monthly report

I made $256 in November, including a $50 bonus at the beginning of the month, to take my end-of-month bankroll to $903. It's doubtful I'll play much in December - my parents are coming up on Saturday to spend five nights with me, and Christmas will definitely be a poker-free zone.

Badugi mysteries

A fairly quick update: my current bankroll is $934, off my post-cash-out high by $26. So I've been doing OK, but there are a couple of things that puzzle me right now. One, why do I run so badly at 50c/$1 badugi (but thankfully much better at $1/$2)? Two, have I forgotten how to play micro pot-limit badugi? I haven't even looked like cashing in nine straight PL tournaments. Last night I came second in the fixed-limit variety, breaking a streak of seven wins in heads-up battles. This one was a real humdinger. I made the final two on the back of a monster pot when my five went up against a six, but was still down at least two to one when we got heads-up. I played quite aggressively, gradually chipping away at his lead and then edging in front. I moved well ahead and felt nailed-on for victory but lost some big pots and fell behind once more. I clawed back to even but eventually my eight ran into a seven and it was all over. This badly-timed snow attempt (he was repping a good tri; I really should have folded to his pre-flop reraise) was perhaps my undoing:

PokerStars Game #71155620616: Tournament #470937796, $3.00+$0.30 USD Badugi Limit - Level X (500/1000) - 2011/11/26 6:22:32 ET
Table '470937796 2' 8-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 5: plutoman20 (16450 in chips)
Seat 7: YuriiLeonov (6050 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind 250
YuriiLeonov: posts big blind 500
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [6c Ts 9c 8c]
plutoman20: raises 500 to 1000
YuriiLeonov: raises 500 to 1500
plutoman20: calls 500
*** FIRST DRAW ***
YuriiLeonov: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [9c 8c]
Dealt to plutoman20 [6c Ts] [6s 7c]
YuriiLeonov: bets 500
plutoman20: calls 500
*** SECOND DRAW ***
YuriiLeonov: discards 1 card
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [6c Ts]
Dealt to plutoman20 [6s 7c] [Kc Th]
YuriiLeonov: bets 1000
plutoman20: raises 1000 to 2000
YuriiLeonov: calls 1000
*** THIRD DRAW ***
YuriiLeonov: discards 1 card
plutoman20: stands pat on [6s 7c Kc Th]
YuriiLeonov: checks
plutoman20: bets 1000
YuriiLeonov: calls 1000
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [Kc Th 6s 7c] (3-card: T,7,6)
YuriiLeonov: shows [Ac 3h 2d Tc] (3-card: 3,2,A)
YuriiLeonov collected 10000 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 10000 Rake 0
Seat 5: plutoman20 (button) (small blind) showed [Kc Th 6s 7c] and lost with a 3-card: T,7,6
Seat 7: YuriiLeonov (big blind) showed [Ac 3h 2d Tc] and won (10000) with a 3-card: 3,2,A

The no-go list

I've taken a bit of a hammering in single draw (down $55 in 400 hands) but I've added a few more names to my "avoid" list, which will come in handy. My losses were a combination of a complete inability to hit anything, some unsuccessful bluffs on my part, and some aggressive play from my opponents that put me in some uncomfortable spots. I wish I'd saved a few hands other than these two which are almost low-content material:

Hand 1
This might well have been the biggest pot I won in those 400 hands:

PokerStars Game #70993927532: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2011/11/23 2:52:27 ET
Table 'Octavia III' 7-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: marciano999 ($50 in chips)
Seat 2: Kevz-VR6 ($26.35 in chips)
Seat 3: plutoman20 ($12.50 in chips)
Seat 4: Ghengis6 ($49.35 in chips)
Seat 5: wk20a ($37.15 in chips)
Seat 6: Mr_Okil ($24.25 in chips)
Seat 7: mariq5009 ($97.45 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.25
Ghengis6: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [6s 2d 6c 2s 2c]
wk20a: folds
Mr_Okil: folds
mariq5009: raises $1 to $1.50
marciano999: folds
Kevz-VR6: folds
plutoman20: raises $3.50 to $5
Ghengis6: folds
mariq5009: calls $3.50
plutoman20: stands pat on [6s 2d 6c 2s 2c]
mariq5009: discards 1 card
plutoman20: bets $7.50 and is all-in
mariq5009: folds
Uncalled bet ($7.50) returned to plutoman20
plutoman20 collected $10 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $10.50 Rake $0.50
Seat 1: marciano999 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Kevz-VR6 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: plutoman20 (small blind) collected ($10)
Seat 4: Ghengis6 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: wk20a folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Mr_Okil folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: mariq5009 folded on the Flop

Hand 2
And this was definitely the biggest pot I didn't win.

PokerStars Game #70994105465: Single Draw 2-7 Lowball No Limit ($0.25/$0.50 USD) - 2011/11/23 3:04:02 ET
Table 'Octavia III' 7-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: marciano999 ($58.80 in chips)
Seat 2: Kevz-VR6 ($32.80 in chips)
Seat 3: plutoman20 ($14.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Ghengis6 ($20.40 in chips)
Seat 5: wk20a ($25.70 in chips)
Seat 6: Mr_Okil ($51.70 in chips)
Seat 7: mariq5009 ($87 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind $0.25
Ghengis6: posts big blind $0.50
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [9c Js Kc 5s 3d]
wk20a: folds
Mr_Okil: folds
mariq5009: raises $1.50 to $2
marciano999: raises $5.50 to $7.50
Kevz-VR6: folds
plutoman20: folds
Ghengis6: calls $7
mariq5009: raises $14 to $21.50
marciano999: raises $23 to $44.50
Ghengis6: calls $12.90 and is all-in
mariq5009: raises $42.50 to $87 and is all-in
marciano999: calls $14.30 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($28.20) returned to mariq5009
plutoman20 said, "yikes"
Ghengis6: discards 1 card
mariq5009: stands pat
marciano999: stands pat
*** SHOW DOWN ***
mariq5009: shows [2h 7s 4d 5c 6c] (Lo: 7,6,5,4,2)
marciano999: mucks hand
mariq5009 collected $76.80 from side pot
plutoman20 said, "nh"
Ghengis6: mucks hand
mariq5009 collected $58.45 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $138.25 Main pot $58.45. Side pot $76.80. Rake $3
Seat 1: marciano999 mucked [8s 5h 7d 4h 3c]
Seat 2: Kevz-VR6 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: plutoman20 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: Ghengis6 (big blind) mucked [8h 3s 2d 6d 2s]
Seat 5: wk20a folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Mr_Okil folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: mariq5009 showed [2h 7s 4d 5c 6c] and won ($135.25) with Lo: 7,6,5,4,2

Double play

I've just had my first ever heads-up-free tournament win. I don't consider heads-up play to be my forte, so winning it in this fashion is like a golfer who's a bit shaky on the greens holing a seven-iron. To be honest my heads-up play has improved, and in fact I've now won the last four tournaments I've cashed in. One of those was my first ever triple draw win. This was the final hand of tonight's tournament:

PokerStars Game #70783401542: Tournament #467663713, $2.00+$0.20 USD Badugi Limit - Level XII (800/1600) - 2011/11/19 5:51:00 ET
Table '467663713 3' 8-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 2: plutoman20 (21820 in chips)
Seat 5: joedlo78 (6300 in chips)
Seat 7: BigJ117 (1880 in chips)
plutoman20: posts small blind 400
joedlo78: posts big blind 800
*** DEALING HANDS ***
Dealt to plutoman20 [Js 3d Ah 5d]
BigJ117: raises 800 to 1600
plutoman20: calls 1200
joedlo78: calls 800
*** FIRST DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 2 cards [Js 5d]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3d Ah] [7c Qh]
joedlo78: discards 1 card
BigJ117: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
joedlo78: checks
BigJ117: bets 280 and is all-in
plutoman20: calls 280
joedlo78: calls 280
*** SECOND DRAW ***
plutoman20: discards 1 card [Qh]
Dealt to plutoman20 [3d Ah 7c] [5s]
joedlo78: stands pat
BigJ117: stands pat
plutoman20: checks
joedlo78: bets 1600
plutoman20: raises 1600 to 3200
joedlo78: raises 1220 to 4420 and is all-in
plutoman20: calls 1220
*** THIRD DRAW ***
plutoman20: stands pat on [3d Ah 7c 5s]
joedlo78: stands pat
BigJ117: stands pat
*** SHOW DOWN ***
plutoman20: shows [7c 3d Ah 5s] (Badugi: 7,5,3,A)
joedlo78: shows [9s 5h 7d 8c] (Badugi: 9,8,7,5)
plutoman20 collected 8840 from side pot
BigJ117: shows [Tc Jh Qd 3s] (Badugi: Q,J,T,3)
plutoman20 collected 5640 from main pot
joedlo78 finished the tournament in 2nd place and received $12.00.
BigJ117 finished the tournament in 3rd place and received $8.00.
plutoman20 wins the tournament and receives $20.00 - congratulations!
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 14480 Main pot 5640. Side pot 8840. Rake 0
Seat 2: plutoman20 (small blind) showed [7c 3d Ah 5s] and won (14480) with a Badugi: 7,5,3,A
Seat 5: joedlo78 (big blind) showed [9s 5h 7d 8c] and lost with a Badugi: 9,8,7,5
Seat 7: BigJ117 (button) showed [Tc Jh Qd 3s] and lost with a Badugi: Q,J,T,3

Update: after a good badugi session, my bankroll now stands at $907 which is a new high since I last cashed out (which was my whole cash balance, leaving just thirty-odd bucks of tournament money).